The Norma Rae of the Gulf Coast

From Crooks and Liars:

Kindra Arnesen is the wife of a Gulf fisherman and she's been kicking butt on exposing BP abuses. In this latest news, she's discovered that BP is claiming is that if fishermen choose not to take part in the oil spill cleanup, BP will consider that as potential income declined and deduct it from their claims.

Kindra is my new hero. Am also fascinated by Project Gulf Impact and what they are doing to give the "small people" a voice and a platform.

Eat the Working Class

From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer rekindled a smoldering debate Monday when he said minimum-wage workers who earn tips should have their wages reduced.

Minnesota is one of seven states that forbids employers from using a "tip credit" to avoid paying the full minimum wage otherwise required by law. The prohibition unfairly burdens restaurants and small business owners and makes prices higher for consumers, and it should be ended, Emmer said.

In another article in the Minnesota Independent, Emmer claimed that many waiters and waitresses were making over $100,000 a year.

Tom Emmer, the GOP-endorsed candidate for governor, told reporters at the Eagle Street Grille in St. Paul on Monday that the minimum wage for service workers who earn tips should be cut. Some waiters and bartenders, he noted, can earn as much as $100,000 a year, which he said is unfair to the employers that hire them.

“With the tips that they get to take home, they are some people earning over $100,000 a year. More than the very people providing the jobs and investing not only their life savings but their families’ future,” Emmer said.

In a followup article and interview:

The owner of the Eagle Street Grill told a Star Tribune columnist on Tuesday that none of his servers make $100,000 a year. Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer used an example of Eagle Street servers making that kind of money as a reason to institute a “tip credit” in Minnesota, which would lower servers’ minimum wage pay. Eagle Street owner Joe Kasel said, “No way, shape or form did I [tell Emmer] anyone made $100,000.”

For all overpaid waiters and waitresses out there, you can contact Tom, who currently serves as a representative in the Minnesota House of Representatives at rep.tom.emmer@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4336. His campaign office number is (952)562-2600.

Her Majesty's Master Gesture

From The Onion via Andrew Sullivan:


Queen Elizabeth II Will Leave Behind Long Legacy Of Waving

Jon Stewart Takes No Prisoners

The Huffington Post links readers to last night's take down of the new "unemployment insurance doesn't stimulate the economy and just encourages lazy people" meme.

Stewart played a clip of "Fox and Friends" where the hosts wondered what economists would say that. And since he's always prepared, Stewart bolted backstage to ask Nouriel Roubin. Sure the renowned economist was tied up in a closet, but he calmly stated that he agreed with Pelosi's statements. The cameo was unexpected. And brilliant.

America's Got Nothing

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Summer Camp Glee

From the Chicago Tribune:

Inspired by the overwhelming popularity of the musical comedy-drama on the Fox network, dozens of theater groups and arts organizations in Chicago and across the country have created "Glee" summer camps for kids using music and choreography from the hit show. "Glee" camps have formed in North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Indiana and Utah.

Chewin', Spittin' & Apologizin'

Someone in the Palin Family Circus apologizes - but his last name isn't Palin. Levi Johnston's mea culpa in People magazine:

"Last year, after Bristol and I broke up, I was unhappy and a little angry. Unfortunately, against my better judgment, I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true," he tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I have already privately apologized to Todd and Sarah. Since my statements were public, I owe it to the Palins to publicly apologize."

UPDATE: Andrew Sullivan weighs in on the apology:

I suspect, for what it's worth, that the Palins have used their real weapon against him - his love for Bristol and his kid - to coerce him back into line. For the record, nothing he said struck me as in any way far-fetched. And until he tells us what exactly wasn't "completely true", there's not much more to say.

Oh, and he was awesome on Kathy Griffin.