Rowdy's Roundup - Fabrications, Explanations, Machinations

Right-wing "cultural" pundit Tony Woodlief compares gays to vampires in a new  fearmongering  piece for the National Review Online.  Thers at Firedoglake sucks the life out his assertions.

At a convention of the Minnesota chapter of Young Democrats of America today, Al Franken said: "You probably heard that (Norm) Coleman’s lead attorney went on talk radio and said they were going to lose – I don’t know why, but he did — and that they’ll probably appeal to the state Supreme Court, and we are very confident that we’ll win that too and that then we will be seated - and by 'we,' I mean me."  (Funny Franken. Looks like it's all over except for some Republican squawking.  Chris Steller has more.)  Brian Beutler at TPM explains why Franken's absence from the senate is hampering President Obama's economic agenda.

William Greider on AlterNet compares Obama's economic recovery plan to a game of Monopoly where No One Loses.  (He's, y'know, being sarcastic.)

Democratic strategist Paul Begala demonstrates why GOP stands for "Got 0 Plans."  (He's not.)

Now even the CIA is warning Americans that electronic voting is not secure.  Brad Friedman reveals that one of the U.S.'s Top E-Voting companies maintains ties with an overseas firm associated with Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez.  (A chilling read, but worth it.)

A group of influential House Democrats have sent Obama a letter asking him to put limits on America's interaction with Iran.  The letter recommends that specific conditions be met before engaging in talks with the rogue nation.  Matt Yglesias chews the marrow out of that bone.

Members of the Belgian parliament are deliberating a resolution that would condemn the pope's comments regarding condom use and the spread of AIDS.  MP André Flahaut wants to recall Belgium's ambassador to the Vatican.  Carnal Nation has the details.

Booman expresses some sympathy for moderate Democrats who make a fuss about balancing the budget.  But Senator Evan Bayh's attempt to strip cram-down provisions from the Banking Bill draws the blogger's scorn.

Gordonskene at Crooks and Liars writes a thoughtful post about how "public affairs" TV programs used to actually enlighten viewers (compared with MSM's current tendency to pander and spin).

A bill by Arkansas representative Bryan King that would outlaw domestic partner registry in the gay-friendly hamlet of Eureka Springs has been killed.  Pam Spaulding provides the particulars, with commentary.

Over at AmericaBlog, Chris in Paris derides Goldman Sachs for promoting its "Poor CEO" fairy tale.

John Mellencamp examines the State of the Music Business for Huffington Post, with emphasis on industry bean counters who thwart creativity.