Friday Talking Points -- The Wait Better Be Worth It This Time
Happy Earth Day, everyone!
It's been a rather bizarre week, which is even more odd since Congress is still off lollygagging, rather than doing the people's business as they are handsomely paid to do. Perhaps all these vacations have a cost? That's what we were thinking, at any rate, when we heard the news today that the House Select Committee on January 6th has punted the ball yet again, and will not even be scheduling public hearings until June, rather than next month. Seriously, guys? You're going to break the biggest political scandal story of the year right at the start of summer?!?
Sigh. It's like waiting for Mueller all over again. One only hopes that this time the wait doesn't lead to a massive disappointment in the end. The committee members keep promising blockbuster revelations, but they've been promising that since roughly January, so by now it's a little hard to share their excitement. And we do fervently hope that this scheduling promise actually comes to pass, and that one month from now we're not griping about the announcement that the hearings have slipped until July. And that the wait will ultimately prove to have been worth it, this time.
Perhaps we're being too pessimistic, for Earth Day. So we'll try something a little more upbeat -- a new way for us to review the week that was: bullet points! We're going to make an effort to rein in our persistent logorrhea in an effort to make these columns more readable. And to save you the trouble, the first dictionary definition that pops up for "logorrhea" is: "a tendency to extreme loquacity." Heh.
So, in no particular order, here's what happened in the week that was:
- Donald Trump Junior posted a photo of three heavily-armed Easter Bunnies brandishing guns, because of course he did. Nothing like that Republican respect for Christian religious holidays, eh?
- Rudy Giuliani briefly appeared (and was immediately voted off of) The Masked Singer, and delivered a truly horrible version of "Bad To The Bone." You just can't make this stuff up, folks.
- New Jersey started selling legal recreational marijuana to adults... on 4/21. Quoth Homer Simpson: "D'oh!"
- The Texas governor had to cave on his political stunt of grinding to a halt the passage of trucks across the Mexican border, because too many Texas businesses were saying it was doing nothing but harming them and the economy.
- Neck-and-neck in the race for "stupidest political stunts state of the week" was Florida, where they had to call a special session of the legislature just to fit in all the stupid. They passed an anti-Disney law, gerrymandered the heck out of their state's districts, and banned a whole bunch of math books for good measure.
- The U.S. Capitol was briefly evacuated due to a miscommunication ("missed communication," really) about an Army airplane circling near the Capitol to put on a parachute team display at a baseball game. Glad to know all those interdepartmental problems exposed by January 6th have been solved, guys!
- Tucker Carlson spent a whole show advocating "testicle tanning," and we're not even going to bother to make a joke about it (we'll leave that as an exercise for the reader, because it is so easy).
- Alex Jones's Infowars had to file for bankruptcy because he is on the hook for so many of his vile lies and is about to face enormous financial court decisions against him.
- Philadelphia quickly reversed course and ended its new mask mandate, saying the caseload and hospitalization numbers had gone back down already. Perhaps public reaction had something to do with this? Or perhaps the fact that no other major city followed suit (at least, not yet)....
In related news to that last item, because of one federal judge's ruling, Americans are now flying maskless once again. The Biden administration appealed the ruling, but will likely argue something along the lines of: "The need for a mandate is now moot, however we would like a clear decision in this case because we think it is important to have this power in place for future emergencies." Which most of the media hasn't really caught on to, at least for now.
The big news today, of course, is Marjorie Taylor Greene actually answering questions under oath about the January 6th insurrection, and her possible involvement. Greene said many unbelievable things during this hearing, but one stood out above the rest:
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, testifying Friday about her alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as part of a case seeking to disqualify her from seeking reelection, said she could not remember whether she urged President Donald Trump to impose martial law as a way to remain in power.
"I don't recall," Greene (R-Ga.) said in response to questioning by an attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case.
"So you're not denying you did it?" asked the attorney, Andrew G. Celli Jr. "You just don't remember."
"I don't remember," Greene replied.
Got that, folks? She doesn't remember whether she personally told the president of the United States it would be a good idea to impose martial law on the country.
Is there anyone under the sun that believes that a person who either (1) did urge the president to impose martial law, or (2) did not urge the president to impose martial law wouldn't remember that they had done so, one way or the other? It seems like a fairly memorable moment, doesn't it? But not to her, apparently. Either that, or she's committing some pretty blatant perjury.
While it was interesting to see someone getting legally grilled over January 6th (since we have yet to see any of that sort of thing from the January 6th House committee itself, of course...), the outcome of this legal event seems pretty preordained. Greene is being challenged under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution for her eligibility to run for re-election to her House seat. The people bringing this action claim Greene is ineligible to serve because the 14th Amendment bars anyone who has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against" the U.S. Constitution," or "given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof," who has also "previously taken an oath" to "support the Constitution," from ever holding "any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state."
So today's hearing was to explore whether any of that was true or could be proven. However, the ultimate decision rests with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a man who is already on Donald Trump's bad side (because he refused to allow Trump to steal Georgia's election result), and who is up for re-election against a Trump-supported GOP challenger. So it's a stretch to think that Raffensperger would enrage the Trumpian base right before his primary election -- which is precisely what would happen if he decided Greene was ineligible to be on the ballot. So it looks like a foregone conclusion, no matter what the judge says after today's testimony.
OK, we're supposed to be trying to keep this short (which, we point out, is kind of an experiment today, so we'll be interested to hear whether readers like it or not...), so let's whip through the rest of the bizarre news from the week and then get right to the awards.
While Trump pardoned Steve Bannon during his last days in office, there were three other fellow grifters in on the scheme which necessitated Bannon's pardon -- and none of them got pardoned. So two of them (including a disabled vet) just pled guilty to the massive grift that was the private "We Build the Wall" campaign. This grift-apolooza took in millions in donations, which was supposedly earmarked to privately build Trump's dreamed-of border barrier. The people running this scam all promised not to take a salary or any profits, but then they all dipped into the pot of millions of dollars in donations anyway. There is a third grifter who still hasn't pleaded guilty yet, so this story's not over. Bannon, of course, got off scot-free.
Speaking of grifting, Rick Scott is supposed to be running the group raising money to get more Republicans elected to the Senate (the National Republican Senatorial Committee, or "N.R.S.C."), but it seems he's a whole lot more interested in funneling as much of that money as he possibly can towards his own stash. This is reportedly upsetting some of his fellow Republicans (who joke that he's turned the N.R.S.C. into "the National Rick Scott Committee"), so this will be interesting to watch play out.
But of course, you can't speak of Republican grifting without mentioning their grifter-in-chief, Donald Trump. It seems Mar-a-Lago (and his other properties) are still raking it in from all and sundry in the Republican Party and conservative political sphere as a way to sort of ante up to the game of begging for Trump's approval. Including Trump's own PAC -- a convenient way for him to launder donations straight into his own pockets. Trump will, however, soon be losing his D.C. hotel -- which will be removing his name from the property within days. And in the bombshell of the week, Trump was also ordered to pay Omarosa a cool $1.3 million for the legal fees she had to spend to sue him, so that's some poetic justice.
And finally, we have to at least mention the story causing feathers to fly within Republican leadership ranks this week, as a new book out revealed that both Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell initially wanted not only to either have Trump resign the presidency or for the impeachment to succeed, but also were caught wishing that Twitter would kick off all the nutjobs they've allowed to fester with the Republican ranks.
Of course, within weeks, both McCarthy and McConnell had drastically changed their tunes and were (to one degree or another) once again kissing Trump's... um, ring... (yeah... let's go with "ring," shall we?). Because apparently having a spine or any sort of moral compass is no longer required in the ranks of the GOP leaders in Congress. Really makes you look forward to what might happen if either one of these sycophants ever regains congressional power, doesn't it?
We have a clear winner for this week's Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week this week, but before we get to her we've got one more impressive Democrat to mention first.
Senator Elizabeth Warren this week published an opinion piece in the New York Times that is a true call to action for Democrats in Congress. She essentially says: "We've got to get more done now, or we don't stand a chance in the midterms," and it should come as a wakeup call for any who are arguing differently (we wrote about this earlier in the week, if anyone's interested in a deeper dive). Senator Warren deserves at least an Honorable Mention for her clarion call.
But this week a state senator in Michigan gave a speech which went viral -- for good reason. After being maliciously and falsely attacked by a fellow state senator, who used the increasingly-common vile accusations of "grooming" children and supporting pedophilia, Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow had had enough.
She stood up and shamed the Republican, her attacks, and the evil and hateful place from whence they sprang. McMorrow was incensed and deeply offended, which she made perfectly obvious while still remaining (mostly) civil. The speech is less than five minutes long, and it is well worth watching if you haven't seen it (we devoted yesterday's column to transcribing the entire thing, if you'd prefer to read it -- but we strongly encourage watching the whole thing, since the delivery is so powerful).
Here's just one part of it, where McMorrow hits back hard at the hypocrisy of those attacking her:
My mom taught me at a very young age that Christianity and faith was about being part of a community. About recognizing our privilege and blessings and doing what we can to be of service to others -- especially people who are marginalized, targeted, and who had less, often unfairly.
I learned this service was far more important than performative nonsense like being seen in the same pew every Sunday, or writing "Christian" in your Twitter bio and using that as a shield to target and marginalize already-marginalized people.
Obviously, she was not in the mood to mince words. Personally, we haven't seen such a display of righteousness from any Democrat in quite a while. This is how vile smears should be addressed -- quickly and forcefully. Shame those who would make such scurrilous and unfounded attacks. Call them out, for the whole world to hear. Treat them with the scathing contempt which they are due.
Above all, express your righteous indignation that American politics has sunk this low. The voters will agree with this sentiment, or at least the vast majority of them will. Democrats need to start pointing out that if Republicans win control, the next two years are going to consist of nothing but such hate-filled rants, since the Republican Party has absolutely no answers for any of the real problems facing everyday Americans. Perhaps what the Democrats are doing isn't fixing the problems fast enough, but at least they are trying, while the Republicans are content to offer absolutely nothing in the way of answers to any of it.
This is a powerful political argument to make, and we sincerely wish more Democrats were out there making it on a regular basis. We wish that this week's speech from a Michigan senator was unremarkable and not even worth mentioning -- because so many Democrats were out there saying the same things.
But until that happens, we are happy to award Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow this week's Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week. McMorrow made a whole lot of "straight, White, Christian, married suburban moms" (as she herself put it) proud of her this week -- and also a whole lot of people who don't fit that pigeonhole, too. Well done, Senator McMorrow, well done!
[Congratulate Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow on her official contact page, to let her know you appreciate her efforts.]
One senses there is more to this story that hasn't been told yet, but from what Politico and others are reporting, this smacks of the national party butting in where it isn't all that welcome.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has a super PAC devoted to getting more Democrats elected to the House. This seems a laudable goal, but what is inexplicable is that they just plonked a cool million dollars down to favor one Democratic candidate in a primary race for a safe Oregon House seat that has multiple viable candidates. And this is seriously annoying some Oregon Democrats. Here is the whole story (as it is has been reported, so far):
Andrea Salinas has endorsements from top Latino groups and from half of the Latina Democratic lawmakers in the House. She also has backing from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' campaign arm in her bid to become Oregon's first elected Latina in Congress.
Yet House Majority PAC -- which is closely aligned with Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- delivered an unexpected blow last week to Salinas' campaign. In a newly drawn district that's more than 20 percent Latino, the House Democrats' flagship super PAC chose to intervene in the primary and plow $1 million into television ads on behalf of a white, first-time candidate.
That decision has sparked an outpouring of criticism and left Democratic strategists and Latino leaders fuming over what they say is an unnecessary mess. It's evidence, they say, of the party's failure to invest the resources necessary to excite and court Latinos -- or to take seriously the recent erosion of support among those voters.
"There's all this talk [from Democrats] about Latino voters, but where are we talking about Latino candidates and Latino representation and the party prioritizing that?" said Yvonne Gutierrez, managing director for Latino Victory Fund. "This is where we need to see leadership. We need to put our money where our mouth is. And if [Democrats] care about Latino voters and Latino representation, this was an opportunity."
The fallout over HMP's endorsement of Carrick Flynn comes at an inopportune time for Democrats. At a time when Republicans are making gains with Latino voters, the blowup serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and internal Democratic party debate over the efficacy of its outreach to Latino voters.
The article goes on to point out that Flynn is a political newcomer, and that "the district hasn't even been targeted by the GOP," since Biden carried it by 14 points. So whichever candidate won the Democratic primary would likely have cruised to victory in November. And you'd think the Democrats would be bending over backward trying to get more Hispanics into Congress, considering the slide among the demographic which showed up in the 2020 election. Which is precisely why they are so angry about this heavy-handed move:
Latino leaders and progressive strategists complain that they were completely blindsided by HMP's investment in Flynn, which came a little over a month before the May 17 primary -- HMP typically weighs in once a Democratic nominee has been chosen, not before.
"HMP is tasked with defending the House Majority by boosting Democrats and holding Republicans accountable, not with spending critical resources against a woman who has spent decades fighting for progressive causes and who will excite Democratic voters in November," Rep. Ruben Gallego, chair of BOLD PAC, said in a lengthy statement.
BOLD PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' campaign arm, was impressed enough by Salinas to include her in its first slate of endorsements this year. They and other Democrats point to her as an example of a viable Latina candidate with all the right credentials to win in the new Democratic-leaning district.
Part of their argument was that a Salinas victory would send the right signal to Oregon's growing Latino, predominantly Mexican American, population. And it would underscore the party's commitment to Latinos in the wake of recent GOP inroads with Latino voters.
If elected, Salinas would be one of only a few Latinas in Congress. Currently, only 13 out of the 435 House members are Latina -- less than 3 percent.
They weren't the only ones upset. Salinas is not some longshot candidate far out of the mainstream Democratic ideology or something -- a condition which might have made the PAC's move more understandable. She's already proven herself to many within the party, in fact:
Salinas, the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, has garnered the backing of top progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the Service Employees International Union. Oregon's current Democratic Gov. Kate Brown recently endorsed her, calling her the "progressive champion we need fighting for Oregon families in Congress."
Six of the Democratic candidates in the primary, including Salinas, responded to HMP's spending by issuing a scathing joint statement, calling the move "a slap in the face to every Democratic voter and volunteer in Oregon." A day later, five of them -- including Salinas -- kept up the united front at a press conference condemning HMP's decision.
They weren't alone in expressing their frustration. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who has not endorsed in the race, called it "flat-out wrong." One long-time national Democratic strategist called the decision to back Flynn "fucking crazy."
"This is a highly competitive primary and we have four women in the race, three of whom are women of color," Salinas said. "I was really surprised that HMP would even think of weighing in this race."
When asked about it, the House Majority PAC had the most anodyne of answers (which didn't address the controversy in any way, shape, or form):
"House Majority PAC is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to secure a Democratic House Majority in 2022, and we believe supporting Carrick Flynn is a step towards accomplishing that goal," said CJ Warnke, HMP's communications director.
This is putting a very heavy thumb on the scale of a primary election -- a task outside the stated goals of the PAC itself. There is no fear that this seat will go Republican, after all. The PAC could have spent that million bucks elsewhere, where it would have gone towards defeating Republican challengers or incumbents. Instead, they chose to intervene in a Democratic primary for no apparent reason, to tip the scales away from a prominent Latina candidate. That's a bad look all around.
And it is beyond disappointing. Which is why this week's Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week is none other than Nancy Pelosi and the House Majority PAC. Get your priorities straight, folks -- that money is supposed to be used to fight Republicans, not Democratic candidates in a very safe district.
[Contact Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on her official contact page, to let her know what you think of her (and her PAC's) actions.]
Volume 659 (4/22/22)
We start off this week with three quotes from our awards section. The first is from Elizabeth Warren and the other two are from that extraordinary speech in Michigan. The rest of the mix is more of a grab-bag this week.
A clear warning
Senator Elizabeth Warren, as previously mentioned, issued a clarion call this week. Democrats should take it to heart, and act accordingly. She ends her message with the following warning:
Like many Americans, I'm frustrated by our failure to get big things done -- things that are both badly needed and very popular with all Americans. While Republican politicians obstruct many efforts to improve people's lives and many swear loyalty to the Big Lie, the urgency of the next election bears down on us.
Democrats cannot bow to the wisdom of out-of-touch consultants who recommend we simply tout our accomplishments. Instead, Democrats need to deliver more of the president's agenda -- or else we will not be in the majority much longer.
Who she is
We saved the best parts of Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow's speech for the following two talking points. In the first, McMorrow strongly defines herself, and what she stands for. Other Democrats, please take note -- this is the way to fight vile Republican smears:
So who am I? I am a straight, White, Christian, married suburban mom. Who knows that the very notion that learning about slavery or redlining or systemic racism somehow means that children are being taught to feel bad or hate themselves because they are White is absolute nonsense.
No child alive today is responsible for slavery. No one in this room is responsible for slavery. But each and every single one of us bears responsibility for writing the next chapter of history. Each and every single one of us decides what happens next and how we respond to history and the world around us.
We are not responsible for the past. We also cannot change the past. We can't pretend that it didn't happen, or deny people their very right to exist.
I am a straight, White, Christian, married suburban mom. I want my daughter to know that she is loved, supported, and seen for whoever she becomes. I want her to be curious, empathetic, and kind.
We will not let hate win
Take the culture war fight directly to the Republicans, and point out that this is all they've got. They have no answers to today's problems, they just have fear and hatred. And fear and hatred is no reason to vote for someone.
People who are different are not the reason that our roads are in bad shape after decades of disinvestment, or that healthcare costs are too high, or that teachers are leaving the profession. I want every child in this state to feel seen, heard, and supported -- not marginalized and targeted because they are not straight, White, and Christian.
We can not let hateful people tell you otherwise to scapegoat and deflect from the fact that they are not doing anything to fix the real issues that impact people's lives. And I know that hate will only win if people like me stand by and let it happen.
So I want to be very clear right now -- call me whatever you want. I hope you brought in a few dollars. I hope it made you sleep good last night. I know who I am. I know what faith and service means and what it calls for in this moment.
We will not late hate win.
Maybe look in the mirror?
If they're going to sling baseless mud, then how about reminding Republicans of what they are now comfortable with in their own party?
"Republicans are now yelling 'pedophile!' at the drop of a hat, it seems, which is just laughable since they have absolutely no moral leg left to stand on anymore. Donald Trump has endorsed a candidate for governor in Nebraska who has been accused by multiple prominent Republican women of sexual assault. Trump's going to appear at a rally for the guy. In South Carolina, Trump endorsed -- and the Republicans are falling in line behind -- a Senate candidate who pointed a gun at his ex-wife's head and threatened to kill her. A frontrunner in the Senate GOP contest in Missouri has been accused of physical abuse by both his ex-wife and his ex-mistress. And that's just scratching the surface, folks. Remember Trump trying to get Roy Moore elected -- a guy who hung out at shopping malls trolling for underage girls? That is a pedophile. Or take Matt Gaetz, who reportedly paid underage women for sex and called it 'tuition.' Have any Republicans said a word about Representative Lauren Boebert's husband, who did time in jail for exposing his penis to two young women, in a bowling alley, while she was also there? Funny, I haven't heard one of them denounce him. The Republican Party simply has no claim to any moral high road, folks. People like this used to be unceremoniously chucked out of the party for such abhorrent behavior, but now that Trump has normalized it, they are fine with all of this stuff... when Republicans do it. I mean, I hate to say it, but where is the Moral Majority when you really need them?"
Or maybe look in the mirror for all that voting fraud, perhaps?
A continuing story...
"So it now appears that Mark Meadows, who used to run Trump's White House for him, wasn't just voting illegally in North Carolina, but has actually been simultaneously registered to vote in three separate states. This is the same guy who has constantly fanned the flames of the idea that there is massive voter fraud happening out there... somewhere.... Maybe the fact that he couldn't actually find any spurred him to create some voter fraud of his own? Could be, could be...."
Maybe do another cost/benefit analysis?
This should put some fear into the hearts of Republican politicians, so don't be afraid to taunt them with it as much as possible.
"Boy, Republicans have certainly changed their tune on the whole idea of free speech and corporate speech. They used to be the biggest champions for corporate America to be as involved in American politics as possible, but now that giant corporations like Disney are beginning to realize that supporting antediluvian social policies is actually very unpopular with its customer base, they're starting to say things Republicans don't like. So Republicans are going to use the power of government to punish those corporations for their political free speech from now on, it appears. If I was a board member or C.E.O. of some giant corporate enterprise, I would be rethinking where to situate my business or support with my political donations. Why give a red state that demands ideological purity on unpopular issues any jobs by locating there? Why not open a headquarters in a blue state that will leave you alone and won't pass embarrassing laws that your employees and customers object to? The cost to the brand, at some point, would seem to outweigh any tax breaks red states offer -- especially now, that such tax breaks will be used as goads to force your corporation to agree with the most extreme conservative viewpoints. And why should corporations donate to politicians who would punish them in such fashion? Maybe we'll see a trend of big corporations refusing to blindly shovel dollars at Republican politicians from now on, who knows?"
Couldn't agree more, Mike
And finally, a funny slip of the tongue to end on.
"Recently in a Fox News interview, former secretary of state Mike Pompeo kind of let the cat out of the bag. When asked, 'Why does the left act as if conservatives are a bigger threat to America than the Chinese Communist Party?' Pompeo accidentally told the truth: 'Because, in fact, we are.' For the first time ever, I have to say I fully agree with Mike Pompeo. Conservatives are a bigger threat to America than China! After all, it wasn't China that tried to overthrow the Constitution by violently attacking the U.S. Capitol."
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Cross-posted at: Democratic Underground
good point cw, why look in elementary classrooms for groomers when they're right there in your congressional delegation?
now when are we going to see that article on the politics of pie?
Sigh. It's like waiting for Mueller all over again. One only hopes that this time the wait doesn't lead to a massive disappointment in the end.
Do you HONESTLY expect any other outcome?? Seriously??
Once again, Democrats are setting themselves up for a massive disappointment..
This is ya'all's Russia Collusion Delusion all over again..
Russ,
Instead of Disney saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls…Welcome to Disney World, we hope you enjoy the show”, they decide to go with, “We at Disney World would like to welcome each and every one of you to our park and hope that you enjoy the show!” and you feel frak’d by that?
How does that create a "magical moment" for the .55% of Americans who don't identify with a gender???
Can you explain that to me??
Disney is the KING of customer service! I think it is amazing that they are willing to be considerate to such a marginalized group and work to make these folks feel included.
At the expense of the other 99.45%??
Where is the logic in that??
Who is dumb enough to think that a corporation as successful as Disney wouldn’t be able to find ways to be inclusive to 100% instead of just 99.45%?
You obviously are no up on current events, Russ..
"Disney" and "success" is an oxymoron these days.. :D
While CPA may typically be associated with death from heart disease, George Floyd didn't die from heart disease. Who is to say how many more years Floyd would have lived had he not had an encounter with the police?
According to the Medical Examiner, Floyd's life from the point he ingested 4x the lethal limits of meth and fentynal was measured in hours.. Not years..
He was a dead man walking..
Kick,
I am going to ignore your comment from yesterday..
In your absence, we have moved beyond the desire for personal attacks and Weigantia is a much more fun place because of that...
I don't relish returning to the old ways, so for the sake of amity here in Weigantia, I am simply going to respond to your personal attacks with a "Thank you for your input" and leave it at that..
Elon Musk registers three 'X Holdings' companies to support Twitter takeover bid
Musk, who is exploring a possible tender offer for Twitter, has lined up approximately $46.5 billion in commitments to help finance a potential deal
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/elon-musk-holding-companies-twitter
Looks like Elon is gonna get Titter!!! :D
Won't that be SOOOOO much fun!!! Can't wait to read President Trump again!! :D
Kick,
But I do have to thank you for allowing me to use your BlockQuote example to make my comments more easy on the eyes and readable..
So, credit where credit is due.. Thank you soo much.. :D
Once again, Disney thought they could force Florida leadership to roll over on command..
Disney CEO Chapek's wisdom is clear.. He wanted to stay out of politics and just concentrate on what Disney does...
But Chapek was forced into this disastrous course of action by the whiney and bitchy VERY small minority of Disney employees who somehow.. someway... thinks that society owes them any deference...
And now Disney is Mudd here in Florida..
"Oh how the mighty have fallen"
-Guinan, ST TNG
"You’re a corporation based in Burbank, California, and you’re gonna marshal your economic might to attack the parents of my state. We view that as a provocation, and we’re going to fight back against that."
-Florida Ron DeSantis
Sic 'em, boy!!! :D
"Go get 'er, Ray!!!"
-Peter Venkmen, GHOSTBUSTERS
BIDEN POLL SLUMP CONTINUES; SECOND LOWEST OF MODERN ERA...
Biden Job Approval Stuck in Low 40s
https://news.gallup.com/poll/391973/biden-job-approval-stuck-low-40s.aspx
"Cheaters NEVER prosper.."
-Karma
To start with such promise and to fall so far so fast, eh??
Man o man, Democrats just HAVE to be feeling so low in the dumps, eh? :D
And just imagine.. It's just going to keep getting worser and worser.. :D
"It's just gonna keep on ringin'.."
-Jack Reacher
Once again, President Trump bucks the system... :D
What an awesome POTUS President Trump was... Can't wait til 2025 when he is back in office!! :D
Allow me to bottom-line it for ya'all...
Bottom Line?? Democrats are toast!! :D
Again, I want to thank Kick for showing me how to do the blockquotes.. She was such a very nice person for showing me how..
All my BlockQuotes from here on out are dedicated to Kick.. :D
Oooo you can BET that there will be Biden investigations up the ying yang..
"Pardon my french."
-Willis Huntley
And don't forget the monthly impeachments Biden is going to face...
Since Democrats have established that Impeachments are SOLELY for political differences, there is a BUTTLOAD of political differences that the GOP will have impeachments for..
Afghanistan
Ukraine
Big Guy For Hunter Biden's fraud and corruption
Oh yea.. There is soooo much impeachment fodder available from Biden..
It's gonna be a hoot!! :D
"Yunno what, it IS funny! It's a HOOT!
-Tony Stark
:D
It's clear from the steps Biden's handlers are taking that they fully expect a Democrat uber nuclear biblical shellacking in November... :D
WaPo has AUTHENTICATED AS GENUINE the Hunter Biden emails and laptop information including personal text messages and the like..
Biden's impeachment is going to have a PLETHORA of FACTS that prove Biden's grift and corruption.. And THAT's just for ONE impeachment.. If that fails, there is always the Afghanistan Impeachment. And if THAT fails, there is always the COVID Catastrophe impeachment..
And so on and so on and so on..
And, unlike Democrats, the GOP won't have to MAKE UP CRIMES to impeach Biden over!! :D
Biden's handlers are going to rue the day they decided to cheat to install Biden in the Oval Office. :D
And Democrats are going to rue the day they established the precedent that Impeachments are a way to settle political disputes..
Hay JL....
You want to make a T-Shirt bet?? :D
I have mine picked out for you.. :D
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1481/7678/products/S_Black_9219675f-3643-42d1-8777-307b1413bf55_600x.jpg?v=1647875053
heh
Only a Democrat-organized symposium on Disinformation would totally IGNORE the biggest and most impactful disinformation campaign since the Russia Collusion Disinformation con....
Until Left Wing media can take a good honest look at itself and HONESTLY assess it's shortcomings..
It will continue to enjoy a HUGE deficit of trust from the Americans people...
It's really that simple..
And yet, Governor DeSantis just walloped Mickey a good one, eh! :D
Disney just got a huge real-life lesson on who exactly is in charge.. :D
Well, that was BEFORE Disney wanted to promote sexual activity and gender-bender issues to kindergartners...
I mean, Disney USED to mean kid-safe and kid-appropriate activities..
Promoting sex activities and gender-bender BS and other Groomer actions on kindergartners seems to be an unusual hill to die on..
But if that's the hill Disney wants to die on??
So be it..
So much for the claim that Democrats adhere to SCIENCE.. :^/
Democrats won't rest until every toddler is as frak'ed in the head as Democrats are.. :^/
SCIENCE says that there are 2 genders..
This gender-bender crusade PROVES that Democrats are NOT about science.. They are about their own ideological Anti-America agenda..
It's nice that Democrats have finally admitted they are not about science in any way, shape or form..
DH,
(72)
@dh,
your failure to acknowledge pie as the brilliant solution it is marks you as the one with the delusion.
bake you.
JL
Yea... Five year olds REALLY need to learn about THIS crap... :^/
And, if a TREE can be a pronoun then, Shirley, Your Lordship can be a pronoun...
So, I demand that all of ya'all refer to me as Your Lordship because that is my preferred pronoun..
But, since Democrats say I can change my preferred pronoun any time I want, TOMMORROW I will wish to be referred to as MASTER...
On Monday, I have decided to use YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS as my preferred pronoun.. And ya'all MUST adhere my preference or else yer not REAL Democrats..
You see what a totally frak'ed up world your Democrats want to create??? :^/
Apparently, Democrats feel that creating the KKK and JIM CROW was not sufficient to frak up this country..
Now we have to deal with Democrats pushing this gender bender crap on toddlers... :^/
Well, there IS a silver lining..
Democrats can no longer claim they are the Party of SCIENCE...
Not that they ever really COULD make that claim.. But now it's evident to even the most dullard that Democrats are NOT about science at all..
DH,
Yea, OK.. But I am a bigger asshole than JL! :D
Michale[10],
I am so very proud of you. There are no words, my friend. I am so happy!
Heh.
Hay, JL...
People are gonna think yer name is Jean Luc :D
I would like to see corporations condemn the terrorist group BLM as fast and as passionately as they supported the terrorist group in the past..
Yea.. When pigs fly outta my butt!! :^/
Who has the highest Favorability Rating of US Political Leadership?? :D
https://cdn.substack.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F765f0464-2b30-4d54-aeb6-7606d2878b5a_1481x1058.jpeg
None other than President Donald Trump
:D
Ahhhhhh I just LOVE the smell of Democrat tears in the morning!! :D
Exxon bans LGBTQ, Black Lives Matter flags from being displayed at company flagpole: Report
The move has made some within the company upset
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/exxon-bans-lgbtq-black-lives-matter-flags-from-being-displayed-at-company-flagpole-report
Those flags should have NEVER been allowed to be displayed whatsoever...
Joe Biden actually LIED!!!????
Biden met with Hunter Biden business partner at White House in 2010: Report
Meeting with Joe Biden was one of 19 visits Eric Schwerin paid to the White House, according to visitor logs
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-met-hunter-biden-business-partner-white-house-2010
Say it ain't so, Joe!!! :D
Michale
10
I am going to ignore your comment from yesterday..
Is this your impression of MtnCaddy? Oh, this could be a fun game; now I'll do my impression of a commenter, and you see if you can guess who it is:
Answer: One guess. Check the bottom of the comment box.
No cheating.
In your absence, we have moved beyond the desire for personal attacks and Weigantia is a much more fun place because of that...
It's cute you assume I have been "absent" just because I haven't been responding, and that being the case, it's hysterical that you're pushing the utter asinine fantasy that you've "moved beyond the desire for personal attacks." I can't stop laughing. I can see the steam coming out of Don Harris's ears right now, and he's in New Jersey and I'm (finally) back in Texas. I would wager it will not be too awfully long before I will come across a post wherein Don will take issue with your preposterous prevarication, and I will further wager without a scintilla of hesitation that there will be curse words involved. I'm thinking he'll break out the "eff" bombs for that claptrap.
There are multiple others here who could also easily take issue with that "we have moved beyond desire for personal attacks" total line of hysterical nonsense. You know who you are; I won't repost the "moments." You also still post insults towards Weigantians using "you people" and "ya'all" and then let fly whatever insult you choose. Suffice it to say, while I might not be responding, I am definitely reading and I am never not here. Nice try, though. *shakes head*
I don't relish returning to the old ways, so for the sake of amity here in Weigantia, I am simply going to respond to your personal attacks with a "Thank you for your input" and leave it at that..
It's far too late for simply leaving it "at that" due to that opening comedy routine. *laughs*
As for your claim of a personal attack, I called you out on your perpetual hypocrisy using a series of questions and posting multiple points of data containing nothing but FACTS, FACTS, FACTS about your transparent modus operandi.
Did I actually personally attack you? No more than you've attacked multiple other Weigantians in what you incorrectly characterized as "my absense." :)
__________________
* You're checking the answer? Seriously?
‘It’s Time to Head for the Lifeboats’
Democratic Fatalism Intensifies
https://dnyuz.com/2022/04/22/its-time-to-head-for-the-lifeboats-democratic-fatalism-intensifies/
It's accepted as fact that Democrats will lose Congress...
The only question is... How bad...
Kick,
Yer right.. I am not ignoring your comment..
I am simply going to ignore the personal attacks of your comments.
Thank you for rendering your opinion.. It is duly appreciated..
And thank you again for showing me the BlockQuote feature.. Every blockquote I do is thanks to you.. :D
Yes, it's a gloomy time to be a Democrat.. If it wasn't so well-deserved, I would almost fell sorry for the Democrats.. :D
You're going to break the biggest political scandal story of the year right at the start of summer?!?
Maybe it's because Democrats KNOW that it's NOT going to be "the biggest political scandal story of the year"..
Perhaps Democrats realize that it's simply going to be an Edsel of a story..
Yunno.. Like ya'all's Russia Collusion delusion con??
Ya'all need to come to grips with reality...
President Trump is going to be back in the Oval Office come 2025...
Ya'all better mentally prepare for that..
As I said.. You people really need to get used to the idea that President Trump will return to the Oval Office..
I would hate to see ya'all suffer as bad as ya'all did in November of 2016.. :D
[46]
Yes, and I pretty much read all your stuff word for word.
peace in our time :)
Who is he?
He's an Asshole, sir.
I know that. What's his name?
That is his name, sir. Asshole, Major Asshole.
And his cousin?
He's an Asshole, too, sir. Gunner's-mate, 1st Class, Philip Asshole.
How many Assholes we got on this ship, anyhow?
YO!!!
I knew it. I'm surrounded by Assholes. Keep firing, Assholes.
~dark helmet (rick moranis), spaceballs
or, for those who would prefer a visual...
;)
And now Disney is Mudd here in Florida...
harcourt fenton mudd?
@m,
interesting point, your lordship.
VESPA: How dare you speak to me that way. You will address me in the proper manner as your royal highness. I am Princess Vespa, daughter of Roland, King of the Druids.
LONE STARR: Oh. That's all we needed, a Drewish princess.
BARF Funny. She doesn't look Drewish.
~spaceballs
perhaps not jean-luc, but i have to say, i kinda do feel like a captain today...
Michale,
Are you mad at me?
Totally agree with your Carrick Flynn bit.
Word here (local) is that there was a LOT more money in play.
JL,
And now Disney is Mudd here in Florida...
harcourt fenton mudd?
Do you know the etymology of phrase "Your name is mud!" No fair googling.. :D
Liz,
Are you mad at me?
Why on earth would you think that???
You just have ta know how bad a shape your in when your own propaganda outlets start preaching gloom and doom..
"Right here in the United States of America we just saw a sitting president deny the clear results of an election and help incite a violent insurrection at the nation's Capitol. Not only that, but a majority of his party, including many who occupy some of the highest offices in the land, continue to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the last election and are using it to justify laws that restrict the vote and make it easier to overturn the will of the people in states where they hold power."
-Barack Hussein Odumbo
As opposed to Democrats who denied the legitimacy of the 2016 election..
One has to wonder what Odumbo's point is??
@m,
There is a very big difference between claiming the system that rejected trump is unfair, a point of view for which there is ample evidence, and claiming that Biden won by cheating, for which there is zero evidence.
Elected president trump, not rejected. That's just my keyboard misbehaving.
Democrats LOVE disinformation.. When it furthers the Democrat Party agenda..
The Jussie Smollett disinformation... The Steele Dossier disinformation.. The allegations against Justice Kavanaugh disinformation... The Hunter Biden Laptop as Russian Disinformation disinformation..
Democrats LOVE *THEIR* disinformation.. Democrats just hate disinformation that works against the Democrats..
Hypocrisy.. It's not just a bug in Democrat programming. It's a feature
There is a very big difference between claiming the system that rejected trump is unfair, a point of view for which there is ample evidence, and claiming that Biden won by cheating, for which there is zero evidence.
Not factually accurate..
There is PLENTY of facts to support Democrats cheated..
The campaign to ignore the Hunter Biden laptop is simply one of MANY examples..
You just don't like the facts so you claim the facts don't exist..
And there was nothing unfair about the system that elected President Trump.. It's the SAME system that elected Odumbo, but Democrats had NO PROBLEM with the system then...
It's only when Democrats lose, do Democrats have a problem with the system..
Elected president trump, not rejected. That's just my keyboard misbehaving.
Freudian slip?? :D
Every blockquote I do is thanks to you.. :D
"That rhymes, Marge!! That rhymes and you know it!!"
-Homer Simpson
:D
DH,
(69)
Dogs barking, can't fly home without umbrella
WaPo columnist doesn’t get why ‘Bidenism is failing’ when he’s been ‘emphasizing unity’, ‘popular policies’
https://www.foxnews.com/media/wapo-columnist-doesnt-get-why-bidenism-failing-when-emphasizing-unity-popular-policies
Florida's Anti-Grooming law..
THAT is a popular policy.. Even by the majority of Demcorats!!
What Biden spews.. Only popular with Trump/America hating Democrats..
Concerned Parents as domestic terrorists..
Another example of disinformation that Democrats LOVE... :^/
DH
Exactly...
Michale,
Why on earth would you think that???
Because ... well, because you didn't respond to my response to your [10] here. Sniff.
I guess you just diden't see it. Sniff Sniff
Which means you don't care. :(
I really loved your [10] - it was a joy to read!
Liz,
I am so very proud of you. There are no words, my friend. I am so happy!
I did, indeed miss that..
My humblest groveling apologies..
Yea.. I like the way Weigantia is now..
I don't want to go back to the way it was before and I will fight my natural tendencies to NOT respond in kind.. :D
I really loved your [10] - it was a joy to read!
Thank you... It's not as hard as I thought it would be.. :D
:-)
@m [22]
what are you interested in betting on? if i lose, my t-shirt needs to be g-rated.
here's yours
JL
Democrats are losing Hispanics on culture
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/democrats-are-losing-hispanics-on-culture
And WHY are Democrats losing hispanic Americans by the tens of millions??
Because hispanic Americans know that kindergartners being taught sexual activity and gender bender crap is SIMPLY NOT RIGHT..
Democrats have taken such a Left turn, they can't even SEE America from where Democrats are at now..
what are you interested in betting on?
Oh I am sure we can come up with something fun.. :D
if i lose, my t-shirt needs to be g-rated.
Killjoy.. :D
But yea, I get it..
here's yours
I'de get my ass kicked if I wore that hehehehehe
For the Democrat Party... The hits just keep on comin'...
Speaking of hits, hope you'll be at the party tonight, Michale!
... make an appearance, anyways ...
Here's Beau pointing out the likelihood of a pro-Second Amendment Dem. Nikki Fried versus someone who's off fighting Disney in November.
His introduction of "non overly developed Florida" to his international audience cracks me up,
Florida is...different. It's a State where the soil, water, sun, weather, insects, animals and often times people are all trying to kill you.
...think of it as Australia-lite.
...the home of Florida Man and Florida Woman.
Oh, and I just watched an hour and fifty-five minutes of Marjorie Taylor Green's 14th Amendment hearing.
I'm looking for the closing arguments segment but here's what I thought.
However whack I may regard her policies are I have to say that she's no dummy. She played rope a dope for 88 minutes, failing to recall and claiming to not know literally hundreds of times.
Her lawyer's rebuttal took all of ten minutes and assered that she, in fact, was the true victim of J6.
How are you doing, Caddy? Hope you're having a lovely afternoon!
We could focus on our top two favourite tunes of bands we know tonight ... probably getting underway in 90 minutes or so ...
Liz,
Thank you for your response.
I will be honest with you: as I watched the video, I kept asking why they weren’t just letting him sit up. But we were looking at the events with the foreknowledge of how it would end…which makes arm-chair quarterbacking much, much easier.
Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker ruled Floyd's death last May a homicide and identified the cause as "cardiopulmonary arrest" that occurred during "law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression" -- all findings he stood by in court on Friday.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/us/derek-chauvin-trial-george-floyd-day-10/index.html
Some might read this and say, “See, it was law enforcement’s ‘subdual, restraint, and neck compression’ that killed him. The officers caused his death!”
But they would be overlooking the reasons for law enforcement’s actions. George Floyd resisted arrest and fought officers trying to place him in the back of a patrol vehicle. It took 4-5 officers to restrain him.
From your description one might surmise that Floyd would have keeled over and died that day even if he didn't run into Chauvin. Which is ridiculous.
The earliest video that shows the police first making contact with Floyd are important in assessing Floyd’s health. In the video of police questioning Floyd outside of his vehicle, George Floyd appears to be in bad condition — he is diaphoretic (flop sweating), requires help to sit on the ground to answer questions, needs assistance standing up, and is shaking as he walks away. He told the officers he had recently been released from the hospital suffering from COVID-19 complications. One of the officers walks close by; apparently monitoring Floyd’s movements in case he needs assistance. THIS is when officers first requested aid for Floyd.
It might be that after believing Floyd was in such bad shape that they had called for medics prior to taking him to jail, Floyd’s resisting arrest and requiring 4-5 officers in order to restrain him made the officers a little hesitant to trust that Floyd was being honest with them about his health.
I asked a medic friend to watch the videos with me and to give me her “non-professional professional” opinion, because it is not her job to make diagnosis without personally conducting the examination, and she said while it’s impossible to determine that Floyd was in v-fib just by looking at him, she did say that every patient in v-fib that she had ever worked on looked a lot like Floyd did. In fact, when she first saw Floyd, she announced, “Dead man walking!” She said if someone is going to be dead within the next hour, it would be him just looking at how he presented right then. If Floyd was already showing signs of being in medical distress prior to resisting arrest, just how much worse do you think his condition was AFTER physically fighting with multiple officers?
You ask what actions did each officer take that, on its own, would have caused Floyd's death. Are you saying that had Floyd been in perfect health without any hint of heart disease (which would make him a very unique individual, by the way) the actions taken by the officers that day would NOT have caused his death?
Yes, I am definitely saying that nothing the police did would have killed a healthy person. They were using restraint techniques that when performed properly, have been used worldwide without causing death for over 30 years! They restrained a combative suspect that they had placed under arrest and were waiting for medics to arrive. They are not medics.
Why would they choose to intentionally kill someone in their custody in front of multiple police officers and an angry mob filming them?
As every rookie can attest, those intoxicated/persons on drugs and in custody loudly complaining that they cannot breathe who suddenly go quiet have not demonstrated any sign that they are in distress. So if you go and check on them, do not be surprised if they choose to puke, spit, blow snot, or attempt to bite you if you disturb them.
But one of the officers did check and could not a pulse for Floyd. He told Chauvin, who was the senior officer, that Floyd did not have a pulse. Chauvin did not follow police policy that required him to take appropriate medical action. That could be CPR. That could be call for medics and nothing else. Chauvin’s decision not to testify prevented us from knowing why he did not do anything when told Floyd had no pulse and also makes Chauvin guilty of negligence.
Finally, you equate the actions by these officers on Floyd to putting pressure on the back of your neck for 10 minutes while seated. Well, that ain't what the officers did to Floyd! It wasn't just a knee to the neck for 10 minutes! Floyd wasn't able to breathe in the absolute mechanical sense of what breathing actually is because he was pinned down against the hard pavement and wasn't able to perform the actual mechanics of breathing! If you can't see that, then I don't know what more to say.
The prosecution claimed that Chauvin’s actions killed Floyd — that the knee to the neck somehow cut off both carotid artery’s abilities to pump oxygenated blood to his brain. The other officers were not applying pressure to his body. No one was sitting on his back. You accuse the officers of preventing him from breathing with their actions, but you cannot see that that was what happened with any certainty! The ME did not report that the compression to Floyd’s body killed him. In fact there is no proof that the officers applied any pressure to his body — no bruising to his back was reported. It might have looked like they were the ones killing Floyd, but it was Floyd’s body shutting down due to his heart disease that was doing it. That is why the prosecution wanted the jury to trust their eyes to tell them who killed George Floyd… because their eyes could not see the evidence that determined Floyd’s actual cause of death when watching the video.
The officers were restraining a combative person in their custody. Just because Floyd stopped struggling does not mean they were wrong to think he would try resisting again given the opportunity. His previous act of resistance justifies their actions. Yes, I agree that they could have let him sit up, but there is nothing to suggest that would have saved his life. And with no knowledge of his medical conditions, there was no reason for the officers to have altered their standard operating procedures.
I would argue that there are multiple actions taken by the prosecution that I find incredibly troubling. The prosecution chose to dismiss and even contradict the findings of their own ME. I have never heard of a prosector’s office arguing that scientific evidence should be ignored by a jury. I have never heard of a city settling a civil lawsuit regarding the death of a person while the city employee charged with murdering that citizen’s criminal trial is underway. There was no reason for the city to have rushed that settlement. They had to know it how it looked to the public — the city admitted to wrongdoing even though they say “this settlement is no admission that the city was responsible of any wrongdoing”.
The city knew they were sitting on a racial powder keg with this case. The public demanded someone be held responsible for Floyd’s death. Rioting had done massive amounts of damage to the city already, it was important that someone was held responsible or else there would be more and worse violence.
Think about it, they are charging an officer who never had any contact with Floyd and whose job it was to monitor the crowd and keep them back for not paying attention to how the officers, behind him, dealt with Floyd. He was there to control the crowd, but the prosecution says that his focus was supposed to be on the officers and person in custody — not the crowd. The city’s actions were all meant to prevent more violence. Does that justify throwing one, two, three, or even four police officers under the bus and destroying their lives? Is it an acceptable cost if it will prevent rioting?
When a white person was murdered back in the early to mid 1900’s, poor Black men were often found guilty for crimes they were not responsible for. The people wanted someone held responsible… and the prosecution provided them with what they wanted.
Here is one critical point that I hope we can both wholeheartedly agree upon - going forward, this case and court proceeding should become part of the training that all police officers receive.
I agree, wholeheartedly, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to have this ongoing conversation regarding a topic that invites strong emotional responses rather than friendly debate. I just want you to know that the police in our country are always looking at how they can serve the public better. One only needs to review a department’s policy manual over the decades to see how they have grown with society’s demands. Our local police departments policies fit on two sheets of paper sixty years ago. Today they require four 3inch binders.
[92]
Yeah, that's about how long MTG's closing arguments are set to last, picking up at 6:23:30 of this seven plus hour video.
Thanks, Russ.
Hope you'll find some time tonight to just bask in the glory of good music!
Alrighty.
MTG's attorney went first. In brief, he first split hairs about the meaning of Insurrection due to a past participle he dwelled on. Then he said that advocacy isn't action and at any rate it's Firsf Amendment protected speech. He quoted extensively from an Attorney General's 1867 opinion regarding the particulars of what constitutes Insurrection and finished by claiming that removing MTG would forever article all political dissent in America.
Petitioner's attorney (beginning at 7:04:30) recapped the most devastating aforementioned lowlights of MTG's conduct and closed by saying, essentially, WTF? This cannot stand.
[93]
Quickly, I appreciate this kind of down in the weeds examination of the all-important details.
Welcome one and all to the CW Sunday Night Music Festival and Dance Party where we leave the politics aside for a few hours and bask in the glory of the music. Of course, the tunes may be as political as we wish!
Caddy suggested that tonight we try to get everyone involved and out on the dance floor by playing two favourite tunes by some of our favourite bands. Great idea!
But, first up tonight, some tunes in honour of one of Vancouver's finest musicians, Jerry Doucette ... a great Canadian guitarist and singer and songwriter who we lost this past week to cancer. Born in Montreal, Jerry came to Vancouver in the early seventies and worked with musicians who would later form part of the classic line-up of PRiSM.
I am sure you will all remember Jerry's biggest hit, Mama Let Him Play from his debut album. RIP, Jerry and thanks for the music!
Jerry Doucette - Nobody
Doucette - All I Wanna Do
Enjoy some rare vintage footage of Doucette performing Ramblin' and MLHP.
Doucette Live - Run Buddy Run
Petitioner argued that once MTG took her Oath of Office her speech in furtherance of Insurrection is not, in fact, Constitutionally protected speech because of that Oath.
There, that's a little better. On with the show!
Here's a couple from CSNY, first Guinevere (4:39),
And thence Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (7:25).
I think there's a Canuck guy in this band, Elizabeth! :D
As you guys have noticed I like long songs. I mean looking songs! It's a Progger thang, you wouldn't understand.
Remember, Caddy ... this is a no politics zone!
When you have some time, take a listen to Jerry's full album, Mama Let Him Play!
I have that CNY cd!
Here's a tune from Myles Goodwyn of April Wine fame, released a month ago, For Ukraine
Good thing this is a no politics zone 'cause I already got myself slapped around by the songwriter for trying to lizplain some Ukraine stuff. :)
Okay, so two of my favourite April Wine songs would have to include these two...
Sign of the Gypsy Queen
I Like To Rock
Come on, everyone - let's party!
Here are two of my favourite tunes from another favourite seventies Vancouver band ...
Merry Go Round
Venusian Lights
James Brown,
It's a Man's Man's Man's World,
And Living in America, of course. One of my fave tunes, period.
Helix,
Rock You
Heavy Metal Love
And, since I am still having a lot of fun getting to know Helix, here are their greatest hits.
ooh that's some good stuff. i have a long work day ahead, but i'd be remiss if i didn't post
something
this guy does awesome covers of EVERYTHING
and when i say everything, i mean EVERYTHING
Nice!
How about next week we play our favourite covers!?
It looks like he does all the instruments and vocals ... fun stuff!
Al Harlow, from his debut solo album released this past Valentine's Day ...
My Mind Is Running Away With You
Let It Go
K, I have an early morning as well, but this was good and I like that cover songs idea.
G'Nite
;D
We'll start earlier next time. :)
Sweet dreams, everyone!
Apologies I missed the party last night.. Looks like ya'all had fun.. :D
Kewl.. :D
WOW... The more ya read about Hunter Biden the more ya have to wonder what ELSE is wrong with the dysfunctional Biden family..
OK.. So let me see if I have this straight...
Hunter Biden was married and then started doing Beau's widow..
Hunter divorced his wife, lived with Beau's widow, Hallie and then started doing Hallie's older sister... PLUS Hunter added a stripper to his harem and got the stripper pregnant..
So, Hunter was doing Beau's widow, Hallie, while Hunter was doing Hallie's older sister while ALSO doing a stripper..
Apparently, Hunter Biden puts the FUN in dysfunctional... :^/
And just think.. If all of this had come out BEFORE the election, if journalists actually did their JOBS and didn't run cover for Joe "Brandon" Biden....
Then Democrats would not be in the position of being totally decimated and relegated to Minority Party status for the next 2 decades...
Definitely makes a case for journalists to actually act like journalists and NOT political sycophants..
If ya'all want to read the FACTS regarding the upcoming Sussmann trial and see why the whole Russia Collusion Delusion con is going to blow up in Democrats faces....
Durham springs the trap on Hillary Clinton’s lawyer
Michael Sussmann could unravel the whole skein of Russiagate lies
https://spectatorworld.com/topic/durham-springs-the-trap-on-hillary-clintons-lawyer/
This is going to play out all summer long with the mid-term election campaigning.. :D
It's going to be soo much fun watching Democrats scramble and shimmy... :D
Also one needs to keep in mind, that these are not PROCESS CRIMES that Clintonistas are being charged with..
Unlike all the BS charges against President Trump officials, these are actual REAL crimes that were committed during the course of the Russia Collusion Delusion con...
Democrats are going to JAIL!! :D
And when the GOP takes the House, then even MORE investigations will be done!! :D
"It's gonna be big!"
-The Fates, HERCULES
:D
And speaking of the mid terms....
Democrats better hope that outer space aliens decide to land here on earth in the next few months..
Because nothing short of First Contact will save the Democrats from the uber nuclear biblical shellacking they are about to receive...
Courtesy of the American people... :D
I honestly can't believe that the Democrat Party, as a whole, supports teaching sexual activities and gender bending crap to kindergartners..
Disney is Out of Touch With Mainstream American Values
https://www.newsweek.com/disney-out-touch-mainstream-american-values-opinion-1699436
It's amazing that Disney and Democrats would choose THAT hill to die on..
But hay.. If Disney and Democrats want to die on THAT particular hill??
Far be it from me to stand in their way...
:^/
The Reason CNN Plus Failed Isn’t What You Think
CNN+ is a casualty of the network’s identity crisis, which is in and of itself a casualty of our national identity crisis.
https://thefederalist.com/2022/04/22/the-reason-cnn-failed-isnt-what-you-think/
The reason CNN failed is simple...
Patriotic Americans don't want to listen to Left Wing elitists spew how horrible and racist America is..
And, in the case of CNN+.... Patriotic Americans sure as hell aren't going to PAY to listen to or read that crap...
Looks like the Titter board is taking a second look at Elon's offer.. :D
Twitter re-examines Musk’s bid after Tesla CEO secures financing
Any deal on the matter is far from conclusive
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/twitter-re-examines-musks-bid-tesla-ceo-secures-financing
It's going to be GREAT to see President Trump back on Titter.. :D
And the Democrat reaction to that is going to be soo much fun!!! :D
awww carp... Well ya'all get the gist.. No need to repeat it.. :^/
BLM was quite probably the WORST THING that could have happened to the Democrat Party..
When Democrats fell all over themselves to kow-tow to the mercenary terrorists of the ONLY Black Lives Matter movement, they set in motion a chain of events that will culminate in the Uber Nuclear Biblical Shellacking of 2022...
Who could have POSSIBLY thought that DEFUND, DEMORALIZE, DEMONIZE THE POLICE would come back to bite Democrats on the arse??
Oh... Wait... :D
This comes from an email that I can't provide a link to..
But, considering all the LEO discussions of the past week or so, it's highly relevant..
Anyone who wants to read it in it's entirety, just let me know and I will make it available to anyone..
It's not rocket science that is needed to determine the cause of Seattle's demise...
It's easy to point to the culprit.. Three letters...
A 'B', an 'L' and an 'M'.. and all the associate baggage that support for BLM entailed..
Which party has the moral high ground?
Depends on which issue you are looking at..
In the case of LEOs, the Right definitely has the moral high ground..
In the case of teaching sexual activity and gender bending crap, the Right definitely has the moral high ground..
I am sure that the Dems have the moral high ground in SOME issue.. Gods know I can't think of one right now, but I am sure there is one or two..
That stands for Bullshit, Lies and Money.
Yes, that also fits Black Lives Matter perfectly.. Kudos
DH,
You DO realize that people can disagree with you in good faith, right??
The "issues" you mentioned are not issues.
In this reality, those are indeed, issues..
So, apparently, we have a fundamental difference in our views of reality..
It's like I am playing chess and you are playing fizzbin an imaginary game with imaginary rules...
As such, no agreement is possible..
You can disagree in good faith only if your are willing to make rational arguments instead of spewing the Bullshit Lies that Manipulate you.
The problem with that is you think that ALL the arguments made are bullshit arguments..
Hence, you do not believe that people of good faith can agree with you..
More to the point, you think ALL arguments are bullshit arguments solely on the basis of they disagree with you..
Which is ironic considering that everyone here, including me, agrees with you..
Big money interests IS a problem in our political system..
But it's not THE overriding problem..
And your solution is, to be kind, not well thought out..
Not factually accurate..
You made a claim with absolutely ZERO facts to back up that claim..
You are confusing claims with arguments..
It goes back to what I said before about specifics..
Once you offer specific arguments, I can offer specific reasons why you are wrong..
You guys should take this show on the road.
Seriously.
Big money is not THE overriding problem?
Why not?
Do you honestly believe that if you take big money out the equation, all of the sudden politicians would become honest and actually represent the people??
Based on what?
So please provide a rational argument on why One Demand and democracy can't work instead of just statements without any argument.
Such an argument is not possible because we have no common frame of reference..
You have tunnel-vision on big money... You think that if there is no big money influence, politicians will all of the sudden miraculously become honest and trustworthy..
You further refuse to accept REALITY that the issues I mentioned are REAL issues..
As such, no amount of rational argument will dissuade your fantasy..
Why I should I have to leave because of Michale's behavior?
I'm sorry, did I ask you to leave?
:-)
I didn't mean to.
Alrighty. I need a little clarification, Michale:
Just how do you REALLY feel about the Democrats? Do you think they'll be successful come November? You DO kind of hint at it...
And I see that you're taking a turn at trying to engage with Don Harris. Do you think you'll be successful by November?
[106]
Good thing this is a no politics zone 'cause I already got myself slapped around by the songwriter for trying to lizplain some Ukraine stuff. :)
Oh? Do tell.
DH
One Demand uses the basic principle of democracy that if politicians do not do what we want then we don't vote for them.
So please provide a rational argument on why One Demand and democracy can't work instead of just statements without any argument.
We have all been using “ the basic principle of democracy that if politicians do not do what we want then we don't vote for them” without One Demand already — every time we vote! If a politician doesn’t live up to my expectations, they lose my vote and I look for one that does deserve my vote. One Demand does not provide anything that we are not free to do already.
The problem is that, for you, the One Demand that you have for politicians to gain your vote is that they agree to be a small donation candidate only. You seem to believe that a candidate that agrees to be a small donations only candidate will be a great politician simply because they are willing to follow your wisdom. But for most people, we aren’t going to support a candidate simply because we agree with them on a single issue — we are not willing to ignore all of the other issues that your candidate’s politics differ from our own.
I have asked you multiple times why I should vote for a Neo-Nazi candidate who has agreed to sign up with One Demand; and you have said that you would not allow someone like that to be part of One Demand without explaining how you could not accept a candidate that has said they will meet your one demand… that would mean you have more than One Demand for candidates.
Furthermore, expecting people to only care about your One Demand is about as anti-democratic as you can get! You require everyone to agree to your One Demand and say that your way is the only way to fix our problems. But One Demand can only focus on donations given to a candidate’s election campaigns, which already has strict caps that limit the amount of money an individual can make donations. Big Money is not campaign donations…it is in the unlimited amounts of money that PACS and SuperPACs are able to accept without disclosing where the money comes from. Campaign donations won’t buy a politician these days; it just isn’t enough money.
One Demand does nothing to get BigMoney out of politics.
This is where you scream and cuss at me for talking about something that you claim you have answered and explained many times in the past… because you cannot
What Russ said!
Caddy,
Well, not too much to tell. Myles put his new song, For Ukraine, up on his website again the other day and I commented.
I said, 'Nice song'.
Then I went into a few paragraphs worth of my lizplaining the Ukraine war and ended with, 'I wish someone would write a song about all of that." (Heh)
Looking back on it now, it did sound a bit cheeky. But, I certainly didn't mean it that way. I was justp hoping to start a political back and forth with someone - there were a few other commenters there just saying how much they liked and appreciated the song.
But, no one replied ... except for Myles, who wrote, "if you know so much, write a song, nothing to it."
Humph. I thought.
But, then I replied to say I've tried to write a song but there is quite a lot to it and I can't do it...that's why I love and appreciate songwriters like yourself so much. I also added that I posted his song at the Canadian Classic Rock facebook page just minutes after he premiered it on YouTube about a month ago to help get the message out..I said I was still a fan!
No response.
But, his repsonse to me got quite a number of likes.
So, I deleted the comment.
And, we're back to being on facebook friendly terms, if not facebook friends, yet. :)
I can be overly sensitive, that way, I guess. :)
Yes. Taking big money out of the equation will make politicians more honest and trustworthy and actually represent the ordinary people.
How so??
Don,
How do you get people who aren't even engaged insofar as the critical issues of the day are concerned to support only small donor candidates?
I think you have to start smaller by first making voters understand exactly how big money can produce political and policy outcomes that do not work for ordinary people. And, that's no easy task, either.
On its face, OD may seem a logical and practical way to proceed - IF a majority of citizens agree to take part. And, there's the rub.
Getting big money out of politics was never going to be easy or quick, as you have said. But, these days, considering the devolving state of US politics at the ground level on up, I just don't see how it is even possible.
On
What about a politician who doesn't take ANY MONEY from ANYONE...
Is he (or she), all of the sudden a virtuous person of integrity who can do no wrong??
That's what I mean about Big Money not being the ONLY issue about candidates...
Suppose you have a candidate who doesn't take ANY money from ANYONE but wants to make marijuana use a capitol felony with execution being the only penalty...
You would vote for that person SOLELY because he doesn't take money from Big Money interests??
You see what I mean about tunnel-vision???
Big money is *A* problem in elections but it's by no means the ONLY problem..
I have put forth a way to fix the big money issue...
But such a solution has to be IMPOSED..
And even if it were successfully imposed it wouldn't guarantee that auto-magically, we would have nothing but quality integrity filled candidates..
We would still have human beings as candidates in all their flawed and imperfect glory...
Yes. Taking big money out of the equation will make politicians more honest and trustworthy and actually represent the ordinary people.
Probably not most of the current big money politicians, but the politicians that do not take big money that will become politicians to meet the demand not being filled by the current big money politicians.
This is based on human nature.
What motivates people to do things?
I’m pretty sure greed, desire for power, and narcissism can all serve as motivation to run for office. And you constantly overlook the part where you have NO candidates that are willing to be small donation only candidates. None. Zero. One Demand does not get Big Money out of politics because a $5000 campaign donation is not gonna buy a politician whose unofficial PAC is getting $500,000 from someone opposing the $5k donor’s views!
When politicians are motivated by keeping their big money donors happy so they can get big money to run their election or re-election campaign they will do things to make the big money donors happy.
When politicians are motivated by getting the votes of ordinary citizens they will do things to make those citizens happy.
Really? Running a campaign won’t get cheaper just because a candidate agrees to only accept small donations. Where they used to have a donor who gave $5000 but can only accept $200 from them to get your support, that candidate will have to find 24 new donors willing to give $200 to cover the difference. That means freshmen politicians that already spend on average 2 out of 5 week days focused solely on fundraising will have to put in up to 4 days out of a 5 day workweek focused on fundraising. You are making them work less for their constituents.
The Neo-Nazi dodge again?!?!?!
What I said it is unlikely such a candidate would get support from participants.
Maybe not from participants, but One Demand would be promoting them if they have met your stated criteria requirements as they currently stand, correct? How could you not?
One Demand is undemocratic?!?!?!?!?
I do not require anything.
Except that you require participants to sign a promise to only vote for small donation candidates. You also say we need to write in our own names if no small donation candidate exists. And while we are free to go back on what we promise you by signing your pledge, you are still going to use that promise claiming it is evidence of One Demand’s influence with voters.
And last I checked, One Demand is not recognized by the state of New Jersey as being a non-profit. So unless that has changed, your arguments aren’t just illogical…they are moot!
My advice, Don, is to start small.. Use One Demand in your local community for your local city/county elections..
If it takes off then you have a track record that you can point to to show small-money candidates CAN win and CAN make a positive difference..
MC,
And I see that you're taking a turn at trying to engage with Don Harris. Do you think you'll be successful by November?
Bout as successful as ya'all will be getting me to love Joe Biden.. :D
DH's problem is his tunnel-vision..
"Let's call it growing pains... The wrong execution of the right idea."
-MasterSgt Moreland, TAPS
Looks like Elon Musk's plan to make Twitter into Titter is nearly a done deal!! :D
Can't wait!! It's gonna be epic!!! :D
Looks like I'll be feasting on Left Wing tears for quite a while now!! :D
Reports of Elon Musk possibly purchasing Twitter prompts another left-wing eruption: 'RIP Twitter'
'Deal with the devil'
https://www.foxnews.com/media/elon-musk-purchasing-twitter-eruption
Love it!!! :D
Of course, everyone here is whole-heartedly behind Elon on his Free Speech stance...
Right??? :D
Do you know they actually make a LIBERAL TEARS Beer!!!??? :D
https://untappd.com/b/two-sons-brewing-liberal-tears/2570219
Who knew!!??? :D
Okay, now I'm confused.
Is OD an idea or an actual organization?
DH,
You ever notice how you lash out and attack people when they ask you simple and specific questions??
You're very defensive which indicates to me that you really have no answers..
Watch your gratuitous foul language, Don.
@liz,
It's both, but it's also neither. Pie is a much better choice for political activism. Anyone can bake a pie, anyone can eat a pie. it's fully legal, doesn't require registration or nonprofit status, tastes great, rarely if ever uses profanity, and is something nearly everyone likes.
These are all very specific questions, DH..
What about a politician who doesn't take ANY MONEY from ANYONE...
Is he (or she), all of the sudden a virtuous person of integrity who can do no wrong??
That's what I mean about Big Money not being the ONLY issue about candidates...
Suppose you have a candidate who doesn't take ANY money from ANYONE but wants to make marijuana use a capitol felony with execution being the only penalty...
You would vote for that person SOLELY because he doesn't take money from Big Money interests??
You see what I mean about tunnel-vision???
Big money is *A* problem in elections but it's by no means the ONLY problem..
I have put forth a way to fix the big money issue...
But such a solution has to be IMPOSED..
And even if it were successfully imposed it wouldn't guarantee that auto-magically, we would have nothing but quality integrity filled candidates..
We would still have human beings as candidates in all their flawed and imperfect glory...
Why are you so violently defensive about not answering any of them??
How can you expect people to answer YOUR questions when you won't answer any questions yourself??
Wait.. Don't tell me.. Let me guess..
You have already answered those questions, right??
:^/
Woot!!!!!
Titter is born!!! :D
Twitter accepts Musk's $44 billion deal
Musk, a self-described "free-speech absolutist", has been critical of the platform's approach to free speech
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/elon-musk-buys-twitter
Can't WAIT for President Trump to get back on Titter!!! :D
Left Wingers and Trump/America haters are gonna cry their eyes out!!!! :D
And for the Democrats...
Court grants temporary order blocking Biden administration from lifting Title 42 before May 23
The lawsuit was originally filed by Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona
https://www.foxnews.com/us/court-grants-temporary-order-blocking-biden-administration-from-lifting-title-42
THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMIN'!!! :D
One really has to wonder if the Democrat Party can survive all the hits and the bad news!! :D
[153]
MtnCaddy wrote:
Alrighty. I need a little clarification, Michale:
Just how do you REALLY feel about the Democrats? Do you think they'll be successful come November? You DO kind of hint at it...
And I see that you're taking a turn at trying to engage with Don Harris. Do you think you'll be successful by November?
Respectfully. Always and forever your voice your choice.
After POLITICO and the Guardian to see the headlines, lately I've read as much of your morning musings as I can stomach (considerably more thanks to your more use friendly posting techniques, Bruh.)
I think of it as checking the
morning news and spews :D
I guess I'm asking for a little more variety that's all.
And by all means please engage with DH. I hope we get somewhere... move the chains a little.
Well one can sure tell that I didn't read the latest comments.
I made one post Saturday, the phone rang, and I literally had to drop everything and return to Europe. I'm back in Texas so back to responding.
Hi, Russ!
Michale
12
But I do have to thank you for allowing me to use your BlockQuote example to make my comments more easy on the eyes and readable..
Allowing you to use my blockquote example? I don't recall allowing you to use it. Stop using it now! Just kidding.
It's HTML. You most likely ran across a post of me explaining to someone else like the time MtnCaddy showed us how to post in multiple links the same day I showed him the blockquote feature... the day Liz kept having her posts eaten by the filter because of the word "casino." Good times.
So, credit where credit is due.. Thank you soo much.. :D
Glad you ran across it and put it into practice, but this silliness about me allowing you to use it? Never happened. :)
Elizabeth Miller
EM, you were correct about Billie Eilish winning the Oscar for her Bond song... three in a row. You called it. :)
Michale
13
Once again, Disney thought they could force Florida leadership to roll over on command..
Incorrect. The bill was already approved when Disney spoke up after the fact and said they would oppose it. I believe they (rightly) figured it would be challenged in a court of law as a violation of the Constitution.
DeSantis retaliated against Disney for disagreeing with the law and for Disney merely exercising their right to free speech after the fact. The GOP refers to this as "cancel culture."
Disney CEO Chapek's wisdom is clear.. He wanted to stay out of politics and just concentrate on what Disney does...
You've come a long way since Hobby Lobby and Masterpiece Cakeshop:
You seemed "all in" when Hobby Lobby and the cake baker voiced their opposition to government rules and opined that they should be allowed to run their businesses the way "THEY see fit."
Do you think the Right is "hysterical" for retaliating against Disney for just having an opinion that goes against the State?
But Chapek was forced into this disastrous course of action by the whiney and bitchy VERY small minority of Disney employees who somehow.. someway... thinks that society owes them any deference...
Two things:
(1) No one was forced to do anything.
(2) "Society" notwithstanding, the Constitution of the United States definitely contains guarantees written into it regarding "equal protection."
Or risk being retaliated against for not agreeing with Herr DeSantis (R).
Party über alles. :)
Kick,
The song has kinda grown on me, over time ... :)
Joshua,
You don't have to sell me on the politics of pie ... I'm already there! Heh.
But, I bet if I tried, I could make an illegal one, somewhere. :)
Don[187,188, etc.],
SIGH.
I drop some pretty big F-bombs. Bigger than even you ever imagined. But, I do it in private and certainly not in a public space like this.
I wish you would try to be a little more considerate of this place and the people in it, at least with regard to the language you use.
Do you 'talk' like that in public?
Michale
14
Sic 'em, boy!!! :D
You're now cheering on a Governor for retaliating against a corporation, and this is still America.
Michale
18
Again, I want to thank Kick for showing me how to do the blockquotes..
This never happened; however, I did show MtnCaddy.
She was such a very nice person for showing me how..
I am a very nice person, but I never showed you how.
All my BlockQuotes from here on out are dedicated to Kick.. :D
Ridiculous nonsense.
Kick[202],
Was that really necessary?
If you are back in the comments sections just to stir things up, then ... well, I hope you think better of it.
Don Harris
28
Another outright fucking lie.
The "eff" bombs and outrage over Michale's nonsensical "we have moved beyond the desire for personal attacks" and "I don't relish returning to the old ways" claptrap wasn't the least bit unexpected. He's dressed up his personal insults using "ya'all" and "you people"... nothing new except better formatting.
When Nypoet makes the pie jokes that's a personal attack on me.
That doesn't qualify as a "personal attack." JL's "demand" for pie articles are no different than your repetitive demands. No offense, but I love the pie idea.
When Bashi and Mtn caddy post dodges instead of rational argument that's a personal attack on me.
No one has to like your stuff. If you're going to keep posting about it, they are entitled to give their opinion too. It's not a "personal attack" for someone to either ignore you or disagree with your repetitive stuff.
When you pretend over and over again that I did not provide the specifics that I did provide that is a personal attack.
Nope. Ridiculous.
Even though you are not using the words you are saying fuck you to me when you do that.
No one is required to care or even respond. No one. :)
Elizabeth Miller
204
Was that really necessary?
You've lost your mind (and the plot) if you seriously believe it's necessary to (attempt to) censor me for simply voicing my opinion regarding a post that name checks me repeatedly.
I believe it is "ridiculous nonsense" to dedicate every instance of a blockquote to me for which I have done nothing. Do you think Michale is such a delicate flower that someone cannot use the word "nonsense" regarding his statements that directly involve that person?
So, to recap: You're embarrassing yourself with the board mother routine and de facto inferring that Michale needs saving from big bad words like "ridiculous" and "nonsense." There's no reason to dedicate every blockquote to me for which I've done nothing!
Elizabeth Miller
205
If you are back in the comments sections just to stir things up, then ... well, I hope you think better of it.
Two things:
(1) Back? When I'm not posting, I'm still reading. I never left the comments sections.
(2) I am entitled to my opinion. If you think I've posted something that's so inflammatory it required that type of response from you, then buckle up.
So, to recap: You're out of line here.
I'm always out of line here. It's what I do, ya know.
Glad to have you back commenting in the comments sections. Ahem.
Kick[209],
Take It Easy.
:-)
Don,
I am simply returning the consideration that has been given to me.
No, you're not. If you were, you'd be using the bad words without using the bad words. Do you see what I did there? :)
Don Harris
208
Back in form, I see.
Again with the "back." I'm still me, I can still see, and I never left.
Well, you seem to agree that Michale was lying.
I can read and comprehend the written word, you know.
Nypoet's pie jokes are an attack on me making light of my efforts to get CW to address One Demand and is different than One Demand because it is a serious idea that I believe in instead of trying to dehumanize, marginalize and belittle another commenter.
He's not dehumanizing or marginalizing you by asking for pie articles. He's mirroring your demands with his own. If it's annoying for you to hear him prattle on about pie (yummmmm), then he's made his point.
Same with Mtn Caddy and Bashi. They are not offering opinions.
No one is required to offer you an opinion or write an article about your issue; that's the whole idea behind JL asking for the pie articles. He's actually being very nice about it.
In order to do that they would have to offer rational arguments instead of trolling, lying and dodges.
In point of fact, they don't have to offer anything. No one does. I can go weeks on end just reading posts without posting a single word in response because I'm not required to offer rational arguments one way or the other. No one is.
They certainly can choose to ignore me, but if they choose not to and use trolling, lying and dodges then I can certainly give my opinion on that.
Accusing them repeatedly of "trolling, lying, and dodging" isn't much of an opinion, but then you aren't required to give them an opinion any more than they are required to give you one. You know this. What you're not going to get is a different answer, though.
Of the two posters you have listed, Bashi and MtnCaddy, I read all their posts. Bashi has given you a plethora of responses that don't qualify as dodges or trolling, and MtnCaddy has tried numerous times with you and gave up. An opinion doesn't have to agree with yours to not qualify as trolling. I promise you that Bashi and MtnCaddy are never going to change their mind about "your idea" unless something about "your idea" changes. That goes double for CW (or any person's website, with the exception of your own.
Do you think one day that Michale is suddenly going to post something that magically turns you into a Trump supporter? Of course not. So you can at least understand the concept that no amount of your posts are going to change anyone's mind unless something changes about the "idea." If you're presenting the same thing and expecting a different response, that's never going to happen.
I feel you, though, brother Don. <--- My impression of MtnCaddy. :)
Elizabeth Miller
211
I'm always out of line here. It's what I do, ya know.
I'll not be a party to your censorship where it isn't warranted while you and certain others are free to post whatever you please. Been there; done that. Not happening with me.
Glad to have you back commenting in the comments sections. Ahem.
Funny way of showing it. I've posted nothing that required your censorship.
Take It Easy.
No. :)
You are confusing 'censorship' with common courtesy and a modicum of respect for fellow commenters here in Weigantia and you shouldn't do that.
Elizabeth Miller
216
You are confusing 'censorship' with common courtesy and a modicum of respect for fellow commenters here in Weigantia and you shouldn't do that.
You are confusing me with somebody who gets confused; I don't get confused. You are also halfway to Crazy Town if you feel you need to (attempt to) censor me (or any other poster) for having the opinion that it is "ridiculous nonsense" for Michale to dedicate all his blockquotes to me!
So, to recap:
(1)
Ridiculous nonsense!
(2) I am entitled to my opinion in (1) above.
(3) It is also ridiculous nonsense that anyone would confuse disagreement with a statement like that as disrespect.
(4) You're out of line here.
Don Harris
218
No. Nypoet's pie jokes are an attempt to dehumanize and marginalize me as they are comparing One Demand to a ridiculous thing to demand.
There is nothing ridiculous about pie. JL is neither comparing nor equating "your idea" with his/our pie. He is presenting his own idea and asking for equal representation above the comments section... no different than you are. If it bothers you that JL (and others) are demanding an article about his issue, then his point is made... even if you can't "see" it.
Yet he has never made a rational argument to back that up.
Come on, Don. He's asking for equal representation for pie. You have your demands, and he has his that are no different than yours.
It is not an opinion it is saying fuck you to me without using the words.
It is very Orwellian to claim that not saying something is the equivalent of meaning the thing that you're not saying, but I digress. If you really believe that him asking for pie articles is saying that, then you're missing his point.
He has not made any point because he has not made any rational argument- just a joke implying an unsubstantiated claim.
Failure on someone's part not to see JL's point is not the equivalent of him not making the point they're not seeing.
You are partially correct that pointing out the trolling, lying and dodging is not much of an opinion. It is in fact not an opinion at all.
I am correct. Not liking the opinion is not the equivalent of the opinion not being there. Making a claim like that is like confusing "disagreement" with "disrespect" in a similar manner Elizabeth Miller did with me a few comments back.
It is a fact borne out in the comments.
But comments are opinions... even if we don't like the opinions contained in the comments.
Nypoet is not being nice, he is pretending to be nice while being an asshole.
I disagree with your opinion.
Bashi and Mtn caddy have provided comments that do not qualify as trolling or dodges?
Yes.
BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!
You are confusing disagreement with disrespect. No one is required to agree with you in order to qualify as not "trolling" or not "dodging." Russ also makes a lot of great points when you ask; see [155] above where Russ nails it. Add to that the fact that you frequently bring up the point that 80% of Americans want "Big Money" out of our political system. What you fail to recognize is that those same 80% of people aren't at all likely to believe that it's their individual contributions that are the "Big Money." Your theory for fixing "Big Money" in politics is akin to someone claiming they could solve the massive pileup of traffic in New York City by limiting bicycles.
Mtn Caddy tried and gave up?
HILARIOUS!!!!!!
Not agreeing with your idea is not the equivalent of not having an opinion. He tried and gave up. He wasn't required to try, you know.
You just say anything whether it is true or not.
My opinions aren't required to agree with your ideas. I agree "Big Money" is a problem in politics. I don't agree with your definition of "Big Money," and I don't agree that limiting the contributions of individuals (already limited by statute) will solve the problem. The 80% of people who think big money in politics is a problem are not bloody likely to believe that their contributions are the big problem.
I don't care if any commenters here change their minds about One Demand.
Incorrect. CW is a commenter here, and he's going to have to change his mind in order to write about:
(1) Your idea
(2) Pie
(3) 1 and/or 2, above.
Most of you are just here to spew your drivel and cause trouble or just looking for confirmation of your delusions.
Nice bit of projection you've got there.
So while I pass time waiting for CW to man up as he does a have a responsibility to address One Demand that has been explained many times with no rational counter argument from anyone I will toy with you and the other children and expose your bullshit.
Good luck waiting for that unicorn and those pixies. If you believe that CW or anyone else on Earth has a responsibility to assist you in your hunt, that says more about you than anyone else. I will be nice and give you some hints:
(1) Follow the rainbow farts.
(2) Locate the meadow with the frolicking imps. :)
If all of the tedious comments around here were miraculously removed - in a blatant act of censorship, I might add, facetiously - there wouldn't be any more than 50 of them under each wonderful headlining piece, perhaps more on the Friday columns IF we were somehow able to attract a higher number of music lovers around here. Ahem.
One man's "tedious comments" are another man's golden nuggets of wisdom.
If you're a self-appointed Warden :D determined to find fault, you're likely to find it where it does exist or invent it where it doesn't. :)
No, Kick ... tedious is tedious and this place is overrun by it.
And, to be clear and for the record, by 'this place' I mean the comments sections.
And, for that reason alone, your presence here is not welcome.
[227] was in direct response to the last paragraph of Don's [226].
Don Harris
231
*
The wait better be worth it "this time"?
You've tacitly admitted that CW has already weighed in, and you are now free to stop claiming that he hasn't.
^^^^^ EDIT ^^^^^
Don Harris
230