Update on L'Affaire D'American TV

Here is a round up of this morning's inputs on yesterday's hypocrisy storm:

folkbum's shows another example of the double speak that comes from the right.

Dan Cody points out it's just another silly day for the tens of extremist right wing bloggers.

Here's an overdue acknowledgement of Mike Plaisted's work. (Sorry, Mike.)

The Illy One has an open letter to Wyn Becker at American TV.

And grumps has found the secret logo of the Perpetually Officially Offended Right (POOR):

Good Advice From Fischer

I know I do this every single time:

Hypocrisy And Selective Outrage--They're Not Just For Talk Radio Anymore

This past weekend Illy-T noted that John McAdams was getting his selective outrage on. Why? Because WKLH, the Shepherd Express and American TV had the audacity to sponsor a show with Bill Maher. Apparently McAdams felt this was terrible, because Maher cracked a few jokes at the expense of Catholics, or something.

Sykes picked up on that, and our own kr picked up on Sykes.

Today, there was a firestorm put up. On one side, their was McAdams, Sykes, Belling and several others, putting up such a stink that American responded, rather politely. Unsatisfied, and smelling blood, they kept up their assault until American acquiesced and pulled their sponsorship.

Fair enough. Freedom of speech is protected under the Constitution.

But that wasn't the end of it, really. McAdams, apparently feeling more ornery than usual, decided to take umbrage with this post of mine. He feels that it is OK for him to show his disapproval of an event, but that the left is not allowed the same privilege.

To make his arguments even more ridiculous, McAdams, who claims to be offended by Maher's anti-Catholic jokes, proudly links to those who readily insult Islam, women, homosexuals, Mexicans and people who want to give peace a chance.

Others have caught this grand act of hypocrisy:

Illy-T has been tracking it here, here, here and here.

Jay Bullock has also noted the selective outrage and the hypocrisy.

Other Side cuts to the chase, and notes their shamelessness.

But we are not helpless, my friends. If you feel that enough is enough, there are a couple of things we can do.

One is to show your support for Bill Maher. You can do so by simply going to this site and leaving a message expressing your outrage over the way the right wants to trample his rights.

You can also call American TV at (608) 271 1000 or email them through this site, and let them know that you're disappointed that they gave into a handful of vainglorious hypocrites.

SIDENOTE: Ironically, I received an email from my self-described neocon father. The email contained an old joke involving Forrest Gump entering heaven. He received this joke from someone in his church. At the end of the email was this:

Give me a sense of humor, Lord.
Give me the ability to understand a clean joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And to pass it on to other folks.

This is something that McAdams, Sykes, and the rest of the perpetually offended right wingers should add to their daily prayers.

Whallah! Fever! It's Catching!

Grumps pointed out a fun little piece from Done (I thought it was Don) Pridemore. But I just had to include part of Pridemore's editorial:

Jessica, you have based your rant on press releases and sound bites that are at least two weeks old rather than practicing some real journalism and calling me firsthand about the things I have changed. That’s how the process works.

You may want to include in your pillow talk with Paul a question on the e-mails he sends out. I have a dandy one he sent me if you’d like to read it. The last line reads, “You need real competition in the fall. Let’s see if we can arrange that.” How would you interpret that? Is Paul still upset I endorsed J.B. Van Hollen for attorney general over him? Paul never even asked for my endorsement.

I’m hoping both of you realize you are not helping yourselves or the causes you claim to care about. I’d be happy to sit down with both of you to discuss your concerns. I’ll buy the coffee. I suggest decaf.

Who knew so many people would want to Whallah!? I'm thinking I'll have to take this thing national.

A Mercy Bid

Someone (Belling?) came in at the 11th hour and saved Belling from humiliation with a last minute bid to buy the bobblehead (the doll, not the real Bobbleheaded Belling).

But never fear. If you missed out on your chance for this wonderful prize, there is even a greater one in store for you.

The Mark Belling Dartboard:

Another Explanation

We already know why Sykes never wins a Pulitzer. For some reason, he feels compelled to keep giving us reasons why this is:

Oooh! Fun Stuff!

It's not the prospect of yet another third person presser from state Rep Don Pridemore that's got me almost giddy.

It's not the sniping match between WRTL, Pridemore and Ms Whallah herself.

What's got me all up in the air is the subliminal byline on the op-ed piece. Does GMToday know something we should all know?

Happy Cinco de Mayo

A Sign Of The Apocalypse?

Things are getting too weird now, even for me. I cannot think of a clearer sign that this may be the end times, but when Fred Dooley, at Real Debate Wisconsin, does a Whallah! type post:

Yelling's Derby Picks.

Mark Yelling has been sharing his extensive horse racing expertise with his listeners on triple crown races for years.

He does have a history of success in his picks, this year... Not so much.

Here are Belling's top five picks in the order that he predicted them and where they actually finished.

1st - Visionair - finished 12th
2nd - Fortune - finished 10th
3rd - Cool Coal Man - finished 15th
4th - Big Brown - finished 1st
5th - Court Vision - finished 13th

I guess this is why they call it gambling. Keep picking Mark, you can't win them all.

I have to go lie down now. I don'f feel so well all of a sudden.

Squawkers On Parade

This was swiped from Ol' Broad, just because it gave me a laugh...

Belling Must Be Sweating By Now

In the ongoing Bobblehead Watch, there is less than twenty-four hours to go, and there is still not one bid on the Belling Bobblehead.

Any guesses on how long before Belling caves in and bids $100 just to save face?

Misdirected Anger

You've heard it before. Sykes goes off about it all the time. So does McIlheran. Even Fischer is getting into the act.

In their inane and barely veiled elitist, bigoted attempts to disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters in Wisconsin, they keep hammering on their desire for Voter ID. They keep asking when, oh when, will Doyle get it, and cave in to their nefarious ways. After all, Doyle passed a law that requires a person to show a picture ID when buying medication that has pseudophedrine in it, right? So why doesn't he do it for voting?

Well, the answer is pretty simple really. Every state has passed a similar law. Why is that, you may ask? Well that is to be in alignment with the federal law passed by the federal government (emphasis mine):

On March 9, 2006, President Bush signed into law the “USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005.” Among that bill’s provisions was the “Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005” (“Combat Meth Act”). The Combat Meth Act seeks to curb the availability of certain chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. These precursor chemicals – pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine – are common ingredients in many over-the-counter cold, flu, and allergy medications. The Combat Meth Act subjects retailers to new sales restrictions, employee training obligations, and reporting requirements if they wish to continue to sell these over-the-counter medicines.

[...]

Logbook Requirement – Beginning September 30, 2006, retailers must maintain a list of all sales of pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (with the exception of single dose sales). The log may be maintained electronically. The logbook must include the following information:

• Product Name;
• Quantity Sold;
• Name and address of purchaser; and
• Date and time of the sale.

The retailer must require that the customer present, prior to purchase, a photo ID card issued by a state or the Federal Government, a passport or an Alien Registration Receipt Card or Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”). The Customer must also sign the logbook, writing his or her name, address, and the date and time of the sale. The retailer must confirm that the name in the logbook corresponds with the name on the ID and that the date and time are correct. The retailer must then enter into the logbook the name of the product and the quantity sold. Retailers must retain the logbooks for at least two years. Logbooks will be subject to certain privacy protections which will be discussed in regulations promulgated by the Department of Justice.

The time that this law was passed and enacted, the Republicans were definitely in power in the Congress, and last time I checked, Bush was still considered to be a Republican.

So if Syke, Belling, PaddyMac and Fischer want to gripe about having to show their photo ID every time they go to the pharmacy for their Sudafed, whether for allergies or to make the meth they must be smoking, they ought to be remembering the rightful place to put the blame. Themselves and the politicians they support.

Caress the Thought

mal contends over at Folkbum points out what a huge bigot (literally and figuratively) Rev. (sic) John Hagee is, especially towards Catholics.

Spin this all you want. Unless you are a one-dimensional hick or just trying desperately to smear something on Barack Obama, John McCain purposely pursued the endorsement of this incredible hulk in order to get himself in solid with the "religious"whackos that serve as spark plugs for the GOP.

As for Obama and Rev. Wright, only the most immature among us who didn't spend second at Trinity UCC could make the claim that these tirades took place Sunday after Sunday. Pleas grow up.

Someone who fails to notice the enormity of Hagee's hatred towards Catholics is Charlie Sykes, unless he has done it in private.

But he does have amenity towards comedian Bill Maher.

Charlie as some of you know, is a wine experts and he expertly whines that American TV will be sponsoring Bill Maher's Milwaukee appearance in July. He gives the h/t to Jolly John McAdams over at the school that has that Golden Eagles basketball team.

That of course emits a whiff of boycott, maybe of American TV. You know the line. "You have meddled with the universe and you..shall...pay."

But when I was at his last performance Maher had a few Republicans in the audience. Chances are Charlie can pout all he wants, but Maher's appearance in this election year will be a sellout.

We liberals crave darts expertly aimed at the heart of the GOP.

But if American really wants to sponsor something, how about a debate between Sykes and Maher rather than just stand up.

Savor the event. Maher is whip smart and all Sykes can do is spout mindless cliches.

What do you say Charlie? Some of your sheep tell me you are quick with a joke, especially when it comes at the expense of poor people, minorities and people who want generate some fairness in Milwaukee.

Let's see what you can do once you get away from your fawning audience. It would be a great way for you to test your skill against a real wit, and fine entertainment for the rest of us.

50,000 Served

Whallah! just hit another landmark of 50,000 unique hits. This comes on the heels of celebrating our first birthday.

Oh, I am aware it's not as good as some blogs are doing, but still not bad for a little old "typical liberal abuse/hate blog."

Thank you for reading. And thank you for your suggestions, tips and other emails. Keep'em coming!

And also a shout out to Grumps, Xoff, Other Side, Brawler and all the rest who help in this ongoing mission.

Double The Irony...

...double the fun.