Category: Uncategorized

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Hopey changey stuff working

Image via Gorilla Pig

From ThinkProgress:

Covered California, the agency tasked with constructing and maintaining the Golden State’s insurance marketplace, announced in a press release that rates submitted by 13 insurers for the 2014 individual marketplace ranged from a stunning 29 percent below the current average premium for small business health plans to only two percent above them.

For Californians who will gain coverage in the marketplace, that means affordable health plans with a minimum base of ten “essential health benefits,” including prescription drug services, mental health care, and maternity services.

And the announced rates are even better for consumers considering that they don’t take Obamacare’s federal insurance subsidies into account. Depending on income, the average middle-aged Californian would pay anywhere from $40 to $300 per month for a mid-level “Silver” health plan on the marketplace.

Younger, healthier Americans looking to buy bare-bones “Bronze” health plans would end up paying less than $170 per month — or even nothing at all — if they make less money and receive federal Obamacare subsidies.

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Music video: “People Like Us” from Kelly Clarkson

Great song, great vocals by the original American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson. Love the message.

This will be a hit. Trust me.

Check it out on iTunes.

Rumor has it Kelly is headed back to American Idol as a judge next season with Jennifer Hudson and possibly Adam Lambert or Clay Aiken. Jen’s the only one confirmed, thus far. We’ll see.

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Illinois has four days left to pass marriage equality

This is the final week of the Illinois state legislative session.

Lawmakers there have four days to bring to the floor and pass the marriage equality bill.

The Chicago Tribune weighs in today:

For those who favor individual freedom, this isn’t a stretch. We say that with equal respect for those whose religious or moral beliefs lead them to other conclusions.

The Illinois legislation, which has been approved by the Senate, affirms the great value of marriage. It extends that right to same-sex couples. It protects their children. It states that churches are not required to recognize or solemnize same-sex marriages.

This is an issue for states to resolve, and the list of those that accept same-sex marriage is growing. It’s time for the House to vote. Under the I’s, add Illinois.

State Rep. Greg Harris, who has championed the bill in that chamber, has said he will call a vote for the bill when he has the votes to pass – which he has stated he believes he has.

Time is running out.

UPDATE: Wednesday Journal reports that previously undecided Illinois State Rep. LaShawn Ford says he’ll vote for marriage equality:

“This is a well-thought-out decision,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Journal.

Ford, a one-time seminarian, said he had prayed over it. He said he has been swamped with strong opinions from constituents on both sides of the controversy. He acknowledged he has felt heavy lobbying from a politically active segment of the black clergy.

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President Obama – WORST “Socialist” Ever

Chart via New York Times

Stock markets soared today on the news that U.S. home prices saw their best annual rise in seven years, and consumer confidence got another boost.

Through Friday, more than 52 months after President Obama took office, the S&P 500 index was up 105 percent during his term in office, for a compound annual gain of 18 percent.

Worst. Socialist. Ever.

Read more at Maddow Blog.

(tipped by TRR reader Channing)

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Bryan Fischer: Mormon Church supports gay scouts with secret polygamy endgame agenda

Bryan Fischer has been in search of a reason for why the Mormon Church supported the decision by the Boy Scouts of America (or “Boy Sodomizers of America,” as he calls them) to lift its ban on gay scouts, and now he’s found one.

Of course, he has no proof, but he “believes” that the Mormon support comes from a secret plan to bring back polygamy.

And there you have it.

What an idiot…

(via Right Wing Watch)

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New book: Dan Savage’s “American Savage”

Dan Savage’s new book, “American Savage,” is released today in bookstores and online.

From Amazon: “Dan Savage has never been shy about expressing his opinions on controversial topics—political or otherwise.

“He launched the global phenomenon of “It Gets Better,” an inspirational anti-bullying campaign to help LGBT youth, he’s the author of America’s leading sex advice column, “Savage Love;” and he is also infamous for creating one of the world’s first “Google bombs.”

“His writing has been praised as “startlingly frank, howlingly funny” (Library Journal); full of “steel-trap logic and scornful humor” (Publishers Weekly); and “deeply political, sensitive and wise” (PEN America Literary Award).

“In his new book, AMERICAN SAVAGE: Insights, Slights, and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love, and Politics, Dan Savage turns his sharp wit and keen perspective to some of the most salient issues facing the country today, including marriage equality, sex education, healthcare, gun control, and more.”

Click here to check out the book on Amazon. Below is an interview with Savage about the book, the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign, parenthood, and the burden of having an underwear model husband.

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Behind the scenes of “Behind the Candelabra”

After the debut of HBO’s “Behind the Candelabra” this past Sunday, the producers have released an extended 14 minute behind the scenes/”making of” video that explores the discussions and process of making the movie.

I, along with millions this weekend, caught the film and enjoyed it. I thought the acting, especially by Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, was very strong. At one point in the film I realized I had completely bought into the idea that I was watching “Liberace” and “Scott Thorson” and not these two actors.

It’s almost hard to say I “enjoyed” the film, though, as the story that unfolds before us is almost creepy and unsettling at each turn. This is not a happy love story. There’s something tragic about the entire encounter from the very beginning.

If you are an HBO subscriber, I highly recommend the film. And if you aren’t, check out the video above. I’d say it’s good enough to get you to try a subscription. The original programming on HBO is some of the very best TV there is.