The biggest scandal in 50 years, right before your eyes
If you start naming the biggest political scandals of the past 50 years, Watergate and Bill Clinton’s “I did not have sex with that woman” mistake would have to be included. So would Ronald Reagan’s decision to secretly trade arms for hostages, along with the mass deception and self-deception perpetrated by the Bush administration to get us into Iraq.
However, while presidents Nixon and Clinton were led astray by their weakness for power and sex, neither consciously put the security of the country at risk. Reagan made a serious mistake, but he was at least motivated by sincere concern for the lives of U.S. hostages. The invasion of Iraq is a closer call, but even there, President Bush and his administration weren’t consciously choosing to do damage to our country.
By that standard, the most disturbing political scandal of the past half century is playing out today before our very eyes, to too little notice or comprehension. Marc Thiessen, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld and now a columnist for the Washington Post, lays the plot out there for everyone to see:
“Today, Obama is perfectly willing to go over the fiscal cliff and blame the GOP for the resulting tax increases on the middle class. But when it comes to the debt limit, he does not have that luxury. He can’t default on our debt — the consequences are too catastrophic. So in the end he will cave.
Indeed, he would have caved during the last debt-limit stand-off, in the summer of 2011. According to Bob Woodward, when Obama told his advisers he intended to veto the debt-limit bill the Republican-controlled House had passed, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told him he couldn’t — that if Republicans didn’t give in, he had no choice but to sign their bill. “You can’t veto,” Geithner reportedly told Obama, because the consequences “would be indelible, incurable. It would last for generations.”
Republicans had Obama cornered and didn’t know it — so they let him off the hook. When the next debt-limit increase comes in February, they will know better. The president’s current negotiating leverage dissipates as soon as we go over the fiscal cliff. Come February, the tables will be turned — and Republicans will hold all the cards in the debt-limit negotiations.”
If I may, I would like to offer a pithier but still entirely accurate version of Thiessen’s advice to Republicans*:
That fool Obama cares too much about what happens to this country and its people. That is his fatal weakness. You, on the other hand, don’t care about “catastrophic” consequences that would be “indelible, incurable” and “last for generations.” Your amorality is your strength. Use it to demand what you want, or else.
Maybe it’s just me, but I find the whole idea extraordinary. Since when is the willingness to inflict “indelible, incurable” damage on our country something to be bragged about and used as leverage? Since when is it OK for a major political party to hold a gun to the country’s head, figuratively speaking of course? Has patriotism become so diluted by cynicism that such strategies can now be publicly embraced and advocated?
And of course, it’s not just some former speechwriter advocating this strategy. This is the course that the Washington Republican establishment seems ready to adopt. As Sen. Lindsey Graham told Fox Monday, “In February or March you have to raise the debt ceiling. And I can tell you this, there is a hardening on the Republican side. We’re not going to raise the debt ceiling.”
You’re not? What’s next? “We won’t pay the troops, even if it leaves the nation defenseless, unless you surrender to us on the budget?” How would that be substantively different?
Of course, Republicans have talked themselves into believing that this is all justified. They are so absolutely certain that they are correct about the budget that they are willing to knock the United States to its knees to get their way. It requires an enormous amount of self-righteousness and grandiosity to think that way, but they seem up to the task.
Somehow, it doesn’t seem to have crossed their minds that the U.S. Constitution offers an alternative means of resolving such disputes. It’s called free and open debate. It’s called elections. We just had one, focused largely on the issues at stake here; they spent well over $1 billion trying to sell their viewpoint, and they lost.
Now, having failed to convince the rest of their country of their wisdom, they believe that their desperation gives them the right to impose it under threat of grievous harm?
That isn’t leadership. That isn’t patriotism. It is the act of a petulant, frustrated three-year-old threatening to hold his breath until the country turns blue.
Which, now that I think about it, it may very well do.
– Jay Bookman
* A more risque, profane and metaphorical version of the strategy is available here.
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762 comments Add your comment
alex
December 11th, 2012
12:32 pm
@ Corbin: “i’m dreamin’ of a White Christmas….”
Detroit: unemployment 10.7% 6% sales tax, 6.85% income tax, household income 29,000
West point, ga. (Home of Kia) unemployment 10.1%, 7% sales tax,6% income tax,household income 35,000
Cost of living virtually the same
You decide, but ..I forgot, Detroit has SNOW days for the kids…
curious
December 11th, 2012
12:34 pm
Hannity, Limbaugh, and Boortz dropped out of college in order to serve their country in the military.
Right?
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
12:34 pm
they both suck,
Here ya go. Doomy laying down the BOOM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufb6T-av-rU
Corbin Sharpe. Baby Boomer leech...and earned it!
December 11th, 2012
12:36 pm
Hannity, Limbaugh, and Boortz would better serve their country by leaving it…
Paul
December 11th, 2012
12:37 pm
Sinkwich
“Democratic lawmakers have joined with Republicans in raising alarm about a looming ObamaCare-tied tax on medical devices, saying the additional tax is causing “uncertainty and confusion for businesses” and should be delayed.””
Looming?
Looming?
I discussed this with my brother, a senior exec in the health industry.
He wasn’t concerned about it. Just said ‘they’ve got to get the revenue from somewhere.’
BTW, Sink, just how do you think people without health insurance or with preexisting conditions had their expenses covered in the past?
I’d really like to hear what you think on that one.
But as with JamVet and the insurance company, I’m not expecting a reply.
Leastwise, one that answers the question.
MAC
December 11th, 2012
12:37 pm
The systematic looting of the federal, state and local governments by public employees unions aided and abetted by politicians (mostly but not all Dems) for short-term political gains is a much bigger scandal and has much greater financial impact in the next 20 years than the over-hyped fiscal cliff and, for that matter, the social security and medicare solvency.
The election of Obama wasn’t a blank check and the House is doing its duty of checks and balances to allow a balanced discussion. Yes some taxes need to be raised, but both sides need to quit posturing and do what’s right and I find it very partisan and disingenuous, Jay, that you would encourage us all to be sycophants to the Obama one-sided agenda that has consistently put politics and donor rewards first(he cares too much about the country, really??).
Adam
December 11th, 2012
12:38 pm
Thulsa Doom: But still costing us right?
As much as loan guarantees cost, maybe. Which, in the end, is a pretty low or negative cost. It should also be noted that the government’s record on these loan guarantees, whether you look just at green energy or at ALL of the loan guarantees, have a better track record of companies not defaulting than the private equity firms. That is true whether you look at one company or all of them aggregated. Have a look see if you don’t believe me. I have a link or two in my now defunct laptop, so I cannot get that for you right now, but I trust you know how to use The Google.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
12:39 pm
They both suck,
How ya like some of the lyrics?
I know you know, I see you bowing to me,
Well its allright. Its allright
Boom, here comes the boom,
Ready or not here comes the voice of the south
Boom. Here comes the Boom,
Ready or not how you like me now
I said Boom, here comes the boom,
Ready or not here comes the voice of the south
Boom. Here comes the Boom. How you like me now?
Is that all you got?
Ha Ha. I’ll take your best shot.
I’ll take your best shot.
Is that all you got? I’ll take your best shot.
alex
December 11th, 2012
12:39 pm
@ Joe,” …General Bill’……the ladies in waiting won’t be waiting for long……..
DwayneL
December 11th, 2012
12:39 pm
The election and re-election of the fool in the White House is the biggest scandal in my lifetime! He’s destroying this country and some are too dumb to see it.
Adam
December 11th, 2012
12:39 pm
Thulsa: By the way, while you are NOT looking up information in order to stay better informed, look up the term “epistemic closure” and then look in the mirror.
"Poor" Cons Defending "Wealthy" Cons.....Ain't That Rich
December 11th, 2012
12:42 pm
@obamaSINLADEN
December 11th, 2012
12:17 pm
…they believe that their desperation gives them the right to impose it under threat of grievous harm?
u mean like when the dems RAMMED socialized(tax payer funded by feds stealing a persons hard earned money before that person can get it) health “care”? down this countrys throat?? wheres ur tolerance?
=============================================
WHY are “POOR” cons who don’ t have a pot to p!$$ in
DEFENDING “WEALTHY” cons who HAVE IT ALL?
Is it WEALTH ENVY?
Ain’t That Rich?
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
12:42 pm
DwayneL — “He’s destroying this country and some are too dumb to see it.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranoia#Use_in_modern_psychiatry
Corbin Sharpe. Baby Boomer leech...and earned it!
December 11th, 2012
12:43 pm
This Doomy and his “BOOM”…
http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Wile_5ad325_497874.gif
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
12:44 pm
“Which, in the end, is a pretty low or negative cost.”
How do you figure that Adam? And if its a low or negative cost then hell lets just give loan guarantees to everyone.
“It should also be noted that the government’s record on these loan guarantees, whether you look just at green energy or at ALL of the loan guarantees, have a better track record of companies not defaulting than the private equity firms. That is true whether you look at one company or all of them aggregated.”
Irrelevant. It should also be noted that when a private equity firm loses money they are losing folks like Mitt Romney’s money which I’m cool with. When the govt loses money they are losing Joe taxpayer’s money. You do understand the difference right?
alex
December 11th, 2012
12:45 pm
@ MAC…you’re quite the KNIFE, agree,but Jay is an Obama syncophant, tried and true;glass half empty kind of guy, agree that both sides need to bend and adapt…
@ Corbin I’ve actually heards that Boortz really just considers himself to be an entertainer anyway
Georgia
December 11th, 2012
12:45 pm
Gridlock. Better to do nothing than to aggravate a symptom. Let Uncle Sam go full Thelma and Louise. (Who both spit, by the way, not swallow.)
Tea Party Meber
December 11th, 2012
12:46 pm
2 heck with Obama Bin Laden his goal is 2 tax us all to death so he can keep people on welfare cuz he no they will vote 4 him again. I dont no why so many suport him when hs is a terrist I saw a video somewhere on U tube that proofs he is a terrist and has ties to Sadam and Bin Landen
Erwin's cat
December 11th, 2012
12:47 pm
Adam – Excuse me, paying back their loans faster than expected, therefore costing taxpayers 46% less?
just a matter of point, the taxpayers are getting LESS money in return than expected…because less interest is paid…just sayin
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
12:47 pm
“By the way, while you are NOT looking up information in order to stay better informed,”
Not intended to be a factual or proveable statement. More like mindless, baseless rhetoric.
Adam, look up the term “useful idiot” and then look in the mirror.
Chris Matthews
December 11th, 2012
12:49 pm
Obama is he worst President in American History!
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
12:49 pm
Ya’ll do lemme know when we have to bail out these nonunionized plants down here to the tune of mega billions.
We’re more likely to bail out the states for the revenue losses before we bail out a foreign owned company. Seems like somebody’s brain went…
B
O
O
M
!
guy
December 11th, 2012
12:50 pm
Raise taxes and raise the debt ceiling. That’s what “the anointed one” wants so be it. With 49% of people receiving some form of government assistance each month that’s a must. It will only get worse as more get on the bandwagon so even higher taxes will be needed. Also, obamacare will take even more. That’s what “his” people voted for so let the hair go with the hide. Of course,those who never pay in have no clue or don’t care where it comes from. You can’t fix _ _ _ _ _ _!
Tea Party Meber
December 11th, 2012
12:52 pm
UR wrong the bigest scandel is Obama Bin Laden refussing 2 show his birt certeficate 2 Americas. Ever 1 no he is a terrist there is a video on the internet that proof it.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 11th, 2012
12:53 pm
OH NOES! THE DJIA HAS MOVED ANOTHER 115 POINTS AND WE ARE FCREWN!
Wait.
What’s that?
The DJIA has moved UP 115 points?
Never mind.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 11th, 2012
12:53 pm
“With 49% of people receiving some form of government assistance each month that’s a must.”
why do you hate the military?
why do you hate seniors that have contributed to SS all their lives?
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
12:55 pm
USinner
I don’t think it’s hate as much as it’s government assistance envy.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
12:56 pm
guy — “With 49% of people receiving some form of government assistance each month that’s a must.”
You should register your displeasure IMMEDIATELY by never driving on 75, 85 or 285 again.
Stick it to the Man, guy!
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
12:57 pm
“We’re more likely to bail out the states for the revenue losses before we bail out a foreign owned company. Seems like somebody’s brain went…”
Exactly! Thanks for making my point for me- that we won’t have to bail these people out! I love it when folks can make my points for me and do it with an emphatic B O O M. Well done Bro. And tanks!
getalife
December 11th, 2012
12:57 pm
“Thelma and Louise. (Who both spit, by the way, not swallow.)”
How do you know?
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
December 11th, 2012
12:57 pm
Well, I don’t mean to be the fly in the ointment here but if Limberger, Boorz and Hannity ever got took into the army and got handed a rifle you’d need a super-dooper elephant scooper and the NY City Sanitation Department to clean up the stuff that would run down their pants leg.
They BOTH suck
December 11th, 2012
12:59 pm
Kam
I’m sure you noticed that the two of our regulars who were touting the DJ going down after the election as a wall street sign about Obama do not seem to be mentioning it anymore.
What they both failed to mention (I think they both work or worked in the financial industry at one time) is that those decreases were done via low trading days with high volumes. Meaning certain segments were attempting to prove a point, not “investors” across the board. If it had been high trade, high volume days of both individual and institutional investors that would have been a different story, but it wasn’t.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 11th, 2012
12:59 pm
“I don’t think it’s hate as much as it’s government assistance envy”
so envious they misrepresent what’s “assistance” and what’s something they’ve actually paid into their entire working lives …
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:00 pm
The gop and their cons are having a nervous breakdown.
These words from kid rock keep repeating in their heads.
“I am American bad azz”
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
1:00 pm
Doom — “I love it when folks can make my points for me and do it with an emphatic B O O M. Well done Bro. And tanks!”
So your point is that foreign companies giving Americans jobs is better than American companies giving Americans jobs because we wouldn’t bail out a foreign company if it went belly-up?
I don’t think that’s what you mean, but that appears to be what you’re saying.
JamVet
December 11th, 2012
1:01 pm
guy, how much government assistance do you get every month?
(Think before answering.)
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
1:02 pm
Thanks for making my point for me- that we won’t have to bail these people out! I love it when folks can make my points for me and do it with an emphatic B O O M. Well done Bro. And tanks!
And thanks for acknowledging the fact that these non-union plants are a revenue loss for the states that are giving away the kitchen sink for the chance of getting those few jobs. I didn’t make your point nearly to the point that you made mine.
Check and Mate!!!!
williebkind
December 11th, 2012
1:03 pm
JamVet
December 11th, 2012
1:01 pm
Are you referring to my tax returns in various ways?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 11th, 2012
1:03 pm
BOTH
Of course, and the markets are by definition reactionary moving on any number of factors.
Mr Right
December 11th, 2012
1:04 pm
The gop and their cons are having a nervous breakdown.
The guy in the WH is enough to give any decent American a nervous breakdown!
JamVet
December 11th, 2012
1:04 pm
willie, think it over. All of it.
How much do you get?
This is not a trick question…
guy
December 11th, 2012
1:05 pm
Joe Hussein Mama I have a scooter that the government got for me and I receive $1,500.00 each month plus free healthcare. I don’t need 75,85, or 285. I am doing quite well,thank you!
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:06 pm
Mr. wrong.
w is gone.
We made it.
It was a close call.
Lets not repeat that mistake kay?
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:06 pm
guy,
Hoveround?
Mick
December 11th, 2012
1:08 pm
The next fifty years of america, what will it look like? Well, there are way too many who want the demise of unions and along with that goes a decent wage, healthcare and god forbid, a pension! Fools rush in and I’m sorry but all you bloggers out there in your 20’s, 30’s, god willing, you will get old but you just might rue the day you proclaimed unions were “not needed anymore”. If anything, they keep right to work state wages somewhat competitive without the benefits.
Good luck – I’m set, how about you???
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
1:08 pm
guy — “Joe Hussein Mama I have a scooter that the government got for me and I receive $1,500.00 each month plus free healthcare. I don’t need 75,85, or 285. I am doing quite well,thank you!”
So you b!tch about others getting government assistance while receiving it yourself?
Take a hike, ya freakin’ hypocrite.
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:09 pm
Wait a minute, guy just admitted he is a leech.
Where is nero or waldo?
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
1:12 pm
getalife — “Wait a minute, guy just admitted he is a leech. Where is nero or waldo?”
Or Bruno, for that matter. He left Jay’s permanently shortly after he admitted that he doesn’t have health insurance himself and that he hasn’t for most of his adult life.
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:13 pm
At least guy admitted he is a leech.
Now, all you other cons need to be honest like guy and admit you are leeches too.
Confess, repent and all is well on the blog.
Georgia
December 11th, 2012
1:13 pm
The right is sending out another wave of justification to the talk shows and actually getting laughed off the sets. They have to form New language. Meltdown city. Postcards from the cliff. Pundit interrupted. Much.
alex
December 11th, 2012
1:14 pm
@ they both suck: what they should mean that anyone who gets ANYTHING out of daily or weekly fluctuations in the market should NOT be in it and should HAVE to read and take notes on “A Random Walk Down Wallstreet”… all you day traders–good luck …..
Fly-On-The-Wall
December 11th, 2012
1:15 pm
If guys comments are really true then he may have been one of those Tea Party types holding up the sign that said keep the government out of my medicare.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:16 pm
Well, I don’t mean to be the fly in the ointment here but it looks like pencil neck convert needs some new and funnier material.
L
A
M
E
!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 11th, 2012
1:17 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
Bruno did the blog suicide thingie here forcing Jay to ban him. He was over at Kyle’s trying to be the alpha dog, but he hasn’t been there much post election.
Jefferson
December 11th, 2012
1:17 pm
I like to hear crying at Christmas, could you pout too ?
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:19 pm
I have not seen Bruno at Kyle’s too.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
1:20 pm
K’Chak — “Bruno did the blog suicide thingie here forcing Jay to ban him.”
Oh, I did not know that. I recall Bruno’s revelation that he didn’t have health insurance, followed by a WALL of scorn and obloquy aimed at him, and then I just didn’t see him any more after another week or so. I figured that his bit of truth had pretty much destroyed whatever credibility he had built up here.
“He was over at Kyle’s trying to be the alpha dog, but he hasn’t been there much post election.”
I’m sure he and Cryberius were tussling mightily over who would be the pack leader, much as a pair of fluffy bunnies scuffle over who gets the freshest and greenest leaf of lettuce.
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
Government bought guy’s scooter so he could hold up those signs at the tea party.
I remember a con kook yelling and screaming at a disabled American in a wheelchair and thought they could not get any scummier than that.
I was wrong.
They BOTH suck
December 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
alex
My point was that some very large stakeholders in the market made a point after the election, but even those “institutions” are back on board in terms of the “market”. Some on this blog took the decreases and asserted it was some HUGE NEGATIVE SIGN from wall street and said as much.
Now that it is going back up, it may as well be “Silent Night” from those who were making those assertions.
Pretty damn funny if you ask me.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:24 pm
Bruno envy…
They BOTH suck
December 11th, 2012
1:24 pm
get, kam & JHM
More of an echo chamber over there on most days than here. Not as much opportunity to mix it up, so I figured Bruno got bored.
Mick
December 11th, 2012
1:25 pm
Kyle’s place; populated by exiled bookman screeders or otherwise known as the island of misfit bloggers…
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 11th, 2012
1:26 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
It was in the early morning hours of the SCOTUS decision over the health care law and Bruno came in and spiked the ball about 1:30 in the morning. When the actual ruling came down, he lost it. An epic melt-down.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
1:26 pm
Doom — “Bruno envy…”
Only if you’ll admit to Librul Envy, son.
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:27 pm
“so I figured Bruno got bored”
Probably but he did try to bring the music over there.
I wish him and Platinum Blonde well.
They BOTH suck
December 11th, 2012
1:28 pm
Bro & Thulsa
What’s up with the Saban to Cleveland rumors?
Probably like the Miles to Arkansas rumor. Easy ploy for another fat raise, but who knows.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
1:28 pm
K’Chak — “It was in the early morning hours of the SCOTUS decision over the health care law and Bruno came in and spiked the ball about 1:30 in the morning. When the actual ruling came down, he lost it. An epic melt-down.”
Oh, man, I remember that day. I had like three different medical appointments that day, and the news broke over the radio while I was driving between the first and second appointment.
I was *so* wishing that I could have been participating in the disussion that day.
They BOTH suck
December 11th, 2012
1:31 pm
get
But I must admit Little Brain and Criberius are good for laughs when reading their consistent meltdowns.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:32 pm
“Only if you’ll admit to Librul Envy, son.”
I don’t think its not possible to envy a toy punkin.
JKL2
December 11th, 2012
1:32 pm
usinuk- why do you hate the military?
That’s called a paycheck, not assistance. Big difference.
getalife
December 11th, 2012
1:35 pm
Both,
Dave has not changed his argument style.
It always is an insult followed by you don’t know what “_______” means.
Old and tired.
lil bar is just your basic con kook.
Nothing is the gop’s fault and uses the old tired deflection of blame.
That blog can bore you to death.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:38 pm
they both suck,
I can’t see it unless he’s just gotten bored with winning. He did make the comment the other day that winning doesn’t bring as much joy anymore because of the automatic expectation of a win. It doesn’t mean as much. But its hard to see him jumping ship this late in life and to a miserable climate like Cleveland. So many great college and pro jobs have come and gone in his 6 years with no interest from Saban that its hard to see him taking this job. And both he and his wife have both stated so many times that they’re done moving and that this is the last stop that it seems implausible. Nevertheless if he decided to go I would be cool with it. He would leave us with 3 national titles, scores of top tier recruting talent still on board, and a future head coach in Kirby Smart that we hope and think would keep us at or near the top. He’s not going to be around forever. My feeling is that he will retire before he moves again. I’m just happy that the program has been resurrected to the heights it has been known for.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 11th, 2012
1:40 pm
Doom — “I don’t think its not possible to envy a toy punkin.”
What a fortuitous use of the double negative on your part, son.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
December 11th, 2012
1:40 pm
Jay: It’s called elections. We just had one, focused largely on the issues at stake here; they spent well over $1 billion trying to sell their viewpoint, and they lost. Now, having failed to convince the rest of their country of their wisdom, they believe that their desperation gives them the right to impose it under threat of grievous harm?
Jay — I’d LOVE to live in your world. I mean, look around the country…….where have you been for the past 20+ years?
Republicans have been shoving sh###t down our throats for years:
* In Michigan — Right to Work
* In Wisconsin – teacher’s Union
* In Florida / Wisconsin / South Carolina / Mississippi and Louisiana — Voter Suppression
* In Georgia — (this list is so long but I’ll pick the one I like best) – Forcing taxpayers to pay for a stadium they don’t want or need.
I can go on but you get the theme. This has been happening for a long time; it’s a concentrated, systemic assault on our fundamental freedoms and rights.
The republicans have taken everything away that they can from us, and given us Honey Boo-Boo to keep us occupied.
//DDR Driveby///
imjustsayin
December 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
It’s also called extortion ( see defination #2 below). If Republican’s carry out their threat then Obama should then send in the federal marshal’s to arrest those voting to damage the full faith and credit of the United States. Remember, by raising the debt ceiling, you increase the funds to pay your bills outstanding, NOT an authorization to spend more money.
ex·tor·tion /ɪkˈstɔr ʃən/ Show Spelled [ik-stawr-shuh n] Show IPA
noun
1. an act or instance of extorting.
2. Law. the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one’s office or authority.
3. oppressive or illegal exaction, as of excessive price or interest: the extortions of usurers.
4. anything extorted.
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
1:42 pm
What’s up with the Saban to Cleveland rumors?
Sounds like wishful thinking amongst those who don’t want to be dominated by the Tide. Seems as though, if that were to happen, Kirby Smart would keep things going the way they currently are going.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:43 pm
they both suck,
The other thing about these newspaper rumors is that I think sometimes its just a writer trying to make a splash or stir things up to sell papers. The Les Miles to Arky thing is ridiculous. Why in the hell would you leave LSU to go to Arky? Louisiana has a vastly more fertile recruiting area, a bigger stadium with better facilities, a top notch committment to coaching pay, etc. Going to Ark would be a significant downgrade for Miles.
guy
December 11th, 2012
1:43 pm
Thanks for all your comments about the scooter,etc. I love it! Keep working for ME! obama’s gonna give ME MORE!!!!! Bless America and keep those taxes coming in!
Welcome to the Occupation
December 11th, 2012
1:43 pm
MAC: “The systematic looting of the federal, state and local governments by public employees unions aided and abetted by politicians”
Wow, sounds just terrible! We better get something done about that. And soon!
Hey by the way, do you have figures on the looting? How much dough did they pocket?
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
1:44 pm
They BOTH
http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2012/12/scarbinsky_4.html
Interview w/Mrs. Saban
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 11th, 2012
1:46 pm
Have the SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS! ever had any scandals?
Adam
December 11th, 2012
1:47 pm
Thulsa: How do you figure that Adam? And if its a low or negative cost then hell lets just give loan guarantees to everyone.
Your argument here is as useless as “Hey if we can allow gay people to marry why don’t we just let people marry dogs too?”
No one is talking about indiscriminately giving out loan guarantees. On the contrary, the government’s record shows they scrutinize who they give loans to a lot more carefully than private firms. Which, by the way, is NOT irrelevant, because it shows the government doesn’t choose to go the risky route nearly as often as a private investor would.
That’s an important comparison for the sake of highlighting the government’s prudence. Solyndra is a SMALL issue compared to the other companies that got loans under the same program and are paying the money back. There is very little risk to the tax payer and because of that, you can very clearly make the case that the government is actually a GOOD steward of the money the tax payers are paying.
And as to your other rant, I’ll concede that you didn’t request that I look up the information for you and therefore seemingly accepted my explanation as to why my ready links are not available. From our past conversations, it would seem you have evolved at least that far.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:47 pm
” In Michigan — Right to Work”
Nothing wrong with freedom from union bullying.
“* In Wisconsin – teacher’s Union”
Everybody’s got to share some pain to balance the state budget. Even state employees. Nothing wrong with that.
“* In Florida / Wisconsin / South Carolina / Mississippi and Louisiana — Voter Suppression”
Pure gobbledeegook
“* In Georgia — (this list is so long but I’ll pick the one I like best) – Forcing taxpayers to pay for a stadium they don’t want or need.”
Sure. Uh-huh. And they’ve never forced taxpayers to front money for a stadium in a blue city or state. Jeez. What a laughably silly point.
Erwin's cat
December 11th, 2012
1:48 pm
DDR –
In Michigan — Right to Work
…..This has been happening for a long time; it’s a concentrated, systemic assault on our fundamental freedoms and rights.
How is a right-to-work state an assault on your rights exactly?
Adam
December 11th, 2012
1:48 pm
Is TBG here? I t-ed him up quite nicely to rant at me for a backhanded compliment in my last paragraph
Fly-On-The-Wall
December 11th, 2012
1:48 pm
What’s really sad with all of this Republican government led union busting is that this battle was fought 100 years ago and now we’re going to have to fight it again. Sad, truly sad.
Adam
December 11th, 2012
1:48 pm
Paying union dues as part of a membership in a union is not union bullying, Thulsa.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 11th, 2012
1:49 pm
WASHINGTON —
The government is investigating whether software companies that make cellphone apps violated the privacy rights of children by quietly collecting personal information from mobile devices and sharing it with advertisers and data brokers, the Federal Trade Commission said Monday.
Yes, we will try to protect our children
alex
December 11th, 2012
1:49 pm
@ they both suck ..you are right they BOTH suck..
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
1:50 pm
Have the SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS! ever had any scandals?
Yes.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/07/20/alabama-still-collecting-tax-for-confederate-veterans/
The last of the more than 60,000 Confederate veterans who came home to Alabama after the Civil War died generations ago, yet residents are still paying a tax that supported the neediest among them.
Despite fire-and-brimstone opposition to taxes among many in a state that still has “Heart of Dixie” on its license plates, officials never stopped collecting a property tax that once funded the Alabama Confederate Soldiers’ Home, which closed 72 years ago. The tax now pays for Confederate Memorial Park, which sits on the same 102-acre tract where elderly veterans used to stroll.
The tax once brought in millions for Confederate pensions, but lawmakers sliced up the levy and sent money elsewhere as the men and their wives died. No one has seriously challenged the continued use of the money for a memorial to the “Lost Cause,” in part because few realize it exists; one long-serving black legislator who thought the tax had been done away with said he wants to eliminate state funding for the park.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:50 pm
“On the contrary, the government’s record shows they scrutinize who they give loans to a lot more carefully than private firms.”
And your mind still seems incapable of understanding that if a private equity firm loses Mitt Romney’s money then they’ve lost Mitt’s cash- a private investor. If the Federal govt loses money on Solyndra or any of the various other failed green companies they lost taxpayer money. How many times does this have to be explained to you before you understand?
They BOTH suck
December 11th, 2012
1:50 pm
Bro
I don’t think he will leave, especially with the great situation he is in, but we are taking Saban. Isn’t like he has been known to keep his word in the past, which of course many coaches also fit that category.
Heard it this morning and my thoughts were that a big raise was coming his way. My numbers could be wrong, but I heard that revenue for football and football related activities has doubled since Saban showed up at Bama. That is impressive for anyone or any school.
Adam
December 11th, 2012
1:51 pm
Unions are already going to die. Too few workers see the value in them anymore. I just hope they realize that the step AFTER dismantling unions is to roll back all the worker rights that were achieved because of their existence, and the only way to maintain those rights is for unions to exist again. It would sure be funny to see what the Republicans try next once workers actually DO volunteer their money to the unions.
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
1:51 pm
Nothing wrong with freedom from union bullying.
Obviously nothing wrong with sanctioning freeloading either.
They BOTH suck
December 11th, 2012
1:52 pm
alex
I lean left, but have no misconceptions that Democrats handle power and overall governing any better than the Republicans.
Adam
December 11th, 2012
1:52 pm
Thulsa: And your mind still seems incapable of understanding that if a private equity firm loses Mitt Romney’s money then they’ve lost Mitt’s cash- a private investor. If the Federal govt loses money on Solyndra or any of the various other failed green companies they lost taxpayer money. How many times does this have to be explained to you before you understand?
I understand that fully and do not deny that. The point I am making is a different one. And it seems you are deliberately avoiding it in favor of hyperbole.
Erwin's cat
December 11th, 2012
1:52 pm
Paying union dues as part of a membership in a union is not union bullying
Being required to join a union and pay dues is bullying…or extortion
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
1:53 pm
They BOTH
He recently signed an extension that will have him coaching in Tuscaloosa to somewhere near 70 years old. In the link I posted, Mrs. Saban stated that they love Alabama to the point of retiring there. Her interview doesn’t sound like she’s planning on moving again.
Thulsa Doom
December 11th, 2012
1:54 pm
Adam, Being forced to join a union that you don’t want to join in order to work is bullying Adam. Is there something you don’t understand about that?
Brosephus™
December 11th, 2012
1:54 pm
Being required to join a union and pay dues is bullying…or extortion
That has been against the law for a good while now. Nobody can be forced to join a union or pay dues.