Today is April 25th. On this date in 1953, Senator Wayne Morse wrapped up the third longest filibuster in Senate history, at 22 hours, 26 minutes. The second longest was Sen. Alfonse D’Amato in 1986 at 23 hours, 30 minutes, and the longest was Sen. Strom Thurmond, at 24 hours, 18 minutes, in 1957. Morse died in 1974. His last words were … transcribed in the form of a three thousand page book. Also on this date, in 1964, Hank Azaria was born in New York. His first words were “Worst. Delivery. Ever.” On this date in 2003, Sinead O’Connor announced she was retiring from music. Her fan was devastated. And finally, today is World Penguin Day. Tuxedo. That’s my joke. Hey, they can’t all be winners. Consider this an Open Thread.

Kimmel Insists: ‘It’s Hard to Make Fun’ of ‘Cool Character’ Obama | Newsbusters
“‘It’s hard to make fun of Obama in general because he’s a cool character,’ ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, the ‘headliner’ for this Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, told Reuters, insisting that ‘outside of his ears, there’s not a whole lot’ to joke about.”

[NSFW Language] SNL alum Lovitz delivers rant on Obama, taxes | Daily Caller
“In an interview with “Clerks” director Kevin Smith, Lovitz, a registered Democrat who voted for Obama in 2008, bashed the president for his class warfare rhetoric and the notion that the wealthy don’t pay their fair share in taxes.”

Charlotte Hotel Owner: Dnc Business Practices ‘Ruthless, Bullying’ | Free Beacon
“The DNC has filed suit against a Charlotte-area hotel owner, who calls the convention’s business practices ‘ruthless’ and ‘bullying,’ WBTV in Charlotte reports:”

New York Times experiment in self-awareness lasts all of two days | Hot Air
“An understatement to be sure, but any acknowledgement of bias from the Times is a rare event, and so this understandably received a lot of coverage by the conservative media. Well fast forward two days later, and observe Times’ editorial page editor Andrew Rosenthal pretty much give Brisbane, and conservatives, the (metaphorical) finger.”

New Moonbat Line of Attack: Rubio Campaigning With Romney is ‘Homoerotic’ | Newsbusters
“Randi Rhodes does what she can to make her presence known in that barren wasteland known as liberal radio. Unfortunately, it usually consists of little more than bloviating inanities.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Wordsmith.org.
elan (ay-LAHN): noun A combination of energy, enthusiasm, and style.

Today is April 24th. On this date in 1981, IBM introduced the first personal computer. Today, PCs are most commonly used to look at pictures of cats and share with others what one had for breakfast. Waffles, by the way. Also on this date, in 1990, Space Shuttle Discovery launched, carrying the Hubble Space Telescope. In the years since, Hubble has produced many mind-blowing photographs of the universe. Recently, controversy erupted when Hubble accidentally tweeted a pic of the universe in its underwear, forcing the universe to eventually resign from congress. On this date in 1934, actress Shirley MacLaine was born. She was also born on this date in 1725, 1270, and 950 B.C. And finally, today is National Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day. The universe could not be reached for comment. Consider this an Open Thread.

‘The War on Terror Is Over’ | Weekly Standard
“‘The war on terror is over,’ a senior official in the State Department official tells the National Journal. ‘Now that we have killed most of al Qaida, now that people have come to see legitimate means of expression, people who once might have gone into al Qaida see an opportunity for a legitimate Islamism.’”

Dog groups release dueling attack ads | Twitchy
“Dogs Against Romney released what appears to be a completely serious attack ad against Mitt Romney called ‘Registered Pet Offender’. It would seem that Dogs Against Obama noticed the ad and made a mocking counter ad called ‘Registered Dog Eater’.”

Then-Senator Obama Didn’t Show Up for Vote on Student Loan Bill | Political Punch
“When the bill came up for final passage on September 7, 2007, then-Senator Obama did not vote; he was campaigning for president in California and Oregon.”

Twitter-Loving Judge’s OWS Ruling Is Full Of #LOLZ | BuzzFeed
“Yesterday, Reuters reported that OWS protester Malcolm Harris’ challenge to a subpoena seeking three months worth of his Tweets was ruled against by Judge Matthrew Sciarrino Jr. in the most Twitter-y way possible:”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Reference.com.
fard (fahrd): verb To apply cosmetics. noun Facial cosmetics.

The Ted Cruz campaign has released a new video detailing the timeline of the Fast and Furious scandal:

I’m an avid news consumer, but the Cruz video really drove home to me just how deeply the Obama administration is in it in this scandal. Full transcript is below the fold. Here’s more from the campaign:

Shocking revelations keep coming in the “Fast and Furious” scandal. How deep was the corruption? Did Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano lie? Have the mainstream media been complicit in a cover up? Will Attorney General Holder and the Obama Administration ever come clean?

Read More →

Today is April 13th. It is Friday the 13th. Friggatriskaidekaphobics take note: there are three Friday the 13ths in 2012, each exactly 13 weeks apart! On Friday, April 13th in 1945, the city of Vienna, Austria, then under Nazi rule, fell to Soviet troops after an 11 day battle. People just really like those little sausages, I guess. On Friday, April 13th in 1860, the first mail delivered by Pony Express arrived in Sacramento, California, resulting in several residents discovering that they might already be a winner! And finally, on Friday, April 13th 1979, the world record for longest doubles ping pong match was set in California, after 101 hours, 1 minute, and 11 seconds. Proving once again the Friday the 13th mythos, as there’s no way those dudes ever got lucky again. By the way, happy National Peach Cobbler Day! Consider this an Open Thread.

What’s Color of Change hiding about itself? | Washington Examiner
“Though it claims to have more than 81,000 ‘members,’ the group, which is registered with the IRS as a 501(C)(4) advocacy organization, has a small paid staff of four people and revenues of $515,219, according to its 2010 Form 990 tax return. Only $21,000 was listed for employee salary and benefits costs.”

O’Reilly and Ingraham on smear campaign against ALEC | YouTube
“The bottom line is Color of Change does not want free speech. They don’t want any real debate on these issues, period… Not only do they not want free speech but if you go against their ideology they will hurt you.”

Dewbious: The Truth is Coming… | Ted Cruz Campaign
“In addition, a new video accompanying the site previews Dewhurst’s budget and spending confusion and math that doesn’t add up.”

Obama Deserves Little Credit For Expanded Energy Production | Free Beacon
“But the pilot project was originally created by a provision in a 2005 Republican-sponsored energy bill. Not only that, but the administration has spent the last four years trying to repeal portions of it.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
filipendulous: adjective Suspended by, or strung upon, a thread; — said of tuberous swellings in the middle or at the extremities of slender, threadlike rootlets.

Please join us in watching this critical primary debate, brought to you by The Franklin Center and Wisconsin Reporter. Debate will begin streaming live at 8pm, ET.

Citizens can submit questions for the candidates in the following ways:

• E-mail questions to WIDebate@WisconsinReporter.com
• Tweet questions on Twitter using the hash tag #WIDebate
• Post questions on the Facebook pages of Wisconsin Reporter or Franklin Center
• Submit a YouTube video (via e-mail or Facebook) for a chance to have your question aired live

Today is April 11th. On this date in 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was forced to abdicate power and was exiled to the island of Elba. In March of the following year, he escaped and returned briefly to power before finally being defeated at Waterloo. He spent the remainder of his life trying to convince people to vote for Pedro. Also on this date, in 1970, the Apollo 13 mission launched. Two days later, an explosion on board famously disrupted the mission, which after many crises finally ended safely on April 17th. The three astronauts on board never did get to walk on the surface of the moon, in much the same way that I have not. Yet. And finally, today is National Pet Day. So make sure to pet someone. Consider this an Open Thread. And don’t forget to tune in, via RedState, for tonight’s debate!

No, Zombie Reagan does not support ‘Buffett Rule’ | Washington Examiner
“In the latest attempt to sell President Obama’s surtax on millionaires, liberal group Think Progress has released a video of Ronald Reagan, which it claims shows him ‘supporting the principle behind the Buffett Rule.’”

The Obama Rule | Wall Street Journal
“This week the Administration officially endorsed what in essence is the Obama Rule: Taxes must be high simply to spread the wealth, never mind the impact on the economy or government revenue. It’s all about ‘fairness,’ baby.”

The Export-Import Bank Nightmare | CNSNews
“However, if the mortgage crisis, student loan crisis, and the disastrous failure of green-energy firms have taught us anything, it is government has a unique ability to destroy that prosperity and ruin lives while sticking taxpayers with outrageous bills.”

This Exists: You Can Buy Your Own GSA Commemorative Coin | Mediaite
“If this auction does well, perhaps there can be a silver lining to all of this. The government can collect back all the rest of the medals, auction them on eBay, and use the proceeds to hire a better mind-reader for the next conference.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
zetetic: adjective proceeding by inquiry; investigating

Tonight you can catch a debate between candidates for the Senate in Wisconsin, hosted by the Franklin Center, here at RedState, where we’ll be carrying the live stream.

As more and more citizens turn to social media and online resources to gather information and news, the Wisconsin U.S. Senate Debate of Republican candidates scheduled for this Wednesday will feature questions submitted by citizens via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Starting today and leading up to the debate on April 11, citizens can submit their most pressing questions to U.S. Senate candidates Jeff Fitzgerald, Eric Hovde, Mark Neumann and Kip Smith. Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson declined the invitation to participate.

Citizens can submit their questions in the following ways:
-E-mail questions to WIDebate@WisconsinReporter.com
-Tweet questions on Twitter using the hash tag #WIDebate
-Post questions on the Facebook pages of Wisconsin Reporter or Franklin Center
-Submit a YouTube video (via e-mail or Facebook) for a chance to have your question aired live

The debate will take place at the Waukesha County Exposition Center (1000 Northview Road) on Wednesday, April 11, beginning at 7:00pm. (Doors open at 5:30pm).

Check out Wisconsinreporter.com for more info.

Today is April 10th. On this date in 1849, Walter Hunt patented the safety pin. He sold the patent mere hours later for $400. Hunt was a prolific inventor, having received patents for a fountain pen, a sewing machine, and even a pre-Winchester repeating rifle. Coincidentally, it was this date in 1790 that the very first U.S. Patent Office was established. I once invented something too: a chili spaghetti taco. No word from the patent office yet. Also on this date, in 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail on her famous, fateful voyage. If that terrible disaster taught us anything, it’s that Rose will NOT make room for you on her precious debris. And finally, today is International Be Kind To Lawyers Day, for some reason. Activities include not making the joke that if you lined up all the lawyers in the world end to end, 2/3 of them would drown, and synchronized chasing of ambulances. Consider this an Open Thread.

Buffett Rule is Calculated Distraction from Obama’s Failed Leadership | The Foundry
“What do you do when you’re losing a debate? Change the subject. That’s really all you need to know to understand President Obama’s resuscitation of his infamous ‘Buffett Rule’ that would impose a minimum 30 percent effective tax rate on businesses and families earning $1 million.”

Many hybrid-car owners buy once — but not again, Polk study says | LA Times
“While the choice of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles for sale in the U.S. continues to grow, more buyers than not are deciding against the technology when they go to buy another car.”

Horrific story of the British child bride | Mail Online
“Mrs Shah said she believed she was being dressed for her fifth birthday party on the day of the Islamic ceremony which effectively ended her childhood.”

Totalitarianism marches on | What’s Wrong With The World
“What we can be sure of is that direct regulation of home school content to enforce ‘tolerance’ is a goal of a not-inconsiderable slice of the left-wing intelligentsia and that it will come to the United States as soon as they are able to make it happen.”

Celebs Call For Civil Disobedience Against Rich | Big Hollywood
“So they shot a video extolling the virtues of the Occupy Wall Street movement and detailing plains to train the ’99 percent’ in civil disobedience tactics for 2012 and beyond.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Merriam-Webster.
picaresque (pik-uh-RESK): adjective Of or relating to rogues or rascals; also : of, relating to, suggesting, or being a type of fiction dealing with the episodic adventures of a usually roguish protagonist

Today is April 9th. On this date in 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederacy to General Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox, Virginia, ending the Civil War. After the terms were agreed upon, a band struck up a celebratory song, but General Grant famously shushed them, saying “The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again.” And since the band was Nickelback, nobody minded. Also on this date, in 1881, Billy The Kid was found guilty of murder after a one-day trial, and was sentenced to death by hanging. He later escaped custody and went on to coach a rag-tag youth hockey team all the way to the championship. On this date in 1991, Georgia voted to secede from the Soviet Union. The economy took a brief hit but eventually came to rely upon their chief export, golden fiddles. And finally, today is National Name Yourself Day, when you pick a different name for the day. Until next time, this is Han McClane “Snake” Reagan McLovin, signing off. Consider this an Open Thread.

Media Matters Dumps M.J. Rosenberg | Washington Free Beacon
“Months of public pressure and outrage from across the pro-Israel spectrum forced Media Matters for America staffer M.J. Rosenberg to tender his resignation Friday from the left-wing media watchdog group.”

Gas Price Hypocrites | The New Editor
Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Rahm Emanuel holding presser in front of gas price sign blaming President Bush for high gas prices that are “burden” on Americans.

Wisconsin recall effort against Gov. Scott Walker now at center stage | WaPo
“But at least for the next two months, the Badger State will be at the epicenter of American politics as voters decide for only the third time in the nation’s history whether to recall a sitting governor.”

Ace, Twitter call out the unbearable whiteness of being Obama’s campaign HQ | Twitchy
Twitter reacts to photos from the Obama campaign headquarters in Chicago.

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
cumshaw (KUHM-shaw): noun A present; gratuity; tip.

Today is April 5th. On this date in 1792, George Washington cast the very first Presidential veto, on a bill that would have increased the number of Representatives in the House from northern states. In a letter urging the veto, Thomas Jefferson wrote that apportionment should based on “arithmetical operation, about which no two men can ever possibly differ.” Man, Congress sure was different back then. Also on this date, in 1621, the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth on her return voyage to England. The journey took so long that, by the time they docked in England, Plymouth Rock had switched formats and become Plymouth Top 40. On this date in 1869, Daniel F. Bakeman, the last surviving veteran of the Revolutionary war, died at age 109. His wife died 6 years earlier at age 105. They were married for 91 years, the longest American marriage on record. Little known fact: the traditional gift for a 90th wedding anniversary is metamucil. And finally, and most importantly, today is First Contact Day. Open Thread? Make it so.

Fmr Biden Adviser: Green Jobs Oversold | Washington Free Beacon
“The thousands of green energy jobs that President Barack Obama has widely touted after pumping billions into green energy firms rely mostly on short-term construction jobs.”

Healthy polar bear count confounds doomsayers | Globe and Mail
“‘The study shows that ‘the bear population is not in crisis as people believed,’ said Drikus Gissing, Nunavut’s director of wildlife management. ‘There is no doom and gloom.’”

Twitter gives the experience of Titanic, in real time | Twitchy
“This real time Titanic voyage recounting is a project of @TheHistoryPress, marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.”

Liberal Actor Don Cheadle Slams NBC for Selective Editing of Zimmerman Tape | Newsbusters
“As the Academy Award-winning actor’s Twitter feed shows, he has no use for liberal media outlets distorting the news through selective editing.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Merriam-Webster.
cockalorum (kah-kuh-LOR-um): noun 1. a boastful and self-important person 2. boastful talk

The above video from the RNC compares Obama’s 2011 speech on the House budget to Obama’s 2012 speech on the House budget. The orator in Chief is often accused of rehashing used talking points in speeches, both from lack of imagination, and due to the fact that, having failed to tackle any problems effectively, he constantly has to address the same problems. As you can see above, it’s a valid criticism.

But I’ll say this for Obama: The above video from the RNC compares Obama’s 2011 speech on the House budget to Obama’s 2012 speech on the House budget. The orator in Chief is often accused of rehashing used talking points in speeches, both from lack of imagination, and due to the fact that, having failed to tackle any problems effectively, he constantly has to address the same problems. As you can see above, it’s a valid criticism.

Today is April 4th. On this date, in 1818, Congress adopted a plan that added five more stars to the American Flag, bringing the total to 20. It also permanently reduced the number of stripes to 13, in honor of the original colonies. Fans of the original practice of adding a star and a stripe for each state promptly started a Facebook page to protest and threatened to quit the flag altogether. Also on this date, in 1841, President William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia exactly one month after taking office, making his the shortest Presidency in U.S. history. He was also the first President to die in office, and it was widely believed he took ill following his delivery, in the cold and wet with no jacket, of the longest inaugural address in U.S. history at nearly two hours. Two. Hours. If Obama gave a two hour inaugural address, it would be everyone else who took ill and died. On this date in 1850, the City of Los Angeles was incorporated. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. (We miss you, Douglas Adams.) And finally, you’ll be happy to know that today is not National Tell A Lie Day. Consider this an Open Thread.

Bret Baier GRILLS Jay Carney | The Right Scoop
“Carney seeks to blame Republicans, but Baier won’t let him get away with it, citing both that Obama’s budget was voted on in the House (and unanimously failed) AND that the Senate won’t even put it up for a vote.”

Analysis: Obama’s Worst Speech Yet | Townhall
“Barack Obama managed to out-do himself by uncorking what very well may have been the most dishonest, demagogic, and bitterly partisan speech of his presidency.”

Hollywood exclusive just for FrackNation supporters | Frack Nation
“We can reveal that our research has discovered that Matt Damon has co-written and is about to star in an anti-fracking Hollywood blockbuster.”

Department Of Propaganda | Washington Free Beacon
“Labor Department Puts Up Leftist Motivational Posters At Taxpayer Expense”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
sylph (silf): 1. A slender, graceful woman or girl. 2. (In folklore) one of a race of supernatural beings supposed to inhabit the air.

Today is April 3rd. On this date in 1860, the Pony Express began service. It lasted until October of 1861, when Kevin Costner finally defeated General Bethlehem. Also on this date, in 1996 suspected “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski was arrested at his remote shack in the woods of Montana. His main beef was with technology and “industrial society,” and he was eventually sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. I, too, once had a manifesto, but it dealt mainly with tacos. Finally, on this date in 1882, Jesse James was shot and killed at the age of 34 by Robert Ford, a member of his gang. It is widely believed Ford was hired by Sandra Bullock. Consider this an Open Thread.

Occupy.com- A Gift from the 1 Percent | Newsbusters
“While Occupy is known for their claim to represent the 99 percent, suave parties and Hollywood money are what made this venture possible.”

Doubly Dishonest | Washington Free Beacon
“President Obama’s latest campaign advertisement makes a number of questionable claims about domestic energy production under his watch.”

There Obama goes again | Human Events
“Once again this week, the president was out on the campaign trail bashing and oil and gas companies. And he continued to spread major falsehoods about this industry, which I guess is the polite way to put it.”

Van Jones: “They hate the brown folk, the gays, the lesbians” | Right Scoop
“Sometimes I just wish Van Jones would come out and say it. He’s a socialist/communist type just like Obama who hates the idea that freedom and responsibility belonging to the individual is the cornerstone of American society. And that’s exactly what he is saying here in this video”

Latest ABC News scoop: It doesn’t matter that previous scoops contradict each other | Jim Treacher
“One problem: this report directly contradicted Gutman’s report from just a few days earlier, declaring that there were no signs of injury.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
zeitgeber (TSAHYT-gey-ber): noun An environmental cue, as the length of daylight, that helps to regulate the cycles of an organism’s biological clock.

Today is April 2nd. On this date in 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain. He believed to be an island. He named it “La Florida”, both for the lushness of the foliage, and because it was Easter week, or Pascua Florida. After several days visiting Disney World, he decided it had become “too commercial” and carried on looking for the Fountain of Youth, which it turned out was actually just a nightclub. Also on this date, in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany, stating that the world must be made safe for democracy. Wilson once famously said “we should not only use all the brains we have, but all that we can borrow,” and promptly became the first zombie to hold elected office. Glass ceiling: broken! And finally, today is National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day! If you don’t find that exciting, we may have to break up. No, no, it’s not you, it’s me. Consider this an Open Thread.

Media Matters Lackey Admits There’s A Liberal Media | The Right Sphere
@RBPundit on a hilarious exchange he has on Twitter with a Media Matters employee.

Occupy SF marchers take over vacant building | San Francisco Gate
“Occupy SF activists put the mostly moribund movement back in the spotlight Sunday, taking over an unoccupied building owned by the Archdiocese of San Francisco with plans to establish a ‘permanent occupation’”

Video: Hijacking Holocaust Remembrance at Boston’s Northeastern University | Jawa Report
“Northeastern professors and their invited guest lecturers are seen comparing Israelis to Nazis and denying Jewish peoplehood”

Taxpayers on the hook for anti-soda lobbying campaigns | Hot Air
“Members of Congress are turning up the heat on the Obama administration for doling out millions of dollars in grant money that was used to attack soda and, in some case, lobby for higher taxes.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Merriam-Webster.
grok (GRAHK): verb to understand profoundly and intuitively

Today is April 1st. It is April Fool’s Day. April Fool’s Day was first celebrated by ancient druids. Each year on this date, they would ritually sacrifice the person considered to be the most indigent, gullible, and least productive member of their society. After burning the “fool” alive in a giant “wicker man”, they would perform elaborate rituals, or “pranks”. It evolved over the centuries into the happy holiday we know today. Also on this date, in 1787, the corn dog was invented by accident. The inventor was killed in the accident and for over a hundred years the food was considered “cursed.” And finally, on this date in 1973, Rachel Maddow was born. Well played, history, well played. Consider this an Open Thread.

Exclusive – Palin To Couric: ‘Game On’ | Big Journalism
“When Breitbart News asked for a comment about the fact that she will be competing with Couric, Gov. Palin responded simply: ‘Game on.’”

NBC caught selectively editing Zimmerman 911 tape
“The brass is going to look into the story, but if you expect anything other than a white wash, I’ve got a drawbridge over the Chicago River I’d like to sell you.”

Just reading Obamacare cruel and unusual punishment | Mark Steyn
“It’s not just that the legislators who legislate it don’t know what’s in it, nor that citizens can ever hope to understand it, but that even the nation’s most eminent judges acknowledge that it is beyond individual human comprehension.”

House Votes On Internet ‘Honesty’ Bill | RRL
“The House held a floor vote on legislation designed to compel ‘honest’ practices in internet transactions, and it could affect your web experience.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Wiktionary.
cromulent: adjective Fine, acceptable or normal; excellent, realistic, legitimate or authentic

REMINDER: Today is the LAST DAY to get the Early Bird Rate for the RedState Gathering. Read about it here, or sign up right away here!Today is March 31st. On this date in 1889, the Eiffel Tower had its first official tour, as Gustave Eiffel led a group of reporters and city officials throughout the structure. The ascent to the top was accomplished by stairs, as the elevators weren’t yet working. If I had to lead a group of people to the top of what is essentially an 81-story building, there’d need to be sherpas and possibly a yak, and it would probably still end in cannibalism and search parties. Also on this date, in 1536, philosopher René Descartes was born in France. Descartes was a drunken fart, who once famously said “I drink, therefore I am.” Truly a visionary. And finally, today is World Backup Day, and National Bunsen Burner Day. Way to go out on an exciting note, March! Consider this an Open Thread.

Media Silent As Left Attacks Kids Of Wi Lt. Gov. | Big Journalism
“She’s currently being targeted for recall and by some of the ugliest personal attacks you’ll hear — at least until the left launches the next one.”

AFL-CIO exec: Conservatives to blame for Trayvon Martin’s death | Daily Caller
“AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker told The Daily Caller that it is “conservative, right-wing policies that are to blame” for Trayvon Martin‘s death.”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s Shocking Ignorance | American Thinker
“The percentage of American people who took their son or daughter to an emergency room and were turned away because the parent didn’t have insurance is exactly zero.”

Stunning: Obamacare creates $17 trillion in unfunded liabilities | Right Scoop
“Ranking Member Sessions announced that a new Budget Committee analysis has found that the long-term, unfunded liabilities associated with President Obama’s health care law will reach $17 trillion.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Luciferous Logolepsy.
sabulous: adjective 1. like sand in texture; gritty 2. Also: sabuline (of plants) growing in sand

Today is March 30th. On this date in 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million smackers. So if you win the lottery tonight, you can buy, like, 80 million Alaskas all at once, which is way more Alaskas than most people will own in a lifetime! Also on this date in 1981, Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr. in Washington, DC. He is the only U.S. President to have survived being shot in an assassination attempt. Reagan once said “facts are stubborn things.” Facts have repeatedly insisted that they are not. On this date in 1993, Charlie Brown hit his first home run in the Peanuts comic strip. To this day, allegations of performance-enhancing ink linger and cast a pall over his victory. And finally, today is National Pencil Day, in honor of which this entire post has been written in pencil. Consider this an Open Thead.

GAB sets historic recall elections for Walker, Kleefisch | JS Online
“State elections officials ordered a set of historic recall elections Friday, making Scott Walker the third governor in the nation to face a recall and Rebecca Kleefisch the first lieutenant governor to face one.”

The ‘flexibility’ doctrine | Charles Krauthammer
“First of all, to speak of Russian elections in the same breath as ours is a travesty. Theirs was a rigged, predetermined farce. Putin ruled before. Putin rules after.”

U.S. soldier dies saving Afghan girl | CNN
“The official Pentagon news release says he died “from injuries suffered in a noncombat related incident.” But there is much more to the story. Weichel, 29, of Providence, died saving the life of a little girl.”

The Franklin Center Fuels Rise of Citizen Journalism | Red Alert Politics
“The Franklin Center is a non-profit designed to work with non-traditional news sources like non-profit journalism groups, independent activists and bloggers to help fill the gap of shrinking media covering state capitols.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Merriam-Webster.
atavism (AT-uh-viz-um): noun 1. a : recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination b : recurrence of or reversion to a past style, manner, outlook, approach, or activity 2. one that manifests atavism : throwback

REMINDER: Only two days left for the Early Bird Rate for the RedState Gathering. Read about it here, or sign up right away here!

Slow. Clap.

If you can’t watch the video, be depressed. It’s a man who is intoxicated, as you proclaim, who bursts into a spontaneous a capella rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, including some of the music, and it is glorious.

Have a drink on me, intoxicated off-key Queen singing arrested beard guy. Have one on me. h/t Bookworm Room.

This is an Open Thread.

Hanging Up 090 – Remedial Call Termination Procedures

Meet Jesse Lava, campaign director – campaign director – at Brave New Foundation: progressive, comedy savant, and first-time user of phones. If you’ve never heard of the man or the group, well, no surprise there. But they do exist, and they are hilarious.

Oh Jesse, you so crazy! They eat babies? YOU ARE A COMIC GENIUS! SOMEONE GET THIS MAN AN HBO SPECIAL RIGHT NOW!

Read More →

Today is March 29th. On this date in 1992, Bill Clinton admitted to having tried marijuana, but stated that he “didn’t like it, and didn’t inhale, and never tried it again.” He then asked if the host had any cheetos and pondered the odd nature of fingers. Also on this date, in 1918, Walmart founder Sam Walton was born. Walton once said: “There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.” Next time, Mitt, just use the quote. On this date in 1867, British Parliament passed the North American Act, creating the Dominion of Canada, in the hope that someday they could be major exporters of Baldwin brothers. And finally, today is Mule Day. Mule Day, one might have guessed, is “an annual celebration of all things related to mules and is held in Columbia, Tennessee, the ‘Mule Capital’ of the world.” So … there’s that. Consider this an Open Thread.

Our first billboard “The water was on fire in 1669″ | Frack Nation
“As you know, one of the most widely spread allegations against fracking is the ‘flaming faucet’ made famous by Josh Fox, whose documentary Gasland claimed fracking made people’s water go on fire.” Note: Only seven more days to pledge funds for the production of the film and grab a producer credit. Click here to kick in.

Obama slams GOP in video love letter to Planned Parenthood | Twitchy
“On the Planned Parenthood Action Fund website, supporters are encouraged to watch the ‘special message’ and to sign a letter thanking the president for ‘standing strong for women’s health.’”

Obama, Menendez Push Economically Painful Anti-Energy Bill | U.S News & World Report
“… if passed, this measure would not reduce fuel prices, and in fact could add to the burden faced at the pump.”

As Goes Wisconsin, so Goes America | Sarah Palin
“Governor Walker has left the far Left unhinged, so he’s had to amass a war chest to fend off the lies and dirty dealings in the capitol; and, thankfully, it’s predicted he’ll survive his recall. But the recall fight that is just as important is Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch’s.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Wordsmith.org.
avulse (uh-VUHLS): verb To pull off or tear away.