1 WOW on Fox Now

The portion of the spending bill that prohibited spending money on moving prisoners from GITMO to the US for trial. Obama signed the bill with one of those "signing statements" that they excoriated Bush for, that said he would ignore the GITMO prohibition!

This is NOT an "interpretation" folks. He says he will totally ignore and outright prohibition from Congress. 

Another one for the whatif book.

2 Think about this folks. That prohibition was placed in the funding bill by a Democrat controlled congress. Maybe we have a chance at some blowback?

3 Please, please, please Jim Harbaugh, come back to Michigan!

4 Laws.....
Those are for the little people and your enemies!

5 "IsraelÂ’s Stand Against Islamism Holds"
An outstanding new volume explains the sources of its success.
January 5, 2011 - by P. David Hornik @ PajamasMedia

In his new book, The Transforming Fire: The Rise of the Israel-Islamist Conflict, Jonathan Spyer maintains that what was once called the Arab-Israeli conflict has evolved into something with a different coloration, and that the Islamist side — at least declaratively — underestimates Israel’s ongoing resilience. While its old elite has lost much of its spunk, Israel itself has not weakened.

Instead, he maintains, it has changed. In the army, national-religious soldiers, heavily overrepresented among officers and elite combat soldiers, have replaced the scions of Israel’s former secular-socialist elite. The “new Israeliness,” Spyer suggests, “is steeped in a comfortable [though] not particularly rigorous attachment to the symbols of Jewish tradition,” including “the Temple Mount, the Hebrew language,” and “the Jewish festivals[.]” This “immensely powerful complex of images and ideas” forms a “bedrock” of strength, ultimately more solid than the latest wave of humiliated rage, known as Islamism, coming from the other side.

That does not mean Israel has not faltered over this past decade of Iranian-propelled Islamist aggression. It did so, egregiously, in its badly mismanaged 2006 war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Since then, though, Israel’s strength, confidence, and power of deterrence have been restored — by successful military actions against the Syrian plutonium reactor in 2007 and against Hamas in Gaza in 2008; by a major revamp of the IDF; and, most important, by a serious reevaluation of the continuing importance of ground combat. Spyer contends that Israel remains the only regional force capable of withstanding and prevailing against the Islamist tide.

6 What other regional entity exists, unless Spyer is broadly referencing Europe, Asia and/or Africa neighboring the Mideast?

7

Some nuts from the other side of the nation wrote a letter to the Editor at my local newspaper. Because I'm a giver I'll reprint it here. I hope Gabe likes it:

Repeal of 'Don't ask, don't tell' makes killers of homosexuals

Editor:

In 1967 Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church called "Beyond Vietnam," where he declared that his conscience would not allow him to remain silent on the question of Vietnam, on the horrors of war, on the threat of violence to our existence. In this speech he pointed out the irony that young men of color were welcomed to join the military in order to burn villages and kill the people of Vietnam in the name of a democracy and of freedoms not yet granted to them in the country for which they fought. They could kill and wreak havoc side by side with white Americans in combat abroad, but they could not sit by one another in the same school or eat together at the same restaurant back home.

I could not help but be reminded of this speech when a colleague suggested that the repeal of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" legislation showed that, again in King's words, "the arc of the universe bends toward justice." But this colleague left out the most important word in that sentence: "the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice." What is "moral" about war? War is and will always be immoral because it demands of us to violate the first principle of moral conduct: thou shalt not kill. And while it is moral and right to stand firmly for conscience, which the lesbian and gay community achieves by not hiding their sexual identity, preferring to be open about whom they love, it is the moral right of no one to wage war and to kill.

It has often been our observation that we of a progressive persuasion can be easily fooled by our relatively narrow focus on equality for one or another group, forgetting the question of equality for all. Poor people can step up economically by being conditioned to kill for the state; now lesbians and gays can emerge from a social shadow (and we do not minimize the value of this) by undergoing a far deeper kind of dehumanization. These are Pyrrhic victories. Let us not rejoice until we have won the only kind of victory that endures: the victory of everyone over the violence that hurts us all.

Stephanie N. Van Hook and Michael N. Nagler

Portland, Oregon

8

Let us not rejoice until we have won the only kind of victory that endures: the victory of everyone over the violence that hurts us all.

Those two should be airdropped into Waziristan.

And congrats, Oregon, you are now little sister to California--with all that entails.

9 Those two that wrote that letter have never lived in the real world.

10 More bird news:

Dead birds fall from sky in central Sweden

11

Chinese to open candy factory in Sumter, Sc

One wonders how that is going to work out?  We used to have two major candy factories over in Darlington County and both shutdown.  It wasn't because of high wages either.

There were two major reasons for the shutdown; (1) Insane sugar policy of the federal gov and (2) insane regulatory atmosphere of the federal gov.

One wonders if a backdoor deal between the feds and the Chinese has occurred here? I wouldn't put it past them.

12 The Cross on top of Mount Soladad in Lajolla Ca. has been ruled unconstitutional by the 9th circus court. The place has special meaning to me. I would visit it as a young sailor, sit on the steps and enjoy a cold orange California Cooler. It's a nice place to sit and think. It has been there since 1954. It seems some Jewish war veterns have been complaining about it. Maybe complaining about a Mosque would be time better spent.

13 The Mount Soladad comment was mine not NEOMOMS. Sems she changed the name on the comments so she could bitch about Brett Favre. She really hates Brett Favre.

14

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15

Adjustment to my rank-ordered list of things that concern me:

8,823,902,106. Frozen wasp in Antarctica reanimated.  Stings Tina Fey.

8,823,902,107. Glenn Close distraught.

8,823,902,108. James Cameron abducted and eaten by actual blue aliens.

16 #12  Oh puhleaze!  I bet we she wouldn't have any issues with it if the squadron pilots were all jerking off to her image because they thought she was hawt.  I hope they never do a roast for her, it would seem she would be downright suicidal if they did one.  Another thin-skin liberal.

Agreed.

Keeping in line with this, is Glenn Close going to forbid the purchase or sale of anything relating to Fatal Attraction in all military-related stores? 

17

Why do I get the feeling Stephanie N. Van Hook and Michael N. Nagler from Portland, Oregon wrote that letter in a co-op coffee shop while wearing stylish all-hemp sweaters and smart glasses while drinking organic cappuccinos.

FIFY

18 Since the formal dismantling of the USSR, incidentally accompanied by Islamist Taliban resistance, Putin again conjoins the Russian Military complex with the traditional Russian Orthodox Church for the Russian re-cultivation of its own identity, its Christian Church Fathers officiating blessings over its troops on parade. Islam never was "confused" about its identity aligned with the Qu'ran. And subsequent to "give peace a chance" decades, the Israeli IDF finds that its religious symbolic renaissance strengthens cohesive morale and effectiveness, particularly during ground combat.

China's nationalism apparently boils down to racism (even within China, certain tribal ethnic superiority complexes) enhanced by personality cults empowered by complete authoritarianism. And Obama endorsed this as America's model. And given the inflated house of cards global economy, Obama endorses the old "duck and cover" ad campaign for survival.

While our Brass deem nothing of import beyond their profitable careers of power, McChrystal's legacy remains with US troops bound by PC Rules of Engagement. Our troops on the ground are not meant to be empowered to win, "victory" without meaning to the CinC. Meanwhile, the US Military is stripped naked and reissued uniform PC that eschews anything referencing "all American" like moms, apple pie, and the US Constitution. The exercise of faith becomes prohibited with exceptional endorsement for allah. Before you know it, the American flag will be deemed a symbol against US Military policy. And in the social justice globalist framework, our craft and weapons will find their way to be used by Islam against the USA, and the US required to borrow aid/protection--as if we're not there now.

Some nationalist Germans will maintain their innate survival sensibilities, though encumbered by PC playing the "peace" card, unfortunately strengthening the ugly side of survival of the fittest. And the European PC  Union set-up will repeat the alienation of cultural ties as the Brits, French and dupes play out their own "tolerant" animosity cards. Yeah, I agree with the American Thinker article the other day that we're set up for something worse than the WWI atrocity against all logic and humanity, likely to be sparked again by another radical-Islamic youth assassin.

19 "Going out as a frozen slurry" just doesn't work very well as a saying, does it?

20 Interesting opinion piece at the Charleston Paper this morning regarding taxes.

Tax system takes S.C. toll

The chamber of commerce is bitching about the sales tax hike that was passed to alleviate school tax hikes. (not; more later).

That law, Act 388, exempts owner-occupied homes -- but not commercial property -- from school operating taxes. An increase in the state sales tax was supposed to offset the loss of home-tax revenue for schools. But as sales tax receipts slumped along with the economy, more of the school-funding burden has fallen on business property.

Yes, when you move ALL your revenue generation into sales taxes and the economy goes to shit you lose a lot of your revenue (note that the SC economy didn't drop that much, it was already low).

Another grip I have with that law is somehow it allows counties to continue their school tax. I got the increased sales tax AND continued school property tax.

And lastly, the law wasn't passed to give you a break on property taxes. It was passed because of federal court's unconstitutional interference with local school systems. In a case a few years ago the courts ruled against the NAACP which had filed suit based on the stupid theory that the school funding system based on property taxes was racial discrimination because of the "outcome" of less funding in heavy black counties.

The court ruled against them, but they included a caveat that the State did need to do something about this "outcome" or perhaps the court may ave to step in at a later date.  Of course the lawyers for the school systems all bowed and scraped because school administrators smelled more money and they didn't give a T-damn about how they got it.

Lo and behold the Statewide sales tax funding for schools was born. I also understand that this tactic is being used all over the country.

What we really need is either one of three options:

1. My favorite; eliminate public schools
2. Place ALL schools back to local only funding with no State or Federal government interference or funding. Let the counties decide how they will fund schools.
3. Eliminate ALL State taxes period except a 10% flat tax on all income from all sources regardless of source. Fund everything from that. Decrease all budgets to fit that income.

21 The Mount Soladad comment: regardless of ethnicity, thin skinned atheists want it down. /And no, morons requiring disclaimers; not all atheists are thin skinned.

22

Yeah, let's keep importing oil and empowering this clown.

23 Hey Gabe.  Are you going to have the time to write us an analysis of the Walpin ruling from yesterday? 

The judges seemed to be saying that the laws governing the IG's independence are so weak as to be without effect, in which case, it hardly makes sense for Congress to have bothered to write them.

24 24 Yeah, let's keep importing oil and empowering this clown.

Pretty soon, said clown is going to be hosting Iranian Shahab-3 missiles pointed directly at us.

Loved this comment from the story -

And I'm sure Chavez will have plenty of young girls there for Bill to feast on too.

25 The judges seemed to be saying that the laws governing the IG's independence are so weak as to be without effect, in which case, it hardly makes sense for Congress to have bothered to write them.

If there were a conspiracy afoot among federal judges I'd say it's this: Tear down good laws and build up the senseless ones.

Keep that in mind and none of these decisions will be a surprise.

26

I noticed on the replay on C-SPAN yesterday that when Ms. Nancy Pelosi took over the role of Speaker Of The House, gave her acceptance speech and rambled on tediously with all of her other disingenuous comments back on January 4, 2007,  all of the Republican Congressmen and members of their families and friends of their families in the chamber that day had the common courtesy of joining Democrats in applauding each and every one of Ms. Pelosi's points and comments.

Let's see if the Democrats have the good manners to reciprocate today when John Boehner takes over the role of Speaker Of The House.

I predict that we will see a lot of sulking, sullen, surly and belligerent Democrats, whose eyes will be glazing over and who will be tuning out Mr. Boehner's speech and who won't be applauding. But we'll see.

27 When is actually going down Brian?

28 This is your scary chart of the day.

When I was a kid I would read about the gross stupidity of societies in the past and wonder how they could have so oblivious to the obvious.  Now we are the oblivious.  How does this end well?

29 Brian,  I agree with your prediction.

Democrats do not have "good sport" written in their playbooks.

30 I predict that we will see a lot of sulking, sullen, surly and belligerent Democrats,

those nearest the House Speaker will sue him for "spitting" in their general direction.

31

Morning, all!

Okay, this has got to be one of the stupidest stories to come out of Britain in recent memory, and that's saying something.

Stowaway shambles: Asylum seeker who keeps trying to return to Morocco sues Britain for STOPPING him

Two things:

1) The guy is an idiot.  Instead of stowing away on ships in an attempt to get home to Morocco, why not buy a legitimate ticket?  He had a job at SOME point.  Or heck, just get on a bus to France.  It's more or less the same thing at this point.

and

2) OH MY GOD JUST DEPORT HIM.  

I weep for Britain, I really do.  They've dug a hole so deep for themselves they're never going to get out of it.  I've got family over there somewhere; I just hope they survive the madness.

On a cheerier side note, I CANNOT WAIT for the Wicked Bitch of the West to hand over her gavel today.  That will be so sweeeeet.

32 vic - now imagine how pissed off you would be if you paid taxes for public schools, which suck, and then send your kids to private schools.

33

Because I'm a giver I'll reprint it here. I hope Gabe likes it:

I'm genuinely curious why you think I'd like that op ed.

34 Don't be surprised if that gavel has 'disappeared' when it comes time to hand it over.

35 vic - now imagine how pissed off you would be if you paid taxes for public schools, which suck, and then send your kids to private schools.

Posted by: Jean at January 05, 2011 08:54 AM (lnUW/)

I did

36 If the Egypt's Coptic Christian community is attacked again on their Christmas, will Obama release another statement decrying the violence against both Christian and Muslim communities?

Egypt's Christians fear new attack on holiday

37 It's retarded from top to bottom, but it's central point -- that war is always immoral -- is particularly stupid. The existence of just wars have been recognized as far back as St. Augustine. To suggest that it is never moral to kill demonstrates characteristic leftist naivete.

38 Left wingers are fundamentally unrealistic people.

39 Here's an excerpt from an article at City Journal. As usual for that place, it's worth reading the whole thing:

The Benefits Storm

Why New York canÂ’t afford enough sanitation workers to clean up the snow

4 January 2011

On Sunday, BloombergÂ’s Blizzard saved a suicidal HellÂ’s Kitchen man who jumped nine stories, not to his death but into a cushion of trash bags, which hadnÂ’t been picked up because the previous weekÂ’s snowstorm had postponed trash collection. Coming a few weeks before budget season starts, could the storm also save New York from its suicidal spending? Only if state and local politicians identify the true culprit behind the botched post-storm cleanup: the misguided idea that management expertise can overcome the benefits costs that are consuming the city budget.

If money could melt snow, Mayor Bloomberg would be basking in victory over the storm. When he took office in 2002, Gotham spent $1.3 billion annually on the Department of Sanitation. Today, the city spends more than $2.2 billion on “New York’s Strongest.” That increase during Bloomberg’s tenure was almost three and a half times the inflation rate. It follows that we should have a sanitation army well equipped to clean the white stuff up fast. Not quite. Today’s budgeted sanitation force—from supervisors to garbage collectors—is 392 people smaller than it was nine years ago, a 4 percent decline even as population is up. And the department is shrinking further, as Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith knocks 200 people off the rolls to save $21 million by moving supervisors into front-line jobs.

So where has the city’s swelling sanitation budget gone? Not into better services but into workers’ health care and pensions, as well as borrowing to fund infrastructure, which would otherwise be unaffordable because of those sky-high benefits. Taxpayers now spend $144,000 on salary and benefits for each sanitation worker, up from $79,000 nearly a decade ago. Nine years ago, taxpayers contributed about $10.5 million annually to support sanitation pensions; this year, they’ll cost $240 million—a more than twentyfold increase (the final number may be lower, though, as some changes to the pension funds, which push up contribution rates, may not go into effect until next year).

40 Speaking of retarded, that second "it's" shouldn't have an apostrophe. Loose shit.

41 38. I do too.

42 Those two should be airdropped into Waziristan Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at January 05, 2011 07:29 AM (B+qrE) ...duct taped to the nose of a Mk-53

43 Leftists believe that you can create Year Zero and that you truly can change the nature of Humanity, Gabe.

If you are a Religious type, they deny the fallen nature of Man.

44 42 Yep,and the same goes for the police,firefighters etc.NY is even more fucked than the rest of us.

45 Re: All of the Democrat/Liberal run cities:  "Let all of the poisons that lurk in the swamp hatch out."

46 It's going to take a bond meltdown (and the fixed income market makes equities (ie stocks) look like a pimple) to bring reality to Governments.  This new Congress probably won't bail out the states.

The chart posted earlier guarantees that will happen. It's a matter of when not if.

47 I think the guy on CSPAN (Adam Kinzinger) replaced Mellissa Bean (Crook-IL). He's fucking awesome.

48 50 Yeah,he's the guy the moronettes were drooling over.

49 One wonders if a backdoor deal between the feds and the Chinese has occurred here? I wouldn't put it past them

Probably the work of that nefarious Jon Huntsman bringing jobs to American communities.  The horror! 

50 This new Congress probably won't bail out the states.

It will take a new act to repeal the parts of the stimulus bill that are CURRENTLY bailing out the States. We have already sent CA something like 19 billion dollars in aid by in the past year buying their worthless bond paper. IL, NY, NJ et al are also getting in on this gravy train.

So I am not sure how we can stop it, short of a special funding bill that includes zero dollars for funding that bond buying racket.

We are already seeing how that will work with the zero funding for moving GITMO prisoners for trial. Obama in a signing statement said he would ignore it.

51 Oops. He replaced the loathsome Debbie Halvorsom (Crook-IL-

52 The seagulls are bolder now that the sanitation department has left them a holiday feast. I just saw them swooping and hovering around my window and had flashbacks to Hitchcock's The Birds. My cats are doing that chattering thing they do.

53 while drinking organic free-trade cappuccinos.
----

fify

54 Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 05, 2011 07:48 AM (9hSKh)

Is there nothing that BushCheney can't do?

55 Bad news guys.

Even the rich aren't paying their bills and/or cancelling the perks of being rich.

My husband works for a window washer/large equipement operator business.  He is always busy and usually bitches because my hubby has a day job and can't help him that often.

Now, he barely has enough jobs to keep him busy.  There are several rich (by rich I'm talking they can afford sports cars and dog walkers - not millions in the bank) customers that have just stopped paying him.  Even truck stops, banks, stores, etc have told him that instead of washing their windows once a month, he only has to do it every three/four months.

Some of his clients haven't even paid him in months.

One of his financial clients was talking to him and told him to make sure he gets paid ASAP after he does a job because the next big bubble to burst is going to be the upper, upper middle class (and small service businesses).  He said that even four years ago people making $500,000 could afford a nice house, 2 fancy cars, a nanny, etc.  Now, their cars are being foreclosed on, they are downsizing their houses, dropping all extra expenditures, etc.  That in turn will cause A LOT of small businesses to go belly up.

He warned that by the end of this year, most small businesses like my friend's (service) will be destroyed. 

56 Is there nothing that BushCheney can't do?

Caught the tail end of a news flash about Cheney needing a heart transplant this morning but nothing else since. In that last go-round I said things didn't look good for him. It looks like it is starting to get worse.

57 @ 39 They should carry guns to midnight mass and have an old Texas style shoot out.

58 Posted by: lowandslow at January 05, 2011 08:01 AM (GZitp)

That's cappuccini! You probably eat farmed arugula too.

Savage.

59 I want to thank the moron who pointed out the silver lining in a Buckeyes win on last night's unofficial football thread. 

Too bad the Razorbacks' receivers couldn't catch a ball if it was hand-delivered to them wrapped up in a bow. 

60 By Peter Stone, Center for Public Integrity, and Michael Isikoff, NBC News rganization-name">Special to msnbc.com Special to msnbc.com  

A small network of hedge fund executives pumped at least $10 million into Republican campaign committees and allied groups before NovemberÂ’s elections, helping bankroll GOP victories that this week will change the balance of power in Washington, according to a review of campaign records and interviews with industry insiders by the Center for Public Integrity and NBC News.

Bitterly opposed to President Barack Obama’s economic and regulatory policies — including proposals to increase taxes on some of their profits — top Wall Street hedge fund moguls were unusually energized during last year’s election. They held multiple fundraisers and coordinated strategy to direct what appear to be unprecedented sums into the coffers of GOP and allied political committees, according to industry and GOP fundraising sources.

 

The MFM is in full propaganda mode. Those EVIL Wall Street types spent $10 million to put those EVIL Republicans in office. I'm sure that $10 million really tipped the balance. How many stories will there be about how much the unions spent?

61 A flight from Chicago to Germany had to divert to Toronto's Pearson airport last night because the pilot spilled his coffee on the instrument panel, causing his IFF transponder to first sqauwk 7500 (hijacking), then 7600 (lost communications). Spilled. His. Coffee. I wonder how much it costs to replace the radio and some avionics modules on a Boeing 777. "Everybody employed by this airline, raise your hand. Put your hand down, Captain. Now go home and get your fuckin' sippy cup."

62

while drinking organic free-trade cappuccinos.

Lefties do not do free trade.

63 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at January 05, 2011 09:27 AM (B+qrE)

That phrase has always irritated me. "Free Trade," when used by the typical lefty coffee-house fool, means state-supported agrarian redistribution.

64 How do we solve the lobbyist problem?

'Tea party' freshmen embrace status quo After campaigning against D.C.'s ways, new Republican lawmakers quickly turn to lobbyists and fundraisers ‪The new class of Republican lawmakers who charged into office promising to shun the ways of Washington officially arrives on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. ‪But even as they publicly bash the capital's culture, many have quietly begun to embrace it.

Several freshmen have hired lobbyists — the ultimate Washington insiders — to lead their congressional staffs. In the weeks leading up to Wednesday's swearing-in, dozens of the newcomers joined other lawmakers in turning to lobbyists for campaign cash.‪ And on Wednesday, congressional offices will be packed with lawmakers' relatives, friends, constituents and lobbyists, all invited to celebrate the new Congress. ‪

So it raised eyebrows Tuesday when several House freshmen held a fundraiser in a swanky Washington hotel. The event, organized in part by California Rep.-elect Jeff Denham (R-Atwater), stood out as the flashiest celebration of the new Congress.

65

What's with Charles Krauthammer in recent days? He seems to be reversing his positions on issues, and he seems to have become an Obama supporter suddenly, and what's worse is that he seems to be well on his way to becoming another David Gergen.  Maybe there is a  link between those spooky recent developments and the birds falling out of the sky, ya think?.

BTW, did you ever notice that Mr. Krauthammer has an uncanny resemblance to the Grinch who stole Christmas, and that when Senator Dick Lugar is talking, he has an uncanny resemblance to Howdy Doody? Seriously.

66 A 777 still has mechanical shorts for various transponder calls? I guess I could understand the big red mayday button - but the detail messages.

67

means state-supported agrarian redistribution

Which has such an amazing track record.

Ooops, I forgot, lessons from the last century do not apply in the Age of Stupid^tm.

68  ‪But even as they publicly bash the capital's culture, many have quietly begun to embrace it.

I never heard TEA partiers say they were going to eschew lobbyists or fundraisers.  What they did say was that they were going to lower the deficit and shrink the government.

69

momma,

That's from the L.A. Times.

Therefore, I question the timing, content and punctuation.

70 Check out the pic on Drudge. It will do a body good.

71

Check out the pic on Drudge. It will do a body good.

Screensaver!

72 That phrase has always irritated me. "Free Trade," when used by the typical lefty coffee-house fool, means state-supported agrarian redistribution

I'm an idiot.  I meant "fair trade".  Probably that evil oppressive cup o' joe I had this morning. 

73 Fuck yea! that's one to save!

74 While we're lowering the numbers of nukes we have available and forswearing missile defense for now...

China military eyes preemptive nuclear attack in event of crisis

The Chinese military will consider launching a preemptive nuclear strike if the country finds itself faced with a critical situation in a war with another nuclear state, internal documents showed Wednesday.

The newly revealed policy, called ''Lowering the threshold of nuclear threats,'' may contradict China's strategy of no first use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances, and is likely to fan concern in the United States, Japan and other regional powers about Beijing's nuclear capability.

/Which will be with us, more than likely. 

In the end, there will be only chaos. 

75

Please explain to me why lobbyists are evil? We shouldn't lobby congress because of what?

76 Check out the pic on Drudge. It will do a body good.

Posted by: GnuBreed at January 05, 2011 09:36 AM (h0RtZ)

That just went up as my profile pic on Facebook.  Ha.

77 Caught the tail end of a news flash about Cheney needing a heart transplant this morning but nothing else since. In that last go-round I said things didn't look good for him. It looks like it is starting to get worse.

I saw him too.  I was shocked by his appearance.  He has dropped a great deal of weight and looks bad, imo.  As for the transplant, it appears there's only a small window of opportunity for him due to his age. 

78 Morning, all.  I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy thinking about San Fran Nan handing over the gavel.  I just wish Boehner would take it, put it down, and whip out the Giant Gavel of Doom. 

79 I heard on Fox Cheney is too old for a transplant.  Dammit.

80 If Democrats aren't retarded (I know I repeat myself), They shouldn't fuck around with Senate rules.

81 I just wish Boehner would take it, put it down, and whip out the Giant Gavel of Doom. 

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 05, 2011 09:44 AM (UOM4

I'm hoping after she hands it to him, he biffs her with it...hard.

82 I just want to tell you guy, AoSHQ has some of the best links on the intertubes in the side bar.  Good job, guys.

83 Changed my profile on FB as well Tami. It's like a Root Canal. Not pleasant, but once it's done its fucking heaven.

84 *waves to Tami*  How's your son?

85 Please explain to me why lobbyists are evil? We shouldn't lobby congress because of what?

There are a couple of potential problems that spring to mind.  One is that the lobbyists representing industries or organizations that make campaign contributions have profit motives that can run counter to the best interests of - or simply the will of - the people.  Industries (or unions) have deeper pockets than individuals (or even than groups of individuals if we're talking about many grassroots organizations), so they get a seat at the table that we don't get as "just" voters.  Another is that lobbying groups employ politicians and their staff members after they leave government.  So there's a fiduciary interest that the politicians hold in the happiness of lobbying groups. 

86

*saves Drudge pic!*  That one's going in my save folder!

Question, though: how the hell much money did that sign cost?  Do all Speakers of the House get a solid wood sign with their name and position on it in engraved gold letters?  What about other ranking members of the House and Senate?  Can't we just have one sign that reads, "Speaker of the House" with a smaller, cheaper plastic sign beneath it with the current Speaker's name?  You know, the kind of thing an office worker or cubicle flunkie might get if they're lucky?  (Most of the time I just settle for making my own with a magic marker and some card stock.)  Seriously, if we're trying to cut spending, can we make PART of that cut the elimination of vanity placards like this?

87 Posted by: momma at January 05, 2011 09:31 AM (penCf)

I was about to say "Source LA Times" = output 90% lie", but someone beat me to it.

88

I'm hoping after she hands it to him, he biffs her with it...hard.

Posted by: Tami at January 05, 2011 09:46 AM (VuLos)

Oh, that would be priceless.  We can dream, right? 

Hey, maybe we can get those Taiwanese animators to put us together a cartoon where he really DOES do that.

89 28 CDR M, nice article.

90 *waves to Tami*  How's your son?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 05, 2011 09:50 AM (UOM4

*Waves back!*

He's good....was home for Christmas and it was great having him here.  We hadn't seen him since last Christmas.  He leaves for Afghanistan in a couple of weeks, so it was all I could do not to sob uncontrollably at the airport when we said goodbye to him.  

And how is your son?

91 #70   The word from the street is that The Cocktail Circuit now has full handicap access.

92 In commenting on the fact that Ms. Nancy Pelosi didn't fulfill any of the commitments which she made to the American people when she accepted her new job as Speaker Of The House, not one of them, and that she continued to reneg on her comments all throughout her tenure, one of the commentators on FOX last evening remarked bluntly that Ms. Pelosi is and always has been a "liar", to which someone else on the panel replied, no. she is just "delusional", implying, though, that that is an indicator of a mental illness ......., issues which haven't been raised by anyone else in the MSM, even though they have been conspicuous to all other political junkies. I'm incredulous that the MSM hasn't acknowledged that Ms. Pelosi is nuttier than a fruitcake. Obviously, the pressure was too much for her, and she cracked under the strain, becoming even loopier than she was already, and yet the MSM didn't notice. Weird. Good riddance to that loony. 

93 Her sign seems like it should have contained one more line. Like: "Abandon Erections, All Ye Who Enter Here."

94 LAHORE, Pakistan — More than 500 Muslim scholars are praising the man suspected of killing a Pakistani governor because the politician opposed blasphemy laws that mandate death for those convicted of insulting Islam.

The group of scholars and clerics known as Jamat Ahle Sunnat is affiliated with a moderate school of Islam and represents the mainstream Barelvi sect.

The group said in a statement Wednesday that no one should pray for Punjab province Gov. Salman Taseer or express regret for his murder. One of his security guards is the suspected killer.

The statement also made a veiled threat against Taseer's supporters: "The supporter is as equally guilty as one who committed blasphemy."

Their comments came as thousands gathered under tight security Wednesday to pay silent homage at Taseer's funeral.

Taseer, 66, was a senior member of the ruling party regarded as an outspoken moderate in a country increasingly beset by zealotry.

His assassination on Tuesday added to the turmoil in nuclear-armed Pakistan, where the government is on the verge of collapse and
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and other senior ruling party officials joined up to 6,000 mourners at a ceremony at the governor's official residence in the city of Lahore in eastern Pakistan, before Taseer was buried at a nearby cemetery.

The governor's residence has been the scene of angry street protests in recent weeks against Taseer's call to repeal blasphemy laws that order death for anyone convicted of insulting Islam and his support for a Christian woman sentenced to die for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Taseer was shot in the back in the capital Islamabad as he left a restaurant to walk to his car.

AP



Moderate and mainstream Islam strikes again....

95 MWR-

Outside of DC- They don't cost that much.  I learned it when I was a commish of a fantasy football  league and worked with a local trophy shop. It generally cost 1/2-1/4 what I thought it would. So I'm guessing $200ish based on my experience.

96

Oh, that would be priceless.  We can dream, right? 

Hey, maybe we can get those Taiwanese animators to put us together a cartoon where he really DOES do that.

Posted by: MWR at January 05, 2011 09:53 AM (4df7R)

If they need funds to do it, I'm in.

97 I'm sure Glenn Close will now be distraught over me using her image with carrots stuffed into her mouth. Posted by: CDR M at January 05, 2011 09:57 AM (5I8G0) She hasn't aged well

98 I know the timing, etc. is questionable, but you have to admit lobbyists (not of companies as much those hired by 'groups' - greenies, etc.) have been a huge problem with this Congress.  They write the bills, insert language, and have their hands in the EPA, State Department, etc.

Lobbyists aren't bad, but those representing special interests instead of businesses seem to be.

99 @100
Yeah, I was going to chime in with the same thing.

100 Tami, I remembered your son was due to deploy in January.  I can't stop thinking about it.  You and your boy are in my prayers.

D'oh Boy is fine.  Bored to death with Okinawa and......wants to go to Afghanistan.

Don't know when he'll go.  Shoot me now and be done with it.

101 Holy crap.  Someone in Idaho, and another in Washington state won the $355 mil last night.

Sigh.  I had such plans.

102 Lobbyists aren't bad, but those representing special interests instead of businesses seem to be

I dunno if I'd give business lobbyists much of a pass either.  Ethanol lobby springs to mind, but there are others.

103

Zakn: Thanks!  Of course, to my cheap Yankee blood, $200 is enough to make me choke.  Rather like my reaction when I see how much it costs to frame something.  Holy Christmas, you want to talk about gobsmacking!

Unrelated note, how long until we see birds falling out of the sky in British Columbia?

104

There are a couple of potential problems that spring to mind.  One is that the lobbyists representing industries or organizations that make campaign contributions have profit motives that can run counter to the best interests of - or simply the will of - the people.  Industries (or unions) have deeper pockets than individuals (or even than groups of individuals if we're talking about many grassroots organizations), so they get a seat at the table that we don't get as "just" voters.  Another is that lobbying groups employ politicians and their staff members after they leave government.  So there's a fiduciary interest that the politicians hold in the happiness of lobbying groups. 

And industries and organizations are not people? I find this argument fallacious even though it is the standard accepted anti-corporate argument. It supposes that (even though you didn't say it) that unions of "workers" are composed of people but industry is not. You also have to juxtapose non-profits with industry. Should Soros' many non-profits have access to congress but not say, Wal-mart or Ford? If industry doesn't lobby then the only groups, obviously more organized than grandma calling her congressman, are non-profits and unions. I would actually rather see the market lobby than the Center for American Progress. I would also rather see industry lobby than unions whose members were forced to provide campaign funds and who don't represent the worker as much as the union bosses and the politicians for whom they paid.

Look at the left trying to create the idea that republicans shouldn't raise money or see lobbyists. It's not because they think it's bad, it's because they want that money for themselves. They are trying to create the idea that money raising is evil while they rake it in with both hands.

105 Mass. parole board releases career criminal with three life sentences, murders cop day after ChristmasAn attempted robbery that ended with a Massachusetts police officer dead has put Gov. Deval Patrick in a tough spot as he tries to determine whether the suspect -- who was later killed in a shootout with police -- was wrongly granted parole.

The governor on Monday vowed to get to the bottom of the decision to free career criminal Dominic Cinelli, who was paroled in 2008 despite being sentenced to three concurrent life terms for a spate of armed robberies.

Woburn, Mass., officer John B. Maguire was killed in the Dec. 26 face-off at a Kohl's department store.

According to The Boston Globe, Patrick, who is facing widespread anger from police chiefs and victims' advocates, said he is "obviously upset" about the case, but was waiting for an administrative review of the decision to release Cinelli before taking any action.

106 I dunno if I'd give business lobbyists much of a pass either.  Ethanol lobby springs to mind, but there are others.

Posted by: Y-not at January 05, 2011 10:02 AM (IDL9N)

Ditto.  Lobbyists are the same as any other special interest group.  They serve a purpose, but the power they wield has really gotten out of control, IMO. 

107 It supposes that (even though you didn't say it) that unions of "workers" are composed of people but industry is not.

Actually, I specifically inserted unions into my comment.  Feel free to insert other groups as you wish (scientific societies, groups of universities such as land grants, etc). 

I was trying to distinguish between deep pocketed organizations and grass-roots lobbying efforts. 

108 MWR,while i believe the gvt is not thrifty at all, imagine if Pelosi herself would have ordered her own. It would be palacial , maybe florentine ,-shabby chic made  by the best artisans in the world for a low cost (bill sent to taxpayers of course ) of a cool million.

109 As a Male that has spent the last 5 years experimenting with facial hair, I don't understand why you'd go Mustache only. (For Reference my current job is the only one I've had that I didn't have to shave every day. I went from Navy to work around Oil Service, and then to current Gig)

If you are willing to trim a Mustache, then why not tend the beard?

110 Ted Nugent on Gun Control
Video at New Zeal

111 Any one see Coach Tressel almost blow the Sugar Bowl lead because he pulled out the Conservative (read: run up the middle) play book.

Damn.  It drives me crazy.

112 Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 05, 2011 10:00 AM (UOM4

Thank you Jane...and your son is in my prayers as well. 

These guys don't like sittin' around, do they?  Their mothers like them sittin' around....but they don't.

113

Posted by: momma at January 05, 2011 10:03 AM (penCf)

It makes your blood boil, doesn't it?  Friggin' Deval.  He wants to find out if the guy was wrongly granted parole?  HELL YES he was wrongly granted parole!  You don't receive three concurrent life sentences for being a nice guy who made a mistake.  You get them for being a violent bastard!

*breathes deeply and shakily* 

HATE.

114 From side bar: Gibbs out!

115 115 As a Male that has spent the last 5 years experimenting with facial hair, I don't understand why you'd go Mustache only

Often beards will really make a guy look a lot older than just the mustache, imho.  I don't know if it's just that beards have so may hairs that there are bound to be some grey ones in them or what. 

And some guys have really nice jaws/chins but kind of funny upper lip areas (there was a picture of some dude posted here last week that was the classic example of a guy who should grow a mustache but not a beard; his upper lip was too "high" and he had a really deep indentation in the middle). 

But, beware the porn star mustache!

116 Gibbsy, the evil ginger, is out!  *see sidebar*.

What other clown is Obama going to find to replace him? 

117 114 MWR,while i believe the gvt is not thrifty at all, imagine if Pelosi herself would have ordered her own. It would be palacial , maybe florentine ,-shabby chic made  by the best artisans in the world for a low cost (bill sent to taxpayers of course ) of a cool million.

Posted by: willow at January 05, 2011 10:06 AM (h+qn

Oh, absolutely!  And she'd have a big gold star added every time "her Congress" passed another piece of "landmark" (aka, "landmine") legislation. 

The hubris. It burns.

118 Fox News confirming Robert Gibbs is moving on.

119 More info on Gibbsy's departure:

Gibbs to Leave as White House Press Secretary

120

DC will try Yoga  for deliguent youths. @ Drudge;

." In the e-mail obtained by The Washington Examiner, Holman said his primary interest was in finding among the staff an instructor certified in yoga, tai-chi, or another "mind-body connection discipline."

The agency is coming off a controversial year during which more than a dozen of its wards were charged with murder and at least a half-dozen were killed

121 Since This guy has now idea of how to actually do things he'll follow a play book, So I'm guessing Vallarie Jarret or Tom Dasshole.Maybe Howard Dean

122 delinquent even

123 Zakn, Why not compromise and grow the Rapist Handle-stache? Or The Cletus, where you grow a full beard except for the chin, which is clean-shaven?

124 I'm going to miss that idiot Gibbsy. 

125 What other clown is Obama going to find to replace him? 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 05, 2011 10:11 AM (9hSKh)

My money's on Julian Assange.

126

Bored to death with Okinawa and......wants to go to Afghanistan.

You gotta love Marines.

 

127 Gibbs out! How about a Gibbs Top Ten Funnies?

128 Zakn, I'd kill for Howard Dean to take Gibbsy's place.  Comedy gold.

129 More info on Gibbsy's departure: Gibbs to Leave as White House Press Secretary Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 05, 2011 10:13 AM (9hSKh) Yup they'r gearing up for Obama's run for re-election. I mean for G-D's sake Obama spent a grueling 2 years trying to govern, time to go back to running. Hoep and Change here we come.

130

DC will try Yoga  for deliguent youths. @ Drudge;

willow: I saw that, too.  Yes, because teaching thugs the lotus position is going to turn them from a life of crime. 

I foresee very flexible thieves and murderers in DC's future.

131 124 Fox News confirming Robert Gibbs is moving on fleeing the sinking ship.

FIFY.

132 114 MWR,while i believe the gvt is not thrifty at all, imagine if Pelosi herself would have ordered her own. It would be palacial , maybe florentine ,-shabby chic made by the best artisans in the world for a low cost (bill sent to taxpayers of course ) of a cool million. Posted by: willow at January 05, 2011 10:06 AM (h+qn I'm sure that sign was made in the Congressional Sign Shop by a GS-12 Sign Maker who carved it out of a block of mahogony, engraved, painted, and finished it all by hand in a fully-equipped, government owned, wood shop dedicated to making signs for members of Congress. Said GS-12 woodworker is probably a 4th or 5th generation sign maker for Congress.

133 Comcast internet sucks ass.  It couldn't get any slower if it tried. 

134 Obama 1st President to not give a damn about respecting the HONOR and DIGNITY of the Office he holds.

Flip flops. F*cking, flip flops.

135

BTW, did you ever notice that Mr. Krauthammer has an uncanny resemblance to the Grinch who stole Christmas,

I've been seeing a turtle, although his recent bizarro pronouncements suggest he should start resembling a jackass soon.

136 I'm just bummed I don't have CSPAN-HD

137 126 DC will try Yoga  for deliguent youths. @ Drudge;

Whatever happened to midnight basketball? 

138 Ah, lobbyists I know them well. LOL, as a matter of fact, I do know a professional lobbyist here.  One of the most obnoxious b*tches that I have ever met.

Lobbyists are one of the most corrupting forces in the government.  This is one of the most hypocritical things that the commies in power do. They constantly harp about the Republicans being owned by "big evil business" while they have the lobbyists actually write the damn bills for them.

There have been several efforts to eliminate lobbyists but the courts have repeatedly struck them down based on free speech. This is most likely due to congress not really wanting to get rid of them and writing the laws specifically so that they would be struck down.

What I would like to see is "lobbying regulation" in a manner that is meaningful. Ban "paid lobbying". If a company or other special interest group wants to speak to their congress critter then by all means, go down and schedule an appointment.  If they want to contribute money, by all means contribute money as long as those contributions are documented.

However, I would make it illegal to advocate for people are groups other than yourself individually.

139

Oh, hell--the guy can wear flip flops on vacation.

The perpetual VACATION is the issue.

140 Posted by: dagny at January 05, 2011 10:03 AM (d2Pb5)

Well said. I agree completely. Part of capitalism is the unrestricted drive for profit, and if lobbying by industry of our lawmakers is part of that, well, it may be distasteful, but it should be allowed. And of course that is the problem with the unions. Their profit runs contrary to the success of the country, and is uncontrolled by the markets.

141 It's interesting to see how CSPAN has such a shitty place to shoot today

142 Circa-

Everything he does makes us look weak.  This is just another example. 

143 There's a poor goof who reads commercials on the local radio station who has a terrible lisp.  I figure he's a sales weasel.  He just read a Jersey Subs commercial.  Yikes.  Jerthey Thubs.

144 Awww, Glen Close is OFFENDED !!!

Glenn Close Denounces Navy Captain Using Her in Offensive Video

145 However, I would make it illegal to advocate for people are groups other than yourself individually.

Posted by: Vic at January 05, 2011 10:21 AM (M9Ie6)

Oh, so I won't be able to politic for my congressman? Or advocate for any politician?

Sounds rather anti-freedom.

146

I was thinking more about the earlier news clips in the comments where the libs are going after the republicans for having lobbyists on their staffs and fundraisers. I guess I got muddled because I would never connote industry and unions. They appear to be diametrically opposed in their goals. I see that they both have deep pockets although the union pockets are filled by coersion. I think that we have to have industry lobbyists to try to counteract the lobbying from entities that pretend to be grass-roots but are really the product of high level socialist organizing (community organizing) leftists. The communists have a lot longer history of infiltrating and organizing than the newly awakened right.

147 Re the lobbyists, yesterday morning's headline post had a comment/linky listing all the $$ that was given to senators to vote for or against the Food Safety Act.  It turned my stomach.  Lobbyists and inside trading info are the reasons congress critters come out millionaires two years later.

148 "Gunny" Ermey apologizes to the Jackwagon-in-Chief.  Never thought I'd see the day.

149 Unfunny scrunt to attempt to revive sagging career (and other parts) by attacking 16 year old juvenile because her last name is Palin

Discuss

150 @156  Oh, please.  Say it ain't so.  Dammit.

151

Oh, so I won't be able to politic for my congressman? Or advocate for any politician?

Sounds rather anti-freedom.

No, sounds like you don't know the difference between lobbying and campaigning.    .

152 "Gunny" Ermey apologizes to the Jackwagon-in-Chief.  Never thought I'd see the day.

Posted by: RushBabe at January 05, 2011 10:30 AM (urYpw)

That's it....we're now officially hosed.

153 But, beware the porn star mustache! (Embarrassed to say it tickles.)

Posted by: Y-not at January 05, 2011 10:11 AM (IDL9N)

 

Sooo, you've fating a Frenchmen, huh? Only Frenchmen have to make love with their faces.

154 Limey death slurpees? Ah well, can't be any worse than the rest of their food.

155 Never thought I'd see the day.

Posted by: RushBabe at January 05, 2011 10:30 AM (urYpw)

He probably has been pressured by that libtard group who does his shows, Pukovery Channel.

156

Vic--see #16.

That person is not even on the list.  Anywhere.

157 152 However, I would make it illegal to advocate for people are groups other than yourself individually.

Posted by: Vic at January 05, 2011 10:21 AM (M9Ie6) 

---

Oh, so I won't be able to politic for my congressman?

---

I don't know what the solution is, but I tend to agree that eliminating the professional lobbyist (someone who is hired to make a group's case to Congress) is probably not it.  One could argue that a professional lobbyist, like a professional fundraiser or marketing person or medial relations person, results in cost savings because they, in theory, might be more efficient in the use of everyone's time. 

I think trying to eliminate the financial interests of congresscritters and their staffers is the right idea, but it seems as if the moratorium on working as a lobbyist within a window of time of leaving office (or going into office) doesn't seem to be working.  Part of it is enforcement.  My recollection is that this particular administration has been granting (granted?) lots of waivers for the folks they've hired. 

It's very frustrating. 

158 Sooo, you've fating a Frenchmen, huh?

As a matter of fact... Mr Y-not is half French.  The other half is Italian.  I did rather well for myself.

When we started dating he had a full beard, not particularly trimmed so between that and his coloring and the plaid shirts he looked like Blacque Jacques Shellaque.  Then he trimmed it really nicely which really gave him a nice angular shape to his face.  But he shaved it off after we'd been married 7 years because we had moved to Houston and we noticed few men had beards there, especially in white-collar jobs. 

Now he'd have to dye his beard hair if he grew it back. 

159 I'm just sick of the left howling about lobbyists on the right when they are neck deep in them themselves. And why shouldn't the new congressmen have fund raisers? I also hope that Issa, as promised, goes after Obama's prediliction for "buying" google searches to spread his propaganda.

160 I think trying to eliminate the financial interests of congresscritters and their staffers is the right idea, but it seems as if the moratorium on working as a lobbyist within a window of time of leaving office (or going into office) doesn't seem to be working.

We have to do something. The system is broken. The biggest problem is giving them the power to do all this shit to begin with. Of course "we" didn't do that, the courts did after being packed for 12 years by FDR.

Now that they have the power they are not going to give it up.  The system is as corrupt as it can be. It doesn't help to replace a few of them at a time because it is like throwing a nice apple into a barrel of rotten ones.

Sometimes I think the Japanese aircraft solution is really the only way. Sure, a few good ones will get the "ax" but as they say, omelets require eggs.

161 As a matter of fact... Mr Y-not is half French.  The other half is Italian.  I did rather well for myself.

Sooooo many surrender jokes....must control myself.....

162 Lobbying is spending money, money is speech - let it be unencumbered.

163 169 I'm just sick of the left howling about lobbyists on the right when they are neck deep in them themselves. And why shouldn't the new congressmen have fund raisers?

Yes, that's frustrating.  It's ludicrous to pretend both sides aren't doing it. 

And I agree with you about the fundraising story.  I don't feel any outrage over the dinner the newbies are having.  People can tell themselves that $5 donations are what won these elections, but they're kidding themselves.  We need the people who can plonk down $2,500 for a fundraising gala just as much as we need regular folks. 

164

Lobbying is spending money, money is speech - let it be unencumbered.

Bribery is not speech.

165 Sooooo many surrender jokes...

I know!  We make them all the time.

Also, he will not sit with his back facing a window. 

166 No, lobbying is not speech, it is bribery but good luck even getting a charge, much less a conviction.

167 Read the comments on the freezing-their-asses-off-in-the-UK article. They're all saying tut tut, just because it was colder than Maggie Thatcher's heart, doesn't mean global warming isn't happening, or perhaps it does, but whatever, we'll believe in it more than we believe in modern dentistry, good food, or decent burials. How did the Lion of Britain become the Eunuch of Europe? Ah well, at least they still have the Falklands. Perhaps they can move there when England becomes a giant ice cube.

168 Lobbyists are not the problem. Our culture is screwed-up. Too many of us want the Federal Government to do too much. Now the FG is so big it may be impossible to shrink it without collapsing everything. Changing our culture will take time and persistence. Gimmicky laws and regulations about lobbying are a waste of time and energy.

169 157 I wouldn't give that talentless bitch another pixel of publicity.  She has admitted she does it to keep her name in the news.  Fuck her.

170

How did the Lion of Britain become the Eunuch of Europe?

Chunnel?

171 I can't wait for $5 gas. Just can't wait.

172 Feds investigating NYC snow plow slowdown

This is the Eric Holder Justice Dept, so I'm sure the investigation will reveal that Wall Street, Bush, and Global Warming were to blame.

173 We need the people who can plonk down $2,500 for a fundraising gala just as much as we need regular folks.

I don't mind the $2500 a plate dinners, or the campaign contributions, as long as the donors are published.

When I speak of professional lobbying I am talking about paying some guy $500,000 a year to write letters to, and camp out in a critter's office AFTER making those contributions so that they can pressure for laws to be written that benefit their clients.

174 Gibbsy is stepping down???

175 I don't mind the $2500 a plate dinners, or the campaign contributions, as long as the donors are published.

When I speak of professional lobbying I am talking about

Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you did. 

We're reacting to this HotAir (I think) story that was about the outrage we should feel because the GOP freshmen are having a gala dinner this week (I think) and it's also a fundraiser.

If the RNC weren't so damaged, these newbies wouldn't have to fundraise the first week in office, but they only have two years to get ready for re-election. 

There's a strong populist streak over at HotAir now... it seems to be coming from... well, I'd rather not say.  

176 What business would bother lobbying a FG that collects no income tax, regulates business less that 1 percent as much as it does today?

177

Posted by: Y-not at January 05, 2011 10:39 AM (IDL9N)

 

Ain't anonymity great?

178

If the Congress critters didn't have gazillions to spend, lobbyists wouldn't be a problem.

It's where the money is. Take the money away from them and I'll have no reason to rob--er, lobby them.

179 Many lobbyists lobby to keep themselves from being harmed as much as to help themselves. For example, that tool asswipe Jim Moran is on the House Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee. He's a far far far leftie and gets most of his campaign contributions from defense contractors. He recently pulled strings to have a 7000 person building erected as a Pentagon annex in his district. His developer buddies built it. Now he's questioning the traffic issues and wants the opening delayed.

180 The system is broken. The biggest problem is giving them the power to do all this shit to begin with.

This. 

We used to payoff the health inspectors routinely in our family restaurant.  Not to pass us, but rather to forewarn us of surprise inspections so we could make sure ever little i was dotted.

I have never blamed business for resorting to bribery when some retard has the power to enrich, or impoverish you, with the stroke of a pen. 

It's self defense.

181 The system is broken. The biggest problem is giving them the power to do all this shit to begin with.

Milton Friedman on how to fix the system.

People have a great misconception in this way, they think way they solve things by electing the right people. Its nice to elect the right people, but that isnÂ’t the way you solve them. The way you solve things is by making it politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right things!

182

Posted by: Y-not at January 05, 2011 10:39 AM (IDL9N)

Cioè signora, avete sposato il meglio di entrambi i mondi.

183 Robert Gibbs is stepping down..........
Where's the flaming skull?

184 A Sugarland fan?  Cool Gabe!

185 The second order requires all state agencies to use the federal E-verify system on potential employees, to make sure they are legal immigrants.

186

For two years, the Republicans complained about unrelenting Democratic partisanship. Now they’re planning no fewer than 10 investigations of the Obama administration, and the man leading most of those has already branded Obama’s “one of the most corrupt administrations” in history.

How nice of Dana Milbank to point out that “unrelenting Democratic partisanship”. It’s so white of him.

187 Why didn't the woman who interacted with the murdered defense consultant call the police if she thought he was disoriented and had been robbed? 

188

197 Y-not at January 05, 2011 03:57 PM

That was my first thought as well.  I think she's quoted as saying it looked like he'd had a stroke or some such.  In that case, the obvious thing to do seems to be to ask if the person needs help and probably call 911 even if they say no.  I just can't imagine talking to someone and then leaving them in that condition.

189 68% of Nevada Republicans Wish They had Nominated Someone Other Than Angle.   Well, DUH! I'll bet a hampster pie that they also regret nominating Bob Dole and John McCain because they LOST.  What's the purpose of polling hindsight?

190 @rdbrewer for "The Hefty Holy Man..." *STANDING OVATION*

191

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Here are the main products that we deal with:

 

Shoes: Nike Air Jordan, Air Force 1, Nike Air Jordan AFJ Fusion, Dunk SB, Nike Air Max, Air Shox Running Shoes, Nike Air Zoom Dunkesto, Air Yeezy, Nike Work Boots, ACG, Nike Foamposite, Gucci, Prada, Puma Ferrari, Supra, Ato Matsumoto, Lacoste, James, Kobe, Converse, Creative Recreation, CR DICOCO, Ed hardy, Evisu, Mauri, Coogi, Dsquared, Ice Cream, New Balance, Greedy Genius, Clae Shoes and Sneakers.

 

Jeans: Evisu, Gucci, Armani, Bape BBC, Red Monkey, G-Star, Levis, Diesel, Versace, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Ed Hardy, True Religion, Coogi, Christian Audigier, Affliction, Laguna Beach, Iceberg, Crown Holder, Roca wear, Dolce & Gabbana, Artful Dodger, Blac Label, Rock & Republic Jeans Shorts and Pants.

 

T-shirt: BBC, Bape, G-Star, Evisu, Coogi, Armani, LV, 5ive jungle, Akademiks, Smet, A & F, Affliction, Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier, Blac Label, Polo, Lacoste, Crown Holder, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Ecko, Gucci, Adidas, Nike, Levis T-shirts and dress shirts.

Other Accessories: Chanel, Chloe, Coach, Dior, Gucci, Fendi, LV, Juicy, Prada, D&G, Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier Leather Handbag, Purse and Wallets.
Rolex, Breitlint, JACOB & CO. Cartier, Gucci, Ed Hardy Watches.
D&G, Okley, Fendi, Coach, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Versace, Burberry, Ray.Ban, Ed hardy, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Cartier Sun Glasses
Armani, CK, D&G, LV, Versace, Ed Hardy, Diesel, Gucci, polo, Prada, Puma, Versace, G-star Underwears.
Juicy, Bikini, Ed Hardy, A&F, Polo, Christian Audigier Swimming Wear, Bikini, Bathing suits.
Bape, Ed Hardy, New Era, Coogi, Gucci, New era with light, Louis Vuitton, Monster Energy Caps
DSQ, D&G, LV, Bape, Armani, Gucci, Chanel, Boss, Affliction, Versace, Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier Belts.
Welcome to contact us by MSN: babydress898@hotmail.com .Thanks!