I watched the president’s speech on education just now. Fantastic speech, very uplifting, and totally devoid of political context.

Can we now agree that Glen Beck is a frigtard that’s just striking up fear and loathing with a soothing tone?

Anyway, I did watch it via the FB Live stream so I could see the stream of idiots’ comments flowing on the side as I watched. It was … enlightening. Here’re some golden ones:

Curtis Dale Johnson this a bunch of horse crap why would we won our children to listen to this its taking our children learning time???????? why.
10:53am – Denver, CO

I … yes. Exactly. Thank you.

Michelle Thornton They told me to pull my kid out of school to watch at home if I wanted my kid to see it!
10:56am
Mandi Foust Wofford is keeping her son home today so he can watch with me…we live in Texas…
10:57am – Dallas / Fort Worth, TX
Kelly Caplinger Silvers Getting ready to watch Obama’s speech to students. Very upset that they are not showing at my son’s school.
10:58am – Indianapolis, IN
Cody W Warner Shame on TX schools for not showing this.
11:09am
Faye Skaggs I can’t believe some schools aren’t even offering this to students…shame on you. This is bi-partisan and should be viewed as such. Good for you President Obama.
11:14am – Harrisburg, PA

I saw this one come up a lot. That was just sad to see.

Wesley Gaines HEY OBAMA SAND BLOWER GO BACK OVERSEASE.
11:07am
Wesley Gaines OBUMMER STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY KIDS AND THATS AN ORDER FROM A US MARINE.
11:10am
Wesley Gaines WHEN A MARINE TALKS OBUMMER U SHUT THE HELL UP.
11:11am

This fellow was rather prolific and I do hope he sees some black SUVs soon.

Haters

Pat Lowe thinks that the president shouldnt be addressing kids about school when they are in school. a bit hypocritical dontcha think?
_10:59am – Minneapolis / St.

This is from my mother-in-law about her experience visiting the Obama rally in Corpus Christi, TX.

As my husband, friend, and I were approaching the Obama rally at the American Bank Plaza, I first saw a large group of my female teacher friends leaving. I asked them why they were leaving and they told me that as soon as they got out of their cars they were approached by some women and men who told them that they wouldn’t be allowed in if they didn’t have photo IDs. They were very upset about this. I asked my husband to get my substitute teacher photo ID out of the glove compartment as my friend and I made it through the crowd. We passed many women (we spoke to about 100) who were leaving for the same reason. A typical response was, “We were told not to bring our purses, but no one said anything about an photo ID and that’s where our IDs are.” They were all very upset about the situation.

From Populist America:

The Protect America Act gives the federal government the authority to monitor American citizens’ phone conversations and e-mails, providing they are corresponding with persons “reasonably believed to be located outside the United States.” This bill, which was drafted mostly by the White House, was created in response to the 2005 scandal where President Bush was ridiculed for authorizing the National Security Agency to conduct a secret wiretapping program targeted at persons within the United States. A federal court ruling found that program to be what most people already believed it to be: unconstitutional.

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitutionstates: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Fireworks at a Round Rock Express Game, originally uploaded by ahknight.

Mmmm, longish exposures.

bq.. Saddam Hussein tells his Baghdad trial he has been beaten "on every part of my body", which the US denies.

"Americans tortured me - Saddam":http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/middle_east/4550314.stm

p. Boo hoo. Even if true -- and it's highly reasonable -- who the hell cares? Man deserves worse fates.

bq.. An opinion poll suggests high voter turnout in Iraq has boosted US President George W Bush's approval ratings.

"'Sharp rise' in Bush popularity":http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/2/hi/americas/4544444.stm

p. Um, surprise? They wanted freedom and democracy? This was in doubt? The dude's still an ass hat and should be kicked out.