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."

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Sandinistas and Democrats

Reading the news today, I was struck by the parallel elections of the old Nicaraguan revolutionary, Daniel Ortega and the resurgent Democratic Party in the United States. Both have overcome the truth and reality of their leftist pasts and by running on new found moderation and faith have once again won the seats of power.

Daniel Ortega says that he is a changed man, no longer the revolutionary. The former guerrilla leader who seized power in 1979 and to this day lives in the homes which his Marxist Government confiscated from the rich, now promises attacks on poverty and will encourage the private investment needed to create jobs and not war. A reinstated Catholic, he is quoted as saying, "We thank God for this chance to build a Nicaragua in reconciliation by talking to each other and reaching consensus, even with our differences."

The people of Nicaragua, like the people of the United States have been asked to place their trust and confidence in parties who would prefer their past to be forgotten if not forgiven. Unfortunately for Ortega and the Democrats, the revisionists have not yet been able to whitewash their stained pasts nor thoroughly revise recent history. Even more unfortunate for the left of Central America and the USA is that we see, still visible in the background, their unsavory and thuggish associates. For Ortega it is:
Thousands of left-wing Sandinista supporters took to the streets to celebrate Ortega's triumph, setting off fireworks and waving black-and-red party flags.

Venezuela backed Ortega's campaign by sending cheap fertilizer and fuel to Sandinista-led groups. It is widely expected to now finance social programs in Nicaragua and some Ortega followers hope Chavez, rich with petrodollars, will help Nicaragua stand up to Washington.

"Whatever Chavez sends us helps us a lot and it makes us less scared because we know we are not alone, we have his support," said Miguel Mendoza, 45, who was orphaned at age 9 when his parents were killed by troops fighting against the Sandinista revolutionaries.
In America, Representative Nancy Pelosi, fresh from her recent makeover as the "Grandmother of five," vowed to "restore integrity, civility and honesty to Capitol Hill" and promised that Democrats will "work together in a bipartisan way for all Americans." As I read "Grandmother Pelosi's" reassurances, my mind goes back to the her recent "Anybody who's ever dealt with me knows not to mess with me" Time interview":
...Would your grandmother ever say, "If people are ripping your face off, you have to rip their face off" (Pelosi's approach to handling attacks from Republicans)? How about "If you take the knife off the table, it's not very frightening anymore" (her explanation for why she won't let voters forget George W. Bush's unpopular Social Security proposal from last year)?
Setting a standard her party will be judged on in elections two years from now, Nancy Pelosi promised: "Democrats intend to lead the most honest, the most open and the most ethical Congress in history."

For starters, they can clarify what they mean by statements like this one made by soon to be Speaker Pelosi. Will she deal with Iraq as the face ripping street fighter or the Grandmother?
“Nowhere did the American people make it more clear that we need a new direction than in Iraq,” she said, speaking to cheers. “We can not continue down this catastrophic path. So we say to the president, ‘Mr. President, we need a new direction in Iraq. Let us work together to find a solution to the war in Iraq.’”
The US public has been asked to believe that the Democratic Party, after having flirted with the "Move-on, Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan left", has seen the error of it's ways and with a new found moderation, has come home to America.
Beyond the change in party power, the result signaled that the House was in for something of an ideological scramble. While the result was marked by the defeat of a procession of Republican moderates — from New Hampshire, Connecticut and Florida — the new class of Democrats include congressmen-elect who are considerably more moderate than many of their new brethren. In Indiana, Representative John Hostettler, a Republican, was defeated by Brad Ellsworth, a Democrat and sheriff who opposes abortion rights and same-sex marriage.



Grandmother Pelosi and the Democratic Party have portrayed themselves as repentant, chastised and changed; now Statesmen and no longer young, wild eyed revolutionaries. But unfortunately for them, we see some hard, rough looking people lurking quietly, smiling and laughing in the background and in the shadows and we ask ourselves, "If they've changed, why are they still hanging around with those old thugs? Their old war buddies: the Sandinistas, the Move-On Daily Chaos crowd, the John Podestas. And is that George Soros talking to John Kerry and Bill Clinton way back there?

Somethings not right. What's going on here?

112 comments:

  1. Any new reports on Angelina will be appreciated.
    It is the EBAR, afterall.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've mellowed, habu mellowed, Danny has mellowed, too?

    I do not believe it for a minute.

    Bet Hugo does not believe it, either.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I understand it was James K. It was Angelica and a good time was had by all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anyone runs into fellowpeacekeeper, he needs to contact the EB to collect his apparent winnings.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was quite the celebrity blogging away last night. At first they thought I was kidding. Too bad I did not have a Fedora with me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. DR,
    Oh Danny boy, the fights, the fights are call-ing.

    What the worlds bad guys have learned, and learned well, including our beloved Democrats is the Islamic lie. The Hitlerian Lie. The BiG Lie told over and over. The lie to get power no matter what you have to say.
    We're do'in it the democratic election way. ly'in all the way to the power..then the great Satan can't complain ..we had elections.
    W is a Rockefeller Republican
    Read this and weep, Rockefeller Republican just like his old man and his grandfather, Senator Prescott Bush. Squishy types.
    W gave away the farm today ..I'm not quite mellow yet...vote Libertarian if you want to save this country. Libertarian Party

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fox News on the Libertarian Vote

    Fox News has finally acknowleged "the L Factor" in a column they ran online today. Here's their take:

    Libertarians -- people who cringe at intrusive government, high taxes, nation-building and politicians telling them how to behave -- could turn out to be the key swing voters in Tuesday's contentious midterm election.
    And, in an unusual development, that might not bode well for Republicans this time around.

    A number of political scientists and libertarian pundits say that libertarian voters who sided with the Republicans in the past have become disgusted with bloated federal spending, the war in Iraq and prevailing social conservatism in the GOP-dominated White House and Congress. Many feel libertarian voters will either vote for Democrats on Tuesday or just stay home, and that could play a role in deciding key battleground races.


    It will certainly be interesting to watch election results coming in tonight. Be sure to stop by LP.org through the evening to chat online while catching the latest Libertarian Party election returns.

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  8. In case some of you haven't noticed the two Bush presidencies and the Clinton presidency effectively killed off Reagan Republicans.
    Republicans are now for BIG EVERYTHING.

    Ah but "Dutch" was so good. Too bad he's way gone.

    ReplyDelete
  9. On O'Rielly the talking head lady said in most of the races, the Repubs lost by just 3 or 4 points.

    The Librarians make up 'tween 8 and 13% of the old GOP base.

    Many stayed home, or voted for the Librarians, directly.
    The GOP ignored those folks at their peril. It cost 'em the Government.

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  10. The US public has been asked to believe that the Democratic Party, after having flirted with the "Move-on, Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan left", has seen the error of it's ways and with a new found moderation, has come home to America.

    Certainly the Lieberman episode stands as the premier lesson for the Nut Roots crowd.

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  11. I wouldn't vote for folks that stand against what I stand for, rufus, just because the are a lesser evil.

    Damned happy Mr Jefferson, Mr Washington and Mr Madison did not, either.

    Guarenteed I won't vote for the lesser evil, again. Did that with GWBush and got burned, good.

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  12. Rufus,

    W lost this for his party because he's a compassioate conservative , which is to say he is a liberal republican, just like his daddy and granddaddy.
    The Rep and the Dems are both BIG GOV parties..machines to collect and redistribute money. It's a racket..don't blame it on the one party that still stands for limited government etc. Thats bull shit..the Reps earned this loss and we're gonna pay and W was leader of the band. No matter how thick or thin you slice the bologna, it's still bologna.
    Nope ,like the Gipper said, "I didn't leave the Democratic Party they left me"..well the Republicans no longer stand for the values I stand for and neither do the Democrats so I'll give my vote to the Libertarians who do have the values I have. Check 'em out you'll see.

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  13. Rush's post mortem, which he finds to be cathartic.

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  14. How do you think black folks got enshrined in the constitution as being 3/5 of a human being?

    Not black folks, but slaves. The thinking was that they could just bring in more and more boatloads of them and unduly influence apportionment.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Over the last few months, I had begun to doubt whether Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez would indeed have the kind of political staying power that I described in my book, Hugo Chavez: Oil, Politics, and the Challenge to the U.S.

    In Peru, Chavez openly endorsed the nationalist candidate Ollanta Humala in the country's presidential election. But Chavez's strategy backfired when Humala's opponent, Alan Garcia, charged that the Venezuelan leader was interfering in Peru's internal politics.

    Events in Nicaragua, however, suggest that it won't be so easy for the Bush administration to roll back Chavez's ambitions. It now seems as if the Sandinista candidate Daniel Ortega will cruise to victory in the country's presidential election and avoid a run off.


    Chavez Wave

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  16. Rufus,
    Reagan didn't compromise putting missiles in Europe. He didn't compromise when he walked out at Reykjavík. he didn't compromise in rebuilding our armed forces, and he didn't compromise tearing down the Berlin Wall.
    Teddy Roosevelt didn't compromise on the Canal or Trust Busting or building a greater middle class.
    No Rufus all great presidents aren't compromisers. They stand for fundamental principles and hammer away at keeping them.

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  17. Rufus,
    I could bury you in the Reagan record. He was a great leader.

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  18. It is my opinion that Wretchard has misrepresented history by implying the slashing of military manpower as the Democrat’s doing. This error was brought to his attention. He has chosen to remain silent. That is why I am glad for the EB.


    allen said...
    wretchard,

    re: How soon those who demand more troops in Iraq forget who reduced the Army from 18 divisions to 10.

    The slashing was bi-partisan, which I hope was your point.
    11/08/2006 09:53:58 AM


    allen said...
    Wretchard,

    re: 18 - 10 divisions

    The Bush administration is allowing the Air Force to reduce its manpower by 40,000 over the next three years. This cannot be laid at the feet of the Democrats.

    The Air Force is completely up front as to the cause of the force reduction - the Air Force cannot have both new aircraft and personnel. That is real leadership.

    It will prove interesting to watch Ike Skelton, who has promised more funding and a larger active armed force.
    11/08/2006 11:19:34 AM


    allen said...
    C4,

    The late Republican Congress forced the DoD and Air Force to accept delivery of 10 new C-17s. Until recently, Air Force brass appeared before prior Congresses swearing that nothing less than a 230 plane C-17 fleet would do. Even with the forced sale above, the fleet will not exceed 180 - 190 planes.

    By keeping the C-17 production line open, the Air Force is guaranteed spare parts for the existing fleet; apparently, something the Air Force was willing to forego.
    11/08/2006 03:47:35 PM

    It is one thing to err, it is quite another to knowingly deceive.

    Link

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rufus,
    Sitting before me on my desk is the August 31, 1992 article from the National Review entitled "The Real Reagan Record"
    I would recommend you review the record with a keen eye. The article is 37 pages long, not including the references to other sources.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Teresita,
    Not all black people in America when the 3/5th Compromise was agreed to were slaves. Not even in the South.
    Just go away.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Teresita,
    Read E Pluribus Unum and Novus Ordu Seclorum by Forrest Mc Donald for the skinny on the constitution.

    ReplyDelete
  22. rufus,

    re: compromise

    Mr. Bush holds a MBA. To earn that degree he had to have had more than one course in conflict resolution. The field of conflict resolution recognizes compromise, albeit through a jaundiced eye. One may compromise positions, but one may NEVER compromise interests (existential) principals. Mr. Bush does not comprehend the difference.

    ReplyDelete
  23. rufus,
    Mr Bush compromised the border
    He compromised the War on Terror
    He compromised on Debt
    He compromised on Earmarks

    He compromised my vote
    Celebrate
    Celebrate
    Dance to the music!

    ReplyDelete
  24. rufus,

    re: SCOTUS

    You assume Mr. Bush would nominate a Bork. There is nothing in his record to show him initially capable of anything other than PC.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  26. David Souter was a Republican pick, a Bush pick
    Ms Miers was a Republican pick, a Bush pick.

    He can pick whomever he wishes
    Mr Burns would not have made a difference in the choice or the confirmation.
    They lost the nuclear option, with or without him

    ReplyDelete
  27. rufus,

    re: C-17

    These are used for refueling, something in seriously short supply. The spare parts are worth their weight in gold (titanium?).

    Would the Air Force resort to trickery? I sincerely hope so, if that's what it takes to get the military we are going to need.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Damn i love the smell of napalm in the EB. Things are very mellow here in paradise. Two more days and back to reality. We used to call it the World. But that was when we were long timers and talked about being short timers. Now that we are real short timers and the World has come to us, we need to be one thing, honest. The honest thing is that we got screwed by supporting something that did not exist, like whit's post. We can argue about it till we become ultra short timers, but the thing is gentleman, those that feel the calling to run for public office and are willing to tolerate the abuse and scrutiny that none of us would subject ourselves to are bound to disappoint. They don't exist except in the one liners and bumper stickers.

    I raise a toast to the winners and losers. They are all full of shit.

    ReplyDelete
  29. On E PLURIBUS UNUM

    One of the Best books of it's kind, February 18, 2006
    Reviewer: Warner Todd Huston "History Minded" (USA) - See all my reviews

    In the 1920s and 30s socialism was all the rage among the "literate" types in US universities as well as Universities world-wide. A writer named Charles Beard made a name for himself in the field of American historiography by claiming that the Founders wrote the Constitution based only on their avarice and greed, that economics was the sole reason that the country was formed. And it was an economics of exclusion, greed and elitism that they created, too. Beard was an avowed socialist and communist and his agenda was to knock down the USA's reputation as the democratic light of the world a few pegs, if not to totally destroy it. He succeeded for several decades.

    Then came Forrest McDonald..

    In 1965, McDonald shattered that anti-American, socialist paradigm. In his two most important books, E Pluribus Unum and Novus Oedo Seclorum, he revealed the philosophical influences as well as the economic ones that guided the minds of the Founders and their contemporaries. And exclusion, elitism and avarice were not some of those principles and philosophies.

    McDonald's works are easily read by one not historically versed and clearly laid out. They are a must read if you want an introduction to early American thinkers

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  30. On NOVUS ORDU SECLORUM

    The men and ideas behind the American Constitution, February 14, 2006
    Reviewer: Michael A Neulander "Political Philosophy" (Newport News, VA) - See all my reviews

    I picked up this book to read for several reasons. The American founding era is one of my favorite periods of history to study. I am in awe of our founding father's abilities to cobble a government together despite their socio-economic differences. Don't we all wish that our political leaders today had the same capability to compromise and act on important issues of the day? I am also a great student of finding out the kinds of books our founders read so that I can read them myself. As a student of philosophy, I enjoy studying the philosophical influences on the founders. Aristotle's "good life", Locke's principles of life, liberty, and property in his "Second Treatise", and the influence of the Scottish Enlightenment philosophers like Hume, Reid, and Kames. I can say unequivocally that Forrest McDonald's book does not disappoint.

    One fact that I learned was that Alexander Hamilton, while fighting the revolution, was already studying what type of government to put together. He foresees the nub of the problem, "extreme jealousy of power" of men from different socio-economic factions. Hamilton and other leaders will draw on their beliefs in "natural law", civil rights, and property rights. McDonald, astutely points out that the framers of the constitution were well versed in Greco-Roman history, confederations of European nations and republics from history. They used these historical references to support their arguments during the proceedings of the convention, sometimes delivering long lectures on the subject. McDonald also deftly points out that our founders and Americans in general had a long history of being involved in government and politics for several years before the revolution. It is the collapse of public credit that is the main cause of the failure of the Articles of Confederation, and brings these men together for the constitutional convention. They had a long time to study and to put into practice many of their ideas in the colonies. Our founders learn their republican theories from reading Cicero, Livy, Tacitus, Aristotle, Polybius, Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and most notably Plutarch, who was more widely read than any other ancient author was. Hamilton, Madison, and Jay using pseudonyms from Plutarch's "Lives of the Ancient Grecians and Romans" sign the "Federalist Papers". I give you this long list so that you too can start your great scholastic journey by reading these luminaries! The founders are also greatly influenced by Joseph Addison's play "Cato: a Tragedy". The play takes place during Cato's final hours of resistance to Caesar. George Washington remarked it was his favorite play and had it performed for his men in Valley Forge during the revolution. Washington and the other founders found in the play a powerful statement on patriotism, liberty, virtue, and honor.

    I can go on forever about McDonald's erudite facts in this book, but I will not you need to read it! McDonald is an excellent easy to read writer which makes this book extremely accessible to anyone interested in the history of our founding era. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in political philosophy, and history of the founding era of the United States.

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  31. Concerning the three-fifths of a person meme, apparently some Elephant Barflies are not up on what the consitution actually says:

    Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.

    What this says is there's three kinds of people: Free people, untaxed Indians, and Other. Now Other gets counted as 3/5 of a person for apportionment purposes. Free black persons were not Indians so they were not discounted 40%.

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  32. Well, Webb is declared the winner, and Allen, will go the way of other near contenders. I do not think he will get smarter, mayby wiser but no way will he get smarter.

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  33. Rufus,
    You lived through that period.

    I was born in 1948 so I guess I did too.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I voted straight Republican, mainly because I am a straight Republican. Never much cared for the Dewey Decimal system, but in my area you can vote for Howdy Doody, or you can "Plunk your magic twanger froggy"..."Hya kids, Hya, hya hya." and you will be just as effective.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anyone here remember "Buster Brown"?

    ReplyDelete
  36. teresita
    you need to read either of the books i recommended or Farrands notes on the constitutional convention and debates. You are missing way too much in you "understanding" what is being said in those words. You're using todays definitions not the ones recognised by the founders. Educate yourself further on what they were talking about THEN in THEIR TERMS not in our terms today.
    Big fallacy to interpret history without knowing the period.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Well, rufus, Mr Shadegg is my Representitive, Mr Kyl my Senator.

    How was my vote wasted.

    What cumlative total, what representaion was compromised?

    None.

    A vote on principle is never wasted. Many list or Party votes are. Vote like a European if you wish, vote for your faction.
    I'll vote my principles, like all citizens should, thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Well, Webb is declared the winner, and Allen, will go the way of other near contenders.

    No more Senator Makaka means Senate Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Leahy will shut down every Bush judge nominee for the next two years, until they get Hillary in there. Then all of a sudden the GOP will discover the time-honored American tradition of the filibuster (why, didn't Mr. Smith go to Washington and do the same thing?) and they will be horrified at the thought of a nuclear option.

    ReplyDelete
  39. DEBKA is reporting the Jihadi regimes in Iran and Turkey are conspiring to rip Kurdistan a new one.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Rufus,
    One more thing. Don't stay up all night researching etc. it really doesn't mean that much to me. Government has become a racket and we are ruled not represented.
    Now China, there represented but we're about to become just part of the North American Union, complete with a new citizen's handbook that won't resemble our constitution....and most people don't even know about the NAU. Your Representative send you any heads up over the already underway tripartite pact? Bet not.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Point of privilege Catholic Woman, That would be so sweet to see the Dems use the nuclear option and picture that twerp Frist talking it but never taking the stroll. You will never excuse the dems of being boy scouts, not that there is anything wrong with it.

    ReplyDelete
  42. 2164..
    I've never been one for being in a herd going over a cliff.

    Eagles don't flock.

    ReplyDelete
  43. There you go Rufus, I think it was Andy Griffen on Saturday mornings calling up the magic froggy.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Looks like the Chinese are being put on strict rations.

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  45. Those Kurds better call the Shah or some one that gives a shit, mat.

    Maybe the Hmong will come help them, a quick call to President Diem could get them deployed.

    Perhaps the Israel can send some help. US is coming home, we'll negotiate with the Iranians about Iraq's security and stability.

    It's a brave new world.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Catholic Woman,

    re: SCOTUS

    Leahy will be shooting himself in the foot if the Court's #1 liberal slot goes unfilled, because the conservatives will have the majority, i.e. in every case, they will have a one vote advantage. You can count on Leahy making a lot of noise though.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Deuce,

    re: Buster Brown

    I do remember - even the radio advertising. Andy Devine's radio show had Buster Brown as a sponsor, as I recall.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Rufus,
    I voted in Florida, not Montana.

    And for you to insinuate that I, through my vote caused greater danger to our troops in Iraq is way over the top.
    Take the halo off that head dude and give your brain a chance.
    And if you still think I endangered the lives of our troops then how about a big scoop of FUCK YOU.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Ming the merciless, Sky King, Reject the Robot. and there was a live western at 4:30 on weekday afternoons?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Habu , a big scoop of Fuck You!! Can you put sprinkles on that ?

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'm still chucklingabout that one.

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  52. rufus,

    I'm all in favor of an enlarged American continental empire. For the US to get there and control the entity will demand leadership more mature than any now available.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Deuce,

    Hopalong Cassidy - is that a name for a cowboy or what?

    ReplyDelete
  54. Deuce,

    Did you notice C4's post at the BC referencing me? Other than his usual rant, he made some good points. What a waste of brain cells. ;-{

    ReplyDelete
  55. Come on Rufus,
    There's only two of us on this thread talking about the Libertarian Party. You made reference to the Montana vote being lost by Burns by 1% and that the Libertarians garnered 3%, in essence costing Burns the election. (that would hold true only if the voted for Burns).
    Now th other party talking about Libertarians lives in Arizona. It's well known I have property in Montana, so just how stupid do you think I am that I can't connect those dots. Aristotle called it deductive reasoning. But all is forgotten. I like you and this kerfuffle isn't in my heart...I recend my fuck you scoop provided it hasn't melted.

    ReplyDelete
  56. 2164..
    Unfortunately we're out of sprinkles tonight...we do have enbedded corn though...

    ReplyDelete
  57. d'Rat,

    You're right. Enjoy your retirement.

    ReplyDelete
  58. rufus,

    re: 3 questions

    1) No. The Jihadis have their marching orders. Any gloating about bringing down the Republicans is propaganda.

    2) Yes. Although not necessarily smarter.

    3) Yes. Talent should have carried Missouri. I do not agree with your framing of the question. The losses are the fault of the President's mismanagement. A belt full of scalps would have helped.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Would the Republicans have held the Senate if those "Libertarians" had compromised a bit, and voted for the conservative party that had a "Chance to Win?"

    In a word, no.

    Libertarians oppose spending blood and treasure to make unwilling populations "free"...point to Dems.

    Libertarians oppose interfering with a husband's decision to put his vegetable wife down...point to Dems.

    Libertarians oppose regulating the labor commodity with fences and border guards...point to Dems.

    About the only thing Bush has done for Libertarians is cut capital gains taxes, but that was back in 2003 so it's a case of "what have you done for me lately?"

    ReplyDelete
  60. Rufus,
    You're an honorable good man. I apologize for my poor boorish behavior during civil discourse. I mean that.
    (of course now all the other guys are say ing stuff like, You may now kiss the bride)

    Hey we're cool, ok?

    ReplyDelete
  61. Allen you fascinate C-4. He actually is welcome here but the quick one on one is not his FORTÉ.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Teresita,
    During the American Revolution the rebels made a ton of mistakes and right to the end were given no chance of winning. But they did.

    I've done what you recommend many times, but there comes a time when, for whatever reason you say no I'm not doing that again.
    I realize the Libertarians don't have a chance of winning. But if you look at their site you will see that they do have something like 600 elected officials nationwide. At this point I'm still a Rep, but I am going to change. The two major parties are both too out of touch, too big government for me.

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  63. Deuce,

    Sorry for not having said so sooner, but that contest was big of you.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Well Ladies and Gents,

    It's bedtime. The Republic will survive. We may be in for some heavy weather but we can get through it to the bright sunlit uplands.
    Semper Fi

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  65. Deuce,

    re: C4

    My guess: C4 cannot understand how I do not hate him.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Rufus,
    On Gates, I say lets judge him by performance. Take a look in about six months. I think that's fair.
    I have really no keen insight into him. I do wonder how those people sleep at night knowing what attacks are in the works etc..it's no enviable position. I wish them good timing and good luck.
    nite

    ReplyDelete
  67. Allen,

    A bellyfull of hate is good for you. Trust me. It will keep you alive.

    ReplyDelete
  68. fufus,

    re: Gates

    Brought into the company by Habu's good buddy, Stansfield Turner.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Senator Lieberman is the man! Unless the President blows him off, the Senator's key votes could keep the Vice President busy.

    While only a hunch, any effort by the Baker Boys to do a cut and run lite will probably be taken as unconscionable by Senator Lieberman.

    ReplyDelete
  70. This was not written by some left-wing nutcase.

    “But if the president wants to overhaul our policy on Iraq in a particular way, why didn't he do so earlier in the year when it might have saved his party from a major electoral defeat and perhaps saved the lives of American troops?”

    Power Line

    Link

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  71. Allen,
    'Cause then he would still have them Wascally Real Republicans in the house to keep him from getting his beloved
    "Comprehensive Immigration Reform"
    ie Amnesty, ie 14 Million New Democrat Voters.
    A Permanent Majority for a Global future.
    You did hear how warmly he responded to the reporter bringing that up, right?
    "Thank you for bringing that up, that's an important issue."
    ...that I can ram down this county's throat now that I torpedoed the people that took one for the Flipper.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Hell I was for a guest worker program before GWB.
    ...but I wasn't LYING about
    "temporary workers"
    ...with prefered treatment to Native CITIZENS in college, free medical care, preferential admission while millions of highly qualified immigrant wannabes are put on hold...
    on and on.
    Honest George, Indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  73. The question now is whether we'll survive after Bush I and II, Rufus.

    Reagan saved us from those folks, and now we're right back where we started.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Mat,
    I liked skipsailing's dissertation on hate in a previous thread.
    Good material provided by ex-wive's lawyer, of course.

    Novel advice:
    Hate your ex-wive's lawyer to get over hating her, it will be to the kid's benefit!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Hey Rufus:
    Show your credentials.
    I did not officially enter the contest but my casual estimates may well steal your title of
    Dead Fucking Last!
    ---
    How close was the Desert Rat?

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  76. Terorrita, 10:57
    ---
    "Libertarians oppose regulating the labor commodity with fences and border guards
    ...point to Dems.
    "

    "The Labor Commodity"
    Those are PEOPLE!
    As Thomas Sowell has eloquently pointed out, PEOPLE have far different behaviors, needs, costs, and etc than "COMMODITIES."

    It's called COUNTRIES, Woman!
    (catholic)
    People, borders, culture, language, and etc define COUNTRIES.

    We were fortunate to live in the greatest one on Earth.
    Folks that want to regard PEOPLE as commodities don't seem to appreciate that.

    Damn!
    When I see things like that, I say to my Vegetable Wife:

    Lettuce, Pray!

    (sometimes she objects to being ordered around, but being a vegetable, it's not too hard for me to put her in her proper place.)

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  77. PEOPLE, unlike commodities, also procreate.
    When paid by the state to do so, some do little else.

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  78. Well, doug, the pubs got 40% of the hispanic vote in 04, and 10% in 06, so, whatever chance we had to curb the flow, it's gone now.

    Good thing we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot.

    'Course, it might have been even better if we hadn't blown both our legs off at the hip.

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  79. Whatcha gotta unnerstand is, you might as well save your breath, you don't have to worry about the pubs or the Bushies anymore.

    At 9-to-1, the pubs are hispano-baked.

    You best join the Dems, if you want to influence the future.

    Course there's always them Librarians!

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  80. Doug,

    d'Rat was very close, if not right on. Looks like I was in fantasy world. Rumsfeld pushed for an attack on Iran and was forced to resign by Mr Bush. The Carrier groups will finish their light exercise and it will be up to Israel and Kurds to do the heavy lifting.

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  81. Lucky for me, I like Mexicans, so they will probably let me keep the milk goat, (*whew*).

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  82. You're right, Trish. i don't know what the big mystery is on the timing. Obviously, all options are open to political attack at the very least, so it made more sense to rely on the booming economy to pull thru the 06. Unfortunately, the economy has been easy to attack, too. i think conservatism is done, as an elective philosophy.

    It will come back when a grinding catastrophe, military, economic, spiritual, forces it back, as a no-choice situation.

    Mat, you're right--Israel is gonna have to do Iran on her own.

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  83. Wonder if they will have to go nuke? Good gravy, that's gonna really rip the UN a new one.

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  84. probably too long to be president, too, given how poorly the last few 8 year terms have spent the final 2 years.

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  85. Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and probably Egypt too. Not a problem. Just make sure we dont have to fight the French. Could you at least do that?

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  86. Well, I'm nearly 60 freaking years old, dammit, but I'll try. Should I fly to Paris, or hold 'em off from Haifa?

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  87. Nah. Just pass them the white flag.

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  88. shit, between us and the French, there'll be a glut on white flags.

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  89. The Bullmoose was for sure an activist-government man.

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  90. Iraq, instead of hanging Saddam, why not give him his old job back?

    Maybe he'd be grateful, and nice to our new Giant Consumer Organization nation?

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  91. Good. So when Francoise again gets frightened by the sonic boom of IAF jets, he could at least paint a blue Star of David and wave.

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  92. I'd prefer Saddam work on his tan lying under hot asphalt.

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  93. For the Record:
    JD Hayworth's opponent won by mimicking JD's stand on immigration!
    ---
    Why didn't you tell us that Desert Rat?

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  94. deft thought, trish.

    you're right, come to think of it--"conservatism" is said to be "traditional values", but, now we're 40 years into a body of *new* tradition--and it ain't much like the old tradition.

    Which is, I guess, only a fast-fading misty-memory cherry-pick of Norman Rockwell Goes to Washington dreams about late 50s suburbia.

    Thin gruel, evaporating in the hot glare of the now.

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  95. I guess the dems shot both their legs off and still won the election, Buddy, fancy that.
    ---
    Fear not tho, now that the election has been won, they'll be back to business as usual which is pandering to folks and implying other folks don't like them since they don't pander.
    ...as you just did above.

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  96. don't be so sensitive, doug. You got rid of the pander-in-chief (the lousy bastid), so at least you have something from all this.

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  97. after all, we can't be having none of that presidential pandering, why, the latinos might vote 10-to-0 against him, instead of only 9-to-1.

    some pandering.

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  98. "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good.."

    Black gold, Buddy. Now, tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor.

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  99. wow--that's cool, Mat. More and more of those old stories are turning out to be rooted in the real.

    well, nite all.

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  100. Buddy,
    Drug dealing, America hating, Democrat voting, welfare stealing, fake car wrecking, murdering Mexicans don't vote Republican.

    The numbers of those have multiplied RAPIDLY under the Clinton Bush era of lawlessness re:
    Immigration.
    Needless to say, I DON'T like those Mexicans, but then again I don't much like white folk that keep themselves occupied doing that stuff either.

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  101. Bush got rid of the Rule of Law which seems to suit you fine, so we both got something out of this Buddy.
    Since you insist on "making your point" with dumb-ass "arguments" like that.

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  102. Bush made it easy for the Dems to run to his right where needed.
    Now you blame conservatives not Bush for the result.

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  103. INVASION USA
    Another drunk illegal kills 3 more Americans
    Suspect had pleaded guilty last yearto count of driving without a license
    ---
    I left out REAL car wrecking.
    Sorry.
    Lawlessness does have it's price.
    Luckily those ensconced on their mega Ranch in Waco don't have to pay it.
    Yet.

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  104. Meet Speaker Pelosi:
    ---
    Nancy Pelosi: Caviar commie

    As I have reported previously in this space, Pelosi, the winner of the 2003 Cesar Chavez award from the United Farm Workers, hires only non-union workers on her $25 million Napa Valley vineyard.
    Maybe this explains her firm opposition to any efforts to enhance border security and the flow of illegal cheap labor into the country from Mexico, speculates Investor's Business Daily.

    According to Peter Schweizer's account in "Do As I Say (Not As I Do)," the luxury resort and restaurants she partly owns are also strictly non-union.
    The exclusive country club she partly owns failed to comply with existing environmental regulations for the past eight years – including a failure to protect endangered species.
    Those rules are for mere mortals, not the caviar Comintern.
    ---
    As WND has reported, Pelosi is a long-time member of the "Progressive Caucus" – or, as I call it, the Congressional Red Army Caucus.

    In fact, she has even served on the executive committee of the socialist-leaning Progressive Caucus, a bloc of about 60 votes or nearly 30 percent of the minority vote in the lower chamber.

    Until 1999, the website of the Progressive Caucus was hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America. Following an expose of the link between the two organizations in WND, the Progressive Caucus established its own website under the auspices of Congress. Another officer of the Progressive Caucus, and one of its guiding lights, is avowed socialist Rep. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent.

    The Democratic Socialists of America's chief organizing stated goal is to work within the Democratic Party and remove the stigma attached to "socialism" in the eyes of most Americans.

    Nevertheless, the goal of the Democratic Socialists of America has never been deeply hidden. Prior to the cleanup of its website in 1999, the DSA included a song list featuring "The Internationale," the worldwide anthem of communism and socialism. Another song on the site was "Red Revolution" sung to the tune of "Red Robin." The lyrics went: "When the Red Revolution brings its solution along, along, there'll be no more lootin' when we start shootin' that Wall Street throng. ..." Another song removed after WorldNetDaily's expose was "Are You Sleeping, Bourgeoisie?" The lyrics went: "Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie. And when the revolution comes, We'll kill you all with knives and guns, Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie."
    In the last six years, the Progressive Caucus has been careful to moderate its image for mainstream consumption.

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  105. "The Labor Commodity"
    Those are PEOPLE!
    As Thomas Sowell has eloquently pointed out, PEOPLE have far different behaviors, needs, costs, and etc than "COMMODITIES."


    It is possible to express the views of the Libertarians and not hold them personally. Not by word or deed would I express a belief that people, made in the image of God, are commodities, in contrast to at least one other Elephant Barfly who says "write off" the people of Africa and the Middle East as if they were stock market losses.

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  106. Thanks, doug, for pointing out my "dumb-ass" arguments. You were doing the same before the elections gave you the new speaker whom you berated in amongst the posts berating me, so I wonder why a genius like you can't put 2+2 together like a dumb-ass like me can?

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