1

Good Morning Morons. Its December 29^th, 2011. Yes, the year is winding down quickly now. On this day in 1170 Richard Burton Thomas a Becket was murdered in order to rid Henry II of “this troublesome priest”. App 400 years later another version of Henry had his shrine destroyed and looted. Such is history when you mix church and state as was done in the middle ages.

2

Latest CNN poll has Romney and Ron Paul on top in Iowa.

But then again, I have NEVER trusted CNN polls. In any case we are about to get the “real poll” and besides that, Iowa hasn’t been much of a bell weather lately. In addition, because of Florida Iowa will only get 28 delegates which will be split proportionally. So other than bragging rights, this election will settle very little.

3

Newt blames VA ballot fiasco on fraud.

One wonders if MuttÂ’s sigs were checked they would find the same thing. Sounds to me like Newt (and the rest) should have just made up sigs until they got to 15K which would assure none got audited.

4

The Hill parrots stupid claims on Keystone pipeline from the watermelon wing of the commie party.

Republicans who lobbied aggressively for a measure to force President Obama to make a speedy decision on the Keystone XL pipeline have ensured the projectÂ’s demise, environmental groups say.

Note to the Watermelons and The Hill staff. ItÂ’s a little more complicated than that. Obama will have to lie his ass off to kill it. Of course, that has stopped him yet. Every time he opens his mouth he lies his ass off.

5

DC's top 10 stories of 2011

Be sure to read the one about TX scrunt, Sheila Jackson Lee. I donÂ’t know how I missed that one.

6

Girls Scouts now say they will no longer link to Media Matters

7

Gary Johnson will deliver NM to Obama?

I have some news for you folks. NM went for Obama in 2008 w/o Gary Johnson. NM is a blue State now. Too many CA fruits and nuts moved to Albuquerque.

8 OWS assholes get busted in Des Moines when they get out of hand Yesterday I speculated as to them getting a hard welcome in Iowa. Looks like they will not get the welcome they got in NYC.

9 MM discusses MFM's inability to see any "scandal" in the OBama administration.

10 Heritage's top 10 list for the worst new federal regulations I would have struggled to narrow down to 10 here. Everything they have done since the Dems took over congress in 2007 has been a nightmare.

11

 Heritage on SOPA shit

12 That's it for today.

13

Jim Geraghty has an idea for a new presidential primary calendar that actually has a rhyme and reason.

His isn't much different than what we have now. The first three ARE small population States. I still say the order should be based on how the State voted in the last presidential election. That is if we can't go to a run-off style election  where all States vote at the same time.

14 Where is everybody?

15 Looks like folks took the day off and slept in.

16 Hi Vic, Thanks for the headlines every day as well as all the rest that you contribute on a daily basis. I forwarded a couple of your links to my office to share with some of my colleagues. Keep fighting the good fight. Tim

17 Maybe they can't afford bail money.

18 Thanks Tim. Are you "de-lurking" now?

19 I note the link and article in the sidebar about congress ending the ethanol subsidy. That is not necessarily a good thing because they only went half-way.

They did not eliminate the "mandates" either. So we are forced to buy E-85 and w/o the subsidy it will be even higher in price than E-0.

20 I am workin on my new hobo blind so it will be ready by new years day.

21

Be sure to read the one about TX scrunt, Sheila Jackson Lee. I donÂ’t know how I missed that one.

Posted by: Vic at December 29, 2011 06:48 AM (YdQQY)

I don't know how you missed it either. That one stuck in my craw.

22 Mitt Romney still sucks.  This week I got a nastygram from my employer saying I needed to state that I was getting insurance somewhere else since I waived coverage through them.  This is because Papa Mitt believes that it is a bedrock conservative principle to threaten the law-abiding with fines if they fail to fill out paperwork.

23 388 days, 4 hours, 38 minutes and 27 seconds until 12 noon on January 20 2013.

But who's counting...

24 Obama still sucks cock, film at 11.

25 Obama still sucks cock, film at 11.

Do tell.

26 WRT to the Bachmann chairman "switch," this is just the most brazen backstabbing you can imagine...Guy goes to MB's rally, complains about his teeth, then races over to the Paul campaign to announce he's now supporting him? "Oh, Ronnie, I always loved YOU deep in my heart, let's run away togethaaaahhh!" THIS is the behavior of a stable, mature adult? No, this is the act of a worthless unbalanced douchebag masquerading as a political leader. "Benedict Arnold, call your office!"

27
THIS is the behavior of a stable, mature adult? No, this is the act of a worthless unbalanced douchebag masquerading as a political leader.

Forget it, Jake.  It's Iowa.

28 Meanwhile, in Samoa they must be partying like there's no tomorrow because (for them) there isn't.

29 Damn its 25°F here and my heat pump doesn't like it.

30 Frank Marshall Davis admitted/bragged that he loved to service cock.

31

One wonders if MuttÂ’s sigs were checked they would find the same thing. Sounds to me like Newt (and the rest) should have just made up sigs until they got to 15K which would assure none got audited.

Posted by: Vic at December 29, 2011 06:47 AM (YdQQY)

That's what it sounds like to me, too. Add enough fake names (are there enough different character names in Disney movies to get to 15K?) to get to the 15,000 threshold and they all magically become "valid". Well, no, you can't be on the ballot because you only got 12,000 fake signatures, but if you had made up 3K more fake ones, you'd have been fine. Which means Virginia really had no rules, just an arbitrary made-up bloody mess designed to screw over anyone expecting rational rules. Sorta like being on double-secret probation in Animal House.

32 Bachmann and The Chipmunks 4: When The Chip Hits The Fan

33 Damn its 25°F here and my heat pump doesn't like it.

Posted by: Vic at December 29, 2011 07:35 AM (YdQQY)

I think low to mid 20's(F) is about the lower bound of where an un-assisted heat pump will function.

On a similar note- one more "70's flashback" that I've noticed in this great Obama economy is a resurgence in the popularity of  kerosene heaters.being used indoors.  There's a large hole in the roof and about a dozen burned out apartments in an apartment house in my neighborhood giving testimony to that little Carteresque throwback.

34 Good MorningVic! 

35 If, like me, you're just the teensiest sick of Iowa's BS, Jim Geraghty...

I like Geraghty's plan...it's not perfect, and I'd sure do some tweaking to it from where he has it, but virtually anything would be better than the current system. More campaign time and money should be spent in states you actually need to win in the general to, you know, win the general. But still give the smaller states - where the less filthy rich, non-Romney types have a chance to catch fire and become contenders - a continued voice, too...just not nearly as much influence as they have now. And no damn caucuses, and no damn open primaries. If your state opts for either of those, then you automatically move to the back of the line.

36
Meanie Monks Brawl at Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

37 There's a large hole in the roof and about a dozen burned out apartments in an apartment house in my neighborhood giving testimony to that little Carteresque throwback. Giving credence to the weapons-grade stupidity it took to elect FROTUS. C'mon Perry, talk about nothing but Fast and Furious from here on out. The news will not cover it, unless someone who paints N****rhead on everything unfairly mentions it in public.

38
The WillardCare Blues at American Thinker...

"The American people, in 2008, were taken in by soaring rhetoric and well-produced theatre resulting in the election of the worst president since before the Civil War."

39

On a similar note- one more "70's flashback" that I've noticed in this great Obama economy is a resurgence in the popularity of  kerosene heaters.being used indoors.  There's a large hole in the roof and about a dozen burned out apartments in an apartment house in my neighborhood giving testimony to that little Carteresque throwback.

Posted by: Nighthawk at December 29, 2011 07:44 AM (OtQXp)

Wouldn't go near those things, much less have one in my house. We have enclosed electric heated oil ones by DeLonghi in various cold spots around the house that we leave on when it gets in heat pump won't work territory...the pump seems to labor a lot less with those things running, and they don't use a lot of power either; just plug into a regular wall socket.

40 And no damn caucuses, and no damn open primaries. If your state opts for either of those, then you automatically move to the back of the line.

South Carolina tried to close their primary, but an Obama-appointed judge decided they were not going to be allowed to do so.  Maybe a federal law is needed that specifically gives state parties the right to close or open their primaries as they wish, since the federal govt has aggregated that right.

41 The folks over at the UK Telegraph think that civil war is coming to Iraq and make their case.
 
They want America to stop it. bwahaha. Perhaps they don't know we have a SCoaMF in office at the moment.
 
Thanks for all the links Vic.

42 Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 29, 2011 07:54 AM (hcJkV)
Used kerosene heaters for years ever since I got my first all-electric (non-heat-pump) bill in January!  However, since I do not use them stupidly I don't find them threatening.  The problem is finding decent K-1 kerosene. 
For me, the deLonghi always seemed to noticeably add to my electric bill and didn't really do much more than warm up a very small area.

43

Wouldn't go near those things, much less have one in my house. We have enclosed electric heated oil ones by DeLonghi in various cold spots around the house that we leave on when it gets in heat pump won't work territory...the pump seems to labor a lot less with those things running, and they don't use a lot of power either; just plug into a regular wall socket.

Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 29, 2011 07:54 AM (hcJkV)

The oil/electric units are very nice- I've used them in several homes over the years and they help a lot.  I will never understand the thought process (or more likely lack thereof) which inspires people to put a kerosene tank in their living room.  I was a fireman back in the 1970's and we had a LOT of house and apartment fires from kerosene heaters.  Seems that we're going "back to the future".

44 And now we know Gabe will be in his patriotic jammies on Iowa Caucus night...

Say.. what's the head Ewok gonna be wearing?

45 Maybe a federal law is needed that specifically gives state parties the right to close or open their primaries as they wish, since the federal govt has aggregated that right.

Posted by: waelse1 at December 29, 2011 07:56 AM (1M81x)

What was that pesky Tenth Amendment thing about anyway?

46

What was that pesky Tenth Amendment thing about anyway?

Posted by: Hrothgar at December 29, 2011 08:01 AM (i3+c5)

Tenth Amendment, what the hell is that?  All we see are the words "Commerce Clause."

47 Tenth Amendment?

Never heard of it.

48 Good morning, Vic - - depressing news as usual; I'm surprised you missed that earlier in the year about her majesty Shiela Jackson Lee.

49 South Carolina tried to close their primary, but an Obama-appointed judge decided they were not going to be allowed to do so.  Maybe a federal law is needed that specifically gives state parties the right to close or open their primaries as they wish, since the federal govt has aggregated that right.

Posted by: waelse1 at December 29, 2011 07:56 AM (1M81x)

I thought Vic had mentioned that being related to something the SC legislature had passed when the Dems were in charge? And that had to be changed legislatively first?

50

Via Hot Air, ads are up in Iowa for people to caucus for Sarah Palin. 

How much you want to bet that she does better than Perry?  Ace will need to be physically restrained and heavily medicated.

51 Closed primaries, hell, it should cost you $25 to participate and the primary should include a detailed issue and message poll, whose results would be available to candidates.

52 All we see are the words "Commerce Clause."

Posted by: The Supreme Court at December 29, 2011 08:03 AM (TpXEI)

Sort of a koranic interpretation,eh?  Just stop reading at Article I, Section 8, Clause 3.  All the later additions weren't meant to actually be a part of the living Constitution.

53 Closed primaries, hell, it should cost you $25 to participate and the primary should include a detailed issue and message poll, whose results would be available to candidates.

Posted by: Jean at December 29, 2011 08:07 AM (+oKKW)

Sounds racist to me.  Next thing, you will probably want a photo ID to participate.

Note that DoJ doesn't have a problem with PARTY ID cards Comrade!

54 With the ows arrests in Des Moines, guess which shithead is about to put in an appearance?
 
If you guessed attention whore Jesse Jackson, give yourself a gold star.

55 I think low to mid 20's(F) is about the lower bound of where an un-assisted heat pump will function.

32°F is where they start to struggle. The heat strips come on when it gets below 32° and your meter then spins like a top. I have a forced draft electric heater in the living room now that I turn on when it goes below 32°.

I used to use my gas logs until the price of propane went above $4/gal. Too bad can't get natural gas. If I had that I would have got a heat pump with the gas packs.

56 Used kerosene heaters for years ever since I got my first all-electric (non-heat-pump) bill in January!  However, since I do not use them stupidly I don't find them threatening.  The problem is finding decent K-1 kerosene. 
For me, the deLonghi always seemed to noticeably add to my electric bill and didn't really do much more than warm up a very small area.

Posted by: Hrothgar at December 29, 2011 07:58 AM (i3+c5)

Given my lifelong history of being accident prone, I tend to avoid open flames and other things that can end up going catastrophically bad in a short period of time. :-)

The trick with the DeLonghi's seems to be to leave them on, on low at least, and leave an overhead fan going in the room if there's one in it to circulate the warm air. They don't do the "heat a room in a hurry" thing at all. Our electric bills are lower this winter than last, but we've also had a mild season so far.

57 ...Ace will need to be physically restrained and heavily medicated.

Posted by: jwest at December 29, 2011 08:06 AM (8moZm)

...so will the Dems and trolls if that happens!

58 On the open/closed primary thing in SC the Dem legislature is what put it in place. The Republicans sued and lost, but it was in State court, not federal court. It has gone all the way to the State Supreme court and they ruled that as the State supplied any resources what-so-ever to the primary they could dictate reasonable rules.

So the Repubs need to address it in the Legislature, after which the Dems will probably then sue in Federal court. The problem with the legislature right now is a lot of the R's are converted D's that still act like D's.

59 Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 29, 2011 08:06 AM (hcJkV)

Sorry don't remember the judge's justification, other than SC being under double secret probation since 1865.  The State newspaper didn't mention the judge's link to Obama either.  So when people like me rant the state parties should close their primaries, there's the small issue of federal judges taking that right away from them.

60 Ace will need to be physically restrained and heavily medicated.

So a regular Thursday then.

61 ...except that Vic knows a lot more about it than I do (hope you're feeling well today Vic).

62 OWS'ers in Des Moines...those dumbfuc*s are some seriously misguided individuals.  Or as Shiela Jackson Lee would put it , 'they are some stupid mother fuc*ers'.

63 Used kerosene heaters for years ever since I got my first all-electric (non-heat-pump) bill in January!  However, since I do not use them stupidly I don't find them threatening.  The problem is finding decent K-1 kerosene...

Posted by: Hrothgar at December 29, 2011 07:58 AM (i3+c5)

From what I've seen I think the biggest problems with the kerosene units are fuel storage/management and maintenance.  Most of the fires we saw were the result of either improperly stored fuel or a unit that had not been kept clean so that the cut-off failed when it was tipped over.  There was also problems with incomplete combustion when the wicks were not cleaned.

So if you're scrupulous in keeping a kerosene heater clean and maintained and careful with storing the fuel I guess you can operate it safely, but from what I saw most people don't do that.

64 Morning morons, Beautifully sunny cold, cold morning here this morning.

65 OK, did some checking. It is true the latest case was in federal court (this year). The initial cases were in State court.

66 Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 29, 2011 08:13 AM (hcJkV)
The ceiling fan might have made a lot of difference in the heat distribution--good point.  Frankly, right now, I am waiting for it to get cold enough to fire up the wood stove. The wood stove in my house really skews the heat distribution and runs you out of the room on a warm afternoon, even if it just has embers from the night before.

67 ...and btw re the OWS'ers link Vic has up -- photo 19/33 has a shot of Romney's HQ with the sign 'Who does H2 work for'.  Is this some super-sekret Hostages reference?!

68

So if you're scrupulous in keeping a kerosene heater clean and maintained and careful with storing the fuel I guess you can operate it safely, but from what I saw most people don't do that.

Posted by: Nighthawk at December 29, 2011 08:22 AM (OtQXp)

We use our K-heater in our tent!

69 This week I got a nastygram from my employer saying I needed to state that I was getting insurance somewhere else since I waived coverage through them.

I have the same provision with my employer, but I don't live in Massachusetts.  It is just your employer requiring you to be insured.

70 Morning CoolCzech -- good hike yesterday?

71 Sorry don't remember the judge's justification, other than SC being under double secret probation since 1865.  The State newspaper didn't mention the judge's link to Obama either.  So when people like me rant the state parties should close their primaries, there's the small issue of federal judges taking that right away from them.

Posted by: waelse1 at December 29, 2011 08:17 AM (1M81x)

Federal judges having their fingers (and other parts of their anatomies) stuck into everything is something that has to be changed, too.

72 I am feeling OK. The bottom line is that in order to close the primary in SC the State Republican Party must do either of two things.

Hold their primary in a manner in which the State provides NOTHING in the way of resources. That includes polling places and poll workers which would be the greatest expense.

Or they can go back to the Legislature and pass a law to close them as that would be "reasonable" rules since a lot of other States have closed primaries.

The other avenue is to eliminate primaries all together. There is no law that says they must hold a primary. Tat is essentially what the federal judge said, knowing that nobody wants to go back to the smoke filled rooms.

But they could allow each county to hold mini-meetings to elect delegates to a State convention to choose the candidate. That would be sort of like the caucus system.

73 Shun, Federal judges meddling in state elections, add that to the master list of problems: Withholding Commerce Clause VRA

74

Yes, its in the sidebar, but such a special honor deserves restating:

 

The personification of the OWS movement receives another highly coveted award.

Quote:
I am pleased to announce the winner of the First Annual Breitbart “Ambiguous Entity of the Year” award.
Our choice was inspired by the most under-reported story of the year: the dark side of the Occupy Wall Street movement, which the media attempted to hide.
From its origins, the Occupy movement has been riddled by rapes, sexual assaults, and countless other serious crimes–many of which were not reported to police because Occupy organizers understood that public police reports and media dispatches about crimes would hurt the movement’s image.

Congrats to the face of OWS, the 'Tent of the Unknown Rapist'.

75 Posted by: Nighthawk at December 29, 2011 08:22 AM (OtQXp)

A kerosene heater is a potentially dangerous primitive device and needs to be maintained for reliable and safe performance. I disassemble mine at last once a season, clean and trim the wick if needed, and replace the wick about every other year.  If you are willing to do that, it is a nice heater adjunct (and it still works when you are without power for days).
I also never fill the tank in the house and keep the stored kerosene well away from any open flames.

76 Barack Obama is a Stuttering Clusterfuck of a Miserable Failure.

Hey! WTF happened to steevy? He usually takes care of this for us.

77 I made an unplanned appearance on Larry O'Connor's Stage Right Show last night to talk about Iowa

Have you ever been to Iowa? Driving through on I-80 does not count.

78 This week I got a nastygram from my employer saying I needed to state that I was getting insurance somewhere else since I waived coverage through them.

This week I got a letter from my employer reminding me that even though I'm eligible for company-sponsored health insurance, I should check with Indiana to see if my kids qualify for Medicaid or CHIP because those premiums are "more affordable".  Anyone else get this sort of thing? Is this related to Obamacare?

79 I have the same provision with my employer, but I don't live in Massachusetts.  It is just your employer requiring you to be insured.

Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 08:29 AM (s7mIC)

Yeah, that's not something my employer is doing.  The letter explicitly mentions the Massachusetts state law.

80 Shun, Federal judges meddling in state elections, add that to the master list of problems:

Withholding
Commerce Clause
VRA

Posted by: Jean at December 29, 2011 08:31 AM (+oKKW)

Agree, but I don't see how we undo decades of unchecked judicial activism in less than a generation or two.  The best answer is probably one decision at a time, but I am not holding my breath as the stare decisis lawyer/judge cabal has the country by the you know whats.

81 Don Surber has the feel good story of the day:

http://tinyurl.com/capnkq4

Moral of the story is Shop At Sears, Morons.

82 What was wrong with the smoke filled rom, cough, I'll bring the cigars and a couple bottles of good rye

83 I should check with Indiana to see if my kids qualify for Medicaid or CHIP because those premiums are "more affordable".  Anyone else get this sort of thing? Is this related to Obamacare?

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 29, 2011 08:36 AM (hO8IJ)

Can you say "foot in the door" to single payer?

84 Thomas Sowell is not a fan of Mitt. 

Vic should grab a drink before reading this, however, because he endorses Gingrich. 

85

I also never fill the tank in the house and keep the stored kerosene well away from any open flames.

This! Visited my cousin last week and he has his storage container in the house with a funnel. I said "Cuz', you don't fill that in here do you?"

We have kerosene in the living room and propane for the house with the oil-filled in two bedrooms near draft points. Our heater for the house rarely kicks on. 2 gallons of kerosene lasts us 4 days and the house is toasty during the daytime and cool when we sleep as the stove (and electric heaters) is never on when unattended.The cat loves it! We will try and go to wood next year and cut heating costs further.

86 Hrothgar, an amendment redefining the Commerce Clause would undermine a lot of decisions.

87 The other avenue is to eliminate primaries all together. There is no law that says they must hold a primary. Tat is essentially what the federal judge said, knowing that nobody wants to go back to the smoke filled rooms.

Posted by: Vic at December 29, 2011 08:31 AM (YdQQY)

More primary seasons like 2011-12, and those smoke-filled rooms will even start looking good by comparison. :-)

Thanks for the clarification on SC, Vic.

88 Yeah, that's not something my employer is doing.  The letter explicitly mentions the Massachusetts state law.

The point is, your experience is not much different than what other employers are already doing right now, even in the absence of the mandate.

89 Vic should grab a drink before reading this, however, because he endorses Gingrich. 

Posted by: Y-not at December 29, 2011 08:41 AM (5H6zj)

LOL, I did read that this morning. I may be grabbing a drink later on today since I weaseled out of the chemo this week.

90 36 Meanie Monks Brawl at Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Posted by: Doctor Fish at December 29, 2011 07:48 AM (TkGkA) Even the Christians aren't immune to Middle Eastern Madness. That is one region of the world that should just sink into sea, all of it.

91 84 Thomas Sowell is not a fan of Mitt. 

Vic should grab a drink before reading this, however, because he endorses Gingrich. 

Posted by: Y-not at December 29, 2011 08:41 AM (5H6zj)

Well of course Sowell endorses Gingrich, they are two academics.

Hi Y-not!

92 The point is, your experience is not much different than what other employers are already doing right now, even in the absence of the mandate.

Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 08:44 AM (s7mIC)

I'm pretty sure the part where if I don't prove it then I face a fine is a big difference.

93 LOL, I did read that this morning. I may be grabbing a drink later on today since I weaseled out of the chemo this week.

It struck me as a very intellectually lazy article, to be frank.  I'm glad he rejects Romney, but I don't really see that he made the case for it being down to Newt as the only other choice. 

I realize Sowell is supposed to be a deep thinker, but where is the evidence of that in that article? 

94 Everything they have done since the Dems took over congress in 2007 has been a nightmare.

Posted by: Vic at December 29, 2011 06:49 AM (YdQQY)

11%. Congress has an eleven percent approval rating.

95 It struck me as a very intellectually lazy article, to be frank.  I'm glad he rejects Romney, but I don't really see that he made the case for it being down to Newt as the only other choice. 

He's playing the "electability" game.

96 Speaking of what a shitty law that Obamacare is...

Patients may end up paying for 'free' care

We all knew that requiring insurance companies to pay out 100% on whatever tests you want was unsustainable, but apparently this is a surprise to other people.

("Preventative"? A colonoscopy prevents nothing.)

97 Rob Lowe on MSNBC... Man has not aged well. It doesn't help he didn't shave his grizzled stubble... That can make a "baby face" look macho when the stubble is dark, but - I learned from personal experience - once it goes grey, you just look like you're deteriorating. So it goes with Lowe...

98 ...jobless claims rose last week.

99 Hrothgar, an amendment redefining the Commerce Clause would undermine a lot of decisions.

Posted by: Jean at December 29, 2011 08:42 AM (wwZVW)

Agree that this is probably the best (and maybe only) mechanism for reversal of the misinterpretation of the CC, but I expect it would take a generation to do given all the vested establishment interests aligned with keeping it as is.

100 I'm pretty sure the part where if I don't prove it then I face a fine is a big difference.

Well in my case if I am not insured then I may lose my job.

101 I'm operating on very little sleep from this damned cold.  I have the attention span of a gnat today.

This caught my eye from Sowell's Random Thoughts page:

Talk show host Dennis Miller said, "I don't dig polo. It's like miniature golf meets the Kentucky Derby."

Miller is wrong.  Polo is really very exciting (especially indoor/collegiate polo).  It's like hockey with 1000 lb players. 

102

11%. Congress has an eleven percent approval rating.

Posted by: Cicerokid at December 29, 2011 08:48 AM (Mf7mf)

The congressional approval rating, like the 'is the country on the right/wrong track' question, is pretty meaningless.  The question is too broad.

103 ("Preventative"? A colonoscopy prevents nothing.)

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 29, 2011 08:49 AM (hO8IJ)

If you do it when you are supposed to do it it CAN prevent cancer by eliminating the colon polyps before they become cancerous. 

It is a whole lot cheaper to do one of those every ten years than it is to to do a colon resection and 6 months worth of chemo.

I learned this the hard way.

104 >>Posted by: Nighthawk at December 29, 2011 07:44 AM (OtQXp)

This log home is heated with K1, (and pellet stove) since heating fuel can't be stored outside in the winter here, it turns to apple jelly.

It was 4 degrees at 6 AM here with a -10 WC.

105 Well this is actually my LAST work day of the year.

106 Did that Santa Claus 'honor killing' in Texas on Christmas Day get covered here?  Jawa Report has an update about it.  It does really look like an honor killing, at least in part. 

107 Well in my case if I am not insured then I may lose my job.

Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 08:50 AM (s7mIC)

Do you really not see the difference between a private employer requiring something and the state requiring something?

108 Posted by: Y-not at December 29, 2011 08:53 AM (5H6zj)

It was talked about in the comments yesterday.

109 New unemployment claims up 15,000.

110

Morning, all!

I'm not even going to preface this one with a witty comment.  I'm just going to come flat out and say it.

What. The. FUCK. Are we still doing in the UN?

UN Orders flags lowered to half-staff to mark the funeral of Kim Jong Il

(Reuters) - U.N. offices around the world lowered their flags to half-staff to mark the funeral of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Wednesday in a move the world body said was routine but which prompted objections from some human rights activists.

In New York, where the flag outside U.N. headquarters was lowered, spokesman Eduardo del Buey said the gesture had been requested by Pyongyang's U.N. mission but was normal for the funeral of any head of state.

"It's a matter of protocol," he said...

Why would I expect anything but this?  Seriously, am I insane?

H/T Weasel Zippers.

111 @103: I think Heather meant that the colonoscopy itself doesn't eliminate the polyps; it just discovers them. The wife is about to set out to the hospital for her own biopsy... She can be an odd bird; refuses to have me take her. She actually resented I was being extra nice and affectionate, because it made her feel like I thought she was dying.

112 A kerosene heater is a potentially dangerous primitive device and needs to be maintained for reliable and safe performance. I disassemble mine at last once a season, clean and trim the wick if needed, and replace the wick about every other year.  If you are willing to do that, it is a nice heater adjunct (and it still works when you are without power for days).
I also never fill the tank in the house and keep the stored kerosene well away from any open flames.

Posted by: Hrothgar at December 29, 2011 08:32 AM (i3+c5)

I wish everybody who owned a kerosene heater was as careful as you- I would have gotten a lot more sleep in the 70's and seen a lot less sadness.

113 Do you really not see the difference between a private employer requiring something and the state requiring something?

Well in my case my employer is the state.

But the point here is that you are complaining about being forced to prove that you have health insurance, and blaming it on Mitt Romney, when that same scenario already exists for a lot of people who are not subject to a mandate.

114 The wife is about to set out to the hospital for her own biopsy... She can be an odd bird; refuses to have me take her. She actually resented I was being extra nice and affectionate, because it made her feel like I thought she was dying. Posted by: CoolCzech at December 29, 2011 08:57 AM (niZvt) My experience has been that anything I do in a situation like that will be wrong, so I just apologize in advance now a days

115 AP not even pretending to swathe their lies in believability anymore:

In Iowa, Obama toils while GOP roars, then departs

Even the low-information voters know the SCOAMF is in Hawaii on vacation.

116 @110: No way is the concentration camp called "North Korea" a legitimate state.

117 @103: I think Heather meant that the colonoscopy itself doesn't eliminate the polyps; it just discovers them.

But it does. They remove the polyps as part of the colonoscopy.

118 60 Ace will need to be physically restrained and heavily medicated.

So a regular Thursday then.

Posted by: DaveA at December 29, 2011 08:20 AM (aHWbA)
Belly laughs like this is why I come to this place.

119 I think Heather meant that the colonoscopy itself doesn't eliminate the polyps; it just discovers them.

Yup. Getting a colonoscopy does not PREVENT polyps from forming in the future.

120 @114: I think you're right about that.

121 Thanks for the news Vic. Glad Sheila Jackson Lee is in Houston not SAT. Got down to 35 last night.

122 Well in my case my employer is the state.

Ah well see I work for a private company and this is a wide gulf of difference between the two.

But the point here is that you are complaining about being forced to prove that you have health insurance, and blaming it on Mitt Romney, when that same scenario already exists for a lot of people who are not subject to a mandate.

No, the point is that the state is forcing my employer to take arcane measures to protect themselves.  I already waived coverage with them, they know that.  They want employees who waive coverage to sign a statement to cover their own asses in case I claim to the state I didn't get offered health insurance.  They wouldn't give a shit otherwise.  It's the result of overreach of the government.  The only thing this law has done is hassle the law-abiding.

The fact that other people have this is meaningless.  They can choose to work for those employers.  My only option is to pack up and leave the state and hope this law doesn't go national.

Your rejoinder is, "Oh, it isn't such a big deal."  Well, to me it is.

123

It struck me as a very intellectually lazy article, to be frank.  I'm glad he rejects Romney, but I don't really see that he made the case for it being down to Newt as the only other choice. 

He couched it in terms of candidates that he considered actually had a chance to win the nomination. From his column:

"Barring some astonishing surprise, the contest for the Republican nomination for president boils down to Mitt Romney versus Newt Gingrich. It is doubtful whether either of them is anyone's idea of an ideal candidate or a model of consistency."

From reading the piece it seems that he isn't particularly enamored with either of them but he's decided to choose the one that he considers has the greater accomplishments.

124 I read the sidebar ethanol subsidy story.  What very strange bedfellows joined in the vote to end the subsidy.  Now if we can just get repeal of the mandate to add it to your gasoline.  Yes, I work in the oil industry.  No, we're not going to run out of carbon fuel for at least 500 years.  No, the polar bears aren't going to die from Faked Warming Science.  Corn is for whisky, Fritos and tortillas.

125 But it does. They remove the polyps as part of the colonoscopy.

Posted by: Vic at December 29, 2011 09:00 AM (YdQQY)

Vic is correct.

126 Posted by: Aunt Cranky at December 29, 2011 09:01 AM (JoeF6)

Aunt Cranky -- did you see the thread which contained the HK, AR-15 clone?

127 Got down to 35 last night.

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 29, 2011 09:02 AM (nOFwj)

And, up to 70 for the rest of the year.

128 Okay a question.  Not meant to offend, seriously, but I do think it is something to consider.

How much of Rick Perry's support here comes from the fact that he is a fellow Southerner?  And not just physically, but culturally - he has the Southern drawl, he has a typical Southern story (grew up poor, went to a big-name state university, joined the military, devout Christian, good family man), he has that down-home want-to-have-a-beer-with-him feel about him.  I suppose Newt and Luap Nor are technically Southerners but they do not exude the same cultural "Southern-ness" that Rick Perry does.  And if we are to throw "electability" concerns aside, as we are instructed to do in the case of Mitt Romney, then why not support someone like Bachmann or Santorum, who are definitely "purer" ideologically than Rick Perry is?  I think the answer, deep down, is because they aren't Southerners and so they don't share the same cultural affinity with a lot of people here who are from the South.

Now I don't think that explains the entire thing, after all Ace endorsed Perry and Ace is hardly a Southerner, but I do think it is something to think about.

I don't mean to offend, I openly confess I am not a Southerner and, to be honest, I do get a little irritated when certain Southerners try to hoodwink me with their folksy ways.  And so that is a bit of the resistance that I feel with Rick Perry. 

Anyway, your thoughts.

129 She actually resented I was being extra nice and affectionate, because it made her feel like I thought she was dying.

Actually, I get that. My father was slightly pissed at us when we all turned up to visit him in FL. He actually asked, "You're here because I'm dying, right?"

130 Posted by: billygoat at December 29, 2011 09:07 AM (6DDE+)
A colonoscopy procedure involves removal of polyps that appear suspicious and flags your predilection to having more polyps that may appear in the future.  As far as I know, it is the only way to assess the presence and extent of colon cancer.
Not a doctor, but have far less colon that I once had.

131 Retread at December 29, 2011 08:39 AM

Thank you for that.

Who would know, if you din't read this blog?

132 #111 - Can we trade spouses? Mine is a doctor so unless you have an open wound where you can see the bone he is not impressed. After his colonoscopy he was doing sprints in the parking lot, under the influence of the drugs. The colonoscopy before that, he asked the doc if he found and hamsters .....

133

Polo is really very exciting (especially indoor/collegiate polo).  It's like hockey with 1000 lb players. 

Posted by: Y-not at December 29, 2011 08:50 AM (5H6zj)

Polo is a rough game.  I didnÂ’t think the wife would like it, but now we try to get to a few matches every year.

134 I support Perry and I am from the Midwest.

My support is based on the fact that he will definitely go after Obama instead of playing nice, he is a military veteran (which I think important in a CIC when we are at war), his track record on job creation (actually not destroying jobs is a better way of putting it) and the fact that he will push for drilling in the Gulf and other places so that we will have a reliable domestic source of oil.  Also he will support Israel and not insult the UK.

135 Chemjeff, NE conservative here. I have been firmly in Perry's camp since he announced. Full disclosure, though. I grew up on the Eastern Shore of MD. While not exactly "southern" the attitudes leaned that direction.

136 The colonoscopy before that, he asked the doc if he found and hamsters .....

LOL. And did he?

137

Seeing this info graphic (from Business Insider) about what happens on the Net every 60 seconds, is eye opening. SOPA will inhibit some of this activity greatly, and without ever touching a bad actor, an intentional thief pirate. It will impact site operators greatly, which will trickle down to box all of us. Additionally, just think if you could monetize that email count! Here is the graphic: http://tinyurl.com/br886eu

138 And if we are to throw "electability" concerns aside, as we are instructed to do in the case of Mitt Romney, then why not support someone like Bachmann or Santorum, who are definitely "purer" ideologically than Rick Perry is?  I think the answer, deep down, is because they aren't Southerners and so they don't share the same cultural affinity with a lot of people here who are from the South.

I think it's a lot more simple than that. Perry's the governor of a very conservative state and his state's done very well economically. If the roles were reversed I believe many more people would be on the Bachmann/Santorum bandwagon. In short I don't think culture has as much to do with this as you believe; if it did, Perry would be polling a lot better in the southern primary states.

139 Obama hit the links, spending nearly seven hours at the KoÂ’olau golf club with Mike Ramos, Greg Orme and long-time friend Robert Titcomb, who earlier this year plead no contest to soliciting a prostitute in Honolulu.
 Your are who your friends are

140 126 Posted by: Aunt Cranky at December 29, 2011 09:01 AM (JoeF6)

Aunt Cranky -- did you see the thread which contained the HK, AR-15 clone?

Our roommate posted a pic of it on my Facebook wall.  People know me too well....lol.

141 How much of Rick Perry's support here comes from the fact that he is a fellow Southerner?

Not at all for me. I started out supporting Bachmann until she went off the koo-koo-for-garicil-puffs train.

142 chemjeff - that is very interesting observation. I am from the South so am not sure I can filter enough to give a completely unbiased opinion. That being said, it works both ways. I despise Romney not only ideologically but because he comes off as an arrogant, slick "Yankee" who thinks he knows better that us unwashed masses, much like Obama. However, I like Palin (not enough to elect her), Bachman and Santorum. Bachman is from my mother's home state so I am totally familiar with the accent and mannerisms, etc. From long observation of Perry here in Texas, what impresses me most are two equally important things: he can learn from his mistakes and he can get things done politically. I think he can get rid of gridlock. It would not be perfect, ideologically but he would get us moving again.

143 Just fired up Lonesome Dove as wife left for bridge. Popped up some pop corn. Later will come beer and bourbon.

144 The New York Times think Southern food is undignified. I think I need to go eat a stick of butter.

145 Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 09:10 AM (s7mIC)

Nearly all of the Republican primary voters I know want Perry to win (youngest college age brother is a Nor Luap cultist, oh well, at least he's not a liberal) and I'm in NY. Granted, I've been shilling for Perry hard since he got in so I've probably had an undue influence on those I know. The Southern thing is true to an extent though, but not the way you mean. I usually find Republicans around here genuinely like Perry, but are afraid that the media will use his accent to make him out to be a Bush clone.

146 Glad to report no hamsters. Now about that flashlight.... If you want a fun book written by doctors for doctors try the "Placebo Chronicles". The anecdotes are hilarious. Lots of xrays with really strange things stuck up people's butts.

147 How much of Rick Perry's support here comes from the fact that he is a fellow Southerner? <...>

Anyway, your thoughts.

Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 09:10 AM (s7mIC)

I doubt it has as much to do with it as you seem to think it does. I'm from the Deep South and have lived there my whole life except 6 years in New Hampshire and now a year and a half in Virginia (I'm in my early 50s), and it's got virtually zero to do with why I'm supporting him. He's been a successful and mostly conservative governor of a huge state for a lot of years. He can do the job. Period. I could care less what state he's from. As for "being a Southerner" is concerned, I expect a lot of people from the Deep South wouldn't consider someone from Texas a "Southerner" anyway...they'd first think of him as a Texan or westerner or some such. (shrug) Short answer...it's got nothing to do with me supporting him; others would have to speak for themselves.

148 #144 Make sure you deep fry that butter! It tastes great that way!

149

Colorado has caucuses (caucii?) Like Iowa. I need to find out how I storm those gates.

 

150

How much of Rick Perry's support here comes from the fact that he is a fellow Southerner? 

Tough question for me. I'm not from the south, but lived in Texas for 4 years and Louisiana for 2 years now.

There are characteristics about Southerners that I like and respect.

For instance, it's not just that Perry was in the military, it's how he's reached out to injured vets (will try to find a link).

I have nothing against candidates from other places. Was never convinced about Bachmann and she said the Guardisil thing and that was that. I don't have anything against Santorum specifically. I lived in New Jersey went he was in PA and he's just never been very interesting.

151

Two unrelated stories that made me chuckle.

1) Chavez: America Might Be Spreading Cancer as a Weapon (Bloomberg)

Chavez, speaking a day after Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, said the Central Intelligence Agency was behind chemical experiments in Guatemala in the 1940s and that itÂ’s possible that in years to come a plot will be uncovered that shows the U.S. spread cancer as a political weapon against its critics.

“It’s very difficult to explain, even with the law of probabilities, what has been happening to some of us in Latin America,” Chavez said in a nationally televised speech to the military. “Would it be so strange that they’ve invented technology to spread cancer and we won’t know about it for 50 years?”

Wow.  Someone should send him a spray bottle of vinegar to break up the evil chemtrails America is using to afflict world leaders with cancer.

 

2) Time to unoccupy? Occupy Santa Fe leaders ready to pack up Railyard camp, citing drunks and conflicts (The Santa Fe New Mexican)

"I wouldn't say it's reached the end of its usefulness because obviously the physical occupation and the willingness of activists to put their bodies out there 24/7 continues to be a really strong statement," he said.

"It's mostly that the Occupy movement is picking up and having to deal with problems our society does not deal with — specifically in this case homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction — and that's made the camp have to spend so much energy on those issues. ... It's made the political encampment very difficult."

Oh really?  Oh you poor dears.  Excuse me while I drip lemon juice in my eyes to try and conjure some tears to shed on your behalf.

 

(H/T WZ for both stories)

152 he has a typical Southern story (grew up poor, went to a big-name state university, joined the military, devout Christian, good family man), he has that down-home want-to-have-a-beer-with-him feel about him. Is that really a "Southern" story or more of a conservative story? I'm a Yankee girl, okay Colorado but we're taught to mock Texans from our cradles, and that's a background similar to many people I know. Does his background make me more willing to overlook things I disagree with him about? Maybe, but his record and platform do still matter. For the record, I'm still undecided but like Perry best of our options.

153 "an opportunistic politician who will sell his mother in order to get on the perceived 'winning side'"

But you repeat yourself.

154 How much of Rick Perry's support here comes from the fact that he is a fellow Southerner?
-----
Born in PA of MA parents, grew up in MD, schooled in VT, got married to a New Englander and lived in IL, MA, TX, IN, CA, and UT. 

Why this fixation on regionalism?  Looking for a(nother) reason to dismiss him or us? 

155

Occupy Denver recently went out in a blaze of unglory

 

156

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, a government report showed on Thursday, but the underlying trend continued to point to improving labor market conditions.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 381,000, the Labor Department said. The prior week's claims data was revised up to 366,000 from the previously reported 364,000.

Of course it is, and your chocolate ration is increasing, comrades!

157 he has a typical Southern story (grew up poor, went to a big-name state university, joined the military, devout Christian, good family man), he has that down-home want-to-have-a-beer-with-him feel about him.

Many similarities to Palin, including the willingness to shoot a gun. At an animal!!1!

158 I live in northern NJ, and work in NYC - have been a Perry supporter from the day he announced. I think he's the most conservative candidate we have and I know he will take it to Obummer throughout the year. I also tend to think - who would I want in charge if another 9/11 were to happen? Of all the candidates - he would be the one I would want in charge. Of course I am also biased - my father-in-law is a retired Air Force Lieutenant, so I like that about him; and I watch HGTV Texas episodes dreaming about owning a huge house for under $200k, lol. (runs back to lurking around here)

159

How much of Rick Perry's support here comes from the fact that he is a fellow Southerner?

I don't care where a candidate comes from, what their religion is, what color they are or if they have a hoohah instead of a peepee. As long as their political beliefs are aligned with mine.

160 chemjeff, I'd lean a bit more to my dislike of NE Republicans in general. Most of the examples I see are like the Maine sisters, Scott Brown, and Romney himself. They just aren't my idea of conservatives.
 
If you go too far west in your hunt for a viable R candidate, you hit the Left Coast. The midwest and upper midwest has been largely Dem for quite a while, though change is in the air.
 
So that takes the search for viable conservative Rs to below the Mason-Dixon line, or the emptier Western states.
 
I'm just speaking in generalities. There's plenty of possible exceptions like Scott Walker.
 

161 Why this fixation on regionalism?  Looking for a(nother) reason to dismiss him or us? 

Posted by: Y-not at December 29, 2011 09:36 AM (5H6zj)

Why do you think I am dismissing you?  that hurt.

I think that culture plays a stronger influence than we are likely to give it credit for.  That is why I think many mushy-headed moderates are turned off by conservatives: not because they disagree with conservatives on the issues per se, but because they perceive conservatives as being "icky" on some cultural barometer (redneck Bible-thumping hayseeds, or something).

162 I think a lot of northerners support him because we live in blue states and we know how much it sucks.

163

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, a government report showed on Thursday, but the underlying trend continued to point to improving labor market conditions.

I guess "more than expected" is the new "unexpectedly."

 

164 I think it's a lot more simple than that. Perry's the governor of a very conservative state

I really contest that Texas is "very conservative."  I moved there from Massachusetts in the early 90s and lived there about 6.5 years.  It felt quite balanced to me. 

Utah (where I live now) is a very conservative state.  Texas is a red state with a strong Democrat party. 

165

>or the emptier Western states.

Empty? Colorado is chock full of awesome

166 chemjeff,  That is because we have allowed the left to characterize us for too long.  A great deal of the blame goesto the Hollywood/television news people,  who generally are liberal and have spent years amking conservatives out to be the villains in everything from cartoons to Broadway stage plays.

However,  another portion of the blame comes from those of us (myself being one) who tend to avoid confrontation and so keep silent when the stupidity is being pushed in family and social gatherings.  I am trying to speak up a bit,  but it is very hard to do in my family,  since the democrat portion is very loud and wants to bully you into submission.

167 Obama hit the links, spending nearly seven hours at the KoÂ’olau golf club with Mike Ramos, Greg Orme and long-time friend Robert Titcomb, who earlier this year plead no contest to soliciting a prostitute in Honolulu.



Your are who your friends are

Posted by: nevergiveup at December 29, 2011 09:22 AM (i6RpT)

I'm sure that the MFM will be all over no where near that story

168

Oh really?  Oh you poor dears.  Excuse me while I drip lemon juice in my eyes to try and conjure some tears to shed on your behalf.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Hobbit at December 29, 2011 09:33 AM (4df7R)

Okay that made me snort.  That's a big deal around here.

169 > but because they perceive conservatives as being "icky" on some cultural barometer (redneck Bible-thumping hayseeds, or something).

Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 09:40 AM (s7mIC)

 

This is very true. The Left in this country OWNS cultural bias. They perceive a southern accent as evidence of mental retardation. Recall that famous cartoon in the New Yorker that showed no signs of civilization west of the Hudson River.

170 Our roommate posted a pic of it on my Facebook wall.  People know me too well....lol.

Posted by: Aunt Cranky at December 29, 2011 09:23 AM (JoeF6)

HEH!

171 Why do you think I am dismissing you?  that hurt.

Gee, you acknowledged in your post that it was an offensive question.

You appear to be casting about - without any data as a foundation - for a reason to explain why people could possibly support a candidate you dismiss. 

If you had come with some polls (even with their flaws) showing that Perry's support is primarily from southerners and then asked us Perry supporters if that was the factor in our support, that might be one thing.  But without any data to suggest that his support was regionalism you assumed that it was his regional ties that drew his support. 

If you want to admit you have problems with Texans or Southerners, that's one thing.

If you want to know why we support Perry, that's another. 

But that's not what you asked.  You asked us to confess to our irrational reasons for supporting him. 

172 However, another portion of the blame comes from those of us (myself being one) who tend to avoid confrontation and so keep silent when the stupidity is being pushed in family and social gatherings. I am trying to speak up a bit, but it is very hard to do in my family, since the democrat portion is very loud and wants to bully you into submission. YES! My (former Repub, former finance guy, now "farmer") brother and his wife are looney liberals (thanks to HER) and whenever they are around you cannot bring up politics b/c they are so obnoxious. The yea/boo is: yea - they moved to North Carolina to live "off the grid" and start an "organic farm" so they're not around as much and boo - they moved to North Carolina to further drag the state down.

173

The Left in this country OWNS cultural bias. They perceive a southern accent as evidence of mental retardation.

When we moved to Louisiana it was fall--hunting season, that is. I was used to seeing people out and about in hunting gear, but there were also some men walking around stores and malls wearing overalls.

I'd never seen people just wearing them around. While fixing machinery, okay, but other than that, it was on TV and it was a visual cue for someone dumb and Southern, right?

Now I'm used to it. Almost.

174 Posted by: Miss Marple at December 29, 2011 09:44 AM (GoIUi)

Thankfully, my family is almost entirely conservative.  That said, I'm frequently in social positions where I'm outnumbered by Libs.  I've been around too long to be nice...I usually just go for their throats in any argument...not trying to convert and / or win friends.

175 >>but because they perceive conservatives as being "icky" on some cultural barometer (redneck Bible-thumping hayseeds, or something).
Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 09:40 AM (s7mIC)

Pure brainwash. Rinse and repeat.

You are projecting your own reservations on others since you are either not really conservative or are in the midst of a conversion.

I'm from the NE (over 50yrs) and my only concerns about Perry are

1 is he a real conservative?

2 can he articulate it in such a way so as to move the squishy middle regardless of the MFM's constant attacks, since so far he makes W sound like a Rhodes Scholar?

176

Empty? Colorado is chock full of awesome

Posted by: Jones at December 29, 2011 09:42 AM (8sCoq)

I said I was speaking in generalities, and by emptier I meant population wise. I knew I cast my net too big.

Tell me the name a good conservative Colorado GOPer I need to keep my eye on for future national office? Honestly I can't think of one.

177 chemjeff, you're think too deeply about what the squishy moderates believe. It has nothing to do with Southerness, or conservativism, or whatever, it's about being fired up to be on the winning team, little else matters to them. Let me give you an example:

Mugiwara's friend: "So you're voting for Romney, right?"

Mugiwara: "Meh, he's far better than Obama, but the bar is set pretty low. I guess I'll vote for him in the unlikely scenario that NY comes into play, but I'll probably just vote third party and hope Obama gets defeated in the states that matter."

Another scenario, Mugiwara's friend: "So you're voting for Perry, right?"

Mugiwara: "Hells yes! It's about damn time the GOP nominated a candidate I can feel good about voting for!"

I have these friends. Substitute Romney with McCain and you have the conversations I had with them in 2008. Give the base a candidate they can get fired up about, and you win the squishes. Give us another McCain, and 2012 becomes a hell of a lot harder to win over the moderates.

178 Another Perry supporter from NY here. Essentially for the same reasons others cite - successful governor of a successful state. Not afraid to go after Obama, seems to be solid conservative. But I will be voting ABO.

179 Southerners try to hoodwink me with their folksy ways.  And so that is a bit of the resistance that I feel with Rick Perry. 

Anyway, your thoughts.

Folksy ways are not something we use to hoodwink people with. It is how we are. I lived ,many years 'up north' and realize the perceptions. I think a lessened amount of rudeness is a positive. Now, we will still knife you in the back, but with a little honey-drip.
Ask the Texas Trial Lawyers about Perry.

180

>>Why do you think I am dismissing you?  that hurt.

Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 09:40 AM (s7mIC)

And do yourself a favor, don't get "hurt". That's a weakness that leftists exploit while they encourage you to emote about injustice and other failures of capitalism, even as they are organizing a permanent strangling "hurt" to western culture and advanced living standards.

181 146 Glad to report no hamsters. Now about that flashlight....

If you want a fun book written by doctors for doctors try the "Placebo Chronicles". The anecdotes are hilarious. Lots of xrays with really strange things stuck up people's butts.

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 29, 2011 09:29 AM (nOFwj)

Years ago, I read a book by Howard Stern  I know, I know ... 

Anyway, he related a story a Doctor friend told him. A man presented at the ER with extreme pain in his lower colon. The reason? In an attempt to create a custom sex toy, he had performed a headstand against a wall, while his boyfriend poured Sakrete into his bunghole. It dried, and because your colon is not a smooth thub, it didn't come out they way they had anticipated. Hours later, with the aid of a local, muscle relaxants, an enema tube, etc., the Sakrete was removed. In it were embedded 3 ping pong balls the couple had forgotten were up there.

Truth is stranger than fiction. Every time.

182 175 Posted by: Miss Marple at December 29, 2011 09:44 AM (GoIUi)

Thankfully, my family is almost entirely conservative.  That said, I'm frequently in social positions where I'm outnumbered by Libs.  I've been around too long to be nice...I usually just go for their throats in any argument...not trying to convert and / or win friends.

Posted by: billygoat at December 29, 2011 09:50 AM (6DDE+)

In my experience, this is the best way to turn moderates into conservatives. It sucks for me, because my more liberal friends now avoid political arguments around me knowing I will mercilessly mock their retarded positions, but I have managed to pull a few fence sitters over to our side. There's nothing the fence sitters enjoy more than watching someone get skewered, that's why the liberals love to employ mock and ridicule, the only real trump to win the non-ideological fence sitters is stirring in a little reason alongside the mock and ridicule, of which the liberals have none of, they rely on you keeping silent.

183 Y-not, I don't dismiss Perry.  I am simply not in the tank for him.  I'm not in the tank for anyone yet, really.  I like Romney more than others, but for the record I haven't donated any money to any candidate yet.  I have said before that I am about 55/45 Romney/Perry at this point.

I knew my question had the potential to be perceived as offensive, that is why I posted the disclaimer, but when viewed analytically, I did not think it was an offensive question though.

But without any data to suggest that his support was regionalism you assumed that it was his regional ties that drew his support. 

Now you are stretching too far what I actually wrote.  I inquired about how much cultural influences had on his support.  I didn't assume it was due SOLELY to him being from Texas.  I even admitted Ace isn't a Southerner and yet he endorsed Perry.  I agree he has an impressive record and that Texas has done quite well economically.  I know you are a strong supporter of him even though you are not a Southerner.  I know there is support for him that doesn't involve regional ties.  I was asking a question, in the spirit of openness I thought, among people here on this blog (not some national poll), how much cultural influences had to play.

Now I will confess that my question was a little bit passive-aggressive, yes.  I am irritated that there are quite a few people in the tank for Perry who say "don't fall for the 'electability' myth" when it comes to Romney, but who simultaneously say "I can't support Santorum, he couldn't even win his own state!!!" (i.e., not electable).  There does seem to be a double standard.

And I will also say that there are some things about the South that I just don't get.  I don't understand the worship of firearms, for instance.  I am a Yankee, and a city-slicker to boot.  Do I bear some prejudice against the South?  Maybe a little, sure.

But it was not at all my intention to demand that you or anyone else "confess" to "irrational reasons" for supporting him.  Please don't get defensive about it.  Even for someone to support him for the sole reason that he is from Texas isn't really irrational, anyway - it is rational tribalism, the idea that someone from one's own tribe can be trusted more than someone from another tribe.

So it appears I offended you Y-not, and I am sorry about that.

184 On another subject, Glenn Reynolds wants more federal laws??

Under Mayor Bloomberg, New York’s nothing like the Bible Belt, of course — it’s much less civilized and much more repressive.. And just like black people visiting the South in the 1930s, gun owners today need to realize that irrational prejudice and legal persecution are a risk when visiting these benighted places. This is why we need national civil rights laws to protect gun owners wherever they go.

Assuming y'all can find his blog without me linking it...scroll below the chart...

185 164 Utah (where I live now) is a very conservative state.  Texas is a red state with a strong Democrat party.

Yeah, but you live in Utah County.  I know you come up to Salt Lake a lot, but I suspect if you lived in, oh, Park City or Sugarhouse you'd say Utah was merely a very conservative state (no underscore. )

186 Now I have to run for a doctor's appointment, see you all later.

ontherocks: please, personal emotions are not a partisan thing

187   I don't understand the worship of firearms, for instance.

I grew up in the SF Bay Area, so I grew up around people who hated them. There was one family friend who had them (he wasn't from there, of course) and let me try one out. I was happy to have a little knowledge of them instead of not having a clue which way to point it.

How can I put this? It seems more genuine to me to acknowledge that they are useful tools than to be totally afraid of them and want to ban them.

They are useful tools and sporting, too, so people collect them, use them, want more, etc.

My mom still thinks they are yucky and rolls her eyes about her Texas neighbors who love them. I finally flat out told her she should have one when she goes on walks miles from other humans but with lots of wild animals. Deadly wild animals. Lots of deadly wild animals.

I've never hunted and probably never will. I eat meat though, so I can't think that I'm better in any way than those who actually kill their own.

188 Assuming y'all can find his blog without me linking it...scroll below the chart... Just Bing "puppy blender".

189 >>  I don't understand the worship of firearms, for instance.  I am a Yankee, and a city-slicker to boot.  Do I bear some prejudice against the South?  Maybe a little, sure.

>>ontherocks: please, personal emotions are not a partisan thing
Posted by: chemjeff at December 29, 2011 10:13 AM (s7mIC)

_{I do have several cutting responses for the concerns that you express, but I wouldn't want to "hurt" you.}

_{And good luck at the gynecologist.}

190 I don't understand the worship of firearms, for instance. I don't worship firearms. I demand my RKBA, and I do so because I have no faith in the totalitarian, collectivist left's self-restraint when it comes to implementing their agenda. The only thing stopping Obama from stepping up to being Pol Pot is the millions of firearms in private hands in this country.

191 "Worship of firearms" strikes me as the most telling comment made by Chemjeff. It's such a fundamental misunderstanding, I don't even know if it's possible to overcome. Let me try. Let's just say, for those of us who own firearms, part of it is about the enjoyment of them. They're fun to shoot, and for those who use guns for hunting, very practical. In this sense, it wouldn't make any sense to suggest somebody who likes to fish "worships their fishing poles." More importantly, the knowledge of how to use a firearm is important to anyone who would consider themselves to be their first line of defense against an attack. If somebody breaks into my house, I'm going to defend myself, rather than wait for somebody else to come to my rescue. Perhaps most importantly, people who believe in the Constitution believe we have a responsibility to be ready and able to defend our liberty, not just from the random criminal attacker, but from those enemies we know are there. If it becomes necessary to take up arms as a people, against those who would enslave us, we can and will. And in this way, I think it's at least as important to encourage ALL citizens to believe that WE are a free people, not just the governed. I'm not a southerner. I support Rick Perry in part because I believe he would agree with everything I just said. Romney? I sincerely doubt it.

192 Firearms are the greatest equalizers in the history of mankind.  With them, an 80lb woman can successfully defend herself against a man who's built like an NFL lineman with a bad attitude, or a minority group can defend itself against a pogrom.

193 I never said I wanted to ban guns. This is part of what I don't understand. I either have to (1) like guns and have a full gun rack, or (2) hate guns and want to ban them. I am neither. I don't like guns but I don't want to ban them.

194 The freedom to bear arms is simply Freedom Itself.

195 "Perhaps most importantly, people who believe in the Constitution believe we have a responsibility to be ready and able to defend our liberty"

Think Switzerland.

196 >>The only thing stopping Obama from stepping up to being Pol Pot is the millions of firearms in private hands in this country.
Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 29, 2011 10:30 AM(p7SSh)

Funny how that never gets mentioned on "the city slicker" 11 o'clock news that is usually filled with stories of bad people shooting off those bad guns that hurt people.

Bad bad guns

_{I know this because I saw it on TV News.}

197 Given Vic et al.'s sentiments, I submit the following.

198 #195 Or as I like to say, the Second Amendment is the one that secures all the others.  And I 've never owned a gun and probably never will, though I enjoy looking at them.  I hope lots and lots of people own lots and lots of them. 

199 Woops, bad sock!!

200 Posted by: Maureen Dowd

Hmm.  I searched in vain for the unspoken 'boy'.

201 chemjeff, yeh, people do tend to be at one extreme or the other. I don't think it's because of the guns themselves, just because of the politics about them.

When you've got a bunch of people wanting to ban them and constantly lying about "statistics" (see another InstaPundit story today re Denver Post article), then the people who are pro-guns feel the need to be loud about it.

Or shut up about it in real life around people who hate them and then come here and be free to be loud about it!

202 Perry is not as popular in TX as people outside TX thinks he is. He is an okay placeholder but he definitely isn't anything special. He has had the incumbent advantage in his elections and the if it ain't broke don't fix it voter support.

203 Forget the Hello Kitty rifle.  Have you seen this?

http://tinyurl.com/2bk2da

204 191 is part of the worship I am referring to. You think your guns are stopping Obama from becoming Pol Pot??? You place undue importance on your guns. Obama isn't a murderous tyrant. This is ODS territory.

205 191 is part of the worship I am referring to. You think your guns are stopping Obama from becoming Pol Pot??? You place undue importance on your guns. Obama isn't a murderous tyrant. This is ODS territory. Go fuck yourself, emo. Did I say it was *my* guns?

206 For the record, I have enough guns to arm a small militia and I'm not done yet.

207 Obama isn't a murderous tyrant.

All Proggers are murderous tyrants at heart.  They just lack the power to execute it.

208 FRONT you are an idiot who makes us all look bad when you idiotically compare Obama to Pol Pot

209 In my book, the worst thing any man could ever do is to murder an infant. Obama voted against the Illinois BAIPA law that would outlaw the actual practice of murdering infants born alive during botched abortions and spoke on the record against its passage because it *might* put the state on the slippery slope to further restrictions on abortions. Monsters walk among us.

210 Obama isn't a murderous tyrant.

Yet.

Though he does tend to back murderous tyrants.

211 FRONT you are an idiot who makes us all look bad when you idiotically compare Obama to Pol Pot Listen, you emo: I do not care how you want to look in front of you leftard friends. What's the problem? If you don't come out with an ODS diagnosis on top of your astute idolatry assessment, your leftard colleagues will stop letting you lick the sweat off their balls around your office? My views are mine. You are free to disagree with them, but throwing bullshit pop psychology is a distinctly leftard tactic. If you don't think this shoe fits, then don't wear it.

212 >>FRONT you are an idiot who makes us all look bad when you idiotically compare Obama to Pol Pot
Posted by: chemjeff on the phone at December 29, 2011 10:52 AM (RJzmI)

Don't count me as one of the us that you're talking about dearie.

Lightweights like yourself, that get "hurt" and don't want anyone to get the "wrong idea" about your perceptions of icky conservatives or southerners, are just enabling the totalitarian left with your ridicule of people that understand rights and freedoms, and your failure to recognize those that would take them away more quickly and forcefully without the 2nd amendment.

US?

_{I'm hurt.}

213 Hey look you assholes, if you want 4 more years of Obama then keep it up with the Obama = Pol Pot idiocy. Because normal people will be rightly turned off by the stupid. This isn't about pleasing leftists, this is about appearing sane in public.

214

214 “ Hey look you assholes…”

Posted by: chemjeff on the phone at December 29, 2011 11:22 AM (RJzmI)

WasnÂ’t that the title of Dale CarnegieÂ’s first book?

215

>>Because normal people will be rightly turned off by the stupid.

Posted by: chemjeff on the phone at December 29, 2011 11:22 AM (RJzmI)

I think you meant leftly turned off.

When you get a minute define normal people. I can wait.

That opus will be a real eye opener.

216 @184
Sorry, I don't buy it. 

You, as do many Romney supporters (even the less enthusiastic ones like yourself), assume that the basis for other non-viable candidates' support must be irrational.  You guys have done the cold, hard "electability" calculation.  Your guy is the "rational" choice.  Our guys (or gals) are not. 

You may not have called us stupid or cultists the way many of the Romney supporters do (we know who those are) because you're a nice guy, but that is the core of your question.  And that's why you apologized in advance for asking it. 

If you want to examine the emotional factors going into each of the candidates' bases of support, let's do it.  Why not start with dissecting the ones underlying Romney's support, since he's the candidate you favor? 


I'm not offended, but I've watched you talk yourself into compromising your principles far too early in this process and I'm calling you on it. 

217 yeah sure because all rivht thinking people believe there's no difference between a mass murdering tyeant and Obama you are the converse of the Bush = Nazi assholes "normal people" = people who can make reasonable historical comparisons, not insane wild extrapolations just because they disageee politically with Obama by your metric about 98% of the country is "lefty" because they disageee with the Obama = Pol Pot hypothesis, so please explain how you will change their minds

218

Wait, Obama isn't Pol Pot? Gotta tear off that bumper sticker.....

219 chemjeff, There are only two guys in the race who have strong conservative records of governance: Perry and Gingrich. It's really that simple. Are they perfect? No. But they've been able to govern conservatively because they come from conservative states. Hold that thought. As for Romney- he and most NE Republicans come off as whipped dogs. Too polite, too ready to cringingly accept whatever crumbs are thrown them by the Dims. Why? Because that's the group of people that they have to appeal to. NE liberal Democrats. Do they ever challenge the system as Rick Perry did with the lawyers? No, you do not. Thus, you see Romney on board with both the Individual mandate and Global warming as well as other democrat nonsense. Whipped. Dog. I don't care how fast he talks or how "unfolksy" he is or how he doesn't sound "southern-dumb"- his record of governance sucks. Period. Full stop. End of sentence. Did he institute massive cuts in MA? No he did not. Where is this mysterious fortitude, which Romney has never show in his political life, going to come from? Feh. If you want to argue some kind of tribalistic nonsense, I suggest you look in the mirror.

220

Maybe Obama's not Pol Pot, but, given the record number of firearms that have been sold since he took office, many people don't think he's just benign, misguided lib either.

 

221 Hey look you assholes, if you want 4 more years of Obama then keep it up with the Obama = Pol Pot idiocy. Because normal people will be rightly turned off by the stupid. This isn't about pleasing leftists, this is about appearing sane in public. Your commenting history pretty well establishes that you are socially retarded and haven't the first clue about human nature, so please STFU with your pronouncements over things you are not equipped to even begin to understand. Which would be easier for you to do? Advocate and vote against a simple law protecting infants born alive during botched abortions, or herd people who stand in your political way into reeducation camps to facilitate eliminating tens of millions of them? If you cannot see yourself doing either, then how can you know whether anyone capable of one is not capable of the other?

222 this comment thread has taken a real "Free Republic" turn

223 imo, Obama is a tyrant and enjoys being one.
and, again in my opinion only, it's not unthinkable for sane people to fear that Obama and Holder's constant drumbeat of race and class warfare is not only encouraging violence, it is condoning it.
So, murder, mass or otherwise, is not out of the realm of possibility.

It might be a good time to put down the shovel and step away from the hole.

224 About that avatar....."Come and take it"?

Shouldn't that be "Moron Labe"?

225 Hey FRONT aka dickweed, one vote on one bill does not make someone a mass murdering tyrant. Got it? No amount of low blow ad homs from you can change your stupid insistence that one vote on one bil = STALIN MAO POL POT OMG in fact you insult the victims of such crimes by trivializing their hell

226 >>you are the converse of the Bush = Nazi assholes

And you are a very funny chick.

>>"normal people" = people who can make reasonable historical comparisons,

reasonable is pretty vague for a definition, and whose version of history are you referring to? The History Channel, Pubic Education?

You must be an idealistic and naive youngster.

227 The only thing stopping Bush from stepping up to being Hitleris the millions of giant paper maiche heads in private hands in this country.

228 Ynot now you really are being too defensive, I absolutely do not agree that support for Perry is irrational. If we didn't have to persuade a bunch of idiots in the mushy middle to support our guy the I would be 100% for Perry. But we do.

229 Answer my question, onthedick: how are you going to persuade 98% of the country that Obama = Pol Pot?

230 @101, how do they keep the horses afloat when playing indoors?

231 Hey FRONT aka dickweed, one vote on one bill does not make someone a mass murdering tyrant. Got it? Two votes and a speech. Try to get the basic facts straight so there can at least be something straight about you. No amount of low blow ad homs from you can change your stupid insistence that one vote on one bil = STALIN MAO POL POT OMG Two votes. And it is not a low blow ad hominem to point out that the basis of your argument is worry over what other people *might* think after you've spent so much drama queen time here bellyaching over how you have no fucking clue about what goes on inside other people's heads. in fact you insult the victims of such crimes by trivializing their hell Really? RKBA would have made killing over one hundred million people a little tougher for Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot last century. You insult the past and future victims of totalitarian mass murder by doing your part to promulgate the "ickiness" of guns in private hands. "Gun worship" (your words). Whatever.

232 Did Gabe catch something from Ace? He's double-posted an item Ace did.

233 @101, how do they keep the horses afloat when playing indoors?
They've got four legs so they can wear twice as many water wings. Duh!

234 Answer my question, onthedick: how are you going to persuade 98% of the country that Obama = Pol Pot? As if your social retardation isn't enough, you have to show how logically challenged you are, too? Where did anyone say that the electoral strategy is to convince people that Obama is Pol Pot without the opportunity? You are reading shit that nobody wrote. Obama is Pol Pot without the opportunity, and denying him that opportunity is why RKBA (what you call my "gun worship") is important to me. WTF does that have to do with voting Obama out of office next year, you emo?

235 >>how are you going to persuade 98% of the country that Obama = Pol Pot?
Posted by: chemjeff on the phone at December 29, 2011 12:25 PM (RJzmI)

That was your formulation, I didn't say anything remotely like that, but then you couldn't even get my name right so accuracy apparently is unimportant to you......just feelings, and being one of "us" and how "we" do it and how "we" look. 

At some point the important stuff may occur to you if you grow up in time, maybe not.

Whatever

236

This may sound grade-schoolish, but why not have the state that had the highest percentage voter turnout the previous national election cycle go first? Reward the people who gave a rats-ass with a say in the next election and leave the the people who couldn't be bothered to vote with the limited options?  

It's no less meaningful than having the All-Star game determine which league is "Home" for the World Series.

 

 

237 Hey look FRONT you Freeper asshole, I don't care how many votes or speeches it was, do you know what makes someone a Pol Pot? Dictatorial power. Concentration camps. ACTUALLY KILLING PEOPLE. You'll need to be able to persuade people of your ingenious Obama = Pol Pot hypothesis because if you can't, they will run screaming from you and will want nothing to do with your crazy ass. And then Obama gets reelected. And guesz what I am PRO RKBA myself. I just don't want to own a gun. Is that not good enough for you? Oh no you are just like one of the butthurt libs who demand "tolerance", in this case for gun rights, when what you really want is for everyone to adopt those same choices in their personal lives. Well I am pro choice when it comes to guns and if that is not good enough for you then too fucking bad. Now go back to your survivalist bunker and play with your gold and your guns and STFU for 11 months while the non-crazy among us attempt to persuade the mushy middle that they shouldn't vote for Obama.

238

For sanity's sake, substitute "President X "  for "Obama". and "Genocidal Dictator X" for "Pol Pot".

 

239 Hey look FRONT you Freeper asshole, I don't care how many votes or speeches it was, do you know what makes someone a Pol Pot? Dictatorial power. Concentration camps. ACTUALLY KILLING PEOPLE. Listen, you socially retarded fucking emo, you cry and whine all the fucking time about how you don't know what makes people tick, and then you have the nerve to tell other people what makes somebody into a mass-murdering dictator? You'll need to be able to persuade people of your ingenious Obama = Pol Pot hypothesis because if you can't, they will run screaming from you and will want nothing to do with your crazy ass. And then Obama gets reelected. I've convinced myself, and that is why I am pro-RKBA. I don't give a shit about what other people think because I am not an emo little bitch like you are. And guesz what I am PRO RKBA myself. Yeah. Pissing and moaning about "gun worship" is great way to tell the world how "PRO RKBA" you are. You are the enemy within. I just don't want to own a gun. Is that not good enough for you? Oh no you are just like one of the butthurt libs who demand "tolerance", in this case for gun rights, when what you really want is for everyone to adopt those same choices in their personal lives. Well I am pro choice when it comes to guns and if that is not good enough for you then too fucking bad. Your strawman is burning, you retard, but it does nothing to distract me from sixteen-foot high, neon "GUN WORSHIP" slur you threw down. Now go back to your survivalist bunker and play with your gold and your guns and STFU for 11 months while the non-crazy among us attempt to persuade the mushy middle that they shouldn't vote for Obama. And you go back to your "normal people" leftard colleagues and lick the sweat off their balls so that they pat you on your head nice and softly for being such a good fellow traveller.

240 I disagree with this proposal as we will end up being stuck with the most liberal of all Republican candidates. Look at the states that you start the primary process with, all states that voted for Obama and prefer squishy candidates. This is absurd. We'll be left with people no better than McCain or Romney at best and often people to the left of them. It's the media that will control the process as the winners of the first few primaries will get all the attention from them and the more conservative candidates will all but be ignored. I think there's only one logical way to decide which states go first and it's a two step process. 1st, all states that have closed primaries should be allowed to have priority over open primary states. We are choosing the Republican party representative and you should be a Republican to have a say in that choice. 2nd, the first state primary should be the state that voted for the Republican Presidential candidate in the highest percentage the previous election cycle. Then each state will have their primary in descending order till you get to the most liberal states that will never vote Republican no matter who is on the ballot. This incentivizes states organization to maximize Republican voting output to guarantee the largest percentage turnout for our candidate and to move them up in the primary process.

241

Now go back to your survivalist bunker and play with your gold and your guns and STFU for 11 months while the non-crazy among us attempt to persuade the mushy middle that they shouldn't vote for Obama.

Jeff, YOU asked the question. Nobody mentioned Pol Pot before then. Why don't you just call us "bitterclingers" and be done with it? Sheesh.

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