Drinking Liberally Pasadena Chapter Blog

Good morning Drinking Liberals:

I'm back from my vacation and must say, it was one of the best I've ever had. It rained every single day I was in Nj. My people were all going " WHY are you so happy its raining????" (they don't live in a desert).

Well...while I was gone the world continued to turn, politics are still happening, and Drinking Liberally continues to meet and chat.

Did you see the GlenBeckPalooza? Great stuff. After watching it I thought I'd never have to go to Church again.
I'd be preacherified enough for one lifetime.

Here is something important to give money to (thanks Dona):
http://www.barbaraboxer.com/sep_moneybomb?source=mb_fbook

The money behind the tea party:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayer

This is one of the best articles on why Obama has been such a disappointment for many of the people on the Left, from a financial perspective.
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/29/how-obama-got-rolled-by-wall-street.html

My head is still in the clouds from vacation, but here is something more out there, and it qualifies as our....
MOMENT OF SPACE ZEN:
http://gizmodo.com/5623462/every-asteroid-discovered-in-the-last-30-years

See you tomorrow night!
Gary

Good morning Liberals and Progressives of all types:

I'm blogging today from lovely Ewing Township, somewhere between Trenton and Princeton, NJ. As you may have guessed, I'm actually ON VACATION!!!!

This being said, I won't be joining the crowd on Tuesday night, tomorrow, for our usual fun and games.

We WILL be meeting though and I'm sure our hearty band of regulars will be enjoying food and drinks at the Hamlet.

Please feel free to join them in good conversation, good company, and good food.

I will be back amoungst you all next Tues at our regularly scheduled meeting.

See you then.

Gary

Here is your moment of travel Zen:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/23/china-traffic-jam-enters-_n_690742.html

If its Monday, it must be time to do the Drinking Liberally blog.
Good morning Liberals.

One thing about politics, its never boring. It never disappoints. Just when you think you have it all figured out, you find yourself in Nut Chaos Village again.
Can you believe all the stuff thats happened since the election?

We all kinda thought that the election of President Obama would be the White Knight riding into Washington, DC and fixing all the wrongs of 30 years of Neocon criminality and malfeasance. Most of us thought it would be a huge payday of Democratic and progressive legislation and accomplishment.
Who knew we'd get the Blue Dogs tearing the heart out of Liberal agendas and legislation...
Who knew we wouldn't be facing humans on the Republican side, but semi-human beings intent on only the acquisition of power, at the expense of anything....at the expense of enormous suffering and pain by everyone else.

Who knew?

Life is crazy.

Here is a Republican who wants to cut social security.
Don't stop 2 un necessary wars....cut social security and Medicare.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/16/daniel-webster-gop-house_n_683293.html

What really concerns me is that President Obama will back this play by the GOP, in cutting SS. There are many indications that this is what hes thinking.

Dems may use food stamp money to pay for Michelle Obama's nutrition initiative.
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/114271-dems-consider-more-food-stamp-cuts-to-fund-child-nutrition-bill

Are they insane? Food stamps are one of the biggest factors in a stimulus and recovery program, giving the biggest bang for the buck in Government programs.

This is a great chart to hand to your Republican friends about tax cuts.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/maddow-gop-plan-extend-tax-cuts-rich

We need more of this, but it should have a point:
http://detnews.com/article/20100816/POLITICS03/8160397/Levin-hit-in-face-with-pie-in-Big-Rapids

And now some Political Zen:
I don't know if you have ever seen this...but its my favorite: Achmed !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX6pp83YDCs&feature=related

hahahaha....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ItOId-Y54g&feature=related

See you tomorrow night!
Gary

I realize this is a last minute invitation but I thought I'd forward this event to all y'all in case your work is local to Adam Schiff's office in Pasadena and you could pop by for this rally...I'll be there and we could use support...supposedly there's upwards of 70 people who rsvp'd to be there but with volunteers you know how that goes...in other words, we could use all the help we can get. In any case, if you can't make it I'll be at DL tomorrow to tell you about it if you'd like...and for the cost of only one drink for yours truly!
;)
--Amanda

Pasadena vs. Big Money: Stand with the Other 98% against corporate corruption

Host: Laurie H.

Where: Rep. Adam Schiff's District Office (in Pasadena)

When: Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, at 12:00 PM

What: We have to stop Target and other big corporations from changing the rules of democracy. The Fight Washington Corruption pledge aims to stop corporations from buying our elections and holds politicians accountable to the Other 98% of us. But politicians will only sign on to the pledge if voters demand it—that's why we're gathering across the country on Tuesday to ask all politicians to sign the pledge.

Can you make it to our rally?

Liberals/progressives/thoughtful people all over:

Good morning.

I want to start off this morning posting two of the most important videos I've ever posted.
Here are the two lawyers for the same-sex marriage case, confronting conservative 'experts' on this issue.
This first one is with Chris Wallace. We all know who he is.
This is from my FaceBook page:

You have to listen to this all the way through, and right to the last sentence. I have never seen anyone more in command of their presentation than Olson. He flabbergasted Wallace at every turn. No matter what trick he tried. This is the best explanation of why same-sex marriage must pass I've ever heard, based solely on constitutional grounds. This is a must listen.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/38878

Then TODAY we have the other lawyer, David Boies, with Tony Perkins, the activist fake christian who hates gays and the thought of gays. AGAIN, Boies easily crushes every argument put forth by this hate monger. He is in complete control of this interview, all the way through,and makes Perkins look like the boorish agent provocateur that he is. This is also a must listen.

These two lawyer lay out the perfect rebuttal for any of us to use when discussing this issue with our 'less-enlightened' breatheren.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/38883

Today has so much good video that I just don't know which to choose!

Sarah, being spanked by one of her own; this is good:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shannyn-moore/sarah-palins-homer-moment_b_675198.html

Rachel takes O'Reilly apart...again. This is very good.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/08/rachel-maddow-takes-on-bi_n_674794.html

Here is something of great importance to you:
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/08/make-microwave-popcorn-using-a-simple-brown-paper-bag/

I will end with this video. I know I did nothing but post videos this week without much of my own comments, some will appreciate that, some won't. I try to make this little missive fun for people and informative for others.
Each week it should be something you look forward to opening..

and hopefully it will induce you to come and join us if you haven't.

HERE is your moment of Political Zen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAaWvVFERVA&feature=player_embedded

Gary

hi Libs:

I don't care where anyone sits in the WHouse press room.
I just want journalism back. When Rachel Maddow gets to ask the questions, I'll listen.

I thought this photo-essay about homeless women in Santa Monica was particularly well-done. I don't understand why we have homeless anywhere in this country just as I don't understand why people go hungry.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/debra-ollivier/blanket-of-stars-homeless_b_648213.html

Krugman says this is the worst recession ever:
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/were-number-one/

Frum disagrees and says its like the last two:
http://www.frumforum.com/just-how-bad-is-the-recession

Either way, it stinks.

The risks Brown takes if he attacks Whitman's wealth:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/02/98488/in-california-race-brown-runs.html

Both parties fighting for key Latino vote:
The Public Policy Institute of California estimates that 63 percent of likely Latino voters are Democrats; 19 percent are Republicans; and 16 percent are independents.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/02/98443/whitman-brown-target-latino-voters.html#ixzz0vTKNJLzC
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/02/98443/whitman-brown-target-latino-voters.html

Republicans are running out of people to hate, but WAIT! We always have Linsey!
Lindsey Graham To Deport U.S.-Born Heathens
http://wonkette.com/417091/lindsey-graham-to-deport-us-born-heathens#more-417091

Well...thats a fine kettle of oil-riddled fish we seem to be into.

Please join us on Tuesday to chat about neat political and social stuff, and bring a friend!

Here is your moment of cleaning Zen. I don't know why but I laughed all the way through this.
http://gizmodo.com/5601339/dont-throw-a-brick-into-your-washing-machine

Gary

Good Monday morning, Liberals and Progressives:

I think this is one of the most important articles I've read this year. Please read and pass along.

http://blogs.ft.com/martin-wolf-exchange/2010/07/25/the-political-genius-of-supply-side-economics/

This new WikiLeak about evidence of War Crimes by Americans in Afghanistan looks like political dynamite. We'll see where it goes:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/26/wikileaks-founder-on-afgh_n_659014.html

Seems like Glenn Beck was offended by Keith O. when he made Fox the focus on a Special Comments. Here is his reply. Worth Watching:

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/beck-and-his-cohost-have-big-giggle

Feinberg says BP hasn't put money in escrow account yet

BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala. -- Ken Feinberg said today he hasn't been able to start writing claims checks because BP PLC has not yet deposited any money into the $20 billion escrow fund it promised to create.

http://dailykos.com/

Right Aims Its Wrath at Sanctuary Cities
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/right_hates_on_sanctuary_cities_20100725/

Lots of stuff going on around the world. Join us and we can discuss it. See you on Tuesday.

and HERE is your moment of Summer Zen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-vpMkQ0sPM&feature=related

I spent 9 months on a coral atoll just south of the Maldives. It looks just like...that.

Gary

The well is capped. Will it hold? What about the other wells that are in the gulf, thousands of them? Are they leaking?

The midterms are coming. The Dems are being pounded on all sides. Most people think they deserve it. We knew the Reps were going going for Total Obstruction. We expected that. What I don't think we expected were the defection of the Blue Dogs from the party, stabbing progress, legislation, regulation and change in the back, with their steely~steely knives. Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln have particular places in Hell waiting for them.
Obama has been remarkable in his ability to get things done, and just as remarkable with his inability to lead his party.

Its all about campaign finance reform, yet no one gives that much focus.

As reported on HuffPost last week, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has expressed opposition to the possible nomination of Elizabeth Warren to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau....why?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-r-talbott/the-real-reason-geithner_b_650403.html

So this guy George Bush runs on 'smaller government' then creates the largest one in history:
Why this isn't working?
Washington Post 'Top Secret America' Investigation: Intelligence Community Inefficient, Unmanageable..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/washington-post-investiga_n_650935.html

There is a lot of stuff to discuss, but we need informed, concerned people to talk with....join us.!

Here is your moment of Happy Zen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLMnyx7Juuo&feature=player_embedded

Oh....by the way, tomorrow is my 60th (yes, 60th) birthday. Come help me party old age in!

Gary

second sentence of today's email should have read "KRISTOL" instead of "KREBS".

Blood sugar drops just at 10:30 am....
I have no idea what I'm saying until lunch.

Gary

Good morning Liberals:

It seems Justin Krebs, who we had join us two weeks ago, and who is the author of "538 Ways to Live, Work and Play like A Liberal", has gotten the notice of Bill Kristol's magazine "Weekly Standard". One of their Senior Editors did a hit-piece on both Justin and the book. You can read it here:

http://weeklystandard.com/articles/living-liberal

Its nice to know the Conservative are paying attention. Mr. Krebs must think the book pretty important to put it on their cover, then spend pages and pages attacking it.

It seems that the first relief well is close:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/07/12/97337/top-hat-10-is-300-feet-from-leaking.html

Things are going to get tighter financially in CA:
The census workers are going to be let go, as they have done their jobs, and stimulus funds are running out in CA:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/07/12/97316/stimulus-funds-running-out-in.html

Let them eat cake:
Thirty-eight Americans a minute. That's how many people have been losing their unemployment benefits since June 2. Every minute.
http://meteor-blades.dailykos.com/

Lots of news and items to talk about.
It seems that the Conservatives are upset that Liberals get together and discuss politics over drinks.
I think thats all the more reason to DO IT!!

Join us on Tuesday evening at 7:30 and DO YOUR PART to improve Earth, one drink at a time.

HERE IS YOUR Summer of Zen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvnor9S3b0c&feature=related

Gary