Who is the Modern John Birch Society?

Modern Republicans, of course:

Sarah Palin on Oprah in 30 Seconds

The Opray Wilfield interview with nutcase/fascist Sarah Palin in under 30 seconds. All you need to know. But, did you know both Democrats and satarists and comedians are hoping this ridiculous Sarah Palin train wreck continues for God knows how Long? The material and damage are priceless. Better than American Express. God bless the emptiness of Sarah.

God Bless Green Apple and San Francisco

Sales of Sarah Palin's book are almost nil here in San Francisco, but local bookstore Green Apple has gone one better.

With all due to respect to the Republicans who were as overjoyed as I was (for different reasons, of course) by Sarah Palin's nomination to the McCain ticket last year, Green Apple is donating 100% of the profits from sales of Sarah Palin's Going Rogue: An American Life to the Alaska Wildlife Alliance.

For a respectful and professional review of the book, instead of our touchy-feely knee-jerk urban liberalism, see Michiko Kakutani's review in the New York Times.

Politico Video News Summary

Politico posts a short video clip of the major stories of the week, with a bit of humor at the end.

Protesters Sing for the Public Health Care Option

A brilliant moment in the history of the struggle for health care reform in America. Once again, borrowed from Huffington Post:

Republican pollster Bill McInturff was the keynote speaker on the final day of the America's Health Insurance Plans's state issues conference on Friday morning.

But his speech on how the health care reform debate was playing among the public was interrupted before it even began. A group of protesters began aggressively cheering McInturff for the work he has done for AHIP (he's a hired pollster for the private insurance lobby and, most infamously, was the force behind the 'Harry and Louise' ads in 1994)

McInturff, initially thinking that the cheering was legitimate, thanked the "AHIP officials" in the back of the room for giving him mental encouragement for his speech. He was not being paid for his appearance, he noted.

And then, the protesters -- dressed in business attire to fit into the crowd -- began singing. A relatively lengthy and harmonious rendition of "Tomorrow" from the musical Annie ensued, only with the chorus focused on government-run insurance. "The option, the option, we must have, the option... " went the rendition, in reference to the public plan.

The whole episode lasted a few minutes before the troupe (around 5 or 6 protesters) was escorted out by security.

McInturff, who remarked earlier that he didn't have a joke to lead off with, pointed to the exiting protesters and said "there's my joke." But while his speech had been interrupted, the pollster actually admitted to being mildly impressed.

"If you are going to have protesters at least you can hire people who sing," he said. "That was very good singing."

The musical was written and performed by Billionaires for Wealthcare, a grassroots network of health insurance CEOs, HMO lobbyists, talk-show hosts, and others profiting off of our broken health care system. A group official writes to say: "We'll do whatever it takes to ensure another decade where your pain is our gain. After all, when it comes to health insurance, if we ain't broke, why fix it?"

Saw 6 Supports Health Care Reform

That's a pretty amazing statement, but it's true. The filmmakers are obviously in tune with the number 1 issue in America, and their latest love fest chooses the victim wisely: an insurance salesman who has screwed over his clients. Borrowed from Huffington Post:

Basically, you see the initial set-up of one of these elaborate torture-game scenarios that the Saw series features. Peter Outerbridge plays William, an insurance company businessman, who, in the beginning of the movie, denies a customer a loan to get medical treatment, the customer dies as a result, William is taken prisoner and wakes up in the world of Saw, and is forced to undergo a series of harrowing, torture-porny choices, for justice, I guess.

The one depicted in the clip above takes place in the "carousel room." There, six of his colleagues are held captive. William is told that they are insurance company bureaucrats responsible for finding errors in policies. He is told, "their findings result in over two-thirds of applications denied or prematurely terminated." So, he is given the option of saving two of them, the other four are shot and killed. This results in the six people wildly pleading for their lives.

Obviously, this results health care coverage being made fair and affordable for everyone, forever.

Those Idiot Conservatives vs. Barak Obama

Here's a short compilation video of the attacks on Obama by America's leading idiot conservatives. All your favorites are here to enjoy.

Comedy King of Washington

The comedy king of Washington in an economic adviser to Barak Obama. He's not hilarious, but not bad for an econ egghead (I have a B.A. in economics from UCSB, but I'm funny at times.)

White House economic adviser Austan Goolsbee took home the top prize in the 16th annual "D.C.'s Funniest Celebrity" contest on Wednesday evening, and he did so in a very unconventional way. Instead of adopting a traditional comedic routine of joke buildup and punchline, Goolsbee peppered an otherwise expected stump speech on the Obama administration's goals with subtle asides that constituted a humorous, sarcastic, self-deprecating and conspiratorial insight into the administration's most accessible punchlines. The targets? Hillary Clinton, Sen. Ben Nelson, Rod Blagojevich, Sarah Palin and Fox News.

As Goolsbee's routine unfolded, he adopted a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona; while elaborating on the administration's polished talking points, he'd drop his voice for vocal moments of internal monologue. Among them:

"When we came to office, it was not that fun of a time to be here in the economy ... but we basically knew what to do (panic) ...." "Let's just start with the fundamentals (throw money at the problem)." "We kinda had to go back and look at the old text books (Karl Marx, Trotsky)..."

On some U.S. banks: "Ingrateful bastards" who "bankrupted your grandma."

On the Obama administration's top priority coming into office: Make sure "all the Clinton people got their jobs back."

On the president's trip to Copenhagen and the Illinois delegation: "I think they're bringing the governors (if the parole board says it's okay)..."

On Sen. Ben Nelson: "He is still a Democrat and I do think that if you see somebody as distinguished as Senator Nelson, maybe we can learn something from him (sneak attack) maybe it's a lesson (stab him in the back) and there are many leading figures he reminds me of (Benedict Arnold) ..."

"If you think about it, we all want our kids to be educated. ... If you have no skills and no education and you don't know anything, what future do you possible have (Fox News Correspondent)...

On 2012: "I think [Republicans] might do better looking outside of Washington to governors, there's a lot of governors. There's obviously Sarah Palin (wingnut) from Alaska who's a former governor (quitter) and you cannot rule out that by 2012 (there will be a warrant for her arrest) that she'll be the nominee. ... They might want to take somebody who was against Obama from the start, someone who's just had it out for him for some time (Hillary Clinton)..."

"It's been a wild run. I'm just a guy from Chicago (future Fed chair)..."

That Goolsbee turned in an edgy performance that isn't quite in keeping with a message-focused White House shouldn't strike anyone as a surprise. Goolsbee has become a media darling and a favorite guest on cable news thanks, in part, to his eccentric personality and untraditional approach to economic talking points.

"There is literally more information on the back of a box of Fruit Loops than what" the McCain campaign presented in its economic policies, Goolsbee said during the 2008 presidential campaign.

"Don't believe anything the Canadians say," Goolsbee joked with Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert in July.

Perhaps sensing that his remarks were not in keeping with the administrations "no drama" ethos, Goolsbee ended his remarks thusly:

"Have some sympathy for the unemployed because, when Rahm Emanuel sees my comments from this evening, I am going to be one of them."

Sam Wurzelbacher — or "Joe the Plumber" to most of America — also competed in Wednesday's show. Here's his performance, where he talks about Barack Obama, the media and the woes of plumbing.

Did Glenn Beck Rape and Murder a Young Girl in 1990?

Did Glenn Beck Rape and Murder a Young Girl in 1990? Here's the latest story on the sordid past of Fox's nutcase yeller. The same smear tactics he uses on his Fox program.

Glenn Beck via The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart compiles a list of lovely attacks against CNN nutcase Glenn Beck. Big file; those with slow internet service need some patience. But it's worth it.

Why Does the U.S. Want Viktor Bout?

Viktor Bout by Chris Coles

The U.S. Department of Justice issued this press release in Oct. 2008 to explain why they want to try Viktor Bout in an American court.

U.S. Announces Indictment Of International Arms Dealer for Conspiracy to Kill Americans and Related Terrorism Charges

NEW YORK—Michael J. Garcia, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michele M. Leonhart, the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced today the unsealing of an indictment against international arms dealer Viktor Bout, a/k/a Boris, a/k/a Victor Anatoliyevich Bout, a/k/a Victor But, a/k/a Viktor Budd, a/k/a Viktor Butt, a/k/a Viktor Bulakin, a/k/a Vadim Markovich Aminov, for, among other things, conspiring to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (the FARC) -- a designated foreign terrorist organization based in Colombia -- to be used to kill Americans in Colombia.

Bout was arrested by Thai authorities on a provisional arrest warrant on April 9, 2008, based on a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charging conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Bout has been in custody in Thailand since March 6, 2008. According to the indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

Bout, an international weapons trafficker since the 1990s, has carried out his weapons-trafficking business by assembling a fleet of cargo airplanes capable of transporting weapons and military equipment to various parts of the world, including Africa, South America and the Middle East. In 2004, as a result of his weapons trafficking activities in Liberia, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control within the Department of Treasury placed Bout on the Specially Designated Nationals list, which prohibits any transactions between Bout and any U.S. nationals, and freezes any of Bout’s assets that are within the jurisdiction of the United States.

Between November 2007 and March 2008, Bout agreed to sell to the FARC millions of dollars’ worth of weapons -- including surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs), armor piercing rocket launchers, AK-47 firearms, millions of rounds of ammunition, Russian spare parts for rifles, anti-personnel land mines, C-4 plastic explosives, night-vision equipment, “ultralight” airplanes that could be outfitted with grenade launchers and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Bout agreed to sell the weapons to two confidential sources working with the DEA (the CSs), who represented that they were acquiring these weapons for the FARC, with the specific understanding that the weapons were to be used to attack United States helicopters in Colombia.

As described in the Indictment, during a covertly recorded meeting in Thailand on March 6, 2008, Bout stated to the CSs that he could arrange to airdrop the arms to the FARC in Colombia, and offered to sell two cargo planes to the FARC that could be used for arms deliveries. Bout also provided a map of South America, and asked the CSs to show him American radar locations in Colombia. Bout said that he understood that the CSs wanted the arms for use against American personnel in Colombia, and advised that the United States was also his enemy, stating that the FARC’s fight against the United States was also his fight. During the meeting, Bout also offered to provide people to train the FARC in the use of the arms.

The Indictment unsealed today charges Bout with four separate terrorism offenses:

Count One: Conspiracy to kill United States nationals;

Count Two: Conspiracy to kill United States officers or employees;

Count Three: Conspiracy to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile; and

Count Four: Conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

If convicted, Bout faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on each of Counts One through Three, including a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment for Count Three. Bout faces a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment on Count Four. The case is assigned to United States District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin.

The United States is actively pursuing Bout’s extradition from Thailand. Mr. Garcia praised the investigative work of the DEA and thanked the Royal Thai Police, Office of the Attorney General for Thailand, and the Royal Thai government for their assistance. Mr. Garcia also thanked the Romanian Border Police, the Romanian Prosecutor's Office Attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the Korps Politie Curacao of the Netherlands Antilles, and the Danish National Police Security Services, for their cooperation, and thanked the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.

"Viktor Bout has long been considered by the international community as one of the world's most prolific arms traffickers," said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia. "Today, Bout is in Thai custody facing extradition to the United States, where he will be prosecuted for agreeing to arm a terrorist organization, an aim of which was to kill American citizens."

"Viktor Bout no doubt faces some of the most extraordinarily serious conspiracy charges possible for his crimes against Americans," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Loenhart. "With the unsealing of this indictment, we are one step closer to ensuring Bout has delivered his last load of high-powered weaponry and armed his final terrorist."

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anjan Sahni and Brendan R. McGuire are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Was Obama Born in Africa? Hilarious YouTube Clip from Keith Olberman

It's laugh out loud funny!

William Shatner Recites Palin's Farewell Address as a Poem

William Shatner on the Conan O'Brian Show Recites Sarah Palin's Farewell Address as a Beatnik Poem

Goldman Sachs are Scum

Telling it like it is, a video of crits on the scandal of Goldman Sachs. Your blood will be boiling after watching this clip.

Glenn Beck Radio Freakout and Vampires

For those of you unfamiliar with the subtleties of American media, Glenn Beck is a TV (Fox, of course) and radio personality considered batshit insane by most thinking people. He once again went over the edge last week, inspiring the YouTube clip above. He's nuts. He's Republican. He's why most of America has abandoned the radical notions of the Republicans. Huffington Post has this to say about Glenn:

So, did you read about that time that Glenn Beck got a TEENSY BIT PIQUED at a lady who called in to his radio show, forcing him to go to his screechy place, emitting noises that would tear the ears of canines asunder, while he wailed about how she should "get off his phone?" I bet you thought that no good would come of that. WELL, SHAME ON YOU! Because something good did come it, something great, actually! Of course, I am referring to the heavy metal remix of those sounds that has been produced by Trevor Cushman, on the YouTubes. Hooray!

See, now that is something that I think everyone can enjoy, even Glenn, who should consider using this as bumper music on his teevee and radio shows. Plus, it's about vampires, too! PRETTY CAGEY, TREVOR. Vampires are so hot right now! Plus I get to tag this entry with the word "Twilight," which is great for the search engine optimization.

In that way, Glenn Beck's on-air freakout has become The Giving Tree. Let us rejoice.

Laura Ling and Euna Lee Detained in North Korea

SFist has details on the upcoming trial of Ling and Lee in North Korea, with TV appearances and information on their Facebook page, plus links.

Journalists Detained in North Korea Go on Trial Thursday, Lisa Ling to Speak Out This Week

CurrentTV journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were detained for illegally crossing the North Korean border and accused of "hostile acts," are set to go on trial on Thursday. If convicted, they could spend up to ten years in a North Korean boot camp. Al Gore, a partner at Current, has been working closely with the State Department to get the women released, and the Swedish Mission at the United Nations has been serving as an intermediary.

Although it's been advised that the less said publicly the better for fear of antagonizing Pyongyang, Ling and Lee's families have decided to speak out next week. On Monday, Lisa Ling will be appearing on the 7 a.m. block of The Today Show (NBC), on the Larry King show (CNN) at 6 p.m. PST (9 p.m., EST), and on Anderson Cooper on Wednesday.

Ling and Lee are being kept separately in either a government guest house or a hotel outside of Pyongyang and have been allowed to make limited phone calls, which can be interpreted as a good sign that they're not being physically abused. Lisa Ling also received a letter from Laura on May 15, which can be read on the Facebook page that Ling and Lee's families have set up.

The families are asking people to sign their petition, which will be going to the United Nations. There will also be vigils in various cities across the country on Wednesday evening, including San Francisco, at the steps of City Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Evening News

Declining viewership of the evening news has brought some big changes.

White House Easter Egg Hunt on Acid

Somebody please tell me that acid was dropped in the White House water supply. There is no other explanation for the surrealism of this clip.

Iraq: Time for U.S. to Get the Hell Out

George W. Bush will always be known as the American president who invaded Iraq to topple the crippling dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, but as the war went tragically wrong, Bush will also be known as the autocrat who killed almost 5000 American troops, over 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians, and set up illegal torture camps in Cuba. I'm deeply sorry that George W. Bush was ever my president, but it's a democracy and freely elected individuals are allowed to carry out their terms. But thank God that international embarrassment is over.