BREAKING: DeLay Reveals Plan To Have Texas Legislature Oust Ronnie Earle
By on Apr 4th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
BREAKING: DeLay Reveals Plan To Have Texas Legislature Oust Ronnie Earle
On an interview this morning on Fox News Radio’s Tony Snow Show, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) revealed a plan to have the Texas legislature oust district attorney Ronnie Earle, the prosecutor who charged DeLay with money laundering:
Transcript:
SNOW: Okay, so at this point, you know — are you willing to let bygones be bygones?
DELAY: Absolutely not. Texas should not allow a district attorney from Travis County have this kind of power. And they can take his power away from him because there was the Texas legislature that gave him this power. And I think that will happen in the next session of the Texas legislature.
SNOW: Oh, really?
DELAY: Yes.
DeLay sounds like someone who is really confident of his ability to win on the merits in a court of law.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
245 Responses to “BREAKING: DeLay Reveals Plan To Have Texas Legislature Oust Ronnie Earle”
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Boehner
Bush
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
DADT
Economy
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Global Warming
Graham
Guantanamo
Hannity
Health Care
International Relations
Iran
Iraq
Justice
LGBT
Limbaugh
Liz Cheney
McCain
Media
Military
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Rove
Sanford
Sotomayor
Steele
Supreme Court
Terrorism
ThinkProgress
Tiller
Torture
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
Hot damn. I can't wait!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:04 pmSo much for turning the other cheek. And Tom Delay compares himself to Jesus...
April 4th, 2006 at 12:06 pma "picture perfect" retardican if i have ever seen one!! i think he should keep on boasting about his k streeet connections! i'm betting his fellow retards would just as well have him shut up, than blab on and on about what great connections they have with corporations in bedrooms across washingtons spring landscape! hhhhaaaaahhhaaaahhhaaa! go tom, you smart dude you! government for profit= GOP!!!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:12 pmI'm gonna print that and cut it out and use it as a bookmark for Crashing the Gate
April 4th, 2006 at 12:15 pmTom Delay thinks he is above the law. I cann't believe what I am hearing.
WHAT NEXT!!!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:16 pmDelay forgot he is still going to jail. He can hold bible classes, and lead right-wing christians from he cell.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:19 pmcrooksandliars is having fun with delay video from the vault...
April 4th, 2006 at 12:20 pmfranken's having fun too - replaced the usual grateful dead music for dance party...
The more light that gets shined onto Delay, the better we will all be. Let him keep at his antics for all to see.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:22 pmTrumped only by Nixon's "I am not a crook."
April 4th, 2006 at 12:23 pm'When I buy people, I want something for it!'.....
April 4th, 2006 at 12:26 pmyou go little man, and I want you to walk on water too.
Tom Delay thinks he is above the law. I cann’t believe what I am hearing.
WHAT NEXT!!!
Comment by Mary Poppin — April 4, 2006 @ 12:16 pm
Kind of like Cynthia McKinney, that above the law thing. I love the way that TP has completely ignored that story. But that is what goes on here. Never ever challenge Democrats.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:26 pmHAMMER NAILED!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:27 pmThe Texas Bugman will soon enjoy the
company of his 'real flock', convicted
felons.
Oh, wait! He's a Christian.
Well, preaching is needed behind bars
too, Tom.
For me, I'll continue to pray that every
last one of you greedy bastards do the
time you so richly deserve.
Kudos to Ronnie Earle!
We couldn't have done it without you.
DeLay Wont Go Quietly Into the Night...
Not that anyone expected otherwise, but courtesy of Think Progress we can see that DeLay wont sit still for long...
April 4th, 2006 at 12:27 pmBRING IT ON...BORG!
http://tomdelaymovie.com/trailer.php
April 4th, 2006 at 12:27 pmI worry that with his influential money-making powers, he can convince some ethically challenged people in power down there to do just that; oust Earle. Man, I hope DeLay doesn't do it.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:28 pmOh... god... What an utterly foul human being Tom DeLay is. There just is not a single trait of good to be found in that black-heated husk.
The only positive statement I can make about DeLay is that he is a good bad example.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:29 pmThis is Republican country down here in Texas. But I don't think the legislature would be that bold. Hope I'm right.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:31 pmHere's a headline I'd like to see:
RONNIE EARLE NAILS THE HAMMER!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:31 pmGod forbid a district attorney be allowed to pursue criminal action. It's a travesty, I tell you, a travesty!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:32 pmCynthia McKinney never did anything wrong. The police grabbed her arm. He needed to show a little respect. He was in the wrong. She should suit him. This has been blowing way out of proportion.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:33 pmThe only positive statement I can make about DeLay is that he is a good bad example.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:33 pmapropos to a variety of wingers! multi-puropose! repeat often!
Just last week at the "War on Christians" conference, Pastor Rick Scarborough told Tom Delay:
"God always does his best work after a crucifixion...Keep your eyes on Jesus."
The Hammer would do better to keep his eyes on Ronnie Earle and the federal prosecutors.
For more details, see:
April 4th, 2006 at 12:34 pm"Tom Delay's Christ Complex."
lets see..... cynthia m. gets assulted by congressional police, or a congressman steals hundreds of thousands of dollars and directly affects the lives of all americans with corporate favors,.....geeee lets, see..... which is clearly immoral, illegal and more directly affects my life........ gee, i don't know,...... i need a land line!!!! christ ben, get a gripe! the retardicans are going down, like one of their priests' at choir practice!!!!! bbwwwaaahhhaa!!!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:36 pmTom DeLay is a criminal...
...he should be (politically) exterminated...
...forever...
...his assets (and those of anyone in his family or network of friends who've become instantly wealthy with no proof of how they got it) should be seized...
...and DeLay, his wife and daughter imprisoned for campaign finance fraud...
April 4th, 2006 at 12:41 pmTom Delay says that he can't win reelection. He is running in a republican state, in a district which he personally drew.
Now I am sure there is more to the story than Delay's reelection chances, but I am astounded that he concedes in April that he cannot win in November.
Question: Is this simply a function of his criminal activities, or does it suggest a "tsunami" is on the way? Does this suggest that republicans will lose the house?
If so, what then?
Michael
April 4th, 2006 at 12:41 pmBen, darlin', you repugs are in power, if Cynthia truly did anything wrong, Get a warrant, arrest her, send her to trial and if she's really guilty, send her to jail. See how it works? Christ, can't you repugs do anything right? I don't want a criminal on my side, again, if ANY DEMOCRAT does anyhting wrong, YOU GUYS ARE IN POWER, do your jobs, get rid of them. So how's that workin' out for you?
April 4th, 2006 at 12:42 pmIf the Texas Legislature moves against Ronnie Earle...
...federal troops should move against the Texas Legislature...
April 4th, 2006 at 12:43 pmHot froggy...but this is exactly why you and Mary Poppin define what it is to be a liberal. Both of you claim that she was assaulted. Assaulted! Clearly she has too high of an opinion of herself and thinks that it is all about her. She was asked to stop. She did not. Then she assaults the officer. But you two continue to dismiss her actions because and only because she is from the left side of the aisle. You guys never question the constant pettiness of this site. Look at the Bush baseball story. Petty BS. For the record, I think Delay is guilty. I think what he has done is serious. I think he should be prosecuted if found guilty. Not hard at all for me to say that no one is above the law.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:46 pmHey Tom DeLay - no president should have absolute power and make up laws and interpret laws to suit his wants. So Tom, if you think that Ronnie Earle is bad, take a good look at your friend George W Bush - he has more felonies that he can count. Maybe Ronnie Earle can charge you with making a hostile threat (hahahaha).
April 4th, 2006 at 12:47 pmBen,
He put his hands on her first.
That's assault.
Now can you stop blowing smoke and get back to the topic?
April 4th, 2006 at 12:49 pmtommy boy has said he is doing this to have more time to help orphans .....hahahahahaha
April 4th, 2006 at 12:53 pmtommy maybe they can bring the orphans into prison to play with you...hahahahahaha
have a great life you filthy piece of repo scum, now I gotta wash my hands after writeing this
Tom DeLay is no Jesus Christ.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:54 pmFortunately for Delay' he has helped to block gay marriage in Texas.
This will help him avoid any messy divisions of his marital assets when he divorces his jail cell hubby in the next 5 - 10 years.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:54 pmT Desmond Doss died this week... http://www.cmhep.org/B5ConscientiousObj/Supp/DesmondDoss.htm
He is the type of man DeLay could never be and his legacy is what DeLay and the criminal enterprise klnown as the republican party is shitting all over evry single day.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:55 pmEveryone, pepeat after me: "DeLay's strategy for the Repugs re-election is is 'Cut and Run". We need to say this again and again. Just make sure these words are repeated: "DeLay...Repugs...Cut and Run", until it catches on in MSM (I know, I'm dreaming, but I'm delirious at the moment :) )
April 4th, 2006 at 12:56 pmPoor Tom. It will take him awhile to realize he doesn't have the juice to get the Texas legislature to do his bidding anymore. When he does realize it, he is going to be in for a hell of a psychological collapse. And then there are his legal problems with a good chance of going to jail. Wouldn't want to be Tom Delay.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:56 pmHey TB, when a cop tells you to stop and you keep walking and ignore his requests he is going to put his hands on you. That's being a cop not assault.
Now you can stop with your BS and get back to your topic.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:56 pmI see a couple of people responded to Ben the troll. I wouldn't waste my time defending McKinney, I would just respond to Ben in the infamous words of another of his heroes:
April 4th, 2006 at 12:57 pm"Ben, go F*** yourself."
bwaahahahah...McKinney is OLD NEWS! Gotta love the timing...
April 4th, 2006 at 12:58 pmHey Ben - Since you believe that no one is above the law, then you must be in agreement that George W Bush should be impeached for breaking the 4th Ammendment to the Constitution of the US by spying on Americans without a WARRANT. No one is above the law your words.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:59 pmI see a couple of people responded to Ben the troll. I wouldn’t waste my time defending McKinney, I would just respond to Ben in the infamous words of another of his heroes:
“Ben, go F*** yourself.â€
Comment by joe the butler
OK! Works for me.
“Ben, go F*** yourself.â€
Thanks, Joe!
April 4th, 2006 at 1:01 pmDear Ben,
Get over it, dude. McKinney is OLD NEWS! She's been RIPPED from the headlines because the repug corruption machine is imploding :) bwaahahahah...Gotta love the timing :)
April 4th, 2006 at 1:01 pmDamn Joe that's clever. There is no defending McKinney. She assaulted a law enforcement officer and should be properly charged and arrested for doing so. Then they can allow her to properly apologize and subsequently drop the charges or give her probation.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:01 pmRonnie Earle is a fascist worse than Ken Starr. Of course a bunch of America haters at ThinkProgress love him. Meanwhile, you support slapping policeman.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:02 pm#35
April 4th, 2006 at 1:03 pmI like that - Delay - Republicans - cut and run. If that statement wasn't true, then the twins would be in Iraq and so would Cheney's daughters (they are not too old to serve).
according to rep. rohrebacher of california, shouldn't delay be out picking fruit somewhere?
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/30/immigration.house.ap.ap/index.html
April 4th, 2006 at 1:03 pm#25 - My first thought when I heard about DeLay's plans this morning was -- what else do they have against the old boy? Something else is going on.
#26 - Well said, Strawberrybitch. (Love the name, by the way.) My feelings exactly. I can't believe the trolls are comparing McKinney's incident with DeLay's actions.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:03 pmoops - sorry for the double-post.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:03 pm"The judges need to be intimidated. They need to uphold the Constitution. (If they don't behave) we're going to go after them in a big way."
-Tom Delay
Talk about respect for law and the constitution.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:04 pmDisruption,
April 4th, 2006 at 1:04 pmHave you SEEN Earle's record?
He has prosecuted more Dem's than Repug's.
So how bad is he, now?
See how easy it is to do what Ben is doing? Look, I'll try one
Damn Ben that’s clever. There is no defending Cheney. He shot a lawyer in the face and should be properly charged and arrested for doing so. Then they can allow him to properly apologize and subsequently drop the charges or give him probation.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:05 pmHe's said some funny stuff:
April 4th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
#40 - That has yet to be decided whether GWB has broken the law. I watched a panel of judges on CSPAN this past week that were discussing the case and the majority opinion was that he had not acted outside his authority or the law. But we will see.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:06 pmI don't DeLay touching my fruit (yuk)!
April 4th, 2006 at 1:06 pm#49 - hold that thought when the new Supreme Court guts Roe, rules race based preferences unconstitutional and expands pres powers.
After Stevens steps down in June, you will need to worry.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:07 pmHey Ben - Chappaquiddick, Sandy Burger, Bill Clinton, Cynthia McKinney, Chappaquiddick, Sandy Burger, Bill Clinton, Cynthia McKinney,
Chappaquiddick, Sandy Burger, Bill Clinton, Cynthia McKinney,
Chappaquiddick, Sandy Burger, Bill Clinton, Cynthia McKinney,
Chappaquiddick, Sandy Burger, Bill Clinton, Cynthia McKinney,
Chappaquiddick, Sandy Burger, Bill Clinton, Cynthia McKinney... there feel better?
You can wrap yourself in this mantra all you want. It’s not going to change the fact that your side is full of criminals.
Oh yeah - go F*** yourself!
Wow - that does feel pretty good!
April 4th, 2006 at 1:09 pmBen: the Repubs have the majority in all branched of government. Of course, the widespread incompetence that's been overtly demonstrated by Bush and his entire administration likely means they wouldn't know how to issue a warrant.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:09 pm#56 & #57 - that's it? that's all you got? weak, weak, weak....
April 4th, 2006 at 1:12 pmBen I agree with you a little bit. If she refused the officer's request to produce ID and she struck him, that is wrong and should have consequences however to compare an incident like that to conducting illegal activities designed to corrupt and destroy our country is ridiculous.
Now Ben I would like you to consider what the penalty should be for McKinney and then multiply it by 1,000 to account for a murder. Now multiply it by 100,000 for the Iraqi civilians murdered in this war of choice. If you're willing to impose that penalty on the Bush administration then we will have Cynthia McKinney thrown in jail.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:12 pm#53 -
What are you talking about? Bush has so many felonies it's unbelievable. How about his Drunken Driving, dismissed, AWOL, dismissed, cocaine bust, dismissed, insider trading, dismissed... this is just to name a few... BEFORE he started tampering with the Consitution.
I meant to print - I don't want Tom Delay touching my fruit.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:12 pm“The judges need to be intimidated. They need to uphold the Constitution. (If they don’t behave) we’re going to go after them in a big way.â€
-Tom Delay
Talk about respect for law and the constitution.
Comment by GSD — April 4, 2006 @ 1:04 pm
I think the little boy got a serious spanking, so he's trying to kick the dog. Unfortunately, his family owns a pitbull.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:14 pmHeh -- this sounds like great retort the next time the Repubs accuse Dems of whining when the latter don't get their way.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:16 pmBen, She can't be charged if she was going to congress (no dem or Rep can be charged) That is the law!!!
April 4th, 2006 at 1:16 pmLOTS OF MONEY BEING PASSED AROUND THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW, I'M GUESSING.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:16 pmIf McKinney broke the law than Cheney should of been arrested for shooting a man.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:16 pmThe judges need to be intimidate.... (delay)
Wow - guess Delay sleeps with Coulter - they both seem to enjoy threatening the judiciary. How do they get away with this crapola? Clinton enjoys some sex in the White House and he gets impeached. Delay threatens the judiciary, and NADA...
April 4th, 2006 at 1:17 pm#61 - remember that when the right-wing court steamrolls your agenda. Remember - assasinating justices is illegal. Have to remind the babykillers on the left.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:17 pm#58 -No Dumbass - That's all you've got!
Or has your side come up with new talking points in the last 30 seconds?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:18 pmI am a little behind on all this. I do think it is odd that Delay admits that he may not win re-election. I also think he is going to join the K-street lobbyists, and be very influential, even if he is thrown in jail. My biggest hope, is that this is the tip of the iceberg, and we will see more influential republians stepping down in disgrace.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:18 pm#65 - there is a difference between an accident and a blatant for our men and women in uniform. Why do you hate cops?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:19 pm#59 - You may not have done the math but according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International it is estimated that Saddam was killing between 75 to 125 people per day for 22 years. That means at an average of 100 a day he would have killed 109,500 over the past 3 years. So according to their math and your math this administration is responsible for saving 9,500 lives. Which means we can go ahead and put Miss McKinney in jail.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:19 pm#65 - there is a difference between an accident and blatant disrepect for our men and women in uniform. Why do you hate cops?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:19 pmI like that word implode - it has a really nice ring to it.
#67 - it is so amazing how your party calls pro-choice killing babies but you are all about the death penalty....
April 4th, 2006 at 1:19 pm#72 - why do you hate America?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:21 pmYes, DeLay's most destructive and insideous role may be still in the offing as a K street lobbyist. By then he may be lobbying for gay rights so that he and his cell mate might make it official.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:22 pm#69 - interesting point of view - Delay joining K Street... didn't look at his resignation from that viewpoint. Can he still be a lobbyist while in jail? Doesn't that require some money? After the Democrats take back Congress in the Fall of 06, there needs to be redistricting.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:22 pmRepublican Mind set:
Ronnie Earle - Out of control Prosecutor, Pattrick Fitzgerald - Out of control special prosecutor, Kenneth Starr - Patriot. They say Earle goes for republicans which his record does not bear out, but if he does it's like criticizing Giulliani for going after Italians when prosecuting the mob. If that's where the crime is that is where the prosecutor should be looking.
Any investigation of them is partisan, any investigation they do is in the countries best interests.
Dan Rostenkowski stealing stamps - a major corruption case. Duke Cunningham selling votes for millions - Hardly news worthy. DeLay selling votes for pennies - Hardly news worthy. They continaully say everyone does it, yet I don't think they realise that they are implicating themselves even deeper in the shit when tthey say that as they are more everyone than the dems and thus far in a republican controlled congress they seem to be the only ones getting caught, and they are the only ones who have tried to re-write laws and rules to favor themselves when caught.
Clinton lying about a blow job - a coansitutional crisis worthy of impeachment. Bush lying about anything - get over it and move on its in the past.
Over the years I have come to more and mroe believe that the republican party has morphed into the largest criminal organization on the planet.
The DeLay supporters who call Earle out of control neglect to realise that others are already serving prison time for conducting the exact same type of transactions that DeLay is being prosecuted for. They neglect to realize or admit that these are transactions being conducte din different states all by members of the same party which to my mind smacks of organized crime.
Benny boy, McKinney is an isolatedc incident, not a pattern of abuse. Either way if she is prosecuted and deserves to be prosecuted I will support the prosecution. With DeLay and company this has been a pattern of behavior carried out in an organized manner. Do you support the prosecution of him? Even with the evidence leaked thus far? The facts seem very similar toa case up in MN (I think) where the guy went to prison for money laundering. Seems like similar facts should at least lead to similar charges.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:22 pm#73 - it's so amazing how your party wastes your breath on vicious murderers who deserve the death penalty, but would allow the extermination of society's most innocent.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:22 pmDoesn't DeLay realize that, now that he's out of power, it's probable that few legislators will act to help him? They might destroy their own careers ...
April 4th, 2006 at 1:23 pmrepugs.strategy.cut and run.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:23 pmBen arrest her already, for fuck sake. Again your guys are in power, let her have her day in court. FINE, we don't want a criminal in our camp. But the reason you guys don't arrest her is "YOU GOT NOTHING ON HER!" Watch the bloody video again, I tivoed it, I can't see dick? Again, if she did anything illegal, arrest her and shut the fuck up.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:24 pm#74 - I am not the one giddy over death and destruction in Iraq like most of you here at ThinkProgress. You hate America.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:24 pmWell how about that . How many more are to go? The y have already passed so many bad things like the perscprition drug plan on seniors and others.Can`t be fast enough for me.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:24 pm#77 - Mark read my post #28. I said I think Delay is guilty. I think it is serious. I think he should go to prison if found guilty. Can't be anymore clear than that.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:25 pmBen
That is why it is a good thing that the law is not a matter of opinion, but a matter of what is in fact, law. Go read the constitution yourself, it is very clear on the matter.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:26 pm#75 - are you saying that Delay may have a change of heart after spending time in jail? That was too funny - jail may change Delay's Christian views on gays (Jesus never spoke about gays, after all, he spent most of his time hanging out with 12 other men - hummm).
April 4th, 2006 at 1:26 pm#81 - I agree. Arrest her if they have a case for assault. My point is as I said originally that no one is above the law. Tom Delay should go to jail if found guilty.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:27 pmHow bad does it get when a crooked polition can't even run in Texas?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:28 pmdelay also said,He was the Government ,does this mean that we are gonna clean house in Washington then start over with real people and not empty suits for corp cash?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:29 pmDing dong the witch is dead....this is the most exciting thing to happen here in Texas since....well this is it!!!!
I LOVE that the trolls are so pissed they have to come here and whine about ---well nothing..."they got nothing." People, I am loving life. Tom Delay won't have any money to pass around the state. He needs it all for his defense. He is so going down. And that's prior to actually being locked away! (sorry, I am so giddy I just could not help myself)
April 4th, 2006 at 1:29 pm#61 - remember that when the right-wing court steamrolls your agenda. Remember - assasinating justices is illegal. Have to remind the babykillers on the left.
Comment by Culture of Disruption — April 4, 2006 @ 1:17 pm
I don't have an 'agenda'. And I'm not confused and subdued by your fear mongering.
You clearly aren't worth the time to have a rational debate as you are lacking ration.
Next
April 4th, 2006 at 1:31 pmben = ned. Guess his screen logon's are getting booted one by one.
Well here's to the new "improved" ben/troll logon to bet booted. I'll hoist a glass for your demise here @ TP, just like I will for good ole Tom DeLay(rebulithug extrordinaire).
April 4th, 2006 at 1:32 pm#59 - You may not have done the math but according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International it is estimated that Saddam was killing between 75 to 125 people per day for 22 years. That means at an average of 100 a day he would have killed 109,500 over the past 3 years. So according to their math and your math this administration is responsible for saving 9,500 lives. Which means we can go ahead and put Miss McKinney in jail.
Comment by Ben
You have an interesting sense of justice. If someone kills fewer people than the person that proceeded them, then in your mind they are not a murderer, but instead some sort of hero.
I guess in your mind, I would be a hero too if I killed only hundreds of Christians a week instead of the thousands that were killed by the Roman Empire.
Doesn't seem right to me - but okay... if you insist.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:33 pm#90 - guess there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - first Delay, next Santorum....
April 4th, 2006 at 1:33 pmAgain, if she did anything illegal, arrest her and shut the fuck up.
Comment by Strawberrybitch — April 4, 2006 @ 1:24 pm
Then he'll have NOTHING to whine about. And we know how much the neocons love to whine.
If this (McKinney) is the best they can do, in the face of corruption, war for oil, constitution shredding and chaos, they really are on the way out.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:34 pm(Jesus never spoke about gays, after all, he spent most of his time hanging out with 12 other men - hummm).
Comment by cats are flyfishn — April 4, 2006 @ 1:26 pm
Excellent point! Just as he never spoke about abortion...
April 4th, 2006 at 1:36 pmLiberal Media my a@@! First, Delay blames the LIBERAL media for HIS ILLEGAL actions, well friends, you know the Rpugs have run out of options when they start blaming all their woes on the media - who by the way is no where near LIBERAL and hasn't been for over 8 years! What goes around comes around.
Good luck going after The Duke of Earle. Ronnie has a good reputation and it will be tough to stop him from doing his work. Delay's just looking for someone else to blame.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:38 pmdelay moving over to k street! shit?! that whole system is about crooked politicians, retardicans and dumbocrats alike! it is blatant croonyism and a slap in the face of democracy. how can we continue to allow the corporations to sit on the committees that regulate them?!?!? the secrecy of this administration is going to push us futher into a fascists state. everyone like gated communities?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:41 pmThe Republicans are like little children - always pointing their fingers at someone else. The Republicans are like out of control teenages - spending money they don't have. The Republicans are like common criminals - breaking laws and then screaming not guilty in court.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:41 pm#93 - My point was that Saddam was a killing machine. You throw out a number of 100,000. Some say the number is only 30,000. Who knows. I wish there wasn't anybody dying like this period. However, I think that the policy of meeting these states of terrorism or supported terrorism with force is the proper course. I think it will ultimately result in a lower loss of life over the long run. I assume that you disagree by your disdain for this administration. So I guess we disagree. When this country disagrees with this policy they will vote for change. If however they concur they will continue to vote in the manner that they did in 04.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:42 pmThe fundie/rightie/bushie trolls are all funnier now than they have ever been - let's all keeping pumping their ballons 'til they just up and POP!
April 4th, 2006 at 1:43 pmI guess in your mind, I would be a hero too if I killed only hundreds of Christians a week instead of the thousands that were killed by the Roman Empire.
Doesn’t seem right to me - but okay… if you insist.
Comment by G.W.SuperChrist — April 4, 2006 @ 1:33 pm
Kill one and they will act like it's the end of the world, demand your death without trial by some slow and painful process. Kill anyone else, and they'll be cheering you on. Crazy.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:43 pmExcellent point! Just as he never spoke about abortion…
Comment by unbelievable — April 4, 2006 @ 1:36 pm
I guess "tho shalt not kill" doesn't count.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:44 pmThe Republicans are like little children - always pointing their fingers at someone else. The Republicans are like out of control teenages - spending money they don’t have. The Republicans are like common criminals - breaking laws and then screaming not guilty in court.
Comment by cats are flyfishn — April 4, 2006 @ 1:41 pm
And it's all Bill Clinton's fault.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:45 pmben for instance - he's a killing machine - probably a baptist, like that killer woman in TN. i'm steering clear of all things baptists to protect myself and my family from harm - those people are cold-blooded killers
April 4th, 2006 at 1:46 pmPeople like Tommy eventually choke to death on a pretzel.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:48 pmI guess “tho shalt not kill†doesn’t count.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
Well, if you knew anything about Hebrew, you'd know that it's actually 'Thou shall not murder". Killing is a necessary part of survival, as one must kill to eat. Also, through the Bible, killing humans is acceptable in certain context - such as in Genesis when it condones killing a man who has already killed another man first. Plus, the Bible specifically says that life is not life until it has the breath of God breathed into it at BIRTH. Hence, no Biblical references to abortion being 'evil', because life does not being until birth. Clear?
April 4th, 2006 at 1:49 pmActually, ben, Jesus never said "thou shalt not kill". That statement came from Moses who was way before the time of Jesus.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:49 pm#104 - you're damm right it's Bill Clinton's fault. Isn't it always? (sarcasm)
April 4th, 2006 at 1:51 pmthe holy scriptures, ben (and the rest of you silly fundies), supports the notion that you are imbued with a living soul when you draw your first breath. enough with the abortion debate already - it is the biggest red-herring ever foisted on the simple faithful folk of our land, and has been the wool over your eyes way too long - you are taking a savage screwing from the people who have exhorted you to that cause, and you don't even know it's happening to you. your grandchildren, who will work as slaves for the kings of old, will thank you for your witless determination.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:53 pm#104 - you’re damm right it’s Bill Clinton’s fault. Isn’t it always? (sarcasm)
Comment by cats are flyfishn — April 4, 2006 @ 1:51 pm
Oh, yeah. I blamed him last week for my forgetting to take out the trash before work. Absolved me of all culpability. Felt pretty damn good. You should try it ; )
April 4th, 2006 at 1:54 pm(Jesus never spoke about gays, after all, he spent most of his time hanging out with 12 other men - hummm).
Comment by cats are flyfishn — April 4, 2006 @ 1:26 pm
Excellent point! Just as he never spoke about abortion…
Comment by unbelievable
Jesus never talked about a lot of shit.
For someone who could see from the beginning till the end of time - he was exceptionally boring!
He never mentioned the internet, space travel, the populated contents of the Americas, dinosaurs, nuclear fission, MTV's The Real World, or his second coming as George W Bush... not a word.
Always morality this- morality that- Blah Blah Blah. He really could have been more informative you know.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:54 pmAlways morality this- morality that- Blah Blah Blah. He really could have been more informative you know.
Comment by G.W.SuperChrist — April 4, 2006 @ 1:54 pm
Another excellent point! You guys are really on a roll today : ).
April 4th, 2006 at 1:57 pm"However, I think that the policy of meeting these states of terrorism or supported terrorism with force is the proper course. BenDover"
And yet the US sponsored Al Queda in the 1980s during the Afghan conflict. And we've sponsored other terrorist organizations around the world who were fight 'commies'. By your description we should be meeting our own 'state of terrorism', since we have in fact supported terrorism often in our foreign policy. But then, those 'facts' must be inconvenient for a naive and stupid person such as yourself.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:57 pmcheck this out! wayne madison report is linking delay with the sun casino murder. is this the real reason the hammer is so sub-dude today? could it seriously be the connection with a gang-land style of a former associate of jacks? did jeb and georgie know about this? read the text! its impressive!
April 4th, 2006 at 2:02 pm[...] On a radio interview this morning, DeLay made the following statements about his money-laundering trouble in Texas (via ThinkProgress): SNOW: Okay, so at this point, you know — are you willing to let bygones be bygones? [...]
April 4th, 2006 at 2:04 pmDamn Ryan where have you been? I have seen you on hear occasionally but not as frequent as before. I see you are still your little fussy, fruitcake self.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:07 pmWhen this country disagrees with this policy they will vote for change
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 1:42 pm
And then their vote will be changed!!!
Again - Ben, go F*** yourself
Wow - that really doesn't stop being fun does it!
April 4th, 2006 at 2:08 pmYeah - Ryan is just that way - wanting the truth and all. Ryan, how can you be so "fussy" like that?
April 4th, 2006 at 2:09 pmBen the point of my post is that you can not compare isolate dincidents with patterns of behavior. And what we have with Delay, Abrahamoff, the whole of Ohio's Republican Party, Cunnignham etc... ad nauseum is a pattern of behavior very similar to that of organized crime. Trying to turn the attnetion from a well entrenched criminal enterprised to an isolated incident is insulting to all. DeLay is a far bigger threat to America with his corruption than McKinney is with her attitude and to compare the two is to compare apples and steel rebar...i.e. the two have nothing in common.
Though I do give you and abortion boy credit for being persistent in your efforts to change the topic in spite of the fact that you are wrong to change the topic on an issue that if it is allowed to fade from the public eye could do more to destroy our way of government than anything OBL could ever come up with.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:12 pmPoor Tom, he the victimof of his own stupidity. Money na power always corrupt.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:20 pm"Damn Ryan where have you been? I have seen you on hear occasionally but not as frequent as before. I see you are still your little fussy, fruitcake self. Comment by BenDover"
As psychologists like to point out - you can only see yourself. And boy, do you prove that to be true. And as usual, all 'personal' attack, but no defense for the support of terrorism by republican officials. No surprise, the truth is always the enemy of a cowardly pansy like yourself.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:23 pm"When this country disagrees with this policy they will vote for change Comment by Ben"
More americans voted for Gore than Bush - so this 'theory' of yours that the majority of americans wanted Bush is as stupid as you are... DUHHHH...
April 4th, 2006 at 2:25 pm#120 - Mark I disagree with you bigtime about the OBL effects on this country. This war is not about people dying but it it is about be people being afraid of dying. People like OBL could easily change the way Americans live. We thrive on entertainment and sports and they are two of our largest commodities. The day that Americans stop engaging in those activities out of fear that a suicide bomber may be in their midst is the beginning of the end. I don't think you will have to worry about the Tom Delay story fading. You have a very accommodating media to insure that. I don't equate the seriousness of the Delay allegations to that of McKinney's. However, the fact that both think they are above the law is similar.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:25 pm"I don’t equate the seriousness of the Delay allegations to that of McKinney’s. However, the fact that both think they are above the law is similar. Comment by BenDover"
I didn't realize it had become illegal to single out Democrats and harrass them? McKinney is a well known member of Congress, and she was where she was supposed to be - in otherwords LEGALLY THERE. Whereas Delay is guilty of corruption - and that's above the law.
I guess pansies like yourself will try to find any excuse to not feel bad about the crimes of your 'party' - no surprise. You're such a loser wimp.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:32 pmHey Ryan if an American does not vote does that mean they did not want Bush? You are the one who is stupid, but you already knew that.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:32 pm"Hey Ryan if an American does not vote does that mean they did not want Bush? You are the one who is stupid, but you already knew that. Comment by BenDover"
Hey Ben, you claimed that if american wanted a change, they'd vote for one - but that implies they wanted Bush in the first place. He lost the popular vote. Don't blame me because you're too stupid to see the obvious, blame your momma and that dock worker.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:35 pmThe arrogance and corrupt nature of Delay just cannot be contained and leaks out any time he is in front of a reporter or camera. Imagine if the Legislature took the approach Delay says will happen, any public official that made any partisan member of the legislature unhappy could be enough to have his job ended and find himself/herself unemployed. Guess the rule of law is too much for Delay to bear. However we already knew that when Delay began attacking all judges as being activists if they did not agree with his skewed view of the world.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:36 pmPeople like OBL could easily change the way Americans live. We thrive on entertainment and sports and they are two of our largest commodities. The day that Americans stop engaging in those activities out of fear that a suicide bomber may be in their midst is the beginning of the end.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 2:25 pm
Pull your head out of the sand. We live in a country that is already afraid of the boogeyman. The media makes it that way. It's why you're more afraid of a terrorist attack (1 in 2 million for a US citizen being attacked in the US) than being killed by heart disease, second hand smoke, or diabetes (1 in 30). Osama doesn't have the ability to make you afraid. Only you do.
And, for the record, sports in not a main source of revenue in this country. You might wanna do some research before hitting the send button.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:37 pmLyin Ryan you are too funny. Always coming up with your BS. Can't stay away from the name calling can you? That's what people do when their arguments are as shallow as yours.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:37 pmOne possible reason for Tommy Boy's opting not to run: he gets to keep all the money he has raised. Maybe he thinks it would be better spent on lawyers?
April 4th, 2006 at 2:39 pmOK FINE, McKinney assaulted a law enforcement officer, NEXT.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:41 pm#129 - Stick with teaching history and science or whatever it is because it is apparent you do no know shit about economics. If you do not think that sports is a source of revenue for the US then I have incorrectly given you too much credit. I used to think that you were not that smart but you have now confirmed that you are downright stupid.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:41 pm"hold that thought when the new Supreme Court guts Roe, rules race based preferences unconstitutional and expands pres powers.
After Stevens steps down in June, you will need to worry."
Comment by Culture of Disruption — April 4, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
so "Culture of Disruption" aka wwallace
what you want is for the USA to be ruled by a Dictator?
and you accuse us of hating America?
fVck off and die you facist pig
April 4th, 2006 at 2:42 pm"Lyin Ryan you are too funny. Always coming up with your BS. Can’t stay away from the name calling can you? That’s what people do when their arguments are as shallow as yours. Comment by BenDover"
Always 'taking one for the team' aren't you. You made the argument that we were taking down 'terrorist supporting states', yet I pointed out that we had funded and helped created Al Queda - making us a terrorist state by your definition.
As for the name calling, well, in your case it's just totally appropriate - you're such a passive recipient of all things/abuses republican, how can I not.
As for 'shallow arguments', you should be an 'expert' on that straw(wo)man.
Now when you can stay on the topic of Ronnie Earle, or Tom Delay, I'll stop calling you a pansy republican whipping boy - which you are - until then, be a big boy and take your medicine, and stop being such a weak pansy.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:42 pmHold on, folks! Don't you see what's happening? George Bush et al has split our country right down the middle. Democrats and Republicans used to squabble about important political and social issues. Now we squabble about who's more guilty/corrupt, some woman you never heard of, or a president who is ripe for war crimes. In spite of our politics, we are all AMERICANS, and in that arena, our focus should be on what's good for America. Remember, "A nation divided against itself will not stand." And as long as corruption is rampant by either party in our government, it will NEVER be good for America. We are a national of individuals, but nevertheless, at the end of the day, we are a nation!
April 4th, 2006 at 2:43 pmRonnie Earle would be better appreciated elsewhere in any one of the other 49 states.....
April 4th, 2006 at 2:44 pmMay Tom DeLerious' sorry carcass be a springboard for greater works to come.
Ronnie, you GO man!!
#129 - Stick with teaching history and science or whatever it is because it is apparent you do no know shit about economics. If you do not think that sports is a source of revenue for the US then I have incorrectly given you too much credit. I used to think that you were not that smart but you have now confirmed that you are downright stupid.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 2:41 pm
Who are you? Having to use multiple identities? That's just pathetic.
I didn't say sports isn't a source of revenue. I just said it isn't a major one. In case you forgot - we feed the world, which is over shadowed by the fact that we make serious money off selling it guns and bombs.
But, way to try to divert the argument from the point you made, which is that Osama could ruin our lives. You didn't address that, because you can't. Figures. Just projecting your hostility and fear on to us. Well, it won't work. We see through your smoke and mirrors. And that's what scares you the most. The fact that we can't be suckered to believe your trickery.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:48 pm#49 - hold that thought when the new Supreme Court guts Roe, rules race based preferences unconstitutional and expands pres powers.
After Stevens steps down in June, you will need to worry.
Comment by Culture of Disruption — April 4, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
so "culture of Disruption" aka wwallace
what you really want is for the USA to kneel to a dictator?
and you accuse us of hating America?
We hate the fascist corrupt GOP - got it?
April 4th, 2006 at 2:48 pmLyin Ryan - your argument would be comparible to charges that Democratic Party tried to block civil rights legislation via congressional tactics. Therefore Democrats are against civil rights. I am not stupid like you making these kind of dumbass arguments when I know they are not the same thing. Just like our relationships in the region have changed. We know what was going on in the Iraq/Iran War and those relationships have changed. You don't get to marry them to the present. Go it, dumbass?
April 4th, 2006 at 2:49 pmIf ANY average, even above average citizen shot a man accidentally while hunting, the cops would be all over it, gun taken, have to "go downtown" for a while, and would be cited for something, also, drug and alcohol tests would be done immediatly. So if Cheney gets special "re-framing" of the incident, so should McKinney. DeLay must have really screwed the pooch, he got off a few times before.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:50 pmNow we just need Patrick Fitzgerald to indict that pig-boy Rove, and we will be on our way to healing the rift between parties.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:51 pm"#129 - Stick with teaching history and science or whatever it is because it is apparent you do no know shit about economics. If you do not think that sports is a source of revenue for the US then I have incorrectly given you too much credit. I used to think that you were not that smart but you have now confirmed that you are downright stupid. Comment by BenDover"
Ah, there you go projecting your own stupidity on others again. It seems to be what the reichwinger retards do best.
Combined, the NFL, NBA and MLB leagues bring in about $9 billion in annual revenue. That's smaller than the profit Exxon had last quarter.
Before you lecture others on 'economics', you might want to do your homework next time. Because at this point you look STUPID AGAIN!!! Bahahaha
April 4th, 2006 at 2:51 pmIf the Capital police who are supposed to "memorize" the names, faces and gait of the members of congress, it's hard to believe that this wasn't a case of taking advantage of McKinney's lack of lapel pin. If she retaliated because he grabbed her, then there really is no case to be made.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:51 pmBTW Don't you wonder how Jeff Gannon got into the White House all those times, sometimes unsigned in and often unsigned out? Apparently someone knew him!
We are a national of individuals, but nevertheless, at the end of the day, we are a nation!
Comment by genroku — April 4, 2006 @ 2:43 pm
I agree,, as do most of us progressives here. The problem is that the Right doesn't want unity. They want blacks to sit in the back of the bus, women to serve coffee and answer phones, and gays to go back in the closet. Until they can respect an individual's right to be him or herself, we're going to be arguing over a whole lot more. Unfortunately.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:52 pm#69,
That is what lobbying has turned into, a career path for Congresspeople who lost their seats. I think all lobbying should be illegal, and "has been" congresspeople have to actually leave the hill.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:53 pm"Lyin Ryan - your argument would be comparible to charges that Democratic Party tried to block civil rights legislation via congressional tactics. Therefore Democrats are against civil rights. BenDover"
And I would argue that many of the Democratic Party were against civil rights, and that it was not a pure entity in the matter. Yet this is EXACTLY the kind of black and white painting you provide in your naive and overly simplistic view of the world.
"I am not stupid like you making these kind of dumbass arguments when I know they are not the same thing. BenDover"
Sure they are. Your claim about 'terrorism' is exactly like your claim about the Democrats. The problem is you apply it entirely one sided - in this case you want to stamp out terrorism in other countries, while forgetting that one of the Pentagon plans for dealing with Iran is to use 'terrorism' to destablize it.
"Just like our relationships in the region have changed. We know what was going on in the Iraq/Iran War and those relationships have changed. You don’t get to marry them to the present. Go it, dumbass? Comment by BenDover"
Those who do not learn from the past, are doomed to repeat its failures. You and you merry band of short bus retards learned nothing from the cold war, nothing from vietnam, and apparently you've learned nothing from Afghanistan and Iraq. Then again, what should we expect from morons like you. Intellect? Nope.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:55 pmDelay to start pest control unit for GOP.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:56 pm#138 - Like I said stay out of economics or try to learn a little bit about it. Sports is a major source of income to the US. That is why we spend so much time engaged in it. I answered the OBL but you are too chose not to listen. I will try one more time. See if you can follow. If the US begins to have terrorists acts such as suicide bombers in places where people congregate, such as concerts, sporting events, etc., people may stop coming. Since many Americans have never experienced this type of violence that might be a reasonable expectation. If Americans stop engaging in these type of activities then then the jobs that make these events happen may go away. Since we spend so much time doing this we would be talking about a lot of jobs. Again the threat of terrorism is not primarily death of people but death of our economy.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:00 pmWhat does it take to get this Ben idiot back on point?
April 4th, 2006 at 3:03 pmWhat does it take to get this Ben idiot back on point?
Comment by trueblue
IGNORE HIM... He is an embaressment to himself... you do not need to point it out ...he does it very well all by himself.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:07 pmWe are a national of individuals, but nevertheless, at the end of the day, we are a nation!
Comment by genroku — April 4, 2006 @ 2:43 pm
Screw you genroke - I'm a card carrying partisan, and I only follow politics so that I can fight with the other side.
Just kidding man!
You are right - we should all want to clean up our government, but I really think that you are preaching to the choir on this web site.
Try convincing a republican that corrupt politicians should be removed regardless of party. Their really not all that into that kinda justice.
Visit a right wing blog and see for yourself. I read many this morning that were not all that bothered by “Delay's breaking of the law.†In there minds he was "good for the party."
April 4th, 2006 at 3:07 pm#143 - Lyin Ryan said:
Combined, the NFL, NBA and MLB leagues bring in about $9 billion in annual revenue. That’s smaller than the profit Exxon had last quarter.
Exactly the kind of dumbass remark I would expect from you. You fail to see all of the other industries that thrive off of sports. But I will help you out. How about retail such as clothing, sporting equipment, gaming, advertising, construction, etc. ?
You are truly one dumbass individual. For a guy who is pretty good using search engines you are one stupid person when it comes to facts.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:08 pmyou folks are gonna blast me - and i sure hate to feed a troll -but ben has a point: mckinney was wrong to thump the cop. was the cop racist? sexist? harrassing her as part of a larger program of repug-friendly capitol security police policy? perhaps, and perhaps all three. but unless your life is in immediate danger from the officer, ANY lawyer will tell you - don't hit the cop. judges AND juries tend not to care about any circumstances leading up to that point... you hit the cop, you screwed the pooch. they ain't listening. i don't care WHO she is, she should have stopped, dressed down the officer RESPECTFULLY but forcefully, and THEN gone to the press with a story of systemic harrassment (which DOES exist against her). the fact that she IS a member of the government, and thus shouldn't have to stop, should NOT have been brought up; the old 'do you know WHO I AM?' crap is fine for yr garden-variety repug scum, ie delay, cheney, etc. it is beneath 'our side.' just because 'their side' gets away with shit, does it make it right for US?
mckinney's transgression PALES in comprison to those of the religious dictatorship running this country... but saying she was in the right doesn't make it so. do we believe bush when he says iraq is goin' heckovajob, buddy? the proper way to DEFUSE this argument is to say: 'she was wrong to hit the officer. no-one is above the law, we can ALL agree... now, let me read you the names of some -REPUBLICANS- who think themselves too important to follow the law..............
April 4th, 2006 at 3:10 pm#138 - Like I said stay out of economics or try to learn a little bit about it.
Screw you. I don't do what you tell me. I'm not your puppet. Besides, I clearly know more about it than you.
And I don't have to change my screen name to hide who I am.
Sports is a major source of income to the US. That is why we spend so much time engaged in it.
Ha ha ha ha! Talk about flawed logic! No, we spend so much time in it because it is fun.
I answered the OBL but you are too chose not to listen.
Speaking of learning new stuff - you might wanna sign up for a class on English.
I will try one more time. See if you can follow. If the US begins to have terrorists acts such as suicide bombers in places where people congregate, such as concerts, sporting events, etc., people may stop coming.
In 230 years it hasn't happened. You can 'what if' yourself back into your bomb shelter all day long. It doesn't change the fact that Osama is not that powerful. Most Muslims consider him a dangerous radical who perverts their religion. Much like Hitler perverted Christianity to kill those millions of people.
Since many Americans have never experienced this type of violence that might be a reasonable expectation. If Americans stop engaging in these type of activities then then the jobs that make these events happen may go away.
I guess you don't know about the invention of television cameras and television sets? No reason to leave your bomb shelter!
Since we spend so much time doing this we would be talking about a lot of jobs. Again the threat of terrorism is not primarily death of people but death of our economy.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 3:00 pm
Seriously, you have no idea what you are talking about. Sports does not employ more people than industry (after all we are an Industrialized nation and not a Sportized one), agriculture, healthcare, or retail. You wanna scare people - start wiping out mega malls.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:11 pm# 155 - I couldn’t have said it any better myself... no really I couldn’t have... well put.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:17 pmExactly the kind of dumbass remark I would expect from you. You fail to see all of the other industries that thrive off of sports. But I will help you out. How about retail such as clothing, sporting equipment, gaming, advertising, construction, etc. ?
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 3:08 pm
You under estimate those industries survival skills. If sports were to disappear tommorrow, they'd market something else. Besides, more people are walking billboards for trendy clothing lines than sports teams.
And the construction industry is a fraction of the pie. There are only a few architecture firms that design stadiums, because they are no where near in demand as say - office buildings, houses, schools, mega churches, and - mega malls!
You should think this stuff through before you type. It's like shooting fish in a drinking glass.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:18 pmShit, the video game industry broke $10 billion last year. That effects other industries, like computer hardware and software manufacturers. Advertising, clothing, convention centers, etc. etc.
You really wanna see an upheavel in America? Cut off the Internet.
If a bomber blew up the root servers, it would be utter chaos.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:21 pm# 155 - I couldn’t have said it any better myself… no really I couldn’t have… well put.
Comment by G.W.SuperChrist — April 4, 2006 @ 3:17 pm
Well, thank you, that's a real compliment coming from you : )
I just get irritated with these holier-than-thou know it alls who are neither virtuous nor knowledgable. I welcome debate form anyone who knows what they are talking about (after all I have changed my mind about things and am open to doing so if a better idea is presented. But all Ben has is trash talk and a lot of attitude.)
But, great news about Delay, huh?
April 4th, 2006 at 3:22 pmGuys!
Sports?
If there was a point it's gone now. Stop defending the minutia of the periphery of an argument.
Okay -1 2 3 back on subject!
April 4th, 2006 at 3:23 pmUnbelievable you have great name because you are unbelievably stupid.
If the sports is just happening for the fun then why does it costs so much to see or do it? Again another dumbass statement on your part.
230 years ago they were not flying airplanes into buildings either. Yet another incredibly stupid comeback by you.
Violence depicted in movies is apples to oranges if you are sitting at a cafe and someone detonates an explosive device. To think that will not happen here is yet another dumbass moment for you.
Like I said about economics, just stick to your subjects. Yet again maybe not. Teaching is not enjoying the best reputation these days in our school systems.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:25 pmThis tactic is ancient - smear anyone who outs you for what you are. He is so gross and so out. Back to the bugs. And really, what kind of fool smiles for his mugshot. I have seen many mugshots and the innocent NEVER smile during a mugshot. Only a few do and they are usually big time gamblers that know they are getting out of it because of who they happen to know and how much money they can forfeit to the IRS. He is so phony.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:25 pmBecause athletes are over paid.
She wasn't talking about movies dumbass. She meant the news.
Have you ever been near a bomb? I have. I still am not a scared little prick like you.
The problem with schools is not the teachers, it is the under funding of the schools themselves.
Boy, you are really easy to pick apart.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:30 pmUnbelievably Stupid said:
You under estimate those industries survival skills. If sports were to disappear tommorrow, they’d market something else. Besides, more people are walking billboards for trendy clothing lines than sports teams.
And the construction industry is a fraction of the pie. There are only a few architecture firms that design stadiums, because they are no where near in demand as say - office buildings, houses, schools, mega churches, and - mega malls!
Now all of sudden what was not a major economic source of revenue has turned into the argument that our economy would do just fine without sports because we would find something else to do.
Acknowledging that you were wrong and then making excuses for it. You are really a card.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:30 pmAnyway...enough about sports. I feel like its christmas all over again. One at a time is cool with me. It will make the fall of the repugs last longer...maybe up through November?
Tom is going to be so busy trying to find the cash to pay his attorneys...none will find its way to other Texas repugs.
I have a question...why are republicans so ugly? They all look constipated or like they just sucked a lemon? Could it be God paying them back for all of their evil?
April 4th, 2006 at 3:32 pmSpudge I am not going to even bother. Those are the worse comebacks ever. You are usually sharper than that. Very weak my boy, very weak.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:33 pmUnbelievable you have great name because you are unbelievably stupid.
I like how you chastised Ryan for name calling. But it's okay for you to do it? Hypocritical, wouldn't you say?
If the sports is just happening for the fun then why does it costs so much to see or do it? Again another dumbass statement on your part.
Basic economics. Supply and demand. When something is in demand - you can charge more money for it. Don't you have hobbies? They are expensive. Why? Because people enjoy them so much that they are willing to spend money to do it. The more fun - the more money thatcan be charged. Clear enough for you?
230 years ago they were not flying airplanes into buildings either. Yet another incredibly stupid comeback by you.
No, incredibly chort sighted of you. Flying planes into buildings isn't the only way to kill people. You could wipe out an entire race of, oh, let's say Native Americans, with zero planes at all. Get it? Or do you need to go research the history of America? I'd recommend Howard Zinn's "A People's History of teh United States."
Violence depicted in movies is apples to oranges if you are sitting at a cafe and someone detonates an explosive device. To think that will not happen here is yet another dumbass moment for you.
I think it'smore likley that you will go into a crowded building and shoot a bunch of people than it is likely for a bunch of terrorists to suicide bomb a bunch of Starbucks.
Like I said about economics, just stick to your subjects. Yet again maybe not. Teaching is not enjoying the best reputation these days in our school systems.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 3:25 pm
If you're trying to insult me, you're barking up the wrong tree. But, that would be par for the course.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:34 pm#160 - Unbelievable my comments on #157 were meant for snotsdale, but I also agree with your recent comments as well. You have given Ben a sound thrashing.
Keep up the good work!
April 4th, 2006 at 3:35 pmSo NeD, you will be happy if abortion is overturned? What will it matter to you and how would that affect you? You would rather young women turn to the internet where they tell you how to give yourself an abortion? Is that better for your inner piece? Or do you just not give a shit about women and wish to control them? Really, so do you think that there will ever be an end to abortion? That is about as possible as shipping every illegal alien to their home country.
Why don't you join reality and stop trying to change what you cannot? Realistically, no one can stop abortion. We see that the war on drugs didn't work, the war on Iraq ain't working, the war on women will also not work. We know there aren't any less drugs and kids will always try pot. So, you are just spinning your wheels. It's sad that you like to keep yourself in the corner shouting at all of those you think are
immoral. But, NeD, that is only YOUR thought. Didn't Jesus teach you not to judge others? Didn't he preach about acceptance? Where did you start to stray?
You are the minority and you should get used to it, or join us in the real world. I will do all I can to make certain that young women don't die because of men like you. It is a shame that some would have us back in the stone ages.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:35 pmAcknowledging that you were wrong and then making excuses for it. You are really a card.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 3:30 pm
I wasn't wrong. You just can't follow logic. Only emotion.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:36 pmMove on Ben.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:38 pmNice "I know you are but what am I" comment. Here, I will answer for you.
So, you think athletes should be paid more money?
So, you think unbelievable was talking about movies?
I am going to go with you have never been in the military on this one.
So, you think schools have plenty of funding?
This one stands on its own.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:38 pm#160 - Unbelievable my comments on #157 were meant for snotsdale, but I also agree with your recent comments as well. You have given Ben a sound thrashing.
Comment by G.W.SuperChrist — April 4, 2006 @ 3:35 pm
He was at 154. I was 155.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:39 pmAcknowledging that you were wrong and then making excuses for it. You are really a card.
Comment by Ben
...I guess that makes you the joker.....
April 4th, 2006 at 3:39 pmThank you Mr. Spudge. I taught high school for three years, took a year off, and am returning to the classroom next year. I am so sick of being blamed for the lack of parental skills many individuals have. I do not know how many times I have been told "there is nothing I can do about him/her, they won't listen." When they fail it isn't the kids fault, I just was not nice enough to them. I could even live with the lack of funding and the lack of pay if some people would teach their kids responsibility.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:43 pm"Exactly the kind of dumbass remark I would expect from you. You fail to see all of the other industries that thrive off of sports. But I will help you out. How about retail such as clothing, sporting equipment, gaming, advertising, construction, etc. ? BenDover"
For someone with such a big mouth, you come remarkably unprepared to defend yourself. You're like the scrawney little sister everyone ignores.
Don't let 'facts' get in the way of those delusions BenDover, otherwise you might join the real world and realize what a stupid jackass you really are.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:43 pmSpeaking of learning new stuff - you might wanna sign up for a class on English.
No, incredibly chort sighted of you. Flying planes into buildings isn’t the only way to kill people.
Your arguments on each point were very weak. Again, you do not have a good understanding of economics. Economics is not just about supply and demand. Sports is a huge part of the US economy because how many times a dollar is turned because of it. Read some principles of economics and you will learn. You are focused on micro when trying to argue macro. Oh, and I don't think I have the wrong tree. It looks pretty dead to me.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:44 pmAnyway…enough about sports. I feel like its christmas all over again. One at a time is cool with me. It will make the fall of the repugs last longer…maybe up through November?
Tom is going to be so busy trying to find the cash to pay his attorneys…none will find its way to other Texas repugs.
I have a question…why are republicans so ugly? They all look constipated or like they just sucked a lemon? Could it be God paying them back for all of their evil?
Comment by Jules — April 4, 2006 @ 3:32 pm
Can we all get back on point?
April 4th, 2006 at 3:45 pmDidn’t Jesus teach you not to judge others? Didn’t he preach about acceptance?
Comment by progressive and proud — April 4, 2006 @ 3:35 pm
I think Jesus' exact words were "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
In other words if you are a judgmental prick - Jesus is going to fuck you up when you stand before him.
So watch out you judgmental prick bastard - Jesus is coming to get you!
April 4th, 2006 at 3:48 pmMO HO HO HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
BenDover takes another one for the team.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:49 pmLyin Ryan - you make a statement and then screw it up. Again you are pointing to the 4 primary sports. Hey dumbass, your stats are not incorporating the industries that are impacted because of sports. Seriously how is it that you are this stupid? You totally ignored the economic realities that sports impacts almost every industry. How abourt the medical industry? Any relationship there? Just a few bilion that's all.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:50 pmI am so sick of being blamed for the lack of parental skills many individuals have. I do not know how many times I have been told “there is nothing I can do about him/her, they won’t listen.†When they fail it isn’t the kids fault, I just was not nice enough to them. I could even live with the lack of funding and the lack of pay if some people would teach their kids responsibility.
Comment by Jules — April 4, 2006 @ 3:43 pm
I couldn't possibly agree with you more. I have a horror story from last week that I'm still too angry about to tell yet. You'll be appalled. But, you're so right. Parents do not want to accept responsiblity for their children when they are exactly the ones who raised them to whine until they get their way, to lie about anything and everything to get out of trouble, and to blame the world for their actions. It's the teacher who is to blame for everything.
And this was only my first year in the classroom (was a career change). I bet we could have some interesting conversations about the classroom :).
April 4th, 2006 at 3:50 pmOh, and I don’t think I have the wrong tree. It looks pretty dead to me.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 3:44 pm
Alright I'm bored now. You aren't even a substantial opponent. Go educate yourself and come back when you can make a valid point.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:53 pmHe was at 154. I was 155.
Comment by unbelievable — April 4, 2006 @ 3:39 pm
I swear my screen reads 155 & 156. I have had this problem once before... maybe it is my computer?
April 4th, 2006 at 3:53 pm"Exactly the kind of dumbass remark I would expect from you. You fail to see all of the other industries that thrive off of sports. But I will help you out. How about retail such as clothing, sporting equipment, gaming, advertising, construction, etc. ? BenDover"
By your own arguments then, sports is just an economic contributor. Where your 'logic' fails, is the belief that the whole economic engine would die just because sports isn't some place people would/could put their money. This shows a fundamental lack of understanding of capital flow, and principles of investment. No surprise - republicans rarely understand economics.
If sports died tomorrow, the companies that manufacture sports related goods would make other goods - period. And sports has a TINY contribution to the GDP, something that you would understand IF you understood economics. And Dipwad, I have a degree in economics - so don't lecture me from your ignorance. It's just embarrassing for you.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:54 pmYou totally ignored the economic realities that sports impacts almost every industry. How abourt the medical industry? Any relationship there? Just a few bilion that’s all.
Comment by Ben — April 4, 2006 @ 3:50 pm
You should be easily able to lay this argumetn to rest: Show figures. Hard, cold figures. Post links and sources.
Show you have the data that backs up your assertion.
Back on topic: I think Delay is blowing smoke. I doubt the Texas legislature would be willing to lift as much as a finger for Delay at this point.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:54 pmCan we all get back on point?
Comment by Jules — April 4, 2006 @ 3:45 pm
I think this is what happens when the point gets exhausted. How much can we talk about Tom Delay really? :)
April 4th, 2006 at 3:55 pmOMG, unbelievable - the first year is the absolute worst. It really does get better. Stories - I have a million and I am quite sure I would not be appalled at what has happend in your classroom - more like been there done that. Maybe if I had never taught, but overall, I absolutely love teaching. It is the best "job" in the world.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:55 pmwhy the fuss over mckinney--a little googling turned this up:
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/Aug1999/081999/criminalclass4-081999.htm
April 4th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Unbelievable - I live in Texas. I have been celebrating ALL day!!
April 4th, 2006 at 3:57 pm"Lyin Ryan - you make a statement and then screw it up. Again you are pointing to the 4 primary sports. Hey dumbass, your stats are not incorporating the industries that are impacted because of sports. BenDover"
That's not how the economy is measured, otherwise the sports industry would be impacted by the lighting, entertainment and every other industry - meaning it would have LESS value. And your premise is that something wouldn't REPLACE the GDP output of the sports industry - which is as stupid as people who claimed that the car would destroy the economy for buggy makers and put the whole economy in the dust. Your rantings come from ignorance.
Just because you're too stupid to understand the free market economy, don't bother us with your stupidity. It's just BORING ZZzzzz...
April 4th, 2006 at 3:57 pmI swear my screen reads 155 & 156. I have had this problem once before… maybe it is my computer?
Comment by G.W.SuperChrist — April 4, 2006 @ 3:53 pm
That's weird... Strange. It's why I answer like this. Sometimes the numbering changes and gets confusing. Oh well... no harm. Not like it was criticism :)
April 4th, 2006 at 3:59 pmThat’s weird… Strange. It’s why I answer like this. Sometimes the numbering changes and gets confusing. Oh well… no harm. Not like it was criticism :)
Comment by unbelievable — April 4, 2006 @ 3:59 pm
Answering like this is a good idea.. see no confusion:)
April 4th, 2006 at 4:02 pmMaybe if I had never taught, but overall, I absolutely love teaching. It is the best “job†in the world.
Comment by Jules — April 4, 2006 @ 3:55 pm
I routinely say that if it weren't for my third period class, I would have given up by now. I adore those kids enough to put up with the rest. Sometimes I can't decide which is worse - the parents or the Administration.
Thanks for the encouragment. It's good to know it gets better! And I have to agree. I do love the actual teaching part :)
What subject do you teach?
April 4th, 2006 at 4:04 pmWith apologies to Former Sen. Bentsen:
I know Jesus, Rep. DeLay, and you're no Jesus!
Seriously, folks, as happy as I am with this... I still worry.
First of all, before I am a Progressive, I believe in fairness. What started me to become an activist was because Conservatives pushed progressives around... it started in 1995 with the showdown over shutting down the Federal Government and exploded after 2000's [s]election.
Now, the winds of change are blowing in the opposite direction, back towards the center of the spectrum... I say... FINALLY!!!
However, I must warn all peoples here that we oppose corruption... not just Republican corruption.
Remember the late 80's and early 90's when Democrats brought in Sen. McCain to the rogue's gallery photo shoot in order to "prove" to the world that it is not only Dems who are caught in the S & L bailout scandal?
Neither side are strangers to corruption.
Whether what Ms. McKinney did was self defense or criminal act is up to the prosecutor. Either way, I hope justice will be served... whether in the form of conviction or in the form of dropping charges.
As Obi-Wan told Anakin... Don't become that which you oppose.
People, when we take power (not if, but when)... please remember the lesson of that which brought down the neo-cons... we need the Republicans to work with our side in order to resolve the nation's (and world's) problems... because the neo-cons, pushing us out of the debate... caused (or helped to cause) these problems in the first place... just look at the Iraq mess and Bush declaring that he didn't need Congress' approval in order to go to war.
Well... Mr. President... look at the mess you made.
It takes better thinking by progressives, moderates and conservatives putting their heads together to get us out of the hole we're in... and working together to find solutions to the world's problems.
Please remember this.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:04 pmAnswering like this is a good idea.. see no confusion:)
Comment by G.W.SuperChrist — April 4, 2006 @ 4:02 pm
You talking to me? (just kidding ; )
April 4th, 2006 at 4:06 pm186Back on topic: I think Delay is blowing smoke. I doubt the Texas legislature would be willing to lift as much as a finger for Delay at this point.
I agree. They already have the people down here angry about their impotence when it comes to school financing, not to mention the redistricting mess he got us into. He'll be a leper for Texas Repubs and they're probably glad he's getting the hell out of Dodge.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:06 pmJust because you’re too stupid to understand the free market economy, don’t bother us with your stupidity. It’s just BORING ZZzzzz…
Comment by Ryan Neat — April 4, 2006 @ 3:57 pm
Hey Ryan,
I guess when they believe in talking donkeys and fire breathing dragons, not much else is impossible, eh? :)
April 4th, 2006 at 4:08 pmAnother dumbass comeback from Lyin Ryan. The fact that industries would shift if sports stopped has nothing to due with the fact that sports is here and that is what is happening to the US economy because of its. That is the reality not some hypothetical BS you're spewing. I will throw out another industry. Television. How much of the US economy comes from tlevsion? How much is being paid for commercials during televised sporting events? How about fishing, golf and racing? Like I said Ryan you are not that smart. You say say you have an economic degree, of course you lie so much who knows, but even if you do you had to be asleep.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:11 pmI would like to make one last serious on topic remark.
This really isn’t as good of news as everyone is making it out to be.
If Delay would have gone through with the election he would have kept the spotlight on him and his corrupt ways. Not only would he have lost, but he would have brought others down with him.
Now all we have is a fading memory of a corrupt system with no specific reminders of how it got that way. Americans have the attention span of puppies with A.D.D. Out of sight out of mind.
Sadly I think that Delay dropping out was the best thing he could have done for his party... Not so good for the Dems.
An late election October arrest would have been so much cooler.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:12 pmThe lone star state again stands alone. Texas should succeed from the Union. It has no other place to go with people like Tom Delay running amuck and doing his deeds (I'll bet you he will tell us next that God told him to do it) and that applies to anything that crosses the line of ethics and common sense. Since no one else is defending him besides his mouth pieces he might as well do what he feels best to do before he hits the slammer..
April 4th, 2006 at 4:12 pmAnother day in the life of a lone star stater ...
AHA AHA
Ok, folks,
We all need to add a word to our lexicons - Republican Crime Family.
They are not a political party any more, and this terminology will help us understand them, and deal with them.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:17 pmBenDover,
How much 'comes' from an industry is its REVENUES. Your belief in 'secondary industries' making that industry have 'more value' is just patent nonsense. In a free market economy, the industry revenues is the industry revenues - PERIOD. All related industries are their OWN industries, such as the clothing, television, etc. You aren't using economic principles, rational thought, or free market terms - you're fabricating an elaborate scheme to overinflate the value of an industry. Where did you used to work Enron or Worldcom - because what you're doing is deceptive and WRONG. By your measurement, the Oil industry is the entire industry of the country, as almost everything owes some part of its 'economy' on that. It's just NONSENSE.
And for someone that doesn't understand how an industry is 'evaluated' in a free market economy, you sure do have a lot of arrogance to criticize those that do. You're a RETARD, get over yourself.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:23 pmHow did this change into a sports thread?
Can we go back to disgusting Tom Delay please?
April 4th, 2006 at 4:30 pmJules,
I have two different friends that are teachers here in California. You are right. Rich yuppy assholes that drive Hummers don't know how to parent their kids. Then the first Hummer driver, Arnold have cut all of the funding for schools. That combination leads to kids that think everything should be handed to them on a platter and have no ethics.
That will be the downfall of our country.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:36 pmOl Tommy can watch Ronny boy's trial from inside the slammer.
Perhaps they'll end up in adjacent cells ;)
April 4th, 2006 at 4:46 pmRepublican Corruption! Take your pick:
The Corruption Files
April 4th, 2006 at 4:53 pmGOP Scandal Scorecard
The Scandal Sheet
Banana Republicans
#124 I was referring to OBL in thesense that he has absolutely no realistic chance of toppling America on his own whereas people like Randall Duke Cunningham, Tom DeLay, Jack Abrahamofff and any other politician who believes in circumventing the democratic process and the constitution, along with all the pundits who encourage them to do so (Rush, Ingrham, Hanity Coulter etc...) are a graver danger to toppling America as we know it today. Once our government moves away from the democratic process and toward a despotic process, OBL wins.
As to our way of life, gatheirng in large crowds etc... we can do that as long as we want. Sure there is always threat of danger but that is one of the prices of living in a free society. We don't really want politcal stooges (of either party) or terrorists dictating our lifestyles. Once we let others dictate how we live we lose too.
April 4th, 2006 at 5:01 pmI tried to post links to that list - flagged for spam!
April 4th, 2006 at 5:03 pmIt worked fine on the Norton thread - see #35
DeLay lying through his teeth RIGHT NOW, live on Hardball on MSNBC
April 4th, 2006 at 5:06 pmDelay will direct the Lege from prison, see. You mugs ain't up on the banter, see. It's all about which greasy wheel gets greased, see.
Uh, Tom, meet your bunkmate Big Dick. Mr. VP, meet your roomy, Little Tommy.
Where'd the P go? W stole it.
the missing P project
http://www.geocities.com/themissingPproject
April 4th, 2006 at 5:11 pmI'm back - Unbelievable - I teach geometry. I know, very exciting. I actually think it is fun. I use white boards and get to draw huge colorful pictures. There will always be one class that you could absolutely do without and one that you wish you could teach all day.
Spudge - I cannot believe how many times I have heard about some parent promising their kid some expensive car if they would pass math. The kid wants their time, not their money!
When will these people wake up and realize they are raising kids who are not qualified to work at Walmart?
April 4th, 2006 at 5:12 pmLyin Ryan says:
Combined, the NFL, NBA and MLB leagues bring in about $9 billion in annual revenue.
Also:How much ‘comes’ from an industry is its REVENUES. Your belief in ’secondary industries’ making that industry have ‘more value’ is just patent nonsense.
Apparently others calculate economic impact a little differently:
http://www.flasports.com/pdfs/FSF%20Economic%20Impact%20July%201%202005.pdf
Sports means $32 billion to the State of Florida
With the beginning of a new year, the State of Florida can look forward to an infusion of $32 billion in 2006 due to Sports and Recreation.
Sports and recreation activities provide a $32 billion annual economic impact to Florida’s economy, according to an “Economic Impact of Sports and Recreation Activities in Florida Survey,†prepared by the Washington Economics Group, Inc. and commissioned by the Florida Sports Foundation, the official sports promotion and development organization of the State of Florida.
Besides the $32 billion in economic impact, the survey showed sports and recreation provide support for 434,000 employment positions and generate $12.9 billion in annual labor compensation.
In preparing the survey over the course of eight months, using data from the 2004 calendar year, the Coral Gables-based Washington Economics Group, separated the sports and recreation activities into nine components for which there was sufficient data to prepare the survey. The components are:
Consumer spending on sports and recreation apparel and equipment
Local government expenditures for parks and recreation
Sport fishing (including associated boating)
Hunting and wildlife associated recreation
Recreational golf and golf courses
Professional sports teams
Sports associated with pari-mutuel wagering
Recreational ownership of horses
Sporting events sponsored by Florida’s 18 Regional Sports Commissions
Major Professional Golf and Tennis Tournaments
“This survey will show sports and recreation are an important activity in the State,†said Robert Cruz, Chief Economist for the Washington Economics Group. “The number of jobs sports and recreation creates in the State was quite impressive to me. I think it showed a very significant impact that had not been done before and those numbers are conservative. Of the 9.2 millions jobs in Florida, sports and recreation accounts for about 5% of jobs statewide.â€
April 4th, 2006 at 5:15 pmBen,
You may not have done the math but according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International it is estimated that Saddam was killing between 75 to 125 people per day for 22 years. That means at an average of 100 a day he would have killed 109,500 over the past 3 years.
If you had actually read HRW or Amnesty (as opposed to getting talking points from the GOP wurlitzer), you would know that the vast majority of Saddam's killing happened a long time ago- he wasn't killing people at anywhere near that rate recently.
(Obligatory caveat: Yes, dumbfuck, Saddam was a Bad Person. Removing him from power via invasion was a Bad Idea. Those two ideas are not incompatible.)
Your statement is like saying "The United States has interned 120,000 Japanese-Americans in the last 65 years. That means that we should expect to send another 1,800 or so to prison camps in 2006."
Now do you understand why your statement is idiotic?
[This leaves aside the other idiotic part of your statement- the Lancet study (presumably the source of the 100k number) was a study of *excess* mortality. That is, they estimated how many *additional* deaths were caused by the invasion, not how many people had died in Iraq. So, no, according to the Lancet study we didn't save lives, no matter *how* you calculate Saddam's execution rate.]
April 4th, 2006 at 5:17 pmSo let me get this straight Bennie - if someone threatens a football stadium people won't go fly-fishing?
April 4th, 2006 at 5:19 pmHe'll probably run for governor of that most wretched state.
April 4th, 2006 at 5:25 pm#208 - I agree on not wanting political stooges. You can go down the road saying that we can continue to live our lives the way we want but that does not necessarily translate into reality. If terrorists acts were to become common place in the US our economy could be riveted by a change in behavior until the acts were controlled or eliminated. People can make all the fear references they want. That's an easy rock to throw. But once it gets started and people do change their habits and it does negatively impact the economy because of lost jobs then what will you say" I guess we underestimated the impact"? That is why agree with policy to preempt this potentially devastating problem. I understand you disagree. I suggest if people want a change in policy they had better do a more effective job of convincing others at the voting polls.
April 4th, 2006 at 5:25 pmCarleton, I was referencing a previous writers 100K number not mine. I have read those studies and articles. They contend that Saddam was killing people on a regular basis. If you had read those papers you would have read how they would plant people in the coffee shops who would acquire the names of the people in the shop. Then they would start speaking against Saddam. They had better hope that they reported the incident in order to avoid consequences for not. You can spew your talking points all you want. Between he and his sons they were killing people with regularity.
Jules...that's a dumbass comeback. No but if somebody straps up in a movie theater people might start watching movies at home. Same goes for basketball games, hockey, etc. Don't be a dumbass you know that is the threat. That is why they are doing pat downs at sporting events. Not just for the booze.
April 4th, 2006 at 5:35 pmBennie - you are such an idiot. Get a life!!!
April 4th, 2006 at 5:40 pmJules...get some brains...stop being stupid.
April 4th, 2006 at 5:45 pmBen,
You got a cite for your numbers? No one disputes that Saddam's secret police killed people, but I haven't seen any evidence that he was killing 100 a day as you've claimed.
And if you weren't familiar with the Lancet study's methodology and results, you ought to be more careful.
I imagine that you'd agree that blaming Bush for deaths in Iraq that have occurred since 2003 from causes completely unrelated to the war (eg terminal cancer diagnosed before the war) would be foolish. Ergo the number we're concerned about is excess mortality due to the invasion. If the study was correct (and I havent seen a good criticism, although a number of bad ones exist), then an additional 98k Iraqis died over and above prewar mortality. That is, over and above even those murdered by Saddam.
Ben "you can spew talking points" = "Ben doesn't know what he's talking about, but he's right anyway bc other people are librul robotic dittoheads".
April 4th, 2006 at 5:46 pmAs in the style of Duke Cunningham, so goes Tom Delay and every other crook within the Bush administration.
April 4th, 2006 at 5:52 pmOrange jump suits for all and long prison terms are completely in order for each member of the Bush crime family and this includes the 2 biggest, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
Carleton, here is what was said about the Lancet study:
The authors of a peer-reviewed study, conducted by a survey team from Johns Hopkins University, claim that about 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of the war. Yet a close look at the actual study, published online today by the British medical journal the Lancet, reveals that this number is so loose as to be meaningless.
The report's authors derive this figure by estimating how many Iraqis died in a 14-month period before the U.S. invasion, conducting surveys on how many died in a similar period after the invasion began (more on those surveys later), and subtracting the difference. That difference—the number of "extra" deaths in the post-invasion period—signifies the war's toll. That number is 98,000. But read the passage that cites the calculation more fully:
We estimate there were 98,000 extra deaths (95% CI 8000-194 000) during the post-war period.
Readers who are accustomed to perusing statistical documents know what the set of numbers in the parentheses means. For the other 99.9 percent of you, I'll spell it out in plain English—which, disturbingly, the study never does. It means that the authors are 95 percent confident that the war-caused deaths totaled some number between 8,000 and 194,000. (The number cited in plain language—98,000—is roughly at the halfway point in this absurdly vast range.)
This isn't an estimate. It's a dart board.
Carleton doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but he’s right anyway bc other people are repub robotic dittoheadsâ€.
April 4th, 2006 at 6:02 pmBen,
1)When you quote stuff, you ought to cite it or provide a link. Basic manners.
2)This isn’t an estimate. It’s a dart board isn't a critique of the statistics. As Tim Lambert said, the Lancet study is "flypaper for innumerates"...
For example, if you understood confidence intervals, you'd understand that the excess mortality was much more likely to have been 98k than 5k or 194k.
btw, you still haven't provided a source for your claim that Saddam was killing 100 people a day in the 200-2003 period. Have you silently conceeded the point that there is no such source? 'cos if you have, it'd be more polite to say so.
(and if you haven't- well, cites please).
& fwiw, the "no Im not you are" playground bit at the end of your post is lame, lame, lame. You dismissed a call for citations as me 'spewing my talking points'. You *still* haven't provided any support for your assertion. That is, you seem to think that baseless accusations of spinning somehow substitute for the need to back up your statements.
April 4th, 2006 at 6:59 pmLet me explain that in small words: "Im not you are" doesn't work when the other person isn't doing the same thing you're doing. It's very simple once you get the hang of it.
delay quit because the mobster-style killing of the former partner of jack abramoff is pointing right back to him~! jeb bush was even in on the deal. read wayne madison report ~ delay can run, but he'll never hide far enough for all the ronnies and patricks in the world who do real work for a living!
April 4th, 2006 at 7:01 pmWhat was this blog about again?
Oh yeah. Minus all the name calling and distractions.... Revenge.
Tom Delay must be very hurt (boohoohoo) and vows revenge on an old man. Good luck Tom!!!
Doesn't really help his self image does it. Well, we'll find out just how religious ol' Tom is when we find out how much he is involved in the Abramoff fraud. Real Christian he is. Protects unborn children from their mothers, etal. I guess money laundering and a sense of fairness isn't mentioned in his version of ethics...too bad. Christ, he's wrapping himself in religion like W. wraps himself in his flag and war bonnet. What a charade.
But for now, good bye and good riddance!
April 4th, 2006 at 7:08 pmThe only reason Delay is running his mouth, is because he is losing power.
April 4th, 2006 at 7:30 pmsome people just dont get it...now let me see if I have this correctly? As everyone aorund de-Lay is either copin a plea, getting convicted, or under indictment De-Lay sez-fire the prosecuter, now if memory serves isnt that manuever out of the nixon play book?
April 4th, 2006 at 8:50 pmOh this guys a gem ...but very boring, amusing, but boring.
Delay is a classic 'gansta', blame the man, blame the prosecutors, blame everyone but yourself for committing the crime.
April 4th, 2006 at 9:04 pmDelay is a classic ‘gansta’, blame the man, blame the prosecutors, blame everyone but yourself for committing the crime.
Comment by Ryan Neat
Ronnie Earl is so fucked. This is just the start of payback. Earl though he could use his piss-ant position to run with the big dogs. Ronnie I wouldn't want to be you if I could disappear with a ton of money and my pick of the Hollywood whores.
April 4th, 2006 at 10:32 pmHow do these guys become millionaires on the congressional salary?
April 4th, 2006 at 10:53 pmEverybody, did you see this WaPo piece?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/04/AR2006040402104.html
It made me so mad, I wrote the reporter a little note. Was I off base?
Dear Libby:
How dare you?
This man is a criminal and a foe of our country, and you portray him as some kind of hero. I can't wait, Libby Copeland, till he is in prison, then will you be proud of this piece of garbage? Did you graduate from J-school or are you just a flack? Was DeLay's communications director sitting right there with you as you assembled this puff? Of all the possible angles on this crook, you take this puffy route? Tell! I WANT TO KNOW.
Write me back, if you're not too much of a coward and weakling. DEFEND YOURSELF. Read MediaMatters.org? Maybe you should.
Seth Sonderling
April 5th, 2006 at 12:08 amCarleton what gets me is guys like you come on here with your BS links that are easily torn apart.
Here is the link for why the Lancet study is BS (tell me the part of their argument which is wrong). Clearly, you do not have a good understanding of confidence levels as they pertain to ranges which are statistically to broad. 30,000 deaths would carry not much lower of a confidence level because the range is too wide. Funny how you did not see that.
http://www.slate.com/id/2108887/
I have plenty of links including Human Rights Watch but here is one from the Iraq Foundation that discusses in great detail what Saddam did for 22 years.
http://www.iraqfoundation.org/hr.html
April 5th, 2006 at 12:08 amI love the smell of right wing farts, especially those belonging to Dick Cheney and George Bush.
April 5th, 2006 at 12:29 amThe chief architect for K-Street and pay-to-legislate has no idea what his key aides are doing? DeLay is CEO of the Republican Syndicate (the Bush family are thre trustees). Why are all Republicans cowards? They won't fight in wars they love so much. They never take any responsibility for their own actions. We are going to need a truth and reconciliation committee to expose all the lies and crimes that these bastards have committed over the past 30 years.
I can understand why a DeLay, Cunningham, et al would use their office to enrich themselves to the tune of millions salted away in off-shore accounts...but why do the NEDs/Bens/IRI's of the internet defend them? Is the $1.00-per-post worth the humiliation and selling out of their own country? Or are they all employed in an Indian internet center, contracted by the RNC to make it look like there are Americans that support their crimes against this country?
April 5th, 2006 at 12:44 amDon't worry about Ronnie. He's got the goods on most of the Legislature too. He's untouchable.
April 5th, 2006 at 2:09 amDeLay is your prototype repug. Crazy and stupid to boot. Let's hope he gets sent to the slammer, then he can call some of his "mates" his old nickname the hammer for what they do to his fat lardass.
April 5th, 2006 at 11:20 amTom Delay is A crook, and should not pass go; and head straight to jail. His hammering days are over. When he rants about the prosecutor. He should remember how he tried to inpeach Bill Clinton for A small thing as A blow job. If the texas legislators, fall for the former hammers B.S. they need to be voted out of office. A.S.A.P.
April 5th, 2006 at 11:45 amBen,
Your link does not appear to contain any evidence that Saddam was killing 100 people per day in the 2000-2003 range. I have already agreed that Saddam was a bad person- what I am asking for is: evidence to back up your assertion that Saddam was killling 100 people per day.
You keep misunderstanding this, and providing links that prove that Saddam was a bad person. That is, you are either misunderstanding my request over and over again (ie you're an idiot) or you are intentionally providing these links because you can't prove your case & lack the stones to admit it.
Try again, but don't just give me another "Saddam was bad" link. Give me a "Saddam was killing 100 people a day in 2000-2003" link, or admit that you perhaps spoke to quickly earlier.
As for the Kaplan 'critique', it's mostly nonsense and misreadings of the study. Or, perhaps, non-reading of the study, since several of Kaplan's alledged critiques have no basis in the study whatsoever. You would've uncovered this easily if you had googled "Kaplan Lancet":
http://timlambert.org/2004/11/lancet7/
http://crookedtimber.org/2004/11/01/talking-rubbish-about-epidemiology
For example, Kaplan uses Iraqi Body Count to contrast with the Lancet study's numbers, but the two studies measure completely different things- IBC counts press reports of civilian casualties due to violence, the Lancet study measured excess mortality due to all causes. There is no reason why those two numbers would have anything to do with each other- eg if Saddam was killing lots of people right before the war, it'd would've been entirely possible for the Lancet number to have been negative. Whereas the IBC number could never be negative.
For another example (this from Tim L) It is not true that they expanded the survey to an adjoining clusters if there weren’t enough people in a cluster. The sampling unit was households, not people. And a cluster was the thirty households that were nearest a randomly chosen location.
That point by Tim is particularly striking- in indicates that Kaplan did not understand even the basic mechanics of the study.
Apparently, neither do you. Have you read the study, or are you satisfied with a summary written by someone who apparently didn't read it either? Are you satisfied with just enough knowledge to 'prove' your preconceptions, or would you rather actually learn about that subject?
What's sad about this is that there are actually some reasonable points that can be made against the Lancet study- nothing invalidating, but any paper done under those sorts of conditions will have issues. You could've found those if you 1)understood anything about statistics or 2)were willing to search for a real critique rather than blindly accept whatever BS you could find because it fit your preconceptions.
[btw, Clearly, you do not have a good understanding of confidence levels as they pertain to ranges which are statistically to (sic) broad. 30,000 deaths would carry not much lower of a confidence level because the range is too wide. Funny how you did not see that.
April 5th, 2006 at 12:53 pmI did not "see that" because that doesn't make any sense. What makes a confidence interval "statistically too broad"? And your second sentence doesn't make any sense at all, Im not sure what's "carrying" what.... FYI, IBC's numbers don't have confidence intervals, since they aren't making a statisitcal extrapolation. They are just counting. If that's what's confusing you, Im not sure bc as I said, your statement is gibberish.]
Why does this NOT surprise me?
Unlike many of you, I was in a family for more than 26 years who joined Organized Crime. This wasn’t any ordinary Organized Crime system as it has direct ties to very wide spread Political Corruption from my local area all the way up to the highest point in our Federal System. Try taking a step back and look at what his statement suggests!
What Tom DeLay may REALLY be saying is that there are MANY others involved in HIS corruption NETWORK that will set Ronnie Earle up to be removed. Considering this, realize HOW many others and WHAT powers they represent in our system of governing!
Ronnie Earle certainly has courage to stand up against someone as powerful as Tom DeLay. I’m also sure Earle has been busier than a “One Armed Paper Hanger†to keep his ship going. From my experience in a crime family associated with this, the “criminal corruption system†probably tried to run Earle into the ground hoping to make him stop. This particular corruption group uses as many tricks as they can dream up, so I’m sure there’s a lot more we haven’t heard about regarding this.
It may be wise to think about what those accused of corruption are really trying to say. That way, more of what this story is about will show itself. Behavior means everything, words are only music and often, just a lot of noise. But within their jabbering are little tidbits of information that explain more about what they are involved in.
April 5th, 2006 at 12:54 pmLet's hear how old Tom does when he gets in to the joint with all the other crooks that won't respect him for a minute. Forget any Club Fed, they don't exist anymore. Old Tom will find out that those highly trained intelligent correction officers are not too impressed with crooks from the political realm. Yep, going to be real interesting for Tom. Hope he enjoys it.
April 5th, 2006 at 4:21 pmThere are many GOP congressional incumbents whose seats are up for grabs this year. Most of them that are running have received money from Delay's ARMPAC and voted yes on the DeLay Rule.
Its very easy to find in your state by going here.
http://www.dccc.org/houseofscandal/main.html
The vast majority of Americans weren't familiar with the Sultan of Sugarland a scant two years ago - now that's changed. DeLay, along with Abramoff, Libby, Cunningham, Scanlon, Safavian, and many others to come have defined the GOP. When Tony Rudy pleaded guilty, it was over for DeLay - despite the spin we've seen from him as of late. I don't thnk Ronnie Earle is concerned - this is standard fare from DeLay. Mr. Earle was going to retire but undertook this because he's a good, decent American. I can't wait to see the DeLay movie.
April 5th, 2006 at 10:57 pmI suppose that Ben- having made a false statement & been asked for some support for it & having ducked the question as many times as he reasonably can- has moved on to the next thread. Where he will doubtless make more BS statements, be called on them, etc.
It's just part of the wingnut lifecycle, I suppose. Me, if I kept running into situations where I became ashamed to show my face on a thread, Id feel obliged to re-assess my beliefs and behaviors.
April 6th, 2006 at 7:51 pmI emailed it to Ronnie Earle. DeLay is beyond corrupt. Even his resignation is corrupt.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:10 pmRead this website from his own district...http://www.brazosriver.com/index.html
Some pretty good stuff here.
[...] Think Progress has an informative piece up regarding Delay’s interview with Tony Snow today. Check out what he plans on doing. Filed Under: Election 2006, Blogs Permalink Trackback Feed 274 Views Print This Article Email This article [...]
June 30th, 2006 at 3:38 pm