TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Odierno: "I Believe It's A Ten" That Troops Will Be Out Of Iraq In Late 2011
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union, Gen. Ray Odierno reaffirmed that U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by late 2011, in accordance with the current timeline. When asked by John King about the chance of this, on a scale of one to ten, Odierno said: "As you ask me today, I believe it's a ten - that we will be gone by 2011." On the other hand, he also said he would continue to reassess the schedule of reducing combat troops over the next 18 months, but the final decisions would be up to the Iraqis.
Obama Family Attends Easter Services
President Obama and his family celebrated Easter this morning at St. John's Church, an Episcopal church located across from the White House, in his first public worship service since becoming president. Obama previously attended a service there on Inauguration Day, and church tradition states that every president since James Madison has visited.
Obama Family Picks A Dog
After a thorough vetting process, the Obama family has adopted a dog -- a six-month old male Portuguese water dog, that they are naming Bo. The dog is a gift from Ted Kennedy, who owns several dogs in that breed. Pictures of Bo can be seen here.
Rick Warren Bails On This Week Appearance
Rick Warren pulled out at the last minute from appearing on ABC's This Week, with his spokesperson saying he was sick from exhaustion. Ben Smith Jonathan Martin implies that Warren may have had a different moment: Having to answer questions about his recent contradictory statements on supporting a gay marriage ban -- Warren said he never endorsed Proposition 8, when video evidence showed he clearly had.
ASU Names Scholarship After Obama
Arizona State University, which has been mocked in the media for deciding not to grant President Obama an honorary degree, has announced that they are naming a scholarship after him. Said ASU President Michael Crow, in a statement: "It has always been our intention to recognize and honor President Obama's accomplishments during his visit, but we had not yet determined the best or most appropriate way to do so."
Mexican Ambassador: 90% of Seized Guns In Drug War Come From U.S.
Appearing on CBS' Face The Nation, Mexico's Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan said that U.S. guns are fueling the drug war. "Ninety percent of all weapons we are seizing in Mexico, Bob [Schieffer], are coming from across the United States," said Sarukhan. He added: "Just on the Arizona and Texas borders with Mexico alone there are approximately 7,000 FFLs, federal firearms licensees. And weapons bought by the drug syndicates, directly or proxy purchases, are coming from those gun shops."
Meghan McCain Inks Books Deal On Being A "Progressive Republican"
John McCain's daughter Meghan has signed a book deal, to explore the issues of how the Republican Party can better reach out to young voters and improve its use of technology. According to the publisher's statement, the book will examine "what it means to be a progressive Republican in the party today."
Glenn Beck Announces Comedy Tour
Glenn Beck of Fox News has announced a comedy tour, with six dates in six days starting June 1. Beck describes his act as a "poor man's Seinfeld" that mixes in topical humor.


















Wait, Beck's already got a comedy variety hour on Faux News, now he gets a stand-up gig? Who's he think he is? Leno?
April 12, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Detroit's Challenge: Getting Glenn Beck to Run on Electric Shock
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=6860
And what's with these colleges:
Obama Denied Honorary Degree by University of Phoenix Online
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=6864
April 12, 2009 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure University of Phoenix would be more than happy to award President Obama an honorary degree once he pays for all the courses leading up to the degree.
April 12, 2009 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
One thing I can't stand about politics is all these damn labels. Progressive Republicans? yesterday, on this site, someone mentioned right-leaning Democrats! Huh?
"Poor man's Seinfeld"? I didn't know the original Seinfeld was for the Upper Class. Or is Glenn Beck talking about a dumbed down Seinfeld act because Repubs are all anti-intellectual and stuff?
ASU is lying.
April 12, 2009 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course they are. They even describe themselves as Devils. (Oh, wait... that's a label, isn't it?)
April 12, 2009 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol
April 12, 2009 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Warren said he never endorsed Proposition 8, when video evidence showed he clearly had."
There goes that dang internet tubes going and causing trouble again. It use to be so easy to be a Repug, and believe the lies their leaders love to tell. Hey, look at that face,how could that sweet looking gentleman ( think Cantor, Boner,and Henry) EVER lie to us.
And now that dang internet keeps ruining our delusions of our Repug leaders ever lying. The one good piece of news for the Repugs though is that their Hardcore base does not fall for the liberal MSM interpretation and would rather believe their leaders. The bad news is that most people do understand the lies now, and are looking to another party for the answers.
April 12, 2009 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
If memory serves, Warren made a CD/video some 10 days or so before the election advising his congregation of how to vote on Prop 8. The CD was sent to his flock. so it wasn't some one-off comment made that someone else caught and posted on YouTube. Warren specifically produced the video to make his and Saddleback Church's stance known.
April 12, 2009 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there a difference in tone in what Gen. Odierno is saying? A few days ago he said getting troops out of the cities by June 30 was not gonna happen. Now he says all the troops will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. I know those are two different things but to me they sound slightly at odds. And at odds with stuff he's said in the past about being in Iraq long after 2011. I'm wondering if someone had a word with him. Or maybe I'm imagining things.
April 12, 2009 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like he got called into the Office.
April 12, 2009 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Appearing on CNN's State of the Union, Gen. Ray Odierno reaffirmed that U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by late 2011".
I am a little sick of Generals like Odierno and Peatrus telling us what is or should be happening in Iraq. Even going so far as to contridict the President of the United States. Bush has created a monster, letting the military think that they set policy for the U.S. Gates needs to remind them that they take orders from the President and any plans for what will or will not happen is a determination the President will make. They just follow his lead!
April 12, 2009 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
ASU was pretty much a joke of a school before this happened. They're a farce now.
April 12, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
'Ms. McCain’s book will tackle “what it means to be a progressive Republican in the party today,”
snip
scheduled to be released in spring 2010, will use “an appealing and light-hearted voice” to delve into how the Republican Party can improve its use of technology and attract younger voters'
Is that what Meghan thinks 'progressive' means-using modern technology to attract younger voters?
Isn't 'progressive republican' an oxymoron?
April 12, 2009 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Progressive Republican" has the same ring of improbability as "anorexic sumo wrestler." Pick one or the other; you can't be both.
April 12, 2009 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Teddy Roosevelt was one. Maybe Nelson Rockefeller, I'm not sure and too tired to research it right now.
In the modern world? You're right, it's pretty fricking hard to be out there with Gingrich and Palin and Huckabee and Limbaugh, and the imbecilic, Talibangelical, base talking about how progressive you are.
It's not like there aren't options. She can be an independent or register with the good guys.
April 12, 2009 11:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Odierno is FOS. For 50 years the British said they were leaving Iraq, except they never did and turned over the country to the USA.
Remember folks, it was Winston Churchill who first gassed the Kurds--you can look it up.
April 12, 2009 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Get used to it--the military runs foreign policy!
April 12, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm actually surprised Odierno said that. He's usually been the skeptical one of everything Obama's doing. If he think that it is definite that we're leaving, then I think we are. I've been worried about him in particular, but I think Obama finally put him on page. That's good news.
April 13, 2009 2:13 AM | Reply | Permalink