The GOP’s Basiji target ‘Cap and Tr-8-tors’
After eight Republican congressmen voted in favor of the climate change bill (it passed by seven votes), the GOP’s ideological militia — its own rhetorical Basiji, you might say — took after them with a vengeance. The eight defectors were denounced as “quisling Republicans,” as the “Cap and Tr-8-tors,” as “backstabbing, turncoat Rinos.” They’re even peddling bumper stickers denouncing the turncoats by name.
At Politico, Bruce Bartlett, the former Reagan official and longtime conservative think tanker, explores what that kind of reaction by his conservative friends might mean to the future of their party.
“If any of my friends had bothered to try and understand why these Republicans voted contrary to gods of talk radio who now control the Republican Party they would see that they were simply reacting to the demands of their constituents. Since when did it become unacceptable to do what one’s constituents want a member of Congress to do?
The fact is that Obama carried the districts of all but one of these Republicans—in most cases substantially. (Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey is the exception.) For example, Rep. Mark Kirk’s Illinois district went for Obama by a 61% to 38% margin.”
If the party faithful target those eight, as the Basiji demand, the Republicans could lose those marginal districts or even drive the current occupants to switch parties. And that, Bartlett concludes, “is why the Democrats control Congress and why Republicans won’t for a long time to come.”
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336 comments Add your comment
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:07 pm
“Imagination” can run amok.
mike
June 28th, 2009
12:07 pm
“It’s called “rhetorical exageration” – it’s used all the time. Only the unimaginative take it literally.”
Right. And when conservatives make similar comments, they are deadly serious. Typical partisan double standard.
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
12:09 pm
md
Would you speak Swahili when trying to converse with a German?
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:10 pm
The fact is that Obama carried the districts of all but one of these Republicans—in most cases substantially. (Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey is the exception.) For example, Rep. Mark Kirk’s Illinois district went for Obama by a 61% to 38% margin.”
Is that excerpt trying to tell us that these are principled Republicans that stood up for what they thought was a good bill or that they’ll vote whatever way they need to hold their power. I would say it shows that they just want to keep their job so it’s more of a cowardly stance than a brave one and surely doesn’t demonstrate leadership to look at polling data and vote accordingly.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
12:11 pm
RW,
They are blue dog gop.
That is change.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:12 pm
“If liberals are so tolerant of dissenters, how do you explain the posts that a cited and which you have conveniently ignored because you know they would disprove your silly argument?”
When you say “liberals” do you mean ALL liberals, or just some? No one would, seriously, ever be stupid enough to claim that all liberals are tolerant ALL the time. That would be no more true that to say that all cons are intolerant ALL the time.
“Maybe Joe Lieberman can tell you about how tolerant liberals are to those who are not mindless partisans?”
Joe Lieberman lost his party’s nomination. Big DEAL. Happens all the time. That brand of “intolerance” is the foundation stone of a 2 party policital system…actually, it’s the foundation of ANY elective political system. He ran as an Independent and WON – so what “damage” was done to him by the “intolerance” of the voters who CHOSE not to give him the Democratic nomination?
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:14 pm
“It’s called “rhetorical exageration (sic)” – it’s used all the time. Only the unimaginative take it literally.”
DoggoneGA,
Except Jay B is attacking the practice by taking it to the next level, which kind of makes his sanctimony a bit laughable.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:15 pm
“Right. And when conservatives make similar comments, they are deadly serious. Typical partisan double standard.”
Well, a lot of them are – or so they would have you believe. Personally, they don’t bother me a bit…since I can recognize that sort of exageration when I see it. I *do*, however, feel really, really sorry for those who DO NOT see it as exageration and who repeat it, ad nauseum, as “revealed truth”
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:17 pm
“Except Jay B is attacking the practice by taking it to the next level, which kind of makes his sanctimony a bit laughable”
It did what he meant it to do: get attention. Worked, didn’t it?
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:17 pm
As the Costa Ricans say, “espejo, espejo.”
Jay
June 28th, 2009
12:18 pm
One more comment and then I REALLY am gone.
I acknowledge Josef’s point; in fact, that’s why I referred specifically to the GOP’s “rhetorical Basiji,” to draw a distinction between them and the physical violence of Iran’s ideological enforcers.
However, while the two groups do differ greatly in the tactics they employ, the basic strategy at work, the function they perform in the party and the instinct for preserving revolutionary purity make it a valid analogy.
Play ball!
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:20 pm
DoggoneGA,
Not really since he could have put a picture of a puppy up there and gone to the game and we’d still be having pretty much the same discussion.
Care to test your theory about Liebs not being attacked? I haven’t read a single link yet but that’s a google search of Lieberman+traitor.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
12:21 pm
Now, if we can get the cons to attack the “rhetorical exagerations” from their side, joseph might get his civility.
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
12:25 pm
josef
I certainly agree that talk-radio speak is not civil, but like it or not, this has become the de facto language of politics. I am familiar with Ms. Maddow by reputation only because I don’t have access to MSNBC, don’t want it, and wouldn’t watch it if I could.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:25 pm
“Care to test your theory about Liebs not being attacked?”
I’ve already said not all libs are tolerant all the time. Intolerance doesn’t mean a thing, unless and until it has a measureable effect on the person or group. Sure Lieberman was criticised, maybe even villified in some circles, but the bottom line is he WON THE ELECTION. No measureable effect.
Plus, SOMETIMES criticism is labeled as intolerance. Tolerance of someone’s point of view does not exempt that person or that point of view from criticism.
mike
June 28th, 2009
12:26 pm
Doggone –
” No one would, seriously, ever be stupid enough to claim that all liberals are tolerant ALL the time. That would be no more true that to say that all cons are intolerant ALL the time.”
Well, if you read Jay’s posts you would get that impression. He highlights the extreme voices on the right and ignores the extreme voices on the left.
“Joe Lieberman lost his party’s nomination. Big DEAL. Happens all the time. That brand of “intolerance” is the foundation stone of a 2 party policital system…actually, it’s the foundation of ANY elective political system. He ran as an Independent and WON – so what “damage” was done to him by the “intolerance” of the voters who CHOSE not to give him the Democratic nomination?”
It wasn’t just that he lost, it was that he was demonized as a traitor, much like some conservatives are demonizing those who voted for cap-and-trade.
http://traitorjoe.wordpress.com/
The damage part applies equally. Will the GOP congressmen be damaged by their vote? Probably not, as their vote was most likely reflected the will of their moderate constituents.
mike
June 28th, 2009
12:27 pm
Jay –
“However, while the two groups do differ greatly in the tactics they employ, the basic strategy at work, the function they perform in the party and the instinct for preserving revolutionary purity make it a valid analogy.”
Right. And there is a liberal Basij too, although you want to deny they exist.
mike
June 28th, 2009
12:28 pm
Doggone –
“I’ve already said not all libs are tolerant all the time. Intolerance doesn’t mean a thing, unless and until it has a measureable effect on the person or group. Sure Lieberman was criticised, maybe even villified in some circles, but the bottom line is he WON THE ELECTION. No measureable effect.
Plus, SOMETIMES criticism is labeled as intolerance. Tolerance of someone’s point of view does not exempt that person or that point of view from criticism.”
So I guess you are saying that Jay’s post is pointless, as there are intolerant folks and critics on both sides?
Looks like we agree.
Redneck Convert
June 28th, 2009
12:28 pm
Well, I might of knowed this blog would break down into a bunch of insults about librul Democrats and godly Republicans and which one is the biggest hypocrite. Anyhow, it didn’t start too good to start with, what with Bookman writing a piece about the silly idea of selling cos. the right to pump poisons into the air. I ain’t heard nothing that silly since Betsy Boggess started selling peeks up her skirt in the second grade.
I’m all down in the dumps anyhow. While everybody is talking about this Jackson guy and the Fawcett woman dying I learned Billy Mays was found dead in his bed this a.m. This is the guy with the black hair and black beard that told us rednecks about all the new things to help us on TV. Like Oxyclean and slicers and towels and all kind of neat things. There might could be other pitchmen that come along but there won’t never be one as good at it as Billy Mays. I must of spent a thousand bucks on stuff he told us about during breaks on Fox News. And you never needed a hearing aid when he come on either.
Have a good day everybody and keep in mind there’s more important things going on than the stuff you’re yelling about.
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:28 pm
JAY–I acknowledge your use of the adjectival “rhetorical,” but I still beg to differ that it is a valid analogy, I would respectfully suggest that a more moderate comparison/analogy be employed. Jacobin comes to mind.
mike
June 28th, 2009
12:29 pm
“I certainly agree that talk-radio speak is not civil, but like it or not, this has become the de facto language of politics”
It does not have to be. We could all let folks like Jay and Rush know that we are disgusted with their attempts to keep us at each other’s throats.
Joey
June 28th, 2009
12:30 pm
I would like to call some of those 44 Democrats who voted No heros. That is if there are any of them who did not ask for and receive Pelosi’s permission before they voted No.
Was there a single Democrat who voted No without Pelosi’s permission?
mike
June 28th, 2009
12:31 pm
Redneck Convert –
Why don’t you do a minstrel routine next, as long as you are doing ignorant and bigoted stereotypes?
AmVet
June 28th, 2009
12:31 pm
JB, what a hoot. And a holler.
Perhaps we should all do what RW once referred to and laughed at! In essence straddle that equivocating, middle-of-the-road fence until our boys get worn down to nothing. Never having the stomach to take one side or the other.
Having strong opinions that don’t fit like a glove into someone’s very odd definition of “mindless partisanship” is NOT bad. It can in fact be a good thing when it furthers the “discussion”, adds information and allows people the opportunity to learn and make adjustments. Called flip-flopping in political parlance.
“Mindful non-partisans” who compare anyone/everyone who has said strong opinions to anyone/everyone else who does so, but on the opposing “side”, simply to try and take some high centrist moral ground is particularly laughable.
Ultra-sanctimonious and more intolerant than the constantly flamed partisans.
What a way to go through a blogging life.
Go Braves! (And did I mention how much I love seeing the Bosox lose?)
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:32 pm
“Well, if you read Jay’s posts you would get that impression.”
Well…I don’t.
“He highlights the extreme voices on the right and ignores the extreme voices on the left.”
So? If you want criticism of the voice on the left, find a blogger more to your taste in the direction.
“It wasn’t just that he lost, it was that he was demonized as a traitor, much like some conservatives are demonizing those who voted for cap-and-trade.”
But not universally, which is the whole point. It wasn’t only independents who voted him into office…there weren’t enough of him. He lost the Dem nomination, but it wasn’t a 100 – 0 vote, so those who would have preferred him to get that nomination carried over and still voted for him as in Independent. That’s the way of out political system: you get to vote for the policitican you prefer. Hey, it all worked…isn’t that a shock?
“The damage part applies equally. Will the GOP congressmen be damaged by their vote? Probably not, as their vote was most likely reflected the will of their moderate constituents.”
That remains to be seen. The real issue here isn’t the words flung at them, it’s the REASON for those words. It’s the element of “Begone” that is the real issue. The question is: will any actions follow on those words?
TW
June 28th, 2009
12:32 pm
The term is ‘excommunicate.’
The Rush-led right seeks to excommunicate the eight for deviant thinking…goes against all that is right with lobotomy
Heil Palin!
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:35 pm
Kamchak–this is by no means the first time we have descended to this point in our history and have come back to civility. The yellow journalism which characterized political discourse at the turn of the last century makes our pitiful efforts here pale in comparison. I remain the optimist and try, though not always successfully, to do my part in making that move back to civil discourse.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:35 pm
“So I guess you are saying that Jay’s post is pointless, as there are intolerant folks and critics on both sides?”
Nope. The point of an opinion blog is to put “your” point of view on the table and see what response you get. It would only be “pointless” if no one responded. He got responses, he got attention for what he said…that is the “point”
He knows he’s not going to change the world, but if the ensuing discussion changes a mind or two…then it’s not pointless.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:36 pm
“Was there a single Democrat who voted No without Pelosi’s permission?”
Where’s your proof they had to have “permission” to vote no? You’re making the accusation, let’s see your evidence.
jconservative
June 28th, 2009
12:37 pm
So some Republicans want to drive the 8 who voted for the bill out of the party? – this is why the Democrats are nominating & confirming 34 more Federal judges than they would otherwise. History -the Republican “purist” drove the Republican Senator from Rhode Island out of office because he was not conservative enough & a Democrat replaced him. And the Democrats then controlled the Senate 51 to 49 for the 2007/2008 session. Had Republicans re-elected their “liberal” Rhode Island senator there would have been a 50/50 tie in the Senate with VP Cheney casting the tie breaker. And the Democrats would not have been able to sit on President Bush’s last 34 nominations (all Republicans) – the Republican controlled Judiciary Committee would have sent them to the floor for approval. Now Obama is “re-nominating” the 34 vacant seats and all will be Democrats.
New Republican motto – “If you can’t beat them find some other way to lose to them.”
Some of you guys need to read Machiavelli.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
12:38 pm
I guess this is the end of thou shall not speak ill of other repubs.
Of course, the stimulus vote ended that already.
Hell, one gop flipped dem.
Gawingnut
June 28th, 2009
12:38 pm
Komrad Jay likens Republicans to the terror police in Iran. This is the same party that called the abortion Dr. Tiller a “hero.” John Kerry, allowed to speak in public, said that “If we had to lose a GOP Govenor, why couldn’t it be Palin?” Taliban Dick Durbin and the Blame America First crowd are going crazy, and this is the best Bookman can do? Didn’t he see his boss Ms. Tucker removed for writing such pathetic vitriol?
Come on mid terms. I can harldy wait.
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:38 pm
TW–”excommunicate,” now THAT’s appropriate and fitting.
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
However, while the two groups do differ greatly in the tactics they employ, the basic strategy at work, the function they perform in the party and the instinct for preserving revolutionary purity make it a valid analogy.
BS. You’re taking an armed force of a government brutally enforcing the governments hold on power and then taking a few random blogger comments to make the claim that they are the rhetorical equals without showing that they are acting as enforcers on behalf of some greater power or that they even have any power.
How much does Redstate pay you by the way? This is the only place I ever see that web site linked to.
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:40 pm
jconservative–”Macchiavellian,” there’s another good term to use.
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:41 pm
Since when does a question like Joey asked count as an accusation?
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:43 pm
“How much does Redstate pay you by the way? This is the only place I ever see that web site linked to”
RW – here’s an experiment for you: choose any 3 liberal forums of your choice and 3 conservative forums of your choice. Then go on each one and make a valid, but strongly worded criticism of Obama on the liberal forums, and of Palin on the conservatives forums. See the results and get back to us. You might be surprised.
I’ve never actually done this myself, not interested enough for the experiment…but the “word on the street” is that conservative forums are FAR more likely to ban you than are liberal forums. Why don’t you try it and see if it’s true?
getalife
June 28th, 2009
12:44 pm
When asked why he read portions of the cap-and-trade bill on the floor Friday night, Boehner told The Hill, “Hey, people deserve to know what’s in this pile of s–t.”
Not very civil.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
12:46 pm
I have DoggoneGA .
Yes, RW blogs will ban you but it is lots of fun.
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:48 pm
DoggoneGA,
The problem with that exercise is that I don’t think there are any lib sites left that I haven’t been from. Most after a single comment that didn’t toe the party line.
You might get more info from getalife though. I think he’s been banned far and wide on both sides of the blogosphere aisle.
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:49 pm
…been BANNED from…
Geez, I hate when I leave out the only word that matters….
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:51 pm
“Yes, RW blogs will ban you but it is lots of fun.”
So I understand.
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:52 pm
Done the visiting myself. It’s all a bunch of garbage, by and large, so Jeffersonian that I claim to be, I’ve decided to confine myself to the the locale and come home to Uncle Sam’s Oldest Colony (Alan Tate)
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:53 pm
getalife,
It took you months to get banned from LGF and HotAir. I got banned from both DU and Koz after one comment.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
12:54 pm
“The problem with that exercise is that I don’t think there are any lib sites left that I haven’t been from. Most after a single comment that didn’t toe the party line.”
Not good enough. Name the sites please. Because I do, or did, frequent quite a few varied forums and I’ve never seen anyone banned for a single VALID criticism. I have seen people banned…as happened here on occasion…for making THREATS. But threats are not valid criticisms. Of course, quite often, the forum members get pretty bored with hearing the same ol’, same ol’ and simply don’t respond to well-worn ranting, but that is not the same thing as being banned.
RW-(the original)
June 28th, 2009
12:57 pm
See above D..GA
Those errands aren’t going to run themselves so I’ll “see” y’all later.
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
12:59 pm
My Pandora station just played Gordon Lightfoot’s “The House You Live In.” Lots of wisdom in those lyrics.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
1:02 pm
RW,
One post at Free Repub and two at Red State. Charles and Ed enjoyed the amount of comments to my posts.
Banned at kos after years for supporting Clinton, TPM and other blogs for supporting Clinton.
Good times.
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
1:04 pm
“Banned” or “excommunicated?” Jus’ askin’
josef nix
June 28th, 2009
1:12 pm
Well, folks, hate to, but have to run. The Russians are coming and I need to get ready. A special thank you to all y’all who helped me out on the reading list. I appreciate it, though I doubt Little One will!
md
June 28th, 2009
1:30 pm
“You actually have to THINK to be a lib.”
No you don’t. I can show you many, some in my own family, that don’t qualify under that definition.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
1:32 pm
“No you don’t. I can show you many, some in my own family, that don’t qualify under that definition”
That’s alright, we’ll take ‘em anyway.
Bosch
June 28th, 2009
1:38 pm
Billy Mays is dead. There goes mine and Paul’s t-shirt business. And I heard the Sham-Wow buy is in jail. Sigh.
Kamchak,
Recording the game – off to Atlanta! GO USA!!!!!!!
That was a good game this morning! No matter the outcome of today’s game, we still finished ahead of those Iberians (nicely put AmVet)!
Good day all!
md
June 28th, 2009
1:39 pm
“That’s alright, we’ll take ‘em anyway.”
They are the ones with their hands out – the dems bread and butter. Keep them stupid with handouts and they shall follow forever. Very similar to the religious right, both brainwashed with different information.
@@
June 28th, 2009
1:47 pm
Basi-jeebers, jay…a tad harsh I’d say. It’s not like conservatives sat around waiting for someone to give them the go-ahead in speaking out against the Iranian regime’s oppression of its people. NOPE! come to think of it, that’s what Obama did.
There are those who need to be led, then there are those who do what’s right, regardless.
It’s interesting that you keep ignoring those environmental groups who keep telling us that this whole cap & trade is a scam. It lines the pockets of venture capitalists on Wall Street with whom politicians are in cahoots. In essence, it pays companies to pollute. Last I checked no venture capitalist ever sought to diminish their own value by killing the golden goose.
Forgot….one thing you left out – since the government is subsidizing much of this change – in other words fitting the bill for new technologies and the such I don’t see that the bottom line consumer will be spending that much more.
Somebody needs to remind Bosch that the government doesn’t subsidize anything. The government has no money except for that which it confiscates from the people. Also, there’s a video out there where Obama admits there’ll be a hike in prices
Around the 1:23 mark:
Paraphrasing — “Under my plan of a cap & trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket…..whatever the industry was, they will have to retrofit their operations — they will pass that cost onto the consumers.
His appeal is to the no-brainers and they’re buying it.
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
1:53 pm
getalife
Ever been banned at salon.com? If so my hat’s off to you—they will put up with anything over there.
@@
June 28th, 2009
1:53 pm
I wonder if the AJC has a sky box with air-conditioning? Probably a press box with AC.
Enjoy, jay!
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
1:56 pm
“both brainwashed with different information”
As long as their OUR brainwashed.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
2:03 pm
Kamchak ,
No, never posted there.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
2:15 pm
“No, never posted there.”
I quit posting over there when they started charging to access the site. Do they still do that?
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
2:22 pm
DoggoneGa
You don’t have to be a premium member to post there.
getalife
It’s like the wild west over there. Recently they have instituted measures to report posts, but I haven’t seen any difference in tone.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
2:26 pm
“You don’t have to be a premium member to post there.”
I haven’t been there in a long time. I always quit a forum if they even start talking about charging to participate, so I didn’t keep up with what they eventually ended up doing.
@@
June 28th, 2009
2:29 pm
Ahmadinejad’s response to Obama’s “TOUGH” talk:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on June 27 said Iran’s government “will have a more decisive and powerful approach toward the West” during his second term in office, Haaretz reported, citing IRNA. In an apparent reference to the West’s criticism of Iran’s presidential election, Ahmadinejad said, “This time the reply by the Iranian nation will be decisive and harsh and make you regret and be ashamed.”
Obama and his supporters have already mastered “THE SHAME” part.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
2:31 pm
“Obama and his supporters have already mastered “THE SHAME” part”
Ok, tough guy. How would YOU handle it?
getalife
June 28th, 2009
2:34 pm
Kamchak,
Yeah Glenn Greenwald is the man over there. Good stuff.
TW
June 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
Yes, @@, we are ashamed of you and the rest of the Palinesk ilk that exist only as our country’s anchor.
Yes, your irresponsible recklessness shames us.
But that’s OK. We’ll love you until you can love yourselves. It’s what Jesus would do
I Report (-: You Whine )-:
June 28th, 2009
2:41 pm
Army ousts Honduras president in vote dispute…OBAMA SAYS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT DETENTION, EXPULSION…
Eeewwww, Obozo’s “concerned.”
Gosh, I’ll bet those Honduran army dudes are beneath their beds now, quaking with fear.
Either that or laughing their as-ses off, one.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
2:42 pm
@@,
There are 3000 protestors shaming iamanutjob today.
It would be great if you and Andy would stop cheering on iamanutjob and use that country first thingy.
Our country not Iran @@.
Geez.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
2:44 pm
“Eeewwww, Obozo’s “concerned.””
Ok, tough guy. How would YOU handle it?
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
2:45 pm
USA
USA
USA
Clint Demsey scores in the 10th minute!!!!!!
USA 1 Brasil 0
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
2:46 pm
Clint Dempsey….Sorry Clint
The Baron
June 28th, 2009
2:56 pm
I Report You Whine says “Sheila’s” now in the White House, proving that other than being afflicted by the standard GOP characteristics of bigotry, hypocricy, ideological extremism and herd mentality, he’s also sexist. You would think that if he truly feels that only “real men” and not Sheilas should be in the White House, he wouldnt support Palin. But of course, hypocricy is their stock-in-trade…
Seek and ye shall Find
June 28th, 2009
2:57 pm
People like Jay and Rush keep us at each other’s throats!
So, all the talk about free will was for naught. We are nothing more than slaves to the whims of opinionated personalities. C’est la vie.
TW
June 28th, 2009
2:58 pm
DoggoneGA – we know how he’d ‘handle it’ – been there, done that. In response the unrest in Iran, he would most likely invade India, or some other country that has nothing to do with it, and he’d flood the country with entrepreneurs who know nothing of government construction, all the while using our military as free labor for his capitalistic ventures.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
3:01 pm
Wow, that was a great goal.
2-0 USA.
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
USA
USA
USA
Landon Donovan in the 27th minute!!!!!!
USA 2 Brasil 0
@@
June 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
Doggone:
I wouldn’t hesitate to say what needed to be said. What did he get out of remaining silent other than to have his image here at home sullied. I dare say it was even sullied in some Muslim countries where a segment of the population feels oppressed. They won’t be looking to America for encouragement. That ship has sailed.
When it comes to foreign policy, Obama never anticipates the realities. He opens the door and then gets caught in the jam. He continues to do it to himself. I can’t even feel sympathy for the guy anymore. The mistakes are in his timing — there is never a good time to project America in a bad light. Basically, Iran has been demanding that we apologize for America’s successes. Obama did just that in Cairo then he was told to keep quiet while Iran engaged in their own wrongdoing?
I don’t think that Obama said anything to support the claims of election fraud and with that I agree. I don’t think there was fraud. I think Ahmadinejad won outright.
I was just reading a paper on the anatomy of a protest. In today’s world, it has very little to do with the people — it’s orchestrated by behind-the-scenes by power players. They exploit tensions (both sides) through the use of propoganda.
The average citizen is usually too busy eeking out a living to get involved but the power brokers???
They’ve got time, money and resources at their disposal. They’re more than happy to sacrifice the people to serve their own self-interest.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
“DoggoneGA – we know how he’d ‘handle it’ – been there, done that. In response the unrest in Iran, he would most likely invade India, or some other country that has nothing to do with it, and he’d flood the country with entrepreneurs who know nothing of government construction, all the while using our military as free labor for his capitalistic ventures.”
All the while accusing those who oppose the “nation building” (which we DON’T do, according to BUSH) traitors. Oh yes, I know the routine by now.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
“We are nothing more than slaves to the whims of opinionated personalities.”
Only 20% of “us”
I Report (-: You Whine )-:
June 28th, 2009
3:11 pm
Ok, tough guy. How would YOU handle it?
Blow a bunch of pointless air that everybody on Earth knows means nothing.
What?
~~~~~~
I Report You Whine says “Sheila’s” now in the White House, proving that other than being afflicted by the standard GOP characteristics of bigotry, hypocricy, ideological extremism and herd mentality, he’s also sexist. You would think that if he truly feels that only “real men” and not Sheilas should be in the White House, he wouldnt support Palin. But of course, hypocricy is their stock-in-trade…
Sheila is a name for a weak, frightened woman, Nancy.
Scooter
June 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
@@ @ 3:02 pm,
That kinda sounds like the USA also!
@@
June 28th, 2009
3:16 pm
Question!
Have any of the “opinionated personalities” from the right ever bankrolled a presidential campaign? No?
George Soros (hedgehog and venture capitalist) did.
Before you go talkin’ ’bout Corporate America blah blah blah, I suggest you look at all the bundling that took place in Obama’s campaign coffers.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
3:16 pm
“I wouldn’t hesitate to say what needed to be said.”
So…what needs to be said? That’s what I want to hear. Not platitudes. Tell us what YOU would say.
“What did he get out of remaining silent other than to have his image here at home sullied.”
It is? I haven’t seen any evidence of that yet, except from people who already don’t like him – which means next to nothing.
“I dare say it was even sullied in some Muslim countries where a segment of the population feels oppressed. They won’t be looking to America for encouragement. That ship has sailed.”
Yep, it sailed years ago when we did things like toppling a democratically elected government and installing a dictator instead. They haven’t trusted us for decades…has nothing to do with Obama. He’s American, they don’t trust him.
“When it comes to foreign policy, Obama never anticipates the realities. He opens the door and then gets caught in the jam.”
What jam?
“He continues to do it to himself. I can’t even feel sympathy for the guy anymore. The mistakes are in his timing — there is never a good time to project America in a bad light.”
When has he done that?
“Basically, Iran has been demanding that we apologize for America’s successes. Obama did just that in Cairo then he was told to keep quiet while Iran engaged in their own wrongdoing?”
He did? Funny, I didn’t hear it.
“I don’t think that Obama said anything to support the claims of election fraud and with that I agree. I don’t think there was fraud. I think Ahmadinejad won outright.”
An election doesn’t belong to those who vote, it belongs to those who COUNT the votes.
“I was just reading a paper on the anatomy of a protest. In today’s world, it has very little to do with the people — it’s orchestrated by behind-the-scenes by power players. They exploit tensions (both sides) through the use of propoganda.”
And that is relevent how?
“The average citizen is usually too busy eeking out a living to get involved but the power brokers???”
Not always. Though I will agree that when the populace is stirred up by a situation it is THEN easier for the power-brokers to manipulate them.
“They’ve got time, money and resources at their disposal. They’re more than happy to sacrifice the people to serve their own self-interest.”
When has that EVER been not true?
Here’s how *I* currently see it: what we’ve been doing for the last 8 years is NOT WORKING. Maybe Obama’s way is better, maybe it isn’t. But it’s definitely different. So give him time, let’s see what results there are. And if you think the whole world is suddenly going to trust us because he’s been in office 5 months – think again. It took a long time to lose that trust, it isn’t going to come back overnight.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
“Blow a bunch of pointless air that everybody on Earth knows means nothing.”
Well, that’s how YOU would handle it, huh? Well THAT should get some GREAT results. Start now, tough guy.
DoggoneGA
June 28th, 2009
3:19 pm
“George Soros (hedgehog and venture capitalist) did.”
NEVER let the truth get in the way of a good talking point. Proof please? But don’t anyone hold their breath waiting, because there isn’t any…since it never happened.
But I’m SURE you will go to your grave repeating that lie as the “revealed truth” you believe it to be.
@@
June 28th, 2009
3:21 pm
Scooter:
It does, don’t it?
Only those who lack something within themselves will buy into what others are selling.
getalife
June 28th, 2009
3:27 pm
Yup, like @@ buying all cheney’s lies.
Seek and ye shall Find
June 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
I think we all know that people finance campaigns, Soros included. Nothing new there. Now, who will fork over their bucks for Sheila Palin in 2012.
DB, Gwinnettian
June 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
Well, that’s how YOU would handle it, huh? Well THAT should get some GREAT results. Start now, tough guy.
Actually, Andy posted what he’d like to do, about a week ago. It was sheer genius, I tells ya.
Andy, why don’t you fill us in again on your great plan to have the U.S. air-drop weapons into the street so that it’d be a “fair fight”?
Seek and ye shall Find
June 28th, 2009
3:32 pm
I buy what others sell. It’s called capitalism. Of course, I also make some things for myself and even barter for other things.
I Report (-: You Whine )-:
June 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
Well, that’s how YOU would handle it, huh? Well THAT should get some GREAT results. Start now, tough guy.
So he proves my point about pointless hot air blowing having no effect at all.
Yawn.
TnGelding
June 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
Sorry to rain on your parade:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/business/stories/2009/06/28/gas_prices.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
@@
June 28th, 2009
3:51 pm
Getalife:
Cheney’s lies?
I’m one of those who believes that the WMDs were spirited away to Syria with the help of Senator Rockefeller, of course. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
North Korea is suspected of helping Syria do just that: this month, IAEA verification experts reported particles of uranium in Syria that were too enriched to be natural.
David Gregory interviewing Benjamin Netanyahu recently:
GREGORY: Right. But there is a precedent here. Israel, in 1981, took out a nuclear reactor in Iraq. Israel, in 2007, took out a nuclear reactor in Syria. There is precedent and a proclivity for Israel to take unilateral action if it deems it necessary for its security. That could be the case with regard to Iran, no?
Israel didn’t fly over Syria and bomb nuthin’. Granted, North Korea has aided and abetted recently but that little fly-over preceded North Korea’s pot stirring. Syria had the ingredients before North Korea decided to help in the kitchen. Before our intervention in Iraq? Nuthin’ out of Syria.
TnGelding
June 28th, 2009
3:53 pm
DB, Gwinnettian
June 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
Maybe we could do that in Gaza, too.
Dusty
June 28th, 2009
3:58 pm
What a blog! Does Bookman not know that the Basiji in Iran are somewhat like the Nazi storm troopers? Such name-calling is his way of inducing a civil discussion?
Then Bookman reprimands with threats to exclude any one who strongly disagrees with him. This isn’t a blog. It is a preference poll for liberal commentators. They use it to distinguish themselves with the lowest calibre of radio talk. It ceases to be entertaining in any way
Yeah, I read it. But only once. Even RedNeck USED to be humorous but he’s about as funny as roadkill now. Getalife goes to the dogs. Doggone works in “traitors” and TW is still wailing “Bush did it!” There is something about the smell of a closed mind that is not intriguing.
Carry on, little boys and girls. When you finish, go spray paint some bad words on boxcars for fun. That’s the way liberal journalists get their start.
Kamchak
June 28th, 2009
3:59 pm
There were no unicorns found in Iraq either. Maybe Syria spirited those away too.
TnGelding
June 28th, 2009
3:59 pm
Odierno confident:
http://www.cnn.com/video/
TnGelding
June 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
Allah is great!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090628/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_sandstorm_3
@@
June 28th, 2009
4:16 pm
Doggone:
Well we already know that Soros is a venture capitalist as well as a participant in hedgefunds so I guess you’re asking for proof that he bankrolled Obama’s campaign.
Here! I’ll let MoveOn tell you what you already know but won’t admit:
Dear MoveOn member,
Who will lead the Democratic Party? The answer may come as soon as this weekend, when the state Democratic Party leaders gather to discuss who should chair the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for the next four years.1 The election for chair is rarely competitive. But this year, with the race wide open, we have the chance to elect a leader who will reconnect the Democratic Party with its constituents — us.
…For years, the Party has been lead by elite Washington insiders who are closer to corporate lobbyists than they are to the Democratic base. But we can’t afford four more years of leadership by a consulting class of professional election losers. In the last year, grassroots contributors like us gave more than $300 million to the Kerry campaign and the DNC, and proved that the Party doesn’t need corporate cash to be competitive.2 Now it’s our Party: we bought it, we own it, and we’re going to take it back….
The movement for change that we built during the last election is still gathering strength. We need leadership that will break the chains of corporate funding so we can fight — really fight — for a better America.
Thank you for all that you do,
–Eli Pariser, Justin Ruben, and the whole MoveOn PAC team
Funny how he mentions We We We. The only time they mention YOU is when they need faces onscreen or piddling contributions to cover up their corporate bundling. With big money on the table all YOU’LL be getting are the crumbs under.
The conference room belonged to George Soros, the billionaire bête noire of the right. After talking to Soros for an hour about his prospective bid for the White House, Obama walked down the hall and found assembled a dozen of the city’s heaviest-hitting Democratic fund-raisers: investment banker Hassan Nemazee, Wall Street power Blair Effron, private-equity hotshot Mark Gallogly, hedge-fund manager Orin Kramer. Most had been big-time John Kerry backers in 2004. Most had a connection to the Clintons. All were officially uncommitted for 2008.
You’re a sad little person, DoggoneIt — you’ll be left to learn the hard way.
Rightwing Troll
June 28th, 2009
4:32 pm
Looks like we need to do another evacuation from a central America country…