Rep. Rob Bishop says passage of clean energy bill will be as tragic as the death of Michael Jackson.
Rep. Rob Bishop says passage of clean energy bill will be as tragic as the death of Michael Jackson.
Yesterday on Fox Business, anchor David Asman hosted a round table dedicated to smearing the Waxman-Markey clean energy economy legislation. The discussion, including Fox Business’ Cody Willard and the Heritage Foundation’s David Kreutzer, lacked a single proponent of the bill. Concluding the segment, Asman asked Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) — an opponent not just of clean energy legislation, but of green jobs in general — if the bill would pass the House. He responded with a morbid comparison:
ASMAN: Congressman Bishop is there any chance at all that this thing won’t pass tomorrow?
BISHOP: Well there’s hope, we’ll see if — I mean you guys covered a national tragedy today, let’s hope we don’t give you a tragedy tomorrow as well.
Watch it:
Earlier during the programming (the segment aired at 7:30 eastern time), the death of Michael Jackson was announced.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Like I said….No shame gene whatsoever….
June 26th, 2009 at 10:44 amNo, tragic would be NOT passing a clean energy bill. How dare he bring Michael into this fight.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:45 amThis is the result of Republicans being treated in the MSM as wizened old sages, no matter how ridiculous their pronouncements.
They lose any impulse toward self-censorship and say whatever idiotic idea pops into their heads.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:45 amWhat a drama queen.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:47 amAnd, look — I’l go ahead and say it; I don’t consider Michael Jackson’s death a “tragedy”. Sure, he leaves behind three young children, but let’s face it; he wasn’t exactly a great role model. And more than that, he seemed to hate his own body.
If you believe in the afterlife, I’m sure he’s found more peace than he would ever know on Earth.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:49 amOMG, are these guys for real? I’m surprised he didn’t add that this bill would have made Farrah Fawcett’s beautiful hair fall out faster than chemo. As usual from the repubozos, ridiculous, disgraceful, inaccurate, shameful.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:50 amM. Jackson’s passing was NOT a “National tragedy”: no entertainment star’s death should ever be considered a “national tragedy”. My condolences to his family and fans, but it was his time to go. This was not even something unusual (like a drug OD or an assassination) — he was of an age where men, statistically, can have sudden heart failure, and that was apparently the case.
But, on a human level, I do not think that he was a more important human being than the thousands of other people who died yesterday of any other causes. NO MORE IMPORTANT. His death by heart attack was no more a national tragedy that every one else who died yesterday, or today, or tommorrow, from a heart attack (or any other cause).
Entertainers deserve privacy and dignity in life and in death.
The confation with the energy bill with the passing of a very popular and successful entertainer is just ridiculous — a very cheap attempt to garner support for the political angle by riding on the emotions of the fans.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:56 amI think theres’s no after life, and that that’s true peace… Eternal slumber.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:56 amFrom the sublime to the absurd.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:58 amOnly the Conservatives would find caring for the environment and creating more jobs tragic…
June 26th, 2009 at 10:59 amWingnuts look pathetic as they come unhinged.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:59 amunbelievable Says:
I think theres’s no after life, and that that’s true peace… Eternal slumber.
Ummmm. does that mean that when I die I will suffer for eternity with that nightmare about the giant badger, the tub of sour milk, and the blender?…..
June 26th, 2009 at 11:00 amConfirming that he’s a twat: Bishop’s doing it right…
June 26th, 2009 at 11:01 amThe conflation with the energy bill with the passing of a very popular and successful entertainer is just ridiculous
Of course, it is. But that’s all the republicans have left to offer. On the other hand, this comment is merely ridiculous which is an improvement over most of the republicans’ claptrap that is fatally ludicrous. Perhaps we need to give them some credit for cleaning up their act just a little bit. lol
June 26th, 2009 at 11:02 amCan they GET any stupider? Every day they seem to try…
June 26th, 2009 at 11:06 amThe passage of the Clean Energy Bill would cause the nation to mourn the loss of a drug abused, plastic surgery addicted, “child loving”, pop icon???
Dat don’t make no sense.
Seriously, what a d!ck to play on the emotions of the world right now to pimp his views.
What? Shouting 9/11 at the top of your lungs starting to loose it’s appeal and effect?
(And as others have posted, I do not consider this a national tragedy. Yes, Michael Jackson definitely was a wonderful musician and entertainer, but his passing, as sad as it is for some, does not effect our country and it’s inhabitants at all!)
June 26th, 2009 at 11:06 amEnough Already with the Drama Queen acts Republicons. I agree with others who opine that Jackson’s death is scarcely a national or a world tragedy. He was a singer and dancer — very good, yes, but a TRAGEDY?
The Republicons are just so disgusting with the depths they will go to undermine the people of this country. Of course, the Democons aren’t much further behind them.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:06 amYou have got to be kidding me.
First of all, this is not just a tragedy on a national scale. There are fans of Michael’s all over the world crying about this. This is a tragedy on par with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, and Elvis Presley, who were loved internationally as entertainers. This is not a JFK or a Martin Luther King tragedy, which were totally on a nationwide scale.
Second of all, invoking the comment was one thing from Congressman Bishop, but for Asman to chortle about that one…that was heartless.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:07 amThe repiggies truly are the Party of Stupid. This guy is just another whore for Rupert Murdoch and his assorted business interests.
My advice to Bishop (apologies to Michael Jackson) – “Beat it!”
June 26th, 2009 at 11:08 amCageyCretin Says:
Ummmm. does that mean that when I die I will suffer for eternity with that nightmare about the giant badger, the tub of sour milk, and the blender?…..
June 26th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Well, why don’t you share it with us and work it out of your system?
You could post it one sentence at a time over every single thread today, and we could treat it like a
June 26th, 2009 at 11:10 amscavengernightmare hunt. It would be WAY more interesting than the trolls. :-)Kind of a refreshing break from the Hitler and Stalin analogies anyway. They need some new material.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:11 amMJ was a singer/dancer, and a damned good one. But let’s be real, he wasn’t a musician. He was just the front man for Barry Gordy and Quincy Jones.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:13 amI was wondering how long it would take before some politician would exploit Michael Jackson’s death in a tasteless manner. It didn’t surprise me that it was a Republican, and it didn’t surprise me that it took less than 24 hours.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:13 amI guarantee you that this guy doesn’t think Michael Jackson’s death really is a ‘national tragedy.’ My guess is he couldn’t even name a MJ song. He probably doesn’t have any real arguments against this bill, and he thinks people are too stupid to understand it anyhow. So he links it to something in popular culture that he thinks will move people emotionally. That’s how stupid he thinks we are. Typically Republican. They treat Americans like children and all they have to do is dangle something shiney and sweet in front of them to get their attention. Pathetic and insulting. Even worse, it clearly works with some people (e.g., our trolls).
June 26th, 2009 at 11:13 amWo, what a high powered panel! Man, I follow and do whatever Cody tells me to do! He is da bomb!
June 26th, 2009 at 11:13 amFreeMarketLiberal Says
June 26th, 2009 at 11:13 am
_____________________________________________________________
By posting the same link on every single thread, you have progressed from being a tiresome, annoying troll to being a tiresome, annoying spammer.
FLAGGED
June 26th, 2009 at 11:15 amthey think childish, transparent ploys will work on others because they would work on them
when stupid people think they are ‘pulling a fast one’, it is usually obvious to the intelligent around them, although the stupid thinks he is getting away with it
sort of like when my cat tries to “sneak” onto the bed
June 26th, 2009 at 11:16 amif only the mods were not all seemingly on holiday
June 26th, 2009 at 11:17 amFreeMarketLiberal Says:
June 26th, 2009
This dumb ass joke of a troll need a disclaimer:
June 26th, 2009 at 11:18 am“Warning: You are about to read some staggeringly stupid shit that really never seems to have a point.”
In other words, she’s putting her money where her mouth is and investing in technology she feels is good for America.
No wonder you are against it.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:21 amZooey Says:
Well, why don’t you share it with us and work it out of your system?
You could post it one sentence at a time over every single thread today, and we could treat it like a scavenger nightmare hunt. It would be WAY more interesting than the trolls. :-)
OT (My apologies. My fault)
Tempting… if I had all day to post I would consider it, but alas, my time is limited (haven’t been to the Zoo in quite some time b/c of schedule — and this computer’s filter).
Perhaps someday ….. Must go for now…
June 26th, 2009 at 11:21 amRantingTommy Says:
——————————————————————————–
sort of like when my cat tries to “sneak” onto the bed
I’d bet on your cat in a match of wits with FML any day.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:24 amMy daughter is a singer and practices constantly. I consider her a musician. And since Michael Jackson wrote many of his biggest songs I’d say he was a musician.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:25 amIndependent analysis of the shows the average energy bill will increase $14 a month.
Small price to pay to become independent of Middle Eastern oil sources.
Is $14 a month too much for you? Why do you hate America so much?
June 26th, 2009 at 11:26 amI can easily understand how this is a tragedy for the repubs.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:27 amMichael represented many things that the repubs stand for.
Perverse behavior, sexual deviancy, an inability to maintain healthy relationships and an abnormal association with young boys.
Yes, the passing of Michael hurts them deeply.
I never understood the attachment to celebrity that leads to crying over the death of one. In fact, my best friend learned very quickly not to ever call celebrities by their first name when talking to me. Even though I know he doesn’t think celebrities are his friends and he’s indifferent to celebrity gossip, it gives me the creeps when people talk about celebrities like they’re on a first name basis.
There must be a reason why some people get so emotionally attached to celebrities, there’s always a reason; but I don’t get it.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:27 amThe thing that always surprises me about these idiots ( and it shouldn’t I should be used to it by now) is these idiots think they are this important.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:27 amactually, he wrote some of the LYRICS. the actual musicianship was done by the musicians that played on the albums.
That said, it does take talent to be a good singer, and his dancing was superb, but he wasn’t really the type of singer that used his voice as an instrument, and so, while some singers do qualify as musicians, I don’t think MJ did.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:28 amM. Jackson’s passing was NOT a “National tragedy”: no entertainment star’s death should ever be considered a “national tragedy”
As prone to hyperbole as folks are around celebrity death’s, the worst I heard this morning was likening MJ’s death to the loss of a current President.
I just can’t wrap my brain around how those two are equal in anyone’s mind.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:29 amYeah, everybody who is for clean energy stands to get rich from it. What a moron. And which clean energy “fuel” does Pelosi own stock in wind or solar?
June 26th, 2009 at 11:29 amI don’t think our sad troll hates America per se; he hates “libs”. America itself is just collateral damage to the troll.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:30 amSeriously, who needs a clean energy bill anyway?
June 26th, 2009 at 11:32 amSo what if penguins start showing up off of the coast of California.
Party loyalty is far more important that exercizing logic.
I’m with Shayne on this one, Tommy.
I’m neither a musician nor a singer, but I do consider singing as “making music”. Besides, I think MJ absolutely used his voice as an instrument. Not to the extent of someone like Ella, but he still belongs in that category.
You’re absolutely right, however, that Quincy jones and the musicians behind him deserve more credit than they will ever receive.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:33 amSo…I’m confused!
Where are the sharks and the pirates in all of this?????
June 26th, 2009 at 11:35 amRantingTommy,
And while you might not like his music I don’t understand how you can say he wasn’t a skilled vocalist. He showed more skill when he was 9 years old than most ever do.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:35 amQuincy Jones is the genius behind the music of Michael Jackson, the Jackson Five, and a host of other artists. If he died, it wouldn’t be anything like the passage of a clean energy bill either.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:35 amI don’t understand why Republics hate so much Mr Jackson. After all, he was the best flagship for Republicanism: his song Bad (or how to be a real Republican), his videoclips full of zombies (McCain, Coulter, or Charlton Heston come to mind as dancers in Thriller), his love for underage children, his infantile mentality, egocentrism…
/Snark off. I’m really sad about the death of Michael Jackson.
Oh, Mr Carradine demise is a good example of Republican mentality, too. While closeted, you can please yourself as you want.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:37 amFreeMarketLiberal
June 26th, 2009 at 11:39 amYo you have like a book of those things or do you just sort of freeform your weirdness? Just wondering…
He didn’t say he wasn’t a skilled vocalist, just that he didn’t use his voice as an instrument. He sang the lyrics skillfully, but when he wasn’t singing the lyrics, you heard instruments only—not his voice as an instrument.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:40 amLeftside Annie Says:
So…I’m confused!
Where are the sharks and the pirates in all of this?????
June 26th, 2009 at 11:35 am Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
Sharks are religious Republicans. Pirates are fiscal conservative Republicans.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:40 amWhatever.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:43 amOoh let me try one, Rep. Bishop…
The current state of the GOP is just like David Carradine’s death. Found strangled in the closet, with a rope tied around its genitals.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:47 amI should have made that more clear. my bad .
The main point was that MJ didn’t have as much to do with his music as Quincy Jones and Barry Gordy did.
I am still a fan of MJ. I play several MJ tunes. I can even still moonwalk with the best of them. I rode my motorcycle to work today wearing only one glove. no snark
I just hate that our culture only seems to notice the front man and not the real talent that is the musicians behind the scenes.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:48 amIt’s like thinking David Lee Roth had more to do with the music than Eddie Van Halen.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:53 amand those fellows didn’t do as much as Frank Zappa and Joe Strummer did…
June 26th, 2009 at 11:55 amAlanis Morisette uses her voice as an instrument. Michael Jackson was a good singer and had a nice voice, he wasn’t a particularly gifted singer. Very impressive dancer. Was about as involved in the making of his music as Madonna is. What was most impressive about him was his singular weirdness. His life was tragic—maybe because of his success.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:58 amJoe Strummer–now that’s a music death that hit me hard. I cried that day and played Combat Rock for hours.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:59 amCan I get a shout out for Debbie Harry? I have been think lot of her lately… She paved Madonna’s way…
June 26th, 2009 at 12:00 pmCan I get a shout out for Debbie Harry? I have been think lot of her lately… She paved Madonna’s way…
June 26th, 2009 at 12:00 pmBlondie and Pat Benetar are touring now
June 26th, 2009 at 12:00 pmjoeyramonesmom.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:01 pmI stuck with Sandinista that day/ Still have it on classic vinyl…
ElBruce Says:
Ooh let me try one, Rep. Bishop…
The current state of the GOP is just like David Carradine’s death. Found strangled in the closet, with a rope tied around its genitals.
Or The current state of the GOP is just like Elvis’ death: a bloated carcass found crumpled in the bathroom with a fried peanut butter/banana sandwich in its mouth and a soiled playboy at it’s feet. And a bunch of Ignorant rubes refusing to admit it’s dead so they keep seeing it in odd places.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:02 pmFor me it was Frank Zappa and Jerry Garcia…
June 26th, 2009 at 12:03 pmI completely disagree.
Consider Rockwell’s only hit, “Somebody’s Watching Me” It’s a very ordinary tune, only set apart from the crowd by the intense backing vocals from MJ. When someone can take a minor element and make a meal out of it, that, to me, is a gifted vocalist. And a very musical one.
I mean, all of this is subjective personal opinion, but that’s the way I see it.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pmWhoa, what a flashback. Thanks for the link—that’s a kick in the butt. I’m not going to argue with ya. I’m not going to argue with you. A lot of people think that one of my favorite vocalists can’t sing at all.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:18 pmHow did Jackson get pulled into this ? What is the connection ?
What a stupid statement
June 26th, 2009 at 12:19 pmWho’s that, wiley?
June 26th, 2009 at 12:19 pmThanks ralph, you made the point I was unable to. There’s a lot of mixing apples and oranges here. Comparing a pop vocalist to rock groups. They don’t have the same dynamic at all. I’m sure many of you don’t like Josh Groban at all. Does that make him not as talented as rock guitarists? In your minds maybe.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:25 pmSome vocalists use their vocal lines to complete chords, or even change them, demonstrating an understanding of music theory beyond simply singing the melody line.
MJ had a great, unique voice and I still love to crank up his tunes.
But he was not using his voice as an instrument to the level that other singers do. There are many many successful singers with great voices that never knew what key they were in, much less enough theory to alter chords by singing a 7th, 9th, flatted 5th, etc.
It’s not a knock on MJ at all. It’s just that a larger share of the credit belongs to Quincy Jones and the musicians that worked with them.
Quincy Jones is to Michael Jackson as Eddie van Halen is to David Lee Roth.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:25 pmPatti Smith.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:29 pmEver heard Diane Shuur?
Check out Louisiana Sunday Afternoon or Nobody Does Me
June 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pmcan I recommend 75 more than once? Please. Just this one time…
TheZoo often has a good friday night jam. Come post a tune that means something to you. Be sure to explain the meaning if you are comfortable doing so…
June 26th, 2009 at 12:35 pmCelebrity deaths have the same impact on us as missing pretty blonde girls. They are tragedies for the friends and families, and perverted distractions for the rest of us.
The few exceptions are when they transcend their fields. John Lennon was more than a talented singer/songwriter. Muhammad Ali is more than a boxer. Michael Jordan, when he dies, will be sobbed over, but he was nothing but a basketball player, and shoesalesman…
June 26th, 2009 at 12:36 pmDavid Lee Roth is a paramedic now. He’s no Michael Jackson and I don’t think Quincy Jones would agree with your assessment. I don’t really know what Michael Jackson’s abilities really were. I know he was too much of perfectionits to let outtakes be shown like Elvis did. If you’re going to give Quincy Jones all the credit then you’d have to give him the blame for not encouraging MJ to push the envelope.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:38 pmLook, Tommy, you;re a musician; I’m not. So your understanding of music is more sophisticated than mine.
I just look at it as less a technical thing than you do. That’s probably understandable, since I have almost no knowledge of technique. But to me, whether it’s MJ’s punctuating screams or the percussive huhs of another departed musician, Warren Zevon, I find the range of “voice used as intsrument” wider than it seems you do. Not to mention the sheer musicality of singing a lyric in a way that sticks with the listener.
Sure, MJ and Zevon weren’t using their voices like Ella did, or Minnie Riperton but to my uneducated ear, it’s all music.
Still, I take your point.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:38 pmThat’s a good call on Diane Schuur, Tommy.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:40 pmBishop, Bachmann, Rushbo–the list goes on…all kings (or queens) of non-sequiters…..further proof that the logic gene is missing in all Rethuglicans.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:46 pmOne name:
June 26th, 2009 at 12:51 pmFreddie Mercury!
The man’s pipes WERE a musical instrument!
CageyCretin Says:
Ummmm. does that mean that when I die I will suffer for eternity with that nightmare about the giant badger, the tub of sour milk, and the blender?…..
One person’s nightmare is another person’s wet dream!
But, I refuse to discuss my personal life…
:-)
June 26th, 2009 at 12:52 pmUnfortunately, I think the right is beating us at direct action in terms of calling and influencing reps on the cap and trade bill. I write about it here, showing how they do it (and shamelessly reposting the contact info they provide to their readers…)
http://blahgblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/direct-action-by-the-left-and-right-online/
June 26th, 2009 at 12:58 pmRidiculous comparison.
Here’s a decent article that communicates the objections of skeptics:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25400914-7583,00.html
The Australian Senate seems to be pausing to consider whether ‘cap and trade’ legislation is worth the cost:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/australia/2538688/Oz-carbon-trading-delayed-until-August
June 26th, 2009 at 1:02 pmI’m not a huge Michael Jackson fan. But, it’s obvious that he was a fantastic performer.
My only criticism (in addition to the weirdness with young boys) would be his drive to become Diana Ross.
He was a great looking guy, with a better vibe, before he began the transformation (with all the cosmetic surgery) to look and act like the lead Supreme.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:07 pmGawd, will they ever stop the stupid.
MJ was the greatest performer on earth, he will be deeply missed.
He was first in so many fields and broke many records.
RIP dear Michael.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:23 pmFreeMarketLiberal Says:
You Jim Jones Soros zombies should have a disclaimer on all your articles..
WARNING: The article you are reading contains radicle far left loon spin. You can find more on this matter here..
http://24ahead.com/s/thinkprogress
The knee-jerk reactionary mindless sheep is calling us all Jim Jones zombies…how ironic…
June 26th, 2009 at 1:40 pmEverybody understands heart attacks, right? Let’s apply the Earth situation to Michael Jackson. Nobody had much of a reason to think he was in trouble with his health (although that’s going to come out now) and he ups and suddenly dies. The same can happen to the Earth. Seems fine now, the sun is shining, the birds are singing. Then we go over a cliff. If we wait, as Jacko did, until we have the heart attack, it’s too late to do anything about it. But the American people have fallen into the “I have to see how bad it is firsthand” trap. Thus, we’re doomed.
June 26th, 2009 at 2:12 pmLike I said, these people are freakin’ idgetts!
June 26th, 2009 at 2:16 pmCageyCretin Says:
Tempting… if I had all day to post I would consider it, but alas, my time is limited (haven’t been to the Zoo in quite some time b/c of schedule — and this computer’s filter).
Perhaps someday ….. Must go for now…
June 26th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I look forward to seeing you back at the Zoo. Sorry so late, I had to drive to Portland. :)
June 26th, 2009 at 7:55 pmdooms day
June 29th, 2009 at 12:08 amThank you..
Sesli Chat
June 29th, 2009 at 11:03 amSesli Sohbet
Sesli Chat
Sesli Sohbet
Sesli kent
SesliChat
SesliSohbet