Chief Justice Roberts Seems to Believe the South Has No Special Problem With Racism

Right wing trying to bring back discriminatory voting
Politics • Views: 33,749

Here goes the Republican Party’s latest serious attempt to get rid of that troublesome Voting Rights Act that they’ve hated with a special vitriol ever since it was enacted: Voting Rights Act Takes a Beating in the Supreme Court.

The right wing justices are sounding a lot like right wing bloggers.

A question posed by Chief Justice John Roberts to the Obama administration’s lawyer defending the Voting Rights Act captured the tenor of the proceedings.

“Is it the government’s submission that citizens in the South are more racist than citizens not in the South?” Roberts asked.

Is he kidding?

I’ve spent a lot of time in the South, and while there are plenty of great non-racist people living there, to say that the South has no special problems with racism is absolutely beyond ludicrous.

This is what happens when conservatives get a chance to stack the Supreme Court with right wingers.

UPDATE at 2/27/13 12:08:12 pm

Antonin Scalia also got into the fray, sounding like a Free Republic commenter:

Justice Antonin Scalia attributed the continued congressional reauthorization to the “perpetuation of racial entitlement” and suggested that it will be renewed endlessly because members of Congress would never let it lapse for fear for political repercussions.

“I don’t think there is anything to be gained by any Senator to vote against continuation of this act,” Scalia said. “They are going to lose votes if they do not reenact the Voting Rights Act. Even the name of it is wonderful — the Voting Rights Act. Who is going to vote against that in the future?”

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429 comments
1 Interesting Times  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:07:56am

Posted these downstairs, but they’re far more fitting here:

2 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:08:04am

Obviously, he’s never lived in the South. I hate to rag on my neighbors but there is a lot of residual prejudice still left here. Now and a hat tip to Lawhawk here but states and regions can be backed out of Section 5 if they show they’ve complied with the federal law. So this idea that it’s prejudiced against the South is silly.

3 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:08:47am
4 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:09:15am

re: #2 HappyWarrior

Obviously, he’s never lived in the South. I hate to rag on my neighbors but there is a lot of residual prejudice still left here.

As someone who has lived both in the North and the South I can UNEQUIVOCALLY say the scars of racism run MUCH deeper down here.

5 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:09:25am

OT, repost from downstairs:

Condo association ‘considering’ allowing veteran to fly U.S. flag again

This is why hate these kinds of associations with a passion. God help me if I ever have to live under one.

6 Interesting Times  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:10:21am
7 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:10:50am

Reposted from below (and a few additional comments to follow):

Considering that the VRA was wholeheartedly reauthorized for 25 years by what is tantamount to unanimous support by Congress in 2006 (98-0 in Senate; 390-33 in House), that the Court is now looking to gut Section 5 looks a whole lot like legislating from the bench.

However, the current composition of Congress makes reauthorization or fixing the VRA a remote possibility because of GOP obstinacy.

Section 5 is designed to thwart the reemergence of the very problems that required the VRA in the first place. Preclearance helps prevent jurisdictions from imposing onerous requirements and thwart minority voting.

But the GOP has been trying to get rid of preclearance for a while, and their voter ID requirements have gained traction in much of the country.

So, what would happen if the preclearance provisions were eliminated? For starters, these jurisdictions would be able to impose various restrictions and theoretically limit voter access to the polls - and the only recourse would be after the fact - after they’ve been disenfranchised. While those who are disenfranchised have recourse, it’s only after they’ve had the rights trampled.

Thing is that these states and jurisdictions can bail out of the preclearance if they can show that they’ve remedied the issues and complied with the VRA for the preceding 10 years.

In other words, if those jurisdictions adhered to the law and didn’t engage in discriminatory actions, they could essentially come out from under Section 5 review. Some jurisdictions have done just that, so it shows that it can be done. Those states that continue to see it applied haven’t.

8 Skip Intro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:10:58am

re: #1 Interesting Times

Posted these downstairs, but they’re far more fitting here:

Antonin Scalia has settled into a nice gig: A right-wing talk radio host sitting on the Supreme Court.

And like his hero Limbaugh, he even has his own black stooge named Thomas to agree with everything he says.

9 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:11:36am

This is the Republican Party.

10 GunstarGreen  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:11:38am

I’ve been in a number of places in my life. Only in those south of the mason-dixon line have my new neighbors ever greeted me with “watch out for the N****** down the street” with a completely straight face.

What racism?!

11 Randall Gross  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:11:57am

Perhaps we can take Justice Roberts on a tour of rural Missouri so he can see the lawn jockeys and confederate flags that are considered acceptable home decoration there.

12 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:12:50am
13 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:13:24am

re: #10 GunstarGreen

I’ve been in a number of places in my life. Only in those south of the mason-dixon line have my new neighbors ever greeted me with “watch out for the N****** down the street” with a completely straight face.

What racism?!

To tell you the truth I saw more racism in Ct when I lived there than here in Va.

14 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:14:01am

Really, one would start to think that the Southern states were the only ones that practiced slavery and enacted Jim Crow laws…

15 erik_t  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:14:12am
“The Marshall Plan was very good too,” Kennedy said. “But times change.”

Not a single thing on Earth would better improve the United States economy and welfare of its citizens than a huge deficit-funded infrastructure package applied to our own fifty states.

16 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:14:24am

We need to remember that people in the South were willing to kill to prevent blacks from registering to vote. You can say the North was just as bad blah blah but Schwerner, Goodman, and Chaney would not have been murdered and by the police no less in a Northern town. I’m proud to be a Virginian- we are the state of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison after all but I am not proud that for the longest time we had racism legally sanctioned.

17 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:14:51am

re: #10 GunstarGreen

I’ve been in a number of places in my life. Only in those south of the mason-dixon line have my new neighbors ever greeted me with “watch out for the N****** down the street” with a completely straight face.

What racism?!

There’s plenty of racism in the North, too. The weirdness in all this is that race-based voter suppression, where it’s occurring, is backed by the actual GOP. The actions of governors to try to limit voting was aimed at minority populations that vote for Democrats.

Even if the problems with race discrimination in the South when it comes to voting were matched in the North, that’d just be an argument for expansion of the Voting Rights Act.

18 erik_t  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:15:30am
“I don’t think there is anything to gain by any senator by voting against this Act,” Scalia said. “This is not the kind of question you can leave to Congress. They’re going to lose votes if they vote against the Voting Rights Act. Even the name is wonderful.”

WOOOO P.A.T.R.I.O.T. ACT!!!!1

A pox on this man’s alleged service to this country.

19 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:15:31am
20 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:15:46am

A day of contrasts.

21 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:16:10am

re: #17 Glenn Beck’s Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut

If black people would only stop voting so predominantly against the GOP, they would have a lot less reason to want to suppress them…

22 mr.fusion  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:16:24am

If there is racism in the South it’s totally counter-balanced by all the reverse racism #victims

///

23 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:16:32am
24 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:17:06am

re: #19 Gus

She would have been 100 years old on the 4th. Thanks Rosa for your courage. Hard not to think of my Dad’s dad too who taught my aunts and uncles at an early age that prejudice because of race was wrong. I never knew him but he’s still the greatest political role model I have.

25 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:17:40am

re: #13 NJDhockeyfan

To tell you the truth I saw more racism in Ct when I lived there than here in Va.

However, Connecticut has 4 white supremacist or other white power hate groups, and Virginia has 30.

[Link: www.splcenter.org…]

26 Varek Raith  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:18:51am
“Is it the government’s submission that citizens in the South are more racist than citizens not in the South?”

Was that rhetorical or do you want an actual answer, chief?

27 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:20:31am
“Is it the government’s submission that citizens in the South are more racist than citizens not in the South?”

Well, it’s obvious all those fucking Confederate Flags flying everywhere are just fashion statements.

Stupid racist dick. Activist judge indeed.

28 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:20:51am

Look, there’s a path for these jurisdictions to no longer be subject to Section 5. It’s called getting a bail out and complying with the law for 10 years.

These states and jurisdictions aren’t on the Section 5 list permanently. They can get themselves out of trouble by cleaning up their act.

All you have to do is look at the bailout jurisdictions to see it can be done. That’s the ultimate remedy to states, not gutting Section 5.

29 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:21:16am
They’re going to lose votes if they vote against the Voting Rights Act.

And….?

Is it against the law, the Constitution and all that’s holy for a member of Congress to lose votes based their support or opposition to legislation?

Just when you think they can’t dig any deeper, they keep going.

30 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:21:38am

re: #28 lawhawk

Look, there’s a path for these jurisdictions to no longer be subject to Section 5. It’s called getting a bail out and complying with the law for 10 years.

These states and jurisdictions aren’t on the Section 5 list permanently. They can get themselves out of trouble by cleaning up their act.

All you have to do is look at the bailout jurisdictions to see it can be done. That’s the ultimate remedy to states, not gutting Section 5.

As usual, well said.

31 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:21:54am

Countdown until Scalia mentions the New Black Panthers outside polling stations.

32 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:22:34am

re: #29 Bulworth

And….?

Is it against the law, the Constitution and all that’s holy for a member of Congress to lose votes based their support or opposition to legislation?

Just when you think they can’t dig any deeper, they keep going.

Let’s face it. Scalia is and always has been an activist judge. The right just accepts it because he advocates for their ideology.

33 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:24:27am

re: #25 Glenn Beck’s Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut

However, Connecticut has 4 white supremacist or other white power hate groups, and Virginia has 30.

[Link: www.splcenter.org…]

Not every racist joins hate groups. I’m talking about people I know or knew back then. I rarely see examples of racism around here and I’ve been here for 23 years. In Ct back in the 80s it was all over the place along with anti-Semites. I am in a great area of Virginia.

34 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:25:33am

Drawing from Stocusblog:

Despite claims by opponents to the contrary, abolishing the preclearance requirement does not end federal oversight of elections; instead, it simply shifts some voter discrimination challenges from preclearance to after-the-fact lawsuits. Even if an electoral process was pre-cleared, nothing precludes a lawsuit against a jurisdiction for a violation under Section 2 of the VRA or the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendment.

Ellen Katz, a law professor at the University of Michigan, led an extensive study of Section 2 violations of the VRA from 1982 to 2004. While Section 5 requires preclearance for voting changes, Section 2 allows a plaintiff to challenge a law after adoption. Importantly, Section 2 applies to all jurisdictions, not just “covered” ones. While not a perfect parallel, Section 2’s universal coverage allows comparisons in voter discrimination between “covered” and “non-covered” jurisdictions. Professor Katz’s study showed some stark differences between “covered’ and “non-covered” jurisdictions. Of the Section 2 lawsuits that ended with merit-based decisions, 46.4% originated in covered jurisdictions. Yet, out of the 89,476 jurisdictions in the United States, only about 12,000 (13.4%) are “covered” jurisdictions. When the percentage of “covered” jurisdictions is factored in, a covered jurisdiction was more than five-and-a-half times as likely to be sued for a Section 2 violation of minority voting rights. Further, published Section 2 lawsuits are only a portion of all Section 2 claims filed; many claims are settled without a published opinion. When published and unpublished cases are combined, eighty-one percent of the cases that resulted in favorable outcomes for minority voters originated in “covered” jurisdictions. When the percentage of “covered” jurisdictions is factored, a favorable outcome for minority voters in Section 2 claims was nearly twenty-eight times more likely to occur in a “covered” jurisdiction.

It should be remembered that the preclearance requirement blocks much of the voter discrimination that would constitute aSection 2 violation, and it also acts as a deterrent. Many proposed electoral laws are withdrawn because the DOJ would likely refuse clearance. Other changes to voting practices were modified in a dialogue between the DOJ and covered jurisdictions. In the absence of Section 5, covered jurisdictions would likely be subjected to even more voter discrimination suits.

[Link: www.scotusblog.com…]


In other words, the GOP is coming up with a new way to waste shitloads of money while suppressing the minority vote at the same time.

35 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:25:35am

The party of Lincoln. Hahahahaha!

36 Varek Raith  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:25:54am
While the 16 jurisdictions affected by Section 5 represent only 25 percent of the nation’s population, they still represent more than 80 percent of the lawsuits proving cases of voting discrimination.

[Link: www.washingtonpost.com…]

37 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:26:04am

Now, the argument can be made that the way to get a bailout includes items that are beyond the states’ control and are onerous, but that too is rebutted by the fact that other jurisdictions have successfully bailed out.

Here’s what is required for a bailout:

The successful “bailout” applicant must demonstrate that during the past ten years:

No test or device has been used within the jurisdiction for the purpose or with the effect of voting discrimination;
All changes affecting voting have been reviewed under Section 5 prior to their implementation;
No change affecting voting has been the subject of an objection by the Attorney General or the denial of a Section 5 declaratory judgment from the District of Columbia district court;
There have been no adverse judgments in lawsuits alleging voting discrimination;
There have been no consent decrees or agreements that resulted in the abandonment of a discriminatory voting practice;
There are no pending lawsuits that allege voting discrimination; and
Federal examiners have not been assigned;
There have been no violations of the Constitution or federal, state or local laws with respect to voting discrimination unless the jurisdiction establishes that any such violations were trivial, were promptly corrected, and were not repeated.

No pending lawsuits could be problematic for a state-wide jurisdiction seeking a bailout provision even if complying in other respects. But that doesn’t keep individual cities and localities from seeking their own bailout provisions. Virginia localities have shown that is possible.

Congress could eventually take up a reform of the bailout/preclearance provisions, but the Court’s potential cure (eliminating Section 5) is worse than the problem it seeks to fix.

38 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:26:32am

re: #27 Ghost of Tom Joad

Well, it’s obvious all those fucking Confederate Flags flying everywhere are just fashion statements.

Stupid racist dick. Activist judge indeed.

I like to travel to the Smoky Mountains when I get the chance. They are a days travel from where I am and I am continually enamored by their beauty.

In Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge you can find dozens of souvenir shops selling southern themed memorabilia, a lot of which features the confederate flag.

This was a t-shirt that stuck in my memory when I saw it up there.

39 SpaceJesus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:26:50am

[Link: tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com…]

40 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:26:53am

re: #33 NJDhockeyfan

Not every racist joins hate groups. I’m talking about people I know or knew back then. I rarely see examples of racism around here and I’ve been here for 23 years. In Ct back in the 80s it was all over the place along with anti-Semites. I am in a great area of Virginia.

I was in Connecticut back in the 80s, and I don’t recall this wave of racism.

Personal anecdote is pretty pointless. See the above thing I posted— racist voter discrimination, as demonstrated by lawsuits filed under the VRA, which is the best available proxy, is much more prevalent in the South than in the North.

41 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:28:10am

re: #39 SpaceJesus

[Link: tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com…]

I remember that. That truly is scary.

42 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:28:41am

“Is it the government’s submission that citizens in the South are more racist than citizens not in the South?”

You’re fucking goddamn right they are.

43 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:28:46am

re: #38 Eclectic Cyborg

I like to travel to the Smoky Mountains when I get the chance. They are a days travel from where I am and I am continually enamored by their beauty.

In Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge you can find dozens of souvenir shops selling southern themed memorabilia, a lot of which features the confederate flag.

This was a t-shirt that stuck in my memory when I saw it up there.

It is like any other word or symbol, not the thing itself that offends, but the manner and context in which it is presented.

44 Varek Raith  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:29:13am

re: #36 Varek Raith

[Link: www.washingtonpost.com…]

So, yeah.
The South still needs the feds to show them how not to do things.

45 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:29:54am

In my observations, I think the thing about racism is a lot of it has to do with urbanization and education. I don’t think it’s just age.

46 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:30:58am

re: #44 Varek Raith

So, yeah.
The South still needs the feds to show them how not to do things.

But states rights! And hell yeah I cringe when I hear that phrase since it’s been used to justify everything from slavery to lynching and state sanctioned discrimination.

47 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:31:11am
48 palomino  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:31:24am

The reactionary celebrations in the South if VRA Sec. 5 is overturned will be nauseating. But in no way racist.

49 erik_t  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:31:25am

re: #46 HappyWarrior

But states rights! And hell yeah I cringe when I hear that phrase since it’s been used to justify everything from slavery to lynching and state sanctioned discrimination.

People have rights. States don’t have rights. States can get bent.

50 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:31:51am

re: #40 Glenn Beck’s Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut

I was in Connecticut back in the 80s, and I don’t recall this wave of racism.

Personal anecdote is pretty pointless. See the above thing I posted— racist voter discrimination, as demonstrated by lawsuits filed under the VRA, which is the best available proxy, is much more prevalent in the South than in the North.

When I moved down here it wasn’t as racist as I was expecting. I took a lot of heat for moving down here from up north. I never did understand that. I always answered back ‘We are all Americans, stupid.’

51 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:32:29am

And the wingnut spambots start swarming Twitter.

52 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:33:38am

re: #46 HappyWarrior

But states rights! And hell yeah I cringe when I hear that phrase since it’s been used to justify everything from slavery to lynching and state sanctioned discrimination.

States rights are complete horseshit, since those who start screaming that are perfectly fine with a strong Federal government as long as it supports their opinion over states they disagree with. Look back at runaway slave laws. Where were the States rights for free states?

53 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:33:42am

re: #35 Gus

The party of Lincoln. Hahahahaha!

With all the Paultard and Neo-Confederate influences these days, I’m expecting the GOP to start openly comparing Lincoln to Hitler and bemoaning the fact that he “invaded” the South rather than let them vote on slavery.

No sarc, I’m being serious. The people gaining more of a foothold in the GOP are completely deranged.

54 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:33:44am

OT, but that new McDonald’s “Fishy fishy” advertising thing must DIE.

55 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:34:10am
56 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:34:17am

There is no liberty in using the state or local level to deny someone liberty which is exactly what was done in Jim Crow. That’s why it’s so laughable to hear that “states rights” is freedom. Like hell it is. When you rig the contest to ensure that minorities don’t get a say in representation, you are denying liberty and you are a fascist.

57 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:34:20am

Hey Chief Justice Roberts,

You’re a pretty smart guy, so I’m surprised to see that you’re ignoring that among the Section 5 jurisdictions are The Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn NY. It’s not merely a southern thing.

Racism occurs nationally. The need to protect voting rights is something that is needed nationally. That’s why the VRA was enacted in the first place, and special procedures put in place to deal with jurisdictions that have had historical issues with voting rights access.

Preclearance helps avoid further lawsuits and provides a mechanism to deal with potential disenfranchisement. Is the process perfect? Hardly, but that’s still better than the legislating from the bench that the Justice and his conservative cohorts are contemplating. And the burden on the courts in dealing with discrimination suits on voting disenfranchisement would only increase even more if the preclearance is removed.

58 palomino  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:34:22am

re: #33 NJDhockeyfan

Not every racist joins hate groups. I’m talking about people I know or knew back then. I rarely see examples of racism around here and I’ve been here for 23 years. In Ct back in the 80s it was all over the place along with anti-Semites. I am in a great area of Virginia.

You must not be in “real Virginia”, as noted civil rights activist and former Gov. and Sen. George Allen likes to call the VA hinterlands.

59 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:34:46am

re: #2 HappyWarrior

Obviously, he’s never lived in the South. I hate to rag on my neighbors but there is a lot of residual prejudice still left here. .

I’ve been in the South for over 20 years and I would disagree that it is “residual prejudice”. From my experience, which includes living in three different states and 5 cities, the prejudice and racism is innate.

60 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:34:54am

re: #55 Gus

Yeah Rosa Parks hated the Democratic Party so much that she worked for John Conyers.

61 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:34:54am

People need to remember that what you ‘see’ in terms of racism and what you ‘experience’ as racism are going to depend on what race you are perceived to be by the racists.

62 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:35:36am

re: #59 Dr. Matt

I’ve been in the South for over 20 years and I would disagree that it is “residual prejudice”. From my experience, which includes living in three different states and 5 cities, the prejudice and racism is innate.

True enough. Point is that racism is still a large part of the culture here.

63 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:35:52am

Except seeing the lawn jockeys and confederate flags. Everybody sees those.

64 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:36:37am

re: #61 wrenchwench

People need to remember that what you ‘see’ in terms of racism and what you ‘experience’ as racism are going to depend on what race you are perceived to be by the racists.

This is true.

65 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:37:17am

re: #62 HappyWarrior

True enough. Point is that racism is still a large part of the culture here.

I concur. When I moved to TN in 1991 I was shocked to see how racism was so open, frank, and accepted.

66 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:38:19am

re: #60 HappyWarrior

Yeah Rosa Parks hated the Democratic Party so much that she worked for John Conyers.

67 Varek Raith  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:39:51am
RosaParks Was GOP @MLKrepublican

Lol, delusional.

68 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:39:59am

re: #66 Gus

and MLK was yes a Republican until he saw how tepid Nixon and especially Goldwater were on that issue. It’s funny how they want to claim Parks and King as their own but support politicians and policies that spit on their legacies. The GOP in the 1960’s was by and large a good party on Civil Rights until they decided there was more votes to be gained from angry bigots than minorities.

69 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:40:54am

re: #54 Eclectic Cyborg

OT, but that new McDonald’s “Fishy fishy” advertising thing must DIE.

Don’t you just love Lent ad campaigns? I’ve seen more fast food ads for fish sandwiches these past few weeks than they ever do the rest of the year.

70 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:41:10am

re: #28 lawhawk

Look, there’s a path for these jurisdictions to no longer be subject to Section 5. It’s called getting a bail out and complying with the law for 10 years.

These states and jurisdictions aren’t on the Section 5 list permanently. They can get themselves out of trouble by cleaning up their act.

All you have to do is look at the bailout jurisdictions to see it can be done. That’s the ultimate remedy to states, not gutting Section 5.

So you’re saying that states have a right to comply with the law?
;)

71 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:41:33am

re: #65 Dr. Matt

I concur. When I moved to TN in 1991 I was shocked to see how racism was so open, frank, and accepted.

Really, as wrenchwrench pointed out, that a lot depends on the race you are. I remember hearing racist jokes from other kids and hell my brother, fourteen years younger than me hears many of those same stupid racist jokes from kids no doubt echoing what they hear at home. And he’s got a shit load of horror stories about what people say about Obama and yes at lot of it is due to race.

72 blueraven  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:42:08am

re: #59 Dr. Matt

I’ve been in the South for over 20 years and I would disagree that it is “residual prejudice”. From my experience, which includes living in three different states and 5 cities, the prejudice and racism is innate.

I was born and raised in the deep south…Georgia
Although not nearly as bad as it once was, I am still shocked when I go back there, how often the N word gets thrown around, how separate the races are. The attitudes are passed from generation to generation. The racial tension is thick, and it is everywhere.

73 palomino  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:42:10am

re: #55 Gus

More examples of the GOP living in an idealized, but totally fictional world, set in the distant past. One in which the Dems are still blamed for racist acts of 50+ years ago (KKK, Jim Crow, etc) while getting none of the credit for CRA, VRA, first black SC Justice, first black Prez, etc, etc. Yes, the modern Dems, supported by the vast majority of nonwhites, are the real racist party.

It’s as if these people’s conception of political history is frozen in time, and nothing ideologically has changed regarding the two parties in 150 years. Total bullshit Republicans tell themselves when in denial about the perception that their party has a race problem.

74 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:42:28am

Oh geez. It already brought up welfare.

75 gwangung  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:42:44am

re: #68 HappyWarrior

and MLK was yes a Republican until he saw how tepid Nixon and especially Goldwater were on that issue. It’s funny how they want to claim Parks and King as their own but support politicians and policies that spit on their legacies. The GOP in the 1960’s was by and large a good party on Civil Rights until they decided there was more votes to be gained from angry bigots than minorities.

Mao would be proud of their revisionist history.

76 GunstarGreen  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:42:57am

The GOP strategy: If you can’t win a legitimate election, twist the law to reduce the ability of people that disagree with you to vote.

Very few things enrage me more than the party of corruption and deception trying to pass itself off as the party of “freedom” and “liberty”.

77 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:43:01am
78 Varek Raith  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:43:09am

re: #28 lawhawk

Look, there’s a path for these jurisdictions to no longer be subject to Section 5. It’s called getting a bail out and complying with the law for 10 years.

These states and jurisdictions aren’t on the Section 5 list permanently. They can get themselves out of trouble by cleaning up their act.

All you have to do is look at the bailout jurisdictions to see it can be done. That’s the ultimate remedy to states, not gutting Section 5.

Funny that these states can’t or won’t do this.
Wonder why.

79 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:43:18am

Spambot has shown up on the Pages.

80 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:43:21am

Shit guys, I cringe everytime I hear my mother’s mother talk about black people because she’s full of stereotypes about how blacks are this and blacks are that. Asked my mom about it and she said she didn’t even think about it because she’s been hearing it her whole life. I don’t want to sound like I’m ragging on my grandmother here. I love the woman, I really do but her attitudes on race scares me.

81 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:43:48am
82 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:45:50am

re: #81 Gus

Actually, blacks started leaving the GOP with FDR. But of course, if you bring that up, our “friend” there will probably bring up more crazy welfare shit. The GOP never would have lost black voters the way they did if they hadn’t pandered to racism. I think a vast majority of black voters would be Democrats still because LBJ took the lead on Civil Rights but we’d see a lot more black Republicans if the Southern Strategy hadn’t happened or been perpetuated.

83 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:45:52am

re: #81 Gus

More bullhorn and fire hose than dog whistle.

84 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:46:57am

re: #16 HappyWarrior

We need to remember that people in the South were willing to kill to prevent blacks from registering to vote. You can say the North was just as bad blah blah but Schwerner, Goodman, and Chaney would not have been murdered and by the police no less in a Northern town. I’m proud to be a Virginian- we are the state of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison after all but I am not proud that for the longest time we had racism legally sanctioned.

People threw acid in the faces of children in Little Rock to prevent school integration. And, I don’t remember too many lynchings in the North.

85 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:48:04am

re: #84 FemNaziBitch

People threw acid in the faces of children in Little Rock to prevent school integration. And, I don’t remember too many lynchings in the North.

Anybody trying to MBF racism between the North and South needs their head examined.

86 dragonath  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:48:19am

re: #13 NJDhockeyfan

To tell you the truth I saw more racism in Ct when I lived there than here in Va.

Making the issue a North vs South argument is a fallacious political argument from the Chief Justice, and he knows it. Article 5 was intended to apply to civil right abuses everywhere they occur. And yes, that can happen anywhere.

87 Charles Johnson  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:48:39am

re: #79 Vicious Babushka

Spambot has shown up on the Pages.

Where?

88 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:48:52am

re: #82 HappyWarrior

Actually, blacks started leaving the GOP with FDR. But of course, if you bring that up, our “friend” there will probably bring up more crazy welfare shit. The GOP never would have lost black voters the way they did if they hadn’t pandered to racism. I think a vast majority of black voters would be Democrats still because LBJ took the lead on Civil Rights but we’d see a lot more black Republicans if the Southern Strategy hadn’t happened or been perpetuated.

Frederick Douglass voted Republican in 1856. Of course, back then they were the super-progressive party.

89 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:09am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

Shit guys, I cringe everytime I hear my mother’s mother talk about black people because she’s full of stereotypes about how blacks are this and blacks are that. Asked my mom about it and she said she didn’t even think about it because she’s been hearing it her whole life. I don’t want to sound like I’m ragging on my grandmother here. I love the woman, I really do but her attitudes on race scares me.

One of my idiot uncles is like that. He starts harping on black people or Asians or whoever and pulls out the racial slurs and stereotypes. I have to bite my tongue to keep from pointing out that if he was to go north of San Antonio, there are plenty of white people who feel the same way about him.

Added bonus: he’s a birther, a Republican, and gives money to Heritage and other “common sense” groups. *sigh*

I want to like him. He’s family, after all. But he makes it so difficult.

90 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:17am

re: #84 FemNaziBitch

People threw acid in the faces of children in Little Rock to prevent school integration. And, I don’t remember too many lynchings in the North.

Yep. Reason why I brought up Schwermer, Goodman, and Chaney was because of the actual police participation in the murders. That case is a big reason if any to just “trust the states to what they think best.” Crap, I can remember reading about Civil Rights era murders that weren’t prosecuted until the 90’s since the police either were involved somehow with the murders or just didn’t care that black citizens were being murdered.

91 gwangung  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:29am

re: #81 Gus

Interesting that the lowest percentage of blacks on welfare was during Great Society era and eight years afterwards. It zoomed in 1980, onward.

92 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:29am

re: #87 Charles Johnson

Where?

here.

93 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:33am

Oh jeez. Drops the n-word from an LBJ quote on the Great Society plan.

94 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:34am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

Shit guys, I cringe everytime I hear my mother’s mother talk about black people because she’s full of stereotypes about how blacks are this and blacks are that. Asked my mom about it and she said she didn’t even think about it because she’s been hearing it her whole life. I don’t want to sound like I’m ragging on my grandmother here. I love the woman, I really do but her attitudes on race scares me.

Andrew Ti would tell you to call out your grandmother for being a racist. And probably your mom too for not thinking about it.

95 122 Year Old Obama  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:49am

re: #47 Gus

Perpetuation of racial entitlement…?

Please stop the world, I want to get off.

96 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:49:57am

re: #87 Charles Johnson

Where?

I hit the report button.

97 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:50:49am

The reason for Southern Democrats was the fact that no Republican could expect to be elected in a southern state due to the “stigma” of Lincoln. It took Lee Atwater and his “southern strategy” to overgcome that “flaw” in the party’s appeal. Ronald Reagan finally made it acceptable to be Southern and GOP.

98 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:50:54am

re: #91 gwangung

Interesting that the lowest percentage of blacks on welfare was during Great Society era and eight years afterwards. It zoomed in 1980, onward.

I didn’t know that. I’ll have to use that when I hear that LBJ made things worse for minorities.

99 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:51:40am

Everything you need to know about government spending;

Image: women_sequester-07-e1361973478362.png

100 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:52:01am

re: #97 Sol Berdinowitz

The reason for Southern Democrats was the fact that no Reßpublican could expect to be elected in a southern state due to the “stigma” of Lincoln. It took Lee Atwater and his “southern strategy” to overgcome that “flaw” in the party’s appeal. Ronald Reagan finally made it acceptable to be Southern and GOP.

Yes, this.

101 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:52:23am

re: #97 Sol Berdinowitz

Yeah I think ole Strom Thurmond switched parties in ‘64 or thereabouts.

102 William Barnett-Lewis  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:52:48am

re: #84 FemNaziBitch

People threw acid in the faces of children in Little Rock to prevent school integration. And, I don’t remember too many lynchings in the North.

There were lots. Look up the Duluth Minnesota Circus Lynching for an example. Also look at Milwaukee - the most segregated city in America.

In the North, racism was about who you lived next to. You could live with working with to the “other” as long as your neighborhood was pure.

In the South it was about not working with the Other. They can live next door but “they better know their place”.

Northern style racism is still the most acceptable in America, alas.

103 dragonath  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:52:48am

We’re less than 10 years from Jesse Helms, people.

104 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:52:57am

Beck: Obama ‘Is Trying to Send Us Into Civil War’

105 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:52:59am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

Shit guys, I cringe everytime I hear my mother’s mother talk about black people because she’s full of stereotypes about how blacks are this and blacks are that. Asked my mom about it and she said she didn’t even think about it because she’s been hearing it her whole life. I don’t want to sound like I’m ragging on my grandmother here. I love the woman, I really do but her attitudes on race scares me.

My late grandfather was the same. He’d sometimes start talking bad about “Negroes” or “Orientals”. I never held it against him as those were the prejudices he came to know and unfortunately, once those attitudes are ingrained, they can be extremely difficult to break.

My grandfather was publicly respectful of everyone, regardless of race.

106 Charles Johnson  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:53:06am

re: #96 wrenchwench

I hit the report button.

Appears to be posting from Thailand. Now blocked.

107 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:53:09am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

Shit guys, I cringe everytime I hear my mother’s mother talk about black people because she’s full of stereotypes about how blacks are this and blacks are that. Asked my mom about it and she said she didn’t even think about it because she’s been hearing it her whole life. I don’t want to sound like I’m ragging on my grandmother here. I love the woman, I really do but her attitudes on race scares me.

Something struck me the other day while watching movies on TCM. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” was on. (If you have never seen this, please do so.)

Sidney Poitier’s character is talking to his father and says, “One of our differences is that you view yourself as a black man. And I just view myself as a man.” (paraphrase)

108 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:53:43am

re: #98 HappyWarrior

I didn’t know that. I’ll have to use that when I hear that LBJ made things worse for minorities.

I also remember a PJM piece on “Why Do Black People Vote for Democrats?” that instisted that “Blacks never had it better than under Ronald Reagan”.

109 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:54:04am

re: #107 Feline Fearless Leader

Something struck me the other day while watching movies on TCM. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” was on. (If you have never seen this, please do so.)

Sidney Poitier’s character is talking to his father and says, “One of our differences is that you view yourself as a black man. And I just view myself as a man.” (paraphrase)

Thanks, I need to. Pretty groundbreaking film really. I think it came out the year Loving was ruled on.

110 William Barnett-Lewis  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:54:37am

re: #97 Sol Berdinowitz

Reßpublican .

Interesting typo unless you’re trying for a subtle godwin ;)

111 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:54:39am

re: #104 Kragar (Antichrist )

Beck: Obama ‘Is Trying to Send Us Into Civil War’

Another day, another Civil War mention. What else is new?

It’s like they all want it but no one wants to be the poor bastard that fires the first shot.

112 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:55:19am

re: #110 William Barnett-Lewis

Interesting typo unless you’re trying for a subtle godwin ;)

Sorry, I wanted to write “Reichspublican”

/

113 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:55:41am

re: #58 palomino

You must not be in “real Virginia”, as noted civil rights activist and former Gov. and Sen. George Allen likes to call the VA hinterlands.

I’m in central Virginia. I’m not sure where ‘Real Virginia’ is located.

114 GunstarGreen  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:55:42am

re: #94 wrenchwench

Andrew Ti would tell you to call out your grandmother for being a racist. And probably your mom too for not thinking about it.

And he’d be right. Same deal with the uncle mentioned elsewhere up-thread. Racist trash should not be tolerated for any reason. Coddling a family member’s racism for fear of offending them is permitting it to continue for selfish reasons. You don’t even need to tell them they’re a terrible person for it, just say “Hey Mom/Dad/Uncle/Grandma/Granddad? Don’t ever say racist shit like that in my presence again.”

115 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:56:08am

re: #109 HappyWarrior

Thanks, I need to. Pretty groundbreaking film really. I think it came out the year Loving was ruled on.

Filming completed just before the Loving vs Virginia ruling, and released later that year. (1967)

So it was filmed during a time when mixed-race marriage was still illegal in 17 states.

116 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:56:11am

re: #113 NJDhockeyfan

I’m in central Virginia. I’m not sure where ‘Real Virginia’ is located.

In the sticks, y’all!

117 HoosierHoops  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:56:47am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

Shit guys, I cringe everytime I hear my mother’s mother talk about black people because she’s full of stereotypes about how blacks are this and blacks are that. Asked my mom about it and she said she didn’t even think about it because she’s been hearing it her whole life. I don’t want to sound like I’m ragging on my grandmother here. I love the woman, I really do but her attitudes on race scares me.

I spent several years in Indiana and posted about my experiences there. I have many friends there. But..And this is a big But. If you were in a club or a party with all white Hoosiers it was N word this and N word that. If a black man or woman was there they were your best fucking friend. I won’t paint with a broad bush but that is what I saw. There is an under current of racism in this country and we need the courage to face and discuss this issue

118 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:57:04am

re: #104 Kragar (Antichrist )

Beck: Obama ‘Is Trying to Send Us Into Civil War’

I just finished listening to a Librivox audio book by H.G.Wells, called The Sleeper Awakes. It is a future dystopian novel. One thing that was interesting to me is that towards the end of the novel, the tyrant was called the “South African” Troops in to control the rebel workers. The Protagonist said that be couldn’t do that, whatever he did, he couldn’t do that because the White Man can only be governed by other White men.

Now this was an Engish author writing nearly 100 years ago. I guess I didn’t realize the meme was so pervasive.

As, we now see, the results of a black POTUS.

Interesting …

119 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:57:27am

re: #97 Sol Berdinowitz

The reason for Southern Democrats was the fact that no Reßpublican could expect to be elected in a southern state due to the “stigma” of Lincoln. .

Very well said. And what the Derpbaggers fail to recognize is that those racist Southern Democrats were very conservative. The Derpbaggers are so obsessed with party but completely dismiss ideology.

120 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:57:43am

re: #109 HappyWarrior

Thanks, I need to. Pretty groundbreaking film really. I think it came out the year Loving was ruled on.

The remake was good too! It was worth seeing after you see the orig.

121 palomino  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:58:18am

re: #113 NJDhockeyfan

I’m in central Virginia. I’m not sure where ‘Real Virginia’ is located.

It doesn’t actually exist outside of George Allen’s mind. Just his way of pitting the rural and very socially conservative parts of the state vs. the rest of the state.

Fortunately, following back to back losses, his political career seems to be over.

122 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:58:43am

re: #119 Dr. Matt

Very well said. And what the Derpbaggers fail to recognize is that those racist Southern Democrats were very conservative. The Derpbaggers are so obsessed with party but completely dismiss ideology.

All but the biggest idiots know the distinction, but they also know what a successful talking point looks like.

123 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:58:43am

re: #120 FemNaziBitch

The remake was good too! It was worth seeing after you see the orig.

The remake? Was that the one with the races flipped, Ashton Kutcher & Bernie Max? Because it was totally lame.

124 gwangung  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:59:12am

re: #98 HappyWarrior

I didn’t know that. I’ll have to use that when I hear that LBJ made things worse for minorities.

See [Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

125 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:59:12am

re: #114 GunstarGreen

And he’d be right. Same deal with the uncle mentioned elsewhere up-thread. Racist trash should not be tolerated for any reason. Coddling a family member’s racism for fear of offending them is permitting it to continue for selfish reasons. You don’t even need to tell them they’re a terrible person for it, just say “Hey Mom/Dad/Uncle/Grandma/Granddad? Don’t ever say racist shit like that in my presence again.”

I generally agree, but people have to consider each case individually. I’m out of touch with several members of my family over what I consider their bad behavior (not having to do with racism) and I still have doubts sometimes whether I’m doing the right thing.

126 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 10:59:41am

re: #117 HoosierHoops

I spent several years in Indiana and posted about my experiences there. I have many friends there. But..And this is a big But. If you were in a club or a party with all white Hoosiers it was N word this and N word that. If a black man or woman was there they were your best fucking friend. I won’t paint with a broad bush but that is what I saw. There is an under current of racism in this country and we need the courage to face and discuss this issue

You’ll notice on the SPLC Hate Map that Gus posted, NEARLY ALL the hate groups are White Nationalist types. I think there is one Nation of Islam in Indianapolis.

127 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:00:23am

Texas House resolution calls for ‘God’ and Ten Commandments in schools

The resolution filed by state Rep. Phil Stephenson (R) on Monday asserts that all schools should display the Ten Commandments because the Republican Party Platform says that “public acknowledgement of God is undeniable in our history.”

“The overwhelming majority of voters in the 2010 Republican Party Primary Election voted in favor of the public acknowledgement of God,” the resolution states, adding that “displays of the Ten Commandments in public educational institutions and other government buildings are acknowledgements of the continuing and important role of our religious tradition.”

If the resolution is adopted then the Texas Legislature would be agreeing to “hereby support prayers, including the use of the word ‘God,’ at public gatherings as well as displays of the Ten Commandments in public educational institutions and other government buildings.”

The Dallas Observer‘s Eric Nicholson pointed out that Stephenson’s resolution had dropped all pretense that there was any difference between public policy in Texas and the GOP platform.

“Public policy in Texas is already dominated by the small cadre of Texas voters who vote in Republican primaries,” Nicholson wrote. “Why not just write it into law? On what grounds could the Supreme Court possibly object to such rock-solid legal reasoning?”

128 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:00:35am

re: #123 Vicious Babushka

The remake? Was that the one with the races flipped, Ashton Kutcher & Bernie Max? Because it was totally lame.

I loved it. Mostly that Bernie Mac figured out right away that Ashton lost his job because he was marrying a black girl. I didn’t get it. It showed how much we miss.

129 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:00:47am

re: #119 Dr. Matt

Very well said. And what the Derpbaggers fail to recognize is that those racist Southern Democrats were very conservative. The Derpbaggers are so obsessed with party but completely dismiss ideology.

That’s why I always frame the civil rights movement as a battle of liberalism/progressive versus conservatism/reactionary because that’s what it was. The Democrats who ran the South by and large were conservatives. It wasn’t just on race. It was on many matters. Want to know why the South never unionized as heavily as the North? Yep. Want to know why the South didn’t spend on much on things like education? Yep. The Dixiecrats were conservatives. They probably would have stayed Democrats but Civil Rights was the straw that broke the camel’s back for them.

130 Interesting Times  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:01:11am

re: #106 Charles Johnson

Is there any possibility you could front-page this Jon Stewart interview:

Comedy Central

…with the makers of this film? A Place at the Table. It’s about hunger in America, and how the problem almost went away until Reaganomics dismantled the social safety net.

In this interview, the filmmakers also offer excellent and encouraging advice on how to pressure lawmakers through social media, phone calls etc - hint - it takes far less effort than you’d think!

131 erik_t  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:01:14am

re: #117 HoosierHoops

There is an under current of racism in this country and we need the courage to face and discuss this issue

Well, there seems to be an undercurrent of racism, of greater or lesser extent, in pretty much every multicultural country. Look at European soccer fans, or the Korea-Japan relationship, or Australia, or the BNP, or wherever else. Distrusting ‘others’ makes good evolutionary sense, and it’s something we all have to fight. It’s not a uniquely American problem.

132 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:01:52am

re: #128 FemNaziBitch

I loved it. Mostly that Bernie Mac figured out right away that Ashton lost his job because he was marrying a black girl. I didn’t get it. It showed how much we miss.

On the “Bones” TV series, the black pathologist is shown trying not to freak out that her daughter is dating the intern Cracker McRedneck.

133 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:03:17am

re: #132 Vicious Babushka

On the “Bones” TV series, the black pathologist is shown trying not to freak out that her daughter is dating the intern Cracker McRedneck.

You got a problem with Cracker McRedneck?

134 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:03:43am

re: #133 Kragar (Antichrist )

You got a problem with Cracker McRedneck?

Not me, the mother of the girl he’s dating.

135 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:04:36am

WHAT RIGHT-WING RACISM?

136 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:04:44am

I wonder if there are five votes on the SCOTUS for letting states return to poll taxes and “literacy” tests and the like.

not sure if /

137 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:04:56am

re: #134 Vicious Babushka

Not me, the mother of the girl he’s dating.

Yeah, I think I remember that episode, but I think I’m done watching that show. They really jumped the shark with that season.

138 Varek Raith  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:05:09am

re: #113 NJDhockeyfan

I’m in central Virginia. I’m not sure where ‘Real Virginia’ is located.

Any part that isn’t NoVA.

139 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:05:26am

re: #138 Varek Raith

Any part that isn’t NoVA.

Snicker :).

140 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:05:30am

re: #117 HoosierHoops

I spent several years in Indiana and posted about my experiences there. I have many friends there. But..And this is a big But. If you were in a club or a party with all white Hoosiers it was N word this and N word that. If a black man or woman was there they were your best fucking friend. I won’t paint with a broad bush but that is what I saw. There is an under current of racism in this country and we need the courage to face and discuss this issue

There’s a lot of undercurrents like that here and there that one will encounter. Saw a lot of “eh eh nudge nudge” racism and sexism in college and afterwards when the group was all-white and/or all-male.*

Also saw it while in SE Asia while traveling there a few years back. And that was ethnic remarks in Malaysia by Chinese-descent Malaysians about the Malays.**

Even though it’s not solely a U.S. issue we still need to address it where encountered. And that has to be a combination of education and cultural adjustment.

* - That’s where I picked up on the “Canadians” code word being used.

** - If I understood Cantonese I expect I would have picked up on a lot more. And I also saw some of it in reverse as well overhearing a few discussions in places as well.

141 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:05:49am

re: #131 erik_t

Well, there seems to be an undercurrent of racism, of greater or lesser extent, in pretty much every multicultural country. Look at European soccer fans, or the Korea-Japan relationship, or Australia, or the BNP, or wherever else. Distrusting ‘others’ makes good evolutionary sense, and it’s something we all have to fight. It’s not a uniquely American problem.

It’s not based in DNA. It must be taught.

142 Interesting Times  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:06:07am

re: #135 Vicious Babushka

See my #130. It’s as if the filmmakers read your LGF comments.

143 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:06:51am

re: #129 HappyWarrior

That’s why I always frame the civil rights movement as a battle of liberalism/progressive versus conservatism/reactionary because that’s what it was. The Democrats who ran the South by and large were conservatives. It wasn’t just on race. It was on many matters. Want to know why the South never unionized as heavily as the North? Yep. Want to know why the South didn’t spend on much on things like education? Yep. The Dixiecrats were conservatives. They probably would have stayed Democrats but Civil Rights was the straw that broke the camel’s back for them.

Here is a boilerplate that I saved many moons ago:

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was NOT a Democratic/Republican issue. The divisions were primarily regional. Here’s the breakdown:

The original House version:
Southern Democrats: 7-87 (7%-93%)
Southern Republicans: 0-10 (0%-100%)
Northern Democrats: 145-9 (94%-6%)
Northern Republicans: 138-24 (85%-15%)

The Senate version:
Southern Democrats: 1-20 (5%-95%)
Southern Republicans: 0-1 (0%-100%)
Northern Democrats: 45-1 (98%-2%)
Northern Republicans: 27-5 (84%-16%)

Those numbers make the reality clear. The division was regional (i.e., Northern Progs vs. Southern Cons). In fact, Democratic support for the CRA was stronger than Republican support in every single regional breakdown.

In the House 152 Democrats voted in favor of the CRA and 96 against. Given that only 420 members voted, only 58 Republican votes were needed meaning that 114 Republicans could have voted against it.

In the Senate 46 Democrats voted in favor of the CRA and 21 against it. With all 100 members voting, only 5 Republican votes were needed meaning that 28 Republicans could have voted against it.

The CRA could very easily have passed without the majority of Republicans supporting it.

144 Mattand  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:06:54am
A question posed by Chief Justice John Roberts to the Obama administration’s lawyer defending the Voting Rights Act captured the tenor of the proceedings.

“Is it the government’s submission that citizens in the South are more racist than citizens not in the South?” Roberts asked.

Well, when a bunch of southern states insist on celebrating Robert E. Lee Day along with MLK Day, I’d say “Yes. They’re racist as all fuck.”

And just so we’re clear: Robert E. Lee threw in his lot with a bunch of treasonists who wanted to preserve slavery. States’ rights my ass.

145 leftynyc  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:06:54am

re: #113 NJDhockeyfan

I’m in central Virginia. I’m not sure where ‘Real Virginia’ is located.

According to sarah palin, it’s anywhere they don’t vote for Democrats.

146 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:07:04am

re: #137 Kragar (Antichrist )

Yeah, I think I remember that episode, but I think I’m done watching that show. They really jumped the shark with that season.

No show has jumped more sharks than “24” in fact the ultimate “jumped the shark” would be “nuked LA”

147 allegro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:07:14am

re: #117 HoosierHoops

I spent several years in Indiana and posted about my experiences there. I have many friends there. But..And this is a big But. If you were in a club or a party with all white Hoosiers it was N word this and N word that. If a black man or woman was there they were your best fucking friend. I won’t paint with a broad bush but that is what I saw. There is an under current of racism in this country and we need the courage to face and discuss this issue

This is why I cringe when I see the sentiments expressed that racism is a southern thing. It implies an exclusiveness that gives a pass to racism elsewhere and that is just not acceptable. It’s an MBF, “well THEY are worse, so we’re OK” argument.

148 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:07:41am

re: #137 Kragar (Antichrist )

Tried watching Bones a while back. Seems like a show that doesn’t know what it wants to be. Is it a romantic comedy? Is it legal procedural crime show? Is it supposed to a parody of csi-type shows? Couldn’t get into it anyway.

149 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:07:46am

Seems it’s also a big issue for Native Americans. Direct Link.

I posted in Pages as well.

150 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:08:39am

re: #146 Vicious Babushka

No show has jumped more sharks than “24” in fact the ultimate “jumped the shark” would be “nuked LA”

“I need you to bring this state’s witness in so I can cut off his head in your office so I can reestablish my cover” 24?

You mean to imply it jumped the shark at some point?
/

151 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:09:25am

re: #148 Bulworth

Tried watching Bones a while back. Seems like a show that doesn’t know what it wants to be. Is it a romantic comedy? Is it legal procedural crime show? Is it supposed to a parody of csi-type shows? Couldn’t get into it anyway.

I started watching it because I love the Kathy Reichs novels. The problem is that the characters on the TV show are totally different from the characters in the books. Same for “Rizzoli & Isles.”

152 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:09:26am

re: #144 Mattand

Well, when a bunch of southern states insist on celebrating Robert E. Lee Day along with MLK Day, I’d say “Yes. They’re racist as all fuck.”

And just so we’re clear: Robert E. Lee threw in his lot with a bunch of treasonists who wanted to preserve slavery. States’ rights my ass.

And then there was Virginia’s twist on it- Lee-Jackson-King day. Yeah celebrate an American who sacrificed his life for civil rights on the same day as two traitors and make no mistake Jackson and Lee were traitors. One can try to sugarcoat them all you want but they did commit treason.

153 Mattand  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:09:37am

And while I’m getting shit off my chest: the Star and Bars is a way to signal to your neighbors that you have racist tendencies.

154 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:10:37am

re: #151 Vicious Babushka

Haven’t read her books although I have read a lot of true crime as well as procedural fiction in the past.

155 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:11:19am

re: #143 Dr. Matt

Here is a boilerplate that I saved many moons ago:

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was NOT a Democratic/Republican issue. The divisions were primarily regional. Here’s the breakdown:

Those numbers make the reality clear. The division was regional (i.e., Northern Progs vs. Southern Cons). In fact, Democratic support for the CRA was stronger than Republican support in every single regional breakdown.

In the House 152 Democrats voted in favor of the CRA and 96 against. Given that only 420 members voted, only 58 Republican votes were needed meaning that 114 Republicans could have voted against it.

In the Senate 46 Democrats voted in favor of the CRA and 21 against it. With all 100 members voting, only 5 Republican votes were needed meaning that 28 Republicans could have voted against it.

The CRA could very easily have passed without the majority of Republicans supporting it.

Yeah region does play a role there too.

156 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:11:21am

re: #153 Mattand

My take: The Star and Bars is a signal for me to put up a ‘House for Sale’ sign.

157 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:11:57am

re: #154 Bulworth

Haven’t read her books although I have read a lot of true crime as well as procedural fiction in the past.

I have read some “true crime” but I prefer procedural fiction. The scariest “true crime” book that I ever read was “Serpentine.” Creepy as fuck.

158 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:12:20am
159 kirkspencer  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:13:04am

re: #158 wrenchwench

please?

160 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:13:10am

There will be blood… oranges… mmmmm

161 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:13:21am

What bugs me the most about all these TV cop shows is that everyone wears a wig or a toupee except for the Black guys (LL Cool J & Shemar Moore) who have shaved heads!

162 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:13:58am

re: #161 Vicious Babushka

What bugs me the most about all these TV cop shows is that everyone wears a wig or a toupee except for the Black guys (LL Cool J & Shemar Moore) who have shaved heads!

bald white guys are skin heads. Not cool on TV, I guess.

163 Interesting Times  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:14:02am

Heh:

164 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:14:07am

re: #159 kirkspencer

please?

Could wipe out Babushka’s Derp list!

165 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:14:14am

re: #158 wrenchwench

Hey, there’s conservepedia. Why not Conservtwitter.

166 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:14:24am

re: #127 Kragar (Antichrist )

Texas House resolution calls for ‘God’ and Ten Commandments in schools

Of course it does.

*sigh*

167 Mattand  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:14:40am

re: #152 HappyWarrior

And then there was Virginia’s twist on it- Lee-Jackson-King day. Yeah celebrate an American who sacrificed his life for civil rights on the same day as two traitors and make no mistake Jackson and Lee were traitors. One can try to sugarcoat them all you want but they did commit treason.

Heh. You beat me to it. That was my next post.

Look, racism is everywhere in this country. I’m in the supposedly done-with-racism north, and I had a neighbor describe a black door-to-door salesman as “that spook”. This idiotic minset is everywhere.

But to sit there and say the South doesn’t seem all that bad racially because you’re not seeing it? Wishful thinking at best.

168 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:14:44am

re: #147 allegro

This is why I cringe when I see the sentiments expressed that racism is a southern thing. It implies an exclusiveness that gives a pass to racism elsewhere and that is just not acceptable. It’s an MBF, “well THEY are worse, so we’re OK” argument.

It’s not a toggle-switch phenomena. More of a spectrum, and also the ways in which it implements; e.g. the earlier comment on how in some areas it manifests in housing divides, in others primarily around jobs and working environments. And it has thousands of little dens since a lot of the attitude and behaviors are carried within, reinforced, and passed down by family structures.

169 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:14:55am

re: #165 HappyWarrior

Hey, there’s conservepedia. Why not Conservtwitter.

Or Twitderpia.

170 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:15:05am

re: #164 wrenchwench

Could wipe out Babushka’s Derp list!

That will just leave the tgdn spambots.

171 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:15:11am

OMG!!

172 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:15:12am

re: #157 Vicious Babushka

I have read some “true crime” but I prefer procedural fiction. The scariest “true crime” book that I ever read was “Serpentine.” Creepy as fuck.

Got my mom the book “Death in the City of Light” a few years back. Its about a serial killer who operated in Nazi occupied Paris. He targeted Jews and people attempting to get out of France because he knew they wouldn’t be missed and wouldn’t go to the authorities. True crime, not fiction.

173 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:16:27am

re: #170 Vicious Babushka

That will just leave the tgdn spambots.

It would be like The Rapture of Derp.

174 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:16:30am

re: #116 Eclectic Cyborg

In the sticks, y’all!

I live in the mountains. The sticks are where the hillbillies are. That where they make moonshine.

175 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:16:33am

re: #172 Kragar (Antichrist )

Got my mom the book “Death in the City of Light” a few years back. Its about a serial killer who operated in Nazi occupied Paris. He targeted Jews and people attempting to get out of France because he knew they wouldn’t be missed and wouldn’t go to the authorities. True crime, not fiction.

I don’t like “true crime” because it’s true. I like to finish the book and know that the bad guys are caught.

176 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:16:44am

re: #158 wrenchwench

That sound you hear is Bryan Fischers head exploding.

177 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:17:27am

re: #167 Mattand

Heh. You beat me to it. That was my next post.

Look, racism is everywhere in this country. I’m in the supposedly done-with-racism north, and I had a neighbor describe a black door-to-door salesman as “that spook”. This idiotic minset is everywhere.

But to sit there and say the South doesn’t seem all that bad racially because you’re not seeing it? Wishful thinking at best.

Yep, yep. I’ll tell you another thing that bothers me speaking of the Confederacy is how there’s a lot of people here who refuse to get over it.

178 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:17:30am

I like Sci-Fi —

I need Sci-Fi.

179 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:17:36am

re: #175 Vicious Babushka

I don’t like “true crime” because it’s true. I like to finish the book and know that the bad guys are caught.

They caught the guy after the liberation I think, charged him with 27 murders, though they suspected he might have killed as many as 150.

180 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:17:57am

re: #178 FemNaziBitch

I like Sci-Fi —

I need Sci-Fi.

Try the Horus Heresy series?

181 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:18:14am

OUTRAGE!

I eagerly await all the angry tweets. Heh.

182 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:18:15am

re: #172 Kragar (Antichrist )

Got my mom the book “Death in the City of Light” a few years back. Its about a serial killer who operated in Nazi occupied Paris. He targeted Jews and people attempting to get out of France because he knew they wouldn’t be missed and wouldn’t go to the authorities. True crime, not fiction.

I think I’ve heard of him. He was a doctor I believe too.

183 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:18:49am

I watch the CBS show “Criminal Minds” but only because Shemar Moore is the HOTTEST MAN ON TELEVISION!

184 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:19:11am

re: #180 Kragar (Antichrist )

Try the Horus Heresy series?

Nah, haven’t gotten into the gaming series stuff.

185 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:19:33am

re: #182 HappyWarrior

I think I’ve heard of him. He was a doctor I believe too.

That’s the one.

186 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:20:42am

re: #158 wrenchwench

There’s 300 some companies, professional corporations, and cities/municipalities that are on that amicus brief. Heavy hitters. Lots of them:

Apple, Twitter, Starbucks, Thomson Reuters, Oracle, Orbitz, Nike, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, eBay, jetBlue, Cisco, Boston Scientific, Aetna, Adobe, Alcoa, etc.

187 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:20:47am

re: #184 FemNaziBitch

Nah, haven’t gotten into the gaming series stuff.

They’ve got a bunch of different Sci-Fi authors working on it. Its been really good so far. I don’t like all of the story lines they’ve got going, but the core has been excellent so far.

188 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:21:26am
189 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:22:03am

re: #162 FemNaziBitch

bald white guys are skin heads. Not cool on TV, I guess.

Oops.

190 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:22:05am

re: #186 lawhawk

There’s 300 some companies, professional corporations, and cities/municipalities that are on that amicus brief. Heavy hitters. Lots of them:

Apple, Twitter, Starbucks, Thomson Reuters, Oracle, Orbitz, Nike, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, eBay, jetBlue, Cisco, Boston Scientific, Aetna, Adobe, Alcoa, etc.

Man. The religious bigots are going to have a hard time boycotting all of them.

191 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:22:20am

re: #187 Kragar (Antichrist )

They’ve got a bunch of different Sci-Fi authors working on it. Its been really good so far. I don’t like all of the story lines they’ve got going, but the core has been excellent so far.

the Mongolian Series is like that and METAtropolis.

192 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:23:05am

re: #190 Lidane

They’ll all have to move out of Amercia.

193 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:23:15am

re: #185 Kragar (Antichrist )

That’s the one.

Yeah, I remember reading about him. When the French authorities caught him. He tried claiming that they were collaborators or Nazis.

194 jaunte  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:23:18am

Charles P. Pierce:

It’s Not About Race. (It’s Always About Race)

…Sotomayor, for whom this seems very, very personal, made an argument from history that discrimination is an infinitely mutable thing and that, as soon as you find a remedy for one form of it, human ingenuity will devise three new ones. And she was also sharply critical of the device by which finagling the vote had been divided, for the purposes of argument, into “first generation” and “second-generation” discrimination.

“I don’t know if I would call any discrimination secondary or primary,” she said. “Discrimination is discrimination.”

As Sotomayor made this argument, it was hard not to go back to Florida, and to all the people I met who were waiting in line for six and seven hours to vote because the state had deliberately enacted policies to make it more difficult. Those policies were discriminatory. The people enacting them knew exactly what they were doing. They knew who those policies were aimed at as surely as did the county registrars administering the literacy tests did back in 1965. When you’ve been on your feet for eight hours, and the guy at the polling booth tells you you have to wait some more because nobody’s there to go back to the office and get more ballots, you don’t really care if your vote is being diluted or suppressed. It is a distinction without a difference. Sotomayor was right. The people seeking to overturn Section V are essentially asking for an amnesty if the thieves can be proven to be unusually clever.

Assholes.

195 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:24:23am

re: #194 jaunte

Charles P. Pierce:

It’s Not About Race. (It’s Always About Race)

Assholes.

God, I love Sonia Sotomayor. Brilliant mind and damn likable too.

196 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:24:58am

re: #178 FemNaziBitch

I like Sci-Fi —

I need Sci-Fi.

Have you read the latest Bujold Vorkosigan Saga novel?

197 BongCrodny  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:25:37am

re: #190 Lidane

Man. The religious bigots are going to have a hard time boycotting all of them.

“What, Chick-Fil-A again?”

198 blueraven  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:26:05am

re: #186 lawhawk

There’s 300 some companies, professional corporations, and cities/municipalities that are on that amicus brief. Heavy hitters. Lots of them:

Apple, Twitter, Starbucks, Thomson Reuters, Oracle, Orbitz, Nike, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, eBay, jetBlue, Cisco, Boston Scientific, Aetna, Adobe, Alcoa, etc.

Even Walt Disney!

199 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:26:35am

What I like about the Horus Heresy is they took what could have been a schlocky action story and added a lot of serious elements about faith, family, reason, and loyalty.

200 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:26:43am

That’s a lot of companies.

201 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:26:59am

re: #198 blueraven

Even Walt Disney!

If you want to find Alcoa, just follow the electricity!
;)

202 allegro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:27:22am

re: #188 Lidane

I just started watching Breaking Bad on Netflix a couple of days ago. It is not at all what I expected! Looking forward to getting back to it.

I’m trying to become culturally literate, heh. Just finished watching the Mad Men series to date. Can’t wait for the new season to start now.

203 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:28:45am

re: #196 Feline Fearless Leader

Have you read the latest Bujold Vorkosigan Saga novel?

I haven’t read much of hers. I don’t know why.

Series books always disappoint me in the end. I have enjoyed the Bacigalupi Ship Breaker books. (all two of them)

204 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:28:56am

re: #198 blueraven


The list is a who’s who of American capitalism. Big names that are hard to miss from all fields.

205 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:29:58am

re: #204 lawhawk

The list is a who’s who of American capitalism. Big names that are hard to miss from all fields.

Hard to hire qualified people if you exclude any group, either outright or by denying benefits.

Corporations don’t want lawsuits either.

206 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:29:59am

re: #186 lawhawk

There’s 300 some companies, professional corporations, and cities/municipalities that are on that amicus brief. Heavy hitters. Lots of them:

Apple, Twitter, Starbucks, Thomson Reuters, Oracle, Orbitz, Nike, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, eBay, jetBlue, Cisco, Boston Scientific, Aetna, Adobe, Alcoa, etc.

Go ahead and boycott them all, Haters! I dare ya!

lol

207 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:31:02am

I just finished watching 30 Rock on Netflix. Doing Futurama/It’s Always Sunny/Breaking Bad now. Next up will be Mad Men. Planning to re-watch Arrested Development too.

208 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:31:06am

re: #202 allegro

I just started watching Breaking Bad on Netflix a couple of days ago. It is not at all what I expected! Looking forward to getting back to it.

I’m trying to become culturally literate, heh. Just finished watching the Mad Men series to date. Can’t wait for the new season to start now.

The only reason I ever drank an Old Fashioned was because the Mad Men hipsters turned me on to them. Plus, the bar I was at used cherry infused bourbon, so it was a win.

209 FemNaziBitch  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:31:42am

bbl

210 William Barnett-Lewis  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:32:48am

re: #196 Feline Fearless Leader

Have you read the latest Bujold Vorkosigan Saga novel?

Oh, that book was great. I never expected her to write a whole book about Ivan and one that was so clever at that? I loved seeing Miles and Gregor from his POV as well. Made me go back and read a bunch of the older books again :) The ending made up for the tear jerker ending of Cryoburn, too.

211 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:33:05am

re: #203 FemNaziBitch

I haven’t read much of hers. I don’t know why.

Series books always disappoint me in the end. I have enjoyed the Bacigalupi Ship Breaker books. (all two of them)

Well, I think almost all of her SF falls into the general background of the main series. _Falling Free_ and _Ethan of Athos_ are not closely related to the main characters, and also somewhat older works. The latest centers around a secondary character from the main series.

If you read fantasy as well I’d recommend _The Curse of Chalion_. It ends up starting a series, but it stands on its own quite well.

212 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:33:22am

I wish they had more Beavis and Butthead on Netflix. Just volume 1 of the Mike Judge collection. I got Volume 2 from Amazon Prime which is good and all but I like streaming from Netflix for the monthly fee more.

213 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:34:06am

re: #186 lawhawk

There’s 300 some companies, professional corporations, and cities/municipalities that are on that amicus brief. Heavy hitters. Lots of them:

Apple, Twitter, Starbucks, Thomson Reuters, Oracle, Orbitz, Nike, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, eBay, jetBlue, Cisco, Boston Scientific, Aetna, Adobe, Alcoa, etc.

Yep. From Joe My God:

Sorry, haters. It’s time to also boycott Flash, booze, spreadsheets, candy, boner pills, and camping tents! Enjoy your sober, flaccid, YouTube-free caves! And no Little Mermaid or Lion King for the kiddies, not that you’ll be able to buy an anti-gay TV or cable provider.

214 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:35:22am

Larry Pratt Agrees Race War Will Pit ‘Christian, Heterosexual White Haves’ Against ‘Black Muslim and/or Atheist…Have-Nots’

Pratt claimed that “some kind of social implosion” is inevitable during Obama’s second term, and that “it would be a wonderful surprise if it did not happen.”

Solomon specifically claimed that under President Obama we will witness attacks “on Christian, heterosexual white haves by black, Muslim and/or atheist — not that there’s much difference — black have-nots.”

He warned that “if you are a white person in this country, and this holds for all quality people of any color, but I’m saying specifically if you are a white, heterosexual, Christian, working, married person” and don’t own a gun, then “there is at least a substantial chance that you and/or some member of your family will be hurt and/or killed.”

Pratt agreed with Solomon’s dire prediction, saying the host wasn’t “stretching to say that.” He added that the “Alinskyites” who control the Obama administration think “this is the time” to “bring violence about.”
…
Later, Solomon mused that “the best thing that can happen to a liberal is to be mugged,” and wondered why Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) still supports gun control after she was mugged in 1995, to which Pratt replied: “Well, maybe she liked it.”

215 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:36:09am

re: #194 jaunte

Charles P. Pierce:

It’s Not About Race. (It’s Always About Race)

Assholes.

Page it!

216 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:36:53am

Cue the right wing outrage about these companies doing this. Of course, what they’re dong is the ultimate form of capitalism realizing that they can get more customers and thus profits by being pro gay rights. I’m not denying the companies could well have some sincere executive boards who really do believe this is right but this is the nature of capitalism and it’s going to be funny to see the right who claims to be “pro capitalism and freedom” freakout over a company doing something like this.

217 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:37:00am
218 allegro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:37:13am

re: #208 Lidane

The only reason I ever drank an Old Fashioned was because the Mad Men hipsters turned me on to them. Plus, the bar I was at used cherry infused bourbon, so it was a win.

I love Old Fashioneds. My dear old dad was a frustrated bartender-wannabe who had our basement in Chicago turned into a sort of Speakeasy. He turned me on to all kinds of yummy drinks. I remember him getting me pretty much hammered on Black Russians one Christmas Eve when I was about 16.

219 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:37:23am

Wingnuts can’t seem to get their talking points together. There’s this:

SEQUESTRATION WILL DESTROY THIS COUNTRY AND ITZ ALL OBAMAZ FAULT!!!!!11111


And there’s this:

SEQUESTRATION IS A BIG NOTHING! JUST CUT OFF THOSE FOOD STAMPS AND THOSE OF US WHO AREN’T MOOCHERS WILL BE BETTER OFF!!!!!!!1111111

220 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:37:25am

re: #210 William Barnett-Lewis

Oh, that book was great. I never expected her to write a whole book about Ivan and one that was so clever at that? I loved seeing Miles and Gregor from his POV as well. Made me go back and read a bunch of the older books again :) The ending made up for the tear jerker ending of Cryoburn, too.

I thought an Ivan POV novel worked well also. Plus she also got to do her usual investigation of the effects of a SF device/development or two on societies and relationships. Not as broadly as _Cryoburn_ for instance, but I thought there were so real good observations buried in there about trust, family structures, societal structures, relationships once reproduction is sort of separated out, and genetic modification. (Not to mention that it’s obvious that Grandmama is another formidable Bujold female.)

221 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:37:29am

re: #214 Kragar (Antichrist )

Larry Pratt Agrees Race War Will Pit ‘Christian, Heterosexual White Haves’ Against ‘Black Muslim and/or Atheist…Have-Nots’

This guy’s an ass clown.

222 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:38:58am

re: #221 HappyWarrior

This guy’s an ass clown.

War, when it comes, will pit white, heterosexual, underemployed white trash against US government trying to restore order and remove threat to public safety and security posed by aforementioned angry white trash.

223 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:39:12am

re: #221 HappyWarrior

This guy’s an ass clown.

He certainly lives up to his name. You have to give him that.

224 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:39:31am

re: #217 Lidane

Yeah gays having the same rights of straight people is a death march. Man, gay marriage being legalized in my neighboring state and Washington D.C is so oppressive. I feel like the Marines in Baatan! I think I may die of malaria! // Seriously, this is a good example of why these people are losing the debate. The center hears the pro gay marriage side which is acting rational and they hear this side which wants to make gay marriage out to be oppressive and the center is seeing how stupid and hyperbolic they sound.

225 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:39:48am

re: #204 lawhawk

Have the conservatwitters starting freaking out about that list yet? Can’t wait to hear Bryan Fischer lose his sh&t.

226 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:40:48am

I love how religious conservatives think giving gays rights is fascism. Yeah, fascism is giving someone rights. Think about that, and then think about how stupid you sound.

227 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:40:48am

re: #225 Bulworth

Have the conservatwitters starting freaking out about that list yet? Can’t wait to hear Bryan Fischer lose his sh&t.

At some point all the acceptance will finally allow him to come out of the closet methinks.

228 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:41:08am

re: #219 Vicious Babushka

Yeah, it’s a bit perplexing. Can we haz better wingnuts please?

229 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:41:33am

re: #227 Ghost of Tom Joad

At some point all the acceptance will finally allow him to come out of the closet methinks.

I hope so for his sake. The guy obviously has sexual demons through the roof.

230 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:41:49am

re: #225 Bulworth

Have the conservatwitters starting freaking out about that list yet? Can’t wait to hear Bryan Fischer lose his sh&t.

He’s busy whining about CPAC right now.

231 allegro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:41:54am

re: #227 Ghost of Tom Joad

At some point all the acceptance will finally allow him to come out of the closet methinks.

Naw, then he would have to admit that he God was wrong. Never happen.

232 erik_t  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:42:28am

What. The. Fuck.

GRAHAM: Has your budget gone down in the last year?

[Milwaukee PD chief] FLYNN: It has been level-funded by the city at great expense and great difficulty.

GRAHAM: In the next decade, do you expect more or less funding given the budget situation?

FLYNN: Probably less.

…

GRAHAM: Yeah, I think that’s just a reality. So I want Americans to know that what this police chief is facing, almost every police chief is facing: less money. So, you may have to defend yourself.

I anxiously await the usual suspects’ defense of their team on this one.

233 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:42:38am

re: #230 Kragar (Antichrist )

He’s busy whining about CPAC right now.

What “not true conservative” got invited? I know Mitt Romney’s going to be there.

234 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:42:39am

re: #158 wrenchwench

Twitter joins DOMA brief for gay marriage.All TRUE Christians must now cancel their accounts! BOYCOTT! bit.ly/Wi8LGO
— JoeMyGod (@JoeMyGod) February 27, 2013

The cumulative IQ of twitter users would rise by about 55 points.

236 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:42:58am

DERP. FAIL. Yeah, fire all the police, firefighters, Army, Navy, Marines…

237 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:43:46am

Nothing quite like hearing a major crash of equipment from across the hall.

238 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:43:49am

re: #226 HappyWarrior

I love how religious conservatives think giving gays rights is fascism. Yeah, fascism is giving someone rights. Think about that, and then think about how stupid you sound.

But it’s not giving gays rights. It’s taking away religious conservatives right to discriminate against them.
:p

239 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:44:00am

re: #236 Vicious Babushka

DERP. FAIL. Yeah, fire all the police, firefighters, Army, Navy, Marines…

The military isn’t government!!11ty

240 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:44:24am

re: #237 Kragar (Antichrist )

Nothing quite like hearing a major crash of equipment from across the hall.

“Oops.”

241 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:44:30am

re: #233 HappyWarrior

What “not true conservative” got invited? I know Mitt Romney’s going to be there.

242 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:44:48am

re: #236 Vicious Babushka

DERP. FAIL. Yeah, fire all the police, firefighters, Army, Navy, Marines…

I agree,fire John Boehner. and all the Republicans in Congress Oh they just mean the government workers who do the little things like make sure you get your social security check on time, that your neighborhood is safe, etc. Yeah they don’t work in the “real world.” I am fucking tired of that sorry right wing canard that government employees don’t work in the real world. They work just as hard if not harder than private sector employees.

243 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:45:13am

re: #240 Eclectic Cyborg

“Oops.”

Its only in the low 5 figures worth of gear probably. Nothing big.
/

244 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:46:08am

re: #241 Kragar (Antichrist )

Heh. Watching Christie’s star fall with conservatives has been a pretty amusing thing. It’s going to be even more egg on their face when he wins re-election easily because gasp he doesn’t always act like a partisan hack.

245 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:46:40am

re: #239 Gus

The military isn’t government!!11ty

(The last wingnut I tweeted this to SPAM BLOCKED ME!!!!!!111111)

246 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:47:13am

re: #242 HappyWarrior

I agree,fire John Boehner. and all the Republicans in Congress Oh they just mean the government workers who do the little things like make sure you get your social security check on time, that your neighborhood is safe, etc. Yeah they don’t work in the “real world.” I am fucking tired of that sorry right wing canard that government employees don’t work in the real world. They work just as hard if not harder than private sector employees.

They just do not share the innate fear held by anyone in the private sector that they can be canned at anytime, regardless of how well they are doing, because an executive has made a decision to cut their position to enhance his bonus.

247 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:47:18am

re: #244 HappyWarrior

Heh. Watching Christie’s star fall with conservatives has been a pretty amusing thing. It’s going to be even more egg on their face when he wins re-election easily because gasp he doesn’t always act like a partisan hack.

I thought it was a Russian meteor, turns out it was Christie’s chances of the GOP nomination in ‘16 burning up.

248 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:47:36am

I await the revised GEICO commercial where Mutumbo runs up to a Tea Partier, knocks off his tricorne, waves a finger in his face, and says “Not in my house!”.

;)

249 William Barnett-Lewis  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:47:48am

re: #220 Feline Fearless Leader

I thought an Ivan POV novel worked well also. Plus she also got to do her usual investigation of the effects of a SF device/development or two on societies and relationships. Not as broadly as _Cryoburn_ for instance, but I thought there were so real good observations buried in there about trust, family structures, societal structures, relationships once reproduction is sort of separated out, and genetic modification. (Not to mention that it’s obvious that Grandmama is another formidable Bujold female.)

The genetics are fascinating in their own right - I really enjoy how the Cetagandans have changed over time. But her real emphasis has always been on family and relationships as you mention.

As for formidable characters, she’s the only author I can imagine successfully pulling off Taura… :O

250 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:48:20am

re: #248 Feline Fearless Leader

I await the revised GEICO commercial where Mutumbo runs up to a Tea Partier, knocks off his tricorne, waves a finger in his face, and says “Not in my house!”.

;)

I love that commercial. Mutumbo’s a wonderful guy too. Huge humanitarian pun intended.

251 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:48:27am

re: #244 HappyWarrior

Heh. Watching Christie’s star fall with conservatives has been a pretty amusing thing. It’s going to be even more egg on their face when he wins re-election easily because gasp he doesn’t always act like a partisan hack.

At the rate the right is throwing him under the bus, I could realistically see Christie becoming an Independent if/when he wins reelection.

252 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:48:29am

re: #225 Bulworth

He’s vexed about CPAC and Chris Christie. It’s vexing him that people think Christie is conservative.

253 sattv4u2  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:48:42am

re: #237 Kragar (Antichrist )

Nothing quite like hearing a major crash of equipment from across the hall.

You’re neighbors have major equipment in their place?

“Honey,, what room do we keep the bobcat in?” !!!
//

254 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:48:47am

And this last enactment, not a single vote in the Senate against it. And the House is pretty much the same. Now, I don’t think that’s attributable to the fact that it is so much clearer now that we need this. I think it is attributable, very likely attributable, to a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement. It’s been written about. Whenever a society adopts racial entitlements, it is very difficult to get out of them through the normal political processes.
— Antonin Scalia

255 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:49:23am

re: #253 sattv4u2

You’re neighbors have major equipment in their place?

“Honey,, what room do we keep the bobcat in?” !!!
//

I’m at the office.

256 sattv4u2  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:50:06am

re: #255 Kragar (Antichrist )

I’m at the office.

“Bob, ,what cubicle do we keep the 10 ton crane in?”

/

257 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:50:50am

re: #255 Kragar (Antichrist )

I’m at the office.

Is there a “Beware of the Leopard” sign in the basement on the door of the room that contains the plans for the new highway bypass?

:)

258 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:50:53am

re: #254 Gus

And this last enactment, not a single vote in the Senate against it. And the House is pretty much the same. Now, I don’t think that’s attributable to the fact that it is so much clearer now that we need this. I think it is attributable, very likely attributable, to a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement. It’s been written about. Whenever a society adopts racial entitlements, it is very difficult to get out of them through the normal political processes.
— Antonin Scalia

Or maybe they didn’t want to overturn 50 years of what’s been a pretty damn good law from preventing state sanctioned discrimination in voting, you miserable excuse for a judge.

259 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:51:59am

re: #251 Dr. Matt

At the rate the right is throwing him under the bus, I could realistically see Christie becoming an Independent if/when he wins reelection.

I’m interested to see who in NJ runs against him. If I’m Cory Booker whom I know has high aspirations, I don’t do that which I know is tough since I know NJ has two Democratic senators at the moment but I wouldn’t challenge Christie. I don’t think Christie will go third party but I do think if he wins re-election and continues to do what he’s doing, he’ll continue to distance himself informally from the national GOP.

260 Targetpractice  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:52:17am

re: #254 Gus

And this last enactment, not a single vote in the Senate against it. And the House is pretty much the same. Now, I don’t think that’s attributable to the fact that it is so much clearer now that we need this. I think it is attributable, very likely attributable, to a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement. It’s been written about. Whenever a society adopts racial entitlements, it is very difficult to get out of them through the normal political processes.
— Antonin Scalia

Or perhaps, 50 years later, the South still has a very evident problem with racism? Nah, couldn’t be, gotta be that we can’t wean them blah folks off the teat.

///

261 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:52:19am

And this last enactment, not a single vote in the Senate against it. And the House is pretty much the same. Now, I don’t think that’s attributable to the fact that it is so much clearer now that we need this. I think it is attributable, very likely attributable, to a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement. It’s been written about. Whenever a society adopts racial entitlements, it is very difficult to get out of them through the normal political processes.— Antonin Scalia

This is a most novel argument. I guess it also means that unanimous Court rulings, or unanimous presidential electoral college votes back in 1789 for George Washington weren’t really evidence of uninamity or concensus or any such thing. //

262 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:52:23am

David Viviano to replace Hathaway as Supreme Court justice

This is what happens with Dems (i.e., Hathaway) make bad decisions.

263 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:52:24am

re: #251 Dr. Matt

At this point, it doesn’t matter what political party he runs under, he’s going to win reelection in NJ handily.

The real issue is whether he’s intending to seek the presidency. That’s a much tougher task. He can’t do it as a GOPer because he’s not a true GOPer for fraternizing with Obama (even if it was all part of his damned job to secure funding for disaster relief). The socon true believers can’t trust someone like Christie because he holds beliefs that are too liberal for them - like sensible gun policies.

The anti-union stance he’s taken in the past notwithstanding, he just can’t find a home in the current GOP and with other pretenders jockeying for attention and money to get a campaign underway (as well as laying the groundwork for a ground game in the primaries). Rubio and Jindal are both attempting to prepare for the 2016 run, as is Santorum.

It’s a cavalcade of crazy, and Christie wasn’t invited. He’s probably thinking it a blessing in disguise.

264 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:52:28am

re: #256 sattv4u2

“Bob, ,what cubicle do we keep the 10 ton crane in?”

/

More like “Where do we keep the $3000 routers?”

265 erik_t  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:52:45am

re: #254 Gus

…bloviated the racist old fuck.

266 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:54:31am

re: #259 HappyWarrior

I’m interested to see who in NJ runs against him. If I’m Cory Booker whom I know has high aspirations, I don’t do that which I know is tough since I know NJ has two Democratic senators at the moment but I wouldn’t challenge Christie. I don’t think Christie will go third party but I do think if he wins re-election and continues to do what he’s doing, he’ll continue to distance himself informally from the national GOP.

I thought Booker was going to run for one of the Senate spots since one of the incumbents was planning on retiring.

267 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:55:11am

re: #266 Feline Fearless Leader

I thought Booker was going to run for one of the Senate spots since one of the incumbents was planning on retiring.

Ah, I had always heard he intended to run for Governor. That would make more sense given that Lautenberg is old and I think I heard that there’s some scandal involving Mendendez.

268 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:55:16am

I wish I was an Oscar Mayer wiener.

269 sattv4u2  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:56:32am

re: #268 b_sharp

I wish I was an Oscar Mayer wiener.

Well,, ya got one out of three down pat!!
//

270 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:56:33am

As for future Dem possible nominees for higher office, I really like Martin O’Malley of Maryland. He was one of the first Dem governors to come out in favor of gay marriage and he showed in 2010 that he can do well in Republican years. I mean granted, Maryland is trending more and more Democratic but Bob Ehrlich was still a former governor and he actually did better against him the second time around then the first.

271 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:57:43am

re: #259 HappyWarrior

I’m interested to see who in NJ runs against him. If I’m Cory Booker whom I know has high aspirations, I don’t do that which I know is tough since I know NJ has two Democratic senators at the moment but I wouldn’t challenge Christie. I don’t think Christie will go third party but I do think if he wins re-election and continues to do what he’s doing, he’ll continue to distance himself informally from the national GOP.

I thought Lautenburg was retiring and Booker was gunning for that spot…him running against Christie at this juncture would be wasting all he’s built up over the past number of years.

272 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:57:53am

re: #259 HappyWarrior

Booker, who I’m a huge fan of, isn’t running against Christie. He’s going to win the seat being vacated by Lautenberg in the US Senate.

Barbara Buono has expressed interest in running for governor (I know, who?). She’s a state senator, but she’s got no chance of winning unless Christie has some spectacular kind of failure. Currently, Christie’s crushing it.

273 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:58:25am

re: #269 sattv4u2

Well,, ya got one out of three down pat!!
//

Hot dog, I’m good!

274 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 11:58:52am

re: #272 lawhawk

Booker, who I’m a huge fan of, isn’t running against Christie. He’s going to win the seat being vacated by Lautenberg in the US Senate.

Barbara Buono has expressed interest in running for governor (I know, who?). She’s a state senator, but she’s got no chance of winning unless Christie has some spectacular kind of failure. Currently, Christie’s crushing it.

Yeah, I know he’s not now but I thought he considered it before Christie’s popularity skyrocketed.

275 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:00:17pm

re: #272 lawhawk

Booker, who I’m a huge fan of, isn’t running against Christie. He’s going to win the seat being vacated by Lautenberg in the US Senate.

Barbara Buono has expressed interest in running for governor (I know, who?). She’s a state senator, but she’s got no chance of winning unless Christie has some spectacular kind of failure. Currently, Christie’s crushing it.

One way to look at it though is for the Democrats to run someone lower key who will probably lose — but will at least start getting their name out on a state-wide basis as groundwork for a future run. So a currently “who’s that?” state senator might be a good candidate if the run is not budget busting and is used to build name recognition and ask Christie the right questions about his positions.

276 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:00:55pm

Frankly, I look at Christie’s situation this way. If he’s going to get back in their good graces, he needs to take a big stance against a huge Obama policy. And he’s not going to do that on immigration and gun control, so I don’t know what the really leaves. I don’t know how Christie is on immigration but I imagine he’s more sane on the issue being governor of New Jersey and we know he’s for more sensible gun laws so where does that realistically leave him? But either way, I totally expect should he run for president in 2016 for his Republican opponents to make a huge issue out of him appearing with and praising Obama. Hell, they’d be idiots not to do that since that shit appeals ot the worst prejudices of Republican voters.

277 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:01:02pm

re: #274 HappyWarrior

Yeah, I know he’s not now but I thought he considered it before Christie’s popularity skyrocketed.

I think a guy like Booker would probably be better suited for governor, and I think that’s what he really wanted. He seems like the type who would want a more hands-on approach to governance and more direct involvement with his constituents. I’m guessing he’s going to run for that Senate seat as a consolation prize.

278 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:01:03pm

re: #271 Ghost of Tom Joad

I thought Lautenburg was retiring and Booker was gunning for that spot…him running against Christie at this juncture would be wasting all he’s built up over the past number of years.

A Booker-Christie race would be one of the most entertaining and actually interesting races that could have come down the political landscape in years (especially in NJ). Two guys who know what they’re doing, have a very good grasp of social media and have built up a pretty good reputation in the process.

Booker, however, sees little to gain by running against Christie, and that he could do more by going to the Senate. He would invigorate the NJ delegation with some much needed life and I frankly see him contemplating a presidential run down the line too - 2020 or 2024.

279 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:02:02pm

re: #277 Ghost of Tom Joad

I think a guy like Booker would probably be better suited for governor, and I think that’s what he really wanted. He seems like the type who would want a more hands-on approach to governance and more direct involvement with his constituents. I’m guessing he’s going to run for that Senate seat as a consolation prize.

Yeah, I thought he wanted governor more too since you’re right, he seems to be a more hands on type.

280 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:02:41pm

re: #278 lawhawk

A Booker-Christie race would be one of the most entertaining and actually interesting races that could have come down the political landscape in years (especially in NJ). Two guys who know what they’re doing, have a very good grasp of social media and have built up a pretty good reputation in the process.

Booker, however, sees little to gain by running against Christie, and that he could do more by going to the Senate. He would invigorate the NJ delegation with some much needed life and I frankly see him contemplating a presidential run down the line too - 2020 or 2024.

Booker is no Bobby Jindal.

281 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:03:32pm

re: #280 b_sharp

Booker is no Bobby Jindal.

You’re right, he hasn’t conducted an exorcism. He’s just saved a neighbor from a fire.

282 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:04:56pm

re: #278 lawhawk

Yeah, he seems very likeable, speaks very well, and has a good grasp of things. He could very well make a run all the way. But I don’t think going against Christie is a good move because if he loses, then he loses momentum, and it becomes even harder for him to oust an incumbent Senator/Governor IMO.

Take the sure thing, continue your momentum, and hell, I think a good run in the Senate will probably do more for him if he does intend to make a Presidential run at some point.

283 calochortus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:05:05pm

re: #204 lawhawk

The list is a who’s who of American capitalism. Big names that are hard to miss from all fields.

I’d like to think this is the moment when the country realizes that equal rights for gays and lesbians are inevitable. Big business so often gets what it wants…

284 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:05:57pm

re: #281 HappyWarrior

You’re right, he hasn’t conducted an exorcism. He’s just saved a neighbor from a fire.

Until you’ve saved somebody who can spin her head all the way around and spew green pea soup, you haven’t saved anybody.

I did NOT edit this.

285 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:08:27pm

OK. Tweet fail. Let’s try this again:

286 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:08:57pm

To me frankly the Republicans “new blood” is just as icky as their current blood. I mean, can’t stand Romney and McCain but at least they showed in the past before pandering that they could be socially moderate. Jindal, Ryan, Rubio, etc are and have always been so-cons. That’s not “new.” That’s just them being a generation younger than the old guard and just as shitty on the issues.

287 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:09:02pm

re: #285 Lidane

>

42

288 kirkspencer  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:10:02pm

re: #245 Vicious Babushka

(The last wingnut I tweeted this to SPAM BLOCKED ME!!!!!!111111)

I’d be interested to see the definition of real work, and see if it’s met by most senior management and executives.

289 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:10:18pm

re: #263 lawhawk

The real issue is whether he’s intending to seek the presidency.

Christie will not be able to run for the presidency without losing weight, I am not saying this judgementally, nor would his stature play any role in my decision to vote for or against him.

I am simply thinking objectively about the current state of the American psyche and its obsession with whatever goes into our orifices and how, and I know that the issue of his weight would overshadow any other political or personal factors in the social/cultural climate he he would be campaigning in

290 klys  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:10:25pm

re: #211 Feline Fearless Leader

Well, I think almost all of her SF falls into the general background of the main series. _Falling Free_ and _Ethan of Athos_ are not closely related to the main characters, and also somewhat older works. The latest centers around a secondary character from the main series.

If you read fantasy as well I’d recommend _The Curse of Chalion_. It ends up starting a series, but it stands on its own quite well.

Curse is wonderful, although I’m also a big Vorkosigan fan. The audiobook version of Curse is done by a WONDERFUL reader (my current audiobook) who does a fantastic job.

291 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:10:25pm

re: #286 HappyWarrior

To me frankly the Republicans “new blood” is just as icky as their current blood. I mean, can’t stand Romney and McCain but at least they showed in the past before pandering that they could be socially moderate. Jindal, Ryan, Rubio, etc are and have always been so-cons. That’s not “new.” That’s just them being a generation younger than the old guard and just as shitty on the issues.

I’ve got mine and yours too.

In a pure meritocracy there can only be one winner.

292 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:10:36pm
293 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:10:43pm

re: #287 b_sharp

42

I’d blame it on Thursdays, but it’s not Thursday yet.

294 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:11:05pm

re: #288 kirkspencer

I’d be interested to see the definition of real work, and see if it’s met by most senior management and executives.

BUT THEY OUR TEH JRRB CREATERS!!!!!!111111

295 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:11:05pm

re: #254 Gus

It’s been written about.

Don’t Justices of the Supreme Court usually have a more formal citation?

296 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:11:54pm

re: #295 wrenchwench

Don’t Justices of the Supreme Court usually have a more formal citation?

I guess Stormfront wouldn’t look so good in there.

297 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:13:03pm

re: #296 wrenchwench

I guess Stormfront wouldn’t look so good in there.

This gets me cynical about the next generation of conservative lawyers because remember the clerks do help them write these opinions after all.

298 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:13:06pm

re: #276 HappyWarrior

Unless it’s a VP spot, I don’t see how Christie goes anywhere outside of NJ. Even if he flipped parties, I don’t think Democrats are going to accept him (and they shouldn’t given that he’s a bona-fide conservative other than him not punching Obama in the face when he visited NJ). He’s never going to make it out of a Republican Primary…

Popular governor of a blue state, very boisterous and would be a good at attacking an opponent…easily see him being a VP pick.

299 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:13:07pm
300 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:13:07pm

re: #291 b_sharp

Connor MacLeod of the clan MacLeod. There can be only one. Even if you have to fight the Kurgan.

301 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:14:34pm

re: #297 HappyWarrior

This gets me cynical about the next generation of conservative lawyers because remember the clerks do help them write these opinions after all.

Yeah. Cynicism will grow on you. It will be a life-long battle against racism, even for you, young man.

302 Targetpractice  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:15:41pm

So it looks like it’s going to be a 5-4 decision, with where it comes down falling again to Anthony Kennedy and what the voices in his head are telling him today. Wonder what convoluted logic he’ll think up to agree with the Klansmen…er, conservative justices?

303 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:16:15pm

Oh, wait. I’m talking to ‘HappyWarrior’. He already knew that.

304 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:16:32pm

re: #298 Ghost of Tom Joad

Unless it’s a VP spot, I don’t see how Christie goes anywhere outside of NJ. Even if he flipped parties, I don’t think Democrats are going to accept him (and they shouldn’t given that he’s a bona-fide conservative other than him not punching Obama in the face when he visited NJ). He’s never going to make it out of a Republican Primary…

Popular governor of a blue state, very boisterous and would be a good at attacking an opponent…easily see him being a VP pick.

I can’t see Christie’s ego letting him accept number 2 especially after he was touted as recently as this summer as the party’s future when they gave him the keynote. But yeah on paper he would make a good VP. Thing is recent trends show to me Republican nominees picking someone to their right. Cheney was to Bush’s right, Palin to McCain’s, and Ryan to Romney’s. But the vetters will probably have a different strategy in mind in 2016 too. It depends who the nominee is of course I’d be shocked if Santorum chose Christie for instance. I was honestly shocked at all that there was no Southern representation on the ticket this year.

305 Destro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:16:47pm

That we will overturn a civil rights provision is scary to me. This does not end well for the country.

306 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:17:10pm

re: #303 wrenchwench

Oh, wait. I’m talking to ‘HappyWarrior’. He already knew that.

Haha. I was very idealistic once so I forgive ya.

307 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:18:32pm

Serious question: When was the last time that SCOTUS ruled in favor of a case limiting a civil right instead of granting one?

308 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:19:41pm

Rick Wiles: Obama Emulating the Antichrist, May Declare Himself God

Well, how can you argue with that?
/

309 allegro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:19:48pm

re: #302 Targetpractice

So it looks like it’s going to be a 5-4 decision, with where it comes down falling again to Anthony Kennedy and what the voices in his head are telling him today. Wonder what convoluted logic he’ll think up to agree with the Klansmen…er, conservative justices?

I don’t see why they don’t skip the discussions and just give the cases to Kennedy to decide alone. Why do we need the other 8?

310 sattv4u2  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:19:52pm

re: #302 Targetpractice

to agree with the Klansmen…er, conservative justices?

Who okayed Clarence Thomas’s application as a Klansman!?!?!

311 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:19:55pm

But yeah, obviously screw Scalia for that pathetic excuse of an opinion but it really does get me thinking about the law students he has working for him. As you all know, I’m around the same age give or take a couple years as some of these clerks. I really want to believe deeply that some issues are generational but there’s a large part of ideological and judicial conservatism that can’t get over old bigotries.And Roberts is an ass for trying to make this “Oh the poor pitiful South.” Tough shit for them if they don’t comply with the law. Someone pointed out that while the regions that are subject to Section 5 contain 20% of the nation’s population, they’re home to 76% of the nation’s voting rights violation lawsuits. This is a problem and it’s why the frigging law was enacted in the first place so states couldn’t discriminate against voters on grounds of race. The fact that we have to argue in 2013 is madness.

312 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:19:59pm

re: #306 HappyWarrior

Haha. I was very idealistic once so I forgive ya.

Raise your hand if you’re an old fart.

Sorry, my frozen shoulder won’t let me. Can I just let out a loud belch instead?

313 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:20:59pm

re: #306 HappyWarrior

Haha. I was very idealistic once so I forgive ya.

“Scratch the surface of a cynic, and underneath you’ll find a disappointed idealist.” -George Carlin.

314 sattv4u2  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:21:03pm

re: #312 b_sharp

Raise your hand if you’re an old fart.

Sorry, my frozen shoulder won’t let me. Can I just let out a loud belch instead?

Okay
But I can’t guarantee which hole it’s going to exit from!!

315 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:21:48pm

re: #308 Kragar (Antichrist )

Rick Wiles: Obama Emulating the Antichrist, May Declare Himself God

Well, how can you argue with that?
/

Can’t.
You can’t argue with dogs, monkeys, nor the insane.

316 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:22:19pm

re: #314 sattv4u2

Okay
But I can’t guarantee which hole it’s going to exit from!!

Clench first.

317 sattv4u2  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:23:06pm

re: #316 b_sharp

Clench first.

No way

Last time I did that it was ALL EXITS,,, NO WAITING!!

318 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:23:15pm

N.H. Lawmaker Says Some People Might ‘Like Being In Abusive Relationships’

“Some people could make the argument that a lot of people like being in abusive relationships,” Warden said during a meeting held by the committee. “It’s a love-hate relationship. It’s very, very common for people to stick around with somebody they love who also abuses him or her.”

He continued, “Is the solution to those kind of dysfunctional relationships going to be more government, another law? I tend to say no. People are always free to leave.”

I mean, just take a look at the GOP. Its a perfect example of an abusive relationship.
/

319 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:23:15pm

re: #313 Ghost of Tom Joad

“Scratch the surface of a cynic, and underneath you’ll find a disappointed idealist.” -George Carlin.

Yep. Hell I bet he was talking about himself to a large degree there.

320 Skip Intro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:23:32pm

re: #310 sattv4u2

to agree with the Klansmen…er, conservative justices?

Who okayed Clarence Thomas’s application as a Klansman!?!?!

He’s an honorary Klansman, and he couldn’t be happier.

321 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:24:18pm

OUTRAGE!

322 Targetpractice  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:24:43pm

re: #310 sattv4u2

to agree with the Klansmen…er, conservative justices?

Who okayed Clarence Thomas’s application as a Klansman!?!?!

I’m not yet convinced Thomas isn’t just an animatronic dummy.

323 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:26:14pm

re: #321 Lidane

OUTRAGE!

Good for them.

But what does Rush Limbaugh think of this?

324 Decatur Deb  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:26:35pm

Looks like the Dow just broke the all-time high.

325 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:27:10pm

re: #324 Decatur Deb

Looks like the Dow just broke the all-time high.

And on the heels of all those companies declaring in favor of marriage equality.

Heh.

326 Targetpractice  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:27:11pm

re: #324 Decatur Deb

Looks like the Dow just broke the all-time high.

Damn that socialist Muslim!!

327 kirkspencer  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:27:24pm

re: #312 b_sharp

Raise your hand if you’re an old fart.

Sorry, my frozen shoulder won’t let me. Can I just let out a loud belch instead?

eh? You say something?

328 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:28:02pm

re: #324 Decatur Deb

Looks like the Dow just broke the all-time high.

I take it things are stabilizing in Italy? Or is this the result of the one month delay there?

329 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:28:16pm

So how soon could we get a ruling on this?

330 Eventual Carrion  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:28:59pm

re: #56 HappyWarrior

There is no liberty in using the state or local level to deny someone liberty which is exactly what was done in Jim Crow. That’s why it’s so laughable to hear that “states rights” is freedom. Like hell it is. When you rig the contest to ensure that minorities don’t get a say in representation, you are denying liberty and you are a fascist.

Bolded above, didn’t we fight a revolution for that reason.

331 Decatur Deb  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:29:32pm

re: #328 Gus

I take it things are stabilizing in Italy? Or is this the result of the one month delay there?

Dunno. I just use the market as a rectal thermometer for politics.

332 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:29:53pm

Hurr durr….

333 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:29:56pm

re: #329 Eclectic Cyborg

So how soon could we get a ruling on this?

Right now.

He is out.

Batter up!

334 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:30:19pm

re: #331 Decatur Deb

Dunno. I just use the market as a rectal thermometer for politics.

Owww.

335 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:31:26pm

Daughter of CA GOP rep gets no jail time in drunk driving hit and run death

Just 10 years probation.

336 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:31:38pm
337 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:32:09pm

What is it with tech millionaires and billionaires and douche baggery?

338 Targetpractice  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:32:11pm

re: #332 Lidane

Hurr durr….

Was just reading on TP about Huckleberry Closetcase getting schooled in why the pro-gun argument that “there’s too few prosecutions of people who failed the background checks” is so much hogwash. His response, after he’d shaken off the slap across the face, was to opine that the fact that cops don’t have the resources to chase down every person who might have falsified a background check application is proof that we need more guns and not stronger background checks.

339 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:32:16pm

re: #332 Lidane

Hurr durr….

The irony writes itself considering how much gun fetishry (is this a real word?) is likened to penis worship.

340 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:32:51pm

re: #335 Eclectic Cyborg

Daughter of CA GOP rep gets no jail time in drunk driving hit and run death

Just 10 years probation.

“Oops.”

341 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:33:01pm

re: #336 Gus

I take it smart phones are bigger than his dick.
Smarter too.

342 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:33:39pm

re: #337 Gus

What is it with tech millionaires and billionaires and douche baggery?

Lack of social skills.

343 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:34:25pm

re: #336 Gus

I don’t get these stupid macho attitudes. I have a shitty sense of direction for example. A smartphone’s GPS helps me when I need to find a new place that I haven’t been to or even a familiar one. There’s nothing unmanly about that. It’s called being a human being using what he has at its disposal to use and taking advantage of it.

344 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:35:32pm

re: #332 Lidane

Hurr durr….

Well his first mistake is likening it to castration since castration is absolute. Oh my god I may have to get my info checked is different from losing my nads forever. But this is funny given the penis-gun jokes.

345 Dr. Matt  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:36:27pm

re: #324 Decatur Deb

Looks like the Dow just broke the all-time high.

File this under: ‘News you won’t hear on Fox’.

346 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:37:04pm

re: #343 HappyWarrior

I don’t get these stupid macho attitudes. I have a shitty sense of direction for example. A smartphone’s GPS helps me when I need to find a new place that I haven’t been to or even a familiar one. There’s nothing unmanly about that. It’s called being a human being using what he has at its disposal to use and taking advantage of it.

Gonna fire up my 2 cycle smart phone. Sounds like chain saw.

347 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:37:56pm

re: #343 HappyWarrior

I don’t get these stupid macho attitudes. I have a shitty sense of direction for example. A smartphone’s GPS helps me when I need to find a new place that I haven’t been to or even a familiar one. There’s nothing unmanly about that. It’s called being a human being using what he has at its disposal to use and taking advantage of it.

But, it’s like asking for directions!

348 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:38:12pm

Put a strap on my smart phone. I call it the iPhone Pansy Purse™.

//

349 calochortus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:38:49pm

re: #343 HappyWarrior

I don’t get these stupid macho attitudes. I have a shitty sense of direction for example. A smartphone’s GPS helps me when I need to find a new place that I haven’t been to or even a familiar one. There’s nothing unmanly about that. It’s called being an intelligent human being using what he has at its disposal to use and taking advantage of it.

Fixed

350 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:38:55pm

re: #347 b_sharp

But, it’s like asking for directions!

May as well get my lipstick on and call myself Joanna.//

351 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:39:07pm

At a TED Conference no less.

352 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:39:41pm

re: #348 Gus

Put a strap on my smart phone. I call it the iPhone Pansy PurseTM.

//

Strap that thing to an AR-15 and you’ll be ok.

353 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:41:01pm
354 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:41:25pm

Cops: Grandma shot self, young grandsons in car

PRESTON, Conn. (AP) — A woman who picked up her two young grandsons from daycare and was supposed to bring them home so the 2-year-old could open his birthday presents instead drove them to a neighboring town and shot and killed the children and herself, state police and family members said.

The bodies of 47-year-old Debra Denison and her grandsons, 2-year-old Alton Perry and 6-month-old Ashton Perry, were found Tuesday night in a car parked near Lake of Isles in Preston, in the southeastern part of the state.

And you just have to ask, what video games drove her to do this?

355 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:41:41pm

re: #324 Decatur Deb

This is good news, although I suspect Friday’s sequester kickoff will drive it back down again and it will be All Obama’s Fault, according to Faux. Spending’s Out of Control, Obama’s cutting too much spending. Something like that.

356 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:42:04pm

Police: Shoeless pot thief arrested after falling out of tree

SEATTLE — Demonstrating that bad things happen if you step out of your element, an alleged marijuana thief was thwarted when he left the streets and headed for the woods, leading to his arrest after falling out of a tree, shoeless and covered in mud.

Heh.

357 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:42:16pm

re: #347 b_sharp

But, it’s like asking for directions!

I’ve done that before too! Quick replace the M on my id with a F!

358 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:43:05pm

re: #354 Kragar (Antichrist )

Cops: Grandma shot self, young grandsons in car

And you just have to ask, what video games drove her to do this?

Damn it.

359 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:45:00pm

OK. The next time some gibbering wingnut starts talking about all the red areas on an electoral map and how they’re proof of red state superiority, show them this:

Image: electoral10-1100.jpg

360 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:45:32pm

If you are going to blow a hole through your head, so be it, but do not take children with you. Even if your life is shit, they still have a chance of being happy.

361 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:47:35pm

re: #359 Lidane

OK. The next time some gibbering wingnut starts talking about all the red areas on an electoral map and how they’re proof of red state superiority, show them this:

Image: electoral10-1100.jpg

Better graphics

[Link: cache.wists.com…]

362 Varek Raith  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:47:59pm

re: #332 Lidane

Hurr durr….

Lol.

363 RadicalModerate  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:48:04pm

re: #337 Gus

What is it with tech millionaires and billionaires and douche baggery?

This is more a case of “dump your iPhone, buy Google Glasses!” than anything.

364 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:48:14pm

re: #360 b_sharp

She was bipolar. She either was more out of control than the parents knew, or the parents were irresponsible for having her be on the list of allowed pickups for her children.

Unfortunately, this’ll make the “it’s a mental illness problem” brigade start up again.

365 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:50:45pm

re: #364 Glenn Beck’s Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut

She was bipolar. She either was more out of control than the parents knew, or the parents were irresponsible for having her be on the list of allowed pickups for her children.

Unfortunately, this’ll make the “it’s a mental illness problem” brigade start up again.

Yup. Need to lock up the mentally ill so they can’t get guns. That’ll fix everything.//

366 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:50:54pm

re: #364 Glenn Beck’s Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut

She was bipolar. She either was more out of control than the parents knew, or the parents were irresponsible for having her be on the list of allowed pickups for her children.

Unfortunately, this’ll make the “it’s a mental illness problem” brigade start up again.

She may have stopped her meds without the parents knowing.

367 Decatur Deb  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:51:08pm

re: #359 Lidane

OK. The next time some gibbering wingnut starts talking about all the red areas on an electoral map and how they’re proof of red state superiority, show them this:

Image: electoral10-1100.jpg

Triggered discussion of West Wing’s “Cartographers For Social Responsibility.”

368 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:51:47pm

Idaho lawmaker: Force all adults into militias to protect gun rights

A Republican lawmaker in Idaho has proposed an amendment to the state Constitution that would require all adults to be militia members in an effort to preserve their right to bear arms.

At a Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday, state Sen. Jim Rice (R) said that he feared that the U.S. Supreme Court would change the definition of the Second Amendment and allow the federal government to confiscate guns owned by individuals, according to The Associated Press.

But Rice argued that the federal government could never take away people’s guns if the Idaho Constitution was changed to make all adults members of the state militia as a “backstop.”

Yeah, lets see how the gun nuts react to being told they all need to enlist in a government regulated program.

369 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:51:56pm

I’m afraid of that happening because it always distracts form the real issue.

370 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:52:55pm

re: #367 Decatur Deb

Triggered discussion of West Wing’s “Cartographers For Social Responsibility.”

Nate Silver gets predictably geeky about electoral results and posted that map:

371 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:53:21pm

re: #368 Kragar (Antichrist )

Idaho lawmaker: Force all adults into militias to protect gun rights

Yeah, lets see how the gun nuts react to being told they all need to enlist in a government regulated program.

I must have missed the part in the second amendment where it says citizens are required to own guns. I don’t own a gun and I don’t have a desire to soon.

372 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:53:36pm

Speaking of the economy, the Republican head of the Federal Reserve, who was first appointed by a Republican president, appeared before the Senate recently and got hammered by Confederates Republicans in that chamber for trying to do his job too much:

The reception on Capitol Hill was frostier, as several Republican senators challenged Mr. Bernanke’s assertion that the purchases were producing clear economic benefits, and questioned the potential costs. Senator Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, drew Mr. Bernanke into an unusually sharp exchange.

Mr. Corker, asserting that low interest rates were “throwing seniors under the bus,” by reducing returns on some kinds of investments, asked Mr. Bernanke, “Do you all ever talk about the longer-term degrading effect of these policies?”

“One thing we talk about is unemployment,” Mr. Bernanke responded. He added that the best way to increase interest rates was to increase growth.

Mr. Corker then accused Mr. Bernanke of insufficient concern about potential inflation, saying, “I don’t think there’s any question that you would be the biggest dove since World War II,” using the term “dove” to denote a Fed official who is more concerned about unemployment than higher inflation.

Mr. Bernanke, clearly piqued, responded, “You call me a dove, but my inflation record is the best of any chairman in the postwar period.”

“Interest rates are too low…inflation might be too high someday…”

Ever get the idea the Confederates in Congress don’t much care about employment, the economy, or anyone but their donors?

373 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:53:51pm

re: #371 HappyWarrior

I must have missed the part in the second amendment where it says citizens are required to own guns. I don’t own a gun and I don’t have a desire to soon.

Why do you hate America?
/

374 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:55:01pm

The fact that this is even up for debate makes me want to throw things:

375 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:55:29pm

Every State already has a militia. Its called the National Guard, and they’ve got tanks, machine guns, the whole deal. Anyone interested can go enlist.

Anyone who still bitches about needing a militia and doesn’t join the NG is a reactionary nutjob.

376 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:55:58pm

re: #363 RadicalModerate

This is more a case of “dump your iPhone, buy Google Glasses!” than anything.

Yes. By way of perhaps, sexism, homophobia, or gender role bologna. I had no idea that smartphones had that kind power.

377 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:57:05pm

re: #375 Kragar (Antichrist )

Anyone who still bitches about needing a militia and doesn’t join the NG is a reactionary nutjob.

We need a militia to protect ourselves from the National Guard!

Eleventy!

378 Destro  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:57:15pm

re: #343 HappyWarrior

I don’t get these stupid macho attitudes. I have a shitty sense of direction for example. A smartphone’s GPS helps me when I need to find a new place that I haven’t been to or even a familiar one. There’s nothing unmanly about that. It’s called being a human being using what he has at its disposal to use and taking advantage of it.

I think Sergey is using men’s fears of being called wussies to sell them his Google Glasses that will make men look like real wussies.

379 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:57:49pm

re: #377 Lidane

and who will protect from the miltiia? ZOMG BIG GOVERNMENT FASCIST LIBTARD SHARIAH COMMUNIST.

380 Ghost of Tom Joad  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:57:54pm

re: #372 Bulworth

Ever get the idea the Confederates in Congress don’t much care about employment, the economy, or anyone but their donors?

What in the world could have ever given you that outrageous idea?/

381 Kragar (Antichrist )  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:58:10pm

Three dead after shooting at a factory in Switzerland

A gunman killed two people and wounded seven others when he opened fire in a Swiss factory on Wednesday, police said, adding the shooter also died.

“There are three dead and seven wounded, a number of them seriously,” a police spokesman in the central canton of Lucerne told AFP.

The gunman was among the dead, the spokesman added, without saying whether he had committed suicide or been shot by police.

382 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:58:49pm
383 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:58:56pm

re: #378 Destro

I think Sergey is using men’s fears of being called wussies to sell them his Google Glasses that will make men look like real wussies.

ah, I had not heard about google glasses. It sounds like a good concept but much like bluetooth, it looks dorky as hell.

384 calochortus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:59:11pm

re: #378 Destro

I think Sergey is using men’s fears of being called wussies to sell them his Google Glasses that will make men look like real wussies.

How about: caring whether other people think your tools/possessions make you look like a wuss, actually makes you a wuss.

386 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:02:49pm

re: #385 NJDhockeyfan

PETA Furious U.S. To Bomb Guam With Dead Mice

I don’t like PETA at all but this isn’t totally out of bounds. They’re not opposed to killing the snakes. They don’t like the methodology. Though I do agree, it’s hard to catch snakes and then euthanized them as suggested.

387 calochortus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:02:49pm

bbl

388 kirkspencer  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:03:52pm

re: #383 HappyWarrior

ah, I had not heard about google glasses. It sounds like a good concept but much like bluetooth, it looks dorky as hell.

The big problem I expect to have with them is for people with vision problems. If you have trouble focusing on an object two to three inches from your eye, you can’t use them. I’ve not seen a magnification solution to that issue.

I actually have seen systems that would work, but they are even more cutting edge and problematic. That’s systems that project onto the eye’s lens itself. It works “in the labs” but it’s more than a little tricky to do outside.

389 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:04:31pm

re: #388 kirkspencer

The big problem I expect to have with them is for people with vision problems. If you have trouble focusing on an object two to three inches from your eye, you can’t use them. I’ve not seen a magnification solution to that issue.

I actually have seen systems that would work, but they are even more cutting edge and problematic. That’s systems that project onto the eye’s lens itself. It works “in the labs” but it’s more than a little tricky to do outside.

That is a good point.

390 Bubblehead II  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:05:57pm

re: #368 Kragar (Antichrist )

Just asked the Wife how She would feel about being a mandatory member of the Idaho militia? Got told to go the hell.

391 kirkspencer  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:07:05pm

re: #388 kirkspencer

ah, I should point out that I”m speaking of usage problems. Societally, I dread google glasses becoming common and inexpensive.

They let you see a video screen while doing other things - like driving. I’m picturing some idiot playing a high-adrenaline game while in the daily commute.

392 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:07:29pm

re: #385 NJDhockeyfan

PETA Furious U.S. To Bomb Guam With Dead Mice

They’ve done many studies on this for over 10 years. They’ve gone through the approval process with fish and wildlife including a public input period. They won’t be “bombing” Guam but in select locations. The plan isn’t to completely eradicate the snake with this method but to use it as a tool in its control.

393 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:07:43pm

re: #324 Decatur Deb

Looks like the Dow just broke the all-time high.

I can’t wait for the first GOP pundit to point out that a booming stock market and soaring corporate profits does not necessarily mean more and better jobs…

I have already addded another scale to my irony meter…

394 lawhawk  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:08:19pm

re: #393 Sol Berdinowitz

Logarithmic I hope.

395 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:08:45pm

re: #336 Gus

People who have no idea of what true masculinity means are the ones most likely to cling to arbitrary cultural symbols of “masculinity”.

396 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:08:45pm

re: #385 NJDhockeyfan

PETA Furious U.S. To Bomb Guam With Dead Mice

Also see [Link: littlegreenfootballs.com…]

397 dragonath  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:09:14pm

re: #391 kirkspencer

They let you see a video screen while doing other things - like driving. I’m picturing some idiot playing a high-adrenaline game while in the daily commute.

Hey hey… it’s Craaaaaaaazy Taxi!

398 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:09:52pm

re: #375 Kragar (Antichrist )

Every State already has a militia. Its called the National Guard, and they’ve got tanks, machine guns, the whole deal. Anyone interested can go enlist.

Anyone who still bitches about needing a militia and doesn’t join the NG is a reactionary nutjob.

Any discussion of the Second Amendment should begin with “A well-regulated mililtia…”

399 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:10:00pm

re: #396 Gus

Also see [Link: littlegreenfootballs.com…]

I am glad that they studied the impacts. I just didn’t think it was as simple as PETA freaking out over nothing which granted they do a lot of.

400 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:10:31pm

re: #398 Sol Berdinowitz

Any discussion of the Second Amendment should begin with “A well-regulated mililtia…”

What not? “Everyone should own a gun and if you don’t you must like the Holocaust you libtard commie.”

401 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:11:02pm

re: #392 Gus

They’ve done many studies on this for over 10 years. They’ve gone through the approval process with fish and wildlife including a public input period. They won’t be “bombing” Guam but in select locations. The plan isn’t to completely eradicate the snake with this method but to use it as a tool in its control.

I was under the impression that snakes eat live mice, not dead ones. They must already know these do eat dead mice. What other kind of animals will eat those mice as well?

402 Eclectic Cyborg  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:11:34pm

re: #385 NJDhockeyfan

PETA Furious U.S. To Bomb Guam With Dead Mice

The writer in me just loves the smooth rhyme of “bomb guam”.

403 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:12:13pm

re: #401 NJDhockeyfan

I was under the impression that snakes eat live mice, not dead ones. They must already know these do eat dead mice. What other kind of animals will eat those mice as well?

I’d think scavengers of any kind. Not sure what species of them exist in Guam’s ecosystem tho.

404 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:12:45pm

re: #401 NJDhockeyfan

I was under the impression that snakes eat live mice, not dead ones. They must already know these do eat dead mice. What other kind of animals will eat those mice as well?

I forgot. It’s mentioned in one or both studies. On my 4G card now so I can’t look.

405 dragonath  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:14:27pm

I wonder how fast a state like Arizona would move to further antagonize latinos if the civil rights provision were struck down. I think we’re going to see a lot of weird things happen in the next few state legislative elections.

406 makeitstop  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:15:09pm

I’m really taken by this band. They come to NYC in March and I’m going to check them out.

Youtube Video

They get huge points plus for use of the word ‘genii’ in a pop song.

407 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:15:15pm

Honestly, if you’re getting a non-native species as a pet. You better take damn good care of it and or not release it into the wild. Hate to sound like a broken record but invasive species can really screw up ecosystems.

408 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:16:31pm

re: #407 HappyWarrior

Honestly, if you’re getting a non-native species as a pet. You better take damn good care of it and or not release it into the wild. Hate to sound like a broken record but invasive species can really screw up ecosystems.

Yes. Next stop would be Hawaii for this snake. That would be devastating.

409 NJDhockeyfan  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:16:35pm

re: #403 HappyWarrior

I’d think scavengers of any kind. Not sure what species of them exist in Guam’s ecosystem tho.

They definitely have good reason to get rid of these snakes.

The snakes are thought to have arrived in Guam shortly after World War II. Hitching rides from the South Pacific, the tree snakes traveled aboard US military ships and the wells of airplanes.

The snakes, which can reach 10 ft. in length, have attacked residents, bitten young children, and caused widespread power outages by crawling into power lines. By killing off almost all of Guam’s native birds, they have caused dramatic changes in the island’s ecosystem. With hardly any birds left, the island of Guam has experienced a population explosion of spiders. During the rainy season, the US territory has 40 times as many spider webs as its neighboring islands, which have similar climates, NPR reports. Spider webs, many of which can be linked to the banana spider, are also 50 percent larger on Guam than on any other Pacific islands.

Since Guam has become infested with snakes and spiders, while its bird species have largely been wiped out, the island’s tourism industry has suffered a dramatic decline.

410 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:17:00pm

re: #405 dragonath

I wonder how fast a state like Arizona would move to further antagonize latinos if the civil rights provision were struck down. I think we’re going to see a lot of weird things happen in the next few state legislative elections.

Should be interesting to see who the Dems there run against Brewer in 2014. I would love and I mean love to see Joe Arpaio have to fight to save his job. Arizona I think could be an interesting state to watch in the next elections. Carmona who was Bush’s surgeon general but is a Democrat did really well in that race against Flake.

411 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:17:38pm

re: #403 HappyWarrior

I’d think scavengers of any kind. Not sure what species of them exist in Guam’s ecosystem tho.

The mice will have streamers attached. The streamer is also used so the mouse becomes attached to the jungle tops thus preventing them from hitting the ground.

412 Bulworth  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:18:31pm

re: #393 Sol Berdinowitz

Although they don’t want the Fed to focus any attention on unemployment. And the only jobs legislation they and their state affiliates seem interested in is vagina-probing. Other than that, yeah, they’re focused like a laser beam on the economy and jobs and Obama not fixing the economy.

413 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:19:16pm

Wheee!

414 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:19:35pm

re: #409 NJDhockeyfan

Yes, they do. I was just saying that scavengers would be a likely candidate to eat the dead mice too. I am not denying that the cause is good but I understand why the animal rights activists had some reservations about using the dead mice. It’s a tough situation especially since people have been attacked by these snakes and I think one of the things that PETA and other animal rights activists don’t think of is how people are impacted.

415 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:20:13pm

re: #411 Gus

The mice will have streamers attached. The streamer is also used so the mouse becomes attached to the jungle tops thus preventing them from hitting the ground.

Ah gotcha. As I said, seems like the government did their homework on this.

416 dragonath  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:20:25pm

re: #410 HappyWarrior

One thing you see among the particularly deranged movement conservatives is a open wish to drive a wedge between the latino and black communities. It’s not going to happen because guys like Arpaio are equally antagonistic to both.

417 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:20:47pm

re: #413 Lidane

Wheee!

Please tell me this means that Steve King will resign his House seat to do so because I see no way he wins statewide.

418 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:22:01pm

re: #416 dragonath

One thing you see among the particularly deranged movement conservatives is a open wish to drive a wedge between the latino and black communities. It’s not going to happen because guys like Arpaio are equally antagonistic to both.

I think I’ve seen Buchanan try to pull that canard.

419 b_sharp  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:22:19pm

re: #411 Gus

The mice will have streamers attached. The streamer is also used so the mouse becomes attached to the jungle tops thus preventing them from hitting the ground.

The snakes will feel no pain.

420 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:25:43pm
421 dragonath  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:26:57pm

re: #418 HappyWarrior

I’ve seen piece of shit cartoonist Glenn McCoy pull it too. They’ve been so ghoulishly open about it during the Zimmerman case.

422 HappyWarrior  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:28:15pm

re: #420 Lidane

Hey what do you know spending cuts actually have consequences to programs that effect real people huh Republicans. Maybe if your head wasn’t up your ass when you were signing Grover Norquist’s stupid little pledges you’d knwo that.

423 Gus  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:29:57pm

re: #419 b_sharp

The snakes will feel no pain.

This non-native animal stuff can get pretty hairy at times. Especially when you start talking feral cats.

424 Lidane  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 1:35:36pm

What a helpful guy:

425 StephenMeansMe  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 2:37:42pm

Roberts is asking the wrong question. Racism may have a special concentration in the South, but it certainly has no special restriction to the South.

Of course, if you want to feed the right-wing persecution complex, it’s the perfect question.

426 wrenchwench  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 3:05:49pm

re: #423 Gus

This non-native animal stuff can get pretty hairy at times. Especially when you start talking feral cats.

Or feral horses.

427 Patricia Kayden  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 3:12:58pm

re: #2 HappyWarrior

But the government attorney answered Scalia’s question in the negative. I would have said that yes, given its history, people in the South have exhibited racism at a higher rate than people in other parts of the U.S. The South defended slavery (went to war to perpetuate it) and then enacted Jim Crow laws which disenfranchised African Americans and imposed segregation against African Americans. So yes, people in the South are more racist than people in the North.

428 Etaoin Shrdlu  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 4:10:48pm

Scalia is giving McReynolds a run for his money.

429 Decatur Deb  Wed, Feb 27, 2013 5:14:01pm

re: #126 FemNaziBitch

You’ll notice on the SPLC Hate Map that Gus posted, NEARLY ALL the hate groups are White Nationalist types. I think there is one Nation of Islam in Indianapolis.

Their ‘Yahwists’ are Black separatist religious groups with some record of violence.


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