Politics, not policy, will drive transportation money
Georgia has a long, unfortunate history of making transportation decisions based on the needs and whims of politicians rather than the data-driven advice of transportation professionals.
With his appointment of Toby Carr as the state’s transportation planning director, the most important transportation job in the state, Gov. Nathan Deal has made it pretty clear that tradition isn’t going to change anytime soon.
Carr may be a fine person. However, he has no training in transportation engineering or planning. His professional background and area of expertise is in politics instead.
According to a short bio provided by the governor’s office, Carr has served as executive director of the state Republican Party. He was also executive director of Deal’s transition team.
In 2008, he was campaign coordinator for the House Republican caucus, and he also worked as a political consultant. He has bachelor degrees in finance and agricultural engineering. His only apparent background in transportation has been his service since January 2011 as Deal’s transportation policy adviser.
According to Deal spokesman Brian Robinson, that makes Carr a good pick for the job.
“The position is the governor’s advocate within the [Department of Transportation], which is governed by a separate board,” Robinson said. “Toby is very well qualified for such a job. He knows what the governor’s priorities are and he can work toward them at the DOT.”
In effect, he’s saying that the governor views the job of transportation planning director as a political rather than a policy job. And under the job description provided by Robinson, Carr is indeed well-qualified to serve as “the governor’s advocate within the DOT.”
However, that’s not how state law describes the job. Under state law, the duties of that position are far more extensive and require far more knowledge and experience in transportation planning that Carr possesses.
Statutorily, the director of transportation planning is charged with “developing the state transportation improvement program and the state-wide strategic transportation plan and coordinating transportation policies, planning, and programs related to design, construction, maintenance, operations, and financing of transportation.”
I don’t think running the state Republican Party prepares you for all that.
In addition, the director is charged with developing a statewide transportation asset management program, an asset improvement program and a local maintenance and improvement grant program. Under the Transportation Investment Act of 2010, he or she also plays a critically important role in the drafting of regional project lists to be funded with the proposed 1-percent regional transportation sales tax.
Carr’s predecessor, Todd Long, left the job a month ago to become deputy transportation commissioner. From the outside, it’s now pretty apparent that he was pushed out to make room for Carr.
And unfortunately, the contrast between the two is significant: Long has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech, plus almost two decades of experience in transportation and transportation planning. His background and the credibility that it gave him were valuable as he worked with regional officials around the state to draw up project lists for the July T-Splost.
The decision to appoint Carr, on the other hand, doesn’t exactly boost voter confidence that politics won’t dictate how their transportation dollars will be spent. The revenue from that particular tax can be spent only on the projects already approved, but in general it’s not an encouraging sign.
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439 comments Add your comment
Bruno
April 27th, 2012
11:24 am
In case getalife pokes his head in, I just want it to be known that I have already paid my bet with Jam off TWICE even before the next Presidential election. getalife seems to be operating under some illusion that Cons welch on their bets. Jam had better hope that Obama wins now, or else he’s REALLY going to owe me big on the concert paybacks. I’m thinking a private performance by both Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
11:24 am
ex-pat, on form?
The guy is a god. Albeit a very humble one.
A consummate artist and showman, I could have listened to him for hours and hours…
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
11:25 am
Yeah, the guyu sitting on the white can looks like a violent rapist for sure.
Is there a point here.
barking frog
April 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Veterans have no special
priviliege except as afforded
by law and honorable
veterans ask for no more.
Brosephus™
April 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Bruno
You wanna talk context? Were there were better candidates than Deal or Barnes? I’d say yeah. In that particular primary, I voted for Dubose Porter because I had confidence that conservatives would choose a good candidate on the right. I didn’t have that same confidence in the left. Based on the political leaning of the state at that time, the direction of the state was pretty much in the hands of the GOP primary voters. Trust me, I know the context of which I speak. This ain’t about no liberal bias.
———————–
JReb
You could have saved yourself loads of time and simply said “yes, I think they’re useful idiots.” All that double talk was completely unnecessary.
USinUK
April 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Bruno – if you’re anywhere near spotify right now, go check out Caro Emerald … I think she might blow your skirt up …
ty webb
April 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Jamvet(D-apologist) only defends veterans who share his perspective…the rest are fair game.
Thulsa Doom
April 27th, 2012
11:26 am
“What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women”
Butch Cassidy,
One of the alltime great movie quotes. I can’t imagine where it came from.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
April 27th, 2012
11:27 am
Bruno
You probably weren’t here during the decades that the residents of Dunwoody fought fiercely against the Ga 400 extension. On numerous occasions they claimed victory. In the end, the need for traffic relief prevailed and the road was built.
The DOT has already acquired much of the land necessary to begin the outer perimeter across the north side of the metro area, but the problem still remains — how to cross the Chattahoochee River. It has to be done just South of the dam, just about where Ga.20 is. There are only a few places to cross the river going from east to west and those are the points of congestion in what is known as the platinum triangle — the area that lies north of the perimeter and between I-75 and I-85
USinUK
April 27th, 2012
11:27 am
Jam Vet – ELP was an amazing band … I didn’t know any of them were still performing …
Bruno
April 27th, 2012
11:27 am
ooooooooo … Greg Lake??? holy moly – was he still on form?
USinUK–All I can say is unfreakingbelievable!! The man even covered Elvis, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. As he said, you have to be either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid to try a stunt like that.
One of the most interesting parts of the show was an extended Q & A session with the audience. You would have been proud of the quality of the questions from the GA crowd.
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
11:28 am
B, like I said last night, you name it!
I’m not voting for Barry, so all it’s gonna take is more than a third of the women, a fifth of the Latinos and Jews in this country and Flip might have a chance!
One of the many awesome songs from his catalog we did not get to hear last night…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPZkivm1xhA&feature=related
TaxPayer
April 27th, 2012
11:31 am
Whatever happened to that wilder side of the Deal legacy anyway?
…The news of the sale of the Wilder Outdoors property brought Deal relief. But then when Diamond’s business background came to light, it prompted some ribbing about the conservative Republican governor on the political website Peach Pundit….On the other hand, Baldwin residents remember that about 10 years ago a Florida businessman bought a property in nearby Lavonia to open a biscuit restaurant. Instead, he put in a topless bar.
Time will tell.
doh!
April 27th, 2012
11:32 am
I was wondering why Hwy 365 up in Habersham County was repaved about a year ago as it was in fine shape. Then I learned that it runs along property owned by Governor Deal who was trying to sell it. Seems suspicious to me.
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
11:33 am
Jamvet(D-apologist) only defends veterans who share his perspective…the rest are fair game.
You mean I’ve called them arsonists, rapists, Occutards and useful idiots in need of baths like you and your buddies?
Do tell.
And to be quite clear, you make up the same malicious lies about police officers, school teachers, nuns and housewives who DARE take to the streets in protest.
You make no distinctions. To you they are all the same.
Pathetic…
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
11:33 am
I will say that at lest the music is good.
USinUK
April 27th, 2012
11:34 am
“One of the most interesting parts of the show was an extended Q & A session with the audience. You would have been proud of the quality of the questions from the GA crowd.”
waitaminnit … I missed something … when did you move back to GA??
Steve - USA (I support "None Of The Above")
April 27th, 2012
11:34 am
I liked some of Greg Lakes work in Asia. OK…..maybe I am the only one.
They BOTH suck
April 27th, 2012
11:35 am
JREB
How is it going? Hope you had a good week
Is a vet a “useful idiot” if he blindly follows right leaning ideology?
carlosgvv
April 27th, 2012
11:35 am
And, upon still further review, I find the idea of Romeny being elected and the Tea Party Congress being re-elected about as attractive as a Dentist’s drill.
They BOTH suck
April 27th, 2012
11:35 am
Bruno and Jam
Hope you enjoyed the show
ty webb
April 27th, 2012
11:36 am
“You mean I’ve called them arsonists, rapists, Occutards and useful idiots in need of baths like you and your buddies?”
Amvet just lied.
getalife
April 27th, 2012
11:36 am
Bruno,
Good to hear you do not welch like Andy.
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
11:37 am
Thulsa Doom
April 27th, 2012
11:26 am
According to my friend google it is one of the memorable quotes from
Conan the Barbarian
USinUK
April 27th, 2012
11:38 am
Steve – USA – holy crap! I can’t believe that I forgot he was in Asia!!
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
11:39 am
USinUK, the format of the show was very unique.
He began by telling us that he had just finished his biography and that it caused him to explore this concept about how we are all united in that same journey – or tapestry – as he called it, whereby our memories are forever connected to songs we heard. He spoke of seeing Elvis in Vegas and how that depressed him, because he knew he could never be the King!
And like every other sane person on the planet, he spoke adoringly of the Beatles.
For me, I instantly thought of the magic unleashed by Please, Please Me and Love Me Do. And that killer saxophone intro to Satisfaction and the sweetest harmonies I had ever heard on Barbara Ann.
And Bruno is right. The crowd interaction part was awesome!
His encore…
Welcome back my friend
To the show that never ends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZcYP00b2FI
GT
April 27th, 2012
11:40 am
Love to have an exit interview with Todd Long. I imagine he told one of Deal’s henchmen to stick it when he was bidding on a contract. These are the people who want to run our national government? Give them credit they are very transparent crooks, no need hiding it in this state, it is like communism, one party rule. It is when they get on the national scene and there is accountability and people don’t buy their misdirection that the rubber misses the road. No wonder Newt and Herman thought they were presidential timber, they thought it was all about stealing, womanizing, lying and getting away with it.
USinUK
April 27th, 2012
11:44 am
JamVet – wow. sounds like it was an amazing show!!
JohnnyReb
April 27th, 2012
11:46 am
They BOTH suck
April 27th, 2012
11:35 am
JREB
How is it going? Hope you had a good week
Is a vet a “useful idiot” if he blindly follows right leaning ideology?
__________________
Greetings. Yes, he could be. The Left does not have a monopoly on insanity, they just display it more often.
JohnnyReb
April 27th, 2012
11:47 am
carlosgvv
April 27th, 2012
11:35 am
And, upon still further review, I find the idea of Romeny being elected and the Tea Party Congress being re-elected about as attractive as a Dentist’s drill.
_________________
Don’t worry; we have gas for that.
They BOTH suck
April 27th, 2012
11:49 am
Reb
“Greetings. Yes, he could be. The Left does not have a monopoly on insanity, they just display it more often.”
Fair enough my man………. Mucho props for replying……
There is a least one blogger in particular, maybe more, that I’m confident would have ignored that post or changed the goal post as a deflection and smokescreen
Have a great weekend
getalife
April 27th, 2012
11:49 am
“The Left does not have a monopoly on insanity, they just display it more often.”
That is debatable.
I think the cons are way ahead on insanity.
USinUK
April 27th, 2012
11:53 am
two words:
Michelle
Bachmann.
two more:
Phyllis
Schlafley
oh, heck, two more:
Herman
Cain
They BOTH suck
April 27th, 2012
11:53 am
“Don’t worry; we have gas for that.”
Forget politics…….. that was witty
hahahahaha
Steve - USA (I support "None Of The Above")
April 27th, 2012
11:53 am
“I think the cons are way ahead on insanity.”
Another Brosephus bumper sticker? “We’re Insane but you’re more insane.”
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 27th, 2012
11:54 am
getalife
April 27th, 2012
9:54 am
del,
Please name the failures.
____________________________________________________________________________
Although not asked of me:
Cap and Trade – not passed
Single payer – opted for the mandate
2 budgets – neither passed
closing getmo – couldn’t convince congress
Dream Act – not passed
Union
April 27th, 2012
11:55 am
yawn
getalife
April 27th, 2012
11:56 am
Steve,
To the lef,t our President is not good enough.
To the right , he is a disaster.
To proud Independents like me, Clinton’s third term.
Cut me another slice of that peace and prosperity please.
Paul
April 27th, 2012
11:57 am
JohnnyReb
“just because someone joins a movement and uses their first amendment rights does not automatically mean they are not being a useful idiot.”
Ever thought the DAVs or American Legion members or VFW members who support the Tea Party and NRA are useful idiots?
Seems consistent with your point about vets who support OWS, doesn’t it?
268 more days
April 27th, 2012
11:57 am
AmVet=one sick fly boy
Paul
April 27th, 2012
11:58 am
JohnnyReb
Saw your 11:46 after I posted, so you answered.
So did getalife’s 11:49 -
ragnar danneskjold
April 27th, 2012
11:59 am
Given that the alternative to a “politician-director” is a bureaucrat wholly insensitive to public will, I’ll take the politico.
getalife
April 27th, 2012
11:59 am
TBG,
I know you give corrupt congress a free pass but he is not a dictator.
Steve - USA (I support "None Of The Above")
April 27th, 2012
12:01 pm
getalife-
I wish either side could inspire me but it’s just not happening. In 2008 I was driving and saw some woman holding a candidates sign in the pouring rain. I don’t recall which one but I do remember thinking, I wish there was someone out there that I believed in to the point I would stand in a driving rainstorm for them.
Peadawg
April 27th, 2012
12:01 pm
“To proud Independents like me,”
getalife an independent? Yup, and I’m married to Emma Stone.
Paul
April 27th, 2012
12:01 pm
ragnar
How far do you extend that?
Are you advocating all directors throughout state government should be political appointees with no background in the field?
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
12:02 pm
gnar danneskjold
April 27th, 2012
11:59 am
_______________
You have a good point there.
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
12:03 pm
Dated meat, quit spitting on the troops.
Including me.
Adam
April 27th, 2012
12:03 pm
TBG: Cap and Trade – not passed
Single payer – opted for the mandate
2 budgets – neither passed
closing getmo – couldn’t convince congress
Dream Act – not passed
Why “failure” as a label for these things?
LUNCH
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:03 pm
Steve,
I never thought he was superman and my expectations was I hope he listens to President Clinton.
I think Clinton and Obama are as good as it gets for politicians.
Bruno
April 27th, 2012
12:04 pm
He spoke of seeing Elvis in Vegas and how that depressed him, because he knew he could never be the King!
I especially enjoyed his story about seeing Jimi Hendrix for the first time. Apparently Jimi was late for the gig, and was forced to tune his guitar on stage, which didn’t go over well with the Brighton College crowd. In spite of a lot of hooting and hollering, he finally got tuned up and promptly launched into “Foxy Lady”. Needless to say, the jeers soon turned to cheers. Greg remarked that he instantly became depressed in realizing that the bar was now set much, much higher for him and every rocker who would follow. He claimed that when Jimi threw his guitar to the ground, it still sounded better than when Greg was holding his own firmly in his hands.
JohnnyReb
April 27th, 2012
12:04 pm
Paul
April 27th, 2012
11:57 am
JohnnyReb
“just because someone joins a movement and uses their first amendment rights does not automatically mean they are not being a useful idiot.”
Ever thought the DAVs or American Legion members or VFW members who support the Tea Party and NRA are useful idiots?
Seems consistent with your point about vets who support OWS, doesn’t it?
______________________________
Paul, comparing the Tea Party to the Occupy crowd is a huge stretch and you know it. You can however compare the idiology.
I see the idiology divide to be the Tea Party crowd protesting over government spending and the deficit. There are side bars, but those two points are the thrust of it.
On the otherhand, the Occupy crowd basically has their hand out. Sure, they have complaints about Wall Street, Capitalisim, etc. but when it really comes down to it, they conduct themselves and look like bums while complaining of those who have been successful. And, they want someone to pay off their loans, give them a high paying job, etc, etc.
Penny Pincher
April 27th, 2012
12:04 pm
JamVet – Stay ignorant, my friends…
April 27th, 2012
10:46 am
I am a Vet and do not support occupy. I see it as a good thing that as Americans, we are allowed to express our opinions even though others may not agree with them. Cheers
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
12:04 pm
JamVet – Stay ignorant, my friends…
April 27th, 2012
12:03 pm
Dated meat, quit spitting on the troops.
Including me.
____________
Quit spitting on anybody. Troops or not.
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:05 pm
Pea,
I voted for Hillary.
too little time
April 27th, 2012
12:06 pm
transportation money is ALWAYS driven by politics. This occurs at both the Federal and State level, no matter who is in charge. Any time you pool money (via taxes) and 1) decide what projects to go forward with and 2) divvy out money to those projects, then politics rule the process.
And if policy ruled the process, then politics sets the policy. So, directly or indirectly, politics rules the transportation process. It always has.
Peadawg
April 27th, 2012
12:07 pm
“I voted for Hillary.” – Ok, how does that make you an independent? She’s a democrat.
Paul
April 27th, 2012
12:07 pm
“I think Clinton and Obama are as good as it gets for politicians.”
Realistic expectations.
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
12:08 pm
too little time
April 27th, 2012
12:06 pm
_________
When it comes to roads, the voters get what they want. To that extent, it is politics. Officals are just responding to the voters on road building.
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
Penny Pincher.
Salute.
Thank goodness, there is ONE person on this forum who is opposed to the Occupy movement, who isn’t so cowardly that they have to maliciously slander everyone involved, like Reb and ty have…
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
Paul
April 27th, 2012
12:07 pm
_________
Better to have someone in office who is reasonable and pragmatic. Four more years for Obama.
Paul
April 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
JohnnyReb
“comparing the Tea Party to the Occupy crowd is a huge stretch and you know it. ”
Which is why I didn’t.
I compared vets in various organizations supporting causes funded by outsiders and special interests.
“the Occupy crowd basically has their hand out.”
As does the Tea Party. They want to keep their ‘gimmies’ but not pay the taxes to support the programs. Or cut their ‘gimmies’ to get spending in line with revenue.
JohnnyReb
April 27th, 2012
12:10 pm
I watched Fox News Sunday when Chris Wallace interviewed his dad. Mike reminded Chris that those on the Left are patriots too. Mike was right.
So hats off to my patriotic political opponents and good day. That goes to you to JamVet.
Paul
April 27th, 2012
12:11 pm
Oscar
Reasonable and pragmatic.
Anathema to the Republican Right.
No compromise, ever. “We didn’t send you to Washington to compromise” is a familiar refrain heard by Congressmen.
liberalefty
April 27th, 2012
12:11 pm
MITTENS vp will not be black or a woman
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:12 pm
Pea,
She is a moderate dem.
I heard your boy rush attack her again.
Yeah, there is no war on women?
ty webb
April 27th, 2012
12:13 pm
“MITTENS vp will not be black or a woman”
neither will Obama’s.
Peadawg
April 27th, 2012
12:14 pm
“I heard your boy rush attack her again.” – My boy? Not even a little bit. I’ve never once listened to him.
“She is a moderate dem.” – Again, how does that make you an independent?
DawgDad
April 27th, 2012
12:14 pm
“I don’t think running the state Republican Party prepares you for all that.”
Leaders at the top of any big organization are responsible for a LOT of things they cannot themselves do or do alone. You might have a point, and then again, you probably don’t.
268 more days
April 27th, 2012
12:16 pm
Understand fly boy, you are not the only vet on the blog. All vets have opinions, as do all non vets, so what is your problem?
You do nothing but disgrace vets with your rhetoric of lies all day.
I used to think you were a fence turtle, but you can’t even climb up on the fence, you would rather hide behind your “I am a vet and no one else’s opinion counts” rants.
You are so full of hate for non Democrats, it is pitiful.
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
12:16 pm
Oscar, agreed.
And I will never keep exposing the malicious lies from reb and ty regarding the thousands of awesome Americans – veterans, firefighters, policemen, nuns, housewives and every other category imaginable.
They childishly portray all of those who protests as scum. They have NEVER made any distinctions at all between the MINISCULE percnetage of miscreants and the HUGE percentage of great people out there.
Ask Reb.
To him they are ALL useful, misguided idiots.
Where is that mirror when they need one?!
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:16 pm
Pea,
Not a fan of the corrupt parties and seldom support the dems.
Michael
April 27th, 2012
12:17 pm
We have an incredible state government. About 10 years ago they cut the unemployment compensation tax, because they didn’t like the surplus. Then, when the recession hit, they borrowed from the feds to pay unemployment benefits, since they had emptied the kitty.
This year they ran a couple tax cuts through just before the end of the session. However, they are repaying the feds over time by reducing unemployment benefits. They were bailed out by the feds, and now they are going to stiff the feds over a longer period, while they call themselves heroes for cutting taxes. Pathetic.
Peadawg
April 27th, 2012
12:18 pm
“seldom support the dems.”
Your comments about Obama say otherwise.
Again, if you’re an independent, then I’m married to Emma Stone.
carlosgvv
April 27th, 2012
12:19 pm
JohnnyReb – 11:47
Will this gas make me a good Republican?
USinUK
April 27th, 2012
12:19 pm
YAY!!!! Juliette Low got the Presidential Medial of Freedom
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-04-26/obama-awards-girl-scouts-founder-posthumous-medal#comment467489
a good day for girls … Georgians … and cookies everywhere
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:21 pm
Pea,
We decide elections.
Deal with it.
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
12:21 pm
Dated meat, obviously you agree that those veterans who exercise their god given right to protests are useful idiots and scum.
You and Reb make quite a lovely couple…
Peadawg
April 27th, 2012
12:22 pm
“We decide elections.
Deal with it.”
Ok? Back to your trollish one/two-liners I see. Thank you Mr. Obvious.
Jm
April 27th, 2012
12:22 pm
Bruno 11:12 re deem candidate
Agreed
Who said it wasn't a Democrat movement
April 27th, 2012
12:22 pm
Do you know the park in NYC that the Wall Street protesters occupi E D? It’s Zuccotti Park . Did you know this park is not owned by the city of New York ? It is owned by Brookfield Properties.
Brookfield Asset Management received an Obama Department of Energy Loan guarantee of over $160 million within 10 days of approving the take over of the Park.
Brookfield is a Canadian company with assets of 70 billion. Google it! It is all on their website – and WHY is the US Taxpayer guaranteeing a loan to a VERY wealthy Canadian company?!?!
Who was just hired by Brookfield Properties as an attorney?
Vice President Joe Biden’s son.
Who sits on the board of Brookfield Properties?
Mayor Bloomberg’s live in girlfriend.
Now, guess what company just received some of the last of the Obama Stimulus $$$$$$$.
Thaaaaaaaaaaaat’s right, Brookfield Properties.
Isn’t life great in America !
Now guess what, on a completely unrelated note,
Wisconsin is shaping up to be the swing state in the 2012 presidential elections. Not Florida . Not Ohio . But Wisconsin .
Now, guess who owns the company that will be tabulating the electronic votes in Wisconsin .
Thaaaaaaaaaaaat’s right, the biggest contributor to Obama, the puppeteer George Soros. Whaaaaaaaaaaaat a coincidence!
Now remember what Stalin said. “He who votes does not have the power.
He who counts the votes has the power”
ty webb
April 27th, 2012
12:23 pm
“They childishly portray all of those who protests as scum. They have NEVER made any distinctions at all between the MINISCULE percnetage of miscreants and the HUGE percentage of great people out there.”
says Jamvet(D-apologist), who never shies away from “broad- brushing” groups with which he disagrees and never defends the tea party or the GOP or Conservatives in general(all of which include some vets) from baseless attacks (i.e, “racists”, ‘tea tards”)…hypocrite, thy name is Jamvet.
Peadawg
April 27th, 2012
12:24 pm
JamVet – Stay ignorant, my friends…
April 27th, 2012
12:21 pm
It was YOU who kept spouting “Spit on the Troops”. Sick. Absolutely sick.
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:25 pm
Pea,
Thanks for your permission to opine.
Oscar
April 27th, 2012
12:27 pm
The occupy movement was a protest against corruption in Wall Street. Nothing wrong with that. They need protesting against.
and we could use some more legislation to regulate. It’s still a disaster waiting to happen. And when it falls again, the cons will blame it on lack of goverment regulation and oversight, that they fought against.
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 27th, 2012
12:29 pm
You may not agree with the column, but it is an interesting read.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304723304577368280604524916.html
“Try this thought experiment: You decide to donate money to Mitt Romney. You want change in the Oval Office, so you engage in your democratic right to send a check.
Several days later, President Barack Obama, the most powerful man on the planet, singles you out by name. His campaign brands you a Romney donor, shames you for “betting against America,” and accuses you of having a “less-than-reputable” record. The message from the man who controls the Justice Department (which can indict you), the SEC (which can fine you), and the IRS (which can audit you), is clear: You made a mistake donating that money”
The money line:
“Politics is rough, but a president has obligations that transcend those of a candidate. He swore an oath to protect and defend a Constitution that gives every American the right to partake in democracy, free of fear of government intimidation or disfavored treatment. “
carlosgvv
April 27th, 2012
12:29 pm
Who said – 12:22
And what majority of the Supreme Court stole the election from Al Gore and gave it to Bush?
Thaaaaaaaaaaat’s right. The conservative one. Looks like Stalin was correct.
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:29 pm
Are you cons bringing up hypocrisy?
I don’t think you hypocrites can use that argument.
You have no shame for your hypocrisy.
268 more days
April 27th, 2012
12:30 pm
April 27th, 2012
12:21 pm
Dated meat, obviously you agree that those veterans who exercise their god given right to protests are useful idiots and scum.
You and Reb make quite a lovely couple
Please, with all you intelligence, show me where Reb or I said that. More of your daily lies
Man up, you are just trying to get something started with your vivid imagination
Sic fly boy, maybe you are suffering from lack of oxygen
jock Ellis
April 27th, 2012
12:32 pm
My political science prof at North Georgia College said in 1967 that state highway departments had nothing to do with highways and all to do with political favors. Boy, was he correct.
getalife
April 27th, 2012
12:32 pm
“Sic fly boy, maybe you are suffering from lack of oxygen.”
Stop spitting on a vet.
Thanks.
ragnar danneskjold
April 27th, 2012
12:33 pm
Dear Paul @ 12:01, good afternoon. “How far do you extend that? Are you advocating all directors throughout state government should be political appointees with no background in the field?” Not a bad idea that you posit – there is merit to having a director who would veto spending and/or policy expansion unless the “professionals” within the department could make a compelling argument to a neutral. Even better would be putting in a five-year term limit for any state employee, to eliminate life-tenure.
Mr_B
April 27th, 2012
12:34 pm
“And when it falls again, the cons will blame it on lack of goverment regulation and oversight, that they fought against.”
Nah…. they’ll blame it on the regulations that they made sure were toothless and uninforceable, because the market will police itself.
They BOTH suck
April 27th, 2012
12:34 pm
sheets
Rags………. you might like this one
Go upstairs and defend your girl
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
12:35 pm
Meat, you have grave comprehension and reading issues.
Suck up to reb, if you want; you seem good at that.
Read his useful idiots musings and quit feigning to be an ESL student…
JohnnyReb
April 27th, 2012
10:48 am
Any veterns (sic) participating in the Occupy movement are misguided souls being used, unfortunately, as useful idiots by Obama supporters.
Grow a pair and at least denounce that, meat…
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 27th, 2012
12:36 pm
JamVet – Stay ignorant, my friends…
April 27th, 2012
10:43 am
____________________________________________________________________________
Jam, are you saying that because a person is a vet no one should be critical of their actions, positions on topics, or misdeeds?
ragnar danneskjold
April 27th, 2012
12:36 pm
Dear Paul @ 12:07, ” ‘I think Clinton and Obama are as good as it gets for politicians.’ Realistic expectations.”
I would have used GW Bush’s clever line, the “soft bigotry of low expectations.”
JamVet - Stay ignorant, my friends...
April 27th, 2012
12:40 pm
Jam, are you saying that because a person is a vet no one should be critical of their actions, positions on topics, or misdeeds?
Of course not!
But calling them rapists? And arsonists? And Occutards? And misguided souls? And useful idiots? When they aren’t?
Are you good with that?
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 27th, 2012
12:41 pm
JamVet – Stay ignorant, my friends…
April 27th, 2012
10:46 am
__________________________________
Also, you do realize that YOU spit on veterans when you say what you say about “cons”.
Some “cons” are veterans.
Just like some vets are in OWS.
If ty is spitting on vets for criticizing OWS, YOU are spitting on vets for criticizing “cons”.
268 more days
April 27th, 2012
12:41 pm
Jelly,
One does not ahve to agree with anothers statement, but one must agree they have the right to say it.
Now let see if you have the balls to agree with that one………………………