News Roundup for 9/10/09

Rep. Joe Wilson

-Headline of the day-
"Joe Wilson of South Carolina said Obama lied, but he didn't."

By now, we all know about Rep. Joe Wilson, who boldly took a stand last night against creeping socialism or fascism or whatever by being wrong. When Barack HUSSEIN Obama, who claims to be president but can't be because he's Indonesian or Kenyan or who knows, said that illegal immigrants wouldn't be covered under his healthcare reform plan, Wilson bravely made it known that he was willing to make a complete ass of himself by calling out, "You lie!"

Wilson apologized for being a prick, but still insists he's right. You've really got to admire someone who sticks to their story, when they know damned well that everyone and their brother will be checking it out and finding out it's bullshit.

OK, so you don't have to admire that.

And calling bullshit on Wilson's call of bullshit is the St. Petersburg Times' Pulitzer-winning PolitiFact. St. Pete took a look through the proposal and found that Joe's just plain wrong. The only part of his claim that's even remotely true is that illegal aliens would be able to buy insurance -- just like they can now. They can also buy cigarettes and twinkies and hula-hoops and Christmas issues of Playboy and Egg McMuffins and pretty much anything anyone has for sale. This is, of course, the worst thing in the world. But it's got nothing to do with healthcare reform.

So, when Wilson said Obama lied, he was lying. Not Obama, Wilson. Wilson lied about Obama lying. Yeah. it's confusing, but that's Republicanism for ya. (PolitiFact)


-Cartoon time with Mark Fiore-
Hey kids, Dogboy and Mr. Dan are back and they're going to explain socialism for you. Yay!


Click for animation

Remember kids, government can't do anything right -- until it can -- and the private sector is perfect and flawless -- until it's not.

It's just that simple! (MarkFiore.com)


-The GOP's Best and Brightest-
Barack Obama's address to a joint session of congress was already being called a defining moment in his presidency before he made it. Being the orator he is, not many doubted he'd be able to hit it out of the park. The Republicans would need an awesome response, so as to avoid being overshadowed by the president.

Instead, they turned to Rep. Charles Boustany, an incredibly boring cardiologist.

His history isn't so boring, however. Most notably, Boustany once lost a little bit of money trying to buy the title "Lord" from birtish scam artists. So he's kind of vain and kind of dumb.

He's also been the defendant in eight malpractice suits, which makes you kind of glad he quit to become a congressman. In one case, he botched a heart surgery for a two year-old and in another his patient wound up getting her leg amputated. Those two won almost $2 million in damages. He's also a lousy businessman since, according to the report, "Boustany was sued for a former partner for nonpayment of compensation." He settled out of court.

Maybe the GOP chose Boustany in an attempt to make Bobby Jindal look better... If so, I don't think it worked. (Crooks and Liars, with boring video)