Today is January 27th. On this date in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, thereby laying the ground work for Falco to top the charts 230 years later. (Which I’m sure was his reasoning in being born.) Today is also the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet forces. I would also like to note that this week was National School Choice Week. I attended a school choice event here in Charlotte last night and will have a post up later today on that. As always, consider this an Open Thread.

Elliott Abrams Caught Misleading on Newt | American Spectator
“I can only say that what Elliott Abrams wrote in NRO about Newt Gingrich based on this long ago speech is not worthy of Elliott Abrams. Specifically, Abrams implies that Newt Gingrich was spewing mindless vitriol about Reagan on the House floor. Not only not so, it was quite to the contrary.”

Alternative Certification and ‘Colorblind Racism’ | WSJ
“So IQ tests are racist, except when they’re used to ‘prove’ that people with ‘socially conservative ideologies’ are racist and intellectually inferior.”

President Opts For Small-Ball Demagoguery | Charles Krauthammer
“This is redistribution for its own sake — the cost be damned. It took Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels about 30 seconds of his State of the Union rebuttal to demolish that idea.”

NYT Quotes ‘Retired Cuban Leader’ Castro on ‘Idiocy’ of GOP Field | Newsbusters
“They even suggested the dictator (who they merely called ‘the retired Cuban leader’) ‘had reason to be annoyed’ at threats voiced by Republican candidates Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.”

Today’s word of the day comes from Wordsmith.org.
gascon (GAS-kuhn): noun A braggart. adjective Boastful.

Today is January 26th. On this date in 1837, Michigan became the 26th state to join the United States. Fast forward to this year, and “them people is living in ‘Mad Max’ times,” according to noted scholar Moe Syzlak. Also, on this date in 1969, after days of flooding and landslides, California was declared a disaster area. And nothing has changed since, amiright? Eh? Hey they can’t all be gems. These are my jokes, and I stand by them. Links!

Marine’s career threatened by controversial rules of engagement | Washington Examiner
“Waddell is just one of hundreds of cases of troops who have suffered under stringent rules of engagement, said Jeff Addicott, a former senior legal adviser to U.S. Army Special Forces.”

Reuters’ hit on Rubio contains errors | Matt Lewis
“Reuters is out with a tough story on Sen. Marco Rubio today, arguing that, the senator ‘has had significant financial problems that could keep him from passing any vetting process as a potential vice presidential choice…’ Unfortunately, it appears many of the facts are either wrong or exaggerated. By my count, there were at least 7 errors or exaggerations”

Fast and Furious: Issa calls for second prosecutor to testify | Hot Air
“Undaunted – and perhaps even spurred on – by recent charged developments, Rep. Darrell Issa, chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, today demanded that the Department of Justice make a key federal prosecutor available to testify before his Committee as a part of its investigation into the lethal gun-running program Operation Fast and Furious.”

Think Progress Scrubs Troubling Rhetoric from Website | Weekly Standard
“With the Center for American Progress’s Think Progress blog under scrutiny for publishing what some would consider borderline anti-Semitic content, it would seem likely that bloggers over there might be careful about the content.”

Today’s word of the day comes from Wordsmith.org.
sybarite (SIB-uh-ryt): noun A person devoted to luxury and pleasure.

Today is the 1,000th day since the Senate passed a budget. That’s a long time. Heritage has put a video together to give some perspective on just how long:

The entire Lewis & Clark Expedition? Wow. To mark the occasion, House Republicans will be wearing red “1000 Days” buttons for tonight’s State of the Union address. Will the do-nothing, Democrat controlled Senate take note? My guess is: 1,000 nopes.

Today is January 24th. On this date in 1899, Humphrey O’Sullivan patented the rubber heel. I don’t really know what that is all about, but it sounds hilarious. Also on this date in AD 41, Roman Emperor Caligula was assassinated. Guy threw some serious parties, which likely would have been more fun without all the murdering. “Hey look, cake! Now I wish I hadn’t just stabbed Bob. Bob loved cake.” Therefore, it is with heavy hearts that we hereby dedicate today’s post to Bob. He loved cake. OPEN THREAD.

Huge Gingrich bounce in Florida | Unlikely Voter
“When word came out of InsiderAdvantage’s new Florida poll, I said to myself ‘I’ve heard this story before.’ Newt Gingrich shooting up like a rocket, but confirmation is needed.” (Note, this article is from prior to last night’s “debate”)

IMF to World: Gird Your Loins | RealClearWorld
“The International Monetary Fund is out with its latest forecast and it expects the global recovery to stall. The above video does a nice job summarizing the findings, but the nickle version is that it’s all Europe’s fault.”

‘A $1 million contract at Freddie was chump change.’ | Jim Geraghty
“A Morning Jolt reader who was a consultant for Freddie Mac offers a bit of perspective on what he saw there”

Obama the promise breaker | Washington Times
“2011 was no Sputnik moment, it was the president’s Solyndra moment”

Congressman grills Park Service on Occupy camping | Washington Examiner
“‘Let me tell my constituents who want to visit DC this summer that they can come to any park they want to as long as they say they are protesting.’ said Gowdy. ‘Can I tell them that?’”

Today’s word of the day comes from Merriam-Webster.
spathe: noun a sheathing bract or pair of bracts partly enclosing an inflorescence and especially a spadix on the same axis.

Thanks for clearing that up, dictionary. I think I understand the word even less now.

Today is January 23rd. On this date in 1985, O.J. Simpson became the first Heisman Trophy winner to be inducted into the pro football Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, O.J. signed many autographs and barely murdered anyone. Also, on this date in 1957, the very first Frisbees were produced by Wham-O toys. Little did they know that the game of Ultimate Frisbee, and its far more dangerous counter-part Super Mega Ultra Death Frisbee, would eventually attract so many frat brahs and hipsters alike. I mean, if they had, they might have just turned off the machines and gone for a coffee instead. In any case, here are today’s links, and as always, this is an Open Thread.

State of the Union address on 1,000th day since Senate Dems passed a budget | Daily Caller
“The last time the Senate passed a budget was April 29, 2009. Senate Budget Committee Republican staff points out that the Senate could have passed a budget without fear of a filibuster, as Senate rules prohibit that action when dealing with a budget.”

Teaching against climate change deniers | Human Events
“The NCSE has created a website filled with propaganda aimed at equipping educators with rhetoric to denounce what they describe as, ‘The Pillars of Climate-Change Denial.’”

Obama’s Organizers Get Defensive About Voter Registration | The Shark Tank
“As you will see in the video, all I did was ask a simple question, and all hell broke loose with her and her people.”

Video: Herman Cain on Newt, Class Warfare, Obama, and Colbert | TIRNation.com

Today’s word of the day comes from Wordsmith.org.
argosy (AHR-GUH-see): noun 1. A large ship, or a fleet of ships, especially one carrying valuable cargo. 2. A rich source or supply. Ex. RedState’s daily links post is an argosy of invaluable information and insight.

The AFC Championship game is over, the NFC underway. Fresh from punishing Tebow in an act of evil unmatched since the time of Sauron, the New England Patriots, who go by the street name ‘Snake’, used black magic and human sacrifice to cause a Ravens’ missed field goal in the final seconds of the game, thereby sealing their trip to both the Super Bowl, and a much hotter place.

At the time of this post, it’s 10-7 Giants at halftime in the NFC Championship game. I think I speak for all of mankind when I say that if the Giants beat the 49ers, it probably means 2012 really is the apocalypse, and we probably deserve it.

Enjoy it while you can, folks. Football will soon be over, and we’ll enter the dark times known throughout history as The Offseason; and then oh, what benighted souls are we.

OPEN THREAD

Well here you have it. Feel free to discuss the results as they come in, or join us above in the live chat. At the time of this posting, the projected result: Gingrich, Romney, Santorum.

OPEN THREAD


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Normally I don’t post the Daily Links on the weekend. But today I am. TAKE THAT SOCIETAL CONVENTIONS!!! Today is January 21st. On this date in 1950, George Orwell died of a hemorrhaged lung while in a hospital in London. Ever wonder if he were alive today if he’d release 1984 with a new title? 2008, perhaps? In any case, consider this an Open Thread.

We must stop this corporate takeover of American democracy | Sen. Bernie Sanders
“Blah blah blah. Bleh blah Kochs. Koch blah Citizen’s United blee. Buh buh bread pudding kablooey. Fist shake!”

Mexican Murder Training Camps Are Very Real and Very Scary | Atlantic Wire
“As the Houston Chronicle reported back in April, Mexican officials found very little evidence of guns lots of proof that sledgehammers were used in the killing of the 200 dead people dug up from deep pits in San Fernando.”

Video: Tony Katz refs fight between Fred Thompson & John Sununu | TIRNation.com

Video: Violinist turns ill-timed cellphone call into some fun | CBS News
Heh.

Today’s Word of the Day comes from Dictionary.com,
remora (REM-er-uh): noun 1. An obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction. 2. Any of several fishes of the family Echeneididae, having on the top of the head a sucking disk by which they can attach themselves to sharks, turtles, ships, and other moving objects.

Today is January 20th. On this date in 1885, L.A. Thompson patented the roller coaster, so I’m pretty sure the GOP owes him some money after the events of this week. Today is also Penguin Awareness Day, say some internet people. That’s authoritative in my book, and therefore I am now aware of penguins.

(Video0 Allen West: We are at a modern day Chamberlin/Churchill moment with Iran | The Right Scoop

The GOP’s Suicide March | Charles Krauthammer
“This is no mainstream-media conspiracy. This is the GOP maneuvering itself right onto Obama terrain.”

Ron Paul Supporters ‘No-Shows’ at Ron Paul Event | The Shark Tank
“Noticeably absent at his speech were the usual throngs of supporters that tend to follow the congressman’s every move. The one constant about the Ron Paul campaign is this support base. But is his support starting to dwindle?”

Amid Heavy Opposition, Reid Puts Off Vote on Web Piracy Bill | National Journal

Today’s Word of the Day comes from Wordsmith.org.
connubial (kuh-NOO-bee-uhl): adjective Pertaining to marriage or the married state.

TIRNation has been posting a lot of video during the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, all worth watching. Below, watch Ben Howe interview Tom Tancredo. At around the six minute mark, Congressman Tancredo remarks on the (at the time) current GOP candidates.

Congressman Tancredo says that Rick Perry is a “fraud on almost every issue” he can think of. On Newt’s immigration plan: it “has more holes in it than my old underwear and I think it smells worse.” He says that Santorum is the closest to his own immigration views. While I obviously think he’s wrong on virtually every point he makes, the real winner here is the viewer. Land sharks disavowing Ron Paul, smelly underwear … it really has it all. Oh, and he advocates for a national popular vote, but that part wasn’t as funny.

Yesterday’s edition was not aired, in protest of SOPA. Today is January 19. On this date in 1793, King Louis XVI was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death by guillotine. His last words were “Gentlemen, I am innocent of everything of which I am accused. I wish that my blood may be able to cement the happiness of the French,” which is weird because he didn’t even speak English. Here are today’s links, and as always, consider this an Open Thread:

House asks Hillary to testify on Keystone pipeline | Washington Examiner
“‘We have asked already Secretary Clinton to come testify before our Committee next week,’ said committee chair Fred Upton, R-Mich., today. ‘If the president wont say yes, we want to let the American people no (sic) that we will.’”

Canada will look to China to sell its oil | CNN
“But crucially, the statement also said that the prime minister reiterated to President Obama that Canada will continue to work to diversify its energy exports.”

Obamateurism of the Day | Hot Air
“So did Barack Obama bother to tell his re-election campaign that he was going to appoint a budget director who worked at the very same firm that his campaign was demonizing less than ten days earlier? ”

Video: Breitbart TV Searches For South Carolina Youth Vote | Breitbart TV
‘Breitbart TV went to Charleston College to find out what the ‘youth vote’ is looking for in a candidate.’

Today’s Word of the Day comes from Merriam-Webster, and is perfect for campaign season.
fustian (FUSS-chun): noun high-flown or affected writing or speech

It’s January 17th. On this date in 1985, Leonard Nimoy got his star on the Walk of Fame. I think I speak for all fans of Star Trek when I say, I speak for all fans of Star Trek. Plus, nobody before or after Spock has been a better wookie.

Today is also National Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day, in honor of which I am giving up my vow to pay greater attention to deta

Live updates: Occupy Congress at Capitol for daylong protest | Washington Examiner
Self-explanatory.

Why are Barack Obama’s critics so smart? | Telegraph
Also self-explanatory. BOOM!

Reporter Covers Fitzgerald Recall, Supports Recall Effort | Media Trackers
“Fascinatingly, the first comment left on the post was from a man named Ryan Whisner who said, ‘You can do it Lori!’ Whisner is a reporter for the Jefferson County Daily Union, a newspaper based in Ft. Atkinson, squarely inside of Sen. Fitzgerald’s district.”

Todays Wordsmith.org word of the day is below.
stochastic (stuh-KAS-tik) adjective: Involving chance; random; probabilistic.

Today is a Monday, so it’s fitting that on this date in 1547, Ivan the Terrible was crowned the first czar of Russia. In fact, that’s why Mondays are traditionally crappy. In honor of Ivan. Even though the day of his coronation was actually a Sunday. Evolution at work folks.

Today is also Martin Luther King Day in the U.S. See link below for an excerpt from his famous “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” As always, consider this an Open Thread.

Why Martin Luther King couldn’t wait | New York Daily News
“Here, from the letter, is a single, pain-filled, 300-plus word sentence, explaining why waiting was ‘unwise and untimely’”

Obsessive Koch Disorder: Art Brisbane Responds | Powerline
“This brings forward another ingredient in this situation: The Times’s audience. That audience consists of New Yorkers, by and large a liberal population, and national readers, many of whom select The Times because it mirrors their views.” Art Brisbane, New York Times public editor

Obama thumbs nose at Founders with one-man rule | Michael Barone
“More important, what gives the head of the executive branch the authority to decide whether one house of the legislative branch is conducting serious business?”

Private-sector experience? Oh, no! | Frank J. Fleming, New York Post
“Isn’t there something just so reassuring about a career politician? He has never worried about ‘profit’ or ‘efficiency’ or ‘success’; his every job has involved only helping people.”

Todays word of the day comes from Luciferous Logolepsy, and is appropriate in many ways to this past weekend of football.
epicaricacy n. – taking pleasure in others’ misfortune

Updated: Scroll down for the winning image!

Tonight, Newsweek has managed to get itself discussed on Twitter by releasing a preview of their upcoming cover page:

As soon as I saw it, I thought “what is going on with the back of President Obama’s neck there? Is that a shelf??” My second thought was this was a good opportunity for a photoshop contest. My third thought was “seriously, what is going on there? Loosen your tie!” And then my fourth thought was “stupid New England Patriot jerkheads.” But then I went back to thinking about the photoshop contest, and here we are.

So, here is the assignment: make a fake Newsweek cover. Either of the “Newsweek’s cover translated” variety, or the silly variety. Either way, keep it clean. I’ve got a couple below the fold.

Read More →

What a weekend of football this has been so far, with glory and sorrow in equal parts. The painful performance put in last night by Tebow and the Broncos was all the more frustrating for following one of the most exciting post-season games of all time. The New England Patriots, history’s greatest monsters, took the Broncos to the woodshed and beat them about the head, neck, chest, shoulders and arms. Afterward, the Pats took to the streets to burn down the Broncos’ homes, steal their cars, and ritualistically burn them in effigy, before at last settling down for a meal comprised mainly of kittens.

Contrast that with the 49ers victory over the villainous Saints, a game that saw the lead change four times in the final three or so minutes. It was a painful loss for Drew Brees, one hopes. I can picture him now, somewhere on Bourbon street, drinking a Drew Brees (which comes with a lovely little umbrella) and muttering “who dat” hopefully to passers-by.

Today, the Texans take on the Ravens, and Giants v. Packers make us face that eternal question: which really is the lesser of two evils? Post your predictions in the comments if you dare. And in this great land of freedom and football, never forget: if your team doesn’t make the grade, this was a rebuilding year!

OPEN THREAD

It’s January 13th. As in, Friday the 13th. Thaaat’s right. On this date in 1128, Pope Honorius II granted papal sanction to the Knights Templar, calling it an “army of God.” Little did he know that a mere 884 years later, Ron Paul would raise an army to blog obsessively about them. This is also the anniversary of the addition of two stars and two stripes to the American flag, for Vermont and Kentucky, in 1794. Consider this an OPEN THREAD.

Union Protestor Calls for Legislators to be “Tarred and Feathered” | Hoosier Access
“But the fireworks weren’t done with the Democrats. Before the gavel even fell on the hearing protestors erupted on the House Floor claiming everything under the sun you’d expect to hear from a union protestor.”

DNC Chairwoman Getting ‘Fast and Furious’ with Eric Holder | The Shark Tank
“Harrington cites the New Times post which claims that Wasserman Schultz has missed 62 votes in Congress.”

Michelle Obama sees Barack’s ‘wonderful progress’ in jeopardy | IBD
“According to Mrs. Obama, way too many Americans are still suffering economically. This isn’t because of anything her husband did or failed to do in the last 1,086 days that they’ve inhabited the White House. In fact, she maintains, things would have been much worse without the many changes her husband’s administration has implemented.”

Another ATF weapons operation comes under scrutiny | L.A. Times
Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives declined to comment on whether any firearms were lost in White Gun. But unlike Fast and Furious, they vigorously defended the previously unreported White Gun operation as a well-managed investigation that produced three arrests and convictions.

Today’s word of the day comes from Dictionary.com, and is gross.
viscid (VIS-id): adjective 1. Having a glutinous consistency; sticky; adhesive. 2. Covered by a sticky substance.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg probably needed a stiff drink last night, after an article ran at the New York Post earlier in the day reporting that the mayor was planning to curtail alcohol sales in the Big Apple. The city health department’s Partnership for a Healthier New York City was considering initiatives to slash the number of businesses that were licensed to sell liquor.

One of the goals listed in the “request for proposal” document to community groups is “reducing alcohol retail outlet (e.g. bar, corner store) density and illegal alcohol,” the document states.

A spokeswoman for the department stated that “the city’s goals for the Partnership for a Healthier New York are in line with our ongoing strategies of promoting healthy eating and physical activity and discouraging tobacco, excessive alcohol use and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.”

The Post later reported that the story, “drew howls of outrage from responsible drinkers and operators of liquor venues across the city.”

Read More →

Today is January 12th. On this day in 1998, nineteen European countries signed an agreement banning human cloning. On this day in 1998, nineteen European countries signed an agreement banning human cloning. On this day in 1998, nineteen European countries signed an agreement banning human cloning. .. I think maybe it didn’t take. Also, Happy National Marzipan Day! Ich möchte Marzipan essen. LIIINKSSS!!!! Stay tuned for the word of the day after the links! Consider this an OPEN THREAD.

EPA Fines Companies Because They Didn’t Use A Fuel That Doesn’t Exist | Human Events
“The Orwellian nightmare of running a business in the shadow of the Obama Administration is nicely captured in this story from the New York Times, which explains why motor fuel companies are about to be fined $6.8 million for failure to use a biofuel that does not exist”

Huntsman’s desperate bid for relevancy | Hot Air
“I don’t begrudge Huntsman’s father his support for his son; it’s rather touching. But perhaps his son might spare his father a few million dollars and face the reality that there was no path to the nomination for Huntsman without an upset win in New Hampshire. Huntsman’s money couldn’t pull that off on Tuesday, or even come close.”

The Sacred Narrative: Behold, the Sanity of the Center-Left | PJM
“The mainstream media has taken on the role of mythmaker. They repeatedly color events in such a way that paints the liberals as logical and conservatives as extreme. No matter how far left the Democratic Party moves or how outrageous their rhetoric becomes, they will remain the gods of reason and commonsense.”

And finally, inexplicably, this is a thing (video): “Tim Tebow’s Fire“

Today’s Wordsmith.org Word of the Day (clone related even!!)
autologous (ah-TOL-uh-guhs): adjective – Involving a situation in which the donor and the recipient (of blood, skin, bone, etc.) are the same person.

Today would be Alexander Hamilton’s 257th birthday. I would also like to say Happy Birthday to my mother, who is not 257, and to my sister, who probably isn’t either. Today is also National Step In A Puddle And Splash Your Friends Day, truly a sacred tradition.

No More Go-along-to-Get-along | Gov. Rick Perry
“For far too long, insiders from both parties have played these games. Talk up fiscal responsibility, but spend big. Talk about a federal government that fulfills its basic responsibilities, but then vote to expand it beyond all recognition so that it cannot possibly do so. Talk about doing what’s right, but then do what the establishment wants instead.”

Lucas: Hollywood Wouldn’t Back My Film Due to All Black Cast | Newsbusters
“Hollywood said, ‘No.’ Just remember that the next time some movie star or film director calls Republicans or members of the Tea Party racist.”

DNC chair blames Tea Party for Tucson shooting | Washington Examiner
“Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., speaking in New Hampshire this morning, reminded her audience of the tragic Tucson shooting last year — and also insinuated that the Tea Party, which she said regards political opponents as “the enemy,” has enhanced divisiveness in Congress and had something to do with the shooting, at least indirectly.”

Major Victory for Religious Liberty Against Obama Administration Attack | NRO
“In its unanimous ruling today in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church v. EEOC, the Supreme Court held that the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause bar ministers from invoking the employment-discrimination laws against the religious organizations that employ them.”

Today’s Word Of The Day comes courtesy Wordsmith.org. Pitch perfect, post primary.
Dysthymia (dis-THY-mee-uh): A mild depression.

On this day in 1946, the first general assembly of the United Nations was convened. Please join me in a moment of silent regret. Today also marks the 236th anniversary of the publishing of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense“. If he were alive today, he’d have posted it here. Or I’d be linking to where he posted it. Instead, here are these links:

Ron Paul Vs. CNN | Human Events
“‘You, the media, did this to her,’ Paul sternly informed the CNN correspondent. ‘She should have been furious with you.’ He then marched off to talk with Fox News, thereby increasing his audience by a factor of five.”

Two out of Three Broadcast Nets Ignore Soft Recall of Chevy Volts | Newsbusters
“GM certainly isn’t getting much scrutiny from the mainstream news media over the recall of the heavily subsidized autos. Two of the three broadcast networks have so far avoided sharing this story about the Volt, a gas-electric plug-in hybrid vehicle that they have hyped since January 2007.”

Oops (video): McCain calls Romney “President Obama” | Michelle Malkin
Now that is funny. It’s a few days old, but I didn’t catch it at the time. Reminds me of this, which happened last night.

High court weighs policy against curse words on TV | Washington Examiner
“The Supreme Court is considering whether government regulators may still police the airwaves for curse words and other coarse content at a time when so many Americans have unregulated cable television, and the Internet is awash in easily accessible adult material.”

Rick Santorum’s Backup Plan: Retail Fashion Marketing! | Jim Geraghty
Heh.