Hot on the heels of the inability of some of Hollywood’s thin-skinned Wankerati to laugh at themselves (nice one, Ricky), the profundity of American Seriousness will manifest itself at the annual set-piece SOTU on The Hill this Tuesday. One of the most endearing aspects of the SOTU ritual is its peppering with spontaneous bouts of quick-response standing ovations after Mister President has delivered grateful Americans his best bon mots straight from the heart of his autocue. Applause of the Pop Ups— surely no POTUS could wish for more. Terribly exciting in a pantomimish sort of way, such displays of unrestrained adulation are what modern politicians do when pogo-ing is inappropriate. The gesture of unbridled joy was nailed to perfection by Joey “The Weasel” Lieberman during The Imbecile’s 2006 SOTU performance. Joey, one helluva guy, was a Democratic Senator at the time. Such twitter-op moments are nowadays pinged around the globe faster than David Helfgott can riff Rachmaninoff .
Despite the US being quagmired in South Asia, the economy still in the hands of the same folks who brayed the nation astray ( “no,no, no, America will never be involved in a GFC”), infrastructure disintegrating, schools strangled for funds many of the population dumbed-down to “rhetoric by slogan”……… during SOTU, Americans are going to be exhorted by their Commander-In-Chief to hang in there for the greatest little nation that ever had the courage to bestow god’s gift of Democracy upon a world of ingrates who happen to be born in locations rich in resources or are of hegemonic significance.
Talking heads will analyse every POTUS utterance with the same breathless anticipation the economic press once paid to each Greenspan sigh. Comparisons will be made with SOTUs past pitched by Mt. Rushmore shortlistees, Kennedy, Clinton, and Reagan. In the land of the diminished attention span, by the weekend very few voters will remember what all the hoopla was about. Unless there is a wardrobe malfunction or some lawmaker cuts a stentorian fart at an inappropriate moment.
When SOTU 2011 is over and done, when all the confetti swept up and when the last legislator has exited The Hill, two unwinnable wars will grind on, 30 million Americans will continue to be spied upon by their govt., the Silent Spring will continue to scream, Gitmo and Abu Grahib and the other non habeas corpus hell-holes will remain open for business, John Boehner will sport a more toned-down tan and a once-great nation will discover that mah-jong can be every bit as fascinating as poker.
1,278 replies on “The State Of The Union, Take #3, Roll ’Em”
Ooh goody!!! It’s pokey time.
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/04/13/a-problem-gambling/
Wisconsin Democrats have recruited a strong candidate to face Republican state Senator Randy Hopper in his upcoming recall election:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/12/966300/-Wisconsin-recall:-Republican-Randy-Hopper-to-face-2008-rematch
1002
Chris.
Simply love it.
Let the recalls begin.
A real good laugh.
Bikini wax.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/p0LvKg5aCG0
Roo always seems to fall down the shithouse and come up wearing gold ear rings.
I suspected that this kind of thing may happen, which means he has enough money to hide whoever is responsible for the hacking scandal.
It was not meant to go this far after they had thrown Mulcare and the royal editor under the bus.
No doubt it is good for the legal process if you have the readies to squash or hide evidence purely by saying we are guilty now here is $2mil now fuck off and leave us alone.
Bet there are lots of crims out there who would love to be able to buy off the victims to save themselves from incarceration.
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/could-murdoch-keep-a-lid-on-growing-hacking-scandal_1212418
What did i ever see in Julia Gillard?
1006
HarryH. It appears we were all looking at a fantasy through rose tinted glasses. 🙁
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/GillardSpeech2.jpg
Another senior NoW journo invited to the porrige house.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/14/3191896.htm
1006 HarryH – we all saw hope.
we were wrong 😡
Florida’s Gov. Rick Scott plummets in the polls: DO-Over please.
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Its like a disease spreading through Republican states. This will benefit another Democrat Senator. This time Florida.
http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/floridas-gov-rick-scott-plummets-polls-
Little bit of shake rattle and roll up this way this arvo.
Expert: Despite Japanese Gov’t Claims of Decreasing Radiation, Fukushima a “Ticking Time Bomb”
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/4/13/expert_despite_japanese_govt_claims_of
Location of baby Fuku.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/c0002stu/us/index.html
hope you are ok gaffy – looks a tad strong.
by the way …
have passed on Bikini wax to lots of friends – absolutely hilarious.
Jen my PC gave a little wobble on the desk near me and i just thought it was a heavy truck rumbling down the street.
There was no truck though.
All is OK though the MSM are sensationalising it of course.
Best answer on Whirlpool for: Why do we need the NBN?
I need faster porn.
The latest Pulitzer prize winning cartoon from Cormac McDogonthemoon.
No, that’s not a banana in his pocket…..
He’s just really glad to see you. 😆
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/LIbertarianBananas1.jpg
1018
Gold Paddy.
For Dogs sake hurry up and get these bastards in the witness box and watch them tell their lies.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/charlotte-harris-nowhere-to-hide-says-the-lawyer-on-murdochs-case-2269242.html
What a great article.
“The real victims of the phone-hacking scandal are the tabloid hacks”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/18/phone-tapping-victims-tabloid-hacks
Bloody hell. From Cormac McDogonthemoon, to Firstdogonabike.
They must be putting rocket fuel in his meatybites. 😆
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/YoungMen.jpeg
To be fair, at least the refugee kiddies aren’t forced to wear upside down brown triangles on their sleeves.
“So I anticipate that I will be raising human rights in China as part of these broad and comprehensive discussions.”
~ JG
Altogether now,……………….aaaaahhhhhh!
Perhaps Prime Minister’s Dept. could thoughtfully provide PM with a swathe of colour glossies of the five, six, seven and eight year old children caged behind razor wire fences in Australia’s outsourced gulags…
Strictly on a nudge and wink basis to top level Chinese authorities of course.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/19/3195982.htm
Glowing praise From “Minor Aberration” specialist!
~Ziggy Switkowski
http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/abc2
EC
Are you heading down to Byron again this year?
Not this year, gaffy. At my vintage the thrill has gone from tromping around in wet and windy, cold, muddy and rainy conditions. Byron’s only good for old farts in El Nino seasons.
Like the way Tony Windor called Joyce’s bluff, btw. 23% is a monster margin and Tony W. is hardly the former NSW govt. 🙂
The Oval Office. President Obama pops down onto his hands and knees looking concernedly under his desk while cameras record the moment for both posterity as well as for inclusion in all the fun at the upcoming WH Annual MSM guffawfest.
“Nope, nah, can’t see any……there are definitely NOT any Constitutional Scholars under here!”
————————————-~oOo~————————————-
“Bradley Manning to be moved from Virginia to Kansas:
WikiLeaks suspect to be moved to Fort Leavenworth after storm of protest at his treatment in Quantico military prison……….
Many of America’s most respected constitutional lawyers signed a joint letter denouncing Manning’s treatment as unconstitutional and possibly illegal.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/20/bradley-manning-moved-virginia-kansas
Hi all –
Seems ok to tell you lot that have not been well –
some neurological probs … lots of tests including MRI still no outcome. I’m most worried about Motor Neuron Disease and am having Nerve Conduction tests on May 4 , so feels like forever away right now . All other tests have been clear – which is both good and not. Might be nothing too bad – might be something awful.
(- FirstDog is good medicine though. )
Will keep you posted
Jenx
meanwhile –
such ingratitude!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/21/3197291.htm
and at least Tony is thinking ahead for us all if he gets elected
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/21/3197297.htm
Thinking of you Jen and desperately hoping all turns out OK.
Take care.xxx
Meanwhile….Think of how the budget lockup might look this year, if all the “journos” wore the latest fashion in T-shirts. 😆
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/TheRealWayneSwan.jpg
Also….spare a thought for Firstdogonthethrone.
http://yfrog.com/h6g3atgj 👿
Jen, no point in overly worrying till the May test results are known. Great that they have eliminated other major nasties. Sure, MND is a major league bastard as Lou Gehrig discovered, but you ain’t necessarily got it unless you are experiencing peripheral tingles, involuntary mini-tremors, loss of muscle tone and strength in exremities or are getting a tad unco in a pfo kind of way 🙂 Was reading somewhere about 6 months ago about new info re MND’s aetiology and therfore, treatment. Anyway, if you are clear of AML, suggest you ask the Neurologist to blood test you for ALL the mosquito borne lurgies ,eg. Ross River, Bahma Forest, Denghi etc. after all the water that has been swamping about Southern Oz lately. Makes my heart sing every time I hear that Cooper Creek and the Diamantina are in flood. The Outback is going to be spectacular this Spring.
Thanks Ecky – all blood tests have been done for the above (no sign) and symptoms are as you described so thats why i am worried. fingers crossed.
Good luck Jen. I hope everythingturns out for the best.
fingers crossed Jen. be well.
Meanwhile, it looks like one of Don Farrell’s holy warriors from The Shoppies has gone down in Adelaide.
If the Daily Terror tweeter is correct with his name then another hypocritical religious moraliser has bitten the dust.
According to Wiki this was the Ministers opening line in his maiden speech to Parliament:
“I am a servant of Christ and subject of His reign in history”.
Need a good laugh? Another cute baby laughing his head off.
*************************************************
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnagemulucw&feature=player_embedded
1036 HarryH The more religious they are, the harder they fall.
Chin up, Jen! You’ve faced the worst of the worst. What chance some natural condition when you’ve weathered the unnatural force of Sophie M?
“None” I tells ya! 😉
FD splits hares, over who is responsible for those bloody eggs.
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/TheEastreStory.jpg
Indeed Flanners – i feel well prepared !
😉
paddy – loved that!
And not even a mention of the Big C.. which just makes it even weirder
😆
“With 18 months to go until November 2012, there is exactly one use for a current projection of the 2012 Electoral College results.
—————————————————————————————–
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/04/21/sabatos_baseline_for_2012.html
Hi all,
Nice to be back reading your posts though desperately hope all will be well with you, Jen.
Have been out of the loop, knocked sideways by a sudden wave of friends diagnosed with cancer. In particular, my closest friend of 30 years, and so I’ve gone into support mode and all else has drifted to the backburner. Even had to cancel an overseas trip we had paid for ages ago.
Am just humbled by the courage and grace writ large.
Have not been up to writing but good to see you are still here 🙂
1044 megan Welcome back megan. We missed you while you were away.
Megan!!
I have been wondering about where you had got to, and was honestly about to post just that question…
and here you are.
I am sorry you have had bad news with your friends – particularly your travelling buddy. She must be very ill to have to cancel such a long-planned trip.
I have been thinking about how important friendship is , and how my cyber-world friends (read You Lot) fit into my life.
And the answer is In A Big Way.
Daily or at least every few days I make contact with a select group most of whom I know nothing about , but all of whom are real and important to me.
So it is much harder when the people you have actual contact with are struggling…
hope you are ok
J x
Megan, Jesus I’ve missed you. Deeply sorry to hear about the jolting and tragic circumstances that your dear friend(s) and you have had to deal with. Supporting your trail buddy at this time is an act of love and compassion. We already knew you had a monster ticker, Megan.
We’ve been cruising along in Ticsterdom betwixt elections. Expect things will crank up as we get into 2012. But we’re not going anywhere. We’ll always be here for you.
Please allow me the liberty of reaching out into cyberspace to hold hands with you for a mo.
“Supporters of Bradley Manning interrupt Barack Obama to sing a song of protest over the WikiLeaks suspect’s treatment
Here are the lyrics:
Dear Mr President we honour you today,
Each of us brought you $5,000
It takes a lot of Benjamins* to run a campaign
I paid my dues, where’s our change?
We’ll vote for you in 2012, yes that’s true,
Look at the Republicans – what else can we do?
Even though we don’t know if we’ll retain our liberties,
In what you seem content to call a free society.
Yes it’s true that Terry Jones is legally free,
To burn a people’s holy book in shameful effigy.
But at another location in this country,
Alone in a six by 12 cell sits Bradley.
Twenty-three hours a day and night,
The fifth and eighth amendments say,
This kind of thing ain’t right.
We paid our dues, where’s our change?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uhKYQo5AqQ&feature=player_embedded
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/richard-adams-blog/2011/apr/22/bradley-manning-song-barack-obama
“No one is at all happy with the GOP field.” BS. Iam. 😆
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/the-2012-speculatron-week_6_n_852792.html#s267008&title=Haley_Barbour
http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/print/how_to_lay_an_egg_20110421/
Megan – wishing you strength and love in tough times with your friend.
Jen – hoping the medicos can deliver you some good news.
This is a great read. Martin Amis writes about Christopher Hitchens incredible verbal skills. I particularly like his 4 favourite Hitchens quotes. Fantastic insight into why Hitchens views can be hated but he is still admired.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/apr/24/amis-hitchens-world?cat=books&type=article
Vale Dutch Tilders. Thanks for helping to keep the blues alive in Oz. You and Big Bill Broonzey will have much to reminisce about in that big juke joint in the sky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iADU_TlsUK8&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=MLGxdCwVVULXdtUYge5rR47EnSa6fiU5C1
—————–
Aye, KL, lovely piece from Amis. Good that Hitchens will be able to read it while he’s still around.
Jen and Megan,
Hope everything turns out positive for you both, am really sorry to hear these things.
Thanks all – must admit feel like shit … every day I am able to do less than the day before… even gone off wine!
Waiting for further tests is of course the hard part – imagination can do horrid things in the dark of night. But lots of support from friends and sisters so I’m one lucky woman.
Lovely to get such support here too.
x.
Awesome! This has go to be seen to be believed. Susan Boyle Mark II with a sense of Humour.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/25/edward-reid-britains-got-talent_n_853128.html
Apr 25:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/jeff-danziger
Apr 24:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/mike-luckovich
Apr 21:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/ben-sargent
Apr 24:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/rob-rogers
Apr 22:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/pat-oliphant
Apr 25:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/tom-toles
http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/98295
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfZgBMc2Prs&feature=related
http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/98215/
Thanks for all your kind supportive words, Ticsters. Sorry I just can’t find the words to write these days.
Jen, have been thinking of you….May 4th must seem an age away. Good to hear you have great support.
Lots of strength and much love xx
right back at you megan
xxx
http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/item/the_british_royal_wedding_20110424/
http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/98311
The Smooth Talk Express All Over Again
http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/98281
Apr 26:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/pat-oliphant
Apr 26:
Tha Merkin Way Of Life Will Not Be Compromised:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/rob-rogers
Bar Code Man Stays In Touch:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/tom-toles
This link was posted over the fence on the latest S.A. thread.
Kind of sums up the state of politics in Australia atm, and who is in charge.
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2011/04/21/labor-in-sa/?source=cmailerSent
Mind blowing use of statistics. Hans Rosling shows the best stats you’ve ever seen.
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html
As Oil Profits Soar, Obama Seeks Political Wedge. As wedges go this is a doozy. Makes John Howards efforts look like kindergarden stuff.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/26/oil-subsidies-obama-democrats-republicans_n_854102.html
Wisconsin Democrats just announced they gathered enough signatures to file a recall petition against Republican state Senator Robert Cowles. This makes a clean sweep of all six Republicans vulnerable to defeat in recalls.
Daily Kos would love to keep the volunteers who made this happen fired up for the recall elections this summer. So, later this week we’re sending them a huge pile of thank you notes.
Please, join with over 10,000 members of the Daily Kos community by writing a short note of thanks to the amazing recall volunteers Wisconsin.
In solidarity,
Chris Bowers
Campaign Director, Daily Kos
The Chaser Boys wrote to the Queen after being banned from covering the Royal Wankfest… 😆
“Chaser’s Chris Taylor says it is an “honour” to be taken off air by the Queen herself.
The Chaser later responded with a light-hearted letter addressed to “the Australian Head of State”, requesting a “stay of execution for our television program”.
“We, like Kate, are commoners, and were looking forward to celebrating her wedding to your exalted grandson with a few affectionate observations,” the letter on The Chaser’s website said.
“To ensure that our coverage was respectful, we were only planning to use jokes that Prince Phillip has previously made in public, or at least the ones that don’t violate racial vilification laws.
“We’ve also filmed a joke about hunting grouse which we think you might enjoy.”
The letter added that Australians “are a simple people who don’t often get to watch that kind of pomp”.
“The last big wedding we had here was Scott and Charlene on Neighbours,” it said, before signing off as “your Majesty’s humble and obedient servants”. ”
Need a very good laugh??? Very, very funny and VERY, VERY NOT SAFE FOR WORK and don’t have a mouth full of coffee/wine while watching it.
****************************************************
ONN Dating Expert: ‘How To Get A Guy To Notice You While You’re Having Sex With Him’ (NSFW VIDEO).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/12/onn-dating-expert_n_848156.html
Well the palace might have banned The Chaser from covering the wedding……..But they haven’t caught the dance bandicoot yet! 😆
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BandicootRoyalWedding.jpg
I’ve got that one covered, Chris:
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05mafr2dFA5Xl/x610.jpg
You just need a keyboard wrapped in cling-film, and you have the freedom to click on those innocuous URLs any time you want! 😉
Canada’s Left Wing New Democratic Party Surges in Polls; Is Electoral Reform Near?
******************************************************
Does this mean the USA will invade Canada?
More here..
http://elections.firedoglake.com/2011/04/27/canadas-left-wing-new-democratic-party-surges-in-polls-is-electoral-reform-near/
As the latest secret agent of wikileaks, I take pride in spreading FD’s newly patented method of calculating your “carbon disaster” footprint…..(So to speak)
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/CrawlingInvisibleDeath.jpg
Britain withdraws Syria envoy’s royal wedding invite
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/28/3202978.htm
Only a truly twisted genius could come up with this cartoon.
👿
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/FckingRoyalWedding.jpg
Had to have a listen to it after that Paddy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmyEv4n8ERI
Well guys the Royal Wedding is on TV. All the girls and some guys are watching. I suspect all my neices will be watching. Wishing to be a princess. Oh dear. Never mind. I hope they enjoy themselves. May be I’ll watch the Grand Final Replay again.
By the sound of the crowd. It is a predominately female crowd. Why am I surprised? Not.
All the left/liberal leaning papers Huffington, Guardian, the Age and funnily enough the BBC online lead with the Royals on the front. Tony Abbott will probably say its a plot to keep him off the front of the news. 😆
Whoops! I went and had a look.
I must admit Chris, i was a good boy.
Stayed right away from it till the fotty started on TV.
Caught a glimpse of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). Those people on the balcony hogged the limelight.
BBMF.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dnpxN7ADtY&hd=1
The chasers consumation special.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOjnLATfAs
Grog’s got an excellent piece up on Lindsay Tanner’s book and the media circus. Well worth a read.
http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/2011/04/sideshow-zooms-over-press-gallerys.html
Onya knees and pray, woman?
http://twitpic.com/4r3mes
Very funny links on the Grovelfest, Ticsters. FD and Chasers give better serves than any of the o/s material I’ve glommed.
====================================.
http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/98450
Apr 30:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/doonesbury
Apr 30:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/rob-rogers
Apr 29:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/ben-sargent
Apr 29:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/tom-toles
Hmmmm, a striking resemblance to 1083.
http://www.jokesy.com/userimages/user756_1156213571.JPG
Obi does a good line in funny. 😆
President Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mzJhvC-8E&feature=youtu.be
1086
Paddy
He sure Pwed Donald Trump.
He certainly has not lived up to my expectations but if he gets back he should really do some damage to the tea party slobs.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-Obama-Gets-Four-More-Y-by-Ralph-Nader-110429-144.html
Seth Meyer, writer for Saturday Night Live, at Obi’s roast.
Starts at about 20 minutes in.
http://www.c-span.org/whcd/
Seth Meyer really gave Trump a serve and Trump was not amused.
A couple of his send ups.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/05/01/2011-05-01_donald_trump_not_amused_by_obamas_jokes_at_white_house_correspondents_dinner_hon.html
Breaking news. (unconfirmed) Fr9om NYT.
http://www.nytimes.com/
BIN LADEN DEAD, U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS
OBAMA TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT
5 minutes ago
Osama bin Laden has been killed, a United States official said Sunday night. President Obama is expected to make an announcement on Sunday night, almost 10 years after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Video Live Soon: Video of Obama’s Speech
Coverage on News 24 from Al Jazeera. Taken out by a drone with 20 other offsiders.
Great speech by Obama. Not taken out by a drone. Soldiers went in and took him out. What will Faux make of this?????
Osama was killed in Abbottabad. 🙂
Apparently Osama has been living in a mansion?
It was 8 years ago today that George Bush announced Mission accomplished. Ironical isn’t it?
The Tea Partiers are asking for the long version of Osama’s death certificate.
Quite deliberate IMHO.
Chris given that Obi has been chairing NSC meetings since August last year he has had plenty of time to stage manage the execution date so that he could make the announcement on exactly the same date 1st May.
Kinda like saying, no mr shrub this is mission accomplished.
That news to Seppos will guarantee that he goes to the Whitehouse for a second term.
They will probably change their constitution to give him more as well. They are a funny lot.
Its good to see Faux News covering Osama’s death. It must stick in their throat. 🙂