First Draft

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Palin and Pals edition

Ok, everyone - I know you're all expecting me to wade into the Bailin' Palin thing, but it's been pretty well trampled flat at many blogs.  Let's suit up, and I'll see what's left over.

Palin to make announcement from Wasilla at 3 [will not seek re-election]
Politico ^ | July 3, 2009 | Ben Smith

Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 1:40:27 PM by Al B.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will make what her office is only calling an "announcement" at 11 AM local (3 Eastern) from her home in Wasilla.

Speculation is raging both in Alaska and in the Lower 48 that she'll reveal her plans regarding next year's gubernatorial race.

So much for today being a slow news day.

To: Al B.

On a Friday just before a long holiday weekend. Seems like kind of a strange time.

6 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 1:49:33 PM by bereanway (Sarah get your gun)

To: Al B.

I want to see the reaction on MSNBC if the Cuda says she is running for Senate...

8 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 1:54:30 PM by lewisglad

And I want to see the reaction on Free Republic if "The Cuda" folds like a rookie over her head in a game of Texas Hold-em that has suddenly gotten way too rich for her blood.

To: Liberty Valance

Perfect timing for all those tea parties tomorrow. If she’s not going for re-election as governor to free her up for a presidential run, that will surely get the buzz going.

12 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:01:00 PM by aphid

Oh, it was definitely perfect timing for all those tea parties tomorrow.
Heh. Misery loves company.

To: trumandogz

CNN is reporting as breaking news that she is not running for re-election as gov.

Let the races begin!!!

13 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:03:08 PM by penelopesire ("The only CHANGE you will get with the Democrats is the CHANGE left in your pocket")

On your marks......get set.............waitaminnit!!!!!!

To: Al B.

I sure hope she isn’t caving to the attacks from the scurvy sewer-dwelling left.

7 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 1:51:07 PM by clintonh8r (General James Mattoon Scott: Where are you now that we need you?!)

To: clintonh8r

It would be very discouraging if she caved in the the bullies.

Do not believe that the words "caved in" are in her vocabulary.

71 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:25:39 PM by Irish Eyes

You also believe in the Easter Bunny, don't you?

And then - the first tongue of flame licks through the floorboards:

To: calex59

Apparently, ktva in AK reporting she will be resigning as Governor in a matter of weeks.

76 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:27:21 PM by Al B.

To: rhombus

resigning???

78 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:28:21 PM by corkoman

To: Al B.

Resigning is NOT a good idea, IMHO. Need to complete the term she was elected to.

83 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:29:41 PM by Lucius Cornelius Sulla ("men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." -- Edmund Burke)

To: LA Woman3

Wow, I didn’t see that coming.

87 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:30:57 PM by dfwgator

To tell the truth, Republicans haven't seen much coming just lately.
They keep looking the wrong way down the road for the bus, right until the time it hits them from the direction they're not facing.

To: LA Woman3

Well, that makes it seem as if she is getting out of politics altogether and that the old bats in Alaska ran her out with all the ethics complaints. If she plans on running for Potus she is making a mistake in resigning, of course I think she knows that.

92 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:32:12 PM by calex59

To: lewisglad

OK, I need to close the office door for a minute....

94 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:32:44 PM by clintonh8r (General James Mattoon Scott: Where are you now that we need you?!)

....so no one will hear my inconsolable sobbing......

To: LA Woman3

Fox now reporting she is transferring power to the Lt. Gov. .... based on a local Alaska affiliate’s report.

102 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:35:30 PM by Right_in_Virginia

WTF?

103 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:36:10 PM by tiredoflaundry (I will not be silenced.)

To: tiredoflaundry

She’s resigning at the end of the month.

105 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:37:31 PM by Right_in_Virginia

To: Right_in_Virginia

If this is true, she’s done.

106 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:38:33 PM by publana (Sick and tired of being sick and tired and it's still the first year of Dear leader's reign.)

To: calex59

I said it after Sanford’s weird implosion and I’ll say it again now - I sense some are seeing the writing on the wall and choosing to “Go Galt.” I’m even more convinced now. And now I’m even more in fear for my country.

134 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:54:51 PM by ponygirl ("Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.")

To: StarFan

However the fact she's leaving her post prematurely will only give the left more fodder to use against her -- disregarding the fact that she's leaving a successful admin. thanks to her efforts.

Yeah, not good. Zelig said the DNC already made some statement criticizing Palin for "leaving the Alaskan people high and dry". Here we go...

I don't understand why she couldn't just stay the one more year left in her term...

183 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 4:52:28 PM by nutmeg (Sarah and Todd Palin and the Deadliest Catch captains should run this country)

To: SpaceBar

OMG...this is awful.

51 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:28:09 PM by spectre (Spectre's wife ) (Who will lead us?)

To: STARWISE

Reisigning?

Stick a fork in her.

It was fun while it lasted Sarah.

63 posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 2:30:21 PM by Taking Congress back in 2010

Oh, it's still a lot of fun - just not for you.
More rending of rainments after the

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Murkowski vs. Palin SMACKDOWN!

"I am deeply disappointed that the Governor has decided to abandon the State and her constituents before her term has concluded," Murkowski wrote.

Well, and really. Four years is not that long to be in a job that, let's face it, is quite taxing but is also not that much harder than, say, digging ditches or teaching sixth grade. Having David Letterman say mean things about your children sucks, but also ... sticks and stones. Nobody was asking Sarah Palin to walk point in Fallujah, for chrissakes.

A.

So Sarah Palin Quit Today

You may have noticed from the general sense of mourning and misery around the liberal blogosphere.



You know why she quit on a Friday evening before a holiday weekend? Because she hates us. You, me, Wolf Blitzer, all political reporters, all the people who bring the political reporters coffee, the guys who fix the lights on the sets the political reporters sit on, she hates us all. I have a book I'm trying to read, another book I'm trying to write, and most of all some major relaxation to do in preparation for a day of drinking on the morrow to celebrate the birth of Baby American Jesus or something. The Fourth of July is like a citywide Crackhead Holiday where I am and my neighbors have been setting off fireworks for days. By the end of the night tomorrow someone will light a recliner on fire in the alley, so you can see why I needed a little quiet time tonight to prepare myself. Instead, it's All Sarah, All the Time, with a number of wacky theories being advanced that make no damn sense at all and unconfirmed whatevers being blathered on cable news and joyous .gifs being posted all over the place.

Because I was at work when St. Sarah ascended into heaven, I had to rely on the videos Scout and Doc kindly posted below, but eventually the sound of Palin's voice did what it always does to me and I started looking for a) things to throw and b) a transcript. Thank you, TPM. I've culled here some of the things that made me spit my pinot grigio across the table:

Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly TO you, the people I serve, as your Governor.

---

We're strategic IN the world as the air crossroads OF the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent.

---

This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, AND oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.

---

We broke ground on the new prison.

---

We are doing well! I wish you'd hear MORE from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - SPECIAL interests that would stymie our state.

---

And I'm doing that - keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities - smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it's time to pass the ball - for victory.

---

Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we ALL could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities RIGHT - that time is precious... the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer.

---

I've explained why... though I think of the saying on my parents' refrigerator that says "Don't explain: your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway."

---

Remember Alaska... America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It'll be good.

I'm sorry, but what the fuck was that? I know she traffics in cutesy and I know she's a bubblehead but REALLY? "It'll be good" is what I say to my parents when I'm diving them somewhere and we get lost but I'm still vaguely aware of where we are. It's not what you say to your state when you're basically saying, "bored now, see you assholes later." I've quit jobs that I HATED with more sincere regret.

I have several reactions to this news: Boy, the GOP's implosion keeps getting better. Boy, Tommy's job on Monday is going to be fun. Boy, I hope any one of the seven theories about various scandals is true. Boy, I hope nobody in her family really is sick or something because that would make all this tasty schadenfreude turn to ashes in my mouth. Boy, can she never, ever run for president at all now so it's Jindal or bust. Boy, I wish I had gone back in time and gone to Vegas and put money on this spectacularly gooey kablooie because I'd be sitting on a pile of gold right now that would make Scrooge McDuck faint with jealousy.

Mostly, though, I hope we keep having Sarah Palin to kick around. Every time I think she's getting boring and passé, she does something like this, and it's like Christmas morning, even on Independence Day eve.



A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Odds and Ends edition

Good morning, everyone!
Every so often I get a bit behind on the FR threads, sometimes skipping over ones I saved previously,  for ones more relevant/entertaining/thematic.
This leaves a few behind which deserve your attention, so periodically I'm going to whip them up into a flatulent fondue and serve them up. If the threads appear dated, that's why.

First up is a rank remnant of the Et Tu threads from last week's Obsession:
Freepers luvs them some Olive Garden !!‏

Olive Garden pulls Letterman ads
Politico ^ | 06/18/09 | ANDY BARR
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:23:58 PM by BCrago66
Following a week of back and forth between CBS late night comic David Letterman and Sarah Palin over a crude joke he told about the Alaska Republican governor’s daughter, the Olive Garden restaurant says it is cancelling all of its scheduled ads on Letterman’s “Late Show” for the rest of the year.

Now previously, Freepers  always derided boycotts as ineffective. Not to mention embarrassing to the boycottor because it makes them look desperate, and also makes them look stupid when nothing happens except a collective yawn from the boycotee.

Well, they've been pretty much oblivious to their own hypocrisy so far, so why change now?

Excellent. To my knowledge, this is the first TV sponsor to pull its ads from the Letterman show (Embassy Suites pulled its web ads from CBS.com, which is much smaller money.) And this is a big one, too.

1 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:23:59 PM by BCrago66

To: BCrago66

Keep the heat on.

2 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:25:42 PM by ExTexasRedhead

To: BCrago66

First the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl, now this. I love Olive Garden!

6 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:27:57 PM by irishjuggler

To: BCrago66

Olive Garden’s breadsticks and salad are great. will have to eat there.

8 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:29:00 PM by rwfromkansas

To: rwfromkansas

Olive Garden will now experience an uptick of customers, even in a recession. There’s a lot more of us than there are of them.

15 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:31:58 PM by BCrago66

Obviously, BCrago66 has already forgotten the last two elections.

I think they really want to believe that rather than being just a fringe subset of the 27% dead-enders, they are the majority in this country. 
You see it all the time in the " I don't trust polls (unless they're good for the GOP) "  shtick that they endlessly flog.
Oh well - back to the celebration!

To: BCrago66

We may have to make a run to the Olive Garden this weekend.

24 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:32:53 PM by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")

To: BCrago66

Cant wait to go to Olive Garden!

25 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:32:56 PM by Ann Archy

And then.......the exploding cigar:

Olive Garden disputes report that ads were pulled from Letterman
Christian Science Monitor ^ | 06.18.09 | Jimmy Orr
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:07:52 PM by curth
A spokesman for the Olive Garden disputed a report from Politicothat the restaurant chain pulled its advertising from the David Letterman show due to jokes about Sarah Palin’s daughter.
“Information reported today by Andy Barr of Politico regarding Olive Garden’s advertising on the Late Show with David Letterman was erroneous. No authorized spokesperson for the company confirmed the information in his report,” said Olive Garden spokesman Rich Jeffers in an email to The Vote.
“The Olive Garden media schedule is planned months in advance. The schedule for the Late Show with David Letterman was completed earlier this month. We take all guest concerns seriously. And, as always, we will factor those concerns in as we plan our advertising schedule in the future,” he continued.

To: curth

Oh, oh. Cancel the proposed dinner at Olive Garden.

2 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:10:31 PM by Tax Government

To: curth

Olive Garden sucks anyway...No “Italian” would be caught dead in there! Their food is NASTY..

3 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:12:48 PM by mikelets456

To: curth

Damn...and I sent them a nice email!

4 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:13:13 PM by Czar ((Still Fed Up to the Teeth with Washington))

To: curth

The food SUCKS at the Olive Garden bigtime. There is simply no reason to go there, commercial or not.

11 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:23:48 PM by BunnySlippers (I LOVE BULL MARKETS . . .)

To: Abbeville Conservative; sleepwalker; Roses0508; feedback doctor; LibLieSlayer; ...

Dump Olive Garden.

I’m not interested in their chicken game anymore. They can cater to the leftists and pervs.

12 posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:27:34 PM by SolidWood (Down with the islamic regime! Freedom for Iran!)

To: Czar

I did too....
aw,man!! ...BETRAYED!
It's really good food, but...I can't deal with that nonsense. (tearfully waves goodbye to cheesecake)

44 posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 9:32:34 AM by gimme1ibertee (For the sake of our Republic....RAISE HOLY HELL!)

I eat your cheesecake!  I...EAT....IT....UP!!!!!

More brain-dead blatherings from the Freeperati after the jump, so let's.....
JUMP!

JUMP!!!

hmmm..

I said, JUMP!!!!!

All the Married Ladies

Is it wrong of me to be mildly bored that the whole Sanford story wound up being that he had sex with a consenting adult lady not his wife, presumably while neither of them was wearing any of the following: wet suit, duck costume, diapers, skin of recently killed grizzly bear, etc? I mean it, Republicans have set the bar pretty high lately and I'm kind of ... yawn ... disappointed he didn't reach for the stars.

The rest of the story is pure gold, of course, right down to the crazy way his wife and staff acted, telling the press all kinds of conflicting shit so that for sure, for SURE, this would have to come out. It's so perfectly passive-aggressively AWESOME: "I have no idea where my husband, who I found out five months ago was having an affair with an Argentinian woman, is right now. NO IDEA. Don't look for him, or for God's sake ask any questions of any kind. Really. By the way, here's the airport he might be flying into."

But the acts themselves? Feh. No furries, no underage boys in chat rooms, no hookers, no references to practices I have to look up to be able to assure you delicate readers that you don't want to Google them, no secret closeted behavior, no alpacas. Just your typical hypocritical Republican dumbass, tripping over his own dick. I'm worried they're becoming tired, and just can't bring themselves to make it interesting for us anymore.

A.

Hunger is a Lesson

So old post is old, but: Cynthia Davis, ladies and gentlemen. Those of you who like that sort of thing can take special note of the crucifix around her neck. I wonder if she wears it in tribute to the Roman system of capital punishment. Efficient, crucifixion was. Talk about a deterrent. One might even call it a motivator:

Who’s buying dinner? Who is getting paid to serve the meal? Churches and other non-profits can do this at no cost to the taxpayer if it is warranted. [...] Bigger governmental programs take away our connectedness to the human family, our brotherhood and our need for one another. [...] Anyone under 18 can be eligible? Can’t they get a job during the summer by the time they are 16? Hunger can be a positive motivator. What is wrong with the idea of getting a job so you can get better meals? Tip: If you work for McDonald’s, they will feed you for free during your break. [...] It really is all about increasing government spending, which means an increase in taxes for us to buy more free lunches and breakfasts.

What a prize she is. Commenters for the win:

Yeah, what the hell was wrong with that dumb hippie Jesus, turning a few loaves of bread and a couple fishes in to enough to feed thousands? Didn't he know that hunger is a good motivator and character builder? What a dirty commie scumbag!

You know, absolutely no one waxes philosophic about the benefits of hunger unless he's presently in front of a full dinner plate. Catastrophically shitty things are only useful lessons later, when you have to make yourself laugh or look wise about stuff because otherwise it's too awful to contemplate. Later, when the crisis is over, it's all, "This was good for me," as you're picking up the pieces. If it wasn't good for you, if it wasn't a learning experience, it would just be you, busted and broken by bad fortune for no reason at all. We have to believe there's a purpose in what happens to us, in that it gets us to the next thing, but let's not for a moment pretend that makes it feel better at the time.

I wonder if anybody will offer to introduce Cynthia Davis to some of these children. Maybe then she can tell them to their faces about how their hunger should be used for capitalist inspiration. Is there anything on this planet more infuriating and tiresome than somebody else telling you, with a sickly smile and a pat on the head, what kind of lessons your personal apocalypse should be teaching you?

A.

Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark...

I've been following the drama that is Mark Sanford since the story of his disappearance broke.  And like a David Lynch film, no matter how I look at it, it comes out weird.

Imagine, if you will, somebody you know leaving his job, going off without telling his wife where he were going, turning off his cell phone, and remaining out of touch for four days.  Wouldn't that raise some eyebrows?  You'd have people worried, your employer would be at least annoyed, you might even have people contacting the police.

But a fracking GOVERNOR doing that?  Colorado Matters, a local show on our NPR affiliate, did a story about our Governor Ritter (audio link), and how demanding his job is.  He talked about 18 hour days, pretty much every day of the week.  It's not a job you can just bail from for four days.  It's certainly not one you can bail from and not have people notice.

I don't generally like to judge spouses, especially not knowing all the details, but Jenny Sanford's statement was equally weird.  If my husband were gone for four days and I didn't know where he was, I would freak the hell out.

And the last time I checked, the Appalachian Trail doesn't run through Atlanta.

If I were a loony Red Stater, I'd be positing wild conspiracy theories about Democrat cabals taking out Republican presidential contenders before they can get going.  First John Ensign (about the only thing he didn't do was dare reporters to follow him, telling them they'd be bored), now Sanford.  But I'm not a Red Stater, and I firmly believe that Republican presidential contenders are perfectly capable of imploding all by themselves.

At a minimum, this was a situation that could have been handled far, far better by his staff.  Honestly, I think the only way they could have botched this further is if his spokesperson came out and said the governor had pulled a Kung Fu.

UPDATE:  Josh Marshall says Sanford's press folks did good yesterday.  I beg to differ.  This wasn't a case of good spin by Sanford's people.  It's a case of piss-poor reporting (plus a major disaster story taking over the news cycle).  Dudes, the story isn't that Sanford has been found.  It's WHY THE HELL WAS HE EVER MISSING?

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Turncoats and Traitors edition

Hi gang - before we suit up and crack the airlock door, I have to advise you that Levi "Hockey" Johnson (or an amazing facsimile) now has his own column at Something Awful.  They're doing a pretty good job of channeling the Swain Of Wasilla, I think.  Take a look, if you dare.

All right! I've asked Doc to bring some extra blowers online, as this week's Obsession features Freepers getting the Dolchstosslegende treatment from people they once fawned over and rolled over for in the vain hope of getting their collective bellies scratched.

First up - I’ll give 8 to 5 on the muzzies!

A gunman entered the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and opened fire, according to reports.
bartlesvillelive.com ^ | 6/10/09
Posted on 06/10/2009 10:33:58 AM PDT by KeyLargo
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A gunman entered the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and opened fire, according to reports.
Fox News and CNN are reporting a man walked into the museum and shot at a security guard.
A second security guard returned fire on the gunman.
Fox News is reporting a law enforcement official as saying two people have been shot.

Freepers are, of course, well-known for their insightful analysis and powers of deduction:

To: KeyLargo

Religion of peace?

2 posted on 06/10/2009 10:34:44 AM PDT by Da Coyote

To: Da Coyote

I’ll give 8 to 5 on the muzzies.

3 posted on 06/10/2009 10:35:30 AM PDT by domenad (In all things, in all ways, at all times, let honor guide me.)

To: KeyLargo

I bet Muslim.
How long before he gets pardoned?

4 posted on 06/10/2009 10:35:59 AM PDT by GeronL

To: KeyLargo

The longer it takes for them to give a description of the perp, the more likely a muzzie.

7 posted on 06/10/2009 10:36:55 AM PDT by b4its2late (I love defenseless animals, especially in a good gravy.)

To: b4its2late

I suspect that if the shooter was a middle-aged white guy, this information would have been provided in the very first press report on incident.

20 posted on 06/10/2009 10:45:23 AM PDT by Zeddicus

 And then....Jew-hating "muzzie" turns out to be bitter white guy!!!!‏

Police: At least 2 shot inside Holocaust Museum
AP ^ | 6/10/2009
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:24:47 PM by TomOnTheRun
Authorities say at least two people have been shot at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. ---
Update: Tapper & MSNBC are reporting that name of susupect is James Von Brunn, a white supremacist, born 1920.

Cue the furious backpedaling!

To: TomOnTheRun

Seems awfully early to be releasing a suspect’s name.

2 posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:26:03 PM by theDentist (qwerty ergo typo : i type, therefore i misspelll)

To: TomOnTheRun

“James Von Brunn, a white supremacist”
Wow, they sure are fast with a name and motive when its not a Muslim killing American.

4 posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:26:14 PM by icwhatudo (For every clinic bombed or burned, 17 to 18 churches are burned down. MSM? MSM?)

Almost as fast as Freepers moved in that last thread, no?

To: TomOnTheRun

thought for sure it’d be a Muslim.

9 posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:27:00 PM by GeronL

Hey - maybe he'll convert in prison?

To: TomOnTheRun

oh crap. why don’t these old Democrat white supremacists (like the Democrats who tried to keep Conservative Republican James Meredith out of Ole Miss, or murdered those three civil rights workers near Meridian) just go away?

12 posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:27:38 PM by MuttTheHoople

Um - they did go away.  And good riddance.

To: TomOnTheRun

WOW my apologizes. I thought it was a Muslin for sure..An 89 year old man, wow I didn’t see that one coming

20 posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:30:19 PM by Sarah Barracuda

What a concidence - neither did the guard he killed.

Well, let's leave the Freeperati to start blaming shooting up places on Dems rather than crazy bitter old white anti-goverment people with guns - there's a plethora of perfidy after the

Your Goal

Grassley becomes a bigger asshole every single day:

Iowa Republican Senator Charles Grassley said on CNN that the Senate Finance Committee is “dialing down some of our expectations” of the legislation in response to an estimate by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that earlier options under consideration would cost $1.6 trillion.

“Our goal is affordability,” said Grassley, who is the top-ranked Republican on the finance panel.

Well fuck shit goddamn, our goal is to not have more people essentially assasinated by economics, how about that, Chuckles? Our goal is not to make the program the cheapest possible half a loaf it can be so it sucks enough for you to declare that national health care is a failure and can't work. Our goal is to actually try to help people, you know, and if that costs a couple trillion dollars, so did your party's war, so don't come crying poverty to me.

Your goal is affordability. Yeah. It would be.

A.

Because Obama's 63 Percent Approval Needed a Boost

The former president has decided to open his yap and remind us all how grateful we are that he's no longer in charge.

A.

Bob Dole Put His Ambitions Above People's Lives

Which proves that Bob Dole is now worth listening to. No, really. David Broder, ladies and lolcats:

When I did an interview with the two of them this week, Dole remarked that "we started out working together, and then it fell apart" -- the victim of a massive lobbying campaign, a bunch of tactical errors by the president and first lady, and Dole's presidential ambitions, which moved him into the camp of the Republican naysayers.

Now Daschle and Dole, along with another former Republican leader, Howard Baker, have come together with a report outlining the provisions of a possible bipartisan health bill and strong recommendations on how to pass it. (The fourth original member of this Bipartisan Policy Center board, former Senate Democratic leader George Mitchell, dropped out to become President Obama's special envoy to the Middle East.)

In a phone conversation the day before their report was released, Daschle and Dole agreed that prospects for enactment of major reform are far better now than in 1994 -- and better than they would have been even two years ago. "The situation is far more dire on costs and quality and access to care," Daschle said. Added Dole: "You have business, labor and a whole cross section of people saying, 'We have to have reform.' "

So basically, Bob Dole could have helped stop the massive flood of stupid that drowned health care reform in 1994, which would have given us 15 years of decent care in this country and saved countless lives, but because he wanted to be preznit, he said fuck it and chose to yowl about Hillarycare on the Sunday shows. And to Broder, this is proof not that he should be put in the public stocks but that he should be courted once again, lest we miss out on giving Bob Dole the chance to fuck us over twice in two decades.

Yay?

Acknowledging that there is little chance for bipartisanship in the House, Dole urged Senate Republicans to give up any thought of filibustering the health bill. "We need a group of Republicans who will give an early demonstration that bipartisanship is possible," he said.

Daschle, in turn, said he thinks the Democrats should not attempt to ram a health bill through the Senate by using the budget reconciliation device to pass it with 51 votes, rather than the 60 votes most legislation requires.

Democrats should pledge to pass the bill with votes they don't have, and Republicans should pledge not to filibuster it, which they wouldn't need to do. Got that? Okay, just making sure.

It is significant that the Daschle-Dole plan sidesteps the raging controversy over whether there should be a government-sponsored plan to compete with private insurers.

It's totally significant that their plan does nothing to actually change things, yes. How cool is that? It's a plan we can all agree on, and that's what's really important! So more sick people will die, so what? The dinner party guest list can remain undisturbed!

This man is sick in the head.

It was damned hard for Dole and Daschle, neither of whom faces the voters or the lobbyists, to agree.

The HELL?

It was damned hard for me to eat this giant Snickers bar, given that it has no calories, chocolate magically doesn't make me break out into teenage acne anymore, and it gives me all the nutrients I need for my daily life! It was damned hard to do that.

It will be much harder to extract a bipartisan bill from Congress.

Probably. But to extract a bill that reforms health care? Not that hard when you have the votes.

A.

Ross Douthat

U. S. President Barack Obama is a liberal extremist in the same way psycho TV personalities Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly are conservative extremists. But his liberalism is okay, because it's about helping people, and Beck and O'Reilly's luancy is okay, because nobody major's gotten shot yet!

No, really:

But nothing of the sort is happening. Barack Obama is pushing the United States leftward, but his wish list — universal health care, a green industrial policy — has been pinned to the Democratic National Committee’s bulletin board since the 1970s. Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly do not, in fact, command an army of gun-toting vigilantes, the crimes of a few lunatics notwithstanding.

Newspapers. With rigorous standards of editing and fact-checking and a lack of opininating not based in reality!

A.

"And I Can Act Like An Imbecile..."

 Okay, so the other day, this story was on Kos:

Steele told the audience that "no one knows what the hell it means" when the GOP refers to itself as a "big tent." So he offered another analogy: The GOP is a hat. Some people wear a hat frontwards, others cocked to the left, he explained. Some wear it backwards, he added, echoing a past statement, "because that’s how they roll." But "the strength of the party is in this: ... the fact that you’re willing to put the damn thing on... The problem we’ve had as a party is: too many of our friends, neighbors, colleagues are taking the hat off, because we’ve decided we don’t like the way they wear it... The GOP is not about how you wear the hat, but the fact that you want to wear the hat."

I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes from a classic show, Designing Women. I spent the weekend trying to find the clip on YouTube, to no avail, so you'll have to settle for just the quote:

"I believe that you will find as years go by, and you get older and wiser, traversing life's little ups and downs, that underwear probably really doesn't make all that good of a hat."

--Julia Sugarbaker (my emphasis)

Michael Steele:  The gift that keeps on giving.

For those who need the title fix.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Republicans Eating Their Own edition

Good Monday morning everyone - we've get an assload of Freeper insanity to get to, so everyone suit up and follow me. And no smoking in your iso suits, please - if freaks me out a little when we're in there to turn around and see no face in the helmet behind me.  Yeesh!

First up - How can we miss you if you don't go away??

Gingrich Calls For Inclusive GOP ["I am also happy that Colin Powell is a Republican"]
AP / CBS ^ | 2009-06-09
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:46:32 AM by rabscuttle385
Former House Speaker And Potential 2012 GOP Candidate Rallies Party Loyalists At Fundraiser In Washington.

(AP) Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Monday urged some 2,000 Republican party loyalists to stand up for GOP principles but to be inclusive as the party tries to retake the majority.

“I am happy that Dick Cheney is a Republican,” Gingrich said at the annual Senate-House fundraising dinner. “I am also happy that Colin Powell is a Republican.”

Cheney, the former vice president under President George W. Bush, and Powell, who was Bush's secretary of state, have feuded recently over the approach of the party, with Powell calling for more moderation and Cheney arguing against that.

“A majority Republican party will have lots of debates within the party,” Gingrich, the former Georgia congressman, said. “That is the nature of majority parties.”

Standing in as the party's de facto leader, Gingrich was filling a speaking role that Bush held in recent years and that was initially offered to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican nominee for vice president, this year. He headlined a series of speakers who gave the crowd a blistering review of President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill.

Despite the rallying cry, the GOP faithful still weren't opening their wallets as they have in recent past. The event took in a relatively small fundraising haul of $14.5 million, the lowest total in at least five years. Last year, it raised $21.5 million, compared with $15.4 million in 2007 and $27 million in 2006.

To: All

Screw you, Newt.

2 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:47:16 AM by rabscuttle385 ("If this be treason, then make the most of it!" —Patrick Henry)

To: rabscuttle385

Successful parties look for potential converts, unsuccessful parties try to root out heretics.

3 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:47:46 AM by babble-on

To: babble-on

And REALLY stupid parties root out their base.

9 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:48:55 AM by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)

To: rabscuttle385

Newt lost me when he embraced global warming.

4 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:48:12 AM by Ikemeister

To: rabscuttle385

“I am also happy that Colin Powell is a Republican.”
Colin Powell will be a Republican when Barack Obama is a honky.

23 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:56:22 AM by Niteranger68 (Have you punished an 0bama supporter today?)

To: Niteranger68

He’s “Halfonky”...

24 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:56:48 AM by MrB (Go Galt now, save Bowman for later)

(a little later on, we have Freepers whining about people calling them racists - stay tuned!)

To: rabscuttle385

Newt, on this issue you have it WRONG
MOST american are clueless what it really means to be democraps. All they see are EVIL republicans in every TV show, movie, and newscast (except FOx)
So they think we are Evil.

You forgot "incompetent".

If MOST american sheeple knew they truth they would NOT be democraps. I was a democrap for years only because my parents were kennedy democrats.
Then I grew up and made a CHOICE to be Republican

13 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:50:34 AM by Mr. K (physically unabel to proofreed (<---oops))

I'm sure your parents are so very proud of how you turned out.
In spite of all their efforts to make you inclusive, respectful of others, and giving, you became tribal, venal, hackneyed, and greedy.

To: rabscuttle385

Every time this man speaks he does damage to conservatism and the republican party in general. I watched his remarks at that love-fest and was embarrassed that he’s affiliated with the republican party.
I wish Voight (sp) would’ve ended the meeting by calling out the RINOs that visited the stage, reminding them that constitutionally bound government doesn’t do 90% of what Newt was calling for.

18 posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:53:47 AM by TheZMan ("I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.")

I can beat that - I wish Powell had been there and Voight (sp) had called him out.
Can you imagine it? A pudgy old white actor calling out a greying black warrior/veteran?
I can - there wouldn't have been enough of the Midnight Cowboy left to butter your toast with.

Well, more after the jump, chillens.....
Jumping in five...four...two..(Three, sir!!)....three...two....one...

Doug Feith Says Barack Obama Doesn't Get the Middle East

Let me repeat that.

DOUG FEITH says BARACK OBAMA doesn't get the Middle East:

But if the president actually does understand the problems of Islam and the West, he would not have said some of the things in his speech. He would not have suggested that the Arab-Israeli conflict is fundamentally about Israeli West Bank settlements or about Israel's denial of the Palestinians' "legitimate aspirations" for a state of their own in the West Bank and Gaza. The notion that Arab objections to the Jewish state are focused narrowly on the territories the Arabs lost to Israel in 1967 is ahistorical in a way that should be obvious: The conflict predated the 1967 war, or there would not have been a 1967 war, let alone the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49.

[snip]

As for Iran, if Mr. Obama understood the regime's hostility to the United States, his Cairo speech would not have suggested the antagonism derives from the Eisenhower administration's role in the 1953 coup in Iran. That country's theocratic current rulers hardly mourn the overthrown leftist modernizer Mohammed Mosaddegh.

The Iranian regime clerics believe the most basic ideas and institutions of the democratic West - including popular sovereignty, women's rights and the separation of religion and state - insult God's law and God's sovereignty. To assume that the differences between the United States and Iranian regime are merely historical grievances or policy disagreements is as big an error as to ignore the ideological dimension of the U.S. conflicts with fascism, Nazism and communism.

So let me see if I've got this right. If Barack Obama would just admit that Iran is evil to the core and cannot be dealt with in any way other than turning it into a nuclear wasteland, and that Arabs hate peace and always will, then he'd prove to Doug Feith that he really knew what he was talking about.

Pardon me if I don't see the urgency in getting right on top of that.

A.

More Fun With Diaper Dave

A quick followon to the snark Barney Frank brought that I mentioned in my previous post today.  Does anybody else get a major squick factor from this? :

Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, a Democrat, signed Sotomayor's cast during their session. Her fellow Louisianan, Republican Sen. David Vitter, had a bag of ice and a pillow on hand when the judge arrived at his office, telling her to "please be seated and relax." "I hope you all note that some Republicans are empatethic too," Vitter quipped to reporters. [sic]

Empathy from David Vitter?  DO NOT WANT.

h/t to BarbinMD at Kos

p.s. It's a twofer!  Yes, it's blogs and Google killing AP.  Not their "patethic" proofreading skilz.

Ross, Ross, Ross, Ross

Oooookay:

Over the last week, there’s been an outpouring of testimonials, across the Internet, from women (and some men) who lived through these hard cases. They help explain why Tiller thought he was doing the Lord’s work, even though that work involved destroying something that we wouldn’t hesitate to call a baby if we saw it struggling for life in a hospital bed. They help explain why so many Americans defend his right to do it.

But such narratives are not the only story about George Tiller’s clinic. He was a target of protests — and, tragically, of terrorist violence — because he performed late-term abortions, period. But his critics were convinced that he performed them not only in truly desperate situations, but in many other cases as well. Over the years, they cobbled together a considerable amount of evidence — drawn from the state’s abortion statistics, from Tiller’s own comments, and from a 2006 investigation — suggesting that Tiller abused the state’s mental-health exemption to justify late-term abortions in almost any situation.

This evidence is persuasive, but not dispositive. We may never know how many of George Tiller’s abortions were performed on healthy mothers and healthy fetuses.

Because unless you tell Ross Douthat every detail of how and why and when and who, unless he knows EXACTLY how you got pregnant and what kind of problems you had, he can't judge for himself whether your abortion was justified. And that's what's important to Ross Douthat: What HE thinks of you.

The argument for unregulated abortion rests on the idea that where there are exceptions, there cannot be a rule.

No, you sanctimonious garden weasel, the argument for available abortion services rests on the idea that in no universe in the world do I want someone who could write the above sentence to be in charge of telling my doctors what to do.

I like how, as usual, it's either "no abortion at all" or "abortion at the McDonald's Drive-Thru." Nobody's saying there can't be rules. We are, however, saying that a) the reason we allow exceptions is that there are exceptions, dumbass and b) you and Rick Santorum do not get to decide what they constitute.

Which is what really pisses him off. Honestly, the whole thing is about how basically he doesn't know, for sure, absolutely, that some patient of Dr. Tiller's wasn't some irresponsible slut. As if that's the point.

And pity the poor pro-lifers, who apparently do not have access to the ballot box, or the judicial system, at all:

One reason there’s so much fierce argument about the latest of late-term abortions — Should there be a health exemption? A fetal deformity exemption? How broad should those exemptions be? — is that Americans aren’t permitted to debate anything else. Under current law, if you want to restrict abortion, post-viability procedures are the only kind you’re allowed to even regulate.

For ... Oh, man. Once and for all, everybody not agreeing with you is not tyranny. People who want to outlaw abortion in every single case are as free as anyone else in this country to get their way. They just have to elect enough people to change the court to do it. That they can't get the majority of Americans to see them as anything other than woman-hating busybodies is not the majority of Americans' fault, nor does it constitute a flaw in the system. It constitutes them sucking and that's all.

What Douthat is basically doing here is taking Megan McArdle's point (people felt they had to shoot Dr. Tiller because the political process was closed to them, which means we should give in to their viewpoint, or at least not oppose them anymore!) and making it in a slightly more weaselly fashion: This is the only thing people are ALLOWED to talk about. By which Douthat means it's the only thing HE feels free to talk about at parties that doesn't get him a look like, "Would you let it go already, man?"

If abortion were returned to the democratic process, this landscape would change dramatically. Arguments about whether and how to restrict abortions in the second trimester — as many advanced democracies already do – would replace protests over the scope of third-trimester medical exemptions.

Yes. More restrictions would end the debate entirely! Because then Ross and his fellow conservatives would have their way, and everything would be fine!

A.

How You Can Tell Kathleen Really Likes Him

Obama has reduced her to metaphors:

Beyond delivering core messages of partnership and a new beginning based on mutual understanding and respect, Obama made three big scores: He essentially neutralized Osama bin Laden. He managed to call Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a hateful ignoramus without ever mentioning his name.

And, he affirmed Western values of democracy, human rights, religious freedom and women's right to self-determination -- all while making Muslims feel complimented, appreciated and understood.

No small feats.

To delegitimize the man whose name rhymes with his, Obama had only to show up and not be George W. Bush. Osama the cave-dweller's latest blurt, timed to pre-empt Obama's speech, was more pathetic than threatening -- the muffled bleat of an emasculated warrior powerless against an enemy he can no longer demonize.

Osama is the withered and quivering Gollum -- seething with envy and nursing his precious hatred -- to Obama's robust and hope-driven Frodo. The forces of darkness and light personified.

But ... but ... socialist racist Latina wisdom and porkulus spending! Stuff! Words!



A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - mixed bag o' nuts edition

Good morning, everyone! Before we get started, I'd like to address a scurrilous rumour that due to last week's "Obsession" getting front-paged by Kos himself, I've become insufferably immodest.
Not true.
I was insufferably immodest long before that.

Peasant.

Now that that canard has flown innuendo, let's cycle the airlock and see what putrid posts the Freeperati have to offer...

Our appalling appetizer - Apparently Freepers don't have credit cards!‏

Credit-Card Fees Curbed
The Wall Street Journal ^ | 05-20-09 | SUDEEP REDDY
Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:28:09 AM by GOP_Lady
Sweeping new restrictions on credit-card companies would ban extra fees and fluctuating rates and arm tens of millions of consumers with more information on their debts.
Starting in February 2010, a Senate bill passed Tuesday would ban practices such as charging consumers to pay by phone and sudden surges in interest rates. Payments above the minimum due would be applied to balances with the highest interest rates. Information once relegated to tiny print must be made clearer, and consumers will soon be told how long it would take to pay off a balance if they pay only the minimum due.

To: GOP_Lady

This will simply make it more difficult for marginally creditworthy consumers to get credit.

5 posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:32:19 AM by Mr Ramsbotham ("Baldrick, to you the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people.")

Um - hasn't that been part of the problem?

To: GOP_Lady

I know many people who will be happy to see this type of government control.
The problem was not the credit card companies/banks but people living way beyond their means. If this were not the case they could take their business elsewhere.
It’s not good news if freedom is what you’re after.
When the governmnet(sic) “lightens your load” in one instance it doubles, triples, or quadruples it in another.

7 posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:34:10 AM by Boucheau

Boucheau is seriously conflicted here.
On the one hand, he disagrees with Mr. Ramsbotham that people living beyond their means is a problem. Or maybe it is.
In the next sentence, he allows that in either case, this is bad news for Freedom.
They do, however, agree that any legislation signed into law by President Obama is bad, because he's Obama.

To: ninonitti

Another example of redistributing wealth and scr...... responsible people who pay their bills on time etc...

10 posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:38:48 AM by Sacajaweau

Yeah! Because of the part of the bill that restricts interest rate increases.
These people clearly inhabit Bizarro-world.
The only "wealth redistribution" I see in credit card-land is out of working stiffs' pockets to MBNA.

To: JDW11235

“I also don’t necessarily agree it’s the CC companies’ job to educate them.”
The terms are very clearly laid out in the CC agreements.
Most people are too lazy to read them.
Most people are too stupid to read what they sign and deserve to be had more than they are!

47 posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 7:39:40 AM by dalereed

Those poor old financial institutions! Stupid people need to have clauses in their credit card contracts that obligate them to be sent off to a work farm, because they're stupid, and banks are all nice and stuff.

And of course, there always has to be a killjoy:

To: Boucheau

The problem was not the credit card companies/banks but people living way beyond their means. No, that's not necessarily true at all. In the past, I've been in situations (major car and home repairs, medical bills, and wholly unexpected college/university fees) in which I would have been royally screwed if I did not have a credit card to back me up.
The credit card companies are in fact THE problem, with their fraudulent lending and pricing policies, and countless pitfalls, any one of which leads to major fees and interest rate hikes at usury levels, courtesy of those fine-print "Important Amendments" we all get in the mail from time to time. The whole system, as it is now constituted, is one big debt trap.
Having been screwed myself by my credit card issuers in the past, I actually agree with Obama on the need for this legislation because this industry is wildly out of control, with prior congressional complicity (Kennedy, Biden, and Dodd).
Sorry to burst some bubbles on this thread, but even a clock is right twice a day.

12 posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:45:36 AM by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left!)

That's "Stopped clock":.

Communist.

Well, more and sillier Republicans after the jump, so follow me into the dark, children....

Could Somebody Introduce Wingnuts to Sarcasm?

Good Lord, I don't think I've ever seen anyone miss the point so aggressively.

The point, by the way, was that shooting people in church on Sunday is now being defended as a perfectly understandable response to feeling kinda bummed your political views aren't adequately represented in government, but that holding an anti-war protest was tantamount to selling nuclear secrets to the Soviets not too long ago.

It's so depressing to have to explain everything to them.

A.

Doing Better

If somebody else did better than me, she must be getting away with something.

You know, I really think the world of punditry would be a better place if some of these people could just admit that seeing someone wildly successful makes them feel like lazy fuckers. Seriously, just sack up and admit that you sat there, Derbyshire, watching Sonia Sotomayor thinking, "Damn, she had to go through all that and she ended up being fecking brilliant, meanwhile my only disadvantage in life is to have the name of a Dickens villain and I did absolutely jack shit with what I was given."

We've all been there, dude, we've all had those moments of, "Man, I am SUCH a slacker." I have them every day. It's just most of us don't use those moments as an excuse to turn the other person into some kind of affirmative-action socially promoted charity case in order to make ourselves feel better. A healthier response might be to think to yourself, "Hmm, if this other person's life is making me feel insecure about mine, maybe I ought to work a little harder on the things I want to accomplish," instead of making it out to be that you're still not king because nobody established a "conservative choad assistance fund" at your school.

A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Freepers versus Bill-o edition

Good Monday morning, gentle people!
Doc got here early and changed the air fittings on the iso suits for us - much appreciated!
Let's hook up and charge the airlock, shall we?
Don't forget to keep positive air pressure in your suits - one whiff of the concentrated sleaze we're about to encounter is enough to make you start setting fire to retirement homes so you can sift through the ashes for dental gold - or maybe even vote for Michelle Bachman......

First up - It's the Free Republic / Bill-O throwdown !
Two "conservatives" enter - only one leaves....

Hey O'Reilly! Stuff a sock in it you bloviating windbag!
Free Republic | May 27, 2009 | Jim Robinson
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:09:17 PM by Jim Robinson

Re: Your on-air bashing of Free Republic

So, you think that because one poster on FR comments that a diabetic supreme court nominee might not live to a ripe old age that all 350,000 of us are insensitive right-wing loons?
Got news for you pal. The owner of Free Republic (namely me) is diabetic and I've already lost one leg due to this despicable disease and the other leg looks like it's ready to fall off any day now. My sister died of complications brought on by juvenile diabetes at the tender age 43. I've out-lived her in years, but I don't think I'll be signing on to any life term judgeships. And I sure as hell wouldn't wish this disease on anyone else.
Hey, what can I say. My political enemies make fun of the one-legged old gimp every day of the week. Good thing I'm not as sensitive as you about such nonsensical non-issues.
And if it's impossible for a minority to be racist, then it's impossible for a diabetic to be insensitive. /sarc
But, I do agree with you on one thing. We FReepers are a bunch of right-wing loons, bitterly clinging to our guns and religion. And proud of it you elitist gasbag!
Name and town, name and town:
Jim Robinson Free Republic, LLC PO Box 9771 Fresno, CA 93794

Um, Jimbo - people don't make fun of you because you're one short in the leg department.
They make fun of you because you're one short in the brain department.
Or if you do have a brain, you don't use it because it wears down the batteries.

To: Jim Robinson

There is a reason he is known as “BO”

7 posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:11:40 PM by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)

...another Freeper with an anal fixation...

To: Jim Robinson

Hear, hear! And I'm a Bill O’Reilly Premium Member.

11 posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:12:21 PM by GOP_Lady

Well, then, you're stupid twice!
The fact that you're giving money to both of them actually makes you stupid four times, but who's counting?

To: Jim Robinson

He will run and hide Jim.

16 posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:13:25 PM by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)

As of last Friday, O'Reilly seems to not be hiding.
Maybe he's researching places where Freepers can't / won't go?   Maybe the Army?

To: Jim Robinson

Good job!
The rest of us: FINISH THE FREEPATHON!

24 posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:14:32 PM by Jemian (PAM of JT ~~ Caligula, just like his Kenyan ancestors, is selling his countrymen into slavery.)

Jesus on a hovercraft - is that bloody thing still going on??

To: Jim Robinson

Did that screwhead really go there again? I haven’t watched him since he called us a hate site a few years back.

35 posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:16:30 PM by Domandred (Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.)

You know - if these guys crawl any further up their own asses, they're going to need CCTV to see the keyboard.

To: Jim Robinson

O’reilly always compares FR to the leftist hate-sites in his stupid attempt to be “fair and balanced”. He hasn’t got a clue how wrong he is. He keeps talking about “the loons on the left and the right” when all the loons are on the left.

453 posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 1:51:30 PM by ozzymandus

Um - I just saw Jim Robinson himself describe this place and himself as "Right-wing loons".
You guys have got to make up your mind.

To: Jim Robinson

he has his conservative moments....then reverts to some leftist tack....He blows up at scumbags like Barney Fag, but for the wrong reasons(though I enjoyed immensely his dressing down of the queer legislator).

He tends to be rather dumb...although I tend to agree with him a good chunk of the time....probably by serendipity.

he is an enigma, wrapped in a riddle etc. etc.

Thanks JimRob for dressing him down

462 posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 2:35:49 PM by Vaquero ("an armed society is a polite society" Robert A. Heinlein)

As long as he blow up at "Barney Fag", of course, he's a enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in some used toilet paper.

To: CaribouCrossing

"In my opinion, this forum would have been wiser to respectfully contact O'Reilly and explain how one comment does not reflect the views of the vast majority of those who post here.

That's really rich.

The poster did not offend BOR, so it wasn't any of O'Reilly's business to even pretend to be offended by a snide remark made on our forum.

Obviously you aren't aware that BOR was once the darling of FR. Fact is, his rise to the top of the FOX pedestal can be credited to his popularity on Free Republic and other conservative forums.

Now that BOR can't hide his true Liberal colors he throws a temper tantrum about Free Republic and YOU want Jim Rob to treat this man with respect?! Unbelievable!

We made him, but he's breaking himself against us.

I'd rather watch Nancy Grace than him..that's how bad he is.

sw

471 posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 3:02:30 PM by spectre (Spectre's wife)

"Tonight! Only on FOX - it's Nancy Grace - 'Not as bad as Bill O'Reilly!'   BE THERE!"

More internecine blood-letting after the jump, so hold hands......

Why Is It Always Underage Erotic Furries?

Can't these people ever have sex with uncostumed consenting adults for once?

A.

Even Conservative Senator Box Turtle

Is saying DAMN SON.

I have to admit, I knew it was gonna be repulsive but these aren't even dog whistles. These are full-on "C'mere, boy! Here, Fido! I have a stick for you! Who's a good puppy? Who's a good puppy? You are! Have a milkbone! Good boy!"

A.

Stop the Filibuster!

I wonder if Perkins and Dobson will host another Justice Sunday on Sotomayor's behalf:

Dobson and his allies seem determined to force the confrontation. On April 24 they hosted a "Justice Sunday" rally at a Southern Baptist church in Louisville, Ky. During the event, which was broadcast to conservative churches all over America, speakers insisted that Democratic opposition to the Bush judges is a form of religious bigotry.

The event at Highview Baptist Church was officially sponsored by the Dobson-affiliated Family Research Council. Speakers included Dobson and FRC President Tony Perkins.

During his remarks, Dobson called the Supreme Court "unelected and unaccountable" and "out of control." He added, "For 43 years, the Supreme Court has been on a campaign to limit religious freedom. It's all on the line. It's time to stop the filibuster."

Frist, in videotaped remarks, called for an up-and-down vote on Bush judicial nominees. While working closely with the far right, Frist took pains to try to maintain his moderate conservative image. He distanced himself from House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who has called on Congress to explore ways to penalize  judges who issue rulings that displease conservatives.

"When we think judicial decisions are outside mainstream American values, we will say so," Frist said. "But we must also be clear that the balance of power among all three branches requires respect--not retaliation. I won't go along with that."

A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Republican Civil War edition

Good Monday morning, guys - before you start your day (hopefully) off work (if you're still employed), and reflect on the last and greatest sacrifice made by our servicemen and women, let's try and catch up with the angst-in-their-pants antics of the Freepers, shall we?  I know some of these are dated, but I'm ploughing through the backlog of stupidity as fast as I can.

Let's suit up and spin that airlock wheel. I've got a foul fetid feast of Freeperosity for your amusement.

Hmmm - 1st quarter Freepathon is still going on - they're either going to have to lower their operating budget, or just make the fund-raising drive a permanent feature.

First offal offering - Let the finger-pointing begin!!‏

So Far So Ugly in the Republican Political Civil War
The Provocateur ^ | 04/30/2009 | Mike Volpe
Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:15:22 PM by fiscon1
The Politico graphically illustrates just how ugly the political civil war is getting in the aftermath of Arlen Specter leaving the party.
Faced with a high-profile defection and the prospect of political irrelevance in the Senate, Republicans took off the gloves Wednesday for a ferocious game of finger-pointing.
Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch and George Voinovich blamed the Club for Growth for imposing a right-wing litmus test that chased Arlen Specter out of the Republican Party. The Club for Growth blamed Specter — first for helping to ruin the GOP and then for leaving it. A leading Republican strategist blamed the party for turning its back on moderates. Sen. Lindsey Graham sniped at Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. Specter’s pollster blamed the stimulus bill. Karl Rove blamed Specter himself.

"Ferocious game of finger pointing"?  Ferocious game of rock, paper, scissors, more like.

        

To: fiscon1

This is funny. They want to point the blame. Well, I will. A pox on all of them. They’re all a bunch of losers.

2 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:19:26 PM by bcsco (I'm a Constitution defender!)

To: fiscon1

Gingrich warns of third party in 2012...
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/02/gingrich-warns-of-third-party-in-2012/

3 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:20:39 PM by broken_arrow1 (I regret that I have but one life to give to my country)

Oh, pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease...

To: broken_arrow1

Getting rid of RINO’s is the best way to avoid a Third Party split. We need to go FULL BORE Conservative in the GOP in order to keep the grass roots involved in the Party.

4 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:22:46 PM by Kansas58

Yep - purge those RINOS! Please.  Pretty please.  I personally want the GOP down to just Michelle Bachman and David Duke by 2012.

To: fiscon1

Let the great RINO hunt continue...NO bag limit....get ride of every swinging one.... So RINOs...Hows it feel to be out of power.....Guess that attitude of “who ya gonna vote for...the ‘Rats?” didn't work out too well for ya? Maybe you RINOs would be better off with the ‘rats after all.....F’in RINOs can go suck eggs as far as MY vote is concerned!

10 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:27:02 PM by rightwingextremist1776

I cannot tell you how warm that makes my heart.

To: Kansas58

Kansas58
“Getting rid of RINO’s is the best way to avoid a Third Party split. We need to go FULL BORE Conservative in the GOP in order to keep the grass roots involved in the Party.”
I was there voting with Republicans for (RINO) McCain, but I won’t do it again! I will vote Libertarian if no Conservative Republican is on the top of the ticket!

11 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:27:15 PM by broken_arrow1 (I regret that I have but one life to give to my country)

To: fiscon1

Why should anyone vote Republican today? The party is old, it has no good ideas that people can follow and their marketing machine is a joke.

Even the Freepers are starting to get it.  Sorta.

Oh yeah, they don’t have a person ready to unify the party and while I don’t have an issue with Sarah Palin I see her as filling a role for people who want to believe in someone rather than anything she has done to date. Same for Jindal.

12 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:28:16 PM by misterrob (FUBO----Just say it, Foooooooooooooo Bohhhhhhhhh. Smooth)

To: Kansas58

Getting rid of RINO’s is the best way to avoid a Third Party split.

That includes ridding ourselves of the Gingrich's also. He holds a lot of responsibility for Republicans backing down when we had the Dems on their knees.

15 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:30:28 PM by Freepmanchew ( <:)))>< Proverbs 30:7-9)

I was wondering when someone was going to bring Newtie up.
Funny - Newtie never gets credit for starting the GOP sweater unraveling by leading the charge over the Terri Schaivo cliff....must be an oversight.

You know, the only thing more entertaining than watching them admit defeat is watching them blame it on everything except what actually caused it.

To: fiscon1

Why is that that no one ever chastises the Democrats for "turning their backs on moderates"? What about the Democrat Party is today "moderate", in any way? Not a damned thing, and that's the dirty little secret of this whole media-led, Democrat-fed campaign to convince Republicans to abandon conservatives.
This false meme is being repeated endlessly throughout the mainstream media, with the full approval of the Democrat Party to which Arlen Specter and the media are both now fully committed.
(snip).

6 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:24:18 PM by andy58-in-nh

To: andy58-in-nh

because they won.

22 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:34:00 PM by fiscon1

That's gonna leave a mark!

To: fiscon1

because they won.
That's funny, because whenever Republicans won, the media would instantly insist that they must "reach out" to their opponents and promise to "govern from the center". After which, the GOP would happily comply and then the Democrats would grab their media megaphones to accuse them of being controlled by right-wing radicals.
So, win or lose, Democrats get to accuse Republicans of being captive to diabolical forces and Republicans get to apologize and beg for mercy.
Sorry, but I'm getting off this bus.

31 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:48:26 PM by andy58-in-nh (You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.)

By all means, let me get the door for you.
Irrelevancy Street and Hate Junction? Is this your stop?

To: Kansas58

Voters bask in 1992 were left between a lying, country club repub who said he wouldn't raise taxes and a crackpot protest candidate. However, if Bush had kept to his promise and manged from more limited government perspective then Perot wouldn't have seen the light of day. This last election was the second of a two election referendum on the republican party. Now the party continues to implode instead of getting its act together on putting out a message that people want to follow. Obama lied out his bony ass to get elected. There is a chance that a good candidate with a limited government message could win and the same holds true for the mid-term. If the party is going to have dipshits like Bachman spouting off and becoming the face of the party then the country is done. Her rightwing version of moonbatism gets worshiped around here but trying to wonder why swine flu comes back under a democrat in 2009 when it was last seen under Carter was moronic.

47 posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 1:27:11 PM by misterrob (FUBO----Just say it, Foooooooooooooo Bohhhhhhhhh. Smooth)

Well, after that high-caloric appetizer of infighting, we need a lighter second course.
Served up piping hot with a side order of schadenfreude right after the jump.

Cheney's Speech

He said:

"When President Obama makes wise decisions," Cheney will say, "he deserves our support. When he mischaracterizes the decisions we made, he deserves an answer."

"The responsibilities we carried belong to others now. And though I'm not here to speak for George W. Bush, I am certain that no one wishes the current administration more success in defending the country than we do.  We understand the complexities of national security decisions. We understand the pressures that confront a president and his advisers..."

"Right now there is considerable debate in this city about the measures our administration took to defend the American people -- and especially about our methods of gathering intelligence. What I want to do today is set forth the strategic thinking that drove our policies..."

But all I hear is:

In all seriousness, the idea that Obama and Cheney are somehow debating one another today, that the President of the United States and the widely loathed, completely discredited national crazy uncle who lives in our national attic and occasionally screams downstairs for his pudding are on some equivalent policy footing is a construct so silly it could only amuse the Washington press corps.

A.

If Only Someone Would Defend the Spies

Michael Gerson is very concerned about the morale of the torturers:

In a little over 100 days, the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress have delivered a series of blows to the pride and morale of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Yes. They stood up to the KGB and got confessions out of real-life Nazis but Nancy Pelosi says one bad word and they're crying too hard to see straight. Democrats declare that we maybe shouldn't have tortured so much, and the people with the testicular fortitude to DO THE TORTURING suddenly can't work up the will to get out of bed.

To stanch the CIA's bleeding morale, Democrats have tried reassurance. President Obama, speaking at CIA headquarters, took the Fred Rogers approach: "Don't be discouraged that we have to acknowledge potentially we've made some mistakes. That's how we learn." Yes, children, hypocritical congressional investigations and foreign kangaroo courts are really our friends.

He should have punched them in the face and yelled IF YOU WOULDN'T BURN THE POT ROAST I WOULDN'T HAVE TO HIT YOU! I mean, I hate to be rude here, but did I miss the news that all of the CIA ever is in the dock at the Hague? Is it me, or is Gerson just sewing up a scarecrow and stuffing it with straw?

Is there any precedent for a speaker of the House of Representatives seeking political shelter by blaming national security professionals?

Well, there's plenty of precedent for the president doing it, does that count?

This guy is so stupid he could get hit by a parked car.

And now Obama has described the post-Sept. 11 period as "a dark and painful chapter in our history." In fact, whatever your view of waterboarding, the response of intelligence professionals following Sept. 11 was impressive. Within days, the CIA had linked up with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan and begun preparations to remove the Taliban. The counterterrorism center run of out CIA headquarters was the war on terror in the months after the attacks, making daily progress in capturing high-value targets.

Yes. Like the number three man in Al Qaeda, eight times.

And of course the post-Sept. 11 period was a party-party good time for you, asshole. You're a white male Republican. It was fucking Christmas morning in your world. Not so much for everybody else.

But this object of praise -- intelligence-gathering -- is again the object of liberal assault. "To put the matter at its simplest," writes Gabriel Schoenfeld, "American elites have become increasingly discomfited over the last decades by the very existence of a clandestine intelligence service in a democratic society."

We're so hellaciously uncomfortable with the existence of the spooks that we elected one of them president. What next, building them statutes?

Schmuck.

A.

Kathleen Goes Dark

Kathleen Parker has, of late, been discovering that her fellow conservatives of the smug and sheltered suburban variety are kind of douchebags, and by the way the Christian Right is neither. To some that makes her more tolerable as a pundit, but today she's back in her old form, defending Bybee and Yoo because, after all, they were just like defense attorneys:

In the weeks since President Barack Obama released the so-called "torture memos," both men have been demonized and tried in the public square for expressing a now-unpopular legal opinion. Depending on the outcome of an investigation pending in the Justice Department, the men could face sanctions or, in the case of Bybee, impeachment.

When did we start punishing lawyers for producing opinions with which we disagree?

If by "demonized and tried in the public square" you mean "justifiably called assholes and lizards and told that they suck mostly by filthy hippies on blogs only to be defended on national TV by none other than the former vice president of the United States and given a columnist's job at a major metro daily," you'll have to pardon me if I can't work up the same sympathy for Bybee and Yoo I have for the attorneys of drug dealers and child molesters.

It is easy now to declare that waterboarding is torture. I personally would agree, but then, I have a low tolerance for the sensation of drowning and the perception of imminent death.

Do you listen to yourself? By that measure, the only thing I would agree would be torture is the thing where they let insects crawl on someone because uuugggghhhhh. It's all about you, Katykins, isn't it?

Whether one agrees with the Bybee-Yoo interpretation is a difference of opinion, but nothing more. Any fair assessment has to include consideration of context and distinctions that matter, including the definition of waterboarding, which varies according to country and century.

The cop who pulls you over has a difference of opinion from you as to whether speeding constituted a violation of the rules, too. I have a difference of opinion about whether I'm allowed to rob a bank today because the ferrets need new toys. We all have differences of opinion, it's why the grounds for justifiable homicide aren't the same here as in, say, Uruguay, but come the fuck on, are you seriously telling me that somebody can argue up is down and that's just a "difference of opinion?"

Wait. You're a Republican. Of COURSE that's what you're saying.

Even if Bybee and Yoo were wrong, their error doesn't rise to the level of an ethical offense, much less a war crime. Under the Justice Department's own standards, an ethical issue would arise only if their opinion was so obviously wrong that no reasonable lawyer could possibly reach the same conclusion.

By that standard, the only obvious wrong is the continued persecution of Jay Bybee and John Yoo. The effect sanctions might have on future lawyering, meanwhile, could be chilling.

Yes, the eternal Republican argument when it comes to lawyers, political appointees and pundits: We may be the party of the biggest badassest manliest men around, but if you call us names or opine that maybe we did something wrong, you'll so crush our fragile spirits that no one, anywhere, ever, will want to do anything again.

I really wish they'd recall all this wanking about the chilling effect of expressing one's opinions while they're calling war hero senators pussies for windsurfing, but whatever. The point is that John Yoo is sleeping fine tonight, and I doubt Jay Bybee will ever miss a meal. Can't say the same for millions of Americans (let's not even talk about the tortured prisoners) who don't merit mention in Kathleen's columns.

I hope this doesn't have a chilling effect on future column-writing, Kathleen, but: Schmuck.

A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - back in the saddle edition

Good morning everyone - and my humble thanks to Ms. A for taking back what was rightfully hers before I got my hot little hands on it. And imagine my surprise to find my iso suit full of Styrofoam peanuts. What a bunch of kidders you are!

Let's get down to it, shall we?
Starting off with:  The teabaggers wanted Obama to take them seriously....and then...‏

National Tea Party Leadership Team Accepts President Obama's Invitation
Parcbench.com ^ | Wednesday, April 30, 2009
Posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:42:59 PM by kristinn
New York, New York – April 29th, 2009 - The National Leadership Team of the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition (http://www.nationwideteapartycoalition.com) today accepted President Obama`s invitation "to have a serious conversation about how we are going to cut our health care costs down over the long term, how we are going to stabilize Social Security.”
The invitation was extended by the President at a Town Hall Meeting held in Arnold, Missouri today (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21870.html). Michael Patrick Leahy, a member of the National Leadership Team of the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition, said " We want to broaden the scope to address the President`s runaway march to socialist-statism, and the rampant across the board irresponsible spending he is promoting with his $787 Billion Stimulus Plan and his $1 Trillion Annual Deficit, his takeover of General Motors, Chrysler and the Banks ."

Why, Mr. Leahy! We were just talking about you!

Kellen Giuda, organizer of the New York City Tea party attended by 12,000 and of Parcbench (http://www.parcbench.com) said, “I think a constructive dialogue with the President would be a great opportunity for him to acknowledge that, yes, many Americans have a problem with the way Washington is handling our taxpayer dollars and also that we are concerned about health care and social security reform. I am happy he is open to a discussion. The Tea Parties are protesting against fiscal irresponsibility and any dialogue we can have will hopefully bring a better public understanding of our country`s finances. Health care and social security reform is a large concern to us."
The National Leadership Team of the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition includes 25 of the more than 900 local organizers of the April 15, 2009 Tax Day Tea Parties held across the country, which were attended by more than 1 million Americans. Members of the National Leadership Team includes Judson Phillips, organizer of the Nashville Tea Party attended by 10,000, James Dickey, organizer of the Dallas Tea Party, attended by 5,000, and JoAnn Abbot, organizer of the Washington, DC Tea Party attended by more than 3,000. The full list of the 25 members of the National Leadership Team of the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition can be found at http://www.nationwideteapartycoalition.com/about.php

What's the old oxymoron - "organized chaos"?

Good quick response by some of the tea party organizers. I'd have made the press release punchier with a rebuke of Obama's mocking the million-plus Americans who participated in the April 15 tea parties, but then again I'm a Freeper :-)

1 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:42:59 PM by kristinn

Don't you mean "a kajillion-zillion"?  That number gets a lot bigger with each successive telling. Before long they'll be posting pics of the real rallies (against the Iraq war, pro-reproductive freedom, etc), and claiming that they're actually pics of their flo-thru functions.

To: kristinn

Who are they? Are they legitimately able to claim the mantle of leadership of the national tea party movement?
I’m pretty suspicious and I don’t remember any election among tea party groups to elect leadership of a national coalition.

2 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:46:20 PM by Piranha

To: Piranha

“Nationwide Tea Party Coalition” Never heard of this bunch: This bunch sounds like interlopers to me!

4 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:48:34 PM by US Navy Vet

To: Piranha

Yes, they’re legit.

5 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:49:19 PM by kristinn

To: kristinn

CRAP! Someone has assumed the national face of tea parties???
A pox on them and their houses! That is not what the parties are about.

9 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:50:16 PM by Cletus.D.Yokel

To: kristinn

“Yes, they’re legit.
” WHAT THE BLANK MAKES THEM “LEGIT”?!

10 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:50:26 PM by US Navy Vet

To: Piranha

Dear National Leaders of the Tea Parties: Don't presume to talk for me.

17 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:56:16 PM by Kowdawg

Like a VP with a scattergun, the Freepers have managed to actually hit their target, albeit an unintended one. Their knee-jerk reaction to any kind of centralized authority at all has actually raised their suspicions, although a brief Lexus-Nexus search of the organizers' names would have brought up the interesting background info that has been splashed all over left blogistan for weeks now.

To: Kowdawg

Dear “National Leaders” of the Tea Parties:
Middle Finger to YOU!

21 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:00:06 PM by US Navy Vet

To: getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL

He may be a great guy — they all may be. I just don’t like a group calling themselves the national committee on their own say-so. It is especially troublesome because I think one of the main issues that the tea party participants stand for (but who can say) is that they take strong exception to centralization of authority.
I for one would like to return the right to choose senators to the state governments to strengthen federalism and remove power from Washington.

30 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:05:25 PM by Piranha

I think that you may already have that right - it's called "franchise."
Unless you're a convicted felon, of course.

And finally, one of them gets it right:

To: b4its2late

It’s a trap

14 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:51:55 PM by Anti-Kenyan

To: Anti-Kenyan

“To Serve Man”

22 posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:00:20 PM by onedoug

I finally got those secret memos Cheney's asking for decrypted, and....and....IT'S A COOKBOOK!!!
THE KENYAN IS GONNA YUM-YUM-EAT'EMUP!!!! THERE'S A BIG BOILNG POT IN THE OVAL OFFICE!!! SAVE THE WOMEN!!!!

More after the jump. if you're up to it.

Batshittery

No wonder Bush seemed nuts. This was the shit he was seeing from the Secretary of Defense. This is why he seemed so out of it; there was CNN, which was the liberal media and not to be trusted, and then there was Rummy getting cute with MS Paint, which we all know was so much more truthy.

You know, I was creeped the fuck out pretty much every day for the last eight years, but the stuff we're gonna be hearing about for the rest of our lives seems on track to top it.

A.

Taxes are Theft

This guy was just doing his patriotic duty, no doubt:

According to documents obtained by Teablogging by running a goddamned simple Nexis search on the internets, national Tea Party organizer, Top Conservatives on Twitter cofounder and TCOTReport.comMichael P. Leahy has, over the past 16 years, amassed nearly $150,000 in state and federal tax liens, small claims court judgments and civil suits.

A.

Strong Written and Verbal Communication Skills

You know you wanna go work for Glenn Beck, you know you do.

Key responsibilities will include contributing original content to GlennBeck.com and to Glenn’s radio program and magazine. Writing will include a mix of short pieces and long articles, fact-based commentary on the news of the day, etc.

Requirements:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Research skills
• At least 2 years of journalism experience

Interested candidates, please send resume, cover letter, and at least 3 writing samples. Cover letters must include salary requirements to be eligible for consideration.

A.

Speaking of Suck and Fail Day

What year is it again? 1938?

"At the meeting I was attempting to explain that unlike Sen. Schumer, I believe in traditional values, like we used to see on The Andy Griffith Show. I made the mistake of referring to Sen. Schumer as ‘that Jew’ and I should not have put it that way as this took away from what I was trying to say," Hendren said.

That is it. I'mma make myself a sammich with some DIJON MUSTARD and then go back to bed. The FUCK?



A.

Today on The Freeperati's Obsession with Themselves

Tommy e-mailed me last night to say he was under the weather, couldn't possibly compound his pain with an excursion into the Internet's very own heart of darkness, and could I see if the cleaners had gotten my Haz-Mat suit back yet?

They hadn't, but I found about eight rolls of plastic wrap and a hockey stick and figured that would do. Let's head on in to see what we can see, okay?

First, from the White House Correspondents' Association dinner:

Comedian Wanda Sykes took a sharp swipe at Rush Limbaugh at tonight's White House Correspondent's Dinner:

"You've had your fair share of critics. ... Rush Limbaugh said this administration fails. ... He just wants the country to fail. To me that's treason. He's not saying anything different than what Osama Bin Laden is saying. You might want to look into this, sir, because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was just so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight. ... Rush Limbaugh, I hope the country fails, I hope his kidneys fail, how about that? He needs a good waterboarding, that's what he needs."

1 posted on Sat May 9 22:05:46 2009 by Tessared

To: Tessared

That O thought it was hilariously funny is most offensive.

But then he has no class, NONE.

7 posted on Sat May 9 22:09:18 2009 by Carley (OBAMA IS A MALEVOLENT FORCE IN THE WORLD)

Well, it's good you all are here to teach us about class, right?

That ugly lesbian bitch needs to get a life.

12 posted on Sat May 9 22:11:41 2009 by JRochelle (Don't smoke the Hopium.)

Another unfunny, crude, black comedienne. I Just can’t get enough of them.

18 posted on Sat May 9 22:13:47 2009 by Nonstatist

I hope she chokes to death on one of her fried chicken bones or watermelon rinds....slowly

147 posted on Sun May 10 16:25:07 2009 by wheresmycheckbarry?

There is a reason that stereotypes become well.. stereotypes....

160 posted on Sun May 10 18:18:44 2009 by hatfieldmccoy (Satan has a new name and it is Islam)

A Dyke Called Wanda

108 posted on Sun May 10 10:46:45 2009 by A_Former_Democrat

A FILTH called Wanda.

114 posted on Sun May 10 11:44:47 2009 by Fudd Fan (Pres--dent 0zer0 is a train wreck. DON'T LOOK, ETHEL!)

Not only are they classy, they're original, too!

Civic Order

Can someone please introduce David Brooks to the concept of code language?

Today, if Republicans had learned the right lessons from the Westerns, or at least John Ford Westerns, they would not be the party of untrammeled freedom and maximum individual choice. They would once again be the party of community and civic order.

They would begin every day by reminding themselves of the concrete ways people build orderly neighborhoods, and how those neighborhoods bind a nation. They would ask: What threatens Americans’ efforts to build orderly places to raise their kids? The answers would produce an agenda: the disruption caused by a boom and bust economy; the fragility of the American family; the explosion of public and private debt; the wild swings in energy costs; the fraying of the health care system; the segmentation of society and the way the ladders of social mobility seem to be dissolving.

A.

Sky Rockets In Flight

Here I am with your Tuesday Afternoon Delight.  Today I'm talking about higher education and the Republican party.  Here in Colorado, our local version of Wingnut Welfare includes parking Republicans in higher ed leadership--chancellors, presidents, boards of trustees, etc.  It's a revolving door.  To give one example, we had Hank Brown go from Senator to the private sector to President of the University of Northern Colorado (where he wielded a budgetary ax like Conan the Barbarian, only without the rippling muscles and Grace Jones (D-Badass) as a sidekick) to President of the University of Colorado.  It shouldn't surprise you that the Wall Street Journal called him the "best college president you've never heard of."  Being called best of anything by the WSJ is, imho, a dubious achievement. (Like being named best Catholic by the Spanish Inquisition...)

Now I admit, I have a particular animosity for Brown because one of the things he axed at UNC was my alma mater, the lab school, in a bait-and-switch over making it a charter school (supposedly to stabilize its finances, after which UNC pulled its support entirely.  Surprise!).  My high school locker has been sitting in an empty building for seven years now.  Brown also did his best to kill our local NPR station.  So, yeah, he balanced UNC's budget, but at what cost?

But my point is, Republicans running our higher education system seems like a very bad idea, especially if said Republicans are getting these jobs as stepping stones to higher office, or cushy thanks for services rendered while in office.  So I was delighted when I saw on Colorado Pols that there's a bill in the Colorado legislature to require state colleges and universities to be more transparent in their hiring processes when dealing with the higher level hires.  The details aren't that onerous--interview at least three candidates, publicize the finalists, then have public presentations by the finalists before the final decision is made.  (Those are things our college has done every time we've had a presidential search anyway, so this isn't changing anything for us...)

It also shouldn't surprise you that a number of Colorado Republicans are vehemently opposed to this idea, because it would give people like me and you a chance to say, "Hey!  This emperor is buck nekkid!  What makes him/her even remotely qualified to run our college?"  Chances are, even with this bill in place, the nekkid emperor would still be hired, but at least we'd have had our say.  These Republicans are freaking out because they think this might deter some people from applying for these jobs.  (And that's bad exactly...how?  Seriously, if somebody were to be deterred from applying for a college presidency because they might have to give a public presentation, do you really want them as your president?)

Lack of transparency is...everybody say it with me now!...okay if you're a Republican.

So, what's the version of Wingnut Welfare in your neck of the woods?  And do you have any thoughts about how to get some of those welfare queens off the public dole and out doing real work?

(Please note:  I am not suggesting that all college presidents or officials are by definition boobs.  I happen to respect my college president tremendously.  It's just that this seems to be one arena where Republicans have used their influence on occasion, sometimes to the detriment of good state colleges.  I'd feel the same way if the influence being used inappropriately were from Democrats, which is why I like the bill.)

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - "Kill 'em all" edition

Good Monday morning, everyone!  The hysteria continues to mount over at Free Republic.
Most of the moderates have been shouted down or booted off, and they're boiling the reduction down to a simmering sauce of hysteria, recrimination, and self-loathing.

In short - business as usual, except that instead of looking for interesting threads, I can just pretty much throw a dart and hit teh crazy.

First up - "this sends a message".

NCO gets life for slaying Iraqi (Al Qaeda) detainees
Stars & Stripes ^ | 17 Apr 09 | Seth Robson
Posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 9:41:22 AM by xzins
VILSECK, Germany — "I ain’t no angel," admitted a 172nd Infantry Brigade noncommissioned officer shortly before a military jury sentenced him Thursday to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the execution-style murders of four Iraqi detainees in 2007.
Master Sgt. John Hatley, 40, also was reduced to the rank of private and dishonorably discharged less than six months short of 20 years of service.
In an unsworn statement, Hatley told the court that he was "… just an ordinary NCO who was afforded the opportunity to be in the company of heroes, to defend our great country and to defend the innocent people in a place where we stood between those who would harm us and those we were ordered to protect from genocide."
At the time when the detainees were killed, Hatley’s unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, was dealing with 50 killings of Iraqis by other Iraqis each month, he said.
"Within four months of being there we reduced attacks on coalition forces and civilians by 40 percent," he said.
On Wednesday, the jury convicted Hatley of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit premeditated murder. Hatley was acquitted of an obstruction of justice charge and an unrelated premeditated murder charge. Hatley pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
The jury recommended that the court-martial’s convening authority, Joint Multinational Training Command chief Brig. Gen. David R. Hogg, exercise clemency and allow Hatley’s wages to continue to be paid to his family for six months.
Capt. John Riesenberg, assistant government trial counsel, told the jury that their sentence should be aimed at stopping other first sergeants and soldiers from doing what the Company A soldiers did.
"Send a message to the world that this is an army that recognizes that it is different, that American soldiers just don’t do this. They don’t execute detainees in the middle of the night by shooting them in the back of the head when they are bound and blindfolded and dump their bodies in a canal," he said.
The killings occurred in March or April of 2007.
It was Hatley’s idea to kill the detainees, Riesenberg said.
"A first sergeant in the U.S. Army came up with the idea to commit a brutal execution-style murder of detainees and he did it with his own men. He failed them, the Army, the Iraqi people and the American war effort," Riesenberg said.
Hatley had a duty to treat detainees humanely in a country where he was supposed to be helping establish the rule of law, he said.

Message received by Freepers?

To: xzins

this sends a message to our guys to NOT take prisoners.
and thank goodness for that.

4 posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 9:58:07 AM by Vaquero ("an armed society is a polite society" Robert A. Heinlein)

"Thank goodness" for executing unarmed prisoners?
Interesting concept of "goodness".
I suppose that "righteousness" would consist of having sex with the corpses.

Well, in any case, the Freeperati are obviously concerned about the situation and intend to investigate the root cause immediately:

To: xzins

I wonder who turned him in?

5 posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 10:23:22 AM by Peter Libra

Must have been one of those communists in "A" Company, but we know how to fix that:

To: xzins

Agreed, xzins and there should have been no prosecution because the story should have never gotten out.

7 posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 11:00:00 AM by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)

And Sgt. Hatley?
You may think you're no angel, but maybe you could pass for one in New Jersey.

Whups. The air scrubbers bogged down a bit from that blast of putrid Freeperosity, but Buggy got 'em going again. Let's jump and see what other offal offerings we have in store....

Short Term Gains

From the NYT obit of Jack Kemp:

Mr. Kemp’s other great cause, in his 18 years in the House and for three decades thereafter, was to get his party to seek more support from blacks and other minorities.

“The party of Lincoln,” he wrote after the 2008 election, “needs to rethink and revisit its historic roots as a party of emancipation, liberation, civil rights and equality of opportunity for all.”

He was absolutely right, so why didn't they listen?

The Republican Party is not a long-term party. They don't think about what's going to happen five years, ten years, fifty years down the road. They want to win elections now, amass money now, live it up now, and blow it up now. They don't think about rebuilding it afterward, whether it's the party or Iraq. The reason only 21 percent of Americans identify as Republican anymore is that on average you can get about a quarter of any group to accept "set it on fire and start again" as a strategy for everything from economics to race relations.

Republicans have been running on fear and anger for 40 years. We have to keep in mind 2008 was just about the only time it didn't work.

A.

Lindsey Finds A Nut

NYT:

Senator Lindsay Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said: “We are not losing blue states and shrinking as a party because we are not conservative enough. If we pursue a party that has no place for someone who agrees with me 70 percent of the time, that is based on an ideological purity test rather than a coalition test, then we are going to keep losing.”

Linds, pet. The problem is that people don't like Republicans anymore. The problem isn't that you don't have the right mix of pseudo-fascists and actual fascists who carry I AM A FASCIST cards and goose step to their beds at night. The problem isn't that people disagree 30 percent of the time. The problem is that for 40 years you people have been stoking racism, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, anti-intellectualism and a general sense that if you drank this kind of cola and wore this kind of clothing you could come to the sleepover.

You were doing it in order to win elections, and I get that, but the problem is people believed it and now you have this following of rabid marmosets who chew off their own legs when you forget to distract them with something shiny on a string. The teabagging set believed your bullshit and they show up at the polls now, so you either have to give them up or you have to stop acting like it's uncouth they like you. These are the choices you've given yourself.

In a way, it still seems like kind of a fluke, that America finally got fucked enough for this crap not to work anymore. I still shudder to think about Huckabee as the nominee because his folksy thing is just good enough that maybe the press would have fallen for him as the "regular guy," I mean, he's evil but he's not an idiot. I shudder to think if McCain's campaign had been smarter, because it still seems like we got away with something, having gotten most people to the point where they weren't having it anymore.

But they aren't having it anymore, and that's what this whole story about rebranding and expanding the tent doesn't get. Later in the story:

"Do you really believe that we lost 18-to-34-year-olds by 19 percent, or we lost Hispanic voters, because we are not conservative enough?” he said. “No. This is a ridiculous line of thought. The truth is we lost young people because our Republican brand is tainted.”

You lost young people because you suck. You lost young people not because of the branding or because you had too few pseudo-fascists but because young people figured out that you basically hated them and their biracial gay friends from France or whatever, with their iPhones, and they looked around at all your true-bue conservative leading lights, like fucking Box Turtle John and Huckaputz, and Jonah, and said, um, we'll be down the hall where they're not mocking poor people for being poor. That's not a problem you can fix by coming up with a new slogan.

Though the portion of the economy that does branding studies and marketing campaigns thanks you for your stimulus.

Schmucks.

A.

John McCain's First 100 Days

Attempt to imagine:

Asked about his testy relations with Congress during his lone prime-time press conference (which scored near-record low ratings) in late February, McCain retrieved one of his musty jokes from mothballs as he cracked, "To quote Chairman Mao, `It's always darkest before it's totally black.'" The beleaguered McCain congressional relations team printed up T-shirts, which they still periodically display on trips to Capitol Hill, with the inscription, "Is it totally black yet?" It is ironic that McCain, the first president elected directly from the Senate in 48 years and a legislator known for his willingness to work with Democrats in the quest for compromise, is well on his way to becoming the most veto-prone president since Harry Truman, casting 13 during his first 14 weeks in office.

A.

How Much Did John Gibson's Haircut Cost?

I demand to know.

A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Vacation edition

Good morning, everyone!
First of all, my thanks to the First Draftees who contributed to Ms. DeWitt's Journalism class at Donorschoose - the hat I don't wear is off to you!

Now - let's get suited up and dip into the alleged minds of the horrendus res publica, shall we?
Don't forget - their inflammatory rhetoric is classified as propane language.

First tawdry tidbit in our hall of shame - Sarah cites Global Warming.  Freepers light farts in protest!

Climate change: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin acknowledges global warming is affecting her state
Chicago Tribune ^
Posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:47:45 AM by Sub-Driver
Climate change: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin acknowledges global warming is affecting her state But the former GOP vice presidential candidate contends gas drilling will help curb rising temperatures
By Kim Murphy | Tribune Newspapers April 15, 2009
ANCHORAGE — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin acknowledged Tuesday that global warming is harming her state but said stepped-up natural-gas production could mitigate its effects.
Palin spoke at a hearing before Interior Secretary Ken Salazar — the third of a series he is holding across the country to consider renewed oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf.
The 2008 Republican nominee for vice president said relatively clean-burning natural gas can supplant dirtier fuels and slow the discharge of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
"We Alaskans are living with the changes that you are observing in Washington," she said. "The dramatic decreases in the extent of summer sea ice, increased coastal erosion, melting of permafrost, decrease in alpine glaciers and overall ecosystem changes are very real to us."

For the Freepers, this must be like waking up the morning after their wedding night and finding the object of their affection standing over them with a knife and a determined look.

To: Sub-Driver

Nooooooo!!!

2 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:49:56 AM by Inyo-Mono (Had God not driven man from the Garden of Eden the Sierra Club surely would have.)

To: Sub-Driver

Huh? Say it aint so Sarah!

4 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:50:38 AM by NMEwithin

To: Inyo-Mono

Its so sad how the GOP has let rhetoric and pseudo science take a hypothesis and make it political reality..

5 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:51:01 AM by N3WBI3 (Ah, arrogance and stupidity all in the same package. How efficient of you. -- Londo Mollari)

To: Sub-Driver

So.
She’s joined Newt on the Global Warming Band Wagon.
NEXT!

7 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:51:41 AM by Dixiekraut (( Rommell...you magnificent bastard . I READ YOUR BOOK !!! ))

To: Sub-Driver

I guess I’ll have to lust after another woman from now on....

9 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:52:02 AM by mikelets456

And all this time I thought you loved her for her mind.....

To: Sub-Driver

The final nail. Palin - go away.

20 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 10:02:10 AM by TheBattman (Pray for our country...)

To: Sub-Driver

Well see you Sarah... If you believe this nonsense, then I have to let you go.

23 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 10:04:31 AM by Sprite518

To: Sub-Driver

Oh my gawd - I just can’t believe it.
Back to the hunt for true conservative candidates.

27 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 10:06:27 AM by WorkerbeeCitizen (The only time I want a Republican reaching across the aisle is to smack a liberal.)

There's a few "she didn't really mean it" types in Freeperville...

To: Sub-Driver

She acknowledges warming, but not as “man-made” warming.

6 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:51:12 AM by avacado

To: Sub-Driver

She acknowledges warming, but not as “man-made” warming. She’s calling their bluff. If it’s warming, then we need to develop more natural gas which has a low carbon footprint.

12 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:53:05 AM by avacado

To: Sub-Driver

I've seen some folks try to spin this as Gov Palin recognizing Global Warming, but not necessarily subscribing a human cause for it. I'm a big Palin fan, but it pains me to point out that she's talking about "greenhouse gases" and "carbon footprints" and "green energy".
She seems to have swallowed to kool-aid.

14 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:54:12 AM by ClearCase_guy (American Revolution II -- overdue)

...but the majority of the responses are like this:

To: Sub-Driver

Is she turning into a loon?

13 posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:54:11 AM by indylindy

....rhymes with - "June"? Nope.    "Spoon"?  Nah.   "Tune"?  Uh-uh.
I've got it!!!

"Traitor".

Well, what a wonderful way to start the day!
Lots more after the jump, soooooooo...

'Get Off Our Legs, Rush, Jeez'

Freed pirate hostages don't like being used as Rush's props. Imagine.

A.

We Keep Walking Away

Hey Peggy. Fuck you, you shallow, trivial, solipisistic moral dsylexic:

"Some things in life need to be mysterious," said Noonan, adding, "Sometimes you need to just keep walking."

She also added:

"It's hard for me to look at a great nation issuing these documents and sending them out to the world and thinking, oh, much good will come of that."

I'm sorry, Peg, is it boring around the house these days? Is it just such a bummer having to read about how the president whose leg you humped like a beagle on ecstasy hired a bunch of people to break the law and lie about it? Is that screwing with your plans to go shopping this weekend? Because I get it, I do, I'd much rather be writing about the White House garden and talking about how I covet Michelle's outfits SO MUCH and giving people tips on where to buy really awesome tea which has kind of become my new passion but unfortunately YOUR BEST FRIENDS FUCKED THE WORLD UP SO HERE WE ARE. Here we sit, reading daily memos about waterboarding and putting people in boxes with insects and making them too crazy to testify about the crimes for which we were interrogating them. It sucks.

It's hard for you to look at much good coming from us having to know all about the horrors done in our names? Yes, yes I can see that. But it's harder for me to look at a great nation TORTURING PEOPLE and sending them out to the world TO GET TORTURED MORE IN OUR SECRET PRISONS and thinking, oh, much good will come out of that. I raised that point, yet off we went, merrily torturing left right and center, so pardon me for not having so much sympathy for how it's now affecting your beautiful mind. I couldn't see much good coming out of throwing away centuries of established law just because we felt like it, just because we could, but I was a filthy, foul-mouthed hippie who probably secretly hates America, so what I and hundreds of thousands of others had to say didn't mean shit. 

As for Peggy's suggestion that we just keep walking, I'd like to ask her, where should we go? Keep walking? What the fuck FOR, if not to learn and change and reconcile and get better? I don't understand this high-handed crap of hers, and by the way, the urge to keep walking will only benefit those who still CAN fucking walk, which I have to imagine would be kind of tough after being waterboarded a hundred times in a month.

How on earth is it better that "some things remain mysterious?" The fuck? I'm a reporter, still, even now: Knowing is always better than not knowing. Knowing is always better than wondering, always better than suspecting, always better than fearing, always better even than hoping. You have to know about the world in which you live; I can understand not wanting to live with the horror jacked into the back of your head like the Matrix but I can't understand allowing that childish wish, the "Mommy, make it go away," to allow you to shut it all out. I can't conceive of the privilege necessary to convince yourself you have the right to advocate deliberate ignorance of the fundamental truths of this generation's history in order to make you feel better. Who are you, to say that? Who are you, to decide?

Keep walking. Every time I think I'm used to their callousness, they find a way to break through rock bottom and dig another mile down.

A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Journalism support edition

Ok folks - before we get silly, a serious note.
Athenae started the ball rolling early last week, asking First Draft readers to fund two student journalism projects.
Both were funded completely by the end of that day (?!?!?!).
I didn't get to contribute because my bi-weekly pay day wasn't until last Friday.
So - wander over here and look at this one -  not only are the students concentrating on blogging, but on becoming critical consumers of media.  Could anything be more important than teaching your students how to separate spin from reality by comparing what multiple sources say about the same events and divining the truth? The class also teaches the use of the HTML tools of the trade as they apply to Journalism.  The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is also matching our funds on this one!

I've already made a donation - please join me and help fund this very worthy enterprise.
And tell 'em First Draft sent ya.

Ok - now we can get our iso suits on and crack open the airlock door. There's plenty of oh-so-mockable insanity at the house of Free Republic!

First up -  Michelle charms, Freepers imagine leg humping!‏
...because that's just how they roll.

Michelle Obama charms queen away from protocol
Associated Press ^ | 4/2/2009 | JENNIFER QUINN,
Posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:09:51 PM by Indian_Fighter_Kite
LONDON – Michelle Obama's meeting with Queen Elizabeth II began with a handshake and ended in a hug.
The first lady arrived Wednesday with President Barack Obama. After separate meetings on the eve of the G-20 summit, the couple attended an evening reception for world leaders hosted by the queen.
Mrs. Obama clearly made an impression with the 82-year-old monarch — so much that the smiling queen strayed slightly from protocol and briefly wrapped her arm around the first lady in a rare public show of affection.

So - the Hug Heard Round The World is seen by people (even the English Press, who normally show as much compassion as a Piranha)  as a touching moment, when an American First Lady was granted the first public display of affection by the Monarch in 57 years, and returned the hug. Music swells, and the credits roll. Sweet, surprising, and touching.

Freepers? Not so much.

To: Indian_Fighter_Kite

Where’s the double bagger barf alert?

2 posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:10:43 PM by LottieDah (If only those who speak so eloquently on the rights of animals would do so on behalf the unborn)

To: Indian_Fighter_Kite

I think Mrs. BO should have fist bumped the Queen. Now THAT would have been a story.

3 posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:11:00 PM by Reagan69 (No Representation without Taxation !)

To: Indian_Fighter_Kite

I am vomiting uncontrollably right now...

7 posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:14:33 PM by NMEwithin

Apparently, into your keyboard.

To: Indian_Fighter_Kite

Michelle Obama looks like Donkey Kong.

9 posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:15:13 PM by exist

Ah, Freepers - nothing if not classy.

To: Reagan69

Nah. Chest Bump, followed by repeated fist pumps and a "Woof Woof Woof!". "Yo Q! Where's Charlie at?"
(hangs head in shame) If I saw this on the news, I'd not be surprised.

11 posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:15:54 PM by wbill

That's because you're an imbecile.

To: Indian_Fighter_Kite

Not to be too gross, but if Michelle had dry-humped the Queen, the Drive-bys would’ve also said Michelle “charmed her” to allow it.

14 posted on Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:17:11 PM by swatbuznik

Well, everyone can't be as charming and erudite as the denizens of Free Republic.
Or their dogs.

Lots more after the jump, gentlepeople, so let's go to it.

It's All About Them

Not that we ever doubted it, but DougJ points it out:

It’s interesting because most of what he says is right, but also interesting because, as is typical of Moran and his ilk, all that matters is the conservative movement.

But, yes, I think that we are at the point where we should laud conservatives for reaching the conclusion that unabated batshit craziness is a bad thing, even if the only reason they believe it’s a bad thing is that it hurts the conservative movement.

Right. Not that it's bad for the COUNTRY, or that lots of people will get dead if enough morons take Beck seriously, or even that at its most benign Beck's clowny bullshit does nothing to help anybody, but because it harshes the massive buzz conservatives have on after losing every election imaginable including one to a comedian.

It staggers me that these people don't think for one second before they open their Interweb traps and start wittering on about how being lunatic shitbags brings down the whole vibe, man, we're just trying to dance here and you're committing a party foul, or something. As usual with professional conservatives, it's not the lies that bother me, it's the truth.

A.

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Palin and Pals edition

Good morning everybody - let's suit up and get down to it, shall we?

This go-round of "Obsession" starts with some dissension in the Freeper ranks over their object de baver, but first, the Levi Johnson article you knew was coming after his reappearance on the talk show circuit.

Check out the media "blipz" and then come back!

Ok - from the sublime to the ridiculous - I present - Enough of the Palin-bashing!

 

Enough of the Palin-bashing!
March 29, 2008 | Me

Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 3:54:33 PM by Big Steve
I have seen a lot threads in here on our friend and heroine, Sarah Palin. While most in here are good, there have been some posts or comments in these posts that have led me to speak out. For all of you so-called conservatives who have nothing to do than bash Sarah Palin, I have only one word to say to you. ENOUGH! I have had it with finding fault with everything she does.
I'll admit, she needs more work, but to sit here and bash her like a member of the Democratic Party or liberal media is reprehensible. To say she is damaged goods because of her being McCain's running mate is reprehensible. She has brought more excitement and energy than any one I can remember except Reagan. She is young, vibrant, conservative, charismatic, and honest. She is beautiful as well, but that's besides the point. Even though we lost, I think bringing Sarah Palin on the national scene was probably one of the few things McCain did right in this campaign. Sarah was the one who brought out crowds to rallies as big as Obama did. That's saying something. The Dems, the media, and yes, even some Republicans, know that she's probably the one person who can unseat Obama in 2012. They know it, which is why they are continually attacking her even though the election is long gone.
I am a strong Sarah supporter, but I will not follow her blindly. If she does something that I don't agree with, I will say it. But she seems to know what she's doing, and I am just a regular person, which she is as well other than governor. I hope she runs for re-election in 2010 and wins, and if God is willing, she decides to run for the Presidency in 2012, I will enthusiastically support her. First, if she is re-elected, she just needs to work for the people of Alaska, which I'll know she'll do. After that, she should run in '12 if she decides to do so. She will have a strong base of support. All of the other candidates who ran in 08 should just step aside and let some new blood run. I do hope to volunteer for her campaign if she decides to run. That has been my dream, to work on a campaign. Hopefully it will be hers.
Again, for those so-called conservatives who bash her, either admit you just don't like Sarah, or get on board. It's not like, "It's her turn." It's our turn, and she can be our leader. She's not perfect, but who is? All I can say is, she will be the right person at the right time. Keep her and her great family in prayer as she makes the tough decisions down the road. God bless her and her family.

To: Big Steve

Sorry, there are no sacred cows.

3 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 3:58:28 PM by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)

Except for Ronald Reagan.

To: Big Steve

Free Republic is all about the free exchange of ideas, opinions and viewpoints.

Which is why anyone not toeing the Party Line gets their account suspended...

As for 'Enough of the Palin-bashing', there are some Freepers who don't like her, never liked her, and will NEVER like her.

She's ok in my book, not my first choice but a damn sight better than John McInsane or any other RINO in what used to be the Party of Reagan.

I'm working on reanimating his corpse even as we speak.
In an ironic twist, I'm using embryonic stem cells for the initial experiments.

I suggest FRiend, that imploring Freepers to cease and desist with bashing Sarah Palin is not unlike waving the sandwiches and snacks at a picnic out in the country and saying "you ants stay away now!"

Bashing Sarah Palin is unfortunately the right of any Freeper who dislikes her as intensely as many of us despise and did everything in our power to stop the likes of Rudy-Tooty and his ilk.

But kudos to you for standing up for her.

4 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 3:58:31 PM by mkjessup (You're either with our Constitution, or you are with TKU ("The Kenyan Usurper"). CHOOSE!!!)

To: Big Steve

I doubt I’d like her half so much if she didn’t drive the Leftists mad.
Honestly, I suspect that as president she would be an accomodater like GWB.

Insert your own Dubya joke here.

But after the scars she’s picked up over the last 9 months, maybe not.

5 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 3:59:08 PM by Crush T Velour

To: pissant

“Sorry, there are no sacred cows.”
Our more childish ones on FR can’t handle that reality.

11 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:05:55 PM by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)

To: pissant

Sorry, there are no sacred cows. Needs to said again. Enough of this "you're not a conservative if you don't worship Sarah" BS.

12 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:06:05 PM by GATOR NAVY

What's this? Is the bloom off the rose??

To: Big Steve

This is why the Liberals are in control. The Right/ Conservatives/ Republicans love to eat their own.

18 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:10:00 PM by Paige ("All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing," Edmund Burke)

Pass the catsup, please.

To: Big Steve

Your anger is justified, however it is the trolls that cruise this site that attack her.
Some of these trolls are Mitt, McCain, Huckster supporters or just democrat fascists.

19 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:10:21 PM by stockpirate (We the People should not look for the GOP to save us, they are part of the problem)

That's a pretty wide net, stockpirate.  Oh, and a bit of FRiendly advice - change your handle.

To: Big Steve

“Hey Sarah! Hold your head high, and you go, girl! And God be with you.” is all I’ve got to say. There are a few on FR who are in league with the RINOs.

25 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:13:28 PM by Paperdoll ( On the cutting edge)

Um - using Urban Dictionary catch phrases with Special-K commercial roots is not on the cutting edge of anything.

Girl.

To: Big Steve

You’d be surprised. We had a coronation here last time for Fred.

33 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:18:25 PM by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)

Ah yes, you did, didn't you?
Exactly how did that work out for you guys?

Ok - now that I've thrown the "eating their own" bunch a knife and a fork, there's so much more after the jump, so let's juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Today on Tommy T's Obsession With The Freeperati - Mormon uprising edition

Good morning,campers!
Virgo Tex thought that it'd be really funny to put Bosco in the bleach sprayers, so we're going to have to go in the back way today. No biggie.

First up - one of Jim Robinson's biggest (and probably least stingy) group of supporters goes rogue in - Freeperville - when Mormons attack!‏

New Mormon anti-freeper site and campaign to bankrupt FR
rumor mill | March 29, 2009 | Jim Robinson

Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:35:03 PM by Jim Robinson
I understand there is a new anti-freeper site started by disgruntled former and present Mormon FReepers and it is their intention of bankrupting FR during the coming Freepathon by withholding their donations and disrupting our activities. Well, all I can say is, if they feel that badly against FR, by all means they should withhold their donations and drop out of FR. But it they attempt to disrupt our operations I will guarantee they will no longer be members of FR. If that is their wish, so be it.
I'm not going to try to defend FR from their claims of religious persecution, but I will say that Mormons have and always have had free reign to post their threads on FR just as all other religious groups have enjoyed. Free Republic defends the right to freedom of religion and has always welcomed religious discussion and always will. And Mormons have always been welcome here. I have absolutely nothing against Mormons.
If you are one who has left or is leaving, I wish you well, but disruption of FR is not welcome and will not be tolerated.
And this is not the first time such activity has been attempted by groups of disgruntled former FReepers. Good luck with that. There is always some group that feels FR should be bent to their way of thinking and end up saying my way or the highway. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not changing so I guess it's the highway. Is it Feb 8 yet?
God bless.

---

TOPICS: Free Republic; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: disruption; mormons

1 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:35:04 PM by Jim Robinson

Ya gotta love that one of the keywords is "disruptions", even though no one's done anything yet.

To: Jim Robinson

I'm shocked and disappointed.

2 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:36:36 PM by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)

To: Jim Robinson

If only Romney were a black lesbian woman, he would be a lock. LOL

3 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:37:56 PM by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)

If Romney was a black lesbian woman, you still wouldn't be getting laid, just for an entirely different reason.

To: Jim Robinson

Can we get the mccainiacks to leave as well?

6 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:42:20 PM by imahawk (Life is tough.It's even tougher when you're stupid.)

Heh.

To: Jim Robinson

This is astonishing stuff.
I have been reading this post for a few minutes now and frankly, I am very surprised to learn of this.
I certainly do not see eye to eye with LDS, but on political issues I have long thought that most have their heads screwed on right.

10 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:45:29 PM by Radix (Two down, 46 to go.)

Marriages of political expedience only work when you're actually in power.
Otherwise, it's back to "My Deity can beat up your Deity".

To: Jim Robinson

There is always some group that feels FR should be bent to their way of thinking and end up saying my way or the highway
Yepper, and the h*** with them. 

11 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:45:47 PM by valkyry1

Who Would Jesus ZOT?

To: Jim Robinson

A pledge is a legally-recognized debt.
Sell them to debt collectors.

15 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:46:50 PM by MeanWestTexan (Beware Obama's Reichstag Fire.)

You know, that is probably the most Republican thing I have ever read on Free Republic.

To: All

Everyone wave to the anti-FReepers, they're reading this thread.
[waves, blows kiss]

16 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:48:39 PM by 1rudeboy

(waves back, sells kiss to debt collectors)

To: Jim Robinson

Can we start by ZOTING those stupid mormon threads sixty times a day, seven days a week attempting to brainwash us into believing it is a real religion?

17 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:48:55 PM by stockpirate (We the People should not look for the GOP to save us, they are part of the problem)

To: Jim Robinson

These are no doubt the same Palin bashing pro-Romney posters investing out site.

20 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:50:38 PM by stockpirate (We the People should not look for the GOP to save us, they are part of the problem)

To: Jim Robinson

Crazy Jim...just crazy.
Those that feel that way should go take their frustrations out over at the DailyKOS.
How does hurting this excellent grassroots platform help in their cause? You are only enabling and empowering the very groups that despise you - the Mormon.

I've got a fiver for the reader who can explain those last two sentences to me.
On second thought, never mind - some things are better left unexplored.

Maybe before you cast your stones at an American Patriot - Jim Robinson, you should spend time reflecting on what it really means to be a Mormon. Apostle Paul had something to say about this:
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
We need to stand together at this time where our very existence in under the largest assault in history of our country.

No, you have Mormons confused with $cientologists.
They do have an ethics condition called "non-existence", but I don't think it's the same thing.

We need to focus solely on the core principles that will keep us together instead of focusing on particulars that would otherwise drive us apart.

Like money.

Do not underestimate our enemy. Remember the person that was least likely to ever be elected President of our great Republic has been put in office.
We need to set aside our differences and focus on preserving our Constitution and Republic through the tenacity FREEPER’s have.
Let’s focus our energies on turning our country around and ending the era of Political Correctness once and for all.
At this time in history we all need to rise above the fray and make that continued commitment to see this through.
Without grassroots efforts like Free Republic we don’t stand a chance!

18 posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:50:15 PM by surfer

Surfer - dude - I totally hate to be the one to tell you, but you haven't stood a chance since the American People woke up and tossed you on the slag heap of history. Sucks to be you.

All, right, adjust your masks and air supplies, cause there's lots more after the jump.
(looks at reflection in airlock door and slowly removes bunny ears from head)

Verry funny.   Verrry funny.
(glares at Pansypoo)

Column: Colorblind

Seriously, Ann Compton:

The past 64 days have been anything but colorblind, and to expect anything of the kind to such a degree as to even ask about it is to display a naiveté that would be charming were it not coming from, you know, a national news reporter.

The past 64 days that have featured these stunning displays of colorblindness:

Republican strategist Chip Saltsman, a candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee and former head of Mike Huckabee's campaign for the presidency, sent out as a Christmas present a parody song called "Barack the Magic Negro." Even his fellow GOPers thought that one crossed the line, but Saltsman said he thought his pals would have the "good humor and good sense" to appreciate such fine comedy stylings.

The mayor of a small California town thought it would be a funny joke to forward to local officials and others an e-mail showing a watermelon patch on the White House lawn under the title: "No Easter egg hunt this year." He later resigned, protesting that he had no idea the image was stereotypical.--

Conservative radio host Tammy Bruce mocked first lady Michelle Obama for "trying to sound like a white girl" when she spoke, and announced, "You know what we've got? We've got trash in the White House." Her quick clarification that "trash" knew no color was a pathetic attempt to pull her foot out of her mouth when she was already chewing her shoe.

That's a heck of a colorblind 64 days. And those are just the examples that made it out of the realm of funny little private jokes people tell one another when they think they're among sympathetic listeners. Those are just the most egregious examples, the least-veiled instances, the moments when the careful mask most racists have in place these days slipped enough to reveal what lay beneath.

A.