For those of you fortunate enough to miss it, we had another debate on Saturday night. To put as positive a spin on this as possible, at least we now know six people who should not be President. The debate summary and a bonus rant follows! :)
● Overall Impression: What?! For the first half of the debate, I wondered whether I had damaged my brain. Everyone was speaking, but no one made any sense. They seemed to spout random thoughts, mindless slogans, and pure idiocy. It was nonsense. Sadly, it turns out my brain wasn’t the problem.
● Loser: Newt/Romney/Perry/Bachmann. Childish, petty and vile. They spent the night calling each other names: serial hypocrites, liars, whatever. There was NO (0.0%) substance in this debate, there was no order in this debate. It was like listening to a group of whiners trying to tell you everything they hate about their boss in 20 seconds.
● Loser: Diane Sawyer/ABC. Sawyer either has a drinking problem or mental health issues. Her questions were rambling, confused and pointless. And most of them were borderline-retarded, like when she wondered aloud: “why can’t people who disagree just come together to agree for the good of the country.” Gee, I don’t know Diane. Why don’t we agree for the good of the country that you will hand me all your money while I beat you with a Jack Daniels bottle? Maybe that will help you answer this seemingly intractable quandary?!
● Winner: Pandering. The level of pandering was pathetic. It truly was a dignity free night. They all heaped fake praise on Iowa, calling its crappy colleges and cities the best in the nation and identifying their subsidy sucking politicians as personal heroes. In hindsight, it’s a bit of a shock none of the candidates wore overalls or tried to eat corn on stage.
And that was only the beginning. Newt tried to claim Libertarian instincts when he favored forcing people to buy health insurance and he tried to win over Perry’s supporters by telling us how Perry taught him about the Tenth Amendment. Perry thinks he’s the only Christian. Santorum and Romney laughably made plays for Paul’s supporters. And Michelle Bachmann took the cake when she kept praising Herman Cain and his 9-9-9 plan which she had previously derided as his “6-6-6 plan.” She even came up with a catchy new name for her plan: “the win-win-win plan.” Now she just needs a plan to go with the name.
● Loser: Yo’ Momma So Po’ Contests. At one point, Diane Sawyer slurred a question about whether or not the candidates had ever been poor. This was a stupid identity politics question, but that didn’t matter. The idiots were off to the races.
Rick Perry grew up in a septic tank. . . Mitt Romney wasn’t poor, but by God, he had a father who taught him how to be poor! Rick Santorum not only had a father who wanted him to be poor, but he had a mother who wanted him to be poor too. . . Michele Bachmann was raised by a single mother, below the poverty level, who put Michele to work in a mine at age 13. . . Ron Paul grew up during the Depression and had to have a real job (until his wife paid for his medical school). . . and Newt didn’t always fly in private jets and get lobbyist-created $500,000 expense accounts at Tiffany’s. This was like watching stereotyped “old rich white people” in films pretending they like rap.
● Least Loser: Ricky Santorum. Rick Santorum won in the sense of someone winning a nuclear war: he came across as least radioactive.
● Double-Down Loser: Perry/Romney. Perry claimed he read Romney’s book, which we know is impossible. He claims he read something offensive in it. Romney denied that. Perry said, “yuh huh!” Romney said, “Wanna bet $10,000 on it?” Perry looked panicky and thereby proved he’s a coward who doesn’t believe the things he says. Romney looked way-out-of-touch and came across like some jerk trying to buy a poker pot. What’s worse, they were arguing about a technicality in a book no one takes seriously.
● Winner: Herman Cain. This was our first post-Cain debate. And the utter childishness we endured is a testament to the power Cain had to keep these career politicians acting like adults. I guess the presence of a businessman makes all the difference. Essentially, Cain is to the other candidates what Peyton Manning is to the 0-16 Indianapolis Colts.
● Loser: Us. Not one of these clowns should be allowed to visit the White House, much less live there. And if it weren’t for the fact Obama is 100 times worse, I would probably endorse him at this point. . . that’s how bad the performances were last night. These people are clueless, gutless panderers with no ideas, no leadership ability and no sense of self-respect. Our democracy is becoming a joke.
Yahoo annoys me. Not only do they hide stories written by their ignorant, borderline- illiterate bloggers among wire-service stories, but they’ve started messing with their news headlines. Instead of the reputable headlines you find at other places -- things like “Romney Challenges Perry to Wager” or “Bachmann Praises Cain,” which are informative and tell you whether you might find the article interesting -- Yahoo has gone to headlines like: “The Shocking Thing Romney Did” and “Bachmann’s Amazing Claim.” These are headlines for stupid people. These are headlines you see at gossip rags: “Clooney’s Humiliating Mistake”. . . “Is Famous Star Gay?”. . . “What Matt Damon Doesn’t Want You To Know.” This is crap. These are teases spit out by celebrity gossips who get off on self-importance. They are designed to trick you into opening the article. They are a declaration by Yahoo that they think their audience are suckers. This is what the MSM is becoming now that it’s lost our trust.
In Aliens Sigourney Weaver asks: “Did IQs drop sharply while I was asleep?” I get that felling all the time.
112 comments:
Andrew, Nice picture! Those are my feelings exactly. Now to read the article. :D
DUQ, It seemed appropriate.
Oh shut it. I'm in mourning for Cain.
*heavy heavy sighs*
It's like I just don't care anymore. Blah.
Help us, Rep. Paul Ryan. You're our only hope.
Crispy, I have to say in all honesty that I'm not nearly as enthusiastic as I was before Cain quit. It feels like we're left with the garbage no body wanted.
You ain't whistling Imperial Dixie Princess T-Rav Organa.
By the way, the sockpuppet stuff gets really funny when they show up in my e-mail because I'm suddenly getting e-mails from people like Princess Leia and Obama's Brain and my first thought is "how the heck is Obama's Brain sending me an e-mail?" :)
Andrew, Excellent breakdown of the debate. It really was a childish affair. I too had that though about Cain holding them all together. I wonder if we can find another businessman to throw his hat into the ring?
DUQ, Sadly, I doubt it. I think this clown troupe is what we are stuck with.
It is amazing isn't it how they were all well behaved until this debate and now suddenly they go all Lord of the Flies.
Andrew, I rolled over laughing when I saw the Hindenburg pic. Hilarious! :-D
Yeah, we're pretty much screwed if no one else gets in, aren't we? (sigh)
Evil shall triumph because good is stupid.
Andrew: I'm still trying to catch up with the Sockpuppet comments since I missed the debate. But it sounds like most of our readers agree with your wrap, as do I from what I've seen so far.
As for the bonus rant, did Yahoo team up with the DailyKos to keep up with AOL teaming up with the HuffPo?
T-Rav, It fits the event perfectly, frankly.
I have no idea what we do now. I guess we're stuck with Newt (or outside chance Romney) and we hope like mad that he doesn't go insane on us?
Andrew, Obama's Brain can't get the tongue to form coherent words without a teleprompter's help, much less send you an email.
I have to say, though, I had more fun blogging this debate than any of the rest. That's probably not good, since it's only because there was so much to ridicule, but it was still good times.
Lord Vader, I'm getting that feeling, sadly.
Someone sockpuppeted Darth Obama for no other reason than they're both black (sort of)! RACIST!
Lawhawk, What's interesting is that the MSM is selling this like it was a solid performance by these turkeys. It was a disaster.
I have no idea what Yahoo is thinking unless they think 13 year old is their new target audience?
T-Rav, It was fun to blog, but I suspect that's largely because of the high participation rate and the fact there was SO MUCH to poke fun at.
Plus, the "cereal hypocrites" was quite entertaining. Poor, poor Captain Crunch.
Calling racism on Darth Vader, not very nice. After all, it fits. Obama controls the Debt Star.
Andrew. First, thanks for the wrap up.
Let me also thank T-Rav for his work. He is a joy to read and is making the debates worthwhile.
I am resigned to the fact Newt will be our nominee and I will end up tearing my hair out before this is all over.
"Anonymous Lord Darth Obama Helmet said...
Evil shall triumph because good is stupid."
LOLOLOL!
And unfortunately really sadly true. We're going to get Obama again, aren't we? >>sob<<
Ed, You and me both. Keep your hands away from your head! LOL!
I am also bracing for the inevitable Newt selection. I think it's pretty much unavoidable at this point.
Crispy, I don't want to lie to you, so I won't answer that question.
But yes, it does seem that evil always has the advantage.
Okay, so I finally did it. I switched off Laura Ingraham's show after she literally made my head explode in the first 30 seconds of her broadcast. (Luckily, I'm like that alien in Men in Black who grows his head back.) She came on praising this as the best debate so far (no hint of irony) and for giving us some real "insight" into the candidates. Say whaaaa?
I didn't catch anything after that because all my sensory organs were momentarily obliterated.
Andrew, I think it is inevitable. The MSM is onboard so is the establishment. Conservatives wrongly think he's conservative. Moderates don't realize he's insane.
Do I think he'll beat Obama? Maybe.
Will that be good for us? I have no idea and that troubles me.
Aw, thanks Ed! I agree with Andrew, though, it's best as an ensemble production. And let's remember, the downside of our having barrels of fun is that we have clowns for candidates.
On an unrelated note, I was listening to Laura Ingraham (who I generally like) earlier this afternoon--she's now backing Gingrich, not Romney. I don't know why, but she was cheerleading him for the following reason: the same people making fun of Newt are the same ones going after Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow keeps on winning and carrying the Broncos to victory, therefore Newt will win it all. This strikes me as flawless logic and iron-clad proof of Newt's inevitability.
I suppose the only picture that could describe this better would be The Titanic. This is just awful. I'm with Princess Leia Organa!
tryanmax, She is apparently an idiot.
BUT that has been the MSM spin on this. Article after article today is about how great this debate was and how well the candidates did.
Tell me one item of substance to come from the debate? There was none. It was mud throwing and childishness, that's it.
And there are only two reasons the MSM would think that's a good debate. First, they want the Republicans to implode, which is what they are doing. Secondly, their definition of "good" is all based on "lots of fighting" because that equals ratings.
Ed, The establishment actually isn't onboard with Newt. I've been debating writing an article about dozens of quotes from famous important conservatives about Newt.
I haven't so far because the article is just too negative. Shockingly negative in fact.
You're welcome T-Rav. You deserve the credit. I loved your article the other day and I think your sockpuppet work is really hilarious!
Ah, so the switch is for certain now. I had noticed her distancing herself from Romney (who she formerly professed undying love for) and saddling up to Newt.
I normally do like Laura Ingraham, but ever since Cain took the lead in the polls, she's been all-out establishment, so I haven't been able to stand her lately.
T-Rav, While I love what Tebow is doing and I love the fact it's upsetting people so much....
...that is insane logic.
Ingraham has no credibility if she is genuinely claiming that conservatism should pick a leader simply because it upsets the left. If that's our choice, bring on Palin. I like her better than Newt.
(yeah, shocking, I know)
I was going to say that one thing of substance from the last debate was that it was fortified with 11 essential vitamins and minerals. Then I remembered that was just us.
TJ, I thought about the Titanic, but I didn't want to think of any of the candidates escaping in a lifeboat. ;)
Seriously, this is depressing. I was hoping that with Cain gone, at least of them would have stood up and become a solid, positive advocate for conservative ideas. Instead, it devolved into children calling each other "liar" and "serial hypocrite."
I am truly saddened by this.
T-Rav and Ed, I too think T-Rav deserves a big round of applause. And let me extend that too to everyone who participated. It's a lot more fun when lots of people toss out their ideas.
tryanmax, I recall her being completely in the tank for Romney over the summer. I rarely listen to her, so I haven't heard what T-Rav says. But it would be downright stunning her logic was "pick the guy everybody hates."
Yeah, that was just us and our cereal hypocrites debate... which had 22% more substance than the real debate.
Andrew, I would be slightly shocked by you saying you'd take Palin at this point, but 1) I watched the debate too, and 2) after you said you thought Santorum did the best, I'm still trying to re-order my corner of reality here. So nothing's off-limits now.
Andrew, On Yahoo, I've run into what you mean. I keep seeing headlines that anger me and they are often things like "what horribly evil thing did some Republican do". Then you click on it and find out it's a blog entry about something a year old or it's something hypothetical. It really is unprofessional.
Actually, being a regular Ingraham listener, I think her new strategy is to reposition herself as "anti-establishment" since the establishment seems to hate Newt.
Whatever she was before, she is a pure media figure now, angling her very personality to garner the highest ratings. I can't imagine she hasn't experienced some degree of blow-back for being in the tank for Romney all this time. I won't be surprised if, before Super Tuesday, she'll have been fore Newt all along.
I think it is ironic that both she and Levin tout their Reagan administration credentials, and yet have nearly the exact opposite takes on the candidates running.
with apologies to John Fogarty: "It ain't me, it ain't me, I didn't see the debate, son . . . it ain't me, it ain't me, I was the fortunate one (along with Lawhawk.)
Being a positive guy, I'm gonna try and bring you back. 1) The debate is set up to promote this kind of crap. 2) All would be something of an improvement over the horror show who holds the office now. 3) This debate will be forgotten in six months. 4) candidates have to do all kinds of shitty, pandering in politics. It's the nature of the beast.
Feel better? No?? O.K. I tried. Now, speaking of O.K. did you know that it comes from one of the least remembered president's in our history, Martin Van Buren. His estate was Old Kinderhook, N.Y. He was a one termer like Herbert Hoover. He was in office during a financial panic. So was Herbert Hoover. Obama is president now. See, I knew I could get you to crack a smile. :)
Doctor Feelgood a.k.a. TJed
T-Rav, Yeah, that was a truly shocking feeling. After that, nothing in the universe seemed right. :/
But here's he thing. I know Newt. I know what Newt is not. He is not a conservative or anyone we should ever trust with the White House. Palin is a wild card. She could be a raving lunatic for all I know. But I would rather go with the devil I don't know, who might turn out to be ok?, than I would the devil I'm sure about.
22%??? I think it was closer to 220% more substance!
Ed, Yep. That's the stuff. And it just drives me insane. It's like having somebody say "guess what I have in the box" over and over and over and over again every time they see you when there's never anything in the box. At some point, the urge to introduce my fist to their face becomes irresistible.
tryanmax, Let me say.... there are MANY people who tout Reagan administration credentials. And almost all of them are nothing more than government employees who had nothing to do with it's substance or success. That's like a Proctor and Gamble employee touting their connection to the inventor of soap.
I would not be surprised if (1) she is soon totally anti-Romney, (2) becomes was always anti-Romney, (3) after Newt wins claims to have been first on the bandwagon, and (4) after Newt implodes on the job she was always opposed to Newt. I think many talk radio people are about to go through this transition because almost none of them are principles, they are opportunists. And they get their audiences by having always been right, no matter what the reality.
Well, I think we know enough about Palin to know she wouldn't keep driving the country into the dirt. Not that that is an especially high standard at this point.
Dear Doctor Feelgood, Thanks! Good point. Must keep perspective. I just find it horrible that we can't find a decent conservative to take on Obama. I really am starting to wonder if this isn't a process designed to weed out the very people who would do a good job?
That is really fascinating about "OK." I had no idea what the origin was!
here's how yahoo works: news = gossip = HARD NEWS!
and i'm with bev, i'm in mourning for cain, with the exception that if he folded that easily, i don't want him. time for some crazy that don't fold.
RON PAUL 2012!
now i'm really depressed.
T-Rav, True, the cereal debates were quite mentally nutritious.
tryanmax, That's true. In fact, I suspect Palin would actually be pretty good at slashing spending.
i'm about to throw my hat in the ring. i'll bring the badass, i promise not to back down, and you guys be the mic in my ear! if barry can read a teleprompter, i can relay the voices in mah head...
and we all know even THAT is better than what we gots.
Patti, Ron Paul = crazy that don't fold!
Ok, I like that.
And I have to tell you, I'm sorely tempted. If the establishment wants to mess with us, then let's fire back a weapon of mass establishment destruction!
BY THE WAY, if you get a chance, you should all visit Patti's site today. Holy cow! I won't spoil it... just go:
LINK
patti, I am not kidding when I say I would vote for you. :)
Andrew, I think that's exactly what the process has become about. Why else would this be the time to bring up old and baseless harassment accusations?
I'm somewhat bemused by the folks who are saying that Cain simply cut and run when the going got tough. There's a reason why sex allegations get trotted out at times like these: they are the most effective weapon in the character assassination arsenal. It's like criticizing a boxer for throwing in the towel when his eyes are swollen shut.
oh andrew. ~blushes as i pull on my boots~
tryanmax, I hear the cut and run thing a lot, but I agree that Cain was finished. In particular, he was cut off at the knees by fellow conservatives. And when even your friends are trying to bring you down, there's just not much you can do to keep fighting. So rather than waste time and money, he moved on. It crappy for us, but it was a rational decision.
Patti, let's look at this rationally:
1. You are aware of events.
2. You have actual beliefs, not things advisors told you to say.
3. You can defend your beliefs because you understand them.
4. Your beliefs are premised on common sense.
5. You have a crash helmet.
That puts you well ahead of the other candidates in my book.
Andrew, I am laughing out loud (LOL'ing as the youngins say), but I am weeping hysterically inside.
Is there some way we can make the stop debating? They all just look like twits (in the classic Monty Python school). Next they'll be running a foot race and then, God help us all.
Why can't some intelligent person (like say...us) interview them one by one. No soundbites, no sloganizing, just specifics on what each would want to achieve as President and how. And explanations of what they have done in the past and why they did it. You know, like why Romney signed Romney-care in Massachusetts.
I'm getting a permanent rash from all of this silliness, backbiting and just plain "Un"-Presidential behavior.
Okay, I am done. Except I would vote for Patti too! Would you appoint me Ambassador to Hawaii? You know, the one in Asia!
patti, I'll vote for you! Heck, I'll vote for one of my sockpuppets at this point!
That puts me in mind of another thought that crossed my mind lately: several commentators routinely remark that conservatives need to better get their message out because that's what Reagan did and before there was a right-wing media. I say, thank God for that, because today's right-wing media would have likely taken out Reagan, too.
Oh, forgot to add, I'd like an Ambassadorship as well for my support. Send me anywhere, except Austria. Austrian is a hard language and I don't want to have to learn it.
Bev, I wish there was a way we could change the system to go that route. Can you imagine how much better off the country would be if they all sat down for a couple interviews and went over their beliefs in depth rather than playing the one-liner game they play now?
Right now, finding the next President has been turned into a game show. It's all about having the look, the sound bite, and dishing enough dirt on everyone else. Do we really want the winner of such a process running the country?
Oh, is that where Hawaii is? I'm glad Obama the genius can tell us these things! LOL!
P.S. Good job equating this to Monty Python, that's the level of dignity left in this process.
T-Rav, A sockpuppet president would be awesome! :)
Bev, I have to remove myself from being able to interview any of the candidates because, at this point, I just want to bring out the wading pool of jello. I'm guessing we'd still end up with Newt because he has the weight advantage of the other candidates. On the other hand, Ron Paul is rather spindly. And, who knows, maybe Santorum has a hidden talent...? :/
tryanmax, I have no doubt they would have trashed Reagan from the get go and wouldn't have stopped until they destroyed him.
Sadly, our "conservative" media has become about sensationalizing things and tearing down fellow conservatives. In many ways, we were better off when the conservative media was a few editorials from Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell and Mona Charen in the newspaper and a copy of the rebel publication National Review in the mailbox.
At least they cared about something greater than their own careers back then.
T-Rav, I almost made an Austrian joke too! Great, twisted minds must think alike! :)
tryanmax, Santorum has experience. ;)
At this point, the jello method sounds about as good as the rest, sadly.
lol, at the crash helmet comment! and no ambassadorships, people, i would need you as close confidants in the WH. we'd start every day with some pretend judo moves as Kung-Fu Fighting played and finish it with trash-talking like Mt. T to get us ready to fight Washington.
oh, and i would supply you all with your very own crash helmets and ass-kickin' boots.
Patti, That would make for a very different White House! I'll bet you we could turn this country around in nothing flat!
P.S. On the ass-kicking boots, I am reminded of Obama whining "tell me whose ass to kick." I don't think any of us would have that problem!
In all seriousness, I'm going to do something very out of character for me and defend Romney (a little). I don't get why people are making such an issue out of this 10K bet with Perry. After everything that was that debate, this is what the media picked up on? That a Mormon is "expressing support for gambling"? Give me a @#$%ing break. It's called a figure of speech; I'm pretty sure Romney would not have formally laid down ten thousand dollars as a formal wager. Then again, since there was really nothing substantive to talk about, I guess it's not that surprising.
T-Rav, I'm not surprised. The MSM loves to undercut traditional values and laugh at people who follow them... UNTIL they get the chance to act self-righteous about those issues. Here was the chance for people who wouldn't give gambling a second thought to act "outraged" that Romney would do such a thing.
And you're right, part of it is also that there was no substance to discuss, so people will jump on the stupid/clownish stuff by way of criticism.
To me, the problem with what Romney did is the number. Most Americans would say "wanna bet" or might even put a $10 bill on the line because it's about hono. To say $10,000 just came across weird, like he was one of the Duke brothers in Trading Places trying to play some strange game or like he was a jerk trying to buy a poker pot by scaring his opponents. I thought it made him seem "out of touch" with us non-rich folk. Plus, it was awkward the way he handled it... it felt like something he's been given by his staff rather than something he came up with himself.
But in the end, that was the least of my concerns during the debate. I was more concerned with the name-calling and the near fisticuffs over minutia.
P.S. What a world where I defend Santorum and you defend Romney?
We must have suffered brain damage! 8(
Andrew, I blame it on the debate. It sucked so much it opened up a hole in the space-time continuum and switched us with alternate versions of ourselves.
Wow! The MSM did what the hadron collider just wouldn't do.
T-Rav, That's an explanation I can believe. Fortunately, no matter what universe we're in, we'll find someone to replace President Pelosi!!
tryanmax, It was only a matter of time. You just can't pack the BS that densely without ripping apart the universe.
You guys are hilarious!
Thanks Terry!
I think I might still vote for Caion when the Florida primaries come.
Maybe we can have a revelation tha tthe BS was BS and he can come back....
On a related note this I find histerical. The DNC is running ads that Gingritch was the original Tea Partier.....
I beleive the answer to that is one word... Guffaw!
Indi, I hadn't heard that but the DNC definitely wants to face Gingrich and not Romney. Gingrich will be very hard for independents to like. So they're probably trying to convince the Tea Party people to support him, while also souring the independents on him.
I doubt you'll be alone in voting for Cain. T-Rav said above he wants to write in Paul Ryan.
This is not a field with any great selections, so it's hard to blame people for writing in someone else.
Andrew and Indi, and I stand by that statement. I know a few friends who plan to do the same. It may not accomplish a thing, but heck, at least I'll have that in common with our "candidates."
T-Rav, The protest vote has a long and glorious tradition and I am all in favor of it when your choices stink. Maybe if enough people do it, it will wake someone up?
Andrew,
If these jokers can't get it together then it looks like a brokered convention. It has become apparent, to me at least, that we have to get back at the purveyors of petulant poop. I know it comes from POLITICO, but isn't that a feeder for one of the news organizations?
These bomb throwers are doing their level best to choose our candidate. This time next year, we will either prepare for the disintegration of the United States or celebrate a new beginning.
Joel, The "purveyors of petulant poop." I like it! Well said!
And you're right, these idiots are letting the MSM make the decision.
But truthfully, I see no one on stage except maybe Paul who will actually do anything to make the country better. So barring something miraculous in the Senate, I suspect we're looking at status quo until it all blows up.
I doubt there will be a brokered convention but that might actually be our best shot at getting a real candidate. Sadly, I suspect right now that Gingrich will run away with the nomination.... and he will probably turn on us even before the convention.
P.S. Politico is a Soros creation which seems to feed the whole MSM.
Well, by the time May rolls around, I don't expect to have too many choices.
Yeah, I have the same problem out here. The only time I ever really had a competitive vote was when I lived in Virginia.
Unfortunately, things will probably have been rolled up before Super Tuesday, which is the first chance I'll have to cast my ballot. Oh well. Maybe I'll just tunnel through the torn continuum into a universe where someone good is running. If I find it, I'll leave a trail of bread crumbs for y'all. :-)
T-Rav, I can see future scientists wondering about the mystery bread crumbs that lead between universes. LOL!
That actually sounds like the beginning of a pretty interesting book. :)
Andrew
I find it humorous that the MSM would think Gingritch would be easier to beat than Romney.
I also have to laugh when they state that independents would be turned off by the Tea Party. Independents are the Tea Party.
Of all the candidates I actually think Romney is the most likely to lose to Obama. Mind you I think Obama will lose either way but who is going to go to Romney because of Obamacare. Weak moderate candidates never do well for the GOP. McCain is a perfect example.
I just don't know.... ACG says I should vote for Paul. I would not worry about him if it was not for Foreign policy. So I guess I am with T Rav - - -Protest vote Ugggh!
Andrew
I was talking about our poor choices at lunch and came to this realization. The reason the establishment RINO's do well and the Conservative outsiders like Cain are targeted is because in the end the people that fund the party want the government control.
Immelt of GE backs liberal candidates and want them to win but they do dump a ton of money to the GOP. However I think that money is funneled to establishment candidates who at the very least been willing to talk the big government game. Romney with Romneycare, Newt attacking the Ryan plan, Rover backstabbing O'Donnell on the eve of her taking out Castle, etc. etc.
This is an unfortunate side effect of the Fascism and yes we must use that word that has infected Washington. Fascism not being Hitler's anti-semitism but rather Musolini's economic policies.
The government has regulated industries and in so doing created a small group of oligopolies that end up protected by the legislation. The CAFE standards when the are raised may cost car companies but they also help to keep competitiors from being able to go into business.
Thus the companies will support liberals so that the regulations can be imposed. But the liberals being to tied to their base go to far. They make it impossible to make money. So they wait for the swinging of the political pendulum and get a GOPer in that will "work" with them to reduce the standards. Note it is to reduce the standard to a manageable level not eliminate it.
When an outsider like Cain gets involved and gets enough juice to run for the big ticket then there is a problem. Cain won't just level the regulation to a sane level. He will get rid of it. Allow him into office and wala you lose your protected monopolies and oligopolies. Can't have that so the try to find out who he is screwing......
It brings me down that is for sure. Sorry about the length. Had to purge this out of me.
Indi, I suspect that both Newt and Romney have about the same chance of getting elected, though Newt is more likely to say something truly offensive. For me, the real problem with Newt is that he's going to go insane and then he's going to torture us before he destroys conservatism. I doubt Romney had the nerve or requisite insanity to do that.
Paul's foreign policy stuff scares me. Other than that, I'd happily give him a go. And frankly, the foreign policy stuff isn't scaring me as much as it used to. I'm kind of getting to the point that I'm wonder if a total shake up might not be the best thing? I don't know.
Indi, No problem, I feel your pain... so to speak.
I hate using the word fascism because it's so charged by Hitler, but you are correct. Our government today meets all the definitions of economic fascism -- a core of "winners" who are supported by the treasury and regulation in exchange for feeding the beast in Washington.
And I think you're right that people like Cain need to be destroyed because they represent a danger to the establishment -- both Democrats and Republicans. They are the same party. They believe in the same thing: economic fascism. They differ at the edges, but their core beliefs are the same. They enrich themselves, expect to pass their inheritance (including their political connections) to their kids, and they see the rest of us as tools to be used to feed the state.
It is a disgusting reality and it troubles me greatly to believe it, but I see too much evidence to ignore the obvious conclusion.
And even worse, too often the "fringers" are nothing more than establishment approved release valves to make people think they have a place to be heard. That's why the Tea Party scares Republicans, Democrats, MSM, Fox News, National Review and all the rest -- it's the first unapproved "fringe group" and they are no fringe, they represent the people. So they need to be stopped and frustrated right now before they get ideas.
Dear Commentarama: After our surprise at learning that there is, in fact, a universe in which T-Rav will defend Mitt Romney, we did a quick check and determined that there is NO universe in which he will back Ron Paul for the nomination. Just thought you should know.
Dear Astrophysicists, Not even in the millions of worlds where T-Rav is trying to destroy the planet?
Also, while you're on-line, is there any world where Kristen Stewart isn't constipated?
Thanks for the post probate mash up Andrew.
This looks like, assuming any of these idjits beat Obama, to be the second worst apocalypse ever!
Second only to Barrackalypse Now.
I sincerely hope that we take the Senate and that the House n' Senate keep Bad Newt (or Bad whoever) from making things worse.
I see Paul beclowned himself again by saying that President Bush and his administration were "gleeful" after 9/11 because they could attack Iraq (grr!).
Bush made plenty of mistakes but saying he was gleeful after 9/11 for any reason is BS!
Oh, and Paul can take his "American Empire," "We created Al Qaeda" and "Israel created Hamas" crap and shove it where his head is stuck!
Is he really that stupid? Even the other candidates have an inkling that radical Islam is a very clear and present danger.
Paul has no clue what the goal of Islam is and how anti-liberty it is (and has been since it's inception).
Of course, to be fair, Obama also thinks along the same lines but has been smart enough not to say it outright.
Yeah, let's talk to Iran, the Taliban, the Muslim Brotherhood, etc..
Ask the Israelis how well it works to negotiate with bullies who get joy out of murdering civilians...even children.
Sorry. The more I learn about Paul (and the rest for different reasons) the more angry I get.
Looking forward to your expose on Paul, Andrew.
Hey, how about Tebow for President?
Naw. I wouldn't wish that on the kid.
Someone...anyone not tainted by the establishment GOP or the crazy Truthers, anti-semites and Jihadapologists.
I heard pieces of the debate while I was working on my final 2 papers for the semester (grandpa was watching it in the living room). I am now glad that I didn't turn it on and kept fighting with my papers.
Commentary comments: I love the idea of bread crumbs between universes!
I miss Cain.
Y'all are too much fun to read!
I can't believe that there were defenses of either Romney or Santorum here... maybe we already are IN the alternate universe.
Although, I have been considering looking at Saint Santorum again... Sigh...
When is Super Tuesday?
Ben, Sorry to be so long getting back to you, but I've been out all day.
I hadn't heard that from Paul, but if he said it, that is simply unacceptable. It saddens me that he ruins a solid economic/constitutional basis with pure lunacy in foreign matters and it probably does disqualify him in my mind. Ug.
My biggest concern with Newt is that even with a solid conservative House and Senate, he would still be dangerous to us because he would put his own interests above the country. We would almost be better off with Obama II because at least we would know who the enemy is.
This is depressing.
The problem with Tebow for President is that only the 4th year would be any good! ;)
rlaWTX, It is a strange world when we start defending Romney and Santorum. LOL!
I really like the bread crumb idea too. That's a wonderful image.
What kind of paper are you working on?
"The Psychological Implications of Insanity on Bloggers"
LOL! I might have to change my thesis!
Actually: "Peer-Victimization and the Development of Social Anxiety" which ended up being a shortened version of my intended thesis because this prof is annnn... yeah, nevermind, ... anyway, I have to take this dumb class on how to write a paper, but he won't read anything long enough to be of future use to me.
rlaWTX, Sounds like a jerk. My thesis advisor when I got an LLM (an advanced law degree) didn't want to read anything and wouldn't approve anyone's topic because he just simply refused to be bothered about get around to it.
I ended up having to write the thing and toss it on his desk without him ever approving my topic. When he said "I haven't approved your topic yet!" I told him that wasn't my problem and asked if he wanted to explain it to the administration.
He gave me an A. Other people actually ended up having their degrees delayed.
"Peer victimization"? Hmm. I'm not sure what that is?
Oh, so this is what happens when I don't check back for a while.
The astrophysicists got it right, never will I vote for Ron Paul in the primary, in any universe. See also Ben's recent comment.
As to your other question, they would do research into that, but then they would have to watch all the "Twilight" movies. Even scientists have limits.
T-Rav, What Ben has added really is beyond the pale. I can accept a different theory on how to deal with these countries, but I will not accept the "Americans are evil racist kllers" premise. Will.... not... do... it. No way.
That shows that something is truly wrong with his thought processes.
LOL about the Twilight Zone!
rla, I sympathize with your problems. A friend of mine here in grad school who also happens to be a conservative was writing a paper recently on Arab nationalism and how it was basically made up within the past few decades by a handful of agitators and so on. The professor wrote a bunch of nasty political comments in the margins, such as "I suppose you also think Saddam was behind 9/11," and so on. He didn't get a high grade on the paper, needless to say.
Sorry Andrew, here's the link:
Paul Calls Bush Gleeful
"The problem with Tebow for President is that only the 4th year would be any good! ;)"
LOL! Yeah, but it wouyld be a miraculous one that wipes out all of the problems the proregressives have caused since 1992! :^)
T-Rav: You should use skittles instead of breadcrumbs. A rainbow bridge of skittles looks better between alternate universes than breadcrumbs. Plus they taste better!
Besides, I think it's a rule of physics or something.
Ben, Thanks for the link! :)
Yeah, it would be a heck of a fourth year! He probably wouldn't even need a second term! LOL!
I like the idea of skittles too. Either way, the whole image is wonderful and I could truly imagine it on the film poster.
T-Rav, One of the best lessons I ever learned in college was to just lie when the time came and let these a-holes think they were right.
I fought them in class over and over and over, but come test time (since testing was anonymous) I just gave them the BS they wanted and let it end with that.
Oh, gawd. Now I'm not sorry I missed it but, jeez, these choices are not good. And I had no idea Diane Sawyer was still on television.
Yep, she's still there, but she shouldn't be. She was horrible!
*sobbing*
I like Ron Paul, but...Romney...(nauseas)...is probably...(head spinning)...the least offensive...(vomits in own mouth)...
Koshcat, I feel your pain. Trust me, I am not happy about any of this.
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