HMMMMMMM....

"Sens. Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, both Republicans, (Oklahoma) are fiscal hawks who have repeatedly voted against funding disaster aid for other parts of the country. They also have opposed increased funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers federal disaster relief.

Late last year, Inhofe and Coburn both backed a plan to slash disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. In a December press release, Coburn complained that the Sandy Relief bill contained "wasteful spending," and identified a series of items he objected to, including "$12.9 billion for future disaster mitigation activities and studies."

Amazing, isn't it??  People still vote these folks in. It only matters when it happens to them.

Oh yes...and this: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/oklahoma-gop-sen-tom-coburn-will-seek-to

Of course, let's doubledown on the hypocrisy: 
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/05/21/no-oklahoma-tornado-relief-without-cuts-elsewhere-says-republican/

Does This Look Like A Fish To You???

This graph, lifted from the report (on the x-axis, -1 is liberal and 1 is conservative), shows the damage the wrong messaging can do: With no messaging, roughly 60 percent of all participants picked the CFL; a pro-environment message boosted support in liberals but cut it sharply in conservatives.@Grist.org

"In other words, in “territorial defense” of their climate change denying political agenda, conservatives are less likely to use a product if it’s labeled as energy-saving, making the perverse point that, either “we don’t need no stinking energy-saving stuff because we’ve got our denial party-line to rely on,” OR “our stance is right, yours is wrong; we’re definitely NOT buying into yours, so we will not be buying these damn efficiency light bulbs, thank you.”

Read more at Addicting Info: http://tinyurl.com/k9ker7v

 Too bad it has to be one way or the other:

"But This Country Was Founded On The Bible..."

We've all heard: 

"This nation, without reasonable doubt, was established on the firm foundation of Scripture. Our forefathers, brilliant as they were, openly acknowledged the true genius behind the new system to be the eternal principles of God's Word. The most fundamental concepts of the republic find their roots in the Bible. From the beginning, the basis for law and government in American society was decidedly biblical. What's more, the new land was forged through the energy of the Judeo-Christian work ethic."

http://patrioticnation.blogspot.com/2007/10/was-usa-built-on-christian-principles.html

Really?? There seems to have been a "lost in translation" moment somewhere during the last 300 or 400 years. This was in evidence last week when the Farm Bill was being debated in Congress by several lawmakers, including Juan Vargas and Doug LaMalfa. Included in the bill, which increased farm subsidies, was a cut to food stamps. The Repubs hate food stamps. Several "Christians" defended the cuts by saying "the Bible encourages people to help each other but doesn't dictate what the federal government should do. We should be doing this as individuals, helping the poor."  (But...the Constitution....)

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/05/house_panel_debates_cutting_fo.html

Yep, this is a Christian nation...no Muslims, no Jews, no Pagans, no Buddhists...at least in THEIR minds.  And remember the Bible is your FRIEND...when you want to find a reason for mans basic egotism and selfishness.

In that same Bible that the Conservative Right wants to use to point out THEIR standing, in the eyes of the Lord, you will also find: 

Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Romans 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Luke 3:10-11 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

Yes, there have to be checks and balances in all programs. No, big oil companies or those such as Apple, Exxon, GE, and Microsoft do NOT need any government subsidies. But the people who actually produce for those companies do, at this time.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) cited Ephesians 2:8-9, which says, "for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."  This quote, I'm afraid to tell him, has NOTHING to do with caring for the poor. Jesus is talking about being saved by grace, but not by "good works." Your faith will be what saves you...not just pretending that you are doing good things, or keeping account of all the "good " that you think you are doing. Which, by the way, leads me to this verse:

Matthew 7:20 - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The Repubs:  Bless Their Little Hearts........

If you're from the South, you know darn well what THAT means, and it ain't complimentary. Just like everything else that the Dems and and the President have tried to do over the last four years, the Repubs have tried (and succeeded mostly) to throw a monkey-wrench into the forward movement.....and AGAINST the "will of the majority of the people" who they claim to work for 

"Just enforce the laws already on the books" they LOVE to scream. Of course, they don't want  anyone to KNOW about their consolidated efforts for decades to hamper the enforcement of such laws...and then BRAG about it.

" The "NRA-ILA puts a great deal of effort into protecting gun owners by urging the Congress to pass 'riders'… that help accomplish our agenda." An NRA press release from November 2011 heralded the riders in the ATF appropriation as "Twelve Big Wins for Gun Owners."

To fully understand the time and money the NRA puts into such efforts you might be interested in the following:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/atf-gun-laws-nra

The investigative challenges are further complicated by a series of riders authored by then-Rep. Todd Tiahrt, (R-Kan.), in 2003 in collaboration with the NRA. One of the Tiahrt amendments, as they're known, requires the FBI to destroy information contained in Brady or NICS checks within 24 hours. When a felon purchases a gun, he commits a new felony. But the FBI now has only 24 hours to figure that out. In effect, the FBI is required to destroy evidence of a crime. "Obviously, bringing the record retention down to 24 hours would preclude any significant investigation," says Julius Wachtel, a retired ATF agent with 20 years of service. "One might as well not even bother."

Lawrence O'Donnell also points out one of their little attempts at hindering investigations of any crime relating to guns or gun powder."The NRA has successfully blocked any requirements for such taggants in gunpowder.."

Of course the Repubs are not totally stupid. They are going to present their own version of gun regulation, CONTAINING MANY OF THE SAME POINTS AS THE ONE PRES. OBAMA PUSHED FOR:

http://www.nationalmemo.com/watch-senator-joe-manchin-calls-nra-attack-a-lie/

"Republicans say they will offer an alternative bill, Grassley-Cruz, but only the fact sheet below has been released..."

Just like Medicare, Social Security, and everything else.....if Obama wants it, there're against it. They'll do it THEIR way.

GROW UP!!

UPDATE

Elitism Meets The South...Results Not Good

Sometimes it pays to "have been there." Sometimes it helps to put yourself in another's shoes. Sometimes it helps to have a few more years under your belt, or your Jimmy Choo's.

Sometimes it helps to understand the entire concept of a literary work, a movie, or a song. Such was the case when Brad Paisley and LL Cool J performed Accidental Racist at the ACMs the other night. Yes, an unlikely pairing, and maybe NOT the best of songs.....but the hoopla was uncalled for.

"My big issue lies with Paisley’s portrayal of some clueless rube sauntering into a Starbucks and not understanding why someone might object to his having a symbol of centuries of terror and enslavement emblazoned upon his t-shirt. I mean, for heaven’s sake, even the sole remaining member of Lynyrd Skynyrd has publicly repudiated the Stars and Bars.'   (Yes, after decades of soul searching.......ME)

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/04/11/brad-paisley-ll-cool-j-and-fans-defend-accidental-racist-video/

The author of this particular article, or some others,  obviously DOES NOT understand Southern Pride, even today. Right or wrong...to most objective minds....it is hard to disregard the past, and sometimes what was popular decades ago, even in music, cannot be forgotten. Remnants of that culture, and its popularity today (I love Lynyrd Skynyrd still and I'm NOT a teenager) is a given. NOTHING TO DO WITH RACISM OR THE LIKE....just the good Southern music. The Allman Brothers, Molly Hatchet, The Doobie Brothers, Marshall Tucker, 38 special, The Outlaws, Little Feat, Rossington Collins.....all of these groups had something to add to our present music culture. Not all rap is sex, hate, guns, and hating the white guy either. (And LL Cool J is a very good actor.)

Some people just do not like Country music or Rap. That is fine. Not everybody has the same taste. (Rap is a foreign language to me.....) But understanding the artists is paramount in getting the message from their work. To say what some have said...that this is some hokey Southern loser singer trying to make a name for himself.....could not be more wrong.

Brad Paisley has touched upon this sensitive subject over the years. I'll bet that all those that are yammering today have NO clue...

"I had a friend in schoolRunning back on a football teamThey burned a cross in his front yardFor asking out the home coming queen"

http://www.metrolyrics.com/welcome-to-the-future-lyrics-brad-paisley.html

Before all the know-it-alls go off with their noses in the air, condescension dripping from their pores, and words like RACISM spewing from their lips, you might want to take a look at this:

"You know everywhere has somethin' there known for
although usually it washes up on our shores
little Italy, Chinatown, sittin' there side by side
live from New York, It's Saturday Night!"
http://youtu.be/AfnFPNv1PPM

Mr.Paisley is an compassionate man of today: a family man, a realist, someone who knows that the past IS influencing the present...the end result is up to all of us. He knows that we all came from different places socially, culturally, and that we all bring something to the table.

I only wish we ALL were adult enough to recognize it.

Fueling Up To Sneak Away?

You all are quite familiar with this.....the feel-good, we're-in-this-together advertisements seen day in and day out from BP. After ruining the waters, wildlife, beaches, and livelihood of thousands of people in the beautiful Gulf states...as if Katrina wasn't enough. 

the

Seems like the fairy tale is wearing a little thin. 

My husband is an avid motorcycle rider: the Old Coots Riders, NOT the Hell's Angels. At three different BP stations around East Tennessee, he stopped to fill up...we have had a BP card for decades. All three stations were changed to Exxon, Mobil, or some private concern. When he asked what was going on these owners said that they were told at various business meetings that they had to pick another company to go with and change the name. BP WAS GETTING OUT OF THE GAS STATION BUSINESS IN ALL STATES BELOW THE MASON-DIXON LINE. All behind the scenes, no fanfare.....

Do not know what to make of this, but I can guess. Haven't been able to co-orborate up to this point.

"Way Down South In The Land Of Dixie....."

Living in the South..in the state of Tennessee exactly.....can be a mixed blessing. The Smoky Mountains are a whole world unto themselves, any time of year. People are friendly and hospitable. Food is wonderful and music of all genres is everywhere. Families have lived here for generations...even those who have lived in other states always seem to return.

But how do you explain the absolute thoughtless, heartless, selfish, and of course politically motivated, moves such as these:

Take food away from families if a child gets bad grades:
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/320-80/16764-tennessee-advances-bill-that-would-tie-welfare-to-childrens-grades

Refuse to counsel troubled students:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/tennessee-bill-allows-christian-counselors

Don't accept state-issued college ID for voting:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/apr/04/bill-wont-allow-student-ids-for-voting/

Refuse to obey any federal legislation:
http://www.thepiratescove.us/2013/02/26/kentucky-senate-passes-gun-nullification-legislation/



And then what was my personal favorite:
http://news.msn.com/us/lawmakers-want-state-religion-in-nc-defying-first-amendment

Which has been topped by THIS:
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/04/03/North-Carolina-bill-would-tax-parents-of-college-students-limit-college-vote/6961365017546/