How could the White House accept Simpson’s apology? He didn’t insult the White House . . . he insulted Ashley Carson and OWL. Who appointed the White House their proxy?

Poor Donna, she seems to have not noticed all the company she has under the bus. Once she has recovered from the initial shock, perhaps she will notice that Obama does not take any constituency on the left seriously.

I’m sure if Simpson had said anything even mildly offensive to Glenn Beck, he’d have been ousted before breakfast, but women? the LGBT community? civil libertarians? anti-war folks? …

Well, we’re just a bunch of fucking retards. Which reminds me, we need to start making a point to include the developmentally disabled community on the list of under-the-bus-dwellers…

Signed Uh just what is Obama thinking cutting Social Security this issue will kill any Dem or GOPer who votes for it.

Now that I think of it, Obama doesn’t take the middle class as a whole seriously either. He might be able to get away with dissing the left, but screwing the middle class? That’s playing with fire.

By the way Jane, thanks for your petition. I signed it. I did not sign OWL’s petition, because I don’t think Simpson should resign, I think he should be fired.

I also think the Simpson isn’t the problem, he’s just the Poster Boy for the Day of the larger problem of Obama stealing from the public: over and over and over and over.

Disbanding the commission gets at the heart of the problem. Firing Simpson would be just window dressing.

Voters would prefer we end both wars rather than cut Social Security. Why is that not being discussed?

With the numbers of groups and individuals the Obama Admin has thrown under the bus, it’s going to seem like driving over a mountain as it keeps going over them.

Roosevelt speaks,not kiddin

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/fdrs-grandson-debunks-mythology-fear-about

Cutting Social Security would cut consumer spending and hurt the economy that would hurt government tax revenues and lead to more cuts in Social Security being needed.

Good post and good letter, but after Ms. Shirely Sherrod was swiftly (Vil)sacked at BHO’s behest based on a clearly edited video by noted righwing fabulist Breitbart… uh, well: speaks for itself, doesn’t it? I watched nasty grumpy Simpson raging at teh wimminz last night with a clear lack of surprise.

Frankly, we’ve all been tossed under that bus, which has turned into a mightly long train.

‘Bout the only ones not tossed under the bus are the top 1%. Get with the program. That’s where Obummer is at. Unless you’re lining his pockets, you are of no consequence to him.

I suppose taxing Pot to save Social Security is not on the table?

Older voters will riot over this and they vote. I expect every Blue Dog Dem or GOPer who votes to cut Social Security to be voted out of office.

Thank you. I needed a few moments of relief.

Just how bad are the Banks and the Stock Market really? If Obama needs to cut Social Security and needs to invest part of it in the Stock Market to pump up the market?

God I hate Obama so much, I can’t understand why no one vote for McCain and Palin, they would have been so much better.

The GOPers will let the Democrats twist in the wind over it. Of that you can be sure.

Perhaps a better metaphor than mountain in this instance might be “Obama’s human landfill” ; )

As long as we have the damn Commission and are going to have a Republican co-chair, Simpson seems to be, particualrly now, as good as it gets.

He is a blessing that will keep on giving.

McCain isn’t germane to this issue at all, he didn’t win. We have no idea what he would have done. My concerns are about what the powerful are doing, not what mythical alternate universes of outcomes might have been.

Obama is dumb enough to try this without full GOP support? If the GOP opposes Obama on this they could win this election with a Landslide that would make Reagan jealous.

My message on the petition:

Why are these unelected people deciding the fates of millions of Americans? Are the corporations just writing the laws now without even pretending to go thru our elected government?

The big problem is that this is expected to happen this DECEMBER. It will be 2 years before we get another chance to vote against the bast@rds, but the good news is that Obama will be out trying to get votes/money/help as well.

Wrote the one-termer off over a year ago. Glad to see how many others agree.

That could be a problem :(

I signed the petition because I think focusing on deficits now is going to plunge US into a depression we’ll never get out of.
this is pure Shock Doctrine
I want the thing disbanded and Obama to know that the jig’s up as far as this super secret illegal commission.
He’s ruling by fiat now

Simpson and the Commission should go away, but I am not sure how this is more offensive or different in tone from the interview with Alex Lawson. Both were arrogant and offensive and condescending. Is it sexist because it was addressed to a woman or is there something more specific in the content?

OT

Newsweek Homepage

The post-Katrina federal program to help rebuild local business in the gulf has not gone where it was supposed to.

Alan Chin for Newsweek
Katrina: The Fifth Anniversary

Katrina: The Fifth Anniversary Standing in a generator-lit French Quarter square 17 days after Hurricane Katrina, President George W. Bush ended his first major prime-time address in the post-catastrophe city with a call for reinvestment in the battered region. Speaking in a dark, mostly empty New Orleans, he described a business-incentive program that would lure people and commerce back to devastated Gulf Opportunity Zones in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Within these GO Zones (also known as disaster areas), subsidies would “create jobs, and loan guarantees for small businesses, including minority-owned enterprises, to get them up and running again,” Bush told an audience still wide-eyed from endless newsreels of poor black people stranded on waterlogged rooftops.

The GO Zone program’s largesse included $323 million in tax credits for affordable-housing construction, significant tax deductions for real-estate investors, and billions in tax-free bonds for private development. Louisiana, which had suffered the most damage, received the lion’s share of the bonds: $7.9 billion out of an available $14.9 billion.

link

[Edited by Moderator. In order to keep FDL within fair use guidelines, please limit copy and paste of articles to a couple of paragraphs and a link]

suprise,suprise!

Dumb enough? No. Smart enough? Yes.

The whole point of the Democratic Party is to move the country to the narrative of the previously empowered Republican Party. The Republicans draw the lines in the sand, and the Democrats drag us across them. That’s how it works. Or at least that’s how it’s worked my entire life. At no point in 30-years has the D.C. political establishment moved left of where it was when I was born in 1979.

Barack Obama, and Democratic officials generally, don’t need to get re-elected at all if they’re successful here.

I don’t think it’s going to be put in the market. I think the gov is just going to steal it for their endless wars.
Iran’s up next, you know?

and Diaper Dave will be returned to Congress

Are the Kossaks still defending O?

Same thing is happening with the stimulus.
If America is not yet a third world country, it sure is acting like one with the depth of corruption

Who are the Kossacks?

DailyKos.

We lose on this issue we destroy the economy, force millions of older folks into poverty. We lose on this issue we create another stock market bubble.

Valid theory but the banks will scream if they don’t get a cut of the social security money. The Corporate Wing of the GOP and the Dems won’t vote for that. I agree some of the money will go for more war.

Jane’s been on fire about this all day. Anyone who just got home and missed this earlier post by Jane, you must read it. It’s Jane at her best, really!

Good advice: Stop playing defense on Social Security. Instead, “Apply the FICA Tax to all income including investment income and lower the retirement age.”

LINK.

Not for the most part. Some good articles and lots of Obama bashing…..as well as some Obomabot bashing. Good to see.

I don’t disagree with you. I’m just saying that’s intentional, not accidental.

For some portion of the population there’s an upside to the picture you painted, almost every single federal politician and top bureaucrat is a member of that portion of the population; the elite, wealthy, or whatever you want to call them.

The Democratic Party realized, “Hey wait a minute, we’re all a bunch of rich folks. What the hell are we doing trying to help poor people, we ought to use our influence to protect people who are like us.”

Thanks.

EXXON FFFIN MOBIL needs the money

snip

the state commission is slated to issue ExxonMobil another $300 million in untaxed loan money. The cash will pay for further improvements on the oil giant’s Baton Rouge facility.

Koz’s people are debating Obama’s policies? That is news

Dear O.W.L.,

   Eat Shit And Die, Dirty Fucking Liberals.

Thanks for Your Continued Support,
The Obama Administration

I can’t do anything to Obama……he doesn’t, you know, read his emails. Just too, too busy. But I did write to my own congressperson and say that I would actively work to defeat any congressperson who did not actively attempt to stop this ‘catefood commission’ from even mentioning Social Security. And I will. If she stands silent on this issue, I will actively work to see her defeated. It’s the best I can do. Tho I do keep emailing Obama just cuz it makes me feel less complicit in what he’s doing.

Sorry if I sounded angry I like to debate ideas

Agreed!

cant/wont hit DK anymore

You know, I’m really, genuinely curious. This is not an aloof question.

But since setting up a commission to cut social security, claiming he can assassinate American citizens, continuing to ignore habeas corpus rights, claiming he can sign a piece of paper any human being loses ANY and ALL rights, passing a REpublican thought of health care plan based on continued profits for the insurance industry, refusing to end DADT, closing GITMO, and end the Iraq war by 2009 as PROMISED explicitly, and you know I could go on… but since none of that matters, is there anything, ANYTHING a Democrat can do, or this Democrat can do, before you would voice your unhappiness with or stop your support over?

Legitimate question.

Bob Shrum said Simpson should go. If you’ve lost Shrum, you’re in trouble Obama. That’s like losing Markos. When the sycophants abandon you. maybe you should rethink your strategy.

You forgot..

“And don’t forget to vote for Democrats in November.
And STFU.”

sadlyyes
and then they install their kids

Doofus Quayle etc

It turns out that “post partisan” means calling yourself a Democrat while acting like the most conservative of Republicans. Who knew?

You both forgot
“and get drug tested on the way.,..”

I thought you didn’t like to watch Cenk. Just poking ya, dear. Yeah, I caught that too. The wave is building.

I think I know what you are saying, but Simpson insulted and attacked the American people who have paid into SS as “milking the government”, 310 million tits. Which I find more class problem with Simpson than a sexiest issue (even though you could point out the inequitable place women are in in old age”. But the sexist rant came with the comments about vapors, not being able to read a graph, and getting a real job. For the President to accept an apology on our behalf is really misplaced. He’s the guy who put the useless commission together. The entire thing is insulting. As far as I’m concerned the President, Simpson, the media (who have kept up the false tale of “CRISIS” for 30 years), and anybody that does not understand the last commission on SS raised payroll taxes to pay for the coming boomers and later the rich were suppose to join in. Ha! Don’t hold your breath. I guess it’s like bankruptcy, if you are rich, you are a smart business man, if you are poor, deadbeat who won’t pay their obligations. Welcome to American.

fatster, I have long appreciated your gift for links, but I have to say they are usually depressing. This one however, is one of the best most cheerful posts you have ever linked — thanks : )

The key points bear repeating:
1. stop playing defense, go on offense
2. demand all politicians running for office pledge to tax all income (wages and investment) for Social Security
3. lower the retirement age – good for seniors who want to retire and good for juniors who need jobs

You are nuts, the truth is there were “Two Republicans” running. They both suck.

OMG!

Fox News on all TVs at NASA/Houston
It is frustrating. Every TV in the cafeteria and the common areas are turned on to Fox TV. All day, every day. Besides the fact that NASA employees shouldn’t be watching damn TV, the remotes are hidden so the station can’t be changed.

Your tax dollars at work.

Yep.

Why is that?

P.S. And Bart Stupak says hello.

he bashed Jane on KO

lol

Dang – there’s a tidbit that OWL should have used to sting Simpson even more:

Wyoming was the first state, 1869 (territory, technically) to have women vote.

For the former Senator from WY to diss OWL on the eve of Women’s Equality Day, and for the WH to accept an apology not owed to the WH, is beyond poor form and goes directly to insult if you ask me.

What did he say?

For more of the wave against Simpson, see the new post up top.
And, PS, radio host Scott Hennen on MSNBC now is my new wingnutter who makes me shake my head at the tv. I’d scream or throw socks, but, it’s too hot! He’s fighting with Sam Stein right now. And, being mean.

I think Shrum may simply be echoing that Kinsley line about mistakenly telling the truth, and the truth in this case is letting people know what “they” think about them.

And

“Send money and sign up with OFA and give them your credit card number.”

We’ve seen how good pledges from congresscritters are. Pledges are a non-starter AFAIC.

Well, I didn’t know about that. But, generally speaking, I think the site is worth perusing on a daily basis..

Does anyone really expect anything from the Jag Off in Chief?

Yep. And women’s benefits under Social Security are in a crisis which President Obama should not ignore. Women perform more unpaid caregiving for children and for the elderly who live with them which is never represented in their Social Security benefits. There is no parity for women because the benefits for both men and women have never been super substantial for either sex. We could someday move to a system of guaranteed income with parity for both sexes and a good basic health plan that would cover us from birth to grave. So when Mr. Simpson’s clowning and offending makes a lot of noise and is a distraction, President Obama’s silence on the real social security issues and problems facing women is shameful.

I did, I took care of both of my parents.

If Congressman Jerold Nadler is only half right about Alan Simpson’s faults (see earlier thread), it’s all it takes to convince me that Simpson is literally insane. Or psychotic. Well, I’ve thought both of those things about him decades ago. I can’t be the only one. It won’t work, Mister President. Making a well-known deranged schmuck the co-chairman of your Social Security gutting commission only to make the rest of the commission’s recommendations seem acceptable might fool your daughters and grown puppy, but no one else.

Yep – and good for OWL for not backing down.

OMG!

Fox News on all TVs at NASA/Houston
It is frustrating. Every TV in the cafeteria and the common areas are turned on to Fox TV. All day, every day. Besides the fact that NASA employees shouldn’t be watching damn TV, the remotes are hidden so the station can’t be changed.

Your tax dollars at work.

I find this to be a very common phenomenon. Almost unanimously in any public place where there are TV’s, that aren’t tuned into sports, they’re set to Fox News. Greyhound station? Fox News. Airport? Fox News. Major chain restaurant? Fox News.

The only place I don’t witness this is in small businesses in the inner Portland Metro area. Otherwise in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualitin, Milwaukie, Gresham… Fox News.

It’s everywhere, and I feel like I’m being force-fed a 12-layer burrito of stupid every single time I watch 30 seconds of it.

Yes. Good on ya for doing that too.

Yes. Whatever happens, don’t take O.W.L. for granted. They brought this all into focus for us.

Indeed, I’m trying to figure out the best rhetorical device to write a diary about the fundamental futility of representative democracy and the complete irrationality of voting for politicians who have decision making authority.

An excellent point. However, to go on offense requires putting the other guy/team on defense and at the moment the only way I know how to do that is to get politicians on the record and give them enough rope…

So while I agree that we’ve been lied to so many times that the words spoken by pols are meaningless, nonetheless they serve a useful purpose. Especially if one is John Stewart with a team of people to review and edit video to maximum effect.

Makes you wish for an intern with a blue dress, eh? ; )

Swift’s Lilliputians come to mind.

They were, to my mind, the basis for that Star Trek NextGen episode of the nano-forms who called the humans “ugly bags of mostly water.”

True. I was thinking along the lines of presenting choice in a different context, but with the same variability in outcomes and accountability. Such that it’d be obvious that it made no difference which choice you made, because you had absolutely no method for asserting the outcome.

I can also tell you, as a veteran, it’s been on every. single. tv. in. every. single. VA center I’ve been to (which is only 4, so not so many I guess).

But then in Martinsburg, WV, when I went in January 2010, they had their TV’s on Headline News (which is CNN affiliated, I think..).

So at least one VA center for at least one appointment wasn’t dishing out giant helpings of teh stoopid while I was there.

OT (and being very proper about it)– I loved that sequence … I marveled at the mind from which that sprang. Very creative.

Today’s Mark Fiore: “Enchanted Financial Forest“

Hehehehe….so true.

This to the corporation that made the greatest profits of any corporation in the HISTORY OF THE WORLD???? During Bush’s giveaways to his friends?
America is really upside down.

I bet they pay for it. Some influence peddling. we’re obviously being taken over.
no wonder Fixed got a front row seat when that wonderful Helen Thomas got kicked out.

Thnx so much, phred, for your compliment. And do I ever agree! It’s so refreshing to see somebody advocate a “go get ‘em” approach. Don’t mean to get all nostalgic on you, but I do miss the Yippies.

Great link, thanks.

Wow. OWL’s definitely not part of the Veal Pen, are they?

Where’s AARP when you need them? Oh, I forgot. They’re too busy selling insurance policies to actually give a crap about seniors.

Great Post!

Chris Hedges says it best, there was a war for control of the USA govt. and guess which team won? the wealthy and the super wealthy.

With a vengence. Nyceve posted one of her usual healthcare diaries, titled “Hold him accountable” and all hell broke loose. I was called a troll several times and a liar, among other things. Whew. Won’t be going back there again, ever.

Another petition to the king. Don’t write letters to Bygones Obama. Write a letter to your members and a press release, declaring that unless Simpson is canned within the week, you recommend they should not vote for Obama in 2012.

Repeat on every offense.

As long as you hedge, nothing will change. You need to shun them till the day they die in wealthy reclusion, to the point that all the money they get from their paymasters does not matter. If the Nielsen ratings show that people turn off the channel every time a “former president” or other offender is invited to comment, *then* things will change. Because these sociopaths don’t just want to be paid, they also want to be worshipped. The only place you can really hurt an elected etablishment retainer is in their ego – if they were all about the money, they would be worse than they already are.