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Politics of 2011

Edgy DC Jan 08 2011 11:51 AM

Differing reports out there about Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D--AZ) being shot in an assault in Tucson.

metirish Jan 08 2011 11:59 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Damn Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was among as many as 12 people wounded in a shooting at a Tucson, Ariz., grocery store where she was holding a campaign event. ABC affiliate KGUN-TV in Tucson reported that as many as 12 people had been shot, including Giffords. A law enforcement source told KGUN that the shooter was in custody. Giffords, a Democrat, was scheduled to hold a "Congress on Your Corner" event today at a supermarket in northwest Tucson

metirish Jan 08 2011 12:03 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Shot in the head MSNBC are saying.

metirish Jan 08 2011 12:17 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Per twitter Her husband Mark Kelly scheduled to command the Shuttle Endeavor in April.

metirish Jan 08 2011 12:25 PM Re: Politics of 2011

dead , along with six other souls....... Rest In Peace

metirish Jan 08 2011 12:32 PM Re: Politics of 2011

MSNBC retracting the report that she is dead , this from a live interview with a sheriff who said he has spoken to a swat surgeon on the scene ....very confusing obviously

metirish Jan 08 2011 12:37 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Per hospital spokesperson , " I can confirm she is alive, she's in surgery as we speak"...

Edgy DC Jan 08 2011 12:52 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I can confirm that political violence is pretty sickening, and anybody who made signs or posted as a status emboldening statements justifying political violence should really be sick tonight.

metirish Jan 08 2011 12:54 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: I can confirm that political violence is pretty sickening, and anybody who made signs or posted as a status emboldening statements justifying political violence should really be sick tonight. Explain please.

Edgy DC Jan 08 2011 12:59 PM Re: Politics of 2011

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson Frequently posted as a Facebook status update this year, and brandished at rallies, often leaving out the "patriots" part, and clearly implying that those who disagreed were somehow tyrants. Those who advocate for political violence in the US have never lived among it and need to go to the Ivory Coast right NOW.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 08 2011 02:19 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Also, she was one of Palin's/Tea Party's "targeted" Congressmen for the midterms-- so denoted with crosshairs on the Palin site (on a since-deleted map)-- due to her vote for "Obamacare" and vocal support of LGBT causes. OE: As seen here in screencaps.

Valadius Jan 08 2011 02:29 PM Re: Politics of 2011

U.S. District Judge John Roll killed in the shooting.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 08 2011 02:41 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Sarah Palin with a typically idiotic and poorly timed sound bite today. Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: "Don't Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!" Pls see my Facebook page. 12:31 PM Mar 23rd, 2010 via OpenBeak Retweeted by 100+ people SarahPalinUSA Sarah Palin [url]http://twitter.com/sarahpalinusa/status/10935548053

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 08 2011 02:56 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Oh, and...

Willets Point Jan 08 2011 04:00 PM Re: Politics of 2011

So sad those people -- including a nine-year old -- lost their lives so senselessly. I'm hoping Representative Giffords and the others wounded make a full recovery.

Willets Point Jan 08 2011 04:01 PM Re: Politics of 2011 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 08 2011 04:48 PM

metirish wrote: ABC affiliate KGUN-TV in Tucson reported that as many as 12 people had been shot, including Giffords. A law enforcement source told KGUN that the shooter was in custody. Those call letters are looking morbid alongside this story.

metirish Jan 08 2011 04:31 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Yikes , never noticed the call letters....the gun was a 9mm Clock.

Edgy DC Jan 08 2011 05:37 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Oh, man.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 08 2011 05:50 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm glad he's alive and in custody and will have the rest of his life to reflect on what a fucktard he is.

metirish Jan 08 2011 07:01 PM Re: Politics of 2011

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm glad he's alive and in custody and will have the rest of his life to reflect on what a fucktard he is. This ...

dgwphotography Jan 09 2011 07:54 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Dallas Green's granddaughter one of those killed in AZ

Willets Point Jan 09 2011 09:10 AM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm glad he's alive and in custody and will have the rest of his life to reflect on what a fucktard he is. This ... Maybe. Or maybe he's looking forward to his trial as a way of spreading his views to a wider audience a la Ted Kaczynski.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 10 2011 02:48 PM Re: Politics of 2011

MSNBC.com wrote: Meanwhile, the leader of Westboro Baptist Church, an anti-gay Kansas-based church best known for picketing the funerals of slain U.S. soldiers and gay-pride gatherings, said its members will picket the funerals of the 9-year-old girl and five others killed in Saturday's attack. In a video, Fred Phelps says God sent the shooter to avenge the nation's sins. "Thank God for the violent shooter," Phelps proclaims. "We will remind the living that you can still repent and obey. This is ultimatum time with God." This guy is one evil bastard.

Gwreck Jan 10 2011 05:02 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Here's what I don't get: why people (and news organizations, in particular) still think he's newsworthy. Dude says the same shit every time. Thanks, we get it. Please drive through.

Edgy DC Jan 10 2011 05:23 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Folks need their villains. It keeps us from having to confront our own bullshit. The news is great for that.

Ashie62 Jan 11 2011 10:45 AM Re: Politics of 2011

dgwphotography wrote: Dallas Green's granddaughter one of those killed in AZ And she was born on 9/11/2001. Oh man...

metirish Jan 13 2011 07:39 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Watched the memorial last night and I thought it was very moving, Obama was inspiring and hit all the right notes IMO......some are saying he shouldn't have been there ,whatever.

Frayed Knot Jan 13 2011 07:53 AM Re: Politics of 2011

That's absolutely the sort of event a President SHOULD be at IMO. See also Reagan for the memorial of 'The Challenger'; Clinton after Oklahoma City, etc.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 13 2011 09:47 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The outbursts of cheering/whooping-- especially for favorite-daughter Napolitano-- from the largely-collegiate crowd took a little getting-used to, but I actually liked the revival-like atmosphere; it felt like a celebration of lives, like an actual memorial instead of the airless-ritual setting to which these so often default. Also-- and this may sound a little odd-- is it me, or did the climactic speech crib a little from that national-tragedy speech Martin Sheen delivered several years ago on The West Wing?

Willets Point Jan 13 2011 11:56 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I often conflate Janet Napolitano with the lead vocalist of Concrete Blonde.

TransMonk Jan 13 2011 12:20 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I often conflate Janet Napolitano with the lead vocalist of Concrete Blonde. Pretty & Twisted 7.Stranger - 2:59 (written by Paul Westerberg & Johnette Napolitano) Huh, I'll download that later.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 13 2011 12:42 PM Re: Politics of 2011

It was a good speech I thought which said, without saying it, that it's time to stop paying attention to the Charge-the-Rhetoric/Play-the-Victim act of certain douchebaguettes.

Edgy DC Jan 19 2011 10:26 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Joint press conference with President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao: Associated Press's Ben Feller: "Can you explain to the American people how the United States can be so allied with a country that is known for treating its people so poorly, for using censorship and force to repress its people?" he asked Obama. And to Hu: "I'd like to give you a chance to respond to this issue of human rights. How do you justify China's record, and do you think that's any of the business of the American people?" I give that B. It was a gutsy push toward the wall against a guy who never ever has to face an independent media, but avoids anything specific --- Liu Xiaobo, perhaps, or Tiananmen Square, or Tibet. He let Obama answer, pretended the question wasn't for him or something, then pointed at a Chinese reporter to ask another question. Next up... Bloomberg's Hans Nichols: "First off, my colleague asked you a question about human rights which you did not answer. I was wondering if we could get an answer to that question." A-plus for Nichols giving himself up for the team there, and for the free press in general. Boom! Loved it.

seawolf17 Jan 19 2011 10:28 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Did anyone ask him if China had any players available for the Mets to sign?

Edgy DC Jan 20 2011 05:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Actually, I bet Ben Feller has a nice fastball.

metirish Jan 20 2011 06:37 AM Re: Politics of 2011

A tweet from The Onion last night "Breaking #News : Chinese President Hu Jintao pays for #StateDinner while President Obama in bathroom"

Benjamin Grimm Jan 21 2011 01:41 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I saw this photo and thought that Disney World was under attack and Space Mountain was burning.

metirish Jan 24 2011 04:46 AM Re: Politics of 2011

An Aussie news update on Giffords http://soundcloud.com/danilic/lol-nova- ... ws-blooper this is funny

TransMonk Feb 16 2011 12:50 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Peeps in my town are all out protesting for the second day in a row. Our newly-elected governor is attempting to pass a bill that will cut state employee's benefits and take away their right to collectively bargain. Teachers in Madison organized a mass "sick day" today and there are thousands of people on the Capitol lawn and streets in the area. I'm doubtful the bill will get shot down, but I'm behind the movement by the teachers. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/ ... 002e0.html

Benjamin Grimm Feb 16 2011 12:56 PM Re: Politics of 2011

That may be the first time I've ever seen a photograph that was taken in Madison, Wisconsin.

Valadius Feb 16 2011 01:07 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Walker is going to get recalled. For that matter, so are a number of other Republicans elected in what I've termed the "Great Overreaction" of 2010. Paul LePage in Maine is another name that comes to mind.

Edgy DC Feb 16 2011 01:37 PM Re: Politics of 2011

There have been what? Two governors recalled in the last 50 years?

Benjamin Grimm Feb 16 2011 01:41 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Yeah, I see a lot of wishful thinking in Valadius' post. Some of these guys may end up not being reelected if the atmosphere is different four years from now, but I'd be surprised if there were any recalls.

TransMonk Feb 16 2011 01:46 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Yeah, sorry Valad, but Maine doesn't even have a procedure that allows for a election recall. Wisconsin does, but I'd be just as happy to see him and his agenda go down in flames and to see him run out on a rail (non-high speed, of course) in 4 years.

Willets Point Feb 16 2011 01:49 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Valadius wrote: Walker is going to get recalled. For that matter, so are a number of other Republicans elected in what I've termed the "Great Overreaction" of 2010. Paul LePage in Maine is another name that comes to mind. Doubtful. The Republican/Tea Party right wing is becoming the American mainstream. These Republicans are firmly entrenched and more will come to power in other states.

TransMonk Feb 16 2011 01:59 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: The Republican/Tea Party right wing is becoming the American mainstream. These Republicans are firmly entrenched and more will come to power in other states. Yuck.

Frayed Knot Feb 16 2011 02:28 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: Valadius wrote: Walker is going to get recalled. For that matter, so are a number of other Republicans elected in what I've termed the "Great Overreaction" of 2010. Paul LePage in Maine is another name that comes to mind. Doubtful. The Republican/Tea Party right wing is becoming the American mainstream. These Republicans are firmly entrenched and more will come to power in other states. I agree. Once you control one half of one branch of government by a whopping 55/45 margin there's pretty much no way to stop it.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 16 2011 02:35 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets is notoriously pessimistic when it comes to politics.

Willets Point Feb 16 2011 02:40 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Frayed Knot wrote: Walker is going to get recalled. For that matter, so are a number of other Republicans elected in what I've termed the "Great Overreaction" of 2010. Paul LePage in Maine is another name that comes to mind. Doubtful. The Republican/Tea Party right wing is becoming the American mainstream. These Republicans are firmly entrenched and more will come to power in other states. I agree. Once you control one half of one branch of government by a whopping 55/45 margin there's pretty much no way to stop it. Don't forgot the other things in the Right Wing arsenal: * The Supreme Court * The Blue Dog "Democrats" * The news media * State legislatures and governorships * The military * Several prominent Christian denominations

Valadius Feb 16 2011 02:59 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Frayed Knot wrote: Willets Point wrote: Valadius wrote: Walker is going to get recalled. For that matter, so are a number of other Republicans elected in what I've termed the "Great Overreaction" of 2010. Paul LePage in Maine is another name that comes to mind. Doubtful. The Republican/Tea Party right wing is becoming the American mainstream. These Republicans are firmly entrenched and more will come to power in other states. I agree. Once you control one half of one branch of government by a whopping 55/45 margin there's pretty much no way to stop it. I would refer you to the "Do-Nothing" 80th Congress and the results of the 1948 election. Hell, I'd refer you to the 2006 and 2008 elections as well. Republicans were up 55-45 before the 2006 elections and in little more than two years were down 60-40. Nothing is permanent or fixed in American politics.

Edgy DC Feb 16 2011 03:02 PM Re: Politics of 2011

The military is suddenly loyal to the tea party movement and not to the president?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 16 2011 03:19 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Of the questionable assertions Willets makes there-- apologies, Willets-- he does have something of a point given this particular Court. I mean, I get that they're people with opinions, granted... but the Koch Bros. stuff is more than a little unsettling, almost as much for the fact that neither party concedes that it even smells like a bias issue.

Frayed Knot Feb 16 2011 04:41 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Ben Grimm wrote: Willets is notoriously pessimistic when it comes to politics. Politics and the Yanquis. Doesn't mean he can't be tweaked about it. Valadius wrote: I would refer you to the "Do-Nothing" 80th Congress and the results of the 1948 election. Hell, I'd refer you to the 2006 and 2008 elections as well. Republicans were up 55-45 before the 2006 elections and in little more than two years were down 60-40. Nothing is permanent or fixed in American politics. Ummm ... perhaps I need to go back to inserting a number indicating sarcasm content.

Willets Point Feb 16 2011 07:22 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: The military is suddenly loyal to the tea party movement and not to the president? Yup and yup!

Edgy DC Feb 16 2011 07:28 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Come on. Presenting crackpots as the mainstream is a fast way to crackpotism. You might as well present call the US military as Islamofascist because of Nidal Malik Hasan.

Nymr83 Feb 17 2011 09:07 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Democratic state senators have made a mockery of democracy in Wisconsin, where they have fled the state to prevent a quorum from being present to vote on anti-union legislation designed to slash the state's spending on public workers. Texas Democrats tried this a few years back as well, to try and avoid redistricting. Wisconsin should follow the example of the U.S. Senate and have them "arrested" and forced to appear to do the jobs they were elected to do, as they did to Republican Bob Packwood in the 80's.

TransMonk Feb 18 2011 07:25 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Nymr83 wrote: Democratic state senators have made a mockery of democracy in Wisconsin, where they have fled the state to prevent a quorum from being present to vote on anti-union legislation designed to slash the state's spending on public workers. Texas Democrats tried this a few years back as well, to try and avoid redistricting. Wisconsin should follow the example of the U.S. Senate and have them "arrested" and forced to appear to do the jobs they were elected to do, as they did to Republican Bob Packwood in the 80's. Yeah, no. My state senator is doing exactly what I elected him to do...fight for the best interests of my community. It's basically a filiabuster...and the Cons would do the same thing if they were on the other side of the stick. I'd like to see the union law enforcement agent that would arrest these senators anyway. The union-busting has nothing to do with cutting the deficit and should be taken out of the bill. Walker trying to ram this bill through in 4 days after only being in office for a month is outrageous.

Willets Point Feb 18 2011 07:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The only mockery of democracy is the corporate tyranny that effectively rules our nation and tries to make us believe that there's actually still a democracy. This is merely an act of civil disobedience and one that will likely be ultimately futile, but a commendable last ditch effort for protecting the interests of the people.

dgwphotography Feb 18 2011 07:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Anyone who believes that either side cares about their constituents is a fool.

metsguyinmichigan Feb 18 2011 07:41 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Don't forgot the other things in the Right Wing arsenal: * The Supreme Court * The Blue Dog "Democrats" * The news media * State legislatures and governorships * The military * Several prominent Christian denominations The news media? We usually get tagged "left-wing mainstream media." The Wisconsin governor might be overreaching, but he's got something like a $4 billion deficit to deal with. From the education writer's seat, it looks like he's going after the bargaining because local districts don't negotiate well and usually cave to the far-better trained unions, who have professionals to do these things. In Wisconsin, like Michigan, the union owns the health insurance program that most of the districts use -- it's a contract demand -- and the insurance company is a cash cow for the unions. (And, of course, the union uses that money to lobby and campaign against Republicans.) I'm guessing there is a state employee pension pool, and the entire state pays for contract decisions made at the local board level. Val might think the 2010 mid-terms were a overreaction, but when you govern against the will of the people, that's what happens. The consequences of the Dems over-reaching at the federal level didn't just hit at the congressional level, but on the down ballot as well. The GOP swept everything in Michigan, all the way down to the judges and university boards. The Dems didn't just lose the U.S. House, but a bunch of state houses, and what you're seeing in Wisconsin is the result. Just my 2 cents as an analyst.

TransMonk Feb 18 2011 07:49 AM Re: Politics of 2011

dgwphotography wrote: Anyone who believes that either side cares about their constituents is a fool. My state senator is 83 years old. He has been my district's senator since 1962. He has no big political aspirations other than representing the city. He may be a politician, but I trust him more than I trust the newbiw Governor. The $3.6B deficit is over the next three years, and yes, it does need to be dealt with. The cuts to pay and benefits for state workers that the bill proposes only addresses 9% of this shortfall. The cuts are to keep from having to lay off about 20,000 people. If it were just about the money, state workers would be unhappy, but I think they would accept that it needed to be done to save jobs. It's not about the money...it's about taking away collective bargaining rights which would be a devastating blow to these workers not only now but in the future.

Valadius Feb 18 2011 10:35 AM Re: Politics of 2011

TransMonk wrote: dgwphotography wrote: Anyone who believes that either side cares about their constituents is a fool. My state senator is 83 years old. He has been my district's senator since 1962. He has no big political aspirations other than representing the city. He may be a politician, but I trust him more than I trust the newbiw Governor. The $3.6B deficit is over the next three years, and yes, it does need to be dealt with. The cuts to pay and benefits for state workers that the bill proposes only addresses 9% of this shortfall. The cuts are to keep from having to lay off about 20,000 people. If it were just about the money, state workers would be unhappy, but I think they would accept that it needed to be done to save jobs. It's not about the money...it's about taking away collective bargaining rights which would be a devastating blow to these workers not only now but in the future. You are extraordinarily lucky to be represented by Fred Risser. He's an outstanding public servant.

TransMonk Feb 18 2011 10:45 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Valadius wrote: You are extraordinarily lucky to be represented by Fred Risser. He's an outstanding public servant. Yup, yup. I emailed him this morning, stating pretty much exactly that.

Edgy DC Feb 18 2011 11:05 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I think that's pretty broad.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 18 2011 11:09 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: I think that's pretty broad. You're probably right. But I'm not editing my post.

Edgy DC Feb 18 2011 11:14 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I was really speaking to the post that prompted it.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 18 2011 11:19 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: I was really speaking to the post that prompted it. Maybe I was, too.

Ashie62 Feb 18 2011 11:22 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Elected officials are in the business of getting elected.

TransMonk Mar 10 2011 08:11 AM Re: Politics of 2011

At least now we know that it wasn't about the money. Those lying sacks... Wisconsin Senate bypasses Democrats, OKs union limits

Willets Point Mar 10 2011 08:16 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Don't you know you're talking about a revolution It sounds like a whisper Poor people are gonna rise up And get their share Poor people are gonna rise up And take what's theirs

metirish Mar 24 2011 11:30 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Donald Trump asshole douchebag hopefully running for president [youtube:3fl8nmvk]3m4LCc7Mim4&feature=player_embedded[/youtube:3fl8nmvk]

Edgy DC Apr 05 2011 09:34 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Word around town is that the gummint shutdown is imminent.

Frayed Knot Apr 06 2011 07:21 AM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: Donald Trump asshole douchebag hopefully running for president I sez: Trump's going to pretend to run for a while before "deciding" NOT to do so. In the meantime this gets him a ton of publicity (I hear he likes that) and without an obvious front-runner on the Republican side the media is forced to pay attention to the fact that he might. The fact that Trump is throwing himself in on the Republican side is part of it. Not saying he was a leftist Democrat before but he's suddenly & publicly a hard-core pro-lifer, a "birther", and is declaring himself on the 'rightward' side on several other hot-button topics. There's no endgame to do so on the left unless he wanted to challenge a sitting president from within his own party in which case the insiders would simply tell him to go screw. Without a current standard-bearer in the GOP he's free to throw all the bombs he wants and Trump is nothing if not an opportunist.

Edgy DC Apr 06 2011 07:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Donald Trump asshole douchebag hopefully running for president I sez: Trump's going to pretend to run for a while before "deciding" NOT to do so. In the meantime this gets him a ton of publicity (I hear he likes that) and without an obvious front-runner on the Republican side the media is forced to pay attention to the fact that he might. The fact that Trump is throwing himself in on the Republican side is part of it. Not saying he was a leftist Democrat before but he's suddenly & publicly a hard-core pro-lifer, a "birther", and is declaring himself on the 'rightward' side on several other hot-button topics. There's no endgame to do so on the left unless he wanted to challenge a sitting president from within his own party in which case the insiders would simply tell him to go screw. Without a current standard-bearer in the GOP he's free to throw all the bombs he wants and Trump is nothing if not an opportunist. I couln't keep watching the Trump interview. Claiming that there are not witnesses or pictures from Obama's American childhood is just a baldfaced lie to anybody paying the remotest attention and he just shut up anybody who countered him, and asked them to show him a picture, as if they were supposed to be prepared to dispel any nonsense he spouted. I realize that The View is an awful awful program, but if it was my awful program I'd announce we were going to cut to a commercial while we dismiss this clown and find ourselves a real guest. I assume they didn't spend the next day exploding his nonsense.

Willets Point Apr 06 2011 02:41 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Word around town is that the gummint shutdown is imminent. So much for hope & change. Ironic that Obama announces his reelection campaign right as his complete failure of a Presidency crumbles around his feet.

Willets Point Apr 07 2011 01:52 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I love Bill Cosby.

metirish Apr 07 2011 06:24 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Cathy Black out as NYC schools chancellor, why she was ever appointed in the first place is still a mystery.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 07 2011 06:46 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Between this fiasco and plowgate, Bloomberg has turned into an absolute trainwreck.

Edgy DC Apr 07 2011 07:19 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: I love Bill Cosby. It would have been more effective if he took the fool Trump down with humor. So angry that he can't face the interviewer, he looks undone. How about "Hey, hey, hey! He was born in the USA!"

metirish Apr 07 2011 07:25 PM Re: Politics of 2011

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Between this fiasco and plowgate, Bloomberg has turned into an absolute trainwreck. "hey buddy go take in a broadway show and relax"

metirish Apr 07 2011 09:01 PM Re: Politics of 2011

right wing nutter exposes "fake" photo of Obama with his grandparents in Central Park back in 1982. [youtube:glwqusfx]fA7hd3j1yHI&feature=player_embedded#at=106[/youtube:glwqusfx] you need to watch this because he's trying to tell you that Obama was in fact photoshopped in to the picture, but , and this is a big but in his "real" picture you can actually see Obama's knee. Jack Cashill, please step forward to claim the prize for the biggest jerk in the world.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 07 2011 09:16 PM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: Cathy Black out as NYC schools chancellor, why she was ever appointed in the first place is still a mystery. My sister-in-law the teacher is going demurely ape-poopy.

Edgy DC Apr 08 2011 05:26 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Michelle Rhee, still atop the free agent list.

Willets Point Apr 08 2011 07:41 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Michelle Rhee, still atop the free agent list. Wouldn't that just be more of the same anti-teacher, pro-corporate school privatization pandering.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 08 2011 07:51 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Michelle Rhee, still atop the free agent list. Wouldn't that just be more of the same anti-teacher, pro-corporate school privatization pandering. Yeah, besides Bloomy appointed deputy mayor/former teacher Walcott to the post already.

Willets Point Apr 08 2011 07:56 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Willets Point wrote: I love Bill Cosby. It would have been more effective if he took the fool Trump down with humor. So angry that he can't face the interviewer, he looks undone. But the point is that Trump's political "candidacy" is a non-issue. Look how much these so-called journalists want to make it a story and how shocked they are that Cosby won't play along. In just a few words he exposes the corporate media for the phonies that they are as they go to the floor to make Trump "news" when he really isn't.

metirish Apr 08 2011 07:59 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Reading about this mess and the mess that is this third term is quite fascinating, here is a man so stubborn that he said according to a person there before going to the press conference that" they never gave her a chance". Even as aides and high ranking people around him were quitting he still couldn't see his errors , just like in the snow debacle , it's not him it's us. Walcott is already way ahead of Black, he's got the background and looks comfortable around the kids and parents, something Black never did.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 08 2011 08:02 AM Re: Politics of 2011

He's even blacker than Black.

metirish Apr 08 2011 08:05 AM Re: Politics of 2011

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: He's even blacker than Black. LOL.....

metsmarathon Apr 08 2011 10:28 AM Re: Politics of 2011

tops on the list of ways the government shutdown could ruin your day: congress still gets paid. and all i can think is a) is their government wage really all that much of joe senator's annual income that not getting a paycheck or two is really gonna put him in any kind of hurt? and b) of course they're getting paid - they're kindof essential to the whole process of passing a goddamn budget. you work, you get paid. should i be outraged that our congressmen would get paid during the shutdown? i don't see it. counted among number two on the list is that hundreds of thousands of government workers will be deemed non-essential, and that could degrade their morale. and, speaking as joe government worker, i can assure you that i hold no grand delusions as to my essentiality to the safety and security of the nation to the extend that the country could not survive a day without me, and i hope to hell there aren't all that many of my fellow federal employees who are under the delusion that they are indeed no-shit essential to the nation.

Nymr83 Apr 08 2011 11:22 AM Re: Politics of 2011

the 27th Amendment mandates that Congress get paid during a shutdown because any change to Congressional pay couldn't take effect until after the next election. Maybe they should focus more on fixing the problem and less on grand-standing over who is going to donate their check to charity and who isn't.

metsmarathon Apr 08 2011 11:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

"y'know, i wasn't gonna vote to re-elect the guy, on account of the not-getting-a-damned-thing-done stuff, but when he pointed his finger at those guys in the other party, and totally blamed them for everything, well, that won me over for sure!"

Edgy DC Apr 08 2011 11:51 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I don't know. The blame game may not mean much for your own re-election prospects, but I bet it's instrumental in raising and lowering the brand equity of the parties.

Willets Point Apr 08 2011 01:37 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm sure Obama will cave in and give the Republicans/Tea Party everything that they want. Only a matter of time before the last shreds of democracy are whisked away and "small government" is imposed on the nation.

Willets Point Apr 08 2011 01:49 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Oh the irony! On Thursday afternoon, 1.4 million active duty military members were digesting the possibility of going on duty the following week without assurance of being paid anytime soon. At the same time, some 1 million civilian federal employees faced a potential unpaid furlough. Politicians in Congress, assured of their own paychecks regardless of whether the government shut down, continued battling for budgetary and political turf as the deadline of midnight Friday crept closer. It was at that moment the White House issued a proclamation to the country concerning the following week: “NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA … do hereby proclaim April 10 through April 16, 2011, as National Volunteer Week.” via Stars & Stripes.

metirish Apr 08 2011 01:59 PM Re: Politics of 2011

National Volunteer week? , does this mean that the democracy building and the spreading of freedoms will be on a volunteer basis next week? Shit , in Afghanistan they'll be calling it spring break.

metsmarathon Apr 08 2011 05:53 PM Re: Politics of 2011

well, apparently there are those more delusional than i. if the government shuts down, i still get to work. joy of joys. i guess on the bright side, i'm now only 50% as worried as i was about getting the back-pay.

Edgy DC Apr 08 2011 07:07 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Well there's this irony, if the last shutdown is instructive at all, where the "non-essentials" get sent home, but come back to work with their back pay restored, and the essential folk are all, "Have a nice vacay?"

metsmarathon Apr 08 2011 08:25 PM Re: Politics of 2011

also, i get to now brag about how i'm more important than the grand canyon. and you suck it, too, yosemite!

Edgy DC Apr 08 2011 09:36 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Well, looks like shutdown has been averted. I'm glad too. It was the last shutty that brought Monica Lewinsky into our lives, as the White House was staffed by interns.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2011 09:38 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Yosemite is all, "F you, marathon-boy."

Valadius Apr 09 2011 08:08 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I stayed at work until 11:30 last night. I'm exhausted.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 09 2011 09:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Reading about this mess and the mess that is this third term is quite fascinating, here is a man so stubborn that he said according to a person there before going to the press conference that" they never gave her a chance". Even as aides and high ranking people around him were quitting he still couldn't see his errors , just like in the snow debacle , it's not him it's us. Walcott is already way ahead of Black, he's got the background and looks comfortable around the kids and parents, something Black never did. I'm in New Orleans this week at an Education Writers Association conference. The New York reporters were scrambling, being away while the big story broke. Good conference: Arne Duncan, and presidents of both unions. New Orleans is not what I expected.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 11 2011 09:43 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The Daily News is as restrained as ever.

seawolf17 Apr 11 2011 09:48 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Ooh, I need a Stacy London makeover.

Frayed Knot Apr 11 2011 10:09 AM Re: Politics of 2011

New Orleans is not what I expected. Does that mean it was free of crime and corruption?

Nymr83 Apr 11 2011 08:21 PM Re: Politics of 2011

'Trump the Clown' is awesome.

metirish Apr 15 2011 07:22 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Keep talking Donald On Albany's 1300 radio he had this to say about being dismayed that Obama has such strong support within the African American community "I know many Obama supporters," Trump said on Albany's Talk 1300 radio. "I have a great relationship with the blacks but unfortunately the \[poll\] numbers that you cite are very, very frightening numbers." Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politic ... z1Jb7dd2Ol the blacks?.......never sounds good

TransMonk Apr 15 2011 07:25 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Sarah Palin's coming to my town tomorrow for a tea party rally. I plan on going down there to watch the circus and to hiss and boo the gathering. I imagine the anti-tea partiers will out-number the tea partiers. It's also supposed to be 35 degrees and raining. It's going to be great.

metirish Apr 15 2011 07:26 AM Re: Politics of 2011

take your camera , you have the eye for street photography.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 15 2011 07:26 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The Daily News had "the blacks" (with the quotes) in its headline this morning. You're right, it doesn't sound good, but I'm not sure why. I saw a clip of The Donald talking about his potential run. He said that America has become a laughingstock. The world is laughing at the United States. "If I become President, nobody will be laughing at us." Does this guy have any self-awareness at all? Nobody's going to laugh at a country that's led by a blustering fool with a bird nest on his head?

Benjamin Grimm Apr 15 2011 07:29 AM Re: Politics of 2011

TransMonk wrote: I imagine the anti-tea partiers will out-number the tea partiers. That would be encouraging.

metirish Apr 15 2011 07:29 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I'd disagree with his assertion that the US is a laughingstock , or that the world is laughing at it , but that feeds in to his supporters mindset I suppose.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 15 2011 07:33 AM Re: Politics of 2011

"The blacks" makes it sound as though Trump considers "the blacks" a separate race, and a single entity at that. Those people. Which I'm sure he does. You hear the "the" expression moreso today with "the gays" and I think it's because we're still getting used to "the gays" being a part of the society as a whole, whereas for most people, "the blacks" stopped being referred to as such 40 years ago.

Edgy DC Apr 15 2011 07:35 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Does this guy have any self-awareness at all? Nobody's going to laugh at a country that's led by a blustering fool with a bird nest on his head? But enough about Andrew Jackson.

metirish Apr 27 2011 07:40 AM Re: Politics of 2011

It won't shut them up but Obama to make statement on birthplace President Barack Obama is to make a statement today reaffirming that he was born in the US, a prerequisite for holding the seal of office. The White House today released a longer version of Mr Obama's. birth certificate to try to quiet a debate within Republican circles that he was not born in the United States. The new document confirms what a shorter version has said, that Mr Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4th, 1961, but provides a little more information, such as that he was born at Kapiolani Maternity and Gynaecological Hospital. Today's release was made because "the president believes it was becoming a distraction," White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer said. Billionaire Donald Trump, who is considering a 2012 presidential bid as a Republican, has joined so-called “birthers” in questioning whether Mr Obama is a natural-born US citizen eligible for the presidency. The "birthers" claim that he was born in Kenya rather than Hawaii. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/bre ... ing38.html we really need to find the midwife or some staff that were on the clock that day.

Edgy DC Apr 27 2011 07:46 AM Re: Politics of 2011

It's beneath him to do this. He really should have a surrogate make this statement. Speaking of beneath him, wouldn't it have been great if Haley Barbour withdrew his name saying something like "I'm the governor of the poorest state in the union. It would inappropriate to run for higher office when there's so much work to do in my home state."

Frayed Knot Apr 27 2011 07:47 AM Re: Politics of 2011

This has become to some folks the equivalent of what the Kennedy assassination to others and, like them, the release of new "evidence" will only serve as proof to how deep the conspiracy to hide "the truth" really goes.

Willets Point Apr 27 2011 08:00 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The Obama Presidency has really become a farce.

metsmarathon Apr 27 2011 08:32 AM Re: Politics of 2011

jeez, couldn't they've just fabricated the fake birth certificate back at the election and be done with it? i mean, fer chrissakes, the guy's been tabbed since birth to run this country into communist hands, and a dalai lama for the far left and muslim americans alike. heck, the vast left wing conspiracy even got the guy into columbia and harvard. why'd it take them so long to gin up the fake birthie? you've gotta wonder, though, how many others like him are there. mulatto muslims born in kenya, raised in hawaii, groomed to run the free world into the ground. he can't be the only one. i mean, if so, great success rate, leftos, but that's a fairly high risk strategy! i wonder if they had any understudies. if we can find one of the benchwarmers in this great conspiracy, we can undo it all, and america will once again be a proud proud nation free from the wicked manacles of evolutionary science!

metirish Apr 27 2011 08:50 AM Re: Politics of 2011

In fact he will reveal in a made for TV moment during his upcoming trip to Ireland that he was born in Moneygall. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ma ... -relatives

metirish Apr 27 2011 09:01 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Well , it's worked and the birthers are now satisfied......yeah right! Phil Berg, who filed one of the original birther lawsuits, now believes that Obama was adopted by his Indonesian father and lost his US citizenship: "I think the issue is that he's not any more natural born. I don't care if he releases his birth certificate or whatever," said Berg. "Let's see his records coming back through immigration" Orly Taitz, once called 'Queen of the birthers' and who was responsible for a number of lawsuits, is verifying the document's authenticity and now believes that the President is using a false social security number. "In Obama's Selective Service [document], his social security is listed as a Connecticut Social Security number," said Taitz, who has tried to have forgeries introduced into court filings before. POLITICO could not verify that the document that she is referring to is genuine. http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/ ... moved.html

MFS62 Apr 27 2011 09:07 AM Re: Politics of 2011

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: "The blacks" makes it sound as though Trump considers "the blacks" a separate race, and a single entity at that. Those people. Which I'm sure he does. You hear the "the" expression moreso today with "the gays" and I think it's because we're still getting used to "the gays" being a part of the society as a whole, whereas for most people, "the blacks" stopped being referred to as such 40 years ago. I had the same reaction. Later

Edgy DC Apr 27 2011 09:15 AM Re: Politics of 2011

It's a poorly kept secret that politicians largely view us through the demographic categories the pollsters seperate us into. It's just that Trump, being new to the politics game, kept the secret more poorly than most.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 27 2011 09:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: It's beneath him to do this. He really should have a surrogate make this statement. Oh, God, this. What the hell does this accomplish? It's like taking time out to have an honest-to-goodness, respectful debate with the possibly-rabid stray dog on your block, or something. Speaking of beneath him, wouldn't it have been great if Haley Barbour withdrew his name saying something like "I'm the governor of the poorest state in the union. It would inappropriate to run for higher office when there's so much work to do in my home state." I co-ran a call center during/in the immediate wake of the 2005 hurricane season for a social-service agency, and I remember looking up state human-services assistance available to the Katrina/Rita diaspora in the weeks following those two storms. The utter lack of services available-- hell, even outlined as "available" on the website-- to Mississippi's own citizens literally made my jaw drop; their site/literature did make sure to spell out in no uncertain dog-whistle terms where the government stood on abortion, though.

Edgy DC Apr 27 2011 10:13 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Rode the elevator up with Rummy again today. No goons, either. Just me and the Rummer.

Nymr83 May 02 2011 07:34 PM Re: Politics of 2011

[conspiracy theory] Donald Trump's candidacy is a conspiracy to appear so foolish and offensive that the revived campaign of the suddenly-silent Sarah Palin will seem moderate by comparison [/conspiracy theory]

Edgy DC May 02 2011 08:26 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Except Palin, who had previously been declaring the Birther angle a waste of time, followed him into that madness by throwng them a modest bone on Fox News.

The Second Spitter May 05 2011 07:44 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I had to stop watching this clip cos it made me laff so hard my nose started bleeding [youtube:3esoumbs]n9mzJhvC-8E[/youtube:3esoumbs] (Four more years, haters!)

metirish May 05 2011 08:23 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The Second Spitter wrote: I had to stop watching this clip cos it made me laff so hard my nose started bleeding [youtube]n9mzJhvC-8E[/youtube] (Four more years, haters!) God , that's funny.....Trump sitting there like a proper wally.......can't see him but his orange face and hair shine through the dim lighting.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 05 2011 09:06 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Our president works the deadpan like he does a Teleprompter when he's having a good day there-- with deadly accuracy. Trump's even more bereft of humor and good cheer when Seth Meyers lays into him during the main to-do. ("I'm surprised Donald Trump is running as a Republican... I was pretty sure he was running as a joke.")

Frayed Knot May 05 2011 12:20 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Trump's put himself into a position where he's going to take this stuff just for the publicity but he generally has ZERO sense of humor about himself.

Benjamin Grimm May 05 2011 12:28 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'd say it's somewhat above zero. He's played along with Letterman a few times.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 05 2011 12:31 PM Re: Politics of 2011

He's played along with Letterman because it's suited him. He doesn't laugh at himself, he tolerates jokes about himself.

Frayed Knot May 05 2011 12:54 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I'd say it's somewhat above zero. He's played along with Letterman a few times. He also recently canceled an upcoming stint on Letterman because of some joke(s) he didn't like. He used to take some from Imus also until he didn't like one* and then pouted off for a while until coming back right around the time 'The Apprentice' launched IIRC. * When Trump was having some ...err, cash flow problems Imus claimed he, unlike some others, would stick by Trump, stick by him (he said setting up the punch line) until Trump was forced to move from the back of the limo to the front. 'The Donald' was not amused.

Edgy DC May 05 2011 01:00 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I would think consenting to appearing on Imus would categorically mean a lack of a sense of humor.

Frayed Knot May 05 2011 01:04 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: I would think consenting to appearing on Imus would categorically mean a lack of a sense of humor. Opinions vary on that topic. The point about Trump is that he may have a great sense of humor but does tend to get a bit prickly when it involves himself. Publicity hogs have to be able to take it and not just bask in it.

Benjamin Grimm May 05 2011 01:06 PM Re: Politics of 2011

He didn't cancel Letterman over jokes. It was because Letterman told Dr. Phil that Trump was a racist, and he was unsure if he wanted him back on the show. I'm not saying that Trump has a great sense of humor by any means, just that he's shown he can be tolerant of jokes at his expense. Dave has talked to him several times about his hair, and Trump is able to chuckle at the jibes. He can handle jokes about his hair. But not, apparently, about his thuggish behavior.

Frayed Knot May 05 2011 01:08 PM Re: Politics of 2011

It was because Letterman told Dr. Phil that Trump was a racist Yeah that was it. Knew I read something recently but couldn't remember the details.

Nymr83 May 05 2011 06:32 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Trump is a clown, but aren't we partially being forced to listen to his clownishness because the real candidates have refused to even confirm they are running yet?

Edgy DC May 05 2011 06:48 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I don't think we're being forced to listen to anything. I mean, is there any reason every network should be forced to report on what happened on The View the night before? Report on Syria, where the population is not only being brutalized, but journalists (including at least one American) are being held without charges (something we've sadly surrendered the high ground on). It's 18 months out and I could give a good crap whether Gingrich announces in June or in August. The early debates attract the weakest candidates because it's the only coverage they can get. He also doesn't have to be an officially announced candidate to make policy statements. I hear he's tweeting like a maniac.

Willets Point May 16 2011 11:13 AM Re: Politics of 2011

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 16 2011 12:12 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Trump out. After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector... Scuttlebutt's that it was mostly about the pile of money NBC threw at him to keep him Apprenticin'.

Edgy DC May 16 2011 12:18 PM Re: Politics of 2011

You mean, he was just using the notion of the presidency as self promotion? Shocker! In other news, congratulations, Herman Cain!

sharpie May 16 2011 12:51 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Also, congratulations to Buddy Roemer for his upset win over Mike Huckabee.

Edgy DC May 16 2011 01:02 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Shocking. I think the field isn't closed, but fundraisers and fundgivers are going to fly to Mitch Daniels.

Frayed Knot May 16 2011 01:12 PM Re: Politics of 2011

"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency." -- Wow, shocking!! Only a genius could have seen this one coming in advance ... except maybe for that Frayed Knot guy months ago. "This decision does not come easily or without regret" -- few others will regret it either "especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country." -- and it's not like those two-years-in-advance polls are at all driven by name recognition "I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election." -- Yeah, you blabbed the same shit about NYC Mayor and NYS Senator a bunch of years back and you didn't have the sack to run for those seats either. "I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning" -- read: whoring myself for any publicity I could find "and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly." -- IOW, I never had any intention in the first place "Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector" -- especially for something I can't figure out how to pre-rig in my favor

metirish May 16 2011 01:41 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm sure he feels privately(Ha!) that he has done the country a service by forcing Obama to release his long form birth cert.

Frayed Knot May 16 2011 05:12 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm sure he feels privately(Ha!) that he has done the country a service by forcing Obama to release his long form birth cert. He was claiming credit for it the very next day. So on to other countries for a moment ... do the rape charges levied on this French pol/IMF head honcho help or hurt his chances of unseating Sarkosy? It is France so yaneverknow.

Ashie62 May 16 2011 07:31 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Congrats to Herman Cain as Trump folds like a cheap hairhat.

Willets Point May 16 2011 07:34 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I don't think Trump really earned that number one seed in the Wackos region anyway.

Nymr83 May 16 2011 08:39 PM Re: Politics of 2011

In more legitimate news, didn't Huckabee bow out as well? he was at least considered a real candidate so the field is narrowing

Edgy DC May 18 2011 06:55 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Monster lede in this Post editorial by Eugene Robinson. It’s almost enough to give socialism a bad name. We don’t know whether Dominique Strauss-Kahn — who heads the International Monetary Fund and, until a few days ago, was likely to be the Socialist Party candidate for president of France — is guilty of the alleged sexual assault for which he was arrested. Like anyone, he is presumed innocent until court proceedings prove otherwise. We do know, however, that at the time of the reported incident on Saturday, Strauss-Kahn was resident in a $3,000-a-night luxury suite at a posh midtown Manhattan hotel. We also know that when he was taken into police custody hours later, aboard a Paris-bound jetliner that was moments from takeoff at John F. Kennedy International Airport, police found him comfortably ensconced in the first-class cabin. I didn’t think this was how socialists were supposed to roll.

Edgy DC May 18 2011 07:45 AM Re: Politics of 2011

And... Straus-Kahn resigns.

Frayed Knot May 18 2011 07:50 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I didn’t think this was how socialists were supposed to roll. He doesn't know many Socialists

Edgy DC May 18 2011 08:01 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Well, the tone of it is sort of mock-disbelief. The more long-reaching impact is the disarray the IMF falls into at a time when it's not developing world economies they are trying to coax into stability, but established European economies, including that of our friends in Ireland now hosting a visit from Queen Elizabeth II that would have seemed almost unthinkable even a dozen years ago, and the meaning of which will be long debated. The cool thing is he wasn't on official IMF business, so he apparently doesn't retain his diplomatic immunity, though I imagine his lawyer will argue otherwise. Newt Gingrich, meanwhile, has launched his presidential campaign showing himself to be unsurpisingly out of touch with the zeitgeist he was instrumental in creating. The world has changed while you've been away, Daddy.

Ashie62 May 18 2011 08:03 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm beginning to think the IMF is as useful, or not useful, as the UN.

metirish May 18 2011 08:35 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Queen Elizabeth II in the Republic of Ireland(Mam has been to the North several times) is a great thing and long overdue , the small few protesters will get a lot of the attention but they are on the wrong side of history. A lot of symbolism of course and to see her lay a wreath and bow her head in silence in the Garden of Remembrance to those that died in the name of Irish freedom was very moving indeed. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/fro ... 23103.html Several things here , this visit hopefully puts the capper on a relationship between two countries that has gotten very strong over the past two decades. John Major and Albert Reynolds get credit here as do the successive governments and various parties North and South for taking the long view on peace and working together. The truth is that Irish and English people get a long just fine , we all have family and friends over there , my own father was killed in London town back in 1981 and I have had plenty of bitterness over the years but as I got older and copped on I saw the commonality amongst us. Six million Brits claim Irish ancestry, Liverpool is like a county of Ireland. When Ireland needed money Cameron and the tax payer over there gave us $6 billion. There is no doubt that times were tough on the Irish in England down the years but times have changed and we prosper there now , outside of Irish the largest group living in Ireland are English. The Queen is off to my county tomorrow to see the Rock of Cashel , good for her and good for us. I feel proud actually. As a nation we have done good, time to move on and get things fixed again.

Willets Point May 18 2011 08:59 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Nice post metirish. It's really huge that Elizabeth went to the Garden of Remembrance and to Croke Parke. I read an article a few years ago where they polled people of Ireland and found that they really liked people of Britain (if maybe not governments). And really why not? It's really for the best to get along with your neighbors.

Edgy DC May 18 2011 09:03 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Sez She (Percy French, 1900) "Me loyal subjects" sez she Here's my best respect, sez she And I'm proud this day, sez she Of the elegant way, sez she That you gave me the hand, sez she When I come to the land, sez she There was some people said, sez she They were greatly in dread, sez she I'd be murdered or shot, sez she As like as not, sez she But it's mighty clear, sez she That it's not over here, sez she That I have cause to fear, sez she It's them Belgiums, sez she That's throwing the bombs, sez she And frightening the life, sez she Out of the son and the wife, sez she But in these parts, sez she They have warm hearts, sez she And they all like me well, sez she Barring the Honour Parnell, sez she I don't know Earl, sez she What's come over the girl, sez she And that other one, sez she That Maude Gonne, sez she Dressing in black, sez she To welcome me back, sez she Now Maude'll write, sez she That I'd brought the blight, sez she Or changed the season, sez she For me own private reason, sez she And I think there's a slate off that Willie Yeats, sez she He should be at home, sez she French polishing his poems, sez she Instead of writing letters, sez she About his betters, sez she And parading me crimes, sez she In The Irish Times, sez she Ah, but what does it matter, sez she All this magpie chatter, sez she When I heard the welcoming roar, sez she Coming up from the shore, sez she Right over the foam, sez she Sure it was like coming home, sez she And me heart fairly glowed, sez she Along the "Rock road", sez she And into Butterstown, sez she And be Merrion Round, sez she Until I come to the ridge, sez she Of the Leeson St. Bridge, sez she And was greeted in style, By the beautiful smile, Of me Lord Mayor Pyle, sez she Fate if I'd done right, sez she I'd a made him a knight, sez she And I need not repeat, sez she How they cheered in each street, sez she Till I come to them lads, sez she Don't you know them undergrads, sez she Oh, and indeed and indeed, sez she I got many a God Speed, sez she But nothing to compare, sez she With what I've got here, sez she So pass the juge, sez she And I'll fill each mug, sez she And I'll give you a toast, sez she At which you may boast, sez she Now I have a power of sons, sez she All sort's of one's, sez she Some as quiet as cows, sez she Some always in rows, sez she And the one that causes the most trouble, sez she Should the mother loves double, sez she So here's to the men, sez she That's gone into win, sez she That's clearing the way, sez she To Pretoria today, sez she And the gap of danger, sez she There's a Connaught Ranger, sez she And a fusilier not far, sez she From the heart of the war, sez she And they may talk a lot, sez she And them foreign baboons, sez she May drawn their cartoons, sez she But there's one thing they'll never draw, sez she And that's the loin's claw, sez she For before our flag is furled, sez she We'll own the world, sez she

themetfairy May 18 2011 10:29 AM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: Queen Elizabeth II in the Republic of Ireland(Mam has been to the North several times) is a great thing and long overdue , the small few protesters will get a lot of the attention but they are on the wrong side of history. A lot of symbolism of course and to see her lay a wreath and bow her head in silence in the Garden of Remembrance to those that died in the name of Irish freedom was very moving indeed. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/fro ... 23103.html Several things here , this visit hopefully puts the capper on a relationship between two countries that has gotten very strong over the past two decades. John Major and Albert Reynolds get credit here as do the successive governments and various parties North and South for taking the long view on peace and working together. The truth is that Irish and English people get a long just fine , we all have family and friends over there , my own father was killed in London town back in 1981 and I have had plenty of bitterness over the years but as I got older and copped on I saw the commonality amongst us. Six million Brits claim Irish ancestry, Liverpool is like a county of Ireland. When Ireland needed money Cameron and the tax payer over there gave us $6 billion. There is no doubt that times were tough on the Irish in England down the years but times have changed and we prosper there now , outside of Irish the largest group living in Ireland are English. The Queen is off to my county tomorrow to see the Rock of Cashel , good for her and good for us. I feel proud actually. As a nation we have done good, time to move on and get things fixed again. That's lovely irish, and well put.

Nymr83 May 19 2011 08:24 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Newt Gingrich, meanwhile, has launched his presidential campaign showing himself to be unsurpisingly out of touch with the zeitgeist he was instrumental in creating. The world has changed while you've been away, Daddy. I'm a bit suprised he officially launched it, I figured he'd bow out once it became impossible to NOT anounce and still pretend to be interested. He isn't Donald Trump by any means, but I did think he wanted to be a "candidate" mainly for publicity.

Edgy DC May 19 2011 09:31 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I think he's serious. I think he's been angling for this since he left Congress.

metirish May 20 2011 08:50 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Obama to speak at College Green in Dublin next Monday evening during his whirlwind stop in Ireland , College Green will be open to the public , big crowds expected.

Edgy DC May 20 2011 09:27 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Ireland the place to be again suddenly.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 20 2011 11:29 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Gingrich's reeling campaign releases ridiculously overwrought press statement. (It begins, "The literati sent out their minions to do their bidding.") "Sir" John Lithgow blows it up on "Colbert Report."

metirish May 20 2011 11:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Gingrich's reeling campaign releases ridiculously overwrought press statement. (It begins, "The literati sent out their minions to do their bidding.") "Sir" John Lithgow blows it up on "Colbert Report." funny

metirish May 23 2011 07:11 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Obama is in Ireland for a State visit, "tens of thousands" waiting for him in College Green , people have been waiting in line there since last night. Some bad weather over there has the people of Moneygall worried if Marine One will make the trip , it's a tight sked.....he4'd met with the Irish president and PM , supposed to fly to Moneygall then back to Dublin for the speech. in pictures http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery ... intcmp=239 The friendship and the bond between the United States and Ireland could not be stronger. Obviously it is not just a matter of strategic interest, it's not just a matter of foreign policy; for the United States, Ireland carries a blood link with us. And for the millions of Irish Americans, this continues to symbolize the homeland and the extraordinary traditions of an extraordinary people.

metirish May 23 2011 07:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

people lining up to College Green Jake Tapper tweets this from helicopter to Moneygall Epic fail leaving the American Embassy

metirish May 23 2011 07:52 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Watch President Obama visit his ancestral home in Moneygall http://www.rte.ie/

metirish May 23 2011 07:57 AM Re: Politics of 2011

This is amazing

metirish May 23 2011 07:59 AM Re: Politics of 2011

And the heavans have opened up as Marine One lands in Moneygall, it's lashing rain.

Edgy DC May 23 2011 08:10 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Jeb Bush, explicitly not running. Mitch Daniels, explicitly not running. Paul Ryan, says he's not running but maybe left some wiggle room to get drafted into it.

metirish May 23 2011 08:21 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Obama and Michelle taking an age to meet and greet the people....he'll be thirsty for that pint .

Willets Point May 23 2011 08:26 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Jeb Bush, explicitly not running. Mitch Daniels, explicitly not running. Paul Ryan, says he's not running but maybe left some wiggle room to get drafted into it. Queen Sarah has the job lined up. The primaries will basically fulfill the role of deciding between Bachmann and Gingrich for VP & maybe a few cabinet positions.

metirish May 23 2011 08:53 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Sorry if I am ruining your thread......Obama in Oliie Hayes's pub , short speech then" with that lets have a pint".....they'll be talking about this visit for years....not for nothing but this something else.

metirish May 23 2011 09:03 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Obama slugs back a big gulp of Guinness then says to Ollie "I'll have you know the president always pays his bar tab," he told the bar owner Ollie Hayes.

Nymr83 May 23 2011 07:27 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Jeb Bush, explicitly not running. Mitch Daniels, explicitly not running. Paul Ryan, says he's not running but maybe left some wiggle room to get drafted into it. Queen Sarah has the job lined up. The primaries will basically fulfill the role of deciding between Bachmann and Gingrich for VP & maybe a few cabinet positions. If only he could change his name to Jeb Smith he'd be the best candidate. I still don't think Palin wins. Is she even polling well? You'd have to think that with near-universal name recognition among people who actually showq up to vote in primaries if she isn't polling well now she can't win. Obama's strategists must be salivating at this seemingly weak field, "generic Republican" probably polls better against him than anyone in the race.

Edgy DC May 23 2011 07:34 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Well, Pawlenty jumped in today. Big on reminding me what Obama promised. He himself promised me painful cuts. Not for people richer than me. Not for people poorer than me. For me. I actually think he said my name.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 23 2011 07:52 PM Re: Politics of 2011

No way Palin wins. I don't see this as the wide-open field pundits are making it out to be. To me, it seems like Romney, despite all his "problems" (providing a market-based health care solution! suggesting women should have control over their reproductive systems! etc.), is a huge favorite over anyone that's actually running. Christie would have a decent shot to win the nomination, but probably not the election. I think he's smart to wait to run against whoever the Democrats nominate in 2016.

Edgy DC May 23 2011 10:27 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Vince Coleman Firecracker wrote: To me, it seems like Romney, despite all his "problems" (providing a market-based health care solution! suggesting women should have control over their reproductive systems! etc.), is a huge favorite over anyone that's actually running. Well, he's moved away from the first position and abandoned the second. Expect him to move and abandon further. I got an e-mail today from a guy claiming to be Arizona state Senator Russell Pearce. Whoever it was, what a jerk.

G-Fafif May 24 2011 02:04 PM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: Obama slugs back a big gulp of Guinness then says to Ollie "I'll have you know the president always pays his bar tab," he told the bar owner Ollie Hayes. Irish -- loved your play-by-play. Made me miss the Emerald Isle even though I've never been there.

metsguyinmichigan May 25 2011 08:19 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I've interviewed both Pawlenty and Romney (and Palin, technically, though that one question doesn't really count.) Decent folks, both of them. Pawlenty was stumping for McCain at a Michigan event long before Pawlenty was mentioned as a potential presidential contender. After the event, the hall was empty and he had nothing pressing scheduled for a while, so he was very relaxed and talked about many things -- family, Minnesota, Grand Rapids. I realize that these guys are smart enough to know that whenever they're talking to a reporter, they're KNOW they're talking to a reporter and not just shooting the breeze. But he seemed nice. I spent a couple days following Romey around before the Michigan primary in 08. Sat in with the editorial board and they grilled him pretty good -- and he impressed them with his answers. They even endorsed him, which was a bit of a surprise. He wasn't as relaxed as Pawlenty, but had a lot more at stake, too.

Willets Point May 25 2011 09:35 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Romney will never win the GOP nomination. The Republican Base/Tea Party consider him a RINO. McCain's loss to Obama is primarily attributed to the fact that he was "not conservative enough" to energize the base and they're not going to make that mistake again. Adding in Romneycare and the fact that he was governor of the "Soviet Socialist Republic of Massachusetts" only compounds the problem. I also that the Christian Right isn't ready to put someone from the LDS Church in the top position (not fair to Romney but I think it will influence voters).

Nymr83 May 25 2011 09:22 PM Re: Politics of 2011

McCain's loss would be more properly attributed to the "popularity" of the incumbent Republican president with his own choice of a dimwit running-mate not helping matters. Would any of the other Republican contenders have beat Obama in the 2008 environment? I doubt it. You may be right about likely primary voters not thinking that way though.

sharpie May 25 2011 09:44 PM Re: Politics of 2011

There's also the argument that the far-right of the GOP make that they win when they go way right: Reagan, GW Bush and lose when they go moderate: GHW Bush (ignoring his first win), Dole, McCain. The problem there is that in 1980 Reagan was running against a very unpopular incumbent and in 2000 Bush lost the popular vote. Even though Carter and Bush I lost re-election bids, that is a tough haul for all but the most skilled politicians -- and Reagan and Clinton were extremely skilled politicians. It doesn't strike me that Romney or Tim Pawlenty are in their league.

Ashie62 May 26 2011 04:52 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The nomination is Romney's to lose.

Edgy DC May 26 2011 05:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

With no contention on the Democratic side, will non-Republicans in open primary states not have a lot to say?

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 26 2011 05:53 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: With no contention on the Democratic side, will non-Republicans in open primary states not have a lot to say? Super Tuesday is about half open primaries, so maybe. Probably not enough to change course if someone's got momentum going into it, though.

Edgy DC Jun 01 2011 07:40 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Anthony Weiner appears to be in great pain.

Frayed Knot Jun 01 2011 07:49 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Anthony's Weiner appears to be in Twitter (or maybe not, who knows)

MFS62 Jun 01 2011 07:58 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Anyone besides me see those pictures of Palin on the motorcycle and think of George Dukakis in that tank? Later

Edgy DC Jun 01 2011 08:11 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Certainly not.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 01 2011 08:23 AM Re: Politics of 2011

George Dukakis?

themetfairy Jun 01 2011 08:24 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Forget it - he's rolling....

MFS62 Jun 01 2011 08:32 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Oy Vey! (Slaps forehead) No wonder the image didn't strike a responsive chord with Edgy. Later

metirish Jun 01 2011 11:15 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Frayed Knot wrote: Anthony's Weiner appears to be in Twitter (or maybe not, who knows) where have I been?, just saw this story on CNN and WTF was he at, getting very testy with reporters questioning him just now.

Edgy DC Jun 01 2011 11:32 AM Re: Politics of 2011

He had a big, if underreported, reputation as a playa before he got married. There's also a minority opinion out there that his romance with his not-yet wife was just a cover for her real relationship with Hillary Clinton, him being a team-player and all. Or a team playa. The thing is that he's well liked, and the most of the press corps doesn't want to aggressively pursue this (big whoop, you follow a lot of females on Twitter*), but they've got to follow where the facts lead, and he's stonewalling. It's also making him suddenly look 20 years older than he is. Hard times for Met fans. *You think irish would be just hearing about this now if it was, say, Donald Trump?

Ashie62 Jun 02 2011 05:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

MFS62 wrote: Anyone besides me see those pictures of Palin on the motorcycle and think of George Dukakis in that tank? Later Yes...but she did look doable.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 02 2011 06:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

So did George Dukakis!

Fman99 Jun 02 2011 06:43 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Frayed Knot wrote: Anthony's Weiner appears to be in Twitter (or maybe not, who knows) All we know is that he leans hard to the left.

metirish Jun 02 2011 10:09 AM Re: Politics of 2011

What Happened When Westboro Baptist Decided To Protest in Joplin, Missouri? Posted May 30th, 2011 by Evan Hurst Westboro Baptist decided to protest at a large memorial for all the victims of the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, at which President Obama was in attendance. What happened? Enter our commenter Troy, a resident of Joplin: I live in Joplin, Mo. today the president came and visited our city that was destroyed by this tornado!! We all heard the Westboro idiots were coming to protest! And so did about three hundred bikers!! The bikers all showed up and parked across the street from the University where Obama held a ceremony for the many good people, friends and family we lost!! The only report of any Westboro people actually being there was one guy strolling through all the bikers, when they found out who he was it got ugly for him real quick his shirt got torn off and he was pushed around pretty good! When the police saw what was about to happen they grabbed him and tried to push the bikers back!! Then they told the guy “run you stupid mother fucker” And I am quoting!! :) We heard that more of them were blocked at a local truck stop by a few awesome truckers!! They pinned them in until it was over, not sure about this one just what we were hearing!! You may think of bikers as mean or lawless but when it comes to things like this they really step up!!! p.s. most of the bikes were flying the American flag!!!!! That’s right. Tell those un-American scum from Westboro where they can shove it. Love and support continues to go out to all in Joplin. Y’all aren’t that far from me, and it could have just as easily been us. Stay strong, lovely people. [youtube]player_embedded&v=_xcOXJAnztw[/youtube] people are starting ti foil these scum now, good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... xcOXJAnztw

Nymr83 Jun 02 2011 09:47 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Did Weiner show someone his... ? (someone had to say it, right?) Nice story about the Westboro creeps. I heard they went to protest a soldier's funeral and (opps) someone blocked them in at the hotel and was nowhere to be found to move the car. suckers!

dgwphotography Jun 03 2011 04:40 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: *You think irish would be just hearing about this now if it was, say, Donald Trump? Of course not, and the story is dying and extremely quick death, too...

Frayed Knot Jun 03 2011 05:59 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Rep Weiner cancels a speech in Wisconsin scheduled for this weekend and, yes, The NYPost is going with the headline (the on-line version anyway) of: WEINER PULLS OUT

MFS62 Jun 03 2011 08:37 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Sarah Palin was seen wearing a Jewish Star earlier this week when she visited New York. Now she got the details of Paul Revere's ride wrong: http://beta.news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot ... 49982.html Do you think she thought Paul was yelling "The Yiddish are coming! The Yiddish are coming"? Later

Benjamin Grimm Jun 04 2011 04:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I didn't know Paul Revere was Jewish!

MFS62 Jun 04 2011 07:47 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I didn't know Paul Revere was Jewish! No. Just a little mixing of her messages. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 06 2011 01:49 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Everyone's British at the time of the Revolution, so, semantically, she's only half-wrong. Don't tread on me, elitist! Meanwhile, in Fred Phelps country... things get a little weird: "It's an absolute shame that they show up and disrupt people's funerals," said Dennis LaBonte, who said he was the "Imperial Wizard" of the Southern Cross group. "We're just here in support of the troops."

Ceetar Jun 06 2011 02:31 PM Re: Politics of 2011

MFS62 wrote: Sarah Palin was seen wearing a Jewish Star earlier this week when she visited New York. Now she got the details of Paul Revere's ride wrong: http://beta.news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot ... 49982.html Do you think she thought Paul was yelling "The Yiddish are coming! The Yiddish are coming"? Later Palin reminds me a bit of Paris Hilton.

Willets Point Jun 06 2011 06:27 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Eh, Palin's not too far off. The Redcoats were marching to Concord to seize munitions from the colonists. Revere didn't ring any bells or fire guns himself, but other people did to spread the news of the Redcoats advance. So from amid the folksy word soup there is a kernel of truth. What I don't buy is the ultimate point that Palin and the many people who think like her that the Founders (specifically the framers of the Constitution) defended the right to bear arms so that the people could form a paramilitary force to fight a democratically-elected representative government when they disagreed with them. The Founders wanted to arm the militia to defend the country against outside forces - Native tribes and European forces - that may threaten them. In fact in the time of the founders the militia was called up by the Federal government to defend against an insurgency of early Palinites in the Whiskey Rebellion. The Big Government tyrant at the head of that militia? George Washington. Now, the reason the militia was important is that the Founders were generally wary of having a standing military force. They feared what would happen when the arms were in the hands of career soldiers rather than a citizen militia. Today of course, Palin and her right wing cronies love the military and see to it that the government funnels an extraordinary amount of money and resources into maintaining it. If anyone in the government today suggested like the founders that the USA should not have a standing army they would be immediately labeled an ANTI-AMERICAN SOCIALIST TRAITOR!!! Still the Second Amendment's provision to maintain a militia for defense it useful to the Palinites as an excuse to arm themselves to the teeth. And if David Koresh, Randy Weaver, Timothy McVeigh, Eric Rudolph, Joe Stack, and Jared Loughner use this an excuse to stockpile of weapons and slaughter their fellow American, hey they're just being PATRIOTS defending themselves against TYRANTS!!!

Nymr83 Jun 06 2011 09:50 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Meanwhile, in Fred Phelps country... things get a little weird: "It's an absolute shame that they show up and disrupt people's funerals," said Dennis LaBonte, who said he was the "Imperial Wizard" of the Southern Cross group. "We're just here in support of the troops." When the KKK can come out looking good in comparison to another group, they must be really really really bad people.

TransMonk Jun 07 2011 09:00 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Wisconsin activists create Walkerville to taunt governor, tout change

Edgy DC Jun 08 2011 09:41 AM Re: Politics of 2011

New GOP Chair Reince Priebus. Talk about guys who've jumbled their names to stay a step ahead of the law.

Willets Point Jun 08 2011 09:57 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: New GOP Chair Reince Priebus. Talk about guys who've jumbled their names to stay a step ahead of the law. Originally Pubic Seer Rein.

Edgy DC Jun 08 2011 09:58 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I've got Prince Rubies and Sir Ben Epicure.

The Second Spitter Jun 09 2011 06:33 PM Re: Politics of 2011

LMAO@Tim Pawlenty

metirish Jun 10 2011 07:25 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The world(media) braces itself for thousands of emails Sarah Plain sent and received while Governor of Alaska. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/sarah-palin-emails

Nymr83 Jun 12 2011 08:58 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: New GOP Chair Reince Priebus. Talk about guys who've jumbled their names to stay a step ahead of the law. I keep saying "Prince Reebus", it just sounds so much more natural.

Nymr83 Jun 12 2011 09:00 PM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: The world(media) braces itself for thousands of emails Sarah Plain sent and received while Governor of Alaska. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/sarah-palin-emails this is actually really funny trying to use people to sort the emails and find any juicy ones rather than have people paid to do it

metirish Jun 13 2011 07:30 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Nymr83 wrote: The world(media) braces itself for thousands of emails Sarah Plain sent and received while Governor of Alaska. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/sarah-palin-emails this is actually really funny trying to use people to sort the emails and find any juicy ones rather than have people paid to do it and a bit of a damp squib as it happens .

MFS62 Jun 14 2011 07:43 AM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: The world(media) braces itself for thousands of emails Sarah Plain sent and received while Governor of Alaska. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/sarah-palin-emails I didn't realize you could send emails in crayon. Later

TransMonk Jun 15 2011 12:54 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'll admit it...I backed him in 2004 before Kerry was nominated.

Frayed Knot Jun 15 2011 01:16 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I saw John Edwards getting his mug shot at Trader Vic's his hair was perfect

Edgy DC Aug 01 2011 07:29 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Compromise reached on the debt ceiling impasse, just as you knew there would be.

MFS62 Aug 01 2011 07:32 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Compromise reached on the debt ceiling impasse, just as you knew there would be. How dare they let it go down to the wire and conflict with both the baseball trading deadline and the NFL free agent signing frenzy! Later

TransMonk Aug 01 2011 07:45 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Compromise reached on the debt ceiling impasse, just as you knew there would be. Yeah, I'm really disappointed at how much play this little parade got. I saw a CNN poll last week where 50-some% of those polled actually thought a compromise would not be reached in time. That's truly scary.

Edgy DC Aug 01 2011 07:49 AM Re: Politics of 2011

The backbiting and recriminating makes for mountains of press. The compromise itself, not so much. And then you realize --- a big chunk of the press was kinda rooting for the default.

Frayed Knot Aug 01 2011 01:16 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Compromise reached on the debt ceiling impasse, just as you knew there would be. They ain't voted on it yet.

Edgy DC Aug 02 2011 07:30 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Clapping for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 02 2011 08:03 AM Re: Politics of 2011

So, lemme see if I got this straight... the "compromise" is essentially a capitulation on all fronts to the no-new-taxes crowd, and posits 1.3 trillion in spending cuts... and the TeaFolk are making noise about voting against this? How the hell this became a referendum on budget-balance is beyond me. (The Prez isn't very good at this arm-twisting thing, is he?)

Edgy DC Aug 02 2011 08:11 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Any time both wings walk away pissed, something useful must have happened. It became a referrendum on the (doomed) balanced budget amendment because the spending-hawks held their votes hostage to it.

metirish Aug 02 2011 08:20 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Any time both wings walk away pissed, something useful must have happened. It became a referrendum on the (doomed) balanced budget amendment because the spending-hawks held their votes hostage to it. Yet it's the Republicans that are happy. Boehner " I didn't get all I wanted but I got 98%"....

Edgy DC Aug 02 2011 08:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Well, Boehner's the Republican House leader, but he's speaking here on behalf of his side of the responsible middle, not his wing. Maxine Walters may want to link this to a tax increase, and spending and Michelle Bachmann may want to link it to a balanced budget amendment, but the president and the speaker know all too well that they're the ones holding the bag (and going down in history) if the US government defaults, so those two are certainly relieved, and hopefully now aware they can work together to find some common ground between their intractable wings.

Edgy DC Aug 02 2011 10:37 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Frayed Knot wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Compromise reached on the debt ceiling impasse, just as you knew there would be. They ain't voted on it yet. The Senate vote just crossed 60 votes.

Willets Point Aug 02 2011 10:51 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Compromise? More like capitulation.

Edgy DC Aug 02 2011 10:58 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Well, it's compromise when both disagreeing sides capitulate. And they both did.

Willets Point Aug 03 2011 10:05 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Our next president lauds the Tea Party's success in forcing this "compromise": “We shall take this victory and make sure our politicians in office today are learning from this victory."

Ceetar Aug 03 2011 10:08 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Our next president lauds the Tea Party's success in forcing this "compromise": “We shall take this victory and make sure our politicians in office today are learning from this victory." When did it become standard to call them the "Tea Party"? It didn't seem to catch on as a nickname right after all the tea party stuff or the elections, but I've noticed a couple of people referring to it lately, and I was bored of radio commercials yesterday and heard that very angry radio host (who's name isn't Rachel Ray but that's always who I think of) on 1600am (which used to be Air America but is now not but is still progressive radio or something) routinely calling them that last night.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 03 2011 10:09 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm really enjoying this 3rd Bush term.

Willets Point Aug 03 2011 10:12 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Ceetar wrote: When did it become standard to call them the "Tea Party"? They call themselves The Tea Party or some variation on it. T.E.A. originally stood for "Taxed Enough Already."

Vic Sage Aug 03 2011 10:38 AM Re: Politics of 2011

the only compromise here was between the right wing, which wanted to cut vital services while permitting no new revenues, and its far right lunatic fringe, who just wants government to cease operations all together. As for the gonad-less Democrats, and their empty suit in the white house, there was absolutely nothing achieved beyond the avoidance of (yet another) financial calamity, and they've set themselves up beautifully for future defeat since, as Paul Krugman noted, cutting govt spending in bad economic times is the best way to guarantee that the bad economy continues... which is what the Tea Baggers want. That way, they can hang it around Obama like a bell, despite that its just the continuation of Bush's economic program (tax cuts, 2 wars, wall st. bailout -- all engineered by Bush and continued by Obama). Even the "stimulus" package was largely tax cuts and failed to actually spend the way it needed to to create new jobs and invest in infrastructure. They've also demonstrated their weakness in standing up to the hostage-taking strategy of the Baggers, ensuring that this strategy will be employed over and over again. As Bill Maher has said on frequent occasions, it will be ironic to see the Democrats and Obama get swept out again after never actually trying any Democratic policies. Its one thing if your policies fail; its another to fail your policies. This was a one-sided victory, an utter capitulation, not a compromise setting the stage for productive governmental action. And anybody applauding anything in this process (other than those who got what they wanted from it), is pretending to an even-handedness not present in the process or the outcome.

Willets Point Aug 03 2011 10:54 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point Aug 08 2011 07:47 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC Aug 08 2011 08:26 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Dustin's always been the self-pityin' sort.

Willets Point Aug 08 2011 08:29 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Dustin's always been the self-pityin' sort. I think comics are his catharsis.

Willets Point Aug 10 2011 09:03 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Today's cover page from a political mouthpiece of the family values party:

Edgy DC Aug 10 2011 09:04 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I read that a half dozen times before I got the "joke." Is the headline editor British?

TransMonk Aug 10 2011 09:11 AM Re: Politics of 2011

That cover is absolutely idiotic.

Ceetar Aug 10 2011 09:12 AM Re: Politics of 2011

TransMonk wrote: That cover is absolutely idiotic. but pretty much Post standard. (My stocks aren't really doing that badly, all things considered)

Willets Point Aug 11 2011 09:18 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Is the headline editor British? I think 'hooker' is an Americanism. A British headline editor would probably write "whore's knickers." The bigger question: is that a stock photograph or did the Post editors call in models for a photo shoot to make that cover?

Edgy DC Aug 11 2011 09:30 AM Re: Politics of 2011

It's too well composed not to be a stock shot. That expression: "up and down like a whore-hooker-whatever's nickers-drawers" is just such an odd and unfamiliar construction. It sounds either British or like something from the army.

metirish Aug 11 2011 12:36 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Is this really that bad?, unless her eyes were doctored to look like that I don't see the controversy.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 11 2011 12:43 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I think the point is that there are many more flattering photos of her that they could have chosen, but they opted to go with the scary ugly one.

metirish Aug 11 2011 12:44 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think the point is that there are many more flattering photos of her that they could have chosen, but they opted to go with the scary ugly one. they've done this before right? agree that it is not a flattering picture alright.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 11 2011 12:47 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I remember similar gripes about photos of Sarah Palin. I'm sure there are other publications that have done the same with Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. (Well, maybe not Pelosi. I don't think you can have a flattering photo of her unless you use Photoshop to give her Angelina Jolie's face and body.)

TransMonk Aug 11 2011 12:51 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Not to sidetrack too far from the thread title, but I've had a Newsweek subscription (annual x-mas gift from the rents) for years and they have really gone downhill in the past 2 or 3. It's gotten really bad since Tina Brown took over editing.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 11 2011 01:06 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I used to get Newsweek. In fact, I have about 18 months of unread issues piled up under my coffee table. I got to a point where my favorite part was the book reviews, and that's only about a page or two per issue. It occurred to me that there's probably a better magazine for me to subscribe to (or a website to visit) to get good book reviews, but I haven't yet bothered to search for one.

Willets Point Aug 11 2011 01:46 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Benjamin Grimm wrote: It occurred to me that there's probably a better magazine for me to subscribe to (or a website to visit) to get good book reviews, but I haven't yet bothered to search for one. This has a good reputation although I don't subscribe to it myself.

Vic Sage Aug 11 2011 01:51 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I don't think you can have a flattering photo of [Pelosi] unless you use Photoshop to give her Angelina Jolie's face and body. Then wouldn't it just be a photo of Angelina Jolie?

Willets Point Aug 11 2011 01:53 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Nangelina Jolosi.

Ceetar Aug 11 2011 01:53 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I remember similar gripes about photos of Sarah Palin. I'm sure there are other publications that have done the same with Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. (Well, maybe not Pelosi. I don't think you can have a flattering photo of her unless you use Photoshop to give her Angelina Jolie's face and body.) Newsweek would probably be better in general with more pictures of Jolie types and less of Pelosi types. (So might Congress)

Edgy DC Aug 11 2011 01:55 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm going to disagree with that.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 11 2011 02:00 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Vic Sage wrote: I don't think you can have a flattering photo of [Pelosi] unless you use Photoshop to give her Angelina Jolie's face and body. Then wouldn't it just be a photo of Angelina Jolie? Hold on... let me give it a try... Hey! You're right!

Frayed Knot Aug 11 2011 02:07 PM Re: Politics of 2011

TransMonk wrote: ... I've had a Newsweek subscription for years and they have really gone downhill in the past 2 or 3. I had the same reaction ... only I had it some time in the late 1990s so I suppose when you jumped aboard figures into your perspective. Your time with them spanned their whole sale from the Wash Post group and I know they lost a lot of talent in the transfer and in the belt tightening that preceded it. IIRC watching them devote entire issues and even put out special issues over the death of Lady Di was a major turning point in my decision to simply let the subscription lapse.

Edgy DC Aug 11 2011 02:27 PM Re: Politics of 2011

This is the issue that pretty much doomed newsweeklies for me: But really, who needs a weekly wrapup and analysis of the news when we get them hourly.

metsguyinmichigan Aug 11 2011 03:14 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'm very disappointed in Newsweek and let my subscription expire in 2009 when it took a far left turn. There are plenty of partisan publications out there, and I used to like that it had decent, in-depth stories that seemed objective. But the shenanigans during the 2008 campaign soured me, and the redesign was terrible.

metsguyinmichigan Aug 11 2011 03:16 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Speaking of politics -- Obama was in our neck of the woods today, and my assignment was to be at the airport for the arrival and departure. Fewer things are more impressive than watching Air Force One descend from the sky. This is the first time I got a close look at Marine One. I have some photos on the Facebook page if you are curious. Happy reporter!

themetfairy Aug 11 2011 07:17 PM Re: Politics of 2011

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Speaking of politics -- Obama was in our neck of the woods today, and my assignment was to be at the airport for the arrival and departure. Fewer things are more impressive than watching Air Force One descend from the sky. This is the first time I got a close look at Marine One. I have some photos on the Facebook page if you are curious. Happy reporter! Very cool!

Willets Point Aug 11 2011 07:20 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Carolyn Bessette and I went to the same high school but for some reason no one ever declared me a fashion icon for the 90s.

Edgy DC Aug 11 2011 09:18 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I'll go ahead and put my early money on Perry. Entering late, giving everybody else a head start making fools of themselves, has experience to tout, and has Texas money to back him. Successful Republicans have come from superstates --- Reagan and Nixon from Cali, and the Bushes from Texas. Huntsman for VP, I think.

Edgy DC Aug 12 2011 07:01 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I just realized what this forum needs: a supercommittee. I, for one, am shocked that Ron Paul was snubbed for a committee appointment.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 12 2011 07:02 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Will we be able to wear capes? Will we meet in a secret hideout?

Edgy DC Aug 12 2011 07:16 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Totally. And you'd all get code names, like "Wheelbarrow" and "Special Sauce." And maybe a near-sentient (but always subservient) computer to help you in your work. But after 12 months, we expect to see some serious game-changing policy.

Ceetar Aug 12 2011 07:18 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Totally. And you'd all get code names, like "Wheelbarrow" and "Special Sauce." And maybe a near-sentient (but always subservient) computer to help you in your work. But after 12 months, we expect to see some serious game-changing policy. We can meet in the left field Promenade. It's basically a secret hideout.

metirish Aug 12 2011 07:20 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Daily News today

metsguyinmichigan Aug 12 2011 09:55 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: I'll go ahead and put my early money on Perry. Entering late, giving everybody else a head start making fools of themselves, has experience to tout, and has Texas money to back him. Successful Republicans have come from superstates --- Reagan and Nixon from Cali, and the Bushes from Texas. Huntsman for VP, I think. Won't disagree about Perry -- though Romney has a ton of money raised and has spent the last two years collecting favors. As for the VP, I'm wondering if, after 2008, we'll see fewer all-white-guy tickets. I wouldn't be stunned if the VP came from outside the group of people running -- someone like Marco Rubio.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 12 2011 10:18 AM Re: Politics of 2011

A Hispanic GOP running mate would probably be a canny choice.

Edgy DC Aug 12 2011 10:22 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Perhaps a little baldfacedly so, especially with Rubio's relative brand-newness. They kinda got burned with a neophyte last time.

Willets Point Aug 12 2011 10:25 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Benjamin Grimm wrote: A Hispanic GOP running mate would probably be a canny choice. An Hispanic, gay, Islamic woman from a blue state would be even better. Can the GOP find anyone with enough self-loathing?

Vic Sage Aug 12 2011 10:30 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: A Hispanic GOP running mate would probably be a canny choice. An Hispanic, gay, Islamic woman from a blue state would be even better. Can the GOP find anyone with enough self-loathing? Balkmann can run with her husband... oh, wait. He's not Hispanic.

metsguyinmichigan Aug 12 2011 12:33 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Perhaps a little baldfacedly so, especially with Rubio's relative brand-newness. They kinda got burned with a neophyte last time. So did the Dems, but I think they're going to stick with him -- unless he pulls an LBJ.

Edgy DC Aug 12 2011 12:36 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Yeah, I mean they got burned as far as how she demonstrated her elect-ability. In that sense, then Senator Obama did not burn his party. At all.

metsguyinmichigan Aug 12 2011 12:42 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Yeah, I mean they got burned as far as how she demonstrated her elect-ability. In that sense, then Senator Obama did not burn his party. At all. Until two years later, anyway, all the way down to state and county races. I do think Rubio is an option, and being outside the current crop of candidates means that he hasn't had the snot kicked out of him for a year prior. If Obama is in real trouble, I wouldn't be surprised if Biden was off the ticket and replaced by Hillary Clinton.

sharpie Aug 14 2011 01:20 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Pawlenty first GOP casualty.

Edgy DC Aug 14 2011 01:36 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Ames Straw poll, Shmames Shmaw Shmoll. The amount of pull that a relative paucity of folks in Iowa and New Hampshire get in the process every four years is absurd.

Frayed Knot Aug 14 2011 02:11 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Common New Hampshire joke in the winter prior to a November national election: Man #1: "So what do you think about candidate Smith?" Man #2: "I haven't decided yet, I've only met him twice."

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 14 2011 03:14 PM Re: Politics of 2011

sharpie wrote: Pawlenty first GOP casualty. Hopefully there'll be pawlenty more before it's all over.

Willets Point Aug 14 2011 04:05 PM Re: Politics of 2011

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: sharpie wrote: Pawlenty first GOP casualty. Hopefully there'll be pawlenty more before it's all over. They will all fall before Queen Sarah.

Frayed Knot Aug 14 2011 05:04 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: sharpie wrote: Pawlenty first GOP casualty. Hopefully there'll be pawlenty more before it's all over. They will all fall before Queen Sarah. I'll stick with my prediction from at least a year ago that not only does she not get the nomination but she never even enters the contest.

Willets Point Aug 15 2011 08:15 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I expect that whomever the GOP nominate will be a shoe-in so they'll be hoping to gain points with their extremists by nominating Palin or Bachman or Palin/Bachman or Bachman/Palin.

Vic Sage Aug 15 2011 10:08 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I expect that whomever the GOP nominate will be a shoe-in it depends where the economy is (or, rather, where it is PERCEIVED to be) on election day, and who the GOP nominates. Despite the bitter disappointment the Left and Center feel about Obama, all it will take is the nomination of one of these fringy cultural troglydites on the far right to unite the Dems, together with moderates of all stripes, and forge a winning coalition against a careening free-fall into a 1950s that never existed. In fact, i'm counting on the Tea Party to force the GOP into just such a self-destructive nomination. If, instead, the Republicans were to run one of their moderate Mormon governors who seem completely competent and relatively unthreatening, the Dems couldn't count on fear to rally the troops necessary to bring their empty suit back to the white house. But the GOP has sold their party to their ideological lunatic fringe and likely won't have the sense to employ a winning strategy.

Willets Point Aug 15 2011 10:19 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Yeah, the GOP ran milquetoast moderates in '96 and '08 and that was certainly their "winning strategy." I heard the same glee in 2000 that the Republicans nominating the village idiot from Texas would guarantee Democratic victory and you see how well that turned out. Sadly, the "fringy cultural troglydites on the far right" have moved into the mainstream. Enough Americans who vote actually support this ideology to guarantee a GOP victory. Palin or Bachman will be our next president (and possibly last, because I don't expect democracy to survive), you can bank on it.

Edgy DC Aug 15 2011 10:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Yabbut... you had us banking on McCain in 2008. After you had us banking on Hillary in the primary. I don't have too many more banks.

sharpie Aug 15 2011 10:44 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Actually, Obama reminds me of GW Bush in 2004. Democrats all thought he was a disaster and that he was an easily beatable candidate. Even with a not-too-inspiring John Kerry at the head of the ticket, Dems still felt this was winnable. Incumbents are hard to beat. Not impossible, but very hard. Obama does have a monolithic black vote (who didn't turn out in the midterms). If Bachmann or Palin are nominated he wins easily. If Romney or Perry are nominated its tougher but I think still likely given the tarring they are likely to get during the campaign (esp. easy with Perry). Huntsman would be tough but he's not going to get the nomination.

Frayed Knot Aug 15 2011 11:07 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Let's also not forget that the Repubs would almost certainly have control of the Senate right now had they not screwed themselves by nominating several really bad candidates [Deleware, Nevada, and, to a lesser extent, Colorado & Washington] simply because they were perceived to be right-er than their own incumbents or more mainstream challengers. Point being that - Willets' dire predictions aside - if the elephants think they've got this next one so locked up that they can stray as far as they want from the center because there's no downside then they've got really short memories.

Vic Sage Aug 15 2011 02:59 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Willets Point wrote: Yeah, the GOP ran milquetoast moderates in '96 and '08 and that was certainly their "winning strategy." I heard the same glee in 2000 that the Republicans nominating the village idiot from Texas would guarantee Democratic victory and you see how well that turned out. Sadly, the "fringy cultural troglydites on the far right" have moved into the mainstream. Enough Americans who vote actually support this ideology to guarantee a GOP victory. Palin or Bachman will be our next president (and possibly last, because I don't expect democracy to survive), you can bank on it. in 96, Clinton had a solid economy and a surplus as i recall; it didn't matter who the GOP nominated. in 08, the Dems ran their great black hope against a discredited McCain who had turned hard right (maybe he always was), and who had added Palin to the ticket, for a little extra chaser of crazy to wash down the mug of ornery cuss who wanted to double down in Iraq. All it will take is for a PAlin/Bachman/Perry type stormtrooper who wants to pray the gay away (or the drought, in Perry's case) to get the rest of the country over their Obama-induced coma. You think Palin / Bachman represent "mainstream America", but their positions are on the short side of every poll taken on their cultural issues; and the Teabaggers have now part of the DC establishment responsible for our credit rating drop and the perception that they are as much to blame (if not more) for the shenanigans in washington. If the GOP were smart (and they are not), they would simply let Obama fall on his face and give the country nothing to fear (ostensibly) from their opposition to him. Since fear-mongering is what they do, you'd think they'd be sensitive to the strategy. But they won't be able to help themselves; they'll host a national prayer meeting to nominate Perry as the lord god's messenger and cranks like me will have to get off our asses and actually vote for the Obamian alternative.

metirish Aug 30 2011 11:53 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Bachmann Says She Was Joking Asshole

metsmarathon Aug 30 2011 01:47 PM Re: Politics of 2011

i'm fairly tired of my politicians being raving lunatics.

Edgy DC Sep 20 2011 11:10 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Failed Anthony Wiener successor David Weprin busting it on the dance floor. [youtube:3w0rtuya]kWbeyXvtQYE[/youtube:3w0rtuya]

Edgy DC Oct 04 2011 11:23 AM Re: Politics of 2011

And Chris Christie gives us big fat no. Not that I've watched a Monday Night football game in years and years, but I love reading that Hank Williams, Jr.'s turrible turrible opening song has finally been pulled (after 23 years!)after ol' Hank played the Hitler card on Fox News.

Frayed Knot Oct 04 2011 11:34 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Actually I don't think ESPN has said that they're pulling it for good, only that they did so last night. I kind of get a kick out of the idea that TV execs sit around contemplating whether the presence or absence of a particular theme song has an effect on ratings ... but football in general, and MNF in particular, long ago decided that their games are at least as much TV shows as they are sporting contests so I suppose it's par for the course.

Edgy DC Oct 04 2011 11:40 AM Re: Politics of 2011

They say they're waiting to see how remorseful he is. What they really kinda mean is they're waiting to see whether the storm blows over and how much damage it does before it does blow. That song has to be the source of 90% of his career revenues, I would think.

TransMonk Oct 04 2011 12:40 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I flip the channel while the song is on. It's gotta go anyway...even if HWJr is the coolest cat on earth, which I don't think he is.

metsmarathon Oct 04 2011 12:45 PM Re: Politics of 2011

i can't believe it's an issue...

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 04 2011 01:41 PM Re: Politics of 2011

AWWWWWL MY ROWDY FRIENDS ARE UNSURPRISINGLY NUCKIN' FUTZ!

Frayed Knot Oct 04 2011 01:51 PM Re: Politics of 2011

metsmarathon wrote: i can't believe it's an issue... Well, when you're essentially a spokesman for a network (even if not technically an employee) and you go off half-cocked on another network in ways reasonable people might find offensive then, yeah, it becomes an issue.

TransMonk Oct 04 2011 01:57 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Disney is probably not too big on feather rufflers.

Edgy DC Oct 06 2011 11:42 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Are you ready for some bullshit!! ESPN wrote: "We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr. We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue." Bocephus wrote: "After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision. By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It's been a great run." -- Hank Williams Jr.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 06 2011 11:55 AM Re: Politics of 2011

I'd be shocked if as many as 1 per cent of the public knew what the First Amendment was about.

Edgy DC Oct 06 2011 12:03 PM Re: Politics of 2011

The funny thing is that, as a conservative opiner, you'd figure that he'd hold in contempt the idea that the First Amendment, which explicitly protects us from infringements by federal government only, should be interpreted as to be applied to the employer-employee relationship. Somebody ask Rand Paul about this one. But really, does anybubba really believe that he walked on them?

metirish Oct 06 2011 12:19 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Oh and Palin is not running but will continue to contribute to our great country..... something like that.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 06 2011 12:34 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I wonder if a certain someone is still convinced that she'll become president on January 20, 2013?

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2011 03:29 PM Re: Politics of 2011

metirish wrote: Oh and Palin is not running ... I believe I had that one.

Edgy DC Oct 06 2011 04:29 PM Re: Politics of 2011

You weren't the only one holding that chip.

Ceetar Nov 07 2011 09:38 PM Re: Politics of 2011

I apparently get to vote to approve sports betting in NJ tomorrow. I feel like I should've known about this well before tonight.

Ashie62 Nov 08 2011 03:24 AM Re: Politics of 2011

Oddly, the Atlantic City Casino Redevelopment Co. has already purchased the servers for online sport gambling..hmmm... fine by me.

Edgy DC Nov 12 2011 04:55 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigns. Didn't see that one coming. Mebbe should've.

metirish Nov 12 2011 05:24 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Edgy DC wrote: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigns. Didn't see that one coming. Mebbe should've. You've not been following events in Europe then?, this was coming since last week, just official today.

Edgy DC Nov 12 2011 06:49 PM Re: Politics of 2011

Like I said, maybe I should've. Been following events, but I guess not as closely as I ought've. Guess I've been overly focused on the US fallout.