Meet the Dems’ 60th vote
From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
“The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled today that Democrat Al Franken won the U.S. Senate election and said he was entitled to an election certificate that would lead to him being seated in the Senate.
“Affirmed,” wrote the Supreme Court, unanimously rejecting Republican Norm Coleman’s claims that inconsistent practices by local elections officials and wrong decisions by a lower court had denied him victory.
“Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled [under Minnesota law] to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota,” the court wrote.
But the court did not grant Franken’s bid to make its ruling effective immediately, possibly leaving a window for an appeal by Coleman before Gov. Tim Pawlenty is required to issue an election certificate.
“The bottom line is that the Court says that Franken is entitled to an election certificate, but there is no direct order to the state’s governor to sign one,” said Loyola Law School professor Richard Hasen, who has followed the case closely. “We’ll see what the governor does, if Coleman does not concede, as he well may at this point.”
In recent weeks, Pawlenty has talked about how he would not hold up an election certificate if ordered by the court to issue one.
“I’m going to do whatever the court says,” Pawlenty said at a news conference a couple of weeks ago. “When the court decides that issue, as soon as I’m directed or required to sign that certificate, I will. I am not going to hold it up or delay it in any fashion.”
In other words, with the court not “directing or requiring” the governor to issue the certificate of election, there’s just the slightest bit of wriggle room for Pawlenty. I doubt he would take it at this point, but….
UPDATE: Norm Coleman has conceded the race; Al Franken will now be seated.
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387 comments Add your comment
DB, Gwinnettian
July 1st, 2009
8:19 am
I don’t see any mention of Franken being a tax cheat in any of these articles, is it because since he is a dem it is not news.
No, it’s because he’s not a “tax cheat,” not as any sensible person would define it.
The mistake was that instead of paying taxes in the many states where he earned money from 2003 through 2006, Franken paid state income taxes only in the states where he lived — New York and Minnesota. That meant he overpaid taxes in those two states, but shorted the other 17 states by more than $50,000.
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
8:25 am
DB, Gwinnettian
July 1st, 2009
7:46 am
A man of many “talents.”
Paul
July 1st, 2009
8:30 am
G’morning, DB, Gwinnettian
What I was doing was asking Ms. Godzilla how such a comment fit in with her ‘whoo-hoo’ perception of Mr. Franken. Her response to @@ and to me was pretty much ‘only someone like you would believe that.’
I was struck by the wholesale dismissal of anything negative. Do I think people change their views over time? I hope they do. For the better. Some express anti-gay, other race, other religion, heck, even other political views (
) prejudices and mature a bit as they get older, oftentimes completely changing. Some people seem to completely reject the notion (indeed, they often seem to not be willing to consider) that ‘their’ guy may have said or done things in the past that are inconsistent with the ideals they now profess to represent. Franken’s a challenge because many aren’t sure when he was serious and when not. But with Franken, if true, it would be irksome as that would put him in the same category as family values Republicans caught cheating, so I understand her reaction.
But in answer to your question, I think it reasonable to hold any politician to decades-old views, IF those are the same views currently held. If not, then, no.
Of course, the same holds true with the Gingrich-adultery pummelers. Now that he’s gone through what is supposed to be a life-transforming experience with repentance and turning away from certain actions with his baptism into the Catholic Church (hasn’t that already happened?) the same standards should be applied to him. I’ve likely some work to do in that regard, as I think I just recently made a not-too-appropriate comment about his past hypocrisy.
I’ve said before, you want saints, look in church, not Congress.
Paid In Full
July 1st, 2009
8:33 am
Did someone say something about taxes.
Swiss banks are shutting the accounts of Americans as the Internal Revenue Service accelerates the hunt for tax dodgers, Bloomberg News reported.
UBS and Credit Suisse Group, the country’s biggest banks, have told Americans to move their money into specially created units registered in the United States, or lose their accounts, the news service said. Smaller private banks like Geneva-based Mirabaud & Cie are closing all accounts held by United States taxpayers.
While the banks declined to say how many people are affected, more than 5 million Americans live abroad, including about 30,000 in Switzerland, according to estimates from American Citizens Abroad in Geneva, Bloomberg News said. Swiss banks must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission to provide services for those customers.
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
8:33 am
DB, Gwinnettian
July 1st, 2009
8:13 am
Yeah, most of us have come a long way during that time in our thinking. But I did sympathize with the “rainbows” that were being sent home from basic training in 1959.
Doggone/GA
July 1st, 2009
8:35 am
“But in answer to your question, I think it reasonable to hold any politician to decades-old views, IF those are the same views currently held. If not, then, no”
But in that case, you are holding them to account for CURRENT views. It doesn’t matter that they are ALSO decades old view. That’s not the issue. The issue is holding them to account for views they NO LONGER HOLD.
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 1st, 2009
8:37 am
So when is bookman gonna take this skank Freanken down from the top of his blog?
Am I the only one who gets nauseous at the sight of this klown?
Shawny
July 1st, 2009
8:38 am
This is bad, and not necessarily for the reasons you might think I would believe. Now, each dem’s vote will be seen as the one that puts them over. Each Sen will place a value on their vote on a given bill that will allow them to leverage for favors, particularly little pork projects that they will slide into the bills. “Sure, I am on board, but only if you give me …..”
And we (in lib states) will re-elected them anyway. That is too bad. A divided congress has always been better, historically, than a dominant one, regardless of which side holds the cards.
The job now is to follow the money. See where excessive pet spending is being added, and rail against it.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
8:39 am
Doggone/GA
You may want to reread “If not, then, no”.
Let me rephrase:
View expressed decades ago AND currently held: hold accountable
Views expressed decades ago, NOT currently held: it’s interesting but not a matter of current accountability
Normal
July 1st, 2009
8:39 am
PAUL…You won’t find Saints in church either…By the way, Good morning to you!
Shawny
July 1st, 2009
8:40 am
Franken: “Don’t stop me now, I’m on a roll”
Reality
July 1st, 2009
8:40 am
Dave R, we hear you. You hate Obama and can’t stand the fact that Jed and Elli Mae lost. Tell us something we don’t know.
Normal
July 1st, 2009
8:40 am
Am I the only one who gets nauseous at the sight of this klown?
————
Yep…Just sayin’
Paul
July 1st, 2009
8:42 am
Report/Whine
You gotta admit, it was an interesting choice of picture. Hidden message?
I believe you referenced that Gallup poll result the other day. Jay likes polls. I thought it bore repeating.
Paid In Full
July 1st, 2009
8:42 am
Tax cheats are scum.
The IRS has since increased pressure on Americans to disclose offshore accounts as it seeks to recoup an estimated $50 billion in unpaid taxes. The agency set a deadline of Sept. 23 for taxpayers to declare all foreign accounts or face possible criminal prosecution that could result in as much as 10 years in prison and $500,000 in penalties.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
8:44 am
Normal
I’m an optimist. I don’t expect perfection. Just people who try. Whether in church or in politics.
Good morning to you, too.
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
8:48 am
Shawny wrote: Each Sen will place a value on their vote on a given bill that will allow them to leverage for favors, particularly little pork projects that they will slide into the bills. “Sure, I am on board, but only if you give me …..”
I think you have this wrong. The pork leverage for favors works with donors, not voters. Pork rarely helps more than a handful of friends and cronies and most voters, I think, see that as a bad thing.
Regarding your statement about the important of each vote to the Democrats, I can only hope they take it that seriously.
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 1st, 2009
8:50 am
Paul- I also remarked that most of the people that were polled probably didn’t yet realize that the cap and tax bill had provisions in it so that you could not sell your house until the government inspected it and checked for compliance with Kalifornia energy standards.
Normal
July 1st, 2009
8:51 am
Paul, I think it’s human nature to try, but the good ones keep on trying, no matter what… I’m an optimist too, in my own way…I always expect the the worst and am hardly ever disappointed…
Mrs. Godzilla
July 1st, 2009
8:54 am
How about something NICE this morning…..
PHOTOS: United We Serve – Cabinet Edition
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×8504454
Normal
July 1st, 2009
8:56 am
FINN: The sixty votes the Dems have now gives me a mental visual of
those wind up chatty teeth on legs, going every which way. The main thing is what ever happens in the Senate now will be very entertaining…Just sayin’…;
GayGrayGeek
July 1st, 2009
8:58 am
Reality @ 8:40 – Close. It was Mr. Magoo and Elly Mae…
RW-(the original)
July 1st, 2009
8:58 am
Is this how it ends for Bookman and the AJC?
I just opened the page and was greeted with pictures of Jacko, Bookman, and Stuart Smalley all at the same time.
shudder
Let the no excuses Democrat era begin. As of now you libs can no longer blame Republicans for anything.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:00 am
Normal LOL!
Report/Whine
I heard that about having to have a home brought up to certain standards before reselling. I’d like to make sure that really is something that made it into the final House bill. Can you imagine what that will do to the housing market? If it’s true, these cap n traders are instigating another crash. (Okay, I’ll be snarky, Gore’s funds DID invest gazillions in companies that make the products that would be retrofitted onto these homes. More money in that crusade than in the religious crusade!).
I’d also heard that (digress again: sooooo many who rail against the ‘free’ market as being anything but ‘free’ in a classical sense ((and I’m one of them)) seem to have all kinds of faith in the ability of ‘the free market’ to serve as the medium for success for buying and selling carbon credits. Amazing!) all those permits for cap n trade that would be auctioned off to provide funds and an incentive to cut emissions? I also heard nearly ALL of those have been given away, for FREE, to special interest groups whose support was needed for passage of the House bill.
Y’know, a while back I said Dems just MIGHT want to be real careful with making ‘hypocrisy’ a central element of their attacks on Reps. It might come back to bite them in other areas. Looking at what’s developing in cap n trade tradeoffs (trading principles for passage?) they may get bit.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 1st, 2009
9:01 am
I think it reasonable to hold any politician to decades-old views, IF those are the same views currently held.
Certainly.
What possible evidence do we have to indicate that Franken feels even remotely the same way about gays that he did in 1976? I was a regular listener to his AAR show for a good solid year and I can’t think of any time that he sounded even remotely homophobic, or sympathetic to homophobes.
I guess the only real beef one might have would be the rather asexual Stuart Smalley character from the SNL days, which he still trots out on occasion. Sure, one might see that as a mockery of effeminate gay men, but it seems obvious that Al considers that alter ego one that’s vested in virtue, capable of finding truths in a gentle, loving manner.
Beyond that–got anything? Anyone?
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:03 am
June 10th: “A $50 million undergraduate housing construction project at the University of Houston has been awarded to Hardin Construction Company”
The University of Houston may want to reconsider after Hardin had a bridge collapse at the Botanical Gardens and now a parking deck.
RW-(the original)
July 1st, 2009
9:03 am
Paul,
Not only is the house inspection item true it was put in through the 300 page amendment that got dropped into the bill at 3 in the morning on the day of the vote.
Paid In Full
July 1st, 2009
9:05 am
As of now you libs can no longer blame Republicans for anything.
So, in other words, nothing has changed. So, you can leave off the “as of now” hype.
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:09 am
“As of Now”?
How about “As of the Last 6 Months and for the Next 4 years?”
The Party of NO is off the radar and will not be blamed for helping to turn this country back around and facing into the right direction once again.
WE don’t expect anything good from Republicans anyway, so why should we expect them to help fix the problems they created?
Conservatism leads to paranoia
July 1st, 2009
9:11 am
Jewcowboy makes a good point about the loss of civility in political debate these days. It is, in my opinion, created primarily by change in American demographics and culture over the last 25 years or so. Most of the so called conservatives on this blog are biggots and chest thumping neo-cons who would bomb any country that defies the U.S. and leave the elderly, the poor and the infirmed to fend for themselves under the guise of “self reliance”. They are pro life and pro war. They are religious but have no compassion. They are for family values and are led by Newt three wives Gingrich and Rush three wives Limbaugh. Their solution to every problem is to cut taxes. They offer nothing and it is why they keep losing.
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:14 am
Conservativism Leads to Paranoia,
Yeah, just make sure you cut their taxes and they may let the children live!
DB, Gwinnettian
July 1st, 2009
9:15 am
“As of Now”?
How about “As of the Last 6 Months and for the Next 4 years?”
Hell, how about “as of since the Mighty Thumpin’ of Nov. 2006, at which time Barney Frank became Master of the Known Universe, except for those times when it was Nancy Pelosi what done it?”
AmVet
July 1st, 2009
9:16 am
“As of now you libs can no longer blame Republicans for anything.”
Other than that being a neo-con’s wet dream, methinks, that s most definitely not true. Not as long as the Obstructionist-in-Chief, The Boner of Ohio, still wanders aimlessly around Capitol Hill…
IC Atlanta
July 1st, 2009
9:16 am
and Clinton had sexual affairs with a 21-year old intern in the White House and then tried to get her to lie under oath – neither side can claim moral righteousness.
The Democrats have it all – sink or swim America it is up to the Dems. You guys can call conservatives names all you want, but now America is your party’s responsibility. I wish for integrity and sensibility among our leaders. But you don’t have George Bush, Dick Cheney and the evil neo-cons to blame anymore. I hope your team will start taking some responsibility – for good and bad. We’ll see.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:17 am
DB, 9:01
Again, my interest was piqued not so much by Franken said or the topic, but the manner in which anything negative or out of character is completely rejected out of hand, without even a ‘let’s look at the circumstances’ attitude.
People want to believe, at face value, the worst about their political opponents but not about the politicians they support.
Jay,
It just occurred to me – your comment about politicians who go into political oblivion after sexual indiscretions after making personal morality a big deal? You mentioned Newt as a political rehab success.
Add Rev Jesse Jackson to the list. A minister, no less. Affair and a child. Still gets called reverend. Still inserts himself into political issues.
Another success story. Just like Newt!
RW-(the original)
It IS true? If that little old lady Jay wrote about who’s losing her diner and livelihood wants to sell her house and move somewhere for a job, she could lose nearly ALL her equity because of mandated energy work she’d have to have done?
What’d I say about hypocrisy? Or is this an example (from CopyLeft) about an exception to principles?
Hey, is it too late to invest in Al Gore’s fund?
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:17 am
I’ll say it again and again:
A tax break is welfare for people who make money.
Republicans are all for smaller government – as long as you are cutting programs THEY don’t use or rely on.
IC Atlanta
July 1st, 2009
9:19 am
And Amvet proves my point that liberals, like Hamas is with Israel, won’t accept responsibility until are conservatives have been kicked into the sea. Own up man and take some responsibility in your life for the people you voted for and your party. The Repubs screwed up from earlier this decade and now you guys own it. Take it and quit blaming minorities for your problems.
RW-(the original)
July 1st, 2009
9:19 am
DB,
Have you been practicing that 9:15 response through a series of name changes or did my “as of now” unleash a whole pack of ankle biters?
I would agree with you that Dems should have started taking responsibility in November of 2006, but all we’ve been hearing is how the mean old Republicans have been blocking them. You no longer have that excuse.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:20 am
FinnMcCool 9:17
You may want to start tracking all the tax breaks in the Energy Bill….
Paid In Full
July 1st, 2009
9:25 am
Wow. Home inspection requirements for energy compliance. What a novel idea. Oops, my new home had such an inspection way back in 2004. I know. I know. Now, you’ll be required to have an inspection before you sell your house. As if THAT never happens. But wait, the last house I sold way back in 2004 had an inspection and I even had to pay for some upgrades. DUH. I think some people just like to complain about anything that someone else does, unless they’re Republican.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:29 am
Paid in Full
You’re not really comparing current home inspections, whose results generally result in matters to be negotiated between buyer and seller (”You don’t have to replace those loose bricks if you knock $100 off the price) with the Energy Bill inspections, which would
require
retrofitting a wide range of items (windows, insulation, etc) before a home can be sold?
No wonder some people change their moniker before posting…
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
9:30 am
Meet the Dems etc. etc. and more etc.etc.
First we get a community organizer for President. Then we get a comedian for Senator. Both are Harvard graduates.
Frankly, my dears, I am beginning to wonder about Harvard. That institution is supposed to be the very best. WHAT HAPPENED?
Paid In Full
July 1st, 2009
9:30 am
If Republicans were capable of fixing the problems that they created then why would they have created them to begin with. And, if Republicans are so go at this “preemption” thing, why can’t they do the simpler things like “see” the coming of an economic crisis or stock market crash.
Paid In Full
July 1st, 2009
9:33 am
Paul,
You could at least attempt to portray yourself as being quasi-intelligent before you go off on another one of your vain attempts at provoking another anonymous blogger. Then again, that just would not be “you”.
Copyleft
July 1st, 2009
9:34 am
Dusty: They ARE the best… as you can tell from the fact that Democratic leaders have come from there and won over the country by defeating lesser lights from lesser institutes… like Sarah Palin’s succession of community colleges.
Sadly, Dusty, “best” means “smartest.” And that’s just not an arena where the right-wing base can compete.
DB, Gwinnettian
July 1st, 2009
9:36 am
Have you been practicing that 9:15 response through a series of name changes
Huh? No. Seriously, no!
I’ve said it elsewhere, but–once in a blue moon, I mean literally once every other week or so, when the spirit strikes I’ll try for a bit of comedy relief to do a one-liner under an assumed name. I’ve never done this to attack anyone. Moreover, I’m so laughably awful at it, so inexperienced in this type of tomfoolery, that a most of the time I screw up and forget to change my “Name” field back and get busted anyway.
I would agree with you that Dems should have started taking responsibility in November of 2006, but all we’ve been hearing is how the mean old Republicans have been blocking them. You no longer have that excuse.
I really doubt that you’ve been hearing nothing but any one excuse, but setting that aside, any semi-serious onlooker recognizes that Democrats aren’t terribly monolithic and oh yeah, they don’t have “60 votes,” they have 58, kinda/sorta (two guys are in terrible physical shape and aren’t even around much) plus one Godly progressive (Bernie) and one foreign policy neocon who’s otherwise pretty good on domestic stuff (Joementum.)
You want to throw up your hands the next 18 months and cry that there’s nothing Republicans can do to impede that Soshamalistic Agender, fine, but pardon me if I don’t take it very seriously.
md
July 1st, 2009
9:37 am
If that was 2004, you are now out of compliance on all your windows, a/c seer requirements, and on and on…………..
How far back do we want to go.
md
July 1st, 2009
9:41 am
And Tn, our troops overseas are supplemented by the host country. If we bring them all home will we actually be saving any money or will we be paying more for the same number of troops?
Paid In Full
July 1st, 2009
9:42 am
Oh well, time to get some work done. That’s enough picking on Republicans for a while. After all, it’s not like they can help the way that they are. They was borned with them defects.
Hey, Paul, preempt something for me, would ya. Anticipate my next post since you think you know me so well. I’ll need a good laugh after I finish my round of work for the day.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:42 am
Paid in Full 9:33
“vain attempt at provoking another anonymous blogger”
Vain attempt?
Got a response, didn’t it?
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:46 am
md 9:41
Saving money.
Host nation support doesn’t come close to covering all the costs.
Paid in Full
How would I know you so well if this is the first time you’ve posted under that name? Your original post indicated anything other than a newbie. It was the…ummm… striking content that drove the comment about why some posters don’t want to use their regular moniker.
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
9:47 am
Dusty, a guy can make a really good living telling jokes….um, that sounds like the smartest guy in the whole room.
Are you making a killing by being humorous? Not that smart? I guess the comedian has you beat. See how you feel when you pay Chris Rock or Seinfeld $90 to watch his stand-up routine. Mwuahahahahah
AmVet
July 1st, 2009
9:48 am
“But you don’t have George Bush, Dick Cheney and the evil neo-cons to blame anymore.”
Zooks! Shades of the ghost of Tricky Dick?
No. YOU don’t. But then you never held them accountable for one single screw-up of theirs, did you?
The second those criminals walked out the door, your memory TOTALLY disappeared. And your new found outrage and recently acquired sense of justice began.
Transparently pitiful. Just ask the American electorate.
How ironic and laughable that you apologists speak of taking responsibility.
Just keep getting annihilated every other November and maybe you “faithful” will finally learn your collective lessons…
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:48 am
Paid in Full
But I will guess your affiliation is farfarleft Dem. Not just from your swipe at Republicans, but from your complete avoidance of addressing a point (your reference your home inspection was pretty much like the proposed energy inspection/correction mandate before sale) and instead (and this is the key part) avoiding by getting into a personal exchange.
Most telling!
md
July 1st, 2009
9:54 am
Paul,
“Saving money.
Host nation support doesn’t come close to covering all the costs.”
Would you not have the same cost if you picked up the operation from over there and dropped it on US soil? Here you would also have base expansion/reopening, etc. In times of conflict/peacekeeping our transportation costs would now be much higher. I’d like to see a study that shows a savings/increase, because I doubt it is as cut and dried as you/Tn would think.
md
July 1st, 2009
9:56 am
“Just keep getting annihilated every other November and maybe you “faithful” will finally learn your collective lessons…”
I’ll reiterate – 4,8 and rarely 12. Unless you are referring to both parties getting annilated.
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
9:58 am
Poor ol’ Copyleft,
Still brainwashed. Same rhetoric.
Bush graduated from Harvard and Yale before they started putting out comedians. We were talking about Harvard but you had to throw in your two cents worth about Palin who graduated from a state university and became a governor of one of the largest states in the Union. That is an achievement that neither the currect president nor the “funny” senator have achieved.
Perk up, retread. You need some new propaganda.
md
July 1st, 2009
9:58 am
I would guess paid in full is rather young as well for he/she has not learned that generlizations are a no-no. How easy life would be if we could cram everybody into one or two square holes.
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
10:08 am
FinnMcCool, 9:47
Sorry but I wouldn’t pay a nickle to watch a comedian. I don’t even watch them for free on TV.
Some comedians do make money. There are still fools around who will pay to hear dirty jokes and canned applause. You are still watching them, aren’t you?
AmVet
July 1st, 2009
10:09 am
md, reiterate away.
I love the GOP’s “chances” of bailing out that hemorrhaging Republican Titanic with The Manteats in Black and Newt the Nut directing like madmen. Joined by a supporting cast of Sister Sarah, Boner, Suxbee, Ensign, Sanford, that irrepressible and lovable Dick Cheney, McConnell and Reagan (Oh wait! He’s dead isn’t he?)
I don’t see the American electorate giving those clowns another chance.
For a LONG time…
Paul
July 1st, 2009
10:11 am
Dusty
Excellent point about Pres Bush. The Left was sure dismissive and made all sorts of excuses for the nonapplicability of those institutions to him.
md
A lot of the costs would still be there. But the biggest savings should come from the reductions in personnel and equipment.
See, the military doesn’t just get a number of people then decide what to do with them. The missions are costed out and the people to support those missions are assigned. You want to have a base of F16 fighters? They have manuals that tell how many people, by grade, it requires. Same for an Army post. And in the case of overseas assignments, it’s to support a mission to that area. Generally. (lots of troops assigned to Europe or the Pacific rotate in and out of Iraq and Afg).
But the savings would come IF the troops associated with Europe or the Pacific or elsewhere weren’t just brought home, but if they were cut from the rolls as it would be a mission we’d no longer perform. Or, if there was a desire to do it, it would not be on that level.
So you’d see reductions in tens of thousands of personnel (at a cost over $100,000 each, per year, according to Rand Corp) as well as the tens of millions in equipment and maintenance costs.
Such changes in who we want to pay to defend could save in the hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
IC Atlanta
July 1st, 2009
10:12 am
at least until 2010
AmVet
July 1st, 2009
10:17 am
“Frankly, my dears, I am beginning to wonder about Harvard. That institution is supposed to be the very best. WHAT HAPPENED?”
It was supplanted in the rankings by Liberty University and Bob Jones University…
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
10:19 am
AmVet, 9:48
You are but another brainwashed lib who claims he isn’t.
NO? But you still make statements claiming Bush and Cheney are criminals.
I know. Just your opinion. But you don’t have even one single indictment to back up your accusations. That makes you a far left prejudiced Democrat.
md
July 1st, 2009
10:19 am
Paul,
Reductions from a military force thats already too thin? 3/4/5 tours of duty for 2 “small” wars? The only way to do that would be to have the draft on standby for the next conflict if we were to reduce forces.
AmVet
July 1st, 2009
10:24 am
I’m predicting another BIG 2008-like rally for the neo-cons in 2010.
They will lose another 14 seats in Congress.
Baby steps to be sure, but better than the previous 36 and 22 seat losses…
Oh gawd, my long-time leg-humper is calling.
Take it up with the American Bar Association, humper. You know that organization that is loaded with conservative Republican lawyers who wrote Bushie three times about his illegalities in five, count ‘em FIVE, different areas?
The most serially impeachable president in US history.
But keep on apologizing. That’s gonna work REAL well for you in 2010…
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
10:25 am
Dear AmVet,
Maybe you are right about Liberty and Bob Jones Universities. I don’t know much about them and don’t know anyone who graduated from either one.
Well, maybe you did. Seems every university has to have a comedian in their history.
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
10:32 am
AmVet,
getalife has already worn out the “dog” angle. Try something new.
So, the American Bar Association WROTE letters to Bush complaining. Seems it amounted to nothing. How many did they write to Clinton before he was disbarred?
Paul
July 1st, 2009
10:32 am
md
The brunt of Iraq and Afg’s been borne by the Army and Marines. AF’s involved, Navy not nearly so much.
I once took a look at the Defense budget during and after the Reagan boom. Defense budget skyrocketed. Military funding for the services is supposed to be needs-mission driven. Well, take out a couple of weapons systems and the percentage of funds allocated to each service hardly changed at all. THAT was an eye-opener. It means there’s a ‘this is what we each get’ mentality and they shoehorn the missions into that.
So IF the Army can’t do the Iraq Afg thing, in spite of being given money to fight two BIG wars at the same time, another option is to transfer assets from the AF and Navy to the services that need it.
But now they’re drawing on people assigned to other theaters. If trouble breaks out in that theater, what happens? Their system is broke. There’s a better way to transform it than to keep throwing billions more at it.
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
10:35 am
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
9:30 am
I think it started going downhill when it accepted the U. of Texas rejectee into its business school.
Come on. Franken will do us all proud. Give him a chance to rise above his meager beginnings and shine. Why isn’t he an example of an American success story?
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
10:37 am
Paul
July 1st, 2009
9:17 am
Wouldn’t the house be worth more?
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
10:41 am
IC Atlanta
July 1st, 2009
9:19 am
We got it. It’s in good hands. Join us as we lower the drawbridge to the 21st century that got stuck under ‘W’.
Copyleft
July 1st, 2009
10:44 am
Dusty: Interesting lack of perspective you have…
“[Palin] became a governor of one of the largest states in the Union. That is an achievement that neither the currect president nor the “funny” senator have achieved.”
Umm, right. They just became U.S. Senator and a President of the United States, that’s all. That sure doesn’t compare to the “achievements” of becoming governor of an empty lot, no sirree…
And the funny part is, Dusty calls ME brainwashed! Man, her skull should be squeaky-clean by now.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
10:47 am
TNGelding
Most likely not nearly what was put into it. Most improvements don’t have nearly a one for one payback in terms of increased value.
Especially windows. And insulation. For many agents, those are yawners.
But it sure cuts into the equity of the people trying to sell. They’re left with expenses. But the corporations and Al Gore’s energy fund make buku bucks!
(I just can’t leave that alone…)
Oh, probiotics. Have you tried those? I figure ‘yes’ but it can’t hurt to ask -
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
11:03 am
md
July 1st, 2009
9:41 am
I’m sure it doesn’t cover the full cost.
“South Korea is not the only wealthy U.S. ally to reap the rewards of a U.S. security guarantee, while not fully opening its market to the United States. Japan and most of the European NATO allies also do the same. The foolish U.S. policy of continuing to subsidize the defense of these now rich countries – all economic competitors of the United States – allows them to reduce the drag that added defense expenditures would impose on their economies. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy has to bear the costs of defending the world.”
http://www.lewrockwell.com/snyder-joshua/snyder-joshua15.html
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa474.pdf
It’s a double whammy. We’ll be saving money and much of what we spend will go back into our economy.
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
11:10 am
Dear Paul,
Robert Gates did try to do away with budgeting more money for F22s and the Democratic Congress voted for it anyway, didn’t they?
As we have already noticed, Democrats know not the meaning of using money wisely. What comes after trillions? Quadrillions? Then Exterrestions?
COPYLEFT & TNGELLING,
You can try to demean Bush in your usual fashion but he is a graduate of Harvard and Yale, an elected governor for two terms in a very large state and an elected president of the USA for two terms. The people’s choice!!
No use for you two to act like he wandered in off the street and got stashed in the White House. Won’t work. Isn’t true. No indictments. No impeachment. Just two freed countries and no attacks on America after 9/11. And you wanted Gore and Kerry! That is one scary thought!
Oh well, Bookman has gone to hacking away at Sanford AGAIN. I don’t like the guy myself but don’t want to make a habit of talking about him. Bookman keeps up the yakety yak.
Ho hum. See you later.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
11:14 am
Dusty
They not only voted more money for F22s, they voted half a billion (and that’s just for starters) for a second engine for the single-engine F35. Not a second engine for the airframe, but a ’spare’ just ‘in case’ something ‘happens’ to the original engine.
They may not want to admit it, but everything they say about Reps being in hock to corporations – they’re looking in the mirror while they’re saying it.
Say, what does this say about the ‘hypocrisy’ card? “We fight for you against corporate special interests” while they do this?!!? BOHICA!
Copyleft
July 1st, 2009
11:16 am
Good argument Dusty… if I had mentioned Bush at all, that is. My post was about the “accomplishments” of a backwater governor compared to the accomplishments of becoming U.S. Senator and President of the United States.
But as usual, you change the subject and run away. Be sure to declare victory on your way out….
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
11:27 am
Paul
July 1st, 2009
10:47 am
I’m amazed that homeowners won’t make those investments that will pay for themselves in a few years while they’re liiving in the houses. I wanted to put some extra insulation in the attic of a rental house in my neighborhood so the family living in it could more afford to pay the electric bill but the owner wouldn’t go for it, even tho the cost was much more than what the reduced rent for one month would have been. It’s sad that the government has to mandate it, but I don’t think it will ever get out of Congress.
Thanks for the health tip.
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
11:33 am
Dusty
July 1st, 2009
11:10 am
Nothing you can say will alter the fact that there was an attack on 09/11.
Harvard is a fine institution. I probably couldn’t have gotten in even with a legacy appointment. I was only joking.
‘W” made the family so proud that daddy Bush broke down in tears because he had spoiled it for his baby brother. But I’m thinking Jeb will make a try anyway.
Paul
July 1st, 2009
11:34 am
TNGelding
I’ve a friend who’s a real estate agent. Time and again he has clients who have to sink thousands in for upgrades so the house will sell. Better to do it early and enjoy it.
I was thinking more along the lines of that diner owner Jay cited. Plenty of people in various parts have homes not worth all that much, real older homes, people don’t have much money – and the cost of the repairs can cause the equity to about disappear.
Seems to me it’ll hit lower income folks in older homes the hardest. Interesting unintended (at least I hope it’s unintended and not merely disregarded) consequences, especially from the Democratic Party. Y’know, as much fun as I’ve been having pinging people with this ‘corporate and special interest sellout’ line, there might just be something to it.
Sad.
Swami Dave
July 1st, 2009
11:42 am
From Finn McCool @ 8:18:
“How true. Tax breaks are basically just handouts to people who make money. It’s government dole. So, it’s no coincidence that Swami Dave wimpers about tax heights at least twice in his post.
Folks making money don’t want to lose their handouts, either!
If the amount of money the public coffers lost to tax-break handouts for people who make money was matched with money for the poor and disabled someone would find a way to tax the handouts to the poor in order to up the handouts to the wealthy.”
Respectfully, Finn, your point belies the dishonest and theft-based foundation of the collectivist argument. It is only be the assumption that an individual’s earnings somehow belong to government that redistributionists such as yourself could make the silly comparison that tax breaks are somehow “handouts to the wealthy”.
They are not. The money belongs to them already and they have no need for a bureaucrat or politician to “give” them what tis already theirs.
On the flip side, the non-achievers among us DO need bureaucrats and politicans to steal from producers to fund their transfer payments and services that they will not provide for themselves. By electing these collectivists, they effectively empower the bureaucrats and politicans to do with a pen what they would get arrested for doing with a gun; namely taking the property or earnings of others against their will with no fair exchange of value.
It is theft to take what you did not earn. It is not a “gift” to allow individuals to keep what they own or have earned. The collectivist fantasy is a lie perpetuated by liars who spread the lie as a means to either (a) get what they have not and will not earn or (b) acquire power by carrying out the theft.
Sorry, Finn, next player please.
-Swami Dave
TnGelding
July 1st, 2009
11:44 am
md
July 1st, 2009
10:19 am
The “wars” have drug on for far too long. Why weren’t troop strengths increased at the beginning? We could be grduating the 5th class out of West Point since the adventure into Afghanistan began and the 3rd since Iraq. Obviously no one at the Pentagon planned on putting ground forces at risk in such unpredictable, hostile areas. And then along came ‘W’.
FinnMcCool
July 1st, 2009
12:40 pm
Swami, you take away government, the police force, the legal system, the penal system, the protective agencies like the FDA and the EPA and then lets see just how long you are going to be in business making that money that only belongs to YOU. Without the system in place you would be hunting for your food and protecting your lean-to shelter with throwable rocks.
You are one of the greedy people who can’t understand that the system within which you operate is totally there for your benefit and you don’t like the idea that you have to pay to work within that system.
Swami writes: By electing these collectivists, they effectively empower the bureaucrats and politicans to do with a pen what they would get arrested for doing with a gun; namely taking the property or earnings of others against their will with no fair exchange of value. The key words here are “No fair exchange of value.”
You, Swami, are one of the simple-minded, one-tracked minded, greed obsessed people of this country.
Go ahead and don’t pay your taxes but don’t complain when the pot hole in the road breaks the axle on the truck you use to deliver your plastic crap to the retail store where you sell it.
–Don’t complain when the cops arrive a little late at your house because someone is trying to take your 52″ Sony TV.
–Don’t complain when people are stealing your software code because there is no legal system to enforce copyright laws.
–Don’t complain when the meat you eat makes you sick as a dog and gives you hepatitis or ecoli because the FDA had to cut positions.
Anyone who is making a living in this system should not be badmouthing the concept of paying taxes. You may not like what some of the tax dollars are going toward but that is just another side of your endless greed: You want to stop the services YOU “mr. precious swami” aren’t using but curse anyone who tries to stop a service you use or rely on.
Why do I waste my time? Greed and the “me,me,me” of some people is suffocating this country. The faster we hang some misdemeanor or felony on your type the faster we can get your type off the streets (the street with all the pot holes cause you didn’t pay your taxes.)….errr, I should have gone to law school.
Copyleft
July 1st, 2009
2:29 pm
Swami Dave enjoys stating personal opinions as if they were Absolute Truth.
You know, like It is theft to take what you did not earn. Wrong. And also irrelevant, since government and society HAVE ‘earned’ a portion of your money simply by allowing you to live here and enjoy the benefits of being an American.
And It is not a “gift” to allow individuals to keep what they own or have earned. Wrong again. If that were true, the workers at every corporation would be in charge, rather than CEOs and directors.
You fail again, SD. Just like every time you try to make some nonsensical libertarian Randroid fantasy into reality.
josef nix
July 1st, 2009
4:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Barforina Smally
July 1st, 2009
8:57 pm
Conservatism leads to paranoia – Dude, you need to look in the mirror when accusing others of being judgemental bigots. What a hypocrite.