meh

[nathanm]

It does when you are a Republican.

Only if you don't understand the concept of compromise.

[Gaspar]

Only if you don't understand the concept of compromise.

Check yourself.

Compromise is not both sides screaming what they want.  Compromise is both sides sitting down and negotiating an agreement.  Good or bad, legislation needs to be voted on or worked through committee.  Simply tabling the bills you agree or disagree with to avoid embarrassing defeat or passage, IS obstructionism.  Holding legislation hostage rather than voting on it is not compromise.

. . .and from the executive side, the one time this president made an attempt to sit down with Republicans and hammer out an agreement ended up in a sophomoric debacle, because after an agreement was reached, he saw that as an opportunity to push for additional demands. Freeking clueless!

If Mr. Romney's only credential was that he was successful in working with a 89% liberal democrat state legislature amicably, that is enough to qualify him beyond anything President Obama has accomplished in his entire life. . .and no, I don't consider writing two autobiographies as a senator and winning the Nobel prize for somthing that the Nobel commission can't even articulate, qualification.  4 Years later, we now have validation of everything we feared in the election of such an amateur individual to such a position of such responsibility.

Liberals should rejoice.  They will probably get more of their programs passed or at least moved Forward! with Romney than with President Obama.  He is the most amazing failure of a leader we've ever endured.  The only thing he's been successful at is taking two political parties that both offer good ideas, with clear philosophical disagreement, and dividing them even further to the point where nothing functional can happen.

There is no wizard behind the curtain, no Hope & Change, just a narcissist with grand ambition, and a bag full of of disjointed visions, more suitable for stories in the classroom than the real world.

This president wasn't interested in progress through compromise, he was interested in plowing things through, or waiting until the last minute. . .until rash decisions were inevitable and bad decisions unavoidable.  His concept of economics and his understanding of free markets was so idealistic that his own party was unwilling to entertain his budgetary proposals, that after analysis were deemed to be disastrous.  Had he a sympathetic Congress, this country would be closer to bankruptcy than it already is. 

When he couldn't' get 100% agreement, instead of compromise and negotiation, he sought ways outside, around, or beyond congress to accomplish his goals.   His personality is that of a spoiled child, hiding behind anything and everything.  Ready to blame anyone but himself.  Throwing out flair and chaff, to avoid being pinned down.  Talented at making his case, but only when prompted with talking points.

Poorly behaved children do not compromise.  They do not admit when they've made a mistake.  They whine, cry, and throw tantrums.  In the worst cases, if they can't get what they want, they sneak it, and risk punishment.  When caught, they blame others.  It's never their fault.  But what is worse is the parents that spoil them, defend their actions, and act as proxies. 

[Hoss]

Check yourself.

Compromise is not both sides screaming what they want.  Compromise is both sides sitting down and negotiating an agreement.  Good or bad, legislation needs to be voted on or worked through committee.  Simply tabling the bills you agree or disagree with to avoid embarrassing defeat or passage, IS obstructionism.  Holding legislation hostage rather than voting on it is not compromise.

. . .and from the executive side, the one time this president made an attempt to sit down with Republicans and hammer out an agreement ended up in a sophomoric debacle, because after an agreement was reached, he saw that as an opportunity to push for additional demands. Freeking clueless!

If Mr. Romney's only credential was that he was successful in working with a 89% liberal democrat state legislature amicably, that is enough to qualify him beyond anything President Obama has accomplished in his entire life. . .and no, I don't consider writing two autobiographies as a senator and winning the Nobel prize for somthing that the Nobel commission can't even articulate, qualification.  4 Years later, we now have validation of everything we feared in the election of such an amateur individual to such a position of such responsibility.

Liberals should rejoice.  They will probably get more of their programs passed or at least moved Forward! with Romney than with President Obama.  He is the most amazing failure of a leader we've ever endured.  The only thing he's been successful at is taking two political parties that both offer good ideas, with clear philosophical disagreement, and dividing them even further to the point where nothing functional can happen.

There is no wizard behind the curtain, no Hope & Change, just a narcissist with grand ambition, and a bag full of of disjointed visions, more suitable for stories in the classroom than the real world.

This president wasn't interested in progress through compromise, he was interested in plowing things through, or waiting until the last minute. . .until rash decisions were inevitable and bad decisions unavoidable.  His concept of economics and his understanding of free markets was so idealistic that his own party was unwilling to entertain his budgetary proposals, that after analysis were deemed to be disastrous.  Had he a sympathetic Congress, this country would be closer to bankruptcy than it already is. 

When he couldn't' get 100% agreement, instead of compromise and negotiation, he sought ways outside, around, or beyond congress to accomplish his goals.   His personality is that of a spoiled child, hiding behind anything and everything.  Ready to blame anyone but himself.  Throwing out flair and chaff, to avoid being pinned down.  Talented at making his case, but only when prompted with talking points.

Poorly behaved children do not compromise.  They do not admit when they've made a mistake.  They whine, cry, and throw tantrums.  In the worst cases, if they can't get what they want, they sneak it, and risk punishment.  When caught, they blame others.  It's never their fault.  But what is worse is the parents that spoil them, defend their actions, and act as proxies. 

Yep, it sure sounds like this congressional leadership wanted compromise...

And then Boehner gets eviscerated by his own when he actually DOES try to compromise with the sitting President (during the budget negotiations).

Sounds like poorly behaved children to me.  That's why this congress hovers round 10 percent approval.

[RecycleMichael]

If Mr. Romney's only credential was that he was successful in working with a 89% liberal democrat state legislature amicably, ,

Completely false.

Romney fought the democrats on almost every issue while governor. He issued 844 vetoes of which almost all of them were overridden. His last year as governor his approval ratings was down to 34% He ended up just leaving the state to get away. He spent 212 days out of the state his last year in office.

This was from Mitt Romney's entry on wikipedia..."On a personal level, Romney mostly only dealt with the leadership of the state legislature, and rarely developed any political or social relationships with most of the members. Indeed, he failed to memorize the names and faces of all of them, and sometimes greeted them incorrectly as a result Legislators complained that he did not extend customary courtesies towards them..."

His staffers also went out of their way to hide their work form the public and the incoming admisistration. He decided that his staffers had the right to purchase the hard drives from their state-issued computers. When questioned on the subject in 2011, Romney responded that he had not wanted the information to be available to "opposition research teams."

[heironymouspasparagus]

Check yourself.


Liberals should rejoice.  They will probably get more of their programs passed or at least moved Forward! with Romney than with President Obama.  He is the most amazing failure of a leader we've ever endured.  The only thing he's been successful at is taking two political parties that both offer good ideas, with clear philosophical disagreement, and dividing them even further to the point where nothing functional can happen.

This president wasn't interested in progress through compromise, he was interested in plowing things through, or waiting until the last minute. . .until rash decisions were inevitable and bad decisions unavoidable.  His concept of economics and his understanding of free markets was so idealistic that his own party was unwilling to entertain his budgetary proposals, that after analysis were deemed to be disastrous.  Had he a sympathetic Congress, this country would be closer to bankruptcy than it already is. 

When he couldn't' get 100% agreement, instead of compromise and negotiation, he sought ways outside, around, or beyond congress to accomplish his goals.   His personality is that of a spoiled child, hiding behind anything and everything.  Ready to blame anyone but himself.  Throwing out flair and chaff, to avoid being pinned down.  Talented at making his case, but only when prompted with talking points.

Poorly behaved children do not compromise.  They do not admit when they've made a mistake.  They whine, cry, and throw tantrums.  In the worst cases, if they can't get what they want, they sneak it, and risk punishment.  When caught, they blame others.  It's never their fault.  But what is worse is the parents that spoil them, defend their actions, and act as proxies. 

You are describing the 8 years of Bush to a T.  Both sides do a lot of that "pushing stuff through", or nothing would ever get done.  We would never have even started health care help if it hadn't been bulldozed.  And we never would have gone into Iraq if IT hadn't been bulldozed.  Probably the biggest difference in things you mention is the fact that Bush's own party not only entertained budgetary policies that were disastrous, but got on board and helped pull the train! 

Deep down inside, in your heart of hearts, do you really, honestly, and truly believe that the two unfunded wars, the uncompensated tax cuts, and a trillion dollar bailout of big banks is better than the path we have been pursuing for the last 4 years??

If you answer is yes, then I really worry for your company, 'cause it is in deep trouble....

The polarization of America has been complete since the 80's and no sign of it changing any time soon.

[Teatownclown]

Why is it obstinate politics justification has to be retro? Can we bury the past and move ahead? Or is vindictiveness the way of a Christian society?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Why is it obstinate politics justification has to be retro? Can we bury the past and move ahead? Or is vindictiveness the way of a Christian society?

If you don't know the past, you can't avoid it.  You know that...

We keep doing the same ignorant stuff over and over - and yes, that is both sides - because we DON'T know the past and learn from it.  So, we have already fulfilled your fond desire and have buried the past.  Moving ahead??  Depends....

[nathanm]

Compromise is not both sides screaming what they want.  Compromise is both sides sitting down and negotiating an agreement.  Good or bad, legislation needs to be voted on or worked through committee.  Simply tabling the bills you agree or disagree with to avoid embarrassing defeat or passage, IS obstructionism.  Holding legislation hostage rather than voting on it is not compromise.

I'm glad you understand what the House and Senate Republicans have been up to these last few years. You may note that one of the funnier accusations to come out recently was that the BLS report was cooked. The BLS, which has no political appointees at present because the Republicans keep filibustering them. I could almost buy the line that Republicans keep filibustering everything in sight and refusing to compromise because the Democrats are being assholes about it. But then I see the long delays in confirmation of the President's appointees and realize that no, it's just about being a pain in the donkey.

I will give them kudos for finally rationalizing the number of appointees who have to be confirmed by Congress, though. Only 20 or so of them dissented on that bill in the Senate.

[heironymouspasparagus]

That's what my friend's dad used to say. He was what today would just be considered an avid listener of Alex Jones. He was constantly going on about the New World Order, the concentration camps Bush and Clinton were building, and yes, martial law. He even bought into the "gold fringe on the flag equals martial law" thing. So forgive me if I don't believe people when they say that they're not paranoid.

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you...

[nathanm]

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you...

I know that from personal experience.

[Teatownclown]

WEDNESDAY, OCT 10, 2012 11:44 AM CDT
Obama, Romney, and the bigotry gap
Both candidates face prejudice, but one side is far more willing to try to exploit it
BY DAVID SIROTA

http://www.salon.com/2012/10/10/obama_romney_and_the_bigotry_gap/

Saccharine paeans to tolerance and "post-racial" ideals aside, there remains no shortage of evidence that bigotry will play a major role in the 2012 election. For Mitt Romney to win, he must triumph over one in five voters who tell Gallup pollsters they will not vote for a Mormon candidate for president. For President Obama to get reelected, he must once again overcome pervasive prejudice in a nation that is both individually and institutionally racist — a nation that, according to Harvard and Google data, denied him up to 5 percent of the vote in 2008 because of his African-American heritage.

To be sure, it's impossible to definitively prove which form of bigotry will play a bigger role in the election outcome. While there is some evidence about which form of hate will be decisive in some voters' minds, there's simply no way to document which prejudice will most influence the overall outcome. However, one thing that's perfectly clear is that one side is far more willing to try to exploit bigotry than the other.

Here's the truth: When it comes to Romney's religion, you'd be hard–pressed to come up with many — if any — examples of widespread official or even unofficial efforts to stoke anti-Mormon sentiment in order to help President Obama. Indeed, the best, and most hilarious, attempt I've seen was by right-wingers trying to claim Obama's affinity for beer is actually an offensive method of criticizing Romney's teetotaling faith. Such claims are more than rich coming from a conservative political movement that regularly decries the so-called p.c. police for taking offense at behavior when offense is supposedly not warranted. In this sense, the right is doubling down on such fake outrage; after all, if conservatives now believe gulping down a lager is the new vanguard of intolerance in America, then they must believe NFL game days, New Year's Eve and college frat parties are secret nationwide exercises in religious bigotry.

By contrast, as the Christian Science Monitor noted in a March report documenting myriad examples of ugly and explicit clarion calls to Jim Crow sentiment, "Racism, in forms both overt and sly, appears to be rearing its head higher than in the 2008 election campaign." You can see that this bigotry comes from the top in the GOP's resurrection of the racialized welfare issue. From Rick Santorum saying, "I don't want to make black people's lives better by giving them somebody else's money," to Newt Gingrich calling Obama the "best food stamp president in American history," to the Romney campaign airing ads criticizing Obama for a welfare policy that Romney himself championed — ads that, the Washington Post reports, specifically "primed racial resentment" among viewers.

Now, with these wink-and-nod endorsements of the race card coming from the very highest reaches of the conservative establishment, we are seeing the right's grass-roots apparatus mobilize for an unprecedented (at least in modern times) mass appeal to the worst mix of racism, paranoia and conspiracy theory.

Last week, there was the latest iteration of the He's Just Too Black attack, featuring Tucker Carlson using an old Obama speech about Hurricane Katrina to slam the president for supposedly making "appeals to racial solidarity" and using a "phony" African American accent. This week, another right-wing website, World Net Daily is reporting in breathless and excitedly supportive fashion on a direct-to-voter crusade laced with even more overt bigotry:

Filmmaker Joel Gilbert has mailed 2.7 million copies of his full-length documentary "Dreams from My Real Father" to households in key swing states, with 1.5 million going to Florida, 700,000 to Colorado and 500,000 to Iowa. The mass distribution follows a mailing last month in which Gilbert sent 1.38 million DVDs of "Dreams from My Real Father" to households in swing state Ohio along with 100,000 to New Hampshire and 80,000 to Nevada...

Gilbert argues in the documentary that Frank Marshall Davis, the radical poet and journalist who was a card-carrying member of the Communist Party USA, was the real, biological and ideological father of Barack Obama, not Barack Obama, the Kenyan, who came from Africa in 1959 to attend the University of Hawaii in Honolulu...

"We can manufacture and ship 1 million DVDs per day out of Southern California," he explained.

Here we are getting the much-bigger-budget sequel to the original Manchurian Candidate story about Obama. During and immediately after the last election, conservatives in the dark shadows of talk radio and fringe magazines used the president's mixed-race heritage to manufacture allegations that he is a foreign-born Muslim revolutionary. This time around comes Manchurian Candidate II: Communist Bugaboo: a blockbuster production mass-marketed for optimal electoral influence, one that uses Obama's race to cast him in the role of Angry Radical Black Guy.

On the specifics of the allegations, Businessweek accurately summarized the explicit racial premise of the whole attack when it analyzed Gilbert's New York Post ad documenting his "findings."

"The only 'evidence' the ad provides is a pair of side-by-side photos of Obama and Davis, who bear no resemblance to each other aside from the fact that both men are black and, in the photos, are facing the same direction," the magazine wrote. In other words, the grotesque logic is that since Davis and Obama are both black and both of them knew each other, Obama must be Davis' son. As visual evidence for such a preposterous logic, we have a side-by-side display of photographs aimed at convincing onlookers to succumb to racist impulses telling them that all black men — even ones as aesthetically different as Davis and Obama — somehow look alike.

Of course, those like Gilbert and others trying to racialize the 2012 election will claim that the real conspiracy theorists are those criticizing them. Like all purveyors of dog-whistle racism in the past, they will say their efforts have nothing to do with bigotry and everything to do with just "getting the facts out." But their efforts are obviously right out of Lee Atwater's Republican playbook.

"You start out in 1954 by saying, '******, ******, ******,'" said the late GOP strategist. "By 1968 you can't say '******' — that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites."

That's what this is all about: using coded language to manufacture a plausible deniability about conservative bigotry. Until Republican leaders publicly repudiate it, that kind of prejudice will continue to define American politics — in 2012 and beyond.

[Conan71]

So says the biggest bigot on TNF.

[Teatownclown]

So says the biggest bigot on TNF.

LOL....whitey, I only exploit cults. Remember, not all religions are alike.

[Townsend]

LOL....whitey, I only exploit cults. Remember, not all religions are alike.

Rome considered Christianity a cult.

[Teatownclown]

Rome considered Christianity a cult.

So do those today outside of the Empire.... some people just aren't superstitious.