Shorter Rand Paul: I was NEVER against the Civil Rights Act. I just think the whole desegregating lunch counters went a bit far. His attempt to snow the people at Howard University was a disaster. TPM covers it: Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), a proponent of civil liberties, told a professor on Wednesday that he never opposed the Civil Rights Act … Read More
RIP Margaret Thatcher
Well, put me down as "not a fan", but you can't deny her impact. I lived in England for a year under her reign, and boy did that woman polarize her people. The mother of modern conservatism, she deregulated the hell out of the country and fostered in a decade of selfishness, which took root here in the United States … Read More
A Dignified Death
After making North Carolina a punchline for a couple of days, the Speaker of the NC legislature does the right thing: The Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives killed legislation on Thursday that aimed toestablish an official state religion. House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Charlotte) announced Thursday afternoon that the bill would not be receiving a vote in … Read More
The Seven States Working Hard To Close Abortion Clinics
The Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers, or TRAP laws, tend to capture fewer headlines than other types of abortion restrictions, largely because they’re complicated pieces of legislation that may not seem outrageous on the surface. But women’s health advocates warn they actually represent one of the most serious threats to reproductive rights in the nation. This is an effective anti-choice tactic because … Read More
UNC Facing Backlash For Its Treatment of Sexual Assault Victims
To mark the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill student paper has a message for their university over its disciplinary system, which handles sexual assault with the seriousness of a minor infraction. Since the school received national attention for threatening to expel a college sophomore who spoke publicly about her rape, later suspending the proceeding, the … Read More
North Carolina Don’t Need Your Stinkin’ Constitution
This is embarrassing: RALEIGH, N.C. — A bill filed by Republican lawmakers would allow North Carolina to declare an official religion, in violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Bill of Rights, and seeks to nullify any federal ruling against Christian prayer by public bodies statewide. The bill grew out of a federal lawsuit filed last month by the American … Read More
Quote Of The Day
“People overseas didn’t go to Ivy League schools” – Pat Robertson, when asked why miracles “happen with great frequency in Africa, and not here in the USA". Seriously. According to Robertson, it’s the “skepticism and secularism” that is being taught at “the most advanced schools” around the country that is keeping God’s miracles at bay. Meanwhile, Africans are “simple” and “humble.” … Read More
Don’t Kid Yourself — There’s No GOP “Rebranding”
In fact, the culture wars are getting worse. Despite public attitudes and last year's election results, we're still seeing Republican policymakers ban abortion rights, reject marriage equality, go after contraception access, and target Planned Parenthood – and we're only three months into the year. I suppose, then, it shouldn't be too surprising that abstinence-only and sex-ed remain conservative priorities. In addition to passing some of the most restrictive … Read More
Ross Douhat’s Desparate Editorial
What's remarkable about Ross Douhat's New York Times editorial against gay marriage is that it is devoid of any compelling fact. First, he cites the decay in marriage — i.e., less people are getting married and divorces are up. Then, he admits that correlation isn't causation, i.e., he admits that the decay in marriage probably has more to do with the economy … Read More
Idiot Quote Of The Day
From Georgia GOP Chairwoman: “You may be as straight as an arrow, and you may have a friend that is as straight as an arrow… Say you had a great job with the government where you had this wonderful health plan. I mean, what would prohibit you from saying that you’re gay, and y’all get married and still live as … Read More
Quote Of The Day
From Slate: I was hoping to see zombie Merle rise again and rescue Milton so the two could start their own spinoff. Nevertheless, the season and season finale delivered, and I'm looking forward to the next. Now, will somebody tell me what happened on Game of Thrones?
Google Honors Cesar Chavez Birthday, Which Happens To Fall on Easter; Cue Rightwing Mind Explosion
It wouldn't be Easter without a massive right wing freakout, and today's rage meme is directed at Google because their front page "Doodle" is currently celebrating the birthday of Latino American civil rights hero Cesar Chavez. As someone who organized immigrant farm workers, Chavez is a natural target for the right wing. He neatly encapsulates everything they hate: poor people, … Read More
GOP Minority Outreach Hits “”Wetback” Wall
Congressman Don Young (R-AK) used the term “wetbacks” during an interview with a local Alaska radio station yesterday. Young also believes that Americans need to bring industry back to this country rather than relying on imports. Doing so would increase jobs, although he understands that automation has reduced the number of labor positions available. “My father had a ranch; we used to have … Read More
Prude Alert
From Talking Points Memo: Parents in Dietrich, Idaho, aren’t very happy with the way science teacher Tim McDaniel is teaching their children human anatomy. That is to say, they’re unhappy that he is teaching them human anatomy at all. In a formal complaint made against the 18-year Dietrich School veteran by at least four parents, McDaniel is chided for using the … Read More