Romney vs. Reality: The NRA Speech

The many lies of Mitt

PoliticsApril 2012 • Views: 33,508

These web advertisements from the Obama campaign are very effective, juxtaposing clips from Mitt Romney’s latest speeches with statements from President Obama. The message is clear: many of Romney’s points about Obama are simply untrue.

I suspect Romney’s well aware of this. All of his talking points are taken directly from fake outrages that bubbled up from the reality-challenged right wing blogosphere into Fox News and other right wing media; “apologizing for America,” “religious freedom,” “bowing to the Saudis,” etc.

Romney’s not stupid. He knows Obama has never “apologized for America.” But he also knows that the right wing base has been conditioned to not care if he’s dishonest, as long as he’s telling their lies. He’s just saying what he knows the base wants to hear.

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151 comments

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:38:55am

The only bowing I’m seeing is that of a spineless panderer like Mitt to the very worst face of his party’s base, knowing it’s demanded of him if he wants to get that base to the polls in November.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:39:13am

$5 a gallon gas won’t stop the carnage in November.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:43:14am

The extent that the right-wing wants to be lied to is pretty pathological.

The kooky part is its mostly negative lies— instead of lies about how awesome they are (which there is a little of) it’s mostly about how terrible Obama is, how awful leftists are, how under threat religion is, etc.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:44:56am

re: #2 Kronocide

$5 a gallon gas won’t stop the carnage in November.

No, indeed. The Dems are going to get a pasting in the Senate and they won’t win the House. Obama may still win, but he’s going to have absolutely no ‘second honeymoon, if he does.

palomino Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:46:35am

re: #4 Dark_Falcon

No, indeed. The Dems are going to get a pasting in the Senate and they won’t win the House. Obama may still win, but he’s going to have absolutely no ‘second honeymoon, if he does.

Obama never had a first honeymoon. Did you actually pay attention to politics over the last 4 years?

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:48:35am

re: #4 Dark_Falcon

Congress has a dismal approval ratings. I fail to see how the GOP as a whole will improve on it’s position. Not to mention, the General Election campaign has barely started. The DNC and Obama are just dusting off the campaign.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:49:00am

re: #5 palomino

What I keep worrying about is an actual large-scale terrorist attack, another 9/11 scenario.

Because I don’t see any chance that the right-wing legislators would stand by Obama and show national unity the way that the Democrats did with Bush. I don’t think the haters in the general population would, either. I really doubt he’d get a 90% popularity afterwards. I think they’d attack him immediately for ‘letting it happen’. Neotrutherism would abound.

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:50:27am

re: #5 palomino

I’ve gotten to the point where I see the Republicans as Christian Salafists. Time to treat them as such.

Use the law the Tennessee Republicans passed against them. Force the Republican Party to defend the Saudi Bill.

Killgore Trout Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:50:58am

KTH: Mitt Romney’s record on gun control (video)

Mitt Romney is positioning himself as a gun rights advocate. Anderson Cooper looks at his record on gun control laws.

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:51:53am

Irony Alert:

Bachmann says women need to make their own decisions about their bodies thkpr.gs/HIPruF

— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) April 15, 2012

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:52:20am

re: #6 Kronocide

Congress has a dismal approval ratings. I fail to see how the GOP as a whole will improve on it’s position. Not to mention, the General Election campaign has barely started. The DNC and Obama are just dusting off the campaign.

I’m trying to figure out how, after the GOP took hit after hit in the polls for their Congressional hijinks, and their apparent desire for a repeat with the passage of the “Ryan Plan,” how they’re expected to make serious gains in November.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:53:35am

re: #6 Kronocide

Congress has a dismal approval ratings. I fail to see how the GOP as a whole will improve on it’s position. Not to mention, the General Election campaign has barely started. The DNC and Obama are just dusting off the campaign.

He’s not the only one; Crossroads GPS rolled their ‘Anzio Annies’ out of the tunnels this week and started bombarding Camp Obama. And Karl Rove and his people know how to place an ad barrage.

/Whoever correctly places my reference first gets three updings, even if their comments are hostile. Irregardless, nothing in that post should be taken as advocacy of any sort of violence. No one on LGF will do so, of course, but its needed to fend off the smaller minds that stalk this blog.

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:54:09am

re: #11 Targetpractice

Use that against them too.

Paint the Republicans as a bunch of Social Darwinistic Religious Radicals. Which is exactly what they are.

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:54:33am

re: #12 Dark_Falcon

He’s not the only one; Crossroads GPS rolled their ‘Anzio Annies’ out of the tunnels this week and started bombarding Camp Obama. And Karl Rove and his people know how to place an ad barrage.

/Whoever correctly places my reference first gets three updings, even if their comments are hostile. Irregardless, nothing in that post should be taken as advocacy of any sort of violence. No one on LGF will do so, of course, but its needed to fend off the smaller minds that stalk this blog.

Krupp K5 railway gun.

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:55:44am

re: #12 Dark_Falcon

Ah, the Italian Cannons which killed one of my relatives. Why the hell are you siding with Rove, one of the most despicable pigs of the Bush Administration. And why are you continuing to side with the Christian Salafists?

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:55:57am

re: #12 Dark_Falcon

Crossroads GPS rolled their ‘Anzio Annies’ out of the tunnels this week

One particular member of the Italian Resistance who was afflicted with a really devastating case of chlamydia, and rather than having it treated, spread it to as many German soldier as she could.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:56:01am

re: #14 The Ghost of a Flea

Krupp K5 railway gun.

Correct. 1st upding given.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:56:42am

Fixed my blank comment. Editing makes me too lazy to preview.

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:58:21am

re: #15 ProGunLiberal

Ah, the Italian Cannons which kill one of my relatives. Why the hell are you siding with Rove, one of the most despicable pigs of the Bush Administration. And why are you continuing to side with the Christian Salafists?

I don’t agree with DF’s assessment of how effective Crossroads might be in 2013, but I don’t think he’s approving of Rove or his tactics, just pointing out that Rove is very good at smear campaigns.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:59:01am

re: #12 Dark_Falcon

Rove doesn’t have a war to with which to wrap his candidate in a jingoistic flag. I’m not dismissing the man but he’s going to have a much tougher time pulling this one out.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 11:59:08am

re: #7 Obdicut

What I keep worrying about is an actual large-scale terrorist attack, another 9/11 scenario.

Because I don’t see any chance that the right-wing legislators would stand by Obama and show national unity the way that the Democrats did with Bush. I don’t think the haters in the general population would, either. I really doubt he’d get a 90% popularity afterwards. I think they’d attack him immediately for ‘letting it happen’. Neotrutherism would abound.

You know that won’t. You saw how they behaved when the President got Osama bin Laden. No support, no unity, nothing positive. Republicans are damn near congenitally unable to be supportive of Democratic presidents on anything.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:00:22pm

re: #16 Obdicut

One particular member of the Italian Resistance who was afflicted with a really devastating case of chlamydia, and rather than having it treated, spread it to as many German soldier as she could.

No, sorry. GoaF was correct, and PLL gets partial credit (the guns were German designed and made, not Italian).

Ghost of Sionainn Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:00:32pm

re: #20 Kronocide

Rove doesn’t have a war to with which to wrap his candidate in a jingoistic flag. I’m not dismissing the man but he’s going to have a much tougher time pulling this one out.

It didn’t work last election.

sagehen Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:00:35pm

re: #4 Dark_Falcon

No, indeed. The Dems are going to get a pasting in the Senate and they won’t win the House. Obama may still win, but he’s going to have absolutely no ‘second honeymoon, if he does.

The Senate’s going to be tight, since the D’s are defending more than 20 seats and the R’s only barely a dozen… plus these are the class of 2006, so the R’s who were survived that election are mostly in deeply red states.

But… the Ryan budget, the Blunt amendment, two threatened government shutdowns while trying to defund Planned Parenthood — the D’s have something to work with, and some of those formerly deeply red states are a little more purpleish.

Lidane Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:00:58pm

re: #21 moderatelyradicalliberal

You know that won’t. You saw how they behaved when the President got Osama bin Laden. No support, no unity, nothing positive. Republicans are damn near congenitally unable to be supportive of Democratic presidents on anything.

And if the ongoing whine-fest at Free Republic is anything to go on, the base is just as unable to support anything coming out of Mitt Romney’s mouth except a concession speech at the RNC where he stands aside for a “real conservative”:

We will not waste our limited resources on FR in support for a liberal progressive LIAR

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:02:12pm

re: #23 Sionainn

It didn’t work last election.

Oh, then there’s that. He should have put Sarah in a tank.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:02:17pm

re: #25 Lidane

And if the ongoing whine-fest at Free Republic is anything to go on, the base is just as unable to support anything coming out of Mitt Romney’s mouth except a concession speech at the RNC where he stands aside for a “real conservative”:

We will not waste our limited resources on FR in support for a liberal progressive LIAR

It’s going to be interesting, especially when the VP selection gets announced. If it’s one of the folks they really wanted to run this year, I think they’re gonna be more angry than thrilled.

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:03:02pm

re: #20 Kronocide

Rove doesn’t have a war to with which to wrap his candidate in a jingoistic flag. I’m not dismissing the man but he’s going to have a much tougher time pulling this one out.

Also, the hysteria about Obama market has been flooded for 5 years, without cease. A long list of outrages pitched too high as “nation-ending” has made some people exhausted and others savvy.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:03:30pm

re: #20 Kronocide

Rove doesn’t have a war to with which to wrap his candidate in a jingoistic flag. I’m not dismissing the man but he’s going to have a much tougher time pulling this one out.

True, but he’s smart and adaptable (to those who do not like Karl Rove, let me hasten to point out that “smart and adaptable” says nothing of a man’s morals. Genghis Khan was smart and adaptable.), and he’s been planning this for years. He’ll make an impact.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:04:23pm

re: #25 Lidane

And if the ongoing whine-fest at Free Republic is anything to go on, the base is just as unable to support anything coming out of Mitt Romney’s mouth except a concession speech at the RNC where he stands aside for a “real conservative”:

We will not waste our limited resources on FR in support for a liberal progressive LIAR

These people can’t be pleased, but Mitten’s biggest problem is that he is distrusted and seen as a fraud across all political stripes and he has done a lot over the last 5 years to earn it. If the Freepers know he’s a fraud, they aren’t that stupid. Romney us using rightwing talking points to sound like a rightwing nut, but they know he isn’t one of them and their tribalism won’t allow them to accept someone who isn’t truly one of them.

Lidane Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:04:27pm

re: #27 Targetpractice

It’s going to be interesting, especially when the VP selection gets announced. If it’s one of the folks they really wanted to run this year, I think they’re gonna be more angry than thrilled.

I’m convinced that anyone who wants a political future in 2016 will decline the VP spot this time around. All the wishlist names like Rubio and Christie will stay out this time because none of them want the taint of a loser should Romney go down in flames.

I’m thinking that Romney will go for someone who appeals to the nutjobs and who has no political prospects in four years, like Allen West.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:04:50pm

re: #29 Dark_Falcon

True, but he’s smart and adaptable (to those who do not like Karl Rove, let me hasten to point out that “smart and adaptable” says nothing of a man’s morals. Genghis Khan was smart and adaptable.), and he’s been planning this for years. He’ll make an impact.

Yeah, but will the impact be that of a successful campaign or that of a plane auguring into the ground. Only time will tell.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:04:55pm

re: #25 Lidane

And if the ongoing whine-fest at Free Republic is anything to go on, the base is just as unable to support anything coming out of Mitt Romney’s mouth except a concession speech at the RNC where he stands aside for a “real conservative”:

We will not waste our limited resources on FR in support for a liberal progressive LIAR

Proper response to Freepers: Don’t let the door hit you on the ass when you flounce to the exit.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:05:29pm

re: #29 Dark_Falcon

True, but he’s smart and adaptable (to those who do not like Karl Rove, let me hasten to point out that “smart and adaptable” says nothing of a man’s morals. Genghis Khan was smart and adaptable.), and he’s been planning this for years. He’ll make an impact.

It will be small compared to 90 abortion bills passed, two gov shutdowns, and the petulant congress.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:05:56pm

re: #31 Lidane

I’m convinced that anyone who wants a political future in 2016 will decline the VP spot this time around. All the wishlist names like Rubio and Christie will stay out this time because none of them want the taint of a loser should Romney go down in flames.

I’m thinking that Romney will go for someone who appeals to the nutjobs and who has no political prospects in four years, like Allen West.

My money’s on Paul Ryan, if only because he’s young and good-looking and the GOP might be convinced that he’ll be a chick magnet for the Romney campaign.

justaminute Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:06:03pm

I wouldn’t be too sure the American public is going to hold the President responsible for gas prices in November. We saw what happened in 2010 when all the Republicans came into Congress on the “Jobs Jobs Jobs Mantra” and gave us nothing but anti-abortion legislation and their old saw about lowering taxes on the job creators.

Just like the ad above, the President can show that drilling in the US has increased more now than under the Bush admin. I haven’t really heard Mitts plans to lower gas prices because a President really can’t do that. The American public has to come to grips with some realistic choices about gas consumption and oil production.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:06:09pm

re: #32 Targetpractice

Yeah, but will the impact be that of a successful campaign or that or a plane auguring into the ground. Only time will tell.

That’s true on both sides. It’s going to be 6 months+ before we know what really worked and what didn’t. Stay tuned….

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:07:09pm

re: #34 Kronocide

It will be small compared to 90 abortion bills passed, two gov shutdowns, and the petulant congress.

The government did not actually shutdown. Things got close, but no shutdown actually happened.

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:07:15pm

re: #29 Dark_Falcon

True, but he’s smart and adaptable (to those who do not like Karl Rove, let me hasten to point out that “smart and adaptable” says nothing of a man’s morals. Genghis Khan was smart and adaptable.), and he’s been planning this for years. He’ll make an impact.

In a weird way, though, he’s competing not only against Obama’s promoters, but against the amassed lies and scares of the past five years.

Lidane Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:07:29pm

re: #35 Targetpractice

My money’s on Paul Ryan, if only because he’s young and good-looking and the GOP might be convinced that he’ll be a chick magnet for the Romney campaign.

They tried a guy magnet the last time around and look what that got them. =P

palomino Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:07:54pm

re: #33 Dark_Falcon

Proper response to Freepers: Don’t let the door hit you on the ass when you flounce to the exit.

You’re not gonna get your dream team GOP Congress without help from the freepers. They ARE the base of your party now. No escaping it. You might as well adopt “Go Team Reactionary” as your 2012 slogan.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:08:06pm

re: #36 justaminute

I wouldn’t be too sure the American public is going to hold the President responsible for gas prices in November. We saw what happened in 2010 when all the Republicans came into Congress on the “Jobs Jobs Jobs Mantra” and gave us nothing but anti-abortion legislation and their old saw about lowering taxes on the job creators.

Just like the ad above, the President can show that drilling in the US has increased more now than under the Bush admin. I haven’t really heard Mitts plans to lower gas prices because a President really can’t do that. The American public has to come to grips with some realistic choices about gas consumption and oil production.

He’s already got this ad out there to address attacks on energy policy:

Youtube Video

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:08:12pm

re: #36 justaminute

I wouldn’t be too sure the American public is going to hold the President responsible for gas prices in November. We saw what happened in 2010 when all the Republicans came into Congress on the “Jobs Jobs Jobs Mantra” and gave us nothing but anti-abortion legislation and their old saw about lowering taxes on the job creators.

Just like the ad above, the President can show that drilling in the US has increased more now than under the Bush admin. I haven’t really heard Mitts plans to lower gas prices because a President really can’t do that. The American public has to come to grips with some realistic choices about gas consumption and oil production.

If the President were smart he would run ads telling the public that Crossroads GPS is run by Karl Rove and to not listen to the lies being told by the man who brought them 8 years of GWB. GWB is still toxic and any association with him is also toxic.

sagehen Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:08:30pm

re: #7 Obdicut

What I keep worrying about is an actual large-scale terrorist attack, another 9/11 scenario.

Because I don’t see any chance that the right-wing legislators would stand by Obama and show national unity the way that the Democrats did with Bush. I don’t think the haters in the general population would, either. I really doubt he’d get a 90% popularity afterwards. I think they’d attack him immediately for ‘letting it happen’. Neotrutherism would abound.

But wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a failed attempt at a large-scale attack thwarted by

good preparation
smooth operation of some department
successful intelligence gathering
plotters betrayed by someone who doesn’t hate America anymore
or any other reason that could be plausibly credited to Obama?

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:09:14pm

This comment from one of the Freepers is actually true:

A reminder for those who are not receiving the message:

Romney is a pathological compulsive liar. Lie after lie papered over with more lies. Doesn’t even flinch when caught in bald faced lies, simply tells another big whopper to cover up or dodge the issue. Funny thing, the man actually seems to believe his own latest lies and simply ignores the glaring record of his past actions/lies.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:09:18pm

re: #40 Lidane

They tried a guy magnet the last time around and look what that got them. =P

Heh, how true, good looking but dumb as a post. Might attract some guys, but I tend to have higher standards.

Lidane Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:09:41pm

re: #33 Dark_Falcon

Proper response to Freepers: Don’t let the door hit you on the ass when you flounce to the exit.

Except that they’re the GOP base.

They’re not having any of what Mitt Romney is selling. They’ll vote for “real conservatives” (i.e., what they consider non-RINO types) on the lower tickets, but they’d rather eat glass while walking over hot coals than vote for Mitt.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:09:55pm

re: #38 Dark_Falcon

The government did not actually shutdown. Things got close, but no shutdown actually happened.

Sorry, too lazy to type ‘threatened and almost/just about/at the last moment’ shutdowns. I ~~stand~~ type corrected.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:10:53pm

re: #47 Lidane

Except that they’re the GOP base.

They’re not having any of what Mitt Romney is selling. They’ll vote for “real conservatives” (i.e., what they consider non-RINO types) on the lower tickets, but they’d rather eat glass while walking over hot coals than vote for Mitt.

That’s assuming they show up at the polls at all.

Lidane Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:10:58pm

re: #45 moderatelyradicalliberal

This comment from one of the Freepers is actually true:

That’s not just one of the Freepers. That’s the owner of the site.

He despises Romney and will spend the next few months letting anyone and everyone know what a liar, socialist, fraud, RINO, and asshole he thinks Mittens is.

palomino Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:11:47pm

re: #47 Lidane

Except that they’re the GOP base.

They’re not having any of what Mitt Romney is selling. They’ll vote for “real conservatives” (i.e., what they consider non-RINO types) on the lower tickets, but they’d rather eat glass while walking over hot coals than vote for Mitt.

But their irrational hatred of Obama will still drag them to the polls. At least Romney is white, not Muslim, not Kenyan and all of the other BS that’s infected the GOP ODS over the last 4 years.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:13:07pm

re: #50 Lidane

That’s not just one of the Freepers. That’s the owner of the site.

He despises Romney and will spend the next few months letting anyone and everyone know what a liar, socialist, fraud, RINO, and asshole he thinks Mittens is.

I appreciate his help. I think Romney is a liar, fraud and an asshole too.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:15:08pm

re: #51 palomino

But their irrational hatred of Obama will still drag them to the polls. At least Romney is white, not Muslim, not Kenyan and all of the other BS that’s infected the GOP ODS over the last 4 years.

This wasn’t true about them back in 2008? One thing that has been said that I do think it true, is that GOP moderates can’t win general elections. The hatred for Democrats is always there, but they need the love of the base to win. Dole, McCain and Romney didn’t/don’t have the love and it seems to be a vital ingredient.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:16:26pm

re: #44 sagehen

But wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a failed attempt at a large-scale attack thwarted by

good preparation
smooth operation of some department
successful intelligence gathering
plotters betrayed by someone who doesn’t hate America anymore
or any other reason that could be plausibly credited to Obama?

Yes, but that is unlikely. Most terror plotters who get the dime dropped on them are turned in by people who:

A. Dislike the plotter(s) and inform on them as a means of revenge. This was in play a lot in Iraq in 2007 as many Sunnis in Anbar province had become enraged by Al-Qaeda’s horrific excesses.

B. Don’t want to be associated with the terror plot and turn the plotters in to ensure they (the whistle-blower) are not punished along with the plotters.

C. Seek the reward money paid out for turning terror plotters in. This last many seem minor, but its not especially in a place like Afghanistan, where the reward for a mid-level terrorist leader might feed a family for a year (typically, the actual monies paid out there are more than the posted amounts, with the extra going to tribal leaders to ensure the protection of the rewardee’s money).

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:16:59pm

re: #53 moderatelyradicalliberal

This wasn’t true about them back in 2008? One thing that has been said that I do think it true, is that GOP moderates can’t win general elections. The hatred for Democrats is always there, but they need the love of the base to win. Dole, McCain and Romney didn’t/don’t have the love and it seems to be a vital ingredient.

The party base has to be there for you, not sitting at home or voting for a third party. And really, that’s another worry for Romney right now, that the hatred towards him might manifest in support for a third party candidate who’s see as a “true conservative,” ala Perot.

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:17:44pm

re: #25 Lidane

Oooh, goody.

WOO HOO!! I CAN SEE NOVEMBER FROM MY HOUSE!!

No Bama!! No Romney!! Go tea party rebellion!!

Please, please, pretty please!

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:17:51pm

re: #47 Lidane

Except that they’re the GOP base.

They’re not having any of what Mitt Romney is selling. They’ll vote for “real conservatives” (i.e., what they consider non-RINO types) on the lower tickets, but they’d rather eat glass while walking over hot coals than vote for Mitt.

Then they don’t vote for him. He’s not going to be able to appease the Freeps, so its best not to try. Just accept that the haters are gonna hate and get on with things.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:18:41pm

re: #55 Targetpractice

The party base has to be there for you, not sitting at home or voting for a third party. And really, that’s another worry for Romney right now, that the hatred towards him might manifest in support for a third party candidate who’s see as a “true conservative,” ala Perot.

I can see the GOP actually splitting as the base gets more rabid.

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:20:15pm

re: #35 Targetpractice

My money’s on Paul Ryan, if only because he’s young and good-looking and the GOP might be convinced that he’ll be a chick magnet for the Romney campaign.

That’s the best suggestion I’ve heard to date, actually. He’s got fiscon chops, name recognition, he’s good-looking, and he can, you know, form complete sentences, and is not notably batshit crazy. Plus, it’s an alliterative ticket.

He is a Catholic, though. I have a feeling they’re going to want a Protestant to make up for the Mormon thing.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:20:21pm

re: #57 Dark_Falcon

Then they don’t vote for him. He’s not going to be able to appease the Freeps, so its best not to try. Just accept that the haters are gonna hate and get on with things.

Dark, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but nobody with two neurons to rub together believes that Romney’s a moderate any more than they believe he’s a conservative. A run to the center now would be biggest ad writing boon for the Obama campaign possible.

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:21:21pm

re: #40 Lidane

They tried a guy magnet the last time around and look what that got them. =P

Sarah was a Hail Mary, though. Done without enough research, in the hope that they could make a move that would completely shake up the game.

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:21:30pm

re: #57 Dark_Falcon

Then they don’t vote for him. He’s not going to be able to appease the Freeps, so its best not to try. Just accept that the haters are gonna hate and get on with things.

Dude…Romney’s already trying to appease the various socon/nutty elements of the party. They’re just not buying what comes flopping out his mouth. He’s not walking away with dignity: he’s dying on stage.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:25:24pm

re: #62 The Ghost of a Flea

Dude…Romney’s already trying to appease the various socon/nutty elements of the party. They’re just not buying what comes flopping out his mouth. He’s not walking away with dignity: he’s dying on stage.

Not all SoCons are Freepers. Romney needs conservatives, but he can win without some of the fringe. And even if he doesn’t, a Mass Flounce by the fringe would cut the fringe’s influence considerably, which would help every who isn’t part of that fringe going forward.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:26:06pm

2012: Let them drink tea

justaminute Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:26:51pm

I think the President only has one real weakness. The home foreclosure crisis. His programs so far really haven’t proven to be very successful.

Some real estate agents say that we are getting ready to have another round of big foreclosures. It that is the case, the President needs to get out there in front of it and be prepared because the Republicans will sure jump all over it.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:28:17pm

re: #65 justaminute

I think the President only has one real weakness. The home foreclosure crisis. His programs so far really haven’t proven to be very successful.

Some real estate agents say that we are getting ready to have another round of big foreclosures. It that is the case, the President needs to get out there in front of it and be prepared because the Republicans will sure jump all over it.

Or he can just play Romney’s remarks saying that we should do nothing and let the housing market “hit bottom.”

sagehen Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:29:25pm

re: #53 moderatelyradicalliberal

This wasn’t true about them back in 2008? One thing that has been said that I do think it true, is that GOP moderates can’t win general elections. The hatred for Democrats is always there, but they need the love of the base to win. Dole, McCain and Romney didn’t/don’t have the love and it seems to be a vital ingredient.

McCain got almost as many votes as GWB — Obama beat him by 9-1/2 million because of massive new voter registration and a thorough GOTV operation.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:31:36pm

re: #65 justaminute

I think the President only has one real weakness. The home foreclosure crisis. His programs so far really haven’t proven to be very successful.

Some real estate agents say that we are getting ready to have another round of big foreclosures. It that is the case, the President needs to get out there in front of it and be prepared because the Republicans will sure jump all over it.

If Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney are really smart, they’ll have a plan to deal with it themselves. The GOP spends too much time on defense when it comes to mortgage matters, I’d like to see Mitt use some of his connections to get some banks behind a plan of his own design. Maybe even have them roll it out before the election, then claim credit for the private sector solution.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:33:23pm

re: #67 sagehen

McCain got almost as many votes as GWB — Obama beat him by 9-1/2 million because of massive new voter registration and a thorough GOTV operation.

Obama will not have that massive money edge again. Whatever else is true, Mitt Romney will have a far better financed campaign than John McCain.

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:33:34pm

re: #68 Dark_Falcon

If Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney are really smart, they’ll have a plan to deal with it themselves. The GOP spends too much time on defense when it comes to mortgage matters, I’d like to see Mitt use some of his connections to get some banks behind a plan of his own design. Maybe even have them roll it out before the election, then claim credit for the private sector solution.

You really expect that the public, who views the Big Banks as the culprits behind the mortgage crisis and wanted bank execs dragged away in irons, will respond to a “private sector solution” pushed out by those same execs?

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:34:56pm

re: #68 Dark_Falcon

The Conservative Plan is “Let them eat Cake” and let them go out into the streets with no support. You know this from Paul Ryan’s plan.

TedStriker Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:36:15pm

re: #25 Lidane

And if the ongoing whine-fest at Free Republic is anything to go on, the base is just as unable to support anything coming out of Mitt Romney’s mouth except a concession speech at the RNC where he stands aside for a “real conservative”:

We will not waste our limited resources on FR in support for a liberal progressive LIAR

re: #30 moderatelyradicalliberal

These people can’t be pleased, but Mitten’s biggest problem is that he is distrusted and seen as a fraud across all political stripes and he has done a lot over the last 5 years to earn it. If the Freepers know he’s a fraud, they aren’t that stupid. Romney us using rightwing talking points to sound like a rightwing nut, but they know he isn’t one of them and their tribalism won’t allow them to accept someone who isn’t truly one of them.

Ideological purity über alles…

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:36:52pm

re: #68 Dark_Falcon

If Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney are really smart, they’ll have a plan to deal with it themselves. The GOP spends too much time on defense when it comes to mortgage matters, I’d like to see Mitt use some of his connections to get some banks behind a plan of his own design. Maybe even have them roll it out before the election, then claim credit for the private sector solution.

This won’t happen, because there’s no short-term economic incentive for the banks to do so. The banks will continue to file fraudulent foreclosure notices on people, though.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:38:53pm

re: #70 Targetpractice

You really expect that the public, who views the Big Banks as the culprits behind the mortgage crisis and wanted bank execs dragged away in irons, will respond to a “private sector solution” pushed out by those same execs?

I think the public wants a way out of the mess, and if an honest way out is offered (and it better be honest, since Mitt won’t be able to get away with what Marty Kaan sold Metro Capital on House of Lies), I think the public would look at it with some favor. Mitt used to be a management consultant himself, so perhaps he could sell a proposal to the banks as a “future investment” that reduces public anger.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:39:34pm

re: #72 talon_262

re: #30 moderatelyradicalliberal

Ideological purity über alles…

You’re not a Dead Kennedy, are you?

HoosierHoops Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:41:04pm

re: #75 Dark_Falcon

You’re not a Dead Kennedy, are you?

No but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night…

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:42:25pm

re: #74 Dark_Falcon

A management consultant whose advice and control of Bain Capital led to the liquidation of many companies, and the off-shoring of many jobs.

This man only knows how to destroy jobs and make himself and his friends rich. I have other comments, but I will hold my tongue.

The Republicans would repeat the Irish Potato Famine, if they could. Hell, if they win this year, they probably will.

engineer cat Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:43:28pm

re: #4 Dark_Falcon

The Dems are going to get

making predictions in indicative future tense instead of conditional:

not advised

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:43:41pm

re: #74 Dark_Falcon

I think the public wants a way out of the mess, and if an honest way out is offered (and it better be honest, since Mitt won’t be able to get away with what Marty Kaan sold Metro Capital on House of Lies), I think the public would look at it with some favor. Mitt used to be a management consultant himself, so perhaps he could sell a proposal to the banks as a “future investment” that reduces public anger.

These are banks that bundled up bad loans into securities, paid ratings agencies to give those securities top ratings, sold them on those phony ratings, and then bet against them. This is public knowledge and has been for the past 3 years.

Why would people look at anything the banks offer as a means of addressing the current housing crisis as “honest”?

justaminute Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:44:19pm

re: #70 Targetpractice

You really expect that the public, who views the Big Banks as the culprits behind the mortgage crisis and wanted bank execs dragged away in irons, will respond to a “private sector solution” pushed out by those same execs?

I’m an Obama supporter and will be in 2012 but his programs for the foreclosure have been weak and he hasn’t really addressed this in a long time. Sad to say that I and others have profited off of it by buying homes and renting them. Being self employed and having to prepare for retirement, rentals are the only way to invest. More and more people are looking for rentals because they can’t qualify now or can’t afford the upkeep of maintaining their own home. All I know, I never have to advertise and usually find a renter on the day I put the ‘For Rent’ sign out. And this is Oklahoma, and we didn’t have the large foreclosure problems that some states had.

engineer cat Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:50:00pm

romney can “offer solutions” till he turns blue in the face, but americans aren’t interested

fact is, these ‘solutions’ have been on offer since the reagan era, and they are now way past their ‘sell by’ date

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:52:53pm

re: #81 engineer cat

The Reagan Solutions were stale back then. The Reagan Concept of how to run an economy was disproven by the Irish Potato Famine.

Dark_Falcon Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:52:56pm

re: #78 engineer cat

making predictions in indicative future tense instead of conditional:

not advised

I used to agree with that, but I found that saying “We Will Succeed!” is more likely to help bring success than “We’ll likely succeed”.

BBIAB

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:53:42pm

Mitt Romney Courts Big Tin Foil

Admittedly, I’m posting this because I like the title.

TedStriker Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:53:58pm

re: #80 justaminute

I’m an Obama supporter and will be in 2012 but his programs for the foreclosure have been weak and he hasn’t really addressed this in a long time. Sad to say that I and others have profited off of it by buying homes and renting them. Being self employed and having to prepare for retirement, rentals are the only way to invest. More and more people are looking for rentals because they can’t qualify now or can’t afford the upkeep of maintaining their own home. All I know, I never have to advertise and usually find a renter on the day I put the ‘For Rent’ sign out. And this is Oklahoma, and we didn’t have the large foreclosure problems that some states had.

Nothing wrong or immoral about being a landlord, especially if you keep the properties up and treat your tenants right, because people need shelter.

There’s a big difference between a landlord and a slumlord.

Ghost of Sionainn Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:55:10pm

I think I’m one of the very few who did actually benefit from one of Obama’s programs, the Making Home Affordable Refinance Program.

Killgore Trout Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:57:11pm

re: #86 Sionainn

I think I’m one of the very few who did actually benefit from one of Obama’s programs, the Making Home Affordable Refinance Program.

I looked into it and it was no help for me. I decided to just bite the bullet and pay off my mortgage completely.I’m very glad I did.

watching you tiny alien kittens are Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:57:16pm

re: #45 moderatelyradicalliberal

This comment from one of the Freepers is actually true:

That isn’t “One of the Freepers” that is the “Head Freeper in Chief” laying down the law for the site. I have seen him do it several times in the past also, what he is saying is that all threads and posts supporting Romney will hereafter be summarily deleted by the moderation staff. Freepers are no longer free to support Romney on that site.

Because after all, isn’t overt and blatant censorship of opinion by a megalomaniac dictator exactly what makes this such a glorious “Free Republic?”

/Freepers? More like mindless lemmings charging for the edge of the cliff.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:59:25pm

Victor Davis Hansen:

Translation:

Quit yer bitchin. Us white people have made it much better and yet you still complain, while other minorities are much better than you because they aren’t such whiney bitches.

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:01:31pm

re: #89 Kronocide

Victor Davis Hansen:
The problem with the race establishment is not its acrimony per se, but (a) that the acrimony is frozen in amber around 1960, with no acknowledgment of some 50 years of federal action and three new generations of Americans, and (b) the inordinate time invested in blaming “them” rather than spent on introspection on how to achieve parity with a majority culture in the manner of other minorities’ successes. Or at least that is how I perceive the growing anger at the Sharpton/Jackson/Black Caucus nexus.

Translation:

Quit yer bitchin. Us white people have made it much better and yet you still complain, while other minorities are much better than you because they aren’t such whiney bitches.

Is there supposed to be a link? Clicking results in a message that says the URL isn’t valid.

justaminute Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:01:35pm

re: #85 talon_262

Nothing wrong or immoral about being a landlord, especially if you keep the properties up and treat your tenants right, because people need shelter.

We always do. In the restaurant industry, my husband and I say that maybe someday we will have to live in one of them. We double up our efforts to pay them off and one of the houses was paid for last month.

The ability to find good reliable repair men is the problem. We stay on top of the problem whenever a tenant has a problem, but getting someone like a plumber or air conditioner guy on a Saturday at 4pm and that is always when it happens takes a lot of effort.

TedStriker Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:03:25pm

re: #88 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You

That isn’t “One of the Freepers” that is the “Head Freeper in Chief” laying down the law for the site. I have seen him do it several times in the past also, what he is saying is that all threads and posts supporting Romney will hereafter be summarily deleted by the moderation staff. Freepers are no longer free to support Romney on that site.

Because after all, isn’t overt and blatant censorship of opinion by a megalomaniac dictator exactly what makes this such a glorious “Free Republic?”

/Freepers? More like mindless lemmings charging for the edge of the cliff.

Just like it is here at LGF; he who owns/runs the site makes the rules and those who don’t like it can take it or leave it, so it’s not technically “censorship”, but it’s is telling about the Freeper state-of-mind.

Charles, however, is much better to us and is intellectually honest; he’s also not batshit insane as the hardcore Freeper RWNJs tend to be, so it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, but there you go.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:04:35pm

Again:

Victor Davis Hansen:

The problem with the race establishment is not its acrimony per se, but (a) that the acrimony is frozen in amber around 1960, with no acknowledgment of some 50 years of federal action and three new generations of Americans, and (b) the inordinate time invested in blaming “them” rather than spent on introspection on how to achieve parity with a majority culture in the manner of other minorities’ successes. Or at least that is how I perceive the growing anger at the Sharpton/Jackson/Black Caucus nexus.

Translation:

Quit yer bitchin. Us white people have made it much better and yet you still complain, while other minorities are much better than you because they aren’t such whiney bitches.

Killgore Trout Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:05:06pm

Penn Jillette: An Atheist’s Guide to the 2012 Election

Youtube Video

I think Penn is a bit of a political dope but it’s still interesting to hear his thoughts.

jaunte Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:06:32pm

re: #89 Kronocide

VDH’s ‘why don’t they get over it’ argument has also been frozen in amber since at least the 1960’s.

dragonath Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:07:09pm

re: #89 Kronocide

There’s that “Jackson and Sharpton didn’t stop the bad black men” meme again. I think people like VDH frame the whole argument like that because it makes them sound like criminal ringleaders. Representatives of the Other.

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:07:35pm

re: #88 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You

That isn’t “One of the Freepers” that is the “Head Freeper in Chief” laying down the law for the site. I have seen him do it several times in the past also, what he is saying is that all threads and posts supporting Romney will hereafter be summarily deleted by the moderation staff. Freepers are no longer free to support Romney on that site.

Because after all, isn’t overt and blatant censorship of opinion by a megalomaniac dictator exactly what makes this such a glorious “Free Republic?”

/Freepers? More like mindless lemmings charging for the edge of the cliff.

JimRob is not a pleasant guy.

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:11:12pm

Betcha Hilary Rosen didn’t know that Ann Romney has a degree from Harvard.
— Sarah Palin Radio (@SarahPalinRadio) April 15, 2012

Oh, zing!

Charles Johnson Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:15:24pm

Testing embedded MSNBC videos in comments - just paste in the URL of the video page:

MSNBC Video

100

TedStriker Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:16:09pm

re: #99 Charles Johnson

Coming in five-by-five…

101

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:17:47pm

re: #96 Beware the Green Dragon!

There’s that “Jackson and Sharpton didn’t stop the bad black men” meme again. I think people like VDH frame the whole argument like that because it makes them sound like criminal ringleaders. Representives of the Other.

Also, Eric Holder and Pres. Obama are clearly race-baiters because they don’t shut up and repeat what VDH says:

…race relations have gotten only worse—as Barack Obama and Eric Holder well know and either do not seem to care or feel there is advantage to be had in the new polarity.

God…such a fucking hack. Even his supposed “scholarly” work on ancient Greece is riddled with bullshit Oriental/Occidental tropes.

Flourish is not a valid substitute for logic. Wordplay cannot substitute source-checking as a load-bearing element in an argument. Clipped quotes are lies by omission; citations only add validity when their reference confirm what is said…they are not magic truth totems.

102

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:17:50pm

re: #99 Charles Johnson

Needs to be crimped a bit on the right side.

103

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:18:27pm

re: #94 Killgore Trout

Penn Jillette: An Atheist’s Guide to the 2012 Election

[Embedded content]
I think Penn is a bit of a political dope but it’s still interesting to hear his thoughts.

Oh gee, because it is sooo possible to be a politician without lying.

104

allegro Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:22:00pm

re: #98 Kronocide

Oh, zing!

Her Mrs. degree.

/going to hell for that

105

Charles Johnson Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:22:36pm

Testing another video…

MSNBC Video

106

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:23:04pm

re: #87 Killgore Trout

I looked into it and it was no help for me. I decided to just bite the bullet and pay off my mortgage completely.I’m very glad I did.

Some friends of mine just gave up their house, and got out from under an untenable mortgage. I don’t know the details, I’m just happy they can breathe again.

107

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:23:14pm

re: #103 The Nightmare of the five Orders of Beggars

Speaking of which, the Norwegian Government need to be voted out. They are becoming corrupt after so many years in power.

108

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:23:26pm

re: #105 Charles Johnson

Nailed it.

109

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:23:59pm

re: #88 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You

That isn’t “One of the Freepers” that is the “Head Freeper in Chief” laying down the law for the site. I have seen him do it several times in the past also, what he is saying is that all threads and posts supporting Romney will hereafter be summarily deleted by the moderation staff. Freepers are no longer free to support Romney on that site.

Because after all, isn’t overt and blatant censorship of opinion by a megalomaniac dictator exactly what makes this such a glorious “Free Republic?”

/Freepers? More like mindless lemmings charging for the edge of the cliff.

I always envision Freepers as being small and furry and having big eyes, and going ‘freep freep’ in a cute way.

The reality is less charming.

110

Kragar Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:25:05pm

re: #109 SanFranciscoZionist

I always envision Freepers as being small and furry and having big eyes, and going ‘freep freep’ in a cute way.

The reality is less charming.

Don’t get them wet and never feed them after midnight.

111

Kronocide Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:26:22pm

re: #108 ProGunLiberal

Nailed it.

Actually it’s not in 3D, Cinemascope, with THX. Baby steps!

112

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:27:32pm

re: #109 SanFranciscoZionist

I always envision Freepers as being small and furry and having big eyes, and going ‘freep freep’ in a cute way.

The reality is less charming.

Youtube Video

113

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:28:38pm

re: #110 Kragar

Don’t get them wet and never feed them after midnight.

Yes, I think that’s what I’m imagining.

114

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:28:44pm

re: #94 Killgore Trout

Otherwise I like it.

115

Kragar Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:29:21pm

re: #112 The Nightmare of the five Orders of Beggars

[Embedded content]

Youtube Video

116

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:31:08pm

re: #113 SanFranciscoZionist

Yes, I think that’s what I’m imagining.

Or these things.

[Link: theuniblog.evilspacerobot.com…]

117

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:31:55pm

re: #115 Kragar

No, doesn’t fit. They weren’t cute ever.

118

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:32:38pm

re: #116 SanFranciscoZionist

THOSE ARE SO FUCKING CUTE!!!!!!!!

Give me one for a pet please?

119

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:33:11pm

I believe this is called a Freepathon:

Youtube Video

120

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:38:52pm

re: #119 The Nightmare of the five Orders of Beggars

I believe this is called a Freepathon:

[Embedded content]

That’s about the size of it.

121

dragonath Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:40:09pm

re: #107 ProGunLiberal

Why, what happened? If that happens, let’s hope they don’t get replaced by the far-right Progress Party.

122

jaunte Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:41:09pm

Tennessee passes law allowing public school teachers to challenge scientific consensus on issues like evolution and climate change

…The Tennessee law is the latest sign that conservatives are seeking to link evolution and climate change in debates about science education, and attempting to make both into contested issues in the public sphere despite consensus among scientists. Louisiana is the only other state with a law that allows the teaching of “alternative” approaches to accepted scientific knowledge on evolution and climate change, but a number of states have introduced “Academic Freedom” laws, many of which are modeled on a template put forth by intelligent design boosters at the Discovery Institute.

123

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:42:21pm

re: #122 jaunte

Tennessee passes law allowing public school teachers to challenge scientific consensus on issues like evolution and climate change

3 guesses on what happens to the first teacher than “challenges” creationism in Tenn and first two don’t count.

124

Skeetghazi Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:43:43pm

Waz up?

125

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:45:26pm

re: #122 jaunte

Tennessee passes law allowing public school teachers to challenge scientific consensus on issues like evolution and climate change

What these people understand about science would possibly fill a 20 word sound bite at the level of an 8 year old.

126

ProBosniaLiberal Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:45:56pm

re: #121 Beware the Green Dragon!

Progress party got Puppy-Stomped at the last election, and the “right” is now dominated by the Centrist Conservative Party.

This happened:

On 20 March 2012 Støre became the focus of widespread media scrutiny when the newspaper Dagbladet uncovered that the foundation of a close friend since adolescence, billionaire Felix Tschudi, had received expedited grants from the foreign ministry. The foreign ministry formally approved the application on 7 November 2008, however, Jonas Gahr Støre made the announcement in a lecture on 14 October, only four days following the submission of the application on the preceding Friday.The ministry would match the investments from Tschudi’s own Tschudi Shipping Company AS (TCH) with kr 6 million (approx. US$1 million as of April 2012) for the establishment of Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL). The initiative to the 5-year project, which is stipulated to end in 2013,had been made by Felix Tschudi, and Tschudi was also chairman of the board of the foundation. The foundation itself was established in 2009. The first payment, 3/4 of the total, was made in 2008 with the rest paid out in 2011. TSC has made big investments in the High North (Arctic) region in harbor facilities and shipping. In the midst of the public discussion over this case information emerged that the accounting firm of Ernst & Young had done a review of the organizing of the foundation in 2010 and among its conclusions stated that it “could possibly be perceived to have as one aim economical benefit for others, among whom would be the groups that are behind the foundation (Tschudi Shipping)”. Furthermore the report said that the research performed by the foundation could be deemed as “giving economical benefit to the participants, including Tschudi Shipping, in connection with the development of direct solutions for increased shipping activity with ensuing rise in profit”. A copy of the report from Ernst & Young was also sent to the foreign ministry. On 30 March 2012 the newspaper Verdens Gang announced that important documents related to the foreign ministry’s processing of Tschudi’s application were missing, and that the ministry, apparently in violation of both the Archives Act and the Freedom of information Act had decided not to archive one of the documents. In this document, a reply to the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association—which served as a conduit for Tschudi’s application—three weeks before the application is submitted, the ministry gives advice on how to formulate the application and even makes concrete suggestions for changes in the draft text which they are reviewing. The same day TV 2 told that the public interest research which the CHNL foundation was to conduct in reality turned out to be research on how Tschudi could transport iron ore from his own mine to China.

127

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:46:20pm

re: #124 Hoodies for Justice. T

Waz up?

My knickers.

128

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:46:23pm

re: #125 b_sharp

What these people understand about science would possibly fill a 20 word sound bite at the level of an 8 year old.

“Evolution is bad, m’kay. Believe in God, m’kay.”

129

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:48:36pm

I see a hatchling that registered and immediately went to downdinging. Weird.

130

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:48:42pm

re: #128 Targetpractice

“Evolution is bad, m’kay. Believe in God, m’kay.”

Conservative Mod of the day:
“Evolution is bad, m’kay. Thinking is hard, m’kay. Believe in God, m’kay.”

131

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:49:08pm

re: #129 The Nightmare of the five Orders of Beggars

I see a hatchling that registered and immediately went to downdinging. Weird.

Predictable.

132

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:49:40pm

re: #94 Killgore Trout

Penn Jillette: An Atheist’s Guide to the 2012 Election

[Embedded content]
I think Penn is a bit of a political dope but it’s still interesting to hear his thoughts.

Well…he’s missing a giant chunk of his equation by being unaware of the spread of charismatic and millenarian thought—as well as revelatory and prophetic customs—across denominational borders in US Christianity, greatly assisted by television evangelism, such that it’s actually quite hard to group people by sect and have a full sense of what they believe. The label “Christian” as a socio-political identity is actually intensely loaded with identifiers that extend far beyond Bible interpretation. Indeed, the Bible is secondary to the charismatic individuals that interpret the Bible…hence “literalism” isn’t actually by-dictionary literal at all.

133

HappyWarrior Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:51:22pm

Romney’s a lying coward.

134

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:52:02pm

re: #133 HappyWarrior

Romney’s a lying coward.

Which apparently is news to all the “moderates” who are now jumping on his bandwagon.

135

HappyWarrior Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:52:42pm

re: #134 Targetpractice

Which apparently is news to all the “moderates” who are now jumping on his bandwagon.

He’s such a spineless dipshit. Guy has no integrity whatsoever. He only wishes he was the man his father was.

136

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:53:17pm

re: #133 HappyWarrior

Romney’s a lying coward.

Romney simply doesn’t care.

137

HappyWarrior Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:54:52pm

re: #136 b_sharp

Romney simply doesn’t care.

I know he doesn’t. I really hope he has to spend a ton of his own money on this election because I think it’s obvious that the American people don’t want him.

138

The Spectre of the Ghost of a Flea Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:55:37pm

re: #122 jaunte

Tennessee passes law allowing public school teachers to challenge scientific consensus on issues like evolution and climate change

Once you open up this idea of “challenge,” is there a limit on what can be questioned? How do stop, say, Theosophy, Hollow Earth Theory or The Secret from being presented as valid alternatives? Are they just imagined that the only “controversies” are the ones they gin up to fit their agenda?

139

Targetpractice Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:55:46pm

re: #135 HappyWarrior

He’s such a spineless dipshit. Guy has no integrity whatsoever. He only wishes he was the man his father was.

All very true. But the “moderates” have conned themselves into believing everything up til now was an act and that he’ll now start playing the tunes they want to hear until November. They really want to believe that they still matter to the party.

140

engineer cat Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:55:50pm

re: #134 Targetpractice

Which apparently is news to all the “moderates” who are now jumping on his bandwagon.

romney is a mirage representing a republican party that doesn’t exist anymore

141

HappyWarrior Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:56:57pm

re: #140 engineer cat

romney is a mirage representing a republican party that doesn’t exist anymore

So true.

142

engineer cat Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:57:16pm

if romney loses, imagine how the freepers will sneer at the moderates in 2014 and 2016

143

b_sharp Sun, Apr 15, 2012 1:57:35pm

re: #138 The Ghost of a Flea

Once you open up this idea of “challenge,” is there a limit on what can be questioned? How do stop, say, Theosophy, Hollow Earth Theory or The Secret from being presented as valid alternatives? Are they just imagined that the only “controversies” are the ones they gin up to fit their agenda?

But, The Secret works! Just ask Oprah.

144

jaunte Sun, Apr 15, 2012 2:03:41pm

re: #138 The Ghost of a Flea

Are they just imagined that the only “controversies” are the ones they gin up to fit their agenda?

I think they believe a challenge can only go one direction.

145

watching you tiny alien kittens are Sun, Apr 15, 2012 2:19:03pm

re: #92 talon_262

Just like it is here at LGF; he who owns/runs the site makes the rules and those who don’t like it can take it or leave it, so it’s not technically “censorship”, but it’s is telling about the Freeper state-of-mind.

Charles, however, is much better to us and is intellectually honest; he’s also not batshit insane as the hardcore Freeper RWNJs tend to be, so it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, but there you go.

I think there is a big difference between what Charles does and what Jim Robinson does. Charles will not allow groundless Islamaphobia/anti-Muslim hatred and Racism on his site, Jim Robinson however believes in telling his posters who and what they can and can’t support politically and also religiously.

Do you not see the difference between a site owner disallowing a limited amount of (recognizably) personally offensive content and one that dictates to his posters what politician and political initiatives they are or are not allowed to support, he has also dictated to his following which religious views and policies are acceptable and which are not.

Personally I see a big difference between the two.

146

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 3:39:50pm

re: #118 ProGunLiberal

THOSE ARE SO FUCKING CUTE!!!

Give me one for a pet please?

That is a Japanese dwarf squirrel. They are widely believed by Internet cynics to be the creature the word ‘kawaii’ was originally invented for.

147

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Sun, Apr 15, 2012 3:45:42pm

re: #146 SanFranciscoZionist

That is a Japanese dwarf squirrel. They are widely believed by Internet cynics to be the creature the word ‘kawaii’ was originally invented for.

Something about their eyes… detracts from cuteness.

148

SanFranciscoZionist Sun, Apr 15, 2012 4:00:21pm

re: #147 The Nightmare of the five Orders of Beggars

Something about their eyes… detracts from cuteness.

Check out this one.

149

labman57 Sun, Apr 15, 2012 4:12:19pm

From bullets to Bibles — the story of the GOP’s 2012 presidential campaign and the irrational, anti-Obama fear-mongering among the conservative throng.

Romney judges a person’s qualifications to lead based on the depth of one’s wallet rather than the depth of one’s wisdom. He evaluates a person’s net worth based on the value of one’s portfolio rather than one’s value to their community.

His ad campaign: “Vote for me. I’m filthy rich and know lots of other very rich people, I like to fire employees, I don’t care about the problems of poor people, I don’t believe in federal regulations, I’m totally clueless about international relations (other than the best ways to hide my income in offshore bank accounts), I don’t mind spending millions of dollars to sling mud and smear my opponents …. and by the way, did I say I’m rich?”

Mitt “The human flapjack” Romney’s campaign is based on unabashed lies, frequent flip-flops, and blatant pandering that he believes will help him to get nominated … strategically planning to hit his reset button during the general election.

However, Romney’s team appears to unaware of YouTube —the online repository of instantly accessible video clips, providing evidence of the previous policy positions of Mitt v.1, Mitt v.2, Mitt v.3, etc.

150

Stephen T. Sun, Apr 15, 2012 6:06:21pm

re: #47 Lidane

Except that they’re the GOP base.

They’re not having any of what Mitt Romney is selling. They’ll vote for “real conservatives” (i.e., what they consider non-RINO types) on the lower tickets, but they’d rather eat glass while walking over hot coals than vote for Mitt.

That’s if they vote. The scariest thing to the GOP this election cycle, especially for the lower tickets, is a conservative voter choosing to stay home and not bother to vote.

Low voter (Republican) turnout this November may propel some Dems into both the House and Senate in unexpected ways.

151

Stephen T. Sun, Apr 15, 2012 6:18:02pm

re: #80 justaminute

In the neighborhood I live in there are 200 homes. 150 of them are unoccupied due to foreclosure, only 5 are currently for sale. The rest cannot be bought from the banks that own them, for rental or otherwise, because the banks want the money that they loaned out back but the homes were overvalued at the time of their original sale.

Those of us who remain in the neighborhood have become friends with the deputies who come by once a week to check for squatters in each of the unoccupied houses.

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