Gov’t Shutdown Imminent Because GOP Refuses to Back Down on Far Right Policies

The Republican Party holds the country hostage for social conservatism
Politics • Views: 33,983

The government shutdown is coming, and it’s not because of fiscal disagreements. Both parties now agree on the size of spending cuts.

The shutdown is imminent because of the GOP’s determination to ram through the far right policy riders they’ve attached to the budget; these riders are more important to them than keeping the government operating.

When the government stops, it will be because the GOP refused to compromise on defunding Planned Parenthood, defunding NPR, and destroying the Clean Air Act.

Mr. Reid said he believed that negotiators were very close to agreement on an amount of money to cut from spending. But he said Republicans were insisting on language that would restrict financing of abortion providers like Planned Parenthood and separate language to change the Clean Air Act.

“These matters have no place on a budget bill,” Mr. Reid said. Regarding the dispute over abortion funding, Mr. Reid said that lawmakers “can’t solve in one night an issue that this country has been fighting over for four decades.”

Planned Parenthood, one of the organizations that could lose federal financing if Republicans get their way, planned a large rally on Capitol Hill for Thursday.

You can see this mindset all over the country, where newly elected Republican administrations are pushing social conservative legislation instead of dealing with budget issues.

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182 comments
1 darthstar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:29:27am

It'll all be better once we stop abortionhouse gas tax increases.

2 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:29:34am

Wouldn't people who believe that God will sort out everything in the end be more willing to compromise, considering the big guy will obviously come in and save them?

3 jc717  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:30:10am

Color me shocked.

4 HappyWarrior  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:30:14am

Jobs eh Speaker Boehner.

5 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:30:42am

This is all ridiculous stuff to stonewall the budget over. And the attempt to gut the EPA is incredibly disastrous. More GOP science-denial at work.

6 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:30:55am

JOBS! FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY! DERP!

7 darthstar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:31:11am

re: #4 HappyWarrior

Jobs eh Speaker Boehner.

John Boehner is an incompetent and ineffective leader who has no control over his own party.

8 HappyWarrior  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:31:32am

re: #7 darthstar

John Boehner is an incompetent and ineffective leader who has no control over his own party.

No doubt about that.

9 Interesting Times  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:31:58am

re: #4 HappyWarrior

Jobs eh Speaker Boehner.

Speaking of which, this ought to give him something to cry about:

Boehner falling out of favor

It hasn't taken John Boehner long to fall out of favor with the American public. His national approval rating has dropped a net 18 points already since the beginning of January. At the outset of the year 35% of voters approved of the job he was doing to 28% who disapproved and 37% who were reserving judgment. Now his approval has declined 10 points to 25% and his disapproval has risen 8 points to 36%.

10 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:32:09am

Dump NPR.

Leave mah airs alone!

11 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:32:11am

The interesting part of this...

You can see this mindset all over the country, where newly elected Republican administrations are pushing social conservative legislation instead of dealing with budget issues.

... is that they won fair and square... and a lot of people are going to get just what they voted for... funny how that works.

12 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:32:18am

re: #7 darthstar

John Boehner is an incompetent and ineffective leader who has no control over his own party.

John Boehner: 'No Daylight Between Tea Party And Me'

13 darthstar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:35:40am

re: #12 Lidane

John Boehner: 'No Daylight Between Tea Party And Me'

Who knew Boehner was a receiver?

14 Gus  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:35:55am

Yeah. Who needs clean air. I look forward to the return of the "Brown Cloud". Actually, it's still there in many places. Messing with the Clean Air Act when in fact we have many miles to go.

Revanchists.

15 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:36:23am

re: #14 Gus 802

Hell, even if AGW weren't shown to be happening, we'd still need the clean air act.

16 darthstar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:36:44am

Obama promises to veto Boehner's tizzy fit.
[Link: www.whitehouse.gov...]

17 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:37:24am

re: #15 Obdicut

Hell, even if AGW weren't shown to be happening, we'd still need the clean air act.

Why do you hate America?

///

18 elizajane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:37:30am

I still feel like both sides are posturing in anticipation of an actual agreement. Reid will be able to say that he saved NPR (while giving in to cuts at a time when we arguably need more expenditure) while Boehner can say that he held out like a man for that last billion dollars of cuts.

I just cannot believe that the Republicans would shut down the government over anything quite this trivial.
(please let me be right...)

19 mr.fusion  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:38:12am

I love how the republicans are trying to preempt this by saying the dems want a shutdown. For the last 2 years all we've been hearing for the right is how much the dems love big govt...and everything the do is a sekrit plot to grow the government..............but they want to shut it down.

20 jamesfirecat  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:38:40am

re: #11 Walter L. Newton

The interesting part of this...

... is that they won fair and square... and a lot of people are going to get just what they voted for... funny how that works.

If
"My you get exactly what you wish for"

Isn't an old Chinese curse, then it should be.

21 Gus  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:38:42am

re: #15 Obdicut

Hell, even if AGW weren't shown to be happening, we'd still need the clean air act.

Image: pittsburgh.jpg

22 allegro  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:40:03am

re: #19 mr.fusion

I love how the republicans are trying to preempt this by saying the dems want a shutdown.

Haven't you noticed that projection has been the game plan of the Repubs for at least a couple of decades? You can be sure that whatever they are accusing the Dems of they themselves are guilty of.

23 HappyWarrior  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:40:03am

re: #19 mr.fusion

I love how the republicans are trying to preempt this by saying the dems want a shutdown. For the last 2 years all we've been hearing for the right is how much the dems love big govt...and everything the do is a sekrit plot to grow the government...but they want to shut it down.

Yeah, I don't get it. Honestly as the son of a federal employee, this shit really pisses me off since my mother's livelihood is at stake and for the Republicans to be throwing this hissy fit because the Demos won't agree to defund Planned Parenthood (which can't do publically funded abortions anyhow) or NPR (which receives very little federal money) is nonsense. I hope the voters see this shit for what it is.

24 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:40:10am

They'll shut down the gubmint for a few days, then they'll make the deal, then they'll pay everyone for the days they were shut down.

Then, they'll all (Rs and Ds) sit in a big room and LOL at us.

25 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:40:36am

re: #19 mr.fusion

I love how the republicans are trying to preempt this by saying the dems want a shutdown. For the last 2 years all we've been hearing for the right is how much the dems love big govt...and everything the do is a sekrit plot to grow the government...but they want to shut it down.

Obviously since the Dems won't agree to every request, they must want the shutdown. Its like when a mugger asks for your wallet and jewelry. You must want a beating if you don't hand it over.

26 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:40:39am

re: #21 Gus 802

What does that look like now, I wonder?

27 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:42:09am

GOP to the DNC: "Give us what we want or the economy gets it!"

28 iceweasel  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:43:44am

re: #27 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

GOP to the DNC: "Give us what we want or the economy gets it!"

Nice little GNP ya got there. Be a shame if anything happened to it.

29 Fozzie Bear  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:44:11am

re: #26 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

What does that look like now, I wonder?

Pittsburgh is a very clean and tidy city now. It's a great place to raise kids, imo. Good schools. (I have a lot of family there, and I have always been fond of the place.)

30 Gus  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:44:33am

re: #26 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

What does that look like now, I wonder?

Not sure. If they're still around that is. Might be USS? Anyway, I'm pretty sure that even Chinese steel mills emit far less than what used to be the technology "back in the good old days".

31 Stanghazi  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:45:16am
32 HappyWarrior  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:46:16am

I am willing to bet that the average voter let alone Republican one has no idea that federal funded abortion is already prohibited via the Hyde Amendment. The GOP has constructed a narrative to their base where PP is using your tax dollars to kill babies and those Democrats, they're fine with it.

33 gehazi  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:46:44am

re: #27 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

GOP to the DNC: "Give us what we want or the economy gets it!"

The sad thing is that I don't really trust the Dems to not cave and say, "Ok, fine: we'll give you what you want, just stop pointing the gun at the economy."

Of course, then the embolded GOP justs asks for more. And a pony. And Worf to drive it all away in a big rig.

34 HappyWarrior  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:47:54am

re: #29 Fozzie Bear

Pittsburgh is a very clean and tidy city now. It's a great place to raise kids, imo. Good schools. (I have a lot of family there, and I have always been fond of the place.)

Glad to hear that. My dad's parents were originally from the North Side. Left Pittsburgh though in the late 30's due to my grandfather's job in the NLRB.

35 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:48:37am

re: #29 Fozzie Bear

Pittsburgh (IMO) is the only city in America with an entrance. As you come out of Fort Pitt tunnel, there it is.

36 lawhawk  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:48:54am

re: #31 Stanley Sea

MSNBC has other details.

The device, believed to be a pipe bomb, exploded in a parking lot about 6:45 a.m., authorities told the Los Angeles Times.

Sgt. Marty Fine told The Associated Press that the device hit the roof of a building and exploded. The address of the building is for the Chabad House Lubavitch of Santa Monica, a meeting center for the Jewish movement. The Santa Monica Synagogue is about a block away.

Fine says the type of device is unknown. No injuries have been reported and there was no immediate word on the extent of damage.

37 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:49:28am

re: #33 gehazi

The sad thing is that I don't really trust the Dems to not cave and say, "Ok, fine: we'll give you what you want, just stop pointing the gun at the economy."

Of course, then the embolded GOP justs asks for more. And a pony. And Worf to drive it all away in a big rig.

Yeah, I'm expecting an 11th hour agreement, where the Democrats cave to a "compromise" that includes hefty cuts, on the "promise" that the riders disappear and stay gone. They claim "victory" because they saved NPR and Planned Parenthood for awhile, while the Republicans walk away the real winners because they got the Democrats to agree to cuts, knowing that they can't say "No" to future cuts.

38 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:50:10am

Not that they ever cared about budgets anyway.


Now a quick question, why would any average American be for destroying the clean air act completely?

Do you want to live in toxic waste?

Do you think that is good for your kids?

Does anyone?

39 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:50:46am

re: #31 Stanley Sea

OT, but off the breaking news tweet

CNN - Authorities investigating explosion at L.A. area synagogue

Oh fuck!

40 Fozzie Bear  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:51:43am

re: #38 LudwigVanQuixote

Business will self-regulate. Regulations destroy jobs. The government is strangling business. Obama wants to kill old people. Whatever.

It's not like the GOP has made any sense for the past 30 years or so. Why start now?

41 Jeff In Ohio  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:52:03am

re: #20 jamesfirecat

If
"My you get exactly what you wish for"

Isn't an old Chinese curse, then it should be.

I can't speak for other parts of the country, but the Republicans who ran around here ran on fiscal issues, not cultural ones. If 'bait and switch' is getting what you wish for, then all I can say is bullshit isn't truth because it's posted on the Internet.

42 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:52:03am

re: #38 LudwigVanQuixote

Not that they ever cared about budgets anyway.

Now a quick question, why would any average American be for destroying the clean air act completely?

Do you want to live in toxic waste?

Do you think that is good for your kids?

Does anyone?

Koch Industries thinks it is good, because they will spend less if they don't have to meet standards on emissions and pollution.

As for the peasants who will have to live in that shit, fuck 'em.

43 iceweasel  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:52:06am

re: #38 LudwigVanQuixote
[Link: www.theonion.com...]

Yap, yap, yap. For as long as I can remember, people have been yapping about schools for the children, health-care for the children, food for the children, clothing for the children, shelter for the children. Fuck the children.

Day after day it's shoved down our throats: We have to love the children and prepare them for tomorrow. We're supposed to prevent them from falling down wells and out of cars, and we're supposed to keep toxic chemicals out of their reach. We're supposed to change the babies' diapers and call a doctor when they stop breathing. Christ almighty, when do we get a break? Do the children ever stop taking? For just once, let's let the children fend for themselves.

44 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:52:09am

re: #38 LudwigVanQuixote

Not that they ever cared about budgets anyway.

Now a quick question, why would any average American be for destroying the clean air act completely?

Do you want to live in toxic waste?

Do you think that is good for your kids?

Does anyone?

Average Joe Sixpack either grew up in the shadow of the Clean Air Act and other legislation and so automatically assumes that the clean environment is a given. Or he's old enough to remember the "good ol' days," but thinks that it can't happen again.

45 gehazi  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:52:29am

re: #37 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

And the Overton window slowly moves right. Fuck.

46 S'latch  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:52:33am

Time will tell, but I will be surprised if the Republicans don't compromise in the end to avoid a government shutdown. Listening to John Boehner talking to George Stephanopolis this morning, I think he knows it will hurt his party and he will push to avoid that. But, you never can tell. There are some stubborn folks involved.

47 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:52:41am

re: #40 Fozzie Bear

Business will self-regulate. Regulations destroy jobs. The government is strangling business. Obama wants to kill old people. Whatever.

It's not like the GOP has made any sense for the past 30 years or so. Why start now?

You should see my new page... It is full of debunking stuff like that!

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

48 gehazi  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:53:24am

re: #46 Lawrence Schmerel

Time will tell, but I will be surprised if the Republicans don't compromise in the end to avoid a government shutdown. Listening to John Boehner talking to George Stephanopolis this morning, I think he knows it will hurt his party and he will push to avoid that. But, you never can tell. There are some stubborn folks involved.

He's not in control anymore, assuming he ever was.

49 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:54:01am

re: #42 Alouette

re: #43 iceweasel

As always ladies, right on target. What I don't understand is howit is possible the peasants in this case don't see the horrible abusive truth of how expendable their masters think they are.

50 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:54:29am

re: #44 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Average Joe Sixpack either grew up in the shadow of the Clean Air Act and other legislation and so automatically assumes that the clean environment is a given. Or he's old enough to remember the "good ol' days," but thinks that it can't happen again.

I visited Moscow a few years ago. One of the things I noticed on first walking out of the airport terminal (INSIDE the terminal people were smoking!) sniff, sniff, the air smelled familiar, like Detroit 40 years ago. Leaded gasoline!

51 Killgore Trout  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:55:46am

Debate is pretty lively...
[Link: www.c-span.org...]

52 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:55:52am

re: #44 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Average Joe Sixpack either grew up in the shadow of the Clean Air Act and other legislation and so automatically assumes that the clean environment is a given. Or he's old enough to remember the "good ol' days," but thinks that it can't happen again.

If it did not effect everyone, I would be all for, shrugging and saying Darwin. Really. Nature has a way of weeding out those too stupid too live.

53 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:55:53am

re: #46 Lawrence Schmerel

Time will tell, but I will be surprised if the Republicans don't compromise in the end to avoid a government shutdown. Listening to John Boehner talking to George Stephanopolis this morning, I think he knows it will hurt his party and he will push to avoid that. But, you never can tell. There are some stubborn folks involved.

Oh, the GOP will "compromise," by which I mean they'll cut out the riders that are disagreeable to the Democrats, then just fold them into other "Must Pass" bills down the line.

54 Ming  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:56:54am

Assuming that the single great priority of the Republicans is to elect a Republican president in 2012, then the Republicans may feel they have nothing to lose by shutting down the government. As we saw with Reagan in 1984 and Clinton in 1996, when the economy is doing well, or is at least on the rebound, a sitting president is in a good position to be re-elected. But as we saw with Bush in 1992, when the economy is faltering, it's easier to deny a second term to the current president. Many Republicans probably have no problem with an economy that is limping along in 2011 and 2012, if this helps them defeat Obama's bid for re-election. Obviously this is a negative analysis, but it does seem that right now, the Democrats are really trying to keep the government open, really looking for compromise. And the Republicans... not so much.

55 Killgore Trout  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:57:18am

Hot Air headline: Obama: I’ll veto funding for the troops
Heh

56 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:57:23am

re: #51 Killgore Trout

Debate is pretty lively...
[Link: www.c-span.org...]

Cantor is speaking. I listened for about 45 seconds and counted 5 lies. I am so very, very ashamed he is one of ours.

57 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:57:25am

re: #44 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

There are two towns within an hour's drive of my house with large factories.

One, Covington, VA home to Westvaco Paper Products

One, Narrows, VA home to Celenese.

When I was a boy, I used to go through both towns and would hold my nose and wimper for five miles before and after.

Now? You can barely smell anything coming from those plants and they are still operational.

That's the extent of my Clean Air Act expertise. Boy, is it nice.

58 Jeff In Ohio  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:58:41am

re: #57 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Clean air, you only notice when it's gone.

59 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:59:16am

re: #57 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

There are two towns within an hour's drive of my house with large factories.

One, Covington, VA home to Westvaco Paper Products

One, Narrows, VA home to Celenese.

When I was a boy, I used to go through both towns and would hold my nose and wimper for five miles before and after.

Now? You can barely smell anything coming from those plants and they are still operational.

That's the extent of my Clean Air Act expertise. Boy, is it nice.

Anyone remember the Jersey Turnpike up north back in the day? The sky was green and pink and all sorts of colors mother nature never intended.

60 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:59:18am

re: #58 Jeff In Ohio

Clean air, you only notice when it's gone.

You from Druidia?

61 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 10:59:47am

re: #6 Lidane

JOBS! FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY! DERP!

Needs more dakka dakka!

62 jamesfirecat  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:00:46am

re: #61 celticdragon

Needs more dakka dakka!

YAH MEAN "MOAR DAKA" YAH GIT!

63 Cannadian Club Akbar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:00:51am

Afternoon Honcos. Tropicana burns orange peels here. If you live near the place, you hate it. If you don't, it smells nice.

64 HappyWarrior  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:00:57am

re: #56 LudwigVanQuixote

Cantor is speaking. I listened for about 45 seconds and counted 5 lies. I am so very, very ashamed he is one of ours.

I know how you feel, we have Peter King and Boehner as well. (Krautmick). I've heard among some friends of mine who are much more savvy and aware of Virginia state politics that Cantor's eying a run for governor. Makes sense I guess. McDonnell has to step down due to the silly term limit law, Lt Governor Bolling doesn't seem to have any ambitions beyond where he is, and Ken the Kook Cuccinnelli while I know he has ambitions probably has been told by the establishment that he'd make an awful statewide candidate. And to think that it came within 100 voters of beating him in the State SEnate not long ago.

65 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:02:14am

re: #63 Cannadian Club Akbar

Orange you glad you live there?

66 abbyadams  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:02:33am

re: #26 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

This is a shot of the stacks left at the old Homestead works (about 30 minutes from me.)

Homestead stacks.

The sky's a little bluer. :-)

67 Cannadian Club Akbar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:02:42am

re: #65 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Orange you glad you live there?

Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

68 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:02:56am

re: #65 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Orange you glad you live there?

*Blows whistle*

2 minutes in the penalty box for bad punning!

/

69 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:03:00am

You like new car smell? When I used to work at GM, I visited the assembly line so frequently that it made me nauseous.

70 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:03:13am

re: #64 HappyWarrior

I know how you feel, we have Peter King and Boehner as well. (Krautmick). I've heard among some friends of mine who are much more savvy and aware of Virginia state politics that Cantor's eying a run for governor. Makes sense I guess. McDonnell has to step down due to the silly term limit law, Lt Governor Bolling doesn't seem to have any ambitions beyond where he is, and Ken the Kook Cuccinnelli while I know he has ambitions probably has been told by the establishment that he'd make an awful statewide candidate. And to think that it came within 100 voters of beating him in the State SEnate not long ago.

I hear you man and great post!

I am in the DC area.. I feel you. And Cuccinellli will possibly cause my calm, collected and polite self to evaporate.

71 The Yankee  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:03:49am

The thing is this is going to go on for the next few years. The Dems only want an extension til September. And the next issue is the debt ceiling.

72 makeitstop  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:04:01am

re: #59 LudwigVanQuixote

Anyone remember the Jersey Turnpike up north back in the day? The sky was green and pink and all sorts of colors mother nature never intended.

I used to dread driving across the Goethals Bridge, because the toll gates were situated next to a refinery/holding facility and a slaughterhouse.

During the summer it was retch-inducing. Still not great some days, but worlds better than it used to be.

73 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:04:06am

re: #24 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

They'll shut down the gubmint for a few days, then they'll make the deal, then they'll pay everyone for the days they were shut down.

Then, they'll all (Rs and Ds) sit in a big room and LOL at us.

This may go on for quite some time. The teatards want the government to fail in entirety. They have an ideological fixation on destroying health care as well as social safety nets, and they are impervious to anything outside of their bubble.

74 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:04:46am

re: #66 abbyadams

But, my point was that the two large plants are still in business. Just not choking the fishies in the waters, the birdies in the air, and the babies in the cribs.

75 Gus  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:06:17am

re: #72 makeitstop

I used to dread driving across the Goethals Bridge, because the toll gates were situated next to a refinery/holding facility and a slaughterhouse.

During the summer it was retch-inducing. Still not great some days, but worlds better than it used to be.

Notoriously so. I remember crossing that bridge frequently when we were kids. Unbelievable "odors". I say odors because it was far more than just the smell but when you're a kid you don't think about the medical implications.

76 HappyWarrior  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:06:21am

re: #70 LudwigVanQuixote

I hear you man and great post!

I am in the DC area.. I feel you. And Cuccinellli will possibly cause my calm, collected and polite self to evaporate.

TThanks man. Yeah Cuccinnelli drives me nuts. It's frustrating to see guys like him and Bob Marshall with their backass backwards views about gays and others so prominent. All this while DC and Maryland have legalized gay marriage.

77 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:06:50am

re: #72 makeitstop

I used to dread driving across the Goethals Bridge, because the toll gates were situated next to a refinery/holding facility and a slaughterhouse.

During the summer it was retch-inducing. Still not great some days, but worlds better than it used to be.

Well the GOP understands that if you were one of the saved ones that Jesus loved more than others and hence were destined to be rich, you would live somewhere where you would not have to worry about that. However, your suffering now is only a taste of the hell you and your non-elect children have waiting, while you serve those destined to be served by Divine right. You are not rich, so you don't deserve clean air, which is a privledge and not a right!

I really hate Republicans.

78 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:07:06am

re: #71 The Yankee

The thing is this is going to go on for the next few years. The Dems only want an extension til September. And the next issue is the debt ceiling.

Yep, which the Tea Party has been screaming up and down they don't want to see go up. We're gonna either see several shutdowns between now and next year or a lot of 11th hour agreements to avoid them.

Thing is, I don't think Obama has it in him to play political brinkmanship like Clinton did with the GOP. He's already bent over on tax cuts, what else will he give in to just to avoid looking bad?

79 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:07:08am

re: #62 jamesfirecat

YAH MEAN "MOAR DAKA" YAH GIT!

Dat wuz sumtin' I gots from Mork (or possibly Gork) when I wuz told ta punish da supid humies fer bein' runty gits.

80 recusancy  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:07:23am

re: #74 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

But, my point was that the two large plants are still in business. Just not choking the fishies in the waters, the birdies in the air, and the babies in the cribs.

But I thought tough environmental regulation kills businesses.

81 lostlakehiker  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:07:41am

Thanks all and it's been instructive, but this is my last post for at least a year. Maybe the tone will eventually change.

82 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:07:49am

re: #73 celticdragon

This may go on for quite some time. The teatards want the government to fail in entirety. They have an ideological fixation on destroying health care as well as social safety nets, and they are impervious to anything outside of their bubble.

I promise last time I mention it (for everyone else), but I got a new post you will particularly like.

83 abbyadams  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:08:20am

re: #74 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Ah, I didn't get that from your comment, initially. I agree.

You'd be surprised how many people think the air in Pittsburgh still looks like the original picture, though. i had a friend move from here to New Mexico, and people there kept telling her how much better her lungs should feel now...

84 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:08:35am

re: #81 lostlakehiker

Thanks all and it's been instructive, but this is my last post for at least a year. Maybe the tone will eventually change.

Are you flouncing?

85 Killgore Trout  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:08:39am
86 jamesfirecat  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:09:12am

re: #81 lostlakehiker

Thanks all and it's been instructive, but this is my last post for at least a year. Maybe the tone will eventually change.

What's wrong with the current tone?

You could at least let us know what you find problematic before you go...

87 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:09:28am

re: #84 celticdragon

Are you flouncing?

It's a half-flounce, with deniability.

88 Cannadian Club Akbar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:09:42am

re: #84 celticdragon

Are you flouncing?

I see it as a leave of absence. We have had a few do it here. Some mention it, some don't.

89 Gus  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:10:55am

re: #81 lostlakehiker

Thanks all and it's been instructive, but this is my last post for at least a year. Maybe the tone will eventually change.

Yes. Because the tone was so much better during the days of "FCBHO!!11ty", "Earth First!!11ty", and other examples of wingnut rage.

90 Cannadian Club Akbar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:11:38am

re: #87 Obdicut

It's a half-flounce, with deniability.

Real flounces used to last for 2 or so hours when the flouncer knew Charles was sleeping or didn't have admin. Usually around 4 AM Eastern.

91 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:11:45am

re: #44 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Average Joe Sixpack either grew up in the shadow of the Clean Air Act and other legislation and so automatically assumes that the clean environment is a given. Or he's old enough to remember the "good ol' days," but thinks that it can't happen again.

Because businesses will just naturally follow the guidelines, because otherwise, folks will stop doing business with them. Invisible hand of the market strikes again.

//Not likely.

92 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:11:57am
93 Randall Gross  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:12:08am

Newscasters are painting this as an Obama failure because the Dems didn't pass a budget before close of the pre-tea party congress.

It's really sublime strategy however, so queue up the Admiral Akbar repeating GIF. The dems could have passed a budget, but they would have soured some of their constituencies to get that done. Now the R's will take the heat no matter what happens, they dangled "Government Shutdown" in front of a tea party that couldn't resist, and they've solidified their Dem base by bringing it to this point of impasse (Walker is also helping...) The R's will run off more of the moderates who are left if they shut down, and they will run off some of the teabaggers if they don't .... it's theirs to chose which to lose...

94 The Yankee  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:12:48am

re: #78 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Yep, which the Tea Party has been screaming up and down they don't want to see go up. We're gonna either see several shutdowns between now and next year or a lot of 11th hour agreements to avoid them.

Thing is, I don't think Obama has it in him to play political brinkmanship like Clinton did with the GOP. He's already bent over on tax cuts, what else will he give in to just to avoid looking bad?

Yea, I think that a good nickname for President Obama would be President Tofu cause he starts to act like who ever you put near him. I think he would of been a better Prime Minister of a country like the UK where the entire party is elected.
I did like some of the things he said and did in his first year. One of the last times I got excited about him is when he took on health care despite the economic problems. Because their will always be a reason not to do the big things and push them off for another year.

95 jamesfirecat  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:13:53am

re: #92 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Antibiotic resistance: Bacteria are winning the war

I for one welcome our new unicelluar overlords...

96 Cannadian Club Akbar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:14:12am

re: #89 Gus 802

Yes. Because the tone was so much better during the days of "FCBHO!!11ty", "Earth First!!11ty", and other examples of wingnut rage.

It was FCBBHO!!Eleventy!!. GET IT RIGHT!!!!
/

97 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:15:25am

re: #79 celticdragon

More Ork wisdom for the ages...

Oomans are pink and soft, not tough and green like da Boyz. They'z all the same size too, so they'z always arguing about who's in charge, 'cos no way of telling 'cept fer badges an' ooniforms and fings. When one of them wants to lord it over the uvvers, 'e says "I'm very speshul so'z you gotta worship me", or "I know summink wot you lot don't know so yer better lissen good". Da funny fing is, arf of 'em believe it and da over arf don't, so 'e 'as to hit 'em all anyway or run fer it. Wot a lot of mukkin' about if yer asks me. An' while they'z all arguing wiv each other over who's da boss, da Orks can clobber da lot

..and more...

Travellin' through space is boring. Well, boring unless da hulk yer on is full of dem gene-sneakers, or a base fer da chaos lads wiv da spikes, or already has Boyz on it. Or if humie lootas come callin', that's always good fer a bit a sport. Or unless yer have a mutiny or two to pass da time, or unless strange fings start happenin', which dey usually do when yer out in da warp. One time we had some bloody great ugly fing come straight out of Weird Lugwort's 'ed! It butchered half da lads, that was pretty entertainin'. Come ter fink of it, space is a pretty good larf. And that's before yer find yerself a nice world ta crush!

98 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:15:33am

re: #91 SanFranciscoZionist

Because businesses will just naturally follow the guidelines, because otherwise, folks will stop doing business with them. Invisible hand of the market strikes again.

//Not likely.

Hey now, I have it on good authority that major corporations would never do anything to harm their customers. And don't say Chinese toothpaste...or cat food...or toys...but those weren't made here!

//

99 abolitionist  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:15:47am

re: #92 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Antibiotic resistance: Bacteria are winning the war

A friend recently lost a leg (below knee) because of that.

100 Fozzie Bear  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:15:53am

re: #60 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

You from Druidia?

Funny, he doesn't look drewish.

101 lawhawk  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:16:02am

re: #92 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

They usually do - and the drug companies can't produce (and the FDA) can't approve antibiotics fast enough to deal with those drug resistant strains. Complicating matters even further is the widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in some parts of the world, enabling the drugs to gain resistance and then spread around the world like wildfire.

MRSA was only the most widely recognized, but it will hardly be the last of these new drug-resistant strains.

102 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:18:02am

re: #97 celticdragon

More Ork wisdom for the ages...

..and more...

There are Cockneys in Space? I thought in order to be a true Cockney you had to be born in a specific neighborhood in London.

103 prairiefire  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:18:07am

I am relieved to see President Obama stand firm. Tick Tock

104 Cannadian Club Akbar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:18:55am

OT- For FBV and Alouette.

[Link: celebrationtowncenter.com...]

105 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:19:22am

re: #101 lawhawk

They usually do - and the drug companies can't produce (and the FDA) can't approve antibiotics fast enough to deal with those drug resistant strains. Complicating matters even further is the widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in some parts of the world, enabling the drugs to gain resistance and then spread around the world like wildfire.

MRSA was only the most widely recognized, but it will hardly be the last of these new drug-resistant strains.

Anti biotics are not big money makers. I read a story in one of the big news mags about three years ago that discussed this. The big pharma companies want drugs that you will stay on for years and make them steady profits. Drugs that actually cure something are not all that profitable, and hence, they don't get as much attention for research dollars.

The invisible hand of the market place again, giving you a king size charlie horse.

106 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:20:20am

re: #102 Alouette

There are Cockneys in Space? I thought in order to be a true Cockney you had to be born in a specific neighborhood in London.

Space orks in Warhammer 40,000 all have a Cockney accent. I have no idea why, but the dialogue is funny as hell.

107 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:21:05am

re: #91 SanFranciscoZionist

Because businesses will just naturally follow the guidelines, because otherwise, folks will stop doing business with them. Invisible hand of the market strikes again.

//Not likely.

Locally? That works. Globally? Not so much.

108 Gus  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:21:15am

OT

Latest on the Santa Monica synagogue explosion...

Santa Monica Explosion Accidental, Not Intentional

109 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:21:54am

re: #100 Fozzie Bear

Damn. That took a while...

110 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:22:52am
111 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:22:59am

re: #106 celticdragon

Space orks in Warhammer 40,000 all have a Cockney accent. I have no idea why, but the dialogue is funny as hell.

I stopped watching TV for 40 years, then about 6 months ago I started watching TV again. So I am totally clueless about all those 70's, 80's and 90's shows.

112 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:23:35am

re: #108 Gus 802

OT

Latest on the Santa Monica synagogue explosion...

Santa Monica Explosion Accidental, Not Intentional

Yikes! Some accidents can be a real bitch!

113 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:24:07am

re: #108 Gus 802

OT

Latest on the Santa Monica synagogue explosion...

Santa Monica Explosion Accidental, Not Intentional

work accident?

//couldn't resist

114 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:24:15am

re: #106 celticdragon

Space orks in Warhammer 40,000 all have a Cockney accent. I have no idea why, but the dialogue is funny as hell.

The wonders of Ork technology

Image: orc-technology-500x653.jpg

115 prairiefire  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:25:18am

re: #110 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

PERFECT!

I am going to post a pie pix for you.

116 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:25:20am

re: #111 Alouette

I stopped watching TV for 40 years, then about 6 months ago I started watching TV again. So I am totally clueless about all those 70's, 80's and 90's shows.

Its all from video games and the written material.

117 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:25:37am

re: #111 Alouette

I stopped watching TV for 40 years, then about 6 months ago I started watching TV again. So I am totally clueless about all those 70's, 80's and 90's shows.

psst.. heavy duty nerd zone here... tread carefully lest you bring down the wrath of some sort of psychic emperor that we all know would get his bottom handed to him by either Leto II or Darth Bane!

Ohhh yeah, I said it!

ducks////

and the space orks are hilarious.

118 Gus  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:26:43am

Back later! Everyone remain calm. :)

119 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:26:59am

re: #108 Gus 802

OT

Latest on the Santa Monica synagogue explosion...

Santa Monica Explosion Accidental, Not Intentional

Great reporting... what kind of accident. You know I have managed to go my whole life and not see random buildings blow up by accident that can't be identified.

120 The Yankee  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:27:28am

re: #105 celticdragon

Do you guys know of any attempts by the drug companies to undermine prescription drug laws. According to the film "Bigger Stronger Faster", some of the drugs that are made to get rid of anxiety, attention disorder and sleeping problems are being used as performance enhancers by musicians and college students and others. There is a market for it if only people didn't have to go to a doctor to get the pills they could sell loads of it.

121 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:27:41am

re: #117 LudwigVanQuixote

psst.. heavy duty nerd zone here... tread carefully lest you bring down the wrath of some sort of psychic emperor that we all know would get his bottom handed to him by either Leto II or Darth Bane!

Ohhh yeah, I said it!

ducks///

and the space orks are hilarious.

You have sentenced yourself to Exterminatus. Commend your soul to the warp, Heretic

122 abolitionist  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:29:37am

re: #105 celticdragon

Anti biotics are not big money makers. I read a story in one of the big news mags about three years ago that discussed this. The big pharma companies want drugs that you will stay on for years and make them steady profits. Drugs that actually cure something are not all that profitable, and hence, they don't get as much attention for research dollars.

The invisible hand of the market place again, giving you a king size charlie horse.

Drug company lobbies got DMSO classified as an illegal drug about 4 decades ago. A big part of the problem is that it's literally cheaper than dirt --about $12/tanker car when I first read of it. So there's no significant profit in marketing or researching it, and likely never will be.

123 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:30:20am

re: #111 Alouette

I stopped watching TV for 40 years, then about 6 months ago I started watching TV again. So I am totally clueless about all those 70's, 80's and 90's shows.

Not a tv show. Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 (or 40K, for short) are table top wargames. One motion capture movie has been made about the 40K universe, and there are numerous video games as well.

The table top aspect is still the mainstay of Warhammer Fantasy and 40K, and involves collecting and careful painting of miniatures, and competitive gaming with other hobby enthusiasts in person. There are numerous conventions for Warhammer held around the world, and game tournaments and painting competitions (called the Golden Demon competitions) are regular events.

124 prairiefire  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:30:47am

re: #110 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Lemon Chess Pie ~ [Link: imgur.com...]

125 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:30:52am

re: #102 Alouette

There are Cockneys in Space? I thought in order to be a true Cockney you had to be born in a specific neighborhood in London.

Within earshot of the bells at St.-Mary-le-Bow, I think it is.

But once you've done that, I see no reason why you can't go to space.

Or, 'buttons and lace' as they like to call it.

126 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:30:53am

re: #114 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

That was funny as hell! :D

127 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:31:32am

re: #123 celticdragon

Not a tv show. Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 (or 40K, for short) are table top wargames. One motion capture movie has been made about the 40K universe, and there are numerous video games as well.

The table top aspect is still the mainstay of Warhammer Fantasy and 40K, and involves collecting and careful painting of miniatures, and competitive gaming with other hobby enthusiasts in person. There are numerous conventions for Warhammer held around the world, and game tournaments and painting competitions (called the Golden Demon competitions) are regular events.

Oh. I totally did not know that.

128 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:33:50am

re: #126 celticdragon

That was funny as hell! :D

And remember, Orks always win.

Orkses is never defeated in battle. If we win we win, if we die we die fighting so it don't count. If we runs for it we don't die neither, cos we can come back for annuver go, see!

129 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:34:57am

re: #117 LudwigVanQuixote

psst.. heavy duty nerd zone here... tread carefully lest you bring down the wrath of some sort of psychic emperor that we all know would get his bottom handed to him by either Leto II or Darth Bane!

Ohhh yeah, I said it!

ducks///

and the space orks are hilarious.

Look upon this hammer I hold before me, for it is far more than a weapon. It is a symbol of the Imperial justice that smites the diabolic enemies of the Imperium wherever they are found, just as I. Though it has banished even a mighty Greater Daemon to the hell from which it was spawned, it remains true and pure, just as I. Furthermore, it is a symbol of my order and my office, of the authority granted to me by the divine will of the Emperor. By that authority, I am commanding you and your entire regiment to obey me without question or hesitation. Advance, or it will not be daemonic blood that stains my hammer this day.

130 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:36:39am

The house just passed their one week extension. They're putting the squeeze on:

Is The White House Trapped?
[Link: www.huffingtonpost.com...]


....But the White House issued a veto threat of the measure just after noon today.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) went after President Obama immediately, highlighting the troop funding problem.

"President Obama has threatened to veto the only bill before us to keep the government functioning ahead of tomorrow's deadline, cut spending and ensure that our troops are paid," Cantor said. "To be clear, if the President vetoes this bill and shuts the government down, our men and women in uniform serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world will not be paid."

131 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:37:22am

re: #129 celticdragon

When considering if the God Emperor could defeat Leto and Bane, one must ask themselves this question.

Does the God-Emperor sit much?

132 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:39:20am

Here's the text of the continuance the house just passed:

H.R. 1363:
Department of Defense and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
[Link: www.govtrack.us...]

133 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:40:45am

re: #130 RogueOne

The house just passed their one week extension. They're putting the squeeze on:

Is The White House Trapped?
[Link: www.huffingtonpost.com...]

Yeah, who didn't see that coming. "It's about the troops!" Gee, perhaps if we weren't fighting two wars at the same time, we wouldn't be in this financial mess in the first place...nah, why let logic enter into these things?

134 Stanghazi  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:41:22am

re: #108 Gus 802

OT

Latest on the Santa Monica synagogue explosion...

Santa Monica Explosion Accidental, Not Intentional

Yay! Glad no one was hurt.

What does FCBBHO stand for?

135 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:41:26am

re: #130 RogueOne

Heh. Man, are they spinning hard. What transparent assholery.

136 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:41:39am

re: #121 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Darth Bane, founder of the rule of two... sorry, all the psychic you want *and* light saber.... *and* orbalisk armor...


With Leto II, no move your boy could make would not be predicted and putting space marines against Saudarkar, Fremen or God Emperor help you, fish speakers would simply be a warm up for the elite troops of Dune!

137 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:42:17am

ohh and ducks again

/////

138 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:43:52am

re: #133 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Yeah, who didn't see that coming. "It's about the troops!" Gee, perhaps if we weren't fighting two wars at the same time, we wouldn't be in this financial mess in the first place...nah, why let logic enter into these things?

It's 3 wars and the Iraq/Afghan wars are costing us roughly $104 Billion a year. That's chump change compared to the $1.56T annual budget deficit.

139 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:45:12am

re: #135 Obdicut

Heh. Man, are they spinning hard. What transparent assholery.

They have him in a tough spot. If he decides to veto the bill then it's going to be harder to blame the repubs for the shutdown. My guess is he'll hold on to it and sign it at the last minute to avoid a shutdown. He'll have to back down but he'll be able to blame the repubs for holding him hostage, so to speak.

140 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:45:16am

re: #137 LudwigVanQuixote

ohh and ducks again

///

Incoming heavy bolter fire is a bitch...

141 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:45:48am

re: #139 RogueOne

They have him in a tough spot. If he decides to veto the bill then it's going to be harder to blame the repubs for the shutdown. My guess is he'll hold on to it and sign it at the last minute to avoid a shutdown. He'll have to back down but he'll be able to blame the repubs for holding him hostage, so to speak.

It isn't going to get past the Senate to begin with.

142 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:46:08am

re: #138 RogueOne

1/10th of something is chump change? Nifty.

It's really funny watching the GOP and their supporters squirm between trying to appease the Tea Party's desire to shut the government down, and their need to blame the Democrats for their extremist idiocy.

If he decides to veto the bill then it's going to be harder to blame the repubs for the shutdown.

Why? He said he'd veto it if they kept the bullshit riders in. They did. So, he's going to veto it.

Sure, that's his 'fault'. If by 'fault' you mean 'Not letting the GOP threaten a shutdown unless they get everything they want, including destroying the EPA.'

143 Kragar  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:47:22am

re: #136 LudwigVanQuixote

Darth Bane, founder of the rule of two... sorry, all the psychic you want *and* light saber... *and* orbalisk armor...

With Leto II, no move your boy could make would not be predicted and putting space marines against Saudarkar, Fremen or God Emperor help you, fish speakers would simply be a warm up for the elite troops of Dune!

***preps cylonic torpedoes and virus bombs***

What is this plant Dune you speak of?

**fires**

Meanwhile, the Culexus could use some sport. Unlimited psychic power you say? Yummy.

144 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:47:34am

re: #141 celticdragon

It isn't going to get past the Senate to begin with.

Exactly. No matter what the House does, the Senate still has a say, despite the idiocy that the GOP tried to pull the other day.

145 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:47:53am

re: #141 celticdragon

It isn't going to get past the Senate to begin with.

Possibly. It has a shot, not much of one but still...

146 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:48:38am

re: #145 RogueOne

Possibly. It has a shot, not much of one but still...

Only if enough Dems cave in to the GOP's idiocy. That's the only way there's a shot.

147 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:48:47am

re: #138 RogueOne

It's 3 wars and the Iraq/Afghan wars are costing us roughly $104 Billion a year. That's chump change compared to the $1.56T annual budget deficit.

IIRC, the defense budget for this year alone, including Iraq & Afghanistan, is on the order of $650 billion, with the only "cuts" being basically some shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic, moving money from one end to the other and claiming money has been saved. And that's not even including what we're gonna end up spending in Libya.

148 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:49:40am

re: #147 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

IIRC, the defense budget for this year alone, including Iraq & Afghanistan, is on the order of $650 billion, with the only "cuts" being basically some shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic, moving money from one end to the other and claiming money has been saved. And that's not even including what we're gonna end up spending in Libya.

But...but! No more color copies at the Pentagon!

/hurr durr derp

149 Targetpractice  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:50:04am

re: #146 Lidane

Only if enough Dems cave in to the GOP's idiocy. That's the only way there's a shot.

Some might, if convinced that this could weigh against them come reelection bids next year. You can be sure that there's more than a bit of whispering in their ears that they can either jump on the GOP bandwagon or ride the ship down with Obama.

150 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:51:03am

re: #142 Obdicut

1/10th of something is chump change? Nifty.

It's really funny watching the GOP and their supporters squirm between trying to appease the Tea Party's desire to shut the government down, and their need to blame the Democrats for their extremist idiocy.

Why? He said he'd veto it if they kept the bullshit riders in. They did. So, he's going to veto it.

Sure, that's his 'fault'. If by 'fault' you mean 'Not letting the GOP threaten a shutdown unless they get everything they want, including destroying the EPA.'

Those riders are on the whole year bill not the continuance. He's threated to veto it because he says it's a distraction and it's time to get the whole year dealt with. If he has anything specific he doesn't like about it I haven't been able to find it. I posted the link to the bill upthread. Most of it has to do with funding the military for the rest of the year but it does cut spending by $12B. The dems have counter-offered a continuance with zero cuts.

151 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:51:24am

re: #134 Stanley Sea

Yay! Glad no one was hurt.

What does FCBBHO stand for?

I believe it is an acronym for "Fucking Commie Bastard Barack Hussein Obama". A one-time lizard's little pet name for the Prezzy.

152 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:51:53am

re: #149 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Some might, if convinced that this could weigh against them come reelection bids next year. You can be sure that there's more than a bit of whispering in their ears that they can either jump on the GOP bandwagon or ride the ship down with Obama.

And there's equal arm twisting on the other side saying that if they don't go along, they won't get re-election support from the DNC or whoever.

I'm cynical enough to know that both sides are threatening electoral consequences. I think the Senate will hold, just because the consequences of gutting the EPA would be a disaster.

153 Stanghazi  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:52:16am

re: #151 SanFranciscoZionist

I believe it is an acronym for "Fucking Commie Bastard Barack Hussein Obama". A one-time lizard's little pet name for the Prezzy.

Oh geeze.

154 webevintage  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:52:56am

re: #124 prairiefire

Lemon Chess Pie ~ [Link: imgur.com...]

mmmmmmm
I love making lemon chess pie...and eating it...

155 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:53:37am

re: #147 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

True. The house repubs have offered cuts (just barely) to defense spending. My guess is to get the senate to pass a bill with more serious cuts so they cast blame.

156 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:55:30am

re: #150 RogueOne

Those riders are on the whole year bill not the continuance. He's threated to veto it because he says it's a distraction and it's time to get the whole year dealt with. If he has anything specific he doesn't like about it I haven't been able to find it. I posted the link to the bill upthread. Most of it has to do with funding the military for the rest of the year but it does cut spending by $12B. The dems have counter-offered a continuance with zero cuts.

re: #130 RogueOne

Wow, it's hilarious how hard they're trying to run away from the shutdown.

And no, that bill also has a bunch of riders on it, Rogue. Like banning using DC city taxes to fund abortions.

157 Kewalo  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:55:49am

I honestly did not know I could hate the RW more then I already did. I'm actually quivering from rage at those assholes.

I grew up in LA in the 50's when kids were sometimes kept home from school so they wouldn't have to go out in the smog. I left in the 60's and when I came back 20 or so yrs later it was so much better I was stunned. Take a gander at this.

[Link: globalengagement.foreignpolicyblogs.com...]

We lived in the city and to go to school would have to go out in air like this. Fu*k all of them, they're worthless pieces of crap.

158 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:56:56am

The GOP isn't willing to continue funding the government at current levels for one week, instead wanting to get in all kinds of cuts at the same time, and they're attempting to say Obama is the one shutting down the government.

And some people will fall for it. Sad and funny at the same time.

159 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:57:33am

re: #156 Obdicut

re: #130 RogueOne

Wow, it's hilarious how hard they're trying to run away from the shutdown.

And no, that bill also has a bunch of riders on it, Rogue. Like banning using DC city taxes to fund abortions.

I posted the link to the bill. Find it in there for me because if it's in there I can't find it.

[Link: www.govtrack.us...]

160 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 11:57:38am

re: #81 lostlakehiker

Thanks all and it's been instructive, but this is my last post for at least a year. Maybe the tone will eventually change.

Happy trails. Hope to see you back.

161 prairiefire  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:01:21pm

re: #142 Obdicut

VETO!!! Will this be his first?

162 jamesfirecat  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:01:50pm

re: #159 RogueOne

I posted the link to the bill. Find it in there for me because if it's in there I can't find it.

[Link: www.govtrack.us...]

Does that page also track riders attached to a bill?

163 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:03:29pm

re: #159 RogueOne

Boy, that was easy:

Here it is.

‘Sec. 359. Section 814 of division C of Public Law 111-117 shall be applied to funds appropriated by this Act by striking ‘Federal’.

And this is sec 814 from 111-117.

Sec. 814. None of the Federal funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended for any abortion except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or where the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.


Did you really bother to try to look?

164 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:13:44pm

re: #143 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

***preps cylonic torpedoes and virus bombs***

What is this plant Dune you speak of?

**fires**

Meanwhile, the Culexus could use some sport. Unlimited psychic power you say? Yummy.

According to the Codex Imperialis:

Source Suppressed


Dune, also know as Arrakis, was a desert world known for a heretical cult that worshiped a man called Paul Muad'Dib. This "Muad'Dib" was said to have formidable psyker powers and came to rule most of the Galaxy some 10,000 years before the Great Crusade. Arrakis was a desert planet known for the production of melange, also called "spice" which was used to enhance latent psychic abilities and prolong life in humans. This substance was the product of a chemical reaction between the feces of giant sandworms and substrate water. It was extensively mined by automated ambulatory factorums, which have been preserved in STC data. Control of Arrakis meant control of the spice, and spice was used by navigators prior to the coming of the God-Emperor and the Astronomican. Arrakis was destroyed during the Great Crusade, probably by magna-melta bombs, although records are indeterminate. Spice addicts were deemed Hereticus in Extremis and were hunted down and killed by adepts of the Officio Assasinorum.

165 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:15:18pm

re: #163 Obdicut

Maybe I'm not seeing it. I don't see what striking the word "federal" from existing funding (banning federal funds from being used for abortions) defunds anything in the district of columbia:


Sec. 814. None of the Federal funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended for any abortion except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or where the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.

That was part of the last budget passed so basically it's the current law. Am I missing something?

166 sagehen  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:15:33pm

re: #157 Kewalo

I honestly did not know I could hate the RW more then I already did. I'm actually quivering from rage at those assholes.

I grew up in LA in the 50's when kids were sometimes kept home from school so they wouldn't have to go out in the smog. I left in the 60's and when I came back 20 or so yrs later it was so much better I was stunned. Take a gander at this.

[Link: globalengagement.foreignpolicyblogs.com...]

We lived in the city and to go to school would have to go out in air like this. Fu*k all of them, they're worthless pieces of crap.

I grew up a few years behind you, and 30 miles inland. OMG do I remember smog days. The San Gabriel Mountains come up out of nowhere, 5000 feet straight up, and there were days we couldn't see them from 10 miles away. Recess and PE classes would be cancelled (we'd watch the same goddamm 4 movies over and over again in the cafeteria), the local hospitals had their oxygen rooms just off the ER so residents could bring asthmatics and grandparents in to just hang out all day and take huffs off the tank...), SCAQMD would order all manufacturing to shut down until it cleared.

Inversion layers was my first Intro to Physics and Geology lesson, before I even learned to read.

167 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:19:05pm

re: #162 jamesfirecat

Does that page also track riders attached to a bill?

Here's a list of all the riders on HR1:
(PDF)
[Link: www.ombwatch.org...]

168 Obdicut  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:21:38pm

re: #165 RogueOne

Maybe I'm not seeing it. I don't see what striking the word "federal" from existing funding (banning federal funds from being used for abortions) defunds anything in the district of columbia

As well as appropriating funds for the Federal government, the appropriations act gathers them for the DoC as well.

That was part of the last budget passed so basically it's the current law. Am I missing something?

That'd they Hyde amendment, basically. They're trying to expand it from federal expenditures to include no expenditures for DC abortions, either. It's a petty, petty little move-- very typical of the GOP these days.

169 jamesfirecat  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:25:01pm

re: #167 RogueOne

Here's a list of all the riders on HR1:
(PDF)
[Link: www.ombwatch.org...]

What do you make of all the ones under the Environment section?

Like

Prohibits funding for EPA efforts to regulate greenhouse gases.
Sec. 1746

Prohibits funding for the EPA to change a rule regulating water.
Sec. 1747

Prohibits funding for enforcing an order by the Secretary of the Interior calling for protecting public natural spaces.
Sec. 1778


Prohibits funds to implement, administer or enforce the rule entitled “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants,” published by the Environmental Protection Agency on September 9, 2010, which limits the levels of mercury in cement.
Sec. 4008


Prohibit EPA funding for enforcement of total maximum daily loads in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Sec. 4033

Prohibits funds for the EPA to impose and enforce federally mandated numeric Florida water quality standards.
Sec. 4035

Prohibits funds for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Sec. 4042

Also

Prohibits funding for the IRS to implement health care reform.
Sec. 1516
Prohibits funds for a White House Director of Health Care reform.
Sec. 1536

Wouldn't that stealth kill the ACA if it was passed?

And finally...

!!!! Prohibits funds to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., or any of its affiliates.
Sec. 4013 !!!!

170 Lidane  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:27:51pm

re: #169 jamesfirecat

I think my favorite provision in HR1 is the one that tries to sidestep the Constitution, saying that if the Senate doesn't act, it becomes law anyway.

171 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:35:22pm

BBLre: #168 Obdicut

I see. Some of the funding is from the DofC. From what I can tell they want to take the budget rules back to the way they were before they were changed in 2009 from the Bush policy, which was different than Clinton, whose policy was different than Bush 41.

172 allegro  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:36:02pm

I hope the Dems and Obama blast this info everywhere loudly and often. Even the biggest assholes Republicans of my acquaintance would pause over a lot of this nonsense.

173 RogueOne  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:38:05pm

re: #169 jamesfirecat

I have to take off but we'll definitely get into this argument. My guess is the fight is going to go on until September so we'll have plenty of time. As it stands now I'm quickly getting bored with this like I did with the HCR battle. We're fighting over a budget that should have been passed last year when we should be moving on to this years fight!


cya people

174 moderatelyradicalliberal  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:39:33pm

re: #172 allegro

I hope the Dems and Obama blast this info everywhere loudly and often. Even the biggest assholes Republicans of my acquaintance would pause over a lot of this nonsense.

It seems to me that the Dems can blast all they want, but the corporate MSM is only interested in furthering the TeaGOP line on any and all things. Liberal media my ass.

175 Kewalo  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:46:15pm

re: #166 sagehen

I grew up a few years behind you, and 30 miles inland. OMG do I remember smog days.

Inversion layers was my first Intro to Physics and Geology lesson, before I even learned to read.

Obviously more then just a few years behind me because your memory is so much better then mine. Now that you have reminded me I remember all that crap. We actually lived right in the city for a few years and it's mind boggling that anyone would even suggest we go back to that. I've come to the conclusion that none of those asshats have any knowledge of the history of their country. I guess they just don't realize how awful it really was.

176 jamesfirecat  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:46:19pm

re: #173 RogueOne

I have to take off but we'll definitely get into this argument. My guess is the fight is going to go on until September so we'll have plenty of time. As it stands now I'm quickly getting bored with this like I did with the HCR battle. We're fighting over a budget that should have been passed last year when we should be moving on to this years fight!

cya people

Sure we can fight about it when you have time, but there can't be any fighting about if this bill denies funding to planned parenthood I found the rider in it that does just that!

177 celticdragon  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:47:03pm

re: #166 sagehen

I grew up a few years behind you, and 30 miles inland. OMG do I remember smog days. The San Gabriel Mountains come up out of nowhere, 5000 feet straight up, and there were days we couldn't see them from 10 miles away. Recess and PE classes would be cancelled (we'd watch the same goddamm 4 movies over and over again in the cafeteria), the local hospitals had their oxygen rooms just off the ER so residents could bring asthmatics and grandparents in to just hang out all day and take huffs off the tank...), SCAQMD would order all manufacturing to shut down until it cleared.

Inversion layers was my first Intro to Physics and Geology lesson, before I even learned to read.

I grew up in Yucaipa, which as next to Redlands along I-10 towards the desert and Palm Springs.

I remember the third stage smog alerts and being kept indoors all day at school in the 1970's. I remember smog so bad in the 80's down in Riverside and San Bernardino that you couldn't see the mountains.

Bad stuff.

178 Kewalo  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 12:53:57pm

re: #167 RogueOne

Thank you so much. I post a lot on a social website and I'm going to make sure and rub their noses in the BS. Right now everyone seems to think it's just about money. I hope to God this news can get passed the media meme of just budget cuts.

179 sagehen  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 1:11:58pm

re: #177 celticdragon

I grew up in Yucaipa, which as next to Redlands along I-10 towards the desert and Palm Springs.

I remember the third stage smog alerts and being kept indoors all day at school in the 1970's. I remember smog so bad in the 80's down in Riverside and San Bernardino that you couldn't see the mountains.

Bad stuff.

I haven't been to Redlands in ages, but I used to love stopping at the A&W Drive-In on my way up to Big Bear. I'd never seen a carhop outside of the movies, I really got an unreasonable thrill from that. Is it still there? (and then I'd drive around a little before getting back on the highway, to look at the adorable little craftsman houses).

180 wrenchwench  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 1:12:49pm

re: #81 lostlakehiker

Thanks all and it's been instructive, but this is my last post for at least a year. Maybe the tone will eventually change.

I think it just did!

181 Neo_  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 1:47:13pm
“These matters have no place on a budget bill,” Mr. Reid said. Regarding the dispute over abortion funding, Mr. Reid said that lawmakers “can’t solve in one night an issue that this country has been fighting over for four decades.”

This is a dispute over abortion funding ?
The Hyde Amendment made federal payments for abortion illegal for the last two decades.
Is Harry Reid now saying that Planned Parenthood has been breaking the law ?

182 kirkspencer  Thu, Apr 7, 2011 3:09:25pm

I realize everyone has moved on, but I want to answer RogueOne's question about where are the riders in the continuing resolution.

Answer: they're hidden in Part B. Here's an example, bolding the part to notice.

Sec. 298. Notwithstanding section 101, amounts are provided for `Agricultural Programs--National Institute of Food and Agriculture--Integrated Activities' at a rate for operations of $24,874,000: Provided, That the amounts included under such heading in Public Law 111-80 shall be applied to funds appropriated by this Act as follows: by substituting `$15,044,000' for `$45,148,000'; by substituting `$10,948,000' for `$12,649,000'; by substituting `$0' for `$14,596,000'; by substituting `$0' for `$4,388,000'; by substituting `$0' for `$1,365,000'; by substituting `$0' for `$3,054,000'; by substituting `$0' for `$5,000,000'; by substituting `$0' for `$3,000,000'; by substituting `$0' for `$732,000'; and by substituting `$0' for `$1,312,000'.

So what's in public law 111-80 that just got massively defunded?

For the integrated research, education, and extension grants
programs, including necessary administrative expenses, $60,022,000, as
follows: for competitive grants programs authorized under section 406 of
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998
(7 U.S.C. 7626), $45,148,000, including $12,649,000 for the water
quality program, $14,596,000 for the food safety program, $4,096,000 for
the regional pest management centers program, $4,388,000 for the Food
Quality Protection Act risk mitigation program for major food crop
systems, $1,365,000 for the crops affected by Food Quality Protection
Act implementation, $3,054,000 for the methyl bromide transition
program, and $5,000,000 for the organic transition program; for a
competitive international science and education grants program
authorized under section 1459A of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292b), to remain
available until expended, $3,000,000; for grants programs authorized
under section 2(c)(1)(B) of Public Law 89-
106, as amended, $732,000, to remain available until September 30, 2011,
for the critical issues program; $1,312,000 for the regional rural
development centers program
; and $9,830,000 for the Food and Agriculture
Defense Initiative authorized under section 1484 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teachi

The devil - and the riders - are in the fine print.


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