This is a truly beautiful decision issued today (Friday), admirably quoting from one of the very best Christmas movies ever. Florida Second Judicial Circuit, Judge Kevin J. Carroll, in Voeltz v. Obama:



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Yes, my taxes will go up Jan. 1 if there's no deal. But Rush and O'Reilly will take a bigger hit, and that's fine with me.

Still paying taxes after 45+ years of work, and damned glad to do so. We shop for folks on Social Security disability who can't work or shop themselves, and they are in (gasp) government-subsidized apartments that are clean and tidy. That's where some of my tax dollars go, and I'm glad of it.

My tax dollars also go to subsidize the Koch brothers' industries, the oil companies, and insane stuff like W's unnecessary war. Not pleased about that.

But make no mistake: If the GOP wants to hold 98% of Americans hostage so they can gut Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, and protect the 2% (really the 1/10th of 1% - that's their masters), I'm ready to jump. They underestimate our resolve. Again.

George Bailey had it right:

Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well in my book, my father died a much richer man than you'll ever be!

Posted without comment, but worth your time.

More in common with a junkie trying to get straight, a gay person trying to get married, a recent college grad trying to find a job.

More in common with an immigrant trying to avoid being deported, a Muslim owning a store in Dearborn, a Christian at a food bank, an Iraq war vet with PTSD.

More in common with a woman making her own decision about abortion, a young person listening to music that I don't know, a mom or dad with a sick child without health care.

More in common with a peer without a job, a parent with Alzheimer's, a family living near a Koch-polluted river.

I'm supposed to be the GOP dream voter. Not a chance, ever. I don't know what happened to My Generation, but as for me, I'm here at DU for a reason. Peace, love and rock and roll still works.

And I'm voting for President Obama.

I was a 17 year old stock boy at Federal's department store on Gratiot in Detroit. All of us - customers and staff - stopped what we were doing, and went into the appliance section where it was aired on multiple TVs of the era. As Walter Cronkite said, Wow.



P.S. I am devastated; he never capitalized on his fame. He was a hero to the whole world.

This has been popular in the past here on DU, but I haven't posted this in a while. Let's review this week in August, 1967, on the charts, notably WKNR in Detroit, Keener 13:

WKNR/KEENER 13 , Detroit, MI
Survey for week ending Monday August 21, 1967

TW TITLE ARTIST LW
1. Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison 2
2. Ode to Billy Joe Bobby Gentry 6
3. Society's Child Janis Ian 1
4. The Letter Box Tops 19
5. Heavy Music Bob Seger 15
6. Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie Jay & The Techniques 10
7. Come Back Bobby Vee 11
8. Get On Up Esquires 4
9. Groovin' Booker T & MG's 9
10. Some Kind of Wonderful Soul Brother Six 3
11. You're My Everything Temptations 5
12. There is a Mountain Donovan 17
13. To Share Your Love Fantastic Four 18
14. Reflections Supremes 16
15. Higher & Higher Jackie Wilson 24
16. San Franciscan Nights Animals 25
17. I Had a Dream Paul Revere & The
Raiders 21
18. Cold Sweat James Brown 20
19. Love Bug Martha & The Vandellas 23
20. I Dig Rock n' Roll Music Peter Paul & Mary 27
21. Lovin Sound Ian & Sylvia 28
22. Let It All Hang Out Hombres 29
23. Twelve Thirty Mama's & Papa's 30
24. You Know What I Mean Turtles 26
25. Making Every Minute Count Spanky & Our Gang 31
26. Soulsation Capreez --
27. The Cat in the Window Petula Clark --
28. You Got To Pay The Price Al Kent --
29. Funky Broadway Wilson Pickett --
30. Run Run Run Third Rail --
31. Gimme Little Sign Brenton Wood --

TOP LPs:
1. Sgt Peppers Beatles 1
2. The Doors The Doors --
3. Reach Out Four Tops --

KEY SONG OF THE WEEK:

What Now My Love - Mitch Ryder

Gimme just a little more sign, and our love will surely grow. Woodward Dream Cruise this weekend, for those who remember. I remember those albums, too. Not bad.

I don't think this is a conspiracy theory, just connecting obvious dots: The insanely rich Koch brothers formed Americans for Prosperity, which spawned the "Tea Party" of useful idiots. The Tea Party laid the intellectual and bullying groundwork in 2010, with the GOP gains along with absolute refusal to govern our nation in any responsible fashion. The Dems were caught with their pants down as they were blindsided, but they certainly didn't acquit themselves well.

Now we're at 2012, with the worst empty suit/flip flopper in American presidential candidate history as the GOP candidate. Plus, with Karl Rove et al - not necessarily in philosophical agreement, but with Power as his only priority - ready to turn loose Diebold and advance voter ID to assure a win. State after state has followed the voter ID pattern (I would say orders, but that would be too strong for some).

Now Ryan is the VP candidate, an Ayn Rand acolyte of the first degree. He's way, way further right than most think - check him out on social issues. But it's more than that. I probably shouldn't go further with what I can foresee, but I sense a pattern here. We have always thought of the Kochs as Birchers like their father, but all of this has led to Ayn Rand's insane philosophy being enacted, not Birch's creaky insanity.

We'll see. Bottom line is that there is a pattern that has brought us to where we are, and there is great power behind it, including the Citizens United decision. Those of us who know me here know I am not a tin foil person, but I don't like the pattern I am seeing.

They are too busy finding an obscure quote in Leviticus to acknowledge the heart and soul of Christianity.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

The reich wing and Fox News believe this is a choice. Or part of an environmental thing, like growing up without a Dad. OK, I grew up without a Dad as did my brother, who has been married to a woman for 35 years. Me, I think I made that choice when I checked out my first grade teacher in 1957 with those legs in those heels.

Of course the point is that it's not a choice, as all DUers know. But it does bring up an interesting question: When did you know your sexuality?