A peek under the robes of an increasingly partisan court

courtAP101008146207

" ... just another political body"

In another 5-4 vote Monday, and without bothering to hear arguments in the case, the U.S. Supreme Court blithely tossed out a longstanding Montana law that barred corporations from making campaign contributions in state elections. States’ rights, it seems, must bow to corporate power in the Roberts court.

Or as Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock noted afterward, “It is a sad day for our democracy and for those of us who still want to believe that the United States Supreme Court is anything more than another political body.”

Bullock’s condemnation of the nation’s highest court as just “another political body” may sound harsh to some ears, but it is depressingly accurate. The Montana law had been on the books for 100 years, and for most of those 100 years its constitutionality had not been called into serious question. It was considered well within established law.

The absurd notions that have now forced its demise — corporations are people and speech is money — are novel law that has been imposed upon Montana and the rest of the country by an increasingly activist, inventive and yes, partisan Supreme Court.

Let’s be honest about this: The increasingly partisan nature of the court is not an accident. It did not occur by magic, but by concerted effort. For at least a quarter of a century, the Republican Party has made the creation of such a court one of its primary goals. The same sort of rigid ideological tests that the party has imposed on candidates for elective office have also been imposed on those it supports for nomination to the federal judiciary. Over a generation, that campaign has succeeded in creating a court that is far more friendly to the powerful than to the individual citizen.

The “smoking gun” in that evolution is of course the court’s “Citizens United” decision, in which the conservative majority decided that bans or limits on corporate expenditures are unconstitutional because “independent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption.”

That finding is ludicrous for a variety of reasons. It contradicts common sense, it contradicts history, it contradicts what we can see taking place in plain sight at this very moment and it contradicts the elected politicians who passed campaign-finance laws in the first place. Unlike the unelected justices, those politicians know the system intimately; they know firsthand what power can be wielded by unlimited money spent anonymously.

The people of Montana know it as well. I would strongly advise those interested in the issue to read last year’s 5-2 decision of the Montana Supreme Court (available here) as it attempted to uphold and defend their state’s law against the conservative judicial majority in Washington. The decision lays out in clear language that state’s difficult history in trying to fend off outside corporate control.

It’s also important to note that neither of the two dissenters on the Montana court embraced the logic of the Citizens’ United decision. Instead, they based their dissent on the fact that Montana had no choice but to bow to the federal court’s greater authority, however irrational it might be.

One of those dissenters, Justice James C. Nelson, used the opportunity to express his clear and eloquent disgust with the decision of his federal counterparts. I cannot recommend it more highly.

Here’s part of what he had to say:

“For starters, the notion that corporations are disadvantaged in the political realm is unbelievable. Indeed, it has astounded most Americans. The truth is that corporations wield inordinate power in Congress and in state legislatures. It is hard to tell where government ends and corporate America begins; the transition is seamless and overlapping.

In my view, Citizens United has turned the First Amendment’s “open marketplace” of ideas into an auction house for Friedmanian corporatists. Freedom of speech is now synonymous with freedom to spend. Speech equals money; money equals democracy. This decidedly was not the view of the constitutional founders, who favored the preeminence of individual interests over those of big business.

Furthermore, it defies reality to suggest that millions of dollars in slick television and Internet ads — put out by entities whose purpose and expertise, in the first place, is to persuade people to buy what’s being sold—carry the same weight as the fliers of citizen candidates and the letters to the editor of John and Mary Public. It is utter nonsense to think that ordinary citizens or candidates can spend enough to place their experience, wisdom, and views before the voters and keep pace with the virtually unlimited spending capability of corporations to place corporate views before the electorate….

I absolutely do not agree that corporate money in the form of “independent expenditures” expressly advocating the election or defeat of candidates cannot give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption. Of course it can. Even the most cursory review of decades of partisan campaigns and elections, whether state or federal, demonstrates this. Citizens United held that the only sufficiently important governmental interest in preventing corruption or the appearance of corruption is one that is limited to quid pro quo corruption. This is simply smoke and mirrors. In the real world of politics, the “quid pro quo” of both direct contributions to candidates and independent expenditures on their behalf is loyalty. And, in practical effect, experience teaches that money corrupts, and enough of it corrupts absolutely.

I cannot agree with the holding that the prevention of corruption in the form of independent expenditures is not a compelling state interest. There is no plausible reason why a state would not want to protect the integrity of its election process against corruption and undue influence; to do otherwise would render the fundamental right to vote a meaningless exercise….

Lastly, I am compelled to say something about corporate “personhood.” While I recognize that this doctrine is firmly entrenched in the law, I find the entire concept offensive. Corporations are artificial creatures of law. As such, they should enjoy only those powers — not constitutional rights, but legislatively conferred powers — that are concomitant with their legitimate function, that being limited-liability investment vehicles for business.

Corporations are not persons. Human beings are persons, and it is an affront to the inviolable dignity of our species that courts have created a legal fiction which forces people — human beings — to share fundamental, natural rights with soulless creations of government. Worse still, while corporations and human beings share many of the same rights under the law, they clearly are not bound equally to the same codes of good conduct, decency, and morality, and they are not held equally accountable for their sins. Indeed, it is truly ironic that the death penalty and hell are reserved only to natural persons.”

President Obama, name that man to the U.S. Supreme Court.

– Jay Bookman

1,368 comments Add your comment

Brosephus™

June 26th, 2012
5:03 pm

John Birch @ 4:25

I could go for something like that, at least as long as no politician tries to muddle it or weaken it to aid their corporate donors. The only thing I’d add is that if corporate taxes are eliminated, so goes corporate personhood. I wouldn’t give a smidget of any type of “rights” to corporations without them paying towards the upkeep and maintenance of the country.

Recon 0311 2533

June 26th, 2012
5:04 pm

I discounted Rubio as a viable Veep pick as he appears too young but listening to him speak lately I’m not convinced that he wouldn’t be a good pick.

Brosephus™

June 26th, 2012
5:05 pm

Off topic: Kenseth leaving Roush

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Joe Gibbs has been talking about adding a 4th car…..

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 26th, 2012
5:05 pm

Tbs – I think u alluded to which candidate you were behind yesterday, but wasn’t clear to me

Obama or Romney?

Mighty Righty

June 26th, 2012
5:06 pm

Because they’re *run* by evil, lying, cheating, stealing income tax dodging scumbags?

Names like Rangel, Geitner, Daschel, Buffett, come to mind.

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:06 pm

Recon

Rubio will be a force for Repubs in the years to come, however I doubt Romney is going to pick him imo. There will be plenty of opportunity down the road

JamVet

June 26th, 2012
5:06 pm

Stevie,

OK, I’m done toying with you.

I just like watching you 1% asskissers scurry for the corporal’s rabbit holes.

Occupy those!

josef

June 26th, 2012
5:07 pm

RIGHTIE

“A newspaper is free to slander and libel by ommission. They deliberately distort facts to forward their political agenda. Our founders knew the benefits of having a free and honest press to keep an objective eye on government. ”

************
Have you ever read some of those newspapers the founding fathers set out to protect? By those standards, Fox and MSNBC, the AJC and the NYT come off like one of my Granny’s teas…just to keep it in perspective…

Joe Hussein Mama

June 26th, 2012
5:07 pm

Recon — “LOL…can’t stop laughing. That was a good one.”

I have some gut issues, so I’ve been under a gastroenterologist’s care for the last few years. During one visit, I just couldn’t remember the word “endoscope,” so after flailing around and trying to remember the word for about a minute, I used the word “butt-o-scope” instead.

My wife goes “Admit it, doctor, that’s what you called it in med school”

The doctor got an embarrassed expression on his face and said “yeah, that’s *exactly* what we called it.”

:D

JamVet

June 26th, 2012
5:08 pm

Righty, what?

No Donald CombOver in your list?

Are you a big Reality TV guy?

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:08 pm

Jm

I am going Obama. Can’t vote for Hillary again, he will need more vote more this time than the last.

Not getting too many “warm and fuzzies” with the prospect of a Repub controlled Congress and a Romney……

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:08 pm

The legacy of the con movement will be horrible in the history books.

The dark side of American politics.

Evil doers, if you will.

Joe Hussein Mama

June 26th, 2012
5:09 pm

Righty — “Names like Rangel, Geitner, Daschel, Buffett, come to mind.”

You’ve never seen me defend any of those people.

Steve - USA ("None of the Above")

June 26th, 2012
5:10 pm

Jamvet,

I actually feel sorry you are so bitter on how your life turned out. Actually I really don’t care. LOL

Paul

June 26th, 2012
5:10 pm

Rightwing Troll

“I’m still waiting on an explanation on how porn adversely affects us all.. It’s a legitimate business that generates billions yearly, it’s not mandatory that anyone watch or participate, what’s the downside?”

It really isn’t up to us to either condemn or justify your addictions or choices -

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:11 pm

josef @ 5:07

Exactly. Much of the newspaper editorials are tame compared to the way the ripped each other “back in the Colonial day…… ”

Some of the cartoons make Luckovich look like a amateur

Joe Hussein Mama

June 26th, 2012
5:11 pm

TBS — “Rubio will be a force for Repubs in the years to come, however I doubt Romney is going to pick him imo. There will be plenty of opportunity down the road”

Agree. Rubio needs some seasoning and experience. He’s got a lot of potential and could be a very strong Presidential or VP candidate at some point in the future. Frankly, I’d give Rubio better odds (again, given more experience) than Jindal.

Recon 0311 2533

June 26th, 2012
5:13 pm

TBS,

Romney may pass on Rubio but he has fire in his belly and articulates well. That fire could be a compliment to Romney and help some with the Latino vote.

Steve - USA ("None of the Above")

June 26th, 2012
5:14 pm

“Agree. Rubio needs some seasoning and experience. He’s got a lot of potential and could be a very strong Presidential or VP candidate at some point in the future. Frankly, I’d give Rubio better odds (again, given more experience) than Jindal.”

Rubio just doesn’t give an impression of being tested by experience. He seems like a guy who works for Geek Squad.

Paul

June 26th, 2012
5:14 pm

Joe Hussein Mama

Guy goes into his doc for an exam. Doc says “your age, I’m scheduling you for a colonoscopy.” Guy says “No way! I’ve heard about those – forget it!” Doc says “Just relax, with the meds and the new equipment you won’t even know what’s going on. Come here – the nurse just prepped the room and I’ll show you the equipment.”

They go in the room and there, on the exam table, is a six-pack. Guy says ‘All right! I can go for that.” Doc says “oh for Pete’s sake…” opens the door and yells “Nurse! I said I wanted a butt light!”

JamVet

June 26th, 2012
5:14 pm

Stevie, I get it you are an unpaid armchair psychologist.

You probably think that Dennis Miller is actually funny and are living proof that the following adage is correct.

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Your turn…

G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)

June 26th, 2012
5:14 pm

Is it just me, or does Jindal look like the MAD guy, “what me worry?”

Paul

June 26th, 2012
5:15 pm

Joe

Guy goes to his doc for an exam.

Some people will go off the rails with what I’d written -

pogo

June 26th, 2012
5:15 pm

Cry me a river Jay. You didn’t have problems with corporate donations to Obama in 2008 and you don’t have a problem with the big unions throwing their members money away supporting Obama now. But but now that the corporations are abandoning this narcissistic moron, you wail against corporate contributions. Cheer up Jay, I bet Immelt is still funneling cash to Obama through the PACS. Or maybe not, I hear even Immelt is sick of Obama. You always have Soros don’t you? The bottom line is that the Obama administration is rotting from within starting at the top. Behind the scenes even the big democratic players are looking past this arrogant moron. The dream of a black man becoming president and solving all of our problems is over. In fact, he hasn’t solved anything and has actually made things worse. Is Romney the perfect candidate? No. But a change is needed and a change will come in November. Romney may not be but a one term president and then we will move to the next stage but one thing is apparent to more and more people; Obama must go. Not because he is black, but because he incompetent.

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:16 pm

Recon

I could be wrong and Rubio does get picked. I just think the GOP is waiting until he has a few more years of experience.

Jm

Haven’t hear much about Jindal lately. He will also be around for the GOP for many years.

josef

June 26th, 2012
5:17 pm

BOTH

Editorials, hell, look like you’re candidate’s pulling ahead? Just print a news story that he’s dead. :-)

If you go back over the history of American Journalism, the only time we have had even a modicum/pretense of distanced and objective reporting was the mid 20th Century.

Steve - USA ("None of the Above")

June 26th, 2012
5:17 pm

JamVet-

Thank you for the advice. I wont argue with you.

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:18 pm

The gop refused to hold hearings on peeing in a cup and handing it to government.

All the gop will vote for it and call it freedom.

josef

June 26th, 2012
5:19 pm

GMARE

He does, but Obama is a dead ringer for him.. :-) .

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 26th, 2012
5:19 pm

Tbs 5:08 got it thx

For me it came down to: we have a lot of things that need fixing and I don’t see Obama fixing them

I will count on democrats in the senate to help defend the poor, but the democrats aren’t generally getting it done

And I think Romney is competent and willing to shake things up. He’s straight down the middle and will take on corporate welfare too.

Paul

June 26th, 2012
5:19 pm

pogo

“. You didn’t have problems with corporate donations to Obama in 2008 ”

Are there any differences with corporate donations now, compared to 2008?

Joe Hussein Mama

June 26th, 2012
5:19 pm

Recon — “Romney may pass on Rubio but he has fire in his belly and articulates well. That fire could be a compliment to Romney and help some with the Latino vote.”

There are several reasons why Rubio’s appeal to Hispanics will be limited, but I’ll briefly outline one of them.

Rubio is a Cuban-American, and C-As get treated *completely* differently from all other Hispanics when it comes to immigration. Under the “Wet Feet, Dry Feet” policy, if a Cuban refugee can get his feet on dry land — even if the cops or the Coast Guard are in hot pursuit — said Cuban refugee gets asylum and is allowed to stay.

As you can imagine, this does not sit well with Hispanics from other parts of the Americas and the Caribbean. I have a Cubano friend, and he acknowledges the tension. However, he points out that he was born here, that he’s a second-generation American, and aside from a grandfather and a couple of uncles, he doesn’t really have much connection to Cuba at all.

At any rate, I think that at this point, Rubio’s effect on the ticket will be muted, and that Romney could probably pick a stronger candidate elsewhere. I still think he’s going to pick a wingnut so he can shore up his base, but my wife thinks he’s going to do what Obama did and pick someone with strong foreign policy and/or defense credentials in order to cover that weakness in his resume.

Mighty Righty

June 26th, 2012
5:20 pm

Stimulus Jobs in China? Senators Angry About U.S. Money Going Overseas

March 4, 2010
A war is emerging between Congress and the White House over high-profile stimulus programs that lawmakers claim aren’t serving the American people.

Senate Democrats lashed out at the Obama administration on Wednesday, saying its stimulus wind energy program creates jobs overseas instead of in the U.S., and they’re calling for the administration to put a stop to it.

“Today, we are demanding the Obama administration suspend this program immediately,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

The program has already spent $2 billion, funding enough projects to power 2.4 million homes. Any wind farm created in the U.S. is eligible for stimulus money to put up wind turbines, regardless of where those massive structures are made. Each turbine costs about $3 million, and reaches 40 stories into the sky.

An investigation by ABC News and the Investigative Reporting Workshop found that 79 percent of the program’s money has gone to foreign companies, money that Schumer said was “federal tax dollars, the stimulus, which was sold as jobs in America.”

Brosephus™

June 26th, 2012
5:21 pm

I’m still waiting on an explanation on how porn adversely affects us all..

For all it’s bad press and such, porn actually is a driver for technological advancement. Each leap in recording technology has not gone full steam until the ability to record and play back porn took hold. VHS, DVD, and even streaming internet to an extent are/were all driven by the demand for porn.

Joe Hussein Mama

June 26th, 2012
5:21 pm

Paul — “Guy goes into his doc for an exam. Doc says “your age, I’m scheduling you for a colonoscopy.”

ZOMG, the worst part is that crap they make you drink the day before. Next to that, the actual procedure is a breeze.

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:22 pm

willard did a great job creating jobs in China and India.

American jobs, not so much.

Vote to lose your jobs cons.

Self defeatists.

TaxPayer

June 26th, 2012
5:23 pm

The Romney/Ryan business plan for the government: Cut taxes until it turns a profit.

josef

June 26th, 2012
5:24 pm

Speaking of Rubio, anybody else catch him on Jon Stewart last p.m.? Did a pretty good job of sticking to his principles relative to the Dream Act and toeing the party line…

tireofit

June 26th, 2012
5:24 pm

I don’t want a president that doesn’t even have the balls to name his favorite color. How can you support such a waffler or flake?

Mighty Righty

June 26th, 2012
5:24 pm

Speaking of Vice Presidents. Does anyone think Obama will not dump his “village idiot” for Hillary? Seriously.

Bud Wiser

June 26th, 2012
5:26 pm

Looking under the robes of this collection of judges could be considered abusive and inhumane treatment.

Where is the ACLU when nobody really needs them?

I also see that scruffy looking of whatever calls themselves the “black leadership” has now brought up the issue of race, and the charges of contempt against Holder are racially motivated.

They’re runing a little behind I’d say.

In the collection plates…..

Gotta move them folks on up to tossing more bread their way; after all, donations and contributions from the terminally stupid are the only way these leeches make a living. Al Sharpton, a black leader? If that’s all the black community can produce to speak for them, then perhaps life may well not be worth living.

Holder will cut a last minute deal is my prediction, something to spare himself and his pathetic loser of a boss further humiliation. They’ll deal, and scream racism (again) no matter how it rolls out.

Obama and Holder are the greatest embarassment that this nation has ever had to suffer in the eyes of the world, as well as its own citizenship.

I hereby today predict that unless Romney is video-taped consorting with whores, drinking, seeking legal advice from John Edwards, and smoking Cuban cigars, that this race is over.

November Romney 56%, Obozo 42%, and whoever else tries for the table scraps.

You heard it here first, the Bud has spoken.

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:26 pm

Mighty Righty

never know, but I doubt it…… Wonder if Palin is available?

hahahahaha

:-)

josef

June 26th, 2012
5:28 pm

RIGHTY

If he has any sense, he will. The problem would be getting her to take it. She’s got her on run to think about for 2016 and needs the time (and distance) to get her own act in gear…imauo

Brosephus™

June 26th, 2012
5:28 pm

If that’s all the black community can produce to speak for them, then perhaps life may well not be worth living.

What gives you the impression that the Black (with a capital B) community produced anybody to speak for them anyway? We need someone to speak for us just as much as the White community needs somebody to speak up for them.

Mighty Righty

June 26th, 2012
5:28 pm

GE moving X-ray business to China. What message is sent to U.S.?
FROM CNN’s Jack Cafferty:

Here is more evidence of the suicide mission this country is on: General Electric announced it’s moving its 115-year-old X-ray business from Waukesha, Wisconsin to Beijing, China.
The X-ray business is part of General Electric’s GE Healthcare unit, and this move is just part of a broader plan by GE to invest $2 billion in China.

Paul

June 26th, 2012
5:28 pm

Joe Hussein Mama

Only thing worse was the guy I once had who made me drink the stuff, then do a pill, then do another cleaner.

Didn’t go to him again -

G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)

June 26th, 2012
5:29 pm

Now THAT I had not noticed, Josef. You a very bad boy to put that in my head. :)

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 26th, 2012
5:29 pm

Tbs that jindal speech a few months ago set him back though

Total disaster

Jindal will get a job. But not veep

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:29 pm

“Holder will cut a last minute deal is my prediction, something to spare himself and his pathetic loser of a boss further humiliation. ”

Why does he need to cut any deal? Unless your fav pundit forgot to tell you, Issa said on Sunday that he has “NO EVIDENCE” of a cover up.

But keep up the talking points and diatribes……… Wouldn’t want you to be inconsistent

:-)

Joe Hussein Mama

June 26th, 2012
5:29 pm

Paul — “Didn’t go to him again -”

YARG

Can’t blame you.

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:32 pm

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:32 pm

Jm

On Jindal was just saying as a force within the GOP, whether it was VP or something else.

Let’s face it, GOP currently has a slight problem with demographic trends. They are doing more outreach then ever, because they know what how things are trending.

Jindal and Rubio both smart, even though I have policy disagreements, and they help mitigate some of the demographic issue as the GOP does more outreach

JohnnyReb

June 26th, 2012
5:34 pm

I regret missing the start of this party. I always enjoy debating states rights, but someone has to work to pay for all the government give-a-ways. Obama sure isn’t working; he’s too busy trying to fund raise.

I see Jay is right on que by following up his morning piece with an indictment of SCOTUS.

This is a planned attack by the Obama administration and Jay is surely doing his part.

After Thursday’s strike down of Obamacare, the Left will increase the whinning. Obama will flirt with if not out right stating that he gave everyone health care coverage but four white men and one uncle Tom took it away.

Lastly, I don’t suppose it ever enters the Moonbat mind that perpahps, just possibly the reason the supremes rule as they do is because they are correct.

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:35 pm

Bud Wiser

If Obama wins, I wouldn’t be surprised if Holder doesn’t stay on. With that said, unless you know more information than as been said in the media, why would he cut a deal?

Unless Issa was lying, what would the deal be about?

tireofit

June 26th, 2012
5:37 pm

Jindal and Rubio both smart. So is my dog.

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:37 pm

w fell off the wagon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCRyO6JP6Oc&feature=fvwrel

Talk about a major embarrassment.

Mighty Righty

June 26th, 2012
5:37 pm

Remember, Jeffrey Immelt is Obama’s job’s czar. Before you criticise Romney for something he alledgedly did years ago, Obama’s people are shipping jobs to China now.

General Electric Co. (GE), with businesses ranging from energy to health care to aviation, plans to open its second China innovation center in Xi’An city to be closer to customers in faster-growing regions.

The company intends to set up more centers in China after opening the Xi’An facility in the central province of Shaanxi this summer, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Immelt said at a briefing today in Chengdu, western China. GE is working on two to three more joint ventures in the country, according to Immelt, who said it’s too early to provide details.

Enlarge image
General Electric Will Open More Innovation Centers in China Nelson Ching/Bloomberg
Employees at the General Electric Co. healthcare unit’s production facility assemble medical X-ray devices in Beijing. GE’s center in Chengdu will mainly focus on developing new health-care products aimed at solving rural medical needs, while the Xian center “focuses more on lighting and coal,” Chief Executive Officer Jeff Immelt said.

Employees at the General Electric Co. healthcare unit’s production facility assemble medical X-ray devices in Beijing. GE’s center in Chengdu will mainly focus on developing new health-care products aimed at solving rural medical needs, while the Xian center “focuses more on lighting and coal,” Chief Executive Officer Jeff Immelt said. Photographer: Nelson Ching/Bloomberg
.GE is carrying out projects as part of a $2 billion commitment made in late 2010 for innovation and technology partnerships over three years in China, where annual revenue gains of 20 percent contrast with negative growth for the company. Fairfield, Connecticut-based GE today opened an $80 million center in Chengdu for researching products in areas including health care, energy and transportation.

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:37 pm

Your dog is smarter.

Joe Hussein Mama

June 26th, 2012
5:38 pm

I’m out for the evening. All be well and drive safely.

JohnnyReb

June 26th, 2012
5:38 pm

If Obama wins and Republicans control the Senate as well as the house, little Barry may find himself impeached over his stray from the Constitution and pledge to uphold our laws.

josef

June 26th, 2012
5:38 pm

We keep talking about the VP choice, and I suppose we should since it is the first appointment a candidate has to go public with, but I wish they’d name their cabinet choices in the campaigns. They have much more impact on the way an administration will go.

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:38 pm

JohnnyReb

I bet you were downtown throwing back double Jack Daniels and hobnobbing with the ATL’s political and financial elite as you listened to Obama throw “red meat” to the crowd.

just kidding

Hope you and yours are doing well

Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

June 26th, 2012
5:40 pm

Sounds kind of like the Arizona thing – the feds over the states. You Democrats sure do whine when you do not get your way. We will trade you the corporations for the unions, Hollywood, and Wall Street. Then again, maybe not.

Recon 0311 2533

June 26th, 2012
5:41 pm

TBS and Joe,

I agree that Rubio probably won’t get the nod but I’ve listened to him these past few weeks and was impressed with his ability to project emotion and do so while effectively articulating his points. He’s potentially a political sizzle salesman, while Romney is purely a steak man who lacks the sizzle sales delivery. In that sense Rubio could be a compliment. Got to go pick up my daughter. Later

Rightwing Troll

June 26th, 2012
5:41 pm

Thanks for that good one there Paul…

I was just trying to get clarification on a point one of the others here made. They inferred that unfettered, untraceable money in politics should be protected as free speech, and porn should not.

I’m just trying to ascertain why that is… nobody’s forced to watch porn, but we’re all affected by the outcome of elections.

JohnnyReb

June 26th, 2012
5:42 pm

They BOTH suck – same back to you; things are great here and hope the same for you.

They actually would not sell me a ticket. Something about being too partisan. Can you imagine?

tireofit

June 26th, 2012
5:43 pm

At least my dog has an opinion. Romney appears to have none, he talks nonsense and babbles. At least have an opinion!

JamVet

June 26th, 2012
5:43 pm

impeached over his stray from the Constitution and pledge to uphold our laws.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:44 pm

I demand to see jindal’s and rubio’s birth certificates for fair and balance.

Now.

Mighty Righty

June 26th, 2012
5:44 pm

Did ya’ll see the Bamster fall down go boom in Tampa? Sho nuf. The man fell right on his face on the stage?

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:44 pm

willard tortures dogs.

Rightwing Troll

June 26th, 2012
5:45 pm

So, speaking of State’s rights… how do you support Sheriff Joe’s right to implement immigration law as he sees fit, AND support the SCOTUS ruling that the State of Montana can’t restrict political donations in Montana elections?

TaxPayer

June 26th, 2012
5:45 pm

“Guns don’t kill, people kill.” – LaPierre’s House testimony in defense of Fast and Furious

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:45 pm

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:47 pm

Doggone/GA

June 26th, 2012
5:47 pm

“At least have an opinion!”

Awww, come on now. He DOES have an opinion. And if you don’t like it, just wait a minute and he’ll change it.

JamVet

June 26th, 2012
5:49 pm

i understand that words are infinitely more important to neocons than deeds.

But regarding the cutesy lovefest for Rubio, can anyone tell me what the man has actually accomplished?

Bueller?

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 26th, 2012
5:49 pm

Tbs 5:32 agreed

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:49 pm

The 3 am call will keep ringing until he polls all actions.

We just got nuked.

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:51 pm

Off Topic:

Weather Channel website stating that from Thursday through Monday the lowest high will be 97. 3 of those days will be 100 or more.

August is here

Bud Wiser

June 26th, 2012
5:53 pm

Brocephus at 5:28 – Yeah, you may need someone to speak for you. Sharpton and the curent clown brigade of takers and users speak for your community about as well as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks for the Israelis.

They BOTH Suck @ 5:29, the deal will be along the lines of Holder releasing one or two documents a day until the election, and the Repubs will agree to it because of their pansy status as not wanting to be seen as a party going after a black siting Attorney General – translation: they don’t want to offend anyone.

Frankly I don’t think it matters one way or the other, as the Dems always start their refrain this time of year (before an election) that all conservatives are racists, want to take away all the old people’s social security and medicare/medicaid, fire a ton of teachers, and lay off police and firefighters.

Only the ingratiatingly stupid don’t recognize this tired, wornout, same old song.

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:54 pm

A republican got busted for making four videos on the health care decision on You Tube to cover all outcomes.

He read the murdoch rag wsj.

td

June 26th, 2012
5:56 pm

Off topic:

How toxic is Obama?

“U.S. Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia have said they will not attend the convention, where Obama is to accept the party’s nomination. A handful of House members, from mostly Republican-leaning districts, also have announced they will not make the trip.”

“Augusta U.S. Rep. John Barrow will skip the Democratic National Convention in September, adding to a growing list of Democrats distancing themselves from the national party’s major quadrennial get-together.”

3 Democratic US Senators, the last remaining white Democrat in Georgia and other HOR members are willing to skip their own convention with all the big donors just to make sure they are not caught in a picture with Obama. Wow!!!

Doggone/GA

June 26th, 2012
5:56 pm

“A republican got busted for making four videos on the health care decision on You Tube to cover all outcomes”

Wasn’t really much of a “bust” though. It’s more accurate to say his people were stupid enough to post them all.

JamVet

June 26th, 2012
5:56 pm

Bud are you going to the KKK RNC circus in Tampa later this summer?

LOL…

Still nothing from you corporatists on Mr. Rubio’s accomplishments as a public servant?

Nothing?

barking frog

June 26th, 2012
5:56 pm

Romney/Redneck 2012.

Mighty Righty

June 26th, 2012
5:57 pm

getalife

June 26th, 2012
5:44 pm
I demand to see jindal’s and rubio’s birth certificates for fair and balance.

Fair enough. I will bet they have “real” non forged birth certificates and will produce them if they run for President or Vice President. I further will wager they will produce Social Security Cards that will come from a state they were born in or lived in at the time they obtained them. I will also be they will if asked produce their college transcripts. In addidition I will wager that neither of them have a staff of attorneys for the purpose of hiding their background.

They BOTH suck

June 26th, 2012
5:58 pm

Bud Wiser

Heard Hanitty yesterday saying that his prediction is that Obama knows he will not win and he will pardon Holder and himself on the way out the door…

hahahahaha

:-)

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 26th, 2012
5:58 pm

” little Barry may find himself impeached over his stray from the Constitution and pledge to uphold our laws.”

Highly unlikely.

Lessee. Rubio, hasn’t accomplished much, yet. Which is why he won’t be VP, much less president anytime in the next 4 years.

Lessee. At rubio’s point in his career, Obama thought he was good enough to run for president.

Looks to me like republicans are sane, democrats not so much

Rightwing Troll

June 26th, 2012
5:59 pm

I don’t really expect an answer on either of my points, wingnuts are duplicitous fools who have no shred of credibility or honor. They’ll demand access to your bedroom, and decry the TSA for wanting access to your suitcase. They’ll whine about the universal healthcare and taxes, but spend like drunken sailors when they get the checkbook. They’ll beat thier chests and send kids off to die in faraway places for no reason, but hide under the porch at the sight of a brown skinned person. They’ll spend millions preempting problems that don’t exist like voter fraud, but won’t put up a dime to preempt problems like illiteracy… speaking of illiteracy… they sneer at knowledge and learning in this day and age, after they’ve managed to decimate domestic manufacturing and create an environment where those without a solid education don’t have a chance… I could go on and on… duplicitous, racist, self righteous fools…

Don't Tread

June 26th, 2012
6:00 pm

Citizens United is what happens when you try to limit the 1st Amendment rights of people you don’t like and it blows up in your face.

And Obama’s had two chances to make the court “less partisan” and instead nominated two uber-liberals (that will rubber-stamp whatever unconstitutional policy liberals want).

barking frog

June 26th, 2012
6:00 pm

JamVet
Rubio was a state senator
and is now a US Senator
who did not as far as I
know organize any communities.

getalife

June 26th, 2012
6:01 pm

I think their robes should have their corporate logos for American to see who they fight for.

josef

June 26th, 2012
6:02 pm

ZamVet

“Bud are you going to the KKK RNC circus in Tampa later this summer?”

That was uncalled for. I hold the GOP in high disregard, but that KKK thing is carrying partisanship way to far…imauo

tireofit

June 26th, 2012
6:03 pm

When Romney going to tell us what he believes? Wait I forgot he doesn’t have any. What’s that old country song? If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything. How prophetic!

JamVet

June 26th, 2012
6:04 pm

Righty, you’re a birther?

No wonder you like Trump…

hasn’t accomplished much, yet.

Is that code for I can’t find a single significant thing?

It must be.

Getting elected seems to be the be all, end all of public service any more.

Again, what has the man done on behalf of his constituents, or any Americans, in terms of proposed/passed legislation?

Voted present? LOL!

I’m beginning to think the empty suit has a great biz zero after his name in this regard…

Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people

June 26th, 2012
6:04 pm

Tbs
Pleasant 80’s down in FL

Paul

June 26th, 2012
6:04 pm

getalife 5:32

Every election I watch “Dave” with Kevin Kline.

Keeps things in perspective.

Brosephus™

June 26th, 2012
6:05 pm

how do you support Sheriff Joe’s right to implement immigration law as he sees fit, AND support the SCOTUS ruling that the State of Montana can’t restrict political donations in Montana elections?

States Rights first, unless it goes against the ideology. In that case, ideology trumps all.

————–

Yeah, you may need someone to speak for you.

WRONG!!! Just because you and others want to elevate Sharpton and others as speaking for all Blacks, that does not make that idea a fact any more than you speaking for me. I feel bad for you small minded people who feel the need to put people and things into your little preset ideas of who does what. I don’t need anybody to speak for me, and I have no plans to hire a spokesperson to do that either.

tireofit

June 26th, 2012
6:05 pm

I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for 25 years and most of my Cuban friends think Romney sucks.