Barney Frank to Retire

I'll miss Barney. He's always good for a snarky soundbite, and he really seems to get under the skin of his opponents. The Senate will be worse off without him.

Political Atheist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:15:13am

Is there a likely Dem replacement or is this one up for grabs?

Big Steve Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:15:42am

Barney will make millions being a commentator on the some media somewhere. I say go for it.

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:16:05am

Has he explained why he waited until right after we finished redistricting to announce? Was it related to the redistricting changes? Has something recently changed, since he had been hinting a few months ago that he planned for one more term.

kirkspencer Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:16:12am

Various rightwing cesspools have cranked the homophobic vitriol up to 11 over this. No, I will not share. If you want to get that dirty, you know where the toilets are.

(I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was) Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:16:12am

Barny Frank wanted to ban subprime loans and the WSJ wanted Frank to back off of that because they were good for poor people?

Shiplord Kirel Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:16:18am

Wingnuts are delirious with joy.

Even in my own wingnut days I had a soft spot for Barney Frank, especially for the way he called out then-CNN president Eason Jordan for claiming that US troops had deliberately targeted journalists in Iraq.

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:17:20am

re: #5 Big Steve

Barney will make millions being a commentator on the some media somewhere. I say go for it.

There's bigger money in being a lobbyist/consultant. Maybe the occasional speaking gig.

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:19:03am

We're invading Australia? Nice!

kirkspencer Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:19:11am

re: #5 Big Steve

Barney will make millions being a commentator on the some media somewhere. I say go for it.

In an ideal world, he'd be resigning to take over one of the financial regulatory agencies.

Big Steve Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:19:17am

re: #10 Killgore Trout

There's bigger money in being a lobbyist/consultant. Maybe the occasional speaking gig.

Yea that too

Charles Johnson Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:19:30am

re: #6 Simply Sarah

Has he explained why he waited until right after we finished redistricting to announce? Was it related to the redistricting changes? Has something recently changed, since he had been hinting a few months ago that he planned for one more term.

Yes, he said the redistricting was the reason for his retirement.

Charles Johnson Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:19:52am

re: #10 Killgore Trout

There's bigger money in being a lobbyist/consultant. Maybe the occasional speaking gig.

He said in his press conference that he won't become a lobbyist.

_RememberTonyC Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:21:15am

they say 2012 is going to be rough sledding for all incumbents, regardless of their party ... maybe he just didn't want to have to work as hard as it will require to keep his seat in Congress.

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:21:44am

re: #4 Rightwingconspirator

Is there a likely Dem replacement or is this one up for grabs?

Well, now that I've actually looked, apparently he's saying he's not running because of redistricting, which made his district more conservative overall. Considering he only won 54-43 last year despite being a long-time incumbent in a normally incumbent friendly state like Massachusetts, I'd say his seat is certainly up for grabs with a good GOP candidate/weak Democratic one and another decent year for Republicans. Massachusetts isn't really as blue as people seem to think it is.

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:21:48am

re: #15 Charles

He said in his press conference that he won't become a lobbyist.

Did he say what he's going to do next?

recusancy Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:22:40am

re: #6 Simply Sarah

Has he explained why he waited until right after we finished redistricting to announce? Was it related to the redistricting changes? Has something recently changed, since he had been hinting a few months ago that he planned for one more term.

He's 71.

Big Steve Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:22:49am

re: #14 Charles

Yes, he said the redistricting was the reason for his retirement.

That is interesting in that the Massachusetts State house of representatives is 80% Democratic, why would the redistrict to be unfavorable to Frank?

Charles Johnson Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:22:55am

re: #18 Killgore Trout

Did he say what he's going to do next?

He said he's considering writing and/or academia.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:24:37am

re: #19 recusancy

He's 71.

The Bible says nothing about retiring at any particular age, in fact God wants us to work until we drop, singing his praises...

(I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was) Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:24:44am

Heh. The conventional wisdom is that Frank pushed for subprime loans, no?

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:25:13am

Why is Rep. Barney Frank retiring?

Democrats might not win back the House. Frank rose to the height of Washington power as chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services from 2007 to 2011. He helped push through financial reform legislation and championed the giant quasi-government mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – actions that have made him a GOP target. But Republicans took control of the chamber in the 2010 midterms, and they may well maintain their grip on the speakership after 2012. Frank’s retirement may indicate that top House Democrats don’t think that much of their chances in the upcoming vote.

He might have lost. Most important, Frank would not be running in the same district in 2012, geographically speaking. A new state redistricting map made necessary by relatively slow population growth shoved some conservative towns into Frank’s Fourth District, while depriving it of reliably Democratic New Bedford. Frank could have still counted on his liberal base of Newton. But he’d have faced another challenge from former Marine and presumptive GOP candidate Sean Bielat, who gave Frank a tough challenge in 2010. Why bother? Perhaps that was Frank’s attitude.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:26:25am

Whatever his reasons, this is being spun as a victory for decency and the American Way.

Nervous Norvous Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:26:32am

Why Barney Frank will be missed

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:27:46am

re: #20 Big Steve

That is interesting in that the Massachusetts State house of representatives is 80% Democratic, why would the redistrict to be unfavorable to Frank?

Well, as I said in my #17, Frank (Like several House members from the Commonwealth) had a tough re-election campaign last year and didn't really win by all that much. With a less friendly district (Plus losing some incumbency power simply due to having new constituents), he may have some reasonable fears about another re-election bid.

I should also point out that the General Court was about 90% Democratic before the last election.

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:29:50am

Damn, he's letting the voters have it. LOL!

Kragar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:31:05am

re: #22 ralphieboy

The Bible says nothing about retiring at any particular age, in fact God wants us to work until we drop, singing his praises...

David, is that you?

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:31:52am

re: #24 Killgore Trout

"But he’d have faced another challenge from former Marine and presumptive GOP candidate Sean Bielat, who gave Frank a tough challenge in 2010"

"Tough challenge" = Frank won by 10%.

But this is still being spun as "He's afraid he will lose!" because that makes better press...

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:32:33am

re: #29 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

David, is that you?

Dave's not here!

Kragar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:32:41am

re: #30 ralphieboy

"But he’d have faced another challenge from former Marine and presumptive GOP candidate Sean Bielat, who gave Frank a tough challenge in 2010"

"Tough challenge" = Frank won by 10%.

But this is still being spun as "He's afraid he will lose!" because that makes better press...

That was Rush's take on the whole deal.

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:36:56am

re: #24 Killgore Trout

Why is Rep. Barney Frank retiring?

Yeah, losing New Bedford and the shift to some of the redder areas certainly changed things.

re: #30 ralphieboy

"But he’d have faced another challenge from former Marine and presumptive GOP candidate Sean Bielat, who gave Frank a tough challenge in 2010"

"Tough challenge" = Frank won by 10%.

But this is still being spun as "He's afraid he will lose!" because that makes better press...

In 2008 he won by 40 points. Going into election day 2010, it was considered entirely possible (If still unlikely) that Frank could lose. Yes, he won by 10 points, but it wasn't against the best possible opponent. It also demonstrated he wasn't invincible. With the district shift, there was at least the potential for a tough campaign, even if it was possible he would end up winning fairly easily despite that.

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:37:10am

Update on the mysterious Iran explosion: Report: Huge explosion heard in Iranian city of Isfahan

Iran's FARS news agency reported of a large explosion in one of Iran's largest cities. Security officials confirm incident, but report removed from website shortly afterwards
...
In a curious turn of events, shortly after the initial report was published, the item was removed from the news agency's website, which is affiliated with the country's Revolutionary Guard.

Hours later, deputy governor of Isfahan province told Iran's Mehr news agency that there was no report of a major explosion in the province.

makeitstop Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:38:02am

re: #34 Killgore Trout

Update on the mysterious Iran explosion: Report: Huge explosion heard in Iranian city of Isfahan

Whatever exploded, they un-exploded it!
/

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:38:46am

re: #33 Simply Sarah

For a while I had hopes the Dems might retake the House. That looks pretty unlikely these days.

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:39:12am

re: #3 makeitstop

I'll miss Barney. He's always good for a snarky soundbite, and he really seems to get under the skin of his opponents. The Senate will be worse off without him.

He's a member of the House of Representatives.

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:39:38am

re: #35 makeitstop

Whatever exploded, they un-exploded it!
/

Maybe it was just an accident at the halal Butterball facility.

Kragar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:39:40am

Newt: I’m Not The Perfect Candidate — Nobody Is Perfect, Except Christ

“Well, I think that’s right,” Mr. Gingrich said. “I think — look, anybody who’s honest about it knows that no person except Christ has ever been perfect. So I don’t claim to be the perfect candidate. I just claim to be a lot more conservative than Mitt Romney, and a lot more electable than anybody else."

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:40:43am

re: #36 Killgore Trout

For a while I had hopes the Dems might retake the House. That looks pretty unlikely these days.

And I'm sure that factored into his reasoning. May have just decided it wasn't worth another hard campaign where he'd need to introduce himself to a lot of new voters, just for a chance to go back and sit in the minority.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:41:36am

re: #39 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

From a Republican point of view, he is certainly more conservative than Romney, and is about the only other candidate besides Romney with the intellect and political experience to qualify him for the job.

makeitstop Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:41:47am

re: #37 Simply Sarah

He's a member of the House of Representatives.

Noted. I posted and pencil time ran out before I caught it.

Plus it's Monday.

darthstar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:44:07am

That's too bad...why can't the assholes holding up progress retire instead?

Lidane Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:44:15am

re: #41 ralphieboy

From a Republican point of view, he is certainly more conservative than Romney, and is about the only other candidate besides Romney with the intellect and political experience to qualify him for the job.

Plus, he's not a Mormon, so the religious bigots will vote for him.

Too bad for all of them that there's a reason why Newt was tossed aside and marginalized by the Republicans for well over a decade. He's not electable, no matter how badly his supporters delude themselves.

Lidane Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:44:52am

re: #43 darthstar

That's too bad...why can't the assholes holding up progress retire instead?

Because they're too busy running for the GOP nomination.

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:45:21am

re: #42 makeitstop

Noted. I posted and pencil time ran out before I caught it.

Plus it's Monday.

Nonsense! You're not me, so that's no excuse!
/

darthstar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:45:55am

re: #44 Lidane

Plus, he's not a Mormon, so the religious bigots will vote for him.

The religious bigots are not just bigoted religiously, and they would vote for Romney too, because race > religion.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:49:10am

re: #47 darthstar

The religious bigots are not just bigoted religiously, and they would vote for Romney too, because race > religion.

Those who insist on complete religious and ideological purity will have their problems with Romney, and it is feared that many of them will withhold their support for the GOP and/or run their own candidate.

darthstar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:51:06am

re: #48 ralphieboy

Those who insist on complete religious and ideological purity will have their problems with Romney, and it is feared that many of them will withhold their support for the GOP and/or run their own candidate.

They won't run their own candidate because they remember what happened with Ross Perot. It's too bad though...because two conservatives trying to out wingnut each other with Obama on stage at the third podium would be entertaining.

Eventual Carrion Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:54:13am

re: #48 ralphieboy

Those who insist on complete religious and ideological purity will have their problems with Romney, and it is feared that many of them will withhold their support for the GOP and/or run their own candidate.

I know some will have that problem with Newt's Catholic religion. Many in the south still just do not like the Catholic church. And that Newt left the Baptists behind and went to the Catholic "Whore of Babylon" church might just tweak them a little also.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:54:32am

re: #49 darthstar

They won't run their own candidate because they remember what happened with Ross Perot...

One cannot be too sure of that. There were such rumblings in 2008 from Christian conservatives who were not at all pleased with McCain's social policy background. And preference for David Lieberman as VP.

He had Sarah Palin foisted on him as a quid pro quo for their support, and we all know how that turned out...

(I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was) Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:57:47am

re: #41 ralphieboy

From a Republican point of view, he is certainly more conservative than Romney, and is about the only other candidate besides Romney with the intellect and political experience to qualify him for the job.

Really?

newt "most liberal" OR "too liberal" OR "is a liberal"
gingrich "most liberal" OR "too liberal" OR "is a liberal"
gingrich flip flop
newt flip flop

Shiplord Kirel Mon, Nov 28, 2011 10:57:49am

Outrageous outrage of the day, if not the year.

Fox News:Military Pegs Hourly Air Force One Cost at $181G, as Obama Sets Travel Record

As far as I can tell, the figure is accurate and is about 4 times the rate for a commercial 747. Fox fails to mention though that this aircraft was ordered under the Reagan administration, and was used by GOP presidents Bush and Bush the Lesser, as well as by Clinton, with no such complaints. There is no evidence that costs have increased dramatically under Obama.

Fox is being completely dishonest in implying that Obama's increased travel increases the overall cost by that amount every hour. The per hour cost includes a lot of fixed costs that don't vary much with utilization, such as crew and support salaries and the special facility where the two aircraft are kept. Crew costs are naturally much higher for AF1 than for a commercial 747 because the crew is larger and the utilization rate much lower.
Maintenance on the aircraft's very special communications and security installation is also a significant factor and one that might better be kept out of the public domain.

I'll have to look at this in greater detail to see exactly what is included, but it doesn't seem unreasonable at all given the comparatively low rate of utilization and the many special security precautions that have to be taken.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:01:11am

re: #52 000G

It is all relative, but in general, "liberal" is a dirty word to any GOP member, and it is used liberally to defame opponents.

But from a GOP standpoint, Newt has never supported universal health care or supported the right to choose when it comes to abortions.

recusancy Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:02:27am

re: #54 ralphieboy

It is all relative, but in general, "liberal" is a dirty word to any GOP member, and it is used liberally to defame opponents.

But from a GOP standpoint, Newt has never supported universal health care or supported the right to choose when it comes to abortions.

He did support Romney/Obama care when it was a Heritage Foundation idea.

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:03:01am

re: #53 Shiplord Kirel

Outrageous outrage of the day, if not the year.

Fox News:Military Pegs Hourly Air Force One Cost at $181G, as Obama Sets Travel Record

As far as I can tell, the figure is accurate and is about 4 times the rate for a commercial 747. Fox fails to mention though that this aircraft was ordered under the Reagan administration, and was used by GOP presidents Bush and Bush the Lesser, as well as by Clinton, with no such complaints.

I'm pretty sure the lefties complained constantly about Bush's travel expenses.

(I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was) Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:03:22am

re: #54 ralphieboy

But from a GOP standpoint, Newt has never supported universal health care or supported the right to choose when it comes to abortions.

Glenn: “But let’s remember that Mitt is saying things like, ‘That was only for Massachusetts. That was only for Massachusetts.’”

Stu: “Newt Gingrich not only supported (universal healthcare) on a national level, he supported it in 1993 and 2011. He’s got a 20‑year record of support on that.”

"Newt vs. Mitt – who’s worse? ", Glennbeck.com, Nov 23. 2011

Political Atheist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:04:59am

re: #53 Shiplord Kirel

They try to center it around all this alleged extra travel. Well, might we think with 2 plus wars, global trade deals to cut in a recession, Arab Spring, and arms agreement issues with the Russians there might just be more demand for Presidential travel? Maybe? Sheesh.

OhNoZombies! Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:05:06am

re: #56 Killgore Trout

Only when he was hanging out at Crawford...

Henchman Ghazi-808 Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:05:54am

re: #53 Shiplord Kirel

I'd like to know your findings because I'm sure I'll hear about this. Not that people who complain about this stuff are rational to begin with, but hey, I'm trying.

When Obama was in Honolulu for APEC the whining about shutting downs streets and freeways ramped up, the implication being that Obama was being too 'uppity.' I pointed out the real security concerns and the response was 'when did you go liberal?'

Varek Raith Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:06:03am

re: #53 Shiplord Kirel

Not to mention the costs associated with all the classified thingamajigs on AF1.

blueraven Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:06:57am

re: #53 Shiplord Kirel

Outrageous outrage of the day, if not the year.

Fox News:Military Pegs Hourly Air Force One Cost at $181G, as Obama Sets Travel Record

As far as I can tell, the figure is accurate and is about 4 times the rate for a commercial 747. Fox fails to mention though that this aircraft was ordered under the Reagan administration, and was used by GOP presidents Bush and Bush the Lesser, as well as by Clinton, with no such complaints. There is no evidence that costs have increased dramatically under Obama.

Fox is being completely dishonest in implying that Obama's increased travel increases the overall cost by that amount every hour. The per hour cost includes a lot of fixed costs that don't vary much with utilization, such as crew and support salaries and the special facility where the two aircraft are kept. Crew costs are naturally much higher for AF1 than for a commercial 747 because the crew is larger and the utilization rate much lower.
Maintenance on the aircraft's very special communications and security installation is also a significant factor and one that might better be kept out of the public domain.

I'll have to look at this in greater detail to see exactly what is included, but it doesn't seem unreasonable at all given the comparatively low rate of utilization and the many special security precautions that have to be taken.

Lets fact check shall we?

[Link: www.factcheck.org...]

engineer cat Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:08:22am

newt gets his reputation for "intelligence" from the fact that he is the most articulate and well briefed moron on the stage

although, for the art of asserting obviously untrue things in a brisk, convincing, authoritative tone of voice, rumsfeldt's assertions that the iraq war is going great beat newt any day of the week

kirkspencer Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:09:11am

The thing that'll most throw the Republican nomination process into disarray is the change from winner take all to proportional distribution of delegates.

Suddenly third place matters; provided it's above whatever minimum floor the state requires, of course. Heck, everybody above the floor matters. If they drop out, they can "give" the first delegate vote to any candidate still in the running.

The superdelegates are roughly 20% of the total. Using the Democratic party's experience, you can expect them to split roughly in line with the general election with maybe 2-4% shifted to the leader. In other words, to "lock" the election Romney (or any of the others) need 40% of the general. To be the favorite they've got to get at least 35%.

The real deal to watch, in my opinion, is who besides the leaders get delegates. Only top three? Anyone above a floor? Regardless, it's quite possible that 15 to 25% of the delegates will not be committed to the leaders by the time of the convention. And THAT almost certainly means a brokered convention.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:09:51am

re: #63 engineer dog

newt gets his reputation for "intelligence" from the fact that he is the most articulate and well briefed moron on the stage

although, for the art of asserting obviously untrue things in a brisk, convincing, authoritative tone of voice, rumsfeldt's assertions that the iraq war is going great beat newt any day of the week

He also gets a reputation for "intelligence" by simply appearing on a stage next to Cain, Bachmann, Santorum and Perry.

aagcobb Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:10:31am

re: #16 _RememberTonyC

they say 2012 is going to be rough sledding for all incumbents, regardless of their party ... maybe he just didn't want to have to work as hard as it will require to keep his seat in Congress.

Its beginning to look like the European economy is going to melt down, and take us with it, in which case Gingrich may be taking the oath of office as President in 2013. I read an article that suggested the Fed should just buy up all the European bonds to prevent Great Depression II. The Right would howl in fury, but right now it seems the Eurpopeans are helpless to save themselves.

Kragar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:11:40am

Heritage Foundation speakers warn that OWS will overthrow the government

Today on Family Talk James Dobson spoke with conservative author and columnist Rebecca Hagelin, a past vice president of the Heritage Foundation, about how the Occupy Wall Street is the un-American heir of the 1960s anti-war and feminist movements. Kyle noted earlier today that Dobson argued that Occupy Wall Street is “Marxist in tone and implementation,” and he said on today’s broadcast that the economic justice movement shared the “chaos” and “godless” features of protests from the 1960s.

Hagelin contended that Van Jones orchestrated Occupy Wall Street, calling him “one of the most radical individuals in American culture today, whose purpose is to overthrow timeless values and our American system of a republic and a democracy.” Hagelin added that Occupy Wall Street is “as dangerous as we think it is” because its goal is “the complete overthrow of the United States constitution.”

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:11:47am

re: #57 000G

?

"Newt vs. Mitt – who’s worse? ", Glennbeck.com, Nov 23. 2011

you got me on the health care issue, but I am talking about the perceived sense within the GOP that he is less liberal than Romney.

Varek Raith Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:12:56am

re: #59 OhNoZombies!

Only when he was hanging out at Crawford...

Meh, there is no such thing as a PotUS on vacation.
;)

erik_t Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:13:03am

re: #66 aagcobb

It would be interesting to see how public opinion varied between an apparently internally-generated economic meltdown (2007) and an apparently externally-generated meltdown (if the Euro asplodes).

By interesting, I also of course mean terrible.

aagcobb Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:14:01am

re: #70 erik_t

It would be interesting to see how public opinion varied between an apparently internally-generated economic meltdown (2007) and an apparently externally-generated meltdown (if the Euro asplodes).

By interesting, I also of course mean terrible.

Ancient Chinese curse.

blueraven Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:14:10am

re: #62 blueraven

Lets fact check shall we?

[Link: www.factcheck.org...]

One relevant section among many:

To put Obama's use of Air Force One into context, we also asked for travel data for his predecessor, President George W. Bush. Bush took 89 missions and 259 sorties in 2002, his second year as president, according to the airlift group. And in his first two years, Bush took 148 missions with 416 sorties, compared with 126 missions with 324 sorties for Obama over two years.

aagcobb Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:14:55am

re: #72 blueraven

One relevant section among many:

You keep posting like you think facts actually matter./

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:16:11am

re: #67 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Heritage Foundation speakers warn that OWS will overthrow the government

Heh. They can't even take over city parks without getting thrown out. They have no chance of taking over the country.

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:16:20am

re: #56 Killgore Trout

I'm pretty sure the lefties complained constantly about Bush's travel expenses.

Perhaps. I don't recall it, though.

Presidents gotta travel.

Presidents can't stay at Motel 6.

Shiplord Kirel Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:16:25am

re: #62 blueraven

Lets fact check shall we?

[Link: www.factcheck.org...]

Yikes! They sourced the story from a chain e-mail? Essentially, that appears to be what happened, since the Fox story is part and parcel of a current that been wafting through the finges of wingnuttia for a couple of years.

erik_t Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:16:28am

re: #72 blueraven

Anyone who looks up these sorts of trivialities unprompted probably has too much time on their hands.

blueraven Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:17:31am

re: #73 aagcobb

You keep posting like you think facts actually matter./

Totally irrelevant I know!

It was in a chain e-mail dammit! It has to be true. /

OhNoZombies! Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:18:49am

re: #69 Varek Raith

In retrospect, we should have been happy he was there !
:-)

Political Atheist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:19:49am

re: #67 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Heritage Foundation speakers warn that OWS will overthrow the government

Wow. Epic hyperbole.

makeitstop Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:19:59am

re: #65 ralphieboy

He also gets a reputation for "intelligence" by simply appearing on a stage next to Cain, Bachmann, Santorum and Perry.

Not to mention his obsession with constantly reminding everyone how intelligent he is.

Ask him, he'll tell you.

iossarian Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:20:24am

re: #56 Killgore Trout

I'm pretty sure the lefties complained constantly about Bush's travel expenses.

Yes, yes, and then they deleted all evidence of the complaining, because they're so sneaky and deceptive, those tricksy lefties!

blueraven Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:20:25am

re: #75 SanFranciscoZionist

Perhaps. I don't recall it, though.

Presidents gotta travel.

Presidents can't stay at Motel 6.

He has that dang fancy big black bus dont he? He could live in that thing for as much as it cost!

makeitstop Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:21:51am

re: #80 Rightwingconspirator

Wow. Epic hyperbole.

Add OWS to the lists of Greatest Threats To Our Way Of Life.
///

iossarian Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:21:53am

re: #83 blueraven

He has that dang fancy big black bus dont he? He could live in that thing for as much as it cost!

Coming soon to NBC: Hillbilly President.

Varek Raith Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:22:01am

Pat Robertson Solves Viewer's Muslim-Chess-Set Problem

KRISTI WATTS (co-host): Terrel says, "I have a chess set with men based on the Crusades. We've had the set in our house for over 15 years. My wife now says we should have nothing 'Muslim' in our house. I say that it's just a chess set and is OK. What are your thoughts?"

ROBERTSON: Well, I mean, if it's the Crusade, the Crusaders are killing the Muslims. [laughs] So what's the big deal?

WATTS: Yeah.

ROBERTSON: I -- you know, nothing says you can't have something Muslim in your house. You're not worshipping Allah. This is a clash that took place. Crusaders went to reclaim the holy places from the infidels, from the Muslims that had taken them over. So, I mean, that's historic. I don't see anything wrong with that. All right.

HURR HURR DERPY DERP DERP

erik_t Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:22:52am

re: #86 Varek Raith

There's someone more unhinged than Pat Robertson?!

iossarian Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:22:58am

re: #86 Varek Raith

Pat Robertson Solves Viewer's Muslim-Chess-Set Problem

HURR HURR DERPY DERP DERP

I take elitist comfort in the knowledge that the Muslims whipped the Crusaders' asses.

aagcobb Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:23:48am

re: #82 iossarian

Yes, yes, and then they deleted all evidence of the complaining, because they're so sneaky and deceptive, those tricksy lefties!

I did a google search, and found this article
saying Bush was doing an unprecendented amount of campaign travel at taxpayer expense in 2004. That doesn't really qualify as "constant" complaining, though.

Shiplord Kirel Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:24:03am

re: #86 Varek Raith

Pat Robertson Solves Viewer's Muslim-Chess-Set Problem

HURR HURR DERPY DERP DERP

I know a wingnut named Terrel. Wonder if it's the same one?

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:25:10am

re: #86 Varek Raith

Pat Robertson Solves Viewer's Muslim-Chess-Set Problem

HURR HURR DERPY DERP DERP

Yes, but what if the white pieces are Crusaders and black pieces are Muslims? Would that mean Black always needs to let White win to avoid heresy?
/

erik_t Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:25:14am

OT, UCLA fires Rick Neuheisel as the heads continue to roll on Black Monday. Pac-12 is likely to have four new head coaches next season.

engineer cat Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:25:47am

re: #66 aagcobb

~~Its beginning to look like~~ even if the European economy is going to melt down, and take us with it, ~~in which case~~ Gingrich ~~may~~ will still have no chance in hell of be taking the oath of office as President in 2013

fyt

aagcobb Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:27:00am

re: #93 engineer dog

fyt

I hope we don't have to find out.

sagehen Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:27:08am

re: #35 makeitstop

Whatever exploded, they un-exploded it!
/

OMG they have a time machine!!!

makeitstop Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:28:02am

re: #89 aagcobb

I did a google search, and found this article
saying Bush was doing an unprecendented amount of campaign travel at taxpayer expense in 2004. That doesn't really qualify as "constant" complaining, though.

USAToday, noted 'lefties.'
/

PhillyPretzel Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:28:09am

re: #86 Varek Raith
What is wrong with a standard Staunton chess set?

aagcobb Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:28:23am

re: #86 Varek Raith

Pat Robertson Solves Viewer's Muslim-Chess-Set Problem

HURR HURR DERPY DERP DERP

Anyone else notice that Pat thinks that killing Muslims is "no big deal"?

Kragar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:28:30am

re: #86 Varek Raith

Pat Robertson Solves Viewer's Muslim-Chess-Set Problem

HURR HURR DERPY DERP DERP

Evangelical's pet ex-terrorist a total fake

If Pat Robertson’s CBN News wants to be treated as a credible news source, it probably should stop elevating the story of Kamal Saleem.

100

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:29:10am

re: #86 Varek Raith

Pat Robertson Solves Viewer's Muslim-Chess-Set Problem

HURR HURR DERPY DERP DERP

There are so many bizarre layers there, I can't even begin to explore them all at this time.

I wonder if these folks have a Persian rug. Or a Persian cat.

I wonder if they should be playing chess at all.

I sure as hell hope that they're not letting their children wear cotton, or take algebra classes.

I'm SURE they've thrown out the copy of Disney's Aladdin a long time ago. (Wait, never got it. Disney supports the gays.)

This is what happens when you start to seriously overthink a clash of cultures.

101

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:29:19am

re: #98 aagcobb

Anyone else notice that Pat thinks that killing Muslims is "no big deal"?

Oh, I long ago took him thinking that as a given.

102

Kragar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:30:13am

re: #100 SanFranciscoZionist

There are so many bizarre layers there, I can't even begin to explore them all at this time.

I wonder if these folks have a Persian rug. Or a Persian cat.

I wonder if they should be playing chess at all.

I sure as hell hope that they're not letting their children wear cotton, or take algebra classes.

I'm SURE they've thrown out the copy of Disney's Aladdin a long time ago. (Wait, never got it. Disney supports the gays.)

This is what happens when you start to seriously overthink a clash of cultures.

BURN THE COFFEE MAKER FOR HERESY!

103

sagehen Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:31:06am

re: #56 Killgore Trout

I'm pretty sure the lefties complained constantly about Bush's travel expenses.

We didn't complain about the cost of the plane and its crew; we complained about him spending 100 days a year clearing brush from his photo-backdrop "ranch" (that he only bought when he decided to run for president, and sold right away as soon as he was out of office. And that never had any horses or cattle, so how the hell is it a ranch anyway?).

104

erik_t Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:31:50am

re: #98 aagcobb

Anyone else notice that Pat thinks that killing Muslims is "no big deal"?

Well, if you suppose that Muslims are evil, then worrying about their presence in your home as historical losers is in fact more unhinged than worrying about their presence in your home in some other context.

I think. These people make my head hurt.

105

Varek Raith Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:32:18am

re: #99 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Evangelical's pet ex-terrorist a total fake

Oh geez. Srsly? These fools need a freaking hobby.

An investigation by CNN found that Saleem is one of a handful of ‘fundamentalist Christians posing as ex-terrorists,’...

106

Simply Sarah Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:32:23am

re: #100 SanFranciscoZionist

There are so many bizarre layers there, I can't even begin to explore them all at this time.

I wonder if these folks have a Persian rug. Or a Persian cat.

Easy answer. Pretend Persians are Zoroastrians!

I wonder if they should be playing chess at all.

I sure as hell hope that they're not letting their children wear cotton, or take algebra classes.

I'm SURE they've thrown out the copy of Disney's Aladdin a long time ago. (Wait, never got it. Disney supports the gays.)

Well, it's originally a story from China, which, while having its own problems, isn't run by Muslims!

This is what happens when you start to seriously overthink a clash of cultures.

107

Killgore Trout Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:32:35am

re: #103 sagehen

We didn't complain about the cost of the plane and its crew; we complained about him spending 100 days a year clearing brush from his photo-backdrop "ranch" (that he only bought when he decided to run for president, and sold right away as soon as he was out of office. And that never had any horses or cattle, so how the hell is it a ranch anyway?).

Yes he wingnuts complain about Obama's vacations too. It was nonsense then and it's nonsense now.

108

makeitstop Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:34:16am

re: #106 Simply Sarah

Easy answer. Pretend Persians are Zorostratstrians!

/

Fixed to conform with Geller-spelling.

109

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:35:50am

re: #104 erik_t

Well, if you suppose that Muslims are evil, then worrying about their presence in your home as historical losers is in fact more unhinged than worrying about their presence in your home in some other context.

I think. These people make my head hurt.

You know, the frightening thing is that the Crusaders themselves were not this culturally arrogant or afraid. Violent and a little scruffy, yes, but they adopted things they liked from Arab culture, admired Muslim warriors for their courage and chivalry, and when the Templars 'negotiated with terrorists' and got permission to escort pilgrims through the area, they adopted Muslim styles of dress because it worked locally, and made them look less weird and foreign.

All of these things would probably send Robertson's friend into conniptions.

110

Varek Raith Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:35:58am

Lol.
Image: internet-memes-occupy-wait-what.jpg

111

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:36:20am

re: #105 Varek Raith

Oh geez. Srsly? These fools need a freaking hobby.

I think they have a hobby. It's very lucrative, too, whereas building toy trains costs YOU money.

112

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:36:55am

re: #56 Killgore Trout

I'm pretty sure the lefties complained constantly about Bush's travel expenses.

I'm pretty sure you're pretty sure of that. But is there any actual evidence that they did?

113

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:38:34am

re: #86 Varek Raith

What if the "Muslim" side wins?

114

aagcobb Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:40:06am

re: #113 ralphieboy

What if the "Muslim" side wins?

Can't happen; God wouldn't allow it./

115

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:41:26am

re: #86 Varek Raith

Now imagine a person with such a mindset as an American soldier in any Muslim country.

116

Kragar Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:42:58am

re: #113 ralphieboy

What if the "Muslim" side wins?

The loser wasn't sufficiently Christian.

117

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:45:15am

re: #115 Sergey Romanov

Now imagine a person with such a mindset as an American soldier in any Muslim country.

I'm sure that they're out there, but I have actually found that among my acquaintance, people who've served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families, are perhaps less likely to have this sort of paranoid craziness going on than people who've never ventured off their own porch.

118

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:46:11am

re: #117 SanFranciscoZionist

I mean the "what's the big deal" attitude.

119

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:51:43am

I love this:

Saleem, who was also prominently featured in The Call: Detroit – where he urged other Muslims to convert to Christianity – and told rally attendees that he is the descended of the “Grand Wazir of Islam.” However, the title is not found anywhere in Islam.

I say, cage match between him and the Aluf Abir.

120

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, Nov 28, 2011 11:55:01am

Bye Barney. I'm sure you're glad that I'm not crushed.

121

Feline Fearless Leader Mon, Nov 28, 2011 12:05:51pm

re: #100 SanFranciscoZionist

There are so many bizarre layers there, I can't even begin to explore them all at this time.

I wonder if these folks have a Persian rug. Or a Persian cat.

I wonder if they should be playing chess at all.

I sure as hell hope that they're not letting their children wear cotton, or take algebra classes.

I'm SURE they've thrown out the copy of Disney's Aladdin a long time ago. (Wait, never got it. Disney supports the gays.)

This is what happens when you start to seriously overthink a clash of cultures.

Repeal Zero! Back to Roman Numerals!

I want to see 1040 Forms done in Roman Numerals! :D

122

Martinsmithy Mon, Nov 28, 2011 12:40:50pm

For those of you who may bemoan the loss of Barney Frank in the U.S. House of Representatives, I would recommend perusing Reckless Endangerment, by Gretchen Morgenson, a strong indictment of BOTH the public and private sector factors that led to the 2008 economic debacle and its aftermath. Frank is revealed to be an unthinking supporter of disastrous policies benefiting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with the added personal bonus of having his partner hired by Fannie Mae and having his mother's Boston charity be the recipient of large amounts of Fannie Mae cash.

123

wee fury Mon, Nov 28, 2011 1:49:37pm

Good.

124

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Mon, Nov 28, 2011 2:00:26pm

re: #56 Killgore Trout