The Party That Brought You the Patriot Act Denounces the NSA as “Unconstitutional”

Hypocrisy cubed
Politics • Views: 18,047

Today I learned the Republican Party can still surprise me with the depth of their bald-faced hypocrisy: RNC Slams ‘Unconstitutional’ NSA Spying.

The Republican National Committee passed a resolution Friday renouncing “unconstitutional” National Security Agency surveillance programs.

The resolution, affirmed by a voice vote at the GOP’s winter meeting, was a remarkable move from many of the same party activists who vigorously defended controversial surveillance programs during George W. Bush’s administration.

Yes, that’s right — the party that brought you the Patriot Act is now making a blatant, opportunistic bid for the libertarian crowd. Just ignore that history behind the curtain, folks.

It does make me wonder, though; what could possibly be the difference between the President we had then and the one we have now?

Jump to bottom

233 comments
1 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:34:30am

Why does it feel like Republicans are much less interested in what’s best for the country and much more interested in how they can hold onto power/fleece their base?

2 jaunte  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:34:41am

All the institutional memory of a koi pond.

3 Kragar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:34:47am

“We never intended these powers to be used by a Black Democrat when we instituted them under the Bush Presidency.”

4 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:35:47am

Oh, they’ve been reading Greenwald?

5 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:37:06am

Yes, the GOP is deeply troubled by the Patriot Act’s potential for abuse and the NSA acting in an unconstitutional fashion…which is why the GOP fought so hard not three years ago to extend the Patriot Act til 2015.

6 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:37:31am

Previous RNC Platform:

• Patriot Act
• FISA Amendments
• Department of Homeland Security
• Project for the New American Century
• Blackwater
• Weapons of Mass Destruction
• Iraq War
• Global War on Terror
• NSA Surveillance
• Abu Ghraib
• CIA Renditions
• GITMO Detentions
• Waterboarding (Torture)
• Spying on Muslims
• Shock and Awe

7 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:38:02am

GG links to Fox, as usual.

8 Ace-o-aces  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:38:48am

Maybe their concern is that Obama isn’t violating privacy enough?

9 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:39:34am

re: #6 Gus

Previous RNC Platform:

• Patriot Act
• FISA Amendments
• Department of Homeland Security
• Project for the New American Century
• Blackwater
• Weapons of Mass Destruction
• Iraq War
• Global War on Terror
• NSA Surveillance
• Abu Ghraib
• CIA Renditions
• GITMO Detentions
• Waterboarding (Torture)
• Spying on Muslims
• Shock and Awe

2004: “We must do everything we can to stop the terrorists!”
2014: “Unless a black Democrat is in the White House!”

10 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:39:36am

The GOP is claiming that this is now unconstitutional? Really? And they want investigations too?

It would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetically politically motivated.

Back in 2001, Congress overwhelmingly approved the Patriot Act:

senate.gov (passed US Senate 98-1, the one person being Russ Feingold).

clerk.house.gov (211 GOPers approved, versus 3 opposed, including Ron Paul; 145 Democrats approved versus 66 opposed).

By investigations, I guess that means that Darrell Issa can investigate himself. He voted for the Patriot Act. So too did John Boehner.

Every GOP senator voted for this. Did any of them misunderstand the Act? Did every one of the 211 GOPers who voted for it in the House misunderstand the Act and ignore the constitutionality?

I’d argue that they didn’t, because it wasn’t unconstitutional. But by convenience (and in the same way that they turned on a dime to claim that the ACA’s individual mandate was unconstitutional) they’re now claiming that a position they once held was unconstitutional.

So, it leads to a quandary: are they pleading ignorance of the law they championed, or are they playing politics in the hopes of dinging the President and Democrats?

Well, they’re going to play it both ways. And neither is particularly satisfying either.

11 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:39:53am

By the way, the previous post has a very high tweet count, because it was retweeted by none other than Mark Steyn.

12 piratedan  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:40:02am

re: #1 klys

Why does it feel like Republicans are much less interested in what’s best for the country and much more interested in how they can hold onto power/fleece their base?

Because it’s the truth?

hypocrisy isn’t a bug, its a feature….

13 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:40:30am

re: #9 Targetpractice

2004: “We must do everything we can to stop the terrorists!”
2014: “Unless a black Democrat is in the White House!”

A more cynical reading would suggest that they think that a black Democrat in the White House is a terrorist.

14 Dr Lizardo  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:41:04am

This ties into my theory that the GOP leadership is making aggressive outreach to libertarians - they see an opportunity for a new “base”, and they’ll need them because I suspect they want to ditch the TP’ers.

15 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:41:05am

re: #11 Charles Johnson

By the way, the previous post has a very high tweet count, because it was retweeted by none other than Mark Steyn.

What’s it like being so irrelevant???
:)

16 chadu  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:41:11am
It does make me wonder, though; what could possibly be the difference between the President we had then and the one we have now?

The President then was from Texas (continental, contiguous state); the President now is from Hawaii (island, non-contiguous state)?

That’s gotta be it, right?

/ / /

17 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:42:25am

re: #10 lawhawk

The GOP is claiming that this is now unconstitutional? Really? And they want investigations too?

It would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetically politically motivated.

Back in 2001, Congress overwhelmingly approved the Patriot Act:

senate.gov (passed US Senate 98-1, the one person being Russ Feingold).

clerk.house.gov (211 GOPers approved, versus 3 opposed, including Ron Paul; 145 Democrats approved versus 66 opposed).

By investigations, I guess that means that Darrell Issa can investigate himself. He voted for the Patriot Act. So too did John Boehner.

Every GOP senator voted for this. Did any of them misunderstand the Act? Did every one of the 211 GOPers who voted for it in the House misunderstand the Act and ignore the constitutionality?

I’d argue that they didn’t, because it wasn’t unconstitutional. But by convenience (and in the same way that they turned on a dime to claim that the ACA’s individual mandate was unconstitutional) they’re now claiming that a position they once held was unconstitutional.

So, it leads to a quandary: are they pleading ignorance of the law they championed, or are they playing politics in the hopes of dinging the President and Democrats?

Well, they’re going to play it both ways. And neither is particularly satisfying either.

Make page. Your assignment for today. Thanks. ;)

18 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:43:33am
19 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:44:44am

re: #2 jaunte

All the institutional memory of a koi pond.

Hahaha.

Mommy, my goldfish is swimming upside down, is he sick again? Don’t worry honey, daddy will take care of him. (Daddy rushes out and swaps out dead goldfish for a new goldfish.) Mommy, mommy look, the goldfish is all happy and swimming fine again! No problem honey, we know how much you like the goldfish, he’s been your best pet for over 10 years now!

re: #5 Targetpractice

Yes, the GOP is deeply troubled by the Patriot Act’s potential for abuse and the NSA acting in an unconstitutional fashion…which is why the GOP fought so hard not three years ago to extend the Patriot Act til >2015.

Shhh. The ‘base’ doesn’t remember that (goldfish!).

20 Kragar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:45:05am

From the long distant days of legend aka 2006

NSA has massive database of Americans’ phone calls

In defending the previously disclosed program, Bush insisted that the NSA was focused exclusively on international calls. “In other words,” Bush explained, “one end of the communication must be outside the United States.”

As a result, domestic call records — those of calls that originate and terminate within U.S. borders — were believed to be private.

Sources, however, say that is not the case. With access to records of billions of domestic calls, the NSA has gained a secret window into the communications habits of millions of Americans. Customers’ names, street addresses and other personal information are not being handed over as part of NSA’s domestic program, the sources said. But the phone numbers the NSA collects can easily be cross-checked with other databases to obtain that information.

Don Weber, a senior spokesman for the NSA, declined to discuss the agency’s operations. “Given the nature of the work we do, it would be irresponsible to comment on actual or alleged operational issues; therefore, we have no information to provide,” he said. “However, it is important to note that NSA takes its legal responsibilities seriously and operates within the law.”

The White House would not discuss the domestic call-tracking program. “There is no domestic surveillance without court approval,” said Dana Perino, deputy press secretary, referring to actual eavesdropping.

She added that all national intelligence activities undertaken by the federal government “are lawful, necessary and required for the pursuit of al-Qaeda and affiliated terrorists.” All government-sponsored intelligence activities “are carefully reviewed and monitored,” Perino said. She also noted that “all appropriate members of Congress have been briefed on the intelligence efforts of the United States.”

The government is collecting “external” data on domestic phone calls but is not intercepting “internals,” a term for the actual content of the communication, according to a U.S. intelligence official familiar with the program. This kind of data collection from phone companies is not uncommon; it’s been done before, though never on this large a scale, the official said. The data are used for “social network analysis,” the official said, meaning to study how terrorist networks contact each other and how they are tied together

21 Mattand  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:45:23am

re: #11 Charles Johnson

By the way, the previous post has a very high tweet count, because it was retweeted by none other than Mark Steyn.

I guess there’s going to be an incoming flood of stupid in the comments before long.

22 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:45:47am

Hey, invading a country for some bullshit about weapons of mass destruction which resulted in the deaths of some 500,000-1,000,000 plus people is one thing but this NSA thing is just a little too much!

23 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:47:11am

Well, looks like my theory that Rodman is working as a spy is blown out of the water. Report: Feds investigating Dennis Rodman for violating sanctions

24 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:48:07am

Wow. I already thought senior GOP elected officials and leaders were the scum of the earth, but this has managed to cause me to revise this estimate downward.

25 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:48:33am

Dear GOP,

Oh right. Because one of your guys was in the White House. Never mind.

No love,
Me

26 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:49:02am

re: #25 Lidane

re: #4 Justanotherhuman

Oh, they’ve been reading Greenwald?

Not necessarily at all. And now they have the official conclusion from the privacy panel on their side.
So I can see what they mean if they are basing this on what Sensenbrenner claims-the lack of relevance to an investigation, and beyond the intent of the Patriot acts authors.

27 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:49:13am

re: #13 klys

A more cynical reading would suggest that they think that a black Democrat in the White House is a terrorist.

I would have answered Targetpractice the exact same way. I would have cut it down to ‘There is a terrorist in the white house now.’ It is not that cynical at all!

28 piratedan  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:49:51am

I guess we can discard the notion of there being anything like a set of core values for the GOP, they truly have “evolved” into the the party of “whatever pisses liberals off, updated hourly”.

29 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:51:37am

By the way, is there any kind of medication for The Reince Priebus Making Your Skin Crawl rash?

I think I have a new allergy.

30 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:51:47am

re: #11 Charles Johnson

By the way, the previous post has a very high tweet count, because it was retweeted by none other than Mark Steyn.

Is registration open?

:)

31 Mattand  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:51:52am

re: #20 Kragar

From the long distant days of legend aka 2006

NSA has massive database of Americans’ phone calls

This is why my head hurts so much when I hear people call Snowden a hero.

Christ, all had to do was a Google search for this 7 year old article, release that initial PPT deck and call it a day.

32 simoom  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:52:10am

House Vote 376 - To Extend Provisions of the Patriot Act (2011): politics.nytimes.com

33 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:52:21am

re: #25 Lidane

Really overwhelming support from left, right and indy.

Wiki
Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin was the only senator who voted against the Patriot Act on October 24, of 2001.

34 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:52:34am

re: #26 Political Atheist

Not necessarily at all. And now they have the official conclusion from the privacy panel on their side.
So I can see what they mean if they are basing this on what Sensenbrenner claims-the lack of relevance to an investigation, and beyond the intent of the Patriot acts authors.

You know, it’s funny, but I still get the feeling that those things you’re mentioning have nothing to do with it.

What has everything to do with it is a) courting the libertarians and b) the President is black.

35 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:52:59am

re: #26 Political Atheist

Not necessarily at all. And now they have the official conclusion from the privacy panel on their side.
So I can see what they mean if they are basing this on what Sensenbrenner claims-the lack of relevance to an investigation, and beyond the intent of the Patriot acts authors.

Oh, so there was a PRIVACY PANEL when George W. Bush was president? Spare me. This is post-facto political BULLSHIT.

36 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:53:22am

re: #33 Political Atheist

Really overwhelming support from left, right and indy.

Wiki
Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin was the only senator who voted against the Patriot Act on October 24, of 2001.

I wish they’d stop pretending they had no idea what would entail.
Sigh.

37 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:53:31am

Back in the Bush days the right-wingers and Republicans would have told said “Privacy Panel” to go fuck themselves.

38 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:53:43am

This is the kind of crappy reporting we’re getting from the MSM about Ukraine.

Ukraine leader pledges government reshuffle ahead of more rallies

reuters.com

EU official meets Ukraine’s Yanukovych amid protest stalemate

cnn.com

39 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:54:15am

re: #34 klys

Hey, I can’t (and don’t want to) read the minds at RNC. But should they choose they have a hook to hang this on for whatever anyone thinks that’s worth.

40 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:54:41am

Said “privacy panel” would have been labeled “secret Muslims,” terrorist sympathizers, stealth Jihadists, anti-American, un-American, un-Patriotic, and probably worse than MICHAEL MOORE!

41 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:55:02am

re: #29 ObserverArt

By the way, is there any kind of medication for The Reince Priebus Making Your Skin Crawl rash?

I think I have a new allergy.

Words have power —- “Rince Priebus” does sound like it ought to be the name of a revolting skin condition.

42 Ian G.  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:55:30am

re: #11 Charles Johnson

By the way, the previous post has a very high tweet count, because it was retweeted by none other than Mark Steyn.

Steyn is one of those people who thinks he’s much smarter than he actually is. For example, after the Costa Concordia disaster, he tried to make some profound point about the decline of Godless, secular European civilization by comparing the alleged chaos and anarchy on that vessel to the alleged civility on the Titanic as it went down.

Seriously.

OK, I’ll even concede him (without any evidence) that people were better behaved on the Titanic than on the Costa Concordia. But to suggest that European civilization of 1912, which, you know, would in 2 years time start slaughtering each other by the hundreds of thousands at Verdun and Tannenberg and Ypres and the Isonzo for no goddamn reason at all other than idiotic nationalistic pride, is superior to the current civilization that has integrated to the point where war is all but unthinkable there, is something that only a fool of the highest order would suggest.

Carry on with GOP hypocrisy on the NSA. I just needed to rant about Steyn a bit.

43 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:55:57am

re: #33 Political Atheist

Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin was the only senator who voted against the Patriot Act on October 24, of 2001.

And I agreed with Feingold. I have never liked the Patriot Act.

I just think it’s hilarious that the same GOP assholes who loved it so much for eight goddamn years while Bush was president suddenly have a problem because Obama. Fuck the Republican party sideways.

44 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:56:01am
45 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:56:13am

We would have scrubbed said members of privacy panel and looked for one tiny little thing to label them anti-Israel and subsequently called them antisemitic no better than MOOZLAMIC Jihadists and Hitler.

46 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:56:59am

re: #35 Gus

Did you see who was on the panel? Including a Federal judge. And what the Bush admin might have had to say has not mattered since Obama took office. Do you recall his promises on the matter? We did not get what many of his supporters thought we would. hence his drop in the polls of left leaners.

47 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:57:00am

re: #39 Political Atheist

Hey, I can’t (and don’t want to) read the minds at RNC. But should they choose they have a hook to hang this on for whatever anyone thinks that’s worth.

So why were they advocating its renewal 3 years ago when information was already out there about the massive database of Americans’ phone records?

This is political hypocrisy, but since it’s moving in the direction you favor you don’t really seem to care.

48 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:57:28am

re: #41 EPR-radar

Words have power —- “Rince Priebus” does sound like it ought to be the name of a revolting skin condition.

Revolting is a powerful word!

49 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:57:29am

Hey, this is LGF. Little Green Footballs. Feel free to search the archives. Been there. Done that. I know what I’m talking about.

50 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:58:12am

Also, I seem to recall the Patriot Act being shoved through Congress in the direct aftermath of 9/11. Tell me again how everyone wasn’t in ZOMG WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE panic mode when that vote took place.

51 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:58:20am

As a former private in the 101st Fighting Keyboards even I can say that this is totally and 100 percent utter BULLSHIT from the Republican Party.

52 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:58:30am

:D Good times.

53 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:58:47am

re: #44 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

See that photo in the tweet you linked. I’m itching now.

54 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:59:11am

re: #33 Political Atheist

Really overwhelming support from left, right and indy.

Wiki
Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin was the only senator who voted against the Patriot Act on October 24, of 2001.

As I said downstairs, he will always have my gratitude and vote for that fact.

And the majority in Wisconsin was stupid enough to vote for That Idiot instead of Russ.

55 simoom  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 11:59:53am

re: #37 Gus

Back in the Bush days the right-wingers and Republicans would have told said “Privacy Panel” to go fuck themselves.

They effectively did, right? The Review Group was created by an act of Congress in 2007, but no one bothered to staff the board. The first nominations ever were in Jan of 2011 I think.

56 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:00:05pm
57 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:01:00pm

re: #55 simoom

They effectively did, right? The Review Group was created by an act of Congress in 2007, but no one bothered to staff the board. The first nominations ever were in Jan of 2011 I think.

Didn’t know that. Even worse. Or better. Heck, everything was met with resistance back then.

58 Dr Lizardo  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:01:25pm

re: #56 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Great. Now I’ll probably become diabetic just from that explosion of color.

What is all that stuff?

59 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:01:38pm

re: #39 Political Atheist

Hey, I can’t (and don’t want to) read the minds at RNC. But should they choose they have a hook to hang this on for whatever anyone thinks that’s worth.

Are you Reince Piebus? I’m getting itchy reading this comment?

/// ‘scracth’

60 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:01:57pm

re: #53 ObserverArt

See that photo in the tweet you linked. I’m itching now.

I’m afraid the only cure is to apply a little Santorum.

61 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:01:58pm

Heck, you couldn’t even link to Daily Kos. :D

62 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:02:11pm

War Bloggers

63 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:02:19pm

re: #47 klys

I expect hypocrisy from the RNC. Whether this is a great example of it or not might be the question in addition to what I raised.

There is and are serious questions about the legality. Pending SCOTUS, it just ain’t over.

please don’t take this as defense of the RNC overall. Might be a “broken clock” moment.

64 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:02:34pm

We wanted war and we didn’t give a crap.

65 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:03:13pm

re: #51 Gus

As a former private in the 101st Fighting Keyboards even I can say that this is totally and 100 percent utter BULLSHIT from the Republican Party.

I am an airman first class with the US Flying Mice Clicks.

66 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:03:22pm

Words fail me. From the linked article in the OP:

“The committee also wants to hold accountable those public officials who are found to be responsible for this unconstitutional surveillance.”

How dare RNC pigs bleat about accountability for public officials.

67 Kragar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:03:32pm
68 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:03:50pm

re: #37 Gus

Back in the Bush days the right-wingers and Republicans would have told said “Privacy Panel” to go fuck themselves.

GOP, 2001-2009:

“Privacy?! You don’t need privacy! Real Americans don’t have anything to hide. Why do you hate America?”

GOP 2014:

“ZOMG WE NEED PRIVACY! We’re in danger from Obama tyrant dronez! TEH NSA AND PATRIOT ACT ARE EBIL!”

69 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:04:37pm

re: #68 Lidane

GOP, 2001-2009:

“Privacy?! You don’t need privacy! Real Americans don’t have anything to hide. Why do you hate America?”

GOP 2014:

“ZOMG WE NEED PRIVACY! We’re in danger from Obama tyrant dronez! TEH NSA AND PATRIOT ACT ARE EBIL!”

Exactly.

70 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:04:59pm

re: #56 Charles Johnson
Suddenly, boat twitpic.com

[Embedded content]

Wow…. I have a hard time believing that those inflatable boats expand out that fast. What sized CO2 canister would you have to have to expand it out like that. Color me suspicious.

RBS

71 Mattand  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:05:43pm

re: #70 RealityBasedSteve

Suddenly, boat twitpic.com

Wow…. I have a hard time believing that those inflatable boats expand out that fast. What sized CO2 canister would you have to have to expand it out like that. Color me suspicious.

RBS

I think that’s from the movie Grown Ups 2, with Adam Sandler.

72 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:06:26pm

re: #60 wrenchwench

I’m afraid the only cure is to apply a little Santorum.

Ewwww! You know where that stuff comes from???

( I better run and hide after that one… )

73 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:06:28pm

re: #68 Lidane

GOP, 2001-2009:

“Privacy?! You don’t need privacy! Real Americans don’t have anything to hide. Why do you hate America?”

GOP 2014:

“ZOMG WE NEED PRIVACY! We’re in danger from Obama tyrant dronez! TEH NSA AND PATRIOT ACT ARE EBIL!”

But this may or may not be an example of hypocrisy. Because the Supreme Court too might rule it was illegal!

Pity it couldn’t have done that 10 years ago and saved us all a shitton of trouble, but hey, ten years ago suggesting it wasn’t constitutional would have had Republicans calling you a traitor.

Funny that.

74 simoom  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:07:51pm

re: #55 simoom

They effectively did, right? The Review Group was created by an act of Congress in 2007, but no one bothered to staff the board. The first nominations ever were in Jan of 2011 I think.

[EDIT: I was sure I’d read this, but looking at Wikipedia it’s looking like I’m wrong as nominees are listed prior to 2011. Sorry about the misinformation. I’m continuing to reread news stories to be sure.]

75 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:08:18pm

re: #65 ObserverArt
As a former private in the 101st Fighting Keyboards even I can say that this is totally and 100 percent utter BULLSHIT from the Republican Party.

I am an airman first class with the US Flying Mice Clicks.

Well, I’m a corporal in the elite Chairborne Rangers, so I outrank all of you.

RBS

76 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:09:12pm

re: #71 Mattand

I think that’s from the movie Grown Ups 2, with Adam Sandler.

Ah, that would explain it.

RBS

77 CuriousLurker  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:09:14pm

re: #63 Political Atheist

OT (sort of) for just a sec. I saw this yesterday and thought of you. It’s from 2011. It’s creepy how every single photographer was approached at least once, and how obvious some of the intimidation tactics were.

I found it especially annoying that the specter of terrorism was used in several cases. I can only imagine what it would’ve been like had I been there trying to photograph anything while wearing my hijab:

Youtube Video

And with that, I have to get back to work. BBL

78 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:09:24pm

re: #50 Lidane

Also, I seem to recall the Patriot Act being shoved through Congress in the direct aftermath of 9/11. Tell me again how everyone wasn’t in ZOMG WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE panic mode when that vote took place.

It was enacted with sunset clauses, meaning that it would require Congress to reauthorize. They’ve now done so at least two times - 2006 and 2011, with amendments added in several other acts of Congress.

Each time, the law was carried by GOPers, none of whom claimed there was an issue with the constitutionality of empowering the NSA to do what it’s doing.

79 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:09:46pm

re: #71 Mattand

I think that’s from the movie Grown Ups 2, with Adam Sandler.

Yup.

Youtube Video

80 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:09:51pm

re: #43 Lidane

This one ain’t just the GOP. Even years later only a few Democrats voted against extension. 89 “D” Senators for it.

81 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:10:02pm

re: #75 RealityBasedSteve

As a former private in the 101st Fighting Keyboards even I can say that this is totally and 100 percent utter BULLSHIT from the Republican Party.

Well, I’m a corporal in the elite Chairborne Rangers, so I outrank all of you.

RBS

Only until some damn M.A.C. user comes around!

/// Friday fun at LGF…hey, you gots to laugh to keep from crying over all this stupidity

82 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:10:22pm

re: #73 klys

Pity it couldn’t have done that 10 years ago and saved us all a shitton of trouble, but hey, ten years ago suggesting it wasn’t constitutional would have had Republicans calling you a traitor.

Funny that.

I spent eight years being called a traitor and a terrorist sympathizer for questioning the Bush administration. I’m just a tad bit bitter about those same assholes now crying about the evil Patriot Act. Fuck them.

Also, fuck the dudebros. Just because I might think the Patriot Act is shitty law and the NSA needs real oversight doesn’t mean that Snowden, Greenwald and Assange are heroes or that it all needs to be dismantled.

83 Mattand  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:11:01pm

re: #68 Lidane

GOP, 2001-2009:

“Privacy?! You don’t need privacy! Real Americans don’t have anything to hide. Why do you hate America?”

GOP 2014:

“ZOMG WE NEED PRIVACY! We’re in danger from Obama tyrant dronez! TEH NSA AND PATRIOT ACT ARE EBIL!”

The born-again hippie conservative I know (he of “The Girl Scouts push a lesbian agenda” fame) is one of these guys. Had a conversation with him at a Christmas party around ‘06 or ‘07 where he was all “Look all you want, I’ve got nothing to hide.”

I’m sure he’s got a case of the Teh Scary Black Man in the White House now.

84 simoom  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:11:25pm

re: #74 simoom

[EDIT: I was sure I’d read this, but looking at Wikipedia it’s looking like I’m wrong as nominees are listed prior to 2011. Sorry about the misinformation. I’m continuing to reread news stories to be sure.]

Hmmm:

nytimes.com

The findings are laid out in a 238-page report, scheduled for release by Thursday and obtained by The New York Times, that represent the first major public statement by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which Congress made an independent agency in 2007 and only recently became fully operational.

85 Kragar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:11:50pm

re: #71 Mattand

I think that’s from the movie Grown Ups 2, with Adam Sandler.

Well, that explains why no one knew what it was at first

86 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:11:53pm
87 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:13:22pm

re: #80 Political Atheist

This one ain’t just the GOP. Even years later only a few Democrats voted against extension. 89 “D” Senators for it.

True, as far as that goes. Both parties own the dog’s dinner of the Patriot Act.

However, the breathtaking hypocrisy of the RNC here is still unusual, even for Republicans. Also from the OP:

“The push to criticize the NSA was spearheaded by Nevada national committeewoman Diana Orrock, a supporter of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)”

As suggested above, no principles are in play here —- just some possible low hanging fruit in the form of single-issue moron libertarian/dudebro voters.

88 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:13:32pm
89 Mattand  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:13:40pm

re: #85 Kragar

Well, that explains why no one knew what it was at first

My excuse is that I remember it from the commercial. Don’t judge me.

Or if you do, make sure you’re wearing one of the British barrister wigs. It gives an air of sophistication.

90 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:13:57pm

If there’s an actually funny scene in an Adam Sandler movie, it’s guaranteed to be in the trailer. In fact, the trailer really is a condensed version of the movie.

91 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:15:15pm

re: #80 Political Atheist

This one ain’t just the GOP. Even years later only a few Democrats voted against extension. 89 “D” Senators for it.

Some Dems live in conservative districts. Others are vulnerable and would easily face ZOMG REP SO AND SO IZ AN AL QAEDA FAN ads in a re-election campaign if they voted against re-authorization.

Also, once the government gives itself expanded powers, getting it to give them back ain’t easy.

92 Romantic Heretic  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:15:16pm

re: #14 Dr Lizardo

This ties into my theory that the GOP leadership is making aggressive outreach to libertarians - they see an opportunity for a new “base”, and they’ll need them because I suspect they want to ditch the TP’ers.

The problem with this is the massive overlap between the teahadis and the ‘libertarians’.

93 Kragar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:15:58pm

re: #90 Charles Johnson

If there’s an actually funny scene in an Adam Sandler movie, it’s guaranteed to be in the trailer. In fact, the trailer really is a condensed version of the movie.

Oh, but for the halcyon days of Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore.
/

94 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:16:23pm

Yes, Ukrainians have a sense of humor—link to The Colbert Report.

95 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:16:42pm

re: #90 Charles Johnson

If there’s an actually funny scene in an Adam Sandler movie, it’s guaranteed to be in the trailer. In fact, the trailer really is a condensed version of the movie.

There’s a time-saving tip.

96 Mattand  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:16:55pm

re: #90 Charles Johnson

If there’s an actually funny scene in an Adam Sandler movie, it’s guaranteed to be in the trailer. In fact, the trailer really is a condensed version of the movie.

I believe Robert Zemeckis actually copped to cutting his trailers that way. Someone was giving him shit for basically spoiling his movies in the commercials. His response was along the lines of “I want people to come see this movie, and if I give away the ending in the trailer, so be it.”

97 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:17:02pm

Republicans Denounces the NSA as “Unconstitutional.”

Why do they hate America?

98 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:17:08pm

re: #94 Justanotherhuman

God damn autoplay.

99 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:17:12pm

re: #87 EPR-radar

— Cut—

As suggested above, no principles are in play here —- just some possible low hanging fruit in the form of single-issue moron libertarian/dudebro voters.

Can we add Obama haters into that last sentence?

100 BusyMonster  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:17:20pm

re: #3 Kragar

“We never intended these powers to be used by a Black Democrat when we instituted them under the Bush Presidency.”

There we are. That is in fact all that needs to be said.

101 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:18:02pm

I love Stephen Colbert but KILL AUTOPLAY WITH FIRE.

102 simoom  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:19:03pm

re: #84 simoom

So apparently it’s that there was never a full slate of five nominees since the board was made independent of the WH, by Congress, in 2007. Obama had nominees for all the slots by 2011, but Senate hearings were gummed up in the same partisan games as all other nominations during Obama’s presidency:

NYT: The Troubled Life of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

Last week, the Senate confirmed four of the five members — two Republicans, Elisebeth C. Cook, a lawyer at WilmerHale, and Rachel L. Brand, chief counsel for regulatory litigation at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and two Democrats, James X. Dempsey, vice president of the Center for Democracy and Technology, and Patricia M. Wald, a retired federal judge.

But because of the objection of unnamed senators, it took no action on the board’s full-time chairman, David Medine, a Democrat and lawyer who long worked at the Federal Trade Commission and now is working temporarily at the Securities and Exchange Commission while awaiting Senate action.

The chairman is the board’s only full-time member and has the authority to hire a staff. So whether the board can begin its work without Mr. Medine is uncertain; two of the confirmed board members said they had agreed not to comment for the time being.

One theory circulating in Washington is that the delay is Republican strategy: if Mitt Romney becomes president and the job is not yet filled, he will be able to appoint a member of his party to a six-year term as chairman.

103 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:19:53pm

blogs.wsj.com

Here’s a horrible possibility I hadn’t been aware of before. Apparently John Bolton is considering a 2016 run.

The really scary part is that he would most likely be above-median in that primary field.

104 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:20:50pm

Sorry—I have no power over autoplay. In fact, the only power I have is in the bill I pay every month. : )

105 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:21:21pm

re: #87 EPR-radar

True, as far as that goes. Both parties own the dog’s dinner of the Patriot Act.

However, the breathtaking hypocrisy of the RNC here is still unusual, even for Republicans. Also from the OP:

“The push to criticize the NSA was spearheaded by Nevada national committeewoman Diana Orrock, a supporter of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)”

As suggested above, no principles are in play here —- just some possible low hanging fruit in the form of single-issue moron libertarian/dudebro voters.

I don’t ever expect principles from the RNC, or ant purely political group. I would have felt like a hypocrite myself had I not pointed out what I did about Sensenbrenner given my past posts and opinion on the matter, which for better or worse is at odds with our kind host and many here.

106 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:21:33pm

Mine didn’t autoplay…

107 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:21:43pm

re: #99 ObserverArt

Can we add Obama haters into that last sentence?

It might be a little inaccurate. The GOP needs no outreach for Obama haters — they are already in the GOP base and vote accordingly.

108 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:21:46pm

Got Flashblock on. No autoplay.

109 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:21:58pm

re: #103 EPR-radar

blogs.wsj.com

Here’s a horrible possibility I hadn’t been aware of before. Apparently John Bolton is considering a 2016 run.

The really scary part is that he would most likely be above-median in that primary field.

How would his wife’s accusations of their participation at Plato’s Retreat in NYC go over with the fundies, though?

110 BusyMonster  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:22:12pm

re: #31 Mattand

This is why my head hurts so much when I hear people call Snowden a hero.

Christ, all had to do was a Google search for this 7 year old article, release that initial PPT deck and call it a day.

Me too. I turn, agog, and wonder where the fuck people have been. Hell, I was worried about the secret AT&T black box room back in 2003. How many people remember that?

111 Bulworth  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:23:38pm

Obama’s spying is completely different because shut up.

112 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:23:50pm

re: #95 wrenchwench

There’s a time-saving tip.

looking at IMDB, the only movie of his I’ve seen where he was the lead was “Don’t mess with the Zohan” I suspect that it was one of those lousy rainy Saturdays where Golf / Biking / Hiking wasn’t going to be enjoyable.

Funny thing, if I had my life to do over, wouldn’t change THAT part of it.

RBS

113 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:23:52pm
114 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:24:36pm

re: #103 EPR-radar

blogs.wsj.com

Here’s a horrible possibility I hadn’t been aware of before. Apparently John Bolton is considering a 2016 run.

The really scary part is that he would most likely be above-median in that primary field.

Expert textpert choking smokers
Don’t you think the joker laughs at you? (Ha ha ha! He he he! Ha ha ha!)
See how they smile like pigs in a sty, see how they snied
I’m crying
I am the walrus, goo goo goo joob goo goo goo joob

115 Dr. Matt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:24:50pm

re: #11 Charles Johnson

By the way, the previous post has a very high tweet count, because it was retweeted by none other than Mark Steyn.

A message of peace for Steyn and his fans if they happen to stop by:

116 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:25:05pm

re: #105 Political Atheist

I don’t ever expect principles from the RNC, or ant purely political group. I would have felt like a hypocrite myself had I not pointed out what I did about Sensenbrenner given my past posts and opinion on the matter, which for better or worse is at odds with our kind host and many here.

There is a certain degree of flexibility on positions I expect from any politician or political party.

However, that flexibility does tend to go away after we have 7 years of non-stop “only those who have something to hide would object to Patriot Act spying” under the Bushies.

117 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:25:27pm

re: #109 Justanotherhuman

How would his wife’s accusations of their participation at Plato’s Retreat in NYC go over with the fundies, though?

Entertainingly.

118 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:25:51pm

re: #107 EPR-radar

It might be a little inaccurate. The GOP needs no outreach for Obama haters — they are already in the GOP base and vote accordingly.

I see what you are saying, but keep in mind they never miss a feeding.

119 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:26:00pm

re: #103 EPR-radar

blogs.wsj.com

Here’s a horrible possibility I hadn’t been aware of before. Apparently John Bolton is considering a 2016 run.

The really scary part is that he would most likely be above-median in that primary field.

Any Democrat over the age of 35 should be able to beat Bolton with half the electoral college tied behind his or her back. Bring him on!

120 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:27:15pm

re: #103 EPR-radar

blogs.wsj.com

Here’s a horrible possibility I hadn’t been aware of before. Apparently John Bolton is considering a 2016 run.

The really scary part is that he would most likely be above-median in that primary field.

He does bring in the “80’s porn star mustache” vote. I think one nice thing is that so many of the far right have such great stuff out there on the record showing just how far back their insanity goes, opposition research should be pretty easy.

RBS

121 Dr. Matt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:27:53pm

Bolton/Hannity 2016. I’d donate C-note just to see that.

122 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:28:25pm

re: #116 EPR-radar

There is a certain degree of flexibility on positions I expect from any politician or political party.

However, that flexibility does tend to go away after we have 7 years of non-stop “only those who have something to hide would object to Patriot Act spying” under the Bushies.

I’m just going to set up the fainting couch for the Republicans over here.

Over a snake pit.

With spikes.

(Hey, in 2011, they got a grand total of 4 Republican Senators to vote against the renewal for the first time ever! SEE! TEH REPUBLICANS OPPOSED IT TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, BOTH SIDES DO IT!!!)

123 CuriousLurker  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:28:40pm

OT Drive-by: Well this is especially nasty… *sigh*

124 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:28:40pm

re: #112 RealityBasedSteve

looking at IMDB, the only movie of his I’ve seen where he was the lead was “Don’t mess with the Zohan” I suspect that it was one of those lousy rainy Saturdays where Golf / Biking / Hiking wasn’t going to be enjoyable.

Funny thing, if I had my life to do over, wouldn’t change THAT part of it.

RBS

Zohan utterly sucked. 50 First Dates actually did not suck.

125 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:29:18pm

re: #122 klys

I’m just going to set up the fainting couch for the Republicans over here.

Over a snake pit.

With spikes.

(Hey, in 2011, they got a grand total of 4 Republican Senators to vote against the renewal for the first time ever! SEE! TEH REPUBLICANS OPPOSED IT TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, BOTH SIDES DO IT!!!)

Why’d it have to be snakes?

//

126 Dr. Matt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:29:26pm

re: #120 RealityBasedSteve

He does bring in the “80’s porn star mustache” vote.

Who know who else has facial hair?!!

Just asking questions…..

127 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:30:10pm

re: #125 Targetpractice

Why’d it have to be snakes?

//

The bug room from one of the Indiana Jones movies is an acceptable substitute.

128 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:30:47pm

re: #113 Gus

[Embedded content]

That was great. A classic.

129 klys  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:30:47pm

re: #127 EPR-radar

The bug room from one of the Indiana Jones movies is an acceptable substitute.

…I think I’d actually prefer the snakes, thanks.

130 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:32:39pm
131 Dr. Matt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:36:10pm

Posted without commentary:

The staffer to Lamar Alexander (R-TN) who was arrested in December for possession of child pornography was found dead of an apparent suicide at his parents’ house in Maryland.

132 BusyMonster  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:36:25pm

re: #113 Gus

[Embedded content]

Gus, here are some gems you lead me to, which I must place here:

“You have no civil liberties if you are dead.” Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS).

“None of your civil liberties matter much after you’re dead.” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

“Our civil liberties are worthless if we are dead! If you are dead and pushing up daisies, if you’re sucking dirt inside a casket, do you know what your civil liberties are worth? Zilch, zero, nada.” Rush Limbaugh.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m going to carve these quotes in obsidian, on a 20-ton block of the shit, and melt it to the middle of the fucking street so it cannot be moved.

133 Political Atheist  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:37:13pm

re: #116 EPR-radar

And I do have an extra special contempt for all those in the legislature that have served to endlessly continue and extend a program that was passed based on a sunset clause sworn promise.

134 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:37:18pm

Cool. Ditch the GoogleTranslate.

135 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:38:32pm

re: #132 BusyMonster

Gus, here are some gems you lead me to, which I must place here:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m going to carve these quotes in obsidian, on a 20-ton block of the shit, and melt it to the middle of the fucking street so it cannot be moved.

Thanks. I’ll Tweet a couple of those quotes.

136 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:39:00pm
137 Bulworth  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:40:35pm

re: #132 BusyMonster

We were at war back then. We aren’t at war now because Bush got OBL and decimated AlQ and we aren’t at war now except AlQ and Benghazi so impeach. //

138 sauceruney  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:40:48pm

We were for invasive spying on American Citizens before we realized Obamacare was going to survive no matter how many times we tried to kill it, and now we need something to run on for the mid-terms and in 2016. Trust us! We are really against it now. Really really!

139 Kragar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:41:54pm
140 Bulworth  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:42:00pm

re: #138 sauceruney

Also too our Benghazi scandalmongering isn’t going well. //

141 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:42:45pm

Cool.

Patrick Murphy (ex Iraq war vet/congressman) is being announced as a host of a new MSNBC series on Sundays about the Wounded Warrior Project.

Good for him. And he is not shy to light up people that are all for wars and forget the warriors.

142 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:44:19pm
143 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:45:57pm
144 piratedan  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:47:00pm

has anyone in the world seen Steve Stockman?

msnbc.com

145 Kragar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:48:22pm

re: #144 piratedan

has anyone in the world seen Steve Stockman?

msnbc.com

Hiking the Appalachians?

146 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:48:47pm

re: #145 Kragar

Hiking the Appalachians?

Huddled around a can of Sterno.

147 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:49:37pm

If the Republican Party is “convinced they were wrong” on the NSA, that would be the first time in history.

148 Dr. Matt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:50:03pm

re: #144 piratedan

Shocking, a teaparty member not doing their job. Shocking I tell ya!

149 jaunte  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:53:28pm

Voices in Support of the USA PATRIOT Act
bordc.org

150 OhNoZombies!  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:55:34pm

Admiting you were wrong isn’t allowed in GOP land.
Only wussies and Dems. do that.
:-)

151 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:56:08pm

The GOP is all kinds of worked up over the unconstitutionality of the Patriot Act…which is why they’ve made no effort to repeal it.

152 piratedan  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:56:32pm

re: #147 Charles Johnson

If the Republican Party is “convinced they were wrong” on the NSA, that would be the first time in history.

I wonder how many times that a spokesperson for the GOP has said in front of the cameras that they were wrong or mistaken about anything? Hell, just a couple of months back Obama stated that the “keep your plan” thing was a mistake based on how some of the insurance companies twisted the new requirements to screw over their planholders without offering a comprehensive replacement at cost.

These guys appear to be incapable of ever admitting fault for anything ever. I’m not perfect, I don’t expect it from my political leaders as well but this refusal to admit any failings at all, makes these folks seem ever more rigid in their tribalness.

153 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:57:26pm
154 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:57:34pm

Sure, that makes sense:

155 Dr. Matt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:58:07pm

isidewith.com

My results:
http://www.isidewith.com/political-quiz

I’m shocked that I have any GOP/Libertarian in me. I’m ashamed.

156 CuriousLurker  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 12:59:04pm

Just because I can:

157 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:02:48pm

HURR HURR!!!!! YOUR A COMUNIST!!!111!!!!

158 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:02:53pm

Russ Feingold’s replacement, Ron Johnson:

I support the Patriot Act & military tribunals. (Aug 2010)
Patriot Act is a necessary tool for law enforcement. (Jun 2010)
Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act’s roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011)

Republican.

159 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:03:36pm
160 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:03:41pm

re: #155 Dr. Matt

I haven’t finished the quiz yet, but it seems to be an unusually good one, because the “choose another stance” option allows for a wider range of “it depends”-type responses. I’m usually disappointed by the all-or-nothing approach to most of these sorts of quizzes.

161 CuriousLurker  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:03:50pm

re: #156 CuriousLurker

Just because I can:

[Embedded content]

The first one who makes a crack about having cabrito for dinner is gonna get whacked with a big stick. //

162 leftynyc  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:03:59pm

re: #143 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

This is them going after the youth vote.

163 Bulworth  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:06:36pm

re: #157 Pie-onist Overlord

checkmate libtards!!11!

164 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:06:50pm

re: #155 Dr. Matt

isidewith.com

My results:
http://www.isidewith.com/political-quiz

I’m shocked that I have any GOP/Libertarian in me. I’m ashamed.

RBS On The Issues

165 Bulworth  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:07:41pm

re: #144 piratedan

Yeah this is pretty weird. And he’s pretty weird to start with.

166 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:08:45pm
167 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:10:16pm
168 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:11:26pm

re: #155 Dr. Matt

Apparently I’m farther to the left. My results:

Democrats: 94%
Green Party: 92%
Socialist: 60%
Libertarian: 33%
GOP: 19%

I’m amazed I got even 19% for the GOP. WTF.

169 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:14:30pm

re: #161 CuriousLurker

The first one who makes a crack about having cabrito for dinner is gonna get whacked with a big stick. //

Surely you kid.

(:

170 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:14:58pm

re: #169 wrenchwench

Surely you kid.

(:

I think she’s trying to get your goat.

171 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:15:41pm

re: #170 Charles Johnson

I think she’s trying to get your goat.

yea, but you don’t have to ram the point home.

RBS

172 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:15:49pm
173 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:16:05pm
174 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:16:31pm

re: #171 RealityBasedSteve

yea, but you don’t have to ram the point home.

RBS

Are you horning in?

175 calochortus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:20:46pm

re: #168 Lidane

Apparently I’m farther to the left. My results:

Democrats: 94%
Green Party: 92%
Socialist: 60%
Libertarian: 33%
GOP: 19%

I’m amazed I got even 19% for the GOP. WTF.

I got 7% GOP despite agreeing with them on “no major issues”. Why? Who knows?

176 piratedan  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:20:56pm

I side with Democrats on most political issues.
Parties you side with…

98%
Democrats

97%
Green Party

74%
Socialist

21%
Libertarians

13%
Republicans

177 Lidane  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:27:13pm
178 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:29:12pm
179 The Ghost of a Flea  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:31:17pm

Anyone else feel a deeply cynical twinge about all this talk about investigation, but no talk about using legislation to walk back the shellacked layers of Patriot Act nonsense?

180 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:35:08pm

re: #179 The Ghost of a Flea

It lays bare the hypocrisy. They’ve got no issue with the law itself, but the “application”. The investigative aspect of the RNC proclamation gives away the game.

If the RNC and GOP generally thought the Patriot Act or underlying provisions authorizing the NSA to carry out its mandate were unconstitutional or required reform, they could introduce legislation to fix it. That hasn’t happened. This is about making headlines and trying to ascribe the NSA woes to the Administration in office, even though the NSA rules have been tightened by this Administration.

181 Bulworth  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:35:18pm

re: #179 The Ghost of a Flea

That’s because they’re all fine with the Patriot Act—just not with the dude in the WH actually implementing it. //

182 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:35:58pm

re: #159 Justanotherhuman

[Embedded content]

183 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:36:17pm

94%
Democrats

91%
Green Party

60%
Socialist

25%
Libertarians

13%
Republicans

184 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:36:24pm

re: #182 NJDhockeyfan

[Embedded content]

What movie? The Road Warrior?

185 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:37:43pm
186 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:39:07pm

re: #182 NJDhockeyfan

[Embedded content]

Yeah, I switch around.

Youtube Video

187 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:39:21pm

re: #175 calochortus

I got 7% GOP despite agreeing with them on “no major issues”. Why? Who knows?

I got 25% GOP, but the scoring is a bit off. E.g., Should we expand our offshore drilling? The GOP position is ‘yes’ and my answer of ‘incentivize the private sector to develop alternative forms of energy’ was scored as agreement with the GOP.

188 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:39:23pm

re: #182 NJDhockeyfan

I’M SORRY TO INTERRUPT BUT WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS ABOUT JUSTIN BIEBER

189 austin_blue  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:39:36pm

isidewith.com

Well, no surprise here…

190 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:41:01pm

re: #15 Varek Raith

What’s it like being so irrelevant???
:)

Mark Steyn retweets articles that go after him on a fairly frequent basis. He does that so as to make clear that he does not hide from attacks. It doesn’t make him less of an ass, though.

191 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:41:28pm

re: #185 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

Goddamnit, that’s still not separation of church and state.

I don’t think religious organizations of any type should be exempt from any provisions of ACA.

192 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:41:40pm

193 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:42:21pm

re: #190 Dark_Falcon

Mark Steyn retweets articles that go after him on a fairly frequent basis. He does that so as to make clear that he does not hide from attacks. It doesn’t make him less of an ass, though.

As stated elsewhere, he does it to sic his minions on the offender, like Greenwald does.

194 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:42:34pm

They did not ask what is my favorite pie.

195 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:42:51pm

Apparently, I’m a Demogreensocioliberpublican.

isidewith.com

I think a better word would be what Rev. Ivan Stang of the Church of the Subgenius called, “Patriopsychotic Anarcho-Materialist”. Or not.

196 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:43:17pm

197 calochortus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:45:59pm

re: #187 EPR-radar

Yeah, there are a lot of wrinkles in the scoring. I was judged to have disagreed with a party’s position on one question because I said “yes” (tired of looking through the alternate answers) and their top response was “yes, because blah, blah, blah.” The ability to refine one’s answer is good, but as noted, the scoring of results is then difficult.

198 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:46:08pm

re: #180 lawhawk

It lays bare the hypocrisy. They’ve got no issue with the law itself, but the “application”. The investigative aspect of the RNC proclamation gives away the game.

If the RNC and GOP generally thought the Patriot Act or underlying provisions authorizing the NSA to carry out its mandate were unconstitutional or required reform, they could introduce legislation to fix it. That hasn’t happened. This is about making headlines and trying to ascribe the NSA woes to the Administration in office, even though the NSA rules have been tightened by this Administration.

The RNC is under dudebro pressure from below and has to pick its battles. A budget compromise and a proper defense of the NSA would likely be seen as kow-towing to Obama. Moreover, the RNC resolution can be made without having any real effect on legislation.

The resolution is just funning the bozo.

199 The War TARDIS  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:46:11pm

re: #155 Dr. Matt

It came up with a tie between the Democrats and Greens at 95%

Socialist behind at 74%

Libertarians at 34%, and Republicans at 8.

I am this politically, and have been for the greater part of a decade.

So, I am a mild Socialist. Somewhat inaccurate.

200 austin_blue  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:47:29pm

re: #195 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

Apparently, I’m a Demogreensocioliberpublican.

isidewith.com

I think a better word would be what Rev. Ivan Stang of the Church of the Subgenius called, “Patriopsychotic Anarcho-Materialist”. Or not.

Slack!

201 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:47:30pm

I wonder what would have been my score 10 years ago, during my wingnut phase.

202 The War TARDIS  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:48:05pm

re: #192 Pie-onist Overlord

What did I do wrong that you are more socialist than me? Socialism is in the name of the ideology I belong to.

203 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:48:09pm
204 Stanley Sea  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:48:30pm

re: #168 Lidane

Apparently I’m farther to the left. My results:

Democrats: 94%
Green Party: 92%
Socialist: 60%
Libertarian: 33%
GOP: 19%

I’m amazed I got even 19% for the GOP. WTF.

Democrats: 96%
Green Party: 93%
Socialist: 59%
Libertarian: 15%
GOP: 9%

I’m extremely proud of my Socialist bona fides.

205 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:48:37pm

Heading out for a weekend of winter camping. Brrr… At least we get a cabin not a tent.

See you all on Sunday afternoon!

206 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:49:30pm

re: #202 The War TARDIS

What did I do wrong that you are more socialist than me? Socialism is in the name of the ideology I belong to.

I am very pro-union. Apparently being in favor of unions is TEH SOSHULIST.

207 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:49:35pm

re: #203 Justanotherhuman

[Embedded content]

“The roof is fire! No, seriously guys, the roof’s on fire!”

208 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:49:42pm

re: #205 William Barnett-Lewis

Heading out for a weekend of winter camping. Brrr… At least we get a cabin not a tent.

See you all on Sunday afternoon!

have fun and don’t forget to get the stovepipe drawing first BEFORE you start the fire up. DAMHIKT!

RBS

209 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:49:42pm

re: #201 Pie-onist Overlord

I wonder what would have been my score 10 years ago, during my wingnut phase.

You could try to answer as you think you would have back then. The results might be interesting.

210 austin_blue  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:50:32pm

re: #205 William Barnett-Lewis

Heading out for a weekend of winter camping. Brrr… At least we get a cabin not a tent.

See you all on Sunday afternoon!

Isn’t “winter camping” an extreme form of self abuse? Brrr…

211 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:51:33pm

re: #210 austin_blue

Isn’t “winter camping” an extreme form of self abuse? Brrr…

Builds character…or at least that’s what the Scout Leader used to tell me when the temp dropped into the negatives before you factored in wind chill.

212 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:52:18pm

re: #211 Targetpractice

Builds character…or at least that’s what the Scout Leader used to tell me when the temp dropped into the negatives before you factored in wind chill.

Sound like the reverse of the old ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen’ line.

213 dog philosopher  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:52:25pm

isidewith.com

66) do you agree that the failures of the neolithic revolution have now become too obvious to ignore and we should go back to hunting and gathering?

103) do you agree that the so-called “united states government” should end its illegal occupation of the north american continent and go back to unitedstatesia or wherever the hell they came from?

214 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:52:27pm

re: #168 Lidane

This answer determined that I sided with Republicans:

Should the redrawing of Congressional districts be controlled by an independent, non-partisan commission?

Republicans: Yes

Your similar answer: Yes, gerrymandering gives an unfair advantage to the party in power during redistricting

Like there’s one fucking Republican who is against gerrymandering.

Not in Texas, anyway.

215 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:53:00pm

re: #185 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

From there:

The Justices’ order does require the Little Sisters to tell the government, in writing, that they are a non-profit group “that hold themselves out as religious and have religious objections to providing coverage for contraceptive services.” That was a procedural wrinkle that the Court itself invented, outside the rules laid down by the government.

So they get to make up their own form.

The final sentence of the Justices order reads: “The Court issues this order based on all of the circumstances of the case, and this order should not be construed as an expression of the Court’s view on the merits.”

Good.

216 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:53:27pm

Democrats: 92%
Green Party: 86%
Socialist: 79%
Libertarian: 51%
GOP: 55%

I iz everyone.

217 dog philosopher  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:54:33pm

my score is, obviously, very left of center, but on the other hand many of my opinions run sideways to the tendentious formulations of the questions

218 Pie-onist Overlord  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:54:37pm

Here are my results from what I remember from 2004:
STILL PRO UNION

219 EPR-radar  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:54:57pm

re: #214 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

Good point. There were a bunch of CA-specific questions on this, so this survey may have been constructed in CA. If so, its probably true that CA republicans support independent commissions for districting (because, of course, they will never be able to gerrymander in CA again).

220 The War TARDIS  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:55:34pm

re: #206 Pie-onist Overlord

So am I.

I wantre: #218 Pie-onist Overlord

Retaking it.

221 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:56:24pm

I’m a borderline socialist LOL

Image: 399488817.jpg

222 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:56:41pm

I seem to have gotten the oddball results. :D

223 Gus  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 1:57:29pm

Actually it breaks down the agreements bits.

224 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:02:14pm

This comes from the Interior Ministry. Might be true, or not. Second paragraph doesn’t make much sense as it is translated (Google, from Ukrainian) Allegedly this shooting happened tonight (Ukraine is 7 hours ahead of EST, so it’s about midnight there now)

In Kiev, a policeman was shot dead by unknown near the hostel “Berkut”

In Holosiyivo district unidentified policeman shot . This was reported in the press service of the Interior Ministry. The body of a policeman with a gunshot wound to the head on Friday evening , January 24 , found the guards who work on construction near the scene of the crime. Men heard the shooting and ran to check what happened. Seeing killed , they immediately called the police. Witnesses saw two unidentified men fled the scene. Already established that the victim - 27 year-old employee of the State Security Service Holosiyiv rayupravleniya police. The policeman was heading home from the office without weapons . Lived in a hostel close to the policeman “Berkut” .

Works at the murder scene investigative team. As previously reported, the Crimean police officer shot and killed a homeless middle of the street. At the time of his arrest he was drunk.

Read more here: ru.tsn.ua

225 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:10:24pm

re: #214 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

This answer determined that I sided with Republicans:

Like there’s one fucking Republican who is against gerrymandering.

Not in Texas, anyway.

It’s different in different states. In Texas gerrymandering is a club used on Democrats by Republicans. Whereas in Illinois, gerrymandering is a stick with which Republicans are beaten by Democrats.

My experiences in Illinois have led me to oppose gerrymandering no matter who does it.

226 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:12:21pm

I side with Republicans 90% of the time:

Image: 399499359.jpg

With me it not even close. Libertarians run a distant second at 59%.

227 Weet  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:16:54pm

re: #155 Dr. Matt

isidewith.com

My results:
Democrats: 97%
Green Party: 96%
Socialist: 72%
Libertarian: 27%
GOP: 7%

228 ObserverArt  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:17:19pm

Dem - 93%
Green - 93%
Socialist - 71%
Libertarian - 17%
Republican - 7%

Uh oh…Dark Falcon is really going to hate me.

But wouldn’t the pole be skewed since it matches against current politicians and political stands? If the Republicans are as far away as they are from the mainstream…wouldn’t that help to drive down that percentage if you were even a centrist? Frankly I was surprised I was that low on the Libertarian percentage too. Fun test though.

229 Whack-A-Mole  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:17:27pm

230 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:25:11pm

re: #228 ObserverArt

I don’t hate you. The only way I’d hate you is if you behaved badly, which you haven’t.

231 CuriousLurker  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:29:11pm

re: #161 CuriousLurker

The first one who makes a crack about having cabrito for dinner is gonna get whacked with a big stick. //

ZOMG—*shrinks back in horror*—I had no idea the evil Zionist cabal constructing the NWO is also behind Mexican cabrito.

E gad, is nothing safe from their supremacist tentacles?? //

Cabrito is roast goat kid. It is a regional specialty of the city of Monterrey, Mexico, and the surrounding state of Nuevo Leon, based on the Jewish cuisine of the founders of the city. […]

en.wikipedia.org

232 Stanley Sea  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:34:31pm

re: #226 Dark_Falcon

I side with Republicans 90% of the time:

Image: 399499359.jpg

With me it not even close. Libertarians run a distant second at 59%.

I see a 46% chance of hope.

233 Stanley Sea  Fri, Jan 24, 2014 2:34:59pm

re: #227 Weet

Hola Comrade!


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