Meghan McCain Blasts Tom Tancredo’s ‘Innate Racism’

Politics • Views: 3,709

On “The View” today, Meghan McCain called out Tom Tancredo for his shocking dog whistle racism speech at the Tea Party Convention in Nashville.

McCain: Congressman Tancredo went on TV and he was the first opening speaker and he said, ‘People who could not even spell the word vote or say it in English put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House whose name is Barack Hussein Obama.’ And then he went on to say that people at the convention should have to pass literacy tests in order to be able to vote in this country, which is the same thing that happened in the 50’s to prevent African Americans from voting. It’s innate racism and I think it’s why young people are turned off by this movement. And I’m sorry, but revolutions start with young people, not with 65-year-old people talking about literacy tests and people who can’t say the word ‘vote’ in English.

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550 comments
1 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:30:38pm

You know, a democrat could really get to like those sane republicans out there...

2 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:31:48pm

re: #1 jamesfirecat

You know, a democrat could really get to like those sane republicans out there...

I love Megan McCain. She's adorable.

3 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:32:25pm

I like Meghan McCain more every day. She shows something her father doesn't...the courage to stand up to stupidity and call it what it is. She must get that from her mother.

4 Soap_Man  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:32:43pm

I know not everyone likes Meghan McCain, but she is a shining example for how the GOP can win over young voters.

5 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:33:20pm

re: #3 darthstar

I like Meghan McCain more every day. She shows something her father doesn't...the courage to stand up to stupidity and call it what it is. She must get that from her mother.

What do you mean she's a maverick just like her father!

(I'm sorry but I feel that cheap shot was justified)

6 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:33:59pm

re: #5 jamesfirecat

What do you mean she's a maverick just like her father!

(I'm sorry but I feel that cheap shot was justified)

She's mavericky.

7 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:34:26pm

re: #4 Soap_Man

I know not everyone likes Meghan McCain, but she is a shining example for how the GOP can win over young voters.

This is both good and bad. If the GOP uses her approach to win over young voters just so they can continue legislating bigotry, then it's a bad thing. If they use her approach to change the party to be a little bit more modern and forward thinking, then yes, it can be a good thing.

8 Virginia Plain  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:34:31pm

re: #6 SanFranciscoZionist

She's mavericky.

And he's not anymore.

9 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:37:39pm

That anti-Palin?

10 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:38:06pm

re: #9 Guanxi88

That anti-Palin?

PIMF:

THE anti-Palin?

11 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:38:20pm

re: #9 Guanxi88

That anti-Palin?

A RINO1!!!11
/...:(

12 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:38:33pm

No offense to Meghan and our friends on the right, but being able to call out Tancredo as a racist seems like an awfully low bar for good sense and straight talk. What exactly does she do, besides being a Senators daughter?

13 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:38:44pm

how can racism be innate?....then there must be a gene for it

14 Soap_Man  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:39:34pm

re: #9 Guanxi88

That anti-Palin?

Meghan McCain is young (in fact we are about the same age) and she is a thousand times smarter and more knowledgeable than Palin. That's kind of sad, really.

15 Silvergirl  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:39:37pm

It's a "Kiss my fat ass" moment for Meghan. Take that, Tancredo.

She told Laura Ingraham to do that when Ingraham said MM was "a valley girl gone awry" and a "plus-sized model."

16 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:40:06pm

re: #12 Jeff In Ohio

No offense to Meghan and our friends on the right, but being able to call out Tancredo as a racist seems like an awfully low bar for good sense and straight talk. What exactly does she do, besides being a Senators daughter?

She's just a baby pundit. I have high hopes for her.

17 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:40:18pm

One more reason why I love Meghan McCain. You go girl!

18 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:40:33pm

re: #6 SanFranciscoZionist

She's mavericky.

and her father's just long in the tooth and can't carry a load anymore.

19 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:40:38pm

re: #13 albusteve

I'm sure she meant it just comes 'naturally' to him. Like farting.

20 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:41:44pm

re: #15 Silvergirl

It's a "Kiss my fat ass" moment for Meghan. Take that, Tancredo.

She told Laura Ingraham to do that when Ingraham said MM was "a valley girl gone awry" and a "plus-sized model."

I think someone feels threatened.

21 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:42:22pm

re: #16 SanFranciscoZionist

She's just a baby pundit. I have high hopes for her.

Well, if they put me on The View, I'll call him a racist, do a short riff on jello wrestling and go on about Robert Anton WIlson. Most likely in the same sentence.

It will be innate!

22 Spare O'Lake  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:46:44pm

I thought racism was learned by young Republicans from their parents.

23 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:47:59pm

re: #6 SanFranciscoZionist

She's mavericky.

Yep, voted for Kerry - that's the kinda maverick she is, although, in fairness, her daddy was considered by Mr. K for the second slot, so maybe not so mavericky - relative to Pa McCain - after all.

24 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:48:30pm

re: #14 Soap_Man

she is a thousand times smarter and more knowledgeable than Palin.

Not exactly a high bar.

25 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:48:41pm

re: #22 Spare O'Lake

I thought racism was learned by young Republicans from their parents.

No you didn't.

26 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:49:19pm

I'm looking forward to her book (due out in August?)...I hope she doesn't hold back.

27 Slap  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:50:00pm

re: #21 Jeff In Ohio

Updinged for the Wilson reference.

Hagbard would be proud.

28 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:50:07pm

re: #26 darthstar

I'm looking forward to her book (due out in August?)...I hope she doesn't hold back.

Now that I know about it, me too.

29 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:50:10pm

re: #23 Guanxi88

Yep, voted for Kerry - that's the kinda maverick she is, although, in fairness, her daddy was considered by Mr. K for the second slot, so maybe not so mavericky - relative to Pa McCain - after all.

Ya know, the more I read what I wrote, the more confused I am by it.

30 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:50:12pm

re: #13 albusteve

how can racism be innate?...then there must be a gene for it

Its "innate" within the word not within the person.

The same way it'd be innately homophobic to propose a bill that bans a man sticking his penis in anyone's asshole and trying to make it okay by pointing out that I fully intend for straight couples not to have anal sex either.

Not the best example, but hopefully it clarifies things some...

31 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:50:28pm

I saw footage of Palin speaking at the TP convention. Did anyone else see this and think she was reading crib notes from the palm of her left hand?

32 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:50:43pm

re: #26 darthstar

I'm looking forward to her book (due out in August?)...I hope she doesn't hold back.

I can hardly wait to pass on that one myself

33 schlagerman  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:50:52pm

re: #22 Spare O'Lake

Yes, because we all know Democrats can't be racist, with their good intentions and all.

34 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:51:42pm

re: #31 imp_62

She uses a palm pilot!

35 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:51:57pm

re: #30 jamesfirecat

Its "innate" within the word not within the person.

The same way it'd be innately homophobic to propose a bill that bans a man sticking his penis in anyone's asshole and trying to make it okay by pointing out that I fully intend for straight couples not to have anal sex either.

Not the best example, but hopefully it clarifies things some...

No, but I like your style.

36 Slap  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:52:16pm

TP = Tea Party
TP = Toilet Paper

Coincidence? ///////////

37 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:52:18pm

re: #30 jamesfirecat

Its "innate" within the word not within the person.

The same way it'd be innately homophobic to propose a bill that bans a man sticking his penis in anyone's asshole and trying to make it okay by pointing out that I fully intend for straight couples not to have anal sex either.

Not the best example, but hopefully it clarifies things some...

I think you missed my sarcasm

38 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:52:22pm

re: #34 Irenicum

She uses a palm pilot!

LMAO

39 Petero1818  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:52:34pm

re: #4 Soap_Man

I know not everyone likes Meghan McCain, but she is a shining example for how the GOP can win over young voters.

Except she may have to do it as a Democrat or Independent.

40 Slap  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:53:32pm

re: #6 SanFranciscoZionist

My chili last night was garlicky. Next time, I'll add some maverick.

41 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:53:37pm

re: #36 Slap

TP = Tea Party
TP = Toilet Paper

Coincidence? ///

Are you threatening me?

[Link: flimmr.passagen.se...]

42 allegro  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:53:50pm

Meghan McCain:
"Sarah Palin is the only part of the campaign that I won't comment on publicly."

I find that very interesting.

43 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:53:54pm

re: #37 albusteve

I think you missed my sarcasm

Well its easy to do that on the internet when you can't hear the inflection with which someone speaks.

44 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:54:14pm

re: #42 allegro

Meghan McCain:
"Sarah Palin is the only part of the campaign that I won't comment on publicly."

I find that very interesting.

If you can't say anything nice....

45 uncah91  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:54:21pm

I think the word we are looking for is intrinsic rather than innate?

re: #30 jamesfirecat

Its "innate" within the word not within the person.

The same way it'd be innately homophobic to propose a bill that bans a man sticking his penis in anyone's asshole and trying to make it okay by pointing out that I fully intend for straight couples not to have anal sex either.

Not the best example, but hopefully it clarifies things some...

46 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:54:23pm

re: #36 Slap

Holy sheet! It all makes sense now!

47 Locker  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:54:28pm

Yea I know I'm not suppose to say it but... it's hard to believe a woman that foxy has balls that big. You go Meghan!

48 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:55:38pm

re: #44 jamesfirecat

Exactly. I think she's doing that in deference to her father.

49 Slap  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:56:09pm

re: #41 Guanxi88

Has anyone ever written of the Philosophy of Cornholio? I'd buy it, and file it next to my copy of the Lazlo Letters.....

50 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:56:24pm

re: #47 Locker

Don't feel bad, I right there with ya!

51 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:56:29pm

re: #48 Irenicum

Exactly. I think she's doing that in deference to her father.

Wait - I thought McCain's folk didn't care for Palin, either.

52 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:56:58pm

re: #49 Slap

Has anyone ever written of the Philosophy of Cornholio? I'd buy it, and file it next to my copy of the Lazlo Letters...

I have taken some notes.
Would you like to see my portfolio?

53 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:57:00pm

re: #45 uncah91

I think the word we are looking for is intrinsic rather than innate?

She was using the second definition of it


"belonging to the essential nature of something"

[Link: www.merriam-webster.com...]

54 Locker  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:57:03pm

re: #12 Jeff In Ohio

No offense to Meghan and our friends on the right, but being able to call out Tancredo as a racist seems like an awfully low bar for good sense and straight talk. What exactly does she do, besides being a Senators daughter?

Well, in this case she's using her voice to provide an opposing view, from the "inside". I didn't realize there was a litmus test in the country for an opinion to have value. What are the exact requirements for someone to be "listen worthy"? Money? Position? First place at Battle of the Network Stars?

55 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:57:03pm

re: #47 Locker

Yea I know I'm not suppose to say it but... it's hard to believe a woman that foxy has balls that big. You go Meghan!

It's easy to have big balls when you have no balls to lose.

56 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:57:09pm

Well I'm Back..
Congrads to the Saints for winning the SuperBowl last night...
My heart is shattered..The Footballs gods were on the Saints side this year.

57 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:57:42pm

When is she gonna' run for office somewhere?

58 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:57:47pm

re: #41 Guanxi88

Are you threatening me?

[Link: flimmr.passagen.se...]

59 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:58:11pm

re: #56 HoosierHoops

Well I'm Back..
Congrads to the Saints for winning the SuperBowl last night...
My heart is shattered..The Footballs gods were on the Saints side this year.

so was Manning I think

60 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:58:36pm

re: #49 Slap

Lazlo Letters - CLASSIC!

61 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 1:59:12pm

re: #59 albusteve

so was Manning I think

Lose one for Archie?

62 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:00:05pm

Do I need to wait to 100 to go ot?

63 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:00:16pm

re: #51 Guanxi88

That's true. McCain's people didn't like Palin. I'm talking about Meghan not wanting to saying anything about Palin b/c it would reflect badly on her father. As much as I can tell, she's no fan of Palin, but she loves her dad and she knows saying anything about Palin would be used as a wedge between her and her father. She a good daughter and doesn't want to give any excuse for that.

64 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:00:50pm

re: #61 HoosierHoops

Lose one for Archie?

I never liked Archie or the Baby, but Peyton is pretty cool....real outgoing and jovial...but he played less than stellar imo

65 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:02:35pm

I'll say this much for the young lady:

Were I to be the child of family so wealthy and so powerful as hers, I doubt very much I'd do more than sit back and watch the world go by. I'd tell time, like Bertie Wooster, by the type of food and/or drinks served, and would, in general, pass my time at the Drones.

It's an odd thing, when you get down to it - she's got every reason to live her life quietly, and could actually do rather well for herself with it. And yet, she takes up punditry. Odd sort of hobby.

66 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:03:07pm

re: #62 Stanley Sea

Do I need to wait to 100 to go ot?

you are at risk of incurring the wrath of somebody if you do

67 Spare O'Lake  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:03:38pm

re: #30 jamesfirecat

Its "innate" within the word not within the person.

The same way it'd be innately homophobic to propose a bill that bans a man sticking his penis in anyone's asshole and trying to make it okay by pointing out that I fully intend for straight couples not to have anal sex either.

Not the best example, but hopefully it clarifies things some...

Nice try but no cigar.
Had she called his COMMENT innately racist that would have fit your rationalization.
However calling HIM innately racist itself smacks of racism.

68 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:03:52pm

re: #66 albusteve

you are at risk of incurring the wrath of somebody if you do

k, no wrath for me!!

Go Meghan!

69 _RememberTonyC  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:04:29pm

re: #56 HoosierHoops

Well I'm Back..
Congrads to the Saints for winning the SuperBowl last night...
My heart is shattered..The Footballs gods were on the Saints side this year.

sorry about your boys ... the Saints were a team of destiny this year. The Colts WILL be back.

70 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:04:42pm

re: #65 Guanxi88

I'll say this much for the young lady:

Were I to be the child of family so wealthy and so powerful as hers, I doubt very much I'd do more than sit back and watch the world go by. I'd tell time, like Bertie Wooster, by the type of food and/or drinks served, and would, in general, pass my time at the Drones.

It's an odd thing, when you get down to it - she's got every reason to live her life quietly, and could actually do rather well for herself with it. And yet, she takes up punditry. Odd sort of hobby.

Well life is weird like that the same sort of privilege that produces people like Paris Hilton also made the Buddha.

71 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:04:48pm

re: #65 Guanxi88

Bertie is an anti-entropic agent who helps usher true love along and defeat malice.

His appearance of tomfoolery doesn't equate to laxity or inaction.

Remember, Bertie is smart enough to write those stories.

72 simoom  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:05:05pm

I'm reposting this from an earlier thread as it fits better here.

The Independent did an article on the Tea Party Convention, and they had some comments from another of the convention's speakers, Rick Scarborough, on the Tancredo speech:

Among the first keynote speakers yesterday, meanwhile, was Rick Scarborough, the pastor and firebrand founder of Vision America, which had its own stall here yesterday laden with books he has written, among them Liberalism Kills Kids. He also wanted to discuss the Tancredo speech which he apparently liked very much. "I didn't hear racism," he told this reporter, before spelling out his worries. "America is a country of legal immigrants but the Left has turned it into a country of invaders," he offered bluntly. "Look at Europe and the rampant invasion of England. They are practising Sharia law and I think this crew is going to fight that." Mr Scarborough also outlines how the US is a "special country" – more than any other in the world – and that is how God intended it. He adds: "If we are to become 30 per cent Hispanic we will no longer be America." (And therefore no longer special.) "That would be a bad thing."

Rick heads Vision America, Vision America Action and the Judeo-Christian Council for Constitutional Restoration and based on the convention's schedule, Scarborough conducted an "organized prayer session" and gave a convention speech on "Why Christians Must Engage".

According to the Wikipedia article on Rick:

Scarborough believes that the tenets of fundamentalist Christian morality apply to civic affairs. He was quoted on Christiane Amanpour's documentary series "God's Christian Warriors" on CNN as saying, "I'm not a Democrat, I'm not a Republican. I'm a Christocrat."

(h/t rightwingwatch)

73 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:05:39pm

re: #71 Obdicut

Bertie is an anti-entropic agent who helps usher true love along and defeat malice.

His appearance of tomfoolery doesn't equate to laxity or inaction.

Remember, Bertie is smart enough to write those stories.

I still think Jeeves wrote them, and is providing a decent cover for his employer by attributing them to him. Feudal and all that.

74 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:05:42pm

re: #65 Guanxi88

I'll say this much for the young lady:

Were I to be the child of family so wealthy and so powerful as hers, I doubt very much I'd do more than sit back and watch the world go by. I'd tell time, like Bertie Wooster, by the type of food and/or drinks served, and would, in general, pass my time at the Drones.

It's an odd thing, when you get down to it - she's got every reason to live her life quietly, and could actually do rather well for herself with it. And yet, she takes up punditry. Odd sort of hobby.

I agree, seeing how it means utterly nothing in the real world....if it were me I'd take up sailing from port to port, something of some value like that

75 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:05:51pm

re: #62 Stanley Sea

Do I need to wait to 100 to go ot?

Looks like that rule has been breached already in this thread.

76 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:06:01pm

re: #67 Spare O'Lake

Nice try but no cigar.
Had she called his COMMENT innately racist that would have fit your rationalization.
However calling HIM innately racist itself smacks of racism.

Read it again.

"It’s innate racism and I think it’s why young people are turned off by this movement. "

Unless she hates Tancredo so much that she doesn't want to give him a gender, she was finding the innate racism in either his words or his ideas.

77 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:07:06pm

re: #54 Locker

Well, in this case she's using her voice to provide an opposing view, from the "inside". I didn't realize there was a litmus test in the country for an opinion to have value. What are the exact requirements for someone to be "listen worthy"? Money? Position? First place at Battle of the Network Stars?

First place at Battle of the Network Stars.

78 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:07:35pm

re: #69 _RememberTonyC

sorry about your boys ... the Saints were a team of destiny this year. The Colts WILL be back.

next up....the Lions!

79 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:08:29pm

I enjoy this music. Just thought I would share.


80 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:09:04pm

re: #65 Guanxi88

I'll say this much for the young lady:

Were I to be the child of family so wealthy and so powerful as hers, I doubt very much I'd do more than sit back and watch the world go by. I'd tell time, like Bertie Wooster, by the type of food and/or drinks served, and would, in general, pass my time at the Drones.

It's an odd thing, when you get down to it - she's got every reason to live her life quietly, and could actually do rather well for herself with it. And yet, she takes up punditry. Odd sort of hobby.

If your father made a complete ass of himself and dragged you onto the national stage doing it, you'd probably want to 'reinvent' yourself in the public eye for a while as well. She's young, she's smart, and she knows that she can go off and pursue whatever career she likes when she feels like it.

81 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:09:17pm

re: #78 albusteve

next up...the Lions!

The Lions are one of 4 teams in the NFL never to reach the Super Bowl.

82 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:09:29pm

re: #78 albusteve

Oh my, now we're really dreaming!

83 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:10:10pm

re: #80 darthstar

If your father made a complete ass of himself and dragged you onto the national stage doing it, you'd probably want to 'reinvent' yourself in the public eye for a while as well. She's young, she's smart, and she knows that she can go off and pursue whatever career she likes when she feels like it.

Hmmm. How do you really feel about McCain's failed campaign?

84 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:10:30pm

re: #73 Guanxi88

Why would you think that? Especially given that Jeeves does actually write a story, in his own voice. Bertie's voice doesn't really resemble Jeeves's at all.

In his meandering through life, Bertie has one constant: he knows a lot of good people. Good artists, small businessmen, reporters-- I've never understood the charge against Wodehouse that anyone who does real work is to be disrespected. Almost all the minor heroes-- Bertie's friends-- have some sort of job, business, or artistic endeavor. The ones who are just 'wastrels' aren't ever presented in as positive a light as the working ones.

In knowing these people, Bertie is confided in by them and trusted by them, not just because of Jeeves. They trust that Jeeves will solve the situation, but they trust that Bertie will treat their revelations with absolute ethical tact, and will devote all his resources to righting wrongs.

Bertie also fearlessly mixes with every level of society in a way that probably drives his aunts batty. He's a perfect anti-agent against feudalism-- as is Wodehouse.

85 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:10:37pm

re: #80 darthstar

If your father made a complete ass of himself and dragged you onto the national stage doing it, you'd probably want to 'reinvent' yourself in the public eye for a while as well. She's young, she's smart, and she knows that she can go off and pursue whatever career she likes when she feels like it.

Plus, she's got huge....tracts of land...

86 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:11:22pm

Egypt cracking down on Muslim Brotherhood Leadership

Egyptian authorities arrested three senior leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood organization early Monday in the latest government crackdown on the country's most powerful opposition force.

In a series of dawn raids, police detained Mahmoud Ezzat, the organization's deputy leader, and two members of the group's ruling Guidance Council, Dr. Essam el-Erian and Abdul Rahman el-Bir. Ten other lower-ranking members were also arrested in raids throughout the country, the group said.

A Ministry of Interior spokesman confirmed the arrests and said only that the men were arrested for "illegal activities."

The Muslim Brotherhood has been formally banned in Egypt since 1954, but is allowed to operate somewhat openly, while also being subject to frequent mass arrests. The organization, which has affiliates across the Mideast, advocates an Islamic state under Islamic law, in opposition to Egypt's secular, authoritarian regime.

87 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:12:03pm

re: #85 The Sanity Inspector

Plus, she's got huge...tracts of land...

But I dont want land. I want to sing...sing...SING!

88 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:12:22pm

re: #85 The Sanity Inspector

That is so wrong......so why can't I stop laughing?

89 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:12:26pm

re: #81 HoosierHoops

The Lions are one of 4 teams in the NFL never to reach the Super Bowl.

I knew that....Detroit hosted one tho!

90 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:12:32pm

re: #12 Jeff In Ohio

No offense to Meghan and our friends on the right, but being able to call out Tancredo as a racist seems like an awfully low bar for good sense and straight talk. What exactly does she do, besides being a Senators daughter?

Ever heard of Google?

91 The Shadow Do  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:12:40pm

Hoosier, have to ask...is that a rinse or permanent dye job you're sporting there. If permanent you can keep it for the Lions, no?

92 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:13:46pm

re: #91 The Shadow Do

Hoosier, have to ask...is that a rinse or permanent dye job you're sporting there. If permanent you can keep it for the Lions, no?

No..It's rinse out blue.. I'm back to being a Blonde

93 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:13:53pm

re: #90 MandyManners

Ever heard of Google?

No. What is it?

94 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:14:19pm

re: #93 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

No. What is it?

Google it.
;)

95 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:14:30pm

re: #86 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Egypt cracking down on Muslim Brotherhood Leadership

Once Mubarak goes, things will get unsettled over there.
"Après moi, la merde frappe le ventilateur."

96 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:14:43pm

re: #84 Obdicut

Why would you think that? Especially given that Jeeves does actually write a story, in his own voice. Bertie's voice doesn't really resemble Jeeves's at all.

In his meandering through life, Bertie has one constant: he knows a lot of good people. Good artists, small businessmen, reporters-- I've never understood the charge against Wodehouse that anyone who does real work is to be disrespected. Almost all the minor heroes-- Bertie's friends-- have some sort of job, business, or artistic endeavor. The ones who are just 'wastrels' aren't ever presented in as positive a light as the working ones.

In knowing these people, Bertie is confided in by them and trusted by them, not just because of Jeeves. They trust that Jeeves will solve the situation, but they trust that Bertie will treat their revelations with absolute ethical tact, and will devote all his resources to righting wrongs.

Bertie also fearlessly mixes with every level of society in a way that probably drives his aunts batty. He's a perfect anti-agent against feudalism-- as is Wodehouse.

I've only read (not even that heard on CD) a few of the stories but I do keenly remember one where he planned to adopt female Orphan from Africa or the like.

It was "Bertie Changes His Mind" I believe...

97 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:14:54pm

re: #83 imp_62

Hmmm. How do you really feel about McCain's failed campaign?

I couldn't have wished for better with regard to the McCain campaign(since I was supporting Obama). I do hope he's actually 'proud' of his campaign and his running mate as he says he is, and that he's not just lying to himself and hoping America forgets what he subjected it to in his running mate(though we're reminded daily as she gets more press than he does).

I do pity him, though, as he's in a lonely position. Both his wife and his daughter have come out strongly in favor of gay marriage, and his daughter's shown the courage to talk back to the race baiters in his party in a public forum--while he's simply pulling back into his shell and watching passively (and I suspect hoping for his opponent's failure). Such a sad life after what was a respectable career until a few years ago.

98 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:15:04pm

re: #91 The Shadow Do

Hoosier, have to ask...is that a rinse or permanent dye job you're sporting there. If permanent you can keep it for the Lions, no?

by then it may fade to the legendary Hawaiian Blue!....GO LIARS!

99 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:15:13pm

re: #90 MandyManners

Ever heard of Google?

Is that the same thing as The Google?

100 ArchangelMichael  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:15:14pm

re: #94 Varek Raith

Google it.
;)

"Who are you who are so wise in the ways of science?"

101 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:15:16pm

re: #17 Irenicum

One more reason why I love Meghan McCain. You go girl!

I like her as well. This is just another reason why.

102 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:15:20pm

re: #94 Varek Raith

Google it.
;)

And now we're stuck in an infinite logic loop. Thanks a boatload Varek.

103 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:15:27pm

re: #88 Irenicum

That is so wrong...so why can't I stop laughing?

Humor that makes you laugh like blazes and then say "that's not funny" is the best kind!

104 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:15:27pm

re: #90 MandyManners

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

I had no idea Laura Ingraham did that to her.

105 Spare O'Lake  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:16:12pm

re: #76 jamesfirecat

Read it again.

"It’s innate racism and I think it’s why young people are turned off by this movement. "

Unless she hates Tancredo so much that she doesn't want to give him a gender, she was finding the innate racism in either his words or his ideas.

Damn it, you're absolutely right. But still, her use of the term was inappropriate. There is nothing innately racist about Tancredo's suggestion that civic literacy be a requirement of voting. It was the context that made the idea smack of racism or at least elitism. My personal objection to the concept is that in practice it would be unworkable and open to abuse.

106 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:16:19pm

re: #99 Jeff In Ohio

Is that the same thing as The Google?

Much like The Facebook and The Youtube and The Myspace.

107 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:16:19pm

re: #84 Obdicut

Why would you think that? Especially given that Jeeves does actually write a story, in his own voice. Bertie's voice doesn't really resemble Jeeves's at all.

In his meandering through life, Bertie has one constant: he knows a lot of good people. Good artists, small businessmen, reporters-- I've never understood the charge against Wodehouse that anyone who does real work is to be disrespected. Almost all the minor heroes-- Bertie's friends-- have some sort of job, business, or artistic endeavor. The ones who are just 'wastrels' aren't ever presented in as positive a light as the working ones.

In knowing these people, Bertie is confided in by them and trusted by them, not just because of Jeeves. They trust that Jeeves will solve the situation, but they trust that Bertie will treat their revelations with absolute ethical tact, and will devote all his resources to righting wrongs.

Bertie also fearlessly mixes with every level of society in a way that probably drives his aunts batty. He's a perfect anti-agent against feudalism-- as is Wodehouse.

Feudal - he's always calling on Jeeves to be feudal, as you may recall. And the whole "Jeeves really wrote the stories in Bertie's voice thing" is of course a riff on Bertie's digest of the "Shakespeare and Bacon controversy" - Bacon wrote some things for Shakespeare because he owed him some money, or something.

Love the whole Wooster mythos and world; as who could not?

108 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:16:42pm

re: #102 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

And now we're stuck in an infinite logic loop. Thanks a boatload Varek.

Yep...I just googled google and opened a vortex...sorry

109 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:16:59pm

re: #93 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

No. What is it?

Ask them.

110 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:17:06pm

re: #102 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

And now we're stuck in an infinite logic loop. Thanks a boatload Varek.

Happy to oblige.
:)

111 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:17:27pm

re: #94 Varek Raith

Google it.
;)

No. 109.

112 The Shadow Do  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:17:43pm

re: #92 HoosierHoops

No..It's rinse out blue.. I'm back to being a Blonde

Your new team colors appear to be red and yellow!

113 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:17:45pm

re: #106 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Much like The Facebook and The Youtube and The Myspace.

I have heard of those.

114 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:18:09pm

re: #108 darthstar

Yep...I just googled google and opened a vortex...sorry

Next thing you know, you'll divide by zero and doom us all.

115 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:18:33pm

re: #99 Jeff In Ohio

Is that the same thing as The Google?

You know it.

116 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:18:38pm

re: #107 Guanxi88

Feudal - he's always calling on Jeeves to be feudal, as you may recall.

He's subverting it. That's my point.

Even those lit-crit guys who like Wodehouse never do a proper job of actually analyzing the universe and its ethics. It's kind of funny; he's relentlessly considered not a serious writer.

117 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:18:40pm

OK! Did anyone see this photo from the Rick Perry/Sarah Palin rally yesterday in Texas?

"Homescholers for Perry"

Add it to the file!

Ooh Boy

118 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:18:49pm

re: #106 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Much like The Facebook and The Youtube and The Myspace.

Don't forget Hank Hill's greatest bug-bear: "the MTV"

119 Spare O'Lake  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:18:51pm

re: #25 SanFranciscoZionist

No you didn't.

You are absolutely right.

120 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:18:58pm

re: #112 The Shadow Do

Your new team colors appear to be red and yellow!

I love it! Bookmarked! Thank you

121 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:19:09pm

re: #114 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Next thing you know, you'll divide by zero and doom us all.

Last time I divided by zero I didn't know what to do with the remainder.

122 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:19:21pm

re: #117 Stanley Sea

OK! Did anyone see this photo from the Rick Perry/Sarah Palin rally yesterday in Texas?

"Homescholers for Perry"

Add it to the file!

Ooh Boy

Morans!
;)

123 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:19:22pm

re: #103 The Sanity Inspector

Humor that makes you laugh like blazes and then say "that's not funny" is the best kind!

I will say a good thing about Detroit...they came back from 40mi out in the burbs to downtown and built a really cool stadium

124 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:19:30pm

re: #117 Stanley Sea

That's terrible and priceless.

Poor people.

125 ArchangelMichael  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:19:36pm

re: #106 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Much like The Facebook and The Youtube and The Myspace.

"Boy lets get some music on, turn on the Mypod, lets get on the Ispace."

126 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:19:55pm

re: #116 Obdicut

He's subverting it. That's my point.

Even those lit-crit guys who like Wodehouse never do a proper job of actually analyzing the universe and its ethics. It's kind of funny; he's relentlessly considered not a serious writer.

I think they do themselves a real disservice - it never occurs to them, I suppose, that a subversive genius can be funny as hell at the same time. Shows their own limitations as much as anything else, I suppose.

127 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:20:56pm

re: #117 Stanley Sea

Oh that hurts! But it is priceless!

128 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:21:36pm

re: #126 Guanxi88

Pratchett has been ignored in a similar way, but with Nation I don't think he can really be overlooked in the same way.

If Nation becomes as popular as it should, there are going to be a hell of a lot more atheists and rationalists around.

129 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:22:02pm

re: #117 Stanley Sea

a href="[Link: blogs.houstonpress.com...]>Ooh Boy

*sigh*

Now that's just sad.

130 The Shadow Do  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:22:05pm

re: #120 HoosierHoops

I love it! Bookmarked! Thank you

Got to love the team name

131 Petero1818  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:22:53pm

re: #115 MandyManners

You know it.

Speaking of Google, I thought that was a brilliant commercial they ran during the Superbowl.

132 Killgore Trout  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:22:59pm

re: #4 Soap_Man

I know not everyone likes Meghan McCain, but she is a shining example for how the GOP can win over young voters.

I think that's a valid point. Ron Paul attracts young voters but they're lunatics.

133 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:23:11pm

re: #84 Obdicut

Why would you think that? Especially given that Jeeves does actually write a story, in his own voice. Bertie's voice doesn't really resemble Jeeves's at all.

In his meandering through life, Bertie has one constant: he knows a lot of good people. Good artists, small businessmen, reporters-- I've never understood the charge against Wodehouse that anyone who does real work is to be disrespected. Almost all the minor heroes-- Bertie's friends-- have some sort of job, business, or artistic endeavor. The ones who are just 'wastrels' aren't ever presented in as positive a light as the working ones.

In knowing these people, Bertie is confided in by them and trusted by them, not just because of Jeeves. They trust that Jeeves will solve the situation, but they trust that Bertie will treat their revelations with absolute ethical tact, and will devote all his resources to righting wrongs.

Bertie also fearlessly mixes with every level of society in a way that probably drives his aunts batty. He's a perfect anti-agent against feudalism-- as is Wodehouse.

I am in awe.

134 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:23:42pm

re: #133 MandyManners

I am in awe.

I'm lost.
;)

135 RadicalModerate  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:23:52pm

re: #4 Soap_Man

I know not everyone likes Meghan McCain, but she is a shining example for how the GOP can win over young voters.

Unfortunately, the "important" people of the Republican Party absolutely DESPISE her and have been trying to force her out of the party, specifically because she is a social moderate/liberal.

136 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:23:55pm

re: #12 Jeff In Ohio

If we pretend for a minute this is her first issue, its a great start. The good news? She has been a good advocate for gay rights within the Republican party.

Frankly, I'd love to see her register here. This blog, as well as the lager discourse, can certainly use more sensible right leaners. LGF has quite a few, but more is certainly better.

137 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:24:14pm

re: #105 Spare O'Lake

Damn it, you're absolutely right. But still, her use of the term was inappropriate. There is nothing innately racist about Tancredo's suggestion that civic literacy be a requirement of voting. It was the context that made the idea smack of racism or at least elitism. My personal objection to the concept is that in practice it would be unworkable and open to abuse.

It is historically racist.

138 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:24:19pm

re: #124 Obdicut

They will have the last laugh at Rapture.

[Link: www.hulu.com...]

139 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:24:29pm

re: #133 MandyManners

Most of my first conversations that I remember as having been worth having were with my father about how amazing Wodehouse is, and how few people get how amazing he is.

I think Chesterton is a good guy to compare Wodehouse too in many ways, especially with the Father Brown stories.

140 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:25:15pm

re: #136 Rightwingconspirator

This blog, as well as the lager discourse....

Not proposing to revive the late night drinking threads, are you? Though, if I had to stay up late drinking, I could certainly find less attractive drinking buddies than Ms. McCain.

141 right_wing2  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:25:24pm

No to 'literacy tests' but 100% support for ONLY printing ballots in English. Citizenship requires the ability to speak English, and only citizens are supposed to vote.

142 Killgore Trout  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:25:24pm

re: #117 Stanley Sea

OK! Did anyone see this photo from the Rick Perry/Sarah Palin rally yesterday in Texas?

"Homescholers for Perry"

Add it to the file!

Ooh Boy

Ha!

143 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:25:28pm

re: #134 Varek Raith

I'm lost.
;)

Needs more power armor and battlemechs.

144 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:26:07pm

re: #116 Obdicut

He's subverting it. That's my point.

Even those lit-crit guys who like Wodehouse never do a proper job of actually analyzing the universe and its ethics. It's kind of funny; he's relentlessly considered not a serious writer.

I was introduced to him by an English-lit major in college. I'll always love her for that.

145 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:26:28pm

re: #136 Rightwingconspirator

I'm all for a "lager discourse" too! Bring it on!

146 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:26:30pm

re: #139 Obdicut

Most of my first conversations that I remember as having been worth having were with my father about how amazing Wodehouse is, and how few people get how amazing he is.

I think Chesterton is a good guy to compare Wodehouse too in many ways, especially with the Father Brown stories.

Wonder how much of the grief is because of those POW broadcasts he did?

147 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:26:38pm

re: #143 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Needs more power armor and battlemechs.

some lurid sex too....don't forget the lurid sex

148 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:27:05pm

re: #126 Guanxi88

I think they do themselves a real disservice - it never occurs to them, I suppose, that a subversive genius can be funny as hell at the same time. Shows their own limitations as much as anything else, I suppose.

And, many discount it because it's not "serious".

149 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:27:27pm

re: #147 albusteve

some lurid sex too...don't forget the lurid sex

Copious amounts of gratuitous violence can be used as a substitute.

150 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:27:58pm

re: #131 Petero1818

Speaking of Google, I thought that was a brilliant commercial they ran during the Superbowl.

I watched about five minutes. Hallmark had an I Love Lucy marathon going this weekend.

151 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:28:16pm

re: #140 Guanxi88

oh busted PIMF!
Double entendre?

152 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:28:46pm

re: #144 MandyManners

Thank god he wrote so much, too. Once you finish reading him, you can just start over.

I just wish he'd written more Psmith novels. I love B&J, but I like Psmith even more.

153 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:28:53pm

re: #141 right_wing2

No to 'literacy tests' but 100% support for ONLY printing ballots in English. Citizenship requires the ability to speak English, and only citizens are supposed to vote.

Be careful what you wish for.

The way things are trending it won't be long until if you select an "official language" of our nation based on what most of them speak as their primary language, well viva los Estados Unidos

154 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:28:59pm

re: #136 Rightwingconspirator

I get that. But all she is is a megaphone. Her writing is atrocious, and with the exception of easy target hot button issues (gays, idiots, etc.) her thinking is is pretty spare.

155 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:29:03pm

re: #150 MandyManners

I watched about five minutes. Hallmark had an I Love Lucy marathon going this weekend.

Oh darn. Did I miss the Super Bowl again this year?

156 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:29:05pm

re: #149 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Copious amounts of gratuitous violence can be used as a substitute.

the Pink Mist Arousal Syndrome....get some!

157 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:29:38pm

re: #105 Spare O'Lake

Damn it, you're absolutely right. But still, her use of the term was inappropriate. There is nothing innately racist about Tancredo's suggestion that civic literacy be a requirement of voting. It was the context that made the idea smack of racism or at least elitism. My personal objection to the concept is that in practice it would be was unworkable and open to abuse.

FTFY. There's nothing hypothetical about the perniciousness of literacy tests.

158 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:30:30pm

re: #157 The Sanity Inspector

Have you heard about the Hmong memorizing the written portion of the driving test in order to pass it?

159 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:30:41pm

re: #147 albusteve

some lurid sex too...don't forget the lurid sex

Speaking of Sex...My favorite line of all time...
You know you've had a great Shower with a girl when you get out of the Shower feeling dirtier than when you went in..

160 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:31:29pm

re: #105 Spare O'Lake

There is nothing innately racist about Tancredo's suggestion that civic literacy be a requirement of voting.

There is if you suggest that the only reason the current President won was a lack of literacy tests before people could vote, which is what Tancredo said.

Literacy/voting tests are inherently racist. That is how they have always been used, and to even suggest we should bring them back shows a racist agenda.

It was the context that made the idea smack of racism or at least elitism.

No, it was the suggestion that literacy tests would have kept Obama from winning that made it smack of racism, because that's what it was. Context doesn't matter if his exact words are blatantly racist.

My personal objection to the concept is that in practice it would be unworkable and open to abuse.

They were. That's why literacy tests before voting were outlawed in the Civil and Voting Rights Acts. The tests were always abused in order to disenfranchise African-Americans, immigrants, and other minorities. It's why they're illegal now.

161 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:32:12pm

One great advantage in being a historian to a man like Jeeves
is that his mere personality prevents one selling one's artistic soul
for gold. In recent years I have had lucrative offers for his services
from theatrical managers, motion picture magnates, the proprietors of
one or two widely advertised commodities, and even the editor of the
comic supplement of an American newspaper, who wanted him for a 'comic
strip.' But, tempting though the terms were, it only needed Jeeves'
deprecating cough and his murmured 'I would scarcely advocate it,
sir,' to put the jack under my better nature. Jeeves knows his place,
and it is between the covers of a book.
-- Wodehouse, introduction to _Jeeves Omnibus_

When the Germans made their rapid advance through Belgium in
the early summer of 1940, they captured, among other things, Mr. P. G.
Wodehouse, who had been living throughout the early part of the war in
his villa at Le Touquet, and seems not to have realised until the last
moment that he was in any danger. As he was led away into captivity,
he is said to have remarked, "Perhaps after this I shall write a
serious book."
-- George Orwell, _In Defence of P. G. Wodehouse_

It is nonsense to talk of 'Fascist tendencies' in his books.
There are no post-1918 tendencies at all.
-- ibid

I confess I find myself slightly shocked when anybody admits
to not liking Wodehouse, although I can see that this is an
unreasonble reaction. But I think I can be dogmatic on a few points
from my own observation; that Wodehouse has been more read than any
other English novelist by his fellow novelists; that nobody with any
genuine feeling for the English language has failed to recognise at
least an element of truth in Belloc's judgment of 1934, that Wodehouse
was 'the best writer of English now alive, the head of my profession';
that the failure of academic literary criticism to take any account of
Wodehouse's supreme mastery of the English language or the profound
influence he has had on every worth-while English novelist in the past
50 years demonstrates in better and conciser form than anything else
how the Eng. Lit. industry is divorced from the subject it claims to
study.
-- Auberon Waugh, in _New Statesman_, 21 Sept. 1975

162 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:32:17pm

re: #134 Varek Raith

I'm lost.
;)

BBC.


163 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:32:18pm

re: #137 MandyManners

It is historically racist.

It's also, in the present context, laughably partisan. George Bush won two terms, and presumably Tancredo presumed that the people had spoken. Obama takes an election, and suddenly our voters are a bunch of badly educated fools who need to be protected from democracy.

Yyyyeah.

164 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:33:02pm

re: #159 HoosierHoops

Speaking of Sex...My favorite line of all time...
You know you've had a great Shower with a girl when you get out of the Shower feeling dirtier than when you went in..

ah yes, the Love Tub

165 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:33:11pm

re: #114 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Next thing you know, you'll divide by zero and doom us all.

Damn...I should have posted this the first time:

166 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:33:33pm

Hello every one, Happy Monday to you all!

And if I might weigh in on the topic of racism, I have found that children are like little sponges. The soak up everything their parents, extended family, ie; grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers and neighbors say about whom ever they're gossiping about and when it comes down to the news pundits most of them are just products of their upbringing and it shows in what they say.
I was raised by parents that went out of their way to make sure we kids, all 5 of us, never ever talked bad about anyone's race or personal views therefore I have no tolerance for anyone who does.
I have been treated badly by African Americans, Hispanics, and a whole host of other races and nationality's as well as ethnic groups and I feel sorry for them, for it just shows how ignorant and just plain stupid they really are to not take the time to do the research and learn what it is that they really are talking about means to themselves and to other people who will be sitting in judgment of them, their actions and their words.
Now you know where I stand on racism. As far away as possible from it!

167 wrenchwench  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:34:12pm

re: #12 Jeff In Ohio

being able to call out Tancredo as a racist seems like an awfully low bar for good sense and straight talk.

Wanted to repeat the part I dinged it up for. Tancredo is sharing an organization with Bay Buchanan. If he gets even the paltry attention he got last time as a candidate for the Republican nomination for president, it will reinforce the racist appearance that the party already has.

168 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:34:21pm

re: #152 Obdicut

Thank god he wrote so much, too. Once you finish reading him, you can just start over.

I just wish he'd written more Psmith novels. I love B&J, but I like Psmith even more.

Did you like the the BBC series?

169 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:34:30pm

re: #161 The Sanity Inspector

The Waughs are one of the best of the Wodehouse defenders.

170 Jeff In Ohio  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:34:32pm

Must put dinner on the table. Later mash potaters.

171 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:34:54pm

re: #155 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Oh darn. Did I miss the Super Bowl again this year?

So I've heard.

172 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:35:05pm

re: #166 Dragon_Lady

Except for Mondays being 'happy', upding!
:)

173 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:35:12pm

re: #168 MandyManners

The Fry/Laurie one? Very much so, I love both Fry and Laurie. My only mild complaint would be that I'd rather see Fry as Beach and someone else as Jeeves, but that's purely personal based on size.

174 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:35:15pm

re: #151 Rightwingconspirator

oh busted PIMF!
Double entendre?

Hey, if she's up for it.....

175 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:35:59pm

re: #170 Jeff In Ohio

Must put dinner on the table. Later mash potaters.

You can say "taters" here. I'll whack anyone who laughs at ya'.

176 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:35:59pm

re: #131 Petero1818

Speaking of Google, I thought that was a brilliant commercial they ran during the Superbowl.

That was a good commercial. Probably my favorite of all the commercials I saw.

177 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:36:10pm

re: #166 Dragon_Lady

Hi You!
Hope Today finds you and RWC well

178 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:36:14pm

re: #171 MandyManners

So I've heard.

Krager wants to think that when they yell "kill the quarterback!" they actually do

179 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:36:39pm

re: #169 Obdicut

The Waughs are one of the best of the Wodehouse defenders.

No.162.

180 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:37:04pm

re: #97 darthstar

I couldn't have wished for better with regard to the McCain campaign(since I was supporting Obama). I do hope he's actually 'proud' of his campaign and his running mate as he says he is, and that he's not just lying to himself and hoping America forgets what he subjected it to in his running mate(though we're reminded daily as she gets more press than he does).

I do pity him, though, as he's in a lonely position. Both his wife and his daughter have come out strongly in favor of gay marriage, and his daughter's shown the courage to talk back to the race baiters in his party in a public forum--while he's simply pulling back into his shell and watching passively (and I suspect hoping for his opponent's failure). Such a sad life after what was a respectable career until a few years ago.

I respect your opinion, and agree in part and disagree in part. Unfortunately, she who must be obeyed is in the driveway, and I don't have the time to discuss.

181 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:37:30pm

re: #178 albusteve

Krager wants to think that when they yell "kill the quarterback!" they actually do

Don't make me think of Peyton. I'm a bit upset right now.

182 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:38:18pm

re: #179 MandyManners

Thanks! I also saw a great one-man show doing it at one point. It was great. Forget who the actor was.

183 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:38:23pm

re: #158 Obdicut

Have you heard about the Hmong memorizing the written portion of the driving test in order to pass it?

No.

184 RogueOne  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:38:34pm

re: #12 Jeff In Ohio

No offense to Meghan and our friends on the right, but being able to call out Tancredo as a racist seems like an awfully low bar for good sense and straight talk. What exactly does she do, besides being a Senators daughter?

That's what I've always wondered. She's famous for the same reason Paris hilton is famous, because of her last name and status. If she had actually worked on a project or an issue then I might be inclined to take her a little more seriously.

185 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:39:15pm

re: #175 MandyManners

You can say "taters" here. I'll whack anyone who laughs at ya'.

French-fried taters?
Got mustard?
mmmhmmm.

186 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:39:24pm

re: #146 Guanxi88

Wonder how much of the grief is because of those POW broadcasts he did?

Even MI5 wound up sharing Orwell's opinion about that-- that the most Wodehouse was guilty of was possibly being naive. He wasn't a traitor.

187 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:39:29pm

re: #178 albusteve

Krager wants to think that when they yell "kill the quarterback!" they actually do

The sport would be greatly improved by the use of landmines, a system of trenches and barbed wire and the use of crew served automatic weapons by both teams.

188 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:39:58pm
189 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:40:05pm

re: #182 Obdicut

Thanks! I also saw a great one-man show doing it at one point. It was great. Forget who the actor was.

Are you sure it wasn't Laurie?

190 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:40:31pm

re: #181 MandyManners

Don't make me think of Peyton. I'm a bit upset right now.

boo hoo....Payton smayton...the guy that tossed the most famous pick in football history?

191 RogueOne  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:40:36pm

re: #26 darthstar

I'm looking forward to her book (due out in August?)...I hope she doesn't hold back.

I'm hoping she used something other than crayons.

192 HappyWarrior  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:40:37pm

What I love about Tancredo's comments is that the movement he said this to has shown their own misspellings of words and such. There's a word for people like Tancredo and it's reactionary. I am sick of this notion that Obama voters are morons who don't know anything about our country and how it works. You disagree with my world view therefore you must be a moron is such a stupid and I hate using this word but elitist notion.

193 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:41:11pm

re: #183 The Sanity Inspector

They speak no English. A young Hmong noticed the questions are in the same order every time. So the adults started practicing writing out the answers, over and over. They're still illiterate, they still don't speak English, but they can spoof the test and get their license-- which they can't read.

Hmong are pretty much badasses at subverting systems, often to their own detriment, but they've been fucked over by so many authorities they're just naturally anti-authoritarian. While being hidebound traditionalists. They're fun.

194 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:41:25pm

re: #190 albusteve

*whimper*

*grrr*

195 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:41:52pm

re: #186 iceweasel

Even MI5 wound up sharing Orwell's opinion about that-- that the most Wodehouse was guilty of was possibly being naive. He wasn't a traitor.

Hi Ice!

196 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:42:07pm

re: #186 iceweasel

Even MI5 wound up sharing Orwell's opinion about that-- that the most Wodehouse was guilty of was possibly being naive. He wasn't a traitor.

Well, I mean, that's the sensible interpretation of what happened, and one I share, of course.

Still, I think it's chiefly that his works were regarded as farce that caused him to be overlooked as he has been.

I consider a fondness for Wodehouse a good sign of a bright and agile mind, a broad and expansive view of things, and proof of a good temperament.

197 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:42:07pm

re: #189 MandyManners

Yes, I am. He was an American, tall thin chappie. Don't even remember if I saw it in SF or the East Coast-- it was about twenty years ago.

198 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:42:13pm

re: #187 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

The sport would be greatly improved by the use of landmines, a system of trenches and barbed wire and the use of crew served automatic weapons by both teams.

I figured you for that....LOL!

199 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:42:42pm

HA! I just scored a kosher venison roast from my butcher.

200 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:42:51pm

re: #197 Obdicut

Yes, I am. He was an American, tall thin chappie. Don't even remember if I saw it in SF or the East Coast-- it was about twenty years ago.

Oh, it was live.

Have you tried The Google?

201 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:42:57pm

re: #195 HoosierHoops

Hi Ice!

Hey Handsome! You still owe me an email!
How's it going?

202 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:43:38pm

re: #172 Varek Raith

Except for Mondays being 'happy', upding!
:)

Oh come on Varek! Every day's a holiday for me! I can walk, I can see, I'm not sick! This equals a Holiday in my book! Think positive my friend! ;)

203 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:43:42pm

re: #199 imp_62

HA! I just scored a kosher venison roast from my butcher.

Is that what you kids are callilng it nowadays?

204 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:44:43pm

re: #200 MandyManners

Yeah, but when all I have to go on is "one-man show of some Wodehouse book, twenty years ago somewhere", I can't find anything useful. He gets put on as plays a lot.

205 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:44:53pm

re: #203 MandyManners

Is that what you kids are callilng it nowadays?

He said it was okay as long as I don't tell my parents. Can something that feels so good, be at all bad?

206 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:44:56pm

re: #188 Varek Raith

...Wow...

Doctors: Haitian may have survived 4 weeks in rubble

May there be many more such found soon.

207 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:45:43pm

re: #204 Obdicut

Yeah, but when all I have to go on is "one-man show of some Wodehouse book, twenty years ago somewhere", I can't find anything useful. He gets put on as plays a lot.

I'm so far away from any kind of live theatre that I don't keep up lately.

208 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:45:43pm

re: #192 HappyWarrior

What I love about Tancredo's comments is that the movement he said this to has shown their own misspellings of words and such. There's a word for people like Tancredo and it's reactionary. I am sick of this notion that Obama voters are morons who don't know anything about our country and how it works. You disagree with my world view therefore you must be a moron is such a stupid and I hate using this word but elitist notion.

I think it's ridiculous and offensive to decide the American electorate must be full of idjits whenever 'they' don't vote the way you'd like them to.
The left said this all the time about Bush voters, esp in 2004, and it was offensive then too.
The continual bitching about how 'stupid' Obama voters are is exactly the same, with an extra hate for young people and black people thrown in.

209 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:45:54pm

re: #205 imp_62

Can something that feels so good, be at all bad?

Two words: Marlboro Reds.

210 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:46:04pm

re: #205 imp_62

*goggle*

211 Obdicut  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:46:05pm

re: #206 The Sanity Inspector

It's obviously a nation of superheroes. M. Night Shyamalan is on the way.

212 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:46:35pm

re: #210 MandyManners

*goggle*

hehe

213 Spare O'Lake  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:46:39pm

You are all absolutely right!
Context and the meaning of words mean nothing when the hot button of racism has been pushed.
BBL

214 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:46:44pm

re: #192 HappyWarrior

What I love about Tancredo's comments is that the movement he said this to has shown their own misspellings of words and such. There's a word for people like Tancredo and it's reactionary. I am sick of this notion that Obama voters are morons who don't know anything about our country and how it works. You disagree with my world view therefore you must be a moron is such a stupid and I hate using this word but elitist notion.

I disagree with hopeandchange! as the main plank in your platform....it was a fantastic campaign alright, as in fantasy

215 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:47:50pm

re: #209 Guanxi88

Two words: Marlboro Reds.

Eeeewwww! There's that nasty monster rearing it ugly head again! Cigarettes! The worst invention known to man!

216 Silvergirl  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:48:12pm

re: #80 darthstar

If your father made a complete ass of himself and dragged you onto the national stage doing it, you'd probably want to 'reinvent' yourself in the public eye for a while as well. She's young, she's smart, and she knows that she can go off and pursue whatever career she likes when she feels like it.

She doesn't believe her father made an ass of himself. She loves and adores John McCain. I follwed her blog during the election. McCainBlogette.com. She also wrote a children's book about her dad. She has said that she looks at many issues in a different light than her father does. Yes, she is young, and she has her own beliefs. I wouldn't call anything she does "reinventing."

217 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:48:32pm

re: #205 imp_62

He said it was okay as long as I don't tell my parents. Can something that feels so good, be at all bad?

your sex partner is a venison roast?....man that's different

218 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:48:35pm

re: #215 Dragon_Lady

Eeeewww! There's that nasty monster rearing it ugly head again! Cigarettes! The worst invention known to man!

No, that's nerve gas. Followed by mustard gas. Then cigarettes.

219 Girth  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:48:55pm

re: #209 Guanxi88

Two words: Marlboro Reds.

Hack....Cowboy Killers. Couldn't stand 'em when I was a smoker.

220 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:49:03pm

re: #215 Dragon_Lady

Eeeewww! There's that nasty monster rearing it ugly head again! Cigarettes! The worst invention known to man!

Worse than decaffeinated coffee?

221 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:49:12pm

re: #219 Girth

Hack...Cowboy Killers. Couldn't stand 'em when I was a smoker.

I was a winston man, myself.

222 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:49:38pm

re: #220 imp_62

Worse than decaffeinated coffee?

All the gastric irritation, none of the benefit.
Hell, it sells itself.

223 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:50:43pm

re: #213 Spare O'Lake

You are all absolutely right!
Context and the meaning of words mean nothing when the hot button of racism has been pushed.
BBL

Spare, the problem for Tancredo is that adding all the context you'd like does nothing to exonerate him from the charge of racism for those remarks-- the opposite, especially when one looks at the history of literacy tests in the US.

224 avanti  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:51:07pm

re: #214 albusteve

I disagree with hopeandchange! as the main plank in your platform...it was a fantastic campaign alright, as in fantasy

It's funny, I can read your post without seeing your name, and know it's yours. You are not a happy camper with Obama.

225 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:51:07pm

re: #201 iceweasel

Hey Handsome! You still owe me an email!
How's it going?

I read the posts From Yesterday about an hour ago from when Winston and I went to the SuperBowl.. Thank you for sticking up for me when I was gone...
IrishRose called you a Liar that Defenseman let me take the heat for his Blog.. He did and everybody frigging knows it.. I could have Posted his real name..But since he didn't have the Balls to claim his own blog.. I took the heat for him.. You did not lie...And she was out of line...
He thought it was funnier than hell.. I thought it was cowardice

226 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:51:14pm

re: #212 imp_62

hehe

You rendered me speechless.

227 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:51:58pm

re: #226 MandyManners

You rendered me speechless.

in bed

228 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:51:59pm

re: #213 Spare O'Lake

You are all absolutely right!
Context and the meaning of words mean nothing when the hot button of racism has been pushed.
BBL

It's been years.

229 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:52:17pm

re: #219 Girth

Hack...Cowboy Killers. Couldn't stand 'em when I was a smoker.

Not as bad as Gitanes!

Gah! as if I needed another reason to dislike the French - their cigs are terrible.

No wonder Sartre and Camus looked like they did - they weren't deep in thought, they were trying not to hack up a lung or gag too loudly.

230 shutdown  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:52:40pm

re: #227 imp_62

in bed

re: #226 MandyManners

You rendered me speechless.

Sorry, I had to!

Have you ever been rendered speechless before?

231 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:52:42pm

re: #218 Guanxi88

No, that's nerve gas. Followed by mustard gas. Then cigarettes.

Yeah those are nasty alright, but until you've seen as many love ones as I've have die a long slow painful death from those things I'd say their absolutely monstrous!

232 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:52:45pm

re: #225 HoosierHoops


He thought it was funnier than hell.. I thought it was cowardice

Thanks Hoops. You know I agree. And I think it was worse than cowardice.
Some more carping about that on the overnight thread, you'll see. More bollocks.
Thanks again.

233 HappyWarrior  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:53:08pm

re: #208 iceweasel

I think it's ridiculous and offensive to decide the American electorate must be full of idjits whenever 'they' don't vote the way you'd like them to.
The left said this all the time about Bush voters, esp in 2004, and it was offensive then too.
The continual bitching about how 'stupid' Obama voters are is exactly the same, with an extra hate for young people and black people thrown in.

You're a genius if you agree, an idiot if you disagree is the mindset you get when you're relatively young like I am and a student of politics. You're exactly right. The left when Bush won re-election in 2004 acted like the country was filled with morons and the right's similar reaction to Obama's win this year was just as wrong.

234 simoom  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:53:44pm

Heh, here's Fox & Friends this morning, covering the Palin palm Q&A crib notes:

I like how as they're showing a clip of Palin walking up to the podium with a sheaf of papers in hand (her prepared remarks) and then Palin reading from those prepared remarks, Gretchen Carlson is arguing how much more impressive it was to be giving a speech completely off-the-cuff with just a couple of notes jotted on her hand, versus reading an entire speech, written by someone else, off a teleprompter :P.

Though oddly enough Brian Kilmeade describes what happened more correctly, saying they were notes for the interview portion of her appearance, and he then kind of vacillates between half-criticizing/half-praising Palin, describing the whole thing as "folksy" and "down to earth" .

235 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:53:53pm

re: #157 The Sanity Inspector

How about literacy tests for poll workers & SEIU security guards at polling places?

236 TampaKnight  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:55:04pm

I've already called dibs on marrying Ms. McCain...hands off boys.

237 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:55:16pm

re: #227 imp_62

in bed

Mandy, meet your petard.

238 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:55:17pm

re: #224 avanti

It's funny, I can read your post without seeing your name, and know it's yours. You are not a happy camper with Obama.

no I'm not...on the other hand I can't think of a pol I would be happy with...sometime I wear my 'Kieth Richards for President' teeshirt tho and it lifts my spirits

239 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:55:36pm

re: #235 Rightwingconspirator

How about literacy tests for poll workers & SEIU security guards at polling places?

I'd vote for that!

240 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:55:41pm

re: #202 Dragon_Lady

Oh come on Varek! Every day's a holiday for me! I can walk, I can see, I'm not sick! This equals a Holiday in my book! Think positive my friend! ;)

Whoa! Waaaayyy too much positive energy, there!
/:)

241 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:55:59pm

re: #230 imp_62

Sorry, I had to!

Have you ever been rendered speechless before?

The Kid does it frequently.

242 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:56:09pm

re: #240 Varek Raith

Whoa! Waaayyy too much positive energy, there!
/:)

Thats how I survive!

243 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:56:26pm

Let's drag the shit over here now!

244 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:56:44pm

re: #237 MandyManners

Mandy, meet your petard.

Ohhh, hoisted were ya?

245 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:56:49pm

Before I get further nauseated, I'm outta' here.

246 MandyManners  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:56:59pm

re: #244 Dragon_Lady

Ohhh, hoisted were ya?

Utterly.

247 Gretchen G.Tiger  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:57:22pm

Hey all, I used to like Tancredo, too bad.

I have an issue with the whole "speaking English" thing. I live in a largely hispanic area and feel sorry for the kids that grow-up here but still have a hard time with it. It's hard to be bilingual if your brain isn't wired for it. Not all kids pick-up both languages easily. It's hurts them in school.

I don't see any good way to test or qualify voters for literacy. It would certainly make for more informed voters if they chose to become competent in English --and it would increase their chances in the workforce. But I don't know any sane way to require it nationally.

In a perfect world . . .

I'd like to think that Tancredo was trying to offer a solution, albiet the wrong one. I don't think he is truly a racist --just trying to be a pragmatist, which I guess can be viewed as the same thing in some ways.

248 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:57:27pm

re: #233 HappyWarrior

You're a genius if you agree, an idiot if you disagree is the mindset you get when you're relatively young like I am and a student of politics. You're exactly right. The left when Bush won re-election in 2004 acted like the country was filled with morons and the right's similar reaction to Obama's win this year was just as wrong.

It's stupid in two ways: 1) it's morally objectionable to think of your fellow citizens that way, in my opinion and 2) it's pragmatically incredibly stupid: you're not going to woo parts of the electorate by insulting them and treating them with contempt.
The other issue here is that if you can't understand why you lost an election, you're going to have a difficult time winning the next (or making any lasting demographic gains, etc.)

The left cleaned house after 2004; it's genuinely surprising to me that the GOP has taken the path it has, when it had an example to learn from about a party bitter over losing an election and in a shambles. Took the Democrats about 6 years to get their act together; I really didn't think the GOP would fall apart to the extent it has.

249 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:57:36pm

re: #246 MandyManners

Utterly.

kinky

250 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:57:38pm

re: #235 Rightwingconspirator

How about literacy tests for poll workers & SEIU security guards at polling places?

or an endurance test for TSA workers...see if they can stay awake for 8 hours

251 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:58:23pm

re: #249 darthstar

kinky

oops...that was 'utterly' and not 'udderly'...never mind.

252 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:59:35pm

re: #243 MandyManners

No one did. Hence the references to other threads, so as not to pollute this one.

253 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 2:59:57pm

re: #220 imp_62

Worse than decaffeinated coffee?

Absolutely the worst! They named them right in the Star Wars Trilogy "Death Sticks" is a perfect title for cigarettes!

254 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:00:24pm

re: #224 avanti

It's funny, I can read your post without seeing your name, and know it's yours. You are not a happy camper with Obama.

It helps when you've been around for a few election cycles. The tricks are only meant to be seen once.

255 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:00:56pm

re: #232 iceweasel

Thanks Hoops. You know I agree. And I think it was worse than cowardice.
Some more carping about that on the overnight thread, you'll see. More bollocks.
Thanks again.

I pray to god whoever thinks it's funny to trash me over a blog I have never had a thing to do with and laugh about it in emails to other Lizards really needs to say something here when I am posting.
I took all the hits for that Blog and could never defend myself because I protected the privacy of a Coward...It's that frigging simple....
And Peter..You have a problem with that? Just log in dude.. Otherwise stay away like you have been

256 Killgore Trout  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:02:25pm

The MSM is picking up on a trend we've been noticing here on LGF for a while now....
Sanchez: Palin & Tea Party Push "Anti-Intellectualism"

257 Spare O'Lake  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:02:35pm

Again, literacy tests as a voting prerequisite are impractical, unworkable and subject to abuse. But let's at least recognize that a functionally illiterate voter is a necessary evil of democracy, not a virtue.

[Link: nces.ed.gov...]

258 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:03:28pm

re: #240 Varek Raith

Whoa! Waaayyy too much positive energy, there!
/:)

An optimist says the glass is half full
Kragar says the glass is also half full, but I probably have some sort of malignant tumor slowly killing me, so fuck the glass of water.

259 RealismRox  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:03:30pm

re: #247 ggt

I'd like to think that Tancredo was trying to offer a solution, albiet the wrong one. I don't think he is truly a racist --just trying to be a pragmatist, which I guess can be viewed as the same thing in some ways.

It's fair to say that it's a racist idea. Tancredo surely knows the history of literacy tests in America and why they were implemented in the past. In this country you have the right to vote if you're a citizen, it's simple and shouldn't be messed with.

260 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:03:30pm

re: #232 iceweasel

Thanks Hoops. You know I agree. And I think it was worse than cowardice.
Some more carping about that on the overnight thread, you'll see. More bollocks.
Thanks again.

Uh-oh, she's going native...

261 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:03:56pm

re: #257 Spare O'Lake

Again, literacy tests as a voting prerequisite are impractical, unworkable and subject to abuse. But let's at least recognize that a functionally illiterate voter is a necessary evil of democracy, not a virtue.

[Link: nces.ed.gov...]

if you vote I should hope you could spell the word and even say it

262 avanti  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:04:11pm

re: #238 albusteve

no I'm not...on the other hand I can't think of a pol I would be happy with...sometime I wear my 'Kieth Richards for President' teeshirt tho and it lifts my spirits

My recent favorites, Clinton, and Reagan. (Weird combination)

263 Gretchen G.Tiger  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:04:15pm

Instead of requireing literacy in English, the Government could offer grants to those tutoring companies and libraries or community colleges to offer more classes and community outreach to teach english (ESL) classes. A public service media blitz showing the benefits of learning English would go a long way.

Unfortunately these things don't work as well a when there is some sort of deadline imposed --as "it will be necessary for the 2012 election" or some such thing.

Still, every little bit helps. I'm not sure we can wait for the 2nd or 3rd generation of immigrants to be proficient enough to compete in the workplace.

264 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:05:00pm

re: #260 The Sanity Inspector

Uh-oh, she's going native...

I noticed the inclusion of certain letters - eg., the "u" for "unnecessary" in "favorite" and suchlike - it's an ongoing problem.

265 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:05:17pm

re: #260 The Sanity Inspector

Uh-oh, she's going native...

I love the word bollocks! Less overtly obscene than 'bullshit'. :)

266 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:05:22pm

re: #255 HoosierHoops

whoa HH, I have little or no idea in what transpired, so I'll just say I'm sorry to hear you got trashed to protect someone. Blogwars suck.

267 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:05:41pm

What ho?
If I knew there were this many Wodehouse fans in here I wouldn't have held back on the malapropisms, if that's the right word, when I try to make some clever point and add a half remembered Shakespeare or Scripture knowledge based quote.

In fact, I've got Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit on audio right now while I work on the house. You remember that one - it's the novel where Jeeves gets engaged and then slips out of it at the last second. Meanwhile someone threatens to beat him to a jelly, and his slacker friends put him in the soup, and one of his aunts makes his life more complicated, then Jeeves arrives in extremis, if that's the right word, and puts it right again.
Tickety Tock.

268 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:06:57pm

re: #256 Killgore Trout

The MSM is picking up on a trend we've been noticing here on LGF for a while now...
Sanchez: Palin & Tea Party Push "Anti-Intellectualism"

[Video]

I like Sanchez...he's one of the few show anchors who isn't afraid to say "WTF?" when he encounters unquestioned stupidity. Compare that with MSNBC's Chief Tool Chuck Todd defending Palin when Andrea Mitchell gets too close to the truth about her in her mocking:

269 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:06:58pm

re: #255 HoosierHoops

I don't know anything about emails, but the point's the same. Cowardly.
Anyway, the person in question hasn't been around for a long time.

270 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:07:08pm

re: #263 ggt

Instead of requireing literacy in English, the Government could offer grants to those tutoring companies and libraries or community colleges to offer more classes and community outreach to teach english (ESL) classes. A public service media blitz showing the benefits of learning English would go a long way.

Unfortunately these things don't work as well a when there is some sort of deadline imposed --as "it will be necessary for the 2012 election" or some such thing.

Still, every little bit helps. I'm not sure we can wait for the 2nd or 3rd generation of immigrants to be proficient enough to compete in the workplace.

Works for me! You know English is supposed to be the official language of California, but everywhere I look there are signs in others that I can't read. So much for equality.

271 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:07:29pm

re: #262 avanti

My recent favorites, Clinton, and Reagan. (Weird combination)

I think I would have liked Rudi...he'd make a fine POTUS....he is anything but an empty suit

272 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:08:15pm

re: #235 Rightwingconspirator

How about literacy tests for poll workers & SEIU security guards at polling places?

Why?

273 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:08:29pm

re: #260 The Sanity Inspector

Uh-oh, she's going native...

I think it's time to quote "Stewie" from Family Guy:

The British don't really speak the language so much as they chew it up and spit it out.

274 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:08:32pm

re: #264 Guanxi88

I noticed the inclusion of certain letters - eg., the "u" for "unnecessary" in "favorite" and suchlike - it's an ongoing problem.

Hey, that predates Jimmah!
At least I'm not eating haggis yet. Not sure how long I'll be able to get away with that though...

275 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:08:42pm

re: #265 iceweasel

I love the word bollocks! Less overtly obscene than 'bullshit'. :)

I personally like the saying "bovine excrement"... sounds a lot more educated and is says the same thing... :-)

276 Silvergirl  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:08:46pm

re: #63 Irenicum

That's true. McCain's people didn't like Palin. I'm talking about Meghan not wanting to saying anything about Palin b/c it would reflect badly on her father. As much as I can tell, she's no fan of Palin, but she loves her dad and she knows saying anything about Palin would be used as a wedge between her and her father. She a good daughter and doesn't want to give any excuse for that.

I have no idea how she feels about Sarah Palin at this point in time, but when she met her after she was the VP pick, she said:

"She is everything I could possibly hope for in my father's running mate . . . my heart is going to explode with pride." (short video)

Starting out the day with Dad's choice of Governor Sarah Palin as his nominee for Vice President is a moment on stage I will never forget. She and her family are so down to earth and so much fun. I could not be any luckier to have these wonderful people join us on the road. I had the pleasure of spending the day with kids Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig. Not only do we have a new Vice Presidential nominee, but I have three new awesome girls to share the road with. (photos included)

I am incredibly inspired by my dad's selection of Governor Palin as the first woman Vice Presidential candidate of the Republican Party. This is a great moment for young women everywhere who can look to her as a role model. As I was standing on stage, I found myself getting emotional about today's historic event and the evolution in the role of women as leaders in politics. (another photo)

277 jaunte  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:08:53pm

re: #267 keloyd

What ho?
If I knew there were this many Wodehouse fans in here I wouldn't have held back on the malapropisms, if that's the right word, when I try to make some clever point and add a half remembered Shakespeare or Scripture knowledge based quote.

In fact, I've got Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit on audio right now while I work on the house. You remember that one - it's the novel where Jeeves gets engaged and then slips out of it at the last second. Meanwhile someone threatens to beat him to a jelly, and his slacker friends put him in the soup, and one of his aunts makes his life more complicated, then Jeeves arrives in extremis, if that's the right word, and puts it right again.
Tickety Tock.

Do Roderick Spode and his fascist BlackShorts make an appearance in that one?
It's been a while since I've read Wodehouse.

278 TampaKnight  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:09:10pm

This may sound weird, but I think if Bush didn't pick Cheney for VP...he would have been a much better President.

279 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:09:17pm

re: #257 Spare O'Lake

Again, literacy tests as a voting prerequisite are impractical, unworkable and subject to abuse. But let's at least recognize that a functionally illiterate voter is a necessary evil of democracy, not a virtue.

[Link: nces.ed.gov...]

That's why we say that democracy is the worst form of government yet devised, except for all the others. You're spot on: an informed voter is a prerequisite for a responsive government. But that can only ever be an ideal--never a legal requirement. The village simpleton is subject to selective service registration, has to pay sales tax, has to obey the laws, etc., just as much as Joe Brainiac. So it's only fair, in a democracy, to give him equal access to the polls.

280 Gretchen G.Tiger  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:09:30pm

re: #259 RealismRox

It's fair to say that it's a racist idea. Tancredo surely knows the history of literacy tests in America and why they were implemented in the past. In this country you have the right to vote if you're a citizen, it's simple and shouldn't be messed with.

I'm not sure that the rank 'n file Republican really sees the connection. I can't believe that most republican's get out of their beds in the morning and says "gee, it would be a wonderful day if only all those people who aren't like me weren't here". Those I talk to seem to have two issues: taxes and our troops. Think they see a literacy problem as workable source of at least the fiscal problems in the government.

Illiteracy among citizens (not just those that vote) is a problem, the solution is unknown.

281 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:09:50pm

re: #277 jaunte

Do Roderick Spode and his fascist BlackShorts make an appearance in that one?
It's been a while since I've read Wodehouse.

Have to be - I recall that Spode lingered lovingly over the "Jelly" word there. Now, if he'd threatened to kick his spine out the top of his head, I think that would have been old Tuppy, what?

282 Spare O'Lake  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:10:08pm

re: #223 iceweasel

Spare, the problem for Tancredo is that adding all the context you'd like does nothing to exonerate him from the charge of racism for those remarks-- the opposite, especially when one looks at the history of literacy tests in the US.

The context does not exhonerate Tancredo...it is precisely what convicts him and his suggestion.
My point was that allowing functional illiterates to vote is an utterly unavoidable and necessary evil of a democracy, not a source of national pride.

283 avanti  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:10:12pm

re: #278 TampaKnight

This may sound weird, but I think if Bush didn't pick Cheney for VP...he would have been a much better President.

Now, that I agree with.

284 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:10:18pm

re: #275 Dragon_Lady

I personally like the saying "bovine excrement"... sounds a lot more educated and is says the same thing... :-)

That's a good one too! Need to save and employ the shakespearean insult generator someone here linked too!

How are you DL? And your honey?

285 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:10:24pm

re: #266 Rightwingconspirator

whoa HH, I have little or no idea in what transpired, so I'll just say I'm sorry to hear you got trashed to protect someone. Blogwars suck.

If I ever had a Blog...I wouldn't hide behind someone else to protect myself..
Trust me..Everybody will know it's my blog...
(I'll never have the time to write a blog...)

286 andres  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:10:28pm

re: #44 jamesfirecat

If you can't say anything nice...

Write a book about it?

287 Gretchen G.Tiger  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:11:29pm

I never get to stay long enough to really engage in a thread anymore.

Be back later all.

288 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:11:34pm

re: #277 jaunte

Do Roderick Spode and his fascist BlackShorts make an appearance in that one?
It's been a while since I've read Wodehouse.

Eulalie.

289 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:11:46pm

re: #278 TampaKnight

This may sound weird, but I think if Bush didn't pick Cheney for VP...he would have been a much better President.

I agree, if he didn't have Darth Cheney he probably would have taken after his father more....

290 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:11:58pm

re: #284 iceweasel

That's a good one too! Need to save and employ the shakespearean insult generator someone here linked too!

How are you DL? And your honey?

Were real good! RWC's in the midst of planning some big fancy Valentines day surprise, he calls me three times a day with questions. Hows with you? And Jimmah?

291 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:12:02pm

re: #247 ggt

Hey all, I used to like Tancredo, too bad.

I have an issue with the whole "speaking English" thing. I live in a largely hispanic area and feel sorry for the kids that grow-up here but still have a hard time with it. It's hard to be bilingual if your brain isn't wired for it. Not all kids pick-up both languages easily. It's hurts them in school.

I don't see any good way to test or qualify voters for literacy. It would certainly make for more informed voters if they chose to become competent in English --and it would increase their chances in the workforce. But I don't know any sane way to require it nationally.

In a perfect world . . .

I'd like to think that Tancredo was trying to offer a solution, albiet the wrong one. I don't think he is truly a racist --just trying to be a pragmatist, which I guess can be viewed as the same thing in some ways.

I have trouble with the idea that he was trying offer a 'solution', when the 'problem' appears to be that the other guy won.

292 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:12:13pm

re: #270 Dragon_Lady

Works for me! You know English is supposed to be the official language of California, but everywhere I look there are signs in others that I can't read. So much for equality.

Technically, there is no 'official language' in the United States. From el-wiki:

The United States does not have a national official language; nevertheless, English (specifically, American English) is the primary language used for legislation, regulations, executive orders, treaties, federal court rulings, and all other official pronouncements, although there are laws requiring documents such as ballots to be printed in multiple languages when there is a large number of non-English speakers in an area.

So for a state to have an 'official language' is kind of pointless.

293 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:12:20pm

re: #263 ggt

Lets keep in mind that literacy tests for voters are actually illegal. So Tancredo was engaging in a criminal conspiracy in a 1st amendment protected way.

Let's also remember the faux dogwhistle- Voter ID. In California the Republicans bent over backwards to ensure no honest voter would be kept out. Multiple forms of ID were to be acceptable, funding to get free ID to the poor, a long lead time for implementation. But in the end the California Democratic majority killed it, protecting double votes & worse until they return to their senses.

294 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:12:35pm

re: #289 jamesfirecat

I agree, if he didn't have Darth Cheney he probably would have taken after his father more...

Please don't demean us Sith Lords by using 'Darth' in relation to Cheney.
Thanks.
:)

295 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:12:35pm

re: #282 Spare O'Lake

The context does not exhonerate Tancredo...it is precisely what convicts him and his suggestion.
My point was that allowing functional illiterates to vote is an utterly unavoidable and necessary evil of a democracy, not a source of national pride.

I'm not sure we have many functional illiterates voting. They still have to at least be able to read the candidates' names, don't they?

I'd like the US to have higher literacy overall, but I don't think it's a problem special to voting.

296 TampaKnight  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:12:40pm

LOL @ Meghan McCain's twitter post:

"I go on TV and am always myself and speak what I truly believe. This is not an act. It's my life & beliefs. U don't like it, try Ann Coulter"

297 andres  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:13:40pm

re: #72 simoom

That's wrong in so many levels... Even from the American Revolutionary War, Hispanics have had an impact on the USA.

298 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:13:49pm

re: #278 TampaKnight

This may sound weird, but I think if Bush didn't pick Cheney for VP...he would have been a much better President.

The best thing about the Bush presidency is that Lieberman wasn't VP and didn't have the opportunity to run for President as the default candidate in 2008.

299 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:14:24pm

re: #290 Dragon_Lady

Were real good! RWC's in the midst of planning some big fancy Valentines day surprise, he calls me three times a day with questions. Hows with you? And Jimmah?

Ooh! Sounds mysterious, and nice! Excited for you!

We're good. Hoping Jimmah can get some paperwork finished this week, so he can come over to the US and wait with me for the spousal visa. Thanks for asking!

300 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:15:13pm

re: #298 darthstar

The best thing about the Bush presidency is that Lieberman wasn't VP and didn't have the opportunity to run for President as the default candidate in 2008.

I thought it was a masterful stroke to get the entire Senate to vote to take down Hussein

301 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:15:14pm

re: #294 Varek Raith

Please don't demean us Sith Lords by using 'Darth' in relation to Cheney.
Thanks.
:)

I, too, resent the defamation of 'Darth' by having it used in conjunction with 'Cheney'...

302 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:15:15pm

re: #292 darthstar

So for a state to have an 'official language' is kind of pointless.

I meant on signs and such. We've had a real problem of "Speak my Language and Get a Discount" kind of discrimination signs popping up here, so they had to adopt a "one sign, one language" type of dealing with it.

303 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:15:58pm

re: #297 andres

That's wrong in so many levels... Even from the American Revolutionary War, Hispanics have had an impact on the USA.

Hell, the town in which I plan to have the Celestial Palace of Filial Harmony (aka, my home) is named for a Mexican territorial governor who revolted against Napoleon, got elected to the Republic of Texas' assembly, served as mayor of one of the major cities, and was interred - with full military honors - as a hero of the State of Texas in recognition of his genius in leading a Tejano/Rebel Mexican/Texan/German army in the War for Independence.

304 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:16:57pm

re: #272 SanFranciscoZionist

First, poll workers who can not read will not be able to "read & follow" procedures. Second, or democracy depends on capable poll workers and all those others who work it. Not forgetting boxes of ballots in trunks of cars, or closets... Sticking to procedures for recounts. Most jobs require a minimum literacy. Why not poll workers? Even unpaid interns must have the reading skills.

The SEIU guard crack was just a dig at an incident from last time. One the justice department feared to enforce.

305 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:17:40pm

re: #300 albusteve

I thought it was a masterful stroke to get the entire Senate to vote to take down Hussein

That was an act of cowardice on the part of the Democrats. They were so afraid of being called anti-American in the wake of 9/11, Bush could have called for the invasion of Canada and they would have gone along with him.

Saddam Hussein wasn't a viable military threat. If he was, Bush wouldn't have invaded, as the potential troop loss would have been too risky. Sadly, he didn't think far enough ahead to consider the occupation and fighting a guerilla war.

306 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:17:53pm

re: #278 TampaKnight

Who else was on the short list? I forgot.

307 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:17:58pm

re: #299 iceweasel

Ooh! Sounds mysterious, and nice! Excited for you!

We're good. Hoping Jimmah can get some paperwork finished this week, so he can come over to the US and wait with me for the spousal visa. Thanks for asking!

I'm sorry you guys have that kind of problem, I'm sure you miss him a lot. I know I would miss RWC terribly if he were so far away. I hope it works out for you two!

308 freetoken  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:18:34pm

A topic for consideration from today's news:

South Carolina Republicans unite with tea party

The South Carolina Republican Party announced Monday that it’s uniting with tea party groups in the state to share resources, coordinate messaging and push the GOP in a more conservative direction.


Now, who could have seen this one coming, eh?

309 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:18:49pm

re: #285 HoosierHoops

Now you see why I stick to pretty pictures. :)

310 TampaKnight  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:18:56pm

re: #308 freetoken

A topic for consideration from today's news:

South Carolina Republicans unite with tea party

Now, who could have seen this one coming, eh?

Eh, it's South Carolina.

311 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:19:13pm

re: #275 Dragon_Lady

I personally like the saying "bovine excrement"... sounds a lot more educated and is says the same thing... :-)

Or, as the bumpersticker on Roman chariots used to say,
"Effluvium Transpires"

312 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:19:22pm

re: #257 Spare O'Lake

Again, literacy tests as a voting prerequisite are impractical, unworkable and subject to abuse. But let's at least recognize that a functionally illiterate voter is a necessary evil of democracy, not a virtue.

[Link: nces.ed.gov...]

I agree, although that data does not show me how many voters, as opposed to residents, are low literacy.

But pretending that this bit of Tancredo's has anything to do with concern for voter literacy is, in my eyes, not possible. This is about discrediting Obama, the 'socialist ideologue'.

313 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:19:25pm

re: #305 darthstar

That was an act of cowardice on the part of the Democrats. They were so afraid of being called anti-American in the wake of 9/11, Bush could have called for the invasion of Canada and they would have gone along with him.

Saddam Hussein wasn't a viable military threat. If he was, Bush wouldn't have invaded, as the potential troop loss would have been too risky. Sadly, he didn't think far enough ahead to consider the occupation and fighting a guerilla war.

check the record of leading democats concerning Hussein, long before GB was elected....your timeline has a few gaps

314 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:20:15pm

re: #262 avanti

My recent favorites, Clinton, and Reagan. (Weird combination)

Not really, I can see your taste...and they both drew voters across party lines.

315 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:20:40pm

re: #299 iceweasel

Separation would kill me. I do not know how you do it. Not even with the internet!

316 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:20:57pm

re: #310 TampaKnight

Eh, it's South Carolina.

Too small to be a republic, and too large to be a lunatic asylum, as someone before the Civil War said.

317 RogueOne  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:21:54pm

My favorite Sanchez moment:

Followed by:

Personally, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if they tased tv talking heads on a daily basis.

318 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:22:12pm

re: #302 Dragon_Lady

Don't forget the "Spanish speakers go to the head of the line" thing... Bigoted cashiers.

319 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:22:15pm

re: #310 TampaKnight

Eh, it's South Carolina.

So now can we say "Lindsey Graham (TP-SC)"?

320 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:22:48pm

Olivia: You are the weakest link, goodbye. (laughter)

Stewie: Ha ha ha! Oh gosh that's funny! That's really funny! Do you write your own material? Do you? Because that is so fresh. "You are the weakest link, goodbye". You know, I've, I've never heard anyone make that joke before. Hmm. You're the first. I've never heard anyone reference, reference that outside the program before. Because that's what she says on the show right? Isn't it? "You are the weakest link, goodbye". And, and yet you've taken that and used it out of context to insult me in this everyday situation. God what a clever, smart girl you must be, to come up with a joke like that all by yourself. That's so fresh too. Any, any Titanic jokes you want to throw at me too as long as we're hitting these phenomena at the height of their popularity. God you're so funny!

321 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:22:59pm

re: #273 Guanxi88

I think it's time to quote "Stewie" from Family Guy:

The British don't really speak the language so much as they chew it up and spit it out.

In his guide to foreigners, P. J. O'Rourke advised treating the British as you would any American with a severe speech defect.

322 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:23:51pm

re: #293 Rightwingconspirator

Lets keep in mind that literacy tests for voters are actually illegal. So Tancredo was engaging in a criminal conspiracy in a 1st amendment protected way.

Let's also remember the faux dogwhistle- Voter ID. In California the Republicans bent over backwards to ensure no honest voter would be kept out. Multiple forms of ID were to be acceptable, funding to get free ID to the poor, a long lead time for implementation. But in the end the California Democratic majority killed it, protecting double votes & worse until they return to their senses.

Is there such a thing as a 'criminal conspiracy in a First Amendment protected way'? And no, it wasn't. It was stupid, pathetic, and distinctly racist, but not a criminal conspiracy.

323 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:24:02pm

re: #321 The Sanity Inspector

In his guide to foreigners, P. J. O'Rourke advised treating the British as you would any American with a severe speech defect.

Sounds about right - funny stuff from O'Rourke, and not too bad a bit of advice, either.

324 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:24:04pm

re: #313 albusteve

I seem to recall both the Iranians and the Kuwaitis found Saddam to be a significant military threat, as did the Israelis.

325 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:24:04pm

re: #315 Rightwingconspirator

Separation would kill me. I do not know how you do it. Not even with the internet!

Awww, Honey! Thats so sweet!
Sorry if that's too personal for some of you guys, but a girl never gets tired of hearing, or in this case, reading that kind of thing!

326 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:24:22pm

re: #277 jaunte

Do Roderick Spode and his fascist BlackShorts make an appearance in that one?
It's been a while since I've read Wodehouse.

YES. He's only peripheral this time, and he's lord Sidcup by now and coincidentally has jewelry knowledge to tell real pearls from fakes, from his days running Eulalie(can't spell it because I've only heard it on audio.) This put Aunt Dahlia (the good Aunt, not Agatha, who kills rats with her teeth and devours her young) in the soup because she hawked them after losing money on the horses that Uncle Tom gave her for Milady's Boudoir...

327 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:24:50pm

re: #302 Dragon_Lady

I meant on signs and such. We've had a real problem of "Speak my Language and Get a Discount" kind of discrimination signs popping up here, so they had to adopt a "one sign, one language" type of dealing with it.

Public or private signs?

328 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:24:55pm

re: #318 Rightwingconspirator

Don't forget the "Spanish speakers go to the head of the line" thing... Bigoted cashiers.

Been there, had that happen, not putting up with that again!

329 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:25:12pm

re: #308 freetoken

A topic for consideration from today's news:

South Carolina Republicans unite with tea party

Now, who could have seen this one coming, eh?

Good old South Carolina, about a hundred and 50 years ago they were mad enough at us yankees to start a war over it, and precious little seems to have changed since.

(I say this jokingly is it over the line?)

330 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:25:18pm

re: #325 Dragon_Lady

Awww, Honey! Thats so sweet!
Sorry if that's too personal for some of you guys, but a girl never gets tired of hearing, or in this case, reading that kind of thing!

You are a lucky woman.. You can't buy Happiness or love
Kind regards you two

331 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:25:28pm

re: #264 Guanxi88

I noticed the inclusion of certain letters - eg., the "u" for "unnecessary" in "favorite" and suchlike - it's an ongoing problem.

When she starts posting recipes for whitebait and oxtail soup, we'll know she's been fully assimilated.

332 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:26:06pm

re: #324 Rightwingconspirator

I seem to recall both the Iranians and the Kuwaitis found Saddam to be a significant military threat, as did the Israelis.

so did all the Kerrys and Clintons and Kennedys etc...not to mention the Kurds, the Turks and anybody else you can think of

333 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:26:13pm

re: #304 Rightwingconspirator

First, poll workers who can not read will not be able to "read & follow" procedures. Second, or democracy depends on capable poll workers and all those others who work it. Not forgetting boxes of ballots in trunks of cars, or closets... Sticking to procedures for recounts. Most jobs require a minimum literacy. Why not poll workers? Even unpaid interns must have the reading skills.

The SEIU guard crack was just a dig at an incident from last time. One the justice department feared to enforce.

So are there a lot of illiterate poll workers out there? The polls I go to are staffed mostly by little old ladies with blue hair. They need quadrifocals to read the forms, but they're very literate.

334 avanti  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:26:47pm

Nate Silver has some insightful comments about
Palin.

335 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:26:53pm

re: #331 The Sanity Inspector

When she starts posting recipes for whitebait and oxtail soup, we'll know she's been fully assimilated.

I think it's chiefly the low quality of British cuisine - based, as I cannot remember who suggested - on a series of dares - that accounts for the oddness one finds in them. Protein, mineral, and amino acid deficiencies play havoc with the nervous system.

336 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:27:01pm

re: #317 RogueOne

My favorite Sanchez moment:
[Link: www.thedailyshow.com...]

Followed by:
[Link: www.thedailyshow.com...]

Personally, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if they tased tv talking heads on a daily basis.

Wasn't he also the one who came out and said "What does that even mean?" The same way Jon was saying it to Micheal Steele (I think it was Steele) after Specter switched sides, prompting Jon to almost be willing to retire that tazer clip?

337 freetoken  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:27:02pm

BTW, NOAA put up their new climate services portal (website) today:

NOAA Climate Services

which is part of an overall attempt to centralize all the various climate-related work that NOAA is doing, into one Climate Service. NOAA's head, Dr. Lubchenco, spoke of this at her nomination hearings almost a year ago.

Sure enough, the nontroversey-o-sphere is foaming about this... confirmed in their ignorance about all things related to science.

338 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:27:10pm

re: #324 Rightwingconspirator

I seem to recall both the Iranians and the Kuwaitis found Saddam to be a significant military threat, as did the Israelis.

Iran - in the 80s.
Kuwait - brifely, in 1991
Israel - they could wipe the floor with Iraq militarily.

In 2003, France could have kicked Iraq's ass (initial invasion-wise).

339 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:27:26pm

re: #333 SanFranciscoZionist

So are there a lot of illiterate poll workers out there? The polls I go to are staffed mostly by little old ladies with blue hair. They need quadrifocals to read the forms, but they're very literate.

Agree. I was trying to figure that out. My poll is staffed by conscientious volunteers, spending their day in service.

340 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:27:36pm

re: #311 The Sanity Inspector

Or, as the bumpersticker on Roman chariots used to say,
"Effluvium Transpires"

Rem acucatate!

341 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:27:47pm

re: #332 albusteve

so did all the Kerrys and Clintons and Kennedys etc...not to mention the Kurds, the Turks and anybody else you can think of

But, aside from every Presidential candidate of the major parties of the time, and EVERY SINGLE nation or people that ever ran up against him, Hussein had no real detractors.

342 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:27:54pm

re: #329 jamesfirecat

Good old South Carolina, about a hundred and 50 years ago they were mad enough at us yankees to start a war over it, and precious little seems to have changed since.

(I say this jokingly is it over the line?)

they are probably still pissed about Columbia, and rightly so

343 ExCamelJockey  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:28:46pm

Tancredo is known primarily for his stance on stopping illegal immigration. IMO he is referring to illegal immigrants in his statements. However, I disagree that this is what got Obama into office.

Megan also makes a poor assumption on literacy and race. One could contend that if high school drop out rates are an indication of literacy rates in the overall population then whites (74% of the vote) would lose 3.5 votes for every black vote lost due to a literacy test.

I think it's time to put down the race-card ... it gets used way too often.

344 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:29:08pm

re: #340 keloyd

Rem acucatate!

testigi.

345 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:29:25pm

re: #327 SanFranciscoZionist

Public or private signs?

Public, on the shelf right next to price tag kind of thing.
I won't say which language, because there are several that do it, but lets put it this way, when you work in a certain industry where this language is spoke all around you, you learn a few words and phrases, you know when they're talking about you and when they get better prices than you just by the way their acting.

346 TampaKnight  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:29:27pm

Iraq was flawed from the minute that Rumsfeld installed his war doctrine- race to Baghdad with small pockets of ground forces, let special ops do the heavy lifting, and let the big Army drag behind. This left a gaping hole in securing cities that had been fought past, securing fighters in and out of Iran, etc.

347 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:29:34pm

re: #341 Guanxi88

But, aside from every Presidential candidate of the major parties of the time, and EVERY SINGLE nation or people that ever ran up against him, Hussein had no real detractors.

talk about over reacting!

348 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:29:51pm

re: #322 SanFranciscoZionist

Such a thing in a legal way? I think not. I use the term more loosely. Asking states to break the Voting rights act was asking for a crime to be committed. It was dead wrong by multiple measures.

349 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:30:22pm

re: #333 SanFranciscoZionist

So are there a lot of illiterate poll workers out there? The polls I go to are staffed mostly by little old ladies with blue hair. They need quadrifocals to read the forms, but they're very literate.

I just wish one time I could vote in Chicago as a dead guy..
A 1895 Drivers License?
Problem with that?
*looks at ID..Then at the Hoopster*
* Looks at ID.. Looks at the Hoopster*
Guess it's ok....
Just once people..That's all I ask

350 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:30:24pm

re: #339 Stanley Sea

Agree. I was trying to figure that out. My poll is staffed by conscientious volunteers, spending their day in service.

If it isn't elderly people with cute flag pins, it's hysterically helpful high school and college kids who are so high on democracy you have to strap fishing weights on their feet.

351 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:30:30pm

re: #344 Guanxi88

testigi.

tetigisti, with apologies to CATO.

352 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:30:56pm

re: #330 HoosierHoops

You are a lucky woman.. You can't buy Happiness or love
Kind regards you two

Thanks Hoosier, you're a pal... You got a Honey of you're own to spoil? If not you deserve one!

353 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:31:48pm

re: #350 SanFranciscoZionist

If it isn't elderly people with cute flag pins, it's hysterically helpful high school and college kids who are so high on democracy you have to strap fishing weights on their feet.

Ha!

354 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:32:01pm

re: #343 ExCamelJockey

Tancredo is known primarily for his stance on stopping illegal immigration. IMO he is referring to illegal immigrants in his statements. However, I disagree that this is what got Obama into office.

Megan also makes a poor assumption on literacy and race. One could contend that if high school drop out rates are an indication of literacy rates in the overall population then whites (74% of the vote) would lose 3.5 votes for every black vote lost due to a literacy test.

I think it's time to put down the race-card ... it gets used way too often.

You know.... I'm sorry I just stare and I stare at "3.5" and I keep seeing it as "3/5".......

Probably not your fault....

355 Olsonist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:34:35pm

re: #354 jamesfirecat

You know... I'm sorry I just stare and I stare at "3.5" and I keep seeing it as "3/5"...

Probably not your fault...

Brilliant.

356 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:34:48pm

A little Guy Dandy, from Jim Varney's magnum opus - Dr. Otto & the Riddle of the Gloom Beam:

357 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:35:06pm

re: #333 SanFranciscoZionist

From my experience, volunteers with inadequate training. I have seen them get scammed. When a President can wind up winning via a Supreme court ruling over recounts and chads and conflicting rules from county to county, out poll workers should get at least as much training as census workers.
Under-trained volunteerism is fine for bake sales and helping friends move. Walking precincts. Working phone banks.

Establishing the winners in a superpower democratic election calls for a higher standard.

Question for you-What is the margin of error in our general election?

358 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:36:43pm

re: #351 Guanxi88

tetigisti, with apologies to CATO.

Ah! you had me googling for a few minutes there, but then you put your finger on the nub. I remember my Latin as well as Bertie remembers his Scripture knowledge - bits and pieces at best.

359 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:36:49pm

re: #338 darthstar

He stayed weak only due to the sanctions and strong oversight. He had every intention to re arm.

360 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:37:38pm

re: #356 Guanxi88

Sigh, Jim Varney, gone far too early...

361 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:37:39pm

re: #358 keloyd

Ah! you had me googling for a few minutes there, but then you put your finger on the nub. I remember my Latin as well as Bertie remembers his Scripture knowledge - bits and pieces at best.

Like Mr. W, I did win a prize at school, for Latin knowledge.

362 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:38:03pm

re: #360 Varek Raith

Sigh, Jim Varney, gone far too early...

Talk about your unappreciated geniuses! Now there was a brilliant mind playing the fool.

363 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:38:10pm

re: #352 Dragon_Lady

Thanks Hoosier, you're a pal... You got a Honey of you're own to spoil? If not you deserve one!

I have been blessed by God in my life...
There is nothing so precious in the universe than a woman that loves you and cares about you...All the Gold in the world won't buy a woman's warm and loving heart...
/My favorite line is that behind every successful man is an exhausted woman

364 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:38:44pm

re: #359 Rightwingconspirator

He stayed weak only due to the sanctions and strong oversight. He had every intention to re arm.

and he violated the sanctions hundreds of times....even after agreeing to them

365 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:39:16pm

re: #335 Guanxi88

I think it's chiefly the low quality of British cuisine - based, as I cannot remember who suggested - on a series of dares - that accounts for the oddness one finds in them. Protein, mineral, and amino acid deficiencies play havoc with the nervous system.

I wouldn't know. The week I spent in London as a kid, I ate every evening in a steakhouse or a pizza pub.

366 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:39:44pm

re: #360 Varek Raith

Sigh, Jim Varney, gone far too early...

I wish I could find the scene from the movie where Willy goes on a rampage at the high school science fair and trashed Lance Sterling's voting booth project.

Great stuff!

367 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:39:53pm

re: #364 albusteve

and he violated the sanctions hundreds of times...even after agreeing to them

And the instances of his forces shooting at our, and allies, planes.
:eyeroll:

368 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:39:53pm

re: #357 Rightwingconspirator

From my experience, volunteers with inadequate training. I have seen them get scammed. When a President can wind up winning via a Supreme court ruling over recounts and chads and conflicting rules from county to county, out poll workers should get at least as much training as census workers.
Under-trained volunteerism is fine for bake sales and helping friends move. Walking precincts. Working phone banks.

Establishing the winners in a superpower democratic election calls for a higher standard.

Question for you-What is the margin of error in our general election?

I don't know. And I'm not opposed to giving poll workers excellent training, although as I said, my experience has always been one of extremely sharp people.

I simply responded to the 'literacy tests for poll workers' suggestion with some surprise, since I had not been aware that illiterate poll workers were a problem.

369 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:40:01pm

A literacy test for members of Congress would weed out a lot of dummies, for sure.

I'm thinking a basic civics test.

The average score for American dumbasses talking this easy quiz is...wait for it...49%.

370 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:40:34pm

re: #365 The Sanity Inspector

I wouldn't know. The week I spent in London as a kid, I ate every evening in a steakhouse or a pizza pub.

See, and that's why you didn't go native. It;s like the lotus eaters from homer, only instead of enjoying yourself and forgetting home, you end up watching soccer and such.

371 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:40:42pm

I just applied to be on the redistricting commission in California. I figured what the hell...why not me?

372 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:41:38pm

re: #371 darthstar

I just applied to be on the redistricting commission in California. I figured what the hell...why not me?

Kinky Friedman probably won't mind your use of his slogan from when he ran for Governor of the great state of Texas:

"Kinky - why the hell not?"

373 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:41:42pm

re: #371 darthstar

I just applied to be on the redistricting commission in California. I figured what the hell...why not me?

Hey, that sounds like fun! How do you apply? I could use a job!

374 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:42:42pm

re: #373 Dragon_Lady

www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov

375 Silvergirl  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:42:54pm

re: #362 Guanxi88

Talk about your unappreciated geniuses! Now there was a brilliant mind playing the fool.

"Make me a Wall Street Tycoon." Then the barber would fix his hair like a raccoon or a baboon or a hot air balloon. "It could work."

376 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:42:54pm

re: #367 Varek Raith

And the instances of his forces shooting at our, and allies, planes.
:eyeroll:

that's what I'm referring to...serious business

377 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:44:12pm

re: #356 Guanxi88

A little Guy Dandy, from Jim Varney's magnum opus - Dr. Otto & the Riddle of the Gloom Beam:


[Video]

Its a teddy bear!

378 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:44:18pm

I got here late. How long did it take for the first apologist to show up claiming "that was not what he meant at all; that was not it, at all"?

379 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:44:21pm

Why do we under rate the importance of vote accuracy after Floridas fiasco? Note no training requirements at all to work a polling place

Census application, including mention of actual tests to pass...
or
Poll Worker Requirements
* A poll worker shall be a voter of the state.
* The poll worker may serve only in the precinct for which his or her appointment is received.

380 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:44:36pm

re: #374 darthstar

www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov

Cool, Thanks! Much appreciated!

381 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:44:52pm

re: #359 Rightwingconspirator

He stayed weak only due to the sanctions and strong oversight. He had every intention to re arm.

If he and/or his psycho eldest son were still in power, we'd be bashing Bush for leaving the mess for the next admin to deal with. After all, didn't he listen when Clinton called for regime change in Iraq?

382 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:45:18pm

re: #378 Cato the Elder

I got here late. How long did it take for the first apologist to show up claiming "that was not what he meant at all; that was not it, at all"?


This count?
re: #343 ExCamelJockey

Tancredo is known primarily for his stance on stopping illegal immigration. IMO he is referring to illegal immigrants in his statements. However, I disagree that this is what got Obama into office.

Megan also makes a poor assumption on literacy and race. One could contend that if high school drop out rates are an indication of literacy rates in the overall population then whites (74% of the vote) would lose 3.5 votes for every black vote lost due to a literacy test.

I think it's time to put down the race-card ... it gets used way too often.

383 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:46:02pm

re: #378 Cato the Elder

Most of us just decided he's a dog whistle blowing knucke head, that every McCain female is teh hawt, literacy tests are too open to shenanigans to work, though that's kind of a shame, and then the cool kids starting talking P.G. Wodehouse and the Jeeves & Wooster books.

384 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:46:10pm

re: #381 The Sanity Inspector

If he and/or his psycho eldest son were still in power, we'd be bashing Bush for leaving the mess for the next admin to deal with. After all, didn't he listen when Clinton called for regime change in Iraq?

ask darthstar

385 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:46:32pm

re: #377 jamesfirecat

Its a teddy bear!

Father: "maybe he won't come back"
Mother: "maybe he ran away!"

Father; "Still, he got us a present this year. All he ever gave us before was nightmares."

Mother: "Maybe we could sell it?"

(Young Otto, worried, shakes head and mouths "no").

Father: "Well, let's see what little Otto got for his 'loving parents'".

(Otto bursts into a sprint, away from the house, which explodes into a massive fireball.)

386 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:47:27pm

re: #379 Rightwingconspirator

Sorry Poll worker info from here...

387 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:48:20pm

re: #367 Varek Raith

Hey, those were good people flying those aircraft. And Saddam agreed to the no fly zone.

388 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:48:32pm

re: #369 Cato the Elder

A literacy test for members of Congress would weed out a lot of dummies, for sure.

I'm thinking a basic civics test.

The average score for American dumbasses talking this easy quiz is...wait for it...49%.

I got 93%.

389 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:48:59pm

re: #369 Cato the Elder

A literacy test for members of Congress would weed out a lot of dummies, for sure.

I'm thinking a basic civics test.

The average score for American dumbasses talking this easy quiz is...wait for it...49%.

OK. I got 30 out of 33, and I insist that question 33 is wrong. Which I think I insisted last time.

Anyway, 90.91, which is not too bad when you consider that I know jack about financial matters.

Can I be in Congress now, or do I have to study some more?

390 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:49:01pm

BBL, I have three Orchids to re-pot, my sweet but dumb kitty destroyed their pots on Saturday night while we had company. What a mess! Have a nice evening everyone, Keep Laughing! :-)

391 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:49:04pm

re: #388 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I got 93%.

So did I.

392 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:49:05pm

re: #378 Cato the Elder

I got here late. How long did it take for the first apologist to show up claiming "that was not what he meant at all; that was not it, at all"?

Mr. Eliot posts here, does he?

393 albusteve  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:49:15pm

Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran is set to deliver a "punch" that will stun world powers during this week's 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution, AFP reported.

this should be interesting....is he gonna pop a nuke?

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

394 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:49:37pm

re: #387 Rightwingconspirator

Hey, those were good people flying those aircraft. And Saddam agreed to the no fly zone.

I know, I wasn't defending that...
...did I misunderstand something?

395 sagehen  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:49:54pm

re: #263 ggt

Instead of requireing literacy in English, the Government could offer grants to those tutoring companies and libraries or community colleges to offer more classes and community outreach to teach english (ESL) classes. A public service media blitz showing the benefits of learning English would go a long way.

Unfortunately these things don't work as well a when there is some sort of deadline imposed --as "it will be necessary for the 2012 election" or some such thing.

Still, every little bit helps. I'm not sure we can wait for the 2nd or 3rd generation of immigrants to be proficient enough to compete in the workplace.

I'm not so so sold on this "only English!!" obsession.

My grandparents didn't speak a word of English when they immigrated, and even if classes had been free they wouldn't have had the time. But this was not a problem for them -- they worked at places where the foreman spoke Yiddish, the stores they shopped at were staffed by people who spoke Yiddish, they read Yiddish newspapers, for date night they went to Yiddish theater.

It didn't make them ignorant, or bad citizens, or uninformed voters, or and it didn't stop them from raising doctors and lawyers. After they retired they started English lessons, so they could speak to their grandchildren.

I'm not at all bothered if Spanish-speaking immigrants (or Chinese, or Russian, or whatever's going to be next) take a similar path; there's neighborhoods and stores and radio stations and employers where they can get by just fine in their native language, and their kids will grow up bilingual.

396 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:50:27pm

re: #394 Varek Raith

Maybe I did. The eye roll.
Sorry.

397 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:50:50pm

re: #388 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I got 93%.

90%...sigh, disappointed...

398 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:51:19pm

re: #383 keloyd

Most of us just decided he's a dog whistle blowing knucke head, that every McCain female is teh hawt, literacy tests are too open to shenanigans to work, though that's kind of a shame, and then the cool kids starting talking P.G. Wodehouse and the Jeeves & Wooster books.

The first Mrs. McCain was teh hawt too, and she waited for him all those years while he was stuck at the Hanoi Hilton. Then he dropped her for a big-ticket trophy. Yet he'll tell you all day about family values, the hamster-cheeked yutz.

399 freetoken  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:51:24pm

re: #393 albusteve

Likely just going to make official that they are going to build more U refinement facilities than were originally known.

400 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:51:33pm

re: #391 EmmmieG

So did I.

Missed the question about the philosphers and misread the last question.

401 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:52:01pm

re: #396 Rightwingconspirator

Maybe I did. The eye roll.
Sorry.

Oh, I was eyerolling the comment albusteve qouted... Failed at proper qouting, I have.
:)

402 Killgore Trout  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:52:04pm

Lovely early spring weather here today. I spent a nice afternoon trimming bamboo and cleaning up the garden.

403 freetoken  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:52:55pm

Adorable baby anteater:

[Link: holy-cuteness.blogspot.com...]

404 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:53:16pm

re: #378 Cato the Elder

I got here late. How long did it take for the first apologist to show up claiming "that was not what he meant at all; that was not it, at all"?

No, but those who have done so in other threads have made a tedious argument of insidious intent.

405 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:53:23pm

re: #402 Killgore Trout

Lovely early spring weather here today. I spent a nice afternoon trimming bamboo and cleaning up the garden.

*...lobs a shovel load of snow at KT*
Wheee, 5 to 10 more inches tomorrow on top of the 25ish I already have!

406 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:53:49pm

Would you believe I missed the one about the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Yes, I have read them. I also missed the one about the levee. In the interest of those who have not taken it yet, I'll skip what my incorrect answers were.

407 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:54:00pm

re: #399 freetoken

If he did test a nuke way underground, would he face any consequences (from us) worse than North Korea? I think not. Israel of course would be another deal entirely.

408 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:54:22pm

re: #371 darthstar

I just applied to be on the redistricting commission in California. I figured what the hell...why not me?

Go For it...After College I applied to the Technical Advisory Council of the Mental Health Dept. of the State of California or something like that...I was selected by the Napa Board of Supervisors... I wrote this great anti-drug letter about sports and drugs and knocked them off their feet...
There I was a young kid on a board of old PH.d's people every Tuesday night for a year making policy.. My first night i heard some old Doctor Woman remarking about how I got selected..Who the Hell is the Board electing now? Whatever she said stung the hell of me...I became brash and outspoken in front of those old fucks that acted like they knew so much about drugs and treatment...
I really enjoyed that civic expedience...I should have wrote about it then...
It was kind of cool hanging with a bunch of smart people (Like here)
And making Mental health policies...
And if I knew then what I know now.. I would have sent that letter to Major League Baseball..Crap!

409 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:54:34pm

re: #369 Cato the Elder

A literacy test for members of Congress would weed out a lot of dummies, for sure.

I'm thinking a basic civics test.

The average score for American dumbasses talking this easy quiz is...wait for it...49%.

90.91 %

S**k it!

410 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:54:43pm

re: #404 Guanxi88

No, but those who have done so in other threads have made a tedious argument of insidious intent.

Has anyone asked the mermaids? Or will they not speak to us?

411 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:55:23pm

re: #389 SanFranciscoZionist

OK. I got 30 out of 33, and I insist that question 33 is wrong. Which I think I insisted last time.

Anyway, 90.91, which is not too bad when you consider that I know jack about financial matters.

Can I be in Congress now, or do I have to study some more?

No more study. Just indicate your willingness to sell your vote and soul to the highest bidder, over and over and over again, by signing here (right below Pat Robertson and Robert Spencer).

412 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:56:03pm

re: #402 Killgore Trout

Lovely early spring weather here today. I spent a nice afternoon trimming bamboo and cleaning up the garden.

At 11pm the Sh*t hits the fan..Serious snow I guess...Oh boy!

413 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:56:25pm

re: #410 EmmmieG

Has anyone asked the mermaids? Or will they not speak to us?

I do not believe they will.

414 Kragar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:56:31pm

re: #409 jamesfirecat

90.91 %

S**k it!

OH NOES! YOU SUCK AGAIN!

415 reine.de.tout  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:56:55pm

re: #398 Cato the Elder

The first Mrs. McCain was teh hawt too, and she waited for him all those years while he was stuck at the Hanoi Hilton. Then he dropped her for a big-ticket trophy. Yet he'll tell you all day about family values, the hamster-cheeked yutz.

Wasn't she also injured in an automobile accident before he got home?

416 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:57:26pm

re: #410 EmmmieG

Has anyone asked the mermaids? Or will they not speak to us?

Cato: Speak to me. Why do you never speak. Speak What are you thinking of? What thinking? What? I never know what you are thinking. Think.

417 prairiefire  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:57:36pm

re: #402 Killgore Trout

You are in the fortunate part of the country. We didn't get too much snow, but the bitter, cold winds have frozen what moisture there is. Lots of car accidents on side streets, etc.

418 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:58:09pm

re: #410 EmmmieG

Has anyone asked the mermaids? Or will they not speak to us?

Easily one of the most heartbreaking lines in the man's corpus.

419 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:58:25pm

re: #415 reine.de.tout

Who Dat? Who Dat Going to beat Dem Saints?
Congrads!

420 freetoken  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:58:59pm

re: #407 Rightwingconspirator

I find that to be very very remote in the universe of possibilities. We could be surprised, of course, but we knew that NK was working on a nuclear project for a long time before they supposedly tested one. (It is still unclear as to what exactly was detonated.)

Rather, I expect that if Iran announces anything then it will be an open acknowledgement that they are going into the uranium enrichment business, big time, and announce plans for a series of reactors.

421 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:59:51pm

re: #415 reine.de.tout

Wasn't she also injured in an automobile accident before he got home?

Yep.

422 sagehen  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 3:59:53pm

re: #306 Rightwingconspirator

Who else was on the short list? I forgot.

Cheney was in charge of compiling the short list. Oddly, it was a very very short list.
With only one name on it.

423 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:00:41pm

re: #415 reine.de.tout

Wasn't she also injured in an automobile accident before he got home?

Yep, and Cindy was younger and richer...and John had dreams only money could buy.

424 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:00:44pm

I stopped to take Cato's test and read the article and...47 comments..oops, 49.

425 Killgore Trout  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:01:03pm

re: #417 prairiefire

You are in the fortunate part of the country. We didn't get too much snow, but the bitter, cold winds have frozen what moisture there is. Lots of car accidents on side streets, etc.

Our winters are usually pretty mild. Maybe one or two snow or ice storms per year.

426 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:01:30pm

re: #406 EmmmieG

Would you believe I missed the one about the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Yes, I have read them. I also missed the one about the levee. In the interest of those who have not taken it yet, I'll skip what my incorrect answers were.

I missed the one on Roe v. Wade, for reasons I can only describe as my brain completely shutting down for a period of two and a half seconds.

I still don't get #33.

427 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:02:00pm

re: #410 EmmmieG

Has anyone asked the mermaids? Or will they not speak to us?

I don't know. Does anyone have a peach?

428 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:02:31pm

re: #427 SanFranciscoZionist

I don't know. Does anyone have a peach?

I do. Do you dare to eat it?

429 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:03:13pm

re: #276 Silvergirl

You make the point that she (Meghan) may not feel this way now. And I certainly think she does feel differently. At the time however, Palin was a clean slate, a tabula rasa, that anyone could pour their own aspirations into and see her as reflecting them back. Since the nomination however, so much has come out concerning Palin's views, and so many of them are so different than Meghan McCain's, that I think her adjusted view of Palin explains her silence. Again, I see this as her attempt to be supportive of her father, whether she agrees with him or not. Any criticism of Palin by her would be seen as a swipe against her father's judgment. So she keeps silent. It's a very fine line to speak up for what you believe in, which she does quite well, and maintaining your family relationships. As much as she's a political person, she sees her family relationships as being more important. I can respect that.

430 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:03:52pm

re: #428 Cato the Elder

I do. Do you dare to eat it?

I do!

431 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:03:55pm

re: #427 SanFranciscoZionist

I don't know. Does anyone have a peach?

Wipe your hand across your mouth, and laugh;
The worlds revolve like ancient women
Gathering fuel in vacant lots.

432 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:04:18pm

re: #430 SanFranciscoZionist

I do!

And disturb the universe?

433 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:04:42pm

re: #369 Cato the Elder

I'm thinking a basic civics test.

I got 31 out of 33 right, which gave me a 93.94 %. Not bad.

I only missed the ones about FDR going after the Supreme Court over the New Deal and #29, because the answers were awkwardly phrased, IMO.

434 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:04:50pm

re: #420 freetoken

I agree no nukes Feb11. But I fear a real crackdown and a big wave of arrests, including western spies real and imagined. Or a wave of executions.

435 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:04:59pm

That civic test had this question:
13) Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas would concur that:
A. all moral and political truth is relative to one’s time and place
B. moral ideas are best explained as material accidents or byproducts of evolution
C. values originating in one’s conscience cannot be judged by others
D. Christianity is the only true religion and should rule the state
E. certain permanent moral and political truths are accessible to human reason

which (adjusting my square hat with the little tassle, then holding on to my lapel in a professorial manner) I got right, but that's some hoity toity stuff. You can cast a rational vote and still answer this one with "yo mama".

436 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:07:04pm

re: #435 keloyd

That civic test had this question:
13) Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas would concur that:
A. all moral and political truth is relative to one’s time and place
B. moral ideas are best explained as material accidents or byproducts of evolution
C. values originating in one’s conscience cannot be judged by others
D. Christianity is the only true religion and should rule the state
E. certain permanent moral and political truths are accessible to human reason

which (adjusting my square hat with the little tassle, then holding on to my lapel in a professorial manner) I got right, but that's some hoity toity stuff. You can cast a rational vote and still answer this one with "yo mama".

I'd argue that those who can do both are perhaps precisely the sort of people we want running things. Educated defiance is the best kind.

437 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:07:06pm

re: #432 Guanxi88

And disturb the universe?

I reckon the universe is plenty disturbed already. But I have some strong opinions on Michaelangelo, if anyone is interested.

438 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:07:09pm

re: #435 keloyd

Sorry, but I wouldn't get in a taxi with anyone who didn't know that. ;^)

439 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:07:47pm

re: #438 Cato the Elder

Sorry, but I wouldn't get in a taxi with anyone who didn't know that. ;^)

So Megan Fox is out the the question?

440 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:07:55pm

re: #436 Guanxi88

but educated group-think is the worst kind(!)

441 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:08:26pm

re: #435 keloyd

I protest #33. Two correct answers!
33) If taxes equal government spending, then:
A. government debt is zero
B. printing money no longer causes inflation
C. government is not helping anybody
D. tax per person equals government spending per person
E. tax loopholes and special-interest spending are absent

442 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:09:11pm

a. government DEFICIT is zero - this would have been correct.

443 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:09:51pm

re: #441 Rightwingconspirator

I protest #33. Two correct answers!
33) If taxes equal government spending, then:
A. government debt is zero
B. printing money no longer causes inflation
C. government is not helping anybody
D. tax per person equals government spending per person
E. tax loopholes and special-interest spending are absent

I said A. D can only be true if you average them both out, and then that would be true regardless.

444 ArchangelMichael  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:09:54pm

re: #369 Cato the Elder

A literacy test for members of Congress would weed out a lot of dummies, for sure.

I'm thinking a basic civics test.

The average score for American dumbasses talking this easy quiz is...wait for it...49%.

You answered 32 out of 33 correctly — 96.97 %

And the one I missed was only because I read it wrong the first time.

445 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:10:14pm

re: #442 keloyd

Hmm. How do you get a deficit in the absence of debt? Or vice versa?

446 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:10:27pm

re: #442 keloyd

a. government DEFICIT is zero - this would have been correct.

Aaaaah. I see your point. But does mine about D make sense?

447 Cheechako  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:10:33pm

re: #412 HoosierHoops

At 11pm the Sh*t hits the fan..Serious snow I guess...Oh boy!


Anyone need to borrow my snow-blower? Getting rusty from lack of use. We're 20" below normal for snowfall this year. Last year at this date we had 130".

Sorry, delivery not available.

448 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:10:58pm

re: #443 SanFranciscoZionist

I had A. I missed too many though. :(

449 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:11:30pm

re: #447 Cheechako

Anyone need to borrow my snow-blower? Getting rusty from lack of use. We're 20" below normal for snowfall this year. Last year at this date we had 130".

Sorry, delivery not available.

I'll pass. I've decided on a flamethrower. Die snow!11!!
/

450 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:11:42pm

re: #439 HoosierHoops

So Megan Fox is out the the question?

I said "taxi", not "bed".

451 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:12:14pm

IF tax = spending, you can still carry a debt from last year, or a surplus, or a zero balance.

As someone who has written test questions, sometimes well, sometimes the other kind, this is really asking the question "do you know the differenec between deficit and debt" just with more words.

452 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:12:25pm

re: #437 SanFranciscoZionist

I reckon the universe is plenty disturbed already. But I have some strong opinions on Michaelangelo, if anyone is interested.

Of course you do; I;d expect nothing less.

I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter.
What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow
Out of this stony rubbish?Son of man,
You cannot say, or guess, for you know only
A heap of broken images, where the sun beats,
And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief,
And the dry stone no sound of water. Only
There is shadow under this red rock,
(Come in under the shadow of this red rock),
And I will show you something different from either
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you;
I will show you fear in a handful of dust.

- Gah! Such a genius, such deep, dark, amusing, depressing, literate stuff. Makes one want to weep into one's port when no one's watching.

(my wife's commented on the strange quirk - she considers it a symptom of the condition with which our #1 son suffers, a version of which has been diagnosed in me - that I can be moved to tears by poetry and some types of music, but cannot reliably read the emotions of others, and often find myself at an absolute loss when faced with a situation that calls for empathy. Prufrock's mermaids tear me up, and yet....)

453 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:12:42pm

re: #409 jamesfirecat

90.91 %

S**k it!

84.85%...missed five of 33.


Roosevelt
Question #8 - C. appoint additional Supreme Court justices who shared his views
Socrates
Question #13 - E. certain permanent moral and political truths are accessible to human reason
Puritans
Question #14 - B. stressed the sinfulness of all humanity
Economics (feh)...
Question #27 - A. the price system utilizes more local knowledge of means and ends
Question #33 - D. tax per person equals government spending per person
454 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:12:44pm

re: #445 Rightwingconspirator

Hmm. How do you get a deficit in the absence of debt? Or vice versa?

Clinton ran surpluses for a few years, but we stil had the federal debt from all the previous deficits.

455 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:13:22pm

re: #441 Rightwingconspirator

I protest #33. Two correct answers!
33) If taxes equal government spending, then:
A. government debt is zero
B. printing money no longer causes inflation
C. government is not helping anybody
D. tax per person equals government spending per person
E. tax loopholes and special-interest spending are absent

Thanks! So I only missed four!

456 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:13:42pm

re: #454 The Sanity Inspector

Yes, but the test implies starting from zero. Or so I thought.

457 Silvergirl  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:14:35pm

re: #429 Irenicum

You make the point that she (Meghan) may not feel this way now. And I certainly think she does feel differently. At the time however, Palin was a clean slate, a tabula rasa, that anyone could pour their own aspirations into and see her as reflecting them back. Since the nomination however, so much has come out concerning Palin's views, and so many of them are so different than Meghan McCain's, that I think her adjusted view of Palin explains her silence. Again, I see this as her attempt to be supportive of her father, whether she agrees with him or not. Any criticism of Palin by her would be seen as a swipe against her father's judgment. So she keeps silent. It's a very fine line to speak up for what you believe in, which she does quite well, and maintaining your family relationships. As much as she's a political person, she sees her family relationships as being more important. I can respect that.

Good one! You may be right concerning her silence. She has many different views, but also many standard Republican views, so she does have a few things in common with Palin's politics, really. I think it was at Daily Beast that I read McCain's column where she discussed a test she took to see if she shared the Republican outlook overall. She did.

I put up the links to her blog because I think it's a great reference of that time in 2008. Lots of good photos and an insider's look at a campaign. A more fresh and innocent look.

458 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:14:50pm

Hey Dragon_Lady? How about we go upstairs to the music thread and get us that tune for your Ipod touch?

459 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:14:55pm

re: #445 Rightwingconspirator

I agree. "per person" was unnecessary. They might as well have added "and K.E.Loyd is less picky about where he meets up with MEghan Fox," at the end of an otherwise true statement. It's one of those things that adds complication to weed out the kids who only sorta know the material.

460 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:15:08pm

re: #450 Cato the Elder

I said "taxi", not "bed".


Can somebody in Hollywood send us Denzil's cell phone memory card? Is there no hacker up to it? We could take turns drunk dialing Megan Fox's cell phone at 3am and pretending we are Denzil...
*wink*

461 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:15:23pm

re: #453 darthstar

What did you think the right answer for the Puritians one was?

462 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:16:35pm

re: #441 Rightwingconspirator

I protest #33. Two correct answers!
33) If taxes equal government spending, then:
A. government debt is zero
B. printing money no longer causes inflation
C. government is not helping anybody
D. tax per person equals government spending per person
E. tax loopholes and special-interest spending are absent


Yeah, I got that one wrong too. But then I thought about it. If a debt already existed, then the debt will not be equal to zero if taxes and spending are equal, it will simply not increase. I had assumed zero debt at outset, which you cannot do. At least thats my take on why that answer is wrong. It reminds me of Pres Clinton's claim that he had decreased the debt when he had actually only ceased or decreased its growth. Still good, but not the same.

463 Girth  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:16:43pm

re: #409 jamesfirecat

90.91 %

S**k it!

93.94%

Do what now?

464 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:17:41pm

re: #463 Girth

93.94%

Do what now?

Meh, I posted my score when I saw the quiz before I saw anyone elses.

Its not the best hear but it is a good bit better than the average...

465 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:18:22pm

re: #462 Escaped Hillbilly

Yeah, I got that one wrong too. But then I thought about it. If a debt already existed, then the debt will not be equal to zero if taxes and spending are equal, it will simply not increase. I had assumed zero debt at outset, which you cannot do. At least thats my take on why that answer is wrong. It reminds me of Pres Clinton's claim that he had decreased the debt when he had actually only ceased or decreased its growth. Still good, but not the same.

I understand that now. I still don't get D.

466 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:19:03pm

re: #451 keloyd

As someone who has written test questions, sometimes well, sometimes the other kind, this is really asking the question "do you know the difference between deficit and debt" just with more words.

I was worried about that when I first read it. I got it right, but the phrasing seemed a bit weird to me.

467 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:19:42pm

re: #465 SanFranciscoZionist
I'm slow again. drat.

468 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:20:59pm

I think it is interesting that elected officials scored lower than their constituents.

469 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:21:15pm

I hate test questions that are overly verbose and written in such a way as to trick you.

470 prairiefire  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:21:39pm

re: #418 Guanxi88

Ok, Emmie and Guanxi88, I goggled it but could not find the mermaid reference. Que?

471 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:21:40pm

re: #468 Escaped Hillbilly

I think it is interesting that elected officials scored lower than their constituents.

No one ever said you had to be smart to win an election. Most of the time you just have to be pretty, rich, and well connected.

472 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:22:09pm

re: #469 Varek Raith

I hate test questions that are overly verbose and written in such a way as to trick you.

I like it when somebody posts the answers...

473 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:22:12pm

Baltimore is still digging out from the Thundersnow this weekend. Now Weather Underground is calling for another 12-18 inches by late Wednesday.

474 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:22:44pm

re: #469 Varek Raith

I hate test questions that are overly verbose and written in such a way as to trick you.

You would have hated my International Finance professor. She specialized in those. It always came down to one or two words making the difference between the right answer and the wrong one.

475 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:23:06pm

re: #470 prairiefire

Ok, Emmie and Guanxi88, I goggled it but could not find the mermaid reference. Que?

Prufrock hears the mermaids singin each to each, but does not thing they'll sing to him:

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me. 125

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown 130
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

476 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:23:10pm

re: #471 Lidane

No one ever said you had to be smart to win an election. Most of the time you just have to be pretty, rich, and well connected.


True. But you would think that people interested in politics would have a greater than normal interest in civics....if for no other rason than to win debates and votes.

477 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:24:05pm

re: #470 prairiefire

Ok, Emmie and Guanxi88, I goggled it but could not find the mermaid reference. Que?

Here you go...

478 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:25:05pm

re: #476 Escaped Hillbilly

True. But you would think that people interested in politics would have a greater than normal interest in civics...if for no other rason than to win debates and votes.

Well, yeah. And a good number of folks that are in politics are lawyers, so they've got some education behind them, and some interest in civics and government.

Still, it's not always the overriding factor in who wins and who loses. I think the only reason we've really noticed the education of our politicians lately is the last election, and one VP candidate in particular.

479 The Sanity Inspector  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:25:12pm

re: #471 Lidane

No one ever said you had to be smart to win an election. Most of the time you just have to be pretty, rich, and well connected.

Good old American know-who.

480 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:25:32pm

re: #473 Cato the Elder

Baltimore is still digging out from the Thundersnow this weekend. Now Weather Underground is calling for another 12-18 inches by late Wednesday.

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of Pauseping,
And I've bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we're still good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

481 Girth  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:28:56pm

LGF users...raising America's civics grades, one online quiz at a time.

482 prairiefire  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:29:44pm

Thanks, all. I have not read Mr. Eliot for awhile.

483 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:29:53pm

re: #481 Girth

LGF users...raising America's civics grades, one online quiz at a time.

Thank the lord for the curve...

484 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:30:12pm

re: #481 Girth

LGF users...raising America's civics grades, one online quiz at a time.

Hmmm...Perhaps we could get an ivory tower as compensation???
;)

485 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:32:19pm

re: #484 Varek Raith

Hmmm...Perhaps we could get an ivory tower as compensation???
;)

Only if it has gun turrets and an open bar. ;)

486 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:32:21pm

re: #483 HoosierHoops

Thank the lord for the curve...

Ivory is so 19th Century..
Platinum and Glass baby!

487 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:33:14pm

re: #485 Lidane

Only if it has gun turrets and an open bar. ;)

Those can be added to this...

488 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:33:27pm

re: #471 Lidane

No one ever said you had to be smart to win an election. Most of the time you just have to be pretty, rich, and well connected.

pretty? yes
well connected? yes
good old American Know-who? That's good.
rich? here I will quibble. Those guys who wrote Freakonomics had a chapter on whether money really spoils politics. Their answer - not as much as you think. They did some brilliant statistical prestidigitation and found a sharp law of diminishing returns. All the cash in the world won't help a bad candidate. In fact, all the cash in the world can buy you about 5% more votes than you would otherwise have with mediocre funding, iirc. So if you hate on W or Lousiana governor Edwin Edwards or that crack head in DC whose name escapes me, they got elected because of their other intrinsic traits, not money.

489 Girth  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:33:53pm

re: #484 Varek Raith

Hmmm...Perhaps we could get an ivory tower as compensation???
;)

re: #485 Lidane

Only if it has gun turrets and an open bar. ;)

I approve this message.

490 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:34:24pm

re: #486 HoosierHoops

1 up for the platinum reference. I just love melting and casting it into difficult designs.

491 Guanxi88  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:35:02pm

re: #486 HoosierHoops

Ivory is so 19th Century..
Platinum and Glass baby!

That you, Minnie?:

492 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:35:03pm

re: #426 SanFranciscoZionist

I missed the one on Roe v. Wade, for reasons I can only describe as my brain completely shutting down for a period of two and a half seconds.

I still don't get #33.

I'm shocked! Brain shut down, yep.

493 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:35:11pm

re: #488 keloyd

So if it is a close race the money wins.

494 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:35:12pm

re: #484 Varek Raith

Hmmm...Perhaps we could get an ivory tower as compensation???
;)

re: #486 HoosierHoops

Ivory is so 19th Century..
Platinum and Glass baby!

PIMF may be your friend but he is kicking my ass tonight

495 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:36:03pm

re: #488 keloyd

Fair point.

I actually haven't read Freakonomics, so I hadn't heard about that. It's on my reading list, but I haven't gotten to it yet.

496 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:36:10pm

re: #494 HoosierHoops

PIMF may be your friend but he is kicking my ass tonight

Yes, I've noticed that preview is most certainly not my friend.
:)

497 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:36:16pm

re: #484 Varek Raith

Hmmm...Perhaps we could get an ivory tower as compensation???
;)

Ivory? Excuse me sir, step over here. There are some nice men in uniforms who would like to talk to you.

498 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:36:17pm

re: #441 Rightwingconspirator

I protest #33. Two correct answers!
33) If taxes equal government spending, then:
A. government debt is zero
B. printing money no longer causes inflation
C. government is not helping anybody
D. tax per person equals government spending per person
E. tax loopholes and special-interest spending are absent

Evening. I don't know what I missed here, but just to start somewhere;

A: Not so, because the statement implies at a particular moment in time. Clearly there can be prior debt due.

D: This is a loaded statement. Obviously tax per person is not spending per the same person and, in the average over an undefined time period, it does not define the difference between spending and budgeting.

B: So one can print as much as one wants under that circumstance, without consequence? /

C: The only honestly dumb statement.

E: When pigs fly.

So; how is everyone doing tonight?

499 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:37:22pm

re: #498 Naso Tang

Good analysis there.

500 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:37:22pm

re: #494 HoosierHoops

PIMF may be your friend but he is kicking my ass tonight

I'm going to dress as a PIMF and try to infiltrate a major wingnut website to check on the URLs and the ISPs.

501 Varek Raith  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:38:42pm
502 Digital Display  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:39:57pm

re: #501 Varek Raith

Forget ivory, crystal is where it's at!
:)

I know that! That's Superman's joint!
I saw it on Cribs

503 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:40:37pm

re: #498 Naso Tang

Actual answer should be F. Who are we kidding? We're spending like its 1999! Wheee.

504 keloyd  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:41:17pm

re: #493 Rightwingconspirator

So if it is a close race the money wins.

Yes. But the conventional wisdom was that in a not-close-at-all race, the spoiled, inarticulate, slack jawed, bone idle trust fund baby 29 year old senator's son always can buy his way in. They showed otherwise, that the system is only a little unfair, and factors outside of money explain the success of the kids of Kennedy and Sinunnununu Bush.

505 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:42:36pm

re: #503 Escaped Hillbilly

Actual answer should be F. Who are we kidding? We're spending like its 1999! Wheee.

Umm... in 1999 wasn't Clinton managing to run a surplus?

Sorry just want to make sure your metaphor truly works...

506 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:43:19pm

re: #503 Escaped Hillbilly

Actual answer should be F. Who are we kidding? We're spending like its 1999! Wheee.

If I could have edited, I would have said

E: Then what would be be the point of government?

507 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:44:10pm

re: #506 Naso Tang

If I could have edited, I would have said

E: Then what would be be the point of government?

Isn't that sort of what "C" already says?

508 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:44:34pm

re: #505 jamesfirecat

Umm... in 1999 wasn't Clinton managing to run a surplus?

Sorry just want to make sure your metaphor truly works...

It's not a metaphor, Alanis, it's a simile.

509 sagehen  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:44:44pm

re: #504 keloyd

Yes. But the conventional wisdom was that in a not-close-at-all race, the spoiled, inarticulate, slack jawed, bone idle trust fund baby 29 year old senator's son always can buy his way in. They showed otherwise, that the system is only a little unfair, and factors outside of money explain the success of the kids of Kennedy and Sinunnununu Bush.

Name recognition goes a long way.

510 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:45:03pm

re: #247 ggt

The stuff Tancredo was saying during the sotomayor nomination about Sotomayor and La Raza wasn't exactly polishing his non-racist bonafides. I still think they guy was dogwhistling heavily to racists. He may or may not be a racist himself. It could just be craven politics.

511 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:45:30pm

re: #507 jamesfirecat

Isn't that sort of what "C" already says?

Good one.

512 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:46:15pm

Completely off topic. This is my sigh for the night. Why is it we women fall prey to this sort of crap on a regular basis? Why do you never hear of a bunch of men hanging on the every word of some insatiable woman false messiah who takes all their earnings and treats them like dirt? Tel Aviv "savior" accused of enslaving women

They spoon-fed the bearded, one-time healer as if he were royalty, brushed his shoulder-length white locks, sent him text messages when they were ovulating and slept with him at his bidding.

They turned over wages and welfare payments to him and lived in cramped, rundown Tel Aviv apartments with the children they bore him. According to police, he fathered some of his own daughters' children.

513 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:47:58pm

re: #505 jamesfirecat

No. Surplus was budget to income, not surplus over debt. Besides, it was a joke.

514 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:48:49pm

re: #512 Escaped Hillbilly

Ever hear of FLDS?

515 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:49:54pm

re: #514 Naso Tang

Ever hear of FLDS?


I've forgotten a lot. I don't know, what does FLDS stand for?

516 wrenchwench  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:50:36pm

re: #510 WindUpBird

The stuff Tancredo was saying during the sotomayor nomination about Sotomayor and La Raza wasn't exactly polishing his non-racist bonafides. I still think they guy was dogwhistling heavily to racists. He may or may not be a racist himself. It could just be craven politics.

Anyone who teams up with Pat Buchanan's sister, and has the list of links that they do on their PAC's website is going to have to convince me that they aren't racist.

Their link list:

Links
ALIPAC
Center for Immigration Studies
Eagle Forum
Federation for American Immigration Reform
Numbers USA
Pro-English
Social Contract Press
VDARE
Youth for Western Civilization
517 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:51:08pm

re: #515 Escaped Hillbilly

Sorry. I wasn't trying to be coy. The original Mormons, still around.

518 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:52:14pm

re: #515 Escaped Hillbilly

FLDS

519 Donna Ballard  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:52:54pm

Time to go pick up RWC at the train station, logging out my fellow Lizards, I hope you all have a great evening. Keep Laughing! :-)

520 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 4:55:18pm

re: #517 Naso Tang

Sorry. I wasn't trying to be coy. The original Mormons, still around.


Oh Latter Day Saints. Yes. Some of their membership have done some pretty unsavory things. I don't have a problem with polygamy or polyandry. But I do have a problem with this sort of abuse.

521 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:05:17pm

re: #520 Escaped Hillbilly

Oh Latter Day Saints. Yes. Some of their membership have done some pretty unsavory things. I don't have a problem with polygamy or polyandry. But I do have a problem with this sort of abuse.

Actually, Fundamental LDF. The current ones, like Romney, don't want to criticize their fathers, but they would rather pretend none of this happened.

I'm surprised you are so considerate about polygamy/polyandry. The latter is really non existent outside of hippies/60's lore and certainly doesn't qualify for welfare payments like the former does.

As far as I know, the only really recognized polygamy is the Muslim one and I believe that was initially a matter of charity, as a legitimate way for a man to take care of a widow without committing a sin. Needless to say, that aspect probably accounts for 1% of polygamy.

I'll go for the hippie version. At least it had no illusions that it was other than fun and sex.

522 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:10:58pm

re: #521 Naso Tang If either was practiced in openness and equality among consenting adults, it would not be a problem and could even help ensure continuity of care of the young. But it never seems to work out that way. If you have one man with 3 wives, or one woman with three husbands, they may just be being practical. But upwards of that number and we have a messiah complex at least.

523 Achilles Tang  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:16:23pm

re: #522 Escaped Hillbilly

It comes down to a matter of equal, if different partners. I've been married for 35 years. More than two playing that game won't work, IMHO, if the word equality is applicable, and it's hard enough sometimes as it is.

But if anyone wants to try, as long as it's not my kids, they are welcome.

Signing off early. Goodnight.

524 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:17:25pm

re: #523 Naso Tang

goonight

525 darthstar  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:26:20pm

re: #461 jamesfirecat

What did you think the right answer for the Puritians one was?

I thought it was the sinfulness of man. I'd said they believed in religious freedom for all.

526 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:39:38pm

re: #512 Escaped Hillbilly

Completely off topic. This is my sigh for the night. Why is it we women fall prey to this sort of crap on a regular basis? Why do you never hear of a bunch of men hanging on the every word of some insatiable woman false messiah who takes all their earnings and treats them like dirt? Tel Aviv "savior" accused of enslaving women

They spoon-fed the bearded, one-time healer as if he were royalty, brushed his shoulder-length white locks, sent him text messages when they were ovulating and slept with him at his bidding.

Oy.

527 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:40:29pm

re: #517 Naso Tang

Sorry. I wasn't trying to be coy. The original Mormons, still around.

The mainstream Mormons would disagree with that 'orginal' tag.

528 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:41:37pm

re: #521 Naso Tang

Actually, Fundamental LDF. The current ones, like Romney, don't want to criticize their fathers, but they would rather pretend none of this happened.

I'm surprised you are so considerate about polygamy/polyandry. The latter is really non existent outside of hippies/60's lore and certainly doesn't qualify for welfare payments like the former does.

As far as I know, the only really recognized polygamy is the Muslim one and I believe that was initially a matter of charity, as a legitimate way for a man to take care of a widow without committing a sin. Needless to say, that aspect probably accounts for 1% of polygamy.

I'll go for the hippie version. At least it had no illusions that it was other than fun and sex.

What does 'recognized' mean? Lots of cultures practice polygamy.

529 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:42:13pm

re: #523 Naso Tang

It comes down to a matter of equal, if different partners. I've been married for 35 years. More than two playing that game won't work, IMHO, if the word equality is applicable, and it's hard enough sometimes as it is.

But if anyone wants to try, as long as it's not my kids, they are welcome.

Signing off early. Goodnight.

I know a few families who do OK.

530 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:42:58pm

re: #525 darthstar

I thought it was the sinfulness of man. I'd said they believed in religious freedom for all.

Oh. No, the Puritans were intolerant as hell.

531 jamesfirecat  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:45:19pm

re: #530 SanFranciscoZionist

Oh. No, the Puritans were intolerant as hell.

"You call that religious intolerance, watch me burn this girl for sneezing!"

532 Cato the Elder  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:45:27pm

re: #530 SanFranciscoZionist

Oh. No, the Puritans were intolerant as hell.

Ask any herb-gathering widow living along on the edge of town, with or without a wart on her nose.

533 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:46:10pm

re: #521 Naso Tang

I know a lot of people my age in open relationships and polyamorous relationships, it's unusual but not nonexistent. and these are people my age, not old hippies.

534 [deleted]  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:58:09pm
535 Charles Johnson  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:02:05pm

Meghan McCain flounce!

536 Aye Pod  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:18:04pm

re: #255 HoosierHoops

I pray to god whoever thinks it's funny to trash me over a blog I have never had a thing to do with and laugh about it in emails to other Lizards really needs to say something here when I am posting.
I took all the hits for that Blog and could never defend myself because I protected the privacy of a Coward...It's that frigging simple...
And Peter..You have a problem with that? Just log in dude.. Otherwise stay away like you have been

Ah so, the worlds most jealous and disturbed radiohead fan has been sending you whiny emails. Figures he had to be doing something to keep himself busy - something apart from listening to "Creep" 40 times a day that is.

Don't expect so see him here though, Hoops - behind the scenes bitching is very much what that one is all about.

537 The Left  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:18:29pm

re: #533 WindUpBird

I know a lot of people my age in open relationships and polyamorous relationships, it's unusual but not nonexistent. and these are people my age, not old hippies.

Ditto. I also know some older folks who practice it as well- they aren't hippies either. There are more things in heaven and earth than may be dreamt of in Naso Tang's social circle, possibly.

538 Dr. Shalit  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:28:55pm

#'s 9 & 10

Guanxi 88 -

Perhaps Meghan McCain is some form of Anti-Palin. The two, however share two qualities:

1. A good "B.S." Detector

2. The ability to speak and counter the "B.S." when detected.

-S-

539 doubter4444  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:29:17pm

re: #395 sagehen

I'm not so so sold on this "only English!!" obsession.

My grandparents didn't speak a word of English when they immigrated, and even if classes had been free they wouldn't have had the time. But this was not a problem for them -- they worked at places where the foreman spoke Yiddish, the stores they shopped at were staffed by people who spoke Yiddish, they read Yiddish newspapers, for date night they went to Yiddish theater.

It didn't make them ignorant, or bad citizens, or uninformed voters, or and it didn't stop them from raising doctors and lawyers. After they retired they started English lessons, so they could speak to their grandchildren.

I'm not at all bothered if Spanish-speaking immigrants (or Chinese, or Russian, or whatever's going to be next) take a similar path; there's neighborhoods and stores and radio stations and employers where they can get by just fine in their native language, and their kids will grow up bilingual.

Well said, and an often forgotten point.

540 doubter4444  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:36:52pm

re: #161 The Sanity Inspector

One great advantage in being a historian to a man like Jeeves
is that his mere personality prevents one selling one's artistic soul
for gold. In recent years I have had lucrative offers for his services
from theatrical managers, motion picture magnates, the proprietors of
one or two widely advertised commodities, and even the editor of the
comic supplement of an American newspaper, who wanted him for a 'comic
strip.' But, tempting though the terms were, it only needed Jeeves'
deprecating cough and his murmured 'I would scarcely advocate it,
sir,' to put the jack under my better nature. Jeeves knows his place,
and it is between the covers of a book.
-- Wodehouse, introduction to _Jeeves Omnibus_

When the Germans made their rapid advance through Belgium in
the early summer of 1940, they captured, among other things, Mr. P. G.
Wodehouse, who had been living throughout the early part of the war in
his villa at Le Touquet, and seems not to have realised until the last
moment that he was in any danger. As he was led away into captivity,
he is said to have remarked, "Perhaps after this I shall write a
serious book."
-- George Orwell, _In Defence of P. G. Wodehouse_

It is nonsense to talk of 'Fascist tendencies' in his books.
There are no post-1918 tendencies at all.
-- ibid

I confess I find myself slightly shocked when anybody admits
to not liking Wodehouse, although I can see that this is an
unreasonble reaction. But I think I can be dogmatic on a few points
from my own observation; that Wodehouse has been more read than any
other English novelist by his fellow novelists; that nobody with any
genuine feeling for the English language has failed to recognise at
least an element of truth in Belloc's judgment of 1934, that Wodehouse
was 'the best writer of English now alive, the head of my profession';
that the failure of academic literary criticism to take any account of
Wodehouse's supreme mastery of the English language or the profound
influence he has had on every worth-while English novelist in the past
50 years demonstrates in better and conciser form than anything else
how the Eng. Lit. industry is divorced from the subject it claims to
study.
-- Auberon Waugh, in _New Statesman_, 21 Sept. 1975

One of, if not my favorite author.
I know that some will say he hurt the cause, but I disagree.
He was a genius, and one of the wittiest writer ever.

541 Irenicum  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:39:44pm

re: #535 Charles

I was away for a bit. Who?

542 doubter4444  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:40:12pm

re: #84 Obdicut

Why would you think that? Especially given that Jeeves does actually write a story, in his own voice. Bertie's voice doesn't really resemble Jeeves's at all.

In his meandering through life, Bertie has one constant: he knows a lot of good people. Good artists, small businessmen, reporters-- I've never understood the charge against Wodehouse that anyone who does real work is to be disrespected. Almost all the minor heroes-- Bertie's friends-- have some sort of job, business, or artistic endeavor. The ones who are just 'wastrels' aren't ever presented in as positive a light as the working ones.

In knowing these people, Bertie is confided in by them and trusted by them, not just because of Jeeves. They trust that Jeeves will solve the situation, but they trust that Bertie will treat their revelations with absolute ethical tact, and will devote all his resources to righting wrongs.

Bertie also fearlessly mixes with every level of society in a way that probably drives his aunts batty. He's a perfect anti-agent against feudalism-- as is Wodehouse.

Well said, I wrote a graduate paper on Wodehouse (a great excuse to re read them again!) a long time ago, and I still turn to them when I feel blue.

543 doubter4444  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:47:42pm

re: #139 Obdicut

Most of my first conversations that I remember as having been worth having were with my father about how amazing Wodehouse is, and how few people get how amazing he is.

I think Chesterton is a good guy to compare Wodehouse too in many ways, especially with the Father Brown stories.

Funny, me too.
My father, who was a good man, was fiercely anti-intellectual - in many of the same ways that I see in the right these days, and was the classic Reagan man.
But he loved Wodehouse, and introduced me to him when I was 11 or 12 ( I was a voracious reader).
He also introduced to Louis L'Amour too, when I was 9.
Another old standby.
To this day, I will always thank him for that, and it keeps his memory for me a bit closer.
Sorry for the maudlin stuff!

544 doubter4444  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 7:00:50pm

re: #168 MandyManners

Did you like the the BBC series?

You know there were two.
The better know was of course with Laurie and Fey, but there was another one.
And I remember a fantastic bit about a homicidal mental patient that escaped in the countryside, and the young hero - a terrible stutterer, is on a train trying to impress a girl.
He could only talk clearly while singing.
So the while train is stopped and being searched (unbeknown to him), he starts singing to the girl, which freaks out everyone, the last scene is him being chased by villagers with pitchforks, as he's running away singing that it's not him... a 15 page short story, and completely brilliant.

545 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 7:11:33pm

re: #395 sagehen

Well said, and I agree.

Speaking as someone who grew up on the Texas-Mexico border and who still has lots of family down there, I don't understand the English Only sentiment either.

On the border, being bilingual is pretty much the default. Kids grow up bombarded with both English and Spanish, and while it's easy for some older folks to get along without ever learning a word of English, the value of knowing both languages is also instilled. Being able to navigate two worlds is important. At least that's what I was taught.

Hell, I didn't even learn English until I was around 4 years old. Before that, my mother and grandparents thought it would be more to my benefit to learn Spanish first. Looking back on it now, I'm glad it happened that way. It's nice.

The story behind me learning English is kinda funny, at least to me. One of my aunts and her husband had moved with their kids up to Connecticut because he worked for Union Carbide at the time. They spent one summer down in Laredo with the grandparents, which is where I was living at the time. Their bright idea was that if my cousins were exposed to nothing but Spanish from me, they'd learn some of it while they were visiting, since they didn't have much exposure to it in Connecticut. Instead, the opposite happened, and I learned English from them. It took a few weeks, but just being around them caused me to learn the language, almost through osmosis.

To this day, none of those cousins can speak a lick of Spanish, despite having Mexican-American parents who are both fluent in the language. They just never bothered to learn. It's kinda sad, IMO, but whatever. I won't tell them how to live their lives.

Still, I think there's a value in having more than one language, and in honoring that. I can understand people wanting English spoken at work, or when they go to a restaurant or are getting some sort of service. I get that. But an official language and forcing all government documents to be in English Only just seems wrong to me. It feels limiting, I think.

546 Lidane  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 7:13:14pm

re: #405 Varek Raith

*...lobs a shovel load of snow at KT*
Wheee, 5 to 10 more inches tomorrow on top of the 25ish I already have!

Which is precisely why I will never move to any part of the country that has snow in the winter. I'd rather suffer through 112 degree weather in August here in Austin than have to shovel snow. I'm lazy that way. ;)

547 tradewind  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 7:18:59pm

re: #23 Guanxi88
Or just maybe, some thinly-veiled Daddy issues.

548 Gus  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 7:22:18pm

Meghan McCain takes a stand while others that should speak out remain silent.

549 SpaceJesus  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 7:36:41pm

why hello there future mrs spacejesus

550 Decider  Mon, Feb 8, 2010 10:28:53pm

It is just a matter of time before this so called "Tea party" movement is seen for what it really is: The Neo-KKK. Once we do not have a Black President they will go away very quickly.


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