1 Thanks a lot for this Gabe!

2

I honestly didn't understand how weirded out even a joking reference to Texas' secession legend makes some northerners until a few weeks ago.

Jealous.

3 I had already bookmarked both of these and put the links in my Perry eval so they will be there the next time some other moby comes on and starts repeating the same serial lies.

4 For those of us willing to believe (with good reason) that Perry will be the nominee sites like this are a great defense against the inevitable smears that will come. It's a great way to get these assholes on the defensive.

5 I honestly didn't understand how weirded out even a joking reference to Texas' secession legend makes some northerners until a few weeks ago. The one state that has the most hardcore, active secessionist culture is......Vermont.

6 5 I honestly didn't understand how weirded out even a joking reference to Texas' secession legend makes some northerners until a few weeks ago.

The one state that has the most hardcore, active secessionist culture is......Vermont.

Posted by: BuddyPC at August 17, 2011 07:40 AM (N/Bgb)

Cuba north.

7 If Northerners think they are "weirded out" by these mild statements they should visit the "League Of The South" web site.

8 The one state that has the most hardcore, active secessionist culture is......Vermont. Really? Why the hell would they want to secede?

9 "if you want a fiercely loyal president, say, in contrast to a certain trans-national lightbringer, Perry's a good choice...."

Best sentence I'll read all day and I haven't even finished my first coffee.

10 Really? Why the hell would they want to secede?

Posted by: Joffen at August 17, 2011 07:42 AM (EPcuy)

The first States to actually talk about secession were the NE States during the War of 1812. Bing up the Hartford Convention.

Before the unfortunate war at 1861 all States thought it was their right to "opt out" and all considered the States to be the final arbiter of the Constitution.

11 Really? Why the hell would they want to secede?

Posted by: Joffen at August 17, 2011 07:42 AM (EPcuy)

Any state that continually elects cocksuckers like Leahy and Dean isn't exactly known for thinking out consequences.  Plus Quebec is so economically depressed it may as well be an islamic shithole.

12 I wonder what the list would look like for OblameO ... Oh wait, he can just say or do anything, and no one reports ...

Let's start ...Could I see OblameO's transcripts please ...
Does he have any college friends who will say he was actually there?
Any ex-girlfriends?
How about radical prreachers.

You did no Black Liberation Theology is ???

13 Posted by: Vic at August 17, 2011 07:45 AM (M9Ie6) -------------- I meant why would they want to do so now?

14 So Gabe where's your retraction of your contribution to the Palin hitjob from yesterday?

15 thank you Gabe!

16 Just read this after it was put up in the sidebar. It strikes me as good, honest reporting, though that's not the kind of thing that will appease Paulians, Palinoids and Karl Rove. Tough shit on that.

Surprisingly, it apparently won't appease Michelle Malkin, who is attacking Perry today in one of her syndicated hissy-fits, stamping her little foot and whining about how Eeeeeeevil that Texas Totalitarian is.

Of course Malkin is one of those responsible for giving us Osama Obama, as she spent more time in 2008 clawing at McCain than she did pointing out the endless list of flaws in now-President Stuttering Clusterfuck.

What is it with the my-way-or-the-highway types, anyway? I'm not 100% sold on Perry, not 60% sold on Palin, and not even 10% sold on Mutt Romney. But I'd vote for any one of them over the Traitor-in-Chief. Whichever wins the nomination -- or even if we choose a nonentity like T-Paw -- gets all the support I can muster.

Apparently it won't be that way with Filipina Rage Girl. Hang on four another four years of mega-DOOM if she gets her way.

17 I meant why would they want to do so now?

Posted by: Joffen at August 17, 2011 07:46 AM (EPcuy)

They really haven't changed much since 1812. They hate everybody who doesn't trace their linage back to VT for 10 generations (except those who come from MA because MA is too conservative) and they elect avowed communists to congress.

18 Let's parse this a bit.  To get a message of secession from Perry's statement one has to conclude also that there can and should be no consequence to Washington continuing to thumb its nose at the American people.

Eat your peas, indeed

19 I honestly didn't understand how weirded out even a joking reference to Texas' secession legend makes some northerners until a few weeks ago.

It's just a stick to beat on someone they don't like.  They don't really believe it.

20 I live in Detroit, Michigan.  We're living in Mad Max times up here. (h/t Simpsons)

Does anyone know what the immigration policy will be when Texas secedes?

21

They really haven't changed much since 1812. They hate everybody who doesn't trace their linage back to VT for 10 generations (except those who come from MA because MA is too conservative) and they elect avowed communists to congress.

Posted by: Vic at August 17, 2011 07:51 AM (M9Ie6)

I think it comes from thinking you can farm in a mountainous area that even if you find a patch of flat earth it has huge rocks all over the fucking place.  Eventually that unique brand of craziness spreads to everything else.

22 Hmmmm. When we moved to MA a few years ago, I always said one of my main priorities was to make sure I had enough ammo to fight my way back to Texas. Dear Yankees: I wasn't kidding.

23 'Adios, Mofo'

24 Apparently it won't be that way with Filipina Rage Girl. Hang on four another four years of mega-DOOM if she gets her way.


Well, let be honestly cynical, (or cynically honest.)   There are a lot more page hits to be mined and appearances on Fox News to be had from being the anti-Obama rage girl than there are to be had from doing the tedious scut work of defending the policies of President Romney.

25 Apparently it won't be that way with Filipina Rage Girl.

Naughty Geraldo, socking commenters again.

26 Let's not knock on VT too hard here.  The old-school conservatives in the NE Kingdom have had to see their state taken over by liberal immigrants (fleeing the high taxes of MA, they then vote to make VT more liberal than MA)

27

okay, think about this for a minute.

Why would Perry want Texas - the state of which he is Governor - to secede from the same country in which he is running for President?  It's just a stoooopit statement on its face.

28 You know, when I heard about these comments (of course it was the skewed version) I thought to myself, "So what?" I guess it's because I'm a southerner but talk of secession isn't really a big deal to me. I grew up in Northeast Florida (which should really be South Georgia culturally) and the idea of eventual secession was a regular part of normal political discussion. Not that anyone hated the US. Quite the opposite, actually. There was and is just a very prevalent feel that one day the liberals will have screwed things up so much and things would get so bad that we'd have to leave the union just to survive.

29 The media really is the dog in "Up". SQUIRREL!

30 Dear Yankees: I wasn't kidding.

Posted by: Andy at August 17, 2011 07:58 AM (veZ9n)

I'm not sure I understand your meaning.

31 yankees are just an odd group........

32 The connection to Aga Khan and his sharia ways while the MBM is busy painting Perry as a dangerous Conservative Christian fanatic is what really gets me.
Which religious belief system would be more of a threat to our individual freedoms and way of life? And yet if the commie media were ever to report on Perry's Islamic connection it would be featured in the plus column. The  same goes for Grover Norquist, who is filthy with muzzie money and in fact married to one.
 

33 I think we all knew Gov. Perry doesn't really support the breakup of the USA. Let's not go on the defensive. Let the miserable stuttering clusterfuck of a failure traveling around the country in sinister black busses be on the defensive.

34 Hell, this is nothing. The media only is getting warmed up. The real nastiness is yet to come. Wait until we get closer to the first primaries. The media needs to preempt Perry's candidacy. They can't take the risk of having their man face Perry in the general. Also keep in mind the demographic that votes in GOP primaries in large part is very naive and very gullible and is focused on social issues rather than economics and policy. The media knows this. So, pretty soon they'll move away from lying about Texas' economy and playing up the "he wants to succeed from the union" meme into low-down gutter politics. They will attack his wife. They will attack his kids. They will attack him, personally. Then they'll really get ugly.

35 "Does anyone know what the immigration policy will be when Texas secedes?" Should Texas ever secede, I will liquidate everything I own and use it to bribe a way into Texas for me and mine.

36 Gabe, you're quoting from Perry's "official" briefing that followed his spontaneous outburst when he crashed the Texas Tea Party Protest, cheering them on while inserting the specific word "secession" which Texas viewers of newscasts saw broadcast repeatedly during the last TX Govenor's campaign. Debra Medina had to step up to the reporters to diffuse their take on Perry's outburst that did NOT represent anything at all from the Texas Tea Party which did not propose or promote or support in any way Texas secession from the Union. After her rebuttal to the media, Perry came out with the messaging you quote above.

And no, Perry wasn't really threatening Texas secession, but holding onto that radical card in the political poker game to rally public fervor. With Perry's positions on hot buttons, "Now you see it. Now you don't."

37 Posted by: ontherocks at August 17, 2011 08:09 AM (HBqDo) ------------ Too early for this shit.

38 Plus Quebec is so economically depressed it may as well be an islamic shithole. So they want to be a part of Canada. lmao

39 Also keep in mind the demographic that votes in GOP primaries in large part is very naive and very gullible and is focused on social issues rather than economics and policy. Posted by: Tsar Nicholas II at August 17, 2011 08:10 AM (iRlbA) Yes and No. That may be true in ordinary economic times... but in the midst of the Second Great Depression, many, many of them are unemployed and have been for years now. Side issues like gay marriage and abortion tend to diminish in voters' minds wonderfully under those circumstances.

40 Tom Selleck's fighting mustache

Wasn't it AWOL in his last tv flick?

41 Posted by: maverick muse at August 17, 2011 08:13 AM (lpWVn)

Ron Paul:  "I would not have violated Pakistan's sovereignty to kill Bin Laden"

42 O/T: Obama plans on giving a "major speech" about jobs and the deficit in early September. Let me tell you, I cannot wait. I wonder what he'll say...?

43 You know what? We're too traumatized by how easily Palin was trounced by the MSM. I'm not worried about Perry. Perry is about as likely to let himself Be The Victim of the MSM as Reagan was. Ain't gonna happen. I'm not worried about it. Economic reality outweighs all the Newsweek covers, MSNBC hysteria, and Obama campaign speeches and strategy. And its heavy hand is descending on the Street Thug from Chicago... we can all see it.

44 44 O/T: Obama plans on giving a "major speech" about jobs and the deficit in early September. Let me tell you, I cannot wait. I wonder what he'll say...? Posted by: Joffen at August 17, 2011 08:18 AM (EPcuy) It's Boooosh's fault?

45 44 O/T: Obama plans on giving a "major speech" about jobs and the deficit in early September. Let me tell you, I cannot wait. I wonder what he'll say...? Posted by: Joffen at August 17, 2011 08:18 AM (EPcuy) Let me be clear! I inherited this mess from the Bush Administration! Millions and millions of Green Jobs!!!

46 Too bad Texas has the worst football team in the nation. Americas team my ass.

47 2 men told me last night that they didn't like Perry's "over-religiousness" (i think they were referencing the day of prayer).  but both told me that they would vote for ANYONE over Bambi.

48 22  I have always wanted the same vehicle that Lord Humongous had,  Maybe GM try building those.

49 @16 Crokett died at the Alamo.  Sam Houston kicked Santa Anna's ass at San Jacinto.  This battle pretty much defines the word rout with 630 Mexican soldiers killed and another 730 captured to 9 Texans killed.

50 Buzzion, no retaction. Palin tried to show off how tough on the media she could be and it backfired on her. It was a stupid, sloppy mistake to make and doubly stupid because she did it to friendly media at the Daily Caller. Palin should take a lesson from Bachmann's winning attitude toward media bias. Note well the responses to my Palin post: the Palinistas chose to either say (1) it didn't happen; (2) Pappas deserved it even though he did nothing wrong; or (3) to call me names. They do more damage to their cause than I ever could in a thousand posts.

51 Who gives two fat shits about Perry and secession talk? It's not going to happen, it's a retarded issue to even use - what I want to know is, what is it with the infatuation with him in the first place? I'll say it again, vote him into office, and it's just more of the same. Status quo.

52 Yes and No.

That may be true in ordinary economic times... but
CoolCzech

So long as it is noted that Religious Revivalism is being used not simply to rally the "faithful" but to cover a lot of the candidates' closet political alliances under the evangelical cloak of self-righteousness that "good people" are supposed to trust.

53 Posted by: CoolCzech at August 17, 2011 08:20 AM (kUaEF) -------------------- Cannot wait to play that drinking game!

54 If Rick Perry's not gay, why have I doodled his name and mine in little hearts 4ever all over my My Pretty Pony trapper keeper?

55 @52: and the thing is, Gabe, there Is No Palin Cause. When are they going to face the reality that Palin is not running?? I've just gotten so sick of her and the way she has done nothing but cash in since 2008.

56 Is Obama's bus trip over? I wonder how it will affect the polls. I'm getting nervous from all the excitement around Perry, and Obama's shitty poll numbers. Things are going a bit too well for us...

57 Set me free!

58 google Rick Perry Gardasil

59 58 Is Obama's bus trip over? I wonder how it will affect the polls. Not sure. The thing looks like a giant rolling hearse.

60 They do more damage to their cause than I ever could in a thousand posts.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at August 17, 2011 08:23 AM (a0HmB)

Your inability to apply this to your drama queen obsession with gay marriage is hilarious.

61 Beers, Steers and Queers

62 I'm getting nervous from all the excitement around Perry, and Obama's shitty poll numbers. Things are going a bit too well for us... Posted by: Joffen at August 17, 2011 08:27 AM (EPcuy) You should have watched Morning Joe this morning. If you think YOU'RE nervous...

63 Laughing in Texas

Nine?

All but two of the Texian defenders were killed defending their rights at what was their last stand, The Alamo.  Most eyewitness accounts reported between 182 and 257 Texians dead, while most historians of the Alamo agree that 400–600 Mexicans were killed or wounded. (wikipedia)

64 Trump decides to be helpful.

65 google Rick Perry Gardasil

Posted by: UGrev at August 17, 2011 08:28 AM (862vz)

And there ya go.

Dude, you new around here?  It's been discussed to death.

66

They really haven't changed much since 1812. They hate everybody who doesn't trace their linage back to VT for 10 generations (except those who come from MA because MA is too conservative) and they elect avowed communists to congress.

I was born there.  I've lived there.  I moved away for good about 15 years ago.  I can assure you that the trend towards communism is a relatively recent thing and largely imported from outside; mostly Mass, CT, NJ & NY to be precise.  Mind you, VT is unique in the fact that these imports weren't interested in moving to more urban areas.  They came to live in the sticks and stink it up with their patchouli wearing, unshaven womenfolk.  As a result, the (generally) more conservative natives have been outnumbered everywhere. 

I was in H.S. when Bernie Sanders was elected as the mayor of Burlington.  The pot smoking Dead heads from UVM are the culprits for giving him his first stage.  At the time, Dick Snelling (R) was the governor, G_d rest his soul.  He was the last hold out on raising the drinking age to 21 in the Union.

Just remember, VT was one of the only states to go against FDR all 4 times.

Oh, and remember, VT was an independant state for a few years after the revolution due to some dust up over land with New York.

 

67 "Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treacherous, treasonous in my opinion," Perry said.

"I certainly think threatening the Fed chairman is not a good idea," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Hysterics; It's what's for breakfast.

Oh, and Obama thinks he has it tougher than Abe Lincoln.

68

44O/T: Obama plans on giving a "major speech" about jobs and the deficit in early September. Let me tell you, I cannot wait. I wonder what he'll say...?

---------

Tenth in the series on how he's going to figure out a plan pretty soon.

69 <<<52 Buzzion, no retaction. Palin tried to show off how tough on the media she could be and it backfired on her. It was a stupid, sloppy mistake to make and doubly stupid because she did it to friendly media at the Daily Caller. Palin should take a lesson from Bachmann's winning attitude toward media bias. Note well the responses to my Palin post: the Palinistas chose to either say (1) it didn't happen; (2) Pappas deserved it even though he did nothing wrong; or (3) to call me names. They do more damage to their cause than I ever could in a thousand posts. Posted by: Gabriel Malor at August 17, 2011 08:23 AM (a0HmB) so in other words you read your hit piece had your biases confirmed and refused to read other articles afterwards like R.S. McCains post on it which does not paint the occurrence the same as the bullshit you wrote. So much for you being just an impartial 'reporter' type.

70 I am wondering precisely how long it will be until some forlorn woman is dragged out by Gloria Allred to claim she was sexually harrassed,had an affair/love child/etc? It is either that or some campaign Karl guy or someone from the Bush administration will initially hint at an affair with Anita Perry,sound defiant because he wants to "do the right thing" and then fade away with no proof but conveniently leaving the meme out there as fact. I also am expecting a full on chart showing both children's weight to height ratio,at least a dozen articles in Glamour magazine,etc about the Mom and kids "hideous" fashion sense,speculation over whether Perry has plugs or had a chin implant done secretly in Costa Rica. You know, the typical crap thrown at all conservatives . We will never know and how dare we ask-Michelle Obama's weight,just how big are those feet anyway?,where the shower curtain fabric comes from for the multitude of ghastly dresses she wears,Just why exactly was she disbarred? How about some college articles written by the pair of them? Past boyfriends/girlfriends/both? It is racccist to even ask for these from them, but I'm saying a month to two tops that they start rolling them out on Perry

71 When we moved to MA (blah blah blah).

Posted by: Andy at August 17, 2011 07:58 AM (veZ9n)

Why the fuck would ANYONE want to do that??? (move to MA that is)

72 I'm getting nervous from all the excitement around Perry, and Obama's shitty poll numbers. Things are going a bit too well for us... Posted by: Joffen at August 17, 2011 08:27 AM

Don't worry. The Enemy Within -- Malkin, Rove, etc. etc. -- and the Foreign Enemy -- the media, Democrats and concern trolls -- aren't sleeping. They have been, and will be, on the attack.

A pity there are no Dangling Courage Units on our side. The so-called leadership has a golden opportunity to savage President Stuttering Clusterfuck and drive him into well-deserved obscurity, but is instead more eager to destroy a good man who might rise to greatness if elected POTUS simply because he doesn't play the kissy-face, wimpy-ass game of  nicey-nice "politics" with them.

It's time for hardball, and I don't mean Pissy Chrissy Matthews.

73 58 Is Obama's bus trip over? I wonder how it will affect the polls.
61 Not sure. The thing looks like a giant rolling hearse.

Naturally, not in any way environmentally friendly.

Jon Stewart skewered Obama's campaign bus tour that "isn't" but simply shouldn't be happening, whether campaigning or not.

74 Haven't been paying attention lately. Anyone know if First Klingon's huge ass is still huge?

75 If by some weird, insane freak accident, ron paul ended up winning the nomination, would you vote for him over Obama?

76 When Hillary '08 campaigned for potus in Texas, her limo driver killed a highway patrol officer in Dallas, hit and run.

No telling what Obama's bus will leave behind as road kill.

77 Wait wait wait some troll comes in and says Republican primary voters are a bunch of rubes who believe in that icky God stuff and we are going to agree with that? I don't think so. Keep thinking it Nicky. Yes, we are dumb and easily led or whatever it was the NYT said back in the 80s. Think it, believe it. You have nothing to fear from a bunch of rubes, right?

78 If by some weird, insane freak accident, ron paul ended up winning the nomination, would you vote for him over Obama? Yes.

79 Why would a remark about secession, (said in jest) freak out someone up north?  You would think they would be happy.  They can have their socialism without much resistance.  That's what they want, just leave us out of it.  Funny, I'd have no problem if they would secede.

80 So how about an extension of the Tom Delay plan that splits Texas into four states send eight conservative Senators to Washington?

81 If by some weird, insane freak accident, ron paul ended up winning the nomination, would you vote for him over Obama? Posted by: Texan Economist at August 17, 2011 08:35 AM

Darn tootin' I would!

Shit, I'd vote for Balloon Boy or Snookie before I would put a mark by the stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure's name.

Of course if Paul won, I'd pray that Congress stayed as lazy, clueless, incompetent and corrupt as it is now. Their biggest campaign contributors would never let them go along with President Nutjob.

82 <<<57 @52: and the thing is, Gabe, there Is No Palin Cause. When are they going to face the reality that Palin is not running?? I've just gotten so sick of her and the way she has done nothing but cash in since 2008. Posted by: CoolCzech at August 17, 2011 08:25 AM (kUaEF) Hello I don't even think she's running nor do I want her to. But you would think that someone you is all about just reporting the facts would not rely solely on the word of 2 buddies and would seek more information. You know like ra mccain did. But that's just me thinking how someone that doesn't let his personal biases creep into posts would act.

83 Posted by: The Outlaw in the Heavenly Hall at August 17, 2011 08:31 AM (zxrQh)

LOL, I was mostly kidding. But I did make a day trip through there when I lived in upstate NY many years ago and I did find the people, shall we say, somewhat stand-offish for outsiders.

84 Posted by: Texan Economist at August 17, 2011 08:35 AM (TC/9F)

I would vote for that particularly odoriferous turd I just dropped into the can this morning if the other piece of shit on the ballot was Obama.

85 If by some weird, insane freak accident, ron paul ended up winning the nomination, would you vote for him over Obama?

Posted by: Texan Economist at August 17, 2011 08:35 AM (TC/9F)

Having voted for McCain in 2008 I think that effectively says that I'd vote for a steaming pile of dogshit against El JEFe.  And DR RON passes that criterion; although most of his followers don't.

86 No telling what Obama's bus will leave behind as road kill.
Posted by: maverick muse at August 17, 2011 08:36 AM

The United States.

87 If by some weird, insane freak accident, ron paul ended up winning the nomination, would you vote for him over Obama? Posted by: Texan Economist at August 17, 2011 08:35 AM

No.  If the Republican Party nominates a man who places Pakistan's sovereignty above killing Bin Laden, I'm leaving it outright and voting for somebody else.

88

Wrong question: Better question: Really? Why would we stop them?

It's a pity really.  Vermont used to be the last bastion of hardcore conservatism in New England.  Now, not so much.

89 @90: Beat me to it.

90 And if some state or the other decided (by a majority referendum) to secede? Do you think any POTUS would have declared a state of war and sent in the troops? It's not 1861, folks.

91 Have you ever heard a Texan disrespect his home state?

Do the Dixie Chicks count?

92 And that was supposed to be hell not hello. Damn autocorrect.

93 Posted by: buzzion at August 17, 2011 08:33 AM (jIDIz)

Gabe and Mitt share a trait in common, belief that their mistakes are not errors. The only fault must be mis-perceptions of feeble, unsophisticated minds, those violently radical conservatives unconverted to PC revisionism.
 

94 So, to be clear: Perry did not advocate or "threaten" (as the media, Democrats, and some anti-Perry Republicans have characterized it) secession.

Didn't say we wouldn't either.

95

Do the Dixie Chicks count?

In spades.

96 One of the things that concerns me is the immediate suspension of disbelief when Perry declared. Oh, I'll vote for him and probably work for him, but let's not forget that he is a politician -- and that means that he is a craven, self-absorbed, calculating man whose only goal is to consolidate power around him. If that means that he follows conservative principles and returns this country to its former glory, then good for us. But make no mistake; Perry is out for himself first.

97

Cuba north.

LOL! That comes across a lot like Miami.....also known as "Lower Brooklyn" and/or "Little Israel".

98

LOL, I was mostly kidding. But I did make a day trip through there when I lived in upstate NY many years ago and I did find the people, shall we say, somewhat stand-offish for outsiders.

Well, look at what they did.  Is it any wonder?  It used to be nice up there.  Now, it's just another commie shithole where a man can't get a decent job.

99 True or False

Rick Perry asked his obliging father-in-law to perform his vasectomy.

100

Let me be clear: If the land of boned, California, ever wanted to seceed...........we should let them.

Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at August 17, 2011 08:46 AM (OWjjx)

Fuck that!  We should sell them to the Chinese and pay off the debt

101 I really don't care what you think Muse. But there are levels to annoyances. and yesterday the annoyance at gabe bullshit post was higher than the annoyance of pain fans.

102 Been thinking about Michelle Malkin and others who've been criticizing Perry. This is part of the vetting process, isn't it? This is what's supposed to be happening. You find a problem with a candidate and you make it public. It's not like she's gonna vote for Obama!

103

True or False

Rick Perry asked his obliging father-in-law to perform his vasectomy.

True!

What do I win?

104 @65 The Alamo is not San Jacinto.  San Jacinto is the battle that won Texas their freedom From Mexico.  My point was that Fish said Crockett was at San Jacinto but, in fact, he had been killed earlier at the Alamo.

105 Joffen:

But if/once he is the nominee, no more attacks!  I always hated working on campaigns with d-bags that weren't in it to win.  It seems like some prefer to lose so that they can snipe at their political rivals rather than actually winning and needing to do something.

106 For the record, as far as I know, Texas is the only State that requires at least one full year of State History as part of its Social Studies/Civics curriculum.

Now, part of this is because (to take one at random) Oklahoma's State History would take up about 20 pages prior to it becoming part of the Union, Texas has a rather longer, more storied (some would say: sordid) history.  Part of it, however, is that State Pride to which Gabe refers.

Oh, and because we are the best State in the Union.  Don't forget that part.

107 No.  If the Republican Party nominates a man who places Pakistan's sovereignty above killing a dead horse, I'm leaving it outright and voting for somebody else.

Santorum write-in, "If you're not with me, you're against me."

108 Well folks got to go for a while. Probably will not be back until this afternoon.

109

True or False

Rick Perry asked his obliging father-in-law to perform his vasectomy.

True!

What do I win?

A Perry "Reset" Button

110

*sigh*  I should send my father to read this Perry roundup.  He needs a dose of sanity.  I fear my dear dad is becoming a Paulbot.  He's going to a Ron Paul event this evening.  *facepalm*  And while I can agree with SOME things Ron Paul says, there are others - letters of marque?  seriously? - that are just...

*SIGH*

111 Vic, heal up quick.

112

Re: "Adios Mofo"

Oberg changed his originally recorded statement before re-releasing this video.  He did not say "I guess I can't win this one", he was badgering Perry to give some details on his education.  He didn't say Â“Try as I may, Governor, I guess I canÂ’t win this one.” he said "I can't wait that long (until tomorrow).

 

What a dick.

 

 

113
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?

114

I know most conservatives understand the "unintended consequences" of government intervention and complex governmental regulations. 

Here are two for you.  Michigan just passed a relatively complex "tenure reform." 

Instead of simply making it easier to dismiss incompetent teachers (streaminglining the process), our brilliant Republican legislators mandated that all schools come up with a laughable 100 point system for "rating" teachers based on effectiveness.  Basically, because it is extremely difficult to "rate" teachers in every discipline, these ratings will rely heavily upon classroom observations made by administrators.  Then, when layoffs are made, they will be based on these "ratings" rather than based on seniority.

I just had a planning meeting with my district's administrative team.   Our administrators are already facing two major problems.

1. Mere passage of the law has already put a huge chill on collaboration in our district.  Predictably, top teachers are now unwilling to share their "tricks of the trade" with others because they are now in competition with them for job status.  In other words, if you have two instructors teaching the same course, and instructor A is getting fantastic results, he/she has a disincentive to share teaching techniques with others.  By helping his fellow teachers improve, said teacher is literally increasing the chances that he may be laid off during the next round of budget cuts.  FAR better for the best teachers to share nothing.

2. As a medium-sized / small district, we have some rather small departments.  This creates another big issue come lay off time.  Under the traditional seniority system, the district might make 5 layoffs district wide.  Basically,  the 5 lowest teachers on the totem pole (usually probationary teachers) would be let go and remaining employees would do some job shifting to meet needs. 

These 5 teachers would retain their recall option for 2 years.  In other words, after the next year's round of retirements, some or all of these teachers might be recalled after 1 year. 

During this time period, these 5 young teachers were free to search for other jobs with NO STIGMA attached to their status as "laid-off" employees. 

Now, under the new system,  layoffs may not be based on seniority, but rather on the teacher's evaluative score (out of 100). 

Here's the problem.  Suppose a district has a small department - say they have 4 Spanish teachers 7-12 certified.  All four of these Spanish teachers may be very good teachers.  If enrollment and funding dip, the school may need to reduce to 3 Spanish teachers. 

Under the old system, layoffs would be made district-wide and people would simply shift to fill holes.  Now, schools MUST make cuts based on evaluative scores.  They are forbidden from using seniority as a factor.

So what happens.  Well, the school will have to dump one of those four excellent Spanish teachers.  Suppose their scores are 94, 93, 92, 90.  The teacher with the 90 rating will be laid off.

And here's the really fun part.  In the State of Michigan, that teacher's career is effectively over.  Under the old system, being laid off carried no negative connotation because it was based on years of service.  Now, every laid-off teacher - NOT TERMINATED or FIRED for ineffectiveness - has been labeled as the WORST TEACHER in his previous district. 

Basically, the whole thing boils down to this.  Michigan has created an extremely complex, heavily regulated, top-down system, all in order to create a utopia where only the "best" teachers are allowed to teach, and all of our students make AYP.  (In the meantime, our state continues to get poorer and poorer, which makes the previous three years of gains on the ACT test more impressive.)

My guess is that these Republican-led "reforms" will have unexpected consequences. 

Hopefully, they'll be more successful than the reforms that have helped create the horrific pile of feces that is the Florida public school system. 

 

115 I'll take "Non-sequitur Wall of Text That I Ain't Fucking Reading" for $800, Alex.

116

I'll take "Non-sequitur Wall of Text That I Ain't Fucking Reading" for $800, Alex

Heh.  You should read the latest one at the bottom of the headlines post.

117 122

Posted by: stickety at August 17, 2011 09:02 AM (FUDwf)

I'd take that system in a heartbeat compared to the Union Thugs and their "tenured for life" system prevelent in most states. Atm it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of teachers unless you can catch them selling drugs or accuse them of pedophilia. The system you propose in Michigan sounds a lot more rational.

118

How loyal are Texans?  In the 50's, the Ford Motor Company built sedans, Ranchero's, and pickups in Dallas, and every vehicle came off the line with a sticker in the rear window, "Built in Texas by Texans."

The Toyota Tundras coming out of San Antonio, today, have the same sticker on them.  Pride hasn't waivered.  People from outside do not understand the culture of Texas to appreciate this.

119 103 One of the things that concerns me is the immediate suspension of disbelief when Perry declared. Oh, I'll vote for him and probably work for him, but let's not forget that he is a politician -- and that means that he is a craven, self-absorbed, calculating man whose only goal is to consolidate power around him. If that means that he follows conservative principles and returns this country to its former glory, then good for us. But make no mistake; Perry is out for himself first.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at August 17, 2011 08:46 AM (LH6ir)

Well said, sir.   The same can be said of virtually every politician in the nation, or the world.  There may be a few exceptions - Allen West seems like a damned fine guy, for instance - but the exception proves the rule.

I personally consider Palin the best candidate for office, but, much as with Perry, she is a politician.  Everything must be seen through that light.

No trust, no fandom - only support and careful monitoring.  Once you move past tentative support and into being a fan, you set yourself up for disappointment aplenty.  Trust no one!  They are politicians, after all.

120 Posted by: Texan Economist at August 17, 2011 08:35 AM

Ronald Reagan: "Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country."

Note well that the great divide in public perception illustrates the Progressive neoconservative popularity that swept the Republican Party away from what constitutional conservative principles either Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan initially campaigned to utilize in American Governance and foreign policy. It isn't Ron Paul whose position has drifted, but the populace unwilling to admit just how far we've allowed ourselves to play petty socialist enablers of our own corrupted, authoritarian government playing the UN mercenary 'Up" dog. SQUIRREL! The standardized 'Ron Paul is insane because Paultard' has no logic, placing the tinfoil hat on the proclamation without logic.

If it weren't for Ron Paul's platform agenda that represents the Tea Party  movement, the public outrage would not have forced Bill Kristol to admit that Bush's well intended wars have proven to be political and military failures, and none of the other GOP candidates would ever promote (as they are now) bringing our troops home from Afghanistan (and the NATO "Arab Spring kinetic actions"), or freezing the congressional budget, and decommissioning the parasitic Federal Reserve monopoly over the US Treasury printing press since the Feds refuse any/all transparency and are in perpetual defiance of our constitutional official Congressional investigations, propping up globalist investment corporations hell bent on destroying EVERY sovereign nation, most particularly the USA/Dollar.

It's no secret, no lie. Destroy a nation's economy and the war is won. Leave a nation's borders open without guard and rule of law is lost, let alone any concept of sovereignty. Spread the world's greatest military too far while that nation's borders are unprotected, with that nation's oil conduit vulnerable to sabotage, and irony rules that greatest nation's demise. Perpetually redeploy the all volunteer military into never-ending PC wars and the troops' suicide rate goes ballistic.

121 And in more exciting new - Pammycakes Gellar has finally slipped past the event horizon of Islamo-paranoia by calling Perry a 5th Columnist in her latest screed.  On World nuts daily.com of course.

122 We don't want to secede, we just want the rest of the blue state leeches to go away and quit interfering with our business and lives.

123 They got nuthin'. 

124 maverick muse, will you marry me?

125 Oh, kiddies. Of course Texas will "secede" eventually, or, to be precise, the United States as we know it will divide into two or more nations, probably peacefully.

The only question is when, not if.

126 Every good Northerner knows that talk of Texas rebellion ain't no big deal. It's South Carolina that should be burnt down again for starting that war...and electing Lindsey Graham. Mostly for Lindsey Graham.

127 25 'Adios, Mofo'

Posted by: maverick muse at August 17, 2011 08:00 AM (lpWVn)

---

You're kidding, right?  At this place that's a glowing endorsement.

I really think you're tilting at windmills here. 

128

Nice cut and paste from the Ron Paul campaign site.

I notice nothing about Ron Paul and earmarks.

 

129 Oh, and our ten senators will all vote to ratify the breakup.

130 I'm liking Rick Perry...a lot.   And I'd feel more comfortable with a plain talkin' Texan in the White House than a slick talker from Chicago.

131 All but two of the Texian defenders were killed defending their rights at what was their last stand, The Alamo.  Most eyewitness accounts reported between 182 and 257 Texians dead, while most historians of the Alamo agree that 400–600 Mexicans were killed or wounded. (wikipedia)


There is a distinction between the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.

132 I find it highly amusing that a Ron Paul supporter would be criticizing Rick Perry for his radical, pandering rhetoric. 

133 Because there's no chance at all that Ron Paul is blowing the anti-Joo dog whistle every time he opens his yap on foreign policy or the Fed for that matter. 

134 Trust no one!  They are politicians, after all.

Hey! That's carved on the corner stone of the Parthenon!

135 The Toyota Tundras coming out of San Antonio, today, have the same sticker on them.  Pride hasn't waivered.  People from outside do not understand the culture of Texas to appreciate this.



When I was pregnant with the boy, my husband suggested a trip to Utah to visit his family. I was due at any time. I told him, "No, I don't want to travel this late in the pregnancy." He responded with "There are hospitals in Utah, you know." I told him "No son of mine is going to be born outside Texas." I think he and his parents were a little offended. 

136

I have lived in Texas 37 years and am originally from Oklahoma. I hate to rain on anyone's parade but there is a gloss on the analysis of the 17 Bad Things that I find misleading on a couple of points.

The image of Texas as having tough penny pinching fiscal discipline is true only in degree and only by comparison with States like Illinois, California or New York.  Texas has been in budgetary crises for the last two Legislatures and that is likely to continue for at least two more. Lots of smoke and mirrors are being deployed but the problem has pushed beyond the smoke and mirror stage.

 

Then there is the related hope that  Perry might be a budget hawk. Perry has a fondness toward “public private partnerships” and “targeted government investments” that is almost Obama-like (see The Texas Enterprise Fund and The Emerging Technology Fund.)  Perry, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House jointly control distribution of pork from these large barrels created by the Legislature at PerryÂ’s initiative. Slush funds are not consistent with tough fiscal discipline. Cronyism is only part of the problem, but of course without the cronyism, what would the point be. 

 

Perry talks tough on border enforcement, but to Perry and the rest of the Texas Republican establishment border enforcement doesnÂ’t involve activities away from the border itself that would ever involve a business supporter would be brought up on criminal charges or even penalized for ignoring immigration law. Perry takes histrionic but pointless actions such as sending the Nation Guard to the border (where they sit around with nothing to do) but has generally opposed, or tried to water down, the limited number of legislative actions Texas could take that would actually discourage illegal aliens from locating here.  As a practical matter Perry is indifferent to the chaotic effects of the huge influx of Mexicans and Central Americans who wind up representing a burden on the State and local budgets that is at the root of financial crises in cities and local school and hospital districts statewide.  I guess thatÂ’s just a local problem.

 

 

 

 

137 Posted by: snipe at August 17, 2011 10:21 AM (99zVG)


Yeah, but you're an Okie.

138 Surprisingly, it apparently won't appease Michelle Malkin. The Republican establishment is in the tank for Romney. You could see Rove actually gulp while he was talking about Christie, Palin or Ryan getting in. He hates Palin, so you can smell the fear.

139

Actually no, the "Okies" all moved to California and quite a few of them were from West Texas.

140 I'm pretty sure Texas can't actually "secede". What they can do (for reals) is divide into up to five "states" (or just one) with the new "state(s)" allowed (but not required) to seek admission into the Union. So current Texas could be redefined to include pretty much the part of Austin where most of the students live, and the new "state" would comprise all of the rest of Texas with its likely capital in College Station.

141 Texas' weather sure does suck.

142 The Republican Establisment division of the Ruling Class has no problem with Perry.  He's a stronnnggg government guy.  Liberal immigration policy?- no problem.  Government-private investor projects? - no problem  Government mandates?  No problemo.

Romney ain't looking so good at the moment.  Perry is the GOP Establisment's last line of defense against a Palin nomination.  He's in to keep Palin out.  He won't.

143

Romney ain't looking so good at the moment.  Perry is the GOP Establisment's last line of defense against a Palin nomination.  He's in to keep Palin out.  He won't.

And if she doesn't run?

144

Then there is the related hope that  Perry might be a budget hawk. Perry has a fondness toward “public private partnerships” and “targeted government investments” that is almost Obama-like (see The Texas Enterprise Fund and The Emerging Technology Fund.)

snipe has absolutely nailed the truth about Perry with that post. Perry has not done anything to qualify him as a fiscal hawk of the type this country desperately needs. On immigration, he slammed AZ's immigration law while championing taxpayer subsidies for in-state tuition rates for illegal aliens.

Perry is a pure opportunist with his finger in wind. He's acting like a conservative for now.

 

145 Thanks so very much for the link, Gabe!  Posted on the Book of Faces as well as Google Plus.  Spread the word, Morons!

146 Perry is a pure opportunist with his finger in wind. He's acting like a conservative for now.

As long as he stays bought, and I think he will, and he beats the stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure, it's all good.

147 1. Perry's OK, but he's no Reagan. He's a pol and a good one. I'd vote for him over Obumbles in a flash. I'd vote for my dog over Obumbles.

2. Palin is being give short shrift here now, I see, but if she declares and makes some rhetorical inroads against the MFM, would you change your tune? I like her and she may be more genuinely small government than Perry, definitely the AntiElite.

3. Yes, nearly all the Texicans at the Alamo were killed. The Alamo was followed by the "Runaway Scrape" and the Battle of San Jacinto (near present day Houston) where the Texicans attacked Santa Anna and his troops while they were taking their afternoon siesta.

4. Perry should ask asshole MFMers why the hell Texas SHOULDN'T secede from a country drowning in debt from paying people to sit on their asses.

5. And finally, it's damn early in the primary process. Primary voting has not yet begun. You never know who will catch on, who will lose, who will screw up by committing gaffes, etc, who will be found out to have a girlfriend on the side, etc. Of course, Repubs are vetted about 2000 percent harder than Democrats by the D-Lovin MFM. That's a given.

148

Palin is being give short shrift here now, I see, but if she declares and makes some rhetorical inroads against the MFM, would you change your tune?

I sure would. Perry is a poseur pretending to be as conservative as Palin. His record proves otherwise

149 Wow, that Gellar column is sheer on moonbattery. So Perry is a fifth columnist because he shared a stage with Grover Norquist? Really? She's become to the anti-Islamic terrorism cause what McCarthy was to anti-Communism.

150 That was a rather well researched and thought out review. I feel a little better about Perry after having read it.

Thanks for the pointer.

151 Obama is a stuttering clusterfuck of miserable failure.

152 22. /snort...I like your style...c'mon down and stay awhile!

153 GABE --
Good on you, man!

I discovered those articles via Twitter a couple days ago, and I would agree, without a doubt, these are both absolutely necessary reading. Garnet92 deserves a heap of thanks from every Repub.

154 Excellent website. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your effort!

155 Sorry.  I remember the last Republican governor from Texas.  Another one will never get my vote.