A sudden shift on ethics by Speaker Ralston? Well, maybe
For the last year or so, House Speaker David Ralston has publicly sneered at suggestions that the Georgia Legislature adopt limits on how much lobbyists are allowed to spend wooing legislators.
A proposed $100 cap on lobbyist expenditures was nothing more than “a gimmick,” Ralston has said repeatedly. In his mind, any effort to impose bans or limits on lobbyist gifts would simply drive such spending underground, where it would continue to be done illegally.
In fact, he argued, the whole concept of gift bans or limitations was an invention of “media elites and liberal special interest groups.”
“You can’t be united as a party and be in bed with groups like Common Cause and Georgia Watch,” he said last spring at the state GOP convention, managing to overlook strong tea party support for gift limits. “These are very liberal groups that have no interest in seeing a Republican agenda succeed.”
But in recent days, something rather remarkable has happened. The man who once cast scorn on the idea of restricting lobbyist gifts now says that he intends to do more than limit them to $100. He wants to ban them altogether.
Ralston has pledged to put together an informal legislative study committee, with the intention of passing such an outright ban when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.
There are two ways to think about this rather startling transformation. The first and most obvious is to take Ralston at his word that he believes a total gift ban is an idea whose time has come. If so, there are compelling grounds for Ralston reaching that conclusion. Senate leaders had already embraced the idea of a $100 gift limit, leaving the House isolated in its opposition. Furthermore, advisory questions on the Democratic and Republican primary ballots last month confirmed overwhelming public support for the concept.
Perhaps even more important, the overwhelming rejection of the T-SPLOST in metro Atlanta and elsewhere revealed a crippling lack of trust between elected officials in Georgia and those who put them into office. If a total gift ban from lobbyists can begin to restore that necessary trust, it would be a very good thing.
However, there’s also a more cynical, less encouraging interpretation.
Maybe I’ve got this wrong, but Ralston has never struck me as the type of man likely to undergo a sudden religious conversion on such matters. He has always come across as a more measured, careful sort. He also recognizes the trap in which his Republican counterparts in the Senate have tried to place him and his fellow House members. By endorsing the $100 gift limit, Senate leaders could claim the moral high ground while remaining confident that it would never pass, and that Ralston would take the political heat for killing it.
With his surprise announcement in favor of a total ban on gifts, Ralston has reversed the situation, leaving the Senate to play the role of spoilsport. “You want ethics reform, I’ll give you more ethics reform than you can handle,” he seems to be saying, at least if the more cynical interpretation is correct.
It is precisely the type of political gambit that longtime Democratic Speaker Tom Murphy could and did employ in his own battles with the state Senate of his day. And whatever their partisan differences, in many ways Ralston emulates the Murphy leadership pattern.
So which version of the truth is more likely?
We may not get an inkling of Ralston’s true intentions until his proposed legislation is unveiled. If written in good faith, it will offer a realistic, workable approach to badly needed ethics reform in Georgia, including creation of an independent, well-funded ethics commission. If written as political grandstanding, it will either contain so many loopholes as to be worthless or it will be so punitive and harsh that it will frighten off political support.
But the only test that will matter is what, if anything, is signed into law. After all this posturing, a failure to produce serious ethics reform in the next legislative session could only compound and further justify Georgians’ lack of faith in their so-called “public servants.”
– Jay Bookman
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513 comments Add your comment
Get Schooled blog a stooge for teachers' unions
August 15th, 2012
10:46 am
Once again today’s AJC’s Get Schooled blog is being lent to the teachers’ unions to aid their war against education reform and parental choice.
The latest debate issue is State Schools Superintendent John Barge’s decision to break with other Republicans and oppose the charter school constitutional amendment on November’s ballot. Predictably, the union crowd yearns to use this in heading off public pressure for more charter schools and innovation.
And predictably … the Get Schooled blog administrator is doing all she can to see that the anti-choice union viewpoint is heard—while blocking from comment many of us who advocate for greater parental choice.
Oscar
August 15th, 2012
10:47 am
We should elect the president by direct popular vote. Need a little tweak to the Constituiton.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
August 15th, 2012
10:50 am
Georgia’s Jesus Dinosaur Cut Your Taxes!
Hallelujah! Freedum to Starve
will that fit on a bumpersticker, stands? or is that 2 bumperstickers?
atler8
August 15th, 2012
10:51 am
kayaker 71,
Regarding my reply to you about corruption you wrote, “..you and most libs…seem..” & “‘you seem…”.
As per Jay’s blog topic, which is a hot topic at this time in much of the media, we are speaking here about ethics & government corruption in Georgia TODAY, aren’t we?
Now to address your “seems” that were directed towards me. Well, you don’t know me or my past or present history really, do you? If you did, you would know that I chafed under Murphy’s rule over the Georgia house for that interminably long time.
Even though I now almost always vote “D” in elections, I do not look the other way, ignore, condone or accept corruption by a “D”. Case in point, I applauded the Democratic party of Louisiana several years ago when they found a candidate to support in their attempt to oust the incumbent corrupt Democratic congressman from New Orleans, William Jefferson.
Looking back, as I often do, I remember the odd marriage of a coalition of urban & rural legislators that Murphy held together in the house. Often I thought of the entire legislature as a silly bunch of buffoons but I never saw them repeatedly engage in the extremeist knee-jerk right wing social agenda that wastes far too much of our current legislature’s time & effort under the gop dominance.
I have a personal live & let live type of philosophy & can not stomach the often hypocritic “Do as I say not as I do” mentality that guides many of these right wing social engineers in our state government.
When they get their eyes & hands off of my body & out of my bedroom & personal life, perhaps then the gop will once again be a party that I can comfortably vote for. As they stand now, they are in no stretch of the imagination my father’s gop.
And once again, I remind you that it is the here-in-now that Jay’s blog topic is addressing.
Redneck Convert (R--and ;proud of it)
August 15th, 2012
10:51 am
Well, when I was a kid my Daddy always told me, “Son, you can’t never trust a lawmaker that won’t steal or take a bribe.”
It looks like this Ralston is fixing to blow up whatever faith I had left in the folks down at the statehouse.
Maybe they’ll leave the utility cos. that hire w_ores as lobbyists alone. No money changes hands there, right?
Anyhow, I’m mighty suspect of this latest move. Somebody needs to check and see if this Ralston has his fingers crossed behind his back.
Have a good Hump Day everybody.
Jefferson
August 15th, 2012
10:52 am
Rags is a Moron IF he thinks he knows why people vote the way they do.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 15th, 2012
10:54 am
Stooge — “the Get Schooled blog administrator is doing all she can to see that the anti-choice union viewpoint is heard—while blocking from comment many of us who advocate for greater parental choice.”
You HAVE school choice. If you want to pull your kids out of school and send them to some private or church school, or to homeschool them, you can do that TODAY. Right now.
What you don’t have is SUBSIDIZED school choice, and that’s really what you’re arguing in favor of.
Send your kids wherever you like for their education, but don’t look to others to subsidize your lifestyle choices.
JKL2
August 15th, 2012
10:55 am
-The Democrats only control one state in the upper Mid-West and that’s Illinois thanks to corrupt Cook County.
If we could get ride of Lake, Cook, and Dupage counties, it would be a really good state. Instead, we’re stuck with the big sucking black hole of northeast IL.
WI has the same problem with Madison and Milwaukee, but the state is in 10X better shape than IL. Thanks Scott Walker.
MoreRightthanLeft
August 15th, 2012
10:56 am
@BRO..i as pointing out Bernies’ comments….and i called the food stamp folks- AMERICANS…another way dems have made obamas comments a racailly charged one…regardless…facts ae fact
Granny.i agree funny is funny and we should lighten up..but i was called a racist yesterday on this blog bc of my “funny ” statements by USinUK..so i was still steamed on how people will use the race card at there convienenece (no spell check)
@ Bernie.. you were specific on your comments and even numbered them…and that kind of mirepresenattion is wrong and stupid..the Tea Party, in my opinion…will be just as busy knocking down doors when the repubs start going the wrong way…and holding everyone accountable.. do some research on them instead of listening to the talking heads in the liberal media..
im a tea partier…and im not racist…i use to be a social conservative and now im more a fiscal conservative…thanks to TEA folks
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
10:57 am
Joe Hussein Mama @10:37 am – A reasonable person would think that going to some place like Africa,South America, Asia would have been a good and honorable place to serve those less fortunate. Mitt did not care then…as he does not car about the less fortunate Americans NOW! He has told us so..with his own lips!
Not MITT! Paris,France is actually where he spent his time until it was no longer plausible that he could be sent to VIETNAM! Talk about Character FLAW!
Now, he is willing and desiring to serve as America’s Commander in Chief. he has already stated he has “NO PROBLEM AT ALL” about sending Your Kids and other American Kids to fight a WAR ! However, He will not insist on any ONE of his BOYS to even enlist for duty!
We ALL should be OUTRAGED at that! especially now! Americans are still dying in Afghanistan! every day! pretty soon they will be in IRAN. why is that Americans are so willing to allow the wealthiest among us to avoid their obligations to this great Nation.
In ISREAL….ALL MUST SERVE! rich & poor alike! men & women!
Early America days, the wealthy and their military aged kids were expected to pull their LOAD Too! we now give them a PASS….and without questions or OUTRAGE!
Thomas
August 15th, 2012
10:58 am
Very informative blog thank you
It is impossible to change the business of Atlanta and Ga politics but you and AJC do a wonderful job chasing these greased pigs.
Thomas
August 15th, 2012
11:00 am
” When they get their eyes & hands off of my body & out of my bedroom & personal life”
Sounds like a 911 call is needed
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
11:03 am
MoreRightthanLeft @ 10:56 am – You should stop now! You are being betrayed by your own words!! each posts of yours verifies and document the assertion made clearly and distinctively by my comment in describing typical TEA PARTY supporters.
Anyone with a minimal sense of right and wrong can easily see that you are a person without morals and respect for other Human Beings…much less for Americans!
This is why Tea Party growth will only diminish in time…… its views are MORALLY
BANKRUPT!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 15th, 2012
11:03 am
Ethics reform in the state lege?
Don’t really see it happenin’.
JKL2
August 15th, 2012
11:05 am
taxpayer- JKL2 with a thought! There’s a thought. Move yourself.
In 5 years when I retire or if the government sees fit before that time.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 15th, 2012
11:07 am
uh oh!!
Over the weekend, the Richmonder blog broke what looked like a whopper of a story: that Republican vice-presidential hopeful Paul Ryan had lined his pockets from information he had obtained from a now-legendary meeting that took place on September 18, 2008. On that day, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and then-Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson broke the news to congressional leaders that they would have to approve a bailout to avert a complete meltdown of the financial system. Checking through Ryan’s financial disclosure reports, the Richmonder discovered that Ryan had sold the stocks of several major banks that day, while purchasing – surprise! – stock in Paulson’s old firm Goldman Sachs. The story quickly circulated through the media.
salon.com
Moderate Line
August 15th, 2012
11:11 am
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
9:56 am
Republicans control the civilized states. Places where you can leave your doors unlocked or keys in your car and not have to worry if it will still be there when you get back.
If that ain’t the granddaddy of all lies. Seems that both Tennessee and Kentucky ends up voting GOP in elections. I can recall that Gore didn’t even carry Tennessee when he ran for president, and Kentucky went with McCain over Obama. Yet…
+++++
Need to find out more information before you make such statements.
Tennessee had a Democratic governor up until 2011. Tennessee has alternated between Dem and Rep governors since 1971. Even though they did not vote for Gore in 2000 the voted for a Dem in 2002 for governor.
Clinton carried Tennessee twice and Gore could not carry it.
TaxPayer
August 15th, 2012
11:13 am
JKL2-You could just show your support for the Republican goal of eliminating those federal/veteran pensions and benefits by quitting. Take action by supporting the Romney/Ryan budget and quit. Be all the Republican that you can be.
Aquagirl
August 15th, 2012
11:15 am
uh oh!!
The meeting was held after trading hours, so this story probably doesn’t have legs.
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/08/paul-ryan-insider-trading-rumor-quickly-debunked.php?ref=fpnewsfeed
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
11:20 am
Moderate Line
Check their state voting record vs their federal voting record. As I stated in that post, Gore didn’t carry Tennessee. Here’s links to their presidential voting histories. The Democratic nominee has not carried a plurality of votes in either state since Clinton/Gore 1996. In the current year, they are both leaning red. Trust me, I know quite a bit about each state. You also failed to mention that Kentucky currently have Democrats as Governor and Lt. Governor too.
http://www.270towin.com/states/tennessee
http://www.270towin.com/states/Kentucky
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 15th, 2012
11:21 am
Thanks Aquagirl! I retract that “Uh Oh!”
DannyX
August 15th, 2012
11:21 am
“Tennessee had a Democratic governor up until 2011. Tennessee has alternated between Dem and Rep governors since 1971. Even though they did not vote for Gore in 2000 the voted for a Dem in 2002 for governor.”
Similar to California, they have had mostly Republican governors since Ronald Reagan’s first term there. Until last year the Republican minority in their legislature had super powers and could easily block state budgets because they were required to pass by 2/3rds of the vote.
TaxPayer
August 15th, 2012
11:23 am
When the Koch boys wiggle their fingers, Scott Walker’s lips move. As does Paul Ryan’s and Mitt Romneys and all the rest of the Republicans. The really fun thing to watch is when the Koch boys and Sheldon Adelson fail to coordinate their finger movements. Now THAT’s entertainment.
That Black Guy
August 15th, 2012
11:23 am
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
8:42 am
Bernie
Can you take that somewhere else? The current discussion is on Georgia ethics? At least make your first post on topic. Geez….
______________________________________
Bro, you better be careful.
That d00d has powers.
He changed me from a black man into a klan member.
He turned Doggone into a man.
He turned Paul and josef into Mormons.
He forced They Both Suck into the klan against his will.
All in the blink of an eye.
There’s no telling what he will do to you if you tick him off.
You may wake up tomorrow as a Laotian midget who is forced to join Cirque Du Soleil as a plate spinner.
Bad Ju Ju man.
They BOTH suck
August 15th, 2012
11:24 am
“You may wake up tomorrow as a Laotian midget who is forced to join Cirque Du Soleil as a plate spinner.”
hahahahahaha
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
11:26 am
will that fit on a bumpersticker, stands? or is that 2 bumperstickers?
Definitely 2. Nothing more annoying than a bumpersticker that you have to squint to read, and then you give up trying and just assume the driver’s some nutter…
JKL2
August 15th, 2012
11:26 am
taxpayer- JKL2-You could just show your support for the Republican goal of eliminating those federal/veteran pensions and benefits by quitting.
obama is doing just fine. Collapsing the economy under a mountain of debt and printing money so fast the dollar will soon be worth a peso. If the government has enough money to pay my pension (think Russia), the pittance they give me should be enough to by a loaf of bread.
I do have some crappy healthcare to look forward too…
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
11:26 am
You may wake up tomorrow as a Laotian midget who is forced to join Cirque Du Soleil as a plate spinner.
Moderate Line
August 15th, 2012
11:28 am
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
11:20 am
Moderate Line
Check their state voting record vs their federal voting record. As I stated in that post, Gore didn’t carry Tennessee. Here’s links to their presidential voting histories. The Democratic nominee has not carried a plurality of votes in either state since Clinton/Gore 1996. In the current year, they are both leaning red. Trust me, I know quite a bit about each state. You also failed to mention that Kentucky currently have Democrats as Governor and Lt. Governor too.
++++
Republicans control the civilized states. The issue was about which party controled the state see the orginal post. The Dems controlled the House in Tennessee until 2011. What does federal elections have to do with who controls a state. You assumed Tennessee was like Ga. Mistake! Republicans do have not controlled Tennessee except maybe the last year. Tennessee is much different from the other southern states.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
11:29 am
You may wake up tomorrow as a Laotian midget who is forced to join Cirque Du Soleil as a plate spinner.
pshaw. I’ve had hangovers wayyy worse than that.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
11:29 am
Collapsing the economy under a mountain of debt
not intended to be a factual statement.
Aquagirl
August 15th, 2012
11:32 am
I retract that “Uh Oh!”
I’m sure Mr. Ryan will oblige us with another Uh-Oh moment shortly. Randites do that a lot.
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
11:36 am
You assumed Tennessee was like Ga. Mistake!
Wrong. I knew who the elected officials were. The temerament of the state is shown much better in federal elections as opposed to state elections. Some states will elect conservative Democrats. Remember those “Reagan Democrats” and “Blue Dog Democrats”. On the federal level, the leopard can not change it’s spots.
Tennessee isn’t much different than any other Southern State. Throughout history, the South has typically been much more conservative than the rest of the country. Anybody with a cursory knowledge of history knows as much. In the South, you can still find conservative Democrats who get elected, but you can not point to a single liberal Republican that can share the same fate. I wonder why?
Looney Bin
August 15th, 2012
11:38 am
Why is it that nationally no one is allowed to invoke the W Bush administration because he’s not in office anymore; yet for state politics some here love to mention the 130 years of Democrat control?
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
11:38 am
The Democrats only control one state in the upper Mid-West and that’s Illinois thanks to corrupt Cook County.
Incorrect.
71, calm down, the truth shall set you free…
Matti
August 15th, 2012
11:40 am
Producing ethics reform and enforcing it are two completely different matters. I don’t believe for one minute that the crooks who run this state have come to Jesus — now, or at any time in the past or future. Ethics are in direct opposition to their value system. Their words means nothing, but their actions say it all.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
August 15th, 2012
11:44 am
Hey y’all…
I’ve been reading a good news source site I want to share if you already don’t go there…
It has Conservative and Liberal columnists, magazines, and print newspapers on one site so that you can expand your reading and understanding of what is really going on.
My Dad used to say “listen to both sides of the story and you’ll find the truth is usually in the middle.”
…anyway…here it is.
http://newsalertusa.com/
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
11:46 am
…anyway…here it is.
Normal, they seem to have a raging woodie for Paul Ryan.
(Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)
Joe Hussein Mama
August 15th, 2012
11:48 am
L. Bin — “Why is it that nationally no one is allowed to invoke the W Bush administration because he’s not in office anymore; yet for state politics some here love to mention the 130 years of Democrat control?”
Con answer: Because . . . because . . .because . . .SHUT UP, that’s why.
Here’s more ammunition to shoot down their argument. Even Forbes Magazine disagrees with them:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/05/24/who-is-the-smallest-government-spender-since-eisenhower-would-you-believe-its-barack-obama/
RB from Gwinnett
August 15th, 2012
11:49 am
Jay, just curious, do you have to get written permission from the DNC to art from the Romney/Ryan assault or does your contract allow a few lower level R assaults too?
Joe Hussein Mama
August 15th, 2012
11:49 am
Dagnabbit, I hate it when I forget to close my tags.
gadem
August 15th, 2012
11:50 am
It is funny that people still spout this garbage…
http://factcheck.org/2012/07/obamas-sealed-records/
MiltonMan
August 15th, 2012
11:59 am
Slow day today Jay? No mention of Bozo Biden & placing people back in chains if Romney is elected? Or Spike Jones alluding to Obama as the Black Jesus? or the Black Panthers and stepping on the GOP necks? Or The New York Times bashing LoLo Jones for being a virgin? Or…..
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
12:02 pm
…placing people back in chains if Romney is elected?
I do not recall that quote.
Would you post it in it’s entirety, Milton?
Paul
August 15th, 2012
12:02 pm
Bernie 10:57
“However, He will not insist on any ONE of his BOYS to even enlist for duty!”
Unanswered question from the other day when you made the same point: when are you going to be just as outraged that Pres Obama has not stated he will force his daughters to join the military?
(and do a bit of reading, Bernie. LDS young men and women have no say in where they serve, and once they get to a geographic area, they have no say where they serve there, either. You do seem to try very, very hard to assume the worse and act as if it’s the truth)
That Black Guy
August 15th, 2012
12:02 pm
Against my better judgement…
Bernie
Do you realize that you are using an extremely broad brush about people that you DO NOT know?
That cop that responded to your 911 call for help may be part of the tea party.
That nurse that took such great care of of your family member may be part of the tea party.
Your kids favorite teacher may be part of the tea party.
The guy driving that HERO unit truck that changed the tire for your wife/girlfriend may be part of the tea party.
The fireman who rushed into your neighbor’s burning house may be part of the tea party.
To label ALL people of a particular group because of the actions of a few is wrong.
Just like it would be wrong to label ALL Black people because of the actions of a few.
godless heathen
August 15th, 2012
12:03 pm
Bernie: 55,000 of America’s Kids Black and White fought and DIED in VIETNAM! Hundreds of thousands were injured and with missing limbs! they had NO CHOICE!
25% of the soldiers in Vietnam were draftees. But Bernie, don’t let a few facts spoil a good rant.
Is there a moral difference between taking a legal deferment and failing to volunteer for service?
How did you come down on Mohammed Ali taking a Conscientious Objector route when he made a living beating people’s brains out?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 15th, 2012
12:05 pm
The conned sure do love to create poutrage about their poor poor sensibilities being hurt by Biden…. Those sensibilities seem to be very dull when done by their own.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
12:07 pm
their poor poor sensibilities being hurt by Biden….
Consider also, this.
“For months, Speaker Boehner, Congressman Ryan, and other Republicans have called for the ‘unshackling’ of the private sector from regulations that protect Americans from risky financial deals and other reckless behavior that crashed our economy. Since then, the Vice President has often used a similar metaphor to describe the need to ‘unshackle’ the middle class. Today’s comments were a derivative of those remarks, describing the devastating impact letting Wall Street write its own rules again would have on middle class families. We find the Romney campaign’s outrage over the Vice President’s comments today hypocritical, particularly in light of their own candidate’s stump speech questioning the President’s patriotism. Now, let’s return to that ‘substantive’ debate Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan promised 72 hours ago, but quickly abandoned.”
RB from Gwinnett
August 15th, 2012
12:09 pm
Keep, are you ok with Bidens “chains” comment? Good campaign speach in your opinion?
godless heathen
August 15th, 2012
12:11 pm
The conned sure do love to create poutrage about their poor poor sensibilities being hurt by Biden…
My sensibilities weren’t hurt by Clueless Joe’s inane comment. I am somewhat surprised that black people don’t react more strongly to be being spoken down to in a such a condescending manner. Ya’ll.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 15th, 2012
12:12 pm
Paul, in all fairness, I suspect that your comment: LDS young men and women have no say in where they serve, and once they get to a geographic area, they have no say where they serve there, either fails to take into account family influence with the church leaders. Romney apparently lived in a mansion with servents while in Paris, unlike other missionaries. Money has just as much influence in the church as it does in business and politics.
Paul
August 15th, 2012
12:13 pm
How come it’s all of a sudden white people who are suddenly all outraged at a metaphor black people seem to have no problem with?
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
12:14 pm
RB, what was the chains comment???
Would you please post it in it’s entirety?
Joe Hussein Mama
August 15th, 2012
12:14 pm
G. Heathen — “How did you come down on Mohammed Ali taking a Conscientious Objector route when he made a living beating people’s brains out?”
AFAIK, Ali never actually filed for CO status. He showed up for induction as ordered, but refused to take the Oath.
The SCOTUS eventually heard his case and dismissed it on a technicality.
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
12:15 pm
True dat, Paul.
As a Hebe I am outraged about this reference to the Egyptians!
Jefferson
August 15th, 2012
12:15 pm
Biden is telling the truth, it seems. Figurative, not literally.
RB from Gwinnett
August 15th, 2012
12:16 pm
Jammie, if you can’t manage a simple Google search, you may want to spend your time elsewhere.
Joe Hussein Mama
August 15th, 2012
12:16 pm
Paul — “How come it’s all of a sudden white people who are suddenly all outraged at a metaphor black people seem to have no problem with?”
Because the aforementioned white folk are apparently trying to earn their Associate Victim merit badges.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 15th, 2012
12:16 pm
I am somewhat surprised that black people don’t react more strongly to be being spoken down to in a such a condescending manner
Yes I am sure you are “surprised” that those present did not have the same pout you do because there was no speaking down or condescending manner. But poutrage on. I am also not surprised that your “sensibilities” may not be shared by other people or even groups of people that share a different skin color. Those “sensibilities” seem very skewed.
godless heathen
August 15th, 2012
12:17 pm
Maybe Clueless Joe will come out in black-face with a straw hat and cane for his next show.
C’mon ya’ll, let’s sing ’bout dem chains ya’ll gonna gonna’ be put in by de man.
godless heathen
August 15th, 2012
12:18 pm
because there was no speaking down or condescending manner.
LOL! That’s a good one. Did you see the clip, ya’ll?
TaxPayer
August 15th, 2012
12:18 pm
Republicans need to unshackle their brains and use them for something other than a seperator to allow for sterophonic sound.
RB from Gwinnett
August 15th, 2012
12:20 pm
Paul, because if a republican such as Trent Lott made the same comment, even if it were merely a joke at a birthday party, the left would go absolutely apeshoot about it and we’re suck o the double standard.
Jefferson
August 15th, 2012
12:20 pm
GOP candybutts if you think Joe is offensive…
Paul
August 15th, 2012
12:21 pm
Keep Up
I have a different view, having talked to a number of past and serving LDS folks, some as recently as my last trip. The ‘mansion with servants” thing – each mission area – in Mitt’s time it could have been the entire country or a major chunk of it – is presided over by a guy and his wife who, if not retired, puts his business on hold for a few years to serve. The headquarters for the mission is where he lives, where his assistants (serving missionaries) live and where they inprocess and outprocess new and departing missionaries. It’s also the reception area for any local leaders who want to come and see what’s going on.
Heck, I’ve known a guy for years who served in a South American country. He said half a dozen of them shared a place and they had a cook and a housekeeper. It was a way to promote goodwill by providing jobs to the locals (I remember that because he showed me a picture of the first meal the cook prepared to honor him – guinea pigs).
So the whole ‘mansion and servants” things seems overblown,
As far as who gets called where – they process tens of thousands of those a year. I’ve heard it said – nothing substantiated – that it’s pretty much automated – ‘okay, we’ve got a thousand names to process. First 100 go to Bolivia, second to Japan, third 100 go to Uganda, etc).
Seems as reasonable as all the ‘family connections’ stuff.
BTW – the idea that France is considered a plum assignment – the guys I spoke with take a different view. “Those guys in France or Denmark would be luck to baptize one person their entire mission. Who’d want that? I went to Nigeria and had a lot of success.”
It’s all perspective.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 15th, 2012
12:22 pm
wow, all them sensibilities offended and yet Godless still posts that 12:17….
Even in their poutrage they cannot help but to escalate.
I am sure we’ll hear about how offensive it is for Romney to say we need to “unchain” or “unshackle” the economy.
That Black Guy
August 15th, 2012
12:23 pm
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 15th, 2012
10:02 am
ok, going off topic, we’re safely >150 comments in…
So I troubled my beautiful mind and looked at one of those “Biden sed we wuz gone be in CHAINS!” stories, and I noted that the audience to whom he was making that particular metaphor was about half-black, half-white.
And so I wondered–is that the tipping point? If it had been, say, one-quarter black and three-quarters white, that wouldn’t be considered some kind of race-baiting, but just ordinary electioneering?
Maybe someone who actually cares can clue me in to the rules of engagement c. 2012.
____________________________________________________________________
dB, the easiest way to look at that issue is:
Repub 1 “Biden spoke yesterday”
Repub 2 “What did he say”
Repub 1 “It doesn’t matter, I’m outraged”
Repub 2 “Me too”
When Obama speaks, rinse and repeat, replacing Biden with Obama.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
August 15th, 2012
12:24 pm
let me tell you then – here’s the nugget, faux outrage cons –
people of color can discern the difference between REAL unhinged rage
at the brown man (in the WH) and fake con outrage.
and to think that you cons think we’re dumb enough to fall for
the fake con outrage trick makes us even madder.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 15th, 2012
12:24 pm
TBG @ 12:23 Well said!
Mick
August 15th, 2012
12:26 pm
rb
Politics is a rough and tumble blood sport; so what that biden told the truth, yes lets get republicans back in power so wall street can suck the life out of the world economy again….no regulations and the greed is unchained, didn’t we just live through that? He was making a valid point but all the repubs can do is have a sissy hissy fit…they have no plan but to protect the wealthy imaginary job creators…
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
12:26 pm
How come it’s all of a sudden white people who are suddenly all outraged at a metaphor black people seem to have no problem with?
Good question… any answers?
TaxPayer
August 15th, 2012
12:28 pm
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott issued a written apology Monday evening over his comment that the United States would have avoided “all these problems” if then-segregationist Strom Thurmond had been elected president in 1948.
“A poor choice of words conveyed to some the impression that I embraced the discarded policies of the past,” Lott said. “Nothing could be further from the truth, and I apologize to anyone who was offended by my statement.”
It was just a joke, dammit. It’s not like I’m racist! – A condensed Trent Lott
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 15th, 2012
12:28 pm
Paul, I have no idea. I have not delved into the whole thing deeply. My own perception is that church leaders were likely not ignorant of who he was or who his father was and that the posting was not completely without some influence. But that is pure opinion based on how the world generally works. I’ll leave it to others to investigate and hopefully present evidence.
Mick
August 15th, 2012
12:29 pm
**Good question… any answers?**
Yes…they are grasping at straws…pathetic cry babies…
JamVet
August 15th, 2012
12:30 pm
RB, gutless and lazy, but I would not expect anything else from you.
I was just wondering if you were dumb enough to embarrass yourself by posting it.
Aquagirl
August 15th, 2012
12:31 pm
LOL! That’s a good one. Did you see the clip, ya’ll?
Why should we? The pasty white folk have bravely shouldered the burden of informing darker folk they should be outraged. Because that extra muscle in the African’s thigh makes their brains weaker and they need help figuring who’s dissing them. Or something.
That Black Guy
August 15th, 2012
12:31 pm
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
10:24 am
______________
Do you feel the same way about Clinton as you do about Romney?
Jefferson
August 15th, 2012
12:34 pm
Ryan still can’t bring that woman’s life back. He’s just not that good.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 15th, 2012
12:34 pm
OH NOES! SLIM WHITMAN SINGS UNCHAIN MY HEART!
I. AM. SO. OFFENDED!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ROTORBnRY&feature=fvsr
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 15th, 2012
12:35 pm
FWIW, I have seen the full clip but Godless, why don’t you post it since you seem to think that “seeIng” it will win others to over to your poutrage.
godless heathen
August 15th, 2012
12:35 pm
I am sure we’ll hear about how offensive it is for Romney to say we need to “unchain” or “unshackle” the economy.
The economy is an inanimate object. Clueless Joe was speaking of chaining up people. But we can excuse Joe, he’s VP under one of the black people that he considers “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean”.
Ya’ll might want to consider that ya’ll got a closet racist on your hands.
RB from Gwinnett
August 15th, 2012
12:36 pm
Mick and others, I gave you the answer. Sorry if you’d prefer to change the subject since its obvious you have a different standard for Joe than you have for anybody with an R by their name.
St Simons. You should stop asking me to see “colorblind” until you’re willing to do the same.
Road Scholar
August 15th, 2012
12:36 pm
“Now if we could just rid ourselves of Super PACS.”
Free speech? Then publish who it is that produces these lame ads and funds the candidates. Put their pictures in the paper along with how much they are spending. Super Pacs are just another way for the greedy to alter the will of the people. Who the he!! was stupid enough to pass the legislation?
TaxPayer
August 15th, 2012
12:37 pm
After conferring with Lynn Westmoreland, Republicans have determined that “shackles”, “chains”, AND “uppity” have no racial connotations so long as they are solely used in a political context against President Obama or any other way that they may deem fit as needed..
Joe Hussein Mama
August 15th, 2012
12:37 pm
RB — “its obvious you have a different standard for Joe than you have for anybody with an R by their name.”
That’s an amazing coincidence, since you seem to have one, too.
godless heathen
August 15th, 2012
12:37 pm
Good question… any answers?
I answered. How come you don’t? Is it because Joe Biden serves under “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean” that he gets a pass?
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 15th, 2012
12:38 pm
So this election cycle would best be played out on Jerry Springers stage. Is anyone other than me feel disrespected and insulted by the attacks and victimization of both parties? Like children in the sandbox…Nobody on the left or right will admit to any mistakes by their guys.. How on earth any of you can stand by the idiot Bidens latest comments is absurd and extrodinarily sheepish…
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
August 15th, 2012
12:38 pm
Who the hell unchained that melody????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEshQf-tCJE
Mick
August 15th, 2012
12:39 pm
heathen
I guess it didn’t bother obama none, he chose him for veep…now you on the other hand might be projecting a bit…
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the Left of me Jokers to the Right, here I am...
August 15th, 2012
12:40 pm
RHODE,
Until our spineless elected saps pass an amendment that allows only public money for campaigns, nothing will change..these guys don’t care about us…we are simply pawns in a meaningless, disgusting power fight.
Mick
August 15th, 2012
12:41 pm
rb
I think romney is coming a bit unhinged…defiant about his taxes, does he believe he is entitled to be president on his terms? The people demand more…
Redneck Convert (R--and ;proud of it)
August 15th, 2012
12:42 pm
OH NOES! SLIM WHITMAN SINGS UNCHAIN MY HEART!
Yay! Now we’re getting someplace.
RB from Gwinnett
August 15th, 2012
12:42 pm
Gee Jammie, I would never have guessed you were trying to trick me….
Tool.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
August 15th, 2012
12:43 pm
Clueless Joe was speaking of chaining up people.
And Slim Whitman was singing about the chains around his HEART!
Surely your argument isn’t that a HEART is an inanimate object, is it?
Paul
August 15th, 2012
12:45 pm
Keep
Yeah, I pretty much think it’s a non-issue. Like a number on this blog, I’ve a few LDS friends. What they say when I ask questions like “who goes where?” is “who knows?”
Y’know, there seems to be a pattern here. People spoke of their own past racial prejudices, then they get to know people of different races and attitudes change. People speak of their own stereotypes and such against gays, then they find out a years-long friend or a family member is gay and attitudes change. Seems to play out here with religious differences, too, whether it be Mormon or Muslim or whatever, except we’re hearing an awful lot from some (one?) who seems to have a…. limited circle of acquaintances.
Brosephus™
August 15th, 2012
12:46 pm
So, if Biden’s statement about the chains were bad, what does Romney’s statements in hinting at the “Angry Black Man” say?
“This is what an angry and desperate presidency looks like. President Obama knows better, promised better, and America deserves better,”
….
“Mr. President, take your campaign of division and anger and hate back to Chicago and let us get about rebuilding and reuniting America.”
Was Romney trying to hint at Obama being an “Angry Black Man”?? I seriously doubt it. Just as I seriously doubt Biden meant that Romney’s gonna break out leg irons if he gets elected.
Bernie
August 15th, 2012
12:46 pm
godless heathen @12:03 pm – Obviously, you do not understand his real disagreement with the U.S.Government over his draft to Vietnam. As with many African Americans during that time struggled with the issue of fighting on behalf of a Nation and its majority citizens, who clearly at the time had no interest in allowing African Americans a seat at the table to achieve the American Dream. We clearly saw the claims , as they were then and as we do now of “FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM” as a hollow and untruthful claim, yet we were not fully FREE here! and it
really did not change until the late 1960’s. Many will say, it still has not changed and there appears to be a concerted effort even to reverse some of those modest changes today! Clearly and without showing any reservation by the Republican and Tea Party and its supporters.
African Americans across this entire Nation during that time were being DISCRIMINATED against in every sector of American Culture, OPENLY and with HATEFUL VENGEANCE.
The most recent legislative moves by the Republican Governors and Republican led states even more solidify that belief when we see laws that are clearly enacted to suppress and prevent minority Voter turnout!
I know there will be HOWLS of disagreement….Unfortunately, this is where we are as a NATION…AGAIN in 2012!
The Republicans and Baggers, would rather support open and fair voting in IRAQ! than they would other Americans!
Maybe, we should get our thumbs dipped in PURPLE INK too, being that was all that was needed for them to be happy for the IRAQIS to be able to vote freely there!
America…… was not doing its part and living up to its often self professed stated and claimed Values then! Many are starting to question its willingness to do so NOW!
Aquagirl
August 15th, 2012
12:47 pm
Surely your argument isn’t that a HEART is an inanimate object, is it?
If you’re the party of Dick Cheney, yes. In so many ways.
Doggone/GA
August 15th, 2012
12:47 pm
“My sensibilities weren’t hurt by Clueless Joe’s inane comment. I am somewhat surprised that black people don’t react more strongly to be being spoken down to in a such a condescending manner. Ya’ll”
Maybe because “chaining” has just as strong a connotation of criminality? Ever heard of a “chain gang”? They weren’t called that for fun.