August 1, 2014

GOP Disarray Hands Democrats a Big Midterm Gift

Another stunning legislative embarrassment for House Republicans has handed Democrats a mighty big talking point over the next three months until the midterm elections: The GOP is incapable -- if not unwilling -- to govern, they will argue. “Republicans,” you’re going to hear Democrats say, “can’t even agree how to respond to a serious crisis on our borders. But where they do agree is launching a partisan lawsuit against the president of the United States. That’s your ‘Do-Nothing’ Republican Party.” Of course, Republicans have powerful talking points of their own and have had them for months. “The world is on fire!” “Obama and Obamacare are unpopular!” “It’s time to boot Harry Reid out of being Senate majority leader!” Indeed, when you think about it, the past month has been a rough stretch for Democrats. President Obama’s approval rating is stuck in the low 40s (high 30s in some key Senate swing states), and the dominant news stories have been violence and instability around the globe. But the past 48 hours might have been even worse for Republicans -- suing the president for taking executive action, not passing legislation to provide relief at the border, and then saying that there are executive actions Obama should be taking on the border. (Huh?) As even Charles Krauthammer said on Fox, “It is ridiculous to sue the president on a Wednesday because he oversteps the law … and then on a Thursday say that he should overstep the law.” Here’s the deal: If Democrats hold serve in November (retain control of the Senate, minimize losses or even pick up seats in the House), we’ll all look back on the last two days as the week the GOP blew it.

Why it could resonate into the fall

In other words, Democrats now have something fresh to run against. And you couldn’t necessarily say that on July 1. Yes, there was the government shutdown last fall. But that was a year ago -- and it got immediately overshadowed by the months-long story about HealthCare.Gov’s failure (an example of the Obama’s administration own difficulty in governing). But what’s significant about yesterday’s legislative embarrassment for Republicans is that 1) it comes just three months before the midterm elections, and 2) it came a day after the House, in a partisan vote, moved to sue the president. That’s why Democrats have a chance to exploit this -- that is, of course, until we see the next Democratic misstep or national/international crisis.

A dysfunctional House -- and a dysfunctional Congress

Moving from a look at the upcoming elections to examining Capitol Hill itself, Washington might be broken right now, but your House of Representatives is in shambles, even making the gridlocked Harry Reid-led Senate seem more functional (though it also couldn’t pass its own border bill yesterday). Yesterday’s inability for Republicans to get 218 votes on a border-relief bill was just the latest example of House Speaker John Boehner’s and his leadership team’s inability to manage the House GOP caucus. If you’re not going to pursue legislation that will get significant Democratic support, then you need to get nearly all House Republicans to support it. But that didn’t happen. Yet let’s also not ignore the games that Democrats played here: Senate Majority Leader Reid was saying that the House border bill could be a conference vehicle to pass comprehensive immigration reform. And that comes as the Senate itself was unable to move its own border-relief bill (Republicans, joined by a couple of Democrats, voted to block it last night.) A final note here: We’ve been saying it for a while, but immigration reform’s chances are really, really, really dead in this Congress. Folks, this was a House bill to give the administration the ability to DEPORT these undocumented children, and the House couldn’t even pass that.

Do-over time for House Republicans

All of that said, House Republicans will meet at 9:00 am ET for another try at passing a border-relief measure, because they realize they HAVE to do something. “I think at the end of the day we’re going to end up getting to a majority and get this thing passed,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) told the New York Times. “We’re not going to leave here until this is done.” A House GOP aide adds to First Read: “Oh, I think we'll get there. It just ain't pretty.” But the price for getting the votes today -- going on the record wanting to repeal the president’s DACA executive action or trying to prevent him from expanding it -- only will exasperate the GOP’s problems with Latinos in the long term. It’s your political rock and a hard place.

more
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/gop-disarray-hands-democrats-big-midterm-gift-n170421

August 1, 2014

You Can Learn The Exact Day Of Christ's Return If You Give $5 To WorldNetDaily

When you sign up for WorldNetDaily’s email list, you commit yourself to a lifetime of receiving several emails a day offering great deals on prepper equipment, bogus medical treatments, presidential impeachment paraphernalia, instructional knife-throwing DVDs, and information on the impending End Times.

But all the spam can sometimes yield a great benefit, as it did with today’s email offering a set of DVDs that predict “the specific day of the Lord’s return” — information that even the Bible says is unknowable.

Unsurprisingly, the sales pitch doesn’t divulge this information, but does offer the set of DVDs — which have been endorsed by WorldNetDaily editor Joseph Farah —for the bargain price of $4.95.

Pastor Mark Biltz, an expert in the Hebrew roots of Christianity, believes he knows when Jesus will return – the exact day, if not the specific year. And today only, WND readers can get this acclaimed teaching in the 2-DVD set, "The Feasts of the Lord," for only $4.95 – an unprecedented $35 discount off the regular $39.95 price!

- See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/you-can-learn-exact-day-christs-return-if-you-give-5-worldnetdaily#sthash.H65zUDIe.dpuf

August 1, 2014

Ann Coulter: Why can’t we deal with our border the way Netanyahu deals with Hamas?

Appearing on Fox News Hannity, frequent guest Ann Coulter told host Sean Hannity that she wished Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “our president,” so he could deal with our border problems the way he deals with border issues in his own country.

Comparing tunnels found at the U.S./Mexican border with tunnels used by Hamas, Coulter asserted the U.S. is being invaded.

“More than a hundred tunnels have been found on our border,” Coulter said. “To smuggle in weapons, guns, they’re invading, They’re murdering, they’re raping. The head of the DEA said about a year ago that he thinks the surge of homicides in Chicago is a Mexican drug cartel.”

Coulter added, “I just wish we would talk about our border the way we talk about Israel’s border.”

more
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/01/ann-coulter-why-cant-we-deal-with-our-border-the-way-netanyahu-deals-with-hamas/

August 1, 2014

Proof that the GOP’s newfound “libertarianism” is a big ol’ sham

How the Koch brothers and their conservative allies are using the "L" word to disguise their latest schemes

HEATHER DIGBY PARTON

Earlier this week, ace researcher Lee Fang did a little digging and found that for all their alleged commitment to libertarianism, the Koch Brothers are helping to elect a whole lot of right-wing theocrats and national security hawks, which seems just a little bit hypocritical. After all, everyone says that this libertarian influence in the GOP is bound to create a new and different party which will inevitably become more socially tolerant and less given to imperial ambition. Fang lays out example after example of Koch groups backing conservative extremists whose idea of freedom and liberty consists of a strong commitment to ensuring that gays and women are denied full human rights. And many of these fine folks aren’t too concerned about due process for “certain” people who don’t deserve all those human rights to which Real Americans are entitled. (And foreigners always deserve what they get. Especially the French.)

This should not be too surprising to anyone who’s been following the rise of the Koch brothers since they burst on the scene in the 1970s. They were at that time, as much younger men, committed to forming a viable Libertarian Party, and created the Cato Institute as its philosophical and ideological home base. David Koch ran for vice president on the Libertarian ticket in 1980 and campaigned for full abortion rights and the decriminalization of drugs, homosexuality and prostitution, while calling Ronald Reagan nothing more than a liberal squish. But no one should be shocked to find out that these billionaires really had one big priority: themselves. Charles Koch spelled it out as early as 1974 when he was formulating the rationale for a Libertarian party:

more
http://www.salon.com/2014/08/01/proof_that_the_gops_newfound_libertarianism_is_a_big_ol_sham/

August 1, 2014

This is what incompetence looks like: John Boehner keeps reliving the same failure, over and over

The least effective speaker in decades, Boehner's tenure is a string of embarrassing face plants like yesterday's

SIMON MALOY

Sit down for moment. I’d like to tell you a story. It’s called “Stepping on Rakes,” and it’s the story of Speaker John Boehner and a piece of legislation that he was under intense pressure to pass. A crisis was looming, and members on both sides of the aisle recognized that legislative action had to be taken. But Boehner, unwilling to cave to demands from the White House and the Senate, thought he could put pressure on the Democrats by rallying his members to pass his own conservative-friendly bill.

So he put the bill before the House GOP and began whipping up votes to back the legislation. A vote was scheduled, but conservatives in the House rebelled, arguing that his legislation didn’t go far enough to satisfy their demands. Lacking the votes, the bill was pulled and Boehner released a statement punting responsibility to the White House.

Yes, of course I’m talking about Boehner’s embarrassing and incompetent handling of the border crisis legislation yesterday. But I’m also talking about Boehner’s embarrassing and incompetent handling of the fiscal cliff negotiations back in December 2012.

If you’ll recall, the country was facing a double-whammy of tax increases and spending cuts set to go into effect on New Year’s Day. Negotiations between the White House and Congress on the details of the tax package were proceeding apace until Boehner blew the whole thing up by introducing “Plan B” – a bill that would lock in the Bush tax cuts for everyone making less than $1 million annually. Boehner put it before his caucus, and the conservatives rejected it because they wouldn’t accept any tax hikes, even just for millionaires. He yanked the bill and said, “Now it is up to the president to work with Senator Reid on legislation to avert the fiscal cliff.”

more
http://www.salon.com/2014/08/01/this_is_what_incompetence_looks_like_john_boehner_keeps_reliving_the_same_failure_over_and_over/

July 29, 2014

NC moms hold nurse-in at Walmart after woman ordered to breastfeed in a toilet stall

A Walmart employee asked a North Carolina woman breastfeeding her newborn in a store bathroom to move into a toilet stall. A representative from the retailer confirmed the employee made the demand, telling WBTW-TV the request was illegal and also violated company policy.

Kelly Messing said she was feeding her 2-week-old baby with a cover-up when the employee came into the bathroom and asked her to move to a more private location, saying she was making other customers uncomfortable.

“She stood there waiting for me to get up, so I had to sit in a stall feeding my baby,” Messing said in a Facebook post about the incident.

More than a dozen other breastfeeding mothers, organized by the national Best for Babes group, went Sunday to the Jacksonville store to protest the Walmart employee’s actions.

This store did not follow our policy in this situation and we absolutely apologize to our customer for her experience,” said Kayla Whaling, a Walmart spokeswoman. “We’re not sure exactly who did not follow our policy but we do not condone this and we have restated our policy to all associates at this retail store.”

more
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/29/nc-moms-hold-nurse-in-at-walmart-after-woman-ordered-to-breastfeed-in-a-toilet-stall/

July 29, 2014

U.S. Appeals court throws out Iowa artist’s Obamacare challenge

Source: Reuters

By Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday dismissed a long-shot challenge to the Obamacare health law brought by an Iowa artist.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected claims made by Matt Sissel, who was backed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a conservative legal group.

Sissel claimed, among other things, that the 2010 law violated a provision of the U.S. Constitution that says any revenue-raising legislation must originate in the House of Representatives, not in the Senate, as Obamacare did.

In Tuesday’s ruling, the appeals court upheld a lower court decision that dismissed the case.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/29/u-s-appeals-court-throws-out-iowa-artists-obamacare-challenge/

July 29, 2014

What? Louie Gohmert says Obama is a bigot for deporting Mexicans instead of child refugees

Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX) suggested on Tuesday that the president of the United States was “extremely prejudiced” because he was deporting Mexicans, while allowing child refugees who were fleeing violence in Central America to stay.

In an interview with Newsmax TV host J.D. Hayworth, Gohmert said that President Barack Obama’s plan to allow Honduran children a way into the U.S. without having to make the dangerous journey through Mexico was proof that he was trying to change the country.

“I mean, holy smokes, this guy truly is fundamentally transforming America,” the Texas Republican opined. “But not into anything the Founders ever dreamed. These are people who are being given amnesty, who will eventually be able to vote if they’re not already, who have no idea what it takes to maintain a Republic if you can keep it, madam (sic).”

“And if you want to say, look at where these folks came from, we’ve got to give them amnesty, we’ve got to help them,” Gohmert continued. “Listen, there are are so many children around the world that are worse off than those in Central America, and how unfair is it to the Mexicans?”

“I don’t know why this president is so extremely prejudiced against Mexicans. They say, if you’re from Mexico, we’ll turn you right around and send your right back. But if you’re from Central America, ‘No, come on, we’ll send you all over the United States.’”

more
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/29/what-louie-gohmert-says-obama-is-a-bigot-for-deporting-mexicans-instead-of-child-refugees/

July 29, 2014

Court: Florida Can Block Doctors From Asking Patients About Guns

Source: TPM

By DYLAN SCOTT Published JULY 29, 2014, 12:35 PM EDT

A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that a Florida law that discourages physicians from asking patients about guns is constitutional, despite doctor warnings that such questions are vital to their work.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision that invalidated the 2011 law, advocated by guns rights groups. The law says that "unless information is relevant to patient's medical care or safety or safety of others, inquiries regarding firearm ownership or possession should not be made." It allows for disciplinary action against doctors who violate it.

"We find that the Act is a legitimate regulation of professional conduct," the appeals court wrote in its 2-1 decision. "The Act simply codifies that good medical care does not require inquiry or record-keeping regarding firearms when unnecessary to a patient’s care."

"It is not a physician's business whether his or her patient chooses to exercise their fundamental, individual right to own a firearm," Chris Cox, president of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement praising the decision.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/florida-law-doctors-ask-patients-about-guns-appeals-court

July 29, 2014

Conservatives Launch ReaganBook: 'Facebook For Patriots'

Source: TPM

By CAITLIN MACNEAL Published JULY 29, 2014, 1:17 PM EDT

The president of conservative pro-family group Faith2Action last weekend announced the pre-launch of ReaganBook, a social networking site described as "the Facebook for patriots," according to Right Wing Watch.

Faith2Action President Janet Porter told attendees at the Ohio Liberty Coalition's "Reload 4 Liberty" event that Facebook has been censoring people like anti-gay activist Peter LaBarbera.

Porter lamented that "while tomorrow Facebook employees are gathering to go march at the gay pride parade in San Francisco," they are censoring people with "unpopular opinions."

She then described ReaganBook as a social network that tears down walls like President Reagan. “We’re tearing down walls of tyranny and censorship," she said.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/reaganbook-facebook-for-patriots