Patterico's Pontifications

3/21/2009

The Shared Sacrifice, Part 37

Filed under: General,Obama — Patterico @ 8:26 am



The Beverly Hills Courier:

President Barack Obama checked into The Beverly Hilton Wednesday night.

Every President from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton has stayed in The Beverly Hilton’s Presidential Suite. Obama is now among them. The President is in Los Angeles as part of a tour of southern California that includes several stops up and down the coast and an appearance on The Tonight Show.

The Presidential Suite is a three-room suite that measures 1,870 square feet. It includes a master bedroom and living room and has views of Wilshire Boulevard. Amenities include two 42-inch plasma televisions and a 13-inch LCD screen in the spa bathroom as well as a patio, fireplace and library area.

Sounds nice. I have a couple more questions.

How much did it cost?

Whatever the price, our Barry deserves it. You don’t want it to be a schlock affair, after all.

Was there waygu steak?

Was the thermostat in the spacious living room set high enough to grow orchids?

Final question: ready for your tax hike? It’s only patriotic, you know. We all have to sacrifice.

183 Responses to “The Shared Sacrifice, Part 37”

  1. Now, Patrick, you have no idea how humbling it feels to be forced to watch tv on a 42″ screen.

    He could have gotten a 65″ screen if he’d pressed the issue.

    So, yeah, the Prez is sacrificing.

    Steverino (69d941)

  2. You forgot to ask about the availability of Arugula – it’s always about the Arugula.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  3. “Every President from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton has stayed in The Beverly Hilton’s Presidential Suite.”

    Which means George W. Bush hasn’t.

    Meanwhile, Michelle is teaching us how to grow our own food in a victory garden. When her husband is through with the economy, we’ll all need one just to eat.

    Anon (eb4fed)

  4. A luxury suite there is $950 a night. Single bedroom. I would suspect the Presidential Suite is three times that.

    Joe (17aeff)

  5. And its not like he can go to Trader Vics to see how his March Madness picks are doing, he needs the 42 inch screen.

    Joe (17aeff)

  6. “Every President from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton has stayed in The Beverly Hilton’s Presidential Suite.”

    How uppity.

    imdw (e66d8d)

  7. Hey, can’t you all let this guy eat his waffle? Leave Britney alone!

    Seriously, I love comparing and contrasting this kind of thing to the high and mighty pronouncements about those AIG bonuses.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  8. On the subject of the AIG bonuses, is anyone else uncomfortable with Congress, via fiat, deciding to punitively tax income of a group of citizens?

    Hmmm….

    Mind you, I think the bonuses are bad. But everyone needs to remember the most important rule of politics: imagine the powers you agree to in the hands of bitterest enemies.

    Brrrr.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  9. “On the subject of the AIG bonuses, is anyone else uncomfortable with Congress, via fiat, deciding to punitively tax income of a group of citizens?”

    Would it have been punitive to never have given TARP to begin with?

    imdw (b1617d)

  10. Per comment 3:

    “Every President from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton has stayed in The Beverly Hilton’s Presidential Suite.”

    Yeah, this could mean that GWB didn’t stay there.

    Or it could mean that the Beverly Hills Courier doesn’t count GWB as a President.

    I’d say the odds of either are about even.

    [IMH] (efd0b1)

  11. Beverly Hilton…
    The real stars of pop-culture ALWAYS stay at the Beverly Wilshire,
    or a cabana at the Beverly Hills Hotel;
    the Hilton is soooo declasse and gauche.

    AD - RtR/OS (6252e2)

  12. What is the point of this post? Should we be upset at the extravagance? I’ll bet one night at this hotel is worth less than 100,000 human lives. That’s what Dubya’s presidency cost.

    http://www.iraqbodycount.org/

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  13. On the subject of the AIG bonuses, is anyone else uncomfortable with Congress, via fiat, deciding to punitively tax income of a group of citizens?

    I made a comment on this in another thread: yes, it scares the crap out of me that Congress is doing this. What happens to another group in popular scorn? Do we allow Congress to seize all of their property? This is akin to expanding RICO to anyone, anywhere.

    Would it have been punitive to never have given TARP to begin with?

    It would have been suicidal, not punitive.

    That said, the time to have discussed the bonues was before the money was handed over.

    None of which has anything to do with this thread…

    Steverino (69d941)

  14. Shorter Ed from PA: Look! Something shiny over there!!!

    Steverino (69d941)

  15. Dmac,

    Not to worry. The Obamas are planting arugula in their garden.

    Anon (eb4fed)

  16. Speaking of RICO….
    If, and when, this tax bill passes, is signed, and (justly) declared unconstitutional, will the parties subject to it be able to file a RICO action against the Congress (and its’ individual members) for violating their Civil Rights?

    As Mark Twain famously said, America’s only native criminal class is the Congress.

    AD - RtR/OS (6252e2)

  17. Steverino: No, I just think we should be discussing our ‘heroes’ in terms of the actual impact they have on human lives. One pre-emptively started a war that killed 100,000 people, the other checked into a hotel room with a large TV. I don’t know, I just think one transgression is a little more egregious than the other. You know?

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  18. On the subject of the AIG bonuses, is anyone else uncomfortable with Congress, via fiat, deciding to punitively tax income of a group of citizens?

    Uncomfortable doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about what Congress did. It’s rank demagogy. Congress foolishly allowed itself to be scared into spending hundreds of billions of dollars, and has gone into hysterics about 1/1000th of that being questionably spent.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (0ea407)

  19. When commenting about political actions that effect humanity, shouldn’t the commenter first be human, or at least at a level equal to PA’s most famous resident: Phil?

    AD - RtR/OS (6252e2)

  20. The Pelosi Taxes…
    This was sent in response to the post on “Banana Republics” on Powerline last night:
    If the Pelosi taxes pass, and are upheld as Constitutional, we – the people – will have no choice but to take up arms against what used to be our government, and cast off the yoke of servitude that she and her minions have imposed upon us.

    Better to die fighting for freedom on your feet, than a life of servitude on your knees!”

    AD - RtR/OS (6252e2)

  21. That sounds awfully treasonous, Another Dumbass-Really too Round/Ostensibly Stupid.

    I think it would be interesting to see you take up arms and ‘cast off the yoke of servitude’ of paying the same tax rate you did under Reagan.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  22. Holy shit, W started a war and people died? I just can’t believe that. Wow. Who knew people died in wars. Why, I’ll just bet that Saddam guy never started any wars with neighbors that cost a million lives. No sirreeee.

    I guess that means that we can never, ever find anything to criticize the current President about, then, can we. Or at least not until another 100,000 people die.

    Of course, the cost of the night in the hotel pales in comparison to the cost of flying AF1 and the various military transports and helicopters across country so the President can make jokes about kids struggling to achieve against all odds.

    XBradTC (defa65)

  23. It’s a given that the guy now in the White House is pretty much a run-of-the-mill limousine liberal.

    monstersandcritics.com, August 2006:

    Illinois affiliate WPSD-TV reports that Illinois Senator Barack Obama warned citizens at his 50th Town Hall meeting about gas guzzling vehicles.

    According to reports, the standing room only audience at the Metropolis Community Center heard the popular senator Obama speak on everything from politics to global warming.

    According to Obama, part of the blame for the world’s higher temperatures rests on gas guzzling vehicles. Obama says consumers can make the difference by switching to hybrid cars.

    Obama said, “It would save more energy, do more for the environment and create better world security than all the drilling we could do in Alaska.”

    According to the reporter at local News Channel 6: “After the meeting Obama left in a GMC Envoy after admitting to favoring SUV’s himself.”

    Associated Press, March 20, 2009

    What’s more fuel-efficient, a Ford Model T or a modern-day sport utility vehicle? President Barack Obama says the Model T, but his comparison is a stretch.

    “Think about that: 100 years later, and we’re getting worse gas mileage, not better, on SUVs,” Obama said.

    Ford’s own Web site says the Model T’s mileage ranged from 13 to 21 miles per gallon. Some Tin Lizzie enthusiasts who still drive the vehicles report numbers closer to the bottom end of that range. A typical SUV sold in 2008 gets 18.7 miles per gallon.

    But even comparing vehicles that are so different is misleading, say auto industry officials and fans of Henry Ford’s pioneering car. The 1909 Model T – which debuted in September 1908 – weighed 1,200 pounds.

    By contrast, a typical SUV sold in 2008 weighs about 4,600 lbs and carries equipment not dreamed of 100 years ago: emission controls, safety equipment like air bags, antilock brakes and an aerodynamic body. Model Ts featured hand-crank starters and tail lamps fueled by kerosene.

    “It’s not a comparison that holds up well today,” said Ford spokeswoman Jennifer Moore.

    Moore said that by comparison, a 2009 Ford Escape achieves 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway while providing 200 horsepower, a tenfold improvement over the Model T.


    __________________________________

    Salon.com, March 17, 2009:

    There is a major push underway — engineered by Obama’s Treasury officials, enabled by a mindless media, and amplified by the right-wing press — to blame Chris Dodd for the AIG bonus payments. That would be perfectly fine if it were true. But it’s completely false, and the scheme to heap the blame on him for the AIG bonus payments is based on demonstrable falsehoods.

    The attempt to blame Dodd is based on a patently false claim that was first fed to The New York Times on Saturday by an “administration official”….. The accusation against Dodd is that there is nothing the Obama administration can do about the AIG bonus payments because Dodd inserted a clause into the stimulus bill which exempted executive compensation agreements entered into before February, 2009 from the compensation limits imposed on firms receiving bailout funds.

    That is simply not what happened…..The exemption for already existing compensation agreements — the exact provision that is now protecting the AIG bonus payments — was inserted at the White House’s insistence and over Dodd’s objections. But now that a political scandal has erupted over these payments, the White House is trying to deflect blame from itself and heap it all on Chris Dodd by claiming that it was Dodd who was responsible for that exemption.

    Mark (411533)

  24. Did TOTUS get his own room?

    Have Blue (974cdf)

  25. Only a 42″ Plasma, that’s pretty weak for a room like that. It should be a 60″ Plasma, but no matter Plasma’s are going by the wayside, Pioneer which made the best Plasma is pulling out. Even Vizio which made really cheap Plasmas is pulling out.

    The Beverly Hilton penthouse suites range in price from $2500-$5000 a night, I believe those are 2005 prices.

    I don’t care whether you’re driving a hybrid or an SUV. If you’re headed for a cliff, you have to change direction. That’s what the American people called for in November, and that’s what we intend to deliver. ~ Barack Obama

    President pinko says, “do as I say, not as I do”!
    Can’t I just eat my waygu?

    ML (14488c)

  26. What is the point of this post? Should we be upset at the extravagance? I’ll bet one night at this hotel is worth less than 100,000 human lives. That’s what Dubya’s presidency cost.

    http://www.iraqbodycount.org/

    Comment by Ed from PA — 3/21/2009 @ 9:39 am

    I see you are finally off that 400,000 number that was floating around a while. Keep flying the Soros flag Ed.

    Joe (17aeff)

  27. I see you are finally off that 400,000 number that was floating around a while. Keep flying the Soros flag Ed.

    Who is the ‘you’ you are referring to?

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  28. The attempt to blame Dodd is based on a patently false claim that was first fed to The New York Times on Saturday by an “administration official”….. The accusation against Dodd is that there is nothing the Obama administration can do about the AIG bonus payments because Dodd inserted a clause into the stimulus bill which exempted executive compensation agreements entered into before February, 2009 from the compensation limits imposed on firms receiving bailout funds.

    That is simply not what happened…..The exemption for already existing compensation agreements — the exact provision that is now protecting the AIG bonus payments — was inserted at the White House’s insistence and over Dodd’s objections.

    Salon is slightly behind the times.

    Dodd has admitted adding the amendment.

    Update. YouTube just removed the incriminating video. I looked at it ten minutes ago. Who says Obama is inept ?

    Furthermore, Google now returns no hits on Dodd and Amendment video.

    Maybe I will have to learn Farsi to do blogging with freedom of speech.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  29. Ed from Pennsylvania (you are not Rendell are you?), this is a Google Answer on how many Saddam killed. I have not verified every figure, but it looks generally correct. You can compare the figures to your death tally for Iraq.

    In 1959, before Hussein was the leader of Iraq (before he had
    completed high school, even), he participated in the assignation of
    the then-current Iraqi leader. (?Crimes Against Iraq,?
    http://www.upforanything.net/archives/000664.html )

    In 1968, Hussein, actively engaged in ?purifying the government and
    society of potential dissidents.? (?Biography of Saddam Hussein of
    Tikrit,? Iraq Foundation:
    http://www.iraqfoundation.org/research/bio.html )
    In 1974, Hussein participated in the killing of five religious
    leaders. (?Saddam?s Crimes,?
    http://www.sciri.btinternet.co.uk/English/Saddam_Crimes/saddam_crimes.html
    ) Hundreds of other religious people were arrested and tortured.
    In 1977, Hussein was responsible for the arrest of thousand of
    religious people, and the killing of hundreds of them.
    In 1978, Hussein participated in the assignation of former
    Prime-Minister Abdul Razzaq Al naef in London. Between 1978-79,
    Hussein helped ?eliminate? 7,000 communists in Iraq.
    In 1979, Hussein ordered another purge to eliminate political
    opponents. Hundreds of top ranking Ba’thists and army officers were
    executed.
    During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88), 730,000 Iranians died. You will
    recall that Hussein was the aggressor in this war, because he wanted
    full control of the Arvand/Shatt al-Arab waterway at the head of the
    Persian Gulf. (For more information on the war, see ?Iran-Iraq War,?
    at Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/i/irani1raq.asp
    ) Approximately 1,000 Kuwaiti nationals were killed in the Iraqi
    invasion of Kuwait. It?s estimated there were 1,500,000 refugees from
    this war, displaced by Iraq?s occupation of Kuwait. 750,000 ?endured
    brutalities, oppression, and torture.? Although the date for the end
    of the war is usually given as 1988, the struggle continued, and
    500,000 Iranians were late killed (the Iranians say it was closer to 1
    million), 100,000 by Hussein?s chemical weapons. In one day, 5,000
    men, women, and children were gassed. (?Sadaam?s Other Crime,? In The
    National Interest: http://www.inthenationalinterest.com/Articles/Vol3Issue29/Vol3Issue29Askari.html
    and ?Charges Facing Saddam Hussein,? BBC:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3320293.stm )

    Between 1987-1988, 180,000 Kurds ?disappeared,? and 4,000 villages
    were razed, in an effort at ?ethnic cleansing.?
    In 1983, Hussein killed of 8,000 members of the Barzani clan. Also in
    1983, Hussein arrested 90 members of Al Hakim family and executed 16
    of them.
    Between 1988 and 1999, Hussein killed 7,000 prisoners in what was
    called ?prison cleansing.? (?NoBody Count,?
    http://www.blogoram.com/000184.php )
    We also know that Hussein killed and tortured many other ?enemies?
    before the Gulf War. For example: Ayatollah Mohamad baqir Al Sadr and
    his sister Amina Al Sadr (Bint Al Huda) were arrested, tortured, and
    killed in 1980. In 1981, Haj Sahal Al Salman in UAE in 1981, Sami
    Mahdi was killed. In 1987, Ni’ma Mohamad in Pakistan was killed. In
    1988, Sayed Mahdi Al Hakim in Sudan was killed.
    In addition, we know from Iraqi officials that Hussein put to death
    ?officers who did not agree to execute people in the street,?
    religious leaders who didn?t lavish praise of Hussein, and Shiite
    Muslims (for their religious views). (See, as an example, ?Officer’s
    tale: Iraq’s web of assassination, ? Christian Science Monitor:
    http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0424/p01s04-woiq.html ) Remember, too,
    that mass graves were found during the FIRST Gulf War. (?Charges
    Against Saddam,? TalkLeft:
    http://talkleft.com/new_archives/004668.html )

    In the 1990s, Hussein killed 40,000 Shia?s (or Shiite Muslims) for
    their religious uprisings; among those who became prisoners,
    approximately 2,000 were executed on November 1993 alone. (?Death
    Tolls,? http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat5.htm#Iraq For more on
    Shia?s, see ?Shiites,? http://mb-soft.com/believe/txo/shiites.htm ) As
    further evidence that the Gulf War did not play a role in Shia deaths,
    in 1980, before war with Iran, Hussein hanged two leading Shia
    figures. (?Radical Shias Worry Bush as well as Sadaam,? Daily Times:
    http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-10-2002_pg4_7 )
    Since 1974, at least hundreds of Shia leaders have been arrested.

    I leave you to draw your own conclusions. Would fewer people have been
    killed if the U.S. had not participated in the Gulf War? Or would
    Hussein have continued to kill, even without U.S. intervension?

    For a look at the usual figures we hear about Hussein, see Killer
    File: http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/hussein-comment.html

    Google Answers

    And Ed, that Iraq War Death Tally you cite is not the USA dropping bombs on the Iraqis as is implied by the website, it includes deaths from Jihadi attacks on Iraqi Shiite, Christian, Kurd, and other civilians.

    Joe (17aeff)

  30. i’m sure a family living down in the Nickerson’s would have been happy to have him stay the night. just think of the outpouring of love an support he could have basked in there.

    redc1c4 (9c4f4a)

  31. Iraqi body count.

    That’s a joke, only an illiberal would swallow such BS.
    Will any of these illiberal types ever get over their BDS or will this continue on for the next 50 years or so?

    That’s a rhetorical question.

    ML (14488c)

  32. The way I read it, the bigger issue is that AIG is essentially a pass-through entity at this point. That is, the bailouts are really ending up in the balance sheets of GS [the most culpable in my opinion], JPM, Citi, BAC, to name the bigs. The AIG bonuses are grimace inducing remnants of deal making heydays. But the chicanery of the continued buttressing of the worst actors on Wall Street using the AIG bonuses as a distraction is utterly unconscionable. The Fed, Treasury, Congress, and the Street have long had a somewhat grudging scratch my back arrangement. No secret to traders, just not well publicized to the public. These days the back scratching has been revealed, and exposes the the irrational era of excesses of the Street’s financial houses. Not to overlook the excessive debt creation to salvage the sinners. The Fed was created with two main components to its charter…maintaining a sound monetary system and banking system. To me, the Fed is the linch-pin in this whole debacle. After years of incestual relationships with DC and the Street, the Fed abrogated its fidelity to the original charter. One may precisely engineer the machines of governance, and finance in particular, but one cannot as easily control the imprecision and outright self-serving of the humans that operate them when they effectively create a virtual oligarchy. Too big to fail, too big to succeed. At such historical junctures, one usually witnesses either an unwinding or a massive collapse of indeterminant duration.

    I favor an unwinding.

    allan (5154a4)

  33. 21…
    I might refer you to a document that begins:
    When, in the course of Human Events, it becomes neccessary….”

    Now, without further ado, and absent any reason to continue this interaction, you can kiss my a$$!

    AD - RtR/OS (6252e2)

  34. The troubling thing about the new WH Victory Garden is that Alice Waters, uber-lib from Berkeley, is the brains and push behind it. When she says that “everyone has the right to fresh food”, you can see the writing on the wall.

    Dana (cbd391)

  35. And, quel suprise, he found out on his walkabout that everybody in the country agrees with him on his spending and he intends to spend even more.

    So there. I won.

    Patricia (2183bb)

  36. #26: Congressman Murtha, is that you?

    redc1c4 (9c4f4a)

  37. you can see the writing on the wall.

    …rather I should have said, you can see the mandatory arugula on the citizens’ table.

    Dana (cbd391)

  38. Dana, have you seen this story?
    Feds to regulate gardens?

    granted, it’s based on a World Net Daily story, so i’d take it with a 5# box of salt, but i haven’t had a chance to run it down on my own….

    redc1c4 (9c4f4a)

  39. _______________________________

    That’s a joke, only an illiberal would swallow such BS.

    Moreover, so many of the liberals who are big mouths and quite indignant about deaths during the Iraq war are less bothered by, if at all, the brutality and huge number of fatalities and casualties at the hands of Saddam Hussein. The biggest joke about such illiberals and their way of thinking and behaving is that they believe themselves to be motivated by a humane and compassionate philosophy.

    And so in their honor, I present this observation of actual reality once again:

    By Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times, December 2008:

    This holiday season is a time to examine who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, but I’m unhappy with my findings. The problem is this: We liberals are personally stingy.

    Liberals show tremendous compassion in pushing for generous government spending to help the neediest people at home and abroad. Yet when it comes to individual contributions to charitable causes, liberals are cheapskates.

    Arthur Brooks, the author of a book on donors to charity, “Who Really Cares,” cites data that households headed by conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than households headed by liberals. A study by Google found an even greater disproportion: average annual contributions reported by conservatives were almost double those of liberals.

    Mark (411533)

  40. Comment by redc1c4 — 3/21/2009 @ 11:03 am

    This, if true, goes hand-in-hand with the CPSIA of ’08 that, in the name of “protecting the children” has put a $Billion+ hurt on the toy industry, and is doing a job on the ATV/MC industry too.
    But, we must remember, our enlightened leaders in the Congress know what is best for us –
    especially as they look down from their taxpayer provided Gulfstream,
    as they fly over the vast wasteland that extends from the Appalachian’s to the Sierra’s.

    AD - RtR/OS (6252e2)

  41. Cry. About. It.

    Obama did something that presidents have been doing for the past 40 of the past 48 years. What other presidential traditions so offend your fiscal conservative sensibilities that you’re going to write an entire post about it? Throwing out opening pitches at baseball games? After all, they could save money by having someone from the area do it…

    Leviticus (1d5937)

  42. humane and compassionate philosophy.
    That in an illiberals mind means:
    Killing unborn children the sick or elderly when these same illiberals deem that life no longer worth living and of course all murders should go free, prison just makes them worse.

    With humane and compassionate friends like that, who needs any enemies?

    ML (14488c)

  43. Comment by Leviticus — 3/21/2009 @ 11:29 am

    I don’t believe anybody begrudges any President an overnight at the plush BH. What is irritating is to be repeatedly lectured to about our need to sacrifice, to give for the good of others, rich corporate execs must pay more, blah, blah, and all the other sanctimonious scoldings and then see him opting to stay at such an extraordinary locale makes it tough to swallow. Do as I say not as I do… If he hadn’t done all the self-righteous lecturing, no one would bat an eye.

    But then again you already knew this.

    Dana (137151)

  44. Did you see any of BHO’s CA townhalls? The crowds were screaming for him like the Beatles. He still has enormous popularity, despite it all.

    gp (484de8)

  45. Obama is a celebrity and will attract the sort of people who adore celebrities, no matter what they do. The same crowd will mob a Brittany Spears appearance. Do you want to elect her president ?

    I agree that it is carping to complain about Obama staying at the BH, especially as it is not the nicest hotel in BH. But the point about his hypocrisy is valid. The “victory” garden is the same issue.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  46. Steverino: No, I just think we should be discussing our ‘heroes’ in terms of the actual impact they have on human lives

    That’s no reason to hijack every thread with your own agenda. If you want to write about something else, get your own frigging blog and write about it. But stop hijacking threads here.

    Steverino (69d941)

  47. Ed in PA … You’re Governor Rendell, right?

    PatAZ (9d1bb3)

  48. Obama did something that presidents have been doing for the past 40 of the past 48 years.

    CEOs have been riding on corporate jets forever.

    Patterico (cc3b34)

  49. into the mind of an O-bot (names changed to protect teh st00pid):
    You would think a military guy (from what I understand, you guys have self-discipline) would be able to rein yourself within the parameters of an intellectual debate-which is what you indicated you wanted to engage. You displayed you could not and I called you on it. Your argument didn’t need the name-calling. You were doing quite well until you regressed. Now, you can play the victim: “Oh, Student 2’s trying to restrain my free speech”. Or you can recognize that you crossed a line. Frankly, I think playing the victim is more self-satisfying for you. Barack Obama is beloved by many people in this country for all the potential possibilities he represents for the future. You are right in that there is a cult-like adoration for him. And we (the many who are hopeful of those possibilities) may all be disappointed in the eventual outcome. I know you were using a spoonerism to equate President Obama with Kim Jun Ill as many of his ideas are socialistic–it’s not clever, it’s not even remotely funny. Directly above, I think your words are patronizing to Student 1 and I really don’t think you respect your fellow students, myself included. I also don’t think you’re genuinely interested in learning (as you indicated above) in an exchange of ideas about issues facing our country. You seem more interested in a verbal King-of-the-Hill where you obliterate all voices of dissent until only yours remain. Well, I’m done..you can be king of your lonely hill. All Hail King red.

    redc1c4 (9c4f4a)

  50. I thought we were talking about Obama’s hotel room? I am fully amenable to that discussion, as long as we keep it in context of prior administration’s transgressions. Slick willy got a little side action, Dubya started a war with a toll of 100,000 (at least and so far), and Obama stayed in a nice hotel room. That’s all I’m sayin’.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  51. Ed

    Do you realize how idiotic that argument is?

    You are claiming that “x” number of wrongs make a right.
    And you also are claiming that when an ( R ) does it, it is the end of the world, yet when a ( D ) does it everything is just peachy.

    That is idiotic.

    ML (14488c)

  52. To me, it is interesting to see the yawns from the Left over the “do as I say, not as I do business.”. I remember quite a different attitude from the Left regarding the actions of the previous POTUS.

    As for popularity, I would LOVE to see 100 of those screaming supporters, without prep time, asked to describe the policies and legislative actions of President Obama.

    What’s that? Republicans are also ignorant? How does that help your case?

    Eric Blair (f2f4d2)

  53. THREADJACK ALERT. THREADJACK ALERT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. DO NOT ADJUST YOUR COMPUTER MONITORS.

    It’s always the same MO with Ed the Head – deflect, obfuscate, deny, and finally screech about something entirely not germane to the discussion at hand.

    I’ll bet one night at this hotel is worth less than 100,000 human lives

    An interesting proposition, no? Here’s another one: I’ll bet that one night with Eddy is worth less than one dead Norwegian Rat – unless you’re into self – loathing and abject humiliation.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  54. That is idiotic.

    You’re just realizing this salient fact? This has been readily apparent for many months at this point – Ed has never answered a post without resorting to KOS talking points and whatever else his masters tell him to spew each day. Here Eddy, here boy! Go fetch! You’re a good boy, aren’t you, Eddy?

    Dmac (49b16c)

  55. Ed from PA (52).

    Your snide comment can be rephrased thus:

    Slick Willy ignored growing threats to American lives and security, Dubya liberated millions from an oppressive tyranny, and Obama racked up a debt greater than all previous presidents combined in less than three months, flaunting his luxury while telling the peons to eat cake.

    Context is important, and you valiantly attempted to ignore it. However many died (and it was not many at all, historically), Bush freed millions, which is more than any Dem President for the last fifty years can honestly take credit for.

    [IMH] (efd0b1)

  56. Typical example of Eddy:

    Post of the day: “Obama kills citizen on the street with his bare hands, and we think not so good.”

    Eddy’s Pavlovian response: “So what? One death is nothing compared to the billions of people across the planet who were killed by BushHitler’s wars of agression, not to mention the extreme global warmening caused by his heartless embrace of BigOilHalliburtonEnronIforgotafewothersbutyougetmydriftBushisadoofuswhoamIwhatamIforgottoemptykittyslitterboxmymommy’sgoingtobeangrynoworldofwarcraftformetoday.”

    Dmac (49b16c)

  57. Dmac

    I guess I was lucky and never got the unpleasure of reading Ed’s tripe.

    Now in Ed’s defense, its hard for me to tell these idiots apart, they all sound the same but for whatever reason have different names.

    Timb, Hax, Ed, its all the same claptrap.

    ML (14488c)

  58. True enough, ML – but it’s akin to the parable about wrestling a pig: all you get out of the exertion is mud all over yourself, and the pig likes it.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  59. I’m sympathetic to your point, but the traveling President has certain security needs that probably only can be met by a half-dozen hotel rooms in LA.

    It’s more fair to expect Obama to turn the heat down in the White House and not to serve, yes, Wagyu (sp?) steak there, etc., than to pick on him about the suite when he’s traveling.

    Mitch (8614cd)

  60. Dubya started a war

    Would that be the same war the current VP and SOS voted for and the Democrat congress funds?

    Perfect Sense (60c338)

  61. Yeah, it is interesting read how Presidents “start” things that require the approval of Congress, isn’t it? But then, none of those arguments are about facts, are they?

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  62. I’ll give Michelle this: the garden may not put fruit on her girls’ table, but it will put vegetables there.

    Ed from SFV (7da696)

  63. I thought we were talking about Obama’s hotel room?

    We were, you went off on your own agenda.

    I am fully amenable to that discussion, as long as we keep it in context of prior administration’s transgressions. Slick willy got a little side action, Dubya started a war with a toll of 100,000 (at least and so far), and Obama stayed in a nice hotel room. That’s all I’m sayin’.

    Right, Slick Willie also didn’t drop bombs all over Bosnia…or maybe his bombs didn’t kill anyone?

    Stop bringing up your own agenda on every damned thread. You make a parrot look like a fountain of eloquence.

    Steverino (69d941)

  64. 100,000? So they’re backing off of the “eleventy billion” claims?

    Techie (9c008e)

  65. Techie, steverino, et al – Mock and scorn. Point and laugh. It is not even bringing up its own thoughts. It is boilerplate Leftist talking points.

    JD (138f58)

  66. Ed from PA,

    Let em engage, 100,000? How was that calculated?

    But if I use Obama math (** like the 1.5 trillion in budget savings he alleges to be creating by first running the war costs out in perpetuity and then claiming he is bringing home the troops according to GWB’s timeline with Maliqui **)….

    100,000 died caused of the war but 1,000,000 where saved because we got rid of Saddam. So GWB got a 10X return on the war.

    GWB saved millions of lives because he got rid of a mass murderer. Like killing Hitler in 1942 instead of his dying in 1945.

    Jimminy'cricket (637168)

  67. EfP is a waterhead, and prolly could not qualify for the Special Olympics.

    JD (138f58)

  68. I wonder why Ed did not cite this website that claims 1.3 million Iraqis died?

    Of course all these number are “scientifically” pulled out of some illiberals ass and thus infallible.

    ML (14488c)

  69. I enjoy getting into arguments with my friends regarding those fraudulent figures, particularly when the “methodology” is discusssed. Basically Lancet and the others went into a few cities and just asked around for some stories about dead people, coupled with a few actual death certificates, and viola! Just extrapolate by a million or so and you’ve got your handy meme without all that bothersome fact – checking of sources and figures.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  70. Dmac

    Its also quit funny how they do not specify whether these deaths are terrorist or non-combatant civilians.
    And to bolster their bullshit of course the Iraqi terrorists that kill other Iraqis are included as caused by the US.

    That’s illiberal science for you.

    ML (14488c)

  71. I am fasting this weekend to sacrifice so that Dear Leader can have the safety and comfort he is entitled to. If I should become weak and debilitated, please call 911, if we still

    Patricia (2183bb)

  72. My wife’s family once stayed on the same hotel floor as Walter Mondale. And trust me, my wife’s family doesn’t generally go much fancier than Motel 6. (maybe even Motel 4) I expect security needs are higher now, but surely an entire top floor of the Holiday Inn would be just as securable as the Hilton – and still cheaper (since in addition to the suite they still had to book rooms for the entourage and all the camp followers).

    Gesundheit (9ca635)

  73. Just think of the sincerity points BO could earn by staying in a Holiday Inn. And hey, the Magic Fingers (TM) would be a bonus that I’ll bet the Hilton doesn’t have.

    Gesundheit (9ca635)

  74. Ed’s back to making up stuff again I see. Its his only trick.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  75. Dmac

    Its also quit funny how they do not specify whether these deaths are terrorist or non-combatant civilians.
    And to bolster their bullshit of course the Iraqi terrorists that kill other Iraqis are included as caused by the US.

    That’s illiberal science for you.

    Comment by ML — 3/21/2009 @ 4:52 pm

    Certainly you can back up these claims with legitimate sites accounting for these things you claim to be true… right? Right…? [crickets]

    Conservatives: Facts are not their friends.

    Ed from PA (d99227)

  76. “What is irritating is to be repeatedly lectured to about our need to sacrifice, to give for the good of others, rich corporate execs must pay more, blah, blah, and all the other sanctimonious scoldings and then see him opting to stay at such an extraordinary locale makes it tough to swallow. Do as I say not as I do… If he hadn’t done all the self-righteous lecturing, no one would bat an eye.”

    – Dana

    You mean there’s hypocrisy in American politics? Wow – stop the presses. Actually, start the presses, only start voicing disingenuous dismay at something everyone with half a brain (which includes everyone here, don’t get me wrong) has known since the first they were, what, 18? 25? Very young.

    And I’m sorry for my sarcasm, Dana. I’m in a bad mood from thinking about the state of politics in this country – I’ve been talking with my dad about the 2000 elections, the past eight years, and the past couple months (equally depressing subjects, in their own ways).

    Leviticus (f7ce56)

  77. How much did it cost?

    Less than aircraft to patrol a ranch in Texas.

    I think you guys are getting a tad petty when you are attacking hotel room costs and the Obamas planting a vegetable garden – ymmv.

    Bob Loblaw (6d485c)

  78. No, you’re missing the point, Bob. The reason it is so egregious is that… shoot, let me get my Repug talking points straight here… oh, right. Um, the actual reason we’re angry is that we’re still thrown for a loop that the country recognized that Palin and McCain were not actually ‘ready to lead’. But, I believe the actual party line is that it costs too much. I’ll bet if we could dig we could find something that Bush did that was a bit pricey. One would have to look no further than the ‘mission accomplished’ party he threw for himself. I’ll bet that costly little shindig cost the taxpayer much much more than 2 grand. It also cost us 4 more years of his nonsense, millions of jobs, trillions of dollars, and a few thousand lives. That certainly would tip the scales opposite $2,000. Hmm. Oh, right. “Pay no attention to [the facts] the man behind the curtain….”.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  79. EfP – What a fucking bunch of arseholes.

    JD (579091)

  80. EfP – What was the mission for the sailors on that ship? I know you love your talking points, but this one just proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt how disingenuous and mendoucheous you are.

    JD (579091)

  81. Ed’s still not getting it. But that’s not surprising.

    The problem, Ed, isn’t that Obama has done something pricey. The problem is that he keeps lecturing the folks who pay is salary on how much they’ll have to sacrifice…while not exactly scrimping on his own comforts.

    Steverino (69d941)

  82. Was that creepy gimormous weird “LOV ETC” Pepsi ad on the 405 N put up for Baracky’s trip? Pepsi gets more butt-stupid every year and I really wouldn’t put it past those dirty socialist twits. Maybe there’s some gay Pepsi tv ad you have to see to get it.

    happyfeet (ba8a9d)

  83. Sort of like Bush suggesting that the soldiers have to sacrifice something more than money (their lives) while he uses their peers for plane rides on a re-election bid? Sort of like that, guys?

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  84. Somewhere, a bridge is missing its troll.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  85. Does anyone else know what Ed is talking about? I’m beginning to believe Earth is not Ed’s home planet.

    Ed, why is it that you counter every single statement with a tu quoque? You do realize it’s an invalid argument, don’t you?

    Steverino (69d941)

  86. It was neat when America stood for freedom I think. I will always remember the Bush years fondly cause of that. Deep in December we are and it’s very sad how bent our deranged president is on kersplattering our little country on the shoals of history. A telepromtocracy if you can keep it I guess.

    happyfeet (ba8a9d)

  87. oh. *telepromptocracy* I meant. ok then.

    happyfeet (ba8a9d)

  88. oh. that was supposed to be *ginormous* earlier. I better go get coffee so this will be a day of High Accomplishment.

    happyfeet (ba8a9d)

  89. “Obama did something that presidents have been doing for the past 40 of the past 48 years.”

    – Leviticus

    “CEOs have been riding on corporate jets forever.”

    – Patterico

    And you don’t here me bitching about it, do you? At least not in any specific instance – complaining about the entire practice in principle is a different thing. I wouldn’t be arguing with you if you had made the point that it was ridiculous for presidents to make a tradition of staying at the Beverly Hilton.

    Leviticus (6bfbe5)

  90. Dmac

    Its also quit funny how they do not specify whether these deaths are terrorist or non-combatant civilians

    This is what it’s come to for Eddy – addressing me with a comment made by another person. That’s some mad computer skillz ya got there, Eddy – and always remember, a cluttered posting makes for a cluttered mind.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  91. Our gold-plated dirty socialist president is creepy, Mr. Leviticus. I don’t see what your point is.

    happyfeet (ba8a9d)

  92. Using all the good people for his galley slaves
    as his little boat struggles through the warning waves I think.

    But Baracky don’t pay.

    happyfeet (ba8a9d)

  93. Um, the actual reason we’re angry is that we’re still thrown for a loop that the country recognized that Palin and McCain were not actually ‘ready to lead’.

    The “WORST FINANCIAL CRISIS EVER” and he can’t staff the Treasury, and his Secretary tanks the market with every speech he utters. Russia and Iran treating him like a joke. Bumbling and stumbling with foreign envoys. Cabinet appointees that don’t pay their taxes. Threatening to cap salaries across financial industries and “other countries”. Not reading bills before he signs them. Taking a Marine brigade that had trained for months operations in Iraq, moving them to Afghanistan, then moving in a brigade that didn’t have the same level of preparation. Getting punked by the Special Olympics bowling champion. Pretending not to know about contractually obligated executive bonuses, then stoking populist anger to cover up for his deception. Claiming to be an administration of ideas and not actually having any whatsoever.

    And that is all in two months. This guy was as prepared to lead the country as Custer was to go to battle at Little Big Horn.

    Another Chris (a3bb8f)

  94. # 77 – Comment by Ed from PA — 3/21/2009 @ 10:15 pm

    Ed, you made the charge, I easily shot it down.
    So the burden of proof is still all yours.

    What you consider a “legitimate” site, I would not.
    Anti-war sites are not nonpartisan, and of course they fit your agenda so you accept them as the gospel.

    ML (14488c)

  95. Ed, you made the charge, I easily shot it down.

    You easily shot it down with your opinion? Hmm. I didn’t know that your opinion in these matters is absolutely infallible. In that case, I have so many more questions to ask you. Are you a combination of skeletor and miss cleo?

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  96. Claiming to be an administration of ideas and not actually having any whatsoever.

    But he at least handles the small things with skill and savvy. Such as knowing how to treat the recent visit of the British Prime Minister, or at least knowing how to offer gifts to such people.

    Oh, oops.

    Mark (411533)

  97. Ohhh, so based on your definition of a ‘legit website’, no website that documents any deaths in Iraq (or any site that counts to more than say, 20?) is legit. That is quite a nice little stipulation you’ve got on the argument; you can never be wrong. I would like to throw out there that the burden of proof is on you. Based on my opinion of what a legitimate, non-biased website is, anything that does not document at least 100,000 deaths is not acceptable. Go!

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  98. Another Chris put that very well. Why is Ed yammering about Iraq?

    happyfeet (ba8a9d)

  99. And the threadjacking and word games continue.a

    Trolls bring SO much to discussion, don’t they?

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  100. Rarely have we seen so transparent an attempt at rampant threadjacking, and that’s saying quite a lot at this point.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  101. Okay. Back to Obama’s hotel room… Discuss! Seems kind of a lame subject after all the heavy Iraq stuff, doesn’t it? My point, exactly…

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  102. Ed

    I was trying to see things from your point of view.
    But I cant seem to get my head that far up my ass.

    You on the other hand have some great flexibly.

    ML (14488c)

  103. Again, Ed should get his own blog…and then HE can pick the topics. Socks not included.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  104. Wow, ML. Good post. That was insightful of you. Try page 3 of this one:

    http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS22537.pdf

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  105. Ed, if you want to talk about Iraq, GO MAKE YOUR OWN FUCKING BLOG. There you can write about any subject you want, and can spread your nonsense unfiltered by other topics.

    Steverino (69d941)

  106. EfP – Does your website that you linked to count the deaths of Iraqis caused by insurgents, freedom fighters, homicide bombers, etc? Why would those count towards the death toll that the US is responsible for? But, I really doubt that you have any type of substantive response. As always, distraction is your thing. Look! Over there! Something shiny! Bush! Rush!

    Why is Barcky calling on everyone, except himself, to make hard choices, and sacrifice?

    JD (9c9b67)

  107. So where is Ed’s blog? I mean, rather than simply threadjacking, again and again, isn’t it better to have your own place, with your own ideas.

    It does take work, however. And ask yourself, Ed, how you would feel about someone on the Right doing precisely what you do, but to your site on which you work quite hard.

    Oh, you’ll say you wouldn’t mind, but everyone here knows better, based on your posts. Go to any number of Left leaning sites and post pro-Right invective and threadjack…and see what happens.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  108. Why don’t you look at the website yourself, lazy ass.

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  109. Um. No, Ed. YOUR website, where you do the work. You know? Instead of trolling at someone else’s site.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  110. Not you, EB. Stop trying to insinuate yourself into the conversation.

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  111. Maybe you should insinuate yourself into your own blog. Unless the work necessary puts you off. Seriously, dude, isn’t that a better use of your time?

    Unless you are just…trolling.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  112. Shouldn’t you be out prophesizing to your own students, prof?

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  113. Bullshit. It is your “source”. Surely you can explain some of its underlying assumptions.

    JD (9c9b67)

  114. Hey, you are the one trolling. And how interesting that you think my profession is relevant here. But not surprising. Anything to stir people up and threadjack. Anything at all.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  115. I am trolling because you say I am?

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  116. Why don’t you look at the website yourself, lazy ass.

    …said the lazy ass who threadjacks 24/7, and cannot even take the minimal time to review and edit his posts before hitting the “submit” button.

    I’d call Eddy a douchebag, but that wouldn’t be fair to actual bags of douche.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  117. Currently, IBC has the numbers at 91,146-99,525, so not only is their number not 100,000+ like Efp has claimed, if they are giving ranges, they have to be estimating at some point, unless there are 8000+ people that are now zombies. Also, EfP, your source counts all deaths as a result of violence, it does not differentiate between combat deaths, and victims of homicide bombers, terrorists, insurgents, Iraqi on Iraqi violence, etc … As such, you figure is a big old pile of steaming dogshit.

    JD (537b67)

  118. Sigh. Dmac, the guy just wants to stir people up. And never, ever to stay on topic.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  119. Now Eddy’s doing his own private version of Python’s “Argument Room,” except in this instance he’s arguing with the voices in his head.

    Here Eddy! Post another threadjack! Who’s a good boy now?

    Dmac (49b16c)

  120. I am trolling because you say I am?

    No, you’re trolling because you always turn every thread into a discussion about your pet peeve, rather than respond to the topic of the original post. You don’t argue, not in the logical sense: you just gainsay everyone else’s comments. And when your bullshit is exposed for what it is, you try to change topics to something else.

    That’s pretty much the definition of a troll.

    Steverino (69d941)

  121. Which is why I suggested the character begin his own blog, and then chat about whatever seizes his interests. Maybe he will get his own threadjacking trolls.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  122. Eric – it’s like the old Whack a Mole game; keep hitting the mole’s head rising out of each hole, and another one pops rights up.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  123. Except there is more sock lint here, methinks.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  124. A commonly accepted definition of a troll of one who posts a deliberately provocative message(s) to a blog with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument, diverting from the topic at hand, and in general, being an active contrarian, while adding no legitimate discussive value.

    Seems to apply to EfP, no?

    JD (537b67)

  125. As in the Monty Python routine:

    Pause.

    Not necessarily.

    Sigh.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  126. From Ed’s link

    The first of these studies, published in 2004, used a cluster sample survey of
    households in Iraq to develop an estimate ranging from 8,000 to 194,000 civilian
    casualties due to violent deaths since the start of the war. This report has come under
    some criticism for its methodology, which may not have accounted for the long-term
    negative health effects of the Saddam Hussein era.

    What a range in numbers there Ed, take your pick 8,000 or 194,000, or maybe just call it a cool 1,000,000.
    And like I said before they are counting Iraqi deaths by violence, never a mention of who caused the violence, so blame the US.

    Ed now sticks fingers in ears and yells, I cant hear you.

    ML (14488c)

  127. Halliburton, ML.

    GW Bush is stupid.

    Rush Limbaugh is a fat drug abuser.

    Get with the program.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  128. Yeah, ML, the report gave a sampling of the different death counts that different organizations have come up with. Is 8,000 an acceptable number? That is 9/11 times 2.5 (roughly).

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  129. Sigh. Okay, Ed, if you won’t start your own blog, why not just ask Patterico if you can write a post about the Iraq business? Then you can argue and twist and turn all you like.

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  130. EfP – Why would you blame the US for deaths at the hands of insurgents, terrorists, homicide bombers, disease, neglect, and even crime?

    Why do you not care that Baracky is calling on everyone to make “hard choices” and sacrifice, when he does not do so himself?

    JD (537b67)

  131. Okay, JD. I’ll bite. Are you referring specifically to this hotel business? If he were not going to stay at this particular hotel (which, as has been said in previous posts, is a presidential tradition) where would he stay? Do you suppose that, compared with the costs of protecting the president and making such arrangements, the price of this hotel is basically negligible?

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  132. George Bush Deuce did not stay there. The costs of the Presidential protection have nothing to do with the cost of a hotel room. Zero. Zip. Nada. The costs of protection do not decreased by staying there, nor do they increase if they have to stay at a Hilton Garden Inn, or a Holiday Inn. So, your argument (SHOCKA) is disingenuous.

    EfP – Why would you blame the US for deaths at the hands of insurgents, terrorists, homicide bombers, disease, neglect, and even crime?

    JD (537b67)

  133. And I’m sorry for my sarcasm, Dana. I’m in a bad mood from thinking about the state of politics in this country.

    Hey! Me too!

    Look, I don’t like being lectured by our president on how I am supposed to live, what I am supposed to give up, and what the cost will be to live like he thinks I should especially when the rules obviously don’t apply to him. It raises my hackles because we are not his children that he is responsible to parent.

    This guy makes me want to throw away my healthy lunch of arugula salad and pig out on Cheetos and Ding-Dongs.

    Dana (137151)

  134. What about Reagan? When did he stay there? Or Bush One? Did he live it up in style while the economy was in the crapper? Your argument ignores the presidents before him (some most definitely republican) who stayed there.

    Obama bought a play set for the girls to play with at the White House. They choose a moderately priced set. Why not talk about that? That was most definitely a sacrifice.

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  135. Clearly, EfP has no idea of discussing anything in good faith. Look! Reagan! Rush! Dead people!

    JD (537b67)

  136. Ed
    Kinda stupid that you only care about Iraqi deaths at the hands of the US, yet you don’t give a flying f**k that Saddam killed many, many more, sometimes with chemical weapons.
    So now why do you moonbat asshats only care about Iraqis when the US is involved?

    I suppose its those illiberal values of compassion and humaneness, or just your great foaming at the mouth hatred for anything with an ( R ).

    Ed keeps recycling the preschool argument that Republicans did it in the past so Dhimmcrats are justified in doing it today. What a mental midget.

    ML (14488c)

  137. That is 9/11 times 2.5 (roughly).

    Threadjack – check. Move the goalposts – check.

    What about Reagan? When did he stay there? Or Bush One?

    Obfuscate – check. Deflect – check. Distract – check.

    Watching Eddy’s head completely disappear into his anus – priceless.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  138. Ed keeps recycling the preschool argument that Republicans did it in the past so Dhimmcrats are justified in doing it today. What a mental midget.

    So, because a republican ignored continued warnings about a possible terrorist attack in the past, Obama should not do the same? Interesting…

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  139. Edpa clearly want Zombie Saddam back in power in Iraq, killing and raping his people. He doesn’t understand that Saddam, over the course of his yime in power, killed more Iraqis on an annual basis than the Iraq War. Our invasion has actually saved lives. He can fuck himself sideways with a sworfish with his liberal comparisons that have nothing to do with the topic of the post for all I care.

    Why is Obama staying in a Los Angeles hotel suite when he hasn’t saved New Orleans Ed? Doesn’t he care about black people?

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  140. So, because a republican ignored continued warnings about a possible terrorist attack in the past

    This is an overt, outright, and abject lie.

    JD (537b67)

  141. Whatever gets you through the night, JD. If you sleep better thinking that it is a lie and that Dubya did everything he could to protect you before 9/11 well then, cheers to you. As for me, well, lying to myself doesn’t help me sleep.

    Hey but Obama stayed in a pricey hotel. We’re supposed to be angry about that, according to this thread. So, yeah, get angry. I certainly am. How dare he tell me I can’t stay in a nice hotel when he can (wait…).

    Ed from PA (7906b8)

  142. Ed
    Its very telling that you will not address the beginning of my comment at #137.
    Maybe you didn’t see it with your head up your ass and all.

    Yes it is priceless.

    ML (14488c)

  143. What were the exact words of the “threat” in the PDB that President Bush ignored? What she he have done based on that “threat”, EfP?

    This is one of the most, if not the most, disingenuous canards pushed by the leftists.

    Sacfice for thee, but not for me, bitches. I won.

    JD (537b67)

  144. Ed’s not only got the goalposts on wheels, he’s hooked up a tractor/trailer combo to haul them around

    Steverino (69d941)

  145. EfP – Why would you blame the US for deaths at the hands of insurgents, terrorists, homicide bombers, disease, neglect, and even crime?

    JD (537b67)

  146. This is an overt, outright, and abject lie.

    Yea, but the liberal’s heart — his wonderful do-gooder sentiment, his supposed compassion, his Kumbaya idealism — is in the right place.

    Yea, uh-huh (guffaw).

    Mark (411533)

  147. Hey but Obama stayed in a pricey hotel. We’re supposed to be angry about that, according to this thread.

    My god, Ed. ARE YOU REALLY THIS FUCKING STUPID?????

    It’s not that Obama stayed in a pricy hotel.
    It’s not that Obama stayed in a pricy hotel.
    It’s not that Obama stayed in a pricy hotel.
    It’s not that Obama stayed in a pricy hotel.
    It’s not that Obama stayed in a pricy hotel.
    It’s not that Obama stayed in a pricy hotel.
    It’s not that Obama stayed in a pricy hotel.

    It’s that he keeps lecturing the people who pay his salary on how THEY have to make sacrifices, and has no qualms about indulding himself to the greatest possible extent.

    Do you get that?

    Steverino (69d941)

  148. Steverino – He must be getting exhausted. I have to admit to being silly enough to think that it would even engage on the topics that it chose to try to threadjack with. Even with its selcted topics, it will not engage.

    JD (537b67)

  149. Note to Punxsutawney-Phil’s illegitimate 3rd-cousin:
    Regardless of the inane (and insane) pronouncement of the Dim-Bulb from Searchlight (5/2007), the forces of Freedom have Won In Iraq, and the World (and the U.S.) is safer for it.
    Now, it is up to your guy to do the same in his “War of Choice” in the Af/Pak Campaign!

    AD - RtR/OS (7bd49b)

  150. BTW, did anyone else read Fouad Adjami’s OpEd in the WSJ Friday?
    His closing paragraph:
    Mr. Obama does not have to offer the Iraq campaign post facto vindication. But as he does battle in the same wider theatre of that Greater Middle East, he will have to draw the proper lessons of the Iraq campaign. This Afghan war can’t be waged in stealth, and in silence. Half-measures will not do. This war will have to be explained — or explained away. For it to have any chance, it will have to be claimed and owned up to even in the midst of our economic distress. It’s odd that so articulate a president has not yet found the language with which to describe this war, and the American stakes in it.”

    Is the TOTUS up to the task?

    AD - RtR/OS (7bd49b)

  151. JD — my question to Ed was largely rhetorical. I think he really is that fucking stupid.

    It’s like the old talking GI Joe “action figures”: 8 canned messages, depending on how far you pulled out the string.

    Steverino (69d941)

  152. More complete fantasies from Ed.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  153. As for me, well, lying to myself doesn’t help me sleep.

    “…but being able to contort myself into position for a self – made blowjob does the trick nicely.”

    Dmac (49b16c)

  154. Hmm. Dmac. I don’t really want to know about your personal life, though I’m sure your grandma appreciates the shows you give her.

    Ed from PA (d99227)

  155. It’s odd that so articulate a president has not yet found the language with which to describe this war, and the American stakes in it.”

    That’s because they aren’t his words–they are the words of his speechwriter, who is a 27-year-old intellectual lightweight who specializes in getting Dear Leader to promise “the people” sweets and treats that “the rich” will pay for, not someone with an understanding of foreign affairs, history, or the military.

    You’d think with Gates still in office, Obama would have picked up at least a modicum of awareness on this by now.

    Another Chris (a3bb8f)

  156. Hey, Chris….wasn’t this the same speechwriter fellow who took a gag photograph of himself groping Hillary Clinton’s breast?

    http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/06/obama-speechwriter-favreau-learns-the-perils-of-facebook/

    Yup. Republicans are so crude, unlike our Progressive friends.

    Hope and Change!

    Eric Blair (61dcb2)

  157. I would like to know what the hotel actually charges the government for Presidential rooms. I had a friend who used to travel on gov’t business, and he got a special ‘government’ rate that was lower than AAA.

    I also thought that this (pdf link) was interesting.

    PRESIDENT GETS $25,000 FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES; Senate Passes Bill, Which Has Already Gone Through House. A CLASS LAW, SAY DEMOCRATS They Declare It’s for Political Junkets — All Agree President Couldn’t Now Accept Railroad Favors.

    June 23, 1906, Saturday

    Page 3, 850 words

    WASHINGTON, June 22. — The opposition to the amendment to the Sundry Civil bill appropriating $25,000 annually for the payment of the traveling expenses of the President, which was begun by Senator McLaurin, resulted today in the withdrawal of the amendment by Senator Hale in charge of the bill and the subsequent passage of the independent bill providing for the same appropriation which has passed the House.

    At the time, the Democrats challenged this outrageous expense as “savoring of royalty.” The President was Teddy Roosevelt.

    carlitos (efdd90)

  158. There don’t appear to be waffles on the room service menu, but oatmeal is $10. Fresh berries – $19.50. Plus $3.75 in-room dining charge, 19% service charge, myriad California and LA taxes, etc.

    carlitos (efdd90)

  159. …though I’m sure your grandma appreciates the shows you give her.

    And so Eddy finally sinks into the tarpit – although my grandmother’s been dead for decades at this point, surely she appreciated your bringing her into the conversation. Brilliant wit as always, Eddy.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  160. wasn’t this the same speechwriter fellow who took a gag photograph of himself groping Hillary Clinton’s breast?

    Yep, that’s the one. Good catch.

    We have a President whose speeches are written by emotional juveniles, so it’s hardly surprising that he’s running his administration like a drunk teenager who has been given the car keys.

    Another Chris (a3bb8f)

  161. “As for me, well, lying to myself doesn’t help me sleep.”

    Edpa – Lying to others apparently does, otherwise why do you spend so much time here doing it?

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  162. “Obama bought a play set for the girls to play with at the White House. They choose a moderately priced set. Why not talk about that? That was most definitely a sacrifice.”

    Edpa – Give us the link to your blog so we can read about it there, or a subscription to your newsletter. Maybe you’ll also write about how Obama saved us a lot of money on the gifts to our visiting friends from the U.K. That was pretty sacrificial in a lot of ways.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  163. or a subscription to your newsletter

    I hear his proposed newsletter’s working title is Sexually Confused in the Backwoods of PA.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  164. Comment by Dmac — 3/22/2009 @ 5:48 pm

    Ah yes, post a comment about me giving myself a blow job, then complain about a post written in that exact same spirit, or possibly even less crude. You really are clueless.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  165. I direct my insults to the commenter in question, I don’t bring family members into it, ever – pay attention, asshole.

    Dmac (49b16c)

  166. Ha! We’re splitting hairs, here dmac. You decided to draw an ex post facto line on what is and is not acceptable, vindicating yourself of any douchebaggery while fully implicating me, eh? And, the best part about this is that you don’t understand what is wrong with that… of course you don’t, you’re a conservative.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  167. EfP – You are not allowed to comment on anything else, as it pales in comparison to the millions of lives taken by President Bush.

    JD (2e1461)

  168. I guess human life and the taking of it is something that can be used as an instrument of comedic hyperbole for you, eh JD?

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  169. I’m thinking that a certain commenter needs to go on the ignore list with a certain other commenter.

    carlitos (efdd90)

  170. “I guess human life and the taking of it is something that can be used as an instrument of comedic hyperbole for you, eh JD?”

    Edpa – Ysn’t that exactly what you tried to do on this thread by making the absolutely ridiculous analogy between the cost of a hotel room and Iraqi war dead. It is truly a wonder that your head does not assplode from circular thinking and stupidity.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  171. Actually it is the exact opposite of what I did on this thread. I suggested that bitching about a hotel room was insignificant when put in the context of the human lives destroyed by the last administration.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  172. No, Efp. I was pointing out the absurdity of the position you took upthread. By your standards, flawed as your numbers may be, we should not criticize Baracky for his excesses because he has not killed 100,000+. Yet.

    JD (5e452c)

  173. Not yet, so keep your mouth shut.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  174. “Actually it is the exact opposite of what I did on this thread.”

    Edpa – What you did was comedic hyperbole, but you are too dumb to realize it.

    You could screw up a one car funeral.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  175. Nobody can criticize Barcky about anything, because the cost of what you are criticizing will never match the cost of 100,000 lives+ that President Bush so callously slaughtered.

    JD (5e452c)

  176. 177- I would not say that, but let me ask you:
    1. did you vote for bush II?
    2. are you happy with the economic situation as it stood on January 19, 2009?
    3. are you okay with a few thousand (otherwise innocent) lives being snuffed out for no reason (remember 9/11… that stung, didn’t it? I sure wish we had concentrated on the war with the actual perpetrators, don’t you?)

    As for a 2000 dollar hotel room… let me know if it become a pandemic. Otherwise, let it go, man. It is a tradition. I’ll bet that white house is expensive to operate, should Obama live in your sister’s basement with you?

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  177. How tiring is it to run around with those goalposts, EfP? I know the ones our company utilizes weigh between 920 and 1200 pounds. You must be exhausted.

    I do not have a basement, and I can assure you that my basement is bigger than your entire home.

    JD (5e452c)

  178. I do not have a basement, and I can assure you that my basement is bigger than your entire home.

    That is the type of logic that has gotten you to where you are: the norm peterson(remember cheers) of a fringe, wingnut website with about 14 regulars.

    Ed from PA (c313be)

  179. That is the type of logic that has gotten you to where you are: the norm peterson(remember cheers) of a fringe, wingnut website with about 14 regulars.
    Comment by Ed from PA — 3/23/2009 @ 10:18 am

    That’s hilarious. After the last several days of hearing how this is a far-left site akin to Pandragon, now it’s fringe wingnut city. The regular trolls (of which you are semi-prominent… congrats) number about 14, but feel free to check out sitemeter if you want to see how many visits (not page views… I grossly inflate those all by myself with 10 current tabs open and frequently refresh the pages) Patterico gets.

    Now, why would you lower yourself to talk about this particular site and it’s characteristics when it’s so much more important to discuss Iraq deaths on every single thread? Where are your priorities man?!?!

    In case you’re wondering (which I doubt), that’s why even your few-and-far-between relevant and substantive comments are usually met with scorn and insult. You’ve set the tone for the responses you get, yet you still act surprised and offended. Try to comment honestly and without insult if you want to earn some consideration. In your case, it will probably take a couple of months, so be patient. You probably don’t care though, so this is likely a waste of time. Oh well.

    Stashiu3 (460dc1)

  180. Stash – Try teaching a llama to speak Mandarin, you will likely have more success.

    JD (16485e)

  181. I know, but making the effort once in a while costs nothing and hope springs eternal. 😀

    Stashiu3 (460dc1)


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