The Two Most Ridiculous Right Wing Shutdown-Related Fake Outrages

How loony can they get?
Wingnuts • Views: 28,809

The first of our two most ridiculous phony outrages is a meme being circulated on Facebook; LGF contributor Gus tweeted about it yesterday, with the laughably awful photoshopped image that’s got the wingnuts in a tizzy:

Wow, that’s really spiteful! How dare he?!

Pretty crazed, you’ll have to admit. But our second most ridiculous fake outrage is nearly as stupid and phony, as breitbart.com propagandist Mike Flynn wants his gullible audience to believe that Spiteful Obama is actually trying to close the ocean. That’s just how spiteful he is! And just to drive home the sheer spitefulness of that monster, he illustrates his ludicrous post with a photo of Obama… body-surfing! In the ocean! The bastard!

This is governing by temper-tantrum. It is on par with the government’s ham-fisted attempts to close the DC WWII Memorial, an open-air public monument that is normally accessible 24 hours a day. By accessible I mean, you walk up to it. When you have finished reflecting, you then walk away from it.

At least that Memorial is an actual structure, with some kind of perimeter that can be fenced off. Florida Bay is the ocean. How, pray tell, do you “close” 1,100 square miles of ocean? Why would one even need to do so?

Apparently, according to an anonymous Park Service ranger, “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting.”

Centuries ago, King Canute famously failed to command the ocean tide to stop. His display was actually a means to educate his subjects on the limits of royal power. Today, however, our President actually believes he has the power to control the oceans.

That’s so incredibly loony, I find it amazing he could even type it without collapsing into hysterics at his own crack-brained derangement.

And of course, you realize it’s complete bullshit, right? Here’s the article this lurid paranoid post is drawn from: Shutdown Day 3: Food Distributor Stalled, Charter Boat Captains Docked - Business - MiamiHerald.com.

Charter guides received a message from the National Park Service this week informing them that they are not permitted to take clients fishing in Florida Bay until the feds get back to work. That means that more than 1,100 square miles of prime fishing is off limits between the southern tip of the mainland to the Keys until further notice.

The closing affects not only fishing guides, but anyone with a license to conduct business in the park, including tour operators and paddling guides — anyone with a Commercial Use Authorization permit, said Dan Kimball, superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas national parks.

That’s right, the closure affects people with licenses to use park property, and like many services affected by the shutdown, the government can’t pay the people who administer and enforce the regulations — so access needs to be suspended.

In the Breitbart fever swamp, this turns into “OBAMA SEEKS TO CONTROL THE VERY OCEANS!” Good grief.

Oh… and that quote from an “anonymous Park Service ranger,” saying “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting?” It’s being passed around as gospel truth on every right wing blog and media site — but it originated with Washington Times weirdo Wesley Pruden. Which means it was probably made up out of thin air.

Right wing journalism at its finest!

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386 comments
1 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:26:17pm

Got a third one:

Boehner: U.S. Is On A Path To Default

Take a guess at who he blames for that.

2 bratwurst  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:26:27pm

This is what intelligent people of all political orientations are up against: willful ignorance.

3 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:28:01pm

I think a lot of people just enjoy the silliness. Even more so if they don’t like the person involved.
The story of the woman who was shot in DC last week provided an example. Some Freepers were just making up (what they admitted were) stories based on wild speculation as to who she was and what she was trying to do-the weirdest being that the child in the car was fathered by the president and… well, I don’t know “and what”.

4 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:30:14pm

CBS host grills Cornyn: It’s like shutting down government and demanding a ‘cure for cancer’

The Texas senator argued that “this government would still be up and running” if the president and Democrats agreed to gut the Affordable Care Act by exempting Americans from the individual mandate to buy insurance, the core mechanism which allows the law to function.

“Senator, isn’t there something wrong when you say I won’t fund the government unless I can attach my personal wish list to the legislation every time we vote?” Schieffer pressed. “I’d love to see the government find a cause — cure for cancer, but I don’t think you can say, I’m not going to pass any funds for the rest of the government until [the National Institutes of Health] finds a cure for cancer.”

“I mean, isn’t that just kind of the same thing here?”

5 Hal_10000  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:30:18pm

The amazing thing is that you don’t have to make up stories to get mad at the Park Service. They are closing open air memorials that have no business being closed — expending resources to keep people out. They even shut down the Skyline Drive again, which is completely unnecessary.

But this is not specific to Obama. Gail Norton, Bush’s former Interior Secretary, pointed out that the Park Service has a long history of doing this: trying to maximize inconvenience when their budget is in question. They did it under Bush. They did it under Clinton. Under Reagan, they shut down the skyline drive because the appropriations committee was talking about cutting their budget.

So it’s fine to get mad at the Park Service. It’s just hard to turn that around into yet another Evil Obama meme.

6 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:30:27pm

re: #1 Kragar

Got a third one:

Boehner: U.S. Is On A Path To Default

Take a guess at who he blames for that.

So how does that square with his “won’t let the government default”?

7 PhillyPretzel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:30:42pm

This seems to be the internet equivalent of the journalism saying, “If it bleeds it leads.” Also keep in mind, “Dog bites man is not news; Man bites dog is news.”

8 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:32:13pm

re: #5 Hal_10000

So someone falls down the steps at an understaffed monument, gets lost hiking out from a road and what happens?

9 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:33:13pm

re: #5 Hal_10000

You do understand the park and memorial shutdowns are about liability issues? If someone gets injured and there is no official staff there to maintain safety, then various laws over insurance and other issues come into play.

10 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:36:57pm

OH WAIT THEIR IS MOAR DERP

11 Ming  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:39:11pm

I usually laugh at the right-wing (and left-wing) nut jobs. But with the government shutdown, I’m also feeling some real discomfort.

A friend of mine, a marine biologist with the NOAA in San Diego, was furloughed last Tuesday. She doesn’t have a lot of money, and she’s had some recent extra expenses. As it happens, I visited Sedona, Arizona both yesterday and the Saturday before. There was quite a difference between the two Saturdays: one before the shutdown, the other after.

Of course, these are trivial details. My “discomfort” is the threat to our entire system of government. Right now, the Republicans are effectively demanding the retroactive election of Mitt Romney in November 2012. I don’t see how any good can come from “compromising” with them.

As many have already observed, the Affordable Care Act expands the PRIVATE insurance system to achieve near-universal coverage. Ideologically, it’s very centrist, very bipartisan. It is NOT a major lurch into socialism. I don’t see how to “compromise” about the Affordable Care Act. To attack the ACA is to attack the entire American system of government, the checks and balances that produced the ACA. As others have pointed out, the last time there was a challenge like this to our system of government, it was in the 1860’s.

Hence my “discomfort”; this shutdown has a kind of “serious component” that surprises and unnerves me. I didn’t think things would go this far.

12 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:39:28pm

re: #5 Hal_10000

Also, the Park Service tends to be underfunded IMHO. There’s a lot of infrastructure that needs maintenance that no one seems to care about.

13 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:39:46pm

National Parks are closed. Federal lands for national monuments and national parks are closed. If you close the site, you’re limiting the government’s exposure to liability in case say someone gets injured, gets into a car crash, or gets stuck in a blizzard.

Take the Black Hills. You’ve got Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Badlands and Mount Rushmore within a hundred miles of each other (give or take).

This area just got hit with record snowfall. Rapid City had more than 2 feet, and some places had 3 feet. These folks are complaining that turnoffs are blocked? Someone falls and gets injured, or gets into an accident? Someone damages park property - and we’re supposed to ignore that.

Same with places like Biscayne Bay National Park, which is mostly underwater - there are charter outfits that take people out to scuba dive and snorkel. Those concessionaires can’t do anything since the park is closed.

The GOP forced the shutdown. This is on them.

Oh, and there’s something else that the GOP seems to ignore. They hate on the IRS, but the IRS is responsible for issuing EINs to new businesses, and ITINs to foreign residents/nonresidents. Without those numbers, new businesses can’t get up and running - so blocking the CR means that the GOP is anti-business for preventing startups from actually starting up since the EIN is instrumental in doing federal and state/local registrations required to begin business operations. The SSA isn’t issuing new SSNs either, meaning that people can’t take care of registering babies for their SSNs as well as opening up bond accounts for friends/relatives.

14 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:40:01pm

The last one is totally WTF.
1. What is the length of the US border compared to the perimeter of the Washington Mall?
2. Does it even make sense to “barricade” the border with the kind of barriers that were put up at the Washington Mall?

15 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:41:29pm

DERP

16 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:41:42pm

re: #14 Vicious Babushka

The last one is totally WTF.

2. Does it even make sense to “barricade” the border with the kind of barriers that were put up at the Washington Mall?

Sure, nothing like a sturdy looking barricade to turn back desperate immigrants.

17 Iwouldprefernotto  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:41:52pm

re: #14 Vicious Babushka

The last one is totally WTF.
1. What is the length of the US border compared to the perimeter of the Washington Mall?
2. Does it even make sense to “barricade” the border with the kind of barriers that were put up at the Washington Mall?

Ask the Oathkeepers.

18 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:41:56pm

re: #10 Vicious Babushka

There is no Muslim Museum. That’s just a total flat out fabrication.

19 PhillyPretzel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:42:59pm

re: #15 Vicious Babushka

“Tantrum-ocracy.” That is a good name for it.

20 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:43:03pm

re: #18 lawhawk

There is no Muslim Museum. That’s just a total flat out fabrication.

Yeah I know. Fox was totally pwn3d by a fake story.

21 Hal_10000  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:43:04pm

re: #8 calochortus

1) The federal government — as most governments do — has limited liability. It’s called sovereign immunity. Even if your claim qualifies under FTCA, the Fed’s liabilities are still very limited.

2) This represents a thinking that no one should be allowed to do anything — even walk up to a damned wall — without supervision.

22 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:43:20pm

re: #18 lawhawk

There is no Muslim Museum. That’s just a total flat out fabrication.

It’s a secret museum.

And remember snopes is run by a liberal couple so you can’t believe anything you read there.
/

23 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:43:25pm

re: #8 calochortus

So someone falls down the steps at an understaffed monument, gets lost hiking out from a road and what happens?

Or gets stuck somewhere in the Black Hills or Mt. Rushmore area because of the blizzard that dumped 2+ feet of snow.

24 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:44:18pm

re: #19 PhillyPretzel

“Tantrum-ocracy.” That is a good name for it.

Except the RWNJs are the ones having the tantrum.

25 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:45:32pm

re: #21 Hal_10000

So vandalism won’t be a problem?

Also, the shut down ought to hurt people. Not just poor people, not just government contractors, not just businesses needing government services-everyone. So, yeah. If you’re going to shut stuff down-shut down the fun stuff too.

26 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:47:24pm

The “ZOMG Obummer iz closing teh oshun! Eleventy!” derp just reeks of First World Problems. Oh, you mean you can’t take your fishing boat out past a certain distance and go catch fish? Boo fucking hoo. This is me playing the world’s smallest violin because you can’t partake in a hobby.

It’s like all the outrage over the national parks and monuments. What the fuck did anyone expect would happen when the National Park Service gets furloughed? That everything would stay open so you could go touristing or on vacation? WTF.

When these right wingers start getting outraged by the CDC being unable to track disease outbreaks or Immigration being unable to do E-Verify checks (which slows down new hires due to a lot of companies requiring an E-Verify check for employment) then I’ll listen to their whining. Otherwise they can STFU.

27 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:49:01pm

Last time I checked, Normandy was in freaking FRANCE!

28 Hal_10000  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:49:04pm

re: #25 calochortus

1) You can cut down on vandalism with fewer people than it takes to block access to the monuments. The govt couldn’t prevent vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial before the shutdown.

2) Thanks for playing into the Right Wing meme that this is all about Obama deliberately hurting the American public.

I have no problem with much of what is being shut down (I mean, other than my problem with the shutdown in general). The OMB has to make choices and Park have to be very low on the priority list. I do have a problem with them expending extra resources to close down open air memorial just to prove a point.

29 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:50:38pm

re: #21 Hal_10000

It’s not just liability. It’s protecting sites from poachers, from those damaging Park resources, etc.

Not everyone has good intentions when they come to national parks. Graffiti, taking materials, etc.

But what part of the NPS - the entire NPS - being closed do you not get. The GOP created this condition by attaching poison pill provisions to CR after CR, and the entire situation is avoidable and fixed with a Clean CR.

The GOP can’t pick and choose what parts of government to fund. The half-assed half-measures they’re trotting out with 6-week CRs is weaker than weak sauce. They say they want to make the WWII memorial reopen by funding NPS, but then play games with WIC, SNAP, and TANF. And that’s all after the Tea Party succeeded in resetting government spending via sequester - 10% across the board cuts that went to the core Tea Party doctrine to chop government spending regardless of the impact on the safety net.

The TP/GOP is totally into shutting down government; they broke it. They own this.

30 sunnygal  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:50:44pm

re: #14 Vicious Babushka
1. What is the length of the US border compared to the perimeter of the Washington Mall?
2. Does it even make sense to “barricade” the border with the kind of barriers that were put up at the Washington Mall?

Why should Republicans start making sense at this date when they haven’t been making sense for the past 6 years?

31 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:50:45pm

re: #27 Vicious Babushka

Last time I checked, Normandy was in freaking FRANCE!

[Embedded content]

The golf course is paid for by players paying for the use of the course. It doesn’t run off of government funds.

32 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:51:19pm

re: #28 Hal_10000

Do you have a problem with the GOP loading up a bunch of 90-year-old veterans immediately after the shutdown just so they could have a photo op?

33 gwangung  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:51:44pm

re: #28 Hal_10000

1) You can cut down on vandalism with fewer people than it takes to block access to the monuments. The govt couldn’t prevent vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial before the shutdown.

I don’t find this a particularly cogent comment. How?

34 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:52:20pm

re: #27 Vicious Babushka

And what military golf course is he even talking about?

But most of all - what part of government closed do these people not understand. The GOP closed it. All of it. That’s what not having a budget in place does. They then can’t go and pick and choose what to keep open and dictate anything.

35 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:53:00pm

re: #28 Hal_10000

I said nothing about Obama hurting people-the shutdown which is owned in its entirety by the GOP congressmen is hurting a lot of people, and as long as it is hurting some people and businesses, the pain needs to include everyone. Not just the things we don’t see.

Surely you aren’t suggesting we should play favorites?

36 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:53:24pm

re: #34 lawhawk

And what military golf course is he even talking about?

But most of all - what part of government closed do these people not understand. The GOP closed it. All of it. That’s what not having a budget in place does. They then can’t go and pick and choose what to keep open and dictate anything.

Camp David, where the course is run by a private company and paid for by the customers.

37 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:54:18pm

The GOP cares more about access to parks than access to food, housing, and healthcare.

38 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:55:06pm

I want to apologize to the membership for having previously posted a lot of politicians, talking heads and media involved in this political mess were acting like bratty two-year-old kids.

I also want to apologize to all bratty two-year-old kids.

I am now running through the animal kingdom and consider using any of them as a example of bad/stupid/dangerous behavior unfair to animals.

What to do, what to do?

Suggestions please. Bacteria? Algae? Molds? It does need be a living organism. Or, does it?

39 Decatur Deb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:56:34pm

re: #38 ObserverArt

I want to apologize to the membership for having previously posted a lot of politicians, talking heads and media involved in this political mess were acting like bratty two-year-old kids.

I also want to apologize to all bratty two-year-old kids.

I am now running through the animal kingdom and consider using any of them as a example of bad/stupid/dangerous behavior unfair to animals.

What to do, what to do?

Suggestions please. Bacteria? Algae? Molds? It does need be a living organism. Or, does it?

Fucking loons:

Image: Escapetapes_loons_mating_01_590x300.jpg

40 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:56:55pm

re: #38 ObserverArt

Sorry, only humans can reach these levels of malignant stupidity. I’m afraid the rest of the animal/plant/algal kingdoms have to be left out.

41 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 12:57:31pm

DERP

42 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:00:52pm

re: #1 Kragar

Got a third one:

Boehner: U.S. Is On A Path To Default

Take a guess at who he blames for that.

43 Hal_10000  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:00:55pm
The GOP can’t pick and choose what parts of government to fund. The half-assed half-measures they’re trotting out with 6-week CRs is weaker than weak sauce. They say they want to make the WWII memorial reopen by funding NPS, but then play games with WIC, SNAP, and TANF. And that’s all after the Tea Party succeeded in resetting government spending via sequester - 10% across the board cuts that went to the core Tea Party doctrine to chop government spending regardless of the impact on the safety net.

5% actually, but I agree that they can’t pick and choose parts of the govt to fund. Among other things, the process is completely arbitrary depending on what’s on the news that they think they can hit Obama over the head with. So they want to restore Parks funding because people are complaining. Parks funding would be very low on my priority list of things to fund right now. Certainly far below food assistance to poor children.

lawhawk, I was more talking about the open air memorials which you have to expend resources closing down. Closing down national parks like Yellowstone is a different story because those require active management to function properly.

44 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:02:48pm

re: #41 Vicious Babushka

How has the shutdown affected me? It’s shown me (and the rest of the world) just how economically illiterate the TP/GOP is.

Any of these yahoos who think that the government should just chop the nonessential personnel altogether simply doesn’t buinsess or government.

Tom Kincannon? Is his an essential job for whatever work he does? Chop it.

45 Eclectic Cyborg  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:04:18pm

re: #41 Vicious Babushka

It’s so easy to confuse “non essential” with “unimportant” or “unnecessary” isn’t it?

46 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:04:30pm

re: #41 Vicious Babushka

47 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:04:52pm

re: #44 lawhawk

How has the shutdown affected me? It’s shown me (and the rest of the world) just how economically illiterate the TP/GOP is.

Any of these yahoos who think that the government should just chop the nonessential personnel altogether simply doesn’t buinsess or government.

Tom Kincannon? Is his an essential job for whatever work he does? Chop it.

Not to mention it is costing every one of us a lot of money-and will continue to do so.

48 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:04:52pm

re: #25 calochortus

So vandalism won’t be a problem?

Also, the shut down ought to hurt people. Not just poor people, not just government contractors, not just businesses needing government services-everyone. So, yeah. If you’re going to shut stuff down-shut down the fun stuff too.

All the monuments and many parks are also symbols of America. Unfortunately we knows what that can mean. Can the same thing happen when they are open normally. Yes. But, when they are closed they become more available targets to make political statements. Just another aspect to consider.

49 Carlos Danger  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:06:07pm

There’s a lot of politicking going on with the governor of ND saying the state should run Mt. Rushmore, but it’s not going to happen unless congress itself mandated the authority to the state.

People have no idea.

50 Carlos Danger  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:07:26pm

Oh- people should see how many people dump trash in public parks. There’s a state park in PA that’s (technically) a giant sinkhole and it’s filled with trash.

51 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:08:21pm

re: #43 Hal_10000

Open monuments are still subject to the same liability and public safety concerns as any of the other parks and federal lands.

And the sequester isn’t 5%. It’s 10% on certain parts of spending, 8.5% on others.

52 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:09:11pm

re: #37 Kragar

The GOP cares more about access to parks than access to food, housing, and healthcare.

They have food, houses and health. They still like to drive by the parks once ‘n awhile.

53 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:10:45pm

re: #5 Hal_10000

And while the rightwing whinges about national monuments being closed, the House of Representatives RIGHT NOW is is having hearings to sell off 3.3 million acres of public lands because it’s so fiscally responsible…

/

54 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:11:08pm

re: #40 calochortus

Sorry, only humans can reach these levels of malignant stupidity. I’m afraid the rest of the animal/plant/algal kingdoms have to be left out.

Hey, it may have hit me.

Dirt.

55 blueraven  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:11:48pm

re: #25 calochortus

So vandalism won’t be a problem?

Also, the shut down ought to hurt people. Not just poor people, not just government contractors, not just businesses needing government services-everyone. So, yeah. If you’re going to shut stuff down-shut down the fun stuff too.

The Republicans are playing on what they always accuse Democrats of; governing by EMOTION.

They are cynically pretending to support the most heart rendering victims of government shutdown and trying to make the Dems the bad guys, NIH; but the children with cancer!!! National Parks; WWII veterans in wheelchairs!!.

It is a really ugly ploy and I hope America will not fall for it. Open it all, or it all remains closed.

Like this post rightly states:

“What House Tea Party Republicans are demanding with this shutdown is nothing less than a line-item veto over the established laws of our nation”.

They cannot be allowed to get away with this.

56 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:12:06pm

re: #44 lawhawk

Any of these yahoos who think that the government should just chop the nonessential personnel altogether simply doesn’t buinsess or government.

We have decades of proof that the Republicans are complete economic illiterates. Now have demonstrable proof that they’ve decided to bend over and grab their ankles for the economic terrorist wing of the party, who are even dumber than the average GOP pol on how government works.

It’s not exactly a comforting thought.

57 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:13:24pm

Does anybody know where one can get a really good OTC toenail fungus treatment?

58 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:13:47pm

bbiab

59 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:13:51pm

re: #57 Amory Blaine

Does anybody know where one can get a really good OTC toenail fungus treatment?

Ask Charles.

60 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:15:11pm

re: #44 lawhawk

Tom Kincannon? Is his an essential job for whatever work he does? Chop it.

He is the Administrator of All Teh Derp on Teh Twitters!

61 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:16:31pm
62 Stoatly  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:19:28pm

re: #54 ObserverArt

Dirt.

Nah, dirt can be useful - you can build on it, grow things in it

63 Snarknado!  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:19:41pm

re: #24 Vicious Babushka

Except the RWNJs are the ones having the tantrum.

A tantrum-ocracy is what we’ll have if POTUS gives way.

64 Decatur Deb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:20:13pm

re: #61 Vicious Babushka

[Embedded content]

Who pays for Rep Stockman’s health insurance?

65 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:20:39pm

re: #28 Hal_10000

1) You can cut down on vandalism with fewer people than it takes to block access to the monuments. The govt couldn’t prevent vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial before the shutdown.

2) Thanks for playing into the Right Wing meme that this is all about Obama deliberately hurting the American public.

I have no problem with much of what is being shut down (I mean, other than my problem with the shutdown in general). The OMB has to make choices and Park have to be very low on the priority list. I do have a problem with them expending extra resources to close down open air memorial just to prove a point.

Proving a point? Who is “proving a point”?
One of the WWII veterans was complaining that the restrooms weren’t opened and he would have to “piss on a tree”.
Who the hell did he think kept those restrooms open and cleaned? Freakin volunteers?

66 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:21:10pm

re: #63 Snarknado!

A tantrum-ocracy is what we’ll have if POTUS gives way.

Which is why he can’t blink or give an inch to the GOP no matter how much they howl and whine. If he gives in at all, the rest of his term will be nothing but these sorts of bullshit stunts from the GOP.

67 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:22:17pm

re: #35 calochortus

I said nothing about Obama hurting people-the shutdown which is owned in its entirety by the GOP congressmen is hurting a lot of people, and as long as it is hurting some people and businesses, the pain needs to include everyone. Not just the things we don’t see.

Surely you aren’t suggesting we should play favorites?

Why, yes. Yes, he is.

68 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:23:41pm

re: #64 Decatur Deb

Who pays for Rep Stockman’s health insurance?

Jesus.

69 Decatur Deb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:30:00pm

re: #68 Kragar

Jesus.

Except for a short stint with IBM, he’s been a career politician. Also claims to have been homeless at one point, which makes his attitude pure shitstick.

en.wikipedia.org

72 missliberties  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:35:53pm

re: #52 ObserverArt

They care about access to photo ops. Hiding behind wheelchairs is their new MO.

73 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:41:37pm
75 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:43:59pm

re: #73 Kragar

[Embedded content]

That’s what Todd gets for relying on his tiny head…

76 Decatur Deb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:44:37pm

re: #74 b_sharp

Average $207/month?

WTF? How is anybody going to live on that amount?

Coupons.

77 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:46:33pm
Breitbart.com propagandist Mike Flynn wants his gullible audience to believe that Spiteful Obama is actually trying to close the ocean.

They’ll just have to make do with the rest of the Atlantic and Pacific, but it’s apparently not enough. Oh, and BP says the Gulf is just beautiful!

78 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:46:44pm

re: #76 Decatur Deb

Coupons.

You have to say like Ron White does: “coo-pins!”

79 sagehen  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:47:35pm

re: #74 b_sharp

Average $207/month?

WTF? How is anybody going to live on that amount?

Nobody lives on *just* that — but patching it together with some government cheese, and a bag of groceries from the charity food drive, and a couple meals at a soup kitchen, and maybe the kids get a school lunch, and some dumpster diving….

80 Justanotherhuman  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:52:24pm

re: #69 Decatur Deb

Except for a short stint with IBM, he’s been a career politician. Also claims to have been homeless at one point, which makes his attitude pure shitstick.

en.wikipedia.org

That claim is the most ridiculous thing he’s said so far. He was basically using drugs and arrested on a drug charge. Whether or not he was “homeless” in the way we usually define it is simply, I think, part of his invented persona and played for sympathy.

Until, of course, he found Jaysus and made a career out of RW politics.

81 Justanotherhuman  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:53:40pm

re: #74 b_sharp

Average $207/month?

WTF? How is anybody going to live on that amount?

Don’t be so surprised! Everyone on “welfare” is getting rich, doncha know!

82 b_sharp  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:53:48pm

re: #76 Decatur Deb

Coupons.

Uh huh.

83 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:54:18pm

re: #81 Justanotherhuman

Don’t be so surprised! Everyone on “welfare” is getting rich, doncha know!

Eating T-bone steaks and driving Caddies!

84 b_sharp  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:55:55pm

re: #79 sagehen

Nobody lives on *just* that — but patching it together with some government cheese, and a bag of groceries from the charity food drive, and a couple meals at a soup kitchen, and maybe the kids get a school lunch, and some dumpster diving….

Easy peesy, right?

Kids who do not have nutritious meals every day have retarded brain development.

No chance of breaking out of the poverty cycle.

85 SnowdenBaggerVance  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 1:59:26pm

re: #74 b_sharp

Average $207/month?

WTF? How is anybody going to live on that amount?

That’s like a lobster and one shitty tattoo, not even an Obamaphone!

87 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:06:57pm
88 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:10:48pm

re: #69 Decatur Deb

Except for a short stint with IBM, he’s been a career politician. Also claims to have been homeless at one point, which makes his attitude pure shitstick.

en.wikipedia.org

Citation needed.

Stockman was born in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Bloomfield Hills is the wealthiest city in Michigan, it’s the suburb where all the automotive executives live.

He probably moved back in with his parents while he was “homeless”

89 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:10:55pm

Pro tip: If you’re going to derp at someone, pick your target wisely:

90 Justanotherhuman  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:11:00pm

How in hell did a 9 yr old do this? Not only did he have money, he stole a piece of luggage. Cheeeez, my kids still had a babysitter at 9 yrs old; they weren’t latchkey kids until they were teens.

Nine-year-old stowaway had scoped out airport day before his flight to Las Vegas

startribune.com

“The 9-year-old boy who stowed away on a Delta flight from Minneapolis to Las Vegas on Thursday passed through three security checkpoints at the airport without a boarding pass or identification, officials and an airline expert said Sunday.

The boy got through the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) checkpoint, past a Delta gate agent and didn’t get scrutinized by flight attendants before the plane took off, said Terry Trippler, owner of ThePlaneRules.com.

“The boy blended in with a family traveling with children, and if an adult handed the TSA agent six boarding passes, it would be fairly easy to miss it if there were seven people, Trippler said.”

Sounds to me as though everyone treated him as though he was invisible.

91 sagehen  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:12:21pm

re: #88 Vicious Babushka

Citation needed.

Bloomfield Hills is the wealthiest city in Michigan, it’s the suburb where all the automotive executives live.

He probably moved back in with his parents while he was “homeless”

Mitt Romney’s from Bloomfield Hills.

92 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:14:00pm

re: #91 sagehen

Mitt Romney’s from Bloomfield Hills.

My parents lived in Bloomfield Hills from 1968-1977.

93 No Country For Old Haters  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:14:45pm

re: #73 Kragar

94 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:15:19pm

Watching Bruce Bartlett’s Twitter feed has been hilarious. Worked for Luap Nor and Jack Kemp. Worked for Bush 41. Longtime conservative. And he keeps getting derped at by teabaggers for being a RINO.

Of course, when you tweet things like this, it’s inevitable:

95 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:15:49pm

re: #73 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Hey, at least Kragar HAS a brain.

96 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:17:03pm

re: #95 Vicious Babushka

ToddKincannon

Every time I see his name, I hear Gilda Radner saying it.

97 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:17:20pm

And the Godwins…

99 Snarknado!  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:19:20pm

re: #90 Justanotherhuman

Sounds to me as though everyone treated him as though he was invisible.

Years ago, I was at Disneyland when the parade ended, and saw a young child (7? 8?) sitting alone on a bench and crying. I had a cigarette in my hand (still okay in Dland then), and wanted to be sure his parents weren’t nearby, so I didn’t approach him until I finished it. In all that time, people walked by him on all sides and no-one did anything. And there are a LOT of people walking around Main Street. (Then I took him to the lost children center.)

We all (as a nation) pretend to love children, but ignore them is what we do.

100 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:19:42pm

re: #97 Vicious Babushka

And the Godwins…

[Embedded content]

Because “kinder, küche, kirche” for women and hating on minorities is a common liberal position?

101 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:19:43pm

re: #97 Vicious Babushka

Oh look. Another idiot that read Jonah Goldberg’s illiterate screed and took it seriously.

102 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:20:03pm

re: #98 Vicious Babushka

DERP

[Embedded content]

Ahh…but I bet Obama has control of the sharks….

heh…

103 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:20:08pm

re: #98 Vicious Babushka

Government can’t tell me the bridge is out!

104 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:20:11pm

DERP

105 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:21:14pm

High voltage? I’ll be the judge of that!

106 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:21:20pm

re: #98 Vicious Babushka

Once again, this is nothing more than over-entitled First World Problems failure.

These dipshits are ZOMG OUTRAGED about the National Park Service being furloughed but not a fucking word about WIC, Head Start, or other programs that help the poor and vulnerable.

Fuck these RWNJs sideways.

107 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:21:29pm

So, RWNJ’s are bitching that government services they like have been deemed “non-essential” but at the same time they want the “non-essential” furlough to become permanent.

108 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:22:29pm

Game show host critique of ‘non-essential employee’.

109 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:22:47pm

re: #107 Vicious Babushka

These dipshits have conflated “non-essential” with “unimportant”.

Then they whine about the national parks and monuments being closed.

110 CuriousLurker  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:24:30pm

re: #94 Lidane

Watching Bruce Bartlett’s Twitter feed has been hilarious. Worked for Luap Nor and Jack Kemp. Worked for Bush 41. Longtime conservative. And he keeps getting derped at by teabaggers for being a RINO.

Of course, when you tweet things like this, it’s inevitable:

[Embedded content]

LOL, I liked these:

111 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:25:02pm

re: #109 Lidane

These dipshits have conflated “non-essential” with “unimportant”.

Then they whine about the national parks and monuments being closed.

Because firemen never need to do maintenance or or upkeep, only putting out fires is “essential”.

112 weejee  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:25:30pm

Is it possible to get cloture on Breitbart? Seemingly ignoring his minions’ prayers, Andy appears to still be dead.

113 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:27:50pm

re: #110 CuriousLurker

They are nicer than the deals I’d offer

1) The house passes a clean CR and the GOP House members get to keep legislative immunity for the damage they did.

2) Each bit of incremental silliness sent by the House to the Senate gets returned with a love note at the bottom “That’s another 0.5% of the sequester cuts that will be undone.”

114 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:27:57pm

re: #97 Vicious Babushka

And the Godwins…

[Embedded content]

What? Liberals? Nazis were liberals?

115 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:28:37pm
116 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:11pm

So, why is it fiscally responsible to have a shutdown that costs the country something like $300,000,000 a day?

117 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:18pm

re: #98 Vicious Babushka

DERP

[Embedded content]

The woods! Does that mean they carry lumber? Pine, hardwoods? Also. Yep, when you shut down the USG that means you shut down public spaces. Comes with the territory.

118 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:25pm

re: #115 Kragar

119 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:43pm

re: #114 Gus

What? Liberals? Nazis were liberals?

The main reason they do this is that the ever increasing number and accuracy of the analogies between the US and Weimar Germany are 100% due to increasing US right wing extremism.

120 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:45pm

re: #114 Gus

What? Liberals? Nazis were liberals?

Yeah, they were all gay too. They’ve got books on it.

They actually believe it.

121 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:47pm

re: #114 Gus

What? Liberals? Nazis were liberals?

Of course! Jonah Goldberg said so.

122 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:58pm

re: #116 calochortus

So, why is it fiscally responsible to have a shutdown that costs the country something like $300,000,000 a day?

because…SHUT UP!
//

123 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:29:58pm

re: #114 Gus

What? Liberals? Nazis were liberals?

They were apparently socialists, because it was in their name…

124 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:32:37pm
125 CuriousLurker  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:33:00pm

re: #109 Lidane

These dipshits have conflated “non-essential” with “unimportant”.

Then they whine about the national parks and monuments being closed.

Exactly. My computer having an operating system installed is essential. The rest of my software is not, but I’d have a hell of a time trying to crank out websites & print work in a timely manner without my other “non-essential” applications.

Food, water, clothing and access to basic shelter from the elements are essential. Everything else can technically be regarded as “non-essential” luxuries, but I wouldn’t be keen on living without indoor plumbing, electricity, garbage pick-up, public transportation, etc.

126 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:33:00pm

re: #114 Gus

Of course they were. And if they weren’t we’d make it up.
Signed;
GOP/TP

127 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:33:14pm

re: #123 calochortus

They were apparently socialists, because it was in their name…

Because a party called “Democrats” was pro-slavery in the 1850’s so HURR HURR

128 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:34:19pm
129 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:34:40pm

But Steve Stockman’s Twitter feed is “essential.” Figure that out.

130 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:36:07pm

I heard that if you step foot onto a National Park site, black helicopters show up, blue helmeted goons drop from the sky, and they rip the National Park air out of your lungs.

131 CuriousLurker  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:36:59pm

re: #130 nines09

I heard that if you step foot onto a National Park site, black helicopters show up, blue helmeted goons drop from the sky, and they rip the National Park air out of your lungs.

Hahahahahahaha—that was a good one.

132 austin_blue  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:37:52pm

re: #130 nines09

I heard that if you step foot onto a National Park site, black helicopters show up, blue helmeted goons drop from the sky, and they rip the National Park air out of your lungs.

sshhh…that’s a sekret…

133 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:37:59pm
134 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:38:02pm

re: #128 Vicious Babushka

[Embedded content]

The idiocrat Republicans believe health advice from the First Lady somehow intrudes on their liberty. I advise “Ruth” to assert her liberty by eating more salt and cooking all foods in pork lard before consumption.

135 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:38:12pm

re: #130 nines09

I heard that if you step foot onto a National Park site, black helicopters show up, blue helmeted goons drop from the sky, and they rip the National Park air out of your lungs.

What if the air drifts out of the park and you accidentally inhale it? Would that be legal?

136 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:38:32pm

re: #131 CuriousLurker

Throw you to the ground and scream “EXHALE!!!!”

137 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:38:55pm

re: #130 nines09

I heard that if you step foot onto a National Park site, black helicopters show up, blue helmeted goons drop from the sky, and they rip the National Park air out of your lungs.

That might not be much of a threat for wingnuts. The level of thought they are displaying is consistent with anaerobic metabolism.

In other words, they are too stupid to even be oxygen thieves.

138 PhillyPretzel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:38:58pm

re: #130 nines09

They are also going to stop the leaves from changing color at Valley Forge.

139 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:38:59pm

I think I get it. Sort of. The hard-right thinks that we should be able to close down the USG but leave park land open. Basically, they think anyone should be able to enter Florida Bay without the safety provided by patrols, helicopter rescues as required, first aid, EMT, etc.

140 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:39:08pm

re: #136 nines09

Throw you to the ground and scream “EXHALE!!!!”

If they throw you down hard enough, the air would get knocked out of your lungs anyway.

/////

141 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:39:10pm

re: #135 calochortus

Run for your life!

142 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:39:36pm

re: #140 Lidane
Not every molecule.

143 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:40:07pm

Breaking. Recreational access to Florida Bay is NON-ESSENTIAL.

144 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:40:25pm

re: #139 Gus

I think I get it. Sort of. The hard-right thinks that we should be able to close down the USG but leave park land open. Basically, they think anyone should be able to enter Florida Bay without the safety provided by patrols, helicopter rescues as required, first aid, EMT, etc.

Sure. And you should totally be able to descend to the bottom of the Grand Canyon without any emergency services or guides.

Freedom!

145 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:41:31pm

re: #143 Gus

Breaking. Recreational access to Florida Bay is NON-ESSENTIAL.

That’s what I finally figured out about the right wing & tea party: government is for entertainment purposes only.

146 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:41:50pm

Millions of people have already signed for health care under ACA, many of them from desperate need. Do the Republicans really think they can blackmail the government into taking it away now? The consequences don’t bear thinking about.

147 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:42:03pm

re: #144 Lidane

Sure. And you should totally be able to descend to the bottom of the Grand Canyon without any emergency services or guides.

Freedom!

National monuments should remain open and without USG security 24/7. Nothing will happen as long as we allow patriotic real Christian Americans with guns to visit.

148 PhillyPretzel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:42:33pm

re: #147 Gus

rofl

149 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:43:44pm

Florida Bay

Boating in the Florida Bay is a task for the skilled. Treacherous passes cut through long banks of mud and seagrass that separate the shallow basins that make up Florida Bay. Safe boating requires the ability to “read the water” as well as a chart. Shallow areas are not always marked, so polarized sunglasses are a key to reading the water. Having a weatherproof copy of NOAA chart #11451 is highly recommended. Visitors should know the limits of their boat. On average, the bay is less than 3 feet deep, so knowing the draft (depth) of your boat is important.

150 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:44:02pm

ok, lets see how soon the loons jump on this:

151 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:44:33pm

re: #38 ObserverArt

I want to apologize to the membership for having previously posted a lot of politicians, talking heads and media involved in this political mess were acting like bratty two-year-old kids.

I also want to apologize to all bratty two-year-old kids.

I am now running through the animal kingdom and consider using any of them as a example of bad/stupid/dangerous behavior unfair to animals.

What to do, what to do?

Suggestions please. Bacteria? Algae? Molds? It does need be a living organism. Or, does it?

The closest biological/medical analogy for the GOP that I can think of is something like a peanut allergy. Lethal and pointless. Cancer is another good match.

152 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:44:42pm

re: #147 Gus

National monuments should remain open and without USG security 24/7. Nothing will happen as long as we allow patriotic real Christian Americans with guns to visit.

When it’s all over we will need additional appropriations to clean up the beer cans, impromptu latrines, dead bodies, and animal caracases they will leave behind.

153 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:45:45pm

re: #152 Shiplord Kirel

When it’s all over we will need additional appropriations to clean up the beer cans, impromptu latrines, dead bodies, and animal caracases they will leave behind.

Pretty much.

154 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:45:57pm

re: #152 Shiplord Kirel

When it’s all over we will need additional appropriations to clean up the beer cans, impromptu latrines, dead bodies, and animal caracases they will leave behind.

To hell with that. Send out the GOP House members to do something useful for the first time in years.

155 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:46:17pm
156 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:46:32pm

I then heard anyone who dips in waters of closed National Park sites will be subjected to being stripped, cavity searched, and completely dried off by trained UN Forces, so they take no moisture off site.

157 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:47:29pm

re: #156 nines09

I then heard anyone who dips in waters of closed National Park sites will be subjected to being, stripped, cavity searched completely dried off by trained UN Forces, so they take no moisture off site.

Probes. Probes the size of fire hydrants. The horror!

158 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:48:59pm

Centuries ago, King Canute famously failed to command the ocean tide to stop. His display was actually a means to educate his subjects on the limits of royal power. Today, however, our President actually believes he has the power to control the oceans.

These people are weird. I mean. Really, really weird.

159 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:49:09pm

re: #157 EPR-radar

The vacuums are terrifying to smaller people. Children are forever scarred, But the law is the law.

160 122 Year Old Obama  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:49:40pm

re: #158 Gus

Centuries ago, King Canute famously failed to command the ocean tide to stop. His display was actually a means to educate his subjects on the limits of royal power. Today, however, our President actually believes he has the power to control the oceans.

These people are weird. I mean. Really, really weird.

Weird? More like dangerously stupid.

161 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:51:34pm

re: #158 Gus

Centuries ago, King Canute famously failed to command the ocean tide to stop. His display was actually a means to educate his subjects on the limits of royal power. Today, however, our President actually believes he has the power to control the oceans.

These people are weird. I mean. Really, really weird.

This raises an interesting philosophical question: Is it possible to be so determined about one’s deliberate ignorance that insanity is thereby reached?

162 CarolJ  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:51:57pm

re: #21 Hal_10000

Yes, there may be sovereign immunity of a sort. But it may be limited in case of negligence. But it may not shield every federal employee. And do you want a short-staffed bunch of unpaid rangers having to make decisions on whether or not they have the resources to save someone? And with no contractors, there’s no food, cleaning out cabins and toilets, boat rental. Who needs accumulated garbage, or something terrible happening because people are let in with no supervision?

163 122 Year Old Obama  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:52:54pm

re: #161 EPR-radar

This raises an interesting philosophical question: Is it possible to be so determined about one’s deliberate ignorance that insanity is thereby reached?

Well, considering they keep trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result…

164 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:54:15pm

re: #157 EPR-radar

Probes. Probes the size of fire hydrants. The horror!

South Park Video

165 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:56:36pm

re: #161 EPR-radar

This raises an interesting philosophical question: Is it possible to be so determined about one’s deliberate ignorance that insanity is thereby reached?

Safe to say that most of these folks have been insane since November 6, 2008. The extra bonus is how they think the POTUS is micro-managing each and every closure.

166 austin_blue  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:56:46pm

re: #151 EPR-radar

The closest biological/medical analogy for the GOP that I can think of is something like a peanut allergy. Lethal and pointless. Cancer is another good match.

Spirochetes.

167 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:56:56pm

re: #157 EPR-radar

I then heard of reports of families, when finally getting home, traumatized and humiliated, suddenly had armed UN Forces kick in the doors and confiscate swim trunks, bathing suits and towels. Sandals with sand on them were also seized. Tires were removed from cars and pets confiscated.
I think I have my resume written for Breitbart……

168 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:59:12pm

re: #167 nines09

I then heard of reports of families, when finally getting home, traumatized and humiliated, suddenly had armed UN Forces kick in the doors and confiscate swim trunks, bathing suits and towels. Sandals with sand on them were also seized. Tires were removed from cars and pets confiscated.
I think I have my resume written for Breitbart……

THIS IS ALL JUST A PLOY AND FALSE FLAG ORCHESTRATED BY BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA TO FACILITATE THE CONTROL OF AMERICAN PUBLIC LANDS BY THE UNITED NATIONS!

169 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 2:59:51pm

re: #158 Gus

Centuries ago, King Canute famously failed to command the ocean tide to stop. His display was actually a means to educate his subjects on the limits of royal power. Today, however, our President actually believes he has the power to control the oceans.

These people are weird. I mean. Really, really weird.

but, but, but! The tides! You can’t explain that!!

//

170 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:00:11pm

Time to pass a bill in the House to re-open Florida Bay!

//

171 Ming  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:00:56pm

re: #66 Lidane

Which is why he can’t blink or give an inch to the GOP no matter how much they howl and whine. If he gives in at all, the rest of his term will be nothing but these sorts of bullshit stunts from the GOP.

I agree completely. If Obama gives a millimeter, this casts a shadow over every future presidential election in the United States, because this blackmail can happen to any future president. I trust that Obama understands this; he’s a constitutional lawyer by profession. Any “compromise” with the Republicans would undermine our entire system of government.

It is long past time for “moderate” Republicans to speak up and put an end to this insane government shutdown. Hello, Colin Powell? Bob Dole? Former SecDef Robert Gates? To any patriotic American, this is a crisis that must be resolved ASAP.

172 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:01:54pm
173 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:02:13pm

re: #169 Backwoods_Sleuth

but, but, but! The tides! You can’t explain that!!

//

And them damn commie magnets. What’s up with that complicated crap? At least that has a RIGHT hand rule for figuring out which way things go…

174 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:02:37pm

re: #168 Gus

They are truly diabolical. Reports are coming in of National Park postcards being seized at USPS sites. If you are found with a National Parks brochure at a UN Checkpoint, you just disappear. Dark days.

175 Mentis Fugit  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:03:02pm

re: #54 ObserverArt

Hey, it may have hit me.

Dirt.

The answer was staring us in the face.

Toenail fungus.

176 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:03:52pm

re: #172 Lidane

All that John Boehner has are lies. What a turd. Dogshit would be a compliment for this man.

177 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:04:22pm

re: #168 Gus

THIS IS ALL JUST A PLOY AND FALSE FLAG ORCHESTRATED BY BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA TO FACILITATE THE CONTROL OF AMERICAN PUBLIC LANDS BY THE UNITED NATIONS!

So we’re going to have FEMA camps run by the UN in our national parks? It will be hard to decide which to go to. Yosemite is beautiful but I’m sure it will be crowded, although if they put me up at the Awahnee, well, I’ll go for it. Otherwise, maybe Redwood Nat’l Park or Lassen Volcanic? Great Basin is nice too. It will be a tough choice.

178 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:04:42pm

re: #174 nines09

They are truly diabolical. Reports are coming in of National Park postcards being seized at USPS sites. If you are found with a National Parks brochure at a UN Checkpoint, you just disappear. Dark days.

So basically… just another day for the wingnuts. No different than say, January 21, 2009.

179 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:04:54pm

re: #172 Lidane

[Embedded content]

180 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:05:06pm

re: #139 Gus

I think I get it. Sort of. The hard-right thinks that we should be able to close down the USG but leave park land open. Basically, they think anyone should be able to enter Florida Bay without the safety provided by patrols, helicopter rescues as required, first aid, EMT, etc.

MAKE ALL THOSE JRRBZ PRIVATE!!!1!!!!! THEN GIVE THOSE FURLOUGHED NON-ESSENTIALS THERE JRRBZ BACK!!!111 FOR WHATEVER THEY WILL TAKE!!111 LESS THEN MINIMUM WAGE!!!!!

FREE MARKETZ!!!11!!!!!

181 sagehen  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:06:05pm

re: #177 calochortus

So we’re going to have FEMA camps run by the UN in our national parks? It will be hard to decide which to go to. Yosemite is beautiful but I’m sure it will be crowded, although if they put me up at the Awahnee, well, I’ll go for it. Otherwise, maybe Redwood Nat’l Park or Lassen Volcanic? Great Basin is nice too. It will be a tough choice.

Angeles National Forest is nice this time of year.

182 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:06:33pm

re: #178 Gus

Cereal for the Cretinous.

183 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:07:01pm

re: #181 sagehen

Angeles National Forest is nice this time of year.

Wow, I hadn’t even thought about Nat’l Forests. I’ll never be able to make up my mind now.

184 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:07:11pm

re: #180 Vicious Babushka

MAKE ALL THOSE JRRBZ PRIVATE!!!1!!!!! THEN GIVE THOSE FURLOUGHED NON-ESSENTIALS THERE JRRBZ BACK!!!111 FOR WHATEVER THEY CAN GET!!111 LESS THEN MINIMUM WAGE!!!!!

FREE MARKETZ!!!11!!!!!

FLORIDA BAY? GAWT DAMN HIPPIE COMMUNIST ENVIRONMENTALIST LIBTARDS. DRILL HERE! DRILL NOW!!!!!!!!

185 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:07:48pm

re: #171 Ming

I agree completely. If Obama gives a millimeter, this casts a shadow over every future presidential election in the United States, because this blackmail can happen to any future president. I trust that Obama understands this; he’s a constitutional lawyer by profession. Any “compromise” with the Republicans would undermine our entire system of government.

It is long past time for “moderate” Republicans to speak up and put an end to this insane government shutdown. Hello, Colin Powell? Bob Dole? Former SecDef Robert Gates? To any patriotic American, this is a crisis that must be resolved ASAP.

The Republican moderates are chickenshits who hate the Democrats and fear their own nuts too much to do anything useful.

I’d like to see them prove me wrong.

186 AlexRogan  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:08:15pm
187 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:09:51pm

re: #186 AlexRogan

That a fine understatement. The GOP has not operated in good faith for even one micro-second of the Obama administration.

188 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:10:11pm
189 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:12:00pm

re: #175 Mentis Fugit

The answer was staring us in the face.

Toenail fungus.

By god…you’ve got it.

No, no, not the fungus.

I am pretty sure Charles will not allow it either, so all is good.

190 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:14:19pm

re: #177 calochortus

So we’re going to have FEMA camps run by the UN in our national parks? It will be hard to decide which to go to. Yosemite is beautiful but I’m sure it will be crowded, although if they put me up at the Awahnee, well, I’ll go for it. Otherwise, maybe Redwood Nat’l Park or Lassen Volcanic? Great Basin is nice too. It will be a tough choice.

I’m pretty sure we could get the NRA to toss in some guns.

/

191 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:15:40pm

Cheer the shutdown… then complain about the effects of the shutdown. Are they for real?

192 calochortus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:16:51pm

re: #191 Gus

Cheer the shutdown… then complain about the effects of the shutdown. Are they for real?

Logic. How does it work?

193 Stanley Sea  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:16:51pm
194 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:17:22pm

Maybe the RWNJs will ask their hero Putin to loan them some Russian troops and FSB agents to force open the national parks. Red (state) Dawn coming up!

195 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:18:28pm

re: #188 Lidane

[Embedded content]

196 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:18:34pm

Ronald Reagan: “Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit.”

Youtube Video

197 b_sharp  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:18:56pm

re: #191 Gus

Cheer the shutdown… then complain about the effects of the shutdown. Are they for real?

Non-functional logic circuits.

198 Kilroy01  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:19:31pm

re: #193 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

If your not in there district they won’t care… If you are they’ll try and gerrymander you out the next time.

199 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:20:05pm

re: #197 b_sharp

Non-functional logic circuits.

Logic is Satanic, or at least politically inconvenient, so it is deliberately suppressed in RWNJs.

200 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:20:59pm

re: #191 Gus

Cheer the shutdown… then complain about the effects of the shutdown. Are they for real?

GOP last week: “Shut it all down! It’s all non-essential!”

GOP now: “Y U close WW2 memorial Obama?”

201 BongCrodny  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:22:03pm

At the dawn of the internet age, if you would have told me that internet news sites would be worse than newspapers like the Washington Times and New York Post, I would have laughed at you.

I’m not laughing any more.

202 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:22:56pm

re: #198 Kilroy01

If your not in there district they won’t care… If you are they’ll try and gerrymander you out the next time.

Not really. A GOP gerrymander works by concentrating the (D) voters into as few districts as possible while leaving a safe (R) margin in all the other districts. There is no reason for the GOP to make their margins in their districts more than 10 points or so.

203 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:23:48pm

re: #172 Lidane

204 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:23:58pm

re: #178 Gus

So basically… just another day for the wingnuts. No different than say, January 21, 2009.

A new Washington-based soap opera reality show.

One days derp turns into another

Staring Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and the Fox Ailes Players. With guests appearances by real life political actors such as John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Mitch McConnell, the comedy team of Paul & Paul.

Unimportant female parts played by the Fox Blondes, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, with Guest Appearance by Annie Coulter. Real Life Real Female Politicians staring Kelly Kelly Ayotte, Marsha Blackburn and others.

You can’t miss it. It affects us all.

205 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:26:49pm

re: #202 EPR-radar

Not really. A GOP gerrymander works by concentrating the (D) voters into as few districts as possible while leaving a safe (R) margin in all the other districts. There is no reason for the GOP to make their margins in their districts more than 10 points or so.

And this is why the craven stupidity of the ‘moderate Republicans’ out there irritates me so much. There are probably enough of these people to swing a lot of House districts to the Democrats, if they could ever stop mindlessly voting GOP.

206 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:27:33pm

re: #191 Gus

Cheer the shutdown… then complain about the effects of the shutdown. Are they for real?

Eating their cake and having it too.

207 Kilroy01  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:28:36pm

re: #202 EPR-radar

Not really. A GOP gerrymander works by concentrating the (D) voters into as few districts as possible while leaving a safe (R) margin in all the other districts.

Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t tweak your gerrymandering district to new had superior levels.

The point is, why should these lawmakers care if they are in a safe district now? 90% incumbency makes it a safe bet they’ll keep their jobs as Congress-critters as long as they like. That is unless they anger the Teabagger by say, voting for a clear CR.

208 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:28:57pm

re: #5 Hal_10000

The amazing thing is that you don’t have to make up stories to get mad at the Park Service. They are closing open air memorials that have no business being closed — expending resources to keep people out. They even shut down the Skyline Drive again, which is completely unnecessary.

But this is not specific to Obama. Gail Norton, Bush’s former Interior Secretary, pointed out that the Park Service has a long history of doing this: trying to maximize inconvenience when their budget is in question. They did it under Bush. They did it under Clinton. Under Reagan, they shut down the skyline drive because the appropriations committee was talking about cutting their budget.

So it’s fine to get mad at the Park Service. It’s just hard to turn that around into yet another Evil Obama meme.

Indeed, and your point is very important to remember in terms of the limitations of presidential power. While the president issues orders it is the various federal bureaucracies that implement such orders and they by necessity have leeway in how they do that. Some such bureaucracies misuse that leeway, but it is not something politicians are keen to call attention to. Most politicos are loath to admit the limits of their power.

209 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:31:16pm

re: #208 Dark_Falcon

Most politicos are loath to admit the limits of their power.

You mean like a bunch of economic terrorists holding the nation hostage to try and force the nullification of a law they couldn’t properly repeal through normal channels?

210 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:31:19pm

re: #202 EPR-radar

Not really. A GOP gerrymander works by concentrating the (D) voters into as few districts as possible while leaving a safe (R) margin in all the other districts.

And a Democratic gerrymander simply reverses the letters. Both are equally odious.

211 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:31:35pm

re: #208 Dark_Falcon

Indeed, and your point is very important to remember in terms of the limitations of presidential power. While the president issues orders it is the various federal bureaucracies that implement such orders and they by necessity have leeway in how they do that. Some such bureaucracies misuse that leeway, but it is not something politicians are keen to call attention to. Most politicos are loath to admit the limits of their power.

That bit in bold…tell that to the current GOP and tea-partiers.

212 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:33:49pm

re: #207 Kilroy01

Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t tweak your gerrymandering district to new had superior levels.

The point is, why should these lawmakers care if they are in a safe district now? 90% incumbency makes it a safe bet they’ll keep their jobs as Congress-critters as long as they like. That is unless they anger the Teabagger by say, voting for a clear CR.

That’s why I want the moderate Rs to make these districts unsafe for Teabaggers and their enablers.

213 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:34:47pm

I need to get horizontal. bbl

214 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:35:26pm

re: #209 Lidane

You mean like a bunch of economic terrorists holding the nation hostage to try and force the nullification of a law they couldn’t properly repeal through normal channels?

Point of order: Defunding is not the same thing as Nullification. Nullification is a state or locality saying “We don’t like this federal or state law; therefore is not enforceable within our borders”. Defunding is saying “We don’t like this law; Therefore we refuse to allocate monies for its implementation.”

215 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:36:46pm

re: #214 Dark_Falcon

Point of order: Defunding is not the same thing as Nullification. Nullification is a state or locality saying “We don’t like this federal or state law; therefore is not enforceable within our borders”. Defunding is saying “We don’t like this law; Therefore we refuse to allocate monies for its implementation.”

But you don’t deny that your party are a bunch of economic terrorists holding the nation hostage to try and get rid of a law they don’t like because they couldn’t get rid of it through normal channels.

216 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:36:57pm

re: #214 Dark_Falcon

Point of order: Defunding is not the same thing as Nullification. Nullification is a state or locality saying “We don’t like this federal or state law; therefore is not enforceable within our borders”. Defunding is saying “We don’t like this law; Therefore we refuse to allocate monies for its implementation.”

Fair point. Now a question. How should the GOP deal with its infestation of Teabaggers, or is this an issue that the rest of the GOP need not address?

217 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:40:23pm

re: #215 Lidane

But you don’t deny that your party are a bunch of economic terrorists holding the nation hostage to try and get rid of a law they don’t like because they couldn’t get rid of it through normal channels.

Understand the game. No need to deny when you never admit. Dodge. We can talk about that. Dodging is a political process.

218 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:40:50pm

re: #215 Lidane

I do not consider the actions of the House GOP to be ‘terrorism’, no. A refusal to pass budget legislation that is satisfactory to the other house of Congress can be considered unwise in many cases, but it is not terrorism.

219 sagehen  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:41:42pm

re: #214 Dark_Falcon

Point of order: Defunding is not the same thing as Nullification. Nullification is a state or locality saying “We don’t like this federal or state law; therefore is not enforceable within our borders”. Defunding is saying “We don’t like this law; Therefore we refuse to allocate monies for its implementation.”

Nullification, South Carolina haz it:

The South Carolina state House passed a bill Wednesday that declares President Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to be “null and void,” and criminalizes its implementation.

The state’s Freedom of Health Care Protection Act intends to “prohibit certain individuals from enforcing or attempting to enforce such unconstitutional laws; and to establish criminal penalties and civil liability for violating this article.”

washingtontimes.com

220 jhrhv  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:42:24pm

Love the picture of the helicopters putting a sheet over Mt. Rushmore. Would have laughed out loud if that sheet had a picture of the current POTUS on it.

221 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:43:03pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

I do not consider the actions of the House GOP to be ‘terrorism’, no. A refusal to pass budget legislation that is satisfactory to the other house of Congress can be considered unwise in many cases, but it is not terrorism.

I’ll agree, it is not terrorism, it’s extortion.

222 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:43:24pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

I do not consider the actions of the House GOP to be ‘terrorism’, no. A refusal to pass budget legislation that is satisfactory to the other house of Congress can be considered unwise in many cases, but it is not terrorism.

It is absolutely economic terrorism. They’re putting the entire American economy at risk and putting us in danger of default unless POTUS gives in to their unreasonable demands.

What else would you call it?

223 Renaissance_Man  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:43:49pm

re: #221 Targetpractice

I’ll agree, it is not terrorism, it’s extortion.

Extortion and anarchy. Anything but ‘conservative’.

224 AlexRogan  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:44:47pm

re: #214 Dark_Falcon

Point of order: Defunding is not the same thing as Nullification. Nullification is a state or locality saying “We don’t like this federal or state law; therefore is not enforceable within our borders”. Defunding is saying “We don’t like this law; Therefore we refuse to allocate monies for its implementation.”

It may not fall under a strict definition of “nullification”, but it’s still trying to block the implementation of settled law through the back door; it’s wrong and the way they’re attempting this hurts a lot of people, but the TPer Bolsheviks don’t give a damn about who they hurt, until they try to turn it around on the President and the Dems. Meanwhile, Boehner is too craven and spineless to stop them, because then they’ll boot him from his post.

The TPers in the House are playing chicken, not only with the President and the House and Senate Dems, but with all 300+ million Americans; how anyone could possibly support or sympathize with these Jacobin fucks blows my damn mind.

225 missliberties  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:45:55pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

Doesn’t matter what you call it, it is dumb.

The tyranny of a small minority. But if money equals free speech do the Koch Bros win?

226 AlexRogan  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:46:30pm

re: #221 Targetpractice

I’ll agree, it is not terrorism, it’s extortion.

House TPers: Nice little country you have here…it’d be a shame if anything “happened” to it.

227 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:47:25pm

re: #219 sagehen

Nullification, South Carolina haz it:

washingtontimes.com

That is indeed nullification, and sadly unsurprising for the home state of John C. Calhoun. however, I was discussing the actions of the federal House of Representatives, so my point is not effected.

I will still deliver My Standing Answer to Neo-Confederates:

Youtube Video

228 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:48:52pm

Six months. 18 attempts at naming conferees blocked by Republicans. 18 demands that any negotiations be handcuffed to demands for no new revenues and no debt ceiling increase. And months of Republicans admitting, out loud, that they wished to drag the process out until just before default in the hopes that they could leverage it for more concessions from Democrats.

“Give us what we want or else.” The very definition of extortion.

229 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:50:53pm

re: #226 AlexRogan

Nice little country you have here…it’s be a shame if anything “happened” to it.

That’s exactly it. We have a small band of fanatics holding the entire country hostage unless the President agrees to their unreasonable demands. They’re willing to burn down the entire country to get what they want.

The President shouldn’t give them a goddamn thing. The House could’ve passed the clean CR and still declared victory over Obama because they kept the sequester in place and cut billions from his budget. Instead the GOP leadership has chosen to bend over and grab their ankles for a small band of fanatics, letting them put us all at risk.

230 AlexRogan  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:53:23pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

I do not consider the actions of the House GOP to be ‘terrorism’, no. A refusal to pass budget legislation that is satisfactory to the other house of Congress can be considered unwise in many cases, but it is not terrorism.

“Unwise”? When Boehner and the House GOP hasn’t been acting in good faith for months, do you think that the Senate Dems should just capitulate?

231 The Mountain That Blogs  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:54:21pm

re: #202 EPR-radar

Not really. A GOP gerrymander works by concentrating the (D) voters into as few districts as possible while leaving a safe (R) margin in all the other districts. There is no reason for the GOP to make their margins in their districts more than 10 points or so.

The reddest district in the country is TX-13 (Mac Thornberry) at R+32. That would be tied for the 15th bluest district out there.

There are 16 districts of R+25 or more, against 39 at D+25 or greater.

In Pennsylvania, four of the five blue-leaning districts are D+13 or more, including one at D+38 and another at D+28. In contrast, ten of the red districts are less than R+10, and the reddest one is R+14.

232 LGF Subscription: Breathes Like Egyptian Cotton  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:57:03pm

re: #220 jhrhv

LMAO.

233 AlexRogan  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:58:29pm

re: #227 Dark_Falcon

That is indeed nullification, and sadly unsurprising for the home state of John C. Calhoun. however, I was discussing the actions of the federal House of Representatives, some my point is not effected.

I will still deliver My Standing Answer to Neo-Confederates:

[Embedded content]

You’re really a case, Dark; you say that you don’t like neo-Confederates, but that’s exactly what the TPers descend from spiritually, if not in word, they do in deed. There’s a bunch of overlap there between the TPers (as exemplified by the House contingent, which includes two of my state’s representatives) and neo-Confederates, so much so that I consider them to be two sides of the same coin.

234 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:58:41pm

re: #220 jhrhv

Love the picture of the helicopters putting a sheet over Mt. Rushmore. Would have laughed out loud if that sheet had a picture of the current POTUS on it.

Along with Reid and Pelosi on either side and just behind.

235 austin_blue  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 3:59:08pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

I do not consider the actions of the House GOP to be ‘terrorism’, no. A refusal to pass budget legislation that is satisfactory to the other house of Congress can be considered unwise in many cases, but it is not terrorism.

Governing by Blackmail
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

SUPPOSE President Obama announced:

Unless Republicans agree to my proposal for gun control, I will use my authority as commander in chief to scuttle one aircraft carrier a week in the bottom of the ocean.

I invite Republican leaders to come to the White House and negotiate a deal to preserve our military strength. I hope Republicans will work with me to prevent the loss of our carrier fleet.

If the Republicans refuse to negotiate, I will be compelled to begin by scuttling the U.S.S. George Washington in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench, with 80 aircraft on board.

In that situation, we would all agree that Obama had gone nuts. Whatever his beefs with Republicans, it would be an inexcusable betrayal to try to get his way by destroying our national assets. That would be an abuse of power and the worst kind of blackmail.

And in that kind of situation, I would hope that we as journalists wouldn’t describe the resulting furor as a “political impasse” or “partisan gridlock.” I hope that we wouldn’t settle for quoting politicians on each side as blaming the other. It would be appropriate to point out the obvious: Our president had tumbled over the edge and was endangering the nation.

236 missliberties  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:01:22pm

re: #228 Targetpractice

The mother*ckers in the House gamed the rules to shut er down.

237 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:01:52pm

re: #227 Dark_Falcon

I will still deliver My Standing Answer to Neo-Confederates:

[Embedded content]

The GOP is basically the neo-confederate party, Dark. How can you not see this?

238 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:02:16pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

I do not consider the actions of the House GOP to be ‘terrorism’, no. A refusal to pass budget legislation that is satisfactory to the other house of Congress can be considered unwise in many cases, but it is not terrorism.

You really REALLY make me feel horrible about being a Republican because you are SO party above all, no matter what crap they are pulling that is dragging down this country.
I wish just ONCE you would admit that the extremists in our party are in it for personal in-your-face to the rest of us here. And when I say “the rest of us” I mean Americans who would prefer not to burn down the country to make some meaningless points.

239 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:03:42pm

re: #237 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

The GOP is basically the neo-confederate party, Dark. How can you not see this?

Wilfull blindness.

The modern Republican party is a white, evangelical neo-Confederate party. And now, after Obama got elected a second time over their objections, they’re just going to keep threatening to burn the country down to get what they want. They’re not interested in reason. They just want to destroy everything.

240 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:04:25pm

So apparently the wingnuts have taken to calling veterans “battle buddies”.

WTF kind of Mickey Mouse horseshit is that?

241 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:05:35pm

re: #240 Kragar

So apparently the wingnuts have taken to calling veterans “battle buddies”.

WTF kind of Mickey Mouse horseshit is that?

and most of those wingnuts (especially those in Congress) NEVER SERVED.

242 ProTARDISLiberal  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:07:51pm

re: #231 The Mountain That Blogs

Good to know. When we regain control of PA, there should be an immediate redistricting to concentrate power in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The Republicans need to be quashed, by both redistricting and immigration overwhelm them in their home areas.

243 aagcobb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:08:54pm

re: #239 Lidane

Wilfull blindness.

The modern Republican party is a white, evangelical neo-Confederate party. And now, after Obama got elected a second time over their objections, they’re just going to keep threatening to burn the country down to get what they want. They’re not interested in reason. They just want to destroy everything.

Some men just want to watch the world burn

Youtube Video

244 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:11:10pm

re: #243 aagcobb

Some men just want to watch “As The World Turns.”

245 BongCrodny  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:11:30pm

re: #227 Dark_Falcon

That is indeed nullification, and sadly unsurprising for the home state of John C. Calhoun. however, I was discussing the actions of the federal House of Representatives, some my point is not effected.

I will still deliver My Standing Answer to Neo-Confederates:

[Embedded content]

Dark, you (approvingly) retweeted Steve Stockman; Stockman, of course, is the guy who invited Ted Nugent to the State of the Union Address.

Right Wing Watch reports:

Rep. Stockman joins White Nationalist-tied groups in Effort to Weaken Gun Laws

As Warren Throckmorton first reported, the congressman filed the brief along with Michael Peroutka’s Institute on the Constitution and Gun Owners of America, led by Larry Pratt.

Peroutka is a board member of the white supremacist and secessionist League of the South and denounces the Union’s victory in what he calls the “War Between the States.” He even pledged to use the Institute on the Constitution to aid the League of the South and advance the cause of imposing biblical law.

Pratt’s ties to White Nationalist and anti-Semitic groups are also well documented, and he joined Peroutka at a July 4 event hosted by an anti-Semitic rock band. Pratt also fears that the Obama administration may be building a black paramilitary force that will target straight, Christian white people.

You seem to want to have it both ways.

246 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:11:42pm

re: #238 Backwoods_Sleuth

You really REALLY make me feel horrible about being a Republican because you are SO party above all, no matter what crap they are pulling that is dragging down this country.
I wish just ONCE you would admit that the extremists in our party are in it for personal in-your-face to the rest of us here. And when I say “the rest of us” I mean Americans who would prefer not to burn down the country to make some meaningless points.

Bravo.

247 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:12:03pm

re: #242 ProTARDISLiberal

Hell, No! Gerrymandering has to go, period. Parties trying to crush each other that way is the path to civil war. Gerrymandering is like the One Ring: It is inherently evil and its power cannot be used for any lasting good.

248 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:12:17pm

re: #237 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

The GOP is basically the neo-confederate party, Dark. How can you not see this?

Nixon’s southern strategy has, among other things, transferred the lost cause zealotry of the unreconstructed confederate racists into movement conservatism as a whole.

249 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:13:19pm

re: #245 BongCrodny

Frankly, I retweeted that without thinking about it. I made a mistake.

250 Justanotherhuman  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:16:29pm

Maybe I should move to Switzerland…

Switzerland to vote on $2,800 monthly ‘basic income’ for adults
More than 100,000 residents in Switzerland have signed a petition demanding that the government ensure a minimum monthly income of $2,800 (2,500 Swiss francs) for all adults in the country.

MSN reports that in a public display of support, advocates tipped over a truck full of 8 million five-cent coins in front of the Swiss capital on Friday, one coin for each of the country’s citizens.

A formal date has yet to be set for the vote but it could come as early as this year, pending guidance from Swiss government.

news.yahoo.com

251 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:16:30pm

re: #247 Dark_Falcon

Hell, No! Gerrymandering has to go, period. Parties trying to crush each other that way is the path to civil war. Gerrymandering is like the One Ring: It is inherently evil and its power cannot be used for any lasting good.

IIRC, you have said that you don’t agree with the present GOP government shutdown. If that is so, then what consequences should the GOP face for this act?

After all, if the Democrats make the slightest concession now, that will amount to rewarding and encouraging such misbehavior in the future.

252 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:16:47pm

re: #246 ObserverArt

Bravo.

I’ve been thinking about saying that for some time now.

Tonight was the night…

253 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:18:47pm

re: #247 Dark_Falcon

Hell, No! Gerrymandering has to go, period. Parties trying to crush each other that way is the path to civil war. Gerrymandering is like the One Ring: It is inherently evil and its power cannot be used for any lasting good.

CA has transitioned to a districting system not controlled by the state legislature.

It is now TX’s turn.

254 ProTARDISLiberal  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:19:40pm

re: #247 Dark_Falcon

Then we just use immigration then. Same basic result.

What nations can we pull immigrants from with some level of safety for us? A list.

Bangladesh, India, Tunisia, and Morocco.

If we can find an efficient way to vet them, that list can be expanded.

Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestinian Refugees, Egypt, and Algeria.

The state of the nation will only get better when the Republicans are drowned out. This can be accomplished with out Gerrymandering. That isn’t even counting Undocumented Workers, which could flip a number of states on their own.

255 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:20:05pm

re: #251 EPR-radar

After all, if the Democrats make the slightest concession now, that will amount to rewarding and encouraging such misbehavior in the future.

Any concession now would just embolden the GOP to pull this sort of shit in the future. And it would make it impossible for any future presidents to govern with anything other than a one party system because all it would take is a disgruntled faction of one party in one chamber of Congress to fuck it up for everyone else.

Obama can’t give in to these fanatics. At all.

256 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:22:26pm

re: #253 EPR-radar

CA has transitioned to a districting system not controlled by the state legislature.

It is now TX’s turn.

If Texas ever switched to a system that wasn’t controlled by the state legislature things would become very interesting.

257 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:29:15pm

Thing is, I’m a Republican because where I live all of the county offices here in my little corner of eastern Kentucky are decided in the Republican primary in May. November is pretty much a rubber stamp. Was pretty much the same the almost 20 years I lived in Illinois.
I’m a Republican mostly to keep the lunatics from winning in the primary but I’m also somewhat of a fiscal conservative while, at the same time, being a huge social liberal.
There’s lots of waste out there, but it’s not what most Tea Party people want to believe, and I don’t think I have to point any of that out to most here.
Overall, I’m probably progressive because I believe in what helps the least of us strengthens us all as a whole.
I also like roads without huge potholes, bridges that might not fall when I drive over them, well trained police and emergency services, National Guard that doesn’t have to be deployed over and over and over to fight wars on foreign lands…I like ACA because I would love to be able to go to eat out at a restaurant again (which I haven’t done in over 15 years since the last time when the wait staff was coughing so hard I though we’d have to call an ambulance…I left my meal uneaten).
Thing is, government is there for a real reason. It’s called “the greater good”.
Right now, I believe the GOP has completely forgotten that.

258 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:29:27pm

re: #256 Lidane

If Texas ever switched to a system that wasn’t controlled by the state legislature things would become very interesting.

Won’t happen until long after TX turns blue. TX republicans have no use for what they view as ‘good government crap’, and it would be only decent to let the TX democrats get few decades of payback in before moving to a non-partisan system.

259 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:29:45pm

DERP

260 klys  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:31:45pm

I am reminded why my mother and I don’t discuss politics, once again.

Discussing the shutdown (“neither side is moving to negotiate” …really, mom, what negotiation do you think the Democrats need to be offering?) and the upcoming Senate race in NJ (“we have a straight Tea Party candidate versus Booker, who is whatever Obama wants, Obama can have, and I wish we had a third choice” …mom, you do realize that Obama is a centrist, not a socialist, right?).

I vote Democrat because you taught me to care about my fellow citizens, to treat everyone fairly, and to help those in need.

Not to complain about losing a smidgen more of my income so that my neighbor can eat.

261 Renaissance_Man  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:32:28pm

re: #257 Backwoods_Sleuth

Thing is, I’m a Republican because where I live all of the county offices here in my little corner of eastern Kentucky are decided in the Republican primary in May. November is pretty much a rubber stamp. Was pretty much the same the almost 20 years I lived in Illinois.
I’m a Republican mostly to keep the lunatics from winning in the primary but I’m also somewhat of a fiscal conservative while, at the same time, being a huge social liberal.
There’s lots of waste out there, but it’s not what most Tea Party people want to believe, and I don’t think I have to point any of that out to most here.
Overall, I’m probably progressive because I believe in what helps the least of us strengthens us all as a whole.
I also like roads without huge potholes, bridges that might not fall when I drive over them, well trained police and emergency services, National Guard that doesn’t have to be deployed over and over and over to fight wars on foreign lands…I like ACA because I would love to be able to go to eat out at a restaurant again (which I haven’t done in over 15 years since the last time when the wait staff was coughing so hard I though we’d have to call an ambulance…I left my meal uneaten).
Thing is, government is there for a real reason. It’s called “the greater good”.
Right now, I believe the GOP has completely forgotten that.

With political beliefs like that, that makes you conservative. Which is the opposite of Republican these days.

262 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:32:32pm

re: #259 Vicious Babushka

263 CuriousLurker  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:32:40pm

OT - You guys have to see these photos, they’re really amazing: This Alkaline African Lake Turns Animals Into Stone

264 Stanley Sea  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:36:56pm

re: #263 CuriousLurker

OT - You guys have to see these photos, they’re really amazing: This Alkaline African Lake Turns Animals Into Stone

Bizarre.

265 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:37:27pm

re: #261 Renaissance_Man

With political beliefs like that, that makes you conservative. Which is the opposite of Republican these days.

Makes me a RINO…

266 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:38:31pm

re: #263 CuriousLurker

OT - You guys have to see these photos, they’re really amazing: This Alkaline African Lake Turns Animals Into Stone

Saw that earlier today…just gobsmaking.

267 LGF Subscription: Breathes Like Egyptian Cotton  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:38:42pm

re: #250 Justanotherhuman

I like their spirit, but we are talking about Switzerland, which means 2800.00 is more like 280.00! LOL.

268 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:38:59pm

re: #263 CuriousLurker

OT - You guys have to see these photos, they’re really amazing: This Alkaline African Lake Turns Animals Into Stone

Saw that earlier today. I’d think the hardest part would be posing the corpses.

The eagle and the flamingo were the amazing to me.

269 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:39:19pm

But they they bitch that the Yellowstone gift shoppe is closed.

270 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:41:34pm

re: #249 Dark_Falcon

Frankly, I retweeted that without thinking about it. I made a mistake.

You’ve also repeatedly avoided dealing with Obdicut’s repeated questioning about Mark Kirk’s bullshit, nonsensical, lying statement about Obama shaking in his boots:

littlegreenfootballs.com
littlegreenfootballs.com
littlegreenfootballs.com
littlegreenfootballs.com

Would you care to stop dodging that and deal with it head on, or are you going to continue running like a pathetic coward?

271 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:42:00pm
272 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:42:29pm

re: #269 Vicious Babushka

Parsing “non-essential” this way is exactly the same kind of RW willful stupidity as alleging the Nazis were liberal because “socialist” was in the official party name.

273 LGF Subscription: Breathes Like Egyptian Cotton  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:44:26pm

re: #271 Lidane

Who cares! I want to buy postcards!!11!1!11!!!!!!1111!11!

/ I aM tHe tEa pArTy

274 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:44:42pm

re: #271 Lidane

[Embedded content]

And thus we see why a shutdown is, in the long run, in Democrats favor. The longer this goes on, the more companies and contractors who are going to end up furloughing employees due to lack of work or lack of funds to continue the work they have, which will simply spread and creep as the days go by.

But please, wingnuts, tell us about “non-essentials” and how, if we fired all of them tomorrow, it would save billions. *rolls eyes*

275 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:45:54pm

re: #247 Dark_Falcon

Hell, No! Gerrymandering has to go, period.

Redistricting is necessary to correct a House overwhelmingly skewed by GOP gerrymandering. Your party controls the House in spite of gathering fewer combined votes than Democrats in House races in 2012.

276 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:46:15pm
277 LGF Subscription: Breathes Like Egyptian Cotton  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:47:06pm

re: #274 Targetpractice


Hey, I finally understand! If we fire the entire government we will save Gajillions, have no debt ever, and because there are no taxes, we will all be rich!

/ I aM tHe tEa pArTy

278 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:47:23pm

re: #275 goddamnedfrank

Redistricting is necessary to correct a House overwhelmingly skewed by GOP gerrymandering. Your party controls the House in spite of gathering fewer combined votes than Democrats in House races in 2012.

Thus making it crystal clear that there is in fact no popular mandate for the GOP’s hostage taking. This is ALL on Boehner and the Teabagger zealots.

279 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:48:12pm

re: #257 Backwoods_Sleuth

Thing is, I’m a Republican because where I live all of the county offices here in my little corner of eastern Kentucky are decided in the Republican primary in May. November is pretty much a rubber stamp. Was pretty much the same the almost 20 years I lived in Illinois.
I’m a Republican mostly to keep the lunatics from winning in the primary but I’m also somewhat of a fiscal conservative while, at the same time, being a huge social liberal.
There’s lots of waste out there, but it’s not what most Tea Party people want to believe, and I don’t think I have to point any of that out to most here.
Overall, I’m probably progressive because I believe in what helps the least of us strengthens us all as a whole.
I also like roads without huge potholes, bridges that might not fall when I drive over them, well trained police and emergency services, National Guard that doesn’t have to be deployed over and over and over to fight wars on foreign lands…I like ACA because I would love to be able to go to eat out at a restaurant again (which I haven’t done in over 15 years since the last time when the wait staff was coughing so hard I though we’d have to call an ambulance…I left my meal uneaten).
Thing is, government is there for a real reason. It’s called “the greater good”.
Right now, I believe the GOP has completely forgotten that.

Keep preaching it Sleuth. I swear Republicans need to pound on their party a bit right now. For the good of the two party system, for the balance needed by that system and for the overall good governance of this country. That is our historical way of doing things and it is broken. Unless we change the system, it is what we have. So fix it.

It is time to run the tea party out, maybe suggest they run some elections on their own as an independent political party and lets see where that gets them. I don’t think they will like where they stand if they had to stand on their own.

What’s the old saying…cut the apron strings?

280 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:50:13pm

re: #249 Dark_Falcon

Frankly, I retweeted that without thinking about it. I made a mistake.

Also, Frankly, I think you’re flat out lying. If it was an honest mistake you would have said so a couple of days ago when this was first brought up. You also would apologize for it. You’ve been dodging it until now, doing your typical cowardly run and hide routine whenever it’s brought up. Finally you now realizedthat people here weren’t going to ever drop it so you make this weak as shit claim of mistake.

281 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:50:13pm

re: #278 EPR-radar

Thus making it crystal clear that there is in fact no popular mandate for the GOP’s hostage taking. This is ALL on Boehner and the Teabagger zealots.

House Democrats had 1 million more votes after the last election than Republicans, and poll after poll shows that a majority of Americans do not agree with this shutdown or with defunding the ACA, so any talk about Boehner doing the “Will of the People” is horseshit.

282 Mattand  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:51:18pm

re: #270 goddamnedfrank

I keep running into people dodging the whole “You actually think that the GOP hostage taking is a rational idea?” question.

Every. Fucking. Time you present the question, they hem and haw and cry “But all politicians are bad! Why are you so partisan??!!”

Someone above referenced Alfred’s description of the Joker in The Dark Knight. I’m really getting worried now that Oct 17th is going to come and go with a Republican-created worldwide financial catastrophe.

And my fellow Americans will blame Obama for not being willing to destroy Obamacare.

You watch; if it gets that far, you’re going to see people spouting “If I were president, I’d be willing to kill my own accomplishments to save the country!”

Gah. I really hate people sometimes.

283 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:51:18pm

re: #261 Renaissance_Man

With political beliefs like that, that makes you conservative. Which is the opposite of Republican these days.

See, I’d say that even though my political beliefs are, frankly, radical—I’d like a post-national, post-scarcity society with a side of AIs running a lot of things—I think that the only actual way to get there from here is with incremental change, and I think that change has to be a cultural change as much if not more than a governmental change. And I think that takes time, it takes a certain process. It’s the reason why Obama’s pretty speeches do matter even if you’re a cynic, because human beings are beings of ideas and even though “all men are created equal” was obviously dishonest since we had slaves those words still inspired.

I’d like the world to transform radically but I think the only permanent path to change is a conservative one, where change for the sake of change is never cheered, only substantial change for the better. It’s easy to make a lot of ‘progress’ but still be essentially stuck in the same cycle. We went from no worker’s rights to reasonably strong workers rights to very poor worker’s rights, all within the span of a century.

I’d like to stop these wild societal swings, and have our societal change be more purposeful. It has been for civil rights, we’ve made enormous strides in that, and we can do it for economics, again. We just need to root it in education, the key to all things civilizational.

284 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:51:36pm

re: #275 goddamnedfrank

Redistricting is necessary to correct a House overwhelmingly skewed by GOP gerrymandering. Your party controls the House in spite of gathering fewer combined votes than Democrats in House races in 2012.

Speaking of lack of a popular mandate, I really hope the midterm election of 2014 weakens Republican rule at the state level in blue and swing states (e.g., PA, WS, etc). If those jokers remain in power in the run up to 2016, I can see them giving electoral votes to the GOP with crap like assigning electoral votes based the count of congressional districts.

285 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:52:30pm

re: #276 Lidane

[Embedded content]

Radical Anarchism! It makes a lovely high tea with nut, flake & fruit scones!

286 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:52:31pm

re: #261 Renaissance_Man

With political beliefs like that, that makes you conservative. Which is the opposite of Republican these days.

Been saying this to whoever I can for years. It cannot be said enough.

287 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:53:20pm

re: #272 EPR-radar

Parsing “non-essential” this way is exactly the same kind of RW willful stupidity as alleging the Nazis were liberal because “socialist” was in the official party name.

HURR HURR AND SLAVE OWNERS WAS DEMOCRATS!!11 HURR HURR

288 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:54:30pm

re: #280 goddamnedfrank

Also, Frankly, I think you’re flat out lying. If it was an honest mistake you would have said so a couple of days ago when this was first brought up. You also would apologize for it. You’ve been dodging it until now, doing your typical cowardly run and hide routine whenever it’s brought up. Finally you now realizedthat people here weren’t going to ever drop it so you make this weak as shit claim of mistake.

I notice that his silence is deafening to my previous posts as a Republican in this very thread.

289 Charles Johnson  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:55:10pm
290 Patricia Kayden  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:55:24pm

re: #214 Dark_Falcon

Point of order: Defunding is not the same thing as Nullification. Nullification is a state or locality saying “We don’t like this federal or state law; therefore is not enforceable within our borders”. Defunding is saying “We don’t like this law; Therefore we refuse to allocate monies for its implementation.”

Did Republicans not know that the ACA was mandatory spending? Did they really believe that President Obama and the Democratic in Congress were going to agree to defund it?

291 nines09  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:55:46pm

re: #196 Amory Blaine

Ronald Reagan: “Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit.”

[Embedded content]

STRING HIM UP!!!!!!!!!!

292 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:56:27pm

Gerrymandering, this is what happened in Kentucky’s 4th District and how we went from Blue Dog to Tea Party:

en.wikipedia.org

293 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:56:50pm

re: #277 LGF Subscription: Breathes Like Egyptian Cotton

Hey, I finally understand! If we fire the entire government we will save Gajillions, have no debt ever, and because there are no taxes, we will all be rich!

/ I aM tHe tEa pArTy

Back in 75 that’s what the Queen did in Australia. They had a mess of about this magnitude in their government. So she fired the prime minister, dissolved parliament & called new elections. It gives me a wee bit of sympathy for monarchs but we checked out of that system a few years back.

I could see trying to get an amendment passed that said if congress can’t pass a budget in X time, then elections will be held within 3 months for all seats in both houses. That wouldn’t pass either I know…

294 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:58:20pm

re: #282 Mattand

I keep running into people dodging the whole “You actually think that the GOP hostage taking is a rational idea?” question.

Every. Fucking. Time you present the question, they hem and haw and cry “But all politicians are bad! Why are you so partisan??!!”

Someone above referenced Alfred’s description of the Joker in The Dark Knight. I’m really getting worried now that Oct 17th is going to come and go with a Republican-created worldwide financial catastrophe.

And my fellow Americans will blame Obama for not being willing to destroy Obamacare.

You watch; if it gets that far, you’re going to see people spouting “If I were president, I’d be willing to kill my own accomplishments to save the country!”

Gah. I really hate people sometimes.

Personally, I’m curious as to when the financial markets will begin to freak the fuck out and the serious hoarding will begin in anticipation of a default. Folks have to remember that, at this point in ‘11, there’d already been several discussions between the White House and Congress, while the Senate had ongoing negotiations through back channels. Here we have nothing, no talks going on, no negotiations of any kind, just both sides sitting atop their walls and seeing who will blink first.

Feels more and more like the fucking Cuban Missile Crisis.

295 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:58:32pm

re: #274 Targetpractice

And thus we see why a shutdown is, in the long run, in Democrats favor. The longer this goes on, the more companies and contractors who are going to end up furloughing employees due to lack of work or lack of funds to continue the work they have, which will simply spread and creep as the days go by.

But please, wingnuts, tell us about “non-essentials” and how, if we fired all of them tomorrow, it would save billions. *rolls eyes*

But but but…Marsha Blackburn said we’d all find out we may not miss all that government. You don’t believe her?

296 ProTARDISLiberal  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 4:58:59pm

re: #293 William Barnett-Lewis

That is an Amendment that I would support.

297 Patricia Kayden  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:00:04pm

re: #259 Vicious Babushka

DERP

[Embedded content]

So Republicans/Teapeople are only interested in National Parks? Really? Nothing else that has been shut down by the GOP’s temper tantrum matters to them? Seems like when you think they’ve gone low, they go down even lower.

298 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:00:32pm

re: #294 Targetpractice

Personally, I’m curious as to when the financial markets will begin to freak the fuck out and the serious hoarding will begin in anticipation of a default. Folks have to remember that, at this point in ‘11, there’d already been several discussions between the White House and Congress, while the Senate had ongoing negotiations through back channels. Here we have nothing, no talks going on, no negotiations of any kind, just both sides sitting atop their walls and seeing who will blink first.

Feels more and more like the fucking Cuban Missile Crisis.

Me too. I think it is virtually certain that neither side will blink until the 17th.

At that point, Obama either finds a more or less legal way to keep paying the bills, or the US defaults. I have no idea what his choice will be at that time.

299 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:01:40pm

WTFITS
Because closing National Parks is SO MUCH MORE PAINFUL then stopping WIC. WTF.

300 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:02:04pm
301 klys  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:02:18pm

re: #298 EPR-radar

Me too. I think it is virtually certain that neither side will blink until the 17th.

At that point, Obama either finds a more or less legal way to keep paying the bills, or the US defaults. I have no idea what his choice will be at that time.

We’re already sitting on stuff instead of putting it in, pending the upcoming situation.

We won’t pull anything out, though. Just ride it through.

302 ProTARDISLiberal  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:02:31pm

re: #298 EPR-radar

Declare the Debt Ceiling unconstitutional.

303 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:02:52pm

re: #297 Patricia Kayden

So Republicans/Teapeople are only interested in National Parks? Really? Nothing else that has been shut down by the GOP’s temper tantrum matters to them? Seems like when you think they’ve gone low, they go down even lower.

And this concern is completely faked, of course. Most of the teabaggers would sell off the national parks etc. to private interests for open pit mining etc. in a heartbeat, especially if the bribes are juicy enough.

304 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:03:08pm

re: #297 Patricia Kayden

So Republicans/Teapeople are only interested in National Parks? Really? Nothing else that has been shut down by the GOP’s temper tantrum matters to them? Seems like when you think they’ve gone low, they go down even lower.

Didn’t you know? Monuments and national parks matter more than living, breathing people being hurt by the Republicans.

Overly entitled Republicans can’t take their fishing boats out to the Florida Bay to catch fish, and they can’t go to the Grand Canyon on vacation or touristing at the WW2 memorial. Clearly, this is a national tragedy.

/////

305 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:04:21pm

A Federal Budget Crisis Months in the Planning
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and MIKE McINTIRE
Published: October 5, 2013

WASHINGTON — Shortly after President Obama started his second term, a loose-knit coalition of conservative activists led by former Attorney General Edwin Meese III gathered in the capital to plot strategy. Their push to repeal Mr. Obama’s health care law was going nowhere, and they desperately needed a new plan.

Out of that session, held one morning in a location the members insist on keeping secret, came a little-noticed “blueprint to defunding Obamacare,” signed by Mr. Meese and leaders of more than three dozen conservative groups.

It articulated a take-no-prisoners legislative strategy that had long percolated in conservative circles: that Republicans could derail the health care overhaul if conservative lawmakers were willing to push fellow Republicans — including their cautious leaders — into cutting off financing for the entire federal government.

“We felt very strongly at the start of this year that the House needed to use the power of the purse,” said one coalition member, Michael A. Needham, who runs Heritage Action for America, the political arm of the Heritage Foundation. “At least at Heritage Action, we felt very strongly from the start that this was a fight that we were going to pick.”

Continues.

306 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:04:24pm

… and D_F runs away again without comment. The guy who normally always types in a message before every logout just runs off quietly like a coward whenever someone presses him to explain his bullshit behavior.

307 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:04:56pm

re: #298 EPR-radar

Me too. I think it is virtually certain that neither side will blink until the 17th.

At that point, Obama either finds a more or less legal way to keep paying the bills, or the US defaults. I have no idea what his choice will be at that time.

Let him pull the trigger and invoke the 14th Amendment.

What crime would they charge him with? Making sure we don’t default and take the world economy down with us?

308 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:05:14pm

re: #304 Lidane

Didn’t you know? Monuments and national parks matter more than living, breathing people being hurt by the Republicans.

Overly entitled Republicans can’t take their fishing boats out to the Florida Bay to catch fish, and they can’t go to the Grand Canyon on vacation or touristing at the WW2 memorial. Clearly, this is a national tragedy.

/////

I know they moved London Bridge to Nevada but when did they move Normandy cemetery to Texas?

309 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:05:52pm
310 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:06:04pm

re: #250 Justanotherhuman

I’m sure Switzerland can afford it. All our money is there.

311 ProTARDISLiberal  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:06:13pm

re: #306 goddamnedfrank

Can anyone remind me how long it took for me to shift my position on Guns after Sandy Hook?

312 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:06:26pm

re: #304 Lidane

Didn’t you know? Monuments and national parks matter more than living, breathing people being hurt by the Republicans.

Overly entitled Republicans can’t take their fishing boats out to the Florida Bay to catch fish, and they can’t go to the Grand Canyon on vacation or touristing at the WW2 memorial. Clearly, this is a national tragedy.

/////

Well hell, just keep in mind someday after some of those people you speak of are gone due to their policies, those parks…this entire country is going to be a lot nicer.


/// Yeah…went there.

313 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:06:55pm

CONFIRMED. FACT.

314 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:08:13pm

re: #313 Vicious Babushka

CONFIRMED. FACT.

[Embedded content]

Steve Stockman is a fucking idiot. Confirmed fact. He even looks like a fucking idiot.

315 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:08:29pm

re: #308 Vicious Babushka

I know they moved London Bridge to Nevada but when did they move Normandy cemetery to Texas?

[Embedded content]

…

Like all other overseas American cemeteries in France for World War I and II, France has granted the United States a special, perpetual concession to the land occupied by the cemetery, free of any charge or any tax. This cemetery is managed by the American government, under Congressional acts that provide yearly financial support for maintaining them, with most military and civil personnel employed abroad. The U.S. flag flies over these granted soils.[1]

The real point is that Stockman and the rest of the GOP care more about a select group of dead people than actual living Americans being hurt gravely by this shutdown.

316 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:09:17pm

re: #307 Lidane

Let him pull the trigger and invoke the 14th Amendment.

What crime would they charge him with? Making sure we don’t default and take the world economy down with us?

If I were in Obama’s shoes, this would not be an easy call.

By disregarding the debt ceiling, a great deal of damage is avoided, but the people will not have seen the real consequences of Teabagger nihilists in government.

317 Patricia Kayden  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:09:21pm

re: #305 Gus

So they conspired and failed then because Obamacare has not been defunded and I feel pretty confident that there is zero chance of it being defunded by this Congress. President Cruz (God forbid) would have to repeal it in 2016. The GOP need to stop being the Obstructionist Party and start working for the betterment of the American people.

318 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:09:24pm

re: #315 goddamnedfrank

Stockman doesn’t care about anything but his own reelection.

319 Stanley Sea  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:09:31pm

re: #271 Lidane

[Embedded content]

My friend works at a car dealership. They’ve sold 2 cars today. 2.

Unheard of.

320 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:09:53pm

Image: conservatives-2-popup.jpg

DRIVING FORCES David Koch of Americans for Prosperity, Michael A. Needham of Heritage Action and former Attorney General Edwin Meese III played roles in the health law fight.

321 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:12:17pm

Republican Rep. Peter King: ‘We are the ones who shut down the government’

“If we want to defund something, we should repeal it,” he continued. “And do it the same way the president got it signed: elect Republicans to both Houses of Congress, repeal it and then have a Republican president sign it. This was a strategy doomed to failure.”

As for the Republicans who were blaming the Democrats and the president for shutting down the government, King said that he just wasn’t buying into that argument.

“We are the ones who did shut the government down,” he insisted. “You don’t take the dramatic step of shutting down the government unless you have a real strategy.”

322 Interesting Times  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:13:51pm

re: #320 Gus

The brothers koch must stand to profit from a default (I believe Cantor had some investments to this effect as well). That’s the only possible explanation. The other 1%-ers, like Blankfein, Dimon, etc want to avoid defaulting.

May the least douchbaggerish 1%-er win? :-/

323 sagehen  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:14:35pm

re: #257 Backwoods_Sleuth

Thing is, I’m a Republican because where I live all of the county offices here in my little corner of eastern Kentucky are decided in the Republican primary in May. November is pretty much a rubber stamp. Was pretty much the same the almost 20 years I lived in Illinois.
I’m a Republican mostly to keep the lunatics from winning in the primary but I’m also somewhat of a fiscal conservative while, at the same time, being a huge social liberal.
There’s lots of waste out there, but it’s not what most Tea Party people want to believe, and I don’t think I have to point any of that out to most here.

I’m a Republican because Dwight Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, and because when I was young the Republicans were better at math than the Democrats were. But other than primaries and Michael Bloomberg, the last time I voted for a member of my party was Bush the Elder. I very much miss what my party used to be. I want them back.

324 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:15:06pm

Let’s try this again.

GOP causes shutdown. GOP bitches because shutdown actually shuts down national parks. They make photo op of that, even as GOP claims that they’re unessential workers (yeah, if they’re not essential, let’s get rid of them), then suggest a mini CR to fund the NPS.

Just ignore that the NPS is but one agency that affects a whole lot of people and a whole lot of businesses that rely on them. But not any more or less than the hundreds of other federal agencies or programs like WIC, TANF, and SNAP. All those programs are part of the safety net. All help people survive and get food to eat because they can’t afford it on their own.

It’s all the agencies and all the government functions.

Here’s the deal Democrats offer the GOP.

A clean CR. For all agencies for at least the full year. No less.

A debt ceiling increase to cover gov ops for the same period. No less.

The Democrats have already conceded to accept the sequester cuts. Obamacare/ACA isn’t on the table. Any attempt to bring the ACA in will result in Democrats by extending the CR by an additional month. Any attempt to suggest mini CRs for partial funding for only a few weeks will result in increasing the duration of the CR alternative.

The GOP will and must be held accountable for this crisis. This isn’t a debate. It’s about showing the GOP that their folly of following the TP has repercussions to their political agenda, their future, and the world will know who is to blame for all the economic woe from the #GOPshutdown.

325 Decatur Deb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:15:21pm

re: #306 goddamnedfrank

… and D_F runs away again without comment. The guy who normally always types in a message before every logout just runs off quietly like a coward whenever someone presses him to explain his bullshit behavior.

Nothing is gained by pushing him away. The game is to win minds and hearts, not arguments.

326 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:17:40pm

re: #321 Kragar

Republican Rep. Peter King: ‘We are the ones who shut down the government’

Pete, if you really feel this way, then step forward and put your name on the House Dem discharge petition. Lead by example.

327 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:17:51pm

re: #321 Kragar

RINO!!!! That King is sounding reasonable tells you just how unreasonable and extremist the GOP truly is - from Boehner on down.

328 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:18:56pm

re: #326 Targetpractice

Pete, if you really feel this way, then step forward and put your name on the House Dem discharge petition. Lead by example.

The time for words is over. Republicans in Congress that want to be regarded as functioning human beings need to break ranks.

329 Killgore Trout  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:20:14pm

re: #294 Targetpractice

Personally, I’m curious as to when the financial markets will begin to freak the fuck out and the serious hoarding will begin in anticipation of a default. Folks have to remember that, at this point in ‘11, there’d already been several discussions between the White House and Congress, while the Senate had ongoing negotiations through back channels. Here we have nothing, no talks going on, no negotiations of any kind, just both sides sitting atop their walls and seeing who will blink first.

Feels more and more like the fucking Cuban Missile Crisis.

Institutional investors and hedge fund managers are pretty smart about these things. Big money also buys big connections, I would guess the wall street big money folks already know what the end deal is going to look like and have positioned themselves to make money from it. Even a good article from responsible news outlets will sometimes bury a quote from an economist near the end of an article saying default is very unlikely and positing several end deal scenarios. Try some Christian Science Monitor articles. But hysteria sells so all the regular news orgs are sticking with the doomsday scenarios because it’s what people want to hear. It’s not going to happen.

330 klys  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:20:56pm

re: #329 Killgore Trout

Institutional investors and hedge fund managers are pretty smart about these things. Big money also buys big connections, I would guess the wall street big money folks already know what the end deal is going to look like and have positioned themselves to make money from it. Even a good article from responsible news outlets will sometimes bury a quote from an economist near the end of an article saying default is very unlikely and positing several end deal scenarios. Try some Christian Science Monitor articles. But hysteria sells so all the regular news orgs are sticking with the doomsday scenarios because it’s what people want to hear. It’s not going to happen.

Do you invest heavily in tin foil?

331 ObserverArt  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:21:53pm

re: #326 Targetpractice

Pete, if you really feel this way, then step forward and put your name on the House Dem discharge petition. Lead by example.

Politically right now this is THE move.

It’s right there. Someone and some group in the GOP has to figure this out. And they have to do it in a way that also absolutely breaks the Tea Party or runs them out.

And with that…wind down time. Time to tune the guitar…

332 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:22:09pm
333 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:22:43pm
334 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:23:56pm

re: #329 Killgore Trout

Institutional investors and hedge fund managers are pretty smart about these things. Big money also buys big connections, I would guess the wall street big money folks already know what the end deal is going to look like and have positioned themselves to make money from it. Even a good article from responsible news outlets will sometimes bury a quote from an economist near the end of an article saying default is very unlikely and positing several end deal scenarios. Try some Christian Science Monitor articles. But hysteria sells so all the regular news orgs are sticking with the doomsday scenarios because it’s what people want to hear. It’s not going to happen.

And how many of them said that a shutdown was unlikely? That the damage done to the GOP brand would force them to take measures to avoid taking the blame? And that smart money was on there being no shutdown at all?

335 EPR-radar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:24:19pm

re: #331 ObserverArt

Politically right now this is THE move.

It’s right there. Someone and some group in the GOP has to figure this out. And they have to do it in a way that also absolutely breaks the Tea Party or runs them out.

It is certainly a matter of self-preservation for moderate GOPers at this point. They either purge the Teabagger infection or the party gets consumed by it.

This is probably the best argument to use to motivate action, since there is no reference to commie/hippie crap like the good of the country.

336 SidewaysQuark  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:24:29pm

The GOP is whining because shutting down the government is, well, actually shutting down the things government actually does. It would be comical if not outweighed by the building tragedy of it all.

337 Killgore Trout  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:27:29pm

re: #330 klys

Do you invest heavily in tin foil?

If I do buy in this week it’ll just be a simple index fund. I like Willshire 5000. I have lots of liquid cash which I probably won’t need until spring so I might invest or I might just sit on it. Can’t decide.

338 Killgore Trout  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:29:52pm

re: #334 Targetpractice

And how many of them said that a shutdown was unlikely? That the damage done to the GOP brand would force them to take measures to avoid taking the blame? And that smart money was on there being no shutdown at all?

Here’s a sample article of what I’m talking about. csmonitor.com
Nobody denies that Republicans will get the blame and have a weaker bargaining position. Default would be very bad but it’s a very remote possibility.

339 Decatur Deb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:32:18pm

re: #338 Killgore Trout

Here’s a sample article of what I’m talking about. csmonitor.com
Nobody denies that Republicans will get the blame and have a weaker bargaining position. Default would be very bad but it’s a very remote possibility.

There is a less-than situation, though. Last time around we were hit by an expensive downgrade for just getting close to the ceiling. The rating agencies get the final vote.

340 klys  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:33:29pm

re: #338 Killgore Trout

Here’s a sample article of what I’m talking about. csmonitor.com
Nobody denies that Republicans will get the blame and have a weaker bargaining position. Default would be very bad but it’s a very remote possibility.

How much of the chance of default being a “remote possibility” is based on the assumption that the Republican lawmakers are sane and don’t want to see the government default? To what percentage of the House Republicans do you think this definition actually applies?

341 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:35:34pm

Sooo tax money to run a cemetery in France is OK government spending?

342 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:35:56pm

re: #340 klys

How much of the chance of default being a “remote possibility” is based on the assumption that the Republican lawmakers are sane and don’t want to see the government default? To what percentage of the House Republicans do you think this definition actually applies?

Exactly. The moneyed interests very likely didn’t want a shutdown and have been saying for days now that they don’t think it was smart to do so over the ACA. So this assumption that they carry enough weight to push Boehner into putting a clean debt ceiling increase on the floor and getting enough Republicans to vote for it alongside Democrats is not exactly sitting on solid ground right now.

343 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:36:35pm

OT, but goddamnit Texans. Really? The game just started. You just got the ball. You’ve already given it up for an interception and 49er touchdown?

*sigh*

It’s going to be a loooong game. Blah.

344 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:36:53pm

What is this…I can’t even…
(NOT a parody account, I checked its timeline…)

345 lawhawk  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:37:57pm

re: #338 Killgore Trout

Not as remote as it should be. And the Treasury Dept has been taking steps to delay it as much as possible, and yet the GOP is gunning for this showdown that they themselves know would have disastrous consequences.

Instead of backing away, they’re doubling down with nonsensical demands that they will include ACA poison pills in debt ceiling talks too - as if that has worked with the CRs.

That’s why the Democrats have to alter the deal and make the GOP wish that the Democrats don’t alter it any further.

This comes after the fact that the GOP has essentially attempted to rewrite the law, policy, and good common sense on annual appropriations and the debt ceiling by seeking the repeal of a duly enacted law, upheld by the courts, and which seeks to do nothing more than expand access to affordable health insurance via exchanges of insurance policies by for and not for profit insurers. Not socialism. Not communism. Just a new market using the purchasing power of large numbers to bring access to more people than before.

346 Decatur Deb  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:38:31pm

re: #342 Targetpractice

Exactly. The moneyed interests very likely didn’t want a shutdown and have been saying for days now that they don’t think it was smart to do so over the ACA. So this assumption that they carry enough weight to push Boehner into putting a clean debt ceiling increase on the floor and getting enough Republicans to vote for it alongside Democrats is not exactly sitting on solid ground right now.

Trouble is that a little bit of crazy, a little bit of ineptness, and some simple miscalculation could start a landslide that no one wants. IOW the trouble with habitual brinksmanship is that someone eventually goes over the brink.

347 Killgore Trout  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:38:58pm

re: #339 Decatur Deb

There is a less-than situation, though. Last time around we were hit by an expensive downgrade for just getting close to the ceiling. The rating agencies get the final vote.

The article mentions that. It also notes that last time Europe was still dragging down the global economy. Greece still has troubles and Spain probably does too, but not nearly as bad as last time.

348 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:40:10pm
349 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:42:56pm
350 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:45:33pm

Why does the Normandy cemetery have 85 million dollars on hand? Isn’t this an example of outrageous excess? The UWM system has a reserve fund and the teabaggers went apoplectic over it.

351 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:46:46pm

re: #343 Lidane

OT, but goddamnit Texans. Really? The game just started. You just got the ball. You’ve already given it up for an interception and 49er touchdown?

*sigh*

It’s going to be a loooong game. Blah.

GOP to demand 49ers return ball to Dallas.
/

352 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:50:34pm

re: #351 Kragar

GOP to demand 49ers return ball to Dallas.
/

You’re think of Denver. They’re the ones that beat Dallas.

The 49ers are currently beating Houston.

353 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:52:33pm

re: #352 Lidane

You’re think of Denver. They’re the ones that beat Dallas.

The 49ers are currently beating Houston.

Eh, its football. Like I know. It makes as much sense as any other GOP demand.

354 The Mountain That Blogs  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:53:31pm

All class.

355 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:56:23pm

re: #354 The Mountain That Blogs

Dear Bigot,

Believe it or not, Japanese people are Korean people are not interchangeable.

Stay classy, asshole.

No love,
Me

356 jaunte  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:58:43pm

re: #344 Vicious Babushka

Dont Get me wrong, Louis Gohmert is NOT Jesus, but Ima thinking hes close enough For Greater things -

Someone’s confused by all the people exclaiming “Jesus” every time Gohmert says something.

357 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 5:59:54pm

re: #355 Lidane

Dear Bigot,

Believe it or not, Japanese people are Korean people are not interchangeable.

Stay classy, asshole.

No love,
Me

I’m pretty sure both sides would see that as a pretty serious insult, considering the historical animosity between the Japanese and Koreans. Though I’m to understand that’s slowly dying out with the older generations.

358 Varek Raith  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:02:12pm

re: #354 The Mountain That Blogs

All class.

[Embedded content]

Japanese, Koreans, Chinese and Latinos.
All the same!

Moran.

359 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:03:12pm


She’s also worked for Human Events, Washington Times, and Jim Demint.

360 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:03:42pm

Wages will have to rise. When the higher fines kick in, it will force companies to pay more.

361 ProTARDISLiberal  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:04:48pm

re: #348 Vicious Babushka

There is a chance that, if the Titanic had just rammed the iceburg head-on, it would have survived.

Less than 10 years earlier, a ship survived a similar incident by doing just that.

362 Varek Raith  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:05:43pm

Chickenshit Republicans, you wanted this shutdown. Own it.
Pansies.

363 Kragar  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:06:13pm

Jesus fucking Christ, what century does this POS live in?

364 Carlos Danger  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:06:22pm

Chief Justice Captain Ahab

365 Varek Raith  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:07:14pm

re: #363 Kragar

Jesus fucking Christ, what century does this POS live in?

[Embedded content]

I don’t even…

366 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:07:23pm

I’m seriously considering no more donations for NPR. They have changed quite a bit. And not for the better.

367 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:12:42pm

re: #356 jaunte

Someone’s confused by all the people exclaiming “Jesus” every time Gohmert says something.

Bryan Fischer has made a convert out of me because everytime I read one of his Tweets I say “Jesus (something) Christ!”

368 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:13:09pm

Assholes.

369 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:13:53pm

re: #363 Kragar

Jesus fucking Christ, what century does this POS live in?

He sounds almost enlightened compared to the usual teabagger.

370 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:14:33pm

Stay classy Arizona.

371 Gus  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:15:45pm

re: #368 Amory Blaine

[Embedded content]

Assholes.

Is he talking about the Irish?

372 Internet Tough Guy  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:16:09pm

re: #354 The Mountain That Blogs

Needs more racism.

373 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:16:13pm

re: #370 Vicious Babushka

Stay classy Arizona.

[Embedded content]

Butter wouldn’t melt in that woman’s mouth.

374 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:16:45pm
375 Vicious Babushka  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:18:41pm

Just when you thought Teapublicans could not get any dumber…

376 Targetpractice  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:20:01pm

re: #375 Vicious Babushka

Just when you thought Teapublicans could not get any dumber…

[Embedded content]

Youtube Video

377 Lidane  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:20:33pm

re: #375 Vicious Babushka

I just…no. I can’t. What the actual fuck? How the fuck is wind a finite resource?

378 Amory Blaine  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:24:32pm

The wind coming out of the Teabagger caucus sure seems infinite.

379 Mattand  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:33:39pm

re: #294 Targetpractice

Feels more and more like the fucking Cuban Missile Crisis.

That’s a perfect description of this whole mess.

380 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:34:27pm

*waves to everyone* Surfacing from studying to say hello and throw my two cents on this.

Hi! I love my classes! :D

I’ve been saying for a long long time that the Republicans would rather rule over the ash heap of a ruined America than be a minority party in a successful country. Sadly, that’s bearing out to be more and more true. And with everyone able to listen to their own respective echo chambers for ‘news’, it becomes easier to ignore reality and instead believe only what they let themselves hear.

Now, I fear we’re about to hit the big crisis. Things are now a zero sum game. If Obama blinks, Then the country and the Executive branch will never be the same. Not only that, everyone loves a winner, if the Tea Party seems to be the winner, then people on the sideline will jump on their bandwagon and we’ll likely be looking at an extremely disturbing future for America. If you think I’m exaggerating or wrong, I hope I am. I just don’t think I am.

Now, if Obama doesn’t blink, and The Republican Tea Party doesn’t fold, we default on our debt and our economy will take some serious hits. What happens then? Will the public blame Obama and the Democrats? or will they turn on the Tea Party and render them ineffective and mute? Or will we limp along in this polarized and corrosive divide continue into 2016? With a crippled economy and no one in government with power.

I happen to like divided government, but I am terrified of dysfunctional government. Which is what we have, and it’s getting worse.

Finally, what happens if the Republicans Fold? Will states try to leave? Will we see the Republican party finally split? With the Tea Party forming their own rump? Or will centrist Republicans and Democrats actually form a party and leave the Tea Party out to dry? I have no clue. I just worry that the fever of the Tea Party won’t break in the next month. And our country is going to suffer because of it.

Thanks for letting me ramble folks.

381 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:43:37pm

re: #330 klys

Do you invest heavily in tin foil?

KT is actually correct about the markets.
It’s a sad fact, but very true.
The markets rely on “be very afraid” reactions from the public.
If the market starts dumping tomorrow, watch carefully. Do NOT sell any holdings, but watch very carefully to buy low.

ETA: There are some people who are orchestrating all of this who are going to make a LOT of money…

382 Stanley Sea  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 6:51:58pm

re: #380 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All

Glad to see you and your thoughtful input.

383 LGF Subscription: Breathes Like Egyptian Cotton  Sun, Oct 6, 2013 7:49:07pm

re: #357 Targetpractice

I don’t know, I spent a lot of time in the East and the Koreans I knew, who were my age, er.. youngish, hated the Japanese. I had to hear about it all the time.

Also, the Japanese and the Koreans are easy to tell apart!
geez this guy is a jerk.

384 Stoatly  Mon, Oct 7, 2013 7:56:44am

re: #383 LGF Subscription: Breathes Like Egyptian Cotton

In my (very limited) experience you’re right, and there is a sort of casual racism among the Japanese of all generations towards any non-Japanese - even those Japanese bought up aboard who move back to Japan

385 ThomasLite  Mon, Oct 7, 2013 4:24:24pm

re: #381 Backwoods_Sleuth

KT is actually correct about the markets.
It’s a sad fact, but very true.
The markets rely on “be very afraid” reactions from the public.
If the market starts dumping tomorrow, watch carefully. Do NOT sell any holdings, but watch very carefully to buy low.

ETA: There are some people who are orchestrating all of this who are going to make a LOT of money…

I’m inclined to say it’s not really a matter of anyone but a select few fanatics, and mostly for ideological purposes, orchestrating this particular incident. This really is the fanatics taking the wheel.
The investment advice is sound, though.

386 Unakite  Mon, Oct 7, 2013 7:02:48pm

re: #49 Carlos Danger

May be a little late, but that’s interesting since Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota.


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