Political Theatre category archive

In Florida, that’s a statement of policy:

, , , in 2005, Rita Gorenflo was eager to join a lawsuit accusing Florida of failing to provide children on Medicaid with proper medical care.

For nearly 10 years, the state denied, finagled and fought. Yet when the ruling finally came down last December, the judge was emphatic: Florida’s neediest children were in danger, and the state was in violation of federal laws.

That was it. Victory. Salvation. Hope. Except the state refused to give in. It sought nearly $3 million in additional funding to appeal and continue fighting the ruling.

Follow the link for details.

Follow the link to the shortest newspaper editorial on record.

Via Kos.

Jack Ohman rounds up a cavalcade of stupid.

The Commander Guy’s version of the fall of the Boehner of House is a hoot. Here’s one bit:

Today’s big news is that the Speaker of the House John Boehner has martyred himself, not for the good of the nation because he easily acquiesced to Tea Party demands to repeatedly shutdown the government and walked up to the brink of National Default. But rather than that he has sacrificed himself for the good not (of–sic) the government or planned parenthood but for the RINO establishment.

Via Juanita Jean.

Amy Fried goes into detail.

Thoreau sums it up in a sentence.

Reg Henry thinks that the Republican candidates are truly Looney-Tooney. A nugget:

Consider the nation’s political life. It has lately had a cartoonish quality never much elevated above the juvenile. The debates for Republican presidential candidates have featured a number of Elmer Fudds trying to hunt down Donald Trump, who is no Bugs Bunny but Foghorn Leghorn without the Southern accent.

I nominate Bobby Jindal for the part of Wile E. Coyote, Genius.

What the Booman said.

Chris Christie doesn’t seem to be adept at playing soldier, if news coming out of the New Jersey National Guard is any indication. A nugget:

. . . several high-ranking officers have filed whistle-blower complaints, alleging that the Guard’s leadership is plagued by cronyism, racism and a “toxic” command climate, among other problems. State and federal officials have opened independent investigations. Legislators have pledged to hold hearings.

“It’s like the mob,” said Brian K. Scully, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who says he lost his job because he refused to help cover up the general’s affair. “One minute you’re the ‘made man.’ The next, you get a bullet in the back of your head. Only here, it’s career assassination.”

I was no fan of Ronald Reagan, who managed to be simultaneously genial figurehead and duplicitous scoundrel extraordinaire, but Michael Smerconish reminds us that, unlike today’s Republican Party, St. Ronald of Reagan was not completely nucking futs.

Twits playing Trumps.

Daniel Ruth is somewhat unimpressed by the Republican candidates. A nugget:

What would our founding fathers think of turning the presidency over to the political equivalent of Johnny Carson’s sleazy used car dealer Art Fern?

Admit it. If you are of a certain age, every time Donald Trump opened his mouth Wednesday night during the Republican presidential debate, didn’t you expect him to crack a joke about the Slauson cutoff?

And, in more news of the Bush leagues . . . .

(Some bloggers use a term I have so far refrained from using from respect for Bush paterfamilias, who I believe tried to display an simulacrum of integrity as President: “Bush Crime Family.” I am beginning to think that I have been, as my old boss used to say, “in error,” and that they may be on to something.)

Image via Job’s Anger.

Be popular. Fool your friends.

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Via Michael in Norfolk, who has a theory as to why.