Patterico's Pontifications

“What’s the matter with you all?”

You and the rest of Congress, sir. You and the rest of Congress.

Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 8/18/2009 @ 11:04 pm

He’s horrible, but he can run an escort service from his home, enable the dysfunction of Fannie & Freddie (and have his ex-boyfriend hired as a senior executive there), bully everyone who comes in front of his committee for a hearning, and show complete contempt for his constituents, yet all it means is that he’ll win reelection with only 75% of the vote instead of his usual 85%.

JVW (111cb0) — 8/18/2009 @ 11:13 pm

There should be an absolute treasure trove of campaign materials, were the Republicans competent. I would start nationalizing the ’10 elections yesterday.

JD (cc0748) — 8/18/2009 @ 11:44 pm

What strikes me is the contrast between this and how a candidate for office usually behaves when addressing the people he wants to vote for him.

Watching this, imagine he is a candidate running for office – if he treated people like that, would he get elected – ever? No.

Add to that this man’s record, as JVW mentions – he should never, ever, ever even think about running again.

Rose (654ba9) — 8/19/2009 @ 12:15 am

Barney Frank personifies the distillation of the Democratic Party.

Brad (7eecda) — 8/19/2009 @ 1:32 am

They missed the one where he asked a woman what planet she was from. Of course, she did say he was a Nazi and that Obama was like Hitler so I’d imagine he got pretty annoyed by that…

time123 (238129) — 8/19/2009 @ 3:19 am

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/House-Dems-seek-info-from-apf-1495025864.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=2&asset=&ccode=

Gestapo-liticians.

Tricks are for Kids (be8a16) — 8/19/2009 @ 4:44 am

Harvahd-fahg at work.

Giving all homosexual men a bad name in fly over country.

Tricks are for Kids (be8a16) — 8/19/2009 @ 4:45 am

Without going all politically incorrect let’s say that Barney is pretty typical of liberals of his sexual persuasion.

glenn (2d382b) — 8/19/2009 @ 4:56 am

Barney Franks’ arrogance has nothing to do with his sexual orientation.

SPQR (26be8b) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:24 am

Don’t they realize how lucky they are to have him there?

Jim Treacher (796deb) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:39 am

Barney Franks’ arrogance has nothing to do with his sexual orientation.

Although his sexual orientation provides cover for his arrogance.

Jim Treacher (796deb) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:40 am

Treacher comments and my browser siezes up. Coincidence? I think not.

JD (b1f7fc) — 8/19/2009 @ 6:03 am

It would be nice to see questioners at these meetings paraphrase Lt. General Russel Honore, and ask their Representatives, “Can you tell your constituents how much longer you will be stuck on stupid?” The resulting laughter is the one thing all politicians can’t stand.

Honore’s phrase “You are stuck on stupid” hit a nerve during Katrina, and can be repackaged once again.

And the fact that Honore is African-American will further annoy the Totalitarian Progressives.

I’m laughing already.

Horatio (55069c) — 8/19/2009 @ 6:07 am

Who was the constituent, Rip Van Winkle? Barney Frank has been putting down the people his whole politicial life.

PCD (02f8c1) — 8/19/2009 @ 6:37 am

Frank is correct.

Fox News – we cut the news to our right wing viewpoint and you uncritically digest it. Check out the whole thing on you tube.

Jazzlunatique (ba6c13) — 8/19/2009 @ 7:21 am

Although his sexual orientation provides cover for his arrogance.

Comment by Jim Treacher — 8/19/2009 @ 5:40 am

Outstandingly put, sir.

no one you know (7a9144) — 8/19/2009 @ 8:26 am

I’ve updated the post with a link to Michelle Malkin’s summary regarding Sheila Leavitt, another questionable physician at a town hall meeting.

DRJ (d8773e) — 8/19/2009 @ 11:05 am

Dear Senator Frank —
My parents told me that I was born on this planet (Earth, Sol, Orion Arm, Milky Way Galaxy), in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. If you also believe that you were born on this planet, it seems to me that at least one set of our parents lied. There are times that I think they did, anyway; my “fellow humans” are sometimes very strange critters.

htom (412a17) — 8/19/2009 @ 11:14 am

If conservative opponents of health care reform are going to act like a bunch of punk-ass teenagers at these town halls, then I personally don’t care if members of Congress talk down to them – and I think Congress as concentrated a dose of scum as ever there was. You all know as well as I do that people are going to these meetings solely to disrupt them, and that’s a contemptible thing. There are enough rational, mature arguments against healthcare reform that conservatives shouldn’t need to resort to shit-flinging antics (unless, of course, these particular batches of conservatives are too dumb to understand the rational arguments against the system they so virulently, thus-inexplicably oppose).

Leviticus (f565c1) — 8/19/2009 @ 11:36 am

Frank’s frank exchanges with some of the embarrassingly mindless, ignorant, reactionary rabble attending a town meeting was superb. Honest conservatives should view the entire meeting. It should make true Republicans wince. What conservatives label arrogance is actually informed intelligence in enlightened circles. But then to a conservative church of 500 years ago, Galileo was labeled ‘arrogant’ as well. When presented with facts the rabble disbelieved. When read the language from the bill itself, the rabble disbelieved. All that was missing was the cry, ‘burn’em’ from Monty Python and The Holy Grail. These are the same crowd who whine in wonder about wanting their country back when, in fact, it has moved on and left them behind.

DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 8/19/2009 @ 11:42 am

DCSCA, what about that meeting should make Republicnas wince? A democrat larouche supportter uses a nazi slur against Obama… just as she has for years against Bush, and another democrat freaks out about it.

Seems like it should make the democrats wince.

But I guess we can see you have a one track mind. Doesn’t matter what the story is, the meaning to you is that the GOP is doomed. Obama loses support for his policies, breaks promises, loses his own popularity, is caught lying and astroturfing, and all of that is bad news fo the GOP. Everything is bad news for the GOP, and we should all just give up any hope of ever winning an election again. Right.

Juan (bd4b30) — 8/19/2009 @ 11:48 am

Obama loses support for his policies, breaks promises, loses his own popularity, is caught lying and astroturfing, and all of that is bad news fo the GOP.

So DCSCA is like a Bizarro Hugh Hewitt?

Another Chris (da3e63) — 8/19/2009 @ 1:14 pm

Larouchies are not Democrats.

David Ehrenstein (2550d9) — 8/19/2009 @ 1:15 pm

Check out the whole thing on you tube.

I did this morning, actually – please point to the segment where Frank’s comments were taken out of context. If not, STFU.

If conservative opponents of health care reform are going to act like a bunch of punk-ass teenagers at these town halls,

I wonder where you were over the past eight years of BushHitler, Cheney as the personification of evil, and of course the hallowed Bushliedsoldiersdied days of rage. Did you condemn these folks as well for acting like a “bunch of punk – ass teenagers? Please document your past moral outrage at those tactics.

then I personally don’t care if members of Congress talk down to them

Look at the entire Towhall vids, and not just the sensationalist snippets – in almost every aspect, the majority of speakers against the plan are not only well – mannered and polite, but usually allow the congressperson to state their opening stances in their entirety. It’s after the congressperson starts ingoring their concerns and acting like the douchebag Frank that they start to become agitated and quite annoyed. It’s called representative democracy.

Dmac (e6d1c2) — 8/19/2009 @ 2:44 pm

Fuck that, Dmac. I can’t “document” anything for you, but I can tell you that I’ve called out people on both sides of this bullshit for a relatively long time, and consistently at that. But don’t pretend your people aren’t acting like a bunch of whiny motherfuckin’ children who’ve just been denied their dessert for the night. Because I’m just gonna laugh in your face. Someone says “death panel” and a bunch of dumb hillbillys figure it’s time to make complete asses of themselves in a public setting, all in the name of democracy. Forgive me if I have no respect for that.

Also, forgive my language in this post. I’m a little drunk.

Leviticus (f565c1) — 8/19/2009 @ 3:05 pm

Seems to me the time is ripe to start pushing a term limits amendment.

DelD (ede06d) — 8/19/2009 @ 3:53 pm

I wonder where you were over the past eight years of BushHitler, Cheney as the personification of evil, and of course the hallowed Bushliedsoldiersdied days of rage. Did you condemn these folks as well for acting like a “bunch of punk – ass teenagers? Please document your past moral outrage at those tactics.

This is an excellent point. If STFU can’t do that he’s(She’s) clearly acting in a partisan and hypocritical manner.

While we’re on the subject, can you point me to any of the comments or posts you made defending the way those jerks tried to make their point?

time123 (238129) — 8/19/2009 @ 3:54 pm

I wonder where you were over the past eight years of BushHitler, Cheney as the personification of evil, and of course the hallowed Bushliedsoldiersdied days of rage. Did you condemn these folks as well for acting like a “bunch of punk – ass teenagers? Please document your past moral outrage at those tactics.

This is an excellent point. If STFU can’t do that he’s(She’s?) clearly acting in a partisan and hypocritical manner.

While we’re on the subject, can you point me to any of the comments or posts you made defending the way those jerks tried to make their point?

time123 (238129) — 8/19/2009 @ 3:55 pm

Obama loses support for his policies, breaks promises, loses his own popularity, is caught lying and astroturfing

Juan, I am going to assume that you have proof documenting that Obama himself is responsible for this so-called astroturfing? Not to mention, I would like to hear your (I am quite sure, entertaining) response to the playbooks handed out to the (out of)townies who show up to this meeting to shout down proponents of the bill.

Dr. Inestine (c56c49) — 8/19/2009 @ 4:04 pm

Democrats are upset they are being harangued by commoners?

God, it is like 2001 – 2008 did not exist. The constant infantile whining about everything Bush.

F’ em. I hope they all get depressed and off themselves. I will supply the bullets. May they all drop dead — not for their policies but for their HYPORCRISY!

Tricks are for Kids (be8a16) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:02 pm

Inestine,

Stop blaming the Insurers for what they did to your income levels over the past 30 years.

Blame Medicare and Medicaid, who through their constant price reductions and increasing amount of entitlements, have destroyed the profession.

Another idiot MD who got a big F in Econ.

Tricks are for Kids (be8a16) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:05 pm

The Larouche idiots are out in force. That I have to deal with them every single time I am forced by the government to visit the local DMV hell makes that hell like the mall south of hell. Extra helly.

Did the media NEVER document the Bush/Hitler pictures the Laroucheites did for 8 years? How are they laid at the conservatives door? Ooohhhh, right, Teh Narrative.

Vivian Louise (c0f830) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:18 pm

I’m not sure what your comments have to do with anything Kid. My income level has been just fine over the past 30 years. Are you inferring that my income level has something do with my ability to speak on a matter? Isn’t that elitist?

Dr. Inestine (e7c459) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:26 pm

but for their HYPORCRISY!

Comment by Tricks are for Kids — 8/19/2009 @ 5:02 pm

People, people, people.

I WILL keep haranguing you until you get it right. It’s going to be the calling card of this administration so we have plenty of chances to do so.

spelling-Nazi coward regular who is SICK of the word "hypocrisy" being misspelled all over this blog (1ebbb1) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:27 pm

I’m from MA and Frank is an embarrassment. When the dems are in the minority, Frank is capable of engaging in debate, but not now.
I think what I resent, find infuriating and frightening is the “overlord talking heads” that the dems are projecting. They claim they will not listen to anything the voters say, they will pass this healthcare debacle and, in 10 years we will thank our betters. 2008 we elected our rulers and it is not a pretty sight.

J (0f2b1a) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:35 pm

mis-spelling on blogs is like herpes on hoes.

Tricks are for Kids (be8a16) — 8/19/2009 @ 5:48 pm

While we’re on the subject, can you point me to any of the comments or posts you made defending the way those jerks tried to make their point?

Since we’ve never seen you here before, why don’t you try reading a few posts before opening that ginormous blowhole – and I’m not your monkey, do you own research. As for Leviticus, he’s been here quite awhile, so he gets a pass, based on respect.

Dmac (e6d1c2) — 8/19/2009 @ 6:06 pm

Juan, I am going to assume that you have proof documenting that Obama himself is responsible for this so-called astroturfing?

Ditto for you as well, douchey.

Dmac (e6d1c2) — 8/19/2009 @ 6:08 pm

Ummmm if the country has moved on and left people behind, then doesn’t a good liberal insist that everyone gets an equal seat on the bus?
No one gets left behind.
No matter how dumb, how venal, how criminal, how corrupt, no matter how conservative oh wait,… unless they are well, conservative

SteveG (97b6b9) — 8/19/2009 @ 6:26 pm

One wonders when Dr Greg Packer will show up for an interview.

Kevin Murphy (3c3db0) — 8/19/2009 @ 8:26 pm

Juan, I am going to assume that you have proof documenting that Obama himself is responsible for this so-called astroturfing?

Obama himself? No, but that’s an impossibly high standard for political purposes. However, we do have evidence that Obama’s agents are involved. “Dr.” Roxana Mayer told Patterico she attended Sheila Jackson Lee’s town hall at the invitation of Maria Isabel, the Houston Chapter head of Organizing for America:

“Organizing for America is the rebranded successor to Obama for America, the election campaign organization for Barack Obama in 2008. It works in partnership with the Democratic National Committee to mobilize support for Obama’s policy agenda.”

DRJ (d8773e) — 8/19/2009 @ 8:33 pm

DRJ – Barcky himself could state that he is in charge of all of that, and it would not change the mind or talking points of people like that.

JD (7a2548) — 8/19/2009 @ 9:18 pm

DRJ makes the argument better than me, and that surprises nobody, but I’ll add:

Obama’s the leader. He is responsible for what Organizing for America does. He is responsible for what Axelrod does. Them’s the breaks. Especially if the behavior continues unabated after it’s well known.

No, I do not have a tape of him ordering astroturfing or whatever. But he’s responsible for much of the hate and division we’re seeing. He could run his ship a different way. But instead, he wants demonization and corruption. Because he’s corrupt, and has been for a long time.

Sorry, but I’m not going to back off from giving Obama 100% credit for the continued and sanctioned activities of his campaign. He hired astroturfing experts, and his campaign has made clear what they want.

If your answer to that is that ordinary citizens are showing up with a playbook, then you’re crazy. It’s not the same thing by any stretch. Obama’s OfA is paying people to protest. Tea Party protestors are simply discussing the issues and organizing on a basic level… they really do believe in their cause. That’s a core difference. Obama, from ACORN, to suing banks for screwy loans to minorities, to rigging the census, to this astroturf campaign, shows BAD FAITH.

Juan (bd4b30) — 8/19/2009 @ 9:23 pm

““Why Are You Putting Us Down?” ”

Foxnews didn’t really show it. But you can easily google video of them acting like morons.

imdw (603c39) — 8/19/2009 @ 9:28 pm

While I disagree with Juan’s claim that Obama is “corrupt” (in any way that’s not the norm for a politician), I agree that a man is responsible for whatever he puts his name on, or even whatever he associates his name with. So mostly I agree.

Leviticus (f565c1) — 8/19/2009 @ 9:28 pm

“in any way that’s not the norm for a politician”

You have to admit, that’s a qualifier I didn’t include myself, but I do think Obama’s significantly worse than the normal politician. Perhaps normal for Chicago. There are just too many examples to go with. Rezko’s absurd property deal with Obama, or Barack’s wife’s fake extremely lucrative hospital job are a couple of older ones, but Axelrod’s multimillion dollar contract, or the drug industry spending $150,000,000 to push Obama’s campaign points in exchange for a reduction in promised reform measures fromt he white house… etc etc

I actually would go much further than that. I think Obama’s use of ABC is extremely corrupt, and his intentions with the census + ACORN (COI) are impeachable and corrupt.

not to mention that Obama is a martian who crash landed in Kenya and forged his birth certificate. Ok… don’t mention that because it’s a joke. But the rest of it’s pretty corrupt.

Juan (bd4b30) — 8/19/2009 @ 9:44 pm

I do dearly hope that Leviticus is right and I’m wrong about Obama. If he’s just a cynical and normal politician playing the angles, then our country is a lot better off than I currently believe.

Juan (bd4b30) — 8/19/2009 @ 9:46 pm

This clip is classic deceptive editing. The speakers that Frank was berating were screaming “Nazi” at him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlZiWK2Iy8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehuffingtonpost%2Ecom%2Fandy%2Dostroy%2Fkudos%2Dto%2Dbarney%2Dfrank%2Dlea%5Fb%5F263680%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded#t=64

It’s a sign of how far you guys has fallen that you applaud the most vile practices of the loony left if aimed at a Democrat. One does not have to be fan of Barney Frank or his views to applaud him for his eloquent smackdown.

Cyrus Sanai (ada6da) — 8/20/2009 @ 12:15 am

Since we’ve never seen you here before, why don’t you try reading a few posts before opening that ginormous blowhole – and I’m not your monkey, do you own research. As for Leviticus, he’s been here quite awhile, so he gets a pass, based on respect.

Comment by Dmac — 8/19/2009 @ 6:06 pm

So that would be a No. Got it.

time123 (238129) — 8/20/2009 @ 3:21 am

^

But what’s the point? It’s looking like the people who were really jerks at the Frank event are the same people who were jerks over the past eight years. Kooks who aren’t right wingers by any stretch… just larouche fans.

The relevant distinction is easy to make. Bush said America was great for having these protests. He didn’t insult Cindy Sheehan; he said it was proof our nation was great that she could protest him 24/7. Obama says ‘get in their faces’ and increases his organization’s trollish behavior after his unions start putting people in the ER. He wants the right to shut up and get out of the way. He won. Both sides will have their kooks, but it makes sense to attribute a lot of kookery to Obama’s leadership example, and there’s no parallel for that on the right.

Barney Frank didn’t handle a leftish kook very well. He’s a slimeball who can’t handle pressure. That’s all this story really means to me.

Juan (bd4b30) — 8/20/2009 @ 4:01 am

So that would be a No. Got it.

So that would be a “I’ve never been here before and just came in to Troll for a few minutes and not actually read anything else on this site.” Got it.

Dmac (e6d1c2) — 8/20/2009 @ 5:45 am

Comment by time123 — 8/19/2009 @ 3:19 am

I guess the fact that she was a democrat isn’t all that important to you, is it?

Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 8/20/2009 @ 9:09 am

8/18/2009

Constituent to Barney Frank: “Why Are You Putting Us Down?” (Updated)

53 Responses to “Constituent to Barney Frank: “Why Are You Putting Us Down?” (Updated)”

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