Almost One Year Ago Today

[Gaspar]

It won't get s good read by either side. I see it as moderate in a landscape where moderate won't fly.

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[Townsend]

It won't get s good read by either side. I see it as moderate in a landscape where moderate won't fly.

The Vatican is moderate in this landscape.

[AquaMan]

You and I have completely different reads on this.  It sounds more like something Sarah Palin would have cobbled together.  Other than FTA's with Colombia, Panama, and SK what did he say?

Cut taxes!
Cut non-military discretionary spending!
Drill baby, drill!
Kill Obamacare!
Cut regulation!
Face down the unions!

That's not really moderate talk.  It's more like the bullet list of Tea Party talking points to try and attract potential Perry supporters.  I suspect he's worried about the large gap Perry is opening on him.  With less than six months to the first primaries, all serious candidates are in at this point so it's time for the front runners to start building consensus.  Romney is rightfully worried about Perry and he's come up with a bullet list designed to attract the more conservative of the lot.

I have to go with Conan on this. Romney isn't going to let this Texan go home with the drunken girl. He's flashing some trash to get her attention. It just seems to me that Romney doesn't seem genuine.

Primaries on the republican side used to be so predictable and not much fun. This one has drama. Unfortunately, I get the feeling that its one of those "the operation was a success... but the patient died" kind of dramas.

[Townsend]

I have to go with Conan on this. Romney isn't going to let this Texan go home with the drunken girl. He's flashing some trash to get her attention. It just seems to me that Romney doesn't seem genuine.

Primaries on the republican side used to be so predictable and not much fun. This one has drama. Unfortunately, I get the feeling that its one of those "the operation was a success... but the patient died" kind of dramas.

I see Perry mis-identifying Bachman and saying "Why don't you go get the boys some coffee, Darlin'."

Then she'll have to since she's "subservient"

[JCnOwasso]

An Order to Empower American Businesses and Workers
• Reverses the executive orders issued by President Obama that tilt the playing held in favor of organized labor, including the one encouraging the use of union labor on major government construction projects

I assume the EO you are referencing is 13502?  To quote a movie that I hold near and dear... "I do not think that means what you think it means".  While the Pres may have signed the EO, it has a little bit further to go in the process before it is fully implemented on my side of the fence.  The intent of 13502 was to require a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on projects that involve a lot of different players.  Basically a "come to Jesus" agreement for that job, only.  The Contracting Officer would be responsible for determining what would be included in that agreement.  Additionally, the Contracting Officer of an Agency would be responsible for deciding if requiring a PLA was even necessary (regardless if the project exceeded 25m).

Additionally, the FAR council did address the concerns raised about non-union contractors bidding on a job with the PLA requirement and this is the response- With respect to the general concern raised regarding the participation of nonunion contractors, GSA, DoD, and NASA note that E.O. 13502 expressly states that all project labor agreements must allow all contractors and subcontractors to compete for contracts and subcontracts without regard to whether they are otherwise parties to collective bargaining agreements and this requirement is repeated in the final rule. Any contractor may compete for—and win—a Federal contract requiring a project labor agreement, whether or not the contractor's employees are represented by a labor union. The same principle of open competition would protect subcontractors as well.

[Conan71]

I assume the EO you are referencing is 13502?  To quote a movie that I hold near and dear... "I do not think that means what you think it means".  While the Pres may have signed the EO, it has a little bit further to go in the process before it is fully implemented on my side of the fence.  The intent of 13502 was to require a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on projects that involve a lot of different players.  Basically a "come to Jesus" agreement for that job, only.  The Contracting Officer would be responsible for determining what would be included in that agreement.  Additionally, the Contracting Officer of an Agency would be responsible for deciding if requiring a PLA was even necessary (regardless if the project exceeded 25m).

Additionally, the FAR council did address the concerns raised about non-union contractors bidding on a job with the PLA requirement and this is the response- With respect to the general concern raised regarding the participation of nonunion contractors, GSA, DoD, and NASA note that E.O. 13502 expressly states that all project labor agreements must allow all contractors and subcontractors to compete for contracts and subcontracts without regard to whether they are otherwise parties to collective bargaining agreements and this requirement is repeated in the final rule. Any contractor may compete for—and win—a Federal contract requiring a project labor agreement, whether or not the contractor's employees are represented by a labor union. The same principle of open competition would protect subcontractors as well.

So basically they've made a meme over E.O. 13502 that makes it sound as if non-union contractors were squeezed out.

[AquaMan]

I see Perry mis-identifying Bachman and saying "Why don't you go get the boys some coffee, Darlin'."

Then she'll have to since she's "subservient"

That makes me laugh! There are so many potential SNL skits going on right now. They must be delirious with the choices.

I could hear Cain's response...."Boys? You talkin' about me Aggie?"

[JCnOwasso]

So basically they've made a meme over E.O. 13502 that makes it sound as if non-union contractors were squeezed out.

Not sure I completely understand who "they've" are, but I think the correct answer is yes, someone has made it look like non-union contractors were squeezed out when, in fact, they were not.  If anyone is interested in the "edge of your seat" read, you can google FAC 2005-41 and grab some popcorn and a comfortable place to slee.. err read.

[Cats Cats Cats]

The "party agin' the science" debate will be cringe worthy.

"We all hate the guy from TX almost as much as we hate the guy in the white house now."

"Here's our three talking points repeated over and over no matter what the question is."

(under their breath) "Why isn't he in his own state looking after it while it burns?"

From Perry's point of view:  "No federal assistance for anyone unless we can cut spending elsewhere."...(under his breath) "Why isn't FEMA helping my state?"

And why did he cut the funding to volunteer firefighters by 75%?

[Conan71]

And why did he cut the funding to volunteer firefighters by 75%?

I'm sorry, that just sounds funny.  I can hear that getting spun incorrectly by someone like Debbie Wassermann-Schultz:

"Rick Perry cut volunteer firefighter wages by 75%"

[Townsend]

I'm sorry, that just sounds funny.  I can hear that getting spun incorrectly by someone like Debbie Wassermann-Schultz:

"Rick Perry cut volunteer firefighter wages by 75%"

Well done.  Now he's screwed.

[AquaMan]

Well done.  Now he's screwed.

So, what you're saying is, Rick Perry is cutting funding for volunteerism at a time when the state is on fire?... He doesn't support volunteerism? ...He screwed with volunteers during firefighting efforts?

[Conan71]

So, what you're saying is, Rick Perry is cutting funding for volunteerism at a time when the state is on fire?... He doesn't support volunteerism? ...He screwed with volunteers during firefighting efforts?

What?  Rick Perry started wild fires then told the volunteers to go get screwed?

[Townsend]

What?  Rick Perry started wild fires then told the volunteers to go get screwed?

What?  Rick Perry lit volunteers on fire and shoved them out of his publically funded helicopter thus starting wildfires?

[Gaspar]

I'm sorry, that just sounds funny.  I can hear that getting spun incorrectly by someone like Debbie Wassermann-Schultz:

"Rick Perry cut volunteer firefighter wages by 75%"

I thought volunteer firefighters were like. . . volunteers?