Wednesday Update - Run, Baby, Run Edition

(The Olympic Track and Field Trials are upon us here in our fair city.  This is Eugene, Oregon, a place called "Track Town USA" by jocks, joggers, and those in the know.  All the motel and hotel space has been long ago sold out, and we've got visitors from all over the country.   But the most entertaining sight in town this week is the neophytes coming out of the woodwork to do a few laps around the 7-11.  Everybody wants to get into the act, and joggers are everywhere.  And if you thought those pseudo-pro bicycle riders with their lycra spandex multi-colored suits looked silly, you should see the get-ups some of these runners have.  Most of them have ear buds in their ears, and I believe it's because they don't want to hear the neighbors laughter as they thud by.  But I admire what they're doing, gawdluvem.  And I plan to join them, just as soon as I can find my speedo, florenscent yellow socks, and that pink stocking cap.  But I digress ... )  

• It's been a while since we heard from the Republican Party of Texas, arguably the weirdest organized political group on the planet.  You know, the one that came out with such things as Governor Rick Perry saying that Social Security was a "Ponzi Scheme?" The group of people who opposes the teaching of “critical thinking skills” because they “focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority?” Yep, them's the ones.  Well they're back at it again, and they've come out with their 2012 Platform.  Here's a list of just 5 of the craziest policies in that platform.
• In August of 2004, then Vice-President Dick (we call him Dick) Cheney spoke at an event in Albuquerque, but locals were only allowed to get a ticket to attend if they first signed a loyalty oath swearing they "endorse George W. Bush for reelection of the United States [sic]."  Just imagine what Republicans would say in 2012 if Democrats pushed voters to stand, raise their right hands, and pledge their allegiance to President Obama.  The Republicans always have loved the idea of "loyalty oaths," a way to keep the noise down when right-wing speakers are spewing crap.  Rachel Maddow reports.
• Ever wonder what nuns do all day?  Sure you have.  One of the things they've been doing is actively and frequently pissing off the Vatican, nearly every single day, in all sorts of delightful ways, for years.  Mark Morford reports on "How to Properly Spank a Nun."
• Bad Hat Flashback.  September 11, 2001.  The video of our beloved President of the United States, and his infamous 7 Minutes of Silence.  Worth reminding the youngsters the way it was.
• It's a American shame:  The poorest people in the United States are often the hardest working. And coporate farmers are trying to kill them.  It seems that pesticides are poisoning more than 10,000 farm workers annually.  And in some places in California it's No Beba el Agua, don't drink the water.  Something is terribly wrong with this picture.