GOP: The Party of Tea Parties and Alex Jones

PoliticsMay 2010 • Views: 3,065

One of the best indicators of the extremism that now dominates the Republican Party is the very likely nomination of Ron Paul’s son, Rand Paul, for the US Senate in Kentucky. Like his father Ron, Rand Paul is about as far to the right as it’s possible for a human being to be.

And also like his father, Rand appears frequently on the web/radio show of one of the most insane conspiracy-mongering freaks in the country — Alex Jones.

Youtube Video

Rand Paul is also the odds-on favorite of the neo-Nazi and white supremacist contingent of the right wing — another distinction he shares with his father.

It would be comical to see the GOP turning themselves into the party of extremists, nativists, and conspiracy nuts, except that for our republic to function well we need two healthy parties. What we have now is one semi-functioning party, and one party that has apparently lost its mind.

UPDATE at 5/17/10 9:45:25 am:

Rand Paul told the Associated Press today that a victory by him will be a “clear mandate” for the tea party movement.

Jump to bottom

160 comments

sffilk Mon, May 17, 2010 9:27:41am

Wait - this Alex Jones is for real? The bankers staged 9/11??

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:30:24am

Goddamn these idiots and what they've done to RWRs party and mine!

Cannadian Club Akbar Mon, May 17, 2010 9:31:07am

Ron Paul!! No, wait..
/

The Curmudgeon Mon, May 17, 2010 9:31:22am

Charles says: "What we have now is one semi-functioning party, and one party that has apparently lost its mind."

I agree that the GOP seems to be deep in the fever swamps, but the Dems are functioning only in the sense that they've been winning elections and getting some super-expensive legislation passed. My reaction these days is: A pox on both of them.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:32:53am

re: #4 The Curmudgeon
I just wonder how dismal the mid term election turnout may be? You may have conservatives, such as myself stay home because of lunacy like this.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:35:31am

IMO "bankers" may be code word for da Juice.

Vicious Michigan Union Thug Mon, May 17, 2010 9:36:04am

re: #6 pingjockey

IMO "bankers" may be code word for da Juice.

Ya think?

The Curmudgeon Mon, May 17, 2010 9:36:47am

re: #5 pingjockey

I just wonder how dismal the mid term election turnout may be? You may have conservatives, such as myself stay home because of lunacy like this.

I wouldn't vote for a Dem, ever. As for the GOP, I'll never vote for a creationist, flat-earth theocrat. So I may be staying home too.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:36:58am

re: #7 Alouette

Just a WAG!

Cannadian Club Akbar Mon, May 17, 2010 9:37:10am

I think Alex Jones needs a hug.

Randall Gross Mon, May 17, 2010 9:37:19am

No surprises here, we've been talking about Son of Paulenstein for a while - the fact that he's far right as you can get without wearing armbands and making strange salutes is something going uncovered by the press at large.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:38:31am

re: #8 The Curmudgeon

Or we need to get out and fight for common sense conservatives, who suddenly seem to be an endangered species!

Virginia Plain Mon, May 17, 2010 9:40:38am

That's it, I'm voting for D's this election. And maybe Obama will get my vote in 2012 too because the alternative is just bat-shit loony.

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 9:41:56am

To be fair, Charles, the official organs of the GOP have opposed Rand Paul since the get-go and have properly funded his opponents. However, Luap Dnar is benefiting from the anti-Washington furor in the bases of both parties right now (though the GOP's is more visible and crazy). The voters in Kentucky want to put a thumb in DC's eye, and a Paul is the man with which to do that. It's follish, still.

Virginia Plain Mon, May 17, 2010 9:43:18am

I also don't like the Washington mentality that all politicians have been socialized into, but the alternative offered is bat-shit loony.

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 9:43:23am

SteelPH, please don't just downding. If you don't like what is being posted, kindly say why. Stealth dinging is not nice.

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 9:45:08am

Gold?

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:45:26am

re: #16 Dark_Falcon

GMTA, I always post why I downding, but seldom, if ever say a word about updings.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:45:42am

re: #17 Varek Raith
Seeds!

Virginia Plain Mon, May 17, 2010 9:46:06am

re: #6 pingjockey

IMO "bankers" may be code word for da Juice.

The Pope is Catholic, and the sun sets in the west and rises in the east.

nanook37 Mon, May 17, 2010 9:46:17am

I find it interesting that both of the Pauls are called (or want to be called) libertarians but are pro-life enough to get Dobson and the other Socons to endorse them. Then you have these crazy conspiracy nuts and racists who are wild about them... Hopefully the adults will get back in control of the party sometime soon (although I doubt it...)

BTW - Don't you think Rand (Ron) Paul should be shouted like "STEVE HOLT" from Arrested Development....

The Curmudgeon Mon, May 17, 2010 9:46:37am

re: #16 Dark_Falcon

SteelPH, please don't just downding. If you don't like what is being posted, kindly say why. Stealth dinging is not nice.

Happens to me all the time. I don't care.

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 9:46:39am

re: #18 pingjockey

GMTA, I always post why I downding, but seldom, if ever say a word about updings.

If we did, threads would go on for all eternity.
:)

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:47:15am

re: #23 Varek Raith
Yep.

Reginald Perrin Mon, May 17, 2010 9:47:21am

re: #10 Cannadian Club Akbar

I think Alex Jones needs a hug.

He needs a bear hug, preferably one from a 800 lb grizzly bear.
/

Obdicut Mon, May 17, 2010 9:47:46am

re: #21 nanook37

Dr. Paul senior is a theocrat type who wants abortion banned. He's not in the least bit Libertarian, and self-designated libertarians who support him are either cynical or naive.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:48:23am

re: #20 Virginia Plain
Yeah, that was kind of obvious! However, them damn "bankers" are late again! With my Zionist conspiracy check.

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 9:48:31am

re: #26 Obdicut

Dr. Paul senior is a theocrat type who wants abortion banned. He's not in the least bit Libertarian, and self-designated libertarians who support him are either cynical or naive.

The official Libertarian Party is full of anarchist nutters.

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 9:48:36am

re: #15 Virginia Plain

I also don't like the Washington mentality that all politicians have been socialized into, but the alternative offered is bat-shit loony.

What's funny to me, they think that by voting for these fringe candidates, the world will then change in their favor. Change takes a lot of time. I vote for liberals with the most experience. Newcomers would have to really wow me to get my vote and I honestly can't think of any that do. Local, state or national.

The GOP can kiss anything that's left of the Hispanic vote goodbye, that's for sure.

Randall Gross Mon, May 17, 2010 9:48:44am

re: #17 Varek Raith

Gold?

Funny you should mention that -- I posted the "Beck has Nazi Tourette's" vid over at my place, and so far I've gotten about 15 "buy gold" spam links....

Obdicut Mon, May 17, 2010 9:52:09am

re: #4 The Curmudgeon

No, the Democrats are also functioning by not associating with Alex Jones, not having congressmen openly engaging in birtherism, not trying to break down the walls between church and state, and in general not being hysterical.

I do not understand why the "they're both equally as bad" meme is still going strong. Sheer probability would say that at any given time, either the Republicans or the Democrats are zanier. There's no cosmic force making sure they're aligned.

sffilk Mon, May 17, 2010 9:52:35am

re: #8 The Curmudgeon

I wouldn't vote for a Dem, ever. As for the GOP, I'll never vote for a creationist, flat-earth theocrat. So I may be staying home too.

The problem is, if you do and someone you know can't do the job gets in, you can't complain about it because you didn't vote.

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 9:53:24am

re: #25 Reginald Perrin

He needs a bear hug, preferably one from a 800 lb grizzly bear.
/

I think he just needs a spanking. ;)

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:54:05am

re: #32 sffilk
There is that. So, I'll be voting, for whom, I have no damn idea.

sffilk Mon, May 17, 2010 9:54:50am

re: #34 pingjockey

There is that. So, I'll be voting, for whom, I have no damn idea.

Well, you could do what I did in the last presidential - I literally typed in "none of the above."

Reginald Perrin Mon, May 17, 2010 9:55:53am

re: #33 Dark_Falcon

I think he just needs a spanking. ;)

It's too bad Floral Giraffe is "tied up" at the moment, she'd be perfect for the role.

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 9:56:01am

re: #8 The Curmudgeon

I wouldn't vote for a Dem, ever. As for the GOP, I'll never vote for a creationist, flat-earth theocrat. So I may be staying home too.

Certainly your decision, but I think the vote is too important to not participate. It's your only true function of democracy in our republic. We are a republic, a democratically elected republic.

I also vote for all those who don't have the rights to vote. I vote for my sisters of long ago who protested to give women the vote and those three young men who were murdered trying to give Blacks the vote.

Have I guilted you enough? Please vote.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:56:39am

re: #35 sffilk
Mwahahaha! Thing is, does that invalidate your ballot? I remember a couple of time while in the navy, on my absentee ballot I wrote in Michey Mouse.

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 9:56:41am

I don't vote on party lines. I vote on who I think is the lesser idiot.
;)

Cheese Eating Victory Monkey Mon, May 17, 2010 9:58:54am

Wow. That Jones character managed to tie in three(!) anti-semitic conspiracy theories in one sound bite:

1. "Bankers" a.k.a. "The Jews"
2. Poisoning the water supply (i.e. Jews poisoning the wells)
3. 9/11 (i.e. The Jews did it/ The Jews had advanced warning, etc.)

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 10:00:30am

re: #39 Varek Raith

I don't vote on party lines. I vote on who I think is the lesser idiot.
;)

Or, as I like to put it, both sides have their crazy. I just vote for the crazy that doesn't make me want to kick puppies.

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:00:49am

I guess I can understand voting party line but personally you'll never catch me claiming that I'll only vote for this or that party. I vote for a candidate. If I like what he says and have some faith that he/she is worth my support then I'll vote for them and I couldn't care less about party to which they belong.

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:02:02am

re: #38 pingjockey

Mwahahaha! Thing is, does that invalidate your ballot? I remember a couple of time while in the navy, on my absentee ballot I wrote in Michey Mouse.

I thought Disney buried Mickey's pot smoking, porn loving cousin Michey forever. How'd you find out about it?

Cannadian Club Akbar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:02:04am

re: #42 Locker

The candidate I voted for in the 2004 Senate primary got .2% of the vote. I'm with ya.

Four More Tears Mon, May 17, 2010 10:02:38am

re: #41 Lidane

Or, as I like to put it, both sides have their crazy. I just vote for the crazy that doesn't make me want to kick puppies.

Vote like that and the newborn Cocker Spaniels win!

Cannadian Club Akbar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:04:11am

Work. See ya'll tonight.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:04:16am

re: #43 Locker
I dug really, really deep!

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:04:26am

re: #43 Locker

I thought Disney buried Mickey's pot smoking, porn loving cousin Michey forever. How'd you find out about it?

He's got 'connected' friends. Even if Disney made someone part of a highway, he'd know where to bring the jackhammers.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, May 17, 2010 10:05:12am

re: #41 Lidane

Or, as I like to put it, both sides have their crazy. I just vote for the crazy that doesn't make me want to kick puppies.

I really found myself biting the bullet and voting for Bush in 2000. Although I did not support him or his policies, I just could not bring myself to vote for Lieberman/Gore.

And I felt I had to vote for somebody so I would have the moral right to whine and moan.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:05:37am

re: #43 Locker

Actually, my coffee cup was in the way, and since I'm keyboard challenged, I hit the wrong key!

Wozza Matter? Mon, May 17, 2010 10:05:54am

re: #8 The Curmudgeon

I wouldn't vote for a Dem, ever. As for the GOP, I'll never vote for a creationist, flat-earth theocrat. So I may be staying home too.

Turn up and write "none of the above"...................

Kragar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:06:15am

I'm really getting sick and tired of these fucking nutballs.

Wozza Matter? Mon, May 17, 2010 10:06:36am

re: #51 wozzablog

Turn up and write "none of the above"...

Oooops.......... yeah, only if you have a paper ballot, the repair bills on the machines are pretty expensive.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:06:40am

re: #51 wozzablog

Alfred E. Neuman(sp).

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:07:32am

re: #52 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I'm really getting sick and tired of these fucking nutballs.

The topic of the thread or your co-workers...or both?
;)

Randall Gross Mon, May 17, 2010 10:07:33am

re: #42 Locker

I guess I can understand voting party line but personally you'll never catch me claiming that I'll only vote for this or that party. I vote for a candidate. If I like what he says and have some faith that he/she is worth my support then I'll vote for them and I couldn't care less about party to which they belong.

I'm with you on that, however party affiliation is also a measure of commitment to and Ideology - currently the right has grown so nihilistic, delusional, and bereft of real Ideas that I can't be a part of the GOP anymore. After August I will switch to D since I promised to hang in and fight for sanity through the primaries.

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:07:48am

re: #51 wozzablog

Turn up and write "none of the above"...

Montgomery Brewster baby!

Wozza Matter? Mon, May 17, 2010 10:07:56am

re: #54 pingjockey

had to run a google on that - but appropriate as anything ;-)

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:08:38am

re: #52 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I'm really getting sick and tired of these fucking nutballs.

You and me both. Please don't put this nut in, Kentucky. He's a loon who learned crazy at his father's knee.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:08:53am

re: #58 wozzablog
Ah, old Mad magazine guy. "What, me worry?"

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:09:07am

Vote Evil!
Image: 128702236856640439.jpg

Randall Gross Mon, May 17, 2010 10:09:10am

Argh...

"We are dealing with people who think they should rebel until they get their little kingdom like Satan did," said Beck. "You know what? Thanks, Mr. President, but I think we're going to keep the Internet the way it is right now. You know—or at least until people who are worshipping Satan, you know, aren't in office."

-- Glen Beck.

[Link: arstechnica.com...]

Could it be SATAN!?

argggh

dadaist Mon, May 17, 2010 10:09:29am

This is a Senate seat in Kentucky. Six year terms and a heavy Red lean. If this nutbar gets the Republican nomination, he's likely to be there for the long haul. Senate primaries are not a wise place for protest votes.

Of course the alternative, that it isn't a protest vote but that the Republican votes of Kentucky genuinely prefer to be represented by someone who howls madly at the moon, is even more disturbing. Can someone confirm for me that Son of Paul shares his father's views on the gold standard, the Fed, isolationism and the merits of being a complete lunatic?

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:09:57am

re: #62 Thanos

Argh...

-- Glen Beck.

[Link: arstechnica.com...]

Could it be SATAN!?

argggh

LOLWHUT.

webevintage Mon, May 17, 2010 10:10:02am

We are getting rulings from the SC today.

[Link: www.cnn.com...]

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday the federal government has the power to keep some sex offenders behind bars indefinitely after they have served their sentences if officials determine those inmates may prove "sexually dangerous" in the future.

The other ruling I heard was about teens can only get life without parole for murder.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:10:05am

re: #62 Thanos
For cryin' out loud.

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:10:27am

re: #56 Thanos

I'm with you on that, however party affiliation is also a measure of commitment to and Ideology - currently the right has grown so nihilistic, delusional, and bereft of real Ideas that I can't be a part of the GOP anymore. After August I will switch to D since I promised to hang in and fight for sanity through the primaries.

I've never been a registered D or R. Libertarian, Green Party and Independent so far. I miss out on some Primary action but it gives me sense of "freedom of movement" for lack of a better phrase.

Randall Gross Mon, May 17, 2010 10:10:35am

re: #64 Varek Raith

LOLWHUT.

Fox news -- gone to a point beyond parody...

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 10:11:12am

re: #64 Varek Raith

LOLWHUT.

I've been saying that about Glenn Beck for ages. It still blows my mind that anyone takes him seriously.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:11:47am

re: #69 Lidane
What cracks me up, he used to be on CNN.

Kragar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:12:46am

re: #55 Varek Raith

The topic of the thread or your co-workers...or both?
;)

Yes.

Racer X Mon, May 17, 2010 10:13:58am

Beck + Palin + Tea Parties = 8 years of Obama.

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 10:14:34am

re: #70 pingjockey

What cracks me up, he used to be on CNN.

Yeah, well CNN has sucked for years because they keep trying to play the middle ground and only come across as spineless.

Give me the Beeb for my news any day.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:15:59am

re: #73 Lidane
Really? I may have to look at their on line site.

pingjockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:16:14am

BBIAB

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:16:46am

Calif. bill would block Texas textbook changes

California may soon take a stand against proposed changes to social studies textbooks ordered by the Texas school board, as a way to prevent them from being incorporated in California texts.

Legislation by Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, seeks to protect the nation's largest public school population from the revised social studies curriculum approved in March by the Texas Board of Education. Critics say if the changes are incorporated into textbooks, they will be historically inaccurate and dismissive of the contributions of minorities.

Threw this up on LGF pages and figured I'd drop it here too. Hate on California all you want but we are often the first line of defense/attack on important issues. In this case, wingnuts trying to change education and history...

watching you tiny alien kittens are Mon, May 17, 2010 10:17:18am

re: #65 webevintage

We are getting rulings from the SC today.

[Link: www.cnn.com...]

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday the federal government has the power to keep some sex offenders behind bars indefinitely after they have served their sentences if officials determine those inmates may prove "sexually dangerous" in the future.

The other ruling I heard was about teens can only get life without parole for murder.

You got the first part right, but the second ruling was that you could not give teens life without parole if they had not committed murder. If they kill someone then you can still give them LWP.

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 10:18:07am

re: #76 Locker

Calif. bill would block Texas textbook changes

Good. Someone needs to step in as a voice of reason. Those textbook changes are unconscionable.

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, May 17, 2010 10:18:10am

re: #4 The Curmudgeon

Charles says: "What we have now is one semi-functioning party, and one party that has apparently lost its mind."

I agree that the GOP seems to be deep in the fever swamps, but the Dems are functioning only in the sense that they've been winning elections and getting some super-expensive legislation passed. My reaction these days is: A pox on both of them.

Why's that down-danged? Dunged? Dinged?

Hieronymus Bosch Mon, May 17, 2010 10:18:23am

Is it necessarily fair to say that Ron Paul is "about as far to the right as it’s possible for a human being to be"? I'd consider myself a severe opponent of Ron Paul's economic views (and is Rand named after Ayn?), and have ambivalent views about the man and his movement of supporters, but looking at his views on war and civil liberties, he'd seem a lot closer to the most liberal Democrats than to most conservative members of the Republican Party. (Is the Patriot Act right-wing, or is opposing the Patriot Act right-wing?)

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:18:23am

re: #76 Locker

Calif. bill would block Texas textbook changes

Threw this up on LGF pages and figured I'd drop it here too. Hate on California all you want but we are often the first line of defense/attack on important issues. In this case, wingnuts trying to change education and history...

Three words.
Federal. Textbook. Standards.
Sorry, Texas, you don't have the State Right to alter history.

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:19:54am

re: #76 Locker

Calif. bill would block Texas textbook changes

Threw this up on LGF pages and figured I'd drop it here too. Hate on California all you want but we are often the first line of defense/attack on important issues. In this case, wingnuts trying to change education and history...

That might have an effect, but it will be blunted by CA's inability to buy textbooks right now. The textbook publishers will give Texas what it wants because Texas still has the money to make purchases. Money talks, nobody walks.

Spare O'Lake Mon, May 17, 2010 10:20:09am

re: #79 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Why's that down-danged? Dunged? Dinged?

The partisanship is strong in America.

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:20:40am

re: #81 Varek Raith

Three words.
Federal. Textbook. Standards.
Sorry, Texas, you don't have the State Right to alter history.

Hey I noticed you have your political compass as a link on your handle. I'll post mine when I get home. I'm fairly close to the bottom left hand corner, more liberal than Gandhi.

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:21:11am

re: #79 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Why's that down-danged? Dunged? Dinged?

No way to know. blueherron and SteelPH are stealth dingers. They rarely post and explain themselves.

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:21:23am

re: #83 Spare O'Lake

The partisanship is strong in America.

Indeed. So strong that some have to point out their opponent's crazies as counter balance to their own parties crazies....
;)

Walter L. Newton Mon, May 17, 2010 10:21:58am

re: #84 Locker

Hey I noticed you have your political compass as a link on your handle. I'll post mine when I get home. I'm fairly close to the bottom left hand corner, more liberal than Gandhi.

Gandhi was also a anti-semite.

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:22:06am

re: #83 Spare O'Lake

The partisanship is strong in America.

And in Canada too. It's a part of the democratic political process.

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, May 17, 2010 10:22:17am

re: #85 Dark_Falcon

BlueHerron posts quite a bit.

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:23:20am

re: #82 Dark_Falcon

That might have an effect, but it will be blunted by CA's inability to buy textbooks right now. The textbook publishers will give Texas what it wants because Texas still has the money to make purchases. Money talks, nobody walks.

Well the textbook thing is more of a district issue in California. Jack O'Connell does a great job at fighting for not only the educational money but for his own staff. He basically refused to furlough his staff and instead came up with the requested cuts from other areas.

He's well respected but, unfortunately, gone soon.

Walter L. Newton Mon, May 17, 2010 10:25:35am

re: #88 Dark_Falcon

And in Canada too. It's a part of the democratic political process.

That seems to bother some people. There is nothing anyone is going to be able to do about Rand paul, the Tea party, the Texas schoolbooks and so on... if that's what the people want, and they elect representatives that agree with them.

We can hem and haw all we want, but if there is not a better conservative alternative, a majority of conservatives will find all this further right thought as a comfy home.

So far, there is nothing the left can offer, and the middle right is certainly loosing out to the idiots.

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, May 17, 2010 10:25:59am

re: #90 Locker

Well the textbook thing is more of a district issue in California. Jack O'Connell does a great job at fighting for not only the educational money but for his own staff. He basically refused to furlough his staff and instead came up with the requested cuts from other areas.

He's well respected but, unfortunately, gone soon.

It's a mater of Market Authority. Texas, as a major purchaser of school textbooks, exerts a lot of influence on what sort of textbooks are offered and what other states then adopt. But if California is putting its foot down, it is a signal that other states will not just accept these travesties of education.

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:26:26am

re: #89 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

BlueHerron posts quite a bit.

blue heron does, blueherron doesn't post very much. He does sometimes, but he's basically a stealth dinger IMO.

Spare O'Lake Mon, May 17, 2010 10:27:06am

re: #88 Dark_Falcon

And in Canada too. It's a part of the democratic political process.

It's a question of degree. Partisanship (aka polarization) seems to be running out of control in America, to the point where calm, rational debate is becoming almost impossible.

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:28:44am

re: #94 Spare O'Lake

It's a question of degree. Partisanship (aka polarization) seems to be running out of control in America, to the point where calm, rational debate is becoming almost impossible.

STOP ECHOING MY THOUGHTS!1!!!!
*Throws Force Lightning about the neighborhood*

Reginald Perrin Mon, May 17, 2010 10:30:14am

re: #88 Dark_Falcon

re: #83 Spare O'Lake

The partisanship is strong in America.

And in Canada too. It's a part of the democratic political process.

There is a big difference however, in Canada we have four parties that consistently win seats in parliament, as opposed to only two parties in the United States.
Currently there is a minority government and that requires cooperation between parties in order to pass legislation. Failure to win a vote in Parliament results in the dissolution of the current Parliament and a new election.

McSpiff Mon, May 17, 2010 10:31:53am

re: #96 Reginald Perrin

There is a big difference however, in Canada we have four parties that consistently win seats in parliament, as opposed to only two parties in the United States.
Currently there is a minority government and that requires cooperation between parties in order to pass legislation. Failure to win a vote in Parliament results in the dissolution of the current Parliament and a new election.

Canadians also seem to accept the idea that parties will split up, merge, etc. You don't always get these weird internal coalitions like the states. Personally, I think the smartest thing the GOP could do would be to toss the Tea Partiers out as a third party. Might cost them one or two elections,but the long term gains would be huge.

Fart Knocker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:32:00am

re: #70 pingjockey

What cracks me up, he used to be on CNN.

What is funny is that I watched him a little bit on CNN and actually thought he had some good points. He was somewhat conservative. Now on Fox he is full-blown crazy!!!!

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:33:25am

re: #95 Varek Raith

STOP ECHOING MY THOUGHTS!1!!!
*Throws Force Lightning about the neighborhood*

OUCH! That hurt!

100

Boogberg Mon, May 17, 2010 10:33:30am

What do we do if these fuckers actually win? It's not out of the realm of possibilities.

101

McSpiff Mon, May 17, 2010 10:33:31am

re: #98 rwdflynavy

What is funny is that I watched him a little bit on CNN and actually thought he had some good points. He was somewhat conservative. Now on Fox he is full-blown crazy!!!

Uhhh did we watch the same guy? I distinctly remember him discussing whether or not Iran was the harbinger of the end times on CNN Headline news.

102

Shiplord Kirel Mon, May 17, 2010 10:34:07am

re: #91 Walter L. Newton

That seems to bother some people. There is nothing anyone is going to be able to do about Rand paul, the Tea party, the Texas schoolbooks and so on... if that's what the people want, and they elect representatives that agree with them.

We can hem and haw all we want, but if there is not a better conservative alternative, a majority of conservatives will find all this further right thought as a comfy home.

So far, there is nothing the left can offer, and the middle right is certainly loosing out to the idiots.

That is one of the best insights I've seen here recently, Walter.
For whatever reason, there is a vacuum and the nuts are rushing to fill it.

103

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 10:35:15am

re: #84 Locker

Hey I noticed you have your political compass as a link on your handle. I'll post mine when I get home. I'm fairly close to the bottom left hand corner, more liberal than Gandhi.

Here's my compass. I hadn't taken that test in ages, but my results tend to be consistent, at least. Heh.

104

Dark_Falcon Mon, May 17, 2010 10:35:31am

re: #94 Spare O'Lake

It's a question of degree. Partisanship (aka polarization) seems to be running out of control in America, to the point where calm, rational debate is becoming almost impossible.

That's true. The two sides are barely on speaking terms most of the time, and formal debates are just talking point contests. Anyone who tries genuine interaction and negotiation can only do so in private. If they do it in public, they get called a fake and/or a traitor.

105

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 10:35:51am

re: #95 Varek Raith

*Throws Force Lightning about the neighborhood*

Hey, cool! My cable box isn't screwing up anymore. Thanks! ;)

106

darthstar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:36:25am

The inmates have been in charge of the GOP Asylum for years now. It's only that the media is starting to take notice that some people are beginning to raise an eyebrow over this. Krugman has a good op-ed on it today.

107

Kragar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:36:50am

re: #95 Varek Raith

STOP ECHOING MY THOUGHTS!1!!!
*Throws Force Lightning about the neighborhood*

Heh, silly Force wielder. We'll have to send a Culexus to round you up.

BTW, turns out I'm a Centrist, who knew?

108

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:37:17am

re: #105 Lidane

Hey, cool! My cable box isn't screwing up anymore. Thanks! ;)

Dammit, I'm an all powerful Sith Lord, not a cable repair man!
:D

109

prairiefire Mon, May 17, 2010 10:37:42am

re: #92 ralphieboy

A lizard posted last week that the textbook modules where much easier to switch out as per the needs of each state. He said due to modernization in the textbook publishing industry, it was now easy and cheap to do.

110

Kragar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:37:49am

re: #108 Varek Raith

Dammit, I'm an all powerful Sith Lord, not a cable repair man!
:D

I thought you were a Doctor, Bones.

111

McSpiff Mon, May 17, 2010 10:39:05am

re: #98 rwdflynavy

What is funny is that I watched him a little bit on CNN and actually thought he had some good points. He was somewhat conservative. Now on Fox he is full-blown crazy!!!

Glenn Beck on CNN Headline News:

Youtube Video

He's just asking questions though! Are we in the End of Days?

112

prairiefire Mon, May 17, 2010 10:40:19am

re: #103 Lidane

Here's my compass. I hadn't taken that test in ages, but my results tend to be consistent, at least. Heh.

I am on the same longitude line, two lines to the left. Heh. Varek Raith has his posted on his nic.

113

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, May 17, 2010 10:40:30am

re: #109 prairiefire

A lizard posted last week that the textbook modules where much easier to switch out as per the needs of each state. He said due to modernization in the textbook publishing industry, it was now easy and cheap to do.

I hope we see the day when schoolkids just get Kindles and the school districts download the material they appropriate

114

Varek Raith Mon, May 17, 2010 10:40:51am

re: #110 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I thought you were a Doctor, Bones.

Your location has been targeted.
Image: SBmusic5.JPG

115

prairiefire Mon, May 17, 2010 10:41:08am

re: #113 ralphieboy

We might not see it but it will happen!

116

Stanghazi Mon, May 17, 2010 10:41:45am

re: #106 darthstar

The inmates have been in charge of the GOP Asylum for years now. It's only that the media is starting to take notice that some people are beginning to raise an eyebrow over this. Krugman has a good op-ed on it today.

And I'm reading in the links that Michele Bachmann and Orly Taitz appeared together @ a tea party.

117

Kragar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:43:23am

re: #114 Varek Raith

Your location has been targeted.
Image: SBmusic5.JPG

KA-PWING --->

118

Feline Fearless Leader Mon, May 17, 2010 10:43:24am

re: #113 ralphieboy

I hope we see the day when schoolkids just get Kindles and the school districts download the material they appropriate

Along with the spyware to remotely turn on the camera built into the Kindle. Big Brother/Sister is watching, and we've always been at war with East Asia...

119

Walter L. Newton Mon, May 17, 2010 10:44:23am

re: #102 Shiplord Kirel

That is one of the best insights I've seen here recently, Walter.
For whatever reason, there is a vacuum and the nuts are rushing to fill it.

And I'll give you my opinion as to why there is a vacuum. Because politicians of all stripes are so beholden to special interest, big money, corporate control, you know the drill, the plutocracy and the politicians personal kleptocracy, there is plenty of opportunity for a vacuum to develop, since our real representatives are missing in action, busy with their own action.

It's not new, it's happened before in history, look at almost any historical society that has long disappeared, and you will see how greed and personal gain by the so called "leaders" have brought about the downfall of that civilization.

And it's happening again, and there is nothing that's going to stop it. But everything will collapse while we are so dearly holding on to our partisanship, our feel good, feel right, be damned attitude.

And you think Alex Jones is scary? You think Sarah Palin is a problem, those people are just the forward vanguard, the public face of the real nuts... and you will see them if this all doesn't stop.

120

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, May 17, 2010 10:44:27am

re: #93 Dark_Falcon

So, your telling me there's two of them.

Well, howabout that.

I've noticed, no one masquerades as me.

121

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, May 17, 2010 10:45:11am

re: #118 oaktree

Along with the spyware to remotely turn on the camera built into the Kindle. Big Brother/Sister is watching, and we've always been at war with East Asia...

//

Well what the heck, the spines of school books are already bound with a special chemical to make kids more susceptible to liberal demagoguery.

///

122

darthstar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:45:18am

re: #116 Stanley Sea

And I'm reading in the links that Michele Bachmann and Orly Taitz appeared together @ a tea party.

Now there's some lesbian bondage action I can do without.

123

Fart Knocker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:45:30am

re: #101 McSpiff

Uhhh did we watch the same guy? I distinctly remember him discussing whether or not Iran was the harbinger of the end times on CNN Headline news.

You must have been a bigger fan, I only watched him a couple times. ;)

124

Sol Berdinowitz Mon, May 17, 2010 10:46:10am

re: #122 darthstar

Now there's some lesbian bondage action I can do without.

Will they sit up in bed together and share an after-birther cigarette?

125

Dancing along the light of day Mon, May 17, 2010 10:46:32am

re: #36 Reginald Perrin

It's too bad Floral Giraffe is "tied up" at the moment, she'd be perfect for the role.

Ewww.
I'm pickier than THAT.
*smack*

126

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:46:46am

re: #103 Lidane

Here's my compass. I hadn't taken that test in ages, but my results tend to be consistent, at least. Heh.

Well I retook the test just for fun and I'm basically still in the same area:

[Link: www.politicalcompass.org...]

Yes, more liberal than Gandhi and the Dalai Lama.

127

prairiefire Mon, May 17, 2010 10:48:01am

re: #119 Walter L. Newton

Write a story about it, Walter.

128

ExCamelJockey Mon, May 17, 2010 10:51:33am

"What we have now is one semi-functioning party, and one party that has apparently lost its mind."

I discovered that you must be referring to Democrats in your "lost its mind" comment. Using the rigorously proven scientific approach of counting Google hits, "democrats have lost their minds" yields triple the hits than the same phrase for republicans. The same holds true for my control group of counting hits for "democrats" + "out of your vulcan mind". That pretty much makes it a fact.

129

Stanghazi Mon, May 17, 2010 10:51:34am

re: #127 prairiefire

Write a story about it, Walter.

Yeah!

130

Reginald Perrin Mon, May 17, 2010 10:56:41am

re: #125 Floral Giraffe

Ewww.
I'm pickier than THAT.
*smack*

How the heck did you get untied?

*smooch*

131

darthstar Mon, May 17, 2010 10:59:03am

re: #126 Locker

Well I retook the test just for fun and I'm basically still in the same area:

[Link: www.politicalcompass.org...]

Yes, more liberal than Gandhi and the Dalai Lama.

Man, I'm more conservative than I thought!

132

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 10:59:55am

re: #131 darthstar

Man, I'm more conservative than I thought!

Yea you forking conservative!

133

ryannon Mon, May 17, 2010 11:00:16am

re: #103 Lidane

Here's my compass. I hadn't taken that test in ages, but my results tend to be consistent, at least. Heh.

I'm even farther left than you!

Na-na-na-na-na

134

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 11:00:19am

re: #122 darthstar

Now there's some lesbian bondage action I can do without.

lol You could break your weenus. But then you could take it to the Deuce. They're obsessed with weenus' now over there.

135

Dancing along the light of day Mon, May 17, 2010 11:00:49am

re: #130 Reginald Perrin

Hee Hee.

136

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 11:01:13am

re: #126 Locker

Well I retook the test just for fun and I'm basically still in the same area:

[Link: www.politicalcompass.org...]

Yes, more liberal than Gandhi and the Dalai Lama.

I don't like these quizzes. Some of the questions are really dumb.

"The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist."

How about equally important?? I'm still getting through it.

137

Dancing along the light of day Mon, May 17, 2010 11:02:16am

re: #134 marjoriemoon

They're just obsessed.
I guess we really upset them, the other night.
I do hope they learned something...

138

ryannon Mon, May 17, 2010 11:07:51am

re: #137 Floral Giraffe

They're just obsessed.
I guess we really upset them, the other night.
I do hope they learned something...

It takes a while to learn some of the knots involved. Give them time.

139

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 11:08:23am

re: #137 Floral Giraffe

They're just obsessed.
I guess we really upset them, the other night.
I do hope they learned something...

I don't know how. They come here, register socks, pretend they're "real" users, bully us into arguments and then run back point and taunt. WTF??

Psychiatry hasn't even scratched the surface of what's wrong with these people. I have elementary school kids in my family who aren't this immature.

140

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 11:10:14am

re: #133 ryannon

I'm even farther left than you!

Na-na-na-na-na

Here's mine.

[Link: www.politicalcompass.org...]

I don't like this test LOL What's a social libertarian? Pro abortion, pro gay marriage? I'm ok with that, but the last thing I'd call myself is a libertarian.

141

Dancing along the light of day Mon, May 17, 2010 11:10:24am

re: #139 marjoriemoon

Many of them used to be posters, and can't get over being banned.
Teh stupid, hurts.

Later taters!

142

Obdicut Mon, May 17, 2010 11:11:51am

re: #140 marjoriemoon

Most of those tests are by people who want to drive people to associate themselves with something, often libertarianism, so they define it rather loosely.

143

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 11:15:03am

re: #136 marjoriemoon

I don't like these quizzes. Some of the questions are really dumb.

"The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist."

How about equally important?? I'm still getting through it.

Well there was at least one where I wasn't comfortable taking a position but there isn't a "no opinion" choice so I just did my best.

144

prairiefire Mon, May 17, 2010 11:15:31am

re: #140 marjoriemoon

It seems to be more "leery of the Man" in this case. Far away from Authoritarian~Yuck.

145

Fozzie Bear Mon, May 17, 2010 11:16:05am

[Link: www.politicalcompass.org...]

It would appear I am rather socially libertarian, and rather economically liberal. Not surprising, really.

146

Locker Mon, May 17, 2010 11:16:33am

re: #140 marjoriemoon

Here's mine.

[Link: www.politicalcompass.org...]

I don't like this test LOL What's a social libertarian? Pro abortion, pro gay marriage? I'm ok with that, but the last thing I'd call myself is a libertarian.

Well they are using libertarian/authoritarian so basically you can parse it out as Liberal/conservative or left/right etc.

147

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 11:16:49am

re: #142 Obdicut

Most of those tests are by people who want to drive people to associate themselves with something, often libertarianism, so they define it rather loosely.

Yeah. It's not a test I take all that seriously, but I think it's useful forum shorthand. IMO, it's a basic glimpse of where someone might stand, but the real truth is far more nuanced.

148

Fozzie Bear Mon, May 17, 2010 11:17:29am

re: #147 Lidane

Yeah. It's not a test I take all that seriously, but I think it's useful forum shorthand. IMO, it's a basic glimpse of where someone might stand, but the real truth is far more nuanced.

It's certainly more useful and informative than the standard right/left paradigm.

149

prairiefire Mon, May 17, 2010 11:17:35am

I am pleased to be in the company of so many Lefties! I think there are more on this board than in the 5 mile radius of my house.

150

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 11:19:55am

re: #143 Locker

Well there was at least one where I wasn't comfortable taking a position but there isn't a "no opinion" choice so I just did my best.

Most of these quizzes are like that. Blanket statements that don't make you feel comfortable answering either way. I could probably pick out 10 of those in there.

But it's fun I guess. I don't think very accurate, but fun!

151

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 11:20:56am

re: #142 Obdicut

Most of those tests are by people who want to drive people to associate themselves with something, often libertarianism, so they define it rather loosely.

But I thought libertarian was pretty far right.... gads, it's confusing.

152

Obdicut Mon, May 17, 2010 11:26:09am

re: #151 marjoriemoon

Even a six-axes system of politics is a lie. It is not a continuum.

The main problem is that there are ideologies and then there are practical desires. I want zero corporate income tax because I feel that corporate income tax is massively inefficient and personal income tax is the way to go. A much more laissez-faire person might want no corporate income tax for some other reason. I want an end to corporate personhood because I think that only individual sentient entities should have individual rights; a whachy leftist might want to end corporate personhood because they consider corporations part of an oligarchy.

So there's what you want, and why you want it-- that alone makes things too complex to sum up in any trivial way.

153

Mike DeGuzman Mon, May 17, 2010 11:28:57am

re: #69 Lidane

I've been saying that about Glenn Beck for ages. It still blows my mind that anyone takes him seriously.

Just look at the ratings on his show compared to the others on MSNBC, CNN, HLN, etc.

154

What, me worry? Mon, May 17, 2010 11:30:04am

re: #152 Obdicut

Even a six-axes system of politics is a lie. It is not a continuum.

The main problem is that there are ideologies and then there are practical desires. I want zero corporate income tax because I feel that corporate income tax is massively inefficient and personal income tax is the way to go. A much more laissez-faire person might want no corporate income tax for some other reason. I want an end to corporate personhood because I think that only individual sentient entities should have individual rights; a whachy leftist might want to end corporate personhood because they consider corporations part of an oligarchy.

So there's what you want, and why you want it-- that alone makes things too complex to sum up in any trivial way.

Yes, I guess that's true... So I'm not going to ask you to define the term SOCIALIST then LOL We'd be here for days :p

155

Lidane Mon, May 17, 2010 11:37:39am

re: #153 Mike DeGuzman

Just look at the ratings on his show compared to the others on MSNBC, CNN, HLN, etc.

People rubberneck during traffic accidents too. That's not the same thing as taking him seriously.

I get why he has high ratings. The guy rants and raves like a loony. It's the folks who take all that batshit to heart and who think he has a valid point that scare me.

156

S'latch Mon, May 17, 2010 12:34:37pm

There is no question that the Republican Party has lost its collective mind, is off the rails, has gone nuts, etc.

But, I am wondering whether the U.S. political seasons are so cyclical that it won't matter in a few years.

In the second year of the George W. Bush's first term, the Democrats were rather insane and extreme. At the end of Bush's second year of his second term, 2006, the Democrats took both houses of Congress. At the end of 2008, Obama was elected.

We are now into the second year of Obama's first term. I doubt the Republican madness will have run its course by 2014, but the fever may have eased enough by then for the Republicans to win some elections again.

Time will tell. I am only speculating. And, Republicans deserve to be in the wilderness much longer in my opinion.

157

ClaudeMonet Mon, May 17, 2010 10:33:57pm

I'm slightly left of center and slightly libertarian as opposed to authoritarian. It's about what I expected.

I wish there had been a "neither agree nor disagree" option on about 25% of the questions.

158

ClaudeMonet Mon, May 17, 2010 11:03:45pm

re: #63 dadaist

This is a Senate seat in Kentucky. Six year terms and a heavy Red lean. If this nutbar gets the Republican nomination, he's likely to be there for the long haul. Senate primaries are not a wise place for protest votes.

Of course the alternative, that it isn't a protest vote but that the Republican votes of Kentucky genuinely prefer to be represented by someone who howls madly at the moon, is even more disturbing. Can someone confirm for me that Son of Paul shares his father's views on the gold standard, the Fed, isolationism and the merits of being a complete lunatic?

A view from less than 10 miles from KY--

Kentucky is quite conservative, BUT not necessarily nut-job right-wing. They're more ignorant and distrustful than anything else.

Fortunately, while the Commonwealth is conservative, they're not adverse to Democrats of the more conservative variety, similar to many other Southern states. There's also a fair amount of more "progressive" folks (more educated, more liberal, more teeth) in the Louisville and Lexington areas and in Northern Kentucky, right across the river from Cincinnati, who would be reluctant to vote for Grayson and would never vote for Paul.

IF the Democratic Party is smart (uh boy...), they'll let the Republicans tear each other up, then pour money BUT NOT OUTSIDE NAMES into the race. They don't much care for outsiders.

The real key to the race? Find out which college basketball team Rand roots for. If it's not UK, he's dead meat.

159

yenta-fada Mon, May 17, 2010 11:21:08pm

Oh, my stars and garters! I could write a book on the goldbug movement. They resent having their country taken away from them by: the gubmint, the New World Order, the "banksters" which is definitely code for Jews. They believe that there are no Muslim enemies because they are all truthers and birthers. The Mossad must have millions of members to explain all of their nefarious activities internationally. Do not attempt to reason with these people. They have God on their side. They will be raptured or have hideaways with goats, chickens, and gardens and many many guns. They talk like Guns and Ammo magazine at the drop of a hat. They are all men. They hate city folks. I agree with them on one thing only; that gold is money. They believe that, like Alex Jones reports, there are shape shifting extra-terrestrials in positions of power. There's a definite whiff of white supremacism coming from the whole bunch. They distrust everyone except people who are just like them. Mean-spirited and hateful, they trust a man with callouses on his hands and distrust anybody in a suit. AND, I'm only scraping the surface. The trouble about all of this is that they predicted this "recession" accurately for years and gave plentiful and sound reasons for the mess. They are expecting a depression. I agree with them, but I would not last very long in their company.

160

sffilk Tue, May 18, 2010 6:02:27am

re: #38 pingjockey

Mwahahaha! Thing is, does that invalidate your ballot? I remember a couple of time while in the navy, on my absentee ballot I wrote in Michey Mouse.

It doesn't invalidate the ballot. I'm allowed to write in, and I did.

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