------ Saw this highlighted over at The Political Carnival and thought it needed a little expansion, considering who it is that is talking about fiscal issues -------
Let's take a look at newly elected, Tea Bagger backed, Pat Toomey and his response to something that conservative absolutely went nuts over recently.
Ah, there's that magic word again - "context". Could this be the moment where the Tea Baggers start to get nervous about their choices? Well, let's just ask their spokes model, Glenn Beck:
( skip ahead to the 5:03 mark for the bit that will likely have Toomey singing a new tune once he gets his Fox"News" talking points memo his first day at work )
Sounds like Beck isn't too keen on this idea. And we all know how the modern conservative movement looks at Beck as it's new messiah.
Have we just seen the first hiccup in the Tea Bagger "tidal wave"? I certainly do.
Showing posts with label Political Carnival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Carnival. Show all posts
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Context Free Conservativism
The righteous indignation of Sarah Palin was on full display while in the warm confines of the Fox"News" studios and Chris Wallace's program.
Here's the back story:
It's a veritable conservative trifecta of outrage.
Let's take a listen to the audio:
Clearly, whomever is involved in this conversation did mention "child molesters", but there is no indication that these people are planning on concocting a story to attack Miller or are just being snarky. Naturally, conservatives are insisting that the former is true, and that "context" has nothing to do with it:
Considering how the modern conservative movement approaches Democratic candidates, I'm really wondering if this is the argument that Ed Morrissey is wanting to present.
But let's look at the definition of the word "context":
I find it very hard to believe that anyone could divine any sort of context from the garbled audio that Andrew Brietbart's Big Journalism is peddling as the latest narrative puzzle piece designed to distract conservative voters.
In addition to Palin's complete lack of understand of who context works, she also seems to be unable to differentiate between the letters "S" and "C":
Palin, along with virtually every conservative in America, relies heavily on blaming the messenger rather than tackling the message - whatever it may be at the time. Her claims against CBS tend to fall more than a little flat when one considers the fact that KTVA is owned by the Alaska Broadcasting Co.:
Joe Miller has created enough problems on his own, so I'm not seeing how this trumped up accusation is going to improve his chances of winning against Murkowski. The GOP was already distancing themselves from Miller prior to this latest attempt to slander any media outlet that isn't Fox.
This will be nothing more than a launching pad from where people like Palin, Breitbart, and Miller can unleash boiler plate rhetoric and continue to portray themselves as perpetual victims and that would never engage in pushing fabricated stories about political candidates.
Here's the back story:
Sarah Palin is out for blood (again) this time against an Alaska CBS affiliate. She's accusing the station's reporters of conspiring against Joe Miller, calling them "bastards" and suggesting that the initials CBS stand for "Corrupt Bastards Club." The station is strongly defending itself, though, calling her claims entirely unfounded.
Palin, Miller, and their supporters are basing their accusations on a snippet of audio they leaked to Andrew Breitbart's website Big Government. The audio is weak, and it's hard to suss out the context, but what you can hear sounds like KTVA reporters facetiously explaining how to turn a story into a sensation: specifically, jesting about finding a child molester who's voting Republican and tarring Miller by association. The conversation took place after one of the reporters left a message for a Miller spokesperson, but accidentally failed to hang up.
It's a veritable conservative trifecta of outrage.
Let's take a listen to the audio:
Clearly, whomever is involved in this conversation did mention "child molesters", but there is no indication that these people are planning on concocting a story to attack Miller or are just being snarky. Naturally, conservatives are insisting that the former is true, and that "context" has nothing to do with it:
KTVA’s explanation is absurd. What possible context can they put around the suggestion that they start looking for child molesters at a political rally in order to exploit that for their television coverage? That’s a “potential what-if scenario”? Is this a suggestion that came up in strategy sessions when discussing a McAdams campaign rally?
The only absolution KTVA could have possibly had was showing that this conversation didn’t take place among their staff, but was left on the voicemail by some other people or organization. Even if KTVA approached coverage of every political event in this manner, it would be an embarrassment. In this case, it shows a strong bias against Miller and gives a window into the editorial direction at KTVA.
Next up: will CBS management take action against their affiliate?
Considering how the modern conservative movement approaches Democratic candidates, I'm really wondering if this is the argument that Ed Morrissey is wanting to present.
But let's look at the definition of the word "context":
–noun
1.
the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect: You have misinterpreted my remark because you took it out of context.
2.
the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.
I find it very hard to believe that anyone could divine any sort of context from the garbled audio that Andrew Brietbart's Big Journalism is peddling as the latest narrative puzzle piece designed to distract conservative voters.
In addition to Palin's complete lack of understand of who context works, she also seems to be unable to differentiate between the letters "S" and "C":
Apparently, college graduate Former Half-Gov Illiterata McAirHead thinks the letter C is the same as the letter S. CBS cleverly stands for “Corrupt Bastards Club” in her brain-deficient little unschooled world.
Palin, along with virtually every conservative in America, relies heavily on blaming the messenger rather than tackling the message - whatever it may be at the time. Her claims against CBS tend to fall more than a little flat when one considers the fact that KTVA is owned by the Alaska Broadcasting Co.:
KTVA News is owned by the Alaska Broadcasting Co., not CBS. No CBS staffers were involved and CBS has no knowledge of and no comment on these allegations.
Joe Miller has created enough problems on his own, so I'm not seeing how this trumped up accusation is going to improve his chances of winning against Murkowski. The GOP was already distancing themselves from Miller prior to this latest attempt to slander any media outlet that isn't Fox.
ABC's Jonathan Karl reports: A high-level GOP source tells me that party leaders have essentially given up on Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller and are now banking on a victory by write-in candidate Lisa Murkowski as the best bet for Republicans to keep the Alaska Senate seat.
Murkowski defied party leaders by running a write-in campaign after she lost the Republican primary last month. But with Miller's campaign faltering, the source tells me that Republican leaders are now worried that Democrat Scott McAdams has a shot of winning and that Murkowski may be the only way to stop him.
This will be nothing more than a launching pad from where people like Palin, Breitbart, and Miller can unleash boiler plate rhetoric and continue to portray themselves as perpetual victims and that would never engage in pushing fabricated stories about political candidates.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thug Politics : Alaska Style
Caught this over at The Political Carnival and it reminded me of people like Michelle Malkin and her faithful droogies at HotAir screaming and crying about "thug politics" that the Democrats allegedly employ.
Here's the background to the players involved:
I'm not entirely sure if this woman just can't handle her drink or if she is so unglued naturally that this is the common way in which she handles her's and her husband's political lives. Seems like she's in the wrong business.
One would think, considering the speed with which these stories get around in the modern socio-political landscape, but why have the major media outlets been silent on this? I'm not even including Fox"News" in that query, as this is precisely the type of footage they DON'T want seeing the light of day.
Naturally, Paul Bauer had to respond in way that made it look like David Stieren was blackmailing him. In a press release from Bauer's offices, his side of the story attempts to paint the confrontation as being NOT about any facet of the campaign and that recording the confrontation was, I'm not kidding here, a violation of election rules.
I'm unsure of the circumstances under which Bauer left the Miller campaign, but it's safe to say that if this video hadn't make it to the internet that he would have been tossed out on his ear anyway. You can't have and unhinged spouse and her lapdog camera-man threatening people in front of dozens of witnesses without word getting back to you that your campaign might not be able to wiggle out of this situation easily.
I really do wish the audio was a little clearer, because most of what the man with Mrs. Bauer said was either too muffled or simply inaudible. Not only that, but what did Mrs. Bauer say to the woman on the other side of the table? And what happened outside the bar? It's alleged by Stieren was confronted by the cameraman, but it's also alleged by Bauer that the confrontation happened the other way. But without proper validation - like say footage of the so called altercation - it's best not to get into rank speculation.
The end result is that the Miller campaign has a lot to answer for. And as for myself, I think the media at large should seriously be kicking themselves for missing this one.
Here's the background to the players involved:
The wife of the campaign manager for U.S. Senate Candidate, Joe Miller, threatening people at our table at an official campaign event.
She knew that she was on video, she approached our table without solicitation. The guy with the camera also knew that he was on video. The guy with the camera is a pr person for Joe Miller. The guy with the camera attempted to fight members of our party when they went outside to make a phone call.
I have zero, I repeat zero involvement with the Murkowski campaign. I was not asked to take or post this video by any group or individual.
I'm not entirely sure if this woman just can't handle her drink or if she is so unglued naturally that this is the common way in which she handles her's and her husband's political lives. Seems like she's in the wrong business.
One would think, considering the speed with which these stories get around in the modern socio-political landscape, but why have the major media outlets been silent on this? I'm not even including Fox"News" in that query, as this is precisely the type of footage they DON'T want seeing the light of day.
Naturally, Paul Bauer had to respond in way that made it look like David Stieren was blackmailing him. In a press release from Bauer's offices, his side of the story attempts to paint the confrontation as being NOT about any facet of the campaign and that recording the confrontation was, I'm not kidding here, a violation of election rules.
I am appalled that FCC licensed talk show hosts can literally conspire to change the course of a federal election by using the airways in the way they did, and blackmail a federal candidate’s campaign, Bauer said. There was definite collusion between Morris Communications radio talk show hosts David Stieren and Dan Fagan, with UAA College Republicans conspiring to air the video and force the Joe Miller campaign staff into a compromising position with the intent to disrupt and influence a federal election campaign, Bauer said. Furthermore, the conversation between the campaign managers wife which was disclosed several times by her in the video that this conversation was between two people, had nothing to
do with the Miller campaign; was video graphed by non-participants, the UAA College Republicans, then aired the video to the public without permission with the intent to degrade and intimidate persons, and used against Joe Miller Bauer said. Bauer believes this is a violation of privacy rights and federal elections campaign rules, and is calling for a state and federal investigation into the matter. Bauer also said that he has concerns on how UAA club funds may be used to enhance political agendas without the full disclosure and approval from its members.
I'm unsure of the circumstances under which Bauer left the Miller campaign, but it's safe to say that if this video hadn't make it to the internet that he would have been tossed out on his ear anyway. You can't have and unhinged spouse and her lapdog camera-man threatening people in front of dozens of witnesses without word getting back to you that your campaign might not be able to wiggle out of this situation easily.
I really do wish the audio was a little clearer, because most of what the man with Mrs. Bauer said was either too muffled or simply inaudible. Not only that, but what did Mrs. Bauer say to the woman on the other side of the table? And what happened outside the bar? It's alleged by Stieren was confronted by the cameraman, but it's also alleged by Bauer that the confrontation happened the other way. But without proper validation - like say footage of the so called altercation - it's best not to get into rank speculation.
The end result is that the Miller campaign has a lot to answer for. And as for myself, I think the media at large should seriously be kicking themselves for missing this one.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
What?
I saw this earlier today and it's been really messing with my head.
My first reaction was that this was a brilliant parody of the Tea Bagger movement. I mean, just look at this woman. Artificial tan, lips, eyelashes, and TONS of make-up. It's a veritable personification of who and what the Tea Baggers are.
Then, I happened upon Paddy's post at The Political Carnival that not only re-iterated my point but actually provided the link to the the site this woman was speaking of. After watching clips shown there, I'm of the opinion that this woman is duping everyone or this woman has a shrine to Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman in her bedroom that she masturbates too each day while listening to Beck's radio show.
I'm really divided on this one.
My first reaction was that this was a brilliant parody of the Tea Bagger movement. I mean, just look at this woman. Artificial tan, lips, eyelashes, and TONS of make-up. It's a veritable personification of who and what the Tea Baggers are.
Then, I happened upon Paddy's post at The Political Carnival that not only re-iterated my point but actually provided the link to the the site this woman was speaking of. After watching clips shown there, I'm of the opinion that this woman is duping everyone or this woman has a shrine to Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman in her bedroom that she masturbates too each day while listening to Beck's radio show.
I'm really divided on this one.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Some Thoughts For Your Morning
- Conservatives believe that everything in the world should be neatly compartmentalized, that everything has to be able to fall into a commercialized graphic so that we can utilize it in how we live our day to day lives. Their approach to our enemies is a great example of this. So, when John Brennan put our fight against our enemies into context, conservatives were simply unable to accept the reality laid bare before them since it completely destroyed their neatly arranged marketing set.
- I seems that there's more "evidence" that Nikki Haley - candidate for governor of South Carolina - did have an affair. I'm wondering when her apologists will make enough noise that she will get a full hour of attention from Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck on Fox"News" in order to do some serious damage control. You know it's coming.
- While I am completely in favor of immigration reform and laws that crack down on businesses that hire illegals and literally use them as near slave labor, I'm wondering why conservatives are treating this as vindication for Arizona's over-reaching law.
- With Republicans aching to regain control of The House Of Representatives, there are several bloggers ( myself included ) that feel if they do they will do nothing but try to bring about articles of impeachment. Don't expect them to make any headway, and progress ( because that's the root word for progressive, you know ) for this country - it's all about doing their best to destroy Obama.
- It seems that Sue Lowden isn't distancing herself from comments made by fellow Tea Bagger Rand Paul. In this respect, conservatives are much like an ostrich - just hide your face from the problem and it doesn't exist.
- I seems that there's more "evidence" that Nikki Haley - candidate for governor of South Carolina - did have an affair. I'm wondering when her apologists will make enough noise that she will get a full hour of attention from Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck on Fox"News" in order to do some serious damage control. You know it's coming.
- While I am completely in favor of immigration reform and laws that crack down on businesses that hire illegals and literally use them as near slave labor, I'm wondering why conservatives are treating this as vindication for Arizona's over-reaching law.
- With Republicans aching to regain control of The House Of Representatives, there are several bloggers ( myself included ) that feel if they do they will do nothing but try to bring about articles of impeachment. Don't expect them to make any headway, and progress ( because that's the root word for progressive, you know ) for this country - it's all about doing their best to destroy Obama.
- It seems that Sue Lowden isn't distancing herself from comments made by fellow Tea Bagger Rand Paul. In this respect, conservatives are much like an ostrich - just hide your face from the problem and it doesn't exist.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Hacking Hypocrisy
To use the current buzzword from Fox"News", isn't it "interesting" that no conservatives are talking about this.
( h/t: Laffy over at Political Carnival )
Here's what gets me:
The kid who "hacked" Palin's email account potentially get 20yrs for his offense. Does this not sound wrong to anyone but me?
Take a look at how conservatives and Fox"News" approached the Palin incident.
Sean Hannity was even against hacking private information before he was for it.
Of course, conservatives will say that the case involving Obama's student loan records is different due to the fact that no information was shared online. And while that is true, these incidents occurred multiple times up to when Obama had already become President-Elect. Not only that, but these men worked for the Department Of Education and were blatantly misusing government property. One would think the penalty would be pretty stiff for them. Apparently not.
Not to be overtly conspiratorial about this, but one has to question whether this was intended to go beyond just Obama's student loan records. Having a group of nine guys attempting to just find out how much Obama spent on college doesn't seem to make a lot of sense considering all the other aspects of Obama's life that conservatives are going after. I'm sure that this isn't the last we will hear of this story - just don't expect Fox"News" to report on it.
Nine people were indicted Wednesday on federal charges of accessing President Barack Obama's student loan records while they were employed for a Department of Education contractor in Iowa.
The U.S. attorney's office said a grand jury returned the indictments in U.S. District Court in Davenport.
All nine are charged with exceeding authorized computer access. They are accused of gaining access to a computer at a Coralville office where they worked between July 2007 and March 2009, and accessing Obama's student loan records while he was either a candidate for president, president-elect or president.
U.S. attorney spokesman Mike Bladel referred questions to online copies of the indictments.
Each of eight indictments posted by Wednesday night were brief, saying the charged individual "intentionally exceeded authorized access to a computer and thereby obtained information from a department and agency of the United States" and "intentionally accessed student loan records" of Obama without authorization.
Those charged are Andrew J. Lage, 54, Patrick E. Roan, 51, Sandra Teague, 54 and Mercedes Costoyas, 53, all of Iowa City; Gary N. Grenell, 58, and Lisa Torney, 49, of Coralville; Anna C. Rhodes, 32, of Ainsworth; Julie L. Kline, 38, of West Branch; and John P. Phommivong, 29, for whom no hometown was listed.
Lage told The Associated Press on Wednesday evening he did not know about the indictment and declined comment.
( h/t: Laffy over at Political Carnival )
Here's what gets me:
Arraignments are scheduled for May 24. The charge is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The kid who "hacked" Palin's email account potentially get 20yrs for his offense. Does this not sound wrong to anyone but me?
Take a look at how conservatives and Fox"News" approached the Palin incident.
Sean Hannity was even against hacking private information before he was for it.
Of course, conservatives will say that the case involving Obama's student loan records is different due to the fact that no information was shared online. And while that is true, these incidents occurred multiple times up to when Obama had already become President-Elect. Not only that, but these men worked for the Department Of Education and were blatantly misusing government property. One would think the penalty would be pretty stiff for them. Apparently not.
Not to be overtly conspiratorial about this, but one has to question whether this was intended to go beyond just Obama's student loan records. Having a group of nine guys attempting to just find out how much Obama spent on college doesn't seem to make a lot of sense considering all the other aspects of Obama's life that conservatives are going after. I'm sure that this isn't the last we will hear of this story - just don't expect Fox"News" to report on it.
Friday, April 30, 2010
This Is What A Journalist Does
I'm sure there are far more adept people than I writing about this this morning.
But let me just say Ho-Lee-Shit!
I'm very impressed with how Maddow handled herself against this sanctimonious prick. There was a moment where she did seem to exude some amount of frustration, but she knows what she's doing, and she does it well. Let's just say that you'll not see this type of interview happening over at Fox"News".
Muzikal203 at Daily Kos has a nice piece up about this now.
The fact-checking has already shown that Stein is a blatant liar.
Twitter friend GottaLaff from The Political Carnival has coined a new term - "Steined".
One has to simply see the look on Dan Stein's face to see that he honestly doesn't care what Maddow presents to him, what is revealed about his organization, or what associations he and former members have had. This is the face of conservativism at it's rancorous worst. Racism writ large.
But let me just say Ho-Lee-Shit!
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I'm very impressed with how Maddow handled herself against this sanctimonious prick. There was a moment where she did seem to exude some amount of frustration, but she knows what she's doing, and she does it well. Let's just say that you'll not see this type of interview happening over at Fox"News".
Muzikal203 at Daily Kos has a nice piece up about this now.
The fact-checking has already shown that Stein is a blatant liar.
Twitter friend GottaLaff from The Political Carnival has coined a new term - "Steined".
One has to simply see the look on Dan Stein's face to see that he honestly doesn't care what Maddow presents to him, what is revealed about his organization, or what associations he and former members have had. This is the face of conservativism at it's rancorous worst. Racism writ large.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Justifying The Tea Baggers
Elizabth Hasselbeck is at it again. This time, she tries to excuse racism, homophobia, and spitting on people - seriously.
( h/t to Laffy at The Political Carnival )
I'll address Hasselbeck's "Bribed, Bullied, and Shut Out" talking point in a second.
Here's what's troubling about her incessant prattling. She is actually defending using racial slurs, homophobic rhetoric, and using saliva as a weapon - period. I know that some may see her intent otherwise, but you don't say "oh, people are so upset and sometimes people have to do these things" because you want to defend a failed ideological stance. Does she not understand what is really going on within the context of not only healthcare reform, but how the average Tea Bagger views Obama? Apparently not.
Now, as far as the "Bribes, Bullying, and Shutting Out" goes, I have this to offer - no one has been bullied, that's just a clever talking point that works well within the idea that Obama was a Senator from Chicago and - as we all know - everyone from Chicago is a gangster.
Secondly, I would offer that no one has been bribed either. Politicians are elected to assist their constituency. To put it another way, they are quite literally elected to bring home the metaphorical "bacon" - get it, bacon, pork? Yeah. So when someone like Ben Nelson gets a nice deal for his people, this isn't some new tactic used by the Obama administration - this is politics.
And as far as anyone being shut out, how does that benefit healthcare reform at all? By that, I mean that if you shut someone out, you're not going to get a vote. It's in your better interest to get as many votes as you can. Considering that Republicans are in the minority, and Hasselbeck is one of the "pretty girls" that waves the GOP flag higher and faster than most, It's rather disingenuous that she would be complaining about being shut out. The Republicans shut themselves out by opposing literally everything Obama and the Democrats want to try.
The reality of this is that there is racism, homophobia, and vitriol within the conservative movement - period, case closed. And attempting to justify it only makes it and you look worse.
( h/t to Laffy at The Political Carnival )
I'll address Hasselbeck's "Bribed, Bullied, and Shut Out" talking point in a second.
Here's what's troubling about her incessant prattling. She is actually defending using racial slurs, homophobic rhetoric, and using saliva as a weapon - period. I know that some may see her intent otherwise, but you don't say "oh, people are so upset and sometimes people have to do these things" because you want to defend a failed ideological stance. Does she not understand what is really going on within the context of not only healthcare reform, but how the average Tea Bagger views Obama? Apparently not.
Now, as far as the "Bribes, Bullying, and Shutting Out" goes, I have this to offer - no one has been bullied, that's just a clever talking point that works well within the idea that Obama was a Senator from Chicago and - as we all know - everyone from Chicago is a gangster.
Secondly, I would offer that no one has been bribed either. Politicians are elected to assist their constituency. To put it another way, they are quite literally elected to bring home the metaphorical "bacon" - get it, bacon, pork? Yeah. So when someone like Ben Nelson gets a nice deal for his people, this isn't some new tactic used by the Obama administration - this is politics.
And as far as anyone being shut out, how does that benefit healthcare reform at all? By that, I mean that if you shut someone out, you're not going to get a vote. It's in your better interest to get as many votes as you can. Considering that Republicans are in the minority, and Hasselbeck is one of the "pretty girls" that waves the GOP flag higher and faster than most, It's rather disingenuous that she would be complaining about being shut out. The Republicans shut themselves out by opposing literally everything Obama and the Democrats want to try.
The reality of this is that there is racism, homophobia, and vitriol within the conservative movement - period, case closed. And attempting to justify it only makes it and you look worse.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Up In Smoke
Laffy over at The Political Carnival has this little gem of a clip that I don't think anyone talked about when it was aired.
What does one do when one "buffalos"?
As Laffy rightfully points out, we consistently hear remarks about what Obama did in his past. His alleged cocaine use is occassionally brought up but now conservatives are more interesting in the specious allegations that he's a hard-drinkin' chain-smokin' Socialist.
I am kind of curious as to what Palin is like when she's high. Does she become more coherent?
What does one do when one "buffalos"?
As Laffy rightfully points out, we consistently hear remarks about what Obama did in his past. His alleged cocaine use is occassionally brought up but now conservatives are more interesting in the specious allegations that he's a hard-drinkin' chain-smokin' Socialist.
I am kind of curious as to what Palin is like when she's high. Does she become more coherent?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Expanded Comment
I feel that this is something I can identify with more than most anything Olbermann has discussed.
Last night I missed this, as I was having issues with the cable. That aside, I later saw it over at The Political Carnival and posted a response. After re-reading it, I noticed my fistful of grammatical errors and realized that I really must center myself before attempting to initiate a passionate response.
Be that as it may, I wanted to expand on what I wrote there - please read and leave comments, as Laffy and Paddy have a great forum and excellent topics to discuss.
Yesterday afternoon I was listening to NPR, as I do most afternoons while coming home from work, and I heard a Wellpoint executive attempting to excuse the companies decision to raise rates a blasphemous 39% to a Congressional panel. And this was on the heels of an equally absurd increase last year. Her rationale was the it was due to the fact that the economy had soured and many healthy people were opting out of coverage in order to save money. In essence, her argument was that they needed more money because people wanted to save money.
Now, it can be stated that this was also due to the fact that people were making claims and the company had to compensate - though it would be interesting to see exactly how much compensation was distributed as well as how many people were purged from the system - but one conservative talking point came back to me when I heard this.
The "mandate" in healthcare reform is something that conservatives have railed against, and even distorted, because it serves as a further catalyst to the narrative that "big government" is telling you what to do with your body. But let's think about this. If an insurance company has to increase their rates because people are abandoning their coverage, doesn't it stand to reason that the more people that are in the pool, the lower rates will have to be? It makes sense, but this doesn't help people like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity frighten people. They can't make a career out of telling people the truth.
This same Wellpoint executive was asked how much she was compensated through a given fiscal year and her response of millions plus stock options and bonuses would make any free thinking person flinch. I asked myself aloud - how can someone sleep comfortably at night knowing full well that they are literally and metaphorically raping the American public each and every day. But this is what "Capitalism" is all about, isn't it.
I have chosen not to have healthcare coverage, simply because it is unaffordable at this point in my life. I had employer provided insurance some years ago, but that was only because I was lucky enough to work in a place that had a fantastic plan. Or, at least I was lead to believe it did. After changing jobs, my new employer presented their plan and I did what I should have done years ago - actually read the damned thing.
After sifting through the percentages, the legal/medical jargon and making phone-calls to the intended provider, I realized that had I signed onto this new program ( which is more than likely the same as many companies ) I would have been signing a document that was designed and intended to fuck me as often as possible. The rates for a single person were just barely palatable, but it was the "family rate" and the vague nature of how the rate structure would maintain or not maintain itself that caught my attention.
For a family, the cost is more than I pay for my mortgage. How is this even reasoned out? How is this justified? What does the perspective patient get in return for have to pay is amount each week?
I am not a "rich" person, financially speaking, so the cost of virtually everything is constantly at my attention. So after listening to a representative of Wellpoint tell congress that her company's rates, and her own salary, are justifiable, even though they are predicated on a system that is gamed in their favour. It's unaffordable to many and the more people that opt out or are purged, the more the rates go up and the more her salary and compensation likely increases. It's a system that is designed to benefit one group of people only - the corporation.
One has to ask why conservatives are so willing to kowtow to these types of businesses. Certainly they have their precious ideology to uphold, but at what cost? Do they think they are above the laws of fate, that they won't get cancer or heart disease, or any other debilitating disorder that requires extensive pain management, medication, repeated visits to specialist, or even a variety of surgeries? Do they fancy themselves so indestructible that they are willing to bet against their own self-interest in the name of socio-political posturing?
Make no mistake, wealth and social status does afford one a certain among of luxury. From Rush Limbaugh getting a personal escort to the hospital while having "chest pains", to Dick Cheney surviving multiple heart issues when most men his age and in his condition would have been dead already, it numbs the mind to hear people cite these examples of how wonderful our healthcare system is.
It's not the "care" that is ultimately the issue, it's the cost of it. This is what the modern conservative doesn't understand. But it is with cost, those able to and not able to pay, where care is adjusted and sometimes denied.
Many, if not most, within the conservative realm will toss Olbermann's comment aside as mere fabrication and exaggeration - a statement made in order for his detractors to seem cold, uncaring, and wretched. They refuse to hear or even attempt to understand these words simply because of who they are coming from. This does not surprise me in the least. After all, conservatives will deny anything that shows how wrong-headed their message is until it is too late. But this is something that they can't afford to be "late" on.
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Last night I missed this, as I was having issues with the cable. That aside, I later saw it over at The Political Carnival and posted a response. After re-reading it, I noticed my fistful of grammatical errors and realized that I really must center myself before attempting to initiate a passionate response.
Be that as it may, I wanted to expand on what I wrote there - please read and leave comments, as Laffy and Paddy have a great forum and excellent topics to discuss.
Yesterday afternoon I was listening to NPR, as I do most afternoons while coming home from work, and I heard a Wellpoint executive attempting to excuse the companies decision to raise rates a blasphemous 39% to a Congressional panel. And this was on the heels of an equally absurd increase last year. Her rationale was the it was due to the fact that the economy had soured and many healthy people were opting out of coverage in order to save money. In essence, her argument was that they needed more money because people wanted to save money.
Now, it can be stated that this was also due to the fact that people were making claims and the company had to compensate - though it would be interesting to see exactly how much compensation was distributed as well as how many people were purged from the system - but one conservative talking point came back to me when I heard this.
The "mandate" in healthcare reform is something that conservatives have railed against, and even distorted, because it serves as a further catalyst to the narrative that "big government" is telling you what to do with your body. But let's think about this. If an insurance company has to increase their rates because people are abandoning their coverage, doesn't it stand to reason that the more people that are in the pool, the lower rates will have to be? It makes sense, but this doesn't help people like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity frighten people. They can't make a career out of telling people the truth.
This same Wellpoint executive was asked how much she was compensated through a given fiscal year and her response of millions plus stock options and bonuses would make any free thinking person flinch. I asked myself aloud - how can someone sleep comfortably at night knowing full well that they are literally and metaphorically raping the American public each and every day. But this is what "Capitalism" is all about, isn't it.
I have chosen not to have healthcare coverage, simply because it is unaffordable at this point in my life. I had employer provided insurance some years ago, but that was only because I was lucky enough to work in a place that had a fantastic plan. Or, at least I was lead to believe it did. After changing jobs, my new employer presented their plan and I did what I should have done years ago - actually read the damned thing.
After sifting through the percentages, the legal/medical jargon and making phone-calls to the intended provider, I realized that had I signed onto this new program ( which is more than likely the same as many companies ) I would have been signing a document that was designed and intended to fuck me as often as possible. The rates for a single person were just barely palatable, but it was the "family rate" and the vague nature of how the rate structure would maintain or not maintain itself that caught my attention.
For a family, the cost is more than I pay for my mortgage. How is this even reasoned out? How is this justified? What does the perspective patient get in return for have to pay is amount each week?
I am not a "rich" person, financially speaking, so the cost of virtually everything is constantly at my attention. So after listening to a representative of Wellpoint tell congress that her company's rates, and her own salary, are justifiable, even though they are predicated on a system that is gamed in their favour. It's unaffordable to many and the more people that opt out or are purged, the more the rates go up and the more her salary and compensation likely increases. It's a system that is designed to benefit one group of people only - the corporation.
One has to ask why conservatives are so willing to kowtow to these types of businesses. Certainly they have their precious ideology to uphold, but at what cost? Do they think they are above the laws of fate, that they won't get cancer or heart disease, or any other debilitating disorder that requires extensive pain management, medication, repeated visits to specialist, or even a variety of surgeries? Do they fancy themselves so indestructible that they are willing to bet against their own self-interest in the name of socio-political posturing?
Make no mistake, wealth and social status does afford one a certain among of luxury. From Rush Limbaugh getting a personal escort to the hospital while having "chest pains", to Dick Cheney surviving multiple heart issues when most men his age and in his condition would have been dead already, it numbs the mind to hear people cite these examples of how wonderful our healthcare system is.
It's not the "care" that is ultimately the issue, it's the cost of it. This is what the modern conservative doesn't understand. But it is with cost, those able to and not able to pay, where care is adjusted and sometimes denied.
Many, if not most, within the conservative realm will toss Olbermann's comment aside as mere fabrication and exaggeration - a statement made in order for his detractors to seem cold, uncaring, and wretched. They refuse to hear or even attempt to understand these words simply because of who they are coming from. This does not surprise me in the least. After all, conservatives will deny anything that shows how wrong-headed their message is until it is too late. But this is something that they can't afford to be "late" on.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Beck Follower Threatens Twitter User
This was a developing issue over the weekend.
A Twitter user and anti-Beck activist ( @stopbeck ) was threatened with violence because of his tireless crusade to expose Glenn Beck for the hatemongerer he is and to persuade all those that advertised on his program remove their support. So far, his actions have brought a great deal of success.
Laffy at The Political Carnival has more.
Here is a picture of the man known as @vatopdog, Larry Herrin. His MySpace page shows that he is from Virginia. There are no updates, blogs, or comments on his page, but there is a link to a web-cam that doesn't seem to be working right now.
I'm doing a little more digging on this one, but it looks like there's sparse information on his out there. Also, he has his Twitter timeline protected, so you will have to add him to your follow list to check out his inane ramblings - something I wouldn't exactly recommend.
A Twitter user and anti-Beck activist ( @stopbeck ) was threatened with violence because of his tireless crusade to expose Glenn Beck for the hatemongerer he is and to persuade all those that advertised on his program remove their support. So far, his actions have brought a great deal of success.
Laffy at The Political Carnival has more.
The level of hostility and hatred is out of hand. It started to rev up over the summer with the gun-toting, screaming, out of control Tea Tantrumers at town hall meetings. It has crescendoed ever since.
How can there be any expectation of achieving any sort of rational communication when wingnuts such as @vatopdog persist in drowning out civil discourse with outright threats, slurs, bigotry, hate speech, racism, and extremism?
Here is a picture of the man known as @vatopdog, Larry Herrin. His MySpace page shows that he is from Virginia. There are no updates, blogs, or comments on his page, but there is a link to a web-cam that doesn't seem to be working right now.
I'm doing a little more digging on this one, but it looks like there's sparse information on his out there. Also, he has his Twitter timeline protected, so you will have to add him to your follow list to check out his inane ramblings - something I wouldn't exactly recommend.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Andrew's Blubbery Rage: Pt. II
I'm with Paddy ( The Political Carnival ) on this one. The more you hear Breitbart prattle on as if he knows what he's talking about, you get the sense that he is one of the most magnificent ass-goblins on the planet.
It sounds all nice in his head, I would imagine, but are we really expected to believe that he would actually say all that to her if they met? He obviously has a very low opinion of Rachel Maddow and anyone who would rightfully point out his connection to James O'Keefe's illegal activities.
That aside, Breitbart's continued assertions that it's all the fault of the mainstream media that the Tea Baggers ( and conservativism as a whole ) are viewed negatively. Certainly, there are opinion shows ( Ed Schultz, Olbermann, and Maddow ) that express their opinions about the Tea Baggers and conservatives, but they have clear examples of racist, hypocrisy, and general ignorance. These weren't just fabricated, as Andrew would have us believe.
And this blathering nonsensical narrative that the media at large held up Obama as some religious icon is preposterous beyond measure. In point of fact, it is the conservative movement that is in the business of deification. Just look at how they treat people like Palin, Brown, and Reagan. If anything, conservatives like Andrew have set the bar so mind-bogglingly high, that there is no way that Obama ( or any Democrat ) will ever meet their alleged "standards". Odd that that bar is considerably lower when Republicans are in power.
Andrew Breitbart is a man of bluster and no substance. His colorful invective creates the illusion that he has some semblance of higher brain functions and original thought. He's really not saying anything new.
It sounds all nice in his head, I would imagine, but are we really expected to believe that he would actually say all that to her if they met? He obviously has a very low opinion of Rachel Maddow and anyone who would rightfully point out his connection to James O'Keefe's illegal activities.
That aside, Breitbart's continued assertions that it's all the fault of the mainstream media that the Tea Baggers ( and conservativism as a whole ) are viewed negatively. Certainly, there are opinion shows ( Ed Schultz, Olbermann, and Maddow ) that express their opinions about the Tea Baggers and conservatives, but they have clear examples of racist, hypocrisy, and general ignorance. These weren't just fabricated, as Andrew would have us believe.
And this blathering nonsensical narrative that the media at large held up Obama as some religious icon is preposterous beyond measure. In point of fact, it is the conservative movement that is in the business of deification. Just look at how they treat people like Palin, Brown, and Reagan. If anything, conservatives like Andrew have set the bar so mind-bogglingly high, that there is no way that Obama ( or any Democrat ) will ever meet their alleged "standards". Odd that that bar is considerably lower when Republicans are in power.
Andrew Breitbart is a man of bluster and no substance. His colorful invective creates the illusion that he has some semblance of higher brain functions and original thought. He's really not saying anything new.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Metal Militia
( h/t Paddy at The Political Carnival )
I've always been a fan of music that pushes the envelope, more so to those that actually put a stamp on it and mail it off just to see what happens.
Not often to bands like Black Sabbth come along, but it sure is a beautiful thing when they do. It's hard to believe that 40 years ago this month, Ozzy, Geezer, Tony, and Bill made one of the heaviest and most groundbreaking records of all time.
Interesting to note that the three main notes that make up the musical theme of the song "Black Sabbath" were once band by the Church in Europe because they were believed to conjure the Devil himself.
I've always been a fan of music that pushes the envelope, more so to those that actually put a stamp on it and mail it off just to see what happens.
Not often to bands like Black Sabbth come along, but it sure is a beautiful thing when they do. It's hard to believe that 40 years ago this month, Ozzy, Geezer, Tony, and Bill made one of the heaviest and most groundbreaking records of all time.
Interesting to note that the three main notes that make up the musical theme of the song "Black Sabbath" were once band by the Church in Europe because they were believed to conjure the Devil himself.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Tea Baggers Preparing For War?
The more examples we see like this, the more you start to realize that conservative "values" are nothing more than a pollutant and a danger in our current socio-political climate.
Girard's personal Tea Bagger webpage contains the all too familiar ramblings of a person so diluted with misinformation and abject rage against some shadowy oppressor that the pieces begin to fit together nicely, though you wouldn't be able to tell it just from the seemingly "ordinary" looking guy from the photo above.
And if you're thinking that this sort of reaction from a Tea Bagger is familiar, you're right.
GottaLaff over at the Political Carnival has the photo of the weapons seized.
And don't expect this story to be covered by the bulk of the media, most certainly Fox"News". Although, I am expecting someone like Breitbart to claim that this man's 2nd Amendment Rights were taken away.
The Massachusetts man charged this week with stockpiling weapons after saying he feared an imminent "Armageddon" appears to have been active in the Tea Party movement, and saw Sarah Palin, who he said is on a "righteous 'Mission from God,'" as the only figure capable of averting the destruction of society.
...Gregory Girard, a Manchester technology consultant, was found with a stash of military grade weapons, explosive devices including tear gas and pepper ball canisters, camouflage clothing, knives, handcuffs, bulletproof vests and helmets, and night vision goggles, say police. They believe Girard, who pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, was "preparing for domestic and political turmoil," and feared martial law would soon be imposed.
Girard's personal Tea Bagger webpage contains the all too familiar ramblings of a person so diluted with misinformation and abject rage against some shadowy oppressor that the pieces begin to fit together nicely, though you wouldn't be able to tell it just from the seemingly "ordinary" looking guy from the photo above.
And if you're thinking that this sort of reaction from a Tea Bagger is familiar, you're right.
GottaLaff over at the Political Carnival has the photo of the weapons seized.
And don't expect this story to be covered by the bulk of the media, most certainly Fox"News". Although, I am expecting someone like Breitbart to claim that this man's 2nd Amendment Rights were taken away.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Some Thoughts For Your Morning
- Glenn Beck's inability to seperate the fantasy from the reality the remainder of American live in is growing to near synesthetic proportions. His stance against volunteering, helping your community in a variety of ways, is grounded in some bizarre notion that volunteering is a communist tactic. He later goes on, in his standard "six-degrees-of-seperation" way, that Hollywood, the White House, and NBC Universal are all conspiring to do something bad to America.
- To actually know that some people actually use Drudge as their primary news source every morning, my thoughts on it have gone from "these people are just down-right silly" to "jesus-harld-ramis-christ, these people are fucked in the brain-pan". The Right's favorite hype artist had a new mashup message when it was released to the Obama administration would not seek the arrest of people who follow state laws in relation to the use of medical marijuana. While the headline was quite vague if you didn't already know what was going on, it was the photo that was used in conjunction that would likely have caused loyal Drudge-ites to assumed that Obama was hoping to target kids.
- With a plurality of Americans supporting a public-option in healthcare reform ( a fact that has not changed since reform was placed back on the table ) why is it that pollsters such as Rassmussen continually tout as fact the complete opposite?
- And finally, have you ever noticed anything strange about the polls that Fox"News" creates?
- To actually know that some people actually use Drudge as their primary news source every morning, my thoughts on it have gone from "these people are just down-right silly" to "jesus-harld-ramis-christ, these people are fucked in the brain-pan". The Right's favorite hype artist had a new mashup message when it was released to the Obama administration would not seek the arrest of people who follow state laws in relation to the use of medical marijuana. While the headline was quite vague if you didn't already know what was going on, it was the photo that was used in conjunction that would likely have caused loyal Drudge-ites to assumed that Obama was hoping to target kids.
- With a plurality of Americans supporting a public-option in healthcare reform ( a fact that has not changed since reform was placed back on the table ) why is it that pollsters such as Rassmussen continually tout as fact the complete opposite?
- And finally, have you ever noticed anything strange about the polls that Fox"News" creates?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Truth In Advertising
It's not so much snark as it is reality.
( h/t to GottaLaff @ TPC )
And these people are often seen as the leaders, the philosophers, the visionaries of the modern conservative movement.
( h/t to GottaLaff @ TPC )
And these people are often seen as the leaders, the philosophers, the visionaries of the modern conservative movement.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Score One For Diplomacy
But don't expect John Bolton to admit to such:
( h/t to the lovely ladies @ The Political Carnival )
Of course, two hostages have been freed, but lets think about the alternative way we could have done this. We could have spent time, money, and lives on a full-on military deployment that would have lasted months, if not years, and then provoked other countries to retaliate and there would be no guarantee that Laura and Euna would have been freed.
Way to think outside the box John.
( h/t to the lovely ladies @ The Political Carnival )
Of course, two hostages have been freed, but lets think about the alternative way we could have done this. We could have spent time, money, and lives on a full-on military deployment that would have lasted months, if not years, and then provoked other countries to retaliate and there would be no guarantee that Laura and Euna would have been freed.
Way to think outside the box John.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Lost In Transmutation
Recently I wondered what it would be like to diagram a Sarah Palin sentence. Well, while sifting through some of my favorite spots on the interwebds, I came across at piece at Political Carnival that wasn't quite what I wanted - it was so much more.
Here's some edited copy from Sarah Palin's intial exti-interview earlier this month.
I thought this part was especially noteworthy:
Ther veritable word-salad that is offered up daily, in super-sized portions, from Sarah Palin is always something to treasure. I can't wait for these "non-politically correct tweets" that she's been teasing about lately.
Here's some edited copy from Sarah Palin's intial exti-interview earlier this month.
I thought this part was especially noteworthy:
They had to insert the word "God". Yes, God apparently slipped her mind. Oh, and she got her presidents mixed up. I guess attending all those universities didn't pay off.
Ther veritable word-salad that is offered up daily, in super-sized portions, from Sarah Palin is always something to treasure. I can't wait for these "non-politically correct tweets" that she's been teasing about lately.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Prayers Of The Far Right
There's been quite a bit of talk lately about how people are approaching the subject of death in regards to ones ideological opposites or perceieved enemies.
Fringe conservative "pastor" Wiley Drake is openly "praying" for Barack Obama's death. But, he says it's not really saying anything - it's actually God saying this.
No, seriously.
*click image to play audio from Alan Colmes radio program*
Why is this not suprising? It's because conservatives rationale for most of the idiotic things they say and do is that "God" told them to or that they were following the "word of the bible".
Whether Drake's "death prayer" is an isolated incident or not can't be determined as a concrete yes or no answer, but Obama has this uncanny ability to bring out the crazy, religious, zealots by simply being a black man with a funny name that just happened to win the Presidential election by a majority vote.
( h/t: Paddy @ The Political Carnival )
Fringe conservative "pastor" Wiley Drake is openly "praying" for Barack Obama's death. But, he says it's not really saying anything - it's actually God saying this.
No, seriously.
*click image to play audio from Alan Colmes radio program*
Why is this not suprising? It's because conservatives rationale for most of the idiotic things they say and do is that "God" told them to or that they were following the "word of the bible".
Whether Drake's "death prayer" is an isolated incident or not can't be determined as a concrete yes or no answer, but Obama has this uncanny ability to bring out the crazy, religious, zealots by simply being a black man with a funny name that just happened to win the Presidential election by a majority vote.
( h/t: Paddy @ The Political Carnival )
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