Author: Keith Brekhus

14

The End is Near for the Extremist Wing of the Republican Party

Through hubris the Christian right has ensured its own demise. Jan Brewer’s veto is the latest sign that their influence is fading rapidly.

11

Mitt Romney Joins a Growing List of Republicans Who Oppose Arizona’s Anti-Gay Bill

The pressure for Jan Brewer to veto Arizona’s SB 1062, just intensified as even Mitt Romney is calling for her to veto the bill.

42

Lone Star Lunacy as ‘Obama=Hitler’ Candidate Leads Democratic Senate Primary

Kesha Rogers, a LaRouche supporter who equates Obama to Hitler and calls for his impeachment, is leading the Dem Senate primary in TX.

2

Voters say Republican Governor Sam Brownback is ‘What’s the Matter with Kansas’

A new PPP poll finds that voters disapprove of Sam Brownback’s job performance. He trails Democrat Paul Davis in his bid for re-election.

0

Emails Reveal that Scott Walker’s Office was Staffed with Vile Racists

Subpoenaed e-mails released this week, reveal that his staff office in Milwaukee was full of racists. If birds of a feather flock together, the e-mails suggest that Scott Walker is most comfortable when he is surrounded by racists.

0

Gun Sense Prevails in Dixie as Open Carry Bill Shot Down in South Carolina Senate

An open carry bill that would have allowed citizens to openly carry firearms in public without a permit, was resoundingly rejected in SC.

1

Crazy Steve Stockman Could Force Senator Cornyn Into Runoff in TX GOP Primary

A newly released poll shows Tea Party Congressman Steve Stockman closing the gap on Senator Cornyn, setting up a possible May runoff.

0

Michael Dunn Headed to Prison for the Shots that Failed to Kill

Michael Dunn will probably receive a long prison sentence, but for the shots that missed, rather than the shot that killed Jordan Davis.

0

Colorado GOP Lawmaker: It’s ‘a Good Thing’ Aurora Shooter Had 100-Round Magazine

A Republican lawmaker thinks it might have been a good thing James Holmes had a 100 round magazine, because they are prone to malfunction.

1

Montana Republican Charged With Felony Assault After Throwing 4-Year Old Daughter

‘Family Values’ Republican Senator Jason Priest is accused of throwing and injuring his four year-old daughter, and assaulting his wife.

68

Clarence Thomas Says Race Was Less of an Issue in Jim Crow Georgia

Clarence Thomas claims that the issue of race did not come up much in 1960s Georgia, and that today people are too sensitive about race.

37

Gutless GOP Senate Candidate Panders To Woman Who Wants President Obama Executed

OK Senate candidate Jim Bridenstine (R) responded to a woman who advocated executing the President by pouring gasoline on her paranoid rage.

55

Callous Republican Senators Kill Unemployment Benefits Extension

GOP Senators voted almost unanimously to block a three month extension on benefits for the long term unemployed.

17

House Republicans Seek to Ruthlessly Gut the Endangered Species Act

Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Doc Hastings (R-WA) are spearheading an effort in the US House to try to weaken the Endangered Species Act.

55

Alaska Voters Reject Sarah Palin and Every Other Republican for US Senate

A newly released Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey from Alaska reveals how badly tarnished the GOP brand is even in the Last Frontier State. Mark Begich, the Incumbent Democratic Senator, leads all Republican opponents in the poll. Alaska voters are not thrilled with Mark Begich’s job performance. 43 percent of Alaska voters approve of…

70

GOP House Candidate Calls Hillary Clinton the Anti-Christ and Passes out Bullets at Event

Montana US House Candidate Ryan Zinke (R) referred to Hillary Clinton as the anti-Christ before passing out bullets to his supporters.

28

Utah School Officials Bully Children By Taking Their Lunches Away

School lunches were confiscated from dozens of grade school children at Uintah Elementary School this week.

14

Real Republican Response to SOTU: President Obama is a ‘Socialist Dictator’

Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX) disrespectfully tweeted from the House floor that Obama was a Socialist Dictator shortly before the President’s State of the Union Address.

6

Chris Christie’s Presidential Hopes Dry Up as His Popularity Continues to Plummet

A new NBC/Marist poll shows that Chris Christie’s net favorability ratings have dropped 23 percentage points since October 2013

34

Gay Marriage Scares Oklahoma Rep So Much He Proposes Banning All Marriages

Republican lawmaker Mike Turner is floating the idea of making marriage illegal in the state of Oklahoma.

13

Regime Change in Virginia: New Attorney General Seeks to Overturn Gay Marriage Ban

AG Herring says Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, and he has filed a legal brief asking a federal court to end it.

26

Special Election Victory By Democrat Jennifer Wexton Completes GOP Collapse in Virginia

In a battle to determine party control of the VA Senate, Jennifer Wexton (D) coasted to a resounding 53-37 victory over John Whitbeck (R).

34

Reefer Madness: Chris Matthews Joins Chorus of Beltway Blowhards Scared of Weed

On Hardball, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews joined the growing chorus of Beltway pundits who are terrified of the potential consequences of legal marijuana. Taking aim at President Obama’s statement that marijuana is “no more dangerous than alcohol, Matthews lamented: But the fact is I don’t think he’s right on this one because I think people…

19

Hurricane Victims Held Hostage in Hoboken? Flood Gates Open on ‘Bridgegate’

Hoboken Mayor says members of the Christie administration threatened to withhold Sandy relief funds, unless she fast tracked their project.

4

Houston Mayor Annise Parker Travels to California to Marry Her Longtime Partner

Houston Mayor Annise Parker married her 23-year partner Kathy Hubbard, Thursday evening in a private ceremony in Palm Springs, California. The two women chose the 23rd anniversary of their relationship together as the wedding date. Reverend Paul Fromberg, rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, and a former rector for Houston’s St….

21

NFL Wife Carelessly Forgets AR-15 Rifle, Leaves it Behind in Rental SUV

Lauren Tannehill, the wife of Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, left behind an AR-15 rifle in the back seat of a Nissan Rouge.

14

North Carolina GOP Senate Candidate: Food Stamp ‘Goodies’ Enslave Recipients

Republican US Senate candidate Greg Brannon wants to abolish the Department of Agriculture because he thinks food stamps are slavery.

39

Alabama State University to Female President: No Romantic Sleepovers in Home

Alabama State University included a clause in President Dr. Boyd’s contract that prohibits her from having romantic guests stay in her home.

16

Wealthy GOP Candidate For Illinois Governor Wants To Cut The State’s Minimum Wage

The leading Republican candidate for Governor in Illinois, multi-millionaire Bruce Rauner, thinks the state’s minimum wage is too high.

28

Smoking Gun: Christie Aides Implicated in Retaliatory Bridge Closure

Documents released today implicate some of Chris Christie’s top aides in the lane closures that created a traffic nightmare last September.

13

Despite Bitter Cold Weekend in US, Climate Models Indicate Global Warming is Intensifying

A new study argues that models have underestimated the extent to which the doubling of carbon dioxide will affect global temperatures.

6

Nervous Republican Millionaires Form SuperPAC to Defeat Coke Snorting GOP Congressman

Wealthy donors have pooled together a million dollars to form a super-PAC to oust Florida GOP Congressman Trey Radel.

27

Judge Sticks It to Rick Scott By Ruling Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Unconstitutional

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven struck down a 2011 Florida law requiring welfare applicants to undergo drug tests.

9

Happy New Year: Minimum Wage Workers in 13 States Will Get Automatic Pay Raise

Minimum wage workers in over a dozen US states have something to celebrate as they ring in the new year — a pay raise.

Republican Senators are Blocking Al Franken’s Bill To Improve Mental Health Services

Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Mike Lee (R-UT) are blocking a bill that would improve mental health services in the United States.

18

Swing District Voters Tell Their Reps Extend Unemployment Benefits if You Want to Keep Your Job

A Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey shows voters in competitive House districts overwhelmingly support extending unemployment benefits.

7

State Democratic Chair Weds his Partner as Dozens of Gay Couples Marry in Utah

In Salt Lake City, Utah State Senator and State Democratic party chair, Jim Dabakis marries his long time partner.

20

Unpopular McConnell Can’t Shake Grimes, Another Poll Brings Bad News for Mitch

A newly released PPP poll shows MItch McConnell clinging to a one point lead over his Democratic opponent, Alison Lundergan Grimes.

22

Now Donald Trump Thinks He Might Want to be New York’s Governor

Billionaire Donald Trump is apparently mulling a run for New York Governor against incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo.

16

George Zimmerman Walks Again as Prosecutors Drop Charges

Prosecutors have decided not to press charges against George Zimmerman, citing a lack of cooperation from his girlfriend, Samantha Scheibe.

9

Maxey Scherr is the Only Democrat Worth Supporting for US Senate in Texas

Only one of the five Democratic candidates seems worthy of support from progressives, liberals and centrists interested in flipping the seat from red to blue. That candidate is El Paso attorney Maxey Scherr.

15

GOP Congressman Wants NRCC to Cut Off Funding for Gay Candidates

Virginia Republican House Representative Randy Forbes is trying to pressure the NRCC not to fund gay Republican congressional candidates.

14

Jerry Brown Soars to Record Approval Rating and Enormous Lead Over Republican Challengers

Yesterday’s California Field Poll is full of good news for Democratic Governor Jerry Brown. Republicans on the other hand, have little to celebrate, given that the poll shows the Republican gubernatorial field getting annihilated by Brown. Brown leads all three hypothetical Republican opponents combined by a 52-23 margin. While Brown tallies 52 percent support…

17

GOP House Decides 2nd Amendment Has Limits, Approves Gun Control Measure

Second Amendment absolutists might be disappointed today upon discovering that the Republican controlled US House approved an extension of a gun ban.

17

CO State Senator Resigns Preventing Recall and Preserving Democratic Senate Majority

Facing a potential recall effort for her vote to strengthen Colorado’s gun laws, State Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminster) took one for the team and resigned today

12

Vindictive, Homeless Hating, Sledgehammer Wielding Lawmaker Needs to Go

Tom Brower, a five term Democratic State Representative in Hawaii, has launched a personal crusade against the homeless in his district. He is crusading against the homeless, not against homelessness.

18

Dearborn Heights Man Faces Murder Charges in Shooting Death of Renisha McBride

The man who shot Renisha McBride has been slapped with a 2nd degree murder charge from Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. 54-year old Theodore Wafer is expected to be arraigned today at 2 PM for his role in the shooting death of McBride.

14

Suburban Detroit Area Shooting of African-American Woman Leaves Unanswered Questions

A 19-year old woman was killed on Saturday morning by a Dearborn Heights resident when she sought help after she was involved in a car crash.

13

Maine Governor Candidate: ‘Yes, I am gay…but why should it matter?’

Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME) put rumors about his sexual orientation to rest today in an op-ed piece for the Bangor Daily News.

27

GOP ‘Civil War’ Threatens Incumbent Senators in Republican Primaries

The ‘Civil War’ between the Tea Party and old guard wings of the GOP is being fought in Republican Senate primaries.

13

Son of Slain WI Sikh Temple President Plans to Run Against Paul Ryan

Democrat Amar Kaleka, cites failed GOP leadership and a need for stricter gun laws, in his bid to unseat Paul Ryan.

1

CA Governor Jerry Brown Signs Law Making Abortions More Accessible to CA Women

In a year where other states have put up hurdles to make it more difficult for a woman to exercise her reproductive choice, California is bucking the trend.

16

Poll of Congressional Races Shows That Michigan Has Grown Weary of Republicans

The latest PPP poll on Congressional races reveals that the Republican Party has fallen into serious disfavor in the state of Michigan.

17

Half of Republican Voters Believe in Delusional Obama Conspiracies

Nearly half of Republican voters think that Obama is a dictator scheming to serve as president for a third term and over half think he has a secret plan to confiscate the guns of all Americans.

41

Local Economies Bordering Yellowstone National Park Will Suffer but They Voted GOP

West Yellowstone, Montana and Cody, Wyoming when your communities suffer the economic consequences brought about by a government shutdown, just remember you voted for this.

47

Republican Voters Now See Ted Cruz as Their Leader

Mitch McConnell and John Boehner have lost control of the Republican Party and handed its future to hardcore ideologues like Texas Senator Ted Cruz..

19

The Tea Party’s Popularity Approaches a Record Low

The Tea Party’s support has dwindled to near record low levels according to the latest Gallup public opinion poll on the Tea Party movement.

13

GOP Congressman Says Illegal Immigrants Have Killed More People than Multiple 9/11s

Steve King’s vicious racism and xenophobia is a far greater threat to our nation’s safety and security than are the immigrants he is so fond of attacking.

21

Democratic House Stands Unified in Opposition to Savage GOP Food Stamp Cuts

The Democratic Party stood firm in defense of America’s families, with every single voting member of the Democratic caucus coming down in opposition to brutal SNAP food assistance cuts.

10

Even Karl Rove is Frightened by the GOP’s Shutdown Tactics

The Republican Party’s hell-bent obsession with shutting down the government will not end well for them if they succeed.

9

Unlawfully Discharging a Gun Should be Prosecuted More Vigorously

Failure to treat gun offenses with the seriousness they deserve only ensures that more Aaron Alexis’ will eventually turn their permit licenses into licenses to kill.

27

Colorado Voters Support Background Checks yet Still Recall Lawmakers for Background Checks Bill

The recall losses in Colorado are cause for concern, but they do not necessarily suggest that passing background checks is bad policy.

25

Koran Burning Pastor Terry Jones Arrested on Felony Charge in Florida

Anti-Muslim pastor Terry Jones was arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s deputies for unlawful conveyance of fuel on Wednesday.

19

Detroit Area Burger Joint to Boost Starting Wage to 15 Dollars an Hour

A Detroit area fast food restaurant, Moo Cluck Moo, is reportedly planning to raise worker pay to fifteen dollars an hour beginning October 1st.

28

The GOP’s ‘Handguns in Yellowstone’ Amendment Claims a 3-Year Old Victim

Had guns not been allowed in Yellowstone, a three year-old girl might not have been able to shoot herself in the park this weekend.

45

Boehner Spirals Deeper Into Irrelevancy as He ‘Leads’ a Party That Refuses to Follow

The Republican Party House leadership has completely squandered their control over the GOP caucus, and rendered themselves politically irrelevant..

11

Syria Vote Could be Defining Moment for Members of Both Parties in Congress

As candidates evaluate the merits of authorizing force in Syria they must also consider the potential political consequences at home.

8

Bill de Blasio’s Campaign for the 99 Percent Enjoys Broad Support in NYC Race

If Bill de Blasio clears forty percent on Tuesday night it will be a clear victory for the long suffering ordinary people of New York City.

17

Liz Cheney Throws Sister Under the Bus to Pander to Bigoted GOP Primary Voters

In her efforts to placate the most extreme elements of the Republican base, Liz Cheney tossed her sister under the bus.

16

When it Comes to Fighting Wildfires ‘Big Government’ Works

The government is better equipped than private industry for large scale cooperative projects that serve the public interest such as suppressing major wildfires.

16

Hundreds in Billings Montana Turn Out To Protest ‘Pity the Rapist’ Judge Baugh

Yesterday many residents of Billings Montana stood up and rejected the rape culture that has become all too familiar in our communities.

47

Judge Gives Rapist Just 30 Days Saying 14-Year Old Was ‘Older Than Her Chronological Age’

A MT judge gave a rapist little jail time, stating that his teen victim was “as much in control of the situation” as the middle-aged teacher who raped her.

56

Hillary Clinton Crushes All Republicans As Ohio Swings Towards Solid Blue

A poll released by Public Policy Polling reveals just how formidable a presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is and just how damaged the GOP brand has become in the Buckeye State.

11

‘Sovereign Citizen’ Extremists Arrested in Las Vegas for Plotting to Execute Cops

Two members of the “sovereign citizen’s” movement were arrested in Las Vegas Tuesday night following an investigation that revealed they planned to execute cops.

15

The Chris Lane Murder is Not the Trayvon Martin Murder In Reverse

The outrage over the Trayvon Martin slaying was not the unique brutality of the crime, but rather it was the attitude of police and prosecutors towards the killing.

10

Louisiana Voters Prefer Hillary Clinton Over Bobby Jindal for President

Jindal’s presidential aspirations have to be considered a pipe dream given that he is no longer even politically viable in his own deep red state.

22

RINO Hunting Continues as Tea Partier Enters Tennessee Senate Race to Challenge Lamar Alexander

A Tea Party opponent has now targeted Lamar Alexander as not conservative enough, illustrating just how far right-wing the modern GOP has become.

13

Colorado GOP Probe of Alleged Voter Fraud Comes up Empty

The Republican Secretary of State’s investigation of alleged voter fraud is more a political wild goose chase than it is a serious attempt to root out actual voter fraud.

87

Congressman who Attacked ‘Fit’ Couple on Food Stamps Took $370,000 In Stimulus

Anti-food stamp Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) collected 370,000 dollars in federal stimulus money for his Oklahoma plumbing company.

29

Republican Congressman Miserably Fails At Minimum Wage Math

Republicans are breaking out some ridiculous arguments against raising the minimum wage, but nothing is quite as absurd as Rep. Markwayne Mullin’s distortion of minimum wage math.

45

Obama Mocking ‘Minstrel Show’ at the Missouri State Fair is Full of Bull

The Missouri State Fair showed a lack of class when it disintegrated into a modern day minstrel show featuring a rodeo clown impersonating President Obama.

69

GOP Congressman Displays Contempt and Ignorance While Blasting Food Stamp Recipients

Congressman Mullin shows ignorance and contempt when he accuses a couple of committing food stamp fraud because they appear physically fit.

6

Cory Booker Appears Destined for a Landslide Primary Victory

Booker appears politically invincible in his bid to become the Democratic nominee for US Senate in New Jersey.

14

Narcissistic Sexual Predator Bob Filner Needs to Resign Immediately

With over a dozen credible accusations of sexual harassment staring him in the face, Filner needs to step down.

13

Dixie Chicks Rising: Southern Democratic Women Hold the Key to Senate Control in 2014

In four of the most competitive Senate races, Southern Democratic women hold the key to Democratic Senate control in 2014.

0

Congressman Ted Yoho and the Trivialization of Racism

When Congressman Yoho denounced a tax on tanning beds as “racist”, he illustrated the GOP’s unwillingness to grasp the scope of real racism.

25

Rand Paul’s ‘Screw you, I got Mine’ Mentality Rears its Ugly Head Again

In his ongoing feud with NJ Governor Chris Christie, Rand Paul again revealed his selfish mentality when he mocked hurricane relief victims.

50

Why is There no Discussion of White on White Violence?

Black on black violence is a defamatory label that assigns special racial significance to crimes committed by one black man against another.

50

Gilberton PA Police Chief Mark Kessler Needs to be Removed

Gilberton Borough Police Chief Mark Kessler should be removed from his position, and mayor Mary Lou Hannon ought to resign too.

16

Turtle Soup: Mitch McConnell Gets Desperate In His Two Front Battle for Reelection

Mitch McConnell’s diminished popularity and the fact that he must fight on two fronts means his Senate career could come to an end in 2014.

38

Despite Several Fatal Shootings, NC Passes Law Allowing Guns at Bars

Following a series of bar killings, NC’s Republican dominated legislature has still decided allowing more guns in bars is a good idea.

16

Those who Kill Blacks Benefit From Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law

Blacks do not benefit from Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” Law, but those who kill blacks do. It has become a license to kill people of color.

0

East NY and the Myth That Nobody is Addressing Black on Black Homicide

East New York is one example out of many on how progress is being made in our communities to reduce black on black violence.

26

Sorry Dan Riehl but Obama is not the First Racist President

Dan Riehl may think that Obama is the first “Racist in Chief” only because he is incapable of comprehending racism that mirrors his own.

26

Right Wing Blogs Spread False Story About Shooting Over Free Zimmerman Bumper Sticker

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office put to rest phony story about the killing of two innocent whites over “Free Zimmerman” bumper sticker.

0

The ‘Sundown Town’ Mentality of Zimmerman Juror B37

The subtext of what the juror said on CNN is pretty clear. Trayvon Martin should have been off the streets before dark.

22

Mass Riots Predicted by Right-wing Pundits Fail to Materialize Over the Weekend

Despite right-wingers’ dire predictions of urban riots following the Zimmerman verdict, the weekend saw little violence.

29

Armed Racial Entitlement: Zimmerman’s Acquittal Comes as No Surprise

We live in a nation of armed racial entitlement, where white people can shoot black people and stand a reasonable chance of being acquitted.

33

Chicago’s Homicide Rate Does Not Rank Near the Top Among American Cities

Despite the media refrain that Chicago is the nation’s murder capital, it does not qualify as one of the nation’s most dangerous cities.

0

George Zimmerman and the Benefits of White Privilege

Although George Zimmerman is part Hispanic, because he passes for white he benefits from white privilege in the way he has been treated.