Fantastic Quote from Dana Milbank

It doesn't get any better than this

"Whenever DeVos speaks, it feels as though the sum total of human knowledge is somehow diminished."

Dear Kim

A Memo to the Great and Powerful Oz Leader of the North

You may be meeting with our President in May (or may not, the man's word is about as good as a Confederate War Bond), so here is some unasked for but valuable advice.

1. Do not run your fingers through his hair, as much as you might want to. We cannot guarantee the safety of any fingers that touch that hair and come into contact with whatever substance is in it.

2. If your wife or daughters if you have them are at all attractive do not let them alone with him. He is prone to grabbing their female parts, and we would be more specific if we knew what the terms for vagina and breasts were in your culture. Be forewarned, if he starts talking about pussy he is not talking about your cats.

3. Don't bother to get any agreements you might make in writing. He does not live up to agreements and putting them in writing does not make a difference to him.

4. If he invites you to his Mar-a-Lago hotel prepare to have the guests think you are a waiter. If so, do not serve alcohol to anyone under 21.

5. That person groveling behind him is our Vice President. Pay no attention to him, he is not important and does not ever do anything.

6. If a person named Jared is with him try not to laugh and do not ask him if this is 'Take your youngster to work day'. Jared may ask you for a loan to bail out his real estate deals, if you do be sure and get pretty good collateral.

7. Time is of the essence here. No one thinks Donnie will be in jail by summer, but you never know.

8. That double hamburger he is offering you is made from beef and beef like products. No, he does not know the recipe for the secret sauce. No one would give it to him because no one would trust him to keep it secret.

9. He will need to get Vladamir Putin's agreement on any arrangement he makes with you.

10. Don't worry about any nickname he may have for you. You would be amazed at what we call him here in the U. S. of A.

Illinois Gov. Drinks Chocolate Milk . . .

Weird Story of the Day

From Taegan Goddard, and we have no comment because we are speechless

Rauner Drinks Chocolate Milk for Diversity

February 22, 2018 at 3:10 pm ESTBy Taegan Goddard86 Comments

“In an awkward onstage appearance this week, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) drank a glass of chocolate milk to demonstrate his belief in diversity,” the Chicago Tribune reports.

Said Rauner: “It’s really, really good. Diversity!”

Trumpie to Make Things Worse

Today in Contrdictions - A Plan That Makes Schools More Risky to Death by Gun


From the WSJ

Trump’s Gun Plan to Include Encouraging States to Allow Armed School Staff

The White House is preparing to release a plan on guns on Sunday that would incorporate several proposals aimed at school safety. 

A Religious Fanatic in the WSJ Wants to Force Her Beliefs Onto Others

And Be the Arbiter of What is Moral

The problem that some, not all but some religious people have with freedom of religion is that it lets people who do not share their religion the freedom to follow their own religion. Case in point, an opinion piece in the WSJ by a devout Catholic who bemoans the decision of the University of Notre Dame to allow is health insurance program to cover contraception.

The University of Notre Dame caved in. It will partly obey the Obama Care mandate requiring employer health-care plans to cover the cost of contraceptives and abortifacient drugs. Rejecting the Trump administration’s religious exemption, Notre Dame announced last month that it will provide “simple contraceptives” to students and employees through its insurance program.

So what's the problem. No one has to use contraception. See, that is what freedom is about. But for this author that is not enough. Because she is unable to persuade fellow Catholics to follow her personal beliefs, she wants to force them to do so by denying them access to contraception.

See using contraception makes one immoral.

Notre Dame’s leadership has embarked on a campaign to put the university on ​the same footing as the nation’s other elite schools. In so doing, it often has renounced its obligation to shape the moral landscape of the society it inhabits, and, more importantly, to form its own community properly.

The Catholic Church is never more effective than when it when it acts as a countercultural force. It offers the modern world a radically different vision of human sexuality from the one most young people are taught. With the decision to provide birth control, Notre Dame has forfeited its chance to stand in moral opposition to a utilitarian sexual culture. It has chosen to stop speaking to the kind of life that makes people whole.

Now we are not sure what any of this has to do with “moral opposition to a utilitarian sexual culture” as in almost everyone's view using contraception is not some moral failing. Well it is to the author who apparently does not understand the some couples wish to engage in sexual relations but do not wish to bring a child into the world. That such a view is morally offensive to the author says more about her character than it does about people engage in family planning.

There is a place for people who believe like the writer. No, it's not hell, it's Iran.

Trumpie and Korea - Much Ado About Nothing

Trump's Contribution?  - Keeping His Mouth Shut and His Twitter Account Silent on the Subject

So Donnie is going to meet the leader of North Korea.  No big deal.  Donnie couldn't negotiate his way out of a K-Mart at closing.  But he did make things better by staying away and letting other people, that is competent people, do the hard work of setting up a meeting.  And maybe he could learn that if he would just stay in Florida and play golf the nation might be better off.

Why Didn't Economic Adviser Gary Cohn Quit Over Charlottesville and Now Quits Over Tariffs?

Millions and millions of reasons.

Presidential adviser Gary Cohn reportedly was so upset over the administration getting close with American Nazi's and White Supremecists that he thought seriously about resigning.  But he didn't.

But now that the Taxer in Chief will raise taxes on imports, the guy quits.  See, he stayed on to get a massive tax cut for the wealthy enacted, and Gary ole buddy is wealthy.  So once he got his millions he could now leave a satisfied person.  Some people will say he left his integrity at the White House, but that is not true.  He had no integrity to leave.

West Virginia Teachers Win - Big Time

Bout Time

In West Virginia the teacher salaries for beginning teachers is close to minimum wage levels in other places, and the salaries of experienced teachers is pretty low.  So it is with great pleasure we report that teachers who went out on strike have won big raises.

A teachers’ strike that ground public schools to a halt across West Virginia is set to end on Thursday, a week after it began, Gov. James C. Justice and teachers’ union representatives said Tuesday night.

Mr. Justice, a Republican, said that he had promised the state’s teachers a 5 percent raise, and that he would create a task force to address the problem of rising insurance costs for public employees, a key issue in the strike.

“We need our kids back in school, and we need our teachers back in school,” said Mr. Justice, who said he was “hopeful” that state lawmakers would go along with his proposals, which would also give all state employees a 3 percent raise.

So what changed? Well here was the earlier situation.

Teachers crying “We’ll get louder,” and carrying signs with slogans like “WV teachers deserve better” flooded the State Capitol, their voices echoing through the halls. The teachers frequently cited data showing that they are among the lowest-paid public educators in the United States.

Ok, they are still going to be among the lowest paid. But at least they are getting some of the pay progress they deserve.

Ted Cruz on Morning Joe

The junior senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, oozed his way onto the 8 o'clock hour of Morning Joe.  He was treated respectfully and allow to present his views.

Imagine if, say Bernie Sanders were invited onto Fox News and was treated the same way.  Nope, can't imagine that can you.

Trump Sending Jared to Mexico

Donnie just cannot help making a bad relationship that he created worse.

Delta Airlines - They Have Values - Good for them and Good for the Nation

And Good for Kids Who May Not Be Shot

The airline industry is heavily criticized, and rightly so.  But Delta has stood up to the NRA and good for them.  And this is not just theatrics.  Georgia Republicans have voted to deny Delta a big tax break on jet fuel because they cut their ties to the NRA.  Delta's reaction, well right here.

"For Delta, the decision was “not made for economic gain and our values are not for sale,” Delta chief executive Ed Bastian said in the statement Friday, released the day after the lawmakers followed through with their promise by overwhelmingly voting to rescind the tax breaks. Bastian said the company will further review other discounts offered to groups with a “politically divisive nature” and end those agreements, as well."

Yeah, Delta. And if this means cutting ties to groups that we support, well that's okay too. Just fly us safely and on time Delta, that's all we ask.

Tariffs are Taxes - Imposing Tariffs is a Tax Increase

Did somebody forget to tell the Republicans that they are against raising taxes on businesses?

See a tariff is a tax on imports.  Steel and aluminum are products purchased by manufacturing companies.  Imposing tariffs is increasing taxes on businesses.  Paul Ryan is not against this.  Does he just want to cement his nomination for hypocrite of the month?

It's Crooks Day at the White House – Trump and Netanyahu Compare Crimes

And Other Snarky Comments on the News

1. Donnie and Bibi met to talk about the middle east, well not the issues causing wars and terrorism, but whether or not they could plead distractions from that area were the cause of their total lack of ethics. Trump did not tell Bibi “Hey, all you got was a couple hundred k in bribes, I got the Presidency'.

2. A British soccer exec equated the Star of David with the Swastika. He apparently got confused because he forgot to wear his and accidentally left it at home on his honorary KKK robe.

3. Paul Ryan is reportedly upset with the new tariffs and wants them gone. When asked if he would lead legislative action to get rid of them he reportedly told friends he would have to get written permission from Trumpie. He then shifted his attention to taking health care away from low income families.

4. Some courts are ruling that gay men and women have protecton under the civil rights laws. Conservatives are aghast, and don't understand how laws meant to promote equality could possibly protect people other than old white males.

5. The Oscars reached a new high as they managed a three plus hour show without embarrassing anyone.

6. Republicans are pouring millions in a special election in Pennsylvania in a district that Trump carried by a huge margin. The party has said it doesn't want to be embarrassed in an election, but then took a look back at the 2016 Presidential race and realized it was too late for that

7. Contrary to reports that Jared Kushner could not get a high level security clearance because of his questionable business and government actions it turns out he was denied the clearance because his mommy would not let him say up past 9:30 on school nights.

8. Ivanka Trump has not told friends “What's the point of being in public service if you can't make a buck?”.

9. Does anyone know how a somnolent like Wilbur Ross ever made any money? With some of his answers on Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd could not help himself and burst into laughter.

For Florida GOP It's Back to Regular Business on Gun

Republicans Refuse to Do Anything

If anyone thought that the Republicans who control Florida would do anything about guns, here's the sober truth. The legislature turned down these common sense proposals along with any action on assault rifles.

The Republican-led Senate also rejected amendments to: 

• Allow family members to take out risk-protection orders, which prevent people who could harm themselves or others, from purchasing guns.
• Create a statewide gun registry to track gun ownership. 
• Reverse a state law that bans local governments from enacting stricter gun control measures.

Yeah, the Tree of Liberty must be watered with the blood of teenagers so that Bubba can have his AR 15 and pretend that he is a real man instead of a . . .

W. Va. Republicans Renege on Deal to Raise Teacher's Pay

Renege, That's What Republicans Do

Starting West Virginia teachers make about what those who will be getting the $15 an hour minimum wage will get.  Yep, pretty disgraceful.  So there was joy all around when the Republican Governor agreed to a 5% raise and that was passed in the lower house in the state.  But then the mean spirited Republicans in the state senate got into the act.

"The Republican-controlled Senate voted Saturday evening to approve the lower pay raise, bucking teachers, Republican Gov. Jim Justice and the Republican-controlled House, which approved the 5 percent raise on Wednesday."



Why, well teachers are represented by unions and Republicans hate unions. So they stuck it to the teachers, just for the fun of it. The good news, the teachers are not backing down.

Good for them!

Sen. Orrin Hatch Reveals His True Nature – A Mean, Vicious Ultra Conservative

Not the Person You Think He Was

For a long while the media was tolerant of Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. He was described as a thoughtful intelligent conservative, as opposed to the mean spirited ugly conservatives like, well you know who.

But now that he is retiring the true Orrin Hatch is coming out.

Speaking about the massive GOP tax overhaul at the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday, the Utah Republican took some time to blast the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

"(We) finally did away with the individual mandate tax that was established under that wonderful bill called Obamacare," Hatch said. "Now, if you didn't catch on, I was being very sarcastic. That was the stupidest, dumbass bill that I've ever seen."

"Some of you may have loved it. If you do, you are one of the stupidest, dumbass people I've ever met," Hatch added. "There are a lot of them up there on Capitol Hill from time to time."

He also described Obamacare as one of the most "regressive taxes" in the tax code, especially because lower-income families were "paying most of the freight." He said it was one of the "great ironies" of Obamacare.

The strange thing though is that none of these stupid, dumbass people who are now getting health care because of the Obama plan seem to be speaking about how terrible it is. And of course as a long term government employee Hatch has been getting taxpayer subsidized health care for decades. But like many conservatives, what is good for him is denied those who need it the most. So when it comes to dumbass's , well Hatch knows what he is talking about. He caucuses with them.

As for Hatch himself, well this is a man that will be replaced in the Senate by Mitt Romney.  And incredible as it may sound, that will be an improvement.

Kroger Sells Guns?

Who Knew?

The Kroger company is being lauded for reducing the availability of guns in its stores  Well that is good news but doesn't the fact that Kroger is selling guns tell us just how bad the problem is?

I'll take a pound of baloney, a case of PBR, and that automatic pistol over there.  Gonna get liquiored up and kill me a couple of possums and some commmies.

Why People Pay $20 for an $8 Prescription

The Unbridled Greed of the the Drug Industry

The NYT has uncovered an ugly situation with prescription drugs, where people are paying far more than they have to to get medicines that will literally keep them from dying.

It turns out that pharmacy benefits managers in many case have agreements that forbid pharmacists from telling customer they could save money by paying for their prescription rather than going through their insurance co-payment system.

WASHINGTON — As consumers face rapidly rising drug costs, states across the country are moving to block “gag clauses” that prohibit pharmacists from telling customers that they could save money by paying cash for prescription drugs rather than using their health insurance.

Many pharmacists have expressed frustration about such provisions in their contracts with the powerful companies that manage drug benefits for insurers and employers. The clauses force the pharmacists to remain silent as, for example, a consumer pays $125 under her insurance plan for an influenza drug that would have cost $100 if purchased with cash.

Much of the difference often goes to the drug benefit managers.

Of course the drug benefit managers are only doing this to protect people, not to gauge them.

In North Dakota, a new law explicitly bans gag orders. It says that a pharmacy or pharmacist may provide information that “may include the cost and clinical efficacy of a more affordable alternative drug if one is available.”

The North Dakota law also says that a pharmacy benefit manager or insurer may not charge a co-payment that exceeds the actual cost of a medication.

The lobby for drug benefit companies, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, has filed suit in federal court to block the North Dakota law, saying it imposes “onerous new restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers.”

Some states are taking action, but no one expects a few governments or even the federal government to be able to turn the tide in favor of decency. The money the lobbyists have is just too much.

U. S. Oil Production to Reach Record Levels

So Why Does Trumpie and the GOP Want to Do Off Shore And Protected Lands Drilling?

If one is not cognizant of current events, that is, if one does not read or listen or even both to educate himself one lives in a world of ignorance. Such would seem to be the case with Donnie. He decided to open up the coast line to oil drilling. Well not in Florida because it is unpopular and he wants to help Republicans, but elsewhere. And the GOP tax bill opens up an Arctic Wildlife refuge for drilling.

But what about this? From the WSJ.

U.S. Oil Output Expected to Surpass Saudi Arabia, Rivaling Russia for Top Spot

IEA in its monthly report says U.S. output will likely top an all-time high

So why expand drilling to areas that are environmentally sensitive? Well, it is probably fake news but the answer would seem to be that Republicans just cannot pass up a chance to destroy part of the environment in order to make a buck. After all, let future generations clean up the mess.

Coincidence? We Don't Think So

A Telling Graphic from the NYT