On This Day In History May 16

post from Docudharma - Front Page on 16 May 2012 09:00:00 AM. © Docudharma - Front Page

Cross posted from The Stars Hollow GazetteThis is your morning Open Thread. Pour your favorite beverage and review the past and comment on the future.Find the past "On This Day in History" here.Click on image to enlargeMay 16 is the 136th day of the year[...]

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Cheers and Jeers: Wednesday

post from Daily Kos on 16 May 2012 08:43:11 AM. © Daily Kos

C&J Banner

From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE?

How to Argue Like a Republican: Sunday Morning Edition

Step 1: Accept invitation from the Sunday morning booking assistant. "Why, yes, I would be delighted to come on your program and discuss gay marriage. That's a debate worth having and I have very strong views on the subject." Arrange limo pickup time.

Step 2: Arrive at studio for makeup and mic hookup. Explain to your fellow guests in the green room how delighted you are to have been invited to debate an issue as topical as gay marriage. "It's an important discussion worth having, I have very strong views about it, and it's wonderful that we have this opportunity to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons."

Step 3: Take your seat on the set (sit on your coat tail so it won?t bunch up and make your shoulders look frumpy). Thank host again for "the opportunity to dive into the weeds, as it were, on such an important topic, with all its subtleties, sensitivities and implications." Make sure flag pin is at the proper angle.

Step 4: Smile and nod as the host introduces you.

Step 5: When the host asks you a question about gay marriage, respond with confidence, knowing that your preparation for this important debate on gay marriage will sway viewers by the millions, thanks to your superior oratorical skills and mastery of facts, logic, historical perspective and persuasion:

"Well, I'm happy to debate gay marriage, but I think the real question is, what about the economy? That's what I think we should be talking about. This president has blah blah blah reckless blah blah blah irresponsible blah blah blah failed policies blah blah blah socialism blah blah blah class warfare?

Continue talking about the economy until the host says, "Okay, we're gonna have to leave it there. Obviously gay marriage is an issue that isn?t going away anytime soon, and we hope you'll come back to continue our discussion." Smile and respond: "I'd love to. As you know, I have very strong views on this subject."

Step 6: Remove mic and makeup. Check messages during limo ride back home.

Step 7: Brunch!

Cheers and Jeers starts below the fold... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]

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esday

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You Cant Afford To Pass On This Stock

post from Jutia Group on 16 May 2012 08:30:00 AM. © Jutia Group

In this low interest rate environment, investors have turned to high-yielding blue-chips as a source of retirement income. This five-part series will outline what I believe to be the top five dividend aristocrat stocks, most suitable for a retiree's portfolio.

In my previous articles . . . → Read More: You Can’t Afford To Pass On This Stock

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http://jutiagroup.com/20120516-you-cant-afford-to-pass-on-this-stock/

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Ron Paul's sneaky strategy

post from US Politics | AMERICAblog News on 16 May 2012 08:00:15 AM. © US Politics | AMERICAblog News

He's not exactly going away.If Ron Paul actively stayed in the race and didn?t win any delegates in Kentucky, he would damage his son?s political stock in a state where, despite being a U.S. senator, Rand Paul is still a political outsider. But if Ron Paul simply dropped out, his delegates would no longer be bound to him, foiling his strategy to gain control of the GOP platform in Tampa.By...

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gy.html

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Daily Kos Elections Morning Digest: Jeff Landry
finally decides to take on Charles Boustany

post from Daily Kos on 16 May 2012 08:00:05 AM. © Daily Kos

Want the scoop on hot races around the country? Get the digest emailed to you each weekday morning. Sign up here.Leading Off:

? LA-03: In case you missed it, GOP freshman Jeff Landry, the last member of the House who hadn't yet announced re-election plans, finally announced that he will?as long expected?run against fellow Republican Rep. Charles Boustany. Louisiana was actually the first state (along with Arkansas) to complete the congressional redistricting process last year, so Landry's been inexplicably dragging his heels for over a year. There'd been many tells, though, that he had no intention of hanging up his spurs after just a single term, and now it's officially game on.

On paper, the new 3rd District heavily favors Boustany, who's in his fourth term and already represents 76% of the district's constituents. Indeed, Louisiana's Republican establishment quite deliberately intended to force Landry over the edge of the iceberg when they drew their new map?someone had to go, since the state was dropping from seven seats to six. But Landry has tea party enthusiasm on his side and his credentials as a movement conservative are impeccable, whereas Boustany is decidedly an insider. And last cycle, Landry not only beat but obliterated the establishment pick in the GOP primary, former state House Speaker Hunt Downer, so I most certainly would not discount his chances.

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Budget cuts: Slash now, pay later

post from Occasional Planet on 16 May 2012 08:00:05 AM. © Occasional Planet

While Illinois has been struggling to balance its budget, most efforts still seem to be focused on cutting programs. This tactic often has been pursued past the point of common sense, costing the state money in the long term in order to save money now. These penny wise, pound foolish tactics are now getting push-back [...]Related posts:

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Morning CheckUp: May 16, 2012

post from ThinkProgress on 16 May 2012 08:00:03 AM. © ThinkProgress

Senate to vote on Ryan Medicare plan: “The Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on Rep. Paul Ryan?s (R-Wis.) budget plan, giving Democrats another chance to put their GOP counterparts on the record supporting Ryan?s controversial Medicare proposal.” [The Hill]

Administration announces Alzheimer’s prevention plan: “The Obama administration is moving forward with an ambitious, fast-moving agenda to improve the treatment of Alzheimer?s disease and unlock a method to prevent it by 2025.” [Kaiser Health News]

Planned Parenthood opposes House GOP version of VAWA: “The Planned Parenthood Federation of America has joined a growing list of civil rights organizations, women’s rights groups, domestic violence workers and faith-based organizations in strong opposition to the House GOP’s version of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization.” [Huffington Post]

FDA panel backs home HIV test: “American consumers may soon be able to test themselves for the virus that causes AIDS in the privacy of their own homes, after a panel of experts on Tuesday recommended approval of the first rapid, over-the-counter HIV test.” [AP]

California calls for health care cuts to fix budget: “Gov. Jerry Brown called for additional spending cuts to health and welfare programs, as well as a 5 percent furlough for state workers, to help erase a budget deficit that has grown to $15.7 billion. The Democratic governor relies on a patchwork of solutions to bridge the gap in a $91.4 billion general fund spending plan.” [The Sacramento Bee]

NPR poll shows support for compensating living organ donors: “If compensation took the form of credits for health care needs, about 60 percent of Americans would support it. Tax credits and tuition reimbursement were viewed favorably by 46 percent and 42 percent, respectively. Cash for organs was seen as OK by 41 percent of respondents.” [NPR]

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Justiceline: May 16, 2012

Welcome to Justiceline, ThinkProgress Justice?s morning round-up of the latest legal news and developments. Remember to follow us on Twitter at @TPJustice

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) signs a bill authorizing open carry of firearms for people with a license.
Former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal spars with the Justice Department over whether he can work on a case after the Solicitor General’s office took the other side while he was in charge of it.
The Virginia ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging that state’s requirement that people gathering signatures to place third-party candidates on the ballot must be Virginia residents.
A federal court suspended a Delaware county board’s practice of beginning each meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Indiana has a new chief justice.
A federal court rejects Apple’s attempt to toss out a case alleging that the electronics behemoth engaged in price fixing.
And, finally, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lists her favorite albums. Spoiler alert: it’s mostly opera.

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Mike's Blog Round Up

Today we take a quick peek at the state of Journalism. Yes, we have to.

alicublog read The Washington Journal so we wouldn't have to.

Driftglass wondered what John Derbyshire has been up to since leaving the NRO. Oh, my.

Badtux the Snarky Penguin tells us about the joy of capitalism and that it has nothing to do with the big banks.

Bonus Track: Little Bang Theory proves to us it is spring. Thanks, we needed that!

Round-up by Tengrain of Mock, Paper, Scissors who also blogs at Dependable Renegade. Send tips to: mbru@crooksandliars.com

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Lakeside Diner

A variety of links to articles/interviews/speeches on current issues that may be of interest[...]

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