Today's edition of quick hits:
* Afghanistan: "Suicide attacks involving as many as 14 bombers struck an Afghan city Tuesday, and a motorcycle bomb exploded in a busy market in blasts that killed at least 46 people altogether— the year's deadliest day for civilians in Afghanistan."
* Syria: "The State Department said Tuesday it agrees with the analysis of Syrian defector Riyad Hijab that Bashar Assad's regime is collapsing morally, economically and militarily."
* Economy: "U.S retail sales rose in July for the first time in four months as demand rose broadly for everything from cars to electronics, a sign that consumers could drive faster economic growth in the third quarter."
* American Bridge takes a look at Mitt Romney' "Cayman Daydream."
* Rep. Dennis Cardoza, a conservative Democrat from California, was set to retire at the end of the year. Instead, he resigned today.
* Paul Ryan will meet with Sheldon Adelson today, but the Romney campaign won't let journalists cover the event.
* This seems to be causing a stir: "Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that a Republican-led effort to loosen new regulations on Wall Street would put voters 'back in chains.'"
* And Rush Limbaugh once again drew parallels between the president and Hitler today, which regrettably makes today pretty similar to most days.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
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The GOP's declaration of Biden's terrible implication that our Galtian Overlords want to "put us in back chains" to be the Outrage of the Minute should give the lie, once and for all, to the absurd "blamd the victim" belief among some Democrats that it is possible for Democrat to give a speech without "giving the Republicans ammunition."
Really like that American Bridge ad - it somehow captures both Ryan's tendency to drone on and on without actually saying anything, and Mitt's constant "I'd really rather be somewhere else" hollowness.
We know that Ryan's plan identifies tax breaks so that they can be judged but does not identify any loopholes that would be closed. Many people a know that Romney will not let loopholes he likes be closed. Many people know that loopholes that Romney might let be closed (because he finds little/no personal value in them) would not be able to close the budget deficit caused by the identified tax breaks. When Romney says he may not use "all" of Ryan's plan, we can safely assume that the close-loopholes part will never impact his personal fortune negatively. As long as he secures a better tax rate for himself, his family, and his financial backers, he will not worry about the deficit because he'd be out of office by then.
"They're going to put you all back in chains."
Said by the VPOTUS. It just seems that BOTH sides are going over the top - more than usual. Comments like the one above and having ads implying that the POTUS wants people on welfare to stop working for welfare (not true) or the Republican candidate "killed" someone....is this how we elect the leader of the country now???
It would be nice to have a "rule" that you can only talk about what YOU are going to do if elected - your platform and your ideas - and not mention your opponent in any way. I remember when I was a kid companies were not allowed to mention their competitors in their ads, especially comparing their products (and saying their product was better). Anyone else remember that? Maybe we should do that for political ads.
That would be great. Of course, certain groups would scream that their First Amendment right to lie was being infringed... and right-wing talk radio would die as a result.
That is funny grumpy. :)
Thanks. :)
I truly did facepalm when I heard the VP's comment. Really, he needs surgery to put in a filter between his brain and his mouth. In his defense, this is the way he's always been, and it means that he's a substantially honest man... it's just that sometimes what he honestly thinks is embarassing.
The only reason I pay attention to Biden is to await his gaffes. He has some beautes. The best are yet to come. What wasn't mentioned he was in Virginia but saying NC would vote for PBO and him.
Afghanistan - this really needs to end. Now.
The Syrian regime - also can't end too soon (though here's hoping that what replaces it isn't too heinous in its own right).
Economy - Growth? Driven by demand, you say? Why... wouldn't that make us all "job creators"?
Cayman Daydream - Cheer, up Sleepy Jean!
Yo, Cardoza: feel free to let the door hit yer butt on the way out, fool!
Ryan meets Adelson: What? You mean the Rawmoney campaign is doing something in secrecy? Breaking their own rules? Heavens, Lovey, what will they think of next! Oh, and Willard - show us the damned tax returns already!
Chains? Chains of Love! (Just don't expect a "happy ending").
Rush Lintball? That bloated gasbag again?
;-)
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/soledad-obrien-fact-checks-sununu-you-cant-j
I wish we had 5 journalists like Soledad O'Brien.People whose premier focus is truth vs lies-- as oppose to left vs right.
"This seems to be causing a stir: "Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that a Republican-led effort to loosen new regulations on Wall Street would put voters 'back in chains.'"
It also makes no sense since nobody has been a better friend to Wall Street than the Obama administration.
Wall Street's cuffs know no racial boundaries. It's purely about who has the money and power and who doesn't.
You know when the right is in doubt and lack inspiration.They'll look for anything to cling unto.
Romney was seen schmoozing with a known drug trafficer in Florida while campaigning The man served over 3 yrs in prison.But I do'nt see anyone making anything of it,you would certainly think Sarah Palin would tweet something about it. Maybe Romney was promising him a job in his administration as Drug Czar if he win's.Did his campaign or superpac take dirty money from this man?Inquiring mind's want to know.
Well, forty percent of Bain's start-up money came from elites with extensive ties to El Salvadoran death squads. If he courted them, I'm not surprised he is courting drug dealers. He doesn't care where the money comes from.
Limbaugh, I have a quote for you, old man.
"All propaganda must be so popular and on such an intellectual level,
that even the most stupid of those toward whom it is directed will
understand it... Through clever and constant application of propaganda,
people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise."
Seems Hitler, he of the above quote, would find you more of a like mind than he would find Obama. Using propaganda, Hitler convinced his nation to systematically kill people. Using propaganda, you convince your nation to systematically kill freedom. Obama will never be in the same league as the pair of you.
Check out that Soledad O' Brien. Very cool!!! It's about damned time!
Soledad O'brian many times calls republican's on what they say,unlike Candy Crowley,she let's them run on and on no matter what lies they're telling,
Soledad O' Brien was absolute punked on that interview. Wyden did help with the Ryan Bill. "Our plan would strengthen traditional Medicare by permanently maintaining it as a guaranteed and viable option for all of our nation's retirees. At the same time, our plan would expand choice for seniors by allowing the private sector to compete with Medicare in an effort to offer seniors better quality and more-affordable health care choices. We are a Democrat and Republican; a Senator and a Representative; senior members of our respective Budget Committees; and members of the committees that have jurisdiction over Medicare and health care costs. As budgeters, we understand the difficulty presented by demographic changes over the next several decades. As members with policy oversight, we recognize and encourage the potential for innovation to improve care and hold down costs. And most important, as representatives of hardworking Americans in Oregon and Southern Wisconsin, we realize our absolute responsibility to preserve the Medicare guarantee of affordable, accessible health care for every one of the nation's seniors for decades to come." Quoted from Ron Wyden. Sound like the President is creating pressure on Wyden just like he did in Chicago as a Organized community activist.
Look, I could be wrong, but what well run campaign calls together reporters at 11 pm on a Friday night to tell them the next day the veep is going to be announced? Really, has that ever happened?
I think the question that Rachel broached on Thursday is the question Mitt prays to Joseph Smith himself that no one will ask, Did you, Mr. Romney, ever employ the" Son of BOSS" accounting scheme on your personal taxes?
Did you ever do it?
A follow up sir, on the years that you were audited, were you ever required to pay more taxes as a result? Were there ever any fines imposed upon you because of a finding in your taxes? Did you recommend "Son of BOSS" to others? Have you ever payed lower than the 13.9% rate that you paid in 2011?
Rachel, don't let him off the hook.
Drift, by the way, pretty damn good.
One more thing, the constant, constant, constant demands for apologies from Mitt Romney's campaign needs to stop. If you don't like something, if it offends your honor, impugns your integrities, if it disses you man, seek a redress.
Let's get the duelin' irons out and settle these things like men for the love of god.
Please stop the whining though, it is so undignified. See ya in Weehawken.
Cardoza has now reportedly taken a job with a MAJOR Washington Lobby Firm. Schmuck!
Remember Bad Lip Reading? Now with more Mitt Romney.
The secret meeting is to discuss what Adelson expects from Pryin'/Rmoney for his "investment". No media allowed.
Sununu is looking particularly angry lately, sputtering his tirades on the air, then his haughty false outrage.
This:
http://storyful.com/stories/38707
I agree with all the Florida Newspapers. However there is a neo-conservative right wing popular newpaper in Broward County. It is called the Sun-Sentinel. It is the most right wing paper that it has conservative editorials 3 to 1 over a moderate editorial. They bash Obama as much as they can. And this paper is one of the largest in the state. The only good thing in the paper is their cartoonist, Chan Lowe. He is cartoonist and call out all the Republican lies thru his cartoon and comment better than any other of their so-called other view opposing commentators to their conservative slant. Check out the paper if you don't believe me.
Loved your close tonight, Rachel. Please continue to hold Paul Ryans feet to the Ayn Rand fire. She was, without a doubt, both the most amoral and immoral author to influence modern thought. Besides proposing that those who are wealthy are, in Nietsche's terminology "Uebermenschen" she also tossed off lovers (usually other people's husbands) with a disregard that makes Donald Trump look like a monogamist. And Paul is trying so hard to be a good Catholic boy.
Yeah, and now Shelley Berkley (D), who is running for senate, is being bashed for encouraging her former employer for "buying influence." Guess who? Nathan Adelson? I don't think he needed any encouragement, do you?
On Paul Ryan, this has probably been previously been posted regarding devotees of Ayn Rand, but just in case you haven't seen it, I love this quote:
“There are two novels that can transform a bookish 14-year-kid’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish daydream that can lead to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood in which large chunks of the day are spent inventing ways to make real life more like a fantasy novel. The other is a book about orcs.”
― Raj Patel, The Value of Nothing: How to Reshape Market Society and Redefine Democracy
I have a comment to make regarding the new "reality show" Stars Earn Stripes. I'd like Rachel to comment on it. To me, it is the most disrespectful and devious show to come on TV. I have not watched it and will not, because I saw the ads on the Olympic broadcast and have read enough opinions to make up my mind. Any show that in any way glamorizes war and armed conflict, even if there are donations to military veterans, is immoral and unethical. The reality of this show is missing: actually taking the skills and training into a "Real" combat situation, with their lives, sanity and limbs on the line, is the Reality. They can drop out of the training at any time. The soldiers deployed to a war zone, wherever it is, cannot. Interview the real veterans whose lives have been forever changed. Document the suicides. I want to see the financial spreadsheets of NBC to see how the money is distributed. What percentage goes to actual veteran assistance? As much as Romney pays in taxes?
"And Rush Limbaugh once again drew parallels between the president and Hitler today, which regrettably makes today pretty similar to most days."
Interesting. Hey, here's a fun game. Compare this photo:
http://www.frumforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/limbaugh.jpg
with this photo:
http://genocidecoursemsu.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/goring.jpg
I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'......
Propaganda is what he's dishing out to listeners but he calls it "truth".
Like "saving" or "preserving" (since saving didn't seem to click well) Social Security by privatizing it and vouchers will save Medicare, never mind that passed legislation - ACA, designed to rein in costs, a voucher only gets so much a very small amount for a senior or someone battling cancer or something- all the while costs continue to rise.