When You're Superman, You Get To Pick Which Cities Are Worth Saving

Via Comics Alliance's Worst Comics for 2010.

North Korea Shows "Bend it Like Beckham"

Let the revolution begin.

Who's Editing History?

Well, paint me green and call me Gumby:

Surprise, surprise, historians have found glaring errors in a textbook claiming that African Americans fought in large numbers for the South during the Civil War.

A number of additional errors have been found in other textbooks being used in some Virginia classrooms, since the state ordered a review of the books, the Washington Post reports.

Among the textbooks' errors are claims that the Confederacy included 12 states and the U.S. entered World War I in 1916. Five professional scholars reviewed the books, with three of them finding "disturbing" results. State officials are scheduled to meet January 10 to review the results.

"I absolutely could not believe the number of mistakes -- wrong dates and wrong facts everywhere. How in the world did these books get approved?" said Ronald Heinemann, a former history professor at Hampden-Sydney College who reviewed "Our Virginia: Past and Present." The other book mentioned in the report was "Our America: To 1865."

It's All In Their Heads

There's new research regarding what makes conservatives and liberals tick. C&L has the goods.

Retirement Boom

Here we go:

CHICAGO (AP) -- Through a combination of procrastination and bad timing, many baby boomers are facing a personal finance disaster just as they're hoping to retire. Starting in January, more than 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65, a pattern that will continue for the next 19 years.

The boomers, who in their youth revolutionized everything from music to race relations, are set to redefine retirement. But a generation that made its mark in the tumultuous 1960s now faces a crisis as it hits its own mid-60s.

"The situation is extremely serious because baby boomers have not saved very effectively for retirement and are still retiring too early," says Olivia Mitchell, director of the Boettner Center for Pensions and Retirement Research at the University of Pennsylvania.

Sweet Baby Jesus Part 4: The Dark Knight Version

Comics Alliance caught another racist protest: apparently Batman shouldn't be recruiting Muslims for his franchise.

Snow Problem

I remember getting some condescending calls at work from customers regarding last year's snow; these people were apparently from states that get snow regularly and couldn't understand why Maryland and D.C. weren't are prepared. I tried to explain to them that for us, it wasn't regular snowfall, but no no avail.

So imagine my shock to see this NYT story about criticism toward New York Mayor Bloomberg. Fortunately, not every mayor had this problem.

The Jesus You Never Knew

I'm sure there are reasons that the dragon-taming, snake-exploding boy Jesus was excluded from the final cut of the Bible.

No Main Topic

1. “The world has not come to an end. The city is going fine. Broadway shows were full last night. There are lots of tourists here enjoying themselves. I think the message is that the city goes on.”
2. "We are not saying, `Support us,'" said Faisal Masood, a graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago, and management consultant. "But we want them to understand what our values are."
3. "We are overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment," John and his long-time partner, David Furnish, said in a statement. "Zachary is healthy and doing really well, and we are very proud and happy parents."
4. “Not to take responsibility from what he did, but Harvard has to own up to what it did by letting him in,’’ said Steven Sussman, Wheeler’s attorney. “There were substantial irregularities with the Wheeler application that should have raised red flags that were ignored.’’

R.I.P., Teena Marie

She was 54. NewsOne is all over this, with some of her top songs, her impact on soul music, and five things you probably didn't know about her.

Around the Internets

1. A cool surprise for some MD high schoolers.
2. John McCain goes out swinging...angrily.
3. Top Ten overrated movies for 2010.
   

Making Christmas Cookies The Orange Lantern Way

Of course considering that the Orange Lantern represent greed, you may wonder way he would bake cookies...well, it makes sense in context.

Explaining Santa Claus With Science

The Cracked.com way.

Quote Of The Day

"and the nfl is waging war on thanksgiving.
the rose bowl is waging war on my hangover."

-- "ilikeike," commenting on a Media Matters post about Fox News' latest bout with stupidity.

A Cracked.com/Seanbaby Christmas Special

Not for the politically correct. You've been warned.

No Main Topic

1. “I’m ready for the next game, to be honest with you. I want to play. It’s kind of cool that this game happened [early in] our season. Because when you get to the end of the year you have this emptiness because your season is over. But now we have this high, but we can still play. So, I’m loving it.’’
2. "When you get the very cold air mixing in with the very warm air, it can be quite volatile."
3. "The reason they don’t work in some people is that they are rundown. If you have a poor diet and aren’t taking care of yourself and getting enough rest, don't expect it to work."
4. "Apps must comply will all local laws and may not put an individual or targeted group in harms way."
5. "The bottom line: for now, gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members must remain cautiously closeted.
6. "I have been a member of Weight Watchers for 23 years and I'm back on it right now."
7. "It was a rocky relationship from what I understand, a lot of ups and downs."
8. "We just didn't play well. We could have lost to anybody tonight, anybody in the league."
9. “We are on the brink of writing the next chapter in the 40-year history of wrestling with the threat of nuclear weapons.”

Shorter Senate Republicans: "We Can't Help The American People Because It's Almost Christmas & We Need To Get Home."

That was basically the message from senators Kyle and DeMint, which was also a subtle dig at Harry Reid. Reid responded in kind.

Also, Roland Martin gives his own perspective of this exchange.

You Know The World's Crazy

When politicians like Newt Gingrich are begging strippers for cash. Oh, did I mention that he has a history with this particular establishment?

No Main Topic

1. "It is sometimes difficult to understand why I still have to warn the public about the presence of hexavalent chromium in drinking water 23 years after my colleagues and I first sounded the alarm."
2. “Ratification of the New Start treaty is vital to U.S. national security.”
3. “At Harvard, ROTC has been like the crazy uncle in the attic: We know he’s up there but we don’t want to tell anyone that he’s there.’’
4. "He revealed himself as a sociopath who fooled the entire family and killed his best friend, who was ... the best man."

Gilbert Arenas' Best Buzzer-Beaters

The guys over at Bullets Forever are doing Gilbert Arenas Tribute Day, and this is one of their entries.

Quote Of The Day

"Because it is an overtly religious place, it's not strange or weird to care about your religion here, to pray and make God a priority."

-- Reef Al-Shabnan, explaining why he and many other Muslim students are enrolling in Catholic universities.

While we're on the subject, here's some myths about Islam that have been debunked...by Cracked.com, of all places.

Fan-Made Video For "The Path" Video Game

If you're unfamiliar with the game, info can be found here and here.

Around the Internets

(pic via)

1. I don't think too many people would ever accuse the Black Eyed Peas of being original anyway.
2. Way to ruin any chance of having a basketball career.
3. Now I may watch a "Fast and Furious" movie.
4. Shorter C-SPAN callers: Michael Steele shouldn't be RNC Chair anymore because he's black.
5. Actually, I believe TIME magazine thinks we're all idiots.
6. Foods you'd be better off not serving during the holidays.
7. Consider raising your children here.
8. Victoria Beckham looked like an extra from "Saved By the Bell" when she was 18.
   

DADT Repealed

About time. And in case some people thought that every Senate Democrat was behind the repeal...

"The Walking Dead": Zombie Kills

Cool.

In Other News, Water Is Wet

A study says that those who follow Fox News aren't really that knowledgeable on the issues. Kinda defeats the whole purpose of watching a news channel, doesn't it?

Then again, with Rashomon Journalism, one can't be too surprised.

"What's Nia Long Been Up To?"

From NewsOne:

There is a new trailer for “MOOZ-Lum,” which stars Nia Long, Evan Ross and Roger Guenveur Smith. The movie is about a Black Muslim family and a young Muslim man’s experience with prejudice and racism on a college campus following 9/11. The movie will be in limited release, February 11th 2011.

Sounds interesting. I'm sure the anti-Muslim Freakout Crowd will be addressing this about a week before it hits theaters.

So I Googled, "Darth Vader vs..." and

What can I say but, "Thank you, Internet!"

Rashomon Journalism

The tax deal has passed. Here's how some of the media portrayed the story:

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Congress at midnight Thursday approved an $801 billion package of tax cuts and $57 billion for extended unemployment insurance. The vote sealed the first major deal between President Obama and Congressional Republicans as Democrats put aside their objections and bowed to the realignment of power brought about by their crushing election losses.

The bipartisan support for the tax deal also underscored the urgency felt by the administration and by lawmakers in both parties to prop up the still-struggling economy and to prevent an across-the-board tax increase that was set to occur if the rates enacted under President George W. Bush had expired, as scheduled, at the end of the month.

TRANSLATION: The Democrats caved and voted for a tax cut extension in order to help an economy that hasn't been helped by said tax cuts previously. Also, this is the first time Obama and Republicans have agreed on anything.

The Boston Globe

WASHINGTON — The House passed an $858 billion package of extended tax cuts and stimulus spending late last night, saving at least hundreds of dollars for nearly all Americans and heralding the first broad bipartisan compromise of the Obama presidency.

The 277-to-148 vote was a political victory for President Obama, who made the case for compromise over complaints from the base of the Democratic Party. Some longtime Obama backers fought the president’s deal late into the night, contending that he had let middle-class America down by not fighting harder to keep a campaign promise: end the George W. Bush-era tax cuts for wealthy Americans.

TRANSLATION: Obama went back on his word, but in doing so he got something done.

AP (via yahoo.com)

WASHINGTON – A massive bipartisan tax package preventing a big New Year's Day tax hike for millions of Americans is on its way to President Barack Obama for his signature Friday.

The measure would extend tax cuts for families at every income level, renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and enact a new one-year cut in Social Security taxes that would benefit nearly every worker who earns a wage.

The president is expected to sign the bill Friday afternoon.

In a remarkable show of bipartisanship, the House gave final approval to the measure just before midnight Thursday, overcoming an attempt by rebellious Democrats who wanted to impose a higher estate tax than the one Obama agreed to. The vote was 277-148, with each party contributing an almost identical number of votes in favor (the Democrats, 139 and the Republicans, 138).

TRANSLATION: Those nonconformists Democrats tried to foil the President's plan to help struggling families, but fortunately some of them saw the light and voted with the GOP to pass the tax cuts.

Sigh. Of course what none of these introductions do is state the obvious, like:

1. The Congressional Democrats did this to themselves by not voting on the issue before the midterms;
2. The GOP's plan was to essentially hold Congress hostage until this issue was addressed;
3. By including some tweaks that didn't exist before, this is no longer "an extension of the Bush Tax Cuts" but rather "the creation of the Obama tax cuts;" or
4. HOW THIS SHIT IS BEING PAID FOR.

Of course, this isn't about details; it's about drama. This is the unofficial first issue of the 2012 Presidential Campaign. And as long as the political media treat what's going on in Washington as if they're E!, than this will continue.

Today In "Bad-Ass Normal" News...

We have what would have been a (sadly) normal occurrence in the retail world:

Two men were in an east Houston jewelry store Thursday afternoon pretending to be customers when a third man burst into the store and stated, "This is a robbery," Houston police spokesman Kese Smith said.

They then proceed to tie up the owner and his wife. Well, I should say "try" instead of "proceed":

As they were trying to tie up the store owner, the 52-year-old took out a handgun from his waistband and fatally shot one of the suspects, Smith said. The store owner then grabbed a shotgun and shot and killed the two other suspects in the ensuring gunbattle, Smith said.

I know; "Wow!" Yeah, it's amazing how that went down. Especially when you learn that:

The newspaper said Castillo was in critical but stable condition at hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to his left shoulder, left abdomen and legs.

Whoa, and his wife?

The woman was unharmed, police said.

So: Three would-be thieves try to rob an old guy's jewelry store while he and his wife are there. The owner busts a cap in all three guys, gets hit multiple times in the process, and proceeds to free his wife, who had nary a scratch on her. In short, it's like a real-life Punisher story.

No Main Topic

1. North Korea continues to flex.
2. Paging Gotham City...
3. They fought the law, and...
4. Curb Stomp Battle: San Diego-style.
5. Well, if you're going to treat them like animals, might as well.
6. Curb Stomp Battle: Boston-style.
   

Sweet Baby Jesus Part 3: The Nordic Version

Apparently some people believes that a black Englishmen can't play Nordic Gods in a movie based on comic book characters.

CA has the story on these racists.

No Main Topic

1. Another so-called family values candidate charged with assault.
2. Hulkimania's still running wild.
3. Parents get low marks for their part in their child's educational development.
   
4. Selective transparency is the status quo.
5. The irony here is that her false story may now come true, just not exactly how she told it.
   

Shoot-Out @ California Barber Shop Kills One and Wounds Six

What gets me about this one is that the barbers had guns.

Pot Trumps Tobacco

Don't know if this is really a "yay" moment, but it is what it is.

I Really Wish This Was a Scene From One Of His Movies

Zoinks!

LITCHFIELD, Conn. – Prosecutors say actor Rip Torn has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from allegations he broke into a Connecticut bank while drunk and armed.

No Main Topic

(pic via)

1. More proof that the only good news concerning a war is that it's over.
2. When a cigarette company markets their product to a 9-yr-old, they deserve to be sued.
3. The alternative to having your daughter where a chastity belt.
4. All this tells me is that I still have a shot.
5. The Marines are the last military barrier to repealing DADT.
6. Most meetings use gavels, not guns.
   

A Moment Of Disclosure

I wasn't aware of this until I received this email, but one of the benefits from the tax cut deal includes an extension of "employee-provided education assistance." Translated, those involved can offer up to $5,250 a year for classes.

In my case, that means if I take a class, as long as the cost is under that amount I don't have to pay for anything other than books. Since I'm going for my MBA, I can take two classes per year and only worry about having to pay on the taxes for one of them (which they take out of my paycheck, BTW). That's a big deal to me because it cuts my paycheck by almost 23%.

I'm not saying it's a complete justification for accepting a flawed deal, but their are plenty of people out there who will get cut off academically and probably never resume their degree-hunt if the assistance is cut off.

BTW, it looks like it will pass the Senate. What happens when the House gets their hands on it is a different story.

Uber-Recall Of Rolaids Products

Whoa.

Around The Internets

(pic via)

1. Tips for guys on meeting women.
2. Fitness myths.
3. What Wikileaks revealed about the American media.
4. For some actors/actresses, it isn't acting.
5. Other things that can give you acne.
6. I would like to think teens aren't trying to get pregnant to be on a fucking TV show, but there you go.
7. If you ignore these subtle signs, a heart attack may be in your future.
8. The Bea Arthur you didn't know.
   

Bill Clinton Supports Obama's Tax Deal

When I said, "Don't be so surprised," I meant it.

Not Exactly What I'd Call "Customer Service"

Old guy (67 yrs) cause a ruckus at Burger King, gets into it with employee. Old guy tries to hit employee, misses, gets punched by employee, and dies.

And before anyone starts dumping on the (younger) employee, let's not forget that video a few years back of Old Guy Beating Crap Out of Young Guy On Bus, in which that Old Guy was basically canonized (the lesson? If you're old and you connect, you can be a hero).

All-Female American Squads

About freaking time.

An Anniversary Gilbert Arenas Would Rather Not Celebrate

Actually, this is typical Gilbert: he talks about being a changed person, accepting his role with the team, and how people don't understand him. What sticks out to me is that he said he learned a lesson in ego-checking from watching Allen Iverson's last moments in the NBA.

Transformers: Dark of The Moon Trailer

Quote Of The Day

"Paul Rudd is so good at playing a dick boyfriend that Rihanna ducks when she watches Wet Hot American Summer."

-- Cracked.com's Seanbaby.

Street Fighter: Drunk Edition

Cracked.com does it again.

A New New Tomb Raider

Video game's answer to Indiana Jones is back again.

This Just In: LeBron Is Still A Jerk

In other news, water is wet.

Don't Be So Surprised

I'm not going to say that the Democrats in Congress or President Obama is salvaging what they can. I'm not saying that they shouldn't fight. I won't say that the liberal/progressive base deserve to be ignored.

I will say that no one should be surprised.

And no, not because "Obama said 'X' and now he's doing 'Y.'" How is that different from Clinton? Sure, he gave us that awesome surplus, but even Thom Hartmann has talked about how Clinton governed with a conservative slant. People tend to forget that because the guy was a Democrat.

No, we shouldn't be surprised because of two basic things that have been constant since Ronald Reagan came in and did a curb stomp on progressive politics:

1. The elected Democrats fear the GOP base more than their own;
2. Liberals and Progressives have not successfully infiltrated the Democratic Party.

On point one: I've said this over and over and over again; and here's why: elected Democrats, like your average American, think this country is at best center-right. Where did this come from? For one, Fox News tells people that every day, and the other two cable news stations (CNN and MSNBC) either echo that sentiment faintly or say nothing at all. Another reason is the GOP has masterfully managed to package their ideology into soundbites and slogans that match the average American's beliefs and views. Not to say that people, when pushed, are actually in sync with the GOP; but as long as they think they are, that's enough to push the propaganda.

On point two (which is actually more key here): Liberals can complain and fact-check and make all the best, concrete arguments they want, but the fact remains: you're not an elected Congressperson. I understand the frustration and it's very justified, but damn it, half the people yelling and threatening to form another party and saying that Obama is just like Bush should have running in their local primaries in 2006, 2008 and yes, 2010.

Don't give me any bullshit about "not knowing how to campaign" either. The yahoos we had in this last midterm could barely boil water and they managed to make some noise (if not win). Alvin Greene looked like he just came out of a coma. If you're as passionate and knowledgeable about politics, if you live and breathe this stuff, then it's way past time for you to start adding your name to the ballot.

"What about money? I'm broke." Please. The witch-lady was fucking unemployed. Don't believe the hype about fund-raising; it's hard but not impossible. If you can get your neighborhood to by your kids' cookies or candies or whatever you're selling for school or the soccer team, you can get some cash to represent them.

"I have kids/family/sick loved one." Well, that didn't stop John Edwards from running for President (twice) or VP (or cheating on his wife, but that's another story). Wasn't there a southern Governor who took off from his family (on Father's Day, no less) to see his mistress, only to be caught because a reporter happened to be at the airport?

Stop making excuses. How many times have you watched the Sunday shows, or C-SPAN, or the cable news, thinking, "These idiots! Why don't they fight back? I could do some much better! Well you can. You can start today. Or tomorrow. Or next year.

Now let me say two things in closing. First, what does surprise me is how liberals and progressives have been so caught off-guard since after Obama was sworn in. After years of staying on-top of everything George W. Bush and GOP, it's like the base went to sleep during the summer of 2009 and has been playing catch-up ever since. You don't have to go too far to see the first glaring example; it was the Health Care Town Hall meetings that August: screaming "concerned average Americans;" confused Democrats; Republicans smelling blood. Where was the liberal base? Just as dazed and confused as the Democrats. In the Bush days, someone would have found out about the Freedomworks/AstroTurf angle weeks before Rachel Maddow mentioned it on her program. If roles were reversed (a Democratic-backed campaign against a GOP-driven political agenda) Fox News, conservative radio and the conservative blogs would have been on it (mostly speculative) within days. By the time liberals got themselves together, the Public Option was already off the table.

The tax thing is no different. This push should have happened before the midterms; liberals should have held the Congressional Democrats' feet to the fire, not Obama. Once the House was lost, the media jumped on the "Obama must work with Republicans now" meme and the guy's hands were tied. Is that fair? Hell no. But the politicians deal in a different world than us; for us it's literally life-and-death, for them it's a job/career (or if they're rich enough, a hobby). Their only motivation is cash and the threat of being kicked out. The GOP's base has figured that out, and they are milking it for all it's worth.

Also, their side doesn't let up and doesn't stop. The only time they take off is to plan the next move, and they already have the infrastructure (Rush, Fox News) and the meme (the media is inherently "liberal" so to be fair said media must give conservatives more exposure) in place. Liberals are just building this infrastructure so the outrage, while understandable, isn't going to do any good.

The second thing is this: if you truly aren't passionate about what's going on, how the GOP has basically been bought and how the Democrats are half-way there, then by all means, keep sitting in the stands and watch the game unfold. But keep in mind, the only way someone can really affect the outcome of a game is by participating in it. I've read too many blogs by people way smarter and more involved in politics than me to believe that there aren't any potentially strong liberal candidates out there. Me? This is a hobby and I'll fully admit that I'm not as passionate and gung-ho about this as the people I read. I haven't watched Olbermann and Maddow a whole week for months; I haven't checked on a Sunday talk show since late April. Hell, I'll probably be talking about basketball or Transformers or comic books in the next post; I'm not a political blogger.

That being said, I'll repeat myself one more time to make it clear: liberals and progressives need to primary more and create a voting block strong enough to garner attention in Congress and in the press. Until that happens, it will be business as usual.

It's a Trap!

No, really; the tax cuts was a political trap. Time for Obama to realize that the GOP does not plan on playing nice.

Around The Internets

1. Actually, Khloe, that guy should be in jail.
2. Operation: Bring Pat Riley Back is in full swing.
3. Five Hip-Hop Myths.
   
4. Mr. Nolan: I'm not so sure about this idea.
5. A Candid Colbert? Cool.
6. How to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
7. Michael Moore wants to have dinner with you.
8. Self-destruction; you're headed for self-destruction...
   
9. Those wacky dictators.
   
10. More proof that Glenn Beck doesn't listen to himself.
11. I usually prefer to not mix sports and politics, but this is too good to pass up.
    

Rude Pundit Is Right....

...it shouldn't be this hard.

But when a political party fears their opponent's base more than their own, the easy tends to become complicated.

A Comeback For A Cosby Kid

Congrats to Tempestt Bledsoe.

Quote Of The Day

A homophobic Christian is accusing a progressive Muslim of backing gay rights in order to institute Sharia law which would call for gays to be persecuted.

--"ArrivalofGodot," pretty much summarizing this TPM story.

The (Bush) Tax Cuts Explained

Media Matters had two separate posts regarding the Lame Duck House of Representative's vote on the Bush Tax Cuts, one about Fox Nation's response, and one about Fox and Friends.

In both, a member by the name of "whatithink" posted two very informative notes.

The first was about how tax cuts work:

I don't think conservatives realize just exactly what they are getting so upset about.

Let's say I make $249,000/yr. I would still get the Bush tax cuts.

Let's say I make $251,000/yr. I would still get the Bush tax cuts on $250,000 and the extra $1 would get taxed at a higher rate.

If a person makes over $250k/yr, that doesn't mean they get no tax cut at all. It means the portion that exceeds the $250k gets taxed at a higher rate. Get it yet? So all this crying that people making over $250k/yr will get no tax cut is a bunch of BS. EVERYBODY, from you, me, to the movie stars who make $20 million a picture, gets the same tax cuts on the first $250,000.

Now, I understand that math and numbers and what not are considered elitist and "out of touch", but how in the world do you expect to understand how the tax code works when you refuse to believe the numbers?

Oh yeah, I forgot, just listen to the lies the spew on Fox and right wing talk radio.

The second was information debunking this whole "The GOP Version Would Lead to More Job Creation" myth:

Okay, here's some numbers. All you conservatives who think learning and education is some sort of elitist past time, bear with me...numbers don't lie.

If a person makes $500,000 a year, and is single, how much money would this "job creator" save under the Bush tax plan?

If the Democrats get their plan, that person would owe $161,137.
If the Republicans get their plan, that person would owe $148,989.

That is a difference of $12,148.

Tell me, who is this "job creator" going to hire for $12,148 a year? That works out to $5.84 an hour. If a person has just 1 dependent, that is below the federal poverty line.

Now, it's been shown, that since the tax cuts were enacted in 2001, the majority of the money has been placed in savings or investments...and not just investments, but foreign investments. Between 2000 and 2008 foreign investment went from $1.3 trillion to $3.2 trillion.

The Bush tax cuts in the same period cost $1.3 trillion.

Do you see the pattern yet? The Bush tax cuts cost $1.3 trillion between 2000 and 2008, foreign investments went up $1.9 trillion in the same period.

So, my question, and I'm sure the question that a lot of other people have, is: why wasn't that $1.3 trillion put back into the US economy? Failing that, why wasn't that $1.3 trillion used to create jobs? After all, the Republican argument is that tax cuts will spur job creation. Well, so far, $1.3 trillion in tax savings to the rich has resulted in the catastrophic loss of jobs. Why should the same policy, which has not succeeded in it's stated purpose be continued?

Things like this keep me optimistic, because it shows that not everyone is settling for whatever the TV is telling them.

Michael Jordan (and Nike) Had Nothing To Do With "Response" Video

As entertaining as it was, it was done by someone else.

Who's Afraid Of The Big, Bad Draft?

The Real Life Destro himself, Oliver North, that's who!

He thinks that if gay people (who already serve in the military, BTW) actually started to admit that they were gay in public, then the straight soldiers would turn into mush and trample each other trying to leave the military. Which means that we'll have to have a draft in order to replenish our ranks.

Me? I have a feeling that if we had kept the draft, we probably wouldn't still be talking about withdrawing fully from the two wars we're involved with now. Because, you know, we might not have fought them throughout Bush's two terms.

Anyway, Media Matters sets Mr. North straight.

Oh Porky Pig; You Scamp You!

No Main Topic

1. LeBron has no idea the level of hate he's going to encounter.
2. David Brian Mitchell is a sicko.
3. A Creationist Theme Park. 'Nuff said.
4. Brett Farve quits again. For real this time. Honest.
   

Here We Go Again...Again.

Media Matters documents how Glenn Beck's "perfect storm" is really a broken record.

These Goalposts Aren't Going To Move Themselves

With the report on DADT coming out in favor of repeal, the Senate's biggest holdout John McCain now has to insult the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Secretary of Defense and the POTUS in order to make a new standard (it's no secret that the Marine Corps is the biggest military hurdle to repeal while the other branches are either pro-repeal or indifferent).

But as TPM notes, that swipe at Sec. Gates isn't accurate.

If McCain doesn't think gays should serve, he should just say so.

Jason Whitlock: LeBron James Ain't Changing

Sounds pretty accurate to me:

LeBron James thinks he’s as dedicated to the game as Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash and Tyler Hansbrough.

Nope. He’s more talented, the game comes easier to LeBron. He can excel in the NBA without ever submitting to coaching. He can earn lifetime financial security without ever attending college or grinding at the bottom of the corporate ladder. He can win friends and be popular with women without ever demonstrating humility or showing respect.

You wonder why Big Ben Roethlisberger tried to have sex with a college student inside a nightclub closet/bathroom? Probably because he had before. People do what works. If bad habits get rewarded, people never interpret them as bad habits.

LeBron James bullies the coaches who dare to coach him, who dare to try to define for him the sacrifices necessary for true greatness.

According to an ESPN story, the Heat players, particularly LeBron, are bothered that Erik Spoelstra is demanding that LeBron conduct himself in a more professional demeanor. Spoelstra has committed the felonious crime of yelling at LeBron in front of his teammates. Spoelstra won’t let LeBron be LeBron the way a parent won’t let a child be an unbathed child day after day.

The story appears to be intentionally leaked by members of Team LeBron -- the clueless group that brought you The Decision — to undermine Spoelstra. In reality, it undermines James.

Of course, Wizards fans knew this about James all along.