Author Topic: US Politics Thread |OT| THE DARKEST TIMELINE (Read 2813252 times)

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3660 on:** February 01, 2014, 11:24:10 AM »

If only media scrutiny of this nature could be employed more often.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3661 on:** February 01, 2014, 02:04:58 PM »

While I understand misuse of government funds always happens to some degree...lord this shit is like a giant "I told you so" for tea party fucktards. Christie shamed the House when it failed to quickly OK funds and now we learn he's paying back multiple cronies with the money...

So between the apartment complex and the retirement home, Hoboken's paltry 300k is looking even more suspect on Christie's part. Misuse of fed funds will fuck him more than the bridge thing.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #3662 on:** February 01, 2014, 02:16:50 PM »

Yup, the collateral damage is going to be worse than the initial blow fer sher. Wonder if the Dems have anyone ready to run for Gov. in a special election in a year or two. (non Corey Booker class)

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3663 on:** February 01, 2014, 02:32:10 PM »

Booker should have stayed in state IMO. He could easily have been the heir apparent right now, and I dunno about you but I'd rather be a governor than a junior senator.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #3664 on:** February 01, 2014, 02:35:04 PM »

I know of someone who was a junior senator that became president

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3665 on:** February 01, 2014, 02:38:56 PM »

Something tells me America won't be electing a black junior senator with no experience, ever again

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Hillary was right

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Lovingsteam · « **Reply #3666 on:** February 01, 2014, 03:56:22 PM »

Sooooo take this as you like but my sisters best friend is dating the brother (yes, internet meme, I know) of the NJ port David Wildstein. And yes, allegedly his claims of Christie knowing are legit.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3667 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:21:25 AM »

Yeah, I'll trust the Governor of New Jersey over some mother cloving nobody:

Quote

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, after a low-key initial response to Friday’s explosive allegations about his involvement in a bridge-closing scandal, mounted an aggressive defense late Saturday afternoon, attacking The New York Times and a former political ally in an email to friends and allies obtained by POLITICO.

“Bottom line — David Wildstein will do and say anything to save David Wildstein,” the email from the governor’s office says, referring to the former appointee who reignited the controversy.

...

The subject line of the 700-word email from the governor’s office is: “5 Things You Should Know About The Bombshell That’s Not A Bombshell.” It offers a harshly negative portrayal of Wildstein’s character and judgment.

The Christie camp begins by criticizing The Times for its initial characterization of the Wildstein letter: “A media firestorm was set off by sloppy reporting from the New York Times and their suggestion that there was actually ‘evidence’ when it was a letter alleging that ‘evidence exists.’”

The Times’ original story said that Wildstein claimed “he had the evidence to prove it,” while later versions stuck to his lawyer’s vaguer “evidence exists” formulation.

...

The email from the governor’s office again distances Christie from Wildstein’s actions: “As he has said repeatedly, Governor Christie had no involvement, knowledge or understanding of the real motives behind David Wildstein’s scheme to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge. … The Governor first learned lanes at the George Washington Bridge were even closed from press accounts after the fact. Even then he was under the belief it was a traffic study. He first learned David Wildstein and Bridget Kelly closed lanes for political purposes when it was reported on January 8th.”

Then, it gets personal. “In David Wildstein’s past, people and newspaper accounts have described him as ‘tumultuous’ and someone who ‘made moves that were not productive,’” the email continues. “David Wildstein has been publicly asking for immunity since the beginning, been held in contempt by the New Jersey legislature for refusing to testify, failed to provide this so-called ‘evidence’ when he was first subpoenaed by the NJ Legislature and is looking for the Port Authority to pay his legal bills.”

The email dips far back into Wildstein’s past to buttress its portrayal of him, even alleging that “He was publicly accused by his high school social studies teacher of deceptive behavior.”

...

In response to the Czin question, posed by a reporter to Christie’s office, an official told POLITICO: “Over the last month, we’re seeing a fuller picture of who Wildstein really was. The fact that he punitively shut down lanes on a bridge for political purposes overshadows anything he had done previously.”

...

In a late-night follow-up, the governor’s office added: “Just to clear up any lingering confusion: Governor Christie has said each time he has been asked that he first learned about the closing of the lanes on the George Washington Bridge from press accounts after the instance was over.”

Wildstein pleaded the Fifth when state lawmakers called him to testify before a panel investigating the closures earlier this month. Wildstein’s lawyer has previously said that if Wildstein “has immunity from the relevant entities, he’ll talk.”

Straight annihilated.

High school social studies teacher with integrity.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3668 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:23:55 AM »

http://images.politico.com/global/2014/02/01/christie1.html

Mandark · « **Reply #3669 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:31:54 AM »

I like that they actually use a source that said this guy was "Governor Christie's Eyes, Ears Inside the Port Authority" to show that Christie had no knowledge of what the guy was doing.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3670 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:35:24 AM »

I'm sure that was "leaked" to Politico.

Lovingsteam · « **Reply #3671 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:35:40 AM »

Yes Benji, the governor is going to trust someone to be port authority and eyes and ears with no reason and with such a history. Right? Mmhmm.

Mandark · « **Reply #3672 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:37:59 AM »

thatsthejoke.jpg

benjipwns · « **Reply #3673 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:48:51 AM »

Quote from: Lovingsteam on February 02, 2014, 01:35:40 AM

Yes Benji, the governor is going to trust someone to be port authority and eyes and ears with no reason and with such a history. Right? Mmhmm.

They had no idea he'd shut down bridge lanes for political reasons!

It's only after that they looked into his history and found out that he was accused by a high school teacher of deceptive behavior and had registered domain names without permission.

If anything this was a failure of the media to vet Mr. Wildstein before he took power.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3674 on:** February 02, 2014, 02:45:09 AM »

It's like when you're friend does some really stupid in public and you jump right into the "I don't know who this is, this person is merely some stranger with whom I have no part!" routine. Comes across as desperation more than anything else.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3675 on:** February 02, 2014, 03:00:28 AM »

The one I like is the reiteration that Christie only found out about the closures from the media like everyone else. Oh, so you're just incompetent, your organization is out of control and you're unaware of it. That makes me feel better about you.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Obama should take him to court over copyright violations.

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AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #3676 on:** February 02, 2014, 12:44:04 PM »

Not for nothing but I heard in study hall that Wildstein is late for math class, like, EVERY day

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3677 on:** February 02, 2014, 02:27:48 PM »

Christie sure knows a lot about a guy he said he hasn't talked to in years and isn't friends with

benjipwns · « **Reply #3678 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:51:14 AM »

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/chris-christie-staffer-christina-genovese-renna-resigns-103009.html

Quote

A Chris Christie aide who was subpoenaed in a growing New Jersey traffic scandal resigned Friday, the aide’s lawyer confirmed to POLITICO.

...

“This reflects a decision I have been considering since shortly after the election,” Renna said in a statement provided by her attorney, Henry Klingeman of Newark, N.J. Christie was elected to a second term last November.

“I have spent almost four years working hard for a governor I continue to respect and admire. The transition from term one to term two is a natural time to pursue an opportunity in the private sector,” Renna said.

Renna was the governor’s director of intergovernmental affairs, according to her attorney. She left on her own terms and was not fired, her attorney said. She has not been accused of wrongdoing during the probe into the lane closures, their motivation and the extent of the governor’s office’s involvement. The governor himself has denied any involvement in the alleged plot.

A spokesman for Christie, Colin Reed, declined to comment on Renna’s departure.

Renna’s lawyer did not answer whether his client plans to respond to her subpoena from state lawmakers investigating the scandal, which is due tomorrow.

When informed of her resignation, Christie probably said "Who? Never heard of her. She worked here?"

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3679 on:** February 03, 2014, 02:17:28 AM »

Another fascinating article on the ACA in Kentucky, specifically Medicaid in small rural towns.

Quote

If it was a relief for Blair to finally have insurance, it was a relief for Hamilton, too, who grew up in Breathitt and worried often about fragile patients like Blair who were so often neighbors, old classmates, former teachers or distant relatives in the close-knit county. He was used to answering late-night calls from patients panicked over chest pains but afraid to go to the emergency room lest they incur thousands of dollars in bills and wind up with their name published in the newspaper, which is how the local for-profit hospital went about collecting bills.

“I’m always hearing, ‘I don’t want to get my name in that paper,’ ” he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/life-after-jan-1-kentucky-clinic-offers-early-glimpse-at-realities-of-health-care-law/2014/02/01/a25c506a-8ad1-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_story.html?hpid=z1

Rufus · « **Reply #3680 on:** February 03, 2014, 02:22:18 AM »

Quote

[...]but afraid to go to the emergency room lest they incur thousands of dollars in bills and wind up with their name published in the newspaper, which is how the local for-profit hospital went about collecting bills.

The fuck!?

huckleberry · « **Reply #3681 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:58:56 AM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on February 03, 2014, 02:17:28 AM

Another fascinating article on the ACA in Kentucky, specifically Medicaid in small rural towns.

Quote
If it was a relief for Blair to finally have insurance, it was a relief for Hamilton, too, who grew up in Breathitt and worried often about fragile patients like Blair who were so often neighbors, old classmates, former teachers or distant relatives in the close-knit county. He was used to answering late-night calls from patients panicked over chest pains but afraid to go to the emergency room lest they incur thousands of dollars in bills and wind up with their name published in the newspaper, which is how the local for-profit hospital went about collecting bills.

“I’m always hearing, ‘I don’t want to get my name in that paper,’ ” he said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/life-after-jan-1-kentucky-clinic-offers-early-glimpse-at-realities-of-health-care-law/2014/02/01/a25c506a-8ad1-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_story.html?hpid=z1

My family was one of the first to settle Breathitt county in the 1700's.

It's so poor there it will break your heart.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3682 on:** February 03, 2014, 09:06:01 AM »

Quote from: halgorithmic on February 03, 2014, 05:58:56 AM

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on February 03, 2014, 02:17:28 AM
Another fascinating article on the ACA in Kentucky, specifically Medicaid in small rural towns.

Quote
If it was a relief for Blair to finally have insurance, it was a relief for Hamilton, too, who grew up in Breathitt and worried often about fragile patients like Blair who were so often neighbors, old classmates, former teachers or distant relatives in the close-knit county. He was used to answering late-night calls from patients panicked over chest pains but afraid to go to the emergency room lest they incur thousands of dollars in bills and wind up with their name published in the newspaper, which is how the local for-profit hospital went about collecting bills.

“I’m always hearing, ‘I don’t want to get my name in that paper,’ ” he said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/life-after-jan-1-kentucky-clinic-offers-early-glimpse-at-realities-of-health-care-law/2014/02/01/a25c506a-8ad1-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_story.html?hpid=z1

My family was one of the first to settle Breathitt county in the 1700's.

It's so poor there it will break your heart.

And the GOP won't lift one finger to help them. And then they'll praise the people of that county for being independent and not living off the government dole. And the people of that country will continue to vote Republican because they don't want the federal government telling them what to do.

It's heart-breaking and it's absolutely infuriating.

Brehvolution · « **Reply #3683 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:37:13 PM »

Quote

“Your detractors believe that you did not tell the world [Benghazi] was a terror attack because your campaign didn’t want that out,” O’Reilly said. “That’s what they believe.”

“And they believe it because folks like you tell them that,” Obama said. "These kinds of things keep on surfacing in part because you and your TV station will promote them."

benjipwns · « **Reply #3684 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:40:57 PM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on February 03, 2014, 09:06:01 AM

And the GOP won't lift one finger to help them. And then they'll praise the people of that county for being independent and not living off the government dole. And the people of that country will continue to vote Republican because they don't want the federal government telling them what to do.

It's heart-breaking and it's absolutely infuriating.

Don't be too upset Rumbler. Breathitt County is a very strong Democratic county. (They just don't like black candidates.) And they follow the proud American tradition of trading intoxicants for votes:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/25/drug-money-funds-voter-fraud-in-kentucky/
http://www.fbi.gov/louisville/press-releases/2011/nine-indicted-for-buying-votes-in-breathitt-county

huckleberry · « **Reply #3685 on:** February 03, 2014, 02:30:52 PM »

Voter fraud has been going on down there for as long as I can remember. My dad use to tell stories about it all the time. It was perfectly normal for potential teachers to be "interviewed' as to their politics before getting a job - but Democrat/Republican has very little meaning in much of eastern Ky.

As far as not liking black candidates - its weird how a place can be racist while being completely devoid of any minorities at all.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3686 on:** February 03, 2014, 02:52:13 PM »

It's easier to hate the abstract and unfamiliar.

Speaking of unfamiliar, I always enjoy letting people know that Justified's depiction of the "criminal" culture of Eastern Kentucky is pretty damn accurate (if exaggerated for action) and has been for like a century if not more. But then I'm a know-it-all asshole who says things like "did you know that Justified's depiction of Eastern Kentucky's criminal culture is not too far from reality?" as they're like "please, please, untie me and let me go, I have a family!"

And indeed, it's more about the existing machinery than anything regarding national politics.

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #3687 on:** February 03, 2014, 03:41:22 PM »

Quote from: Zero Hero on February 03, 2014, 01:37:13 PM

Quote
“Your detractors believe that you did not tell the world [Benghazi] was a terror attack because your campaign didn’t want that out,” O’Reilly said. “That’s what they believe.”

“And they believe it because folks like you tell them that,” Obama said. "These kinds of things keep on surfacing in part because you and your TV station will promote them."

Check the transcripts

Brehvolution · « **Reply #3688 on:** February 03, 2014, 04:24:30 PM »

The exchange certainly wasn't that clean.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3689 on:** February 03, 2014, 04:38:12 PM »

O'Reilly is one of the worst interviewers ever. I don't think Obama said one entire sentence without getting run over at least twice by him.

As seen here:

Quote

O'REILLY: Did he tell you, Secretary Panetta, it was a terrorist attack?

OBAMA: You know what he told me was that there was an attack on our compound...

O'REILLY: He didn't tell you...

OBAMA: -- (INAUDIBLE)...

O'REILLY: -- he didn't use the word "terror?"

OBAMA: You know, in -- in the heat of the moment, Bill, what folks are focused on is what's happening on the ground, do we have eyes on it, how can we make sure our folks are secure...

O'REILLY: Because I just want to get this on the record...

OBAMA: So, I...

O'REILLY: -- did he tell you it was a terror attack?

OBAMA: Bill -- and what I'm -- I'm answering your question. What he said to me was, we've got an attack on our compound. We don't know yet...

O'REILLY: No terror attack?

OBAMA: -- we don't know yet who's doing it. Understand, by definition, Bill, when somebody is attacking our compound...

O'REILLY: Yes?

OBAMA: -- that's an act of terror, which is how I characterized it the day after it happened. So the -- so the question ends up being who, in fact, was attacking us?

O'REILLY: But it's more than that...

OBAMA: And that...

O'REILLY: -- though...

OBAMA: -- well, we...

O'REILLY: -- because of Susan Rice.

OBAMA: No, it...

O'REILLY: It's more than that because if Susan Rice goes out and tells the world that it was a spontaneous demonstration...

OBAMA: Bill...

O'REILLY: -- off a videotape but your...

OBAMA: Bill...

O'REILLY: -- your commanders and the secretary of Defense know it's a terror attack...

OBAMA: Now, Bill...

O'REILLY: Just...

OBAMA: -- Bill...

O'REILLY: -- as an American...

OBAMA: -- Bill -- Bill...

O'REILLY: -- I'm just confused.

OBAMA: And I'm -- and I'm trying to explain it to, if you want to listen. The fact of the matter is is that people understood, at the time, something very dangerous was happening, that we were focused on making sure that we did everything we can -- could -- to protect them. In the aftermath, what became clear was that the security was lax, that not all the precautions and -- that needed to be taken were taken and both myself and Secretary Clinton and others indicated as much.

But at the moment, when these things happen, Bill, on the other side of the world, people...

O'REILLY: It's the fog of war...

OBAMA: -- people -- that's -- people don't know at the very moment exactly why something like this happens. And when you look at the videotape of this whole thing unfolding, this is not some systematic, well organized process. You see...

O'REILLY: Well, it was heavy weapons used...

OBAMA: -- you...

O'REILLY: -- and that...

OBAMA: -- what you...

O'REILLY: -- that's the thing...

OBAMA: -- what you see -- Bill...

O'REILLY: -- heavy weapons coming in.

OBAMA: -- Bill, listen, I -- I -- I've gone through this and we have had multiple hearings on it. What happens is you have an attack like this taking place and you have a mix of folks who are just troublemakers. You have folks who have an ideological agenda.

O'REILLY: All right.

OBAMA: You have some who are affiliated with terrorist organizations. You have some that are not. But the main thing that all of us have to take away from this is our diplomats are serving in some very dangerous places.

O'REILLY: But there's more...

OBAMA: And we've got...

O'REILLY: -- there's more than that...

OBAMA: -- and we've got -- and we've got to make sure that not only have we implemented all the reforms that were recommended...

O'REILLY: OK.

OBAMA: -- by the independent agency...

O'REILLY: I...

OBAMA: -- but we also have to make sure that we understand our folks out there are in a hazardous, dangerous situation...

O'REILLY: I think everybody understands that...

OBAMA: -- and we...

O'REILLY: -- Mr. President.

OBAMA: No, but -- but, actually, not everybody does, because what ends up happening...

O'REILLY: I think they do.

OBAMA: -- what ends up happening is we end up creating a political agenda...

O'REILLY: Absolutely...

OBAMA: -- over something...

O'REILLY: -- and that's...

OBAMA: -- (INAUDIBLE)...

O'REILLY: -- that was my next question.

OBAMA: -- which Democrats and Republicans should be unified in trying to figure out how are we going to protect people (INAUDIBLE)?

O'REILLY: I've got to get to the IRS...

OBAMA: OK.

O'REILLY: -- but I just want to say that they're -- your detractors believe that you did not tell the world it was a terror attack because your campaign didn't want that out.

OBAMA: Bill, think about...

O'REILLY: That's what they believe.

OBAMA: -- and they believe it because folks like you are telling them that.

O'REILLY: No, I'm not telling them that.

(LAUGHTER)

O'REILLY: I'm asking you whether you were told...

OBAMA: But -- and what I'm saying is...

O'REILLY: -- it was a terror attack and you...

OBAMA: -- and what I'm saying is that is inaccurate.

O'REILLY: All right.

OBAMA: We -- we revealed to the American people exactly what we understood at the time. The notion that we would hide the ball for political purposes when, a week later, we all said, in fact, there was a terrorist attack taking place the day after, I said it was an act of terror, that wouldn't be a very good cover-up...

O'REILLY: All right.

OBAMA: -- if that's what we were interested in.

O'REILLY: I've got to get to the IRS...

OBAMA: Yes.

O'REILLY: -- because I don't know what happened there and I'm hoping maybe you can tell us. Douglas Shulman, former IRS chief, he was cleared into the White House 157 times, more than any of your cabinet members, more than any other IRS guy in the history, by far.

OK, why was Douglas Shulman here 157 times?

Why?

OBAMA: Mr. Shulman, as the head of the IRS, is constantly coming in, because at the time, we were trying to set up the, uh, HealthCare.gov and the IRS...

O'REILLY: What did he have to do with that?

OBAMA: -- and the IRS is involved in making sure that that works as part of the overall health care team.

O'REILLY: So it was all health care?

OBAMA: Number two, we've also got the IRS involved when it comes to some of the financial reforms to make sure that we don't have taxpayer funded bailouts in the future. So you had all these different agendas in which the head of the IRS is naturally involved.

O'REILLY: Did you speak to him a lot...

OBAMA: -- (INAUDIBLE).

O'REILLY: -- yourself?

OBAMA: I do not recall meeting with him in any of these meetings that are pretty routine meetings that we had.

O'REILLY: OK, so you don't -- you don't recall seeing Shulman, because what some people are saying is that the IRS was used...

OBAMA: Yes.

O'REILLY: -- at a -- at a local level in Cincinnati, and maybe other places to go after...

OBAMA: Absolutely wrong.

O'REILLY: -- to go after.

OBAMA: Absolutely wrong.

O'REILLY: But how do you know that, because we -- we still don't know what happened there?

OBAMA: Bill, we do -- that's not what happened. They -- folks have, again, had multiple hearings on this. I mean these kinds of things keep on surfacing, in part because you and your TV station will promote them.

O'REILLY: But don't...

OBAMA: But when (INAUDIBLE)...

O'REILLY: -- think there are unanswered questions?

OBAMA: Bill, when you actually look at this stuff, there have been multiple hearings on it. What happened here was it that you've got a...

O'REILLY: But there's no definition on it.

OBAMA: -- you've got a 501(c)(4) law that people think is focusing. No -- that the folks did not know how to implement...

O'REILLY: OK...

OBAMA: -- because it basically says...

O'REILLY: -- so you're saying there was no...

OBAMA: -- if you are involved...

O'REILLY: -- no corruption there at all, none?

OBAMA: That's not what I'm saying.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3690 on:** February 03, 2014, 04:48:53 PM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on February 03, 2014, 04:38:12 PM

O'Reilly is one of the worst interviewers ever. I don't think Obama said one entire sentence without getting run over at least twice by him.

I think there's a faulty premise here.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3691 on:** February 03, 2014, 04:57:14 PM »

Sure, but that being his modus operandi doesn't necessarily preclude him from also being a terrible interviewer.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3692 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:03:43 PM »

We got attacked, Obama called it an act of terror. Why does it matter what Obama's campaign people thought considering that it was obviously an "act of terror" and later we learned it was done by radical Islamists? How was anything hidden? There was an embassy attack that very night in Egypt which was indeed due to the anti-Muslim video.

I understand that republicans are butthurt because they thought their Reagan/Carter fantasy was coming to life (foreign policy blunder propels strong challenger into the lead), but the election is over and Romney lost pretty damn badly. What exactly changes if the admin never blamed the video? Four people would still be dead.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3693 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:12:48 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on February 03, 2014, 05:03:43 PM

How was anything hidden?

EVERYTHING WAS HIDDEN: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/358413/benghazi-one-year-later-editors

How do we even know there was a Benghazi? Let alone an attack? I'm supposed to take Obama's word on that? After all his other lies? If I was in Congress there would be hearings on the hearings, you can be sure of that.

Quote from: Great Rumbler on February 03, 2014, 04:57:14 PM

Sure, but that being his modus operandi doesn't necessarily preclude him from also being a terrible interviewer.

Sorry, I meant that it was supposed to be an interview.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3694 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:17:09 PM »

I guarantee you that the day after the 2016 election, as President Elect Hillary Clinton celebrates, conservatives will be lamented that it all would have been different if only the Scott Walker-Susana Martinez campaign had discussed BENGHAZI more.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3695 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:19:26 PM »

And called out Hillary's pro-abortion agenda. Unfortunately they were too timid thinking the media would give them a fair shake.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3696 on:** February 03, 2014, 07:08:54 PM »

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/02/03/what_hip_hop_and_kendrick_lamar_can_teach_academia

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3697 on:** February 03, 2014, 08:29:13 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on February 03, 2014, 05:03:43 PM

We got attacked, Obama called it an act of terror. Why does it matter what Obama's campaign people thought considering that it was obviously an "act of terror" and later we learned it was done by radical Islamists? How was anything hidden? There was an embassy attack that very night in Egypt which was indeed due to the anti-Muslim video.

I understand that republicans are butthurt because they thought their Reagan/Carter fantasy was coming to life (foreign policy blunder propels strong challenger into the lead), but the election is over and Romney lost pretty damn badly. What exactly changes if the admin never blamed the video? Four people would still be dead.

That's the thing, they can't even explain what the cover-up is even supposed to be about or what purpose it would serve. At best, they'll mumble something about embassy security [ignoring that it was Republicans who slashed the State Department's budget] and Susan Rice talking about the Muhammad video [ignoring that she explained that was a very early, very preliminary finding based on incomplete information, which actually turned out to be true anyway]. The only reason it's hanging around is because the GOP feels like it's good fodder for energizing their dwindling base.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3698 on:** February 03, 2014, 09:57:25 PM »

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/02/03/one-of-gov-christies-bodyguards-charged-with-shoplifting-in-pennsylvania/

Quote

One of Governor Chris Christie’s bodyguards has suspended without pay from the New Jersey State Police, charged with shoplifting in Berks County, Pa.

A state police spokesman says that William Carvounis, 35, was assigned to the executive protection unit and had been on Christie’s security detail.

But police in Tilden Township, Pa. — north of Reading and west of Allentown — say last month the trooper stole nearly $300 in gun supplies and other merchandise from a Cabela’s sporting goods store.

According to the complaint, “During the course of his shopping, (Carvounis) would place items in his shopping basket. While walking around and continuing to shop, he would take various merchandise out of the package and conceal in his pockets…He would discard the empty packages on shelves throughout the store.”

Security video also caught Carvounis tearing the price tag from a Cabela’s hat, which he wore while trying to leave the store.

When caught, police say, Carvounis invoked his position, asking again and again for a little professional courtesy — to let him off so he wouldn’t lose his job.

Wearing the hat out is a nice touch.

Brehvolution · « **Reply #3699 on:** February 03, 2014, 09:58:35 PM »

Entitlement culture

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #3700 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:24:07 PM »

Sadly, this is the kind of thuggish behavior you can expect from so called leaders of the white community. If they'd only pull themselves up by their bootstraps instead of mooching and looting, the country would be a lot better off.

benjipwns · « **Reply #3701 on:** February 04, 2014, 04:00:10 PM »

LEGITIMATE THREAT TO HILLARY EMERGES WITH STRONG PLATFORM:

Quote

The move to kick troubled popster Justin Beiber out of the country got a powerful backer Tuesday: Sen. Mark Warner, who was a guest on a Virginia radio station’s morning show, offered to sign the online petition to the White House looking to deport the Canadian-born singer.

The Virginia Democrat indicated that he thought the Biebs might not be the best influence on the young folk — including his own kids.

“As a dad with three daughters, is there someplace I can sign?” he asked with a laugh, when prodded by the hosts of Chesapeake-based FM99′s “Rumble in the Morning.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2014/02/04/sen-mark-warner-lets-deport-justin-bieber/

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3702 on:** February 04, 2014, 10:25:28 PM »

lol @ Jennifer Rubin being taken down by her own newspaper.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/wp/2014/02/04/no-cbo-did-not-say-obamacare-will-kill-2-million-jobs/

Brehvolution · « **Reply #3703 on:** February 04, 2014, 11:07:53 PM »

I don't see it as any different reason to not want to earn more money because it puts you in a higher tax bracket. Or find creative ways to offset that new money with debt.

The idea that those poor live such better lives is a crazy fantasy.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3704 on:** February 07, 2014, 01:10:22 PM »

Quote from: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/rand_paul_dems_should_return_bill_clinton_donations

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is ratcheting up his criticism of former President Bill Clinton, suggesting Democratic candidates return any money he helped raise for them in protest of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

“They can’t have it both ways. And so I really think that anybody who wants to take money from Bill Clinton or have a fundraiser has a lot of explaining to do,” Paul said in a C-SPAN "Newsmakers" interview set to air Sunday, as quoted by the Washington Times.

“In fact, I think they should give the money back," he continued. "If they want to take position on women’s rights, by all means do. But you can’t do it and take it from a guy who was using his position of authority to take advantage of young women in the workplace.”

Paul has repeatedly attacked Clinton for "predatory" sexual behavior over the past couple weeks, each time accusing Democrats of being hypocritical for both championing the former President and claiming to support women's rights.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #3705 on:** February 07, 2014, 03:48:45 PM »

all this over a fucking blowjob, nearly 20 years later

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3706 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:21:40 PM »

It's so patently ridiculous anyway. Even if we assume that what Clinton did was a totally, horrible thing, it was against one woman [who, it must be said, never once accused him of anything], not a concerted campaign of rhetoric and legislation. It boggles my mind, because there's no way this line's going to have any traction, much less as an attack against Hillary.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #3707 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:42:05 PM »

It's Rand Paul, crazy runs in that family.

Brehvolution · « **Reply #3708 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:44:18 PM »

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/sean-hannity-whines-about-msnbc-being-too

Quote

After first complaining about President Obama calling his network out during his pre-Super Bowl interview with Bill O'Reilly, Hannity played a portion of Matthew's show this week, where he said that "anything that's nasty" about President Obama becomes an "amen chorus of the Republican party." Matthews was referring to the incident where Rep. Jim Bridenstine laughed along with a supporter who said President Obama should be executed at a town hall.

Hannity and his guests did their best to try to defend the GOP, saying that Bridenstine had been denounced by some of his fellow Republicans, which completely misses the mark on Matthews' criticism, of course. Then they went onto attack MSNBC as being too partisan and in the tank for Democrats and Obama.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3709 on:** February 07, 2014, 05:16:23 PM »

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3710 on:** February 07, 2014, 06:19:25 PM »

"Lawless" is the new "uppity."

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I stole that from someone on TPM. Sorry. :'(

[close]

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3711 on:** February 07, 2014, 06:40:03 PM »

dunno breh, I've always wondered...should the Secret Service really investigate shit like that? Some old lady who isn't doing shit but watch Fox News...eh, probably not a threat.

The most striking thing about this shit to me is how chickenshit lawmakers are of disagreeing with constituents in a town hall setting. There are so many videos of blatant racist rednecks going off on Obama's birth certificate, ridiculous conspiracy theories, etc and the lawmaker never says shit. They just glide over it, or offer tacit approval.

Boogie · « **Reply #3712 on:** February 07, 2014, 07:34:40 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on February 07, 2014, 06:40:03 PM

dunno breh, I've always wondered...should the Secret Service really investigate shit like that? Some old lady who isn't doing shit but watch Fox News...eh, probably not a threat.

Eh, I sort of view it as the Secret Service-equivalent of the "Broken Windows" theory of law enforcement. Maybe keeps the potential real threats from thinking they're going to be able to fly under the radar. *shrug*

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3713 on:** February 09, 2014, 10:56:27 AM »

http://m.dailykos.com/stories/1275800

Wow lol

DCharlieJP · « **Reply #3714 on:** February 10, 2014, 10:32:35 AM »

Quote

Celebrating diversity is a horrible thing to do

holy shit.... White people are losing their minds.

Eric P · « **Reply #3715 on:** February 10, 2014, 12:44:36 PM »

This is UK but still an interesting read about the rise of multiracial children

http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21595908-rapid-rise-mixed-race-britain-changing-neighbourhoodsand-perplexing

The 2011 census revealed a country that is decreasingly white and British: England’s ethnic-minority population grew from 9% of the total in 2001 to 14%. But the biggest single increase was in the number of people claiming a mixed-ethnic background. This almost doubled, to around 1.2m. Among children under the age of five, 6% had a mixed background—more than belonged to any other minority group (see chart). Mixed-race children are now about as common in Britain as in America—a country with many more non-whites and a longer history of mass immigration.

As Britain’s mixed-race population swells, another group appears destined to shrink. The Labour Force Survey reveals that 48% of black Caribbean men and 34% of black Caribbean women in couples are with partners of a different ethnic group—with higher proportions still among younger cohorts. Black Caribbean children under ten years old are outnumbered two-to-one by children who are a mixture of white and black Caribbean.

Rob Ford of Manchester University points out that Caribbean folk are following an Irish pattern of integration, in that their partners are often working-class. The Irish parallel also suggests they will eventually be fully absorbed into the British population. Polls show that adults who are a mixture of white and black Caribbean tend to see themselves not so much as black, Caribbean or even as British, but rather as English—the identity of the comfortably assimilated.

Brehvolution · « **Reply #3716 on:** February 10, 2014, 01:27:23 PM »

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-10/breathtaking-corruption-europe

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #3717 on:** February 10, 2014, 02:01:28 PM »

To make just $25k a year at that $5-an-hour job, you'd have to work 96 hours a week. That's 16 hours a day if you afford yourself the luxury of one day off per week. But I bet it'll really give people back some hope and self-respect!

Mandark · « **Reply #3718 on:** February 10, 2014, 02:27:16 PM »

Quote from: Eric P on February 10, 2014, 12:44:36 PM

This is UK but still an interesting read about the rise of multiracial children

http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21595908-rapid-rise-mixed-race-britain-changing-neighbourhoodsand-perplexing

Cool article, I like this bit:

Quote

Such esoteric partnerships can confuse the authorities. Last November the Home Office invited journalists to accompany officers on a raid of an apparent sham wedding between an Italian man and a Chinese woman in north London. After interrogating the bride, groom and guests, the officers emerged sheepishly to admit that the union was probably real.

And as far as we are from a post-racial society, it really is true that kids are generally a lot more comfortable with multi-culti communities than their parents or grandparents, and that's definitely a good thing unless you're an ass.

Eric P · « **Reply #3719 on:** February 10, 2014, 03:15:29 PM »

Quote from: Mandark on February 10, 2014, 02:27:16 PM

\and that's definitely a good thing unless you're an ass.

that about wraps it up for most people

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