With the American election season FINALLY over, now might be a great time to look back at some of the absurdity of it all. For example: Hank the Cat ran for a seat in the Senate in Virginia. He ended up coming in third as a write-in candidate, earning more than 6,000 votes. We won’t have the EXACT tally until November 13, however Hank’s tweets suggest that 6,000 number.

So who is Frank? According to his website: 

From the very first day, Hank has been a fighter. Born to a single mother living on the streets, Hank, his mother, and his siblings were taken to an animal shelter and sat on death row. Shortly before their execution, Hank and the rest of his family were saved by an animal rescue group called Animal Allies. Hank was adopted to a loving family, and was raised by his adopted brother Sammy.

Being from the streets and having nothing, Hank learned the value of hard work. Putting himself through school while working, Hank was simply too stubborn and driven to let his disadvantages dictate his future. After graduating with honors, Hank quickly entered the business world and brought himself up to start and run a number of successful local companies. 

So what kept Hank from getting elected? Some suspect a strong dog Super-PAC fought him. Others blame it on just not enough voter turnout. Either way, the success of Hank is amazing, and perhaps in a few years we’ll see Frank make a national bid.

(from Andmycat.com)

THIS. I would totally vote for this cat. Even even has his own freaking website.

inothernews:

themindislimitless:

themindislimitless:

A collective post of things that are completely worth celebrating: in no particular order-

• Mazie Hirono (bottom left) from Hawaii becomes the first Asian-American woman (born in Japan) in the U.S. Senate. [x]
• Tammy Duckworth (top) from Illinois becomes the first disabled woman to be elected as Congresswomen. Also, she is half-Thai. [x]
• That means the rape apologist Joe Walsh has been kicked off. [x]
• Todd Akin who’s been quoted saying; “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down” has also been outed from his seat. [x]
  
• As has the disgusting Richard Murdock who thinks “Rape is a gift from God”. Booted off. [x]
  
• Colorado has become the first state to legalize the recreational use and sale of marijuana. [x] And it’s predicted it will pass in Washington. [x]
• Maine and Maryland have voted for marriage equality, and Minnesota has voted for NOT passing a ban on marriage equality for same-sex couples. Washington almost has their referendum for marriage equality passed.
• Tammy Baldwin (bottom center) in Wisconsin becomes the first openly gay senator to be elected. [x]
• Mary Gonzalez (bottom right) of Texas is the first openly pansexual senator. [x]

Psst. This post has been edited to include the two people on the bottom, and thank you the people who sent me messages about them.

Also Grace Meng, the first Asian-American from New York elected to Congress.

buzzfeed:

Can what you eat tell you something about how you vote? Possibly.

inothernews:

I missed it tonight. Went this well, eh?

thejewishhippiewithabeard:

karamazov-alexei:

I chuckled.

This is so true

motherjones:

The likelihood of Obama’s reelection rises in direct proportion to Newt’s popularity. Mathematics, y’all.

(via)

Dallas, Texas - #occupydallas starting a little early

Helpful reminder from Clusterstock that Bush drove us into this ditch, and a full rundown of downgrade reporting.

Very helpful indeed.

“Excellent news - Congresswoman Giffords is back and voting tonight!” - @SenJohnMcCain

Better version of the Gabby Giffords shot.

shortformblog:

awesomebrainpowers:

Congressional dreamboat Anthony Weiner on Paul Ryan’s complaint that the President was too mean to him:

If you don’t want to have your program criticized by the President of the United States, […] don’t make dumb proposals.

The very last line of his comment is the one that sticks with you.

I want Anthony Weiner to take me now BE MY CONGRESSMEN. BRB, moving to Brooklyn. 

socalfeminist:

vegetable:

The U.S. House of Representatives has just voted to bar Planned Parenthood health centers from all federal funding for birth control, cancer screenings, HIV testing, and other lifesaving care. 

I stand with Planned Parenthood. Sign this petition if you do too.

Services Planned Parenthood provides:

• 36% – Birth control services
• 31% – Testing and treatment for STD’s
• 17% – Cancer screening and Prevention
• 11% – Other woman’s health services (Pap’s, LEEP procedures, etc.)
• 3% – Abortion Services

I have signed the petition and you should too! I’m pretty sure I already blogged about this but it never hurts to ask again. 

Some in Congress think closing down Planned Parenthood will reduce abortions. But their services reduce unwanted pregnancies and therefore abortions. 

pantslessprogressive:

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 22, 2010 : Pro-life and pro-choice activists express their views during the annual ‘March for Life’ event in front of U.S. Supreme Court last January in Washington, DC. The event was to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v Wade Supreme Court ruling on abortion. Today marks the 38th anniversary.

shortformblog:

• good Obama has signed the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” into law, saying that ”No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie.” It’s a big emotional moment for gay rights.
• better Lt. Dan Choi, considered the “face” of the repeal movement to many for his protests in front of the White House, was on hand at the Interior Department today – to watch Obama sign the bill. Nice. source

FINALLY. ♥

Giving props to the Congressman man from South Houston.

shortformblog:

Ron Paul finally getting some respect in Congress, guys: And the best part for the libertarians out there? He didn’t come to the majority; the majority slowly came to him. He has a subcommittee chair to show for it. source

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