COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The brutal truth: Our president got his legacy program passed by deceiving the American people in a giant swindle.





WILL OBAMACARE BE THE DEATH OF LIBERALISM?


By: Patrick J. Buchanan
11/22/2013 06:00 AM


Human Events

By 1968, Walter Lippmann, the dean of liberal columnists, had concluded that liberalism had reached the end of its tether.

In that liberal epoch, the 1960s, the Democratic Party had marched us into an endless war that was tearing America apart.

Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society had produced four “long, hot summers” of racial riots and a national crime rate that had doubled in a decade. The young were alienated, the campuses aflame.

Lippmann endorsed Richard Nixon.

For forty years, no unabashed liberal would be elected president.

Jimmy Carter won one term by presenting himself as a born-again Christian from Georgia, a peanut farmer, Naval Academy graduate and nuclear engineer. Bill Clinton ran as a centrist.

So toxic had the term “liberal” become that liberals dropped it and had themselves rebaptized as “progressives.”

Barack Obama, however, ran unapologetically as a man of the left. An opponent of the Iraq war, he had compiled a voting record to the left of Bernie Sanders, the socialist senator from Vermont.

And Obama proudly placed his signature achievement, Obamacare, right alongside, and in the tradition of, liberal giants FDR and LBJ.

This is the new progressivism of the 21st century, Obama was saying, and I the transformational figure who will usher in the post-Reagan era. Where Clinton failed, I will succeed.

But now that Obamacare is coming to be perceived as a political catastrophe, not only does it threaten Obama’s place in history, it could invalidate, indeed, eviscerate the defining idea of the Democratic Party itself.

For Democrats are the Party of Government. They believe that government is more nobly motivated than a private sector that runs on self-interest and the profit motive, and that government can achieve goals private enterprise could never accomplish.

To liberals, government is us, the personification of the nation.
Social Security, Medicare, Medicare and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are monuments to this belief. So, too, are the world wars fought and won under liberal presidents Woodrow Wilson and FDR.

It was 1968, the Tet Offensive, the assassinations, the urban riots, the campus anarchy, the smash-up of the Democratic Party in the streets of Chicago that caused the national recoil from liberalism that lasted for forty years.

Now consider what the rollout of Obamacare is doing, not only to this president and his administration, but also to the idea that government has the solution to America’s problems.

Though they had as long as World War II to get it done, Obama’s crowd could not even produce a working website. Now we learn the White House was alerted to the website problems in March but plunged ahead.

Obama’s reputation for competence has been shredded, and, so, too, has his reputation for truthfulness.

With millions losing their health insurance because of Obamacare mandates, we learn that Obama and his team knew this was inevitable, even as they reassured us, “If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan. Period.”

The brutal truth: Our president got his legacy program passed by deceiving the American people in a giant swindle.

Not only have millions lost their health care plans, tens of millions more may lose theirs at year’s end when they learn that their employer’s health care plans also do not meet Obamacare mandates.

Hillarycare cost the Democrats the House in 1994. Obamacare, the love child of Hillarycare, could cost Democrats the Senate in 2014.

But what makes this a disaster not just for a party but a philosophy is that Obamacare is liberalism incarnate. It is premised on the idea that progressives, starting from scratch, can redesign a health care system, 16 percent of the economy, and make it more fair, more just and more efficient for us all.

Obamacare was an act of hubris by an administration of talking heads most of whom never ran anything in their lives. And what we are witnessing is the antithesis of what we were promised.

So confident were they in the wonks that wrote the bill that Nancy Pelosi could say, “We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it.”

Seven weeks in, the website is not fixed. Millions have lost their health care plans. Quality hospitals are being cut out of the program as too costly. 

Individuals are being offered plans inferior to what they had in terms of benefits, but with far more costly premiums.

The crisis for Obama, his party, and his philosophy is that this is not only a nightly national story; it is a daily story in every state. And the anecdotes of debacles have been piling up, one upon another, for seven weeks. They do not cease, and there is no end in sight.

Nothing, it appears, will interrupt the litany of personal woes before Democrats, in panic, cut themselves loose of Obamacare and try to swim away from the Lusitania.

It will likely be a long time before another Democratic president dares again another such Great Leap Forward.


Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of “Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?” 

211 comments:

  1. Pat finally writes a good column, one with which one can nearly totally agree.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. On the nuclear option:

      http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-22/democrats-give-up-2014-with-the-filibuster.html

      One way to interpret this is that [Democrats] are confident that they will retain their majority in 2014, and so they have no immediate need to worry about minority rights. But it would be insane for Reid to have grown more confident in the last six weeks. No, I think that this shows the opposite: They think it’s very likely that they will lose their Senate majority in 2014. They are essentially writing off the last two years of Obama’s presidency, which means getting as much done as possible right now. They are going to spend the next year packing as many liberal justices and appointees onto the courts and various bureaucracies as they can, knowing that much of this legacy will live on beyond Obama.

      Is that a wise strategy? Reid will probably rue his decision if the Republican Party takes the White House in 2016, because Republicans are likely to stuff the Supreme Court with as many young, hale and very conservative justices as they can find.

      Delete
    2. Mark Steyn reasons that the Dems do not plan on ever giving up power.

      Delete
    3. A coup? Bring it on. After that, we will hunt Democrats in the dark with coon dogs.

      Delete
  2. And Obammie ain't even Jewish!

    He's Kenyan, down deep in his soul.

    Hippie White Ho Moms don't count.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When will you infidels stop being immoral and submit to Islam like the rest of the world has been doing in droves? If you wait too long then it will be too late for you because Sharia will be the new law, the new world order, that will rule over all of mankind and peace will reign over all. Allah, peace be upon Him, is so loving and peaceful and that is why He tolerates you for now, but do not cross Him through your critical rejection of Islam because He will not tolerate you forever. You have been warned, but you shall be warned again because your conversion is the only way to peace (and virgins in the afterlife).

      Delete
  3. Have you stopped to breathe fully today and to appreciate your body? Take a full breath right now. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. "It will likely be a long time before another Democratic president dares again another such Great Leap Forward."

    But will that be enough to overcome Most of the Wimmin, 95 percent of the Blacks, a majority of the Millennials, etc to allow whatever thing the Pubs put up to Beat The Hildebeast?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'd run that smart, FEMALE Injun Gov from down south.

    ...not the equally smart MALE, sometimes greasy looking Gov from down south.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well, Kenyan Health Care can't be much worse than what we've got. We rank something like 46th out of the top 48 Industrialized countries in that particular category.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll never give that one up:

      ...ignoring that young black male's avg life is about 45 years.

      Young black males shoot other blacks and Hispanics.

      And now with the cool punch out game these same blacks are killing old men, women, and grade school boys and girls.

      Even if none of that shit matters by your moral code, it DOES impact your dumbass industrialized Healthcare Index.

      Jeeze.

      Delete
    2. ...killing WHITE old men, women, and grade school boys and girls.

      Delete
    3. Fellow blacks get lead in the belly, WHITES get punched out.

      Neither a hate crime, nor worthy of notice, to some, including the MSM, although right wing media is forcing the Punch Out Game into public view.

      Delete
    4. Then there's the Black and White Broads with Beams Bigger than Michelle.

      Scandinavian wimmin?

      Not so much.

      Thank God for that.

      Delete
    5. Even 78 year old AJ Foyt is Fat.

      Bet Jack Brabham ain't.

      I saw them both race at Indy in '61:

      Foyt won his first of four, and Jack brought the first rear-engined car to Indy.

      Finished 9 th, but was running a tiny Formula 1 Engine.

      Four years later, Jimmy Clark became the first ferigner to win since 1916 in his Ford Lotus.

      Front engined roadsters were history.

      Delete
    6. Remarkable that both AJ and Brabham are still alive.

      Delete
    7. Brabham's an Aussie, not a Euro.

      ...bet Australia's "Industrialized Health Index" is ahead of ours too.

      Having nothing to do with our Healthcare, and everything to do with our fat, lazy, violent a-hole "culture."

      Delete
    8. Jimmy Clark bought the farm in '68:

      Even Britain's Outstanding Socialized Healthcare did not prevent a tree from taking he and his Formula Car OUT.

      Greatest GP Driver ever, according to Fangio.

      Delete
    9. I now return this thread to regular BS.

      Example:

      "They're taking the site down this weekend; figure to Double the speed by Monday.

      When it's all over, John Boehner will be the poster boy for Kenyacare. A grumpy old white man sloughing his way through the website, mumbling, and whining, and emerging on the other side with a deal that causes him to shut up, and go bitch about something else.
      "

      It'd be funny if it weren't so sad.

      And this after me being nice to the Senile Old Codger in the last thread.

      Delete
    10. Guess he's not gonna defend his "Industrialized Health Index"

      ...since he can't.

      Delete
    11. It's Not just "life expectancy;" It's Cost vs. any verifiable outcome you can name. We have a pissy system. And, a Fifth of our population can't even access it.

      Delete
    12. Not JUST "life expectancy"

      ...but when ours is quite a bit lower than their's, it matters.

      And all those "verifiable outcomes" are influenced by the health and lifestyles of the patients being treated.

      Whether you admit it, or not.

      Delete
    13. I posted a scathing report from the UK wherein the public health system has endangered 500,000 patients. If you want to see public care in this country look to VA (I am so looking forward to posting the finding of the VA Inspector General from yesterday, Rufus - take the bait)

      Delete
    14. The VA has done a good job for me. Admittedly, it's done a poor job for some of our younger veterans.

      But, you keep making the wrong comparisons. Compare Obamacare to romneycare, or, on a national level, the Swiss System (which, btw, is considered one of the very best in the world.)

      Delete
    15. Look at my link below concerning VA. Your care may be exceptional, but even the VA's own inspector general does not find that the rule. Veterans are dying for lack of timely care.

      Delete
  7. She's purtier than he, and heck, maybe we'd get 50 percent of the wimmin's vote?

    ...I mean she's "brown" and has a Vagina.

    That's gotta count for something, even in a Pub Ho.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...I mean she's "brown" and has a Vagina.

      I resemble that remark!

      Delete
    2. Sorry.

      I resemble an an asshole.

      But I'm not.

      In my mind.

      It's a beautiful thing.

      Delete
    3. But you ain't a 'pub, fakir!

      ...that's Injun for fake, I think.

      Delete
    4. Goodmornin', brown sugar.

      Delete
    5. :-)

      I thot that was reserved for Black Folk.

      Not Flips.

      Delete
  8. They're taking the site down this weekend; figure to Double the speed by Monday.

    When it's all over, John Boehner will be the poster boy for Kenyacare. A grumpy old white man sloughing his way through the website, mumbling, and whining, and emerging on the other side with a deal that causes him to shut up, and go bitch about something else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat Buchanan gets paid good money to make you poor saps unhappy, and unwell. You don't get paid anything to let him do it.

      Delete
    2. There was a time when you were complimentary of Mr. Buchanan.

      Delete
    3. Very Seldom.

      But, like all the rest of us, he'll get one right every now and then.

      Delete
  9. "They're taking the site down this weekend; figure to Double the speed by Monday."

    That's what they're a figurin' alright.

    But the odds of it happenin' are Zero.

    They may not be able to even figure how to take it down.

    That would figure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They took it down a couple of weekends ago, and when it came back up it was processing 17,000 an hour.

      Delete
    2. You guys are making the same mistake you made during the election. You're trapped in your own echo chamber, and getting your news from DoubleRumDumbPolling.

      The same guys that gave you President Romney.

      Delete
    3. Sebelius was showing it off and it figured to take a time out.

      Delete
    4. (this caused laughter across the entire nation)

      Delete
    5. She weren't one of the 17,000 thousand.

      In her hour.

      Delete
    6. For instance, Bobby Jindal, and that brown, vagina-wearer from South Carolina both turned down the Federal Money that would have boosted their own states' economies, and made healthcare available to half a million of their respective citizens.

      Just wait till they try to win a "National" election with that message.

      Delete
    7. I propose that if, two days after the next election, (one day after Obama delayed the the hammer to exclude the polling booths)

      If Obammiecare is a Smashing Success, we all apologize to Rufus.

      Do I have a second?

      Delete
    8. How has Louisiana's Economy done vs USA average, Mr Numbers?

      ...I'm bettin it's better, but you should know even tho you don't know your neighbor's Governor. :-(

      Delete
    9. Does Jindal wear his vagina on his sleeve?

      Delete
    10. Louisiana Median Income is about 16% Below the National Average.

      Louisiana Median Income

      And, not getting any better under Bobby Jindal. This, despite being a major Oil and Gas Producing state.

      Delete
    11. Gee whilikers, moron:

      I never knew Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama had lower median incomes than Mass. or CA.
      ...and much lower costs of living, like Texas.

      anyhoo:

      "Louisiana’s economy is continuing to thrive as we continue to outperform both the national and Southern economies. In May, we set an all-time record for private-sector employment in Louisiana.

      Since January 2008, job growth in Louisiana ranks second best in the South and sixth best nationally. In just the last 12 months we’ve added 38,900 new jobs, and we are one of only a handful of states with more jobs today than before the recession started.

      Louisiana’s GDP has grown by $36 billion since 2008, representing growth that is nearly 50 percent faster than the national GDP.

      Per capita income in our state has grown by more than $3,600 during the last five years and it’s at its second-highest ranking in more than 80 years.

      And my favorite statistic – for the past five years in a row, more people have been moving into Louisiana than moving out of our state, reversing a 25-year trend of more people leaving Louisiana than moving into the state.
      "

      Delete
    12. Sorry he's not grown the Government Sector Employment like your Nigerian Hero Has.

      All them new IRS employees and etc.

      Splendid!

      Delete
    13. See, that's what I'm talking about; Public Sector Employment has Fallen under Obama.

      How can anyone take you seriously when you can't even get such simple facts correct.

      Delete
    14. We are seeing a lot of contractors take over as gummint employees retire. I myself have been tasked to train one up to be a mini-me.

      Delete
  10. I recommend the Mark Steyn piece posted yesterday. Mr. Obama may have other ideas than retirement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Again, sadly: McConnell supposedly said the Pubs would put the rule back in place when he's in charge!

      Establishment Pubs love it when their party loses.

      Delete
    2. Senator McConnell is a fool, who thinks the Republicans will eventually regain power. Mr. Obama may have other ideas. And when Mr. Obama has ideas, those go into executive orders - Congress and Courts be damned.

      Delete
    3. Yes, allen, but if he can't even conjure up a website, how can he execute a coup without bungling that?

      Delete
    4. Exactly, Ms T.

      allen worries about things that are not going to happen, because the things that are happening, are not that bad.

      Fantasies and projections become the 'problems', when things are goin' good.

      All this concern about a couple million folks that have to, and can, obtain a new health care insurance policy ...

      When for decades they were never concerned about the tens of millions of people that could not get any heath insurance, at all.

      Delete
    5. The Soviets were a decade behind the West in computer technology. This was one of the primary reason they threw in the towel. Despite seventy years of backwardness they ruled. I did not say they ruled well. Look at Haiti.

      Power comes from the barrel of a gun, no matter one's computer skills.

      Delete
    6. Washington Post - ‎Nov 21, 2013‎

      NEW YORK - The stock market is poised for a “Perfect 10.” As stocks surge this year, putting them on course for their best annual performance in a decade, all 10 industry groups in the Standard & Poor's 500 index are closing in on gains of 10 percent or ...

      Delete


    7. In time of actual war, great discretionary powers are constantly given to the Executive Magistrate.
      Constant apprehension of War, has the same tendency to render the head too large for the body.

      A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty.

      The means of defence against foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home.
      Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended.
      Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.

      Delete
    8. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals, engendered by both.

      No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

      Delete
    9. The NSA, the leadership is exclusively military.

      Even the "Civilian" on the management team that testified before Congress was an Air Force 'Reserve" Brigadier General.

      He said the explanation for 'How & Why' that is, well it was 'complicated' and dismissed as a topic..

      Delete
  11. I'm excited about reaching people and helping them connect emotion with what's going on in their bodies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve Martin said he reached out to the needy as well, working extensively with unwed mothers.

      Delete
    2. My Best Connect so far is...

      Oh, Shit.

      Delete
    3. (Shortened to "Shit!" when a pilot's fixin to Auger In.)

      ...time is of the essence.

      Or was.

      Delete
    4. Heal Body and Emotion from the Inside Out.

      Delete
    5. Some JW's knocked on the door yesterday and tried to tell me that it wasn't God's plan that we auger in. But everything augers in, sooner or later, from mountain ranges to mayflies, so what's the big whoop?

      Delete
    6. Yep, and it don't matter if you're a saint nor a sinner.

      I should know, I'm still alive, and she ain't.

      Delete
    7. Sorry it panned out that way, Doug, almost happened to me too. I'm 50% off, but alive. And time is different to me.

      Delete
  12. Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) -- Military veterans are dying needlessly because of long waits and delayed care at U.S. veterans hospitals, a CNN investigation has found.

    The VA has confirmed six deaths at Dorn tied to delays. But sources close to the investigation say the number of veterans dead or dying of cancer because they had to wait too long for diagnosis or treatment at this facility could be more than 20.
    "It's very sad, because people died," said Dr. Stephen Lloyd, a private physician specializing in colonoscopies in Columbia.

    n September 2013, the VA's inspector general affirmed details of the delays at Dorn in stark language, stating that 700 of the delays for appointments or care were "critical."
    Read the full IG report on Dorn (PDF)
    Perhaps most troubling of all is that the problem at the Dorn facility had been identified, and taxpayer money was given to fix the problem in September 2011.

    At the same time, the documents show, the waiting list at Dorn kept growing to 3,800 patients in December 2011

    At the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, the VA said three veterans died as a result of delayed care. Internal documents at that facility showed a waiting list of 4,500 patients.

    "Nothing has been implemented that we know of at this point," Draper said. "We've reported similar things, as well as the inspector general has reported similar findings ... for over a decade."

    CNN's repeated requests for interviews with the VA have been denied. Even Congress has had its requests for information ignored, Miller said.

    The statement added that cases are now tracked daily, and additional staff members were hired.
    But sources at Dorn -- both patients and medical staff -- tell CNN that's just not true. The problems continue, and veterans are still facing delays that could be killing them.

    Read the whole article. This is your future. Enjoy!

    http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/19/health/veterans-dying-health-care-delays/index.html
    Hospital delays are killing America's war veterans

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Diver's Shock" sometimes causes people to give a very convincing imitation of death, and partly as a result we're much more careful about declaring someone dead than we used to be. Paramedics say "you aren't dead until you're warm and dead".

      Delete
    2. As I posted above:

      The VA has done a good job for me. Admittedly, it's done a poor job for some of our younger veterans.

      But, you keep making the wrong comparisons. Compare Obamacare to romneycare, or, on a national level, the Swiss System (which, btw, is considered one of the very best in the world.)

      Delete
    3. Yeah, I hate it when a baby "wakes up" 7 hours after being pronounced dead.

      Not that it isn't dead, of course, but the pronouncement and attendant care, or lack of it, as is the case.

      Delete
    4. Also: Compare Swiss Mortality Stats to those in our ghettos. (Thanks, Liberals)

      While you're at it, compare Swiss Diets, Lifestyles, and Obesity indices to ours, including our "underprivileged" (victims of liberal's "Education" "Culture" "Welfare" and etc.)

      Delete
    5. I'll betcha Finnish "Health Outcomes" are way better than ours, too.

      Mika Hakkinen

      ...even tho he's moved to Monaco.

      Delete
    6. Now, you're just randomly pissing and moaning;

      but the fact is, Obamacare is very similar to the Swiss Model (not, in any way the British/Canadian/VA model,) and the Swiss Healthcare System yields Excellent results at a much lower cost than our own.

      Delete
    7. Slightly different than Detroit.

      Must be our rotten healthcare.

      Delete
    8. I'd rather piss and moan on Monaco than Detroit, but I'm stuck on this damned Island.

      Delete
    9. Lifestyles, Culture, Obesity, Violence, Poverty, etc are NOT "Random!"

      Delete
    10. Get in touch w/your Chi, fer Crissakes!

      Delete
  13. The Anonymous World Of Quilting

    Quilting is a craft we usually associate with the American collective. Unless you have a mother, grandmother or other distant female relative who mastered the art of the quilt, we generally envision a group of anonymous laborers, mostly women, working over hordes of fabric together.

    There are two assumptions built into this constructed history of quilting -- that the practice is a decorative craft, not a feature of fine art, and that the field is occupied by nameless women whose work exists beyond their authorship. But how did this particular understanding of quilting come to be? And is it entirely accurate?

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/23/workt-by-hand_n_4312371.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous is the Collective

      Delete
    2. The Collective is Anonymous

      Delete
  14. Christopher BrauchliSat Nov 23, 10:20:00 AM EST

    The first trick of the disclosure trade is to learn the proper use of the word "anonymous." That word is essentially a "get out of jail free" card if the bearer of a secret discloses the secret to others. The following are some examples of really confidential information that was nonetheless disclosed by its possessor to a member of the media without fear of any untoward consequences by declaring himself or herself to be "anonymous" even though the person with whom "anonymous" is speaking knows exactly who anonymous is.

    An associated press report dated October 6, 2013 concerned a successful raid in Libya by Navy SEALS that annoyed the Libyan government because it was successful as well as an unsuccessful raid by a Delta force in Somalia that didn't annoy anyone since it was unsuccessful.

    The raid in Libya resulted in the capture of Abu Anas al-Libi a suspected Libyan al-Qaeda figure.
    Since the raid was successful and since he is the Secretary of State,
    John Kerry spoke proudly and publicly of the raid saying the capture
    "makes clear that the United States of America will never stop in the effort to hold those accountable who conduct acts of terror."
    A U.S. Defense Department spokesman said al-Libi was immediately taken out of the country.
    Neither man requested that he be described as being an anonymous source.

    The Somalian raid was less successful.
    There was a fierce firefight as a result of which the Delta team had to retreat without accomplishing its objective.
    The circumstances of that attack were described by U.S. officials but they spoke anonymously because they were
    "not authorized to discuss the raid publicly."
    By speaking anonymously what they said was not being discussed publicly even though what they said was widely reported in the media.

    On October 9 there was a report about the status of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar,
    a deputy leader of the Afghan Taliban who had been in detention in Pakistan.
    A disagreement between the Taliban and Pakistan as to Baradar's status arose.
    The Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, insisted Baradar remained in captivity and Pakistani officials insisted that Baradar was free but living under tight security so he could be protected.
    The Pakistani assurances came from officials
    "who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media about the issue."
    The reader was left to decide Baradar's status but could not rely on what was published because the sources were not permitted to speak.

    Another way of disclosing confidential information is to explain that the disclosure is "off the record" thus rendering it slightly less interesting,
    but certainly not less reportable, than if it were on the record.

    On October 13 it was reported that four men were arrested by British security officials who, the report said,
    were planning an attack similar to that carried out at the Kenyan Westgate Mall.
    The official who was describing the planned attack spoke to the reporters
    "on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media on the record."
    Since it was not on the record his comments were fine.

    A final example of not disclosing while disclosing comes from an October 16 Associated Press description of the nuclear discussions being conducted in Geneva between Iran and the European Union.
    A woman privy to the discussions described the status of the talks but insisted on anonymity since she wasn't authorized to "divulge details of the closed meeting. "
    Another person, who was described as a former senior U.N. official, described what was being demanded of Iran by the six powers.
    He spoke to reporters
    "on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the talks."

    ReplyDelete
  15. ...great interview with Goldberg...

    ReplyDelete
  16. .

    .

    See, that's what I'm talking about; Public Sector Employment has Fallen under Obama.

    Hell, what sector hasn't?

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oil and Gas

      Manufacturing

      Renewable Energy

      Delete
    2. George Gordon ByronSat Nov 23, 11:38:00 AM EST





      “But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
      Falling, like dew, upon a thought produces
      That which makes thousands, perhaps millions think.”

      Delete


    3. “They're called 'facts', and our role is to amplify those, not cheerlead.
      And we don't care at all what you think of our motives.”

      Delete
    4. Right, George, thinking is thinking, but bullshitting is bullshitting

      Delete
    5. .

      Federal Workers.


      While the overall government workforce has declined, the federal workforce has not. The federal workforce reached 2,764,455 in December, 2008. In September, 2012 it sat at 2,782,467.

      While Obama deserves credit (blame?) for the overall decline in government workers, it was not because of cuts at the federal level but because of a weak economy and reduction of funds flowing to the states which in turn resulted in the layoffs of millions of teachers, firemen, and other government workers at the state level.

      Federal workers are still hanging in there and likely fairly happy.

      https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/data-analysis-documentation/federal-employment-reports/#url=Employment-Trends

      .

      Delete

    6. See the comments down thread regarding the American Stinker posting.

      The Bruce Walker piece, that is a premier example of which you speak

      The increased use of bullshitting in the US, it is well illustrated in his piece below..

      Delete
  17. November 23, 2013
    The Looming Democrat Disaster
    By Bruce Walker


    The second presidential midterm has historically been a disaster for the political party whose man is in the White House. In 2006, Republicans lost both houses of Congress as Bush fatigue not only led voters to vote against Republicans, but also led many Republicans to stay home. Although there have been a few anomalies -- like 1998, when the Senate Republicans' cravenness in Clinton's impeachment trial opened the door for modest Democrat gains; in 1986; in 1974; in 1966; in 1958; and in 1942 (a third midterm, but in a four-term presidency) -- the party in power generally suffers dramatic losses.

    Democrats are beginning to realize that there simply is no sleight of hand that will shift the attention of energized Republicans or raise the spirits of disheartened Democrats in 2014. That would suggest that in House races, which happen every year, and in state government races, which are generally set to coincide with midterm elections rather than presidential elections, Democrats will lose many races for seats that they currently hold.

    House Democrats can only look with dread at the current presidential polling data. It is worse than in 2010, when Democrats suffered tremendous losses. Rasmussen, for example, shows that on Election Day in 2010, 28% of Americans "strongly approved" of Obama's performance as president, while 44% of American "strongly disapproved," for a difference among voters with strong opinions of -16% for Democrats. What does Rasmussen show today? Only 22% of Americans "strongly approve" of Obama's performance while 44% "strongly disapprove," which is a difference among voters with strong opinions of -22%.

    There is no reason to doubt that those numbers will leak into state legislative races -- that is just what happened in 2010 -- and Republicans could actually come out of the 2014 election with control of more state legislative chambers than they had after 2010. This could easily reach the greatest disparity in state legislative support between the two major parties that Republicans have enjoyed since their party was formed in 1856.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Secondary statewide elective offices, which often get little attention, should produce similar results. The number of Republicans who are lieutenant governor, state attorney general, state treasurer, state auditor, and the like could also reach a historic high. While governor's races often stand on their own, a few percentage points could easily tip five or six gubernatorial races.

      If this happens -- if Republicans have a tsunami as in 2010 -- then a whole range of changes in state law that affect big labor, education bosses, voter fraud and voter ID issues, abortion laws, tort reform, and the like could produce before the 2016 presidential election sweeping Republican reforms at the state level which will weaken the Democrats' traditional allies and create many success stories that show how sensible conservative policies work.

      As if that were not enough, the Senate class of 2014 has turned into a nightmare. Seats in Arkansas, Alaska, Louisiana, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Dakota, and Montana are all vulnerable, and in states like Iowa, Virginia, New Mexico, and Colorado, the seats could easily flip in a strong Republican tide. Even Delaware, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Oregon cannot be considered completely safe for Democrats.

      If Republicans make major gains in the House, win a working majority in the Senate, and hold a clear preponderance of power in state government, what will Obama's last two years in office be like? His nominees will face grilling and, depending upon how radical they are, rejection by the Senate. More and more states could pull out of the ObamaCare catastrophe, rendering Obama's keynote issue gutted and despised.

      The House and Senate, if the filibuster rules are modified, could force upon this hapless "leader" one popular bill after another, leaving him the sole and lonely option of vetoing (or signing and allowing Republicans to govern). Assuming he haughtily and angrily vetoes these bills, Obama faces an even worse fate: many Democrats, already saddled with an increasingly unpopular president, may feel forced to join Republicans in overriding the veto. Few images in American politics are as pathetic as a president who cannot even sustain a veto with the support of his party.

      In the end, Barack Obama, who dreamed of being a transformative president like Ronald Reagan, may end up being a transformative president of an entirely different kind. Obama could end up being the Democrats' version of Richard Nixon.

      Delete
    2. Just another American Stinker piece, it is chuck full of ...

      If ...
      Should ...
      Assuming ...
      May ..
      Could ..
      What ...

      Farmer Fudd bestows upon us a perfect example of the increase in ...

      Bullshitting in the United States

      Delete
    3. St. Thomas AquinasSat Nov 23, 11:56:00 AM EST



      “Beware the man of a single book.”

      Delete
    4. .

      Or a man who can't question the assumptions behind a simple chart or fails to recognize when he is being bullshitted.

      .

      Delete
    5. “It's not necessary to tell all you know...

      You're not gonna change any one of them by talkin' right.
      They've got to want to learn themselves,
      and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.”

      Delete
    6. “Beware the man of a single book.”

      Jesus is a Capricorn. (December 25) Elvis is a Capricorn. (January 8)

      Jesus is the Lord's shepherd. Elvis dated Cybill Shepherd.

      Jesus lived in state of grace. Elvis lived in Graceland.

      Jesus walked on water. Matt.14:25 Elvis surfed. Blue Hawaii 1965

      Jesus was a Carpenter, Elvis took woodshop in High School.

      Jesus was part of the Trinity. Elvis' first band was a trio.

      Jesus was resurrected. Elvis had the famous 1968 "comeback" TV special

      Jesus was the Son of God. Elvis first recorded with Sun Studios.

      Jesus was the lamb of God. Elvis had mutton chop sideburns.

      Jesus' Apostles had 12 members. Elvis' Memphis Mafia had 12 members.

      Jesus' Father is everywhere. Elvis' father was a drifter.

      Jesus: Love thy neighbor-Matthew 22:39 Elvis: Don't be cruel-RCA,1956

      Jesus:If any man thirst..John 7:37 Elvis:"Drinks on me!" Jailhouse Rock

      Jesus:Man shall not live by bread alone. Elvis:peanut butter & bananas

      Delete
    7. Wrong again, diseased buffalo breath. This is 2013, not 2012.

      We're at the lowest level of Federal Employees since FEB. 2008.

      June 2013 Number 2,748,000

      Delete
    8. Government spending is a zero sum game, and should NEVER be included in GDP measurements. That's why the Chinese can have such a skewed GDP. They build empty cities, that no one can afford to live in, with bullshit script, and then use it to pad their GDP. Kinda' like we do with all our military spending.

      Delete
    9. What's the difference between a government employee and a government contractor...besides pay?

      Delete
    10. House races do NOT occur every year.

      Delete
    11. I government employee can't be fired or laid off without an act of congress. A contractor hits the road at the drop of a hat, any hat.

      Delete
    12. .

      Wrong again, diseased buffalo breath.

      :)

      Too funny. This from the man who yesterday whined about me and Doug always getting 'so personal'.

      As for the 2013 numbers, since no links were offered in either the Post Office publication or the Gannett publication it references, I'll wait for the official numbers from OPM.

      If they are correct, that's a good thing; however, to give Obama credit is a bit of a stretch. From the referenced Federal Times article,

      Budget crunches are primarily behind the swift decline in federal staffing. Most federal agencies are scrambling to enact swift spending cuts known as the sequester...

      The same sequester cuts that the administration has been wailing against they now brag about Hilarious. Funny that the cuts took place over the past 3 months when sequester forced it rather than over the past 5 years.

      Another interesting point and the main one mentioned in the comments section of your article,

      (I took the first one since it was shortest.)

      There has ben a 20% decline of the workforce but a 65% increase in contrator workforce at an astounding 300% increase in govt spending for the same jobs once performed by the federal workforce. How's that hope and change working for ya?

      There have been numerous studies that have shown that contract labor for government work is usually much more expensive than government labor even though government labor for comparable jobs is more expensive than for the civilian workforce.

      The CBO has currently called for a 10% cut in Federal personnel over the next 10 year budget period.

      .

      Delete
    13. You don't remember the old Johnny Carson/Ed McMahon comedy bit?

      You stated "Federal workforce numbers were Up, and then gave 2012 numbers.

      I corrected you with 2013 numbers.

      No one mentioned "credit."

      Delete
  18. We Are Anonymous


    “Information sharing produces shared awareness among the participants,
    and collaborative production relies on shared creation,
    but collective action creates shared responsibility,
    by tying the user's identity to the identity of the group.”
    Clay Shirky



    We Are The Collective

    ReplyDelete
  19. .

    My job is easy.

    The reason I am usually (always?) right is that my mantra is simple and rarely proven wrong.

    They are all dicks.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hegemenic HeadquartersSat Nov 23, 12:35:00 PM EST


    The Battle Lines are being drawn ...

    Hegemony of Character' vs 'Anonymous Collective'

    As the wind riffles the sands of time ..
    So pass the Days of Our Lives ...

    ReplyDelete
  21. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.):

    After Obama’s semi-demi-apology for millions of canceled insurance policies — an intended and predictable consequence of his crusade to liberate Americans from their childish choices of “substandard” policies sold by “bad apple” insurers — Scalise said Obama is like someone who burns down your house. Then shows up with an empty water bucket. Then lectures you about how defective the house was.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Brutish Children", ...
      ... Ms T, and they . . .

      . . . "Breed Like Rabbits"

      Delete
  22. Simple minds, simple mantras.


    :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Speaking of "simple" minds,

      Why do none of these old farts mention Obama cutting the size of their Medicare Part D doughnut holes in half?

      Delete
    2. Early onset memory deficiency.

      Delete
    3. .

      "Look folks, its all free. I did that."

      .

      Delete
    4. Hegemenic HeadquartersSat Nov 23, 01:44:00 PM EST

      Increased levels of Bullshitting.

      Using lack of cognitive ability as an excuse ...
      or, there is a loss of cognitive ability, which would seem the most likely of scenarios

      Regardless whether losing his mind is cause or effect, but increases in Bullshitting are plainly evident from ..

      . . . . . . Farmer Fudd and the Anonymous Collective. . . . . . . .

      Delete
    5. .

      Also, why don't all these 'old farts' coo over the massive wealth transfer they are receiving from the younger generation under Obamacare. The younger generations burdened with underwater mortgages, school loans, declining wages, many living in their parents basements are now being asked to pay for the healthcare costs of older, wealthier, old farts.

      .

      Delete
    6. Wrong again. I paid my whole life into Medicare (and still do,) w/o receiving a penny.

      You bitch too much; try to find some good news for a change.

      Delete
    7. If they are living in their parents basements ...

      Then it is doubtful they still have an underwater mortgage.

      If they have no jobs, no income, then ...

      No, they are not being 'asked' to pay for the 'Old Farts' meds.
      Only those that labor, and receive wages are getting taxed.

      We could change the tax code, tax Capital at the same rates we tax labor.
      But Farmer Fudd would object.

      He wants to live tax free, selling off the inherited wealth of his forbears to finance his "Golden Years"..

      But that still is inclusive of getting $250,000 from Uncle Collective, to fix his hip.

      He LOVES to collect cash and services from the Collective.
      He HATES it when anyone else does.

      Delete
    8. Even 15% of the gain, that is to much for Farmer Fudd to bear!

      Labor pays 14% just in FICA taxes
      Then about half of the workers pay additional taxes on top of that.

      Taxes should be leveled equally, on all classes of income, if income should be taxed at all.

      Delete
    9. Some, like Rufus II, benefit. Others, like the thousands, if not millions, of youngsters referenced by Quirk, will suffer a lifetime burden. However you cut it, kids and the middle class (such as it is) are going to take it on the chin. No matter how much Cool Whip gets sprayed on that excrement, the transfer of wealth is all too real.

      Delete
    10. .

      Good lord, rat don't be obtuse. I was talking about the generational shift of dollars from the young to the old precipitated by Obamacare and the fact that the younger generations are currently the least able to absorb it.

      .

      Delete
    11. .

      Wrong again. I paid my whole life into Medicare (and still do,) w/o receiving a penny.


      Please, I am talking about generational transfers not the anecdotal experience of some old fart in Mississippi.

      After all, you are special. You get only a 20% mileage reduction on that special E-blend that you mix yourself.

      .

      Delete
    12. .

      And Allen. Try to be a little positive.

      The market is at record highs.

      Corporate profits are booming.

      The banks are doing swell.

      All is well with the 1%.

      The 99%? They might not realize it but we know what's good for them and we are going to take care of them whether they want us to or not.

      It's the rich white man's burden.

      .

      Delete
    13. You're still just bitching, aimlessly.

      Delete
    14. The "Generational Transfer" that started with FDR.
      Was codified in 1960 by the SCOTUS.

      It is nothing "New", nor unforeseen.

      It is the "Plan" coming together. That you may never have realized it, before....
      Or ?, does not make it something to get riled up about.
      It is the status que.

      The shift to paying for "Old Farts" certainly did not start with the ACA.

      Get a grip, Q. What you should be advocating for... a complete over haul of the tax code,

      Even there, why expect that the folks in 'Oz' could or would get it right.
      Or even close ...
      ... even have a reasonable debate?

      The "Old Farts" have been in the embrace of the Collective for quite a while now.
      The "Old Farts" are the Collective, Quirk.

      They ALWAYS vote.

      Delete
    15. They are ALL on welfare.

      Social Security and Medicare.
      They are the 47% that Romney was talking about.
      The ones that are receiving Federal Funds, directly and in subsidies.

      Like Rufus nd Fudd, both will and have, tell us they "earned it".

      All they did, was pay taxes on their income, when they had an income.
      Now they want some payback, some return on that "investment".

      Delete
    16. "Earned it?" you can argue about that if you want.

      "Takin' it?" You betcha. :)

      Delete
    17. And about those "kids:'

      We've left them a Free Country, with reasonably just laws, and some wonderful technology.

      We haven't hurt them "too badly."

      Delete
    18. .

      The shift to paying for "Old Farts" certainly did not start with the ACA.

      I didn't say it did. I was speaking the specific wrt the ACA and you jump to the general. That the ACA is just one more government program where the government's 'intent' to aid one group ends up hurting another is obvious. However, that doesn't make it any less galling to those taking it in the ass.

      The best you can say for the argument that we should ignore the inequities brought about by a given program because it is just like other programs where the ordinary Joe takes it in the ass, is that it is cynical.

      However, Obamacare is not like Medicare and Social Security in the sense that it is not a single-payer system where taxes are taken in and, funds are allocated on a pay as you go basis. It is a private insurance system imposed by the federal government which distorts the insurance marketplace.

      .


      Delete
    19. .

      You're still just bitching, aimlessly.


      So speaketh the Obama slappy.

      .

      Delete
    20. .

      We've left them a Free Country, with reasonably just laws, and some wonderful technology.


      Good one.

      .

      Delete
    21. What Quirk said, with a sardonic chuckle. Yeah, let them eat cake.

      Delete
    22. As an afterthought, my 2nd grade teacher used to drum into us the old adage, "Two wrongs don't make a right."

      Delete
    23. QuirkSat Nov 23, 03:06:00 PM EST
      .

      And Allen. Try to be a little positive.

      I'll get right to work on that." Fiddle Dee Dee, I'll worry about that tomorrow.".

      Delete
  23. Whackopath is back again, stalking around.

    Game time in about 3 hours, Vandal Fans!

    Will periodically post scores.

    This may be the Mismatch of the Season.

    Off the top of head prediction:

    Seminoles 62
    Vandals 3

    out



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe,Sat Nov 23, 01:36:00 PM EST



      “There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.”


      Delete
    2. It is even more frightful when the ignorant have the votes and hold the reins of power.

      Delete
    3. Alexis de TocquevilleSat Nov 23, 03:21:00 PM EST


      “Every nation that has ended in tyranny has come to that end by way of good order.
      It certainly does not follow from this that peoples should scorn public peace, but neither should they be satisfied with that and nothing more.


      " A nation that asks nothing of government but the maintenance of order is already a slave in the depths of its heart;
      it is a slave of its well-being, ready for the man who will put it in chains.”


      Delete
    4. Progressives are always in a hurry and are willing to work out of bounds to meet their ends. It is the case of the ends justifying the means. See: Jefferson, Louisiana Purchase.

      For more than a century, the US Senate had been a thorn in the side of popular and/or executive progressive agendas. At the turn of the 20th C. there was the necessary alignment of events and persons to carry off the 17th Amendment (popular election of Senators). By that act the American Republic began its decent into tyranny. Whether by design or coincidence the 17th Amendment was ratified in 1913. The Great War began the year following, with America's first major involvement on the European soil. A great progressive (and racist of the first water, I might add) Woodrow Wilson hurried the US into the war and would tolerate no criticism (Espionage Act 1917, Sedition Act 1918).

      As an aside, a young Asian progressive sought a short audience with Mr. Wilson during the settlement of the War, hoping to gain the support of the great American progressive in the liberation of his homeland. Ho Chi Minh was brushed aside as a non-entity. The rest is history.

      Delete
  24. BaxterShane barked his way into an ObamaCare policy. If he can woof his way in you should be able to wag your tail, roll over, and get one too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fraud and deceit, hope Baxter's debit/credit card was valid.

      :):):):):)

      Delete
  25. Brotherhood behind 'terrorist' attacks: Egypt interior minister

    Mohamed Ibrahim says evidence shows that the Muslim Brotherhood sponsored a series of attacks targeting security forces following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi

    Ahram Online, Saturday 23 Nov 2013

    Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim claimed Saturday that Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood was behind past major attacks targeting police personnel in the country. Ibrahim gave names of several alleged perpetrators identified and arrested by security forces following the attacks, amid increased pressure on speeding up investigations into ongoing security breaches.

    "The Muslim Brotherhood, with the support and funding from the international Muslim Brotherhood organisation, has mobilised extremist terrorist elements, including ones from Al-Qaeda organisation and the Gaza Strip, to carry out a series of terrorist attacks following the 30 June revolution," Ibrahim said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

    Ibrahim went on to add that among the apprehended "terrorist cells" was an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, adding that some of its members allegedly took part in the two sit-ins supporting deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, which security forces forcibly dispersed in August.

    He also announced that another 33-member "terrorist cell" was responsible for the assassination of Mohamed Mabrouk, a senior officer in the National Security apparatus who was in charge of investigating espionage charges against Morsi. Mabrouk was shot dead near his home this week.

    Ibrahim also declared that the interior ministry had captured those responsible for the killing of 25 conscripts in the Sinai Peninsula 20 August, the highest rate of casualties in one incident across the uptake in militant attacks in the restive region.

    Ibrahim also announced that the ministry arrested a three-member "terrorist cell" allegedly responsible for the failed attempt on his own life in September.

    Back in mid-August, Ibrahim gave the green light to the raids by police to clear Islamist-led protest sites in Cairo and Giza that left hundreds dead and thousands injured.

    Numerous police stations were attacked across the country in the immediate aftermath of the bloody crackdown on pro-Morsi sit-ins. More than 100 members of the security forces were killed in ensuing violence.

    The restive Sinai Peninsula, bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, has witnessed a pronounced spike in militant attacks on police personnel and property following the crackdown on Morsi supporters.

    The most recent attack targeted an army convoy carrying off-duty soldiers on the road between Al-Arish and Rafah on Wednesday, killing 11 and injuring 37.

    Egypt's army previously announced it had killed around 100 militants, including foreign fighters, in operations against increased militancy in the region.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Had Obama and Kerry ever heard of Deat, they would, by only changing the place name, regurgitate his "Why die for Danzig" theme in our context.
    http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Another-tack-Why-die-for-Danzig-Israel-332629

    In 1941, to further ingratiate himself to his German masters, Deats's political party discovered its inner "anti-Semite." With the help of a convent in northern Italy, Deat was able to live comfortably in hiding until his death in 1955.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The comparisons are more than faulty, they're fraudulent.

      Israel, complete with a modern military armed with nuclear warheads, advanced figher aircraft, submariner nuclear launch platforms and main battle tanks is not at all comparable to Czechoslovakia in 1939.

      Sorry, strike one.

      The United States is not in the same position the British were in, in 1939, either.
      The US has 12 carrier battle groups, 5,116 nuclear warheads and a million men in uniform.
      It has a qualitative and quantitative advantage over the Iranians.
      In 1939 the Germans has a military advantage, in Czechoslovakia area of operation.

      Sorry, strike two

      Rather than the US, Mr Kerry and Obama embracing the Danzig Doctrine, they are doing the EXACT opposite

      Hitler began agitating for Danzig’s incorporation into the Third Reich. In April 1939 Poland warned that it would defy any German incursion. That presumably would subsequently oblige Warsaw’s allies to come to its aid.

      ... to forestall this, Déat wrote his commentary with the stirring headline that tauntingly asked Frenchmen whether they should really want to put their lives on the line for Danzig. Not only did Déat think that they shouldn’t, but he further portrayed the Poles as intransigent firebrands, whose irresponsible politicking was the source of all their tribulations..


      If Israel is attacked, the Patriot missile batteries and their US Army operators will be on the line, in Jordon and Turkey, the front line of Israeli defense.

      Strike Three!
      You're Out!

      Delete
    2. Hardly. But you do get an A for imagination.

      Delete
    3. Israel mans its own Patriot and other advanced batteries, thank you very much. Any help offered by the US should be refused.
      I guess that means that you swung at hot air.


      ISudetenland defense:

      "Hitler's plan was risky not least because the Czech army was strong and professional. The terrain from Germany to the Sudetenland was very steep and it was very likely that the Wehrmacht’s use of Blitzkrieg would have been of no value in such a hilly and wooded area. Likewise the fortifications at the border between Germany and Czechoslovakia would have given many advantages to the defending army."

      Since the British told the Czechs to cede land for peace (that has a familiar ring) and not expect allied support if they fired a shot in resistance, we will never know how a military campaign would have turned out.

      No, the German's did not have a military advantage for the reasons of geography, topography, and facing a well armed force in a strong defensive array. Moreover, it does not matter the size of either the Royal Navy or the USN. If the neither will fight, as is the case today, even the battle star hidden behind the moon makes no difference.

      Mr. Kerry has given Israel the message that she is on her own.

      Deat's propaganda: Like you, Deat's made it up as he went. The French public having no stomach for war, even in self-defense, was not about to make war to defend treaty obligations to Slavs.

      If you want to argue with me about history or warfare, I suggest you rely on more than Wiki and you vivid imagination.

      Delete
  27. Game Time, Vandal Fans!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The end zone was calling for the Seminoles, folks.

      Seminoles 7
      Vandals 0

      Knife through butter. 6 plays. First possession.

      Delete
    2. "Worldwide, every day, our rights are being taken away,"



      said another marcher who identified herself as Melody 

      They and other members of the group gathered in front of The Times building on Tuesday evening.
      Having completed the march from Pershing Square to the Federal Reserve building . . . .
      where protesters said they were forced to leave by security personnel.

      "The power is with the people,"

      one protester shouted, saying the group represented the interests of 99% of the global population

      . "They are sick and tired of not being heard."

      Delete
    3. End zone calls again.

      Seminoles 14
      Vandals 0

      Knife through water. 5 plays. Second possession.

      Delete
  28. No respect for coup-installed rulers, says Turkey in Egypt row
    Turkey PM Tayyip Erdogan slams Egypt rulers after decision to downgrade diplomatic relations with Ankara


    Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday his government would never respect military-installed rulers, in remarks made after Egypt's expulsion of Ankara's ambassador.

    "I will never respect those who come to power after coups," Erdogan told reporters.

    Egypt announced earlier that it was downgrading its diplomatic relations with Ankara, and expelled the Turkish ambassador over Erdogan's "provocative" criticism of Cairo, in the latest escalation of tensions between the two countries.

    In return, Ankara declared the Egyptian ambassador "persona non grata" and downgraded diplomatic relations to the level of charge d'affaires.

    Both Turkey and Egypt had recalled their respective envoys in August for consultations, but while the Turkish ambassador eventually returned to Cairo in September, Egyptian Abderahman Salah El-Din stayed home.

    The August 14 police and military crackdown on supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi sparked a storm of international condemnation and strained relations between Turkey and Egypt.

    Erdogan, a supporter of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood, angered Egypt's new rulers after calling the July ouster of Morsi an "unacceptable coup."

    The Turkish premier said Saturday his government backed democracy movements in the world, adding: "We never respect those who do not respect the people's sovereign rights."

    After the spat with Cairo, Erdogan flashed the "Rabaa" salute during a rally in the northern Turkish city of Trabzon early on Saturday.

    He has often used the gesture during his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) rallies to show solidarity with the Muslim Brotherhood.

    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/87301/Egypt/Politics-/No-respect-for-coupinstalled-rulers,-says-Turkey-i.aspx

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousSat Nov 23, 03:34:00 PM EST
    Game Time, Vandal Fans!

    AnonymousSat Nov 23, 03:46:00 PM EST
    The end zone was calling for the Seminoles, folks.

    Seminoles 7
    Vandals 0

    Knife through butter. 6 plays. First possession.


    AnonymousSat Nov 23, 04:05:00 PM EST
    End zone calls again.

    Seminoles 14
    Vandals 0

    Knife through water. 5 plays. Second possession.

    End zone calling

    Seminoles 21
    Idaho 0

    Knife through air. Pass run back for TD. 79 yards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. End zone calls, running up big phone bill

      Seminoles 28
      Idaho 0

      Knife through ether. Long pass for TD

      Start 2nd quarter.

      Delete
    2. Long distance call from end zone

      Seminoles 35
      Idaho 0

      Knife through ether

      5 plays, 85 yards

      Seminoles 95% scoring from inside Red Zone this year.

      Midway through 2nd quarter.

      Delete
    3. The Age of Miracles!!

      Idaho scores on nice legitimate drive!!

      Seminoles 35
      Idaho 7

      This commentary brought to you by

      IDAHO SPUDS

      Found in the world's fanciest restaurants, and your local McDonald's.

      Delete
    4. Phone is ringing. off the hook

      Seminoles 42
      Idaho 7

      4 second left in 2nd half......end of first half.

      Delete
  30. The end zone calling card is being nearly maxed out, folks.

    45 yards after kickoff return, Seminoles score again in 5 plays.

    Seminoles 49
    Idaho 7

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Incessant ringing

      Knife through empty space

      Vandals punt after 3 downs, Seminoles score in 4 plays

      Seminoles 56
      Idaho 7

      Will Semis ever put their second string in? Would it help the Vandals?

      Delete
    2. Seminoles 59
      Vandals 7

      Semi scrubs are now playing.

      Delete
    3. End zone places call to scrubs

      Seminoles 66
      Idaho 7

      14:25 left to go

      Two more touchdowns, Semis make 80!

      Delete
    4. Local radio station, unable to bear it any longer, has switched to a high school basketball game.

      Wusses!

      Will report final score when I find it.

      Delete
    5. From an alternative source

      Idaho
      Vandals
      (1-9)

      Florida State
      Seminoles
      (10-0)
      7 - 80
      Live - 4:00 4Q
      1 2 3 4 Total
      Idaho 0 7 0 0 7
      Florida State 21 21 17 21 80

      Think some time left in game Vandal Fans.

      With a score like this we may still hope to capture the coveted WORST TEAM IN THE UNITED STATES title, Vandal Fans, despite having one win.

      GO VANDALS !

      Delete
    6. Idaho fights back

      Final

      Seminoles 80
      Vandals 14

      One game left, next weekend, Fans.

      Idaho and New Mexico State

      GO VANDALS !

      out

      Delete
    7. George S. Patton Jr.Sat Nov 23, 07:49:00 PM EST



      “Anyone in any walk of life who is content with mediocrity is untrue to himself and to American tradition.”

      Delete
    8. There was a little girl
      Who had a little curl
      That curled more lavishly when wetter:
      When she was good,
      She was very, very good,
      But when she was bad, she was better!

      Delete
    9. George thought he was the reincarnation of....who was it?.....one of the Caesars or some dude.

      Used to talk to his dead father.

      Once said, "Damn, I love war".

      Strutted around like a peacock.

      Guy was an asshole

      Delete
    10. But he was OUR asshole, which counts for a lot.

      Delete
    11. You could hardly expect George to function as one of Caesar's Greek comfort lads.

      Delete
  31. If you are a Republican you must earnestly pray that this guy politically runs for no office of consequence. It is obvious that even the War College had no impact on his perception of cause and effect. Col. West seriously believes that "sucker punching" has to do with immigration policy. One inference from this line of thinking is that young black men without jobs are naturally driven to sucker punch little old ladies because immigrants will take work they won't. Aside from being idiotic to the nth degree, it shifts responsibility from the miscreants to society.

    If I may: Colonel, with all due respect and gratitude to your service, your analysis is, how to put this delicately, probably one of the top ten stupid ideas I've encountered in a long life. The problem with black youth is a lack of civilized socialization. They are left to raise themselves with no meaningful parental supervision. What kind of environment produces savages who delight in beating 80 year old white women senseless. Work with me, Colonel, because I just cannot get my head around such a maniac, diabolic milieu.

    If the Colonel worked on COIN, much about the criticisms of that program becomes clear. For instance, the awarding of medals for showing restraint in returning the fire of Muslim belligerents.

    ALLEN WEST: 'DEPENDENCY SOCIETY' LEAD TO 'KNOCKOUT GAME'
    http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/11/23/Allen-West-Policies-like-amnesty-driving-up-black-unemployment-lead-to-things-like-Knock-Out-Game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For the record, killing and maiming other human beings for sport is NOT a "game" The use of such repulsive, clueless language explains a lot about the perps and their enablers.

      Delete
  32. Iran Is Playing Obama, Says Savvy Saudi Prince
    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-22/iran-is-playing-obama-says-savvy-saudi-prince.html

    "It is quite something for a Saudi royal to state baldly that his country is part of a tacit alliance with Israel, but Saudi leaders, like Israel’s leaders, are frantic with worry that an overeager Obama will accede to Iran’s desire to become a threshold state, one whose nuclear program is so advanced that it would only need several weeks to assemble a deliverable weapon".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. The best defense against the atom bomb is not to be there when it goes off.

      Delete
    2. No, it's to have boomers ready to hit you back. Each submarine has 14 1911 .45s in the armory, and when the orders come down on that little strip of thermal paper, all the officers not in engineering are on the bridge behind each fire control station, armed with those .45s, making damn sure the crew does it's job.

      Delete
    3. What is it exactly you think "boomers" would do to solve the problem of a nuclear Iran?

      Delete

  33. London 'slavery' case women met 'in collective'


    Two of three women who were allegedly held as slaves in London for at least 30 years met a man who has been arrested via a collective, police say.

    Officers said they met "through a shared political ideology" before living together.
    Three women were rescued last month from a house in London after one of them called a charity asking for help.

    A couple, arrested on Thursday, migrated from India and Tanzania in the 1960s, said police.


    The alleged victims - a 30-year-old British woman, a 57-year-old Irish woman and a 69-year-old Malaysian woman -
    - are now in the care of a specialist non-governmental organisation after they were rescued from what police said was a "residential address" last month.

    Police said the 30-year-old woman had a birth certificate but no other official papers.
    The case came to light after the Irish woman rang Freedom Charity to say she had been held against her will.

    The two people arrested are both aged 67 and thought to be married.
    They had been held on suspicion of immigration offences and have been released on police bail until January.
    Police had previously said they had also been arrested in the 1970s but have not revealed what it was in connection with.

    In a statement, Cdr Steve Rodhouse of the Metropolitan Police, said:

    "We believe that two of the victims met the male suspect in London through a shared political ideology,
    and that they lived together at an address that you could effectively call a 'collective'.
    "Somehow that collective came to an end and the women ended up continuing to live with the suspects. "



    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25068525

    ReplyDelete
  34. fuckin' socialists!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only thing more dangerous than a question that can't be answered is an answer that can't be questioned.

      Delete
  35. End the OccupationSat Nov 23, 09:23:00 PM EST

    The fellow that our Israeli passport holder says is the wiliest of chess players ...

    Is described, by others ...

    Iran’s Supreme Leader: Fanatic or “Genius”?

    “The real experts who understand Iran’s system — they see the Supreme Leader as not very supreme,” says Samore. “He’s constantly balancing a very fractious and obscure and diverse coalition of people. And he’s very aware that a lot of the public is dissatisfied and unhappy. Especially the better educated. Even more than Obama, he’s constratined by all these factions that he has to deal with — including the very hard-core Revolutionary Guard.”

    “I do think he’s prudent,” says Ray Takeyh, an Iranian-American Middle East expert with the Council on Foreign Relations and a former State Department official. “He does not let go of his final objectives—which in his case is not just maintenance of the regime but also the ideological character of the regime—but he is capable of tactical modification. Which is why he is the longest-serving ruler in the Middle East.”

    Khamenei has always been an insecure ruler, says Mehdi Khalaji, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy who is writing a political biography of the Supreme Leader. He lacks the charisma and the theological credentials of his revolutionary predecessor, Khomenei. “The lack of self-confidence makes him very cautious about trusting anyone,” Khalaji says. “Even in domestic politics, he doesn’t have friends.” (The distrust may be enhanced by his near-assassination in 1981 by an exploding tape recorder planted at a press conference by a radical opposition group.) He has compensated in part with crowd-pleasing anti-American vitriol, which also connects him to the Islamic revolution’s anti-western origins.

    But the prospect of a possible deal of necessity with America may now be leading him to focus on Israel as compensation. “As Iran approaches some kind of détente with the West, we can expect its rhetoric on Israel to become harsher,” Brandon Friedman, a lecturer at Tel Aviv University and a researcher at its Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, tells the Jerusalem Post.

    That would be more consistent with the image of a canny leader, not a fanatic unable to adjust to political realities. “I have to say, the guy is a first-class genius,” Takeyh adds. “This guy is Bismarck with a turban.”

    There is some surprising evidence of intellectual depth. According to the Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji, Khamenei is a lover of Tolstoy, Balzac and Victor Hugo, whose Les Misérables, Khamanei said in 2004, “is the best novel that has been written in history… a miracle in the world of novel writing.”


    Read more: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: Fanatic or Genius? | TIME.com

    http://swampland.time.com/2013/11/21/irans-supreme-leader-fanatic-or-genius/#ixzz2lWeLfPZS


    One thing for certain he is not bent on suicide.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did Sirhan Sirhan Assasinate JFK at the Ambassador Hotel because he was a Jew?

      ...or because he was bullied as a child about his lame name?

      Delete
    2. End the OccupationSat Nov 23, 09:23:00 PM EST
      The fellow that our Israeli passport holder says is the wiliest of chess players ...

      One thing for certain he is not bent on suicide

      Dying in Jihad is NOT suicide.

      You look at Asian cultures as if they are Western. They are not. And because you and the county's leadership never seem able to learn this lesson, we get to send our kids off to sandboxes to play games with guys he think no more about self-igniting than you about lighting a cigarette. Oh, and the "wars" go on interminably.
      .

      Delete
    3. Try Kipling, who knew the difference between East and West.

      Delete
    4. You are the sort of person who would have advised not dropping the bombs on Japan. Why, the leadership is not suicidal. Right. Despite indisputable evidence that they would unflinchingly fly a plane into a ship, or that tens of thousands of them would throw themselves into futile charges, dying to a man.

      Do you know, not a single Japanese officer on any of the Islands attacked during the Pacific campaigns surrendered - NOT one. When they knew that defeat was inevitable, they helped one another methodically disembowel themselves. You know nothing of such character because you have never served a cause greater than yourself.

      Because men cannot believe in a spiritual dimension, they find it inconceivable that others could. Well, here's the memo: there are billions of folk on this planet who do believe and are willing to die for those belief's, your derision notwithstanding.

      Delete
    5. PS: Following the surrender of the Empire of Japan aboard the USS Missouri, the Japanese flag officers disembarked, went ashore and gutted themselves. To what end, you might ask? Honor, Sir, Honor.

      So, don't take our turban wearing friend so lightly; he might mean exactly what he has been saying for decades.

      Delete
    6. Sirhan was born eight days before me.

      Isn't that special?

      But I'm an Aries, and he's not.

      Delete
  36. Maybe, maybe not, but he's a damned poor literary critic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another view, more thoughtful -

      Nuclear Iran is the end of the Western civilization and the world

      Joseph-Faina.jpgJoseph Zaalishvili intervews the Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs of Israel, Knesset Member Mrs. Faina Kirshenbaum.

      Joseph Zaalishvili: Ms. Kirshenbaum, how do you feel about the upcoming agreement to the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran's nuclear program? The West is proceeding as if Iran is ready to halt uranium enrichment, but in fact the IAEA has confirmed that Iran continues to enrich uranium.

      Faina Kirshenbaum: I'm afraid that the new treaty will be worse than the old agreement. When they began negotiations with Iran, they said that some of the nuclear reactors would be shut down. So far, not one reactor is not closed, the enrichment of uranium is in full swing, and the old rhetoric of hatred for Western civilization and Israel continues. To enter into an agreement on such terms is unrealistic, and I believe that as long as the nuclear reactors are not shut down, the abolition of economic sanctions can only lead to the increased military and nuclear power of Iran. And this is very dangerous, primarily for Israel, but also for the entire free world.

      JZ: Recently there began a rapprochement between Turkey and Iran. Together with the fact of the weakening U.S. intervention and presence in the Middle East, how can this affect the situation in the Middle East? Some time ago, Iran's foreign minister was in Turkey, and in January 2014, the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan plans to visit Tehran. Has this been caused by the fact that the U.S. has eased its pressure on the region, and have Iran and Turkey found a common denominator, such as economic goals or -- what else?

      FK: I think that the strengthening of relations between Tehran and Ankara has no relation to the U.S. Turkey has been trying for some time to enter the European Union. They are having problems with that, and so Turkey has completely turned away from the Western world. She is now trying to take the position of leader of the Islamic and Arab world. If you look at the processes taking place in Turkey -- a strong Islamization and a turning away from all that Kemal Ataturk did -- for us, it is not surprising that Iran and Turkey have found each other.

      JZ: The President of France, François Hollande, came to Israel. What is your comment on this visit? Is Israel looking for a new friend to replace the United States, or in conjunction with the U.S.? I ask because recently the international media has been writing about increasingly strained relations between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

      FK: First, the United States is a close friend of Israel. Israel has a lot of friends in the United States. No one is looking for any replacement. There is no doubt that Israel has its own interests, and in light of the visit of the president of France, we are strengthening our relationship with those parts of the European Union that support Israel's position. We believe that the French president has been very clear in his position on Iran. We do not compare our friends to one another. We always say, these and others are our friends. We are looking for as many friends as we can to help us solve the problem of Iran's nuclear program.

      JZ: Prime Minister Netanyahu is flying to Moscow. What does Israel expect from this visit?

      FK: Russia is supplying weapons to Syria. This interests us. We are concerned about the situation in Iran, the Iranian issue. I think that these are the issues that will arise at the meeting between Netanyahu and Putin.

      JZ: President Peres said that if Iran becomes a nuclear power, a nuclear arms race will start in the Middle East. What can we expect then?

      FK: I think that this will be the end of the world.

      Posted by Joseph Zaalishvili on November 22, 2013 10:20 AM

      Delete
    2. It is more thoughtful because she is not focused on the mind on one man.

      >>JZ: President Peres said that if Iran becomes a nuclear power, a nuclear arms race will start in the Middle East. What can we expect then?

      FK: I think that this will be the end of the world<<

      But rather she is focused on a much larger perspective.

      Delete
  37. The brutal truth is - this End The Occupation is an idiot, whoever he/she is.

    ReplyDelete

  38. Iran nuclear deal complete after days of talks, ministers confirm
    European Union and Iran announce deal has been done in the early hours of the morning in Geneva



    Staff and agencies
    theguardian.com, Saturday 23 November 2013 21.24 EST


    Iran and six world powers have reached an agreement on curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for limited sanctions relief, several delegations in the talks said on Sunday.

    Michael Mann, spokesman for the European Union's foreign policy chief Lady Ashton, said: "We have reached agreement between E3+3 and Iran."

    "We have reached an agreement," the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, announced on his Twitter feed.

    The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, also confirmed the deal.

    No details of the agreement reached were immediately confirmed, but one Western diplomat said Iran would get access to $4.2bn (£2.59bn) in foreign exchange as part of an agreement, Reuters reported.

    Ashton was due to speak to reporters in the early hours of Sunday morning, as was the UK foreign minister, William Hague.

    The US president, Barack Obama, was due to make a statement on Saturday night US time.

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/24/iran-nuclear-deal-completed-foreign-ministers

    ReplyDelete
  39. Sounds like an announcement of the USA sellout of USA and Israel regarding Iran is about to take place.

    ReplyDelete