House GOP has manuevered itself into a dead end
“You’ve always been crazy, this is just the first chance you’ve had to express yourself.”
– Louise to Thelma
——————————-
Even the folks on the Wall Street Journal editorial board understand that the House GOP is acting suicidal, noting that the squabble with Senate Republicans has turned into a “circular firing squad” and that “the political rout will only get worse” unless they concede the standoff with President Obama.
“At this stage, Republicans would do best to cut their losses and find a way to extend the payroll holiday quickly. Then go home and return in January with a united House-Senate strategy that forces Democrats to make specific policy choices that highlight the differences between the parties on spending, taxes and regulation. Wisconsin freshman Senator Ron Johnson has been floating a useful agenda for such a strategy. The alternative is more chaotic retreat and the return of all-Democratic rule.”
But Thelma and Louise, also known as John Boehner and Eric Cantor, show no signs of altering course, as the New York Times reports:
“Mr. Boehner of Ohio, the first-year speaker who has struggled throughout 2011 to corral his members, said House Republicans would not relent and accept a two-month extension of the tax cut that was approved by the Senate on Saturday as a way to buy time for a more permanent solution. He instead named members to a committee to negotiate a new agreement with the Senate, which adjourned Saturday….
Mr. Boehner called Mr. Obama to summon the Senate back to Washington to bargain with House Republicans despite the approach of the holidays. “I just think the American people expect us to do our work,” Mr. Boehner said.
But he was rebuffed by Mr. Obama, and by House and Senate Democrats, who said they would appoint no counterparts to Mr. Boehner’s newly named negotiators. And more Republican senators who voted for the Senate bill urged Mr. Boehner to get his lawmakers to do the same, saying the ugly fight was damaging both Republicans and the already badly battered Congress.
“It is harming the Republican Party,” Senator John McCain of Arizona said in an interview on CNN. “It is harming the view, if it’s possible anymore, of the American people about Congress. And we’ve got to get this thing resolved and with the realization that the payroll tax cut must remain in effect.”
Obama and the Democrats must think it’s Christmas or something.
– Jay Bookman
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1,134 comments Add your comment
Peter
December 21st, 2011
5:08 pm
Jm
December 21st, 2011
5:07 pm
Stop paying your taxes
Your government is robbing you blind
You are sounding Un-American…. or as a large group of Millionaires do it !
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
5:08 pm
Kam & JCB:
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
5:10 pm
Jm: “Stop paying your taxes / Your government is robbing you blind”
Wrong conclusion. Dead wrong.
Instead, INCREASE taxes drastically. Increase buy-in by the WHOLE society. Get everyone involved.
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:12 pm
Welcome to the Occupation,
“Get everyone involved.”
National lottery. Get all the stupid people to pay for everything.
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:18 pm
Keep Up the Good Fight!,
It’s worse than stepping in ilk.
pogo
December 21st, 2011
5:19 pm
The tax extension amounts to absolutely nothing. It would add about $1,000 dollars per “WORKING” household per year. We all know that “working” households are becoming far and few between under Obama so most of his constituents wouldn’t be impacted by it anyway. When held in the context of the un-necessary spending the average American does in a year, this supposed “taxcut” is meaningless. Americans blow way more money per year than that eating the very “nutricious” food at Micky D’s or Pizza Hut, watching netflix and playing the lottery. This sideshow means nothing and it is sponsored by a bunch of lying ass politicians, including your boy Obama. But the liberals are portraying it as a make or break for the American people. Pathetic. Anyone that tries to make political fodder of this sharade (like Jay) should be ashamed.
stands for decibels
December 21st, 2011
5:21 pm
MAMBLA?
Kay-reist, the homophobes are stupid.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
5:23 pm
JCB…. but the doodle keeps sniffing at it.
And pogo blahs blahs but says nothing….. real economists understand the impact of this tax cut on the GDP and economic growth. But its good to see him hard at work inflating the Macy’s Parade Balloons so early for the parade.
Peter
December 21st, 2011
5:23 pm
Really……. Pogo Really ?
We all know that “working” households are becoming far and few between under Obama so most of his constituents wouldn’t be impacted by it anyway.
What the heck do you mean ?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
5:24 pm
Studies continue to show the important economic impact immigrants have on the national economy as well as states, be it the millions in losses Alabama faces after passing a draconian immigration law to the number of jobs immigrants help create.
Now venture capitalists are arguing for immigration reform for the sake of the economy after a study showed that immigrants founded almost half of the U.S.’s top 50 start-up companies and are vital management or development employees at roughly 75 percent of the nation’s leading cutting-edge companies.
Republicans, tear down that fence!
stands for decibels
December 21st, 2011
5:25 pm
It would add about $1,000 dollars per “WORKING” household per year.
aaaand any rational person stops reading at the bunny ear quotes.
Anyway, don’t blow up the blog. later, kids.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
5:27 pm
Gay Republican group GOProud said today that “Speaker Gingrich said absolutely nothing wrong” when he told a gay voter he’d be better off supporting President Obama’s reelection. Both GOProud and the Log Cabin Republicans insist that the liberal press is misrepresenting Gingrich’s comments, but in doing so they’ve conceded that supporting LGBT equality is not among their top priorities
This is not going to add to USinUK’s comprehension of why Gay Republicans exist.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
5:27 pm
MPercy, what’s the date of the Bloomberg article you cite? If Brown was still PM, it must have been at least 2-3 years ago. Do you know how out of date that is by now?
The Cameron-Clegg regime has set Keynes on its head, and where is it now?
So where does that leave us in our little ‘controversy’?
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:27 pm
pogo,
“Americans blow way more money per year than that eating the very “nutricious” food at Micky D’s or Pizza Hut, watching netflix and playing the lottery.”
The estimates I’ve seen work out to about $40 a month for someone making $50K. Because it is a relatively small amount, people will actually use it rather than save it. Meaning it will go directly in to the economy.
That $40 will pay for my Netflix and a nice bottle of wine. Meaning at 3 companies benefit…Netflix, the liquor store, the winery.
A small. but direct stimulus.
getalife
December 21st, 2011
5:28 pm
Bo goes shopping with our President:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/obama-seeks-companionship_n_1163492.html#s565263&title=Obama_and_Bo
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:31 pm
Keep Up the Good Fight!,
“This is not going to add to USinUK’s comprehension of why Gay Republicans exist”
I was talking to a co-worker about this earlier. We are both baffled. Even if you agree with Republican stances on almost every other thing, the GOP despises gay people and actively work to destroy their rights.
It’s like fundamentalist Christians supporting an Satanist for President because they agree with his fiscal policy.
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:33 pm
getalife,
“From there Obama headed to Best Buy to shop for his daughters, Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10. He purchased two $50 iTunes gift cards and two games – the Sims 3: Pets and Just Dance 3 for the Wii.”
Kind of douchey to report that…
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
5:37 pm
PRAYER trumps EVIL!
getalife
December 21st, 2011
5:37 pm
jewcowboy,
Douchy?
A man Christmas shopping for his daughters and dog?
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:39 pm
getalife,
“A man Christmas shopping for his daughters and dog?”
Reporting what he purchased for his kids…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
5:39 pm
jcb, I agree. If I understand that they are stating that they “rise above” “single issue politics” it would seem that this is not just saying… well I like everything except his stance on X. This is not a single issue. Left unchecked the extremists would have gays killed or jailed for their activities. So it seems that it is akin to saying “I am jewish and I am for Hitler.”
getalife
December 21st, 2011
5:40 pm
“Reporting what he purchased for his kids…”
Yeah, the like to buy music and play W ii.
So?
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:41 pm
“PRAYER trumps EVIL!”
More is accomplished from one man bending to work than from a thousand men kneeling to pray.
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:42 pm
getalife,
“So?”
Would you like your kids to open a web page and see what you just bought them for presents?
MPercy
December 21st, 2011
5:43 pm
Welcome to the Occupation @5:27 pm MPercy, what’s the date of the Bloomberg article you cite? If Brown was still PM, it must have been at least 2-3 years ago. Do you know how out of date that is by now?
Feb, 2010. It’s within the timeframe stipulated by Adam. It’s not by an anti-Obama partisan, as stipulated by Adam. It’s not a bumper-sticker blurb, as stipulated by Adam. Now here you come and inject yourself complaining about it being out of date?
josef
December 21st, 2011
5:44 pm
jewcowboy
Nu, so what’s with the blond blue-eyed shaygets at 5:00? We should stick to our own…you’re breaking your mother’s heart. Mavis Goldstein’s boy…I’ll introduce you…just try it to please your Mamele,
http://www.miami.com/party-with-the-sexy-jews-of-miami-this-xmas-eve-at-vlada-article
getalife
December 21st, 2011
5:46 pm
“Would you like your kids to open a web page and see what you just bought them for presents?”
They probably told him what they wanted.
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:46 pm
MPercy,
“Now here you come and inject yourself complaining about it being out of date?”
Well I didn’t want to say anything, but I’ll inject myself too. The black background is very distracting with the gold and white typeface.
saywhat?
December 21st, 2011
5:49 pm
getalife- I think jewcowboy means douchy in that they have spoiled any surprise if the kids happen to read the report, assuming the gifts are for his kids, of course. (Not the at least 20 illegitimate kids he has in Kenya, from the fooling around he did while erasing all signs of his REAL birth certificate)
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
5:49 pm
Angry WHITE MEN thought they were SMARTER than the COOL CALM Black man!
Hahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:49 pm
getalife,
“They probably told him what they wanted.”
And I still think it’s still a bit douchy to report what he bought for presents. If you don’t then fine…don’t waste your time wrapping any presents.
jewcowboy
December 21st, 2011
5:50 pm
josef,
“Nu, so what’s with the blond blue-eyed shaygets at 5:00?”
Where were they in the movie?
getalife
December 21st, 2011
5:53 pm
It is great he can go out shopping instead of just telling Americans to go shopping.
Good advertising for Pet Smart and Best Buy with the President shopping there.
Anytime he can leave the bubble to see the real world with real people is a good thing.
Rockerbabe
December 21st, 2011
5:53 pm
If you want the funnies [the GOP] to stop, then don’t vote for the idiots. They get paid a lot of money to make our lives miserable and I think this time next year, we should all get together and vote them out of our misery. Bye, bye GOP – it was NOT nice knowing you!
MPercy
December 21st, 2011
5:54 pm
AS far as Cameron-Clegg, they say they want to reduce the debt, etc. but then they turn around and “invest” public money.
Cameron said he wanted to build a society in Britain “in which we do not just ask what are my entitlements, but what are my responsibilities, one where we don’t ask just what am I just owed, but more what can I give”.
But the coalition with Liberals has been tense and not much is actually getting done except spending money.
“What we’re trying to do is invest public money, taxpayers’ money, into companies which can create jobs that last,” Clegg told BBC Radio 4. “And for every pound that will be invested from the Regional Growth Fund, we estimate 6 pounds will be matched from the private sector. So you’re making the money go much further, and you’re creating, or safeguarding, close to 325,000 jobs, jobs which are built to last.”
Sounds Keynesian to me, with similar results?
“The U.K. economy has barely grown over the past year and unemployment climbed to a 17-year high in the three months through August, fueling concerns Britain may slide back into recession.” [Bloomberg]
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
5:54 pm
@jewcowboy ecember 21st, 2011 5:46 pm
@saywhat? December 21st, 2011 5:49 pm
************************************************************
Come on people! Stay focused.
This ain’t about Obama this is about the ANGRY WHITE MEN who thought they were smarter than Obama.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
5:56 pm
REPUBLICANS YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
God don’t like UGLY!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
josef
December 21st, 2011
5:57 pm
jewcowboy
oops…I had forgotten BP was in it! I thought it was just wanting better eye candy!
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
5:57 pm
House GOP has manuevered itself into a dead end!
CRASH!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
5:59 pm
MPercy: “It’s not a bumper-sticker blurb, as stipulated by Adam. Now here you come and inject yourself complaining about it being out of date?”
You’re right, I did kind of butt into your discussion. I was just pointing out that the more recent economic history in the UK might not necessarily support anti-Keynesian claims. The Cameron -Clegg gravediggers of the Keynesian legacy haven’t exactly been proven geniuses so far.
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
6:02 pm
While the STOP OBAMA MENTALITY HAS TANKED….The Republicans’ approval rate has DECLINED!
We told you so………..:)
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
josef
December 21st, 2011
6:06 pm
I’m still trying to catch up…did somebody kvetch that Obama went shopping with the kids?
getalife
December 21st, 2011
6:09 pm
There is nothing more humbling than trying to get Bo from humping the other dog.
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
6:09 pm
The PULBIC has CAUGHT on!
ANGRY WHITE MEN who hate Obama more than they love America.
Finally………
Bruno
December 21st, 2011
6:11 pm
Keep—If you’re on board, I have a legal question. My co-worker claims that he has a buddy in VA who is incarcerated due to non-payment of child support. The buddy has been unemployed for a while and says that he is unable to pay. He states that in VA, you get locked up for a year and a day for non-payment, then you are set free for three months. If you are unable to catch up all moneys in arrears in that three month time, then you go back to jail for another year and a day. He says that there are guys in jail with him that have been on this merry-go-round for ten years now. To me, that sounds a lot like debtors prison. Any thoughts??
Jm
December 21st, 2011
6:14 pm
Trotsky
Then u will have to raise taxes on the middle and lower classes since they are the ones who don’t pay federal income taxes
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
6:16 pm
MPercy:
The issue of the stance taken by the current government in the UK towards the Keynesian post-WW II consensus is apparently more complex than it might appear at first sight. (This article here lays out some of the issues : http://www.psa.ac.uk/journals/pdf/5/2011/869_401.pdf).
So the efforts to build a more coherent Britain (a “one nation” Britain) have to be seen as part of an effort to drive a wedge between the Third Way of the New Labour without simply repeating the Thatcherite legacy, or so goes the argument anyway. So the anti-statism is perhaps not as pronounced as we would expect it to be here in the states — through Tea Party eyes — so there’s still “investment” of public monies into the society, it’s just that these investments try to steer away from the Keynesian “big state” projects of the post- WWII years. Hence the departure from Keynesianism.
Republicans act like the house is on fire while holding a can of gasoline
December 21st, 2011
6:21 pm
EXTREMISM HURT THE GOP!
We told you so!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Bruno
December 21st, 2011
6:25 pm
Hahahahaha
Republican actor–Isn’t there anyone in real life you can go annoy and leave us bloggers alone??
Paul
December 21st, 2011
6:28 pm
Okay, 849 comments.
Did anyone ever post a cogent defense of House Republicans’ actions in this matter?
And did anyone think Reps Boehner and Cantor would read the tea leaves, or are they going to go down and take the ship with them?
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
6:35 pm
Jm: “Then u will have to raise taxes on the middle and lower classes since they are the ones who don’t pay federal income taxes”
Absolutely right. They talk about “soaking” the rich. Hell, soak the middle classes too, I say.
That is the only way to break the intolerable blackmail that keeps our current politics in a constant logjam. But I’ll tell you this much, the last people on earth you’ll hear this from are the Democrats. Which means they are co-guilty in the current deadlock that threatens us.
getalife
December 21st, 2011
6:37 pm
Paul,
They are cutting funding for SS trust fund after not paying for tax cuts for their donors.
The gop will cave because they want SS to fail.
The real question is where is the plan for recovering this lost SS revenue.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
6:37 pm
Bruno, far from my area of expertise. That said, child support requirements are pervasive in a variety of areas of law including a requirement to obtain a professional license. And there have been a great deal of efforts to effectively create debtor’s prisons by debt collecting lobbying groups and by a lot of slimey debt collector tricks (see, e.g. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/22/debtors-prison-legal-in-more-than-one-third-of-us-states_n_1107524.html ) There have been a lot of bad laws created to get “deadbeats” and there are abuses.
As you recapped his case, it does not sound right (in legal terms, it does not pass the smell test for “logic”). Information from this TX group ( http://www.fathers4kids.com/html/ChildSupport.htm?article_id=74 ) suggests that he may be overstating his “plight” and that he may have failed to notify the court when he became unemployed.
From a VA lawyers website: In the state of Virginia the amount of money a noncustodial parent is ordered to pay in child support is based on income. And once that amount is set – unless a modification is made – that amount must be paid on time.
It certainly does not sound correct that the payment arrearage would grow while in jail. I also suspect that, as often happens in so-called “legal horror” stories, many of the nuances of the facts and circumstances have been left out of the story.
This story did not come from some email did it?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
6:42 pm
Paul, you keep asking but there is no manger here and no miracles. Certainly no wise man that have posted cogent responses in support of Boehner and his band of dunces.
Can we get some more gold and myrrh…. you can keep the frankincense.
Paul
December 21st, 2011
6:43 pm
getalife
I understood the 1.9% surcharge on millionaires was intended to back-fill SS. But you kmow the GOP – they’ll agonize and say ‘pay for it’ when it comes to middle-class relief, but don’t bat an eyelash when someone says ‘hey, let’s cut upper-income taxes some more!”
Pres Clinton was on Bill O Reilly last night. It was a real good interview. I don’t think he quite goes along with Gingrich’s and the GOP’s revisionist history of that time period.
The whole interview (not that long) is here:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1338638373001
That Black Guy
December 21st, 2011
6:45 pm
Adam
December 21st, 2011
9:35 am
TaxPayer: Perhaps the house Republicans should publicly announce a change to the Senate bill to do nothing but increase the payroll tax holiday from 2 to 12 months since that is clearly the only issue they have with it. Go for it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if the senate passes a bill and sends it to the house, the house has to vote on the bill as is. If the house makes ANY changes to said bill, then it must go back to the senate to be voted on again.
Am I wrong?
Paul
December 21st, 2011
6:45 pm
Keep
No gold. The R’s (Roman Republicans) made the nonjobcreator family of the House of David give it to the ruling class, job producer Pharisees -
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
6:46 pm
getalife: “The gop will cave because they want SS to fail. / The real question is where is the plan for recovering this lost SS revenue”
And our so-called media — including Bookman frankly — play along with this game by refusing to bring into full view what this phony debate is meant to conceal: namely the fact that we have a wealth class rolling in oceans of money yet we can’t bring ourselves to ask these people to contribute one single dime in addition to help save our measly little excuse for an existing social safety net. And THAT is the true crime. We’re given a choice between two flavors of blackmail: eat this poison pill now or cut the legs out from under that program over there which will then progressively lose its legitimacy (e.g. big three).
The only answer? I’ve said it here many times.
REVOLT.
Of the MASS type, I mean.
getalife
December 21st, 2011
6:47 pm
Paul,
They can stop with the taking in less than spending when they cut the funding.
We need a law to force them to payback the money and can’t touch it.
President Clinton has been making the rounds.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
6:48 pm
The current political and economic system (like two snakes intertwined) is beyond saving. There is no saving it now. It must be knocked down along with the corrupt media establishment that colludes with it and props it up.
C’mon folks, let’s know it down now. Won’t you join me?
josef
December 21st, 2011
6:49 pm
PAUL
Been here just about the whole day and nothing particularly cogent…tried to pick a fight with gm, no go, and even Strawman wasn’t particularly up for a feud. Kinda a let down for my first day off…maybe the night crew will have some issues…
Paul
December 21st, 2011
6:51 pm
Occupation
After the advert -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-GRyOqsi9M&feature=related
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
6:52 pm
Paul, ha! nice
0311/1811
December 21st, 2011
6:54 pm
WELL, I GUESS OLD MATT WON’T BE PLAYING OBAMA IN ANY FUTURE MOVIES ………………………………
Headline: “Matt Damon Rips President Obama”
“Matt Damon rips President Obama in Elle magazine, blasting his leadership qualities and saying he’d prefer “a one-term president with some balls who actually got stuff done.”
The actor, a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party and onetime Obama advocate, reveals frustration with the administration in his wide-ranging interview.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people who worked for Obama at the grassroots level,” says Damon. “One of them said to me, ‘Never again. I will never be fooled again by a politician.’”
Damon then gets even more direct with his own criticism.
“You know, a one-term president with some balls who actually got stuff done would have been, in the long run of this country, much better,” argues the We Bought a Zoo star.
He adds, “If the Democrats think that they didn’t have a mandate – people are literally without any focus or leadership, just wandering out into the streets to yell right now because they are so pissed off.”
“Imagine if they had a leader,” wonders Damon.”
Paul
December 21st, 2011
6:55 pm
josef
Join the club – us trying to get the apologists to defend the indefensible!
It’s why sound bites were invented. But try to get’em past that, it throws them off.
AmVet - Don't obsess over my monikers!
December 21st, 2011
6:59 pm
The only answer? I’ve said it here many times.
REVOLT.
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what a people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. Men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must pay for all they get. If we ever get free from all the oppressions and wrongs heaped upon us, we must pay for their removal. We must do this by labor, by suffering, by sacrifice, and, if needs be, by our lives, and the lives of others. ~Frederick Douglass
That Black Guy
December 21st, 2011
6:59 pm
Adam
December 21st, 2011
9:37 am
Normal: But If Newt does get in, I’ll help build the bridge to Britain…
You’ll never get the funding
Just call it a “green project” and the money will come rolling in.
Jm
December 21st, 2011
7:01 pm
Scout
It’s scary to think there are people to the left of Obama like matt Damon
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
7:04 pm
AmVet: right on.
“Find out just what a people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both.”
Which is precisely why we live in the most important times probably since the 30s. There is nothing like a crisis to really push the envelope. Fear and confusion are always the smoke that can be easily exploited to ram through a total rewrite of the social contract (or better yet just rip the thing up).
The only salvation is a movement that directly challenges the accepted memes. Instead of we just can not raise taxes on the wealthy another cent, it’s not only can we but you’ll be lucky if we don’t have them raised to 100% by the time we’re done.
Imagine how different our current political debate would be if all the smears and blackmails met with an even bolder counter proposal.
josef
December 21st, 2011
7:05 pm
PAUL
Today’s been mostly sound bites and master’s theses…jewcowboy and strawman started off on a pretty good one, but strawman turned tail and ran after making a couple of truly assinine ones, ZamVet’s been in the spirit of the Season, I got called a Fox devotee and told in essence that I didn’t know anything about minorities not being one myself,
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
7:05 pm
Rush claims Newt is with Boehner on the payroll tax fight: http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201112210017
Sometimes I get the feeling Newt really does not want to be the lead candidate. He runs to increase his fees and presence but he is surprised to be leading and trying to undercut his lead somewhat. Given the number of Republicans who think Boehner has been bested and the Republicans have lost a lot of face with the payroll tax cut fight, it seems rather idiotic to tell Rushie that he’s on board with Boehner. Perhaps we’ll see some dazzling explanation of the latest dog whistle from Newt.
josef
December 21st, 2011
7:09 pm
ZamVet
Sssshhh…don’t go quoting Douglass…he’s a Confederate propagandist and not a “MAJOR historian…” Imam done fatwahed him…
TaxPayer
December 21st, 2011
7:10 pm
That Black Guy,
I was not speaking of formal procedure, I was speaking to the politics at play. Calling the bluff, if you will.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
7:10 pm
Famous Last Words from the Land of the Soot-charred Designer Suits”
“Acting like everyone who’s been successful is bad and because you’re rich you’re bad, I don’t understand it.” Jamie Dimon, CEO, JP Morgan Chase
You call that “successful”, Mr. Dimon? Speak for yourself pal.
Soothsayer
December 21st, 2011
7:11 pm
Egypt was good thing, right? After all, we got rid of a dictator and installed a democracy, right? These were all good things that we, the United States, had a part in, right?
Paul
December 21st, 2011
7:11 pm
josef
It never ceases to amaze me, how many assinine assumptions some people here make.
Y’know, I’ll bet the Fox producers would scratch their heads in puzzlement if it turned out you’re representative of the majority Fox viewing audience!
Bruno
December 21st, 2011
7:11 pm
It certainly does not sound correct that the payment arrearage would grow while in jail. I also suspect that, as often happens in so-called “legal horror” stories, many of the nuances of the facts and circumstances have been left out of the story.
That’s what I suspect as well. Sometimes my coworker’s stories tend to get a little stretched in the telling…….
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if the senate passes a bill and sends it to the house, the house has to vote on the bill as is. If the house makes ANY changes to said bill, then it must go back to the senate to be voted on again.
TBG (and Paul)–From what I’m understanding, the House was pretty much told “Sign this and don’t ask any questions”. I’m no political expert, but I believe that a certain amount of back and forth is normal before signing a bill, which is what the House Republicans are asking for. If that is the case, then that hardly seems worthy of all the theatrics Jay and the Dems are generating over this.
The question that comes to my mind is why are lawmakers once again scrambling to fix something at the last minute ala the budget talks/threatened government shutdown??
AmVet - Don't obsess over my monikers!
December 21st, 2011
7:12 pm
Imagine how different our current political debate would be if all the smears and blackmails met with an even bolder counter proposal.
And why we need men of great moral courage to lead us and help us find ours.
The best we can do is do our best; and we go forward, in a fragmented resolve until new champions like Douglass appear and carry our banner.
…that all men are created equal…
josef
December 21st, 2011
7:12 pm
good fight
“Perhaps we’ll see some dazzling explanation of the latest dog whistle from Newt.”
We can always hope. This topic has already worn thin. Wonder what they been talkin’ ’bout down to the AJC editorial offices? I checked the NYT and there wasn’t much there either…the memos must be held up in the Holiday rush…
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
7:12 pm
Jm: “It’s scary to think there are people to the left of Obama like matt Damon”
That’s not left, that’s pragmatic. He spoke of getting stuff “done”. C’mon man, sheesh.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 21st, 2011
7:13 pm
AmVet: “The best we can do is do our best; and we go forward, in a fragmented resolve until new champions like Douglass appear and carry our banner.”
They just don’t seem to be of the same mettle any more. Guess growing up sleeping on sawdust and eating animal feed does something for your toughness.
getalife
December 21st, 2011
7:14 pm
scout is loving a lib actor.
Politics gets stranger and stranger.
Paul
December 21st, 2011
7:16 pm
Bruno
“but I believe that a certain amount of back and forth is normal ”
It is. Goes into a reconciliation with teams from the House and Senate. Nothing out of the ordinary at all.
josef
December 21st, 2011
7:16 pm
PAUL
It never ceases to amaze/amuse me how well informed the liberals are of what’s going on on Fox and how well informed the conservatives are of what’s going on on MSNBC…the advertizers seem to know, though…funny just how many lib things you find on Fox and how many con things you find on MSNBC…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
7:16 pm
Bruno, I believe you are wrong on the bill analysis. If the House and Senate pass different bills on a matter, then there is typically a conference between the two groups to resolve differences and revisions made and passed. Currently there is NO vote on the Senate Bill as approved by the Senate in the House. The House has not passed its own bill. Boehner cannot let that happen because the Senate Bill will pass as written with a majority in the House. He has blocked any vote and has effectively asserted that a majority of the majority party and NOT a majority of the House must approve to even get to a vote.
Soothsayer
December 21st, 2011
7:17 pm
At the time of Mubarak’s exit in Egypt, both the US and the UK, along with the other participating NATO countries, were busily engaged in a hot contest of regime change and the gradual private takeover of Libya’s economy. In order for NATO’s al-Qeada rebel army to succeed on the ground, and for NATO allies not to be seen breaking the UN’s Resolution 1973 guidelines by being caught directly supplying arms to their proxy army in Libya, they needed a solid ask-no-questions partner in the region for the duration of 2011. That partner came in the form of the new Egyptian military junta, who obediently smuggled arms and al-Qaeda fighters over their western border into eastern Libya to help overthrow the regime of the late Col. Muammar Gaddafi.
The Wall Street Journal reported on March 17, 2011:
“Egypt’s military has begun shipping arms over the border to Libyan rebels with Washington’s knowledge, U.S. and Libyan rebel officials said…
… The shipments-mostly small arms such as assault rifles and ammunition-appear to be the first confirmed case of an outside government arming the rebel fighters. Those fighters have been losing ground for days in the face of a steady westward advance by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.”
For this reason, and for the most part, our moral crusaders in the White House will keep their mouths shut if any reports of naked violence by the Egyptian police state are circulating around Washington DC.
The state-sponsored violence appears to be getting much worse.
josef
December 21st, 2011
7:17 pm
occupation
Say what? What DO you know about Douglass early life? Have you read him at all?
AmVet - Don't obsess over my monikers!
December 21st, 2011
7:19 pm
jo, one of the reasons that I enjoy this forum is that people, much more educated than I (me? I always screw that up!), get to pontificate. Even be pedantic, if they choose. But I learn a great deal anyway. And some of it is actually not useless!
And for me, all joking aside, having read and then quoting Douglass is truly a great honor.
You’re right, bud, I am in the spirit of the season this year. I even wrapped a few prezzies this evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ih86J3Czw
getalife
December 21st, 2011
7:21 pm
I watch CNN to see Erin wearing leather
Paul
December 21st, 2011
7:21 pm
josef
Mrs. Paul and I watched “The Conspirator” last night. Movie by Robert Redford about the attorney who defended the mother of one of the Lincoln assassination conspirators who was tried by a military tribunal.
You too, AmVet – that movie should have been required watching by the entire Congress before they voted on that bill to strip American citizens of their Constitutional rights if someone said “hey… that guy looks like a terrerist…..”
Strawman
December 21st, 2011
7:23 pm
“And putting gay marriage in the same paradigm with genocide in Nazi Germany is a bit disingenous since if you know the history of the time and place, you will find that your opinion would be more on “their” side of the question of homosexuality and the rights of those falling under the label…”
Back…work required my absence. I wasn’t putting anything in any category. I was responding to a post that said gay marriage and abortion was an established reality. My response was to show that such a claim proves nothing since hatred of Jews and genocide was an accepted reality as well. Just because an even entire nation condones or practices something does not make it right. In our country, slavery was an accepted reality. We each have to decide for ourselves what defines right and wrong.
jack bull
December 21st, 2011
7:24 pm
I can’t believe David Axelrod actually said, “the higher the monkey climbs the tree, the more he shows his butt”, about his own President…wow.
I can’t wait to watch Newt chase Hussein Obama all over the country trying to debate him. that’s going to be pure entertainment. and when Hussein finally does agree to debate for 3 hours at a time, with no moderators, man, that’s when it’s going to get really good.
Bruno
December 21st, 2011
7:26 pm
Is it just me, or does there seem to be a whiff of hypocrisy regarding taxes coming from the Lib side today?? Up until now, I thought Libs were squarely in favor of raising taxes to keep a strong government running. Now they’re apparently in favor of further damaging the SSI trust fund to buy a few votes. SSI is only paid for by people with a job, the ones NOT hurting in this economic downturn. I fail to see what pressing immediate need is being met that justifies creating an even larger mess in the future.
josef
December 21st, 2011
7:27 pm
ZamVet
Douglass was an interesting one alright…he didn’t fit anybody’s box and called it as he saw it…
PAUL
Mary Suratt? Did they bring out the “Catholic conspiracy?” There is an argument that had she not been a Catholic she would never have even been brought to trial, much less execution…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
7:28 pm
Paul, that movie got a 5 star from me. I am no fan of military court shams and nonsense. This Manning sham is just shameful.
Strawman
December 21st, 2011
7:28 pm
“Up until now, I thought Libs were squarely in favor of raising taxes to keep a strong government running. Now they’re apparently in favor of further damaging the SSI trust fund to buy a few votes. ”
Maintaining or winning power is what motivates both parties, I am afraid. The system is adversarial by nature.
Paul
December 21st, 2011
7:29 pm
getalife
And I watch Fox for Megyn and Martha and Courtney and Harris and Uma…..
TaxPayer
December 21st, 2011
7:29 pm
So the Speaker of the House was yapping about how Congress needed to be at work now fixing this payroll tax cut legislation yet the Speaker of the House was no where to be found on the floor of the house.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 21st, 2011
7:30 pm
I can’t believe David Axelrod actually said, “the higher the monkey climbs the tree, the more he shows his butt”, about his own President…wow.
jack, your bull is off. Axelrod said it about Newt. But thanks for playing.
josef
December 21st, 2011
7:30 pm
Strawman
My point was that your anti gay tone put you more in the Nazi camp…