Santorum a symptom of the GOP’s very deep ills
For those who don’t have video access, here’s what Rick Santorum has to say in the interview above:
“In the Netherlands, people wear different bracelets if they are elderly. And the bracelet is: ‘Do not euthanize me.’ Because they have voluntary euthanasia in the Netherlands but half of the people who are euthanized — 10 percent of all deaths in the Netherlands — half of those people are euthanized involuntarily at hospitals because they are older and sick. And so elderly people in the Netherlands don’t go to the hospital. They go to another country, because they are afraid, because of budget purposes, they will not come out of that hospital if they go in there with sickness.”
A few quick points:
1.) The remarks above come from the frontrunner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, a man who in late February is still leading the race by some 10 percentage points nationwide.
2.) This statement was made not five years ago or 10 years ago, but earlier this month.
3.) Not a shred of what Santorum says is true. There are no such bracelets in the Netherlands. They exist only in the same reality in which green men from Mars exist, and in fact the Dutch press is laughing at Santorum’s claim that “we in the Netherlands delight in murder of the elderly.”
While the Netherlands does have a euthanasia law, a total of 3,136 terminally ill people took advantage of that option in 2010, a far cry from Santorum’s claim of 10 percent of all deaths in that nation.
Under Dutch law, the attending physician must certify in writing that the patient has made “a voluntary and carefully considered request” to die. The physician must also certify that the patient is undergoing unbearable suffering and that the patient’s condition is terminal, with no hope of recovery. As Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post further notes, “the patient must voluntarily and repeatedly request the procedure, and another doctor must provide a written opinion agreeing with the diagnosis. After the death, a commission made up of a doctor, a jurist and an ethical expert also are required to verify that the requirements for euthanasia have been met.”
Say what you choose about the merits of euthanasia. Feel free to debate it. But Santorum’s claims that half of euthanasia deaths in the Netherlands are involuntary — i.e., outright murder — and that senior citizens are terrified of going into the hospital lest they be killed in order to save on health care costs are absolutely ludicrous. It is ignorant fear-mongering, and as the gasps and moans on the tape reveal, people swallow it.
4.) Did I mention that this man leads in every national poll for the Republican presidential nomination? As a Dutch writer notes, “It would be laughable if not for the fact that Santorum is still very much in the race for the Republican nomination against Barack Obama for the presidency of the most powerful country in the world.”
Look, every party has its Maxine Waters and, to a lesser degree, its Dennis Kuciniches. However, Waters did not just win three presidential primaries, as Santorum has. When Kucinich ran for president in 2008, he got all of 1.35 percent of the vote in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary and then dropped out.
I honestly find it depressing that a major American political party has come to a state of affairs verging on collective madness. It’s obviously not a healthy sign for the Republican Party, but it’s also bad for the Democrats, who need a sane and vigorous opposition to keep them honest. Most of all, it’s bad for our country and bodes poorly for its future. I know for a fact that there are millions of very sane, decent Republicans in this country; I just wish they would begin to speak up and take their party back.
– Jay Bookman
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832 comments Add your comment
Mick
February 23rd, 2012
8:01 am
normal
Hey good for you…I’m a bit envious, can’t ride a bike down here cause it would very likely end up in my demise..but someday, somewhere, I will ride again…
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:03 am
GG -”Spot on.
Amazing how many “smart” fellers get caught by high gas prices.”
Thanks Granny. It still amazes me that idiots like batman think that they have a right to low gas prices. I’d like for him to show us where in the constitiution or the bill of rights it states that we are entitled to reasonable fuel costs. People like batman seem to think that they shouldn’t have to apply themselves in order to make enough money to handle price fluctuations. Drives me crazy!
Recon 0311 2533
February 23rd, 2012
8:03 am
Normal,
Just adhering to fire discipline and putting out fire suppression so it didn’t take much to counter Jay’s lame attack on Santorum.
HDB
February 23rd, 2012
8:05 am
batman
February 23rd, 2012
7:56 am
“Nobody asked why they went up under Bush and nobody cares why they are going up now.”
You’re kidding, right?? Everyone I know kept asking why gas prices shot up….lest you forget, many people believed that Bush invaded Iraq just for the OIL……
Those of us knowledgable folk know why gas prices are climbing: oil companies exporting gasoline from the US, Iranian influence in world markets (Strait of Hormuz issues, et. al.), refinery changeovers….and no additional refinery capability! Can the President BUILD a refinery?? Don’t think so!!
Part of the problem is that people DON’T care about the reasons behind a problem…and that precludes SOLVING the problem!! Sometimes, we have to ride it out because the answer to the problem ISN’T ours to fix!! Part of the problem is the mentality that many Americans have: do what we SAY NOW!! The “ugly American” syndrome is part of the reason that things ARE the way they are when we deal with international issues…..
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
8:06 am
Normal
He’s saving the Ace of Teleprompters for the next hand.
Bud Wiser
February 23rd, 2012
8:10 am
HDB
February 23rd, 2012
8:05 am
batman
February 23rd, 2012
7:56 am
“Nobody asked why they went up under Bush and nobody cares why they are going up now.”
You’re kidding, right?? Everyone I know kept asking why gas prices shot up….lest you forget, many people believed that Bush invaded Iraq just for the OIL……
Those of us knowledgable folk know why gas prices are climbing: oil companies exporting gasoline from the US, Iranian influence in world markets (Strait of Hormuz issues, et. al.), refinery changeovers….and no additional refinery capability! Can the President BUILD a refinery?? Don’t think so!!…
Can he block the building of a refinery? Yes. Has he? Yes.
Can he block new oil leases for offshore drilling? Yes. Has he? Yes.
Can he block a pipeline from Canda bringing oil in? Yes. Has he? Yes.
Do you actualy for real consider yourself “knowledgable”? Are you? No. Does anyone believe you are? No.
Duh
Finn McCool (Class Warfare = Stopping Rich People from TAKING MORE of OUR MONEY)
February 23rd, 2012
8:10 am
Saint Rick will say whatever he needs to get elected. The fact that Republican voters can just ignore his lies is what is truly scary.
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:10 am
Butch .. .. can i borrow some $ ?
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:13 am
Bud Wiser – “Do you actualy for real consider yourself “knowledgable”? Are you? No. Does anyone believe you are? No.
Duh”
Do you actually believe that you have a right to low gas prices? Do you hold yourself accountable for making choices in life that have relegated you to an income level that can’t handle fluctuations in the market? Please, enlighten all of as to why we should care that you are getting pinched by the price of fuel. Stop relying on the government and take some responsibility for yourself.
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:14 am
Del,
I hope you aren’t pinning your hopes on Santorum, but I agree…any shot at Santorum is lame… because it’s so wasted…
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:14 am
bman – “Butch .. .. can i borrow some $ ?”
Nope, go make some. That’s what I had to do. Stop looking to others to solve your problems.
Midori
February 23rd, 2012
8:16 am
driving home from work yesterday I tuned into Hannity (curiosity kills more than cats), and all he could talk about was the high gas prices.
funny, I remember gas going up under Bush to $5 a gallon in some places, and didn’t hear a peep from that windbag.
or his weak minded minions.
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:19 am
“Can he block new oil leases for offshore drilling? Yes. Has he? Yes.”
Bud, I don’t think that one’s true. I think that oil rigs and oil production has tripled in the last three years.
…and another thing…the pipe line you are talking about was mainly Canadian oil and would still have to go onto the world market where we would have to buy it back. President Obama has no control over oil prices, but I wish he did have the powers you seem to give him. Between you and batman, he WOULD be God…
Jm
February 23rd, 2012
8:19 am
What will Jays silly topic be today?…
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:19 am
Butch .. .. selfish man!
Mick
February 23rd, 2012
8:19 am
midori
It’s funny how so many take rush, hannity seriously, they are silly entertainers catapaulting the propaganda. Everyday it’s the same meme, what can we blame obama for today? They are making millions off of ignorance…
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:20 am
Midori – “funny, I remember gas going up under Bush to $5 a gallon in some places, and didn’t hear a peep from that windbag.
or his weak minded minions.”
Ironic isn’t it. I wish the Right Wingers would quit whining about the price of gas. I don’t know where they got the idea that cheap fuel was a constitutional right. They need to stop looking to the government to save them from the obviusly poor choices they’ve made in life. If they think gas is too expensive, maybe they need to take a second or third job to pay for it. Choices!!!
USinUK
February 23rd, 2012
8:20 am
g’morning hep cats!
Republicans Speak Up And Take Your Party Back From The Lunatic Fringe (If you have the integrity)
February 23rd, 2012
8:21 am
Santorum is a FAKE CHRISTIAN.
Is anyone SURPRISED?
All of the candidates are FAKE.
Is anyone SURPRISED?
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:21 am
Mick
February 23rd, 2012
8:19 am
…and another reason they want to keep public education underfunded…
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:21 am
Midori .. .. I remember it well. I also remember unable to actually get gas because the stations were out. We were very slow at work because of the gas shortage, and had customers calling to see if we could deliver. We couldn’t deliver because .. .. there was NO GAS!
It was awful!
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
8:21 am
Bud
You’ll have to tell us what refinery President Obama has blocked.
While after the disater in the Gulf, off shore leases were wisely put on hold, late last year that all changed. Keep up.
AND
It’s not a pipeline TO America for oil, it’s a pipeline THROUGH America
for oil to the world market.
Geeez.
Tommy Maddox
February 23rd, 2012
8:23 am
What a riot!!
Just a few years ago y’all were making the case how gas prices were ALL Pres. Bush’s fault. Now listen to you!!
Talk about dancing a little side-step? What a riot!
Here comes November…
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:23 am
bman – “Butch .. .. selfish man!
You should have known me when I was still a Republican. Self reliance knows no party.
gm
February 23rd, 2012
8:23 am
Obama is weak, and a threat to national security?, I gues thats why 10 of the top 10 terrorist are pushing up flowers now in the grave.
Once again Rep want to send the poor whether black, white, brown to die, and keep their rich friends safe, not one of these clowns would send their kids to die, now you know why Obama is leading in all polls.
Did we learn anything from the 4500 dead American troops in Iraq, did we learn anthing from 911?
Wen did Newt help bring the Olympics to Atlanta? what a lying piece of scum, what has this 3 times adultry done for Georgia, this state is last in education, top 3 in poverty, last in job creation yet these clowns blame the gov and the racist bigots of far right believe this, rep have been running this backwood state for last 15 years, what a bunch of idiot conservatives.
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:24 am
“mornin’, USinUK!
md
February 23rd, 2012
8:25 am
And Butch speaks the truth in jest……..
Our friend Jo walks to work……a very good CHOICE. It’s a good thing the moving fairies picked him up and dropped him in that living arrangement so close to work……
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
Tommy
Those that did were mistaken.
Does that make it ok for you to make the same mistake?
Or can you learn?
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
Tommy Maddox – “Just a few years ago y’all were making the case how gas prices were ALL Pres. Bush’s fault. Now listen to you!!”
Please, show me where I said that. Even funnier is how so many people think that they have a right to cheap fuel. If they applied themselves at work as much as they do to this blog, they would be able to afford gas no matter what the price was then maybe they would relying on the government to save them.
Joseph
February 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
I agree Jay.. I tend to agree with democrats that baby killing is ok and having the government decide whether granny can die or not…..
Mick
February 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
usinuk
Top of the afternoon! Another day, another pence…
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:27 am
they would relying on the government to save them.
should be stop relying on the government to save them.
Recon 0311 2533
February 23rd, 2012
8:27 am
Most of those drilling permits were authorized by Bush not by Obama. Most of the drilling that began since Obama’ been office has been on privately owned land as Obama won’t open up other areas for exploration because he’s concerned with angering the environmentalist lobby. It should be remembered that when oil prices spiked and gasoline on average climbed to $4.00 per gallon, Bush took action and announced an inrease in domestic exploration and drilling. Prices began falling and gasoline prices were at $1.87 per gallon when Obama took office.
Tommy Maddox
February 23rd, 2012
8:28 am
What a riot.
Obama the petrol producin’ President.
I’m calling a BS alert today.
Joseph
February 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
The simple fact is that do we want our country to go in this direction? I don’t think so but the far left certainly thinks this is ok.
Confederate Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
“Wen did Newt help bring the Olympics to Atlanta? what a lying piece of scum, what has this 3 times adultry done for Georgia”
…And he ain’t even from here! He’s a Damn Carpetbagger Yankee born in Pennsylvania! It’ a Yankee conspiracy, I tells ya!
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
Recon 0311 2533 – “Bush took action and announced an inrease in domestic exploration and drilling. Prices began falling and gasoline prices were at $1.87 per gallon when Obama took office.”
Why should the government have to take any action at all? The free market dictates the price of oil. If you don’t like paying high prices, you can move, stop driving or take a second job to pay for the added expense. Geez, why is this so difficult to understand?
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
Sorry about that…I must be bi-polar
HDB
February 23rd, 2012
8:31 am
Bud Wiser
February 23rd, 2012
8:10 am
“Can he block the building of a refinery? Yes. Has he? Yes.”
When has Obama blocked the building of a refinery?? Source, please!!
“Can he block new oil leases for offshore drilling? Yes. Has he? Yes”
There are MORE oil wells operating in the US than before; the TEMPORARY stoppage of oil leases was due to the OIL SPILL in the Gulf!! In that situation, caution was prudent!!!.
“Can he block a pipeline from Canda bringing oil in? Yes. Has he? Yes.”
As many have noted, Keystone was bringing Canadian oil THROUGH the US…not TO the US…and it was to be sold on the WORLD MARKET!!
“Do you actualy for real consider yourself “knowledgable”?” Relatively speaking – YES! I use multiple sources of information to form my opinions; do you restrict yourslef to FOX??
” Are you? No. Does anyone believe you are? No. Duh”
Not worried about what others THINK….what you need to worry about is what IS!!
Joseph
February 23rd, 2012
8:33 am
Recon 0311 2533:
You are absolutely right! Just the threat Bush made alone drove prices down. That’s something Obama is incapable of because no one would take him seriously. Oil companies understand that he and the far left in this country have this fairytale called green energy that they are completely focused on.
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:33 am
What direction? Letting the markets set the price of oil? Recognizing that cheap fuel is not a right? Holding people accountable for their poor choices in transportation? Not relying on the government to subsidize my Hummer? Exactly what direction are you referring to?
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
8:33 am
Recon
Most?
MOST?
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:33 am
Butch .. .. are you retired?
George P. Burdell
February 23rd, 2012
8:34 am
Jay this is the second time you’ve said that what is going on in the Republican party is not only bad for the party, but for the country overall and I could not agree more. Bush caused a huge rift in the party by turning his back on fiscal conservatives and spending like mad. The social conservatives in the party are willing to overlook out-of-control spending so long as you fight ( or appear to fight) for making abortion illegal and other such wedge issues. If Santorum wins the nomination, he stands zero chance against Obama and it will probably change the dynamic in the Congressional races as well.
The problem is we are facing some of the most serious fiscal problems this country has seen and they continually get worse. We need two parties to work out solutions and take the hits that come with tough choices. With no credible threat from conservatives, the liberals are certainly not going to start entitlement reform, at least to any relevant extent. We are certainly not Greece, but then again we cannot afford to be because there will be no one to bail us out. I fear that we are heading down that road and the riots and protests here will be ugly. We really needed to start working on the problem when Obama took office, but we have made absolutely no progress and it doesn’t look like we will be making any meaningful progress anytime soon.
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:34 am
bman – “Butch .. .. are you retired?”
Yes, since 2008.
md
February 23rd, 2012
8:35 am
“As many have noted, Keystone was bringing Canadian oil THROUGH the US…not TO the US…and it was to be sold on the WORLD MARKET!!”
Well, since the US is part of the world market, it would be one and the same……..think about it.
Joseph
February 23rd, 2012
8:36 am
Google Santorum and do not euthanize me and look at all the results from far left loons… This really makes me feel better about paying $5 a gallon for gas….
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
8:37 am
I see somebody’s brought out the gas canard. I’m not even gonna respond…
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:37 am
Joseph – “You are absolutely right! Just the threat Bush made alone drove prices down.”
Again, why are you relying on the government to intervene on your behalf? If the price seems unreasonable, do something about it yourself. You are not guaranteed cheap gas. Get over your entitlement mentality and start taking responsibility.
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:39 am
Joseph – “This really makes me feel better about paying $5 a gallon for gas….”
Those of us that can afford it don’t have a problem with it. Maybe you need to ask yourself why you didn’t get a better job that would pay more so that natural fluctuations in the market won’t affect you.
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
8:41 am
Geez, now the Right is asking Obama to make a threat about getting involved in the free market to bring prices down. As soon as he does that, they’ll bitch that he’s trying to nationalize gas and say that’s proof that government is trying to take over businesses. I personally wish Obama would do absolutely nothing and make the free market straighten this sh*t out with gas prices. The market’s the one jacking the prices up anyway.
Joseph
February 23rd, 2012
8:42 am
Butch Cassidy:
I didn’t say I couldn’t pay it bud… As I stated sarcastically I enjoy paying because it means more tax revenue for Obama and the dems to spend on their green energy fairytale…..
USinUK
February 23rd, 2012
8:42 am
“Just a few years ago y’all were making the case how gas prices were ALL Pres. Bush’s fault. ”
we were???
not so much.
HDB
February 23rd, 2012
8:43 am
md
February 23rd, 2012
8:35 am
…and the US would have to COMPETE with acquiring the volume of petroleum desired from Keystone….rather than being the SOLE beneficiary of Canadian oil!! It’s a large difference!! Too many people are of the belief that the US would be the SOLE beneficiary….and that process continues to feed the fallacy that the US deserves all!!
Steve - USA (I support "None Of The Above")
February 23rd, 2012
8:43 am
“Those of us that can afford it don’t have a problem with it. Maybe you need to ask yourself why you didn’t get a better job that would pay more so that natural fluctuations in the market won’t affect you.”
I agree. The less poor people on the road the better.
j/k
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
8:43 am
Those of us that can afford it don’t have a problem with it. Maybe you need to ask yourself why you didn’t get a better job that would pay more so that natural fluctuations in the market won’t affect you.
Tee hee hee hee!!! Sounds like a case of missing bootstraps.
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:43 am
Butch .. .. I have a lot of customers who are retired. Many who can barely get around. It seems like every day some of them complain about the price of something – Insurance costs, meds, gas, milk, food etc.. If I were to use your line that they should just shut up and go make more money, I would surely be hit in the head by a handbag before the end of the day.
kayaker 71
February 23rd, 2012
8:44 am
Let’s see now. We buy a large percentage of our oil from those who have threatened to destroy us. Then we turn down oil from a neighboring country who seems to have no plans for our future. Oil is the one commodity that drives the train in a fossil fuel dependent economy. Why is this just not adding up?
Bill Orvis White
February 23rd, 2012
8:44 am
This blog post is one of the most bogus out of Liberal Jay’s collection of progressive lies. The unborn and the elderly are the weakest among the human race. They are the frail, the scared and of course, they’re frightened to report the truth.
This is what me and millions of other rational, conservative folk in this nation fear: folk like Liberal Jay gloating about Secular Europe where euthanasia, Godlessness, unemployment, high taxes, high deficits, huge gov’t, a war on religion and a dislike for human life thrives every second. Liberal Jay and his buddies Hussein Obama, Bill Ayres, Keith Olbermann, Nanny Pelosi, Rachael Maddow, Hairy Reid all have the dangerous power to turn this once-free nation into a secular socialistic inhumane society.
Now with those facts clearly laid out on this lefty blog, I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ANY GLOATING ABOUT HOW THE FOUR GENTLEMAN WERE DEBATING LAST NIGHT, PURE AND SIMPLE! Three of the four have excellent ideas for saving this once-free nation. I’m sorry, but Ron Paul is an anti-Semite. Now, the honorable Senator Santorum states many common sense ideas and that’s why folk are excited about Him. This does not undercut the honorable Gov. Romney and Speaker Gingrich. These three men are more qualified to be in the Oval Office than the radical secularist currently occupying that precious, sacred space.
Amen,
Bill
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:45 am
“Why is this just not adding up?”
Because you’re bad in math?
md
February 23rd, 2012
8:46 am
Meanwhile, while we bitch about high gas prices:
“Syrian forces launched a massive bombardment of rebel districts of Homs on Thursday, defying a world outcry over the killing of two Western journalists and a citizen reporter who were among the few to bear witness of the civilian toll.
Activists spoke of “terrifying explosions” as encircling regime troops pounded the central city for a 20th straight day.”
Perspective……I’ll take the high gas thank you very much.
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
8:47 am
md
yes.
the world and america are the same thing.
corporations and people are the same thing.
free speech and money are the same thing.
and WMDs and mobile chemical labs and mental recessions and kenyans…
oh my.
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:47 am
Joseph – “As I stated sarcastically I enjoy paying because it means more tax revenue for Obama and the dems to spend on their green energy fairytale….”
My apologies then. I thought you were advocating that the government get involved to somehow alter free trade. I agree with you, the price of fuel will never affect me, I just wish the bed wetters on here would quit complaining about the price of fuel and stop relying on the government to make everything better. Unless they want to nationalize the oil industry, or ammend the constitution to make cheap gas a God given right, they need to STFU and start taking responsibility for themselves. Those of us who made the right choices in life will always come out on top no matter who the president is.
godless heathen©
February 23rd, 2012
8:47 am
Normal: “President Obama has no control over oil prices, but I wish he did have the powers you seem to give him.”
Better tell his spokesman, Robert Gibbs that.
Robert Gibbs, 2/20/12: “Just on Friday, the Department of Interior issued permits that will expand our exploration in the Arctic. The president has increased our fuel efficiency and energy efficiency standards so we do use less energy, which will help drive down the price,” Gibbs said. “Our domestic oil production is at an eight-year high, and our use of foreign oil is at a 16-year low. So we’re making progress.”
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:47 am
Bill Orvis White
February 23rd, 2012
8:44 am
…and this is why some don’t like the First Amendment…but i like satire…
philosopher
February 23rd, 2012
8:48 am
The more this lying fool opens his mouth about contraception (”contraception is hurting women”, non-procreational sex is bad), the more I wonder if he is completely asexual, hates women, or was demasculinized by some woman in his life. and beyond that, I’m wondering about his supporters…are there that many people in this country with similar maladies???
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
8:48 am
Then we turn down oil from a neighboring country who seems to have no plans for our future.
Sounds like a bit of intellectual dishonesty there. We didn’t turn down oil, we turned down transporting oil. I don’t recall any part of that deal that stated the oil transported through that pipeline was specifically for use in the US alone. If you can prove otherwise, I’d love to see it.
Normal
February 23rd, 2012
8:49 am
godless heathen©
February 23rd, 2012
8:47 am
I’m not sure I understand,,,how does that affect gas prices on a global market?
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
8:49 am
bman
I can remember my great granddad talking about a loaf of bread for a nickel.
It’s a function of their age and experience and it’s been going on since Cain and his husband had children.
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
8:49 am
md
Perspective
That’s what it’s all about…
USinUK
February 23rd, 2012
8:50 am
by the way … so entirely off topic, but it’s part of another conversation I’m having … I give you one of the best bits of Brassed Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8uoY9e5YVY&feature=related
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:51 am
bman – ” If I were to use your line that they should just shut up and go make more money”
It’s not my line, it’s the mantra of the GOP party. Everyone needs to take responsibilty for themselves, and the government needs to get the hell out of the way. However, when it starts to get to expensive to fuel up the Escalade every week, they can’t involve governement intervention fast enough.
md
February 23rd, 2012
8:52 am
“the world and america are the same thing.”
Granny….ANY oil added to the world supply benefits the US…….world demand isn’t going down any time soon…..the more supply the better.
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
8:52 am
we turn down oil from a nieghboring country….
LOL
godless heathen©
February 23rd, 2012
8:53 am
Terrible tragedy about the reporters that were killed in Syria. Couldn’t help but notice one, Marie Colvin, wore an eye patch.
When you were an eye patch, people think you are tough. When people think you are tough, they want to see how tough.
Sorry, that just came to mind when I saw her picture.
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:53 am
” I personally wish Obama would do absolutely nothing and make the free market straighten this sh*t out with gas prices.”
Oh, he will do something. First guess is he will blame and demonize the oil companies. He will probably float some new massive tax around on the companies. Of course, he will mention previous policies and Presidents so he can spread the blame around.
USinUK
February 23rd, 2012
8:53 am
and since Brassed Off is about colliary brass bands (in other words, they were affiliated with the coal pits) – the owners of those pits invested in the ARTS in those communities. They actually funded the brass bands as well as painting and other artistic expression because they felt it was important to 1) give back to the community and 2) foster that part of their workers’ lives …
Mick
February 23rd, 2012
8:54 am
bill orvis
I do not view the oval office as a “sacred” space. Whomever sits in that office is made up of flesh and bones, why do people want to make it more than that?
godless heathen©
February 23rd, 2012
8:54 am
Normal: “I’m not sure I understand,,,how does that affect gas prices on a global market?”
I don’t know, ask Mr. Gibbs.
TaxPayer
February 23rd, 2012
8:54 am
I seem to recall, as though it were only yesterday, Republicans bragging about their Escalades and such. Poor planning, huh. Meanwhile, my Honda has been very good to me and I’m thinkin’ about buying a Prius next once gas prices get up to about $5/gallon and stay there.
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
8:55 am
bman
And that’s why I’m not one of his advisors. I’d tell him to make a simple statement about letting the free market work things out and leave it at that.
carlosgvv
February 23rd, 2012
8:55 am
Thulsa – 7 :22 PM
Not only is your reading comprehension flawed, you can’t even get who posts what straight. I never said anything about outlawing the confederate flag.
Butch Cassidy
February 23rd, 2012
8:55 am
md -”….ANY oil added to the world supply benefits the US”
True, but the Candains already said that if they can’t run the pipline through the U.S. they would simply run it across Canada to the Pacific, where it would again be added to the world supply. What advantage do we have to running it through us if the end result is the same?
Stevie Ray
February 23rd, 2012
8:56 am
BRO,
I note in the paper today that BO’s team is taking offensive on gas prices: (1) He is pushing green crap as savior, (2) He is preparing us for higher prices, and here’s the best: (3) His team is creating plan to DIVERT the blame….This guy truly sux.
The gas issue is simply solved with a spine. Tell the world and OPEC that the largest consumer of oil is opening pipeline and granting new drilling permits on an expedited basis as we have to protect the middle class who needs to get to work and go on vacation. His concern is losing the green liberal cash but where else will it go? Ron Paul?
md
February 23rd, 2012
8:57 am
soco….yep.
To me, a good day is one where I can get out of bed………after that, it’s all down hill. Feeling down? Go visit your local nursing home…..better yet, volunteer there……perspective.
I still maintain that we as a nation are spoiled…….go live in Syria or NK or Burma or Pakistan or….
Folks really don’t know how good they have it…….even on the lower end of OUR scale.
TaxPayer
February 23rd, 2012
8:57 am
Also, your Republicans try to remember to check the air pressure in the tires on your Escalades before heading out. Every little bit helps.
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:57 am
Taxpayer .. .. you have a Honda and might buy a Prius? Killing American jobs?
http://www.uaw.org/car/cadillac-escalade
bman
February 23rd, 2012
8:59 am
Bro .. .. I’ve read a lot of your posts, and I’m guessing that you’re more of a democrat than a republican. But really, you don’t like either party very much. Am i close?
md
February 23rd, 2012
8:59 am
“What advantage do we have to running it through us if the end result is the same?”
Jobs…..
Talking Head
February 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
GE is now going exclusively with Chevy Volt for employees. If employees op out, they will not be reimbursed for fuel charges.
Interesting. GE pays no taxes, Jeffery Immelt (CEO of GE which also owns NBC and it’s affiliates) was on Obama’s economic recovery board, and GM was bailed out. Now GE is ‘forcing’ their employees to drive Chevy Volts…very interesting indeed.
http://gas2.org/2012/02/20/ge-forcing-employees-into-chevy-volts/
AmVet - Stop the Phallacy Party.
February 23rd, 2012
9:04 am
Maybe the irascible Bud will use this as a learning opportunity and show us his kinder, gentler compassionate conservative side.
Too funny.
Bud reminds me of the old joke my buddy Keith from Tennessee taught me years ago, “She’s the most even tempered person I’ve ever known; she’s always p*ssed off!”
And yes Granny, the only two good things I can think of to do with that awful swill that he fashions himself after, is using it in some sort of culinary or lawn care manner.
Other than that, like Bud himself, it is of no real value!
I absolutely adore Randy Newman’s version (who doesn’t?), but this bird from near Blackpool does a nice cover…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PKPs_yCeJ0
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
9:04 am
Stevie Ray
I don’t think that solution will work in the long run for one simple reason. Bush did it just a few years ago, and now that price drop is a blip in history. OPEC, and the rest of the world community, knows that we don’t have the resources to drill ourselves independent of the world’s oil supply.
Back in the 70’s, we should have done what Brazil has done themselves. They use oil they drill, but they are so oil independent that they still export after they get what they need. Why? They run on mostly ethanol now instead of oil based fuels.
I’m not suggesting we switch to ethanol, but we knew decades ago that this time was coming. We’ve had almost 40 years to research and produce a viable alternative instead of sticking our heads in the sand. At this point, nothing short of getting off of oil will lower the price on a permanent basis. What you’re suggesting will drop prices for a few months or maybe a year. However, next year or the year after, we will have the same problem sitting over our heads.
Aquagirl
February 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
The gas issue is simply solved with a spine.
Oh good lord. Other countries have more easily exploited oil sources than we do. That means at our rate of consumption we lose. Period.
Brosephus™ - Browning America Since 1973
February 23rd, 2012
9:06 am
bman
You’re close. Some things I lean left, and on some things I lean right. I don’t align myself with either party primarily because I think they are both one and the same when it comes to corruption. Also, I refuse to lock myself into any specific ideology because I retain the right to change my outlook based on learning new things.
Keep Up--Te gusta losing numb nutz?
February 23rd, 2012
9:06 am
Brosephus….have you been dallying in other blogs?…..check out that top comment to a post by pklute63. Looks very familiar
Granny Godzilla
February 23rd, 2012
9:07 am
md
i don’t think the use of fossil fuels benefits anybody in the long run.
cough, cough
do you?
Stevie Ray
February 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
BRO,
I’m not suggesting we do anything but get pipeline and leases ready if needed. Easy negotiation IMO. Against political correctness, I think an attractive alternative is many years away and we can’t force technology (see religion) down the throats of the masses who dig their cars and have no access to meaningful public transportation. The fact that he is public with his DIVERSION strategy is mindboggling.
md
February 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
“Back in the 70’s, we should have done what Brazil has done themselves. ”
And proponents of gov’t solutions may want to take a look at what we did then to solve the problem……we created the DOE expressly to wean us off foreign oil…..been paying for that bureaucracy for 40+ years now……….bunch of suckers.
Soothsayer
February 23rd, 2012
9:09 am
Last week in one fell swoop the last two remaining critics of Washington/Tel Aviv imperialism were removed from the mainstream media. Judge Napolitano’s popular program, Freedom Watch, was cancelled by Fox TV, and Pat Buchanan was fired by MSNBC. Both pundits had wide followings and were appreciated for speaking frankly.
Many suspect that the Israel Lobby used its clout with TV advertisers to silence critics of the Israeli government’s efforts to lead Washington to war with Iran. Regardless, the point before us is that the voice of the mainstream media is now uniform. Americans hear one voice, one message, and the message is propaganda. Dissent is tolerated only on such issues as to whether employer-paid health benefits should pay for contraceptive devices. Constitutional rights have been replaced with rights to free condoms.
The idea that the US is a democracy when it most definitely does not have a free watchdog press is laughable. But the media is not laughing. It is lying. Just like the government, every time the US mainstream media opens its mouth or writes one word, it is lying. Indeed, its corporate masters pay its employees to tell lies. That is their job. Tell the truth, and you are history like Buchanan and Napolitano and Helen Thomas.
What the Ministry of Truth calls “peaceful protesters brutalized by Assad’s military” are in fact rebels armed and financed by Washington. Washington has fomented a civil war. Washington claims its intention is to rescue the oppressed and abused Syrian people from Assad, just as Washington rescued the oppressed and abused Libyan people from Gaddafi. Today “liberated” Libya is a shell of its former self terrorized by clashing militias. Thanks to Obama, another country has been destroyed.
Obama, the neoconservatives, and Tel Aviv are really pissed. If Washington and Tel Aviv can figure out how to get around Russia and China and overthrow Assad, Washington and Tel Aviv will put Assad on trial as a war criminal for proposing a democratic referendum.
Assad was an eye doctor in England until his father died, and he was called back to head the troubled government. Washington and Tel Aviv have demonized Assad for refusing to be their puppet. Another sore point is the Russian naval base at Tartus. Washington is desperate to evict the Russians from their only Mediterranean base in order to make the Mediterranean an american lake. Washington, inculcated with neocon visions of world empire, wants its own mare nostrum [our sea].
How about a little truth first thing in the morning instead of MSM lies and propaganda? Keep up the good work Paul Craig Roberts! Turn off the television.
kayaker 71
February 23rd, 2012
9:09 am
Talking Head,
That goes along with light bulbs, contraceptive devices, mandated health care insurance, school lunches….. where will it end? But Bozo and Michelle my Belle know whats best for us. I just have to feel all warm and fuzzy inside.