Paul Ryan and the House Republicans kick off the New Year by attempting to defund Planned Parenthood for the eighth time. So predictable.

Courtesy of HuffPo:

The 114th Congress will kick off the new year on Wednesday by voting an eighth time to strip federal funds from Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest family planning provider, because its health services include abortion. 

 The House of Representatives is expected to pass a budget reconciliation bill that guts the Affordable Care Act, pulls roughly $450 million in federal assistance from Planned Parenthood and prevents Medicaid recipients from getting reimbursed for their visits at Planned Parenthood clinics. There is already a federal law preventing taxpayer dollars from being used toward abortion -- Planned Parenthood's patients have to pay for that service separately out of pocket -- but Republicans have long despised the family planning provider for ideological reasons. 

"It's up to the president to decide if he wants to side with the people whose health care costs have skyrocketed out of control, or the abortion industrial complex whose profits have skyrocketed out of control," Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told reporters Wednesday. "Congress is holding President Obama accountable."

Of course we know that Speaker Ryan is desperate to do something, even something he knows has no chance of getting past the President's veto pen, in an attempt to get the conservatives off his back for allowing that Omnibus bill to through the House. Since then he has been under attack, and the Teabaggers have been calling for his head.

So for anybody who thought that Ryan would be a more effective House Speaker than John Boehner, well I guess you know better now.

He is still held captive by a rabid Right Wing which simply cannot tolerate the idea of compromise, and who views a government that solves problems and makes things happen as an abject failure.

Welcome to 2016.

Kevin McCarthy pulls out of House Speaker's race. Ooh, plot twist!

Courtesy of the New York Times: 

Representative Kevin McCarthy on Thursday abruptly took himself out of the race to succeed John A. Boehner as House speaker, apparently undone by the same forces that drove Mr. Boehner to resign. 

Mr. McCarthy’s candidacy was damaged when he suggested in an interview on Fox News last week that the House committee investigating Benghazi had the political aim of damaging Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign. 

As shocked members left the room there was a sense of total disarray, with no clear path forward and no set date for a new vote. Representative Peter King, Republican of New York, said that in dropping out of race, Mr. McCarthy told the room, “I’m not the one to unify the party.”

Holy smokes!

I have to admit that I did not see this coming.

I mean I thought he might lose, but not this.

So does this mean that it is Jason Chaffetz's for the taking, or is Tea party favorite Louie Gohmert going to jump in and give him a run for his money? 

All I know is that I am going to need some more popcorn stat!

John Boehner to quit as Speaker of the House at the end of October.

Courtesy of AOL News:

In a stunning move, House Speaker John Boehner informed Republicans on Friday that he would step down at the end of October, giving up his coveted leadership post and his seat in Congress in the face of hardline conservative opposition. 

The 13-term Ohio Republican shocked his GOP caucus early Friday morning when he informed them of his decision in a closed-door session. It came one day after the high point of Boehner's congressional career, a historic speech by Pope Francis to Congress at Boehner's request. 

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., said Boehner "just does not want to become the issue. Some people have tried to make him the issue both in Congress and outside."

Yeah I think that Boehner realizes that the writing is on the wall concerning his chances for be elected Speaker again, and its getting out while the getting is good. 

The Right Wing has been gunning for him for years now and it was only a matter of time before they wore his old orange ass out.  

I cannot begin to imagine what kind of yahoo the Republicans might elect to take his place, but I imagine that the partisanship in the House is only going to get much worse going forward.

But hey, maybe at least this time maybe they will elect a guy who does not cry every time the wind blows.

In front to the Pope and everything. That is just pathetic.

Celebrating their 200th anniversary, famed debating society in England invites Sarah Palin, among other notables, to speak. Wait, that can't be right.

"Debate? Oh yeah I debate awesome! Debate is where I speak and nobody challenges me right?"

Courtesy of The Cambridge Student:  

Celebrating its 200th anniversary, the Cambridge Union Society has released a sneak preview of the Lent Term 2015 termcard, with highlights including Stephen Fry and Sarah Palin. 

Reflecting on the varied fields of the revealed speakers, Amy Gregg, President of the Union for Lent 2015, commented: “I’m extremely pleased that we have begun our Bicentenary year with such a diverse range of prominent speakers. As ever, the Union strives to offer members the opportunity to engage with some of the world’s most significant and influential public figures.”

So let me get this straight.

This renowned  debating society is inviting the amazing Stephen Fry, an incredibly intelligent and humorous gentleman, AND Sarah Palin, a vapid, infamously unintelligent conservative nitwit?

Seriously?

I have to admit that at first I thought this must be yet another article from a humor magazine, but nope. It is legit.

Here is their description of Palin:

Controversial American politician Sarah Palin will then speak on the 2nd of March. The first female Republican to be nominated for the Vice Presidency, during the 2008 Presidential election, Palin has more recently spent time as a political commentator for Fox News, and has starred in ‘Sarah Palin’s Alaska’, her own reality show. Her book, ‘Going Rogue’, has sold over two million copies.

They are also inviting to speak, along with Fry and Palin,  FEMEN "sextremist" Innan Shevchenko. Who you all may remember as the Ukrainian activist who likes to protest topless.

 
Yep, Palin is going to fit in great.

This is what I found on their home page about the organization:

Founded in 1815, the Cambridge Union is the oldest continuously running debating society in the world, and the largest and most famous society at the University of Cambridge. In 2015, the Union will celebrate 200 years of free speech and the art of debating.

So they are a debating society that likes to invite controversial and eclectic guests to discuss their points of view in front of the students. The appearances also feature provocative questions from the audience which the speaker is assumed to possess the ability to respond to without preparation or relying on notes written on their palms.

In other words they are going to eat Sarah Palin alive.

Here take a look at some video of Russell Brand's appearance in front of the Cambridge Union.

Now Brand possesses quite a nimble mind and has little difficulty responding to questions off the cuff. Those are NOT the qualities that come to mind when one thinks of Sarah Palin.

Oh yeah, they are going to eat her alive.

John Boehner easily wins reelection as Speaker of the House despite pathetic attempt by Teabaggers to oust him.

Courtesy of HuffPo: 

The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to once again make John Boehner its speaker, handing the Ohio Republican the gavel for the third time despite a late challenge by dissatisfied members of his own party. Tuesday's vote saw the most votes against a sitting speaker since 1923. 

In the final tally, Boehner received the votes of 216 House members, while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) received 164 votes. A number of discontented Republicans, however, voted for other candidates, including Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), who, with 12 votes, got the most opposition votes from the GOP.

Sarah Palin as you all may know was pushing for anybody EXCEPT Boehner, but focused on two favorites: 

Please consider "Gunnin' for Gohmert" or going "Yahoo for Yoho" when you vote for Speaker of the House today. Both Representatives are true constitutional, commonsense conservatives who've proven to America they keep their promises to We the People.

Well as it turned out Gohmert only received three votes, one that he cast, and Yoho had only two.

So once again Palin backed those sure to lose.

Story of her life.

Louis Gohmert plans to challenge John Boehner for the job of Speaker of the House. And just when you thought the House Republicans could not get any crazier.

"I have no problem speaking in my house so what's the difference?"

Courtesy of Fox News:  

Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert said Sunday that he will challenge House Speaker John Boehner for his post when Congress returns this week to Washington. 

Gohmert, among the House Republican caucus’ most conservative members, made the announcement on “Fox and Friends,” saying he decided to run after Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., said Saturday that he would challenge Boehner for the chamber’s top post. 

“We have heard from a lot of Republicans that said, ‘I would vote for somebody besides speaker Boehner.’ But nobody will put their name out there,” Gohmert said. “That changed yesterday with Ted Yoho.”

“After the November elections gave Republicans control of the Senate, voters made clear they wanted change,” Gohmert also said Sunday. “There have been numerous examples of problematic Republican leadership, but we were hopeful our leaders got the voters’ message. However, after our speaker forced through the CR omnibus by passing it with Democratic votes and without time to read it, it seemed clear that we needed new leadership. There had been much discussion. But, until yesterday, no one had stepped up.”

Sure why not?

I mean it's not like anybody takes Congress seriously anymore anyway.

Just for take a moment, close your eyes, and imagine Louis Gohmert as Speaker of the House.

Which one are you doing, laughing or crying?

Everything old is new again as Boehner retains role as Speaker.

Courtesy of MSNBC:  

Ohio Rep. John Boehner, R, won a second term as speaker of the House on Thursday over the dissent of a handful of House conservatives. 

Following a bruising first two years as speaker and leader of House Republicans, 10 conservative lawmakers cast votes for someone other than Boehner during a roll call vote in the first hours of the new Congress. Several other conservative Republicans abstained from voting. Boehner received 220 votes of a total of 426 cast. 

While Boehner won re-election to the speakership with the overwhelming support of the GOP, he also narrowly avoided the 16 total defections from fellow Republicans that would have triggered a second ballot of House lawmakers on electing a speaker. That would have been the first time a second ballot was needed since 1923, and a mild embarrassment for Boehner. 

In remarks after the vote, a characteristically emotional Boehner urged members to resist pursuing "political victory" in lieu of leadership. 

"If you've come here to see your name in the lights or to pass off political victory as some accomplishment, you've come to the wrong place. The door's right behind you," he said. "If you have come here humbled by the opportunity to serve, if you've come here to be the determined voice of the people, if you've come here to carry the standard of leadership demanded not by our constituents but by the times, then you've come to the right place. " 

Boehner cited the federal deficit as the overwhelming problem to be addressed by lawmakers, alluding to the need for serious negotiations to solve it. 

"As Speaker, I pledge to listen and to do all I can to help all of you carry out the oath of office that we are all about to take," he said. "Because in our hearts, we know it's wrong to pass this debt on to our kids and grandkids, now we have to be willing - truly willing - to make this problem right."

Gee John Boehner retains the job that nobody really wants him to have but apparently nobody else is stupid enough to take. Just imagine how proud he must feel.

If the guy had ANY sense he would have resigned and then let some other poor schmuck deal with the dysfunctional Republican party.

As it was he only retained his job with 220 votes, and with 10 Republicans voting against him. Hell Nancy Pelosi was right behind him with a 192 votes. Wouldn't THAT have been a hoot if SHE had won?

Did you hear during the count that two House member actually voted for outgoing Congressman Allen West? Could you freaking imagine? That would be right up there with having Sarah Palin take the job.

Republican insiders say that John Boehner's days as Speaker of the House are over! Update: Apparenlty Boehner's are still safe in Congress.

Courtesy of CNS News:

I have confirmed with a group of Congressmen that House Speaker John Boehner will not be reelected Speaker tomorrow. 

He will either resign or be forced out tomorrow. (Actually that would be today now.)


I can't say this is a surprise, but I have to wonder exactly WHO is dumb enough to want the job once Boehner has been kicked to the curb?

I mean if these morons think that anybody else will have an easier time of dealing with the Teabaggers and getting the House back to actually doing its job,  they are sadly mistaken.

Hell, they might as well draft Sarah Palin for the job.

She probably couldn't fail any worse than anybody else.

Update: Wow! There was  hell of a lot of reconsidering of positions last night (Possibly the House members realized that without Boehner they would be stuck with Eric Cantor.), and today Congress is singing a different tune.

This according to Vanity Fair:

Today’s vote on John Boehner’s speakership is not, as we predicted earlier, going to be any fun at all. According to The Hill, just one House Republican, Congressman-elect Steve Stockman of Texas, has publicly pledged to vote against Boehner. What will be fun will be watching Congressman-elect Steve Stockman of Texas write an open letter of apology to Speaker Boehner after the G.O.P. Steering Committee refuses to draft him to even the House Subcommittee on What to Order for Lunch and National Parks.

So Boehner is safe, if indeed being in this position can be considered "safe."

I guess somebody needs to call Sarah Palin and give her the bad news. Any volunteers?

There are some on the Right that are so desperate they are seriously suggesting the Sarah Palin become Speaker of the House. Oh yeah, THAT should help!

Sarah Palin for House Speaker! (Technically, one need not be a member of Congress to serve as speaker.)
— Don Fredrick (@Colony14) January 2, 2013

Cantor is a RINO. Palin as Speaker would cut thru the doublespeak, message well & garner enough attention. Plus, a great negotiator.
— Sharon Schwarz (@WooHooYoo) January 2, 2013

Courtesy of Politicususa:  

Conservatives think that the problem with the House is John Boehner, who also happens to be the last shred of common sense remaining in the House GOP leadership. Conservatives answer to the problem of a House majority that has been rendered irrelevant through their extremism is to get rid of the sane guy, and replace him with Sarah Palin.

Yeah, like THAT would solve anything!

Could you imagine a Congress run by Sarah Palin? There would be meth addicted and pregnant Congress people as far as the eye could see.

You know this is the kind of thing that I think Palin waits for. She simply figures that once people become desperate enough, and have scraped THROUGH the bottom of the barrel, that suddenly she won't look so bad anymore.

You know just when you think the Right Wing simply CANNOT be any crazier they start with this kind of talk.

By the way there was an actual rumor that Boehner would step down tonight.  However since it was supposed to happen several hours ago, and we have heard nothing about it, I'm guessing it was ONLY a rumor and nothing more. (Or perhaps wishful thinking on Palin's part.)
 

A number of Fox Business hosts lose their timeslot in massive reorganization. Now why do these names sound familiar?

"Okay, I see what you are doing here. But you can't PROVE I had anything to do with this!

 Courtesy of Business Wire:

FOX Business Network (FBN) will debut a new primetime schedule featuring encore presentations of the channel’s top post-market programs, announced Kevin Magee, Executive Vice President of the network. Starting February 20th at 8 PM/ET, viewers will find additional airings of The Willis Report (5PM & 8PM/ET), Cavuto (6PM & 9PM/ET) and Lou Dobbs Tonight (7PM & 10PM/ET). The new lineup will replace FreedomWatch with Judge Andrew Napolitano, Power & Money with David Asman and Follow the Money with Eric Bolling.

Wow! That is kind of an aggressive reorganization for a network to undertake all at once. Don'tcha think?

I wonder what happened that made these folks no longer viable in their time slots?

Hmm, Napolitano, Asman, and Bolling.  Why do those names sound SO familiar?

Oh yeah, now I remember.

January 23, 2012, Eric Bolling interviews Sarah Palin.

January 30, 2012, Andrew Napolitano interviews Sarah Palin.

February 2, 2012, David Asman interviews Sarah Palin.

Well let's be serious, there is NO real way for us to connect the fact that these second string hosts just interviewed Palin recently to the end of their jobs.  Right?

I mean it is probably just a coincidence. Right?

Of course it is...probably.  However if I were Hannity, Van Susteren, Kelly, Pirro,  O' Reilly, or any other of the Fox employees who had recently been exposed to the "Palin curse," I would be watching my back.

I'm just saying.

So, besides CPAC, where is the Grizzled One scheduled to appear next?

Really? What the hell IS the International-Dairy-Dell-Bakery-Association?

Featured Speakers 

• Sarah Palin, The Heart of a Rogue Trailblazer 
• Jeremy Gutsche, How to Make Your Brand Matter by Exploiting Chaos and Unlocking “Cool” 
• Jim Carroll, The New Normal: Innovation, Hyper-niching, and Transformative Change 
• Adrian Slywtozky, DEMAND: Creating What People Want Before They Know They Want It 
• Jane Buckingham, Understanding the Next Generation 
• Terry Bradshaw, Personal Power to the Max 
• Harold Lloyd, How Strong is Your Magnetic Field? The Craveability Factor 
• John Pinette, Get Outa the Line! 
• Steve Beekhuizen, Are Supermarkets the New Restaurants? 
• Carol Christison, Leading the Food Parade: Consumers, Trends, and New Products 
• New IDDBA Research, The Consumer Decision Trees in Bakery, Dairy, and Deli Departments

Oh, well that's just sad.

So this is the kind of "entertainment" being shown at CPAC this year.

The film is called, and I almost cannot believe this, "Runaway Slave." And seems to be written to alleviate white guilt over the treatment of black in American and then blame their continued oppression on the fact that they did not pursue the "American dream" with the proper amount of vigor.

Here is a description of the film from the website:

The film’s central figure is Rev. C.L. Bryant, a self-professed “runaway slave. A former NAACP chapter president in Garland, TX, C.L. abandoned an organization he felt was more about political posturing, and less about civil rights. As a former Democratic Radical who escaped the bondage of Progressivism and denounced the shackles of entitlements, he has committed himself to helping others secure the blessings of liberty that are guaranteed by the Constitution with his new found conservative values. 

Rev. Bryant takes viewers on an historic journey across America that traces the footsteps of runaway slaves who escaped along routes that became known as the Underground Railroad to freedom. But in the film, he travels a “new underground railroad” upon which Black Conservatives are speaking out against big government policies which have established a “new plantation” where “overseers” like the NAACP and so-called “civil rights” leaders keep the Black community 95 percent beholden to one political party.

As a white person in American I found this preview to be extremely offensive, so I can only imagine how it will be received by African Americans.

Of course like just about EVERYTHING that comes from conservatives, the focus of this film, which features such conservative black "stars" as Herman Cain, Star Jones, and Teabagger Allan West, is to shear the sheep.  And let's face it, there are going to be plenty of white folks who will pay to have their fundamental racist beliefs about black folks reinforced.

I have to assume that this film will make the speakers listed at this event like Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee, Andrew Breitbart, and of course, Sarah Palin, feel right at home.

Maybe David Duke will show up and give this filmmaker an honorary white robe to wear around his house?

Troubled Teabagger convention has scheduled speakers making mad dash for the exit door. Update!

The much-maligned National Tea Party Convention may be unraveling, as one of its scheduled GOP speakers backs out, and another mulls doing likewise.

The convention, planned for next month in Nashville, grabbed headlines by announcing that Sarah Palin and Republican Congresswomen Michele Bachmann and Marsha Blackburn would speak.

But lately, the convention has come under fire from some Tea Partiers who view it as inauthentic, and believe organizer Judson Phillips and his outfit, Tea Party Nation, are out to make a profit. And now, Blackburn, of Tennessee, has changed her mind about appearing, citing just such fears.

Meanwhile, conservative darling Bachmann, of Minnesota, has said she too is considering backing out, because of concerns over violating ethics rules -- though its not clear which ones.

And Mother Jones reports that Palin, too, is coming under pressure from Tea Party activists to back out, though she has given no indication that she will. Her speaking fee has been reported to be as high as $100,000.

I understand that Sarah Palin is absolutely fuming that she was not the FIRST to quit (after all it is her schtick). Right now she is just trying to figure out a way to quit and still collect her $115,000.

Update: Michele Bachmann has now officially canceled as well. Better hurry up and cancel Sarah, you might miss the last bus out of "Teabag-ville".

Wouldn't it be funny if this was the ONE thing that Palin could not bring herself to quit?