DeMint on possible gov’t shutdown: I think people will say ‘the heck with government, we need energy.’
DeMint on possible gov’t shutdown: I think people will say ‘the heck with government, we need energy.’
House Republicans are threatening a “government shutdown if the Democratic-led Congress doesn’t vote to lift a moratorium on new offshore oil drilling.” Just as he did in 1995, Newt Gingrich is leading the push for a government shutdown. Today, Fox News asked Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), “Do you think people would go for that?” DeMint responded:
I think the American people are mad enough that they would say, ‘the heck with government, we need energy.’ And if the Democrats are crazy enough to attach a ban on drilling to the end-of-the-year spending bills, then they’re the ones, I think, that are gonna get the blame for closing the government down.
Watch it:
As a Center for American Progress Action Fund report notes, the same House conservatives who are stumping for oil on the floor are swimming in oil contributions. Can oil money buy a government shutdown? Stay tuned.
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WTF??????
How can people this stupid even dress themselves in the morning w/out help, let alone get elected?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:36 pmGovernment shutdown? Why not? Could it be any worse than the “government” we’re gotten from GDumbya, Darth Cheney and their Keystone Kops for the past seven and a half years? I doubt it.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:36 pmThe Republicans want to strike while the majority of the voters remain ignorant as to how giving the oil companies offshore and ANWR leases will have any positive effect at the gas pump. Thus this desperation. I predict the voters won’t remain ignorant for long, and this will bite them in the butt in November.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pmI think people will say ‘the heck with government, we need a competent President.’
Is what most people are saying.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:40 pmThe Repthuglic party thinks of John Q. Citizen as a mushroom.
To be kept in the dark, and fed shit.
The GOP should be labeled a criminal organization, and all party members to be hanged/imprisoned.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pm….but, but, but I thought Dick Cheney already gave us a secret energy policy, and lower gas prices, by invading Iraq.
¶ AIO
August 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pmTRoS, you are selling short the Senator. For his is a very special kind of stupidity.
Sure, there are really stupid people who have trouble dressing themselves, we all know that. Y’know, garden-variety stupidity.
But Republican stupidity is useful. That particular flavor of stupidity that allows one to override logic, reason and compassion for other human beings is a highly-sought after commodity that brings its possessor great wealth and prestige if they can couple it with the ruthless negativity that so often translates into electoral success.
Oil companies are especially interested in funding this kind of stupidity.
And the garden-variety stupid people I mentioned earlier? Totally into supporting it at the ballot box.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pmThe GOOP has nothing else left to grasp at, Dr. Hussein Matt & missmollyhussein.
When every last, single, solitary move you made over the last 8 years has turned to complete Cheney on you and your entire political party has been revealed for the incompetent, corrupt, delusional bunch of pedophiles they are, you HAVE to go fantasy BS.
They have no other options left, other than 1) plead bargain, or, 2) flee the country.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:43 pmCan oil money buy a government shutdown? Stay tuned.
____________________________________________________________
I don’t see why not. It bought a war, didn’t it?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:43 pmWell, geez, Ralph… the GOOP is giving me a BAD NAME…
Stupidity… talk about destroying the meaning and value of a word…
Sniff… sniff… I’m t’inkin’ a changing my name… I mean, suppose people began ta t’ink I’m actually a GOOPer or sumpin… ???
August 13th, 2008 at 12:46 pmDrill, drill, drill – that’s all those simpletons can say! As though that would take care of all of our energy problems. Oh, that and scads of nuclear plants.
They really need things to be easy and cut and dried don’t they? Slogans and posing is all those repugs are good for.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:48 pmRepublicans support welfare for the wealthy, and socialist support of corporations!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:49 pmAnd if the Democrats are crazy enough to attach a ban on drilling to the end-of-the-year spending bills, then they’re the ones, I think, that are gonna get the blame for closing the government down.
And just who is talking about a ban on drilling?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:49 pmThinking cynically, perhaps if one of the spending bills that they hold hostage is one that contains student loan money, it’ll finally motivate the youngest voters to get off their collective ass in November.
If they’re even registered.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:50 pm.
THE HECK WITH REPUBLICRATS!
… AMERICA NEEDS A GOVERNMENT!
.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:51 pmAs, yes, the “leadership” of Newt!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:52 pmLead on, Newt – I predict GREAT success for you this November (making Boner cry).
Let’s see, the two ‘leaders’ of the Repugs, the Newter and McDepends, both adulterers and hypocrites, are throwing stones? Watch the shards from those glass houses, K?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:54 pmDidn’t it result in newt getting run out of town on a rail the last time? What was the definition of insanity again?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pmAwwww, crap – let’s just get the director of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus in here to run this show!!
YAY!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:57 pmTRoS, don’t think that about yourself…
We all know you’re a good and caring poster and that you’re not like them.
(Note to self: must be careful of other posters’ feelings… progressives are more aware and literate than brain-numbed trolls…)
August 13th, 2008 at 12:57 pmobamagr8
flagged for of topic and ignorant.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pmYes, to heck with government – it’s largely responsible for America’s current predicament re energy. Can we say shortsighted (pathetic fuel economy standards, no alternative energy initiatives), inattentive (they’ve been talking about oil running out since the 70s) and greedy (oil company campaign contributions rock, no?).
I mean, does everyone in the world think that oil is going to be here forever? It will run out. Just like your life. What will you (or more precisely your children’s children) do then? Why do Americans believe it is their god-given right to drill every last drop of oil out of the ground, NOW! Energy runs this world. It is a national security issue. It is an issue that demand leadership. Drill away, tomorrow will be here soon enough and Congress (and American industry) will still need to find a solution to the energy problems facing us.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pmobamagr8, you’re right!!
Support Cindy Sheehan for congress!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pmI thought these guys wanted to work. Now they want to shut government down?
A bi-partisan plan, based on the Gang of 10 proposal, could be the basis for moving forward. Why the tantrum, and why now?
Newt must want his way…
August 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pmDo I recall a congressional study that concluded drilling on the 68 million acres leased would provide 4.8 million barrels daily in crude oil and natural gas?
The reich doesn’t like the “68 million million acres” thing and calls this our “talking point,” as if we randomly selected 68 million acres and yelled, “WHY DON’T YOU DRILL HERE?” Jokes on them, the oil companies find the land important enough to LEASE it. They must be afraid of competitors by hoarding the land. It helps keep their profit model in check, the American consumer be damned. Of course, too many people still think the oil companies care about their needs. They only need to dig in their wallet.
No word from them on oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens, though.
The facts are on our side, and the deposed family deserter making an appearance isn’t going to change that. (Hey, Newtie, stay the hell away from our congress. You are no longer an elected official, but you are disgraced. Thanks pos.)
August 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pmDid you forget your English-to-Wingnut dictionary again, shoeless?
You should remember that wingnuts don’t “do” nuance, and to them, the difference between “no drilling in currently protected areas” and “no drilling anwyhere, ever” qualifies as “nuance”.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pmthe heck with government, we need energy.
Sounds like a bunch of whiners to me.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pmDid the troll actually just post a link and a quote from Stalkin’ Malkin in an attempt to make a point?
Couldn’t be… I must have imagined it.
Not even a troll could be that much of an idiot… right?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pmobamagr8 Says
August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
______________________________________________
Um…Michelle Malkin isn’t a credible source here. Try again.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
I’ve been holding back about exactly that, myself.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:04 pmNiiiiiiiice source material.
Nevermind, the reich is launching their personal attacks on Mr. Pickens.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pmThe right would have to admit that Jimmy Carter was right if they admit that we need to move towards independence from oil.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
——————————————————————————–
obamagr8 Says
August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
______________________________________________
Um…Michelle Malkin isn’t a credible source here. Try again.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
“Here” ?
You mean the planet Earth …….?
I concur……….
August 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pmI think he meant ‘here’ as in the ‘reality-based community’
August 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pmYou’re either with us or you’re against us, right
August 13th, 2008 at 1:08 pmIs this the same Republican leadership who pushed for the “Terri Schiavo” drop everything and deal with this government intrusion? Or was that the Tom DeLay/ Dr. Frist wing of the GOP? I think I remember how well THAT turned out for the social conservatives.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pmIf they shut the Government down, does that mean Chimpy cannot break anything else?
If so, please shut it down till Jan 2009.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:12 pmLet’s send Newtie to the back of the plane again. He can mumble to himself about family values and big oil profits.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:16 pmIf the federal government shuts down, let me guess, the (p)resident gets paid while civil employees get furloughed, right?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:18 pmObamagr8:
August 13th, 2008 at 1:22 pmWhat is your obsession with gas prices. Buy a bike for god’s sake.
obamagr8 Says:
No idea why that double posted.
That means we can flag you more.
And you keep avoiding answering why we need to drill when the Oil Companies export oil pumped in this country to other nations. Hmmmmm?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:22 pmYes, by all means shut the government down …. it will save us the trouble of a general strike ! US out of North America , Nobody for president !!!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:22 pmWho keeps his promises to the electorate …… Nobody !
who reigns in the large corporations and their influence on elections and policy …… Nobody !
Who places the concerns of the citizenry above those of profit …… nobody !!!!
Who will free us from dependence on foreign oil ……nobody !
NOBODY FOR PRESIDENT !!!!!!
………………………………wavy gravy lives…
There won’t be any government shut down. The Democrats still have the majority. Too bad for these Republicans, hanging around DC and ignoring their constituents and not doing any fund raising. The Democrats are back in their districts, raising money, holding town hall meetings and meeting with their constituents. Republicans are so short sighted. It seems like they have forgotten that they need to be re-elected in November. They should be out shaking hands and kissing babies instead of whining like babies in an empty House.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:22 pmYou know something, troll, I don’t care that you reichnuts insult Pelosi because we all want her out for different reasons. Your case simply sucks.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:23 pmobamagr8 Says:
So where is your study that shows that drilling would really help? It seems to be speculation on your part as well. It also doesn’t explain why they have huge leases now that are not being drilled does it.
You really need a point.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:25 pmobamagr8 Says:
Again, troll, why do the oil companies export 1.8 million barrels of oil a day to other countries, rather than leave that oil in the US to help the consumer prices?
Hmmm?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:27 pmobamagr8 Says:
——————————————————————————–
No idea why that double posted.
No idea why you posted it once. It was stupid both times.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:27 pmobamagr8 Says:
Babble, blather, bloviate, etc.
http://michellemalkin.com/
Posting a link to enforce the verocity of your argument is usually helpful in understanding said argument. When you post a link to a crazed, whack-o-loon like Michelle Malkin, you lose whatever credibility you may have had.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:28 pmI’ve got 10 that says Wayne won’t get an honest answer…
August 13th, 2008 at 1:29 pmobamagr8 Says:
——————————————————————————–
No idea why that double posted.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:17 pm Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
August 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
The oil companies can only dream: Small cars and bicycles banned, a fine for carpooling, SUVs and extended cab pickups the only choices on the lot, all areas open for drilling, profits approaching $30 billion in a quarter.
Problem is, that mass consumption would be short-lived: America would be soon gone thereafter. The environment would say its collective FU.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pmHowever, it does explain the stupidity of the quote.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pmWayne Says:
——————————————————————————–
obamagr8 Says:
Again, troll, why do the oil companies export 1.8 million barrels of oil a day to other countries, rather than leave that oil in the US to help the consumer prices?
Hmmm?
He also refuses to explain why the oil companies need more leases, when they already have 68 million acres they don’t use.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pmShutting down sound’s good to me providing those that vote in favor of the shut down get their pay docked….Come to think of it they all should be loosing pay for their vote in favor of FISA and against out constitution…
Newt’s happen when 63% of the voter’s don’t vote..Newt’s can be found in their natural habitat of dark wet basement’s and crawl spaces….P.B. & J
August 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pmActually if the right wingers close down the government I could see senior citizens and disabled willing to close your party down, permanetly.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:32 pmtony and lido
He doesn’t need a bike, his computer is in his bedroom at his mother’s double wide.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pmThankfully, not all Republicans are as stupid as the ones who are currently ’serving’ the people.
Republicans for Obama.
Pass this along!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:34 pmLet ‘em shut the government down. They were rightly blamed when Gingrich did it, they would be rightly blamed now.
Republican conviction comes only with dollar signs!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:35 pmNote to Republicans:
Congress in session–also known as work
Congress out of session–vacation
August 13th, 2008 at 1:36 pmlarge corporations versus the little guy .
August 13th, 2008 at 1:36 pmStarbucks was a food booth at the pike street market and a decade later maxwell house and folgers coffee are on the ropes.
Micro breweries are unstoppable force against the large corporate beer brewers and are falling over themselves trying to either look like a micro brew or actively attempting to purchase them .
celestial seasons tea from boulder colorado started with the owners sewing the tea bags by hand and revolutionizing the tea business ….. herbal teas are in every market in the US today .
Tofu and tempei totally non existant in the US market 25 years ago are now in every market in the country .
Eco cycle outside Boulder Colorado was the first recycling plant in the USA about 25 years ago recycling newspaper …. now virtually the entire country has access to recycling .
The internet and the blogosphere has put us closer to real democracy in our history as a nation and the MSM is realing from it and our political opponents can’t cope as their viewers dwindle massively and people turn to blog sitesd for the real news !
LITTLE GUYS ?
Obamagr8,
Please tell us how much of your annual income is derived from oil or oil service companies, either as wages or as stock gains or dividends? Or are you a lobbyist for the energy industry?
We have asked you this before but you never answer the questions. A touchy subject?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pmThese Repubs should put on the clown make-up and join the circus.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:38 pmWho the f*%k cares if they shut down our fabulous government. Would we really be able to tell the difference? In fact, wouldn’t “things” improve?
DeMint says:
I think the American people are mad enough that they would say, ‘the heck with government, we need energy.’
I says:
August 13th, 2008 at 1:39 pmPlease explain to the American people how “off shore” drilling will reduce gas prices, and dependency on oil.
Witch1 Says:
Shutting down sound’s good to me providing those that vote in favor of the shut down get their pay docked
lol – it would be fun to see what would happen if they had to forego their salaries! AND medical coverage!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pmChairman of Arkansas Democratic Party shot in Little Rock, CNN reported. Shooting happened at party headquarters.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pmYes, it worked so well for them in 1995, they need a rematch. Why do the Repuglicans never ever ever let go of a conflict? Vietnam not work out so well…let’s replay it in Iraq. Government shutdown in 1995 got us blamed as trying to blackmail Clinton, so let’s try it again! The American people are so stupid, and gotten so dumb in 13 years that this time they may actually pull it off.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:47 pmThis is just another example of ‘it takes money to make money’ from the oil companies. Why do you think they are shoveling millions of dollars to the lobbyists and McDrill’s campaign? It’s about giving the oil interests more opportunities to make more money. The oil we pull up from the ground goes on the world market just like everyone else’s. It will take billions of dollars and several years to set up the offshore rigs. Then they have to pipe it or ship it to be refined. And then, on to the world market. It’s a ruse to benefit the big oil interests and nothing more. It won’t do a damn thing to alleviate the high prices of today.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:48 pmAll you need to know about “Conservatives” is in the book “The Wrecking Crew”. It explains their behavior quite well. They are not stupid, or unintelligent. They are working to wreck the government by acting incompetent and trying to blame it on everyone else. Then outsource everything. Because we know everything is best done by private companies. Saves so much money. And those at the top can squeeze everyone down the chain. Just wait until the privatize the courts, police and fire to Blackwater. A la carte justice, and protection! And wait until your water and sewage is handled by private companies. I bet you can get really high quality then. And the customer service will be exquisite, a happy experience! You know, the movie “Brazil” really gives a glimpse into the Conservative society. (Yech!)
August 13th, 2008 at 1:50 pmDRxJ Says:
————————————————————-
Please explain to the American people how “off shore” drilling will reduce gas prices, and dependency on oil.
Yeah, especially since off shore drilling is already legal.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:03 pmWill the Dems PLEASE GET IN THE GAME? Ask Kerry how ignoring Republican attacks works!
Have we learned nothing?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:20 pmWhy? Are you suggesting “Big Wind” is profitable?
(I presume you’re talking about wind-generated power, and not the kind of bloviating that is a hallmark of Faux News.)
August 13th, 2008 at 2:31 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
The Republicans want to strike while the majority of the voters remain ignorant as to how giving the oil companies offshore and ANWR leases will have any positive effect at the gas pump. Thus this desperation. I predict the voters won’t remain ignorant for long, and this will bite them in the butt in November.
This is only going to happen if the Democratic party gets hopping now. They need to do advertisements to get the real facts of the situation out there. It’s very sad that the Democratic party has to spend our money to get the facts out that the MSM should be reporting. I read a copy of the local rag newspaper the other day in a coffee shop and it had an article that said if we start drilling offshore right now, we will see an immediate reduction in the cost of gas and that in 2 years we will start seeing much more gasoline available at lower prices. Where in the world the paper got that is beyond me, but I suspect it is typical of what most Americans are reading in their local newspaper.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:32 pmIf they are going to shut down government, we might as well proceed with impeachment, right?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pmYep. Shut her down. It worked SO well the last time they did it.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:39 pmobamagr8 Says:
Now, answer a question of mine: How much of Pelosi’s annual income is derived from her investments in Big Wind?
And as a renewable, alternative energy source, is this a threat to your interests? You can out wind generators in Alaska, you know.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pmIn 85:
‘out’ s/b ‘put’
August 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pmAin’t that the shit. repugs can close down the government for oil (another stunt) but anything for the people is stepped on with the same foot they used to stomp the constitution.
this is just another bs feather in the repugs cap…invasion, healthcare, steal, destroying…
Close the mf government down, it’s not working anyway.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:49 pmOil is sold a global market. That doesn’t seem to sink in with the GOP demagogues. If the US decided to not sell oil extracted in the US to the global market, what’s to stop Canada and Mexico from keeping their oil and not selling it on the world market? Or Russia closing the gas valve to western Europe?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pmDistance from source to consumer is a big factor in what gets used where but the price is determined by world markets. There is no way out of oil dependence by drilling for more of it. We need to find alternatives for the long term and reduce consumption by making more efficient cars in the short term.
ralph the wonder llama Says:
obamagr8 Says:
Now, answer a question of mine: How much of Pelosi’s annual income is derived from her investments in Big Wind?
Why? Are you suggesting “Big Wind” is profitable?
Do a quick search on “pelosi income wind” and it’s obvious that this is the latest Malkin/freeper feeble attack on Democrats. Virtually all the results are identical and all of them link back to the same dribble from Malkin. Malkin predictably labels the Sierra Club as “do-nothings”. And, buried in all that crap is the information that Pelosi’s investment is actually in T Boone Pickens’ natural gas company.
After years of politicians sucking on the gas/oil teat, especially Republicans, this is a typically feeble attempt to divert attention and sob that “they do it too!” because Democrats are supporting alternative energy production.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:56 pmOT — why isn’t his site talking about hill’s possible disruption of the dem convention?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:59 pmAudio from the clip is up here.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:03 pmobamagr8 Says:
Read, cheerleader.
The vast majority of the oil that is exported is in the form of finished products like grease and lube oil. This is what grownups call “commerce.”
Read yourself troll, fuel is part of the exports and most of the crude oil coming out of the Alaska pipeline is shipped and sold directly to Japan as well as other countries and never is processed in the US.
I knew you could not give an honest answer
August 13th, 2008 at 3:07 pmJapan purchased 80% of Alaska’s energy exports in 2004. China, Hong Kong, Korea, Canada and Chile imported the remainder.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:11 pmobamagr8 Says:
Again, troll, why do the oil companies export 1.8 million barrels of oil a day to other countries, rather than leave that oil in the US to help the consumer prices?
Read, cheerleader.
The vast majority of the oil that is exported is in the form of finished products like grease and lube oil. This is what grownups call “commerce.”
And if you think this is such a bad idea, have the Democrat controlled Congress pass legislation outlawing the export of petroleum. First step might be to reverse the law that the Clinton Administration had passed that allowed Alaskan oil to be exported. Virtually none is actually shipped out of the country but thanks to Clinton and the Democrats, it is legal.
Man do you lie your stupid ass off just like a typical repug.
STFU troll #1
STFU troll #2
August 13th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I wonder if Demint knows that the following foreign countries are already drilling in the Gulf of Mexico:
BHP Australia
BP United Kingdom
Encana Canada
ENI Italy
Marubeni Japan
Nexen Canada
Nippon Oil Japan
Noble Corp Cayman Island (Wonder who owns this compamy?)
Petrobas Brazil
Shell Netherlands
Sojitz Japan
TotalElfFina France
These foreign countries plus American companies owe to the US $1.3 billion in unpaid royalties.
Along with American companies these foreign countries were awarded leases to drill in 1998 and 1999, but haven’t started drilling:
Maersk Oil Denmark
Mitsui Japan
Petsec Energy Australia
Repsol Spain
Revus Energy Norway
Statoil Norway
Teikoku Japan
So whats Demint and the Repubes really whining about? They don’t even have pot to piss this election, so they whine and pull childness stunts, like hanging around theHouse Floor whileCongress is closed!
August 13th, 2008 at 3:20 pmGee, Obie – maybe they ought to drill – right through your head.
Oh…but that’s empty, isn’t it?
Never mind.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:08 pmOh, yeah those populist Republicans…taking money from Big Oil for their populist causes…Only people as ignorant as those trolls we have here like Tanqueray would buy that…
August 14th, 2008 at 12:59 amHit those bastards with ads…that say that they want to make Big Oil rich by refusing to open up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve…refusing to rein in the oil speculators, refusing to do anything to hurt their Big Oil allies, turn around the use of the ELITIST charge upon them and hit it with them where the sun don’t shine…
Republicans want to make Big Oil rich…not help you out…why is it not simple enough for our Democrats?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:03 amI feel sorry for trolls like obamagr8…they have been so taken in by GOP and Big Oil propaganda that they actually believe that more drilling will bring back the days of $1.46 a gallon gas…If they could only see the puppetmasters of the GOP laughing at them while cheerfully using their support to enrich their cronies at their expense, then perhaps they could see the light…
then again, I really don’t…because anyone who swallows everything the GOP says really deserves it…
August 14th, 2008 at 1:15 am