Punditman tweets...In view of the resurgent Republicans and their Tea Party insurgents winning back the House of Representatives, punditman can only paraphrase Monty Python and the Holy Grail:
King Arthur - "Well, on second thought, let's not go to Camelot. It is a silly place."
The United States is a silly place.
Showing posts with label republicans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label republicans. Show all posts
4/15/09
The Politics of Faux Outrage
by Steven D
Wed Apr 15th, 2009 at 10:08:52 AM EST
Wed Apr 15th, 2009 at 10:08:52 AM EST
Governor Perry of Texas grandstands for the media by asserting "states rights" in his call for an end to the oppression of the Federal Government. Glenn Beck calls for secession and/or revolution (depending on the day, or even the time of day). Thousands of dimmer bulbs on the internet grid of conservative crazy town call for a violent rejection of the very government which they so assiduously defended when Republicans held the reins of power. It seems that these people would prefer to see our economy collapse and mass chaos in the streets rather than watch our democratically elected officials in power, elected by a clear majority of Americans last Fall, implement the very policies they promised to implement in the campaigns they ran to win those elections.
Did the Democrats in Congress and President Obama win an overwhelming electoral victory last November by cheating? Through "voter fraud?" There is no evidence of it. Did they act other than as they said they would if elected? Yes, but only in the sense that they have been more cautious and conservative than their campaign promises led us to believe they would be. Have they done anything to "oppress" (as that term is commonly employed) the vast majority of Americans other than call for limits on the pay of those individuals in the financial industry whose actions drove our economy off a cliff over the last two years? Yet, suddenly, our government, now that it is controlled by a different party, a party legitimately elected under the Constitution, is the cause of all our troubles?
Read on...
This article is quite the laundry list of Republican malfeasance. Peacenik remembers well that there wasn't a lot of protest in the last 8 years. Peacenik remembers that the Democratic party was actively supporting much of this agenda. Peacenik remembers when everyone said, "Just wait till the Democrats have the power of subpeona." Peacenik remembers how the Democrats didn't even, and still don't, have the committment to enforce those subpeonas.
Yes, the Democrats rolled over while in opposition. The Republicans not so much. This article is a little too dismissive about the future of the Republican Party. In the midst of financial and societal collapse, Peacenik is concerned about a fascist populist getting elected. The Democratic Party needs to stop laughing at the Republicans, and it needs to start acting on a progressive agenda. It needs to start enforcing the rule of law. It needs to prosecute the war criminals. Instead, it continues to pander to the wingnuts and cower to the mainstream media. It won't turn out well.
Did the Democrats in Congress and President Obama win an overwhelming electoral victory last November by cheating? Through "voter fraud?" There is no evidence of it. Did they act other than as they said they would if elected? Yes, but only in the sense that they have been more cautious and conservative than their campaign promises led us to believe they would be. Have they done anything to "oppress" (as that term is commonly employed) the vast majority of Americans other than call for limits on the pay of those individuals in the financial industry whose actions drove our economy off a cliff over the last two years? Yet, suddenly, our government, now that it is controlled by a different party, a party legitimately elected under the Constitution, is the cause of all our troubles?
Read on...
This article is quite the laundry list of Republican malfeasance. Peacenik remembers well that there wasn't a lot of protest in the last 8 years. Peacenik remembers that the Democratic party was actively supporting much of this agenda. Peacenik remembers when everyone said, "Just wait till the Democrats have the power of subpeona." Peacenik remembers how the Democrats didn't even, and still don't, have the committment to enforce those subpeonas.
Yes, the Democrats rolled over while in opposition. The Republicans not so much. This article is a little too dismissive about the future of the Republican Party. In the midst of financial and societal collapse, Peacenik is concerned about a fascist populist getting elected. The Democratic Party needs to stop laughing at the Republicans, and it needs to start acting on a progressive agenda. It needs to start enforcing the rule of law. It needs to prosecute the war criminals. Instead, it continues to pander to the wingnuts and cower to the mainstream media. It won't turn out well.
3/24/09
The Real Criminals are Neither Lynndie England nor the AIG Traders
by Thom Hartmann
Whenever a politician or commentator bloviates about the brokers at AIG who are getting bonuses, we should all be remembering Lynndie England and Charles Granger. AIG brokers are to the financial meltdown what England was to the Iraq war.
Certainly she did things that were deplorable. But she thought they were legal (England, operating under orders to "soften up terrorists," even thought she was helping defend our nation). And to the extent that John Yoo's memos were law, arguably her actions were legal (although the Bushies never wanted it tested, so threw them to the wolves).
But the important point is that the real criminals of the Iraq War were not those like Lynndie England: they were George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld (and their neocon buddies).
Read on...
Yes, this is the ultimate irony. The financial crisis the world now faces was the ultimate goal of the powers that be. They succeeded in "starving the beast". The succeeded in "drowning the gov't in the bathtub." They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. The U.S. will be lucky to be able to afford food stamps for the hungry. Tent cities are already exploding all over the country. The precious private health care system will remain private. But no one will be able to afford it. The pharma industry will remain unregulated. But no one will be able to afford the drugs. They succeeded and now they are scared shitless. Unanticipated and uncontrollable consequences. Just a little revolution, and some riots and mayhem. A bit of anarchy.
It's all coming to you courtesy of the Republicans and their Democratic enablers. The same Democratic enablers who are getting all the airtime pushing the Blue Dog bullshit. Peacenik doesn't think the world deserves what is coming. But Peacenik understands why.
Certainly she did things that were deplorable. But she thought they were legal (England, operating under orders to "soften up terrorists," even thought she was helping defend our nation). And to the extent that John Yoo's memos were law, arguably her actions were legal (although the Bushies never wanted it tested, so threw them to the wolves).
But the important point is that the real criminals of the Iraq War were not those like Lynndie England: they were George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld (and their neocon buddies).
Read on...
Yes, this is the ultimate irony. The financial crisis the world now faces was the ultimate goal of the powers that be. They succeeded in "starving the beast". The succeeded in "drowning the gov't in the bathtub." They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. The U.S. will be lucky to be able to afford food stamps for the hungry. Tent cities are already exploding all over the country. The precious private health care system will remain private. But no one will be able to afford it. The pharma industry will remain unregulated. But no one will be able to afford the drugs. They succeeded and now they are scared shitless. Unanticipated and uncontrollable consequences. Just a little revolution, and some riots and mayhem. A bit of anarchy.
It's all coming to you courtesy of the Republicans and their Democratic enablers. The same Democratic enablers who are getting all the airtime pushing the Blue Dog bullshit. Peacenik doesn't think the world deserves what is coming. But Peacenik understands why.
2/6/09
On the Edge
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: February 5, 2009
A not-so-funny thing happened on the way to economic recovery. Over the last two weeks, what should have been a deadly serious debate about how to save an economy in desperate straits turned, instead, into hackneyed political theater, with Republicans spouting all the old clichés about wasteful government spending and the wonders of tax cuts.
It’s as if the dismal economic failure of the last eight years never happened — yet Democrats have, incredibly, been on the defensive. Even if a major stimulus bill does pass the Senate, there’s a real risk that important parts of the original plan, especially aid to state and local governments, will have been emasculated.
Krugman seems to agree with Peacenik's post yesterday that playing nice with the Republicans is a complete waste of time. Krugman seems to think that the stimulus plan has a chance to succeed, to some extent. But notice how dire Krugman thinks the situation is. Of course Peacenik thinks the situation is even more dire. Peacenik thinks it is too late. Peacenik is going to buy a pot and a pan and a pitchfork. Read Naomi Klein's article on how some simple non-violent protest brought down Iceland's government. Peacenik is ready to protest. Are you?
Published: February 5, 2009
A not-so-funny thing happened on the way to economic recovery. Over the last two weeks, what should have been a deadly serious debate about how to save an economy in desperate straits turned, instead, into hackneyed political theater, with Republicans spouting all the old clichés about wasteful government spending and the wonders of tax cuts.
It’s as if the dismal economic failure of the last eight years never happened — yet Democrats have, incredibly, been on the defensive. Even if a major stimulus bill does pass the Senate, there’s a real risk that important parts of the original plan, especially aid to state and local governments, will have been emasculated.
Krugman seems to agree with Peacenik's post yesterday that playing nice with the Republicans is a complete waste of time. Krugman seems to think that the stimulus plan has a chance to succeed, to some extent. But notice how dire Krugman thinks the situation is. Of course Peacenik thinks the situation is even more dire. Peacenik thinks it is too late. Peacenik is going to buy a pot and a pan and a pitchfork. Read Naomi Klein's article on how some simple non-violent protest brought down Iceland's government. Peacenik is ready to protest. Are you?
11/3/08
Thanks to Sarah Palin, We Get to See the Cruelness of the GOP as It Really Is
By Larry Beinhart, AlterNet. Posted November 3, 2008.
Palin has helped reveal to the public pit-bull snarl that rouses GOP supporters to cry out, "Traitor!" against Obama, and "Kill him!"
It was Jesus Christ, if Matthew is to be believed, who said, "Love thine enemy." It is in that spirit that I write this belated valentine to Sarah Palin.
Sarah, I love you for having revealed unto the media the snarling heart of the beast that is the base (and the soul) of the Republican Party. Yes, you have the lipstick and the heels, not to mention the calves and bosoms, that send Republican men into swoons, but you have more; the pit-bull snarl that rouses your supporters to cry out, "Traitor!" against Obama, and "Kill him!"
George Bush kept those folks in their kennels, ran as a "compassionate conservative," and always masked his most heinous plans in double speak. Bush the Elder, Ronald Reagan, and even Richard Nixon never explicitly ran on hate and fear of "the other." They used words that were coded enough that it was possible to pretend that they were true.
A nice bit of history here, leading up to tomorrow's vote. Peacenik may watch The Gangs of New York tonight.
Palin has helped reveal to the public pit-bull snarl that rouses GOP supporters to cry out, "Traitor!" against Obama, and "Kill him!"
It was Jesus Christ, if Matthew is to be believed, who said, "Love thine enemy." It is in that spirit that I write this belated valentine to Sarah Palin.
Sarah, I love you for having revealed unto the media the snarling heart of the beast that is the base (and the soul) of the Republican Party. Yes, you have the lipstick and the heels, not to mention the calves and bosoms, that send Republican men into swoons, but you have more; the pit-bull snarl that rouses your supporters to cry out, "Traitor!" against Obama, and "Kill him!"
George Bush kept those folks in their kennels, ran as a "compassionate conservative," and always masked his most heinous plans in double speak. Bush the Elder, Ronald Reagan, and even Richard Nixon never explicitly ran on hate and fear of "the other." They used words that were coded enough that it was possible to pretend that they were true.
A nice bit of history here, leading up to tomorrow's vote. Peacenik may watch The Gangs of New York tonight.
10/21/08
A McCain "Win" Will Be Theft, Resistance Is Planned
by David Swanson
If your television declares John McCain the president elect on the evening of November 4th, your television will be lying. You should immediately pick up your pre-packed bags and head straight to the White House in Washington, D.C., which we will surround and shut down until this attempt at a third illegitimate presidency is reversed.
A McCain "win" will not be illegitimate because I disagree with his policies, but because he himself has rendered it illegitimate. He and his campaign and allied supporters have sought to illegally remove hundreds of thousands of voters from the rolls, fraudulently registered people as Republicans without their knowledge and against their will, obstructed voter registration drives, falsely warned students against voting where they attend school, falsely accused community groups of voter registration fraud, falsely alleged the widespread existence of voter fraud, and encouraged supporters to falsely believe McCain's opponent is a foreign terrorist through speeches, recorded phone messages, and flyers. Already in early voting in a number of states there have been cases of votes on electronic machines visibly flipping to McCain or McKinney when intended for Obama. We will see McCain supporters on November 4th challenging people's right to vote, seeking to force people to vote on provisional ballots, and seeking to have provisional ballots discarded. And we will see electronic vote counts wildly out of step with the most recent polls, although not with exit polls -- which we will be denied any access to unless they have been "adjusted" to match the official counts.
Keep reading this rant!...
punditman says...
Although this is obviously a partisan article in support of Obama, I concur with its basic conclusion: that the Republicans will try to win by hook or by crook, just as they have in the past. And yes, that includes cheating. Peacenik, who is predicting an Obama landslide, should definitely pay closer attention to the vote count scandals of the 2000 and 2004 elections, including black box voting. I have confidence that Peacnik will look this up.
If your television declares John McCain the president elect on the evening of November 4th, your television will be lying. You should immediately pick up your pre-packed bags and head straight to the White House in Washington, D.C., which we will surround and shut down until this attempt at a third illegitimate presidency is reversed.
A McCain "win" will not be illegitimate because I disagree with his policies, but because he himself has rendered it illegitimate. He and his campaign and allied supporters have sought to illegally remove hundreds of thousands of voters from the rolls, fraudulently registered people as Republicans without their knowledge and against their will, obstructed voter registration drives, falsely warned students against voting where they attend school, falsely accused community groups of voter registration fraud, falsely alleged the widespread existence of voter fraud, and encouraged supporters to falsely believe McCain's opponent is a foreign terrorist through speeches, recorded phone messages, and flyers. Already in early voting in a number of states there have been cases of votes on electronic machines visibly flipping to McCain or McKinney when intended for Obama. We will see McCain supporters on November 4th challenging people's right to vote, seeking to force people to vote on provisional ballots, and seeking to have provisional ballots discarded. And we will see electronic vote counts wildly out of step with the most recent polls, although not with exit polls -- which we will be denied any access to unless they have been "adjusted" to match the official counts.
Keep reading this rant!...
punditman says...
Although this is obviously a partisan article in support of Obama, I concur with its basic conclusion: that the Republicans will try to win by hook or by crook, just as they have in the past. And yes, that includes cheating. Peacenik, who is predicting an Obama landslide, should definitely pay closer attention to the vote count scandals of the 2000 and 2004 elections, including black box voting. I have confidence that Peacnik will look this up.
9/4/08
Logical consequences: When you believe in war, sooner or later you bring it home
by Robert C. Koehler September 4, 2008
How surreal it's been this week to watch the Republicans reap a small portion of the divine comeuppance due them, first from a hurricane, then from a pregnant teen-ager. Surely more of the same is on its way, but no one wins, because what is lying in a shambles around the McCain campaign is a harvest of suffering.
The bad ideas of the Republican right, or rather the consequences of those ideas -- from pre-emptive war to abstinence-only sex education to the merger of church and state to let's-drown-government-in-the-bathtub -- started taking over the Republican National Convention, bursting the levees of managed news and disciplined hypocrisy. Suddenly eight years of extreme cynicism began generating (it's a miracle) . . . bad press.
Peacenik was lucky he was quashing a big thirst at the pub last night and didn't have to watch the hatefest that was the Republican convention. The stage is set. Extreme right wing Republican party versus a Democratic party that at least talks about a few progressive positions. Are there enough sane, moderate, Americans willing to reject eight years of Republican rule? Peacenik thinks so.
Call it creative self-destruction, maybe.
How surreal it's been this week to watch the Republicans reap a small portion of the divine comeuppance due them, first from a hurricane, then from a pregnant teen-ager. Surely more of the same is on its way, but no one wins, because what is lying in a shambles around the McCain campaign is a harvest of suffering.
The bad ideas of the Republican right, or rather the consequences of those ideas -- from pre-emptive war to abstinence-only sex education to the merger of church and state to let's-drown-government-in-the-bathtub -- started taking over the Republican National Convention, bursting the levees of managed news and disciplined hypocrisy. Suddenly eight years of extreme cynicism began generating (it's a miracle) . . . bad press.
Peacenik was lucky he was quashing a big thirst at the pub last night and didn't have to watch the hatefest that was the Republican convention. The stage is set. Extreme right wing Republican party versus a Democratic party that at least talks about a few progressive positions. Are there enough sane, moderate, Americans willing to reject eight years of Republican rule? Peacenik thinks so.
6/7/07
Nuking Iran: The Republican Agenda?
punditman says:
The Bush doctrine of preventive conventional war is bad enough because it mocks international law and norms of behaviour built up over centuries; but preventive nuclear war is a crime of cosmic proportions that mocks civilization itself. The fact that these crazy Republicans are even acknowledging it as an option against Iran means that they are unstable and unfit to govern. Thankfully, one lone candidate, Senator Ron Paul is talking some sanity to the American people. Hopefully he has some spillover effect in couch-potato land.
For further evidence of what is being planned, read this:
If You Think Bush Is Evil Now, Wait Until He Nukes Iran
And this:
US Foments Unrest and Spurns Overtures: Countdown to War on Iran
Let this be yet another wake-up call, folks.
The Bush doctrine of preventive conventional war is bad enough because it mocks international law and norms of behaviour built up over centuries; but preventive nuclear war is a crime of cosmic proportions that mocks civilization itself. The fact that these crazy Republicans are even acknowledging it as an option against Iran means that they are unstable and unfit to govern. Thankfully, one lone candidate, Senator Ron Paul is talking some sanity to the American people. Hopefully he has some spillover effect in couch-potato land.
For further evidence of what is being planned, read this:
If You Think Bush Is Evil Now, Wait Until He Nukes Iran
And this:
US Foments Unrest and Spurns Overtures: Countdown to War on Iran
Let this be yet another wake-up call, folks.
5/23/07
The story that should bring down the Republican Party
It is a simple story to tell, as ugly and complicated as it is to untangle. The republican party has used its power to undermine and suppress the votes of those most likely to vote Democratic in order to keep power. It should spell doom for the republican party for decades to come.
Is anyone brave enough to call a duck a duck, take this story and give it the exposure it deserves?
punditman says:
The emphasis in this headline is on should. This is all about election tampering that goes way beyond the garden-variety, to-be-expected shenanigans, that, if exposed to the light of day, threatens to destroy the Republican Party for decades.
However, if this story begins to really have wheels, expect accusations of partisanship to be levied by the well-oiled Republican spin machine nagainst anyone who begins a serious investigation. There needs to be a strategy in place to deflect this predictable onslaught. One can at least hope for the best.
Is anyone brave enough to call a duck a duck, take this story and give it the exposure it deserves?
punditman says:
The emphasis in this headline is on should. This is all about election tampering that goes way beyond the garden-variety, to-be-expected shenanigans, that, if exposed to the light of day, threatens to destroy the Republican Party for decades.
However, if this story begins to really have wheels, expect accusations of partisanship to be levied by the well-oiled Republican spin machine nagainst anyone who begins a serious investigation. There needs to be a strategy in place to deflect this predictable onslaught. One can at least hope for the best.
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