Birthers, Deathers, and the Muddled Middle: POLITICS THREAD

by **drsmooth** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:13:49

I'm putting this here & in the politics thread as another example of the confounding interplay amongst economics, business & politics.

It's long, but catnip for those with an appetite for the ambiguities attending "what causes what":

Not So Fast The New Yorker 10/12/09
Scientific management started as a way to work. How did it become a way of life?

by **Trent Steele** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:37:54

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/nyreg ... .html?_r=1

In a recent survey conducted by Monmouth University, voters were asked to say the first thing that came to mind about Mr. Christie. “Fat” was one of the most frequent responses, said Patrick Murray, the director of the poll, who attributed the results to the Corzine ads.

see, I just assumed it was because Christie is, you know, a fat ass

by **dajafi** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 11:17:12

It was pretty striking the first time I actually saw a picture of Chris Christie. When is the last time you've seen someone really hefty win office? When Gore gained 30 pounds or whatever it was after 2000, everyone figured it meant he'd never run again. Maybe that's different because the public had come to know him as someone who wasn't overweight, but still. Ironically, as Americans get fatter, we probably make it even more difficult for overweight pols to win elections.

He could actually jujitsu this against liberals terrified of being perceived as in thrall to their prejudices, but I doubt he will.

by **dajafi** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:12:08

I'd suggest you've got the worst and best of America right here. Unfortunately, you have to spend some time with the first one to enjoy the second one. Worth it though.

by **TenuredVulture** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:41:31

Trent Steele wrote:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/nyregion/08fat.html?_r=1

In a recent survey conducted by Monmouth University, voters were asked to say the first thing that came to mind about Mr. Christie. “Fat” was one of the most frequent responses, said Patrick Murray, the director of the poll, who attributed the results to the Corzine ads.

see, I just assumed it was because Christie is, you know, a fat ass

I know Patrick Murray.

by **Phan In Phlorida** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 13:29:10

dajafi wrote:I'd suggest you've got the worst and best of America right here. Unfortunately, you have to spend some time with the first one to enjoy the second one. Worth it though.

In that first link, mouse over the people in the lower right... "Liberal News Reporter", "Mr. Hollywood", etc. :lollers: And what the heck is John Adams doing? Holding an invisible shotgun? (which would be in poor taste considering Abe's in the line of fire.)

by **dajafi** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 13:31:41

Phan In Phlorida wrote:
dajafi wrote:I'd suggest you've got the worst and best of America right here. Unfortunately, you have to spend some time with the first one to enjoy the second one. Worth it though.

In that first link, mouse over the people in the lower right... "Liberal News Reporter", "Mr. Hollywood", etc. :lollers: And what the heck is John Adams doing? Holding an invisible shotgun? (which would be in poor taste considering Abe's in the line of fire.)

The second link kills it with the same mouse-over.

It actually occurred to me that your sense of humor might lead you to particularly enjoy this one.

by **TenuredVulture** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 13:33:39

Phan In Phlorida wrote:
dajafi wrote:I'd suggest you've got the worst and best of America right here. Unfortunately, you have to spend some time with the first one to enjoy the second one. Worth it though.

In that first link, mouse over the people in the lower right... "Liberal News Reporter", "Mr. Hollywood", etc. :lollers: And what the heck is John Adams doing? Holding an invisible shotgun? (which would be in poor taste considering Abe's in the line of fire.)

Artist is definitely a phony--no one is packing heat, and nothing about the most Godly amendment of all--the 2nd.

by **Phan In Phlorida** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 13:45:47

dajafi wrote:
Phan In Phlorida wrote:
dajafi wrote:I'd suggest you've got the worst and best of America right here. Unfortunately, you have to spend some time with the first one to enjoy the second one. Worth it though.

In that first link, mouse over the people in the lower right... "Liberal News Reporter", "Mr. Hollywood", etc. :lollers: And what the heck is John Adams doing? Holding an invisible shotgun? (which would be in poor taste considering Abe's in the line of fire.)

The second link kills it with the same mouse-over.

It actually occurred to me that your sense of humor might lead you to particularly enjoy this one.

Oh, I did. I literally LOL'd at the Harriet Tubman one.

by **dajafi** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 13:58:34

Phan In Phlorida wrote:
dajafi wrote:
Phan In Phlorida wrote:
dajafi wrote:I'd suggest you've got the worst and best of America right here. Unfortunately, you have to spend some time with the first one to enjoy the second one. Worth it though.

In that first link, mouse over the people in the lower right... "Liberal News Reporter", "Mr. Hollywood", etc. :lollers: And what the heck is John Adams doing? Holding an invisible shotgun? (which would be in poor taste considering Abe's in the line of fire.)

The second link kills it with the same mouse-over.

It actually occurred to me that your sense of humor might lead you to particularly enjoy this one.

Oh, I did. I literally LOL'd at the Harriet Tubman one.

I actually missed that one somehow! Thanks.

by **jerseyhoya** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 01:45:22

President Obama’s national security team is moving to reframe its war strategy by emphasizing the campaign against Al Qaeda in Pakistan while arguing that the Taliban in Afghanistan do not pose a direct threat to the United States, officials said Wednesday.

by **Werthless** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:11:53

pacino wrote:Hannity blamed Obama and said his trips around the world and apologizing for 'Merica was the reason Chicago was knocked out early. I believe him!

I agree with Hannity. The international community has announced loud and clear that they reject Obama for being all talk. The Nobel Peace Prize is just to throw us off their tracks.

by **Werthless** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:13:09

jerseyhoya wrote:
The Nobel Peace Prize winner’s national security team is moving to reframe its peace strategy by emphasizing the campaign against Al Qaeda in Pakistan while arguing that the Taliban in Afghanistan do not pose a direct threat to the land of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, officials said Wednesday.

Please. Pay your respects.

by **dajafi** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:52:33

Funny stuff

At a Republican party meeting held at a gun range, Robert Lowrey (R), the candidate challenging Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) in Florida's 20th congressional district, "fired at a full-body silhouette with 'DWS' written next to its head," the AP reports.

Lowry "initially described his target as a joke. Minutes later, he called it a mistake."

by **swishnicholson** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:56:42

GlennBeck with a remarkably passive-aggressive editorial on the swine flu vaccine. I think he's in support of taking it, but he sprinkles just enough anti-government venom to maintain his street cred and probably lead his followers to principled rejection.

Have you decided what you're going to do about the swine flu vaccine yet? Have you heard anybody yet talk about it that you trust? Will you take your chances with the swine flu or the vaccine? Will you take the vaccine and give it to your children? How much do you trust your government?

However, one physician with whom we spoke, Dr. Marc Siegel put it this way, "The decision whether to make the vaccine for the novel H1N1 flu mandatory for health care workers is not a moral or ethical problem. It is simply a question of health mathematics. In this case, the math is on the side of the vaccine."

By the way, Dr. Siegel will be appearing later on this program, but I was bothered by the "simple math" part of that. I mean, I'm not a number. These people were not numbers. Those who are being forced to take the injection, it's not numbers. If they don't take their injections, they lose their jobs. It may or may not be a moral or ethical problem, but it certainly raises questions of freedom and liberty. Were their rights trampled?

We must take this threat seriously. I think the government has done a responsible job so far. However, the arrogance of those in science and politics that we have seen lately should give us pause. We are no longer living in the Dick Van Dyke-Mary Tyler Moore 1950s kind of mentality where people were better living through pharmaceuticals.

It's time now to know the facts and make your own decisions.

by **dajafi** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 13:14:26

Liberals starting to call for Charlie Rangel's head.

I suspect Pelosi (whom I've decided I actually hate less than every other "leader" in Congress, though that's the faintest of praise) would rather he drop dead and solve the problem that way than actually have to investigate him. Rangel might want to hire a food taster.

by **drsmooth** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 13:14:46

swishnicholson wrote:GlennBeck with a remarkably passive-aggressive editorial on the swine flu vaccine. I think he's in support of taking it, but he sprinkles just enough anti-government venom to maintain his street cred and probably lead his followers to principled rejection.

Have you decided what you're going to do about the swine flu vaccine yet? Have you heard anybody yet talk about it that you trust? Will you take your chances with the swine flu or the vaccine? Will you take the vaccine and give it to your children? How much do you trust your government?

However, one physician with whom we spoke, Dr. Marc Siegel put it this way, "The decision whether to make the vaccine for the novel H1N1 flu mandatory for health care workers is not a moral or ethical problem. It is simply a question of health mathematics. In this case, the math is on the side of the vaccine."

By the way, Dr. Siegel will be appearing later on this program, but I was bothered by the "simple math" part of that. I mean, I'm not a number. These people were not numbers. Those who are being forced to take the injection, it's not numbers. If they don't take their injections, they lose their jobs. It may or may not be a moral or ethical problem, but it certainly raises questions of freedom and liberty. Were their rights trampled?

We must take this threat seriously. I think the government has done a responsible job so far. However, the arrogance of those in science and politics that we have seen lately should give us pause. We are no longer living in the Dick Van Dyke-Mary Tyler Moore 1950s kind of mentality where people were better living through pharmaceuticals.

It's time now to know the facts and make your own decisions.

the concept of probability is beyond Beck's stunted intellectual capacity; rather than admit he doesn't understand what the doctor is saying, and ask for more information on "the simple math", he equates the doctor's remark with arrogance ("he's smarter than me, so I'll assume he's trying to put one over on me, & by extension my listeners")

by **jerseyhoya** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 13:17:22

“The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists – the Taliban and Hamas this morning – in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize,” DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse said in a statement.

Wait, so the Taliban are terrorists again? Does this mean we can keep trying to kill them in Afghanistan?

by **kruker** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 13:21:07

jerseyhoya wrote:
“The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists – the Taliban and Hamas this morning – in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize,” DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse said in a statement.

Wait, so the Taliban are terrorists again? Does this mean we can keep trying to kill them in Afghanistan?

Insanity.

by **kruker** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 13:25:25

jerseyhoya wrote:
President Obama’s national security team is moving to reframe its war strategy by emphasizing the campaign against Al Qaeda in Pakistan while arguing that the Taliban in Afghanistan do not pose a direct threat to the United States, officials said Wednesday.

You know, the whole key here is to shut down the Pakistan border AND maintain enough of a presence in Afghan territory to prevent the return of the Taliban. Until both are done, it's like squeezing a balloon, the terrorists will plant their stake on whatever side of the border the pressure pushes them too. Problem being, until we can convince the P'stan government to move its troops from the Indian border to Afghanistan, the double border shut down won't happen.

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Birthers, Deathers, and the Muddled Middle: POLITICS THREAD