US Politics Thread |OT| THE DARKEST TIMELINE

[Phoenix Dark]

Yeah, Muravchick is a neocon's neocon.  He's your go-to guy if you're really, really scared of Muslims and want to see them blown up, but have just enough self-awareness to be embarrassed by Pam Gellar.  Karakand could probably throw some shade at his dad Manny, a rabidly anticommunist "socialist" labor activist.

Meanwhile the WaPo also ran a piece by Michael Gerson, saying the letter was a bad idea but so is a potential deal with Iran.  He takes a different tack, arguing that the US can just keep up sanctions and isolation until the pressure forces regime change or Iran--spontaneously and without assurances of reciprocation--starts acting friendlier.  They're both asinine.

Sounds like a cleverly hidden argument for long term war. There's no guarantee that regime change in Iran will result in anything that benefits the west. Worse yet what are the chances of "regime change" actually meaning "Ayatollah getting thrown in the bushes." Not going to happen anytime soon.

[benjipwns]

Book Description:
"It's time for a real, snarktastic, humor-filled look at what makes conservatism right. We conservatives have truth and rationality and logic on our side. We just need to remind ourselves why we are right, and we need that reminder delivered in a way that's not a lecture, not a history lesson, and not a complicated political diatribe."

If you think all conservatives are old white dudes, think again.

Meet the Chicks on the Right (if you haven't already).

Everyone loves to tell them they're wrong. Everyone. Liberals say they're wrong because, well, they're conservative. Conservatives tell them they're wrong because they are not conservative enough. Or because they're too conservative. Or because they're the wrong kind of conservative. With all the blame flying around, it's easy to lose sight of one important thing:

They think like you. And they are right.

It's right to revere the Constitution. It's right to value personal responsibility, economic liberty, and free enterprise. It's right to think that political correctness is crap, and it's right to call out the mainstream media for bias. And it's right to laugh at the so-called "War on Women" and to stand up for the unborn.

As they do every day on their blog and radio show, Miriam Weaver and Amy Jo Clark offer a definitive response to critics on the right and the left, and a cheerfully snarky pep talk for likeminded conservatives. On the one hand, they are tired of the media's portrayal of conservatives as repressed sticks-in-the-mud; on the other hand, they are sick of GOP leaders who play right into that stereotype.

With humor and insight, "Mock" and "Daisy," as the Chicks are known on their blog, explain why:

• Capitalism is a good thing--success and the money that comes with it are good!
• First Amendment protections extend to all Americans, not just those with whom we agree.
• Americans have a constitutional right to things that go pew-pew-pew.
• Skin color is irrelevant.
• It makes sense to be pro-life and pro-Plan B.

The Chicks call out Republicans for focusing on the wrong issues and offer suggestions for the conservative "makeover" that will realign the GOP with the regular folks who are frustrated with uptight and clueless politicians. But they also show why conservatism makes sense for everyone, especially those who love their country, their families, God, rock and roll, and a well-made cocktail (not necessarily in that order).

[Eric P]

Americans have a constitutional right to things that go pew-pew-pew.

[benjipwns]

No Euro loving commie taco is going to take away my God given right to have a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.

[Kara]

TBH that seems like it has more nuance than a lot of American conservative output these days. Not really saying much, I know.

I'm morbidly curious if they differentiate between the current incarnation of the capitalist mode of production (which in certain aspects has benefited women) and the mode itself, or if they think the variant where a boss could fire a woman for not giving it up is good too. I'm probably being too optimistic with this hypothetical.

[Mandark]

Seems less nuanced, more of a rebranding effort (see Jonah Goldberg's "South Park conservatism").

where a boss could fire a woman for not giving it up

Would obv never happen irl, cause cause female employees would demand higher wages in compensation or leave for a competitor, thus making the sexist firm noncompetitive and driving it out of business.  Duh.

[drew]

speaking of dakka you guys hear about this?  the possibility of having affordable full auto AK's and AR's in the near future gets me unspeakable wet:

http://www.sofmag.com/new-twist-in-machine-gun-suit/

ATF's response:  http://media.wix.com/ugd/c601ae_7a50db75e27f4e178c7fb791cb2cb615.pdf

[benjipwns]

I only gave it a quick skim but:
1. They used "y'all" four times on five pages, and such snarky phrases as "Hello?!" and "Oh no he didn't" and "It's trendy, like Uggs." And titled a section about OWS "Hippies vs. Capitalism."
ii. This comment from an Amazon review seems accurate:

These two are kind of like the Chelsea Handlers of Conservatism

Their website has wonderful design and content, goodbye memeorandum, you're outdated: http://chicksontheright.com/

[benjipwns]

http://chicksontheright.com/blog/item/27814-state-representative-had-an-epic-welcome-sign-for-planned-parenthood

[Phoenix Dark]

http://chicksontheright.com/blog/item/27792-did-you-notice-something-weird-about-time-s-hillary-clinton-cover

[Joe Molotov]

Paul Krugman is kind of like the Chelsea Handler of Keynesian economic theory.

[Kara]

This currency that lots of currencies are pegged to and oil is priced in doesn't have to behave like other currencies. I'm a published e-Conomist.

[Joe Molotov]

AIA, come get your boy.

[benjipwns]

This currency that lots of currencies are pegged to and oil is priced in doesn't have to behave like other currencies. I'm a published e-Conomist.

His wife writes a lot of his columns/blogposts.

[Phoenix Dark]

K-Thug has a ghostwriter? Maybe he is a rapper after all.

[Kara]

His wife writes a lot of his columns/blogposts.

I'd probably get sick of regurgitating milquetoast Keynesian economics with a pinch of aged chartalism too, though I'd at least have the decency to hire some grad student for cents on the dollar instead of leaving my life partner holding the smelly bag of bullshit.

[Joe Molotov]

His wife writes a lot of his columns/blogposts.

I'd probably get sick of regurgitating milquetoast Keynesian economics with a pinch of aged chartalism too, though I'd at least have the decency

Stopped reading right there.

[Kara]

[Mandark]

Just like an orthodox economist, Kara's seemingly confident predictions are actually built on shaky assumptions (he'll have a "life partner").

[Kara]

M O D S  H E L P

[benjipwns]

I'd probably get sick of regurgitating milquetoast Keynesian economics with a pinch of aged chartalism too, though I'd at least have the decency to hire some grad student for cents on the dollar instead of leaving my life partner holding the smelly bag of bullshit.

iirc it started with her editing to "punch up" his work and then she decided to just ghostwrite which is why he expanded so much into non economic topics and more partisan fare

[Kara]

So you're saying women don't want to talk about economics and prefer to fight irrationally instead of sitting down to a nice warm cup of dialectics?

[Mandark]

iirc it started with her editing to "punch up" his work and then she decided to just ghostwrite which is why he expanded so much into non economic topics and more partisan fare

At this point I gotta ask for a source.  If this is just speculation, it's a wee bit sexist.

[benjipwns]

At this point I gotta ask for a source.  If this is just speculation, it's a wee bit sexist.

Source:

spoiler (click to show/hide)

The ghost-writing thing is just pretty common speculation (I've seen it on both conservative and progressive sites) but it stems from stuff like this profile: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/03/01/the-deflationist

Early on, she edited a lot—she had, they felt, a better sense than he did of how to communicate economics to the layperson. (She is also an economist—they met when she was a postdoc at M.I.T. and he was teaching there.) But he’s much better at that now, and these days she focusses on making him less dry, less abstract, angrier. Recently, he gave her a draft of an article he’d done for Rolling Stone. He had written, “As Obama tries to deal with the crisis, he will get no help from Republican leaders,” and after this she inserted the sentence “Worse yet, he’ll get obstruction and lies.” Where he had written that the stimulus bill would at best “mitigate the slump, not cure it,” she crossed out that phrase and substituted “somewhat soften the economic hardship that we face for the next few years.” Here and there, she suggested things for him to add. “This would be a good place to flesh out the vehement objections from the G.O.P. and bankers to nationalization,” she wrote on page 9. “Show us all their huffing and puffing before you dismiss it as nonsense in the following graf.”

On the rare occasion when they disagree about something, she will be the one urging him to be more outraged or recalcitrant. She pushed him to denounce the filibuster. She wanted him to be more stubborn in holding out for the public option in the health-care bill.

I've heard people say you can tell in the writing style (even though they probably can't) but fuck if I'm going to read two years of his archives to try and figure out if it's true so my mockery is accurate.

[close]

[Mandark]

 

[benjipwns]

What can I say, she's got the bigger pussy. 

[Kara]

Is that a Maine... American Longhair? EVEN HIS CATS ARE PROSAIC. :'(

[benjipwns]

Can't tell for sure from the picture, Maine Coons are incredible mousers.

[benjipwns]

Maine Coons

Now there's a great name for an old Negro League team.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Racism and sexism in one page. My work here is done.

[close]

[Kara]

[Phoenix Dark]

why is he standing three feet behind his wife, and holding a smaller cat?
#misandry

[benjipwns]

[Brehvolution]

Child abuse.

[Brehvolution]

http://www.ibtimes.com/israeli-elections-close-netanyahu-uses-iran-nuclear-situation-boost-ratings-1847656

“Why do they not support me when I fight to neutralize threats like Iranian nuclear weapons," asked Natanyahu of the person who believes in the development and protection of a Jewish nation Union leaders on an Israeli TV show Sunday evening. "Why do they refuse to say they support the massive security effort we are undertaking?"

Herzog, whose is the son of former Israeli President Chaim Herzog, replied by saying Israel’s security “is more important than everything for us” before adding, "The international community knows that you [Netanyahu] are weak and does not accept your position."

Bye bye bibi.

[Phoenix Dark]

I hope so but I'm not getting my hopes up. Seems like he has gone full distinguished mentally-challenged fellow over the last few days, and there isn't last minute polling info like in the US. Maybe it works just enough to save him. Apparently his party is attempting to scare voters by noting the Arab turnout is very high today. Sound familiar?

Mandark, Karakand. Explain. Preferably in David Brooks terms.

[Kara]

All the parties friendly to Israeli Arab interests are running on  a joint list this election (pardon the awkward phrasing, but I don't really consider (nu) Maki an Israeli Arab party per se).

People going  about them are really underestimating the ideological divide that underlines this alliance. Even if it had a successful election, it couldn't be much more than a generic Israeli Arab advocacy group.

The thing about person who believes in the development and protection of a Jewish nation Union is that I don't really see them building a stable government if they do win, which the Begin Brigade can. While I don't think much of social democratic parties in general, Union is already a mini-alliance of disparate parts to begin with. Kinda sad that the heirs to Mapai are reduced to this.

[benjipwns]

Why are we talking about this show election? We all know the Jews really decide things behind closed doors and operate as one.

[Brehvolution]

It will be significant if bibi loses. I think it would show that people are tired of the fear mongering and the groveling to the American congress was petty theatrics.

[FoneBone]

Bye-bye Aaron Schock

[Joe Molotov]

Bye-bye Aaron Schock

So long fuccboi.

[Kara]

I'm not so much insulted by the theft of public money as I am at how pathetic the concealment was. That shit is self-employed construction contractor tier .

[Great Rumbler]

This guy spend $5k on a podium called "The Presidential."

[Phoenix Dark]

so now he gets to come out the closet, express support for gay marriage, and get a 500k/yr lobbyist job

[benjipwns]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/03/mickey-kaus-quits-daily-caller-after-tucker-carlson-204135.html

The blogger Mickey Kaus has quit his job at The Daily Caller after the conservative site's editor-in-chief, Tucker Carlson, pulled a critical column about Fox News from the site, Kaus told the On Media blog on Tuesday.

"It's pretty simple," Kaus said in an interview, "I wrote a piece attacking Fox for not being the opposition on immigration and amnesty -- for filling up the airwaves with reports on ISIS and terrorism, and not fulfilling their responsibility of being the opposition on amnesty and immigration.... I posted it at 6:30 in the morning. When I got up, Tucker had taken it down. He said, 'We can't trash Fox on the site. I work there.'"

Carlson, who co-founded The Daily Caller in 2010, is a conservative contributor to Fox News and the host of its weekend edition of "Fox & Friends."

Kaus says when he told Carlson he needed to be able to write about Fox, Carlson told him it was a hard-and-fast rule, and non-negotiable.

"He said it was a rule, and he wouldn't be able to change that rule. So I told him I quit," Kaus explained. "I just don't see how you can put out a publication with that kind of giant no-go area. It's not like we're owned by Joe's Muffler Shop, so we just can't write about Joe's Muffler shop."

...

Kaus will now publish his columns exclusively on Kausfiles, a blog that was previously featured on Slate. But he said that Fox News' influence over The Daily Caller was indicative of a larger problem in conservative media.

"It's a larger problem on the right: Everybody is scared of Fox," he said. "Fox is their route to a high-profile public image and in some cases stardom. Just to be on a Fox show is a big deal. And I think that's a problem on the right, Fox's monopoly on star-making power."

haha nobody cares

[Mandark]

[benjipwns]

Well, I'll lose the Daily Caller commentators. I wanted to see if they'd reach a point where Kaus could want to exterminate all immigrants and they'd still write 5000 word whines about how he's a liberal pussy caving on immigration.

It was for science dammit.

[Phoenix Dark]

Anti-Semite.

[benjipwns]

APKmetsfan is a Jew too? You people really do dominate politics.

[Kara]

You've never read his thrilling justification for being a person who believes in the development and protection of a Jewish nation (contra being a Jewish nationalist)?

"We pray to Jerusalem."

[benjipwns]

No, just the explanation on how the communist agenda is to destroy the family. Though I tend to be bored by Israel threads so I would have missed it if he posted in one of those. I know he tends to be rah-rah Israel and America on foreign policy.

[Kara]

Yes they close every Party meeting with the Oath to Destroy the Family and Immanentize New Synthesis.

[benjipwns]

Can we replace the family with synthesis? Is mating a form of synthesis?

[Joe Molotov]

I synthesized your mom.

[Kara]

Something something a beast with two backs.

[Phoenix Dark]

(18m 12s if it doesn't skip there automatically)
 

[Great Rumbler]

[Joe Molotov]

muh cuntry!  :'(

[Joe Molotov]

He farred all dem genrals that twarnt gunna nuke charlestan when dey came ta git muh shootin' airns.   :'(

[Steve Contra]

When Rick Santorum looks at you like you're an inbred idiot you shouldn't be able to vote.

[benjipwns]

TRRRRRRUUUMMMMMMPPPPPP

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150317/NEWS0605/150319086

"I have a great love for our country, but it is a country that is in serious trouble. We have lost the respect of the entire world. Americans deserve better than what they get from their politicians – who are all talk and no action! I have built a great company, created thousands of jobs and built a tremendous net worth with some of the finest and most prestigious assets in the world – and very little debt! All Americans deserve the same opportunity. Our real unemployment rate is staggering while our manufacturing base is eroding on a daily basis. We must rebuild our infrastructure, control our borders, support local control of education, greatly strengthen our military, care for our veterans and put Americans back to work! We must stop other countries from totally taking advantage of our representatives who are being out-negotiated at every turn. I am the only one who can make America truly great again!"

He has a team of political advisers based in New York and he has hired staff in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Senior political adviser Corey Lewandowski, who is a Granite Stater, was hired in February.

Lewandowski cited Trump’s vision and leadership and called him a problem-solver.

According to Lewandowski, “Apprentice” producer Mark Burnett personally called Trump to offer another season of the “Apprentice” but Trump turned him down.

“Nobody in the history of television has turned down a renewal,” Lewandowski said in a phone interview with the Union Leader. “But Mr. Trump can do that.”