ThinkFast: June 1, 2007
Conservative columnist Peggy Noonan declares today that President Bush “has torn the conservative coalition asunder,” with consequences “for the American future.” This White House “thinks its base is stupid,” she writes, while “conservative Bush supporters have felt like sufferers of battered wife syndrome.”
With the conservative coalition reeling, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) believes the solution lies in “rebranding” itself. He has convened a group of allies to work on conservative “branding,” an exercise designed to restore an identity to a coalition that “many voters no longer see as holding a core set of principles.”
“Fort Lewis, which this month has suffered its worst losses of the war, will no longer conduct individual memorial ceremonies for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, the post will hold one ceremony for all soldiers killed each month.” Fort Lewis’ commanding general wrote in a memo, “I am afraid that with the number of soldiers we now have in harm’s way, our losses will preclude us from continuing to do individual memorial ceremonies.”
Top U.S. commander Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno “warned” yesterday that “he may not be able to make a full assessment of the situation in Iraq by September, as demanded by lawmakers.”
President Bush yesterday announced a “new international climate change framework,” setting “aspirational goals” for reducing carbon emissions but “no concrete targets or dates, no enforcement mechanism and no penalties for noncompliance. It also wouldn’t take effect until four years after Bush leaves office.”
Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson on global warming: “There’s much we know and can agree on around the climate change issue, and there’s much that we just don’t believe we do know…and we want to have a debate about the things we know and understand, the things we know about that we don’t understand very well, and the things we don’t even know about around this very complex issue of climate science. So that will continue to be our position.”
“Gov. Bob Riley signed a resolution Thursday expressing ‘profound regret’ for Alabama’s role in slavery and apologizing for slavery’s wrongs and lingering effects. ‘Slavery was evil and is a part of American history,’ the Republican governor said.”
“The popular online dating service eHarmony was sued on Thursday for refusing to offer its services to gays, lesbians and bisexuals.” eHarmony was “founded in 2000 by evangelical Christian Dr. Neil Clark Warren” and “had strong early ties” with the religious right group Focus on the Family.
And finally: A press release from Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) yesterday calling for a “National First Responder Appreciation Day” included the following line, attributed to Allard: “I don’t think first responders have really done anything significant in comparison to their counterparts who have dealt with real natural disasters, I have no idea what else to say.” Allard’s spokesman “sent out a correction 23 minutes later that said, ‘Please pardon my typo in the first version of this release. I sincerely apologize for the error.’”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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This White House “thinks its base is stupid,†she [Peggy Noonan] writes
Well, in her defense, the Republican base does think that evolution is a lie and that the earth is 6000 years old…
June 1st, 2007 at 9:05 amExxon CEO Rex Tillerson on global warming: “There’s much we know and can agree on around the climate change issue, and there’s much that we just don’t believe we do know…and we want to have a debate about the things we know and understand, the things we know about that we don’t understand very well, and the things we don’t even know about around this very complex issue of climate science. So that will continue to be our position.â€
Obfuscation and foot-dragging. Got it, thanks.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:07 amAdd to today’s Think Fast, Dan Bartlett, counselor to the prez, has just resigned.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:07 amThis White House “thinks its base is stupid,†— This may be the FIRST THING this White House has been right about. Zing!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:10 am“Gov. Bob Riley signed a resolution Thursday expressing ‘profound regret’ for Alabama’s role in slavery and apologizing for slavery’s wrongs and lingering effects. ‘Slavery was evil and is a part of American history,’ the Republican governor said.â€
What courage! It must have been extremely difficult for Bob to take such a principled stand on such a controversial issue!
Tune in next week, when Gov. Riley will sign a resolution condemning the eating of human infants!
</snark>
June 1st, 2007 at 9:10 am“The popular online dating service eHarmony was sued on Thursday for refusing to offer its services to gays, lesbians and bisexuals.†eHarmony was “founded in 2000 by evangelical Christian Dr. Neil Clark Warren†and “had strong early ties†with the religious right group Focus on the Family.
Suddenly, I don’t feel so bad for being rejected by them. ^_^
June 1st, 2007 at 9:11 amA press release from Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) yesterday calling for a “National First Responder Appreciation Day†included the following line, attributed to Allard: “I don’t think first responders have really done anything significant in comparison to their counterparts who have dealt with real natural disasters, I have no idea what else to say.†Allard’s spokesman “sent out a correction 23 minutes later that said, ‘Please pardon my typo in the first version of this release. I sincerely apologize for the error.’â€
Where’s the “typo”, Allard? Show me a “typo” that changes “I don’t think first responders have really done anything significant in comparison to their counterparts who have dealt with real natural disasters, I have no idea what else to say.†to something that’s not reprehensible, you jackass.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:13 am“This White House “thinks its base is stupid,”
Finally, this White House is right about something.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:13 amRep. John Boehner (R-OH) believes the solution lies in “rebranding†[the conservative movement.] I think the White House has done your job, John “Crybaby” Boehner: “Conservatives: Our Base is Stupid.” Zing x 2!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:14 amThis White House “thinks its base is stupid,†she writes, while “conservative Bush supporters have felt like sufferers of battered wife syndrome.â€
True, and boo fricking hoo.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:16 am“Gov. Bob Riley signed a resolution Thursday expressing ‘profound regret’ for Alabama’s role in slavery and apologizing for slavery’s wrongs and lingering effects.”
– Bill O’Reilly took the opposite position.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:18 amHey TripMaster Blow Monkey
June 1st, 2007 at 9:19 amPerhaps that bushlicker ( The Hairy one ) could better focus her energy and resources by starting a match making company for gay lesbian bisexual and confused people .
This White House “thinks its base is stupid,â€
Thinks? Hell, they’ve been counting on it!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:21 amCan someone please point out the typo in Allard’s statement? I’m serious–where’s the one mispelling or word omission that changes what he said?
Am I the only one baffled by this?
June 1st, 2007 at 9:22 amI think we should brand Boner.
Maybe a nice facial tattoo like Mike Tyson has.
It could read ‘Ass Kisser Supreme’, or “Cry Baby’.
Maybe he could visit the Scootster in jail & hook him up with E Harmony.com
Judith, are you still seeing the Scootster? I hear the cellblocks are splendid this time of year. They’re all connected, you know.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:25 amWith the conservative coalition reeling, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) believes the solution lies in “rebranding†itself
and weeping a great deal. lots and lots of weeping.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:25 am#12 - “starting a match making company for gay lesbian bisexual and confused people.” Comment by Davetoo — June 1, 2007 @ 9:19 am
Don’t Republican’s already have a match making company? It’s the Republican Convention!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:26 amCaption:
June 1st, 2007 at 9:33 am‘Now I am God! I just made it rain.’
Fort Lewis will no longer conduct individual memorial ceremonies for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:37 amA soldier’s ultimate sacrifice and a family’s grief memoralized in mass. Just one more cruel irony of this illegal war. What bonehead commander dreamt up this policy?
Caption:
“I’m siiiiiiiinging in the rain…just siiiiiiiiiinging in the rain!”
As far as metaphor goes, I don’t think there’s a better way to caption that picture…
June 1st, 2007 at 9:38 amExxon’s Tillerson went to the same english grammar classes as Rumsfeld. There’s things we know, there are things we don’t know but would like to get to know, and there are some things we know we don’t know if we only knew what they were.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:40 amCaption contest:
Muad’Dib! Muad’Dib! Muad’Dib!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:41 amThere’s much we know and can agree on around the climate change issue
June 1st, 2007 at 9:44 amThere are things we can’t deny
and there’s much that we just don’t believe we do know…
There are things we’re trying to deny
…and we want to have a debate about
There are things we want everyone else to deny
the things we know and understand
Emphasize the benefits of our position
the things we know about that we don’t understand very well
Obfuscate the benefits of everyone else’s position
and the things we don’t even know about
Poison the well for things yet to be discovered
around this very complex issue of climate science.
And eliminate Joe Public from having an opinion
Conservative columnist Peggy Noonan declares today that President Bush “has torn the conservative coalition asunder,â€
June 1st, 2007 at 9:45 amThat’s nothing….Bush has torn the entire world asunder.
Bush has “ASPIRATIONAL GOALS” to reduce carbon emissions….that sounds very real and immediate…yes, I have had aspirational goals to be President for decades…it just never happened because I did nothing to achieve that aspiration…Bush is just talking throush his ASs pirator, as usual…
June 1st, 2007 at 9:46 amGood one, BnF!
I should add, perhaps the greatest Sci-Fi book ever written.
Thanks for lightening up a Fri. morning.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:47 am“This White House “thinks its base is stupid,†she writes, while “conservative Bush supporters have felt like sufferers of battered wife syndrome.â€
his base IS stoopid… and selfish, and greedy, and near sighted…
June 1st, 2007 at 9:50 amand now we are ALL suffering from BATTERED COUNTRY SYNDROME.
…
boner: …a coalition that “many voters no longer see as holding a core set of principles.â€
doesn’t help that you get sloshed and go on a crying jag
June 1st, 2007 at 9:53 amin front of the cameras…
BnF and Zimzone,
June 1st, 2007 at 9:53 amThat was “Dune”, right?
“I don’t think first responders have really done anything significant in comparison to their counterparts who have dealt with real natural disasters, I have no idea what else to say.â€
Allard sent out a correction of his typo 23 minutes later? What freaking typo? This is one of the few coherent statement I’ve heard from a Republic Party representative in ages. There are no typos, Wayne. You just let your true feelings show before you sent the clean up squad out to do damage control.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:56 amRe: With the conservative coalition reeling, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) believes the solution lies in “rebranding†itself. He has convened a group of allies to work on conservative “branding,†an exercise designed to restore an identity to a coalition that “many voters no longer see as holding a core set of principles.â€
Go for it, John! In the 1990’s General Motors tried to market and sell cars using brand management and it was an utter failure.
More power to ya!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:56 amGood one, BnF!
I should add, perhaps the greatest Sci-Fi book ever written.
Comment by Zimzone
Pish. On a long list, maybe, but “greatest”? Ha.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:58 am“Top U.S. commander…warned…he may not be able to make a full assessment of the situation in Iraq by September, as demanded by lawmakers.â€
What ever happened to the Military answer that we old soldiers used to know and love: Sir! Yes, Sir. Right away, Sir. As you say, Sir.
We need to go back to that old saw. It makes no difference whether you follow or lead, just don’t get in the way.
The answer infers only one possible scenario. It is not that he is not ABLE to make the assessment, it is that he has been DIRECTED not to make the assessment. That fact alone dictates the outcome of a legitimate evaluation and Congress should act now and not wait until September.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:59 amConservative columnist Peggy Noonan declares today that President Bush “has torn the conservative coalition asunder,†with consequences “for the American future.†This White House “thinks its base is stupid,†she writes, while “conservative Bush supporters have felt like sufferers of battered wife syndrome.â€
Good she said this - we can now post it at the beginning of threads to keep away the trolls like garlic repelling vampires, or a fresh vegetable repelling Dick Cheney.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:04 am“Fort Lewis, which this month has suffered its worst losses of the war, will no longer conduct individual memorial ceremonies for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, the post will hold one ceremony for all soldiers killed each month.†Fort Lewis’ commanding general wrote in a memo, “I am afraid that with the number of soldiers we now have in harm’s way, our losses will preclude us from continuing to do individual memorial ceremonies.â€
What are we doing to our military? Fort Lewis is one of our greatest bases with our best troops. Rangers, SF, and both light and mech infantry come from there. I spent some time there myself. This news is more than just sad.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:05 amBluedahlia,
You are correct.
Frank Herbert wrote ‘Dune’, followed by 3-4 sequels, but the first was the best, hands down.
The movie was one of the few times I’ve seen justice done to a book via film. The soundtrack in today’s surround sound systems is fantastic.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:08 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Here’s an interesting nugget I just ran across:
June 1st, 2007 at 10:10 amAllard’s spokesman “sent out a correction 23 minutes later
where is this “correction”? …
June 1st, 2007 at 10:11 ami think the “insignificant” first responder would like to know also…
.
The answer infers only one possible scenario. It is not that he is not ABLE to make the assessment, it is that he has been DIRECTED not to make the assessment. That fact alone dictates the outcome of a legitimate evaluation and Congress should act now and not wait until September.
Comment by Clyde the Ripper
Woo hoo!! Clyde is in da house, and in top form! Happy to see you this morning, Clyde, I hope your recovery is ahead of schedule. :)
You are absolutely correct, of course. Odierno isn’t getting that report done because he was told he wasn’t getting that report done.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:11 amPoint of order!
Since the White House has no base, how can they think it’s stupid?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:12 amConservative columnist Peggy Noonan declares today that President Bush “has torn the conservative coalition asunder,†with consequences “for the American future.†This White House “thinks its base is stupid,†she writes, while “conservative Bush supporters have felt like sufferers of battered wife syndrome.â€
Shut it, Peg. If Bush could run again, you’d be voting for him — stupid or no stupid.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:12 amI thought Dune was boring.
*ducking for cover*
June 1st, 2007 at 10:13 amGummitch,
June 1st, 2007 at 10:13 amNote I said ‘perhaps’.
With the conservative coalition reeling, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) believes the solution lies in “rebranding†itself. He has convened a group of allies to work on conservative “branding,†an exercise designed to restore an identity to a coalition that “many voters no longer see as holding a core set of principles.â€
Sober up and catch a clue Boner. The voters see your coalition as having no core set of principles, because you have no core set of principles.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:15 amWell, in her defense, the Republican base does think that evolution is a lie and that the earth is 6000 years old…
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — June 1, 2007 @ 9:05 am
And dinosaurs and their copious quantities of resultant fossils are a hoax.
Yep, you have a valid point. LOL
June 1st, 2007 at 10:16 amTurtle arrives late and caption contest is already well underway. OK, stiff competition, but here goes:
Caption Contest:
“Start spreading the news…..” (we wish)
or
“Finished with my woman, cos’ she couldn’t help me with my mind”
Can’t make my mind up.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:16 amFort Lewis, which this month has suffered its worst losses of the war, will no longer conduct individual memorial ceremonies for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, the post will hold one ceremony for all soldiers killed each month.†Fort Lewis’ commanding general wrote in a memo, “I am afraid that with the number of soldiers we now have in harm’s way, our losses will preclude us from continuing to do individual memorial ceremonies.â€
That is so incredibly sad and frustrating.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:17 amI thought Dune was boring.
*ducking for cover*
Comment by Zooey — June 1, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Agreed - Kyle McLachlan and Sting movie….. what was that? But then there was this mini-series on Sci-Fi which was much better.
Still BNF is way out in front with his caption.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:18 amPresident Bush yesterday announced a “new international climate change framework,†setting “aspirational goals†for reducing carbon emissions but “no concrete targets or dates, no enforcement mechanism and no penalties for noncompliance. It also wouldn’t take effect until four years after Bush leaves office.â€
The patented Chimpy Brand (TM) Whatever Framework — only sold on TV!
June 1st, 2007 at 10:18 amExxon CEO Rex Tillerson on global warming: “There’s much we know and can agree on around the climate change issue, and there’s much that we just don’t believe we do know…and we want to have a debate about the things we know and understand, the things we know about that we don’t understand very well, and the things we don’t even know about around this very complex issue of climate science. So that will continue to be our position.â€
Um…..could you repeat that?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:22 amPeggy Noonan complains that recently “The president has taken to suggesting that opponents of his immigration bill are unpatriotic… Why would they speak so insultingly, with such hostility, of opponents who are concerned citizens?”
In reality, Bush and his team have reviled and belittled patriotic, concerned citizens for years. Noonan only notices it — or only finds it inappropriate — now that the White House has turned its fire on conservatives.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:22 amThanks Zimzone,
June 1st, 2007 at 10:23 amI was stugling with BnF’s “Muab dib”, trying to remember where that was familiar, until you said SF book. I agree, I am not hugely into SF, but I like almost all literary mediums, and enjoyed Dune a great deal. Zooey, I agree, it moves kinds slow sometimes…, but is still good!
Literary value aside, Dune addressed the major issue pending this planet’s future; fresh water.
Fresh water, in our children’s lifetimes, will become more valuable than oil.
And Terry, you’re right, BnF had the week’s best caption, hands down.
And now for more wife beating news from the Chimpster…
June 1st, 2007 at 10:24 am“[N]ew international climate change framework,†setting “aspirational goals†for reducing carbon emissions but “no concrete targets or dates, no enforcement mechanism[…]”
What is it with these bozos and their aversion to time tables and responsibility?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:24 am#6 - TMM
The popular online dating service eHarmony was sued on Thursday for refusing to offer its services to gays, lesbians and bisexuals.†eHarmony was “founded in 2000 by evangelical Christian Dr. Neil Clark Warren†and “had strong early ties†with the religious right group Focus on the Family.
I did their tiresome test and was rejected, my 19 year old son was rejected as well. He somehow changed his religious affiliation from “none” to Protestant — and he was in.
Interesting…….
June 1st, 2007 at 10:26 amExxon CEO Rex Tillerson on global warming: “There’s much we know and can agree on around the climate change issue, and there’s much that we just don’t believe we do know…and we want to have a debate about the things we know and understand, the things we know about that we don’t understand very well, and the things we don’t even know about around this very complex issue of climate science. So that will continue to be our position.â€
Heard that crap before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RpSv3HjpEw
First against the wall, Rex.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:26 amStill BNF is way out in front with his caption.
Comment by TerrytheTurtle
Agreed. Pure genius….
June 1st, 2007 at 10:28 amDUNE!!!!!!! Walk without rhythm, and you won’t attract the worm!
June 1st, 2007 at 10:31 amDidn’t all thinking persons realize that a “surge” lasting four months was not going to produce any marked change in Iraq —
unless, of course, videos and photos of violence are banned; the news is filtered through military screens; the personnel are banned from blogging their personal news and views; the White House has installed a yes-man by the name of Petraeus, the JC is quite able to mistate state statistics to make them more favorable to the CinC.
So, what will happen in September — will they say they need more time? Will there be more rallying ’round the flag in speeches and pontificating from bully pulpits, will the truth be blocked — is the Bush playbook already in hand?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:32 amI thought Dune was boring.
*ducking for cover*
Comment by Zooey
See what happens when there’s no trolls around!
June 1st, 2007 at 10:37 amCaption contest:
The hills are alive, with the sound of mortars …
June 1st, 2007 at 10:38 amleftcoast
Not that there is any defense for all these soldiers dying, but the reason they no longer will hold INDIVIDUAL services for each soldier is that TOO MANY SOLDIERS are being lost so they had to change to having services EN MASS.
Just another sad result of the INCREASED loss of life since the “surge” and all the “progress” Liarman claimed he saw in Iraq this week
June 1st, 2007 at 10:40 amAdding to the Fort Lewis story. “Don’t sell it on eBay”
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/ news_theswamp/ 2007/ 05/ bush_to_mother_.html
June 1st, 2007 at 10:41 amSo, what will happen in September — will they say they need more time? Will there be more rallying ’round the flag in speeches and pontificating from bully pulpits, will the truth be blocked — is the Bush playbook already in hand?
Comment by Marie — June 1, 2007 @ 10:32 am
I think in September they will say that the troops have not had time yet, that the surge took a while to get all of the troops on the ground. They will claim that, now that the troops are finally there, progress is being made and we should give them more time. Also, other countries, including Britain, are withdrawing a number of troops between now and September, so they can point to that as a need to send in more troops to fill in the gap. This only makes sense to people who have never been to Iraq. The US troops are built up in totally different geographical areas and with different missions. So, when Britain pulls troops from Basra, it makes no sense to send more US troops to BIAP and Balad.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:41 amI did their tiresome test and was rejected, my 19 year old son was rejected as well. He somehow changed his religious affiliation from “none†to Protestant — and he was in.
Interesting…….
Comment by Zooey
Wow, that seems somewhat illegal, doesn’t it?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:43 amTMM @ #37,
I read the article and that crap makes me so angry. My husband served in both the Army and AF and has told me that what the military wants and trains is nothing more or less than people who can be told what to do unquestioningly. Thinking for yourself is one of the biggest no-nos for military personnel.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:47 amAnd before the trolls go after me, I know that in combat situations it is imperitive that orders are followed immediately and unquestioningly. HOWEVER, that does NOT mean that it is imperitive in all aspects of their lives. A lot of people don’t have the capability of being able to take orders and to think for themselves, so they pick one or the other. Many of these very same people cannot understand the people who can live with that duality.
Off topic:
Al Gore says don’t try to impeach Bush. Way to go Al.
Combine “Impeachment is off the table” and . . war funding with no timelines for withdrawl . . and what do you get ?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:48 amThe writing on the wall.
An open extension of mass destruction, unbelieveable criminal activity and unaccountabliity.
This government is just for show and deserves what they’re destined to get.
Wow, that seems somewhat illegal, doesn’t it?
Comment by shane
Probably. But I guess we have to care first. Heh!
Zoo Jr and I did the test simply to see if we could be totally honest and then be able to be “helped.” Nope. We were 20%ers. Then Zoo Jr went in and lied, and he was sent a list of potential matches.
Insane!
June 1st, 2007 at 10:48 amSee what happens when there’s no trolls around!
Comment by shane
Oy, you had to use the T-word…..
June 1st, 2007 at 10:50 amOddly enough, the book Dune was meant as a metaphor for the control of oil in the middle east. The Fremen were the arabs, the great houses the west etc. think about it. He who controls the spice (oil) controls the universe.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:50 amSo, what will happen in September — will they say they need more time? Will there be more rallying ’round the flag in speeches and pontificating from bully pulpits, will the truth be blocked — is the Bush playbook already in hand?
Comment by Marie
Isn’t that like a student saying when they get back to school in the fall their first paper will be late. Would anybody in a nongovernmental job be able to say they won’t be able to have a report finished in three months.
Of course Odierno was speaking from “Camp Victory” in Baghdad so I think they might be smoking something that makes them less ambitious.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:52 amNot that there is any defense for all these soldiers dying, but the reason they no longer will hold INDIVIDUAL services for each soldier is that TOO MANY SOLDIERS are being lost so they had to change to having services EN MASS.
Just another sad result of the INCREASED loss of life since the “surge†and all the “progress†Liarman claimed he saw in Iraq this week
Comment by justice — June 1, 2007 @ 10:40 am
In a well run government, this mistake would have been foreseen ahead of time. They would have, from the get go, understood that there would have been a continuous stream of fatalities and an undetermined length of conflict. They would have made this decision at the get go, instead of after doing something different and having to change it now to protests.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:54 am(I hope I don’t sound callus, I am commenting on the incompetence of the gov’t only)
Okay so I don’t get one argument of the climate skeptics. Well, I don’t get all of them, but this particular inconsistency in particular. According to the climate luddites, there’s a global conspiracy of scientists to push the idea of climate change so they can get more money to research climate change.
But they also say that the research is inconclusive and there needs to be more research before we make any changes to our carbon-tastic way of life. So they oppose research on climate change because there’s not enough research on climate change.
Which do they want?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:55 am“With the conservative coalition reeling, Rep. John Boener (R-OH) believes the solution lies in “rebranding†itself.”
He might start that rebranding by getting himself a new surname.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:56 amHe who controls the spice (oil) controls the universe.
Comment by Krazny — June 1, 2007 @ 10:50 am
So would Sting be Tony Blair or Dick Cheney?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:57 amAl Gore says don’t try to impeach Bush. Way to go Al.
Comment by Keith H. — June 1, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Did he happen to give a reason why? I would really like to know. Do you have a link?
June 1st, 2007 at 10:58 ambluedahlia
excellent point and yet another example of this administration’s incompetence and GROSS NEGLIGENCE
June 1st, 2007 at 10:58 amHe who controls the spice (oil) controls the universe.
Comment by Krazny #70
…and in the not-too-distant-future…
…it’s going to be…
…fresh water…
June 1st, 2007 at 10:59 amProbably. But I guess we have to care first. Heh!
Zoo Jr and I did the test simply to see if we could be totally honest and then be able to be “helped.†Nope. We were 20%ers. Then Zoo Jr went in and lied, and he was sent a list of potential matches.
Insane!
Comment by Zooey
From what little I know about eharmony, the program is based on a conservative Christian’s theories and model. The model clearly doesn’t have room for gay people or agnostics and I think it’s a little bogus to require them to change the model. Surely there are plenty of other web-based dating systems that are available and why, in god’s name (heh) would you want to participate in eharmony if you didn’t embrace the model?
June 1st, 2007 at 11:00 amWhen are the so called conservatives, whomever they may be and whatever principles they may find politically expedient to abandon, going to get their own party? let’s go over the conservative promises the Bush team has delivered, smaller government, states rights and no nation building. What pipe dream promises will they think of next to woo the authoritatively needy to their party’s tent. Hypocritical, aristocratic, knob polishers the lot of them all.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:00 amOddly enough, the book Dune was meant as a metaphor for the control of oil in the middle east. The Fremen were the arabs, the great houses the west etc. think about it. He who controls the spice (oil) controls the universe.
Comment by Krazny — June 1, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Man, that would be a great book club topic. It would be really neat to have a bunch of like minded people in a book club that didn’t just read “fluff”.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:01 amDid that, nobody wanted to actually get intellectual, they just wanted to network and see who had the biggest house, nicest car, best contacts, etc. Bah. Image people
hedley
you don’t think that bone head is aptly named?
He should change his first name to Crybaby, then it would describe him perfectly
June 1st, 2007 at 11:03 amCrybaby Bonehead
caption:
” Hey!?! Where’d everybody go?”
June 1st, 2007 at 11:04 amOn the eHarmony post — go to eHarmony and answer the other questions any way that you like. It doesn’t matter, but, if you answer the questions on your religious beliefs that you are not a believer then eHarmony will always come back any and then tell you that there is no match for you because you are too selfish.
Try it and you will see that it doesn’t matter about the rest of your personality profile — not a true believer, then there is no match for you because you are too selfish.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:05 amBluedahlia sez:
Amen, BD…in a country awash with irony, it’s a particularly sad irony that our brave men and women of the military, who are charged with defending this country and what it purportedly stands for, are consistently denied even the most basic rights of self-expression.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:07 amWhat was the gov. of Al. apoligizing for. If it hadn’t been for the slave trade there wouldn’t be very meny colored people in the south. They all owe the slave trade for thier citizenship.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:09 amGummitch,
Note I said ‘perhaps’.
Comment by Zimzone
Entirely subjective, anyway. You just pushed one of my snob buttons. Beer, food, sf . . . I can be a real pain in the butt.
I’d vote for Left Hand of Darkness, myself, or:
Roadside Picnic, Arkady & Boris Strugatsky
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang, Kate Wilhelm
The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester
The Invincible, Stanislaw Lem
Man in the High Castle, Philip K Dick
More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon
The Wanderer, Fritz Leiber
Davy, Edgar Pangborn
Was a sf critic in a previous life, so I have issues. :-)
This list isn’t bad: http://tinyurl.com/2br6nt
June 1st, 2007 at 11:09 amThe Peggy Noonan article was very interesting. I never liked Noonan, but she’s not a stupid woman. And I’m interested in just how traditional conservatives are breaking with Bush, in what manner and over what issues, to see what the future might be like.
Ironically, the Democratic Party, in much better shape, is starting to have crisis of confidences too. Passing a war funding bill so quickly and handing Bush a blank check was disappointing to us. The Dem Party thinks they can wait Bush out, and eventually we’ll get out of there. What they don’t realize is that their supporters don’t think or work like that. Sheehan was right to quit and put her energy into something else. She saw no hope of real change right away, even given the last election. Status Quo time.
Meanwhile, people are sickening on peanut butter, their pets are dying from tainted additives from Asia, no one has health insurance, gas prices are unbelievable, big corporations own everything including us, and our political parties have no idea how to take a stand or what stand to even take.
The middle class is dying.
There has to be a progressive movement pushing the Democratic party forward. But at the same time, there are disappointed Republicans who want things accomplished in this country too. So what will the future bring? Most likely a Democratic will win the next election. But what after that? Will a new moderate coalition of Dems/Repubs/Indies emerge with the failure of both parties?
June 1st, 2007 at 11:09 amMilitary leadership probably understands, when you’re openly divided, it empowers the enemy and makes it more difficult to accomplish your objective. But don’t let that get in the way of you progressive cheerleading.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:13 am“Military leadership probably understands, when you’re openly divided, it empowers the enemy and makes it more difficult to accomplish your objective. But don’t let that get in the way of you progressive cheerleading.
Comment by CaptainMantastic — June 1, 2007 @ 11:13 am”
That’s right - it worked so well for Hitler.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:15 amDear Ms. Noonan,
Mr. Bush doesn’t “think” his base is stupid, he has absolutely counted on it. Needless to say, you didn’t let him down.
Ponder that if you are able.
Sincerely,
The-segment-of-the-US-public-without-its-head-up-its-a$$
June 1st, 2007 at 11:16 amHe who controls the spice (oil) controls the universe.
Comment by Krazny #70
…and in the not-too-distant-future…
…it’s going to be…
…fresh water…
Comment by big papa — June 1, 2007 @ 10:59 am
This water tangent is a very interesting place to go to look at geopolitics. The aggro over oil is just getting started, but that will be a schoolyard spat compared to the wars over water. You could place water over the Palestine-Israel-Syria-Lebanon conflict and get a new perspective.
I hate golf.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:18 amZim, there are 5 sequals to Dune.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:18 amHerbert’s son continued the series as well, and has published, I think six prequels, of sorts. (I have a signed copy of one of them)
And yes, clearly, I am a big dork.
Go Cavs
Zooey,
Doctor’s one word evaluation of recuperation to date: Perfect!
Thanks
June 1st, 2007 at 11:20 amI can’t figure out what’s repelling the trolls from this thread more - the conservative criticism of Bush or the discussion about literature…
June 1st, 2007 at 11:20 am#
I can’t figure out what’s repelling the trolls from this thread more - the conservative criticism of Bush or the discussion about literature…
Comment by unbelievable — June 1, 2007 @ 11:20 am
#
The answer to that would be “yes”.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:22 amI did their tiresome test and was rejected, my 19 year old son was rejected as well. He somehow changed his religious affiliation from “none†to Protestant — and he was in.
Comment by Zooey — June 1, 2007 @ 10:26 am
I’m surprised they even had the ‘none’ option.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:23 amIn regards to the pic of Bush above: Where is that bird that took a crap on him? Birdie please fly into Bush’s mouth and build a nest in there > lol.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:23 am“Zim, there are 5 sequals to Dune.
Herbert’s son continued the series as well, and has published, I think six prequels, of sorts. (I have a signed copy of one of them)
And yes, clearly, I am a big dork.
Go Cavs
Comment by Wilco — June 1, 2007 @ 11:18 am”
Can’t say the ones written by the son were very satisfying. Bit like drinking Bud after a decent glass of Mac and Jack’s (see yesterday’s discussion on my opinion of American ‘yellow beer’).
June 1st, 2007 at 11:24 am…and in the not-too-distant-future…
…it’s going to be…
…fresh water…
Comment by big papa — June 1, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Oh, most definitely! It’s already an issue in some desert populations.
With the worst drought in GA history upon us,the local law inforcement is encouraging people to turn in their neighbors who violate the ban on outdoor watering.
Water is life… it is going to get ugly. Look at the brewing battle between Sacramento and Los Angeles for access to the Hetchy Hetchy resevoir….
June 1st, 2007 at 11:29 amSurely there are plenty of other web-based dating systems that are available and why, in god’s name (heh) would you want to participate in eharmony if you didn’t embrace the model?
Comment by gummitch
Right, there are lots of web dating things out there.
It was for fun! I don’t do eharmony!
June 1st, 2007 at 11:29 amTerry, I agree
June 1st, 2007 at 11:29 amThe first four in the series are my favorites.
Dune is one of my all time favorites.
Gummitch might I suggest:
Use of Weapons by Ian M Banks
and Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton
on a side not Man in the High Castle is very good
June 1st, 2007 at 11:30 amTry it and you will see that it doesn’t matter about the rest of your personality profile — not a true believer, then there is no match for you because you are too selfish.
Comment by Nicollo MacPlato — June 1, 2007 @ 11:05 am
It actually calls you selfish?
That’s asinine.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:30 amRe: Once-a-month mass memorial services. What’s next - mass graves because it takes to much time to bury the dead one at a time? One more proof that ’support the troops’ is nothing more than a slogan for liars.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:31 amTry it and you will see that it doesn’t matter about the rest of your personality profile — not a true believer, then there is no match for you because you are too selfish.
Comment by Nicollo MacPlato
It didn’t say I was selfish, it said there were no possible matches. Waaah!
Heh.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:32 amLook at the brewing battle
Beer again! Today is going to be a short day, I can feel it in my liver.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:32 amZooey,
Doctor’s one word evaluation of recuperation to date: Perfect!
Thanks
Comment by Clyde the Ripper
Fan-dam-tastic!!
June 1st, 2007 at 11:33 amI’m surprised they even had the ‘none’ option.
Comment by unbelievable
Apparently they don’t accept the non-religious, but they do accept liars.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:34 amDosn’t the GOP realize you just can’t call yourself something ….. you actually have to do something? Maybe they will rebrand themselves as piano players without ever having taken a lesson? That sounds about right. Or maybe they will rebrand themselves as tanning salon junkies? That could work
June 1st, 2007 at 11:34 amThe answer to that would be “yesâ€.
Comment by Chris L — June 1, 2007 @ 11:22 am
:D
Except that CaptainMantastic (what an utterly silly name - makes Wilco look like far less of a Trekkie dork :) decided to ruin our streak of troll-free posts…
June 1st, 2007 at 11:34 amsamantha
it was a MAJOR disappointment but their hands were TIED by a lack of votes. We have to see that and not allow it to undermine the enormous momentum we have going for us.
We have to keep the faith and keep up the pressure
June 1st, 2007 at 11:35 amGummitch might I suggest:
Use of Weapons by Ian M Banks
and Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton
on a side not Man in the High Castle is very good
Comment by Krazny — June 1, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Right on - Ian M Banks created as interesting a universe as anyone since Herbert, maybe bar none since Herbert. But you’ll never see him in a US library… have you noticed that? Never heard of Hamilton. Will need some respite from reality after I finish Stephen Kinzer’s Nicaraguan Contra War accounts.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:35 amWas a sf critic in a previous life, so I have issues. :-)-gummitch
I see.
Hate to get shot at again, but Harlan Ellison wrote stories that make Stephen King look like Cinderella…didn’t see him on the list.
BTW, did you ever read the 7 novel sequence ‘Chung Kuo’? David Wingrove painted a future of Asian dominance here in the USA that just may come to pass.
But, on to more Repulicscams…
June 1st, 2007 at 11:35 amNo. 76: Bluedahlia
June 1st, 2007 at 11:36 am
Gummitch might I suggest:
Use of Weapons by Ian M Banks
and Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton
on a side not Man in the High Castle is very good
Comment by Krazny
Those are new to me, but I burned out on sf quite awhile ago and read very little of it now. Reading a few thousand of the damn books and later having to produce a monthly column, pretty well ruined the genre for me.
On a side side note, I think it’s fascinating that Phil Dick has become so influential now (especially in film) while being thoroughly ignored while he was alive. Guy was a head case but brilliant.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:37 amUn, I am not a Trekkie dork!
June 1st, 2007 at 11:38 amI’ve never learned one word of Klingon.
Although I have mastered the Vulcan neck grip and am not afraid to use it
Okay . . . let me try this again.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:39 am
It didn’t say I was selfish, it said there were no possible matches. Waaah!
Comment by Zooey — June 1, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Atleast 15% of the population is not religious. That’s 15% of 300 million. That would mean that there are roughly 45 million people who admit to rejecting religion and they can’t find you one guy out of about 5 million available non-religious single men? Sounds like their problem…
June 1st, 2007 at 11:39 amOn a side side note, I think it’s fascinating that Phil Dick has become so influential now (especially in film) while being thoroughly ignored while he was alive. Guy was a head case but brilliant.
Comment by gummitch — June 1, 2007 @ 11:37 am
It’s high time for more Vonnegut and more Heller. Reminds me I must rent ‘V for Vendetta’ for the West Coast plane next week.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:40 amBanks is one of my favorites, both fiction and sci-fi. The Wasp FactoryThe Bridge and Complicity are excellent reads. He is a UK author, so that may be why he is underrepresented in the US library system.
Hamilton is awesome, and has his own univers as complex, and well written as anything by Herbert. Check out the Neutronuim Alchemist, and Naked God Series.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:41 amI hope the troops know that once they get home, the DEMOCRATS will be there for them and keep fighting for them to get the SERVICES they so rightly deserve and need unlike the warmongering RETHUGS who couldn’t care LESS about the troops.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:41 amApparently they don’t accept the non-religious, but they do accept liars.
Comment by Zooey — June 1, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Yeah, I read somewhere that a lot of people who do online dating services are already married…
But if the don’t want the ‘none’ respondents, just take it out as an option and they will know they aren’t included in the demographics… Simple enough.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:42 am“Those are new to me, but I burned out on sf quite awhile ago and read very little of it now.”
Shame - try Banks and ‘Consider Phleabas’.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:42 amThis should do it.
Link to Al
June 1st, 2007 at 11:43 amGeez, I felt like I Mind Melded with others this morning.
I better go wash my hands…
June 1st, 2007 at 11:45 amShame - try Banks and ‘Consider Phleabas’.
Comment by TerrytheTurtle
I’ve read some of his other fiction and I think he’s got a book on whisky that I need to buy. I’ll check the library for this one. Thanks.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:46 amKrazny - Banks is a Scot, yes. Where’s Tobey Tall? Banks’ contemporary fiction is very edgy as you will know after the Wasp Factory maybe too edgy for a US library - residual Puritanism and all.
Full disclosure: the phrase “Anyone who says ‘You’re either with us or against us is either a fascist or a moral imbecile’” - Ian Banks.
My two: The Crow Road and Consider Phleabas.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:46 amUn, I am not a Trekkie dork!
I’ve never learned one word of Klingon.
Although I have mastered the Vulcan neck grip and am not afraid to use it
Comment by Wilco — June 1, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Oh my Wilco! All I comprehend is “blah, blah, blah” :D
One of my brothers was into SF. I was into Stephen King, George Orwell, Anne Frank and Judy Blume :D Now, I just read SNF (Science non-fiction) because I think the explanations for the workings of universe are way cooler than Star Wars…
June 1st, 2007 at 11:47 amHarlan Ellison - ‘City on the Edge of Forever’ - beam me up!
June 1st, 2007 at 11:48 amWith the conservative coalition reeling, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) believes the solution lies in “rebranding†itself. He has convened a group of allies to work on conservative “branding,†an exercise designed to restore an identity to a coalition that “many voters no longer see as holding a core set of principles.â€
And who better to lead the rebranding than Boehner? Yeah, I think the image of a chain-smoking, Man-Tanned, leather-skinned used car salesman will have the voters flocking to the new and improved Republican party.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:48 amUn, not all of us read Proust for fun…
June 1st, 2007 at 11:49 am“because I think the explanations for the workings of universe are way cooler than Star Wars…”
Two hours with ‘How William Shatner Changed the Universe’ can cure you of that.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:49 amWith all due respect to BnF, wasn’t Muad’Dib the good guy? Yes, I get the whole Muad’Dib made it rain on Arrakis analogy, but I would think a more appropriate parallel would be Bush as (Oil) Baron Harkonnen…Hell, he takes a shower in oil for cripes sake!!
June 1st, 2007 at 11:50 amTerry,
Don’t forget Against a Dark Backgroundor Look to Winward but pretty much any Banks book will do. His Fiction is great I cannot recommend Complicity too much but don’t read it if you have a frail stomach.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:50 amOne “does” things to an object. One does not “Do” a memorial service for a human being. We hold memorial services, individually, to mourn the passing of each those human beings whom we and their loved ones hold dear. That, however, by now is more than obviously a fact which no one in Cheney and Bush’s twice unelected coup d’etat has or will ever understand.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:54 am- One “does” things to an object. One does not “Do” a memorial service for a human being. We hold memorial services, individually, to mourn the passing of each those human beings whom we and their loved ones hold dear. That, however, by now is more than obviously a fact which no one in Cheney and Bush’s twice unelected coup d’etat has or will ever understand.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:55 amApparently they don’t accept the non-religious, but they do accept liars.
Comment by Zooey
hahaha
personally, I don’t use any online dating thingies.
playing guitar at coffee shops and gigs seems to be the best icebreaker I have ever found
June 1st, 2007 at 11:55 ammakes for a fun hobby =)
Bush “thinks his bas is stupid”….and he is dead on right…for once. They are the biggest bunch of idiots our country has ever known. Just read “What’s the matter with Kansas” and you will get a good sense as to why Bush holds his base in so little esteem.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:56 am“Rebranding”, huh?
“Progressive” is rebranded “Liberal”, so might I recommend they change their name to the “Regressives”?
June 1st, 2007 at 11:57 amUn, not all of us read Proust for fun…
Comment by Wilco — June 1, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Neither do I. I was talking about Carl Sagan. If it helps - he wrote a SF book :D
Two hours with ‘How William Shatner Changed the Universe’ can cure you of that.
Comment by TerrytheTurtle — June 1, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Two seconds of his voice is my threshold.
And I’m pretty certain that he didn’t (change the universe :)
June 1st, 2007 at 11:58 amSounds like their problem…
Comment by unbelievable
Absolutely. I wouldn’t touch any of them with a ten foot……anything. Ugh.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:11 pmhahaha
personally, I don’t use any online dating thingies.
I don’t use them either — IT WAS A TEST!! *whine*
playing guitar at coffee shops and gigs seems to be the best icebreaker I have ever found
makes for a fun hobby =)
Comment by Wayne
Well, you are the guitar man…..who could resist?
June 1st, 2007 at 12:13 pmYou… can’t … be certain… of …. that at… all…. It’s not…. logical… and logic… dictates that feelings…. emotion…. should not govern…. how WE act.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:13 pmOh my Wilco….
Cool. I’m gonna use that. :D
June 1st, 2007 at 12:14 pmUn, I’m not really a sci fi freak (sorry, ladies)
June 1st, 2007 at 12:15 pmI’ve read a handfull and appreciate story telling of any genre.
Generally, I try to stay away from pulp novels, etc.
But anymore, it’s philosophy, religion, and politics, but sadly I haven’t been reading much lately.
Not that I need to since I am now all-knowing.
Oh my me!
June 1st, 2007 at 12:17 pmbluedahlia you are only partly correct. The military wants people who will respond to orders unquestioningly that much is true. But they also want people who show initiative and imagination while carrying out those orders and people who can take charge and be able to issue orders when those giving the orders are unable to do so.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:18 pmScience fiction sometimes yields ideas that change the way we do things - the geosynchronous satellite is a prime example. It was conceived by Arthur C Clark.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:19 pmI think I may have my first two priestess for my Cult of Wilco
June 1st, 2007 at 12:21 pmYou’ll have to keep your jobs, though, as there is no pay an certainly no medical benefits.
I think I may have my first two priestess for my Cult of Wilco
You’ll have to keep your jobs, though, as there is no pay an certainly no medical benefits.
Comment by Wilco
Don’t set your hopes on Vestal Virgins either….. :D
June 1st, 2007 at 12:46 pmVirgins are no fun, I prefer a women with ummmmm experience if you catch my drift. Plus and open mind hehe.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:50 pm#148 WalTheMan,
Thanks, I didn’t know that.
Would these be the same satellites that can watch our every move, everyday?
(I’m not so sure I want to thank Mr. Clark)
June 1st, 2007 at 2:19 pmThanks for the high honors on the caption contest. I guess I get it right every once in awhile ;-)
June 1st, 2007 at 2:52 pmWell, Al just lost my vote. Apparently doing the right thing is subservient to doing the expedient thing.
Question, how can you get a consensus in the nation if you refuse to put forward the case for getting a consensus?
June 1st, 2007 at 2:59 pmBNF, the discussion went off into quality SciFi steered by your caption. I think I dropped a turd in the pool when I brought up William Shatner though.
June 1st, 2007 at 3:15 pm#152 - Zimzone,
June 1st, 2007 at 3:42 pmThey are mostly communications satellites. That is why satellite television dishes can be aimed at a fixed point in the sky. There are also about a dozen weather satellites in stationary (or synchronous) orbits.
Ziomzone,
June 1st, 2007 at 3:48 pmIf you want to get paranoid over oversight, read the following:
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2007/ 06/ 01/ technology/ 01private.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
I bet Bohnor will make a good Turd Polisher
June 1st, 2007 at 3:55 pm“President Bush yesterday announced a “new international climate change framework,†setting “aspirational goals†for reducing carbon emissions but “no concrete targets or dates, no enforcement mechanism and no penalties for noncompliance. It also wouldn’t take effect until four years after Bush leaves office.†”
In other words, Bush finally admitted that the earth is NOT flat. What a relief!
June 1st, 2007 at 4:54 pmWeeping Boehner is into rebranding, now? One suggestion, John: stop whining and get off your ass!
June 1st, 2007 at 4:56 pmThe base is stupid. That’s the only thing Bush is right about.
June 1st, 2007 at 6:21 pm