So we’re making the rounds, looking for a story to riff on, when we come across an intriguing item out of Texas. Seems a soda tax is being considered to help balance the state budget, which strikes us as curious, since we’ve been bombarded recently by Paid Actors Portraying Angry Everyday Americans Who Oppose Taxing Our Nation’s Precious High-Fructose Corn Syrup, and, well, this story’s out of Texas.

False alarm, alas — the soda tax is being proposed by a Demrat, which is tantamount to burying the lead, since everybody knows that Demrats no longer exist in Texas, except in certain Austin neighborhoods that everybody avoids, and surely National Geographic should be alerted to the sighting.

But before we give up on the piece, this passage confronts us:

“Texas politicians must cut down on their spending binges instead of making citizens swallow this not-so-sweet tax,” said J. Justin Wilson, a senior research analyst at nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom in Washington, D.C.

Nice line, Mr. Wilson. We’re sure you were paid well for it. But by whom?

And here’s the thing: The reporter never tells us.

Read more »

In an interview on the popular Tony Perkins radio program “Theocracy Now”, Jim DeMint decries the Bureaucrat-Atheist Complex:

Some are trying to separate the social, cultural issues from fiscal issues, but you really can’t do that. America works, freedom works, when people have that internal gyroscope that comes from a belief in God and Biblical faith. Once we push that out, you no longer have the capacity to live as a free person without the external controls of an authoritarian government. I’ve said it often, and I believe it: The bigger government gets, the smaller God gets, as people become more dependent on government, less dependent on God.

We can’t help but think “more dependent on government” is code for Obamacare, which numerous studies have proven is less effective than faith-healing.

Jim DeMint’s Theory Of Relativity: ‘The Bigger Government Gets, The Smaller God Gets’ [ThinkProgress]

Absolute Genius Halloween Photo: Brixey Banter

“House Republicans are holding an emergency meeting of the Rules Committee on Wednesday to take up legislation that would block funding to NPR in the wake of James O’Keefe’s hidden camera prank on the news organization.” [TPM]

[Daily Mail]

In case you missed the news over the weekend, Maru is alive and well, and taking appropriate civil-defense measures. (Well, technically hiding from a toothbrush. “No! The prevention is important.”) Maru’s pet humans thank you for your concern, and for praying for Japan.

Since we’re looking at a number of hours between writing this post and its appearance Tuesday morning, we’ll forego an easily superseded news roundup, and declare that despite the inevitable design failures, cost overruns, construction shortcuts, operation scandals, disposal issues, mining contamination, water disruption, environmental risks, socialized losses, proliferation concerns, and occasional uninhabitable hellscape, nuclear power remains the solution to America’s energy future.

I Am Maru

The Human Rights Campaign has released its list of gay-friendly companies…

Whether you are buying a cup of coffee or renovating your home, by supporting businesses that support workplace equality you send a powerful message that LGBT inclusion is good for the bottom line.

…allowing the Friendly Bigots over at WorldNetDaily to turn the list upside down:

The only restaurant giant with a zero score not pushing “gay” causes is OSI Restaurant Partners, which operates Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Outback Steakhouse.

Bonefish Grill isn’t part of the Homosexual Agenda? So if we order a delicious, succulent, mouth-watering Bang Bang Shrimp, we won’t catch anything?

Buying for Workplace Equality 2011 [HRC]

American companies that don’t promote ‘gayness’ [WND]

Is it a coincidence that the NCAA basketball logo bears a striking resemblance to the Islamic star and crescent? Is it any more a coincidence than a year ago, when wingnuts made a fuss about the U.S. Missile Defense Agency logo? Can we get more hits than Stinque Asshole of the Year Pam Geller by raising the spectre of Sharia Law’s ban on shooting threes when a man is open inside? Can you hear us now, Drudge?

While you’re cowering in fear, you’re also invited to participate in our annual Spectacular March Madness Pool, brought to you by Mellbell. To join the Stinque Braquet, visit Yahoo Sports and enter the Secret Codes:

Group ID: 129942
Password: thedance

Winners will be resented, while losers will be publicly castigated. Good luck!