Since 2000, a South Carolina company has defrauded the Pentagon out of $20.5 million. The Pentagon paid $999,976 to ship two 19-cent washers to Texas. Ah, this is the kind of government news I like to hear. Good ol' incompetency in action. It restores my faith that maybe there isn't some evil empire conspiring against us all. I mean, with geniuses like this working for the government they can't really be doing anything with all our phone calls, can they?
The Las Manitas owners have refused the $750,000 forgivable loan from the City of Austin. I was one of the people that thought it was a ridiculous thing for the city to do in the first place, so I'm glad to see that they decided to take the high road and step away from the controversy. Maybe I'll have lunch there today to show my...appreciation? No. Gratitude? No. Eh, I don't know what but I'll think of something.
A veteran of the Korean War waited 42 years to receive his Purple Heart and instead he received a certificate and an "Out of Stock" notice.
He was told he could purchase one for $42.00. The Department of Defense estimates that 29,098 troops have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan through Thursday.
Thanks for your military service and the sacrifice you made for your country. Please send $42.00 for us to give a shit.
This week marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death. It pains me to admit I am old enough to remember where I was when I heard he'd died. I was first grader and I was spending the summer at my grandmother's lake house. I remember seeing this live on TV that summer...or is it a fake memory? Either way, he is still the King as far as I'm concerned.
Someone had figured out a way to find out who edits the content on Wikipedia. Ever wonder how much corporate and government spin is in those factual entries? Turns out it's a lot.
BREAKING NEWS:
APD SWAT officers are on the scene at North Austin Medical Center, where officials say a suspect is barricaded inside. More to come.
UPDATE:
The police department said a man has barricaded himself in a vacant building near the North Austin Medical Center Thursday.
The building is a street away from the center and not on the hospital's campus, which is at Cedar Bend Drive and Metric Blvd.
UPDATE 5:50 p.m.
Man in custody.
I was just thinking today, what annoys me more--spam or forwards from friends? I think it's the forwards. That's why this blog with email forwards from "Right Wing Dads" is hilarious. Do you have one of these people in your life? Someone that forwards offensive and wildly inaccurate updates on the culture wars? (via freakgirl)
If you're on Medicare or Medicaid, doctors are hard to come by. No shit. The reimbursement rates are too low, the paperwork is intense and the claims processing time is outrageous. Why would any doctor accept Medicare and Medicaid is the better question. (AAS) And just wait until there's that 10% reduction in the reimbursement that goes through...things with Medicare will be all rosy then.
Wasn't it just yesterday that the president was all pissed off that Hillary Clinton's new campaign ad called the elderly in this country invisible and the White House released a statement condemning the commercial and reminding America how the president has improved health care access for seniors?
Oops. Sorry a fact got in your way. Dumbass.
Oh wait, here's a great story to further beat this dead horse. "Husband throws wife off ledge because he can't afford her medical bills anymore." Niiiice.
If you've seen the YouTube video of the Phillipino prisoners and wondered if it's real, the answer is yes. Is it real fun? Probably not. ABC finds out more...
I'm seriously hungover this morning, so make up your own news for a little while. If you find my pants will you shoot me an email?
A sheriff’s deputy in Elko, Nevada pulls over his wife (an off-duty deputy), calls for back up, and arrests her. (Chron) How awkward having to read the Miranda rights to your wife, and even worse having to pick her up when she’s released. Sounds like a case of role-play gone way wrong. It has been confirmed that he’s not going to get any in a loooooooong time. Payback is a bitch dude.
Former Speaker Dennis Hastert is going to announce his retirement from Congress on Friday. It took ya long enough! That's the thing in politics, you rarely get to go out on top. What had been a career marked by the longest Republican Speaker in history ended with a gay sex scandal with Mark Foley and a crushing defeat in the last elections.
It's almost enough to write yourself a note. Step 1. Win election in a landslide. Step 2. Announce retirement.
You said it Senator Whitmire! The governor's office is scrambling against the backlash of the veto on funding for community colleges in the state. To rub salt in the wound, he basically accused community colleges of fraud. As usual when Perry goes off half-cocked, he's busy backpedaling with creative ways to get himself out of trouble. Unfortunately, every time he tries it just makes matters worse.
In a committee hearing yesterday, the governor's plan to restore the money to community colleges was announced before a bewildered crowd. The lead accountants from Enron must have helped him come up with this plan. Here were a few options laid out:
All of you groups and agencies that get any money from the state better start practicing your "Yell" because all you little meek mice are about to get your money taken away. I am available as a Yell Leader in case you need one. I may not have gone to A&M, but I did grow up on dirt road and I can raise a ruckus!
Watch out South Texas. We don't know what will be worse...the storm or the state coming in trying to help. The National Weather Service predicts three to five inches of rain in parts of the state that are already soaked from the wet summer. No evacuations have been ordered that I can see, but seeing how the last evacuations turned into clusterfucks, the state isn't taking any chances.
Maybe they're using some of the community college money for storm relief!
Athens, Alabama is set to vote on banning alcohol sales in the city. First of all, drinking and Alabama go together like peas and carrots. I know whenever I'm in that state, I've got an alcohol I.V. hooked up just so I can tolerate the rampant bigotry, idiocy, poverty and genetic defects. The 'click' of a third martini is well advised for those in Alabama.
The city officials say if the vote to ban alcohol sales prevails, they will lose out on $250,000 a month in tax revenues. A substantial amount for this city of 22,000. Don't worry says preacher man! God will make up the difference.
If God is coming up with $250,000 a month to contribute to the Athens, Alabama tax base, I'm afraid I'm going to have to call for a full investigation. Don't you love this kind of aggressive ignorance? "Drinking is immoral so let's ban it and that way no one will drink anymore." Those of you with something higher than a 6th grade education should be able to shoot that full of holes in about a minute.
For those of you in Alabama, I'll give you three minutes.
Rep. Anna Mowery resigned this month from House District 97, which probably means a special election in November. There are 12 people who have stated an interest in running for the seat. Among those interested, 9 are Republicans and 3 are Democrats. FWST
By the way, Separated at Birth anyone? Rep. Mowery, and the cat lady from the Simpsons.
Finish the sentence:
The only thing scarier than Karl Rove moving to Texas is….
Brooke Astor passed away yesterday at the age of 105. The last of the great New York Socialites that understand that with great wealth comes great responsibility is now gone. We've sullied the word socialite in America by using it to describe sexually transmitted disease ridden trash like Paris Hilton and that sickens me.
Miss Astor, as my mother would call her, was a true socialite. She wielded influence throughout the City and championed social causes as well as supporting the arts. In fact, she said she had a great deal of fun giving money away. With a wink and a sly smile, she liked to quote the leading character in Thornton Wilder’s play “The Matchmaker,” saying, “Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around.”
For every person that loves Hillary Clinton there is one that despise her. We don't talk a lot about it anymore, but there are really people that think she is the devil. I've personally warmed up to her a little so I guess there's hope around the country, but I suspect if you ask my Uncle Martin he'd say some things about her that even I wouldn't repeat.
I attribute this national hatred of Senator Clinton back to the 1992 campaign. The GOP did a spectacular job of demonizing her and continued to do so throughout Bill Clinton's term in office.
See her latest campaign ad here and tell us if it makes you like her more or less.
Anyone want to fill us in on the NCSL goings on? What you learned? Who got laid, etc?
Even if this issue is one big love-fest for John Edwards. I spent the weekend reading the features on John Edwards and to be honest with you, it was pretty good writing, but I didn't come away thinking "He's so presidential." I guess I'm tainted by his 'son of a millworker' story.
The issue is, as always, a great read and if you don't subscribe you ought to be picking it up every month. (Damn, I wish they'd send me a free subscription for saying that. Too bad I ain't Rosie, maybe we'd all get a subscription!)
From Overheard in NY
Lady hobo: Hey, y'all, I'm homeless and I'm three months pregnant, and I'm looking for some help from the people of this train, so if anybody got some money they want to give, please help me take care of my baby.
College girl with change: I'll give you this money if you're saving up for an abortion.
Lady hobo: What? Nooo, I'm keeepin' my baby.
College girl, putting change away: Okay, then.
Lady hobo: Wait, what?
--F train
Man, those NY'ers are harsh!
The Texas Democrat Party has moved to this building on West 12th Street. I couldn't help but notice there were no cars in the parking lot. Not even a Prius.
The Texas Ethics Commission has no power to investigate ethics on their own, but can respond to sworn complaints. This year they have fined a handful of legislators, including Representative Edmund Kuempel for use of his credit card for purchases not related to the campaign. Among the charges was $70 at the Jockey store. Hey, if Kuempel believes special campaign underwear gets him elected, who are we to judge? Surely that would mean I could expense Veuve Clicquot to my campaign because I believe Veuve gives me the power to speak eloquently on the issues!
Texas legislators slapped down the plastic to charge more than $1 million in political expenses since January 2005, but failed to disclose who actually received the bulk of the money, nearly $900,000, the analysis shows.(Chron)Of that million dollars the Chronicle found, three legislators have been fined.
Oh, and nice underwear Edmund.
Romney won the Iowa straw poll. It made the NYTimes front page. Romney spent millions in Iowa to win just over 4,000 votes and the media is sure to play this out as if he's the front runner. I refuse to accept that 4,000 corn-fed Iowans determine a frontrunner.
We still have five months before the first primary and ten months before the last one. (source) I'm gonna guess that we're not going to be comfortable with a true frontrunner until February 2008. So, until then we'll leave wild speculations to the mainstream media.
Tommy Thompson is ending his presidential bid after a straw poll in Iowa. That's embarrassing. So now we're down to what 50 people running for president?
The president's new war advisor talked about re-instating the draft in an NPR interview. "I think it makes sense to certainly consider it," Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said. "And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table." Yes, let's do put this on the table. Selfishly, I think this would be the instigation this country would need to take to the streets and finally rise up against this administration. Of course, I'd have to sober up first.
Only 7 years too late, Karl Rove has announced his retirement. I only wish I could be in Washington to escort him to the airport. This calls for me to beg SuperWow! to create a special edition photoshop. Y'all should, too. Give it a theme and send it to me. Best one wins a book!
I did not even read the article. I saw the headline and suddenly my Monday morning seemed to have a glow all around it. I hate that fat, bald bastard.
Hey all y'all that got to spend the week in Boston. I heard that some of you actually attended sessions and networked with other people and then there's the people that just stayed drunk and posting casual encounters on craigslist. Either way, glad you're back!
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