Veruca Salt - It's Holy

The song is about Nina Gorden and Louise Post putting their past differences behind and joining making music together again. The song is also written from the standpoint of two women that our now making music for themselves.

There's nothing left to prove to all the young dudes.

Indeed.

1969 Bill Cosby Date Rape Comedy Routine

Bill Cosby have come under public accusations of drugging and raping women. Andrea Constand accused Cosby of raping her when she was a teenager.

Over the years, I’ve struggled to get people to take my story seriously. So last month, when reporter Lycia Naff contacted me for an interview for the Daily Mail, I gave her a detailed account. I told her how Cosby won my trust as a 17-year-old aspiring actress in 1985, brainwashed me into viewing him as a father figure, and then assaulted me multiple times. In one case, I blacked out after having dinner and one glass of wine at his New York City brownstone, where he had offered to mentor me and discuss the entertainment industry. When I came to, I was in my panties and a man’s t-shirt, and Cosby was looming over me. I’m certain now that he drugged and raped me. But as a teenager, I tried to convince myself I had imagined it. I even tried to rationalize it: Bill Cosby was going to make me a star and this was part of the deal. The final incident was in Atlantic City, where we had traveled for an industry event. I was staying in a separate bedroom of Cosby’s hotel suite, but he pinned me down in his own bed while I screamed for help. I’ll never forget the clinking of his belt buckle as he struggled to pull his pants off. I furiously tried to wrestle from his grasp until he eventually gave up, angrily called me “a baby” and sent me home to Denver.

A total of 13 woman have come forward with claims of being sexually assaulted by Cosby. The common theme in their stories is being drugged by Cosby. Technically, this comedy routine doesn't prove or disapprove the allegations against Cosby.

In 1969, Cosby did a comedy bit on drugging women with the mythical Spanish fly. Technically, this comedy routine doesn't prove or disapprove the allegations against Cosby. It does make me wonder why Cosby thought date rape was amusing.

Black Conservatives Amaze Me

The Tea Party Nation never fails to offend. CAP BLACK THE HOOD CONSERVATIVE (his big caps) says the rape accusations against Bill Cosby is a white liberal conspiracy.

I have to wonder if these rape allegations are White liberals last ditch attempt to undermine a famous Black man whose platform threatens precious caseloads inside their inner city client state? More family unity & less criminality is bad for social service rackets they run. White liberals are all for free speech, so long as it echoes their talking points- especially from us! Negroes are not allowed to differ with them without dire consequences.

The oldest trick racists use is depicting Black men as over-sexed animals. Toss in color taboo ( these accusers are White ), bring to a boil and there rises a smoke screen designed to cloud the target's merit. When White liberals couldn't de-rail US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas nomination, out came ridiculous, racist allegations of sexual mis-conduct. This " high tech lynching " echoes in the background while considering this matter.

How about CAP BLACK THE HOOD CONSERVATIVE get some facts before he goes off in conspiracy theory land. CAP BLACK THE HOOD CONSERVATIVE is a black conservative who doesn't seem to have much love for the black community. CAP BLACK THE HOOD CONSERVATIVE asks the black community if they would shoot Michael Brown.

While the Darren Wilson grand jury clock is ticking; against the back drop of rampant aggression toward each other, my question to Black " hands up, don't shoot " marchers and rioters remains, " Would you shoot Michael Brown?," or would they have me believe they'd turn the other cheek in a manner inconsistent with a well-documented attitude to the contrary.

I shouldn't be surprised but the self-loathing of black conservatives continues to amaze me.

The Middle Class Getting Poorer in Florida

Interest.com released an affordability study to examine housing markets. Tampa's medium income is $45,880. Tampa rated a D+ in paycheck power in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Tampa is the lowest rated city in the study. Miami is the second lowest rating city for medium income.

The Tampa Bay Times has an infographic of the jobs Gov. Rick Scott promised to deliver from giving companies tax incentives. Colt's Manufacturing currently has no people in their manufacturing building. Global Voter Solutions has declared bankruptcy. GVS was involved in a scandal using illegal voting software. Several states rejected the faulty Diebold machines GVS used.

Evolution was given a $100,000 tax credit from the state of Florida. Evolution has produced zero jobs in Florida. The list goes on.

Income inequality is increasing in Florida. All the gains from 2009 to 2011 went to the top 1 percent in Florida.

The report found Florida is one of 26 states in which all income growth from 2009 to 2011 went to the top 1 percent. While the average income of the top 1 percent in Florida rose 9.2 percent in that period, the remaining 99 percent saw its average income fall 2.4 percent. Robert Trigaux reports:

Just to break into the 1 percent bracket in Florida requires an annual income of $336,935. To enter the more elite 0.1 percent in Florida requires an income of $8,659,187.

Bottom line? In the Florida economy, the report says, the top 1 percent average of $1.14 million income is 32.2 times greater than that of the other 99 percent. Only Fortune 500-rich New York and Connecticut, home to many Wall Streeters and other highly paid workers, reported a larger disparity in income ratio.

This thread isn't going to change with the McJobs in Florida anytime soon.

Wingnut of the Day: James Inhofe

It is a fucking disgrace that James Inhofe is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Unsurprisingly, oil and gas is the number one industry donating to Inhofe's campaigns. Dirty Energy Money has a graph that shows a who's who of energy companies donating to the Senate's leading science denier. Campaign cash might explain why Inhofe makes incredibly stupid statements like this.

“I have offered compelling evidence that catastrophic global warming is a hoax. That conclusion is supported by the painstaking work of the nation's top climate scientists.”

Fun fact: Koch Industries, an oil companies of the Koch Brothers, is one of Inhofe's leading donors.

The Need to Get Democratic Voters Excited

New Florida Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner gave a fiery speech on income inequality ans the lack of Medicaid coverage for many Floridians.

"There's no freedom for the more than one million Floridians with no access to a family doctor so long as Medicaid expansion is blocked," Joyner said after being unanimously elected by her Democratic colleagues. "If your family's sick and you cannot get access to a doctor, you are not free."

"When most of the gains are going to the very top, bypassing the ones who have helped to get that success, working people are not free,'' she said. "There's no freedom when tens of thousands of Floridians are locked up for minor drug possessions and their civil rights are not restored because of some arbitrary waiting period.

"There's no freedom when a judge's discretion in sentencing is removed and prison times become mandated by lawmakers far removed from the court rooms.

"There's no freedom when our lakes and rivers and streams slowly suffocate and we cannot drink or swim or boat or fish in our waters. There's no freedom when our homes and businesses and our farms and orchards are under threat because of rising sea levels aimed at Florida's coast line. And there is no freedom when our kids can't get ahead in an education system based on punishment rather than excellence. There's no freedom when unaccountable private schools become more attractive because government has failed the accountable public ones.

"All of these issues individually and collectively can break people already stretched to the breaking point to the edge of being durable. But it doesn't need to be that way. As a woman, especially as a black woman, I learned many years ago what it meant to be on the outside looking in. I remember what it was like when fears of one group trumped the fair treatment of many and denied those willing to work hard the right to the success they had earned.

"I learned deep down in my heart the constant ache for freedom that some enjoyed but many more were denied. When hard working people are blocked from basic health care because one ideology is against it. When they are shunned from sharing in the success they helped a company achieve, when they are struggling to pay the bills in a system stacked against them, when they have erred in some minor crime and their sentence is unchallengable, that is the edge of the undurable. As the incoming leader, I pledge to you that like I did a quarter century ago, this wall erected in the name of politics to curb the freedom of the people, will also fall,'' she said to applause.

"In grateful acknowledgement of the trust you have placed in me, I will do everything in my power to make it happen -- together we will. he 14 members of this Democratic caucus have a proud tradition for standing for -- as one of my Republican senator once said, the little guy and little girl -- that's who we stand for.

"The 14 of us believe that moderate minds and willing hearts will embrace what is right for the people over the greed of any one party and the people of Florida will be better for it."

A good reason many Democrats lost during the midterms is because they refused to define what they stand for. Alison Lundergan Grimes told everyone how awesome coal is and she lost. Mary Landrieu has sponsored a bill for thew Keystone pipeline. Judging by the polls, Landrieu will lose her runoff election to Bill Cassidy. Democratic voters aren't going to get excited and come out for candidates like Grimes and Landrieu when Obama is not on the ballot. These establishment Democrats fail to understand that they need to throw red meat to the base.

Drop the Paper Plate!

90 year-old Fort Lauderdale resident Arnold Abbott was arrested for feeding the homeless. The first time the police confronted Abbott they treated him like a criminal.

The first confrontation occurred on November 2nd when an officer literally told the humanitarian hero to “’Drop that plate immediately.’ As though it were a weapon,” Abbott recalled.

We wouldn't want a 90 year-old man using a paper plate as a weapon.

Abbott has vowed to continue to feed the homeless.

Tina Dupuy on Her Childhood

Tina Dupuy talks about her traumatic childhood with progressive talk show host Sam Seder. Dupuy's parents were members of the Children of God cult. Dupuy tells Seder that when she was a child that her mother used her as a prop. Dupuy's mother had Dupuy by her side to help sell Children of God pamphlets on the streets on Manhattan. Her parents exposed to alcohol and drugs at a young age. Dupuy was later placed in foster care.

Dupuy's parents were highly unloving and made her a ward of the state. Dupuy briefly tried to live with her father and that didn't work out. Nancy Updike of This American Life researched Dupuy's story. The head of the group home told TAL that Dupuy's parent's rarely visited.

Here is the link to Dupuy's appearance on This American Life. The interview made Dupuy highly uncomfortable.

This is so awkward for me to talk about, because I've spent the last 25 years convincing myself that it had nothing to do with that my mommy didn't hug me enough. I don't want anyone to think that I'm blaming my mommy. And I also don't want to feel like I'm ripping on her. Does that make sense?

Dupuy did a one woman show in Los Angeles called "The Cult and the Cyclops." The show is about Dupuy's youth and her parents time in the Children of God cult.

The Daily Caller is attempting to shame Dupuy by saying that the secret is out on Dupuy being a member of the Children of God. Dupuy made a statement of her family's time in Children of God in 2005. The hysterical thing is The Daily Caller thinks they have a scoop.

Dupuy's 2005 statement.

To Whom It May Concern;

Ricky Rodriguez’s recent death has brought on national publicity and the Law and Order episode. People have begun to inquire about the group known as The Children of God or The Family. I realized that I have been ‘outed’ online as a former member.

In order to quash any rumor or speculation, this is what I have to say on the issue:

My parents met in the group. I am a 2nd generation. We lived in 10 countries all over Europe and South America. My parents left when I was 5 years old and we went back to the states. The way I see it - my parents are hippies. If your parents embarrassed you when you were a teenager – I have you beat!

My uncle Rick Dupuy (AKA Watchman) was one of the leaders at one time; he killed himself 10 years ago. I have in my possession the ‘purged’ literature that belonged to him. You think you have a strange uncle – I have you beat!

I have met and talked with many other 2nd generations. I left the group when I was very young. Some things we have in common (i.e. anger, alcohol abuse and the fact that we all bawled uncontrollably when we found out about Ricky). Other things, we don’t have in common. With that being said, I’m not a good spokesperson for the group and don’t desire to be. I feel there are others better qualified.

Since I am a stand up comic, I like to tackle these things on my own terms. I deal with events in my personal life through humor. Everything that I have gone through in my life I use as material, because let’s face it – public figures can’t do stupid things everyday. I did write a one person show called, “The Cult and the Cyclops”. It covers my experience in the COG. Copies of it are available on my website.

I would like to be known for my humor and not for my association with a child abusing, prostitution encouraging – good old fashion Christian cult.

Thank you,

Tina Dupuy

March 29, 2005

Side note: there is an interesting story on how Tina Dupuy became a columnist. This statement by Dupuy is from an an interview she did with the Kentucky Democrat blog in 2005.

It's a great exercise as a writer. A guy wrote on his blog that I wrote better than some columnists. You'd think I'd be flattered. Yet, I immediately thought, "Wow. I'm a loser. I should submit my work to newspapers." So I started doing that. A couple of pieces have gotten published. Which may have not happened if I wasn't obsessively writing a blog almost everyday for two years.

The person who wrote that praise about Dupuy's writing is me.

“But her blog posts are humorous and on target. She writes better than many columnists.” -Michael Hussey in 2005

I am insanely proud that my words helped inspire Dupuy to become the great columnist she is today. Dupuy was even my one time employer during the 2012 Republican National Convention. Dupuy and I were both involved in the Tampa Tribune using our content without payment. The blogosphere can be a wonderful and very small word.

Both Sides Do It! Both Sides Do It!

Offering actually political analysis hurts Luke Russert's #dudebro brain. It is much easier for him to say, "Both sides do it." #LukeRussert #media #politicalhack #MSNBC #NBCNews #hack #progressive #liberal #cablenews

A photo posted by Michael Hussey (@pushingrope1) on Nov 11, 2014 at 1:46pm PST

Is there a least deserving person on a cable news gig than Luke Russert? He graduated from Boston College in 2008 and was hired by NBC News to cover the prtesidential election. While still in college Russert was co-hosting the XM Satellite Radio show 60/20 Sports with James Carville. I have no idea what their shared expertise in sports is.

If you think Luke Russert didn't get these gigs because his father is Tim Russert than you are a fool. In Russert's entire journalism career he has never broken one story.

Gov. Mike Huckabee

Megyn Kelly usually doesn't get rattled. She accidentally dropped the F bomb when introducing Mike Huckabee.

"Joining me now, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who’s the host of Fuckabee — Huckabee!” she quickly added, and then launched into the conversation as if she didn’t accidentally say “fuck.” But she did, and the world caught it, and now it shall never leave the internet. Not the end of the world, but still…swears.

It's funny. I was just wondering the other day when someone was going to screw-up Huckabee's name on-air. Looks like I have my answer.

Quote of the Day

"'The Greatest Love of All', by Whitney Houston is one of the best, most powerful songs ever written about self-preservation and dignity. Its universal message crosses all boundaries and instills one with the hope that it's not too late to better ourselves. Since, it's impossible in this world we live in to empathize with others, we can always empathize with ourselves."

The character Patrick Bateman, from the movie American Psycho.

Christian Bale's monologues on bad 80s pop songs are some of the best comedy scenes ever put onscreen. The character Patrick Bateman is so shallow he searches for meaning in Top 40 songs.

Obama Supports Net Neutrality

President Barack Obama has officially come out in favor of net neutrality. Obama has asked the FCC to have the internet comply with Title 2 of the Telecommunications Act. Currently, "commercial mobile radio service providers" are given a great deal of leeway under the law. 20147 U.S. Code § 201 is where the FCC can say that telecommunication companies must compile with with regulations that serve the greater good of the public.

It shall be the duty of every common carrier engaged in interstate or foreign communication by wire or radio to furnish such communication service upon reasonable request therefor; and, in accordance with the orders of the Commission, in cases where the Commission, after opportunity for hearing, finds such action necessary or desirable in the public interest, to establish physical connections with other carriers, to establish through routes and charges applicable thereto and the divisions of such charges, and to establish and provide facilities and regulations for operating such through routes.

Buzzfeed has highlighted the main points of Obama's proposal.

-No blocking. If a consumer requests access to a website or service, and the content is legal, your ISP should not be permitted to block it. That way, every player — not just those commercially affiliated with an ISP — gets a fair shot at your business.

-No throttling. Nor should ISPs be able to intentionally slow down some content or speed up others — through a process often called “throttling” — based on the type of service or your ISP’s preferences. -Increased transparency. The connection between consumers and ISPs — the so-called “last mile” — is not the only place some sites might get special treatment. So, I am also asking the FCC to make full use of the transparency authorities the court recently upheld, and if necessary to apply net neutrality rules to points of interconnection between the ISP and the rest of the Internet.

-No paid prioritization. Simply put: No service should be stuck in a “slow lane” because it does not pay a fee. That kind of gatekeeping would undermine the level playing field essential to the Internet’s growth. So, as I have before, I am asking for an explicit ban on paid prioritization and any other restriction that has a similar effect.

The FCC could rule against Obama. So the fight for net neutrality is not over.

America's Dumbest Congressman is Re-Elected

Unsurprising but more depressing news. Louie Gohmert is re-elected to the House of Representatives. I wonder what the people of the 1st congressional district of Texas are smoking.

Bob Roberts - Wall Street Rap

This right-wing parody of Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues from Tim Robbins' brilliant movie seems appropriate tonight.

Massive RGA Cash For Rick Scott

This is a staggering number from User Actions Nick Confessore. It shows how vulnerable Rick Scott was.

The RGA spent about 1/5 of all the dollars they raised this year defending Rick Scott.

— Nick Confessore (@nickconfessore) November 5, 2014

The money has paid off. Many media outlets for calling the governor's race for Scott.

Tom Brokaw Gets Weird On-Air

Tom Brokaw has an embarrassing imaginary on-air conversation. This guy really needs to not get shit-faced drunk before he goes in front of a camera.

Bloomberg Conventional Wisdom

A few hysterical pieces of analysis from the Bloomberg election night coverage.

I love the brilliant analysis that whoever gets the better turnout will win. You think?

John Sununu on Bloomberg calls Mitch McConnell a policy wonk. I'm surprised Sununu's nose didn't grow longer than Pinocchio.

Mark Halperin is really turning on the charisma right now. Chuck Todd watch out.

Judge Turns Down Charlie Crist's Motion

A judge has denied Charlie Crist's motion for longer voting hours in Broward County.

Finally, the motion said "the delay and confusion caused by those EVID malfunctions compounded county-wide confusion related to recent re-precincting."

The motion was denied by a Broward County judge shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Broward County leans Democratic. Turnout has been below 40 percent. That isn't good for Crist. The Crist campaign plan was to get out the vote in Broward County.

Rick Scott Campaigns With No Enthusiasm

Why is Adam Smith surprised that Rick Scott cannot connect with voters. What Governor has he been covering the last 4 year. Scott made a campaign stop in West Tampa today. Scott showed all the charisma of one of the zombies from the gore porn TV show The Walking Dead.

Maybe the enthusiastic young lady who got in his face inquiring whether he would return more than $1-million in campaign contributions from Duke Energy put Scott in a sour mood. Maybe he's just tired. But there was nothing in the body language of him or his campaign in Tampa today that projected confidence or cheer. Few TV cameras were on hand early enough to get him on the midday news, and even a few TV reporters who were there missed him because he left so quickly.

Odd

There is nothing odd about this. Scott's aides on several occasions have rushed their boss out of press conferences. Scott recently had a public freak out when voters questioned him about the minimum wage. Who knows why Scott behaves this way but he is not the greatest campaigner in the world.

Troll of the Day

This anonymous winner is leading a boycott of women.

I am an American man, and I have decided to boycott American women. In a nutshell, American women are the most likely to cheat on you, to divorce you, to get fat, to steal half of your money in the divorce courts, don’t know how to cook or clean, don’t want to have children, etc. Therefore, what intelligent man would want to get involved with American women?

American women are generally immature, selfish, extremely arrogant and self-centered, mentally unstable, irresponsible, and highly unchaste. The behavior of most American women is utterly disgusting, to say the least.

And we are to believe this guy is the role model for mental stability? I think not.

Quote of the Day

"Also if you vote in a minority area in a wanker state make sure and vote early because the polls shut exactly on time no matter how many people are in line. If you vote in a white area, don't worry, they will hold the polls open for you all night if necessary."

Bruce Bartlett, on Facebook.

Florida Voting Hotline

If you have questions about where to vote or what kind of identification you need call 844-FL-VOTES (844-358-6837).