CDC Official Calls Out the Anti-Vaccination Loons

Wake-up call
Health • Views: 51,816

This was the week the CDC started to push back against the insanely self-destructive anti-vaccination movement.

A top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said the country’s anti-vaccine movement has been a major factor in this year’s measles outbreak, a trend that she called “frustrating.”

This is not a problem of the measles vaccine not working. This is a problem of the measles vaccine not being used,” Anne Schuchat, the head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a briefing with reporters Thursday.

The briefing was the first time that the CDC has spoken publicly about the measles outbreak that has erupted over the last month, with most cases stemming from the Disneyland theme park in California. …

The U.S. saw a record 644 cases in 2014, the highest number since the disease was officially eliminated in 2000. Before then, the CDC rarely saw more than 60 cases in one year.

“This is a wake-up call to make sure we prevent measles from gaining a foothold in our country,” she warned. “It’s only January, and we’ve already had 84 cases.”

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227 comments
1 HappyWarrior  Feb 1, 2015 9:07:17pm

This is very refreshing to see.

2 Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2015 9:12:08pm

How I feel about anti-vaxxers:

3 jaunte  Feb 1, 2015 9:13:37pm
4 Charles Johnson  Feb 1, 2015 9:14:46pm

IRRELEVANT!

5 HappyWarrior  Feb 1, 2015 9:18:02pm

re: #4 Charles Johnson

IRRELEVANT!

[Embedded content]

Fucking kooks.

6 Lidane  Feb 1, 2015 9:21:26pm

We eradicated measles in this country. ERADICATED. As in that shit was gone, a thing of the past except in rare cases. Now we’re dealing with an outbreak because a bunch of morons listened to a discredited quack and a Playboy Bunny and stopped vaccinating their kids.

It’s infuriating.

7 HappyWarrior  Feb 1, 2015 9:22:26pm

re: #6 Lidane

We eradicated measles in this country. ERADICATED. As in that shit was gone, a thing of the past except in rare cases. Now we’re dealing with an outbreak because a bunch of morons listened to a discredited quack and a Playboy Bunny and stopped vaccinating their kids.

It’s infuriating.

As I said earlier, this really is related to the greater right wing plague of taking progress for granted and yes I realize that there are plenty of left wing anti-vax kooks out there too (Hi, Mr. Maher).

8 HappyWarrior  Feb 1, 2015 9:28:52pm

I can’t express here though how much I despise the anti-vaccination movement. It’s bad enough that they’re full of hacks lying about my condition (autism) but it’s bad enough that their kookery puts not just their own children in danger but other people’s too. People like these as I got at are why we have people that take things for granted like clean water, clean air, etc. All stuff that progressives of past eras had to fight hard for against reactionary elements and now could lose because some kook bitches about “big government” or “regulations.” It’s the same crap.. Not surprised at all that they’re reverting to the same old right wing sport of scapegoating immigrants.

9 teleskiguy  Feb 1, 2015 9:32:36pm

Measles was eliminated in the United States the year I graduated high school. 14 years later 644 cases are reported.

Someone get me an ice pack.
10 #FergusonFireside  Feb 1, 2015 9:34:56pm

Sorry, but I had to go re-read the comments about Katy Perry. Ya’ll did good. I was in a loud bar area, couldn’t hear a thing, but it looked so ridic.

11 Teukka  Feb 1, 2015 9:37:52pm

re: #8 HappyWarrior

I can’t express here though how much I despise the anti-vaccination movement. It’s bad enough that they’re full of hacks lying about my condition (autism) but it’s bad enough that their kookery puts not just their own children in danger but other people’s too. People like these as I got at are why we have people that take things for granted like clean water, clean air, etc. All stuff that progressives of past eras had to fight hard for against reactionary elements and now could lose because some kook bitches about “big government” or “regulations.” It’s the same crap.. Not surprised at all that they’re reverting to the same old right wing sport of scapegoating immigrants.

Also, the problem with scapegoating is that it drives you further from, not closer to, correctly identifying the source of an issue or problem. Which opens up an entirely different can of (sand)worms in terms of potential effects.

A fresh example is this RWNJ I talked to elsewhere on the net, which so habitually scapegoats the “Big Soshulisht Government” that he doesn’t seem to grasp that there is such a thing corruption in the private sector without any government involvement whatsoever. He simply could not let go of the notion that the govt was involved somehow.

12 HappyWarrior  Feb 1, 2015 9:39:52pm

re: #11 Teukka

Also, the problem with scapegoating is that it drives you further from, not closer to, correctly identifying the source of an issue or problem. Which opens up an entirely different can of (sand)worms in terms of potential effects.

A fresh example is this RWNJ I talked to elsewhere on the net, which so habitually scapegoats the “Big Soshulisht Government” that he doesn’t seem to grasp that there is such a thing corruption in the private sector without any government involvement whatsoever. He simply could not let go of the notion that the govt was involved somehow.

Right, they focus on the problems of government but ignore that the private sector has its sure fair share of flaws too.

13 Kragar  Feb 1, 2015 9:41:34pm

re: #9 teleskiguy

Measles was eliminated in the United States the year I graduated high school. 14 years later 644 cases are reported.

[Embedded content]

Obviously because of illegal immigrants.
///

14 KerFuFFler  Feb 1, 2015 9:44:45pm

People who choose not to vaccinate should have to pay higher rates for insurance.

I don’t think that people with genetic markers for medical problems should pay higher rates, but choices and behaviors are different. Insurance should be higher for people who smoke, drink, refuse vaccinations, do drugs or engage in high risk sports (I’m thinking of people who skate, skateboard or cycle in those parabolic cement performance venues….for example).

I say this as a drinking, smoking, and have-done-my-share-of-pot citizen. Taxes on booze and cigarettes are already in place. We need to tax or increase the price of insurance for other risky behaviors of choice like choosing not to vaccinate. (Frankly I think that everyone should specify medical end of life choices and people who choose——-maybe out of fear or religious convictions——-to FIGHT for every last breath or to save every faltering pregnancy before 27 or so weeks, no matter the cost, should have to pay higher insurance rates as well. But that is another debate……)

15 teleskiguy  Feb 1, 2015 9:46:24pm

FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are in the United States this year just down the road from my twenty. Here’s where the speed events will be held in Beaver Creek.

instagram.com

The technical events are in Vail.

16 Pip's Squeak  Feb 1, 2015 10:05:45pm

re: #14 KerFuFFler

People who choose not to vaccinate should have to pay higher rates for insurance.

I don’t think that people with genetic markers for medical problems should pay higher rates, but choices and behaviors are different. Insurance should be higher for people who smoke, drink, refuse vaccinations, do drugs or engage in high risk sports (I’m thinking of people who skate, skateboard or cycle in those parabolic cement performance venues….for example).

I say this as a drinking, smoking, and have-done-my-share-of-pot citizen. Taxes on booze and cigarettes are already in place. We need to tax or increase the price of insurance for other risky behaviors of choice like choosing not to vaccinate. (Frankly I think that everyone should specify medical end of life choices and people who choose——-maybe out of fear or religious convictions——-to FIGHT for every last breath or to save every faltering pregnancy before 27 or so weeks, no matter the cost, should have to pay higher insurance rates as well. But that is another debate……)

I, rather strongly, disagree. Medical insurance ought to be universal. It should also be paid for by an universal premium. Social manipulation — call it encouragement if you like — by way of excise taxes already exists. Medical insurance is one sector where I think a flat tax is the moral one.

17 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 1, 2015 10:24:48pm

re: #14 KerFuFFler

Do you really want to give insurance companies and excuse to raise rates based on people’s activities? Though it might start with high risk activities by the time they were done you’d be charged more for doing anything other than doing nothing at all. Do you own a ladder? Pay more. Do you change your own light switches? Go for walks? Wear high heels? Own a dog or cat? Own a stool? Shovel snow? Any activity other than doing nothing at all incurs a measurable risk and you’ll pay for it.

18 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 1, 2015 10:36:57pm

Red Power Ranger Kills Room Mate

PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) —
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have arrested Ricardo Medina, Jr., who is best known for his role as the red Power Ranger, in connection with fatally stabbing his roommate with a sword in their Green Valley home.

19 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 12:12:30am

re: #17 Higgs Boson’s Mate

Car insurance is cheaper for people who do not smoke in their cars, but that is apples and oranges. Some insurers, for example, offer a discount for joining a gym.

20 teleskiguy  Feb 2, 2015 12:15:38am
21 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 12:21:47am

re: #19 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Car insurance is cheaper for people who do not smoke in their cars, but that is apples and oranges. Some insurers, for example, offer a discount for joining a gym.

Incentives are fine. If they wanted go give their insured a break for not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, etc. I’d be all for it.

22 KerFuFFler  Feb 2, 2015 12:27:28am

re: #16 Pip’s Squeak

re: #17 Higgs Boson’s Mate

I, rather strongly, disagree. Medical insurance ought to be universal. It should also be paid for by an universal premium. Social manipulation — call it encouragement if you like — by way of excise taxes already exists. Medical insurance is one sector where I think a flat tax is the moral one.

Excise taxes already exist for smoking and drinking, but not for EXTREME sports and the like where participants break bones on a regular basis——I’m talking Evel Knievel life styles here. He broke bones 433 times! I don’t think what we pay into insurance should subsidize that level of recklessness. I also think that forgoing vaccinations without actual valid medical reasons is reckless and people who make such choices should see what it costs and bear the brunt of those additional expenses themselves. Insurance (or ideally, a single payer medical system) is a cooperative venture and societies have the right to dictate reasonable norms for coverage.

23 wrenchwench  Feb 2, 2015 3:00:28am
24 BadExampleMan  Feb 2, 2015 3:02:00am

Whenever I see some random person on Twitter posting the canard about disease-ridden Messicans beinging measles across the border, I’ve taken to calling them a fucking idiot and posting a link to some WHO data showing that Mexico’s immunization rate is actually slightly higher than the USA.

One lady got her fee-fees hurt and told me I didn’t have to swear at her. I told her she was right; I didn’t. It was lagniappe.

Another guy was demanding to know why Obama let sick illegals into the USA. After I gave him what for he called me a racist (? yeah, I couldn’t figure that out either) and haw haw, I didn’t answer his question. You know, the question whose premise I’d just given him the evidence was completely false.

Fucking idiots.

25 CarolJ  Feb 2, 2015 4:11:48am

Aids denial, climate denial, vaccination denial: these hurt the most vulnerable: those for whom medical care is sporadic, those who are the sickest, those who simply can’t run away from the problem because they are too poor to do so. To me these denials smell of a certain privilege of money. (and sometimes race, too)

And speaking of vaccinations: what happens when we finally have an AIDS vaccine? Will Jenny McCarthy try to stop vaccination of sex workers and prisoners and their children because of “autism”?

26 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 4:13:33am

re: #25 CarolJ

And because we have not seen the widespread effects of these diseases in America for ages, these parents have lost sight of what needs to be prevented.

27 Maggie's Pa  Feb 2, 2015 4:17:09am

Well the kids get a snow day here in upstate New York. Unfortunately the wifey has a doctors appointment an hour away, so I volunteered to drive her. I wonder if she knows that her doctors office is close to Harbor Freight!?

28 BadExampleMan  Feb 2, 2015 4:20:14am

Just selected one of my old favorite albums, and realized that The Ginger Avenger is everywhere.

Apparently the song’s narrator is a Hot Asian Wife. I never knew.

29 CarolJ  Feb 2, 2015 4:29:16am

re: #26 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Then people need visuals: of old cemeteries with little tombstones around a bigger one. Many a person had to have as many kids as they could just to have at least a couple who lived to reproduce. That often meant that women wore themselves out before making it to sixty having kids. More old tombstones.

Now in the new section: not so many little graves. And the double tombstones with husband and wife? Husband may be gone, but wife’s space still empty. Why no more worn out wives. Modern medicine keeps women alive longer, long enough for some women to have a second chapter.
And vaccination rates mean that these older and a bit more vulnerable women aren’t killed off by the flu, measles and other preventable things.

30 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 4:37:38am

re: #29 CarolJ

Between moobats who mistrust Big Pharma and Western Medicine and wingnuts who mistrust Modern Science and Big Government, we have reached a critical mass of stupidity.

31 The Vicious Babushka  Feb 2, 2015 4:51:29am

This is the Stupidest Meme On Twitter Today (of course it’s still early in the morning)
YEAH!! GIMME THOSE THOUSANDS IN GRANT MONEYS!!! NOT THE MILLIONS FROM THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY.

32 CarolJ  Feb 2, 2015 5:11:43am

re: #31 The Vicious Babushka
So these people rather trust the fossil fuel industry with its monopolistic practices, pollution and and abusive treatment of its workers over climate scientists? Okay.

But when China cleans up its air, and other nations in the Third World have capital to move to Second World status because the money they have sent to Saudi and coal barons now can be used to further local development needs, don’t complain about the now closed coal mines and the deserted oil wells. Don’t cry about the lost jobs.

Fortunately for the world, other places are working at breakneck speeds to install solar arrays, windmills, and high-speed rail. A favorite statistic of mine is that solar power alone in the United States has created more jobs than the entire fossil fuel industry combined in the last few years. Installers are keeping construction workers busy. Native American tribes are toying with the idea of using land for solar arrays-either to rent them out, or to supply them with a source of power that’s abundant and local.

33 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 5:21:00am

re: #30 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Between moobats who mistrust Big Pharma and Western Medicine and wingnuts who mistrust Modern Science and Big Government, we have reached a critical mass of stupidity.

THIS. Anti-vaxxers aren’t mainly of the left or right, their critical characteristic is that their minds are in flight from reality. The reasons vary, but the results are the same: death.

As for the anti-immigrant scapgoating by some on the irght, here’s part of what I said about it over on Shropshire Slasher’s new Page:

Why the scapegoating? I think its because thumping anti-vaxxers is something that brings mainstream liberals and mainstream conservatives together. But there are those on both sides of the aisle who experience cognitive dissonance when they aren’t fighting “Rethuglicans” or” Demonrats”, respectively. And those people sink into conspiracism in a similar manner to the anti-vaxxers themselves in order to maintain the purity of their world-view.

Blaming the ‘other side’ for the Disneyland Measles Outbreak is just another example the “Purity Now!” mindset doing its destructive work. It’s more common on the right at present, but the left is not immune to it either.

To that I would upon reflection add that some officer-holders and media figures (mostly on the right) engage in the scapegoating as a way to avoid angering a fan base that does not want to work with the ‘other side’. These are perhaps the worst of those embracing conspiracism, for in their minds they know the truth, but they are lying to avoid being called a RINO by an purity-seeking base.

34 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 5:52:46am

Good morning Lizards!

Last night’s snow in Philly converted back over to rain. No accumulation and just misty/messy outside. Co-worker who lives north of the city said he got ~6” of snow overnight.

Forecast is rain until early afternoon with temps in the 40s. Then windy while the temps drop back down below freezing. Looks like NYC might be getting ice instead of rain.

35 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 5:52:58am

So Big Chicken, during his taxpayer-funded trip to London to burnish his foreign policy creds, takes a moment from a tour of a plant where they manufacture flu vaccines to…what else? Pander to the anti-vaxxers.

36 lawhawk  Feb 2, 2015 5:53:52am

The amount of money that is given for federal grants and research is peanuts compared to the money spent by the energy industry to deny the results of their actions, whether it’s environmental damage from spills/spoilation, or climate change due to emissions and pollution.

37 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 5:54:28am

Chris Christie just came out as vaccine ambiguous.

38 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 5:55:58am
39 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 5:59:50am

re: #37 darthstar

Chris Christie just came out as vaccine ambiguous.

My brother believed that his child should always have options or choices. Though sometimes the choice was “You can have Option A, or you can have Option A.”

It’s part of parenting.

Christie needs to learn this lesson. Or at least know when to show a spine.

40 Varek Raith  Feb 2, 2015 6:01:02am

Anti-vaxxers should be moved to an isolated island where they can revel in their diseases.
/Angry

41 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 6:02:16am
42 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 6:04:57am

My motto for today:

43 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 6:06:10am

Actually, he quarantined her too.

44 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 6:06:58am

re: #42 Dark_Falcon

I think you should have a choice, some balance, in whether you dig out of the snow.

45 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 6:07:35am

re: #41 darthstar

Or is Christie assuming that the male is making the vaccination decisions ultimately?
///

46 Varek Raith  Feb 2, 2015 6:08:40am

re: #42 Dark_Falcon

My motto for today:

[Embedded content]

Shovels?
How quaint.
Take this flamethrower.

47 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:11:51am

re: #43 darthstar

Actually, he quarantined her too.

[Embedded content]

Hypocritical asshole. Go to the Bachmann route, Christie, I dare ya.

48 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 6:12:18am

re: #44 darthstar

I think you should have a choice, some balance, in whether you dig out of the snow.

It’s not the snow around my building, the snow I’m going to be digging is the snow in front of my parents’ house. And if I don’t do it, my dad will and he’s too old for it to be really safe for him to do so. So I gotta do it.

49 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 6:16:02am
50 Varek Raith  Feb 2, 2015 6:16:29am

re: #48 Dark_Falcon

It’s not the snow around my building, the snow I’m going to be digging is the snow in front of my parents’ house. And if I don’t do it, my dad will and he’s too old for it to be really safe for him to do so. So I gotta do it.

Dads can be stubborn fools at times.

51 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 6:16:43am

re: #48 Dark_Falcon

It’s not the snow around my building, the snow I’m going to be digging is the snow in front of my parents’ house. And if I don’t do it, my dad will and he’s too old for it to be really safe for him to do so. So I gotta do it.

You’re a good kid.

52 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 6:17:17am

re: #50 Varek Raith

Dads can be stubborn fools at times.

[sighs] So can I, Varek, so can I…

53 Charles Johnson  Feb 2, 2015 6:18:06am
54 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 6:18:09am
55 Varek Raith  Feb 2, 2015 6:21:31am

re: #54 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Bowser is the Mayor of DC.
Cool, no?
;)

56 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:22:16am

re: #53 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Yep.

57 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:23:32am

re: #55 Varek Raith

Bowser is the Mayor of DC.
Cool, no?
;)

There needs to be a headline when she visits the Smithsonian Castle. Bowser visits castle or if he hadn’t passed away recently met Mario Cuomo so we could have a Boswer and Mario photo-op.

58 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 6:30:34am

re: #54 darthstar

[Embedded content]

That’d never happen. Jenny McCarthy is South Side Irish, as is the Daley family. So wingnuts would see her as part of the Chicago Machine.

59 Great White Snark  Feb 2, 2015 6:33:08am
60 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:33:48am

re: #58 Dark_Falcon

That’d never happen. Jenny McCarthy is South Side Irish, as is the Daley family. So wingnuts would see her as part of the Chicago Machine.

Okay, okay Surgeon General Frank Gallagher. And hey he’s anti-Obamacare as I recall too.

61 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 6:40:03am

re: #60 HappyWarrior

Okay, okay Surgeon General Frank Gallagher. And hey he’s anti-Obamacare as I recall too.

[DF flings a can of Green River at HappyWarrior]

62 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 6:40:42am

I for one would like to thank the original anti-vaxxers for their part in healing this nation’s left/right divide by joining the right in its relentless march toward the Middle Ages.

63 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:41:14am

re: #61 Dark_Falcon

[DF flings a can of Green River at HappyWarrior]

Oh come on that was good natured. It was more for the visual of the character actually having a job like that.

64 dholmes32  Feb 2, 2015 6:41:43am

Chris Christie needs to be called out over and over again for his anti-vaccine pandering. He’s encouraging epidemics, illness and even death. Asshat.

65 lawhawk  Feb 2, 2015 6:41:59am
66 Decatur Deb  Feb 2, 2015 6:42:49am

re: #65 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

“I gotcher science right here, Vinny.”

67 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 6:43:15am

re: #66 Decatur Deb

“I gotcher science right here, Vinny.”

street science

68 aagcobb  Feb 2, 2015 6:44:04am

re: #35 Targetpractice

[Embedded content]

So Big Chicken, during his taxpayer-funded trip to London to burnish his foreign policy creds, takes a moment from a tour of a plant where they manufacture flu vaccines to…what else? Pander to the anti-vaxxers.

Between Christie pandering to anti-vaccers and Walker pushing for moar War everywhere, we see that, even if this GOP presidential field looks better than 2012’s its still going to push a whole lot of stupid.

69 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:44:22am

Christie again showing why he ain’t a leader.

70 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:45:17am

re: #68 aagcobb

Between Christie pandering to anti-vaccers and Walker pushing for moar War everywhere, we see that, even if this GOP presidential field looks better than 2012’s its still going to push a whole lot of stupid.

I actually think it’s worse than 2012 in my honest opinion. When Jeb Bush is the “moderate” of the bunch yikes.

71 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 6:46:35am

re: #68 aagcobb

Between Christie pandering to anti-vaccers and Walker pushing for moar War everywhere, we see that, even if this GOP presidential field looks better than 2012’s its still going to push a whole lot of stupid.

It’s yet another example of how the GOP field is a mile wide, but an inch deep. None of the pack is looking to say anything new or differentiate themselves in any way besides how willing they are to pander to the dumbest and darkest elements of their party’s base.

72 lawhawk  Feb 2, 2015 6:47:32am

re: #66 Decatur Deb

73 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:49:33am

re: #71 Targetpractice

It’s yet another example of how the GOP field is a mile wide, but an inch deep. None of the pack is looking to say anything new or differentiate themselves in any way besides how willing they are to pander to the dumbest and darkest elements of their party’s base.

It really is going to end up like 2012 when the establishment guy who the base distrusts and dislikes ends up looking like a wingnut nut job because he pandered to the base to out wingnut his opponents and because the base still does not trust him, he’ll be essentially forced to choose a wingnut favorite as his running mate. And then he’ll act like he didn’t say all the crazy things in the primary. Kind of like how Mitt tried to run away from running as a right wing nutjob on immigration in the primary but tried to act like he never said “self-deport” in the debates but Obama pointed out that statement and his employment of Kobach.

74 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 6:49:56am

re: #65 lawhawk

Vaccination is an issue made in heaven for the GOP. They can use it to be anti-science, anti-government, and the negative outcomes can be blamed on someone else. There’s even a bonus for the god-botherers: if you get sick with a preventable disease it’s because you didn’t pray hard enough.

75 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 6:51:02am

Chris Christie isn’t really pandering to the anti-vaxxers, though his words have that effect. His main effort is to put some distance between himself and President Obama. If he simply came out behind vaccination, even unforcefully, wingnuts would be lining up to say “That RINO Christie is embracing Obama again. He must really love Traitorous Mooslum [the n-word, plural]!!1”

I get that Christie wants to avoid that, but he shouldn’t do so at the cost of people dying of disease.

76 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 6:51:19am

re: #74 Higgs Boson’s Mate

Vaccination is an issue made in heaven for the GOP. They can use it to be anti-science, anti-government, and the negative outcomes can be blamed on someone else. There’s even a bonus for the god-botherers: if you get sick with a preventable disease it’s because you didn’t pray hard enough.

…and if your superstitious, backward cult of a religion forbids vaccination then the government should have NO RIGHT to force you!

77 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:51:35am

With Obama coming out strongly for vaccinations, you better believe that many of the prospective candidates are going to use this opportunity to use Obama’s opposite position as their position on the issue.

78 Decatur Deb  Feb 2, 2015 6:51:53am

re: #70 HappyWarrior

I actually think it’s worse than 2012 in my honest opinion. When Jeb Bush is the “moderate” of the bunch yikes.

Unless they freak out and select Santorum, it’s going to be hard to nominate someone less likable than Mitt.

79 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 6:52:21am

re: #77 HappyWarrior

With Obama coming out strongly for vaccinations, you better believe that many of the prospective candidates are going to use this opportunity to use Obama’s opposite position as their position on the issue.

I hate to say it, but that was either an active part of his strategy or something he took into consideration before making the announcement.

80 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:53:13am

re: #75 Dark_Falcon

Chris Christie isn’t really pandering to the anti-vaxxers, though his words have that effect. His main effort is to put some distance between himself and President Obama. If he simply came out behind vaccination, even unforcefully, wingnuts would be lining up to say “That RINO Christie is embracing Obama again. He must really love Traitorous Mooslum [the n-word, plural]!!1”

I get that Christie wants to avoid that, but he shouldn’t do so at the cost of people dying of disease.

How about he stop being afraid of the nutcases in your party’s base and actually show what a real leader does? Really stop being afraid and actually lead, you know the thing that guys like Christie repeatedly accuse President Obama of not doing. I swear dude. Your party’s politicians have to stop acting like scared rabbits when dealing with the base who flips out at everything Obama says.

81 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:53:59am

re: #79 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I hate to say it, but that was either an active part of his strategy or something he took into consideration before making the announcement.

I dunno. Sounds risky with Congress controlled by the R’s and all.

82 b_sharp  Feb 2, 2015 6:54:27am

re: #77 HappyWarrior

With Obama coming out strongly for vaccinations, you better believe that many of the prospective candidates are going to use this opportunity to use Obama’s opposite position as their position on the issue.

Obama should admit he prefers the missionary position. That will fuck with the minds of more than a few wingnuts who believe the missionary position is the only God approved position.

83 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:55:36am

re: #82 b_sharp

Obama should admit he prefers the missionary position. That will fuck with the minds of more than a few wingnuts who believe the missionary position is the only God approved position.

Hahaha he would never do that obviously but that would be a hoot.

84 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 6:57:12am

re: #82 b_sharp

Obama should admit he prefers the missionary position. That will fuck with the minds of more than a few wingnuts who believe the missionary position is the only God approved position.

Actually, the reason that fundies don’t have sex standing up is because they’re afraid that people will think that they’re dancing.

85 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:57:32am

Really words can’t express how much I detest the anti-vaxxers. Bad enough to lie about autism as they always do, even worse to put people’s lives in danger due to their own bullshit about vaccines that they get from people who have no idea what the fuck they’re talking about. Vaccines are modern medical marvels. They are what our ancestors would have loved to had and they would be pissed if they saw people know turning down a vaccination for diseases that they died from because of paranoia about vaccines.

86 b_sharp  Feb 2, 2015 6:57:52am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

How about he stop being afraid of the nutcases in your party’s base and actually show what a real leader does? Really stop being afraid and actually lead, you know the thing that guys like Christie repeatedly accuse President Obama of not doing. I swear dude. Your party’s politicians have to stop acting like scared rabbits when dealing with the base who flips out at everything Obama says.

87 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 6:58:41am

re: #75 Dark_Falcon

Chris Christie isn’t really pandering to the anti-vaxxers, though his words have that effect. His main effort is to put some distance between himself and President Obama. If he simply came out behind vaccination, even unforcefully, wingnuts would be lining up to say “That RINO Christie is embracing Obama again. He must really love Traitorous Mooslum [the n-word, plural]!!1”

I get that Christie wants to avoid that, but he shouldn’t do so at the cost of people dying of disease.

Think again:

By contrast, Christie said Monday that “not every vaccine is created equal, and not every disease type is as great a public health threat as others,” according to the Times.

Yes Dark, Christie is very much pandering to these assholes by basically adopting their argument that the diseases these vaccines are meant to protect children from are not “as great a public health threat.” Or perhaps you’ve missed the anti-vaxxers in the press this past week or so arguing that measles “isn’t that bad”?

88 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 6:59:47am

re: #87 Targetpractice

Think again:

Yes Dark, Christie is very much pandering to these assholes by basically adopting their argument that the diseases these vaccines are meant to protect children from are not “as great a public health threat.” Or perhaps you’ve missed the anti-vaxxers in the press this past week or so arguing that measles “isn’t that bad”?

He’s definitely pandering. I thought he was a “straight shooter” I guess that only applies to berating teachers. Really fuck Christie.

89 b_sharp  Feb 2, 2015 7:05:49am

re: #88 HappyWarrior

He’s definitely pandering. I thought he was a “straight shooter” I guess that only applies to berating teachers. Really fuck Christie.

Only with a sterile Pogo stick & a blindfold.

90 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:06:31am

re: #89 b_sharp

Only with a sterile Pogo stick & a blindfold.

Need a bucket for that haha. Gross dude.

91 b_sharp  Feb 2, 2015 7:09:31am

re: #90 HappyWarrior

Need a bucket for that haha. Gross dude.

My Bukket
92 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 7:12:38am

re: #89 b_sharp

Only with a sterile Pogo stick & a blindfold.

93 Varek Raith  Feb 2, 2015 7:13:07am

re: #89 b_sharp

Only with a sterile Pogo stick & a blindfold.

Stay right where you are.

94 Varek Raith  Feb 2, 2015 7:16:51am

Fun fact;

The player has an opportunity to attack Earth with the death ray. After the room with the generator nest is cleared out, the ray can be configured to aim at Earth near Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. The explosion spans around 350 miles.

95 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 7:17:04am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

How about he stop being afraid of the nutcases in your party’s base and actually show what a real leader does? Really stop being afraid and actually lead, you know the thing that guys like Christie repeatedly accuse President Obama of not doing. I swear dude. Your party’s politicians have to stop acting like scared rabbits when dealing with the base who flips out at everything Obama says.

I agree with you, but I’d also point out that Chris Christie isn’t going to be the one to stand up to the party base successfully. He’s held in too much suspicion due to his working with Obama after Hurricane Sandy and because he’s from deeply-blue New Jersey. If Christie takes a stand the base will scream “RINO!” and just like that, his presidential hopes for 2016 will vanish.

96 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 7:17:34am

re: #75 Dark_Falcon

Chris Christie isn’t really pandering to the anti-vaxxers, though his words have that effect. His main effort is to put some distance between himself and President Obama. If he simply came out behind vaccination, even unforcefully, wingnuts would be lining up to say “That RINO Christie is embracing Obama again. He must really love Traitorous Mooslum [the n-word, plural]!!1”

I get that Christie wants to avoid that, but he shouldn’t do so at the cost of people dying of disease.

The difference between being a leader and a politician in a nutshell.
//

97 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 7:18:40am

re: #80 HappyWarrior

How about he stop being afraid of the nutcases in your party’s base and actually show what a real leader does? Really stop being afraid and actually lead, you know the thing that guys like Christie repeatedly accuse President Obama of not doing. I swear dude. Your party’s politicians have to stop acting like scared rabbits when dealing with the base who flips out at everything Obama says.

Well, most of the Democrats other than Obama have certainly been acting like scared rabbits a lot too.

98 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 7:20:02am

re: #97 Feline Fearless Leader

Well, most of the Democrats other than Obama have certainly been acting like scared rabbits a lot too.

Because Obama has no more elections to win.

99 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 7:20:53am

re: #87 Targetpractice

Think again:

Yes Dark, Christie is very much pandering to these assholes by basically adopting their argument that the diseases these vaccines are meant to protect children from are not “as great a public health threat.” Or perhaps you’ve missed the anti-vaxxers in the press this past week or so arguing that measles “isn’t that bad”?

I can see the ads now about Christie never meeting a waffle he didn’t like.
///

100 aagcobb  Feb 2, 2015 7:21:29am

re: #95 Dark_Falcon

I agree with you, but I’d also point out that Chris Christie isn’t going to be the one to stand up to the party base successfully. He’s held in too much suspicion due to his working with Obama after Hurricane Sandy and because he’s from deeply-blue New Jersey. If Christie takes a stand the base will scream “RINO!” and just like that, his presidential hopes for 2016 will vanish.

And why would you want to belong to a party in which the stupidest people can dictate to candidates like that?

101 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:21:31am

re: #95 Dark_Falcon

I agree with you, but I’d also point out that Chris Christie isn’t going to be the one to stand up to the party base successfully. He’s held in too much suspicion due to his working with Obama after Hurricane Sandy and because he’s from deeply-blue New Jersey. If Christie takes a stand the base will scream “RINO!” and just like that, his presidential hopes for 2016 will vanish.

Then he’s not a leader. He’s free to do what he wants to do but he’s being a complete pandering hack here.

102 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 7:21:35am

re: #98 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Because Obama has no more elections to win.

And no more fucks to give.

103 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:21:46am

re: #96 Feline Fearless Leader

The difference between being a leader and a politician in a nutshell.
//

Yes, yes indeed.

104 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:22:33am

re: #97 Feline Fearless Leader

Well, most of the Democrats other than Obama have certainly been acting like scared rabbits a lot too.

They can fuck off too. I still think little of Grimes for refusing to admit she even voted for Obama. I mean damn I get political gamesmanship but the way so many of them distanced themselves from Obama out of fear was pathetic.

105 b_sharp  Feb 2, 2015 7:22:36am

re: #93 Varek Raith

Stay right where you are.
[Embedded content]

Video

I think that was my neighbour’s house.

106 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 7:22:41am

re: #94 Varek Raith

Fun fact;

As much fun as going into SatCom Array NW-05a and calling down the Highwater Trousers nuclear strike.

107 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 7:22:56am

re: #100 aagcobb

And why would you want to belong to a party in which the stupidest people can dictate to candidates like that?

Because all major parties are like that now.

108 Lidane  Feb 2, 2015 7:22:57am

re: #95 Dark_Falcon

Chris Christie’s presidential hopes vanished the moment he embraced Obama during Hurricane Sandy.

109 Fourth Football of the Apocalypse  Feb 2, 2015 7:23:08am

From Fox:

Former New York Gov. George Pataki told Fox News on Monday he’s actively exploring a 2016 Republican bid for president.

The former governor said he plans to travel to New Hampshire on Tuesday, and he has opened a political action committee.

Feel the Pataki-mentum

110 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:23:48am

re: #107 Dark_Falcon

Because all major parties are like that now.

Maybe but your party is filled with candidates that take that to a new low every single day when it comes to policies that President Obama endorses.

111 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 7:24:33am

re: #109 Fourth Football of the Apocalypse

From Fox:

Feel the Pataki-mentum

President Pataki: A fricative field day.

112 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 7:25:37am

re: #109 Fourth Football of the Apocalypse

From Fox:

Feel the Pataki-mentum

The clown car gets more packed.

113 lawhawk  Feb 2, 2015 7:26:39am

re: #109 Fourth Football of the Apocalypse

From Fox:

Feel the Pataki-mentum

Said no one. Ever. He’s preparing for a WH bid that no one ever asked for or wished for or even contemplated because he’s so far off the GOP radar.

114 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:26:54am

Jeez how many of them are running? Isn’t there also a Bolton candidacy and a possible IRA Petey King one too?

115 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:27:18am

re: #113 lawhawk

Said no one. Ever. He’s preparing for a WH bid that no one ever asked for or wished for or even contemplated because he’s so far off the GOP radar.

This primary’s Jim Gilmore.

116 aagcobb  Feb 2, 2015 7:29:39am

re: #107 Dark_Falcon

Because all major parties are like that now.

Magical balance fairy; the Democratic Party doesn’t have an unhinged based that it has to pander to on issues like global warming, immigration and science.

117 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 7:31:19am

re: #116 aagcobb

Magical balance fairy; the Democratic Party doesn’t have an unhinged based that it has to pander to on issues like global warming, immigration and science.

It has a base that still understands that politics is about discourse and compromise, not just about belittling, demonizing and demeaning your opponents at every opportunity.

118 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 7:38:31am

re: #104 HappyWarrior

They can fuck off too. I still think little of Grimes for refusing to admit she even voted for Obama. I mean damn I get political gamesmanship but the way so many of them distanced themselves from Obama out of fear was pathetic.

It was also that Grimes’ gameplan was becoming badly-out of date by that time and she wasn’t able to adapt. Around that same time she appeared in an attack ad lambasting Mitch McConnell for not getting a Kentucky coal-fired power plant earmarked money to install emissions scrubbers despite earmarks having been banned by that time and the power plant having said that even with scrubbers it could no longer have turned a profit under updated EPA rules. Her desperation was clear, but the ad ended up boomeranging on her after the Washington Post gave the ad 4 Pinocchios (meaning it was a whooper of a lie).

Allison Lundgren Grimes was unprepared for the speed and skill of Mitch McConnell and his campaign. As a result, she ended up standing flat-footed while the ‘old google-eyed snapping turtle’ bit off her toes one-by-one.

119 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 7:38:51am

Honestly, were I still a moderate Republican, right about now I’d be getting nervous about the growing field of candidates. Because what things are shaping up into is a wide field of candidates who are looking to challenge Jeb for the post of “can win the general election,” while Cruz and Paul are the only ones fighting for the votes that matter, namely the base’s growing batshit crazy bloc.

120 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 7:41:03am

re: #119 Targetpractice

The more they pander to their own base, the more they motivate moderate voters to vote against the party to stave of the sheer level of insanity, misogyny, homophobia, racism and corporate coddling.

121 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:41:17am

re: #118 Dark_Falcon

It was also that Grimes’ gameplan was becoming badly-out of date by that time and she wasn’t able to adapt. Around that same time she appeared in an attack ad lambasting Mitch McConnell for not getting a Kentucky coal-fired power plant earmarked money to install emissions scrubbers despite earmarks having been banned by that time and the power plant having said that even with scrubbers it could no longer have turned a profit under updated EPA rules. Her desperation was clear, but the ad ended up boomeranging on her after the Washington Post gave the ad 4 Pinocchios (meaning it was a whooper of a lie).

Allison Lundgren Grimes was unprepared for the speed and skill of Mitch McConnell and his campaign. As a result, she ended up standing flat-footed while the ‘old google-eyed snapping turtle’ bit off her toes one-by-one.

She was out of her element. I just think it was sad that she couldn’t even bring herself to admitting to voting for President Obama. Okay so Obama is unpopular in Kentucky and very unpopular at that but there had to be another way but of course McConnell’s just as shitty. Mr. I’m for Kynect but I want to repeal Obamacare.

122 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 7:42:57am

re: #119 Targetpractice

Honestly, were I still a moderate Republican, right about now I’d be getting nervous about the growing field of candidates. Because what things are shaping up into is a wide field of candidates who are looking to challenge Jeb for the post of “can win the general election,” while Cruz and Paul are the only ones fighting for the votes that matter, namely the base’s growing batshit crazy bloc.

I still have Huckabee as my dark horse. That’s not to think he will win but I definitely think Huckabee will be a major factor after seeing how Santorum did. He really is the anti-Bush in many ways. The problem for Huckabee though is he doesn’t have any corporate pull though.

123 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 7:43:48am

re: #120 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

The more they pander to their own base, the more they motivate moderate voters to vote against the party to stave of the sheer level of insanity, misogyny, homophobia, racism and corporate coddling.

I think you and I both know that’s not really happening anymore. While there are some who will vote Democrat or third-party, there are just as many who will go to the polls on Election Day 2016 and pull the lever for the guy with the (R) next to his name. Why? Because as crazy as their guy may be, he’s “better” than a Democrat.

124 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 7:45:16am

re: #123 Targetpractice

I think you and I both know that’s not really happening anymore. While there are some who will vote Democrat or third-party, there are just as many who will go to the polls on Election Day 2016 and pull the lever for the guy with the (R) next to his name. Why? Because as crazy as their guy may be, he’s “better” than a Democrat.

I am talking about all those people who did not find it necessary to go out and vote in 2016. The level of neanderthal hysteria might be enough to get them out in 2016 to keep things in check.

125 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 7:46:57am

re: #124 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I am talking about all those people who did not find it necessary to go out and vote in 2016. The level of neanderthal hysteria might be enough to get them out in 2016 to keep things in check.

I think that’s a bit too much to hope for. If anything, I expect such people to join the ranks of the “Independents,” who refer to most days as “Republicans-in-Denial.” They’ll tell everybody around them that they they’re afraid of what the party is becoming, they’ll express disgust or even hatred of the guy on the ticket, but when the curtain is pulled decide that they don’t hate him enough to vote for a Democrat.

126 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 7:47:45am

Mike Huckabee says legalizing gay marriage to Christians is like ‘forcing Jewish deli owner to serve bacon-wrapped shrimp’

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee says gay marriage is akin to alcohol and profanity — options the Republican weighing a 2016 presidential bid says are appealing to others, but not to him.

Huckabee on Sunday also told CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ that forcing people of faith to accept gay marriage as policy is on par with telling Jews that they must serve ‘bacon-wrapped shrimp in their deli.’ That dish would run afoul of kosher rules.

‘We’re so sensitive to make sure that we don’t offend certain religions but then we act like Christians can’t have the convictions that they’ve had for over 2,000 years,’ Huckabee added.

No UpHuck, allowing gay marriage as a matter of law is not the same for Christians as forcing a kosher deli to serve bacon (although most Jewish delis in the Chicago area DO in fact serve bacon). (Edit: It was brought to my attention that the delis I was writing about should be called Kosher-style delis. I regret the error.) The equivalent would be requiring churches and religious buildings to permit gay weddings on their property when such weddings are against their faith, and no one of stature is suggesting that be done.

But Huck wasn’t done as he next went for a famous and pathetic gambit:

Huckabee says he appreciates different viewpoints on gay marriage, adding that he is friends with gay people.

‘People can be my friends who have lifestyles that are not necessarily my lifestyles. I don’t shut people out of my circle or out of my life because they have a different point of view,’ Huckabee explained. ‘I don’t drink alcohol but a lot of my friends - maybe most of them - do. I don’t use profanity but believe me, I’ve got a lot of friends who do.’

My reply: BUULLLSHHIITT!!

127 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 7:50:15am

Just a reminder that today is the day that Obama submits his budget to Congress. Obama is going to ask for roughly $561bn for defense, $38bn more than allowed under the budget deal struck in 2013.
Obama is hoping that Congress will agree to the increase without cutting other programs. I am hoping to win the lottery.

128 Lidane  Feb 2, 2015 7:51:20am

re: #126 Dark_Falcon

He also made this lovely statement:

129 lawhawk  Feb 2, 2015 7:52:15am

re: #126 Dark_Falcon

Ummm, no kosher deli would serve pork (bacon). None. Kosher-style is something separate.

Kosher-style isn’t kosher. It gives the appearance of kosher delis, in that they have the typical meals served in a traditional kosher deli, but if they’re serving Reubens and bacon, then they aren’t kosher.

130 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 7:53:35am

re: #129 lawhawk

Ummm, no kosher deli would serve pork (bacon). None. Kosher-style is something separate.

Kosher-style isn’t kosher. It gives the appearance of kosher delis, in that they have the typical meals served in a traditional kosher deli, but if they’re serving Reubens and bacon, then they aren’t kosher.

OK, I stand corrected.

131 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 7:54:43am

re: #127 Higgs Boson’s Mate

Just a reminder that today is the day that Obama submits his budget to Congress. Obama is going to ask for roughly $561bn for defense, $38bn more than allowed under the budget deal struck in 2013.
Obama is hoping that Congress will agree to the increase without cutting other programs. I am hoping to win the lottery.

We all like to dream the impossible dream from time to time. When the announcement was made the other day that he was going to bump up his budget request this year, I cynically remarked that he was wasting his time. The GOP’s going to just circular file it, then cobble together a new “Ryan Plan,” this time with a possibility of actually getting it to his desk. Though I have my doubts, unless McConnell is planning trickery to get past a Senate Dem filibuster.

132 Dr. Matt  Feb 2, 2015 7:55:51am
133 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 7:56:36am

re: #125 Targetpractice

I think that’s a bit too much to hope for. If anything, I expect such people to join the ranks of the “Independents,” who refer to most days as “Republicans-in-Denial.” They’ll tell everybody around them that they they’re afraid of what the party is becoming, they’ll express disgust or even hatred of the guy on the ticket, but when the curtain is pulled decide that they don’t hate him enough to vote for a Democrat.

I am talking about the voting public in general, not just GOP voters. But they have to make their appeals in public, where even normal people can hear them and decide for themselves that they are batshit crazy and living in a fantasy world where Romneycare is good but Obamacare is evil, where rabies are not a threat but vaccines are…

134 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 7:57:17am

re: #126 Dark_Falcon

Mike Huckabee says legalizing gay marriage to Christians is like ‘forcing Jewish deli owner to serve bacon-wrapped shrimp’

No UpHuck, allowing gay marriage as a matter of law is not the same for Christians as forcing a kosher deli to serve bacon (although most Jewish delis in the Chicago area DO in fact serve bacon). (Edit: It was brought to my attention that the delis I was writing about should be called Kosher-style delis. I regret the error.) The equivalent would be requiring churches and religious buildings to permit gay weddings on their property when such weddings are against their faith, and no one of stature is suggesting that be done.

But Huck wasn’t done as he next went for a famous and pathetic gambit:

My reply: BUULLLSHHIITT!!

Post Edited.

135 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 7:59:11am

re: #134 Dark_Falcon

Huckster is probably smart enough, but his comments totally fail to make a distinction between the Sacrament of Holy matrimony and the civil state of marriage.

They used to be identical, but are no longer. If your church does not want to recognize that you are married, then they need not, just like the Catholic Church refused to recognize my grandmother’s divorce fifty years ago…

136 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 8:00:57am

re: #131 Targetpractice

We all like to dream the impossible dream from time to time. When the announcement was made the other day that he was going to bump up his budget request this year, I cynically remarked that he was wasting his time. The GOP’s going to just circular file it, then cobble together a new “Ryan Plan,” this time with a possibility of actually getting it to his desk. Though I have my doubts, unless McConnell is planning trickery to get past a Senate Dem filibuster.

The increase will make it to Obama’s desk. The Republicans are anxious to rebuild their strong on defense credentials and the Democrats are equally anxious not to be painted as weak on defense. The trade offs made to get the increase will be ugly. One thing is abundantly clear to both sides: half a trillion dollars is woefully insufficient to subdue a bunch of guys armed with Toyota pickups and AK47s.

137 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:00:59am

re: #133 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I am talking about the voting public in general, not just GOP voters. But they have to make their appeals in public, where even normal people can hear them and decide for themselves that they are batshit crazy and living in a fantasy world where Romneycare is good but Obamacare is evil, where rabies are not a threat but vaccines are…

I’ve a similar hope that the public will wake up the craziness that is running rampant in the GOP. But I’m too much of a cynic not to reach the conclusion that people will vote against Democrats, either because Hillary is on the ticket, or because they figure it’s time to give Republicans “another chance.” Especially if the GOP candidate salts his campaign liberally with a lot of populist rhetoric, i.e. “lower taxes will lead to booming growth!”

138 Sionainn  Feb 2, 2015 8:02:56am

re: #133 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I am talking about the voting public in general, not just GOP voters. But they have to make their appeals in public, where even normal people can hear them and decide for themselves that they are batshit crazy and living in a fantasy world where Romneycare is good but Obamacare is evil, where rabies are not a threat but vaccines are…

My dad regularly gets rabies vaccinations. ;-)

139 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 8:04:11am

re: #137 Targetpractice

…Especially if the GOP candidate salts his campaign liberally with a lot of populist rhetoric, i.e. “lower taxes will lead to booming growth!”

If they restrict it to that, they have a good chance, but “family values” and “religious freedom” will continue to come up as issues and scare off a lot of people, many of whom are morally opposed to abortion but want to keep the option in case their daughter gets knocked up by some loser…

140 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:04:37am

re: #136 Higgs Boson’s Mate

The increase will make it to Obama’s desk. The Republicans are anxious to rebuild their strong on defense credentials and the Democrats are equally anxious not to be painted as weak on defense. The trade offs made to get the increase will be ugly. One thing is abundantly clear to both sides: half a trillion dollars is woefully insufficient to subdue a bunch of guys armed with Toyota pickups and AK47s.

I’m going to make a prediction now that what will kill the budget bill this year will not be the veto pen or a filibuster, but the TPers getting greedy and making more demands of the leadership than they’re willing to go along with. Demands such as balancing the budget in a ridiculously short time, Flat/Fair Tax, severe cuts to “librual” spending, amendments to go after this or that part of the government they don’t like, and overall allowing their freak flag to fly when the leadership really would like to make things as painless as possible.

141 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:04:56am

re: #126 Dark_Falcon

Mike Huckabee says legalizing gay marriage to Christians is like ‘forcing Jewish deli owner to serve bacon-wrapped shrimp’

No UpHuck, allowing gay marriage as a matter of law is not the same for Christians as forcing a kosher deli to serve bacon (although most Jewish delis in the Chicago area DO in fact serve bacon). (Edit: It was brought to my attention that the delis I was writing about should be called Kosher-style delis. I regret the error.) The equivalent would be requiring churches and religious buildings to permit gay weddings on their property when such weddings are against their faith, and no one of stature is suggesting that be done.

But Huck wasn’t done as he next went for a famous and pathetic gambit:

My reply: BUULLLSHHIITT!!

And what the bigot doesn’t want to tell people is that there are plenty of Christians out there who are perfectly okay wit hgay marriage. No one is forcing gay marriage on anyone. No one is forcing bigoted ministers like Husk to officiate and yeah I laugh at the idea of Huckabee actually having gay friends. He has gay friends like I have friends that believe David Barton should be read at gunpoint. Yeah I went there.

142 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 8:06:42am

re: #128 Lidane

He also made this lovely statement:

[Embedded content]

Not much daylight between Huck and Goofi al-Bubba here. Here’s a close-up of al-Bubba’s rifle;

Note the folding stock from a different model of AKM, as well as the badly installed scope and the two(!) vertical foregrips. What you see here is an over-accessorized “Mall Ninja”-type rifle. Somewhat in vogue among Huckabee’s dimmer and more angry followers.

143 lawhawk  Feb 2, 2015 8:07:10am

Christie attempts a walkback, but it’s lacking in facts too.

144 ObserverArt  Feb 2, 2015 8:07:37am

Late morning all! Stayed up late last night after the Big Bowl to do some work on some internet stuff and am just coming around. Seeing this thread got me to thinking.

With all this craziness over vaccinations, it makes me wonder if there are some similarities between now and the 14th century when Europe was ravaged by The Plaque.

It makes me wonder if the spread of the plaque was helped along due to suspicions, politics, control, hatreds, denial of treatment and how to handle it, religious types getting in the way of science, quacks taking advantage, etc.

Maybe man never really learns any damn lessons. I know they don’t when they ignore, deny and refuse to teach history. We still have science deniers, politicians, religious types and quacks!

145 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:08:34am

re: #143 lawhawk

Christie attempts a walkback, but it’s lacking in facts too.

[Embedded content]

146 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:09:39am

re: #145 Targetpractice

[Embedded content]

Oh fuck him for pandering to the autism fearing crowd.

147 aagcobb  Feb 2, 2015 8:10:19am

re: #137 Targetpractice

I’ve a similar hope that the public will wake up the craziness that is running rampant in the GOP. But I’m too much of a cynic not to reach the conclusion that people will vote against Democrats, either because Hillary is on the ticket, or because they figure it’s time to give Republicans “another chance.” Especially if the GOP candidate salts his campaign liberally with a lot of populist rhetoric, i.e. “lower taxes will lead to booming growth!”

However, since 2000, the last time voters decided to throw away peace and prosperity and give the GOP another chance (and remember, Gore actually outpolled Bush) the demographics of the nation have changed a lot. The growing segment of the population are people that the GOP has thoroughly alienated with its racism and xenophobia.

148 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 8:11:10am

re: #144 ObserverArt

World War Z (the novel, not the awful film) is a great allegory about how disasters spread: first officials deny the problem, then try to cover it up, then enforce some halfhearted measures, all of which inadvertently aid the spread of the problem until it nearly overwhelms us and prompts a new approach.

But not until after too many people have died unneccessarily.

149 aagcobb  Feb 2, 2015 8:13:08am

re: #145 Targetpractice

[Embedded content]

I hadn’t seen that quote from 2009; seems that Christie has been an anti-vaccer loon in good standing for a long time.

150 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:17:03am

re: #149 aagcobb

I hadn’t seen that quote from 2009; seems that Christie has been an anti-vaccer loon in good standing for a long time.

It’s not the first position he’s allowed to change as it became convenient to his political ambitions. When he first started running for public office in ‘93, he used to portray himself as pro-choice. Then he began to portray himself as on the fence by claiming that his wife’s pregnancy with their daughter had changed his views on abortion. And now that he’s running for the GOP nomination, he’s just dropped any reference to his conversion and is trying to convince people that he’s always been anti-choice.

151 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:18:11am

re: #150 Targetpractice

It’s not the first position he’s allowed to change as it became convenient to his political ambitions. When he first started running for public office in ‘93, he used to portray himself as pro-choice. Then he began to portray himself as on the fence by claiming that his wife’s pregnancy with their daughter had changed his views on abortion. And now that he’s running for the GOP nomination, he’s just dropped any reference to his conversion and is trying to convince people that he’s always been anti-choice.

I heard even Santorum tried positioning himself as pro-choice in his early runs for office. That one really surprised me.

152 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:18:59am

Really it’s simple. It’s a matter of public health. It’s just like these idiots who expect employees to work while sick.

153 Dr. Matt  Feb 2, 2015 8:19:10am
154 b_sharp  Feb 2, 2015 8:19:24am

re: #144 ObserverArt

Late morning all! Stayed up late last night after the Big Bowl to do some work on some internet stuff and am just coming around. Seeing this thread got me to thinking.

With all this craziness over vaccinations, it makes me wonder if there are some similarities between now and the 14th century when Europe was ravaged by The Plaque.

It makes me wonder if the spread of the plaque was helped along due to suspicions, politics, control, hatreds, denial of treatment and how to handle it, religious types getting in the way of science, quacks taking advantage, etc.

Maybe man never really learns any damn lessons. I know they don’t when they ignore, deny and refuse to teach history. We still have science deniers, politicians, religious types and quacks!

The Plaque is why toothbrushes were invented.

155 lawhawk  Feb 2, 2015 8:19:39am

He’s going to try and spin this, but he’s pushing a very dangerous position that is wholly unsupported by science or medicine (and not for the first time either, see his Ebola stance).

156 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 8:19:45am

re: #152 HappyWarrior

Really it’s simple. It’s a matter of public health. It’s just like these idiots who expect employees to work while sick.

A small price to pay to keep people from goldbricking.

157 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:22:44am

re: #155 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

He’s going to try and spin this, but he’s pushing a very dangerous position that is wholly unsupported by science or medicine (and not for the first time either, see his Ebola stance).

Pandersouras Rex.

158 Dr. Matt  Feb 2, 2015 8:23:27am
159 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:25:08am

Michelle Bachmann’s pissed. If only Obama had been vocally pro-vaxx in 2012 primaries.

160 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:25:43am

re: #155 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

He’s going to try and spin this, but he’s pushing a very dangerous position that is wholly unsupported by science or medicine (and not for the first time either, see his Ebola stance).

He’s trying so hard to straddle the fence. What’s worse is he’s trying to both portray it as a public health matter and argue that it should be up to individuals to decide how much of a danger they’ll pose to the public.

161 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 8:26:20am
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
-T.S. Elliot
162 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 8:28:16am

re: #123 Targetpractice

I think you and I both know that’s not really happening anymore. While there are some who will vote Democrat or third-party, there are just as many who will go to the polls on Election Day 2016 and pull the lever for the guy with the (R) next to his name. Why? Because as crazy as their guy may be, he’s “better” than a Democrat.

Well, we have Lizards essentially saying that they don’t like Hillary, but will pull the lever for her since she is “better” than any GOP candidate.

So there is some of that on both sides of the aisle. Though I think that the fact that the GOP is going to offer one of a bunch of crazies has a lot to do with it. In addition to fear of empowering the GOP’s nut agenda any further is another reason that a lot of Lizards state that they will vote straight Democrat under almost any circumstances.

163 Varek Raith  Feb 2, 2015 8:29:46am

164 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 8:30:28am

re: #132 Dr. Matt

[Embedded content]

That’s why the Lions are in Detroit hiding in a “no-go” zone.
//////

165 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:30:46am

This is one of those times that I do wish I was a political reporter, as I imagine my next question to Christie would have been “So if there had been a vaccine for Ebola last year, would you have ordered health workers to receive it, even if the vaccine posed a danger to their health?”

166 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:31:48am

re: #165 Targetpractice

This is one of those times that I do wish I was a political reporter, as I imagine my next question to Christie would have been “So if there had been a vaccine for Ebola last year, would you have ordered health workers to receive it, even if the vaccine posed a danger to their health?”

He would have yelled at you. Christie doesn’t like being challenged on being a bullshit artist.

167 makeitstop  Feb 2, 2015 8:32:31am

re: #20 teleskiguy

[Embedded content]

Not for nothing, but that’s one of the stupidest ideas Gibson has tried to market in like, ever.

‘Black over sunburst’ = black.

Next year - the ‘Black over Goldtop’ line. Just goofy.

168 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:36:18am

Of course, the other thing to keep in mind is that this is not just Christie trying to keep the anti-vaxxers in his camp. It’s also a pretty clear signal for the rest of his campaign, namely he’ll stake positions that are not in any way supported by the science in order to be “balanced.” Such as saying global warming is happening but humans aren’t responsible and thus it would be bad to take actions that hurt corporations.

169 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:39:52am

re: #168 Targetpractice

Of course, the other thing to keep in mind is that this is not just Christie trying to keep the anti-vaxxers in his camp. It’s also a pretty clear signal for the rest of his campaign, namely he’ll stake positions that are not in any way supported by the science in order to be “balanced.” Such as saying global warming is happening but humans aren’t responsible and thus it would be bad to take actions that hurt corporations.

Leadership Christie style.

170 Ace-o-aces  Feb 2, 2015 8:44:24am

So what’s the over/under on when Upchuck comes out as anti-Vax?

171 aagcobb  Feb 2, 2015 8:46:12am

re: #170 Ace-o-aces

So what’s the over/under on when Upchuck comes out as anti-Vax?

He hasn’t already? Then I’ll say right about now.

172 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:47:08am

re: #170 Ace-o-aces

So what’s the over/under on when Upchuck comes out as anti-Vax?

He has a guy inside the medical industry!

173 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:47:43am

re: #169 HappyWarrior

Leadership Christie style.

It’s what “moderates” in the GOP do these days, they try to find some thin line between the party’s crazies and the general public, then tap-dance upon it all the way through the primaries. Hell, “as a parent” might as well occupy the same place on the Venn Diagram of GOP “moderates” as “I’m not a scientist…”

174 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 8:49:20am

re: #173 Targetpractice

It’s what “moderates” in the GOP do these days, they try to find some thin line between the party’s crazies and the general public, then tap-dance upon it all the way through the primaries. Hell, “as a parent” might as well occupy the same place on the Venn Diagram of GOP “moderates” as “I’m not a scientist…”

Yeah and it’s honestly why I have less respect for GOP “moderates” than I do the extremists. Someone like Cruz, you know what he’s going to do. Someone like Christie though will play games like this instead.

175 7-y (Expectation of Great Things in Due Course)  Feb 2, 2015 8:53:26am

re: #170 Ace-o-aces

So what’s the over/under on when Upchuck comes out as anti-Vax?

So, maybe LGF can figure out his next story ahead of time and tweet it to him. And the next. And the next.

176 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 8:54:46am

Victory dance: Kurds celebrate driving ISIS out of Kobane with synchronised jig

A video showing Kurdish fighters celebrating defeating ISIS in the Syrian town of Kobane has emerged online.

The clip shows a large group of young Kurdish fighters, both men and women, holding hands as they perform a traditional dance and cheer following their victory over the militants.

The joyful celebration follows members of the Islamic State officially admitting defeat on Saturday, but promising to strike again.

Of course such a dance was not only for joy but also intended as a public backhanding of the Islamic State’s gender apartheid and banning of dancing as well. It’s a fine example of how to tell off tyrants without being seen as angry or bloodthirsty.

In other news, Bryan Fischer demanded the US end military aid to the Kurds on the grounds that “dancing leads to unmarried sex, and unmarried sex leads to socialism!”

/kidding about that last, but not by much.

177 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 8:57:26am

re: #170 Ace-o-aces

So what’s the over/under on when Upchuck comes out as anti-Vax?

He has already come out critical of reports that Mexico’s vaccination rate is higher than the USA because he has been there personally and things seem backward to him (I guess he was down shopping for a hot Latina wife before he settled on a hot Asian one).

178 Targetpractice  Feb 2, 2015 8:58:02am

re: #176 Dark_Falcon

Victory dance: Kurds celebrate driving ISIS out of Kobane with synchronised jig

Of course such a dance was not only for joy but also intended as a public backhanding of the Islamic State’s gender apartheid and banning of dancing as well. It’s a fine example of how to tell off tyrants without being seen as angry or bloodthirsty.

In other news, Bryan Fischer demanded the US end military aid to the Kurds on the grounds that “dancing leads to unmarried sex, and unmarried sex leads to socialism!”

/kidding about that last, but not by much.

I’m curious if those pundits who were predicting the imminent fall of Kobani and labeling it a “failure” for the President will acknowledge that US-led airstrikes led to the Kurds holding the line and kicking ISIS out.

Just as I’m curious if I can turn lead into gold.

///

179 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 9:00:37am

re: #171 aagcobb

He hasn’t already? Then I’ll say right about now.

He did retweet this piece of garbage:

180 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 9:02:54am

Check out this perfect needling of UpChuck and his predictably ugly reply:

181 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 9:05:05am

re: #178 Targetpractice

I’m curious if those pundits who were predicting the imminent fall of Kobani and labeling it a “failure” for the President will acknowledge that US-led airstrikes led to the Kurds holding the line and kicking ISIS out.

Just as I’m curious if I can turn lead into gold.

///

John Schindler and the military bloggers have made clear they were wrong about Korbani and are glad they were. The folks at Breitbart and Pajamas Media will deny the truth to the end of their days.

182 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:05:52am

re: #180 Dark_Falcon

Check out this perfect neddling of UpChuck and his predictably ugly reply:

[Embedded content]

Hahaha libel. Yeah. That’s right.

183 Lidane  Feb 2, 2015 9:05:55am

re: #179 Dark_Falcon

That garbage is all over the right. RWNJ sites everywhere are going with the ZOMG DISEASED IMMIGRANTS THANKS OBAMA explanation for the Disney measles outbreak.

184 ObserverArt  Feb 2, 2015 9:06:50am

re: #37 darthstar

Chris Christie just came out as vaccine ambiguous.

Ahhh. A sure sign he is running for president.

He can’t take a firm stand, especially as a GOP candidate. He needs to appear both sane and crazy so do the dance down the tightrope so as to not fall on either side. Then hope you make it across the tightrope to suddenly appear as the candidate everyone needs.

It goes to show you he isn’t as big and tough and do-the-right-thing as he tries to come off. Campaigning is going to turn him into what he always said he was not. But then, maybe he was never what he thought or what he tried to come off like all along.

185 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:07:05am

re: #183 Lidane

That garbage is all over the right. RWNJ sites everywhere are going with the ZOMG DISEASED IMMIGRANTS THANKS OBAMA explanation for the Disney measles outbreak.

Yep. Oldest RW bullshit in the book. blame the immigrants. Worked on the Irish, Jews, Asians, Slavs, and Italians.

186 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 9:07:14am

re: #183 Lidane

That garbage is all over the right. RWNJ sites everywhere are going with the ZOMG DISEASED IMMIGRANTS THANKS OBAMA explanation for the Disney measles outbreak.

I know, I argued against it here yesterday morning.

187 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:07:28am

re: #184 ObserverArt

Ahhh. A sure sign he is running for president.

He can’t take a firm stand, especially as a GOP candidate. He needs to appear both sane and crazy so do the dance down the tightrope so as to not fall on either side. Then hope you make it across the tightrope to suddenly appear as the candidate everyone needs.

It goes to show you he isn’t as big and tough and do-the-right-thing as he tries to come off. Campaigning is going to turn him into what he always said he was not. But then, maybe he was never what he thought or what he tried to come off like all along.

He’s a fucking phony.

188 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:08:02am

Goddamn is it windy out there. No snow but windy.

189 Lidane  Feb 2, 2015 9:10:23am

re: #185 HappyWarrior

Yep. Oldest RW bullshit in the book. blame the immigrants. Worked on the Irish, Jews, Asians, Slavs, and Italians.

Now it’s being used against Latinos despite the fact that countries like Mexico have higher immunization rates than the U.S. Unreal.

190 makeitstop  Feb 2, 2015 9:10:50am

I believe we’re getting sleet here at the moment. All well and good now, but all H-E-double-hockey-stick is gonna break loose later when all this shit freezes.

191 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:11:19am

re: #189 Lidane

Now it’s being used against Latinos despite the fact that countries like Mexico have higher immunization rates than the U.S. Unreal.

Hasn’t stopped them before. I wasn’t aware that Mexico had a higher immunization rate than the US did though.

192 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Feb 2, 2015 9:11:56am

re: #189 Lidane

Now it’s being used against Latinos despite the fact that countries like Mexico have higher immunization rates than the U.S. Unreal.

It would only make sense that unvaccinated immigrants would flock to a country where the climate is much more supportive of their decision…

/

193 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:12:28am

Well another job application disappointment. I’m qualified but not among the most qualified candidates. Blah.

194 Dark_Falcon  Feb 2, 2015 9:14:16am

BBL

195 Lidane  Feb 2, 2015 9:14:46am

re: #191 HappyWarrior

Hasn’t stopped them before. I wasn’t aware that Mexico had a higher immunization rate than the US did though.

I was looking at UNICEF earlier and their stats say that Mexico has a 99% immunization rate across the board. That’s higher than ours.

But diseased Messicans are bringing measles to Disneyland. WTF.

196 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:15:52am

re: #195 Lidane

I was looking at UNICEF earlier and their stats say that Mexico has a 99% immunization rate across the board. That’s higher than ours.

But diseased Messicans are bringing measles to Disneyland. WTF.

Yeah morons. Agh. That’s the RW in a nutshell though. Gotta scapegoat someone.

197 ObserverArt  Feb 2, 2015 9:17:15am

re: #95 Dark_Falcon

I agree with you, but I’d also point out that Chris Christie isn’t going to be the one to stand up to the party base successfully. He’s held in too much suspicion due to his working with Obama after Hurricane Sandy and because he’s from deeply-blue New Jersey. If Christie takes a stand the base will scream “RINO!” and just like that, his presidential hopes for 2016 will vanish.

So, with that…you either get a real leader-type president with a spine or a pandering lump of soft goo that can be manipulated.

Right now the GOP has a lot of goo that panders to their money men. Just like GW Bush.

Boy, that is great for our country. But it is exactly where we are. We don’t get leaders anymore. We get enablers.

198 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:19:54am

re: #197 ObserverArt

So, with that…you either get a real leader-type president with a spine or a pandering lump of soft goo that can be manipulated.

Right now the GOP has a lot of goo that panders to their money men. Just like GW Bush.

Boy, that is great for our country. But it is exactly where we are. We don’t get leaders anymore. We get enablers.

Christie acts all tough tough when he’s dealing with “bad guys” like teachers wanting to be paid a reasonable amount but he acts like a scared chickenshit when dealing with the crazies that will make or break his presidential aspirations. Not the kind of man I want leading my country or really anything. If this is Christie’s idea of leadership, he should continue hanging out with Jerry Jones and leave the running of the country to people who actually care.

199 makeitstop  Feb 2, 2015 9:21:05am

re: #197 ObserverArt

So, with that…you either get a real leader-type president with a spine or a pandering lump of soft goo that can be manipulated.

Right now the GOP has a lot of goo that panders to their money men. Just like GW Bush.

Boy, that is great for our country. But it is exactly where we are. We don’t get leaders anymore. We get enablers.

The party of personal responsibility political expedience.

Also, fear of the yammering mob.

200 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:23:43am

re: #199 makeitstop

The party of personal responsibility political expedience.

Also, fear of the yammering mob.

They said I wasn’t a real conservative *cries*. But yeah that’s exactly what they do. Truly pathetic. And then of course there are guys like Huckabee out there whose sole focus is to prevent gays from having any civil rights under the law since his bigoted religious beliefs don’t think gays should.

201 dholmes32  Feb 2, 2015 9:23:44am

re: #146 HappyWarrior

Oh fuck him for pandering to the autism fearing crowd.

I’m on the spectrum and I’m VERY glad my mom got all my vaccines. She would have gotten them for mumps and chicken pox if they’d been available then. Instead, I got to have both diseases and then have a painful case of shingles in 2012.

Moreover, Andrew Wakefield’s “study” was proven wrong and the Lancet retracted it. The damage is STILL being felt.

202 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:25:48am

re: #201 dholmes32

I’m on the spectrum and I’m VERY glad my mom got all my vaccines. She would have gotten them for mumps and chicken pox if they’d been available then. Instead, I got to have both diseases and then have a painful case of shingles in 2012.

Moreover, Andrew Wakefield’s “study” was proven wrong and the Lancet retracted it. The damage is STILL being felt.

Fucking A. Really it’s such crap.

203 Viscous Obama  Feb 2, 2015 9:25:50am
204 ObserverArt  Feb 2, 2015 9:26:03am

re: #107 Dark_Falcon

Because all major parties are like that now.

Which is exactly why we all need to send messages to both parties to get people we want and to stop voting for someone because you always vote for one party.

I know you are throwing both parties into your criticism and it is fair. However, it needs to be mentioned the Dems had big issues with the nutty side of their party driving the ship and they got killed in the elections of the late 60s and into the late 80s. They realized they needed to go to the center and with Big Bill it signaled a change in the Dems fortunes for the presidential office. Obama is more a moderate Republican than a far-left Dem of the 70s.

The Repubs are there right now…they need to get back to the middle too.

So that means you need to help push that by not voting just because. All Republicans need to demand more, actually all of American needs to demand more of both parties.

205 Kafitrar  Feb 2, 2015 9:26:45am

re: #95 Dark_Falcon

I agree with you, but I’d also point out that Chris Christie isn’t going to be the one to stand up to the party base successfully. He’s held in too much suspicion due to his working with Obama after Hurricane Sandy and because he’s from deeply-blue New Jersey. If Christie takes a stand the base will scream “RINO!” and just like that, his presidential hopes for 2016 will vanish.

You know what? I could have sworn Christie is my governor, not my presidential candidate. And if you don’t think he’s pandering, what is your definition of pandering?

206 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:28:29am

re: #203 Viscous Obama

[Embedded content]

Ha ouch but it’s true.

207 The Vicious Babushka  Feb 2, 2015 9:28:55am

re: #172 HappyWarrior

He has a guy inside the medical industry!

The “Medical school friend” who invited him to an abortion show!

208 ObserverArt  Feb 2, 2015 9:32:39am

re: #151 HappyWarrior

I heard even Santorum tried positioning himself as pro-choice in his early runs for office. That one really surprised me.

Nothing should ever be surprising in politics! (Joking…but only a little!)

209 ObserverArt  Feb 2, 2015 9:33:45am

re: #154 b_sharp

The Plaque is why toothbrushes were invented.

Opps! Hehee…maybe I was not totally awake!

210 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:35:08am

re: #208 ObserverArt

Nothing should ever be surprising in politics! (Joking…but only a little!)

I know what you mean but I really thought that would have been an issue that Santorum would have been a constant on.

211 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 9:41:40am

re: #210 HappyWarrior

I know what you mean but I really thought that would have been an issue that Santorum would have been a constant on.

Santorum, among many other politicians, would come out in favor of fellating two weeks’ dead pigs if it would get him elected.

212 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 9:43:09am

re: #211 Higgs Boson’s Mate

Santorum, among many other politicians, would come out in favor of fellating two weeks’ dead pigs if it would get him elected.

I don’t disagree haha but I really thought that being an anti-choice zealot would have been a hallmark of Santorum’s political career with his religious zealotry.

213 The Vicious Babushka  Feb 2, 2015 9:48:03am

WHUT
This sounds horrific==>

214 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 9:51:11am

re: #213 The Vicious Babushka

WHUT
This sounds horrific==>

Who are you to doubt the author of _Straight Talk, No Chaser: How to Find and Keep a Man_?
/////////

215 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 9:52:15am

re: #212 HappyWarrior

I don’t disagree haha but I really thought that being an anti-choice zealot would have been a hallmark of Santorum’s political career with his religious zealotry.

As would I. Underneath it all he’s just a politician whose last name has become a Google joke and who will never live down this photo op:

216 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 9:53:01am

The key way to repel Steve it appears is to tell him you’re an atheist.

Wikipedia -

“On May 30, 2009, Harvey appeared on an episode of Larry King Live guest hosted by Joy Behar.[28] During that interview, he asserted that women should not date atheists who, he claimed, have “no moral barometer.” He opined that atheists are “idiot[s]” and stated that his usual response to discussions with atheists is to walk away.”

217 Higgs Boson's Mate  Feb 2, 2015 9:54:17am

re: #213 The Vicious Babushka

WHUT
This sounds horrific==>

[Embedded content]

How Stella was Humiliated into Pretending She Got Her Groove Back

218 Ace-o-aces  Feb 2, 2015 9:58:04am
219 Backwoods_Sleuth  Feb 2, 2015 10:01:33am
220 #FergusonFireside  Feb 2, 2015 10:01:38am
221 No Country For Old Haters  Feb 2, 2015 10:03:27am

re: #108 Lidane

Chris Christie’s presidential hopes vanished the moment he embraced Obama during Hurricane Sandy.

Yep, sanity is a deal-breaker for the deranged Republican base. They’ll only nominate someone totally unacceptable to the reality-based community.

222 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 10:05:13am

re: #216 Feline Fearless Leader

The key way to repel Steve it appears is to tell him you’re an atheist.

Wikipedia -

Yeah I heard about that. What an ass.

223 No Country For Old Haters  Feb 2, 2015 10:05:48am

re: #216 Feline Fearless Leader

He opined that atheists are “idiot[s]”
Wikipedia -

Delusional people always believe that anyone who doesn’t share their foolish beliefs is an idiot. Of course Harvey won’t be able to provide any evidence to support his claims regarding the supernatural, because the supernatural is imaginary.

224 darthstar  Feb 2, 2015 10:08:19am
Sigh…
225 HappyWarrior  Feb 2, 2015 10:10:52am

re: #224 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Only in America do we have people who think climate change scientists are greedy while corporate executives who have a vested economic interest in climate change not being real are good honest men.

226 Feline Fearless Leader  Feb 2, 2015 10:57:10am

re: #224 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Don’t drive angry!

227 GlutenFreeJesus  Feb 2, 2015 6:07:33pm
Yeah. Shit’s real, yo.

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