Swine Flu Propaganda with 70s Porn Music and Joe Biden

Here's a funny find by Jason at Sith By Sithwest, who I believe works in the health care biz, and is no doubt getting no less than 50 relatives calling him a day asking if they have the swine flu because they have a headache.



Notice that the Emmanuelle-style porn music kicks on at ~0:35 and talks about people "giving it" to everyone else. Perhaps they filmed this as an anti-STD ad first and didn't bother to edit? Also notice that the only "ethnics" in the ad are speaking jive and playing basketball. You probably couldn't get away with that nowadays. But, if you're the Vice President you can work everyone into a scare about having to wear a clean suit and live in a bubble. Must have been the GOP's fault. This is what our culture has degraded to in 2009: no funny ads, just Biden being his usual gaffe-tastic self.

No Balls Washington Times Neglects To Mention "The Sniper" Was at Milblog Conference

Why Was the Media Not Interviewing This Guy

I made it to the last milblog conference, but couldn't make it to this one due to a prior engagement. I hear some nice folks were there, and KY Woman, Tankerbabe, and the USO gals have a decent recap. The conference even got media attention from the Washington Times (h/t JP):

They are passionate, committed and courageous. They work long hours without much hope of fame or fortune. They believe in their cause and are united by a strong urge to serve the troops. These are the military bloggers who attended the 2009 milblog conference at the Westin Arlington Gateway hotel Friday and Saturday.

Many milbloggers are former or current members of the armed forces; others are spouses and parents who are familiar with the issues and want the rest of America to understand their concerns. They come from all walks of life. Yet they share a camaraderie that is instant and infectious: If you are present, you immediately feel welcome.

Thanks for the puff piece, ma'am, but those goons in the MSM missed the most important blogger there: The Sniper. Overlooking the beloved, drunken lout who brings offensive military humor to the masses is a slap in the face to offensive bloggers everywhere (a sub-genre I'm working up to). This injustice will not stand. Oh, and they thought TSO was Paul Rieckhoff. But that's just funny.

YOUTH... LET'S MAKE THE MOST OF IT

Currently Listening To: Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry

Sophomore 

Photographer: Cass Bird

Image source: sophomore

SOMEBODY CALL 911

How hot is this photograph?!

Chloë Sevigny by the wonderful Terry Richardson

Image source: terryworld

JEALOUSY

Emmanuelle Alt. I'm incredibly jealous of her.

Image source: TrendyCrew

TALLULAH

Model: Tallulah Morton

Follow Magazine October 2005

Image source: thefashionspot

ROLE PLAYING

Model: Skye Stracke

Photographer: Matt Irwin

Vogue Russia June 2008

"Role Playing"

Image source: thefashionspot

USE SOMEBODY

Currently Listening To: Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Image source: weheartit

FUP Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize! (ish)

^^This panda can feel its grip on humanity slipping away.^^

GREAT NEWS PEOPLE. The fine people at Logo have announced that I AM BEING NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD. It's for "greatest person ever" (or something) on their NewNowNext award show! You can even vote for me!!!!1111!! The show is somewhat low budget (it can't afford spaces in its name) so I don't think I'm getting any money, which seems like bullshit. But it is on TV, which means THIS SHIT IS GOING GLOBAL. Let's be honest here, people, this isn't the best thing that's ever happened to me, but it's the best thing that's ever happened to you!!!

Now, I know what you're thinking: this blog is awesome. But I know what else you are thinking: isn't Logo a gay network? How does telling cute animals what's what relate to the gay community? Well, as long time readers of the blog know, this blog actually started out as a major LGBT news and debate site. We would have commentary, as well as people from different walks of life come on the site with opposing viewpoints and they wouldn't be able to leave the computer until they sorted out their differences! A lot of people don't know this, but I was singlehandedly responsible for putting the whole gay marriage argument to rest (glad that's over, wtf, am I right?). Many others remember my thought-provoking and truly moving Will and Grace farewell post, which received four separate Peabodie Awards. Eventually, though, all gay-related websites evolve into anti-penguin campaigns (you should see the relaunch they are developing for the GLAAD website, even I think it goes a little too far).

I would also like to add one thing: Penguins have impeccable taste in interior design. If it wasn't for gay people, those flightless bastards would be the only ones we could call to move from shabby to chic. So thank you, Logo. Even though my cable company doesn't put you on my television, I'm sure you are great, if only now by association.

FACTORY GIRL

Sienna Miller and Hayden Christensen for Factory Girl (2006)

Image source: ru_glamour

Talking Point Du Jour: The Republicans Caused the Swine Flu or Something

Politics never ceases to amaze me with it's sleaziness. That's probably why I feel so at home blabbering about it from time to time! The swine flu outbreak is, indeed, not good, and the CDC (annual budget $8.8B) is addressing this public health problem. But, never letting a good crisis go to waste, the left is using recent public paranoia about all things pork to take a few whacks at the GOP. Politico has the scoop on a new push by the SEIU:

The union accuses Senate Republicans of delaying the confirmation of nominee Kathleen Sebelius to “curry favor with extremist outside groups” and depriving the department of leadership as the nation confronts a potential flu pandemic.

“This is simply unacceptable,” the union says on its website. “This disease is spreading as we speak, but right now, a Bush-appointed accountant is running the department. We need an HHS secretary NOW. Sign the petition telling the Senate to vote immediately to confirm Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. If we don't act, the swine flu might just turn into another Hurricane Katrina.”

Some other blogs (e.g. Kos, C&L, The Nation) are piling on by saying that flu preparedness was killed in the stimulus bill. If memory serves correct, Obama's first HHS nominee, Daschle, had a bit of a tax problem, and Sebelius is having similar issues with back taxes. So the Dems can blame themselves for that one. As for adequate funding to deal with the swine flu, is there any indication that the CDC is not manned up to manage this threat? So they don't have a bunch of self-promoting, political appointees to answer questions from the media, do photo-ops, and take responsibility for other people's work. Big fucking deal. Personally, I'd much rather see the bureaucracies and organizations of the federal government being managed by experienced professionals rather than a rag-tag bunch of politicians who performed enough sexual favors to get where they're at. I honestly believe that is why law enforcement and the military have a better public image and function more properly than some of the other agencies.

Of course, then we wouldn't be able to inject the right vs. left mouth-frothing into every single news event.

Why Do New Yorkers Hate America?

This may be the low-hanging blog-fruit of the day, but with the exception of putting a bunch of barrels on the subway marked "Swine Flu", can you think of anything that would spook New Yorkers more than low flying planes? The White House is suffering some serious embarrassment today after a botched "Highway to the Danger Zone" photo-op involving one of the Air Force Ones in lower Manhattan. From WSJ:

On Monday morning, one of the 747s used to ferry around the president of the U.S. was dispatched to the Statue of Liberty, escorted by fighter jets. Assignment: Get some fresh glamour shots of the plane.

The Air Force said the flight needed to remain confidential. So while New York police knew about it, as did at least one person in the mayor's office, regular New Yorkers remained in the dark.

As a result, to onlookers Monday all across downtown Manhattan -- where the World Trade Center once stood -- the photo shoot looked like a terrorist attack. People watched in horror as a massive aircraft, trailed closely by F-16 fighters, banked and roared low over the city, in a frightening echo of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Fearing the worst, thousands of people streamed out of the skyscrapers and into the streets. Some buildings ordered evacuations.

The notification process seemed to have been completely lost in the black hole of bureaucracy, and the Mayor didn't even know about it (let alone your average New Yorker). Hot Air has some video footage of the chaos that ensued.

The President was forced to issue a hasty apology, and because of this numbskullery, the planned Obama as Jesus artwork set to go up in Union Square would probably be best delayed.

Stingrays forget their name is a dead giveaway

I know you think you are going to get me to come over there and give you a big hug, Stingray. And, yeah, I am pretty impressed with your winning smile, I'm not going to lie. But you have "sting" right there in your name. I mean, Manta Ray, no problem, let's hug like crazy. Devil Ray, okay, not really kosher, but I can handle that, bring it in. But Stingray? I'm gonna need something a lot more convincing than those soft eyes and flappy wings, buddy. Maybe, like, a signed agreement that you won't sting me.

Beyond that, Stingray, there isn't much I can do for you. So please, stop smiling like that, or at least only get photographed from the top so no one can see it. It makes you look desperate.

MONDAY MORNING

Currently Listening To: Elvis Duran and the Morning Zoo

Model: Abbey Lee Kershaw

Photographer: Dan Martensen

Exit Magazine May 2009

It's 7:03 AM as I'm typing this. I woke up way early and got dressed, and was actually pleased with myself so I figured I should try to find something to post tonight, but this editorial was too amazing to not post right away! I'm obsessed with every single photograph. And, I'm really starting to like Abbey more and more. 

Have a nice day! xo

Image source: modelcouture

ALMOST WEEKLY DOSE

Currently Listening To: Tercer Sexo - Indochine

I would so love to make a weekly Olsen outfit post (it's been 20 days since my last one), but I have a bit of a laziness/procrastination problem so you know... I'll try my best lol

Image source: justjared

I LOVE THE SUN

Currently Listening To: Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas

I adore the colors of summer, and all the cool people it brings out! I'd love to be dressed like one of these girls right now!

Image source: stylesightings

GREYSCALE

Model: Behati Prinsloo

Photographer: David Sims

W Magazine May 2006

"Cornwall"

Image source: ht_photography

Porkers in DC Really Have No Shame: Murtha's Ozymandias Airport

I drove by a freeway exit on I-77 today in West Virignia called "Robert Byrd Drive" near the town of Beckley. Jeez, I know the Senator and ex-Klansman is taking forever to kick the bucket, but aren't you supposed to wait until the obituary has been written before you name high schools, roads, and monuments after a person? It reminded of the opulent Norm Dicks Government Center (a congressman from WA) located in the working class city of Bremerton that I shuddered everytime I drove past on my way to the ferry. It also reminded me of Saddam commemorating himself with all sorts of crazy shit in Baghdad, but it's the weekend so I'll be polite and not compare DC politicians to the Ba'ath party in this post.

But, CDR Salamander draws our attention to an ABC report on an airport named after King of the BBQs, John Murtha. Of course the airport is federally subsidized and only has 20 passengers a day.

It's just like a modern version of the definitive poem on mankind's hubris: Ozymandias.

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

HEADPIECE

I loooove Sasha's headpiece! But, I don't think i could pull it off!

Image source: TFS

84 FREAKING DEGREES TODAY

Currently Listening To: Goodbye - Kristina Debarge

Model: Behati Prinsloo

Photographer: Benjamin Alexander Huseby

Vogue UK March 2006

"Heavenly Creatures"

I got to pass by the park today with some friends, and it was packed with TONS and TONS of people! It seemed like everyone in the whole city came out to enjoy today's weather, but I definitely can't blame them! It was so awesome to finally wear shorts and a t-shirt! Pretty much every girl at the park was wearing a bikini. And, there were lots of great dressers out today, it kinda made me want to go into Sartorialist mode, and ask them permission to take a picture, but I wouldn't have the guts! lol Gosh, today's weather was really incredible! And, it's supposed to be even better tomorrow, and luckily I have plans so I can't wait! Hope you had a great day! I'd loved to know what's going on with you! xo

Image source: ht_photography

Detainee Pictures To Needlessly Jeopardize National Security

What are the motivations behind all this interest in so called "enhanced interrogation" techniques? Certainly, the punditry isn't to alter policy, because Obama signed an executive order banning the controversial techniques before he even had the drapes picked out at the White House. Paul Krugman argues that it's to save America's soul, which presumably means to vindicate the far-left base that has been pushing this issue for years. Documents and photos are classified not as part of a conspiracy to keep the public uniformed, but to prevent detrimental effects on national security, and yes, the lives of troops and CIA operatives performing the grim task of protecting the nation.

The America Civil Liberties Union (which ironically has a very dictatorial style in its own internal affairs), has used a FOIA request to acquire photos of detainee abuse on May 28 that will, no doubt, lead to serious repercussions for national security. From the Military Times:

The letter from Justice said the Pentagon was preparing to release 21 photos at issue in the appeal, plus 23 others “previously identified as responsive.” The letter added that the Pentagon also was “processing for release a substantial number of other images contained in Army CID reports that have been closed during the pendency of this case.”

The ACLU and the Defense Department reached an agreement for “all the responsive images” to be released by May 28, the letter said.

The base, clamoring for the heads of Cheney and other Rethuglicans, will make available to the world photos that will accompany Jihadist propaganda around the world. While we pride ourselves on living in a transparent society, I really wish some of these "activists" would stop foaming at the mouth for two seconds and consider the consequences of their actions.

Seahorses make me less interested in real horses

FUCK! Horses were all prance-y and I could ride them and shit. It was totally kick-ass. At one point, I even said "Who needs the ocean when you have horses?" And I lived my life like that meant something. Now, I see a seahorse and that all goes out the window. How did you get the head of a horse? That shit is I-N-S-A-N-E.

Often times, animals with combo names are total crap, like that porcupinefish from last week. (wtf? Still not over it, get a real name, loser.) But this fucker really lives up to his billing, and I'm not going to let him get away with it. Yeah, I see the curved tail, and I know the males have babies (apparently nature's rules don't apply to everyone if you're "special" enough). But that doesn't give him the right to simultaneously look like a horse, some coral, a fluke, and a creamsicle. Pick a style and run with it, Seahorse. Stop freaking me out and let me have the normal horses that eat apples and let flies sit on their eyeballs.

FLORA BY GUCCI

Model: Abbey Lee Kershaw

Photographer: Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

Image source: ru_glamour

ANNA SELEZNEVA

Anna Selezneva by Hedi Slimane

Image source: ru_glamour

My Banana Republic Tis of Thee...

Lousy Presidential candidate/decent guy, Sen. John McCain, said going on a "witch hunt" for people involved in the notorious legal memos regarding enhanced interrogation would turn us into a screwy Banana Republic. From Politico:

“Look, I didn't agree, as you said, with the techniques — and I'd be glad to continue that debate with people. But to criminalize their legal counsel, unless you can prove that they intentionally violated existing laws or ethics, then this is going to turn into a witch hunt,” he said.

McCain compared the potential prosecutions with the actions of “banana republics” that “prosecute people for actions they didn't agree with under previous administrations.”

I tend to take the Shep Smith position on the torture issue personally, but, like when maintenance gets "magically completed" between the hours of 0000-0200 on a Navy ship, sometimes it's best to not know how the CIA conducts business. What would the public have to gain by demanding the release of classified documentation during a time of war? MoveOn.Org's latest ad provides some insight into that question. Prosecuting Darth Cheney of course!

This along with the Obama's administration half-assed attempt at bank nationalization by not allowing TARP recipients to pay back the money, sending law enforcement after political enemies and veterans, and our skyrocketing debt certainly might put us in the running for Banana Republic status.

But we're not even a cool Banana Republic. There's no marching around the jungle with a machete in a tropical climate as part of Generalissimo's hit squad. There's no kickbacks from shady fat dudes in Hawaiian shirts laundering drug money. And there's no gaudy uniforms with big ass hats and made-up medals. All we get is lousy Oboner tributes from the sycophantic media about Obama's "house of rock" and shitty artwork of the El Presidente. This Banana Republic sucks.

Yglesias and His Strange Musings on WWII

Not sure what prompted Yglesias to write why Americans shouldn't be so "self-congratulatory" about being on the good side of defeating the worst imperialistic powers civilization has ever seen. Maybe he got mad when he saw some tourists gawking at the WWII memorial in DC during his morning bike ride or something. From Think Progress:

The greatest example of that has to be America’s bizarre self-congratulatory narrative about World War II. It’s a narrative that’s all the more bizarre for the fact that the truth would still reflect well on us. But somehow the fact that the Soviet Union did more, objectively, to beat Hitler gets excised. As does the fact that it was Canada, Australia, and New Zealand rather than the United States that really did somewhat selflessly jump to throw in with the Allies at the earliest possible date. Somehow we’re supposed to believe that the United States single-handedly, and in a completely disinterested manner, rode to the rescue and that it was incredibly cowardly of the nation of France to located itself adjacent to Germany rather than having the foresight to be courageously separated from Hitler by the Atlantic Ocean.

Does anyone not know about London getting continuously bombed in 1940 or that the Soviets had the most casualties? His contrived strawman seems to be an horrible dumbass in history. Yglesias also conveniently leaves out that whole Pacific campaign portion of WWII, because of the inconvenient fact that we had more skin in the game there than our European allies. He seems to be channeling the standard conservative stereotype of liberals that courage, sacrifice, and patriotism is something the left is embarrassed by and that America is always in the wrong.

OHHMYYGAWWD

That was the exact reaction I had. And I know you're thinking that too :)

Amazing photography of Erin Wasson by Kenneth Cappello

Click here to see more of his work, there are some great shots of Jessica Stam on there!

Image source: KennethCappello

Taliban Advance on Islamabad, Nuclear Facilities

Oh Fuck

Did you think that Pakistan's government negotiating a deal with the Taliban to allow for Sharia law in exchange for "peace" in the Swat Valley was a good idea? Me neither. Despite the government telling the international media that all is well, Al-Jazeera English has footage of Buner being occupied by the Taliban (southeast of Swat and about 100km from Islamabad, map is here):

More troubling news from The Long War Journal is that the Taliban are continuing their march onward to Islamabad and areas which have nuclear facilities:

The Taliban advance on Mansehra and Haripur takes place at the same time they are moving on the districts of Swabi, Mardan, and Malakand. The takeover of these five districts would essentially cement the Taliban's control of the province.

The Taliban takeover of Haripur would put the Taliban on the doorstep of Islamabad and would also put two major nuclear facilities at risk.

Haripur borders the Margala Hills, a region in the Islamabad Capital Territory. Haripur also borders the Punjab districts of Attock and Rawalpindi.

Attock hosts two major nuclear facilities in Pakistan: the Wah Cantonment Ordnance Complex and the Kamra (Minhas) Airbase. The Wah Cantonment Ordnance Complex host three sites where nuclear weapons and components are stored and assembled and aircraft and missiles are modified for use in nuclear attacks. The nearby Kamra Airbase is thought to host attack aircraft capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Pakistan's military has been dispatched after some justifiable hand-wringing by SECSTATE Hillary Clinton. But, seeing how Pakistan's military advances against the Taliban have a history of being a dog-and-pony show to get more aid from us, it might be time to start shitting your pants.

FREE SPIRIT

Model: Daria Werbowy

Photographer: Ben Hassett

Vogue Paris May 2009

"Esprit Libre"

Image source: modelcouture

SETTLING FOR SPRING

So I know my previous post was about summer (because I want it so bad), but I'd love to look like one of these girls for spring! Right now its 43 degrees, but it should be 80 by this weekend. I hope you have nice weather this weekend! xo

Image source: altamira

FiveThirtyEight Says Best Bet for GOP is to Go Libertarian

Zombie Jefferson Sez "I Was a Libertarian Before It Was Cool, Bitches!!"

Paging Michael Steele and fellow right-wing extremists! Spare us the links on Miss California being "biblically correct" because she's against teh gheys marrying, and no more discussion that Jesus wanted you to be abstinent. I'd rather be watching Manos: The Hands of Fate interspersed with ExTenze commercials than discuss those schnoozer issues. Because the pollmeisters at FiveThirtyEight have stated that the best bet for the GOP is turning into pot-smoking, bailout-hating, and gun-toting libertarians. This assertion seems to come from the popularity of the tea parties. From Nate Silver:

If gay bashing is becoming less in vogue among Republicans, it's unclear which other cultural issues -- areas where Republicans sometimes favor bigger, more statist government -- might take its place. Yes, there's always abortion. But I'm surprised there hasn't been more anti-immigrant sentiment, as often happens when jobs are scarce; perhaps the Republicans' poor performance among Latino voters on November 4th might have scared them away from that issue. Marijuana legalization seems to be gaining some traction (although more among pundits than policymakers), but about half the conservative commentariat (see Glenn Beck, for instance, who calls himself a libertarian) seems to embrace it.

Maybe you see a pattern there and maybe you don't. But of the roughly four different pathways the Republicans could take in the post-Obama universe -- toward Ron Paulesque libertarianism, toward Sarah Palinesque cultural populism, toward Mike Huckabeesque big-government conservatism, or toward Olympia Snowesque moderation/ good-governmentism -- the libertarian side would seem to have had the best go of things in the First 100 Days.

Matt Welch snarks that the GOP "miraculously relocated some of its alleged principles at the precise moment it lost power", and seeing how damaging the Bush years were to the GOP's fiscal conservative image, he's pretty much on the spot. But, hey, when your party is less popular than Hugo Chavez by polling data, you can only improve.

Tasmanian devils misrepresent themselves

I went all the way to Tasmania to meet a Tasmanian devil I met online because I thought he was going to be super awesome. But instead of seeing the guy who was in the picture he had posted, I got this small dog-looking marsupial. Quite frankly, I was pretty disappointed, because if an animal is going to take the time to get to know me online, the least they can do is be honest with me.

So fuck you, Tasmanian Devil. Don't give me that "I know I was lying to you but look how hard I'm trying now" look, because I'm going to need a formal apology, AND IT BETTER NOT COME IN THE FORM OF YOU USING YOUR WHISKERS TO DETECT PREY IN THE DARK. I know all of your tricks, Tasmanian Devil. Your reign of terror is over.

Some of These Wall Street People Really Don't Get It

I don't really hate the uber-rich or anything. Their stupid golf get-ups and gold-digging girlfriends are more a source of humor than rage. But these people ate the proverbial government cheese in the form of billions in TARP money, and they deserve scrutiny in the public eye. I was a "public servant" once being paid by the taxpayers, and there is actually a code of ethics you're supposed to follow. I recall our JAG lecturing the command on the dangers of "fraud, waste, and abuse" because someone took a vehicle with government plates to the Mikky-Ds out in town. Yet, these bozos on Wall Street run up thousands of dollars for bottle service in SoHo with the company plastic, and no one gives a shit.

Check out this NYMag article "The Wail of the 1%" for an inside look at how the Masters of the Universe don't understand the position they are in. Here's a sample:

“No offense to Middle America, but if someone went to Columbia or Wharton, [even if] their company is a fumbling, mismanaged bank, why should they all of a sudden be paid the same as the guy down the block who delivers restaurant supplies for Sysco out of a huge, shiny truck?” e-mails an irate Citigroup executive to a colleague.

The progressive community has spent most of their time ridiculing the populist-themed tea parties and the GOP (supposedly the party of fiscal responsibility) has been suspiciously mum about the dangerous collusion between the banking and DC elite. It's so difficult to get a pitch-forked mob going these days.