Your morning jolt: Michele Bachmann and the tea party as an act of God
This morning’s topic appears to be whether – like Hurricane Irene, an earthquake, or Chuck Norris – the tea party wields enough power to be declared an act of God. Campaigning in Florida on Sunday, Michele Bachmann seemed to think so.
From the St. Petersburg Times:
“I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He said, ‘Are you going to start listening to me here?’ Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we’ve got to rein in the spending.”
In Georgia, there was less enthusiasm for giving the tea party credit – or blame — for the failure of Gov. Nathan Deal’s effort to move the next year’s transportation sales tax vote to November. From the Associated Press:
House Speaker David Ralston downplayed the tea party’s role in sinking the transportation measure.
“I think the Republican caucus in the House thinks for themselves,” Ralston said. “We listen to a lot of groups here.”
To be sure, counties also opposed moving the date of the transportation referendum, which had an effect on the outcome.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle stopped short of calling the transportation tax a victory for the tea party, but agreed they are having an impact on the state’s politics.
“I think all constituencies that bind together have a voice,” Cagle said. “This is what democracy is all about. They clearly weighed in very heavily, but (they were) not the deciding factor.”
***
And speaking of the transportation SPLOST, an interesting few Sunday lines from Laura Armstrong of the Marietta Daily Journal:
…[T]here’s the perception among more than a few educated citizens that the Atlanta Regional Commission and their friends the municipal associations, community improvement districts (CIDs) and chambers of commerce (that have sadly evolved from really great networking organizations into just more power-imbued lobbyists with major political influence) not only want our dollars, but are also trying to force certain lifestyle concepts down our throats.
Urbanization, high density-no back yards (HDNBY) Agenda 21 “sustainable community” stuff that will transform our once quiet suburbs into, well, something very few of us seek.
***
Strange doings down in Lowndes County. From the Valdosta Daily Times:
Valdosta Mayor John J. Fretti entered a guilty plea Friday morning stemming from an investigation into his being doubly reimbursed by the city and state for the same trips.
At approximately 9:45 a.m. Friday, Fretti entered a guilty plea in Lowndes County Superior Court to felony false statement, but did not step down as Valdosta’s mayor.
Fretti knowingly signed Georgia Department of Community Affairs vouchers between June 3, 2009, and June 2, 2010, according to Southern District Attorney David Miller, and also returned to Valdosta and claimed mileage reimbursement from the city for the same trips.
Additionally during these trips, he accepted the $105 per diem from DCA, while charging all of his lodging and food expenses to the city….
The charge carries a sentence of one to five years in prison and a fine of approximately $1,000. DA David Miller requested that the sentence include full restitution to the City of Valdosta in the amount of $4,194.
***
We didn’t go to Saturday’s GOP fish fry down in Perry. But Shannon McCaffery with the Associated Press did:
Saturday’s event featured an awkward moment as Gingrich bumped into former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, who initially signed on to be national co-chairman for his presidential bid only to quit _ without so much as a phone call _ when the Gingrich campaign unraveled earlier this year. Perdue launched the middle Georgia fish fry as governor. Since he left office, the state party has taken over the event.
“It was cordial,” Perdue said of his brief hello with Gingrich. “Listen, I still respect his intellect and ideas.”
…..Gingrich said Saturday he was “saddened” that the political action committee he founded _American Solutions _ has shut down. The 527 group had struggled with financial support since Gingrich left to run for president.
Under Gingrich, the group had been a fundraising juggernaut, raising millions of dollars that allowed Gingrich to travel the country prompting his ideas.
***
That red carpet treatment of Jon Huntsman at the state Capitol last week apparently paid off. GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, who placed first in Saturday’s GOP straw poll in Perry, will address the Senate at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday – just before the General Assembly flees home for the rest of the year.
***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia today examines GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich’s recent Tweet that “We spend less on defense today as % of GDP than at any time since Pearl Harbor.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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143 comments Add your comment
TRUTH
August 29th, 2011
2:10 pm
Well, Retired Soldier, I am also a vet (US Army). I will keep the faith that this country has had its eyes opened too the Republican party. I don’t care if you call yourself a Tea Partier, Conservative, or whatever the new thing is. You are still a Republican. Those who voted in the Tea Partiers, and returned the house to the Republicans, now have seen the light. I hope you, Retired Soldier, are ready for the 2012 elections, I don’t see it going well for the Republican party at all.
Hoorah…
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:13 pm
You do not have to know what the Tea Party stand for when you see what it falls for- hate and derision for people of color; propaganda and incitement to commit violence against those in disagreement with it (see AR-15 at campaign rally and cross hairs on political districts), trickle down nonsense as the basis for middle class prosperity and success, rape the environment and terrorize the prospects for middle class to survive and the poor the overcome poverty, pillage and burn the notion that Barack Obama is an American, implement the fraud of their moral superiority
to destroy the citizenship and worthiness of gay Americans, take those of us who do not agree with it as political hostages- even if it hurts the country, and launch into petty diatribes to overstate is own self righteousness and intellectual validity.
It is not what the Tea Party stands for that is meaningful. It is what it falls for.
Retired Solider
August 29th, 2011
2:13 pm
honested-
Is that way in congressional polling for just the second time in history, 2010 was the first time, generic congressional republican leads generic democrat? Between redistricting and the low approval numbers of Obama I believe 20-25 seats in the house and 4-6 senate seats are realistic goals. That would move 2010 from mistake to bell weather.
Partisay
August 29th, 2011
2:13 pm
RGB – I know exactly what you said. I can read and conprehend fine. You ended with “how would you like if people made something up about you” and I asked – you mean like you were born in Kenya? I was waiting on your response. Is that the kind of lie you were talking about?
As for gasoline prices, I said – speaking of lies, what do think of her comment? So what do you think of her comment? I didn’t know I had to actually stick “right on” topic to see what you thought about something she said.
But I understand if you don’t want to touch any of those 2 topics.
Retired Solider
August 29th, 2011
2:16 pm
Truth-
Please look at my 2:13 post. 2012 will be a continuation of 2010, Obama approval just it a new low in Gallup, 38%. I guess that hope and change isn’t working so well.
Retired Solider
August 29th, 2011
2:18 pm
RAMZAD-
You do exactly the same thing you rail against. You have seen the enemy and it was you.
Tom
August 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
The actual Tea Party movement (9/12) has no social agenda.
RGB
August 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
Carl J. ,
Since there are millions of instances where Tea Partiers have precisely said ”Jesus is the government and the government is Jesus”, would you favor us by providing a few links illustrating this?
I Googled the precise term you claim has been used countless times and found only 2 hits. Both appear on the Huffington Post by someone who also cannot spell or use proper English.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Do you oppose the First Amendment right of people to peaceably assemble?
Do you oppose the First Amendment right of free speech?
Can you point out in the Constitution where it says that elected officials–or others–cannot hold or express religious beliefs?
Finally, I’m always intrigued when people reduce their argument to terming Tea Partiers as Bible-thumping clones from Podunk, Nebraska.
I guess I’m just a stupid, unlearned individual but I do know the meaning and proper spelling of “narcissist”. Narcissism entails “self-love” while Christianity entails loving Almighty God and his son Jesus Christ. In that regard Christianity is the antithesis of narcissism.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
@Retired Soldier you are negligible. It is your powerlessness that haunts you. Your personal value went way down after you became dis-useful to the military.
Kramer
August 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
1:47 pm
@Kramer: Kramer, life is good. I got you to hate me and call me names and curse me. That is exactly what the Tea Party does best- invest in fear, profit from propaganda, vilify those who disagree with it, and troll for scape goats. It is your hate Kramer. Keep it. It is making you very ugly. It would be better for you if you started smoking cigarettes.
Your thinking is typical liberal hypocrit. Your posts are so filled with hate that when hate is spilled on you what do you do? You call foul and call the person a hater. Sort of like your racists rants and then calling others racists. I would feel sorry for you but, that would mean I care about you and your thinking. The far left hate for the Tea Party only makes us stronger. Please keep up hating and your racist rhetoric.
Kramer
August 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
Tom
August 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
The actual Tea Party movement (9/12) has no social agenda.
Finally, someone who knows the Tea Party! The only social agenda we have is the one that the far left tells everyone we have. In fact, it does not exist. It gives them the ammo to call us racists like they do on this blog.
Partisay
August 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
RGB – While we are at it, When you wrote, “You criticize people for worshiping Him and believe that elected officials not only should not be allowed to worship God publicly, you suggest that these individuals should not even be allowed to possess a belief in the Lord on a private basis.”
I don’t think i have ever seen anybody on here state elected officials, or anybody for that matter, should “not even be allowed to worship God publicly.” Really? People have actually stated that on here – that people shouldn’t be allowed to worship God? I missed that one. You used Rick Perry as an example. Did anyone ever tell him he should not be allowed to possess a belief in the Lord on a private basis?
“I thought that in America people had a choice whether to believe or not, and that given that pluralism was a tenet of this country’s founding that individuals would respect others’ choices in this area.”
Actually the people I believe you are referring to are the ones who are trying to stop Muslims from building Mosques to worship in near ground zero, in Murfreesboro Tn and other places. Is that the people you are referring to that respect others’ choices in this area? Because that is the only people I see on here trying to restrict people’s freedom to worship.
Oh, I forgot, it’s not THEIR God so they shouldn’t be allowed.
Retired Solider
August 29th, 2011
2:26 pm
Ramzad-
Thank you for those kind words. It is always helpful that you make my point better than I can. Good job.
Retired Solider
August 29th, 2011
2:28 pm
Kramer & Tom-
You are correct, the Tea party is about fiscal policy.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
KRAMER: Not calling foul at all. In fact, it is delightful that you start calling me names and opening up
with Tea Party behavior. It just proves my point. I actually embraced you for your response, because
you are just being what you are a Tea Party supporter.
Kramer
August 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
“You do not have to know what the Tea Party stand for when you see what it falls for- hate and derision for people of color; propaganda and incitement to commit violence against those in disagreement with it (see AR-15 at campaign rally and cross hairs on political districts), trickle down nonsense as the basis for middle class prosperity and success, rape the environment and terrorize the prospects for middle class to survive and the poor the overcome poverty, pillage and burn the notion that Barack Obama is an American, implement the fraud of their moral superiority”
This is typical liberal racism in the form of trying to be intellectual. Not only are his claims false and can not be proven with any sort of facts, this person, RAMZAD, is clearly of a bigot mind and takes no responsibility for his life or his actions. It is people of other color who are to blame for Obama’s poll numbers and RAMZAD’s failures in life. So sad.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Retired Soldier, just obliging you with a picture of your reality.
carla roqs
August 29th, 2011
2:31 pm
@Romegaguy August 29th, 2011 9:11 am, forgive my ignorance, but i agree with thee. i did see that luckovich included him as well. maybe he is courting the nomination undercover the same way it has been reported that he did his current wife while with his previous wife.
RGB
August 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
Partisay,
If I didn’t grasp even rudimentary economics, I too would avoid answering the question I posed.
But I will answer yours. Gasoline was $1.79 when Barack Obama took office. Could the price decline to that when George W. Bush was president? I don’t know. Prices are driven by supply and demand and, sometimes, speculation.
But what I do know is that Obama has stopped most new oil drilling in the U.S. and is acting to prevent a major oil company from retrieving a billion barrel find in the Gulf. With demand from China and others escalating on a daily basis–combined with Obama’s refusal to allow private companies to realize new sources–prices will likely increase. Plus, we won’t realize the new jobs that accompany the discovery, production, and refinement of petroleum products. With less disposable income, the economy will suffer further and more people will be dependent on government–which is what Obama and the Democrat party crave.
If gasoline had doubled under a Bush administration, the na-na-na-na-na-na crowd would have claimed that Bush was enriching his “oil buddies”.
So is Obama enriching his oil buddies?
Kramer
August 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
KRAMER: Not calling foul at all. In fact, it is delightful that you start calling me names and opening up
with Tea Party behavior. It just proves my point. I actually embraced you for your response, because
you are just being what you are a Tea Party supporter.
The only person acting himself here is you. You are so full of disdain and hate for anyone of color who does not agree with Obama and your thinking. You tell lies about the Tea Party and act like you are an expert on the group. In fact, I do not think you are an expert on Obama and his policies. Here is a chance to prove me wrong Ramzad, tell us Obama’s economic plan and what it will do if put into place to increase jobs? Give the readers digest version if you like.
TRUTH
August 29th, 2011
2:35 pm
Quite frankly @Retired, many great Presidents ratings tanked towards the negative in the first term. Further, Retired, I operate from a factual perspective and although you’re hopeful that the same will continue in 2012, just wondering what’s in it for you as a citizen. All that we worked to defend while in service to this country is now all of a sudden no longer the freedoms we fought for? Say what??
You do know one of the Republicans position is to do away with your retirement benefits, right? Your medical, right? It’s a part of the pensions that they are looking to cut. But, they will look you right in the eye and say, Noooo, we’re not going to do that…
But you see Retired, we didn’t serve for just ourselves. We served for this country. I for one will not see the rich take away from the people who built this country.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:35 pm
Kramer: More names and self serving diatribes….you are good…..lolll..amazing how quickly you think about that which may be able to bring people down to your level. A word of advice! Try thinking about things that may bring you up…
RGB
August 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
Partisay,
Clearly I’ve touched a nerve with you.
And I note that you even wrote: “Did anyone ever tell him (Perry) he should not be allowed to possess a belief in the Lord on a private basis?”
That’s mighty generous of you.
Kramer
August 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
Ramzad, typical liberal blowhard. I ask you to give me Obama’s economic plan and you divert attention back to me. Which tells me you are a phony and one of many of all colors, who voted for Obama based on his color. Which makes you a bigot and uninformed and I would invite anyone on here having a serious discussion about politics to not include Ramzad as he is both a racist and not capable of having an intelligent coversation. I say goodbye to Mr. Racist and advise you to enjoy the next few months of Obama’s presidency. They will be his last.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
Kramer: Obama does not create any jobs. It is Congress that spends money. Republicans lied about Yellow cake uranium and invaded Iraq for almost three trillion dollars. Invaded Afghanistan- the source of our 911 problems and then walked away for Iraq which had nothing to do with 911. Gave a massive tax break to the richest 5% of Americans and these guys took everything overseas.
Obama is working to clear up the crap Bush left us. Even is we get Bachman as President it is going to take a good while for the jobs to come back. Obama does not hire anybody, and by the way, is it not your people who claims Obama is already spending too much money?
honested
August 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
If in fact the tea-whatevers were concerned about fiscal policy, they would be out in force to restore sane taxation as existed before 2001 to pay down the massive and unnecessary ward debt.
But that would admit the mythology in being taxed enough.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2011
2:43 pm
Kramer: The word racist makes me shudder. Clearly that word is the more decent part of your vocabulary.
Dan
August 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
In the months ahead, we can expect to see the Bachmann and others in the TP movement become more angry, more volatile, and even more dangerous as it desperately seeks to remain relevant, but as the recent polling has shown, it is far, far too late for the Tea Party Movement to save itself or the hateful doctrine it embraces. It was always a movement founded on lies, disinformation and fear and such a movement cannot, and will not survive in the greatest country in the world. http://wp.me/pNmlT-JV
Tom
August 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
I am a STRONG believer in the true Tea Party principles (9/12), and I consider myself to be a social libertarian (small “l”, not big “L”).
I also am not a theist.
Those who came to associate themselves with the TP movement of 2010 repesented a broad swaty across the political landscape. There were certainly a large number who identified themselves as Republican, by their voting history, but large numbers also came from those who considered themselves to be “Independent” as well as “moderate” and, yes, even “Democrat”.
Oh, and yes there was (and still are) a significant number of those who connected with the message of the Tea Party movement who were minorities. Fiscal conservatism crosses many lines.
Partisay
August 29th, 2011
2:50 pm
“You criticize people for worshiping Him and believe that elected officials not only should not be allowed to worship God publicly, you suggest that these individuals should not even be allowed to possess a belief in the Lord on a private basis.”
RGB – You are the one stating people are saying elected officials should not even be allowed to possess a belief in the Lord on a private bases. Who is telling them that? And why would you think you are hitting a nerve with me. I am responding to the things you write just like you are responding to things others are writing on here.
I just love it when you totally ignore the questions. You never said how she was going to to make gasoline under $2 a gallon. You just change the subject to Obama. I thought we were only suppossed to to talk about Bachmann since that was the topic we were on. Your words again.
Retired Solider
August 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
Truth-
Your post is so hokey you should change you handle to “fiction”. Nowhere have I seen they want to reduce my retirement, the pentagon has suggested changing the retirement for future soldiers. If you have seen anything other than that please tell me where to look. SS would not change for those over 55, logical.
What is in it for me as a citizen if we elect a conservative Congress and president? Hopefully fiscal sanity for a start. Fewer regulations and less taxes. How is that for a start?
honested
August 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
retired,
While cutting substantially from the entire bloated MIC is in order, a wholesale change for future military retirement certainly needs to be a component. ‘20 and out’ should have gone the way of the dodo 30 years ago.
Also, I had to do a quick check and I was amazed that apparently you ‘cherry picked’ one of the only polls (of course excluding raz-munchkin) that shows the ‘generic republican’ in Congressional races in positive territory. Certainly with your obvious wealth of knowledge in all things political it should be obvious to you that the trend over the last couple of months has been the ‘generic Democrat’ and that trend is firming.
Taxes are the price of Civilization. Those unwilling to pay them should move to a country where taxes are not charged.
Regulations are necessary to prevent predatory activities posing as ‘business’, ensure public safety and prevent environmental degradation. There are countries that have few regulations as well.
For the no tax, no regulation, lassiez-faire crowd, the iron is hot to strike out and form a new utopia.
Somalia is waiting!
lovelyliz
August 29th, 2011
4:56 pm
Never trust a social conservative in a political setting
lovelyliz
August 29th, 2011
5:09 pm
If you don’t like taxes: Do not become a member of the US military, who are paid with tax dollars, Do not ask the National Guard to help you after a disaster. Do not call 911 when you get hurt., Do not call the police to stop intruders in your home. Do not summon the fire department to save your burning home. Do not drive on any paved road, highway, and interstate or drive on any bridge. Do not live in areas with clean air.Do not drink clean water. Do not walk or run on sidewalks Do not use cures that were discovered by labs using federal dollars. Do not fly on federally regulated airplanes.
Do not watch the weather provided by the National Weather Service, Do not use the internet, which was developed by the military. Do not swim in clean rivers.Do not ask the military to defend your life and home in the event of a foreign invasion.Do not buy firearms that wouldn’t have been developed without the support of the US Government and military. That includes most of them.Do not eat USDA inspected produce and meat. Do not buy any product that is protected from poisons, toxins, etc. by the Consumer Protection Agency. Do not save your money in a bank that is FDIC insured. Do not use Veterans benefits or military health care. Do not run for public office. Politicians are paid with taxpayer dollars. Do not ask for help from the FBI, S.W.A.T, the bomb squad, Homeland Security, State troopers, etc…
53. Do not apply for any government job whatsoever as all state and federal employees are paid with tax dollars.Do not apply for loans from any bank that is FDIC insured. Do not ask for taxpayer dollars for your oil company. Do not seek medical care from places that use federal dollars. Do not use electricity generated by Hoover Dam. Do not use electricity or any service provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Do not whine when someone copies your work and sells it as their own. Government enforces copyright laws.Do not use money printed by the US Treasury. Do not see any doctor that is licensed through the state.Do not use any water from municipal water systems.Do not complain when diseases and viruses, that were once fought around the globe by the US government and CDC, reach your house.
Retired Solider
August 29th, 2011
5:24 pm
honested-
Enjoy your trip, liberals love to defend the muslim way of life. Hope you enjoy it too.
Mark Montgomery
August 29th, 2011
5:25 pm
I love it when Michele Bachmann runs her trap about something as stupid as thinking some imaginary man up in the sky is punishing us because of our behavior. The more she yaps the deeper the hole she digs herself into and the less likely that she will get the GOP nomination. She is very dangerous. Let’s be clear about one thing: the tea party is the present day KKK. The tea party is a small group of old, white, rich racists who hate minorities, muslims, the middle class and the poor and hide their racism behind “states’ rights”. Rick Perry is a perfect example of a typical southern racist KKK member. We have to fight the tea party like the cancer that it is. Mark Montgomery NYC, NY boboberg@nyc.rr.com
mum
August 29th, 2011
5:41 pm
Relision is a very dangerous thing. If one were to believe much being said out there, God is punishing us for electing Obama, or one could say that God is punishing us for being so extremely partisan and hateful. It works both ways.
If you say God Bless America, are you saying god curse every body else? Isn’t God supposed to be a loving God, and if so, why are our kids being blown to pieces in Afghanistan? Since Republicans are the only true Patriots and the only people “tough on defense” does it mean that God tells them when to start wars and that it’s ok to send kids to die? But, God is a God of love, so that doesn’t make sense does it?
honested
August 29th, 2011
6:49 pm
retired,
I’m sure you are bright enough to realize I was suggesting that for ‘you guys in the teapottie’.
That way you can build the country of your dreams and leave the rest of us alone.
double
August 29th, 2011
9:14 pm
Yes Libya does belong to Obama,Now look at how it is being done.Compare to the Bush way.Look at the cost.Look at the american lives lost.
President
August 29th, 2011
9:20 pm
Unbelievable! There is no reason she should be making jokes about fiscal responsibility while people are losing there homes and dieing. Wake up and understand the reality of the world. No President should ever make jokes during a situation like this and she proves again and again why she should never receive the nomination.
Check out more of my comments at: http://aneastcoastview.blogspot.com/
double
August 29th, 2011
9:51 pm
Presient why check out your comments,Can’t spell very simple word.
double
August 29th, 2011
9:52 pm
Heck you could leave out letters…………DUH
Clinton
August 30th, 2011
1:53 pm
Herman Cain used to work for the Federal Reserve and Rick Perry used to work for Al Gore and as of late…George W. Bush. Like Romney and Newt Gingrich they are all Globalists and subscribe to the Secular part of the Rockefeller Republican party except when it comes to pretending to be followers of Jesus Christ. Talk about controlled opposition and CFR Huckabee and Palin just waiting on the sidelines to jump in for the establishment in case their hand picked candidate falters…what a joke….Bachmann is clearly the REAL DEAL at this point and she is not a theocrat as those who do not understand the first amendment claim.