babbling blue

Food is really cheap in the keys!

And so it continues. I mentioned the craziness that the anti-healthcare reformers are using to stifle debate on the issue a few days ago. And it doesn’t show any signs of letting up.

The bullshit continues, and escalates.

Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) will not be hosting any town hall events this August — instead, he’s making himself available to constituents for one-on-one meetings about health care reform — and at least part of the reason is this: His offices have received threatening phone calls, including at least one direct threat against his life.

A fistfight broke out at a Tampa, FL town hall, prompting police to close off the meeting room.

Death threats and fistfights? This is a complex issue; it’s not black or white. There isn’t an obvious right or wrong answer. It’s something that needs to be discussed, and that’s not happening because of these people. One town hall attendee stated: “They think they’re exercising their right to free speech, but they’re only exercising their right to disrupt civil discourse.”

And finally, from another raucous town hall meeting comes this very sad tidbit:

During the town hall, one conservative activist turns to his fellow attendees and asks them to raise their hands if they “oppose any form of socialized or government-run health care.” Almost all the hands shot up. Rep Green quickly turned the question on the audience and asked, “How many of you have Medicare?” Nearly half the attendees raised their hands, failing to note the irony.

Coming this Fall, from FOX: “When Trees Attack!”

I think the lesson here is to stay out of big parks.

My condolences to the friends and family of the victim for their loss.

Dear California Supreme Court, California Constitution and Prop 8 supporters:

Fuck You.

Yeah, right. 100 days of Fox News attacks on President Obama.

Fair warning, Ann Coulter makes two brief appearances here. I don’t suggest watching this while you’re eating.

Facebook addict? You’re not alone. From CNN:

One day recently, Cynthia Newton’s 12-year-old daughter asked her for help with homework, but Newton didn’t want to help her, because she was too busy on Facebook. So her daughter went upstairs to her room and sent an e-mail asking her for help, but Newton didn’t see the e-mail, because, well, she was too busy on Facebook.

Wow, the poor daughter… at least the Cynthia has admitted she has a problem. That’s the first step.

Although there are no statistics on “Facebook addiction” — it isn’t an actual medical diagnosis — therapists say they’re seeing more and more people like Newton who’ve crossed the line from social networking to social dysfunction.

This doesn’t surprise me. From my observations, Facebook can be highly addicting, and is a giant time sink. While I don’t know anyone who has reached the epic level of dysfunction Cynthia has, I do have friends (who shall remain nameless) who can’t seem to make it through a meal at a restaurant without checking Facebook on their phones.

What are the clues that you may have a problem with Facebook? Well…read the article! Also check out “Seven Signs You May Be Ready for a Social Media Detox”.

Coming soon to a bookstore near you, a new and improved literary classic. . .

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies features the original text of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie action.

By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

I think I’ll have to suggest this for my book club as soon as it’s available (after April 15th).

Multiple blog posts in one day? Goodness gracious!

Most Chicagoans will hear about this sooner or later, but for my vast nationwide audience…

A 14 year old boy was arrested over the weekend for impersonating a police officer. That’s not the incredible part. . . what’s incredible is that he showed up at a police station and reported for duty. They assigned him a locker and put him out on patrol with a real officer.

The boy, who has been charged as a juvenile for impersonating an officer, walked into the Grand Crossing District station, 7040 S. Cottage Grove Ave., dressed in a Chicago police uniform, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said. The boy, who reported for duty about 1:30 p.m., partnered with another police officer for about five hours.

source: Chicago Tribune

The police spokesperson (whom I mistrust from her days as the mouthpiece of my archnemesis, the CTA) claimed he “did not write tickets” and there was “no information to indicate that he [was] ever behind the wheel.” However, a CPD blogger’s report conflicts with that statement:

He signs out a radio and jumps in with the female officer and away they go. They handle a traffic accident and when she realizes he doesn’t have a ticket book they go back into the station and he signs one out.

Away they go again. This time he asks if he can drive and she lets him. They write a few tickets and finish their tour.

Ah, Chicago. Gotta love it.

I don’t really watch Keith Olbermann because I don’t generally care to listen to pundits talk about politics, even when we’re generally on the same side. I like my political news with a dash of balance (and no, not “fair and balanced” a la Fox News). But I came across this video and thought he really nailed it.

For those who don’t know, there is a proposition on the ballot in California that seeks to amend the state constitution to make gay marriage illegal. I don’t even want to get into this right now because I get too worked up. The proponents of Prop 8 are spinning it as being about education, and trying to convince people this is the only way to keep their kids from being brainwashed in school that it’s good to be gay. They are dumping millions of dollars into airing their misleading ads, and Prop 8 is in danger of passing. I’ve donated to the No On Prop 8 campaign. They still need money, so please give them some ASAP. Even a small amount can help.

No On Prop 8