The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
By Kerry Picket — Published October 6, 2009 Comments
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are: ACORN embezzlement was $5 million says La. attorney general, Harry Reid lectures GOP on patriotism, ACORN accused of throwing out GOP voter registrations. : Nola.com Robert Travis Scott on: ACORN embezzlement was $5 million, La. attorney general says Louisiana's attorney general has broadened the scope of an investigation of ACORN to include a possible embezzlement of $5 million a decade ago within the community organization, five times more than previously reported. Gateway Pundit (VIDEO) on: Harry "This War Is Lost" Reid Lectures Republicans On Patriotism Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) just delivered a paint-peeling denunciation of the GOP's opposition to Democrats' health care reform proposals -- saying conservatives are so blinded by their desire to defeat President Obama they cheered the Chicago's loss of the Olympics. Atlas Shrugs Pamela Gellar on: ACORN Threw out Republican voter registrations In February of 2009 Fathiyyah Muhammad of Jacksonville, ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 5, 2009 Comments
Second lady Jill Biden was an early supporter of Safe Schools Czar Kevin Jennings. Late this spring in New York City, Vice President Joe Biden's wife addressed Mr. Jennings' former organization known as the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)(AUDIO): “Change is not easy especially when it comes to ending bigotry and fear, but I am confident that together, we will succeed. That is why I am proud to tell you that the Obama Biden administration shares your commitment to making sure that every student has a safe school. Each child, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, deserves an education. Recently, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan met with student leaders met with GLSEN student leaders for improving our schools and starting next month Secretary Duncan will have an excellent partner in this work. Someone you all know well. GLSEN founder Kevin Jennings. Kevin’s going to become ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 5, 2009 Comments
Alabama Circuit Court judge Herman Thomas has been under scrutiny since 2001 when charges surfaced that Mr. Thomas offered leniency on a case in exchange for sex from an inmate. The charges were dismissed, but other inmates began claiming the Mobile, Alabama Judge made them strip to their undergarments and then spanked them. Some inmates alleged he forced them to perform sex acts. Judge Thomas is facing 103 felony charges, reports WKRG News. : Jury selection began Monday in the sex abuse and extortion trial involving a former judge.Herman Thomas is facing 103 felony charges stemming from allegations that he forced inmates to perform sexual acts under the threat of being thrown back in jail and in some cases in exchange for leniency in the courtroom. Fifteen inmates are willing to testify against the judge and the trial is expected to last a number of weeks. Mr. Thomas' defense ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 5, 2009 Comments
Sen. John Ensign's extra-marital affair turned into a monster Friday, after a New York Times article tied the senator's infidelity to major ethics violations on Capitol Hill. Allegedly, Ensign helped his top aid Douglas Hampton, who is also the husband of Ensign's former mistress, find a job lobbying Ensign himself. According to ethics law, senior aides are barred from lobbying the Senate for a year after leaving their positions. Ensign's hopes for re-election in 2012 appear slim. Reconciliation with state bloggers, even smaller: Las Vegas City Life Blogs: “Washington tongues are wagging after that lengthy New York Times story on the fallout from John Ensign’s affair with campaign aide Cindy Hampton.” Las Vegas Advisor: “The good news is that Ensign Junior is merely a U.S. senator and not -- as he once was -- a middle-tier executive in a major casino firm (with an enabling Dad sitting atop the company). ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 5, 2009 Comments
David Letterman's live mea culpa about having sex with members of his staff was littered with jokes about himself and the extortion case that led to the arrest of a “48 Hours Mystery” producer. Late night foes Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon and Bill Maher treated the story as fair game, while Saturday Night Live played it more conservatively in Weekend Update and Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel avoided it all together. Blogs sum up the jokes and question CBS's attempts to hide Letterman's live confession on the “Late Show.” Ken Tucker's Watching TV on late night jabs. SNL's Weekend Update Letterman jokes.Larry David creates awkward moment on Letterman.CBS scrums to hide Letterman's extortion story and confession from the internet. Bloggers ask if videos here and here survive.
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 5, 2009 Comments
Several updates added to this post at 4:56 p.m. Last Friday, The Watercooler posted questions regarding congressional earmarks assigned for green projects counting against the Defense Department budget. The question of "why now?" still swirls unanswered, but a few congressman responded to our questions through spokespeople. Sen. Kit Bond: 1.Military Installation Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project; $2 million 2. Stabilized Enzyme Biofuel Cell for Unmanned Ground Sensors; $1.5 million Sen. Bond spokeswoman Shana Marchio said: “Often, the most critical, cutting-edge research or equipment our troops in the field need is funded as a result of Congress listening to military leaders and exercising their Constitutional power of the purse, rather than allowing unelected bureaucrats to make a 100 percent of decisions on how taxpayer dollars should be spent.” On Army Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project: "There is no doubt that America’s dependence on foreign oil cartels for our energy is a national security ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 5, 2009 Comments
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are: Virginia goes to court on military absentee ballots, President Obama and General McChrystal's meeting may not have been very cordial, Larry Sabato on upcoming races in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Texas.: Red State Soren Dayton on:Virginia argues that they don’t need to send out military absentee ballots in time to vote The Virginia State Board of Elections argued in their most recent filing that they have no legal obligation to send out military absentee ballots in a timely manner. Restated, the State of Virginia has argued in a federal court filing that they can legally send out absentee ballots to active duty soldiers the day before an election. Protein Wisdom on: Obama “furious” with Gen. McChrystal for questioning Sheriff Joe’s Afghan strategy Obama dithers for weeks, talking with his Afghanistan Commanding General one time in 70 days. The US military is suffering casualities “in the deadliest ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 4, 2009 Comments
Reverend Al Sharpton's birthday bash had an uncomfortable moment when New York chapter NAACP president Hazel Dukes spoke up about New York City Democrat councilman John Liu. The Gothamist reports: But if Thompson was potentially a buzzkill to the party mood, he had nothing on NAACP NY President Hazel Dukes. Dukes sounded like he wanted to turn the festivities into a roast when talking about big Democratic Comptroller primary winner John Liu. Dukes said to the crowd, "I see John Liu here - he's been the little Asian boy running around with us a long time [in] the NAACP. But Rev. [Sharpton], he was a good guy, so we said, 'Come on, come on, come on - we can make you what you want to be." Liu was seen laughing at the remark and a spokesman later made it seem like the councilman took it as nothing but poking fun. ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 4, 2009 Comments
Saturday Night Live had fun with President Barack Obama last night. SNL actor Fred Armisen portrayed Mr. Obama in the clip above explaining how he has not accomplished anything during his time as president so far.
by Kerry Picket — Published October 3, 2009 Comments
Townhall meetings held in August revealed how truly out of touch many in Washington DC really are. Congressmen and Senators who hide in marble laden offices with doting staffers from fancy colleges trudged back to their own districts where men and women in t-shirts, jeans, and flip flops demanded answers on the looming health care legislation. Is it no wonder a number of politicians had a negative reaction to town halls this summer? Back in August, Georgia Democrat Congressman David Scott screamed at his town hall audience after a Dr. Brian Hill asked him a question about healthcare reform. "I'm listening to my constituents, OK?" Scott said, "These are people who live in the 13th Congressional district, who vote in this district. That’s who I’ve got to respond to … So what you’ve got to understand, those of you who are here, who have taken and came and hijacked this ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 2, 2009 Comments
Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) has been doing some traveling to a few strategic states these days which raised eyebrows over at Roll Call. : The official purpose of House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence’s (Ind.) trip to South Carolina this month is to attend fundraisers on behalf of his House colleagues. But the trip is fueling speculation that the Indiana Republican is charting a course for higher office. Over the past few months, Pence has traveled to Iowa and California for various speaking engagements and Member fundraisers. This summer, he was a fixture at anti-tax and anti-spending “tea parties” around the country and has continued to champion the movement through speeches in the House. After delivering a rousing speech at the National Tea Party protest on the National Mall last month, Pence worked the crowd, shaking hands with the demonstrators as his campaign staff passed out small cards featuring his photo above the ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 2, 2009 Comments
CNN's Ed Henry's analysis seems to lay some of the blame for Chicago losing the Olympic bid on First Lady Michelle Obama's "highly personal" speech. (h/t Freedom's lighthouse)
by Kerry Picket — Published October 2, 2009 Comments
Here is a new kind of pandering. Pitch your desired reincarnation as a way to please your audience. Vice President Joe Biden reportedly told a group of Hispanic civil and political leaders at his official mansion in Washington DC last night that when he dies he wants to be reborn in Puerto Rico. The event marked the occasion of Hispanic heritage month.
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 2, 2009 Comments
Texas Governor Rick Perry is defending against allegations of a cover-up after he replaced the chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission. The commission was slated to hear testimony in Dallas Friday raising more doubts that Cameron T. Willingham really murdered his three daughters by igniting his house. Willingham was executed in 2004 for the deaths. The newly appointed commissioner, John M. Bradley, the district attorney in Williamson County, described as Perry's political ally, has put Friday's meeting on indefinite hold. In 2004, Mr. Perry denied Willinghams bid for a stay of execution, even as a forensic expert hired by Willingham stated evidence of arson was faulty.As a GOP primary race looms, critics charge Mr. Perry with attempting to hide a fatal mistake. Texas bloggers opine:Burka Blog:Perry dug a hole for himself by mocking the investigation of his own commission.Grits for Breakfast asks if commission will continue Willignham case, and ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 2, 2009 Comments
The first New Jersey Gubernatorial debate took place last night. Below, the first section offers critical analysis and GOP quotes. Second section opens the debate to bloggers. SECTION 1; CRITICAL ANALYSIS Capitol Quickies: Campaigns focus on managing day-after interpretations of debate.Fact Checking government job cuts debate.Vote: Who won? GOP reactions to debate here and here. Latest Daily Kos poll shows Christie ahead. SECTION 2; BLOGGERS DEBATE Conservatives With Attitude: "If the debate was a horse race, Christie finished fourth in a three horse race." Blue Jersey writes debate Haiku: "First debate is done"Christie's plans still don't exist"like the tooth fairy" NJ Tax Revolution "Who is Jon Corzine kidding? Mr. "I didn't take this job to be scrooge" has always considered new taxes as a FIRST resort. And the fact that Corzine thinks the public will believe this blatant lie just shows how little respect he has for the voters ...
