The United States of Unflattering Stereotypes

How long does it take to travel to every state in the nation and mock it right to its face? About two minutes…

I think it's really cool that Paul Jury traveled 19,000 miles in the service of writing his book States of Confusion, but you've got to wonder if it was really necessary. If he was really interested in seeing how everybody in the country really lives, couldn't he have just gone to a Wal-Mart in a Hoveround?

Tags: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Books, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

From the Pork Barrel: Serious Journalism!

* "Have you ever stayed at a Holiday Inn?" and other tough questions Donald Trump had to face from serious journalist Meghan McCain.

* Andrew Breitbart's Big Journalism wonders allowed "What if the Birthers Are Right?" Also, totally thinks the birthers are right.

* Libya under attack from bloodthirsty flying robots.

* Looks like the only people who like Sarah Palin less than Alaskans is everybody else.

* Idaho Gov. Butch Otter puts down foot, vows to protect constituents from dangerous medical care.

Tags: Alaska, Andrew Breitbart, Barack Obama, Birthers, Butch Otter, Health Care, Idaho, Libya, Meghan McCain, Polls, Pork Barrel, Robots Are Dope!, Sarah Palin

What Does the Republican Blitzkrieg on Unions Mean for Tomorrow?

So, taking collective bargaining rights away from public employees seems to be a pretty popular pastime for Republicans in the Midwest lately, doesn't it? With so much media heat on the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, it's easy to not notice that pretty much the same (or worse) is also happening in Republican-dominated Iowa, Michigan, Idaho, Indiana and Ohio. (I would like to take this moment to remind you that liberals are destroying the fabric of this country. Thank you.)

How is a decent human beings supposed to respond to this? Well, despondency is one option. (And I have a feeling it's going to be a popular one.) But, also, hope? Maybe some optimism? Sounds crazy, but some people are actually choosing to go that way. Like, for example, in Ohio where there's some speculation that today's bitter pill is maybe tomorrow's ice cream…

Labor is planning to launch a repeal referendum against the bill, and Republicans stand a better chance of defeating such a measure if it makes the ballot in 2011 instead of 2012.

Labor groups privately admit they'd rather vote on a repeal in November 2012 to take advantage of a more Democratic-leaning electorate and potentially help Obama's reelection prospects…

Another potential beneficiary of a 2012 referendum would be Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who is likely to face a tough reelection race next year. Brown has repeatedly spoken out for state workers over the past several weeks and has been dispatching staffers to labor rallies in Ohio.

This is, of course, assuming that the Koch brothers don't decide to privatize the election process between now and then. I have a feeling we could be looking at a President Angel Soft Toilet Paper in a few years time.

Tags: Barack Obama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Senate, Sherrod Brown, Unions, Wisconsin

Now Idaho Hates Teachers, Too!

Idaho GOP members have joined their Midwestern brethren's noble mission to fuck each and every public school teacher in his or her underpaid bum-bum. Perhaps when you are a fundamentalist nutball who homeschools all your children, the funding of public schools is maybe not at the top of your list. After all, you've got the Rapture to consider!

Let's take a peek at what the potato-fueled geniuses in Idaho are up to now…

A bill that would phase out tenure for new teachers and restrict collective bargaining on their salaries and benefits is on its way to the Idaho governor.

The GOP-backed measure cleared its final hurdle Tuesday in the state Legislature, where it passed the Idaho House on a 48-22 vote. Nine Republicans crossed party lines to oppose the bill.

So, the Idaho Education Association is maybe not as psyched about this as Idaho Republicans. We can't imagine why.

Tags: Education, Idaho, Unions

Evan Bayh and Larry Craig on Breaking the Senate Habit

John Oliver sits down with former U.S. Senator Larry Craig and soon-to-be former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh and asks what it's like to walk away from the gigantic head trip that is the life of a senator without ever discussing airport bathrooms as was formally agreed upon beforehand…

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11pm / 10c.

Tags: Evan Bayh, Idaho, Indiana, John Oliver, Larry Craig, Senate, Sex, The Daily Show