Icarus's Blog

Icarus recommended Bigger Labor by Josh Marshall

2008-11-12T21:20:18Z

Icarus Commented on Coleman Camp: Sec of State's Comments on Recount Were "Offensive" by Zachary Roth

2008-11-12T22:49:45Z

The Republicans could bring back the Know-Nothings, a 19th century party which feared Irish immigration and alcohol. Has a nice ring to it.

Icarus Commented on Georgia's "Non-Citizen" Voting Controversy: A Recap]]> by Zachary Roth

2008-11-12T19:26:20Z

The one-third of voters whose papers were flagged probably just couldn't get to govt. offices before the election. They didn't have much time to do so.
This is a very underhanded way to win an election, not what is usually meant when we are told that democracy is messy.
This is why talk about bipartisanship is so naive. Your opponent is busy caging your constituents at the polls, and you want to accomodate him/her?

Icarus Commented on Legislating Early Voting and Universal Registration Create Partisan Rifts]]> by Kate Klonick

2008-11-07T19:37:10Z

Early voting may be a good idea, but what can be done to prevent Republicans from losing votes after they are cast? The returns from Alaska, where one poll predicted that Sen. Stevens would lose by a 22-point margin, are extremely questionable.

Icarus Commented on Did New Mexico GOP Lawyer Hire P.I. To Intimidate Minority Voters?]]> by Zachary Roth

2008-10-24T15:43:40Z

Sending people out to harass voters is unacceptable in a civilized society -- but they're not civilized, they're Republicans, a well-known criminal organization whose members band together under a code of inbred racism and small-minded selfishness. And values! The values of the KKK.

Icarus Commented on Palin: The "Best Of America," The "Real America," Is In Small Towns by Greg Sargent

2008-10-18T04:03:38Z

Was it Jon Stewart who said that New York was American enough for the 9/11 terrorists?

Icarus Commented on Prominent McCain Supporter: I'm "Absolutely" Concerned That Obama Is Anti-American by Eric Kleefeld

2008-10-18T03:41:09Z

I think an alien parasite has penetrated Michelle Bachmann, depriving her brain of necessary nutrients, and has taken over. Please, TPM,
we need an investigation into what demonic spawn turned her into a wingnut drone. Oh, and don't look in her eyes. The spawn attacks the eyes first.

Icarus Commented on Iglesias: "I'm Astounded" By DOJ's ACORN Probe ]]> by Zachary Roth

2008-10-17T18:08:17Z

"It's a scare tactic." -- Iglesias. Hey, lets intimidate newly-registered voters into giving up. Let's greet them with good ol' boys who will demand proof of identity (and there better not be any typos), proof of residence, proof that the voter's house isn't in foreclosure. Don't you have a criminal record? Haven't I seen you on a wanted poster? You sure don't look like you live here. Aren't you a member of a criminal organization known as the Republican party?

Icarus Commented on Latest McCain Robocall Alleges That Obama Denied Babies Medical Care by Greg Sargent

2008-10-16T20:51:33Z

O.K., listen up, the RNC has blown the lid on this -- and wide open too -- by asking who Obama really is, so I'm gonna tell you:

Who's the black candidate
That's a sex machine in Republican minds?
Obama!
Ya damn right!

Who is the man that would risk his neck
For his brother man?
Obama!
Can you dig it?

Who's the cat that won't cop out
When there's danger all about?
Obama!
Right On!

They say this cat Obama is a bad mother--
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
I'm talkin' 'bout Obama.
THEN WE CAN DIG IT!

He's a complicated man
But no one understands him but his woman
Barack Obama!
***
Republicans, shut yo' mouth!
Can you dig it?

Icarus Commented on Leahy: We've Been "Kept in the Dark"]]> by Kate Klonick

2008-10-16T16:56:16Z

There once was a Senator Leahy
who scarcely earned his pay, he
huffed and puffed,
but oversight muffed
for asking could, would, or may he.

Icarus Commented on Ohio's Voting-Rights Ruling: What's the Upshot?]]> by Zachary Roth

2008-10-16T14:48:10Z

Why might a newly registered voter's name not match her DMV record? She might have omitted a hyphen between her two last names on the voter registration, or she might have used a nickname on the DMV ID but not the voter registration. Or she might have used a maiden name on the official ID, and her married name on the registration. Or, after a divorce, she may have resumed her maiden name. See all the innocuous reasons why there might be a disparity? In light of such inconsistencies, will election officials accept her innocent explanations, or will they, prodded by private GOP vigilante-challengers, refuse to allow her to vote? By the way, many men have nicknames, too. Should they all be disenfranchised?

Icarus Commented on House Oversight Finds WH Sought Gov't Help for GOP Candidates]]> by Kate Klonick

2008-10-15T21:24:03Z

We're in a lurid state, a press release
is not enough for apparat chicks:
they must fly on the government dime
and puff and pander to Republican pricks.
Oh, Lurida! come to me
and bring a tome on etymology.

Icarus Commented on Sen. Rockefeller Reacts to News Report on White House Torture Memos]]> by Kate Klonick

2008-10-15T19:55:11Z

We wouldn't want the Administration to "limit our critical oversight responsibilities" --oh, for heavens sake, I'm going to start laughing uncontrollably again. The irony is too rich, and I'm not as young as I used to be. It's enough to drive a person mad.

Icarus Commented on White House Endorsed Torture in Memos to CIA]]> by Kate Klonick

2008-10-15T15:52:41Z

Who knew that Harvard Business School would produce such a craven, ignorant, illiterate, misbegotten Torturer-in-Chief?
Remember, "We don't torture"? That obviously meant "We torture, enthusiastically" And then there was a whole supporting cast of aiders and abettors. Folks, it's time, yet again, to get out the megaphones and placards: What do we want? Prosecutions. When do wwe want them? Now! (Repeat.)

Icarus Commented on New Obama Radio Ad Pushes Back On Ayers Smear by Greg Sargent

2008-10-14T19:49:45Z

I like the phrase "filibuster-proof margin", but would Democrats know what to do with it?
Would they repeal laws that permit warrantless wiretapping? Would they undo laws which insulate Administration officials from being charged with war crimes?
Will Democrats abolish our ridiculous medical insurance system, which diverts almost one third of health insurance premium for nonmedical purposes?