Rand Paul Supporter Tim Profitt Wants Stomping Victim To Apologize To HIM

Rand Paul Supporter Tim Profitt Wants Stomping Victim To Apologize To HIM

The Huffington Post |  Nick Wing First Posted: 10-27-10 10:30 AM   |   Updated: 10-27-10 11:24 AM

Tim Profitt, the Rand Paul supporter behind the white sneaker that notoriously stomped on a MoveOn activist’s head in Kentucky, sought to play down the importance of the incident Tuesday, and went so far as to ask the victim for an apology.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” Profitt told WKYT. “I would like for her to apologize to me to be honest with you.”

While the victim, Lauren Valle, said Tuesday that she believed the campaign workers’ violent reaction to her presence there was “premeditated,” Profitt told WKYT that he thought Valle was following a strict protocol with the intent of creating controversy.

“She’s a professional at what she does,” Profitt said, “and I think when all the facts come out, I think people will see that she was the one that initiated the whole thing.”

He then blamed the forceful downward motion of his foot on the head of Valle as a function of chronic back pain, a claim he has made before:

“I put my foot on her, and I did push her down at the very end, and I told her to stay down. I actually put my foot on her to — I couldn’t bend over because I have issues with my back,” Profitt said.

Profitt, who was once touted proudly by the Rand Paul campaign as its Bourbon County coordinator, has since been cut off from the Tea Party-backed Republican Senate candidate.

VIDEO HERE

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Wikileaks: Top Brass warns of putting troops & civilians in “harms way”

Wikileaks recieved excellent coverage on CNN last night, including inteviews with Daniel Elsberg, Pentagon Papers, John Sloboda, the Iraq Body Count’s co-founder, and Phil Shiner of the U.K.-based Public Interest Lawyers.

John Sloboda, the Iraq Body Count’s co-founder, told reporters that the names of civilian victims are among the details included in the documents. “Almost every log tells a story, and far too often, this is a previously unknown story of human suffering and death,” he said. Sloboda said the meticulous records kept by the U.S. military and published by WikiLeaks will be a valuable tool in investigating civilian casualties in the Iraq war.

Phil Shiner of the U.K.-based Public Interest Lawyers, a firm specializing in international and human rights law, told reporters that some information in the documents would be the subject of legal action in the United Kingdom. He alleged the documents revealed details about unlawful killings of civilians, indiscriminate attacks against them and unjustified use of lethal force.
“There must now be a judicial inquiry into all these deaths,” he said.

Pentagon Papers whistle-blower Daniel Ellsberg, responsible for leaking the U.S. government’s top secret study on the Vietnam War in 1971, attended the press conference and praised Assange.
“I want very much to congratulate all of you who are mining this material to learn what we could have learned if it had come out earlier,” Ellsberg said.

Group: Investigate reports of torture in Iraq WikiLeaks documents

By the CNN Wire Staff
October 23, 2010 10:50 p.m. EDT

London, England (CNN) — Human Rights Watch on Saturday urged the Iraqi and U.S. governments to launch investigations into reports of torture and detainee abuse after the WikiLeaks website published thousands of classified military documents detailing the war in Iraq.

The release includes evidence that Iraqi security forces tortured and killed prisoners, the group said. Human Rights Watch called on the Iraqi government to prosecute those responsible.

It also urged the U.S. government to look into whether its forces broke international law by transferring thousands of detainees to Iraqi custody despite what Human Rights Watch called “the clear risk of torture.”

“These new disclosures show torture at the hands of Iraqi security forces is rampant and goes completely unpunished,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “It’s clear that U.S. authorities knew of systematic abuse by Iraqi troops, but they handed thousands of detainees over anyway.”

Also Saturday, anti-war activists said at a news conference that the WikiLeaks release revealed that 15,000 more Iraqi civilians died during the conflict than previously thought.

source:

CNN
Wikileaks
Democracy Now

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The Republican Swindle About ‘Obamacare and Stimulus’

If you happen to be a swing voter who’s considering the Republican slate next month, you’re being tricked. That’s not to say you’re an idiot, but the Republicans are doing an excellent job masking over what they really stand for, and millions of Americans seem to be falling for it.

The Republican strategy for this midterm election is simple: Treat voters like easily manipulated hoopleheads. The GOP and its various apparatchiks are spending untold millions of dollars, much of it from anonymous donors and, perhaps, even some illegal foreign donors, in order to play out this nationwide swindle. They’re investing heavily on the wager that Americans are so kerfuffled by the slow-growth (but growth nevertheless) economy that they’re willing to buy any line of nonsense as an alternative solution.

Regarding that nonsense, just about every GOP solution and every GOP idea reveals either a hilariously obvious contradiction or an utterly transparent hypocrisy. Say nothing of unchecked awfulness like Southern Strategy race-baiting or bald-faced lies. But it doesn’t seem to matter much because they’ve buried most of it under heaping piles of inchoate outrage and fear. Just like always. It’s not unlike the 2000s all over again. They’re engaging in the same bumper sticker sloganeering and myopic agitprop, but with updated content for 2010.

If you’ve seen any of the Republican TV spots this cycle, you’re probably familiar with the focus-group-tested duet of fear: “Obamacare and Stimulus.” For example, that infamous John Raese commercial featuring two not-West-Virginian West Virginians in full “hicky” regalia discussing why they’re voting Republican. Among the reasons: “Obamacare and Stimulus.” No specific reasons why those items are evil, they’re just two scary things the hicky guys are pissed about.

And why aren’t there any specific gripes cited along with those two items? Because the actual gripes are ridiculous.

Let’s start with “Obamacare,” then hit “Stimulus” presently.

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AZ-03: Shocking Democratic Pickup Opportunity

Daily Kos- by kos

Mon Oct 18, 2010 at 11:20:03 AM PDT

Public Policy Polling for Daily Kos. 10/16-17. Likely voters. MoE 3.8% (No trend lines)

Ben Quayle (R) 44
Jon Hulburd (D) 46

Yeah, that was a real WTF moment for us in this open seat being vacated by conservative icon John Shadegg. Completely unexpected. Sure, the idiot son of the idiot former vice president is a bit of a joke, but this is a solidly conservative district, one in which McCain won 57-42.

Now there is no intensity gap here. Or better put, there is a gap, but it goes the other way — the composition of this sample is 52-40 McCain, or three points more Democratic than in 2008. That’s likely part of the “favorite son” gap we’ve seen in polling in Illinois, Delaware, Hawaii and Alaska — in which the presidential ticket boosted partisan performance for the home-state candidates.

In any case, Democrats have a legitimate and serious pickup opportunity in this district. The reason is that Quayle is having a bitch of a time locking down moderates and independents.

Hulburd is winning independents 50-36, and moderates 66-27. While only eight percent of Obama voters are defecting to Quayle, 18 percent of McCain voters are going with Hulburd. And even 19 percent of Republican voters are choosing the Democratic candidate, likely an artifact of a nasty primary. In fact, Quayler’s favorable/unfavorable rating of 34/52 is shockingly bad for a first-time House candidate, and incudes 30 percent unfavorables from Republican voters, and 29/51 from independents. Hulburd is at 33/20, including 37/16 from independents. Yet given that half of voters have no idea what to think of Hulburd, he may be benefiting from an “anyone but Quayle” dynamic.

John McCain is winning this district easily in his current bid for re-election, 53-39, further suggesting that the sample isn’t too Democratic. And most undecideds come from 18 to 29 year olds, suggesting Hulburd has the best chance to grown his support past 50 percent.

Those of you who voted to poll this district last week, great call. I wouldn’t have chosen this one, but I’m glad you did.

• Discuss (182 comments)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/10/18/911384/-AZ-03:-Shocking-Democratic-pickup-opportunity

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The Revolution Will Be Televised: Comedy Central To Air, Stream D.C. Rallies (VIDEO)

The Revolution Will Be Televised: Comedy Central To Air, Stream D.C. Rallies (VIDEO)

Jason Linkins- Huff Post

First Posted: 10-13-10 11:31 AM   |   Updated: 10-13-10 12:23 PM

On last night’s “Daily Show,” host Jon Stewart announced that the upcoming Rally To Restore Sanity would be televised, just like the “revolution” you were promised not too long ago. And in addition to being carried live, on Comedy Central, the event will be streamed live on Comedy Central’s website. Plus, if you are the sort of people who can only watch teevee with other people, or are interested in using the Rally To Restore Sanity as an inroad to conquering your crippling agoraphobia, head on over to RallyMAO (which stands for “Rally My Ass Off,” and not “Rally Mao Zedong,” don’t get it twisted, Glenn Beck!) to find a “satellite rally” near you, where you can join people in your local community in rededicating yourself to classical Stoicism.

This is good news for all who cannot attend, and especially good news for Democrats, because I’ve been led to believe that their entire volunteer workforce for that weekend’s Get Out The Vote effort were going to be flying across the country to attend the rally, because that’s precisely the sort of wealth that’s been concentrated into the hands of campaign volunteers. Our position on this remains the same, by the way. If you’ve agreed to work for a political campaign, you should honor your commitment. And if you’re a candidate running the sort of campaign that doesn’t inspire the same fealty as a teevee show in people, perhaps you ought to consider another line of work? Thanks ever so much!

In addition, Stewart offered up many important rules for attending the Rally To Restore Sanity, including: “No nudity, no throwing stuff, and no totalitarian fascism. When in doubt, don’t be douchey.” (That last one will be a difficult task to master for any and all Congressional staffers who might be attending.)

Watch the clip for the rules, and stay for one of the better Huffington Post Bus jokes you’re likely to hear. For the record, we’ve no affection at all for the brutal, autocratic regime in North Korea, but we nevertheless see the appeal of a military culture that seems to think that their best means of intimidation is to spend all day lindy-hopping around the town square.

WATCH:

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Meanwhile, poor Stephen Colbert! He forgot to apply for a permit for his March To Keep Fear Alive! But at the very least, he’s got important news: Rally/March merchandise! And, as Colbert has done in the past, proceeds will benefit the Yellow Ribbon Fund, a fine organization which assists our veterans in convalescence at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval hospitals, their families and their caregivers.

WATCH:

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CREW: 26 SITTING LAWMAKERS CORRUPTING THE HALLS OF CONGRESS

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)

Contact:  Garrett Russo //

13 Oct 2010 //

Washington, D.C. – Corrupt lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are polluting the United States Capitol.  These members highlight the need for increased oversight by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), including expanding its reach to the Senate. Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released The Most Corrupt Members of Congress: Unfinished Business, highlighting the urgent need for active ethics enforcement in Congress. In fact, ethical lapses are the only true bipartisan activity in Washington today, and further highlight the need for increased enforcement in the 112^th Congress. Many of these same characters will likely remain on the public payroll.

“Since CREW released our first Most Corrupt report in 2005, more than half of the unethical members of Congress we’ve highlighted have left office,” said Melanie Sloan, CREW’s Executive Director.  “That’s a pretty good batting average, but not good enough. 26 shady politicians remain, most of whom haven’t even been investigated by the congressional ethics committees. Congress must give the OCE the tools it needs to ensure that every corrupt politician is held accountable for his or her actions.  In addition, the Senate would benefit from the creation of a similar office with jurisdiction to inquire into senatorial misdeeds.”

Currently the OCE has no subpoena power, a very limited time frame to investigate any allegations, and can only look at misconduct that occurred since March 2008.  In spite of being forced to fight with one hand tied behind its back, the OCE has referred 13 cases to the House Ethics Committee for review, though the committee has taken action against only two.  Even that limited success has prompted members of both parties to openly talk of stripping away the OCE’s authority — or even dismantling the office altogether — in the 112^th Congress. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH) has proposed legislation that would eviscerate the OCE, and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has said he wants to “take a look” at its usefulness.

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Rush Limbaugh says there will never be equality because:”some people are just born to be slaves”

Rush Limbaugh says there will never be equality because:”some people are just born to be slaves”

Crooks & Liars- By John Amato

October 09, 2010 07:00 AM

How dare you say there’s racism in the Teabircher movement? I’m so offended by that notion. Isn’t what Rush Limbaugh just soooooo true?

LIMBAUGH: This is a tough thing to say, because a lot of people don’t want to hear this, because it goes against everybody’s desire that we all be the same, that there be no pain in life and that there be no suffering and that everybody do well and that everybody have what they want and so forth.

But there is no equality. You cannot guarantee that any two people will end up the same. And you can’t legislate it, and you can’t make it happen. You can try, under the guise of fairness and so forth, but some people are self-starters, and some people are born lazy. Some people are born victims. Some people are just born to be slaves. Some people are born to put up with somebody else making every decision for them.

Some people, on the other hand, are born and they’re not going to take anything from anybody. They’re going to be totally in charge of their lives. They’re not going to sit around and wait for something. They’re going to make it happen. You can see this throughout the American strata — population.

Even in — well, born and raised. I think both. I think born and raised.

But you can — even in down economic times, there are people getting wealthy. In recessions and depressions, there are still people who are profiting from it. Most people are not self-starters. Most people, if you ask them as adults — think back. Who was the best teacher you ever had? They’ll tell you — it almost, without fail — that there was somebody in their life that showed them that they were capable of much more than they thought they were capable of themselves. Because most people are not self-starters. Most people don’t push themselves. They have to be pushed. To be shown

He’s absolutely correct because there were many people that were born slaves in America. They were actually slaves. My time-line may be off, but it was somewhere between the years 1619-1865. It’s fine that he got mixed up a little bit. After all he has to fill three hours a day of air time and mistakes will be made. Oh Rush, you’re so right on man. It’s so beautiful how you tell it like it is.

Combining the Tea parties, with the Tough as Nails Christians along with RushBo talkism has been an awesome combination since President Obama took office and is benefiting mankind tenfold. Heck, who needs projects like this to kick start America?

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Glenn Beck Mocks Fire Victims, Reaches New Depths of Awfulness

I’ve probably written and rewritten this opening paragraph about Glenn Beck and his morning zoo sycophantic sidekick Pat Gray four or five times with various sequences of compound obscenities and ad hominem insults. But I’m opting for more restraint at this point, even though neither of these jackals deserves it. Especially so, considering their latest hand-in-hand plunge into all new depths of awfulness.

By now, you’ve probably heard the news about Gene Cranick and his family, and how the South Fulton, Tennessee fire department stood by and allowed the Cranick house to burn to the ground, destroying everything and killing the family’s dogs and cats. All because the Cranicks failed to pay a $75 fee. While a raging brush fire neared his home, Cranick begged the fire chief to stop the fire before it engulfed his house. He even offered to immediately pay the $75 fee, but the chief refused and the house burned to the ground.

As a survivor of two house fires (technically, one was a gas explosion) my heart goes out to the Cranicks and the nightmare they’re enduring today. But my own experiences are incidental — you don’t have to have survived a pair of house fires to recognize the unapologetic callousness of Beck and his squishy Quatto-from-Total-Recall parasitic twin Pat Gray.

Here’s what happened.

Yesterday on his radio show, Beck and Gray not only defended the fire department’s refusal to save the Cranick’s house, but they also accused Cranick of “sponging” off his neighbors — all the while mocking and ridiculing Cranick’s rural accent. Courtesy of ThinkProgress, here’s the clip:

And the takeaway quote from Beck:

If you don’t pay the 75 dollars then that hurts the fire department. They can’t use those resources, and you’d be sponging off your neighbor’s resources.

That’s right. A matter of days after losing everything they owned, including their home, their pets, family photographs — everything — and all because of a delinquent $75 fee, Gene Cranick and his family were excoriated, scolded and teased by multimillionaire celebrity televangelist Glenn Beck in front of a radio audience estimated at upwards of 10 million listeners.

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Mid-Term Elections Still In Play, With Dems Gaining Momentum

Crooks & Liars- By Susie Madrak

October 04, 2010 09:00 AM

Some good news for the Democrats. So taking over the House and the Senate isn’t quite as easy as Republicans hoped – or as Democrats feared. The situation is still fluid, and Dems need to keep up the pressure:

WASHINGTON — Republicans carry substantial advantages as they move into the final month of the fall campaign, but the resilience of vulnerable Democrats is complicating Republican efforts to lock down enough seats to capture the House and take control of the unsettled electoral battleground.

By now, Republicans had hoped to put away a first layer of Democrats and set their sights on a second tier of incumbents. But the fight for control of Congress is more fluid than it seemed at Labor Day, with Democrats mounting strong resistance in some parts of the country as they try to hold off a potential Republican wave in November.

The chances of a Republican takeover in the House remain far greater than in the Senate, according to a race-by-race analysis by The New York Times. But enough contests remain in flux that both parties head into the final four weeks of the campaign with the ability to change the dynamic before Election Day.

Races typically tighten in the final month as voters on both sides become more engaged, and the political climate is no more favorable for Democrats than it has been all year, with no substantial signs of improvement in the economy or the outlook for unemployment.

Yet even as spending from outside groups is threatening to swamp many Democratic candidates, Republican strategists estimated that only half of the 39 seats they need to win control of the House were definitively in hand.

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Arizona Politics Get ‘Dirty’: Ben Quayle’s Website Controversy

The Pew Forum- On Religion & Public Life

Sept. 9, 2010 |

Politics in Arizona’s 3rd congressional district sure are getting “Dirty.”

Jon Hulburd, the Democratic candidate in the district, recently released a radio spot on three Christian radio stations and a conservative talk radio station accusing his Republican opponent, Ben Quayle, of contributing to TheDirty.com, a racy website about Arizona nightlife, according to Politico.  In the ad, a woman who identifies herself as “a Christian and a mom” says that Quayle helped create “one of the most offensive websites I’ve ever seen.”

Quayle, who is the son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, was first confronted with accusations of writing for TheDirty.com during the primary campaign. Just weeks before the Aug. 24 primary, Nik Richie, the founder of the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based website whose legal name is Hooman Karamian, told Politico that Quayle was one of the original contributors to the site when it launched in 2007 as DirtyScottsdale.com. Richie claimed that Quayle published eight to 10 blog posts on the site under the alias “Brock Landers” – the name of a fictional porn star from the 1997 movie “Boogie Nights.”

Politico reported that Quayle, who campaigned as a “family-values conservative” according to the Associated Press, initially denied any involvement with the website. But one day after dismissing the accusations, Quayle changed his story, telling Phoenix’s 12 News that he “just posted some comments there to try to drive some traffic” but could not remember what those comments were, according to Politico.

The day after Quayle won the Republican nomination, an Arizona Republic blog reported that Hulburd had released a statement that called the general election a race “between Jon Hulburd and Brock Landers,” identifying Quayle by his alleged alias.

The controversy seems unlikely to fade in the coming months, with Democrats eager to put Quayle on the defensive in the Republican-leaning district, according to The Arizona Republic. On Sept. 8, the Quayle campaign began running an ad on Phoenix radio stations criticizing Hulburd’s positions on social and moral issues. Among other things, the ad accuses Hulburd of using his “massive wealth to fund abortion lobbies,” Politico reports. The ad also notes that Quayle is pro-life and that he “strongly supports constitutional protection of marriage between a man and a woman.”

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