The Watering Hole, Thursday, October 25th, 2012: Mixed Bag

Posted on by

I realize that I’m constantly posting articles from Foreign Policy Magazine, but they do provide some interesting items. Here’s a few that you may (or may not, I admit) be interested in.

First, a “who said it” article with fifteen quotes from either President Obama or Mitt Romney. Many of the quotes make the answer pretty obvious, but considering how WillardMitt has been trying to morph into a reasonable moderate like President Obama…well, see how you do on it.

Next, “In Praise of Apathy” discusses the American non-voter, as well as the two-party system, the electoral college, and the failings of the latter two. I was afraid that this article would be similar to the ‘Voting is a waste of time’ one on which I had previously written, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Speaking of the two-party system, here’s another FP article about the Third-Party Presidential Debate that was held on Tuesday night. Some of the topics in this debate are issues that many of us are more concerned about than those covered in the three debates between President Obama and Mitt Romney: the use of drones, climate change, the war on drugs, etc.

Last, an article from “The Daily” that I found on FP’s sidebar, entitled “Unsolicited Advice: An Open Letter to Undecided Voters”, which I think you’ll all enjoy.

This is our daily open thread–let’s talk!

129 thoughts on “The Watering Hole, Thursday, October 25th, 2012: Mixed Bag”

  2. I question whether the undecided voter is going to vote or not. Maybe it would be better for them to stay home since that obviously haven’t been paying attention to anything other than their navel fuzz.

    Reply ↓

  3. “What I said was, in answering the question form my position of faith, I said I believe that God creates life. I believe that as wholly and as fully as I can believe it. That God creates life,” Mourdock said. “Are you trying to suggest that somehow I think that God pre-ordained rape? No, I don’t think that. That’s sick. Twisted. That’s not even close to what I said. What I said is that God creates life.”

    And here all along I thought that the union of a sperm and an egg created life. According to Mourdock, all pregnancies are caused by divine intervention. Shoot, I was a virgin giving birth, twice! Imagine that.

    Reply ↓

    • God (sounding like james Mason BTW – h/t/ Eddit Izzard): Jesus Christ I’m bored….. Tebow’s not getting any playtime…. what’s an omnipotent deity to do?

      Jesus (Ricky Gervais): Hey Dad, you called?

      God: Well actually no, that’s more of a figure of speech, but now you’re here – Dad’s bored. Got any ideas?

      JHC: I suppose there’s always that ‘create life’ thing – you’re good at that. There’s always somebody f**king somewhere after all. (under breath – Just never seems to be me though, old man never lets me get my end away…. and I’m a good looking guy, witty, good connections…. you’d think someone would put out for the Son of Man…)

      God: Oh yeah, well let’s see. Oh there’s this BBC TV presenter over here, Jimmy what’s it…. he’s raping this schoolgirl behind the stage. I assume its rape. Usually when people f**k I hear stuff like ‘Oh God’ and stuff and I can never tell

      JHC: (thinks: and sometimes it’s ‘Jesus Christ, harder Bob, HARDER’ and ‘Jesus, you’re so big’ – last thing I need is being called to watch someone else’s good time).

      God: Well she’s muffled by his hand around her throat a bit, but I’m hearing “God, help me please God…” What do you think?

      JHC: Well, its definitely rape Dad, but you know, the Republicans say that your role is just to give this girl the ‘gift of life’ and you know they are entirely infallible, just like the Pope you know, when it comes to interpreting your wishes and communicating them to the braindead American public. Oh wait he’s finished. And she’s barely conscious, so get in there and do your thing, Dad.

      God: Well you know, I’m kind of omnipotent and supposed to be omniscient and all-good – tell me again why I didn’t stop Jimmy Saville raping that poor schoolgirl again there and maybe give him a heart attack or perhaps a long, terminal bout with ass-cancer?

      JHC: Dad stop questioning the Republican party and go give her the ‘gift of life’ so she can remember this day forever. And make it snappy, I’ve found another over here – Afghanistan, there’s this 13 year-old-child bride, and she’s been forced married to her great uncle’s 60-year-old syphilitic cousin and he’s …. ew… naked old men f**king…. did you really create that?

      God: Done, you had another one you said?….This’ll fill in the day great until Dancing With the Stars comes on.

      Reply ↓

  4. If Moudock was interviewing for a job as a pastor at a fundie claven, he’d be great. As many people have pointed out, his religious views will be part of his legislative agenda as a Senator.
    Not such a good idea.

    Reply ↓

  5. And Colin Powell Nails Rmoney on Foreign Policy waffling as he endorses the President for re-election.
    Key excerpt
    ““I have concerns about his views on foreign policy. The Governor, who was speaking on Monday night at the debate, was saying things that were quite different from what he said earlier. So I’m not quite sure which Governor Romney we would be getting with respect to foreign policy…”

    h/t Greg Sargent’s Plum Line this AM

    Reply ↓

  6. This is an amazing ad put together by the South Dakota GOP trashing a Dem congressional candidate for getting graduate degrees, studying in far-off places, and learning/writing/speaking about climate change. It’s hilarious and pathetic at the same time:

    Reply ↓

    • South Dakotans, your choice is clear. A farmer’s wife who apparently hasn’t gone past high school v. a young man with a Master’s Degree that cares about protecting the environment you all rely on to grow your crops, breathe clean air and drink pure water. Republicans are betting you’ll go for the home-grown farmer’s wife over a highly educated international scholar and environmentalist.

      They’re probably right.

      Reply ↓

      • “I thought it was a great ad for Varilek!”
        Only if your target audience can comprehend words that have more than 2 syllables. Gotta remember, after 1 winter in North Dakota, you’re actually in favor of Global Warming.

        Reply ↓

  7. I find this rather disturbing:

    American could surpass Saudi Arabia to become the world’s leading oil producer in the near future.

    American crude and liquid hydrocarbon output is set to rise by 7 per cent this year to just under 10.9 million barrels/day.

    The US energy department predicts that this figure will rise to 11.4 million barrels per day by the end of 2013, falling just short of Saudi Arabia’s output of 11.6 million. Analysts at Citibank forecast that this figure could reach between 13 and 15 million barrels by 2020.

    http://www.newstatesman.com/business/energy/2012/10/us-set-become-world%E2%80%99s-top-oil-producer

    Reply ↓

    • The real part of this that will go whoosh over the heads of Americans everywhere is that this won’t reduce the price at the pump – ever.

      Once President Kochsucker Romney builds the Keystone XL for those whose balls he washes…… that new production will be off to Houston and off to the world market as refined products. America becomes the new Saudi Arabia? Nope, America will be the new Nigeria … the locals helplessly watch (or are clubbed, imprisioned, shot or otherwise oppressed) as Big Oil exports their nation’s wealth and reap the rewards.

      Reply ↓

      • Thank you…couldn’t have said it better. Speaking of Keystone XL, Canadians are being stuck with this

        not to mention the stench and health concerns….

        The Koch’s are truly a bane to humaity

        Reply ↓

  11. In the vast majority of states — 31 — men who father through rape are able to assert the same custody and visitation rights to their children that other fathers enjoy. When no law prohibits a rapist from exercising these rights, a woman may feel forced to bargain away her legal rights to a criminal trial in exchange for the rapist dropping the bid to have access to her child.

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/22/1123187/-31-States-Give-Rapists-Rights-to-Child

    Reply ↓

    • Minor correction: Secretary of the newly redefined, formerly Defense Department, now the War department, Johnny ‘Bomb em’ Bolton.

      Reply ↓

    • What’s the difference between extra-judicial killing abroad and extra-judicial killing at home?

      Could be just 1 Supreme Court Justice.

      Think about it….

      Reply ↓

      • Hi, Shayne. Usually, when I want to post a tweet, I just go to the time stamp and right-click to open it in another tab. Then I copy and paste the URL in that new tab in the comment box. If you click Edit, you can see that all I left was the “https://… “-part. You can try it with the tweet above to see what I mean.

        To post a picture is different. It depends on how the picture is embedded in the tweet. If it starts with “pic.twiiter….”, then you can usually use the same technique, but right-click on the pic.twitter URL and post that link.

        Reply ↓

  15. Just talked to a Mexican friend of mine. He’s been here 45 years. Owns a business and is a citizen. He says if Mitt Romney wins he’s moving back to Mexico. I guess Romney’s self-deportation theory is the one thing that will work.

    Reply ↓

  16. I just learned my godfather and favorite uncle died yesterday. It was from complications of a broken hip he suffered last week. Evidently he fell in the barn. The man was 87 damn years old and still running a small dairy farm, by himself. No stubbornness in my family.

    Reply ↓

    • I have to share my favorite story about the man I was named after. He was about my age when he took a mule as payment from one of his neighbors. No one could explain why he did it but he did. About a month later, after the two had been vying for just who was the boss, the mule kicked him right out of the barn. Broke a few ribs and messed my uncle a bit. About 6 weeks later he went into the barn and whacked the mule with a baseball bat, full force between the eyes, dropping the animal to it’s knees.

      After that, the two were damn near inseparable. He would ride the mule out to check pastures and such and if my uncle had to use a tractor, the mule would follow along. We all attended the mule’s funeral some 8 years ago and my uncle cried like a baby. Biggest damn dog in the world he used to say.

      Reply ↓

    • We’re talking HUGE change here folks!
      The repeal of Roe v Wade, abstinence or death for teens, stoning of adultresses, (adulteryers of the male persuasion not so much) and mandatory prayer in school, on the bus, in the supermarket….HUGE change.

      Reply ↓

    • We know what your big change is Cult Bastardo….

      A coathanger for every rape victim
      A burqua for every schoolgirl

      Return to the pre-1215 society…. not just for women, for all of us.

      Reply ↓

      • Its more of a quantum probability wave function…… Nils Bohr defined it, Heisenberg predicted what will happen when you ask Romney his position on anything and how it changes each time you measure and Einstein just said ‘What the f**k!?’

        Reply ↓

  19. No doubt a young Republican:

    NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New York City police officer was charged on Thursday with conspiring to kidnap, torture, cook and eat women whose names he listed in his computer.

    In a criminal complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court, Gilberto Valle III, 28, of Forest Hills, Queens, was charged with conspiring to cross state lines to kidnap the women and with illegally accessing a federal database. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-crime-nypdbre89o16a-20121025,0,4715086.story

    Reply ↓

  20. McCain haz a mad…

    “General Powell, you disappoint us and you have harmed your legacy even further by defending what is clearly the most feckless foreign policy in my lifetime,” McCain told Brian Kilmeade on his radio program.

    Coming from Grampy McSame, that’s pretty damned rich.

    Reply ↓

  22. The essential difference between Obama and Romney. Obama is running to be re-elected as President of the US. Romney is campaigning for Prom King, heavy on the King part.

    Reply ↓

  25. Jesus H Christ (Ricky Gervais): Hey Dad, stop giving out the ‘gift of life’ to all those Congolese Civil War rape victim girls for second…. come over here – this guy says you’re an asshole

    God (James Mason): is that so? What for?

    JHC: Well for the, let’s face it, obvious fallacy that since if you put the ‘gift of life’ into a woman who’s life is threatened, some of the Republicans say that the doctor can take the gift out again in direct opposition to the Will of God. I mean Holy like Contradiction – this guy says the Republicans are fallible *and* you are an asshole for putting a ‘gift of life’ in there to start with.

    God: Well if I really existed, I suppose I would be a bit of c**t wouldn’t I? He’s got a point you know – to worship such a dick for a deity would be pretty idiotic wouldn’t it? Doesn’t seem to stop Mourdock, Akin and all those other hypocrites in the Republican party. Who am I to complain?

    JHC: This Rudepundit – I think he’s an atheist Dad, you should maybe send that perfect storm you are working on his way….. that’ll piss on his bonfire.

    God: Well since I’m a c**t, he’s right and the Republicans are full of shit … I actually won’t disabuse him of his disbelief in me by striking him down miraculously. It’s far more dickish of me to allow him to exist in his heresy – you savvy?

    JHC: Er…. I think so…..

    God: (spinning metal globe) Hey what about the South Sudan – any rape victims needing the ‘gift of life’ there?

    JHC: Right on Dad! To the Godmobile!!

    Reply ↓

  26. We kicked this around a bit yesterday. “The Emptiest Candidate in Presidential Election History”

    “As the end of this election approaches, it’s worth taking a step back and asking this question: In the entire history of the United States of America, from George Washington’s election in 1789 on down, has there been a single candidate as unmoored from ideological principle or belief as Mitt Romney? I’m not just throwing an insult here, I ask this question sincerely. Because I can’t think of any.”

    http://prospect.org/article/emptiest-candidate-presidential-election-history

    Reply ↓

    • It has be challenged – the teabagger in your family – what is that they heard from Romney that he has not repudiated and then perhap re-repudiated that you are voting for? Is there anyone who has a f***ing clue what he will do?

      I’m down to this….. he’ll deliver on his $5TR tax cut to him and his cronies… simply because he makes out like a bandit to the tune of millions and his sons (c**ksuckers to a man) make out likewise. His only principle is money, his and his families and presumably by extension the cabal that got him there…. the nutjob cult in Salt Lake City.

      The world has it worked out already….

      Reply ↓

    • Cats – there’s this voice in my head (who sounds like James Mason – but why?) telling me yes, you probably should and that he’s sorry. Anyhow he says Pat Robertson will tell you what you all have been doing wrong sometime on Saturday afternoon.

      Reply ↓

      • Presumably on Saturday evening, you will all be able to perhaps sacrifice virgin or maybe a gay or a black dude or an illegal and this will help – I mean there’s time between Saturday and Halloween right?
        .
        I’ll concentrate real hard here… or you can tune into the 700 Club, either way will probably work.

        Reply ↓

  29. Yesterday in Ohio, Ryan unfurled his solution to poverty:

    http://www.5min.com/Video/Paul-Ryan-Poverty-Speech-Proposes-Reforming-Programs-For-The-Poor-517516505

    Jonathan Chait fisks the VP candidate:

    “He is the author of a plan that would, as budget expert Robert Greenstein put it, “produce the largest redistribution of income from the bottom to the top in modern U.S. history.” Upward mobility is Ryan’s constant answer to this objection. In his telling, his plans would make the economy more open and free, making it easier for the poor to rise and the rich to fall …

    Ryan assumes that increasing the role of the market and decreasing the role of government will increase upward mobility — the wealthier people can get, the easier it will be to get wealthy or to fall out of wealth. But he doesn’t argue it explicitly, and for good reason: There’s no reason to believe it. In fact, the evidence all suggests exactly the opposite. Economic mobility is higher in countries with higher levels of equality and lower in countries with lower equality.”

    http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/10/paul-ryan-no-i-want-to-help-the-poor-really.html

    Reply ↓

    • Yeah, let’s defund early childhood education programs that are proven to help level the playing field, remove all regulations so the thieves on Wall Street can clean our monetary clocks again, that’ll help…
      Jerkoff.

      Reply ↓

    • My sister and I are proof that “Economic mobility is higher in countries with higher levels of equality”

      100 years ago, my grandfather was the son of a fisherman, he was out of school at 11 and working as a child labourer in Swanhunter Shipyards in Hebbrun on Tyneside. My father went to grammar school, joined HM Customs and Excise and rose to the equivalent of the rank of Inspector (or Lieutenant) of police. My sister was the first of all of my grandfather’s family to go to university – tuition was entirely paid for by the British government. She is now essentially retired at 49. I’m a little younger and am still working – but I’m not a labourer in a shipyard.

      Reply ↓

      • Sincere clap! Very good, Shayne! I knew you could do it. So far, the only kind of picture posted in a tweet that I can post here are the ones that start “pic.twitter.com…”. Just right click on the “pic.twitter.com” URL and open it in a separate tab, then post that URL as the comment adn you can post a picture. I haven;t figured out how to make other kinds of pictures (like “twit.pic”s) post. If I do, I’ll be happy to share that knowledge.

        Reply ↓

  31. Well CRAP…..I just got my “marching orders” for work tomorrow:

    “Atlas Shrugged Part II”

    THREE viewings. SIX hours. Keerist….

    Reply ↓

  37. Today, I overheard some “undecided voters” talking. They were complaining about the polling phone calls. Actually, they have decided. They just don’t want to tell the pollsters so they get marked as undecided and they keep getting phone calls. They want to keep this information to themselves which is their right. There are no undecided voters, just people that want to keep their voting preference to themselves.

    Reply ↓

  39. Pet shop cash stolen.
    Thief: muscular man wearing nylons and lady’s wig (long black hair).
    Nothing unusual in his appearance.

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment