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Sunday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 02:18:20 PM EST
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    Sunday Open Thread | 221 comments (221 topical)
    Another Responsable Gun Owner... (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:05:05 AM EST
    "As we're going by, he has an assault rifle now following us," Drake said. "I saw the scope and I thought 'Oh my God.'"

    "Who on this Earth would point a weapon at a child?" Drake said. She was instructed by the 911 operator to leave the area.

    The silver Mercedes reportedly continued driving, eventually facing east on Corkscrew Road at the Sandy Lane intersection.

    Gayle Sarceno described a man hopping on one leg after jumping out of his car at that intersection.

    "He's spewing blood from his leg," Sarceno said. "He just drops, right there in the center lane."

    LINK

    Yeah, he was so mad, he shot himself.  Idiot.

    Odd thing, I read this story over the weekend and went I went to find it today, turns out this is not uncommon at all.  Google 'road rage shoots himself'.

    I am so tired of little boys and their guns.

    Condolences (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:02:31 PM EST
    To the family of Jake Brewer, who died this past weekend after a crash during a bike event to raise money for a cure for cancer.

    Brewer, a 34-year-old White House staffer and father, died Saturday after losing control of his bike at a sharp curve, crossing the double yellow line and colliding with an oncoming car at around 3:40 p.m. The crash added a palpable sense of grief to Saturday night's gathering at a campground in Mount Airy, where organizers announced that a participant had died in a crash, but said that the man's family wanted the ride to continue.

    Brewer, of Alexandria, was a senior policy adviser in the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House and previously worked as the director of external affairs at Change.org.

    SNIP

    And he saw far beyond the political fault lines that frequently divide the city. As someone who skewed left politically, he married a woman on the opposite end of the political spectrum, Mary Katharine Ham, a journalist and political commentator.

    Ham, editor-at-large of Hot Air and a Fox News contributor, remembered her husband as optimistic and humble, focused on making the world a better place. He was serious at work, but had no trouble being "goofy" otherwise - dancing, singing Aerosmith, and opening his arms so his daughter could give him a "big bear hug" after work.

    "I always joked that he was the West Wing to my House of Cards," Ham said. "Never cynical. And this is not relegated only to politics. He could connect with almost anyone. Because he cared about people."

    He also leaves behind a small daughter, Georgia, and his wife is 7 months pregnant.

    So sad.

    Superman's pal... (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by desertswine on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:36:05 PM EST
    Jimmy Olsen passes away.

    Thanks Heavens that we have ... (5.00 / 3) (#111)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:04:26 PM EST
    ... have a fourth generation of Bushes now living large on the public dime and telling the rest of us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps:

    "Less than a year after being elected to lead the oldest state agency in Texas, Land Commissioner George P. Bush has dramatically remade the General Land Office by ousting a majority of its longtime leaders and replacing many of them with people with ties to his campaign and family."

    That's not all. From the Austin-American-Statesman:

    "At least 111 state workers have been fired, retired or have quit the Texas General Land Office -- about 17 percent of the agency's workforce -- under the leadership of George P. Bush, whose so-called reboot has drawn criticism from his predecessor, who says the agency is suffering under 'a purge.'"

    This family makes me proud to be an American.

    Just got a message (5.00 / 2) (#130)
    by CST on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:12:21 PM EST
    Inviting me to my 10-yr college reunion.

    I swear it wasn't that long ago...

    It never appears to be oh so long ago, ... (5.00 / 2) (#134)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:40:20 PM EST
    ... even after the passage of three decades.

    Parent
    You are still a mere baby in age (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by Zorba on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:49:43 PM EST
    I am staring at my 50th high school reunion next year, and my 46th college one.
    Enjoy your (relative) youth.    ;-)

    Parent
    My 50th was two years ago (5.00 / 3) (#157)
    by Repack Rider on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:53:06 PM EST
    Just last week my class had another gathering at a local beach park.  I rode my bike to it, which identifies me as one of two tough guys left in the class.  The other is a big wave surfer.

    The old football team?  "Old" is the operative word.

    I was the wimpiest kid in the school when I graduated.  Now my photo hangs in the gym as a testament to my contributions to bicycling.

    Not a single kid rode a bike to school when I attended, and I was 24 years old when I first stepped over a ten-speed bike.  Now, like every HS in the county, my alma mater has a varsity co-ed mountain bike team.

    Parent

    I went to my first at 30 years. (none / 0) (#160)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:00:07 PM EST
    It was a lot more fun than I expected.  40 somewhat less so.  I'm probably skipping 50.

    One way or another.  Ifyouknowwhatimean.

    Parent

    I put on my reunions (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by Repack Rider on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:27:54 PM EST
    ...So I could say, "How do you like me NOW?"

    People whose lives disappointed them do not attend.  From the perspective of HS I could never have dreamed of all the good stuff that would happen to me.  I was lucky in some respects, I made my own luck in others.

    Parent

    Today in blog-clogging: (5.00 / 3) (#210)
    by sj on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 10:49:49 AM EST
    30 comments for the local denizen, jimakaPPJ.

    Jezus (5.00 / 1) (#212)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 11:06:34 AM EST
    The "he" in that comment is Cruz.   I actually said that.  Clearly im wasting my time.  But. Have it to waste.    And reading old comment threads is actually fun.

    But I think I will have lunch now or sj will start counting our comments.

    There is 4 open open threads on the front page if I "count" correctly.  

    Hillary Clinton is (5.00 / 2) (#221)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 23, 2015 at 06:09:36 AM EST
    now against Keystone pipeline.  

    Does anyone really think (none / 0) (#1)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 03:48:06 PM EST
    The Republican base would allow a black man or a white woman to become their Presidential nominee? Cuz I'm not seeing those two things as even possible.

    I do (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 04:09:14 PM EST
    I think one of the reasons, perhaps even a big reason, Carson is doing well is because he is black.  

    Parent
    Adding (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 04:10:52 PM EST
    I don't think he will be the nominee.  But I think either are more likely VP material because of race and gender.

    Parent
    IOW... (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:02:29 AM EST
    ...he is this cycle's Herman Cain, the one successful black guy that actually agrees with republican policy.  

    Before Cain it was Alan Keyes, they have one every cycle to let black folks know they care.

    Parent

    Yup - I was trying to find a way to say it (none / 0) (#49)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:04:06 AM EST
    It is like the early Colbert Report episodes where he would take photos with his black friend.

    Parent
    Mona Charen, (none / 0) (#121)
    by KeysDan on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:47:34 PM EST
    the right wing columnist has a way with her words.   After stating that the two Republican top polling candidates (Trump and Carson) are "unfit," she goes on say that Carson " is a winsome, admirable American and an ornament to the Republican Party..."  

    Parent
    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:57:50 PM EST
    Did she really?  Ornament?  Pffft  That's worse than a token I think.

    Parent
    I think a section of the base will (none / 0) (#23)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 10:51:19 PM EST
    Vote for him, but not a majority, not enough to get him the nomination. When the number of players begins to be whittled down, the racism within the Republican base will ensure that Carson never receives enough support to be the nominee.

    Parent
    I disagree (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:30:47 AM EST
    I think they would love nothing more than to vote for a black guy who's message is that black people should get off their lazy shiftless behinds and pull themselves up by their non existent boot straps.
    Carson is a dream candidate for many who have wallowed in racist filth for the last 8 years (see other reply) and would love to screech from the top of their bunker "see I'm not a racist, I voted for THAT guy"

    I think the same goes for Carly.  They would love to vote for a woman who oozes faux outrage at the imagined sale of baby parts.

    Parent

    I think they'll allow them in the starting (none / 0) (#36)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:52:02 AM EST
    Lineup. But as the reality gets closer the majority will simply drift to whatever white guy is still standing. They can still claim they aren't racists based on what support Carson has received. I think they already do make that claim specifically for that reason. Carson was once a Democrat also, they would never trust him to stick to their ideals.

    Parent
    You folks are scared (none / 0) (#60)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:13:58 PM EST
    spit less of Trump or Carly or Carson or Cruz.

    Why??? Because they offer a very clear choice.

    What you want is Jeb or Rubio because you know the base will stay home. And the Repubs want Bernie for the same reason.

    Like I said, I'm loving it right now. It is just so fun to watch the PC crowd and media demand this and demand that and what them spasm when Trump says, "Stick it!" Which is what Carson should have said to Chuckie. Or better yet, "Do you still beat your wife, Chuckie??"

    BTW, do you remember what Hillary said when asked if  Obama was a Muslim?? Well, she concluded with.....he's not, "as far as I know."

    Parent

    thanks Jim, I needed a laugh (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:19:00 PM EST
    The GOP thinks the Dem base will stay home if Sanders is the nominee? Just keep thinking that way.

    Parent
    I still believe that the Demo base (none / 0) (#63)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:24:53 PM EST
    is not socialist. IOW I don't judge it by what I read here.

    Parent
    Does not mean they don't agrtee with most of (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:29:15 PM EST
    what he has to say. As does Hillary.

    Maybe the margin of victory would be slimmer with one or the other - hard to weigh the preferences for a centrist against the CDS, even among Dems. But either one will win. I will predict that right now.

    Parent

    Jim's funny (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by CST on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:32:11 PM EST
    Apparently I feel the exact opposite of the way I thought I felt about the GOP candidates.

    Parent
    What is Funnier... (none / 0) (#97)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:13:02 PM EST
    ...is Jim is excited that all the people the GOP has voted for have been such complete hacks, that all the GOP wants now is people who have never served in government in any capacity.

    Yeah, I would be excited too if I was in the GOP and all the people I have been backing for years are hated so bad by my party, that they would vote for a hotel mogul who loves bankruptcy, a Arab hating surgeon, and CEO twice flopped, into the highest office in America.  Is that one or two steps above a Bush ?

    It's not like they can do worse than the folks they already elected.  Just unsure why Jim is excited by this, I would be depressed knowing my political cohorts aren't capable of picking even a descent candidate, just one person the GOP has elected that they would like as president.

    What's up next time around, the guy across the street, a used care salesman, and a sword swallowed.  Never mind the guy across the street, Joe the Plumber, already ran last time.

    Parent

    My biggest fear (none / 0) (#105)
    by CST on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:34:46 PM EST
    would be a Rubio winning.

    And somehow Trump winning is indicative that what we really needed the whole time is a "true" GOP candidate?  The man who disagrees with half the GOP platform, but oh wait he's racist so it's cool.

    Parent

    Nope (none / 0) (#120)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:46:18 PM EST
    I said that Trump, Carly and Carson offers a clear choice.

    Parent
    The choice: (5.00 / 2) (#179)
    by lentinel on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:53:22 PM EST
    Huey, Dewey, or Louie.

    Shemp is not an option.

    Parent

    Right now (none / 0) (#169)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:37:37 PM EST
    I see Rubio with a clear path to the nomination

    Despite the big support of the donors, the lack of popular support will end the Bush candidacy,

    And his support will go to Rubio. That support , mostly financial will keep Rubio going to the end.

    Rubio is not the outsider Trump, Fiorina and Carson are, but he is the new shiny object that the Republican money men will back after Bush folds.

    Parent

    Given that Trump doesn't need (none / 0) (#195)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:58:35 AM EST
    the Repub money men....why do you see him folding??

    Parent
    I never get this Jim (none / 0) (#203)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:29:07 AM EST
    Republucans love the idea of the military. I feel safe saying some of them worship the idea of the military. And the social construct of the military is socialist. All my needs are provided as long as my family and the soldier checks the boxes :) I am sheltered/protected from the capitalist economy. I am guaranteed a mortgage. Cost of food is controlled and in the face of crisis is simply provided, we show up at the mess hall and we just get fed :) Healthcare is free for me, some glitches at times about access....really lazy workers sometimes :)..... but socialism....it does an Army good :)

    Parent
    To denounce being (5.00 / 3) (#74)
    by MKS on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    politically correct is often used as a cover for wanting to be able to be openly racist, bigoted and misogynistic, like in the good ol' days...

    Like being able to post a photo of Obama with a bone through his nose and not be called out as racist.  

    That darn ol' "PC" just won't let you say all those bigoted, racist and misogynistic things any more.

    Parent

    Time for a reminder (1.00 / 1) (#76)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:05:03 PM EST
    I don't know what you mean by "glory,"' Alice said.
    Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. 'Of course you don't--till I tell you. I meant "there's a nice knock-down argument for you!"'
    'But "glory" doesn't mean "a nice knock-down argument,"' Alice objected.
    'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean--neither more nor less.'
    'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you CAN make words mean so many different things.'
    'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master--that's all.'
    - Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll


    Parent
    Jim, how many times have (none / 0) (#101)
    by MKS on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:24:32 PM EST
    you posted this quote?

    And, make no mistake, posting a photo of Obama with a bone through his nose is racist.

    Parent

    And what is the many photos (1.00 / 1) (#123)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:48:33 PM EST
    equating Bush with a chimp??

    If you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen.

    Parent

    Oh, no you don't jimbo... (5.00 / 4) (#135)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:47:15 PM EST
    You can't tar MKS with that brush unless you have evidence that MKS himself posted Bush-as-chimp photos.

    And we know you don't, so my suggestion would be for you to just own what you did - and stop with the false equivalencies.

    Haven't you cluttered up this thread enough for one day?

    Parent

    Apparently not until ... (none / 0) (#138)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:13:19 PM EST
    Anne: "Oh, no you don't jimbo [...] Haven't you cluttered up this thread enough for one day?"

    ... the comment count hits the 200 mark.

    Parent

    No one is taring anyone, anne (none / 0) (#196)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:11:20 AM EST
    Just noting how the Left smeared Bush.

    It even produced its very own blog

    And then we have this nice peace of racism from the Left.

    Lynch Clarence Thomas

    Parent

    You are so FOS (5.00 / 3) (#150)
    by Yman on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:05:11 PM EST
    When did MKS ever post a picture of Bush as a chimp?  We're talking about YOU posting a picture of Obama with a binge through his nose.  YOU are responsible for YOUR actions.  MKS is not responsible for what others do.  

    If you can't stand the heat, stop filling your kitchen with straw ... It's flammable.

    Parent

    You know that (none / 0) (#176)
    by MKS on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:45:49 PM EST
    I have never posted a photo of Bush as a chimp or even said he was a chimp.

    Now, I wonder who has posted a photo of Obama with a bone through his nose?

    Parent

    Well, (none / 0) (#180)
    by lentinel on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:55:31 PM EST
    there's no bone in Bush's schnozz. True.

    But there is an uncanny resemblance to Chimps.

    Compelling.

    Inescapable.

    Parent

    Thank you for proving my point (none / 0) (#197)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:12:18 AM EST


    Parent
    The Dem base stay home because Sanders? (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:50:10 PM EST
    Not hardly. The base is energized by Sanders right now. Dems aren't afraid of the word socialism, and they really don't care what you did to avoid being cannon fodder during the Vietnam War :)

    Parent
    Well, one thing's for sure... (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:15:28 PM EST
    there's not a whole lot of smart underneath the thin veneer of political correctness some segments of the GOP have stripped away, so that's been kind of instructive.

    I think what you're loving is the hope of someone, anyone getting the chance to let their inner bigot fly; you want someone to make it acceptable again to be a racist, sexist a-hole.  

    I think one of the things you're missing is that for a lot of us, it isn't a matter of forcing ourselves to be PC - we actually believe in the things we're saying.  We believe in things like equality across the board of race, class, economics, gender and sexual orientation.  So, I guess to the extent that Carson's move to do away with political correctness is allowing us to see who you all really are, it's been rather helpful.

    What I don't think you've taken into account is that at some point, the ugliness the GOP is panting/salivating/dying to generate is going to reach a tipping point, and a fair number of reasonable, sane people are going to decide they're better than that.  And they won't want to associate themselves with the brand.  

    Does that mean they will vote Democratic?  Some will, some won't.  But every Republican who decides not to align with the party of ugly is one less vote for failed policies and regressive, small-mindedness.  At some point, those non-votes will matter.

    In the meantime, at last count you had almost 20% of the comments in this thread - and that, by anyone's definition, is blog-clogging.

    Parent

    Yep, Jim' s people still think Obama's (none / 0) (#73)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:58:47 PM EST
    a Muslim. And a lot of 'em still don't agree with how the Pope talks english at folks.

    That's cuz they're all so dang smart.

    Parent

    Look, isn't it okay to agree (none / 0) (#78)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:10:46 PM EST
    with Hillary???

    ...."as far as I know."

    lol

    Parent

    If you recall, Hillary got thoroughly (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:44:22 PM EST
    criticized for that qualification, afterthought, bet hedging, whatever you want to call it.

    Parent
    Thanks for proving my point (none / 0) (#90)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:51:31 PM EST
    that the PC police are always ready to jump.

    The question....did she mean to use the qualifier and if so, why?

    Parent

    Jim... (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:13:34 PM EST
    ...this place was better when you were banned.

    Parent
    IIRC at the time the question came out of the (none / 0) (#119)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:45:53 PM EST
    blue at the end of another conversation and it seemed to me she was caught off guard...I remember thinking it was almost like she was afraid it was a 'gotcha' and she was being cautious.

    And it has nothing to do with political correctness...it has to do with what is the truth.

    Parent

    Because it was the third time in a riw (none / 0) (#151)
    by Yman on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:07:38 PM EST
    ... she was being adored the same question.  But your attempt to equate her response to your GOP birthers was funny.

    Parent
    I Wonder What She Would Say (none / 0) (#158)
    by RickyJim on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:55:09 PM EST
    if the question were, "Do think Obama is a non-believer?" (like Jefferson, Madison, etc).  Considering his family and educational background, I would say "I am 90% certain that deep down he is a secret non-believer and 100% certain he is not a secret Muslim".  I doubt Hillary would say that, however.

    Parent
    So, I guess someone let jim out from (none / 0) (#75)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:01:35 PM EST
    his usual spot under the stairs...I'm sure once he gets a good froth going, he'll go out and yell at the kids to get off his lawn.

    I agree: I think the GOP is happy to have a person of color among the contenders, but I would be very surprised if it will allow Carson to be the last person standing; if they have to go with a non-WASP, it will go with Rubio (I'm sorry, but Cruz is just too creepy for words).

    If Fiorina doesn't end up eating her own face with her razor-sharp tongue, there's an outside chance she could make VP, but I truly think she's just too scary for those GOP men; I think they prefer to ride their strong women-stalking horses, not allow them to hold the reins.

    I will say this: jim's given me a lot of material to laugh at today.

    Can we start calling the GOP the "Repos?"

    Parent

    Anne, who is "they?" (none / 0) (#77)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:08:30 PM EST
    Perhaps when you are done laughing.......

    I ask again. Who has that kind of power? And who is in this deep dark conspiracy??

    Parent

    Must be all 'em left wing (none / 0) (#81)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:18:06 PM EST
    climate scientists.

    Parent
    Speaking of Left wingers (none / 0) (#91)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:55:21 PM EST
    we have this from Democratic Underground

    General consensus does not equal truth

    "This is how mass brainwashing happens. It is a tactic used by the right and it is an attempt to control others; it has nothing whatsoever to do with a search for truth."

    They wouldn't lie to us......would they?

    Parent

    Wel,l you don't really believe (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:49:20 PM EST
    in science anyway..

    Scientists "believe things"; unlike say, the religious right, and the people who say Obama's a Muslim and that Iraq attacked us on 9/11..

    Parent

    No. They wouldn't (5.00 / 1) (#153)
    by Yman on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:10:46 PM EST
    On the other hand, scientific consensus backed by thousands of peer-reviewed, scientific studies beats the wingnut deniers every time.

    Parent
    Not really (none / 0) (#198)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:19:32 AM EST
    According to the newly published survey of geoscientists and engineers, merely 36 percent of respondents fit the "Comply with Kyoto" model. The scientists in this group "express the strong belief that climate change is happening, that it is not a normal cycle of nature, and humans are the main or central cause."

    Link

    And be careful throwing around that "peer review" bit:

    Science publishing giant Springer, with over 2900 journals, has announced on its website that 64 articles published in 10 of its journals are being retracted.  Editorial staff found evidence of fake email addresses for peer reviewers.

    Link

    Parent

    No, Because Adults Don't Use... (none / 0) (#108)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:52:14 PM EST
    ...childish terms like Demos, 1001 times a day.  Just like a windup toy, press the button and Fox News viewer says something demeaning, racist, or just plain stupid.

    But I agree, the thing they don't understand with the reflexive PC argument, is they are actually insulting potential voters who don't care what they call their toxic words.

    Parent

    Oh please (none / 0) (#126)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:51:52 PM EST
    I use Demo and Repub time again as shorthand.
    Surely you can do better than make such an obviously outrageous incorrect claim.

    Parent
    Used Many Times... (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:08:55 PM EST
    ...does not mean it's not childish, in fact it actually bolsters the claim.

    Parent
    I also say (none / 0) (#199)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:22:01 AM EST
    NFL, CBS, ABC.....call Robert Bob.

    Look, if you cannot dispute my points, why waste time making such claims??

    Parent

    Thanks MT (none / 0) (#32)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:21:35 AM EST
    No one has played the race card lately and I was starting to think it had disappeared.

    Parent
    Heh, it's not my card (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:27:35 AM EST
    It's a Republican base belief and dynamic. They won't allow a woman to be their nominee either, though if she's a royal idiot they will consider her for the vice if she walks in on the arm of someone singing about bombing Iran.

    People who treat women like chattel have no intention of allowing one to have authority over them.

    Parent

    Like I said (none / 0) (#38)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:34:20 AM EST
    thanks for playing the race card.

    Parent
    It's not a card (none / 0) (#39)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:49:47 AM EST
    It is part of the belief system of a majority of the Republican voting block.

    Parent
    To Jim, the world's a deck of cards. (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:27:31 PM EST
    Unfortunately for him, the GOP's holding nothing but a pair of deuces, a knave of clubs, a queen of spades and a joker.

    Parent
    And the joker is wild (none / 0) (#82)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:29:06 PM EST
    so we have a set of deuces with a Queen Jack kickers.

    I'd take that hand every time.

    And maybe you can answer what no one else cannot.

    Who is in this deep dark Repub conspiracy that says who can be nominated???

    Enquiring minds want to know.

    ;=)

    Parent

    No, Jim. (none / 0) (#92)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:59:17 PM EST
    The joker is a fool, not unlike a certain blog-clogger we know. We're afraid of Trump? Hardly. Actually, I'm rather astonished that people would be so friggin' stupid as to even consider him as a serious candidate. It's as though you guys have written a sign saying "KICK ME" on a piece of paper, and then taped it to your own posteriors.

    Parent
    I see that you know nothing of poker (none / 0) (#118)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:44:13 PM EST
    and you are truly scared of Trump.

    Why?? Because he is the wild card. He has his own money and will do his own thing.

    Can he be nominated? Can he win the Prez??

    I don't know. But he is fun to watch. Even more fun is watching you folks emitting hysterical squawks while running in circles.

    Parent

    Please explain what exactly about Trump is (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:48:06 PM EST
    fun to watch? Just the negative reaction he provokes in people, or do you really find him entertaining?

    Parent
    personally (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by CST on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:50:59 PM EST
    I find the meltdown happening by the "moderate republicans" pretty fun to watch.

    Parent
    I'm trying not to enjoy that, but it's hard (none / 0) (#192)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:41:22 AM EST
    I know very few moderates though, especially here. It's only a handful. Everyone else is just nuts. So I sort of feel sorry for them. They are as isolated as I am here.

    Parent
    Making (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by MO Blue on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:34:12 AM EST
    being a White Sumpremist socially accepted in the public arena is the Thrump card that The Donald is playing. Republicans are lapping it up because they believe that they can allow their true selfs to shine through.

    Parent
    And I left off (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:59:52 AM EST
    playing the sexist card...

    Face it, MT. Your heroes and heroins have no solutions to the problems so all they, and you. can do is play the race and sexist card.

    They don't want to talk about the economy. It is still bad.

    They don't want to talk about health care. Obamacare is failing.

    They don't want to talk about education. Public schools are failing and private schools expanding.

    They don't want to talk about foreign policy. Putin is making Obama look like a fool.

    All they want to do is play the race card and the sexism card and tell everyone they're victims.

    Parent

    So wrong. (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:51:22 PM EST
    "They don't want to talk about the economy. It is still bad."

    Unemployment is down. The stock market is way up from when Bush left office. My company has been in a hiring frenzy and can't find enough qualified people. My salary is up over 10K in just the last 4 years.

    But hey, thanks for playing.

    Parent

    Oh, really? (5.00 / 2) (#184)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 07:12:10 AM EST
    JimakaPPJ: "They don't want to talk about the economy. It is still bad."

    Hawaii's unemployment rate is 3.5%. California's is 6.3%. Those rates are half what they were in Dec. 2008, when ol' whoosits was still president.

    "They don't want to talk about health care. Obamacare is failing."

    About 20 million Americans have gained health insurance or enrolled in new insurance under the health care reform law, according to a recent report from the Commonwealth Fund, which was published in the July 2015 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

    "They don't want to talk about education. Public schools are failing and private schools expanding."

    Per the Pennsylvania School Board Association in June, the state's School Performance Profile (SPP) shows that 72% of schools had a score at or above 70, which is comparable with last year's results despite added academic standards and more rigorous assessments. Traditional public schools continued to outperform their charter and cyber charter counterparts.

    Based on a scale of 100, the average SPP score for traditional public schools was 76.9, brick and mortar charter schools was 65.1 and cyber charters was 48.9. The Department of Education has indicated a 70-point score or higher is the mark of moving toward success.

    "They don't want to talk about foreign policy. Putin is making Obama look like a fool."

    A look at the state of Russia's economy indicates that Western sanctions are having their desired effect. Since April 2014, the ruble has lost nearly half of its value, and net capital flight out of the country has doubled, reaching $151 billion in 2014. Economic growth has slowed down to 0.6 percent, its lowest since the global financial crisis of 2008-09. In January 2015, Russia's gross domestic product contracted by 1.4 percent, with forecasts predicted a significant contraction of GDP in the remainder of 2015. It's merely a matter of time before Putin is compelled to come to the negotiating table.

    So, once again, Jimbo, you haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about, and you're simply parroting the boiler plate squawks and quacks of Fox News and AM white-wing radio.

    And today, Pope Francis arrives in the United States to speak in Spanish about caring for the poor and downtrodden, and dealing with climate change -- just to make your paranoid head explode.

    Adios, payaso.

    Parent

    Workforce (none / 0) (#202)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:28:05 AM EST
    participation is at the Jimmy Carter level...ISIS is taking over whatever Putin doesn't want and people are establishing new private schools all over the place.

    And most of those HI jobs are low paying service jobs.

    Those just be facts my Coast Hale. Enjoy them.

    Parent

    Says the Guy... (none / 0) (#41)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:18:56 AM EST
    ...who predicted 'Mr Less than One Half of One Percent' would get the nomination.

    One would think a person who is wrong about everything would quit acting like he is spot on, but then again that is what trolls do, they distort reality.

    'Race Card', yeah, a child like response from a child.  But if that is what you want to call a complex issue in which your party has serious problems with, go for it.

    Republicans have been tossing exactly one black guy into the mix since Obama decided to run, Keyes, Cain, and Carson.  They all say the things republicans like, some version of black people need to stop suckling off the government teat, poll well right until it actually counts and they slip back into obscurity.

    Parent

    Hmmn, I think what I said was that I (none / 0) (#59)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:06:01 PM EST
    hoped Walker would get the nomination and that I would support him.

    But since you never let facts get in your way, be my guest. If I was wrong, so be it.

    And all you can do is claim. You offer no supporting facts. But here again, that's not new to you.

    But please. Are you saying that there is a conspiracy of Repubs standing around saying who can run for the nomination?? Really?? Seen any black helicopters lately?

    And BTW - Where's the black Demo??

    lol

    Parent

    Teh Black Demo ? (5.00 / 2) (#115)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:30:33 PM EST
    Only a republican would make such an astute observation.

    And BTW, you claimed several times Walker would take the cake.  I am not going to spend any time finding words that you typed if you some how have forgotten, but nice claim the day Walker calls it quits.

    Parent

    Hmmm, I think what you just did at 11:59 (none / 0) (#62)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:20:43 PM EST
    was make a whole long series of claims/assertions with no supporting facts..

    How did that happen?

    lol

    Parent

    How did that happen?? (none / 0) (#64)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:26:14 PM EST
    I just used Scott's method.

    Anything wrong with that??

    lol

    Parent

    Scott trolls here by posing (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:34:25 PM EST
    as a phoney social liberal?

    I never noticed that.

    lol

    Parent

    Future potential Dem black POTUS candidates (none / 0) (#65)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:26:35 PM EST
    are seriously considering whether the abuse is worth it.

    Well done, GOP.

    Parent

    Really Rich (none / 0) (#80)
    by FlJoe on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:15:36 PM EST
    from a man who insists there is is a world wide conspiracy to promote the global warming "hoax".

    Parent
    Now please, FlJoe (none / 0) (#83)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:36:51 PM EST
    don't be making things up. I have never never never claimed a conspiracy. I just said that we have a lot of hoaxers.

    Although a lot of them do police each other.

    From Doctor Phil Jones of the East Anglia's CRU

    This is from an Australian at BMRC (not Neville Nicholls). It began from the attached article. What an idiot. The scientific community would come down on me in no uncertain terms if I said the world had cooled from 1998.

    OK it has but it is only 7 years of data and it isn't statistically significant.

    I won't bother to point out that was in July of 2005....I wonder if 16 years is significant??

    Parent

    I (none / 0) (#88)
    by FlJoe on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:49:29 PM EST
    see. 1000's of scientists and technicians all decided on their own to perpetuate this hoax. Is it something in the water?

    Sorry, but any "hoax" involving more then one person must involve a conspiracy.

    Parent

    It would logical that a scientific community (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:59:28 PM EST
    THAT fallible would be perpetrating more than on "hoax", but it turns out that the ONLY one Jim knows about just happens to be the same one the fossil fuel lobby's discovered..

    What a coincidence.

    Parent

    Really? It appears that (none / 0) (#96)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:07:09 PM EST
    Merriam-Webster doesn't agree with you.

    hoax

     

    to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous
    -- hoax·er noun

    a skilled forger who hoaxed the art world into believing that the paintings were long-lost Vermeers


    Parent
    That still doesn't answer the question (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:42:46 PM EST
    why this one hoax, that's SO transparent - to everyone but scientists - that it can be so easily outed by uneducated yahoos in the Tea Party, televangelists, and wild eyed talk radio hosts?

    Or is it, as you've said at your blog, that scientists in general can't be trusted? Because scientists "believe things". Isn't that what you said?

    Parent

    Btw, when you take the trouble to quote people (none / 0) (#110)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:03:34 PM EST
    in support of your arguments, you should try to find someone more credible than a man who said scientology would eventually replace psychology and that most American blacks were better off being enslaved.

    lol

    Parent

    Say what???? If I can stop laughing at you... (none / 0) (#114)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:26:25 PM EST
    Dr Phi Jones:

    Philip Douglas Jones (born April 22, 1952) is the Director of the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) and a Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia.[1][2]
    His research interests include instrumental climate change, palaeoclimatology, detection of climate change and the extension of riverflow records in the UK. He has also published papers on the temperature record of the past 1000 years.
    He is known for maintaining a time series of the instrumental temperature record.[3] This work was featured prominently in both the 2001 and 2007 IPCC reports, where he was a contributing author to Chapter 12, Detection of Climate Change and Attribution of Causes, of the Third Assessment Report[4] and a Coordinating Lead Author of Chapter 3, Observations: Surface and Atmospheric Climate Change, of the AR4.[5]

    jondee you have exceeded all your past nonsensical and incorrect comments.

    Parent

    I was referring to your (none / 0) (#162)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:10:35 PM EST
    Bircher-science fiction writer hero who you quote on your blog, John W Campbell..

    The one you quoted when you were talking about how scientists can't be trusted..

    Parent

    Nice try at ducking jondee (none / 0) (#194)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:57:11 AM EST
    but it doesn't work. ;-)

    Parent
    The dour Fiorina (none / 0) (#6)
    by KeysDan on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 05:29:58 PM EST
    does not have much to go on, unless the electorate is looking for someone with a background that will further erode the middle class, and will  be a strong advocate for income inequality.

    On the other hand, she comes off the latest  debate with a bump in polling, impressing the Republicans with her encyclopedic knowledge of Wikipedia descriptions of Russia.  Even better than being able to see that country from her house.

    But, of course, the killer instinct is appreciated given her ability to volley zingers with Trump.  Her coup de grace was her vivid imagination in seeing what escaped other viewers--that auctioning off of the fetal brain tissue of a fetus with a beating heart and wiggling legs.  A president needs to be imaginative.

     A good report, but next time, she needs to say "baby" not "fetus."  A  better impact.  Worth a few polling points that may catch her number two rival,  Carson, napping.

    Speaking of napping, Carson is both a surgeon and a fool.  It is not uncommon.  But, he is also a favorite of the Evangelicals so he can not be overlooked as a real possibility for a spot on the ticket.  Carson is appealing in that he, too, is content-free. In fact, his only strong point.

    When thinking of Trump as the presidential nominee, it is    necessary to run the calculations for a "winning" ticket.  Trump, himself, is immure from the usual and customary rules that apply to buffoons, but that immunity does not extend to the others.  For that reason, there may not be much currency in a Trump/Fiorina  or a Trump/Carson ticket.

    The buffoon spot is already taken, albeit of a different stripe. We need to look elsewhere, to the mere ignorant.  A Trump/Kasich ticket has a better ring. Or, a Trump/Lindsey.  I would not have thought of Lindsey even two weeks ago, but he seems to be emerging as the sanest of this pack, all he wants is to give war a chance.

    Parent

    We're dancing the Karma Polka (5.00 / 7) (#11)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 06:28:51 PM EST
    here today, with the latest (CNN) poll, because. . . .

    Perp Walker is at zero!  (Less than half of 1 percent.)

    All together now, strap on the accordions and dance along:

    You can have him,
    We don't want him --
    He's too intimidated for us. . . .

    Here's hoping for true karma, and justice, which would have us kicking up our heels to the Perp Walk-er Polka.

    Parent

    Yay, Towanda.Make that Double Yay! (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 06:50:57 PM EST
    Of the bunch, that man had nothing but a smarmy smirk to match his personality and dim deeds.  'Guessing now that even Koch can't revive his pal.

    An aside: As a six and seven year old, I remember the family in buscia & jaji's (grandmother and grandfather) upstair's only-on-Sunday parlor dancing to this polka and many others.  The words weren't too flattering in that polka verse ... somehow, the word "intimidated" could also read "false" ... as in "he's too false (nee fat)" for us.  

    Love it.

    Parent

    Zero, (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by KeysDan on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 07:20:18 PM EST
    the poll number matches the character.  He is in sync.

    Parent
    Haha... (none / 0) (#56)
    by desertswine on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:49:31 AM EST
    Anatomy of a well-deserved disaster:

    SCOTT WALKER
    (CNN polling)
    July 22-25: 10% (3rd)
    Aug 13-16: 8% (4th)
    Sept 4-8: 5% (5th)
    Sept 17-19: <1% (12th

    Parent

    And <1% of 444 poll respondents (5.00 / 3) (#136)
    by Towanda on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:57:52 PM EST
    means that he snared 2 . . . of 444.

    I'm home now, in front of local tv, awaiting the news conference in a few minutes, when he quits.

    And I've got my dancing shoes on!

    Parent

    She Will Not Last IMO (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:30:42 AM EST
    Even republicans don't respect this:
    The Los Angeles Times research of public records indicated Fiorina had failed to vote in most elections. Fiorina responded by saying, "I'm a lifelong registered Republican but I haven't always voted, and I will provide no excuse for it. You know, people die for the right to vote. And there are many, many Californians and Americans who exercise that civic duty on a regular basis. I didn't. Shame on me."
     LINK

    Trump's new line is she failed so bad as Lucient & HP she has never been asked to be a CEO again.

    She is an opportunist who IMO is the face of corporate greed an malfeasance.

    Parent

    Trump/Cruz (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 05:42:10 PM EST
    Both buffoons but with different areas of speciality.   Although I could see a Trump/Carly thing.

    I somehow doubt Carsn even really wants to be president.   I suspect the was in this for the book and speaking deals.  As well as a slot in Wingnut media.   I think he is probably as surprised as anyone that he is second.

    You know, everyone frets abut Hillary and her email and her trust issues and yada yada.

    The republicans would kill for our "problems".

    Parent

    The power of satire (none / 0) (#8)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 05:51:51 PM EST
    I've always loved satire ... your comments in this thread have that delightfully skewing effect.  Thanks, KeysDan.

    Parent
    Great info KeysDan. (none / 0) (#17)
    by fishcamp on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 08:04:24 PM EST
    It will definitely be used at the gym tomorrow.  Thanks.

    Parent
    Bastard Executioner (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 04:44:17 PM EST
    Anyone catch the 2 hour premier?  I liked it.  A lot.  The reviews are a bit mixed but lots of good.  

    Sometimes I become grateful for the existence of something like a website, in this case SLATE (STALE), for being so completely clueless and convinced of there overinflated opinion of their opinion that they can pretty much be depended on to provide the lowest common denominator in every situation.  In this case they do not disappoint -

    The Bastard Executioner
    FX's new show from the creator of Sons of Anarchy is a Game of Thrones knock-off that misunderstands everything that makes Game of Thrones good.

    There is so much lazy and stupid in that one sentence you hardly know where to start.
    First, any series with a sword in it is not a GoT "knockoff".  BE has almost nothing in common with GoTS.  It has more in common with his previous series, Sons of Anarchy.

    I thought it was well done and worth the time.  My DVR is set.

    Hollywood Reporter (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 05:13:44 PM EST
    In a major leap, FX and 'Sons of Anarchy' creator Kurt Sutter create an intriguing and vast medieval epic that surprises and entertains on a number of fronts.


    There's a lot more going on in the series, which is why it kicks off with that two-hour premiere. The ensemble cast is large and strong and littered with enough character intricacies to fuel long-tailed story arcs. And while there's much to set up, the series moves briskly enough (and with enough action to liven up the detailed story setups) that everything gains clarity by the end of the second episode.
    Shot in Wales, Executioner is given strong visual cues by Barclay (including color drain right before act breaks), who doesn't rely on just a dark, foreboding mud-and-horses look but brings out the vast countryside in daylight as well. Credit Sutter and this strong cast, led by Jones, with surprising on a number of fronts and giving FX the sprawling historical epic it lacked.


    Parent
    My Weekend Entertainment (none / 0) (#12)
    by KeysDan on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 06:46:28 PM EST
    Update:  Bill Maher's Friday night show was pretty good. His panel included Mark Cuban, who was introduced as being very rich, and then his presence went down hill thereafter. Although, we was agnostic on Trump,  not a supporter, but changing the dialog, which he thinks is good.

     And, former NY governor George Pataki, and kid's table Republican presidential contender, who is occasionally described as being a "moderate" Republican.  He says Trump is not fit for the presidency, but, like Cuban, he went down hill thereafter, his moderation with him.

    And, Tweety.  Actually, Tweety was, unlike his spittle-laced cable show,  the best of the panelists.  I noted a similar reaction, once before when he was pn Maher.   Maybe, this is his forte-- as it were.  And, later, the Univision anchor,  Jorge Ramos joined the group.  A little aggressive, thought Maher might use Trumps goons to remove him.

    Bill got a little off the rails with his predictable take on Ahmed Mohamed, a take that was agreed to by Pataki, and Cuban, I think.  Not easy to decipher that guy.  At least Tweety said he needed to  know more.  Facts and all.  Jorge spoke against the profiling idea, but all seemed to agree that the arrest and interview without the parents was wrong.  But, all in all, a good show.

    Watched two Netflix movies, one I thought was good, but received bad reviews.  The other, I thought was bad, but received good reviews.

    The first was a clever Indie, "Last Weekend,"  about a wealthy family who had their two young adult sons back to their beautiful estate at Lake Tahoe for the Labor Day weekend.  The two boys brought their friends to the mother's den of pristine and fastidious privilege.  A classic rich v less so, and not appreciating the difference with some thought provocation.

     Patricia Clark is great, better than Meryl Streep, in my view, along with some good unknowns. The script writer and co-drector is Tom Dolby, of the Dolby sound family--who should know a thing about the subject matter. In fact, the beautiful, rustic mansion is owned by Dolby's parents, and uses for the set.

    The second, was "Wild." the Cheryl Strayer's story of "hike-therpay,":  Reese Witherspoon walking the 1000 miles of the Pacific Trail.  Good, I suppose, if you like flashbacks that have flashbacks about the flashbacks.  Apparently, they are to  tell, sort of, about the reason for Reese's solo and heretofore unexplained travel, other than the death of her mother, platitudes and Hallmark Card self-help.  Seems everyone cares about her, but her. Not bad, if you do not mind watching Reese's character eating a lot, mush in the wild and mashed potatoes in a diner.

    Parent

    I think the actress you like is (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 07:17:27 PM EST
    Patricia Clarkson, not Clark. She is very good. In fact, I saw  a sweet little movie today starring Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. It is titled "Learning to Drive."  It was recently released, so you probably will need to see it in an actual movie theater, which is where I saw it.

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#16)
    by KeysDan on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 07:22:34 PM EST
    Patricia Clarkson.   Thank you.

    Parent
    Missed it but it looks like something I might like (none / 0) (#10)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 06:01:04 PM EST
    I never watched SoA so I don't have any baggage to bring to it, and I certainly don't expect it to be anything like GoT.

    Parent
    I'm not sure I can do the storyline (none / 0) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 11:01:04 PM EST
    So avoiding it right now. I only have so much space on my hard drive for violence and death. I think it's the ISIS thing. I am reluctant to be entertained by a drama about an executioner.

    I didn't watch Breaking Bad though until farther down the road for the same reason. We have so much going on right now I try to keep my stressors as eustress as possible.

    Parent

    Congrats to Greece and (none / 0) (#9)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 05:58:35 PM EST
    the renewed support for Syriza and leader Alexis Tsipras.  Tsipras appears to have won by a comfortable almost 8 percentage point margin with three-quarters of todays vote counted.

    As supporter France--via President Francois Hollande--noted earlier:  Greece may now have time to stabilize from its troubled financial situation, and certain other EU countries may now understand that they really have to understand supportively the challenges from the past that Greece has been facing.

    christinep, maybe you, (none / 0) (#18)
    by NYShooter on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 09:27:10 PM EST
    or anyone actually, would do me a favor?

    I've been trying to keep up with the large number of historic changes taking place all over the globe: Greece, Ukraine, virtually every country in the Middle East, Russia, China, and so many more. It's hard enough just trying to understand the basic problems each of those countries are facing, and trying to remember, let alone pronounce, so many unfamiliar, and super long names  is enough to drive one super-dooper, coo coo.

    Since there's so very much to try and absorb, I'm trying to go about it chronologically rather than all together. And, since Greece is one of the smaller countries, and, I don't know, I just feel a kind of affinity towards them, we'll make them #1.

    But, here's the problem. It seems like the international Media isn't much better at reporting the actual news than our domestic one. I watch, read, and listen to as much "news" as anyone, and so, here's what I've learned about Greece so far:

    1. Greece borrowed and spent way too much money.

    2. The Greek people can't (won't) pay it back because they're a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings.

    3. There' no incentive to work since the Government entitlement programs pay for everything, cradle to grave.

    4. Whatever work they do must, by necessity, be part-time since they need the extra time to look for places to hide what should be their taxes from the tax collector.

    5. Foreign countries, the World Bank, the IMF, and other institutions won't lend them any more money because whatever money the have lent them went towards more partying and high living, not towards reducing their debt.

    6. When they finally reach the end of the line, they simply vote for the politicians who promise them even more goodies

    7. As history has proven, you'd be amazed at how long the rubber band can be stretched, or how far down the road the can can be kicked.

    8. You'd also be surprised (maybe not so much) at how much, and for how long, politicians will lie to the voters.

    9. Last, but not least, you'd really, really be surprised at how much, and for how long, the voters will accept, and vote for, those lies.

    10. There's more, much more, but, no sense in writing more since its all in about the same vein.

    11. Bottom line, you get the picture.

    Personally, I think there's a wee bit of exaggeration in those descriptions, but, in having read so many pundit's "explanations," it's not that far off base.

    So, finally (thank god!) the favor: Do you know of any source(s) that are written as primers, or, in synopsis form, that explain those countries' problems (not just Greece's) in a manner that a normal, average person could understand?

    Anyone, please jump in; I'm serious in wanting to learn.

    Thank you.

    Parent

    Funny, You Want to Learn... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:42:51 AM EST
    ...yet your statements seems to indicate that you have already made up your mind about those highfalutin and lazy Greek bastards.

    Reminds me of our Turkish guide, who was always slamming the greeks, but one day he said the laziest turk did more in a day than the hardest working greek.  But I believe he was joking.

    Let's hop Zorba isn't in today.

    I would suggest writing history books for the Texas School Board, you have a real knack for bias.

    Parent

    In Shooter's defense, I believe the (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:53:08 AM EST
    things he listed were what he took away from the media, not necessarily what he actually believes.

    My irritation with him is more because one only has to Google "Greek Debt Crisis," or some variation thereof, in order to find sources for educating one's self.

    Parent

    Couldn't Any... (none / 0) (#52)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:12:25 AM EST
    ...ill informed person make the same claim.

    If your media sources are right wing hackary, which they obviously were, then you can't blame the media for not knowing what is going on in the world.

    Its even been hashed out here from time to time, so no, that is an excuse for not searching out the truth, which as you mentioned is one web page away.

    Parent

    Oh, I'm here, all right, (5.00 / 2) (#113)
    by Zorba on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:15:59 PM EST
    Scott.
    The whole situation in Greece is far more complex than either the media are reporting it, or Shooter's list of the media charicatures.
    I agree with CST's comment #48, quoting Paul Krugman.  They cannot let their money float.
    Did the Greeks overspend?  Of course they did.  And the Greek people deserve a large portion of the blame for widely avoiding paying their taxes, yet expecting a whole lot of social benefits, such as early retirement with decent pensions, etc.
    However, they also had a series of corrupt governments which were content to promise such benefits, without even trying to collect the taxes or tighten their belts.  After all, this is part of what kept getting them elected.  And then the government got in bed with the international bankers, knowing full well that they would be unable to pay back the loans, and the bankers were happy to loan them such money, also knowing full well that the country would not be able to repay them, but with the full expectation  that the EU would step in with some kind of bail-out terms.  Terms that were devastating for any hope of a Greek economic recovery in the foreseeable future.
    So, given that mess, what should the Greek government have done?  A "Grexit."  Leave the EU, default on their loans, and return to the drachma.  A currency that could float, making both Greek exports and Greek tourism very much more attractive to the world.  Would this have meant hardship for the Greek people?  Of course it would, but not any harder than what they're going through now, with the ability to climb out of this mess much, much sooner because of a currency that could float on the international markets.


    Parent
    Cute. Too cute by half. (none / 0) (#19)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 09:51:19 PM EST
    Perhaps, you would want to rephrase your--ahem--question(s)?

    In thinking about that, give some thought to the interaction of the EU ... including but not limited to the various patterns of lending, borrowing, previous wars & hostilities, cultural complexities, etc. ... and, then, think especially about the probability that all or most all of those countries have been similarly situated at different times in the gradual years-long lead-up to the determination to form something known as the European Union.  One of the questions that would be of particular interest to me concerns the nature of expected "support" in and among those nations...together with the probability of the EU's survival without a broad definition of the term.  

    It ain't so simple, as you must certainly understand.  For starters: In the world of high or low living (or what have you), think about where a number of these nations stood at the end of WWII as well as how they got there and who owes what to whom and all that ETC.  After all that reality is digested, then we can all get a better idea of where the EU countries have been, where things are now, and how & whether they can get to where they want to go together.

    Parent

    Christine, (none / 0) (#20)
    by NYShooter on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 10:08:15 PM EST
    please tell me you don't believe that those bullet points, meant as caricatures of how the Media has "informed" us regarding Greece, are indicative of my personal views.

    I was quite serious in wanting to become better informed regarding the chaotic upheavals occurring in so many places worldwide.

    I thought that you, being educated, scholarly, and having worked in Government, may be privy to a source, or a group of sources that could, in layman's manner & verse, outline the key elements at the heart of each crisis.

    Nothing more, or less. I guess I missed my mark.

    Sorry.

    Parent

    As to Greece, consider also (5.00 / 6) (#21)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 10:21:36 PM EST
    the role played by international grifters such as J.P.Morrgan Chase and various hedge funds.

    The whole "Greeks are lazy; Greeks won't pay taxes; the social safety net istoo generous; etc." claim is so simplistic and cliched that it alone should trigger your bull$h!t meter.

    Parent

    Here is Krugman (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by CST on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:01:32 AM EST
    Who has written pretty extensively on the topic.

    Link

    "Greece did indeed run up too much debt (with a lot of help from irresponsible lenders). But its debt, while high, wasn't that high by historical standards. What turned Greek debt troubles into catastrophe was Greece's inability, thanks to the euro, to do what countries with large debts usually do: impose fiscal austerity, yes, but offset it with easy money."

    Basically other countries in this situation can devalue their currency, essentially what the U.S. did after our economic crisis, you flood the local economy with money helping people stay afloat, and while it makes your own money worth less abroad, it helps boost exports and gets you over the hump.

    Greece can't do that because of the Euro, so they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

    Parent

    Your answer is no answer. (none / 0) (#27)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:48:53 AM EST


    Parent
    Where on earth do you get your "news?" (none / 0) (#22)
    by Anne on Sun Sep 20, 2015 at 10:30:31 PM EST
    Maybe you should stop reading or listening to "pundits."

    Are you familiar with Google?

    Type "Greek debt crisis" and when the 19.6 million results are returned, take your pick of sources and see where it takes you.

    ::rolling eyes::

    Parent

    Doom and Gloom or Not So Much (none / 0) (#25)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:44:30 AM EST
    4 National Polls this Month.

    CNN Clinton +18
    CBS Clinton +20
    ABC Clinton +18
    Monmouth Clinton +20

    No natter the day, no matter the poll, the results remain the same.

    OH my god (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:52:41 AM EST
    Down to an 18 point lead.  Better get out the rubber sheets.

    Parent
    I've had to have (none / 0) (#44)
    by CST on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:45:35 AM EST
    numerous conversations this week with people who flat out didn't know or think that Bernie was behind in the national polls.

    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:54:02 AM EST
    Interesting but if news also last week about how Hillary is going t kill him in the south.

    Nothing against the Bern.  He has been great for the process.  He will not be the nominee.

    IMO

    Parent

    My fondest wish is that this election season (none / 0) (#87)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:48:53 PM EST
    is the one that ends or seriously diminishes Iowa and New Hampshire's importance in the potus selection process. If Bernie and Trump have to be the sacrificial lambs, so be it.

    Parent
    You have to wonder (none / 0) (#152)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:07:51 PM EST
    If that was not part of FOXs plan with the debates to wrest some of that control away from this historically early states.

    I agree.  It makes no sense.  And hasnt forever.

    Parent

    How to tell if that Viral Story is a Hoax (none / 0) (#26)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:48:00 AM EST
    Nobody's claiming that this article provides all the tools you need to sift out the B/S, but it's a good start.  For example, the ability to match images against the universe of imagery using Google Images is a technology that didn't exist ten years ago.

    Snopes.com... (none / 0) (#45)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:50:19 AM EST
    ...is the best place to see if the latest is indeed a hoax.
    The site didn't state where the photograph was supposedly "leaked" from, but the suggestion that the image depicted refugees who had arrived in Germany in 2015 was easily disproved. The photograph dates to at least 6 May 2012, when it appeared on a blog operated by the Jewish Defence League UK. (Other web sites confirmed that the photograph was taken on or around 1 May 2012.)

    LINK


    Parent

    Someone get kdog a valium (none / 0) (#29)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:52:49 AM EST
    The Mets are coming down the stretch on all fours begging for the finish line.

    I'm going to the Valium doctor (none / 0) (#30)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:06:04 AM EST
    today.  Unfortunately he's also my Urologist, and I must go for that charming exam before he will issue any pills.  The torture never stops

    Parent
    But (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:15:33 AM EST
    Do you have a rip cord like string hanging from your private sector?

    Parent
    Just learned (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:27:01 AM EST
    I get the rip cord out wed.

    Parent
    Me too (none / 0) (#35)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:35:24 AM EST
    I wish both of us good results.

    And as I told him the last time, "I now know why they don't want people to carry guns in here because I would have shot you while ago."

    Parent

    Jim, did you have the same (none / 0) (#103)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:31:06 PM EST
    problem that Howdy did with kidney stones?  Did they blast them with sonar, radar, and rays from aliens like they did his?  

    Everything was fine at my doctors today, but I forgot to drop off the scripts at Walgreens.  I may be healthy, but I still get brain wrapped.  Saw some friends at the dock who gave me some fresh mahimahi and mangrove snapper.  Methinks I better have an early boat drink before the tide changes.

    Parent

    I'm getting wayyyyyyyy (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:42:31 PM EST
    Better than Valium.

    Parent
    Valium? (none / 0) (#71)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 12:46:47 PM EST
    Gimme morphine.  Bats picked a helluva time to go flat!  

    If we don't take 2 of 3 from the Braves I'll be in full on panic mode.  Never easy!

    Parent

    Have faith (none / 0) (#79)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:14:20 PM EST
    See ya in the NLCS.

    Parent
    I'm trying... (none / 0) (#94)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:03:00 PM EST
    and I do have faith...but 2007 & 2008 keep rearing their ugly heads in my mind, planting seeds of doubt.

    Parent
    Love that all the usual suspects (none / 0) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:12:22 AM EST
    Are shocked SHOCKED that the abuse of young boys is wide spread and widely accepted in Afghanistan.

    U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Sexual Abuse of Boys by Afghan Allies

    The fainting couch was very crowed on mourning Joe today.

    It's Always... (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:25:55 AM EST
    ...bigger picture BS when the military is involved.

    This was reported many, many, times.  I even made a couple posts about it here and other BS that was going on in Afghanistan.  I believe they were also trading boys for arms with the Taliban, in other words, we were giving them the loot they needed to buy children for sexual purposes.

    No offense, better late than never especially if they are trying to ruin the lives of people who did the humane and honorable thing.

    This is Sandusky-esque sitting around and letting it happen, even enabling, and in no way counts as fainting couch material just because it's a decade after the fact.

    Parent

    It's my opinion (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:30:33 AM EST
    This subject has been avoided at least n part because it is inconvenient to several right wing memes.

    Parent
    The Pashtun culture is totally nuts (5.00 / 1) (#182)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:31:53 PM EST
    The flip side of the Bacha Bazi - girls who live out their childhood as boys because it's safer: Bacha Posh.

    That story was appended to a larger story about the Bacha Bazi in Pashtun society.

    As a culture that has repeatedly allowed the victimisation of young men by their elders, and turned survivors into abusers, Afghanistan has unleashed multiple generations of predators and traumatised young men. Generations that are now trained by coalition forces to kill, tasked by world leaders to protect, and trusted by citizens to oversee law and order in a country that gave them the only memories that will never leave.

    Generations of Afghan men are taught to rape and be raped.  "Some men enjoy playing with dogs, some with women. I enjoy playing with boys," Allah Daad, a notorious warlord, told local reporter Sayed Ibrahimi.

    The few reports that have surfaced regarding sexual abuse in Afghanistan reveal only a glimpse into the staggering volume of trauma, injury and dysfunction stemming from a male dominated culture steeped in religious constrictions and manufactured moral impunity.



    Parent
    What on earth (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 11:14:32 AM EST
    Will Mrs Greenspan talk about when Joe Biden finally admits he is not running for president?

    If we know anything about the Beltway, ... (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:33:17 PM EST
    ... it's that there is no shortage of bright and shiny objects.

    Parent
    I just heard (none / 0) (#145)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:40:46 PM EST
    The fabulously informed Steve Kornaki say Biden is waiting for the right time to enter so he can do it with the presidents endorsement.  

    Parent
    Aaron Rogers... (none / 0) (#84)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:42:13 PM EST
    ...on beating Seattle, 'I think God was a Packers fan tonight, so he was taking care of us.'.  Damn, since he never talks about god, one has to assume this is a dig at Wilson who thinks god cares who wins football games.

    He even spoke to Wilson in the NFC championship game after Wilson threw the interception that ended the game, but god didn't wait until the game was done before he told Wilson, "I am using you, I want to see how you respond. But most importantly, I want them to see how you respond".  Go not Wilson's fault they lost the Super Bowl, it was god's Mengele like experiments on human nature that lost the game.

    I read he talked to him last night:

       god:   Knock, Knock
    wilson:  Who's There ?
       god:   Owen
    wilson:  Owen Who ?
       god:   0-2

    I'll be here all day, tips welcomed.

    Link for Wilson... (none / 0) (#86)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 01:45:28 PM EST
    ...speaking to the g.o.d. on the field.

    Parent
    I've ever understood ... (none / 0) (#102)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:29:13 PM EST
    ... the invocation of the Diety as the primary rationale for victory in football games. Besides, everyone knows that the Lord is a college football fan, and after helping Ole Miss upset Alabama on Saturday, on the 7th day He rested and watched Oprah.

    Parent
    I Doubt... (none / 0) (#109)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:01:38 PM EST
    ...a deity who condemns working on the holy day really gets behind the folks who ensure millions have to work on that day so they can make millions.

    I'm no expert, but...

    Parent

    That was the Super Bowl ... (none / 0) (#95)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:06:36 PM EST
    ... where Wilson through the fatal interception at the one-yard-line. In the NFC championship game, he threw the TD pass which ended it.

    Parent
    You Are Correct... (none / 0) (#100)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 02:18:01 PM EST
    ...I was paging through so many Wilson quotes I got mixed up.  Thanks for the correction.

    Parent
    Aaaaaaannnnddddd... (none / 0) (#112)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:13:52 PM EST
    Scott Walker is out.

    I have never failed quite so spectacularly (5.00 / 2) (#116)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:39:38 PM EST
    as a political prognosticator.

    Parent
    really though (none / 0) (#117)
    by CST on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:43:01 PM EST
    who could've seen Trump coming, other than Trump himself of course.

    For that matter - who predicted the Jeb Bush implosion?  I mean, he may end up as the nominee at the end of all this still, it's possible I guess.  But man is he waay worse of a politician than I thought he'd be.

    Parent

    And Whomever... (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:02:19 PM EST
    ...actually gets the nomination, and it I don't think it will be Trump, they will be beaten and scarred from the process.

    Jeb, my god it's become so apparent that he is not used to real competition, just waiting for a pic to surface of Barbara cutting up his pancakes and feeding it to him while in the FL governor's mansion and telling him he is a big strong man.

    Parent

    It's time for the Bush family to go. (none / 0) (#133)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:37:45 PM EST
    Their gratuitous yet quaint sense of self-entitlement as their political birthright represents an increasingly obsolete vestige of American politics.

    The Bushes are our country's equivalent of the Bourbons, the royal family overthrown during the French Revolution, of whom Prince Talleyrand once wrote not long after they were restored to power upon the fall of Napoleon:

    "Ils avaient rien appris, et n'avaient rien oublié. (They had learned nothing, and had forgotten nothing.)"

    Aloha.

    Parent

    True. I do stand by my VP Rubio (none / 0) (#124)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 03:50:34 PM EST
    prediction though. That is a total no-brainer for the GOP as far as I'm concerned.

    Wait, I forgot who I was talking about...yeah, he's toast too.

    Parent

    I think he is toast (none / 0) (#140)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:17:18 PM EST
    Too.

    Parent
    Rubio (none / 0) (#173)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:56:34 PM EST
    Will most likely be the Presidential nominee.

    The establishment will coalesce behind him,

    If not, then Kasich

    Parent

    Oh, well (none / 0) (#186)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 07:34:57 AM EST
    It's settled then

    Good.

    Parent

    Seriously (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:15:14 PM EST
    who could've seen Trump coming, other than Trump himself of course.
    For that matter - who predicted the Jeb Bush implosion?  I mean, he may end up as the nominee at the end of all this still, it's possible I guess.  But man is he waay worse of a politician than I thought he'd be.

    seriously

    Do I have to go back and dig up my old comments?  

    I have been saying Jeb would implode for EVER.

    And how about the DfromH essays patiently explaining to me how Trump would be gone in three months.  Six months ago?

    Seriously?!

    ?!

    Parent

    No offense DfromH (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:46:40 PM EST
    And you certainly have not been alone.   I have been crying in the wilderness about The Donald for what seems like a very long time.

    YU ALL THINK I WILL LET YU FIRGET???   IZZAT WHAU U THINK???

    Parent

    How could I have said that six months ago ... (none / 0) (#165)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:22:22 PM EST
    ... when Trump didn't even declare his candidacy until June 17? ;-D

    As I said, I don't find him at all entertaining or endearing, given that he's clearly stoking the fires of xenophobia, racism and bigotry. The man's rhetoric is demagogic, toxic, incendiary and quite frankly, alarming.

    Given that, Trump will likely be an afterthought by the end of the year, as the time to actually vote draws near, and the less insane amongst the GOP ranks finally sober up and recover what's left of their senses.

    But if he isn't, and that blow-dried blowhard somehow ends up as the GOP's face and nominee, well, I'd be ecstatic. That would almost certainly consign the GOP to the category of national punchline, and if Mrs. Clinton is the Democratic nominee, would likely portend an almost certain Democratic landslide of potentially epic proportions.

    The Republicans are running a serious risk of going the way of the Whigs, if they fail to lock up the know-nothings in the party basement.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    How could you? (none / 0) (#167)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:32:22 PM EST
    Because I was saying he would be a serious player long before he officially announced.   Months before in fact.  

    But hedging is always a good idea.  Nice to see the hedging.

    Parent

    I remember... (none / 0) (#201)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:22:52 AM EST
    ...you making those predictions, like after Trump was on top and Bush was falling.  2, maybe 3 months ago.  Which was pretty good in my book.

    If you did it 6 months ago it was on the weekend or I was on vacation because no one predicted Trump or Bush that I am aware of, including all the people in the know.

    I would say if you predict Donald Trump leading the field in March and Jeb tanking, you are in the wrong business.  I am having a hard time believing you, but since you have never lied, I will take your word for it.  Amazing, really.

    So who gets the nomination and who ultimately wins ?  I feel like I should introduce you to the NFL and make some cash, seriously.  

    Parent

    ruffian: I also missed it big (none / 0) (#128)
    by christinep on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:07:57 PM EST
    But--hey--this is one wrong guess that leaves me glad.

    And, for TOWANDA, two questions:  (!) Do you have any thoughts about which Repub in-line might be next in-line for the Koch largesse?  Rubio, maybe?  (2) Are there any celebrations planned tonight in Wisconsin to commemorate Walker's fall? (Of course, since he might have to spend more time at home in Wisconsin, that part isn't so pleasant for you all ... but, the rest of us got a reprieve from the Walker demolition approach.)

    Parent

    Dropping out is what he does. (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by Towanda on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:04:46 PM EST
    I'm watching the presser, live on local tvnow -- having headed home from spotting the NYT story first, when it was posted, and sharing it with coworkers.  Aka other state workers.  You can imagine the reaction. . . .

    Local buzz, among squawk radio sorts close to him, is that he will not fill out his term but wants to be on the Cabinet (like Gov. Tommy Thompson before him) as . . . Secretary of Labor.  Hahahahaha.

    We think that the career we thought that he was angling for is out, as a Faux Nooz pundit.  It now is all too clear to others, too, that Walker cannot put together a sentence, unless told what to say.  


    Parent

    Ruffian (none / 0) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:18:58 PM EST
    You didn't ask me but maybe John Kasich?

    Parent
    Course it's possible (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:32:28 PM EST
    The brothers will grant the dying wish of Walker and "unite behind some one who can beat Donald". By his thinking that might be Jeb.

    God luck to them with that life support. A gold plated iron lung is still an iron lung.

    Parent

    Pataki will be next? (none / 0) (#149)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:50:21 PM EST
    And Christie and Santorm not far behind.  

    Rick being a true believer may hang on for a bit.   Waiting for God to smite Donald

    Parent

    Btw (none / 0) (#154)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:16:06 PM EST
    This "uniting to defeat Donald" is not bad for Donald.  It just more free PR.  it adds to the Donald against the establishment mythos.

    This is more good news for Donald.  

    Parent

    According (none / 0) (#155)
    by FlJoe on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:18:45 PM EST
    to Politico  they consider Kasich a squish for  accepting the medicaid expansion
    Ohio Gov. John Kasich, in particular, clashed bitterly with a donor at a 2013 seminar over his support for a Medicaid expansion for hundreds of thousands of low-income Ohioans, which he's suggested was driven partly by his Christian faith.
    Kasich has complained to associates about his exclusion from the upcoming seminar and other network events, according to sources familiar with his gripes. They say he's argued that he has a long record of fiscally conservative governance aside from the Medicaid decision, which was opposed bitterly by Koch-backed groups.

     On the other hand they infer  Rubio is gaining traction with the money boys

    A stellar performance at the conference can provide a huge boost for a candidate, as demonstrated by Rubio's well-received January appearance. The Florida Senator aced his appearance at a joint forum with rival White House prospects Cruz and Paul. Rubio gave crisp and detailed answers to policy and political questions posed by the session moderator, ABC's Jonathan Karl.Since then, Rubio has made significant headway with the donor class, raising a total of more than $40 million into his presidential campaign and a pair of supportive big-money groups, including a super PAC and a non-profit.
     I always saw Rubio as an acceptable plan B for both the old (Bush) money and the new (Koch) money but  more suitable for  VP.
    I actually think the GOP's best ticket would be Kasich/Rubio

    Parent
    I see only one tiny flaw with that (none / 0) (#156)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 06:28:21 PM EST
    Voters.

    They have seen the promised land and they are not going to the back of the bus again.   If you will excuse the mangled metaphors.

    I completely agree that would be easily the most, from ours and any reasonable point of view, formidable republican ticket.
    Kasich/Rubio.
    I think it's a likely at this point as a FLJoe/CaptHowdy ticket.

    It just not going to happen.   Not this time.  I have been saying this since the last election.  The crazies are going to have their candidate in 2016.  That candidate is not Kasich or Rubio.

    I can accept a world where it's not Donald, even if I don't see how we get there but it will NEVER be Kasich and I don't think it will be Rubio.

    Parent

    One (none / 0) (#168)
    by FlJoe on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:32:33 PM EST
    little flaw in that, the media. I watched last week as CNN set up, executed and reported on the narrative shamelessly putting their fingers on the scale.

    I think it's better then even odds that the combination of media narrative and big money "independent" spending once again convinces the rubes to get back on the bus. I wouldn't bet the farm on it though.

    Parent

    I couldn't disagree more (none / 0) (#170)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:38:09 PM EST
    Donald is running against the media every bit as much as he is running against the establishment.   The media is totally impotent when it comes to "bringing Donald down"
    Actually worse than impotent.  Every attack will add to his support.

    I mean really FOX couldn't do it and you think CNN will.

    Parent

    The (none / 0) (#178)
    by FlJoe on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:22:23 PM EST
    Media are relentless, they may not be able to take them down but the can sure weaken him with a thousand cuts. Meanwhile the other candidates and more importantly the "independent" Pacs do the damage with the voters who pay no attention to the news cycles.

    The attack ads will come from many directions, not all of them traceable to the "establishment". Trumps response to the attacks will be the true test of his campaign.

    Frankly you are correct The Donald has owned the media so far, but they won't stop and he has many more enemies out there who might be a lot tougher then the clueless info-tainment outlets.

    Parent

    In catching up with a cousin (none / 0) (#161)
    by christinep on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:08:22 PM EST
    on the phone a bit ago, she agrees with you that it could well be Kasich.  

    A while back--after noting that the David Brooks and other less-far-right (how is that for a description:)) columnist/pundit types brought his name up from time to time--I also thought that he would be the go-to guy.  Ohio sure would help that decision.  Now ... I'm wondering if he appears zealous & crazy enough to fit this year's Repubs.  Looking at the field, he could be a strong candidate in a general campaign.  

    Parent

    The more I learn about Kasich, the (5.00 / 2) (#171)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:39:23 PM EST
    less I find to even remotely like about him.

    You know, he gets credit for accepting the expansion of Medicaid, but when you dig a little deeper into that, what you find is just more bigotry:

    In 1996, then-Congressman John Kasich cosponsored a welfare reform bill that, for the first time ever, put a time limit on recipients' access to food stamps. Healthy, childless adults would be able to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for no more than three months in any three-year period, unless they were employed or in a training program for at least 20 hours a week. When Congress balked at a rule that would cause an estimated 1 million people to lose food aid each month, Kasich added an exception that would allow states to seek time-limit waivers for areas with especially high unemployment.

    Twenty years later, in his second term as Ohio's governor, the GOP presidential hopeful is taking advantage of these waivers, as most governors have done. But Ohio civil rights groups and economic analysts say Kasich's administration is using the waivers unequally: It applies for waivers in some regions of the state but refuses them in others, in a pattern that has disproportionately protected white communities and hurt minority populations.

    "The Kasich administration could have addressed the racial inequity in 2016," says Wendy Patton, a senior project director at Policy Matters Ohio, an economic policy research nonprofit, who has written extensively on the state's recent food stamp waiver policy. "The Kasich administration chose not to. The state should broaden its request to encompass all places and regions where jobs are scarce and people are hungry."

    In 2014, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) had the option to waive time limits on food stamps for the entire state. Due to a struggling economy and high unemployment, Ohio had qualified for and accepted this statewide waiver from the US Department of Agriculture every year since 2007, including during most of Kasich's first term as governor. But this time, Kasich rejected the waiver for the next two years in most of the state's 88 counties. His administration did accept them for 16 counties in 2014 and for 17 counties in 2015. Most of these were rural counties with small and predominantly white populations. Urban counties and cities, most of which had high minority populations, did not get waivers.

    Plus, I really, really hate all the God talk.

    Parent

    Michael Steel (none / 0) (#164)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:15:10 PM EST
    Just said the "Walker conversation" is being quietly had with "other candidates" by the RNC.  He did not say which ones.  

    I would say Kasich has disqualified himself with to many reasonable statements.

    Most seem to be agreeing there will be no kids table next time.

    This made me laugh-

    I encourage other Republican presidential candidates to consider doing the same so the voters can focus on a limited number of candidates who can offer a positive, conservative alternative to the current frontrunner," said Walker.

    Is that what Republicans mean when they talk about leading from behind?



    Parent
    Don't (none / 0) (#132)
    by FlJoe on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:28:04 PM EST
    feel bad, what we are seeing is a massive political "climate change" on the Republican side, all the old reliable models are failing.

    Parent
    At this pace (none / 0) (#131)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 04:19:43 PM EST
    the kiddie table kids will be at the main table soon.

    Parent
    Prices on the rise. (none / 0) (#142)
    by KeysDan on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:20:41 PM EST
    Hedge Fund guys have found a new financial instrument, but it is the patient and the insurer/government being sliced and diced.

    A drug, approaching its retirement age of 62, went up from $1 five years ago, and then to $13.50 per tablet, and then overnight, to $750 per tablet. Daraprim, generically known as pyrimethamine is used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis, a parasite disease, malaria, and in treatments for immune deficiency, such as AIDS, and certain cancers.

    Doxycycline, a tetracyline antibiotic, around for many years, went from $20 a bottle to $1,400 a bottle. Old-timer cardiac drugs, such as isuprel and nitropress have been increased in price by up to 525 percent.

    The price increases are unsustainable and unjustifiable. It should be noted that these are not new research finds, such as for treatment of Hepatitis C or revolutionary LDL lowering agents. This is sheer greed by venture drug enterprises to gouge patients.  While no longer protected by patents, and may be manufactured in generic form, efforts to do so are being hampered by controlling access to the drugs for the required testing, with a switch from availability in pharmacies to controlled distribution.

     Of course, it is claimed, the profits will be plowed back into research, although no one is clamoring for new and improved treatments or reduction of the essentially minor side effects.  

    Looks like some new legislation is required. If the major drug manufacturers are politically smart, and that may be a first, they would support efforts to prevent controlled distribution so as to prevent access to these established drugs for generic manufacturing by an end run around patent expiration.  It is greed like this that lends itself to greater regulations, if not calls to nationalize the pharmaceutical industry as if a public utility.

    Who takes Crestor? (none / 0) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 05:37:39 PM EST
    And have you checked how much it is without insurance?

    745 bucks for a bottle of 30.

    Parent

    Price-gouging (none / 0) (#163)
    by christinep on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:11:46 PM EST
    Earlier today, I saw that Hillary Clinton responded via Tweet that the action(s) clearly show price-gouging ... adding that she would be addressing, more specifically, the troubling costs within a day or so.

    Parent
    Harvoni, the new Hep C drug (none / 0) (#177)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:10:00 PM EST
    owned by Gilead was supposed to cost $1,000 per pill, or $28,000 for a one month supply.  After Walgreens adds their handling charges that bottle winds up costing $37,500, or over $1,300 per pill.  Then AARP's United Health Care decided not to cover those costs.  My friend in the lower keys had finally gotten all his scans, blood work, and paper work in order, to find he wasn't  covered.  He was so mad he called Gilead and they were so mad at the insurance companies not paying that they sent him all three months supply free.  He is now Hep C negative.  The drug works, but is heinously expensive.

    Parent
    I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. (none / 0) (#181)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 09:59:17 PM EST
    Yes, sir.
    Are you listening?
    Yes, I am.
    India

    Parent
    Mr. Natural, this is true, (5.00 / 1) (#190)
    by fishcamp on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:29:52 AM EST
    however having been to India I doubt I could stay for the three to six months it takes for Harvoni to work.  Brazil has almost the same $25.00 per pill situation available and is a more desirable location.  My friend, Harry, said Gilead said they were going to give the drug free to all people that are not covered by insurance.  That was the first week of January.  By now I would hazard to guess all insurance companies have followed United Health Care's decision to not pay for the drug.  So that would mean Gilead would be giving Harvoni to everybody with HCV.  This does not seem possible.  Upon further reading I found that virtually all other countries in the world recommend a two month dose, while the greedy U S big pharma and others involved say one must take the meds for three months.  My friend was lucky, but I'm sure that millions with HCV are agonizing over this situation.

    Parent
    Well, I'm sure it's way less expensive (5.00 / 1) (#193)
    by Anne on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:46:39 AM EST
    to treat chronic HepC in thousands of patients than it is to cure it, right?  

    [yes, heavy snark there]

    What is the point of developing a drug no one can afford to take?  

    Parent

    Gun Owners (none / 0) (#172)
    by Repack Rider on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:49:21 PM EST
    I'm a regular reader of "Gun Fail" on another site.

    Every week two or three people accidentally fire weapons while cleaning them, sometimes with fatal results.

    I'm not a gun owner, but I was trained in the Army to handle them. The only bullet that can be fired is one in the chamber, or in the case of a revolver, the one under the hammer.  THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DISCHARGE A WEAPON WHILE CLEANING IT IS BY NOT KNOWING HOW IT WORKS.

    I'm hoping a responsible gun owner here will explain to me why someone who does not understand how a firearm works would attempt to clean it.

    As a long time gun owner (5.00 / 1) (#200)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:22:13 AM EST
    I can only presume this is a false excuse. I would probably have to agree with the 'fondling' line. First of all, it's nearly impossible to clean a gun with a round in the chamber or with the cylinder closed in the case of a revolver. To clean a revolver, the first thing you do is open the cylinder. As one who as cleaned many guns, rifles and pistols, I cannot under any circumstance figure out how anyone can have a gun supposedly "go off" while cleaning it. The absolute first step for cleaning ANY gun, is to unload it and clear it.

    Parent
    I (none / 0) (#174)
    by FlJoe on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 07:57:34 PM EST
    think many of these "cleaning" fails could be better described as "fondling" fails, if you know what I mean, that would explain a lot.

    Parent
    Weird (none / 0) (#175)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 08:00:02 PM EST
    I was trying to figure out how to say exactly the same thing.

    Fondling.  Yes.

    Parent

    TL Jeopardy (none / 0) (#183)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 21, 2015 at 10:34:48 PM EST
    Quotable Quotes

    Please state your answer in the form of a question:

    "My money is still on Walker"

    "How is a wingbat and his money ... (5.00 / 1) (#185)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 07:29:49 AM EST
    ... soon parted?"

    I'll take Northern Illinois plus 35, CG.
    ;-D

    Parent

    It's only a consensus (5.00 / 1) (#188)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:03:22 AM EST
    That Walker has dropped out.

    Parent
    #AskDonaldTrump (none / 0) (#187)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 07:59:12 AM EST
    What could go wrong?

    Whoever it was on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's team that thought it would be a brilliant idea to start an #AskTrump hashtag campaign is probably kicking themselves about now.

    The former realty TV star and real estate tycoon put out a call for questions on Monday morning:

    LINK

    Frank Rich (none / 0) (#189)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 08:23:54 AM EST
    Has a great piece up on the Donald.  I find it to be as thoughtful and insightful as anything written on the subject.
    Probably because he agrees with pretty much everything I've been saying in places like these threads fir months.

    But I have enjoyed reading the petulant clueless responses to it from the left like this one from C&L just as much.

    I find it beyond hilarious that any attempt to understand or explain this beyond HES ICKY HES MEAN AND I JUST HATE HIM qualifies as "drinking the koolaid"

    There is some koolaid being guzzled here but it's not by Frank Rich.

    I smell (none / 0) (#207)
    by FlJoe on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 10:31:43 AM EST
    BS. He asks
    How could a crass, bigoted bully with a narcissistic-personality disorder and policy views bordering on gibberish "defy political gravity," dominate the national stage, make monkeys out of pundits and pollsters, and pose an existential threat to one of America's two major parties?
    I don't think he really answers his own question, he compares him to a long line of historical and and fictional finally seeming to settle on his "entertainment" value,
    What has made him more entertaining than his peers is not his superficial similarities to any historical analogues or his shopworn celebrity. His passport to political stardom has been his uncanny resemblance to a provocative fictional comic archetype that has been an invigorating staple of American movies since Vietnam and Watergate ushered in wholesale disillusionment with Washington four decades ago.
    Then he bizzarely states that this is actually a good thing,
    Quite the contrary: His unexpected monopoly of center stage may well be the best thing to happen to our politics since the arrival of Barack Obama.

    In the short time since Trump declared his candidacy, he has performed a public service by exposing, however crudely and at times inadvertently, the posturings of both the Republicans and the Democrats and the foolishness and obsolescence of much of the political culture they share.

    See the both siderism here?

    Then of course the Clinton Rules kick in and it is obviously bad for Hillary,  

    But Trump has hurt Clinton too. Her penchant for dodging controversial questions -- fracking, the Keystone pipeline, the Trans-Pacific trade pact -- looks still worse when contrasted with Trump's shoot-from-the-hip decisiveness.........
    It's not a coincidence that the Joe Biden buzz heated up just as Trump started taking off.......  some Democrats may be in the market for a candidate of their own who will wander off the reservation and say anything in the  Trump manner. Yesterday's "gaffes" are today's authenticity........ the Clinton campaign seems oblivious to the possibility that Trump is a double-edged sword, exposing her weaknesses even as he undermines the GOP.
     Yeah right the Democrats are jealous, they are just longing for some of the crazy mojo of their own.

    He then goes on to suggest that Trumps run will somehow help overturn or at least mitigate
    the damage from Citizens United because his antics have scared the big money boys or some thing....

    Of course I don't think you agree totally with Rich here

    The best news about Trump is that he is wreaking this havoc on the status quo while having no chance of ascending to the presidency.
    I agree but most of that "havoc" is falling on the Republicans, while the media, including Rich, still trying to grasp and explain the phenomena.

    Parent
    I guess I need to raid the archives (none / 0) (#204)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 09:30:14 AM EST
    You must know I will

    Here ya go Scott - from March (none / 0) (#205)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 10:06:33 AM EST
    Saying Jeb will implode

    He used no notes (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 23, 2015 at 12:03:32 PM EST
    no teleprompter.  He was as comfortable and natural as they get.  IMO anyone, mostly any republican, who does not take this guy seriously is whistling past the graveyard.  I don't believe it will be Jeb.  Admitting I have said this before.  I didn't believe it would be McCain.  I didn't believe it would be Romney.  And it may again come down to money and corporate power.  That said.  This time, I don't think it will.

    Reply to This

    Cruz is being discussed  early in the comment.  It was about his announcement .

    But rest assured more is coming.  This is  fun.

    April (none / 0) (#206)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 10:30:02 AM EST
    I don't think so (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 10, 2015 at 09:08:17 AM EST
    i really believe if they try shoving a Jeb down the throats of the unswashed there will be a good fashioned revolt.  As in third party.

    Parent
    I completely agree with Frank Rich here (none / 0) (#208)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 10:44:13 AM EST
    Of course I don't think you agree totally with Rich here

    The best news about Trump is that he is wreaking this havoc on the status quo while having no chance of ascending to the presidency.

    I've said it many times.  

    In fact your entire comment seems completely (none / 0) (#209)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 10:47:44 AM EST
     Clueless to me.  In every instance you site I agree with Rich and disagree with you.

    Well Captain... (none / 0) (#211)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 10:59:57 AM EST
    ...as I said I believed you, but to say that post is predicting the implosion of Jeb is one hell of a stretch.  And for the record, he is not out, seems unlikely, but it will be at least 6 months before we actually know who the candidate will be.

    Assuming 'He' above is Trump, I'll give you that one, but you hardly predicted Donald would be on top by miles.  I think it's pretty astute that you mentioned taking him seriously when no one else was, including the dodo heads on the TV.

    I don't really care, and I did say I believed you, but that post didn't exactly make your case about predictions.  Just saying...

    Good Gravy... (none / 0) (#213)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 11:25:33 AM EST
    ...this is so dumb, but hey, just be cool with 'I believe you', OK.  GD, if I actually cared I would go read the comments.

    Everyone needs to get their (none / 0) (#214)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 02:05:52 PM EST
    Love on. Pope says so! By golly if the Republicans don't want that Pope, it looks like we are happy to take him off their hands :)

    My favorite cynic Charles Pierce is ... (none / 0) (#215)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 02:19:38 PM EST
    ... neither impressed nor amused by Frank Rich's faniciful thinking, "which [he] apparently wrote from an office in the Op-Ed department of Neverland":

    "There's a reason they set Guys and Dolls in New York. There are more obvious marks walking around there than anywhere else in the world."

    I like Frank Rich but in this instance, I have to go with Pierce's take.

    Well Donald (none / 0) (#216)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 02:45:05 PM EST
    You and Pierce were right about Trump being gone by now.

    Maybe you would like to (none / 0) (#217)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 02:52:46 PM EST
    Point out exactly what part of this quote Pierce sneers at is incorrect

    Another change Trump may bring about is a GOP rethinking of its embrace of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision unleashing unlimited campaign contributions. Citizens United was supposed to be a weapon wielded mainly against Democrats, but Trump is using it as a club to bludgeon Republicans. "I'm using my own money," he said when announcing his candidacy. "I'm not using lobbyists, I'm not using donors. I don't care. I'm really rich." By Washington etiquette, it's a no-no for a presidential candidate to gloat about his wealth. Especially if you're a wealthy Republican, it's axiomatic that you follow the George H.W. Bush template of pretending to savor pork rinds. But Trump has made a virtue of flaunting his fortune and glitzy lifestyle -- and not just because that's the authentic Trump. His self-funding campaign may make him more effective than any Democrat in turning Citizens United into a political albatross for those who are enslaved to it.
    fishcamp, thanks for asking (none / 0) (#218)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 02:59:25 PM EST
    Nope, not stones. I was speaking of that "examination." ;-) (Gotta grin to keep from crying.)

    Diagnosed BPE last year. On this annual physical my PSA was just a bit into the danger zone. Now trying to figure out what the deal is.

    Daily kos (none / 0) (#219)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 03:11:50 PM EST
    Rich has just published a lengthy essay in New York Magazine that really captures what is going on with Donald Trump.  Rich does not praise Trump the person, but in bold strokes praises Trump's candidacy because he is revealing the hokum that is traditional Republican politics.  This is just a must read, one of Rich's best and most insightful political essays.  

    Rich doesn't think Trump can win the Presidency (having alienated all minorities, women, gay people, thinking people, non-narcissists, etc.), but he has already wreaked havoc on the Republican Party and will continue to do so up through the Republican convention.  Rich doesn't say this, but it's obvious now that if he comes to the convention with the most delegates, but is denied the nomination in a brokered convention, he WILL run as a third-party candidate, if nothing else, just to make his mark in history.  Nobody remembers much the losing Republican Presidential candidates, but everybody still remembers Ross Perot.

    The Rich piece seems to be splitting the world into 2 groups.

    The one who get it and the ones who don't.

    Chris Hayes had him on last night.  I suggest watching it.

    Rich's (none / 0) (#220)
    by FlJoe on Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 03:58:55 PM EST
    argument about diminishing  CU makes no sense. A  "crass, bigoted bully with a narcissistic-personality disorder and policy views bordering on gibberish" is succeding because he is self funding. The vast amount of dark money unleashed by CU is the best weapon his Republican enemies have to fight him and it will still be  a potent weapon for them in the general for years to come.

    Trump is not even taking advantage of CU, I have no clue why Rich would think the rest of the GOP would even consider giving up their Golden Goose.

    Sunday Open Thread | 221 comments (221 topical)