Republicans are clinically insane. Repeat: I-N-S-A-N-E! In this thread cartoons, essays, scholarly articles - anything which proves my point - are welcome. By doing so, I hope to provide at least one small antidote to all the conservative nonsense stinking up RP.
2. Confused Republican thought the debt deal included money for Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army.
With all the dopey things said and done by intransigent Republicans in last week’s shitstorm of dopey intransigence, Republican Rep. Mick Mulvaney earned his place right up there in the pantheon. When the 11th hour deal to raise the debt ceiling and reopen the government was struck between Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, it did not have much trouble getting through both houses of Congress. But there were those Republicans deluding themselves that they could fight on.
Rep. Mulvaney of South Carolina was one—and among his objections? The deal, he said, included funding for Joseph Kony’s Uganda-based Lord’s Resistance Army. Now, that would be pretty evil if it were true. Kony is an exiled war criminal with a messianic complex known for kidnapping children, and turning them into sex slaves and soldiers who kill their own families. The funding, if Mr. Mulvaney had read a little closer, was a small amount earmarked to the Pentagon which is funding African troops trying to capture Kony and end his reign of terror and atrocity. Ohhhh...oops. It seems Sen. David Vitter isn’t the only Republican in Congress Harry Reid could legitimately claim was not playing with a full deck...
As Bork was being, well, “Borked,” in another part of the Capitol Building hearings into the Iran-Contra scandal were going on. This affair was arguably much worse than Watergate. It involved the illegal sale of weapons to Iran with the proceeds secretly going to fund the contra rebels in Nicaragua — both of which had been expressly legislated against by Congress. On the hearings panel, making the argument for unrestrained executive-branch power, was a congressman from Wyoming who had served in the Nixon White House, Dick Cheney.
Later, as George W. Bush’s vice president, Cheney, given a helping hand by al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks, took the position to its logical extreme. “When the president does it, that means it’s not illegal” Nixon told David Frost at one point in their famous interviews. Cheney brought that philosophy with him to the Bush White House.
So how did this disgraced idea of unchecked executive power survive the Saturday Night Massacre and how did it lead to the current impasse in Washington? Here’s an unprovable theory — at least to professional historians — but it makes sense to me. Five days after the Saturday Night Massacre, Nixon held a press conference. Deference had long since exited the relationship between the president and the reporters who covered him. Toward the end of the session the following interchange took place. A reporter asked: “What is it about the television coverage of you in these past weeks and months that has so aroused your anger?” Nixon answered, “Don’t get the impression that you arouse my anger … You see, one can only be angry with those he respects.” He came back to the theme a few minutes later. “When a commentator takes a bit of news and then with knowledge of what the facts are distorts it viciously, I have no respect for that individual.”
A four-decade-long war on the press’s legitimacy had begun. The idea that it was a biased liberal press that made the molehill of Watergate into a mountain of Constitutional crisis took root...
You are correct, though, the title of this thread is rather incendiary. Perhaps a more reasonable and equitable Congress bashing thread can be created?
You are correct, though, the title of this thread is rather incendiary. Perhaps a more reasonable and equitable Congress bashing thread can be created?
A lot of bitterness in that comment. This is why I only occasionally poke my head in here nowadays. There is no end to the arguments and attacks here, huh? Do yourself a favor and take a break.
Thank you sir, may I have another? Can you also speak to Kurtster and Mutepoint (who doesn't even reside in the U.S.) Thanks.
I am tired of a one-sided political criticism on these threads. Our government is made up of 3 branches and to keep turning a blind eye to the flaws of your own while pointing out all those in another is the height of hypocrisy. I merely wish to point out behavior the other side of the aisle, not solely beholden to either one. Absolutes are getting us nowhere. Their vitriol is allowed to go unchallenged, but lawd hep us if some uppity woman were to leave the gardening, sunset and cute threads to post in here. I won't do it. No matter how much you attempt to demonize me, I'm not backing down from you. There are many men here I have deep respect for, plenty who's beliefs are different from mine. But they attempt to discuss and rationally debate. Then there are those who just want to bash and attack.
To all accounts I try very hard to be reasonable, and YES, yes, ... I too have passions that get out of hand. (see OV regarding guns and Sharon Stone) Yes, I fail, but by my heart and spirit I won't stop speaking what I feel is right. I refuse to allow RP's political threads be dominated by the Right or predominately men, whose bullying scares the other women away from these topics.
I believe neither the Republican or Democratic Parties are any longer representing the People. There needs to be change and there needs to be compromise. My way or the Highway is no way to run a Democratic Republic. It is tyranny.
Dude! What's the black market spot price on toilet paper nowadays? I hear the TP factories were privatized, or something!
/OT
That's "nationalized" not "privatized". I dunno what the black market price is. I order mine through Amazon.com, so I am insulated from this shortage. Too bad the "working poor" of Venezuela can't do that. With no access to dollars, they cannot buy goods from the US (or anywhere else, for that matter) on the internets. It would be counter-revolutionary. So they are stuck with the shortages while the Boligarchs flood the U.S. Embassy for their American visas.Similar to those Massachusetts pols that they continuously "catch" sneaking over the border into New Hampshire in order to get that tax free liquor. 21st Century Socialism!
Now back to your regularly programmed insular America argument. Carry on!
Actually it seems to me that this is exactly what Obama attempted to do - heck he put forward mostly Republican ideas. What I think is sad indeed is that Clinton couldn't get a simpler single payer system past his own party, much less the other one.
Like many people in Australia, I'm fed up with governance where the opposition feels it is their duty to oppose everything without providing constructive alternatives. Maybe with the party roles switched, this will change but I'm not holding my breath.
Oh yeah, I keep forgetting that I want to stick to the fluffy topics. Sorry.
I don't quite remember it that way, but maybe I wasn't paying as close attention as you were...
That I do agree with, but don't think the process should be fostered by a zero sum game mentality in any case.
Sad indeed. If all the angles and options could be articulated in these matters as are representative of real concern for the country and it's people instead of this political hash the people are constantly fed, we wouldn't even conceive of passing gigantic government mandate/control over something as fundamental health care with back room last minute shenanigans fostered to get passage and setting up a constant fight on the floors of Congress, all pitting bad ideas against no ideas at all for show and political profit. None of the ideological apologists seem to be willing to ask, "hey, am I hearing this right? You're going to make this most important of issues facing our country so complicated that we can't make heads or tails of it, just defend or dismiss it on a party line." The President has done the country a disservice by allowing this to progress to the point of stupidity. All he had to do was identify the parts of our health care system, public and private that were working and the parts that weren't and get a consensus on that reasoning. Then he could have put something workable together with the people. Instead, he chose a sorry substitute; a broken down political dirge bearing the disheveled body politic to a grievous oblivion, and that's where we are. IMHO of course.
Actually it seems to me that this is exactly what Obama attempted to do - heck he put forward mostly Republican ideas. What I think is sad indeed is that Clinton couldn't get a simpler single payer system past his own party, much less the other one.
Like many people in Australia, I'm fed up with governance where the opposition feels it is their duty to oppose everything without providing constructive alternatives. Maybe with the party roles switched, this will change but I'm not holding my breath.
Oh yeah, I keep forgetting that I want to stick to the fluffy topics. Sorry.
But its perfectly fine to feed the "bash Obama" threads: i.e.: Obama's Second Term or The War On You? it appears that some folks don't appreciate everyone's taste on the menu?
A lot of bitterness in that comment. This is why I only occasionally poke my head in here nowadays. There is no end to the arguments and attacks here, huh? Do yourself a favor and take a break.
No OV I haven't made up my mind and I do not wish to get into a hating and baiting thing. Actually I was tongue in cheek in my response, not wishing to come down hard on anyone's beliefs.
Have I sounded as bitter and partisan as others on this thread? Have I only participated in expressing my opinion as well? I have deliberately tried to stay away from ad hominem attacks or name calling. (except for a certain sexual reference)
I simply feel its time to call out the third branch of government that is currently being ruled by extremists with a tyranny agenda. Certainly, the President has disappointed me as well, and I am not blindly infatuated with him. In fact there are republicans who I feel are reasonable moderate members and not all democrats endear me to them.
There is no healing needed except for the usual suspects on these political threads who insist on labeling and diagnosing anyone who disagrees with them as mentally ill.
Peace.
Thanks for such a patient reply. Would I have been thus.
First of all, I apologise for beginning my last comment in a conscending manner. You deserve more respect than that. I am sorry for that. I realized after thinking about it for a bit that you were joshing a little. I took it and myself too seriously. Maybe it was because you had Sharon Stone holding a gun on me.
I personally anticipate others opinions, actually prefer them over the canned stuff. Not so much the meme varieties, but I think they have a place too.
I just don't know. Our country was founded by people similarly motivated, but of course everything is different now, isn't it? It's almost like a veil has been cast over us and honestly, the fear is palpable if all one does is absorb it every day through the constant distracting connections and information/marketing vampires. But if you step back somehow, slow it way down, think differently about things, morph your perception askew as it were; you can actually slow down enough to literally feel the deep meaning and beauty of life and all it's facets in your very bones. I think people, when given information and time to weigh it against experience are able to figure just about anything out.
I singled out The President mostly because I have my own perspective and perception. You have yours. Perhaps we're both wrong and he's done wonderful things for this country and we just don't appreciate him and his cabinet enough for what they've done for us. I'm sure many do think that. I'm sure than the same numbers could not possibly conceive of it being otherwise. Then, there are the quiet moments, when inside we know that there's something wrong with the whole picture. I'm a bit more than disappointed on the gauge.
I also agree on the mentally ill nonsense. Not helpful, but you can ignore it. I'm thinking that the regular posters here can sort it all out with each other. I think that's what a sane person would do. I am intrigued by your last statement when I'm trying to figure out why you dragged this thread out of the dregs by it's title...Healing is funny like that sometimes.
No OV I haven't made up my mind and I do not wish to get into a hating and baiting thing. Actually I was tongue in cheek in my response, not wishing to come down hard on anyone's beliefs.
Have I sounded as bitter and partisan as others on this thread? Have I only participated in expressing my opinion as well? I have deliberately tried to stay away from ad hominem attacks or name calling. (except for a certain sexual reference)
I simply feel its time to call out the third branch of government that is currently being ruled by extremists with a tyranny agenda. Certainly, the President has disappointed me as well, and I am not blindly infatuated with him. In fact there are republicans who I feel are reasonable moderate members and not all democrats endear me to them.
There is no healing needed except for the usual suspects on these political threads who insist on labeling and diagnosing anyone who disagrees with them as mentally ill.
Peace.
Impressive! You've provoked the corporate, zombie and dinosaur rider trolls. And bonus points for the NeoCon out-of-retirement troll. And they're all on the same page too. Feeding frenzy. Beware!
My dear, you must be confusing me with someone having reason to hide their opinion. I have none. Should I jump up and down and blame Bush and the Republicans for the entire mess we find ourselves in in order to gain some sort of approval from the ranks of unconditionally adoring? I dare imagine other but a comfortable agreement from yourself with such opinions. The President is the President. It is his mode, methods, opportunities squandered and time wasted playing drastic rhetoric and imagined enemies who has presided the last 5 years in this country. It is his mantle and his torch. He has the power to project practical ideas; to implement solid communication, yet he implements divisiveness. But here you choose to minimize and categorize my opinion as part of some pseudo hater movement. No doubt for purposes of your ill informed notions, I'm a racist also. Whatever. Your game is as tossed as a wilted spinach salad. Political gamesmanship and temporal agendas neither impress nor interest me. Show me the report card. I mark an F. Of course, this isn't the thread I should give life to my opinion, is it? I don't recall attempts to call you out for yours. Only to ask consideration for fair hearings of unvarnished information . But, you're not about that, are you? You've made up your mind. You need enemies for your opinions to thrive. I can understand that and even respect it, because I know the nature of the end game, and we well better respect that foreboding route. I wish you well with your ideological blinders and easy blame games. After that hurts long enough to satisfy, I wish you healing.
No OV I haven't made up my mind and I do not wish to get into a hating and baiting thing. Actually I was tongue in cheek in my response, not wishing to come down hard on anyone's beliefs.
Have I sounded as bitter and partisan as others on this thread? Have I only participated in expressing my opinion as well? I have deliberately tried to stay away from ad hominem attacks or name calling. (except for a certain sexual reference)
I simply feel its time to call out the third branch of government that is currently being ruled by extremists with a tyranny agenda. Certainly, the President has disappointed me as well, and I am not blindly infatuated with him. In fact there are republicans who I feel are reasonable moderate members and not all democrats endear me to them.
There is no healing needed except for the usual suspects on these political threads who insist on labeling and diagnosing anyone who disagrees with them as mentally ill.
merely beautifully written examples of metaphors and alliteration that cloak a partisan comment. imho. OV may have the hand on to beautifully crocheted syntax and statement, but that does not excuse the obvious Obama blame hidden within.
Yea, OV. I'm callin' you out.
My dear, you must be confusing me with someone having reason to hide their opinion. I have none. Should I jump up and down and blame Bush and the Republicans for the entire mess we find ourselves in in order to gain some sort of approval from the ranks of unconditionally adoring? I dare imagine other but a comfortable agreement from yourself with such opinions. The President is the President. It is his mode, methods, opportunities squandered and time wasted playing drastic rhetoric and imagined enemies who has presided the last 5 years in this country. It is his mantle and his torch. He has the power to project practical ideas; to implement solid communication, yet he implements divisiveness. But here you choose to minimize and categorize my opinion as part of some pseudo hater movement. No doubt for purposes of your ill informed notions, I'm a racist also. Whatever. Your game is as tossed as a wilted spinach salad. Political gamesmanship and temporal agendas neither impress nor interest me. Show me the report card. I mark an F. Of course, this isn't the thread I should give life to my opinion, is it? I don't recall attempts to call you out for yours. Only to ask consideration for fair hearings of unvarnished information . But, you're not about that, are you? You've made up your mind. You need enemies for your opinions to thrive. I can understand that and even respect it, because I know the nature of the end game, and we well better respect that foreboding route. I wish you well with your ideological blinders and easy blame games. After that hurts long enough to satisfy, I wish you healing.
merely beautifully written examples of metaphors and alliteration that cloak a partisan comment. imho. OV may have the hand on to beautifully crocheted syntax and statement, but that does not excuse the obvious Obama blame hidden within.
Another "former member" created troll thread that lives on with constant feeding.
Stay classy, Radio Paradise.....
But its perfectly fine to feed the "bash Obama" threads: i.e.: Obama's Second Term or The War On You? it appears that some folks don't appreciate everyone's taste on the menu?
. OCare is needed to highly regulate these profit-mongering companies that have clearly been abusing sick Americans ever since Reagan allowed the whole health care system to be for-profit rather than non-profit. Instead of 40% overhead they are now limited to 20% overhead
I may be wrong, but I believe that insurance companies were limited to a 20% margin, not the providers themselves, namely hospitals and doctors.
And just because a hospital is a non profit does not mean that there is no more waste, fraud and abuse. I can tell you some whoppers to shoot down your misconceptions about how non profits are the answer to all you seek.
