Bits and Pieces for the Week of January 9 - 15

Texting while walking: Fail! (Mike)

In response to the accusations of her damning rhetoric, it seems as if Palin decided unintentionally (or was it really intentional) to use the term "blood libel", to her own idiocy. Blood libel is the false accusation, perhaps originating in the 12th century, that Jews murder children to use their blood for religious rituals and holidays. Palin appears to be appropriating the term to indicate that she is a victim, as a result of some groups and individuals claiming that her political rhetoric contributed to the actions of the deranged, lone gunman. Knowing this bumpkin, she got the info from the emails Glenn Beck sent her... and thought it appropriate because Gabrielle Giffords was Jewish. (7 of 6)

"Nine of the Earth's 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001, and all 12 of the warmest years have occurred since 1997." (Mike)

In Arizona, it's not just transplant patients that are going without medical care... "In the past year, Pima County, Ariz., where Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others were shot Saturday, has seen more than 45 percent of its mental health services recipients forced off the public rolls, a service advocate told The Huffington Post." (7 of 6)

"Violent Rhetoric" defined (Mike)
Arizona's Death Panel (governor + legislature) kills another medical patient. (Mike)

The Wrath of Fools: An Open Letter to the Far Right - William Rivers Pitt, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed (7 of 6)

I'm sure everyone has heard that AZ congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords has been shot. She is a moderate Democrat, caucuses with Blue Dog Democrats, and represents a highly charged political area of Arizona. But from it comes a ray of light, a man fighting back against the hate, vitriol, and nasty rhetoric... Sheriff Clarence Dupnik. "...Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry." At least someone has the guts to call out what is happening in this Nation. (7 of 6)