Sadly, Herman Cain did not wear a tricorne hat and pantaloons when he gave the Tea Party response to President Obama. My disappointment will not stop me from posting another thread to wrap up the discussion, though…
5 |
Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 8:58:55pm |
They resurrected Herman Cain again? I thought Mitch Daniels was supposed to give the “rebuttal”, after Mitt Romney (true to Republican doctrine) started with a pre-emptive “prebuttal”. A big yawn at all of them!
| 6 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 8:59:13pm |
So, tonight we saw a president give a rousing, pro-American speech…
While the GOP and Tea Party started fitting the country for a coffin.
| 7 |
Charles Johnson Tue, Jan 24, 2012 8:59:50pm |
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
A day.
Every day.
Without working.
| 8 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:00:22pm |
re: #7 Charles
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
A day.
Every day.
Without working.
He deserves a subsidy for being so successful!
///
| 9 |
Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:02:33pm |
Or an alternative way to think about this, when Mitt Romney offered a $10,000 bet with Rick Perry, he was putting 0.05% of his annual income on the line. This is equivalent to an average American earning $50,000 per year putting $25 to settle a bet - a not unreasonable amount.
| 10 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:02:45pm |
re: #7 Charles
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
A day.
Every day.
Without working.
That’s what? Like 3 minimum wage people per year?
| 11 |
SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:03:51pm |
re: #7 Charles
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
A day.
Every day.
Without working.
If I were Mitt Romney, I’d be richer than Mitt Romney.
How, you may ask? I’d do a little teaching on the side.
(Old joke. It’s the Czar in the original.)
| 12 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:05:45pm |
That would be 57,000 divided by 3 or 19,000 per year. So Mitt Romney’s value is equal to 1,095 people who make $9.13/hour.
| 13 |
recusancy Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:06:23pm |
re: #7 Charles
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
A day.
Every day.
Without working.
Remember, he’s unemployed and from the real streets.
| 14 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:06:35pm |
Imagine that? Your equal worth being the sum of 1,000 people? There are gods in this world. And they are human.
| 15 |
The Yankee Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:06:50pm |
I want Mitt to be our next president, I mean it’s been a long time since we had an handsome president. Mitt would be the best looking president since JFK. Like it or not looks are important, just try getting a job at Fox News looking plain.
| 16 |
pinkbunny Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:07:27pm |
I thought the SOTU was excellent. The beginning was kick-ass as he listed the good news, and had to make the GOP eat their lies about Obama being weak on National Security.
I loved that he put out the Warren Buffet rule. President Obama challenges the #GOP : “Class warfare? Bring it on Bitches”
Then the ending, I thought the last 5 minutes you could hear a pin drop, everyone seemed memorized at the patriotic themes, and the reminder that our military men and women work together each day. Basically telling the obstructionist GOP to get their shit together and stop hating on America.
This was a great SOTU Speech, again showing what clowns the GOP have become!
| 17 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:07:56pm |
Now imagine looking into a crowd of 1,000. Then pointing at them and saying, “see all those people out there?” I alone am worth all of their collective soul, trouble and toil. But Romney has spoken this way already.
| 18 |
freetoken Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:10:52pm |
re: #7 Charles
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
Most expensive tofu available.
I was thinking about Romney’s tax returns today (just briefly), and wondered if people would grasp how much money Romney really has. He netted $47 million in one year. Now, his yearly income no doubt is highly variable, and he probably took some cash out of his investments in 2010 in order to prepare to fund his campaign.
$47 million… even I could be bought by that amount.
| 19 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:11:06pm |
re: #17 Gus 802
Now imagine looking into a crowd of 1,000. Then pointing at them and saying, “see all those people out there?” I alone am worth all of their collective soul, trouble and toil. But Romney has spoken this way already.
I imagine Mitt taking a moment to go “Thank you, peasants, for my success. Now get back to work, daddy needs a new yacht!”
| 20 |
Charles Johnson Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:12:03pm |
I think my absolute favorite moment tonight was when Obama and Gabby Giffords hugged. It felt real, in a world of artifice and illusion.
| 21 |
pinkbunny Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:14:10pm |
re: #20 Charles
I think my absolute favorite moment tonight was when Obama and Gabby Giffords hugged. It felt real, in a world of artifice and illusion.
OMG - I had tears in my eyes! It was so touching. It’s so amazing that she survived that shooting!!
| 22 |
Surabaya Stew Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:15:16pm |
re: #7 Charles
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
A day.
Every day.
Without working.
Hmmmm, that’s just about what this Architect makes in a year. By working full time.
Wait, what did Mitt Romney do again? And he’s unemployed now, is that right?
What a Fucker.
| 23 |
Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:15:37pm |
Let’s try to compile a list of Mitt Romney quotes. I’ll start:
“Corporations are people, my friend.” (Spoken at Iowa State Fair two days before Ames Straw Poll)
“Banks aren’t bad people. They’re just overwhelmed right now.” (Spoken while campaigning in Florida on 1/24)
“I am also unemployed.” (Speaking to unemployed Floridians on the campaign trail on 6/16)
“Don’t try and stop the foreclosure process. Let it run its course and hit the bottom.” (Speaking to Las Vegas Review-Journal on 10/18)
“I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.” (Speaking to supporters in Nashua, NH on 1/9)
| 24 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:15:54pm |
So yeah. Did anyone see evil in tonight’s SOTU?
What the heck is wrong with these people?
| 25 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:19:23pm |
re: #24 Gus 802
So yeah. Did anyone see evil in tonight’s SOTU?
What the heck is wrong with these people?
If I saw evil, it was the benign form, the kind that responds to calls for action and calls to greatness with scowls and staying rooted to the spot while others applaud.
Or I might have just been watching Eric Cantor sit there looking like he had a broomstick shoved up his ass, it’s hard to tell.
//
| 26 |
Velvet Elvis Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:20:02pm |
re: #22 Surabaya Stew
Hmmm, that’s just about what this Architect makes in a year. By working full time.
Wait, what did Mitt Romney do again? And he’s unemployed now, is that right?
What a Fucker.
He’s creating jobs with that money don’t ya know.
| 27 |
freetoken Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:21:09pm |
re: #24 Gus 802
I missed the SOTU, but I’ll just take it on faith that evil isn’t the appropriate word to describe it.
After all, to be evil then it would have had to be given by a … well, Muslim (or atheist) or something….
| 28 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:21:11pm |
re: #26 Conservative Moonbat
He’s creating jobs with that money don’t ya know.
Why Mitt Romney is so patriotic he has tax shelters in European territories.
| 29 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:22:20pm |
re: #27 freetoken
I missed the SOTU, but I’ll just take it on faith that evil isn’t the appropriate word to describe it.
After all, to be evil then it would have had to be given by a … well, Muslim (or atheist) or something…
Of course! But yeah. Fox News chimed in prior.
| 31 |
SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:23:56pm |
re: #28 Gus 802
Why Mitt Romney is so patriotic he has tax shelters in European territories.
No, no, Buck assured us earlier that he pays taxes on every penny, he’s just putting money overseas to make sure that petty cash in Jamaica doesn’t run out, or something like that.
//
| 32 |
Lidane Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:24:50pm |
re: #30 Gus 802
Fox News is like the Jersey Shore of political analysis.
That’s an insult to Snooki and The Situation. =P
| 33 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:25:28pm |
Seriously, tonight Obama was extolling the virtues of America and calling on Congress to get things done and put bills on his desk for him to sign.
Meanwhile, the GOP and Tea Party were focused on telling us just how screwed America is unless they are put in the driver’s seat.
| 34 |
Gus Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:26:07pm |
re: #32 Lidane
That’s an insult to Snooki and The Situation. =P
Yeah. But it’s an insult to the Republicans. Snooki probably has more potential then your average Confederate. I mean Republican.
| 35 |
celticdragon Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:30:00pm |
Sadly, Herman Cain did not wear a tricorne hat and pantaloons
Approved Rev War clothing includes breeches…not pantaloons. Pantaloons are associated with some Civil War uniforms and other 19th century fashion.
| 37 |
austin_blue Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:31:09pm |
re: #20 Charles
I think my absolute favorite moment tonight was when Obama and Gabby Giffords hugged. It felt real, in a world of artifice and illusion.
Yes. She was so happy, as was Obama that she is still alive. A lovely moment. No artifice.
| 39 |
celticdragon Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:31:19pm |
re: #20 Charles
I think my absolute favorite moment tonight was when Obama and Gabby Giffords hugged. It felt real, in a world of artifice and illusion.
This.
| 40 |
celticdragon Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:32:12pm |
Good night, scaly friends. Class early in the morning.
| 41 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:32:13pm |
re: #20 Charles
I think my absolute favorite moment tonight was when Obama and Gabby Giffords hugged. It felt real, in a world of artifice and illusion.
It was fantastic, but I’ve no doubt that come tomorrow, we’ll have all the conservative pundits go “It was all staged!”
| 42 |
goddamnedfrank Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:32:54pm |
Newt Gingrich is at 24.9% on Intrade to win the nomination. That strikes me as low, were I a betting man …
| 43 |
HoosierHoops Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:33:38pm |
You know.. I don’t have an issue with Mitt making millions..Hell compared to Peyton or Lady Gaga he doesn’t make shit.. But they pay regular taxes and not a 14% capital gains tax..When I first started working at 3.35/hr I paid a higher % of tax than Mitt..That’s what really pisses me off.
It just isn’t fair or right…It’s not class warfare
| 44 |
Dancing along the light of day Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:35:10pm |
re: #42 goddamnedfrank
Newt Gingrich is at 24.9% on Intrade to win the nomination. That strikes me as low, were I a betting man …
HeHe, like you’re not a betting man…
| 45 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:35:22pm |
re: #43 HoosierHoops
You know.. I don’t have an issue with Mitt making millions..Hell compared to Peyton or Lady Gaga he doesn’t make shit.. But they pay regular taxes and not a 14% capital gains tax..When I first started working at 3.35/hr I paid a higher % of tax than Mitt..That’s what really pisses me off.
It just isn’t fair or right…It’s not class warfare
It’s envy, which is a sin! You should not consider yourself poor, or think less of Mitt because he makes more money! You should proudly wear the label of “soon-to-have” and await the day you become part of the 1%!
| 46 |
celticdragon Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:35:30pm |
re: #41 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds
It was fantastic, but I’ve no doubt that come tomorrow, we’ll have all the conservative pundits go “It was all staged!”
Along with whines that she waited this long to leave office and kept wingnut Jan Brewer from replacing her with a real ‘Merican GOP congressman.
| 47 |
austin_blue Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:36:55pm |
It will be fascinating to see how this speach is spun tomorrow. It was a campaign speech, as all 3rd year SOTU speeches are, but Prexy took a page from Clinton and laid out his agenda for the coming year and challenged the R’s to agree on common sense compromises that will serve both sides well.
Bottom line:
If the economy continues to improve, Prexy gets another four years. If it craters, we get Newt or Mittens.
Brrrr…
| 48 |
Robert O. Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:37:00pm |
re: #42 goddamnedfrank
That’s my take too. However, experts more knowledgeable than me are saying that it gets prohibitively expensive soon when slews of states vote all at once (instead of concentrating on one state at a time), and Gingrich is lacking in money & organization. I guess we will soon know… I sort of agree that Gingrich pretty much has to win in Florida to have a realistic shot at derailing Romney; otherwise, a Romney win will put him back squarely on track, and the SC result could be dismissed offhand (by at least the media) as an outlier (part of the South) not representative of the rest of America.
| 49 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:40:40pm |
re: #46 celticdragon
Along with whines that she waited this long to leave office and kept wingnut Jan Brewer from replacing her with a real ‘Merican GOP congressman.
I’ll admit, in the initial days and weeks after the shooting, I was of the opinion that she was unlikely to recover enough to return to work, that those who thought she would were engaging in wishful thinking, and that it would be better for her constituents if she resigned and allowed a replacement to be chosen.
Today, I’m proud to say I was wrong on all accounts and regret that she will not continue to prove me wrong in the near future, but hope that she will one day return to Congress to even greater applause than tonight.
| 50 |
austin_blue Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:41:13pm |
re: #43 HoosierHoops
You know.. I don’t have an issue with Mitt making millions..Hell compared to Peyton or Lady Gaga he doesn’t make shit.. But they pay regular taxes and not a 14% capital gains tax..When I first started working at 3.35/hr I paid a higher % of tax than Mitt..That’s what really pisses me off.
It just isn’t fair or right…It’s not class warfare
If you have an adjusted income of $110,000, you pay 3.6% of your income in Social Security taxes.
So does Mittens, on >$21,000,000/year. Go figure.
| 51 |
austin_blue Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:43:07pm |
re: #50 austin_blue
If you have an adjusted income of $110,000, you pay 3.6% of your income in Social Security taxes.
So does Mittens, on >$21,000,000/year. Go figure.
On his first $110,00 of income. No More.
| 52 |
Dancing along the light of day Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:43:48pm |
re: #49 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds
I also, am grateful that she has recovered. It is a joy to see her!
| 53 |
goddamnedfrank Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:46:17pm |
re: #43 HoosierHoops
You know.. I don’t have an issue with Mitt making millions..Hell compared to Peyton or Lady Gaga he doesn’t make shit.. But they pay regular taxes and not a 14% capital gains tax..When I first started working at 3.35/hr I paid a higher % of tax than Mitt..That’s what really pisses me off.
It just isn’t fair or right…It’s not class warfare
It’s also not right that he’s campaigning for a job on a platform to lower his tax burden by half while raising taxes on the working poor.
| 54 |
goddamnedfrank Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:47:33pm |
re: #51 austin_blue
On his first $110,00 of income. No More.
Yeah, the last thing the Republicans want to discuss is removing the SS salary cap, because that act alone would make it solvent in perpetuity.
| 55 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:48:42pm |
re: #53 goddamnedfrank
It’s also not right that he’s campaigning for a job on a platform to lower his tax burden by half while raising taxes on the working poor.
Hell, under any of the GOP tax proposals, it would drop. Under Newt’s, Romney would pay next to nothing, only paying taxes on his few speakers fees. But even under his own plan, Mitt would see his taxes cut in half.
Used to be that was called a “conflict of interest.” Now? It’s called “tax reform.”
| 56 |
engineer cat Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:50:32pm |
if gringrich wins in florida - and he is well ahead in the polls right now a week out - he will have already killed mitt’s chances of winning
if gingrich wins in florida, the republican establishment will freak out and do everything they can to stop him. but newt has delivered the hate sound that the racists desperately wanted to hear. they won’t listen no matter how much of newt’s shitty past is laid before them - they’ve already heard it and they don’t care
and then the republican party will tear itself apart
| 57 |
Velvet Elvis Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:55:25pm |
re: #47 austin_blue
It will be fascinating to see how this speach is spun tomorrow. It was a campaign speech, as all 3rd year SOTU speeches are, but Prexy took a page from Clinton and laid out his agenda for the coming year and challenged the R’s to agree on common sense compromises that will serve both sides well.
Bottom line:
If the economy continues to improve, Prexy gets another four years. If it craters, we get Newt or Mittens.
Brrr…
I don’t think there’s any chance of newt or mittens winning. Obama’s beating them both by nearly ten points in the polls right now.
| 58 |
Amory Blaine Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:56:46pm |
re: #7 Charles
In case you missed it, Mitt Romney makes about $57,000 a day.
A day.
Every day.
Without working.
Yeah I did miss it. I was busy putting in a 24 hr shift. :P
| 59 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 9:58:05pm |
re: #57 Conservative Moonbat
I don’t think there’s any chance of newt or mittens winning. Obama’s beating them both by nearly ten points in the polls right now.
Only guy who can hold his own against Obama in the polls is Gene Eric Republican. Sadly, it seems he’s not running anymore.
| 60 |
goddamnedfrank Tue, Jan 24, 2012 10:05:13pm |
Changes I would make to the tax structure:
Income is income is income, how it’s made is pretty much irrelevant and it should all be taxed in the same tiers according to an identical progressive structure.
There should be no mortgage deduction on second homes, that does nothing but drive up home prices through speculation.
There should be no limit on deductions for payments against qualified student loan interest for people who’ve graduated from programs where the debt was incurred.
There should be a new 40% bracket at $750K and 45% bracket at $2 million/year.
| 61 |
Leo3 Tue, Jan 24, 2012 10:25:08pm |
To me, one of the outstanding moments was a quotation he credited to Lincoln (I can neither find the original, nor the exact words Obama spoke second hand, but I believe it went something like): “The government should do only what the people cannot do better by themselves, and no more.” Whatever its strictest origin, it encapsulates an extremely broad practical playing field for liberal ideas within a persuasively conservative (and concise) argument, delivered from (arguably) the second most important figure to republicans after Reagan.
| 62 |
Kragar Tue, Jan 24, 2012 10:30:53pm |
re: #60 goddamnedfrank
What do you think this is? The 50’s or something?
/
| 63 |
simoom Tue, Jan 24, 2012 10:52:53pm |
Saw this on a couple of different lefty blogs. Another Politifact “winner” of a ruling:
[Link: www.politifact.com…]
Have private-sector jobs grown by 3 million in 22 months, with the best annual totals since 2005?
…
“In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than three million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s.”
…
In his remarks, Obama described the damage to the economy, including losing millions of jobs “before our policies were in full effect.” Then he describe the subsequent job increases, essentially taking credit for the job growth. But labor economists tell us that no mayor or governor or president deserves all the claim or all the credit for changes in employment.
Our ruling
Obama is correct on both counts when using private-sector job numbers. But he went too far when he implicitly credited his administration policies. So we rate the statement Half True.
Bolding is mine. Statement is true but we don’t like what we think is being implied, so, half-true!
| 65 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 10:59:30pm |
re: #63 simoom
Saw this on a couple of different lefty blogs. Another Politifact “winner” of a ruling:
[Link: www.politifact.com…]
Bolding is mine. Statement is true but we don’t like what we think is being implied, so, half-true!
So Republicans can blame him for the economy, can blame the economy on his policies, but when he says that the jobs created in the economy are due to his policies, Politifact gets its knickers in a twist?
| 66 |
TedStriker Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:04:14pm |
re: #65 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds
So Republicans can blame him for the economy, can blame the economy on his policies, but when he says that the jobs created in the economy are due to his policies, Politifact gets its knickers in a twist?
Yup…Obama gets all the blame and none of the credit, the dirty socialist Kenyan commie!
Didn’t our TPGOP betters teach you anything?
| 67 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:11:59pm |
re: #66 talon_262
Yup…Obama gets all the blame and none of the credit, the dirty socialist Kenyan commie!
Didn’t our TPGOP betters teach you anything?
Indeed, they taught me the “In Spite Of” rule. According to the rule, all good things that happen during a Democrat’s presidency is “in spite of” their policies, but all bad things are strictly due to their policies.
Likewise, all Democratic policies happen overnight and their failure to work miracles is proof of their failure. But Republican policies can take years to come to fruition, particularly if they can be used to explain good turns during a Democrat’s presidency. Thus, while the Affordable Care Act should have insured everybody and brought down costs within months of its passage, all job creation in the last 22 months has been due to the Bush Tax Cuts.
///
| 68 |
freetoken Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:18:33pm |
re: #63 simoom
Saw this on a couple of different lefty blogs. Another Politifact “winner” of a ruling:
[Link: www.politifact.com…]
Bolding is mine. Statement is true but we don’t like what we think is being implied, so, half-true!
Yes, but I agree with them on criticizing the President for wanting to take credit too much. This is a trait of all politicians. And it doesn’t take a “labor economist” to determine that politicians shouldn’t be credited with immediate economic results for normal executive actions, as laws and spending (or cuts) usually take many months after the decision to be carried out, and then the effects take months (or years) to build.
| 69 |
freetoken Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:20:59pm |
There is little, btw, that the POTUS could have done to soften the depths of the recession more than what was done. Serious over leveraging by both individual households and the private sector, on top of a ridiculous housing bubble, in the face of record oil prices, was a formula for disaster regardless of whatever normal political actions would be taken.
| 71 |
Jimmi the Grey Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:28:17pm |
| 72 |
pinkbunny Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:32:05pm |
President Obama does another ninja move, GOP ready to cry!
“WASHINGTON — In a daring nighttime raid Tuesday, U.S. Navy SEALs rescued two hostages, including one American, who were being held by kidnappers in Somalia, U.S. officials tell NBC News.
The first indication of the rescue operation came Tuesday night in Washington from President Barack Obama himself.
As the president entered the House chambers to give his State of the Union Speech, he pointed to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta standing in the crowd and said, “Leon. Good job tonight. Good job tonight.” The president made no mention of the hostage rescue, but finished his speech with a reference to the killing of Osama bin Laden last May in a similar operation to the one conducted by Navy SEALs Tuesday night. “
[Link: worldnews.msnbc.msn.com…]
| 73 |
Sol Berdinowitz Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:34:46pm |
re: #67 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds
Indeed, they taught me the “In Spite Of” rule. According to the rule, all good things that happen during a Democrat’s presidency is “in spite of” their policies, but all bad things are strictly due to their policies.
///
My favorite Rush quote was from the days when he had a budget surplus under Clinton: according to Rush it just meant that the government was taking more of our money than it needed to operate, which was immoral!
| 74 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:36:05pm |
re: #73 ralphieboy
My favorite Rush quote was from the days when he had a budget surplus under Clinton: according to Rush it just meant that the government was taking more of our money than it needed to operate, which was immoral!
Of course. And that’s how Dubya spun his tax cuts: “Giving folks back their money.”
| 75 |
simoom Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:36:16pm |
re: #72 pinkbunny
As the president entered the House chambers to give his State of the Union Speech, he pointed to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta standing in the crowd and said, “Leon. Good job tonight. Good job tonight.”
When I saw that exchange I thought that’s what it might be referencing. Some sort of operation we didn’t yet know about :o.
| 76 |
freetoken Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:37:05pm |
Ok, now for one of my favorite things… one of my favorites (top ten) for Salsa dancing… by the New Swing Sextet:
| 77 |
palomino Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:44:04pm |
re: #9 Robert O.
Or an alternative way to think about this, when Mitt Romney offered a $10,000 bet with Rick Perry, he was putting 0.05% of his annual income on the line. This is equivalent to an average American earning $50,000 per year putting $25 to settle a bet - a not unreasonable amount.
True, the only difference being that the average person might actually feel the loss of $25 (though it wouldn’t be devastating or anything.) Romney, OTOH, wouldn’t even notice the “missing” 10k. His investment income is so huge and undertaxed, he wouldn’t feel a thing.
| 78 |
palomino Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:47:21pm |
re: #73 ralphieboy
My favorite Rush quote was from the days when he had a budget surplus under Clinton: according to Rush it just meant that the government was taking more of our money than it needed to operate, which was immoral!
Now, of course, surpluses are necessary. The TP says so. The current economic climate makes no difference. How much do you wanna bet these teabaggers will suddenly lose their enthusiasm for a “balanced budget now!” if the gop wins the white house in November?
Is it really the deficits they hate so much? Or is that a stand-in for who they hate?
| 79 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:47:55pm |
re: #77 palomino
True, the only difference being that the average person might actually feel the loss of $25 (though it wouldn’t be devastating or anything.) Romney, OTOH, wouldn’t even notice the “missing” 10k. His investment income is so huge and undertaxed, he wouldn’t feel a thing.
The low-ball on his worth is $190 million, so $10,000 would be pocket change. This is a guy who, at a meet and greet a few months back, had trouble finding anything other than $100 bills in his wallet.
| 80 |
palomino Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:50:30pm |
re: #79 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds
The low-ball on his worth is $190 million, so $10,000 would be pocket change. This is a guy who, at a meet and greet a few months back, had trouble finding anything other than $100 bills in his wallet.
Yeah, but remember he’s unemployed, so average people should really relate to him.
| 81 |
Targetpractice Tue, Jan 24, 2012 11:58:39pm |
re: #78 palomino
Now, of course, surpluses are necessary. The TP says so. The current economic climate makes no difference. How much do you wanna bet these teabaggers will suddenly lose their enthusiasm for a “balanced budget now!” if the gop wins the white house in November.
Is it really the deficits they hate so much? Or is that a stand-in for who they hate.
They live under this magical thinking that says a balanced budget can be obtained by just cutting those things they disagree with, while keeping or even increasing the funding for those things they agree with, and do it all while cutting their taxes.
But not to worry, they have this nifty little clause that says “In case war happens,” where they chuck the whole balanced budget when they decide that it’s time for the latest war. No word on what happens when the war is considered to have officially ended on how we’ll cover things like demobilization costs, but I’m sure that there’s something in the social spending portion of the budget that we can cut to cover the additional cost.//
| 82 |
palomino Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:08:34am |
re: #81 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds
They live under this magical thinking that says a balanced budget can be obtained by just cutting those things they disagree with, while keeping or even increasing the funding for those things they agree with, and do it all while cutting their taxes.
But not to worry, they have this nifty little clause that says “In case war happens,” where they chuck the whole balanced budget when they decide that it’s time for the latest war. No word on what happens when the war is considered to have officially ended on how we’ll cover things like demobilization costs, but I’m sure that there’s something in the social spending portion of the budget that we can cut to cover the additional cost.//
Even Paul Ryan expressed frustration with the TP fantasies of how to reach a balanced budget.
Speaking of war, Obama of course gets no credit on the economic side for inheriting two expensive wars. It’s a huge pain in the ass when you can’t raise taxes to pay for wars you didn’t even start. (Obama’s escalation in Afghan. notwithstanding.)
The GOP’s done a great job of conflating cultural and economic issues in the minds of voters. Hence the widespread feeling that any new taxes will simply redistribute wealth away from hard working whites and into imaginary new social programs that disproportionately benefit nonwhites. It’s pure BS, but it’s taken hold in the minds of many mid class whites…sort of a re-run of the “welfare queen” motif of the 70s and 80s.
| 83 |
boxhead Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:17:10am |
My review of the SOTU speech is that Obama tried to be far more diplomatic than I thought he would have. But he still got in his jabs. On first look, he tried to stress the areas where both parties worked together as a template for future work. The first part of the GPO response mimicked that theme as well. The GOP recognized that Pres Obama was more positive and was successful in projecting that theme. But later, the GOP response turned negative, as expected. But the negative felt far less genuine. The GOP must know that the two main contenders in Mitt and Newt will find it very difficult in debating Obama. Regardless what FOX News reports, Obama has quite an impressive list of achievements, both domestic and with foreign affairs. Unless shenanigans are involved, Obama should win a second term. I am OK with that.
| 84 |
simoom Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:35:29am |
Cheers Rep. Flake:
[Link: news.yahoo.com…]
Giffords entered the House chamber to a standing ovation that was unmatched the entire evening. She was accompanied by Rep. Raul Grijalva, a liberal Democrat, on her left, and Rep. Jeff Flake, a conservative Republican, on her right.
…
Throughout Obama’s speech, in which the president touted his foreign policy record, called for higher taxes on the wealthy and outlined his plan for improving job growth, Giffords followed along closely. When she wanted to rise to show her support for the president, Grijalva and Flake helped her stand. Many times, Flake was the only Republican standing in the entire room. The symbolism of one member of a party standing alone to help a colleague of the opposing party wasn’t lost on anyone.
“She knew when she wanted to stand up,” Flake told Yahoo News, tears forming in his eyes, after the speech. “And I stood when she stood.”
| 87 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:40:39am |
I’ve just read that Assange’s gone host a program at Russia Today.
*sourface*
| 89 |
boxhead Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:51:05am |
re: #87 Sergey Romanov
I’ve just read that Assange’s gone host a program at Russia Today.
*sourface*
Here is a thought I had about Assange. Were his, IMO, extreme views on freedom of speech as provocative as Ron Paul’s views on removing all regulations? Assange put people at risk. Rep Paul’s views could cause more damage. Granted, Rep Paul has not achieved his goals while Assange has. (I like typing Ass when I refer to Assange… LOL)
| 94 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:28:10am |
| 95 |
researchok Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:33:45am |
Still cold out there, tovarisch?
It’s going to be 15C here today.
Eat your heart out.
//
| 96 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:55:21am |
What do you know, kids from It make an appearance in 11/22/63.
| 97 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:06:42am |
| 99 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:17:41am |
re: #98 Obdicut
Alt text:
If you are famous or destined to be famous, future historians are probably watching you right now.
| 102 |
rwdflynavy Wed, Jan 25, 2012 3:41:01am |
| 103 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 3:42:46am |
re: #102 rwdflynavy
My work schedule has not been re-titled “The various ways that I am fucked”.
| 104 |
rwdflynavy Wed, Jan 25, 2012 3:44:08am |
re: #103 Obdicut
My work schedule has not been re-titled “The various ways that I am fucked”.
So that’s good?
| 105 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 3:44:20am |
Well, at least Chavez’s daughter likes her some American Presidents:
[Link: yfrog.com…]
| 106 |
EdDantes Wed, Jan 25, 2012 3:53:12am |
re: #103 Obdicut
My work schedule has not been re-titled “The various ways that I am fucked”.
How do I fuck thee,
Let me count the ways
- Everyone’s boss,
| 110 |
EdDantes Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:09:57am |
Did anyone notice that there is a lot of weird shit on you tube?
| 111 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:11:20am |
| 113 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:16:05am |
| 114 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:17:38am |
| 115 |
Flounder Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:25:02am |
This guy nearly took out an entire town, and he didn’t even do the crime
[Link: www.timesunion.com…]
I see stoopid people!
| 116 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:29:16am |
Oops.
[Link: www.stern.de…]
Nahezu alle Deutschen kennen die besondere Bedeutung von Auschwitz. In einer stern-Umfrage anlässlich des Holocaust-Gedenktages an diesem Freitag konnten 90 Prozent der Befragten auf Anhieb sagen, dass der Name für ein Konzentrations- bzw. Vernichtungslager steht. Bei den über 30-Jährigen waren es sogar 95 Prozent. Nur bei den Jüngeren (18- bis 29-Jährigen) gab es Wissenslücken: Hier konnte jeder Fünfte (21 Prozent) mit dem Begriff Auschwitz nichts anfangen.
Schwierigkeiten haben viele Deutsche bei der Frage, in welchem Land Auschwitz liegt: Hier musste fast jeder dritte Bürger (31 Prozent) passen. 69 Prozent nannten korrekt Polen.
(Lazy to translate, but basically, a lot of young German lack knowledge about Auschwitz.)
| 117 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:37:00am |
re: #115 Shropshire_Slasher
And another case of cops bullying an innocent person into confession.
| 118 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:38:23am |
re: #117 Obdicut
And another case of cops bullying an innocent person into confession.
He confessed. Fry him.
/
| 119 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:38:53am |
re: #116 Sergey Romanov
Wow. 21% of under 30 year olds don’t even know what Auschwitz was?
| 120 |
Fat Bastard Vegetarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:44:27am |
re: #119 Obdicut
Wow. 21% of under 30 year olds don’t even know what Auschwitz was?
That’s in South Dakota, right?
/
| 121 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:49:11am |
re: #119 Obdicut
Wow. 21% of under 30 year olds don’t even know what Auschwitz was?
Internet era, eh?
| 122 |
rwdflynavy Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:49:21am |
| 123 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:51:20am |
re: #121 Sergey Romanov
I think it’s just the passage of time. You’d probably get a small number of UK under 30s being accurately able to tell you what the ‘blitz’ is, and if you surveyed kids in the 1950s in the US they’d probably not be able to tell you what Chancellorsville was.
| 124 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:52:50am |
re: #123 Obdicut
I think it’s just the passage of time. You’d probably get a small number of UK under 30s being accurately able to tell you what the ‘blitz’ is, and if you surveyed kids in the 1950s in the US they’d probably not be able to tell you what Chancellorsville was.
I’m not sure these are comparable though.
| 126 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:56:11am |
re: #125 Obdicut
In moral terms, definitely not.
As well as in terms of impact on society and exposure in media.
| 127 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:02:09am |
re: #126 Sergey Romanov
The blitz probably gets more coverage than Auschwitz in the UK.
And Chancellorsville was the centerpiece of The Red Badge of Courage, which is required reading in much of the US public school system.
Obviously no comparison will be accurate. It’d actually be interesting to plot knowledge of historical events and compare it with how ‘important’ the event was.
| 128 |
Vicious Babushka Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:02:30am |
I had a “biometrics” test at work this morning.
The good news:
I don’t have diabetes.
The bad news:
I have to lose weight (but I knew that already)
| 129 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:08:14am |
Morning Lizardim. Happy hump day from the snowy and mild wild north country. How is everyone doing in the aftermath of that epic SOTU speech and the lackluster responses?
| 130 |
Fat Bastard Vegetarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:11:49am |
re: #128 Alouette
What is a “biometrics” test? Sounds like an L Ron Hubbard thingy.
| 131 |
Flounder Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:12:42am |
re: #130 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
You are thinking of Dianetics
| 132 |
Vicious Babushka Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:14:40am |
re: #130 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
What is a “biometrics” test? Sounds like an L Ron Hubbard thingy.
They take your neight & weight, blood pressure and a small blood sample. Like you would get if you went to the doctor for a checkup, but this was done at work and we all get a discount on our health insurance premiums for having the test performed.
| 133 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:15:14am |
re: #132 Alouette
A discount? For preventive care? COMMUNISTS!/
| 134 |
Vicious Babushka Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:15:42am |
re: #133 thedopefishlives
A discount? For preventive care? COMMUNISTS!/
Yeah this is the auto industry that Obama was talking about last night.
| 135 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:15:50am |
re: #122 rwdflynavy
Hey, are you into WWII military history?
| 136 |
Fat Bastard Vegetarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:17:14am |
re: #128 Alouette
I looked it up. My wife did one of the employee screenings… she is diabetic (since 17)… but, she scored off the charts (good) in comparison to her co-workers. They work in the healthcare field, but are terribly out of shape.
Wife got a 500.00 Medical Visa Card as a reward.
Three of her co-workers (IIRC) got a premium increase.
| 137 |
rwdflynavy Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:20:02am |
| 138 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:24:00am |
re: #137 rwdflynavy
Absolutely!
What’s your opinion of General Montgomery? In terms of logistics, planning, actual ability during a battle/campaign— military ability.
I’m really into the ETO, and the biggest thing that nobody seems to agree on is Montgomery’s actual military abilities. Some hold him in disdain, some say that his best assets are under-appreciated because they’re not showy, some say he ignored intelligence and others say that he realized intelligence was vulnerable to deception as well and so he wisely simply made solid plans that didn’t depend on a supposed secret decrypt.
I’d be interested in your opinion
| 140 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:31:24am |
re: #138 Obdicut
What’s your opinion of General Montgomery? In terms of logistics, planning, actual ability during a battle/campaign— military ability.
I’m really into the ETO, and the biggest thing that nobody seems to agree on is Montgomery’s actual military abilities. Some hold him in disdain, some say that his best assets are under-appreciated because they’re not showy, some say he ignored intelligence and others say that he realized intelligence was vulnerable to deception as well and so he wisely simply made solid plans that didn’t depend on a supposed secret decrypt.
I’d be interested in your opinion
I rate him. Leaving Arhem aside. Caen took too long but was actually useful in diverting German resources.
He took charge of the North during the Bulge when American officers refused to leave their quarters for fear of German interlopers, so he’s alright by me. Bunch of American military historians hate him for critiscing them over Ardennes, but he more than pulled his weight.
Also - his men had a lot of time forhim, which is a large added value/
| 141 |
rwdflynavy Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:31:25am |
re: #138 Obdicut
What’s your opinion of General Montgomery? In terms of logistics, planning, actual ability during a battle/campaign— military ability.
I’m really into the ETO, and the biggest thing that nobody seems to agree on is Montgomery’s actual military abilities. Some hold him in disdain, some say that his best assets are under-appreciated because they’re not showy, some say he ignored intelligence and others say that he realized intelligence was vulnerable to deception as well and so he wisely simply made solid plans that didn’t depend on a supposed secret decrypt.
I’d be interested in your opinion
First, I am a fan, not an expert on WWII history…
To give just one example, while the US Army was trying to figure out its ass from a hole in the ground in Africa, Montgomery molded together one of the first “joint” forces and was able to soundly defeat Rommel during the second battle of El Alamein, no small feat. Any guy who could beat Rommel has some pretty spectacular abilities in the military arena.
| 142 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:36:50am |
re: #51 austin_blue
On his first $110,00 of income. No More.
Probably not even that if Mitt is “unemployed”. SS is a payroll tax, not an income tax. So if all of Mitt’s income is cap gains, dividends, etc. then none of it was pulled for SS.
| 143 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:37:43am |
re: #140 wozzablog
Yeah, most of the US takes on him tend to be implicitly critical, somehow, as though he’s starting from behind the 8-ball. I don’t see him making more mistakes than Bradley, for example, and exactly as you say, in North Africa— whatever opportunities he may have missed, he developed a plan and delivered on it, which, if you can consistently do it, is how wars are won.
They tend to focus on his self-promotion a lot, whereas I think the position of general is so political that everyone at that rank has got to be good, in some way, at self-promotion, and that’s what being criticized is Monty’s style of self-promotion.
| 144 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:38:03am |
re: #140 wozzablog
I must declare a bias though. My Grandfather was in his North Africa army for a time.
| 145 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:44:58am |
re: #143 Obdicut
Yeah, most of the US takes on him tend to be implicitly critical, somehow, as though he’s starting from behind the 8-ball. I don’t see him making more mistakes than Bradley, for example, and exactly as you say, in North Africa— whatever opportunities he may have missed, he developed a plan and delivered on it, which, if you can consistently do it, is how wars are won.
They tend to focus on his self-promotion a lot, whereas I think the position of general is so political that everyone at that rank has got to be good, in some way, at self-promotion, and that’s what being criticized is Monty’s style of self-promotion.
He was top tier, and was dropped into North Africa to press Rommel and win some battles after Auchinleck had been pushed back repeatedly - which was unfair, as he would probably have done a fair job with the level of men, kit and intelligence Monty was given.
Monty needed a “presence” - nobody would believe an unknown could do over Rommel, he needed to get front and center to instill confidence.
Moreover, he needed to show people we weren’t beaten - it’s impossible to overstate how high a priority was given to North Africa as the only active front the British were on and winning in 1942
| 146 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:48:31am |
re: #145 wozzablog
Yeah, it’s so hard sorting out things like the morale value of the general— and whether or not that should be evaluated as part of military value. It’s a really interesting subject. In some armies, it’s amazing how close the soldiers feel to the general above them.
| 147 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:54:07am |
re: #138 Obdicut
What’s your opinion of General Montgomery? In terms of logistics, planning, actual ability during a battle/campaign— military ability.
I’m really into the ETO, and the biggest thing that nobody seems to agree on is Montgomery’s actual military abilities. Some hold him in disdain, some say that his best assets are under-appreciated because they’re not showy, some say he ignored intelligence and others say that he realized intelligence was vulnerable to deception as well and so he wisely simply made solid plans that didn’t depend on a supposed secret decrypt.
I’d be interested in your opinion
Joining in.
I’d rate him as a good general, but somewhat inflexible and prickly. Give him time to do a set-piece offensive and he was probably one of the better ones since he prepared well and also was willing to make adjustments while things are underway. I also think another of his assets is that he was not going to panic and ask hastily. Maybe not react as flexibly or quickly as some, but generally reacted in a proper manner.
Beyond that it’s hard to tell since then you get into the ego and personality clashes. So part of reading in this area of history is working out who the author is playing up or playing down. And that started while the war is still going on.
Plus he came on the scene in North Africa roughly when the UK was getting better equipment, learning to organize better, gaining air superiority, etc. He did play a role in getting things working in a coordinated way, but he was also given a better set of cards to work with than his predecessors had.
And he didn’t always ignore intelligence. I believe that Ultra gave him advance knowledge of Rommel’s planned attack at Mareth.
| 148 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:03:05am |
re: #146 Obdicut
Yeah, it’s so hard sorting out things like the morale value of the general— and whether or not that should be evaluated as part of military value. It’s a really interesting subject. In some armies, it’s amazing how close the soldiers feel to the general above them.
I believe Patton once said that once an operation was planned his main role was being a cheerleader. And beyond that I think making sure things were moving.
That’s where you get into generals that are popping around the front making sure people are doing their jobs as compared to those in their command centers making sure the different parts of a complex operation are working. The former can potentially see something to take initiative on, but at risk of being out of contact as well. Different personality sets, and which is better would heavily depend on situation, assets, and training of their troops.
| 149 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:05:06am |
re: #148 oaktree
I believe Patton once said that once an operation was planned his main role was being a cheerleader. And beyond that I think making sure things were moving.
That’s where you get into generals that are popping around the front making sure people are doing their jobs as compared to those in their command centers making sure the different parts of a complex operation are working. The former can potentially see something to take initiative on, but at risk of being out of contact as well. Different personality sets, and which is better would heavily depend on situation, assets, and training of their troops.
British historians treat Patton less kindly than American ones do Monty.
| 150 |
Political Atheist Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:09:45am |
I woke up to great news. You guys see the news about the big rescue overnight?
| 151 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:10:22am |
So, now I know how Obama gets himself fired up for public appearances…
U.S. helicopters swooped into central Somalia on Wednesday and rescued two hostages, an American and a Dane, from pirates in a rare raid into the Horn of Africa nation to free foreign captives.
American Jessica Buchanan and Dane Poul Hagen Thisted were working for the Danish Demining Group (DDG) when they were kidnapped from the town of Galkayo in the semi-autonomous Galmudug region in October.
I can’t wait to hear what Mitt Romney finds wrong with this.
| 152 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:11:05am |
re: #148 oaktree
All the accounts of MacArthur I’ve read, though, lead me to the conclusion that we were lucky to avoid even greater disasters with him defending the Phillipines. He was classically out of touch. I think you do have generals who fluidly prioritize between being front-line leaders and HQ commanders as needed. I think they were probably more common in the olden days when you had to fight personally in battles anyway.
| 153 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:11:16am |
re: #151 darthstar
So, now I know how Obama gets himself fired up for public appearances…
I can’t wait to hear what Mitt Romney finds wrong with this.
link to original reuters:
[Link: af.reuters.com…]
| 154 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:14:43am |
re: #151 darthstar
Hee hee. It’s fun to see DKOS guys being all hawkish there.
I hope we rescue every last hostage there. That’d be a good strong message.
| 155 |
Interesting Times Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:15:54am |
re: #150 Rightwingconspirator
I woke up to great news. You guys see the news about the big rescue overnight?
| 156 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:16:34am |
| 157 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:18:05am |
re: #154 Obdicut
Hee hee. It’s fun to see DKOS guys being all hawkish there.
I hope we rescue every last hostage there. That’d be a good strong message.
Actions, not words:
“This is yet another message to the world that the United States of America will stand strongly against any threats to our people,” U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement.
Military helicopters ferried elite troops to the pirate camp in scrubland close to Haradheere, a major pirate base in central Somalia, Washington’s Germany-based Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement.
“All nine captors were killed during the assault,” it said.
U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta confirmed no American soldiers were killed in the operation.
First Somali operation since Black Hawk Down.
| 158 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:18:10am |
re: #149 wozzablog
British historians treat Patton less kindly than American ones do Monty.
To be honest Patton was a very odd duck. There are some very good biographies of him.
He stuck to cavalry after WW1 instead of getting into the beginning of the Armored Corps (like Eisenhower did) even though he commanded tanks there.
He was a stickler for military discipline, especially uniform regulations. But he also learned lessons from battle and tried to apply them. _War As I Knew It_ has some of that at the end, including recommendations for equipment issue. Which includes such things as making sure the soldiers have extra socks and specific training in making sure they change them and keep their feet dry as much as possible*.
But he also had a good grasp of the nature of aggressiveness on the offense. His go, go, go approach was based on the concept that if you don’t let the enemy stop and consolidate a defense you can keep pushing them and end up taking less casualties in the long run. (And a very N B Forrest approach, which given Patton’s ancestry is not that surprising**.)
Which I think is why the Germans rated him so highly since he was of a similar temperment to their better panzer generals where you attacked and then adjusted to opportunities and situations in the fluid combat that followed. And by the time the US was in the war their armored divisions were using a “combat command” set-up which roughly acted like the German kamphgruppe (sp) where assets could be adjusted based on the task.
* - Which makes a great deal of sense since blisters and/or trench foot can essentially disable a soldier’s ability to march or move quickly.
** - Patton was born in California I believe, but his family was Virginian and most of the males attended VMI. His grandfather and granduncle were both killed in the ACW.
| 159 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:18:55am |
re: #150 Rightwingconspirator
I woke up to great news. You guys see the news about the big rescue overnight?
Bad link but I think we’re talking about the same thing.
| 160 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:20:42am |
re: #157 darthstar
First Somali operation since Black Hawk Down.
Obama has a set of brass ones on him. Can you imagine doing that? Right before an election? Saying, “Yeah, these peoples lives are worth my entire chances at election if this goes south, and it has gone south before.”?
He did the right thing. But wow, making decisions at that level— challenging.
| 161 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:24:16am |
re: #160 Obdicut
He was caught on the mics going in telling Panetta “good job tonight”
| 162 |
Interesting Times Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:24:36am |
@SimonMaloy Simon Maloy
REPORT: Seal Team Six rescued the hostages using pure Alinsky tactics.
| 163 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:24:58am |
re: #152 Obdicut
All the accounts of MacArthur I’ve read, though, lead me to the conclusion that we were lucky to avoid even greater disasters with him defending the Phillipines. He was classically out of touch. I think you do have generals who fluidly prioritize between being front-line leaders and HQ commanders as needed. I think they were probably more common in the olden days when you had to fight personally in battles anyway.
To an extent the miracle of WW2 is that Mac wasn’t canned. Kimmel was. Short was. But someone decided that a hero was needed and Mac got the nod to be the US equivalent of the “Miracle at Dunkirk”.
And I don’t think the Philippines debacle taught him anything. It took getting a bunch of US infantry chopped up at Buna to teach him that fighting in the SW Pacific was going to require some modified thinking since the current fighting doctrine (using lots of artillery) was not going to work.
One revision. Bataan might have taught him that cutting off Japanese supply and letting them starve was a potential viable tactic.
And one reason Mac had few friends in the USN is that he blamed them for him losing the Philippines while he was in the midst of doing so. Even after Adm Hart pointed out that he couldn’t provide naval support with the Japanese bombing Cavite at will and having air superiority.
| 164 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:25:09am |
re: #160 Obdicut
Obama has a set of brass ones on him. Can you imagine doing that? Right before an election? Saying, “Yeah, these peoples lives are worth my entire chances at election if this goes south, and it has gone south before.”?
He did the right thing. But wow, making decisions at that level— challenging.
I like that he doesn’t make a big show of it. It’s just part of the job and it’s why America’s image abroad has come back out of the toilet in three years.
And he’s still got a Nobel fucking Peace Prize.
| 165 |
Political Atheist Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:26:33am |
re: #159 darthstar
Just waking up when I posted that, overlooked Researchok’s featured Page.
| 166 |
rwdflynavy Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:26:50am |
re: #164 darthstar
I like that he doesn’t make a big show of it. It’s just part of the job and it’s why America’s image abroad has come back out of the toilet in three years.
And he’s still got a Nobel fucking Peace Prize.
Wait. There’s a prize for fucking?!!!
//
| 167 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:27:02am |
re: #162 publicityStunted
Well, it was a community service
“About 12 U.S. helicopters are now at Galkayo. We thank the United States. Pirates have spoilt the whole region’s peace and ethics. They are mafia,” Mohamed Ahmed Alim, leader of the Galmudug region, told Reuters.
| 168 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:27:49am |
re: #165 Rightwingconspirator
Just waking up when I posted that, overlooked Researchok’s featured Page.
Ah…I’ll go there and give him some love…thanks.
| 169 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:28:01am |
| 170 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:28:57am |
I want to know where in the Alinsky Rules for Radicals it says to send in a SEAL team to take care of things.
/
| 171 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:31:21am |
re: #170 oaktree
I want to know where in the Alinsky Rules for Radicals it says to send in a SEAL team to take care of things.
/
It’s in the special edition that they only give to high-level operatives. It’s listed in the back under “Nuclear Options”.
| 172 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:31:51am |
re: #170 oaktree
I want to know where in the Alinsky Rules for Radicals it says to send in a SEAL team to take care of things.
/
Alinsky:
They must feel so frustrated, so defeated, so lost, so futureless in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go of the past and change the future.
I think the Pirates got the message.
| 173 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:35:11am |
re: #172 darthstar
Alinsky:
I think the Pirates got the message.
After this many losing seasons in a row you’d think they would change their line of reasoning. But I’m not so sure.
/ ;)
| 174 |
Political Atheist Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:35:27am |
re: #172 darthstar
A message worth repeating, IMO.
| 175 |
darthstar Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:39:31am |
re: #174 Rightwingconspirator
A message worth repeating, IMO.
Samuel L. Jackson would play the role of Obama like this, “I’m tired of these motherfucking pirates fucking with my motherfucking people.”
| 176 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:42:19am |
re: #175 darthstar
Samuel L. Jackson would play the role of Obama like this, “I’m tired of these motherfucking pirates fucking with my motherfucking people.”
I think Samuel L. Jackson would capture the badassness of our current President very nicely. I’d go see a movie starring him as President Obama.
| 177 |
lawhawk Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:57:47am |
re: #176 thedopefishlives
Much more likely to portray Obama would be Harry Lennix.
| 178 |
Bulworth Wed, Jan 25, 2012 6:58:23am |
I assume Faux News broadcast the Teabag Response…
| 181 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:08:35am |
re: #180 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Dunno why that didn’t work. editing.
| 182 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:09:14am |
| 183 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:09:54am |
Correction to comment #147.
Monty had Enigma information concerning the Axis attack at Medenine.
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]
This was attempting to preempt the British attacking the Mareth Line. Mea Culpa.
| 184 |
William Barnett-Lewis Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:12:27am |
re: #152 Obdicut
All the accounts of MacArthur I’ve read, though, lead me to the conclusion that we were lucky to avoid even greater disasters with him defending the Phillipines. He was classically out of touch. I think you do have generals who fluidly prioritize between being front-line leaders and HQ commanders as needed. I think they were probably more common in the olden days when you had to fight personally in battles anyway.
MacArthur… Gah. Incompetence, arrogance & an ego even bigger than Patton’s. It’s a good thing he was stuck in the Pacific where he only cost the American troops their lives but wasn’t able to utterly lose a campaign as he would have in the ETO. Even that idiot Clark was more comptent in Italy.
| 185 |
lawhawk Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:15:28am |
re: #184 wlewisiii
You’re wrong Ryan. Halsey acted stupidly. /Ramius
| 186 |
McSpiff Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:15:41am |
Question about Mitt’s tax return. Was that federal and state or just federal?
| 187 |
Mostly sane, most of the time. Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:18:45am |
re: #186 McSpiff
Question about Mitt’s tax return. Was that federal and state or just federal?
It was his estimated federal.
What state does he claim residency in now, BTW?
| 188 |
Achilles Tang Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:20:04am |
Headline news this morning:
| 189 |
lawhawk Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:21:34am |
Re: last night’s SOTU Address, NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will head the mortgage abuse task force to go after companies engaging in shady dealings.
Schneiderman, who was in the audience during the speech and had prime seating in the First Lady’s box, will co-chair what the president described as “a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorney generals” that will “expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis.”
“This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans,” the president said.
Schneiderman, who has pushed to hold the banking industry to task, had previously butted heads with the administration over a proposed settlement deal with banks over questionable foreclosure practices. The first-term AG was even booted from the negotiating committee because of his punitive stance.
But the dispute seems to have paid off for Schneiderman, who is now set to co-chair the new Unit on Mortgage Origination and Securitization Abuses, along with the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, Lanny Breuer, and other SEC and DOJ officials, according to the Huffington Post, which first broke news of the new unit just before the speech.
Scheiderman had broken with a previous effort at a national settlement with the banks over their mortgage practices, claiming that it didn’t go far enough in punishing those companies.
That split also hit at the Administration, which backed those talks. It seems that they’ve reconciled and decided to take an even stronger position against the banks that engaged in predatory lending and other activities (including foreclosures, robosigning, etc.).
| 190 |
William Barnett-Lewis Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:22:50am |
re: #185 lawhawk
You’re wrong Ryan. Halsey acted stupidly. /Ramius
Hmm. I’m missing the reference though it’s probably obvious. Though Halsey did have his problems leaving Taffy 3 in one hell of a spot.
I was thinking of his incompetent handling of the Philippine defense and, even worse, the New Guinea operations. Couple that with his most famous operation - Inchon was an exercise in luck, which I’ll grant he had that day, but that’s not how commanders should be operating.
| 192 |
Fat Bastard Vegetarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:24:38am |
re: #188 Naso Tang
I love this line from the movie “Taken” …
I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.
Fuck yeah.
| 194 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:26:31am |
re: #192 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
I love this line from the movie “Taken” …
Fuck yeah.
Liam Neeson is a badass in his own right. I wish he got more screen time; he’s only been in a couple of other things, and only like one other leading role.
| 195 |
McSpiff Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:28:48am |
re: #187 EmmmieG
It was his estimated federal.
What state does he claim residency in now, BTW?
Good question. I’d be interested in seeing his total return.. Whats a typical income tax rate in the states anyways? I just did a back of the napkin for myself (canadian), next year should be about 22% total, federal and provincial. But that ignores some deferred taxes on my RRSP (401k I guess?)
| 196 |
lawhawk Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:29:17am |
re: #190 wlewisiii
It’s from Hunt for the Red October - defecting Russian sub commander (and teacher of naval tactics) Marko Ramius asks Ryan about the book he wrote. Ryan responds he wrote a book about Halsey. Ramius then responds - yes, I know this book. You’re wrong Ryan, Halsey acted stupidly. Oh, and all that happens while a Russian torpedo is bearing down on the Red October that Ryan is helming.
| 197 |
William Barnett-Lewis Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:31:03am |
re: #196 lawhawk
It’s from Hunt for the Red October - defecting Russian sub commander (and teacher of naval tactics) Marko Ramius asks Ryan about the book he wrote. Ryan responds he wrote a book about Halsey. Ramius then responds - yes, I know this book. You’re wrong Ryan, Halsey acted stupidly. Oh, and all that happens while a Russian torpedo is bearing down on the Red October that Ryan is helming.
Ah. I wondered about it being that Ryan but I had forgotten the Soviet captain’s name so it went woosh over my head.
| 199 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:31:39am |
re: #195 McSpiff
Good question. I’d be interested in seeing his total return.. Whats a typical income tax rate in the states anyways? I just did a back of the napkin for myself (canadian), next year should be about 22% total, federal and provincial. But that ignores some deferred taxes on my RRSP (401k I guess?)
Depends on the state you live in. Overall, the withholding from my paycheck totals about 21%, though that’s not really my effective tax rate since I’m getting back more than half of what I paid in.
| 200 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:32:06am |
re: #195 McSpiff
And average doesn’t really mean much in a progressive taxation system, anyhoo.
| 201 |
McSpiff Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:33:13am |
re: #200 Obdicut
And average doesn’t really mean much in a progressive taxation system, anyhoo.
No thats an excellent point. Should have specified “median for a matching demographic” I suppose.
| 202 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:34:44am |
| 203 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:37:17am |
re: #194 thedopefishlives
Liam Neeson is a badass in his own right. I wish he got more screen time; he’s only been in a couple of other things, and only like one other leading role.
Liam has been in a lot of movies, leading or supporting. I think he’s laying low since his wife died tho.
| 204 |
Our Precious Bodily Fluids Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:38:29am |
re: #202 ggt
Morning all!
Talk about distinctive markings! Name that kitteh.
This is the True Face of all cats, by the way.
| 205 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:39:02am |
re: #189 lawhawk
Re: last night’s SOTU Address, NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will head the mortgage abuse task force to go after companies engaging in shady dealings.
Scheiderman had broken with a previous effort at a national settlement with the banks over their mortgage practices, claiming that it didn’t go far enough in punishing those companies.
That split also hit at the Administration, which backed those talks. It seems that they’ve reconciled and decided to take an even stronger position against the banks that engaged in predatory lending and other activities (including foreclosures, robosigning, etc.).
It seems to be a meme with the public. After all the legislation and bru-haha, we haven’t seen any one prosecuted for their crimes in the news. All we hear about is their bonuses.
| 206 |
ProBosniaLiberal Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:39:13am |
Dammit, Newt is beginning to lose his lead in Florida. Look at Nate Silver’s Tweet.
fivethirtyeight Nate Silver
New Florida Forecast (Florcast?): Gingrich 40.1, Romney 36.2, Santorum 11.5, Paul 9.4. nyti.ms/ywKYEp
I want him to win, so Obama can smash him in the General.
| 207 |
Fat Bastard Vegetarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:39:18am |
re: #203 ggt
Liam has been in a lot of movies, leading or supporting. I think he’s laying low since his wife died tho.
“The Grey” comes out this weekend, I think.
Was in “Unknown” last year.
| 208 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:40:06am |
re: #203 ggt
Liam has been in a lot of movies, leading or supporting. I think he’s laying low since his wife died tho.
I think that may be more what I’ve been thinking of. Just hasn’t been around recently.
| 209 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:41:27am |
re: #206 ProLifeLiberal
Dammit, Newt is beginning to lose his lead in Florida. Look at Nate Silver’s Tweet.
I want him to win, so Obama can smash him in the General.
After the high-powered artillery barrage that was last night’s SOTU, I would put Obama up against any Republican in this country, as long as he can keep that kind of tone going.
| 210 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:42:12am |
I was deeply involved in my photoshop project last night and forgot about the SOTU.
Did I miss anything?
| 211 |
ProBosniaLiberal Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:42:47am |
re: #209 thedopefishlives
I also want to see that Newt’s Pompous ass is handed to him, so I don’t have to hear from him again.
| 212 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:43:44am |
re: #211 ProLifeLiberal
I also want to see that Newt’s Pompous ass is handed to him, so I don’t have to hear from him again.
Newt’s ass will never shut-up.
| 213 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:43:45am |
re: #210 ggt
I was deeply involved in my photoshop project last night and forgot about the SOTU.
Did I miss anything?
Yeah, the President rolled out the big guns. He basically took a direct shot at every wingnut talking point on the board and added a few parting shots of his own.
| 214 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:44:04am |
re: #209 thedopefishlives
After the high-powered artillery barrage that was last night’s SOTU, I would put Obama up against any Republican in this country, as long as he can keep that kind of tone going.
It was an exquisitely aimed artillery barrage.
They have to defend 14% tax rates for those getting $40mil a year, they’ll do it by saying “slash all taxes, abolish corporate taxes (etc)” - then the country really *will* go bankrupt. Fiscally responsible my fat ass.
| 215 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:44:35am |
re: #209 thedopefishlives
I think the debate may have diminished Newt a little bit. Comparing Newt’s hectoring, boring, lecture style with Obama’s may make them reflexively panic and move towards Romney— but Romney doesn’t fare any better. He seems passionless, even more so than old-style Al Gore.
| 216 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:48:51am |
I am able to access noaa.gov today. Couldn’t yesterday. Weird that!
Anyway, it says to expect snow by Friday in my part of the world.
| 217 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:49:11am |
re: #214 wozzablog
It was an exquisitely aimed artillery barrage.
They have to defend 14% tax rates for those getting $40mil a year, they’ll do it by saying “slash all taxes, abolish corporate taxes (etc)” - then the country really *will* go bankrupt. Fiscally responsible my fat ass.
Honestly, I don’t see how the Republicans even stand a chance at this point. I mean, he addressed DIRECTLY everything that Americans have been complaining about for the last 6 years. Tax restructuring so the rich pay their fair share? Check. Going after the bankers who got us into this mess? Check. Tax penalties for offshoring? Check. New rules for Congresscritters to cut down on inefficiency and shady dealing? Mega-check. I don’t see how the Republicans can oppose any of those items and still have people voting for them. Well, aside from their own rich old white guy cronies.
| 218 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:50:56am |
re: #217 thedopefishlives
Honestly, I don’t see how the Republicans even stand a chance at this point. I mean, he addressed DIRECTLY everything that Americans have been complaining about for the last 6 years. Tax restructuring so the rich pay their fair share? Check. Going after the bankers who got us into this mess? Check. Tax penalties for offshoring? Check. New rules for Congresscritters to cut down on inefficiency and shady dealing? Mega-check. I don’t see how the Republicans can oppose any of those items and still have people voting for them. Well, aside from their own rich old white guy cronies.
Rationalising government, merging departments. Check.
Cutting 2trillion from the deficit. Check.
| 219 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:51:42am |
re: #216 ggt
I am able to access noaa.gov today. Couldn’t yesterday. Weird that!
A strange wind that way yonder blows…
| 220 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:51:59am |
re: #218 wozzablog
Rationalising government, merging departments. Check.
Cutting 2trillion from the deficit. Check.
Okay, so I didn’t hit a comprehensive list. You get the idea.
| 221 |
Achilles Tang Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:54:14am |
| 222 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:54:29am |
Numbers were crunched - Obama’s spending plans have added $1.6trillion to the deficit. Bush added $5trillion to the deficit.
(excluding the costs of meltdown and based solely on their enacted policies)
All this Obama ballooned the deficit, Obama did this or that - it’s all hoey and bunkm.
And for Bush’ budget guy who did BALLOON the deficit to be giving the rebuttal last night? - that’s chutzpah.
[Link: www.theatlantic.com…]
| 224 |
danarchy Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:55:45am |
re: #187 EmmmieG
I believe currently his primary residence is in New Hampshire. There is no income or sales tax in NH just property taxes I believe
| 225 |
Achilles Tang Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:58:35am |
I listened to only about two minutes of the GOP rebuttal, and heard essentially only that they ignored what Obama said, or were calling him a liar on everything, and this after saying something like “the issue is simple and only a matter of arithmetic”.
Pathetic.
| 226 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 7:59:31am |
re: #225 Naso Tang
They also had a much more negative view of the US.
| 227 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:02:25am |
re: #190 wlewisiii
Hmm. I’m missing the reference though it’s probably obvious. Though Halsey did have his problems leaving Taffy 3 in one hell of a spot.
I was thinking of his incompetent handling of the Philippine defense and, even worse, the New Guinea operations. Couple that with his most famous operation - Inchon was an exercise in luck, which I’ll grant he had that day, but that’s not how commanders should be operating.
Heh. Hunt for Red October quote.
If you’ve never read _Last Stand Of The Tin Can Sailors_ I recommend it. It’s about the Battle of Samar with a heavy emphasis on Taffy 3. A massive USN command and communications screw-up rescued by the men on the spot.
I’m working through _American Caeser_ right now. (A Mac biography)
| 228 |
Flounder Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:02:40am |
re: #223 ggt
I see your cuteness, and I will raise, [Link: www.telegraph.co.uk…]
| 229 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:02:48am |
re: #226 Obdicut
They also had a much more negative view of the US.
Newts stump speech he delivered in churches is that in 20 years America will be a secular atheist country driven by radical jihadists.
(Paraphrasing, but not by all that much.)
| 231 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:05:11am |
re: #228 Shropshire_Slasher
I see your cuteness, and I will raise, [Link: www.telegraph.co.uk…]
oooh!
| 232 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:06:04am |
re: #226 Obdicut
They also had a much more negative view of the US.
I thought I was a pessimist. I got schooled.
| 233 |
Flounder Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:07:38am |
re: #230 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Is it a coming Apocalypse? I got clean panties on, I’m good.
| 234 |
Political Atheist Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:07:48am |
re: #230 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Here in California, a shop foreman who colluded with the owner and a plumber to put a secret secondary drain in for toxic waste (not a meat packing plant, but a chemical plant) went to jail, as did the owner. I hope that happens in Texas.
| 235 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:08:32am |
re: #234 Rightwingconspirator
This is the flip side of people being afraid of drones used for domestic surveillance.
| 236 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:09:54am |
re: #229 wozzablog
Newts stump speech he delivered in churches is that in 20 years America will be a secular atheist country driven by radical jihadists.
(Paraphrasing, but not by all that much.)
How soon until an unrelated SuperPac puts out an ad featuring a CGI Obama singing “Henery VIII I am”?
| 237 |
Fat Bastard Vegetarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:11:02am |
re: #235 Obdicut
This is the flip side of people being afraid of drones used for domestic surveillance.
This one was private. Appeared to be a dude with basically a model airplane and a single shot camera.
Some motherfucker needs to go to jail for this.
| 238 |
Our Precious Bodily Fluids Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:11:11am |
I can’t wait to see what kind of negative spin they come up with for the SEAL hostage rescue.
| 239 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:12:27am |
re: #237 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Yeah. That’s what I mean about the flip side. Hobbyists get to use them, and they may see some things the rich, powerful, of governmental would prefer they didn’t.
| 240 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:14:20am |
re: #239 Obdicut
Yeah. That’s what I mean about the flip side. Hobbyists get to use them, and they may see some things the rich, powerful, of governmental and some police officers would prefer they didn’t.
amended that for you
:0
| 241 |
FemNaziBitch Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:14:42am |
I’m off to be productive.
Have a great day all!
| 242 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:15:15am |
My boss reminded me about this one in a conversation yesterday when we were talking about the Marcellus Shale and natural gas costs in passing.
[Link: www.scientificamerican.com…]
| 243 |
Fat Bastard Vegetarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:16:49am |
Efficient window? Or DEATH RAY?!?
See y’all. Time for work.
| 244 |
HoosierHoops Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:16:54am |
re: #237 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
This one was private. Appeared to be a dude with basically a model airplane and a single shot camera.
Some motherfucker needs to go to jail for this.
I worked part time in a metal shop in high school in Napa. When the 55 gallon drums of degreaser was dirty we were told to dump them in the field out back. How times have changed for the better
| 245 |
Political Atheist Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:17:58am |
re: #235 Obdicut
Exactly. “Public View” has been redefined from street level view. Tall bushes no longer ensure privacy. And flying toys with cameras are not (yet perhaps) regulated.
I wonder if Texas has a “Visible Emission Report log” requirement like California does. Here an employee must go check the weather, check for emissions and write it all down on an approved form. Lie, and it could be jail. Refuse to log and you can lose your permit to run.
| 246 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:21:08am |
re: #243 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Efficient window? Or DEATH RAY?!?
See y’all. Time for work.
[Link: www.dailytech.com…]
What fries in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Here in Philly the reflected light off the Comcast Building can blind you and can be physically felt as heat at least two blocks away.
| 247 |
Achilles Tang Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:21:34am |
re: #238 negativ
I can’t wait to see what kind of negative spin they come up with for the SEAL hostage rescue.
Bush planned it all.
| 248 |
Our Precious Bodily Fluids Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:25:32am |
re: #243 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Efficient window? Or DEATH RAY?!?
See y’all. Time for work.
CBS2’s Randy Paige placed a thermometer in the pathway of the beam on a partially cloudy day. The temperature registered over 120 degrees in less than five minutes.
I don’t know what the melting temperature is for the plastics used on car trim, but it’s a hell of a lot higher than 120F, or else every car parked on blacktop in Texas would melt in the summer. Time to get the Mythbusters on this!
| 249 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:25:41am |
re: #245 Rightwingconspirator
Unfortunately, the EPA is so ill-funded that they can’t afford a bunch of closure actions. There’s a lot more polluters than there are investigations. This should be a bow-wrapped present for them.
| 250 |
Our Precious Bodily Fluids Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:26:06am |
re: #247 Naso Tang
Bush planned it all.
Are you sure Reagan didn’t actually plan it? Or perhaps George Washington?
| 251 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:28:08am |
Florida town votes to put fluoride back in their water
Folks, this is what happens when you let your kids grow up on stupid.
| 252 |
Wozza Matter? Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:30:40am |
re: #236 oaktree
How soon until an unrelated SuperPac puts out an ad featuring a CGI Obama singing “Henery VIII I am”?
The whole multiple wives thing would fit Newt better though, surely.
:p
| 253 |
Our Precious Bodily Fluids Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:30:47am |
re: #251 thedopefishlives
Florida town votes to put fluoride back in their water
Folks, this is what happens when you let your kids grow up on stupid.
Now all of their precious bodily fluids are going to be sapped and impurified.
| 254 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:31:02am |
re: #248 negativ
I don’t know what the melting temperature is for the plastics used on car trim, but it’s a hell of a lot higher than 120F, or else every car parked on blacktop in Texas would melt in the summer. Time to get the Mythbusters on this!
That’s probably true, but that doesn’t mean a local temperature difference of that much wouldn’t cause some warping. Remember, this is a single concentrated beam.
| 255 |
Political Atheist Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:31:10am |
re: #249 Obdicut
I think Texas state authorities are on this.
[Link: www.tceq.texas.gov…]
| 256 |
Political Atheist Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:33:14am |
re: #248 negativ
I think that dark plastic gets much hotter than the air given a concentrated amount of heat. And I can attest from my own windows they beam out that heat that is kept from my living room. Right at the furniture by the pool.
| 257 |
Feline Fearless Leader Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:34:12am |
re: #252 wozzablog
The whole multiple wives thing would fit Newt better though, surely.
:p
True.
But Obama seizing the church assets to atheist-ize them fits as well.
| 258 |
Lidane Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:44:54am |
Ahahaha…this is great. Let the circular firing squad continue!
Gingrich Slams Romney’s ‘Inhumane’ ‘Self-Deportation’ Policy For Undocumented Immigrants
| 259 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:45:16am |
re: #258 Lidane
Ahahaha…this is great. Let the circular firing squad continue!
Gingrich Slams Romney’s ‘Inhumane’ ‘Self-Deportation’ Policy For Undocumented Immigrants
My head just asploded.
| 260 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:46:19am |
Gingrich says Mitt Romney’s call for self-deportation of illegal immigrants is an “Obama-level” fantasy that is inhumane to long-established families living in America.
*raised eyebrow*
| 261 |
wrenchwench Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:46:40am |
re: #258 Lidane
Ahahaha…this is great. Let the circular firing squad continue!
Gingrich Slams Romney’s ‘Inhumane’ ‘Self-Deportation’ Policy For Undocumented Immigrants
They should stay and clean the bathrooms!
| 262 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:47:31am |
Unbelievable.
| 263 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:48:56am |
MY OPPONENT IS AS EXTREME AND INHUMAN ANTI-IMMIGRANT AS THE DEMOCRAT LEADER!
| 264 |
iossarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:49:12am |
re: #261 wrenchwench
They should stay and clean the bathrooms!
Hahaha.
My new parlor game: how many Republican party policies can you combine without either breaking the laws of physics or saying a rude word.
First player to make right-wing uncle Bob’s head asplode wins!
| 265 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:49:54am |
This just shows once again that they will say and do anything.
| 266 |
Altermite Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:50:54am |
re: #258 Lidane
Ahahaha…this is great. Let the circular firing squad continue!
Gingrich Slams Romney’s ‘Inhumane’ ‘Self-Deportation’ Policy For Undocumented Immigrants
Florida is the right place to do that, though.
| 267 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:51:39am |
By the way, where is MA on Romney? Is he still any popular there?
| 268 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:53:03am |
re: #265 Sergey Romanov
This just shows once again that they will say and do anything.
They really will. These guys don’t just throw people under a bus, they drop a bridge on them.
| 269 |
iossarian Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:53:28am |
Patented AutoNewt speech generator. Remember to always use the StafferFilter add-on before publishing!
RAW OUTPUT COMMENCE
The Blacks don’t understand entrepreneurship. They need to get off food stamps and get a job!
Obama has never had a job. He is a food stamp president.
Immigrants? They are hard working. They should be allowed to stay. Only someone like Obama would think otherwise. Most Hispanics understand this.
Hard working Americans don’t deserve to have their jobs shipped overseas by my capitalist opponent. Many Asians would agree with me.
| 270 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:53:37am |
re: #268 thedopefishlives
They really will. These guys don’t just throw people under a bus, they drop a bridge on them.
And then dynamite it.
| 271 |
reine.de.tout Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:55:44am |
re: #267 Sergey Romanov
By the way, where is MA on Romney? Is he still any popular there?
According to a couple of folks I know there - no.
| 272 |
wrenchwench Wed, Jan 25, 2012 8:57:01am |
re: #271 reine.de.tout
According to a couple of folks I know there - no.
Because of his flipping and flopping? They used to like him, right?
| 273 |
pinkbunny Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:00:50am |
re: #153 darthstar
link to original reuters:
[Link: af.reuters.com…]
He’ll say he thought of it first!!! and hat Obama should have listed to him months ago!
| 274 |
pinkbunny Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:02:30am |
re: #271 reine.de.tout
According to a couple of folks I know there - no.
I lived in Massachusetts for a little while, and Romney sucked!! Everyone knows how he just used as a stepping stone for the Presidency, and now the whole country can see it!
| 275 |
lawhawk Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:03:15am |
Heh. Conservatives are pissed at the Daniels response to the SOTU:
Mitch Daniels Ignores Social Conservatives Again
By Richard A. Viguerie
The Indiana governor’s response to the State of the Union Address was fine from a Republican standpoint, but completely omitted the Values issues that drive the conservative movement today.
| 276 |
KingKenrod Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:08:59am |
re: #275 lawhawk
Mitch Daniels Ignores Social Conservatives Again
By Richard A. Viguerie
The Indiana governor’s response to the State of the Union Address was fine from a Republican standpoint, but completely omitted the Values issues that drive the conservative movement today.
Yeah, “driving” it crazy. Values issues my ass.
| 277 |
pinkbunny Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:09:47am |
re: #275 lawhawk
Heh. Conservatives are pissed at the Daniels response to the SOTU:
It’s really sad,the GOP had their hopes pinned on him as their savior against Newt.
The real losers are the American People in all this craziness. Fundamentally, while I am a progressive, I believe it’s good for our democracy to have a healthy 2 party system, for a real checks and balance.
But what happens when we have one party that is completely bat-shit crazy?? We all lose out!
ok,got go my muffins are done!
| 278 |
Lidane Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:09:53am |
re: #266 Altermite
Florida is the right place to do that, though.
To pander to the Cuban voting bloc, yes.
To the wingnuts, though, calling “self-deportation” inhumane is the same as supporting full amnesty and/or being a librul or a RINO.
| 279 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:11:12am |
re: #277 pinkbunny
A person on another blog I read wrote it like this:
I think of liberals as the gas pedal, and conservatives as the brakes. Without liberals we’d never move forward, and without conservatives we’d pretty quickly drive off a cliff.
| 280 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:12:08am |
re: #277 pinkbunny
The real losers are the American People in all this craziness. Fundamentally, while I am a progressive, I believe it’s good for our democracy to have a healthy 2 party system, for a real checks and balance.
But what happens when we have one party that is completely bat-shit crazy?? We all lose out!
Which is why the best case scenario (hardly attainable) would be for the GOP to crash, burn, and be reborn as a fiscally conservative party without bigotry.
| 281 |
jamesfirecat Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:13:28am |
re: #279 thedopefishlives
A person on another blog I read wrote it like this:
Someone check the fluid in America’s breaklines, I think it’s been replaced with tea.
| 282 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:14:40am |
re: #281 jamesfirecat
Someone check the fluid in America’s breaklines, I think it’s been replaced with tea.
Which is a good thing, because they’ve been holding us back a bit too long. Time to move forward a bit.
| 283 |
pinkbunny Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:19:44am |
re: #279 thedopefishlives
A person on another blog I read wrote it like this:
I think of liberals as the gas pedal, and conservatives as the brakes. Without liberals we’d never move forward, and without conservatives we’d pretty quickly drive off a cliff.
WOW - I never heard it described that way before, but so true!
| 284 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:22:59am |
Three Men and a Baby
[Link: www.abominable.cc…]
| 285 |
pinkbunny Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:23:26am |
Ironically, after spending all morning in tearful goodbyes to Gabbie Giffords in Congress, we have yet another example of dickish GOP behavior
Orange stickers with an image of rifle crosshairs were found Tuesday on the office doors of several Democratic state senators, prompting an investigation by Missouri Capitol Police, Senate Administrator Jim Howerton said. The stickers were on the doors of all four Democratic women in the Senate — Jolie Justus and Kiki Curls, both of Kansas City, and Maria Chapelle-Nadal and Robin Wright-Jones, both of St. Louis, Justus said.
[Link: motherjones.com…]
| 286 |
lawhawk Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:24:01am |
re: #283 pinkbunny
Well, that comparison works only up to a point. Right now, it seems that the car (American politics) has two gas pedals, each driving wheels in opposite directions. No brakes, and the car’s coming apart at the seams because compromise has left the building (The Capitol).
| 287 |
Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:25:34am |
re: #285 pinkbunny
Dickish, you say?
| 288 |
reine.de.tout Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:28:04am |
re: #272 wrenchwench
Because of his flipping and flopping? They used to like him, right?
Some used to like him. What I get from it isn’t so much the flipping and flopping, as it is his healthcare plan is costing everybody tons more than what he told them it would cost.
| 289 |
allegro Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:28:33am |
re: #285 pinkbunny
Ironically, after spending all morning in tearful goodbyes to Gabbie Giffords in Congress, we have yet another example of dickish GOP behavior
[Link: motherjones.com…]
That isn’t dickish - that is outright threats of violence and murder.
| 290 |
reine.de.tout Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:29:12am |
re: #274 pinkbunny
I lived in Massachusetts for a little while, and Romney sucked!! Everyone knows how he just used as a stepping stone for the Presidency, and now the whole country can see it!
And yeah, there’s this too. Sorta like how we see Jindal.
| 291 |
Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:30:49am |
re: #290 reine.de.tout
And yeah, there’s this too. Sorta like how we see Jindal.
Same with Indiana and Mitch Daniels. The trouble there is, he was actually a halfway decent governor when he started out and was immensely popular. Then things just got weird.
| 293 |
Obdicut Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:31:14am |
re: #285 pinkbunny
Ironically, after spending all morning in tearful goodbyes to Gabbie Giffords in Congress, we have yet another example of dickish GOP behavior
[Link: motherjones.com…]
Whoever left those there is a sick-minded jerk.
| 294 |
ProBosniaLiberal Wed, Jan 25, 2012 9:31:53am |
re: #292 HoosierHoops
You still live in Norman?
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