The Kinks – Apeman

Barney Frank’s questions about Big Conservative Government’s advocates’ unwavering and prurient interest in regulating pot and sex get no respect from co-panelists George “Gateway Drug” Will and Paul “I Smirk” Ryan. Then the Massachusetts Congressman gets totally shut down by lame duck anchor Christiane Amanpour, who’d prefer to return to her chosen topic of ‘social mobility’ than let Barney deftly pierce the inherent personal liberty contradictions of her guests’ preferred regulatory regime.

Barney Frank revels in the opportunity to speak directly to people who have no response but to smirk at him (Ryan) or to ask for another several decades of pot research before making up their minds whether it’s a gateway drug (Will).

In the brick-and-mortar world, the two crossdressers in “Work It” would be having uncomfortable discussions with the HR department of their new employer about transitioning in the workplace, including issues regarding public accommodations — to include restrooms. They would likely at least face workplace harassment, and if they lived in the 35 states without employment protections based on gender identity, they may even have been fired without recourse for being trans.

It’s not often that human rights and business profits line up on the same side of a political debate, but Alabama is a special place. The Cotton State was not only ground zero for some of the worst abuses under Jim Crow; it was also the flashpoint for early struggles that fused economic empowerment with civil rights, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Today, Alabama is once again a focal point for racial and class struggles, ignited by an anti-immigrant law that tests our definitions of economic citizenship in a world of fluid borders.

Well, we have some great diaries from our Occupy Supply liaisons around the country since our last Occupy the Blog diary on Wednesday.

Harry Reid basically thumbed his nose at John Boehner’s call for more negotiation on a year-end bill to extend a payroll tax cut, unemployment insurance and a doctor’s fix on Medicare reimbursement rates.

Earlier today, Reid reiterated that the Speaker empowered him and Mitch McConnell to come up with a solution. “When we met last week, Speaker Boehner requested that Senator McConnell and I work out a compromise. Neither side got everything they wanted, but we forged a middle ground that passed the Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan majority.” Boehner, indeed, said at the time that the Senate would work something out and the House would pass it. Now his caucus is upset about the end result, so he’s going back on his word.

And speaking of fucking, Jezebel has a handy guide if by chance you come across Tim Tebow in a vulnerable moment. Remember; he may start out poorly but there is a good chance of a big finish, if you know what I mean and I think you do, in which case you’re probably going to hell.

I’ll save you a seat…

Whenever the rewards for an action – profits, reproductive success, whatever – depend upon the relative performance of individuals within a group the problem of a divergence between the interests of individuals and the interest of the larger society is likely to be present. The book gives example after example of this “arms race” for positional goods, and details the waste of resources that this causes.

Two witnesses called to testify have been deemed “unavailable” to give testimony by the presiding investigative officer of Pfc. Bradley Manning’s pre-trial hearing after invoking their rights under Article 31 of the US Code of Military Justice.

Both SFC Paul Adkins and WO-1 Kyle J. Balonek refused to give testimony. They did so under advice of legal counsel. They were able to escape providing information to the court despite the fact that David Coombs, a member of the defense, wholly objected and read off codes of military justice that are supposed to be followed during the hearing, which should have prevented the witnesses from invoking their rights under Article 31.

In addition to dropping off the cold weather gear there was a special event of the marriage of James and Cheryl in the center of the plaza. Cheryl was the greeter at the welcome table when they had the encampment in Keiner Plaza. It was a special time as there were around 50-75 people who attended the service.