Gawker and the Rob Ford crack video

Graydon enjoying the high life

I don't think much of Gawker. It's a trashy site but I go to it fairly regularly because there is usually something amusing to read. Plus, a post a wrote once on LFR about childhood friend and Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter was picked up by Gawker and slanted in their sensationalist style. Prior to Gawker's version, Carter left a message at LFR to contact him. I did but only after the Gawker satire came out. Carter never responded and I don't blame him. But man, I would have loved to say hello and reminisce.

The real high life

So, that's a little bit about how my perceptions of Gawker are part laughing at their satire and part holding my nose. I'm not the only one. Now that the site is collecting money to buy the Rob Ford video, many people, including journalists (they are people, after all) are clutching pearls over a 'news' org paying for the slimy video.

I've got nothing against crack and I have nothing good to say about Rob Ford. I just wish some Canadian 1%er would pay the money instead of giving the scoop to John Cook and Gawker.

Radio host: "I want to shoot her [Hillary Clinton] right in the vagina and I don't want her to die right away"

What progressives are up against. This is acceptable language for the right wing.

Things learned from the British Columbia provincial election

• Christy Clark is cute, elegant and surrounds herself with rabid federal Conservatives.
• Negative ads work (if done properly).
• Adrian Dix is not a speaker. 
• The NDP does not understand the importance of media and messaging.
• British Columbia has a large religious, conservative population.
• Negative ads work (if done properly).
• The Green party split votes. The NDP would have a majority with no Greens.
• Mark and Jodie Emery are selfish twats who should know better.
• Negative ads work (if done properly).
• The Northern Gateway is a shoe-in.
• British Columbia will soon be the twin to Alberta.
• British Columbians are stupid, ignorant and lack a credible world view.
• Negative ads work (if done properly).

Cocaine Cowboy Conservative Boss Hoss Rob Ford

Rumours have been swirling for awhile about the Harper Conservataives. Cocaine, I could almost understand. But crack? Rob Ford, instant heart attack. Sheeit.

So, what's Mike Duffy's excuse for his philandering?

Eric Holder's 'have you no sense of decency, sir' moment

It's always nice to see a car thief like Darrell Issa get his ass handed to him. I'm no Holder fan but this was delicious.

"It is inappropriate and too consistent with the way in which you conduct yourself as a member of Congress," the attorney general said. "It is unacceptable. And it's shameful."

Welcome to New Alberta, formerly known as British Columbia

Looks like negative campaigning really does work. Look at hapless Adrian Dix. Can't wait for our first spill along the coast. Whooheee!

And Justin Trudeau, see how positive campaigning is a loser's game? Don't be an idiot. Canada is too important for you to act like a rube, which Adrian Dix has proven to be.

Andrew Breitbart meets St. Peter. It does not go well.

When right-wing provocateur Andrew Breitbart passed on, a good source at heaven's gate tells me his meeting with gatekeeper St. Peter was not what Andrew expected. First of all, and to Breitbart's shock, Peter is black.

Tsk, tsking in admonition, Peter told Andrew that he could read the prankster's thoughts and he was not pleased. Stuttering and in shock, Andrew's first thought was the location of James O'Keefe, to help him catch the gatekeeper performing socialistic 'freebies' for lazy dead people, especially the black ones. He just knew this had to be a liberal plot. It had to be.

After several back and forths as Breitbart argued with Peter, the gatekeeper became tired of Breitbart's misdirections and lies. The frustrated saint finally bellowed a sound that could be heard in every corner of heaven. It was so loud and so visceral, even Andrew Breitbart stopped talking, his knees shaking.

As if responding to the gatekeeper's bellow, a shadowy figure appeared behind Andrew. It was a figure he knew too well. Or, perhaps it was figures he knew too well. The strange beast came into focus with tentacles ending in the heads of some of his own personal heroes. There was Lee Atwater. And Richard Nixon. Joseph Goebbels gnashed and growled.

Andrew felt at once repulsed and strangely attracted to this beast. All his heroes were there. St. Peter interrupted Breitbart's confused reverie. "It is your choice, Andrew - heaven or hell. We don't want you here but God has forced my hand."

No sooner had Peter issued this statement than the multi-tentacled one called out in a multi-layered voice that roared with menace. "Andrew, you can have all the thrills here you want with us. In heaven you have to be civil, be truthful and love on another. That's no fun. You can't exploit those qualities up there."

Hearing these words, Andrew Breitbart knew his destiny. Without saying a word, St. Peter let out a sigh of relief. With that sigh, the provocateur disappeared. So did the beast. Peter shook his head, for he knew that the beast was stronger now yet somehow weaker. Peter spoke sadly, "such is life and death." He continued, looking over at an old woman, a new entry into his parlor, "Shit. We even let in Margaret Thatcher."