News/Politics 1-9-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Here’s an open thread for you to let us know.

Here’s a couple from me to start off with.

First, while the nation’s economy continues to limp along, Texas has sprinted out way ahead of the pack.  

From Bloomberg

“Legislators in Texas, the biggest energy producer among U.S. states, will begin deliberating its next two-year budget with a surplus forecast today to match an $8.8 billion record set in 2007.

The Texas economy has topped budget projections over the past 15 months, as booming energy output fueled job growth and an 11 percent fiscal first-quarter gain in sales-tax receipts, the biggest source of general-fund revenue. Even after paying off $7 billion in health and school bills, Comptroller Susan Combs said today that the state will be flush heading into 2014.

Lawmakers, who convene tomorrow for a five-month session, in 2011 put off about $4.7 billion in future Medicaid costs and $2 billion for public schools under the current budget, and now must pay those bills. With Combs projecting an $8.8 billion surplus by Aug. 31 and a 12 percent jump in general-purpose receipts for the next two years, Democrats sense an opening.”

Yeah, an opening to spend money, their favorite pastime.

_____________________________________________________

And this one I submit to you without comment.

From TheWashingtonPost

“President Obama has picked Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of slain civil rights icon Medgar Evers, to deliver the invocation at his public swearing-in later this month. It is believed to be the first time a woman, and a layperson rather than a clergy member, has been chosen to deliver what may be America’s most prominent public prayer.

The inaugural committee Tuesday plans to announce that the benediction will be given by conservative evangelical pastor Louie Giglio, founder of the student-focused Passion Conferences, which draw tens of thousands of people to events around the world.

The contrasting choice of speakers are typical of a president who has walked a sometimes complicated path when it comes to religion — working to be inclusive to the point that critics at times have questioned his faith.”

36 thoughts on “News/Politics 1-9-13

  1. Why can’t we be far enough along that we don’t need to make a continued is of Civil Rights? /Why can’t we just be American’s without having to be subdivided further?

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  2. Welcome to the wonderful world of identity politics Kim. I’d note also that today’s so-called “civil rights leaders” are the ones who continue to make race an issue, even when it isn’t. Without it, people would have no use for the garbage they pander to the masses. Can’t have that, now can we? Martin Luther King Jr. would be appalled at these charlatans.

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  3. I agree with AJ – I sincerely believe that it is the black folks who don’t want the “race” issue to go away. I realize it’s anecdotal, but it’s been my experience that even on a personal level, they are the ones who practice segregation.

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  4. Anonymous,

    OK, so what is the current acceptable term in the ever changing PC world in which we live?

    And being scolded by an anonymous poster, who hides their identity while lecturing people, doesn’t really carry the weight you think it does. Just sayin’.

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  5. OK, now I get it.

    Turns out there are tons of “code words” that show our racism. Who knew?

    http://twitchy.com/2013/01/09/article-calls-obama-aloof-libs-scramble-to-put-aloof-in-handbook-of-racial-code-words/

    “Article calls Obama ‘aloof’; Libs scramble to put aloof in Handbook of Racial Code Words”

    “Really, now this is just sad. The lame predictability is embarrassing. And the racism of the Left is disgusting. They, and only they, see President Obama as black only. Every single thing in the world revolves around the color of Obama’s skin. If that isn’t racist, what is?”

    And someone needs to call that NerdyWonka Twitter woman on the carpet. She just referred to Obama as a black President. Or does she automatically get a pass because she’s a lib? These Race Card games are tough to play, what with the rules changing so often.

    🙄

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  6. Oh look,

    More racism exposed by the always focused on race Left. So is RGIII a racist too, since he plays for them? Or is he just a victim too? Is calling a black/african american a redskin racist? Sure sounds like it might be.

    🙄

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/whats-in-a-name-the-redskins-bad-karma/2013/01/08/a6ab8bb4-59da-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html

    “So, Washington football fans, how’s that offensive team name and demeaning sports mascot working out? Whooping and hollering as RGIII goes on a “Redskins” warpath only to leave a trail of tears when his wounded knee gets buried at FedEx Field.

    In this obscene home team sports fantasy, the gifted Robert Griffin III was reduced to a “noble savage.” Let the “Redskin” play hurt. He can take it. Hail to the young brave-hearted quarterback as he limps into battle on that injured knee. Three cheers as he fights on his one good leg for Old D.C.”

    “This is a new era. Attitudes are changing; progressive thinking is emerging on everything from guns, gays and gas guzzling to debt, deficits and doctor bills.”

    Progressive thinking? Now there’s an oxymoron for ya.

    If it weren’t for cries of racism, they’d have little else to talk about. It’s really getting old.

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  7. The Real…

    I liked it when the Native American team names were the PC whine du jour and they included FSU in their actions. The Seminole Nation told the whiners to go leap, that they liked being honored as fierce warriors. That was fun…

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  8. Sub-diving is particularly stupid for mixed families. My son is bi-racial. Most forms that ask for race do not have a box for that. You have to pick one. I refuse to allow people to force him to pick a side.

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  9. In,

    That would be because FSU took the time to discuss with the seminoles whether they wanted to be a mascot.

    Kim et al

    Why is it wrong for obama to choose medgar evers widow on an mlk weekend inauguration?

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  10. My son’s high school team was the Texans. The mascot wore a hat and carried six shooters. No one asked me or any other Texan if that was acceptable. I guess we’re really pushovers because no one organized a protest.

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  11. I’m not a Musburger fan, but he did nothing wrong in this game. When the game is a blowout, what do you want the network to do, find the ugliest person in the stadium?

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  12. Ricky,

    Sigh. If your ancestors had been largely killed and had had numerous agreements broken and rhe people who did it decided to “honor” you and yours by naming their sports teams after you and yours would you still be so blase? Texans naming their team Texan isn’t in the same ballpark.

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  13. CB, Good to hear from you. It is an honor to have a sports team named after your people. That is why there are no sports teams called the Nazis, Cowards, or Democrats.

    Texans had large numbers of their ancestors killed by Yankees, Indians and Mexicans. Interestingly, a local high school is the Indians, but I know of no Texas high schools who are the Yankees or the Mexicans. Logically, the Mexicans and Yankees should be whining because we have not named a team for their ancestors.

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  14. KBells, the uproar over that “beautiful” remark was crazy. When I first saw something about the controversy, I figured he must have said something pretty over-the-top.

    I kept reading the story but all it said was he said she was “beautiful.” That’s it? (And she said later that she found the comment, well, flattering, not offensive in the least.)

    Good grief. What’s wrong with people anymore?

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  15. KBells, When your son gets older he and his buddies may get to pick their own team monickers. When my son was 13, his team was the Globetrotters. The next year they were the Gringos. A couple of parents whined, but one of the whiners bought me a shirt that says: “Gringo Coach”. I still wear that shirt with pride.

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  16. All ya’ll

    I was not alleging racism, for pete’s sake. What I was saying was saying was that many of us dislike the sports team names after our people. Some, like the Seminoles are ok with it — and that’s up to them.

    What I was doing was explaining why some of us dislike it. So explaining why some of us dislike it is tantamount to calling you all racists? And I’m the sensitive one?

    I realize that for you folks often times the voicing of an opinion at variance from yours takes on meaning that is not particularly based in fact, but really, do have a look at what I said. It’s about explaining not judging and certainly not name calling.

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  17. CB, I’m part Indian/native American as well. My dad was very proud of it and taught us to be proud of it, but the people who oppressed and killed them are dead. I am also a Southern and I know what it is like to be blamed and stereotyped for things that happened before I was born.
    And my racist joke was in response to AJ response to my Irish joke, not at you.

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  18. I realize that for you folks often times the voicing of an opinion at variance from yours takes on meaning that is not particularly based in fact, but really, do have a look at what I said. It’s about explaining not judging and certainly not name calling

    CB, you may want to take that up with your Anonymous cohort up there. See why it’s so hard to keep up with you PC police?

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  19. Solar

    Were I to name call as you suggest it would not be veiled, you would not need to guess. So have a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, exhale, relax and try to have an actual conversation.

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