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Libertarians say Republicans owe apology, not pledge, to America

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Libertarians say Republicans owe apology, not pledge, to America

In response to the recent Republican “Pledge to America,” Libertarian Party executive director Wes Benedict released the following statement: Instead of a “Pledge to America,” the Republicans should have written an “Apology to America.” It should have gone something like this: “We're sorry, America. Sorry we grew the federal government budget from $1.7 trillion to over $3 trillion. Sorry we added $5 trillion to the federal debt. Sorry we doubled the size of the Department of Education. Sorry we started two incredibly costly foreign wars. Sorry we supported the absurd and costly TARP bailouts. Sorry we created a huge and costly new Medicare entitlement. Sorry we did nothing to end the costly and destructive War on Drugs. Sorry we did nothing to reform the federal government's near-prohibition on immigration. But hey, at least we helped you by shifting a lot of your tax burden onto your children and grandchildren.” There are so many lies, distortions, hypocrisies, and idiocy in this document that it's hard to know where to start. It is deeply insulting to see the Republicans refer to “America's founding values” on their cover. The Republican Party has no understanding whatsoever of America's founding values. They have proven and re-proven that for decades. The document talks a lot about “tax cuts.” Unfortunately, the Republican “tax cut” proposals would really do nothing to cut taxes. All their proposals achieve is to defer taxes, pushing the burden onto our children and grandchildren. The only real way to cut taxes is to cut government spending, and the Republican document does almost nothing in that regard. The Republicans say they want to “roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels.” In other words, to re-create the situation near the end of the Bush administration, after Republicans had massively increased federal spending on almost everything. Republicans must love it when Democrats expand government, because it gives them the opportunity to propose small “cuts,” while still ending up with huge government. One shocking aspect of the document is that it actually includes subtle Republican proposals to increase government spending. The Republicans offer no plan whatsoever to reduce military spending, America's foreign wars and nation building, or our military defense of rich foriegn nations. On the contrary, the Republicans apparently want to increase military spending, promising to “provide the resources, authority, and support our deployed military requires, fully fund missile defense, and enforce sanctions against Iran.” The Republicans also appear to want to increase government spending on border control. They say “We will ensure that the Border Patrol has the tools and authorities to establish operational control at the border,” a costly proposition. Furthermore, as expected, the document complains about “massive Medicare cuts,” implying that Republicans want to make sure Medicare is kept gigantic. The bulk of federal spending is in three places: Social Security, Medicare, and the military. The Republicans propose absolutely nothing to reduce spending on these three things, or even to slow down their growth. There must be a typo in the document where it says “Undeterred by dismal results, Washington Democrats continue to double-down on their job-killing policies.” That probably should read “Washington Democrats continue to double-down on *Republican* job-killing policies.” The best way to restore American prosperity would be to implement the straightforward 28 planks of the Libertarian Party platform, or even just follow the Constitution. I mean the actual Constitution, not the Republican re-write that allows for every federal government program imaginable. I suppose the one positive aspect of the document is that it finally dispels any illusion that Republicans want to shrink government in any meaningful way. Apparently the Republicans are hoping they can “fool some of the people all of the time.” The Libertarian Party is ready to point out Republican lies and hypocrisy to American voters, and we hope that Americans who actually want small and constitutional government, not just hypocrisy and worthless rhetoric, will vote Libertarian this November. The Libertarian Party has 21 candidates for U.S. Senate and 170 candidates for U.S. House in the upcoming November 2010 elections. For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222. The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets and civil liberties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website. http://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/libertarians-say-republicans-owe-apology-n… added by: shanklinmike

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CNN Omits ‘Watchdog’ Group Leader’s Anti-Christian Attacks

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on CNN Omits ‘Watchdog’ Group Leader’s Anti-Christian Attacks

On Friday’s Situation Room, CNN highlighted the Military Religious Freedom Foundation’s concerns over a planned concert at Fort Bragg, North Carolina organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Foundation, but omitted the MRFF president Michael Weinstein’s past invective against Christianity. Anchor Wolf Blitzer referred to the MRFF as merely a ” watchdog group .” Blitzer introduced correspondent Chris Lawrence’s report by summarizing the controversy over the “Rock the Fort” concert and used his “watchdog” label for the MRFF: “A concert scheduled at Fort Bragg in North Carolina tomorrow may sound like a good way for soldiers to kick back, but a watchdog group is objecting to the message behind the music: an attempt to recruit the troops to ‘God’s army.’ ” Lawrence picked up where the anchor left off: “Well, on one hand, you’ve got thousands of soldiers and their families who want to praise God and to hear this Christian music at the concert tomorrow. On the other hand, you’ve got people saying, why is the U.S. Army helping an evangelical organization recruit new members?” After playing footage from past “Rock the Fort” events, the CNN correspondent stated that the “Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is bringing Christian rock bands and worship to Fort Bragg, and some say, crossing a line .” He then played his first sound bite from Weinstein, who outlined that apparently, “the expressed purpose of this event is to evangelize and spread the Gospel to all those who are lost. Soldiers are being given pieces of paper with seven blank names on it- to bring seven more people, so they will come to Christ.” Lawrence continued by noting that “Fort Bragg advertised the concert on its website, and Mikey Weinstein says more than a hundred soldiers there have complained to his group…sending e-mails like, ‘Please help us, MRFF. This is wrong.'” The correspondent later played a clip from an unidentified member of Billy Graham’s ministry, who expressed his prayer intentions for the concert: “We pray that not only they become soldiers here in boot camp, but we- that we pray that they’ll come into God’s army, in the sense of giving their life over Jesus Christ .” Lawrence added that ” critics say that’s a dangerous message for the military to bring right into basic training ,” and played his second clip from Weinstein, who stated that “we’re not supposed to be using the U.S. Army to develop and engender and- you know, new soldiers for Christ.” Lawrence did play two sound bites from Fort Bragg’s chaplain, who defended the concert. But the CNN correspondent, like his former colleague Campbell Brown back in May 2010 , didn’t bring up Weinstein’s past lawsuits against the military. Earlier in 2010, he demanded that “Bible codes” imprinted on rifle scopes used in Afghanistan be removed, and asked the Army to change the emblem of Evans Army Community Hospital in Colorado, whose motto invokes God in Latin, and bears a cross. The MRFF president is also on the record as using anti-Christian language. During a February 2008 interview , Weinstein referred to Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” as the ” Jesus Chainsaw Massacre ,” and blasted two military-oriented Christian organizations as ” variances of this Christian Taliban and the Christian al-Qaeda .” He even compared this apparent “Christian Taliban” inside the military to Nazis, or communists who aided Stalin. None of this background came up during the report. Besides the MRFF, CNN correspondent cited one other organization notoriously critical of the religious right near the end of the segment: ” Americans United for Separation of Church and State wrote the secretary of the Army, urging him to stop the military’s endorsement of the event . They argue proselytizing is prohibited, and the Army is breaking the law by endorsing religion.” The full transcript of Chris Lawrence’s report, which aired 51 minutes into the 5 pm Eastern hour of Friday’s Situation Room: WOLF BLITZER: A concert scheduled at Fort Bragg in North Carolina tomorrow may sound like a good way for soldiers to kick back, but a watchdog group is objecting to the message behind the music: an attempt to recruit the troops to ‘God’s army.’ Let’s go to our Pentagon correspondent Chris Lawrence- he’s working the story here. What is the controversy, Chris? CHRIS LAWRENCE: Yeah, Wolf. Well, on one hand, you’ve got thousands of soldiers and their families who want to praise God and to hear this Christian music at the concert tomorrow. On the other hand, you’ve got people saying, why is the U.S. Army helping an evangelical organization recruit new members? LAWRENCE (voice-over): The Christian concert is called ‘Rock the Fort,’ and it’s living up to the name. UNIDENTIFIED MALE 1: We’re going to have a little fun today. LAWRENCE: The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is bringing Christian rock bands and worship to Fort Bragg, and some say, crossing a line. MIKEY WEINSTEIN, MILITARY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOUNDATION: The expressed purpose of this event is to evangelize and spread the Gospel to all those who are lost. Soldiers are being given pieces of paper with seven blank names on it- to bring seven more people, so they will come to Christ. LAWRENCE: Fort Bragg advertised the concert on its website, and Mikey Weinstein says more than a hundred soldiers there have complained to his group, Military Religious Freedom [Foundation], sending e-mails like, ‘Please help us, MRFF. This is wrong.’ UNIDENTIFIED MALE 2: In a few minutes, I’m going to give you a chance to make a decision. It’s your choice. LAWRENCE: ‘Rock the Fort’ has been to several other bases, including recruit training at Fort Jackson. UNIDENTIFIED MALE 2: And we pray that not only they become soldiers here in boot camp, but we- that we pray that they’ll come into God’s army, in the sense of giving their life over Jesus Christ. LAWRENCE: Critics say that’s a dangerous message for the military to bring right into basic training. WEINSTEIN: We’re not supposed to be using the U.S. Army to develop and engender and- you know, new soldiers for Christ. COL. DAVID HILLIS, U.S. ARMY CHAPLAIN [misidentified as “David Dreier”]: And our goal is- again, not to proselytize anyone- you know, from either their particular faith that they’re a part of- and our goal is not to coerce anyone. LAWRENCE: Fort Bragg’s chaplain says the event on his base is open to the public. No one has to come, except the thousands of soldiers and their families who are excited to do so. COL. HILLIS: It really is up to the individual, and people, like any message or any faith, can choose to accept or reject. LAWRENCE: The chaplain wrote to North Carolina churches on Fort Bragg letterhead promoting the event, and Billy Graham’s website states right up front, ‘The Rock the Fort outreach is designed to channel new believers into your church.’ Americans United for Separation of Church and State wrote the secretary of the Army, urging him to stop the military’s endorsement of the event. They argue proselytizing is prohibited, and the Army is breaking the law by endorsing religion. The chaplain says the base is merely a host for anyone who wants to come. UNIDENTIFIED MALE 3: God bless America! LAWRENCE (live): And Fort Bragg’s chaplain also told me that- you know, sharing the faith is part of a Christian tradition, and he’s not only obligated, but happy to support any other faith on base that would want to put on a similar event. Now, critics say, when it comes to religion, all the Army is supposed to do is officiate religious services and give soldiers some place to worship, and these concerts go way beyond that. Wolf? BLITZER: Chris Lawrence, thanks very much for that report.

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‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Stalled By Senate Vote

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Despite Lady Gaga support, bill fails to pass. By Gil Kaufman Photo: Chris Hondros/ Getty Images Despite a last-minute push at a Monday rally in Maine and weeks of very public advocacy from Lady Gaga in favor of repealing the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy barring gay and lesbian soldiers from openly serving in the armed forces, Senate Democrats were unable to get enough votes to begin debate Tuesday (September 21). Gaga rushed to Maine on Monday in an attempt to convince the state’s two swing-vote Republican senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, to support repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” But when the vote came to the floor Tuesday to begin debate on the massive defense spending bill, which includes a repeal of the policy, the Democratic majority fell short of the 60 votes needed to bring the bill to debate, losing out 56-43. The organization Gaga worked with to spearhead her two-week campaign to get the discussion started, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, issued a statement following the vote. “Today’s Senate vote was a frustrating blow to repeal this horrible law,” said Army veteran Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of SLDN, a national organization dedicated to ending “don’t ask, don’t tell.” “We lost because of the political maneuvering dictated by the mid-term elections. Let’s be clear: Opponents to repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ did not have the votes to strike those provisions from the bill. Instead, they had the votes for delay. Time is the enemy here.” The vote was done in thanks to a filibuster by Republican Senator and Vietnam veteran John McCain, who attempted to block the vote to begin debate on the National Defense Authorization Act over Republican claims that the Democrats were attempting to stifle debate on the bill and not allow the minority party to offer amendments to the massive spending package for the military. President Obama has long promised a repeal of the Clinton-era legislation, and the House has already passed a version of the spending bill that included the reversal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” But with the measure stalled in the Senate, hopes of passage have faded significantly. With the midterm elections less than six weeks away and Republicans expected to make gains in both the House and Senate, possibly even taking over leadership of one or both bodies, supporters of repeal were looking at Tuesday’s vote as their last, best chance for passage this year. “We now have no choice but to look to the lame duck session where we’ll have a slim shot,” Sarvis said of the already-packed legislative session following the November midterm elections. “The Senate absolutely must schedule a vote in December when cooler heads and common sense are more likely to prevail once mid-term elections are behind us.” Gaga’s very public efforts helped put the issue on front pages and screens from coast to coast, but CNN reported that both Collins and Snowe said the singer’s appearance at Monday’s rally in Maine had no effect on their crucial votes. Collins, in fact, supported the repeal but told the network she felt she had to stay in line with her colleagues and vote against debate for procedural reasons. Share your thoughts about the vote in the comments. Related Videos Lady Gaga Rallies Against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

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CBS ‘Early Show’ Touts ‘Lady Gaga vs. The Pentagon’ Over ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

On Tuesday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Maggie Rodriguez promoted singer Lady Gaga calling for an end to the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy: “A unique showdown shaping up today in the Senate…it’s Senator John McCain versus Lady Gaga. The Senator wants to keep the ban, but the world’s biggest pop star is throwing her support behind the gays who want to serve in the military.”   Correspondent Michelle Miller noted of Gaga: “…recently she’s become more vocal with her political leanings, urging her Twitter followers – she has a record 6.4 million of them – to write their senators over ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.'” Miller concluded: “…the singer known for being out there, hopes her gay friends in the military will simply be allowed to be out.” Throughout the report, a headline on screen read: “Lady Gaga Vs. The Pentagon; Pop Star Takes On ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy.” All the sound bites in the segment were in favor of overturning the policy, three from the pop singer herself and one from an outed gay soldier who escorted Gaga to MTV’s Video Music Awards. The only time given to the other side was after Miller’s report, when Rodriguez mentioned: “…the reason John McCain opposes this, he’s waiting for the results of that Pentagon study on how this repeal might impact the, you know, troops who are serving right now.” Here is a full transcript of the segment: 7:15AM ET MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: A unique showdown shaping up today in the Senate over whether to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ it’s Senator John McCain versus Lady Gaga. The Senator wants to keep the ban, but the world’s biggest pop star is throwing her support behind the gays who want to serve in the military. CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Lady Gaga Vs. The Pentagon; Pop Star Takes On ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy]     LADY GAGA: Doesn’t it seem to be that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is backwards? MICHELLE MILLER: Lady Gaga held court in a Portland, Maine park, calling for the repeal of the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. A controversial Senate vote is set for later today. GAGA: Doesn’t it seem to you that we should send home the prejudice? The straight soldier who hates the gay soldier!   MILLER: Under the law created in 1993, more than 13,000 soldiers have been discharged. David Hall, who escorted Lady Gaga to last week’s Video Music Awards, says he’s one of them. DAVID HALL: A female cadet went to my commander, said I was gay. I made no comment. I was rated number one in my class, had a pilot slot, and then they discharged me just based off of what she said. MILLER: Lady Gaga is more known for selling 50 million singles and her outrageous outfits than for her political statements. But recently she’s become more vocal with her political leanings, urging her Twitter followers – she has a record 6.4 million of them – to write their senators over ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ The current law bans gay soldiers from serving, and forbids military leaders from asking about sexual orientation. Essentially encouraging gay troops to keep it secret. GAGA: I thought equality meant everyone. MILLER: 60 Votes are needed to avoid a filibuster and repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ the singer known for being out there, hopes her gay friends in the military will simply be allowed to be out. Michelle Miller, CBS News, Portland. RODRIGUEZ: I think it’s important to say John – the reason John McCain opposes this, he’s waiting for the results of that Pentagon study on how this repeal might impact the, you know, troops who are serving right now. SMITH: Right. And as serious as the subject may be, did it look like she had a fake nose on? RODRIGUEZ: I didn’t notice. SMITH: Okay.

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Arsenal of Hypocrisy

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The Space Program and the Military Industrial Complex. added by: treewolf39

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Lady Gaga Speaks Out Against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ In Maine

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘There are amazing heroes here today whose stories are more powerful than any story I could tell,’ she tells 4,500-person crowd. By James Montgomery Lady Gaga speaks out against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in Maine Monday Photo: Matt Harper/ MTV News PORTLAND, Maine — It was probably the smallest stage Lady Gaga has set foot on since her East Village days, but it might have also been the most important. Because Monday (September 20), on that stage — a simple wooden thing with a brick backdrop — in Portland’s Deering Oaks Park, she spoke loudly, proudly and passionately against “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the long-standing policy that prevents openly gay men and women from serving in the Armed Forces and a policy that, on Tuesday, may very well be ancient history if the Senate approves the National Defense Authorization Act. Clearly, the stakes are high, and Gaga, ever the entertainer, was more than up to the task. Speaking before an audience of some 4,500 (mostly students from nearby colleges, activists and a few somewhat confused passersby) on behalf of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network , she unveiled a speech titled “The Prime Rib of America” that took members of the Senate to task, urged her supporters to action and even managed to tie in rather nicely to the much-discussed “meat dress” she wore to last weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards. “My name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. I am an American citizen … [and] to the Senate, to Americans, to Senator Olympia Snowe, Senator Susan Collins — both from Maine — and Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts: Equality is the prime rib of America,” she said. “Equality is the prime rib of what we stand for as a nation. And I don’t get to enjoy the greatest cut of meat that my country has to offer. Are you listening? Shouldn’t everyone deserve the right to wear the same meat dress that I did? Repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ “I’m here today in this park, in Maine, to say that, if the Senate and the president are not going to repeal this ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, perhaps they should be more clear with us about who the military is fighting for, who our tax dollars are supporting and, ultimately, how much does the prime rib cost?” she continued. “Because I thought this was an ‘all you can eat’ buffet. This equality stuff, I thought equality meant everyone. But apparently, for certain value meals, for certain civil rights, I have to pay extra, because I’m gay. … When it’s time to order my meal, when it’s time to benefit from the freedoms of the Constitution that I protect and fight for, I have to pay extra. I shouldn’t have to pay extra. I should have the ability, the opportunity, the right to enjoy the same rights — the same piece of meat — that my fellow soldiers, fellow straight soldiers, already have included in their Meal of Rights. It’s prime rib, it’s the same size, it’s the same grade, the same cost, at wholesale cost, and it’s in the Constitution.” But Gaga’s entire speech wasn’t one long meat analogy. At one point, she drew whoops of support from the crowd by suggesting that several senators — including Arizona Republican John McCain, who plans to lead a filibuster against Tuesday’s vote — were “using homophobia as a defense in their argument” and said that, rather than continue to support “don’t ask, don’t tell,” perhaps those same senators would rather support her proposed piece of legislation. “Doesn’t it seem to be that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is backwards? Doesn’t it seem to you that we should send home the prejudiced? The straight soldier who hates the gay soldier? The straight soldier who has prejudice in his heart in the space where the military asks him to hold our core American values?” she asked. “I am here today because I would like to propose a new law; a law that sends home the soldier that has the problem. Our new law is called ‘if you don’t like it, go home.’ If you are not committed to perform with excellence as a United States soldier because you don’t believe in full equality, go home. If you are not honorable enough to fight without prejudice, go home. If you are not capable of keeping your oath to the Armed Forces to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic … then go home.” Earlier in the afternoon, members of the SLDN — including discharged servicemen Mike Almy and David Hall, both of whom accompanied Gaga to the VMAs — told the crowd their personal stories of unjust prosecution at the hands of “don’t ask.” Portland Mayor Nick Mavodones, who had worked directly with the organization to bring the event to his city, also expressed his distaste for the policy. But the majority of the crowd was here to see Gaga, and she delivered. There were no flashy costumes (she wore a sportcoat, power tie and glasses) or over-the-top showpieces, just one of the biggest pop stars on the planet speaking out against what she considers to be an unjust law — and, hopefully, helping to get it overturned. “There are amazing heroes here today whose stories are more powerful than any story I could tell, any fight I’ve ever fought, and any song that I could tell,” Gaga said. “I’m here because they inspire me. I’m here because I believe in them. I’m here because ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is wrong … it’s unjust and, fundamentally, it is against all that we stand for as Americans.” Share your thoughts on Gaga’s rally in the comments below. Related Artists Lady Gaga

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MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts Hypes Pro-gay Rights Lady Gaga as the ‘Joan Baez of Her Time’

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

MSNBC News Live host Thomas Roberts on Monday pleaded with his Twitter followers to help get Lady Gaga on his program, at one point hyping the pro-gay rights singer as the “Joan Baez of her time.” In the 11am hour, Roberts, who is openly gay and hosted The Advocate On-Air , explained that he had Tweeted Lady Gaga to come on the air and talk about her appearance in Maine to rally support for overturning Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. He lobbied, “And I want Gaga to join me. So, I want you to help me. I’ve sent her a message at Twitter.com/LadyGaga and you should too.” He later begged, “So, keep it up out there, Gaga little monsters. Write to @LadyGaga. Try and convince her to come on the show at two o’clock. We’ll even do a phoner with her.” (Little monsters is the nickname for Gaga fans.) Roberts enthused over the singer, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Talking to radio host Michael Smerconish, he speculated, ” So, will Lady Gaga become the Joan Baez of her time? ” Roberts later compared, “And in your opinion, is this like Oprah supporting Obama?” MSNBC’s daytime anchors, supposedly delivering objective news, have a history of arguing, on-air, for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Contessa Brewer , a colleague of Roberts, is another example. Partial transcripts for the September 20 segments can be found below: 11:35 THOMAS ROBERTS: Lady Gaga is using her star power today to fight the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy on gay service members. A proposal to repeal the measure attached to a defense spending bill that is scheduled to be voted on tomorrow. Lady Gaga is attending a rally in Maine today. Maine’s senators could cast the deciding votes in favor of the bill. And I’m going to be hosting the 2pm hour right here on MSNBC. And I want Gaga to join me. So, I want you to help me. I’ve sent her a message at Twitter.com/LadyGaga and you should too. See, that’s what it says: “Help me get @ Lady Gaga on my 2:00 p.m. hour.” Help me. Little monsters out there. I think that’s- Right? I think that’s what they’re called? I’m asking Courtney Hazlett. She’s right here. But, anyway, little monsters, help me get Lady Gaga on at two o’clock so we can talk about what she’s got planned in Portland, Maine. 11:51 ROBERTS: Welcome back to MSNBC. And I’m asking you to help me today in my Twitter campaign to get Lady Gaga on my 2:00 show here on MSNBC. This is the tweet that I sent to Lady Gaga earlier today, and everyone out there: “Help me get @LadyGaga on my 2pm hour on MSNBC. Want to talk to her about the Maine rally on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the repeal.” So, it’s coming up today at 4pm in Portland, Maine. She’s trying to get Senator Collins and Senator Snowe’s attention there in that state. But, I’ve been getting people tweeting me back really nice stuff. JJLucasH saying, “Hey, Lady Gaga, we need you to contact Thomas Roberts for this important 2pm show.” Also, I like this one from UNCJohnny: “Make an anchor boy happy.” That would be me. Help me get @LadyGaga on my 2pm hour on @MSNBC. So, keep it up out there, Gaga little monsters. Write to @LadyGaga. Try and convince her to come on the show at two o’clock. We’ll even do a phoner with her. We want to hear why she’s doing this at 4pm in Portland, Maine. 2:08 ROBERTS: I want to tell you about Lady Gaga moonlighting as a Washington lobbyist. The pop superstar isn’t giving up her singing gig, but she’s holding a rally in Maine today, making her case to Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins to end the military’s policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And here’s the pitch she has out there on YouTube. LADY GAGA: Ultimately, the law is being enforced using gay profiling. And gay soldiers have become targets. In short, not only is the law unconstitutional, but it’s not even being properly or fairly enforced by the government. ROBERTS: So this comes a week after the MTV Music Awards when she was escorted by members of the military who were being kicked out for admitting they are gay. I started a Twitter campaign to get Gaga on the show. Unfortunately, we were told she’s not doing press before this . … ROBERTS: So, will Lady Gaga become the Joan Baez of her time? Michael Smerconish is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and a MSNBC contributor. All right, Michael. Give me your take. What do you think? MICHAEL SMERCONISH: My take- Thomas, I get nervous when entertainment figures weigh in on matters of politics. But, Long ago I had to cross the bridge and say if I pick my entertainers by politics, I would have nobody to listen to and no movies to watch. She has a constituency. And we are such a segmented society. When you think of all the different media outlets, the different internet web sites and so forth that are out there- And I’m sure she has a constituency that Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins may not hear from on this issue or any other. So, for that matter, yeah. I take it seriously. I think that there’s a group of people will come out and be energized like they haven’t because of Lady Gaga. ROBERTS: Well, she has over six million Twitter followers. I think she’s the number one followed person. And isn’t Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell just a matter of time? So, going after a youth culture, maybe as she is, is the right way to go? SMERCONISH: Well, I think you raise a great point. My view is that the heavy lifting halready been done on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I do believe it’s a matter of time. On a whole host of issues having to do with same-sex relationships. So, so, perhaps, you know, she smells victory on this and wants to be, in part, credited. I guess that’s a cynical take. But I do think it’s going to happen. And I do believe this will have some impact in energizing people who up until now haven’t been heard from on it. ROBERTS: And in your opinion, is this like Oprah supporting Obama? SMERCONISH: Uh, I don’t- You know, dare I say it, I’ve got more respect for Oprah than Lady Gaga. [laughs] I don’t know, man. I- You’ll have to make that judgment. ROBERTS: But still you understand the power that she has. And when she wields it, and she does so in an effective way, it can make a difference. SMERCONISH: There’s no doubt about it. The entertainment world generally, I think, is comprised of individuals who if they use it in the right way have tremendous political power.

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ABC Touts O’Donnell’s Witchcraft Comments: Will Remarks Continue to ‘Haunt’ Candidate?

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos on Monday asserted that the White House wants to “deliver” the message that the Tea Party is too extreme. He then highlighted 11-year-old comments, asking Representative Mike Pence about Christine O’Donnell’s past comments on witchcraft: “She says it was just a little high school fun. Is that enough?” In a 1999 appearance on Politically Incorrect, O’Donnell told host Bill Maher that she dabbled in witchcraft and dated a Satanist. An ABC graphic hyped, “Witchcraft Talk Haunts Candidate: O’Donnell Asked to Explain Remarks.” Playing up a Republican split, Stephanopoulos cited an unlikely expert, Karl Rove, as he interviewed Pence: “You heard Karl Rove say that Christine O’Donnell is going to have to explain the witchcraft comments.” On September 15 , the GMA anchor pointed out that Rove criticized the “nutty” things the Delaware senatorial nominee has said in the past. The engineer of two presidential victories for George W. Bush isn’t often extolled on Good Morning America. Stephanopoulos, a former top aide to Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton,  recited more Democratic talking points for the midterm election: STEPHANOPOULOS: But, as you know, Congressman, speaking of the message, you know that the Democrats and the White House are going to try to take the position of Christine O’Donnell, Joe Miller from Alaska and say that it’s signs of a radical takeover in the Republican Party. Christine O’Donnell also says that integrating women into the military institutes will cripple the readiness of our defense. Joe Miller up in Alaska says that unemployment benefits are unconstitutional. Are those provisions you’re willing to run by? A transcript of the September 20 segment, which aired at 7:09am EDT, follows: GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: But, the message is what the White House wants to deliver in this election season. Thanks, Jake. And for more on all this, we’re joined by the man who beat out Sarah Palin and other Republican stars at the Values Voter presidential straw poll this weekend, Indiana Congressman Mike Pence, The chairman of the House Republican Conference. Congratulations on your victory, Congressman. REP. MIKE PENCE: Thank you, George. STEPHANOPOULOS: I know that after that you said you wanted to focus on getting back to the House for Republicans. But is it fair to conclude that your victory Saturday increases your chances that you’ll run for President? PENCE: Well, look, I was very honored and, frankly, humbled as we walked out of the Purdue/Ball State game on Saturday and received word about that affirmation from folks who attended the Values Voters Summit in Washington. But our focus, George, and I think so the focus of every American who is tired of runaway federal spending, borrowing, bailouts and takeovers needs to be on November 2nd. You know, we’ll let the future take care of itself. But, for now, the reason I’m here in Michigan today- gonna be campaigning with Tim Wahlberg down in Battle Creek.. The reason we’re traveling all across the country the American people won back the people’s house for the common sense and common values of this nation. STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay. So we’ll have you back in November when you’re ready to make the announcement. I’ll invite you back then . But, let’s talk a little bit about the midterms and that victory last week by Christine O’Donnell and all the comments coming out over the weekend. You heard Karl Rove say that Christine O’Donnell is going to have to explain the witchcraft comments. She says it was just a little high school fun. Is that enough? PENCE: Well, look, I think that’s up to the voters in Delaware to decide. And certainly, Christine O’Donnell, you know, has an obligation to explain those public statements. But, you know, welcome to the silly season, George. I mean, suddenly now, Bill Maher is the vanguard of religion in America. [Laughs.] Come on. You know, Christine O’Donnell’s success or the success of Joe Miller in Alaska or people like Marco Rubio in Florida is less about that the messenger, it’s more about the message. What’s bringing everyday Americans into the streets, out to Tea Party meetings and town hall meetings is the realization that our government has run off the rails. And the American people recognize they’ve got to take the reins back in the government. And they’re looking for men and women of courage who are willing to stand up and take on the establishment in Washington, D.C. And I expect, come November 2nd, those issues and that message is going to carry the day. And not all of this back and forth. STEPHANOPOULOS: But, as you know, Congressman, speaking of the message, you know that the Democrats and the White House are going to try to take the position of Christine O’Donnell, Joe Miller from Alaska and say that it’s signs of a radical takeover in the Republican Party. Christine O’Donnell also says that integrating women into the military institutes will cripple the readiness of our defense. Joe Miller up in Alaska says that unemployment benefits are unconstitutional. Are those provisions you’re willing to run by? PENCE [Laughs]: Nice try, George. Look- STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, what’s the answer? PENCE: Look, look, I’ve been traveling around the country for candidates and I’ve attended Tea Party rallies. Did one about a week ago in Washington D.C. with tens of thousands of Americans. But, in my town hall meeting two years ago, people poured into my home community in Columbus, Indiana because they’re fed up. They’re fed up with runaway federal spending in both political parties. And I think they’re going to see through this typical, nitpicking, and we’re going to pull things out of context. And we’re going to try and put people in the worst possible light. They’re going to say, “Look, just bring us men and women that are willing to go to Washington, D.C., put our fiscal house in order, get this economy moving, respect the common values of the American people.” And I think that’s going to carry the day on Election Day. STEPHANOPOULOS: So, that’s my last question. We only have ten seconds left. Bottom line, do you think Republicans win back the House? PENCE: I think they have a profound opportunity. But it’s up to the American people that cherish conservative values, to do everything they can between now and November 2nd to win back the people’s house for the common sense and common values of the majority of this country.

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Lady Gaga To Attend Maine Anti-‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Rally

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Singer will join Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s #4the14k event Monday. By Mawuse Ziegbe Members of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network join Lady Gaga at the 2010 MTV VMAs Photo: Getty Images Lady Gaga’s campaign against the U.S. Armed Forces’ “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been building the momentum in the past few weeks. The singer has publicly championed the repeal of the measure, by flying out members of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network for the VMAs , an organization seeking to end DADT, tweeting her opinions to senators and releasing viral videos urging her fans to get involved in the cause. Now, after hitting the white carpet and taking to the Web, Gaga is heading to Maine to raise awareness at a large gay-rights event. The pop superstar is slated to appear at the #4the14k rally organized by the SLDN in Portland, Maine on Monday. The title references the approximately 14,000 citizens discharged under DADT and veterans affected by the military’s controversial measure will address attendees. The event is slated to kick off at 4 p.m. ET. “Meet me in Portland, Maine 2moro, 9/20 to help repeal #DADT. I’m holding a Rally + speaking live in Deering Oaks Park,” Gaga tweeted on Sunday (September 19). Aubrey Sarvis of SLDN maintains that the organization seeks to draw the support of Republican Maine Senators Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, who could significantly affect the passing of the “National Defense Authorization Act,” a bill which includes the repeal of DADT. “The votes to break McCain’s filibuster are not there. We need Sens. Snowe and Collins on board; they’re key to us breaking the filibuster. With the vote less than 48 hours away, we need everyone supporting repeal to call the Senate. We’re bringing gay and straight service members to Portland to help make the case,” Sarvis said in a press release . “And we’re proud to have the support of Lady Gaga to bring grassroots attention to repeal at a critical hour. Like Lady Gaga, all New England senators, indeed all 100 senators, Democrats and Republicans, need to engage in a real debate on this issue, and not just posture and spin this week over procedure and Senate rules.” Gaga has been working with the organization recently and detailed her views on DADT in a viral video released on Friday . “[The] SLDN’s advocacy proves that these soldiers are being searched; superiors are going through their e-mails and private belongings, calling family members and operating based on assumptions. Ultimately, the law is being enforced using gay profiling. … In short, not only is the law unconstitutional, but it’s not even being properly enforced by the government,” Gaga said. “I am here to be a voice for my generation, not the generation of the senators who are voting, but for the youth of this country, the generation that is affected by this law and whose children will be affected,” she continued. “We are not asking you to agree with or approve the moral implications of homosexuality; we’re asking you to do your job, to protect the constitution.” What do you think about Lady Gaga and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos 2010 VMA Pre-Show Uncensored Related Photos VMA 2010: Lady Gaga Lookbook Related Artists Lady Gaga

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‘Today’ Air-Brushes Muslim Identity Of Possible Anti-Pope Plotters

Posted on September 18, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Imagine six Israelis had been arrested in the US and charged with possibly plotting against a visiting ayatollah.  Rhetorical question: would Today have mentioned their nationality and/or religion? But when reportedly six Algerian Muslims were arrested in the UK and charged with possibly plotting against visiting Pope Benedict XVI, Today breathed not a word of their identity.  Reporter Nina Dos Santos spoke only of “the specter of terror” having reared its head in London, and of “yesterday’s arrests.”  But Dos Santos never said what form that specter took . . . or who was arrested.  It’s apparently early in the investigation, and possible a prosecution will not be pursued.  But Today could still have indicated the men’s identities without compromising the presumption of innocence. Watch as Dos Santos strides the PC tightrope. NINA DOS SANTOS: It’s day three of the Pope’s historic visit to Britain and so far there’s been no let-up in his busy agenda . . . On Day Two, a more complicated trip, to London, where the specter of terror reared its head. The Pontiff waved aside security concerns to bless the youngest of his flock . . . Well, security has been incredibly tight after yesterday’s arrests.  The challenge for London’s police force will come here at the city’s Hyde Park where later today the Pope is set to host a vigil for 65,000 people. Really, how ineffably odd for Dos Santos to mention “yesterday’s arrests,” without giving viewers any information as to who was arrested and why. 

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