The American Spectator

Washington Post

More bilge from Kathleen Parker, who apparently talks to cherries andthey talk back, at large and using her computer with a drink in her hand:

Fragging: “To intentionally kill or wound (one’s superior officer, etc.), esp. with a hand grenade.” Take names. Remember them. The behavior of certain Republicans who call themselves Tea Party conservatives makes them the most destructive posse of misguided “patriots” we’ve seen in recent memory. If the nation defaults on its financial obligations, the blame belongs to the Tea Party Republicans who fragged their own leader, John Boehner. They had victory in their hands and couldn’t bring themselves to support his debtceiling plan, which, if not perfect, was more than anyone could have imagined just a few months ago. No new taxes, significant spending cuts, a temporary debt-ceiling solution with the possibility of more spending cuts down the line as well as action on their beloved balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution.

These people wouldn’t recognize a hot fudge sundae if the cherry started talking to them.…The Tea Party was a movement that changed the conversation in Washington, but it has steeped too long and has become toxic. It’s time to toss it out.
(July 29, 2011)

Washington Monthly (Blog)

Civics lesson from Steve Benen, who apparently is in the work-release program at the good old Washington Monthly:

I think this is arguably one of the more important realizations to take away from the current political landscape. Republicans aren’t just radicalized, aren’t just pursuing an extreme agenda, and aren’t just allergic to compromise.

The congressional GOP is also changing the very nature of governing in ways with no modern precedent. Welcome to the normalization of extortion politics.…Indeed, it’s a reminder that of all the qualities Republicans lack—wisdom, humility, shame, integrity—it’s their nonexistent appreciation for limits that’s arguably the scariest.
(July 31, 2011)

Politico

Former Congressman and current lobbyist Martin Frost heaves in a good word for some potential clients:

Ten years ago, the Taliban in Afghanistan destroyed two gigantic figures of Buddha, carved into a hillside 18 centuries before. The world was aghast at this barbarian act taken in the name of religious purity. But was powerless to stop it. We now have a group of U.S. politicians seeking political purity, who seem to have much in common with the Taliban. They are tea party members; and because of blind adherence to smaller government, they seem intent on risking destroying what American political leaders have constructed in more than two centuries of hard, often painful work. Like the Taliban, they see compromise as an unacceptable alternative.
(July 29, 2011)

Hartford Courant

In the event that the local cock fights have been closed down the Hartford Courant offers helpful tops of forthcoming recreational activities for sophisticates of the Nutmeg state:

A Social Geography of Hair Do you love your hair? Hate your hair? It’s all about hair July 28 in North Adams, Mass., at the Down Street Art Festival. According to its website, the exhibition “A Social Geography of Hair” (July 28-August 21, 2011) curated by Izabel Galliera, “aims to map and provoke dialogue on the socially potent use of hair as an artistic and communicative medium for both conveying and transgressing accepted notions of beauty, individuality, gender and culture identity. The exhibition intends to trigger and transform hair’s ubiquitousness into a relational and locally contextualized activator for a shared and open public sphere.” ’Nuff said. Details: http://downstreetart.org.
(July 24, 2011)