Oil Takes Aim At Pensacola

So far we've escaped the fate of Louisiana, Mississippi, and now Alabama. Although we've seen scattered tar balls on Pensacola Beach and a very limited amount of oil enter Pensacola Bay, the impact here has been relatively minor compared to what has been happening to our west.

But in the last two days oil has entered Perdido Pass along the Alabama-Florida border and fouled the beaches of Orange Beach, Alabama. A sense of foreboding hangs in the air tonight over Pensacola as we wait to see what our fate will be here. At this point it looks like it could go either way. There appears to be no consensus as to whether or not oil will foul Pensacola Beach in the coming days. Large patches of oil are lingering precariously close to our coast at this very moment.

This is what deregulation, massive corporate lobbying, and lax enforcement of existing regulations looks like. It is black, sticky, and smelly. And after infiltrating Louisiana's wetlands it is now impacting the most pristine beaches in the United States. President Obama will be visiting Mississippi, Alabama, and here in Pensacola on Monday and Tuesday. I think his access is going to be limited here in Pensacola, but if I catch a glimpse I'll let you know. As of this moment, I'm sure if he's going to see our famous sugar-white beaches or a nasty mess. I'm hoping for the former.

Clarence Thomas' Wife Takes A Drink of "Tea"

The wife of Supreme Court Justice ClarenceThomas has launched a new conservative non-profit lobbying group called Liberty Central. She hopes to tap into the Tea Party movement and also solicit funds from corporate interests. A move made much easier by the the recent Supreme Court decision in the case of Citizens United. Corporate money can now flow into this lobbying group to fund ads against candidates, etc.

What would you expect from a woman who dubs President Obama's agenda "hard left?" Based on her warped perspective of where the current President falls on the the political spectrum Virginia Thomas has been called to duty. A recent quote from Mrs. Thomas "I am an ordinary citizen from Omaha, Neb., who just may have the chance to preserve liberty along with you and other people like you." I'm not sure if it is more troubling that the wife of a sitting Supreme Court Justice considers herself an "ordinary citizen" or that she is so alarmed by President Obama's open assault on "liberty." I guess I missed that hard left agenda and war against liberty, but I'm sure she and her tea party friends could enlighten me with one of their rhetoric laden, but light on the facts talking points. Another gem from Thomas: "I have felt called to the front lines with you, with my fellow citizens, to preserve what made America great." I guess I must be on the other side of the "front lines" because I voted for President Obama, right Mrs. Thomas?

It didn't trouble Thomas when she was working at the Heritage Foundation in 2000 helping to recruit staff members for the incoming Bush administration while her husband was hearing the Bush v. Gore case. No conflict there, no problem. So why would there be any perceived conflict when this "ordinary citizen" takes advantage of her husband's recent ruling and jumps head first into pushing the conservative agenda while in bed with the Tea Party and deep-pocketed corporate donors? This is why we can never rest. There is an endless supply of well-connected conservatives out there who cannot wait to bring their version of "liberty" to the United States.

Dick Cheney Rebuked By REPUBLICANS Colin Powell and General Petraeus

I have been very outspoken about my disgust for former Vice President Cheney's disgraceful conduct since he was rolled out of the White House in a wheelchair as one of the most unpopular politician's in our history. Lacking any evidence whatsoever, he has continually leveled the charge against President Barack Obama that he has made the United States "less safe." In fact, virtually all of the evidence points to the contrary. There has been no 9/11 on President Obama's watch. Increased cooperation with other countries has led to major successes, drone strikes have been dramatically increased in Pakistan, and numerous plots have been disrupted in the past year here in the U.S. Cheney's one discredited point seems to be that illegal torture methods are no longer employed and therefore we are less safe. Again, the experts agree with virtual unanamity that higher quality intelligence is gathered through proven, professional interrogation methods and not toruture. A flood of recent cases including the "underwear" bomber and Najibullah Zazi (who had plotted to blow up the New York City subway system) show that reams of intelligence were gained without torture and by using the professionals in our criminal justice system.

It was nice to finally see two of the most popular Republicans condemn Cheney's nonsense. Petraeus has actually publicly disagreed with Cheney before stating that "It is hugely significant to us to live the values that we hold so dear and that we have fought so hard to protect over the years." Being that both David Petraeus and Colin Powell are or were Generals, I think they might have just a little bit more credibility on this issue than the former Vice President. The obvious attempt by Cheney and his daughter to undercut the current President of the United States with unsupported, universally discredited, self-serving talking points may make good theater for the far right-wing fringe, but it is beyond shameful. I applaud both Powell and Petraeus for strongly backing President Obama's highly-effective, pro-American anti-terrorism strategies. I would like to see many more Republicans speak out on this issue which should be above the partisan fray, but I am not holding my breath. Watch Powell's scathing rebuke of Cheney's factless charges in the video above. In addition he lays out the FACTS about military commissions.

Palin Qualified to Be President? New Poll Says Emphatically "No"

After last week's most recent embarrassments at both the Tea Party Convention and on Fox News it appears that Sarah Palin has reinforced the perception that she is profoundly unqualified to be President of the United States. At the Tea Party Convention she was seen by a national television audience reading scribbled notes from the palm of her hand. This came shortly after criticizing President Obama for using a teleprompter and during a question and answer session for which she was prepared for in advance. It was stunning that she would bring up the worn out teleprompter criticism after President Obama's recent performance at the House Republican retreat where he outshined his hosts during a live national broadcast.

Shortly thereafter, Palin appeared on Fox News and floated the possibility that President Obama might "play the Iran war card" in an attempt to enhance his prospects for re-election in 2012. Even the interviewer seemed somewhat stunned at this bizarre notion. It was not a good week for Palin.

These incidents, combined with countless past blunders, seem to have solidified her lack of competence in the minds the American electorate. There is undoubtedly a relatively small but very enthusiastic group of supporters who remain fiercely loyal to Palin. But even that group appears to be shrinking. According to the most recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, 71% of Americans believe she is unqualified to be President of the United States and only 37% have a favorable opinion of Palin. A majority of Republicans also believe Palin is not qualified for the nation's highest office! Although she will continue to have a voice and some level of influence within the GOP, it is becoming more and more obvious that she has no chance of being elected in 2012.

New Poll Documents Bizarre Views Held By Many In Today's GOP

An astounding new poll conducted by Research 2000 (Daily Kos) highlights some of the absurd opinions about President Obama held by a LARGE portion of the current incarnation of the republican party. Therein lies the problem of today's political climate. In order to justify their opposition to President Obama these people consciously demonize the President. Rather than having the intellectual honesty to oppose his policies on their merits, these republicans act like a bunch of angry losers who have never come to terms with being defeated in November.

Instead of meeting President Obama halfway when he extends his hand they cut it off and eagerly spew forth the most preposterous claims, all while maintaining a straight face. To heck with the country, it is much more important to attempt to destroy the President at all costs. Take a look at some excerpts from this poll and try to understand what strange, alternate universe these respondents currently occupy.

1. Should Barack Obama be impeached?
Answer: 68% Yes or Not Sure
Based on what charge?? Absolutely unbelievable!!

2. Do you believe Barack Obama was born in the United States?
Answer: 58% No or Not Sure

3. Do you think Barack Obama is a socialist?
Answer: 79% Yes or Not Sure

4. Do you believe Barack Obama wants the terrorists to win?
Answer: 67% Yes or Not Sure
That's why Obama has dramatically stepped up strikes against terrorists.

5. Do you believe Barack Obama is a racist who hates white people?
Answer: 64% Yes or Not Sure

GOP Golden Boy O'Keefe Self Destructs With An Act of Criminal Stupidity

James O'Keefe, the hack right-wing "journalist" who made a name for himself in the ACORN tax/prostitution scandal, destroyed any shred of credibility he had by deciding to get involved in the "Louisiana Watergate" scandal. Although the tactics used in the attempted ACORN sting may very well have been illegal, it appears O'Keefe and his co-conspirators stepped in it big time with this bizarre stunt. Getting mixed-up in federal crimes was probably not the best next step in O'Keefe's "career." He may find it a little difficult to conduct his heavily-edited, gotcha sting operations from a cell in a federal prison.

I can't wait to see where this case leads. Does it stop with O'Keefe and his right-wing hit squad or does it go further? I notice that Fox News and the congressmen who passed a resolution praising O'Keefe are relatively silent on this incident. Fair and Balanced? I don't think so.

Mary Matalin Claims Bush Inherited the 9/11 Attacks! Not A Joke!!

Mary Matalin is just another in a long line of former Bush Administration officials and right-wingers who are shamelessly trying to rewrite the sordid history of the Bush Administration. She claims that President Bush inherited the 9/11 attacks, but fails to provide any supporting explanation of this bizarre statement.

Ed Shultz did a good job on his show of calling her out on it and I'll also do my part in fighting this kind of nonsensical revisionism whenever I see it. And unfortunately we see it occur alarmingly often. I think somebody needs to buy Matalin a calendar and thorough instructions on its use.