Of course they are. Violence begets violence, and a violent word is simply a violent deed in verbal form. And they've produced a violent torrent that knows no boundaries.
To paraphrase a certain former NRA president, from one of his better movies, "Damn them! Damn them all to hell!"
Saturday, July 30, 2011
The Revolution Is Definitely Coming!
And no, it won't be televised. Grover Norquist probably wishes that it were. If he didn't know before this that he's the number one target, he knows now.
Why Does The Right Pretend Global Warming Is A Hoax?
Because it feeds on the despair of the jobless. And because it knows that the solution is the real job-creator.
This Makes Me Proud To Be A Small-Business Owner
They're the real job-creators in this country. And, when it comes to taxes, they get it. Which simply proves that current tax policy is neither about good governance or popular opinion. It's all about the raw power of the "winners."
As July Ends With America On The Brink Of Default ...
... I finally post something for the month.
Obviously, the completely manufactured crisis over the so-called "debt ceiling" has been the dominant issue this month. Brought to you by the same people who couldn't wait to raise it for Republican Presidents, unaffordable tax cuts, and unfunded wars--the three key ingredients behind our exploding national debt, not Social Security, Medicare, and social programs generally.
If you have the stomach for it, and you've been following this story, you know that (as usual) Democrats have been making endless concessions, and Republicans have responded by asking for more concessions. No news here: Democrats want to be liked, and Republicans want to rule--and everyone suffers as the country's credit rating goes off the deep end.
Given that the dynamic is the typical one, some people have wondered what the Republican end-game is, and whether the goal is to deliberately smash the economy once and for all, and then use the smashed economy against Obama in 2012.
Would that it was that simple.
I personally believe that the United States is the ultimate "too-big-to-fail" entity. As bad as our debt and deficits are, we're still in every measurable sense the richest country in the world. Not to mention the one with the biggest military arsenal; the international community is not going to let a country with as much nuclear hardware as we have fall into chaos.
And the Republicans in Congress know this, too. That's why their debt-ceiling strategy has another purpose: to serve as impeachment bait.
If Obama is forced to rely on the Fourteenth Amendment provision that requires the credit of the United States to not be questioned, the GOP House will use that to introduce articles of impeachment--and then attempt to force the first African-American President in our history to resign.
And the last part of that sentence contains the hyphenated reason that they want him to resign. Theirs is not the party of limited government, personal responsibility and a strong national defense. Theirs is the party of privilege.
And, since race has always been connected to privilege throughout our history, theirs is also the party of race.
We have a few more days in which to see whether they get their way. Here's hoping, and praying, that they don't.
Obviously, the completely manufactured crisis over the so-called "debt ceiling" has been the dominant issue this month. Brought to you by the same people who couldn't wait to raise it for Republican Presidents, unaffordable tax cuts, and unfunded wars--the three key ingredients behind our exploding national debt, not Social Security, Medicare, and social programs generally.
If you have the stomach for it, and you've been following this story, you know that (as usual) Democrats have been making endless concessions, and Republicans have responded by asking for more concessions. No news here: Democrats want to be liked, and Republicans want to rule--and everyone suffers as the country's credit rating goes off the deep end.
Given that the dynamic is the typical one, some people have wondered what the Republican end-game is, and whether the goal is to deliberately smash the economy once and for all, and then use the smashed economy against Obama in 2012.
Would that it was that simple.
I personally believe that the United States is the ultimate "too-big-to-fail" entity. As bad as our debt and deficits are, we're still in every measurable sense the richest country in the world. Not to mention the one with the biggest military arsenal; the international community is not going to let a country with as much nuclear hardware as we have fall into chaos.
And the Republicans in Congress know this, too. That's why their debt-ceiling strategy has another purpose: to serve as impeachment bait.
If Obama is forced to rely on the Fourteenth Amendment provision that requires the credit of the United States to not be questioned, the GOP House will use that to introduce articles of impeachment--and then attempt to force the first African-American President in our history to resign.
And the last part of that sentence contains the hyphenated reason that they want him to resign. Theirs is not the party of limited government, personal responsibility and a strong national defense. Theirs is the party of privilege.
And, since race has always been connected to privilege throughout our history, theirs is also the party of race.
We have a few more days in which to see whether they get their way. Here's hoping, and praying, that they don't.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Lies, Lies, Lies!
How is democracy supposed to work when one side deals exclusively in fabrications? Just asking.
This Is What They Used To Do In The Soviet Union
So why does Rand Paul support it? I guess this proves that the only difference between the Soviets and Ayn Rand worshipers are who gets enslaved, and who gets to enslave.
Brooks Is Talking To The Wrong Audience
Young people don't need lectures on losing themselves. Most of them would love to do that, if only the segments of society Brooks worships would stop standing in their way.
This Is Not At All Political
But, if you care about the difference between virtual reality and actual reality, this may be the best article you'll ever read.
We Like Our Government Lean And Mean
In other words, we expect the government that represents us to live up to a standard we ourselves can't meet. Small wonder (pun intended) that our government isn't lean and mean.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Why Aren't Progressives As Good At Politics As Conservatives?
Yes, it's partly that they understand the value of coalitions, and know how to keep them together. But it's also that they understand that, in a nation of superficial listeners, it's not what something is, it's what you can get away with calling it.
How Do You Know When Things Are So Far Right That They're Completely Wrong?
When this can happen without a single public tribute, or even comment, except in the Op-Ed pages of The New York Times. (And thank God for The Times in times like these.)
Even Reagan paid tribute to him. But his so-called "heirs" couldn't be bothered.
One of many reasons why they may have acquired the kingdom, but the power and glory will always reside elsewhere.
CORRECTION: The last sentence was derived from a Billy Wilder quote. Thank you, sir.
Even Reagan paid tribute to him. But his so-called "heirs" couldn't be bothered.
One of many reasons why they may have acquired the kingdom, but the power and glory will always reside elsewhere.
CORRECTION: The last sentence was derived from a Billy Wilder quote. Thank you, sir.
No Matter How Hard You Try, Right Wingers ...
... you can't keep a good idea down.
Not when it would benefit the majority (and the female soldiers and unisex restrooms it was supposed to create are already here).
And not when it would benefit everyone (and help us catch up to the rest of the world that we supposedly dominate).
God bless America, indeed. Maybe, one day, even this won't be necessary.
Not when it would benefit the majority (and the female soldiers and unisex restrooms it was supposed to create are already here).
And not when it would benefit everyone (and help us catch up to the rest of the world that we supposedly dominate).
God bless America, indeed. Maybe, one day, even this won't be necessary.
I Can't Leave June Behind Me ...
... without posting at least ONCE;-)!
June came, and has largely gone. And, in the process, I missed timely commenting on the big political kick-off to the summer--the Weiner roast! OK, OK, I got that one out of my system.
I'll cut to the chase. Weiner's behavior was stupid and immoral, and has rightly put his marriage in jeopardy. I would have urged him to resign from Congress, however, only to repair his marriage. Otherwise, I think the voters of his district should have had the privilege of deciding his political future.
As they did here. Whoops! I forgot. It's only OK if you're a Republican. Isn't that right, Justice Thomas?
June came, and has largely gone. And, in the process, I missed timely commenting on the big political kick-off to the summer--the Weiner roast! OK, OK, I got that one out of my system.
I'll cut to the chase. Weiner's behavior was stupid and immoral, and has rightly put his marriage in jeopardy. I would have urged him to resign from Congress, however, only to repair his marriage. Otherwise, I think the voters of his district should have had the privilege of deciding his political future.
As they did here. Whoops! I forgot. It's only OK if you're a Republican. Isn't that right, Justice Thomas?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)