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Here Jon Stewart recaps the prez's recent press conference. Sphere: Related Content
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I think Gov. Perry may need to reconsider leaving the Union...
From Think Progess:
Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), who was last making headlines for suggesting that Texas may consider seceding from the Union, is requesting help from the federal government to deal with a possible swine flu pandemic:
Gov. Rick Perry today in a precautionary measure requested the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide 37,430 courses of antiviral medications from the Strategic National Stockpile to Texas to prevent the spread of swine flu. Currently, three cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Texas.
According to a recent DailyKos/Research 2000 poll, "37% of Texans and 51% of Lone Star Republicans agree with Gov. Rick Perry’s recent suggestion that Texas may need to leave the United States. ... Imagine the outcries of patriotism (or lack thereof) if Massachusetts or New York hinted at secession during the Bush years," writes NBC's Mark Murray. And imagine how Texas would deal with the swine flu without federal assistance.
This is a must see
The below is from Venezuelan television, basically a propaganda station for the South American leader. The GOP has been up in arms about "the handshake" but as you can see below, this exchange was much less cordial to say the least.
Per Jake Tapper:
Regardless of GOP criticism of President Obama for his smiling appearance with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan state television -- "Venezolana de Television" -- has video of some more private moments between Presidents Obama and Chavez after the Summit of the Americas' closing ceremony.
It's unclear what they were talking about, but certainly the body language reflects a sterner President Obama than the grip-and-grin before the cameras
This is the same Boehner who embarrassed himself a few years ago by repeatedly mispronouncing the Tuskegee airmen as "Tush E gEE".
HuffPo is reporting:
John Boehner described the overwhelming scientific consensus that carbon dioxide is contributing to climate change as "comical" during an appearance on Sunday, noting that cow flatulence contributes CO2 to the environment all the time.
Appearing on ABC's This Week, the Ohio Republican was asked what to describe the GOP plan to dealing with greenhouse gas emissions, "which every major scientific organization said is contributing to climate change."
Boehner replied: "The idea that carbon dioxide is a carcinogen that is harmful to our environment is almost comical. Every time we exhale, we exhale carbon dioxide. Every cow in the world, you know when they do what they do you've got more carbon dioxide."
"It's clear we've had change in our climate," he added. "The question is how much does man have to do with it and what is the proper way to deal with this? We can't do it alone as one nation."
Unbelievable. Cow flatulence is being used to dismiss global warming despite the overwhelming evidence that proves otherwise. To be honest, I am not as passionate on this subject as some of my colleagues but nonetheless it is a problem that needs to be addressed. This interview speaks to a larger point-the GOP is truly bereft of ideas and it is failing in its role as an opposition party. When Stephanopoulus repeatedly question the minority leader on his ideas to fight global warming, Boehner could not provide any concrete ideas.
If you missed 60 Minutes last night, below is a clip showing why we need a national health plan.
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Wow. The neocons heads must be exploding over this one, and to the folks complaining that our president is doing too much, they have yet another bone to pick.
Here is the transcript:
THE PRESIDENT: Today I want to extend my very best wishes to all who are celebrating Nowruz around the world.
This holiday is both an ancient ritual and a moment of renewal, and I hope that you enjoy this special time of year with friends and family.
In particular, I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nowruz is just one part of your great and celebrated culture. Over many centuries your art, your music, literature and innovation have made the world a better and more beautiful place.
Here in the United States our own communities have been enhanced by the contributions of Iranian Americans. We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world.
For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together. Indeed, you will be celebrating your New Year in much the same way that we Americans mark our holidays -- by gathering with friends and family, exchanging gifts and stories, and looking to the future with a renewed sense of hope.
Within these celebrations lies the promise of a new day, the promise of opportunity for our children, security for our families, progress for our communities, and peace between nations. Those are shared hopes, those are common dreams.
So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders. We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community. This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.
You, too, have a choice. The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right -- but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization. And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.
So on the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek. It's a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce. It's a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.
I know that this won't be reached easily. There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences. But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago: "The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence."
With the coming of a new season, we're reminded of this precious humanity that we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning.
Thank you, and Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak
There is an unwritten rule in politics: The outgoing administration gracefully exits the stage and does not criticize the current one. Dick Cheney broke that rule with ample aid from a swooning John King who launched softball questions with no follow-up questions. This prompted Arianna Huffington to lament that she wished Jon Stewart had interviewed the former VP. Really?!? a comedian? It has come to this.
From Plumline, we get this:
The gang at MSNBC’s First Read, who are generally an important daily read, joins the chorus of White House reporters pillorying White House press sec Robert Gibbs for responding disdainfully yesterday to Dick Cheney’s disdainful criticism of President Obama:
Is Robert Gibbs’ open disdain for Cheney acceptable to a president who promised to move beyond petty political squabbling? And does the president agree with Gibbs’ description of the loyal opposition as “the Republican cabal”?
Ask those questions if you want, but if they are going to be asked, simple fairness dictates that the following questions should also be asked:
Did Cheney’s claim to CNN that Obama has raised the risk of another attack constitute “open disdain,” and is it “acceptable” to both the White House press corps and the current GOP leadership? Does the current GOP leadership — which has called for Obama and Dems to be “bipartisan” — agree with Cheney’s assertions? Why is Cheney’s attack getting a free pass from the press, and why shouldn't’t Gibbs aggressively defend his boss against Cheney’s broadside?
There’s no sign that First Read had any problem with Cheney’s assault — its only other post on this that I can find is a neutral report on the Cheney interview. But again, simple fairness dictates that at a minimum Cheney take a hit here, too. Does the First Read crew really think Gibbs’ attack was less “acceptable” than Cheney’s? Doubtful.
Either way, this meme is snowballing — CBS’ Chip Reid hammered it yesterday, as did ABC’s Rick Klein, and First Read helps set the Beltway conventional wisdom. So expect Gibbs to be hit with questions again about this today.
Get it? Gibbs should NOT have dared to ridicule Cheney, who had no business criticizing a sitting president while waving the fear card. He repeated the GOP meme "at least Bush kept us safe" while insinuating that any future terror attack will be Obama's fault.
Dems would be wise to push back on this tortured logic.
The former VP was on CNN's State of the Union yesterday trying to do repair the Bush administration's reputation. Mr. Cheney needs to recoil to his undisclosed location.
I dont know why Dr. Dyson is not a regular on these cable shows, check out how he annihilates Breitbart. Towards the end, poor guys was squirming in his seat looking for a way out.
In a highly anticipated interview that was promoted all week in the media, Jim Cramer made an appearance on the Daily Show last night. This by far, was one of the more substantive interviews on the financial debacle. It was a total indictment of the commentariat and the chatter class who cheerleaded us into this crisis.
Check out how Stewart eviscerates Crammer like a prosecutor by bring clip after clip of a disastrous interview he did in 2006: