Congressman Mark Foley's Virtual Townhall Meeting

Yesterday, Florida Republican Congressman Mark Foley was forced to resign after revelations that he had sent sexually explicit instant messages to underage male congressional pages. For many in Foley's district, this news was quite shocking. But constituents who attended Foley's online "town meeting" back in June were perhaps less surprised...

Maf54: hi im congressman Mark Foley and welcome to my first live chat!

my apologies for the delay in getting started...i just rode 25-miles on my bike so im all hot and sweaty...but totally pumped about answering your questions!

lets get to it!

Marsha: Hi, Congressman Foley.

Maf54: hi marsha!

Marsha: I have a question about education. As the mother of twins who just completed their first year in high school, school funding is a big concern of mine.

Maf54: m or f?

Marsha: Huh?

Maf54: sorry...are your twins male or female?

Marsha: Oh. Not quite sure why it matters, but they're both girls.

Maf54: well marsha...im not on any of the education committees this year...but if you like...you could send your question to my staff and they might get back to you later...ok?

Marsha: Ok.

Maf54: thanks!

Peter: Hi, Congressman.

Maf54: hi peter!

Peter: Given the last response, I don't know if you can answer this, but I have a question about student loans.

Maf54: go ahead!

Peter: I've been thinking about applying for college aid next year.

Maf54: cool...how old are you now?

Peter: I'll be 18 in December.

Maf54: wow...from the tone of your question you sound much older...

Peter: Uh, thanks, I guess.

Maf54: what do you want for your birthday? what kind of stuff do you like to do?

Peter: ????

Maf54: ok...student loans is a very complex issue...but if you want... there are some documents i could send from my computer...do you have AIM?

Peter: Uh, Congressman, I really need to get back to studying. Thanks.

Maf54: but its summer break!

ok,,,,who else has a question?

Denise: Hello Mark!

Maf54: hi denise...are you the denise i think you are?

Denise: Sure am. I do have a question, but first I want to brag on you a bit!

Maf54: im blushing already!

Denise: Whenever someone says to me there are no decent people left in Congress, I always say, "You haven't met Mark Foley." He is what some of my Jewish friends here in South Florida call a mensch. When my son had a big soccer game, Congressman Foley was there. When my other son was competing in a wrestling championship, the congressman dropped everything he was doing and flew back to the district. When my daughter came back from serving in Iraq, Mark couldn't be there - both his grandmas were having surgery - but he sent a very nice note! That's just the kind of man he is.

I tell you, sometimes I think we don't need to re-elect Mark Foley, we need to clone him.

Maf54: haha now i have to rethink my stance on cloning! but trust me...theres more than enough of me to go around!

seriously,,,denise...i have a big night ahead of me...whats your question?

Denise: More a statement than a question: I've been having a lot of trouble with e-mails to your website. I wrote you from my personal address a bunch of times last year and it took me forever to get anything back. But when I sent an e-mail from my son's account, I got a response within an hour, asking for photos and if I wanted tickets to see Good Charlotte.

Maf54: oh...sorry about that...

Denise: I'm just hoping your webmaster isn't a Democrat or somebody trying to embarrass you.

Maf54: dont worry about it,,denise...that person has been disciplined very severely...and thank you for those pictures you sent

Denise: Anytime! Did you like my haircut?

Maf54: of course...i love the new pageboy!

Peter: Sick sick sick sick sick sick sick sick sick sick sick sick sick

Maf54: peter...your back! you have a question about health care?

Take The Quiz

Which Scandal-Ridden Republican Are You?

Whoever you are, you're in big trouble. And stop e-mailing my kid!
Take this quiz!








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More Help Needed

Hello friends,

Thanks for all who responded to my last help request. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to nail down that Pope story but I did learn about some great dance clubs in Vatican City.

Anyway, I have a new story I'm working on, and again, I need your help.

I just received word from a trusted source that Senator George Allen (R-VA) once played Tevye in a production of Fiddler On The Roof.



If you or anyone you know has credible information on this matter, contact me.

Thanks.

The Senate Debates Torture

Just hours ago, the Senate approved a measure establishing military tribunals for terror suspects. The bill also granted the president wide latitude in defining acceptable methods of interrogation.

By all accounts, this vote was historic, and so was the action on the Senate floor today.



First, the chamber debated an amendment introduced by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) that would have restored habeas corpus rights absent from the original legislation. The Senate rejected the Spector amendment on a mostly party-line vote, 51-48. Then, by the same margin, the Republican majority voted to strip Sen. Spector naked and douse him with freezing cold water.

Later, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) offered another amendment. This one would've established Congressional oversight over CIA detention programs. It failed 53-46. Afterwards, senators voted 50-49 to cover Sen. Rockefeller with a hood and chain him to his desk for the remainder of the session.

After a recess, the body debated an amendment from Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) that would've forced Congress to reconsider the legislation at the end of five years. Once again, the amendment failed. But a resolution to lead large rabid dogs into Mr. Byrd's cubbyhole during the Senator's appointed naptime was passed 52-47.

Finally, liberal stalwart Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) introduced an amendment designed to protect Americans captured abroad from extreme questioning techniques, such as waterboarding. It too was voted down, 53-46. Shortly thereafter, Kennedy exited the Capitol and made a quick dash across the Potomac River. But he returned in time for the evening vote.

What a day! I've always heard that seeing the legislative process up-close was like "watching sausage being made" but I never knew it could really be such a meat-grind!

History At The Auction Haus

Yesterday, a series of paintings and sketches allegedly created by Adolf Hitler collectively fetched $220,000 at a British auction.

For most people, the very concept of "Hitler art" - much less a Hitler art auction - is distasteful. Yet it may be worth reviewing some of the work exhibited at this event, if only to gain further insight into the mind of history's most notorious mass murderer.

So let's look briefly at Hitler the painter.



This is The Church of Preux-au-Bois, a Hitler landscape which received the largest bid at Tuesday's auction. It's a fairly standard painting of its type; the kind of thing that - give or take a few minor touches - could hang on the walls of any hotel in America. Yet there is something haunting about it. I can't figure it out. But I'd say that behind the vivid colors in this piece is a distinctly Teutonic gloom.



This is another painting in much the same vein. I couldn't find a title for it online but I understand the major Hitler art collectors call it Kitten in the Woods. The art style is a little more realistic; you have to (grudgingly) admire the sense of perspective. Again, there is something disturbing here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Maybe it's just too hard to separate the work from its creator.



Ok, this one is a little different. It's a still life - the kind of thing every art student is asked to put forth at some point. Nothing too impressive here. Though there is something pleasing about this piece - something that despite what I know of its origins somehow makes me feel welcome.

That, apparently, is rare for a Hitler.

Regardless, I think it's fair to the say the Great Dictator was mostly a Great Mediocrity when it came to expressing himself on canvas.

Help Needed

Hello readers,

I'm going to need your help with something. I recently received a tip from a confidential source who says that in private conversations over a five-year period, Pope Benedict XVI repeatedly used the phrase "badonkadonk".



If you or anyone you know can verify this, contact me.

Thanks.

Up Next

Harried, But Not Dead



Intelligence Officials Confused On Bin Laden Status

Saturday Matinee: And Then There's Madame

It's the weekend. What better time to relax by the flickering light of grainy old videos uploaded to the Internet? Thanks once again to YouTube - man's greatest-ever invention - it's another edition of Saturday Matinee.

Today's installment features two grand dames who made their mark in 1970s show business, Bea Arthur and Madame. Bea, of course, needs no introduction. But for those of you who weren't around or have suppressed your memories, Madame cut a wide swath through the puppet-loving heart of middle America in the late stagflation years. She even had her own show, Madame's Place - which locally used to air on Sunday nights just before my bedtime, and may explain why Lombaire Fan is still a light sleeper.

SPOILER: the following footage is disturbing on multiple levels. Enjoy.



You can add Madame to your MySpace list here.

Americans For Torture Speak Out

An e-mail I received today:

Dear Friend,

Today, the pro-torture movement took a major step forward. The compromise worked out between the White House and congressional Republicans isn't perfect, but it represents a significant advance for the cause of government-sponsored sadism.

When the Pro-Torture Coalition was founded in 1997 - by Augusto Pinochet, Henry Kissinger and Rick James - people laughed at us. But now our views are mainstream, with supporters in all three branches of the US government, and among more independent-minded members of the CIA and military. Regardless of what happens in this year's elections, we aren't going away. We have just begun to fight - and to inflict brutal, physical, emotional and mental pain on our adversaries through a variety of diabolically complex methods.

We'd like to thank some who have graciously, if belatedly, embraced our position. Senator John McCain, in particular, deserves kudos for recognizing the president's inherent right to decide what is and isn't torture, despite his personal conflict on this issue.

But as always, we can't stop now.

Yes, we may have scored a touchdown but the game isn't over. Organizations like Amnesty International are still on the playing field, raising money at glitzy Hollywood fundraisers and repeating the same tired old saws about "preserving human dignity" and "upholding the Geneva Convention." Some of these self-rightous "activists" won't be satisfied until no one is tortured. Imagine if we took a position that extreme.

Fortunately, there are ways to help. Contribute directly or click the link below to visit the Americans For Torture giftshop. There you can buy stickers with our slogan, "If You Outlaw Torture, Only Outlaws Will Torture"; and t-shirts with the legend, "If You Don't Approve Of Waterboarding, You're All Wet."

Every cent earned from these products will insure that someone, somewhere is brutally mistreated.

Support AFT: the fight is yours - whether you know it or not.

Signed,
Alberto Gonzales
Ann Coulter
Trent Reznor

Paid For By TorturePAC '06

This Day In Lomblog History

From The Archives: September 22, 2004

"Axis Of Easy Listening"

I'm sure you've all heard by now that Yusef Islam, nèe Cat Stevens, has been denied entry to the US after being placed on a "watch list" of possible terrorism suspects. Naturally, as both a fan and friend of Yusef's, I found this incident shocking. Can you believe people still remember Cat Stevens?! Last time I was in an airport, I couldn't even place which member of the Thompson Twins was handling my luggage!

Coming Up

Mahmoud Takes Manhattan


Iranian President Visits UN, Guests On The View

Ready For Prime Time At Last!

On TV, the Big 4 are rolling out the "big guns" of their fall line-up this week - new shows (like the old) which feature various combinations of Charlie Sheen, leggy attorneys and cadavers. Now, I have a lot of friends in the TV industry, but I'm sort of not-so-secretly hoping that all of them fail over the next few months. That isn't cold-bloodedness - it's pragmatism. You see, I have a series in development with a distinct chance of possible pick-up as a mid-season replacement.

Ok, for those of you who aren't insiders and may be unfamiliar with some of the lingo: "development" refers to a production that's being "developed" by one of the networks. "Pick-up" is when a program's been "picked up" for air. And "mid-season replacement" is what they call a series that "replaces" an existing show in the "middle" of the TV season (which follows the Jewish calendar, or so my friends at Icon tell me).

Anyway, this is what I've been working on:



They say, "Write what you know", and I took it to heart. Studio Apartment 6A is about life behind the scenes at a major humor blog. Sean Astin, of LOTR fame, plays the character based on me, Rumbaire Lover; Eddie Griffin (Undercover Brother) is Bingo, the guy who delivers my pizza when I'm stuck in Photoshop; and Lomblog spiritual advisor Jenifer Edsel is portrayed by the likeness of Anne Frank.

It's all there - the humor, the pathos, the misleading time-stamps. I couldn't have written it if I didn't live it, and if I didn't live it, I wouldn't have written it.

So, remember, Studio Apartment 6A: coming to prime time soon. Maybe real soon, if that Jeffrey Tambor/John Lithgow show bites it hard.

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

TV History Unearthed

This week, the long-running CBS reality show Survivor made its season debut. The series is especially controversial this year, with the producers' decision to separate the tribes by race.

It's not a Survivor first, however. I recently came across an old issue of TV Guide from the show's very first season. As you'll see from this ad, the program has always pushed the envelope on race relations.



Always helps to look back, doesn't it? Granted, Jeff Probst is a very different host than George Wallace.

In the same vein, I'm looking forward to the American debut of Germany's new hit, Dancing With The Semites. Should be fun.

The Return Of Saturday Matinee

It's the weekend. What better time to revisit a popular Lomblog feature of old? A special segment each week, where the dusty bric-a-bracs of our cultural basement are brought forth once again, courtesy YouTube - man's greatest-ever invention. Yes, it's the return of Saturday Matinee.

Today's feature: a 1932 live performance by Eddie Peabody, the Jimi Hendrix of the banjo. As you'll see, his unique stage presence and sexual charisma are as potent today as they were back then.



My lighter is aloft.

One Word

Comment, you bastards!

Politico Ad Absurdum: Cats Vs. Dogs

The 2006 election season is officially underway. Election coverage has long been a staple of Lomblog. But this year, we're hoping to look at the campaigns through a more ...well, abstract lens. It's part of what I'm hoping will become a regular feature this fall, Politico Ad Absurdum.

Tonight, we envision a hypothetical political race between cats and dogs.

First, a message from the Dogs.








Now, the Cat counterresponse.








Let the best-loved housepet win.

Straight Ahead

Fashion Week In New York


With Naomi Campbell Still At Large, How Safe Is The Runway?

Quick Takes

Unusual for me, I know. But here's some random thoughts on recent happenings:

The 9-11 Movie

Tonight, ABC aired part one of The Path To 9/11, a controversial docu-dramedy loosely based on actual events. A lot of liberal blogs tried to get the film pulled, saying it was unfair to former President Clinton. Is it? Well, I don't know. But having caught a bit of Path myself, I can say the movie brought forth some startling revelations. Like: I had no idea that Clinton's anti-terrorism task force was jointly headed by Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Or that Al Qaeda's official "fight anthem" during the 1990's was Fleetwood Mac's "(Don't Stop) Thinking About Tomorrow".

Kinda makes you wonder what else was covered up during the Clinton years. If only the press corps back in those days was as aggressive, probing, and unafraid to challenge the official line as the Washington media of the last five years.

The blogstorm did achieve one victory though: ABC has agreed to postpone part 2 of PT911. It will now air in September 2008.

Brangelina Take A Stangelina

On Friday, Brad Pitt revealed he will not become a husband again until "everyone else in America" can marry who they want.

I don't think there's been enough made of what a daring statement this is. Pitt is saying he's so committed to the cause of gay marriage, he'll have officially illicit intercourse with Angelina Jolie until all fifty states recognize it.

Other stars have spoken out on behalf of homosexuals. But Pitt is the first to openly embrace the horrible, box-office-diminishing stigma "unwed father" just to show his solidarity. He's willing to put his money where Angelina's mouth is.

"Brangelina" aren't "shacking up" (and raising half of Africa) - they're living in progressive sin. More power to them.

And one other thing:

Jenifer Aniston, you should be ashamed of yourself, you filthy bigot!

Site Redesign

Yes, Lomblog looks a bit different now that we've switched over to Blogger Beta. Frankly, I think we look smashing - much better than Katie Couric. However, there are still some nooks and crannies that need polishing. Some of the archival pages aren't running real well. But then, they weren't written well either.

I'm especially enjoying the new "label" feature. If you have suggestions for how a post should be labeled, post them in comments or in e-mail. As long as they're not unflattering.

Finally, I'm looking for someone to paint my official portrait, which I hope to include somewhere on the site. It should be modeled somewhat on this.

Until tomorrow,

LF

Up Next

Betting On Ellen


Degeneres Tapped To Host Oscars; TiVo Set To Open At Record Lows

Hello Again; A Personal Note

Wow. Nothing like a week in the Bahamas to recharge the batteries. Blog, sweet blog - I've only been back a day but it feels like I never left.

My thanks to the illustrious guest bloggers that filled in while I was away. I didn't get to read you myself. But according to the email, you guys did such a great job that if one closed one's eyes, it was like I was still blogging. Too bad the three of you had to be let go. But I'm sure we'll see you around.

Now, the personal stuff.

It might seem on the surface that Lomblog, like most blogs, is a freewheeling place with the proverbial "anything goes" attitude (actually, I'm not sure that's a proverb, but whatever). This is not the case. Hard as it may be to believe, certain topics are off-limits. Mostly, topics where I feel my opinions might be motivated by more than the usual amount of personal bias. Subjects where I just don't think I can be neutral enough to provide the kind of balanced, incisive commentary you expect and deserve.

What am I talking about? Well, the best example is the most recent: an awful lot of bloggers have had an awful lot to say on the topic of adventurer Steve Irwin's tragic, sudden demise. I haven't been one of them, and I don't expect I will be. And there's a reason.

I've never disclosed this to anyone. But eight months ago, I adopted this little beauty:



Yes, that's Gertie, my pet stingray. I picked her up on my last visit to the Caymans. Actually, it's more than I care to share here but she sorta "hitched a ride". And after the surgery, I decided to give her a new home. She's named after Gertrude Stein, btw, not the Drew Barrymore character in ET. Isn't she gorgeous?

Anyway, I think you can understand some of my recent reticence to engage with fellow bloggers. But when it comes to non-stingray news events, the debate - as usual - is joined.

Coming Up

His Father's Eyes


First Pics Of Cruise Baby

An Apology To Our Readers

After an investigation, LOMBLOG has determined that the posts written under the usernames "Punditta", "John Hindrucker" and "Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saeedi" were produced with Lombaire Fan's participation. We deeply regret misleading our reader(s). Lombaire Fan has been suspended from writing for LOMBLOG for the rest of the night.

Editors

What Are You Looking At?

By Special Guest Blogger, Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saeedi


Mr. al-Saeedi - reportedly Al Qaeda's no. 2 man in Iraq - was recently captured near Baghdad.

Hey - stop staring! Yeah, I know I don't photograph well. Get over it! How do you think you'd look if someone pulled you out of your spiderhole at 3 in the morning? Besides, you've seen that celebrity mug-shot site - most of 'em wish they looked this good! The one thing I don't like is those green borders around my face. They make it look like I got busted in the stall next to George Michael. But what can you do?

You know, a lot of Westerners come up to me after I've threatened them, and they say, "Hamed, why is it I'm always hearing about Al-Qaeda's 'no. 2' being arrested? How can that be? You people have more no. 2's than a bathroom at Taco Bell!" And I say, "Infidel, there's only one way to explain it."

I sing:

Two is the greatest Al-Qaeda you'll ever find
Two can be as big as One
Number One's Osama and he ain't gonna come
Noooo

BRIDGE

It's just no good anymore since Zarqawi died
Now we spend our time
Threatening airlines
With Gatorade and Tide

Harry Nilsson, man. So underrated.

I follow the news, you know. Before I was nabbed, I read about those Fox News reporters kidnapped in Gaza. Even as a hardened professional Jihadist, that story gave me chills. I mean, can you imagine those people? Scared, helpless, brainwashed - and then they were kidnapped! Zing! Actually, some of us Al-Qaedies in Iraq were going to grab Geraldo Rivera and make him our new spokesman. Then we realized - we're trying to gain followers, not lose them! Double Zing!

Big week for the AQ, of course. We put out a new tape. I guess I was the only one in the whole organization who thought it would be a good idea to call them "Jihadcasts". How many times do I have to say it - we don't have to reject everything modern! But headquarters doesn't listen.

The September 11 anniversary is coming up next week. Man, can you believe it? I was just in training camp back then. You know, I remember that Woody Allen movie - and don't stone me, my brothers, I know he's a Zionist - where Alan Alda says "Comedy is tragedy plus time." So true. Five years ago, I couldn't make jokes about the death of Mohammed Atta. Now, I can say this, but just between you and me: I don't think Mohammed was looking to meet 72 female virgins. He was a little light in the flight plans, if you know what I mean. Bought his box cutters in the Village, if you catch my drift. Come on, look at the photos - he's a 'stache away from Freddie Mercury. Dude hadn't seen twin towers since he was breastfeeding. Oh, for Allah's sake, don't listen to me - I'm just riffin'.

Well, interrogation time is starting up so I best get going. As we used to say in the Seventies, keep on truckbombin'!

Hamed

An Awesome Leader

By Special Guest Blogger, John Hindrucker


John Hindrucker edits the popular conservative blog, Right Thinkers.

I recently had the honor of seeing President Bush speak before a small group at the White House. He was in fine form - the best I've ever seen him. Maybe the best I've ever seen anyone. It had to be one of the four or five greatest experiences of my life. No, on second thought, it was the greatest experience of my life (let's hope my wife isn't reading this). The president is not commonly perceived as a great orator. But in person, he has the kind of charisma that makes Reagan, JFK, Churchill and Samuel L. Jackson look like retards.

Right from the moment he invited us on a special tour of the Oval Office, the president showed he's still very much on top of his game. "Mi Casa, Su Casa," he said, demonstrating the multi-ethnic flair that made him such a hit with Hispanoids and other minority voters whose registrations we left unchallenged. If the president thinks of himself as a "lame duck", he's definitely not letting on, or maybe he's not familar with that phrase. It's one reason why he'll be stumping for Republican candidates all over the country this fall, whether they want him to or not.

With the midterm election just ten weeks away, the president gave us a little pep talk. For me, and I'm sure, everyone else in attendance, there is just one word to describe his remarks: awesome. He spoke with force, clarity and the kind of confidence you would expect from a man who has weathered the harshest attacks the Left could muster and still has a third of America on his side.

Most importantly, he once again reiterated the central tenet which has guided his foreign policy thinking since the beginning: America is awesome. On this, he has never wavered. It was right there in the initial bombing campaign of the Iraq war, which you may remember was called "shock and awe" - awe being the root word of awesome. As the president explained it, at every awesome moment of our awesome history, America has acted and acted awesomely. We awesomely stood up to the Nazis and said, "You are not going to conquer Europe and kill millions of Jews without hearing from me, pal." Then the war ended, and we awesomely confronted the Soviet Union: "If you even think about subjugating millions to political oppression and centralized planning, we're going to take you down, bro." Now we face a new threat: terrorism that originates from the Muslim world. Or as I like to call it: Islamic-anti-awesomeness.

By habit or ideology, much of the Arab world has chosen to reject awesomeness. This anti-awesomeness is at the root of their America-hatred. In the tradition of past American leaders, President Bush has taken a stand and said, "Arabs have a right to be awesome too." But like the Nazis and the Soviets, the Islamo-anti-awesomenists aren't going down without a fight. Of course, it would help if the Democrats shared the president's resolve in this matter. Unfortunately, they've chosen to reject our bipartisan history of awesomeness and become Neville Chamberlain-style appeasers, as I've written before (cf. "The Democrats Are Against Awesome", The Weekly Standard December 2005).

That's why this coming election is so important. Does America want to "cut-and-run" or "stay-and-awe"? Ok, maybe the phraseology needs a little work. But I'm sure Karl Rove and the president's other advisors will think of something good. 'Cus those guys are awesome.

Like the president.

The D.C.

By Special Guest Blogger, Punditta



Editors: At 15, Punditta is America's youngest, freshest, and by all accounts, most adorable political commentator. She's been publishing her own site since 2004, having left her original online forum, J*e*n*n*i G's Personal Hizzome-Page, over "creative differences." From there, her popularitiy skyrocketed. Last year, she was called "sassy, irreverent and essential" by the editors of Time Magazine, who recently hired her to tutor their children.

Other political scribes have also taken note of Punditta; at a recent DC society function, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd termed her "that little bitch".

Luckily for Lomblog, she has now joined our team, and will be posting here occasionally, but never on a school night. Enjoy.

The Ewwwww Department

Can you believe Congressman Tom Tancredo tried to add me to his MySpace?



Gross!!! Even my inbox needs a shower! Shouldn't he be out hassling brown people or something?

The scary thing is, he looks just like my Spanish teacher.

On The D Tip

Meanwhile on the other side of the aisle, the Dems are juiced about taking back the House. Yay! I really don't want to go to Canada, unless I get to personally strangle Nickelback.

How confident are the Donks? They just budgeted $450,000 on ad buys in swing districts, and another $600,000 to shoot more Botox into Nancy Pelosi's face.



Pelosi, you just got P'wned!



Some Enchanted Ceasefire

Like the musical reference? Believe it or not, I was in a theatre camp production of South Pacific this summer with - get this - Donald Rumsfeld's granddaughter Kaila! I'll be YouTubing some highlights later on. Very educative show, btw. Knowing the history really puts this appeasement talk in some perspective.

I digress. Can you believe my bf and I are still arguing Israel/Lebanon? We ended up debating Mideast issues through the whole VMAs last night ("If you love the IDF so much, why don't you marry it!" "Shh...Fall Out Boy"). Ugh. Thank God (and Mom) for TiVo.

Anyway, I hope you're happy, Ehud Olmert.

The Dukes Of Allen

A lot of blog-ink got spilled this week on the subject of Senator George Allen (R-Macaca) and his affiliation with Southern bigots.

Most embarrassingly for his re-election campaign, a picture came to light which shows G-Al with some old racist dudes and that actor they used to make fun of on The Simpsons:



We got a lot of letters on this topic, including one from a reader who calls himself "LF":

Dear Punditta,

Love your blog! It's almost as good as mine [link removed].

Looking at that Allen pic, I wanted to play One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other.


Let's see here: racist...racist...racist...racist...GUN NUT!

You see, they're NOT all the same!

Thanks, LF!

My readers never let me down. It was they who they tipped me off to a pic on the homepage of Senator Allen's 19-year-old niece, Ravel.

It turns out she has a lot in common with her Dixie-loving uncle. Ravel is such a Confederate-sympathizer, she still wears Daisy Dukes!:



Welcome to America, Ravel. That Southern charm really runs in the family, doesn't it?

Please, dear readers, copy, save and distribute before the Senator's campaign staff has Ravel's tasteful pose scrubbed from the Internets.

That's it for me!

'Ditta

Punditta furnishings provided by Time/Warner, Inc. Hair, makeup and wardrobe provided by BloggerGrrrl.