Since I hit one, I'll have to hit the other....

Catholic Charities has done great work. They've supported the poor, they've helped the homeless, they've placed foster children and adoptions. That is no small feat in my mind, especially because I am adopted. (Full disclosure should point out that I was adopted through Lutheran Social Services and have not explored their thoughts on progressive issues, although I lived through the spewing of hatred when the ELCA chose to end discrimination against gay clergy.)

The point I would like to make is the thought that came to mind reading this paragraph: Catholic Charities affiliates received a total of nearly $2.9 billion a year from the government in 2010, about 62 percent of its annual revenue of $4.67 billion. Only 3 percent came from churches in the diocese (the rest came from in-kind contributions, investments, program fees and community donations). That means that half of their money comes from us, the taxpayer. Don't you believe your money should be funneled in a non-discriminatory fashion? I do.


Here's the complete article: Catholic Charities

Setting the standard of where I will send my money.

They're ubiquitous every holiday season. Old, young, male or female ringing bells soliciting your change being dropped in a can for the Salvation Army. I've cut the cord. I no longer provide any funds to these people because they discriminate against me. Fortunately, our family is not in any current danger of needing their help so I'm able to say that fairly willy-nilly. (They won't pay for an MRI for our canine beast...)

I've also begun sharing my thoughts on this opposition with polite letters to store owners and managers. Letting them know that they are promoting discrimination when they allow the bell ringers to solicit customers. I've let them know that when an organization sends 25% of the money solicited in front of their store is used to urge legislation against me, I take great offense.

This is a great article about one man's ten year boycott of the Salvation Army.

Minnesota Move Eminent

While much news of this past week has Rodney and me elated, I'm crushed to see the sort of wasteful spending and hurtful governing that is going on in Minnesota.  There is no reason to oppose gay marriage.  Frankly, everyone may find this hard to believe, but I'm indifferent on the subject of gay marriage.  Although I don't believe the state should be passing judgement based on religious ideology, whether gay marriage is legal or not really has no bearing on me.  My feelings toward a partner are mine and no matter what the Minnesota legislature or some religious dogma states about them, mean nothing.  They're wasting our money.  Call you legislators and tell them to get to work on things that count! Minnesota State Legislature wasting time.

Am I seriously becoming a Minnesota resident?

It's not amazing to me that the U.S. has become more and more polarized. I will take some of that blame. I am a screaming liberal. Now that I'm seriously considering a move to Minnesota as a full time resident I read articles like this I'm reconsidering my move. (Not really: Mom and Dad!) My favorite bit of this article is a paragraph quoting former Governor Arne Carlson:

Among the excommunicated is the former two-term Republican Governor Arne Carlson. “The Republican Party—both nationally and in Minnesota—has drifted away from balancing the budget to enlarge the role of social issues,” Carlson said in a phone call, pointing out that Pawlenty left his successor a $6 billion deficit. “The last Republican president to balance the budget was Dwight Eisenhower—that’s a pretty long dry spell.”

With former Governor Pawlenty and Representative Bachmann sowing their oats in the Presidential field, which is in itself quite amusing, it's even more important to showcase their absolute lunacy. Pawlenty doesn't believe he's the wing nut that she is but he's wrong. He just has a smaller (sizewise not soundwise) mouth.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-03-26/minnesota-michele-bachmanns-loony-state/?om_rid=Nsfdwj&om_mid=_BNje0TB8Z3$qLN#

Sorry for the actual link, just learning everything about my new iPad2 and I haven't gotten that far, yet!

Befuddlement in my mind

This is the most unbelievable waste of taxpayers dollars I've ever seen.  The United States House of Representatives has taken on a new comical appeal.  If I were a reality television scout I'd pick this up as competition to the Kardashians (who knows if I spelled that name correctly.)  My apologies to Speaker Pelosi but Ms. Minority Leader, get this trash out of the House.  Here's the waste our Republican Congress is imposing on us. Republican Waste

Tax and Spend..... Tax and Spend.... and Corporate Welfare

After reading an article in the Minneapolis StarTribune earlier this evening and debating about adding it to my blog, I ran across this joke on another blog and thought, hey, why don’t I put both together. Corporate welfare is the lifeblood of the Republican party.

Somewhat unrelated but still in the same vein, if I hear some right wing nut use the term, “Tax and spend,” I’d like them to share what they believe the government should do. Their primary purpose is to tax and spend. They should do it all above board, efficiently and effectively but this statement of, “Tax and spend,” being a bad thing is simply ludicrous. So SHUT UP!

OK, back to the joke and point of this post. A public union employee, a tea party activist and a CEO are sitting at a table with a plate of a dozen cookies in the middle of it. The CEO takes 11 of the cookies, turns to the tea partier and says, "Watch out for that union guy he wants a piece of your cookie."

Is it time to stop using Scotch tape?

The Tea Party Will Destroy The Country

Frank Rich writes brilliantly on the right's mistaken agenda. Frank Rich

It's Video Time -- Tea Party Awaits!

Please enjoy this fascinating dialogue. Tea Party Logic

Glenn Beck and Fox Snews, What's Next for Their Marriage?

Glenn Beck has spiraled into a pickle with his theories on the Egyptian events of the past weeks.  It looks like there's going to be a boiling point with Fox News that will either take Beck off the air or ensure Fox News' reputation as non-journalistic forever.  David Corn writes about this here.

The Republican Party CAN Be Bought!

Those of you that believe the Tea Party is grass-roots are sadly mistaken.  It's a product of some clearly whacked out money makers that want to kill your children!  Yes, you Palin loving young mothers.... your kids are gonna die because of people like these jokers that want to limit the EPA on emissions.  SO THEY CAN MAKE MONEY.  It's your choice.   Koch Brothers.

President Reagan Could Read

And he delivered a speech well.  Why his legacy is one of being one of the 'best' presidents is absolutely confounding to me.  He destroyed lives.  He made his friends rich.  He became rich.  I'm not so impressed. Except with his delivery of a speech.   Even Rush can't make sound arguments against the truth.

The Republicans Can't Stand Their Own....

The Republican party seems to be imploding all over the place.  Here's an interesting article..... Gay Republican sponsors make Republicans boycott Republican convention.

Rep. Bachmann Fact Check

Political Correction did a fact check on Rep. Michelle Bachmann's (R - MN 6th) rebuttal and provided some interesting evidence supporting the fact that she lies.  Take a look:  Fact Checking

An Excellent Quote on S. Palin

This quote is classic.  It's from Louis CK and spot on:

How f***ing sacred is this person who's never contributed one thing to anyone's life but her own? And not even thinking about her politically or whatever she represents, it's just that she's just a coarse, selfish person who has ferocious protection and it makes no sense to me... By the way, I said something that I think is true, I wrote one Twitter that I said, please find me a picture of Sarah Palin with more than one black person because I couldn't find one. And then she went to Haiti a week later. She threw together a trip to Haiti. So I believe I made that happen. So that's positive.

Interesting Shift in Cable Networks

First Keith Olbermann resigns (or is fired) at MSNBC, then CNN starts courting the Tea Party Express.  Michelle Bachmann will have her rebuttal aired on the SOTU tonight not only on the internet, but on CNN.  Here's a quick look at what's happening at CNN.

Hey.... Thanks for voting for us.... now, let's tell you what we're really going to do.

The republicans are completely pulling back on their pre election promises. Except for Mr. Speaker crying. Take a look..... Just Kidding

Here's something to ponder......

10 things your congressperson doesn't tell you.  From the WSJ.  Thanks, Rupert. Where your money goes.

How Dumb Do Republicans Think We Are?

This is an extraordinary event that is all smoke and mirrors. For one thing, why the hell should republicans waste the time of the American people by reading the constitution aloud? These people have sworn an oath to the constitution. Did they swear to something they didn't even read? I've read it. I have it on my iPhone. This is part of the crap that is going to be shoveled down our throats for the next two years. The republicans WILL be voted out of office because of their obstructionist tendencies. Read this article and laugh aloud with me. Let's put on a show!

Democrats = Republicans...... We both behave the same way. Just don't deny it!

Whether you're a republican or a democrat we behave the same way, in terms of actions, but supporting our own ideology. Don't deny it! This is why I call republicans liars: Howard Kurtz.

Darrell Issa. King of car alarms.

This man is a two faced idiot.  His own party is responsible for the enormous issues we are facing but he's blaming the Obama administration.  I think it's a feeling of inadequacy more than corruption of power.  Or not. Nut Jobs in Congress