New Book: 30 Threats a Day for Obama

US News • Views: 2,276

According to a new book by Ronald Kessler, President Barack Obama is facing 30 death threats a day.

Since Mr Obama took office, the rate of threats against the president has increased 400 per cent from the 3,000 a year or so under President George W. Bush, according to Ronald Kessler, author of In the President’s Secret Service.

Some threats to Mr Obama, whose Secret Service codename is Renegade, have been publicised, including an alleged plot by white supremacists in Tennessee late last year to rob a gun store, shoot 88 black people, decapitate another 14 and then assassinate the first black president in American history.

Most however, are kept under wraps because the Secret Service fears that revealing details of them would only increase the number of copycat attempts. Although most threats are not credible, each one has to be investigated meticulously.

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289 comments
1 srb1976  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:21:53pm

Not good news, but I can’t say I’m surprised…

2 Dancing along the light of day  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:22:05pm

As compared to what threat level for George Bush?
Anyone care to compare the likelihood of threats being enacted?

3 srb1976  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:24:52pm

More than likely, the vast majority (I hope) are just talk…crap.
I wonder how many involve actual planning? But it does say that most are no credible, even though they have to look into it…

4 pat  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:25:24pm

I suspect all such pronouncements. Not only is the info classified, but it is often used by the media to gain sympathy for legislative agendas. Naturally I do not want either Mr Obama or his family hurt, but does anyone remember a similar discussion about Bush in spite of constant threats by demonstrators, pundits, asses, and MSM personalities like Garfalo?

5 Fenway_Nation  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:25:59pm

re: #2 Floral Giraffe

re: #4 pat

I remember somebody chucking a live grenade at ‘W’ when he was in Georgia (the former Soviet Republic)…

6 shiplord kirel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:27:53pm

This is a credible source on its face but it remains uncorroborated so some degree of skepticism is in order. If true, however, this is especially troubling because the kind of people who threaten Obama probably have a greater capacity for carrying out their threats than, say, the typical BDS moonbat of past years. The Tennessee gang for instance had the collective intellect of a swarm of houseflies but they do seem to at least know which end of a gun the bullets come out of.

7 Dancing along the light of day  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:28:10pm

re: #5 Fenway_Nation

Well, the man has certainly made himself a target.
I will give him that.

8 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:28:17pm

re: #2 Floral Giraffe

As compared to what threat level for George Bush?
Anyone care to compare the likelihood of threats being enacted?

I think statistically, if the over all threat has gone up, the ratio would remain fairly unchanged.

There’s really no other way to look at this besides ugly.

9 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:28:54pm

I have no doubt there are threats against Obama, just as there have been for every President. I do suspect, however, that because Obama’s election was considered particularly “sensitive”, the SS and law enforcement are taking every report much more seriously. What may not have been treated credibly for Bush and Clinton will garner more attention with Obama due to the “historic” nature of his Presidency.

10 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:29:38pm

This isn’t about Bush’s threats- this is about Obama’s threats, and if you think race relations are peachy now, imagine if one of these freaks was successful! God help us.

11 srb1976  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:30:39pm

re: #9 Wendya

Without any more details I would have to agree with you…
I hate to hear about it especially since I have no fondness for the guy myself…

12 placeholder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:30:48pm

No one group or issue seems that extreme when discussed in isolation (birthers, antichristers, plain vanilla racists, etc…) but when taken as a whole, I think its a pretty nasty brew of innuendo and nastiness. True, GWB had the crazies frothing over the election results, and calling him a war criminal - but I don’t remember ever seriously worrying that these folks would pick up a gun and do something…

I think there’s a pretty frightening flavor of crazy starting to materialize…fed by some folks in the media who see an opportunity to make a few bucks and egg the along along. Would be nice if anyone actually demanded a cool-down from the sane wing of our party.

I think we’ve gotten pretty blase about these folks - reassuring each other that they are fringe crazies… but the reality is that the crazies have the podium at the moment. I think its way past time for the moderate majority to stand up and remind everyone that these guys don’t speak for us, or for the majority of pro or anti-obama voters…

-PH

13 sngnsgt  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:31:14pm

re: #10 Sharmuta

Word.

14 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:31:35pm

Hey Night Lizards! It was balmy, but is now cooler in Near Iowa.

How many threats did LBJ, Nixon, Carter and Reagan get?

How are you-all tonite/morning and what are we talking about?

15 Cato the Elder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:32:05pm

I’m sure this is all merely about his politics and has nothing to do with racism.

16 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:32:53pm

I don’t want anything to happen to Obama. I want him to serve his term and retire and write his memoirs and open a library and eventually fade into history just like every other president.

17 placeholder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:32:55pm

re: #5 Fenway_Nation

re: #4 pat

I remember somebody chucking a live grenade at ‘W’ when he was in Georgia (the former Soviet Republic)…

As a georgian, I can tell you that that is the absolute standard way of greeting foreign dignitaries in our republic. Weeds out the men from the boys real fast…

18 capitalist piglet  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:32:56pm

Is this the guy Michael Medved interviewed today? A liberal called the show and accused him of being a right-wing hack, or some such thing. Did anyone else hear the show? Is this the author who was on?

19 RememberSekhmet?  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:33:05pm

I don’t want 0bama dead. I want him to live to be kicked out of office at the ballot box, his entire program and agenda in ashes and completely discredited. If some walking colostomy bag does kill 0bama, all it would do is make him another JFK, and we’d never be rid of him.

20 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:33:10pm

Like it or not, he is POTUS. American’s do not tolerate threats against our President.

21 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:33:34pm

re: #10 Sharmuta

This isn’t about Bush’s threats- this is about Obama’s threats, and if you think race relations are peachy now, imagine if one of these freaks was successful! God help us.

This is true. But he hasn’t had a shoe thrown at him yet! :-)

Indeed, God help us all.

22 Fenway_Nation  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:34:23pm

re: #17 placeholder

Did Biden get that kind of greeting last month?

23 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:34:43pm

Most importantly he is a father. I’d like his daughters to have him around a while.

24 RememberSekhmet?  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:35:00pm

I too would like to see a comparison with threats against Bush, or the whole thing’s not in context. Is the threat level higher, lower, or about the same between the two? We don’t know.

25 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:35:34pm

re: #23 ggt

Most importantly he is a father. I’d like his daughters to have him around a while.

True- I wouldn’t wish for any child to grow up without a parent.

26 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:36:00pm

re: #24 RememberSekhmet?

I too would like to see a comparison with threats against Bush, or the whole thing’s not in context. Is the threat level higher, lower, or about the same between the two? We don’t know.

4 times as many threats, according to the article.

27 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:36:05pm

re: #24 RememberSekhmet?

I too would like to see a comparison with threats against Bush, or the whole thing’s not in context. Is the threat level higher, lower, or about the same between the two? We don’t know.

I don’t know.

Does this really matter? Why?

28 BLBfootballs  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:36:33pm

I’m surprised the rate of threats went up so sharply compared to GWB. I find it hard to believe that a serious would-be assassin is going to telegraph his plans in advance. But I guess you have to work with what you’ve got.

(On the other hand…excessive spurious threats end up flooding the threat-detection system with noise)

I do like that codename “Renegade”! (no doubt already changed)

29 Syrah  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:37:12pm

I have had to call the Secret Service on some idjit who was making threats.

They are in the phone book.

30 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:37:48pm

And in a catty sort of way, I’d like him to eventually leave office (do the George Washington/Cincinnatus thing of giving-up power) just to prove the whacko’s wrong.

Not that it would matter, they’d make up some conspiracy theory to compensate.

31 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:37:53pm

re: #10 Sharmuta

This isn’t about Bush’s threats- this is about Obama’s threats, and if you think race relations are peachy now, imagine if one of these freaks was successful! God help us.

This is about painting Obama as a “victim”, set upon by those “evil conservatives”.

“Leaking” unsourced information about any President’s threat level is done for political reasons. Period.

32 placeholder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:38:43pm

re: #22 Fenway_Nation

Did Biden get that kind of greeting last month?

Dignitaries bringing military equipment and happy-talk are presented with a basket of citrus, a complicated instrument for grilling lamb, and a tight hug from the village elder, who will smell faintly of vodka and peaches. On their departure, they are presented with a razor-sharp knife used for gutting sheep, typically handed to them from a distance of 200 feet, and traveling at a fairly high rate of speed.

-PH

33 gmsc  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:38:54pm

re: #2 Floral Giraffe

As compared to what threat level for George Bush?
Anyone care to compare the likelihood of threats being enacted?

According to this article, President George W. Bush averaged 3000 death threats per year, which works out to 57-58 per week, or 8-9 per day.

34 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:39:22pm

re: #27 Silvergirl

I don’t know.

Does this really matter? Why?

I’d like to know the comparisons with recent past presidents and mostly Lincoln. It would be an interesting graph. I think it would probably show (figured for all variables) that Abe got more. Interesting to see what LBJ and the others got too!

35 Fenway_Nation  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:39:36pm

re: #33 gmsc

re: #2 Floral Giraffe


According to this article, President George W. Bush averaged 3000 death threats per year, which works out to 57-58 per week, or 8-9 per day.

How many of those were made into screenplays?

36 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:39:44pm

re: #12 placeholder

True, GWB had the crazies frothing over the election results, and calling him a war criminal - but I don’t remember ever seriously worrying that these folks would pick up a gun and do something…

I attended various left wing anti-war protests (job related) and those people were considered potential threats… for good reason.

37 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:40:32pm

re: #31 Wendya

This is about painting Obama as a “victim”, set upon by those “evil conservatives”.

“Leaking” unsourced information about any President’s threat level is done for political reasons. Period.

It’s true that Obama’s campaign was based largely upon cowardly implications that anyone who disagreed with him must be a racist, that he was being unfairly attacked because of his name or his immigrant father, etc.

Nevertheless, I’m not sure this information can be so easily discounted. I haven’t read Kessler’s book. Maybe it’s all believable.

38 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:40:49pm

re: #26 Last Mohican

4 times as many threats, according to the article.

Yeah, but what does that mean? In the same time period?, from inside the country, outside the country? Comparisons of type of threat, etc, etc.

MSM gives so little perspective …

39 placeholder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:41:37pm

re: #36 Wendya

I attended various left wing anti-war protests (job related) and those people were considered potential threats… for good reason.

I think both sides are capable of equally vile vitriol. But I’ll go on the record that I think our crazies, are worse than their crazies…

40 Fenway_Nation  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:41:48pm

I wonder how many of the death threats are coming from the unhinged left because 0bama isn’t pulling out of Iraq fast enough, not closing down Gitmo fast enough or not nationalizing companies fast enough…

41 Oh no...Sand People!  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:42:02pm

re: #30 ggt

And in a catty sort of way, I’d like him to eventually leave office (do the George Washington/Cincinnatus thing of giving-up power) just to prove the whacko’s wrong.

Not that it would matter, they’d make up some conspiracy theory to compensate.

Maybe he will do what Fidel did to endear the left ever so much to him, ‘transfer’ his presidential authority to his brother Raul… in this case maybe Pres. O could ‘transfer’ his power to Michelle, of Biden…or Michael Moore…or something…

/

42 sngnsgt  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:42:10pm

re: #16 Sharmuta

His whole one term. ;-)

43 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:42:25pm

re: #33 gmsc

According to this article, President George W. Bush averaged 3000 death threats per year, which works out to 57-58 per week, or 8-9 per day.

What constitutes a threat? With the sheer amount of communications a POTUS receives and especially a “historic” president, I’d think a certain percentage of “negative -possible violent” communication is expected.

44 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:42:27pm

re: #37 Last Mohican

Nevertheless, I’m not sure this information can be so easily discounted. I haven’t read Kessler’s book. Maybe it’s all believable.

Maybe but we will never know. As I said, this sort of information is never bandied about in real time. The fact that someone is leaking this stuff indicates the threats to the President aren’t all from the outside.

45 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:43:02pm

re: #42 sngnsgt

His whole one term. ;-)

From your lips to God’s ears.

46 srb1976  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:43:25pm

re: #39 placeholder

I think both sides are capable of equally vile vitriol. But I’ll go on the record that I think our crazies, are worse than their crazies…

I don’t know that our crazies are worse (as in more crazy), but maybe worse (as in actually armed)

47 Oh no...Sand People!  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:43:55pm

re: #44 Wendya

Maybe but we will never know. As I said, this sort of information is never bandied about in real time. The fact that someone is leaking this stuff indicates the threats to the President aren’t all from the outside.

So the MSM IS turning on him…?

48 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:44:04pm

I don’t understand the thing about secret service code names. If they tell what they are—it’s right in the article—how is it a code of any sort? They may as well call them by their actual name, right? What am I missing?

49 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:44:30pm

Obama received secret service protection earlier than any POTUS candidate ever has, (in May of 2007 I believe), because of the sheer volume of threats against him.

I don’t find it at all implausible that his threat level has quadrupled, compared to Bush. Let’s also remember that the SPLC has reported that recruitment in and activity by white supremacist groups leaped upward last summer, and has only continued to increase since the election.

Also, the USSS has to check out every threat, no matter how flimsy it is. And rightly so.

50 TheQuis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:44:31pm

re: #28 BLBfootballs

I’m surprised the rate of threats went up so sharply compared to GWB. I find it hard to believe that a serious would-be assassin is going to telegraph his plans in advance. But I guess you have to work with what you’ve got.

(On the other hand…excessive spurious threats end up flooding the threat-detection system with noise)

I do like that codename “Renegade”! (no doubt already changed)

The scary thing is threats are like cockroaches. If you see one of them out in the open, that means there are 100 of them in the walls. If you suddenly see 10 cockroaches out in the open you probably have situation where you’re gonna have to burn the house down.

51 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:45:35pm

Whoa! The Secret Service can arrest, search and seize without an warrant.

52 placeholder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:45:35pm

re: #46 srb1976

I don’t know that our crazies are worse (as in more crazy), but maybe worse (as in actually armed)

bingo. its not the level of rhetoric, its the ability to act on it that scares me.

53 Oh no...Sand People!  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:46:01pm

re: #52 placeholder

bingo. its not the level of rhetoric, its the ability to act on it that scares me.

Yeah, we should ban the guns…
/

54 Dancing along the light of day  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:46:20pm

re: #45 Dark_Falcon

Please, please, please!
Let the American voting public wake up!

55 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:46:46pm

re: #46 srb1976

I don’t know that our crazies are worse (as in more crazy), but maybe worse (as in actually armed)

That is the stance of so many non-gun owners that I talk to. I tell them that the Right Wing crazies have guns, Left-Wing crazies have bombs.

56 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:46:46pm

re: #36 Wendya

I attended various left wing anti-war protests (job related) and those people were considered potential threats… for good reason.

I’d say that “Bush should be killed” was a pretty common refrain on liberal websites and at left-wing political demonstrations. People liked to hang Bush in effigy. Just a few weeks ago I saw a bumper sticker that said “Support Bush,” next to a picture of a noose (and I posted a photo of it here).

In contrast, I haven’t seen any calls to kill Obama floating around any web sites that I frequent. I don’t think the tea party protesters are carrying signs talking about killing Obama, are they? And even Pamela Geller’s calls to revolution don’t include explicit instructions to kill the president.

Although, I must say, I don’t frequent White supremacist web sites. There are plenty, and I have no doubt that plenty of racist hate groups would like to murder Obama, and that many are probably plotting to do so.

57 RememberSekhmet?  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:46:58pm

A couple of things to keep in mind:

Internet communications have only gotten more prevalent, used by more people, and faster as the years have gone by. Also, this particular White House has made its stock in trade on playing the victim card.

Between more nuts online, more places for nuts to gather online and talk about nutty things, and a political need possibly to portray a White House in constant crisis—-is 0bama under any greater threat, or is it just that it has been easier to detect the possible threats?

58 realwest  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:47:01pm

Uh, he y’all - is iceweasel out here reading this thread?
Cause I asked her a direct question at #181 on the prior thread and would appreciate an answer!

Sorry to go OT on y’all, but my question goes to my health care and my Mom’s healthcare and I’m more concerned with those than I am about how many threats a day President Obama gets - I have great faith and confidence in the USSS.
Congress, not so much.

59 placeholder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:47:09pm

re: #53 Oh no…Sand People!

Yeah, we should ban the guns…
/

guns don’t kill people… crazy people kill people. we should ban crazy people.

60 Fenway_Nation  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:47:56pm

re: #53 Oh no…Sand People!


And report all dissent directly to the White House…

61 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:48:52pm

re: #59 placeholder

guns don’t kill people… crazy people kill people. we should ban crazy people.

Is mental health parity going to part of the great healthcare uptopia? Or is their medication going to be too expensive?

62 srb1976  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:49:11pm

re: #53 Oh no…Sand People!

Yeah, we should ban the guns…
/

Oh don’t get me wrong…they ever raided my house you’d be hearing about another “arsenal” on the news…

63 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:49:29pm

Here’s a whole other take on the same book.

Book spills the beans about saucy details

64 Oh no...Sand People!  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:50:47pm

re: #59 placeholder

guns don’t kill people… crazy people kill people. we should ban crazy people.

I am sure that under certain socialized medical conditions we will see many more ‘rights’ stripped from us under the guise of ‘mental instability’.

65 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:51:01pm

re: #52 placeholder

bingo. its not the level of rhetoric, its the ability to act on it that scares me.

Oh, they have the ability.

66 RememberSekhmet?  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:51:03pm

re: #60 Fenway_Nation

And report all dissent directly to the White House…

Hmm, spam lists, TinyURLed shock sites, or poke-your-eyes-out-gross pr0n pic-of-the-day?

Decisions, decisions…

67 jcm  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:51:07pm

Book also calls Rabbit Bait a phony. Heard a Kessler interview this morning. Bait would go into the Oval Office at 5:00am, have the press office tell the press where he was, then he’d sack out on the couch. He ordered uniformed USSS officers not to greet him. He used to make a show of carrying his own bags, empty and only when in camera view.

68 placeholder  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:52:18pm

re: #61 ggt

Is mental health parity going to part of the great healthcare uptopia? Or is their medication going to be too expensive?

If we’re following the swedish model - they will be put under guardianship - with all of your assets under government control, so technically, you will be paying for your own healthcare. Administered by the government, based on what they consider proper and necessary.

69 capitalist piglet  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:53:21pm

re: #67 jcm

Book also calls Rabbit Bait a phony. Heard a Kessler interview this morning. Bait would go into the Oval Office at 5:00am, have the press office tell the press where he was, then he’d sack out on the couch. He ordered uniformed USSS officers not to greet him. He used to make a show of carrying his own bags, empty and only when in camera view.

You heard what I heard, then (that I mentioned upthread).

Did you hear the story about LBJ urinating on the Secret Service agent?

70 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:53:23pm

This is also interesting:

“About the United States Secret Service:
Well known for protecting the nation’s leaders, the U.S. Secret Service is also responsible for protecting America’s financial infrastructure. The Secret Service has taken a lead role in mitigating the threat of financial crimes since the agency’s inception in 1865. As technology has evolved, the scope of the U.S. Secret Service’s mission has expanded from its original counterfeit currency investigations to also include emerging financial
crimes. As a component agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service has established successful partnerships in both the law enforcement and business communities – across the country and around the world – in order to effectively combat financial crimes.”

71 RememberSekhmet?  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:53:34pm

Eeek, about to turn into a pumpkin. Weet dreams!

72 Syrah  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:54:03pm

re: #59 placeholder

guns don’t kill people… crazy people kill people. we should ban crazy people.

!

Most crazy people are harmless. There are a few that are really scary.

Two come to mind in relation to the topic at hand.

Lynette Alice “Squeaky” Fromme

Mark David Chapman

73 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:54:10pm

re: #63 Silvergirl

Here’s a whole other take on the same book.

Book spills the beans about saucy details

Well, that’s a shame. The members of a President’s detail are supposed to keep their lips zipped, regardless.

74 jcm  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:54:47pm

re: #69 capitalist piglet

You heard what I heard, then (that I mentioned upthread).

Did you hear the story about LBJ urinating on the Secret Service agent?

Missed that one! LBJ was a crude, rude, SOB.

75 Dancing along the light of day  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:55:36pm

re: #67 jcm

LOL! I worked for one like that!
*spit*

OOh, I’m here for all hours, I work SOOO hard!
(Yeah, discussing lingerine with your vendors, who will buy you some to get an order placed…) Long ago, in a galaxay far, far away.
I don’t miss it a bit!

76 jcm  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:55:53pm

re: #70 ggt

This is also interesting:

USSS used to be under Treas. Dept. Patriot Act rolled them into DHS.

77 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:56:00pm

re: #63 Silvergirl

Here’s a whole other take on the same book.

Book spills the beans about saucy details

I think that one was on BookTV last weekend. I was surfing and didn’t land there.

78 Jack Burton  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:56:13pm

It would have surprised me if President Obama didn’t receive more threats than Bush, Clinton, Reagen, etc. He’s getting the “normal” threats from the usual suspects (plain crazy people, unstable anti-government kooks, attention whores, people who think he’s “going too far” and those who think “he’s not going far enough”) and on top of that, a mountain of threats from racists who can’t handle having an African American president.

I expect, for example, the first female president, the first Asian American president or the first Jewish president will also receive an above average number of threats from specially bigoted crazies. I hope this will be avoided by the time those examples come to pass, and I hope this crap with Obama calms down.

79 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:56:28pm

re: #74 jcm

Missed that one! LBJ was a crude, rude, SOB.

But enough about his policies…

80 Oh no...Sand People!  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:57:12pm

re: #79 Wendya

But enough about his policies…

heh.

81 capitalist piglet  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:57:27pm

re: #74 jcm

Missed that one! LBJ was a crude, rude, SOB.

Yeah. According to this author, LBJ deliberately urinated on the agent’s shoe, and when the agent objected (“Mr. President, you’re urinating on my shoe!”, or something), LBJ supposedly told him, “That’s what you people get paid for.”

A real bastard.

The Carter stories were interesting. What a fraud.

82 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:57:37pm

re: #49 iceweasel

Obama received secret service protection earlier than any POTUS candidate ever has, (in May of 2007 I believe), because of the sheer volume of threats against him.

I don’t find it at all implausible that his threat level has quadrupled, compared to Bush. Let’s also remember that the SPLC has reported that recruitment in and activity by white supremacist groups leaped upward last summer, and has only continued to increase since the election.

Also, the USSS has to check out every threat, no matter how flimsy it is. And rightly so.

Exactly. The USSS faces a classic security force dilemma: They have to succeed every time, the crazies only have to succeed once. I pray that the Secret Service continues to succeed.

83 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:58:01pm
84 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:58:28pm

re: #68 placeholder

If we’re following the swedish model - they will be put under guardianship - with all of your assets under government control, so technically, you will be paying for your own healthcare. Administered by the government, based on what they consider proper and necessary.

Ok, well that gives me a new train of thought. The current onslaught on guns is thru the “Public Health” school of thought. Wonder how they will try to get rid of guns thru healthcare.

85 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:58:57pm

re: #73 Wendya

Well, that’s a shame. The members of a President’s detail are supposed to keep their lips zipped, regardless.

Hah! Supposed to.

There’s probably an expiration date of sorts for their oath of secrecy, if there is one.

86 jcm  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:59:20pm

re: #78 ArchangelMichael

I want Mr. Obama to enjoy a long retirement starting in ‘12. Teaching Con Law at Ivy League school where the damage will be limited to already damaged cerebral cortexes.

/;-)

87 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:59:22pm

re: #58 realwest

Uh, he y’all - is iceweasel out here reading this thread?
Cause I asked her a direct question at #181 on the prior thread and would appreciate an answer!

Sorry to go OT on y’all, but my question goes to my health care and my Mom’s healthcare and I’m more concerned with those than I am about how many threats a day President Obama gets - I have great faith and confidence in the USSS.
Congress, not so much.

Hey real— sorry i missed you, answered you over there. I’m multi-tasking!

88 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:59:39pm

re: #81 capitalist piglet

Yeah. According to this author, LBJ deliberately urinated on the agent’s shoe, and when the agent objected (“Mr. President, you’re urinating on my shoe!”, or something), LBJ supposedly told him, “That’s what you people get paid for.”

A real bastard.

The Carter stories were interesting. What a fraud.

I would believe almost anything about LBJ —major whack-job. Almost finished with the 3rd of the Robert Caro biography about him. I read them backwards, so I’m in his childhood and early years now. His adult years were beyond belief.

89 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 10:59:44pm

re: #58 realwest

Uh, he y’all - is iceweasel out here reading this thread?
Cause I asked her a direct question at #181 on the prior thread and would appreciate an answer!

Sorry to go OT on y’all, but my question goes to my health care and my Mom’s healthcare and I’m more concerned with those than I am about how many threats a day President Obama gets - I have great faith and confidence in the USSS.
Congress, not so much.

Hey realwest, it’s good to “see” you. I don’t know if iceweasel is still around, but if you don’t mind I’ll offer a thought or two. I’m worried as hell about this health care bill, for a lot of reasons, but the Advanced Care Planning Consultation isn’t one of them. I don’t think that offering people a consultation about living wills, health care proxies, etc. in any way signifies a loss of hope for their prognosis, or a decision to stop helping them get well. At the hospital where I work, patients are routinely offered such a consultation when they get admitted, even if they’re coming in for sinus surgery or something. And I know a lot of doctors and nurses who have taken the time to write out living wills, even though they’re perfectly healthy for now.

I think it’s a good thing for all of us to get these things written down in advance. Not only does it ensure that our wishes are carried out, but it can make things easier on one’s family members, should (God forbid) they ever be put in the position of making decisions for us. It can ease their burden by making sure that they’re clear on what we would have wanted.

90 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:00:49pm

re: #83 brockton808

This is ALL about the Left raising the specter of race — AGAIN. I don’t believe the rates are higher than the threats against Bush. Why should we believe this yahoo?

Because the ‘yahoo’ who wrote this book is a well-respected conservative of some note:

[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

91 Jack Burton  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:00:57pm

re: #86 jcm

I want Mr. Obama to enjoy a long retirement starting in ‘12. Teaching Con Law at Ivy League school where the damage will be limited to already damaged cerebral cortexes.

/;-)

I regret I have but one ding to give for your comment.

92 realwest  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:00:57pm

re: #49 iceweasel
Hey iceweasel - if you can, would y’all take a look at my #181 on the prior thread and post a respnse out here please?

I’ve gotta go to sleep now, but will come back tomorrow morning and read your reply. It will be greatly appreciated!
And I hope you all have a great evening and that I get the chance to see you all down the road.

93 Oh no...Sand People!  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:01:22pm

re: #84 ggt

Ok, well that gives me a new train of thought. The current onslaught on guns is thru the “Public Health” school of thought. Wonder how they will try to get rid of guns thru healthcare.

1 background check at sporting goods store later:

Sporting Goods Store owner,”Well, sir, it shows in our records that you missed your gov’t mandated yearly checkup, you are now defaulted to ‘batsh*t crazy’ status according to our list.”

/?

94 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:01:33pm

re: #76 jcm

USSS used to be under Treas. Dept. Patriot Act rolled them into DHS.

I know. I was wondering about their jurisdiction in the latest Ponzi scheme or the derivitaves mess. How long are their tenacles?

95 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:02:23pm
96 realwest  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:02:49pm

re: #89 Last Mohican
Don’t disagree my friend and we already have them - mom and I, I mean.
My question at #181 however overides any health care directives or powers of attorney.

Now good night, y’all.

97 jcm  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:04:31pm

re: #94 ggt

I know. I was wondering about their jurisdiction in the latest Ponzi scheme or the derivitaves mess. How long are their tenacles?

As I understand, deals with currency crimes, forgery and he like. Fraud and like is Securities an Exchange Commission, along with the local Fed Prosecutor.

98 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:04:46pm

re: #95 brockton808

He also worked at the Washington Compost. Not convinced.

Does his present tenure (since 2006) as chief Washington correspondent of the conservative NewsMax help? Or do you consider anyone who has ever written for the WP and the NWT, including Charles Krauthammer and Bill Kristol, to be permanently stained?

99 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:05:00pm

What was conspicuously not on the USSS website was a press release or any information about current threats against the POTUS.

unless, of course, I missed it.

100 jcm  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:05:03pm

I’m out of here also…

Morning comes early around here.

101 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:05:35pm

On another topic: yesterday, Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire announced that a new poll had found that only 32% of Virginia Republicans think that Obama was born in the United States. Charles had a whole thread on it.

The thing is, the complete poll results were supposedly going to be released the next day (i.e. today). But I haven’t seen anything about it anywhere, including on Goddard’s website, or on the site of Public Policy Polling, the organization that supposedly conducted the poll.

So what happened? Where’d it go?

102 capitalist piglet  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:05:35pm

re: #96 realwest

Don’t disagree my friend and we already have them - mom and I, I mean.
My question at #181 however overides any health care directives or powers of attorney.

Now good night, y’all.

real, if I can catch you, I left you one on the last thread just now - it’s important to me that you see it, if you’re inclined to go back.

I just want you to know that we are in your corner, and we’re going to fight with you, and for you.

103 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:05:35pm

Oops; the NYT…PIMF

104 Dancing along the light of day  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:06:04pm

re: #96 realwest

You ARE going to sleep well tonight.
‘Cause I say so.
(Will that work???)
Get too warm, it works for my Mom.
Dream of dreams to come.
G’Night, RW!
{{{RW}}}

105 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:07:06pm

re: #97 jcm

As I understand, deals with currency crimes, forgery and he like. Fraud and like is Securities an Exchange Commission, along with the local Fed Prosecutor.

“the U.S. Secret Service is also responsible for protecting America’s financial infrastructure”

that is a pretty broad statement.

106 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:08:23pm

re: #96 realwest

Don’t disagree my friend and we already have them - mom and I, I mean.
My question at #181 however overides any health care directives or powers of attorney.

Now good night, y’all.

Hey RW, I did answer you there, but I’ll do so again here (briefly)— the section you want to look at within sec 1233 is this, which defines what the order is (assuming that the patient even wants to sign one)

sec 5a(ii)
‘‘(ii) effectively communicates the individual’s preferences regarding life sustaining treatment, including an indication of the treatment and care desired by the individual.

The point of it is to ensure that the patient’s preferences always prevail. If your preference is that your doctor take any and all means, that is what will prevail. Last Mohician is right about the whole sec. Anyway I answered you at slightly more length over there.

107 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:09:42pm
108 srb1976  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:10:21pm

re: #105 ggt

“the U.S. Secret Service is also responsible for protecting America’s financial infrastructure”

that is a pretty broad statement.

travel agency I worked for got a bunch of counterfeit 20’s and when we reported them to the cops we were referred to the Secret Service…back when they were still treasury dept.

109 Killgore Trout  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:10:38pm
Since Mr Obama took office, the rate of threats against the president has increased 400 per cent from the 3,000 a year or so under President George W. Bush, according to Ronald Kessler, author of In the President’s Secret Service.

That’s quite impressive if you think about it. Bush invaded two Muslim countries. Muslims worldwide were outraged but Obama gets more death threats from White Nationalists and Glenn Beck fans.

110 Oh no...Sand People!  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:11:43pm

re: #109 Killgore Trout

That’s quite impressive if you think about it. Bush invaded two Muslim countries. Muslims worldwide were outraged but Obama gets more death threats from White Nationalists and Glenn Beck fans.

Painting with the wide tips today, eh?

111 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:11:50pm

re: #109 Killgore Trout

That’s quite impressive if you think about it. Bush invaded two Muslim countries. Muslims worldwide were outraged but Obama gets more death threats from White Nationalists and Glenn Beck fans.

Well, I would assume that’s where the additional threats are coming from. But of course, I haven’t read the book. And the article does mention this:

intelligence officials received information that people associated with the Somalia-based Islamist group al-Shabaab might try to disrupt Mr Obama’s inauguration in January
112 NY Nana  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:11:53pm

Wow! I can sleep-type, and I am a gifted 2-finger typist!

Before this rare ability ends, I will quickly type, and say G’nite, Lizards. Sweet dreams!

Youtube Video
113 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:12:10pm
114 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:12:44pm
115 Killgore Trout  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:13:13pm

re: #113 brockton808

I’m just guessing at the demographics. Who do you think is sending the death threats?

116 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:13:48pm

re: #113 brockton808

Did the report say it was White Nationalists and Glenn Beck fans making the threats?

Only one of the threats.

Some threats to Mr Obama, whose Secret Service codename is Renegade, have been publicised, including an alleged plot by white supremacists in Tennessee late last year to rob a gun store, shoot 88 black people, decapitate another 14 and then assassinate the first black president in American history.

117 Pvt Bin Jammin  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:14:41pm

re: #112 NY Nana

Nite {{Nana}} Sweet dreams.

118 Killgore Trout  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:14:41pm

re: #111 Last Mohican


intelligence officials received information that people associated with the Somalia-based Islamist group al-Shabaab might try to disrupt Mr Obama’s inauguration in January


Interesting. I’m sure Al Qaeda is also responsible for some of the threats as well.

119 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:16:26pm

re: #107 brockton808

From where did he get this information? Hmm, lemme guess…a Leftist Administration? Yep.

Administrations of both parties come and go; the Secret Service remains. Continuity and experience are critical to presidential security.

I’ll bite on your question. Being a WP hack doesn’t permanently stain him. I’ll ask you the converse: does his current Newsmax position make him stain-repellent?

Much more so than if he had left the WaPo for a staff position at The Nation.

Everyone loves to get “the scoop,” especially straight from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I’m sure Kessler is no different.

But Kessler has been repeatedly awarded for actually getting the scoop.

120 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:16:30pm
121 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:17:01pm

re: #113 brockton808

Did the report say it was White Nationalists and Glenn Beck fans making the threats?

White nationalists have been very successful in recruiting lately. You seem kinda defensive about it. They’re nazis- there’s no need to defend them.

122 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:17:18pm

re: #115 Killgore Trout

I’m just guessing at the demographics. Who do you think is sending the death threats?

It’s not necessarily “sent” death threats. Anyone can report what they perceive to be a “threat” to the President and it will be investigated.

123 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:17:50pm

I have to sleep, Lizards!

weet dreams all!

124 Dancing along the light of day  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:17:58pm

I am off to dream the dream of sleep.
G’night all.
KT, I hope you have a good raddish crop.

125 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:18:24pm

re: #122 Wendya

It’s not necessarily “sent” death threats. Anyone can report what they perceive to be a “threat” to the President and it will be investigated.

And anyone who perceives a threat to the safety of ANY president SHOULD report it.

126 Last Mohican  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:18:30pm

re: #118 Killgore Trout

Interesting. I’m sure Al Qaeda is also responsible for some of the threats as well.

I dunno. I read an interesting pre-election piece by Daniel Pipes, about perceptions of Obama in the Muslim world. Because Obama’s father was Muslim, he was born a Muslim, according to Muslim tradition. Many Muslims around the world mistakenly believe that Obama is still a Muslim. And many others believe that, because he’s now a Christian, he is an apostate. And that therefore, according to some extremely widely held interpretations of Islam, he must be executed.

127 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:18:31pm

Good evening.

128 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:19:04pm
129 Fenway_Nation  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:19:14pm

re: #124 Floral Giraffe

G’nite, waxy walrus!

130 realwest  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:20:06pm

re: #106 iceweasel
Hey iceweasel - I did read your response on the prior thread and left this one for you:

“Um I do understand what you’re saying but must be too tired to write clearly. Those consultations - if they are only what you propose - still doesn’t deal with my concerns of health care rationing which I elucidated in my #163 above[in the prior thread,”New Nikon”] and IF health care rationing ISN’T INTENDED, why couldn’t language like that,together with the patients treatment for terminal diseases and other matters shall be made and implemented by the Patient and the Doctor(s), regardless of their cost and the length of life which the patient may have subsequent to such treatment(s). The cost of which will be made based upon the rules CURRENTLY in effect in Medicare? IF THAT IS CONGRESS’ INTENTION, SPELLING IT OUT LIKE THAT CAN’T HURT THE HEALTH REFORM BILL THE WAY YOU’VE DESCRIBED SEC. 233 OR ANY OTHER SECTION could it?
I’ll check back in with you tomorrow on this thread THANK YOU!”

And btw, the AARP supported Obama with a lot of money and “ads” to it’s members (anyone over 50 can be a member) almost as much as the UAW helped Obama.
Seriously this health care reform bill, if it is not intended to deny life saving treatments and thereapies to terminally ill or truly elderly people could SIMPLY SAY THAT, couldn’t it?

Night again y’all.

131 SurferDoc  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:20:08pm

Nobama regrets
That the number of threats
Has increased, Madame
Nobama regrets
That the number of threats
Has increased
He can’t understand it at all
All he did was answer the call
For Hope and Change
And the change he gets
Is the one he surely regrets
Madame

132 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:20:31pm
133 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:20:46pm

re: #119 Salamantis

Administrations of both parties come and go; the Secret Service remains. Continuity and experience are critical to presidential security.

Which is why I always question unsourced reports about any President’s behavior. If the protectees are afraid secret service agents will blab about their actions, it can result in a breakdown in trust which can have disastrous results.

134 Pvt Bin Jammin  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:21:14pm

re: #124 Floral Giraffe

I am off to dream the dream of sleep.
G’night all.
KT, I hope you have a good raddish crop.

Sweet dreams!

135 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:21:28pm

re: #128 brockton808

I wonder how the discussion got started. Did Mr. Kessler go in asking these questions, or was this info. just offered up by the Administration? The timing sure is suspicious…

What exactly is suspicious about the timing (a frequuently repeated leftist trope during Dubyas’s administration)? Obama has been doing what Obama has been doing ever since he got elected.

136 Pvt Bin Jammin  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:22:18pm

re: #123 ggt

‘Nite GGT. Have a great day tomorrow.

137 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:23:02pm
138 Jack Burton  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:23:03pm

re: #120 brockton808

The majority of people pissed about his political policies do NOT make death threats.

People who don’t like him because he’s black, when there’s about two trillion or so legitimate reasons to not like his administration, are mostly unhinged kooks and are more likely to do kook things, including but not limited to death threats.

139 NY Nana  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:23:35pm

re: #117 Pvt Bin Jammin

Nite {{Nana}} Sweet dreams.

Boo! I see you! ;)

Forgot to take my meds, as I really am wasted. Now I am going to sleep.

{{{{{{ pvt. bin jammin }}}}}}

140 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:23:54pm

re: #133 Wendya

Which is why I always question unsourced reports about any President’s behavior. If the protectees are afraid secret service agents will blab about their actions, it can result in a breakdown in trust which can have disastrous results.

Secret Service members mentioning that the number of threats against Obama is running four times the number of threats against Dubya says nothing whatsoever concerning the actions that they, or Obama himself, take in response to them.

141 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:24:57pm

re: #137 brockton808

But his poll numbers haven’t begun to drop until just recently…

Which would support the contention that threats against him have increased.

142 Pvt Bin Jammin  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:25:11pm

re: #139 NY Nana

Oh noes, don’t forget those meds. Have a great day tomorrow.

143 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:25:36pm

re: #128 brockton808

I wonder how the discussion got started. Did Mr. Kessler go in asking these questions, or was this info. just offered up by the Administration? The timing sure is suspicious…

It’s a logical fallacy to question the timing. You would think it’s easier to pull teeth from a crocodile than to get some people to admit there are still racists in this country. It’s not some elaborate scheme. There really are still racist elements in this country, and yes- people on all sides play them for profit. Denying it isn’t going to help stop it.

144 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:25:36pm

re: #140 Salamantis

Secret Service members mentioning that the number of threats against Obama is running four times the number of threats against Dubya says nothing whatsoever concerning the actions that they, or Obama himself, take in response to them.

The secret service does not make a habit of giving out information like that. I thought that was pretty obvious to all, hence the “leaked” information from “anonymous” agents.

145 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:26:09pm
146 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:26:28pm

Unfortunately, the anti-islamofascist movement is recruiting white power types. They’re turning a righteous idea into a clusterfuck of racist bullshittery.

147 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:26:59pm
148 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:27:34pm

I’ll rephrase that. White power types are using the anti-islamofascist movement to make themselves smell a bit fresher.

149 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:27:55pm

re: #145 brockton808

Yeah- racism is an elaborate scheme of teh left!

150 HelloDare  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:28:43pm

Didn’t Bush get that many threats just from Air America hosts? /

151 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:29:42pm

Many of the lefties I know are absolutely unashamed bigots. Their mantra is… “Well I am not really racist so I can act as racist as I want to…”

152 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:29:46pm

re: #145 brockton808

You all have missed my point entirely. Lumping Glenn Beck fans in with White Supremacists is the problem I had with the poster’s comment. No one should even think of threatening the President. I just think it’s very interesting that many here seem to immediately jump to the conclusion that they’re all racially-motivated. That’s what they want you to think!

He’s not talking about everyone who watches Beck’s show. But there are crazies who whose hatred of the federal government and Obama is fed by Beck. Those are the people we need to worry about.

153 Killgore Trout  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:29:50pm

Koskidz: Umm, GOP? You got a second? I want to show you something.

This is the image the GOP is burdened with. Take some personal responsibility. Clean house.

154 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:30:00pm

re: #144 Wendya

The secret service does not make a habit of giving out information like that. I thought that was pretty obvious to all, hence the “leaked” information from “anonymous” agents.

Anonymous sources speak to reporters off the record all the time about all kinds of things.

And sometimes when they shouldn’t; it was just such leaks that exposed some of Dubya’s covert antiterror programs.

155 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:30:24pm
156 srb1976  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:31:05pm

re: #143 Sharmuta

It’s a logical fallacy to question the timing. You would think it’s easier to pull teeth from a crocodile than to get some people to admit there are still racists in this country. It’s not some elaborate scheme. There really are still racist elements in this country, and yes- people on all sides play them for profit. Denying it isn’t going to help stop it.

I’m only speaking for myself here, but, I don’t disagree that there are racist people and organizations in our society. The problem that I have is that you reach a point where it seems that Everything is viewed through a racist lens. It’s not so much that there are no racists left, it’s that when you scream racist at anyone who disagrees, the word loses meaning. I, personally, feel that the charge has been leveled so often, when it doesn’t apply, that I don’t pay it any attention anymore.

157 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:31:09pm

Hey it’s Nigel Tufnel.

158 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:31:24pm

re: #155 brockton808

Only if you can be more original than blaming lefty or questioning the timing.

159 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:31:43pm

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

He’s not talking about everyone who watches Beck’s show. But there are crazies who whose hatred of the federal government and Obama is fed by Beck. Those are the people we need to worry about.

Like the female Glenn Beck fan who was caught outside a National Guard installation with a rifle and mistakenly thought it was a FEMA camp?

160 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:31:51pm
161 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:33:13pm
162 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:33:18pm

re: #154 Salamantis

Anonymous sources speak to reporters off the record all the time about all kinds of things.

And sometimes when they shouldn’t; it was just such leaks that exposed some of Dubya’s covert antiterror programs.

Do you think reporters who depend on anonymous sources peddling gossip should be considered “reputable”?

163 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:33:25pm

re: #153 Killgore Trout

Koskidz: Umm, GOP? You got a second? I want to show you something.

This is the image the GOP is burdened with. Take some personal responsibility. Clean house.

Librhul media! It’s just like nirtherism! the problem isn’t that our base has nirthers and we pander to them— the problem is those damn librhuls won’t stop talking about it!

//

164 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:34:22pm

re: #161 brockton808

You played the cliche card first, so it was only fair.

165 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:34:35pm

Okay the sign says monkey see, monkey spend. Why is it automatically racist? Jesus stop reaching so much.

166 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:35:09pm

You seeing a monkey and likening it to Obama makes you the bigot. I saw someone who made a sign with a clever play on words. Maybe race had fuck all to do with it.

167 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:35:16pm

brockton808, I finally figured out that Christopher Guest is your avatar. Took me a few minutes.

168 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:35:36pm

Hey Nigel, does it go to 11?

169 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:35:44pm

I go to 11.

170 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:35:59pm
171 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:36:19pm

re: #162 Wendya

Do you think reporters who depend on anonymous sources peddling gossip should be considered “reputable”?

They generally require verification from two independent sources to publish. But if the recourse to anonymous sources entails that a reporter is ‘disreputable’ then there are few reporters, either liberal or conservative, who aren’t.

172 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:37:10pm

re: #151 Equable

Many of the lefties I know are absolutely unashamed bigots. Their mantra is… “Well I am not really racist so I can act as racist as I want to…”

Many of the people on the right I know are absolutely unashamed about making sweeping generalisations about how the left thinks, but get really pissed off when “teh left” does it to them. Their mantra is “IOKIYAR”.

///sarcasm, obviously, as I just made a sweeping generalisation for comedic effect.*

* disclaimer designed to avert the inevitable cries of “look what you just did!” from the overly literal.

sigh.

173 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:37:20pm
174 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:37:57pm

re: #172 iceweasel

Well done weasel. I am just a guy that leans a lot to the right, I don’t aspire to labels or group-think. I find myself disagreeing with both sides constantly.

175 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:38:10pm

re: #153 Killgore Trout

Koskidz: Umm, GOP? You got a second? I want to show you something.

This is the image the GOP is burdened with. Take some personal responsibility. Clean house.

That link leads to the vile Kos. Pick a site with some credibility. Markos Moulitsas is one of few people who has less credibility than Glen Beck.

176 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:38:41pm
177 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:38:58pm

This Is Spinal Tap is legendary lol

178 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:39:00pm

re: #170 brockton808

You’ll instantly believe anything if it denigrates the conservative movement as a bunch of racists.

That’s absolutely not true. But it is true that you’ll believe any fallacy that permits you wallow in victimhood.

179 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:39:02pm

re: #170 brockton808

You’ll instantly believe anything if it denigrates the conservative movement as a bunch of racists.

GAZE

180 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:39:09pm

re: #173 brockton808

LOL! Thanks for noticing Silvergirl. It’s “Nigel” from “This is Spinal Tap.” One of the greatest movies of all time!

Christopher Guest is so versatile! His characters are all so different. It’s fascinating to watch him.

181 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:40:03pm

Nigel is ignoring me, I said “Hey it’s Nigel Tufnel” like 30 minutes ago ;-)

Then again he was embroiled in a quite intense conversation and I wasn’t adding to it at all. I have a tendency to not add much to any thread.

182 Wendya  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:40:37pm

re: #156 srb1976

I’m only speaking for myself here, but, I don’t disagree that there are racist people and organizations in our society. The problem that I have is that you reach a point where it seems that Everything is viewed through a racist lens. It’s not so much that there are no racists left, it’s that when you scream racist at anyone who disagrees, the word loses meaning. I, personally, feel that the charge has been leveled so often, when it doesn’t apply, that I don’t pay it any attention anymore.

Every single segment of our society has racists and bigots. They come in all colors so it’s not a “white” issue either. Misogyny and misandry are also found in every community. We’re never going to get rid of them, the best we can do is marginalize them.

183 capitalist piglet  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:40:50pm

re: #180 Silvergirl

Christopher Guest is so versatile! His characters are all so different. It’s fascinating to watch him.

Did you see him in Waiting for Guffman? Corky Sherwood’s dance is one of the funniest things I think I have ever seen. That man is a genius!

184 SixDegrees  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:41:42pm

re: #143 Sharmuta

It’s a logical fallacy to question the timing. You would think it’s easier to pull teeth from a crocodile than to get some people to admit there are still racists in this country. It’s not some elaborate scheme. There really are still racist elements in this country, and yes- people on all sides play them for profit. Denying it isn’t going to help stop it.

All true. It’s also true, however, that the Administration and the DNC are in the midst of a full court press to paint the GOP as the party of evil, backwards harbingers of violence. This has been evident on most media outlets over the last week, with complaints that Democratic speakers were “shouted down” at townhall meetings abounding (oddly, the eight years of bellowing, mike snatching and pieing that dogged Republican speakers goes unmentioned, but that’s a different matter.) Portraying the opposition as inherently evil helps the Administration get it’s policies through Congress, especially in the face of Democratic opposition. It also gives them an excuse to vote against what constituents are demanding, by brushing off the opposition as a bunch of kooks whose opinions are artificially inflated (the point of an NPR interview yesterday) and unrepresentative.

Like others, I find it odd that such statistics are being made public. The Secret Service is normally tight lipped about such things. Even if true, I would expect the Administration to milk it for political leverage to the greatest extent possible.

185 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:42:38pm
186 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:43:26pm

re: #174 Equable

Well done weasel. I am just a guy that leans a lot to the right, I don’t aspire to labels or group-think. I find myself disagreeing with both sides constantly.

Same here. Well, I lean left in a big way, but I hate the Democratic party only slightly less than I do the Republican party, and quarrel constantly with others who are ‘on my side’. :) Also despise people who endorse one ideology, person, or party uncriticially.

LGF is a cool place to hang out for this! imo
cheers, ice

187 Silvergirl  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:44:01pm

re: #183 capitalist piglet

Did you see him in Waiting for Guffman? Corky Sherwood’s dance is one of the funniest things I think I have ever seen. That man is a genius!

Yes! I don’t own Waiting for Guffman. Best in Show is the only one I have. In Guffman, when Corky is in the bathtub pouting about the injustice of it all, I get laughter tears!

188 Equable  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:44:26pm

re: #186 iceweasel

Cheers Iceweasel…

I also despise people who think a certain way because they believe that it is a cornerstone of their political party. I try to be a critical thinker as much as I can.

189 capitalist piglet  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:46:12pm

re: #187 Silvergirl

Yes! I don’t own Waiting for Guffman. Best in Show is the only one I have. In Guffman, when Corky is in the bathtub pouting about the injustice of it all, I get laughter tears!

I love the part where Parker Posey is grilling a chicken wing. Those guys are so great…oh, and the auditions, the guy who’s singing, “Lighting, striking again…”

Hilarious movie!

190 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:46:32pm
191 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:47:30pm

re: #184 SixDegrees

Like others, I find it odd that such statistics are being made public. The Secret Service is normally tight lipped about such things. Even if true, I would expect the Administration to milk it for political leverage to the greatest extent possible.

Well, the article does mention that the USSS won’t reveal details, and we never find out about the vast majority of what they investigate.

Also, — the guy who wrote this book is a conservative, the article is in a UK paper which is conservative and known for ripping on Obama (it’s nicknamed the Tory-graph in the UK), and moreover, that author, Toby Harnden, is himself a conservative who’s authored some scathing pieces about Obama.

I don’t see a liberal media conspiracy here or anything other than a guy trying to sell books. And not very well— how many Americans read UK papers?

192 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:48:06pm
193 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:49:57pm
194 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:51:02pm
195 SixDegrees  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:52:19pm

re: #191 iceweasel

Well, the article does mention that the USSS won’t reveal details, and we never find out about the vast majority of what they investigate.

Also, — the guy who wrote this book is a conservative, the article is in a UK paper which is conservative and known for ripping on Obama (it’s nicknamed the Tory-graph in the UK), and moreover, that author, Toby Harnden, is himself a conservative who’s authored some scathing pieces about Obama.

I don’t see a liberal media conspiracy here or anything other than a guy trying to sell books. And not very well— how many Americans read UK papers?

There’s no conspiracy involved. It’s simply a strategy being employed by the Administration to further it’s agenda.

And encouraging a fixation on conspiracies on the part of the GOP is a tactic.

196 Salamantis  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:52:46pm

re: #184 SixDegrees

Like others, I find it odd that such statistics are being made public. The Secret Service is normally tight lipped about such things. Even if true, I would expect the Administration to milk it for political leverage to the greatest extent possible.

I would expect ANY administration, conservative or liberal, to milk anything useful that comes their way for as much political leverage as they can squeeze out of it.

It’s called politics.

197 Sharmuta  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:53:22pm

re: #193 brockton808

You are the one wallowing in victimhood with your “it’s the left!” mantra, and you are the one perpetuating it by spreading it here at LGF. It won’t fly.

198 [deleted]  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:54:31pm
199 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:55:09pm

re: #193 brockton808

Read #184. The Left’s whole ideology is based on wallowing in victim-hood, and Carefully Taught people like you just perpetuate it.

Oh what a crock of shit. What’s next, are you going to accuse Sharmuta of being a “leftie”?

And statements like “the left’s whole ideology is based on wallowing in victimhood” are no more fair or accurate than a statement like “the right’s whole ideology is about warmongering and hating poor people”.

Also, I’ll remind you that “The left” didn’t win an election until they stopped crying about how unfair the elections were, how mean republicans were, and how stupid the electorate must have been to vote the way they did.

200 iceweasel  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:57:30pm

re: #195 SixDegrees

There’s no conspiracy involved. It’s simply a strategy being employed by the Administration to further it’s agenda.

And encouraging a fixation on conspiracies on the part of the GOP is a tactic.

Oh, I’ll totally agree about the tactic. The GOP is at least partly to blame here for pandering to the crazy base, but it certainly isn’t hurting democrats that they are.

In this case I don’t see any Administration agenda being pushed, because of the ideology of the people involved— they’re conservatives!— but I’m sure, as Salamantis notes, that they’ll exploit it to the full.

201 Jack Burton  Tue, Aug 4, 2009 11:58:03pm

re: #199 iceweasel

Also, I’ll remind you that “The left” didn’t win an election until they stopped crying about how unfair the elections were, how mean republicans were, and how stupid the electorate must have been to vote the way they did.

I agree with you, but I’m not sure how healthy it was to replace being whiny petulant children with being starry-eyed rock star groupies/cultists.

202 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:00:21am
203 Sharmuta  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:03:49am

re: #202 brockton808

Bullshit. And I’m not from the left, asshole. I’m a Goldwater conservative- and an anti-fascist. The people yo think are conservatives- people like glen beck?- they ain’t conservatives, Bub. They’re frickin’ lunatics. Use your head God gave you and think for yourself for once and don’t offer up logical fallacies to defend kooks and nazis.

204 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:03:54am

re: #201 ArchangelMichael

I agree with you, but I’m not sure how healthy it was to replace being whiny petulant children with being starry-eyed rock star groupies/cultists.

I’m no fan of Obama’s personality cult, and he does have one. Bush did too, and still does, and I don’t like that either. Personality cults are the antithesis of a democracy. They’re unhealthy for the body politic.

But I have to say that most of the best—and harshest— criticisms I see of Obama are coming from the left. especially the progressive left.

I’m sure he still has cultists out there, and he does have the vapidity and vacuity of most of the Beltway media and MSM still behind him, but there’s criticism for sure. (and I don’t see the media as blindly worshipping him, in most cases, but as being lazy and loving a narrative. They’ll turn on Obama just the same way they did Bush, and just as they did McCain, as soon as it’s to their benefit.)

205 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:05:52am

re: #195 SixDegrees

And encouraging a fixation on conspiracies on the part of the GOP is a tactic.

The conspiracy theories upon which many GOP members have been recently fixated - for instance the Nirther stuff - are all of their own doing. THEY are, after all, the ones embracing such idiocy. The Dems may be employing them to their own advantage (they’d be stupid not to), but it’s merely a case of someone twisting the knife in a political adversary’s self-inflicted wound.

206 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:05:55am
207 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:07:50am
208 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:08:04am

re: #202 brockton808

I don’t know her that well, but I do know her well enough to know that she’ll jump on and ride anything that hurts conservatives without even a second glance. With friends like that…

Oh right. I forgot for a second that the New Rule was that the party MUST be purged of anyone who dares criticise it.

Good luck. Think you’ll build a winning coalition by kicking out people like Sharm? Wanna redefine conservatism, or the GOP, so that it leaves out people like her? Have at it.

Eventually we can rename the Republican Party “The Party of Glenn Beck and Your Crazy Uncle” because that’s all that will be left.

209 Sharmuta  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:08:47am

re: #207 brockton808

You need some salsa on your shoulder to go with all those chips?

210 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:10:24am

re: #205 Salamantis

The conspiracy theories upon which many GOP members have been recently fixated - for instance the Nirther stuff - are all of their own doing. THEY are, after all, the ones embracing such idiocy. The Dems may be employing them to their own advantage (they’d be stupid not to), but it’s merely a case of someone twisting the knife in a political adversary’s self-inflicted wound.

Exactly so. The wacko part of the GOP has collectively decided to wear underwear on its head and run around in the street yelling “Booga Booga Booga!”

Pointing and laughing is the Dem response, but what else could they expect?

211 Jack Burton  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:10:39am

re: #204 iceweasel

I was referring to how “The Left” was between primary season and the first 6-weeks or so of the Obama presidency. Now it’s a little different. The honeymoon is over, the personality cult ranks are shrinking. I think a lot of mostly apathetic independents who don’t pay attention to what’s going on beyond a 5 second sound byte from the MSM are abandoning unquestioned support as well.

If the far left progressives are criticizing him harshly, it’s likely because he is not Che Guevra enough for them (despite it being totally impossible for him to do whether he wants to or not), and that is a good thing.

212 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:11:23am
213 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:11:45am
214 Sharmuta  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:12:24am

re: #212 brockton808

Oh, you’re right. Let’s have a party that’s comprised of those who only attack themselves. That’s a sure-fire winner.

This self-flagellation has got to stop!

What self-flagellation? You’re busy beating up teh left, remember?

215 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:12:52am

re: #212 brockton808

Oh, you’re right. Let’s have a party that’s comprised of those who only attack themselves. That’s a sure-fire winner.

This self-flagellation has got to stop!

The mockings should continue until sanity improves.

216 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:14:41am
217 Jack Burton  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:15:00am

re: #212 brockton808

Oh, you’re right. Let’s have a party that’s comprised of those who only attack themselves. That’s a sure-fire winner.

This self-flagellation has got to stop!

Yeah because a party of conspiracy theorists, luddites, closet bigots, religious kooks, and various others who believe in easily disprovable garbage that scares normal people into voting for the other side or staying home on election day is teh WINNAR!1!!1!

218 Sharmuta  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:15:28am

re: #216 brockton808

I’m busy trying to tell you that you shouldn’t believe everything you read, and you shouldn’t assume racists are behind everything, and that teh left works the media well. Comprende?

But I should believe glen beck, right?

219 Jack Burton  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:16:00am

re: #218 Sharmuta

LUAP NOR!!1!!

220 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:16:07am
221 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:16:41am
222 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:17:12am
223 Jack Burton  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:17:42am

re: #221 brockton808

Gotcha. The Left doesn’t have any kooks on their side.

That’s the left’s problem, not ours. If “our kooks” give Obama a second term by default, it’s very much our problem.

224 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:19:39am

re: #211 ArchangelMichael


If the far left progressives are criticizing him harshly, it’s likely because he is not Che Guevra enough for them (despite it being totally impossible for him to do whether he wants to or not), and that is a good thing.

Not entirely true. They’re (we’re) criticising him on civil liberties issues, on his DOMA/DADT actions, on cap and trade, on many issues. I posted a link just last night to a NYT article about an Obama DOJ filing that tacked on some issues involving the state secrets act— Obama has, in every instance that comes to executive power, chosen to continue the policies of Bush/cheney and in many cases sought to expand them.

There are other issues to criticise Obama on as well, of course.

I mention the ones above because it’s a good test for an Obama cultist, or Obama hater. If you screamed your head off about certain Bush policies and decisions, but have no problem when Obama continues them, you’re an Obama cultist. If you loved certain Bush decisions, but can’t give Obama any credit when he makes the same ones, you’re an Obama hater.

“The left” is a hell of a lot less monolithic than many on LGF and many on the right perceive it to be.

225 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:19:55am

re: #220 brockton808

Do you mock anyone but those on the right? Haven’t seen it. You’re the one who used to be an abortion patient escort, right?

Yeah, I mock the left for believing that the jihadi crocodile won’t eventually eat them.

And you’re damn right I took the blows from those wooden picket signs that the antiabortion protesters aimed at those women on my own shoulders. And had my home surveilled received beaucoup death threats, my car followed and then sabotaged, and my family cat hung with a noose from a tree in my back yard with YOU’RE NEXT, BABY KILLER! safety-pinned to its belly. Wanna make something of it?

226 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:21:49am
227 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:22:11am

re: #220 brockton808

Do you mock anyone but those on the right? Haven’t seen it. You’re the one who used to be an abortion patient escort, right?

What the hell is that supposed to mean? You think defending a woman’s right to choose a LEGAL MEDICAL procedure without getting spat on, attacked, screamed at, or worse is something that can’t be a REPUBLICAN ideal?

Jesus Christ. Enough people think like you and take over the GOP, you’ll become the party of the permanent minority.

228 Sharmuta  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:22:26am

re: #220 brockton808

You showed with that comment right there you are not an honest debater. Poor form.

229 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:23:10am

re: #226 brockton808

Just wanted to expose your background, and let everyone know where you’re coming from. Thanks.

And I guess you’re on the side of the self-righteous bastards swinging the signs, trying to hit the women with them. Thanks for exposing YOUR background.

230 Silvergirl  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:23:14am

iceweasel, are you here? There are a couple of posts directed to you at the end of last night’s overnight thread. Quite the read.

231 Sharmuta  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:23:35am

re: #227 iceweasel

He did it just to be spiteful.

232 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:26:38am
233 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:26:54am

re: #230 Silvergirl

iceweasel, are you here? There are a couple of posts directed to you at the end of last night’s overnight thread. Quite the read.

I’m here. Do I want to see them, or are they something that should simply be ignored?

Some crazy people on that thread were frantically googling “iceweasel” and posting all kinds of stuff posted by other people using the nic— which, of course, is a simpsons reference.

234 Pianobuff  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:28:06am

re: #233 iceweasel

I’m here. Do I want to see them, or are they something that should simply be ignored?

Some crazy people on that thread were frantically googling “iceweasel” and posting all kinds of stuff posted by other people using the nic— which, of course, is a simpsons reference.

Isn’t Iceweasel also a niche browser?

235 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:28:11am
236 Silvergirl  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:28:29am

re: #233 iceweasel

I’m here. Do I want to see them, or are they something that should simply be ignored?

Some crazy people on that thread were frantically googling “iceweasel” and posting all kinds of stuff posted by other people using the nic— which, of course, is a simpsons reference.

Your call, of course.

But yes, it’s about you and the Simpson’s reference and all of it.

237 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:29:17am

re: #236 Silvergirl

Your call, of course.

But yes, it’s about you and the Simpson’s reference and all of it.

Great. (not).
I’ll read. Thanks.

238 Sharmuta  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:30:24am

re: #232 brockton808

Poor form is making excuses for nazis and kooks.

239 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:31:05am
240 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:32:32am

re: #232 brockton808

It’s not poor form to show that Salamantis, and many others in this forum, aren’t what many would consider to be traditional conservatives. It’s all well and good to agree to uphold laws like abortion. To participate in it is another matter. Therefore, when someone with such a pedigree makes a comment on conservatism, I can’t take it seriously.

Poor for is the foul language you used above Missy!

So now it is bad conservative form to protect women being attacked by antiabortion fanatics? Awful chivalrous of you.

I hate to break this to you, but soconism is not the be-all and end-all of conservatism. In fact, inasmuch as socons wanna intrude government into the most personal and private of life orientations and decisions (anti-gay, reproductive choice), they’re not really conservatives at all.

And they, and the conspiracy theory nuts (two groups with widely overlapping memberships), are screwing the electoral pooch for us fiscal conservatives and foreign policy hawks.

241 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:33:51am

re: #235 brockton808

Nope. Never done that. But I didn’t facilitate it, that’s for damn sure.

Well, I just couldn’t sit back and watch those women be beaten. If that makes me a bad person in your eyes, I will wear your condemnation as a badge of honor.

242 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:34:57am
243 Jack Burton  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:35:07am

re: #224 iceweasel

Not entirely true. They’re (we’re) criticising him on civil liberties issues, on his DOMA/DADT actions, on cap and trade, on many issues. I posted a link just last night to a NYT article about an Obama DOJ filing that tacked on some issues involving the state secrets act— Obama has, in every instance that comes to executive power, chosen to continue the policies of Bush/cheney and in many cases sought to expand them.

There are other issues to criticise Obama on as well, of course.

I mention the ones above because it’s a good test for an Obama cultist, or Obama hater. If you screamed your head off about certain Bush policies and decisions, but have no problem when Obama continues them, you’re an Obama cultist. If you loved certain Bush decisions, but can’t give Obama any credit when he makes the same ones, you’re an Obama hater.

“The left” is a hell of a lot less monolithic than many on LGF and many on the right perceive it to be.

Of those policies of the Bush Administration that Obama has continued, the ones I agreed with Bush, I agree with Obama. The ones I didn’t like Bush doing, I like Obama doing them even less, I’ll admit that. I think that it reinforced some of what I said though, assuming that the reason that the progressives are pissed is that Obama didn’t bring home all the troops on Jan 20 and end the WoT, GITMO, and enforcement of the Patriot Act by executive order the next day. All that followed by a kangaroo court charging “Darth Cheney and Chimpy McBushitler” with imaginary war crimes to finish out the first week.

As for Cap and Trade, I have not heard what the far left’s problem is with it other than it being “too weak” and apparently won’t destroy capitalism and globalism fast enough for them.

244 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:37:17am

re: #242 brockton808

Oh brother! Tiny violins…

Actually, it’s you that I pity right now. When I can spare the time from being damn glad that I’m not like you.

Anyone who posts about tiny violins in response to a post about women being beaten has serious and major issues.

245 Jack Burton  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:37:49am

re: #233 iceweasel

I’d ignore it. On a quick skim it looks asinine.

246 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:41:20am
247 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:42:11am

re: #246 brockton808

Thanks for your pity. Now go admire your righteous self in the mirror.

I’d have to move you away from it.

248 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:42:21am
249 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:44:00am

re: #248 brockton808

Tiny violins to your histrionic, melodramatic whining.

So, for you, being upest about women being beaten is histrionic, melodramatic whining?

I’m sure the jihadis feel that way, too.

250 [deleted]  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:44:32am
251 Jack Burton  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:44:44am

Ok, can we stop smacking each other with our dicks now? It’s starting to get dumb.

252 Salamantis  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:45:34am

re: #250 brockton808

Thank you all for the lively debate tonight all.

You’re quite unwelcome.

253 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:47:43am

re: #251 ArchangelMichael

Ok, can we stop smacking each other with our dicks now? It’s starting to get numb.

Sorry, can never resist a dick joke. :)

254 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:48:32am

re: #236 Silvergirl

Your call, of course.

But yes, it’s about you and the Simpson’s reference and all of it.

Holy shit, that was…interesting. 10 pounds of crazy in a 1 pound bag.

255 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:58:45am

re: #234 Pianobuff

Isn’t Iceweasel also a niche browser?

Yeah, apparently it’s Linux fans version of FireFox, or something like that. It’s also a nickname I’ve seen at least three people use in various places on the web.

256 Pianobuff  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:19:36am

re: #255 iceweasel

Yeah, apparently it’s Linux fans version of FireFox, or something like that. It’s also a nickname I’ve seen at least three people use in various places on the web.

Are you by any chance the same IW that posted at TL? (no pressure to answer if you’d rather not)

257 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:21:32am

re: #256 Pianobuff

Are you by any chance the same IW that posted at TL? (no pressure to answer if you’d rather not)

Nope. I’ve never posted anywhere but here with the IW nic. What is TL?

258 Pianobuff  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:24:20am

re: #257 iceweasel

Nope. I’ve never posted anywhere but here with the IW nic. What is TL?

TalkLeft. IIRC, there was an Iceweasel that used to post there though my memory is not what it used to be.

It’s a more readable prog blog for someone like me, an admitted conservative.

259 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:33:26am

re: #258 Pianobuff

TalkLeft. IIRC, there was an Iceweasel that used to post there though my memory is not what it used to be.

It’s a more readable prog blog for someone like me, an admitted conservative.

Oh, TalkLeft is good! Coonservative people would like it! They’d find it one of the more readable progblogs, as you say.

I’ve run across at least 3 people using “ice weasel” or “iceweasel” as a nic in the progsphere, but none of them are me. I guess I should make that 4 or 5 now, as someone in the old Overnight was hysterically accusing me of being some other iceweasel or iceweasels.

But I’ve never commented at TL under any nic.

260 Pianobuff  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:40:32am

re: #259 iceweasel

Oh, TalkLeft is good! Coonservative people would like it! They’d find it one of the more readable progblogs, as you say.

I’ve run across at least 3 people using “ice weasel” or “iceweasel” as a nic in the progsphere, but none of them are me. I guess I should make that 4 or 5 now, as someone in the old Overnight was hysterically accusing me of being some other iceweasel or iceweasels.

But I’ve never commented at TL under any nic.

Because it is chock full of lawyers, their posts on legal matters are enlightening in a “devil’s advocate” kind of way for a conservative, and motivate me to think about things from a variety of angles which, even if I return to my original position/way of thinking, leaves me with a more informed opinion.

261 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 2:01:38am

re: #260 Pianobuff

Because it is chock full of lawyers, their posts on legal matters are enlightening in a “devil’s advocate” kind of way for a conservative, and motivate me to think about things from a variety of angles which, even if I return to my original position/way of thinking, leaves me with a more informed opinion.

Totally agree. It’s a very good blog. You might like Lawyers, Guns, and Money for similar reasons, esp their posts on SCOTUS decisions. (they also do battleship blogging!)

On the conservative side, I think Rick Moran is pretty decent most of the time, and enlightening to me in the same way. I used to like Ed morrissey, but he’s become a Malkin shill. It’s disappointing.

Daniel Larison is the best conservative writer out there, IMO, he writes Eunomia at American Conservative. A lot of people wouldn’t find him conservative enough, probably.

262 BlackFedora  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 3:50:36am

Clever.

I’m guessing the 14 decapitated and 88 shot are a reference to the 14 words spoken by David Lane.

“We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” and of course 88 means Heil Hitler 8 being the the 8th letter of the alphabet so 88 means HH.

I’m skeptical of there being too many Neo-Nazis that can count to 88 however.

263 iceweasel  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 4:24:41am

re: #262 BlackFedora

Clever.

I’m guessing the 14 decapitated and 88 shot are a reference to the 14 words spoken by David Lane.

“We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” and of course 88 means Heil Hitler 8 being the the 8th letter of the alphabet so 88 means HH.

I’m skeptical of there being too many Neo-Nazis that can count to 88 however.

You’re right. Those numbers are symbolic for neonazis.

BTW, the columbine shooting was also originally planned for Hitler’s birthday, (not because they were neo-nazis, but just general kook-we hate the world-let’s do it on Hitler’s bday stuff).

The neonazis probably can’t count. But they can buy and load and fire a semi-automatic weapon, make pipe bombs, and the like.

264 Pupdawg  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 6:06:03am

Let’s hope President Obama lives long and prospers.

May he serve no more than one term as POTUS, though.

With that sentiment ‘stated’, it has become very alarming how quickly so many within the US are going from concerned, worried, troubled, vexed even to complete anger mode. I cannot recall a period in my lifetime whereby such apparently large numbers of people were so angry or upset, unhappy, dissatisfied and possibly totally disgusted with their government, their congress men and women and their President. I think this current political situation is unprecedented in my lifetime. Other than Obama and his family the only other person who is a lock to prosper greatly from the current administration will be Jimmy Carter.

We are beginning to see exactly what an Obama administration ‘trickle down economy’ mudslide means and the financial hurt is just beginning. States, Cities and Counties from coast to coast are ill-equipped to handle the financial tsunami of loss in revenues, tax collections, etc. they are seeing. Every person in this country whether wealthy or below the poverty level will suffer financially as all players in government from Main Street to DC bob for survival for the perceived available (or not) dollars from all of us. The present and future prognosis of the governing and governed is that bleak in my opinion.

President Obama, his administration and all of his ‘enablers’ in Congress continue to ‘trickle down’ negatively on all of us. I hope they will eventually see that the ones they claim to wish to help the most will ultimately be hurt the greatest. Obama’s administration thus far has been one of regression to the poor, the middle class and those with wealth. It is as if President Obama rules the country like the director of a national lottery or federal community organizer with his ‘pie in the sky, everyone will be a winner, spend, spend, spend’ bs. The man is all verbiage, nothing but words and to describe him as an empty suit is a putrid disservice to suits everywhere. His apparent agenda is one of control, possibly a new form of socialism, a modern new deal of sorts. His brand of ‘new deal’ will obviously be force fed. Plain and simple, he wants to control us and with the help of the MSM, his fellow Democrats, union members, gutless Republicans, indifferent Independents and your average disconnected and evidently a huge number of dumber-than-dirt voters he is going about that business rather easily.

I hope he lives long. I hope even more that he allows the rest of us to, because as it stands now he’s a major stressor in millions and millions of Americans’ lives.

265 beholden  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 6:51:13am

People should give Obama a break, there are already enough threats in the world he isn’t taking seriously.

266 wiffersnapper  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 7:02:47am

Yeah. but how many did George Bush get a day?

267 keithgabryelski  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 7:19:24am

re: #266 wiffersnapper

Yeah. but how many did George Bush get a day?

10 (a day) for President George W. Bush, 30 (a day) for President Barack Obama

268 Macker  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 7:42:47am

re: #19 RememberSekhmet?

I don’t want 0bama dead. I want him to live to be kicked out of office at the ballot box, his entire program and agenda in ashes and completely discredited. If some walking colostomy bag does kill 0bama, all it would do is make him another JFK, and we’d never be rid of him.

We’d also have Race Riots.

269 Cato the Elder  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:11:52am

re: #268 Macker

We’d also have Race Riots.

re: #268 Macker

We’d also have Race Riots.

Yep. Which would be a consequence intended by the supremacists.

270 Charles Johnson  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:20:45am

re: #24 RememberSekhmet?

I too would like to see a comparison with threats against Bush, or the whole thing’s not in context. Is the threat level higher, lower, or about the same between the two? We don’t know.

You could try reading the post:

Since Mr Obama took office, the rate of threats against the president has increased 400 per cent from the 3,000 a year or so under President George W. Bush…

271 Kaymad  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:20:52am

I heard the author interviewed on the medved show and the threats are much higher for Obama. He said so far both Obama’s have been very nice to the secret service and Barrack smokes several packs of cigarettes a day. Hopefully when he quits he’ll lose his ‘elegant” figure! (I can say that because I quit smoking 6 weeks ago and have put on 7 pounds).

He had some really interesting info about the other Presidents as well. Said Carter was a huge phony and instructed the secret service not to say good morning to him and that luggage he made a huge show of carrying was empty, Barbara and Jenna Bush were brats, LBJ was a huge asshole and was almost clinically insane.

272 drcordell  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:26:07am

re: #271 Kaymad

LBJ was a huge asshole and was almost clinically insane.

Tell me about it! The nerve he had, passing the voting rights act of 1964 and creating medicare.

273 Kaymad  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:28:23am

About the Clintons he said they did have rip roaring fights, but there wasn’t a lamp thrown and Hillary wasn’t liked much, Chelsey was a very nice young lady, Betty Ford was a drunk as we all know and she was found in the bushes, she had gotten lost and was crawling somewhere, didn’t hear the whole story since I was burning dinner at the time. The stories about LBJ will blow your mind, he was even more reckless with the sexual escapades than Kennedy. The Kennedy’s, with the exception of Jackie, weren’t very nice to the secret service

274 Spartacus50  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:31:18am

I simply don’t believe it. Anyone who claims to receive death threats are usually those looking for attention and an inflated sense of importance.

275 Kaymad  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:31:29am

re: #272 drcordell

I’m talking about his personal life and the sexual escapades, such as sex in the oval office which lady bird walking in on, peeing on a secret service mans shoe, things of that nature.

276 drcordell  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:32:53am

re: #275 Kaymad

I’m talking about his personal life and the sexual escapades, such as sex in the oval office which lady bird walking in on, peeing on a secret service mans shoe, things of that nature.

Hahahaha I know, I know. Forgot the sarc tag. I’d heard about him pissing on a guy’s shoe, didn’t know he was a giant man-slut.

277 lostlakehiker  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:34:45am

We actually have a vote in what happens. There won’t be any threatening posts on this blog, at least, none that stand for more than the time it takes to get out the electronic disinfectant and wipe them down, but we read widely and come across all sorts of stuff.

If you should run across something that strikes you as amounting to a real threat—-you know that awful feeling that this isn’t necessarily just talk—-go ahead and give the feds a heads up.

This practice won’t torpedo a hermetically sealed conspiracy. But most conspiracies have no way to recruit except through guarded, elliptical hinting-fests that mince their way up to getting serious and inducting members.

We are the loyal opposition. The exceptions are those of us who are not the opposition, because we agree with Obama, and those of us who disagree on many issues but agree on others.

278 Kaymad  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 8:38:18am

re: #276 drcordell

He was enormously reckless and evidently Lady Bird didn’t care. He had affairs with secretaries, the wives of friends, you name it, he hit it and was picky about where (by the way, I toured the LBJ texas ranch not long before Lady Bird died and she happened to be there that day and her daughter, Lucy, actually pushed her wheel chair to the fence so we could all get pictures and wave to her, she seemed a very nice, gracious woman, guess a throw back to a time when woman put up with cheating husbands)

279 philip  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 9:53:09am

Thanks for wasting our tax dollars, FReepers.

280 wiffersnapper  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 9:58:18am

That’s what I get for not reading the article *nerf nerf nerf*

281 Ezekiel2517  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 10:29:23am

Do you think Obama has any affirmative action SS agents protecting him?

282 Land Shark  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 10:41:02am

I have no trouble believing that the number of threats against President Obama could be high. The more extremist anti gun control and/or anti abortion types have already demonstrated they have no problem resorting to violence when it suits them. Throw in the white supremacist types who are probably having a major cow over the fact we now have a black President and I think there’s plenty of whack jobs to be worried about.

How credible such threats are is of course debatable, many of them are probably just some idiot running at the mouth, but the Secret Service has to investigate every one of them. I don’t know how the number of threats to Obama compares to what Dubya got, but to me that’s irrelevant. I have no doubt there’s a fair number of miscreants who would carry out such a threat if they had the chance. I wish the Secret Service nothing but success in their mission.

283 nordink  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 10:46:18am

This death threat number may be accurate (in which case it is appalling and depressing.)

However, I’m skeptical.

I saw Mr. Kessler on the Daily Show with John Stewart recently. Did anyone else see this interview?

Kessler struck me as unabashedly partisan. When discussing how the Secret Service has been taken for granted by the government officials they protect, Kessler’s examples all happened to be from Republican administrations. He seemed to very much savor the opportunity to describe hard drinking by George W. Bush’s daughter (and brought that particular example up more than once during the short interview.) He described Chelsea Clinton as the textbook example of appreciative and polite. He also made a point to describe how gracious the Obama administration has been towards the Secret Service. It all rang a bit hollow and seemed very one-sided.

In fact, John Stewart — hardly a Republican operative — pointed out that there were no complaints about the way President Bush and Vice President Cheney treated the Secret Service. Stewart seemed to make this comment to be funny, and to contrast Kessler’s consistent criticism of Republicans.

Like so many authors before him, Kessler seemed a guy who wants to sell books by bashing the G.O.P.

Again, the number of death threats may indeed be accurate. But Kessler does not seem a credible source.

284 doubter4444  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:03:14am

re: #153 Killgore Trout

Koskidz: Umm, GOP? You got a second? I want to show you something.

This is the image the GOP is burdened with. Take some personal responsibility. Clean house.

That’s always been my point.
I was attracted to the right because I thought it took personal responsibility and public responsibility more seriously.
Even inn this thread about threats about the president I see equivocation, self justification and outright refusal to accept a pretty simple fact: This president is in the sites more than any other, for the simple reason that he is black.
Factor out nut-jobs, anti government conspiracies, and whack jobs and you STILL have a much higher level of vitriol and animosity.

It’s weird, really, because I think that the overall situation has conspired to make this time one of the most dangerous that I’ve experienced.
And I’m old enough to remember the end of the Viet Nam war (almost)!
Think of it: The 44th president has inherited a war in Iraq, a war in Afghanistan, the entire Mideast in crisis, a tanking economy where rightly or wrongly, incredible decisions had to be made, a fractured country in the midst of serious social realignment. And he’s black. And a Democrat.

It’s a pretty potent recipe for people to get frothed up about.
And the national party and many on television and the Internet are stirring it up.
I get so sick of people saying, “well, it happened to Bush, too!” or “the lefties did it too”, or the MSM!!! is against us, we need to shout and scream”. That’s not leadership, it’s not taking responsibility, it’s churlishly deflecting blame.
It’s dangerous and wrong.
We ought to be ashamed of the screamers at Town-hall meetings, acting disrespectfully to elected congressmen and women, all anger and ginned up anti-ness, and NO! NO! NO!
When was the last time we heard a real plan from a Republican on how to fix the mess we are in?
What about a YES? Yes, we are in trouble, Yes we do need to straighten out the Health Care system, and the Military Procurement system, and the real underling of a faltering economy.
It’s not just the democrats fault, and we are doing nothing to help.

285 Cato  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:27:13pm

re: #283 nordink

I have a relative who protects dignitaries other than the president. Although he is as tough as they, he refused to say he would trade his life for the life of the President, so he is selected for lower value targets. He has protected Cheney, Powell, Rumsfeld, Hillary, Condi, Jenna Bush, Bill Cohen and a host of foreign dignitaries.

His favorite job was protecting Tony Blair, who he really liked. His least favorite was Hillary, probably because she was least accommodating to the demands of her protectors.

286 CJDate  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 2:57:52pm

What I’d like to know if a threat to Obama is more likely to be taken seriously than a threat to Bush was, and hence is more likely to be reported to the Secret Service (thus inflating the numbers.)

There’s no real way of quantifying that, however.

287 P. Aaron  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 4:10:18pm
President Barack Obama is facing 30 death threats a day.

How many threats a day does the Constitution, and our liberties face from Obama, the congress, the senate, and the endless parade of bureaucrats in Washington?

288 LeslieG  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 4:45:18pm

That doesn’t seem like a whole lot!

Can you imagine what Bush received on an hourly basis? 100? 1000? It’s anybody’s guess.

Some common examples here.

Have a great day all!
Leslie

289 doubter4444  Wed, Aug 5, 2009 5:57:33pm

re: #288 LeslieG

That doesn’t seem like a whole lot!

Can you imagine what Bush received on an hourly basis? 100? 1000? It’s anybodies guess.

Some common examples here.

Have a great day all!
Leslie

It isn’t anybodies guess, you moron.
The whole point of the post was that Obama is getting 4 times the amount of threats that Bush was.


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