Star Tribune Editorial about Bachmann's "Census Fear-Mongering"

The Star Tribune condemns Bachmann's extremism: Conspiracy theories have been a constant in Rep. Michele Bachmann's political career since she first ran for the Stillwater school board in the late 1990s. She made her initial foray into politics by claiming that the Profile of Learning amounted to social engineering. Her anti-gay-marriage ideas were rooted in notions of sinister forces bent on destroying traditional marriage. Her bizarre rants within the past year against "anti-American" members of Congress, a global currency and government-mandated youth "reeducation camps" all exhibit the same disturbing tendency. She sees threats that few other elected officials perceive, let alone describe on national television. Now, they tell us!!! Read the entire editorial and tell us what you think.

Bachmann House Floor Rant: "We Choose Liberty, Or We Choose Tyranny"

Eric Kleefeld at TPMDC: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) took to the House floor this evening, in order to make what may be the strongest Republican argument there is against the climate-change bill -- that it represents a full-scale takeover of "every aspect" of people's lives by a tyrannical government: UPDATE: The House passed the bill... get ready for tyranny!!!

Party Time for Michele Bachmann

The Sunlight Foundation has a website called Party Time: From the early hours of the morning until late in the evening, politicians are partying. Sunlight's PARTY TIME can help you find out who is partying, where and when. Here's their list of Michele Bachmann's parties at fancy restaurants like Finemondo: Chef Savino Recine has "returned back to the basics," with Italian flavors and a refined touch; dishes such as roasted guinea hen with caramelized cauliflower and whole roasted fish and beef -- a dinnertime feature -- are among the results.... ... the swank Capitol Hill Club: The Capitol Hill Club is one of the most popular gathering spots in Washington for lawmakers, government officials and other members of the political establishment. (The Democrats have their own club just a few blocks away.) The Presidential Dining Room–menu favorites include the $32 Filet Mignon with gorgonzola sauce and the $29 tuna steak with balsamic thyme glaze–is “a favorite place for Senators, Representatives, and their guests to dine and discuss the day’s political agenda...” ... and the Capitol Grille: Rich African mahogany paneling and warm lighting from one-of-a-kind art deco chandeliers set the tone for a comfortably elegant evening (unless it’s a lively, social atmosphere you seek, in which case our sophisticated bar might be your destination). Our impressive menu of nationally renowned dry aged steaks and the freshest of seafood will ignite your culinary imagination as our award-winning wine list of more than 5,000 bottles awakens your inner sommelier. And as our gracious, knowledgeable servers delight you with their uncanny ability to anticipate your every need... ... and the Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar: We strive to integrate sustainable practices in all our restaurants: from sourcing local ingredients, to our use of renewable energy sources, we aspire to be more than just a culinary trend-setter. ... and the " Bartlett & Bendall Townhouse". The website even has copies of the invitations... like this one (click to make bigger):

Bachmann Rants About the Census on the Glenn Beck Show

Politicususa.com: Michele Bachmann was on Glenn Beck’s Fox News show today, and the result was an absolute panic over the 2010 Census. Beck worried that by not filling out the Census the government could take away his gun. Bachmann also continued to claim that the Census information could used to put Americans into internment camps. Beck tried to worry people with the threat of a fine for not filling out the Census. Beck asked if there are any other ramifications for not filling out the Census. Bachmann answered, “Let me give you two ramifications Glenn, the US Census Department told my office that if you fail to fill out this form, you will receive approximately six contacts from them either through phone calls or they will knock on your door. If you still do not give them the information they said they will contact your neighbor to the left of you, to the right of you to get information.” UPDATE: Listen to MPR's Cathy Wurzer discuss Bachmann and the Census: U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., says she will leave most of her U.S. Census survey blank next year, even though that violates the law. Bachmann told Fox News she is "just not comfortable" answering questions about income and commuting time. MPR's Cathy Wurzer discusses the situation with a Census Bureau official.

MN GOP is Using ACORN Paranoia to Raise Money

Despite my constant pleas to be removed from their fundraising lists, I still get occasional calls from the Minnesota Republican Party. Just today, I received a call (again), citing panic over ACORN, and needing 'Republicans Like Michele Bachmann' to lead the fight. Uh-huh. If I have the time, and I did today, I always let the fundraiser finish the spiel, so that I waste more of their time. And I tell them that was my strategy. I concluded my comments with 'you must be joking'. Is this the 'new' strategy of Tony Sutton, to gin up fundraising panic based on the hallucinations of Rep. Bachmann? I can't wait to see what happens next.

Bachmann Links Census to Internment of Japanese Americans

Eric Kleefeld at TPMDC has the latest Bachmann eruption on Fox TV: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is taking her refusal to fully fill out her Census form, which is a crime punishable by a $5,000 fine, to a whole new level: Invoking the memory of the Japanese internment during World War II, and the evil role that the Census played in it! Here's the money quote: "Take this into consideration. If we look at American history, between 1942 and 1947, the data that was collected by the Census Bureau was handed over to the FBI and other organizations at the request of President Roosevelt, and that's how the Japanese were rounded up and put into the internment camps," said Bachmann. "I'm not saying that that's what the Administration is planning to do, but I am saying that private personal information that was given to the Census Bureau in the 1940s was used against Americans to round them up, in a violation of their constitutional rights, and put the Japanese in internment camps." The video: The Strib reports on Bachmann's bizarre comments about ACORN and the census. The article ends with... what else?: Calls to Bachmann's office for comment were not immediately returned.

Comments About "False Witness" on SC Times blog / DL Tonight

SC Times blogger angelcount's page: or those interested - FALSE WITNESS! THE MICHELE BACHMANN STORY! - The Comic Book - is now on sale. Information can be found at http://biasedliberalmedia.com/ There are 64 comments... I like this one from Magneto: Another Bachmann fix, maybe John, Aubrey and Ken can get a room. The three stooges ride again. At least Ken is profiting from his klingons with this nonsense. Sorry Magneto, my "profits"from cartooning about Bachmann are pretty slim to none. Also, I'm not the publisher of the comic... Bill Prendergast is the genius behind "False Witness". I just did the cover and inked something else in the book. Other local cartoonists assisted Bill with the comic. Speaking of... you can meet me and some of the cartoonists who helped create at Drinking Liberally tonight... six to nine at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis (directions). There will be a small number of comic books available for purchase. I will have other stuff to give away. Everyone is invited to DL tonight... especially Magneto. UPDATE: Danno says he and Dan Olson will be at DL tonight. 2nd UPDATE: Aubrey Immelman tells us another SC Times blogger calling himself Tinfoilhelmet has a blog called Immelman Watch in which False Witness gets the folowing treatment: It's says a lot about the left and it's supporters when the best they can do is come up with a comic book to bash on their favorite Congresswoman. It really demonstrates the maturity level of the Anti Bachmann crowd. Do you all meet at the clubhouse after summer school and talk to each other in pig latin too? Get over yourself. Tinfoilhelmet is also invited to DL tonight.

Is Bachmann a "Paulbot"?

Karen de Coster at LewRockwell.com: Yes, I know that most of the Republicrats didn’t give a tinker’s damn about reckless assaults on liberty while their guy was heading up the plunder party. But Michele Bachmann, like a few others in Congress, has received an education in liberty courtesy of the Ron Paul Revolution. Moreover, educating (and radicalizing) those who have the political power to screw up our lives has been a big part of the Revolution’s success. We should be delighted each time Republicans sound like libertarians and we should welcome these pivotal moments. We have to keep on pushing the enlightenment process forward. Understand that the election of an arrogant, power-hungry Marxist (who happens to be a Democrat, thereby pissing off the Republicans) is a significant opportunity for us to move in and educate angry conservatives, especially those who are seated closer to the margins. The fact that the Republicans are sounding like classical liberals or libertarians so that they have ammunition to counter the Obama strategy is not a bad thing. According to the Minnesota Conservatives blog, there are some folks in the MN GOP who want to "[s]tart flushing the PaulBots now!"

A Reminder.... Drinking Liberally This Thursday

The Cucking Stool: Thursday will be an extra special Drinking Liberally featuring Ken Avidor and some of his cartoon/illustrator buddies. Ken promises to bring along his sketch book and pen. --snip-- We’ll have some copies of the comic available for you to buy, boys and girls, and Ken will autograph the cover if you like. It would make a great gift, especially for the right winger in your life. We meet six to nine or so at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis.

Talking Points Memo DC Review of "False Witness"

Eric Kleefeld at TPMDC: We've received our review copy of "False Witness: The Michele Bachmann Story," the new comic book from our friends at the Dump Bachmann Web site, documenting the rise and extreme statements of our favorite House GOP backbencher, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN). It's now in print in Minnesota, and anybody can order it online. So how is it? As both a comic book fan and a Bachmann fan, I quite enjoyed it, but my hope is that the first issue was really laying a foundation for more to come.... Read the entire review.

MN Progressive Project: Bachmann lies again

... this time about the costs of reining in man-made climate change. Populista over at the MN Progressive Project has the article. Here are the highlights, but you will have to go to the original to see the numerous links to the sources. (The link to Populista's original article is at the end of this piece.) ...(Bachmann has been) making wild and incorrect claims to scare the American people into opposing climate action. She's thrown out a lot of figures, for example in a op-ed she wrote for the Avista Capital Partners-owned Star Tribune in which she claimed the cost of climate action would be between $3,128 and $4,000 per household. To combat climate action she's called for 'Armed and Dangerous' Opposition. But as we learned today her fearmongering is far, far from the truth. In reality the modest climate action being considered by Congress now in the form of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) would likely cost $5 dollars a year or less per household, and that's without factoring in the negatives economic impacts of climate change that would be averted with this action. The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) released a report about the economic impacts of H.R. 2454 (ACES) at the request of Rep. Dave Camp, a Republican from Michigan. And here's what they found: the average household would spend a minuscule amount to reduce global warming pollution. Their analysis determined "that the net annual economywide cost of the cap-and-trade program in 2020 would be $22 billion-or about $175 for the average household." To put that in perspective, 48 cents per day - a tiny bit more than the cost of a postage stamp - to avoid climate change. In fact, households in the lowest economic quintile would see an average net benefit of about $40 in 2020... There's a lot more in this piece, including stuff about how "doing the right thing" on climate change would create jobs in Minnesota. Link to the original article, with all the citations for the info: http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/postComment.do?diaryId=3436

"Has Michele Bachmann Found Her White Whale?"

Mardod at Daily Kos: ACORN has become Bachmann's cause célèbre these past few weeks. Her proposed amendment to prevent any group that received federal funding from fundraising if they have been accused of a crime was widely regarded as being aimed at ACORN, whom she blames for McCain's defeat in the polls in November and for Norm Coleman's reelection defeat to Democrat Al Franken. And she's at it again.

Alex Jones: " Sung to the Tune of Michelle Bachmann"

Somebody put an audio segment (misspelling Bachmann's first name) from an Alex Jones (Prison Planet) radio show on You Tube.... he starts talking about Bachmann about 3:00 into the video. WTF point is this guy trying to make? UPDATE: Minnesota Independent has a video of Bachmann talking to Minnesota We Are Change who tabled at the giving away copies of “The Obama Deception” DVD produced by Alex Jones. This is the mission statement of the group Bachmann was taking to in the video: We Are Change is a citizens based grassroots peace and social justice movement working to reveal the truth behind the events of September 11th as well as the lies of the government and corporate elite who remain suspect in this crime. In addition we are here to aid the sick and dying first responders through fundraising and social outreach programs in order to raise awareness of those who suffer from physical, emotional and psychological traumas they received in the aftermath of 9-11. We Are Change has arisen from the remnants of our republic to fill the vacancy left by those who swore to preserve, protect and defend The Constitution against all enemies – foreign and domestic. We seek to expose the fraud of the left/right paradigm and reveal that the world truly functions on a top/down hierarchy that threatens to destroy free society as we know it. We Are Change works to educate, motivate, and activate those striving to uncover the truth behind the private banking cartel of the military industrial complex that is directing the majority of US policy, and that is actively seeking to eliminate national sovereignty and replace it with a “one world order.” We will also continue to move in a direction that re-connects “We the People” to our nations founding principles laid out in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We Are Change also seeks an uncompromising and independent investigation into the crimes committed that fateful day, and a long-overdue resolution for the survivors and the families of the deceased. We reject the official explanation of the events leading up to, during and after the infamous day of death, September 11th, 2001. We reject the fear-based politics and the state mandated propaganda spewed by Corporate Media which has enabled the cover-up of 9-11. As we establish citizens groups throughout the country and world, we wish to inspire a community of truth-seekers and peacemakers through creative campaigns with a commitment of non-violence. We Are Change is not so much a group but an idea, an idea that through our efforts and convictions we can sculpt the world to be as we envision it. An idea that captures the spirits of our forefathers who just desired freedom; that together, as residents of this planet, we grow like a snowball of truth and justice rolling down a mountain of tyranny growing bigger and stronger, recognizing the beauty in our differences and the diverseness of each other, but at the same time strengthening our cause because we learn and grow from each others individuality. Then as we learn to come together, that as one, you, me, him, her, us…will realize that WE ARE CHANGE. Does Bachmann agree with that statement? Does Bachmann "reject the official explanation of the events leading up to, during and after the infamous day of death, September 11th, 2001."? audiovideo: At 3:21, Bachmann is speaking about the government takeover of auto dealerships. An auto dealer told her dealership was made worthless overnight and this was the most un-American thing, etc. She told Bachmann that she lost everything overnight. ...to what Michael Barone calls a gangster government. There's over twenty czars that have been appointed, an imperial presidency reaching into the confines of private businesses and making them worthless overnight unless they have a special tie to a Democrat Congressman.

Ed Schultz: Bachmann Earns the Title "Psycho Spender"

MSNBC's Ed Schultz talking about Bachmann's excessive spending: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy This is actually an old story... Karl Bremer has written about Bachmann's excessive use of franking as far back as April 5, 2007: MICHELE BACHMANN SENDS OUT CAMPAIGN FLIER—AND LETS TAXPAYERS LICK THE STAMPS by Karl Bremer Michele Bachmann appears to have forgotten that she’s a member of Congress now spending taxpayers’ dollars instead of a candidate for Congress spending her campaign’s money. Because the mailing “prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense” that she sent out to constituents recently had all the appearances of a piece of campaign literature masquerading as “official business.” Observed a 6th Congressional District Dump Bachmann tipster in the Postal Service: “I have been delivering franking-privilege mail for years, and I have never seen anything like the one she sent out. Usually they just use a plain old white envelope, but she sent out a color flat-size mailing that looked like a campaign ad. She must have spent a lot of money at taxpayers expense.” What’s more, our congresswoman has again thumbed her nose at the rules and used a self-addressed return survey card that will force each and every card to be handled manually at additional cost to the taxpayers. Explains our friendly 6th CD Postman: “She sure didn't consult the P.O. about the return address for the survey. There was no barcode or FIM mark on it and no place for the OCR to spray a barcode—so the letters will all have to be handled manually, which is many times more expensive than automation-compatible mail for the Post Office.” H/T Leftist Grandpa audiovideo Ed Schulz reports 7% hike in Congressmen's MRAs (Members Representational Allowance.) Schultz claims that Michele Bachmann is one of the biggest spenders in Congress, burning through more than $380,000 of taxpayer money in the first quarter of this year, 2009. That's over $100,000 more than the average member of Congress spent.

Ho ho ho, this one's funny...

... and that's news, because the people who wrote the funny part are the members of "an editorial board of a newspaper." The editorial board of a major newspaper is not supposed to write stuff that is funny. They all try to sound like the editorial board of the New York Times--so serious they sound like they have a stick up their butts. You know. But apparently things are different at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Apparently that editorial board is composed of a bunch of cut-ups with a wicked sense of humor, for a change. Here's an excerpt from their editorial called "Tips on How Congressional Offices can cut costs." The problem is that congressional representatives let their office budgets rise about 7% between 2008 and 2009. That's money *we* pay to run their offices. In these tough times, you might expect a slash or two, give the taxpayers a break, right? But noooooo... ...The yearly allotments — called the Member Representational Allowances, or MRAs — differ district to district. Virtually all range between $1.4 million and $1.6 million a year. The money pays for staff, travel expenses and the like. (Republican Congressman Pete Sessions)— a Dallas lawmaker best known for outlandishly conservative views, connections to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and an admirable devotion to the Boy Scouts of America — favors a freeze. “Americans are tightening their fiscal belts” and “Congress should do the same — including . . .office account spending levels,” he told Politico through a spokesperson. Right you are, Pete. *Though we’re saddened that your office said you had no plans to reduce your own office expenses...* ...It shouldn’t be too tough for lawmakers to forgo the increase. Here are some suggestions: • *Double up.* Members are permitted to have “shared employees.” Think of the efficiencies that would be gained if only one House employee was required to laugh at members’ jokes. • *Use public transit.* Vast sections of the House Manual, a sort of rule book for lawmakers, are devoted to parking spaces and rental vehicles. Members could save taxpayers a bundle by using public transit: D.C.’s Metro system even offers them a discount. • *Save postage.* Don’t mail out those newsletters. Nobody believes them, anyway. • *Shut up.* U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., one of the House’s biggest spenders in the first quarter, spends a lot of time making stupid statements on TV, such as “I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out then under Democrat President Jimmy Carter. And I’m not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it is an interesting coincidence.” Actually swine flu broke out under President Gerald Ford, a Republican. Think of the time her staff spends apologizing. Ho ho ho. OUCH! They're on to her in St. Louis, too. They might have also mentioned the fact that Michele blew about $100,000 of the taxpayers money on mailers in her district--one of which contained her pledge not to seek earmark spending (which she broke) in order to help end to *wasteful spending by the Congress.* She's a scream, isn't she? Too bad she's so expensive, so "high maintenance." (Doesn't she have *three* press people on her paid staff? Do I have that right? She changes them so often; I suppose they have nervous breakdowns or something.) Speaking of screams, here's the photo the editorial board of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran with the online version of the editorial. No one can tell that editorial board doesn't have a sense of humor. I wish we had editorial boards like that here, in Minnesota. "Woo-woo-woo-woo! I'm the queen of hundred thousand dollar taxpayer-funded mailings!" See also Eva's previous article about Bachmann's "economy in government." Link: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-platform/published-editorials/2009/06/tips-on-how-congressional-offices-can-cut-costs/