Poll: 11% of tea partiers do their own dental work
The results of a new, exclusive HAB poll have been released including a shocking statistic: 11% of tea partiers do their own dental work. For an unknown reason, dentists - along with lawyers, public administrators, and psychologists - are among the tea partiers' least popular professions. And, the teapartiers have put their money - and their home-made dental tools - where their mouths are.
Follow-up interviews with tea party members have revealed a wide variety of reasons, but some observers have also pointed to the fact that Koch Industries - a major benefactor of groups that promote the tea parties - is heavily invested in "dental tourism" and a chain of DIY clinics in the Cayman Islands and other offshore havens. Those observers also note that tea party leader Dick Armey is a lobbyist for the mercury and asbestos industries in addition to endorsing a low-cost DIY dental kit. The poll results also follow a week-long Glenn Beck series focusing on the medical and dental professions and tying them into the greater Progressive movement.
Some of the reasons given by tea party members in follow-up interviews include:
* "I'll be DAMNED if any of those dentists are going to get a dime of my money! The ADA is a SOCIALIST SUBVERSIVE organization founded with the assistance of MARGARET Sanger and funded by Teddy ROOSEVELT and other PROGRESSIVES, also known as COMMUNISTS!"
* "I'm sick and tired of these whining, TREEHUGGING hippie commmunists with THEIR nanny STATE rules about mercury AND asbestos! Go back TO Russia!"
* "Obama is a COMMUNIST, and I THINK you're a Communist TOO!"
* "I'm a very satisfied customer of the Dick Armey-approved DIY Dental Kit and I've already performed two root canals on my molars! Now, that's freedom! Don't listen to the Enemies of Liberty, taste the sweet sweet tea of Freedom!"
When contacted for comment, a tea party leader simply shouted "Communist!" into the phone several times and then hung up.
Posted by Ariadne at 11:16 AM
Why do we have a Christmas tree at the White House?
Lately, the rightwing noisemakers have been doing what they do best: making a fuss about a "Chairman Mao" ornament on the White House Christmas tree. Memo to the wingnuts: it's called artistic expression and irony. Don't expect those mouth-breathers to understand that.
More importantly, lost in all the noise is the answer to a much deeper question:
Why is there a White House Christmas tree in the first place?
This is America, not some country with a state religion. This country was founded on freedom of religion, which also means freedom from religion. Why is the Obama administration making Christianity in effect a state religion? What are people who have another religion supposed to think? What are the truly rational among us who don't believe in fairy tales supposed to think? The Obama administration was supposed to be on our side; why are they pandering to mouth-breathing, bible-thumping bigots, especially since none of them voted for them in the first place?
This isn't Northern Europe
Yes, we have trees in Brentwood (hence its name), but we don't have Christmas trees growing there: we've got palm trees. Show of hands: how many of you have ever seen a spruce or a pine? My research shows that those trees are only growing in a small region of the country, and the vast majority of Americans don't live in Minnesota or (gulp) Alaska. The Christmas tree is a foreign concept; in fact, it's a foreign concept from Northern Europe. What connection do almost all Americans have to the forests of Northern Europe? If we're going to have a tree for our winter festival, why not a native or indigenous plant, such as the saguaro cactus?
Have yourself a Merry Deforestation
The world is struggling with Climate Change, and trees are our best natural defenses against scorching summers and melting ice caps. So, why do we celebrate cutting down trees simply as decoration? We need to celebrate the trees themselves and in their natural, unharmed environment.
Instead of having a White House Christmas Tree, we should be on our knees in front of a list of George Bush's sins, begging the world for forgiveness for all the pain we've inflicted on them, whether through massive pollution or through trying to "bomb them back to the Stone Age".
Posted by Ariadne at 11:33 AM
About the Aspen Bear "cull"
There's been a lot of irresponsible speculation in the "blogosphere" about a so-called bear "cull" in Aspen. What those "armchair analysts" don't understand is that there's been a ten-fold increase in bear sightings in our wonderful town; even the Legacy Media has noticed it (link). Something has to be done, and it has to be done now before something tragic happens.
Do you want to talk about root causes? Those "know-it-alls" who feel free to criticize at a distance have no idea what's going on here. We are literally under siege. The amount of berries and other fruits on trees in the surrounding woods and mountains has been dramatically reduced, and that's caused the bears to look for food elsewhere. I have personal experience with that, as a large female black bear was recently found rummaging through the trash bin of one of the guest houses of my summer cottage in Aspen. My security team had no choice: once a bear develops a taste for human trash, it has a strong possibility of developing a taste for human flesh. I want to assure everyone that, because my security team uses a special type of ammunition known as "hollow points", the bear and her cubs felt no pain.
You know the old saying about when you point fingers you've got four fingers pointing back at you? Well, it applies in this case. Instead of blaming the entirely innocent residents of the wonderful "second town" I call home, blame yourself. The root cause of all this is global warming. It was global warming that led to the berry shortage, and that led to bears coming into town, and that led to us having to do something. We in Aspen seek to live in one with nature and take a series of steps to reduce our carbon footprint. What about you? What role have you played in increasing global warming? Don't you bear a little responsibility for the situation we face?
Further, I want to assure everyone that what we are forced to do is simply good wildlife management; we are being good stewards of the wonderful town we've been given. We have consulted with local Native American leaders and will be seeking their assistance with the action. Further, we will assure that no one will profit from the action but that instead the meat will be donated to homeless shelters in Denver and other major cities. The pelts will be crafted into garments for use by impoverished people in the Russian Far East, sending an international message of peace.
Instead of questioning what we're doing, look inward: what are you personally doing to stop global warming in order to prevent situations like this from recurring?
Posted by Ariadne at 12:52 PM
Obama: Take Over Whole Foods! Petition
To: President Barack Obama
WHEREAS Whole Foods is the world's leading supplier of fresh, organic products to the U.S., and
WHEREAS Whole Foods is a vital part of our communities and a treasured source of delicious and wholesome foods, and
WHEREAS CEO John Mackey recently revealed himself to be a ultra-far-right reactionary who is opposed to the rational healthcare reform that the vast majority of Americans wholeheartedly support, and
WHEREAS CEO John Mackey's opposition to rational healthcare reform is also shared by other evil-mongers such as the racist xenophobic mean-spirited reactionary "tea-baggers" and others who've attended townhall meetings, and
WHEREAS the current boycott of the company not only will have limited effectiveness but may lead to a disruption in supplies to our local markets and may lead to them shutting down stores and perhaps even firing employees and will have an impact on suppliers in countries that are already suffering under decades of U.S. oppression, and
WHEREAS other companies have been taken over by the U.S. government including companies that simply produce cars or that are banks and are not as important as food, and
WE THE UNDERSIGNED progressives hereby urge you, U.S. president and U.S. citizen Barack Obama to pass emergency legislation taking over (nationalizing) Whole Foods as a vital part of the U.S. food supply and replacing CEO David Mackey with someone who will carry forth the Obama administration's progressive goals.
Signed,
Ariadne Huffanan
Ward Beecher
John Ciccilini
Others will be added, and visitors are urged to add your signatures in the comments below.
Posted by Ariadne at 04:03 PM
No drilling in my back yard!
Although my main residence is in Brentwood, I also have a weekend getaway on the beach in Malibu. The cool, fresh sea air invigorates my senses, and the view of the sunset clears my mind after a long week of investigating corruption in Washington and uncovering the malfeasances of the Bush administration.
However, if a new plan has its way my view might be blocked, and I and several of my friends intend to do something about it.
On Sunday, a small group of my neighbors gathered to protest the proposed building of an oil platform off my beloved, tranquil beach. This oil rig would pollute the seas from Point Mugu to Venice; it would be an unsightly menace; and, it would encourage even more gasoline consumption when what we should be doing is encouraging the use of electrical cars or personal wind farms.
Halle Berry - an Oscar winner - was there, as were Cindy Crawford, Jane Seymour, Dick Van Dyke and Tea Leoni. Loretta Swit oversaw the catering for the event, and we had a wonderful pancake breakfast with elderberry jam, sourdough pancakes, soy sausages, and - for those not vegans or octo-intolerant, free range eggs. Afterwards, David Faustino on his blue board, and Daryl Hannah on her pink board surfed out to a wonderful prop that Ivana Trump and Nicole Ritchie had constructed meant to represent the evil oil drilling platform that the Republican forces want to construct.
Did I say "Republican forces"? Why, yes I believe I did. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has it within his power to stop this drilling plan, but so far he has not. While lately he's moved to the center in some ways, apparently he's only willing to go so far. (I intend to chat with Maria in an attempt to change his mind, and I'll report back.)
As it said on the prop in a wonderful reference to Arnold's famed character as well as our demands: "Terminate it!"
We shall see which side Arnold is truly on.
Posted by Ariadne at 10:05 PM
Contest: Win an invite to the Rodeo Forum!
This year Bill Maher, Al Franken, David Faustino, and I will be hosting the annual Rodeo Forum, featuring a host of progressive notables from Howard Dean to Randi Rhodes to Jerry Springer to Madeline Albright.
And, if you're a conservative or a Republican, it might include you too!
One of the criticisms of progressives is that we don't spend enough time on outreach, and this year I'll be trying to change that. Up to ten lucky winners will be able to attend the Forum as my guest. And, it'll be not just a wonderful learning experience but an enjoyable vacation as well.
The lucky winners will be flown from your home town to a major hub, and from there you'll board a private jet owned by one of our regular guests. We'll fly you to the Malibu estate of one of our HuffAndBlow contributors (TBA), and you'll enjoy a wonderful breakfest by the sea.
Then, it's off to Brentwood for a day spent watching me write my columns and my upcoming book, and learning about my political tranformation from a conservative into a progressive. And, don't be surprised if a few of my celebrity friends drop by for a chat!
After a refreshing night spent at L'Hermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, you will get to join the Forum as my special guest.
Throughout it all, I will be careful not to "push" progressivism on you or try to make you transform in the way that I did. Rather, I will gently guide you towards a deeper understanding of our ideology, and show you by example how we progressives view the world and what leads us to the ideology we have.
You might still be a conservative when you leave the Forum, but I hope not! I hope that at the end of your stay you'll have the ability to see how interconnected we are and how we need to rely on each other for support, and how we need to work for the common good.
Entering the contest is easy, but you do need to be a conservative or a Republican. All you have to do is post a comment to this post before September 15, 2006. Provide a little background information on yourself as well as where you rank yourself on the political scale (far-right, right, moderate-right, libertarian, etc.) And, most importantly of all, write a 50 word essay describing why you want to attend the Forum with me. That's all! I'll select up to 10 of you and whisk you off to a wonderful, enjoyable learning experience.
Posted by Ariadne at 02:48 PM
Sen. Barbara Boxer on Earthquake Preparedness [CORRECTED]
[First of all, I'd like to apologize for what I said in an earlier version of this post. I've long been a fan of California's better Senator, Barbara Boxer. However, earlier today in this entry I posted her earthquake preparedness tips and mocked her concern for our well-being, going so far as to call her the "B" word and suggesting she "keep her dirty mitts off my life". For that I deeply apologize, and I hope she will forgive me. However, I also hope she will understand the pain that we progressives feel over her support for that despicable DINO Joe Lieberman. Once again, I apologize for what I said earlier, and I hope she will both forgive me and rethink her position. And, I hope she will accept my invitation to be a contributor here at Huff and Blow. Herewith, her tips:]
Dear Friend:
Californians know that a devastating earthquake could occur anywhere in the state at any time. And we also know that a major earthquake would cause hundreds or thousands of deaths, widespread homelessness, and massive property damage.
Although Californians are aware of these important facts, somehow the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) still do not seem to have gotten the message. Last September, I requested a copy of the FEMA disaster recovery plan for California. After several months, I was disappointed to receive a general reply outlining the things that might happen following a generic disaster.
Recently, following a new report from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on the geologic stress that is present especially along the southern portions of the San Andreas Fault -- and the likelihood that a major earthquake is, in fact, overdue -- I again asked for a detailed plan for actions that would follow an earthquake. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, I have again requested a plan specific to California on the steps that would be taken in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake to respond to widespread destruction.
Sadly, it appears that little has changed at FEMA in the year following Hurricane Katrina. The agency appears to be woefully unprepared for an earthquake of major magnitude and the devastation that would follow in California. You can count on me to continue to demand a substantive plan that is designed to keep Californians safe in the days following an earthquake.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Posted by Ariadne at 11:12 AM
David Hasselhoff's "shaving accident"
It was no accident, and that should be obvious to everyone. What's not obvious is why. First, let's review.He was in a London gym bathroom when he hit his head on a chandelier, showering his arm with broken glass, his publicist, Judy Katz, said.
Judy has done some work for me, and she's very good. Too good.
What you don't know about Mr. Hasselhoff might surprise you. Here's a flashback to over a year ago:
"Baywatch" and "Knight Rider," in which Hasselhoff co-starred with a car named Kit, may raise sniggers from highbrow critics at home but they are still going strong in India, and the actor said he had much in common with the escapism of Bollywood.Who do you know who might take offence at remarks like that? Who do you know who might be opposed to such a good will ambassador?
"I'm proud of shows like Baywatch and Knight Rider because it's about saving lives, not taking lives," he told Reuters.
"It's entertainment, it's tongue in cheek, it brings the world together," he said, adding that the entertainment industry was a powerful force for good in the world.
"I think it's responsible for a lot of world peace..."
UPDATE: I've received a great deal of email on this issue, and I also discussed this in some depth with Al Franken at yesterday's meeting. While there are certain things I am not yet free to discuss, just to make this clear, there is the possibility this was just an accident. There is also the possibility it was a publicity stunt designed to boost his flagging singing career:
Posted by Ariadne at 08:00 PM
Republicans hate immigrants
"Why do Republicans hate Latinos?"
Consuelo asked me that stunning question in such an innocent and noble fashion that I was momentarily speechless.
For over two years Consuelo has been working for me and providing the hidden support that a site like Huff And Blow needs. While my tools are a computer keyboard and a dictionary, her tools are a toilet brush and a push broom. While I fight Bush and the Neocon cabal, she tirelessly and humbly fights dust and grime. The topic of her "status" or her "legality" has never come up. It doesn't matter: she's in search of a job, and I have jobs that need to be done. No one else need know about it or be concerned about it, because her employment affects no one else.
All across America, there are millions of other immigrants just like Consuelo. They just come here to work, and they take the jobs that Americans won't do. Can you imagine an American doing menial household tasks? They wouldn't last a half a day!
Meanwhile, the Republicans think of people like Consuelo as a threat. Their talk of "borders", "sovereignty", "the rule of law", "legality", and all their other claptrap is just a cover for their deep bigotry against People of Color. What matter "borders" in today's modern, borderless world? What "threat" could there be from a friendly neighboring country like Mexico? No person is illegal!
Bear in mind, there are a few Republicans who are not like this. While my ex-husband Mitch Huffanan had his faults and "peccadilloes" (a Spanish word - don't tell Bush!) and he was quite reactionary in other matters, when it came to immigrant rights he was a strong supporter. He had even taken affirmative action one step further: rather than simply reaching out to minorities in the U.S., he even went as far as sending recruiters to small Mexican villages seeking to improve the lots of the villagers. Within a few years, his workforce - originally just Americans - was a true international affair, with Mexicans, Salvadorans, and even Hondurans happily toiling away. They showed their true immigrant spirit, working up to 12 hours per day 6 days per week on occasion. Even the teenagers and older children had a strong work ethic, oftentimes helping their parents at the plant. In some cases nearly every person in the whole village would come to the U.S. to take the jobs that Americans would no longer do.
The Republicans - especially those in the House - want to do away with all that. Thankfully, a coalition of immigrants rights supporters intend to fight them every step of the way. And, it's a true cross-border effort, bringing together the Mexican government with the Democratic Party, immigrants rights groups, anti-war groups like ANSWER, WCW, and ISO, labor organizations... and this site.
As you watch Bush's immigration speech, bear in mind that the only people who truly support full rights for every immigrant regardless of status are the Democratic Party and our allies in this fight for the rights of all peoples around the world.
Posted by Ariadne at 10:02 AM
Alternate Universe Bush News
Welcome to this week's wrap-up.
In AU#12, George W. Bush rises seven more points from last month's record popularity of 72%. Analysts surmise that most of those gains were because of the recently released figures showing Bush's anti-corruption campaign leading to over 1 million fewer illegal aliens in the U.S. than this year at the same time.
Meanwhile, over in AU#43, president Bush continues his long "fishing vacation" on his ranch, Pro Tem President Cheney's popularity rating recovered slightly from last week, and is now at 11%.
Slightly cheerier news from AU#71. In that universe, it's been over a year since the country of Honduras accepted our offer and decided to take the entire Bush administration, Bush family, and large numbers of BushBots off our hands. "Caudillo Jorge" is well on his way to "privatising" what little of Honduras' industries remain after the short-lived "Bush War". In the west, Subcomandante Jeb has managed to rally several indigenous tribes to his cause. "El Jefe Hewitt" reports that "Caudillo Jorge" plans to increase banana production 43% this quarter, and the future is looking brighter every day.
The 2008 presidential races are heating up in AU#38. Vicente Fox is still considered a long shot for the U.S. race, despite heavy backing by the GOP. And, in Mexico, George W. Bush is likewise considered a long shot despite being fully backed by the PAN party. This is believed to be the first time in history that termed-out presidents have switched countries, although many speculate that in Bush's case he switched many years ago.
And, over in AU#15, George W. Bush has been appointed Assistant Manager of the Garland (TX) Four Day Tire Store.
Posted by Ariadne at 10:32 PM
WalMart: from both sides now
Many of my fellow progressives have a negative image of WalMart, despite having never shopped there or knowing very little about the company. Yes, they do have their downsides and their problems, but there are also positive things that could be said about WalMart.
In an attempt to find out the truth about America's largest retailer, I recently left the comfortable confines of Brentwood and ventured to the far northern San Fernando Valley, specifically a part of Los Angeles - not its own city - oddly called "Panorama City". Inside, the store was a beehive of activity, as lower-wage workers scurried hither and yon fetching and stocking products and helping other lower-wage workers of other companies. While it certainly wasn't Rodeo Drive, it had a certain elegance of its own: those who can afford little are able to buy quality products that they could otherwise not afford.
We progressives sometimes put policy ahead of cold, hard fact. WalMart fills a market that would otherwise go unfilled, and helps those who we claim to try to help. Give them a break, I say.
And, as for SR 3482, the state legislation that would force Wal-Mart Stores to spend more on employee health insurance, a quick scan shows that all across the country, newspaper editorial boards - no great friends of business - are ripping the bills. Perhaps they should visit their local WalMarts and see who they'd be affecting.
Posted by Ariadne at 09:37 PM
The smear campaign against Paula Abdul
Was Paula Abdul drunk on last night's American Idol? Or, is she just the victim of a transnational smear campaign? Qui bono from smearing America's favorite music critic? Let's look at the facts.
First, she's alleged to have said:
"Simon said because one of them ate pizza and the other one ate salad."
Yes. And, so? Perhaps Simon did say that. Perhaps Simon did say some other things, and did some other things as well. Who could be behind this smear campaign? Who indeed.
In fact, let's look at Simon Cowell in a bit more depth. While he's reportedly a "music executive", an in-depth look at his financial reports shows that one of his investors is Chin Ho Minh company from Shanghai. They're a multinational conglomerate, and they even have business operations in the U.S.
What do they do here in the U.S.? Well, they own various manufacturing companies.
And, one of the subsidiaries of one their subsidiaries owns the Luster Lady chain. Those are nail salons. And, recall that Abdul is a frequent critic of that industry, including testifying before the California legislature, doughtily fighting for nail care reform.
Follow the money, follow the money.
Posted by Ariadne at 10:32 PM
Virginia: Republican delegate shoots gun; what is the Washington Post hiding?
The Washington Post reports on Virginia Delegate John S. "Jack" Reid who claims to have accidentally fired a gun he was carrying in his office. The bullet - miracles of miracles - hit his bullet-proof vest which was hanging on a hat rack. Reid is - of course - a Republican.
Something about this story doesn't smell right. The WaPo treats this as a joke. Some joke: a gun being fired inside the heart of Virginia's state government. And, what are the chances of an accidental shot finding its way to a bullet-proof vest?
When all other claims have been discredited, one finds the truth. That truth the WaPo overlooks seems to be AB 717, the Virginia bill that would condemn global warming and support the "Kyoto 2" treaty. While, of course, Virginia has no power to propose or directly support Kyoto 2, it's the thought that counts. World leaders from Hugo Chavez to Fidel Castro to Kofi and Kojo Annan to Al Gore and Jimmy Carter support AB 717, but Reid is a strong opponent of this bill. Could - and I stress this is only speculation - could he have been trying to send a message to his Gaia-friendly colleagues?
And, where is the Washington Post in all this? Making jokes, as if global warming is a laughing matter. Shame on them.
Posted by Ariadne at 11:25 PM
Santa arrested for beating street sign
It's truly a "sign of our times" that a Sepulpa, Oklahoma Santa Claus was arrested on Christmas morning for allegedly beating a street sign with a No Parking sign that he'd pulled from the ground. Apparently this Claus had been drinking.
It's stories like this that make you wish the blue states could secede from the Union. What sort of culture allows people to dress in a no doubt red and white fur "suit, hat, beard and gloves"? While the fur was probably fake, what was he doing intoxicated on what is a holy day for millions of Americans?
Can there be any doubt that this Jolly Old Saint Nick was a good Bush supporter? Clearly the corruption of the Bush administration and of Judy Miller and the New York Times has "trickled down" to even the redcollars of Oklahoma. I cannot believe that we have three more years of this administration to go. How much more damage will they do to the American spirit in that time?
Posted by Ariadne at 04:20 PM
Melvin Duchovny is a fraud and will not post here again
I cannot believe that I am forced to do this. However, Mel Duchovny's actions earlier today have forced my hand and I have no choice.
Melvin will not be posting at Huff And Blow again.
Furthermore, he is a fraud, as I shall shortly explain.
However, I have no time at the moment as Martin Sheen, Ed Asner, Robert Sheer, David Faustino and I are currently flying on a chartered flight to San Quentin to try to help free Tookie Williams. More later...
Posted by Ariadne at 06:13 PM
Exopolitics, paranoia, and xenophobia
Paul Hellyer, who was Defence Minister of Canada from 1963-67, shocked the world a couple of months back when he remarked:
"UFOs, are as real as the airplanes that fly over your head... I'm so concerned about what the consequences might be of starting an intergalactic war, that I just think I had to say something... The secrecy involved in all matters pertaining to the Roswell incident was unparalled. The classification was, from the outset, above top secret, so the vast majority of U.S. officials and politicians, let alone a mere allied minister of defence, were never in-the-loop... The United States military are preparing weapons which could be used against the aliens, and they could get us into an intergalactic war without us ever having any warning... The Bush administration has finally agreed to let the military build a forward base on the moon, which will put them in a better position to keep track of the goings and comings of the visitors from space, and to shoot at them, if they so decide... The time has come to lift the veil of secrecy, and let the truth emerge, so there can be a real and informed debate, about one of the most important problems facing our planet today."
I actually agree with most of his statements. We do need to worry about what our government isn't telling us, and we do need to worry about these weapons and these bases. And, we definitely need to worry about the Shrub starting yet another war, this time of the intergalactic kind.
However, that's where my agreement with him stops. I find his remarks to be extremely xenophobic, sensationalist, paranoic, and, well, downright specist.
Yes, there are UFOs. And, yes, there are advanced civilizations other than our own. But, we have no proof that they are war-like or mean us harm! In fact, would we be here now if they meant us harm?
It's a big universe out there, and I happen to think those civilizations will be just like our own. And, probably even better. There is no doubt we could learn much from them. And, think of their no doubt wonderful customs! What wondrous foods and goods and products are outside even our wildest imaginings? What wonders of the far-off corners of the universe would these visitors from afar bring us? And, bear in mind that those beings - whether humanoid or not - would probably be related to us in some distant way. We have nothing to fear except the fear of our far-off cousins from space.
Posted by Ariadne at 10:42 PM
"Open Source Media": another parvenue site
My partner Prince Gerdt and I seem to have started a most unfortunate trend: copy-cat "blogs" featuring people who aren't anybodies even at their corner newsstands.
Perhaps a bit of a history lesson is in order here. We started this site earlier this year, and the first post here was made by me on April 27, 2005.
A few weeks later, the first parvenue copykat site sprang up, the so-called Huffington Post. A larger group of air-headed nobodies you will not find.
Now, we are informed that there will be soon yet another rip-off of our original concept, the so-called "Open Source Media".
I feel like I am Sony and I am faced with a million Chinese knock-offs of my products. Thankfully, consumers can tell the difference between the real thing and a fake.
This OSM will feature far-right reactionaries like Glenn Reynolds and the much-hated Charles Johnson of LGF. For balance, they will include token moderates and liberals such as David Corn and Marc Cooper.
As if it were not bad enough, that report linked to above is written at the web site of former Drudge Report web person Andrew Breitbart, who is reputedly associated with this "HuffPost".
The reason they do things like this is because they do not want you to know the truth. Do not buy their lies. Just as you would not buy cheap Chinese knockoffs, do not buy the parvenue sites.
Posted by Ariadne at 08:47 PM
Questions about Judge "Scalito" Alito's background...
There are a lot of questions about George Bush's latest choice for the United States Supreme Court - Judge Samuel A. Alito - indeed.
For instance, here's the recently-sanitized "biography" from his son, Colgate University student Phil Alito:
...I was born 9 months and 2 weeks later by a midwife/wolf named Janie Jean, who would prove very influential during my formative years. Shortly after, I became interested in politics and got involved with Gary Condit (not like that). I served as a parking aide to Nancy Pelosi (I won't even start on her) but was fired when Barbara Boxer came onto me.
(A reluctant hat tip to that parvenue site.)
What else is the Alito family trying to hide from us? Are there nieces or nephews or cousins that have something to hide?
And, there's the strange case of those 20 mobsters who were acquitted. And, Scalito is Italian... Isn't it possible that someone got to him, made him an offer? Do we really need someone like that on the highest court in the land?
Worst of all, Alito would be the fifth Catholic on the Supreme Court. Now, surely, most or almost all Catholics are patriotic Americans, and only a small number of them take their marching orders from Rome. But, with that many, aren't we simply playing with statistical fire?
I - and my other contributors - will be looking into his strange, questionable background in the coming weeks.
Posted by Ariadne at 09:32 PM
Keep driving your Prius!
I have trouble believing stories like "Prius probed for engine stalls". As with other things in today's strange world, it's necessary to look behind the news and ask, who's to profit? Well, who indeed would profit from smearing cars that try to minimize the use of fossil fuels? Anyone have any ideas? Whoever could that be?
Whatever the motivations of these naysayers, I have to state that I have had no problems with my Prius. In fact, it's the main car that I use whenever I don't need to carry large objects. And, many of my friends also have Priuses (Priusi? In my native Albanian, it would be Priusem, but that's probably not it). And, none of my friends have told me about problems.
Please, keep driving your Prius, and don't believe the lies.
Posted by Ariadne at 10:33 PM
Saddam skivies and Rupert hates America
Or, does he? Having appeared as a guest on a few of Rupert Murdoch's television shows, I know that Rupert does nothing without the explicit approval (or collaboration) of the White House. Certainly, in a few cases Murdoch might set the tone and the White House dances, but it's usually the opposite.
Why then, we have to ask ourselves, would Rupert Murdoch's two flagship newspapers - the New York Post and the London Sun - print what might appear to be damaging photos of Saddam Hussein?
Perhaps what we're witnessing is "Flypaper 2", a renewed attempt to enrage the "insurgents" in Iraq and force us to massacre more of them then we've been doing.
After all, Murdoch would not do anything damaging to the U.S. in the long run. It might appear to be damaging, but perhaps that's just what we're intended to think.
And, as John Ciccilini pointed out below, $hrub and Karl Rove will do anything to distract our attention from issues like the Treasury Department awarding $2 billion in tax credits.
Cui bono...
Posted by Ariadne at 08:43 PM
Viral Democracy
Each day the lies coming from the Republicans get worse and worse, and each day their power becomes stronger. They desire absolute power, and they will do anything to achieve it.
What can we do? I'd like to propose an idea that some might wish to follow in order to save this great country from the fate that George W. Bush and his cohorts have in mind for us: join the Republican Party.
Yes, that's right: become a member of the Republican Party.
Hear me out...
I'm not suggesting becoming a true Republican, I'm only suggesting that patriotic Democrats should join the other party. Step by step they could nudge the Republicans back onto the right path. If enough Democrats did this, we could even gain a fair amount of control over the party and prevent this hostile takeover of America. Imagine: socialist "Republicans", liberal "Republicans", green "Republicans", progressive "Republicans", peace and freedom "Republicans", communist "Republicans", Trotskyite "Republicans", Marxist-Leninist "Republicans", the list goes on and on. Think of us as a Trojan Horse: millions of new recruits for the NeoCon crusade for blood and oil. Yet, secretly hidden within our hearts is true liberalism, monkeywrenching their plans for world domination.
We need to attack them in the only way we can: from deep within.
Posted by Ariadne at 11:46 PM
Zeke Whittle is ALIVE!
This is truly miraculous news. Earlier today Huff And Blow was shocked to hear that America's favorite newscaster Zeke Whittle had passed on shortly after his first post here.
Thankfully, that post was in error, and Zeke is still with us!
Apparently, after posting the entry, Zeke's great nephew Ethan began showing Zeke some other sites. Currently, Whittle family doctors speculate that Zeke was plunged into a deep catatonic state by flashing banner ads.
The site that caused this? The Drudge Report. I knew it was a danger to society, but not that much.
We wish Zeke a happy birthday, and the best for a speedy recovery. He'll be back posting here as soon as he can.
Posted by Ariadne at 01:43 PM
Ezekiel "Zeke" Whittle 1902-2005
Zeke Whittle is dead.
Ethan - Zeke's great nephew - just called my headquarters to inform us of this tragic news. Today was the legendary newscaster's 103rd birthday, and he was planning to celebrate it here at Huff And Blow and over the Internet. Sadly, all he was able to do was post this one, all too brief entry. Apparently he passed on shortly after that post.
We will all greatly miss Zeke Whittle and his wisdom. Please stay tuned to Caen Broadcasting throughout the day for all the details on Zeke's long life and innumerable accomplishments.
UPDATE: This report was thankfully in error. Please see "Zeke Whittle is ALIVE!"
Posted by Ariadne at 11:57 AM
Another celebrity group blog?
Much to my surprise, it appears there's another celebrity group blog starting today. I'm not going to bother giving them any publicity, as Huff And Blow is the original such blog. I also question whether their celebrities and intellectuals are of quite as high a calibre as those reporting and commenting here.
In fact, later today America's favorite newscaster, Ezekiel "Zeke" Whittle will be discussing his 91 year journalism career. He was originally a young intern for Caen Newspapers during WWI, and then he hosted Caen Broadcasting's Nightly News for almost three decades.
Zeke will be joining us later today to celebrate - and blog about - his 103rd birthday.
Posted by Ariadne at 12:15 AM
Interview with Ann Coulter's "heckler"
Jason Buckley, who has a really nice blog, was lucky enough to snag an interview with Ajaj Raj, the so-called Ann Coulter heckler. In fact, he was just exercising his First Amendment Rights, until the crypto-fascists associated with the Bush administration arrested him. Luckily, the Austin People's Legal Collective is trying to find Raj an attorney. Go read the interview to read about a brave young man willing to stand up to the Rethuglicans.
Posted by Ariadne at 12:10 AM
Welcome to Huff And Blow!
Hello, this is Ariadne Huffanan, and welcome to our new group celebrity blog Huff And Blow! You are of course familiar with me from my regular columns that appear in newspapers throughout the U.S. as well as my television appearances and books. And, of course, many of you know me through my political activism, such as my crusade to make hydrogen-powered Mini Coopers popular vehicles on our highways.
This blog's aims are not modest. We intend to serve as one of the leading news and opinion sites on the Internet. To that end, I've recruited dozens of the leading minds in America to discuss both current events and to provide more in-depth thought pieces. Our goal is to change and to lead American discourse and have an impact on America's place in this world.
Please, join us on our journey.
My partner in this venture is Prince Gerdt von Linbloewer from Europe, and our other bloggers will be introducing themselves over the coming days.
Stay tuned...
Posted by Ariadne at 12:00 AM
