Wingnut Blogger Dan Riehl: ‘Get Over It, Britain - You’re a Second Rate, Semi-Degenerate Nation’

“A bunch of feckless wankers”
Wingnuts • Views: 38,608

For the most part, the right wing blogs have been desperately trying to ignore Romney’s amazing gaffeage in Britain, but one wingnut among them ventured fearlessly into the fray.

Another classic outburst from proud Internet caveman Dan Riehl, who clearly doesn’t appreciate our shared “Anglo-Saxon heritage:”

A Limp Wrist-Ed David Cameron Hits Back at Mitt Romney Over Olympic Doubts.

WharrgarblGet over it, Britain. You’re a second rate, semi-degenerate nation still on the way down because you went too far to the left too long ago for anyone to care about. Don’t expect us to wring our hands over what you losers did. We’re too busy fighting to make sure it doesn’t happen here.

I really give a flip about what David Cameron thinks. yawn … just be glad we continue to allow you to think you’re actually in the game on most things. Now, get out of our face and try to not screw up the Olympics more than you have already.

Mostly a bunch of feckless wankers if you ask me. Put a Gold Medal on that and aim it at the Queen’s arse. How ya liking America, now, mates? LOL

The prime minister has hit back at comments from the US presidential candidate Mitt Romney querying Britain’s readiness for the Olympics, urging the country to “put its best foot forward” and ensure they are remembered as “the friendly Games”.

On a visit to the Olympic Park with the London 2012 organising committee chairman, Lord Coe, before Friday’s opening ceremony, Cameron said the Games were an opportunity to promote Britain despite the gloomy economic backdrop.

Well, that was fun!!

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360 comments
1 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:14:43pm

nice!

2 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:17:13pm

I really would like to hear what country Riehl views as worthy of our adoration and support. My guess is none.

3 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:18:01pm

Congratulations, Dan. You just won the gold medal for being a huge dick.
Hooray!

4 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:18:55pm

I'm shaken, but not stirred.

5 Eclectic Infidel  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:19:59pm

Ha! Hours ago I posted on my FB page that Mittie had 'proved to the Brtis what a wanker he is.'

Dan is a wanker too.

6 MittDoesNotCompute  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:21:03pm

Eat a bag of dicks, ol' Steely Dan...

7 b_sharp  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:24:49pm

Dan is not a smart man.

8 Mocking Jay  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:25:14pm

Tell us how you really feel, mate.

9 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:25:49pm

The commenters to his article are savaging him. Is this unusual or some kind of masochistic shtick?

10 Mocking Jay  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:26:37pm

re: #9 Decatur Deb

The commenters to his article are savaging him. Is this unusual or some kind of masochistic shtick?

I was wondering that too. He's taking a beating in there.

11 Obdicut  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:29:15pm

What does semi-degenerate mean?

12 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:29:58pm

re: #11 Obdicut

What does semi-degenerate mean?

THAT is a very good question!

13 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:30:51pm

re: #11 Obdicut

Sounds Greco-Latin.

14 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:31:04pm

bbl

15 Obdicut  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:31:05pm

re: #10 Mocking Jay

I was wondering that too. He's taking a beating in there.

This one is nice and succinct.

Wow. People like you lambasted Obama for mishandling the US-UK relationship early in his Presidency by replacing Churchill's bust with one of Lincoln, and giving the Queen an Ipod, but now that they're pointing out how completely and utterly Romney has stuck his foot in his mouth (multiple times, in just one day), NOW they're limp-wristed semi-degenerates?

You, sir, are truly a gutless wonder and a hypocrite of mammoth proportions.

16 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:31:21pm

re: #11 Obdicut

What does semi-degenerate mean?

Perhaps it takes one to know one?

bbl

17 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:32:04pm

Dan apparently hasn't been to the UK. Wonderful people. Problems? Sure. The M-25 has never been finished. It's kind of a reverse Prayer Wheel around London where the curses build up bad karma. But all in all, a lovely place.

I suppose he'll be calling for Freedom Muffins next. Freedom Clotted Cream. Olde Freedom "800" 40's for the domicile challenged here in the States.

He is certainly welcome to STFU and STFD.

18 moderatelyradicalliberal  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:43:32pm
19 Achilles Tang  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:45:01pm

Does Riehl write for other blogs?

20 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:45:21pm

re: #15 Obdicut

This one is nice and succinct.

To Riehl, one must praise whatever is thought "conservative" at that moment by Dan Riehl or one becomes either a RINO or a liberal.

21 iossarian  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:45:51pm

re: #17 austin_blue

Dan apparently hasn't been to the UK. Wonderful people. Problems? Sure. The M-25 has never been finished. It's kind of a reverse Prayer Wheel around London where the curses build up bad karma. But all in all, a lovely place.

I suppose he'll be calling for Freedom Muffins next. Freedom Clotted Cream. Olde Freedom "800" 40's for the domicile challenged here in the States.

He is certainly welcome to STFU and STFD.

Automatic Terry Pratchett/Neil Gaiman slightly wonky crossover upding.

22 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:45:55pm

re: #16 ggt

Perhaps it takes one to know one?

bbl

As a general rule, if someone uses the word 'degenerate', you probably don't want to look in his sock drawer.

23 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:46:43pm

re: #18 moderatelyradicalliberal

He wishes he could!

24 moderatelyradicalliberal  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:47:39pm

More tweets

A“mericanBorat sounds like Herman Cain on foreign affairs, but w/o the awesome lines from Pokemon Movie song

Mitt Romney: From #AngloSaxonHeritage to #AmericanBorat in one day.

You can tell @MittRomney’s doing badly when he starts getting booed by rich white people

65 year-old w/ #AngloSaxonHeritage, no business experience since 1999, seeks position, possibly as Leader of the Free World

“Not since WWII has London seen a bombing as thorough as Mitt Romney’s.”

25 moderatelyradicalliberal  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:49:04pm

re: #17 austin_blue

Dan apparently hasn't been to the UK. Wonderful people. Problems? Sure. The M-25 has never been finished. It's kind of a reverse Prayer Wheel around London where the curses build up bad karma. But all in all, a lovely place.

I suppose he'll be calling for Freedom Muffins next. Freedom Clotted Cream. Olde Freedom "800" 40's for the domicile challenged here in the States.

He is certainly welcome to STFU and STFD.

Who knew Willard was such a boor?

26 What, me worry?  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:50:30pm

re: #25 moderatelyradicalliberal

Who knew Willard was such a boor?

Thank Gawd it wasn't Santorum!

27 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:52:10pm
Mostly a bunch of feckless wankers if you ask me.

Nobody asked, Dan.

28 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:54:24pm

Dan Riehl is just pissed that the Brits chose Mitt instead of him as the American entry to the Upperclass Twit of the Year competition.

29 jamesfirecat  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:57:02pm

re: #28 Kragar

Dan Riehl is just pissed that the Brits chose Mitt instead of him as the American entry to the Upperclass Twit of the Year competition.

Willardton "Mitt" Romney the Third has successfully jumped over the matchboxes, so now now heeds to wake the neighbor!

30 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:57:10pm
31 Obdicut  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 7:57:24pm

re: #28 Kragar

32 ozbloke  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:00:20pm

The Aussie Bobsled team has arrived.

Aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi

33 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:01:05pm
34 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:01:31pm

re: #32 ozbloke

The Aussie Bobsled team has arrived.

Aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi

That folks, is the evening's Dose of Cute.

35 ozbloke  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:03:47pm

re: #34 Dark_Falcon

That folks, is the evening's Dose of Cute.

Yeah, you think so.
Don't piss em off...

/ Excessive use of eclipses as Obdicut is here.

36 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:03:58pm

re: #29 jamesfirecat

Willardton "Mitt" Romney the Third has successfully jumped over the matchboxes, so now now heeds to wake the neighbor!

I'd put down a bet with my bookie that his obstacle will be getting the bra off the debutante.

37 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:04:57pm

We should remember that the Brits stood alone against Hitler and Germany for more than a year.

And that during the inter-war years many thought them degenerate.

But Great Britian was "as sound as the sea was salt" to quote Winston Churchill.

This denigration of others diminished us all.

38 b_sharp  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:05:16pm

re: #35 ozbloke

Yeah, you think so.
Don't piss em off...

/ Excessive use of eclipses as Obdicut is here.

No worries, I don't think Obdi cares much about too many eclipses.

39 Daniel Ballard  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:05:49pm

re: #37 Ojoe

IMO the worst thing about Dan on this is how we should treat our friends and allies. We do have a rather special relationship with the UK for all the right reasons. Smug and boorish hardly passes for entertainment even on the internet.

40 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:05:55pm
41 iossarian  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:07:39pm

re: #37 Ojoe

We should remember that the Brits stood alone against Hitler and Germany for more than a year.

Hey, that was OK, though, because it enabled the US to extract a ton of cash from the British Empire. How's that for realpolitik?

42 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:07:40pm

re: #21 iossarian

Automatic Terry Pratchett/Neil Gaiman slightly wonky crossover upding.

Excellent catch. The demon Crowley is proud of you!

43 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:07:49pm

re: #38 b_sharp

No worries, I don't think Obdi cares much about too many eclipses.

From an astrophysics and/or ancient-serpent-demon-eating-the-sun perspective, we should all worry about too many eclipses.

44 bubba zanetti  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:07:50pm

What a difference three years make:

"You may recall that on about his first day in office Obama returned a famous bust of Winston Churchill to Britain. That was seen as something of an insult to Britain by many. He gave the British Prime Minister tapes of his own hopey changey speeches, which many saw as egotistical but was also a statement of sorts, saying, you aren't really so special, sport. Perhaps it's the message in his speeches he actually wanted the PM to get?
In the video below you'll find that for Obama there was no bow to the Queen of England. His wife even broke protocol by reaching out to give her a pat at some point, as I recall...
This is a man who, unlike most Americans, doesn't view Western Civilization as all that. "

45 Obdicut  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:08:00pm

re: #38 b_sharp

No worries, I don't think Obdi cares much about too many eclipses.

I figure you get about as many eclipses as you deserve.

46 ozbloke  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:09:01pm

re: #45 Obdicut

I figure you get about as many eclipses as you deserve.

My mistake, thought it was a pet peeve of yours.
I'm sure you have mentioned it...

47 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:09:09pm
48 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:10:08pm

re: #45 Obdicut

I figure you get about as many eclipses as you deserve.

Well, you know what they say about eclipses.

49 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:10:53pm

re: #41 iossarian

Actually with Lend-Lease, we basically gave them stuff.

"What I am trying to do is eliminate the dollar sign." —FDR.

U.S. citizens were for it too.

50 b_sharp  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:11:03pm

re: #46 ozbloke

My mistake, thought it was a pet peeve of yours.
I'm sure you have mentioned it...

He hates misuse of ellipses...

I love using them...

51 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:11:18pm

re: #44 bubba zanetti

I think he's saying the President is near.

52 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:12:22pm

re: #28 Kragar

Dan Riehl is just pissed that the Brits chose Mitt instead of him as the American entry to the Upperclass Twit of the Year competition.

Oh, dear. I don't think Dan was even in the player pool for that award. Twits are rich idiots. Dan's a prole who's just as dumb as a box of rocks.

53 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:13:03pm

re: #37 Ojoe

We should remember that the Brits stood alone against Hitler and Germany for more than a year.

And that during the inter-war years many thought them degenerate.

But Great Britian was "as sound as the sea was salt" to quote Winston Churchill.

This denigration of others diminished us all.

Good comment. Truth.

54 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:13:23pm

re: #48 Kragar

Well, you know what they say about eclipses.

Do tell?

55 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:13:27pm

re: #52 austin_blue

Oh, dear. I don't think Dan was even in the player pool for that award. Twits are rich idiots. Dan's a prole who's just as dumb as a box of rocks.

Hey now! In Romney's America we can all aspire to be upperclass twits!

56 ozbloke  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:13:38pm

re: #50 b_sharp

He hates misuse of ellipses...

I love using them...

ellipse eclipse

I hate spell checkers.

57 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:14:30pm

re: #47 Ojoe

Queen Elizabeth fires an automatic rifle.

Hardly degenerate.

Riehl does not care. The only important point to Dan Riehl is agreement with Dan Riehl. If Mitt Romney is elected Riehl will go right back to calling Romney a RINO and screaming about "Betrayal!!1" the first time Mitt has to sign a compromise bill.

Dan Riehl needs an Ego Deflation Procedure.

58 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:14:57pm

re: #54 Dancing along the light of day

Do tell?

Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do, I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
Now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart

59 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:15:43pm

re: #53 austin_blue

Thanks.

60 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:16:37pm

re: #55 Kragar

Hey now! In Romney's America we can all aspire to be upperclass twits!

Well, sure, if you *start out* with a shitpot of money and don't go into day trading...

61 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:17:15pm

re: #58 Kragar

Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do, I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
Now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart

62 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:19:28pm

re: #61 Dark_Falcon

[Embedded content]

NINJAS!

63 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:23:38pm

re: #58 Kragar

Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do, I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
Now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart

Jim Steinman and Bonnie Tyler. Kewl! Oh, she's Welsh, by the way, and, like the White House, full of leeks.

(Take a look at the backs of your one pound coins, people....)

64 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:45:32pm

Dead thread???

65 Mich-again  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:45:36pm

Maybe someone will start one of those "I'm Sorry" web pages with photos of people with glum faces holding up sappy apologies written on poster boards for what their asshole fellow American Dan Riehl wrote about the UK.. ha

66 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:47:18pm

re: #64 Dancing along the light of day

Dead thread???

Brrraaaiiinnnsss...

67 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:48:02pm

re: #66 Targetpractice

Brrraaaiiinnnsss...

68 freetoken  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:48:37pm

I see that long time National Review writer Derbyshire has a new article out at the usual racist sites, coming to the defense of the anonymous Romney advisor's "Anglo-Saxon" comment. His claim basically is that leftists are victimizing people who are trying to speak the truth.

69 Mich-again  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:50:45pm

This is really good.. Foo Fighters, These Days
[Link: www.metacafe.com...]

70 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:55:28pm

I'm still laughing at the visual and aftermath of Mitt getting mooned by the fantastic citizens of the UK.

71 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:56:52pm

re: #68 freetoken

I see that long time National Review writer Derbyshire has a new article out at the usual racist sites, coming to the defense of the anonymous Romney advisor's "Anglo-Saxon" comment. His claim basically is that leftists are victimizing people who are trying to speak the truth.

Ahem. Speak the truth to what? Southern Protestants? This is all dog-whistle bullshit.

72 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:57:43pm

re: #70 Stanley Sea

I'm still laughing at the visual and aftermath of Mitt getting mooned by the fantastic citizens of the UK.

No! Really? Linkie, please!

73 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:59:13pm

re: #68 freetoken

I see that former long time National Review writer Derbyshire has a new article out at the usual racist sites, coming to the defense of the anonymous Romney advisor's "Anglo-Saxon" comment. His claim basically is that leftists are victimizing people who are trying to speak the truth.

I really think it proper to note that Derbyshire no longer writes for National Review. NR bears no blame for this racist rant. After all, there are a number of Stalkers who were long time posters at LGF prior to the Great Flounce. But since Charles banned them, he is no longer to blame for what they say. Shouldn't Rich Lowery get the same fair play?

74 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:59:46pm

re: #72 austin_blue

No! Really? Linkie, please!

Kragar, last thread. Spoke to his bloke in the UK. Yes, we need photos.

75 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 8:59:58pm

re: #72 austin_blue

No! Really? Linkie, please!

I heard about it from a friend with family in the UK

76 gwangung  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:00:52pm

re: #73 Dark_Falcon

I really think it proper to note that Derbyshire no longer writes for National Review. NR bears no blame for this racist rant. After all, there are a number of Stalkers who were long time posters at LGF prior to the Great Flounce. But since Charles banned them, he is no longer to blame for what they say. Shouldn't Rich Lowery get the same fair play?

True. The Review doesn't needs Derbyshire's help in looking xenophobic, stunted and borderline racist.

77 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:01:05pm

re: #75 Kragar

I heard about it from a friend with family in the UK

HI larious!!

78 Cap'n Magic  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:04:27pm

Twitter's #RomneyShambles and #AmericanBorat are trending.

And when you've lost Krauthammer, you've lost it.

79 CriticalDragon1177  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:05:15pm

Charles Johnson,

Dan Riehl, sounds like a real jerk. I wonder if the relative social liberalism of Britain's Church of England has anything to do with his disgust with them, also the fact that the overwhelming majority of people over there accept evolution.

80 Mich-again  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:06:29pm

re: #79 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson,

Dan Riehl, sounds like a real jerk. I wonder if the relative social liberalism of Britain's Church of England has anything to do with his disgust with them, also the fact that the overwhelming majority of people over there accept evolution.

That or he's an angry drunk..

81 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:06:56pm

re: #79 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson,

Dan Riehl, sounds like a real jerk. I wonder if the relative social liberalism of Britain's Church of England has anything to do with his disgust with them, also the fact that the overwhelming majority of people over there accept evolution.

No, he's just an ass who didn't like Romney being criticized.

82 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:07:49pm

re: #71 austin_blue

Ahem. Speak the truth to what? Southern Protestants? This is all dog-whistle bullshit.

It transcends dogwhistles and goes full-blown into delusional revisionist history, wherein Anglo-Saxon-ness somehow is responsible for our (US) governance (based on ideas from Continental philosophers), our culture (borrowed or stolen from myriad cultures, most of them not Germanic), our successes (nothing to do with a vast landscape of almost-free exploitable resources), and our national character (...it's debatable if we really have one).

It's also a callback to Victorian upper-class contempt for the lower classes, that were invariably seen as Celtic rather than Germanic in character and stock.

All this shit is reheated century-and-a-half-old pseudoscience.

83 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:11:20pm

re: #79 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson,

Dan Riehl, sounds like a real jerk. I wonder if the relative social liberalism of Britain's Church of England has anything to do with his disgust with them, also the fact that the overwhelming majority of people over there accept evolution.

Yes, science is important in education in Europe. It's one of the reasons why they kick our ass in critical thinking. It's pea-brains like yourself who bring us down. Do us all all a favor and disappear. Really. Please. Go away.

84 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:11:37pm

Live bear & salmon cam: Brooks Falls, AK.
[Link: explore.org...]

I can see nine bears on the hunt.


[Link: www.katmailand.com...]

85 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:13:37pm

re: #82 The Ghost of a Flea

It transcends dogwhistles and goes full-blown into delusional revisionist history, wherein Anglo-Saxon-ness somehow is responsible for our (US) governance (based on ideas from Continental philosophers), our culture (borrowed or stolen from myriad cultures, most of them not Germanic), our successes (nothing to do with a vast landscape of almost-free exploitable resources), and our national character (...it's debatable if we really have one).

It's also a callback to Victorian upper-class contempt for the lower classes, that were invariably seen as Celtic rather than Germanic in character and stock.

All this shit is reheated century-and-a-half-old pseudoscience.

Derb is finally free of NR's requirement that its articles maintain a modest amount of decorum and not contain 'facts' whose only basis is racism. Now he can finally hate black and Irish people to his dark heart's content.

/spits

86 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:14:41pm

re: #79 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson,

Dan Riehl, sounds like a real jerk. I wonder if the relative social liberalism of Britain's Church of England has anything to do with his disgust with them, also the fact that the overwhelming majority of people over there accept evolution.

I doubt his thinking goes that deep. It's really more a matter of "My tribal chieftain good, other tribe bad" mixed together with an unfiltered "America, fuck yeah!" attitude towards other nations. The second Romney didn't experience deference Riehl's head exploded and he lunged straight for the ugliest string of adjectives available.

87 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:16:00pm

re: #86 The Ghost of a Flea

I doubt his thinking goes that deep. It's really more a matter of "My tribal chieftain good, other tribe bad" mixed together with an unfiltered "America, fuck yeah!" attitude towards other nations. The second Romney didn't experience deference Riehl's head exploded and he lunged straight for the ugliest string of adjectives available.

Quite Concur.

88 Gus  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:16:57pm

Just came up with a simple writing form for wingnuts. Just fill in the blank below:

"I hate _________ (s)."

89 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:20:52pm

re: #88 Gus

Just came up with a simple writing form for wingnuts. Just fill in the blank below:

Blank needs to be wider. Crayons can't write that small.

90 freetoken  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:23:59pm

Looking at how that paper in Cell today, on the detailed analysis of 15 Africans' DNA from three tribes, is being received in the general press one thing becomes clear: even many writers do not understand evolution, must less their commenters.

Deeply engrained into our culture is the creationist idea of there being a most "advanced" species, or someone who is at the top of a ladder, to use the old analogy.

That's just wrong.

91 CriticalDragon1177  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:26:18pm

re: #83 austin_blue

Yes, science is important in education in Europe. It's one of the reasons why they kick our ass in critical thinking. It's pea-brains like yourself who bring us down. Do us all all a favor and disappear. Really. Please. Go away.

austin_blue,

Are you insulting him or me?

92 Gus  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:37:31pm

re: #89 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne

Blank needs to be wider. Crayons can't write that small.

Yeah, it only goes so wide. Although with Riehl he needs room for a stone hammer and a stone chisel.

93 Gus  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:38:42pm

re: #91 CriticalDragon1177

austin_blue,

Are you insulting him or me?

Him.

94 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:39:32pm

re: #91 CriticalDragon1177

austin_blue,

Are you insulting him or me?

Yes!

95 Gus  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:41:31pm

Mongo not like England!

96 Gus  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:42:11pm

England make Mongo verrrry mad.

97 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:43:53pm

re: #95 Gus

Mongo must have had a bad experience in school with chalk.

98 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:47:24pm

re: #79 CriticalDragon1177

Charles Johnson,

Dan Riehl, sounds like a real jerk. I wonder if the relative social liberalism of Britain's Church of England has anything to do with his disgust with them, also the fact that the overwhelming majority of people over there accept evolution.

Riehl is just the kind of nitwit who would think the CoE is a significant force in 21st century Britain. Besides providing material for British comedians, it takes care of some cool old churches and struggles mightily to become relevant, to the 1960s.

Creationists are indeed pretty rare in the UK. I think the London Zoo had one for a while but it was hard for the zoo to provide a regular, natural diet. Big Macs and Dr. Pepper are expensive in the UK so the specimen had to be shipped back to Texas during an economy drive.

99 CriticalDragon1177  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:48:09pm

re: #93 Gus

Him.

Thanks for the clarification.

100 Cap'n Magic  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:48:14pm

re: #61 Dark_Falcon

I'm partial to the Tyler/Anton Duet myself.

101 freetoken  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:50:00pm

So, what's the over/under on Aigle posting a CAMERA link about the following in the next 24 hours?

So, Mr. President, What IS the Capital of Israel?

102 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:55:46pm

re: #91 CriticalDragon1177

austin_blue,

Are you insulting him or me?

Him.

103 Gus  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:57:00pm

re: #101 freetoken

So, what's the over/under on Aigle posting a CAMERA link about the following in the next 24 hours?

So, Mr. President, What IS the Capital of Israel?

Boca Jerusalem but most of the embassies are in Tel Aviv.

//

104 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:57:46pm

“England is just a small island. Its roads and houses are small. With few exceptions, it doesn’t make things that people in the rest of the world want to buy. And if it hadn’t been separated from the continent by water, it almost certainly would have been lost to Hitler’s ambitions.”
-Mitt Romney, No Apology

"You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science."
-Ron Burgundy, Anchorman

105 dragonath  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:58:25pm

I'm tempted to post this guy's little screed on one of the Guardian's message boards because the ensuing torrent of angry leftists descending on his site would be delicious to behold.

106 palomino  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:58:54pm

Right, that British austerity program is just so left wing. Austerity is every true Marxist's dream. And I thought we were great in conservative eyes due to our Anglo roots. Riehl's the degenerate, no semi involved.

107 palomino  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 9:59:47pm

re: #105 Fred Galt

I'm tempted to post this guy's little screed on one of the Guardian's message boards because the ensuing torrent of angry leftists descending on his site would be delicious to behold.

Hell yeah, man, do it.

108 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:00:04pm

According to various wingnuts, Obama will sign the UN gun confiscation treaty tomorrow and his heretofore invisible ACORN-zombie militia will fan out to start the big round-up.

Perhaps I am naive but I have not even bothered to bury my guns in the backyard or hoard the requisite 250,000 rounds of ammo in preparation for this event.

Besides being legally and constitutionally impossible, there are some practical problems with a mass confiscation of guns, like dodging the force 5 firestorm of bullets you would meet if you tried it.

Diabolically ingenious Dem fellow-traveler that I am, though, I have devised a solution. In lieu of jail time, crooked banksters and dishonest debt collectors could be assigned to public service on door-to-door gun seizure teams. We wouldn't get many guns that way, but a public service would indeed be rendered.

109 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:03:17pm

re: #105 Fred Galt

I'm tempted to post this guy's little screed on one of the Guardian's message boards because the ensuing torrent of angry leftists descending on his site would be delicious to behold.

Sic the Guardianistas on him? What a wonderfully gruesome spectacle that will be! I like it, proceed in haste.

110 Gus  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:05:06pm

re: #108 Shiplord Kirel

According to various wingnuts, Obama will sign the UN gun confiscation treaty tomorrow and his heretofore invisible ACORN-zombie militia will fan out to start the big round-up.

Perhaps I am naive but I have not even bothered to bury my guns in the backyard or hoard the requisite 250,000 rounds of ammo in preparation for this event.

Besides being legally and constitutionally impossible, there are some practical problems with a mass confiscation of guns, like dodging the force 5 firestorm of bullets you would meet if you tried it.

Diabolically ingenious Dem fellow-traveler that I am, though, I have devised a solution. In lieu of jail time, crooked banksters and dishonest debt collectors could be assigned to public service on door-to-door gun seizure teams. We wouldn't get many guns that way, but a public service would indeed be rendered.

Oh yeah. Big day tomorrow. The blue helmets will probably land by sea and begin confiscating are guns.

//

111 freetoken  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:06:51pm

Meanwhile, over at National Review Robert Costa writes a mostly milquetoast article stating the obvious about the growing heat between John the Orange and Bachmann.... and the comments bring out the McCarthyites:

E.g.:

texan59 07/26/12 06:52
Mr. Speaker needs to quit worrying about "appearances" and look at some substance. Hillary can't hurt him. The muslim threat is real. He is risking looking like a fool. There needs to be someone on the R side of the aisle point out that Joe McCarthy was correct in his assessment of communist infiltration of Congress and the bureaucracy back in the day. Maybe Ms. Bachmann should have handled this differently, but we don't have a lot of info as to whether or not she may have already passed this to the Speaker. There has been known to be a bit of theater played in the hallowed halls of Congress in the past.

112 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:07:08pm

re: #101 freetoken

So, what's the over/under on Aigle posting a CAMERA link about the following in the next 24 hours?

So, Mr. President, What IS the Capital of Israel?

Um, political or religious? Since the vast majority of embassies are in Tel Aviv, I'd go there. But I will go ahead and duck on this one.

113 Kronocide  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:14:39pm

I really give a flip about what David Cameron thinks. yawn

Says the man responding to what David Cameron said. This guy is emotionally stunted to his teens.

114 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:31:30pm

It's quiet...too quiet...

115 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:34:42pm

re: #114 Targetpractice

It's quiet...too quiet...

We'we hunting wabbits.

116 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:34:46pm

re: #114 Targetpractice

It's quiet...too quiet...

Be scared... be very ascared...

117 Kronocide  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:37:10pm

Big Gay! Big Fabulous Gay Thugs! Thuggy, the New Black.

118 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:42:57pm

re: #117 Kronocide

[Embedded content]

Big Gay! Big Fabulous Gay Thugs! Thuggy, the New Black.

So I guess the AFA will stop their boycotts of General Mills, JC Penny, and other businesses which support LGBT rights.

119 dragonath  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:45:38pm

re: #109 Shiplord Kirel

God, I feel dirty now.

I was going to preface it with something like "This is what a leading Republican blogger thinks of your puny, unproductive, retrograde island" but that would be over-egging the pudding, as the Anglo-Saxons say :D

120 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:55:17pm

Just testing...

121 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:57:26pm

please WATCH and SHARE!

Thanks for your consideration,

you may now return to your regularly scheduled thread. . . .

122 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:57:42pm

re: #120 Charles Johnson

Just testing...

It doesn't feel like a test.

123 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 10:57:51pm

Funny since the wingnut bloggers have long wanted to accuse Obama of being an Anglophobe due to Churchill bust and the Queen iPod and Romney's own adviser said he didn't understand the special relationship. Now that Cameron and Boris Johnson called out Romney for acting like a douchebag, now the UK is a second-rate, semi-degenerate nation. Riehl's a pathetic child.

124 AK-47%  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 12:13:26am

Britain has a ruling class whose members enjoy an inherited seat in the House of Lords, who own a disproportionate share of the land and have access to social and economic privleges the rest of the nation cannot achieve.

Might that have contributed a bit to its decline?

125 researchok  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:00:23am

Morning, all

126 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:01:09am
127 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:10:54am

Finally got around to assembling some building kits I had.

Buildings are a pain in the ass.

128 researchok  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:12:42am

re: #126 freetoken

Great selection. Middle passages are elegant

129 researchok  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:13:40am

re: #127 Kragar

What are you building?

130 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:16:43am
131 researchok  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:18:16am

What- collecting stamps isn't enough?
//

132 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:19:48am

re: #131 researchok

What- collecting stamps isn't enough?
//

pffft

133 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:21:47am

Obama to sign cooperation pact with Israel, a day before rival Mitt Romney visits Jerusalem

President Barack Obama is reaffirming U.S. ties with Israel, upstaging Mitt Romney one day before the Republican challenger visits Jerusalem.

The White House says Obama will sign legislation Friday that expands military and civilian cooperation with Israel. The bill passed by voice vote in the House last week. The bill reiterates U.S. support for a negotiated two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

heh

134 researchok  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:25:06am

Freetoken, I saw this last night and bookmarked it for you.

From NYT:

A New Faith in Classical Music

135 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:41:23am

A great moment in SciFi

136 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:41:35am

re: #134 researchok

Thanks.

137 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:45:51am

re: #135 Kragar

Yes, remember that one. I think Smith is one of the better Doctors.

138 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 1:47:07am

re: #137 freetoken

Yes, remember that one. I think Smith is one of the better Doctors.

Yeah, he's been pretty fun.

139 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 2:19:11am

FWIW, a rather non-trivial share of great music in the West has been religious.

140 goddamnedfrank  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 2:33:02am

re: #135 Kragar

A great moment in SciFi

[Embedded content]

I'm just happy that Madam Vastra and Jenny are confirmed to reappear in Season 7. No other show gives me my fix of Victorian time traveling interspecies lesbian lovers wielding samurai swords.

141 Aye Pod  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 2:56:19am

re: #96 Gus

England make Mongo verrry mad.

"Hey little wingnut, tell me where the bad Beefeater touched you"

142 Steve  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 3:18:44am

I fail to see how this constitutes something that we should be worried/concerned/care about.

143 ozbloke  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 3:26:07am
144 AK-47%  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 3:34:37am

re: #142 Steve

I fail to see how this constitutes something that we should be worried/concerned/care about.

It really isn't, but it entertains us and even Mitt is willing to endure it to keep the discussion away from his tax returns.

145 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 3:54:44am

Hmmmm...

Obama’s Muslim problem = Romney’s Mormon problem

President Obama’s “religion” may be just as much of a liability as Mitt Romney’s (actual) Mormon religion.

According to a new poll from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, more people are concerned about Obama’s religion (19 percent) than about Romney’s (13 percent).

The reason? The unbelievable number of Americans, now numbering 17 percent, who for some reason think the president is a Muslim.

So while there has been a lot of consternation about whether Americans will be hesitant to vote for a Mormon like Romney, misinformation about Obama’s religion may matter just as much come November.

According to the poll, 65 percent of people who say Obama is a Muslim are uncomfortable with him because of it, compared to just 12 percent of those who correctly say he’s a Christian.

[...]

Here's the Pew page which is referenced:


Little Voter Discomfort with Romney’s Mormon Religion

And here is the summary on polling the President's religion.

It's no secret why the wingnut propaganda industry keeps insisting President Obama is a muslim - it's because they know it will scare people.

146 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 3:56:23am

Continuing:

The percentage of voters identifying Obama’s religion as Christian has increased since August 2010, from 38% to 49%, while there has been little change in the percentage saying he is Muslim (19% then, 17% today). Still, fewer say Obama is Christian – and more say he is Muslim – than did so in October 2008, near the end of the last presidential campaign. The increase since 2008 is particularly concentrated among conservative Republicans, about a third of whom (34%) describe the president as a Muslim.

147 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 4:04:42am

Continuing...

The slight rise in the number saying that Obama is a Muslim has been most pronounced among conservative Republicans. The number of conservative Republicans who say Obama is a Muslim has doubled since October 2008 (from 16% to 34%). There has been virtually no change in the share of moderate and liberal Republicans who say Obama is Muslim, or among any Democratic or Democratic-leaning groups.

Because of the increasing partisan polarization in perceptions of Obama’s faith, a Romney supporter today is much more likely than a McCain voter four years ago to say that Barack Obama is Muslim (30% vs. 17% in October 2008).

148 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 4:12:59am

Is "Mitt the Twit" sure he wants to embrace his jolly ol' Anglo-Saxons?

British PM reiterates call for same-sex marriage, scolds churches that ‘lock out’ gay members

Addressing a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender reception, Prime Minister David Cameron reaffirmed his commitment to legalizing same-sex marriage and said that “obviously there’ll be arguments within the Churches as well.”

“I run an institution – the Conservative Party – which for many, many years got itself on the wrong side of this argument, it locked people out who were naturally Conservative from supporting it and so I think I can make that point to the Church, gently,” he said. “Of course this is very, very complicated and difficult issue for all the different Churches, but I passionately believe that all institutions need to wake up to the case for equality, and the Church shouldn’t be locking out people who are gay, or are bisexual or are transgender from being full members of that Church, because many people with deeply held Christian views, are also gay. And just as the Conservative Party, as an institution, made a mistake in locking people out so I think the Churches can be in danger of doing the same thing.”

[...]

Heh, think of all the heads that would explode if Cameron would come over here and give this exact same speech.

149 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 4:19:26am

Florida Lt. Governor Apologizes for Lesbian Remark

Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll apologized Thursday for offending lesbians when she said black women who engage in those relationships don't look like her.


Carroll, who was implying that black lesbians aren't attractive, made the remarks more than a week ago when she was asked about court documents in which a fired staffer claims that she walked in on Carroll and a female travel aide in a compromising position. Carroll denies that claim.

[...]

I see she went to the Rush Limbaugh school of sociology.

Where's Cameron when you need him?

150 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 4:22:13am

British media hammer Romney on Olympic comments

On day three of his overseas tour, Mitt Romney woke up to unfriendly headlines from the British media, who continue to trash him for telling NBC News that he found preparations for the Olympics here "disconcerting."

"Mitt the Twit," declared The Sun tabloid, trashing Romney as a "wannabe president."

The Independent headlined their take on Romney's trip, "Romneyshambles"—accusing him of not only committing a diplomatic gaffe but later "the cardinal sin of U.S. politics, flip-flopping" on his criticism.

The Daily Telegraph suggested Romney's "Olympic gaffe" had overshadowed his trip to London.

Meanwhile, the conservative Daily Mail slammed Romney as " devoid of charm, offensive and a wazzock."

Romney's comments led newscasts on both Sky News and the BBC on Thursday night and early Friday morning, just hours ahead of the Olympic opening ceremonies here.

[...]

Oops...

151 freetoken  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 4:22:34am

Nasty Anglo-Saxons.

152 dragonath  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 4:54:18am

Lost in yesterday's news:

Romney's London Fundraiser Doesn't Sound Like A Success

Tickets to the event, which were originally priced at between $25,000 and $75,000, were being given away for just $1,000 a few hours before the event

and today:

US Olympic Committee Will Tell All Candidates (Cough, Mitt Romney) to Stop Using Olympic Footage in Ads

153 Shropshire_Slasher  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:01:34am

Friday morning tear jerker.
[Link: blog.timesunion.com...]

154 Shropshire_Slasher  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:14:03am

Scha-wing!!
30,000 pound bunker buster bomb ready for use
[Link: www.rt.com...]

155 Shropshire_Slasher  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:29:00am

Missing Dexter actress found, safe
[Link: www.nypost.com...]

156 Shropshire_Slasher  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:31:26am

I've heard of sweater puppies but this is getting ridiculous
[Link: www.nypost.com...]
Okay four in a row, who's next?

157 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:34:13am

re: #155 Tommy's cone of shame


She was in, like, one episode as a waitress, right? Why does she keep getting reported as "Dexter actress"?

158 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:37:15am

Morning Lizardim. Happy Friday from the cool and clear wild north country. It's a beautiful day here in the northlands, now that the second round of ridiculous heat has broken. The passing wave of thunderstorms appears to have done its job well. I've been off LGF for a while, what did I miss? Any Sergey sightings?

159 Shropshire_Slasher  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:40:12am

re: #158 thedopefishlives

I haven't seen Sergey in a while :(

160 Shropshire_Slasher  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:45:12am

re: #157 Obdicut

I'm not sure, apparently she doesn't have a wiki page. My wife loves Dexter, I will have to ask her.

161 Interesting Times  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 5:56:44am
162 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:03:22am

re: #161 Interesting Times

MI6 refuses to confirm #Romney meeting, fueling speculation he may have been fooled by an Austin Powers impersonator #RomneyShambles

— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) July 27, 2012

Do I make you romney baby?

163 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:06:46am

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. We're still around, despite mother nature's efforts last night with the #derecho that swept through. Apparently two people were killed due to storm related damage, and there plenty of trees and branches down across parts of the area, but my particular corner of Northern NJ wasn't too badly affected. The cell that passed over our area weakened just enough so that the squall line winds weren't as severe as earlier in the day and the downpours weren't as hellacious.

Also, given that today's Friday, the Olympics are starting up, and because it's become a sensation, here's proof that bears don't fish; they catch.

164 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:08:47am

re: #159 Tommy's cone of shame

I haven't seen Sergey in a while :(

I'm actually worried about him. Hasn't responded to an email, and I know that Putin's dudes have been investigating opposition types.

165 Shropshire_Slasher  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:08:54am

Groovey

166 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:10:31am

re: #164 Obdicut

I'm actually worried about him. Hasn't responded to an email, and I know that Putin's dudes have been investigating opposition types.

It seems sad to me to have to be worried about him. I mean, I am, no doubt about that. But living in a civilized country, I can't understand the need to be afraid that some government goon might have swooped in and hauled him off to a gulag somewhere for a while.

167 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:17:53am

Mornin' gang. It's after 2pm in London...what's Mitt fucked up so far today?

168 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:17:59am

re: #166 thedopefishlives

He's probably just doing something, but he hasn't posted over at his anti-Holocaust denier site, either, in quite awhile.

169 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:18:43am

Two good tweets from the bearded stoner...

170 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:19:48am

re: #168 Obdicut

He's probably just doing something, but he hasn't posted over at his anti-Holocaust denier site, either, in quite awhile.

Yeah, I know. But there's always that niggling voice in the back of your mind going, "What if..."

171 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:20:43am

re: #167 darthstar

Mornin' gang. It's after 2pm in London...what's Mitt fucked up so far today?

I think it'd be a shorter answer if you asked what he HASN'T messed up.

172 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:33:13am

Today England, tomorrow the World!

173 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:34:50am

re: #168 Obdicut

He's probably just doing something, but he hasn't posted over at his anti-Holocaust denier site, either, in quite awhile.

I think Gus talked to him recently.
May want to ask him.

174 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:34:51am
175 Tigger2  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:38:52am

Funny, MR. "BAIN" Goes to London!

[Link: www.facebook.com...]

176 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:39:44am

re: #174 darthstar

Given how inanimate human-shaped objects around Q tend to get hit by various deadly devices that might have been a good thing for Mitt.
/

177 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:47:31am

From TPM:

Hours before the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games, Mitt Romney on the “Today Show” said: “After being here a couple days, it looks like London is ready.”

I'll bet Londoners are relieved to get Mitt's final inspection and clean bill of health for their games...it would have been a shame if they'd had to cancel.

178 makeitstop  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:50:13am

re: #177 darthstar

From TPM:

I'll bet Londoners are relieved to get Mitt's final inspection and clean bill of health for their games...it would have been a shame if they'd had to cancel.

Nice of him to give his blessing. Heaven knows there would have been a shadow over the games if he hadn't.

/ from here to London

179 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:54:26am

Mitt is really messing up this whole Olympics thing.

Since he won't run on his record as governor, and the Bain relationship is proving perilous, he now is going to concentrate on his work with the Olympics. And it is not working out.

1. He makes a remark about preparation in London. (I think he was trying to lay the implication that he'd done SLC so well there were no worries in advance.) That bombs and there is considerable reaction from UK politicians and media. So he promptly flip-flops. And the UK media calls him on it since they do *not* have any need to play nice in exchange for potential future reporting access.

2. The US IOC comes out and reiterates that they want no use of Olympic footage in any political ads by candidates or PACs. And that they will agitate for removal if any is used. Hard for Mitt to play up Olympics experience if you can't put visuals of him there with it.

So. What's the next backup plan for the Romney campaign?

180 Interesting Times  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:57:03am

re: #179 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

So. What's the next backup plan for the Romney campaign?

Breitbarting every speech Obama makes from here until November.

181 Gretchen G.Tiger  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:57:21am

Once again, here we are:

morning.

you too?

182 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 6:58:03am

Good morning lizards!

183 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:02:02am

Pretty cool...the US swim team put out a dance video.

184 ShaunP  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:05:43am

Gotta love the Abby Huntsman:

185 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:06:44am

re: #181 ggt

Once again, here we are:

morning.

you too?

Glad it's Friday.

186 Gretchen G.Tiger  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:07:06am

re: #183 NJDhockeyfan

Pretty cool...the US swim team put out a dance video.

[Embedded content]

that was a lot of fun, thanks for posting!

187 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:08:25am

'Morning, all, and goodbye for a few days. We're off to the land of no connectivity.

188 Gretchen G.Tiger  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:09:14am
189 Gretchen G.Tiger  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:09:31am

re: #187 Decatur Deb

'Morning, all, and goodbye for a few days. We're off to the land of no connectivity.

NOOOOOOO, DON'T DO IT DECATUR DEB!!!!!

190 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:12:03am

re: #187 Decatur Deb

JFK airport?

191 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:12:36am

re: #190 Obdicut

JFK airport?

Meso-Alabama.

192 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:13:45am

re: #191 Decatur Deb

Meso-Alabama.

Welcome to Jurassic Park.

193 Gretchen G.Tiger  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:16:36am

gotta take Brat Puppy to dog training.

bbl

194 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:19:53am

re: #187 Decatur Deb

'Morning, all, and goodbye for a few days. We're off to the land of no connectivity.

Just like my house!

195 Shiplord Kirel  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:19:58am

re: #184 ShaunP

Gotta love the Abby Huntsman:

[Embedded content]

Willard went to London and tried to play two of his strongest cards, Obama's sometimes tone-deaf relationship with Britain, and his own Olympic organizing experience. The result was a complete fiasco. The GOP trainwreck continues apace. It rather reminds me of the Nevada Tea Party a couple of years ago, who managed to nominate the only person in the state who could not beat Harry Reid.

196 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:21:12am

Saudi Arabia: Kingdom's First Female Olympic Athletes Called ‘Prostitutes'

Saudi Arabia will be sending two female athletes to the 2012 London Olympics, which officially begin tomorrow (July 27). Wojdan Shaherkani (Judo) and Sarah Attar (athletics) will be the first two women to ever represent the kingdom, where conservative religious clerics forbid the participation of women in competitive sports.

On Twitter, their anticipated involvement in the games set off a flurry of reactions, including a hash tag which described them as the “Prostitutes of the Olympics.”

Saudi Arabia's earlier announcement that women would be excluded from London 2012 was faced with a call for banning the kingdom from the Olympics.

The participation of women under the Saudi flag comes under conditions: that they would not compete in mixed games and that they would dress up conservatively, among others.

197 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:24:16am

An actual black helicopter is circling overhead!
I thought they were a myth!

198 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:26:48am

re: #197 Varek Raith

When I become president, all black helicopters will be painted pink.

199 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:27:32am

re: #197 Varek Raith

An actual black helicopter is circling overhead!
I thought they were a myth!

Ah, crap. I TOLD the pilot to keep a respectful distance.

200 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:32:55am

This is pathetic.

Lebanese Olympic judo team refuses to practice next to Israelis

The Lebanese judo team at the 2012 London Olympics refused to practice next to the Israeli one on Friday afternoon, and a makeshift barrier was erected to split their gym into two halves.

According to several Hebrew sports sites, the two teams were scheduled to use the same gym and mats at London’s new ExCeL center for their final preparations. However, the delegation from Lebanon would not train in view of the Israeli team, and insisted some sort of barrier be placed between them.

Organizers accepted the Lebanese coach’s demand to separate the teams, erecting a barrier so that the Lebanese team wouldn’t see the Israeli one.

They must be afraid they might get Zionist cooties.

201 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:34:30am

re: #200 NJDhockeyfan

This is pathetic.

Lebanese Olympic judo team refuses to practice next to Israelis

They must be afraid they might get Zionist cooties.

Evil Zionist hair rays.

202 makeitstop  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:35:45am

re: #183 NJDhockeyfan

Pretty cool...the US swim team put out a dance video.

[Embedded content]

That was cool. It doesn't decrease my loathing of that song, though.

203 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:42:46am

re: #179 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Mitt is really messing up this whole Olympics thing.

Since he won't run on his record as governor, and the Bain relationship is proving perilous, he now is going to concentrate on his work with the Olympics. And it is not working out.

1. He makes a remark about preparation in London. (I think he was trying to lay the implication that he'd done SLC so well there were no worries in advance.) That bombs and there is considerable reaction from UK politicians and media. So he promptly flip-flops. And the UK media calls him on it since they do *not* have any need to play nice in exchange for potential future reporting access.

2. The US IOC comes out and reiterates that they want no use of Olympic footage in any political ads by candidates or PACs. And that they will agitate for removal if any is used. Hard for Mitt to play up Olympics experience if you can't put visuals of him there with it.

So. What's the next backup plan for the Romney campaign?

Lots of domestic and foreign money.

204 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:47:44am

re: #196 NJDhockeyfan

Saudi Arabia: Kingdom's First Female Olympic Athletes Called ‘Prostitutes'

Sure glad our friends in the ME aren't letting that Sharia law thing take over. Wonder if Bush the Lesser talked about that after him and prince smooched and walked hand in hand through the Rose Garden.

205 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:48:25am

Jay Carney is asked a simple question and has trouble answering it...

WH's Carney Refuses To Name The Capital Of Israel

White House press secretary Jay Carney is asked by a reporter what is the capital of Israel.

Reporter: What city does this Administration consider to be the capital of Israel? Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?

Jay Carney, White House press secretary: Um... I haven't had that question in a while. Our position has not changed. Can we, uh...

Reporter: What is the capital [of Israel]?

Jay Carney: You know our position.

Reporter: I don't.

Lester Kinsolving, World Net Daily: No, no. She doesn't know, that's why she asked.

Carney: She does know.

Reporter: I don't.

Kinsolving: She does not know. She just said that she does not know. I don't know.

Carney: We have long, lets not call on...

Kinsolving: Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?

Carney: You know the answer to that.

Kinsolving: I don't know the answer. We don't know the answer. Could you just give us an answer? What do you recognize? What does the administration recognize?

Carney: Our position has not changed.

Kinsolving: What position?

Carney then moved on to another question.

206 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:53:40am

re: #205 NJDhockeyfan

The US government doesn't recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. It didn't under Bush, under Clinton, under Bush Senior. It never has. Our position hasn't changed.

207 ShaunP  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:54:06am

re: #205 NJDhockeyfan

Jay Carney is asked a simple question and has trouble answering it...

WH's Carney Refuses To Name The Capital Of Israel

There really isn't a simple answer to that question.

208 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:54:37am

re: #205 NJDhockeyfan

I am glad that the White House avoided the question. There is no vested interest in the USA angering an already fragile Arab world by these un-diplomatic questions regarding a topic that at the end of the day does not put bread on American tables or gives them a job or makes their lives safer.

209 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:54:45am

re: #206 Obdicut

The US government doesn't recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. It didn't under Bush, under Clinton, under Bush Senior. It never has. Our position hasn't changed.

What does the government consider the capital of Israel?

210 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:55:05am

re: #179 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

So. What's the next backup plan for the Romney campaign?

He still has to fail his way across Poland and Israel. I'm sure he'll look real presidential there, though. Maybe he'll go to Warsaw and take credit for retroactively liberating Auschwitz and helpfully baptising the dead into the Mormon church.

211 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:56:45am

re: #209 NJDhockeyfan

What does the government consider the capital of Israel?

Tel-Aviv

212 GunstarGreen  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 7:56:53am

re: #208 Destro

I am glad that the White House avoided the question. There is no vested interest in the USA angering an already fragile Arab world by these un-diplomatic questions regarding a topic that at the end of the day does not put bread on American tables or gives them a job or makes their lives safer.

I don't think you understand, sir, there is Outrageous Outrage to be had! Why would anyone give a shit about things like American jobs or the American economy or erosion of American liberties when there is FAR more important shit to be concerned about, like where the administration stands on what city may or may not be considered the capital of a foreign country that has nothing at all to do with us!

213 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:00:51am

re: #212 GunstarGreen

I don't think you understand, sir, there is Outrageous Outrage to be had! Why would anyone give a shit about things like American jobs or the American economy or erosion of American liberties when there is FAR more important shit to be concerned about, like where the administration stands on what city may or may not be considered the capital of a foreign country that has nothing at all to do with us!

There is a crazy element in the USA that thinks killer Jesus will return as soon as Jerusalem is made the official capital by the USA, then we get a red haired cow some ranchers in the USA raised involved in some blood sacrifice on some mountain top and then BOOM! Jesus comes, ironically, kills off all the Jews and takes up all the Christians in the rapture and then we have peace, the gold standard for money and lollipops growing on trees for all eternity for the surviving Christians who mostly happen to be overweight Americans from the heartland.

214 jaunte  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:02:09am

re: #213 Destro

See, the GOP does have a plan after all.

215 labman57  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:08:35am

United Kingdom to tea party -- with allies like you, who needs enemies.

216 Daniel Ballard  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:10:41am

Got a laugh this morning over my tea...

217 makeitstop  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:11:05am

Oh, dear. Fox & Friends threatens the British press...

Kilmeade is such a worm.

218 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:11:23am

re: #214 jaunte

Indeed it does!

219 Kronocide  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:15:41am

re: #217 makeitstop

Oh, dear. Fox & Friends threatens the British press...

Kilmeade is such a worm.

God save Roger Ailes.

220 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:17:25am

re: #214 jaunte

See, the GOP does have a plan after all.

Tax breaks for the rich and the rest get to go look for the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

221 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:23:10am

Anti-Mitt protesters in London
[Link: news.daylife.com...]

222 Aye Pod  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:27:22am

re: #221 Killgore Trout

Anti-Mitt protesters in London
[Link: news.daylife.com...]

Three -count 'em - religious nuts taking a break from their usual spot in Hyde Park. Nobody gives a fuck.

223 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:28:11am

re: #206 Obdicut

And the answer is a whole lot more complicated than that. The State Department answer is that the status of Jerusalem is to be decided between the parties (the Israelis and Palestinians). Making a definitive statement one way or the other will affect the negotiating stance.

Yet, Congress enacted legislation in 1995 moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (Jerusalem Embassy Act). All Presidents since the enactment (Clinton, Bush, and Obama) have used the waiver provisions/6-month waiver on appropriating funds necessary to transfer the embassy to Jerusalem avoiding changing the status quo.

Thus, the current position is that Jerusalem's status is to be decided between the parties, even though the Israelis have always viewed its capital as Jerusalem since 1948 (West Jerusalem, and Jerusalem in toto since 1967 and officially as part of Israeli Basic Law in 1980). Palestinians have likewise claimed all of Jerusalem as its capital, though Jordan never treated Jerusalem as a capital of a future Palestinian state during the period it held the region from 1948 until 1967.

224 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:29:49am

re: #222 Aye Pod

Three -count 'em - religious nuts taking a break from their usual spot in Hyde Park. Nobody gives a fuck.

Any idea who they are? I would guess they probably aren't Anglicans. Maybe some form or weird Catholic maybe?

225 Aye Pod  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:31:29am

re: #208 Destro

I am glad that the White House avoided the question. There is no vested interest in the USA angering an already fragile Arab world by these un-diplomatic questions regarding a topic that at the end of the day does not put bread on American tables or gives them a job or makes their lives safer.

Just remembring back to a week or so ago when this issue was being used by some wingnuts on LGF pages to smear the BBC (and wikipedia) as anti-semitic. Pulled a few gullible ones in with that bullshit too.

226 Sionainn  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:33:54am

re: #205 NJDhockeyfan

Jay Carney is asked a simple question and has trouble answering it...

WH's Carney Refuses To Name The Capital Of Israel

World Nut Daily has a White House correspondent? Seriously?

227 Aye Pod  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:36:07am

re: #224 Killgore Trout

Any idea who they are? I would guess they probably aren't Anglicans. Maybe some form or weird Catholic maybe?

No idea - there are a few 'holy remnants' here and thee who always seem to be making a nuisance of themselves. Round these parts it's usually Presbyterians. We generally just let them do their little thing and ignore them.

228 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:37:09am

re: #226 Sionainn

World Nut Daily has a White House correspondent? Seriously?

I know, I was that. I guess anyone can get a press pass these days. Who's next, a Stormfront member?

229 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:37:25am

re: #225 Aye Pod

The BBC issue was a biased incident. Israel's capital is Jerusalem. It's been that way since 1948 (the Knesset is in West Jerusalem). The country of Israel treats it as their capital, and that's how the news should be reporting it. How other countries view Jerusalem by and through their diplomatic position is subject to debate.

Tel Aviv is not, and has never been, Israel's capital. Trying to claim otherwise is biased. That may be where other countries locate their embassies/consulates to avoid the thorny issue of the status of a divided/indivisible Jerusalem as Israel and/or future Palestinian capital.

As a straight news item - Israel is Jerusalem's capital.
As a piece of foreign policy for the US - it's a much more complicated question (see my prior response).

230 makeitstop  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:38:19am

re: #226 Sionainn

World Nut Daily has a White House correspondent? Seriously?

They'll let anybody into that press room.

WND, Les Kinsolving, that rude punk who interrupted Obama. Kind of puts the lie to the White House catering to the 'liberal' media, doesn't it?

231 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:38:28am

re: #225 Aye Pod

Just remembring back to a week or so ago when this issue was being used by some wingnuts on LGF pages to smear the BBC (and wikipedia) as anti-semitic. Pulled a few gullible ones in with that bullshit too.

Mornin Jimmah. Hope you and the frosty one are doing well on that side of the pond.

232 Interesting Times  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:40:31am

File under "water wet, sky blue, romney-hasn't-got-a-clue":

233 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:41:03am

re: #229 lawhawk

And by that logic, the capital of Palestine is also Jerusalem?

234 Aye Pod  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:43:46am

re: #229 lawhawk

The BBC issue was a biased incident. Israel's capital is Jerusalem. It's been that way since 1948 (the Knesset is in West Jerusalem). The country of Israel treats it as their capital, and that's how the news should be reporting it. How other countries view Jerusalem by and through their diplomatic position is subject to debate.

Tel Aviv is not, and has never been, Israel's capital. Trying to claim otherwise is biased. That may be where other countries locate their embassies/consulates to avoid the thorny issue of the status of a divided/indivisible Jerusalem as Israel and/or future Palestinian capital.

As a straight news item - Israel is Jerusalem's capital.
As a piece of foreign policy for the US - it's a much more complicated question (see my prior response).

Whatever your take on the issue of Jerusalem's status as capital/non internationally recognised capital, my point in that debate - and I hope you'd agree - was that the accusation that the BBC was being anti-semitic is ridiculous wingnut fodder.

235 iossarian  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:45:40am

re: #233 Obdicut

And by that logic, the capital of Palestine is also Jerusalem?

BBC sez:

Palestine is recognised as a competing country by the IOC but is not recognised as a modern state.

Key Facts
Intended seat of government East Jerusalem.
Ramallah serves as administrative capital.

Population
4,400,000

Size
6,335km²

[Link: www.bbc.co.uk...]

236 iossarian  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:47:31am

BBC Olympics Israel sidebar, for comparison:

Key Facts:
Top medal sports
(pre-2012)
Sailing
Judo

Seat of government
Jerusalem, though most foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv.

Population
7,300,000

Size
Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics cites (including Jerusalem and Golan) 22,072km²

Languages
Hebrew
Arabic

237 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:51:39am

In Response to BBC's Map: Olympic Team Salutes Jerusalem

Israel’s Olympic team has decided to respond to the BBC’s assertion that Jerusalem is not Israel’s capital, by preparing a video in which Israeli athletes are seen saying they are proud to represent Israel “and its capital Jerusalem.”

The British broadcast authority, which has often been charged with bias against Israel, has come under fire for listing “East Jerusalem” as the capital for the “Palestinian Olympic team" while leaving Israel listed without a capital.

After Israel and Jews around the world complained, the BBC partly corrected its mistake and stated that Israel’s "seat of government is Jerusalem" while still omitting Jerusalem as the capital. Just to get its point across, it added, "Most foreign embassies reside in Tel Aviv."

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai has also come to the rescue in a YouTube video, in which he says that although his city is “one of the coolest cities in the world and Israel’s financial and cultural center, we are not Israel’s capital. Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.”

Here is the video:

238 Aye Pod  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:51:43am

re: #231 thedopefishlives

Mornin Jimmah. Hope you and the frosty one are doing well on that side of the pond.

Having a great time fishy - hope you are too. It's actually sunny here today, which is a very welcome change, especially for ice who is used to the NY summer. Instead she's been forced to learn all the Scottish words for 'wet', 'damp' etc - there are a lot of those.

239 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:52:31am

re: #233 Obdicut

There is no country of Palestine at present. If there is a deal between the parties, and that incorporates parts of Jerusalem, then they too could claim that their nation's capital is Jerusalem.

240 Aye Pod  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:54:37am

Off to make dinner. (One day I'll find a recipe for decent curry that doesn't take seven hours to prepare).

241 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:55:49am

re: #239 lawhawk

There is no country of Palestine at present. If there is a deal between the parties, and that incorporates parts of Jerusalem, then they too could claim that their nation's capital is Jerusalem.

There is no state of Palestine either as far as I know.

242 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 8:59:37am

re: #239 lawhawk

Well, I think according to your logic as long as they 'treated' Jerusalem as their capital, the news should report it as such, right?

I'll admit to being American enough to generally use US definitions of other countries. There's usually a good reason why we view things the way we do.

243 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:03:35am

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Dark Knight’ shooting suspect James Holmes claims amnesia

The Joker is playing the amnesia card.

Accused mass murderer James Holmes told jailhouse workers that he remains stumped about what landed him in a Colorado lockup, a jail staffer told the Daily News.

“He claims he doesn’t know why he’s in jail,” the worker said Thursday. “He asked, ‘Why am I here?’”

Holmes, 24, who is charged with shooting a dozen people to death and wounding 58 more at a screening of the new Batman movie, was also complaining of a stomach ache caused by lousy jail food after his sixth day at the Arapahoe County Detention Center, the worker said.

“He’s claiming his belly hurts him,” the worker said. “He complained once that he didn’t like the food . . . The guy killed 12 people, and he’s upset that he’s not getting a four-star meal?”

...The jail worker said most folks inside the county lockup consider Holmes’ memory loss a ruse.

“He needs to save his act for the jury because no one here is buying it,” the worker said. “Everyone is convinced he is faking it.”

244 Big Steve  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:03:54am

The capital of Israel? That's easy it is Russia which we can see from here in Alaska.

245 GunstarGreen  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:09:22am

re: #230 makeitstop

They'll let anybody into that press room.

WND, Les Kinsolving, that rude punk who interrupted Obama. Kind of puts the lie to the White House catering to the 'liberal' media, doesn't it?

That's irrelevant. Remember, the people that crow loudest about "The Liberal Mainstream Media" are the same people that crow loudly about their own ratings. It is logically impossible to simultaneously have (some of) the highest ratings in your bracket and not be in the mainstream. It is all part of the "We are the ONLY source of THE TRUTH™" indoctrination process -- you must listen to us because we are the oppressed underdogs that are bringing you the real truth, and all of those hateful outsiders are trying to keep us down to keep you in the dark.

It's textbook cult strategy.

246 Sheila Broflovski  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:10:07am

re: #244 Big Steve

The capital of Israel? That's easy it is Russia which we can see from here in Alaska.

Everybody knows the capital of Israel is Miami Beach.
//

247 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:12:17am

Horrifying...

Massacre feared in Syria's Aleppo

Fighting engulfed parts of Aleppo on Friday as world powers issued warnings of a government onslaught in the sprawling and densely populated Syrian city.

The opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported a "horrific massacre" in the city's Fardos district, where regime forces indiscriminately shelled homes.

The international activist group Avaaz, speaking to witnesses, also reported violence in Fardos.

They reported casualties in a "blistering" regime "dawn attack" in the district, in central Aleppo. Witnesses told Avaaz that the regime used mortars, tanks and helicopter gunships in the bombardment.

Regime forces in the Khaldieh district fired at protesters coming out of the Al-Ghafran mosque and shelled the Salaheddine district with missiles, automatic weapons and attack helicopters, the LCC said.

...The LCC says more than 16,000 people have been killed in the conflict. The U.N. secretary-general said this week that almost 17,000 people have died.

248 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:13:47am

re: #247 NJDhockeyfan

It's all so fucking pointless. Why can't these fuckers just flee the country with stolen millions? Does Assad really buy his own bullshit about being a good leader?

249 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:16:13am

Dictators today no longer realize when the shit hits the fan, retire to an island paradise.

250 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:19:45am

re: #234 Aye Pod

Whatever your take on the issue of Jerusalem's status as capital/non internationally recognised capital, my point in that debate - and I hope you'd agree - was that the accusation that the BBC was being anti-semitic is ridiculous wingnut fodder.

Firstly, the BBC is many things but to call it anti-semitic is bat shit lunacy. Secondly, since the BBC has a world wide reputation as being the gold standard in broadcasting and news why were Americans dragged into this? So Americans can protest to the British? America does not own Britain. So why are Americans dragged into this????

251 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:19:47am

re: #249 Varek Raith

Dictators today no longer realize when the shit hits the fan, retire to an island paradise.

I think that's become part of the problem. I think it's a lot harder for these dictators to find a safe place to retire than it used to be. They have to hang on to the bitter end, it's their only choice.

252 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:21:03am

re: #248 Obdicut

It's all so fucking pointless. Why can't these fuckers just flee the country with stolen millions? Does Assad really buy his own bullshit about being a good leader?

If the Assad's fall then we will see (hell, we are seeing it now) a sectarian war between Sunnis and the rest.

See Iraq.

253 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:22:19am

re: #251 Killgore Trout

I think that's become part of the problem. I think it's a lot harder for these dictators to find a safe place to retire than it used to be. They have to hang on to the bitter end, it's their only choice.

Syria is different in that he can't flee because if he does it will mean a sectarian civil war and probable genocide for his people.

254 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:23:12am

Speaking of dictators: Liveleak has some new and gory footage of Q'Daffy's convoy.
Gaddafi military convoy obliterated outside benghazi 19 3 2011 - 8 min video

I found it interesting that he was traveling with tanks and even self propelled artillery. That really had to slow him down. He should have ditched them and made a run for it with the cars.

255 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:23:47am

re: #251 Killgore Trout

I think that's become part of the problem. I think it's a lot harder for these dictators to find a safe place to retire than it used to be. They have to hang on to the bitter end, it's their only choice.

I think the thoughts of retiring are are long gone. He could have done that when the protests started but now after 16,000+ deaths on his hands he really has no place to go other than Iran.

256 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:24:11am

re: #247 NJDhockeyfan

Horrifying...

Massacre feared in Syria's Aleppo

What's horrifying? That rebels move into civilian zones and egg the Syrian regime to attack them or that the Syrian regime falls for it and attacks them?

Neither side seems to care about civilian casualties.

257 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:24:20am

re: #253 Destro

Syria is different in that he can't flee because if he does it will mean a sectarian civil war and probable genocide for his people.

He's already taken care of that.

258 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:24:56am

re: #254 Killgore Trout

Speaking of dictators: Liveleak has some new and gory footage of Q'Daffy's convoy.
Gaddafi military convoy obliterated outside benghazi 19 3 2011 - 8 min video

[Embedded content]

I found it interesting that he was traveling with tanks and even self propelled artillery. That really had to slow him down. He should have ditched them and made a run for it with the cars.

It is very clear that NATO forces bombed his convoy.

259 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:25:39am

re: #255 NJDhockeyfan

I think the thoughts of retiring are are long gone. He could have done that when the protests started but now after 16,000+ deaths on his hands he really has no place to go other than Iran.

I'm still surprised he took the dictator gig in the first place. He had a nice career as an optometrist in the UK.

260 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:27:14am

re: #257 NJDhockeyfan

He's already taken care of that.

I thought America, Turkey and Saudi Arabia took care of that by arming sectarian Sunni rebels.

261 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:28:11am

re: #258 Destro

It is very clear that NATO forces bombed his convoy.

I also find it interesting they left anyone alive. I wonder if the intell was good enough to let him live so he could be captured alive. Out of that whole convoy I think Q'daffy and a body guard (or two) were the only survivors.

262 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:29:51am

re: #259 Killgore Trout

I'm still surprised he took the dictator gig in the first place. He had a nice career as an optometrist in the UK.

I think it was a sign of weakness in the Baathist regime that they felt that they needed the son to keep the regime of his father going. It seems Assad the father - who was good at keeping himself in power- either purged everyone who could be a viable leader besides himself or that the Ba'athists new that Assad was the only thing keeping the nation together and that if the son was made the new leader the dad's aura may still work to keep the regime going.

See North Korea.

263 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:31:22am

re: #261 Killgore Trout

I also find it interesting they left anyone alive. I wonder if the intell was good enough to let him live so he could be captured alive. Out of that whole convoy I think Q'daffy and a body guard (or two) were the only survivors.

Qadaffi was rushed out of his vehicle and placed in a drainpipe to protect him from the air strike. I don't know if all from the convoy were killed in the air strike but I am sure they were probably killed by the rebels after execution style like Qaddafi was.

264 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:33:40am

re: #243 NJDhockeyfan

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Dark Knight’ shooting suspect James Holmes claims amnesia

He remembered enough to tell the cops his apt was booby trapped.

265 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:35:45am

How ugly can it get?

U.N. chief demands Syria renounce chemical weapons

LONDON (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday said he was "deeply" concerned about reports of the possible use of chemical weapons by Syria, and demanded the government state it would not use them "under any circumstances".

"I remain deeply concerned about the reports of the possible use of chemical weapons," he told reporters, citing one report in which Syria said it would use such weapons if it was attacked by foreign powers.

"I demand .... that the Syrian authorities categorically state that they will not use chemical or other weapons of mass destruction under any circumstances," he added, speaking at a joint news conference in London with British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

266 iossarian  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:35:59am

re: #264 Destro

He remembered enough to tell the cops his apt was booby trapped.

Insanity plea and lock him away. Not much else we can do about it now.

267 Destro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:36:02am

re: #229 lawhawk

The BBC issue was a biased incident. Israel's capital is Jerusalem. It's been that way since 1948 (the Knesset is in West Jerusalem). The country of Israel treats it as their capital, and that's how the news should be reporting it. How other countries view Jerusalem by and through their diplomatic position is subject to debate.

Tel Aviv is not, and has never been, Israel's capital. Trying to claim otherwise is biased. That may be where other countries locate their embassies/consulates to avoid the thorny issue of the status of a divided/indivisible Jerusalem as Israel and/or future Palestinian capital.

As a straight news item - Israel is Jerusalem's capital.
As a piece of foreign policy for the US - it's a much more complicated question (see my prior response).

It would be biased if the BBC took Israel's position on Jerusalem and ignoring the Palestinian position on Isreal. See, bias means you favor one position over the other. Being neutral, which in news is what BBC strives for, means that the Palestinian and the Israeli claim to Jerusalem are both acknowledged.

268 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:40:50am

Heh...

269 jvic  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:42:26am

re: #251 Killgore Trout

I think that's become part of the problem. I think it's a lot harder for these dictators to find a safe place to retire than it used to be. They have to hang on to the bitter end, it's their only choice.

For exactly this reason, I was aghast when Pinochet was arrested.

270 jaunte  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:43:44am

Pat Buchanan has a racial sad today:

"Race, age and ethnicity are at the heart of the problem. And they portend not only the party’s death in California, but perhaps its destiny in the rest of America."

"Say goodbye to the Golden Land."

"This year could be the last hurrah."

"Of the seven mega-states, California, New York and Illinois appear lost to the GOP. Pennsylvania has not gone Republican since 1988. Ohio and Florida, both crucial, are now swing states. Whites have become a minority in Texas. When Texas goes, America goes."

"Republicans acquiesced in the importation of a new electorate that may provide the decisive votes to send the party to the ash heap of history."

(from a piece published today in Human Events)

271 blueraven  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:43:45am

Dow breaks 13000

272 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:44:48am

re: #271 blueraven

Dow breaks 13000

273 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:44:56am

re: #271 blueraven

Dow breaks 13000

COMMUNISM.

274 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:46:02am

re: #273 Varek Raith

COMMUNISM.

The Soviet judges are not amused.

275 HappyWarrior  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:46:34am

re: #270 jaunte

Pat Buchanan has a racial sad today:

(from a piece published today in Human Events)

Of course, Pat conveniently ignores that the GOP has gone out of its way to alienate minority voters. Nominee, Mr. self-deport and claim the NAACP members only want free stuff reenforces that but hey let's cry about how the country is changing and we don't like it. Mr. Buchanan should know as an American Catholic that there was hostility to Catholics for many of the same reason people have hostility towards Latinos and other immigrant groups but he engages in this nonetheless.

276 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:48:14am

re: #246 Learned Mother of Zion

Everybody knows the capital of Israel is Miami Beach.
//

No, it's the capital of Egypt!

277 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:48:44am

re: #270 jaunte

Pat Buchanan has a racial sad today:

(from a piece published today in Human Events)

Pat Buchanan puts the BIG in bigotry.

278 HappyWarrior  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:49:06am

Pat Buchanan yet another fine legacy of Nixon.

279 jaunte  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:49:55am

re: #277 darthstar

"When Texas goes, America goes."

We're DOOMED!

280 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:50:45am

Oy...Rick Santorum shows he's got a soft spot for pedophiles and the institutions that protect them.

281 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:51:03am

re: #270 jaunte

Pat Buchanan has a racial sad today:

(from a piece published today in Human Events)

So afraid they (bigoted, smug white pricks) might get treated like they have treated them (every other fucking person other than bigoted, white slobs) all these years. Cry me a river.

282 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:51:20am

Ah, I almost forgot about my favorite Olympic tradition: Athletes from oppressive regimes defecting.
Embassy denies Sudan runner applied for UK asylum

The Sudanese Embassy in London on Friday denied that one of its Olympic runners had applied for asylum in the U.K.
...
The male Olympian reportedly showed up Tuesday night at the Bridewell Police Station near the northern English city of Leeds. A number of countries have training camps in the area, including the Chinese.

283 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:54:52am

re: #282 Killgore Trout

Ah, I almost forgot about my favorite Olympic tradition: Athletes from oppressive regimes defecting.
Embassy denies Sudan runner applied for UK asylum

I remember when members of Cuba and the Soviet Union used to defect during the Olympics. Such fond memories :)

284 HappyWarrior  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:56:52am

re: #280 darthstar

Oy...Rick Santorum shows he's got a soft spot for pedophiles and the institutions that protect them.

Given Santorum's ties to PSU, it's no shock that he's defending them. Santorum probably is one of these idiots who is blaming Sandusky's pedophila on homosexuality and tolerance of it.

285 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:57:01am

re: #283 NJDhockeyfan

I remember when members of Cuba and the Soviet Union used to defect during the Olympics. Such fond memories :)

It'll be interesting to see what happens this time. We might get a few cubans, North Koreans or maybe even an Iranian. Let the games begin!

286 wrenchwench  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:57:15am

re: #270 jaunte

Pat Buchanan has a racial sad today:

(from a piece published today in Human Events)

I hope he lives long enough to see the whole country become minority-white, and remain prosperous and well-ruled under anything but the Republican Party as we know it. And then when he's a very miserable, very old man, he can die.

287 HappyWarrior  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:58:31am

re: #286 wrenchwench

I hope he lives long enough to see the whole country become minority-white, and remain prosperous and well-ruled under anything but the Republican Party as we know it. And then when he's a very miserable, very old man, he can die.

Already a bonus that we elected a black guy president. Maybe in the near future we can elect a Jewish woman and really get Pat going (Pat claimed that there were too many Jews on the court)

288 Big Joe  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:58:52am

Even Rove Throws Up His Hands

Karl Rove on Mitt’s Olympic fail: “You have to shake your head.”

289 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 9:59:07am

re: #286 wrenchwench

I hope he lives long enough to see the whole country become minority-white, and remain prosperous and well-ruled under anything but the Republican Party as we know it. And then when he's a very miserable, very old man, he can die.

On a reservation.

290 kirkspencer  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:00:29am

re: #195 Shiplord Kirel

Willard went to London and tried to play two of his strongest cards, Obama's sometimes tone-deaf relationship with Britain, and his own Olympic organizing experience. The result was a complete fiasco. The GOP trainwreck continues apace. It rather reminds me of the Nevada Tea Party a couple of years ago, who managed to nominate the only person in the state who could not beat Harry Reid.

The difference being the GOP didn't seem to have anyone on the bench who could beat Obama. Romney was the 'most likely', even with Huntsman in consideration

291 HappyWarrior  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:00:45am

re: #288 Big Joe

Even Rove Throws Up His Hands

Karl Rove on Mitt’s Olympic fail: “You have to shake your head.”

Well, Rove may be a right wing hack but he's not afraid to call out his own side when they act like idiots. Like when he stated that the crazy candidates that the GOP ran in Nevada, Delaware, and Colorado pretty much cost them the Senate majority. He's a creep but he's capable of being intellectually honest about politics if nudged enough.

292 allegro  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:02:47am

re: #270 jaunte

Race, age and ethnicity are at the heart of the problem.

Yeah, that's the problem. Not hateful racist, misogynist, theocratic social policies. Not middle class destroying, crony capitalist economic policies. It isn't because Republicans put party before country time and again. It isn't because they refuse to do their jobs of helping the U.S. better serve its citizens and instead waste their time and our money trying to tear down the country's elected President.

Of course - it's so clear. It's the fault of those of us who are the wrong race, wrong age, and wrong ethnicity.

293 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:06:59am

"Republicans acquiesced in the importation of a new electorate that may provide the decisive votes to send the party to the ash heap of history."

Importation rather than immigration? Pat made a strange choice of words there since they mean different things.

294 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:07:54am

re: #282 Killgore Trout

Ah, I almost forgot about my favorite Olympic tradition: Athletes from oppressive regimes defecting.
Embassy denies Sudan runner applied for UK asylum

I'm sure the gold medal would have gone to the North Korean soccer team, until some idiot put their faces next to the South Korean flag before their first game.

295 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:08:43am

re: #283 NJDhockeyfan

I remember when members of Cuba and the Soviet Union used to defect during the Olympics. Such fond memories :)

Too bad the Soviet Union isn't playing this year...except in the eyes of TeamRomney. I love watching Olga Korbut bending over on the balance beam.

296 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:11:21am

re: #284 HappyWarrior

Given Santorum's ties to PSU, it's no shock that he's defending them. Santorum probably is one of these idiots who is blaming Sandusky's pedophila on homosexuality and tolerance of it.

One of my ski house mates is a PS grad...he keeps trying to say Joe Paterno's getting a bad rap and his statue shouldn't have been torn down due to all the great work he did for forty years...I just said "He knew a guy was fucking kids and did nothing about it." End of conversation.

297 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:12:32am
298 Sheila Broflovski  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:14:30am

re: #295 darthstar

Too bad the Soviet Union isn't playing this year...except in the eyes of TeamRomney. I love watching Olga Korbut bending over on the balance beam.

I wonder what she looks like today.

299 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:14:52am

re: #295 darthstar

I love watching Olga Korbut bending over on the balance beam.

That had been burned in to my brain for 40 years.

300 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:15:29am

re: #298 Learned Mother of Zion

I wonder what she looks like today.

Image: Olga-Korbut-9368378-1-402.jpg

301 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:15:40am

re: #298 Learned Mother of Zion

I wonder what she looks like today.

[Link: www.biography.com...]

302 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:17:25am

So Romney thinks the Arab spring was a bad thing?

303 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:19:08am

re: #302 darthstar

[Embedded content]

So Romney thinks the Arab spring was a bad thing?

He's been listening to Frank Gafney I guess.

304 Sheila Broflovski  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:19:24am

re: #300 darthstar

Image: Olga-Korbut-9368378-1-402.jpg

:) Does she still work out? She's about my age, and I'm full of arthritis. Maybe regular exercise might have prevented it, or accelerated it.

305 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:19:30am

re: #302 darthstar

you mean it could have been avoided had we invaded ALL of the middle east?

and of course it was a bad thing since Obama supported it.

306 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:19:53am

Gun Owners of America Director Suggests Armed Citizens Could Have Stopped Holocaust, Warns of Post-Colorado Shooting Gun Control

Gun Owners of America executive director Larry Pratt, who earlier this week floated the theory that the Colorado theater shooting was an inside job aimed at promoting gun control, was back on the press circuit today. In an interview with Iowa radio host Steve Deace, Pratt urged listeners to compare the dozen deaths in the Aurora movie theater with the millions of deaths in Nazi concentration camps – deaths which he claims occurred because the Nazi government had taken away the guns of the German populace, preventing them from “shooting back”:

308 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:21:42am

40 years ago...

Image: olga.jpg

309 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:22:14am

re: #302 darthstar

So Romney thinks the Arab spring was a bad thing?

No doubt. The general rule is that the right-wing -- as well as neocons -- would prefer to see a "secular" dictator in power rather than take the chances of say the Muslim Brotherhood taking over. That's how we ended up creating Saddam Hussein.

310 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:24:45am

re: #306 Kragar

Gun Owners of America Director Suggests Armed Citizens Could Have Stopped Holocaust, Warns of Post-Colorado Shooting Gun Control

He would know...

In October 1992, at Estes Park, Colorado, Pratt addressed a three-day meeting of neo-Nazis and Christian Identity adherents organized by Pete Peters in the wake of the Ruby Ridge incident. Pratt shared the stage with Richard Butler and Louis Beam. In 1994, Pratt unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Nevada State Assembly as a Libertarian, winning 27% of the vote.

311 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:25:20am

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Senate Nominee Shorting U.S. Treasury Bonds, Would Profit From Government Default

The Republican nominee in Ohio’s Senate race stands to reap a significant financial windfall if the government defaults by not raising the debt ceiling, a move he opposed last year and has indicated he would vote against if elected to the Senate.

According to personal financial disclosure documents examined by ThinkProgress, Josh Mandel’s wife owns an undisclosed amount of ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury exchange-traded fund (ETF). This ETF aggressively “shorts” U.S. Treasury bills, meaning that it bets against U.S. debt and spikes when Treasury bill values drop. If a default were to occur, the desirability of Treasury bills would plummet and Mandel’s ETF would skyrocket in value.

That precise scenario could become more likely if Mandel wins his race against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). One of the top issues Mandel lists on his website is to “Stop increasing the debt ceiling.” Similarly, when Congress was embroiled in the debt ceiling fight last year, he stated that he “would have voted against the debt deal” that narrowly staved off a default.

Mandel and his wife’s personal financial disclosure form shows an investment of up to $1,001 in the Treasury-shorting ETF (highlighted in yellow):

In addition, it appears as though Mandel’s wife may own up to $15,000 in additional holdings that bet against U.S. Treasury bonds. As shown below, Mandel lists on page 18 ownership of up to $15,000 of “ProShares Trust Ultrashort (Bond).” Though this is not the name of a specific asset (and thus means the Ohio Republican did not file a complete form) ThinkProgress spoke with a representative from ProShares who noted that they only provide four “ultrashort” bond funds — 20+ year Treasury, 7-10 year Treasury, 3-7 year Treasury, and Treasury inflation protected securities — all of which short Treasury bills.

Though Mandel’s Treasury-shorting holdings may not be gigantic at the moment, their value would soar in the event of a debt default.

312 gwangung  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:25:23am

re: #310 Gus

He would know...

In October 1992, at Estes Park, Colorado, Pratt addressed a three-day meeting of neo-Nazis and Christian Identity adherents organized by Pete Peters in the wake of the Ruby Ridge incident. Pratt shared the stage with Richard Butler and Louis Beam. In 1994, Pratt unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Nevada State Assembly as a Libertarian, winning 27% of the vote.

Ahem. 27%.

313 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:25:36am

re: #310 Gus

He would know...

In October 1992, at Estes Park, Colorado, Pratt addressed a three-day meeting of neo-Nazis and Christian Identity adherents organized by Pete Peters in the wake of the Ruby Ridge incident. Pratt shared the stage with Richard Butler and Louis Beam. In 1994, Pratt unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Nevada State Assembly as a Libertarian, winning 27% of the vote.

More:

In the 1996 U.S. presidential election, Pratt served as a co-chairman of Pat Buchanan's campaign. In February 1996, the liberal Center for Public Integrity issued a report that claimed Pratt spoke at meetings organized by white supremacist and militia leaders. Pratt denied any tie to racism, calling the report a smear aimed at hurting Buchanan before the New Hampshire primary election. However, Pratt was forced to resign his position with the Buchanan campaign.

314 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:26:00am

re: #310 Gus

He would know...

In October 1992, at Estes Park, Colorado, Pratt addressed a three-day meeting of neo-Nazis and Christian Identity adherents organized by Pete Peters in the wake of the Ruby Ridge incident. Pratt shared the stage with Richard Butler and Louis Beam. In 1994, Pratt unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Nevada State Assembly as a Libertarian, winning 27% of the vote.

So Prat lives up to his name.

315 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:30:10am

re: #311 Kragar

He must be taking lessons from that true patriot Eric Cantor.

316 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:30:46am
317 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:30:59am

Meet the 'Patriots'

Out of the Barrel of a Gun
Larry Pratt, 67

When it comes to sniffing out sinister plots to disarm gun owners, Larry Pratt and the Gun Owners of America (GOA) are constantly on the lookout.

Health care reform? It's a plot to take your guns, according to the GOA website.

Environmentalism? You guessed it — another plot to take your guns. At the Ninth Annual Freedom 21 Conference in Texas in 2008, Pratt warned that "the major goal of the sustainable development movement is to disarm Americans."

Pratt, the GOA's executive director, was scheduled to speak at the "Second Amendment March" in Washington, D.C., this April 19. The event, which the GOA helped sponsor, was designed to let politicians know they had better not support anti-gun legislation. Patriot and other radical groups were also expected to participate.

There's one tiny problem. There's no evidence that the government is plotting to strip citizens of their guns. President Obama has even signed legislation allowing guns in national parks and on Amtrak trains. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has given Obama an "F" on every issue on which it graded him.

But that's not stopping the hard-line GOA, which claims more than 300,000 members and doesn't believe in any gun restrictions at all. When armed citizens began appearing outside presidential events, Pratt addressed it in a column on the GOA website. "There are those who don't like Americans owning guns at all, let alone carrying them openly. They can be counted on to run around squawking like Chicken Little that the sky is falling."

Pratt may be the figure most responsible for introducing the militia concept to the radical right. He authored Armed People Victorious in 1990. Based on this study of "citizen defense patrols" in the Philippines and Guatemala — groups that became more commonly known as death squads — Pratt offered a flattering portrayal and promoted militias for the United States.

Two years later, in 1992, he was invited to a Colorado meeting where the outlines of the militia movement were shaped. More than 150 extremists attended the meeting, which was hosted by a white supremacist minister. In 1996, Pratt was ejected from the co-chairmanship of Pat Buchanan's presidential campaign over such associations with white supremacists.

318 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:32:46am

Romney talks Eastern Europe Missile Defense, Eastern Europe asks why?

One example Romney constantly holds up is the Obama administration’s decision to cancel land-based missile defense systems in Europe and instead focus on ship-borne systems and interceptor radars placed directly in the Middle East. Obama’s spurning “began with the sudden abandonment of friends in Poland and the Czech Republic,” Romney said at his VFW speech this week. “They had courageously agreed to provide sites for our anti-missile systems, only to be told, at the last hour, that the agreement was off.”

But it turns out that the Eastern European allies themselves don’t feel so spurned by President Obama’s decision, and some even support the new plan put in place. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal in Washington on Thursday, Slovakian foreign minister Miroslav Lajcak, who is also a deputy prime minister, said changing missile defense plans was a non-issue for his government:

People have moved on. We are in a different situation now. We are discussing a different project. I see no reason to revisit discussions from three years back.

In fact, this has been a non-issue for quite sometime. The Polish foreign minister said at the time of the new missile defense configuration announcement: “When President Obama announced the new configuration of the system, we did say that we liked the new configuration better, but I think you didn’t believe us.”

319 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:33:29am
320 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:34:28am

re: #319 Varek Raith

Because Soviet Union.

"WE HAVE TO STOP THEM FROM PUTTING FLUORIDE IN THE WATER!"

321 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:35:08am

The end of the Cold War must've been devastating to the Neo Cons.

322 gwangung  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:36:13am

re: #318 Kragar

Romney talks Eastern Europe Missile Defense, Eastern Europe asks why?

Hee hee....is this the spot for another Romney gaffe, in Poland?

323 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:37:19am

re: #321 Varek Raith

The end of the Cold War must've been devastating to the Neo Cons.

Was just thinking about that. Mr. Gorbachev finally "tore down those walls" and the war lusting right wingers had a sad ever since. They still can't stop yapping about some alleged threat from China. War, war, war, is always on their mind. Most of these people have never been to a war.

324 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:37:35am

Christ, its like its fucking amateur hour at the Romney Campaign.

Romney Foreign Policy Adviser Attacks Obama’s ‘Czechoslovakia’ Policy

The Romney campaign organized a conference call today with three of Romney’s foreign policy advisers to push back. During the call, Romney adviser Ambassador Pierre Prosper attacked President Obama for dealing with Russia, albeit using geographical terms from the Cold War era:

PROSPER: The United States has become a spectator on issues of national security. We’ve also been embarrassed by North Korea where again it continues to be a conciliatory leaning forward approach and yet the North Koreans will launch a missile surprising the United States by violating their agreement.

You know Russia is another example where we give and Russia gets and we get nothing in return. The United States abandoned its missile defense sites in Poland and Czechoslovakia, yet Russia does nothing but obstruct us, or efforts in Iran and Syria.

Aside from the fact that “Czechoslovakia” broke up into the Czech Republic and Slovakia nearly 20 years ago, the Obama administration never “abandoned” missile defense sites because they were never there to begin with. Back in 2009, Obama decided to replace plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe and, as one expert noted at the time, “replac[e] it with a more technologically-promising” one.

325 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:37:59am

re: #321 Varek Raith

The end of the Cold War must've been devastating to the Neo Cons.

IT ENDED!?!?!?!

326 Big Joe  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:39:31am

re: #324 Kragar

Christ, its like its fucking amateur hour at the Romney Campaign.

Romney Foreign Policy Adviser Attacks Obama’s ‘Czechoslovakia’ Policy

Well, at least he didn't call Russia the USSR.

327 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:40:02am

Yep, it's 1989.

328 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:40:19am
329 Obdicut  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:41:20am

re: #324 Kragar

That's from months ago, but it's a good one.

330 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:41:30am

And this was the best the GOP could muster.

331 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:42:16am

re: #330 Varek Raith

And this was the best the GOP could muster.

332 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:42:50am

re: #329 Obdicut

That's from months ago, but it's a good one.

Its background for the first article I posted.

333 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:42:55am

Of course that's not exactly true because with or without Romney the Republican Party is sick in the head.

334 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:43:35am

re: #333 Gus

Of course that's not exactly true because with or without Romney the Republican Party is sick in the head.

DAMN SOVIETS!

335 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:44:34am

re: #334 Varek Raith

DAMN SOVIETS!

Fire up the Voodoos and Super Sabres we've got Migs inbound!!

336 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:44:50am

Controversial Gay-Parenting Study Is Severely Flawed, Journal’s Audit Finds

The study’s author, Mark Regnerus, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, even made the cover of The Weekly Standard. In the illustration, he is strapped to a Catherine wheel that’s being tended by masked torturers.

Like Regnerus, the editor of Social Science Research, James D. Wright, has been at the receiving end of an outpouring of anger over the paper. At the suggestion of another scholar, Wright, a professor of sociology at the University of Central Florida, assigned a member of the journal’s editorial board—Darren E. Sherkat, a professor of sociology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale—to examine how the paper was handled.

Sherkat was given access to all the reviews and correspondence connected with the paper, and was told the identities of the reviewers. According to Sherkat, Regnerus’s paper should never have been published. His assessment of it, in an interview, was concise: “It’s bullshit,” he said.

337 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:44:57am
338 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:45:31am

re: #335 Gus

Fire up the Voodoos and Super Sabres we've got Migs inbound!!

It's like we've gone back in time...

339 HappyWarrior  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:45:48am

This isn't the first time they've said Czechoslovakia. Good grief. One time I can understand but they're repeatedly doing this. Morons have no consideration of European geopolitics whatsoever.

340 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:46:53am

re: #335 Gus

Fire up the Voodoos and Super Sabres we've got Migs inbound!!

TO THE STARFIGHTERS, MEN!

341 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:47:30am

re: #317 Gus

Meet the 'Patriots'

When all you have is a hammer ...

342 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:48:14am

re: #338 Varek Raith

It's like we've gone back in time...

Romney's already engaging in sabre rattling and he's not even president. Yeah. The same Romney that went to a French mansion to play "missionary" instead of going off to fight in Vietnam which he allegedly supported. SNAFU. Same old GOP from years gone by.

343 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:48:20am

re: #306 Kragar

The ever delightful GOA... for those who think the NRA is composed of liberal gun grabbers.

344 Gus  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:50:30am

re: #340 Kragar

TO THE STARFIGHTERS, MEN!

[Embedded content]

Image: Century-series-edwards-2.jpg

345 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:50:30am

re: #340 Kragar

Go ahead, lick it!

346 HappyWarrior  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:51:18am

I'm waiting for one of Romney's advisers to make a stupid remark about the Balkans and former Yugoslavia.

347 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:51:58am

re: #345 Varek Raith

Go ahead, lick it!

"You are so the only girl around."

348 Interesting Times  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:52:50am
349 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:55:26am

re: #347 Kragar

That movie was so pointless.

350 simoom  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:58:59am

Tampa Bay Times - Jim Greer denounces Florida Republican Party officials as liars, 'right-wing crazies' in deposition

TALLAHASSEE — In a wide-ranging deposition that spanned two days in late May, former Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer denounced some party officials as liars and "whack-a-do, right-wing crazies'' as he described turmoil in the months before his resignation.

Greer said some GOP leaders were meeting to discuss ways they could suppress black votes while others were constantly scheming against each other.

...

Greer's testimony offers a window into the level of animosity that exists between Greer and the party he once ran.

• Greer said "the party was in turmoil" as officials wanted to get rid of him and former Gov. Charlie Crist because they disagreed with some of Crist's decisions, including the appointment of a liberal African-American judge to the Florida Supreme Court, Crist's endorsement of John McCain for president in 2008 and the hug Crist gave President Barack Obama in 2009. "My phone lit up with people wanting me to censure the governor,'' Greer said. "The tea party came into existence. There was a feeling within the party that the tea party was just a bunch of whack-a-dos."

...

Greer's animosity was evident on almost every page of the deposition as he described the inner workings of a party that has controlled Florida since 1998.

On voter suppression, Greer said he had just completed a December 2009 meeting with party general counsel Jason Gonzalez, political consultant Jim Rimes and Eric Eikenberg, Crist's chief of staff, when questions arose about fundraising.

"I was upset because the political consultants and staff were talking about voter suppression and keeping blacks from voting. It had been one of those days,'' he said.

Rimes said he recalls no discussion of suppressing votes at any meeting. Eikenberg did not return phone calls.

351 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 10:59:09am

re: #335 Gus

Fire up the Voodoos and Super Sabres we've got Migs inbound!!

WOLVERINES!

352 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:00:53am

Karl Rove: Romney Blew It In London

Karl Rove said Mitt Romney’s London Olympics gaffe is not “a big deal” in the grand scheme of things, but the veteran Republican strategist is nonetheless one more political observer scratching his head at Romney’s mistake.

The takeaway from Romney’s big blunder seems to be not his knock on London’s preparedness specifically, but that he managed to blow what was seemingly an un-blowable opportunity. Politicos ranging from Charles Krauthammer to Harry Reid have expressed utter amazement that Romney could have blown what was in the end, a glorified photo op.

353 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:04:18am
354 Kragar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:07:36am

Colbert Mocks Mitt’s Foreign Trip: ‘Keep Up The Charm Offensive!’

Colbert urged Romney to “stay strong.”

“Remember, your next stop is Israel. Keep up the charm offensive. I say you open your speech to the Knesset with, ‘America will always stand behind you and so will Jesus Christ. Now where can a boy get some baby-back ribs in Palestine?’”

355 simoom  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:07:54am

re: #350 simoom

[Link: blogs.miaminewtimes.com...]

In a recently released deposition from his ongoing criminal trial, Jim Greer, the former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, claims the party actively tried to find ways to get African Americans not to vote. He claims the party also squashed efforts at minority outreach, as they were not a good fit for the Republican Party of Florida.

Greer also made other shocking admissions, including that Charlie Crist started to view the rest of the party as "crazies" toward the end of his time as a Republican.

Greer is currently on trial for allegedly scheming to direct $100,000 from RPOF coffers into a shell company and eventually into his own pockets.

...

Charlie Crist apparently had become increasingly frustrated with the direction of his own party. Greer urged Crist to make better use party resources while he was running for Senate while still a Republican.

"He told me to f-- the party," he said. "They were a bunch of crazies. And they did nothing to win elections."

356 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:13:50am

re: #344 Gus

Image: Century-series-edwards-2.jpg

I think they have a full set (maybe missing the F-104) at the Wings Over the Rockies museum in Denver. Plus some other interesting stuff of course.

357 dragonath  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:14:47am

Does the Daily Caller have a finance blog now? Some goofy blog called the "Daily Ticker" is doomsaying over on Yahoo Finance and to top it off they put a poll at the end of the page asking if "you think Obamacare is good for America."

358 darthstar  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:16:23am
359 Bulworth  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:50:17am

Sorry if this has already been referenced, but--

[Link: www.balloon-juice.com...]

360 Bulworth  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 11:55:52am

Dan Riehl in 2009:

You may recall that on about his first day in office Obama returned a famous bust of Winston Churchill to Britain. That was seen as something of an insult to Britain by many. He gave the British Prime Minister tapes of his own hopey changey speeches, which many saw as egotistical but was also a statement of sorts, saying, you aren’t really so special, sport. Perhaps it’s the message in his speeches he actually wanted the PM to get? In the video below you’ll find that for Obama there was no bow to the Queen of England. His wife even broke protocol by reaching out to give her a pat at some point, as I recall…
This is a man who, unlike most Americans, doesn’t view Western Civilization as all that.

h/t Balloon Juice.

We have always been at war with the nation of Great Britain. //


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