New Poll In Texas Shows Senator Cruz Smashing Governor Perry In 2016 Presidential Race

 

 

As they say in Texas, 'there is a new sheriff in town'!. In the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, Republican Senator Ted Cruz cleans clock against Governor Rick Perry in a 2016 Texas Presidential primary. If this isn't an indication to Perry to hang up his spurs, then I don't know what signs the fading Governor would need to get the message.

The poll of Republican voters showed that if the 2016 Presidential Primary was held today:

Ted Cruz: 25%

Rand Paul: 13%

Marco Rubio: 11%

Rick Perry: 10%

Chris Christie: 8%

Paul Ryan: 8%

Rick Santorum: 2%

Bobby Jindal: 2%

What is increasingly interesting is how poorly Paul Ryan and Rick Santorum do in these polls around the country. Both of these men are known factors and they fall way behind the fresh faces. Republicans are clearly yearning for a new beginning.

Are Your Relatives In These NYC Photographs? American Immigrants In The Late 1800's

 

"If some of those anti-immigrant folks look closely they just might see a relative in these pictures..."

Senator Marco Rubio has been for and against the immigration legislation that he help write at least ten times. Back and forth as he bends toward the anti-immigrant sentiment in the Republican Party. Having forced the Democrats to drop the LGBT community from the Immigration bill, the Republicans no longer have a scapegoat to blame their failure to pass it.

What they all should do is look at these photographs taken in New York City by a Jacob A Riis which capture the immigrants that came to America in the late 1800's. See the filth and squalor they called home so that their decedents could have a better life in America. Don't think for one moment all the brave and determined individuals in these photographs were all legal!

If some of those anti-immigrant folks look closely they just might see a relative in these pictures from Mail Online:

The Bashing Of Hillary Clinton

 

 

 

President Obama who? Reading the newspaper these days it appears that the Republicans are going more and more after Hillary Clinton than the President.

The papers are filled these days with relentless attacks on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The entire effort to keep Benghaiz alive as an issue is nothing more than the kickoff of the Republican campaign for President in 2016. Never have I seen a more pitiful attempt to take a sad and tragic moment in State Department history and use it for blatant political purposes.

There is no question that the death of the Ambassador and his team was horrifying and everyone wishes that the military could have responded in thirty seconds to save them. The attack was a tragic moment in this world that is filled with terrorism. Secretary Clinton did nothing wrong. Period.

Really, Republicans? Terrorists attacks on consulate's and embassy's started with Benghaiz? Really?

In the eight years of the Presidency of George W. Bush there were a DOZEN terrorists attacks on American embassy's and consulates.

What is different about Benghaiz is that the Republicans are taking a tragedy and bashing Hillary with it in order to lower her numbers and weaken her for 2016. The New York Post has suddenly discovered 'five scandals' in the State Department when she was Secretary of State.

Does anyone else find it interesting that the State Department is filled with scandal and no other cabinet agency has been attacked so vigorously?

Maybe such non-stop outrageous attacks are working. Hillary's favorability rating has dropped and in the swing state of Colorado the recent Quinnipiac Poll has her losing to Chris Christie by 44% to 41%!

Republican Senator Marco Rubio Can't Seem To Be Anti-LGBT Enough

 

 

 

Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who is supposed to be the new face of the Republican Party, can't seem to get his anti-LGBT credentials on the table fast enough. First he makes clear if there is any mention of LGBT immigrants in the 'immigration reform' legislation he will take a walk.

As if that isn't enough, he then proclaims for the cameras that he is against ENDA and job protections for LGBT Americans.

Now political observers know that Rubio is a spiritual man (after all he has been a Mormon, Catholic and Baptist) but really Senator, you believe it is American for its citizens to be fired simply because of their sexual orientation? Really?

If there is any doubt that he is running for President that should not be laid to rest. If there is any doubt that the man will run pandering to the extreme religious right of his party, that should be laid to rest. If there is any doubt that the man has no firm principles or values when it comes to protecting the rights of all Americans, that should be put to rest.

Rubio has become a hard-liner when it comes to LGBT rights. He is against us. It is that simple.

Now, where did I put my ballot for Hillary?

Europe's Tinderbox!

 

 

Europe is experiencing such high rates of unemployment among youths under 25 years of age that it is just waiting for someone to light the fuse. Youth is not known for its patience. The record rates of unemployment in key countries in Europe gives the political extremes grounds for their agenda's.

In Greece, where the unemployment rate for under 25 years old is an astounding 62.%%, the neo-Nazi political party called Golden Dawn is growing rapidly among the young. The last polls show the support for the right wing party nearing one out of every five Greek voters.

In Hungary, where one out of every three under 25 year old has no job, the neo- Nazi party Jobbik is currently the third largest party. Observers describe Jobbik as homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic and extreme.

These right wing parties are enticing youth with grand visions of former glory. Combined the nationalistic pride, the lack of jobs, the anger toward others and you will have the ingredients for a massive shift to the right among Europe's young.

Here are the countries with the highest unemployment rates among young people under twenty-five.

Greece (62.5%)

Spain (56.5%)

Portugal (42.5%)

Italy (40.5%)

Ireland (29%)

Slovakia (33.6%)

Bulgaria (28.9%)

Hungary (28.4%)

Poland (27.6%)

Slovenia (27%)

France (26.5%)

Is This The New Face Of The Republican Party?

 

 

 

You know things have gotten bad in the Republican Party when former United State Senate Leader and Presidential candidate Robert Dole says that neither President Reagan or himself would be allowed in today's Republican Party. In fact, former Senator Dole said the Republicans should just close down for awhile and put up a sign that says, "Close Down for Repairs".

You know it is bad when former long time Virginia Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia indicates he won't be voting for the Republican ticket this year in the Old Dominican State.

Virginia is a toss-up state that is crucial to the Republicans rebuilding their future. President Obama has taken it twice and both United Senators are Democrats.

This year the entire statewide ticket is up for election and the Republicans have literally nominated the most outrageously right wing nominees for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General that anyone can possibly imagine on their worst day.

So the first major toss-up state after the Republican defeat last year is symbolized with crazy positions, outrageous statements and extreme fringe politics by the Republican Party.

How crazy?

The examples are endless for the three candidates but let me give you one or two from each of them.

Candidate for Governor: Kenneth Cuccinelli

Republican candidate for Governor, Kenneth Cuccinelli not only opposes marriage equality but believes that homosexuality is 'intrinsically wrong' and 'an offensive to natural law'. When he was Attorney General he said he would not hire LGBT citizens to work in his office and if he found any he would fire them immediately. He doesn't believe in Global Warming and makes fun of non-English speakers. The man is a nightmare waiting to happen at the polls.

Candidate for Lt. Governor: E.W Jackson

Oh my God, it is hard to know where to begin with this one. He believes Democrats are the anti-Christ. He also said that Planned Parenthood is more dangerous to African-Americans than the KKK! The nominee compared homosexuality to pedophilia The Washington Post reported:

Jackson has said gays have “perverted” minds and are “very sick people psychologically and mentally and emotionally.” He has described President Obama as “an evil presence” and liberal abortion policy as “infanticide.”

Candidate for Attorney General: Mark Obenshain

While in the State Legislature, Obenshain introduced legislation requiring women to report a miscarriage within twenty-four hours to police or they will face jail time. He opposes birth control for women. He also supports allowing guns into bars and day care centers. He is strongly opposed to LGBT equality. Obenshain has led the voter suppression efforts in Virginia.

Michele Bachmann Trailing Challenger In Congressional Race! FBI Is Investigating Congresswoman!

 

 

Democrat Jim Graves and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann

Minnesota's Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a long time foe of LGBT equality, is currently trailing in her bid to be re-elected in 2014. Hotel Executive Jim Graves is now leading her in the new Public Policy poll. The results are:

Jim Graves: 47%

Michele Bachmann: 45%

In addition, the Minneapolis Star is reporting that the FBI has joined the investigation into of her presidential campaign in Iowa. The paper reported:

The FBI is investigating complaints of alleged campaign finance violations in Rep. Michele Bachmann's presidential campaign.

The FBI joins the Office of Congressional Ethics, the Federal Elections Commission and an Iowa state Senate ethics committee in probing whether Bachmann's presidential campaign paid an Iowa state senator from her MichelePAC, a fund that should not have been used for campaign expenses, and whether the state senator stole the email list of an Iowa home-school group from another Bachmann staffer, Barbara Hekki, prior to the Iowa caucuses in January, 2012.

Andy Parrish, former Bachmann chief of staff and one of the directors of Bachmann's Iowa GOP presidential campaign, will be interviewed by the FBI, according to his attorney, John Gilmore.

"I can confirm that Andy Parrish has been contacted by the FBI for a scheduled interview next week," Gilmore said. "He will cooperate fully."

Parrish has filed an affidavit with the Iowa ethics committee stating that state Sen. Kent Sorenson was paid for his work on the Bachmann presidential campaign through a fundraising firm that had ties to MichelePAC.

The entry of the FBI into the investigation raises the possibility that there were potential criminal violations. In addition to the alleged theft of the home-school list, the FBI is said to be looking into the campaign's demand that certain former employees, whose pay was withheld at the end of the campaign, sign non-disclosure agreements before receiving their compensation.

YOU CAN DONATE TO DEMOCRAT JIM GRAVES TO DEFEAT MICHELE BACHMANN HERE>>>>>

Texas Judge Orders Lesbian Couple To Separate To Keep Their Kids!

 

 

Justice and full equality continues to be a stranger to Texans.

In an astounding and shocking judicial decision, Republican Judge John Roach, Jr. demanded that a lesbian couple, Paige Price and Carolyn Compton separate in order to keep their kids. In a custody case involving Compton's previous husband, the Judge invoked a 'morality clause' and gave the couple thirty days for one of them to move out of the house. If they fail to comply, then they could lose custody of their children.

The clause was inserted into the divorce papers because the Judge didn't like Compton's 'lifestyle'.

The Dallas Voice reports:

“Our children are all happy and well adjusted. By his enforcement, being that we cannot marry in this state, I have been ordered to move out of my home,” Price wrote.

Price also mentions that Compton’s ex-husband rarely sees their two children and was once charged with stalking Compton. She said he also hired a private investigator in order to bring the case before the judge. Court records show the ex-husband, Joshua Compton, was charged with third-degree felony stalking in 2011 but pleaded to a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespassing.

Price declined an interview until her lawyers figure out the next step.

Compton was granted a divorce from her ex in 2011, according to court records. The case was reopened in April to dispute custody, which she shares with him.

Compton’s attorney, Barrett Stern, didn’t return a phone call seeking comment. Her ex-husband’s attorney, Paul Key, also didn’t return a phone call.

Ken Upton Jr., senior staff attorney for Lambda Legal’s Dallas office, said he is familiar with the case. He said morality clauses are rarely enforced and were historically used to prevent unmarried people from cohabitating with children present. Courts often include the clauses without people knowing, especially in conservative areas like Collin County, he said.

Gay couples are unfairly targeted under the clause because they can’t legally marry in Texas, Upton said.

So, an ex who is upset that his marriage ended because his wife was gay could use it against her later.

“What the clause has become is an extra burden on gay people because they’re no more likely to violate it than straight people,” he said. “It’s a problem that continues with homophobia.”

Robert Shrum: Republican Program For America? Destroy President Obama

 

 

 

For many on the right, racism is the root of an otherwise inexplicable resistance to the first African-American in the White House. A shrinking rump of older, rural, white America simply can't abide the country they assumed they would always rule now being in the hands of the "other."

- Robert Shrum

Writing in his weekly column for The Daily Beast, author and commentator Robert Shrum calls out the Republicans for their destructive behavior. Their relentless effort to destroy President Obama has been taking place since day one of his administration. Forget how harmful it is to the country. They have paralyzed Washington and any hope of constructive bi-partisan cooperation in the economic recovery or any other urgently needed program.

This is one of Shrum's best columns:

I've written that in the end, congressional Republicans won't agree to move forward on the budget, tax reform, immigration, job creation, or any other issues that matter to mainstream America before the presidential elections. But the fall of 2016 is a long time away, and they have to do something in the meantime. Now we know what it is.

It's not much different from what they've done, or haven't done, all along: obstruct Obama. Traduce him, delegitimize him—and slow economic recovery in hopes that voters will cast a protest vote for the GOP. It worked in 2010, and failed miserably in 2012.

Conservatives are back at it again because the GOP lacks any coherent program other than cutting taxes for the wealthy. Republicans are deeply divided—between the government-hating Tea Party Torquemadas and an establishment that dreads primary defeat, or in John Boehner's case, defenestration as speaker; between the isolationists like Rand Paul and the neo-cons and John McCain.

The animating principle of today's GOP is relentless animus toward the president.

The hard-core base simply rejects his reelection; 49 percent in a Public Policy Poll claim the White House was stolen for Obama last November by groups such as Acorn, Republican-demonized grassroots organization that had disbanded two years earlier. For many on the right, racism is the root of an otherwise inexplicable resistance to the first African-American in the White House. A shrinking rump of older, rural, white America simply can't abide the country they assumed they would always rule now being in the hands of the "other."

GOP members of Congress are—mostly—not that crude or overt. There is Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, a climate-denying fabulist and scowling denizen of the modern-day, flat-earth society, who has suggested impeaching the president for "the most egregious cover-up in American history." He means Benghazi, of course—a concocted conspiracy incomprehensible to most Americans.

Republican leaders in the Senate and House distance themselves from Inhofe, because of the inevitable backlash from voters beyond the fevered precincts of the far right. But fanning the fires of anti-Obama resentment enables Boehner to hold together his restive, fractured caucus—and lets Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell constantly revalidate his ideological credentials. They—and Republicans in general—are taking advantage of three events to bash the president.

The tactic—you can't dignify it by calling it strategy—may finally backfire. First, though, the GOP will prosecute month after month of a multifront war on the White House.

CONTINUE READING THE ENTIRE COLUMN HERE.....>>>>>>

The IRS

 

 

Unless there is missing information, there is little doubt that President Obama knew nothing about the outrageous behavior in the Internal Revenue Service. Never should that branch of government be used to intimate or burden any free expression of speech.

The IRS has the ability and powers to create fear and an enormous amount of personal information about each of us to make that fear real.

The systematic effort by the IRS to go after 'Tea Party" type groups is inexcusable. If those groups were progressive we would be wildly off the charts with rage.

This has occurred on the President's watch and he must match his angry words with quick and decisive action to show there is absolute no room in American democracy for this kind of violation of human rights. Heads must roll.

The IRS is long pass due for a major overhaul and reform. The President should work with conservatives to create legislation that not only will deal with this problem but overhaul the entire agency.

Who is being targeted doesn't matter. What matters is that the IRS is out of control and needs to be reformed with the appropriate checks and balances.