Joe Conason: "Benghazi Hearings: Capitol Hill’s Angry Little Men Keep Making Hillary Bigger"

Joe Conason (TheNationalMemo):

As Joan Walsh observed in Salon, those irate and ignorant inquisitors on Capitol Hill appeared small and peevish in their confrontation with Clinton, a woman whose serious, diligent, tireless approach to public service has armed her with an enduring popularity at least three times greater than her Republican adversaries in Congress. Their feeble attempts to cut her down, echoed by the usual loudmouths on radio and cable television, only make her bigger. If they persist, she probably will be president someday. MORE....

Colbert: Beyonce-Gate...Ayn Rand admirers...Sally Field describes her character in "Lincoln" and more (video)

 colbertnation.com, with video (21:31)

Beyonce-Gate riles the media, Ayn Rand admirers find love, Virginia Republicans surprise Democrats with new districts, and Sally Field describes her character in "Lincoln."

A "rare glimpse": "Exploring Technology, Effectiveness, Consequences of Drone Warfare" (with video)

PBSNEWSHOUR with video (11:41):

PBS's NOVA explores the pros, cons and controversies of drone warfare, as well as the technology behind drone strikes. Jeffrey Brown discusses with Seth Jones of RAND Corporation and Chris Anders from the American Civil Liberties Union.

Howie P.S.: They say this is a "rare glimpse" into the drone program and it certainly is that.

Papantonio on The ED Show: "Government Help Needed To Curb Climate Change" (video)

golefttv, with video (04:33):

Mike Papantonio and Ed Schultz discuss what is needed from the federal government in order to help combat global climate change, and why they must act quickly before it is too late.

Bill Moyers on Wall Street fraud: "The Untouchables" (video)

PBS, Frontline, with video (53:41):

FRONTLINE investigates why Wall Street’s leaders have escaped prosecution for any fraud related to the sale of bad mortgages. MORE...

"A Game of Drones"

Paul Constant (The Stranger);

"That inauguration has been on my mind a lot lately. On the one hand, it's the celebration of a resounding victory over the Paleolithic conservative movement that has erupted in this country like a bad case of thrush. On the other hand, it's a national confirmation of a president who has done a lot of things in his first term that I find morally repugnant." MORE...

(Updated) "Dirty Wars: Jeremy Scahill and Rick Rowley’s New Film Exposes Hidden Truths of Covert U.S. Warfare"

UPDATE: I have now watched/listened to this for the third time.
 Democracy Now! (with video):

Premiering this week at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, the new documentary "Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield" follows investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill to Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen as he chases down the hidden truths behind America’s expanding covert wars. We’re joined by Scahill and the film’s director, Rick Rowley, an independent journalist with Big Noise Films. "We’re looking right now at a reality that President Obama has essentially extended the very policies that many of his supporters once opposed under President Bush," says Scahill, author of the bestseller "Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army" and a forthcoming book named after his film. "One of the things that humbles both of us is that when you arrive in a village in Afghanistan and knock on someone’s door, you’re the first American they’ve seen since the Americans that kicked that door in and killed half their family," Rowley says. "We promised them that we would do everything we could to make their stories be heard in the U.S. ... Finally we’re able to keep those promises." [includes rush transcript]

(Updated) FLOTUS GOT BANGS (with photo)

(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE.)


UPDATE: Talking Points Memo has

"David Hall, seen above, was on track to receive his pilot license from the Air Force until he dis-enrolled for “homosexual conduct” in 2002 after one of his fellow cadets outed him for being gay, per the PIC. Since then, Hall fought for Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal, which President Obama completed in July of 2011.

 FLOTUS:

The First Lady just met with Inaugural citizen co-chair David Hall ahead of #MLKDay of Service.

ED Show: "President Obama ready to match NRA" (video)

MSNBC-ED Show, video (05:44).

Howard Dean: "Here's my take on the latest NRA ad" (video)

MSNBC-The Last Word, video (05:28).

"Movement to End High-Stakes Testing Steps Up in Seattle"

Students walk out of the lunchroom past a poster urging preparing for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessments System (MCAS) tests, in this March 1999 file photo. Massachusetts students who don't pass the test don't graduate.John Nordell/Staff/File

Dean Paton (The Christian Science Monitor)):

Resistance to standardized tests has been simmering for years, but now a group of Seattle teachers is in open revolt. No longer will they administer the tests, they say, citing a waste of public resources. MORE...

(Updated) "Obama’s Gun Plan: Sense or Sensibility?" (with video)

UPDATE: Scott Sunde (SeattlePI):

The National Rifle Association has a new ad in the coming gun-control wars. In it, the NRA mans up and takes on President Obama’s children. The ad calls the president an “elitist hypocrite” because he hasn’t come out for armed guards at schools — an NRA proposal — while his daughters are protected by armed guards. The difference — the children of the leader of the Free World, potential terrorism target and on and on — isn’t noted. But then subtle the ad isn’t. MORE...

Amy Davidson (The New Yorker) with video from NRANews (00:36):

Madness in one’s opponents is no excuse for abandoning good sense; it makes it even more imperative to hold onto it as hard as one can. But if it is all one comes with, one risks slipping into a state of defeated self-satisfaction. If the gun conversation is not taking place in the realm of sense, Obama has to figure out how to actively drag it back there. Sense needs to be joined with a sensibility that approaches the passion of the days after the Newtown shooting, when we couldn’t banish the pictures of children running out of the school, who were told to keep their eyes shut so they wouldn’t see the dead. MORE...

"President Obama Signals He Will Push Assault Weapons Ban" (with video)

Tommy Christopher, MEDIAite with video (03:30):

At the final press conference of President Obama‘s first term, one month to the date after the horrific mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the first question asked of the President was whether he would push for an assault weapons ban. Despite reports to the contrary, the President’s carefully-worded and expansive response indicated that he will propose “an assault weapons ban that is meaningful,” among other things, and expects Congress to “set politics aside” and vote their conscience. MORE...

Howie P.S.: Another hot topic at the presser, Obama: GOP ‘Will Not Collect A Ransom In Exchange For Not Crashing The American Economy’(MEDIAite, with video).

MOVE OVER, POLITICS: "Seahawks '12th Man' fever grips Seattle ahead of playoff game" (with video)

KOMONEWS.COM with video (01:34)

If you're anywhere in Western Washington, you simply can't escape the excitement heading into Sunday's playoff game pitting the Seahawks against the Atlanta Falcons. The team's secret weapon - the 12th Man - has shown up everywhere from the Seattle Art Museum's Hammering Man to the Governor's Mansion in Olympia. MORE...

New Miss America talks about gun violence (with video)

Anjali Sareen MEDIAite with video (00:57):

“I don’t think the proper way to fight violence is with violence,” she explained. “I think the proper way is to educate people on guns and the ways we can use them properly. We can lock them up, we can have gun safety classes, we can have a longer waiting period.” MORE...

Howie P.S.: We have now arrived at the place where a beauty pageant contestant "gets it" better than many political leaders.

Michael Tomasky: "Guns, Slavery, and the Holocaust" (with video)

Michael Tomasky (The Daily Beast) with video (05:23):

Michael Tomasky on the nonsensical, unbelievably offensive argument that gun rights help protect minorities from oppression. MORE...

Howie P.S.: My favorite part of this is the proposal that gun owners be required to purchase liability insurance to compensate those damaged by these owners of these weapons.

Damian Marley: "In too Deep" (video and lyrics)

azlyrics.com with video (06:11) from jazzeffc:

[Verse 1]
Want to commit suicide
Cause you've been denied your 9 to 5
You're in 2 deep
If you're over 10
And watch CNN and believe everything
You're in 2 deep
And your 35
And you still survive, idle pon corner side
You're in 2 deep
And your 55
And don't have a child, for your joy & your pride
You're in 2 deep
And yuh riding a freak
And she love how you do it, and your condom deplete
You're in 2 deep
And she seh, "Baby please."
And you're weak in the knees and kick off and release
You're in 2 deep
Then you hear from the streets
Seh she full of disease, and you start to sneeze
You're in 2 deep
All months and fi weeks
All food yuh nuh eat, and you weight start decrease
Youre in 2 deep

[Chorus]
So don't be in 2 deep
For you wi' incomplete
When you drop in the streets
You wi' drop in 2 deep

And don't be in 2 deep
For you wi' incomplete
When you drop in the streets
You wi' drop in 2 deep

MORE...

"Mike McGinn Is Running for Reelection"

Dominic Holden (The Stranger):

But for Ben Schiendelman, who runs the advocacy group Seattle Subway, there's no one else speaking to those transportation interests better than the current mayor. "Basically, he's been effective in quiet ways, and he's getting more effective as time goes on," Schiendelman explained. "I think if we want more sidewalks, more bicycle lanes, and more Sound Transit in 2016, rather than 2020 or later, he's the best person to keep us on track." MORE...

Howie P.S.: Long story short: The Stranger loved him madly last time. This time it's the devil we know is better than the one(s) we don't. But don't take it personally Ed, or Tim, or that real estate guy, even though you may think we think you are chopped liver. Personally, I'll take some of the chopped liver, Dominic (and Mr. Savage). My favorite line:

"effective in quiet ways."

I recommend it for his campaign slogan. We need a little more humor in our local politics! I may have to buy some bumper stickers for Mike: "effective in quiet ways---so quiet you can't hear him when he is!"

Charlie Rose: "An hour with David Axelrod" (video)

Charlie Rose.com, video (51:45):

An hour with David Axelrod, political strategist who led Barack Obama’s two successful Presidential campaigns and the first director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics.

ED Show: "Everyone agrees on guns...almost" (video)

MSNBC-ED Show, video (08:50).

Howard Dean on "Long-term party building for Democrats" with Melissa Harris-Perry (video)

MSNBC-video (07:24).
 
Howie P.S.: Karen Finney and John Rowley chime in.

From Michelle Obama: "Will you commit to serve with me?‏"

Four years ago, during his first inauguration, Barack and I were thrilled when thousands of Americans from every corner of the country took part in the National Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We were so excited because we knew that the celebrations weren't just about a new president, but about everything that we can accomplish together. And that starts with service.

So this year, as we prepare for another celebration, we're hoping to renew that spirit of service and citizenship -- we're calling on all Americans, including you, to volunteer in your community on Saturday, January 19th, for this year's Day of Service.

Please join us, and commit to serve on January 19th.

Throughout our lives, Barack and I have seen that building a full life isn't about what you can get for yourself -- but what you can give to those around you. It's a value that's been central to our lives together. And as parents, it's something we're trying every day to pass down to our girls.

This inauguration is only possible because of you and all your hard work. Barack and I are so grateful for you, and for everything you've done for us and for our country.

Pledge to join us for the Day of Service at an event near you:

http://action.2013pic.org/Pledge-to-Serve

Thanks,

Michelle

P.S. -- When you commit to serve, you'll be automatically entered for the chance to come out to Washington, D.C. for Barack's inauguration -- flight and hotel covered.

Howie P.S.: Every time I see something from FLOTUS I am struck by my willingness to respond to "the ask." They don't call her "The Closer" for nothin'.

"Sen. Pam Roach faces new report saying she mistreated a staffer"

Seattle Times via AP:

State Sen. Pam Roach violated a Senate policy on treatment of staff shortly after she was allowed back into the GOP caucus last year, according to a committee created to investigate incidents involving the senator. MORE...

Howie P.S.: If you have ever witnessed The Senator in action, it's hard to forget, even if you would like to. The photos come from the story.

"Sandy victims still wait for relief after 72 days" (video)

The LAST WORD (MSNBC), video (05:00):

Ari Melber discusses the "handouts" meme and other lies.

"The best of last night's late-night TV" (POLITICO'S Video Playback: 1/9/13)

POLITICO, videos:

The NRA gets involved in the gun control debate and President Obama nominates Chuck Hagel for secretary of defense.

"FDR Mocks, Ridicules Republicans...Smooth Evasion" (video)

incitebytes, video (02:22).  

Howie P.S.: "The more things change, the more they remain the same."

"WELCOME TO THE SEAHAWKS 12TH MAN ARMY" (with photos)

SeahawkNationblog:

In 2005, the 12th MAN made a difference in helping the Seahawks win their first-ever NFC Championship. The Seahawks were undefeated at Qwest Field and set a single-season attendance record. On November 27th, the Seahawks defeated the New York Giants in a dramatic overtime win. The 12th MAN’s vocal support helped contribute to the victory by causing 11 false start penalties and three missed field goals. Coach Mike Holmgren dedicated the game ball to the 12th MAN the following day. The ball, now known as the 12th MAN Ball, resides in the Wells Fargo Club.

Howie P.S.: You know the city is buzzing when an extremely poor fan like me is getting "the message."

UPDATED-FRACK THIS: "Promised Land" (video)

MovieclipsCOMINGSOON, video (02:29):

A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.

Howie P.S.: Alison Hallett has a nice review in The Stranger:

There are a lot of good intentions muddled up in Promised Land, and a lot of talent, too—the frustrating, almost-great new film is directed by Gus Van Sant, with a story by Dave Eggers and a screenplay from John Krasinski and Matt Damon, who also costar. Promised Land is a film with an agenda disguised as a film with no agenda, and if that sort of thing doesn’t make you a little bit mad, well… then you should go see it! ’Cause otherwise it’s really good. MORE...

Robin Williams - "Weapons Of Self Destruction" (video)

mslokater, video (01:28:41).

 Howie P.S.: Some politics, even more comedy.

"What They Really Think of Us Subjects of The Stranger's News Coverage Regret the Things We've Said About Them"

Image: LISA DANK “Potstar.”

 The Stranger:

They say that good, fair journalists can have no friends. At least, we think that's why we have no friends. All year long at The Stranger, we build bridges with our sources and then burn them to a cinder. The cops, backers of charter schools, candidates... we've angered them all. For instance, take that time we broke a story about Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna staffer Kathlyn Ehl, who had tweeted "shut up and drive #asians." That embarrassing story went national and she resigned, and now neither McKenna nor Ehl want to be our friends. Or take local anti-gay Catholic archbishop J. Peter Sartain, who we repeatedly called a "bigot"—because he is a bigot. He won't be our friend, either (the asshole bigot). The least we can do is give something back by offering the subjects of our coverage a chance to take swings at us for a change. And who would have guessed? Many of the people we've written about this year were excited to do so (but not McKenna, Ehl, or Archbishop Sartain—who is and always will be remembered as a hateful bigot). MORE...

Howie P.S.: Read "MORE" if you want to hear about the likes of Conlin, Hanauer, Sinderman and Urquhart. I still believe this periodical is the most influential vote-creator around Seattle.

"Chart of the Day: Net New Jobs in December"

Kevin Drum (Mother Jones):

I'd say we're now living in the worst of all possible worlds: growth isn't high enough to really kick the economy into high gear, but it's not low enough to scare Congress into doing something serious about it. Instead, they just obsess over the deficit. That might be appropriate if we were consistently adding 200,000 net new jobs a month, but it's just plain dumb right now. MORE...

Howie P.S.:I don't know if I would call it "the worst of all possible worlds" but it is certainly not good. It could, however, be worse.

Howard Dean on CNBC: "Time to Take More Fiscal Medicine" (video)

 CNBC, text and video (07:35).

"Progressive Senators Were Split On Supporting Debt Deal" (with video)

Susie Madrak (CROOKSANDLIARS) with video (08:13):

Sen. Harkin was one of the senators who voted against the fiscal cliff deal, and took to the floor to denounce it Monday night. Which is nice and all, but for once, I'd like to see one of these progressive senators pull the procedural emergency brake and, you know, actually stop these things. There are several of them who get all kinds of favorable press (mostly because we're so starved for anything resembling a progressive hero), but they never actually stop the things we wish they would. MORE...

"The Good and Bad of the Fiscal Cliff Deal"

George Zornick (The Nation):

Many liberals are bashing the deal passed last night by Congress, and not without reason. Even Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reportedly thought this was a bad deal, though he did buck up and support it. There are some key ways this deal falls short. But let’s first credit what’s good about it: MORE...

The Grey Lady Opines on the "wimpy last-minute resolution that solves little and leaves our federal financial state in peril."

New York Times (editorial):

For the first time since President George W. Bush began the country’s long slide into debt by cutting taxes in 2001, an agreement was reached late Monday in the Senate to raise income taxes on the rich. That’s what makes the deal significant: assuming it is approved by the House, it begins to reverse the ruinous pattern of dealing with Washington’s fiscal problems only through spending cuts. Nonetheless, this deal is a weak brew that remains far too generous to the rich and fails to bring in enough revenue to deal with the nation’s deep need for public investments. MORE...

"Dem lawmaker (Adam Smith) laughs at ‘Fox & Friends’ spin on Obama’s fiscal cliff negotiating" (with video)

David Edwards (THE RAW STORY) with video (04:48):

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) couldn’t help but laugh on Monday as he corrected the hosts of Fox & Friends for repeating incorrect Republican talking points about how President Barack Obama handled fiscal cliff negotiations. In an interview following the passage of the “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012,” Smith told the Fox News hosts that he had voted no because the bill made most of the Bush tax cuts permanent and did not address sequestration cuts to the military and other programs. MORE...

"Obama: There ‘wasn’t support or time’ to negotiate better ‘fiscal cliff’ deal" (with video)

Roxanne Cooper (THE RAW STORY):

Following the U.S. House’s passage of a bill to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff,” President Barrack Obama addressed the nation. As Raw Story reported earlier: The bill, which will now go to President Obama, will allow tax rates to revert to their pre-Bush levels for Americans with annual incomes over $450,000. That amounts to an estimate $600 billion in revenue over the next 10 years. Despite a Republican demand for budget cuts to be a part of any deal, there are no net spending cuts in the final deal. While he praised the House’s passage of the bill, Obama offered that additional deficit reduction was needed and that he “will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills for laws they have already racked up,” –alluding to yet another debt ceiling showdown due two months from now.

Ezra Klein: "Wonkbook: Everything you need to know about the fiscal cliff deal"

"No Biden, no deal." (ERIC THAYER/REUTERS)

Howie P.S.: Ezra Klein (WaPo) provides us with a round-up of the "deal" and a range of reactions across the political landscape.

Krugman: "Perspective on the Deal"

AP Photo/Alex Brandon-Senator Mike Johanns, a Republican from Nebraska, left, walks with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky to the Senate floor for a vote on the fiscal cliff early this morning.

 Paul Krugman (New York Times):

And on the principle of the thing, you could say that Democrats held their ground on the essentials — no cuts in benefits — while Republicans have just voted for a tax increase for the first time in decades. So why the bad taste in progressives’ mouths? It has less to do with where Obama ended up than with how he got there. He kept drawing lines in the sand, then erasing them and retreating to a new position. And his evident desire to have a deal before hitting the essentially innocuous fiscal cliff bodes very badly for the confrontation looming in a few weeks over the debt ceiling. If Obama stands his ground in that confrontation, this deal won’t look bad in retrospect. If he doesn’t, yesterday will be seen as the day he began throwing away his presidency and the hopes of everyone who supported him. MORE...

Seattle: "What We Really Want to Hear from the Candidates Running for Mayor"

The Stranger Election Control Board:

The candidates running for mayor are mostly speaking in platitudes about their "leadership" and "vision." Those words mean nothing. Like, who wants a mayor who can't lead? They must lead—obviously—but we want to hear where they plan to lead us. Here are the policies they should get specific about and what we want our next mayor to say on each topic. MORE...

Seattle: "KLAY to carry Stephanie Miller/Thom Hartmann"

Chris Chronic (BlatherWatch):

Starting Mon, Jan 7th KLAY 1180  Lakewood will begin airing the Stephanie Miller Show 3-5p and Thom Hartmann 5-7 p, tape delayed and truncated by 1 hour each.  Currently, the Dennis Miller and Jerry Doyle shows fill that time slot.  There is a listen live link for those beyond the pale of KLAY's 5k/1k watt limited day-nite signal.

"Obama Accuses Republicans of Blocking Tax Compromise"

Luke Sharrett for The New York Times-"If a deal is reached, votes in the Senate could begin Sunday."

John Broder (WaPo):

“What is it about you, Mr. President,” Mr. Gregory asked, “that you think is so hard to say yes to?” “That’s something you’re probably going to have to ask them,” the president responded, “because David, you follow this stuff pretty carefully. The offers that I’ve made to them have been so fair that a lot of Democrats get mad at me. I mean I offered to make some significant changes to our entitlement programs in order to reduce the deficit. I offered not only a trillion dollars in — over a trillion dollars in spending cuts over the next 10 years, but these changes would result in even more savings in the next 10 years.” MORE...

Howie P.S.: John Broder?

"Starbucks Fiscal Cliff Cup Campaign Urges Lawmakers To 'Come Together' On Deal" (with slideshow)

Lisa Baertlein (Reuters) via Huffington Post:

Starbucks Corp will use its ubiquitous coffee cups to tell U.S. lawmakers to come up with a deal to avoid going over the "fiscal cliff" and triggering automatic tax hikes and spending cuts. Chief Executive Howard Schultz is urging workers in Starbucks' roughly 120 Washington-area shops to write "come together" on customers' cups on Thursday and Friday, as U.S. President Barack Obama and lawmakers return to work and attempt to revive fiscal cliff negotiations that collapsed before the Christmas holiday. Starbucks' cup campaign aims to send a message to sharply divided politicians and serve as a rallying cry for the public in the days leading up to lawmakers' Jan. 1 deadline to deliver a plan to avert harsh across-the-board government spending reductions and tax increases that could send the United States back into recession. "We're paying attention, we're greatly disappointed in what's going on and we deserve better," Schultz told Reuters in a telephone interview. MORE...

"Bob Marley - Christmas Reggae" (audio)

Pgroenberg, audio (02:35).

Most Read On seattletimes.com: Seattle radio man Marty Riemer: ‘I felt like every day, I was lying’

Nicole Brodeur (seattletimes.com):

DJ Marty Riemer talks about his exit from radio station 103.7 The Mountain (KMTT). MORE...

Howie P.S.: Marty used to live across the street; we talked and nodded but never hung out.

Michael Moore: "Celebrating the Prince of Peace in the Land of Guns"

Michael Moore:

While we are discussing and demanding what to do, may I respectfully ask that we stop and take a look at what I believe are the three extenuating factors that may answer the question of why we Americans have more violence than most anyone else: MORE...

"Plan B blows up in Boehner's face" (video)

MSNBC-UP with Chris Hayes, video (11:02).

 Howie P.S.: Jim Florio, Heidi Baker, Dean Baker and Dylan Glenn chew the fat.

"Obama Preempts NRA News Conference With Video on Gun Control" (video)

ReaderSupportedNews, with video (02:49):

In the days since the tragedy in Newtown, Americans from all over the country have called for action to deter mass shootings and reduce gun violence, and hundreds of thousands of people have signed petitions on whitehouse.gov's We the People platform. In this video message, President Obama responds, explaining a comprehensive effort to come up with a broader set of serious proposals and encouraging Americans to continue their participation in this important process.

(Updated) Obama's "Christmas Style" (Psy - Christmas Video)

MerryXmasBaby, video (04:20):

Psy's one-time only performance of "Christmas Gangnam Style" from TNT's annual "Christmas in Washington" from the National Building Museum for the benefit of Children's National Medical Center. December 2012.

Howie P.S.: I don't think anybody or anything is going to top this for "Says It All About 2012."

"Will Obama Cry for Inner City Youth?"

President Obama wiped away a tear during a statement at the White House in which he addressed the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, in Washington, December 14, 2012. (Photo: Luke Sharrett / The New York Times)

David Muhammad, New America Media:

Like President Obama and many others across the country, I too wiped away tears as I watched the horrifying news coverage of the tragic shootings in Newton, Conn. I immediately called my children who were still in school. I sat watching the television trying to fathom how I would respond if I got a call that a shooting had occurred at my children’s school. This brought on more tears. But for the parents of 20 children and six other families in Newton, it wasn’t an exercise; it was an excruciating reality. I then watched and listened to our President, and like parents around the world, the shooting had affected him emotionally as well. Twenty children gunned down. He struggled to hold back tears. It was then that my phone buzzed. I quickly grabbed it to see if it was one of my children calling back. But it wasn’t. It was a colleague in Chicago. I had emailed her the day before asking for research into one of the mentoring programs in the city’s schools for youth with the highest risk of being shot. She provided me with the information I was seeking. Then she included a P.S.: “What a devastating horrible day in CT. But frankly I wish people cared this much when it was children on the south and west sides of Chicago.” I was snapped back into reality with the email. The tragedy in Newtown was truly horrific. But there is similar carnage carried out every day in the streets of America’s cities, especially in the President’s hometown of Chicago, where I work in Oakland, in Philadelphia, and many other cities across the nation. MORE...

Ana Marie Cox: "Wayne LaPierre and the NRA: so defensive it was downright offensive"

Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice-president, called reporters 'irresponsible, duplicitous and dangerously dishonest'. Photograph: Christian Gooden/AP

 Ana Marie Cox (GuardianUK):

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice-president of the National Rifle Association, came to the podium Friday with the pursed lips and furrowed brow of a banker anxious over accounting errors. Throughout the press conference, he seemed to be reaching for an emotional range that would reflect the horror and sorrow so many felt in the wake of the Sandy Hook killings. But the most effective expression he could muster was that of someone trying to remember his lines. I would like to believe that LaPierre was as anguished and confused by the events of last week as the rest of us, but the man clearly suffers from constipation of the soul. MORE...

"Kerry's Nomination And The Return Of Swift Boats"

Charles P. Pierce (Esquire):

It appears quite clear now that John Kerry is going to be the next Secretary Of State, and the whole business is already crazy-making. Reporting the news this morning, CNN mentioned that Kerry had been the subject of attacks on his military record in 2004, when he was the Democratic candidate for president in 2004. There was no mention of the fact that all those attacks were completely spurious, having had no basis in fact. If this is going to be the pattern of the coverage of Kerry's nomination going forward, we're all in for another ride on the Swift Boats, god help us. MORE...

Left, Right & Center: "Guns and the Naked Fiscal Cliff" (with audio)

Truthdig, adapted from KCRW by Alexander Reed Kelly, with audio (28:52):

Truthdig editor-in-chief Robert Scheer and others discuss the NRA’s call for armed security at schools, violent media’s relationship to gun violence and the push for new gun control legislation on this week’s ‘Left, Right & Center.’ Also in the discussion, a look at House Speaker John Boehner’s failed alternative plan to raise taxes on the very wealthy to frustrate Obama’s proposal to raise taxes broadly in the ongoing so-called “fiscal cliff” conversation. Washington Post columnist Matt Miller, Thomson Reuters Digital editor-at-large Chrystia Freeland, and Newsweek/Daily Beast editor and former special assistant to former president George W. Bush, David Frum, join Scheer to deliberate over these topics and more.

Seattle-Bellevue: KBCS Announces "Thom Hartmann Program, noon-3pm M-F"

KBCS:

KBCS is pleased to welcome New York Times best-selling author Thom Hartmann to our weekday line-up.
The former Air America host leads a thoughtful discussion on issues of the day, with guests representing a variety of perspectives.

The Thom Hartmann Programs starts Wed. January 2nd, 2013. Tune in!

Howie P.S.: In case you hadn't heard,  the Seattle station (KPTK) that currently broadcasts Thom Hartmann, is switching formats to sports in January, 2013.

"Demand A Plan" (video)

maigcoalition, video (01:22):

Artists Demand A Plan to end gun violence. Join them: http://demandaplan.org

Howie P.S.: This is an amazing group of "celebrities" they have gathered together.

ED Show: "Howard Dean on GOP Fiscal Cliff Fail" (video)

MSNBC-ED Show, video (07:14).

Sam Seder: "Bankers Launder Billions in Drug Money, Get Slap on Wrist (w/ Matt Taibbi)" (video)

Sam Seder, video (30:05).

"The Grand Sellout Emerges"

Charles P. Pierce (Esquire):

Quite honestly, the president's willingness to tinker this way with Social Security marks his presidency in a way that nothing else ever will. There is no economic need to do this to Social Security at all. There is no need for the program even to come up in the discussions. This locks Social Security forever into being defined for all political purposes as an "entitlement," and we all know that "entitlements" need to be reformed because everybody this president considers his primary constituencies say they must. It sets the stage for more concessions down the line by any Democratic president who doesn't possess the political momentum that the current president seems hellbent on squandering. MORE...

Seattle: "Next mayor should represent the neighborhoods"

John V. Fox and Carolee Colter (Queen Anne & Magnolia News, (op-ed):

Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess has announced he’ll run against incumbent Mayor Mike McGinn in the fall 2013 election. And state Sen. Ed Murray just launched an “exploratory committee,” all but guaranteeing he’ll join the race for Seattle’s mayor after the next legislation session. Others waiting in the wings include former King County Executive Ron Sims, Port Commissioner Bill Bryant, City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, former Bellevue and Bremerton mayor Cary Bozeman and — of greatest interest to us — former City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck. Why Steinbrueck? He’s the only candidate on the horizon likely to actively embrace progressive and neighborhood values and speak out against the current downtown and pro-developer bias that so dominates City Hall. Here’s why we think his chances are very good, provided he doesn’t hesitate to accept the mantle of “outsider” willing to rock the proverbial boat. MORE...

Brady Campaign: "We Are Better Than This" (video)

BradyCampaign, video (00:30):

Mark Ruffalo, Mariska Hargitay, Anthony LaPaglia, Rosanne Cash, Live Schrieber: We Are Better Than This: A national conversation on how we can prevent gun deaths and injuries. Join and sign on here: http://www.wearebetterthanthis.org

David Corn: "Obama Commits on Gun Control"

President Obama visits Newtown for the Sandy Hook Elementary vigil. Olivier Douliery/DPA/ZUMAPress

David Corn (Mother Jones):

Yet in the aftermath of the Newtown nightmare, Obama is not equivocating. "Words need to lead to action," he said today. He recited a list of Americans who have been killed by guns in the days since the Newtown shooting, noting that this group included several police officers and a four-year-old. He pointed out that gun violence claims the lives of 10,000 Americans every year and asserted this cannot be accepted as "routine." "I will use all the powers of this office to aim to prevent more tragedies like this," Obama said. But, he added, ultimately, it "will take a wave of Americans" saying "enough." With such remarks, Obama is making it clear: He has adopted combating gun violence as a priority. And he has now placed himself in the position where he will be judged on whether he gets anything done. MORE...

Shoutout to Listeners of KPTK AM1090! (Interview with Norman Goldman, Wed., 12-19, at 5:06 PM‏)

Carolyn Tamler (MoveOn Whidbey Council Coordinator):

I sent a personal email to each of the progressive talkers we hear on 1090 radio, and I got a very enthusiastic response back from Norman Goldman. He invited me to come on his show  today (Wed.) at 5:06, and he is planning to talk with me about possible options to be able to continue listening to our favorite hosts. In the meantime, here is something he sent to me which I encourage you to forward to your friends (and also invite them to sign our petition if they have not done so already): A special summary from Norm:

Sports is the hot topic these days and stations are flipping to sports like mad! Clear Channel and other companies are making deals based on dollar signs - they are consigning us to "niche markets" (that is what we "liberal talkers" are being called) and not caring about the audience we have. That is simply the cold, harsh reality. Plus, we have labeled ourselves "liberal talkers" and not just "news/talk" and we are thus considered a "niche market" while commercial radio is devolving into a few formats - "news/talk" apparently includes Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and the rest (plus the all news stations, with traffic and weather on the 8's and what not) plus sports, country, classic rock and Top 40. HOWEVER, YOU can take control of what you listen to - you are NO LONGER consigned to what the big commercial broadcasters put up there! Show your independence and TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LISTENING!! I and the other hosts have been tied and COMPLETELY dependent upon these radio stations FOREVER. The good news is this is no longer true - the bad news is it requires some technology and monetary, plus time, investment to end run the radio stations. If you don't want to be tied to a computer, where Internet streaming is free at www.normangoldman.com and want to hear the show live in your car, there are "kits" that can be installed inexpensively at auto audio places.....for example, go into a search engine (like Google) and type in internet radio car kit and watch what happens! Here is just an example: http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Internet-Radio-Car-Livio/dp/B005FE7URM But there are others. New cars have Internet radio built in. Ford’s Sync system and most other manufacturers now have Internet radio pre-built directly into your new car via their new car technology. For older cars, the “kits” can be installed quickly and relatively inexpensively at these “Al & Ed’s Autosound” type of places. A podcast is also available for delayed listening. A podcast is simply an audio file transferred from one computer to another...and then dumped onto an iPod, mp3 player or other device. The good news is that YOU are now in control...the bad news is that, to exercise that control, you need to spend some time and perhaps money, to do it. Our podcasts are $5 a month at www.normangoldman.com (or $50 for a full year, which is 2 months free) and the shows have all the clutter and commercials stripped out, so a show is a LOT LESS than 3 hours! Plus, our podcast subscription includes all the “Beyond The Norm” segments (one extra segment a day, not done on the air) and that means the entire archive of legal, consumer and other information we have done! All on your schedule to your convenience! AND, we stream the show live and free through Facebook – The Norman Goldman Show on Facebook! I also have a free smartphone app for you that lets you listen on your phone, live, free and anywhere. Plus, there is the iHeartRadio app and the TuneIn app. The bottom line is, for the future of our show and the others; we need to connect with you outside the gatekeeper status of the radio stations. They have forced us into this position. Sorry, and I wish I had more control of the situation!! I hope you can tune in today.

"After Recession, More Young Adults Are Living on Street" (with video)

The Times’s Susan Saulny reports from Seattle where she talks with young adults who are struggling with homelessness as a result of the recession.

Susan Saulny (New York Times with video-04:32):

Duane Taylor was studying the humanities in community college and living in his own place when he lost his job in a round of layoffs. Then he found, and lost, a second job. And a third.

Now, with what he calls “lowered standards” and a tenuous new position at a Jack in the Box restaurant, Mr. Taylor, 24, does not make enough to rent an apartment or share one. He sleeps on a mat in a homeless shelter, except when his sister lets him crash on her couch.

“At any time I could lose my job, my security,” said Mr. Taylor, explaining how he was always the last hired and the first fired. “I’d like to be able to support myself. That’s my only goal.”

Across the country, tens of thousands of underemployed and jobless young people, many with college credits or work histories, are struggling to house themselves in the wake of the recession, which has left workers between the ages of 18 and 24 with the highest unemployment rate of all adults. MORE...

H/t to Tim Colman.

"Peter Steinbrueck to announce run for Seattle mayor"

Emily Heffter (Seattle Times):

Steinbrueck, formerly of North Seattle but living on First Hill after his recent divorce, has already gathered endorsements from Real Change Executive Director Tim Harris, City Councilmember Nick Licata, and David Bloom, the former deputy director of the Seattle Church Council, among others.
Steinbrueck's campaign manager, Justin Simmons, wrote in a letter to supporters Tuesday that Steinbrueck will be "the most progressive candidate in the race, the candidate with the most civic leadership experience, the only candidate with real urban planning expertise, and the candidate who I believe will generate the broadest base of support in the neighborhoods and in the social justice, environmental and labor communities."
One of Steinbrueck's strengths will be his long relationships in the city. He joined the council as a newcomer along with Licata and Richard Conlin — now institutions in Seattle's city government.
"Peter was known as somebody who was really known for not just being a leader, but as someone with a lot of political integrity," said Harris, who in the past has supported McGinn.
Bloom said in an interview that Steinbrueck offers a consistent set of values and would give a voice to the neighborhoods, holding the line on what Bloom called "rampant development" in Ballard and other places.
"Peter is the kind of person who I think has a consistent set of values and will stick to those values," Bloom said. McGinn, he said, has been "all over the map." MORE...

Howie P.S.: Based on my photo size evaluator, Fairview Fannie won't be endorsing Steinbrueck.

"Ronald Reagan - Social Security and The Deficit" (audio)

Norman Goldman (audio).

Howie P.S.: Norman prefaces the audio from Ronald Reagan with some "context" for his remarks.

"Peter Steinbrueck Is Running for Mayor"

PETER STEINBRUECK Son of Victor Steinbrueck, who led the fight to save Pike Place Market.

Dominic Holden (The Stranger):
You could argue that Peter Steinbrueck, who filed paperwork this week to run for mayor, has defined the city's vision over the last five years more than anyone else. During his tenure on the Seattle City Council, he wrote the preamble to the city charter—essentially the city's mission statement—after discovering "there was no preamble, there was no vision statement for the City of Seattle," he says. "Can you believe that?" MORE...

Howie P.S.: Based solely on the size of the photo, I'd say The Stranger leans Steinbrueck, at this time. 

"White House says Obama will move swiftly on gun control after Newtown" (with video)

GuardianUK with video (03:25):

First signs that Democrats are willing to take on pro-gun lobby as even NRA-endorsed senator Joe Manchin says 'we need action'---The White House promised a comprehensive series of measures, including gun control legislation, on Monday to prevent a recurrence of mass shootings such as the "horrific" attack in Connecticut that left 20 children and six teachers dead. MORE...

Burgess: "We Need Better Gun Safety Laws for Washington State"

Tim Burgess:

America is still grieving for the children and adults who lost their lives last Friday in Newtown, Connecticut. That horrific event ripped deep into our national soul.

The level of violence is higher in the United States than almost anywhere else in the developed world. Why? And more importantly, what can be done about it? A lot can get done -- if our leaders in Olympia can muster the courage to strengthen safety laws for the people of Washington State.

As President Obama said at the vigil Sunday night in Newtown, “We can’t tolerate this anymore. These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change.”

The Connecticut shootings should enable our Governor, our Governor-elect and leaders in the Washington Legislature to focus on solutions and bring us together to do something meaningful to end this nonsense.

Economist Richard Florida has looked for causation between gun violence and various social and economic conditions. While Professor Florida acknowledges that it is difficult to establish direct causation, he does suggest that there are obvious associations that shouldn’t be ignored.

Professor Florida’s data analysis shows that states with just three gun safety regulations—an assault weapons ban, trigger locks and safe storage requirements—have lower levels of gun deaths on a per capita basis than states without these protections. MORE...

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Frank Rich: "America’s Other Original Sin"

Frank Rich (New York Magazine):

New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich talks with editor-in-chief Adam Moss about the Newtown tragedy, its political fallout, and our centuries-long worship of the gun. MORE...

"What Obama Must Do About Guns"

David Remnick (The New Yorker):

Obama told the nation that he reacted to the shootings in Newtown “as a parent,” and that is understandable, but what we need most is for him to act as a President, liberated at last from the constraints of elections and their dirty compromises—a President who dares to change the national debate and the legislative agenda on guns. MORE...

"GOD BLESS AMERICA" (photo)