Toward the beginning of his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama said we need a “smarter government,” not a “bigger government.” He then proceeded to request a long wish list of new government programs that make clear that, in his mind, the only smarter government is a bigger one.
So, we would have the federal government providing everything from universal pre-K to a network of manufacturing hubs to rebuilt bridges to refinanced homes — none of which is a bad thing, but also none of which require the involvement of a federal government already well beyond its ability to pay for the things it already tries to do. His assertion that this wish list would not add “a single dime” to the deficit didn’t pass the laugh test, particularly when administration officials after the speech declined to provide cost estimates for the new programs.
One can only guess his proposals won’t add “a single dime” to the deficit because they would, instead, add many billions if not trillions of dollars to it.
But if you missed the speech, fear not. You have heard every thought in it before; it was a pastiche of speeches he’s given over the past four years. I wouldn’t even say last night’s rendition was better than all the other times he’s given it. The only unifying theme was that Washington needs to do more. The only memorable moment came toward the end, when the president employed his familiar cadence of repeating a particular phrase time and again — this time, it was to say the various victims of gun violence he mentioned by name “deserve a vote” on his gun-control proposals. It will have zero effect on policy making. It was campaign-rally, rah-rah stuff.
If you expected anything different, you haven’t been paying attention. If tax dollars are still paying for a White House speechwriter to recycle the same ideas and phrases, then what Americans “deserve” is a refund.
The GOP response from Sen. Marco Rubio was the party’s strongest counter-argument yet during the Obama presidency. If you missed it, you might not see much about it in the news beyond the (admittedly awkward) moment during the middle of it when a clearly parched Rubio reached quickly for a bottle of water. As someone said on Twitter at the time — I lost track of exactly who it was — that’s largely a function of how a speech given to a camera is inherently inferior to one given to a live audience, during which the speaker can pause during applause to take a quick swig. Rubio’s Water(bottle)gate was but the latest reminder of that fact, which has dogged SOTU respondents from both parties for years now.
Those who can look past that moment will find the reasons Republicans are so excited about Rubio as a future presidential candidate. He makes the case for conservative principles with illustrations, and from angles, that are necessary to cast them in their proper light: as principles that can boost Americans of all backgrounds and income levels. This was a case Mitt Romney did not, and perhaps could not, make effectively. Rubio is obviously fluent in conservative ideals and language in a way that neither Romney not John McCain was. His ethnicity is icing on the cake.
– By Kyle Wingfield
403 comments Add your comment
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
5:54 am
One of the primary reasons I didn’t watch President Incompetent last night, Kyle.
Heard it all before (every speech in the last four years in fact), including the “it won’t add to the deficit” stuff.
The guy is a broken record.
Joel Edge
February 13th, 2013
6:07 am
Same old, same old.
“invests in broad-based growth” = spend.
GB101
February 13th, 2013
6:27 am
I felt bad for Rubio. He had dry mouth and the set up made it awkward for him to get a sip of water. Been there. Should have had a podium with a bottle of water handy, so he could have paused, taken a short sip and resumed.
Aynie Sue
February 13th, 2013
6:36 am
Kyle, we surely didn’t listen to the same speeches.
The President laid out proposals to get America moving in the 21st Century: education, infrastructure improvement, reasonable gun control, and fair pay for work done. These are the things that only government can do, and should do. These things can be financed by eliminating outrageous favors and loopholes in the tax laws, and trimming unnecessary military spending..
Rubio, on the other hand, repeated the stale GOP mantra of smaller government, less revenue. Nothing new, nothing to stimulate a slow economy, nothing to correct the negligence of our young people, nothing to repair and expand our infrastructure, nothing to boost the pay of millions of people who work for wages too low to cover their basic needs.
Rubio is just a pretty young face fronting the ugly, self-serving old curmudgeons who run his political party.
Our country achieved greatness through expansion, not austerity. We can’t save our way out of a sluggish economy; we must invest to put more people to work on useful jobs, which, in turn, will attract private investment in job-creating enterprises. The President knows how. Rubio wants to obstruct progress for no good reason other than a smaller government for a growing and needy population.
JDW
February 13th, 2013
6:39 am
@Kyle…”The GOP response from Sen. Marco Rubio was the party’s strongest counter-argument yet ”
You must have watched the Spanish version and it must have been WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better than the English one. Only counter I saw in that speech was the one he crashed into as he bombed. You thought Jindal’s speech was bad a few years ago…Rubio made him look like JFK.
My guess is that Rubio will struggle to break 35% favorables with that performance…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
6:52 am
Lame duck.
Techfan
February 13th, 2013
7:07 am
Obviously Rubio was rebutting a different speech. I know they have to have some talking points set ahead of time but it does seem like they should follow along and make it remotely relate to the speech the President actually gave.
Skip
February 13th, 2013
7:18 am
All this from the guy that thought Newt was the answer.
Scrivener
February 13th, 2013
7:28 am
Too bad the liberals who post here really have nothing substantive to say. That always seems to be the case on these blogs. It’s our guy – great; their guy – terrible. What mindless drivel. Anyway, Obama is losing people’s confidence based on the polls. Most people don’t agree with his policies, which is another reason it was surprising he won re-election. Rubio was very positive and upbeat, and his points were hard to argue with. Being anti-business isn’t helping this country, and we need to have economic policies which encourage hiring and expanding.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
7:30 am
“His ethnicity is icing on the cake.”
It doesn’t get much shallower than that. Great piece!
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
7:34 am
Rubio was a dud! Not only that but he made the case for gov’t entitlements quite convincingly like; both his father and mother having medicare and social security for their golden years, like being able to got to college with gov’t assistance, like cubans getting the most preferential immigration assistance, didn’t hear him calling for any cuts there? He really was in over his head and has a ways to go before he is ready for prime time. No amount of boosting by the con world can inflate a rather mediocre performance at best.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
7:36 am
Over the last few years, both parties have worked together to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion – mostly through spending cuts – obozo
I guess I could be missing something here, but if we “reduced” the deficit, how come it keeps going up?
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
7:38 am
“…and we need to have economic policies which encourage hiring and expanding.”
I keep hearing this from the party that has held the jobs bill hostage for 3 years now.
For years Israel had said Arafat was the obstacle to peace in the conflict with the Palestinians. Arafat’s been dead for 5 or 6 years and still no peace. This hollow call from Republicans for stronger economic policy is similar in it’s absurdity. If you con’s want to help, step up to the plate, stop whining and help govern.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
7:39 am
“Our country achieved greatness through private sector expansion, not austerity.”
Fixed your historical faux pas, Auntie Sue.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
7:41 am
“we must invest to put more people to work on useful jobs, which, in turn, will attract private investment in job-creating enterprises. The President knows how.”
And he’s proved it in what way that he knows how, Aynie Sue? In his last four years of dismal performance?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
7:43 am
And it needs to be pointed out that if we need a “smarter government” (and we do), the players we have in place at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. need to leave.
As does about 90% of Congress.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
7:46 am
tiberius
People like you are part of the problem here, know it all arm chair politicians, your very good at negativity and one liners but you really offer no solutions except to expound your pomposity and high regard for yourself! Come down out of the clouds – you’re not all that, the president is far and above the previous dolt and doing the best he can with a belligerant house.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
7:47 am
“nothing to correct the negligence of our young people,”
Government is in place to do this, Aynie Sue?
Please provide the appropriate passage in the Constitution which gives government that power.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
7:53 am
Sailfish, the problem with people who think they know it all, is that they really tick off those of us who actually do know it all.
And unlike you, I’ve actually served in an elected capacity and didn’t just sit around and arm chair quarterback politicians.
And your issue is that you don’t like the solutions I’ve offered, not that I haven’t offered them.
And to blame the House is disingenuous at best. They’ve at least passed bills. It’s the Senate that hasn’t even bothered to take any of them up. You can’t sign something that hasn’t reached your desk, sailfish, and the ONLY elected body which hasn’t passed anything in almost 3 years now is the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Del
February 13th, 2013
7:53 am
After his rather far-left campaign like speeches during his inaugural address and similar speeches since, I chose not watch him last night. In reading excerpts from his SOTU this mourning its interesting that he now calls stimulus investing. This president is full of himself not full of sound ideas to fix our economy and address the deficit. It will be a long and difficult next four years.
JDW
February 13th, 2013
7:55 am
@Aesop…”I guess I could be missing something here, but if we “reduced” the deficit, how come it keeps going up?”
Yep you missed something…
FY 2009 deficit (Duhbya’s last stand) $1.4 trillion
FY 2013 projected deficit $901 billion
Net improvement $500 billion a year
JDW
February 13th, 2013
7:58 am
@Tiberius…” I’ve actually served in an elected capacity and didn’t just sit around and arm chair quarterback politicians.”
While as I said before, you deserve credit for running…but how did that work out in the end? Shouldn’t that tell you something…other than the voters “just misunderstood” you?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
8:01 am
“but how did that work out in the end?”
Just fine. Any other stupid questions, JDW?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:04 am
jdw – Oh, I get it, all I have to do is use moron math.
Thanks, but I was looking for the answer to my question.
Still am.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USDebt.png
Cherokee
February 13th, 2013
8:05 am
Too bad the conservatives who post here really have nothing substantive to say. That always seems to be the case on these blogs. It’s our guy – great; their guy – terrible. What mindless drivel. Anyway, Republicans are losing people’s confidence based on the polls. Most people don’t agree with their policies, which is another reason it was surprising they won re-election. Obama was very positive and upbeat, and his points were hard to argue with. Being anti middle class isn’t helping this country, and we need to have economic policies which encourage hiring and expanding.
There, fixed it for you.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:10 am
I guess I could be missing something here, but if we “reduced” the deficit, how come it keeps going up?
Yeah, might be best if you leave economics to the adults.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 13th, 2013
8:11 am
America needs effective leadership, and new ideas. Obozo’s failed regime offers neither.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:12 am
I’ve actually served in an elected capacity
Employee of the month at McDonalds counts?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
8:14 am
“Over the last few years, both parties have worked together to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion – mostly through spending cuts – obozo”
President Incompetent-speak for “It could have been worse. If I hadn’t had a GOP Congress that reined me in, I would have spent that $2.5 trillion.”
independent thinker
February 13th, 2013
8:14 am
Can one of the Kenyan marxist bashers please explain why the stupid party had two response?
How awfutl of the Kenyan Marxist to keep praising the troops who are finally coming home from two unfunded wars and to dare talk about assistance for those moocher veterans.
Shame on the Kenyan marxist for thinking a black woman who is 102 years old and obviously a pinko democrat should not have to wait six hours in line to vote -what a dumb marxist statement.
And all those victims of gun violence -lock up all the crazies and throw away the key,and arm everyone including innocent children who are stupid enough to go to school or sit in a playground.
Getting rid of Al-Quaida- heck Bush did that when he put that Mission Accomplished sign and flew a plane onto a carrier.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
8:14 am
“Yeah, might be best if you leave economics to the adults.”
Does this mean you’re leaving us, Finn?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:16 am
I chose not watch him last night.
His winning the election still burns?
mwuahahahahahahahahaha
They Mad?
http://images.sodahead.com/profiles/0/0/2/0/7/9/7/3/5/They-Mad-Oh-They-Mad-80939652983.jpeg
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 13th, 2013
8:17 am
FY 2009 deficit (Duhbya’s last stand) $1.4 trillion
FY 2013 projected deficit $901 billion
———————–
2009 was the end of the recession. It’s four years later. The pre-recession deficits were, what, $200-$300 billion?
Obozo: Miserable failure, and the biggest spender since WWII.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
8:17 am
tiberius
Good for you! At least you walked the walk, so hats off to anyone who has actually engaged in the process…my issue is that before 2008 not one word was ever uttered about the debt. As soon as obama walks through the door with a crashed economy all of a sudden the debt is the number one key issue and battle cry for the repubs. Well, who the hell put us there? Bush signed every bill and never vetoed any spending until the dems took control in 2007. Every conservative principle was put in place during his reign and the result? Bankrupt america and an economic crash that almost led to another great depression. That was four short years ago, we will not forget and if republicans are still being blamed, well…they damn well deserve it!! Why should we trust them?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
8:18 am
“Getting rid of Al-Quaida- heck Bush did that when he put that Mission Accomplished sign and flew a plane onto a carrier.”
Uh, no, he didn’t not so independent non-thinker. It correctly signaled the end of offensive operations in the Iraq war, as has been pointed out ad nauseum to you.
SBinF
February 13th, 2013
8:21 am
Poor Rubio, couldn’t even get the lies out. Had to grab for his water just to keep the rest of his rebuttal going. I bet some intern caught hell after that, for putting that delicious and refreshing bottle of water so close, but just out of reach.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:21 am
Bush did that when he put that Mission Accomplished sign and flew a plane onto a carrier
Now if someone in our military had been dumb enough to give W the controls on the plane you could have written “flew a plane into a carrier.”
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 13th, 2013
8:22 am
“before 2008 not one word was ever uttered about the debt”
————————
A laughable, pitiable lie.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
8:22 am
“my issue is that before 2008 not one word was ever uttered about the debt.”
Another statement that is blatantly false, sailfish.
“Well, who the hell put us there?”
Both GOP and Democrat-controlled Congresses and failed Presidential leadership for over 30 years.
“Bush signed every bill and never vetoed any spending until the dems took control in 2007.”
Finally, you’ve made a correct statement.
“Every conservative principle was put in place during his reign”
Not so. Conservative principles are supposed to include smaller government and less spending.
“and the result? Bankrupt america and an economic crash that almost led to another great depression.”
Nope. Lots of things contributed to this mess, and his term of office didn’t help, but to blame him and his policies for this mess is incomplete and sophomoric.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 13th, 2013
8:24 am
Leave it to the military-loathing liberal fascists to denigrate our brave sailors and Marines on that aircraft carrier. They most definitely did accomplish their mission.
Real Americans would have been proud.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:27 am
Congress passes farm bill over Bush veto
June 18, 2008
Bush vetoes NIH budget increase
By Bob Grant | November 14, 2007
To the administration, the fight is about fiscal restraint. The House and Senate have added about $22 billion to the president’s fiscal 2008 discretionary spending budget, officials say.
“I put Democratic leaders on notice that I will veto bills with excessive levels of spending,” said Mr. Bush in a June 16 radio address.
Poor little libbies – they so “smart” but they haven’t gotten to the chapter on who controls spending in our government yet.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:28 am
to blame him and his policies for this mess is incomplete and sophomoric
yes but just as Herbert Hoover is the face of the 1929 crash, W will be the face of both 9/11 and the 2007 disaster. The bookends of his Presidency.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:30 am
military loathing?
LOL, we aren’t the ones trying to cut their benefits every chance we get.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:31 am
I should add “the bookends of his failed, miserable Presidency.” You could say America went from 1st to worst during those 8 years.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
8:33 am
“You could say America went from 1st to worst during those 8 years.”
No, YOU could, Finn.
I try not to make such stupid statements.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:35 am
“For years Israel had said Arafat was the obstacle to peace in the conflict with the Palestinians. Arafat’s been dead for 5 or 6 years and still no peace.”
Let me help you out a bit on that one….go do some research about the situation after Arafat was gone. Concentrate on the peace deal with Abbas and the actions of Hamas in relation to same. Arafat was a problem, but Hamas is just as big a problem if not bigger. When Abbas got to close to peace, what did Hamas do? They attacked Fatah…..their own side…..and took over Gaza. You really do need to get a handle on the facts before you try to use something as an example.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:37 am
Sometimes the goony propaganda can work against you -
2/3/2008 6:08:35 PM ET
WASHINGTON — In the nation’s first-ever $3 trillion budget proposal, President Bush seeks to seal his legacy of promoting a strong defense to fight terrorism and tax cuts to spur the economy. Democrats, who control Congress, are pledging fierce opposition to Bush’s final spending plan — perhaps even until the next president takes office.
The 2009 spending plan sent to Congress on Monday will project huge budget deficits, around $400 billion for this year and next and more than double the 2007 deficit of $163 billion. – Associated Press
Gee, how did we get from $400 billion to 1.4 trillion? Oh yeah, the 800 billion dollar porkulus.
And doesn’t it crack you up, the AP was freaked out shrieking over $400 billion because it was Bush, but they sing like little girls with obozo and 1.4 trillion.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:39 am
“Shame on the Kenyan marxist for thinking a black woman who is 102 years old and obviously a pinko democrat should not have to wait six hours in line to vote -what a dumb marxist statement.”
Because in truth, the choice to wait was hers…..Fl has mail in balloting, and they also have an 8 day early voting period. Anyone, and unfortunately that includes a 102 year old individual that waits until election day to vote brings it on themselves.
Thomas Heyward Jr
February 13th, 2013
8:40 am
“His ethnicity is icing on the cake.”
.
And hence…..Rubio…….(open border big government, neo-con) .. the last designated loser of the Republican party.
.
Maybe Hillery will appoint him Diversity Czar or something.
.
sad.
Cherokee
February 13th, 2013
8:40 am
Actually it’s good that aesop, tiberius and bailout have Kyle’s blog to come and commiserate…
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 13th, 2013
8:43 am
“more than double the 2007 deficit of $163 billion”
———————-
Wouldn’t that be the budget put together by the Republicans, before Democrats started writing the budgets?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:45 am
cherokee – simplistic, much?
Cherokee
February 13th, 2013
8:45 am
Aesopp, Jay has a chart up that you might want to take a look at.
I assume you’ve been banned from commenting over there, but I expect he’d let you in and allow you to look at the chart.
You might, just might, learn something.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 13th, 2013
8:46 am
Commiserate, Cherokee?
Some of us are on here to correct the ignorant remarks you and your fellow libs make on a daily basis.
Cherokee
February 13th, 2013
8:46 am
I won’t hold my breath of course, but miracles do happen…
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
8:47 am
“The guy is a broken record.”
One that the Nation likes…
Cherokee
February 13th, 2013
8:48 am
Hey Tib, buddy, I’m happy for you – I’d rather have you whining here than, say, kicking your dog….
independent thinker
February 13th, 2013
8:48 am
Yeah those sailors on the Mission Accomplished carrier ended the war in Iraq, conquered the Taliban and killed Osama and dumped him in the water before W landed in his flight suit. How dumb of me not to remember that and
Obama not Reagan started the phone discount program for low income folks. That’s why Congress renamed the program the Obamaphone program and not the Raygunphone program. I learn so much factual information on this blog every day- thanks cons.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:48 am
And I see that the minimum wage was once again brought up as a saving grace vs as a gov’t interference, which goes to show the difference in ideology.
Minimum wage jobs are stepping stone jobs folks, not designed for eternity. One ideology believes the pay should go up because one had a birthday while the other believes the pay should go up when an individual decides to better oneself and get the heck out of that crappy job…..
It’s simple math for those that actually run businesses……and what’s the difference between $7 and $9 you say? It’s only $2 right? If a company only has a budget of $30 for labor, which is better for the economy, hiring 3 people @ $9 ($27) or 4 people @ $7 ($28)?? Then multiply the scenario times several thousand………….
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
8:49 am
So the belief is that Rubio can manage the country better than his GOP credit card?
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
8:49 am
If you have expected anything different from Kyle, you haven’t been paying attention. The same mocking attitude, and critique without any substance.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:51 am
and tax cuts to spur the economy
How did that work out for us?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
8:55 am
which is better for the economy, hiring 3 people @ $9 ($27) or 4 people @ $7 ($28)??
Most credible business owners don’t hire based on what is good for the economy, they hire based on demand.
If a company only has a budget of $30 for labor, which is better for the economy
What is best for the economy is the employer stay in business which means that the employer work within the means of the company and not hire too many people or too few people.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:57 am
I’ll go reeeeaaaaallllll sloooowwwww for you and bookman, cherokee -
$400 billion (your own numbers, see above) plus 880 billion porkulus plan plus whatever spending the nasty pelosi congress push through over Bush’s veto equals……….1.4 trillion.
I understand, however, your position. People that are like way too stupid to understand basic governance and math skills, vote for dummycrats. That’s how you, obozo and booman survive, off the ignorance of others.
We get it.
indigo
February 13th, 2013
8:59 am
Kyle, we of the liberal, intelligent persuasion understand that, no matter WHAT Obama says, you and other cons here will trash him anyway and everyway possible.
Needless to say, this renders anything you say against him nothing more than useless propaganda.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:00 am
“and tax cuts to spur the economy
How did that work out for us?”
Evidently, fairly well…….the recession ended in 2009 and both parties left them in place for the masses. or did I miss something and the dems wanted them repealed?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:00 am
Really, how much respect do these dummycrats have for anyone other than themselves? To actually try and blame the stimulus on Bush, it is truly incredible.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:01 am
indigo – It’s not very hard to disagree with a bald faced lying socialist.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:04 am
“Most credible business owners don’t hire based on what is good for the economy, they hire based on demand.”
And that demand determines their budget Finn……they can’t hire more than they can afford to pay for….
“What is best for the economy is the employer stay in business which means that the employer work within the means of the company and not hire too many people or too few people.”
And how does he stay in business if he now has to pay more than his budget allows? He starts by laying people off…….much like Obamacare has done in dictating the definition of a part time worker….now all those folks that were working 30 hrs a week will work 29, it’s simple math.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
9:04 am
Only somebody like Kyle would make an argument that the President’s assertion about the cost of the programs t “didn’t pass the laugh test” on the basis of Jessica Yellin reporting that administration officials declined to provide cost estimates for the new programs immediately after the speech.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
9:07 am
And how does he stay in business if he now has to pay more than his budget allows? He starts by laying people off
Yeah, that happens – people have to adjust. Raising the rate is still a good idea.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
9:07 am
“Gee, how did we get from $400 billion to 1.4 trillion? Oh yeah, the 800 billion dollar porkulus.”"
Duh…wars off the books finally put onto the books by a realist president
independent thinker
February 13th, 2013
9:08 am
Did Romney write the response speech for Rubio?- same tired lines and half truths. I guess the stupid party can’t do any better. That’s why they had two responses to try match Obama and show off their combined stupidity.
Steve
February 13th, 2013
9:08 am
I hate Obama soooooooooooooooooooooo much!!! (snort)
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:09 am
cherokee – Thanks for sending me over to kookman’s blog. While there, I made note that it took almost 75 comments for anyone to even attempt to point out what a total fallacy her little chart was, and even that comment was weak minded. Now I know exactly why she bans all the people that call out her lies.
Thomas Heyward Jr
February 13th, 2013
9:11 am
If only the Republicans could find a black hispanic woman that was a lesbian.
.
Yea……that’s the ticket.
Steve
February 13th, 2013
9:15 am
Aesop- the chart is a fallacy because it challenges everything right wing media has told you? But I bet you can’t point out WHY it’s a fallacy.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:15 am
“Yeah, that happens – people have to adjust. Raising the rate is still a good idea.”
Sure, it’s a great idea to the 3 that get to have jobs in my scenario, but it sucks for the 1 that’s left out in the cold. And as I said, multiply that by thousands.
Personally, I’d rather have many more employed at the $7 than thousands less at the $9, but that’s just me…….you on the other hand don’t seem to care about the thousands left out in the cold…..
Ever been in a union Finn? It’s based on seniority……and those at the top that are never at risk of getting laid-off have a penchant for voting against pay cuts that might keep their brethren employed. Been there done that……I and many like me on the bottom of the totem pole were always quite willing to work for less, but the guys up top would have none of it……laid-off 5 times over a period of 15 years.
Believe me, it’s no fun being the ones left out in the cold………
Buzz Belle
February 13th, 2013
9:16 am
I thought Obama reached out to the other side of the aisle actualy. I was apprehensive that he was going to come out swinging but I felt he really extended the olive branch. On the other hand, John Bohner could not have been more sourpuss looking and Rubio, that was really sad. I know he was nervous, it was a big speech for him. But he missed the mark on this, I felt he took this as “his” moment to make a campaign speech instead of the job he was suposed to do – rebut the SOTU address. Huge failure. I really felt sorry for him, still do.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
9:16 am
” Now I know exactly why she bans all the people that call out her lies.”
Somebody has manhood issues…
Road Scholar
February 13th, 2013
9:16 am
I watched…and listened to both speeches. I thought President Obama’s was rambling. He brought up most major topics and he should have stopped there. His comments on guns were spot on, as it relates to other legislation also.Infrastructure investment…yes.
I thought Rubio’s presentation was just fine, although his content was vague as to real solutions. “Watergate” was a misfortune that distracted many from the message. He should have had a glass on his podium. (Jokingly, I wonder if the bottled water company has signed him to an endorsement?) But as cons said above about the President’s speech…nothing new.
I was left with: What are we to do about our crumbling infrastructure? Who pays? How much is needed? Do we wait for a bridge or road to collapse and then feign surprise or disgust?
Gun control: These reps are mostly lawyers. Figure it out. Required background checks seem mandatory. Mental health guidelines/process is a no brainer. ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING LAWS IS MANDATORY! FILLING THE HEAD OF ATF IS MANDATORY!
A vote on all political appointments is needed now. Approve? Disapprove? I do not care. VOTE NOW!
Bring the troops home. For those non-national Guard units, give them some rest…and then assign them to our borders. Then pass an immigration bill. Figure it out. The hell with Repubs and Dems….figure it out. What is the right thing to do? How can we afford what is settled on? VOTE!
I believe in Jay’s comment concerning that we cannot continue to run from trumped up problem to problem. SOLVE IT! DO SOMETHING!
I AM NOT PAYING FOR MY GOVERNMENT TO DO NOTHING. IT’S ABOUT TIME BOTH PARTIES DO THEIR JOBS IN LEGISLATING.
Cut the hell out of the budget. Approve sequester. And when the economy tanks repubs will be the culprits. If it thrives the GOP will be heroes. I think it will tank. Measured investment esp in our infrastructure will provide jobs. Or are you going to wait for only private investment in infrastructure? It does not appear that all those record profits are earmarked for infrastructure…now are they?
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
9:17 am
The president threw the book at the GOP.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
9:18 am
Anyone, and unfortunately that includes a 102 year old individual that waits until election day to vote brings it on themselves.
Maybe she was undecided….
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:18 am
Aesop- the chart is a fallacy because it challenges everything right wing media has told you? But I bet you can’t point out WHY it’s a fallacy.
steve – I’ve only done just that 3 times already this morning. Maybe you need a tutor to help with your comprehension issues? You libs are blaming the 2009 stimulus on Bush, which, on it’s face, is unbelievable. At least until you think that there are people like you in this world.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
9:19 am
md
February 13th, 2013
8:35 am
You’re an idiot! Who was the democratically elected government by the Palestinians, Hamas or Fatah? did Israel and the U.S. after calling for democratic elections in the occupied territories accept the will of the people?
Abbas was the servant of the Americans who having struck a deal without the support of the Palestinian people had the rug pulled out from under him by the Israelis and the Americans making the acceptance of Hamas that much easier.
Was Fatah not accused of vote rigging and intimidation by human rights groups? And as far as Hamas attacking “one of their own”, how is it any different than the hostility the Repug’s show to our President?
You haven’t thought far enough to lecture me. Keep it moving.
Road Scholar
February 13th, 2013
9:23 am
Well then Aesop, it won’t be a problem for you to reference your posts or to cut and paste them, would it? Or are you only in the business of insulting people?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
9:24 am
I and many like me on the bottom of the totem pole
Who was it that that wrote earlier on this blog that the minimum wage is a stepping stone. Maybe it’s time for you to step up, md?
JDW
February 13th, 2013
9:24 am
@Aesop…”Gee, how did we get from $400 billion to 1.4 trillion? Oh yeah, the 800 billion dollar porkulus.”
Nope…the Duhbya economic implosion did that…Dateline January 7, 2009 (pssssssttt thats before the inaguration)
“The U.S. budget deficit in 2009 is projected to spike to a record $1.2 trillion, or 8.3% of gross domestic product, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday.”
http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/07/news/economy/cbo_2009_budget_outlook/
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
9:27 am
You libs are blaming the 2009 stimulus on Bush, which, on it’s face, is unbelievable.
No we aren’t. It was introduced in January 2009. And now we need another one.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:27 am
I knew there’d be a reason to keep this handy-
2/3/2008 6:08:35 PM ET
WASHINGTON — In the nation’s first-ever $3 trillion budget proposal, President Bush seeks to seal his legacy of promoting a strong defense to fight terrorism and tax cuts to spur the economy. Democrats, who control Congress, are pledging fierce opposition to Bush’s final spending plan — perhaps even until the next president takes office.
The 2009 spending plan sent to Congress on Monday will project huge budget deficits, around $400 billion for this year and next and more than double the 2007 deficit of $163 billion. – Associated Press
sigh
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:29 am
And what does it say about the columnist that posts such drivel? Is he being paid to blame the stimulus on Bush? Or is he just stupid?
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
9:29 am
Could you cry a little louder, I got Ted Nugent playing pretty loud !!!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:33 am
jdw – From YOUR article -
The CBO expects tax revenue in 2009 to fall by $166 billion, or 6.6%, from the previous year’s collection.
OK, so what happened to the other 834 billion? Wow, that’s awful close to the 800 billion stimulus, imagine that.
joe
February 13th, 2013
9:35 am
Didn’t watch either speech, but if there’s one person who can save our country, it’s gotta be Rubio, with an assist to the Gov of New Mexico…they would make a great ticket in 2016.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:37 am
“You’re an idiot! Who was the democratically elected government by the Palestinians, Hamas or Fatah? did Israel and the U.S. after calling for democratic elections in the occupied territories accept the will of the people? ”
Ooooh, the idiot card. Pretty much shows us your character……..
Abbas was elected also, so get over it. Israel tried to appease Hamas by unilaterally pulling out of Gaza……how did that work out for them?
I’m not going to debate much with an individual that has no character, but hamas is and always will be the major stumbling block. When their charter was written on the principle of abolishing Israel and they refuse to even discuss the idea of recognizing Israel as a sovereign state, it’s not hard to see where the problem originates…….
George
February 13th, 2013
9:39 am
Rubio’s family benefited from govt. Programs, Medicare, social security, student loans. Yet he doesn’t want to extend govt. Assistance to others. His only concern is that rich people may have to pay a few more dollars.
Just remember when all was said and done Romney paid only 15 percent, similar to most middle class folks.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:41 am
“Who was it that that wrote earlier on this blog that the minimum wage is a stepping stone. Maybe it’s time for you to step up, md?”
How many unions do you know where the pay was minimum wage? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one.
No Finn, I will be the first to tell you we were overpaid for what we did, hence the reason I had no problem taking a pay cut in return for keeping a job…….those at the top, not so much…..and in the end their lack of willingness to understand that is what lead to the demise of all the jobs……
retiredds
February 13th, 2013
9:44 am
somebody must have sent Aesop some new energizer batteries. SOTU by Rubio, marginal at best.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
9:46 am
Kyle made a fine summary this morning. I read the president’s speech and could not believe much of it. What he does is take facts and then twist them to make them sound good, either by deletions or using words that sound better. It was like a football coach telling a team how good they are at half time when they haven’t scored a point. Strangely enough, our “coach” did not say a word about his poor “coaching’ abiltities.
I did not hear Rubio. So the man took a drink of water. What did you expect? Bourbon?
I see our party Dems here are still fixated on George W. Bush. That’s like remembering the good days while the rain is falling now. Yep, you could believe what Bush said because he did not try to fool us. Now we get the “song & dance” with “pie in the sky”. Ho hum
Off into the rain on the plain and I’ll try not to complain…..
md
February 13th, 2013
9:46 am
“Rubio’s family benefited from govt. Programs, Medicare, social security, student loans. Yet he doesn’t want to extend govt. Assistance to others. ”
Then you weren’t listening……he very clearly stated he wanted to keep those programs,but he acknowledged that they are in trouble (and they are), which is something the left refuses to acknowledge……
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
9:49 am
What he does is take facts and then twist them to make them sound good,
Pot, meet Kettle. Kettle, Pot.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
9:52 am
their lack of willingness to understand that is what lead to the demise of all the jobs……
rarely can you blame the demise of a company on the pay of its employees. I bet there was more going on than just that – declining market, inability to compete, idiot management, rising costs of resources?
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
9:53 am
“…could believe what Bush said because he did not try to fool us.”
Because he ran two wars completely off his submitted Budgets. For two terms.
Or would you rather re-read his “Blue Skies” environmental legislation?
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
9:56 am
Most of the proposed things belong at the state level, in my opinion, if they are done. It’s up to the states to decide, if they are necessary or not.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
10:00 am
Well I’ve got to run . But sorry to see that FINN is inclined to “pot” and JUST SAYING did not know that we were at war when Bush was president. These people are kinda slow!
Bye!
Dave
February 13th, 2013
10:03 am
Rubio’s water break wasn’t his only problem. How about blaming the recession on government and not financial fat cats? I think he has a point as government didn’t govern or regulate or even pay attention to the fat cats who were then free to play table stakes poker knowing they would be bailed out. On whose watch? That would be in part GWB. Yet Rubio rails against government involvement in the economy, let private enterprise lead us to the promised land. Bull.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
10:06 am
“Well I’ve got to run .”
Cause I’m not prepared to defend my drive-by remarks…
SBinF
February 13th, 2013
10:07 am
“Then you weren’t listening……he very clearly stated he wanted to keep those programs,but he acknowledged that they are in trouble (and they are), which is something the left refuses to acknowledge……”
Right, so now that Rubio has milked the system for all it’s worth, he declares it broken and wants the rest of us to take reduced benefits. Gosh, that’s convenient!
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
10:07 am
md
February 13th, 2013
9:37 am
Arafat was the problem…he’s gone. They couldn’t make a deal work with Fatah and now Hamas is the problem. It seems the only constant in the narrative is Israel’s leadership.
As I stated in the beginning if the Repug’s would stop whining and help govern maybe they would stop being the constant obstacle in the narrative of stagnant government in the U.S.
And my calling you an idiot has nothing to do with my character and more with my ability to discern. Learn the difference.
md
February 13th, 2013
10:10 am
“rarely can you blame the demise of a company on the pay of its employees. I bet there was more going on than just that – declining market, inability to compete, idiot management, rising costs of resources”
Sure, several contributing factors (much like our debt), but when it came time to understand that there was only so much money in the current budget for wages, going on strike and saying no was not the answer……..
Hindsight is 20/20, most all of them would gladly take the pay cut……..now.
Think the folks in greece would like a do over?
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
10:11 am
Now I know exactly why she bans all the people that call out her lies.
Presumably that’s some sort of attempted insult to call Jay a “she.” There’s Mr. Constitution at his finest, sitting in his tiny pup tent and wondering why everyone doesn’t admire his self-proclaimed brilliance.
md
February 13th, 2013
10:12 am
“Right, so now that Rubio has milked the system for all it’s worth, he declares it broken and wants the rest of us to take reduced benefits. Gosh, that’s convenient!”
Yep, he did it all by himself……we got where we are as a joint effort, don’t fool yourself in to thinking it was only one “side”.
md
February 13th, 2013
10:14 am
“And my calling you an idiot has nothing to do with my character and more with my ability to discern.”
Discern? If one does not understand that calling people names reflects much more on the name caller vs the callee, then I can’t help you……..
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
10:14 am
aq – When one has PMS as bad as bookman does, I just err on the side of caution.
Pardon me.
Scrivener
February 13th, 2013
10:17 am
Cherokee, just curious. You’re big into class warfare yet say you’re a business owner in the insurance business in Cherokee County. Something doesn’t add up. Your business acumen must not be too good because you’ve clearly got lots of time to hang out on the blogs here and who knows where else. Then again, maybe your messiah’s assaults on business and the insurance industry have hurt your business.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
10:20 am
When one has PMS as bad as bookman does, I just err on the side of caution.
I drop by here every now and again to watch this crowd dig their own graves, and I’m never disappointed.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
10:20 am
“Yep, he did it all by himself……we got where we are as a joint effort, don’t fool yourself in to thinking it was only one “side”.”
The point would be hypocrisy, Fables.
A position you should recognize.
As you’re here all the time…
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
10:22 am
Narcolepsy was the state of the union last night. There is little reason to listen to our campaigner in chief as what he says, has little in common with what he does. His solutions are never what he sells; it is called bait and switch in the retail game.
The other reason not to pay any attention is, that it requires great leadership to poke, prod, induce, monitor, and compromise to get things done. In four plus years Obama has not demonstrated he could lead a bunch of pre K children on a field trip to the candy store.
More sound and fury signifying nothing.
gm
February 13th, 2013
10:25 am
Who cares what Kyle and the rest of the nut jobs on the right think, Obama has over a 55% job aprroval rating, something the last rep President who sunk America did not have. Kyle and the rest of the Georgia southern conservatives idiots will never come out of the 20 century and the reason why Dem will win the next two President election.
Mark Rubio is joke and trying to get latinos votes, but latinos are smarter then that and realized conservatives, tea party, whites will never accept them, I hope the head of the NRA and the rest of these idiots who support assult weapons have this same type of support when someone puts a bullet in their love ones head.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
10:29 am
Ask the victims of the Ft Hood “work place violence” or the lady on the beach in New Jersey, how empathetic he can appear in person, and how hollow his promises are.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
10:30 am
Marco Rubio’s problem was not the monotonous delivery, or reaching for water (I don’t know why people are even talking about the latter- why shouldn’t he take a sip?). Nor the stupid boasting at the beginning that America IS unique because “for much of the history” minorities ruled – never mind all the other countries not ruled by minorities NOW.
No, Rubio problem was that his speech was a collection of platitudes, inconsistencies and inanities, sprinkled with dishonesty. He charges that the President believes that our free enterprise economy is the cause of our problems. Never mind substantiating that charge. He claims the Republicans point out that “our government can’t control the weather,” surely one of the more stupid things anybody could say, but in a tough competition with “every dollar our government borrows is money that isn’t being invested to create jobs.”
Then we have the claim that “President Obama created more debt I four years than his predecessor did in eight.” Probably by proclaiming “Let there be debt.”
Rubio would never support any changes to Medicare that would hurt senior like his mother.
Naturally, because those seniors vote and like what they are getting. So Rubio and the Republicans would do the hurt only to future retirees.
Rubio believes we must effectively deal with the rise of violence in our country. But he is against “unconstitutionally undermining the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans,” never mind that nobody proposes that.
Rubio talks about “the President’s devastating cuts to our military.” Suddenly the sequester cuts, which the Congress passed and most Republican leaders voted for become the President’s cuts.
Marco Rubio should have spent much more time drinking water and much less time speaking.
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
10:31 am
In Marco’s case he would be a “cry anchor baby”
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
10:33 am
gm
cite the source of that 55% approval rating. I inadvertently was on a website yesterday that had all the polls on Obama’s approval rating. I saw several below 50% and one or two at 52%, but I didn’t see any 55%. I saw one at 46% and thought that is lower than GWB at the end.
md
February 13th, 2013
10:33 am
“The point would be hypocrisy, Fables.”
Suit yourself……
TBone
February 13th, 2013
10:37 am
How many times can one watch this guy lie without conscience to the American people so he and his cronies can live high on the hog on our dime, quite the racket. I’d rather watch Gilligan’s Island re-runs than waste an hour of my life that I can never recover.
Some people are stupid
February 13th, 2013
10:38 am
I guess I could be missing something here, but if we “reduced” the deficit, how come it keeps going up?”
You do know the difference between deficit and debt right?
gm
February 13th, 2013
10:41 am
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
CNN, Fox, Ny Times, ect, ect, You conservative in Georgia are so stupid that when Obama is giving credit to schools in Georgia you idiots are bad mouthing that.
This is why Obama is loved around the world and in other places around the USA and won the election by 3 million votes because he gives credit to even hated filled southern confederates who still live in the 20 century.
curious
February 13th, 2013
10:41 am
Where else can they go? The AJC pays Kyle to keep them in a small space. If not for them, this blog would have about 10 posts.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
10:43 am
gm
The poll findings are consolidated at Real Clear Politics and you are right Rasmussen has him at 55%. All the others are lower, in some cases much lower. As you have pointed out repeatedly, you just can’t depend on that right wing troll Scott Rasmussen.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
10:52 am
md
February 13th, 2013
10:14 am
If I called you a Republican or Independent that would be just noticing which way you leaned, soooo…..
breckenridge
February 13th, 2013
10:56 am
Marco Rubio will never be president, he is not electable. The vast majority of Americans will not vote for a candidate who is anti-science and anti-choice. He is not a rising star in the GOP, he is yet another extremist freak who is keeping the car in the ditch.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
11:00 am
No one is talking about Rand Paul’s speech? No one cares?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 13th, 2013
11:10 am
Blue State, Red Face: Guess Who Benefits More From Your Taxes?
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_reckoning/2012/10/25/blue_state_red_face_guess_who_benefits_more_from_your_taxes.html
So spare me all that red state angst about the federal deficits and national debt. When you stop spending New Jersey’s money, Texas, and produce a plan to replace it with your own revenue stream, then you’ve earned an opinion in the matter.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
11:11 am
“he is yet another extremist freak who is keeping the car in the ditch.”
AKA, a rising star in the GOP.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:11 am
“Naturally, because those seniors vote and like what they are getting. So Rubio and the Republicans would do the hurt only to future retirees.”
Don’t they get hurt anyway if the program is broken and doesn’t get fixed?
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
11:13 am
I guess you could sit on you hands the next four years and waste your life waiting for the agony to end,
md
February 13th, 2013
11:13 am
“If I called you a Republican or Independent that would be just noticing which way you leaned, soooo…..”
You are grasping Willie in an effort to redeem yourself.
Here’s an idea, raise your hand, say to yourself and others that name calling isn’t necessary to get a point across and go on with your life.
Or, deny it and continue on along the low road……
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
11:17 am
four years and waste your life waiting for the agony to end,
After four more years of Barry, I’m not sure there will be an end. Going to be hard to get folks back in the habit of working for a living.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:18 am
Finn….more of that red state blue state non-sense?
Now, put it into context and remember that military bases are included in that federal spending as are senior citizens and their medicare, and SS payments.
Shoot, Fl alone can screw up your premise…..how many seniors that live in Fl moved their after they retired from the north? Doesn’t it make sense that those up north should supplement their own old people?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
11:20 am
Some people are stupid
February 13th, 2013
10:38 am
I guess I could be missing something here, but if we “reduced” the deficit, how come it keeps going up?”
You do know the difference between deficit and debt right?
Your baseline is 163 billion, the number that was in place when you libs took over being in charge of spending. It went to 400 billion, 2.5 times the year before, but I’ll concede that one. Now we’re at 1 trillion or more every year, 7 to 8 times more than what it was when the adults were in charge, what is your measly little point?
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
11:23 am
Finn McCool @ 11:00 am
“No one is talking about Rand Paul’s speech? No one cares?”
Who wants to listen to or read a collection of slogans? I must be a masochist for reading it, but I will gladly forget it.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
11:25 am
md @ 11:11 am
IF.
Don't Tread
February 13th, 2013
11:31 am
It’s another speech saying how the government’s going to take some more freedom away, jack up the national debt worse than it already is, and still say “it’s all Bush’s fault”, sugarcoated like a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts.
Par for the course for Democrats.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:31 am
“IF.”
More like “when”. It is unsustainable in current form……
“There’s a reason system current system is unsustainable, says Eugene Steuerle, a former Treasury Department official and senior fellow at Washington’s Urban Institute. He boils it down to two simple numbers.
“An average couple retiring today has paid just a little over $100,000 in Medicare taxes” over the course of their working lives, Steuerle tells Guy Raz, host of weekends on All Things Considered.
And what do they receive?
“About $300,000 in benefits” — even after adjusting for inflation.”
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/30/135844222/medicares-math-problem-taxes-benefits-trouble
And I picked npr for a reason, but I’m sure some will poo poo it anyway…..
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
11:35 am
aesop
Your right, we should have kept the cost of two wars off the books and with invisible ink, that way obama could have false numbers just like george and we wouldn’t have to hear your constant whine.
Shine
February 13th, 2013
11:38 am
Didnt watch the prez or any rebuttal but i did read the transcript this morning. Agree with the POTUS on the need for spending cuts AND revenue increases on the one’s who can afford it.
Agree with funds for infrastruture rebuilding even if it is borrowed money. Kooks dont mind building bridfges in iraq /afghanistan and other foreigh countries. As american citizens, aint we good enough to get new nice stuff too?
Think he is a loon on legalizing illegal invaders with the unemployment rate at 7.9% and banning guns/gun control communism.
didnt listen to kookio rubio either or read what he said but it was likely more of the same broken record tax cuts for the “job creators” and save social security by workers getting less or working longer crap.
Jeff
February 13th, 2013
11:38 am
I hope we have a country left for Rubio to be president of!! But Obama may try to be the Emperior forever when his 2nd term comes to an end, Democrates will be pushing for a constitional amedment to allow presidents to run again and again.. Emperior Obama..
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
11:43 am
md @11:11 am
Don’t they get hurt anyway if the program is broken and doesn’t get fixed?
The Medicare program is not broken. Seniors are being treated and their bills are being paid according to the rules. As for the future, it is interesting to see some people arguing against scientific models containing assumptions (md, February 12th, 2013@6:39 pm: “No Mark, what is most disturbing is that models are used that contain assumptions…”), and then arguing using assumptions in prediction models in the much more uncertain field of economics and human behavior.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:48 am
On a point of agreement:
” Too many families who have never missed a payment and want to refinance are being told no. That’s holding our entire economy back, and we need to fix it. Right now, there’s a bill in this Congress that would give every responsible homeowner in America the chance to save $3,000 a year by refinancing at today’s rates.”
It has never made sense that those underwater homeowners that have never missed a payment should be shut out because the collateral is underwater. Those homeowners are making the payments, our financial institutions need to reward their good customers instead of punishing them, that is bad business…….
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 13th, 2013
11:49 am
I hope we have a country left for Rubio to be president of!! But Obama may try to be the Emperior forever when his 2nd term comes to an end, Democrates will be pushing for a constitional amedment to allow presidents to run again and again.. Emperior Obama.
This is a routine talking point on the right. Same BS was said when Clinton was in office.
This is what we are up against. This si the intellect of the other side.
This is why we are winning.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
11:50 am
md
He boils it down to two simple numbers.
You are not adding in the enhanced revenue since Krugman proposed his plans the other day. They plan to pay for all this with “death panels and sales tax”. The only time a Dem speaks of sales tax revenue, is when he has exhausted all other sources.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:51 am
“The Medicare program is not broken. Seniors are being treated and their bills are being paid according to the rules. As for the future, it is interesting to see some people arguing against scientific models containing assumptions (md, February 12th, 2013@6:39 pm: “No Mark, what is most disturbing is that models are used that contain assumptions…”), and then arguing using assumptions in prediction models in the much more uncertain field of economics and human behavior.”
And why did I guess you would come back with that non-sense.
One is predicated on assumptions of a whole range of variables while the other is basic math Mark. Or did you miss the part about already having to borrow the money from other sources to pay for the program?
Ivan Cohen
February 13th, 2013
11:54 am
I may not remember what Marco Rubio said but I am sure not going to forget that water break. At least he took a measurable sip and not a large gulp.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:54 am
“A system like that works all right if health care costs stay low. But over the past few decades, they’ve risen dramatically. There are more and more people entering the Medicare system. Those people live increasingly longer lives. And most importantly, Steuerle says, no one is in charge of saying “no” to medical-cost inflation.
The result is a Medicare system that only pays for one third of itself. The shortfall is made up — in part — from other sources of revenue.
“It’s also borrowing from China and Germany and a lot of other countries,” Steuerle says.”
I’ll repeat it for you Mark – “The result is a Medicare system that only pays for one third of itself. The shortfall is made up — in part — from other sources of revenue.”
cj
February 13th, 2013
11:55 am
Rubio did not offer one single solution to any problem this nation faces and THAT will be his downfall. All he did was say the President is wrong. Nothing more. Really? That is how you fix things? Please GOP, turn off the lights and go home… you’re finished.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:55 am
sailfish: my issue is that before 2008 not one word was ever uttered about the debt. As soon as obama walks through the door with a crashed economy all of a sudden the debt is the number one key issue and battle cry for the repubs.
Based upon your statement, sailfish, I’m guessing that you spent most of 2008 under the surface of the ocean. There was plenty of criticism of Bush during his last few years in office, as is reflected in his popularity numbers.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/116500/presidential-approval-ratings-george-bush.aspx
In 2005, Bush’s Approval ratings fell below 50% and never recovered, falling all the way below 30% in his last year in office. You may wish to check the facts before making false generalizations like that.
BTW, sail, I’m more than happy to engage you in a courteous way, because you seem to have a willingness to listen to the other side and actually address the points at hand, unlike tha vast majority of Libs here.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
11:57 am
md
February 13th, 2013
11:13 am
No md, I’m calling you an idiot because that’s what I see. Not grasping or groping, just stating the obvious. If it walks like a duck….you get it.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
11:58 am
I’m guessing that you spent most of 2008 under the surface of the ocean.
You got a problem with that?!?!
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
12:00 pm
Aesopp, Jay has a chart up that you might want to take a look at.
At your invitation, Cherokee, I took a gander at Bookman’s column. As expected, he immediately reached for the race card, in keeping with his POS character. Pretty lame rhetorical advice, but extremely popular on the Left side of the aisle for 4 years running.
md
February 13th, 2013
12:00 pm
“No md, I’m calling you an idiot because that’s what I see. Not grasping or groping, just stating the obvious. If it walks like a duck….you get it.”
Suit yourself Willie…..and don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of company on the low road as some just can’t help themselves……good luck in life.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
12:02 pm
LOL @ Aquagirl.
Hey, maybe you and sail might hit it off, although I think he may be a tad out of your age range. That is unless you think grey fins are distinguishing on a sailfish.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
12:06 pm
md
February 13th, 2013
12:00 pm
Thanks!
bluecoat
February 13th, 2013
12:06 pm
You would think these cons could set up a podium and a glass of water.They desire to go from Water Boy to President in one fell swoop.Dream on.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:10 pm
bruno
Yes, it was a long eight years and I was running deep,
but about the deficit? Nary a peep.
In comes obama, then starts the drama..oh mama!
Bush went down in the polls mainly because the iraq fiasco was hitting its crescendo and people realized that we took our eye off the ball. I like president obama, he is a very skilled orator (witness rubio). I absolutely do not agree with obama on every issue but I do when it comes to the deficit fixation. The answer is jobs, jobs, and more jobs! You would think both parties would be so motivated.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
12:11 pm
You would think these cons could set up a podium and a glass of water.
I do have to give Rubio or his team credit for tweeting a picture of bottled water right after the speech. Heh.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
12:18 pm
“His ethnicity is icing on the cake.”
Kyle could you expand on the statement above?
Didn’t Rubio take office in Jan 2011?
Did Obama receive less or more of the Hispanic vote both nationally and in FL from 08 to 12? Is the younger Cuban population voting in the same patterns as their elders or is that starting to trend differently?
If it is more, I’m not seeing the inroads that you seem to be seeing based on the last sentence of your article.
Maybe I am missing something or are you just “Keeping Hope Alive”?
LOL
Side note: While not agreeing with all of his policies, I do think he does a good job and will serve the people of FL in a positive manner
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
12:20 pm
“You got a problem with that?!?! ”
Ha!
Always worth the read…
the red herring
February 13th, 2013
12:28 pm
Even the AP fact check showed just how many lies Obama is willing to tell. It’s not worth anybody’s time to listen to him as it’s just more of the same bull manure. Both Rubio and Rand Paul’s talks were dead on the money (or lack of it). We must change the direction Obama is taking us and fast. It will be up to the young people to begin to see the differences in a socialistic country and a free republic. They are beginning to see the light and will soon shun the likes of harry reid, nancy pelosi, and Obama for the spendaholics they are. Not to mention their ability to tell one lie after another. It’s just sad that we have to wait 4 years to get rid of this guy.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:33 pm
I eat herring for breakfast but almost regurgitated it with the mention of rubio being dead on… more like dead on arrival.
md
February 13th, 2013
12:34 pm
“His ethnicity is icing on the cake.”
I’m guessing it’s more about human nature…..people have a tendency to relate to those that may be like them.
I don’t think it is hard to find stories on the internet where blacks voted for Obama due to the significance of the event…..the first black President of the United States.
I wouldn’t think it would be much different with any other group for that type event.
Will Latinos vote for the first Latino President?
Will Asians vote for the first Asian President?
Will women vote for the first female President?
Does it have to do with breaking the proverbial glass ceiling?
I guess time will tell…..
Politico
February 13th, 2013
12:36 pm
md
Just asking Kyle to expand on his statement. That is all.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
12:36 pm
md @ 11:51 am
“One is predicated on assumptions of a whole range of variables while the other is basic math Mark.”
You want to talk about nonsense? When it is mostly about FUTURE of Medicare, and you have to assume values for a whole host of variables for your “basic math?”
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
12:37 pm
Always worth the read…
Yeah, if you can endure Kyle’s site, infested with hate towards us water-dwellers. And never a word from him about such flagrant disregard.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:40 pm
md
Would a fish vote for a fish? Not really, can’t stand sharks; always the bully in these parts.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
12:42 pm
I didn’t know Planet Moonbat had water on it?? Oh yeah, the Great Fever Swamps. I forgot.
Never mind.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:49 pm
aesop
Why are you so down on everything? Must be that repub gene, don’t worry there’s a treatment for it; one dose of rachel maddow daily and one bill maher a week – you’ll be tripping the light fantastic in no time…cheers!
JDW
February 13th, 2013
12:50 pm
@Tiberius…”I try not to make such stupid statements.”
Hummmm…I think Forrest had you pegged…
“Stupid is as stupid does”
md
February 13th, 2013
12:51 pm
“You want to talk about nonsense? When it is mostly about FUTURE of Medicare, and you have to assume values for a whole host of variables for your “basic math?””
Are you having trouble reading the stories mark…..since when is the present considered the future? I even typed it twice for you. OK, I’ll do it a 3rd time, but this will be the last time and I’ll have to move on.
“The result is a Medicare system that only pays for one third of itself. The shortfall is made up — in part — from other sources of revenue.”
That means it’s currently not paying for itself mark, we are having to use money from other sources to currently fund the program. Why do you think we have such a huge debt? Because we have to borrow money to pay our bills…….and that includes Medicare.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
12:56 pm
“Yeah, if you can endure Kyle’s site, infested with hate towards us water-dwellers. And never a word from him about such flagrant disregard.”
Yeaaahh, a little does go a long way…
Laissez faire ideology, I guess
Or as Bruce C. phrases it, “Idolatry of ideology…”
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:57 pm
JDW
Hey, nice work on the deficit and how it came to be, it’s the plain TRUTH however, many of the conned can’t handle the truth so they create a myth and endlessly catapault the propaganda and….it works! For them but not the reality based world.
JDW
February 13th, 2013
12:57 pm
@Aseop…”You libs are blaming the 2009 stimulus on Bush”
You need to catch up with reality…the stimulus was passed in 2009 not spent. In fact less than $200 billion was spent in 2009. Of the $1.4 trillion in deficit spending in 2009 Duhbya was directly responsible for $1.2 of it.
southpaw
February 13th, 2013
12:59 pm
H20XX @12:37
Can you water dwellers stand one water dweller wannabe? I didn’t get a chance to dwell in the water last year, and this year doesn’t look promising. Maybe soon, though.
Sigh…
In the meantime, your comments have jogged my memory just a bit. I remembered a song you might like, and a pretty good video is with it now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKwRW0l-Qk
This one is probably worth hearing again. Or maybe hearing for the first time, if it’s been around longer than you. A gentleman doesn’t ask a lady such things…
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
1:00 pm
MarkV: As for the future, it is interesting to see some people arguing against scientific models containing assumptions (md, February 12th, 2013@6:39 pm: “No Mark, what is most disturbing is that models are used that contain assumptions…”), and then arguing using assumptions in prediction models in the much more uncertain field of economics and human behavior.
md: One is predicated on assumptions of a whole range of variables while the other is basic math Mark. Or did you miss the part about already having to borrow the money from other sources to pay for the program?
md–Although you well addressed MarkV’s statement, I thought it was worth highlighting one more time as a demonstration of how stupid and uninformed he is. Which wouldn’t be a problem unto itself if he didn’t have such a bad attitude.
From last night:
MarkV: Another piece of hogwash, and if that is an example of Mr. Dyson’s knowledge, then calling him a “brilliant scientist” is a travesty. Models are used in every field of science, and Mr. Dyson contradicts himself thoroughly in that one quoted claim. “They do not begin to describe the real world we live in…” Apparently, to Mr. Dyson, motions of atmosphere and the oceans is “not the real world we live in.” Which world is it?
In case you are unfamiliar with Freeman Dyson, MarkV, he is probably the most brilliant mathematician/theoretical physicist who didn’t win the Nobel Prize. His greatest claim to fame was in demonstrating that the “path integral method” of calculation for quantum electrodynamics advanced by Richard Feynman was equivalent to the “operator method” developed independently by Julian Schwinger and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga. Almost up there with Euler’s discovery of God’s Equation e^i x pi -1 = 0. As such, I think Mr. Dyson knows a little bit more about scientific modeling than you do. His comment had nothing to do with your kindergarten-level discovery that no model = reality, and a lot more to do with the fact that the current computer models which are driving the global warming scare are crap.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
1:02 pm
Yeah, if you can endure Kyle’s site, infested with hate towards us water-dwellers. And never a word from him about such flagrant disregard.
If it means anything to you, AquaGirl, I enjoy reading your posts and feel that you add a lot to the conversation here, even if you never seem to call out the ugly on your own party.
Keep on rocking!!
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
1:03 pm
Well then.
Have discovered this blog does foresee the need to filter SOME words, AG.
Such as a portion of the name of the Canadian folk-rock guitarist Bruce “koh-bərn”.
And not really his fault. He didn’t have a hand in it…
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
1:07 pm
This one is probably worth hearing again. Or maybe hearing for the first time, if it’s been around longer than you.
Nope, that song is particularly memorable because I remember the screechfest with my mom when I tried to purchase the 45 with my allowance.
Maybe she was right, look how I’ve ended up after listening to such demon-infested music.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
1:07 pm
bruno
Sorry, but my fins are still true blue and I always like to swim against the current, makes life a more challenging.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
1:20 pm
Well thanks Bruno, but I don’t think of Democrats as “my party” except by default. There’s really no party for limited government and the Republicans have gone insane, so that’s how I usually vote. I mean, if it’s a big-government politician vs. a big-government politician who sounds bat$#!^ insane, there’s really not much of a choice there.
Ray
February 13th, 2013
1:32 pm
Giving the rebuttal to the SOTU is a thankless job, and very risky for a politician. You are almost always going to look small compared to the President. And, simple things like repeatedly wiping sweat off your temples or lips, or the now infamous water awkward bottle reach, reminds people how experienced our presidents are (and conversely how inexperienced the rebuttal-ist was) . Big moment optics can be hard to over come.
Rubio struck a good tone, but when it turned personal and ugly, where he essentially called President Obama a liar, he turned off the 51% who care a great deal for our president, or those who find bad manners unbecoming a US Senator. It was not necessary.
I hope Senator Rubio is successful, and brings this nation together.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
1:38 pm
Today in Georgia, Republican Senatorial candidate Paul Broun said:
“http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/political-insider/2013/feb/13/paul-broun-i-was-first-call-obama-socialist/”
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
1:39 pm
ray
Interesting comment..not a rubio fan but it really has to be the toughest assignment to follow the potus..every experience helps you grow and this was probably one of those for rubio.
It’s not him personally, just the same old party line, they definitly need a makeover and quick.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
1:40 pm
Oh dear, all the little water babies here have their scales ruffled. And nobody cares!! Sob!! Nobody luvs ‘em! Sob! Sob!! Aquagirl is all “torn up”.. Sailfish can hardly flip his tail in dispair. Just Saying can’t say a word. JDW takes the bait on a sharp hook. Politico finds out he’s a barnacle. Oh cry an ocean!!
I don’t know why they feel that way. Why the nicest farewell notes written have been posted here, all hoping the water babies will enjoy a fine time at Bookman’s! How can such pleasantries be ignored? This is definitely a question for Miss Manners.
\
md
February 13th, 2013
1:44 pm
“You need to catch up with reality…the stimulus was passed in 2009 not spent. In fact less than $200 billion was spent in 2009. Of the $1.4 trillion in deficit spending in 2009 Duhbya was directly responsible for $1.2 of it.”
One is quite welcome to keep posting that kind of stuff, but it doesn’t make it true:
” Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) — President-elect Barack Obama asked the Bush administration to notify Congress he plans to seek the remaining $350 billion in financial-rescue funds, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
Obama, who takes office on Jan. 20, called President George W. Bush this morning about 20 minutes after Bush said in his final White House news conference that he was willing to act on the president-elect’s behalf if asked. ”
And then there was a bunch of appropriations bills throughout 2009….none of which was signed by Bush.
A budget is a proposal, spending is an entirely different subject.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
1:45 pm
Didn’t I say we were good to the waterbabies here at Kyle’s place? Why, look at Bruno, throwing sweet things at AquaGirl She’s blowing little rainbow bubbles already. You just have to know how to do it. Right, Bruno?
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
1:48 pm
dusty
Scales ruffled? Nah…swimming with the flow and just eating my share of bait fish. By the way, stay away from that burger king fish sandwich, I have it on good authority that it’s my misunderstood neighbors the barricuda…they tell me to pass this on: Try chik-fil-a!
Reality
February 13th, 2013
1:53 pm
Times change but the tune never does.
Republicans – and this includes the ones posting here – just don’t get it and never seem that they will. The American people doen’t like your hate. The American people don’t buy into your Bull. The American people KNOW that you cannot cut taxes and expect to lower the deficit AND prosper. The American people really do want to raise taxes on the most wealthy – for them to pay their ‘fair share.’ The American people are tired of republican road-blocks in Congress.
Do I really need to continue?
Stop with your absolutely ridiculous statements that YOU repeat and seemingly only YOUR KIND listen to. No one else is.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
1:55 pm
rubio’s water bottle went viral but his career ended when he said w did a great job.
You can’t fix a stupid party.
Just keep marginalizing the cons.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
1:55 pm
Dusty
And what exactly did I say to be including in your usual ignorant nasty nothing?
Politico
February 13th, 2013
1:56 pm
Dusty
Are the Dems still in control of the House?
bwhahahahahahahaha
jms
February 13th, 2013
1:58 pm
I guess we’ll just keep playing games and ignoring our debt and deficit problem right up until the moment our house of cards comes crashing down. I wish we would come together on this but I’m not very optimistic.
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
1:58 pm
At least the corporations are thriving, eh ?
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:00 pm
Looks like dusty is jealous of Aquagirl.
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
2:01 pm
Looks like the Gov will raise some taxes too, spend, spend,spend….
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/deal-signs-hospital-bed-tax-bill-giving-medicaid-a/nWNNY/
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:03 pm
deal raised taxes?
I thought he was a con.
Oh well.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
2:05 pm
getalife
Not sure who Dusty is jealous of or not, but anyone posting about the Dems controlling the House and how they have had the checkbook for the last 4 yrs as she did a week or so ago, would be best sticking to poetry and leave political commentary to others.
breckenridge
February 13th, 2013
2:07 pm
Just Saying…….Paul Broun comparing himself to Ron Paul is like a T-ball bench warmer comparing himself to Ted Williams. And such childishness….I was the first to call Obama a socialist…no way I beat you by 3 minutes…..only because your watch is fast…. is not……is to…..is not…that does it, I’m gonna go get my big brother…….
But I do wish these gonorrhea-mouthed fools would take the time to actually look up the definition of the word “socialism.” You cannot have a socialist system without the government nationalizing private businesses. I’m neither supporting or defending Obama mind you; I’m simply opposed to mindless fools blathering about terms they don’t understand.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
2:07 pm
Ahh Sailfish,
I think you are now an artful angelfish! But watch those barracudas. Not only will they eat anybody, they will vote for anybody.
But part with BurgerKIng? Me? Surely you jest! The answer to that is Nevah!
Do keep a sharp eye in the muddy water. There’s some strange one sided flanders in your school and they are flat out wrong.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
2:09 pm
Flanders (Dutch: About this sound Vlaanderen (help·info), French: Flandre) is one of the regions and communities of Belgium and also a historical geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The demonym for Flanders is Flemish, while someone from Flanders is a Fleming. Brussels is the capital of Flanders though not fully under its jurisdiction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flanders
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:14 pm
Politico,
Like rubio, dusty thinks w did a great job.
No credibility.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
2:16 pm
Hi getalife, you still swimming around?
Of course I’m jealous of AquaGirl. She can swim underwater on both sides of the pool and make bad jokes at the same time. She’s pretty good at that and blowing bubbles.
Don’t pay any attention to Politico. He’s just a grumpy ol’ barnacle stuck on one side.
Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow!
Reality
February 13th, 2013
2:17 pm
From every account, every measure, any source, whatever….
The largest percentage of our federal budget goes to the military. It is not medicare. It is not welfare. It is not edcuation. It is nothing else. It is the military. This is true in 2013 and has been true for every year for the last many many years.
Why is it the republicans want to focus on the portions of the budget? Isn’t today’s military high tech? Why do we need so many people? How many does it take to make a drone fly?
Why do the republicans refuse to look at the chunk of the budget that eats up most of the money? WHY?
Thulsa Doom
February 13th, 2013
2:18 pm
Yep. It was the same old, tired crap from this incompetent. That govt can and should do more. Libs do love they nanny state they do.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:19 pm
“Hi getalife, you still swimming around?”
I am alive and kicking.
Our country is doing much better now and our future is back to looking good.
I blame our President for this fact.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
2:19 pm
getalife
Thanks for reminding me of “w” as “u” like to call him. He was a fiine president. Rubio might be another great one too. Looking forward to that. .
Politico
February 13th, 2013
2:20 pm
getalife
Wasn’t that Dusty just made an oversight about Dems controlling the House; anyone could have made the mistake and used D or R by mistake. It was that she as so sure of her willful ignorance that she went on and on about the spending and how the Dems controlled it all because they controlled the House and approval of that spending.
It really wasn’t much of an eye opener to anyone who reads this blog, but was amusing to see her back peddle when shown the facts. Needless to say it wasn’t a pretty sight.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:22 pm
” Rubio might be another great one too.”
Watergate is all they are talking about but his career ended when he claimed w was a great President when the majority decided he was a disaster.
Thulsa Doom
February 13th, 2013
2:24 pm
Well Jefferson you better hope corporations are thriving. After all it’s them and their employees whose taxes foot the bill for the dems nanny state. The nanny state can’t pay for itself dontcha know.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
2:25 pm
Yes, getalife,
I blame our president for many facts. One of them is the fact that we owe over 16 trillion dollars.
I mean that is even more than my weekly allowance! You betcha!
Lt Dan
February 13th, 2013
2:26 pm
Question for Reality:
What is the wealthy’s ‘fair share’ of income taxes?
Can you give me a number or percentage?
I ask this question from time to time, but have never received an answer.
I’m just really curious, Can anyone define ‘fair share’?
If I prepare my tax return and follow the existing tax laws and get a refund from the IRS, have I payed my fair share?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
2:27 pm
md already touched on this, but in response to jdw -
Decreased tax revenue and high spending resulted in an unusually large budget deficit of about $1.4 trillion, well above the $407 billion projected in the FY 2009 budget. A 2009 CBO report indicated that $245 billion, about half of the excess spending, was a result of the 2008 TARP bailouts. Tax cuts resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 accounted for nearly half of the lost revenue.
Like md pointed out, obozo authorized the TARP expenditure, mostly as a payback to his Wall Street buddies.
Keep flailing at it, jdw.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:27 pm
corporations and the wealthy will be fine but keep staying the course on slobbering all over Americans that need no help from any American.
We will focus on the middle class while you are without leadership stuck in the wilderness divided and conquered.
Our future is bright.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
2:29 pm
You just have to know how to do it. Right, Bruno?
When I put my mind to it, I’ve been told that I can be quite charming. And then there’s that other part of me………I guess that nobody’s perfect.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:31 pm
dusty,
We cut 2.5 trillion but our President wants more cuts to total 4 trillion.
The deal is still on the table.
Why is your party walking away from this grand bargain?
Don't Tread
February 13th, 2013
2:36 pm
We cut military spending (including R&D) to the bone in the 30s and came very close to losing WWII when we could’t even keep Nazi submarines out of our own coastal waters.
We did it again during the Carter years and then couldn’t rescue 52 hostages from the Iranians.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
2:37 pm
Oh dear, I see Politico, that sweet thing, has looked up “flanders”. ahh Flanders Field where the poppies bloom!
But of course, I was talking about those flat footed flounders of fish fame.to the amiable angelfish I guess I was just “floundering ” around. Somethng definitely “fishy” going on here!
Now, what was the recent subject of cerebral stupefaction? . Oh yes, the ;president’s speech. OK….If you say so…
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:40 pm
How many of you cons did not bother to listen to our President?
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
2:42 pm
md @ 12:51 pm
One does not call a program broken because it has a shortfall. The real issue with Medicare is future funding, not current funding.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:42 pm
It was w that wrote the blank check with no strings attached to bail out the banks.
You cons ignore this fact.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:44 pm
“the real issue with Medicare is future funding, not current funding.”
True, both SS and Medicare needed tweaks since the start.
ObamaCare will need tweaks too.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
2:46 pm
How many of you cons did not bother to listen to our President?
I, for one, didn’t. At this point, why does it matter? For some odd reason, I knew you obozobots would be here today giving us a mealy mouthed rerun of the whole thing, lie by stinking filthy lie. And, sure enough, you haven’t disappointed.
2.5 trillion in cuts? Wow, that’s a whopper. 3 year olds all over the country are like, man, why did I tell my pinko Dad I broke the window? Look at what I could have gotten away with.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
2:47 pm
Dusty
Well you wrote “flanders” in your 2:07 post. Plus you seem to think Democrats have controlled the House for the last four years, so I was just making sure
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:48 pm
I will not listen to rubio or rand so we are even.
2.5 trillion but wants a total of 4 trillion.
Facts do matter.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
2:49 pm
getalife, dear valentine
Republicans walk away from the president’s promises because he forgets them the next day.
There’s the first election promises, the first term promises, the second election promises and now he reports to the nation with promises.
Republicans werent” just born yesterday”, as ’tis said. We know his promises of today will be gone tomorrow and we don’t want the country to be “gone” too..
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:51 pm
Did you know our Treasury reported a surplus?
Of course not.
We had a surplus when w took office but he exploded our deficit.
We must never ever let the gop blow a surplus again.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
2:52 pm
The TARP program originally authorized expenditures of $700 billion. The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act reduced the amount authorized to $475 billion. By October 11, 2012, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated that total disbursements would be $431 billion and estimated the total cost, including grants for mortgage programs that have not yet been made, would be $24 billion.
The blank check for 24 billion, eh?
By the way, this is how obozo can claim even the most meager of spending cuts, paybacks to the treasury from Bush’s highly successful bailout program.
Now all we have to do to get right is to have some 800 billion porkulus paid back to the treasury, hahahahahahaha, yeah, like that hasn’t all been snorted up their noses.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:56 pm
Did you know the easing by the fed until we return to full employment costs 85 billion a month?
How much does the sequester cut?
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
2:56 pm
Thank you, Politico. That’s the best valentine I ever received from an old barnacle.
Keep hangin’ on there!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
2:57 pm
Here’s your brain – spend 163 billion more than you take in.
Here’s your brain on drugs – spend 1.63 trillion more than you take in and call accounting gimmicks “cuts.” Claim to be a fiscal deficit hawk. Babble about Bushie.
See what I’m saying?
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:58 pm
Did you know the total costs of bailing out the gse’s of fred and fan?
Of course not because it is ongoing.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
2:58 pm
How many of you cons did not bother to listen to our President?
Who?? Never heard of the guy……
getalife
February 13th, 2013
3:00 pm
Bruno,
I know then you pretend to be informed.
JDW
February 13th, 2013
3:01 pm
@md…you are confusing appropriations and spending…money was appropriated in 2009 and spent over the last 4 years. Fact is the CBO projected the 2009 budget deficit at $1.2 trillion on January 7 2009…two weeks BEFORE the inaguration.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/07/news/economy/cbo_2009_budget_outlook/
The point you and the rest can’t get through your heads is that in spite of the stimulus, in spite of the $350 billion in bailout funds discretionary spending which is the ONLY part of the budget governed by the Appropriations process has DECREASED over the last 4 years from about $1.3 trillion to around $1.289 trillion.
http:// www .heritage. org/multimedia/infographic/2012/10/federal-spending-by-the-numbers-2012/the-federal-budget-1992-2012
When you compare that to the increases under Reagan and Duhbya the whining from Republicans is laughable. Fact is limiting the growth of discretionary spending is one of the things that is dragging on the economy.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
3:01 pm
getalife,
Did you know that if fairies danced on mushrooms every night we could have more mushroom soup?
I promise you. More soup for the starving obese children! Cross my heart!!
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
3:04 pm
Bruno @ 1:00 pm
Calling me a stupid only shows the stupidity, with which you address comments. Freeman Dyson can be “the most brilliant mathematician/theoretical physicist who didn’t win the Nobel Prize;” he is not a climatologist. When it comes to that science, I could not care less about his “demonstrating that the “path integral method” of calculation for quantum electrodynamics advanced by Richard Feynman was equivalent to the “operator method” developed independently by Julian Schwinger and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga,” which was just your usual way of bragging. From Mr. Dyson, a “brilliant scientist,” one would expect something better than suggesting that atmosphere and the ocean are not the real world we live in. Perhaps he should stick with God’s Equation and leave the science of global warming to those familiar with it.
Computer models are not “driving the global warming scare.” Global warming is based on direct measurements, as well as observations of natural phenomena. Computer models are involved mainly in the predictions.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
3:06 pm
You are most certainly welcome big Dust……..
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
3:09 pm
Special for sailfish and AquaGirl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfh3p0qcSLs
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
3:09 pm
Brunio,
If you don’t know the “cons”, wait until you meet the” dems”. Would almost beat the Hatfields and the McCoys!
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 13th, 2013
3:12 pm
I blame our president for many facts. One of them is the fact that we owe over 16 trillion dollars.
FACT : The overwhelming majority of this countries debt was run up under Republican Administrations. Ronald Reagan tripled the countries debt in 8 years.
FACT : In the 1950’s the tax on the very wealthy was at 70 percent. We had no debt. Taxes for the wealthy has dropped dramatically in the next 60 years. Our debt has exploded.
FACT : The president hit the nail on the head. Republican will gladly cut older Americans retirement or health benefits. To ensure that the wealthy continue getting every tax break.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
3:12 pm
dusty lives in con la la land where facts don’t matter.
Bless her poor lil heart.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 13th, 2013
3:14 pm
Did you know our Treasury reported a surplus?
Of course not.
We had a surplus when w took office but he exploded our deficit.
We certainly did. It took W about 17 days to blow every bit of it.
Del
February 13th, 2013
3:15 pm
getalife,
did you mean THE president. I didn’t watch the president because I already knew what he was going to say, which as it turned out like usual, pretty much nothing of substance,
Politico
February 13th, 2013
3:19 pm
“We had no debt. ”
That is incorrect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt
You can make a point without falsehoods and lies.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
3:20 pm
From Mr. Dyson, a “brilliant scientist,” one would expect something better than suggesting that atmosphere and the ocean are not the real world we live in.
Let me spell it out a little more slowly for you, MarkV. Mr. Dyson’s objections centered on the fact that the computer models currently used by the anointed climatologists don’t account for the effect that clouds and dust have on temperature. Nor do they include the effects of regular old water vapor. They basically center on one factor, and one factor alone, i.e. CO2, which is why it has been mislabeled as a “toxin” or “poison”. Here’s a link straight from NASA to explain it in more detail for you.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/vapor_warming.html
In terms of “greenhouse gases”, methane needs to be feared far more than CO2, since its impact on global warming is estimated to be 20 times as great. I’ll include a link from the EPA in my next post, since there is a one-link-per-post limit here.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
3:21 pm
Del
That is exact reason why I gave the speech last night as many minutes as I gave Bush’s SOTU speeches.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
3:22 pm
Come on, MarkV.
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Now say somethnig delightful .with heart warming charm. We’ve got enough cold gray drizzle outside for the day. Now smile!!. Even if it hurts!! (Nevermind. That reminds me of my dentist. This won’t hurt! eeeeekkkkkk)
I’m gone now to work on my taxes.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
3:22 pm
http://epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html
The bottom line, MarkV, is that you don’t know your ass from your elbow when it comes to understanding Science in general, and climatology in particular. Like JDW, all you can do is make blind appeals to authority since you don’t have the education or intelligence to discuss the pertinent issues on your own.
You really need to work on that bad attitude.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 13th, 2013
3:26 pm
You can make a point without falsehoods and lies.
I did. Our debt was around 200 billion.
Yes we had some. Thank you for being so diligent and pointing out a fact that doesn’t change my original assertion one bit.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
3:29 pm
Cheesy
If that makes you happy to double down on stupidity, I’m not stopping you. Your original assertion said “no debt”.
That was either willful ignorance or purposeful deception.
Your choice, but it was one of the other.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
3:32 pm
Now, if you want to truly educate yourself about Global Warming, MarkV (and JDW), you need to look at the graph below which charts global temps back 400,000 years or so using Antarctic Ice Core Data:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.daviesand.com/Choices/Precautionary_Planning/New_Data/IceCores1.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.daviesand.com/Choices/Precautionary_Planning/New_Data/&h=380&w=750&sz=16&tbnid=ZGU2Pnf9DeQpQM:&tbnh=61&tbnw=121&zoom=1&usg=__fCGxa49tbDa7xy4UFvW1jNBJb6Q=&docid=n1vx4sQhW9XwTM&sa=X&ei=lPYbUaHoOYaS9QS1r4CYCA&ved=0CD0Q9QEwAQ&dur=380
You may notice, shock of shocks, that the Earth has warmed and cooled many times in the past. In fact, the Earth has been warmer in the past than it is now, all long before man had any impact at all on the climate. What that suggests is that there are built-in homeostatic forces at work in which both warming and cooling cycles are self-limited. But, none of the current computer models take such homeostatic forces into consideration, because they’re not well-understood.
So, tell me again how your Lib buddies have it all figured out. You really need to heed the wise words of Richard Feynman, who is likely the smartest human being to walk the Earth since Einstein:
“I can live with doubt and uncertainty and not knowing. I think it is much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers that might be wrong. If we will only allow that, as we progress, we remain unsure, we will leave opportunities for alternatives. We will not become enthusiastic for the fact, the knowledge, the absolute truth of the day, but remain always uncertain … In order to make progress, one must leave the door to the unknown ajar.”
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
3:38 pm
Dusty @ 3:22 pm
Dusty,
For you I would be happy to say things with heart-warming charm, especially since you have been rather subdued in your attacks on the President today. But Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, not today, so “Good Luck with taxes” will have to do for now.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
3:42 pm
“Rubio might be another great one too. Looking forward to that. .”
But Dusty, you’ll have to wait til 2020.
After Mitt’s second term…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
3:43 pm
It’s great big circle day with jdw -
Once again, from your own article -
The CBO expects tax revenue in 2009 to fall by $166 billion, or 6.6%, from the previous year’s collection.
So where did the other 834 Billion go? Why do we have to keep showing where it went to you?
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
3:46 pm
“It was w that wrote the blank check with no strings attached to bail out the banks.”
Oh, give ‘em credit, getalife.
There was that 3 page Paulson outline…
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
3:50 pm
Bruno @ 3:20 pm
Let me explain things for you again, because apparently once is not enough. Mr. Dyson, at least according to what you write, is one of the braggers like you, who think that they can tell people in another discipline how to do their job. If you believe that the climatologists are not aware and are not taking into account the greenhouse effect of water vapor and methane, then your ”knowledge” of the subject is less than rudimentary. That is really part of most basic science of this subject, and even a non-climatologist like I am is fully aware of it. You, on the other hand, seem to be quite unaware of the fact that there is a direct link between CO2 and the generation of the vapor in the atmosphere, as well as a link with methane generation.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 13th, 2013
3:55 pm
Your choice, but it was one of the other.
It was neither. Considering what our debt is now I consider 200 billion “nothing”
The Air Force blows that much every other day on a jet nobody wants and will never be used.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
4:05 pm
“The Air Force blows that much every other day on a jet nobody wants and will never be used.”
And I’m sure you are intelligent enough to comprehend that 200billion in 1950 equates to more than that today, right?
Comparing what the Air Force “blows every other day” in today’s dollars is not the same as 1950 200b dollars.
But carry on with your analogies that have no relevance to your original, incorrect assertion.
Triple down if you must
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
4:07 pm
If you believe that the climatologists are not aware and are not taking into account the greenhouse effect of water vapor and methane, then your ”knowledge” of the subject is less than rudimentary.
That so?? Let’s let them speak for themselves, shall we??
http://stratus.astr.ucl.ac.be/textbook/chapter4_node7.html
From the article: “The water-vapour feedback and the lapse-rate feedback can combine their effects. If the temperature increases more in the upper troposphere causing a negative lapse-rate feedback, the warming will also be associated with higher concentrations of water vapour in a region where it has a large radiative impact, leading to an additional positive water-vapour feedback. The exact changes in temperature and humidity at high altitude in response to a perturbation are not well-known.”
Got anything else??
Politico
February 13th, 2013
4:09 pm
http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
1950: $1.00 is worth $9.73 in 2013.
250B X 9.73 = 2.43T
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
4:09 pm
Bruno @3:32 pm
Bruno, talk to the people who are interested in your “discoveries.” I am not among them. Your comments only reinforce what I have already touched upon. The incredible arrogance of people like you, who think they have discovered some secret knowledge that the climatologists, who deal with these questions as a matter of their specialization, are not aware of. Those ignorant experts all over the world, who overwhelmingly make the same conclusion about global warming, are of course quite unaware of “global temps back 400,000 years or so using Antarctic Ice Core Data.” They did not notice that earth has cooled and warmed up many times in the past, etc., etc. They need Bruno and the rest of the deniers to tell them how to do their job. Where do you find this stupidity and arrogance?
As for Mr. Richard Feynman, “the smartest human being to walk the Earth since Einstein” (according to Bruno), he must have been greatly indisposed when he gave preference to ignorance over knowledge: “I think it is much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers that might be wrong.” But it gives me an understanding of what you stand for.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
4:10 pm
When a lib opens their mouth, a lie will emerge -
In December 2007, the USAF requested continued production beyond the planned 183 F-22s. On 6 April 2009, Secretary of Defense Gates called for the phasing out of F-22 production in fiscal year 2011, leaving the USAF with a production run of 187 fighters, minus losses. On 17 June 2009 the House Armed Services Committee inserted $368.8 million in the budget towards a further 12 F-22s in FY 2011. On 29 July 2009, the Air National Guard’s director asked for “60 to 70″ F-22s for air sovereignty missions, noting that these could lack capabilities such as ground attack. President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 in October 2009, without F-22 funding. General John Corley, head of Air Combat Command, wrote in a 2009 letter to a senator, “In my opinion, a fleet of 187 F-22s puts execution of our current national military strategy at high risk in the near- to mid-term”. But Gates replied “Nonsense”.
So who do you believe, an obozogoon who will blame Bush when something goes wrong or the men who put their lives on the line for this country?
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 13th, 2013
4:11 pm
And I’m sure you are intelligent enough to comprehend that 200billion in 1950 equates to more than that today, right
Yes there is a thing called inflation. Even you know that.
What are you the mayor around here ?
The thing is. By nitpicking with the numbers you feel better.
But you haven’t disputed the original point.
I’m sure somebody somewhere on ajc.com is misspelling something.
You are needed there
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
4:12 pm
Bruno @ 4:07 pm
Do you need to confirm what I had written?
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
4:13 pm
Here’s a more general discussion of computer models in relation to climate forecasting:
http://stratus.astr.ucl.ac.be/textbook/chapter3_node22.xml
“Despite very careful design, there is no guarantee that a computer model will be adequate for its intended use: some processes treated as negligible can turn out to be more important than initially though; a parameterisation may not be valid in the particular conditions of interest or may be incompatible with other hypotheses employed; the selection of parameters can be far from optimal; and so on.”
And in case you are unaware, and I’m sure that you are, virtually none of the dire predictions associated with Global Warming have come to pass. The sea hasn’t risen 6 feet, and there are less violent storms now than in the recent past. Link to follow.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
4:14 pm
http://www.c3headlines.com/2013/01/extreme-violent-storms-decline-us-co2-growth-has-minimal-impact-temperatures-climate-change.html
indigo
February 13th, 2013
4:16 pm
Aesop – 9:01
Obama is not a Socialist.
See below.
How many times will you repeat this bald faced lie?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism
Scrivener
February 13th, 2013
4:18 pm
In re: Mark V: Your comments only reinforce what I have already touched upon. The incredible arrogance of people like you……. Where do you find this stupidity and arrogance?
Wow, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Projection much, Mark?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
4:20 pm
indie – Just because obozo hasn’t started mass migrations to the countryside and genocide yet, doesn’t mean that he hasn’t displayed some of the traits of being a marxist. Why are you stuck on this?
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
4:20 pm
The incredible arrogance of people like you, who think they have discovered some secret knowledge that the climatologists, who deal with these questions as a matter of their specialization, are not aware of.
That so?? All I’m urging is for folks to keep an open mind for now. No one knows the real truth about climate change, yet that doesn’t prevent blowhards like yourself to declare it a settled science. All you have are blind appeals to authority. I’ve given you many chances today to discuss the pertinent issues at hand, but you haven’t offered anything other than that you trust the “experts”, and the supposed 97% of scientists who agree with you. That, and you love Obama.
JDW
February 13th, 2013
4:23 pm
@Bruno…”you need to look at the graph below which charts global temps back 400,000 years or so using Antarctic Ice Core Data:”
You are beginning to remind me of a frog in a pot trying to convince everyone that the temp goes up and down instead of trying to figure out how he might get out of the pot.
Scrivener
February 13th, 2013
4:24 pm
Indigo, looked at your link, and guess what? It only goes to bolster the notion that Obama IS a socialist. One of the definitions: “System of social organization in which private property and the distribution of income are subject to social control; also, the political movements aimed at putting that system into practice. Because “social control” may be interpreted in widely diverging ways, socialism ranges from statist to libertarian, from Marxist to liberal.”
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
4:26 pm
Wow, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Projection much, Mark?
Scrivener–I haven’t seen you here on the blog before, and don’t know your political orientation, but I think that I’ve laid out plenty of reasons to keep an open mind regarding Climate Change, Global Warming, or whatever the nom-du-jour is.
Now, I’m waiting for MarkV to make the leap to claim that I obviously don’t think pollution is a serious problem, or that I’m some kind of a Bible thumper. Folks like him can only imagine two possibilities. indigo already tried to run that rap on me because I don’t swallow the Evolution crap hook-line-and-sinker. Not surprisingly, neither can defend their positions using their own arguments, and are reduced to parroting things they don’t really understand.
Matz
February 13th, 2013
4:31 pm
I have to disagree with Mr. Wingfield’s take on Rubio’s speech. Water bottle aside (still not as funny as “binders full of women,” but dang, what IS?), he didn’t actually say anything. He blathered on about “values,” and enumerated in an impassioned whine, the many reasons he imagines Obama is attacking Republican “values,” sans examples of course. He explains that yes, here in America, any person can dream big and have a real chance of making it (like he did), but in the next breath, tries to relate that the very factors that enabled him to succeed are now somehow poised to stop everyone else from succeeding. His delivery reminded me of an Amway salesman who knows darn well you’re not interested in his pitch, but delivers it with gusto and calculated hand and facial gestures anyway, because that’s what “hard work” means to him.
I kept waiting for him to make a point and he didn’t, but it did occur to me that he should go for that Vatican gig that’s opening up. He certainly has the ego for it, and IMO, would look FABULOUS in those blinged-out dresses!
Don Abernethy
February 13th, 2013
4:40 pm
Lots of opinions and NO solutions.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
4:41 pm
Cheesy
Well your tax bracket deal is sort of misleading as well. How many people actually paid 70%? It is the same lame argument that some on the right speak of when talking about today’s brackets and not the average percentage paid out, which is almost always lower.
But nice try.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
4:47 pm
Bruno @ 4:20 pm
“All you have are blind appeals to authority.”
Which is exactly what Bruno has been doing, with his appeals to Dyson, except that he is appealing to a person outside the field being discussed. There is no “appeal to authority” when one takes as the likely most factual what most of the specialists in the field agree to. If we did differently, in any endeavor based on science, no practical action would be possible, because some people would always find some fanciful things that can be questioned.
The issues the deniers have been raising about global warming have been thoroughly discussed in the most reliable and detailed sources, such as the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A draft of the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been leaked, and according to Scientific American,
“the draft reaffirms humanity’s starring role in global warming, which, along with sea level rise is now “unequivocal.” Also human caused CO2 increases are now “virtually certain” to be responsible for trapping extra heat. And it is “extremely likely that human activities have caused more than half of the observed increase in global average surface temperatures since the 1950s.”
http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=leaked-report-confirms-human-induce-12-12-16
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
4:55 pm
You are beginning to remind me of a frog in a pot trying to convince everyone that the temp goes up and down instead of trying to figure out how he might get out of the pot.
And that’s where you’re dead wrong, JDW. I oppose polluting the planet as much as anyone. Differently from Al Gore, however, I put my money where my mouth is by living a simple life and by contributing regularly to a host of environmental cause, most particularly the Nature Conservancy.
As predicted above, I was expecting one of you to pull out one of your tired false dichotomies. In your world, either you’re an intelligent, caring person who doesn’t question Anthropogenic Global warming, or you’re a stupid, Bible-thumping dolt.
ODD OWL
February 13th, 2013
5:05 pm
Republicans like Marco Rubio and Rand paul are stuck on stupid… They can’t remember to do basic things like useing a podium when they speak to avoid appearing awkward and inept… George Bush forgot to flip down a step on the podium so that the head of the Queen of England could be seen and not just her large hat… The non rich Republican voters are even more clumsy than the elected rookie Republican back benchers… Republican are pathetic and not ready for prime time…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
5:16 pm
And the odd bird swoops in to confirm that dummycrats choose their candidates not based on sound policy but instead on how they would score on American idol.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
5:16 pm
Bruno, February 13th, 2013 @4:20 pm
“All I’m urging is for folks to keep an open mind for now.”
Bruno, February 12th, 2013 @10:02 pm
“Yet many brilliant scientists like Freeman Dyson aren’t buying the hogwash.”
How many sides of the mouth do you have, Bruno?
3d
February 13th, 2013
5:18 pm
A politician is a politician is a politician.
Obama and the other side have no clue what’s going on out here in the real world.
Keep watching your paycheck shrink. At least for those who don’t live off of Uncle Sam.
JDW
February 13th, 2013
5:20 pm
@Bruno…”In your world, either you’re an intelligent, caring person who doesn’t question Anthropogenic Global warming, or you’re a stupid, Bible-thumping dolt.”
There is a difference between questioning and belittling. There is no question that temperatures are rising and that extreme weather events are increasing in frequency. The best models we have at our disposal indicate that unless we act there will be adverse consequences. Now we have a couple of choices. First, we can all attempt to convince ourselves that because our information may in fact be wrong we do nothing or second, we can act in the most prudent manner possible based on the best information available. I choose option B.
It is basic logic …there are only four basic courses of action. You should choose the one that prevents disaster.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
5:25 pm
Which is exactly what Bruno has been doing, with his appeals to Dyson, except that he is appealing to a person outside the field being discussed.
My reference to Freeman Dyson is simply to say that there are numerous, brilliant, seasoned scientists who have found gaping holes in the new orthodoxy. But, any appeal to him only makes sense if what he says checks out, which I demonstrated via NASA and EPA links.
On the other hand, now you appear to be holding up the IPCC as some kind of gold standard. You parrot their conclusions without giving any supporting evidence. And, in case you forgot, they used very sloppy methodology in creating their Fourth Assessment Report.
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2010/02/an-overview-of-ipccclimategate-criticism.html
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
5:29 pm
There is a difference between questioning and belittling.
I’m not up for belittling people who do something for a living based on my U. of Google degree. The idea thousands of climatologists overlooked something you found on a crazy website is not a sound thought process.
I do the same with doctors, if 99 out of 100 of them said I had a serious problem, I’d go with the 99. This is not a radical idea, it’s common sense.
Archibald Leach
February 13th, 2013
5:33 pm
More of the same from Kyle Wingfield… “His ethnicity is icing on the cake.”
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
5:38 pm
I do the same with doctors, if 99 out of 100 of them said I had a serious problem, I’d go with the 99. This is not a radical idea, it’s common sense.
How much money did you blow on al-gore’s Y2K, aq?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
5:40 pm
If every scientific theory didn’t conclude with humans either need to be eliminated or taxed, they would be far easier to believe.
Kyle Wingfield
February 13th, 2013
5:45 pm
Archibald @ 5:33: You’re not the first person to bring that up, but I’ve been busy working on other things and haven’t had time to respond.
If I hadn’t been a bit groggy when writing that, here’s how I would have phrased it instead:
“His ethnicity — which is often mentioned as one of his best political advantages — is just icing on the cake.”
I’d assumed the part between the dashes would be assumed by most readers, but clearly I was wrong.
indigo
February 13th, 2013
5:48 pm
Aesop – 4:20 “Why are you stuck on this?
Me?
You’re the one who keeps calling him a Socialist.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
5:51 pm
There is no question that temperatures are rising and that extreme weather events are increasing in frequency.
Sorry, but you’re only half-right, maybe only 1/4 right. Yes, global temperatures have risen slightly (less than 1 degree Celsius) in the 150 years or so that we’ve been measuring them. Not a long enough time frame to make any definitive judgments IMO, and possibly small enough to fall under the range of normal variations. As for the “urban legend” regarding the severity of storms, I already put up a link above to dispel that rumor.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
5:56 pm
Marco’s working class home:
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/tour-marco-rubio-675000-working-class-home
Only $675K.
Cause he likes you…
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
6:00 pm
al-gore’s Y2K
Al Gore and Y2K? Never heard that one before. You must be getting some extra-special forwarded e-mails.
md
February 13th, 2013
6:10 pm
“One does not call a program broken because it has a shortfall. The real issue with Medicare is future funding, not current funding.”
Oh Ok, so the program is short of money now and has an issue with future funding. Yep, I can see how that equals to being in great shape…..
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
6:15 pm
Then, Gore grew serious and tried to convince people that Y2K was even more important to him than global warming and saving the whales.
“I joined the Cabinet meeting when the president laid down the law and went to each Cabinet department and set in motion efforts to make sure that every Cabinet member understands that this (Y2K) is priority No. 1,” Gore said. – Roger Simon, 2008
indigo
February 13th, 2013
6:18 pm
MarkV – 5:16
Its obvious that Bruno and Aesop will never admit they are dead wrong on global warming.
When global warming and its man-made causes are proved beyond doubt, we may be able to bring up their current(as of now) posts. If so they will, no doubt, say they were “taken out of contex” and “were not given all the facts”.
But, will they ever just admit they were absolutely wrong?
Not now, now ever, never.
They simply lack the class to show that kind of honesty.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
6:18 pm
md @6:10 pm
“Oh Ok, so the program is short of money now and has an issue with future funding. Yep, I can see how that equals to being in great shape…..”
Only in md talk “not broken” equals “in great shape.”
Politico
February 13th, 2013
6:23 pm
MarkV
md has made a choice to think that way and stay on his program……..
Don’t attempt to divert him.
md
February 13th, 2013
6:24 pm
“Lots of opinions and NO solutions.”
It’s an opinion blog Don, solutions don’t come from blogs, solutions come from action…..the only action here is wasting time…..
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
6:26 pm
Yep, indie, and some of us know that the Bering Strait used to be a land bridge between Alaska and Russia, some 1000 years ago, before the sea rose up and covered it.
You pagan liberals need to stop it with the human sacrifices, seriously.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
6:28 pm
Excuse me, 10,000 years ago.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
6:28 pm
There is a difference between questioning and belittling……. First, we can all attempt to convince ourselves that because our information may in fact be wrong we do nothing or second, we can act in the most prudent manner possible based on the best information available. I choose option B.
It is basic logic …there are only four basic courses of action. You should choose the one that prevents disaster.
Now that you’ve admitted that maybe climatology isn’t the slam dunk you seemed to portray it as a few days ago, maybe we can talk more sensibly. For starters, both you and MarkV went out of your way to insult md, HD and others here who questioned AGW and Evolution the other day. You put both of those “theories” on par with our understanding of gravity, implying that’s there’s no room for doubt.
As far as choosing a sensible course of action, I don’t see much value in acting based upon faulty doomsday predictions. The bottom line is that our concern for the environment must be balanced against other interests, such as the economic well-being of the people already alive. If we had followed the Kyoto Protocol, there’s no doubt that we would have been placed at a disadvantage to places like India or China.
Most likely, we won’t be burning fossil fuel in a hundred years from now, so the (apparent) overabundance of CO2 may not be an issue in the relatively near future. Right now, it’s the cheapest way to go, so I can’t blame folks for wanting to save money.
Irishmafia
February 13th, 2013
6:29 pm
Here’s a stat that really counts from the US Dept of Labor –percent of workforce actually working –for the past six months it has hovered around 63.6% THE ONLY time it has been lower in the past 33 years was in June 1979 -when –OOPS Carter was president.The unemplyment numbers present a incomplete picture since it doesnt count people who used up all their benefits. “Focus like a laser on the economy” Yup.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
6:30 pm
The idea thousands of climatologists overlooked something you found on a crazy website is not a sound thought process.
Since when did NASA and the EPA become “crazy websites”??
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
6:30 pm
Hey all my conned friends….avoiding hypocrisy is my intent…I absolutely understand why you would take a pass on the SOTU, as much as I tried to watch bush, nausea is never pleasant so I totally get it, but at least I tried. Obama gave a great american union speech, one that 47% seem to reject out right without a listen.
In a democracy majority rules and you should let this man have his due. You don’t have to like it, just sit back and watch because if he really is the disaster that all of you portend here day in and day out, then the democrats will be cooked for the next decade. So, c’mon people, let the good times roll.
Whether you hate obama or not, it was a really cool strategy he laid out, quite fair and balanced.
Nanny state? Hogwash.
We the people choose our course and not too many people have 40 acres and a mule to tend to. It’s a 24/7 global, high tech world out there. No, I don’t think in terms of nanny, more like a kind uncle clearing some openings. Once through to the right path, I’m on my own. With a progressive civil society health care for all and social security solid. That’s all we ask.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
6:31 pm
Approximately 14,000 years ago, mainland Australia was linked to both New Guinea and Tasmania; the British Isles formed an extension of continental Europe via the dry beds of the English Channel and North Sea; and the dry basin of the South China Sea linked Sumatra, Java and Borneo to the Asian mainland.
Must have been them coal fired power plants the neanderthals used to power their IPads that did it.
Can I get a duh?
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
6:33 pm
indigo @ 6:18. Great answer. When you can’t debate someone, start throwing insults.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
6:36 pm
Gotta run, but thanks for playing, Libs. Each and every one of you has proved once again that you have no idea what you’re talking about, and can’t begin to debate someone like me who is able to think for themselves. Just keep parroting the politically correct things you’re told, and insulting anyone who doesn’t toe the party line. Good job.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
6:37 pm
The only reason the UN even exists is because a couple of their leaders chose to appease Hitler and their countries got over run with Nazis.
Hell of a solid organization they are.
Matz
February 13th, 2013
6:37 pm
IRONY:
I mentioned to a co-worker I was headed to my chiropractor. He said, “I don’t believe in chiropractors.” I assured him that they do, in fact, exist, and that I’m certain I benefit from the service.
Later, after a good adjustment, when we were discussing the weather, my chiropractor said to me, “I don’t believe this global warming stuff. It’s a hoax.” I marinated in the irony for a moment, then went on with my life.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
6:39 pm
For starters, both you and MarkV went out of your way to insult md, HD and others here who questioned AGW and Evolution the other day.
Because, as he pointed out, it’s extreme arrogance to think you’re that smart. If you have an incomplete grasp of a complex subject you end up in the basket with loons popping shark cartilage pills.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
6:41 pm
the British Isles formed an extension of continental Europe via the dry beds of the English Channel and North Sea
A while back I saw an interesting article, I think it was in National Geographic, about the system of river beds in the ocean floor, in the English Channel and North Sea. Interesting stuff.
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/doggerland/?ar_a=1
md
February 13th, 2013
6:44 pm
“When global warming and its man-made causes are proved beyond doubt”
You are aware that is an impossibility….right?
The earth is over 4 billion years old (so think the scientists), and has been going through natural cycles the entire time.
Now, along comes man and his arrogance and he thinks he can take a very small fraction of that time and come up with what he thinks is the natural cycle vs the man made contribution to that natural cycle, after all we had a few hundred or thousand years to make the comparison…..right?
There will always be doubt indigo….always.
md
February 13th, 2013
6:46 pm
Only in md talk “not broken” equals “in great shape.”
Then explain that to me…..a program that currently doesn’t have the money to cover it’s costs will also have the same problem in the future and it doesn’t need fixing?
Politico
February 13th, 2013
6:46 pm
So Bruno insults others as he tells them they insult others
How righteous of him.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
6:48 pm
Interesting stuff.
Worth a read just so you can talk about “Doggerlanders.” There really has to be a way I can work that into a random conversation.
CC
February 13th, 2013
6:50 pm
“They simply lack the class to show that kind of honesty.”
Your statement is your opinion and not a fact. You, on the other hand, are apparently educated far beyond your intelligence and have NO class.
Walter Kerr’s statement should have directed at you when he said, “”He had delusions of adequacy.”
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
6:51 pm
People are trying to grill marco rubio on drinking some water, it was a very human moment. I can’t begin to imagine how my adrenaline would be pumping doing that for the first time! It will either make him better for it…or worse.
The tough part is that it’s kind of like those athletes that do the balance beam, even if you do the most perfect routine and should fall before its over, it’s a scratch.
That third strike was always the hardest to take, especially a fastball down the middle – damn pitchers!
md
February 13th, 2013
6:53 pm
“Because, as he pointed out, it’s extreme arrogance to think you’re that smart.”
Actually, just the opposite.
I’m just smart enough to understand that everything I believe may be wrong, and my time here is used trying to get others to understand that.
It’s how beliefs work…….
md
February 13th, 2013
6:55 pm
“People are trying to grill marco rubio on drinking some water, it was a very human moment.”
Which pretty much sums up the sad state of our media these days…..
bluecoat
February 13th, 2013
7:02 pm
Another tax maneuver.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
7:02 pm
That third strike was always the hardest to take, especially a fastball down the middle – damn pitchers!
You gotta always be looking fastball with two strikes.
Scrivener
February 13th, 2013
7:03 pm
“Scrivener–I haven’t seen you here on the blog before, and don’t know your political orientation, but I think that I’ve laid out plenty of reasons to keep an open mind regarding Climate Change, Global Warming, or whatever the nom-du-jour is.”
Lifelong republican, somewhat moderate. I tend to agree with you. I believe climate change/global warming is cyclical and not man-made. I think it’s a tool of the left to try to leverage political advantage. From my long-time reading of MarkV, it seems he will argue in circles ad nauseum even when confronted with solid facts to dispute his assertions. He never lets up on Kyle, especially if he feels Obama has been insulted in some way, but he’s oblivious to the nastiness from his side. Hypocrisy is one of my pet peeves.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
7:06 pm
Bruno @6:33 pm
“indigo @ 6:18. Great answer. When you can’t debate someone, start throwing insults.”
Bruno @ 1:00 pm
“md–Although you well addressed MarkV’s statement, I thought it was worth highlighting one more time as a demonstration of how stupid and uninformed he is.”
Bruno @ 3:22 pm
“The bottom line, MarkV, is that you don’t know your ass from your elbow when it comes to understanding…”
clem
February 13th, 2013
7:10 pm
repubs keep trotting out the B team….jindal (now having popularity problems in la) and rubio….and the knucklehead from tx cruz is really going to do wonders for the party…as in wonder what happened to the party
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
7:15 pm
“You gotta always be looking fastball with two strikes.”
Sometimes even when you knew – it didn’t matter, just ask springsteen.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
7:20 pm
I believe climate change/global warming is cyclical and not man-made.
It’s certainly caused by nature, but that doesn’t mean the current climate change isn’t anthropogenic. Floods are a natural occurrence too, that doesn’t mean there are no floods caused by human activity.
Also, if it’s flooding, you usually deal with it, not spend a bunch of time yakking about how natural floods are and they just, y’know, happen.
Republicans had to be dragged kicking and screaming to acknowledge the uncontroversial fact it’s getting hotter. Now the same people are hemming and hawing and not showing the slightest bit of embarrassment for being denalist dumbos.
Scrivener
February 13th, 2013
7:27 pm
“Republicans had to be dragged kicking and screaming to acknowledge the uncontroversial fact it’s getting hotter. Now the same people are hemming and hawing and not showing the slightest bit of embarrassment for being denalist dumbos.”
Baloney. And dumbos? If you recall, the left said in the ’70s we were in an ice age. And I guess you’re unaware of the NASA temperature data claiming the extreme heat being debunked? Not to mention their data doesn’t go very far back. Certainly not enough to claim “hottest ever” like has been reported.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
7:30 pm
If you have an incomplete grasp of a complex subject
The irony of that statement, AquaGirl, is that not one Lib here presented a shred of evidence to support their conclusions today, including you. In the end, you are accepting on faith what others are telling you. Which is ok, as long as you identify it as such. Which is all that md, HD, et.al. said the other day regarding their own opinions. But for some reason they were scorned. Apparently your faith is so much more valuable than their faith……..Not.
MarkV @ 7:06–The difference is that I can back my opinions up with solid reasoning and plenty of links, as I have today. Over on your side, we never got past the blind appeals to authority.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
7:48 pm
JDW: It is basic logic …there are only four basic courses of action. You should choose the one that prevents disaster.
md–I’m not sure if you caught the irony in JDW’s statement. When it comes to avoiding certain financial ruin for our country due to the unprecedented overspending, JDW hasn’t a care in the world. But, get a group of pay-for-play doomsday “scientists” together whose predictions haven’t panned out in the least, and he’s all in.
All I can hope is that some of these Libs here follow the money trail one of these days. No one is paying researchers to prove that Global Warming isn’t man-made. If you want to get paid, you have to prove the opposite. Like Freeman Dyson, I think it’s ridiculous that anyone who dares voice a different opinion is immediately ostracized. But, the bottom line is that the truth isn’t something that can be voted upon, so it doesn’t matter what percentage of scientists believe what. In light of the history of discarded theories over time, you would think some of them might understand that.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
7:53 pm
In the end, you are accepting on faith what others are telling you. Which is ok, as long as you identify it as such.
That’s oversimplifying the matter. I accept lots of things at face value, we all do. I pretty much drive without wondering if every bridge I cross is going to collapse. Sometimes civil engineers eff up and they do collapse, but that’s not common. So in that sense I do accept the word of civil engineers on faith.
What I DON’T do is decide I know more about designing bridges than the guy who spent years at Tech learning all the details.
There is no way in hell I would trust my life to what I learned on teh interwebz vs. the opinion of 6000 engineers. That would be arrogant, insane, and just plain stupid.
BTW, cherry-picking stuff and applying it like a Pollack painting is a basic fallacy. When you commit errors in very basic thinking processes, why would anyone think you’re smarter than the Climatologists?
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
7:57 pm
You gotta always be looking fastball with two strikes.
That assumes you think you can catch up with the express. I usually knew it was coming, but for me I was more hoping, hoping for something off speed or something outside.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
7:57 pm
My take on “Global Warming” is this, I believe the world is getting warmer and has been for at least the last 200 years, at least. How much is a cyclical change and how much is man made, I don’t know and don’t claim to. They’ve only been keeping weather records in most places since the late 19th century, so this is in its infancy, really. Regardless of that, I think we need to keep the world as clean as we can. My thinking is come up with whatever emission standards you deem necessary and fine the hell out of those who break them (or whatever action is deemed appropriate). My problem was with Cap and Trade. In my opinion, that was nothing more than a shell game. On the one hand, it would allow some to buy their way out of complying with regulations and on the other, it’s just a way for some folks to make a whole lot of money, shuffling paper. We’ve had a enough of shuffling worthless pieces of paper around to last us quite a while, in my opinion.
On compliance, if fines didn’t work, why not revoke the corporate charters of the offending companies? Corporations are registered with the states and historically they were granted charters by the state. If a charter is granted it can be revoked. Now, of course, you don’t want to revoke charters on everybody who happens to be out of compliance but it would be something to think about in a worse case scenario.
Anyhow that’s my 2¢, and it has been for a long, long time.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
8:00 pm
That assumes you think you can catch up with the express.
Looking for it and hitting it are two different things, however, if you’re looking for something else and you get a fastball, you’re toast, if you look fastball and get something else, it’s easier to adjust down than to adjust up. You still gotta hit it but you have a much better chance if you shorten your swing and look fastball. That didn’t originate with me, and I don’t really know where it originated (probably in the Dead Ball Era) but it was the philosophy of Keith Moreland, who was one of the better two strike hitters that I’ve seen.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
8:03 pm
Aquagirl
There were people in Germany in the thirties and early forties that trusted the authorities to provide a good warm shower after a long train ride. You gotta always be cynical and question peoples motives.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
8:06 pm
I know of what you speak, Hillbilly, but it depends on the pitcher. When Nolan Ryan/Jusin Verlander was on the mound, you knew it was coming, but you were hoping you were wrong, because no adjustments in your swing was going to allow you to catch up with a high hard one.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:06 pm
I guess the libs missed the part about sea levels rising for the last 400,000 years or so, which is a lot longer than they’ve been around. But, hey, I guess if you can attempt to perpetuate your governmental power and further your pointless, parasitical existence by latching on to and scare mongering a naturally occurring phenomena, at the expense of others, like everything a liberal does, more power to ya.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
8:13 pm
There were people in Germany in the thirties and early forties that trusted the authorities to provide a good warm shower after a long train ride.
Boy, 343 comments and FINALLY somebody Godwins the thread. What took you so long?
I completely agree you should always be cynical but there’s a point where cynicism turns into crazy. I’ve never subscribed to the Truther BS, even though I trust Dick Cheney as much as I’d trust Kyle to start hollering Go Jackets!
So I don’t buy the muttering that global warming is a conspiracy. And frankly people who assert “who wouldn’t lie like hell to keep their job?” are self-centered a-holes assuming everyone else is equally psycho.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:18 pm
“It’s certainly caused by nature, but that doesn’t mean the current climate change isn’t anthropogenic.”
Doesn’t mean it is either……from the head of the BEST Project on warming in response to claims that warming has not leveled off for the past 13 years:
“Yesterday Prof Muller insisted that neither his claims that there has not been a standstill, nor the graph, were misleading because the project had made its raw data available on its website, enabling others to draw their own graphs.
However, he admitted it was true that the BEST data suggested that world temperatures have not risen for about 13 years. But in his view, this might not be ‘statistically significant’, although, he added, it was equally possible that it was.”
Notice that last sentence and especially the words “might not” and “equally possible”…..does that sound like a scientific conclusion?
And for the true “believers”, I’m guessing I’ll hear yes……
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
8:20 pm
BTW, cherry-picking stuff and applying it like a Pollack painting is a basic fallacy. When you commit errors in very basic thinking processes, why would anyone think you’re smarter than the Climatologists?
Sincerely, AquaGirl, I’m not saying that I’m “smarter” than the climatologists that you refer to. I’m sure many, if not most of them are very bright people. All I’m saying is that there is significant doubt as to what is driving the changes. And, because climatology is in its infancy, I’m not expecting any solid answers real soon. One of the difficulties in a field like that is that applying mathematical modeling to certain natural phenomena is extremely difficult. E.g. we still can’t create an accurate mathematical model to predict how a raindrop behaves on its way to earth.
If you have identified any errors in my thinking, you are welcome to point them out. The job of the skeptic is easy, of course, especially in such a complex undertaking as climatology. And as I’ve shown, there is plenty of room for doubt.
My thinking is similar to HD’s above. Compared to my childhood, it’s definitely warmer overall, but I can’t say what part is natural and which isn’t. Which ultimately doesn’t matter, since I support a clean Earth, both through my vote and through my own money. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m going to accept anyone’s word on anything until they can prove it to me.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
8:23 pm
Not looking forward to V-day this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aKgKHmZ9WI
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
8:24 pm
Rafe
Good point. Most all big leaguers are dead fastball hitters. If it comes in straight, they’re gonna kill it. Ryan was one of my favorite pitchers to watch when he was on but I have seen games where he couldn’t get his curve over for strikes and they sat on the fastball and hammered him. Of course, I’m assuming you and I aren’t MLB caliber hitters. I know for a fact one of us isn’t.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
8:30 pm
Compared to my childhood, it’s definitely warmer overall,
I base my opinion on it getting warmer on what I’ve seen in my own lifetime, what my grandparents told me (they were born in the 1890’s-1900’s) and reading family diaries from the mid 19th century. The common thread all the way through is that it’s not as cold as it used to be. I’ve read a diary from about 1859-60, where a snow is mentioned as “a big snow like we used to get”. The same man also killed hogs, most anytime of the year. By the early 20th century, that was curtailed to mainly in the fall. If I was going to do it now, I’d probably wait for the dead of winter.
And, of course, we do have the historical record of 1816 “the Year without a Summer” and the “Little Ice Age” app 1300-1850.
Del
February 13th, 2013
8:32 pm
Good to see that the comments on Kyles blog keeps up with numbskulls next door.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
8:33 pm
Bruno @ 7:30 pm
You are not only an ignorant, as you have shown in the discussion of global warming, but quite clearly also a hypocrite, as you have demonstrated now and before. Just wallow in both.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:34 pm
Read some here, but take it with a grain of salt as well, and then follow up with Dr Curry on her Georgia Tech site as she has quite a few posts on climate change and posts in reaction to this article.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2055191/Scientists-said-climate-change-sceptics-proved-wrong-accused-hiding-truth-colleague.html
I’ve done a bit of research on the article over the months and think it is slanted toward the skeptic position, but one can use it to find all kind of information relating to the “pause” in warming, the variables that for the most part are assumed and various other avenues that should give one a chance to challenge their “beliefs”…..
Or one can go along their merry way and skip on through life believing everything they see and hear……..vs the old adage of believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
8:35 pm
Aquagirl
I completely agree you should always be cynical but there’s a point where cynicism turns into crazy.
I agree with that, but for everyone who is crazy cynical, there are 3 or 4, who are lazy gullible. Too many just hear enough experts talking about settled science (oxymoron) and then we hear “they say” everyone agrees that man made GW is real.
Lack of intellectual curiosity trumps cynicism unfortunately. No one knows for sure what is happening with the warming, and those who admit that we need much more studies and observations are the ones on the right course.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
8:44 pm
I agree with Hillbilly and Bruno that it is not as cold now as it was when I was a child. BUT, that doesn’t mean squat. Someone smarter than me once said we made the mistake of believing that history started the day you were born, and the only place on earth is where you live.
Yes, it may be warmer here, but at the same time, it has been one of the coldest winters ever in Russia and China. No one talks about that, just the usual discussion about how warm it has been where we live.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
8:54 pm
This is why you should always be skeptical of what the libs believe -
Global warming causing Antarctic ice to expand
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
8:54 pm
or everyone who is crazy cynical, there are 3 or 4, who are lazy gullible.
Unfortunately you’re saddled with folks who cite Daily Mail articles on the denalist side, so you might want to withdraw your assertion global warming is accepted due to excessive laziness and gullibility.
Climatologists are certainly qualified to speak on the matter and there is a general consensus reached through the scientific process. I honestly think you are too intelligent to think genuine scientific discussion means “well, we ain’t that sure.” People who wave that around are either ignorant of how science works or being deliberately obtuse.
Now I’m gonna leave this discussion and turn up my heater ’cause it’s cold.
I’ll leave you the last word if you want it, and buenos noches.
md
February 13th, 2013
8:54 pm
This graph shows that the trend of the last decade is absolutely flat, with no increase at all – though the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have carried on rising relentlessly.
‘This is nowhere near what the climate models were predicting,’ Prof Curry said. ‘Whatever it is that’s going on here, it doesn’t look like it’s being dominated by CO2.’
“In fact, she added, in the wake of the unexpected global warming standstill, many climate scientists who had previously rejected sceptics’ arguments were now taking them much more seriously.
They were finally addressing questions such as the influence of clouds, natural temperature cycles and solar radiation – as they should have done, she said, a long time ago.”
Dr Curry has also written several posts about the ongoing validity of our monitoring stations and then brings up the excellent point that we are comparing data to stations from the early 1900’s, which we all know were top notch state of the art machines (sarc)……….
md
February 13th, 2013
8:59 pm
“Unfortunately you’re saddled with folks who cite Daily Mail articles on the denalist side, so you might want to withdraw your assertion global warming is accepted due to excessive laziness and gullibility. ”
That’s good for a laugh…..instead of reading the article and doing more research as I suggested BECAUSE OF the source Aquagirl takes the lazy way out and just poo poos the source.
Now that is funny……..you can do better than that Aqua, or not….your choice.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:00 pm
MarkV: You are not only an ignorant, as you have shown in the discussion of global warming, but quite clearly also a hypocrite, as you have demonstrated now and before. Just wallow in both.
MarkV–If you follow my posts, my blog friendships have nothing to do with political views. Some of my best e-friends have been flaming liberals, and some of my worst e-enemies have been conservatives. My dislike and mistreatment of you is based strictly on the fact that you’re a jerk. You don’t have an ability to think on your own, yet are quick to vilify anyone who doesn’t buy your pre-packaged conclusions.
Rafe: Someone smarter than me once said we made the mistake of believing that history started the day you were born, and the only place on earth is where you live.
Someone even smarter than that once said that all politics is local. BTW, very refreshing to hear your attitude toward Science. Richard Feynman would be proud. If you haven’t read it, his biography, entitled “Genius”, is extremely interesting. The author, James Gleick, took the time to familiarize himself with the Physics in order to tell more of the real story.
http://www.amazon.com/Genius-Life-Science-Richard-Feynman/dp/0679747044/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360807162&sr=8-1&keywords=richard+feynmann+genius
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
9:01 pm
Discussion reminded me of some expert who was explaining how these warming/cooling cycles have known average durations and that the warm cycle is finishing and we are moving to a cooling period. I found this is Forbes, different expert cited but same theory.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2012/05/31/sorry-global-warming-alarmists-the-earth-is-cooling/
Central to these natural cycles is the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Every 25 to 30 years the oceans undergo a natural cycle where the colder water below churns to replace the warmer water at the surface, and that affects global temperatures by the fractions of a degree we have seen. The PDO was cold from the late 1940s to the late 1970s, and it was warm from the late 1970s to the late 1990s, similar to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO).
In 2000, the UN’s IPCC predicted that global temperatures would rise by 1 degree Celsius by 2010. Was that based on climate science, or political science to scare the public into accepting costly anti-industrial regulations and taxes?
Don Easterbrook, Professor Emeritus of Geology at Western Washington University, knew the answer. He publicly predicted in 2000 that global temperatures would decline by 2010. He made that prediction because he knew the PDO had turned cold in 1999, something the political scientists at the UN’s IPCC did not know or did not think significant.
Seems to me we are far from understanding exactly what is the truth about global warming.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:01 pm
And aqua, if you end up doing the research and happen to stumble on Dr Curry’s website, you may notice that she states that she made all those statements in The Mail article……imagine that.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:02 pm
I honestly think you are too intelligent to think genuine scientific discussion means “well, we ain’t that sure.” People who wave that around are either ignorant of how science works or being deliberately obtuse.
Aquagirl–As surprising as it may be to you, that’s often the most honest answer.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:06 pm
Rafe @ 9:01–In addition to the regular oceanic cycles, there are also long-term cycles involving the sun that we don’t fully understand either. As I’m sure you’re well aware, the leap from “correlation” to “causation” is a large one, and always subject to revision.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
9:07 pm
Bruno
I used to work for a guy who used to get flustered because he said I answered any question he asked with either yes, no, or I don’t know.
md
February 13th, 2013
9:08 pm
Interesting that you mention PDO’s and AMO’s Rafe:
http://judithcurry.com/2012/10/14/pause-discussion-thread/
Which is also where Aqua can find the truth….
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:10 pm
Air is the name given to the atmosphere used in breathing and photosynthesis. Dry air contains roughly (by volume) 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases.
Just think about that for a minute.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:17 pm
Which is also where Aqua can find the truth….
Unfortunately, md, there are none so blind as those who refuse to see. Aqua and many others here (all Libs, coincidentally), have clearly stated that they trust the “experts”, and aren’t going to look into anything on their own. Which is their right, of course. I just wish they would show a little more respect to those who do have legitimate questions. Pretty humorous that the same crowd liked to claim that the skeptics just don’t know anything about Science. As I get older, I’m doing better at accepting life’s little ironies that way.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:18 pm
Just think about that for a minute.
Pass me some air, will you, Aesop??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ_DPL0WgZM
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:20 pm
Air…Air
Hit me in the face
I run faster
(faster, faster, faster, faster)
Faster into the air
(I say to myself)
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Air can hurt you too
Some people say not to worry about the air
Some people never had experience with…
Air…Air
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
9:32 pm
You also have to remember the liberal scare mongering over DDT, which was then banned and with the resulting ban accounting for the deaths of over 1 million Africans. From mosquito born malaria.
Listen to them at your own risk.
Heh, I always laugh at the warnings required to be included in the instructions of product manufacturers, by the liberals, because us simple people would never be able to figure them out on our own. Don’t blow dry your hair in the bath tub. Don’t let your child play with plastic bags. Drinking gasoline can lead to harmful side effects. Make sure there are no small pets inside of the dishwasher before you start the wash cycle.
I mean really. Who truly needs the adult supervision other than the liberals?
Beware of what the liberals recommend because it may cause the deaths of millions, and they couldn’t care less. That’s a warning we should all heed.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:44 pm
Heh, I always laugh at the warnings required to be included in the instructions of product manufacturers, by the liberals, because us simple people would never be able to figure them out on our own.
I think it has more to do with attempting to feign off frivolous lawsuits, which is likely futile.
Just for you, Aesop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKW7JkHKm8
Everyone is trying to get to the bar.
The name of the bar, the bar is called heaven.
The band in heaven plays my favorite song.
They play it once again, they play it all night long.
Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.
Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:47 pm
Ooops, meant to say “fend off”. Must be some kind of Freudian slip there…..
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
9:51 pm
Bruno @9:00 pm
“If you follow my posts, my blog friendships have nothing to do with political views.”
Bruno,
Now you are proving you have hardly any mind left at all. In all my discussion with you about global warming I have never accused you of basing you arguments on politics.
You are the one who has shown no ability to think. You have not made a single rational argument for your opinions, other than referring to another scientist. You have exhibited a hypocrisy by accusing people of the sins you have been committing.
Most of all, you are a bragger. You have such a high opinion of yourself that you do not see that you are making a fool of yourself, again and again.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
9:56 pm
Special for the Libs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9CjnDufqeQ
Some civil servants are just like my loved ones
They work so hard and they try to be strong
I’m a lucky guy to live in my building
They own the buildings to help them along
It’s over there, it’s over there
My building has every convenience
It’s gonna make life easy for me
It’s gonna be easy to get things done
I will relax along with my loved ones
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
9:58 pm
“Good to see that the comments on Kyles blog keeps up with numbskulls next door.”"
That’s because half of the traffic likes to cross the street: both kyle and jay are more clever than their opponents (critics) think. It’s always right in front of you, just like that fastball and when you do make contact? Sweet!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
10:02 pm
One thing you need to remember, over 75% of the comments posted on kookman’s blog are completely mindless, such as anything kamwhack has to say.
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
10:08 pm
aesop@10:02
Interesting….what makes you think you’re any better? Perception versus reality it’s a gas, gas, gas!
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
10:17 pm
Just for you, sailfish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TcztyNlFx0
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
10:30 pm
Another sailing song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6M4wsU6VJU
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
10:34 pm
One of the most powerful sailing songs ever by the Beach Boys. One of their best songs, IMO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQOaLP-qPmk
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
10:34 pm
A little blues, a little country and a good bit of jazz/swing, all in the same song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz_D_52JmAk
Sailfish
February 13th, 2013
10:39 pm
bruno
Thanks, much obliged but……I’ve always hated that song! One time I was announcing a high school ball game and doing the music between innings and rockin, our guys were up 6 to 1. The athletic director comes over and gives me that song to play, I just stared at him and said ” I can’t play that song, it’s gay!” He said play it! Our side was on the field and we couldn’t get an out, one of those really long innings and they tied the game. Fortunately, before we batted I played some stevie ray vaughn “the house is a rockin”, our karma returned and we sealed the deal!
No styx at ballgames please..it ought to be a law!
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
10:39 pm
For sailing songs I was always partial to this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtxmgBYlrTs
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
10:44 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X57zvtaOlvE#t=1m10s
md
February 13th, 2013
10:51 pm
“Unfortunately, md, there are none so blind as those who refuse to see. Aqua and many others here (all Libs, coincidentally), have clearly stated that they trust the “experts”, and aren’t going to look into anything on their own.”
Which is interesting in it’s own right as Dr Curry is a professor and Chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Guess one doesn’t have to be an expert to hold that esteemed position over at Tech huh…..
md
February 13th, 2013
11:03 pm
From my younger days, this was “mellow” sailing……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX0SWdNrZho
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:07 pm
I just stared at him and said ” I can’t play that song, it’s gay!” He said play it!
LMFAO @ sailfish.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
11:13 pm
A few times, I’ve had people ask me, “Do you think Elvis was really that good?”. My answer, “Try to sing this song and then you tell me”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CMlYVu9J4g
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:15 pm
A little blues, a little country and a good bit of jazz/swing, all in the same song.
HD–You trying to build me back up with “This Ol’ Cowboy” ??
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:21 pm
From my younger days, this was “mellow” sailing……
Maybe we are from the same era, md. “Trick of the Tail” was one of the most played albums at my house.
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
11:23 pm
Trick of the Tail and And Then There Were Three were the two best Genesis albums for my money…………..
And this song isn’t from either. It ain’t even Genesis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an-RGj46xPU&feature=related
md
February 13th, 2013
11:24 pm
Lots of Genesis at my house, and my folks hated it……
I’m out.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:29 pm
Trick of the Tail and And Then There Were Three were the two best Genesis albums for my money…………..
No argument there, although “The Wind and the Wuthering” was good also. On their later albums, they might have only one or two good songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLOPj4LlrCg
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:34 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSK1JIb62c
Hillbilly D
February 13th, 2013
11:42 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFw5Qi0pjU
Time to say goodnight.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:47 pm
Thanks, HD. Great close out song.
The Kid
February 13th, 2013
11:52 pm
To hear these clowns trumpet Bushs’ budget adds to the Repub. hypocrisy. The Bush/Cheney wars were left off the books. Even us elementary students knew that. As for Rubio; everything he’s against(medicare, government assistance on school loans, S.S.I.,etc); he and his family were beneficiaries of.
Welcome to Atlanta, Mr. President. Now about pre-k . . . | Kyle Wingfield
February 14th, 2013
5:02 am
[...] a Decatur pre-k school comes on the heels of his lauding Georgia’s preschool program during his State of the Union address Tuesday night. He wants to use it as a model for a federal effort “to make high-quality preschool [...]
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 14th, 2013
7:34 am
Put Our President Bush’s two wars “on the books” and Obozo’s deficits still dwarf Bush’s.
BTW, you know that Obozo’s failed stimulus was off the books too, right?
Don’t fear facts.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 14th, 2013
7:51 am
test
Even the best-intentioned programs are allowed to languish in waste and incompetence. Take, for example, the famed early-education program called Head Start.
Just Saying..
February 14th, 2013
9:44 am
It makes sense that this would be the hovel of climate change deniers.
This is also where Mitt won the Presidency…