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October 03, 2011 03:41 PM UTC

Monday Open Thread

  • 59 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

“Abuse a man unjustly, and you will make friends for him.”

–Douglas Horton

Comments

59 thoughts on “Monday Open Thread

  1. Billionaire pissing match or “free market” economics at play?

    A Bloomberg Markets investigation has found that Koch Industries — in addition to being involved in improper payments to win business in Africa, India and the Middle East — has sold millions of dollars of petrochemical equipment to Iran, a country the U.S. identifies as a sponsor of global terrorism.

    1. Elders of Zion conspiracies when you have the all American properly “Christian” ( assuming Christianity is anything like, I don’t know, Satanism?) Koch brothers around, actually documented as selling us out to Iran because, if it’s technically legal to sell to our enemies through international companies, why should something as inconsequential as patriotism or concern for our country’s security and best interests stop them?  I guess patriotism and loyalty are more of those things that are just for the little people, the saps, like paying taxes and being crushed by class warfare.

      In an article in our paper on a Denver demonstration in support of the ongoing Wall Street demonstrations, one demonstrator’s sign that was mentioned said:

      They only call it class warfare when we fight back

      That sounds to me like a good theme and slogan for the duration of the 2012 election season.

        1. super rich ruling class warriors where the Koch brothers came from…

          It was an ingenious plan, and Gillespie is a skilled tactician-he once ran the Republican National Committee-but REDMAP seemed like a long shot in North Carolina. Barack Obama carried the state in 2008 and remained popular. The Republicans hadn’t controlled both houses of the North Carolina General Assembly for more than a century. (“Not since General Sherman,” a state politico joked to me.) That day in Raleigh, though, Gillespie had lunch with an ideal ally: James Arthur (Art) Pope, the chairman and C.E.O. of Variety Wholesalers, a discount-store conglomerate. The Raleigh News and Observer had called Pope, a conservative multimillionaire, the Knight of the Right. The REDMAP project offered Pope a new way to spend his money.

          more at:

          http://www.newyorker.com/repor

      1. He’s been doing asinine things form the get go.  Also ads can refresh the assinine things he’s doing so far.  But you’re right.  It’s hard to break through such a high level of ignorance. The ideal would be to find some Republican soldiers who were prevented from voting this time but who will shortly no longer be soldiers to appear in Gessler screwed me ads when they are free to do so.

      2. how is he squeaking by on that pitiful state salary?  What’s up with his 527-Coloradans for Change and some of those RWers?  Ask him about his old friend Alex Cranberg (of Aspect Energy).  Alex ponied up $450,000 all by himself back in ’06 — deep pockets then and I’m sure he’s been raking it in since, so an update on their friendship would be of interest.  Or any of the other donors from that small pool of like minded group conservadumbs.

        I strongly urge folks to revisit Free Range Longmont for a reminder of the stink that follows Scottie.

  2. In the early years of his political career, Rick Perry began hosting fellow lawmakers, friends and supporters at his family’s secluded West Texas hunting camp, a place known by the name painted in block letters across a large, flat rock standing upright at its gated entrance.

    “N****rhead,” it read.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/

    1. and they first painted it over, then turned the rock over to further obscure it so I don’t feel inclined to jump all over this particular thing unless it turns out, contrary to Perry’s explanation, that they had it for years before covering up the name. There’s no shortage of stuff on Perry without something that could be nothing.

    2. “Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Saturday that as President he might send U.S. troops to Mexico to help authorities there destroy violent drug lords.

      “It may require our military in Mexico working in concert with them to kill these drug cartels and to keep them off of our border and to destroy their networks,””

      http://www.unionleader.com/art

      1. Just what we need.  Another quagmire, more Americans getting killed in more exercises in futility, only this time right on our border.

        If Cheney and Perry both had their way we’d be invading both Mexico and Syria with ground troops.  Without raising any taxes, not even on the highest bracket. How about troops on the ground in Pakistan, too, while we’re at it? Wait.  They have nukes and crazy people so….

      2. it’s Parry throwing out red meat for the far righties.  Drug violence in Mexico is a shiny-shiny for Parry’s lock-n-load nuts but doesn’t mean squat for the election.

        Parry’s firelight is fading fast.  He’ll be down in single digits by December.  2 more GOP debates this month and 3 more by end of year … it’s only gonna get tougher for Parry.  By Parry’s self admission he’s known for liking to take the easy way and doesn’t like to learn — seemingly contra qualities to have in this footrace.  

        1. “The plant is not far from a residential areas, and students and staff at nearby Wedgeworth Elementary School have been asked to remain inside in case dangerous gases are released in the fire. . .”  There is an out-of-control fire at a chemical plant right now in Waxahachie, south of Dallas.  Apparently they’ve NOW decided to evacuate the kids at the elementary school.  A college has also been evacuated, plus a nursing home has been or will be.

          How does a chemical plant get built “not far from residential areas?”  Is this another example of minimal regulation in Texas?  I, of course, have no idea – but I wonder.

          1. One chemical known to be stored at the plant is anhydrous ammonia, which is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a very strong odor. Symptoms from contact with the chemical include burning eyes, nose and throat. With higher doses in the air, it can cause coughing and choking. In extreme cases with very high exposure to anhydrous ammonia, it can lead to burning of the lungs and even death.

            1. residential area and elementary school. Will Perry be calling, once again, on the feds for help in between denigrating the federal government as a waste of space?  

              1. is in more places than you might think, many of them near schools and residences.

                It’s quite commonly used here as a fertilizer.  It’s also used as a refrigerant in grocery stores, ice rinks, etc. now that Freon is out of vogue.

  3. If ever there was a blueprint for taking over the country, it’s described in the second episode, which is airing this week.

    I found the political atmosphere eerily similar to current times.

    It’s on tonight and tomorrow night on Denver PBS.

          1. How on earth did they ever get the majorities they needed in freedom loving America for something so off the wall as total prohibition? Especially considering how much higher per capita consumption was back in the 19th and early 20th centuries than it is today. Under the right circumstances, very strange things can happen.

            Interesting how it pointed out that to get the pols to support, the drys just needed control of the small margin that decides elections. At the time they figured the margin was 10%.  With control of that margin you could convince pols they couldn’t win elections unless they knuckled under.  Unintended consequences  abounded.  The more things change…

              1. as booze. In colonial times and through much of the 19th century pretty much everybody had something “adult” with every meal and for all work breaks. Much more shocking that they managed to ban it in a constitutional amendment.

                1. of marijuana on the list of controlled substances is a fascinating tale that I think should be made into a movie. In my college days I read a book or article somewhere that went into great detail about the politics of the time.

                  As I understand it, one man, Harry Anslinger, started a campaign to save his job enforcing prohibition by scaring the shit out of a bunch of old, white, gin-swilling, bible toting men; the politicians of the day. He managed to convince congress that the black and brown people were bent on subverting our good white kids to the iniquity of “that way of life”.

                  The rest, as they say, is hysteria.  

    1. Under provisions of the misnamed “Defence of Marriage Act” the new husband of the service member will not be entitled to any of the benefits that other military spouses/dependents enjoy.

      A great case to challenge DOMA.

  4. Barack and Michelle celebrate 19 years of marriage today.

    Say what you will about the relative importance of policy vs. personal life, but I happen to be glad that my niece is growing up seeing the world’s most powerful couple modeling what appears to be genuine, long-term wedded bliss.

    1. Even though they’ve been a two high powered career family. The Clintons did a pretty nice job for Chelsea, too.  So when are we going to stop conceding family values to the Repubs?  

      1. Since those seem to be among Republicans’ “family values.”

        Ooh, ooh! I know! When we start having our kids spend the night with the body after a stillbirth!

        No, no, no, it’s probably when we start forcing unwanted pregnancies on people unprepared to be parents. That’s got to be it. Nothing says “family values” like “yes it’s inside your body but it’s actually the government’s right to tell you what to do with it.”

        But then there’s attacking your neighbors and their families because of their national origin and/or faith, we’re pretty lousy at that, too. I mean, what a great bonding activity! Show your family that you value them by explaining to them that they can’t play with those terr’ist kids down the street or the “illegals” either!

        …I think we’ve got a pretty long way to go before we can match the Republican commitment to family values, all told. All we’ve got going for us is good parenting and committed marriage, and frankly reviewing the Republican definition, I’m not sure anymore that those are family values at all.

        1. Every dollar spent on WIC for pregnant women saves several times that in long-term costs, and prevents abortion.  But Republicans aren’t interested in preventing abortions; they are interested in using it as a wedge to get elected.

            1. and the excellent cartoon you posted are a testament to your passion and insight on this subject. I admire your intellect as much as your easy way of writing. Your contribution here is immensely appreciated…by me at least.

              If I have any understanding of human nature, I have learned that men who devalue women, do so mostly because they fear them.

              That which we fear, but cannot live without…we contain.  

              1. And I think you’re also right. Truth be told, this whole “cowgirl” thing reflects less my actual riding style (I’ve ridden reiners and reined cowhorses, including a two time reserve world champion, but I prefer huntseat, aka English, over Western for everyday riding) than the experience of growing up as a horsewoman in the American West. There are a still a lot of cowboys out there who find it very alarming if a woman doesn’t need a “lady’s horse” and a cowboy on a “man’s horse” following behind her to make sure she doesn’t fall off. Then, of course, there are the salt of the Earth guys who completely support the Annie Oakley “Anything you can do I can do better” Western woman.

                So yeah, I think I’ve encountered quite a few of the “fear, but can’t live without” guys, and there’s a definite correlation between them and the guys who think it’s appropriate to legislate what happens inside a woman’s body, blame rape victims for their experiences, and who think that it’s acceptable for a man to be sexual but not a woman. (Note that these are usually also the guys who will go “But what about how they treat women?!?!??!” when you suggest that Muslims are human beings–including the American Muslims who have absolutely fucking nothing to do with how dictators in other countries who happen to claim the same religion treat women.)

                Frankly, those guys just make me want to scare ’em more!  

  5. Murder conviction overturned.  Convicted of defamation of the guy she tried to pin it on, but the sentence on that is only 3 years and she has served four.

    Boyfriend freed as well.

    Film at 11…

    1. …cause my wife’s into this kind of tabloid crap.

      One of the British Tabs (UK Daily Mail) had her guilty with a story about her sobbing and finishing her 25 year sentence.  A few minutes later “The page you have requested does not exist or is no longer available.”

      1. I’m betting Amanda Knox.

        And here’s a link to why this whole case was a horrific example of “Italian justice,” until today. At long last.

        Read Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston. It will blow your mind.  

      1. Besides photo ops and magnets they’ve never supported the troops with legislation. The military industrial complex, yes, but never the actual troops. Just more little people to be sucked dry and kicked to the curb when they come home needing things like, trewatment, jobs, education, benefits.

        They only call it class warfare when we fight back! My new favorite slogan

  6. AP – Philip Elliott reports:

    ST. PAUL Minn. — More top aides to Republican Michele Bachmann are quitting her presidential campaign, raising questions about the viability of her White House bid.

    The major departures are pollster Ed Goeas and senior adviser Andy Parrish. They were confirmed Monday by an adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel moves. Bachmann’s spokeswoman didn’t immediately return messages.

    Parrish is returning to the Minnesota congresswoman’s office where he was chief of staff. He moved to Iowa this summer to build support before the state’s leadoff caucuses.

    Bachmann’s deputy press secretary also transferred back to the congressional office. So has her scheduler.

    Last month, Bachmann’s campaign manager and his deputy stepped down within weeks of her Iowa GOP straw poll victory.

    Hmm, it’d be fun to go back and read some of the posts of ColPols most ardent Bachmann lovers for a refresher on why she mattered.

    1. That may play well with the religious right to a point but do they want the submissive wife for President or the husband with a submissive wife.  At the time he stepped in, I was pretty sure Perry spelled the end of Bachmann for the religious right/TP crowd because now they would have a real man to support. Sure enough, the second he stepped in, his gain was her loss.

      Now that he’s running into trouble there is no movement back to Bachmann either. She certainly didn’t appear any more stupid than Perry in debates so that’s not it and she’s stronger on their issues since Perry doesn’t hate the children of illegal immigrants enough and isn’t against helping young girls avoid cancer connected with an STD.

      I think she was never anything more than a place holder for a man and, now that we’re getting closer to early primaries, her time is just up.

      Submissive wife and Commander in Chief really aren’t compatible and I don’t think the day has yet come when that segment of the GO(T)P really will support a woman as far as the presidency.  

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