The High Definite » Politics

Words of the Union

Endswell — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:48:38 +0000

The National Post’s graphics team looks at key words and how many times they’ve been used in State of the Union addresses going back to 2001.

Click to enlarge.

National Post

The Impact of the SOPA Blackout

Endswell — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:26:15 +0000

ProPublica | Via

Trolling Election Billboards

Endswell — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:43:07 +0000

Election billboard “add-ons” spotted in Quebec and Denmark.

Via

Colbert For President of The United States of South Carolina

Endswell — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:24:31 +0000

After learning he polled higher than Jon Huntsman in South Carolina, Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC made the following statement:

BASIC CABLE, USA – Americans For A Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, an FEC registered Super PAC, today announced the addition of Jon Stewart to its executive board (along with the subtraction of Stephen Colbert).
With this change the group, which had been known colloquially as Colbert Super PAC, can now be referred to as The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super PAC. They have already begun updating all of their letterhead with sharpie.

“I am excited to take the reins of this completely independent organization, and begin to air ads in South Carolina,” said New President and Noncommunication Director Jon Stewart. “But I want to be clear: Stephen and I have in no way have worked out a series of morse-code blinks to convey information with each other on our respective shows.”

Colbert is currently exploring a run for President of the United States of South Carolina. Because of this, he cannot be associated with any Super PACs, although he has asked Americans For A Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow to forward any periodicals of an “adult nature.” *
Americans A Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow is an independent, expenditure-only committee founded by Stephen Colbert in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, then handed down to Jon Stewart like a pair of old dungarees.

Update: Now with video.

Via

Primary Elections Explained

Endswell — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:25:37 +0000

C. G. P. Grey explains “how primaries, caucuses, super delegates and more work in United States Primary Elections.”

CGPGrey | Via | Previously: 2012 & The End Of The World

Bad Lip Reading: Rick Perry’s “Strong” Ad

Endswell — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:44:40 +0000

Rick Perry’s record-breakingly disliked and over-parodied ad finally gets the Bad Lip Reading treatment, which is somehow less ridiculous than the original.

Funny or Die

“We May Just Run Clips Of The Republican Debates Verbatim.”

Endswell — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:14:30 +0000

- President Obama on his re-election campaign strategy.

Not a bad strategy.

Via

Rick Perry’s Debate Blooper

Endswell — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:59:34 +0000

Rick Perry’s campaign took a serious, maybe even fatal, blow last night after forgetting the name of the third government agency he wants to get rid of and actually saying “oops” in a Republican debate. Despite the fact that he “stepped in it“, Perry will continue his campaign, starting with a damage control media tour this morning and an appearance on Letterman tonight.

Video courtesy of BuzzFeed.

Bad Lip Reading: Rick Perry

Endswell — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:47:43 +0000

I finally get Rick Perry.

Bad Lip Reading | Previously

Rock-Paper-Scissors: 2011 Style

Endswell — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:14:55 +0000

The game that decides everything, updated for our elected officials.

By Christoph Niemann for New York Times Magazine | Via

Warren Buffett: “Stop Coddling The Super-Rich”

Endswell — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:13:00 +0000

“My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice.” - Warren Buffett for the New York Times

Obama agrees.

Pic: White House Flickr

Cornography

Endswell — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:52:30 +0000

The second ad paid for by the Colbert Super PAC:

Colbert Super PAC released its second TV ad in advance of the Ames Iowa Straw Poll in support of Texas Governor Rick Parry, who is not running. The commercial, entitled “Behind the Green Corn” scolds outside Super PACs for airing ads with graphic footage of uncensored corn-shucking.

“I’ve never been to Iowa, and have no plans to go,” said Stephen Colbert, President and Summer Intern of Colbert Super PAC. “But I know that Iowans are good, wholesome people who will not be swayed by these outside groups’ underhanded tactics. They would much rather be swayed our overhanded tactics. That’s why our new ad features not just corn shucking, but ear-sizzling, hot buttered, below-the-corn-belt action that appeals to Iowans’ basest kernel instincts.”

ColbertSuperPAC | Via

Episode IV: A New Hope

Endswell — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:52:23 +0000

The first ad produced by Stephen Colbert’s Colbert Super PAC that will start running in local Iowa markets tonight:

Colbert Super PAC released a TV ad today in advance of the Quadrennial Ames Iowa Straw Poll – held this year in Ames, Iowa. The ad, entitled “Episode IV: A New Hope” urges Iowans to write in the name of Texas Governor Rick Parry.

Thanks to last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United, Super PACs can receive and spend unlimited amounts of money – as long as they do not coordinate with a particular candidate. Because that would be wrong. Also, illegal. Currently, there are seven different Super PACs vying to become the primary recipient of that sweet unlimited Parry cash.

“I called dibs on Rick Parry a long time ago,” said Stephen Colbert, President and Assistant Equipment Manager for Colbert Super PAC. “I recognized that he’s got the tough talk, the cowboy boots, and the history-of-shooting-coyotes-during-morning-jogs that our country needs. So if anybody is going to be taking unlimited donations and then not be coordinating with his campaign, it’s going to be not us. So to prove we’re truly uncoordinated, we’re asking voters to write in Parry with an A – as in America, IowA, or PresidAnt. You can feel confident he’s not asking us to do that.”

ColbertSuperPAC | Via

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Returns To Standing Ovation On House Floor

Endswell — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:38:01 +0000

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords made her first appearance on the House floor since being critically wounded in an assassination attempt this past January to vote in favor of raising the debt ceiling.

The bill passed (269-161) with the support of 174 Republicans and 95 Democrats. The Senate will vote on the debt plan Tuesday at a time yet to be determined.

ABC15

Wordclouding: Debt Reduction Talk Speeches

Endswell — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:53:32 +0000

Word size relative to frequency of use. Click to enlarge.

President Barack Obama | Transcript

House Speaker John Boehner | Transcript

Heh. Big Boehner (bottom right).

Both made using Wordle.

Ed Miliband’s Brain Broke During This Interview; Might Be A Robot

Endswell — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:57:46 +0000

I spent like 4 hours yesterday trying to find an embeddable version of this video to no avail. Thankfully, a crappy YouTube version has finally reared its head.

I don’t know much about politics in the UK or the strike action going on between the unions and the government, but it’s pretty clear from this video that Labour leader Ed Miliband thinks these strikes are wrong at a time when negotiations are still going on, that the government has acted in reckless and provocative manner, and that both sides should get around the negotiating table, put aside the rhetoric, and stop this kind of thing happening again.

BBC

Spotted In Wisconsin

Endswell — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:19:14 +0000

Context: 1, 2 | Via

Mubarak Steps Down

Endswell — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:27:15 +0000

History was made today.

Al Jazeera | Story

Unplug

Endswell — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:49:21 +0000

@CarlosLatuff

The US/China Currency Battle: Animated

Endswell — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:28:35 +0000

The G20 kicks off tomorrow in Seoul, South Korea tomorrow. One of the more pressing items on the agenda is the current currency battle between China and the US. To get you caught up, NMA News breaks down the basics for you…in rap battle form.

NMA

The 2010 US Midterm Elections: Animated

Endswell — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:26:38 +0000

Taiwan’s NMA News breaks down yesterday’s elections like only they can. I think we can all agree politics would be a lot more fun if candidates had to actually fight one another.

NMAWorldEdition

Jimmy McMillan – The Rent Is TOO Damn High

Endswell — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:01:23 +0000

In case you haven’t voted in New York today…

RentIs2DAMNHigh | Via

Is Obama A Keynesian?

Endswell — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:15:29 +0000

Andy Cobb from The Second City Network got some trolling done at the rally this weekend, asking participants their opinion on whether or not Obama is a Keynesian.

The Second City Network

Zach Galifianakis Came To Party

Endswell — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 16:41:47 +0000

Zach Galifianakis states that California Democrats won’t publicly support Prop 19 because marijuana is still considered taboo on last night’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, then addresses the issue by lighting up a joint.

California voters can vote on Proposition 19 this Tuesday, November 2nd.

Via

Bill Brady/Meg Whitman Get Owned In Gubernatorial Ads

Endswell — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:25:59 +0000

Illinois governor Pat Quinn’s “Previously on Glee” style segment against Bill Brady.

Via

California gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown compares campaign speech zingers from Meg Whitman and The Governator.

Via

Donald Duck In “Right Wing Radio Duck”

Endswell — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:03:54 +0000

A brilliantly done Donald Duck cartoon constructed from dozens of classic Walt Disney cartoons from the 1930s to 1960s and various Glenn Beck rantings.

From Jonathan McIntosh:

Donald’s life is turned upside-down by the current economic crisis and he finds himself unemployed and falling behind on his house payments. As his frustration turns into despair Donald discovers a seemingly sympathetic voice coming from his radio named Glenn Beck.

Bonus happy ending included.

Rebellious Pixels

TIME Understands North Korean Politics

Endswell — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:30:34 +0000

I see what you did there.

TIME

Phil Davison: A Space Odyssey Remix

Endswell — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:32:12 +0000

The most epic Republican speech of all time (OF ALL TIME) starts getting the remixes it deserves.

MarkyTurner

Phil Davison For WWE Treasurer

Endswell — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:26:53 +0000

Seriously… how much wrestling does this guy watch?

Via

Joe Biden Comments On Joe Barton’s Apology

Endswell — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 21:28:33 +0000

…and it’s good.

Via

Is Barack Obama A U.S. Citizen?

Endswell — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:25:27 +0000

Here you go, Asshats-That-Actually-Need-This-Flowchart.

Holy Taco

What You Need To Know About The Arizona Immigration Bill

Endswell — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:59:43 +0000

If you match any of the colors in the middle, Arizona isn’t going to be fun for you.

Nathan Gibbs | Context

THIS Is How You Do A Campaign Poster

Endswell — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:15:30 +0000

David Cameron, you wear makeup.

Via

I’m Just A Bill…

Endswell — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:00:14 +0000

Obligatory.

Via | Context

Passed.

Endswell — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:55:31 +0000

The Healthcare Bill Breakdown By Year

Politics.

Endswell — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:43:16 +0000

“I signed onto the Tea Party Nation this week and read all about it so you don’t have to.”

- Lunchbreath

Greatness.

Hat Tip

Terrorism vs. Health Care

Endswell — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:28:51 +0000

Perspective.

“There Are 59 Skulls In This Image”

Citation Party:

Via | The Forum Thread That Spawned It | Schuhle Lewis’s Blog

The 2010 State Of The Union Address Word Cloud

Endswell — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:31:27 +0000

Word size = frequency of use.

Made with Wordle.

They Took Our Jobs! They Tik R Jawbs!

Endswell — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:20:11 +0000

A bunch of people gathered in DC this weekend to protest…um…to protest… actually, I can’t really tell what they’re protesting. I’m not alone, however, because it looks like none of them really knew either.

Via

CNN Discusses Obama’s “Swagga”

Endswell — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:18:25 +0000

I counted a “black people are laid back and cool” stereotype, a hug out, and a fist bump…I’m surprised they didn’t take it a step further and comment on how he loves fried chicken joints and playing basketball.

Yikes…(pulls collar out from neck)…you can smell the awkwardness from here.

Vid via Buzzfeed.

PS: Not all the white presidents were stuffy, have they already forgotten about Bill “The Fucking Man” Clinton?

Played saxophone on the Arsenio Hall show
Was the first white dude to be inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall Of Fame
Toni Morrison called him “The First Black President”
Got head, repeatedly, in the Oval Office.

Count it.

100 Days For Obama

Endswell — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:36:46 +0000

100 days of Fox News hatin

Via DW.

Finally…

Endswell — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:25:40 +0000

Obama’s swearing in and his full speech in case you were watching Judge Judy or something (yeah… you were weren’t you…) :

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tECPBYmXcqE]

The End Of An Error

Endswell — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:22:45 +0000

Peace son…

Elect George Washington Lincoln

Endswell — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:09:53 +0000

NSFW language

Secretary Of State

Endswell — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:22:08 +0000

Hillary Clinton is going to accept Barack’s offer to become Secretary of State. On a more important and totally related note… I fucking beat CNN to it…booyah.

Via the Guardian (yes, a British paper picked this story up first):

“Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration, the Guardian has learned.

Obama’s advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton’s foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats do not believe that the vetting is likely to be a problem.”

Initial Reaction: Nice.

After Actually Thinking For 20 Seconds: This might be well and good, but I doubt there will be much of a need for a Secretary of State anymore. In case you haven’t noticed, we have the most intimidating, badass President/Vice-President combo on record, Barack Effing Obama and Iron Joe Biden, rolling into these meetings with foreign dignitaries. There’s no need to waste time with diplomacy. Its going to be tough trying to go against America when the world leaders keep leaving meetings all beat up and shit with their wallets missing.

The World Is Fucking Pumped

Endswell — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:23:45 +0000

Whether or not you voted for him, you’ve got to appreciate the historic significance of this election. Also, McCain’s speech last night was nothing but class.

More people getting real pumped after the jump:

Welp…Time To Get To Work

Endswell — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:58:29 +0000

Things Are Fine

Endswell — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:05:48 +0000

Via Thingsarefine.org:

More after the jump:

How You Gonna Say Its Not On When It Very Clearly Is On

Endswell — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:07:03 +0000

Unbelievable Obama/McCain Dance Off.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzyT9-9lUyE]

From MiniMovie

Dear Republicans,

Endswell — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:55:41 +0000

I’ll do this in Haiku form because I’m awesome.

your campaign is done

because of these two retards

god how I hate them.

You did this, America.

Is he allowed to just walk around with a shotgun like that?