Requiescat in Pace, Senator Ted Kennedy

Although we all knew it was coming, I have to say that Ted Kennedy's death hit me hard. If I was doing word association, and someone said, "senator," I would answer, "Ted Kennedy." First elected in 1962, (!) he is the symbol of the Senate to me, and has been since I was a kid, even though I lived in Florida. He's one of the reasons I became a Democrat in a house of Republicans. I don't know enough about legislative history to completely understand his contribution, I understand it is considered unparalleled by some. Melissa Harris Lacewell wrote this tweet today: harrislacewell Passage of real #HCR would be significant tribute to Sen Kennedy.He fought to extend health care throughout his career. I would love to see that happen. A fitting testimony indeed.

Please share your thoughts about The Lion.

In Which We Will Know Them By The Trail Of Dead*

In 2004, a couple, Nicole and Jeff Rank, were arrested in West Virginia at an appearance by GWB. For wearing t-shirts.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A couple arrested for wearing anti-Bush T-shirts to the president's July 4 appearance at the West Virginia Capitol filed a federal lawsuit yesterday alleging their First Amendment rights were violated.

Nicole and Jeff Rank were removed from the event in handcuffs after revealing T-shirts with President Bush's name crossed out on the front. Nicole Rank's shirt had the words "Love America, Hate Bush" on the back and Jeff Rank's had "Regime change starts at home" on the back.

Their lawsuit was filed in federal court in Charleston by American Civil Liberties Union attorneys. It names Gregory Jenkins, deputy assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Presidential Advance, and W. Ralph Basham, director of the U.S. Secret Service, as defendants.

WTF? I know we now have an administration that doesn't trample all over our Bill of Rights, but why is this threatening behavior permitted? Can you imagine if I had shown up at a GWB appearance with an assault rifle slung casually over my shoulder? I'd still be in Gitmo, most likely.

This is what WH Press Sec. Gibbs said about it, “There are laws that govern firearms that are done state or locally,” he said. “Those laws don’t change when the president comes to your state or locality.”

Now, part of me loves that, but most of me does not. The brazen demonstration of firepower is another bullying technique. The unspoken threats made by these gunslingers target not only the President, but are intended to intimidate the rest of us from exercising our right to Free Speech. Not to mention, their smirking self-satisfaction makes me want to throw something at my tv. (like a sock maybe. i can't afford a new tv.)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

What's next? Are they gonna shove Obama in a locker and take his lunch money? What disturbs me most is, I was plotting going to some Republican senator's town hall meeting, and stand out side with my trusty assault rifle. Fortunately for my integrity, we don't have any Republican senators here in MI. And I don't have a trusty rifle. But other than that...

BTW, the Ranks settled their case for 80k.

P.S. Do we dare hope that "Life During Wartime" is back for good?

* YES, I know it's a band.

In Which Dick Armey Is A Patronizing Ass

It's been over 24 hours and I'm still seething about Rachel's appearance yesterday on MTP. Every time she said anything, smarmy Armey would look around the table with a patronizing smile on his face. "Oh look, the girl thinks she has something to say." Aaagghh! And shame on Gregory for not forcing Armey to answer any of her questions directly. She asks question A, he answers unasked question F, and David Gregory lets it happen. And Rachel staying true to form, never gets shouty, even when maybe she should have.

I'm doing a thought experiment right now in which I imagine I am Rachel facing the rest of the MTP panel. Do I argue harder, louder, even though it's not my thing? Is it a women's issue, in which we rarely try to outshout men? I have another theory. Most of the people that I know from large families are better at getting their voice heard than people from smaller families. Like Rachel, I grew up in a two kid family, where we rarely interrupted one another, mostly because it wasn't necessary. Kids from large families had to work harder to have their voices heard, so they will talk over someone else more readily. Maybe that plays into it too. Or maybe she just has better manners than that asshat Armey!

And to add insult to injury, Rachel was forced by the tyranny of television into wearing girly shoes.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

In Which I Ease Back Into It

Hi! Remember me? Anyone still here? I am moved, out of town guests are gone, and I am back.

I am ignoring the health care reform debacle and accompanying death threats tonight because I was sent into such a rage earlier I fear a brain aneurysm should I try to discuss it here. Instead: Look! Funny!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

How did those idiots not know Hawking is British? Because his computer generated voice doesn't have a British accent? How did we win The Revolution again? Oh, yeah, back then, we weren't stupid. So embarrassing. Hilarious, but embarrassing.

So you guys know those AshleyMadison.com ads that run during TRMS? Am I the only one here who didn't know what this is? "When divorce is not an option." Huh? What the hell does that mean? Oh.

"Life is short. Have an affair?" Come on MSNBC. Don't embarrass The Maddow like that.

ETA: Did any of you see Lawrence O'Donnell, sitting in for Chris Matthews on Hardball, eviscerate this woman regarding her attack on Arlen Spector at a town hall meeting?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

More Yankee pride!

In Which My Internet Provider Sucks

I moved, but still no phone or Interwebs. Will be back soon.

ETA: $200 later, phone and Internet machine working. No more excuses.

ETA Part 2: 1 more excuse...I'm tired. Really tired.