These Three Conservatives Make Me Feel Like There Is Still Sanity in the World
Ever since Donald Trump became the Republican standard bearer, I have praised him when he has pursued conservative policies, and defended his excellent Supreme Court pick from unfair and absurd attacks. I have also criticized Trump when he has either pursued leftist policies or acted the fool. Since Trump patently cares little about policy, and spends most of his time acting the fool, I end up criticizing him a lot.
Two years ago, I would have told you that if I criticized a president when he deserved criticism, and praised him when he deserved praise, conservatives would be on board and do the same. Today, I know better. It makes most conservatives sad when I criticize Trump for any reason.
If I criticize him for acting the fool, I am told we should look at what he does, not what he says. (Somehow, what I say is fair game for criticism, but what the President of the United States says is not.)
If I criticize him for pursuing or extending leftist policies (forcing transgender terminology on schools, calling a tepid non-repeal of ObamaCare “mean,” etc.) I am told he is Not Hillary — as if being Not Hillary excuses him for all future leftist policy positions.
Trump Administration to Teachers: You Must Use a Transgender Student’s “Preferred Pronouns” https://t.co/aQqwMaKGEX
— Patterico (@Patterico) July 2, 2017
If I praise him for pursuing conservative policies — something I have less and less opportunity to do these days — I am given a pass, of sorts. But usually a few people will come along and gloat, saying that if I had gotten my way and Hillary were President, we would not have this wonderful conservative outcome. And then I get to explain to these people for the umpteenth time that I did not want Hillary to be President and did not vote for her. No matter. The argument proceeds on the assumption that Donald Trump was owed my vote and the fact that I did not give it to him was an unforgivable betrayal of all that is good and right.
Sure, Trump may have praised the Chinese massacre at Tiananmen Square. Sure, he equated U.S. realpolitik with Putin’s murder of journalists — and even gave Putin cover on that issue by asserting that the murders cannot be attributed to Putin. Sure, he has praised single-payer health care in the past. Sure, he said he likes the ObamaCare mandate. Sure, he supports economically ruinous protection policies because he is pig-ignorant on economic issues. Sure, he donated to Hillary in the past. Etc. etc. No matter. I am history’s greatest monster because I did not give this tremendous human being my vote.
When you criticize Donald Trump, it can feel like a lonely slog.
So when I read opinions by other people that give me comfort that there is still sanity out there, I really appreciate it. And this morning I read three such pieces. They are all excellent and deserve your attention. Let me link them and quote from them in turn.
The first piece is about four days old. It’s from Ben Shapiro, and it’s so good I just want to quote the whole thing. But I won’t, because I want you to read it all. Shapiro writes:
Trump has re-enshrined the Iran deal; his greatest defender on Fox News, Tucker Carlson, now spends his evenings browbeating commentators who suggest that Iran poses a threat to the United States. Trump has doubled down on President Obama’s policies on Russia in Syria; his cease-fire deal with the Russians was so bad that even the Israelis rejected it. Trump has not reformed taxes. There is no world in which Obamacare will be repealed. There is no wall, nor will the wall be forthcoming anytime soon.
That’s not to say that Trump might not end up fulfilling some of these promises. I hope and pray he does. But it’s clear that the vast majority of Republicans no longer care if he does, so long as he does one thing: keep tweeting about the fake-news media. Were Trump to fulfill every conservative pledge but stop tweeting about Mika Brzezinski’s face and CNN’s ratings, many Republicans would be less enamored of him. Trump’s visceral rage is what thrills Republicans, not his policy — and a huge number of Republicans aren’t even interested in whether the rage undercuts his policy. If Mike Pence replaced Donald Trump and implemented every jot and tittle of the conservative program, then won reelection, most Republicans would be enraged, not excited.
Trump’s character is now a thoroughly accepted positive good.
The piece is just so great, and the next passage so on target, that I hope Ben will forgive me if I quote it at some length. This captures precisely what I have come to believe about too many conservatives these days:
Trump allows us to indulge our id and feel righteous while doing it. We grew up believing that decent behavior made you a decent person — but then we realized that breaking the rules not only makes victory easier, it’s more fun than having to struggle with the moral qualms of using moral means to achieve moral ends. So we’ve constructed a backwards logic to absolve ourselves of moral responsibility. The first premise: The other side, which wants bad things, cheats and lies and acts in egregious ways.
The second premise: It requires cheating to defeat them.
The third premise: If they are not defeated, the country will be destroyed.
Conclusion: It is morally required to cheat and lie and act in egregious ways.
Now, the first premise may indeed be true. But the second two are arguable at the very least. Without cheating and lying and acting in Trumpian fashion, Republicans in 2016 won massively at the state level, including governorships, and retained control of the Senate and House. And Democrats, for all their horrible perspectives, are not ISIS or Nazis. That means that the means we use matter.
But we don’t want them to matter.
And so we castigate as “weak-kneed” anyone who says that colluding with Russia to defeat Hillary Clinton is wrong. We suggest they just don’t get it. They must have wanted Hillary! They must be idiots or rubes. We must fight anyone who opposes Russian collusion, because that would undercut our fun.
A year ago, many conservatives said that ends justified means — and that the end was the implementation of conservative policies. Some conservatives still feel this way. But now that Trump isn’t actually implementing conservative policies, the truth is coming out: For most conservatives, the ends don’t just justify the means, the means are the ends. All that matters is the punching, even if the punching is both counterproductive and immoral.
Next, we have Jonah Goldberg.
I have few illusions about my ability to talk anyone out of their delusions, particularly liberals. But it is part of my job description to try, particularly with conservatives. To say I have failed — largely true — is not an argument against making the effort.
If you’re a cultist, the only thing that will snap you out of it is Trump himself. At some point, he will do something that will cause the worshippers — or at least most of them — to recognize he was a false god all along. It will be like that scene in The Man Who Would be King, when the girl bites Sean Connery on the cheek. When he bleeds, the faithful realize he is but a mortal.
But in the meantime, horrible damage is being done, because the rationalizations and tribalism are being institutionalized. Clicks-from-cultists media outlets strive to justify and rationalize every failure as a success and every setback as part of the master plan. If you don’t see it, you’re part of the establishment, a globalist, or an elitist. The RNC is reportedly refusing to support Republican candidates who criticized Donald Trump in the wake of the Access Hollywood video. “[The president] is unhappy with anyone who neglected him in his hour of need,” an anonymous RNC insider explained. Horrible damage is being done, because the rationalizations and tribalism are being institutionalized.
This is sickening madness. If this is true, then the logical inference is that the GOP as a party believes that there was nothing wrong with the president’s conduct, even though he was a Democrat at the time. Or, perhaps, that there is nothing so wrong with what he said — and what he claimed he did — that it can justify breaking faith in the Leader.
That is moral rot on an institutional scale and the people aiding and abetting it should be ashamed of themselves.
Finally, Charlie Sykes:
Trump, who remains unbowed and unchanged by the presidency, continues to transform the party that last year capitulated to him. Or more accurately, the conservative movement continues to transform itself into his image.
. . . .
[W]e have become precisely what he hated and claimed to stand against. Add in the ways the Right has succumbed to cult of personality politics and you have the toxic stew in which we now find ourselves marinating.
. . . .
Trump will not, of course, always be with us. But he will leave a mark on the culture and character of conservativism for a very long time.
Thank you, Mr. Shapiro. Thank you, Mr. Goldberg. Thank you, Mr. Sykes.
Thank you for setting an example. Thank you for reaffirming that decency is not a joke — in a culture that increasingly treats it as one.
For each of you, saying these words, and staking out these positions, is both easy and very difficult. Easy, because it’s the only way you know. You would never become one of the panderers — we all know they exist and who they are — who openly praise the worst of Trump’s immorality, and decry as “sissies” anyone who disagrees. So in a way, it’s easy for you . . . because you would never contemplate being other than who you are.
But at the same time, it’s difficult. Because expressing these positions opens you up to a lot of flak from partisans who have constituted a large bulk of your fans over the years. Your livelihood depends on an audience — and not being a panderer is costing you clicks. And you know that’s true. And still, you stand up for the right things. I admire that about you.
Thanks for helping to make the world seem a little less insane.
[Cross-posted at RedState and The Jury Talks Back.]
the policy about trannies seems to be pretty clearly aimed at telling people it’s not ok to taunt little tranny children with pronouns of the gender their pretending not to be
this strikes me as a fairly well-known rule of decency
tranny kids are basically suffering from a truly horrific disability, and it’s not really the school’s job to offer them “reality therapy” by using the correct pronouns to demonstrate how deluded they are
they need serious professional help, and that’s simply beyond the purview of what schools can do, so the best thing they can do is to not to antagonize these kids and make a bad situation worse
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 11:53 amSigh, it’s this foolishness that got you Kamala harris. I have raise objectiond about the Iran policy but the people behind it are the leakers behind these nothing burgers,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:01 pmI prefer general Flynn to McMaster but we can’t have that because grishenko, and tillerson seems to be foggy bottom’s voice instead of vice versa.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:10 pmHow are pronouns taught in English nowadays? How is gender taught in science?
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:10 pmVoice Versa.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:10 pmhere’s the actual guidance [PDF]:
granted, it would be better if the Department of Education were just abolished
but that would throw these sorts of disputes straight to the courts
this sort of guidance is aimed at helping schools stay out of courts
if the inept Republicans hadn’t handed the lower courts to radical anti-american communists this might not be so much of a problem
long story short Congress can fix this using its snazzy Republican majorities if it wants to amend the underlying statutes
meanwhile President Trump appointed the staunchiest supporter of school vouchers to head the Department of Education in our nation’s whole entire history
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:11 pmAssuming the new head of civil right from Abercrombie and North Carolina is seated.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:15 pmoopers
it’s not ok to taunt little tranny children with pronouns of the gender *they’re* pretending not to be
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:23 pmThey had a transgender student speak at my son’s graduation. It reminded me of Rush’s feminist update:
We’re transgender and we’re in your face. There was no other reason for the inclusion.
Interestingly enough, between my son and daughter’s graduation this person apparently got the full Monty.
My wife had no idea that 6 was 9. I guess they simmer down a bit when they pass-unless they are beating women in MMA and track and field.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:26 pmis to not
toantagonize these kidsthat sucks Mr. pinandpuller but i’d bet the average public school kid is significantly more likely to be molested by a public school teacher than to have some kind of adverse experience with a tranny
trannies in the wild tend to be fairly timid and skittish
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:39 pmThe craziest thing when I was growing up was hearing about the transvestite who lived in the next town over. People would report sightings of him at Safeway and other locations around town-as if they spotted Motley Crue.
In 27 years of living there I never saw the guy.
I worked for a uniform company for a little while. I went to a non specified location to deliver overalls. As I was walking thru a Men’s locker room I noticed there were dozens of white hard hats hung up…and one pink one.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:44 pmThe RNC is reportedly refusing to support Republican candidates who criticized Donald Trump in the wake of the Access Hollywood video.
the link belies this hysterical categorical from our excitable friend Mr. Goldberg
if you click through you learn this:
the chick they’re not supporting loves abortions (this is anathema to Republican orthodoxy) and is massively trailing her Democrat opponent (2-1)
given that the hapless and maladroit Chris Christie is leaving office with a legacy that includes a pitiful filthy NJ that’s recognized as the biggest fiscal trainwreck in failmerica (surpassing even Illinois) maybe this is an exceptionally good place for the RNC to pick its battles
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:54 pmthere’s something so rainman about Ben Shapiro lately i don’t even wanna engage
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 12:59 pmno tranny, no kushner, no daughter and shove something up the ayatollahs backside.
mg (31009b) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:00 pmSo many strawmen to burn down, but I’m working. Maybe later.
I’ll leave you with one thing. War is horrible. But you don’t pull punches in war because that just encourages the enemy to think it can win. And yes, the left us the enemy.
NJRob (91283d) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:02 pmMaybe we should be funneling our square pegs into extensive PPE fields. The proverbial tranny in the coal mine.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:04 pmConsidering heck ayotte and Kirk rupolev’d themselves last time, over that tape.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:07 pmThe Left is Guy Fawkes sans mask.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:07 pmThank you for reaffirming that decency is not a joke — in a culture that increasingly treats it as one.
A toast with ideologue whine… vintage conservatism; sour grapes; bitter dregs.
“Aw, I don’t know. He was disappointed in the world so he built one of his own, an absolute monarchy.” – Jed Leland [Joseph Cotten] ‘Citizen Kane’ 1941
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:21 pmTrump’s character is now a thoroughly accepted positive good.
lol
Ben Shapiro, remember is credentialed harvardtrash. He’s very invested in credentialism. He’s probably still making payments on this.
And yes President Trump’s defeat of harvardtrash Ted is a fairly significant rejection of credentialism.
So poor little Ben has to craft a narrative what says the bulk of all Republicans are now hopelessly trashy losers what glorify low character.
And if that makes him feel better about paying his student loans then good for him.
But it’s just too obviously contrived.
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:21 pmWhereas he actually set Iran and russia back at khan shayrat, and in yemen.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:34 pmDCSCA: Are you saying conservative wine is inferior because of the native soil or is the CLIMATOLOGY?
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:35 pmi read where yemen lit up a saudi refinery last night
love it
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:36 pmWhereas Mosaddegh was repealed and replaced by Pahlavi.
Iranians couldn’t see the vague hypocrisy of the Galtright.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:40 pmBen Shapiro:
At first I thought, particularly since Jordan was included, and Jordan is basically under the Israeli security umbrella, which is why ISIS never touched it, that Israel was a silent participant. But later I read that Iisrael because the whole thing was negotiated wiithout them. and it ssaeems like the area near the Israeli border or the ceasefire line is not included
So it looks like Iran is preoparing for another war – or missile attacks – against Israel – whixh will hit deep into israel and maybe shut down Ben Gurion airport. And the current tension is part of the preliminaries for making it look like it didn’t start out of the blue. It will be a religious war.
This is very serious, because it will be very hard for the Arab/Moslem side to back down. About as hard as Southern states in the U.S. Civil War not seceding.
The only thing is, Iran may not be able to get its chips lined up right very fast.
If a war does break out, the Israeli cabinet will be divided with some advocating that Damascus be occupied and Assad overthrown, if they can do it. Then there will be a problem of getting out, since almost anything reasonable has been destroyed.
Sammy Finkelman (02a146) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:40 pmActually the Shah forgot the lesson of not ticking off the mullahs and the merchants,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:41 pm@20. Some catch on quicker than others. Ol’George Will saw the page turning earlier than most and clings to what’s left of his relevance with of all outlets, MSNBC. Next Ben, Jonah and Charlie will get desperate and cry “Reagan, Reagan, Reagan” — and discover to their horror 40 year old voters simply yawning with eyes glazed over, staring into their Iphones.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:45 pm@26. “Shah! Shah! Ayatollah so!” – Robin Williams
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:46 pmDid you learn the lesson of not ticking off Adm. Poindexter?
I hear he was especially bigoted against latinos, even the submissive ones.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:47 pmyes yes stale warmed-over reagan
nobody in real life says yum yum in my tum tum to that except for harvardtrash Ted
how’d that work out for ya ted
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:48 pm“discover to their horror 40 year old voters simply yawning with eyes glazed over, staring into their Iphones.”
Imagine…millenials.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:50 pmThis is the sanity thread, right?
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:51 pm@22. Just totally corked.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:52 pmWhen you get to the last sip of liberal wine it’s 90% spit.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:53 pmYeah, but you can fish out the cork debris and still get drunk.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:54 pmI don’t know about credentials he.
it’s more like that NeverTrump Brand.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:54 pmHe was a critic during the primaries
https://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2017/07/22/some-advice-for-president-trump-plus-announcing-a-new-charity/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:55 pmnevertrump is just a subreddit of the butthurt reddit
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:56 pmSpicer wine has no kick. I prefer three roses for flavor too.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:57 pmi saw that Mr. narciso I thought it was a delightful read
that wretchard guy seems to have twisted off a bit though with his whole the robot apocalypse is nigh thing
back away slowly
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:58 pmReagan has to be in the top 20 of most popular girl names.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 1:59 pmAt first I thought this was teh Onion but it’s real fake NEWS.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4721650/Donald-Trump-asked-make-dummy-visit-UK.html
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:00 pmthat’s probably more of a shakespeare thing
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:00 pm@35. Bitter dregs– and that old school hangover in the light of day.
“One of the side effects of roofies is memory loss.” – Alan Garner [Zach Galfianakis] ‘The Hangover’ 2009
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:02 pmDummy visit makes Queens Top Ten Leprosies List.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:02 pmSorry. Stomach cramps made me forget link.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4721650/Donald-Trump-asked-make-dummy-visit-UK.html
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:03 pmMy name is Trump, King of Kings;
Kevin M (752a26) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:04 pmLook on my Works, ye Sane, and despair!
“I like having sex while tripping on ‘L'”
Timothy Leary
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:05 pmFrom the one who formulated the strong horse
http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/241381/news-of-the-news
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:05 pmLiberal wine is always red and you wake up feeling like someone hit you in the head with a bike lock.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:05 pmDCSCA
God love ya but you are more repetitive than Light My Fire.
Pinandpuller (dc23fc) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:06 pmMore a rich dees thing,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:07 pmOk that last one was off topic, but not by much.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:08 pmPBS
I met a traveller from an antique land,
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:11 pmWho said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Now Ozymandias was a King. Even if Trump Bonaparted himself to Emperor and married Ivanka,he still wouldn’t be a King.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:13 pm@51. You mean Deaveresque.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:15 pmI take small comfort in that, I didn’t endorse this guy.
Yes, everyone else would have been lots worse.
I have to go puke now.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:17 pmhere’s my favorite undiscussed thinkings lately
Governors and Mayors Should Be Begging for Trump’s Tax Cut
here is text if you do not do subscribes on WSJ fake news
rtwt
but i been thinking about this ever since the Illinois budget crisis was “resolved”
a lot of people who support this Madigan p.o.s. were saying outright that if federal taxes were cut it would just give Illinois that much more room to raise taxes even more – some even suggested abolishing the federal income tax altogether so Illinois could slurp it all up
which suggests that there’s a discussion to be had beyond what Laffer contemplated in his oped
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:18 pm“I take small comfort in that, I didn’t endorse this guy.
Yes, everyone else would have been lots worse.
I have to go puke now.”
Thread winner.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:29 pm@31. Imagine… millenials.
When Ben, Jonah and Charlie want to reach millennials, which veil of “conservative” ‘decency’ works better:
Reminding them Ronnie called his second wife Mommie.
Reminding them Donnie calls his first daughter a hottie.
“What a revoltin’ development this is.” – Chester Riley [William Bendix] ‘The Life of Riley’ NBC TV, 1953-1958
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:33 pmIt’s not necessarily so that anybody worships Trump, but in the words of another Donald [Rumsfeld]:
Neo (d1c681) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:41 pm“You Go To War With The Army You Have—not The Army You Might Want Or Wish To Have At A Later Time.
They didn’t worship Jim Jones either. They just swallowed the Flounder whole without asking that perilous question about his true agenda.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:46 pmthey just swallowed the whole goddamn flounder
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 2:49 pmPatterico leads the league with assists and points scored per game.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:03 pmBonaparte was King of Italy.
Kevin M (752a26) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:31 pmWhoops. Naples, and it was his brother. So much for memory.
Kevin M (752a26) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:32 pmNo, 17, Kirk lost the sensible Asians of the suburbs with the D.A.R.s in Thailand but against female Max Clelland.
urbanleftbehind (8d42ac) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:35 pmI swing by once in a while to see what the temperature is this week.
All the NeverTrumpers are quoted.
It might help to read Something other than NR on the topic.
The next day we reported, per Eli Lake, that Trump had balked at providing certification and came close to not doing so, but in the end certified Iranian compliance.
But the invaluable Omri Ceren of the Israel Project informs us that, contrary to “almost all major reporting,” Trump stopped short of certifying that Iran is complying with the deal. Indeed, he removed language about Iranian compliance and added language emphasizing Iranian violations. This AP story confirms Ceren’s report.
What, then, did the president certify? He certified only that Iran has met the four narrow conditions of the 2015 Corker-Cardin bill, says Ceren. The four conditions are these:
(1) Iran is implementing the deal,
(2) Iran is not in material breach,
(3) Iran is not advancing its nuclear weapons program, and
(4) sanctions relief is appropriate and vital for U.S. national security.
In limiting his certification to the four conditions, and listing several Iranian violations, the administration made it clear that, although Iran is not in “material breach,” neither is it in full compliance. This is the compromise brought about by Trump’s last-minute intervention.
In 90 days the subject come up again and there is some evidence that Trump will NOT certify then.
Have a nice day.
Mike K (b3dd19) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:46 pm58. It also kills a lot of mojo for local referendums which at least produce tangible surface level municipal infrastructure and services as opposed to the pnsion blob that most of the Illinois state increase goes to.
urbanleftbehind (8d42ac) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:48 pmBottom line: Trump gave Iran sanctions relief.
nk (dbc370) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:50 pmYes it’s not unlike Reagan abiding by salt 2
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:53 pmBut first he said, “No, no, good Sir, that’s not proper!”
nk (dbc370) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:55 pmAll views and opinions expressed in Patrick’s post are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.
Dave (711345) — 7/23/2017 @ 3:59 pmEmptywheel(Rayne)
Suspicions run high that the White House leaked the intelligence on Sessions’ to WaPo. We know now WaPo had the story a month ago but didn’t run it; they were likely waiting for corroborating source(s). Presto, one just shows up; who had access to that intelligence besides the Gang of Eight?
The White House also had complete control over the announcement of the communications director change-over.
What’s the chances the Kushner story was likewise nudged to fit inside the news storm so that Jared could surf his way out undeterred by the press? Sourcing on the article appears immaculate; perhaps the reporters call the Office of Ethics in Government every day, perhaps they watch a feed, but the timing is so incredibly perfect to assure this particular story doesn’t get a lot of traction.”
Is Trumpty DUMPTY sock-puppetting his own leaks? Absurd..mebbe..donnow..jaysus.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:04 pmI’ll bet it was his old publicist “John Barron”…
Dave (711345) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:11 pmKevin M
kishnevi (86e9bc) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:12 pmYou were right the first time. “King of Italy” was a secondary title he used. He took the title from the medieval Holy Roman Emperors, and was actually crowned in Milan in 1805 with the “Iron Crown of Lombardy” used by the HREs. His stepson Eugene (Josephine’s son) was viceroy. I’d have to check for the boundaries, but it essentially consisted of the northern half of the peninsula.
That fits definition of things only an intellectual could beliece
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:13 pmhttp://invisibleserfscollar.com/reliable-compass-wiring-a-neural-noetic-keel-without-popular-outrage-or-scrutiny/
In 90 days the subject come up again and there is some evidence that Trump will NOT certify then.
The usual twist and shout. Just like every six months he has to officially say the embassy stays in Tel Aviv.
kishnevi (86e9bc) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:15 pmI would say it’s akin to Richard burt having led over perle although rowny and pipes still provide impuy.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:16 pm“I’ll bet it was his old publicist “John Barron”…”
As the erstwhile patriots would say..
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:17 pm“SO?”
Replying to comment 68, that seems to be a meaningless distinction:
It’s a tough situation for Trump and America. Trump may refuse to certify that Iran is in compliance but he didn’t this time, and no amount of spin will change that.
DRJ (15874d) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:23 pmYes and who pushed most strongly to stall:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Kredo0/status/888533226087751680
When you cheered the removal of Flynn and the demotion of McFarland, this is what you get.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:29 pmthe important thing is Obama certified Israel as America’s number one jew-nuking franchise in the middle east
and there’s not a damn thing President Trump or general Mattis the pre-operative ladyboy tranny can do
(diabolically clever scheme)
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:30 pmWhat does that remind me of? Wait, wait … it’ll come to me. Was it a press conference? Was FBI Director Comey there? Was it about Hillary?
nk (dbc370) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:31 pmoopers i meaned he certified Iran sorry i got texts in the middle of commenting
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:33 pmStill hammers looking for that nail. Iran is the third leg of Neocon strategy. They don’t take breaks.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/23/2017 @ 4:35 pmNow that would actually be arabist,
‘Uou teach a class in this’
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 5:35 pmTo do nothing.
My same answer for for tbe eight years of Obama. you voted for it.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/23/2017 @ 5:53 pmDo squirrels have saddles
http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/23/exclusive-fbi-seized-smashed-hard-drives-from-wasserman-schultz-it-aides-home/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 5:59 pmI’m sure there a perfectly good explanation,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:09 pmThey were recreating the copier scene from office space.
why isn’t the sleazy fbi even a little bit curious about this
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:11 pmIn the event of a nuclear detonation they would quibble over fall out patterns
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:26 pmDo cobras have jets?
“‘Do squirrels have saddles
http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/23/exclusive-fbi-seized-smashed-hard-drives-from-wasserman-schultz-it-aides-home/
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:31 pmnarciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 5:59 pm ‘”
82. https://mobile.twitter.com/Kredo0/status/888533226087751680
That’s a good sign.
Better to have no theory, than a wrong theory.
The truth I, it is for no reason at all. It’s hatred for nothing, or because of lies.
Sammy Finkelman (980460) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:34 pmPatterico, criticism of Trump may feel like a lonely slog, but defending him here wasn’t no walk in the park either.
Preferring Trump to Cruz during the primaries occasioned an angry avalanche of abusive invective. Now, I wasn’t the only outspoken Trump defender but it sure got a bit lonely on my side at times, especially when commenters I’ve respected for years launched the sort of attacks typical of rabid moonbats.
The lesson that came through loud and clear, the one I didn’t see coming, is the realization that self-identified conservatives can be just as blind, mean, stupid, and arrogant as any kool-ade drinking Democrat true believer.
People are people and the veneer of civil debate eroded rather quickly when the stakes were high enough to arouse the emotions. Apparently, the urge to resort to insult and invective quickly arises on both sides.
The common denominator is a passionate and largely unexamined adherence to the shared belief in a better future only achievable after total victory over non-belivers.
Trouble is that after the smoke clears we’re still all in the same boat and need to find ways to work together. However, this time around too many of us are unwilling to set our passions aside and pull together for the common good largely because our definition of the ‘good’ is so divergent as to exclude the elements the other side holds essential.
If the Left’s lawfare can’t destroy Trump, his victories will continue to accumulate and more and more Americans will flock to his side. As pressure builds on Democrat leaders their antics will reach ever higher levels of absurdity and ineffectiveness. Consequently, the old
ropelight (a7d89c) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:35 pmDemocrat coalition will likely fracture along racial and regional fault lines, and one possibility is that a new Urban Party will arise to take it’s place.
Because it’s in their book and their chants of khaybar its a promise,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:36 pmnarciso @89,90. They were spies, probably for Pakistan.
Sammy Finkelman (980460) — 7/23/2017 @ 6:41 pmDon’t know if it comes with ots,own horse.
https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russias-most-dangerous-dipomat-kislyak-appointed-senator-58421
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:00 pmNot willing to set aside passions? From where I sit there are many like me who have just said it isn’t worth it, passions be dam_ed, we don’t care anymore. From all sides it seems like corruption and politics as usual. Power plays and nobody really cares about the people who actually voted. It’s all about power in Washington. Trump is so worried about his Twitter account and getting the last 140 characters in that he isn’t even taking the time to fill needed positions, get rid of the Obama holdovers, and clean house (wasn’t there a swamp to be drained?). He is busy sending his progeny off to support his nepotistic administration (granted no worse than Kennedy’s) and maintaining the empty hyperbole presidency he currently has. He feeds the media frenzy which some say is brilliant manipulation on his part but in my mind he just comes off as an idiot. I give Trump credit for his beginning the paring down of regulations and freeing up businesses to a small degree and his court appointment was excellent in my book but the rest? Non-existent. The Republicans can’t work together and other than two or three have no recollection of any campaign promises that they might have made in the past concerning healthcare, immigration or taxes. But they sure remember that an election is coming up next year….
Passions? They died in the first four months and no tweet, no threat, no promises even come close to reviving them. Where I used to be politically active I now just watch and honestly, don’t care. I teach truth, honor, life and liberty to my grandchildren and pray a lot that the nation I once knew is still there somewhere but it’s being lost in the hypocrisy of the day.
Marci (e5bb26) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:03 pmThe press has been laundering false documents from Russian sources for six months now, the top three officials in the bureau have been complicit in this. The previous administration which was so far up Russia’s innards they needed a medical specialist, have planted these whisperers in the bureaucracy, pompeo might as well be a plotted plant, as far as the administration of intelligence
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:14 pmWe know how the dhs proceeded that phony document which was the basis for the second Hawaii decision. Re the seven countries under review.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:21 pmThere will come a reckoning, a market top a unvetted terrorist from one of those seven countries, likely what the new premium prices will be in the fall.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:24 pmLets recall david plouffes words about trump, ‘it is not enough to defeat trump, but to destroy him utterly’ despite the resources of nearly all seven networks, all the dailies, the intelligence services mentioned above the media and the educational estAblishment, he’s doing gIrly well. The top doesn’t really want to build a,wall, they dont evince any real interest in tax reform or Obamacare.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:37 pmBuck up, lad.
I care deeply. My niece just married a Navy man. I gave him a flashlight for a wedding present. And batteries to last him a lifetime*. Because nothing is blacker than black than a warship that goes dark
*It’s a standing order. Also a good knife. And a pasta maker.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:42 pmSomeone agrees with you in part
http://datechguyblog.com/2017/07/19/news-from-our-hemisphere-gone-awol/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:56 pmAcross the pond the Tories want to lose by a landslide;
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tory-cabinet-minister-justine-greening-10855840
narciso (d1f714) — 7/23/2017 @ 7:59 pmThe international order of confefe
Or whateves.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/23/2017 @ 8:27 pmBen Shapiro is a moron, and writes like a 15 year old – which he almost is. He’s the Ezra Klein of the right, and deserves just as much serious consideration of his views – which is to say “none.”
Shipwreckedcrew (48100e) — 7/23/2017 @ 8:59 pmThat’s a silly thing to say — and it’s belied by the excellent piece that is the subject of my post.
Patterico (adad0d) — 7/23/2017 @ 9:16 pmOK, Shipwreckedcrew. Granted. He[s a moron and a 15 year old. Sounds easy to beat. Why can’t you do it?
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/23/2017 @ 9:17 pmAlso, he is 33.
Patterico (adad0d) — 7/23/2017 @ 9:18 pmI didn’t know that.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/23/2017 @ 9:48 pmIt’s not an excellent piece, that’s my point. But it’s typical of what he writes. When I’m not on my phone I will make a much more involved critique of why it’s a self-absorbed piece of solipsism meant to get him invited to all the best coactail parties, and an expansion from his self-important podcast to actual media appearances.
Shipwreckedcrew (208d52) — 7/23/2017 @ 11:40 pmThere was actually much bigger news today that is going unreported.
Mike Pompeii dropped a big hint yesterday that NatSec leakers are going to be prosecuted and reporters are going to be called before grand juries and asked to ID their sources, or go to jail for contempt.
Shipwreckedcrew (208d52) — 7/23/2017 @ 11:43 pmDamn auto-correct.
Shipwreckedcrew (208d52) — 7/23/2017 @ 11:44 pmNo Shapiro has been very sharp at times as with the investigation into the funding of the Atlantic council (why does that ring a bell) oh yes they are connected to crowdstrike.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:31 amThe council which was scowscifts bailiwick, was funded by some very well healed players from the kingdom, recall, and various sundry oligarch’s in fact it was a Venn diagram, with the Clinton foundation
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:41 amShapiro: “If Mike Pence replaced Donald Trump and implemented every jot and tittle of the conservative program, then won reelection, most Republicans would be enraged, not excited.”
How can Shapiro talk about replacing an elected President without even giving a hint on the method of removal?
And I like Shapiro a lot but lines like this one:
“Were Trump to fulfill every conservative pledge but stop tweeting about Mika Brzezinski’s face and CNN’s ratings, many Republicans would be less enamored of him.”
are ridiculous….who is he talking to that allows him to form this opinion?
How many conservatives have commented here that tweeting about Mika and CNN is more important than policy?
And could someone provide a few examples of those who “openly praise the worst of Trump’s immorality, and decry as “sissies” anyone who disagrees.”?
harkin (536957) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:59 amYou note the overlap
https://newrepublic.com/article/112398/chuck-hagels-atlantic-council-foreign-donors-and-independence
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:59 amKushner’s full prepared statement to congress confirms:
1) He attended the Don Jr. meeting
2) He filed a false security clearance form
3) He failed to report the Don Jr. meeting afterward
4) He *did* request use of a secret communications channel through the Russian embassy
After going on about how he was too busy to even read his emails, he wants us to believe he popped in on random meetings in Don Jr’s office without even knowing what they were about just for the hell of it.
It’s a clever piece of dissimulation, but it will only fool those who want to be fooled.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:10 amAnd could someone provide a few examples of those who “openly praise the worst of Trump’s immorality, and decry as “sissies” anyone who disagrees.”?
They’re as picayunish to me as Ben Shapiro seems to be to Shipwreckedcrew, but Kurt Schlichter comes to mind for someone with a semblance of seriousness. (Or maybe it’s just that he’s quoted a lot by Trump supporters.) I, personally, don’t take the likes of Milo Yiannopoulos, Gatewaypudit, Vox Day and Mike Cernovich as representative of anyone outside one of those stores with blacked-out fronts.
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:11 amBeats the hell out of me, harkin. Now the radical left has the moderates who pretend to be conservatives projecting too. I guess we say whatever they say we say and that’s that! I love the phrase “openly praise the worst of Trump’s immorality”. Is the worst of his immorality as bad as that of Ted Kennedy, John Kennedy, Bill Clinton and the rest of the corrupt, immoral *heros* of the left? They project so much it’s like antifa calling someone a fascist.
Rev.Hoagie® (630eca) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:14 amWhen the mewling right gets suckered in ferguson or lamenting some poor lad at gitmo.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:18 am“They project so much it’s like antifa calling someone a fascist.”
I had a conversation with someone about Alan Turing the other day. They said something along the lines of “conservatives hate that a gay man defeated the fascists”.
I said “You do realize that there are LGBT squads wielding baseball bats at Evergreen State College going after free speech advocates right? What would Turing make of that?”
harkin (536957) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:25 amSo effendi damache extradited from Spain resembles the one of lahmar he was the algerian working for then prince salman,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:29 amExtradited from Bosnia for trying to bomb the u2s embassy sent to gitmo, where the levick crew made him part of boumedienne, sent back to France where he recently emerged as part of an Islamic state cell.
Flashback from last May: Trump’s non-denial denial of Kushner’s now-confirmed Russian embassy back-channel request:
Yeah, tell us more about how dishonest the media is, you lying sack of sh!t…
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:39 amShipwreckedcrew, I meant no insult. I’ve been in bar fights from Norfolk to Mombasa.
I’ve also backed down from a few. Because I’m not crazy.
The last bar fight I involved myself in was 2007. St. Paddy’s day. I wouldn’t let a drug addict park in my lot. I choked him out. My favorite part of the police report is, “Is that when he s*** himself.”
I’m retired mow.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:41 amSo what’s his excuse:
http://thefederalist.com/2017/07/20/andy-slavitt-doesnt-know-anything-medicaid-liar/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:44 amJohn Hinderaker at PowerLine, who used to be my favorite blogger, is one.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:51 amI assume they are knaves, it saves time. Tale Ezekiel Emmanuel please
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:59 amYou can’t make this stuff up. Trump gives the knife another twist in a new Sessions tweet!
Um, maybe because you said she’s been through a lot and suffered greatly in many way, and that you didn’t want to hurt her, you moron?
Is he seriously thinking about trying to divert attention from his own crimes by going after Hillary?
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:00 amYes the director was on the take from a bank which is like the mob bank in dark take, hiscdepury owed chits to red queen, and the head of counterintelligence was similarly compromised.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:04 amAnother sign of sanity in the World – Judge Hazel granted summary judgement against Brett Kimberlin in Kimberlin vs Frey.
Hallefrickinluia.
SarahW (3164f0) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:08 amTrump believes Putin’s word over our own intelligence professionals, including the ones he appointed himself:
Putin told Trump that Russian hackers were too good to get caught
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:10 amAmen, Sarah, now what does that entail.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:11 am129 – “John Hinderaker at PowerLine,”
I don’t read PL much. I just went there and read the five most recent Trump-related pieces and did not find anything openly praising the worst of Trump’s immorality. Nothing even close. Just sober, conservative common sense critique.
Could you provide a couple examples of Hindersker doing that of which you accuse him?
harkin (140d0a) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:11 amPutin also told Edward Snowden, on Russian television, that the Russian government does not spy on its citizens except in accordance with law.
Hey! If you can’t believe a strong leader in control of his country, whom can you believe?
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:23 amDid he finally get out of detox?
https://www.axios.com/exclusive-trump-ponders-rudy-giuliani-for-attorney-general-2464579234.html
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:32 amEmptywheel (rayne)
“The White House also had complete control over the announcement of the communications director change-over.
What’s the chances the Kushner story was likewise nudged to fit inside the news storm so that Jared could surf his way out undeterred by the press? Sourcing on the article appears immaculate; perhaps the reporters call the Office of Ethics in Government every day, perhaps they watch a feed, but the timing is so incredibly perfect to assure this particular story doesn’t get a lot of traction.
And dear Crazy-Tweeter-in-Law did his thing from the can the following Saturday morning — tweeting a spume of crazy, ensuring there’s little afterthought given to a gnarly hang-ten off yesterday’s massive wave.
The nifty little kicker is that it wasn’t just Jared Kushner who released belated financial data.
So did Ivanka.
Ms. Trump received $2.5 million in “salary and severance” from her father’s business operations, according to Friday’s disclosure. She also received a $787,500 advance for her book, “Women Who Work.”
[…]
The disclosure also shows Ms. Trump earned $50,000 for her work overseeing a trust for some of the children of Rupert Murdoch, the executive chairman of both 21st Century Fox and News Corp . Ms. Trump resigned at the end of last year as a trustee. 21st Century Fox and News Corp, which owns The Wall Street Journal, share common ownership.
There was more, but between the limits of Fair Use and just plain disgust, I won’t excerpt it here.”
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:38 amSessions is giving himself plenty of rope made of hemp and taken from someone else without a conviction; I say Trump makes one more pass at Stay Puff then might go RG. Yet of all those TriState Eyeties, the one he isn’t helping in her gov race might have been the best appointee.
urbanleftbehind (c8adc7) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:42 amIt does feel like groundhog say with sessions,playing Ashcroft rosenstein dragooned into the comey rule, brand playing a cameo character.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:45 am134,
Putrump have that questionable confidence in common. Critical mass of arrogance and stewing in their own juices could bring this canker sore as plain as the evil visage.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:47 amHemp? Gawd forbid the miniature cowboy could tolerate it’s practicality.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:49 amAmen, Sarah, now what does that entail.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:11 am
Kimberlin can now appeal, and I presume will appeal, Hazel’s dismissals of all parties to the suit who did not settle. But honestly Hazel was thorough and careful with the summary judgements. Kimberlin has lost his court battle, and he won’t ever win it.
SarahW (3164f0) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:50 amHere’s the opinion at Hogewash.
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:52 am“Do you promise to try to always tell the truth from that podium?” the ABC host queried.
“Absolutely,” Sanders vowed. “Not just to you. I think that is our duty, certainly. I have three young kids. I want to go home and be able to look them in the eye every day. That’s far more important to me to be able to do that and have that highest level of honesty and integrity. I want to do that in every single thing I do. Not just my job. This is an extension of me being able to do that. I’m excited and honored to do it.”
Snort!!
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:53 amFunny, harkin. Do you expect honesty from those who demand others be honest? Fat chance.
Keeping the above in mind do you believe truth, justice and the American Way have any place in their list of tactics to be employed by the left and their useful idiots on the *right*? And if Trump were to quit tomorrow do you believe the left and the same *fools* would gladly accept Pence and go merrily on their way? Don’t be silly. Trump is the symbol, it is we, The Deplorables they hate. By electing Trump people told the elites to shove phony man made global warming up their butts. They told them we don’t buy perverse sexual mental illness as a civil right and we reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone for any reason into this country. Trump needs to go but so do we and taught a lesson never, ever to disobey our betters again.
What they are saying harkin, is we are as bad as Trump because we support him. If the only *moral* thing to do is be against the President of the United States, the head of the Republican Party and the leader of the free world then War is Peace, Rich is Poor, Truth is Lies and we’ve really entered 1984. We are at war with communists, socialists, fascists, anarchists, and terrorist moslems all who want the end to America, Western Culture and Christianity. The only thing Immoral would be for us to loose.
Rev.Hoagie® (630eca) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:53 amYou see the jackalope we’ve had to deal with.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:56 am“Obviously, the left hates Trump with a vengeance, but what they despise even more is the average American with his dream of freedom and opportunity.”
While I recognize the political stripe and the stale ideas therein I would appreciate a good discussion with someone who likes Trump, for whatever reason, that results in an understanding of your vague head-fake to Freedumb without salient thought processes. Can you offer something tangible?
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:05 amIs the worst of his immorality as bad as that of Ted Kennedy, John Kennedy, Bill Clinton and the rest of the corrupt, immoral *heros* of the left?
Yes, in one important fundmental way: they at least gave lip service to morality. Trump doesn’t even pretend to do that. With him, Truth is Lies, and he doesn’t care who knows it.
Trump is the symbol, it is we, The Deplorables they hate.
They hate the half of the country. You apparently hate the other half of the country, the half that doesn’t agree with you. And then you condemn them for abandoning morality, only to do on to claim that you must do the same to defend “Western Culture”. Since morality is the foundation of Western Culture, that means you want to destroy Western Culture just as much as (you say) they do.
kishnevi (d764f4) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:15 amNo you don’t dana ward, your ridiculing of the concept of freedom is proof of it.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:21 amThe civic platform in Poland runs,into some of the same challenges as does orban the Hungarian Walesa
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:23 amGo back to the primordial swamp of fellow crocks, narcoman. They appreciate quadrapeds @ JOM.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:26 amThere’s a reAson why they call it perfidious Albion, charlie gards parents know why.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:29 am@150
Well-said, sir.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:34 amSeconded..
Is there a bare thread of comity that survives? Reagan and Tip managed to not kill one another.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:37 amIn addition to what Ben Shapiro says about the “backwards logic,” I can assure you that lots and lots of liberals sincerely think exactly the same thing: conservatives lie and cheat, and liberals lose because they’re too nice and decent; liberals therefore need to adopt the immoral means that conservatives use, in order to win and save the country. And when both sides pretend that this is true, it’s hard to see how the republic survives.
David Nieporent (c6adf1) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:53 amIt died in 1995 when Clinton snubbed Newt on Air Force One.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:53 amYes.
David Nieporent (c6adf1) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:54 amYep. And Trump represents a quantum leap in dishonesty and indecency.
It used to be different. Our side used to tell the truth.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:57 amWho stands for the criminal, the terrorist,over the law abiding citizen. Who has attacked the church the family and the mitary, through deed as well as word.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:57 amIs it enough to know that fusion tried to take out vanderslip, and flacks for planned parenthood.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:07 amShe found another sucker
http://babalublog.com/2017/07/24/one-of-cubas-top-spies-in-u-s-josefina-vidal-reassigned-to-espionage-duties-in-canada/#comments
If you want to see what no practical political opposition is like go to venezula
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:17 amNow if you want the left view, watch the purge series.
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:18 amIt’s not conservatives I see rioting, destroying, burning and assaulting proponents of free speech on college campuses.
It’s not democrats who need to hire private security to march in parades.
It wasn’t Republicans whose party elites colluded with their campaign committee to deny a well-supported candidate the party’s nomination.
It’s not Republicans who demand ID to attend fundraisers but if someone says the same checks should apply to something more important like voting, call them a hateful racist.
If “both sides” are equally blind to American values, where are all the conservatives/republicans doing equally unAmerican things?
There’s been a “quantum leap” all right.
harkin (140d0a) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:21 am“Their positions mark a clear shift in the party’s center of gravity from just last year, when single-payer health care was still regarded in Democratic circles as an impossibly, impractically far-left dream. On the campaign trail in 2016, Hillary Clinton called single-payer an idea that “will never, ever come to pass.”
Now that seems out of touch with the base. Polling shows that the percentage of Democrats who want to see a single-payer system has increased by 19 points in three years.
But despite the rise of “Medicare-for-all” as a political slogan in the party, Democrats don’t have a clear plan to translate that aspiration into policy, and their efforts to implement single-payer at the state level have been rebuffed — including in blue states like Vermont and California.”
States can’t do it individually fed. The die has been cast. It would be simple turnkey compared to the debacle engineered to make it fail. Don’t they repeat ‘it’s failing every damn day.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:32 am‘Our sh*t don’t stink
Shorter harkin..
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:34 amInviting a hostile dictatorship’s intelligence services to covertly intervene in our election.
Putting a corrupt foreign spy in charge of the National Security Council.
Obstructing justice by threatening, harassing and firing US Attorneys, FBI directors and other law enforcement officials.
Personally attacking judges based on their ethnicity.
Encouraging supporters to beat up protesters at campaign rallies.
Exploiting the death of an innocent murder victim for political gain.
Accepting foreign bribes through the Trump hotel in Washington.
Using White House connections to enrich the family’s businesses.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:41 amLol dave
https://mosaicmagazine.com/observation/2017/05/the-flaws-of-oslo-are-the-same-as-the-flaws-of-oslo/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:44 amPart of the rest of the storu:
https://amgreatness.com/2017/07/22/trump-cancels-failed-cia-operation-gotta-russians/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:47 amElaborating on the point:
https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/270915/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:53 amAs Kushner was leaving the Senate hearing, somebody jumped in front of him and asked if he would sign their Russian flag.
LOL.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 10:01 amthat’s so funny would you sign my flag
it’s a russian flag!
i bet Jared was all like oh my goodness you’re such a tricker
too funny
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 10:25 am134.
I didn’t know that came from Putin. A newspaper here only said Scaramucci got it from Trump.
Putin wasn’t doing anything except slightly distorting what the Democrats said. It’s almost true actually.
They in fact weren’t caught, or to the extent noticed by the FBI, the Democrats could not verify it.
The first penetration was done by the GRU which was very skilled and professional. But then there came a second independent Russian penetration by a group that didn’t know about the first one (they stole some of the same files) That second group was started later (about 2014) and is believed to be the FSB, or something independent of all other Russian spy agencies.
That penetration was detected, and as a result of closely examining the server, they found (and stopped) the first one also.
Sammy Finkelman (7bbcf8) — 7/24/2017 @ 10:58 amCriticize Trump for valid policy reasons and you won’t get pushback. Go after the horrible AG decision to allow the government to seize property and not return it even when someone hasn’t been convicted of a crime. It’s a huge violation of our rights as free men.
I don’t see anyone conservative attacking you for criticizing Trump on forcing transsexual terminology in schools. Children have no business getting surgery that isn’t necessary to extend life that will cause irreparable harm to them.
Facts not in evidence. There are several on here, ThOR for one, that didn’t vote for Trump who aren’t told they owed him a vote. I voted against Trump in the primaries, as did most others on here. Most of us decided he was better than Hillary and we feel that has been proven correct already even with the full force of the government against him. It’s slowed down the government to a crawl at least and removed a lot of the unconstitutional regulations that Obama unilaterally put into place that Hillary would’ve entrenched permanently.
More silliness. You have nevertrumpers everywhere in the media blasting their opinion 24/7. You have them spamming your website constantly and taking up all the recent comments. You have Dustin. You have DRJ. You have the leftists that I mentioned who are spamming constantly in Burnie, ASPCA, and Dave. You can always count on the leftists to support you criticizing Trump. Just don’t dare criticize Obama or you’ll lose them.
P.S. Happyfascist isn’t a conservative. So please don’t dare claim that his criticism is what you’re talking about in this post.
/sort of rant off.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:08 amEvery time you falsely accuse me of being a leftist, you are outing yourself as a liar.
I am a life-long Republican and conservative, who, like Patrick, quit the party and wrote in McMullin (I think I recall reading that Patrick voted for McMullin, if not, apologies for the bad memory). I opposed Obama for eight years.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:21 amYes Dave. You’re so concerned. And so conservative. Defending Obama all the time is just what a true conservative does.
NJRob (6f64a4) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:53 amNJRob, he knows better see – you’re only a conservative if he says you are, Dave.
Leviticus (efada1) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:57 amOf course, he could inquire into your policy preferences – but any discussion of conservative policy preferences would heavily undermine his own claims to the label, given his support of Donald Trump. So policy preferences are a no-go, and we’re stuck with the “je ne sais quoi” NJRob Model.
Leviticus (efada1) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:59 amWhat is Trump?
No ideology except Church of Avarice.
“Political Opportunist”
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:03 pm“Joe Morino brought an incredulous friend to see the orange street sign he just spotted in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis.
The official-looking metal sign read: “WARNING: TWIN CITIES POLICE EASILY STARTLED.” It featured a graphic silhouette of a police officer, a gun in each raised hand, shooting in both directions.”
If LE is so concerned about personal safety they are a threat to public safety, they should look to another career.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:06 pm..nasty, brutish and short”
Like many ice employees, the agent was a critic of President Barack Obama, whose push to standardize enforcement practice and micromanage agents, particularly during his second term, was a source of frustration at the agency. Yet with Obama gone, and the era of micromanagement over, the agent sees long-standing standards being discarded and basic protocols questioned. “I have officers who are more likely now to push back,” the agent said. “I’d never have someone say, ‘Why do I have to call an interpreter? Why don’t they speak English?’ Now I get it frequently. I get this from people who are younger. That’s one group. And I also get it from people who are ethnocentric: ‘Our way is the right way—I shouldn’t have to speak in your language. This is America.’ ” It all adds up, the agent said, “to contempt that I’ve never seen so rampant towards the aliens.”
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:17 pmThe agent’s decision to allow me to write about our conversations came after learning that ice was making a push, beginning this week, to arrest young undocumented immigrants who were part of a large wave of unaccompanied minors who crossed the border in recent years and who, until now, had been allowed to live in the U.S. Rather than detaining these young people, the government had placed them in the care of families around the country. Most of them are trying to lead new lives as American transplants, going to school and working. ice now plans to pursue those who have turned eighteen since crossing the border, and who, as a result, qualify for detention as legal adults. “I don’t see the point in it,” the agent said. “The plan is to take them back into custody, and then figure it out. I don’t understand it. We’re doing it because we can, and it bothers the hell out of me.”
harkin (140d0a) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:21 am
kishnevi (8f5d8c) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:21 pmPeople seem unable to figure out what I meant.
It is simple: Hoagie and others seem to think that in fighting the Left, everything is justifiable. I say no to that, because to do so is to make oneself into just another form of Leftism. If you want to defend morality you can not commit immorality. If a pricinple does not always apply, then it is not really a principle, but merely a slogan to be used and abandoned at whim.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said, “It appears we’ll have a vote on Tuesday but we don’t know whether we’ll be voting on the House bill, the first version of the Senate bill, the second version of the Senate bill,” sounding very unhappy about being kept in the dark.
Agreed — this is not how a democracy is run.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:35 pmwhat difference does it make which bill
lobsterpot bimbo’s gonna vote no
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:36 pmPence, right now on healthcare…”Blah, buh-blah, blah blah baaa..”
TRUMP follows, “blah lie, blah lie, lie la Dee dah LIAR!”
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:41 pmThe ANTI-DEMOCRAT speaks…with forked tongue.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:43 pmWords and bombast do not a policy make.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:45 pmREPEAL AND REPLACE TRUMP!!
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:46 pmDoes he comprehend the words on his teleprompter?
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:47 pmClownhall gives their smartest advice..
“iff Responds to Trump’s ‘Sleazy’ Attack
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Trump Needs To Be Smart About How He Fires Mueller
Kurt Schlichter | July 24, 2017
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Trump Needs To Be Smart About How He Fires Mueller
Trump must eventually fire Robert Mueller, a partisan tool carrying water for his Establishment pals as he oversees an utterly corrupt “investigation” where the only person we actually know committed any wrongdoing is his bestest buddy Jim Comey. But Trump can’t just lash out and do it, though it is well within his political and moral right to do so. No, he’s got to do it cleverly, with cunning, in a way that shows the American people exactly why Mueller’s witch hunt is a flaming dumpster fire of conflicts of interest and contempt for the right of normal Americans to have a say in their own governance.
Trump has to set the stage before he pulls the trigger and puts the coup de grace into the temple of this appalling fiasco. He has to do it so the American people will see and understand why ending this idiocy is so absolutely necessary to preserve our Republic despite the mainstream media’s best effort to hide the truth.
Trump needs to seize the initiative from Leaky Bob. You know, I keep hearing how Mueller was this squared-away Marine officer, but through these incessant leaks his organization demonstrates a complete lack of both integrity and discipline. Mueller seems unwilling or unable to exercise any kind of leadership over his team of Hillary donors, or to instill a culture of seriousness and impartiality. The continuing misconduct of his out-of-control, ever-expanding fiefdom demonstrates that he must be relieved of command. And here’s the letter the president should send to him to set the stage to do it.”
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 12:51 pmpervy Mitt Romney’s slicked-up boytoy Paul Ryan came out today vouching for how sleazy FBI turdboy Robert Mueller is super-duper-nonpartisan
such a strange and vapid little twerp
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 1:09 pmHeartache: Giuliani praises Sessions for recusal, says he did the right thing
Nobody’s dumb/desperate enough to take that job except maybe Chris Christie.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 1:13 pm@175.??? There’s a 50/50 chance you’re left-handed, too.
Voted for pragmatist Trump to neuter conservative ideologues who’ve infected the GOP for far too long, isolate them in the party again (like a bad case of shingles) and begin returning sanity to a crazed Republican Party after three decades of blind zealotry, wasted warring and economic imbalance. If they quit and flee it, all the better. So far, it’s been a great show and working out about as expected. But that doesn’t mean our current Captain ain’t got a few screws loose. Queeg is transient; a short term means to a long-term end. You’re not a big picture fella, NJR. So enjoy your ‘whine,’ watch the show and for dessert tonight, try a dabba Cool Whip w/your strawberries.
“Don’t worry, be happy.” – Bobby McFerrin, 1988
___________
Today’s Beldar the Bitter ‘Watergate, Watergate, Watergate’ Words of Wonder:
“It’s a hundred and twenty thousand dollars. It’s about what, about how much, which is easy. I mean, it’s not easy to deliver, but it is easy to get.” – President Nixon discussing the immediate need to obtain and pay Watergate hush money to a jailed Howard Hunt w/John Dean & HR Haldeman, secret White House Oval Office tapes, March 21, 1973
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/24/2017 @ 1:14 pmYeah, he waved off the suggestion. His career could only fare worser..
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 1:14 pm“Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
—– John Adams to Massachusetts Militia, 1798
But before you preen, consider:
“What is most repugnant to me in America is not the extreme freedom that reigns there, it is the lack of a guarantee against tyranny”
—– Alexis de Toqueville, Democracy in America, p 241
Anyone who thinks the “Resistance” would disappear with someone other than Trump in the Oval Office and the GOP in control of Congress hasn’t been paying attention for the last 40 years.
We are past the point where moral rectitude will yield a good outcome. Plan accordingly.
Lenny (5ea732) — 7/24/2017 @ 1:18 pmFor NJRob, w/apologies to the great Tom Lehrer:
First you get down on your knees,
Thank God it’s not Hillary,
Bow your head with great respect,
Cry Reaganesque, Reaganesque, Reaganesque!
Do whatever slams you want, though
Once you’ve cleared them with Bill Kristol.
Everybody take a swipe,
At the P and his hot wife,
Doin’ the Donald Trump rag.
Get in line in that processional,
Next to Rex the gas professional,
There, the Steve who’s media savvy’ll
Tell you if your fake’s original.
If it is, try playin’ it smarta,
Mak’em whine like Jim Acosta,
Two, four, six, eight,
Time to bring up Watergate!
So get down upon your knees,
Thank God it’s not Hillary,
Bow your head with great respect,
Cry Reaganesque, Reaganesque, Reaganesque!
Make a cross and shout an Amen,
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/24/2017 @ 1:18 pmIslam hated Ronald Reagan,
Ave Melania,
Gee that looks good on ya,
Gettin’ ecstatic an’
Sorta dramatic an’
Doin’ the Donald Trump rag!
@193. It’s a Walking Dead summer; zombie Spicer killed off and now zombie Sessions is being stalked.
Governor Soprano needs a gig come November; he’s the perfect kiss-azz for The Donald and wouldn’t blink twice at following through on a directive to fire Mueller. Whether he’d get confirmed would be the drama to watch unfold but in true Trumpian fashion, it would be a great show for Fall sweeps weeks.
‘Yuuuuuuge’ ratings, you know.
“Because you’re on television, dummy.” – Arthur Jensen [Ned Beatty] ‘Network’ 1976
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/24/2017 @ 1:29 pmThreats from a paper tiger.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 2:45 pmhttp://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/24/trump-warns-senators-obamacare-repeal-240899
You can’t make this stuff up. Trump gives the knife another twist in a new Sessions tweet!
See, this is typical Trump and why I don’t think the badgerheaded buffoon should be allowed within a mile of the White House. Hey, you orange-skinned pansy, how is any of that going to make America great again? Wanna try doing something that’s good for the country instead of what’s good for your senile pique, you waste of good meatloaf?
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 2:50 pmREXIT! stage right?
Newsweek
“Tillerson, the sources said, viewed Trump’s comments as unprofessional.
Early Monday, Trump again attacked Sessions on Twitter, calling him “beleaguered” and wondering aloud why he wasn’t investigating Trump’s campaign rival Hillary Clinton.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 2:53 pmthe missing apostrophe bothers me
god i hate twitter
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 2:54 pmTillerson leaving will accomplish nothing except relieve the reluctant public servant of his burden. If you can’t steal twice your previous salary, what’s the point?
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 2:56 pmTillerson either isn’t in charge at State or he is, and i’m not sure which is worse
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 2:58 pmFor a long time Google has been throwing HuffPo articles on my newsfeed along with Fox, CNN, and Yahoo. The last fortnight or so, it has been giving me DailyKos. Which is why I noticed this. It seems Kos is a bit scared that repeal may actually get a vote…
kishnevi (857e3e) — 7/24/2017 @ 3:04 pmhttps://m.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/22/1683034/-Alert-Murkowski-and-Capito-now-receiving-more-pro-Obamacare-repeal-calls-than-nos-say-Republicans
There will always be opposition to the party in power. That’s a feature, not a bug. Or at least it used to be.
Now it’s been turned into an excuse to one-up the other side in immorality and dishonesty in order to save the country from their immorality and dishonesty.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 3:11 pmDo you know of anyone who is certain one way or the other? The Wrecking Ball Party is sweating either way.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 3:12 pmThe OCD drive to R&R as though another failed promise would crack his shell, could be compared to the famous Viet Nam reason du jour..” We had to destroy the Village in order to save it.”
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/24/2017 @ 3:18 pmnk at 200 —
you waste of good meatloaf?
I think of all the grade A beef that is burnt and ketchuped into submission to sustain this guy’s twitter habit.
Appalled (1a17de) — 7/24/2017 @ 4:19 pmi think of how many regulations he’s thrown a wrench into
i think of how he’s brought hope to so many people
i think of his self-confidence and his abject scorn for failmerica’s pathetic failed ruling class
i think of how lucky we are
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 4:29 pmi think of how he’s brought hope to so many people
Too easy.
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 4:53 pmU.S. Coal Finds Footing In European Markets
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 4:56 pmMuch theater building for the controlled demolition tomorrow. McCain is coming according to sources. It’s a toss up in spite of its reported demise. Make no mistake, those who think a simple vote to move forward isn’t a final vote but it will be seen to be. Careful, waffles.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/24/blake-farenthold-obamacare-repeal-female-senators-blame-240894
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:13 pmI can’t see how it passes unless they are somehow able to put it up for a vote without committing to or revealing to anyone what the bill actually contains.
Like, maybe they could pass a placeholder without any specifics or actual consequences, declare victory (woo-hoo! get that keg tapped in the Rose Garden!), and kick the can down the road to a future House/Senate conference.
Also, Trump is reputedly throwing hundreds of billions more dollars at Medicaid since he doesn’t give a damn whether the bill is actually good or bad, so long as it passes.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:31 pmThey are voting to ‘move forward’ which is the contents of your first graf.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:40 pmTechnically this is not the final vote, but the fear is that is the voters perception will be support of WHATEVER follow repeal.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:42 pmIn other words, they’re stalling for superman to fly in and wave his magic cape of accomplishments but still deeply connected to the little people.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:48 pmBreaking tonight: Trump leaves Sessions twisting in the wind while berating him publicly
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-leaves-sessions-twisting-in-the-wind-while-berating-him-publicly/2017/07/24/ce3bf142-708b-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_sessions-%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.6b73151a01a2
“Among the names being floated as possible Sessions replacements are Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and former New York City mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, according to people familiar with the conversations.”
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/24/2017 @ 5:54 pmI think that when fighting against the communists, socialists, anarchists, fascists, antifas and moslem terrorists there is no room for pansies. We probably would all agree that killing women, children and old people and destroying churches temples and hospitals is immoral. Then we were immoral towards the Japs and Germans in WWII because that’s what we did to them. But we won. A righteous victory of good over evil. NOT a perfectly pure victory of good over evil, just a righteous one.
In Vietnam we had no POW camps. We took few prisoners. Can you guess why that was kishnevi?
Rev.Hoagie® (630eca) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:05 pmNot me, happy. I can’t get unuf of that fail thing. I just want to lay hands on Paul Ryan, Ben Shapiro, et al and pray for their everlasting blessing.
ThOR (ead826) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:07 pmRev Stoagie
Thanks for your service but you suck.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:08 pmI saw Paul Ryan by the bike racks he was wearing Bobby Mueller’s letterman sweater and he was sayin as to how he was pretty sure Bobby was gonna ask him to be his special lil guy but only if Paul
well
i didn’t hear the rest
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:16 pmThank you! Seeing you type that proves I’m doing something right. You’re exactly they type of person who should think I suck. Mission accomplished!
Rev.Hoagie® (630eca) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:22 pm168 – Dave.
Thanks – it’s always nice to be reminded that Republican transgressions are nothing compared to the Obama admin, The Clinton crime family, DNC, IRS, Antifa, Occupy etc.
+++
183 – Kish “People seem unable to figure out what I meant.
It is simple: Hoagie and others seem to think that in fighting the Left, everything is justifiable”
Count yourself as being unable to figure out what someone meant.
harkin (536957) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:42 pmIn Vietnam we had no POW camps. We took few prisoners. Can you guess why that was kishnevi?
And you won that war in short order to the everlasting glory of the American military. Congratulations!
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:43 pmwhat is it good for
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:45 pmThe US turned EPOWs over the ARVN.
According to Chapter 4 of this book, Law at War, Vietnam 1964-1973, the US was fastidious in its treatment of enemy prisoners, with extensive education programs intended to convey the message that it was in US interest to treat enemy prisoners humanely. The US command also emphasized this to the South Vietnamese:
The ICRC commended the US for its strict observance of the Geneva Conventions:
The book I linked also has (in an appendix) the card “The Enemy in Your Hands” created and distributed to explain to US soldiers what was expected:
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 6:53 pmCNN reporting John McCain will be in DC for tomorrow’s vote on whatever is being voted on.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:08 pmsomebody got them a telegram did they
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:11 pmAgreed Hoagie.
When it comes to war things are messy. But you fight to win and you do what is necessary to ensure the outcome.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki are witness to that fact.
NJRob (6f64a4) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:12 pmSo the question of who appoints the next Supreme Court justice or determines the health insurance laws is of comparable importance to the outcome of WWII, and should be viewed as a life-or-death struggle, why bother with politics at all?
Why not just start shooting and bombing the people who disagree with you?
After all, you fight to win and you do what is necessary to ensure the outcome, right?
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:36 pmSo *if…
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:37 pmthis video Mr. Instapundit found is super-fun and muy perspicacious
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 7:56 pmOh, I refuse to even go there with these guys. They’re like sports fans who think THEY have won when “their team” wins. No, gentlemen, YOU are not winning. TRUMP is winning. The money, the power, THE WOMAN. You are no better off than you were eight months ago.
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:01 pmwell
it’s not like President Food Stamp foisted his most vicious petty job-raping lusts upon Chicago
Texas,
Louisiana
they got it real good
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:04 pmIt’s not like President Food Stamp got a Canadian company to sell his
MAGAO hats, either.Who did I say is winning?
nk (dbc370) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:13 pmKushner contradicts Trump team’s denials of Russia contacts
Some greatest hits:
Did anyone involved in the Trump campaign have any contact with Russians trying to meddle with the election?
Did you or anyone in your campaign…
…have any contact with Russia leading up to or during the campaign?
“If there were any contacts, sir, I’m just trying to get an answer.”
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:18 pmHow many H2B immigrant workers did Mar-a-Lago advertise for during “Made in America” week?
70
(His golf course chipped in another 6 cooks)
“The White House, the Trump Organization, Mar-a-Lago and Trump National Golf Club did not respond to requests for comment.”
LOL.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:26 pmWould you prefer me to cite the Founding Fathers or Lincoln? Neither was a global war and both were about irreconcilable differences and freedom versus slavery.
Your opinion seems to be that they shouldn’t have happened.
You can claim that we are not in a cold Civil War all you want but it doesn’t change the fact that the left that you support wants to enslave the rest of us for their benefit.
NJRob (6f64a4) — 7/24/2017 @ 8:32 pmThe Civil War certainly shouldn’t have happened. It was an illegal attempt by evil men to destroy a lawfully elected democratic government through force.
The Revolution was a more complicated situation. There were no political mechanisms available for resolving that conflict, because one side had completely excluded the other from political power. Still, at the start only a tiny minority of Americans favored independence. For over a year, from when he took command until independence was finally declared, George Washington and his officers toasted the good health of King George at every meal.
But actually I don’t think the Revolution shouldn’t have happened either. The colonists were eager to reach some kind of accommodation with Britain, and the differences between the two sides were nowhere near as vast or as bitter as between the North and South at the start of the Civil War. A settlement with the colonists (either allowing them to tax themselves, or admitting representatives to Parliament) would not have been any great burden for Britain. Franklin’s examination by Parliament during the Stamp Act crisis makes for remarkable reading. They really should have listened…
(emphasis added)
But anyway, you agree then that politics in America should be abandoned in favor of armed conflict and civil war? Remarkable.
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 9:26 pmGood to know you’d be a good, loyal British subject.
I do enjoy getting you to clarify your position even as you put words into my mouth.
I’d prefer the left leave the nation or accept that we are a nation of sovereign states and allow each to experiment as they see fit. I will not accept myself or my family to become enslaved.
You don’t seem to have a problem with that. Not surprising.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/24/2017 @ 10:40 pmWe haven’t been a nation of sovereign states since 1789, so I guess that means half the country will need to emigrate for your benefit or accept extermination, eh?
Dave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:05 pmA “conservative” that doesn’t believe in federalism. No wonder Leviticus loves you. He at least admits he’s a leftist.
And you’re dead wrong on all counts.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:07 pmI’ve enjoyed Dave’s discussion in this thread. It’s unfortunate how used we all are to hostility in political discussions (and I’m hardly innocent!).
Let’s get back to the basic problem. Why should the federal government, presiding over so many smaller (but huge) governments, so many people and places, have such an intrusive and specific concern as to say a schoolteacher down the street has to use this en vogue ‘xir’ thing, something I barely can keep up with, or they are committing some sort of harassment? The basic problem is scope of control. If some local school had a policy like that, a few hundred locals could change it (or implement it). But a president (who lost the vote by millions) using executive orders, or a byzantine bureaucracy, to do these sorts of things, really just feels like domination rather than service. A government this large and this powerful in so many matters no longer is serving us. It’s just too big to do it, and instead has to serve the insiders. There’s no real reason to buy in except out of fear of the other team’s insiders.
If Trump teaches us one thing, it’s that we have got to reform away much of the federal government. Perhaps all of the vested executive. We need to try something else.
Dustin (ba94b2) — 7/24/2017 @ 11:08 pmThank you very much. nk. I suppose your sarcasm comes from your belief that without the unending aide of the anti war movement in America (currently the people running academia, the media and Hollywood) we would have won Vietnam. Just so you know we kicked the s**t out of the North but our future Democrat Party operatives wanted to give up so their buddies the commies would win.
And just so you know the reason we didn’t take many prisoners is because the enemy refused to surrender. Similar to the Japanese in WWII they found death better than surrender. We were often offered *bonuses* if we could capture an enemy. It’s hard to get intel from dead VC.
Rev.Hoagie® (630eca) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:26 amYou look at the Tories meltdown, after insulting their constituents, playing lip service to brexit, the way the deep state went after fillon, and then le pen, because the socialists had become massively unpopular, the battles Orban and Kazynski, wage against their own bureaucracy and a corrupt judiciary, with ties to the old communist regimes, (the former is the seeds of the campaign against dr. gorka btw)
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:40 amI absolutely believe in Federalism. Federalism is not “a nation of sovereign states”.
Federalism is the Constitution. “A nation of sovereign states” is the Articles of Confederation.
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:47 amPreviously, Berlusconi’s Forza/ Northern League/ National Alliance, made headway against the Socialist and Communist, (now dubbed the Democratic party of Renzi) and Sarkozy as an independent Gaullist, was reformist against the reignant anti-Americanism and Arabism represented by chirac,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:53 amand the legacy of statism, among elements of the right and the left
A similar dynamic operates with the five star and northern league movements
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-renzi-analysis-idUSKBN1A80FI
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:04 amAn expert at knowing so much that is incorrect. But you’re smarter than all those who came before you, right?
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:09 amI look at similar circumstances among factions along similar philosophical lines, the phillipines under duterte, and this situation, that red queen enabled are extreme examples,
http://www.businessinsider.com/r-italy-upset-over-french-diplomatic-intervention-in-libya-2017-7
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:23 amI agree, although there are things that I think are properly the within the ambit of the national government. For instance, what you say about the stupid gender pronouns seems to me like common sense. On the other hand, I don’t think we want local school districts deciding whether or not to (for instance) segregate students on the basis of race or teach creationism.
The founders came remarkably close to striking the right balance, but of course the power of the federal government has only grown since. In some ways, that’s understandable, because a more complex society with many long-distance interconnections arguably needs more “glue”. When the constitution was ratified, most people rarely strayed more than 30 miles from their place of birth, and the only federal employee they were likely to encounter during their lifetime was the local postmaster.
But as you say, there is a vicious cycle at work – the greater the scope of the government, the more aspects of our lives it will come in contact with, and the more opportunities it will encounter to expand further.
It’s an oversimplification, but for the last century, the main political parties have essentially represented “less government” vs. “more government”. One of the worrisome aspects of populism is that it threatens to change this into “more government” vs. “more government”, with the only question being in which direction the government transfers wealth/power and which side’s social agenda the government imposes (government has worked like this in the past, prior to the 20th century, but government was much smaller then). Without a party grounded in limited government conservatism, the “ratchet effect” of government getting bigger and bigger can only accelerate.
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:36 amexpounding on the point, better than I can:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/from-hegel-to-wilson-to-breyer/article/7296
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:48 amNJRob (#250) —
The American’s Creed isn’t exactly a founding document. (I admit I had never heard of it until your citation — seems like a forerunner to the pledge of allegiance dating back to WW I). Note, though, that the sourcing of “a sovereign Nation of many sovereign states” comes from “E Pluribus Unum”, and a citation to Article IV of the constitution, which does little to preserve the sovereignty of the states.
Appalled (96665e) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:50 amIt’s frustrating to me, the “terrorism has nothing to do with Islam” crowd.
They can give a Power Point presentation like Nidal Hasan. Or a speech like Michael Adebolajo citing verse after verse of Surah 9, Muhammad’s final marching orders to his faithful.
Silly me. I take them at their word.
After Obama came into office this was no longer allowed. I was not an operator like you, Hoagie. But I’d brief the operators. Don’t take a chance. Aviators mostly, although I have a nice letter from a deputy Director of the CIA who I told him about Korea (I spent enough time at Camp Casey to join the VFW). Come back alive. Finish them off and bring back the pocket litter.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:53 amThe Constitution does much to preserve the sovereignty of the states, specifically the 9th and 10th Amendments.
Might need a refresher course there Appalled.
The Creed is based upon Jefferson and the Founders writings and sums up being American.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:54 amAn essay contest doesn’t change the meaning of words.
sov·er·eign: possessing supreme or ultimate power
Federalism a system of shared power. The states have sovereign power only in areas where it is not granted (by the Constitution) to the national government.
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:57 amFederalism *is…
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:59 amthe American creed is about the nature of a people, federalism is about the political system in which they operate,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:03 amIt has also been established (1861-65) that states may not reclaim those elements of sovereignty ceded to the national government in the Constitution…
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:04 amIt’s hardER to get inel from a dead man. But it’s not impossible.
They’ll have maps, maybe codebooks, letters, all sorts of things. You have to look in their pockets. Or these days their cell phones. Whatever.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:05 amWe haven’t been a nation of sovereign states since 1865. That (literal) war was fought and lost. And since the idea of sovereign statehood was used to justify overt physical slavery, it’s been poisoned into uselessness ever since.
What we are now is a nation of semi-autonomous states, and the goal we want to be working for is a nation of fully autonomous states.
I will not accept myself or my family to become enslaved.
But you talk as if you have no objection to using the methods of the Left to avoid being “enslaved”. That’s what your talk of a cold civil war boils down to, after all. So the inference is that you’re fine with the methods, and you’d have no problem with enslaving them. Your only argument is the Left is over who has the power to enslave whom.
If that’s not what you think, then find a different way of making your points. “All’s fair in love and war” is true for neither love nor war.
kishnevi (bb03e6) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:05 amYes Dave.
And the states possess supreme power in all areas except those specifically designated by the Constitution to the federal government.
That our government ignores that and the courts go along with it doesn’t change that fact.
Could’ve sworn you were attacking me for my violent language and using war to solve a political question. Guess not when it suits your purposes.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:06 amKushner asks what the meaning of collusion ‘is’.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:07 amKishnevi,
do you feel the same when you talk about Israel responding to acts of violence from the Palestinian terrorists??
If not, what’s the difference?
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:08 amOf course we still are,
http://thefederalist.com/2017/07/24/trump-cuts-wildly-ineffective-teen-pregnancy-program-media-flip-out/
but the left’s goal is to anatomize any institution, that it presumes function and authority over,
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:09 amNutjob ham-handing attempts at Identity Politics. Simpleton formulas abound.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:11 amBurnie with his bigoted trolling. Continue leftist.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:12 amNutjob..youre so far right you are heading Left.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:14 amNarciso,
Reagan knew what he was talking about:
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:15 amIf not, what’s the difference?
Two important ones.
The Left isn’t going out and killing random people. When’s the last time an antifa ran into someone’s home and started killing the family.
Second, Israel makes sure that rules are in place that say what can and what can not be done.
It’s Israel after all that phoned ahead and told the Arabs of Gaza they were about to get bombed…
Pertinent
kishnevi (bb03e6) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:17 amhttp://www.rationalistjudaism.com/2017/07/armchair-commandos.html
Fair enough kishnevi.
Just a matter of degree. I’ve said we are in a Cold War with the left. I pray it never becomes a hot one.
Reread my words and look at them in that context.
I am a firm believer of MAD as it worked well during the 80’s with a strong leader. We need to show the left that such acts are so horrific they must be ruled off limits because all will suffer. If we allow them to act without reprisal, we lose.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:21 amBTW
http://lifeinisrael.blogspot.com/2017/07/picture-of-day_24.html
The menuboard in the back reads “Pizza Napolita”. Prices are blurry, but I think it’s 15 shekels per slice.
kishnevi (bb03e6) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:21 amIt’s my turn to say fair enough!
But
We need to show the left that such acts are so horrific they must be ruled off limits
Exactly how do you think that should be done?
kishnevi (bb03e6) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:25 ambtw, since such things apparently don’t rate as news here in the US, this is the story behind the link in 273
kishnevi (bb03e6) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:31 amhttp://www.timesofisrael.com/pizzeria-owner-pummels-petah-tikva-stabber-with-a-pie-platter/
and the story behind the link in 271
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/232862
I was, until you derailed the discussion by trying to redefine “sovereign”.
Not sure what you’re on about with your remark about using war to solve a political question. Lincoln didn’t start the shooting.
He already told you: MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction). He wants to destroy the country in order to save it.
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:36 am“Shlomi beat off a terrorist in Petach Tikva, as the Arab terrorist attacked an Arab bus driver in a shawarma shop two doors down, with a pizza tray.”
Sigh.
Anybody miss Haiku?
Yeah, me neither.
nk (dbc370) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:47 ami do
he was a jolly rancher and oft insightful
a true patriot in these trying times
his voice is now silent
and we are all the lesser for it
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:55 amIn Other News: A leading US association of psychiatrists has changed policy.
Members are now allowed to comment publicly on Donald Trump’s mental health.
In addition, a new book The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President will be published in October.
Well no sh*t, Sherlock…
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:57 amPunishing the left when they go past the limits. Let’s see the antifa lock swinger spend a long time in jail. Convict those inciting riots. Hold people accountable for their actions. No more giving free passes to Bill Ayers and their like.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:01 amI do. Why isn’t he around?
I miss MD as well.
Glad to see Sarah poking her head in again.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:02 amPunishing the left when they go past the limits. Let’s see the antifa lock swinger spend a long time in jail. Convict those inciting riots. Hold people accountable for their actions. No more giving free passes to Bill Ayers and their like.
Full agreement.
Col. Haiku emailed Patterico that he (Haiku) felt this place was no longer for him. I suppose he got tired of saying “Not Hillary!”.
kishnevi (bb03e6) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:05 amI hope everything is ok with MD.
nk (dbc370) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:07 amSorry to hear that about Haiku kishnevi.
Glad we can reach some form of agreement.
Going to step back for a day or two to reflect on Patterico’s righteous victory and try and remember how important it is to fight for the truth.
Thanks.
NJRob (7f4bec) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:08 amI completely support that.
But surely, the antifa/rioting/Bill Ayers types make up vanishingly small fraction of “the left”. If you took everyone left of center who has actively participated in any kind of violent protest, I doubt they could fill a football stadium.
How many times has your life been directly affected by leftist rioters?
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:09 amPersonally, I have had to deal with a traffic jam caused by BLM streetblockers.
kishnevi (bb03e6) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:40 amProjective ‘analysis’ of violence by Leftists displays historic amnesia of right wringers from most recent past.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:43 amMe too. I have a hard time recalling where he stands on things, but that doesn’t matter. A really nice, smart guy and I hope he’s doing ok.
Dustin (ba94b2) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:45 amHow many have Leftists have killed since 1960?
Compare and contrast the Butcher’s Bill for the STASI Bund?
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:46 am@228. – CNN reporting John McCain will be in DC for tomorrow’s vote on whatever is being voted on.
The poor judgment of John McCain surfaces again.
_______
Today’s Beldar the Bitter ‘Watergate, Watergate, Watergate’ Words of Wonder:
“Also got cranking on the political problem. [President Nixon] obviously concerned about reports (especially Pat Buchanan’s) that conservatives and the South are unhappy. Also [President Nixon] annoyed by constant right-wing bitching, with never a positive alternative. Ordered me to assemble a political group and really hit them to start defending us… ” – HR Haldeman notes, Haldeman Diaries, February, 1969
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:46 amWell, anyone who violates the law should be accountable, obviously.
But although antifa et al. are alarming and repugnant, I don’t really see that they make all that much difference.
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:48 amThat Bernie stabber up in Oregon, Dr. Amy bishop in Alabama, that neither in Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. In particular dorner the Washington uard dhooter
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 10:33 amBig Media reported Trump’s ‘speech’ at the BSA Jamboree rally but missed covering the Luftwaffe flyover.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 10:56 amCNN has a highlight (or lowlight) article on Trump’s Boy Scout speech:
“I said, ‘Who the hell wants to speak about politics when I’m in front of the Boy Scouts?’ Right?”
He then spends the rest of the speech taking shots at his political opponents, showering praise on himself for winning the election and regaling the audience of teenagers with his experiences on the 1960’s New York social scene.
The man is simply unhinged.
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 11:18 amDid you see the motley crew of mom’s basement stinky Scouts? Western Civ on life support.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/25/2017 @ 11:45 amHitler Youth.
Ben burn (b3d5ab) — 7/25/2017 @ 11:45 amThe stache speaks,truth
http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/241422/john-bolton-trump-wants-to-kill-iran-deal
narciso (3e0407) — 7/25/2017 @ 11:54 amSkinny repeal? Skim milk?
Yummy.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:08 pmbaby steps
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:22 pmDrill a hole in his skull and he’ll vent steam for 15 minutes…
“John! John! John McCain!
How many kids did you bomb and maim!”
“Life is just a bowl of cherries.” – ‘A Hole In The Head’ 1959
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:23 pmWhat the hell excuse do these namby-pambies have for caving to this Creamsicle? At least McCain can say he has a hole in his head.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:28 pm@301. “V-A-C-A-TION; In the summer time!” – Connie Francis, 1962
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:30 pmWhy the Hell did he vote to proceed? MKULTRA?
McCain: …Stop listening to the bombastic loud mouths on radio and television and the Internet. To hell with them. They don’t want anything done for the Public Good. Incapacity is their livelihood…
30 seconds later–
McCain: We’re getting nothing done, my friends, we’re getting nothing done! And all we’ve really done this year is confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court…
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:40 pm@303. Stop listening to the bombastic loud mouths on radio and television and the Internet. To hell with them. They don’t want anything done for the Public Good. Incapacity is their livelihood…
That should amuse Patterico given his recent ‘free speech’ victory.
“Hello, Parson, welcome to Hell!” – Ben Rumson [Lee Marvin] ‘Paint Your Wagon’ 1969
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:49 pmDCSCA, not listening is fine. Forcing silence through lawfare and violence is not.
Freedom of speech includes freedom to ignore speech… something I sure wish people would embrace more often. You don’t need a safe space if you control your own mind enough to decline to take offense, to let yourself be trolled.
Dustin (ba94b2) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:52 pm@305- Not to worry; nobody is going to listen to McCain much anymore anyway; they don’t need his anecdotes; just his vote.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 12:56 pmtouche
Dustin (ba94b2) — 7/25/2017 @ 1:07 pmDCSCA, Paint Your Wagon? Clint Eastwood’s only musical? Never heard of it.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/25/2017 @ 1:08 pmI always hear ‘word’s regarding freedom as though it survives in an absolute vacuum bereft of other things…like responsibility.
Conservative ‘thought ‘ is often driven by literalism like black and white. Grey’s just confound the Gray matter. They can’t handle metaphors or similes that muddy their water.
It’s a genuine handicap. Anyone have best practices for punching through that crst?
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 1:24 pmCrust..
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 1:24 pmThat’s the way to win over the youth vote, Ben, call them Nazis. And they say you people can’t figure out why you lost the last elections. Just look at how smart you are. Hahahaha.
Rev.Hoagie® (630eca) — 7/25/2017 @ 1:33 pmLook at you Rev. Stoagie..
“PEACE, in our time..”
But maybe you would welcome another Shicklegruber . I can’t tell with your ilk.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 1:40 pm“I alone can fix it” – Donald Trump
Pretty soon he may have the chance.
Amid reports he is disgusted by Trump’s public attacks on Jeff Sessions, the State Dept announces that Rex Tillerson will be taking “a little time off.”
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 2:37 pmState Department says Secretary Tillerson is ‘taking a little time off’ amid tensions in the White House..
He’s tired of the Toga parties he ain’t invited to.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 2:40 pmDave (445e97) — 7/24/2017 @ 3:11 pm:
“There will always be opposition to the party in power. That’s a feature, not a bug. Or at least it used to be.
“Now it’s been turned into an excuse to one-up the other side in immorality and dishonesty in order to save the country from their immorality and dishonesty.”
You assume moral equivalence. I don’t. Be that as it may, here we are. Trump will – rightly or wrongly – be thrown out of office, and then things get real. Your “opposition is a feature, not a bug” trope will be meaningless. What do you expect will happen?
Lenny (5ea732) — 7/25/2017 @ 2:47 pmcupcake tilly needs to suck it up and show a little moxie
his head hasn’t been in the game since he started
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 2:52 pmOnly a cocksucking fa&&ot would call the Boy Scouts of America “Hitler Youth”.
nk (dbc370) — 7/25/2017 @ 3:02 pmYou’re right nk. Did you see the slovenly Jakes? Hitler Youth would never tolerate..
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 3:26 pmAgain, nostalgia is an emotion you re-experience from the past.
Boy Scouts used to be a volunteer org with few paid positions. Now it’s all about fund-raisers and donor focus just like our electoral process. It’s just not the Reagan-same and it pisses you off.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 3:29 pm@317. Rest easy, nk. CSPAN may have taped the Luftwaffe flyover Big Media didn’t cover.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 3:36 pmapropos of nothing this is kinda interesting
as far as I know it’s the first time in the history of all the machines where a cold-stacked rig has been brought back into service
this could meaningfully change the cost structure of offshore exploration, making this resource more competitive – a gorgeous and wealth-creating resource failmerica has yet to exploit in the arctic and on her east and west coasts
and this (along with other breakthroughs inclusive of headcount-reducing automation) means the breakeven for this industry segment writ large can start coming in under the breakeven of terror-supporting states like Qatar and Saudi Arabia (Projects in the Gulf of Mexico are leading the way, with breakeven likely moving below $50 per barrel of oil equivalent, down from above $70…)
granted since bugaboo du jour “Russia” still has oodles of offshore left to explore, this probably helps them relative to the trash in the Middle East
but it’s a great day for freedom
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 3:55 pmIt’s always a great day for freedom.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 7/25/2017 @ 5:00 pmpoint taken
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 5:06 pmThey got nuthin…shocking.
1.As it stands, McConnell is pushing forward on debating the Senate’s revised Obamacare replacement plan, the Better Care Reconciliation Act first. But this version of the BCRA will likely need 60 votes to pass, due to Senate rules — all but ensuring its failure, since no Democrats will vote for it.
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 5:10 pmMcConnell has also proposed voting on the Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act, a full repeal of Obamacare’s spending and health insurance coverage expansion with no replacement, that would delay repeal for two years. But enough Republican senators have already said they oppose repealing Obamacare without a replacement to ensure the bill will sink.
Now senators are discussing the possibility of a “skinny repeal,” which would do away with the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, the employer mandate, and the medical device tax but would leave the Medicaid expansion and most of Obamacare’s regulations intact. So far, this seems like the most passable piece of legislation — but it’s a far cry from the tax cuts, regulation changes, and Medicaid reforms conservatives in the House and Senate have wanted.
Didn’t Bonaparte solve his problems by crowning himself Emperor?
Ben burn (864baa) — 7/25/2017 @ 5:13 pmno he went low-carb for awhile then he decided just cutting out sugar did the trick as long as he combined it with moderate resistance training
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 5:17 pmThey nabbed one of The swan brothers for hank frsud
narciso (82af23) — 7/25/2017 @ 5:35 pmWonder if sessions knows who the awan bros are?
mg (31009b) — 7/25/2017 @ 5:46 pmIs it possible to be cruel to a shark? http://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-wildlife-officials-investigating-video-boat-dragging-shark/story?id=48840550
nk (dbc370) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:04 pmthese florida wildlife officials sound kinda gay
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:05 pm@329. Peruse Ivana’s divorce papers and ask her if she put the bite on him for a change.
DCSCA (797bc0) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:07 pmmg thanks for decoding Narciso. Otherwise I’d still be wondering who Hank Frsud is.
kishnevi (d22255) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:13 pmMr Feets, you ever gigged a gator?
kishnevi (d22255) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:15 pmno but i used to serve gator when i was little
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:19 pmthese are the same sleazy corrupt nsa trash what assure us we can believe them when they say russia hacked all the pudding
happyfeet (28a91b) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:20 pmYou’ve got to use a plain carbon steel hook. One that rusts. Not stainless steel, brass, bronze, or any other non-corroding alloy. That way, if the gator breaks the line and gets away with the hook in its belly, it will digest it. Yes, it will, if it’s a plain steel. A non-corroding hook, however, will kill it in a slow and horrible way, and what’s worse, it will be in a lonely place out in the swamp and nobody will get the hide.
nk (dbc370) — 7/25/2017 @ 6:29 pm“I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion, and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.”
Sperm counts of Western men plummeting, analysis finds
Dave (445e97) — 7/25/2017 @ 7:34 pmVaccines.
nk (dbc370) — 7/25/2017 @ 8:44 pmhttp://dailycaller.com/2017/07/25/wasserman-schultzs-it-aide-arrested-trying-to-flee-the-country/
narciso (d1f714) — 7/25/2017 @ 9:55 pmRemember the number of deaths supposedly caused by sanctions on Iraq? It was never, never believeable but here is some explanation. This lie keeps on being repeated from time to time so the rebuttal needs to be better known,
From Commentary: (usually behind a paywall available free if ou take a email subscription:
https://www.commentarymagazine.com/foreign-policy/united-nations/hold-unicef-accountable-for-falsehoods-on-iraq
Hold UNICEF Accountable for Falsehoods on Iraq
Unforgivable hypocrisy.
by Michael Rubin / Aug. 7, 2017
The British Journal of Global Health has found that the idea that sanctions on Iraq killed 500,000 children was a fiction dreamed up by Saddam Hussein’s government to fuel propaganda against the West. Liz Sly at the Washington Post reported:
The origin of the 500,000 dead children calumny was an issue which I had addressed in the Middle East Review of International Affairs in 2001, after returning from an academic year teaching in Iraqi Kurdistan.
In short, UNICEF laundered propaganda for the late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Saddam’s government refused the United Nations to conduct its own surveys inside Iraq and so UNICEF accepted figures provided it by Saddam’s Ministry of Health. Using those figures, UNICEF estimated that sanctions killed 1.2 million Iraqis. Some non-governmental organizations—the International Action Center, for example—placed the number even higher.
Amatzia Baram, at the time a professor at the University of Haifa and a decades-long expert in Iraq, was the first voice to disprove allegations that sanctions had led to mass death in Iraq. To do so, he compared the country’s population growth rates over the last three censuses and found almost no difference between Iraq’s population growth rate between 1977 and 1987 (35.8 percent) and over the following decade (35.1 percent).
There were other warning signs to suggest that the UNICEF report was detached from reality. UNICEF suggested the mortality rate for children under five-years-old and the infant mortality rate increased after the adoption the oil-for-food program doubled caloric intake for Iraqis. This should have raised red flags about the veracity of the report because it would mean that the reduction of sanctions increased child mortality. The UNICEF study also said that child mortality had more than doubled, but neither independent observers in Iraq nor Iraqis traveling abroad ever reported seeing a rise of such huge magnitude.
While the 1999 UNICEF report made headlines the world over, global media largely ignored a September 2000 Food and Agriculture Organization report, written in collaboration with the World Health Organization, which found half of Iraq’s population to be overweight and hypertension and diabetes among the leading causes of death in Iraq. These are hardly the diseases of the starving.
In short, the British Journal of Global Health rehashes old ground, although its repackaging is welcome. While Iraqis understand that Saddam’s figures were simply a prequel to the fabulism of Saddam’s former Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, a.k.a “Baghdad Bob,” the damage caused by UNICEF’s falsehoods deserve a response.
Carol Bellamy was UNICEF executive director at the time of the report. She bore ultimate responsibility, therefore, for the decision to accept Saddam’s statistics blindly despite Iraq’s refusal to allow independent surveying. After the publication of the report, she worked overtime to publicize it and dismissed out of hand any questions about methodology, telling Slate, for example, that “UNICEF’s data on Iraqi child mortality rates haven’t been disputed” when, indeed, they had. The report also credits the World Health Organization’s Iqbal Shah for “reviewing the survey methodology, fieldwork techniques, data cleaning processes, data checks and the first drafts of the survey report,” and Mohammad Ali of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine for heading a team of consultants putting together the report. Both Ali and Shah subsequently published an article, “Sanctions and Childhood Mortality in Iraq,” in the British medical journal The Lancet, doubling down on their findings. (The Lancet, of course, later made headlines for publishing highly inflated Iraqi death tolls in the wake of Operation Iraqi Freedom).
It’s time to make funding for UNICEF contingent on an internal UNICEF investigation into how it got Iraq so wrong. UNICEF, of course, will say that any accountability in terms of funding suspension or cut backs would hurt children, but UNICEF is not the only organization that helps children. UNICEF should report in detail how the errors occurred, and apologize to both the Iraqi people for playing a part in Saddam’s propaganda and to the United States for how it fanned—perhaps deliberately—anti-Americanism.
But what about Bellamy? On September 27, 2013, Secretary of State John Kerry and his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, announced the decision to create a Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund to support efforts to counter violent extremism. They put Bellamy in charge of the Geneva-based fund. Given the definitive findings that UNICEF got so much wrong under Bellamy’s leadership, Congress and the Trump administration would be right to demand her resignation.
Leadership is not an entitlement and mistakes matter.
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Carol Bellamy used to be President of the New York City Council, at a time when that position was one of the 3 citiwide elected positions and carried the same weight on the Board of Estimate as the Mayor and the Controller. The 3 citiwide elected officials constituted amajority, or 2 of them and 3 borough presidents or one of them and all 5 borough presidents.
The Supreme Court later held that system of government to be unconstitutional because all 5 boroughs including staten Island had equal weight.
Carol Bellamy was President of the New York City Council from the elecction of 1977 through 1985 when she attempted to become mayor.
Sammy Finkelman (02a146) — 8/8/2017 @ 3:02 pm