Up for discussionis BP's latestnew, new and improved, really -- it's much better, this-time-we-got-it-right, seriously-we're-not-kidding -- tighter oil cap to stop the poisonous geyser of death from spewing into the Gulf. "Top Hat 10," (sounds like a Fred Astaire dance number from one of those weird 30s flicks) if successful, (cough) promises to seal the volcano and funnel the gushing oil into pipes that lead to vessels on the surface, which will collect the oil . . . where it likely will be sold on the open market. Why not? Disaster capitalism, baby. Gotta make some dough to pay all those hefty lawsuits now being put together in white shoe law firms across the South
And score one for equal rights! U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Tauro of Massachusettes could find no legitimate reasons to deny a gay couple the right to marry and enjoy the same legal rights and privileges granted to heterosexual couples.
"To further divide the class of married individuals into those with spouses of the same sex and those with spouses of the opposite sex is to create a distinction without a meaning". As irrational prejudice plainly never constitutes a legitimate government interest, this court must hold that Section 3 of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) as applied to Plaintiffs violates the equal protection principles embodied in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution."Take that,Teabaggers! Wanna another lump in your black oolong?
Declaring Section 3 of Prop 8 unconstitutional is a reason to break out the rainbow flags and pride pins, secure the wedding planners, reserve the best venues, phone your favorite florist, book your bakery, lose the love handles, and get ready for the Wedding March . . . unless the Justice Department wants to challenge the ruling. Eric Holder's Department could appeal the Tauro ruling to the Appellate division, as most administrations make an attempt to uphold the nation's laws, even when they officially oppose them on principle. Either way, the case will doubtlessly make a long, cautious journey to the US Supreme Court, where anything could happen. C'mon Elena Kagan! I'll take you out for Peking Duck on Christmas myself. Just get confirmed!
The Obama Administration is making Democratic politicians get all pale and sweaty (even more than usual) overits brave lawsuit against the State of Arizona's medieval immigration laws. Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, and Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. of Colorado were among the Democratic Governors who met with Obama privately during the National Governor's Association summer meeting last week, where they twisted their remaining hairs and tugged at their tighty whities and whined that the lawsuit was going to cost them votes in November . . . and would hurt Congressional Democrats seeking reelection as well.
Obama is dammed if he does, dammed if he doesn't -- yet again. Does he kowtow to the pink tutu perpetually shaky Democrats who want him to skew as far right as possible so they can remain in their Big Comfy Chairs? Or does he actually stand on principle and take aggressive, appropriate action against a barbaric law in what is becoming a rogue State? What else would you call a State where it's now legal to carry concealed guns into preschools, churches, bars, grocery stores or anywhere else; where they re-paint the ethnic kids' faces on a school mural to make them all white; and that outlaws the teaching of ethnic/multicultural studies in schools? Sarah "Quit Bull" Palin recently screeched "We're All Arizonians Now!" at a Teabagger rally. "Course in her case, she could've just been renaming an offspring.
Of the assembled Democratic Governors who trembled at the thought of being too far "left" on immigration, only Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico-- a former presidential candidate himself -- praised the Justice Department's lawsuit and called the weak-kneed Democrats' concerns misguided -- "Policy-wise it makes sense and Obama is popular with Hispanic voters and this is going to be a popular move with them nationally," he opined.
Despite that reassurance, the White House is nervous about the changing political winds heading into November. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' recent shocking statement on Meet The Press could be seen as an attempt to fire up the Democratic base, or as a frank admission that Team Obama is not counting on victory this Fall: "There's no doubt there are enough seats in play that could cause Republicans to gain control," Gibbs said on NBC's Meet The Press. Ouch! Take that band-aid off a little slower next time, would "ya, Robbie?
Let's hope the Democrats can out-drone the Teabaggers and point out that it takes a village, or an army, to undo all the economic, foreign policy, environmental, security, social services, deregulation, war-making, constitution-destroying policies the Bush Crime Family, under Cheney's masterful direction, hammered into place during its eight-year reign of terror.
Or should Obama throw up his hands and give the NeoCons the keys? Let them experience for themselves the hideous mess he was left to manage?
