Bad Deeds for 3/4/2010

 

It’s Official: Republicans Plan to Use More Fear for Upcoming Elections – The Republican National Committee plans to raise money this election cycle through an aggressive campaign capitalizing on “fear” of President Barack Obama and a promise to “save the country from trending toward socialism.”

The strategy was detailed in a confidential party fundraising presentation, obtained by POLITICO, which also outlines how “ego-driven” wealthy donors can be tapped with offers of access and “tchochkes.”

The small donors who are the targets of direct marketing are described under the heading “Visceral Giving.” Their motivations are listed as “fear;” “Extreme negative feelings toward existing Administration;” and “Reactionary.”

One page of the Republican presentation, headed “The Evil Empire,” pictures Obama as the Joker from Batman, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leaders Harry Reid are depicted as Cruella DeVille and Scooby Doo, respectively.

The presentation was delivered by RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart to top donors and fundraisers at a party retreat in Boca Grande, Florida on February 18, a source at the gathering said.

(Note: I looked up the definition of “tchochkes.” It can mean cheap trinkets, but it is also slang for “bimbo” or “slut.” – JLV)

 

Liz Cheney’s Attack on Justice Department Lawyers Undermines American Values – A furious effort by Liz Cheney toseven Justice Department lawyers who previously defended Guantanamo detainees as terrorist sympathizers appears so contrary to the American legal tradition that it puts her at odds with the man responsible for getting her father elected vice president.

Back in January 2007, Ted Olsen — then a lawyer in private practice but previously a lead counsel in Bush v. Gore and solicitor general of the United States — co-authored a short article for Legal Times in which he called efforts to demonize detainee defense lawyers as antithetical to American values.

“The ethos of the bar is built on the idea that lawyers will represent both the popular and the unpopular, so that everyone has access to justice. Despite the horrible Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, this is still proudly held as a basic tenet of our profession,” Olsen wrote.

“When government officials are called ‘war criminals’ and when public-interest lawyers are called ‘terrorist huggers,’ it not only cheapens the discourse, it scrambles the dialogue. The best solutions to these difficult problems will emerge only when the best advocates, backed by weighty resources, bring their talents to bear. And the heavy work of creating solutions for these complicated issues can only move forward when the name-calling ceases.”

 

Michele Bachmann Says More Untrue Things About Reconciliation on “Larry King Live” – Wednesday on “Larry King Live,” Republican Michele Bachmann began the discussion by arguing that the Senate would be breaking its own rules to pass a health care bill if it uses reconciliation:

Bachmann: An up or down vote is a good thing, Larry. It’s just how many votes will it take. Will it take 50 votes or will it take 60 votes …
King: Well what’s wrong with majority rules?
Bachmann: Well because that’s not how the Senate works. The Senate works with 60 votes, and now what the president is promoting is a nuclear option which is 50 votes.
King: But it used the majority rules on the Bush tax cuts.
Bachmann: Well, the House uses straight majority rules, the Senate doesn’t. So what this means is that the Senate has to break their own rules in order to pass the bill.
King: And that’s wrong?
Bachmann: Oh, I think so. Sure.

Alan Grayson: My esteemed colleague from Minnesota is entirely wrong. There’s nothing in the Senate rules that prevents reconciliation. It’s been used 22 times overall and 14 times by Republicans. If it’s good enough to provide tax cuts for the rich — twice under Bush — it’s good enough to provide health care for all Americans.

(And as I’ve explained before, reconciliation is totally different from the “nuclear option,” so Bachmann is wrong on that also. Did she skip government class? Did she never watch Schoolhouse Rock’s How a Bill Becomes a Law?– JLV)

 

Sarah Palin and Entourage At Oscar Gift Suite ‘Like Locusts’ – Sarah Palin and her entourage visited the Academy Awards Gift Suite. The Los Angeles Times reported that Palin was supposed to donate $1,700 along with all of her gift items to the Red Cross, which is currently helping with relief efforts in Haiti and Chile.

But E! Online insists, “we can assure you she did not give up any of her swag.” They quote an unnamed vendor who claims that upwards of 20 people from the Palin camp swarmed the event. “They were like locusts,” he told the entertainment news outlet.

According to AOL’s Pop Eater, publicist Ben Russo of EMC/Bowery said, “she kind of cleaned the place out.” They list out a number of her swag-grabs, including United Hair Care products, jewels from Pascal Mouawad, Skagen watches and a whopping 40 pairs of AIAIAI earphones.

It didn’t stop there. HollywoodLife.com reports that she also picked up a blue Kenya robe from designer Jenna Leigh, facewash and a pair of foam Bandal sandals.

Or, in common-sense language, Palin and her handlers, “practically cleaned out the suite.”
HollywoodLife.com says that Palin’s security swept the venue and would not allow photos, which are often expected by companies to use as promotion in exchange for the free products.

 

Anti-Gay State Senator DUI After Leaving Gay Nightclub – Early Wednesday morning, State Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Calif.) was pulled over and arrested for drunk driving. Sources report that Ashburn — a fierce opponent of gay rights — was driving drunk after leaving a gay nightclub; when the officer stopped the state-issued vehicle, there was an unidentified man in the passenger seat of the car.

 

Get Ready to Celebrate Good Deeds Day – How easy it is to do a good deed! Every one of us can do a good deed, almost anytime and anyplace. A good deed can change the world — yet even so, we don’t always have the energy to do one. Our everyday cares, making a living, the crazy rat race of life often make us forget the value of a good deed. Thus, the goodness that exists within each and every one of us is covered with layer upon layer of indifference and unawareness.

This year, Good Deeds Day will be officially held on March 16. But, you don’t have to wait. Get ready for Good Deeds Day by doing a good deed today and every day, and when March 16th gets here, don’t stop. And by all means, avoid bad deeds.

Regards,

Jim