Archive for September 24, 2010
Steven Colbert and People Who Don’t Have Any Power — Quote of the Day
Steven Colbert, September 24, 2010:
I like talking about people who don’t have any power, and this seems to be [about] people without any power.
Ah, yeah. (Giant clapping sound.)
What Stephen Colbert Said Today
Below is video of what Stephen Colbert actually said during his testimony before the House “Protecting America’s Harvest” hearing in D.C. today. The “liberal media” is bastardizing his testimony so much, it’s unrecognizable compared to the real thing.
Here’s the money quote, imho — what the media won’t show you because hey, you might have some sympathy for migrant workers if they did — and they wouldn’t want that:
But, maybe we could offer more visas to the immigrants who, lets face it, will probably be doing these jobs anyway. And this improved legal status might allow immigrants recourse if they’re abused. And it just stands to reason to me, that if your co-worker can’t be exploited, then you’re less likely to be exploited yourself, and that itself might improve pay and working conditions on these farms and eventually, Americans may consider taking these jobs again.
Or maybe that’s crazy. Maybe the easier answer is just to have scientists develop vegetables that pick themselves. The genetic engineers over at Fruit of the Loom have made great strides in human/fruit hybrids. The point is, we have to do something because I am not going back out there. At this point, I break into a cold sweat at the sight of a salad bar.
Republicans Erase Hispanics and African-Americans From Their America
Wow. Mosey on over to the Daily Kos and look at the collage Jed Lewison put together of all the pictures contained in the GOP’s “Pledge to America.”
In the 28 photos — 28! — I count one Hispanic-looking man and one African-American woman. Otherwise, everyone’s white.
The “Northern Gateway” Pipeline
Check out the six pages of beautiful photographs at this link (a few of which I’ve reproduced below)
A group of activist photographers from around the world has released a selection of stunning images captured in the Great Bear Rainforest.
The photographers—all members of the International League of Conservation Photographers and including a few National Geographic shooters—hope their work will raise awareness of the potential impact of Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
If it’s built, the pipeline will connect the Alberta tar sands with Kitimat, and bring oil tankers to B.C.’s [British Columbia's] central and north coast.
To build a pipeline through an area like this would be a crime against all known gods. It would be a crime against the universe. It would be a trophy to man’s savage cruelty — all because we refuse to wean our selfish, gluttonous selves off of oil.
Break Time — Dog Rescue (Yeah, Dogs Again)
Love everything about this — the guys, the dogs, the music and the cause:
Most of the dogs in the White Knuckles video are rescues. They’re the lucky ones – they have loving families. Unfortunately, there are countless animals out there who do not.
When you buy the White Knuckles video on this page, net proceeds go to the ASPCA specifically earmarked to support rural, volunteer-run animal shelters in America. You can buy the video at whichever price you like, and you can buy it as many times as you like. Just keep in mind, the profits are going to save animals. Be generous.
We Really Are Living in La-La Land
U.S. Troops Fight on Despite End to Combat in Iraq.
Since President Barack Obama declared an end to combat operations in Iraq, U.S. troops have waged a gun battle with a suicide squad in Baghdad, dropped bombs on armed militants in Baquba and assisted Iraqi soldiers in a raid in Falluja.
Obama’s announcement on August 31 has not meant the end of fighting for some of the 50,000 U.S. military personnel remaining in Iraq 7-1/2 years after the invasion that removed Saddam Hussein.
“Our rules of engagement have not changed. Iraq does remain from time to time a dangerous place, so when our soldiers are attacked they will return fire,” said Brigadier General Jeffrey Buchanan, a U.S. military spokesman.
Stephen Colbert Talks Immigration
Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert appeared at a Congressional hearing today called, “Protecting America’s Harvest.”
Colbert has teamed with the United Farm Workers to promote their Take Our Jobs! campaign, even going so far as to spend a day picking vegetables at a farm in New York State.
Colbert, who was invited to attend the hearing by United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez, testified about the plight of the workers, but, for the most part, the media is mocking and pooh poohing him; referring to him as a “comedian” so the serious issue he’s testifying about can more easily be dismissed.
But, suffice it to say that the plight of migrant workers is getting more attention today than in the history of the planet, so good on him!
I Hope This Guy Rots in Hell
Man Who Abandoned Dog in UK Identified:
The owner of the dog abandoned in Weymouth, UK, whose act was caught on CCTV, has been identified as Andrew Shepherd, 48, of Bamber Bridge, Lancashire.
Shepherd called the 8-year-old dog he abandoned, Brandy.
The dog — renamed Ginger by those who found her — is being cared for at Woodlands Farm Kennels in Bridport. Hundreds of offers for adoption have poured in, but no decision will be made until the right family is found for her.
The Daily Express also states, “Neighbours said Mr. Shepherd [is]… described as ‘dirty, skinny, with long, lank hair’ with a large ‘red wine stain’ birth mark on his face and ‘a Jesus complex’.”
As suspected from watching the CCTV video, Shepherd had accomplices in his cowardly deed. The driver was identified as Jenny Hadfield.
[...]
According to reports, Shepherd was on holiday with friends last week — Hadfield, her ex-husband and another friend — when he apparently decided to dump Brandy. It was one of Shepherd’s friends seen exiting the car with Brandy, who then led her to the grassy lot. He then re-entered the car and left the lame dog sitting while she watched the vehicle drive away.
Good Morning
It’s a good morning because one of the first tweets I read was this one,
and it cracked me up.
