March 05, 2014

Noah Rothman: A Whitman's Sampler of MSNBC's Most Embarrassingly Ill-Informed Mockery of Romney's "Russian Geopolitical Foe" Observation
— Ace

I wanted to post this yesterday but I figured too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

At NRO, Alec Torres lists the eight most naïve Administration statements about Russia.

Here's four of them, and we don't even get to Kerry yet:

1. President Obama, March 2012: “This is my last election. After my election I will have more flexibility.”

2. Hillary Clinton March, 2009: “We want to reset our relationship, so we will do it together.”

3. Joe Biden, July 2009: “They have a shrinking population base, they have a withering economy, they have a banking sector and structure that is not likely to be able to withstand the next 15 years, they’re in a situation where the world is changing before them, and they‘re clinging to something in the past that is not sustainable.”

4. Obama, October 2012: (Responding to Mitt Romney’s description of Russia as our greatest “geo-political foe”) “You said Russia. Not al-Qaeda. . . . The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because . . . the Cold War’s been over for 20 years.”

Biden's statement strikes me as curious. You could replace every "they" in his statement with "we, under Obama." Our population is declining (or soon will); our economy is withered and not recovering; our banking system is more of a mess than it was when Obama came into office. And of course Obama and Biden are clinging to a fantasy, the Blue Social Model, which is unsustainable.

Nice Sentence: Instapundit blind-links a quote from the Anchoress.

On Obama's foreign policy, she says: "The man's sense of himself has been over-indulged to a reckless point."

She writes:

The Obama White House is learning the hard way that presidential power requires something more substantial than an eternal marketing campaign and an endless spin-cycle, because no matter what a utopian president thinks the world should be like, the reality is this: in human life, peace is a transient thing, and in geopolitics, it is more often than not an illusion that quickly reveals itself as one. If Europe has been “at peace” these last 60 years, it’s a profound aberration in the scheme of history.
Obama (and his Secretary of State) seem to believe that humanity has — by virtue of nothing at all, except perhaps his say-so — transcended itself and entered into a we-are-stardust-we-are-golden happy place, where (in Europe, at least) nobody wants war, because everyone is loving peace.

That is a rather terrifying demonstration of naivete. Even a so-so student of human history and behavior (like me) knows that someone always wants war. Someone always wants more power. Someone is always looking for a way to avenge what they believe are past insults.


Posted by: Ace at 07:59 AM | Comments (230)
Post contains 492 words, total size 4 kb.

1 I was right first! Eat me CFR.

Posted by: Sarah Palin at March 05, 2014 08:00 AM (sOtz/)

2 Morning Ace.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 05, 2014 08:00 AM (DPkKe)

3 Tasty!

Posted by: zombie at March 05, 2014 08:01 AM (mizYg)

4 Someone got up early today.

Posted by: mugiwara at March 05, 2014 08:02 AM (KCTb/)

5 If it were not for illegals flooding across the border our population would be declining.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 05, 2014 08:02 AM (T2V/1)

6 The timing of the Klos C seizure coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the U.S., in the midst of open debates between the two governments about negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, and also the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The Klos C raid, which the IDF is calling "Operation Full Disclosure," reveals that Iran is still exporting war and terror, and that Palestinians remain committed to destroying Israel.

One of the more interesting details of the Klos C shipment is that the weapons were reportedly hidden among commercial cargo, including bags of cement. Israel has maintained a controversial quarantine of shipping to Hamas-controlled Gaza precisely because it fears that terror groups will disguise weapons and weapons-making material as ordinary cargo. It allows some goods and humanitarian aid to reach Gaza by land, after inspection.

While news of the IDF's successful raid has been overshadowed by rapid developments in the Ukraine crisis, it is a reminder that Iran is committed to escalating regional conflict even as it negotiates with the rest. Its new "moderate" president, Hassan Rouhani, has not lessened Iran's support for terror, nor has he improved his country's domestic human rights situation. "This is the real Iran," Netanyahu said in a YouTube statement.

Posted by: Kahless the Unforgettable at March 05, 2014 08:02 AM (e8kgV)

7 US population is still growing -- thanks to high levels of legal and illegal immigration. The native born white population is below replacement level, though Future belongs to those who show up.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:03 AM (ZPrif)

8
“They have a shrinking population base, they have a withering economy, they have a banking sector and structure that is not likely to be able to withstand the next 15 years, they’re in a situation where the world is changing before them, and they‘re clinging to something in the past that is not sustainable.”









Hey Plugs, that's EXACTLY why Russia is dangerous.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at March 05, 2014 08:03 AM (TIIx5)

9 The only way I can survive and not go insane is just keep chanting the mantra 2017 2017 2017 over and over, very calmly. (January 20th, to be exact.)

Posted by: zombie at March 05, 2014 08:03 AM (mizYg)

10 If you like your reset button you can keep your reset button.

Posted by: Bjork oBama at March 05, 2014 08:03 AM (QM5S2)

11 “The 1980s called, they want their foreign policy back"

And their president, too.

Posted by: TallDave at March 05, 2014 08:04 AM (lNW+B)

12 (January 20th, to be exact.)

Why, thank you!

Posted by: President Cory Booker at March 05, 2014 08:04 AM (B/VB5)

13 they told me if I voted for Romney it would reignite the cold war, and they were right

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:04 AM (zOTsN)

14 Based upon the results of the President taking the Global Test, he has been placed in the correct age cohort on Foreign policy curricula.

http://tinyurl.com/posjapp

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 08:04 AM (/8lfu)

15 holy shite, I just get to the last post and a new one pops up. Serves me right for actually trying to read some of the comments I guess.

Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at March 05, 2014 08:05 AM (yh0zB)

16

6. Obama, February 2014: “Our approach as the United States is not to see these as some Cold War chessboard in which we’re in competition with Russia.”

 

 

Exactly right.    Instead they're playing Candy Land,   and Obammy keeps landing on a cherry pitfall.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 08:05 AM (4df7R)

17 Being a Lefty pundit means never having to say, "I was wrong."

Move along, nothing to see here. Hey, how about that Academy Awards show?....

Posted by: Lizzy at March 05, 2014 08:06 AM (aq/zi)

18 Posted by: Vic at March 05, 2014 12:02 PM (T2V/1)

And maybe people would be having more kids if they didn't see such a shitty future.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 08:06 AM (QFxY5)

19 Actually the current President is making Jimmy Carter look meh instead of terrible.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 08:06 AM (/8lfu)

20

“The 1980s called, they want their foreign policy back"



And their president, too.


 

Posted by: TallDave at March 05, 2014 12:04 PM (lNW+B)

 

 

THREAD WINNER OF THE YEAR.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 08:06 AM (4df7R)

21 US population is projected to keep growing for the indefinite future -- again, mainly due to high levels of immigration. There were 280M Americans in 2000. 317M today. (Actually, I think that includes illegals, so they aren't all American.) Population has gone up 13M just since Obama was elected. We add about 2-3M people every year. Obama has also sharply increased immigration from sub-Saharan African countries with very high birth rates.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:06 AM (ZPrif)

22 9 The only way I can survive and not go insane is just keep chanting the mantra

2017
2017
2017

over and over, very calmly.

(January 20th, to be exact.)

Posted by: zombie at March 05, 2014 12:03 PM (mizYg)


______________


You're excited about a Hillary presidency? I guess it can't be any worse.

Posted by: Bag of Hammers at March 05, 2014 08:06 AM (0LHZx)

23

I still contend, as I always have, that  the two words that best describe our President of the United States are:

 

College  Sophomore. 

Posted by: BurtTC at March 05, 2014 08:06 AM (TOk1P)

24 it would have been helpful if those in the White House and the State Department studied history and not diversity and womens studies

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:07 AM (zOTsN)

25 The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because . . . the Cold WarÂ’s been over for 20 years.

---

Hey.... asshole..... the seventies also called and want their shitty world leader back too.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 08:07 AM (nELVU)

26 And their president, too.

Posted by: TallDave at March 05, 2014 12:04 PM (lNW+B)



Roger that. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there's another one around like that one.

Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at March 05, 2014 08:07 AM (yh0zB)

27 "I can appreciate why the Romney campaign would try to make Obama’s “hot mic” story interesting, but the problem is the former governor just doesn’t have any real policy chops in this area. He’s out of his depth, and struggles when the subject takes center stage.It’s not just that Romney is uninformed; it’s that he hasn’t figured out how to fake it." - Rachel Maddow


Uh, think you mean Obama is uninformed.

Posted by: Lizzy at March 05, 2014 08:07 AM (aq/zi)

28 Statement number 3 is a true gem of cognitive dissonance.  It is a pitch perfect description of Western European socialism and, in too many places, state and local economies in the United States.  I'm thinking of California, Illinois, New York, Chicago, Detroit, etc.

Posted by: gdossetto at March 05, 2014 08:07 AM (PlcKG)

29 This is starting to get uncomfortable. People are looking, you know, at my policies now. Valerie, get out there and find me a new "BINDERS FULL OF WOMENS!"

Posted by: Barky McDickface, President for Life at March 05, 2014 08:08 AM (JQuNB)

30 There will always be "liberalism" (such as it is) because at it's heart it's evil. And there will always be evil. To what extent that evil is in check is the only issue.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at March 05, 2014 08:08 AM (olDqf)

31 9 The only way I can survive and not go insane is just keep chanting the mantra 2017 2017 2017 over and over, very calmly. (January 20th, to be exact.) You're that excited for Hillary's innauguration?

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 08:08 AM (7ObY1)

32 “The 1980s called, they want their foreign policy back"

And their president, too.

Posted by: TallDave at March 05, 2014 12:04 PM (lNW+B)


----


High five.   Your quip was better....

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 08:08 AM (nELVU)

33 And maybe people would be having more kids if they didn't see such a shitty future. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (QFxY5) Economic policy affects social conditions. And vice versa. If only the libertarians could see how interrelated the two aspects are.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:08 AM (bb5+k)

34 imagine what zombie Reagan would say about the developments in the Ukraine on the anniversary of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtian" speech

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:08 AM (zOTsN)

35 18  And maybe people would be having more kids if they didn't see such a shitty future.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (QFxY5)



The problem is the people having all the kids.  For the most part they are the FSA.  If the FSA is the majority of the population growth who is going to pay for all that free shit.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 05, 2014 08:09 AM (T2V/1)

36 The 1980's called, they want their Leg Warmers, back.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 05, 2014 08:09 AM (OU4/+)

37 Speaking of Carter, from FrontPage: "The news of Carter’s proposed Venezuela visit was only hours old when alarmed Venezuelan anti-socialists sent out an SOS: “Please, desist from your trip,” reads an open letter from Venezuelan blogger/journalist Daniel Duquenal. “You have absolutely no credibility in Venezuela…You have cursed us enough as it is. I can assure you that half of the country has no respect nor credibility for you and the other half (the Castroites) thinks you are a mere fool that they can use and discard as needed.”

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 08:09 AM (aDwsi)

38 Shit, did I take my Zoloft this morning?   Because   this shit is fucking DEPRESSING.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 08:09 AM (4df7R)

39 The 1980's called, they want their Girbauds back.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 05, 2014 08:09 AM (OU4/+)

40 Posted by: TallDave at March 05, 2014 12:04 PM (lNW+B) THREAD WINNER OF THE YEAR. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (4df7R) TallDave is laconic, but when he does speak, it's often pithy.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (bb5+k)

41 "we, under Obama" have this constant stabbing pain in our asses.

Posted by: Roy at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (VndSC)

42 The 1980's called, they want Eddie Van Halen's career back.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (OU4/+)

43 I can assure you that half of the country has no respect nor credibility for you and the other half (the Castroites) thinks you are a mere fool that they can use and discard as needed.”

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 12:09 PM (aDwsi)

 

"And they are correct!"

 

- The Norks

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (4df7R)

44 Joe Biden, still trying to figure out how to use a Walkman.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (/8lfu)

45 "It's not that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
 
Stuff Reagan Actually Said, Vol II.

Posted by: GnuBreed at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (wNF3N)

46 34 imagine what zombie Reagan would say about the developments in the Ukraine on the anniversary of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtian" speech Mr. Putin...suck on my balls. But first, well...you will blow me.

Posted by: Zombie Ronald Reagan at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (7ObY1)

47 Shit, did I take my Zoloft this morning? Because this shit is fucking DEPRESSING.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at March 05, 2014 12:09 PM (4df7R)


----


Shoves a glass of Jack, neat, thought the USB port.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 08:10 AM (nELVU)

48 Shoves a glass of Jack, neat, thought the USB port.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 12:10 PM (nELVU)

 

Thanks.

 

*throws it back*

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 08:11 AM (4df7R)

49 College Sophomore. Posted by: BurtTC at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (TOk1P) Adolescent brat.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:11 AM (bb5+k)

50 "I wanted to post this yesterday but I figured too much of a good thing is a bad thing." So when you were doing all those stories on Anthony Weiner's tallywhacker, did that mean too much of a bad thing is a good thing?

Posted by: Burn the Witch at March 05, 2014 08:11 AM (gBnkX)

51 MWR - The Norks, the Iranians, Argentinians...  and so on.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 08:11 AM (/8lfu)

52 Joey B's statement is the equivalent of a blind squirrel finding a nut.  They may be dangerous because of it, but it does not mean he is not right.  the problem is for at least 15 years, we need to worry about them. 

Posted by: Vairish84 at March 05, 2014 08:11 AM (hjp//)

53 From those four statements, Joe Biden proves that he's the smart one of the bunch...

Posted by: Blor-Utar at March 05, 2014 08:12 AM (yhZN5)

54 An intelligent person would realize that the situation circumstances Biden describes in #3 makes Russia more dangerous.

Posted by: hygate at March 05, 2014 08:12 AM (iyzFk)

55 The 1940s called...they want their insane dictator back.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 08:12 AM (7ObY1)

56 Steyn needs to write an update to "America Lost".

Posted by: Soona at March 05, 2014 08:12 AM (pHRUK)

57 23 I think you mean high school sophomore.

Posted by: dantesed at March 05, 2014 08:12 AM (88xKn)

58 Which insane dictator?

Il-Douche?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 08:12 AM (/8lfu)

59 I love it that both Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin were soothsayers.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Judge of Raciss Morons at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (baL2B)

60 Biden has probably survived as long as he had despite being an obvious idiot by being able to grab onto phrases that sound smart.  In a way, he's kind of like a living Will Ferrell Bush sketch.

Posted by: Shoot Me at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (qiXMt)

61 Seriously, has TFG or his quisling plug headed baboon ever been correct on anything of consequence? No, move along next thread.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (HVff2)

62 Our population is declining (or soon will) The English-speaking population, maybe

Posted by: brak at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (NaTky)

63 28  I'm thinking of California, Illinois, New York, Chicago, Detroit, etc.

Posted by: gdossetto at March 05, 2014 12:07 PM (PlcKG)



Moody's just downgraded Chicago bonds to one grade above junk status.  They are going under for the same reason Detroit went under.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (T2V/1)

64 "The news of Carter’s proposed Venezuela visit was only hours old when alarmed Venezuelan anti-socialists sent out an SOS: “Please, desist from your trip,” reads an open letter from Venezuelan blogger/journalist Daniel Duquenal. “You have absolutely no credibility in Venezuela…You have cursed us enough as it is. I can assure you that half of the country has no respect nor credibility for you and the other half (the Castroites) thinks you are a mere fool that they can use and discard as needed.” Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 12:09 PM (aDwsi) Yup, that pretty much describes Jimmy Carter.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (bb5+k)

65 While reading this, keep in mind Hillary's Reset Button was: 1) stolen from a jacuzzi/swimming pool in Geneva 2) translated to Overcharge

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (IXrOn)

66 Biden's statement strikes me as curious. You could replace every "they" in his statement with "we, under Obama." Our population is declining (or soon will); our economy is withered and not recovering; our banking system is more of a mess than it was when Obama came into office. And of course Obama and Biden are clinging to a fantasy, the Blue Social Model, which is unsustainable. ************** Id like to say --Oh Snap!!--but it's too depressing isn't it.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (RJMhd)

67

And maybe people would be having more kids if they didn't see such a shitty future.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (QFxY5)


Economic policy affects social conditions. And vice versa.


If only the libertarians could see how interrelated the two aspects are. 

 

Oh, FFS.  This is a dumb premise.  People have kids because they want kids.  I don't even like the IRS deduction for having kids because the government wants to "encourage families".   The ex-Mrs. Bandersnatch and I procreated because we wanted children, not for a tax deduction and not because we had a rosy or dim view of the economy.

 

Extra credit rant:  I feel the same way about the home mortgage interest deduction.  Let's just quit it with the social engineering.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 05, 2014 08:13 AM (A0sHn)

68

The 1940s called...they want their insane dictator back.

 

 

 

FDR wasn't actually insane.

Posted by: Roy at March 05, 2014 08:14 AM (VndSC)

69 "The English-speaking population, maybe." Workin' on it! *hic*

Posted by: John Boehner at March 05, 2014 08:15 AM (gBnkX)

70 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (ZPrif) Eh, but when you talk about "population" growth it's usually a shorthand for "growth via births." We're the US, we can import as many people as we want, because people want to come here. But then we won't be the US anymore. Even during our immigration hayday, we had a positive birthrate and other factors that encouraged assimilation that just aren't present today.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 05, 2014 08:15 AM (hq5sb)

71 Most recent (2012) Census projection is: 2020: 334M 2030: 358M 2040 380M 2050: 400M 2060: 420M Almost all of that will be from immigration and the higher fertility of immigrant groups. The native-born white population is stagnant at about 200M. And that's why non-hispanic whites are projected to decline from 2/3rd of the population to barely 50% by mid-century. Hawks like McCain love that chart cause they want us to catch up to China. China's population is peaking and set to decline. Today they have 4x our population, by mid-century they'll have less than 3x our population.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:15 AM (ZPrif)

72 58 Which insane dictator? Il-Douche? Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 12:12 PM (/8lfu) Nah, the one with the racist obsession. You know, like the one we have now.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:15 AM (bb5+k)

73 65 While reading this, keep in mind Hillary's Reset Button was: 1) stolen from a jacuzzi/swimming pool in Geneva 2) translated to Overcharge Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 12:13 PM (IXrOn And it was copied off a bad television commercial.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 05, 2014 08:15 AM (HVff2)

74 The late 1970's called, they said we can keep the malaise.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:16 AM (OU4/+)

75 Moody's just downgraded Chicago bonds to one grade above junk status. They are going under for the same reason Detroit went under. - Drastic Republican spending cuts?

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 05, 2014 08:16 AM (Hx5uv)

76 Combining some one-liners I wrote the last couple days. The real reset with Russia was the Balkans conflict of the 1990s when we backed some Greater Albanian irredentists against Serbs defending their ancestral homeland. I don't think many people considered how much Russia would hate us and for how long afterwards. Whatever the stakes in the Balkans I doubt it was worth ruining Russian relations for possibly centuries. Search 1389 and Serbia for a taste of what we stuck our noses into. The norm in the world is long grudges. Sure, WE don't care about Canada kicking our ass in the War of 1812*, but that is not the human norm. *Once again, I implore the US government to invade Canada.

Posted by: Beagle at March 05, 2014 08:16 AM (sOtz/)

77 Anybody seem to notice how Samuel L Jackson (in his new commercial) and James Carville look alike?  It's getting to be you can't tell the Hollow-wood and the Dems apart nowadays.

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at March 05, 2014 08:16 AM (KQp38)

78 US population is still growing -- thanks to high levels of legal and illegal immigration.

The native born white population is below replacement level, though

Future belongs to those who show up.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:03 PM (ZPrif)


No amount of immigration is going to help our birthrate. Even the immigrants who show up fall of their birthrate after one generation.  The blue model won't work if the population stops growing, which it has. No labor, no taxes, no welfare.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 05, 2014 08:16 AM (WdbF7)

79 I'd like to live in a world where using the silly "X called, they want their Y back" joke would beneath the dignity of the President of the United States , particularly in a debate on a serious question about threats to the country. Bet it was a hit on the "Daily Show" though, that's all that matters

Posted by: brak at March 05, 2014 08:16 AM (NaTky)

80

Wow, they are all like the worst flim flam carny Atlantic City fortune tellers.

The kind of people that vote these morons in...

They can, like, predict the future...as if morons were predicting the future, people who don't know much about anything.

Lord help us.


Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Christies at March 05, 2014 08:17 AM (P6IEl)

81 And maybe people would be having more kids if they didn't see such a shitty future. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (QFxY5) Eh, it's more a function of the Blue State/socialist model. Japan and Europe provide great examples. Raising kids is expensive and if you don't have much disposable income, you won't have many kids. The middle class used to be a great population engine until they decided to start stripping away their own disposable income by electing Democrats who took their disposable income away to give to the non-working losers of society. Plus, increased useless regulations drive up the cost of everything. Handicapping our energy production for unscientific reasons drives up costs. College has become insanely expensive. So, instead of the middle class having a bunch of well-behaved, law-abiding, well-educated kids- we gave the money to the welfare class to have multi-sired, fatherless, multi kid "families" who don't work and whose behavior is of no consequence because they still get paid your tax money,i.e.. the FSA. This will almost certainly work out very well and bring about a heaven on Earth.

Posted by: naturalfake at March 05, 2014 08:17 AM (0cMkb)

82

Oh, FFS. This is a dumb premise. People have kids because they want kids. I don't even like the IRS deduction for having kids because the government wants to "encourage families". The ex-Mrs. Bandersnatch and I procreated because we wanted children, not for a tax deduction and not because we had a rosy or dim view of the economy.

 

I believe the argument is more along the lines of, "When you get paid for    having   babies out of wedlock,  you get more out of wedlock babies.  

 

"When you pay people not to work, you get more people who don't work.

 

etc.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 08:17 AM (4df7R)

83 How about a chilling thought..., what if Wallace had remained as VP, rather than Truman. Wallace would have handed over all of Western Europe to the Soviets.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 08:17 AM (aDwsi)

84 Like IowaHawk's caption for New Yorker cartoons that applies perfectly to all New Yorker cartoons (I think I'll just kill myself.), my comment at the bottom of the last thread applies to every American political subject and can serve at will for any and all such situations. "Democrats do whatever they please and nothing will be done about it."

Posted by: Meremortal at March 05, 2014 08:17 AM (1Y+hH)

85 And the immigration and demographics projections are why I say our future is Brazil with Nukes.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:17 AM (ZPrif)

86 Most of the liberals that I know don't wish to have kids.
They feel that having children, and raising them cuts into their "Me" time.

Perhaps liberals and Pandas both need to be allowed to go extinct.

One's too lazy to breed.
The other is to self centered to breed.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 05, 2014 08:17 AM (DPkKe)

87 Colin Powell (in the first link). What a traitor pos.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 08:18 AM (IXrOn)

88

Seriously, I used to put Oama's IQ around 110...

I'm not so sure the more I hear what he can conjure up with that pant-creased brain of his.


Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Christies at March 05, 2014 08:18 AM (P6IEl)

89 Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 05, 2014 12:13 PM (A0sHn) Indeed, EXCEPT, that economic conditions instill fear, and since having kids is a choice that simply cannot be justified using standard rational thinking (i.e. it requires some form of emotion to make that leap) you cannot overwhelm a populace with fear and uncertainty and expect it to create a large next generation. Trust me on this one, I have some personal experience

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 05, 2014 08:18 AM (hq5sb)

90 *Once again, I implore the US government to invade Canada. Posted by: Beagle at March 05, 2014 12:16 PM (sOtz/) Yeah, we could make it the 51st state. Get rid of baseball as our national pastime (Sorry BC) and make hockey numero uno. Yes, this invasion has the making of a good thing.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 05, 2014 08:19 AM (HVff2)

91 13 they told me if I voted for Romney it would reignite the cold war, and they were right Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:04 PM (zOTsN) Hey, that's my line.

Posted by: Glen Reynolds at March 05, 2014 08:19 AM (0FSuD)

92 I'd like to live in a world where using the silly "X called, they want their Y back" joke would beneath the dignity of the President of the United States , particularly in a debate on a serious question about threats to the country. - Putin may be beating Obama in some categories but just how many times has Putin been on Leno?

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 05, 2014 08:19 AM (Hx5uv)

93 My observation is that people have kids when other people are having kids. Must be some kind of herd pheromone thing. Quick, grabe me some federal grant money and I'll produce the settled science.

Posted by: Votermom at March 05, 2014 08:19 AM (GSIDW)

94

57 -

 

No, I meant college sophomore. 

A high school student is all about me me me.  College students start to think they know everything about everything,  including how everyone else should live their lives. 

 

Posted by: BurtTC at March 05, 2014 08:19 AM (TOk1P)

95 Yeah, we could make it the 58th state

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:19 AM (OU4/+)

96 33 And maybe people would be having more kids if they didn't see such a shitty future.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 12:06 PM (QFxY5)


Economic policy affects social conditions. And vice versa.


If only the libertarians could see how interrelated the two aspects are.


Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 12:08 PM (bb5+k)


__________


Sure economics affects birth rates. But not in the way you think. Rich countries have low birth rates because the richer one is, the less need there is to pop out 7 kids.

Posted by: Bag of Hammers at March 05, 2014 08:20 AM (0LHZx)

97 Oh, FFS. This is a dumb premise. People have kids because they want kids. I don't even like the IRS deduction for having kids because the government wants to "encourage families". The ex-Mrs. Bandersnatch and I procreated because we wanted children, not for a tax deduction and not because we had a rosy or dim view of the economy. Extra credit rant: I feel the same way about the home mortgage interest deduction. Let's just quit it with the social engineering. Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 05, 2014 12:13 PM (A0sHn) In nuclear physics, you can't predict that a single atom will undergo the fission process. What you CAN predict is that a certain quantity of a mass will. If you think there is no causal relationship between a shitty outlook for the future and a restraint from procreation, then you aren't looking at the picture from a large enough perspective. But again, this is the sum total of what is always wrong with Libertarians. They *NEVER* look past the end of their nose. They simply cannot contemplate social conditions beyond their own immediate life history or vicinity.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:20 AM (bb5+k)

98 "And the immigration and demographics projections are why I say our future is Brazil with Nukes." Look on the bright side; that'll mean our best competition will be like Venezuela with nukes. What could go wrong?

Posted by: John Boehner at March 05, 2014 08:20 AM (gBnkX)

99 Future belongs to those who show up. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:03 PM (ZPrif) Bottom, line, white girls are getting out fucked by the LIV's.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 05, 2014 08:20 AM (0FSuD)

100 The "National Greatness" conservatives want the maximum possible US population cause they just want us to stay #1 in GDP for as long as possible. They also want fodder for the Sino-American War of 2043.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:21 AM (ZPrif)

101 And of course Obama and Biden are clinging to a fantasy, the Blue Social Model, which is unsustainable. *********** Actually Obama and Biden did more than cling to the model they added the vehicle which will exponentially expand it-- ObamaCare.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:21 AM (RJMhd)

102 White girls are dong plenty of fucking. Not so much breeding, though.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:22 AM (ZPrif)

103 it isn't a color thing. its a culture thing

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:22 AM (zOTsN)

104 85 And the immigration and demographics projections are why I say our future is Brazil with Nukes.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:17 PM (ZPrif)


___________


If we could be Brazil with the beaches and hot womYns on those beaches, I'd say cool. But sadly, our beaches are populated with 300 lbs womYn.

Posted by: Bag of Hammers at March 05, 2014 08:22 AM (0LHZx)

105 Liberalism is a mental disorder.  But I repeat myself.

It seems due to tighter security restrictions the US military can not march at the next Boston Marathon as they have done in the past with their rucks on.
http://tinyurl.com/ozcncel

The stupid it burns!

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 08:22 AM (/8lfu)

106 Does Gouda make a grilled cheese? I'll know in a minute.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 08:22 AM (ZshNr)

107 Which insane dictator?

Il-Douche?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 12:12 PM (/8lfu)

 

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

 

Watch a film of Mussolini giving a speech.   Then watch a video of Dear Leader giving a speech.  The similarities are disturbing.

Posted by: Soona at March 05, 2014 08:22 AM (pHRUK)

108 ooops, off Boner sock

Posted by: Burn the Witch at March 05, 2014 08:23 AM (gBnkX)

109 Bottom, line, white girls are getting out fucked by the LIV's.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 05, 2014 12:20 PM (0FSuD)


I reject your premise that white girls are not LIV. I think we should be happy when all these white liberal women decide not to mate, it's blessing for the rest of us.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (WdbF7)

110 Michael Berry did a audio clip comparing Churchill to the allegedly great orator Obama it was embarrassing

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (zOTsN)

111 Looks like the cop killer loving attorney is not getting his place at DOJ civil rights.

Posted by: Madamex at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (vaWdD)

112 Does Gouda make a grilled cheese[/i Meh. It's no Provolone.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (OU4/+)

113 I believe the argument is more along the lines of, "When you get paid for having babies out of wedlock, you get more out of wedlock babies. "When you pay people not to work, you get more people who don't work. etc. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at March 05, 2014 12:17 PM (4df7R) If you will note, 14 years after the "great society" programs were initiated, Prison incarceration skyrocketed. Apparently having babies without husbands makes young men feral. Whoda thunk?

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (bb5+k)

114 its a FSA thing

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (zOTsN)

115 Uh, oh.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (OU4/+)

116 There's tons of economic research that shows that economic conditions influence decisions on family size. It's one factor of many, but it's a factor. When things are looking up, people tend to have more kids, ceteris paribus.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:24 AM (ZPrif)

117 In the Financial Times Barry is quoted as saying, I know Mr. Putin seems to have a different set of lawyers with a different set of interpretations but I don't think that is fooling anyone.






What in the hell is that even supposed to mean? Barry is such a half wit dolt wus no wonder why Putin feels he can do anything.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at March 05, 2014 08:25 AM (1Jaio)

118 >>>"The man's sense of himself has been over-indulged to a reckless point."<<<



Putin -- Can kill you with an poison tip umbrella
SCOAMF -- Can't get an umbrella through a gate arch

We're fucking boned.




Posted by: compare and contrast at March 05, 2014 08:25 AM (UIxS+)

119 Looks like the cop killer loving attorney is not getting his place at DOJ civil rights. Posted by: Madamex awesome

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:25 AM (zOTsN)

120 It's not a race thing, it's an economics thing. Rich white people have few if any kids. Same goes for rich non-white people. Poor white people have lots of kids, poor Hispanics have even more lots of kids.

The wealthier one is, the less kids he/she has. And yes I realize there are exceptions, but in general, this holds true across all races.

Posted by: Bag of Hammers at March 05, 2014 08:25 AM (0LHZx)

121 Yeah, provolone would be better. This isn't bad, but it kind of melted like cheddar, separating a bit.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 08:26 AM (ZshNr)

122 Seems like right after Clinton came up with that "Oral sex isn't really sex" line, birth rates started to drop.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 05, 2014 08:26 AM (DPkKe)

123 Does Gouda make a grilled cheese? I'll know in a minute.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 12:22 PM (ZshNr)


♫ In-A-Gouda-Da-Vida Baby....♪

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 08:26 AM (nELVU)

124

"....someone always wants war. Someone always wants more power. Someone is always looking for a way to avenge what they believe are past insults."

Ha!  Except for that icky "war" thingy, you could apply that statment to me!

 

Posted by: Prezzie "Slow Jam" Barry at March 05, 2014 08:26 AM (lQCe+)

125 "Does Gouda make a grilled cheese?" Pretty mild. Better use a little dill and a thin spread of mayo prior to grilling.

Posted by: jwest at March 05, 2014 08:26 AM (u2a4R)

126 Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:25 PM (zOTsN) I wonder what Dems got there head out of their asses.

Posted by: Madamex at March 05, 2014 08:27 AM (vaWdD)

127 This isn't bad, but it kind of melted like cheddar Yeah, cheddar makes for a weak grilled cheese.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:27 AM (OU4/+)

128 I agree there are plenty of white LIV's. that are fucking. The problem is the middle class white women see what little future their kids will have in a world where they have to pay not only for their children, but for three or four more other children they don't know. AKA, income redistribution is negative to breeding unless you are on the receiving side of the redistribution, then it's a positive side.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 05, 2014 08:27 AM (0FSuD)

129 Yep, they got all those things that Biden mentioned plus lots of nukes and a bad attitude. There is a recipe for peace if I ever heard one.

Posted by: ejo at March 05, 2014 08:27 AM (GXvSO)

130 Looks like some "unidentified gunmen" met him on the road and convinced him that maybe it'd be best if he went straight back to the airport and left. Shortest UN mission ever. Breaking News ‏@BreakingNews UN special representative Robert Serry agrees to go straight to airport, end his mission in Crimea - @jamesmatesitv http://bit.ly/1eWTuTr

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:27 AM (ZPrif)

131 117 In the Financial Times Barry is quoted as saying, I know Mr. Putin seems to have a different set of lawyers with a different set of interpretations but I don't think that is fooling anyone. What in the hell is that even supposed to mean? Barry is such a half wit dolt wus no wonder why Putin feels he can do anything. Posted by: TheQuietMan at March 05, 2014 12:25 PM (1Jaio) *********** You know how Ace in the post said that Biden was really engaging in projection.... Obama could be talking about how they passed ObamaCare here--what difference is there, really?

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:27 AM (RJMhd)

132 re: Grilled Cheese: White American is the 'cheese to go with.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:28 AM (OU4/+)

133 Yay-the NFL finally did something right for a change. There will be no worthless, ill-attended game in Toronto next season. Time to shit-can that bad idea permanently.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 08:28 AM (7ObY1)

134 ceteris paribus. I was told there would be no Austrian on this blog.

Posted by: Barky McDickface, President for Life at March 05, 2014 08:28 AM (JQuNB)

135

Damn work.  I can't believe I missed a

 

TOM COTTON post!!!!!   You rubes he is awesome.  But I hope he gets right re Syria and spying.  Those two issues he sucks on.

Posted by: prescient11 at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (tVTLU)

136 I reject your premise that white girls are not LIV. I think we should be happy when all these white liberal women decide not to mate, it's blessing for the rest of us.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 05, 2014 12:24 PM (WdbF7)

 

 

----------------------------------------------------

 

 

Every  day I wake up and learn that Meggy McCain is NOT pregnant brings a small beam of sunshine into my life.

Posted by: Soona at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (pHRUK)

137

120 -

 

And it's not just microeconomics, it's the macro as well. 

 

Societies that provide a safety net for people  tend to cause people to not  want to be the producers of the social benefits, rather they wish to be the receivers.  The incentive to have more kids has to do with you needing them to help you out economically.  But if society is already doing that, then why would YOU need to be the one producing said kids?  Let the other schmuck carry those little tax producers to market. 

Posted by: BurtTC at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (TOk1P)

138 Add mustard to the gouda .

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (RJMhd)

139 The only way I can survive and not go insane is just keep chanting the mantra

2017
2017
2017

978 days 21 hours 30 minutes.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (P7Wsr)

140 Mrs VIA swears by Sweet Munchee for grilled cheese.
And it does seem to come out pretty damn good.

http://tinyurl.com/mcsufsl

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (DPkKe)

141 119 Looks like the cop killer loving attorney is not getting his place at DOJ civil rights.

Posted by: Madamex


awesome

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:25 PM (zOTsN)


Whoohooo! Awesome!

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Judge of Raciss Morons at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (baL2B)

142 I agree there are plenty of white LIV's. that are fucking. The problem is the middle class white women see what little future their kids will have in a world where they have to pay not only for their children, but for three or four more other children they don't know. AKA, income redistribution is negative to breeding unless you are on the receiving side of the redistribution, then it's a positive side. Posted by: Nip Sip in most middle class families, both parents work that tends to limit the number of children they have and of course, 50 percent (?) of marriages end of divorce that also tends to depress the number of children in middle class households

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:29 AM (zOTsN)

143 with Miracle Whip and mustard. I know, I know--I'm a bastard!--I prefer Miracle Whip.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:30 AM (RJMhd)

144 I can't eat that "processed cheese food" shit. Dropped it completely when I changed my diet 4 years ago due to my numerous gastro issues. It's processed all right, but it ain't cheese. Provolone, swiss, cheddar, and jack for this moron. And parmesan and mozz when I'm going guinea.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 08:30 AM (7ObY1)

145 Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:29 PM (zOTsN) The only people that can afford big families are the poor and the rich.

Posted by: Madamex at March 05, 2014 08:31 AM (vaWdD)

146 I'm one of those evil rich white people that is apparently responsible for every ill in the world. I could easily afford 2, 3, 4 more kids. But I have no intention of having any more. 2 is plenty.

And yes part of it is the "me" time. Raising kids is a lot of work. I don't want to me in my 60s and still have a house full of kids to worry about. By the time I hit 50, my kids will be in college and I'll have another 20 good years or so for "me" time. I don't see why this such a bad thing?

Posted by: Bag of Hammers at March 05, 2014 08:31 AM (0LHZx)

147 Shortest UN mission ever. Breaking News þ@BreakingNews UN special representative Robert Serry agrees to go straight to airport, end his mission in Crimea - @jamesmatesitv http://bit.ly/1eWTuTr Posted by: Flatbush Joe sure looks like Vlad is not intimidated by the debate-captain-in-cheif

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:31 AM (zOTsN)

148 The mediator didn't even make it to his hotel before being "persuaded" to maybe head right back to the airport. Raymond Pritchett ‏@Galrahn More than a bit. RT @HayesBrown: So... that was a bit of a disaster for mediation efforts in Crimea.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:31 AM (ZPrif)

149
Frozen riccotta with little vanilla and sweetener makes the best fake ice cream

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 08:32 AM (nELVU)

150 and of course, 50 percent (?) of marriages end of divorce

that also tends to depress the number of children in middle class households

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:29 PM (zOTsN)



I've always wondered if you limit that statistic to first marriages, where both parties are on their "starter spouses", what the number would be? It doesn't take many serial divorces to drive that "50 percent" statistic so far out that it's meaningless in a real sense.

Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at March 05, 2014 08:33 AM (yh0zB)

151 Robert Serry should be thankful the uniformed thugs did not make him dance like a bear and post it to YouTube.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 08:33 AM (/8lfu)

152 Did only one news source tell of how the Ukrainian navy chief "defected"? Only once did I hear his house was surrounded--with his family in it IIRC--and the electricity was cut off. Next thing you know-- He's defected!! And hardly anyone reports the rest of it.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:33 AM (RJMhd)

153 It's in my belly now, a tad late to add condiments. Normally without a certified grillable cheese I would have just had something else, but I had a real craving for a grilled cheese. Usually I'd just get one at a café as wifey doesn't believe in American cheese.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 08:33 AM (ZshNr)

154

So many words, so much effort to describe a situation where completely, thoroughly unfit people hold positions of responsibility - and are surrounded by equally clueless staff, perhaps even more empty-headed sycophantic "press", and lightweight Beltway "experts".

 

All of it enabled by everyone around you (unless you live in OK or AL or something, I guess).  Not some sinister "they" - but the people all around you, who have allowed this to happen.

 

Posted by: non-purist at March 05, 2014 08:34 AM (afQnV)

155 I can afford more kids, but I didn't marry until I was 32, and started having kids at 36. That meant 3 kids, stopping at 40. And the middle child is special needs. Even if I had more biological time for kids, I feel like a would be cheating the ones I already have

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:34 AM (zOTsN)

156 Senator Reid on Mumia lawyer Debo Adegbile: "is a man who renews my faith in the American dream."

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 08:34 AM (P7Wsr)

157 Also, Europe has been at peace for the last 60 because the US obliterated the last bad guys, with a vengeance. And then we stationed troops there, to protect them against the Soviets, but also to guard against the Germans, who had previously started two world wars.

Once we default on the world stage, Europe will return its Whatever War, like it had so reliably before the US clamped down.

Posted by: pj at March 05, 2014 08:35 AM (ZWaLo)

158 148 The mediator didn't even make it to his hotel before being "persuaded" to maybe head right back to the airport. Raymond Pritchett ‏@Galrahn More than a bit. RT @HayesBrown: So... that was a bit of a disaster for mediation efforts in Crimea. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:31 PM (ZPrif) ************ Ya--I wonder what is *missing* from the story...

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:35 AM (RJMhd)

159 I've always wondered if you limit that statistic to first marriages, where both parties are on their "starter spouses", what the number would be? It doesn't take many serial divorces to drive that "50 percent" statistic so far out that it's meaningless in a real sense.

Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at March 05, 2014 12:33 PM (yh0zB)


I've heard it's around 70% success on your first marriage, it's the people who have multiple divorces who bring it down to 50%.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 05, 2014 08:35 AM (WdbF7)

160 There are days that I wonder if we are worth saving.
Then I read headlines like these, and ...well...

http://tinyurl.com/ks74s23

and

http://tinyurl.com/k544o9q

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 05, 2014 08:35 AM (DPkKe)

161 This guy https://twitter.com/jamesmatesitv was meeting with the UN envoy in a coffee shop when the "unidentified gunmen" showed up. James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 40m UN special advisor Robert Serry had been visiting navy commander when his car was blocked. Stand off followed #Ukraine James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 40m He refused to go with men blocking car, got out and walked until he found coffee shop. He's asked ITV News team to stay with him. #Ukraine James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 34m Outside coffee shop are men in combat fatigues blocking the door. Some wear pro Russia black and gold arm band. Not allowing anyone in/out James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 29m UN special envoy Robert Serry with me in coffee shop. Outside local militia block the door. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/pbotNqCG3i James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 22m View of militia from inside coffee shop where UN envoy Robert Serry is blockaded inside pic.twitter.com/ojbAruMzyW James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 22m Robert Serry has now agreed to go straight to the airport and end his mission in #Crimea James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 20m Crowd chant Russia Russia as UN envoy leaves coffee shop and scrambles into waiting car#Crimea James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 19m Path of envoy's car blocked by protesters chanting Putin Putin. #Crimea James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 17m Car moves slowly off to cries of Crimea Russiia #Ukraine James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 16m Robert Serry finally on his way to the airport, police having forced a way through an angry crowd. #crimea

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:36 AM (ZPrif)

162 Every day I wake up and learn that Meggy McCain is NOT pregnant brings a small beam of sunshine into my life.



#twoweeks




Wait for it!

Posted by: EC at March 05, 2014 08:36 AM (GQ8sn)

163 130 Looks like some "unidentified gunmen" met him on the road and convinced him that maybe it'd be best if he went straight back to the airport and left. Shortest UN mission ever. Breaking News ‏@BreakingNews UN special representative Robert Serry agrees to go straight to airport, end his mission in Crimea - @jamesmatesitv http://bit.ly/1eWTuTr Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:27 PM (ZPrif) You have to hand it to the Russians. They know how to deal with their opponents. Notice that no Russian diplomats were captured in Either Iran or Lebanon at the same time our's were? My recollection is that one was captured once. The KGB not only found out who captured their diplomat, they located him, tortured and killed him, then killed several members of his immediate family. The word went out. "Don't fuck with the Russians."

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:36 AM (bb5+k)

164 "Someone always wants more power. Someone is always looking for a way to avenge what they believe are past insults."

Sounds like a pretty good summary of Obama himself.

Either the Narcissist-in-Chief doesn't realize this about himself, which shows an astonishing lack of self-awareness; or he does, but he assumes he's exceptional, rather than typical.

Either way, the president is a fool. And may God help the United States of America.

Posted by: Brown Line at March 05, 2014 08:37 AM (a5bF3)

165 Of course, the JEF will pardon Mumia on his way out

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 08:37 AM (zOTsN)

166 Ya--I wonder what is *missing* from the story...

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 12:35 PM (RJMhd)



-----


The business end of a Tokarev can be very..... persuading.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 08:37 AM (nELVU)

167 @90 More of an unopposed annexation holistically remaking the international community. Canada could be five or six states.

Posted by: Beagle at March 05, 2014 08:38 AM (sOtz/)

168 I've always wondered if you limit that statistic to first marriages, where both parties are on their "starter spouses", what the number would be? It doesn't take many serial divorces to drive that "50 percent" statistic so far out that it's meaningless in a real sense.

People actually talked to my wife when we were engaged and said she was at a good age for a "starter marriage".  It it so bad out there that people actually say that to a woman about to be married for the first time, and that's normal?


Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 08:38 AM (P7Wsr)

169 James Mates ‏@jamesmatesitv 40m UN special advisor Robert Serry had been visiting navy commander when his car was blocked. Stand off followed #Ukraine *********** Uh huh--probably the same Navy commander that had his house surrounded. Hell though some Russian comes up to me loaded for bear, fuming of vodka and speaking the broken English-- "We come in pieces" and I'm the hell outta there!

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:39 AM (RJMhd)

170 You guys see the side bar? Fucking renoB has to go.

Posted by: maddogg at March 05, 2014 08:39 AM (xWW96)

171 What's a blind link?

Posted by: baldilocks at March 05, 2014 08:40 AM (36Rjy)

172 My recollection is that one was captured once. The KGB not only found out who captured their diplomat, they located him, tortured and killed him, then killed several members of his immediate family. ---------------- I believe that they castrated the kidnappers male children.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 08:40 AM (aDwsi)

173 Amazing timeline there, Flatbush Joe. Thanks for posting.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 08:40 AM (ZshNr)

174 152 Did only one news source tell of how the Ukrainian navy chief "defected"? Only once did I hear his house was surrounded--with his family in it IIRC--and the electricity was cut off. Next thing you know-- He's defected!! And hardly anyone reports the rest of it. Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 12:33 PM (RJMhd) Ha! That's very similar to what I said about how Russians dealt with kidnappers/potential kidnappers. Say what you will, but that shit works.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:40 AM (bb5+k)

175 What's a blind link?

Posted by: baldilocks at March 05, 2014 12:40 PM (36Rjy)



You can't see the destination URL.



Posted by: EC at March 05, 2014 08:40 AM (GQ8sn)

176 Pardoning Mumia will be one of the more tolerable TFG actions on his way out the door.  Mark my words.

Posted by: Jaws at March 05, 2014 08:40 AM (eKZp1)

177 the JEF will pardon Mumia on his way out

Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:37 PM (zOTsN)

Can he?

I thought he could only pardon for federal crimes.

Isn't mumia in state prison for a state crime?


Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 08:40 AM (QFxY5)

178 What's a blind link? Something you should always, always click on.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:41 AM (OU4/+)

179 My recollection is that one was captured once. The KGB not only found out who captured their diplomat, they located him, tortured and killed him, then killed several members of his immediate family.

Maybe a different incident or bad memory, but I recall that the brother of one of the kidnappers was killed and dumped on a street corner.  The diplomat was released very soon after that.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 08:41 AM (P7Wsr)

180 My Croatian survival instincts would kick in-- "We're the hell outta here boys--run for it!!!-- Serpentine!!" Especially if I had on one of those light blue helmets.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 08:41 AM (RJMhd)

181 The native born white population is below replacement level, though

Future belongs to those who show up.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:03 PM (ZPrif)



This is what happens when one group is taxed to submission in order to fund the parasitism of another.  The producers stop having babies they can no longer afford, and the parasites have no worries so they open their legs for 8 baby daddies.

This isn't rocket science.  Sid Meier managed to get this right.

The only logical explanation is that it is deliberate.


Posted by: grognard at March 05, 2014 08:41 AM (/29Nl)

182 Can't pardon State crimes. Yadda yadda...

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at March 05, 2014 08:41 AM (PxqU/)

183

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:36 PM (ZPrif)

 

 

--------------------------------------------

 

 

I do enjoy their disrespect for the UN.  The UN deserves no respect.

Posted by: Soona at March 05, 2014 08:42 AM (pHRUK)

184 178 What's a blind link? Stevie Wonder's keilbasa?

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 08:42 AM (7ObY1)

185 Something no one has mentioned concerning the reproduction rate in this country. Since Roe v Wade, there have been over 55 million abortions in this country. That's why the replacement rate is made up mostly of immigrants.

Posted by: LFW - Honorary Pointy-Eared Vulcan at March 05, 2014 08:42 AM (l2max)

186 I am shocked beyond belief that the Russians would be rude-pants to the UN!

What is the world coming to? I say send in Ambassador Caroline Kennedy!

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Judge of Raciss Morons at March 05, 2014 08:42 AM (baL2B)

187 Can't pardon State crimes. Yadda yadda...

Maybe he'll twist the arm of someone who can pardon Mumia.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 08:42 AM (P7Wsr)

188 185 55 million abortions Sure sounds safe, legal and rare to us... -the Left

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at March 05, 2014 08:43 AM (PxqU/)

189 So many words, so much effort to describe a situation where completely, thoroughly unfit people hold positions of responsibility - and are surrounded by equally clueless staff, perhaps even more empty-headed sycophantic "press", and lightweight Beltway "experts". Posted by: non-purist at March 05, 2014 12:34 PM (afQnV) I regard it as the all too predictable consequence of the 26th amendment, and the last three words of the 24th amendment. You lower the threshold for competence in voting, and you will get gullible people to elect smooth talking idiots.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:43 AM (bb5+k)

190 "wifey doesn't believe in American cheese." If it wasn't for Kraft mac and cheese and Kraft singles for their grilled cheese sandwiches, I don't know if my grandkids would ever eat anything. They're hooked.

Posted by: jwest at March 05, 2014 08:43 AM (u2a4R)

191 Can he?

I thought he could only pardon for federal crimes.

Isn't mumia in state prison for a state crime?


Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 12:40 PM (QFxY5)


----

Pen.   Phone.


You??  Pay better attention.

Posted by: Lord Barrackentatten at March 05, 2014 08:44 AM (nELVU)

192 "And yes part of it is the "me" time. Raising kids is a lot of work. I don't want to me in my 60s and still have a house full of kids to worry about. By the time I hit 50, my kids will be in college and I'll have another 20 good years or so for "me" time. I don't see why this such a bad thing?"

Hope you didn't take my reference to "Me" time personally.

I am talking about the ones that I know who have actually said things like
"If I had children, I would miss out on Gym time", or the annual local neighborhood plea that goes something like "We spawned over the winter, and can someone recommend a good nanny while Daryl and I go to Europe for the summer?"

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 05, 2014 08:44 AM (DPkKe)

193 Posted by: bonhomme at March 05, 2014 12:38 PM (P7Wsr They do the same thing with abortion, numerous hose bags have, 6, 7, 8 so the stat is 1/3 women have abortions. PS why isn't Lerner in jail?

Posted by: Madamex at March 05, 2014 08:44 AM (vaWdD)

194

I've always wondered if you limit that statistic to first marriages, where both parties are on their "starter spouses", what the number would be? It doesn't take many serial divorces to drive that "50 percent" statistic so far out that it's meaningless in a real sense.

 

-

 

There are a lot of serial marriers that drive the stats up.  Something like 70% of people only marry once, so the 50% that end in divorce means a lot of folks are going to the well 5 or 6 times.  Hell, I knew a guy who was on wife number 5 by the time he was 34.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at March 05, 2014 08:44 AM (eoeps)

195 Europe is not at all serious about imposing any sanctions. Retweeted by Raymond Pritchett NATOSource ‏@NATOSource AP: France criticized Russia's military incursion into Ukraine, but says it has no plans 2 scrap Mistral defense deal

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:45 AM (ZPrif)

196 Even if I had more biological time for kids, I feel like a would be cheating the ones I already have Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:34 PM (zOTsN) Have you considered the possibility that it might be creating allies which your other children will very badly need in this coming future?

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:45 AM (bb5+k)

197 Stevie Wonder's keilbasa?



Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 12:42 PM (7ObY1)



------



Golf clap..... or groan.   Put it to a vote.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 05, 2014 08:45 AM (nELVU)

198 "wifey doesn't believe in American cheese." Commie.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 08:45 AM (OU4/+)

199 Of course, the JEF will pardon Mumia on his way out


Obama can't pardon a state conviction.  At least, that's the way it used to be before the American Banana Republic.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at March 05, 2014 08:45 AM (8ZskC)

200 Again, the most dangerous aspect of all of this is that for the left, Obama can't fail.  It is more within the realm of possibility for them that the country fail before Obama does.  He is not only the first black president, he is THEIR first black president and it would be easier for history to be rewritten to blame the failure of the country on anything other than Obama than it would for history to reflect that the first black DEMOCRAT was an incompetent, narcissistic, impetuous, naive ideologue who failed and in so doing, destroyed the basis for their political existence.


The left not only owns him, they own the hundred year old legacy of a failed ideology.  Imagine what that could potentially do to, not only their party, but to their entire perspective of the world.


Poof

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at March 05, 2014 08:46 AM (BZAd3)

201 The word went out. "Don't fuck with the Russians." Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 12:36 PM (bb5+k) When the President of your country is a former KGB leader , I would think that goes without saying. Now a community organizer will also put the fear in teenager girls having their first period, that's about it.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 05, 2014 08:46 AM (0FSuD)

202 I knew a guy who was on wife number 5 by the time he was 34. Posted by: Vashta Nerada --------------------- Female cousin..., on number 6, I think.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 08:46 AM (aDwsi)

203 You guys! You guys! I have awesome news! SMOD is nigh! How do I know this? Chick Fil A got my order wrong. Obviously, the apocalypse is upon us.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Mmmm. Blondies with whipped cream. at March 05, 2014 08:46 AM (VtjlW)

204

182 -

 

What's all this "can't" business you people are on about? 

Posted by: Precedent Historic First at March 05, 2014 08:47 AM (TOk1P)

205 There are apparently dueling demonstrations in Donetsk. also, Russians must be having fun with the bald-faced lies at this point. John Schindler ‏@20committee On live TV (Rossiya 24) in joint presser with Spanish counterpart, Russian FM Lavrov flatly denies Russia has troops in Crimea!!

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 08:47 AM (ZPrif)

206 The left not only owns him, they own the hundred year old legacy of a failed ideology. Imagine what that could potentially do to, not only their party, but to their entire perspective of the world. Challenge accepted.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 05, 2014 08:47 AM (pHivF)

207 re:  Pardoning Mumia even though TFG has no jurisdiction. .


LOL.  Laws matter to Dem presidents of approved melanin content now?

Posted by: Jaws at March 05, 2014 08:48 AM (eKZp1)

208 191 Can he? I thought he could only pardon for federal crimes. Isn't mumia in state prison for a state crime? You are correct. Barry can not pardon anyone for a state conviction, only the governor of that state can do that.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 05, 2014 08:48 AM (0FSuD)

209 Pixy hash eating test, take 3.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 05, 2014 08:48 AM (pHivF)

210 Nood

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 05, 2014 08:49 AM (ojnk6)

211 177 the JEF will pardon Mumia on his way out Posted by: thunderb at March 05, 2014 12:37 PM (zOTsN) Can he? I thought he could only pardon for federal crimes. Isn't mumia in state prison for a state crime? Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 05, 2014 12:40 PM (QFxY5) Yes, Obama cannot pardon Mumia. I actually like the Mumia story because it shows how much the Left are a bunch of naive hypocrites. They can't believe somebody can be a murderer if he's literate. However, the breadth and depth of Obama's pardons will be the stuff of legend. So much so that there may be a Constitutional amendment forbidding pardons in the Nov-Dec-Jan lame duck period. Or at least pardons in the last 6 months of a presidency can be overturned by an act of Congress. There is a lot of politeness and "gentlemen's agreements" in our political system and the Left is determined to break them. Reid's killing of the filibuster was just the first of them. Even with all the flexibility he has, Obama can't do pardons until after the 2016 elections.

Posted by: AmishDude at March 05, 2014 08:49 AM (T0NGe)

212 171 What's a blind link? Posted by: baldilocks at March 05, 2014 12:40 PM (36Rjy) It's a link where it's destination is not identified prior to clicking on it. That is, unless you use the "Hover" technique.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:49 AM (bb5+k)

213 I believe that they castrated the kidnappers male children. Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 12:40 PM (aDwsi) So you are familiar with the same incident? The point remains, The Russians play the game for real. We just play around.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:50 AM (bb5+k)

214

In other news, Estonian FM and C. Ashton, EU foreign affairs chief had a phone call in which Estonian Paet says that there is evidence that snipers in Kiev were Maidan.  See ZeroHedge.

 

Yeah, who knows what the hell is going on there but one things for sure, it ain't clearcut who the good and bad guys are.

Posted by: prescient11 at March 05, 2014 08:52 AM (tVTLU)

215 Nice Sentence: Instapundit blind-links a quote from the Anchoress.

Blind-link. What does that mean?

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at March 05, 2014 08:53 AM (IN7k+)

216 PS why isn't Lerner in jail?

Posted by: Madamex at March 05, 2014 12:44 PM (vaWdD)

 

 

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

 

Who's going to arrest her?  Eric the Red?  The FBI?  Federal marshalls?  The National Park Service?   Get real.

Posted by: Soona at March 05, 2014 08:53 AM (pHRUK)

217 So far, Putin has been laughing at the JEF in private, but mocking him and humiliating him in public. Evidently, whatever Putin said to the SCOAMF on a recent phone call "Was ominous; It was worrisome." according to Durbin via Kerry. Can you imagine. JEF has zero respect. It's like a giant paper mache donkey with TFG's head on it... everyone is taking their turn.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 08:53 AM (IXrOn)

218 You guys! You guys! I have awesome news! SMOD is nigh!

How do I know this? Chick Fil A got my order wrong. Obviously, the apocalypse is upon us.


http://youtu.be/NsJHqstPuNo

Posted by: Blanco Basura at March 05, 2014 08:53 AM (0AKks)

219 "Biden's statement strikes me as curious"

It's also ignorant- Russia's population isn't declining any more.  They've had positive population growth for several years now, and last year they had the first natural increase (more births than deaths) since 1991.  Russia's fertility rate is now higher than the EU and Canada, and if trends continue it will soon be higher than the white fertility rate in the USA. 

Posted by: Jon (not the troll) at March 05, 2014 08:54 AM (DPMu1)

220 "Obama ....seem to believe that humanity has — by virtue of nothing at all, except perhaps his say-so — transcended itself and entered into a we-are-stardust-we-are-golden happy place, where (in Europe, at least) nobody wants war, because everyone is loving peace." But my lecturer in freshman class of international politics liked my essay.... so what's wrong with this Anchoress woman?

Posted by: Barry Soetero at March 05, 2014 08:54 AM (MIovV)

221 PS why isn't Lerner in jail? Posted by: Madamex at March 05, 2014 12:44 PM (vaWdD) Because Republicans are pussies who play Hacky Sack while Democrats play Global Thermonuclear War.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 08:54 AM (bb5+k)

222 176 Pardoning Mumia will be one of the more tolerable TFG actions on his way out the door. Mark my words. Posted by: Jaws at March 05, 2014 12:40 PM (eKZp1) He can't it's a state crime. He'll pardon Leonard Peltier instead.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 05, 2014 09:01 AM (oFCZn)

223 --btw the Japanese are bailing on Obama too. It works like this--nuclear plants get shut down--need energy supply from somewhere.... Russia.

Posted by: China! at March 05, 2014 09:20 AM (RJMhd)

224 The left has a very eurocentric concept of the 21st century. Ladt time i checked that was filled with a lot of those white privileged types . In response to our snarky president and his comments about the 21st century and the 80 s i would ask why he denigrates the entire continent of Africa. Their construct has dialogue replacing strength and arms, the tools of that troglodyte Bush. Hells bells Egyptians and Syrians Nigerians, the Sudanese and a long list of others just seem to not count because if they did all this bullshit about dialogue being the new hotness explodes. Only when viewed as applying to western europe can we say peace has broken out.

Posted by: Mac at March 05, 2014 09:25 AM (9hekj)

225 #207 #191 . Barry can not pardon anyone for a state conviction, only the governor of that state can do that.

So call Huckabee.  He's got a knack for it.

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at March 05, 2014 09:28 AM (XO6WW)

226 President Obama is just trying to fix Bush's lies about Healthcare, US Foriegn Policy and deal with Global warming so our children will have a clean planet live on. You people make me sick spreading lies about our black president and that is what really bothers me and majority of the Americam people.

Posted by: Dorcus Blimline at March 05, 2014 09:39 AM (mwDO5)

227

OK, if not a dead thread then probably one on life support, but here goes.

 

Somebody mentioned Japan above.  I've been reading the Russian press since this Ukraine drama began.  Japan has been distancing themselves from the US/EU when it comes to Russia since before it flared up.

 

Jap PM was only head of state to attend Sochi opening ceremonies, where it was reported that the topic of a bilateral peace treaty (WWII) was on the agenda, and Abe had major face time with Vlad.

 

In the past week, Jap foreign ministry has issued bland boiler-plate statements on the situation.  Yesterday Jap FM in parliamentary hearing said Ukraine situation would not affect the Japan-Russia dialog, nor likely his planned April visit to Moscow, and Abe said Japan remained cautious about introducing "politics" to either the Olympic or Para-Olympic movements (in answering question about whether Japan would be represented at the Sochi para-olympics). 

 

If I were Vlad, my move would be obvious.  Big initiative to sign a WWII peace treaty, while returning two of the four occupied Kurile Islands to Japan - this would be a huge bombshell in Japan, which is more alienated and worried (much more) than ever since 1945.  US idiocy re Japan has been "unprecedented" under this absurd administration - to include publicly siding with the Chinese/Koreans in the annual moronic Yasukuni Shrine visit kabuki (this is really an extraoridnarily stupid move), and sending the embarrassing vapid celebrity offspring Caroline Kennedy as ambassador (a stunning insult to Japan, really, in context of 50 years of senior political or diplomatic figures being sent to Tokyo).

 

Anyway, if a big Tokyo-Moscow breakthrough occurs soon, you read about it here first .....

 

Posted by: non-purist at March 05, 2014 10:15 AM (afQnV)

228 The U.S. total fertility rate is 2.06 children per woman.
Russia's total fertility rate is 1.61 children per woman.
Since men can't give birth, it takes 2.00 children per woman just to keep the population steady, before accounting for net migration.

The U.S. population is not at risk of declining, at least not to the extent that Russia's is, because (a) we're above the breakeven point when it comes to the fertility rate, and (b) we're soon likely to have an immigration policy that intentionally allows a constantly increasing number of immigrants into the country.

Posted by: Joshua at March 05, 2014 11:34 AM (oCZ4e)

229 the 1980s called to ask for their foreign policy back again, but when we asked to trade Presidents they laughed and hung up #rude

Posted by: TallDave at March 05, 2014 02:05 PM (lNW+B)

230 ...and majority of the Americam people. They have voices - let them speak for themselves.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at March 05, 2014 10:01 PM (AQTz3)

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