Hey, Feisty and IR: I'm late to the party, but had my own celebration with my dear friend Maudie in town today! Much merriment, and she will be joining us at the Dew Drop Inn tonight, having heard so much about it.

What oh what have we learned? Well, it makes me giggle. I don't mind telling you I have been chuckling over this for about a week. The MN GOP, you know, the" we worship St. Ronnie, and salute the flag of fiscal responsibility. We have never seen a poor person that we didn't want to rob, or a child that we didn't want to starve"...THAT Republican Party?

They can't pay the rent.

Yep, here in MN, the GOP is having severe money problems, probably because they have taught us so well about "starving the beast" and they are well in arrears on the rent, and just about everything else.

You have to wonder how ANYONE takes this bunch seriously! I'm certain that like all other deadbeats, their belongings will be out on the street and we will soon see the Republicans holding a sign "will work for food.". Which is better than the stealing from the poor that they are trying to do now.

My thanks to First Read staff, hasn't it been a week? Let's hope that poor Ann Romney gets over her mad at being told that she doesn't work, and would someone please teach her how to tack up her own horse? Thanks.

See you at the Dew Drop Inn. Pouring down rain here, so bringing some good old beer cheese soup with some fresh French Bread just out of the oven!

NDD,

Beer cheese soup sounds wonderful. And a nice glass of wine and I can relax at the DDI.

The GOP here in MN have a big problems with lack of money. Maybe they can ask Michele B. for a loan. LOL

She sent money to Pawlenty to retire his debt.

Nice to see the weekend come, everyone ejoy.

It is a hoot, isn't it Northstar?

That was funny. I love Dom's expression at the end.

What men want -- Sex, food, and sleep. What women want -- Respect, security, and love. It's not that hard Teapublicans! Everyone have a nice weekend...

Cheers, to this weeks heroes! I'm not sure where the week went either but here it is Friday the 13th.

Thanks to our First Read hosts for another excellent week of politics to chew. Have a great weekend everyone!

Hey IR---How about if we lead off the celebration at the DDI tonight with Bette Midler's You'r My Hero.

Then, in honor of how I'll be spending the rest of my weekend could we hear the Beatles Taxman?

Thanks to Mark, Domenico, Andy and crew for another great week of political discussion. Thanks to all my FR friends for making it so interesting here.

Hey, Uncle Redneck -

We just lost two firefighters here in Philadelphia this week, Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney. The viewings were today, and as usual, other firefighters took the time to travel from all over the east coast to pay their respects. I'm not sure how softly one can play a Meat Loaf tune, but I think this one is appropriate anyway, for them and for all the guys and gals you mentioned:

"We search for an answer
And when it appears
We can challenge the world
With our sweat and our tears

Through winning and losing
Oh, the brave never bend
And the hero keeps fighting
Standing tall in the end.

And time can heal anything, it can mend any fall
It's the moment of truth that's facing us all
And it's time for the hero to stand tall.

It's a time for heroes
Time to answer the call
It's a time for heroes
In us all."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIFjQOomJuc

Have a good weekend, everyone.....take a minute to tell your own heroes how much you love them.

Very appropriate JoAnne And you can play it as loud as you want. 'Cause life's true Heroes don't know no color,creed, gender and especially party. They are what they are because they have the courage to rise to the moment no matter what the cost...........And Steeler the Taxman cometh for us all Monday unless you get that extension in or Offshore your earnings like some folks we know.

IR, I do believe Monday's a holiday in D.C. (Emancipation Day) so the taxman doesn't cometh till Tuesday this year. Of course, isn't every day a tax holiday down in the Caymans?

TGIF Everyone! It’s been a long week. Some ups, some downs. On the bright side, it’s Game On! On the flip side, a curve ball was thrown from the left field. From none other than a friend. Hey, $hit happens! In my opinion the President and other prominent Democrats handled it the best way possible; by speaking out and confronting it head on. The correct thing to do, again, IMO. Contrast that with the republicans who wouldn’t even speak out against the crazy talk coming from a member of the House of Reps. That said, I do think know, Ms. Rosen was misunderstood. She needed to clarify herself. Of course the righties and far righties wouldn't allow that and picked up the silly ball and ran with it. Only to lose it in the end, IMO. Boy, I am full of those today. Sorry bout that. ; ) Anyway, I just wanted to say I love my fellow Donkeys! Some of the best people to hang around with. So cheers to you all. Hope you have a fabulous weekend and see you back on the boards. We have work to do. Too many lies to stamp out. Yes, IMO.

LOL on the video tonight guys. I think I ran into one of those guys on the boards yesterday. YIKES!!!

Let me answer the question of What Women Want? We want a chance to have our say in matters. Too many times people, especially men, assume to know things about us. They don’t. Ask and we will tell you, but we need the opportunity to do that. That’s my take on things anyway. Another two cents contributed.

Mark and Domenico and gang, another busy week behind you all. Thanks for all your hard work. Crazy days are here again! Get some rest. As always, Cheers! Please, if inclined, go have a drink on me. You all deserve it.

Cheers everyone! Let the games begin.

IR and JoAnne -- Beautiful tributes. Cheers to you both.

Hey Feisty, let's get drunk! Cheers!

They just put up old Romney is going to file for an extension. Can I call 'em or what. If I had that much money heck I'd flaunt it not try to hide it all over Switzerland and the Cayman's and such like. Might even buy me a couple of more Cows for the herd.

Looks to me like Willard is hoping that whole "public release of taxes" thing will just slip everyone's mind.

Don't know about you, but I don't intend to let that happen.

nojo,

While we rarely agree, on this you are right on. Please, Mr. President, sign the executive order.

No Jo,

I'm proud of ya!

My name is Egilman and I approve of this message!

[Moreover, the tiny little minority of bigots who would hold it against you? Aren't voting for you anyway.]

What a load of crap, NoJo...but you just described yourself to a "T"...

...you make me sick...

Wow Mickey,

Does that kind of hate come natural, or do you practice at it?

(or is it required to be a democrat)

No Joe-given your reputation for misquotes, as usual I followed the link you provided and am not surprised that you have misrepresented Secretary Solis' remark. What she said is that we all want whatever services the government provides to be applied fairly and to be paid for fairly. What about that statement would anyone disagree with?

That's your interpretation.

The headline writer for realclearpolitics begs to differ.

As do I.

And, if this is, really, about "fairness", why will Obama not sign the Executive Order that will guarantee those in the LGBT community who work for government contractors fairness?

Steeler Fan -

I followed the same link and heard Secretary Solis saying "It's about fairness in terms of what services are provided by government. And if we can't have a say-so in that, then this isn't a dream that all of us have aspired to be a part of".

I'd think anyone who listens to it would realize that the dream she refers to isn't "the entire country dependent on the government for every little thing", but in people having a say-so in terms of what services are provided. In other words, I have a say-so, you have a say-so, and NoJoe has a say-so.

Otherwise, government is just taxation without representation. Maybe NoJoe thinks we should all aspire to be a part of that?

P.S. - "Fairness" in the workplace would be passing the ENDA act. Why won't the Republican congress do that and bypass the need for an executive order?

Here is what I aspire to, in terms of services-

A government that keeps us all safe from foreign invasions. That runs and efficient and fair court system, so that those who have need of it- even to defend themselves FROM government- have equal access to it to redress wrongs.

A government that actively seeks to prevent wrongs from its contractors. Cause, there is absolutely nothing fair about a government contractor having the ability to fire someone because of his or her sexual identity.

Nothing. So, tell me, why won't Obama just sign the E.O.?

"White House officials said Obama opposes discrimination against gay
employees, and will continue to work on the issue.

Spokesman Shin Inouye said in an e-mail:

"The President is dedicated to securing equal rights for LGBT Americans and that is why he has long supported an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit employers across the country from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The President is committed to lasting and comprehensive change and therefore our goal is passage of ENDA, which is a legislative solution to LGBT employment discrimination -- just as the President pressed for legislative repeal of
DADT."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/04/gay-groups-criticize-obama-over-anti-bias-order/1

The operative words being "employers across the country", not just government contractors, and a "lasting and comprehensive change", not just an Executive Order that could later be easily reversed.

So tell me, why won't the Republican congress just pass ENDA?

So, Joann- when did ENDA pass the Democratic Senate? Same time as they passed a budget?

Look, I know, and you know, that ENDA has as much chance of passing as the Buffet Rule- which is to say, somewhere between null and nil.

That EO would not address every ill, but it WOULD address government contractors, so it should be signed.

By the way? In my state, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Good for us.

NoJoe -

Yes, good for you.

Now, read this article from the NY Times in February when your governor vetoed the same sex marriage bill that was passed in New Jersey and tell me how what he's doing with that is any different than what the President is doing with ENDA:

"Mr. Christie also affirmed his call for the Legislature to put a referendum on same-sex marriage on the ballot in November.

"An issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide," the governor said in a statement.

At the same time, Mr. Christie repeated what the State Supreme Court said in 2006 — that same-sex couples deserve the same benefits enjoyed by married couples. Answering testimony that same-sex couples in civil unions had more trouble than married couples in matters like obtaining mortgages and making health care decisions, the governor said he wanted to set up a new ombudsman to make sure gay and lesbian couples did not suffer discrimination"

"The veto was widely expected. Mr. Christie is Roman Catholic and has long said he opposes same-sex marriage. And he is a Republican with his eye on the national stage, where conservative voters still have tremendous influence.

Gay rights advocates said the governor was pandering to conservatives outside New Jersey.

"Frankly, I don't think Chris Christie has an antigay bone in his body," said Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality, a gay rights group. " But he called the veto "a brutally antigay act, pure and simple. He added that the ombudsman idea was "the equivalent of gold-plating a separate water fountain for a specific class of people."

An override will be difficult. It requires 54 votes in the Assembly and 27 in the Senate; the bill passed with just 42 votes in the Assembly and 24 in the Senate. In either chamber, Democrats would need votes from Republicans, and the governor is known for enforcing party discipline." (Bolding is mine)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/nyregion/christie-vetoes-gay-marriage-bill.html

Wouldn't it have been better and more expedient for the gay community for him to just go ahead and sign the bill that was passed, like you supposedly want the President to sign the Executive order? As for "you know and I know" - you know and I know and everybody who's ever read this board a single time knows that if President Obama HAD issued the Executive Order, you'd be among the first in line to accuse him of another end-around power-play to bypass congressional legislation.

Don't even try to pretend you'd have congratulated him instead.

Would it have been better for him to have signed?

Sure.

Will it pass, overwhelmingly, if put to a referendum?

Again, sure.

We tend to be pretty socially liberal in this state.

Oh, and Joann?

I harassed, (well, on this board, at least), Obama to use an EO to repeal DADT. When it was finally repealed, my response was "it's about time".

Unlike a lot of people, however, I DID give Clinton credit- until he implemented it, there was an entirely different view of gays serving in the military.

When Clinton signed DADT, polling showed that 70% of people did NOT want Gays to serve. Clinton's signing that EO opened up a dialogue it was well past time to have- so, when I was railing about Obama using an EO to repeal it, polling showed that 70% of people were FOR Gays serving openly.

What a turnaround.

I doubt you'd find more than ten percent of people supporting the ability to fire somebody from his or her job strictly on the basis of sexual orientation. Most people are more fair minded.

This is a no brainer for Obama. He should sign it.

Period.

You heard it here first, folks! It was NO JOE that got DADT rescinded!

Ah....humility, thy name is not no jo.

How typical of No Joe---posts an inaccurate statement, is called on it, tries to change the subject and ends up taking credit for the repeal of DADT. A policy which, by the way, Romney says he wants to reinstate.

NDD & Steeler -- Sometimes NJNB is somewhere only she knows. ; )

And it is a place I don't care to visit, DCIA! Have a good weekend.

Uh, Steeler? I think you've had one too many virtual drinks at the imaginary bar.

Where did I take credit for the repeal of DADT? I stated that I was for it- railed about it- and was glad when it was finally repealed.

That stands as taking credit?

I suspect your problem is that I don't fit in some neat little pigeon hole. Too bad.

I'm not alone. In my family, people call themselves "republicrats"- meaning, fiscally conservative, socially liberal, voters.

Obama has lost every single one of them that voted for him.

First time I ever remember that happening.

DfS,

You don't have to worry about Romney stories, the first story out was about the presidents Secret Service Detail and their involvement and disagreements with prostitutes over their pay......

HeHeHeHeHeHe.........

Linkage....

'Evidence of Prostitution' Seen in Secret Service Scandal

Sailcat - Happy Friday the 13th!

You need to check out some of Rick's posts today. He is now speaking for "women everywhere".

Ricky says he knows one. I still think he is lying, though.

How unexpected that Bob would consider himself the perfect person to speak for people when he hasn't lived a minute in their shoes.

And how typical of the Conservative Movement as well.

ATC

I agree, the GOP doesn't care about anything or anyone but money. That's why the bible expresses that it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven... Watch yourself Romney!

Also, I think men should be denied Viagra because it affects the heart (which increases the cost of health care). All of this just so old men can continue to have more sex. In my book they don't need it because they already have too many baby mommas.