If you had asked me about the worst high-profile political speech I’d ever seen, I would have said it was John McCain’s effort last June, the one with the green backdrop, cringing smile, strangely awkward crowd and the whining “my friends, that’s not change we can believe in.”
Bobby Jindal’s effort last night approached McCain. I had never heard Jindal speak on a formal occasion, and he was bad. Bad message, worse delivery. Some of the harshest reaction came from conservatives who had hopes Jindal could be the party’s standard bearer. David Brooks put it bluntly:
“To come up at this moment in history with a stale ‘government is the problem,’ ‘we can’t trust the federal government’ – it’s just a disaster for the Republican Party…. It’s just not where the country is, it’s not where the future of the country is. There’s an intra-Republican debate. Some people say the Republican Party lost its way because they got too moderate. Some people say they got too weird or too conservative. He thinks they got too moderate, and so he’s making that case. I think it’s insane, and I just think it’s a disaster for the party. I just think it’s unfortunate right now.”
At the Corner at the National Review, they post an email from a longtime reader:
“Jindal’s delivery was weak in this sense: he did not look like someone who could lead this country. He did not instill in me any confidence that he would or could be the standard-bearer in four or eight years, which I was looking for. I wanted him to do well. But he didn’t. … He came across as the guy you’d want to have your daughter bring home, but not the guy you’d want leading your company during tough times.
Even the far-right folks at Free Republic panned it badly:
330 comments Add your comment
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
7:43 am
Geez-
Some of the harshest reaction came from conservatives who had hopes Jindal could be the party’s standard bearer. David Brooks put it bluntly:
I quit reading your column right there.
David Brooks approved of John McCain.
Need I say more?
G
February 25th, 2009
7:48 am
There was a Rushpub named Jindal
Who spun just like a spindle
The words came out wrong
Like he’d puffed on a bong
To President Obama, he can’t hold a kindle.
G. Blanston
February 25th, 2009
7:48 am
With Jindal and Palin as the primary faces and voices of the GOP, the democrats are ensured a long term at the helm. Even for democrat loyalist, it has to be a concern that the GOP cannot do any better in putting forward a good opponent. Strong leaders from both parties is good for the country. The GOP continues to fail America and their party.
For Jindal to have the termerity to turn down any money, regardless of where it comes from, for Louisiana, a despetrately poor, uneducated, under-employed and backward state, shows no compassion or sense for his constituancy.
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
7:51 am
I think I have an idea of what the libs didn’t like about Jindal-
Jindal tried to give us a return to common sense:
“Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It’s irresponsible. And it’s no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs, or build a prosperous future for our children.…”_AmSpec
Duh message.
Observer
February 25th, 2009
7:53 am
Jay says, “Bad message. Worse delivery.”
I agree that that Jindal’s delivery was bad. He looked like he was trying to talk to a classroom full of fifth graders. The only saving grace is that compared to the “bad message” our idiot-in-chief delivered, Jindal came off looking like a genius.
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
7:55 am
I think Jindal and Palin are most excellent choices for the right-wing fringe to rally around. Really, I do.
Road Scholar
February 25th, 2009
8:06 am
Wasn’t it interesting that Gov Jindal was selected to give the speech? Is the GOP closet empty at the Federal level since no Senator or Congressman was selected to give the “Federal” response? Maybe that’s poor wording since I believe Senator Craig’s trial has begun.
I watched the beginning of his speech, but could not watch more. He came out with the “Howdy Doody” smile and said virtually nothing! His tone and content was condescending to me.
I was a supporter of Gov Jindal, but he disappointed me last night.
Road Scholar
February 25th, 2009
8:08 am
Wooten must still be in bed. I wish AJC/DNC had stayed there!
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
8:09 am
Jindal didn’t lie so the libs whine, they like to be fed bull……
Open wide, little sycophants-
Holdren’s particular brand of science is infected by what we can only call a doomsday bias. Over the past 40 years, he has warned of population-growth induced “ecocide,” “global cooling,” global warming due to heat dissipation from power plants, nuclear Armageddon, and — this week — “climate disruption” caused by increased concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Holdren was pressed about his 1986 claim that global warming could cause 1 billion deaths by 2020. Holdren at first dissembled, suggesting that his earlier comment was a “description of possibilities,” rather than a “prediction.” The senator wouldn’t let it slide, so Holdren dug in. He said “it is still a possibility” that climate change would kill 1 billion people by 2020.-AmSpec
That’s Oblahmi’s new shaman, er, chief adviser of junk science..
duh
The Kommunist
February 25th, 2009
8:10 am
Jindal sucked it. Larry Craig blew it.
fearless fosdick
February 25th, 2009
8:13 am
In a word….PATHETIC!
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
8:15 am
I did not listen to Jindal but I’m certain that he delivered that minority party message of We are relevant, We are relevant,in the usual Do Nothing fashion that we have all come to expect. Let me guess, the cornerstone of the minority party is to continue to fight for more tax cuts because paying nothing in taxes now just isn’t good enough for them. They want more. They think that they’re entitled to more.
gttim
February 25th, 2009
8:16 am
To follow a great speaker like Obama, they needed a great speaker as well. Jindal was adequate… for a Jr. High debate club. Is this all the GOP has? Not to mention he was lying right out of the gate. Substance and delivery were lacking.
Plus, where were all the Republicans fiscal conservatives worrying about their children tax obligation while Bush was running up the largest deficits in history. Discretionary spending went through the roof and pork was flying around like bees, yet no Republican fiscal conservatives were going off on their children’s future tax obligation. Funny how they get so upset about it now.
Louisiana Swamp Dog Millionaire
February 25th, 2009
8:17 am
I’m a conservative Democrat (yes, there is such a thing), and I like Jindal in some instances. BUT his delivery last night was horrible and his words were ironic. It was the GWB admin that sat on their hands with katrina and his state got $$ from the government, so…? This time, Jindal–the Louisiana Swamp dog millionaire?–missed the mark. I have always hated that the opposing party makes a rebuttal response just after the president speaks. We need to stop that.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
8:20 am
Didn’t stay up to watch, but just read a transcript.
Question for those who have seen it: did the Gov. make bunny-ears to indicate quotation marks when he uttered the words “magnetic levitation”?
Bubba
February 25th, 2009
8:21 am
Jindal’s delivery was weak, but to criticize his message because it’s not where the country is right now is pathetic. Guess what? He said it because it’s what he believes. How quaint.
Business Items :: Faux State of the Union
February 25th, 2009
8:22 am
[...] Gergen and Brooks exchange some choice words criticizing Jindal. The AJC has collected the best of the, along with a few others, here. [...]
Copyleft
February 25th, 2009
8:26 am
Jindal just kept repeating the same tired old catchphrases that nobody’s buying any more: “Government is Eeeeeevil,” “More Tax Cuts!”, ad nauseam.
That kind of shallow thinking doesn’t work, and America knows it. The Republicans need to come up with something new if they really want to appeal to voters again… deciding that “We screwed up by spending too much” is what a Reagan-airhead economist might do, but it’s not the reason the GOP is out of touch and losing support.
A return to supply-side is not what America wants or needs. But that’s what the GOP is currently married to. Until they break loose from that mindset, they’re going to remain a minority party.
Mort Merkel
February 25th, 2009
8:29 am
Unless people with common sense suddenly seize control of the GOP, or another party rises to supplant them, the American people had better get used to a one-party system. This is not good, but Republicans have been destroying themselves since 1994.
Mrs. Godzilla
February 25th, 2009
8:30 am
Taxpayer
I’m with you…..I hope the GOP continues to rally ’round Palin and Jindal.
But I don’t think it will last. Firstly, the front runners seldom win
and secondly, I believe there are still some Eisenhower Republicans out there and they will eventually regain control of the party.
Bubba
you post “but to criticize his message because it’s not where the country is right now is pathetic.” When in your estimation would it not be pathetic to criticize his message?
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
8:41 am
So I read the thing, it seemed the first half was pretty gracious, and the second half was more or less what one expects. He fibbed about it being a “trillion dollar spending bill” (it’s not a trillion, and it isn’t all spending, so…)
But at least he managed to use the word “Democratic” as an adjective, rather than the preferred imaginary-adjective “Democrat.” I know it’s hard for some Republicans to break that habit.
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
8:46 am
I missed it because C-SPAN couldn’t pick up the feed for some reason. Make love, not war sums up the difference between the parties.
sane jane
February 25th, 2009
8:55 am
“Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need?”
I suppose the loan we asked for in order to wander around the desert & randomly topple a dictator was totally worthwhile, huh?
Why does AJC/DNC insist on quoting from AmSpec like it’s any kind of legit resource? That’s akin to a moonbat constantly posting Kos soundbytes as “proof” of their position.
But yeah, I thought Piyush was kinda creepy. Howdy Doody indeed.
sd
February 25th, 2009
8:56 am
His delivery of “I believe Americans can do anything” was horrible.
And what was he talking about when he kept referring to Louisianna pulling itself up without Federal Government. Last I saw, they got several billion dollars and New Orleans is still far from rebuilt, and crime is through the roof.
His delivery was like Gene Wilder in Willa Wonka. I believe Americans can do anything. Louisianna doesn’t need any help. Welcome to a world of pure imagination.
Normal
February 25th, 2009
8:59 am
I’m lost. I don’t get it. The Republican Party, it seems to me, has
eaten the brownie. They throw out Palin and Lindal as their finest,
They won’t reach out to help this cou ntry and all they can offer is
tax cuts as the only solution. If you are a Government, and you made
50.00 a week (read taxes) and you had 50.00 a week expenses (read S. S.,
Medicade), would lowering your income to 45.00 a week (read tax cuts)
really help? The Republican Party IS the “Do Nothing Party”. And if
they don’t get with the program, come 2110, a bunch of them will have
nothing to do.
Observer
February 25th, 2009
9:00 am
DB, Gwinnettian – In fact, it is indeed more than a trillion when you factor in debt service (interest) on the 787 billion. To state it any other way is misleading because the true cost of the bill to the American people is absolutely inclusive of the interest payments on that debt.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
9:00 am
Wasn’t it interesting that Gov Jindal was selected to give the speech? Is the GOP closet empty at the Federal level since no Senator or Congressman was selected to give the “Federal” response?
I don’t think it’s such a big deal–the GOP had NJ Gov. Christie Todd Whitman respond to a Clinton SoTU address in… looked it up, 1995. Don’t recall that was controversial at the time.
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:01 am
Bookman,
we have 4 years to go until the next election. Bobby Jindal has already said that he will not seek the presidency in 4 years. Just 4 years ago NO ONE gave the democrats any chance of retaking the White House. I guess at your old age you can’t seem to remember that. Anyway, speeches are fine and dandy but actions are what makes a president great. Obama Hussein and every other lib knows that Reaganism is not dead. He gave a Reagan like speech of optimism. By the way, keep on writing your hack columns. People will continue to cancel their subscriptions.
Joe Biden
February 25th, 2009
9:03 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama knows Americans are unhappy that the government could rescue people who bought mansions beyond their means.
But his assurance Tuesday night that only the deserving will get help rang hollow.
Even officials in his administration, many supporters of the plan in Congress and the Federal Reserve chairman expect some of that money will go to people who used lousy judgment.
The president skipped over several complex economic circumstances in his speech to Congress – and may have started an international debate among trivia lovers and auto buffs over what country invented the car.
A look at some of his assertions:
OBAMA: “We have launched a housing plan that will help responsible families facing the threat of foreclosure lower their monthly payments and refinance their mortgages. It’s a plan that won’t help speculators or that neighbor down the street who bought a house he could never hope to afford, but it will help millions of Americans who are struggling with declining home values.”
THE FACTS: If the administration has come up with a way to ensure money only goes to those who got in honest trouble, it hasn’t said so.
Defending the program Tuesday at a Senate hearing, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said it’s important to save those who made bad calls, for the greater good. He likened it to calling the fire department to put out a blaze caused by someone smoking in bed.
“I think the smart way to deal with a situation like that is to put out the fire, save him from his own consequences of his own action but then, going forward, enact penalties and set tougher rules about smoking in bed.”
Similarly, the head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. suggested this month it’s not likely aid will be denied to all homeowners who overstated their income or assets to get a mortgage they couldn’t afford.
“I think it’s just simply impractical to try to do a forensic analysis of each and every one of these delinquent loans,” Sheila Bair told National Public Radio.
—
OBAMA: “And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it.”
THE FACTS: Depends what your definition of automobiles, is. According to the Library of Congress, the inventor of the first true automobile was probably Germany’s Karl Benz, who created the first auto powered by an internal combustion gasoline engine, in 1885 or 1886. In the U.S., Charles Duryea tested what library researchers called the first successful gas-powered car in 1893. Nobody disputes that Henry Ford created the first assembly line that made cars affordable.
—
OBAMA: “We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy. Yet we import more oil today than ever before.”
THE FACTS: Oil imports peaked in 2005 at just over 5 billion barrels, and have been declining slightly since. The figure in 2007 was 4.9 billion barrels, or about 58 percent of total consumption. The nation is on pace this year to import 4.7 billion barrels, and government projections are for imports to hold steady or decrease a bit over the next two decades.
—
OBAMA: “We have already identified $2 trillion in savings over the next decade.”
THE FACTS: Although 10-year projections are common in government, they don’t mean much. And at times, they are a way for a president to pass on the most painful steps to his successor, by putting off big tax increases or spending cuts until someone else is in the White House.
Obama only has a real say on spending during the four years of his term. He may
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
9:03 am
“Why does AJC/DNC insist on quoting from AmSpec like it’s any kind of legit resource?”
probably because he had boasted to me a coupla weeks ago that he didn’t need pundits to tell him what to think. (this was after I’d made a relatively polite request to provide a link to anyone planning to mount a real-life primary challenge to so-called RINOs out there, bizarrely enough–I wasn’t even asking for a link to a pundit!)
In short, expecting the ajc/dnc troll thing to be intellectually honest is foolish. Oh, and water is wet.
Eric
February 25th, 2009
9:03 am
You got that right, Jay. Jindal must’ve thought he was speaking to a class of first graders. It was pitiful. On the other hand, how inspiring to see Nancy and Joe and The President and Hillary and Tim and all those other adults taking charge of our government. I couldn’t stop smiling. Finally, we have some leaders we can follow…and actually be proud of. It was a good night for those of us who care about our country and our fellow citizens. YES!!!
CwnBt
February 25th, 2009
9:04 am
The measure of a man is not how well he can schmooze the electorate with empty words. Jindal should have put forth some hard truths about what the dem congress and this stimulus bill is about. Take it from Mitch McConnell:
Senate Min. Leader Mitch McConnell: “The president gets an A plus for style and delivery. He did a great job delivering his message. But there legitimate differences. … The Congress has spent more money than we spent on the Iraq war, the Afghanistan war, and the response to Katrina over the last seven years after 9/11. I mean, we have been on a spending spree, and it isn’t stopping”
The American people want the facts. We’re tired of being schmoozed.
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:04 am
What I also find interesting is that, no matter who gave the GOP speech, every single lib including Jay would still say the speech was terrible. Keep trashing Jindal. It only helps his cause. Once Obama bankrupts the country, gets us attacked and socializes medicine the country will be begging for “change we can believe in.”
Jaye
February 25th, 2009
9:06 am
Bobby ate BO’s lunch, and you know it. BO has a nice voice and delivery but no new words – certainly no refreshing revelations – to speak. What he did have going for him: Miz Nancy constantly jumping to her feet, wearing that permanent goofy Botox grin. What comedy!
Davo
February 25th, 2009
9:06 am
Yep…his deliverly sucked. His message was OK but now that we are entering socialism the masses dont want to hear about toughing it out; they would rather hear about how they can steal from their hard working neighbors. I’m afraid Obama and the dems can run rampant as they obviously have nothing to fear from the republicans.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
9:07 am
Just 4 years ago NO ONE gave the democrats any chance of retaking the White House.
Really? considering that four years ago, that’d be 2/25/2005 Bush had barely gotten himself re-elected, and had embarrassed himself with a Social Security Piratization Tour that crashed and burned, and was en route to attaching himself with Frist and company to the Terri Schaivo fiasco–I find that very extremely hard to believe.
I think by “NO ONE” you mean “guys I was listening to at the time, far as I remember.”
Bosch
February 25th, 2009
9:07 am
“I suppose the loan we asked for in order to wander around the desert & randomly topple a dictator was totally worthwhile, huh?”
sane jane,
Yeap, my sentiments exactly. I’m not a big fan of the stimulus, but it’s needed right now, and when I hear people complain about it, I just say the word “Iraq.”
And, I’m perfectly aware that two wrongs don’t make a right (we’ll spend because they did) but I feel alot of that money is necessary right now in this environment.
I noticed in the paper yesterday that state employees are on furloughs, and my local education systems are facing more cutbacks, and Sonny says he’s not gonna take stimulus money. Yeah. That’ll go over well with teachers who effectively ousted Roy Barnes when he proclaimed he didn’t need the teacher vote.
I didn’t see the speech last night, or Jindal’s performance, so I can’t comment on that. I was out paying for the occupation (and the bailout/stimulus package) as AmVet likes to say.
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:07 am
DB, Gwinnettian,
you wrote:“Why does AJC/DNC insist on quoting from AmSpec like it’s any kind of legit resource?”
Gee DB, Gwinnettian, maybe because they are one of the few real news sources that isn’t in the tank for Hussein Obama. They don’t get a thrill up their legs like MSNBC does. Is that good enough for you Arianna?
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
9:08 am
Well, Mrs. G, if we absolutely must have a Republican party to help keep the Democratic (that one was for you, DB) party in check, I suppose we could do worse than Republicans cast in the mold of Eisenhower. After all, he did do a few good things like expand social security and start the interstate highway system. He didn’t tackle many of the tough issues of his time though and, after leaving office, that earned him the distinction of being a Do Nothing Republican. And, I bet some of these modern day Republicans thought they were the first of the Do Nothing Republicans. Nope. They’ve been there and done that before too.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
9:08 am
every single lib including Jay would still say the speech was terrible
You don’t consider me a “lib”? Guess I should take that as a compliment…
ConservativeAnchor
February 25th, 2009
9:09 am
What could Jindal say? Obozo said absolutely nothing different than the drivel he’s been spounting for 37 days. It is the same nonsense that has caused investor confidence to plummnet, increase his disapproval rating to 24%.
My dear departed Grandmother told me many time; “You can’t have a conversation with a fool. Don’t try.”
Jindal must have heard the same advice.
Bosch
February 25th, 2009
9:09 am
Commie,
You mean like everytime you hear Obama speak (or how you so lovingly like to call him by his middle name) all you have is “Oh, you libs suck” kind of response?
Please spare us the lecture, k?
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:09 am
DB, Gwinnettian,
Bush was spot on with SS. It’s gone. Nada, and if you are stupid enough, and I believe you are, to believe that it will all be there when you retire then you really do fit the model of a democrat voter. Naive, uneducated and still believe in Santa Claus.
Paul
February 25th, 2009
9:10 am
Gov Jindal’s speech seemed to fall into the “plenty of people bring me problems but not many bring me solutions” category. The President’s speech was broad, so was Jindal’s. But I think the opposition needs to be a bit more specific in offering alternatives. Heck, Jindal could have even done a bit more agreeing with the Pres – the bipartisan thing – then contrasted that with Congressional leadership’s divergence with the President. It would have been enough of a teaser to cause some comment and get people to thinking about the nature of Pres Obama vs Congressional leadership.
Heard the new head of the RNC said they may not give money to, or campaign for, the three ‘renegade’ Republican senators who supported the stimulus bill. Talk about encouraging alternate viewpoints to attract more voters. (Note to those who occupy the farfarleft of the Democratic Party: this could be you. Well, maybe not, as Pres Obama seems to be resisting a good part of their vision off All Things Good and True).
Still a lot of talk about the President’s ‘eloquence’ compared to Pres Bush. While it’s a nice quality, I think there are plenty of people who get a bit tongue-tied who are also very effective leaders. I’ll offer one reason people have that impression of Pres Bush (aside from the fact he gave us some doozies on a regular basis) is that his detractors gave them such wide play.
Try this: to see how Pres Obama does without a teleprompter just go to Google and type ‘youtube Obama without a teleprompter.’ Keep it simple, click on the first hit. About the only time you’ll see anything like this mainstream is maybe on Leno, Letterman or Kimmel.
It’s not about Bush and Obama being in the same oratorical league. It’s about how people do unscripted (Bush had some great moments, as has Obama; they’ve both given us plenty to cringe at) and how that is used to define intelligence.
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:11 am
Bosch,
spare you the lecture? Um, last time I checked it was still a free country, comrade. I can say pretty much whatever I want. If you don’t like the fact that Hussein is his middle name then I’d ask you to get over it.
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:13 am
DB, Gwinnettian,
if you could actually read then you’d know that nowhere in that posting is your name mentioned.
pcrow
February 25th, 2009
9:14 am
Observer
Given the logic you toss out should your property tax bill be revised to include the debt serviced on your mortgage? “To state it any other way is misleading.”
Me
February 25th, 2009
9:15 am
We now live in an “American Idol” society where how good you look and sound is the most important part of politics. The actual message that Jindal gave is unimportant; just how he looked/sounded while giving it is the most important thing. God help us. We deserve what we get.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
9:16 am
In fact, it is indeed more than a trillion when you factor in debt service (interest)
Observer, a little common sense, please. Had Obama similarly “factored in debt service” when, say, specifying the costs of the Iraq war in 2008 campaign stump speeches, you think Republicans would’ve cut him any slack?
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
9:16 am
By the way, $787 billion plus something as outrageous as a 10% annual interest rate would only be $866 billion.
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:16 am
Bosch,
your hypocrisy is showing bright today. You guys ripped on Bush for 8 solid years and yet you somehow think that all of America should just bow down and agree with Hussein Obama. Got news for you comrade, it ain’t happening. The last people who should be lecturing anyone on tact is you.
Paul
February 25th, 2009
9:18 am
Hey Bosch
The other day we were discussing why some governors didn’t want to take some of the bailout money – if it would lead to initial funding for program expansion, because after the initial federal funding the state would have to cover the increased costs.
I understand one of the areas in unemployment payments. Not the increased amount, but because it also covered part-time workers.
I think the Reps could have done a whole lot better on that issue by saying “Look, Democrats in Charge, corporations (could toss in WalMart here, that’s always good for a hiss) hire people for 32-hour workweeks so they can classify them as part-time and not pay benefits. Democrats have encouraged the deterioration of the workplace by encouraging this practice to continue with this stimulus program. We call upon Democrats to penalize corporations that continue to cut American workers’ opportunities and end this oppressive practice.”
Reality Check
February 25th, 2009
9:21 am
I am fiercly independant, So i take everything that both of the major parties say with a grain of salt. That being said, I had to ask myself “What the H*** was Jidal doing?? We all know that the message is what should matter, but If the messanger falls short, you are done before you get started. Jindal blew it and we all know it…..
Paul
February 25th, 2009
9:21 am
Bosch
CommunistAJC and I had quite a discussion on the use of the name “Hussein” as the primary noun for Pres Obama. I think it makes about as much sense as referring to “Pres Walker” instead of “Pres Bush.” At least it would be consistent.
’sides which, “Walker” is kinda cool. Invokes that whole Chuck Norris Texas Ranger thing.
Nobama Nomore
February 25th, 2009
9:25 am
You are a Socialist and have no idea what you are talking about. Obama is an empty suit and blows hot air. He could NEVER make any of those promises and cut the deficit! I majored in Economics and what he has planned will break us and destroy us economicaly.
Rage Against The Machine
February 25th, 2009
9:28 am
Jindal’s words were just as lame as the so called Messiah’s lastnight. I laughed so hard a few times that I had Kool-Aide coming out my nose. Same old crap from both sides. It’s not or fault, but we’re gonna fix it. Oh, and Jay, FU!
Paul
February 25th, 2009
9:29 am
Nobama Nomore
Pres Obama’s plan to cut the deficit will destroy us economically?
Chad Harris
February 25th, 2009
9:35 am
Great blogs by Jay today and yesterday. The tax columns had pretty decent exchanges for a while that actually worked on analyzing tax structure parity or acurately lack of it. We can all agree that the tax code needs to be completely overhauled and simplified so that Ms. Publix/Kroeger shopper can understand it fully on an individual or couple filing basis for the bellshaped curve of households at least.
Au contraire; with what’s at stake after foreign policy and domestic economics have been flown into the ground along with the Constitution the past eight years, a one party system is what we need for the next few centuries. And the Republicans seem intent on delivering it. Bravo I say–more Jindal and more Palin.
You betcha! Talk about a quintissential dead man walking, ole Piyush is it.
Jindal showed last night why if he is a “rising Republican star” they are on their perpetual kamikazi mission politically.
First of all, besides looking like he had been embalmed, Jindal’s message was to screw the weakest citizens of this country.
Besides being legally too stupid to read the Stim bill’s sections, saying he wants to selectively turn down the unemployment expansion (illegal under current passed law and specifically made so by Congressional explicit intent so that’s not even litigation material).
I understand Bobby Jindal’s story that his dad got out the yellow pages and found work. Who wouldn’t applaud the story of every American who comes from India and their outstanding track record of achievement which is visible in every major city in every major profession.
But when Bobby’s dad made a go of it, he had not lost his job through no fault of his own, and we were not losing 600,000 jobs a month due to a perfect storm of
consumers who paid no attention to rational rules of credit and predatory lenders who paid no attention to rational rules of credit.
I found Jindal to be as articulate and communicative a speaker as Bristol Palin in her “abstinence is like like like [no fun in the backseat of rednecks car?]
Jindal is getting panned on Republican right wing blogs–check ‘em out if you have enough phenergan in your medicine cabinet.
Bobby Jindal Response Panned By Pundits, Republicans And Democrats Alike
Besides the absolutely disingenuous substance of Jindal’s points as governor of New Orleans that only the individual should be handling the economic stresses this country and his state in particular faces, I haven’t seen a flatter more uninspiring affect in a politician that I can remember in years.
It would be fairer perhaps if being dynamic on television or you tube weren’t a requisite for the job of national politician but that’s simply not reality.
If you couple Jindal’s extreme right wing views, and his religion infused agendas with his near comatose delivery and his obviously strained efforts at trying to convey passion, you have failure ladies and gentleman with a capital “F” right there in Baton Rouge.
I thought the nation was being addressed by the Louisana State Tree after it had died.
From a state whose song is “You Are My Sunshine” Jindal represents stormy weather for the Republicans. I’d push Charlie Crist if I were you and your a Republican, but we’ll still take him down. Obama is just beginning to get momentum in the most challenging milieu for a president because of the inheritance of a cascade of failed lack of initiative.
“After watching Jindal,” one Democratic strategist emailed, “I’d pay a lot of money to be back watching a Palin speech.”
I wouldn’t pay a cent to be watching Sarah, but there is always this. I can’t tell Sarah Palin from Tina Fey imitating Sarah Palin, and if Tina Fey were to speak her political mind seriously, there would be no doubt that Tina Fey is eminently more qualified to be President.
And on that note–it’s going to be Senatuh Franken very very soon–and stem cell funding executive order very very soon. The two should happen about the same time.
On a brighter note from a medical point of view, Howard Dean is gaining momentum as an HHS Secretary possibility although there may be some behind the scenes private conflict with Dean and Obama I wish I could ferret out.
There is just no comparison between Dr. Dean, an experienced internist who has had years of patient care experience wrestling with the bureaucratic federal and insurance boondoggle, compared to Kathy Sybilius who has no clinical medical experience whatsoever and has no national political experience or real understanding of Congress.
Julescator
February 25th, 2009
9:35 am
Here is the problem with the “opposition” party. Surely there are times when you have a point of agreement with the majority party. Just saying “no” to their “yes” gets a tad old in about 2 weeks.
Gov. Jindal lacks one of the most essential talents to be a politician and a leader – oratory skills. Repeating the republican tag line – yet again, fell flat and will continue to do so. The GOP really needs to seriously find a better way to connect with the American people.
Eric
February 25th, 2009
9:36 am
Shouldn’t this really be about what Barry said last night Jay? I know you’d like to deflect the conversation from the Obamanation but REALLY??
How in the hell did this guy graduate from college, never the less Law school? We invented the automobile? Really? Like Al invented the internet I guess. Shows you what affirmative action will get you – a law degree. If it wasn’t so F’n sad I would have laughed for an hour.
This is the savior? Let me tell you boys, the king has no clothes on and we’re all in DEEP S**T
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
February 25th, 2009
9:37 am
Piyush simpering Chimperor-style into the Republican echo chamber.
What was he thinking?
Oh. He’s GOP.
He doesn’t have to think. Just spout the same old tired lies.
SaveOurRepublic
February 25th, 2009
9:37 am
David Brooks is a Globalist Neocon, so no wonder he’d oppose any talking points aimed at the problem of Big Government. “Socialist-Lite” Brooks whines….“To come up at this moment in history with a stale ‘government is the problem,’ ‘we can’t trust the federal government’ – it’s just a disaster for the Republican Party…,it’s just not where the country is, it’s not where the future of the country is.”. Total BS Brooks….that’s EXACTLY where the country is…a distrust of an inept, bloated, power-hungry, Globalist co-opted Federal government! I’m no fan of Jindal (who has Neocon leanings in his own right), but Brooks is the quintessential RINO who embraces mass government spending, foreign entanglements & probably open/borders & amnesty. Neocons are why the GOP is crumbling & why I left it (years ago).
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
9:38 am
Chuck Norris is really starting to show his years. I bet he’d have a hard time kicking multiple buttocks at the same time any more. He might have to settle for taking down the bad guys one at a time now.
As for Obama, he’s gonna kick a whole bunch of Republican buttocks at once and he all but told them so to their faces in that speech. The lying ways of the Good Ole Boy Bush days are gone. The wasteful Iraq war is coming to an end, 52,000 tax cheats can run but they cannot hide, the deserving will get the tax breaks and that list does not include no arrogant scumbags in CEO slots…change is good as long as it’s good change like that which Obama brings. Yippe-ki-yay.
Bosch
February 25th, 2009
9:41 am
Commie,
“It’s a free country” was a favorite come back of many of my friends in middle school (or maybe even elementary school). I’m certainly not bothered by President Obama’s middle name, but quit acting so innocent, we know why you use it.
@9:36 – I have never, and will never say, we are to all just agree with the President no matter what. Try that on someone else. You are ranting to the wrong person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Paul – top ‘o the Ash Wednesday morning to ya. Have you repented yet? Asked for Absolution? Got any weird black markings on your forehead?
I have to disagree with your statement about Dems have encouraged the deterioration of the workplace by encouraging this practice to contineu with this stimulus program.
I know that is a favorite talking point these days of the “We’re Not Gonna Take It – Big Bad” GOP Governors. But I don’t see this money as starting anything new. Providing unemployment benefits, and public education aren’t new programs – and this money is going to help out with budget shortfalls. It’s not permanent.
WalMart – Hhhhhhhiiiiiiissssssssssssss.
And it’s rather hypocritical in the Bosch playbook for Republicans to call upon Democrats to penalize corporations for anything. Yeah, that got me laughing real good this morning. Good thing I hadn’t popped open my Coke yet. That would be like my kids saying, “Ya’ know, your bedroom could use some cleaning, it’s rather messy.”
But as I said earlier, two wrongs don’t make a right.
And forgive me if I’m wrong, and I certainly have no link, source, website, or anything to back up this claim, but aren’t Democrats traditionally more sympathetic to the American worker – i.e. middle class? Notice I used the word “traditionally” and I’ll also throw in a “historically” too just to cover my bases.
Julescator
February 25th, 2009
9:41 am
Nobama Nomore,
You don’t have to have a MBA (which I do) to realize that there are 2 ways to have more money to spend a. borrow money or b. cut expenses.
I guess you missed the part where President Obama said they had to cut many programs. He will also reduce the tremendous money we spend in Iraq. Hell just getting rid of Halliburton will save billions. It’s not that difficult. We do this with our own budgets. Times are tight now so most Americans will stop eating out, going to the movies and malls. You don’t think that will give them more money in their wallents even if the don’t get a pay raise? Explain.
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
9:42 am
Well, after hearing the President’s Santa Claus speech last night, Jindal was a very wholesome offset. The Louisiana governor told us the truth about superfluous gift-giving that is costly. He was calm and did not get into the political rabble rousing phase that Obama finally hit. I thought the big “O” was going to start preaching with a few halleluias thrown in at the end. Yeah, get the crowd going and Nancy a’hopping! What a show!
I knew Jindal was a total success as soon as I saw Bookman’s repudiation. Dems doing the old tear down bit just like they dumped on Bush for eight years. They still don’t know how to behave.
Yeah..halleluia! We ‘re going into debt ridden socialism. Oh joy!! Obama just told us how happy we will be and every Democrat fell for it! But that is no surprise.
S.B
February 25th, 2009
9:43 am
OMG! Does CommunistAJC work? This joker has time to reply to each and every post about these stupid Neo-Cons, please gives all a break and shut up!
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
9:43 am
c’ajc, I genuinely doubt you have even the faintest grasp of how SS is projected to bestructured and funded, based on your outburst @ 9.09.
Nor do you even remember what the President was proposing, or more accurately, wasn’t proposing, because he hadn’t bothered to provide solid numbers to back up his carve-outs.
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
February 25th, 2009
9:45 am
DB, I responded to your question on the last thread…
professional skeptic
February 25th, 2009
9:47 am
Anyone who criticizes Obama’s stimulus package as wasteful while turning a blind eye to the trillions upon trillions of debt that was racked up during the Bush years loses all credibility in my mind.
Julescator
February 25th, 2009
9:47 am
Dusty:
Ditto to you. We know President Obama hit the mark when we read your comments. Way to try to convince yourself. You aren’t convincing us.
BTW – Jindal was horrific! The GOP should just put this crap on flash cards and show them in lieu of a poorly framed speech. Until the GOP realizes they have a problem, they are doomed to repeat their past mistakes and ruin their chances of ever winning a national election. Oh well, that’s the choice you make.
Obama was fantasitic and a sure-footed leader. NO one can take that away.
Jeffrey S
February 25th, 2009
9:48 am
I think you all are on the wrong track.
Jindal’s apparent epic fail was a clever ruse to get democrats to lower their guard and dismiss him as “no threat”.
The plan was hatched at a meeting between Bobby, Sarah, Joe (the plumber) and Carl Rove held at a secret location believed to be in Alaska.
With the democrats ignoring them (tied down solving republican created problems) the chosen ones will polish their stuff and come out with all guns blazing in 2011. Beware Dems, Bobby is playin’ you…
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
9:49 am
I’m with Dusty on this one, it’s Jindal/Palin or Palin/Jindal every four years until they win. They could even toggle the order in each election.
Mrs. Godzilla
February 25th, 2009
9:52 am
best line I’ve heard so far…
“what possessed Bobby Jindal last night?”
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:55 am
DB, Gwinnettian,
by all means, defend SS. It’s not going to be there when I retire so I put no effort into caring about it. I have my own savings and investments that are well out of reach of your imperial socialist president. And yes, I fully understand how SS is projected to bestructured and funded. Dimwit, that’s why I invest in other things. It’s a pipe dream to think that any of our SS dollars will be seen again. It’s you who is going to wake up one day and wonder what happened.
By the way, all the trash talk about Jindal is ridiculous. What was he supposed to say and do? It’s a response. Not one response from ANY State of the Union has done anything for either side in past years. I might also add that we are only 2 months into Hussein Obamas first term. Get ready for a bumpy ride troglodytes because anyone who invests in government interests will be disappointed.
CommunistAJC
February 25th, 2009
9:58 am
professional skeptic,
we all know that Bush racked up debt, genius. It’s his spending problem that got him the most hot water with the voters. Had he had restraint like a conservative we would not be looking at the new socialist leader.
AmVet
February 25th, 2009
10:00 am
Just skimmed through the comments, and especially last night, wow! The rabid Reich-wing is in an even bigger delusional tizzy than usual.
It has been noted often here and everywhere else from sea to shining sea – the current GOP is little more than a train wreck. Discounted and repudiated, they are a joke and their straight man is Mr. Jindal.
About a week or so ago, I asked the BushCo bootlickers here to show me ANY Republican alternatives to this proposed “stimulus package”.
The response?
Mikey the Chaste, aka, the Demander in Chief, provided a 36 page pdf. With nary an explanation or summary.
I shiite you not. It was obvious he had not even looked at it, nor could intelligently talk about a single thing in it.
I ask again fiscally fraud conservatives – where are the loyal oppositions alternative and superior recommendations to this proposal?
Take your time and don’t hurt yourselves, ostriches. I’ll be out for a few hours, helping pay for the bailouts, the occupation and your welfare payments…
KNelson
February 25th, 2009
10:02 am
Please understand this Democrats. The conservative American understands that you have given up on freedom. There was nothing in his speech that did not give more power to the government and less to the capitol economy that made it great. Never in our history has government taken power and ownership of any program and then given it back. Everything you give away is out of your hands forever.
Health care, banking, spending personal freedom. This happened in Japan in the 90ies and they now refer to that decade as the lost years. You won the election but you sold your freedom to political correctness.
itpdude
February 25th, 2009
10:06 am
Anyone following Obama had a tough task. However, Jindal was horrible. I don’t really know him, I’m only vaguely familiar, but from what I saw last night he is not the GOP’s great brown hope. Frankly, I haven’t been impressed with this Steele character either. Maybe the GOP brand is that shattered or maybe the GOP lacks talent or maybe I’m personally that disaffected by the GOP. But the GOP has yet to present a good case, even with the nice guy Jindal. He bombed.
Lauren
February 25th, 2009
10:07 am
Republicans just can’t stand it that Obama comes off as capable, intelligent and commanding. So they only reply they have is to lamely call him stupid. Stupid?? This from people who voted for Bush? LMAO!!
RW-(the original)
February 25th, 2009
10:08 am
DB,
You didn’t really need to go all the way back to 1995 to find a Governor giving the response to a State of the Union/Not State of the Union address. It was only as short a time back as 2006 when Tim Kaine trotted out his trick eyebrow to distract us from whatever he said in his response.
Joey
February 25th, 2009
10:09 am
Maybe all of you Democrats are right. Maybe the Republican presidential options are so weak that Obama will be re-elected regardless of his performance.
True or not, that is clearly what you are hoping for.
I would feel a little better about the US if you were excited about Obama and Reid and Pelosi and Dodd and Frank. Rather than excited that Republicans havenot identified a competitor.
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
10:11 am
Since the Social Security Trust Fund had a balance of $2 trillion, $366 billion at the end of 2008, why not suspend taxes until the economy recovers? Oh, I forgot. Reagan spent it on Star Wars and bombers, and Bush spent it in Iraq.
Was that 1983 hare-brained idea the biggest tax increase in our history?
KNelson
February 25th, 2009
10:11 am
Lauren ,
No intelligent person has called Obama stupid, as he is not. He is however Americas worst mistake beyond any Bush ! He is the new face of the Socialist American. There is NO argument from your side. If you cannot see what is happening then you maybe one to call him Stupid.
Mrs. Godzilla
February 25th, 2009
10:13 am
What a great country!
We allow the minority a voice.
CNN reaction poll:
64% very positive
24% somewhat positive
8% negative
That 8% is pretty loud this morning, but it seems all that volume is wasted effort.
Hot Damn! We got a hellava Pres!
getalife
February 25th, 2009
10:13 am
“Oh God” was right.
I told him he needed to slow down when he speaks because cons are really slow.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
10:14 am
c’ajc, you can name-call all you like in an effort to keep me off your trail, but it’s not going to work. There’s no reason to assume that SS “won’t be there” (a whine–sorry, Jay–I’ve heard from all kinds of people for the past thirty years!) as presently configured. Possibly scaled back a little bit due to political pressure brought to bear by righties, sure. But failing some social upheaval like a Civil War or invasion/occupation from another Great Power, no. You’re wrong.
GHT, I read your reply, thanks for troubling yourself to do this.
Obviously you and I disagree on style but not political ideology, not all that much. About all I can do is ask you to try to tone it back a bit, and maybe encourage dialog with those to the right of us who aren’t behaving like “nutterbutters” (your term) at a given moment.
Then again, I guess that anyone with as deliberately provocative a screen name as yours isn’t really here to encourage dialog with political opposites. (Same goes for the ridiculously named, and utterly rude to the host, “CommunistAJC” and “AJC/DNC Management”, of course.)
professional skeptic
February 25th, 2009
10:14 am
Commie: Perhaps you should have been chosen to deliver the Rethuglicon rebuttal.
Paul
February 25th, 2009
10:16 am
Bosch
I was putting forth the idea of Democrats encouraging deterioration of full-time jobs thru legitimizing full unemployment benefits for part-time workers as a Republican strategy. Reality is, Dems hold the Legislative reins. For all the talk about evil CEOs and screwing the workers they have the ability to legislate some changes in how the transition to part-time workers happens. Democrats haven’t.
But expanding benefits for part-time workers is, I believe, a permanent change the states will have to pay for.
I get a kick out of the WalMart example (did you know they used to advertise “American made” for their stuff?). People complain and complain about jobs going overseas. Then what do they do? They go to WalMart ‘cause they’re cheaper! And one reason they’re cheaper? They buy from China and lots of other countries!
Irony. I love irony.
Your point about the perception of Democrats being more sympathetic to workers? Sure (and now you’re gonna get hammered with flames about how it’s Labor Workers and the stimulus bill is a payoff (in some cases, it was) and all that. So get ready. But that perception is why I thought Reps could make some points against their Democratic opponents over the part-time worker thing. But Reps have the perception of being in the pockets of the corporations.
Hey, that’s why we don’t have any viable third parties! Dems take workers, Reps take corporations. Dems take spending, Reps take tax cuts. Dems take gov’t providing, Reps take private industry providing. There ain’t any readily identifiable third options, so no third party.
Wow. My work here today is done.
Didja get that, AmVet?
59 hours 43 minutes
That's all folks
February 25th, 2009
10:17 am
Ahminasnit’s favorite VET conveniently overlooks the fact that NOBODY, including oblahma and the pork peddlers, know what’s in this “stimulating” BILL US LATER too fiasco. The individual porkers know what they contributed but overall? NOBODY KNOWS and DEMS DON’T CARE. A VOTE IS A VOTE NO MATTER WHAT TRACK IN SKIDS IN ON!
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
10:18 am
“It was only as short a time back as 2006 when Tim Kaine trotted out his trick eyebrow to distract us from whatever he said in his response.”
Snort. Yeah, I remember him not being very good (actually did stay up to watch that, I seem to remember).
With Christie/’95, I figured I’d find a Republican to use as a “so what?” example, though. Apples:apples and all.
Will
February 25th, 2009
10:21 am
Bobby Jindal was put in the unenviable position of HAVING to deliver a rebuttal. I guess that its was like being on a high school debate team and being assigned to take the CON position on a tough subject. To be sure, I a voted for the President but I definitely see the value in a two party system and would like to see the Republican Party thrive a little more than it does now. If you listen to the words that Jindal said, he said a couple of things that were reasonable…a couple of things. The problem was that he didn’t have a lot to say and I got the impression that he thought that he was addressing the ‘gang’ on Sesame Street. Either Mitch McConnell or John Boehner would have been a much better choice to give the GOP response. Surprisingly, I had a very hard time taking Jindal seriously. He’s a Rhodes scholar and the nation’s youngest governor afterall. The GOP is barking up the wrong tree in using Jidal or Palin as their spokes people.
Oblahmi
February 25th, 2009
10:21 am
Uh, I’m going to, uh, cure cancer!!
Davo
February 25th, 2009
10:22 am
“Defending the program Tuesday at a Senate hearing, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said it’s important to save those who made bad calls, for the greater good. He likened it to calling the fire department to put out a blaze caused by someone smoking in bed.
“I think the smart way to deal with a situation like that is to put out the fire, save him from his own consequences of his own action but then, going forward, enact penalties and set tougher rules about smoking in bed.”
Great reasoning…from the actual guy who smoked in the bed to begin with.
More proof that Obama economics will fail..or prevail if your a socialist.
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
10:24 am
Wow! What a number, huh! An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning traced to peanut products has sickened 666 people and is continuing despite one of the biggest food recalls in U.S. history, health officials said on Tuesday. Of course, we don’t need no steenking government to handle this. That’s what lynch mobs were made for — they’re quick and very efficient.
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
10:25 am
Ahahahahaha-
WAS IT SOMETHING HE SAID?- Dow 7,191.40 -159.54 -2.17%-Drudge
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
10:26 am
Oh my goodness, President Obama won the Oscar awards last night for making the best speech since “Mr. Smith goes to Washington” or was it Mr. Jones? That was the best “performance” I’ve seen from an amateur actor in a long time. He even got a bit of MLK there at the end. Oh the emphasis, the religious fervor, I was impressed.
Yep, he gets the “Oscar” for his role in BIGGEST & BEST DEBT EVER. He gets a hot dog and chili for his over the rainbow solutions. He forgot to tell us where the pot of gold was coming from when we get the rainbow. BUT who noticed? All were enthralled! Poor losers. Waiting for the handouts with joy!!
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
10:28 am
Ahahahahahaha-
LONDON (Reuters) – Abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay has worsened sharply since President Barack Obama took office as prison guards “get their kicks in” before the camp is closed, according to a lawyer who represents detainees.
RW-(the original)
February 25th, 2009
10:28 am
DB,
These responses always look ridiculous compared to the spectacle of the SotU/NSotU speech. On balance I was far more pleased by the message Jindal gave than the one Obama gave, but I guess that’s what makes the world go ’round.
There has never been a response, nor do I think there ever will be, that was as clownish and SNL ready than the one where Harry and Nancy sat in front of a fire and stared at us for ten minutes.
I’m off to the forest, see y’all upstairs for happy hour.
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
10:29 am
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
10:25 am
Looks like yesterday was just another bear rally, but the day is young. At least you can revel in your patriotism.
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
10:29 am
Ahahahahahaaha-
Biden Forgets Name of RECOVERY.GOV: ‘Do You Know The Website ——————->Number?’<———————
fearless fosdick
February 25th, 2009
10:29 am
DAVO @ 10:22 am
Davo…You might ask yourself who appointed Ben Bernanke as the chairman. Hint .. His initials are GWB!
Bosch
February 25th, 2009
10:29 am
Paul,
I know these words are English:
“I was putting forth the idea of Democrats encouraging deterioration of full-time jobs thru legitimizing full unemployment benefits for part-time workers as a Republican strategy”
But I’m not following.
I was not aware that they are expanding full-time unemployment benefits to part-time workers. That’s news to me – but again, where have you seen that is a permanent solution?
And I think all stereotypical perceptions of the parties are no longer – well, they can still be perceived that way, but the GOP has pretty much squashed the idea of the Demos being the big spenders, huh?
I got an idea for a third party – how ’bout people like me and you who want people with common damn sense to run the country – item comes across our desk – “no, that’s crazy and doesn’t do any good for the country, out, next.” We can be President and Vice – I’ll take Vice – they seem to have the easier job (except in Cheney’s case).
I love irony too – and you know that Alanis Morsette song, “Ironic”? Ya’ know what bugs me about that song? Not one example she gives is irony, or maybe that’s the point – they are all just examples of “well that sucks.”
59 hours and 33 minutes now.
Recap Time « honk4tidbits
February 25th, 2009
10:31 am
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2009/02/25/jindal-had-his-moment-and-he-blew-it/ [...]
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
10:31 am
Dear Taxpayer,
Forget about peanut butter. You know all about lynching. You tried it for eight years with President Bush. He protected us anyway while you ran around with your white flag. So try for a new word from your put-down vocabulary. Lynching is outdated. You wore it out a long time ago.
Georgia Gal
February 25th, 2009
10:32 am
The GOP’s Problem isn’t that they moved too far to the center and have become moderates (trust me if they had done that we’d most likely be talking about a President McCain right now instead of a President Obama) its that they have moved too far to the right. We are a country of moderates for all intensive purposes and most people do not want their politicians to be too far to the right or too far to the left – we want them to be in the middle and once again, trust me when I say this that the politician who moves farthest away from the center will be the one who loses on election day (the possible exception being the 2000 Presidential race, but then again the one who was closer to the middle really did win if you don’t listen to the Supreme Court).
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
10:33 am
Ahahahahahahaha-
Durbin to Burris: I’d quit if I were you
yeah, sure he would.
geez
Sarah P
February 25th, 2009
10:33 am
Jindal did great last night. He didn’t tell us his plan for fixing America, but I’m sure he’s keeping his superior wisdom a secret until just the right moment. There is no doubt a Palin-Jindal ticket in 2012 will win in a landslide. Good to see the GOP has such strong leadership!
jimbob
February 25th, 2009
10:35 am
Hey AJC/DNC Management PLEASE do not play that “we can’t let our grandchildren pay our bills” song now. It was GW who put us into Trillions of dollars in debt with his tax breaks for his oil buddy friends and starting a war that was unjust and unfounded. HE and the Repubs spen JUST as much if not more than this stimulus. The difference? Obama’s $ will go to building schools, road and bridges and creating job HERE in AMERICA, not IRAQ. And will go to working Americans not just the wealthy few. GET OVER IT. The GOP got us here. They no longer have any real say. They blew it! Like Jindal did last night.
Davo
February 25th, 2009
10:36 am
Hey Fearless…it don’t matter. The fed is isn’t influenced by politics; it controls politics.
Houckster
February 25th, 2009
10:36 am
On the one hand, as a Democrat, comments like those from Dusty and AJC/DNC Management tell me that the Democrats are in for a long run in the White House and in Congress. These are marginal characters who clearly respond with anger and condemnation rather than thoughtfulness. If the Republicans are committed to representing people like this, then the Republican will continue to move to the fringes.
On the other hand, as an American, our-two party sytem is important. Effective, responsible, and realistic debate on the issues is critical to the balance we must have as a country. Mr. Obama would welcome such comments because he’s more concerned about our country than the idiologically-oriented Mr. Bush was. The Republican party has a choice. They can continue to foster and nurture the fringe that essentially believes in nothing or they can move back to the middle and join in productive debate.
elvez
February 25th, 2009
10:36 am
Jindal should have known better then to go full retard.
Redneck Convert
February 25th, 2009
10:41 am
Well, Fox News said the Jindal speech was OK and that’s good enough for me. Who you going to beleive, Fox News or a bunch of lying librul stations that got no morals? Have a good day everybody.
Joe Iwasevic
February 25th, 2009
10:42 am
It seems the GOP is looking for the next Obama or Hillary. Why not find a young stong Veteran that made it on HIS own.
Lauren
February 25th, 2009
10:43 am
To KNelson: Obama has not even been in office for 100 days and you are saying he is already worse than Bush? Give me a break! Also, you Republicans don’t want to face this but the nationalization of banks was started under Bush at HIS urging. This is Bush’s mess and Obama and congress has to deal with it.
To CommunistAJC: you are the one with the poor memory. 4 years ago everyone though Hillary would be president. Hello!
Mike
February 25th, 2009
10:44 am
Houckster –
“These are marginal characters who clearly respond with anger and condemnation rather than thoughtfulness.”
You are absolutely correct. However, you seem to be blind to the fact that the liberals on this board behave in exactly the same way. In fact, pretty much all of the regulars here behave in that manner.
Welcome aboard!
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
10:44 am
Sarah P
February 25th, 2009
10:33 am
That ‘P’ doesn’t stand for Palmer, does it?
He wasn’t conceived in the USA. Is he eligible?
Make that bear “market” rally.
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
10:46 am
elvez
February 25th, 2009
10:36 am
You got that right. I didn’t have the guts to say it.
PJ
February 25th, 2009
10:47 am
I seldom go for the low ball but this time I can’t help myself:
I WANT TO SEE JINDAL’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE!
D.J.
February 25th, 2009
10:54 am
Jindal’s needed to perform one of his college day exorcisms on his own speech… Because it was possessed by Mr. Rogers!
Paul
February 25th, 2009
10:57 am
elvez 10:36
You do realize Gov Jindal is a Rhodes scholar, same as Pres Clinton?
Management 10:33
That’s the laugh of the day! Thanks!
Bosch
Yeah, the Reps really blew the fiscal responsibility thing, Trying to get it back, it’s kinda like the guy saying “honest, honey, she didn’t mean anything to me… you’re the only one… it’ll never happen again…” and then waiting for her to believe you. That’s as opposed to the Democrats who know what they get with no illusions, illustrated by the woman saying “yeah, I know he screws around and he’ll never change, but lookit all this neat stuff he buys me!!!”
But here we have a first: a Democratic president who just may cut wasteful or inefficient programs. It’s a nice promise. We’ll see.
The worker issue: my understanding is that restrictions on unemployment benefits for part-time workers were greatly eased and this is a permanent change. The ‘have fun with strategy’ example was:
– Democrats expand unemployment benefits for part-time workers
– This reduces the negative stigma of corporations screwing the labor force, as more benefits are accorded those with part-time status
- This will encourage the trend to convert full-time to part-time, eroding pay and benefits for workers
- Highlighting that, and noting Democrats have not initiated any legislation to stop this, and calling them to do so, will give the impression Republicans are fighting for full-time jobs to stay in America.
Hey, look! I just saw a pig fly!!!
59 hours 4 minutes
Steve
February 25th, 2009
10:58 am
Jindal wrote that speech himself so he had a double fail. From The Hill:
Jindal Penned Most of Tuesday’s Reponse Himself
Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.), not the Republican National Committee (RNC), will be drafting the content of the Republican response to President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
“The governor writes his own material,” Jindal spokeswoman Melissa Sellers told the Monroe News Star. “It is the governor’s speech, although the National Republican Committee and congressional leaders have folks who are helping to edit it.”
Congressional Republican leaders indicated that they may have more of a hand in the process, but that the speech is still fundamentally Jindal’s.
GOPP
February 25th, 2009
11:01 am
Say good night GOP.
Jake
February 25th, 2009
11:01 am
Maybe not Jindal, but after four years of MamaObama the Repubs can run the jackass itself and win.
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
11:03 am
Well, Dusty, lynching is on the list of Republican things to do, dontcha know. It requires no government regulations or oversight and it is operated by the citizens with no government expenditures for Sherriffs and jails and judges and laws and all that stuff that costs taxpayer dollars. You should be thrilled, even salivating at the prospect. You are, aren’t you.
Midori
February 25th, 2009
11:04 am
someone commented last night that Jindal looked like he was trying to sell Sham Wows.
Here’s betting that Andy and Commie cornered the market.
Eric
February 25th, 2009
11:04 am
Palin/Wurlzberger ‘12?
Jindal/Wurlzberger ‘12?
Palin/Jindal… Jindal/Palin ‘12?
So many choices! So few choices!
Ha, ha, ha, ha!!11!1!.
NRB
February 25th, 2009
11:05 am
Just wanted to rub it in, last night I predicted that the market would go down today 100-200 points after “the great ones” speech. AND I WAS RIGHT.
EAT IT, LIBERALS.
Your policys SUCK. The market hath spoken.
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
11:06 am
Jake
February 25th, 2009
11:01 am
I understand her code name is “linebacker.” But she handles herself pretty well, and so far has been an asset. If O! can handle her, he deserves our repsect and admiration.
Curious George (Obama) forever
February 25th, 2009
11:07 am
Everyone knows that this is simply racist leftwing moonbats who harbor hostility to conservative successful immigrants who go against the core of entitlement minded liberal whites and blacks
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
11:08 am
NRB
February 25th, 2009
11:05 am
I stand chastised and humiliated, but the day is young.
And like Management, you can revel in your patriotism.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
11:10 am
After listening to Pres Obama’s last nite,I felt like I was in elementary school. I know all of you remember the kid that ran ran for class pres that promised everyone everything. Pres Obama did’nt miss a soul last night. From our children,senoir citizens,our arm services,the nasty rich,& of course the middle class. With everything promised,and if it is delvered,where the heck do the funds come from? He said no new taxes for anyone that earns 250k or lesss plus tax relief for 95% of taxpayers. He say’s our childrens children will be safe from having to pay the massive of debt,so who will? But just like elementary school,sounds great,but is it realistic?
D.J.
February 25th, 2009
11:11 am
It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
It’s a neighborly day in this beautywood,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
So let’s make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we’re together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won’t you be my neighbor?
Won’t you please,
Won’t you please,
Please won’t you be my neighbor?
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
11:12 am
Dear Houster, 10:36
I gather you do not like poeple to say anything but nice things about Obama. In other words, it is “thoughtless” to say in more than rote sentences that he is piling the biggest debt upon us the country has ever seen.
I do not hate Obama. In fact, I think he should go to Hollywood where he would be the next Jimmy Stewart. I think his experience in politics is extremely limited and he is now depending on ol’ time Democrats for policies. He does seem to be clearing out Chicago politics as he tries to find an honest man there. The records of Democrats in Congress is nothing sterling either.
I find his policies consist of give-aways in every direction without the slightest clue to where a source of such largesse is to be obtained. Is that plain enough for you or do you find the truth insulting?
Hip Hopcracy
February 25th, 2009
11:15 am
Republicans pander to their constituents by offering tax cuts.
Democrats pander to their constituents by offering free lunches.
It’s the nature of the beast.
However, the Republican beast borrows money in lieu of raising taxes. They spend like drunken sailors on wars, but justify it by saluting the flag while their draining our coffers dry.
At least the Democrats don’t hide their spendaholic tendencies. The Republicans are hypocrites, and will never get my vote.
SaveOurRepublic
February 25th, 2009
11:16 am
AmVet @ 10:00 – Although I’m an Independent Constitutionalist “true” paleoconservative (in the Ron Paul mold), and you (I suspect) are a Centrist Democrat or Libertarian, we both hold equal disdain for the phoney, Machiavellian Neocons.
As a proponent of the Austrian School of Economics, my solution for righting the ship (which will NEVER be implemented) is in theory…1) abolish the Federal Reserve (as Dr.Paul has proposed via H.R. 833…which pathetically has no cosponsors, thanks to the influence of the Central Banking Cartel). 2) Abolish the unConstitutional income tax & IRS. 3) End fiat currency/re-state the gold standard. 4) Cut Federal spending by 45-65% (including extraction of all troops from the Middle East, closing all foreign military bases, ending 80% of foreign funding) & 5) lower Federal subsidies to the states by 50-60%. As alluded to these steps will never be taken, due to the Globalist Elite’s control over “Crapitol sHill” (Neocons & Marxist Dems alike).
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
February 25th, 2009
11:17 am
DB, I don’t think my screen-name selection is provocative to anyone except maybe to people that self-identify as trash. It’s not my fault that many of the Bookman RightWingnutterbutters do.
Some of my stalkers here followed me over from some posts I made on Creative Loafing blogs “dialoging” with some Stormfront aficionados.
(I think “trash” is a fairly tepid description of Stormfronters and their oogedy-boogedy sympathizers. )
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
11:17 am
Hi, Mike.
In one of yesterday’s threads, after I’d departed, you wrote, interestingly enough: “I disagree with your notion that racial bigotry is inherently more vile than other forms of bigotry.”
Fair enough, but I’m not sure that’s quite the notion I’d posted. I simply said (summarizing here) that white-on-white bigotry is different from white-on-black.
One could argue reasonably, as you seem to have been doing, that both reflect similar character flaws, a similar willful failure to deal with people as inherently worthy individuals, whatever your difference with them. Ok; fine.
I want to make it clear that in the context of online discussion, I think willfully nasty rhetoric by whites against blacks has more of the potential for more real-and-present-danger to the objects of such nastiness, given the history and given simple numbers and probability. However, there’s potential for an incitement to violence in any harsh, argumentative online back-and-forth and the moderators have to make that call based on their own perceptions.
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
11:20 am
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
11:12 am
Reagan and Bush are responsible for $10 trillion of the $11 trillion national debt. Get back with us when O! surpasses that.
Hip Hopcracy
February 25th, 2009
11:15 am
Republicans spend like drunken Democrats.
RealityKing
February 25th, 2009
11:24 am
Not impressed here either..
Although I do agress that it is the American people, not the government, that made America what it is today.
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
11:24 am
Ahahahahahahahahaha-
At the National Governors Association meetings in Washington, D.C., Gov. Phil Bredesen said this week that he might turn down relief for unemployed workers worth an estimated $143 million because of conditions placed on the money by Congress.
Ahahahahahahahahaha.
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
11:24 am
Oh, I must not forget Taxpayer who is an expert on lynching.
Sure, Taxpayer, whatever you say. You know all about “down and dirty” having practiced it for eight years. Carry on, expert. Who would dispute your expertise on such matters which you present here day and night? Go for it! Bookman will always love you.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
11:25 am
Well, GHT, I happen to think God loves all creatures great and small, but I’m weird that way.
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
11:25 am
Oooops, laughing too hard-
Ahahahahahahahahaha-
At the National Governors Association meetings in Washington, D.C., —->democrat<—- Gov. Phil Bredesen said this week that he might turn down relief for unemployed workers worth an estimated $143 million because of conditions placed on the money by Congress.
Ahahahahahahahahaha.
Cardinal Red
February 25th, 2009
11:27 am
When the PrezBO loses faith in the self-serving U.N., I may muster a smidgen of confidence in this intelligence so many liberals speak about. Until then I see him as a dupe to be exploited.
In that vein, congressional Democrats are using the financial crisis to spend hundreds of billions in taxpayer money they didn’t think they could spend before.
As to the $900 million for Gaza “rebuilding,” to be given to the U.N. and nongovernmental organizations, it will “not go to Hamas,” Obama officials told the New York Times.
But nearly four years ago, the Dutch U.N. commissioner-general for Gaza and the West Bank, Peter Hansen, lost his job when he revealed to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.: “I am sure that there are Hamas members on the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) payroll, and I don’t see that as a crime.”
The Gaza funding requires a congressional OK, so Capitol Hill phones may soon be tied up by outraged taxpayers complaining that on top of pork they’re also funding attacks on innocent Jews.
One thing is for sure: Islamist terrorists won’t waste what the U.S. taxpayer gives them on golf courses and solar panels.
The “Dutch” I voted for would not proceed to waste taxpayer’s money without first verifying that this “esteemed” body of terrorist sympathizers actually knew what the hell they are funding. Clearly they, and their enabler, Oblahma, don’t know or don’t care.
Don’t mess with Joe my ash. Don’t mess with Joe’s plumbing business money you little pis-sant. Divest THAT!
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
February 25th, 2009
11:28 am
I am willfully nasty to the willfully nasty – and the willfully ignorant. I’ll admit to that.
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
11:30 am
Ahahahahahahahaha, make it stop!!-
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), the longest serving Democratic senator, is criticizing President Obama’s appointment of White House “czars” to oversee federal policy, saying these executive positions amount to a power grab by the executive branch.
AmVet
February 25th, 2009
11:32 am
Joe I at 10:42, BRAVO, SIR!
I have pondered the same question for good long while now?
Where are the new Republicans? Where are the vanguards of that political party that will lead them through the horrific situation they’ve created for themselves? Where are the young and moderate veterans? Where pray tell are the non-chickenhawks in their ranks?
From what I can tell, they simply do not exist. And the RNC Chairman, HeadRush, doesn’t want any, so we all know that that means — a whole bunch of the “leaders” in the Old White Guy Party need to die off before there will be any fundamental improvements in their hemorrhaging condition.
The sad fact is that the lunatic fringe and Republiconned still rule what is left of the once Grand Old Party.
So, who are their “new and improved” standard bearers? Sarah BarraClueless? The Louisiana Flash? DeMint of SC???
If they were to make a movie about the faux conservatives, a good title might be Death Wish 2009.
Paul, a competitive democracy is much too much to ask for when it comnes to Democrats and Republicans.
And at the risk of p!ssing off NRB, is it any wonder that over 60% of Americans see them as failing us?
And Mikey, another STELLAR contribution at 10:44! One out of one, so far…
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
11:32 am
Dear Tru gelding,11:20
I did notice that Bush spent a lot of money keeping us free.
Maybe you don’t like that. But he did so that all of you Dems could keep begging for handouts without terrorism.
Sorry, gelding. I take Bush’s war time debt as a bargain for all of us. What do you think is a just debt for freedom? What limits would you prefer? Surrender?
Roni
February 25th, 2009
11:33 am
For Jindal to have the termerity to turn down any money, regardless of where it comes from, for Louisiana, a despetrately poor, uneducated, under-employed and backward state, shows no compassion or sense for his constituancy.
Roni
February 25th, 2009
11:34 am
Sorry-complete comment:
Jindal are the future of the Republican Party? No, Bobby Jindal had the chance last night to say “we’re open to everyone and all opinions. Instead he sounds more inclusive. I find that funny hearing that from a person of color. This guy has no charisma and claims New Orleans is coming back strong. This is only because of Katrina, which by the way is getting Federal monies to rebuild New Orleans. So, Bobby Jindal if your so anti big government. Please send all the government money to help build New Orleans back! Bush put our children and grand children in debt for a war which there where NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION!
Also, I agree with the following quote:
For Jindal to have the temerity to turn down any money, regardless of where it comes from, for Louisiana, a desperately poor, uneducated, under-employed and backward state shows no compassion or sense for his constituency.
blue
February 25th, 2009
11:36 am
PLEASE Mr. goverment help me I am so pittafule i cant make it with out you. Take care of me from birth to death i cant afford healthcare because my cellphone bill cable bill are to high, and dont even forget what it cost to get my hair and nails did. If the goverment will just take care of my housing, food, healthcare, retirement and anything else i need I will pick up the cable,cellphone and nails… thanks a life long democrate
RealityKing
February 25th, 2009
11:37 am
Hey Ballless,
Reagan, Clinton and the Bushs all greatly expanded the GDP along with the 50-65% GDP National debt. 15% difference increase in 30 years. Very much unlike Obama and his drunken band of free spenders that have already increase the national debt another 15%, pushing the debt close to 80% GDP, with more free spending promises in the works.
And as the financially responsible among us all know.., only fools budget like this.
getalife
February 25th, 2009
11:37 am
The gop are out of talent, out of ideas, out of touch and will go the way of the whig party.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
11:38 am
“PLEASE Mr. goverment help me I am so pittafule i cant make it with out you. Take care of me from birth to death i cant afford healthcare because my cellphone bill cable bill are to high, and dont even forget what it cost to get my hair and nails did. If the goverment will just take care of my housing, food, healthcare, retirement and anything else i need I will pick up the cable,cellphone and nails… thanks a life long democrate”
You know, if you can say what you’ve just written while doing bunny-ears/air quotes, while speaking into a mic, AND look passable in heels, you might just be the next VP candidate.
blue
February 25th, 2009
11:39 am
HEY DUMDA$$S the president DOES NOT spent money the CONGRESS does. How do we let people veto who don’t know how the goverment works
Jason Carbolier
February 25th, 2009
11:47 am
Jay has never met or seen a Conservative that he could like and his rantings prove it. I can say one thing for Jindal: He and Our Savior do not share college ties, e.g., Oxford University and being fellow Rhodes Scholars. Geez, I guess they gave it to Bobby out of compassion for having grown up with wealthy native-born parents.
Who do these people (his parents) think they are, telling him that anything is possible in the USA?
Immigrant parents? The very thought of it! My immigrant parents are long gone but they could not speak English when they entered the US and barely could when they died, but they didn’t let that stop them. Hard work and labor, sticking to principles, never ever asking for help or hand-outs. Even survived being Roman Catholics! Imagine that. Sounds like Bobby’s parents.
By the way, I have never said the Democratic party was wrong, only that I strongly disagree with everything they stand and vote for. They have a right to their views, opinions and voting and I have mine. I don’t doubt for a minute that Democrats are – or may be – just as patriotic as I am, nor do I doubt that they believe in what they think, how they act and what they do. I have my way; they have their way.
Our problem is that we have divided ourselves into two camps, bitterness and hatred for one another (Demo vs. Repub.). Power corrupts. The idiotic Republicans, having a chance to really make this a true Republic, screwed up with George Bush. The party’s over and we either mend our fences with one another or we will surely fail.
To paraphrase our late Senator Walter George, addressing his colleagues in the Senate: “Gentlemen, the ox cart is in the ditch. (It) Don’t matter how it got there, it’s there and we gotta get it out!” We should apply this logic to our present economic situation. That situation will surely test our mettle and determine what kind of future we and our children and grandchildren will have.
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
11:51 am
Dusty, talkin’ ’bout down and dirty as though it’s something a Republican never heard of or something. Tell that to the 666 people sickened so far by peanuts processed in that Republican stronghold facility. Republicans don’t need no devilishly steenkin’ regulations or oversight. Just look at those poor dead people in that Imperial Sugar plant in that Republican stronghold and that Republican Saxby Chambliss and his attack on the one guy there that actually tried to save lives. Then look at the businesses that illegally dumped waste on the ground and exposed innocent people to harm in Talmo and in White County, Ga., and look into how the Republicans wrote special laws to let these places get away with their crap after the fact and then look at that spill of toxic ash from that coal-fired power plant in Tennessee and thank your Republican philosophy for that one and then look at the salmonella outbreaks with Jalapenos and the FDA’s inability to even trace produce back to a country much less a farm thanks to the Republican philosophy of we don’t need no steenkin’ regulations…but then what’s the point in continuing to try to get through to a Republican. Can I get another Hallelujah, brother. Amen. Dontcha know.
SaveOurRepublic
February 25th, 2009
11:52 am
Cardinal Red @ 11:27 – Valid points on the Globalist Elite puppet org, the UN. The UN is a pariah & a direct affront to U.S. sovereignty. We should have withdrawn & booted them off U.S. soil decades ago!
Scott
February 25th, 2009
11:55 am
I kept hearing yesterday that Jindal was going to come out with this great message as the voice of the Republican party. You’ve got to be kidding me. He sounded like he was talking to a grade school classroom.. how could anyone have actually taken him seriously? It almost came across as a joke and I was actually embarrassed for him. Has no one from the Republican party ever heard him speak before this????? They really blew it.
G
February 25th, 2009
11:56 am
We have a mature, respectful and intelligent President now.
Excellent, President Obama! I love that he will hold government and institutions responsible!
Way to lead… keep up the great work!
I remember the days when I cringed and turned the channel whenever Bush The Criminal would speak. Glad those days are over.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
11:57 am
Roni-As Dan Ackroyd use to say on SNL (point/counter point) to Jane Curtain. Jane you ignorant S**t!!!! That last comment should be framed for “Bookmans-I hate Bush” 101. The debt for which you speak is a fraction of the debt the Dems an God just created for our childrens children!!!!!!!!
blue
February 25th, 2009
11:58 am
TAXPAYER are you such a poor example of a man that you cant make it without big mamma looking out for you
Paul
February 25th, 2009
11:58 am
Dusty
[[I think his experience in politics is extremely limited and he is now depending on ol’ time Democrats for policies.]]
Which is one reason I find it amazing Emanuel and others would cede so much of the particulars to the bill writing to Pelosi, et al. Then again, he let her have her say and much of it got knocked out in conference and it ended up closer to Pres Obama’s original design.
What I’m getting at is the ‘ol time Democrats have their interests (meaning, power and reelection) at heart – not Obamas. I think they’d give him up in a heartbeat if it meant their reelection or aims were in jeopardy. Did you notice how the cheering was more like choking when Obama spoke of cutting programs that didn’t work or had passed their usefulness? Especially the part about agribusiness subsidies? (One area where Dems are decidedly in the pocket of corporate interests. Passing off much of it as ‘environmental’ with the ethanol taxpayer giveaway has lost its credibility).
AJC/DNC Management
[[Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), the longest serving Democratic senator, is criticizing President Obama’s appointment of White House “czars” to oversee federal policy, saying these executive positions amount to a power grab by the executive branch.]]
Remember when I wrote that much of what Democrats were apoplectic about regarding Pres Bush was in reality a Bush Administration attempt to reclaim or preserve the powers of the Executive in relation to the Legislative?
So now we see the same thing with the Obama Administration. Don’t hold your breath about reading any posts about “fascist jackboot dictator Obama” though. Which is fine. Constitution does have a separation of powers ring to it, after all. Nice for Congress to recognize that.
DB, Gwinnettian
[[You know, if you can say what you’ve just written while doing bunny-ears/air quotes, while speaking into a mic, AND look passable in heels, you might just be the next VP candidate.]]
Biden wears heels?!!?
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
Then, Dusty proclaims that she gladly accepts Bush’s wartime debt but she lacks to mention who she is accepting it for because we know it cannot be her, A Republican, because Republicans only believe in cutting taxes for themselves. So, how does a Republican ever pay off their debt to society.
Jim Dandy
February 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
As Paul Krugman says in response to Jindal’s speech:
“The intellectual incoherence is stunning. Basically, the political philosophy of the GOP right now seems to consist of snickering at stuff that they think sounds funny. The party of ideas has become the party of Beavis and Butthead.”
Moving to Baton Rouge
February 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
This is completely absurd. Gov Jindal did a great job he stands as a citizen and leader. He called out the Rep and Dem’s as he should. GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM. How do you think we got into this mess in the first place?? And to the All Great and Powerful Obama…..there is a huge difference between a BANK and a Finance or Mortgage company. Get your facts straight if you are going to shift blame.
rcs
February 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
Nice diversion Jay, no need to talk about the current administration.
Here’s a suggestion for the next topic “Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will repay her state for travel expenses for nine trips with her children”
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
Awwww. blue is blue because my words rang true. Come on blue, surely that little mass crammed between your ears can do better than that dribble. Surely. Now, go ahead and give it a big gradeschool try. Grunt for me.
Arjun
February 25th, 2009
12:04 pm
As an Indian-American Independent voter, I was looking forward very much to hearing Bobby speak. Unfortunately, I must agree with the rest of the reviewers who did not think he did a good job. Still, this is only one speech and there is time for improvement.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
12:04 pm
“Biden wears heels?!!?”
Only in AJC/DNC’s wet dreams. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Herschworld
February 25th, 2009
12:05 pm
I think Jindal was pissed that Obama didn’t add a tax credit for the curry industry in the stimulus bill…But how is that going to create jobs other than the toilet and porcelain sectors
Red Foreman
February 25th, 2009
12:11 pm
If the roles had been reversed, you would call the Messiah Oblamha a friggin genius…you are a typical libtard,
Ted Nugent-2012
blue
February 25th, 2009
12:11 pm
taxpayer don’t have to try to hard you know so little about how your goverment works.Notice how last night Obama keep asking Congrees to send him a bill with things in it he was letting you know congress spends the money not the prez. And quit talking about the war the democrates end that when they took over congress in 2006
Truth
February 25th, 2009
12:14 pm
Jindal made some very good points. The only problem I see is that he isn’t the supreme speaker that Obama is… and why that is a problem I still don’t understand.
'Nuff Said
February 25th, 2009
12:15 pm
Mission Accomplished: National Poll Reports Obama Speech Provoked “Inspiration” Across the Board
It was a hit pretty much across the board, except perhaps for the many GOP dead-enders in Congress (you know who you/they are). We are referring, of course, to last night’s State of the Unionish speech by President Obama to Congress. Polls have revealed an uptick in Obama’s approval ratings but one national independent survey focuses on an even more important reaction.
The national study among 1,600 Democrats, Republicans and Independents revealed that “inspiration” was the emotion felt most among viewers, including better than 1 in 4 Republicans. In fact, the poll results are headed: “President Obama’s Speech to Congress Elicits Feelings of Inspiration among All Political Parties.”
After the speech, Obama’s approval ratings significantly increased among all parties, as well as his likability, believability and sincerity ratings, according to the pollsters, HCD Research.
Respondents were asked to choose from a list of emotions to indicate those that best reflected their feelings while viewing the speech. Democrats reported feeling inspiration (59%) and pride (21%) with Independents also naming inspiration (54%) with only 26% choosing skepticism. GOPers reported skepticism (47%) but also inspiration (29%).
Across the board, members of both parties and Indies had a more favorable view of Obama’s handling of various issues, including the economy. On nearly every issue, the Republicans had given him “poor” ratings before the speech, which now shot up to at least “fair.”
Before the speech, Obama’s overall approval rating was 80% for Democrats, 22% for Republicans and 51% for Independents. After, they climbed sharply to 88%, 33% and 67%. This is confirmed by other survey.
So maybe the public, if the GOPers in Congress, are willing to shed partisan politics in this time of crisis — sort of like post-9/11.
- Greg Mitchell
One Man's View
February 25th, 2009
12:16 pm
The Repub philosophy has been no interference in financial affairs, be it stock market, housing etc. As far as deficits go, correct me if I’m wrong, tax cuts and huge expenses are not a problem for Repubs in terms of massive debt – around 500 bil a yr, I believe.
Now the Dems are trying to fix the huge mess that the pals of the Repubs have caused, that is, fat cat CEOs and we have to hear about free markets and debt and the like. Are Repubs just too stupid to come in out of the rain? I think so.
tcoach
February 25th, 2009
12:16 pm
Taxpayer,
If that is the game you choose to play by saying because something happens in a rep. area it is because of republicans.
Do you then care to explain the crime rate and unemployment rate of Chicago, New York, L.A.
Guess those are faults of the republicans too. Why don’t you add up those murder rates and see who killed more peanuts or murder?
Can’t wait to see how this is republicans fault as well.
@gmail.com
February 25th, 2009
12:16 pm
The president as rock star. All style, no substance.
No wonder why Jindal’s response was panned. Who cares what he said? He talked funny.
blue
February 25th, 2009
12:17 pm
Taxpayer one last question how bad do you hate freedom? and your right about one thing i quit school at 17 went to work at mcdonalds worke hard saved money open my own restruant at 30 sold it at 47 and retired that is the AMERICAN DREAM
Vote for Kenneth!
February 25th, 2009
12:19 pm
As our friends over at Buzzfeed pointed out: The blogosphere was atwitter last night with comparisons between Bobby Jindal and Kenneth the page from NBC’s “30 Rock.”
Andrew Sullivan found that if you closed your eyes during Jindal’s response to Obama, you were sure to see sweet Kenneth Parcell’s face float through your head. Sullivan went on to say that he “can barely count the number of emails making that observation.”
Mattfraction on Twitter noted that “Within an hour of the speech, a Google search for “jindal kenneth 30 rock” yielded almost 75,000 hits.” It now offers more than 85,000.
Our own Jason Linkins saw the undeniable similarities and said:
“If it wasn’t such a dead-on comparison it would be catty to say out loud…but there’s no denying it: Bobby Jindal was totally channeling Kenneth The Page from NBC’s ‘30 Rock’ tonight. (With maybe a touch of ‘Moviefone guy.’)”
Gawker offers a bet: “$20 on the already-hot Jack McBrayer playing Jindal this weekend on ‘Saturday Night Live’,” and (maybe most impressively) the Daily What found this .gif of Jindal morphing into Mr. Parcell.
So what do you think? They’re both Southern, and they both have weird religious things going on what with Jindal’s exorcisms and Kenneth’s views that “choosing is a sin” and that hot is “the devil’s temperature.” They also both have the tendency to look like they’re dressing up in their fathers’ suits.
Is this the kind of hard-hitting interview we can expect in the 2012 election?
Truth
February 25th, 2009
12:20 pm
RedForeman… Oh how awesome it would be if Uncle Ted would get into politics! He says it like it is!!!!
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
12:23 pm
I guess if the polls said we should all jump off a cliff,is that the reasoning for not having one’s own opinion? The sad fact is to many americans depend on the media and polls to form an opinion-how sad. And just because you can speak effectively,does’nt mean your not full of S**T. I’ll let the sheep follow the con-artist!!!!
Mike
February 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
DB –
“Fair enough, but I’m not sure that’s quite the notion I’d posted. I simply said (summarizing here) that white-on-white bigotry is different from white-on-black.”
I think I heard that point pretty clearly. My point was that bigoted stereotyping of millions people based on hateful stereotypes is offensive and ignorant regardless of the criteria by which those people are demonized. Hating people based on where they live is as vile as hating them for their race or religious preferences.
I don’t think that race-based bigotry is any more likely to lead to violence as any other form of bigotry. Particularly here where this bigotry is professed by anonymous cowards who would never spew their rhetoric to someone’s face, let alone risk any physical confrontation with them.
Regardless, I don’t see why the bigotry is accepted by Bookman, regardless of its targets. It is vile and useless and demeans us all.
Thanks for the thoughtful response.
AmVet –
I could really care less about your criticism. I would be much more concerned if a hateful and ignorant person who relies on grade school name calling such as yourself gave me rave reviews. You never actually respond to anything I say anyway other than issue silly boilerplate responses like the one you just gave. Resume your unhinged ranting.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
Herschworld @ 12.05, not only is that in questionable taste, I love Indian food, I indulge that craving when I can, and can never recall having had any gastric distress as a result.
You want to criticize Jindal, criticize him. Leave his ethnicity TF alone.
Greg Mendel
February 25th, 2009
12:27 pm
I thought Jindal made a compelling case for the Republican solution to the financial crisis. It was filled with minute detail and innovative ideas. Very specific, very affordable. I could find no reason it wouldn’t work for my household, nor most households in America. I was especially impressed that it comes with an extra power cord.
That was a Ronco ad? Should have known. It had a money-back guarantee.
Roger Patterson
February 25th, 2009
12:29 pm
The idiot you quoted doesn’t even know how to spell Jindal.
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
12:30 pm
blue,
keep working on that sentence structure so, if you by chance happen to ever form a cogent thought, you’ll be prepared to share it with us. Good luck with that.
tcoach,
what do you want now. Are you upset that I referred to Republicans while giving Dusty another lesson, or two. Get over it. Go pick on Andy or Commie or any number of others that you apparently connect with since you hardly, if ever, call any of them out for anything at all.
Mike
February 25th, 2009
12:31 pm
“I think Jindal was pissed that Obama didn’t add a tax credit for the curry industry in the stimulus bill…But how is that going to create jobs other than the toilet and porcelain sectors”
Note that this racist garbage garnered nary a peep from Bookman. Bigotry is fine with him as long as it is directed at people who don’t share his partisan affiliation.
@@
February 25th, 2009
12:31 pm
jay, I wasn’t overly impressed with either Obama’s speech or Jindal’s response.
Obama seems to be having difficulty transitioning from campaign mode to leadership mode. Could it possibly be because his only gift is in campaigning and not leading? It would appear the markets have caught onto this reality or Obama’s lack thereof. They’re looking for specifics and still, he (Obama) offers none that would reassure them.
I always thought Bush came across well in a more casual setting. Jindal does too.
Anyhoo, a question for you……
Which gawd was Chris Matthews calling on before Jindal even opened his mouth?
Preconceived notions and post-conceived notions of the MSM — nothing’s changed.
Obama IS gawd to the left-leaning media and because of that, the American people will continue to be misled.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
12:32 pm
Oh how awesome it would be if Uncle Ted would get into politics!
please, dear Lord, you know I don’t ask for much…
I think I’ve still got that Creem magazine where Ted is quoted as saying “I killed two men!”
On the cover.
AmVet
February 25th, 2009
12:34 pm
OK, the hijacked, vomitous GOP is apparently beret of any beneficial contributions to the nation at this point, so let’s take a good close look at their sworn enemies – the Republican-lites, shall we?
Congress is completely absorbed with this tax-cut-stimulus package. It is stasis-time yet again on Capitol Hill. As evidenced by their lack yet of any serious movement toward rolling back Bush-pushed legislation. And I have a sick feeling in my stomach, too little will ever be forthcoming.
This present day scenario is based upon previous Republican policies and the coddling of Wall Street for eight years, which built this steep cliff for financial collapse. Add in the de-regulatory nonsense of 1999 and 2000 by the Clinton-Rubin crowd and this financial meltdown was inevitable. (Sorry Dickhead Cheney, plenty of people saw it coming.)
And yet some of the idiotic bleating “faithful” and intentionally uninformed in the Reich-wing still contend that the government should not intervene and the private sector is uttery blameless for these crimes. The markets will self-correct is the mantra. They are useful tools for Hannity, Boortz, Limberger, etc…
But so far where the hell is the progressive determination by the Democrats? And why the lack of a horizon? It appears to me that a sense of being overwhelmed by the corporate forces still bearing down on the US Congress — easily the most powerful branch of government under our Constitution — is still entrenched.
But the spineless Demoocrats and the utterly craven Republicans in Congress do not act as if it is the most powerful branch. They routinely abdicate their constitutional responsibilities—the declaration of war authority and the plenary authority to investigate and require access to withheld and necessary information from the executive branch, for example.
These same Democrats sadly rubber-stamped virtually all of BushCos screw ups and sold out the American people by not removing the most chronically impeachable president in our history when they had a great chance in 2006.
Even efforts by Senator Russ Feingold and Cong. John Conyers to invoke a modest censure resolution of Bush and Cheney, for their many constitutional and statutory violations, were nixed by the bunglers Pelosi and Reid. So the mayhem and debacles continued undisturbed for another two years.
Why do the Democrats act like they are not the majority party? And it seems it is worse than that. They do not act — period.
With a majority status in Congress and a President in the White House, why the hell aren’t they moving swiftly to repeal the ban on Uncle Sam negotiating drug prices from volume discounts under the drug benefit law? For that matter, why haven’t they moved to amend the Patriot Act, or regain control of warrantless surveillance, or strengthen the corporate criminal laws and enforcement budgets? Congress is not even pushing to require taxing Hedge Fund manager’s income as ordinary income and not as capital gains.
Senator Dodd (and the vast majority of the American people) want to do something about credit card company abuses and gouging. But he is surrounded not just by the Republicans on the Senate Banking Committees but high-ranking Democrats beholden to the financial goliaths who, are demanding and receiving hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer bailouts.
And what of fixing this unconscionable clusterf&ck called health care insurance? Apart from a quickly enacted expansion of some coverage for more poor children, its gonna be put off for a year. At least. thanks Mr. Obama.
People are dying. And millions of us are gonna suffer like nothing any of us have ever seen. And the criminals are laughing all the way to the bank while the Republiconned shuck and grin for them. But hey, what’s the hurry?
And even though we’ve just endured the most gutless fear-mongering in the history of Western Civilization, courtesy of the worst administration in Western history and its lackeys, the reality-challenged idiots on the ever-imploding right-wing contend Obama is doing the same thing.
It is understandable that they want to do nothing. Not today. Not yesterday. Not ever. Just deny and obfuscate and act as if everything is till rosy.
They should all swing…
And good retort, Mikey. As usual your cogent analysis here is invaluable…
TnGelding
February 25th, 2009
12:35 pm
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
11:32 am
Freedom from whom? He’s enslaved our heirs to mediocrity and debt.
RealityKing
February 25th, 2009
11:37 am
Clinton had no debt, he started reducing the deficit from the first year. It took him 6 years to turn the financial mess he inherited around. And the $250 billion in spending cuts over 5 years is what got the budget balanced. The entire amount was realized again in the 6th and every year since.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
12:40 pm
The idiot you quoted doesn’t even know how to spell Jindal.
Consider the source–Free Republic. Home of the Freeper. And Freeperisms.
And where, presumably, this gentleman posts regularly.
Pat
February 25th, 2009
12:41 pm
Jindal made me uncomfortable, but only because it’s hard to hurl and laugh at the same time. But after clearing my windpipe, now gotta say I love it. Love the Newt Gingrich-in-blackface jive both Steele and Jindal are serving up to a nauseous public, almost as much as the “Crazy-Cheney-in-drag” burlesque routine they performed with Sarah Palin. Awesome guys, Obama needs two terms, and you’re a big help.
The right wing loons steering the GOP and posting here don’t get it – and that’s just dandy with me. Should the tone-deaf antics continue, they’ll complete their disconnect with the “reality based community” guaranteeing them a lengthy sojourn in the wilderness before they wander back to where most of the country lives – in the real world.
These dolts really believe they can look “fresh” and “relevant” by recruiting Trojan-horse anti-women’s rights females and sell-out,
anti-civil rights minorities to parrot the same old warmed-over BS? A warmed-up spoiled stew of moldy catch-phrases and trickle-down fantasies served up with a side of Vanilla Ice-style, faux hip-hop… and THAT will return them to power? Screamingly funny, but alas, not even close.
It is hilarious to watch though. SNL doesn’t even need writers anymore with these ‘tards running the GOP and soiling their pants on the national stage. The skits write themselves…
Imagined voices overheard in a GOP strategy session, prior to convention:
“Uh, we’re up to our _ss in alligators, folks! A woman almost won the Dem nom – we better pick a woman VP now to get some of those crazy lady hormonal voters! They must all be having that time of the month. Naw, not one of our QUALIFIED ones – they’re the ##@@!! moderates. Pick the beauty queen, she’s hot, and she talks like Rush! Stop worrying about a woman in the White House – it’s not like she’s for equal pay or choice or anything crazy like that. Think of her as Rush, but sexier. Like Hannity! She’s more of a man than McCain, that’s for sure.
So she’s dumb as a box of rocks? So was George, right? Start a data dump into that pretty empty head, and make sure she practices pronouncing “Ahmadinejad.” And go buy that Arctic hillbilly bunch some decent clothes, for God’s sake.”
Another session, same idiots, post-election: “Holy S__t! The black guy won! I told you we needed to remind the voters that he’s black! Why the ___ do we pay Rove? Remind me! I TOLD ya we shoulda run with the Bobby Rush/Black Panthers talking points and dumped the Ayers angle, but NOOOOO, nobody listened! Well, nice job – more coloreds voted, and now the census says soon whites will be a minority – it’s jungle fever time, folks, and we’re screwed!
I told you guys this would happen when we couldn’t kill the Voting Rights Act, let the commies dump the miscenegenation laws, and let all those wetbacks in to work off the books in our warehouses and put in our swimming pools! Yeah, we fired the census guy, but our new guys say the same thing! We’re gotta start flinging manure at Obama fast – but these uppity Negroes are gonna be a big problem. So, quick, find some black guys! Keyes, Keyes is good, but … no, he’s old news. Same with Condi – and she’s got a crush on Obama, worse than the one she had on Bush! That woman needs, well, you know. Start running background checks on Michael Steele. And we need us another one! Where do you look? How should I know? Do I look like P. Diddy to you? Ask around. Jindal? I dunno, he looks like a damn foreigner to me. Have we checked his birth certificate? Hmmm, he should be dark enough, I guess. Hey, it’s not like we have a deep bench here. Hell yeah, we better start grooming him. Give him Reagan’s speeches to study, and we’ll let him rebut ‘lil Barry’s first speech. That’ll have ‘em messing their shorts, when they see we can fight black with black! Or dark, ethnic, whatever, like I know what the heck they want to be called. Think I hang in the hood? But meanwhile, we do need to start talking the lingo – Steele, we’ll get him studying old episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Belair.” See if we can get the Young Republicans to infiltrate black student mixers. How? Bring chicken and watermelon? Good idea! We’ll show the country we’re ready for the 20th century. Yeah, smart a__, so it’s the 21st.
Will it work? Hey, you were at the Palin rallies. If dumb whites bought Pat Boone recordings of black blues, why not? It’s our only shot. Just a quick dark shoeshine on our policies and we’ll tap dance our minstrel show back into the majority and the White House in no time flat!”
Truly as my kid would say, LMAO.
honeycloud
February 25th, 2009
12:44 pm
Jindal is clearly not ready. i’m sorry but he sounded like he was doing an infomercial. how did he become governor? i think he snuck in the back door while nobody noticed. if this is all the republicans have, they are in trouble.
Dusty
February 25th, 2009
12:46 pm
Well, STOP THE PRESSES!! Taxpayer discovered an unknown law. Republicans don’t pay taxes.
Please, Taxpayer, notify the IRS immediately. For some strange reason, I have been paying taxes every year and I am the usual honest Republican.
I know you love to expand your great knowledge of empty spaces to one and all. Please let the government know about their mistake. Thank you.
Mike
February 25th, 2009
12:46 pm
AmVet -
Please just answer one question for me. I know that it pains you to actually respond to something that someone says, but humor me just this one time.
Do you really think that your rambling, vulgar, name-calling screed is “cogent analysis”?
You can just answer with a yes or a no. You can even call me names before and after if it makes you feel better.
Mike
February 25th, 2009
12:50 pm
Pat -
Boy all of those racist stereotypes are just rolling off your tongue. You seem pretty familiar with the vernacular.
@@
February 25th, 2009
12:52 pm
Oh, and jay? I watched Michael Steele’s response last night, too.
He borrowed from Obama’s speech when he said “We get it!”…….”the American people are not happy with our last eight years of excessive spending…..we paid the price in the last two elections.”
I don’t think the dems in congress do “get it”. They’ve been outside the circle of jerks for so long, they thought the American people wouldn’t recognize their familiar modus operandi. When Obama said “I get it!” he was talking about the taxpayer’s bacon.
It’s his now. He and the democrats can do with it as they please.
Dim memories serve the present porkers well, dont’cha know?
DJ
February 25th, 2009
12:52 pm
To everyone on the blog… We all have a very valuable lesson to learn from politics, jobs, and the economy. It’s that life is not about money. I’m only 28 years old and have earned large sums of money in my life by working. I’ve been dirt poor and grew up in the housing projects of Atlanta, but now have a Master’s degree and investments which ultimately mean nothing to me. These things cannot love or care for me. In fact, it’s all easier to lose than gain (I’ve lost as well). Until we learn and teach ourselves and our kids these things, the back-and-forth arguing will continue. I’m sure on your death bed, the last thing you would think of is your political party or the economy. Be Happy!
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
12:53 pm
AmVet-I just felt nausea,thinking of your response. I think I’ll go listen to Chris Matthews for a more sane analysis!!!
Matthew
February 25th, 2009
12:54 pm
It was terrible.
But Jay thinking that he’s blown his chance/moment just shows that Bookman is pathetically inept when it comes to understanding national politics.
I certainly won’t take up for Jindal’s horrendous showing, but anyone who follows politics closely would recognize that Jindal is capable of much, much better (basically anyone who takes the 30 seconds to explore youtube). He’ll without a doubt have many, many more opportunities.
Audrey in Georgia
February 25th, 2009
12:54 pm
“Mayday, mayday! We’re going down!” A quote from the “Morning Joe” show. The republicans are so down and out!
Fred
February 25th, 2009
12:56 pm
The attacks on Jindal just confirm what most Conservatives already know. He hit his mark. Of course with Obama and his band of merry tax cheats at the helm, it’s not that hard. The next Congressional elections should be a interesting to say the least. By then, Obama should have the country thoroughly screwed up and the peasants should be marching on Capital Hill with torches and pitch forks. By the way, I love all the lovely racist comments by these fair minded and racially sensitive Democrats.
Mike
February 25th, 2009
12:56 pm
DJ –
Very well said, although I really believe that a lot of folks on this blog will be thinking about how much they hate people who don’t share their narrow political views on their deathbed. Sad, but true.
AmVet
February 25th, 2009
12:56 pm
Pat, that is the funniest shiite I have read in……well…. maybe forever.
Great stuff!
And it is bound to make the slobbering right-wingers go into convulsions. Oh! I see it already happened at 12:50.
Tis a good game we play here. We write about the issues of the day, using much sarcasm and irony. But also including much reason, logic, data, evidence and facts to support our irreverent conclusions.
And the emasculated faithful here piously blubber about their vast worthiness regarding race relations and other such nonsense…
OK, off yet again to pay for the bailouts and the occupation.
Pray for rain…
danjonglee
February 25th, 2009
12:57 pm
Yes. Jindal no good. We need strong leader in tough times. Like Stalin or Mao..
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
12:57 pm
Gelding, you still remain clueless.
The SS Trust Fund is virtually empty! That $2 trillion you cited is a bunch of IOU’s from all the free-spending, free-wheeling Dems and Repubs who spent it over the years to try to balance budgets (poorly).
Get a clue, Gelding!
AJC/DNC Management
February 25th, 2009
12:58 pm
Quick, someone tell Hair Plugs to call his website!
If they found the number yet, Ahahahahahahahaha.
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
12:59 pm
I don’t have to notify the IRS, Dusty. Keep up with the times. The IRS is already after 52,000 US tax cheats that worked through UBS. UBS has gotten themselves in some serious trouble here in the states and they’ve already agreed to fork over hundreds of millions in compensation to the IRS for just 300 of those tax cheats that proclaim themselves to be “Americans”. Tax cheats are scum. Don’t you agree, Dusty. BY the way, that former Republican Senator, Phil Gramm, went to work for UBS. Did you know that his wife was on the Board of Directors at Enron and that Phil Gramm pushed that legislation through in December of 2000 regarding derivatives and part of that legislation became known as the Enron loophole and it just gets better. Do you know what credit default swaps are. I didn’t think so.
Mike
February 25th, 2009
1:00 pm
AmVet -
Nice comeback to my simple question. Nice to know that you are a proud racist in addition to your many other fine qualities.
Here is another chance to demonstrate that you are capable of answering a simple question:
What makes me a “right-winger”? I’d love to know what you are talking about. And again, feel free to call me names before and after your “cogent analysis”. LOL
Mike
February 25th, 2009
1:03 pm
AmVet -
While you are at it, maybe you can explain to DB why he is a “right-winger” as he also called out the racist garbage that you refer to as “great stuff”.
steve-o
February 25th, 2009
1:04 pm
Look, the Jindal speech was truly terrible. Poor content and poorly delivered. The only real sad part about it is that the GOP has such high hopes for this guy and, much like Sarah Palin, they did not take a real good look before thrusting him into the spotlight. When will they learn? But who can blame them? They don’t really have anybody to chose from that’s any good. They are a party lost in the woods. They have no good leaders and they don’t know what to do except fold their arms and call the other side socialists. Well, I say move aside and let the party in control do its work and if you don’t like what the Dems do then you have another vote in 2010. But the very idea that the Republicans should have a seat at the table when these bills are written is laughable!!! They did not offer that to the Dems during Bush’s tenure and they won’t get it during Obama’s so long as they don’t control congress. Duh! They are the biggest bunch of crybaby losers I have ever seen.
G
February 25th, 2009
1:06 pm
Jindal is a young, dark face in a sea of older white men. That’s the only reason the Rushpublicans give a hoot about him. They think they can gain some “control” over the large segment of Americans who do not identify with old white men, just the way they used Palin to woo women.
Skill, intelligence, credentials and all the other things that define a leader have to be embodied in whoever is chosen to lead – black, yellow, brown, white, man, woman, gay or straight. And, because of who the Rushpublicans are and what they stand for, that pool of talented people with diverse backgrounds is very small indeed. Therefore, Rush- publicans are forced to look for a shill with a different face, not an exceptional person.
Just look at McCain’s choice of VP, Jindal, and their choice of Michael Steele.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
1:06 pm
Mike-AmVet’s rants show what most of us already knew. If you Be-rate and Generaly talk down to people,it not only makes him feel good. But it also gives him the false feeling of Importance & Intelligence!
@@
February 25th, 2009
1:07 pm
AmVet:
Don’t you mean you’re off, yet again, to change your identity? I’ll say the same thing to you that I said to Midori last night (it got “pulled”) so I’ll change the wording a bit…..
Quit playing with yourself, Pat.
Mike
February 25th, 2009
1:10 pm
caz1158 –
AmVet might be talking, but he is not quite in a position to be “talking down” to anyone as his rhetoric is as low as it gets.
Pat
February 25th, 2009
1:14 pm
Mike,
Well, yes, I’m pretty familiar with the “racist venacular” that just “rolls off my tongue.” You probably, however, DON’T want to know why … too bad, you brought it up. It’s from living my entire life surrounded by die-hard racist family members in North Florida and Alabama.
Grandpa? He was a keeper. Head of the local Klan chapter in the Alabama town where he was born. Regaled the family with tales of how he once chased a group of black farmers out of a bank where they’d come to ask for a loan – he and his buds ran them to the outskirts of town with a bullwhip. He was a hero to his semi-literate friends. Oh, in his spare time, he molested me and my female cousins whenever he got the chance.
Hmm, where’d I pick up such terms? Yep, I’ve heard them, once, twice, or a few hundred times … for example, from my Republican uncle, who spent last Thanksgiving out by his fish pond, earnestly explaining to me how mad he was that Bush “ruined” the country, but he just “Can’t vote for that nigger?”
Maybe my dad, who 10 years after my sister moved in with her Japanese boyfriend, still yelled “Tora Tora Tora! whenever she walked in for a visit?
I’m saying, like it or not, plenty of Republicans – especially in the rural South – still think this way. And that a few quick, phony baloney “diversity” efforts from a party that has blatantly used racism as an electoral strategy for decades is disgusting, stupid, and will not work. I didn’t say every Republican is racist – but enough are that the strategy is suspect, as well as fundamentally flawed. It’s insincere – and it smells to heaven.
Disgusted
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
Taxpayer: It will be a while longer before UBS releases the names of those American tax cheats. A Swiss lawyer has filed suit against UBS, claiming that the release of such names is a violation of Swiss law. Of course, the true plantiffs of the suit remain unnamed. Cowards that they are, they choose to hide behind the lawyer.
tcoach
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
Taxpayer, just read.
I asked very simple questions. Ones you know the answer to, only problem is you don’t want to say them because you loose credibility.
Read my post to you. The questions are in small words and everything for you. However I feel you will do as you always do and leave it unanswered, or try to change the subject. Do whatever you wish to not answer these very simplistic questions. But I assure you that you will not actually answer the question. Unless that is you wish to amend your previous statements and linking things that happen in a particular district to a particular party.
Go ahead and run, dodge, lie or change topic. But you know and I know you cannot answer this question without having to be impartial. Something you have not the character nor class, from what I have sen on here, to do.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
This is what is wrong about America right now. You people look at “personality” rather than “performance”. You fawned all over a glib, articulate, inexperienced, 1/3 term Senator from Ill., and we now have the American Idol – Youtube Presidency.
Now, we’ve all seen Hope & Change’s first few weeks, and as a “leader”, he pretty well stinks on ice. His Cabinet picks have been horrendous, his performance on policy has been ragged, and the people with money to invest are voting with their feet.
Now, we’ll see what we get after 2012, but if this performance continues and Hope & Change is re-elected, then our Republic is doomed. You can’t keep electing “personality” over “substance” and survive.
I’ll take Jindal’s and Palin’s REAL performance in office over style points any day. Or any other fiscal conservative for that matter.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
1:17 pm
G-Believe it or not,most conservatives don’t give a Hoot about BobbyJ or Palin,Really! What we do believe in is the right message. You don’t have to be great communicator (though it does help,ie-Clinton/Obama). I believe in SUBSTANCE over style any day!!
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
1:17 pm
Hi, Dave R!
Sure was fun watching you get pounded yesterday on that “50% pay no taxes” lie I’d called you out on. It’s not often that Jay decides to start a brand new thread to set a bozo straight; frankly, I didn’t think you deserved the attention, but it takes all kinds.
So, ever find that more-recent-than-June 2005 cite on the Galveston REE-tarment plan I so politely requested, and about which you continue to dance?
On another topic… nah. Think I’ll let your kneejerk “Them SS trust fund dollars? They’s just Ah Oh Yews” business stew awhile; you’re bound to dig a much, much deeper hole for yourself before the day is over.
Mike
February 25th, 2009
1:18 pm
Pat –
Thanks for the insight. Apparently the apple didn’t fall far from the tree as ignorant stereotyping seems to be a big part of your psychological makeup.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
1:19 pm
tcoach, don’t hold your breath expecting Taxpayer to answer a single question you ask of him. Cockroaches can’t stand the light. He’ll do anything BUT answer your questions, because it would prove to the world he knows nothing.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
1:22 pm
I just read now that Obama has won American Idol,He just signed up for next years Dancin with Stars. Oh thats when he’s not saving us from ourselves. What a Guy!!!
Mike
February 25th, 2009
1:22 pm
tcoach -
Seriously, don’t bother. Folks like Taxpayer and AmVet never answer any direct questions. They are here to vent their hatred, not have a conversation. Unfortunately, that is the SOP for most regulars on this blog.
Midori
February 25th, 2009
1:25 pm
Pat,
HILARIOUS!!!
Keep em coming!!
Ed
February 25th, 2009
1:25 pm
He should have said “You Betcha!” a couple times and winked in between.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
1:26 pm
DB, Gwinnett, you remain ignorant as usual.
Didn’t get pounded at all yesterday (unless you live in an alternate reality), and I answered your question about Galveston. Why do you insist on showing the world you are an ignorant hick?
To review: There is no more recent review of the Galveston private retirement fund performance, because it’s performance hasn’t changed since 2005. Still paying out more than SS, still investing in safe bonds, still giving back to the survivors hundreds of thousands of dollars instead of $265 for SS.
And your lib buddy Gelding cites an IRS opinion that says the Galveston plan wouldn’t work nationally! The IRS! What losers you guys are!
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
1:26 pm
Mike- Taxpayer & AmVet don’t mind responding,it’s just they have to do it between flippin burgers. Livin off min/wage is tough u know.
JJ
February 25th, 2009
1:29 pm
Liberals are unbelievably stupid. You criticize Jindal for his awkwardness but yet you capitulate on and on about the vapid response from Obama about the state of our country. It’s obvious that when it comes to the issues you prefer style over substance. Weak minded thinkers like you ought to take a moment and really listen to Jindal’s speech. Here is a man who believes in the individual, while your guy believes in the government. It is truly sad to see the display of public begging for government help. If we are to be led in the future by this nation of whiners we are doomed.
DB, Gwinnettian
February 25th, 2009
1:29 pm
“The IRS! What losers you guys are!”
you do realize that you were offering the IRS as a rock-solid source of your information about the “50% pay no taxes” lie yesterday, yes?
Dave, you’ve mastered the art of claiming victory with every post. It’s a swell form of trollish performance art. “Game, set, match!”
But nobody actually, you know, believes you.
DAG
February 25th, 2009
1:31 pm
I resent the comment from G. Blanston stating that Louisiana is a despetrately poor, uneducated, under-employed and backward state. Unless this refers to yourself, I think you should appologize to those fellow Americans that treasures their culture there. I am proud to say I am from Louisiana, am very educated and very much employed and am not backwards.
J David Raiteri
February 25th, 2009
1:31 pm
Governor Jindal….I would feel it a complement to be criticized by the likes of AJC Socialist, J. Bookman & a pseudo-Conservative David Brooks…UGA coach Richt would not let Florida’s head coach select Georgia’s QB.,…Bookman can go fly a kite..literally
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
1:43 pm
DB, continue to wallow in ignorance.
The IRS certainly has a handle on their own figures. Monkeys with calculators can do that. That, at least, is something the IRS is capable of doing.
What they are NOT capable of doing is an OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS of a private retirement plan that would put them out of business. Even you could figure THAT one out.
Got anything else, sport?
steve-o
February 25th, 2009
1:45 pm
Dave, Palin cannot think her way out of a paper bag. You may be impressed with her, but I doubt it is her intelligence that impresses you. I am sure what you love is her conservative values and I would respect you more if you would just come out and say that. You Republicans have made it clear for years that intellect does not impress you, but god-fearing, right-wing radicalism really melts your butter. What kills me is how pathetic the GOP attempts at vote getting are: pick a woman as VP running mate to try to win the women voters who supported Hillary; pick a black man to head the party and maybe win some black votes; pick another brown-faced man as potential heir-apparant and maybe win some more minority votes. Nevermind that none of these people has the skill or intellect to wet the end of a dipstick. You may not like Obama’s politics but he is far from stupid and he has way too much substance to him to be dubbed the American Idol president. Your criticisms are weak and unfounded and your praise of Steel, Palin and Jindal is unconvincing. Go ahead run them, put them on the ballot if you think they are so great. I will sleep well knowing this is the best you have to offer.
luangtom
February 25th, 2009
1:45 pm
Well….at least the Republican response did not have teleprompters telling them when to clap and stand like the Obamaladen speech had…….
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
1:47 pm
Dave-Be carefull of the use of Monkey’s!!!! You know were that will lead our friends on the left.
LMFAO
February 25th, 2009
1:48 pm
The same people who think Jinal and Palin are a good idea for the next big election are the same people who think people only voted for Obama because he is black or only voted for Hillary Clinton because she is a woman. They just don’t get it and until they do get it they will continue to lose.
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
Can you hear that sizzle, caz1158. It’s the sound of fresh meat on the grill. It’s Republican meat being cooked up. They eat their own, dontcha know. Ready for another one. Watch closely ’cause I’m fixin’ to flip you another one.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
Luangtom-Did’nt you see Obama & Pelosi pushing buttons to reward the animals with nuts everytime they wanted them to stand and applaud. Very convincing except for the mess the Dems left!!!
SOUTHERN ATL
February 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
This was my first time hearing Jindal speak and I must say that I was not impressed….I give the speech and the struggling Republican Party two thumbs down!!! Everyone keeps elaborating on the pork that is in the stimulus bill…well, I have not been up on the blogging lately but does anyone have any idea on how OUR COUNTRY will benefit for the number of years that we have spent in Iraq? I have never seen any documentation on what this nation will gain from the resources that was put into this war….Is there a website that can provide this information? I would rather spend MY portion of MY tax dollars helping my fellow Americans that are unemployed and loosing their homes than to spend on a war with no measureable gains!!!
Taxpayer
February 25th, 2009
1:55 pm
tcoach,
if your questions are so simplistic, then by all means answer them.
By the way, if you kids expect me to keep playing with you, you’ll need to move up to the next thread.
tcoach
February 25th, 2009
1:56 pm
Claiming that republicans or democrats decide who to give speeches to or run for office based on their race says way more about the posters racial views than anything. It also goes a very long way to discredit and actually discriminate against those of which you speak. You are essentially saying that this person only got their job because of teh color of their skin. Sound familiar?
Holly Smith
February 25th, 2009
1:57 pm
His speech sounded like it was written by fifth graders, and his delivery was nothing short of wooden. He may be “scary smart” as I read yesterday, but you sure couldn’t tell it. Perhaps there is a charisma class he can attend…anyone know of one?
steve-o
February 25th, 2009
2:01 pm
I stand by my assessment of Republicans’ attempt at vote-getting. They have never made in-roads with minorities and more women vote Democratic than Republican. So, yes, they are trying to get some of those votes. Absolutely. You don’t like my assessment then too bad. But it is not racist or sexist to suggest as I did. So cry me another river because that one doesn’t do it for me.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:01 pm
Holly Smith-Style over Substance?? Always thought it was the other way arround,silly me. But I guess Clinton now Obama have proved that.
steve-o
February 25th, 2009
2:03 pm
Jindal may be smart, in fact I am sure he is, but that does not mean he will be a good speaker, a good leader or a good politician. The Republicans just can’t figure it out. Or better yet, they have nobody better.
Audrey in Georgia
February 25th, 2009
2:05 pm
Pat, I love your comments! You are so cool!!!
LMFAO
February 25th, 2009
2:07 pm
After reading this blog today it is clear to my why the GOP can only win the deep south Bible Belt states and the crazy square states. Because that is where the highest concentration of idiots with their heads up their butts live. Enjoy being a party of the marginal lunatic fringe. I know I will enjoy it!
G
February 25th, 2009
2:10 pm
The problem with Jindal, as with other Rushpublicans, is that they simply don’t get it.
They talk down to the American people like we are children, incapable of understanding the world around us, of making decisions when given the facts.
Government is not the problem. Government can do good things, but you have to have people running the government who believe that, as most Democrats do.
When you put people in charge who believe in the mission, who believe in a government of, by and for the people, who have experience and talent in their field and are not just someone appointed as a political favor, then things can work.
The problems we face now are a direct result of 8 years of Rushpublican incompetence.
Thank God the adults are back in charge.
LMFAO
February 25th, 2009
2:12 pm
I like Jindal’s real first name much better. Piyush Jindal has a much better ring to it. Besides he took Bobby from Bobby Brady on the Brady Bunch. Not a good idea. Just sayin’.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:14 pm
LMFAO-I’m guessing from your comments you don’t live in the south.Otherwise I guess you would have to include yourself in that highly intelligent rant!!!
MikeB
February 25th, 2009
2:15 pm
Wow…Wow…Wow. If I were a Republican, I’d shoot myself.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
LMFAO-And I’m guessin takin HUSSEIN was??? Just sayin
LMFAO
February 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
Oh, I do live in the south which is how I know my statements to be true. I didn’t say we ALL had our head’s up our butts, I just said we have the highest concentration of that type. But I am sure you went to some Christian Academy so words are confusing and scary. It’s okay.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
steve-o, you may not think Palin can think her way out of a paper bag, but she IS a SUCCESSFUL governor of a state – something ol’ Hope & Change never was, and he has shown no ability thus far to be a competent executive. I like the fact that she is a FISCAL conservative. I don’t give a damn about her social values.
And I never said that she or Jindal were the best the GOP could offer – I just said I appreciate their substance over Hope & Change’s style.
And just so you don’t confuse me with some others on this site, I never voted for Bush, Clinton, Obama or McCain. I don’t vote for people who will take away my rights in order to help those who can’t or won’t help themselves.
steve-o
February 25th, 2009
2:18 pm
Dave, you keep saying Obama has no substance. Back that up! Just saying it over and over is unconvincing. Elaborate, please.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:20 pm
LMFOA-What flavor is that Kool-Aid the libs are servin today? Cause it sure sounds like you drank the whole pitcher!!!
Mindless Sheep
February 25th, 2009
2:21 pm
*Government is not the problem. Government can do good things….*
Besides the military and perhaps the interstate highway system, what has the government done that is exceptional–that is better than the private sector? The answer is nothing.
If you really believe a government bureaucrat knows how to spend your money better than you do, you are a sad case my friend. You are the dependent, helpless sort these politicians depend on. A sheep, you are.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:23 pm
Steve-O,after last night I must agree with you in regards to substance. But How much further in debt is all that substance going to put us????
LMFAO
February 25th, 2009
2:23 pm
Oh, HaHa! The kool-aid drinker calling ME a kool-aid drinker. HILARIOUS!!
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:24 pm
MINDLESS SHEEP-EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jindal's missed opportunity - Reporters - NewsSpotz
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
[...] Congress and Mr Jindal gets a flat TV backdrop – but there was more as well, as unkind reviewers have been queuing up to point [...]
Because It Matters
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
Reading the comments by Republicans on this blog, it strikes me how angry, racist, resentful, and dark hearted you people really are. Every stereotype about Republicans verified right here in their own mean words.I feel sorry for you, it takes alot of energy to carry around all that spitefulness, but by golly, that’s what y’all do. One spiteful comment after another, repeat the same stuff over and over no matter how false it may be.
Republicans were given the keys to the federal government and many state governments and with rare exception, failed.Failed miserably too. Look at our fair state since they took over, pure failure and getting worse. At the national level, Bush doubled the national debt and enacted deregulation that helped bring about the financial crisis.
Instead of being disrespectful of the President, you should be saying your apologies for how you messed things up. But instead you resort to calling names like “socialist”, or you talk in racial code. That may make you feel good about yourselves, to repeat that stuff over and over, but the country has had enough of it. You have p**sed offed so many Americans and you continue to do so with your negative message.
The Republican Party isn’t dead, but it is on it’s way to being a permanent minority party. It will dominate in about 10-12 mostly small states or where there are few minorities. But that’s about it.
It’s hard to cast a vote for a Republican and maintain your dignity. So many angry, bitter, hypocritical, cruel, resentful, disrespectful, fake patriotic, people. You Republicans that like to comment on the AJC do nothing but demonstrate that your are devoid of any fresh ideas or in possession of basic civility and respect for all Americans. It’s not enough to just disagree with people, you have to then try to dehumanize them by exaggerating differences to an extreme degree.
Governor Piyush Jindal(his real name), an admitted “anchor baby” as Republicans like to say, tried to be perky, but came across as an eager-beaver. Like almost evey Republican, he lied, lied, lied. When a Republican says they “trust the people ….” what they really mean is they trust the corporations and rich people because that is who benefits from their tax cut, vodoo economics.This stunt about not taking stimulus money is all the proff you’ll ever need to understand that Republicans don’t care about working people and if you get laid off after then you suddenly become a lazy bum who wants a handout!
The day of reckoning is coming for Republicans in Georgia.2010 and 2012 will not be kind to your party unless you change your ways.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:27 pm
LMFAO-If your buyin what American Idol Prez is spewin, than yes you’re drinkin the Kool-aid!!!
Tish
February 25th, 2009
2:27 pm
I watched only the beginning of Jindal’s speech. He was condescending and insincere like a used car salesman in those do it yourself tv ads. Even his intro about how his mom and dad couldn’t afford to pay for his birth but the nice doc let them pay by installments just left me gasping at his naivety. Surely it would be better that his mom and dad didn’t need to worry about paying for the birth care because it SHOULD BE A RIGHT for all citizens just as we all pay taxes to send ALL of our kids to school. Poor Bobby–he was just too painful to watch!
steve-o
February 25th, 2009
2:28 pm
I have one question for you, ca1158, were you uncomfortable when Bush ballooned the debt to 4 trillion dollars? Were you on the AJC blogs griping when that happened? I agree with you the debt is staggering and worrisome but we have to do something to get out of this mess and if we just fold our arms and do nothing then we are finished. We may be finished anyway, we have to face that, but we have to try. It seems to me the Republicans were happy to spend trillions getting us into this mess and don’t want to spend a fricking dime to get us out of it. THAT is what really bothers me.
AmVet
February 25th, 2009
2:29 pm
Pat, virtually everyone here in the Moron Belt has similar stories, I’m sure.
Man, together we have really poked the humiliated neo-con hornet’s nest today, eh?
What a hoot!
Mike and now his cuz, caz, will hang on my every post and every word. And yours likely as well.
Guaranteed. They simply cannot help themselves. Our words have that much power over them. While their off-topic nonsense is, of course, immaterial and goes unread…
Back out again, for more burger flipping, cuz…
LH
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
It was awful…It sounded like he was talking to a room of first graders.
gee
February 25th, 2009
2:31 pm
To Observer
One thing I cannot stand about white folks especailly the Gold ol’ boys (not all of them). No matter what a blackman does whether he is clean as a whistle, educated as Einstien you still have a problem. our idiot-in-chief. who is the idiot in chief are you talking about george Bush.
Obama has done everything. He is educated had no sliver spoon in his mouth no daddy to wipe his behind like alot of white boys I know and still yet you cannot show some respect. but let that be cynthia mckinney or Al sharpton to make a comment oh you want to lynch them for being unpatriotic.
Climb back into that ingnorant unintelligent hole you appeared from and stay there forever.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:31 pm
Because it matters-this mess we’re in just came about in the last eight years???? Talk about blinders being on-come on!!!! You seem like a somewhat intelligent person. If you had said that as nation we f**ked up!!All of us,politicians,media,&citzens then i would agree with you.
Mindless Sheep
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
Obama has no substance:
He never managed a private business.
He never held an executive position at a private business.
He never held an executive position (or any management position) at any governmental entity. Yet he now manages the largest enterprise in the world.
He has no business training.
He was Harvard Law school editor but apparently never published any scholarly articles.
He precedes his lofty words with actions that belie these words: Examples: He spends a couple of trillion dollars just prior to talking about the importance of fiscal responsibility. He spoke about his disdain for legislation with earmarks just prior to signing a bill with more than 9,000 earmarks. He said all substance legislation would be available for inspection on the Internet for 5 days prior to a vote but hasn’t delivered on this promise.
His heroes are people who hate capitalism and his work history was devoted to organizing people to extort “benefits” from government, businesses, and productive citizens.
Obama appointed people for cabinet positions who were like him: corrupt. They were supposedly the smartest people in the world but didn’t pay their taxes and broke the law quite a number of times. People with integrity don’t do that.
Since he had no record of accomplishment, we turned to judging him by the company he keeps. Some are criminals–in jail–while others should be. Others, such as his long-time pastor, profess to spread the Gospel while their deeds show otherwise.
This man is morally bankrupt–evidenced by his low regard for human life.
The Dow is down 1,000 points since his taking office. The markets know that he is bad for the economy and thus bad for the country. Government is too big and Obama is making it bigger every day. Already he announced 350,000 new government jobs.
Is this specific enough for you or should I just refer to him as “Hitler” or a “Nazi” like leftists are wont to do?
d dog
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
For the first time in my lifetime, I am hoping the GOP begins to get their act together. Their total lameness is hurting our country.
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
February 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
Well, Mikey. Republican or not, I think that would be an excellent use of your Second Amendment rights.
Go for it!
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
Steve-O- I agree with the premise about doing something to clean up the mess that all created (left/right) but I just though it was jammed down all’s throats very quickly. Something of this magnitude should have more people involved. Virtualy no one from the right was involved or that matter even asked to particapate. How will we ever join hands on anything until we at least attempt to include all. The token few thrown in were basicaly there for eye candy. You can’t say there would’nt have been any good idea’s put forth. Then at least Pres Obama could have said honestly they joined both sides of the aisle.
Mindless Sheep
February 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
What up Gee?
Questions:
What is a “sliver spoon”?
What is “alot”?
What is “ingnorant” (never mind, you’ve answered that one)?
What is “blackman”? Is that similar to “Batman”?
Who is “Einstien”?
Go back to where you stay and polish those twenty-fos.
AmVet
February 25th, 2009
2:40 pm
d dog. I think there are a lot of us who would agree.
IMHO, the great hope for this country does not lie in the Democratic Party. But the GOP has been so abysmal for so long (forty years and counting) it is hard to get one’s hope up.
The scariest thought of all is that the knuckle-draggers, chickenhawks and assorted flat-earthers and misfits here may actually be fairly representative of this hijacked and regional Republiconned Party..
steve-o
February 25th, 2009
2:42 pm
When Bush took office the national debt was 5 trillion. He ballooned it almost another 4 trillion. The national debt grew by over 54% under Bush. No this did not start with Bush and yes we all bear responsibility, but my point is I did not hear the Neo-cons crowing about the debt during the Bush years. He made the problem FAR worse and now we have to do something. Your party’s suggestion that we do nothing just doesn’t help me.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
2:44 pm
Thank you mindless sheep for saving me some typing.
Let me add, however, that he also spent precious little time in the Illinois State Senate, where he authored no bills of any substance, and spent precious little time in the United States Senate, where he authored no bills of any substance.
And have you ever REALLY heard what he says when he isn’t on a teleprompter? Try reading a transcript of any interview he had to do. He sure can talk, but he never really says anything. Read a transcript without basking in the glow of his countenance. It’ll open your eyes.
He’s an empty sit running the most powerful nation in the history of the world. The American Idol – Youtube President (maybe I’ll write a book by that title).
julio quintana
February 25th, 2009
2:45 pm
let me propose that Jay seel a real job, get out in the real world and learn what it takes to earn a living. sitting next to Cynthia Tucker, and Mike have drained him any common sense.
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
February 25th, 2009
2:45 pm
Pat and AmVet, well put.
caz1158
February 25th, 2009
2:47 pm
Steve-o- I dont think my party is saying lets not do anything. I believe what they are saying you can’t tax/spend your way out of it totally. Whats wrong with getting all involved with a solution. And I know for a fact all the pundits I listen/read were not happy with the Bush spending either as was I.
Ray
February 25th, 2009
2:51 pm
You may not like Jindal’s rebuttal words or his delivery, but in five years when you are paying the highest income and other federal taxes in support of the Democrat giveaway agenda you’ll remember what he had to say. This economy was in pretty good shape until two years ago when the Dems took control. All they want to do is redistribute the wealth. The dummies they represent always want someone to HELP them, but never want to help themselves. This nation is run by socialists and the incentive to work hard, save and pass something on to our kids has just been dashed by a multi-trillion dollar Democrat give away. Pretty soon there will not be anything left to give away.
Thanks Jay
February 25th, 2009
2:55 pm
After watching stocks respond to Obama’s speech last night with another “Obama speaks, we listen, the market sells” dive-bomb, I needed a laugh. As always Jay, you and the rest of the idiots on here came through for me in a big way.
bobb
February 25th, 2009
2:56 pm
Bush spent money to keep us free? Nobody was threatening our freedom except Bush. He ignored The Constituion, spied on US citiznes illegally, detained poeple illegally–nee I say more? His money was spen making his oil friends rich!
bobb
February 25th, 2009
2:57 pm
Typed to fast in my fury… Bush spent money to keep us free? Nobody threatened our freedom except Bush. He ignored The Constitution, spied on US citizens illegally, detained people illegally–need I say more? His money was spent making his oil friends rich!
d dog
February 25th, 2009
2:58 pm
If the roles were reversed and the Dems were the ones who had just drove the country into the ditch, at minimum, there would be a wait-and-see attitude towards the new president by the Democrats. It is statling how angry the Republicans are towards a brand new president. They must feel so ashamed of Bush’s total failure that they are besides themselves with guilt, anger, frustration, etc.
Michael
February 25th, 2009
2:59 pm
I love how how Republicans keep talking about their “values”. Supposedly this is small government, fiscal responsibility, etc… We saw how you cheered on that idiot Bush for 8 years while he violated every one of your so called “values” Why should anyone believe you now? Face it, the GOP is morally and intellectually bankrupt, you might as well disband!
bobb
February 25th, 2009
3:00 pm
What the Republicans are really ashamed of is that the re-elected Bush. Their bashing is just a way of trying to deflect guilt.
G
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
The problem with Jindal, as with other Rushpublicans, is that they simply don’t get it.
They talk down to the American people like we are children, incapable of understanding the world around us, of making decisions when given the facts.
Government is not the problem. Government can do good things, but you have to have people running the government who believe that, as most Democrats do.
When you put people in charge who believe in the mission, who believe in a government of, by and for the people, who have experience and talent in their field and are not just someone appointed as a political favor, then things can work.
The problems we face now are a direct result of 8 years of Rushpublican incompetence.
Thank God the adults are back in charge.
bobb
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
Dave R. Nothing is funnier than listening to a Republican call someone a sheep. Your’s is the party of sheep.
d dog
February 25th, 2009
3:04 pm
Ray wrote: This economy was in pretty good shape until two years ago when the Dems took control.
d dog responded: Ray is the kind of guy that would have given W another 4 years…scarey!
Stephen
February 25th, 2009
3:04 pm
Maybe I’m missing something but isn’t Jindal’s state (Louisiana) at the bottom of most measures that deal with the quality of life for the state’s population (e.g., income, education, housing, jobs, crime, etc.). Taking a stance to turn down Federal funding is cool when you’re a millionaire but it doesn’t do much for those people in his State. Sometimes you have to have an effective foundation in order to rebuild. If the people have limited or no resources to rebuild that foundation, how can the situation improve?
RCH
February 25th, 2009
3:12 pm
As a nation, we better quit worrying about how something is said and be concerned about what is said!
Josh
February 25th, 2009
3:21 pm
Your headline blew it Bookman. You are an idiot. When is the last time you read the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence? I did not even read your article because your headline is wrong. Get your head out of the sand.
Because It Matters
February 25th, 2009
3:27 pm
caz1158, I said Republicans because you ran the go9vernment from 2001-2007. During that time , we saw the debt double, housing crash, etc…
Y’all love to cast blame and tell others to accept responsibility for their behavior and choices in life, well time to practice what you preach. Accept that you had control of Congress and had a Republican President, and the country was in much worse shape than when he took office. Now that’s the bottom line indisputable fact. Wasn’t it Regan who asked the “are you better off?” question?
Yes, some things Clinton did , did not help working people, but the fact of the matter is, things went well for working people during his time and he left the country in better shape than he found it. There were plenty of jobs and a surplus.
In fact, despite all the rhetoric, the economy and the stock market does better under the Democrats. It’s real easy to look up.
But caz1158, the Republican’s biggest problem is how spiteful you are. You play into the worst in people, selfishness, greed, racial resentment and using racial code. In fact, for all the hollering about “socialism”, Republicans are just a tick away from being fascists, in fact, you could make a good argument that they are already.
I wonder if any Republican can make an intellectually honest argument?One free of talking points, a booget people(black people,latinos, asians, native americans, gay people, welfare queens, illegal aliens, college educated people, latte drinker,volvo drivers people who live on the upper East Coast, the entire West Coast, etc… The list goes on and on.
The Republican Party is an angry, bitter bunch who use sophomoric taunts and believe that any one who does look, think, or worship like them isn’t really American and is not deserving of basic respect and civility.
Republicans are just awful people. Read the comments and tell me these are people you want to be around, much less have your children exposed to? I’m not for political correctness, but you guys are cruel, horrible, bitter, hypocritical people. That’s based on your comments here and your performance while in charge of government.
You say you hate the government, but in the U.S. ..we…the people are the government! We put those people into office and so we can’t talk about “the government” as if we are somehow divorced from it. Republicans say they don’t really believe in government except for a few things. Well, ok. Thing is, there are times when we must act in our collective interest rather than focus solely on our individual interests, Republicans don’t know how to do this, it isn’t in their nature. We are in such a time, and your policies put us there. You don’t get to blame someone else, and you don’t get to keep doing the same things that got us into the mess.
Until you folk change your ways, you will continue on your way to being a minor political party. I will pray for y’all because you need to get right.
It’s the first Rule Of Holes..when in one, stop digging. To keep Republican in charge is to keep digging. So out you go.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
3:32 pm
bobb, get a clue. I’m not a Republican. I’m an independent -thinking individual who believes and lives the precepts of our U.S. Constitution. You’re not ready to have a discussion with me about government, because you don’t have a clue about how government should be run. I’ve been there, done that, and I’ve got the t-shirt, pal.
And G, you’re really sad. Yes, there are some things government can and should do; like protect people from those who would take our life or property through the use of force or fraud. But that is really all government should do, because otherwise it just does things badly.
When you talk about putting people in charge that “have experience and talent in their field” and you reference Obama by that statement, you are just plain wrong. Please tell us what experience he had in government, or management, or as a chief executive; yet you gleefully put the most inexperienced candidate ever to run for President in the Oval Office.
The problems we face were amplified by the last 8 years, but they really are the direct result of 75+ YEARS of GOVERNMENT interference in our daily lives from both Democrats and Republicans (but mostly Democrats).
And the American people ARE children, when it comes to being responsible for their own actions and lives. They, like you, are too willing to embrace government as a solution to all your problems, rather than face reality and fix things themselves. And government of the people, by the people and for the people does not mean that you take from the people who work hard and make money and give it to those that either do not or will not.
We get it all too well, G. You want what we have earned through our own hard work, and you’re willing to take it from us, by force if necessary, through the use of government.
And THAT is what is truly sad.
NRBraindead
February 25th, 2009
3:36 pm
To all the toothless GOP morons that called the drop in the DOW after the speech last night check where it closes today. Keep listening to your hero Rush and stay away from anything with numbers.
The Truth Comes Out
February 25th, 2009
3:41 pm
Some choice words from the “speech”
“Tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before,” Presdient Barack Obama says.
Who are we? The recipients of the entitlements? Are they going to make this country stronger, or continue to suck the life blood out of it?
“The time to take charge of our future is here,” Obama declared.
The time to take charge of the future is with your first God given breath of life. Not when it feels good to wax poetically…
Obama had to wade his way into a chamber packed with lawmakers eager to welcome the nation’s first black president into a Capitol built by slaves.
Many of whose dscendants are now living in public housing on public assistance because they have been conditioned to know they can get away with it…….
I’ll open with a race card, and raise you 1 trillion dollars………
Obama’s 52-minute speech was interrupted 61 times by applause.
A scream and clap like the Oprah show. Is this where American politics have fallen to?
“I ask this Congress to join me in doing whatever proves necessary,” Obama said. “Because we cannot consign our nation to an open-ended recession.”
Has he actually read the plan he signed?
He skipped the traditional litany of new programs common in such speeches but spoke on broad generalities about goals and themes that formed the backbone of his presidential campaign.
Lets not give away any secret details.
“The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation,” he said.
So business as usual? The ostrich approach? What a stupid, ignorant statement!
“The only way this century will be another American century is if we confront at last the price of our dependence on oil and the high cost of health care, the schools that aren’t preparing our children and the mountain of debt they stand to inherit,” Obama said.
Oil is NOT, I repeat NOT our enemy. No plastics are made without petroleum products. Does the plastic elastic president know this?
The mountain of debt the children stand to inherit? So he did read his plan……
He promised he would slash it by half by the end of his term in 2013, mostly by ending U.S. combat in Iraq and eliminating some of Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy.
Does he realize the economic engine that the military is? Lets bring the troops home to a jobless, homeless America and call it prosperity!
Lets end “tax breaks” for the people like NObama himself and the ones who contributed to his campaign.
This is is such a disgrace and embarrasment to our country, I can’t stand it………. NO real solutions were offered, and it was a pitiful attempt at leadership propped up by “applause machine” audience plants.
Mike D
February 25th, 2009
3:42 pm
So it begins. Liberal media has started it’s quest to destroy the reputation of any potential Republican candidate for 2008.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
3:46 pm
You know, Because it Matters, I don’t even think you know the meaning of the word Fascist. Because if you did, you’d know your statement above regarding Republicans is wholly and completely incorrect.
And you also don’t know squat about government. That whole “we the people are government” thing is absolutely, positively wrong. If we were as you say, we’d be a true democracy, which we are not (and hopefully never will be). We are a Constitutional Republic. And I certainly didn’t put San Fran Nan or Harry Reid into office, nor did I put ol’ Hope & Change in there, either.
One final point: any Clinton surplus was on the back of the Social Security Trust Fund. Congress cooks the books every year on how they use that money. And the jobs he allegedly “created” (as if government could actually create jobs in the first place) were low-paying service jobs, that replaced outsourced high-paying jobs. Sorry to burst your little bubble, there, Matters
Get a clue, will ya?
G
February 25th, 2009
3:51 pm
The effectiveness of the Rushpublican branding campaign on “government” is in fact a central reason we are in the economic mess we are in today. The notion that government is an evil–among some voters a necessary one, but among most voters an evil nonetheless–is what led Democrats to remain silent for much of the last eight years as George W. Bush turned record surpluses into record deficits in the name of scaling back government intrusion; weakened or eliminated regulations that had been in place for decades to protect American consumers, homeowners, retirees, and people saving for their retirement or their kids’ college education; and failed to regulate new threats that were as preventable as they were foreseeable, such as unregulated commerce in “commodities” most people don’t understand (e.g., derivatives) or putting too much money into risky investments without enough capital to back it up if good-times loans were to go bad. And the effective branding of government as the problem is part of what has led, over three decades, to Democrats remaining relatively silent as our infrastructure crumbled because of their (well founded) fear that their conservative opponents in the next election would attack them for their “tax-and-spend” profligacy. The result has been that we cut taxes to the wealthy and failed to invest in our future in times of relative prosperity, while creating the conditions that will require nothing short of massive government deficit spending, extraordinary governance, and a lot of luck to get us out of an economy that is still in free-fall.
Fortunately, we have a leader at the helm who understands the fierce urgency of now. None of us has ever seen anything like a government-in-transition emerge with the rapidity and effectiveness of the new Obama administration, or a first week in office in which a new President reversed course so dramatically on so many issues–particularly in foreign policy–with stroke after stroke of his pen. Obama promised change, and he has already begun to demonstrate, in one domain after another, the last part of his campaign slogan: that this is change we can believe in, because it is happening already.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
4:00 pm
Oh, I believe its change alright. But it is a change in the wrong direction just as much as Bush’s 8 years was wrong.
RealConservative
February 25th, 2009
4:05 pm
Herein is the major schism within the Republican Party today:
The inside-the-beltway types and New England elites (elitests) see individuals like Governor Jindal as not having the “presence” or “gravitas” to lead our party, not to mention our country.
Worse yet, some of them doubt the tenets of basic conservatism itself, shaken, so it seems, by the so-called “mandate” the Left currently appears to enjoy.
The rest of us – the REAL conservatives in America – believe 100% in our (classic, timeless) principles, regardless of which ideology is fashionable at the moment.
Yes, perhaps Governor Jindal didn’t package our values in the neatest, most effective way. Certainly, his rhetoric was lacking and his presentation was lackluster.
But to call the tropes of his speech – and the core beliefs they represent – “stale” or a “bad message” is completely inane.
Bobby Jindal is arguably the most successful Republican politician in America today, and he did not become so by moderating or even attenuating the traditional, Reaganesque, conservative message – he did it by trumpeting that message loudly to a populace who, regardless of what the elites of either party may think, is basically much more socially and fiscally conservative than they are liberal.
Would I have liked more passion? Of course. Am I weary of Republican standard-bearers who possess weak, unconvincing oratorical skills? Without a doubt. But without a message – without a steadfast, concreate ideologoy – a political party cannot endure.
Governor Jindal got the message exactly right. And without that message, unadulterated and pure, the Republican Party will fracture and die.
Candidates and their rhetorical abilities will come and go, and oratorical abilities can be developed. But what the Republican Party cannot easily fix are permanent, unfilled cracks in its core conservative foundation.
reality check
February 25th, 2009
4:06 pm
The problem with the Republicans is that they complain about whatever Obama wants to do, but they don’t offer any actual ideas or plans of their own to get us out of this mess. It lost them the election and it isn’t working now.
And for the record, the government needs to spend money in a recession to get the economy moving again and once that happens, the growth will fuel the paying down of the debt incurred.
Obama is basing his strategy on the Japanese recession of the 1990’s which started with the burst of their housing bubble, stock market decline, and recession. It took the Japanese 10 years to turn things around because the government didn’t spend enough at the outset of the problem; instead they gave in to those whining about how much it was going to cost. Sound familiar?
I know it’s a bit tougher for the uneducated masses (i.e. core Republican base) to understand and it’s much easier to parrot back what they hear on Fox and conservative talk radio, but if you’ve never studied economics (or you don’t know how to spell it) shut the f*ck up and let the president to his job. And please, 4 years from now when things are looking a lot better for everyone, don’t attribute the success to something that Bush magically set up before he left office the same way you tried to explain away Clinton’s success.
The Truth Comes Out
February 25th, 2009
4:09 pm
The problem G. is that with every stroke of his pen he is leading this country down the path to socialism. Please see past the fuzzy rhetoric and realize what his intent is. Yes he is going to “change” things but not for the good. If I wanted to live in a socialist country I would move to Cuba.
Cammi317
February 25th, 2009
4:21 pm
When Jindal walked out I began laughing hysterically. It was the most awkward and goofy thing that I had ever seen. To top it off, he sounded as if he were doing a commercial voice over during most of his speech. Someone else obviously wrote his speech, because there was a total disconnect between the speech and his diction and facial expressions.
Chess
February 25th, 2009
4:22 pm
I wish you right wingers were just as critical of “W” speeches. I just watched 8 years of lies. Starting with 911. Jindal has not even fixed his own backyard from Katrina. Thanks for new casinos Jindal. Now that is caring about the people.
Gov. Bobby Jindal’s speech and Republican response to President Obama’s address to Congress: The reviews are in « Blue Notes
February 25th, 2009
4:46 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution opines: If you had asked me about the worst high-profile political speech I’d ever seen, I would have [...]
Rix
February 25th, 2009
4:57 pm
Jindal ain’t gonna win back Ohio & Virginia for the Repubs. Hey, the Repubs can either adapt to the national mood or they can remain a minority party of idealogues. Jindal wants the latter. Good for him, better for Democrats.
gee
February 25th, 2009
6:13 pm
Now I know why you call yourself mindless sheep. by the way I do not have 24’s I have a BA a masters and I am a computer wiz making a lot of money teaching mindless sheep like you how to use a computer. As Mccain’s daughter put GOP is way behing the times.
if you cannot answer the questions that you asked me it is a wonder you can even comprehend this conversation, oh I forgot Daddy is teaching you how to type and clean your behind. Stay grazing because that is the only thing you can do without anybody holding your hand. GW.
Bobby Swindle Jindal
February 25th, 2009
6:15 pm
Dude blew it he sux.
gee
February 25th, 2009
6:16 pm
All of you talk about socialist government please tell me what is a socialist government.
because in this western world their are many socilaist governments and I would like some one to tell me which countries in the western world are socialist.
G
February 25th, 2009
6:34 pm
We are facing a crisis like none we have seen since the Great Depression, and there’s a reason for the similarity: The same ideology that led us into the Great Depression in the 1930s has led us into the most severe economic crisis we have had since that time. Both times we were brought to the brink of disaster by a radical ideology that says that if you just leave the free market alone, unchecked by any rules designed to protect our shared welfare and our shared values–like the idea that people willing to work hard should be able to get a good job, own a home, and feed their kids and take them to the doctor when they’re sick–everything will work out. Well, we’ve now tried out that ideology twice, and it has been a disaster both times.
Franklin Roosevelt led us out of the Great Depression by taking a pragmatic, not an ideological path, setting up safety nets for people who didn’t deserve to lose their homes or their dignity in retirement through no fault of their own, testing one program after another until he got it right. In the process, we learned something important: that the market may be the engine of our prosperity, but someone has to be at the steering wheel when that engine is on or we’ll run aground, and that someone needs to be us: the people, through our elected representatives. That new vision of government guided us for 50 years, and it served us well, making us the strongest, most prosperous nation in the history of the world.
But over time, not everyone who led our government shared Roosevelt’s vision of trying something out, keeping it if it worked, and discarding it if it didn’t. Over time, bureaucracies calcified, and people felt entitled to programs whether they worked efficiently or not. Politicians found it difficult to make the hard decisions to keep what worked and cut what didn’t, and others used that as an opportunity to play on our worst impulses, blaming all our problems on the poor or infirm. Then Ronald Reagan entered office with a simple creed: that government is the problem, not the solution. That creed resonated with a lot of people because it captured their sense that their tax dollars weren’t being used effectively, that while they were struggling to make ends meet, a bloated bureaucracy was thriving on their hardship.
There was something to Reagan’s critique, but his solution was too simple. Government is neither the problem nor the solution. Government is nothing other than us–the citizens of this country–coming together to solve our shared problems, and if it’s ineffective, we need leaders with the courage and the vision to speak the truth and fix it. Unfortunately, over the next 30 years, the pendulum swung so far from Roosevelt’s vision of government for the people–federal protection of our bank accounts, a minimum wage to guarantee that people who work hard can feed their families, Social Security so Americans can be assured of dignity in their twilight years, worker safety laws so they make it to those years, unemployment insurance to protect us against the inevitable ups and downs of the market, and regulations on Wall Street speculation that could prevent another crash–that we found ourselves right back where we were 80 years ago, with an unregulated market running amok, an ethic of unfettered greed, and a lot of good people losing their jobs, their livelihoods, their retirement, their health care, and their dreams through no fault of their own.
That is where we find ourselves today. It’s time for politicians to stop running for or against government and to start running it well. It’s time to set aside rigid ideologies and deal with the realities that confront us. We have an economy that is spiraling downward, and we have so tied our hands with unpatriotic, anti-government rhetoric that we haven’t invested in our own country in decades. It’s no accident that our bridges are crumbling, our levees aren’t holding, and our children aren’t getting the world-class education that will allow them to compete in the global economy. It’s no accident that we can’t trust the water our children drink, the food we eat, or the banks that finance our mortgages. It’s no accident that our main import is oil and our main export is good American jobs. In all these cases the reason is the same: we have come to believe that the ship of state can run itself, that big businesses can police themselves without a real cop looking over their shoulder, and that we, the people, are so incapable of coming together to create institutions to serve our common good that we should just say no to the idea that we can govern ourselves effectively.
Americans are better than that. The nation that invented modern democracy can surely figure out how to solve our collective problems if we put our heads together and call that government.
Government is neither the problem nor the solution. It is us, and if it isn’t, we should–and we can–remake it. We need leaders who understand that the market is the chief engine of prosperity in a free society, but that sitting idly by as people lose their jobs, their homes, or their doctors isn’t leadership.
Because It Matters
February 25th, 2009
6:41 pm
Dave R, you are doing nothing but confirming everything I wrote in my previous comments.
The first lie you told is to say that I called Republicans fascists, I did not. I said they were closer to fascists than Democrats are to being Socialists.
Second lie, I never said that we are not a republic, we are, but we are self governed as governments govern with the consent of the people. You did vote Republican didn’t you? So you may not have voted for the Democrats but you sure as heck voted in the people who made this mess. Don’t try and tell us this is the Democrats fault, that lie isn’t going to work either.
You need to learn some things before you go around lecturing others on what you mistakenly believe they are ignorant of.This is what I’m talking about when I say that Republicans alienate people rather than attack them. Of course, by “people”, I mean fair minded, compassionate people who understand the seriousness of the present time and are ready to discuss solutions rather than name calling and insults.
Lastly, Social Security money is used by both parties to cook the books. Nonetheless, by the measure both parties used, there was a surplus. George Bush, the guy you voted for, said as much. That was his justification for his tax cuts and rebate checks. So before you point a finger at me, get your side to disavow use of those funds in their budget proposals first, then get back to me.
Again, you try to make Reid and Pelosi and other into boogey men, but that is so really tiresome and childish. Again, you verify the points I made in my earlier comments.
Anyone remember when Newt told us after the Clinton budget passed without a single vote from House Republicans that they economy would be in deep recession in a year’s time and that many jobs would be lost? Google it, if you don’t remember. But it sounds just like Republicans today just anxious to see President Obama to fail. But I’m betting, just like wjat happen with Clinton, things will get better in spite of Republicans and this President doesn’t have the personal issues of Clinton, so he’s going to get far more done.
And as far as “bursting bubbles”, well that’s rich coming from a Republican because under you guys we saw the bursting of the stock market bubble and the housing bubble. Bubbles are what your policies encourage when you seek to remove oversight and regulation. And when they burst and we working people are left holding the tab, you want to pretend you had nothing to do with any of it. It was that mean ol’ Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, or Barack Hussein Obama, or some other non Republican/Libertarian who is at fault.
You people can lie to yourselves all you like. You can get on this and other blogs and keep repeating those lies. You can disrespect our country’s President. You can name call and be as angry, bitter and resentful as you can be. But it’s not going to help the country.
The jig is up! The country made it’s choice and the vote was for change. Republicans made sure corporations and the rich “got their’s”. Now it’s time for working people to get some benefits, especially those who lost jobs through no fault of their own. Deal with it already, and stop all that lying will you please?
Because It Matters
February 25th, 2009
6:55 pm
G, well said, every time. That was a fair and honest account of how things have come to this point in time.
Not only are you comments accurate, they are well written. I hope you were able to reach someone today, at least get them to think about things differently. As you said, “we” are going to have to be the change that is needed.
I have faith in this country. I believe President Obama is the right person at the right time and this great nation will once again do big things for it’s working people and the world.
Disgruntled Georgian
February 25th, 2009
7:05 pm
Where were all of you GOP “fiscal conservatives” blow-hards when Bush and Co. were running up a trillion dollar deficit? How about the cyclone of cash blown on all of those no bid contracts? How many hundreds of billions have been spent on Iraq? Not to mention the lives of brave Americans. Where were you when all these investment firms were getting billion dollar golden parachutes?
Facts: George W. Bush expanded our government to the largest size ever. He presided over the largest national debt ever. He presided over the largest market drop ever. What happened to all of the b.s. Jindal said the GOP stands for? It’s all a lie to get middle class folks to vote for politicians who favor the rich.
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
7:42 pm
Matters, can you be any more clueless?
First, you can’t back away from your claim that Republicans are fascists. You said Republicans were, and I quote: “a tick away from being fascists, in fact, you could make a good argument that they are already.” No mention of Democrats all all. Now who’s the one lying?
Second, you failed to read my posts earlier. I didn’t vote in the Republicans, either. I’m an independent-minded, common-sense thinking individual who does not vote along party lines, but rather votes according to the precepts of the U.S. Constitution as it was WRITTEN, not interpreted by the left-wing Socialists out there. Didn’t vote for Bush, McCain, Obama or Clinton. The only Republican I have voted for is my U.S. representative in the past 10 years. You aren’t ready to have an honest discussion with someone that doesn’t fit your cookie-cutter approach to government.
And I suppose calling Republicans “fascists” is your way of not alienating people and being all inclusive, right?
And as long as BOTH parties cook the books with Social Security funds, it’s OK? We can just write off that bad old deficit under Clinton, because he had LESS debt to cover with SS funds than other Presidents? What kind of planet do you come from?
And I’m sorry, but Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are against everything I hold dear; the Constitution, freedom, individual rights and personal responsibility. They are boogeymen, and they have no place in government as long as they take the oath of office they swore, and turn around and violate it with every act they vote for.
And the housing and banking meltdown was caused by over 30 years of mismanagement of both sectors due to Democrat policies begun under Jimmy Carter, expanded under Bill Clinton and pushed under the carpet by Barney Frank, Maxine Waters and Chris Dodd. Listen to all of them praise Franklin Raines and Fannie and Freddie, while Republicans like Chris Shays warned them of impending disaster. And this was just 4 years ago, Matters.
You libs are as out of touch with personal responsibility as anyone I have ever met. G is all for enveloping everyone in big government’s bosom, reading them sweet bedtime stories at night to drive away their fears, while that same government removes all incentives for people to want to create jobs, make money and pay the taxes that allow you and your friends to live off of us and our grandchildren with massive deficits.
You have no solution for Social Security, which will be in deficit spending in less than 6 years. Hope & Change says he’s going to cut the deficit to $500 BILLION or so in the next 4 years. Big deal! That just cuts the rate of spending INCREASES. When are these jackalopes in Congress and the White House going to realize that when you have less money coming in, YOU SPEND LESS!
You want solutions, Matters? How about these?
1. Pass the FairTax. Within 2 years, you’ll be beating away corporations who want to move here and create jobs with a stick. Employment will skyrocket.
2. Repeal the Community Reinvestment Act. It is the prime reason why irresponsible people have home loans they cannot afford today.
3. Push Iraq to complete the last three benchmarks for success, and bring our troops home.
4. Ban all earmarks and pork for all bills for the next 4 years minimum.
5. Drill for new sources of domestic oil.
6. Make every bill that goes through Congress be a single issue bill. No adding agricultural issues into a defense spending bill. Too much crap gets hidden and dumped by this practice.
7. Pass a pay plan for Congress that increases their pay as they decrease the deficit. If they increase the deficit, they lose money.
8. Institute term limits for Congress. It isn’t even remotely Constitutional, but the way both parties have gamed the election system, it needs to be done.
9. Remove all foreign aid until our deficit is reduced by 75%. Americans will have to take care of America first.
10. Get out of the United Nations. They do nothing for us, and the bill to keep them here is too high. Plus, we should be able to get some pretty good rents for that riverfront property.
11. End the Department of Education. No Child Left behind is an abysmal failure, and isn’t even adequately funded, which causes each state to pony up more money it doesn’t have.
Let the howling begin.
G
February 25th, 2009
8:13 pm
Every flat tax scheme is nothing less than an attempt for the wealthy to pay less, including every such idea floated for many decades.
The reason for the complexity of the tax code is the chiselers, the loophole being hardly a modern invention. As the loopholes get more elaborate, so must the rules to prevent them.
Let’s take one tiny fact from the vast array of such problems and apply it to a flat tax:
Religious institutions cannot be taxed – that is in the Constitution. So, real fast now: a simple and all inclusive definition of a religious institution that includes the real ones and keeps out your crazy Uncle Louie, who thinks he hears the voice of God on his fillings. Or the fake “minister-by-mail” programs. But you have to include Buddhists, Free thinkers, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Amish and Wiccans. Only the real ones, though, not the cheats. Except, gosh darn it, there’s the Constitution again, which prevents you from defining cheats by defining the religion or instructing the religion on what they must do.
Vast pronouncements of fairness are easy. Actual fairness is hard. That’s why we have so little of it.
“For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”
H. L. Mencken
Dave R
February 25th, 2009
10:01 pm
G, you clearly haven’t read a single word regarding the FairTax, have you?
There are NO LOOPHOLES in the FairTax. That is what makes it so FAIR! No exemptions EXCEPT for college tuition. Even the government has to pay it when they purchase items.
When a church buys something today, they pay the tax imbedded in the cost of the product (and by the way, there’s NOTHING in the Constitution that keeps churches from being taxed). When a minister buys a gallon of milk, they pay sales taxes, do they not (yes, they do). The FairTax is a sales tax, G.
It is NOT a flat tax. It is a consumption tax. It is the ONLY fair taxation plan out there. You should read it sometime, and not get your information from Bookman.
G
February 26th, 2009
8:10 am
The (allegedly) Fair Tax is about shifting the tax burden away from Business and toward the Consumer.
That means: 1. Elderly people (or anybody) on a fixed income (or no income) will pay more for their medicines and anything else they spend their money on. 2. The government gives you a monthly prebate (to increase your dependence upon them and you should be afraid of that) 3. Rich people who pass their wealth from generation to generation no longer have to put it in trust to avoid bequeathment taxes (they can just give their children all of their money because there is no income tax) 4. Businesses no longer have to pay taxes so business owners can make more money (more profit) and 5. Poor people will no longer be able to afford new things because the tax is an added cost to the product(businesses that make new things will suffer and businesses that restore old things will prosper).
People who say that the (allegedly) Fair Tax is better than a progressive income tax (where you pay progressively more taxes for the more money that you earn in a year) are not poor people. They are complaining that the tax code is too complex (read: I have to struggle to find my tax breaks). If they had a simple paycheck they would not find the tax code that complex. To make their life easier, and their taxes smaller, they are willing to have the government pay people a check each month mostly because they cannot afford the national sales tax; they are also willing to mess with the tax structure and tax the consumerism of the world’s largest economy (well, used to be), (if income taxing is a disincentive in America then why are so many people working to make more money?) and this will result in businesses making more profit.
In all of this, they allege that it is okay for people to pay these taxes because businesses will lower their prices to them. Uh, no, ain’t gonna happen.
Dave R
February 26th, 2009
8:38 am
G, G, G. You fail to grasp the simple basics of the FairTax (as well as capitalism).
BUSINESSES DON’T PAY TAXES! Do you not understand that simple concept? Oh, sure, they are CHARGED taxes, but do you think all those nasty big businessmen take money out of their OWN pockets to pay Uncle Sam? Of course not! They build the tax into the price of everything you and I pay for, and pass the tax on to US! Consumers are the ONLY part of society that ultimately pay taxes. If you can’t get past Economics 101, you’ll never understand how the FairTax is better.
Now, we’ve already talked about your first point of contention, so there should be no need to rehash that.
Your second point has a certain amount of merit regarding dependence on government, however, I am willing to agree to the prebate in order to remove objections from the lower income class that they’ll be paying more with the FairTax. They won’t with the prebate.
Your third point is laughable and is simple wealth envy. What is wrong with people being able to pass onto the next generation the fruits of their labors? Why should the government get what each of us earned when we die? Is that our ultimate goal in life? To make sure we take care of giving Uncle Sugar the net result of all our hard work when we die? If so, why should we work so hard? Where’s my incentive to work if its all going to be taken away from me when I die?
See my first point to answer your 4th objection.
Refer to my lowering of costs to answer your 5th objection.
Now that we’ve knocked down EVERY objection you’ve brought up, let’s put it to you this way:
What’s your alternative? Progressive taxes have been tried before and failed. Income taxes certainly haven’t worked. What’s wrong with trying something new? If it works – great! If it fails, we’re no worse off.
And you really have to get away from that “businesses pay taxes” thing. There’s not a business out there that will eat their profit just so that the end consumer doesn’t have to pay some of the businesses tax burden. You can’t hold them up as all that is bad in the world in one sentence, and assign them a good deed in the next.
Oh, and the whole businesses won’t drop prices thing? Have you driven past a gas station lately? Whats the FIRST thing that happens when competing gas stations on opposite corners get gas that is cheaper than what they paid for it last week? Gas prices go down. It’s called competition, and it works. You just have to open your eyes to see it everyday.
G
February 26th, 2009
9:28 am
There would be no way to track the current living places of every single American. And good luck tracking the truly poor, people who often don’t have mailboxes or checking accounts and may spend periods living out of their cars, or in motels, or on the couches of friends.
It’s all nonsense. The only way to make this thing remotely revenue neutral for the poor and lower middle class family would be to set the prebate equally to the taxes paid.
Which makes one wonder what the point would be.
The Economic Right is fond of complaining that the poor don’t pay taxes, yet they trot out a plan under which the poor certainly do pay taxes even after prebate and want to claim ‘no harm no foul’.
Sorry, the numbers don’t add up. A family of four with two school age children making $40,000 have no federal income tax liability today. That would not be the case under the (allegedly) Fair Tax.
The (allegedly) Fair Tax is a move to lower marginal tax rates on the wealthy. End. Full stop.
I declare this discussion over.
Dave R
February 26th, 2009
9:50 am
Sorry, but I’ll get the last word on this, because it is needed.
You KEEP MISSING THE POINT! Your family of four example doesn’t pay income taxes, that’s true.
But they pay the 23% tax liability built into EVERYTHING THEY BUY TODAY! That car they buy? 26% of it is Federal taxes. That loaf of bread? 19% of it is in taxes.
The FairTax is a REPLACEMENT tax for everything already built into the system, with lower costs to operate than what we have today; no April 15th ever again.
What part of substitution do you NOT get?
And the homeless you speak of will be no worse off than they are now, because everything they happen to buy TODAY already has the 23% tax built into the cost to make the product. They just won’t be getting the prebate.
And again, you failed to answer my question. What do you propose to do differently? Progressive taxes have been tried and failed. Income taxes have been tried and failed. What’s wrong with trying something different? If it doesn’t work, we can always go back and try something else.
But what if it DOES work?
What alternative do you have for the mess we’re in?
jerome
February 26th, 2009
5:13 pm
Louisiana deserves better than lying, cheatin’ governors! Now they got this cottonmouth talking out of both sides of his mouth.Where’s Huey Long when we need em?
Rod Aries
February 26th, 2009
8:45 pm
Carly Fiorina would be my bet for Republican Candidate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carly_Fiorina
Ned
March 2nd, 2009
10:56 pm
There’s an effort to undermine Jindal. At about the same time as his speech, rumors started to fly that Palin supporters were saying Jindal was a “secret muslim” – rumors linked to the Romney team that has started the battle for 2012 by driving a wedge between rivals.