Tina Dupuy on Her Childhood

Tina Dupuy talks about her traumatic childhood with progressive talk show host Sam Seder. Dupuy's parents were members of the Children of God cult. Dupuy tells Seder that when she was a child that her mother used her as a prop. Dupuy's mother had Dupuy by her side to help sell Children of God pamphlets on the streets on Manhattan. Her parents exposed to alcohol and drugs at a young age. Dupuy was later placed in foster care.

Dupuy's parents were highly unloving and made her a ward of the state. Dupuy briefly tried to live with her father and that didn't work out. Nancy Updike of This American Life researched Dupuy's story. The head of the group home told TAL that Dupuy's parent's rarely visited.

Here is the link to Dupuy's appearance on This American Life. The interview made Dupuy highly uncomfortable.

This is so awkward for me to talk about, because I've spent the last 25 years convincing myself that it had nothing to do with that my mommy didn't hug me enough. I don't want anyone to think that I'm blaming my mommy. And I also don't want to feel like I'm ripping on her. Does that make sense?

Dupuy did a one woman show in Los Angeles called "The Cult and the Cyclops." The show is about Dupuy's youth and her parents time in the Children of God cult.

The Daily Caller is attempting to shame Dupuy by saying that the secret is out on Dupuy being a member of the Children of God. Dupuy made a statement of her family's time in Children of God in 2005. The hysterical thing is The Daily Caller thinks they have a scoop.

Dupuy's 2005 statement.

To Whom It May Concern;

Ricky Rodriguez’s recent death has brought on national publicity and the Law and Order episode. People have begun to inquire about the group known as The Children of God or The Family. I realized that I have been ‘outed’ online as a former member.

In order to quash any rumor or speculation, this is what I have to say on the issue:

My parents met in the group. I am a 2nd generation. We lived in 10 countries all over Europe and South America. My parents left when I was 5 years old and we went back to the states. The way I see it - my parents are hippies. If your parents embarrassed you when you were a teenager – I have you beat!

My uncle Rick Dupuy (AKA Watchman) was one of the leaders at one time; he killed himself 10 years ago. I have in my possession the ‘purged’ literature that belonged to him. You think you have a strange uncle – I have you beat!

I have met and talked with many other 2nd generations. I left the group when I was very young. Some things we have in common (i.e. anger, alcohol abuse and the fact that we all bawled uncontrollably when we found out about Ricky). Other things, we don’t have in common. With that being said, I’m not a good spokesperson for the group and don’t desire to be. I feel there are others better qualified.

Since I am a stand up comic, I like to tackle these things on my own terms. I deal with events in my personal life through humor. Everything that I have gone through in my life I use as material, because let’s face it – public figures can’t do stupid things everyday. I did write a one person show called, “The Cult and the Cyclops”. It covers my experience in the COG. Copies of it are available on my website.

I would like to be known for my humor and not for my association with a child abusing, prostitution encouraging – good old fashion Christian cult.

Thank you,

Tina Dupuy

March 29, 2005

Side note: there is an interesting story on how Tina Dupuy became a columnist. This statement by Dupuy is from an an interview she did with the Kentucky Democrat blog in 2005.

It's a great exercise as a writer. A guy wrote on his blog that I wrote better than some columnists. You'd think I'd be flattered. Yet, I immediately thought, "Wow. I'm a loser. I should submit my work to newspapers." So I started doing that. A couple of pieces have gotten published. Which may have not happened if I wasn't obsessively writing a blog almost everyday for two years.

The person who wrote that praise about Dupuy's writing is me.

“But her blog posts are humorous and on target. She writes better than many columnists.” -Michael Hussey in 2005

I am insanely proud that my words helped inspire Dupuy to become the great columnist she is today. Dupuy was even my one time employer during the 2012 Republican National Convention. Dupuy and I were both involved in the Tampa Tribune using our content without payment. The blogosphere can be a wonderful and very small word.

Photo of the Day

Photo by Tina Dupuy.

I wish libertarians would think for themselves and stop getting economic policy ideas from horrible fiction writer, Ayn Rand. We are not about to base scientific policy on the Harry Potter books. Why a small group of individuals take Rand's musings seriously is beyond rationale comprehension.

Pizza For Protesters Occupy Tampa Protesters

Tina Dupuy of Crooks and Liars is going to buy pizzas for the Occupy Tampaprotesters. We need a pizza joint to fill the order. Suggestions.

You can tweet Tina a nearby pizzeria @tinadupuy. Tell her it is for the Occupy Tampa rally. Special thanks to Tina and the C&L gang for doing this.

Tina Dupuy Now At Crooks and Liars

One of my favorite people Tina Dupuy has been hired as managing editor of Crooks and Liars. When I first started reading Tina's blog she was a stand-up comedian. Tina explained in an interview she started freelancing articles after a blogger wrote about her writing.

It's a great exercise as a writer. A guy wrote on his blog that I wrote better than some columnists. You'd think I'd be flattered. Yet, I immediately thought, "Wow. I'm a loser. I should submit my work to newspapers." So I started doing that. A couple of pieces have gotten published. Which may have not happened if I wasn't obsessively writing a blog almost everyday for two years.

Who was that asshole made Tina feel bad.

“But her blog posts are humorous and on target. She writes better than many columnists.” -Michael Hussey in 2005

Congratulations to Tina. Here is a video of Tina from her stand-up comedy days.

PUshing Rope Mentioned On TYT Now

Tina Dupuy gives me shoutout at the end of the TYT Now webcast.

It is a great episode of TYT Now. Discussed is the Rupert Murdoch hacking scandal, California parents spreading misinformation about vaccinations, and the debt ceiling.

Tina Dupuy Interviews Alan Grayson

One of my favorite people Tina Dupuy interviews Congressional candidate Alan Grayson.

Side note: Tina Dupuy reminds me to stop misspelling her name as "Tiny."

Sarah Palin's Decision Next Week

I know from my Twitter conversations with Javier Manjarres that there are conservatives that want Sarah Palin to get into the presidential race. Robert Stacy McCain of the American Spectator reports that Palin will make her decision next week.

Vendors of campaign services who hope to work for Team Palin have been told that Palin, the 2008 GOP vice-presidential candidate, will decide soon one way or another on mounting a 2012 campaign.

Palin gave a snarky response to McCain's blog post on Twitter.

"Really? Hmm, guess they forgot to inform me what I'm 'expected to do' next week."

McCain updated his post and responded to Palin.

OK, fine, governor, but I was reporting what my source had been told. Has my source been misinformed?

Is Palin feuding with McCain and the American Spectator? I feel bad with McCain. He is just doing his job. As for Palin, what does she gain by dissing the ultra-conservative American Spectator on Twitter? Tina Dupuy described Palin as "America's full-time professional duelist."

Tina Dupuy on MADtv Palin Sketch

I am the person that sent Tina Dupuy the MadTV video. Actually, I blogged the video and mentioned how Nicole Sullivan's character Darlene McBride was Sarah Palin before Palin was on the national scene. Tina Dupuy follows me on Twitter and she decided to run with it on TYT.

Thanks to Tina for the kind words.

No Dancing At Jefferson Memorial

This is like the plot the Footloose. flash mob members are arrested for dancing at the Jefferson Memorial. One of the dancers is slammed to the marble floor during an arrest.

Young Turks hosts Cenk Uygur and Tina Dupuy point out that people are being arrested for dancing at the memorial of the author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the signers of the Constitution. Dancing at strip clubs has been citing as protected speech under the First Amendment. Yet people are arrested in mass dancing at the memorial of one of the Founding Fathers.

To Rick Scott Voters Are His Employees

Tina Dupuy vlogs about Gov. Rick Scott's voter suppression efforts. Scott defended his signing of a repressive voter bill and other actions by saying that the voters are like his employees.

"I understand there's people that like things and don't like things," Scott said. "It's really no different than in business. Because in business everyone doesn't agree with everything you do. All your employees won't say, 'Oh yeah, I think you should exactly do this instead of that.'"

Scott fails to understand that it is he who is the employee of the voters. Not the other way around.

Quote of the Day

"I've been on food stamps and welfare. Anybody help me out? No."

Craig T. Nelson, on Glenn Beck's show.

Nelson told Beck he doesn't want to pay taxes for programs he doesn't support. I wonder if that includes food stamps and welfare.

Shakespalin Redux

Sarah Palin butchers the English again.

Palin's Survey Markers Nonsense

Sarah Palin's political team is making the claim that those were not cross-hairs on her PAC web site. (The web page has been taken down.) Gabrielle Giffords one of the Democrats on the map. Take a look at the map and tell me if that doesn't look like cross-hairs.



Palin aide Rebecca Mansour gives a rather original explanation.

" We have nothing whatsoever to do with this," Palin aide. Rebecca Mansour told the talk radio host Tammy Bruce in an interview. "We never ever, ever intended it to be gun sights. It was simply cross-hairs like you'd see on maps," she said, suggesting that it is a "surveyor's symbol."

It seems the Palin team has worked up a talking point. Tammy Bruce delivers the same message.

"It's surveyor's symbols," the interviewer Tammy Bruce suggested. Bruce, a Palin supporter, describes herself as "a gay, pro-choice, gun owning, pro-death penalty, Tea Party Independent Conservative. " Her show is promoted as a "chick with a gun and a microphone."

This is the most unbelievable piece of bullshit spin since Justin Timberlake said "wardrobe malfunction." Even Palin doesn't believe it. Her tweet describe the map having "bullseye" icons. Case closed.



Tina Dupuy has a good op-ed on Palin's op-ed. I share Dupuy's sentiment that Palin has a First Amendment right that allows her to say what she wants. No matter how reprehensible I may find her comments. That doesn't mean Palin can just weasel out of things she says.

Sarah Palin has the courage to delete her convictions and saunter away whistling like nothing happened. All of it is legal. I agree, and I will fight for that: Sarah Palin has the right to be spineless.

Here’s the thing: Palin had an opportunity to have a “bullhorn moment.” She had the opportunity to rise to the occasion and prove all her critics wrong. She could have proven she truly is a leader. That she’s not just a capitalizing catty mean girl who can’t tell the difference between an opponent and an enemy. That she is worthy of all this presidential buzz and not just skating by on some mushy conservative platitudes and good looks. She could have come out strong and expressed regret for demonizing a member of Congress who was shot in the head with a 9mm.

Palin didn't show leadership when she fought with McCain staffers during the 2008 presidential campaign or when she quit her job as Alaska's governor. Palin is the Newt Gingrich of her generation. The only time Palin will pick up a bullhorn is when she has a new book to sell. I do not blame Palin for the murders commited in Arizone. I will hold Palin and others accountable for hateful and inciteful rhetoric.

Side note: It is interesting that Palin is sending out her people to defend her. Palin is in hiding mode. So much for true leadership.

Update: Rep. Bob Brady plans to introduce a bill to ban cross-hairs or bullseyes from... I am not exactly sure what.

"You can't threaten the president with a bullseye or a crosshair," Mr. Brady, a Democrat, said, and his measure would make it a crime to do so to a member of Congress or federal employee, as well.

Asked if he believed the map incited the gunman in Tucson, he replied, "I don't know what's in that nut's head. I would rather be safe than sorry."

He continued, "This is not a wakeup call. This is a major alarm going off. We need to be more civil with each other. We need to tone down this rhetoric."

This bill will not hold up in the courts under previous first amendment rulings. The Republicans will kill Brady's bill. This is the left-wing version of the infamous Freedom Fries legislation.

Update: Palin's people are working overtime to delete negative comments from her Facebook page.

Quote of the Day

"Ok, the 'Democrats are spineless' dig is kind of mean...to jellyfish who can be vicious bitches."

Tina Dupuy, on the Democrats caving in on the tax cuts.

Does anyone honestly believe Obama will fight to upper-income end tax cuts when he is up for re-election in 2012. I call bullshit.

Tina Dupuy's Carol Lynn Price A Bluprint For Female Tea Party Candidates

I watched again Tina Dupuy's "Carol Lynn Price: Super Patriot" video from 2006. Dupuy was still working as a stand-up comedian. The video was a parody of Ann Coulter. What is scary is Dupuy's Carol Lynn Price comes off as tame compared to the insanity of Christine O'Donnell. Sharron Angle and Sarah Palin. If you don't believe me then watch this montage of Christine O'Donnell.

Totally F***ed

Tina Dupuy tweeted this gem. There is a town in Austria named Fucking. The town only has 102 residents and 32 houses. If you don't believe than look up the town on Google Maps.

Unsurprisingly, local residents are not amused that there town is a punchline to British and American tourists.

Says one F***ingguesthouse owner, "here we have tranquillity, clean air, lakes, acres of forests and some of the most breathtaking vistas one could imagine. Yet still there is this obsession with F***ing. Just this morning I had to tell an English lady who stopped by that there was no F***ing postcards."

Tina Dupuy Vlog On Dove World Outreach Center

Tina Dupuy has a vlog on the Dove World Outreach Center's promise to burn the Koran on the aniversary of 9/11. Gainesville Deputy Chief Tim Hayes said book burning is not allowed under local fire ordinance laws. The Dove World Outreach Center said they still plan on holding their Koran burning. Pastor Terry Jones has admitted he has never read the Koran. It might be helpful for Jones to know what he is religiously against.

Dupuy has an op-ed on the Dove World Outreach Center book burning madness.

Tina Dupuy On the Dove World Outreach Center

Tina Dupuy has an op-ed on the Gainesville church Dove World Outreach Center's planned Koran booking burning. Dupuy mentions others in history who thought book burning was a wonderful thing.

The Ancient Library of Alexandria was burned by Julius Caesar in 48 B.C.E. The loss of its contents arguably set back technology and culture for millennia. The conquistadors destroyed Mayan codices of their history and religion, obscuring the ancient Mayan culture indefinitely. The Mongol invaders massacred the Library of Baghdad resulting in the death of a massive “house of wisdom.” These events forever altered history mainly because they took place before the printing press.

Book burning is for the truly ignorant.

Glenn Beck Rally News

Photo of Tea Party guy at Glenn Beck's so-called civil rights rally.


Brad Luna gave Americablog an eyewitness account of Glenn Beck's weird anti-civil rights rally.

The crowd stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. This is why the Democratic Party should be concerned. How many of our base would show up at a rally today? Why does the WH not get the enthusiasm gap is real. I can only imagine what Rahm must be thinking, looking out the window of 1600 Penn today.

The Republican turnout for Marco Rubio shows the tea party base is growing and should be taken as a serious threat to the Democratic establishment. The Obama administration is going to learn the hard way triangulation does not work as a political strategy.

Gottalaff has photos of the Beck and Al Sharpton rallies. Notice the lack of black people at the Beck rally.

Update: Beck goes all con man preacher on the Tea Party crowd.

Something that is beyond man is happening," Beck said in opening the event as the crowd thronged near the memorial grounds. "America today begins to turn back to God."

"Something"? Beck is infamous for speaking in vague generalities. This is the same Beck who claimed America would be flowing in "rivers of blood." That rhetoric sound more fearmongering than Christ-like.

Update: this poor white dude says he is being held back from career advancement by homosexuals and affirmative action. Hilarity ensues.



Update: the brilliant Tina Dupuy tweets this observation of Beck.

Cynicism: invoking the unquestioned power of god while wearing a bullet proof vest.

Tina Dupuy On Arizona

Tina Dupuy how Arizona takes not mingling with other cultures to a whole new level.