News and Current Events - 2012

[Marge_Innavera]

Are ALL Republicans bat-shit crazy?  I'm watching Anderson Cooper with the story about Michelle Bachmann's and five other Repubs' claim that  Muslim extremists have "deeply penetrated" ( Ooh, I just felt some movement...) the highest offices of the government.

Edward Rollins, former Bachmann campaign chief, on Michele Bachmann's most recent antics:

"I have been a practitioner of tough politics for many decades. There is little that amazes me and even less that shocks me. I have to say that Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s outrageous and  false charges against a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin reaches that threshold.  Her unsubstantiated charge against Abedin, a widely respected top aide to Secretary  Hillary Clinton, accusing her of some sort of far-fetched connection to the Muslim brotherhood, is extreme and dishonest.

"Having worked for Congressman Bachman’s campaign for president, I am fully aware that she sometimes has difficulty with her facts, but this is downright vicious and reaches the late Senator Joe McCarthy  level."


It gets better, at http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/07/18/bachmann-former-campaign-chief-shame-on-michele/?intcmp=trending#ixzz210ivfo9G

Mr. Rollins referred to Ms. Bachmann as sometimes having "difficulty with facts."  

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Welcome to the Mitt Gets Worse Project
July 16, 2012



http://mittgetsworse.org/

In her Mitt Gets Worse video, Julie describes her meeting with Mitt Romney, who responded to a personal appeal for equality by saying: “I don't care.”

Welcome to the Mitt Gets Worse Project! American Bridge 21st Century and Courage Campaign Super PAC have partnered to launch this oral history project and rapid response campaign that aims to educate voters about Mitt Romney’s extreme anti-LGBT agenda.

Romney has earned a reputation as a flip-flopper — changing his positions in whatever direction advances his career. But when it comes to LGBT issues, there’s one thing you can always count on: Mitt Gets Worse.

Year after year, Mitt has moved further and further toward the extreme right. The Mitt Gets Worse campaign is an oral history of Mitt Romney’s efforts to diminish the rights and the freedoms of LGBT Americans, told by supporters, activists, and LGBT advocates that have personally been impacted by Mitt’s anti-equality agenda.

[doodler]

First Military Base Same-Sex Wedding Held
By Erin McLaughlin | ABC News – 4 hrs ago…

Two men became the first same-sex couple to marry on a military base when they held their wedding ceremony last month at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.

Tech Sgt. Erwynn Umali and his partner, Will Behrens, married June 23 on the base where Umali, an active member of the Air Force, had been stationed. It was a decision that would have been unthinkable just nine months ago, before the law requiring them to keep their relationship a secret was repealed.

"We asked [about holding the ceremony on the base], and they were very open about it, but [said], 'No one has ever asked us this question before,'" Umali said in a Facebook chat hosted by Slate. "We did not get any push back from the base or leadership. All they asked was that we be patient because this was the very first one."

Both men say this positive reaction is the same sort of response they have gotten since going public with their relationship to Umali's peers in the military. After Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed last September, Umali decided to open up about his relationship with Behrens.

At a farewell luncheon hosted for him on his military base before he left for a special assignment, Umali came out in a very public way. In a speech in front of 40 fellow airmen, he thanked his partner and fiancé. His fellow airmen responded with a standing ovation, according to Slate.

About 150 friends and family attended the ceremony, which was officiated by Evangelical Lutheran Church Navy Chaplain Kay Reeb.

Not everybody has been so accepting of their relationship, however. Both men grew up in strict religious families. Behrens' parents don't approve of his homosexuality, and Umali's parents in the Philippines are still struggling with his homosexuality.

Both Behrens and Umali were previously married to women, and both have two children, all of whom were at the wedding.

"One thing that we know and want to show our kids is to be true to yourself and love everyone no matter what," Umali said. "This is a victory for us because our kids still love us and we love each other and that is what they see."

The family of six all went to Disneyland after the ceremony.

Despite their civil union, the federal Defense of Marriage Act means they don't have the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples, something they say they would like to see changed.

"It is our goal to see equality, but we also know that our country is not quite there yet," Behrens said. DOMA prevents Umali from extending his military heath care to Behrens' children, and when Behrens' visits Umali on base, he still needs a guest pass.

For now though, the newlyweds are just happy to be able to live their lives in the open, beginning with sharing a first kiss and a first dance in front of their family and friends at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Behrens in a tuxedo, and Umali in his Air Force uniform.

"I never thought I'd be able dance with a man like this on a military installation," Umali said.

"We fully understand we are going to have more battles, however, they only make us stronger," Behrens said. "We have gone through a whole lot already and we are ready for the future and to push forward."


yahoo story

[fritzkep]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/pentagon-to-allow-service-members-to-march-in-uniform-in-gay-pride-parade-for-first-time/2012/07/19/gJQAu24ywW_story.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/20/us-usa-military-pride-idUSBRE86I1OI20120720

If only the rest of the country could handle integration of openly gay people as well as the United States Armed Forces. So proud to be a veteran I could just bust!

[CellarDweller115]

14 dead, 50 wounded in shooting at Colorado theater, police chief says

By the CNN Wire Staff

At least 14 people were killed and 50 wounded when a gunman opened fire during an early Friday morning screening of the new Batman movie at an Aurora, Colorado, theater, Police Chief Dan Oates told reporters.
 
The heavily armed suspect, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was apprehended by police in a rear parking lot of the theater, Frank Fania, a police spokesman told CNN. The identity of the suspect has not immediately been released.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/20/us/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html

[janjo]

That is so terrible.

I feel sure Dave will be asked for his thoughts on it.

[Marge_Innavera]

The shooter had been identified.  No probable motive as yet but apparently people who knew him well saw it coming.


"Law enforcement officials and witnesses told ABC News Holmes, 24, wore what appeared to be a bullet-proof vest and riot-type mask as he opened fire in a movie theater with three weapons at a midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises.' In addition to the 12 deaths, at least 50 people were injured, according to police.

"A San Diego woman who identified herself as James Holmes' mother told ABC News she had awoken unaware of the shooting and had not yet been contacted by authorities. She immediately expressed concern that her son may have been involved.

" 'You have the right person,' she said, apparently speaking on gut instinct. 'I need to call the police... I need to fly out to Colorado.' "

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/aurora-dark-knight-shooting-suspect-identified-james-holmes/story?id=16818889#.UAlhc6CLX4t

[doodler]

And now everyone will jump all over his family and friends... and law enforcement... because this was "allowed" to happen.

[Marge_Innavera]

IMO it's too early to be speculating about that; there's so little info about this guy.  Yes, his family and friends might have known he was unstable but they might have also found out that there's little or nothing law enforcement can do that's proactive; especially in a country where even people who are dangerous when they go off their medication can easily stockpile firearms.

[doodler]

Too early?! The first thing his mother said was she wasn't surprised.

[doodler]

Aurora Suspect James Holmes' Mother: 'You Have the Right Person'
By PIERRE THOMAS, RICHARD ESPOSITO, MATTHEW MOSK, JACK DATE and JASON RYAN | ABC News – 3 hrs ago


A California woman who identified herself as the mother of James Holmes, the 24-year-old man federal authorities said is the suspect in a mass shooting in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater, told ABC News her son was likely the culprit, saying, "You have the right person."

The woman, contacted at her home in San Diego, spoke briefly with ABC News and immediately expressed concern her son may be involved in the shooting death of at least 12 people overnight.

"You have the right person," she said, apparently speaking on gut instinct. "I need to call the police... I need to fly out to Colorado."

more on yahoo

[Marge_Innavera]

Meanwhile, in the Comic Relief Department

Jawdropper of the week; dubbed by the Daily Kos "the DUMBEST 'both parties do it' column ever".


Ruben Navarrette (CNN) in a commentary about Romney's VP pick:

Talk about a wasted opportunity. What would it have meant if, after more than 50 years of happy talk from Democrats, when the time came to act, it was actually a Republican who put the first Latino or first African-American woman on a presidential ticket?

Well, yeah there was that guy from Hawaii that every GreatamericanTM "knows" is really a furriner.  But it happened only after a "bruising" primary campaign.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/19/opinion/navarrette-rubio-gop-vp/index.html

[Marge_Innavera]

Aurora Suspect James Holmes' Mother: 'You Have the Right Person'
By PIERRE THOMAS, RICHARD ESPOSITO, MATTHEW MOSK, JACK DATE and JASON RYAN | ABC News – 3 hrs ago


A California woman who identified herself as the mother of James Holmes, the 24-year-old man federal authorities said is the suspect in a mass shooting in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater, told ABC News her son was likely the culprit, saying, "You have the right person."

The woman, contacted at her home in San Diego, spoke briefly with ABC News and immediately expressed concern her son may be involved in the shooting death of at least 12 people overnight.

"You have the right person," she said, apparently speaking on gut instinct. "I need to call the police... I need to fly out to Colorado."

more on yahoo

No new information from the first post; this is verbatim from the same source.

[doodler]

Right. It's on every news website and discussion forum.

[Ellen (tellyouwhat)]

Dave posted this on his facebook page:

FYI I'll be on TV several times today, grim subject. Andrea Mitchell, Hardball, Sean Hannity & BBC.

Mod From Linda:
Just a few more detail from Dave in an e-mail so you know where the shows are broadcast.

i'm booked so far for Andrea Mitchell Reports (MSNBC) and Hardball With Chris Matthews (MSNBC), Hannity (Foxnews), and BBC's primetime current affairs show.

Video from Hardball with Dave.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/48264283#48264283

Video interview of Dave on Andrea Mitchell Reports on MSNBC

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/mitchell-reports/48261685

Video with Dave on Hannity on Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/index.html

Video of UP w/Chris Hayes on MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/vp/48268676#48268676
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/vp/48268676#48268685
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/vp/48268676#48268691