Thinking Right

By Political Foreskin

January 17, 2009 8:08 AM | Link to this

Wooten must love the eight years that clinton gave us between 1993’s WTC bombing and 911. That clinton kept america safe!

Of course Bush could have prevented 911. Cheney classified any evidence of that, but enough made it through into the 911 report that proves he dropped the ball with partisan stubborness to head the warnings.

911, sir, was caused by the last transition’s partisan cootie-allergies. “Cheney said we’re not to touch the intel, it’s got liberal cooties. Burn it.”

Well, Mr. Wooten, maybe your cooties are islamist cooties, and maybe my cooties are abraham lincolnesque cooties. Did you ever think of that?

Well did ya, Wooten?

Wooten’s cooties: C-

By Mid-South Philosopher

January 17, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim.

I was going to hold this until Inauguration Day, but since your blog is concerned with this matter today, here goes:

ADIEU TO GEORGE W. BUSH

Perhaps more than anyone else on this blog, I have shared my disgust with the past six of the 8 years, which constitute the George W. Bush presidency. Having begun in such a noble fashion with decisive and focused leadership, especially following the events of September 11, 2001, this presidency sunk into a quagmire of stubbornness, ineptness, and self-appreciation, the like of which has not been seen in my lifetime. Even the dire Nixon administration, which rattled the very soul of American society, was not as internally deficient as this one.

A brief list of George W. Bush’s accomplishments are astounding:

Through it all, George W. Bush, who deceived us in 2000 by pretending he was a conservative, has led this nation, via the principles of “corporatism” (a form of capitalistic communism), guaranteeing that his wealthy buddies on Wall Street and in the greater monetary ether would not feel the pinch.

To be fair, America has not suffered another terrorist attack on our homeland since 9-11-2001; however, it will be up to historians in another century to determine if, indeed, George W. Bush was responsible for the safety we have enjoyed.

In the final days of Bush’s administration, he has insulted the American people by exercising the pardoning power of the Presidency, just as his predecessor, Billy Clinton did. Ironically, all of Bush’s pardons have gone to either corporatist white collar criminals drug offenders (incidentally, “Georgie” never did answer the question of whether or not he used cocaine back when he was a practicing drunk), bank robbers, and, of course, the commutation of the sentence of “Scooter Libby.” In the meanwhile heroes like the two border patrol agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, convicted by U.S. attorney Johnny Sutton, the epitome of a shyster lawyer, remain locked in prison.

Soon, George W. Bush leaves office and returns to the wide open spaces of Texas. That is the “Lone Star State’s” misfortune! As he departs, I wish him the best. I hope he lives a long, long time and I hope he lives well (well, that is, away from me)!

What scares me is that Barack “Barry” Obama campaigned on a “progressively liberal”, if not Marxist, platform. Because of George W. Bush’s incompetence, our nation, likely, will now move more and more toward a socialist state.

At any extent to (almost) former President, George W. “Georgie” Bush, with all political correctness that you deserve, I say, “good-bye and good riddance!”

By catlady

January 17, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this

Just because the terrorists failed to attack us doesn’t mean Bush kept us safe. It seems like his policies have actually endangered us even more, especially if we set one foot off American soil.

His errors of Omission and Commission are too numerous for this blog, but I agree a prime error is his egregious involvement in education via NCLB. NCLB is the Halliburton of education. FOB have profited wildly from this scheme, and it is leading to the total abandonment of public education by anyone with means to leave (and if you almost have enough to leave, the vouchers many states are enacting to benefit private education should help you). NCLB also will be a prime factor in spreading disease if the infectuous pathogens are released, due to its reliance on attendance as a measure of progress. That same measure guarantees that sociopathic kids are kept in school, since to kick them out counts against the system. It also aids grade inflation, since we can’t have anyone flunking out.

Mr. Bush’s “handling” of the financial problems equals his handling of other problems: he turned them over to others brighter and more manipulative to “solve”. Just as Cheney has “solved” our need for an energy policy, and Rumsfeld “solved” our problem with terrorists, so has Paulson “solved” our financial problems. All lead to the same point: let others suffer for the big guys.

I disagree with Mr. Wooten in his statement that “no one has suffered the consequences of irresponsible behaviors.” Those of us who have not profited in any way from the financial debacle are suffering and continuing to suffer. Those of us decent, hard-working Americans who live within our means, don’t have the money to invest in stocks, but just pay our bills and live quiet, small-town, church-going lives—WE ARE SUFFERING while the big dog still eats and eats. Thanks to Mr. Bush and his policies and those he turned the government over to.

No matter what the spin, Bush gets an F. If there were a lower letter, he’d get that.

By Political Foreskin

January 17, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this

Oh, there’s a lower letter. Bush gets a P.

By ABH

January 17, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama portrayed his tax plan as a way to help “spread the wealth around.” That was an unfortunate choice of words, though not as silly as the “conservative” formulation that raising taxes “punishes success.”

The object of taxation is not to spread the wealth and certainly not to penalize people who make a pile. Stripped of melodrama and self-pity, the goal of tax collection is boring: to pay for government. The word “conservative” was put in quotes because real conservatives generally oppose running up debt to foot the bills.

The conservative alternative to borrowing - a cut in spending - now is off the table as the need to stimulate the economy grows dire. In any case, Republicans held the presidency and congressional majorities for most of this decade, and they failed to make even modest inroads in federal spending. Even before the Wall Street meltdown turned on the bailout bucket brigade, the Bush administration projected an annual deficit approaching $500 billion.

So “conservatives” had a chance to cut government, and they blew it. This failure doomed the theory that chopping taxes would “starve the (government) beast” of revenues and thereby force Congress to slash spending. Real conservatives recognize this reality, and many now contend that taxes must be raised.

The questions, then, are when should we raise taxes and who will pay the higher bill? An easy option for an Obama administration is to let some of the Bush tax cuts disappear on schedule.

For example, the 2001 tax law was cleverly written to gradually reduce the levy on big estates to zero next year, then restore the Clinton-era rules in 2011. That accounting gimmick let the Bush administration depict the cost of the cuts as much smaller than they would have been had the reductions been made permanent. It assumed that Congress would later rush in to nail down the repeal of the estate tax.

Obama’s plan for the estate tax is to freeze it at this year’s level. Right now, the amount of an estate exempt from taxes is $3.5 million, or $7 million for a couple. The rest gets taxed at 45 percent.

As a result, fewer than two out of every 98 estates will face any tax this year. And larger estates collectively will pay $324 billion less in taxes than they would have in the Clinton era. Back then, estates larger than $1 million were taxed, and the rate was 55 percent.

Given the political tooth-pulling required to raise taxes, Obama would do well to drop his plans for an immediate middle-class tax cut. If the president-elect wants to stimulate the economy, he can spend more money on bridges, education and other public investments. There’s no guarantee the middle class would take their tax savings and buy stuff. All but the poor are more likely to save the money.

And while the tax code can change incentives for investing, the notion that economic growth depends on low taxes is not borne out by history. The top marginal income-tax rate in the Eisenhower years was 91 percent - as opposed to 35 percent today - and the economy boomed.

Raising taxes might be foolhardy in this sick economy, but Americans should recognize that eventually the bills must be paid. And taxation is how it’s done.

By David

January 17, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this

But I listened in vain for any admission of what I and others consider the greatest moral failing of the Bush presidency — his refusal to ask any sacrifice from most of the American people when he put the nation on a wartime footing after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Some cite failures ranging from Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo to Hurricane Katrina and the neglect of the environment and the working class.

But for all the outrages in those areas, I thought the most damaging to the American people — both those living now and those yet unborn — was placing the entire cost of Bush’s ambitious, if not misguided, national security policy on the tiny fraction of American families with loved ones in the armed services.

Iraq and Afghanistan are the main fronts in the fourth major war of my lifetime, following World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and the first in which nothing was asked of the civilian population — no higher taxes, nothing to disrupt the comfort of daily life.

The day after the assaults on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Bush himself said, “The deliberate and deadly attacks which were carried out yesterday against our country were more than acts of terror. They were acts of war.” He immediately asked Congress for an emergency spending bill to bolster civil defenses and pay for the call-up of reserves.

At Washington National Cathedral, he spoke of the “eloquent acts of sacrifice” performed by many who gave their lives in Lower Manhattan and Northern Virginia, and he quoted FDR’s earlier tribute to “the warm courage of national unity.”

But in that moment, when the country was truly unified and the people were more than ready to sacrifice, Bush asked for … nothing. He spoke of the need for “patience” and “resolve,” but at a news conference at Camp David on Sept. 15, 2001, he was asked, “Sir, how much of a sacrifice are ordinary Americans going to have to be expected to make in their daily lives, in their daily routines?”

Bush’s first words were: “Our hope, of course, is that they make no sacrifice whatsoever. We would like to see life return to normal in America.”

The biggest sacrifice that came to his mind: “These people have declared war on us … people may not be able to board flights as quickly” as usual.

And that is what Bush’s concept of sacrifice amounted to. Over the next few years, families of active-duty, National Guard and reserve volunteers sacrificed mightily in the form of repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and involuntary extensions of tours of duty, not to mention deaths and wounds by the thousands.

As for other Americans, as John McCain repeatedly noted last year, the only thing they were asked to do was “go shopping.”

Meanwhile, the president who asked nothing of the country continued to squander the budget surpluses he inherited while pressing larger and larger tax cuts on the wealthiest of his constituents and supporters. Tax cuts became the sovereign remedy for everything in the Bush years, even, or especially, when it became clear that the budgets had turned to deficits and we were borrowing abroad to finance these revenue giveaways.

The upside-down logic of borrowing in order to cut taxes pervaded the rest of our public and private economic decision making, feeding the speculative booms that fueled unsustainable “bubbles” in financial and housing markets.

Now the inevitable crash has come, and the nation is facing a deficit of more than $1.2 trillion — an unimaginable sum — in the current year.

“The simple fact,” says Peter Orszag, the incoming head of the Office of Management and Budget, “is that under current policies the federal budget is on an unsustainable path.”

It has been on that path for many years, particularly since President Bush declared war on America’s enemies without asking for the higher taxes needed to pay for it. Your grandchildren will be paying for that misjudgment

By Political Foreskin

January 17, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this

ABH needs to take a polly sci 101 class: learn the diff between campaign platforms and adminstration laurels.

You vogue “fiscal discipline” during the campaing. You spend all you can during your term in office.

That’s political reality. That’s how you perpetuate “conservatism”.

Now, if you want to argue what is the better campaign lie, then “conservatism” beats “liberalism” 100 to 1.

But the real world we live in needs reality checks. And you can use a reality check to buy a clue, pal.

Here’s yours. Spend.

By W Post

January 17, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this

Addressing the nation for the last time as President Thursday night, George W. Bush identified September 11, 2001, as the defining moment of his eight years in office. The lesson of that awful day, he suggested, was that “good and evil are present in this world, and between the two of them there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right.” Americans can never afford to grow complacent, and, above all, must “maintain our moral clarity,” he said.

In those few sentences, Mr. Bush encapsulated both what was valuable in his approach to national security and foreign policy — and what has been so very troubling. He was and is essentially correct to define Islamist terrorism as an unappeasable menace. His certitude amid the crisis of 9-11 helped galvanize the initial national response, including the toppling of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Alas, that same certitude led Mr. Bush down many blind alleys and, in the worst moments, caused him to debase his country’s moral currency. In rejecting the Geneva Conventions, he seemed not to realize that the world, even those parts of it that were friendly toward the United States, does not assume American righteousness — and that even a necessary counterattack against al Qaeda and other enemies must therefore be constrained by law. History may credit him for avoiding a second attack on U.S. soil, but not for his handling of Guantanamo or “enhanced interrogation.”

In Iraq, too, Mr. Bush gambled his nation’s international alliances and its international reputation. We agreed with him that Saddam Hussein’s defiance of multiple UN Security Council resolutions was intolerable, and that sanctions against his regime could neither contain the long-term threat of weapons of mass destruction nor deliver the Iraqi people from unendurable tyranny. Like the president, our sense of the war’s necessity was shaken by the absence of WMD. Unlike the president, our sense of his administration’s competence was shaken by the war’s disgracefully bad planning, which contributed to Iraq’s post-invasion plunge into horrific violence. The global backlash against the war, especially in Europe, has cost the U.S. dearly, making it more difficult to rally the world against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Though relations with Europe have been significantly repaired, Iran exploited the divisions in Western ranks to make mischief in both Iraq and Afghanistan — and to advance its bomb-building.

But, as matters in Iraq now stand, there is a decent chance of a reasonably pro-American incipient democracy in the heart of the Arab Middle East. This would be a major accomplishment, and one that would cast the invasion, the failures of the early years of occupation and the painful loss of more than 4,000 American lives and many thousand more Iraqi lives in a different light than that in which they are seen by most Americans now. It would also vindicate his unpopular decision to stabilize Iraq with more U.S. troops rather than abandon it to civil war and possible genocide — an instance in which Mr. Bush’s self-assurance and steadfastness paid off.

Perhaps the brightest example of humanitarianism in Mr. Bush’s record is his commitment of vast new resources to the battle against AIDS in Africa. In the Millenium Challenge Account, he attempted to link foreign aid to honest and efficient governance. And he put the U.S. firmly on the side of democracy and freedom, arguing, correctly, that the transformation of dictatorial regimes is, in the long run, necessary to peace and security. “Around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights, and human dignity,” he declared on Thursday. But he did not always practice what he preached; in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, support for dictators, justified by the anti-terrorism campaign, trumped support for liberty. The same desire for anti-terrorism cooperation may explain his protracted reluctance to recognize or respond to Russia’s descent toward autocracy at home and bullying abroad. In China and North Korea, trade and denuclearization, respectively, prevailed. It is still too early to tell whether his choice of diplomacy in those areas will pay off; by not following through on his rhetoric, though, Mr. Bush insured that he would get blame for being inconsistent without getting credit for any results. And, it’s worth remembering, his blind faith in simplistic economics — tax cuts for every season — led him to pay for all his wars and foreign aid on credit, helping produce today’s fiscal disaster.

It won’t be easy to undo what Mr. Bush has done. We say this because some of the damage is irreversible. But we also say it because some of the dilemmas he confronted will persist beyond his presidency. As President-elect Obama has recognized, for example, closing Guantanamo is not as simple as many of its critics imagined, because a significant number of those detained there would try to attack Americans if released. Mr. Bush’s characteristic failing was to apply a black-and-white mindset to too many gray areas of national security and foreign affairs. But as they assume power with a mind to clean house, Democrats must be careful not to make the same mistake.

By ron

January 17, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this

Good morning,I’m reading articles about the Bush Presidency in newspapers all over the world and there are very few kind words.

One of the more resounding comments about the Bush Presidency will play out in Washington next week when Obama takes the oath.That is the direct fault of Bush/Cheney policies.Had he even been half competent Obama would be but a bad memory.Now we are stuck with a man who thinks he’s Abe Lincoln.Thanks for that,George.

By Redneck Convert

January 17, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this

Well, I was just disgusted when Fox News showed a whole bunch of Republican senators saying to this Obama they were sorry they voted against the last half of this bank bailout bill and more or less saying they won’t do it again if he will just forgive them. What did we do all that work on the districts to make sure nobody but Republicans would be elected for if our senators are going to act like lily-livered kids trying to keep from getting a paddling?

Anyhow, Congress made a big mistake bailing all these banks and other cos. out. If they had of let them fail a few more million people would of been out of work and we could have a depression and from there there’s no place to go but up. It’s hard to find a decent apple these days and my Daddy always said the people on the street during the last Depression sold real good ones. And the pencils they sold lasted a long time.

So I’ll stick to the good old conservative Republican way of thinking. I say to all the people out of work, it ain’t my fault you are out of work, it’s your fault for making bad choices with your life. You made a choice to work behind a desk or go into sales instead of showing good sense by picking a job like hauling beer where business is good no matter how bad the economy is. I got mine and you ain’t got yours, and that’s the way it should be. If more Republicans thought like me, we would be on our way to full employment.

But no, they got to join hands with this Obama and act like a bunch of libruls. Instead of working to get rid of this Civil Rights stuff and stop the handouts they get to see one of Those People walk right into the White House Tuesday and undo just about everything we worked for during the last 8 years. It’s just disgusting.

Have a good day everybody.

By Peter

January 17, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

Jim very interesting………Such AMAZING Baloney again written today…..

First BUSH put Religion and Politics together, allowed the bilking of California, and now Major Corporations that were run by greedy guys get the bailout from Bush……..Jim, you have to like the fact he wanted all the major players to walk with millions in Bonus’s…….Real American Like Jim !

Worst President ever…..FOR SURE…..Kept us safe ?

Worst VP ever ……..correct……. Cheney Bilked America with Cost Plus contracts he personally wrote……..No bidding involved, just Millions and Millions for his pals !

How in the world can you actually like either guy, stand for this, and say this is good for America?

How can you even say the Republican party has a clue ?

Republican’s started 8 years ago with a budget Surplus, and left America 1 Trillion Plus dollars in debt……..Please don’t ever, ever say Republican’s know how to RUN AMERICA……… Unless you are talking about Running America into the Poor House !

SO you think a POOR AMERICA is SAFE ?

That is an incomplete ? HA HA HA………

Keeping America SAFE…..HA HA HA……..

I guess you FORGOT he wanted to give control of our Ports to a Foreign corporation, which all laughed at……… Kept us safe, how about the illegal immigration he never did anything about ?

Keep us safe……. I guess having two WARS to deal with is keeping us safe ?

Jim you write such malarkey, I would say you are just a cheer leader, and getting something on the side from the team captain !

What are we safe from Jim ? Most American’s I guess would think………. Hopefully Safe from Republican’s without a clue !

By Political Foreskin

January 17, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

Rummy and Cheney. Bush relinquisheed his role as commander in chief to Rummy and Cheney.

Rummy and Cheney were ordered to attack Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan by Bush. They refused because the CIA was in charge of the operation.

They delayed for months until Bush agreed to give Rummy and Cheney the command.

That’s all Bush did wrong. He split his presidency into two parts, domestic and military.

That’s something nobody voted for. We have one president and commander in chief, you see, our president is two (clap) two (clap) two persons in one.

We can argue whether Bush had enough votes to be our president in 2000, (he didn’t), but splitting his presidency into two parts is something nobody voted 4.

By Cathy

January 17, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

That’s a lie, PoFo, I voted for that.

By Davo

January 17, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this

Laughable arguement, JW.

Try as you might; theres no balancing the equation of Bush accomplishments (few) with reality. As soon as you and your republican cohorts come to terms with the the utter failure of the Bush administration, the sooner we can stop the democrats from wrecking our constitution and country.

BTW….please stop using the term ‘legacy’ to describe W’s place in history. I would suggest the term ‘aftermath’ as it better describes the nature of the disaster this fool has put us in.

By ron

January 17, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

The banking world moved into another phase of the free market concept under Bush/cheney.Free money.No strings attached.You don’t even have to tell what you’re going to do with the money,or what you did with it,or even if you still have it,or what Swiss bank account you stashed it in.

FEMA stepped up to the plate under Bush with it’s hurricane relief during Katrina.”You’re doing a heck of a job,Brownie”.Remember that one?I understand that there are still trailer loads of ice being stored in refrigerated warehouses.Nah.I confess.I made that up.I hope.Let’s give credit where credit is due.It’s widely reported he looked out the plane window when he flew over New Orleans coming back from a well deserved vacation.

By STOP GLOBAL WHINING!

January 17, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this

While we’re all freezing our a-sses off in this nation and around the globe, I just thought I’d pass this along to the AGW nazi liberal crowd (for you Obamabots who voted for Obama not knowing that Democrats controlled congress, Google those letters). Shove your junk science where the sun DOESN’T cause warming trends, ALgorebot AGW fascist liberals……………..

U. S. Senate report: scientists refute global warming claims January 05, 2009

U. S. Senate Minority Report: More Than 650 International Scientists Dissent Over Man-Made Global Warming Claims

Scientists Continue to Debunk “Consensus” in 2008

Over 650 dissenting scientists from around the globe challenged man-made global warming claims made by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former Vice President Al Gore. This new 231-page U.S. Senate Minority Report — updated from 2007’s groundbreaking report of over 400 scientists who voiced skepticism about the so-called global warming “consensus” — features the skeptical voices of over 650 prominent international scientists, including many current and former UN IPCC scientists, who have now turned against the UN IPCC. This updated report includes an additional 250 (and growing) scientists and climate researchers since the initial release in December 2007. The over 650 dissenting scientists are more than 12 times the number of UN scientists (52) who authored the media-hyped IPCC 2007 Summary for Policymakers.

The chorus of skeptical scientific voices grow louder in 2008 as a steady stream of peer-reviewed studies, analyses, real world data and inconvenient developments challenged the UN’s and former Vice President Al Gore’s claims that the “science is settled” and there is a “consensus.” On a range of issues, 2008 proved to be challenging for the promoters of man-made climate fears. Promoters of anthropogenic warming fears endured the following: Global temperatures failing to warm; Peer-reviewed studies predicting a continued lack of warming; a failed attempt to revive the discredited “Hockey Stick”; inconvenient developments and studies regarding rising CO2; the Spotless Sun; Clouds; Antarctica; the Arctic; Greenland’s ice; Mount Kilimanjaro; Global sea ice; Causes of Hurricanes; Extreme Storms; Extinctions; Floods; Droughts; Ocean Acidification; Polar Bears; Extreme weather deaths; Frogs; lack of atmospheric dust; Malaria; the failure of oceans to warm and rise as predicted.

In addition, the following developments further secured 2008 as the year the “consensus” collapsed. Russian scientists “rejected the very idea that carbon dioxide may be responsible for global warming”. An American Physical Society editor conceded that a “considerable presence” of scientific skeptics exists. An International team of scientists countered the UN IPCC, declaring: “Nature, Not Human Activity, Rules the Climate”. India Issued a report challenging global warming fears. International Scientists demanded the UN IPCC “be called to account and cease its deceptive practices,” and a canvass of more than 51,000 Canadian scientists revealed 68% disagree that global warming science is “settled.”

By Cathy

January 17, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

The funereal aftermath in the wake of 911 shrouds conservatism’s corpse with a lugubrious legacy: The 911 victims are unavenged. Osama bin Laden is at large. We are sitting ducks for that madman’s fantastic criminal genius.

People keep pointing to suitcase nukes, or some exotic biobomb. I dont think so. It will be as simple as 19 men stepping on planes. Dont think so big, keep it simple.

Terrorists will use what is normally at hand. Terrorists will simply act normal till the last second, like pushing someone in front of the subway train after you’ve stood around pretending to read the paper. No big plan. No apparatus. Just evil.

That’s what we have to defend against. the Status Quo. Not easy.

By Curious Observer

January 17, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this

Give Wooten another ten years. Then he’ll be doddering about in a retirement community, muttering about how things are going to h*ll in a handbasket because nobody would listen to him when he asked for an end of all federal intervention in the free market and how if this country had been allowed to sink into a depression everything would be all right by now.

He’ll be drawing the Social Security he deplored during his career and trying to squeeze by with what’s left of his 401k after the Bush years. Perhaps we’ll all be treated to an occasional guest column whenever his meds permit some clarity. Who knows? Maybe he can take up the cause of the religious/economic nut who wrote the half-page column Why Do the Heathen Rage? a few decades ago.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

Closed door policies; not listening to other opinions; rushing to push something through without consensus and other input; arrogance.

No, we are not talking about the Bush administration. We are talking about the Pelosi/Reid administration. Watching Democrats whine about other Democrats for the next several years is going to be very, very entertaining to say the least. What will not be entertaining will be having to dig all of this stuff up ourselves, because GOD KNOWS our DNC driven mainstream liberal media like CNN and the NYT sure as hell won’t be reporting anything negative!

Panel chairmen fighting mad over snubs by Pelosi By Jared Allen Posted: 01/15/09 07:44 PM [ET]

Senior House Democrats have a message for their Speaker: We’re mad as hell, and we’re only taking it this one last time.

As congressional Democrats take the lead in responding to the sinking economy, subcommittee and even some full-committee chairmen — who normally wield significant influence in writing legislation — have been forced to wait on the sidelines as monumental bills are written in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) office.

That often leaves room for cursory input from lawmakers who have carved out expert niches for themselves.

Many of these members are complaining louder and more often to Democratic leaders that a return to regular order, where bills are written in committee, is long overdue. And some warn that if the closed-door, truncated legislative process doesn’t end with the economic recovery bill, frustration could boil over, perhaps onto the floor.

“This is really set to come to a head soon,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), who chairs the Energy and Commerce Oversight subcommittee. “The question is: Are we actually going to get a chance to legislate? There’s an opportunity to turn this corner, but we have not done that yet.”

A number of Democrats have said caucus meetings are growing contentious as promises from their leaders to return to a regular process have again been postponed because of “emergency” legislation.

Last week, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) indicated that he “expected” a number of committee markups on the stimulus bill, including a possible markup in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

On Wednesday, though, Democratic leaders unveiled a plan to have the $825 billion bill marked up by only two committees: Ways and Means and Appropriations.

Many frustrated Democrats, while sensitive to the need to enact these bills quickly, feel like they’ve been frozen out of the process.

“I and others have brought this up in caucus meetings,” said Rep. Alcee Hastings (Fla.), the third-ranking Democrat on the Rules Committee.

“In this case, the stimulus package is much too important to risk slowing it up too much,” Hastings said. But in the future, he continued, “it would be better to crawl through the process and go through all the hits and misses that come with that.”

By Paul

January 17, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

Look. Wooten cant explain how Bush’s intervention stopped a larger deeper economic disaster. He cant tell us where the money went, or even where it should have gone to do the most good.

The problem with this bailout is that we were painted a picture of catastrophe if we didn’t bail, but every scenario they chicken littled about came true.

So what is this worst case scenario that supposed to happen if we dont keep bailing them out?

Let Wooten research and then explain where the money should go and why.

Then get ready for inspired comedy. We all could use a good laugh.

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this

Well, Jim Wooten, you tried but you went all weak on us. You tried to be fair but you opened the door to every crackpot lib around. That includes your precious Midsouth who recited his anti-Bush thetoric like a schoolboy reciting his usual bully taunts.

PoFo is running wild like a dog that got the bone but afraid another dog will pull it away. He can’t snarl enough to scare anybody but it keeps him from producing any good stuff. He is pitiful like the rest of the “victorious” libs who are noted for being obnoxious winners.

Obama is heading up the most rabid crowd to ever “rule” in Washington. His followers are all in the howling pack. I suspect he is a lamb going to the slaughter. The same may be true for the USA.

George W. Bush protected this country. He faced an economic disaster that was not of his making. He did what he could after listening to the advice of the “learned”. He sent the best armed forces in the world to free two countries from tyranny and he/they did. If there were problems, THIS IS LIFE…NOT HEAVEN. There were NO serendipity choices.

George W. Bush led this country much of the time with a self-serving Congress that dogged his every move to the detriment of the country. He had an extremely sharp Vice President who was treated with angry envy because he, Cheney, could out think any Democrat around. Democratic envy turned to surreptitious accusations which went no where as it was a purely fictional hate project.

As Obama hits the flack and his followers roll in the concoctions of their creation, George W. Bush can look back for a while and say “Et tu Brute?” That will last only ‘til history presents the truth of the good governance of George W. Bush. Truth always rises from the muck, even if the slime comes from the Potomoc.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this

You would think that starting two years ago, a full Democrat-led congressional victory would have shut the libs up a little. Nope, it didn’t. You would think that the election results of last November would have shut the libs up a little. Nope, it didn’t. You would think that just 72 hours before the start of the inauguration ceremonies, the libs would start shutting up a little. Nope.

Their vitriol, hatred of anything/one not like them, and their insipid presence on Conservative blogs continues, as if in their small minds they think we are going to disappear or something. I’m sorry ladies, it just isn’t going to be. You can spit, fume, stink, lie, and drop dead for all I care, because we’re not going anywhere today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now. Grow up, haters.

By Enough

January 17, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this

So the economic meltdown is the fault of Bill Clinton and the poor, who masterfully orchestrated the nation’s downfall through their Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The only problem with this is that Sheila Bair, head of FCIC and a Republican, and every other respectable economist in the country including those on the Federal Reserve Board, have stated that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, were not the principal cause of the collapse. To his everlasting shame, Bill Clinton did sign the repeal of Glass-Steagall, but it was sponsored and championed by Phil Graham (whose family fortune is based upon the millions earned by his wife Windy for her service on the Enron Board audit committee—heckuva job there Windy}. And then there is the myth that lenders were “forced” make bad loans to unqualified borrowers. Funny but I don’t recall everv hearing about a single lender ever bothering to complain to congress or anyone else about this coersion. They didn’t complain because they were making money hand over fist by making these bogus loans, booking bougus profits and then awarding themselves some very real bonuses that would not have to be repaid when the loans defaulted. To hear the right-wing tell it, the Wall Street CEO’s were just more victims of Bill Clinton and the poor. They should recieve victim bonuses, in addition to their other bonuses. It’s only fair.

By Enough

January 17, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

So the economic meltdown is the fault of Bill Clinton and the poor, who masterfully orchestrated the nation’s downfall through their Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The only problem with this is that Sheila Bair, head of FCIC and a Republican, and every other respectable economist in the country including those on the Federal Reserve Board, have stated that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, were not the principal cause of the collapse. To his everlasting shame, Bill Clinton did sign the repeal of Glass-Steagall, but it was sponsored and championed by Phil Graham (whose family fortune is based upon the millions earned by his wife Windy for her service on the Enron Board audit committee—heckuva job there Windy}. And then there is the myth that lenders were “forced” make bad loans to unqualified borrowers. Funny but I don’t recall everv hearing about a single lender ever bothering to complain to congress or anyone else about this coersion. They didn’t complain because they were making money hand over fist by making these bogus loans, booking bougus profits and then awarding themselves some very real bonuses that would not have to be repaid when the loans defaulted. To hear the right-wing tell it, the Wall Street CEO’s were just more victims of Bill Clinton and the poor. They should recieve victim bonuses, in addition to their other bonuses. It’s only fair.

By Enough

January 17, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this

So the economic meltdown is the fault of Bill Clinton and the poor, who masterfully orchestrated the nation’s downfall through their Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The only problem with this is that Sheila Bair, head of FCIC and a Republican, and every other respectable economist in the country including those on the Federal Reserve Board, have stated that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, were not the principal cause of the collapse. To his everlasting shame, Bill Clinton did sign the repeal of Glass-Steagall, but it was sponsored and championed by Phil Graham (whose family fortune is based upon the millions earned by his wife Windy for her service on the Enron Board audit committee—heckuva job there Windy}. And then there is the myth that lenders were “forced” make bad loans to unqualified borrowers. Funny but I don’t recall everv hearing about a single lender ever bothering to complain to congress or anyone else about this coersion. They didn’t complain because they were making money hand over fist by making these bogus loans, booking bougus profits and then awarding themselves some very real bonuses that would not have to be repaid when the loans defaulted. To hear the right-wing tell it, the Wall Street CEO’s were just more victims of Bill Clinton and the poor. They should recieve victim bonuses, in addition to their other bonuses. It’s only fair.

By GaLiberal

January 17, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

Moron Jim said: Grant George W. Bush this: “While there’s room for an honest and healthy debate about the decisions I made … there can be no debate about the results in keeping America safe.”

What a load of bull crap! bin Laden only had to prove that he was capable of attacking the US. Once that was achieved, he no reason for additional attacks. He knew the US was implode with Bush as president. I think the Iraq war as just an added bonus from the crapheaded thinking of the Rethuglicons.

Bush and the Rethuglicons have spent $11.5 TRILLION in just eight short years. The reckless and unnecessary Iraq war will cost over $2 TRILLION, the economic disaster has cost over $5 TRILLION committed or spent, and the rest was in stupid tax cuts for the uberrich and no-bid contracts to Rethuglicon-friendly companies. Clinton left office with a $150 BILLION surplus; Bush leaves office with a $1.2 TRILLION deficit, DOUBLED the national debt, got over 4,000 US soldiers killed, and destroyed a once strong economy. All in eight short years. Throw on the war breaking out between Israel and the Palestinians and Bush was a real success.

MJ is just more proof how the Rethuglicons will tell lies and repeat these lies until the weak-minded voters accept them as the truth. No wonder Georgia voter keep voting for Rethuglicons.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And MJ’s lie that Bush kept us safe is living proof.

By ron

January 17, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this

I still have a mental picture of Bush standing on the ship’s deck under the ‘Mission Accomplished”banner.What do you think now,George?Like to have that moment back to play over differently?

WMD’S were never found in Iraq despite the administrations assurances.WMD’S were found in Washington.They translated out to Words of Mass Deception.Lies,all lies.No statistics involved.

Is Bush a decent man? He’s not decent in the same sense as I believe Jimmy Carter to be a decent man.

Is Cheney a decent man?No. I don’t believe so.

By @@

January 17, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

Jim:

If I may add to your list…..

Bush erred in thinking that ALL Americans were of strong stock — capable of enduring difficult times, capable of making personal decisions that would not leave them in a financial bind should those times arise.

Bush’s presidency succeeded in exposing a leftist element within our country that is deranged in thought and deed. One that I had been warned about, but never believed truly existed. I do now!

Fear not Jim!

(((“We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the exigency of the times.” —George Washington)))

Conservatism must prevail, as the left seeks not to Exert themselves and no little, if anything, about Effort.

Who knows? Their beloved Darwin’s theory may yet prove true. The strong will prevail and the weak shall perish.

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this

PoFo has been banned at Bookman’s Blog because he used Paul’s ID to post. I wonder if he did it here. That 10:13 has me wondering.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this

Hey Enough @ 10:40: Actually, it goes back to the Jimmy Carter days…….but don’t be a convenient lapse of fact kicker there. In 2005, it was our own cute little fuzzy thick tongued slobbering bear, Barney Frank, who told the Republicans that Fannie & Freddie were not in trouble and did not need any increased oversight and regulation:

“These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis, the more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”

Barney Frank 2003 in response to Bush administration overhaul plan:

“I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.”

“Facts….are stubborn things “—- John Adams

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

January 17, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

All that needs to be debated about Bush is where his trial, for crimes against humanity, should be conducted. Bush is a criminal and a ham-handed, non-sophisticate at that. He’s responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and for the bankrupting of America. Bring him to justice!

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

ron,@10:44

Where have you been? Bush has already said he thought that banner on the carrier was a mistake. Did you want him to cry over it or something?

Please don’t mention Bush and Carter in the same sentence. Carter has done very well trying to be the hero expresident as an antidote for his unremarkable presidency.

Bush on the other hand will rest on his laurels which includes the protection of the USA from terrorists and the freeing of two countries from tyranny. He will have no desire to enhance his image as he is a man who made the tough choices necessary for his country. That induces the satisfaction that does not call for post presidential super activity.

By Pauli

January 17, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this

Wrong, dusty, I had the “Paul” id first, and paul used it so I stopped using it. But so what? I didn’t “tell on him” like a little moron.

Bookman is a pathetic abuse of hosting priveleges on a public forum. he doesn’t get it. But so what? THe world is filled with mutants and we simply have to share the planet.

otherwise, we end up like hamas and israel. So, I lose some.

not concerned. and the 10:13 was the second paul, the clown you think is being violated because I used the most common name in the dictionary of who’s who D-list of non celebrity pseudonym and name jacking wipewads: Paul. I coulda used ringo.

moron. But this 10:13 paul is a genius, no? Look at the amazing content and syntactical choices he used to get across a really pertinent point in as few words as possible, what a guy, what a writer, what an articulate gem!!!

bravo, paul, (the real paul)

Good job, Dusty, in making sure the right guy gets credit for being a genius.

Dusty rocks.

By BBB

January 17, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

GAliberal shows us what a jackass s/he is. I’ll just point one asinine comment out:

“…and the rest was in stupid tax cuts for the uberrich”

Uhm, 10% of taxpayers pay a whopping 72% share of all federal income taxes by US citizens. Said 10% is really the top 10% who earn more than $109k/yr. I would certainly HOPE that any tax cuts go back to those who paid them proportionally. We’re not a communist, income re-distributionist nation. Not yet, anyway.

Also note how this pinko isn’t commenting on the planned Obama/Pelosi spending. Deafening silence.

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

All that is needed for A. J. Calhoun @11:00 is the test for dementia and/or psychosis.

Hate is a terrible thing to be produced every day. It is a killer. Talk to your doctor soon before it is too late. He will tell you about the ill effects of the hate filled mind.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

“Who knows? Their beloved Darwin’s theory may yet prove true. The strong will prevail and the weak shall perish.” -@@

You don’t have to worry much, dear. Conservatives are making a lot more babies than liberals, who tend to prefer plants and pets as their “family” values. Liberals are too “smart” to have a traditional American family.

Further, Conservatives are a much happier lot than liberals. No further evidence of that needs to be had than by just reading the hate and anger on this blog when they are about to take over all of Washington.

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

So it was you, PoFo. Shame! Bad boy! Heel!!

There is not even one genius on this blog! That is an established fact! Grin and bear it!

By Short-n-Sweet

January 17, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this

The only “crime” Bush needs to be accused of is attempting to reach across the isle to Democrats in the actual belief that they would work with him and not backstab him at every single venture and turn.

By the way, precisely what have the democrats been doing in congress for two years now? Don’t they run Capitol Hill where all the REAL grunt work of our economy, wars, and other various domestic policies are managed?

By ron

January 17, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

Dear Dusty,Please pay attention.I am well aware that George doesn’t now care for his sign.I’m just prodding.Also,Sister Dusty,I was comparing decency in men.No politics,no Presidency,just plain human decency.I believe Jimmy Carter to be a decent man.I can’t say the same about George Bush.Jimmy Carter’s Presidency,like the Presidency of George Bush,was a failure.

By Peter

January 17, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this

Hey …..By Short-n-Sweet …

Get a grip of reality……the real deal has been the Republican’s blocking everything in Congress they could so Bush would not have to veto a bunch of stuff……

More Hogwash from the Right !

By @@

January 17, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

So tell me PoliFore….were you able to decipher my puzzle last night?

I gave you more credit than you deserved.

I was gullible to think that you could.

By Peter

January 17, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

Bush kept us safe……..HA HA HA……..

We have TWO WARS………

That is keeping America Safe in a REPUBLICAN way ?

He never got Bin Laden……….

That is keeping America Safe in a Republican way ?

Bush created a Trillion dollar Debt for America………

That is Keeping America Safe in a Republican way ?

What a joke the Republican Ideology has become……… More Republican “Family Values” I guess !

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

ron @11:24

George W. Bush not a decent man? I do not understand your basis for saying that. Decency usually refers to good morals and ethical decisions. It would take a wild and disgruntled citizen to accuse Bush of being immoral or indecent.

Perhps you were thinking of Bill Clinton? He is the perfect example of indecency. Giving freedom to millions of people and maintaining it for us as Bush did is hardly indecent.

You are a disappointment, Brother Ron. I thought your vision was a little clearer.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

January 17, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this

It’s always good to hear from the Bush-Republinazi lap- dog Krusty the Klod. Krusty, Bush is the worst person ever to occupy the residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He’s a dumb-as-dirt murderer and thief. You, and other Republinazis, look upon his resume with pride but the majority of people in this nation view him as a simpleton, with a penchant for murder, who has been an implement used by devious thieves who have controlled him. He is deserving of a trial for his crimes. You, and the other simpletons who defend the indefensible, are nothing more than Nazis born too late. You’re a relic of a sordid past that will be reviled in the pages of history as long as records are kept.

By Short-n-Sweet

January 17, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

Peter: I would hardly consider blocking legislation LOADED WITH DEMOCRAT FAT as counter-productive to the nation’s best interest.

But you go on ahead and believe that we can spend our way out of this economic collapse with an even higher deficit, falling dollar, and unemployment. It will be priceless to watch you people tell us all how wonderful things are under pure democrat rule.

By Peter

January 17, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

Hey Dusty……..this is very funny………

It would take a wild and disgruntled citizen to accuse Bush of being immoral or indecent.

How about just a liar……..

“Mission Accomplished”…………or “Faulty Intelligence”

Giving Freedom to whom at what cost………. highest unemployment in how long, or a bankrupt USA ?

Having a made up WAR so a few good buddies could get rich off his WAR for Profit ?

Who is going to pay off the debt……… Not you……….. go say hi to your grand kids, hopefully they don’t know you voted for Bush, as they get the tab !

By Rascal

January 17, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

I only hope that while the Ga legislature argues over the Johnson Voucher Bill, they discuss the value of competition in the schools, not only in driving up quality but driving down price. I suggest they consider that in every industry where competition exists, the prices and choices always improve. Some options may not be as good as others and some options may fail miserably, but at least the parents can move to another option, unlike today where they are stuck with one choice, bad public schools with no accountability for teachers and administrators. Poor parents know this only too well. The argument of “what about those poor kids that have bad parents?” rings so very hollow. Those kids have bad parents no matter what, punishing kids with good parents to make a phony philanthropic point is sad. With competition, those bad schools will go out of business and the parents will then have more choices and more suitabl choices for those kids.

By Jackie

January 17, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this

The popular refrain is “Bush protected us from the terrorists. We have not had another attack since 9/11.” The question is, who was President when 9/11 happened?

Secondly, there is nothing Dubya or his supporters can do to burnish his image. Everything that one can point to, Bush has diminished the positives when it comes to someone other than the wealthy and powerful.

My hope is the Obama Administration will have enough political courage to charge Bush, Cheyney, Addington, Yoo, Gonzalez, Goodling and others in the Bush Administration with felonies and war crimes.

By GOP is gone

January 17, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

In Bush’s own words, “I did my best”. We are now grading Presidencies as if the president was in Preschool, an A for effort.

The only thing I can say good about Bush is the fact there were no further attacks here on American soil. The fact that the worst terrorist act in our history happened on his watch must lower his grade on that one though. They, being Rice, Cheney, Bush and Rumsfield, dropped the ball, ignoring warnings by the CIA of a major attack being talked about in terrorist networks.

His choices for appointments were abysmal in my opinion. All except Roberts and Gates were woefully ill prepared and sometimes even incompetent.

I heard that Bush’s last press conference was so poorly attended they filled up the seats with interns.

A proper ending for an awful leader.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this

“The only thing I can say good about Bush is the fact there were no further attacks here on American soil. The fact that the worst terrorist act in our history happened on his watch must lower his grade on that one though.”

Funny you say that. The first WTC terrorist attack happened under Clinton’s watch in 1993, and the same cave dwellers who failed at that spent the rest of Clinton’s tenure learning how to fly planes over here on student Visas and planning the attack under the ‘watchful’ eye of Janet Reno. LMAO.

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this

Well, I am off to do better things. You libs have a good time dumping on the president of the USA, undermining the Congress of the USA and throwing the integrity of the USA right into the gutter.

Actually, my concern goes out to Pres.Elect Obama. He has a pack of rabid dogs following him. If he joins them, our country is sunk. If he follows the rainbow of hope, he will leave them far far behind.

Let us hope the sun shines warmly and brightly on our new president so he can see and dodge the muck. Sad to say but his own party members are throwing most of it. They spend their days ruining any semblance of a finer America that arises in our country.

By get out much?

January 17, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this

Apparently the republican (or dusty) standard for morals decency only concerns sex, anything else is fair game.

As for the Bush record. The fact that he and his followers are expending so much energy trying to convince people of how “good” it was should tell us something. “Yes, I know what your eyes tell you but this is what you really see”.

By Peter

January 17, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Dusty……….Actually, my concern goes out to Pres.Elect Obama. He has a pack of rabid dogs following him.

You mean folks with HOPE ?

Are you NOT a a rabid follower of Brother George Bush ?

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this

Can someone shed light on why the media has shielded Michelle Obama since the election (and even before it)? Or has the O-Team done that shielding? In either case, why?

By queeflib

January 17, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

“By get out much?”

That just has to be a lib’s response to someone who makes more than a couple of posts in sequence. Said left wing marxist liberal democrat actually lives on this blog as a troll and then tells others to go get a life. Sad, ain’t it?

By @@

January 17, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

get out much?:

(((As for the Bush record. The fact that he and his followers are expending so much energy trying to convince people of how “good” it was should tell us something.)))

and the fact that YOU have placed YOUR HOPES and DREAMS onto a leader, yet unproven, goes to show that you have none to call your own.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this

President Elect Obama thanked the Bush administration for making this transition one of the smoothest in history.

Yes. That’s because Republicans are in the White House leaving. Republicans act like adults.

When Democrats lose an election, they say it was stolen.

When they steal an election by 200 votes - votes mysteriously found in trunks of cars and storage sheds, as in the case of the MN senate election, they won an election.

You can bank that had that election been lost by 200 votes in favor of Republicans, said Democrats would have sued for a recount until they got the results they wanted.

Maybe this is the Republican’s downfall: they don’t fight like Democrats. I guess that makes sense as most Democrats are former lawyers.

By getalife

January 17, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

Watched this on Letterman last night

Thank God he is over.

By @@

January 17, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this

I think it was Representative Steve King who I saw last night. He agreed with gmailer’s comment:

(((Maybe this is the Republican’s downfall: they don’t fight like Democrats.)))

He was also quick to point out that Obama and his supporters were none too quick to point out that anyone who used Barack’s middle name, Hussein, was attacked with the full force of the PC police state. Yet, Obama, himself, has chosen to use it in his swearing in.

So Lanny Davis was asked why that was? Lanny’s reply was that the way in which some (I’m assuming “the some” were conservatives) used it was intended with malice. I mean……are these libs people who are so weak, that mere words offend? Or have they mastered the art of intimidation, like most communists?

Barack Hussein Obama…..it is good for HE, but not for THEE.

By get out much?

January 17, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this

@@ - would you rather I place my hopes and dreams on the guy who is leaving? I got news for you ding-a-ling, regardless of the strength of their resume, everyone is unproven when they take the oath of office.

Out of 300 million + people, the election came down to choosing between someone who had their best days behind them and someone who’s best days were in front of them. Given that choice, I will take the one who’s best days are in front of them.

By Peter

January 17, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this

Hey …….By gmailer ……talk about writing a bunch of hooey……..95% of Politician’s both side are lawyers…….so your statement means zero….

and as you say………”President Elect Obama thanked the Bush administration for making this transition one of the smoothest in history.”

Heck the poor guy can’t wait to get out of the mess he created….!

“Yes. That’s because Republicans are in the White House leaving. Republicans act like adults.”

More like Criminals going out the back door ! They are ready shredded the Constitution !

“You can bank that had that election been lost by 200 votes in favor of Republicans, said Democrats would have sued for a recount until they got the results they wanted.”

Yes I guess all the way to the Supreme Court…….. and that is exactly how George Bush became President !

HA HA HA……Adults…….HA HA HA…… You mean raping the US Treasury with VP written cost Plus contracts……..Attacking another nation because of “Faulty Intelligence”…….Allowing the Bilking of California, Bankrupting the country, and leaving with a new Wonderful Unemployment record that has America reeling…. is all considered “Adult” behavior !

Not bad I guess………….more Republican “Family Values” !

By @@

January 17, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this

(((@@ - would you rather I place my hopes and dreams on the guy who is leaving?)))

AND

(((Given that choice, I will take the one who’s best days are in front of them.)))

Think about those ^^^ two comments and then say to yourself

“WOW! I could have created my OWN DREAMS — the kind that would have allowed me to weather the storms created by politicians!!!!”

But alas…..you are a useful tool among many.

By get out much?

January 17, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this

@@ - Unlike you, I am able to differentiate my personal dreams and hopes between those I have for my country. Also, I hate to disappoint you but in spite of the battering my investments have taken over the last few years, I am weathering the current storm quite nicely.

By @@

January 17, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this

(((I am able to differentiate my personal dreams and hopes between those I have for my country)))

and to hope that your country falls victim to the perils of socialism is to be admired?

I’m glad you’re weathering the storm. Protect your assets at all costs lest the government confiscate them for what they deem is their best use.

By @@

January 17, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this

Oh, and get out much?

Obama’s choice in Geitner, the guy who’s gonna see to it that you pay what’s owed ‘em (the government)?

Geitner’s story of tax evasion is getting worse every day. He was caught and fixed the last year involved but didn’t go back and fix the prior years hoping to skate on that.

This guy is a tax cheat.

This not some simple one time mistake caused by a sloppy accountant, the standard excuse.

He blames the tax software he uses not any human error.

This guy is a serial tax cheat going back over many tax returns, or so the news media has reported.

Investigators have been going over the guy’s tax returns going back some time and uncovering a pattern of evasion.

So we will see if the Congressional appointment approvers skip right over this under the new mantra being touted: “Geitner is too important to fail.”

Geitner has failed in his responsibility to the American economy already! Aside from his attempts to evade that which he didn’t think he should have to pay, but he was also paying a housekeeper who was here illegally.

Under the table?

Another of the “Good for me but not for thee crowd”.

By catlady

January 17, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this

Geitner has all the makings of a good Republican, it seems.

By RW-(the original)

January 17, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this

@@,

Geitner’s tax evasions are even worse than not paying them. He applied to the IMF for a true-up, or reimbursement of those taxes he didn’t pay. So he knew what he was supposed to pay and not only didn’t he pay them he pocketed that same amount a second time.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 17, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this

Good afternoon all. I credit President Bush as one of the three or four best military presidents - those serving in our noble military believe themselves appreciated by this president, in times that should normally have caused stress in the relationship. That was not true of the Clinton or Carter years. Clinton, of course, loathed the military. President Carter misbelieved he could talk sense into the misleaders governing Iran - to borrow PoFo’s language (stolen from Bugs Bunny) what a maroon. President Bush will have a legacy, of effectively wiping out al Qaeda. Other Islamists may rise in the next administration, as they did in the Clinton years, but that will be Obama’s legacy.

On domestic economics President Bush leaves a disastrous legacy. After we all realized the smoke and mirrors at the heart of Keynesian economics - remember the collapse of the Philips curve in 1979 - President Bush has given the failed theory a second life. Thus we will all now enjoy a chance to relive the 70s, without the redeeming elements of that era. Bush is to Nixon as Obama is to Carter. The only redeeming element, to the extent one finds or seeks redemption, is that the four years republicans held both houses of Congress were the best four-year growth period in American history. The wheels started to come off the bus 18 months after the democrats took over, and entirely due to democrat policies - easy money, misplaced government subsidy of the housing market absent all supervision due to democrat leadership of FNMA and FHLMC and the intervention by Chris Dodd in particular, and long-extant leftist directives in banking, particularly CRA.

By CommunistAJC

January 17, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

Jim Wooten, Are you leaving the AJC? I just noticed and read a “want ad” in regard to conservative writing for the AJC. I wonder if the AJC and COX is finally realizing that the state of Georgia is sick and tired of race baiting articles, from Cynthia Tucker to Jay Bookmans a$$ kissing of the democrat party. You’re outnumbered two to one by liberal columnist, Jim.

By @@

January 17, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

Well catlady, Al Franken’s no Republican but yet his personal corporation failed to file income tax returns in California from 2003 to 2007. He owes $800 for each year as well as penalties and interest. Did he take care of that little oversite before running for the senate in Minnesota?

He did pay a $25,000 fine to the state of New York after learning his corporation was out of compliance with that state’s workers comp laws. Did he learn or was he encouraged?

He’s such a “charitable” rascal, that Al.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

“You mean raping the US Treasury with VP written cost Plus contracts”

Hey Peter: it’s going to be interesting to see how a US Treasury secretary handles things when he can’t even figure out that he needs to pay his own taxes while self employed. HA HA yourself, numbnut liberal.

By the way, I am STILL waiting on one of you asshat liberal hypocrites to start whining about Obama/Pelosi/Reid spending and the D-E-F-I-C-I-T.

By @@

January 17, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

Oops! didn’t see you up there RW.

The mere fact that Geitner questioned whether he had to pay them would indicate that he feels no sense of obligation to the American economy. Him bein’ a liberal’s choice and all, you’d think he’d wanna give it away just ah-cause it feels so good.

By AmVet

January 17, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this

“Conservatism must prevail…”

Given the results of the past two Congressional elections, which for you reality challenged, was 60 - 4 (OUCH!!), I’d say conservatism will once again prevail.

But only after this fraud version and travesty called neo-conservatism is a rotting hulk in the landfill of American politics.

Much has already been said here of the endless failures of BushCo and their money masters, enviro-rapers and gangster capitalists.

And yes the inane cheer leaders will bravely soldier on as the faithful sheep and apologists they are.

But for me, it has been extremely gratifying to see the American electorate finally come to its senses and ensure that not another stinking neo-con was nominated by this hemorrhaging, hijacked GOP.

The swan song of The Old White Guy party is finally at hand. And the nation rejoices!

01-20-09 The end of our Long National Nightmare

By RW-(the original)

January 17, 2009 3:18 PM | Link to this

@@,

That’s probably because I’m nearly never here. I thought I’d stop by and test drive the place in case I decide to take over. (IS&WH)

By get out much?

January 17, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

@@ - I think Geithner should withdraw his nomination.

However, perhaps you can explain why the Bush administration did not ask Geithner to resign as President of the New York Fed when his tax problems first came to light in 2006?

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this

“However, perhaps you can explain why the Bush administration did not ask Geithner to resign as President of the New York Fed when his tax problems first came to light in 2006?”

Here’s your answer from Orrin Hack, one of those Republican Democrat boot lickers like Lindsay Graham that just need to get voted the hell out and let real red-blooded Americans take their place:

“Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the second-ranking GOP member of the panel, said Geithner had made “mistakes” but said, “If we want perfection around here, we’ll never have anyone for any one of these positions.”“

Pathetic.

By Shar

January 17, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this

How history judges the Bush 2 presidency will largely depend upon the effect that it has had on the country. Bottom line: Are we better off after eight years of George W Bush?

The answer to that is a clear and resounding no.

Bush supporters will say that is the fault of the terror attacks. Bush critics will say that is the fault of the way the Bush Administration responded to the terror attacks.

But there can be no debate that the new President will take charge of a country in far worse shape than did the then-new President Bush, on every meaningful measure.

And, barring some as-yet-undiscovered firm evidence that this Administration secretly blocked documented, in-process terror attacks of enormous magnitude, the deterioration of the country in George Bush’s eight years in office will be the yardstick that historians will use to take the measure of the man.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this

From Delaware: queue the post-Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne “Crazy Train” song.

Poor little Hugo Chevez, the bestest friend in the world of liberal Democrats like Jimmy Carter and Hollywood extremist liberal pinheads like Sean Penn. I don’t feel sorry for the communist pos, and I will boycott any US oil company that returns to this pigface scumbag after all of his hate speech on America. F him.

“CARACAS: President Hugo Chávez, buffeted by falling oil prices that threaten to damage his efforts to establish a Socialist-inspired state, is quietly courting Western oil companies once again.”

“Until recently, Chávez had pushed foreign oil companies here into a corner by nationalizing their oil fields, raiding their offices with tax authorities and imposing a series of royalties increases.”

“But faced with the plunge in prices and a decline in domestic production, senior officials here have begun soliciting bids from some of the largest Western oil companies in recent weeks — including Chevron, Royal Dutch/Shell and Total of France — promising them access to some of the world’s largest petroleum reserves, according to energy executives and industry consultants here.”

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this

“City of Madison, Wis. Eyes Draconian Zoning Ordinances to ‘Adapt to Climate Change’”

“Liberal Wisconsin capital would limit development, tree removal, fast food restaurants and parking to promote ‘sustainability.’ “

Isn’t that sweet. I wonder how long jobs will be around in that area. No fear, if you want to see a barometer of liberalism and how it will “help” America, just look at all the metropolises run by them in this nation and see how they are having to beg for government bailouts. Hell California alone is the biggest barometer of liberalism, and productive people and companies have been leaving that state en mass - so much so that California can’t even pay back the taxpayers:

“SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California’s controller says he will begin a 30-day delay on tax refunds and other payments starting Feb. 1 because the state is running out of money. Controller John Chiang said Friday he must delay $3.7 billion in payments next month because lawmakers have failed to address California’s growing deficit.”

Tip of the iceberg there, folks. Change we can believe in!

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

January 17, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

The country has been bankrupted by your Republinazi party goofballer! spare us the revisionist b******!

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

Ohmmm …am I blue…ooo.o.oo. Yes, I am. Yes, I just read that Jim is leaving full time for part time AJC work June 30. Part time is better than no time but JIM, WE NEED YOU FULL TIME!! OH oh we’ll have some whacko that doesn’t know a conservativae from a liberal claiming to be God’s gift to journalism and one that will pat Bookman on the head and kiss the Tucker ring of reign. Even salute Julia Wallace! (Who?)

What a challenge!! Of course I would apply immediately (as many others here) buttttt my degree is in biology, my work experience is in laboratory medicine, my stunning journalism is confined to a high school editorialship, public speaking is petrifying and my patience with liberals is smaller than a pin head. Besides that nobody would read what I write. OTHERWISE, I am perfect for the job.

May I suggest Detective Rose for the job? He is accustomed to criminals and could handle libs with ease. He’s never said but I am sure he is conservative and upright as are all conservatives. Besides that, no one would call HIM names ‘cause they’d get shot. Yep, he’s perfect.

So, Jim Wooten, I shall cry myself to sleep right after I celebrate my birthday dinner on the town. I won’t even be able to take advantage of “all you can eat” with my sad appetite. I am taking this hard. (Are you going fishing, Jim, or head for the links carrying those clubs? Write a book? THAT’S IT! JIM WILL WRITE A BOOK. Let’s gooooo!! )

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this

And this is going to help our economy how, especially since Obama selected a socialist/communist, Carol Browner, as Global Warming Czar. I can hear it now: “You’re doing a hell of a job Browner!”

Kyoto Redux: Clinton Vows to Use Cabinet Position to Push for Climate Treaty

Secretary of State nominee and Senate Foreign Relations Chair both call global warming a ‘security threat.’

By Jeff Poor Business & Media Institute 1/13/2009 11:41:35 AM

“Change we can all believe in? How about the same song and dance, but just a different day?”

“”In opening remarks at her confirmation hearing on Jan. 13, President-elect Barack Obama’s Secretary of State designate Hillary Clinton told the Senate Foreign Relations committee she would use the office to shape foreign policy that would fight climate change.”“

““You Mr. Chairman [Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.] were among the very first in a growing chorus from both parties to recognize that climate change is an unambiguous security threat,” Clinton said. “At the extreme it threatens our very existence. But well before that point, it could well incite new wars of an old kind over basic resources – like food, water and arable land.””

“According to Clinton, the upcoming 2009 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Copenhagen will be the stage for the next opportunity for the United States to ratify a climate change treaty like the Kyoto Protocol, which was rejected by the U.S. Senate 95-0 in 1997.”

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

By the way, since conservatism and the GOP are dead and all that, why exactly is it that liberal dirtbags continue to waste their time on a dead blog with dead people and a dead ideology?

Morons.

By AmVet

January 17, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this

Dusty, that was pathetic.

Even for you.

By getalife

January 17, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this

Witches do not celebrate birthdays.

I nominate Joe the reporter to replace jim the wingnut.

By get out much?

January 17, 2009 4:28 PM | Link to this

@@ - regarding Al Franken’s state taxes. Entertainers, as well as pro athletes, have to file returns for each state in which they earned income (do a show or play a game in a state, you have to file a return there). It get’s even more fun when the city or county also has an income tax because they want their cut as well

If you have ever had to file multiple state returns in a year (as well as city and county), you would know how much of a pain it can be. The most state returns I ever had to do in a single year was three, plus one county. I can imagine how many Al Franken had to do.

By @@

January 17, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this

RW:

(((That’s probably because I’m nearly never here.)))

Need I say that you have been very much missed?

~~~~~~~~~OO~~~~~~~~

get out much?:

(((@@ - I think Geithner should withdraw his nomination.)))

(((However, perhaps you can explain why the Bush administration did not ask Geithner to resign as President of the New York Fed when his tax problems first came to light in 2006?)))

Probably for the same reason that Obama selected Mary Schapiro to lead the SEC despite the fact that for 16 years, as the leader of Finra, the brokerage industry’s —->self-regulatory organization,<—- she was only able to conclude that Madoff’s worst crime was, and I quote — “it violated technical rules and failed to report certain transactions in a timely way”

16 years as Madoff’s sous-chef and everyone was left looking at their empty plate.

Duh, get out much?

duh!

Duh!

DUH!

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this

Obama protectionism.

It’s the tip of the iceberg here, my friends:

Now maybe some nice brilliant hypocrite liberal democrat can refresh our memories here…WASN’T BUSH ACCUSED BY YOU PEOPLE ON THE LEFT OF DOING THE SAME THING?

“As ferociously as we march like villagers with torches against Blagojevich, we have been, in the true spirit of the Bizarro universe, the polar opposite with the president-elect. Deferential, eager to please, prepared to keep a careful distance.”

“The Obama news conferences tell that story, making one yearn for the return of the always-irritating Sam Donaldson to awaken the slumbering press to the notion that decorum isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“The press corps, most of us, don’t even bother raising our hands any more to ask questions because Obama always has before him a list of correspondents who’ve been advised they will be called upon that day.”

“We reporters have earned our own membership in the Bizarro universe.”

Now defend THAT which you called Bush on for 8 years, you hypocritical democrat liberals.

By @@

January 17, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this

get out much?

I have never, and still do not accept excuses of ignorance, laziness or inconvenience from my daughter. I’m damn sure not gonna accept it from Al Franken who professes to be more enlightened than you or I.

By Captain Freedom's Immortal Soul

January 17, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this

Swell. Great. THE Captain never would have sucked the tailpipe had He known that Wooten would go doddering off into the sunset so soon. In fact, such knowledge would have given THE Captain a new lust for life, a certain lightness of step and joie de vivre, if you will excuse His damnable french. Alas, THE Captain instead finds himself at the Right Hand of Our Creator and Heavenly Sovereign, which sounds like a pretty cushy gig, but let THE Captain assure you, just logging all the requests you tossers keep submitting is enough to kill a lesser man. If they could find one.

Jumping Jeepers, THE Captain would have been a lock for Wooten’s sinecure. Instead we are likely to get a Randian pseudo-conservative like Ragnut or maybe that dentally-challenged beer deliveryman sitting in the chair that Rightfully belongs to THE Captain. God knows (because he just told THE Captain himself) that even the AJC has standards of literacy that disqualify Sister Dusty. Granted, not easy to tell that when you read the sports page, but apparently so.

By the way, since THE Captain is taking the time to weigh in on matters concerning the moral coil, He wishes everyone to know that the Big Guy up here wants none of the credit for Captain Sullivan’s excellent work in the US Air crash landing. The Big Guy wants everyone to know that he apologizes for not noticing where those birds were flying due to his needing to discipline his son (yeah, that guy…don’t ask, things are really slipping there), and he appreciates the good people of the airline crew and the boat crews and all those other human beings who made this rescue a success. Big Guy says he could not have done it without you and promises to watch the birds more closely from now on.

He says Dusty will empathize with what its like to watch your oldest child fall in with the wrong crowd and all those trailer park drugs and such, and begs your forgiveness. THE Captain says you should do just that, give old Yahweh a break. Especially all you godbotherers who won’t even let the Big Guy sleep in on a Sunday, what with all your begging for this thing or that. Big Guy suggests you all quit spending so much time praying and actually do something productive with your time.

Well, enough. Big Guy has invited THE Captain to join him over at Jerry Garcia’s digs tonight, and THE Captain would not miss that for the world. Word is that Jimi and Johann Sebastian are coming to jam.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this

“I have never, and still do not accept excuses of ignorance, laziness or inconvenience from my daughter.”

Well @@ that definitely rules you out as a sloth loving/excusing liberal democrat.

By Headslap Spit Take

January 17, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

By @@ I have never, and still do not accept excuses of ignorance, laziness or inconvenience from my daughter.

From President Bush, though, I swallow every last drop, then wipe my chin and lick my fingers.

By Dusty

January 17, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

Poor Amvet,@4:16

When I start posting to please you I will meed meds worse than you. Fortunately, that day will never come.

By Pauli

January 17, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this

All these whistle stop speeches from philadelphia to washington dc!!

Somebody tell Obama he’s got the job.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this

I sure hope everyone has their TV’s covered with condoms, because the love fest of CNN and MSNBC right now is about as orgasmic as it gets. Of course, it’s always a Democrat they want to suck face with and a Republican they want to ignore and/or vilify.

Liberal moonbat alert!

Since the mindless idiots on the left couldn’t blame the crash on Bush, now global warming has caused the US Airways Airbus to hit geese, flame out on both engines, and crash in the Hudson!

“Habitat destruction and climate change have disrupted migratory patterns (of Canadian geese)”.

Leave it to the idiot liberals at Time to suck that one down.

By @@

January 17, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this

Did Spit Take type this?

(((From President Bush, though, I swallow every last drop, then wipe my chin and lick my fingers.)))

Looks like it’s you that licks my fingers —->Spit Take<—-.

~~~~~~~~~OO~~~~~~~~

Jim’s going part-time? Him on that big ol’ farm he isn’t forced to sell.

Good for you, Jim — you’ve EARNED it. Enjoy!!!!!!

Would ‘ya be willing to carve out a little footprint on which an humble abode could be built?

Neighbors forever!

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this

There have been no less than a half dozen points addressed that liberal democrats screamed about under Bush, but now stay deafeningly silent on. The last one being my 4:32 about cherry picking/planted reporters.

It’s going to be a very fun four years pointing out the sheer hypocrisy and double standards from these clowns on the left….speaking of which, where’s that Ringling Bros. train at anyway?

By gafarmer

January 17, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this

If you laid all the economists in the world end to end they would not reach a conclusion. If you laid all the politicians end to end you would do the world a favor. Bush’s and Obama’s oath of office requires each to protect us, defend us, and preserve the constitution. Bush did, I pray Obama does.

By Redneck Convert

January 17, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this

Well, we just heard from the Immortal Soul of Captain Freedom and I got to say I don’t like that “dentally challenged” remark one bit. I hope he’s satisfied with me being unable to pray now out of fear he’ll overhear all the stuff I confess to. I’m in a snit big-time and I’m awful glad we won’t meet up because there would be big-time trouble. I hope the Lord locks him out in the cold while the music is playing.

By catlady

January 17, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this

gmailer@4:15: so they can say “nah, nah, nah, nah, boo boo.” With some “neener neener neener” thrown in.

It is going to take a whole lot more than Obama to dig us out of this hole we are in. I suggest everyone on their knees in prayer. (For those of you who don’t pray, do whatever is appropriate.) I rejoice that my parents are no longer alive; this mess would have killed them.

There will be much suffering before this gets better.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this

At the rate we are going to see inflation and other hellish repercussions under liberalism-socialism with this new full dem Washington, buying some GA farm land, or mountain property, doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all.

By AmVet

January 17, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this

Dusty, you gotta be smokin’ something.

I just noted that you’re writing is pathetic.

getalife, I’m nominating g-spot…

By Sparky

January 17, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this

Wooten: Fair Well my fine friend. Adieux Adieux. (2u+u+u)

For he’s a jolly good fellow! That, nobody can deny!

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this

Well, you mindless liberal hate pigs got your wish and Wooten is slowly going away, so why the comments? Are you upset that he has even LESS of an influence on a left wing liberal rag or are you pathetic cretin hate pigs upset that you will no longer have such an updated right wing venue with which to defecate on? Methinks I know the answer, so don’t bother, thanks.

By @@

January 17, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this

This is interesting — Among the AJC’s criteria for a CONSERVATIVE journalist:

I can’t recall the last time Bookman wrote a column where he didn’t link to another media outlet’s article. Right now at Bookman’s “So…seen any good movies lately?” Sent everyone off with Patsy Cline crooning on You-Tube last night.

Obviously the AJC’s standards are to succumb to other media outlet’s opinions.

Well I don’t know how jay does in front of large groups, but deleting comments and banning bloggers works for him here at the AJC.

Standards of excellence set forth by the AJC.

Alrighty din……

Jim, you’ve made the right decision. They don’t deserve your full-time effort. They’re more interested in full-time liberal tart-primers.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this

“It is going to take a whole lot more than Obama to dig us out of this hole we are in”

Yes, we know you liberal democrats already have your excuses lined up and in order, catlady. That’s why we don’t expect a single one of you people to start whining about a falling dollar, deficit, and getting Osama under President Obama. You people on the left are so predictable it’s almost boring. Almost.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this

Ssshhhh… PMSNBC’s great liberal, Rachel Maddow, has a few comments. Don’t sip your latte while reading this mindless liberal nonsense. This is so typical of mindless liberals - scream about FoxNews but then admit they never watch it:

TCA — MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow isn’t worried that the ascension of Barack Obama will impede her ability to criticize political leaders.

“I don’t think we’re at risk of idiocy going out of fashion in Washington,” she told TV critics attending the winter press tour in Universal City. “Whether Republican or Democrat … I don’t worry about not having George Bush to beat up on anymore.”

If anything, she says, with Bush exiting office she prefers not to focus on him.

“Beating up on George Bush, I’d rather not, a little bit,” she says, and later predicted the president will “give a big speech tonight then go away.”

When a critic compares MSNBC with Fox News, Maddow bristles.

“The idea that there’s any equivalency between us and Fox News…” she says. “Fox is a political experiment. Imagine them having somebody as liberal as Joe Scarborough is conservative doing their whole morning? It doesn’t make sense.”

“We’re less about ideology than Fox News,” adds the news network’s president Phil Griffin.

Yet after the panel, Maddow told a huddle of reporters she doesn’t own a TV and has “never seen a show on Fox at any time ever.”

Freaking hilarious!

Liberals.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 5:42 PM | Link to this

“getalife, I’m nominating g-spot…”

Cute code words, AmVet. Do you have a little pinkie ring you wave too? Poor thing.

By @@

January 17, 2009 5:48 PM | Link to this

I’m thinkin’ AmVet’s nomination was an invitation for getalife to “hit it”.

!?!His!?! g-spot.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 5:50 PM | Link to this

Here is a part of how Obama is going to spend our money on helping the economy. See if you can figure these out:

$500 million to rehabilitate and improve energy efficiency at some of the over 42,000 housing units maintained by Native American housing programs.

$400 million for ready-to-go habitat restoration projects

$6 billion (yeah that’s a B) for broadband and wireless services in “under served” areas (who’s gonna buy their ‘puters?)

$650 million to continue the coupon program to enable American households to convert from analog television transmission to digital transmission (who’s gonna buy them new TVs?)

Change we can believe in folks!

By AmVet

January 17, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this

Glad you two rocket scientists got the inference.

67 more hours…

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 6:08 PM | Link to this

Yeah AmVet, not one of you libs has touched on a future soaring deficit under Pelosi and Obama spending. Rocket science indeed.

Or, perhaps, we should say, hypocrite science.

By @@

January 17, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this

(((Glad you two rocket scientists got the inference.)))

Hey Getalife! Looks like you’re up buddy.

By Cardinal Red

January 17, 2009 6:11 PM | Link to this

67 more hours…

Then the countdown begins anew.

By gmailer

January 17, 2009 6:14 PM | Link to this

We’re going to have some bad weather tomorrow, so you mindless liberals be sure to take your meds for another full day of brain mashing with more posts that you can’t counter and ignore, okay pinkies?

By Another White Voter

January 18, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this

This will be short: George W. Bush. Good riddance.

By Surprise

January 18, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this

“4 stabbed during club’s party for ‘Notorious’ film “

Gosh, who didn’t see this headline coming. I’m only suprised guns were not involved. When is society going to see and denounce this segment of society for what they are — THUGS with a reptilian level of morals, values and contribution to society!!!

By yankee

January 18, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this

Looks like we may survive GWB after all.

By GOP Big Bucks

January 18, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this

Even $825 billion can’t please anyone.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups and some labor unions were unhappy with several key aspects of the House’s two-year economic recovery proposal being circulated Thursday on Capitol Hill.

The Chamber wanted more money for tax cuts, a view shared by House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), who said he was “shocked” by what he called excessive spending included in the plan.

Last week, President-elect Barack Obama floated a proposal that attributed $300 billion in tax cuts, which aides said would be nearly 40 percent of the total cost of the bill.

But the House proposal, crafted with input from the Obama transition team, gave $275 billion to tax cuts and $550 billion to infrastructure, health care, education and energy investments.

That wasn’t enough for the Chamber. The country’s most powerful business association had aggressively lobbied for a one-to-two-year reprieve from taxes leveled on companies when they purchase debt.

“The big issue isn’t the specific provisions, it’s the compensation and the size of it,” said Bruce Josten, the Chamber’s executive vice president of government affairs. “It’s too small on the tax side.”

The Business Roundtable, while generally happy with the bill, had hoped for a provision easing some of the investment requirements placed on business by pension funds.

“By and large, they’ve got it very close to right in the long term,” said Roundtable President John Castellani, who said the group intends to keep lobbying for some relief of their pension investment requirements.

Business groups praised the expansion of the tax carry-back period from two to five years, a provision that allows companies to collect refunds by counting current losses against previous profits.

Another big loser, though, appears to be the housing industry, which has been pushing Congress to include breaks for home buyers in the bill. The National Association of Home Builders and other members of the “Fix Housing First” Coalition have been asking for a hefty homebuyer tax credit and government subsidized mortgage rates as low as 2.99 percent. But the proposal includes very few significant housing-related provisions.

While they cheered the clean energy provisions in the bill, environmental groups were disappointed that the eco-friendliness didn’t extend to the proposed transportation investments.

Green groups had pushed to block the building of new bridges and roads, which they argue encourage increased carbon emissions, with a provision that encouraged states and local municipalities to put the money into repairing their existing infrastructure.

“The maintenance and repair should be required to be done first because makes no sense to expand a system you cannot maintain,” said David Goldberg, a spokesman for Transportation for America, a coalition of housing, environmental, public health and urban planning advocates

Environmental groups also wanted more money for strapped transportation agencies and to fund public transportation projects.

The labor community was split over the bill. Americans United for Change, a coalition of more than 30 progressive and labor groups, praised the package.

But the Laborers’ International Union of North America wanted more funding for infrastructure, energy and education facilities.

“This level of investment falls far short of needs and fails to fully take advantage of the opportunity to put America back to work building the essential and long neglected basics of our country,” said laborers union General President Terence O’Sullivan.

By catlady

January 18, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this

Mr. Wooten’s title says it all: intervention. Intervention in things that are not the government’s business, like the Terri Schiavo death, the Iraq mess, NCLB, changing the wordings of scientific findings, the bailoutS. LACK of intervention, indeed championing, things like the use of torture, the financial schemes that have defrauded the American people, obscene profits by one group over others (oil companies, Halliburton, FOB who publish educational materials).

There are many words that could be used to describe this administration: greedy, stupid, evil, partisan, neglectful are a few. But the overuse or lack of use of appropriate intervention is a theme that will be examined as a pattern by historians.

God help our next president. He and the Congress have a great deal of damage to undo, and will have to show an immense ability to think and act for the greater good of ALL Americans. Unlike the last administration and Congress.

By Max Tayback

January 18, 2009 9:12 AM | Link to this

Dont you just love it when a pundit uses the word, “infrastructure”. Ask them what it means. It never means what they think it does. “Bridges, and roads, you know…..”

Infrastructure should mean sewers. Sewers are America’s Achilles Heel. Do you realize that congress passed the low flow, 1.6 gallon per flush law twenty years ago? Twenty years of Charmin’s Triple Rolls. Twenty years of Two Scoops of Raisins. Twenty years of aging baby boomers and their fiber supplements. America is backed up, people. 1.6 gallons is a toy commode, and it just wont do, not for me.

I know not what others may want, but as for me, give me teams of plumbers working around the clock at the teamster level in New York. Give me miles of pipe, huge underground caverns and a good flash flood once in a while!

If not, we’re finished.

By jm

January 18, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

well, Mr. Wooten, are first glimpse of how history views the Bush administration will come during the 2010 elections. It will be interesting to see how many republican candidates run as “Bush” republicans or have W out there on the stump with them. Either that or the 2012 elections. Maybe then he will actually go to the republican convention (with a prime time speaking spot?) instead of chickening out. Spare me the talk about him being worried about the hurricane hitting the gulf coast.

By The Conservative

January 18, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this

The Conservative

I eschew the word conservative. Einstein said that conservatism was making the same bribe over and over and expecting a different arab tribe to stand down. Webster’s Conservatism means a “ disposition to keep established ways, or resistance to change”. I speet on that definition too. Perhaps a photo of a dead beat dad walking into a gambling casino would better illustrate what conservatism has become to mean: the break up of our nookyoolar family, and the business ethics on wallstreet and in our banks, investing as blindly as a Vegas addict, which explains why nobody is talking about where the bailout money went: What happens in vegas STAYS in vegas.

Worksheet for defining conservatism:

The Reagan Conservative: small government, reduced entitlements, strong defense, and keeping the beachboys away from the fourth of july white house lawn celebration.

The Nixon Conservative: Presidential privilege extends beyond the scope of the duties inferred during the oath of office swearing-in ceremony.

The Bush Conservative: Cheney classified the definition of conservatism for the next fifty years, so none of us will ever know. We’ll just stick with “no new taxes”. That worked out great.

Purpose of The Conservative:

I hope to instruct the new conservative about who he is, where he is, and what he would do in a crisis. I am The Conservative. I like people. Inflation is the enemy.

Conservatism 101: If Taxes stifle growth, and Entitlements stifle productivity, then war should be tax-free. (The Iraq War is already tactics-free)

Conservative talking points: The new last refuge of a scoundrel is not now bipartisanship. Splittng the presidency into two parts, with the elected president handling domestic affairs and the elected Vice President being the defacto commander-in-chief (which no supreme court judge voted for) is treason. Maybe our definition of conservative should start there.

There is to be one civilian commander-in-chief. He is our defacto president because either he got the most electoral college votes or the supreme court appointed him as the defacto president. Either way works to the satisfaction of the Defacto American voter/Supreme court judge and his Defective 14 second attention span.

Please take notes. There will be an orange alert later accompanied by a quiz given by a fifth grader.

I am The Conservative.

By getalife

January 18, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

Turn the page on the worst ever and honor greatness:

“Clinton honored at King Center:

Hillary Clinton, here with Dr. Christine King Farris, was lauded as a champion of justice at the ‘Salute to Greatness’ dinner.”

The moment is here. A new day has arrived. Better times are coming.

Obama has unity, hope and optimism and the Clinton team for a third term.

Let us celebrate with the world.

By zeke

January 18, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this

You nuts bash W. all you want! What you are stuck with now should scare the H#@l out of you. More taxes, more welfare programs, national healthcare, more affirmative action, a furious attack on the 2nd ammendment, open borders killing the fabric, culture and the economy of our great country, an ecomony that cannot ever recover after being crippled by new taxes, and, pity the military forces! And, are you so envious of others that you would take their hard earned money by force with the death tax? THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL DOUBLE TAXATION! A fair way of tax confiscation is for EVERYONE AT EVERY INCOME LEVEL PAYS THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF TAX! A person making $20 thousand and one making $100 thousand should pay the same percentage. A 15% tax on the $20 thousand is $4000, and, on the $100 thousand is $20000, therefore the larger income DOES PAY A LARGER TAX!

By The Liberal

January 18, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

What is a Liberal

Liberals have two sets of rules: one set for themselves, and another for everyone else who is not a liberal. They sit gnashing teeth while Bush chose which reporters to ask questions, but yet the same thing is being done by Obama. They sit howling and moaning about the budget deficit under Republicans and then when they are in power as Democrats, they are no longer concerned about said budget deficit. They sat back screaming about not capturing Osama bin Laden, but when they captured congress in 2006 and became the majority party as Democrats - and majority leadership of the Senate Intelligent Committe - suddenly capturing OBL fell by the wayside.

Liberals think they have the answers to everything. For over forty years their “War On Poverty” has done nothing but drain taxpayer dollars and instigate further generations of government dependent existers. They have turned our public schools into nanny nurseries where children are no longer encouraged to be successful as individuals, be it from spelling bees to field days - God forbid some poor child won’t be as smart or as athletic as another - it’s all about self esteem! Damn the individual and praise the group, even if some in the group are slackers.

Liberals find power in groups and group identity. They like to corral people into identification herds, because if one person strays from their given herd, they will be chastised and ridiculed (see how they treat black people who are Conservatives as an example).

Liberals proclaim that theirs is the tolerant and diverse ideology. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The only “diversity” liberals encourage and support is group diversity of race, creed, sexual orientation, and nationality. If someone doesn’t share the same opinions, beliefs, and ideology of liberals (read: Conservatives), said liberals morph from a harmless misguided seed eating sparrow to a nasty, wretched gut-eating vulture. Their hatred and intolerance of others in the aforementioned has no equal.

Liberals are the ones who proclaim they are for peace and justice and the freedom of a platform from which others can espouse their beliefs. However, it is liberals who always shout down the opposition, disrupt the opposition, and prevent the opposition from getting their voices heard, and in general have violent protests causing harm and property damage.

So you see, while Liberals sit here and tell Conservatives how bad they are, it is they themselves who are too cowardly to look within and address their own failures, weaknesses, and shortcomings. In short, liberals actually think they are perfect and the true Conservatives.

By The Conservative

January 18, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

Our flag is a large part of Conservatism. Our flag’s physical presence. Our flag’s journey. Our flag carrying and being carried.

Our flag.

It always appears smaller than survivors would wish, unless the battle had just been fought inside a used car lot. Those are big flags. Really Big Flags.

All Conservatives love a really big flag. The bigger the better. A conservative would know the physical limits of how big a flag can possibly be as well as how strong a pole would have to be to fly it.

Are you, then, a Conservative?

Our flag has a duty equal to our soldier’s: To wear itself with respect. No Conservative has ever seen our flag fail in that respect.

Are you, then, a Conservative?

Our flag is a drug that helps Lady Liberty cope. A conservative would gladly play doctor and prescribe freely. If you’re no doctor, then play a Conservative on real life.

Are you, then, a Conservative?

Our flag is a citizen, and, like our president, both civilian and commander-in-chief. No conservative would ever dream of splitting apart the two roles of our flag.

Are you, then, a Conservative?

Our flag is a secret. There is much more than meets the eye about our flag. A Conservative gossips and lets the secret out: the price of freedom is death.

Are you, then, a Conservative?

Tell the flag. Our flag is a great listener. Speak to the flag. Conservatives let our flag know their feelings.

Tell the flag how you feel, America.

By Saxby Chambliss LOBBYIST best friend

January 18, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this

Here’s a really good read about the trillion dollar bail out for the bankers that I voted for. Jim sorry to see you go because your replacement might actually get on my case about being in the pocket of LOBBYIST.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/business/18bank.html?hp

By The Liberal

January 18, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

Like what was stated…liberals have two sets of rules….

WASHINGTON – Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. Let’s party.

The price tag for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration gala is expected to break records, with some estimates reaching as high as $150 million. Despite the bleak economy, however, Democrats who called on President George W. Bush to be frugal four years ago are issuing no such demands now that an inaugural weekend of rock concerts and star-studded parties has begun.

By The Conservative

January 18, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this

Quiz given by fifth grader: When is flag day?

By The Conservative

January 18, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this

Liberalism under construction. Helmets inferred.

By Chris Broe

January 18, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this

The Conservative

I eschew the word conservative. Einstein said that conservatism was making the same bribe over and over and expecting a different arab tribe to stand down. Webster’s Conservatism means a “ disposition to keep established ways, or resistance to change”. I speet on that definition too. Perhaps a photo of a dead beat dad walking into a gambling casino would better illustrate what conservatism has become to mean: the break up of our nookyoolar family, and the business ethics on wallstreet and in our banks, investing as blindly as a Vegas addict, which explains why nobody is talking about where the bailout money went: What happens in vegas STAYS in vegas.

Worksheet for defining conservatism:

The Reagan Conservative: small government, reduced entitlements, strong defense, and keeping the beachboys away from the fourth of july white house lawn celebration.

The Nixon Conservative: Presidential privilege extends beyond the scope of the duties inferred during the oath of office swearing-in ceremony.

The Bush Conservative: Cheney classified the definition of conservatism for the next fifty years, so none of us will ever know. We’ll just stick with “no new taxes”. That worked out great.

Purpose of The Conservative:

I hope to instruct the new conservative about who he is, where he is, and what he would do in a crisis. I am The Conservative. I like people. Inflation is the enemy.

Conservatism 101: If Taxes stifle growth, and Entitlements stifle productivity, then war should be tax-free. (The Iraq War is already tactics-free)

Conservative talking points: The new last refuge of a scoundrel is not now bipartisanship. Splittng the presidency into two parts, with the elected president handling domestic affairs and the elected Vice President being the defacto commander-in-chief (which no supreme court judge voted for) is treason. Maybe our definition of conservative should start there.

There is to be one civilian commander-in-chief. He is our defacto president because either he got the most electoral college votes or the supreme court appointed him as the defacto president. Either way works to the satisfaction of the Defacto American voter/Supreme court judge and his Defective 14 second attention span.

Please take notes. There will be an orange alert later accompanied by a quiz given by a fifth grader.

I am The Conservative.

By Tech Fan

January 18, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

Does someone have Alzheimer’s and forget who they are and what they posted?

Speaking of lunacy, how about this for an idea. Go buy some clunker gas guzzler for $500, and then turn around and “sell” it to the government for up to $4,500 for purchase towards a new car! This is the best idea from liberals I’ve heard ever. Shoot I’m going to hit Autotrader right now and maybe later go drive down Buford highway between Chamblee and Norcross and see what I can find on a used car lot.

WASHINGTON - Congress is mulling a proposal to pay people to get rid of those old gas guzzlers sitting in their driveways.

Under legislation introduced Wednesday in both the House and Senate and called the “Cash for Clunkers” program, drivers could get vouchers of up to $4,500 when they turn in their old fuel-inefficient vehicles for scrapping and buy vehicles that get good gas mileage.

The bill, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., “would be an important part of helping getting America’s struggling automobile industry back on its feet, and help consumers who are concerned about covering the cost of buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle.”

By catlady

January 18, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

Tech fan, you can only sell one every three years, I think, so don’t go and buy up too many.

By Sean Manatee

January 18, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this

Just a few more hours and the HORROR SHOW of the last 8 years is over.Whether your a BUSHIE or LIBERAL, BLACK or WHITE , STRAIGHT or GAY, FAT or SKINNY. you get the picture , NO one can DENY this administration has been the worst thing thats ever happened to mankind.Please lets put away the hate and get on with being The UNITED STATES AGAIN!

Cost of Bush presidency: $11.5 trillion

By Sean Manatee

January 18, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this

Just a few more hours and the HORROR SHOW of the last 8 years is over.Whether your a BUSHIE or LIBERAL, BLACK or WHITE , STRAIGHT or GAY, FAT or SKINNY. you get the picture , NO one can DENY this administration has been the worst thing thats ever happened to mankind.Please lets put away the hate and get on with being The UNITED STATES AGAIN!

Cost of Bush presidency: $11.5 trillion

By Dusty

January 18, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

Well, lotsa lengthy posts today. Folks are getting ready to fill Jim’s place. Even liberals are trying to act like editorial types!

As to “clunkers”, does anybody believe that Diane Feinstein ever owned a “clunker”? I guess she has to put her two cents worth in to show she’s doing something in Congress. A few more “helpful” ideas like hers and we’ll have the Big Congressional Laugh Show. When does Franken put in an appearance?

By the way, did you hear the joke Jim Lehrer told Friday night to introduce a forthcoming Comedy Hour? Here it is: Two cannibals were eating a clown when one said to the other, “Does this taste funny to you?”

Don’t blame me. It’s not my fault. What did ya’ expect? A blockbuster?

By catlady

January 18, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this

Re the 700B: wouldn’t it have been cheaper to give each US citizen adult over the age of 20 a check for $33,000 to “save the economy”?

Get out of Iraq and we could pocket even more!

By deegee

January 18, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

If you consider that OBL’s objective was to bring financial disaster to the US, then it appears that Bush and the republican congressional majority of first half of the decade were on the same team.

By Tech Fan

January 18, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this

“Tech fan, you can only sell one every three years, I think, so don’t go and buy up too many.”

Gee thanks for the brilliant insight catlady. Yeah I was just thinking of buying 5 hoopties and then 5 brand new cars back to back all at once. Do you have any other brilliant observations for us, Ms. Clark Howard?

By Chris Broe

January 18, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this

Only 146 more days till Flag Day.

By roger & me

January 18, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

If you consider that OBL’s objective was to bring financial disaster to the US, then it appears that Bush and the republican congressional majority of first half of the decade were on the same team. ——deegee

Of course, considering that our economy didn’t start tanking until after Democrats took over congress, you know, that congress with the whopping and consistent 12% approval rating, then we could say the same about Pelosi’s “most ethical congress in history.”

Finally, considering your hero Bill Clinton turned down an opportunity from Sudan to get OBL, you leftists really have no iron in the fire with which to stoke.

By Sean Manatee

January 18, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this

You rightwing koolaid drinkers forget it was BUSH SR. that empowered OBL it was BUSH SR. that empowered Saddam Hussein and it was Ronald Reagan that had that little IRAN CONTRA THING.Keep drinking that koolaid, you will never have another Rethuglican President.

Cost of Bush presidency: $11.5 trillion

By catlady

January 18, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Tech Fan. I did not know if you came through the academic program or not.

My favorite family GT story: My dad was in the engineering corps in WW2 and their job was to build bridges for Patton and others. (BTW, my dad says Patton’s language was a lot saltier than in the moview with Geo C Scott). At that time, he had not gone to college yet (Duke, BSEE, 1949) so I asked him, “How did you get to be in the engineering corps since you weren’t an engineer yet?” He replied, “They would take just about anybody.” My reply: So why didn’t they get some GT grads?

Roger and me: you are mixing metaphors. You stoke a fire with WOOD or other burnable material, not metal. You have an iron in the fire. Two separate things. Go back to school, you and Roger.

By Dusty

January 18, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this

Oh my goodness, would you believe I forgot to welcome the return of the immortal spirit of Captain Freedom? When the strong smell of fire and brimstone arose, I knew he was around. And…. the old hotfoot hasn’t changed a bit, still lying like a Demogorgon of guilt and gaudiness, the old geezer.

I think he is snooping around in hopes of employment and shall make another magnificent return as a CONSERVATIVE. His coyness cannot compete with the corny concupiscence of RedNeck Convert, both being the convergence of conspiratorial content. They give us the alpha and omega of the undercover.

The old obnoxious Alpha had the nerve to mention my glorious and grandiferous children of merit. His envy of my happy brood is a sad thing to see. May he burn ever so brightly while I send more kerosene. WELCOME BACK, Captain Freedom. We missed your low bound bits of burlesque.

By ron

January 18, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this

Good afternoon,I’ve been away assisting in a little carpentry work for a good cause.I see that no one has solved the economic problems while I’ve been gone.

I voted for George Bush twice.I don’t learn the easy way.He’s going down in history as a president that failed miserably.Those are my final words on the subject.

By @@

January 18, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this

This is for Mid-South. In response to your expressed disappointment in the Ramos and Compean pardon…..

Although I don’t know the ins and outs within the legal system, the two brave defenders of our national sovereignty don’t seem to qualify for a pardon. It does, however, appear that a commutation of their sentence is up for consideration.

By Det. Thorn

January 18, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this

You’ve got to love it when a moby like ron enters the realm with a pathetic attempt to fool conservatives. Woo hoo ron, your fellow loons with a capital L are impressed. So is Ahmanutjob in Iran.

By Lance DeLoach

January 18, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this

We’ll miss you, Jim. It appears that the AJC’s agenda is almost complete: i.e. elimination of all conservatives from its op-ed pages. We (still) miss our paper down here. The “economics” of the newspaper business forced The AJC to eliminate us from their coverage area last year.(after over FIFTY years!) I’ll miss your columns every week. Your column was the only reasonable one the AJC had! Best wishes. Keep right and go forward! Lance DeLoach,Thomaston,GA-an erstwhile Journal reader/subscriber for over thirty years!

By Cardinal Red

January 18, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this

Time to Retire the Voting Rights Act

Speaking of which, Abigail and Stephan Thernstrom — she of the Manhattan Institute, he a Harvard historian — say Obama’s election demonstrates that another facet of the VRA has lost its original, and even then spurious, rationale. Because “it is no longer possible to argue that racial identity is an insurmountable barrier to the highest office in the land,” and because “there are no longer any meaningful racial barriers to voting or holding office in America,” it is time to end the unseemly practice of racial gerrymandering to produce “majority minority” legislative districts in order to guarantee the election of minority candidates.

AMEN AND PASS THE PROGRESS!

Those who, supposedly celebrating the VRA, say it must not be changed actually are implying that it has not succeeded.

They wouldn’t recognize success if their fat a*******es were sitting on it.

By Eaglesuck

January 18, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this

Great. What other niceties are we to expect during the Inauguration?

Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), will deliver a prayer at the National Cathedral during the National Prayer Service on January 21st. The event is part of the festivities for the inauguration of Barack Obama, which occurs January 20. A convert to Islam, Mattson directs the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary.

ISNA has close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, a radical Islamist group, and was named an un-indicted co-conspirator in U.S. v Holy Land Foundation, a case that uncovered covert financing of the terrorist group Hamas. Since her election as ISNA president in 2006, Mattson’s apologias for the radical Wahhabi sect of Islam have gained a much wider audience.

By Eaglesuck

January 18, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this

Whatever are the stupid, vitriolic, mindless, hate-filled liberal left demoncats going to do on the AJC blogs now that Wooten has all but fulfilled their wishes of retiring? Be careful what you wish for, jackasses.

By HECKler

January 18, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this

Cardinal Red, You haven’t heard? Success will be given to them by their Dear Leader.

By Eaglesuck

January 18, 2009 5:45 PM | Link to this

Hey, Rev. Wrong, Mr. “God Damn America” himself, has given a sermon today. Oh the chills, the thrills, and the spills.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama’s controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, says the lesson in Obama’s rise to the White House is that black people shouldn’t limit themselves - or allow others to.

Wright was Obama’s longtime pastor in Chicago before Obama cut ties last year during the presidential campaign. Obama’s decision followed the uproar caused by some of Wright’s videotaped sermons. In them, Wright criticized the U.S. and blamed it for the Sept. 11 attacks.

Wright delivered his sermon Sunday during church services at Howard University in Washington.

By Eaglesuck

January 18, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this

Oh no. One of the Algore fascist global weather scaremongers has only given us four years to live! Perhaps if this snake oil sales weasel would volunteer to stop breathing first, then we can start listening to his bullcrock:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama’s controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, says the lesson in Obama’s rise to the White House is that black people shouldn’t limit themselves - or allow others to.

Wright was Obama’s longtime pastor in Chicago before Obama cut ties last year during the presidential campaign. Obama’s decision followed the uproar caused by some of Wright’s videotaped sermons. In them, Wright criticized the U.S. and blamed it for the Sept. 11 attacks.

Wright delivered his sermon Sunday during church services at Howard University in Washington.

By Eaglesuck

January 18, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this

Oops, I guess since we can’t post links here, a fallacy of cut-n-paste was bound to happen sooner or later. Let’s try this again. Can’t wait to see how we’ll have an economic recovery over PURE draconian socialist state liberalism under the guise of “climate change”:

President ‘has four years to save Earth’

US must take the lead to avert eco-disaster

Barack Obama has only four years to save the world. That is the stark assessment of Nasa scientist and leading climate expert Jim Hansen who last week warned only urgent action by the new president could halt the devastating climate change that now threatens Earth. Crucially, that action will have to be taken within Obama’s first administration, he added.

Soaring carbon emissions are already causing ice-cap melting and threaten to trigger global flooding, widespread species loss and major disruptions of weather patterns in the near future. “We cannot afford to put off change any longer,” said Hansen. “We have to get on a new path within this new administration. We have only four years left for Obama to set an example to the rest of the world. America must take the lead.”

By Eaglesuck

January 18, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this

Well, you can’t argue with this. Who’d have known that Iran, always excused and defended by liberals in this nation, would have a leader who chastises the left wing, liberal, democrat, main stream media love fest with Obama over such important matters like the White House dog. Priceless.

High-level Iranian cleric calls for shooting Livni By ASSOCIATED PRESS

A high-level Iranian cleric has called for the shooting of the Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in a speech before worshippers, it was reported Saturday.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said during Friday prayers that he wanted someone to shoot Livni.

“Every time the picture of this woman is shown, I really wish that somebody would expend a bullet on her,” he said according to a recording of the sermon obtained by the Associated Press.

Jannati is the head of the powerful hardline Iranian Council of Guardians which ensures the government remains true to the principles of the Islamic revolution.

He was hand-picked by Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for the position and is seen by the reformist camp as one of the biggest opponents of democratic reforms in Iran. His council disqualified thousands of reformist candidates during parliamentary elections.

Jannati also criticized US President-elect Barack Obama during his sermon.

“The world is on a slope of collapse. One is shocked when a president (Obama) sits, smiles and says ‘my concern is to find a dog for my daughter.’ Shame on you and those who voted for you,” he said.

By Concerned Black female Engineer

January 19, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this

I am a Black woman who is proud to see a person of color become president. Yet, I am concerned. The defense budget is number one on the chopping block.

The area of defense employs some of the brightest and best engineers, scientists and personnel in the world. It is a diverse group of Americans. While it has not made us rich, we are providing a much needed service to our country, keeping the America on the edge of cutting technology and providing for our families. We are a group of Americans who have followed the rules, bought homes we can afford, volunteer in the community, maintain good credit, drive cars we can afford, etc.

What do I tell my children when they look at me and say, “Mom, we have a Black president, why are you losing your job?”

I pray President Obama sees the need for continued production of the F-22 and our necessary defense programs. His first priority should be to take care of home and Americans.

By Chris Broe

January 19, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this

I was listening to MLK’s “I have a dream” speech on television this morning. When I was a child, I thought JFK was our greatest speaker. His accent was new to me and I just loved the effect his words had on my young spirit. If I listen to JFK today, at 57, the spell is broken and I understand that he was of his time in the sixties, like the Beatles.

MLK had the best delivery of any speaker in my lifetime. He could be the greatest American Speaker. His speeches are so powerful that he could be the Greatest Living American Speaker. His words certainly live and breath and inspire me down to my core.

My dreams are about personal ambition, (and petty revenge fantasies where my enemies sing off key and I guest solo on the Rubber Soul album.) MLK dreamt for this country’s ambition, where liberty’s enemies would come to understand the true meaning of Justice in America.

Justice in America: Is that light at the end of the tunnel the train Obama took to Washington?

By SaveOurRepublic

January 19, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

AmVet @ 15:10 (01/17) - Good reference to the phoney (neo)”conservatives”! Their infestation of the GOP has lead to a Machiavellian, Troskyite, Globalist agenda which goes against the grain of true (paleo)conservatism. Neocon propagandists like “Pawn Vanity” have assisted in duping too many (well-meaning) Americans into buying the Globalist agenda.

With his support of Corporate Welfare, Skull&Bonesman “Jorge Boosh” has (again) proven his status of Neocon/RINO. That being said, fellow (Globalist) traveler “Bacrock Obuma” will certainly be no better, if not (much) worse!

By F22 guy

January 19, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this

Concerned Black female Engineer 8:29 AM

Our jobs are gone, If we had elected Jim Martin there was a chance but we elected Saxby with the help of the Republicam congressmen with a keep Obama from having a majority plank. What chance do you think the F-22 jobs have? On the bright side the F22 is just a waste of taxpayer money.

I am starting a lawn care business, if I were you I’d be calling on Georgia Power about the new plants they are building.

By SaveOurRepublic

January 19, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

F22 guy @ 11:41 - We can thank the (intentional) erosion of the American middle class on the fallacy of so-called “free trade”. Globalist minded NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT/WTO, etc. have lead to the destruction of the U.S. manufacturing base. What’s worse is that NAFTA is the lynch pin for the North American Union (NAU/SPP), the NAFTA/NASCO Superhighway & (forthcoming) “Amero” common currency. The Globalist agenda continues to be advanced by sellout puppets on both sides of the aisle & within the White House!

http://www.jbs.org

By GaLiberal

January 19, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this

**By The Liberal

January 18, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

Like what was stated…liberals have two sets of rules….

WASHINGTON – Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. Let’s party.

The price tag for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration gala is expected to break records, with some estimates reaching as high as $150 million. Despite the bleak economy, however, Democrats who called on President George W. Bush to be frugal four years ago are issuing no such demands now that an inaugural weekend of rock concerts and star-studded parties has begun.**

Well, Liberal, you have just proven how you Rethuglicon asslickers will lie just score some cheap points. The inauguration parties paid with private donations. If you want to look back, go to your god Reagan who had 10+ balls and two galas for his 2nd term. Talk about excess. But that doesn’t seem to be a problem.

If you want to talk about the economy, let’s talk about Bush’s eight years that squandered a $150 BILLION surplus, created a #1.2 TRILLION deficit, and DOUBLED the national debt. Now that’s an accomplishment.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And The Liberal is living proof.

By Jackie

January 19, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

Barack Obama has no record as President of the USA.

Dubya’s record is stark, open, without qualification and has additional scenarios to play.

What is it the Dubya apologists don’t understand?

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

January 19, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this

F22 guy 11:41 AM

Saxby does not work for Georgia, his main concern is the mid west farmer and Obama wants to put a $250,000 hard cap on farm welfare payments. I’ll be out of a job and Saxby will be out of free golf trips.

By norman ravitch

January 19, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this

It all depends on whom you want to blame in the future for our mess: capitalism or the government. I think both.

By Soulfinger

January 19, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this

Wow, I am shocked at some of the comments.

By Jeff Davis

January 19, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this

In the words of Monty Python, “And now for something completely different.” No matter what one’s political and social beliefs may be, the War Between The States is an historic fact that directly affected Georgia and reverberates to this day. Today marks Robert E. Lee’s 202nd birthday, and is still an official state holiday in neighboring Tennessee (where it also recognizes the January 21st birth of General Stonewall Jackson); it was not so long ago that Georgia did the same. January 19 also marks Georgia’s secession from the United States in 1861, when the combination of tariffs, slavery, state’s rights, and regional opposition to the Republican’s “American Plan” of economic development was coming to a head. The Home Of The American Civil War is a comprehensive resource for fairly objective information about the War Between The States, concentrating on the military aspects of battles, strategies, and commanders. It does include some wide-ranging essays that explore the conflicting opinions historians still have about that five year period of American history.

By AmVet

January 19, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this

It is more or less official now - George Walker Bush was the least effective (eclipsing even Carter), most derided (eclipsing even Nixon) president in modern American history.

Granted, he had to deal with two major calamities - 9/11 and Katrina. And how he and his staff (mis?)handled them is at the heart of this matter.

After those attacks, when we needed much reason and cautious, deliberate action we got hyper-excited, deceptive and partisan misinformation and fear mongering. That and an arrogant impulsivity based on a personal grudge.

Along with a brilliant start in Afghanistan!

Nonetheless, many of us hold him responsible for, what is in my opinion, needlessly losing 4,228 American lives in Iraq, along with the “collateral damage”. And if he is correct that he has created a longstanding island of a sane, stable, pro-American democracy in that sea of islamomadness, I’ll publicly eat every last word. But I just don’t think it’s going to happen. I never have.

When we needed immediate, coordinated and compassionate help after Katrina we got slow mo disregard and bureaucratic inertia. And more glad-handing and excuses.

But after that event, our ugly little “secret” was finally out in the open. For all to see. The poorest among us - white, black, brown, yellow or red - ALWAYS go to the back of the line. Does anyone really believe the response would have been the same for an equal disaster in Hollywood? (Florida or Cali.)

And now it appears that there are almost certainly dark economic times ahead for many of us.

And some, of course, will blame Obama. But these seeds of destruction were sown long ago. And they have been faithfully tended. Ike was right about the military industrial complex. And swindlers and crooks simply used it to implement gangster capitalism. And in so doing, parted us fools from our money.

So by any imaginable measure, Bush, his cronies, his sycophants and especially this horrible knockoff, GOP imitation of conservative ideology (which was incredibly swallowed hook, line and sinker by gullible millions) have been abject disappointments. And yes, failures.

And now the nation reels under an enormous, growing burden, thanks to this eight year blunder of an administration nearly bereft of ethical governance and financial responsibility.

So now, future generations of Americans will pay a VERY heavy price for the “mistakes” and criminal actions of these dishonorable men. Most of whom were drunk with unregulated power and wealth. Also culpable, through their selfish inactivty, are those co-conspirators who were elected to protect us and did not.

And though the blame certainly, is not theirs solely, there is the distinct possibility that due to the “consequences of a sustained orgy of excess and reckless behavior”, this hemorrhaging, outdated, untrustworthy and intransigent GOP may not be truly relevant again for years.

Just as in 1933, when the come-to-be beloved FDR replaced the ineffective Hoover, now, 76 years later, another Democrat of enormous promise again replaces, amid a slew of crises and perhaps a new Great Depression, a Republican with poor problem-solving skills .

Good luck, Mssrs. Obama and Biden.

You will need it and the nation is eager to help…

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

January 20, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this

i hope Obama will take the oath of office and then arrest George W. Hitler for his many crimes. iI is time for that moron to come face-to-face with the justice his actions cry out for!

By Mid-South Philosopher

January 20, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this

Good Inauguration Day, Jim.

While a “pardon” would have been more appropriate, I am glad to see that the *Crawford Texas Blunderer” finally commuted the sentences of Ramos and Campeon.

As to an investigation of the Bush Administration’s illegal acts, I doubt that much of value would come of that.

The best thing that can happen is for the nation to move on and allow George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, and their ilk to sink into memory’s oblivion.

As for me, I don’t plan to waste another thought on them.

By Butch

January 22, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of hate filled nuts. After listening to you Democrats and all the hate you spew, it makes me so proud to be a Republican who voted for Bush. I have never seen this much hate. All of your hate comes from SLANTED left wing media news… not the facts. President Bush will go down in history for being one of our greatest Presidents, governing with his conscience, not poll numbers and media bias. God Bless You President George W. Bush for being a man and keeping us safe. You will be missed.