Here is the twenty-seventh article in our Republicans on Parade series, featuring individuals who personify what the Republican Party has become. Today’s honoree is Reince Priebus, Republican mouthpiece and close associate of the infamous Fartfuhrer of Fitzwalkerstan. He is honored for trying to make it appear that the Navy Yard shooting was timed to help Obama shut down the government.
Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus believes that it’s not the GOP that wants to shut down the government, but President Obama. He told Hugh Hewitt on Monday that Obama really wants a government shutdown over Obamacare, a move that he said is even alienating some Democrats.
Hewitt said all the big news over Syria and now the Navy Yard shooting is masking the “domestic paralysis” going on in Congress, saying the media isn’t talking about the nation being “on the brink of a shutdown orchestrated by the president.”
Priebus responded, “I think he wants this thing to happen, a shutdown of the government…
What extreme projection. Priebus is doing nothing less than attempting to blame a potential government shutdown on Obama, as if the timing of the shooting, made possible because a mentally unstable person with a history of gun violence was able to own assault weapons.
Republicans can’t get away with claiming Priebus isn’t one of them Priebus heads the RNC.
I’m writing for tomorrow, day 97. I’m hoping fall is upon us, as there is only one hot day forecast in the next ten. Fantasy football players, set your lineups. There is a Thursday Night game this week.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:44 (average 4:35). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: If anyone doubts the complicity between the mainstream media and the titans of finance, one simply needed to watch Meet The Press with David Gregory yesterday. The seven plus minute segment started with David Gregory stating the obvious: An economy five years ago that was on the brink of collapse is now a high flying economy for the 1 percent and on the brink of collapse for the working middle class.
His guests were then-Secretary of Treasury and past CEO of Goldman Sachs Henry Paulson, CNBC mouthpiece and apologist Maria Bartiromo, and ex-Congressman Barney Frank. Most of the segment was the standard blabber of nonsensical statements on the economy…
…The zinger of the segment however came from Barney Frank’s comment about the bankers. He said:
I do want to add one thing though to your question about those poor beleaguered bankers who have been forced to do so much to keep from not being able to pay their debts, that they can’t lend money. If they really are running businesses that are so stressed that they can’t do their basic work, why are they paying themselves so much money?
That statement left Bartiromo, Paulson and Gregory temporarily speechless with facial expressions that said it all. They were trapped and unable to speak to acknowledge the fact laid out by Frank. Their enslavement to the plutocracy was evident. Gregory had a nervous laugh as Bartiromo again deflected…
OOOPS! Busted!!!!
From NY Times: Details buried in the United Nations report on the Syrian chemical weapons attack point directly at elite military formations loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, some of the strongest findings to date that suggest the government gassed its own people.
The inspectors, instructed to investigate the attack but not to assign blame, nonetheless listed the precise compass directions of flight for two rocket strikes that appeared to lead back toward the government’s elite redoubt in Damascus, Mount Qasioun, which overlooks and protects neighborhoods and Mr. Assad’s presidential palace and where his Republican Guard and the army’s powerful Fourth Division are entrenched…
Tinfoil hats on both sides of the aisle are misrepresenting the contents of this report, to claim there is no justification for military intervention. I also oppose military intervention, but lefties should not be playing fast and loose with the facts. Integrity is how people can tell us from Republicans.
From TPM: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) declared Tuesday that Republicans intend to use the debt limit as "leverage" to extract concessions from Democrats, setting up a direct confrontation with President Barack Obama, who has vowed that raising the debt limit is non-negotiable…
The sabotage and sedition to allow America to default on paying the bills for what Congress has already spent is not just the demesne of the lunatic fringe of the party, aka the base. If it were not Republican policy, Bought Bitch Mitch, the Senate Majority Leader, would not be supporting it.
Here is the twenty-sixth article in our Republicans on Parade series, featuring individuals who personify what the Republican Party has become. Today’s honoree is Republican conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, a self proclaimed conservative libertarian. He is honored for having the first insane conspiracy theory I have heard about the Navy Yard Shooting.
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speculated that the attack on the Washington Navy Yard may have been a false flag operation committed by disguised government agents in pursuit of some obscure goal to restrict liberty. Despite Jones’ far-fetched and often offensive statements, conservative outlets like Fox News and the Drudge Report have continued to promote his theories — coverage that has even inspired legislative action in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
After a gunman attacked the Washington Navy Yard on September 16, Alex Jones immediately wondered if the attack was part of some conspiracy, tweeting, "Who will the Navy yard shooting be blamed on? Terrorist? Tea Partier? Leftist? Lone nut?" Later, on his radio show, Jones said, "when you have multiple shooters like this, it has patsy written all over it," and compared it to the bombing at the Boston Marathon, which Jones described as "undoubtedly a false flag." At the time of publication, Reuters reported, "Up to three gunmen, at least two dressed in military-style clothing, killed several people and wounded at least four others in a shooting spree at the U.S. Navy Yard on Monday."
Jones has long promoted false flag conspiracy theories. He once accused the government of using a weather control machine to devastate Moore, OK, with tornadoes. Jones also claimed that the United States government was behind everything from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, to the Boston Marathon bombing, and even the Newtown, CT, elementary school shooting. Most recently, he questioned whether the New World Order may be using the Syrian civil war as an opportunity to replace the world’s population with human-machine hybrids.
While Jones’ theories may seem outlandish, they often receive promotion among the right wing media including Fox News. Earlier this year, Matt Drudge declared 2013 would be the "year of Alex Jones." Jones’…
Writing for tomorrow, day 96, I’m still pretty pooped, but hope to get some rest today.
Poll Note:
I realized I made a major wording error on out poll. To fix it, I had to restart the poll, so if you already voted, please vote again.
Update:
For the first time, Critter sends greetings to Critter from the outside. He’s a bit overwhelmed, of course, but doing great.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:23 (average 5:06). To do it, click here! How did you do?
Fantasy Football Report:
Here’s the latest in our fantasy football league, after an exciting, but frustrating week. Damn Seachickens!!
Scores:
I bet Patty is Monster Mash twerking right now!! 😉
Standings:
Oh how the mighty have fallen!
Short Takes:
From Robert Reich: One of the most deceptive ideas continuously sounded by the Right (and its fathomless think tanks and media outlets) is that the “free market” is natural and inevitable, existing outside and beyond government. So whatever inequality or insecurity it generates is beyond our control. And whatever ways we might seek to reduce inequality or insecurity — to make the economy work for us — are unwarranted constraints on the market’s freedom, and will inevitably go wrong.
By this view, if some people aren’t paid enough to live on, the market has determined they aren’t worth enough. If others rake in billions, they must be worth it. If millions of Americans remain unemployed or their paychecks are shrinking or they work two or three part-time jobs with no idea what they’ll earn next month or next week, that’s too bad; it’s just the outcome of the market.
According to this logic, government shouldn’t intrude through minimum wages, high taxes on top earners, public spending to get people back to work, regulations on business, or anything else, because the “free market” knows best.
In reality, the “free market” is a bunch of rules about (1) what can be owned and traded (the genome? slaves? nuclear materials? babies? votes?); (2) on what terms (equal access to the internet? the right to organize unions? corporate monopolies? the length of patent protections? ); (3) under what conditions (poisonous drugs? unsafe foods? deceptive Ponzi schemes? uninsured derivatives? dangerous workplaces?) (4) what’s private and what’s public (police? roads? clean air and clean water? healthcare? good schools? parks and playgrounds?); (5) how to pay for what (taxes, user fees, individual pricing?). And so on.
These rules don’t exist in nature; they are human creations. Governments don’t “intrude” on free markets; governments organize and maintain them. Markets aren’t “free” of rules; the rules define them.
Republican rules cause the 1% to get the benefits, and the 99% to pay the costs.
From Blue Oregon: Straight Talk: Oregon republican party chairman Art Robinson
Art Robinson was on KGW’s Straight Talk over the weekend, and I think Laurel Porter is probably still recovering from the post-interview laughing fit she had when it was over because…wow.\\
BARF BAG ALERT!: 24 minutes (or less) of this insane Teabagger is guaranteed to stimulate a projectile visceral response.
From McClatchy DC: Friends say Aaron Alexis [the Navy Yard Shooter] regularly meditated at a local Buddhist temple, was unfailingly courteous and never showed signs of the violence that is now his legacy.
But police reports paint a darker picture of the Fort Worth man, including an anger-fueled "blackout" and shooting in Seattle in 2004 and, more recently, a firearms incident at a Fort Worth apartment, after which a neighbor told police that she was "terrified" of him.
If this guy were white, he’d have been exactly the sort that the Republican Party wants to be able to buy guns without a background check.
Writing for tomorrow, day 95, I’m about to leave for my medical appointment. My Podiatrist will cut a recurring growth from my left foot. It’s not as bad as it sounds, hurting no more than it now does to walk. Afterwards, I’ll have relief from the pain for another few weeks. Because of the time, this is today’s only article.
Jig Zone:
Today’s took me 3:23 (average 4:29). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Truthdig: Nina Davuluri [Miss America] isn’t just American, she’s from New York, the country’s front door, but her brown skin has inspired some reprehensible tweets, including one from a Fox Newser.
“The liberal Miss America judges won’t say this,” wrote Fox News and Commentary host Todd Starnes, “but Miss Kansas lost because she actually represented American values.”
To which @TaePhoenix replied, “Values like being white and blonde?”
Kudos To @TaePhoenix for putting that racist Republican host from the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise, in his place! I think she’s gorgeous.
From Crooks and Liars: An ABC News panel on Sunday could not contain their laughter at a Republican congressman’s straight-faced assertion that his party would be doing President Barack Obama a "favor" if it was successful in delaying the ability of millions of Americans to receive healthcare through the Affordable Care Act.
ABC host George Stephanopolous told Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) that the president had indicated he was not willing to let Republicans hold the debt ceiling hostage in order to defund his health care reform law.
And the KKK with nooses were doing black folks a favor too! Do Republicans a favor!! Give them nice permanent vacations!!!
From Alternet: Something to cheer about, people! If you’ve been concerned about the power of big banks, the need for financial reform and the blight of crony capitalism, you can breathe a sigh of relief: Larry Summers will not be your next Fed chair. The man who helped bring you the last financial crisis will not get his hands on one of the country’s two most powerful economic levers.
On Sunday, the former White House economic adviser and Treasury secretary officially withdrew his name as a candidate, according to the Washington Post…
…Senator Warren deserves full props for not backing down under White House pressure. She had good reason to remain firm: Not only does Summers represent a bank-centic worldview, he actively lobbied to prevent Warren from heading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, her brainchild.
President Obama now has the opportunity to make history by nominating Janet Yellen as the first-ever female head of the Federal Reserve. She has always been the most qualified person for the job, known for her attention to the unemployment crisis, her cool head, her collaborative talent, and her foresight on the economy. Unlike Summers, Janet Yellen was not a cheerleader for the deregulation that helped cause the 2007-’08 financial crisis.
Major kudos to Elizabeth Warren and Oregon’s own Jeff Merkley, who had her back all the way. Now, lets start yellin’ for Yellen!
Cartoon:
This is the kind of project Americans must do together.
Shortly after Obama announced his intent to raid Syria, I had an idea, that I fully expected to write about as soon as one of the majors had the same idea and ran with it, because I did not want to be the one to expose him, if I was right. But nobody did, until Daily Kos did yesterday.
GENEVA — The United States and Russia have reached an agreement that calls for Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons to be removed or destroyed by the middle of 2014, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday.
(snip) “This is very, very difficult, very, very difficult,” an American official said of the agreement. “But it is doable.”
(snip) Mr. Kerry said that any violations would then be taken up under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which authorizes punitive action. But Mr. Lavrov made clear that Russia, which wields a veto in the Security Council, had not withdrawn its objections to the use of force.
There are still a lot of caveats, despite my exuberant title. But if the agreement holds, President Obama will, without question, have emerged with yet another foreign policy triumph. Rather than a missile strike designed to make clear that Syria should never again use chemical weapons, we have an agreement that will make sure that Syria has no chemical weapons to use. And it will be done without the use of force, with all of its unforeseeable consequences… [emphasis added]
I figured that Obama is too smart a guy to embark on a no win scenario, so he had to be up to something else. He bluffed them, and it appears the bluff paid off.
Here are the results of our War on Syria Poll. Politics Plus Polls are not scientific, because those who respond are not balanced according to demographic categories. Therefore, we do not accurately reflect the makeup of the US population. Nevertheless, our polls are often accurate.
And here are your comments.
Showing comments 1–7 of 7.
Posted by mamabearclawSeptember 10, 2013 at 6:27 am.
Although I will stand behind what ever decision President Obama makes. I am not sure any he even knows what he will do. But he is not all talk or is he war hungry. He is President and he feels that all people have rights no matter what color what country or what party they belong to.
Posted by Yvonne WhiteSeptember 1, 2013 at 4:16 pm.
I’m glad he decided to wait on CONgre$$ – might as well spread the blame. But I’m afraid they will okay bombing & droning.
Posted by Lynn SquanceSeptember 1, 2013 at 3:17 pm.
I’d like to say that everything is just rhetoric, all talk. But I fear with a GOP dominated Congress, that will not be the case. Personally, I’d like to see a diplomatic solution, but with Russia pulling Al-Assad’s strings, and Iran playing the fiddle, that isn’t likely to happen. And then of course, both Russia and China have vetos on the UN Security Council so a diplomatic solution involving the UN is not likely to happen. All vetos on the Security Council should be relegated to the dust bin because they impede action when action is needed, no matter if that action is more diplomatic or sanctions, or war. I am NOT in favour of war.
Mr Obama has sent an action proposal to the Congress with documentation out-lining the information that he has. A vote will be taken by the Congress to "yea or nay" his proposed action. This is an astute move politically because it keeps the GOP dominated Congress in the responsibility loop. How will the Congress vote is another question. Will the GOP blood lust for war show forth or will they appear to obstruct the POTUS? Or will they come back with amendments to his plan?
As I understand, there is no declaration of war within Obama’s proposed plan, so any action other than talk, could be taken as an act of aggression and therefore subject the US to international sanction and I am sure that Russia would be only too glad to lead that fight. I really don’t trust Mad Vlad Putin.
I think, as far as the Congress is concerned, will obstruction trump profits? The decision that will come from the Congress is likely more about the US and the "what’s in it for me" question, than what the Syrian people need and want.
I guess wait and see.
Posted by Rixar13September 1, 2013 at 12:17 pm.
Bombs and Cruise missiles when Congress oops, just talk.
Posted by gene jacobsonSeptember 1, 2013 at 8:50 am.
I am voting bombs, but I am hoping not. No troops, no more death dealing. It is far too late after the fact to now be acting like we have the high moral ground here. Now if he were to attack the arms dealers, that I’d support, they, after all are the guilty parties here. The ones who make and sell the weapons – including US, have the most blood on their hands of all.
Posted by PattySeptember 1, 2013 at 5:02 am.
I am voting with my heart and hopes. Please be true. We don’t need another war.
Posted by Edith BelcherAugust 31, 2013 at 9:53 pm.
I think he will be like the rest, he won’t stop at using bombs and cruise controlled missiles. We are the most war hungry nation in the world
I did not vote with the majority, this time. I voted “just talk”, because I figured Obama was too smart a guy to embark on a policy guaranteed to fail. I said nothing, at the time, because nobody else had publically surmised that he was bluffing, and did not want to tip his hand.
I’m writing for tomorrow, day 94. Yesterday I got a treat in the mail from the UK. American back scratchers are not sufficiently vicious to meet my needs, so I imported one. I considered importing Pat instead, but she’d be expensive to feed, and I bet she isn’t mean enough to inflict the necessary level of pain. So I got this one instead. Purrr!!! Today is a Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb. My Broncos are meditating with the Giants, so I shall be too. Tomorrow I have a medical appointment. It’s time to cut the growth from my foot again. Therefore it’s likely that I will have only an Open Thread on Tuesday, if that.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:48 average 6:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Religious Ecstasy:
Short Takes:
From National Memo (Hat-Tip to Carrie at Care2): “Who doesn’t have voter ID?” is a popular question asked by Republicans who argue that the ID requirement for voting is just a simple way to ensure the “integrity” of our elections.
So why is the party that hates regulations in favor of a new, necessary government regulation on voting? Because of the answer to the question, “Who doesn’t have voter ID?”
These Republican Voter ID scams are nothing more than an attempt to deprive people who are more likely to vote Democratic of their right to vote, because Republicans cannot win honestly.
From Crooks and Liars: This would be funnier if it weren’t so much truth to it. On Real Time this Friday, Bill Maher coined a new term for those Republicans who were in support of attacking Syria, but have flip-flopped on the issue due to their hatred of President Obama — blacktracking.
What can I say? LMAO!!
From Alternet: …Stuart Varney and Monica Crowley: EPA is trying to suffocate children.
Fox News’ Monica Crowley and Stuart Varney were appalled, appalled I tell you, when they revealed the shocking news this week that the EPA, the evil government’s evil Environmental Protection Agency, is providing free lesson plans for “teachers looking to educate their students on climate change.”
“The EPA — the EPA,” said Varney. And they’re aiming this “propaganda” directly at innocent middle-school children. Of course, these plans have been openly available online for months, but Crowley suspects there is a hidden agenda to this oh-so-sneaky plan. “Are they going to tell these kids to not exhale? Because every time you exhale, that’s carbon dioxide.”
And, carbon dioxide causes global warming, right? So learn to hold your breath, kids.
Well, no, not exactly. The good news is that very soon, kids will know a good deal more than Fox News does about climate change, although that is not saying much. The EPA materials do explain what carbon is and how it plays an important role in sustaining life on the planet. And how the burning of fossil fuels has led to a surplus of life-supporting gases like carbon dioxide, which has made the planet hotter. And other science-type things that no one at Fox News will ever be caught dead, reading or learning, in their indefatigable drive toward making America, hands-down, the dumbest hot country on the planet…
This statement by propagandists for the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise, is just one ov seven crazy Republican statements in just the last week. Click through for the other six.
Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus believes that it’s not the GOP that wants to shut down the government, but President Obama. He told Hugh Hewitt on Monday that Obama really wants a government shutdown over Obamacare, a move that he said is even alienating some Democrats.
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speculated that the attack on the Washington Navy Yard may have been a false flag operation committed by disguised government agents in pursuit of some obscure goal to restrict liberty. Despite Jones’ far-fetched and often offensive statements, conservative outlets like Fox News and the Drudge Report have continued to promote his theories — coverage that has even inspired legislative action in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. 
