Master Index of Archived Threads


Politics in 2013

metirish Jan 02 2013 10:35 AM

Stop patting yerselves on the back the lot of you.... This is extraordinary from Boehner , as reported here http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/ja ... ttack-live House Speaker John Boehner couldn’t hold back when he spotted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the White House lobby last Friday.... “Go f— yourself,” Boehner sniped as he pointed his finger at Reid, according to multiple sources present. Reid, a bit startled, replied: “What are you talking about?” Boehner repeated: “Go f— yourself.”

Edgy MD Jan 02 2013 10:43 AM Re: Politics in 2012

Sounds like language unbecoming of a Congress member. The attacks regarding not getting a Sandy bill passed seem really silly, as funding is secure for most of the year. Reid seems to never stop campaigning, never stop attacking. But, well, most unbecoming of a Congress member, Speaker Boehner.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 02 2013 12:15 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Granted, Reid never stops campaigning. But virtually ALL Congress members that aren't bought and paid for by Koch money seem up in arms about the Sandy-aid intransigience.

Edgy MD Jan 02 2013 12:25 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Well, I don't see that "all Congressmembers" in there, but your point is solid. It'll certainly be interesting to see if this affects Boehner continuing as speaker.

Farmer Ted Jan 02 2013 01:13 PM Re: Politics in 2013

I get the feeling Reid hears that a lot.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 02 2013 01:18 PM Re: Politics in 2013

This and this cast a slightly wider net. [Dude, supposedly even Cantor was pushing-- however halfheartedly-- to get a vote in.]

Edgy MD Jan 02 2013 01:20 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Certainly. Cantor was the one who promised it, so it was his honor on the line.

Ashie62 Jan 02 2013 10:36 PM Re: Politics in 2013

We can all relive this in about two months...I've had enough of Norquist. Cantor even looks like a fucking weasel.

Mets – Willets Point Jan 03 2013 09:19 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Breathing the cool, fresh Massachusetts air knowing that the commonwealth is no longer has a Tea Party pretty boy in the US Senate. Ahhhhhhhh....

Gwreck Jan 03 2013 09:43 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Umm, who is going to run in the special election to fill John Kerry's seat once he is appointed Secretary of State?

Edgy MD Jan 03 2013 09:46 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Whoah...

Mets – Willets Point Jan 03 2013 09:52 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Gwreck wrote: Umm, who is going to run in the special election to fill John Kerry's seat once he is appointed Secretary of State? Let me enjoy this one day, all right.

Ashie62 Jan 03 2013 11:07 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Gwreck wrote: Umm, who is going to run in the special election to fill John Kerry's seat once he is appointed Secretary of State? Howard Dean..whoooa!!!!!!!!!!!

Edgy MD Jan 03 2013 11:10 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Is Howard Dean now a Bay Stater?

Mets – Willets Point Jan 03 2013 11:14 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: Is Howard Dean now a Bay Stater? All those New England states run together.

Edgy MD Jan 03 2013 11:56 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Boehner re-elected as SOH.

metirish Jan 03 2013 12:05 PM Re: Politics in 2013

My first paycheck of the year and already more taxes taken......I guess that's the average $1000 a year extra we will be paying.

seawolf17 Jan 03 2013 12:43 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Word on the twitters is that anyone can be Speaker of the House; you don't have to be a member. You just have to win the vote.

Edgy MD Jan 03 2013 12:50 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Norman Ornstein wrote a Washington Post editorial to that effect, suggesting the party go with Jon Huntsman. Unsurprisingly, nobody listened.

TransMonk Jan 03 2013 02:07 PM Re: Politics in 2013

After all this time, I still can't read "Boehner" and not think "Boner".

Ashie62 Jan 03 2013 03:41 PM Re: Politics in 2013

metirish wrote: My first paycheck of the year and already more taxes taken......I guess that's the average $1000 a year extra we will be paying. I guess that is the money were "getting" from the payroll tax holiday...

Edgy MD Jan 04 2013 10:29 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Barney Frank throws his hat in the ring. Barney Frank!

Gwreck Jan 04 2013 12:19 PM Re: Politics in 2013

To be appointed to the seat until the special election is held. Not to run in the special election to fill the balance of the term.

Edgy MD Jan 04 2013 12:48 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Still, Barney F. Frank! Barney, two weeks ago. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said he's more than ready to retire and looking forward to not dealing with "stupid" problems in Washington. “After 45 years, I’m tired,” Frank said in an interview with Politico. “I look forward to a situation where when the phone rings, I won’t be apprehensive that it’s some problem I have to deal with: some crisis -- maybe that somebody else has done something stupid that I have to deal with, or in the worst case, something stupid I’ve done that I have to deal with.” After 16 terms in Congress, Frank announced in November 2011 he would not seek reelection in 2012. Frank said a new redistricting map -- along with a "busy and stressful" last four years -- influenced his decision to retire. Frank also ruled out running for Senate if Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is appointed to a position in President Barack Obama's cabinet. Obama nominated Kerry to be the next Secretary of State on December 21. "If I wanted to stay in Congress, why wouldn’t I prefer being a senior member of the House rather than the most junior member of the Senate?" Frank told the Boston Globe.

Farmer Ted Jan 04 2013 01:07 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Barney misses the good old days in DC... Widely regarded as one of the most intelligent and well spoken members of the House of Representatives, Barney Frank, a Democratic Congressman for nearly 30 years and the first openly gay member of the House, almost undid his career in 1989 after having an affair with Steve Gobie, a male prostitute. Frank hired Gobie to run errands and allowed him to live at his home, where Frank obviously hoped he would be rehabilitated and renounce his life of sin. The only problem: Gobie kept on working as a prostitute — from Frank's home. The Congressman maintained that he had no knowledge that his digs were being used as a brothel and said that he kicked Gobie out once he learned what the escort had been doing there. Desperate to prove his limited culpability in the case, Frank requested an investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The 10-month probe found that Frank did not, in fact, know about the happenings in his home but that he should be reprimanded for use of House privilege in waiving 33 of Gobie's parking tickets and for writing a memo that attempted to end Gobie's probation for a prior infraction.

Ashie62 Jan 06 2013 01:11 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Congratulation to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo who found time to vote no on Sandy relief while apologizing for his DUI arrest and pleading guilty. What a load of crap....

Edgy MD Jan 06 2013 01:48 PM Re: Politics in 2013

More interesting is the "You would be fired if this gets out" list.

Edgy MD Jan 06 2013 02:35 PM Re: Politics in 2013

And more interesting still is this guy: The Honorable Morris Jackson "Mo" Brooks, Jr. United States House of Representative 1230 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Brooks, I send you my greetings and my personal thanks for serving in the US Congress on behalf of your constituents in Alabama. It is with disappointment, however, that I noted your recent vote against a relief package for victims of Hurricane Sandy and your explanation for that vote. I share your concerns for fiscal prudence, for due deliberation on legislation before Congress, and for pork-free spending bills, but your explanation included the following: "People have to protect themselves from the risks of weather. They should not expect American taxpayers to subsidize a vacation home on the beach." These are Americans here. They are Americans I imagine you'd be proud of. They are veterans, the elderly, and brave police and firefighters who worked to help others while their homes were destroyed. They are small business owners. They are most typically good and hardworking Americans whose lives and livelihoods have been washed away --- not the caricatures you portray of entitled folks recklessly losing an uninsured second home and demanding government payouts. You want to investigate a better way forward for reasonable and cost-effective disaster risk management for our nation, fine. I'm all for it. But in your language here, you are broadly and indiscriminately attacking the storm's victims, and they are the people I come from. Whatever your position on this bill, if you will not refrain from insulting storm victims, I hope your constituents send to Washington someone who feels differently on the matter. Because I find it difficult to believe they feel the same on this matter. How could they, knowing the devastation from the horrific storms that plagued your own state as recently as 2011? I would be happy to help arrange for you and your wife to visit New York to tour the afflicted areas and meet the good and hardworking folks who have been devastated by this storm. Your vote may not change, but I hope you'd reconsider your rhetoric and how hurtful or helpful it can be. After consideration of my letter, I would appreciate a response. Sincerely, Edgy MD I got upset. A principled Nay vote is one thing. Talking out of school is another.

Ashie62 Jan 06 2013 05:05 PM Re: Politics in 2013

You did good...

Swan Swan H Jan 08 2013 02:49 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Carlos Baerga was a delegate for Rick Santorum in the 2012 Republican primary.

Edgy MD Jan 12 2013 03:44 PM Re: Politics in 2013

If Jack Lew is confirmed as treasury secretary, this could be the signature on your currency.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 12 2013 03:49 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Hmmm. I think I'd prefer to have one of those trillion-dollar coins instead.

Edgy MD Jan 22 2013 09:41 AM Re: Politics in 2013

"Death, I defy you." http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... ician.html

Mets – Willets Point Jan 22 2013 09:48 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Apparently another way to stop a bad guy with a gun can be a slap from an angry Bulgarian politician.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 22 2013 09:52 AM Re: Politics in 2013

What the hell

metirish Jan 22 2013 10:07 AM Re: Politics in 2013

That clip has a real Borat quality to it.

seawolf17 Jan 22 2013 10:23 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Best part of that video is the guys in suits kicking the assailant while he's on the ground, WWE-style.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 22 2013 10:32 AM Re: Politics in 2013

I think he was fortunate that he didn't have an especially determine assassin. Most actually fire the weapon from a distance. They don't calmly put the pistol to their target's head and let him make the next move.

Mets – Willets Point Jan 22 2013 10:44 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think he was fortunate that he didn't have an especially determine assassin. Most actually fire the weapon from a distance. They don't calmly put the pistol to their target's head and let him make the next move. I actually I saw this explained because the weapon is something called a gas pistol that fires tear gas cartridges and is only lethal at very close range. If this had been in the US, the assailant surely would've stocked up Loughner/Lanza style and mowed down half the people in that room.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 22 2013 10:47 AM Re: Politics in 2013

We're so lucky to have the NRA and the Second Amendment.

Edgy MD Jan 23 2013 02:29 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Pennagon lifting the ban on women in combat. That surprises.

Edgy MD Jan 23 2013 05:49 PM Re: Politics in 2013

LWFS, what the heck is your friend Vernacio talking about?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 23 2013 09:08 PM Re: Politics in 2013

I'm not entirely sure. I'm often not entirely sure.

Mets – Willets Point Jan 24 2013 02:11 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: Pennagon lifting the ban on women in combat. That surprises. I thought this had happened already. Is the Pennagon a building shaped like Pennsylvania?

Ashie62 Jan 26 2013 09:33 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: Pennagon lifting the ban on women in combat. That surprises. What about women in combat buster!

Mets – Willets Point Feb 01 2013 11:58 AM Re: Politics in 2013

What Brown can't do for you.

Nymr83 Feb 01 2013 12:17 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Mets – Willets Point wrote: What Brown can't do for you. Republican chances just fell to roughly 0.0%

Benjamin Grimm Feb 01 2013 12:24 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Am I the only one around here wondering if Valadius has been helping to procure underage Dominican hookers for his boss?

metirish Feb 01 2013 12:27 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Am I the only one around here wondering if Valadius has been helping to procure underage Dominican hookers for his boss? Ha!, wondered it but didn't want to pose the question as to not possibly defame "Val the street crawler"

Nymr83 Feb 01 2013 12:32 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Cant believe I missed the Menendez hooker story! I'm assuming that its illegal in the Dominican Republic too?

sharpie Feb 01 2013 01:08 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Actually, prostitution is legal in the Dominican Republic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostituti ... n_Republic

Edgy MD Feb 01 2013 03:27 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Sounds like a possible badger scheme. The illegal gifts alone may be enough to take him down. Obviously, if true, the general legality of prostitution shouldn't matter. Allegedly, these were kids.

Nymr83 Feb 01 2013 07:15 PM Re: Politics in 2013

I missed the "underage" part too, disgusting.

Ashie62 Feb 02 2013 04:13 PM Re: Politics in 2013

The prostitution charges are the least of his problems... That Florida doctor...Menendez may not survive that.

Edgy MD Feb 20 2013 10:22 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Money: John McCain defends his immigration position at a town hall meeting filled with enraged silver-haired caucasians.

Nymr83 Feb 26 2013 06:56 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Dov Hikind may want to skip dressing up for Purim next year.

Mets – Willets Point Mar 01 2013 11:15 AM Re: Politics in 2013

The city of Detroit (including half the African-American population of Michigan) has been denied popular sovereignty and will now be under control of a dictator appointed by an extreme right wing governor. America, there's your freedom.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2013 08:23 AM Re: Politics in 2013

One of the more heartbreaking things I'll read today, regarding Monday's soda industry "victory." A Guy Leading An Organization Funded By Freddie Mac, MacDonald's and Target wrote: "The suggestion that our community philanthropic efforts are motivated by something other than good will is grossly inaccurate and ignores our history of true partnership for well over a century." “We don’t support soda taxes and things like that, any kind of grocery taxes, because we think they hurt our community more than helping,” said Christina M. Martínez, a spokeswoman for the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute. Ms. Martínez said the institute, which counts PepsiCo and Coca-Cola among its sponsors, had advised local officials, including Mayor Julián Castro of San Antonio, on obesity and nutrition initiatives.

MFS62 Mar 13 2013 08:37 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Mayor Bloomberg just didn't want soda cups taller than he is. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 13 2013 08:54 AM Re: Politics in 2013

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: One of the more heartbreaking things I'll read today, regarding Monday's soda industry "victory." A Guy Leading An Organization Funded By Freddie Mac, MacDonald's and Target wrote: "The suggestion that our community philanthropic efforts are motivated by something other than good will is grossly inaccurate and ignores our history of true partnership for well over a century." “We don’t support soda taxes and things like that, any kind of grocery taxes, because we think they hurt our community more than helping,” said Christina M. Martínez, a spokeswoman for the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute. Ms. Martínez said the institute, which counts PepsiCo and Coca-Cola among its sponsors, had advised local officials, including Mayor Julián Castro of San Antonio, on obesity and nutrition initiatives. Yeah, that's tragic. As liberty-robbing and arbitrary as it is I was totally behind Bloomy on this one.

Valadius Apr 02 2013 09:38 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Holy crap and good riddance: A prominent Democratic state senator and a Republican city councilman from Queens were arrested Tuesday in an alleged plot to get the senator onto the New York City mayoral ballot by paying off GOP county chairmen, authorities said. Democratic State Sen. Malcolm Smith, City Councilman Dan Halloran and four others were arrested by the FBI Tuesday morning. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Smith "tried to bribe his way to a shot at Gracie Mansion." Bharara said Smith conceived the plot and Halloran, a former NYPD officer, "quarterbacked that drive by finding party chairmen who were wide open to receiving bribes." The charges include conspiracy to bribe, wire fraud and extortion.

Edgy MD Apr 02 2013 09:47 AM Re: Politics in 2013

It's strangely nice to see a bipartisan corruption arrest.

Nymr83 Apr 03 2013 09:03 PM Re: Politics in 2013

You can excuse Smith for thinking the spot was for sale, look how much Bloomberg paid for it!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 04 2013 10:29 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: It's strangely nice to see a bipartisan corruption arrest. I did have a funny, warm feeling inside.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 26 2013 06:35 AM Re: Politics in 2013 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 26 2013 06:41 AM

So... pretty nutty political theater in the Texas legislature special session last night, eh? Sen. Davis entered the Senate chamber this morning wearing a bulky coat and orange running shoes. She received an uproarious standing ovation from the gallery, filled mostly with orange-clad opponents of SB 5... Sen. Davis started by reading (very slowly) the letters from the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Hospital Association, the Texas chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and others, criticizing various aspects of the bill. Then she switched to reading the personal testimonies of members of the public who had tried, and failed, to give public testimony at the House committee hearing last Thursday. Some of the stories were so heart-wrenching that Davis cried openly, as did many in the gallery... At 6.30 p.m., Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) raised a parliamentary inquiry about whether Sen. Davis could repeat testimony she’d read earlier. While Lt. Gov. Dewhurst consulted with parliamentarians, Sen. Ellis slipped Sen. Davis a back brace. And Senator Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) pounced. He raised a point of order, tattling to the Dew that Ellis had put a back brace on Davis. A long huddle at the front podium ensued... Well folks, Sen. Davis fell into the third and final legislative trap by having the temerity to think that the 2011 sonogram bill is germane to the anti-abortion bill being discussed tonight. Senator Donna Campbell raised a point of order against Davis, saying a woman having to undergo a mandatory sonogram as well as a 24-hour wait before having an abortion was irrelevant to abortion restrictions... After a long, (long, long) deliberation, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst announced that the point of order was sustained. The crowd in the gallery howled; a few seconds later, shouts echoed throughout the Capitol as the news reached the crowd outside on the slightly time-delayed live feed and on Twitter streams... ... Well, we made it to midnight, but no one actually knows what happened. In a dramatic scene, Sen. Davis’ filibuster was cut off, but Democratic senators stalled with questions about procedural rules till 11:45 p.m. Sen. Robert Duncan, presiding in place of Dewhurst, was about to start the roll call on a procedural vote before the final vote on the bill. But Sen. Van de Putte, angry that she hadn’t been recognized earlier, interrupted with a parliamentary inquiry and asked: At what point must a female senator raise her voice to be heard by her male colleagues? The gallery erupted. And the cheers kept going, drowning out the action on the floor, as Duncan asked for the roll call... order never returned, and state troopers moved in, trying to remove protesters from the gallery... At two minutes to midnight, Sen Duncan asked tentatively if he could have some order, if he could have some attention. He didn’t get it. So he started the vote anyway, said something about the previous question having 17 votes, but his voice was drowned out and then the crowd erupted because when the clock struck midnight. Republicans immediately started claiming they had snuck the final vote in before midnight and that SB 5 had passed. But that didn’t appear to be the case, and Democrats claim SB 5 didn’t pass before the midnight deadline.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 26 2013 06:38 AM Re: Politics in 2013

I still don't get what happened there. Did the Republithugs win?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 26 2013 06:46 AM Re: Politics in 2013

On paper, for now, it seems yes. (The official Senate record shows a vote on the bill passing it, e.g..) But their rule-circumvention happened live on the Internet, in front of about 200K witnesses besides those in the chamber/gallery... with their clock in full view. Just on procedural grounds, I can't imagine the way this bill passed to be legal. I suppose who "wins" will be determined by whether the law is immediately enforced/will require a judicial challenge to "overturn." (Anyone here with a more-developed knowledge set on Texas legal procedure, PLEASE feel free to correct me.) OE: Except, apparently, the passage was mooted. But at 3 a.m., Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the presiding officer of the Senate and a Republican supporter of the bill, told lawmakers and reporters that although the bill passed on a 19-to-10 vote, the bill could not be signed in the presence of the Senate and was therefore dead, blaming “an unruly mob using Occupy Wall Street tactics” as the primary cause. DONNA MARTIN GRADUATES! DONNA MARTIN GRADUATES!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 26 2013 07:15 AM Re: Politics in 2013

What a mess, and hooray for the Philly-Buster. Now the blowback...

Mets – Willets Point Jun 26 2013 07:41 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Kind of wish Democrats would stand up like this for things like: opposing the Iraq War, opposing the Patriot Act, opposing the big bank bailout or making it contingent on reform of the financial markets, opposing torture and drone strikes, opposing NSA surveillance, standing up for universal healthcare single payer option (instead of adopting the right wing Heritage Foundation plan), banning assault weapons and regulating other firearms, and reforming immigration regulations. It seems that the right to the abortion is the only thing that Democrats will ever go to wall on, while they'll happily compromise and capitulate on everything else and tell liberal constituents to suck up and deal. I guess they're just a one issue party.

Ceetar Jun 26 2013 07:47 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Mets – Willets Point wrote: I guess they're just a one issue party. That one issue? How to beat the Republicans.

Mets – Willets Point Jun 26 2013 07:57 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Ceetar wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: I guess they're just a one issue party. That one issue? How to beat the Republicans. Beating Republicans by adopting all of their platform except one.

Ceetar Jun 26 2013 08:01 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Screw Congress, Let's replace them with a rotating cast of the top 500 or so professors from universities across the nation. Nobody serves two consecutive terms or three in five.

metsmarathon Jun 26 2013 08:09 AM Re: Politics in 2013

just what we need, a country run by a bunch of english teachers.

Edgy MD Jun 26 2013 08:12 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Ceetar wrote: Screw Congress, Let's replace them with a rotating cast of the top 500 or so professors from universities across the nation. Nobody serves two consecutive terms or three in five. Yeah, professors would give up tenure. That's totally going to happen. Go, new aristocracy! Meanwhile, DoMA struck down.

metirish Jun 26 2013 08:14 AM Re: Politics in 2013

As a supporter of equal rights etc. is that good or bad ?

Edgy MD Jun 26 2013 08:19 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Well, assuming I understand your usage, it's good. You can totally marry Anthony now. Unfortunately, you're going to have to kill me first, and that's still illegal.

metsmarathon Jun 26 2013 08:20 AM Re: Politics in 2013

facetiousness is fun and easy, and would be a liklely be a good word to play in scrabble. i think what the country could use is an end to the career politician. persons whose only real strength is getting reelected. i think a nation governed by an unruly mass of educators, builders, scientists, artists, doctors, and maybe even lawyers would be a good and vibrant thing. or it would be a mess. there's really no way to tell. i suppose these are the type of people who should be rising to power on teh local level, and then percolating up to the national scene. but somehow, somewhere along the way, they seem almost invariably to turn into politicians.

Mets – Willets Point Jun 26 2013 08:28 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Now DOMA can revert to meaning "Drunk Off My Ass," which, come to think of it, will be a good way to celebrate.

seawolf17 Jun 26 2013 08:33 AM Re: Politics in 2013

This has been a ZANY 24 hours.

Ceetar Jun 26 2013 08:34 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: Ceetar wrote: Screw Congress, Let's replace them with a rotating cast of the top 500 or so professors from universities across the nation. Nobody serves two consecutive terms or three in five. Yeah, professors would give up tenure. That's totally going to happen. Go, new aristocracy! Meanwhile, DoMA struck down. just spitballing. Wouldn't required giving up tenure, don't make them 6 year terms, rotate every year. They miss two semesters. Just wish there were a way for people that weren't politicians (other than by definition) to be the ones making decisions. Good news at least on doma.

Edgy MD Jun 26 2013 08:58 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Many members of Congress have come out of academia. Elizabeth Warren, Newt Gingrich... the president himself. If we don't like who is being elected, the answer isn't to re-conceive the system, but to elect new folks. If we don't like them staying, we vote them out. Ask metirish. Éamon de Valera was a math teacher. We clearly like the system more than we acknowledge. We do a great job perpetuating it.

Mets – Willets Point Jun 26 2013 09:17 AM Re: Politics in 2013

I like the idea of making the government bigger by adding more members to Congress. Something like 1000 to 2000 representatives in the House, 300 Senators. The result is a more representative government where each elected official has a smaller group of constituents. They would have the opportunity to be more familiar with the interests and desires in their districts. It would be easier for an ordinary person to get the resources together for a campaign instead of having to amass wealth to blanket a large part of a state with advertising. More diverse political views would be able be heard.

Ashie62 Jun 26 2013 04:36 PM Re: Politics in 2013

metirish wrote: As a supporter of equal rights etc. is that good or bad ? Depends on how you look at it..

Edgy MD Aug 21 2013 10:46 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Liu shoots to the top of the pack. Quinn places herself, somehow, behind Weiner. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013 ... share&_r=0

sharpie Aug 21 2013 12:52 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Quinn is in last. The ranking on the baseball question: Liu Weiner Thompson deBlasio Lhota Catsimitedes Quinn

Edgy MD Aug 21 2013 12:55 PM Re: Politics in 2013

I don't know. Weiner has the right answer, but he looks like a disaster and comes off as bitter and joyless (shocking) with the Yankee topper. A fun, if tired, antii-Yankee crack, but it's un-mayoral to be so ungracious.

Edgy MD Sep 04 2013 01:55 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Weeny loses his shit at what appears to be kosher bakery. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the ... -fix&clsrd

themetfairy Sep 04 2013 02:09 PM Re: Politics in 2013

It gets fuglier and fuglier....

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 04 2013 02:13 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Holy crap. He's got no shot anyway, may as well go down in flames. I'm a little concerned that DiBlasio may win this thing without a runoff, as I'd like to see him put to the fire a little bit for my own comfort. Also, there's some belief out there that as a hardcore lefty, he'd be easier to drum up support against in Staten Island.

d'Kong76 Sep 04 2013 02:26 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Did he ever swallow what was in his mouth at the beginning of that or did he just keep chewing and arguing?

Edgy MD Sep 04 2013 02:31 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Liu looks pretty genuine and competent to me and appears to have a city manager philosophy of mayoring. But advocating for increased minimum wage and legal marijuana won't get the big bidness to fill your campaign chest.

Edgy MD Sep 04 2013 02:33 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Kong76 wrote: Did he ever swallow what was in his mouth at the beginning of that or did he just keep chewing and arguing? That was ridiculous, wasn't it? If that was a scene from a Scorsese film, it would have gone down as a classic actor's choice.

Edgy MD Sep 04 2013 04:13 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Updated at 4:52 p.m.: The Weiner campaign this hour released a longer video which shows the man provoking Weiner, calling him a “scumbag” and adding, “And you’re married to an Arab” as Weiner tried to shrug off his remarks. The video from the campaign is below and the original post follows. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the ... -fix&clsrd

Nymr83 Sep 06 2013 10:38 PM Re: Politics in 2013

sharpie wrote: Quinn is in last. The ranking on the baseball question: Liu Weiner Thompson deBlasio Lhota Catsimitedes Quinn I believe you misspelled a name there. According to all his ads, its CATSimitides He wouldn't want anyone to see the Greek part.

Edgy MD Sep 09 2013 07:50 AM Re: Politics in 2013

New York primary voters, learn your Assembly District number and save some time in line tomorrow. Once you learn it, commit it to memory by associating it with a Met who prominently wore that number. (I tested it out by typing my sister's address and found out she lives in Assembly District 69, a number which no Met has ever worn ever. So much for my career in mnemonics.)

Mets – Willets Point Sep 09 2013 07:55 AM Re: Politics in 2013

There's definitely a 69 association with the Mets though.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 11 2013 12:47 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Maybe I'm the last one to know this, but Nate Silver and his 538.com are currently on hiatus, as he's moving from being affiliated with The New York Times to an affiliation with... ESPN.

metirish Sep 11 2013 12:50 PM Re: Politics in 2013

You likely only heard of this now because you are still on dial up internet?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 11 2013 12:51 PM Re: Politics in 2013

More likely because I think I was in Europe when it was announced. I do have a high-speed Internet connection at home! (And HD TV too! And a microwave oven! And electric lights! And running water!) I just don't have any "mobile" connection.

Mets – Willets Point Sep 11 2013 01:56 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Wow, there's somebody on the CPF getting hit hard for being "out of it" and it's not me. I do have an iPhone though I can't tell the difference between Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.

Ceetar Sep 11 2013 02:04 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Wow, there's somebody on the CPF getting hit hard for being "out of it" and it's not me. I do have an iPhone though I can't tell the difference between Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. At the game yesterday we had to explain to my friend who doesn't delve into the deeper parts of the internet/twitter/etc what a Brony was.

Edgy MD Sep 11 2013 02:05 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Wow, there's somebody on the CPF getting hit hard for being "out of it" and it's not me. I do have an iPhone though I can't tell the difference between Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say t least a foot and a half.

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2013 02:27 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Ceetar wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: Wow, there's somebody on the CPF getting hit hard for being "out of it" and it's not me. I do have an iPhone though I can't tell the difference between Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. At the game yesterday we had to explain to my friend who doesn't delve into the deeper parts of the internet/twitter/etc what a Brony was. And maybe somebody will explain it to me one day cuz I've never heard of a 'brony' -- unless that's some sort of odd shorthand for Brontosaurus, and if it's that I'd start to wonder what that has to do with the internet/twitter/etc. And I won't take a back seat to anyone here to a clueless contest.

Ceetar Sep 11 2013 02:40 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: Wow, there's somebody on the CPF getting hit hard for being "out of it" and it's not me. I do have an iPhone though I can't tell the difference between Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. At the game yesterday we had to explain to my friend who doesn't delve into the deeper parts of the internet/twitter/etc what a Brony was. And maybe somebody will explain it to me one day cuz I've never heard of a 'brony' -- unless that's some sort of odd shorthand for Brontosaurus, and if it's that I'd start to wonder what that has to do with the internet/twitter/etc. And I won't take a back seat to anyone here to a clueless contest. Sometimes it's hard to remember what's 'common' knowledge and what's deep internet subculture. Like explaining #BlameBeltran to someone. The simple, PC, version is that a brony is an adult fan of the My Little Pony show.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 11 2013 02:55 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: Wow, there's somebody on the CPF getting hit hard for being "out of it" and it's not me. I do have an iPhone though I can't tell the difference between Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say t least a foot and a half. And about 80 points on the sexiness scale. (Of 1 to 100.)

Edgy MD Sep 11 2013 03:17 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Ceetar wrote: The simple, PC, version is that a brony is an adult fan of the My Little Pony show. Somehow, I'm more in the dark.

Ashie62 Sep 11 2013 06:56 PM Re: Politics in 2013

It's all Scrungegross to me...

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 11 2013 09:00 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: Ceetar wrote: The simple, PC, version is that a brony is an adult fan of the My Little Pony show. Somehow, I'm more in the dark. As someone who occasionally has to make conversation with a conversation-monopolizing version of the breed at in-law family gatherings, um, you'll probably want to stay there.

Ceetar Sep 12 2013 06:46 AM Re: Politics in 2013

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Ceetar wrote: The simple, PC, version is that a brony is an adult fan of the My Little Pony show. Somehow, I'm more in the dark. As someone who occasionally has to make conversation with a conversation-monopolizing version of the breed at in-law family gatherings, um, you'll probably want to stay there. Yeah. You can Google it if really get curious, much like you might be curious at that car wreck on the side of the road.. The Internet opens up some wonderful advancements and intriguing opportunities..but it also can allow weirdos to feed off each other in dark corners and well..

metirish Sep 12 2013 06:51 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Looks like Obama is getting schooled by Putin in the act of diplomacy. Not a bad thing if it keeps us from going to that hell hole.

metsmarathon Sep 12 2013 07:02 AM Re: Politics in 2013

i'm amused at the accidental way the whole mess has been seemingly solved, and the reluctance of the obama administration to solve it that way. do they really want to lob in missiles that much?

Mets – Willets Point Sep 12 2013 08:52 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Barack W. Obama hasn't had the opportunity to put on a flight suit and stand in front of a Mission Accomplished banner yet.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 12 2013 10:06 AM Re: Politics in 2013

metsmarathon wrote: i'm amused at the accidental way the whole mess has been seemingly solved, and the reluctance of the obama administration to solve it that way. do they really want to lob in missiles that much? Issue seems to be, Syria/Russia will agree to a handover, but no actual enforcement-- UN-inclusive-- should the planned handover not occur. And not that I'm a huge fan of the Administration these days-- and the hash it's made of this-- but I'm a little angry-amused about Putin lecturing others on military prudence and state sovereignty (never mind recognizing/respecting "equality").

Ashie62 Sep 13 2013 05:08 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Obama wrote a check he couldn't cash.. The issue could have been solved before Obama out assholed Putin...

metirish Sep 13 2013 05:12 PM Re: Politics in 2013

That, or he drew a red line he shouldn't have......arm the "rebels" and let them have at it..... These are some of the thugs we are likely going to help http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... dbath.html DO NOT OPEN IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH - DO NOT OPEN IN FRONT OF KIDS

Edgy MD Oct 01 2013 05:57 AM Re: Politics in 2013

The shutdown begins, or as they say at the Post, the appropriations gap:

metirish Oct 01 2013 07:08 AM Re: Politics in 2013

My citizenship application is moving along,I am in phase two http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis Yesterday in the mail I got a notice for an appointment October 17th for my bio-metrics. As best as I can tell those employees are still on the job.

Edgy MD Oct 01 2013 07:22 AM Re: Politics in 2013

I wouldn't blame you for having second thoughts. Nonetheless, looking forward to your citizenship party --- if only the online version. We get to tell you all the secrets only citizens know.

dgwphotography Oct 01 2013 07:30 AM Re: Politics in 2013

We also have to teach you the secret handshake.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 01 2013 08:18 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Phase I of the Tea Party takeover of the United States complete.

themetfairy Oct 01 2013 08:53 AM Re: Politics in 2013

metirish wrote: My citizenship application is moving along,I am in phase two http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis Yesterday in the mail I got a notice for an appointment October 17th for my bio-metrics. As best as I can tell those employees are still on the job. What are bio-metrics? Whatever they involve, best of luck!

Frayed Knot Oct 01 2013 08:56 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Look at it this way: with the Gov't in (partial) shutdown mode, your citizenship path might be delayed a bit. But on the other hand ... any attempt to deport you while waiting for the paperwork will probably be put off as well.

Ceetar Oct 01 2013 08:59 AM Re: Politics in 2013

themetfairy wrote: My citizenship application is moving along,I am in phase two http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis Yesterday in the mail I got a notice for an appointment October 17th for my bio-metrics. As best as I can tell those employees are still on the job. What are bio-metrics? Whatever they involve, best of luck! sounds like a sneaky way to get 'equal' citizens into the fingerprint database?

metirish Oct 01 2013 09:18 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Frayed Knot wrote: Look at it this way: with the Gov't in (partial) shutdown mode, your citizenship path might be delayed a bit. But on the other hand ... any attempt to deport you while waiting for the paperwork will probably be put off as well. ha ha I think bio-metrics is fingerprints and pictures.....the FBI then do background checks....are they on the job? During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators. If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

Valadius Oct 01 2013 05:03 PM Re: Politics in 2013

I'm on furlough as of today, so who knows when my next paycheck is coming...

Ashie62 Oct 01 2013 09:19 PM Re: Politics in 2013

You work for part of the problem unfortunately..

metsmarathon Oct 01 2013 09:44 PM Re: Politics in 2013

i'm a little surprised not to be on furlough. i'm not complaining, certainly. but it's a fucking mess.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 01 2013 10:44 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Ashie62 wrote: You work for part of the problem unfortunately.. With all due respect, I'm fairly certain that isn't true.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 02 2013 06:21 AM Re: Politics in 2013

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Ashie62 wrote: You work for part of the problem unfortunately.. With all due respect, I'm fairly certain that isn't true. Consider the source.

metirish Oct 02 2013 06:40 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Sorry Val, that sucks, and yet those assholes get paid.

Ceetar Oct 02 2013 06:55 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Valadius wrote: I'm on furlough as of today, so who knows when my next paycheck is coming... I would imagine you qualify for unemployment for this? Or is there some loophole preventing that?

metirish Oct 02 2013 07:06 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Ceetar wrote: Valadius wrote: I'm on furlough as of today, so who knows when my next paycheck is coming... I would imagine you qualify for unemployment for this? Or is there some loophole preventing that? I think he can, saw on a report yesterday where a federal employee in Chicago went straight from her job after turning in her BB and said she was going to apply for benefits.

Edgy MD Oct 02 2013 07:44 AM Re: Politics in 2013

So instead of funding our operating budget, we hammer our reserves. NICE! Val, get to work on your book.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 02 2013 08:43 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Valadius wrote: I'm on furlough as of today, so who knows when my next paycheck is coming... Is it likely that you'll get paid retroactively when this is all done?

metsmarathon Oct 02 2013 09:41 AM Re: Politics in 2013

i wonder how the retroactive pay would jive with the unemployement... i'm working, but won't get actually paid until the government gets back to work. but at least they promise to pay me, so there's that. i suppose in a sense they always promise to pay me....

Ceetar Oct 02 2013 10:03 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: So instead of funding our operating budget, we hammer our reserves. NICE! Val, get to work on your book. nah, just stress the STATE government! hell, you pay for the unemployment in your paycheck, might as well use it when you can. I wonder how retro pay would jibe would unemployment yeah.. I guess if they've promised retroactive pay that's one thing, you're expecting to be paid for 'work' that week, which is one of the questions on most unemployment apps. As long as retroactive pay had a different date than the unemployed weeks, I imagine the IRS wouldn't care.

Ashie62 Oct 02 2013 10:25 AM Re: Politics in 2013

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Ashie62 wrote: You work for part of the problem unfortunately.. With all due respect, I'm fairly certain that isn't true. Consider the source. Poorly worded for sure...I am referring to a Federal government that can't get Val paid.... I believe retro pay is almost a given.... Thank you JCL..I love you also...

d'Kong76 Oct 02 2013 06:59 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Lotta mudslinging out there today on social media, various news outlets, the supermarket ...

d'Kong76 Oct 03 2013 05:07 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Got an email today that our health insurance premium will go up 12.5% effective 1/1. No moss grew on that news.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 03 2013 08:56 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Wonder how long until the Democrats cave.

metirish Oct 06 2013 02:24 PM Re: Politics in 2013

I don't think they will Kase, they seem to have found a few sets of balls ...meanwhile, my on my FB page https://www.facebook.com/donttreadonamerica

d'Kong76 Oct 06 2013 02:52 PM Re: Politics in 2013

metirish wrote: I don't think they will Kase What did I say? lol

metirish Oct 06 2013 03:09 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Ha! , total brain fart.

d'Kong76 Oct 06 2013 03:44 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Sundays are a good brain gas day!

Mets – Willets Point Oct 07 2013 08:19 AM Re: Politics in 2013

That Tea Party myth has been Snopes'ed: http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/shutdown.asp

Edgy MD Oct 07 2013 08:26 AM Re: Politics in 2013

I think that one was pretty obviously false on the sniff test.

metsmarathon Oct 07 2013 09:15 AM Re: Politics in 2013

yeah, and hte reasons it was partly true should be fairly obvious (and non-outrage-y) as well. if your contract is suspended, you cannot go to your place of work and perform your work functions.

Edgy MD Oct 10 2013 02:48 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Both sides seem to be hinting that progress is being made toward a deal --- linking the dept ceiling increase to talks on entitlement reform, which is a lot more productive than linking it to the Affordable Care Act. Yay?

metirish Oct 11 2013 06:38 AM Re: Politics in 2013

GOP poll numbers plummeting in figures released yesterday.....a deal can't be far off.

Edgy MD Oct 16 2013 11:07 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Good list of quotes and highlights from the final hours (hopefully) of the stalemate. Goofiest one is reading how the Houston Chronicle is "un-endorsing" Ted Cruz.

Edgy MD Oct 16 2013 11:39 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Looks like we'll have a government again by the end of the day.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 16 2013 12:12 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

sharpie Oct 16 2013 12:17 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Get to do it all over again in January.

Ceetar Oct 16 2013 12:38 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: Looks like we'll have a government again by the end of the day. Good. Get them back to approving beer labels.

Ashie62 Oct 16 2013 04:07 PM Re: Politics in 2013

They can have at it again in January... I doubt much of long term substance was agreed to today..

Ceetar Oct 30 2013 07:09 PM Re: Politics in 2013

There is really a "NSA did 911" party in NJ?

themetfairy Oct 30 2013 07:12 PM Re: Politics in 2013

Ceetar wrote: There is really a "NSA did 911" party in NJ? OMG - the candidate's statement was ridiculous!

Ceetar Oct 30 2013 07:25 PM Re: Politics in 2013

themetfairy wrote: There is really a "NSA did 911" party in NJ? OMG - the candidate's statement was ridiculous! how did he get on the ballot? (aside, why couldn't the democrat be bothered to tell me why I should vote for her?) from his website, which is full of grammatical and spelling errors.. 2. I will offer FREE COLLEGE for everyone that is a NJ resident. I will set up a FREE INTERNET COLLEGE so that all college wether it is for an undergraduate or for graduate school is completely free 8. I WILL STOP DRONE FLIGHTS OVER NJ BEFORE ONE CRASHES AND KILLS ALOT OF PEOPLE 10. I WILL GET RID OF THE TOLLS ON THE GARDEN STATE HIGHWAY I am a whistleblower on the National Security Agency. I was in a meeting in March of 2001 in DC, with a family member who was top highest clearance in the NSA. This NSA agent was helping Ramsi Yousef in March of 2001 (Ramsi Yousef was responsible for the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center) call his uncle Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (considered the mastermind of the 911 attacks), from the NSA secret prison in Alexandria, Virginia. Ramsi Yousef was supposed to be serving a life sentence in Florence, Colorado, but the NSA had him moved to Virginia to help the NSA arrange the 911 attacks. This NSA agent was providing phone cards and other help to Ramsi Yousef to call the 911 hijackers, and help arrange the 911 attacks. This NSA agent was talking about flying 12 planes into buildings on the same day. I never heard the dates or names of the buildings. But on September 10, 2001, i was told to go to a new office in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. I was yelled at by 4 supervisors not to be late. I was late. It was my first day at the WTC. The NSA knew that after that i would know they arranged the attack, and the NSA wanted me dead! Since then, I have had numerous assassination attempts, including 8 car bombs. By creating a culture of fear the NSA has passed the Patriot Act. Now every phone call, e mail, TV, and computer is being used to spy on everyone. Everyone is being watched all the time by the NSA. Our Civil liberties, Constitution, and Democracy are gone. The NSA is so scared of my story, and the truth being told that tens of thousands I have campaigned to have been threatened with death if they vote for me, donate money, or tell anyone my story after they got my campaign literature. I now have over 300+ people on DVD saying they were threatened and given $20,000 from the NSA to keep quiet. I have over 40+ affidavits from people saying the same thing. I have over 20+ U.S. Army servicemen in uniform on DVD saying they were threatened with death by the NSA if they told anyone. I even have Al Gore confirming the NSA did the 911 attacks using a NSA secret code. I have been on the ballot in the past for President (2008,2012), U.S. Senate, Congress, and Governor of NJ (16,000+ votes). The NSA blocks my story from being told in the media. My telephone calls, and website are being blocked or altered by the NSA. I have filed 25 complaints at the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office with no response. The NSA agents in these agencies block my complaints. Things I'll do as Governor: $14.00 minimum wage; Legalize Marijuana; no killing at the animal shelters; Free internet college-all degrees; Meadowlands casino. I support the Unions.

Edgy MD Oct 30 2013 08:51 PM Re: Politics in 2013

I like how the real issue with drone flights is that they're a NJ crash hazard.

Ceetar Oct 31 2013 06:31 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Edgy MD wrote: I like how the real issue with drone flights is that they're a NJ crash hazard. I'm surprised he didn't cite noise pollution or something. That's a Big. Deal. in Bergen county or something.

Ashie62 Oct 31 2013 08:06 AM Re: Politics in 2013

The drones are flying too damn high!!!

Edgy MD Oct 31 2013 08:11 AM Re: Politics in 2013

Ashie62 wrote: They can have at it again in January... I doubt much of long term substance was agreed to today.. I have to say, avoiding default would seem to have substantial long-term implications.