tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post1195366202631702245..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Jackass, The GovernmentJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-25495572054360738202011-04-17T00:56:51.185-05:002011-04-17T00:56:51.185-05:00Wow! Great post. Except for the glancing aside o...Wow! Great post. Except for the glancing aside on Harry Reid, whom I admire and think is working hard for us, I loved what you had to say. There is nothing more stupefyingly infuriating than people who do not understand how completely dependent we all are on each other.Jennifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-50028281133358160622011-04-15T02:00:00.990-05:002011-04-15T02:00:00.990-05:00I'm a grad student, just another dumbass who d...I'm a grad student, just another dumbass who didn't smile pretty enough to have a real job by now. I'm studying International and Comparative Politics, and I spent that week absolutely shitting myself thinking of how hard Brazil, India, China, Russia, and the EU would be laughing if we'd shut down.<br /><br />I want to get a job in the State Department. That way I can work overseas and hopefully be in an embassy somewhere where the coffee is art, the healthcare is sane, and they don't mind some white guy with a funny accent moving in when our nutjobs-elect finally run this thing into the ground.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-14793847583860218132011-04-14T12:13:27.113-05:002011-04-14T12:13:27.113-05:00I've noticed a lot of people suddenly have lon...I've noticed a lot of people suddenly have long lasting migraines. My tinfoil hat says could this be because of the minute amounts of radiation wafting over the US and elsewhere and you all are the canaries. I have felt queasy for several weeks at a low level for no reason that I can determine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-31543331013349216732011-04-12T06:51:50.575-05:002011-04-12T06:51:50.575-05:00@beemodern,
we ARE Judge's Idiocracy.
RP
Bro...@beemodern,<br /><br />we ARE Judge's <i>Idiocracy</i>.<br /><br />RP<br /><i>Brought to you by Carl's Jr.</i>Retired Patriothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653011328780251842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-58168749465120172772011-04-12T05:29:34.009-05:002011-04-12T05:29:34.009-05:00To Anonymous Philosophy Professor, bless you.To Anonymous Philosophy Professor, bless you.beemodernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180046342466780318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-44130416827536636072011-04-12T05:25:04.031-05:002011-04-12T05:25:04.031-05:00"There are four hundred million Americans – a..."There are four hundred million Americans – and these five hundred and thirty-five jackasses are the best we can do."<br /><br />I feel the same way about every Saturday Night Live cast, save one, since the original.<br /><br />Congress is a result of 30 years of government bashing and rendering impotent the people's government, except the ideologically overreaching and authoritarian parts that is. I mean, Jebus! What is with the masses ignoring, even actively supporting, the worst aspects of government policies while trying to destroy what is best about our government?<br /><br />Why is it the loudest flag wavers want to do in the government? And government employees suffering 30 years of government employee bashing? Well, they are fellow American citizens; all of whom pay taxes from those paychecks!<br /><br />Maybe not only the federal government, but state governments too, should all just up and shut down for awhile. "So people, y'all are really down on your goverment? Okay then, do without it for awhile. Let us know when it hurts enough that you're willing to pay for it and will refrain from incessantly undermining it at every turn."<br /><br />Isn't it interesting that government schools, which is what public education K-12 is, no longer turns out students who know anything about how their own government works? How'd that happen? I guess in-depth government studies went the way of Home Economics so anyone born since 1980 stands a good chance of knowing zilch about his or her own representative government or how to manage household funds to stave off the rapacious finance industry.<br /><br />This feels like the 1980s all over again with the anti-woman, anti-family policies spreading hateful lies and rhetoric against the most defenseless among us and women. This time, though, in addition to the usual overfed, pompous white men in suits, we also have the result of the last 30 years, which is Tea Party types and religious zealots entrenched throughout the system and voted in to office too.<br /><br />Frankly, until we have a major revolt and fundamentally change the way elections are funded in this country, I see no hope of saving ourselves. Currently, few own almost everything and therefore those few also own our government and the media. Our democratic system can't survive that anymore than any other country's could.<br /><br />As for the courts saving us, well, they've been stacked at regional and federal levels with conservative ideologues. Reagan started it, and little Bush's administration took it to a whole new level. <br /><br />Add to the recipe a public fed a steady diet of Nancy Grace buffoonery, reality judge shows, and God knows how many prosecutor/cop shows (all from the prosecution point-of-view) and we find ourselves suffering judges who don't know what their real responsibility is supposed to be versus supporting and imposing their conservative desires because they have almost no roadblocks calling them out over it. Instead, we are a nation divided, petty, and meanspirited. The other guy is always wrong and always deserves it, so good for the courts no matter what they do to us! "The man" is always right. Unless the man is a lower-level government employee; then he or she is just a leech.<br /><br />Blaming the Dems and Obama for the showdown? I read the whitehouse press conference from the day before high noon and the questions those reporters asked, over and over again, painted the president as the problem. Those reporters are either stupid or they had an agenda, because I understood the answers the first time they were uttered, and I understood that the Dems had already given the Republicans 80% of what they'd asked for, so it was the Republicans' turn to do a little compromising. Perhaps the fact that our mainstream press in DC is either owned by rightwing money or serve only to seek controversy that will sell their stories are a major part of the problem as well.<br /><br />We are on the fast track to Mike Judge's <i>Idiocracy</i>.beemodernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180046342466780318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-87856277302352990192011-04-11T14:43:15.221-05:002011-04-11T14:43:15.221-05:00Jim, I’m glad that you're feeling better, hope...Jim, I’m glad that you're feeling better, hope that the effects of your migraine completely disappear soon. <br /><br />I remember the last government shutdown I was active duty Navy at the time serving in San Diego. The command that I worked at had a combination of active duty and Navy civilians providing training, equipment repair and inspections. They sent almost all of the civilians home and extended the working hours for the military. So much for that cushy shore duty they promised me (not that I believed any of their promises, fool me once and all that). If I remember correctly, I got paid 2 days late since the government was only shut down for 26 days, but man was I ever so worried about where I was going to get money for my bills! So I watched those fools with signs shouting, “Shut it down!” with complete amazement; I thought to myself, “How could anyone be so dense?” Is this country being run by anarchists? Since I still work for the federal government (yeah, still getting my paychecks from DON, DFAS) I was rightfully concerned. Then I read that NWCF (Navy Working Capital Funds) were not affected as long as they were in the black. Whew, that means I don’t have to transfer money out of savings to pay the mortgage. What a relief that is. I also didn’t have to cancel the vacation plans I have to visit my mom on Mother’s Day since I’d have to cancel my vacation plans so that I could be furloughed. There are precious few businesses in America that would remain un-impacted by a government shutdown, don’t people realize this? <br /><br />Since the majority of Americans do not agree with their social agenda, they want to shut it all down, and then use their obstructionist techniques so that the minority can dictate their way with the majority. To me this shows that they care a lot more about their agenda than they do about the good of the majority. It’s been quite apparent to me that they haven’t cared about the majority’s opinion for some time now.Dana Teelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02686989075671803137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-1834037162249661862011-04-11T13:25:58.461-05:002011-04-11T13:25:58.461-05:00About migraines: Being a sufferer and a doctor wh...About migraines: Being a sufferer and a doctor who treats people who have migraines, I want to suggest you investigate oxygen. Inconvenient to lug a tank around, but if you have one at home when you first notice onset, breathe O2 at 5 liters/minute for about 15". Has been shown to abort 70% of attacks in 82% of patients. And if it doesn't, no harm as from medications. Have to get a Rx from your provider for the tank, etc, but go ahead and try it.sophie#1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-89937505435334980792011-04-11T12:49:50.678-05:002011-04-11T12:49:50.678-05:00I keep trying to wrap my head around just how badl...I keep trying to wrap my head around just how badly off the rails we appear to have gone as a country. (No wonder you got such a migraine! It's enough to drive anyone insane.)<br /><br />I've been on the fringes of the DC political scene for longer than I care to admit. When I was a teenager, my father was a lobbyist and I had summer jobs on the Hill. Later, my mother worked for a congresswoman, and I worked as a reporter for different trade magazines.<br /><br />The change in tone is staggering, and frightening. I'm beginning to wonder if the United States is going to come apart in my lifetime.Blonde momentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-72916467169142149032011-04-11T11:04:30.133-05:002011-04-11T11:04:30.133-05:00Good to have you back. My work environment is choc...Good to have you back. My work environment is chock full of people who think the solution to our Country's problems is to stick their heads further in the sand. If I have to hear one more regurgitated Beckbaugh quote, I might have to exercise my 2nd amendment right to protect myself from ignorance. Damn, apparently I don't have that right, sigh. <br />I have my own rating system, this line is now in the yertle position. <br /><br />"can’t you just see John Boehner shooting-bottle rockets out of his ass while Harry Reid chokes down snow-cones saturated in his own piss"<br /><br />Your posts help keep me sane. <br />Thanks again.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16180816527348931065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-48144973957263732172011-04-10T21:21:15.174-05:002011-04-10T21:21:15.174-05:00So sorry to hear about your migraine. People who ...So sorry to hear about your migraine. People who have never experienced one just cannot understand how completely debilitating they can be. I've spent many a day curled up in the fetal position, dark sheets covering the windows, ice pack on my head, moaning pathetically and waiting for my head to explode. A few years ago I was getting them about once a week but, fortunately, a side effect of a medication I'm on for something else is that my migraines are reduced to two or three a year (woo hoo!). Now that I'm able to eat 7 days a week instead of 5 or 6 I've put on some extra weight, but I'll gladly take that in place of the moaning and vomiting! Hope you're feeling much better now.<br /><br />Thanks for the wonderful post and for pointing out how imbecilic the right wing is for wanting to shut down the government for a purely political reason. The current crop of Republicans absolutely disgust me with their contempt for anyone who's not a white, male, wealthy campaign contributor. I'm equally disgusted with the idiots who put them in office, against their own interests and those of the vast majority of people in this country. But, like Pavlov's dogs, they hear those magic words (abortion, gay rights, illegal immigration, social programs) and they're off to the polls to effectively slit their own throats.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-89259556038440481332011-04-10T16:54:58.579-05:002011-04-10T16:54:58.579-05:00"this deal shows that both sides can compromi..."this deal shows that both sides can compromise if they really want to"<br /><br />I absolutely love your blog, and every word of every post! However, I don't believe this bit, in your last offer, is accurate:<br /><br />"this deal shows that both sides can compromise if they really want to"<br /><br />Check this: tinyurl.com/4xf4o5e (DKos budget "compromise" post)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-74375111676206161332011-04-10T15:52:28.607-05:002011-04-10T15:52:28.607-05:00A couple of sites which may be of interest:
"...A couple of sites which may be of interest:<br /><br />"An Unapologetic Defense of a Vital Institution"<br /><br />http://governmentisgood.com/index.php<br /><br />and "The Authoritarians"<br /><br />http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/Aimee in OKCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-13636663224981922802011-04-09T23:21:02.860-05:002011-04-09T23:21:02.860-05:00First off, be gentle with yourself in the wake of ...First off, be gentle with yourself in the wake of the migraine. I get them too, and they suck! My dad had a usual rant about the potential government shutdown being all the Democrats and Obama's fault...All I could think was exactly, almost verbatim, what you said. Let it shut down - actions have consequences! If they can't pull it together enough to compromise, then they deserve to face what they have wrought. (and no, I didn't vote Republican, or Tea Party, my hands are clean. Although, I've a few Democrats that I think ought to get yanked up and shook until their teeth rattle too...)Thats hard for me to say, btw, my step son is a Marine, with 2 small children, my grandchildren. I have concerns to say the least...<br />I was particularly struck by one point you made, that we have a Republic. Well, yeah. Duh? Next point...except that I know so many people that don't get that. They think we live in a pure Democracy. And they don't understand the difference. And if they understood the difference, they would be horrified, and loathe the idea of our being a Republic. Even though every time they get choked up reciting the pledge - you know, the one that starts out, "I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the REPUBLIC for which..." they have no clue what they are pledging their allegiance to. <br />*facepalm* indeed.<br />In fact it appalls me how few individuals understand the idea of an oath, or of allegiance, or covenant...small wonder you have a migraine. I suspect its symptomatic. Take a break from politics, grab a beer,and go shape some wood. Smell the wood shavings. As Opus would advise from Bloom County..."Dandelion Break!" Blessings.Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13378591363411441816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-12295319628430264172011-04-09T21:19:02.037-05:002011-04-09T21:19:02.037-05:00Anonymous,
You can follow this site a couple of d...Anonymous,<br /><br />You can follow this site a couple of different ways: <br /><br />1) if you have a google or blogger profile, you can click "follow" on the righthand side of the main page at "Google Friend Connect."<br /><br />2) You can subscribe to the RSS or ATOM feed by clicking on the badge under "Subcribe" on the main page.<br /><br />You can find me on facebook by click on the Facebook badge, also on the righthand side of the main page.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-3097509115129380252011-04-09T21:14:13.894-05:002011-04-09T21:14:13.894-05:00Thank you Jim for your post. I have checked out yo...Thank you Jim for your post. I have checked out your site a couple of times a day to see if you were back on your feet. I have never had a migraine, so I can't even imagine what you have gone through, but glad you are better. I have put your site on my FB because I didn't know how to join yours or if you even had a FB page. I love your writing, makes so much sense. I have a friend that is military and they were really bashing President Obama, especially about the pay freeze, which was debunked and I sent them to the article that debunked it, and still they wouldn't believe it. They blamed this budget battle and possible shut down on him too. I was just sick to my stomach reading some of the comments, I did answer some of them, but the head was ready to explode. Thanks again for your post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-43376112954485122332011-04-09T14:33:19.861-05:002011-04-09T14:33:19.861-05:00I for one will believe there's a budget agreem...I for one will believe there's a budget agreement when the votes are cast and the bill is signed. Until then it is all theatre.<br /><br />Dr. PhilDr. Phil (Physics)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11943336276878704753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-2259806350846484572011-04-09T13:03:06.767-05:002011-04-09T13:03:06.767-05:00Crap, that was supposed to be Rand Paul not Paul R...Crap, that was supposed to be Rand Paul not Paul Ryan.Random Michelle Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817444379694818074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-7532126229668337042011-04-09T12:55:29.553-05:002011-04-09T12:55:29.553-05:00God, I really needed to read this today. What an e...God, I really needed to read this today. What an embarrassing, appalling spectacle we just witnessed! Actually, I learned a lot reading this--I just got my passport in the mail three weeks ago for a trip in June, and didn't understand or appreciate how much it takes to make that appear in my mailbox, so I feel rightly scolded for being lazy and unappreciative, too. (Glad you are feeling better.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-1422099447637759862011-04-09T12:30:27.156-05:002011-04-09T12:30:27.156-05:00Hi, the link to this blog was just cross posted ov...Hi, the link to this blog was just cross posted over at politicalgates and we love you!!<br /><br />just the right wit, and sarcasm (same migraine as I found myself with last night) - you have a terrific sense of humor and you deserve kudos for your humor interspersed with snark.<br /><br />You're right of course. The loons are now officially running the asylum - and if it wasn't serious, it would be gobsmacking hysterical. <br /><br />Please keep up the good work - I'm tweeting you and you really deserve kudos from all the sane people that still remain trying to breathe in this country.BanditBasheertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-8961639633658299232011-04-09T12:28:25.509-05:002011-04-09T12:28:25.509-05:00Jim,
I don't get migraines (thank you, thank ...Jim, <br />I don't get migraines (thank you, thank you!), I get <br />sinus infections. You remember that scene in "Aliens"<br />when the creature is starting to rupture out that guy's <br />stomach? That's what my sinuses feel like. And then<br />an elephant comes and sits on my head. Just to make<br />me feel alive. <br /><br />Glad to hear your feeling better, isn't it amazing when<br />the pain stops? Makes you appreciate every second. <br /><br />KerryKerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14775092807231830460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-47091450109806357682011-04-09T10:15:57.259-05:002011-04-09T10:15:57.259-05:00I am so pissed off at Congress I wanna go all Cee ...I am so pissed off at Congress I wanna go all Cee Lo Green on 'em.<br /><br />Seriously, <a href="http://politicalcorrection.org/blog/201104060004" rel="nofollow">Paul Ryan can spend the next twenty years in a non-union coal mine</a>. Preferably one run by Massey Energy.Random Michelle Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817444379694818074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-31074224911513145642011-04-09T09:39:40.019-05:002011-04-09T09:39:40.019-05:00After reading a few comments - I have more input. ...After reading a few comments - I have more input. I can't in good mind place the blame solely on the minority of Republican congressfolk who teabag. There is blame to be spread all around - especially with those who don't stand up and bark back at these guys. Sure, these folks exist, but not nearly enough.<br /><br />I wish Congress would grow up and realize what responsibility means.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-13903492250400639342011-04-09T09:36:25.674-05:002011-04-09T09:36:25.674-05:00Thank you for expressing in words what I think in ...Thank you for expressing in words what I think in many of your posts. I get in so many discussions with people and have such a hard time responding extemporaneously. I know what I think - but how to say it? That can be challenging.<br /><br />I appreciate your articulation and your spine. I think you speak for more people than you realize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-55362983831848635722011-04-09T09:25:57.586-05:002011-04-09T09:25:57.586-05:00Mr. Wright - glad to hear that you are feeling bet...Mr. Wright - glad to hear that you are feeling better. Great post, as usual.<br /><br />“There are four hundred million Americans – and these five hundred and thirty-five jackasses are the best we can do”.<br /><br />Hammer, meet Nail. <br /><br />As long as voters allow themselves to be swayed by pandering blowhards offering sound bite solutions to complex problems, We The People will continue to witness such incompetence as has been demonstrated in this situation. <br /><br />In defense of the ignorant masses that buy the happy horseshit these idiots dole out, we “Real Americans” are just too busy doing the important things (watching NASCAR, drinking beer, watching NASCAR, drinking beer…) to be bothered with educating ourselves about the issues that face our country. And besides, ain’t that Glenn Beck’s job, anyways?<br /><br />As Juvenal famously noted “"the people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now meddle no more and longs eagerly for just two things — bread and circuses."<br /><br />Will you just look at the time…gotta go; They’re having a Monster Truck Marathon on the Redneck Channel, and I need to make a beer run before it starts.Pbluuznoreply@blogger.com