Sunday, January 31, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/30/10

The United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian doctrine. - Article XI, Treaty of Tripoli, passed by Congress 1797


Commentary:

Hypocritical - "I wouldn't mind watching your brain explode..."<- That's a hateful comment. I think I upset him. LOL http://bit.ly/9l4Dea #tcot #ocra #sgp, and sad - Did you catch my latest article? Have a good laugh at the Left's expense -> http://bit.ly/9l4Dea #tcot #ocra #teaparty #tlot. -
- Update to earlier "Liz Blaine is a hateful hypocrite" blog post

"“Bragging” about what you have vs what someone else has–including extolling the virtues of one’s hometown, rather than someone else’s hometown–is a pretty common back & forth among friends, and I’m surprised Donald didn’t take it in the spirit in which it was clearly intended." -
- Common Sense Political Thought - An apology to Donald Douglas - 30 January 2010, 11:11 am comment

Can't figure out how to successfully permalink these js-kit/Echo comments, but here they are, nevertheless:

"Yeah, Don's addiction to the word nihilism really has gone downhill lately. And we at American Nihilist are very sad about it (or would be, if we didn't think that everything Donald Douglas, Ph.whogivesashit blogs about was meaningless, anyway...)" - 1/30/2010, 10:10:14 AM EST comment -

"Sure, it looks like a toddler's temper tantrum, but it's really righteous wingnut anger at not being able to counter SEC's post with anything more than typos. Toss in a bunch of f@#l language, and it looks (to him, anyway) like he really said something." - 1/30/2010, 10:28:18 AM EST comment -

"And contrary to what our Powerpuffer says, his anger isn't limited to "leftist blog pimps." - 1/30/2010, 12:04:11 PM EST comment -
- Lawyers, Guns and Money: Phony political scientist sees morons at fake Indepedence Hall and is impressed.

"Given the history and shared values that Donald Douglas and Dana have, a better man would’ve given Dana the benefit of the doubt and spoken to him privately, rather than assuming the worst and attacking him in public in a subsequent blog post at American Power." -
- Common Sense Political Thought - An apology to Donald Douglas - 30 January 2010, 8:29 pm comment

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/29/10

I know, up on top you are seeing great sights,
But down at the bottom we, too, should have rights.

- Dr. Seuss, Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories (as found in Seuss-isms)

Commentary:

"I maintain that you were disrespectful to Zinn and to those who cared about him... ...as I said in my tweet, it seems pretty obvious to me that you showed less simple human decency than a person ought when a person dies, and people who admired him or enjoyed his work are mourning his loss, and I stand by what I posted." -
- Leftist Heads Explode Over Howard Zinn’s Death | NewsReal Blog

"Again; it's not 'my' words that I find offensive, but your own."

"[I]t's not hateful to say of anyone who died “This world has certainly lost one of it’s most profound voices today,” be it Zinn or Reagan or Tony Snow." "Posting a screed about "the heads of liberals (those most likely to be mourning his death) exploding," on the other hand, and taking such obvious glee in the fact that those with whom you disagree politically are sad because someone they respected died..."
-
- Leftist Heads Explode Over Howard Zinn’s Death | NewsReal Blog

"I don't know about absolute standards that cover every situation for all time and place, but I do believe in standards of common decency, as practiced here and now in America. I believe they do (or at least should) transcend political partisanship."

"If you want to celebrate the death of Howard Zinn and mock those who respected him and mourn his loss, I can't stop you. All I can say is that kinda behavior goes against the standards of decency with which I was raised, and I find it hurtful and hateful... ...and that's what I said."
-
- Leftist Heads Explode Over Howard Zinn’s Death | NewsReal Blog

"With all due respect, it wasn’t some liberal plot that created the Watergate, Jr, phone tapping meme. Liberal blogs were reporting what they got from the FBI and other sources close to the investigation." -
- O’Keefe & the “TeaBuggers” Do Not a Watergate Make - That Shallow Fellow - 2010/01/29 at 7:52 pm comment

Friday, January 29, 2010

X-Post: Dept. of It Takes One To Know One

Wingnut Liz Blaine, at Horowitz's NewsReal blog, hatefully attacks liberals for mourning the Death of Howard Zinn, and then whines about the assholes on the left who did the same to the mourners of Tony Snow.

Leftist Heads Explode Over Howard Zinn’s Death | NewsReal Blog:
Leftist Heads Explode Over Howard Zinn’s Death
2010 JANUARY 28
tags: Howard Zinn, Leftists, News, Progressives
by Liz Blaine


The hatefulness of the Left knows no bounds when a conservative passes away, but when one of their own dies the hallowed halls of heaven are awaiting their savior as they glorify the beloved path he walked. And woe to him who dares question the idol of their worship. Bits of gray matter are clinging to the shards of leftist skulls as they bemoan the passing of Howard Zinn, the Marxist anarchist known for his revisionist history.

Progressive fans are flocking to twitter and leftist media lamenting Zinn’s demise.

“This world has certainly lost one of it’s most profound voices today.”

“Howard Zinn’s passing is the greatest loss to America since Karl Marx.”

“The world is darker without Howard and his voice, now silent, will be missed by all ‘true’ Americans.”


Some tweeters suffer delusions President Obama should have used the State of the Union address as a platform to recognize Zinn, while over at the Nation leftist drivel is spewing like lava from Mount Kilauea as progressives lay blame for his death,

“Howard’s heart gave out after ‘our’ Supreme Court said Corporations were ‘people’ who, therefore, must be included in his ‘People’s History’ Books!"


Throw in a few voices of dissent and an eruption of expletive-enriched emotions splatter across the net.

“Why don’t you shut the f*** up, you ten cent creep? Have you no f***ing class whatsoever? Who the h*** do you think you are, anyway? You’re no thinker. You’re no contributor. You’re just some random creepy a**hole lurking on a web site.”


I don’t know about you, but I love watching progressive heads blasting sky high, so sit back and enjoy the show. Brain matter will be flying as they spasm over the loss of ”the true father of victimology.”

-------

Point? She's proving she's as hateful, heartless, and tiny a person as the people she's complaining about, and she knows it... No other explanation is possible.

Free clue, Liz. If it's wrong, it's wrong. Idiots like you, who bitch about how hateful it was when someone else did it, AND THEN DO A VERY SIMILAR THING,THEMSELVES, obviously think the rules they set for others don't apply to them.

Which in this case, doesn't surprise me. David Horowitz seems to gather hypocrites the way flies gather on shit.

Hateful is hateful, no matter which side of the aisle it comes from. But I believe the heartless reap what they sow...

And as an aside... What is it with these Horowitz folks that almost all (& generally ALL) of their links go to other pages in their own Horowitz universe? "I can prove that all liberals are dumb, because I said so over on this page of the site, and my fellow blogger said the same thing in this post, here." Horowitz, et al are the most self-referential group of bloggers I've ever run into, which suggests to me that they're full of themselves, and that they're hard-pressed to find other people--including other wingnuts--who actually agree with 'em. This isn't the first time I've made this observation...
------

Twitter, too:
repsac3: : Heartless hypocrite wingnut @LizBlaine proves she's heartless hypocrite wingnut (Attack on Howard Zinn, RIP & mourners)

Liz Blaine: @repsac3 "Heartless hypocrite wingnut" - Oh, dude. That is so lame. Don't you have anything better? #badtroll

repsac3: : @LizBlaine: @repsac3 'Heartless hypocrite wingnut' /Don't you have anything better?/ No, that pretty much says it. Want different, act human

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 All I did was report the facts as they are printed. If you don't like the quotes, go tell your prog friends at the Nation.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine No, what you did was the same thing you bitched about libs doing to TSnow. Kicking folks mourning is just evil left AND right.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine If you want to speak ill of the dead, you can. But complaining about folks speaking ill of the dead in the post where you do it?

repsac3: : @LizBlaine That makes you a heartless hypocrite (to me, anyway... I see you have fans who think otherwise, which doesn't say much 4 them.)

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 I didn't speak ill of the dead. I called him a 'Marxist anarchist known for his revisionist history.' Show me differently.

No Liz, that's what you did... along with enjoying it, and getting all giddy over the fact that you were hurting others by doing so. (And of course, that's not speaking ill of the man... It's just the Horowitz clan's version of truth, right?)

Like I said, Liz, people like you reap what you sow.... Karma's a bitch.
-------------------
UPDATES: (More Twitter, and a good guess as to why Liz didn't link to the Nation.)

TWITTER (continued):
repsac3: : @LizBlaine sez: Other people who speak ill of the dead are hateful; But when I do it, I'm just speaking truth. http://ping.fm/F3TD2 (Link to this post... WARNING: Please don't use it if you're a Con, or you'll be here all day following the same link...)

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 I didn't speak ill of the dead. The only vitriol posted is either quotes or comments from leftists. READ! It makes you intelligent.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine I read. I reacted. If you're happy about what you posted, it's all good. I stand by my impressions and posts on the subject.

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 You are unable to support your accusations w/any citation from my work, yet you stand by them? Emotional reactions don't count.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine Folks at the post have already disputed your "facts" about Zinn. It's namecalling, & little more.

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 LMAO. Those idiots can't tell the author apart from the commenters. YOU LIE! (Interesting comment, given what I find later about some of her "liberal" quotes.)

repsac3: : @LizBlaine And if you don't think the timing/content of your post is heartless, I can't make you see it. You're gleeful over a dead Lib.

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 I only reported what you leftists posted. Get over it or tell your buddies at the Nation to STFU if they don't want to be quoted.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine The only quotes I'm interested in are yours, Liz. The progs you quoted (but didn't link, oddly) weren't being disrespectful...

Liz must've deleted this next one (Big surprise, considering SHE LIED!)
@repsac3 I linked them. Check the link for the Nation, it directs to the post there.
about 1 hour ago from web in reply to repsac3

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 And the last quote was most assuredly being disrespectful. There are others of similar nature in the comments at the Nation.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine I really shouldn't have to explain this, but I meant disrespectful to the dead guy & to those who mourn him.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine And no, the Nation link goes to David's Discoverthenetworks page for the mag. No such quotes there. http://bit.ly/9h72ow

repsac3: : @LizBlaine Found the page myself, and see why you didn't link it. The 'Marx' quote was posted by a Con troll, and the f*** quote was to him

Liz Blaine: : @repsac3 Re-read. Marx is cited throughout the comments. LMAO. You're REALLY trying though. Good night.

repsac3: : @LizBlaine Perhaps, Liz, but the one you chose was posted by a conservative troll. (Kinda hateful, if you ask me...)

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

From TheNation.com; Goodbye Howard Zinn (Can't link to individual comments, but I offer names & dates/times. If you follow the link and read them there, the context--& particularly, who "pontificus" really is (a conservative troll)--becomes very obvious.)
Howard Zinn's passing is the greatest loss to America since Karl Marx.
Posted by pontificus at 01/27/2010 @ 6:24pm

Howard's heart gave out after "our" Supreme Court said Corporations were "people" who, therefore, must be included in his "People's History" Books!
Exxon/Mobil is *not* Howard Zinn !!!

Posted by wa3zgt at 01/27/2010 @ 6:56pm

Posted by pontificus at 01/27/2010 @ 6:24pm | ignore this person | warn this person

Why don't you shut the fuck up, you ten cent creep? Have you no fucking class whatsoever? Who the hell do you think you are, anyway? You're no thinker. You're no contributor. Your'e just some random creepy asshole lurking on a web site insulting the magazine, its authors, most of its readers, and what we generally believe in.

Posted by syfriendly at 01/27/2010 @ 8:05pm

Crazy disrespectful liberals, right?
Yeesh!
-------

Wingnuts and Moonbats X-post

Roundup and Commentary - 1/28/10

Here and now, folks.
Or else spend infinite future fighting quarrels of endless past.
- Paul Williams, Das Energi


Blog Post:

Wingnuts and Moonbats: Dept. of It Takes One To Know One -
- Horowitz-affiliated wingnut whines about how some liberals treat the deaths of conservatives, then quickly becomes pretty hateful herself as concerns the passing of Howard Zinn--particularly toward those liberals who are mourning his death.

Commentary:

"It's my understanding that any attempt to tamper with the senator's phone system amounts to the same federal charge as wiretapping, under the same law." -
- The Oracular Opinion: O’Keefe Gate!? - January 28, 2010 10:16 AM comment

"I do think that these young men were trying to follow in the footsteps of Karl Rove, Lee Atwater, Donald Segretti, and others (many from the Nixon years) who flouted the law and engaged in dirty tricks in the name of influencing the political outcome they wanted." -
- The Oracular Opinion: O’Keefe Gate!? - January 28, 2010 5:38 PM comment

"If you don't like what liberals did to Tony Snow and those who mourned him back then, don't be similarly insensitive to Howard Zinn, and those who mourn him now. Hateful is as hateful does." -
- Leftist Heads Explode Over Howard Zinn’s Death | NewsReal Blog

"Now I see... The 'Marx' quote was written by a conservative troll who was also being disrespectful to the dead (Posted by pontificus at 01/27/2010 @ 6:24pm), and the expletive-laden one was in response to his 'hateful' posts (Posted by syfriendly at 01/27/2010 @ 8:05pm). The Nation: Goodbye Howard Zinn" (Follow Nation link to original "liberal" comments, in context) -
- Leftist Heads Explode Over Howard Zinn’s Death | NewsReal Blog

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/27/10

The believer is happy; the doubter is wise. - Hungarian Proverb, as found in The Portable Curmudgeon


Commentary:

"New Wingnut Target: 'RINO' Scott Brown [LINK]

That didn't take long at all... Even I thought they'd give him a chance to get the pictures hung in his office, and perhaps cast a vote or two, first..."
-
- The Oracular Opinion: Congratulations Scott Brown

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/26/10

"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding it's way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov, as found in The Best Liberal Quotes Ever, collected by William Martin

Commentary:

"That's the trouble with sweeping generalizations. They seldom offer much in the way of truth."
"The biggest problem with the legal opposition to gay marriage isn't bigotry, but the idea that a majority of citizens can or should be able to hold a vote on whether to extend rights to a minority of citizens."
-
- The Oracular Opinion: Cindy McCain Supports Gay Marriage - January 26, 2010 7:17 AM comment

"In a way, the internet is just like life, only because it is faceless, people feel more free to say things about others (and even to others) that they would never say face to face." -
- Jack and Mandy - The Blog: And I think to myself...

"I just don't believe that any government should have the right to take away a citizen's electoral voice. Your citizenship is your birthright... You can give it away, but no one should be able to take it from you." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Cindy McCain Supports Gay Marriage - January 26, 2010 7:22 PM comment

"I just wish those who believe homosexuality is a sin would be as tolerant of gay "sinners" as they are the "sinners" who divorce, or take the Lord's name in vain. Disapprove; pray that the sinners renounce their sinful ways and come home to Jesus; preach and prosthelytize, even; but don't try to make a sinful act into an unlawful one." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Cindy McCain Supports Gay Marriage - January 26, 2010 7:48 PM comment

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/25/10

Dreams should always be optimistic. - 8,789 Words of Wisdom

Commentary:

"I believe that the state has no business legislating the religious rite of marriage in any way, including by restricting who may and may not marry. Church doctrine should not be dictated by the state." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Cindy McCain Supports Gay Marriage - January 25, 2010 3:28 PM comment

"...much of the objection to 'gay marriage' rests on the intertwining of sacred and secular connotations of the word marriage; a religious sacred rite whose name never should've been used to define a union between two people for the purpose of establishing secular, religion-neutral law." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Cindy McCain Supports Gay Marriage - January 25, 2010 4:52 PM comment

"The potential for bearing children naturally isn't a requirement of marriage in any faith of which I'm aware." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Cindy McCain Supports Gay Marriage - January 25, 2010 6:27 PM comment

"I'm pleased when I see conservatives speak up in support of equal rights, but I'm no longer surprised. Whether it's outright vocal support, or just a live and let live attitude (Who cares? We have bigger fish to fry...), fewer and fewer people are opposing the right of gay people to partake of all the legal and social benefits afforded straight folks by virtue of their saying, 'I do.'" -
- The Oracular Opinion: Cindy McCain Supports Gay Marriage - January 25, 2010 11:30 PM comment

Monday, January 25, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/24/10

Do something out of the ordinary every night the week of your birthday. Don't limit your celebration of the big day to only twenty-four hours! - The Check Book: 200 Ways to Balance Your Life


Commentary:

"'Oh, it's twue. It's twue. It's twue, it's twue!' - Lili Von Shtupp - Blazing Saddles" -
- Wingnuts and Moonbats: Democrats: Even if you're afraid you're going down, go down swinging. Don't take a dive. - Sunday, January 24, 2010 8:37:00 AM EST comment

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/23/10

Be the first to say, "Hello." - Life's Little Instruction Book

Blog Post:

E-mail To My Representative In The House, Re: HCR - Wingnuts & Moonbats

Commentary:

"That turnout here in America is so low in general is a big disappointment, but the fact that so many of the most idealistic among us--the folks who will spend the longest time having to live under the laws today's elected officials pass--is especially sad." -
- Wingnuts & Moonbats: Democrats: Even if you're afraid you're going down, go down swinging. Don't take a dive. - Saturday, January 23, 2010 7:53:00 AM EST comment

Saturday, January 23, 2010

E-mail To My Representative In The House Re: HCR

Representative Bishop:

I urge you in the strongest possible terms to reconsider your refusal to quickly take up and pass the best version of health care reform possible. While I agree that the Senate version is far inferior to the House version (which itself was far inferior to what President Obama promised on the campaign trail), it is the best version that we're going to get in the foreseeable future.

By scrapping all of the work of the past year and starting over with only those provisions "which can pass both Houses with bipartisan majorities," the Democratic party is delaying--if not outright killing--reform, laying the groundwork for yet more compromise with the more conservative elements in your party and theirs--which we both know will lead to an even worse bill than we have now--and all but ending Democratic chances in the next elections. (When a party with substantial majorities in both houses and the presidency cannot pass their signature A-#1 bill after over a year of trying, the American public isn't going to care why... They're only going to care that you failed, and vote accordingly.)

Representative Bishop, the only way forward is forward. I urge you to give it some thought, take hold of and pass what amounts to the largest and most thoroughly baked portion of the health care reform loaf that is still available to the Democrats, and get on with the business of feeding those among your constituents who are most in need of health care reform.

A bird in the hand...

Don't allow the perfect...


Please act. We need you.

I look forward to your swift change of heart and mind.

[repsac3]


I followed up with a phone call to his office expressing as many of the same points as they'd let me, as well as calls to my senate reps, as many members of the NY House delegation as I could, and the offices of Pelosi, and Reid. While I'm not a corporation, I'm hoping that some of them will listen.

While I intended to contact my representatives about this issue anyway, I was very disappointed to discover that Congressman Bishop was among those who believe that back is the new way forward:

01/20/10
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Tim Bishop (NY-1) sent the following letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi regarding a vote on the Senate version of health care reform legislation:

January 20, 2010

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
Room H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

Let me start by commending you and your colleagues on our leadership team for your remarkable work, both in shepherding landmark health care reform through the House of Representatives and in protecting so many policy positions important to the House in your negotiations with the Senate.

Now that we have reached such a crucial yet difficult juncture in our efforts to reform a broken system, I wanted to go on record on two issues of vital importance.

First, as you consider options on a way forward, I urge you not to bring the Senate bill as passed on December 24 to the floor for our consideration. The Senate bill is, in my judgment, flawed in several fundamental respects; I will cite two.

One, the excise tax on so-called “Cadillac plans” would subject a number of my constituents to this tax, including a great many who have foregone salary increases for stronger benefits. Further, the fact that it is not properly indexed will subject even more people to the tax in years to come.

Second, and as important, the Senate provision relating to FMAP would represent for New York a $5 billion swing; the House provisions with respect to FMAP would save New York $4 billion a year, while the Senate provisions would add $1 billion annually to New York’s yearly Medicaid expenses.

If the Senate bill does come to the floor for a vote, I will have no choice but to vote no.

There are many provisions of health care reform which can pass both Houses with bipartisan majorities and improve the quality of health care delivered to New Yorkers and all Americans. By taking immediate action on key insurance reforms and improving affordability, we can lay the groundwork to provide coverage for all Americans. I hope we can quickly craft legislation that incorporates these provisions.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Sincerely,

Tim Bishop
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

------
X-posted at Wingnuts & Moonbats

Roundup and Commentary - 1/22/10

What you said is exactly what you intended to say. - Dr. Robert Anthony - Think

Blog Post:

SCrOTUS Flag and Pledge - Wingnuts & Moonbats

Commentary:

"Used correctly, the filibuster is a tool 'the minority [can wield] to place a check upon the power of the majority,' but when misapplied, it can also become a weapon used to create and enforce a tyranny of the minority over the majority."
---
"Part of me likes the idea of term limits--because I agree that the longer one is in office, the more likely corruption becomes, and the more difficult an elected rep is to remove--but I also think there is value in having folks there who know what the fuck is going on, and how it all works."
---
"While direct democracy sounds good, it looks a whole lot more like mob rule to me in practice."
-
- TRUTH 101: EFFORTS TO END THE FILIBUSTER WILL BE FILIBUSTERED BY DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS - JANUARY 22, 2010, 5:04 AM comment

(Repeal of the 17th Amendment) "I'd have to give this idea more thought. I agree that it's easier to bribe and manipulate the few, rather than the many, but perhaps the state needs representation apart from the people at large." -
- Sane Political Discourse: Scott Brown Should NOT Have Been Elected on Tuesday! - January 22, 2010, 8:22 AM comment

"A lot of the gloating and chest-thumping will subside when Brown starts voting and these happy, happy people see that 'changing the game' is a whole lot harder than they think..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Congratulations Scott Brown - January 22, 2010, 4:57 PM comment

Thursday, January 21, 2010

X-Post: Democrats: Even if you're afraid you're going down, go down swinging. Don't take a dive.

Wingnuts & Moonbats X-post

I learned there are troubles
Of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead
And some come from behind.

But I've bought a big bat.
I'm all ready, you see.
Now my troubles are going
To have troubles with me!


- Dr. Suess - I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew
(as recounted in Seuss-isms)

A quick message to Sen. Webb, Congressman Frank, and any/all other elected "left of center" politicians who have any thought of letting the election of Brown, the naked truck driver, weaken their resolve. If you stick to your guns and do what the American people elected you to do--including passing the best version of health care reform you're able--most of us will stand behind you. Allow the Republicans to kill it off without a fight, wasting all the work and spent political capital of the last year, and you might as well just hand the keys over to the Republicans now. Stand up & be the men & women we elected you to be. Reconcile the bills, or swallow hard & pass the Senate version, as is (& then fix the inevitable problems as they rear their ugly little heads.)

The Republicans are not interested in working with you; they are out to kill you off and replace you with one of their own, even if that means keeping the status quo, healthcare-wise. Jim... Barney... Man the fuck up, and don't let it happen to yourselves, your party, or the American people. Don't go down without a fight. Big bats optional.

One more quote:
"If the Democrats run for cover, if we become pale carbon copies of the opposition, we will lose--and deserve to lose. The last thing this country needs is two Republican parties." - Ted Kennedy

---
What Ted Kennedy would tell the Democrats - Ezra Klein

Roundup and Commentary - 1/20/10

God bless the whole world. No exceptions. - Bumpersticker

Blog Post:

Democrats: Even if you're afraid you're going down, go down swinging. Don't take a dive. (Posted on Wingnuts & Moonbats)

Commentary:

"Let's hope EVERY dang bill in the next three years (and perhaps beyond) doesn't require 60 votes to pass..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Congratulations Scott Brown - January 20, 2010 3:06 AM comment

"Golly, what a happy bunch of cons..."
"I don't believe in divided & balanced government, at least where the political parties are concerned."
"[F]or all the wild celebrations on one side, and hand-wringing & gnashing of teeth on the other, the Democratic majority in the Senate went from 60-40 to 59-41."
"Requiring a super-majority was meant to add an extra check on the majority ramming through the most egregious legislation. It was never meant to take the place of the simple majority required to pass all legislation."
-
- The Oracular Opinion: Congratulations Scott Brown - January 20, 2010 3:57 PM comment

"[A]s far as I'm concerned, the push to move this country a little further leftward isn't much affected by the difference between 60 and 59. I'm disappointed, but I'm not down. Sometimes it's two steps forward and one step back, but the whole of US history has been away from less rights and freedom of opportunity to more rights and freedom of opportunity, and the election of one Republican Senator from Mass is barely even a pebble in the road of of that progress." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Congratulations Scott Brown - January 20, 2010 5:26 PM comment

"One sign of a troll is someone who cuts and pastes identical comments on multiple blogs, and/or posts under various names..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: Congratulations Scott Brown - January 20, 2010 5:50 PM comment

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/19/10

I learned there are troubles
Of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead
And some come from behind.

But I've bought a big bat.
I'm all ready, you see.
Now my troubles are going
To have troubles with me!


- Dr. Suess - I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew
(as recounted in Seuss-isms)

Commentary:

"Why is it that so many naysayers spend more time calling folks names (or making fun of their actual names) and saying THAT they disagree, and so little time expressing WHY they disagree" -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats! - January 19, 2010 8:55 AM comment

---
The daily quote for today is a message to Sen. Webb, Congressman Frank, and any/all other elected "left of center" politicians who have any thought of letting the election of Brown, the naked truck driver, weaken their resolve. If you stick to your guns and do what the American people elected you to do--including passing the best version of health care reform you're able--most of us will stand behind you. Allow the Republicans to kill it off without a fight, wasting all the work and spent political capital of the last year, and you might as well just hand the keys over to the Republicans now. Stand up & be the men & women we elected you to be. Reconcile the bills, or swallow hard & pass the Senate version, as is (& then fix the inevitable problems as they rear their ugly little heads.)

The Republicans are not interested in working with you; they are out to kill you off and replace you with one of their own, even if that means keeping the status quo, healthcare-wise. Jim... Barney... Man the fuck up, and don't let it happen to yourselves, your party, or the American people. Don't go down without a fight.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/18/10

"What's all this 'Boy, Man, God, Shit'?!?" - rec.music.phish (PhishNet), circa 1994


Commentary:

"The world of the teabagger (or at the very least this teabagger) is indeed largely fact free, and they're not afraid to prove it." -
- Prairie Weather: Steele-ing - January 18, 2010 at 08:05 AM comment

"Not sure what it is the naysayers are taking issue with (this time.) Is it that she used the word 'shit'? The idea that God doesn't meddle in the day to day affairs of man--including a statewide special election to fill a US senate seat, as important as that is to many of us?"-
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats! - January 18, 2010 11:00 AM comment

"[Brown's] record puts him on par with the rest of the east coast lib'ruls that many teabaggers talk about purging from the party, and should he actually serve as a Senator, many of the same people who've been working for and applauding every word that's fallen from his lips in this campaign--and particularly the baggers who are not from MA, and don't have much of a handle on what is and isn't possible here in the northeast--are going to be lumping him in with Snowe, Collins, and the rest of the RINOs who're in the Republican party."

"I can appreciate that people disagree where religion is concerned, and that some religious opinion is going to be offensive to folks who hold a different religious opinion, no matter how it's intended, but I really didn't think that anything I said was "nincompoop-worthy," or particularly offensive."
-
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/17/10

Not to draw lines is to discriminate only for the moment,
Is not to go beyond the situation,
Is not to go beyond the world that's real.

- Paul Williams - Das Energi

Commentary:

"As long as partisans make their living in the ratings driven media, there will always be some among them who say foolish, controversial things." -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats! - January 17, 2010 12:21 PM comment

"I have no problem with folks being politically practical, even when it means compromising their ideals a little, but let's not pretend that teabaggers who're supporting Brown aren't compromising those ideals..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats! - January 17, 2010 12:49 PM comment

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/16/10

It is a fine thing to face machine guns for immortality and a medal, but isn't it a fine thing, too, to face calumny, injustice and loneliness for the truth that makes men free? - H. L. Mencken

Commentary:

"I can appreciate that the race is close'n'all, but I find it hard to take anyone seriously who believes that if Brown doesn't win, Coakley must've cheated..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats! - January 16, 2010 12:23 AM comment

"Wearing a funny hat or flipping a pancake will never earn my vote, though it may cause a candidate to lose it, all other things being equal.)" -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats! - January 16, 2010 1:28 PM comment

"I never was any good at regurgitating simplistic little partisan memes, generalizing about whole groups of people, or calling much of anyone names just for having a particular political point of view." -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats! - January 16, 2010 3:31 PM comment

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/15/10

It is ironic that the United States should have been founded by intellectuals, for throughout most of our political history, the intellectual has been for the most part either an outsider, a servant, or a scapegoat. - Richard Hofstadter - The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Collected by William Martin


Commentary:

"His writing & thought processes still remind me of a bad Bill O'Reilly impersonation, but he does play that victim--and dare I say "black victim"--card entirely too often..." -
- American Nihilist: Donald Douglas and The Persecution That Isn't There

"While I've no doubt that some will say this is only proof of the coverup, many believe the confessed author when he says that 'Report From Iron Mountain' was a satirical work of fiction." -
- Immoderate Monk: Iron Mountain: A blueprint to tyranny, or a hoax? (and, LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN: IRON MOUNTAIN, A BLUE PRINT TO TYRANNY:, if the owner of the blog permits my comment to appear there.)

"It's just take, take, take and mine, mine, mine with you conservatives, isn't it?" -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats!

"[T]he thought of anyone in Mass voting a certain way in the name of teaching me a lesson about humility has exactly the opposite effect. It's anything but humbling to believe that anyone in the state (or anywhere else) thinks I'm that important..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats!

Friday, January 15, 2010

X-Post: Donald Douglas and The Persecution That Wasn't

American Nihilist x-post
-------

I've seen Donald Douglas play the victim card before, but lately, the "attacks" he's alleging just don't seem to be there...

I first noticed this a few days ago. Donald titled a recent American Power post, Think Progress Goes After Michael Steele - And Dana Loesch!, but nowhere in his post or at the Think Progress post about which he's writing, does anyone go after Dana Loesch (who I gather from the context is a con radio mouthpiece, a teabagger, and a twitterer.) The piece at Think Progress pretty matter-of-factly discusses Dana's reaction when Steele abruptly cancelled his appearance on her show--including her calling him a "butt sniffer," and Donald's whine seems to primarily take issue with the fact that Think Progress accurately reported what Dana said. It's true that some of the readers who commented at the Think Progress article aren't fond of Dana Loesch and say so, but that's hardly the same thing as saying the blog or any of the writers there "went after" her. ...except to Donald, obviously.

The next day, Donald writes another post, Arguments in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, where he alleges more persecution:

But to get an idea of how deep-seated is the left's hatred of traditionalism, get a load of Michael Stickings attack on Theodore Olson. Again, be sure to have read Olson's essay and to have watched the video. Olson is deeply authentic. And recall that his wife, attorney Barbara Olson, died on Flight 77 on September 11 when al Qaeda terrorists drove it into the Pentagon. Here's Stickings' attack on Olson, and thus conservatives in toto:
It is indeed extremely helpful that Ted Olson, a prominent conservative Republican legal figure, is a prominent supporter of same-sex marriage, and the "conservative case" he makes for it is indeed a strong one ....

Conservative opposition to same-sex marriage, rooted in bigotry (what else?), is indeed deeply hypocritical given conservatives' admiration of the institution of marriage, but what Olson doesn't seem to understand, or at least to acknowledge, is that conservatism, or at least the dominant strains of contemporary conservatism, does not consider the "principle of equality" to be anything "bedrock" or "central." If it did -- if conservatives really were committed to "the revolutionary concept expressed in the Declaration of Independence" -- Olson wouldn't be such a rare exception among his own kind.

Olson has a leading voice on the right, but he's speaking rationally inside a hurricane of irrationality and about justice to a political movement that has embraced injustice as a driving force. I admire him for this, but I fear he'll get nowhere.

In other words, Olson's a outlier from the bastion of evil, or something.


Now where I come from, saying that a lawyer's case is a strong one, that he is committed to "the revolutionary concept expressed in the Declaration of Independence," even when others in his party are not, and that one admires the man, would be considered compliments, not attacks. Being an outlier from the bastion of evil would be viewed as a pretty good thing, too... Stickings isn't taking issue with Olson... He's taking issue Donald, and the irrational bigotry and injustice that he's spouting. And rather than arguing against what Olson's saying, Donald's trying to pretend that it is "the left" is attacking Olson--whose wife died in a plane on 9/11, don't forget. (Is there a point to bringing that up, as though it has some bearing on the argument Olson is making or the article Stickings wrote, or is Donald just channelling Rudy, and tossing that Republican go to "Hail Mary" 9/11 pass?)

I can appreciate that Donald and his friends on the right often get attacked by those who don't agree with 'em (just as folks on the left do by some on the right), but making up stories of persecution isn't the way to change folks' minds, Donald. If you can't speak truth, you ought not speak.

Roundup and Commentary - 1/14/10

Everyone is an amateur at death. - 8,789 Words of Wisdom - collected by Barbara Ann Kipfer

Blog Post:

American Nihilist: Donald Douglas and The Persecution That Isn't There ("Help, help, I'm bein' repressed!!")

An old friend of my father died - Charlie Kaye

Commentary:

"I agree that all the US government seats occupied by folks we elect are the people's seats..."
"To his credit, Brown did more or less answer the question, but I suspect it wasn't the answer that many of those former Kennedy voters wanted to hear..."
"[I]f I have to choose between big business--whose whole reason for being is to make a profit for themselves and their shareholders, and big government--whose whole reason for being is to perform the duties that we citizens want, the way we want, I know who I'm relying on every time; my government, who is accountable to me."
-
- The Oracular Opinion: They’re OUR Seats!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

An old friend of my father died

For those who don't know, my father has been a professional musician since the early 70's, which has alot to do with why I love all kinds of music and always have. While dad spent most of that time as a solo piano player, with steady nights in restaurant piano bars and weddings and anniversary party gigs as he could book them, he had a band or two early on, and at least one of them included a guy named Charlie Kaye on drums.

I've always loved listening to my dad play piano, but back when I was five or six, I was transfixed by Charlie's drums, and one of my best memories from that age is going down to my father's basement "music room" in my feetie pajamas on nights when the band was practicing & "playing" (banging on) Charlie's drum kit for a few minutes (that is, as long as they'd let me), while the band took a break. (Even though my dad was a keyboard player & even had one of his bands named after him--Casper & Friends--I spent several years wanting to be a drummer when I grew up, thanks to Charlie Kaye. To this day I love exploring new rhythms from distant lands, and while I've had many musical & rhythmic influences over the years, I'll give Charlie some of the credit for that, too. I wish I'd stuck with it as a kid and actually learned to play.)

They played softball together, as well. I don't remember whether they were in any kinda league, or if it was just a bunch of bleary-eyed musicians & whatnot getting together on a Sunday afternoon & having fun, but I do know that my dad took my brother & I to a few games. Charlie brought his son, Eric, too.
At one of those games we three got into the wrong cooler & caught a pretty good beer buzz before getting caught. (As the oldest, I got yelled at most of all, even though I'm not so sure any of us knew that we'd done anything wrong by drinkin' the weird tasting soda. It wasn't as though we were intentionally sneakin' beers; we were just thirsty, and didn't know the difference. I don't recall any of us doing anything to hide the cans we was drinkin' out of... It wasn't our fault that no one was paying much attention...)

Charlie Kaye was a good guy, and back in the 70's, he & my dad were pretty close friends...

We got word a day or two ago that Charlie Kaye had a massive heart attack & died on Monday the 11th.

When I was looking online for an obituary & funeral arrangements, I discovered he was still a working musician here on Long Island, with a band named after him, this time. (Last I'd heard, he had his own business... Something to do with electronics, I think--so discovering that he was still playing was a surprise.) There were even videos...

May I present my friend, Charlie Kaye:




Had I known he was still playing live, I might've gone to see him one night, & perhaps even tapped on a cymbal, for old times.

The band also had a website: The Charlie Kaye Band. Charlie is the distinguished gentleman in the center in both photos on the site.

For anyone interested, a few more videos of the Charlie Kaye Band can be found here.
(Updated 1/15/10, 9:30 AM, with small edits for clarity.)
-------

UPDATE: Saturday, 1/16/09, 1:24 AM
Spent the early part of Friday evening with a whole lotta other people at Nocello's Restaurant in Northport, celebrating Charlie's life and saying a last goodbye. While it should've gone on a whole lot longer than it did, Charlie Kaye led a good life in which he made a lot of "best friends," and a lot of people happy. If only we all could have as much said about us after we go.

While we couldn't stay for the whole thing, it was a great send off, and I'd like to make it known that I want something similar when I go. No maudlin wake, with me layin' all stiff in a corner. Fire up the kiln & chant "Ashes, ashes..." etcetera, & then get everyone with the slightest interest in my passing together, hire a good band, bring in some tasty food, and let the good times roll. I'll make a note to try to go in the late spring, early summer, so it can all take place outside somewhere & be just right for y'all...
---
Added 11/29/11: Since this post often gets hits from people searching for information about what to say to family members left behind, here's a post I came across that those folks might find helpful (keeping in mind it's just one internet stranger's opinion, and may or may not fit your particular situation...) - Sense of Events: What to say to the grieving

X-Post: I see nothing racist about Harry Reid's comments, either.

Wingnuts & Moonbats X-post
-----------

Fresh off saying that chances are slim I'd ever comment on this conservative fellow's blog (See here, where I say, "Yeah, I read through some of it, and checked for new posts a few times, but chances are slim I'll ever comment there."), I'm writing a post here about his most recent post. And worse than that, I'm doing so because I agree with much of what he wrote.

(Damn... It's really hard to put one's beliefs and ideals before partisan rancor, sometimes. I find this guy pretty unpleasant--there's this whole feud thing we're having, primarily because he seems to enjoy calling me an asshole (in the deleted version, I was a "dickhead" and a "sicko" posting "bitchy rants," which both "made him unhappy" & "pissed him off"), along with disparaging my blogging, using a whole slew of other nasty little names & phrases, all because I don't happen to share his political persuasion (as far as I can tell, anyway... He's never been specific as to why I'm an asshole. All I know for sure is, he seems pretty certain I am)--and yet here I am agreeing with him simply because--in this Harry Reid situation, anyway--he's right...)

Here's the parts of the malcontent's post (I'm not making fun... That's his screen name) with which I have no issue:
No, I'm sorry but I don't see anthing racist about Reid's comments.
I can't stand Harry Reid, but his comments are not racist by any stretch of the imagination.
If the person to whom the comments were directed is not offended than neither am I.
...

I was not offended by Reid's or Lott's remarks. ...
And don't tell me about Trent Lott either, Trent Lott gave an offhand compliment to Strom Thurmond during a dinner in his honor. He never mentioned - or thought of - segregation or Jim Crow. Period. He was saying something nice about an old man. ...

Aside from being unable to "stand Harry Reid," (He wouldn't've been my choice for Majority Leader, but I there are far worse people, even in the Democratic Party), I agree with all of that, including the bit about Trent Lott. People sometimes make poor word choices and thus imply things they do not intend to say or imply.

I didn't like or agree with Trent Lott and I wasn't sorry to see him go, but I have no reason to believe he was a racist... When Lott said "When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years, either." , I believe he was just trying to say something nice about a 100 year old man, and neglected to consider that when Strom Thurmond ran back in 1948, he ran as a segregationist Dixiecrat. It is open to interpretation of course, but I believe he just hadn't thought his words through...

Reid, on the other hand, said what he said intentionally, and meant it. (Back in 2008, Mr Reid said privately that Mr. Obama could become the country’s first black president because he was “light-skinned” and had “no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.”) I don't know whether or not I agree that a lighter skinned black has an advantage over a darker skinned black among the electorate--I don't want to believe it could be true these days (or ever), but that doesn't mean it isn't--but there's not a doubt in my mind that a candidate's dialect makes a difference--sometimes it helps, and sometimes it hurts. Reid was not stating that this is the way it should be; he was expressing the opinion that this is the way it was.

There is a difference between saying something racist and saying something racial. (Yeah, I caught Sharpton on CNN, and stole that line from him... The fact that he said it doesn't make it wrong, though...) There are differences between us all, and we have to be able to discuss them without falling into the trap of calling anyone who acknowledges that fact a racist (or when it's not a racial difference, a bigot). One's heritage comes with a set of stereotypical features at birth, and one's upbringing in the home & in society at large adds a "stereotypical" set of values and beliefs (and some more features, like dialect) to that mix. As a group, _______ people look and act differently than people who aren't _______. (Sometimes the differences are greater or less than others, depending on how those blanks get filled in, but whether they're filled in with the word "Polish," "Black," "Christian," "female," or "straight," there are differences. If there weren't, people would just be people, and there would be no need to differentiate between 'em.)

While there is a line--and sometimes a very thin one--between discussing those things that make people of a particular religious, ethnic, or social group "different" from the rest of us, and bigotry/racism, we need to be able to talk openly about who "we" are, who "they" are, and who we all are together (as a community, as citizens, and as human beings). What Reid said wasn't racist. It was just discussing race.

Of course, I didn't agree with everything the malcontent said in his post. Briefly, here are some of the points with which I did not agree.:
The sad truth is that blacks will make excuses for Reid's comment because they willingly wear the blinders that make them see only the notion that it is impossible for a democrat or liberal to be racist in any way. Blacks are the most gullible ethnic group on earth. And their heroes called the liberals epitomize double-standardness.

"Blacks are the most gullible ethnic group on earth." Wow. I'm just speechless.


How is it when Joe Wilson shouted "You lied" that everyone called him a racist. He was disrespectful, sure, but there was nothing inherently racist about saying those words. Yet, he took a lot of heat about being racist for some unknown reason. People assumed some inferred meaning behind his words. Now you have Harry Reid saying words that are clearly of a racist tone and he gets a free pass.

I have no idea whether or not Joe Wilson's a racist, but if he is (or ever was), it isn't because he yelled out "You Lie!!". (There is some question about his affiliation with the "Sons of Confederate Veterans," a group that the Southern Poverty Law Center says has many pro-segregation members, however. I've neither the time or inclination to explore this further, but I urge anyone interested to do so. In the meantime, I'll assume that Jow Wilson is just rude, but not a bigot.) And that line about "...Harry Reid saying words that are clearly of a racist tone..." Doesn't that contradict what the malcontent said in the title & first paragraph of his post? Yeah, I think so too...
And who gives flying Crap about what a pile of RACIST SHIT like Al Sharpton thinks?
The civil Racist leaders in this country are hitting an all time low, when they whine and snivel about not getting their way. Then they pull this two faced malarkey. ...

If I ever catch the likes of Sharpton any where near my children, the big bad White boogie man will be the least of his worries.


Not a big fan of Sharpton--not everything should be looked at and dissected from a racial standpoint--but I don't think he's a racist, either.
The Dems condone it because they say they have done so much for the African American community. If they have done so much why are so many African Americans families still living in poverty. i would guess a much more higher percentage than any other group except for maybe native Americans. Who are also very dependent on govt handouts. Are you seeing a common theme here. People who rely on govt handouts or anyother handouts for that matter live in poverty. when you become self reliant and self sufficient is when you are able to achieve success. And that my friends is why poor people from all over the world risk getting killed to come here.

I don't know... To me that says "Poor people are poor because they're poor, and if the rest of us would just let them suffer the effects of their poverty, the poor will get off their lazy asses & become rich."

[The Democratic party's] failure to hold their own accountable is laughable. In the last two years since then candidate Obama declared they have given passes to Bill Clinton twice, Joe Biden, and now Harry Reid while attempting to pull the race card on any political oppenent that opposes them.

Again, if what Harry Reid said wasn't racist--and the malcontent says it wasn't--then how is it he believes the Democratic party is giving Reid a pass?

Each of these Democrats made foolish statements involving race. But I think that to varying degrees, they all fall into the same "racial, not racist" soup as Reid and Lott, above.
Now, let's talk about Robert Byrd the Democrat KKK member. Using your logic, all Democrats who ever complimented Byrd obviously approved of his KKK membership and by extionsion the lynching of blacks that the KKK did.

Byrd (and Thurmond, above) are a different story... They most certainly WERE racists, back when it was far more acceptable to be so than it ever should've been. I cannot say what was in their hearts, but I'd like to believe that they both saw the error of their ways and renounced their racist beliefs. However, I think that malcontent's argument against whoever "you" is, is flawed. To make an apples to apples comparison to the Thurmond situation, where one could even possibly be implying approval for the KKK or lynching, one would have to compliment Byrd for all the work he did for folks while in that "anti-communist social organization" back in the 1940's. Congratulating Byrd for being the longest serving senator in US history, for example, (or something similarly unrelated to that time or those activities) is a whole other kettle of fish.

---
Previous commentary on similar subjects:
Angie Harmon plays the race card 3/31/09
Racist Music Just a Download Away on Mainstream Music Sites 2/25/09
Free Speech, Imus, and the Free Market 4/26/07
Black Caucus: Whites Not Allowed 1/31/07
---
I'm working on a piece on another blog that discusses race, racism, and bigotry. When it's complete, (or should I have any additional thoughts or links) I'll update, below.
--------
(Please see original post for updates and commentary.)

Roundup and Commentary - 1/13/10

As you climb your own ladder of success, consciously reach down to bring others with you. Success is much sweeter and more meaningful when it's shared with others. - Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie - The Check Book


Blog Post:

Wingnuts & Moonbats: I see nothing racist about Harry Reid's comments, either.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/12/10

The angry people are those who are most afraid. - Dr. Robert Anthony - Think

Commentary:

"Another disgraced/disgraceful ex-pol/political hack on Fox.." -
- TRUTH 101: SARAH PALIN: MORE POWERFUL THAN A LOCOMOTIVE

"Dude, let's review..." -
- Malicious Content: the malcontent: Just unoriginal, or is IAGNB his sockpuppet?

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/11/10

Own a great stereo system. - Life's Little Instruction Book (Sad, that this advice is a little dated, already...)


Blog Post:

Malicious Content: the malcontent: Just unoriginal, or is IAGNB his sockpuppet?

Commentary:

"Thanks for stoppin' by, Malc. Your comments are a testament to the kind of person you choose to be, and I've no doubt your cheeto-stained fingers will have you crossing my path again soon. (Within reason, it's fine, of course... You make an excellent example of how not to behave toward others, and I'll be glad to refer to the foolishness you post at every opportunity.)" -
- Immoderate Monk: Political Bigotry of a Conservative? - January 11, 2010 10:06 AM comment

"The author(s) of a blog have final say about what does/does not appear on their pages, and it's silly to complain if a blogger chooses not to run their little corner of the web the way you believe they should." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog - January 11, 2010 1:53 PM comment

"I blame all these trollish types on Truth.." "I'm not going to get too wrapped up in their nonsense or allow them free reign, but so far, they're only embarrassing themselves, as far as I'm concerned. Should the visits become too bigoted, foul, or frequent, my approach to them will change, as well." -
- Immoderate Monk: Political Bigotry of a Conservative? - January 11, 2010 2:43 PM comment

"While I may have the legal right to be vulgar or otherwise offensive on the internet in general, it doesn't give me or anyone else an absolute legal right to come to your blog and call you names or say nasty things about your parentage or political leanings and have it remain posted, if you, as 'blogmaster,' don't choose to allow it." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog - January 11, 2010 6:48 PM comment

"Good luck getting back home to your village..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog - January 11, 2010 7:39 PM comment

Monday, January 11, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/10/10

We are learning not to draw lines.
No lines between good and evil.
No lines between right and wrong.
No lines between man and woman.
No lines between human and god.


- Paul Williams - Das Energi


Commentary:

No Blog, No Brains, cont'd -
"The more you speak, the more of an ass you prove yourself to be... ...but by all means, keep talking..." -
- Immoderate Monk: No Blog has no new comments, anymore - January 10, 2010 7:53 AM comment

IAGNB insignificance -
- Immoderate Monk: No Blog has no new comments, anymore - January 10, 2010 8:22 AM comment

"As far as my 'dumb blog,' it seems to be you who keeps bringin' it up, not me... You cared yesterday, Mal... Color me all manner of heartbroke that you don't, today..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog - January 10, 2010 9:49 AM comment

"Pot, say hey to kettle..." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog - January 10, 2010 10:02 AM comment (The irony... It burns!!!)

"IAGNB is obviously a modest man. But then, he has much to be modest about."
"Opinions are like assholes, Mal..."
"Truth: You are a gentleman and a defender of all that is good and right..."
"Whatta ya think we is, sum kynna morans?"
-
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog - January 10, 2010 6:36 PM comment

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/9/10

It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens. - Woody Allen - The Portable Curmudgeon - Compiled by Jon Winokur

Commentary:

I Ain't Got No Blog Ain't Got No Brains, Neither: (a series of comments in response to a troll that ain't even worth quoting... Read if you wish, but you've been warned...) -

- IAGNB sez anyone can post comments at his non-blog blog. I show him otherwise, complete with screen shots.

- IAGNB goes to a different blog and claims we have no history. I post the links to his prior trollings, and my responses to them. (I Ain't Got No Blog said... January 9, 2010 8:31 AM)

- IAGNB posts two comments full of old workplace humor and ad hom insults. I reply, noting that to do so is pretty clear evidence that he has nothing to say in support of his dishonest claims, and is only making himself look more foolish.

"Those who don't sufficiently tow the party line--saying the right words, supporting the right measures, hating the right people--are getting attacked for their heresy. Thinkin' too far outside the box isn't acceptable." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog, January 9, 2010 3:21 PM Comment

"If you have an issue with something I've said or done, talk to me, but don't pretend that I represent everyone who more or less agrees with me politically, or that I am responsible for every action taken by any liberal anywhere. In fairness, I will offer you the same courtesy." -
- Immoderate Monk: Political Bigotry of a Conservative? (A reply to a post by "The Chronicles of a Conservative, posted, then removed from The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog.)

'Loesch ended up doing a “fake” interview with Steele, where she asked the questions she was planning to ask and then also gave mock answers as the RNC chairman, whom she called a “butt sniffer” for standing her up.'

"I didn't see Dana getting props from the post (though yeah, some of the folks who commented enjoyed it)... I just saw a quote of what the woman said...

The question is, do you disagree? Do you support Steele, or is he the butt sniffer that Dana says he is?"
-
- American Power: Think Progress Goes After Michael Steele - And Dana Loesch!, January 9, 2010 7:05 PM comment (Also, no one at Think Progress "went after" Loesch... But leave it to Donald Douglas to play the persecution card.)

Also:

Just read that the blogger Right Wing Prof (of Right Wing Nation, and most recently Central Pennsylvania Orthodox) passed away at 1:45 AM on 7 January, 2010. My prayers are with all who loved him, and all who mourn his loss.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/8/10

When anger spreads through the breast, guard thy tongue from barking idly. - Sappho - The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - collected by William Martin

Commentary:

"The comment to which I was replying was there when I started writing my reply to it, and with all respect due POL's subsequent comments, I fail to see why he holds me responsible for not foreseeing his decision to remove his words. I could only read the comment that was posted; not his mind."

"--while I can see the value of attaching one's face/real name (or
nom de keyboard, at least) to their words, it is the words themselves that create the most accurate picture of who a person really is, in my humble opinion--"

"The downside of eliciting comment from folks who disagree is that the folks you get comment from will disagree..."
-
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog

"No, I'm not particularly happy when anyone has to put up with foul mannered people on their blog, but yeah, I guess I am satisfied that we all seem to agree that trolls come in all flavors along the political spectrum, and are not exclusively a product of those of the 'other' political persuasion (whoever 'they' may be)." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog

"Sound advice... Now if only you'd thought to take it, yourself..." -
- Immoderate Monk: In reply to a "thinking" man (Reply to a comment once posted here: The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog, but removed for being needlessly hostile.)

"Probably the best piece of writing you've stolen & passed off as your own..." -
- Immoderate Monk: No Blog has no new comments, anymore (Intended for: No Blog: JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION!)

"Some folks just can't take yes for an answer." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog

"All this self-editing after the fact is getting tiresome, especially since I keep replying to comments that're there when I hit 'comment,' and gone by the time I hit 'post." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog

"Thanks for playing, IAGNB... No consolation prize, though... Your inability to keep up makes you sadly unworthy..." -
- Immoderate Monk: No Blog has no new comments, anymore

Friday, January 08, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/7/10

Show your good manners by putting up pleasantly with bad ones. - 8,789 Words of Wisdom - collected by Barbara Ann Kipfer

Commentary:

"Interesting to take note of those who're attacking our hostess for being willing to engage those with whom she disagrees--without being disagreeable, I mean--and those who are defending her willingness to do so." -
- The Oracular Opinion: A Blessed Christmas to All

"(I had a comment or two, but between Pam & Octo, t'was all already said.)" -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog

"Yes, there are left and right wing perps, just as there are left and right wing victims. And just as Pam is mistress of her blog here, you are lord and master of yours... Belittle 'em, delete 'em, or ignore 'em... whatever floats your boat." -
- The Oracular Opinion: It’s MY Blog

Monday, January 04, 2010

Roundup and Commentary - 1/3/10

Live one day as if it were your last day to live. - The Check Book: 200 ways to balance your life - Nicholaus & Lowrie

Commentary:

"Wingnuts defending bigotry... What else is new? ..." -
- alicublog (1/3/10, 6:54:57 AM EST comment)

Nerd Score (Do nerds score?)