Friday Talking Points [285] -- Republican Sandwich Filling Hits The Fan
Happy Friday the thirteenth, everyone! It's even a double dose of triskaidekaphobia today, landing in 2013 as it does. Superstitious people, be careful today!
One more bit of minor calendar news before we get on with it: for the next two weeks, this column will be on hiatus. Instead, it will be pre-empted by our annual awards columns where we note the notable and laud the laudable from the past year. If you've got suggestions, feel free to post them on my site, where I've provided a handy (and extensive!) list of the categories, for your easy reference.
Let's take a quick look back at the week that was, which was actually chock full of political news. We'll begin in outer space and end up with amusing holiday news, so buckle your seatbelts, it's going to be a fast ride this week. So fast that we're not even going to explain the column's title until you reach the talking points at the end, just to warn you. Ready? OK, here we go....
In the race for a Senate seat in Hawai'i, George Takei -- otherwise known as Star Trek's "Sulu" -- has endorsed Colleen Hanabusa. Make of that what you will. President Obama got a bit spacey this week as well, while giving a Kennedy Center award to Shirley MacLaine. Obama quipped, for the occasion: "When you first become president, one of the questions that people ask you is, 'What's really going on in Area 51?' When I wanted to know, I'd call Shirley MacLaine." He followed this up with: "I think I just became the first president to ever publicly mention Area 51."
Hey, I warned you we were starting in outer space! Heh.
In spacey news (as opposed to news from outer space), Uruguay became the first country to just outright legalize marijuana. Closer to home, residents of Denver were pleasantly surprised when a local ordinance to ban marijuana smoking on private property visible by the public (your front porch, in other words) failed in the city council. The vote was 10-3 against, when earlier it was seen as likely passing by at least a 7-5 margin, so maybe popular opinion had something to do with that, eh?
President Obama had a pretty good week (if you don't count the guy waving his arms around meaninglessly next to him at Nelson Mandela's funeral, which wasn't really Obama's fault). Granted, PolitiFact did give him their "Lie Of The Year" award for that whole "you can keep your health insurance" thing, but that was a pretty foregone conclusion at this point. But the big news on the Obamacare front was that the website continues to work and people are signing up in much bigger numbers. We won't know December's numbers until next month, but the November numbers were released and they were a lot better than October's, that's for sure. But the main good news this week for Obama was that America didn't see night after night of news stories prominently featuring an error message page from the Obamacare website -- which is already making an impact, as Obama's job approval polling numbers seem to have turned around and are now heading upwards. So, all in all, a fairly good week for Obama.
A budget bill emerged from negotiations between Patty Murray (for the Senate Democrats) and Paul Ryan (for the House Republicans), which will postpone some of the budget nonsense for almost two years. This sounds like a good thing, but I have my doubts (which I aired earlier this week, if you're interested). The Senate Republicans are in a snit over that whole "nuclear option" thing, but Harry Reid fought back against their petty obstructionism by just holding 'round-the-clock sessions. "You want to pointlessly waste time? Fine -- we'll just do so in the middle of the night, how's that?" was the message Harry delivered. This should mean the other two nominees to the D.C. Circuit Court will be approved before they all go home for the holidays.
Speaking of holidays, atheists are having some fun this holiday season. In Florida (and also, apparently, Wisconsin), they have successfully navigated the red tape and have erected on public property (among all the other more well-known holiday displays) a Festivus pole. Some guy thought it'd be a hoot to make one out of empty beer cans, which is just downright hilarious. More power to him! Governments basically have two valid constitutional choices about religious displays on government property: allow all of them, or none of them. What they cannot do is to pick and choose. While Festivus pole displays are certainly amusing, what is even more provocative is a group of Satanists who are attempting to erect a permanent Satanist monument in Oklahoma, because they already have a Ten Commandments display. That whole "It's a good idea for religion to invade the public square" thing sure seems different when the shoe's on the other foot, doesn't it?
Let the "airing of grievances" begin! Happy holidays, everyone!
Senator Patty Murray's budget deal with Paul Ryan was impressive for being struck before the eleventh hour, but that's about it, really. There are plenty of reasons the budget itself isn't all that impressive, so we just can't see handing out an award for what is, essentially, doing her job. She's been honestly trying to reach this deal since April, so it's not really her fault it's late -- but it's also nothing to cheer about at this point.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau just did something impressive, as well, but then overseeing the banks and heavily fining them when they transgress is, once again, the whole purpose of the C.F.P.B. in the first place. Just doing their jobs, as cop on the beat, but worth at least mentioning here.
This week, however, we have to admit that the choice for Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week was fairly obvious, even if somewhat overly sentimental. Hey, 'tis the season and all of that, right?
This week, Senator Bob Menendez proposed his hand in marriage to Alicia Mucci, in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. That's pretty downright romantic, at least to the politically wonky. For such a wonderful gesture in such a historic setting, Menendez wins this week's MIDOTW award, and also our sincere wishes for all the happiness in the world for the couple.
[Congratulate Senator Bob Menendez (and his new fiancée) on his Senate contact page, to let him know you appreciate his efforts.]
Former San Diego mayor Bob Filner was sentenced this week for his grab-assing ways, but we'd prefer to just forget all about him, personally. Part of his sentence is being barred from politics in the future, so that's at least something.
Democrats can also breathe a sigh of relief that the senator dealing with a chief of staff who was apparently into child porn is a Republican.
The "most disappointed" Democrat this week may have been Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, as her plan to deal with sexual assault in the military failed to make it into the big Pentagon bill. But she isn't giving up this particular fight, so the idea may re-emerge later.
But, with an eye to the 2014 midterms, we have to give Pete Festersen the Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week award, for -- mere weeks after announcing his run for a House seat from Nebraska -- announcing that he won't be running after all. This is somewhat bizarre, since it is such a quick turnaround in such a short period of time. He was considered a strong candidate, and Democrats are going to need every strong candidate they can recruit if they have any prayer of taking back the House next year.
So, for jumping in the race and then almost immediately jumping back out again, Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen is our Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week.
[Contact Omaha Councilmember Pete Festersen on his official contact page, to let him know what you think of his actions.]
Volume 285 (12/13/13)
This week's talking points start out with the budget deal, segue into the Republican Civil War, and end up with a few other subjects worth discussing in the upcoming week. As always, these are provided for Democrats to use everywhere in political discussion, from the workplace watercooler to the Sunday morning political chatfests.
Also, don't forget, this will be the last Friday Talking Point column of 2013 (as we will be presenting awards for the next two weeks), so we'll see you all next year, folks!
Only five months late!
This first one is a little annoying, if only because it shows how far from normal operations Congress has truly moved. And, of course, which side is responsible -- a point Democrats should loudly be making, right about now.
"You know, to hear the pundits speak, it is some sort of Festivus miracle that Republicans and Democrats came to a budget agreement this week. While it will avoid the second government shutdown of the year, it's really not all that impressive when you consider that we should have had this deal in roughly July. In April, Paul Ryan joined with Patty Murray to call for a conference committee on the budget. One week later Ryan did an about-face on 'regular order' and decided that Republicans shouldn't even appoint such a conference committee. From April right up until Republicans shut down the government in October, the Senate tried to name such a committee and were filibustered by Republicans a total of nineteen times. The budget deal which emerged this week isn't that extraordinary -- it could easily have been worked out on time, say before the August recess. The fact that that didn't happen is entirely the fault of Republicans, who did everything they could to block even the formation of such a committee -- in both houses of Congress. When you look at the bigger picture, it's pretty obvious which side has been trying to get this deal for a long time, and which side hasn't."
A handy map of holiday misery
Some staffer deserves a raise for this one.
"The biggest complaint Democrats have with the budget deal is that it cuts off over a million people depending on unemployment benefits, and does so at the cruelest time of year, in the midst of the holidays. The Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee have helpfully provided an interactive map, which you can use to see exactly how many people will be adversely affected by this, state by state. I would encourage the media to make heavy use of this map, when interviewing Republicans who refused to extend unemployment benefits for their own constituents, because you can see how many of them there are in every state. Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch have nothing on these people, and this map shows how painful this reality is soon going to be for so many."
Which side are you on?
The budget agreement did have one positive effect for Democrats, however.
"It seems to be open civil war on the Republican side these days, after the budget agreement which was just reached. Speaker John Boehner seems downright angry at one wing of his own party, in fact, which he made crystal clear this week. Republicans seem to be choosing sides right now in the battle between the Tea Partiers and the Establishment Republican faction. The media, when interviewing any Republican in the foreseeable future should begin by asking 'which side are you on?' in this intraparty schism. This fight is getting ugly, folks, and it looks like it's only going to get uglier throughout the Republican primary season. So it will be essential to know which side people are on, and which faction they are following. The voters deserve to know."
What kind of sandwich?
This is the equivalent of standing in a schoolyard and yelling "Fight! Fight!" when two adolescent boys are exchanging blows. But you know what? That really doesn't bother us all that much.
"In fact, it's hard to keep track of the heavyweight bouts without a scorecard in the Tea Party/Establishment Republican boxing extravaganza. I see a top Tea Party aide was fired this week in the House, and watching John Boehner channel Howard Beale in sheer frustration is also amusing as all get out. But I have to say the most enjoyable quote of the week came from staunch House Tea Partier Tim Huelskamp, whom Boehner purged from the House budget committee last year. Speaking of Boehner, Huelskamp said, and I quote: 'The Speaker is usually one to call a crap sandwich a crap sandwich. He used a different word for that, I think, in which -- I do not care to use that language.' Sandwiches aside, the... um... crap seems to have truly hit the fan over in Republicanland."
Please, more Christine O'Donnells!
This one is just pure snark. So be it.
"As a Democrat, I heartily encourage the Republican Party -- both factions -- to spend lots and lots and lots of money during primary season. I think it gives a boost to the American economy when Republicans fight other Republicans for the nomination to run for Congress, in fact. So I'm very optimistic that all the millions of dollars that will be spent in the next few months for these Republican-on-Republican fights are a dandy sort of stimulus for sign-makers, robocallers, and also local television and radio stations. So, please, Republicans -- spend as much as you possibly can on the primaries next year! You'll be giving the American economy a shot in the arm by doing so. Nothing more patriotic than that, is there? Of course, what Democrats are really asking Santa for right about now is not just a brutal Republican primary season, but for multiple Republicans to win their party's nomination who are just like Christine O'Donnell and Todd Akin."
1.2 million people
Obamacare numbers are just going to keep getting better and better. We won't have another set of data until early January, so make the best of the numbers we've got for now.
"The entire idea of the Affordable Care Act was to get more Americans insured. Even with the website failures in the first two months, Obamacare has now helped over a million people who have either enrolled in private insurance or signed up for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. That is 1.2 million Americans who will be covered, starting next year. While this number isn't large enough yet, this data doesn't include people who have signed up since the website was fixed, so it's only going to grow over time. But already -- even with all the problems -- Obamacare has helped 1.2 million people."
War On Women continues
Just learning how to talk to women isn't enough, guys. Here's one prime reason why.
"A week ago, prominent Republicans were in the news for holding meetings teaching their fellow Republicans 'how to talk to women.' This is part of their 'rebranding' effort, and is designed to make them appear more palatable to this important demographic group. Democrats aren't exactly worried that Republicans will be making many inroads among women voters, though, because while Republicans are going to school on 'how to talk to women,' other Republicans continue to man (pun intended) the barricades in their ongoing War On Women. In Michigan, women will now have to purchase separate 'rape insurance' because the wise old men of the Republican Party have decided what is appropriate women's health insurance in their state. Democrats are going to keep increasing their share of the women's vote, because Republicans can try to sugar-coat their anti-woman policies all they want, but women voters are just not that stupid."
-- Chris Weigant
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Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Cross-posted at: Democratic Underground
Cross-posted at: Democrats For Progress
Cross-posted at: The Huffington Post
"But the main good news this week for Obama was that America didn't see night after night of news stories prominently featuring an error message page from the Obamacare website they are still processing it."
The site is working much better by most accounts, including mine. Billing not so much, if my experience is typical.
Still, Obama probably caught a lucky break with the death of Nelson Mandela, which sucked pretty much all the oxygen out of the news cycle. The US media are still largely focused on the Obama Selfie and the Interpreter Imposter. This has bought healthcare.gov managers some valuable time. Actually, pretty much everybody but Chris Christie seems to have benefited from this global news reset. Even Sebelius is sounding a lot more confident, and calls for her resignation seem to have died down.
TheStig -
Excellent points, all around. The Mandela lucky break, the MSM distractions, and the "buying some time" thought as well.
Well done. Just had to say that. This week's FTP was a bit rushed, so I just knew I'd miss some important stuff...
:-)
-CW
I know this was from a couple days ago, but my answers were so awesome, I wanted to bring them forward.. :D
CW,
Also, because the Republicans have refused to even talk about compromising.
Spade, meet spade. In spades, so to speak:
*I* never have a problem calling the GOP down when they deserve it..
Mark Twain (attributed): "America has no permanent criminal class. Except, of course, Congress."
You're welcome. Heh.
Danke.. :D
See, this is truly a non-partisan idea. Elections should matter! Fight for what you believe (both sides!), right before people vote on you!
Common ground, my friend, common ground...
Abos-frakin'-lutley!!
It's the only reason I hang around here :D
Context is all. The celebration was closer to an Irish wake (see: pretty much any video of the crowd) than a grim Protestant funeral here at home. Context.
I completely agree.. Context is all..
And the look on Michelle's face provides ALL the context that is necessary.. :D
Obama was acting like an overly-hormoned frat boy...
They are called "dignitaries" for a reason, don'tcha know....
Michale
157
Re Talking Point 2: The number of households in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida that would be affected by an end to long-term unemployment benefits (per the Ways and Means Committee's chart) exceeds the number of votes by which those states' GOP governors were last elected (per Wikipedia) by over 10,000, about 40,000, and well over 100,000, respectively. Voters in those households are almost certain to remember who--and which party--voted to cut them off from the emergency income they needed to buy food and continue to make their rent or mortgage payments. A vote for that cut-off may be not just morally shameful but politically fatal.
"That whole ‘It's a good idea for religion to invade the public square' thing sure seems different when the shoe's on the other foot, doesn't it?"
In the case of the Evangelicals' fear of Satanism, I'd make that "on a cloven foot".
M, (3)
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress."
-Twain, attributed to Pudd'nhead Smith in Following the Equator
I've never seen an example where Clemens' original wording can be improved!
Seems to me there was some gun jumping on the selfie photo. Context is important. This was a celebration, not a wake, not a funeral. When in Rome....
Frat boy? No beer bong, and Obama kept his pants on.
Notes from the photographer:
http://blogs.afp.com/correspondent/?post/Selfie
Seems to me there was some gun jumping on the selfie photo. Context is important. This was a celebration, not a wake, not a funeral. When in Rome....
Celebration???
You are confusing a Memorial Service with a wake..
The latter is to "celebrate" the life.
The former is to mourn the loss..
Show me photos of other world leaders acting like hormonal frat boys and then you might have a case..
Regardless, MY opinion and YOUR opinion don't mean squat..
Michelle Obama was there and HER opinion is plain to see... She knew that Barack wanted to tap that...
As I said above, they are called "dignitaries" for a reason..
They are SUPPOSED to act dignified...
Obama's actions was anything but...
Once again, our POTUS embarrasses this country on the world stage..
Michale
Regardless of all the facts, do you know how I know that I am right about this, TS???
Because if it had been a GOP POTUS acting like that, ya'all would be saying the EXACT same thing that I am saying..
The only difference is that we would be in complete agreement.... :D
Michale
163
TS,
From your article...
I later read on social media that Michelle Obama seemed to be rather peeved on seeing the Danish prime minister take the picture. But photos can lie. In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, Cameron and Schmidt included. Her stern look was captured by chance.
Yet, in EVERY PHOTO this journalist took, Michelle is pissed off...
And NONE of the photos shown, from ANYWHERE has Michelle "joking" and laughing in this particular incident.
Why do you think that is???
No, photos CAN'T lie...
They can be mis-interpreted, they can be colored by one's own bigotry and prejudices...
But photos cannot lie..
And these photos, taken in their entirety, provide a FACTUAL record of the event in question..
If the photos are "lying" why did Michelle move Barack's ass over and sit down BETWEEN the POTUS and the hot blonde???
No, photos cannot lie..
Am I wrong??
Michale
164
Only five months late!
Why didn't we ever hear any bitching and moaning when the Democrat Senate didn't pass a budget FOR YEARS????
Michale
165
I would encourage the media to make heavy use of this map, when interviewing Republicans who refused to extend unemployment benefits for their own constituents, because you can see how many of them there are in every state.
Would you encourage the media to make heavy use of the map when interviewing DEMOCRATS??
Well, I know *YOU* would.. But would any other Weigantian?? :D
Don't you think THREE YEARS is enough time to be sucking off the taxpayer teat???
If someone can't find a job in six months, they just ain't looking or ignoring jobs that are beneath them...
It's really that simple..
Michale
166
Which side are you on?
Civil wars are not exclusive to Republicans..
Shall I point to all the Dem Party civil wars??
I believe Pelosi even told her own people, "Embrace the suck"...
Wanna talk about that?? :D
Michale
167
This is the equivalent of standing in a schoolyard and yelling "Fight! Fight!" when two adolescent boys are exchanging blows. But you know what? That really doesn't bother us all that much.
Of course it doesn't.. Democrats, Republicans... Simply two sides of the same coin..
"Your good and your evil use the same methods to achieve the same goals"
-Yarnek
Michale
168
War On Women continues
Clinton... Spitzer.... Weiner...
'nuff said.. :D
Michale
168
Now, how is THAT for being creative, eh? :D
I even had CW.COM telling me to "slow down"... :D
Michale
169
I later read on social media that Michelle Obama seemed to be rather peeved on seeing the Danish prime minister take the picture. But photos can lie. In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, Cameron and Schmidt included. Her stern look was captured by chance.
Yet, in EVERY PHOTO this journalist took, Michelle is pissed off...
"Pics or it didn't happen. If you can't score at a reproductive rights convention, you simply cannot score."
-Charlie Bradbury, SUPERNATURAL, The Girl With The Dungeons & Dragons Tattoo
:D
Michale
170
M 11
Democrats, Republicans... Simply two sides of the same coin..
Hey, something we agree on! At least in terms of basic political wrestling moves. 'Course, it matters a great deal which side lands up after the electoral toss.
Hey, something we agree on!
I would be willing to wager that, were we to hash this out over beers, we would agree on a LOT more than we would disagree on... :D
Michale
171
Another take on Obama's boorish behavior..
http://nypost.com/2013/12/15/how-the-west-was-lost-2/
Makes sense to me..
Michale
172
Michale [12] -
I have to throw the "false equvialency" flag here, and penalize you 15 yards, and the loss of down.
Name me ONE policy idea put forth or enacted by Clinton, Spitzer, OR Weiner that impacted millions of women.
Republicans, however, keep right on dictating what doctors should say (so much for free speech) to women, dictating what women must do in the exam room (so much for "fighting government getting between you and your doctor"), and what unnecessary medical procedures must be performed (practicing medicine without a license).
There's a difference. Democrats, some of them, in one-on-one situations, disrespect women. Republicans, most of them, in legislative action, enact hurdles which don't need to exist.
That's why women know full well (take a look at some exit polls, why don't you) which side is fighting for their health, and which side is waging a War On Women.
See: recent VA vote, and exit polls concerning it. You know, the one the Tea Party, anti-abortion guy LOST? Check out those poll numbers, as they are the future of the Republican Party. At least as long as they continue the War On Women...
-CW
Name me ONE policy idea put forth or enacted by Clinton, Spitzer, OR Weiner that impacted millions of women.
I am not talking about policy..
I am talking about principles... About ACTIONS...
About how Democrats TREAT women...
And let's face it.. In the dictionary under "DEMOCRAT" there is a picture of Clinton..
Clinton is the quintessential Democrat...
You simply CANNOT complain about the GOP's "war on women" (which is identical to the Dem's "war on unborn children" or the Dem's "war to support terrorism against Americans", if you really think about it) w/o acknowledging the actions of the likes of Clinton, Weiner and Spitzer..
Well, you CAN.. Of course you can.. :D
But I'll call ya on it each and every time.. :D
Michale
173
Michale -
Aha! You're up, while I'm heading for bed...
Ah, but I AM talking about policy. That's where the term comes from. The "War On Women" is a handy talking point to describe a concerted effort, across many states and indeed at the national level, to deny women their constitutional rights.
If there were a similar "War On Vetrans" how would you feel about the political party which was feeding the flames?
Sure, there are transgressors from both sides of the aisle on sexual matters, reaching all the way back to Alex Hamilton and Tom Jefferson (to say nothing of Ben Franklin). But there is only one side which is trying to legislate morality today -- and that is the Republicans.
What sexual legislation did Clinton propose, after all? To say nothing of the other Dems....
But just as I largely passed by commenting on the kiddie porno GOP Senate chief of staff this week, I also pass by any politician who doesn't exhibit the mark of hypocrisy. Those who fight hardest against their own sins are the worst, in public life, as far as I'm concerned. While that may indeed include Spitzer, it doesn't really include Clinton or even Weiner.
Imagine if Dems took over the FL legislature. And then further imagine that they passed laws dealing with PTSD among vets. All military veterans would have to purchase -- seperately -- PTSD insurance because non-veterans would never experience it, so why should they pay for it? Quakers, after all, religiously objected to military action, so therefore any PTSD injuries were against their religious/political beliefs, and therefore vets should just have to pay for extra PTSD insurance whether they like it or not. And doctors, when faced with a PTSD patient, would have to read to them a treatise from the Quaker belief system which shamed them for joining the military in the first place. After which they'd get a mandatory prostate exam, whether that was medically called for or not.
At this point, would you protest against "big government" interfering in your health care, or not? Why? Would you consider the state of FL to be waging a "War On Vets" or not?
That is precisely the place women across American are finding themselve in now. And it is the reason why the GOP is doomed to failure among this important demographic, at least in the immediate future.
-CW
Aha! You're up, while I'm heading for bed...
Yea, my weekend was wankier (it's an industry term) than most. I woke up Sunday at 0120 (my time) and we had gale force winds and rain. My shop has a tendency to flood when it rains really bad, so I was up and at the shop by 0200.. Of course, it quit raining 20 mins later.... :^/
So my sleep schedule is more out of whack today then usual.. :D
Anywho......
I wouldn't characterize it as a "war on vets" because that's just spin.. Just like the "war on women" is just spin..
Let me put it another way..
When Democrats decided to oppose Bush's Counter Terrorism policies, that COULD be spun (spinned??) as Democrat's "War To Support Terrorists Against Americans"....
When Democrats push abortion rights, that CAN be spun (spanned??) as Democrat's "War Against Unborn Children"...
Such as it is with the GOP's "War On Women"...
It's all spin..
What is done is you take an ancillary effect of an action, add a dose of fear-mongering and a pinch of hysteria, let simmer for days or weeks and....
VIOLA'
A bona-fide "WAR ON X"....
I am sure that the GOP has very good reasons for their agenda. At least, in THEIR minds, they are good reasons..
Just like I am sure that, in THEIR minds, Democrats had very good reasons for THEIR agenda in opposing Bush's CT policies and putting this country at greater risk...
It's all in the spin... :D
Which, of course, is what Fridays and FTPs are all about, eh?? :D
Michale
174
Leave it to the Saudis to come up with the most damning quip...
“We’ve seen several red lines put forward by the president, which went along and became pinkish as time grew, and eventually ended up completely white. When that kind of assurance comes from a leader of a country like the United States, we expect him to stand by it. There is an issue of confidence.”
-Prince Turki al-Faisal, Former intelligence chief of Saudi Arabia
If Obama's plan was to concede all influence in the region to Russia and China, he has succeeded immeasurably...
Michale
176
For the record, I wasn't too happy with the "quip" term above...
But I couldn't come up with the word I wanted. Ya know when a politician spews a 30-second sound bite for the Sunday Talk Shows...
What's the single word for that? It's driving me crazy...
Michale
177
As far as this "War On Women" issue, it should be noted that I am not defending the policies...
I am simply stating that the characterization of the policies is inaccurate and meant to serve a political agenda..
Just so we're clear...
Michale
178
Imagine if Dems took over the FL legislature. And then further imagine that they passed laws dealing with PTSD among vets. All military veterans would have to purchase -- seperately -- PTSD insurance because non-veterans would never experience it, so why should they pay for it? Quakers, after all, religiously objected to military action, so therefore any PTSD injuries were against their religious/political beliefs, and therefore vets should just have to pay for extra PTSD insurance whether they like it or not. And doctors, when faced with a PTSD patient, would have to read to them a treatise from the Quaker belief system which shamed them for joining the military in the first place. After which they'd get a mandatory prostate exam, whether that was medically called for or not.
How is this any different than obamacare???
Michale
Speaking of gun control....
http://www.infowars.com/media-works-to-keep-mass-shooters-profiles-secret/
Iddn't it funny how the Left and the Leftist MSM immediately try to paint mass shooting gunmen as stooges of the Right when, in the vast majority of the cases, the gun-wielding psychotic scumbags are Left Wingers???
Michale
183
And now it's time for an entertainment interlude.. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32FB-gYr49Y
Michale
184
M(8)
You make a good point that Michelle O. seems peeved in every photo of the incident. But, there aren't many published photos of the incident, and they aren't time stamped. What's the sequence? What's the timeline? Probably measured in seconds.
Was Michelle miffed? Maybe, but if so, at what? Jet lag....this is going on so freakin' long...I've really got to use the ladies room....? Maybe she was just depressed, somebody died, and she just can't catch the overall celebratory vibe.
It's all highly speculative, but let me return to a point I made in comment 1. The death of Nelson Mandela has sucked all the oxygen out of the news cycle, including the political news. Everybody has been talking about THE SELFIE, a freaking photo, for about 5 days now. Astonishing! Almost nobody has found the time to knock the healthcare.gov web site, or the healthcare roll out in general. That includes you. Five more days for the wonk army to fix the bugs, and time was what Barack Obama really needed to get health care registration up and moving. That's the real story, but, like a lot of really vital things, it's boring and does not come with sound bites or compelling photos to photoshop or parody. Obama Care stole a march during a handy diversion. RESET.
verybody has been talking about THE SELFIE, a freaking photo, for about 5 days now. Astonishing!
It's not about the photo.
It's completely and unequivocally about the lack of dignity of our POTUS..
And it's simply one more in a long line of boneheaded moves like this..
As I indicated above, I know I am right about this. Because if it had been Bush or a GOP'er leader who acted like an overly hormonal frat boy, the Left would have gone apeshit...
Michale
185
Our POTUS was *flirting* with a hot leggy blonde at a fraking MEMORIAL service!!
Now can you honestly say that you don't find ANYTHING wrong with that???
Michale
186
Here's angry looking Michelle Obama staring down a muppet. Clearly, the foam is about to fly.
http://static03.mediaite.com/thebraiser/uploads/2013/10/Screen-shot-2013-10-31-at-11.14.20-AM.png
Or is it? Now watch the video in context from about 9 seconds to the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLOSDviNJSI
Photos may not lie, but they can mislead.
Our POTUS was *flirting* with a hot leggy blonde at a fraking MEMORIAL service!!
Though on a lower level on the scale of "W T F, dood!??", it's similar to a POTUS getting a blowjob in the Oval Office...
Michale
Judge: NSA phone program likely unconstitutional
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/national-security-agency-phones-judge-101203.html
Oh my gods, how the Left is torn...
I believe Joshua said it best a while back..
Hoisted By Their Own Picard
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/071/d/1/hoisted_by_his_own_picard_by_wytrab8-d5xv9z7.jpg
To coin a phrase??
I'M LOVIN' IT!!!
Michale
188
Awwww crap.....
Michale
0189
http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/366439/columnist-offer-marijuana-young-people-who-sign-obamacare-jim-geraghty
That's how desperate the Obama Administration is to make obamacare successful...
How utterly and pathetically sad is that??
Michale
190
http://capitolcityproject.com/confidential-obamacare-navigator-training-manual-uploaded-online-2/
And the hits just keep on coming....
Michale
0191
Michale [34], [35] -
Just a friendly reminder to everyone: if you post two or more links per comment, it will automatically be placed in the "moderate" queue. Then it will not actually appear until I look at it (which can take days, especially on busy weekends).
Word to the wise... one link per comment!
:-)
-CW
Just a friendly reminder to everyone: if you post two or more links per comment, it will automatically be placed in the "moderate" queue. Then it will not actually appear until I look at it (which can take days, especially on busy weekends).
Yea, ya caught me on that..
I was so excited to er.. ahem.. "commiserate" with my fellow Weigantians over the sheer and blatant hypocrisy of nearly the entire Left that I forgot about the multiple link rule.. :D
Thanx for the quick response in putting it up..
On a more serious note, you just HAVE to consider the Biggest Hypocrite to be nearly the ENTIRE Left Wing of this country..
I mean, seriously..
Given the revelations in 2013 of Obama's domestic spying ops and given the virtually non-existent (by comparison) response from the entire Left, the Biggest Hypocrite award should be, hands down, the Left..
Michale
0193
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/next-obamacare-crisis-small-business-costs-101212.html
Well, know we know what 2014's October Surprise is going to be..
And it won't be pretty for Democrats...
Michale
196
Interesting...
At the end of the fifth year of their Presidency, do you know the ONLY POTUS that had lower ratings than Obama does now??
President Nixon..
http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-approval-rating-polls-nixon-2013-12
Considering the NSA revelations of late, I think that is especially apropos..
Don't you? :D
Michale
199
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2525447/Obama-hijacks-tech-executive-meeting-changes-subject-NSA-surveillance-healthcare-gov-fixes.html
Oh my gods, the desperation of the Obama Administration...
Michale
0204
Chris: I'm loving these holiday displays of Festivus and other things -- as you said, the "government" has to allow all or none. Can't pick and choose. I saw somewhere that there's a flying spaghetti monster -- was that in Wisconsin? If Atheists want to put something out there they should be allowed. If Wiccans want to they should be allowed. I'd love to see display areas covered with symbols representing the full range of things people believe.
http://media.theweek.com/img/dir_0111/55714_cartoon_main.jpg?197
How do you like your Democrats now??
Michale
0209
Since we were talking about the Gun Debate....
http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/2013/12/17/5-year-old-suspended-for-making-gun-gesture-with-hand/
That's another thing we have Obama and the Democrats to thank for...
Zero Tolerance becoming Zero Common Sense...
Michale
0213