Hey, Governor Christie, meet your re-election opponent

While Chris Christie, the latest Republican rising star who makes a thrill go up Joe Scarborough's leg, got outta Dodge and took his kids to Disney World when the snowflakes from the Sunday blizzard were already falling, here's what another New Jersey pol was doing:

And if Christie thinks that this video is not going to be in heavy rotation when Christie runs for re-election, or even if he decides for President, guess again. Ditto for Mike Bloomberg -- another would-be Savior of Our Great Nation.

With Alan Grayson leaving, Dennis Kucinich may be the last bastion of sanity in the House

Dennis Kucinich plans to do what he can to smack down Darrell Issa if he can become the Ranking Member on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:

Dear Colleague,

Perhaps the most crucial vote you will cast in the reorganization of the 112th Congress involves the Ranking Member position of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. This is because the presumptive Chair of the full Committee, Rep. Darrell Issa of California, has already made wild and unsubstantiated charges which threaten to tum the principal oversight committee of the House into a witch hunt.

In just the past week, he has indicated a telling enthusiasm for a broad probe into the $700 billion American Reinvestment and Recovery Act program. He has equated it with “walking around money.” As you know, that is political slang for money off the books and under the table. He made this unsubstantiated claim in the context of promising hundreds of investigative hearings into the present Administration, calling President Obama “one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times.” I immediately sent Mr. Issa a letter (attached) calling for him to produce the evidence for such charges or to retract his statement.

Mr. Issa, through his eagerness to make unsubstantiated charges and to draw conclusions in advance of evidence, reveals a lack of restraint and basic fairness. This conduct in the Chairman of the Committee will degrade Congress’ oversight credibility and undermine the institution of the House through a lack of restraint in the use of subpoena power.

We cannot simply stand by idly and hope that such a reckless approach to the use of the power of the Chair will not happen, especially since it is not only being promised, but demonstrated by the person who will hold the gavel.

It is a matter of the highest importance that any intemperate use of the power of the Chair be challenged at every turn. Accordingly, I have decided to step forward as a candidate for Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. In that capacity, here is my pledge to you and our fellow members ofthe House:

1. Zero tolerance for smears and innuendo. Every single statement by Chairman Issa which is lacking in respect for the process of oversight, every unsubstantiated allegation or any publically pronounced assumption which lacks basic fairness will be promptly challenged.


2. I will encourage a team approach on the Committee which will tap the talents of all members to actively participate in responding to any abllse of process.


3. All members will receive weekly updates of oversight activities to be able to provide input.


4. Cooperation with Chairman Issa when, and only when, he proceeds in an even-handed manner which demonstrates basic fairness and respect for due process.

In the past two Congresses, the Domestic Policy Subcommittee, which I chaired, held over sixty hearings and heard testimony from hundreds of witnesses. We received testimony from Democratic and Republican administrations alike, proceeding in a deliberate and methodical manner, through thorough questioning of witnesses.

As Chairman, I worked closely with the Obama Administration. As a result of my advocacy and the multiple hearings that my Subcommittee held on foreclosure prevention, the Treasury Department created a $15 billion nationwide principle reduction program for “underwater” borrowers and now will allow flexibility in the use of federal foreclosure prevention funds by state housing agencies so that they’ can hire foreclosure prevention counselors.

Aggressive and thorough oversight is never to be feared. It is a goal. Now, with the change in the leadership of the Committee, we must be ready to preserve that goal tirelessly, courageously and unstintingly. That is the only way we can defend the integrity of congressional oversight from becoming an abusive power.

I ask for your consideration and your vote for Ranking Member of the full Committee.

Sincerely,

Dennis J. Kucinich
Chair, Domestic Policy Subcommittee
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

More here.

Tuesday Big Blue Smurf Blogging: What They Said

Today's honoree: Who else could it be but Shirley Sherrod? Here's what she actually said, in the money quote to end all money quotes (via Digby):

I couldn't say 45 years ago, I couldn't stand here and say what I'm saying -- what I will say to you tonight. Like I told, God helped me to see that its not just about black people, it's about poor people. And I've come a long way. I knew that I couldn't live with hate, you know. As my mother has said to so many, if we had tried to live with hate in our hearts, we'd probably be dead now.

But I've come to realize that we have to work together and -- you know, it's sad that we don't have a room full of white and blacks here tonight 'cause we have to overcome the divisions that we have. We have to get to the point as Tony Morrison said race exists but it doesn't matter. We have to work just as hard -- I know it's -- you know, that division is still here, but our communities are not going to thrive -- you know, our children won't have the communities that they need to be able to stay in and live in and have a good life if we can't figure this out, you all. White people, black people, Hispanic people, we all have to do our part to make our communities a safe place, a healthy place, a good environment.

Of course I wouldn't expect Andrew Breitbart, James O'Keefe, and the rest of their hateful minions don't understand that. You have to be human and have a heart and a soul for that -- and they have neither.

Alan Grayson shows you don't need bankster money when your message works

It's well-known that unlike Mitch McConnell and the other Republicans who are taking bank bribes to filibuster financial reform (thus making the world safe for the kind of financial chicanery that nearly brought down the world economy in 2008), Alan Grayson doesn't suck up to bankers and corporate interests.

So where does Grayson's money come from, and how did he generate over $800,000 in campaign contributions last quarter? Well, 93% of it comes from about 25,000 individual donors -- an average of $32 per donation:

The often-polarizing Orlando Democrat expects to report raising $803,000 in the first three months of 2010, a haul that will likely eclipse what all his Republican opponents have raised combined and leave him with $1.5 million in cash-on-hand. It's also enough to outpace nearly every other member of Congress for the second quarter in a row.

[snip]

During the last quarter of 2009, Grayson raised $861,297, a total exceeded among congressional incumbents only by the $890,387 reported by U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., according to the Federal Election Commission. Berman, a staunch defender of Hollywood interests, is heavily backed by TV, music and movie donors.

But instead of tapping media interests for money, Grayson uses them to promote his brand of progressive pugilism. Grayson made a national splash in a House floor speech last fall, sarcastically blasting Republicans for a health-care reform plan that he said amounts to urging Americans to "die quickly."

He made more waves recently by taking on a Mount Dora doctor who put a sign on his office door urging Obama supporters to "seek urologic care elsewhere."

Grayson is also a brutal critic of Wall Street and the Federal Reserve. A staunch defender of health-care reform, he's filed a so-called "public option" bill that would allow all residents to buy into Medicare.

All this, plus regular appearances on left-leaning TV talk shows, has enabled Grayson to build a nationwide base of small contributors. A March 27 Internet "money bomb" appeal netted roughly $470,000; a similar Nov. 3 event netted about $514,000.

Grayson's camp said the latest totals reflect nearly 25,000 individual givers, who account for 93 percent of his donations. The average gift, he said, is $32, with more than half of his total coming via the Internet.

Yes, Grayson is a self-made multimillionaire, but that hasn't stopped other candidates with huge financial resources (*cough* John McCain *cough*) from sucking up to corporate interests, promising action in exchange for cash.

Grayson's message ought to be boilerplate for any Democrat (I'm talking to you, Mr. Obama) who is looking for middle class mainstream Republican votes. You don't get the votes of non-crazy Republicans by moving further to the right, you get votes by telling the truth and by believing passionately in something. That Grayson is beloved by the liberal netroots AND is simultaneously the top choice among Republicans in his district ought to tell you something.

While the Vatican is covering for pedophiles, atheists are doing things like this

PZ Myers:

This is such a sweet story: a little boy willingly hands out cheerful notes and cookies to his neighbors, simply to make them feel good. It's such a feel-good story that a Christian inspirational site picks up on it and shares Logan Davis's good news.

"I wanted to do something to brighten our neighbors' day," the motivated youngster told the news source. "My parents have always taught me it's good to be nice to others."

What none of the stories seem to mention, though, is that it's a godless family.

Bwahahaahahaa! Our plans are working: we shall conquer the world with our niceness and our habit of raising happy, well-adjusted children! And cookies and flowers!

Because that is what we Dirty Fucking Hippies do.

UPDATE: Guideposts, the Christian web site to which PZ links, has taken down its page about Logan Davis. I guess the story just isn't as good a recruiting tool if the child in question doesn't have the Fear O'God in him.

A terrible loss to the blogosphere

Sometimes when I think of what my circle of friends would be without the many, many people I've met online, some of whom have moved into "meat world" and others who are still just virtuous, I realize what a Godsend the Intartoobz are to those of us who have tended to be shy, or awkward, or uncomfortable around other people. But then there are those we know only through their writing, and when they disappear, it's hard to describe the grief we feel when they are gone, because these aren't people we know. They aren't our friends, they aren't people we have coffee with or exchange voluminous e-mails with, furiously brainstorming novel plots or sharing family nuttiness. They're people whose writing enriches our lives, they are kindred spirits, and in that kinship we have allowed room for them in our lives.

It's in that spirit that I pass on the terrible news of the passing of "Jon Swift", whom we now know courtesy of Tom Watson was really one Al Weisel:

The great Jon Swift has died. That's the "blogging" angle to a personal tragedy. In reality, the voice of Jon Swift - the hilarious faux conservative blogger whose talent and passion were evident in every post - belonged to Al Weisel, a sweet and good-natured journalist who happened to be the college roommate of my once-and-future collaborator Jason Chervokas.

I didn't know him well, but Al graciously agreed to be part of my little newcritics experiment of a couple of years back and his presence at some of our New York gatherings was generous, friendly, and low key - though the humor could sometimes be appropriately biting.

Al was on the way to his father's funeral in Virginia when he suffered a sudden aortic aneurysm and underwent several surgeries in an attempt to save his life. Sadly, they did not succeed.

Heartbreakingly, Al's mother has posted this comment to the Jon Swift blog, unmasking the true identify of her brilliant son - and yes, he was a blogging super-hero to many of us.

I don't know how else to tell you all who love this blog. I am Jon
Swift's Mom and I guess I'm going to OUT him. He was Al Weisel, my
beloved son. Al was on his way to his father's funeral in VA when he
suffered 2 aortic aneurysms, a leaky aortic valve and an aortic artery
dissection from his heart to his pelvis. He had 3 major surgeries
within 24 hours and sometime during those surgeries also suffered a
severe stroke. We, his 2 sisters, his brother, his partner and his best
friend since he was 9 years old were with him as he took his last
breath. We have all lost a shining start who warmed our hearts,
tormented us and made us laugh as he giggled at our pulling something
over on us. He passed away on February 27, 2010. My beloved child will
live on in so many hearts. I miss him more than I can say. If you are
on Facebook, go to organizations and join "Friends of Al Weisel,
Unite!" It will give you just a taste of how special he was. Farewell,
Jon (Al)

Al Weisel was the political poser's worst enemy as Jon Swift, but he was also a good guy to hang around the pub with and commiserate over New York's shrinking freelance rates. Gone all too soon, he'll be truly missed by many.

Not a week goes by that I don't hear about some outrage and wish that Steve Gilliard were still around to write about it. I've checked back at Jon Swift regularly over the last year wondering where he's disappeared to and wishing, longing for him to return with his razor-sharp takedown of conservative phonies and liberal wusses. There are bloggers, and then there are the Great Wits of Blogtopia (™ Skippy) -- people like TBogg and Driftglass -- and Jon Swift; those modern-day Thurbers and Wodehouses, satirists who sharpen their knives on the preposterousness of modern life. There are damn few of them and today there is one less. And on top of everything else, and all the despair I feel in general lately, this just makes me so fucking sad.

More from Skippy, who's also linking to other tributes. They're worth your time, because that's how much the "Swiftian" humor meant to us.

Friday Big Blue Smurf Blogging: What They Said

Today's honoree: none other than the fabulous Johnny Weir. I'll let him speak for himself:

Why the Saints won

Athletes always like to say how God was with them and that's why they scored the touchdown/hit the home run/got the free throw in the basket/landed the quad toe loop, or whatever.

Well, if you want to believe that God influences sports contests, then I guess God wanted the Saints to win to reward Saints linebacker Scott Fujita for his outspoken advocacy of gay marriage.

OK, I am now officially rooting for the Saints on Sunday

I was kind of leaning that way anyway. I think New Orleans could use a Super Bowl win. But now I may have to go the full chicken-wing-and-cheering thing. Here's why:

When the request arrived in an e-mail last fall, Scott Fujita replied immediately and without reservation. A friend had asked him his opinion. He answered. That was how Fujita looked at it.

The swiftness and certitude of Fujita’s reply stunned Dave Zirin, the friend who sent the e-mail. Zirin had not made a typical request, not for an NFL linebacker. He was looking for a professional athlete to lend his name to the National Equality March, a rally in Washington for gay rights.

On Sunday, Fujita will reach the pinnacle of his football career, playing linebacker for the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl. Fujita describes it as “this small moment in time where you have a platform to do some good things.’’ Last fall, that included speaking out in support of gay rights, a rare step in a professional sporting culture that often turns social stances into landmines.

Fujita, who is married, the father of twin daughters, and straight, pushes against the rising trend in sports to remain mum on cultural and political touchstones. His boldness, shaped by his unusual upbringing, makes him an uncommon and effective advocate for what he believes in.

“People asked me a question and I gave my opinion,’’ Fujita said. “People say, ‘That’s so courageous of you.’ To me, it’s not that courageous to have an opinion, especially if you wholeheartedly think it’s the right thing. For me, standing up for equal rights is the right thing to do.’’

Read the whole article. This young man is awesomeness with extra awesome sauce on the side.

(h/t)