Chris Lee And The Hypocrisy of ‘Pro-Family’ Republicans

Few people are going to miss Representative Chris Lee. Lechery or no lechery, he was a lousy and insignificant politician, given to abusing earmarks and franking privileges. The only reason anyone cares about Lee’s resignation is because of the absurd circumstances of the scandal leading up to it.

Truthfully, even in terms of scandal, it’s more stupid than titillating. Lee, despite being married, sent a shirtless photo of himself to a woman on Craigslist using his real name. No physical sexual misconduct took place, no one was injured, and the American people as a whole wouldn’t have been affected one way or the other if the scandal never broke out.

However, Chris Lee has generated just as much news from the controversy and his subsequent resignation as other licentious politicians. In comparison to other events going on in the world, like the Egyptian situation, the Chris Lee situation is getting more coverage than it most likely deserves. Yet, with further analysis, this situation speaks volumes about not only the nature of political sex scandals, but also of the moral expectations of the Republican political machine.
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How Deregulation Foretold Nuclear Disaster In Japan

There will be a postmortem to determine the cause of the nuclear accident in Japan at Fukushima, and all the usual suspects will be rounded up for interrogation. One, however, will get a nod and a wink without any serious investigation: deregulation. It’s the linchpin of the problem, but it will get nary more than a cursory examination.

In the neoliberal world economy, deregulation and free markets are the Holy Grail on the altar at which we’re all forced to worship. Speaking badly about deregulation is like talking about someone’s mother; it’s simply not done. However, to exclude it from the discussion condemns us to another such tragedy. It’s time this thorny issue be addressed and resolved, once and for all, for the good of every living creature on the planet.
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Just Slip Out The Back, Jack

Paul Simon – 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover. Note the exceptional facial hair.

The Earthquake And Tsunami In Japan Through Videos

On March 11th, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan followed by a massive tsunami that devastated much of the country. Through an assortment of on-the-ground videos, we retell the story of the earthquake, the subsequent tsunami, and the aftermath of both disasters through video.

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Japan

Skyscrapers sway in Tokyo:

The ground splits and ruptures during the earthquake:

A Very Special Fatwah Friday

Today is Friday and that means another edition of Fatwah Friday. Today is a special Fatwah Friday, however, as we are going to get all self-referential and recursive, and drop this major religious edict on y’all: Death to the pop song Friday by the infidel Rebecca Black! Her syrupy hooks and borderline retarded lyrics are a blight upon the humble, God-fearing, meme-worshiping netizens of the World Wide Interweb! Her 15 million views are a sign from Allah that the end times are surely upon us! Her iTunes prowess is sickening and sin before the Enchanted Wizards of the Internet! If you haven’t seen this yet, prepare to feel the fires of righteous fury: