NationStates Jolt Archive

Seriosuly, this is the guy some are turning to in order to rebuild the party? This is the guy who will "expand their base"? The guy is basically a male Palin, about as bright, about as insane, and even has a book about "spiritual warfare" and banishing demons.

For god's sake. This guy is an idiot. And his speech last night (and I use the term 'speech' very loosely'). Even conservative pundits were ripping the guy apart. David Brooks even called it "nihilistic":
One conservative-leaning pundit, David Brooks of PBS and The New York Times, took on the substance of the speech and called it nihilistic for the party.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/02/63335639/1

And lets not forget his brilliant bit about volcanos!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,500267,00.html

And, I have to also mention my amussement that some Republicans (who are allegidly pro-Palin 2012) are now circulating the rumor that he is a closet muslim. Sounds familiar. All though, I will be amussed if he runs in 2012 if the "ebil liberal media" makes a big deal about his non-Christian backround, hopefully with all the fun stuff we saw with Obama, including him not being born here. I also want to see if all the Christians who were concerned about Obama being an ebil moslem will have the same concern about Jindal. I have a feeling I know the answer however.

Anyway, lets talk about this GOP "rising star"!
:rolleyes:

Bah. We don't need to know when Volcanoes will erupt, God wants us to not do anything that could save lives. Trying such things as 'Vaccines' and 'Volcano monitoring' is the work of Satan himself!

I am familiar with his sense of humor its common in Louisiana and east Texas. Someone needs to tell him that no one outside of Louisiana find it funny.
Speech style is totally uncharismatic.

So?

KoL, the BEST thing Republicans could do for America and for the world is run Jindal. With Palin as his V.P., too. GOP would end there and then.

So?

KoL, the BEST thing Republicans could do for America and for the world is run Jindal. With Palin as his V.P., too. GOP would end there and then.

One can only hope...

So?

KoL, the BEST thing Republicans could do for America and for the world is run Jindal. With Palin as his V.P., too. GOP would end there and then.

As spectacularily unlikely as it is, don't tell me you don't feel some fear at the thought that they might, somehow, pull it off.

I'd say Huckabee is the most likely to actually win, though.

I'd say Huckabee is the most likely to actually win, though.

Oh, well, that makes me feel so much better!:p


Anyway, I dont want this to be about the election. Id rather this be about the GOP's 'rebuilding' process.

Speech style is horrific. Since when was 'president' a two-syllable word?

It's funny to watch someone attacking government on the one hand, and talking about how Washington needs to lead, on the other. Overall, I think he's a partyline-whore.

As spectacularily unlikely as it is, don't tell me you don't feel some fear at the thought that they might, somehow, pull it off.

I'd say Huckabee is the most likely to actually win, though.

You have a point there.

Well, as for Huckster, Nantucket.

>.>

Er, I mean... Huckabee wouldn't be able to beat Obama either, I think.

i think the problem is the republicans are trying to find a minority spokesman, but the minorities in the republican party have been kept at the back for so long they don't know how to lead.

It's funny to watch someone attacking government on the one hand, and talking about how Washington needs to lead, on the other. Overall, I think he's a partyline-whore.

$4.8 billion? Too much government money! My state wont have it! We'll just take $4.7 billion please.

And lets not forget his brilliant bit about volcanos!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,500267,00.html

Did Fox News just call him out on being ignorant about what the funding actually went to?

Did Fox News just call him out on being ignorant about what the funding actually went to?

you didn't get the memo? Fox news is preparing to fire a bunch of news casters and make a shift to the left. Seems they are just after the money.

you didn't get the memo? Fox news is preparing to fire a bunch of news casters and make a shift to the left. Seems they are just after the money.

It's so tempting to demand that you put that in a spoiler tag.

EDIT: I'm so happy, I could cry. :D

i refuse to believe that jindal, steele, and palin will continue to be the future of the republican party.

the republicans havent had a new idea since ronald reagan. should someone come along with a thought in his/her head then that person will be the future of the party. right now they are just too stunned by their horrible showing in november to think straight.

from 538: Jindal sounded like "Apu crossed with Goober Pyle."

Keep in mind that many republicans switched to being democrats. Not surprisingly, they were the mdoerate ones -- therefore, the republican party will marginalize itself further by selecting even MORE conservative candidates.

To a republican party that shoves itself far enough right it becomes trivial! [insert glass-emptying smiley that NSG doesn't have]

One conservative-leaning pundit, David Brooks of PBS and The New York Times, took on the substance of the speech and called it nihilistic for the party.

All the moderate rightwingers are calling him wacko, but you can be damn sure they won't split into another party.

Keep in mind that many republicans switched to being democrats. Not surprisingly, they were the mdoerate ones -- therefore, the republican party will marginalize itself further by selecting even MORE conservative candidates.

To a republican party that shoves itself far enough right it becomes trivial! [insert glass-emptying smiley that NSG doesn't have]

Don't count on it. All the rightwing windbags with the huge readerships are on the far right of the party. They disseminate the illogical, nonfactual, and asinine beliefs to the nation and convince people that that is the truth. All the neocons are going "yeah, no money for volcano monitoring! Pork barrel spending!'

“Government ruins everything. We know this because back when we ran the government, things were terrible. Vote for us!"

Seriosuly, this is the guy some are turning to in order to rebuild the party? This is the guy who will "expand their base"? The guy is basically a male Palin, about as bright, about as insane, and even has a book about "spiritual warfare" and banishing demons.

For god's sake. This guy is an idiot. And his speech last night (and I use the term 'speech' very loosely'). Even conservative pundits were ripping the guy apart. David Brooks even called it "nihilistic":

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/02/63335639/1

And lets not forget his brilliant bit about volcanos!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,500267,00.html

And, I have to also mention my amussement that some Republicans (who are allegidly pro-Palin 2012) are now circulating the rumor that he is a closet muslim. Sounds familiar. All though, I will be amussed if he runs in 2012 if the "ebil liberal media" makes a big deal about his non-Christian backround, hopefully with all the fun stuff we saw with Obama, including him not being born here. I also want to see if all the Christians who were concerned about Obama being an ebil moslem will have the same concern about Jindal. I have a feeling I know the answer however.

Anyway, lets talk about this GOP "rising star"!
:rolleyes:

My main complaint about the guy is that not only is he an idiot, he's Indian-American. I have to live with sharing something like that in common with him? No thanks. And the Republicans will seriously start to turn into a far right minority party if they keep making guys like this their rising stars. (See: Sarah fucking Palin)

“Government ruins everything. We know this because back when we ran the government, things were terrible. Vote for us!"

"Government fucks up disaster relief.... here, let me tell you a long, winding story about that.

Oh, by the way, we need the government to relieve us from this disaster."

It's not just hypcritical, it's doublethink.

My main complaint about the guy is that not only is he an idiot, he's Bonus-American. I have to live with sharing something like that in common with him? No thanks. And the Republicans will seriously start to turn into a far right minority party if they keep making guys like this their rising stars. (See: Sarah fucking Palin)

Corrected.

This is a new era. Vaginas, skin-colours, and slight variation in culture are not only accepted (at last), but counted as a positive thing. Welcome to the dawn of the Bonus-American.

(Of course, commies, ay-rabs, atheists and Islam can all still fuck right off. It's not so much "Revolution, Now!" as "A Little Less Uniformity, Soonish, Please!")

Man what a retard.

Man what a retard.

If you consider he's done a much better job of running Louisiana than his Democratic predecessor... that makes his Democratic predecessor an ultra-retard...

Government fucks up disaster relief.... here, let me tell you a long, winding story about that.
A story which isn't even true.

If you consider he's done a much better job of running Louisiana than his Democratic predecessor... that makes his Democratic predecessor an ultra-retard...

I'm sure you imagine there's some kind of logic in there...

A story which isn't even true.

Ah, I didn't say he wasn't also a lying bitch.

If you consider he's done a much better job of running Louisiana than his Democratic predecessor... that makes his Democratic predecessor an ultra-retard...

Oooookaaaaaaay...

DK, "ultra-retard" is something usually heard in kindergarten classrooms. I mean, far be it from me to be teaching you word collocation in your native language, but the fact remains.

$4.8 billion? Too much government money! My state wont have it! We'll just take $4.7 billion please.

At least CA's "Republican" Governor accepted the stimulus graciously. And offered to relieve objecting states of their funds as well. :D

If you consider he's done a much better job of running Louisiana than his Democratic predecessor... that makes his Democratic predecessor an ultra-retard...

Uh, I know you are but what am I?

Either the stimulus plan works or it doesn't really. If it works Obama's locked on for a second term. And 8 years down the line no-one'll remember this I suspect.

If it doesn't or appears to have not he's placed himself in the forefront of opposition to it and hence in prime position for 2012.

Oooookaaaaaaay...

DK, "ultra-retard" is something usually heard in kindergarten classrooms. I mean, far be it from me to be teaching you word collocation in your native language, but the fact remains.

Actually, they're not allowed to say "retard" in my class. I hold them to the same standards as NSG: attack the debate, not the debater!

"Ultra" is okay though. So is "hella", even though it's borderline, because we gotta protect our roots.

Either the stimulus plan works or it doesn't really. If it works Obama's locked on for a second term. And 8 years down the line no-one'll remember this I suspect.

If it doesn't or appears to have not he's placed himself in the forefront of opposition to it and hence in prime position for 2012.

From the opposition that the Republicans are lining up right now, he would have to eat a baby on national tv not to win a second term. Of course, there may be alot different in 4 years but the Republicans arn't known for changing their pitchers in the middle of a game. If it works, do it again. If it doesn't work, do it until it does. It's like an infinite loop of idiot.

At least Jindal didn't insist that America is the nation that invented the automobile.

http://jalopnik.com/tag/who-invented-the-automobile/?id=5159895&skyline=true&s=i

Actually, they're not allowed to say "retard" in my class. I hold them to the same standards as NSG: attack the debate, not the debater!

"Ultra" is okay though. So is "hella", even though it's borderline, because we gotta protect our roots.

"Hella"... Your roots...

YOU'RE FROM HELL??? @_@

GAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

\o/

"Hella"... Your roots...

YOU'RE FROM HELL??? @_@

GAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

\o/

Hail Satan!

Close--it comes from the East Bay. :P

At least Jindal didn't insist that America is the nation that invented the automobile.

http://jalopnik.com/tag/who-invented-the-automobile/?id=5159895&skyline=true&s=i
Not to burst your rightwing, holier-than-thou bubble, but

OBAMA: "And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it."

THE FACTS: Depends what your definition of automobiles, is. According to the Library of Congress, the inventor of the first true automobile was probably Germany's Karl Benz, who created the first auto powered by an internal combustion gasoline engine, in 1885 or 1886. In the U.S., Charles Duryea tested what library researchers called the first successful gas-powered car in 1893. Nobody disputes that Henry Ford created the first assembly line that made cars affordable.

At least Jindal didn't insist that America is the nation that invented the automobile.

http://jalopnik.com/tag/who-invented-the-automobile/?id=5159895&skyline=true&s=i

Translation: "Once again, I have nothing significant to say on the topic, so I'll post something irrelevent, instead".

Not to burst your rightwing, holier-than-thou bubble, but

I don't know that you can really say that Obama wasn't mistaken about this. I mean, (ir)relevance to the issue aside,

There is some debate about exactly who invented the automobile, but the inventor's nationality was French, German or Scottish, depending on whether one considers steam or electric vehicles to qualify as an "automobile," or only those powered by gasoline. The Library of Congress’ “Everyday Mysteries” site gives the honor to Karl Benz from Germany, who invented a three-wheeled, gasoline automobile with an internal combustion engine in 1885-1886. Before that, France’s Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot invented a steam-powered vehicle for the French army in 1769, and Robert Anderson of Scotland built an electric carriage around 1832-1839. Germans Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach developed a four-wheeled gas-powered vehicle in 1886.

Obama would have been correct had he said the U.S. is the nation that invented mass production of the automobile. It was the 1901 Curved Dash Oldsmobile that was first produced in quantity, and, of course, Henry Ford made the car affordable for the masses with the first moving assembly line in 1913.


Source (http://www.factcheck.org/politics/fact-checking_obamas_speech.html)

I don't know that you can really say that Obama wasn't mistaken about this. I mean, (ir)relevance to the issue aside,




Source (http://www.factcheck.org/politics/fact-checking_obamas_speech.html)

Which is really beside the point.

Seriosuly, this is the guy some are turning to in order to rebuild the party? This is the guy who will "expand their base"? The guy is basically a male Palin, about as bright, about as insane, and even has a book about "spiritual warfare" and banishing demons.

For god's sake. This guy is an idiot. And his speech last night (and I use the term 'speech' very loosely'). Even conservative pundits were ripping the guy apart. David Brooks even called it "nihilistic":

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/02/63335639/1

And lets not forget his brilliant bit about volcanos!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,500267,00.html

And, I have to also mention my amussement that some Republicans (who are allegidly pro-Palin 2012) are now circulating the rumor that he is a closet muslim. Sounds familiar. All though, I will be amussed if he runs in 2012 if the "ebil liberal media" makes a big deal about his non-Christian backround, hopefully with all the fun stuff we saw with Obama, including him not being born here. I also want to see if all the Christians who were concerned about Obama being an ebil moslem will have the same concern about Jindal. I have a feeling I know the answer however.

Anyway, lets talk about this GOP "rising star"!
:rolleyes:He's a minority who is a Republican. Of course he's an idiot.

Which is really beside the point.

I noted that in my post. I'm just saying that Hotwife is right that Obama made a bit of a blunder in that statement. Not that it was the only thing he got wrong.

But yes, it also has absolutely nothing to do with this thread.

Part of the problem for the Republicans is that the Democrats have played the same trick New Labour did in the UK, take over responsibility on the economy, talking about personal responsibility, yet doing so in a compassionate way. Worse, even more than the Conservatives of '97, the Republicans have also lost foreign policy initiative.

So where can the Republicans place their plank?

The only support they're getting is from conservative Christians, so naturally they're leaning that way, any ear in a crisis.

They'll be in the wilderness, in my opinion, until 2020, another disaster in 2012, possibly on the track back by 2016.

If you think America built on production post-war, that led to massive union power that left companies stalled, unable to move, innovate or make hard decisions, it's no surprise that deregulation under Reagan was very successful for the economy, leading to global expansion.

Alas, when it don't seem broke, don't fix it, so the only option when things stalled was to deregulate more, we're simply at the end of that cycle, we'll now have regulation.

The message for deregulation is lost on the American public, and will remain so for some time, I just can't see the Republicans having much to say.

Their best option would be to go consensus and say they're mostly about checking and balancing any of the wilder moves by the Democrats, play nice, point out serious errors and wait, that might give them some hope for 2016.

KoL, the BEST thing Republicans could do for America and for the world is run Jindal. With Palin as his V.P., too. GOP would end there and then.

Wrong.

I'm definitely no Repugnican, but one-party rule never works. I live in a county and a state that are dominated by Democrats. Comparatively speaking, the Republican Party there is much, much weaker than it is nationally. It shows up when the legislature here tries stupid shit.

We need AT LEAST two strong political parties with different points of view to provide checks and balances to each other. There will come a time when "throw out the rascals" means getting rid of the Democrats and installing Republicans.

Wrong.

I'm definitely no Repugnican, but one-party rule never works. I live in a county and a state that are dominated by Democrats. Comparatively speaking, the Republican Party there is much, much weaker than it is nationally. It shows up when the legislature here tries stupid shit.

We need AT LEAST two strong political parties with different points of view to provide checks and balances to each other. There will come a time when "throw out the rascals" means getting rid of the Democrats and installing Republicans.

Actually, I also am hoping for the collapse of the Republican party. If they fall, that leaves a power vacuum to be filled, presumably by a 3rd party (preferably the Libertarian party, so at least no matter who wins you won't get screwed over too badly on your civil rights).

Wrong.

I'm definitely no Repugnican, but one-party rule never works. I live in a county and a state that are dominated by Democrats. Comparatively speaking, the Republican Party there is much, much weaker than it is nationally. It shows up when the legislature here tries stupid shit.

We need AT LEAST two strong political parties with different points of view to provide checks and balances to each other. There will come a time when "throw out the rascals" means getting rid of the Democrats and installing Republicans.

I'm perfectly fine with multi-party rule. What I'm not fine with is the political spectrum in this country, which essentially runs the gamut from "We'll claim we're left-wing when we're really centre-right" to "We'll claim we're right wing when we're really batshit fucking insane."

We need AT LEAST two strong political parties with different points of view to provide checks and balances to each other. There will come a time when "throw out the rascals" means getting rid of the Democrats and installing Republicans.You say that like there are very big differences between the (American) Republic and Democratic party.

Either the stimulus plan works or it doesn't really. If it works Obama's locked on for a second term. And 8 years down the line no-one'll remember this I suspect.

If it doesn't or appears to have not he's placed himself in the forefront of opposition to it and hence in prime position for 2012.

...much like Hillary and Giuliani did?

Corrected.

This is a new era. Vaginas, skin-colours, and slight variation in culture are not only accepted (at last), but counted as a positive thing. Welcome to the dawn of the Bonus-American.

(Of course, commies, ay-rabs, atheists and Islam can all still fuck right off. It's not so much "Revolution, Now!" as "A Little Less Uniformity, Soonish, Please!")

Heheh. Bonus-American. So, he's the affirmative action rising star?

My main complaint about the guy is that not only is he an idiot, he's Indian-American. I have to live with sharing something like that in common with him? No thanks. And the Republicans will seriously start to turn into a far right minority party if they keep making guys like this their rising stars. (See: Sarah fucking Palin)

Just do what I do, and pretend you're Mexican when things from India start to embarrass you.

Wrong.

I'm definitely no Repugnican, but one-party rule never works. I live in a county and a state that are dominated by Democrats. Comparatively speaking, the Republican Party there is much, much weaker than it is nationally. It shows up when the legislature here tries stupid shit.

We need AT LEAST two strong political parties with different points of view to provide checks and balances to each other. There will come a time when "throw out the rascals" means getting rid of the Democrats and installing Republicans.

Oh, I'm sure a second party will form anyway. When the federalists fell, the whigs rose; when the whigs fell, the republicans rose. With any luck, the republican party will fall and a centrist party will rise.

. (See: Sarah fucking Palin)

That does sound like something I would like to see, ;)

“Government ruins everything. We know this because back when we ran the government, things were terrible. Vote for us!"

:hail:

The word on the Internets is that Jindal sounds strikingly similar to Kenneth the Page, from 30 Rock. (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/02/jindal.html)

Paul Krugman's response to Jindal's speech (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/what-should-government-do-a-jindal-meditation/) is excellent:
What is the appropriate role of government?

Traditionally, the division between conservatives and liberals has been over the role and size of the welfare state: liberals think that the government should play a large role in sanding off the market economy’s rough edges, conservatives believe that time and chance happen to us all, and that’s that.

But both sides, I thought, agreed that the government should provide public goods — goods that are nonrival (they benefit everyone) and nonexcludable (there’s no way to restrict the benefits to people who pay.) The classic examples are things like lighthouses and national defense, but there are many others. For example, knowing when a volcano is likely to erupt can save many lives; but there’s no private incentive to spend money on monitoring, since even people who didn’t contribute to maintaining the monitoring system can still benefit from the warning. So that’s the sort of activity that should be undertaken by government.

So what did Bobby Jindal choose to ridicule in this response to Obama last night? Volcano monitoring, of course.

And leaving aside the chutzpah of casting the failure of his own party’s governance as proof that government can’t work, does he really think that the response to natural disasters like Katrina is best undertaken by uncoordinated private action? Hey, why bother having an army? Let’s just rely on self-defense by armed citizens.

The intellectual incoherence is stunning. Basically, the political philosophy of the GOP right now seems to consist of snickering at stuff that they think sounds funny. The party of ideas has become the party of Beavis and Butthead.

From the opposition that the Republicans are lining up right now, he would have to eat a baby on national tv not to win a second term. Of course, there may be alot different in 4 years but the Republicans arn't known for changing their pitchers in the middle of a game. If it works, do it again. If it doesn't work, do it until it does. It's like an infinite loop of idiot.
As I see it, Obama only loses if the economy goes south. If it does then Jindal rally's support for having opposed it.

...much like Hillary and Giuliani did?
It's not victory, but it's good positioning.

Jon Huntsman Jr would appear to me to be the broad base moderate who'd be competition, but he may decide Obama's too strong and wait 'til 2016. It's probably better for the GOP to get someone like Jindal through and out of their system by the time they're picking for 2016. 2012 is highly likely to be Obama again anyway.

Speech style is horrific. Since when was 'president' a two-syllable word?

It's funny to watch someone attacking government on the one hand, and talking about how Washington needs to lead, on the other. Overall, I think he's a partyline-whore.

They had to borrow from elsewhere to make "Jesus" a 4 syllable word.

It's been pretty remarkable to watch someone's rising star plummet in the span of a two minute speech.

If you consider he's done a much better job of running Louisiana than his Democratic predecessor... that makes his Democratic predecessor an ultra-retard...

Just because Blanco can't pour piss out of a boot, with instructions on the heel doesn't make Jindal a "rising star", or intelligent, or anything other than just another poor governor.

On the point of what the GOP plans to do in 2012, it's starting to look like they took the wrong lesson out of Obama, in that they're acting like Obama won because he was a non-white male instead of the fact that he won because he was better at inspiring the voters to believe in his ideas. Guys like Steele, Palin, and Jindal are just a knee-jerk reaction, but they're unelectable in a general election, and people know it. I expect by 2012 they're going to go hard to the Christian/Southern base they have left, and put up someone like either Huckabee or Haley Barbour from Mississippi [who's handled Katrina much better than Jindal]. Crist'll never make it the primaries, and Pawlenty can't even keep Franken out of the Senate.

It's been pretty remarkable to watch someone's rising star plummet in the span of a two minute speech.

He was doing just fine, and then his mouth opened. ;)

What really floored me was that Jindal brought up Katrina.

Why on EARTH would a Republican want to remind everyone that REPUBLICANS fucked up so catastrophically?

I think he was trying to argue, "You shouldn't depend on the government to help you, and that's why we want smaller government." Instead, however, what came out was, "We Republicans are absolutely terrible at governing, to the point where if you put us in charge you are all going to fucking die while we refuse to help you, and that's why you should support Republicans instead of Democrats during this time of crisis."

What really floored me was that Jindal brought up Katrina.

Why on EARTH would a Republican want to remind everyone that REPUBLICANS fucked up so catastrophically?

I think he was trying to argue, "You shouldn't depend on the government to help you, and that's why we want smaller government." Instead, however, what came out was, "We Republicans are absolutely terrible at governing, to the point where if you put us in charge you are all going to fucking die while we refuse to help you, and that's why you should support Republicans instead of Democrats during this time of crisis."

And then he brought that point home by attacking volcano monitoring. ;)

And then he brought that point home by attacking volcano monitoring. ;)
Yeah, it seriously seems like all he did was skim through shit to find a few words that he found funny. Haha volcanos! LAWL! Silly geologists, why we gives them our monies?!

It is interesting to me to hear an Indian speak with a southern accent. I think he is being thrust into the spotlight and he has to get used to it. I think this kind of a different direction for the GOP. What he said pretty much echoed what McCain had said when he was running for office. They lost a lot of support in the last election so this is kind of testing where they need to go.

I think Jindal's very existance as a "major player" on the political scene shows a radical disconnect between the republican party, and reality as a whole.

It began to show, I think, with Palin. With very nearly gaining the nomination, and a huge base of support, Hillary Clinton seemed to make Republicans go "oh, so that's what the American people want...women!" And so they trotted out a woman.

But of course, in typical republican fashion, instead of figuring out WHY people liked Clinton, they went with the simple, and utterly out of touch answer, and figured any old vagina will do. Of course, when Palin showed herself to be hopelessly out of touch with mainstream America, woefully unprepared for her sought position, and too dangerously incompetent to run this nation, which probably contributed substantially to McCain going down in flames, was the leason learned then?

No, it appears not, because with Obama's win, the republicans don't seem to have re-evaluated their entire "let's pick one aspect as if it really matters" stance. Did they look at Obama's win and say "wow, people seem to prefer more willingness to be bi-partisan, more efforts to increase accountability in the government, more willing to vote for someone who will speak openly to them, like they were adults, someone who proposes real solutions to real problems, not mindless platitutes"?

No, it appears they did not. Because if Jindal and new RNC chair Michael Steele, who represent absolutely nothing new or in any way even the slightest deviation from the same old republican BS that cost them dearly, show us anything, it's that they didn't actually learn ANYTHING from the last election, and instead, after seeing Obama win, the thought process seems to have been "OK, so the women thing didn't work, what do americans want? Oh I KNOW! brown people!"

I think Jindal's very existance as a "major player" on the political scene shows a radical disconnect between the republican party, and reality as a whole.

It began to show, I think, with Palin. With very nearly gaining the nomination, and a huge base of support, Hillary Clinton seemed to make Republicans go "oh, so that's what the American people want...women!" And so they trotted out a woman.

But of course, in typical republican fashion, instead of figuring out WHY people liked Clinton, they went with the simple, and utterly out of touch answer, and figured any old vagina will do. Of course, when Palin showed herself to be hopelessly out of touch with mainstream America, woefully unprepared for her sought position, and too dangerously incompetent to run this nation, which probably contributed substantially to McCain going down in flames, was the leason learned then?

No, it appears not, because with Obama's win, the republicans don't seem to have re-evaluated their entire "let's pick one aspect as if it really matters" stance. Did they look at Obama's win and say "wow, people seem to prefer more willingness to be bi-partisan, more efforts to increase accountability in the government, more willing to vote for someone who will speak openly to them, like they were adults, someone who proposes real solutions to real problems, not mindless platitudes"?

No, it appears they did not. Because if Jindal and new RNC chair Michael Steele, who represent absolutely nothing new or in any way even the slightest deviation from the same old republican BS that cost them dearly, show us anything, it's that they didn't actually learn ANYTHING from the last election, and instead, after seeing Obama win, the thought process seems to have been "OK, so the women thing didn't work, what do americans want? Oh I KNOW! brown people!"

Very good point. This the RNC probing what people want.

Very good point. This the RNC probing what people want.

And so far they've tried "vagina" and "melanin". I'm betting "Kippah" will be next. Make your bets.

And so far they've tried "vagina" and "melanin".

Eventually they'll hit upon the secret that the Democrats found with Obama: Intelligent and Rational.

And so far they've tried "vagina" and "melanin". I'm betting "Kippah" will be next. Make your bets.

How far down their list do you thing 'a clue' is?

I think Jindal's very existance as a "major player" on the political scene shows a radical disconnect between the republican party, and reality as a whole.

It began to show, I think, with Palin. With very nearly gaining the nomination, and a huge base of support, Hillary Clinton seemed to make Republicans go "oh, so that's what the American people want...women!" And so they trotted out a woman.

But of course, in typical republican fashion, instead of figuring out WHY people liked Clinton, they went with the simple, and utterly out of touch answer, and figured any old vagina will do. Of course, when Palin showed herself to be hopelessly out of touch with mainstream America, woefully unprepared for her sought position, and too dangerously incompetent to run this nation, which probably contributed substantially to McCain going down in flames, was the leason learned then?

No, it appears not, because with Obama's win, the republicans don't seem to have re-evaluated their entire "let's pick one aspect as if it really matters" stance. Did they look at Obama's win and say "wow, people seem to prefer more willingness to be bi-partisan, more efforts to increase accountability in the government, more willing to vote for someone who will speak openly to them, like they were adults, someone who proposes real solutions to real problems, not mindless platitutes"?

No, it appears they did not. Because if Jindal and new RNC chair Michael Steele, who represent absolutely nothing new or in any way even the slightest deviation from the same old republican BS that cost them dearly, show us anything, it's that they didn't actually learn ANYTHING from the last election, and instead, after seeing Obama win, the thought process seems to have been "OK, so the women thing didn't work, what do americans want? Oh I KNOW! brown people!"
Exactly. Jindal is a textbook example of tokenism, and the fact that the GOP is pinning their hopes on him shows how radically out of touch they are.

Hey, he's got brown skin! The GOP is pretty sure that's all progressives need in order to like somebody.

But under that skin he's every inch the typical right-wing extremist. He is a science-denying, civil-rights-hating, economy-melting religious kook who has proudly recounted his participation in an Exorcism.

Exactly. Jindal is a textbook example of tokenism, and the fact that the GOP is pinning their hopes on him shows how radically out of touch they are.

Hey, he's got brown skin! The GOP is pretty sure that's all progressives need in order to like somebody.

But under that skin he's every inch the typical right-wing extremist. He is a science-denying, civil-rights-hating, economy-melting religious kook who has proudly recounted his participation in an Exorcism.

And the sad thing is, unlike the Republican Party one can find a more diverse collection of tokens at the local Putt Putt Golf.

How far down their list do you thing 'a clue' is?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush

So, PRETTY far.

It is interesting to me to hear an Indian speak with a southern accent. I think he is being thrust into the spotlight and he has to get used to it. I think this kind of a different direction for the GOP. What he said pretty much echoed what McCain had said when he was running for office. They lost a lot of support in the last election so this is kind of testing where they need to go.

What from that speech was a "different direction" for the GOP?

I'm honestly interested, because (as a progressive) it didn't sound remotely different to me. But maybe conservatives perceived it in another way?

Eventually they'll hit upon the secret that the Democrats found with Obama: Intelligent and Rational.

With any luck it'll be one day AFTER the GOP has faded into its due insignificance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush

...

Page 9 below 'pop tarts'

...

Page 9 below 'pop tarts'

I tried pop tarts when I was in NY (even brought some here). They tasted nice. :D

I promise not to get Michael Phelps baked anymore!

I promise not to get Michael Phelps baked anymore!

*Blinks, blinks*

Uhm... LG? Is he with you?

*Blinks, blinks*

Uhm... LG? Is he with you?

Not yet, but I do have a few more openings in my Roving Band of Maniacs. If he sends a resume...

And, I have to also mention my amusement that some Republicans (who are allegidly pro-Palin 2012) are now circulating the rumor that he is a closet muslim. Sounds familiar. All though, I will be amussed if he runs in 2012 if the "ebil liberal media" makes a big deal about his non-Christian backround, hopefully with all the fun stuff we saw with Obama, including him not being born here. I also want to see if all the Christians who were concerned about Obama being an ebil moslem will have the same concern about Jindal. I have a feeling I know the answer however.


Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Jindal born a Hindu before later converting to Catholicism?

Are Hinduism and Islam suddenly supposed to be the same thing, or does this come into the 'they all wear towels on their heads, so they're all equally ebil' thought process that lead to Sikhs being attacked post-9/11 just because they wore turbans?

Personally, I would have thought that these alleged Palinites would have had more traction with Jindal being a closet cow-worshipping polytheist*; at least Muslims are monotheists.

As stupid and wrong-headed as this potential line of attack might be, it might achieve traction if only because Jindal is, I think, originally from a practicing Hindu background, which at least means that he was a Hindu once. Presumably he's only pretended to give up the infinite patience and wisdom of Ganeesha - go into the Baton Rouge governor's mansion, and I bet there's an elephant-headed idol hidden in the toilet cistern.


*yes, I know this isn't an accurate representation of Hinduism, thanks.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Jindal born a Hindu before later converting to Catholicism?

Are Hinduism and Islam suddenly supposed to be the same thing, or does this come into the 'they all wear towels on their heads, so they're all equally ebil' thought process that lead to Sikhs being attacked post-9/11 just because they wore turbans?

Personally, I would have thought that these alleged Palinites would have had more traction with Jindal being a closet cow-worshipping polytheist*; at least Muslims are monotheists.

As stupid and wrong-headed as this potential line of attack might be, it might achieve traction if only because Jindal's is, I think, originally from a practicing Hindu background, which at least means that he was a Hindu once. Presumably he's only pretended to give up the infinite patience and wisdom of Ganeesha - go into the Baton Rouge governor's mansion, and I bet there's an elephant-headed idol hidden in the toilet cistern.


*yes, I know this isn't an accurate representation of Hinduism, thanks.

And of course there's no beef on the menu. Louisiana is the perfect place to disguise a diet like that, plenty of seafood to go around.

:D

What from that speech was a "different direction" for the GOP?

I'm honestly interested, because (as a progressive) it didn't sound remotely different to me. But maybe conservatives perceived it in another way?


He didn't mention Jesus.

What from that speech was a "different direction" for the GOP?

I'm honestly interested, because (as a progressive) it didn't sound remotely different to me. But maybe conservatives perceived it in another way?

Well for one they openly admit they got away from there values and are now in the process of getting back to them. It had the felt less in your face and more subtle conservative values. When you think republican you think of a guy with a neat hair cut in business suit and he generally appeals to people who where an awful lot of plaid checkers shirts and a fresh off the farm outlook. Of course there is the big business side but they are stepping back in this case. The you know better than we do where to spend your money. I think the message is just in different packaging.

Well for one they openly admit they got away from there values and are now in the process of getting back to them.

But that's not different, in the slightest. Republicans have been saying that for YEARS. It's the same story, over and over and over. Run on a platform of "values", get elected, utterly fail to uphold those values, throw the country into the toilet, get thrown out of power, and put on a hangdog expression of "we're sowwy, we won't do it again! We're getting back to our core values, this time we REALLY REALLY mean it. We PWOMISE!"

Well for one they openly admit they got away from there values and are now in the process of getting back to them.

So what was new was him saying that Republicans were going to return to their old stuff?


It had the felt less in your face and more subtle conservative values. When you think republican you think of a guy with a neat hair cut in business suit and he generally appeals to people who where an awful lot of plaid checkers shirts and a fresh off the farm outlook. Of course there is the big business side but they are stepping back in this case. The you know better than we do where to spend your money. I think the message is just in different packaging.
Well, on this much we agree. I felt like the message was precisely the same message I've heard from Republicans for my entire adult life, they just found a "new" (read: non-white) mouthpiece.

And so far they've tried "vagina" and "melanin". I'm betting "Kippah" will be next. Make your bets.

Not a bad idea maybe you should pitch it to them. I think that would be a first as well. First Jewish President, it could happen. I think New York would split apart if that happened.

So what was new was him saying that Republicans were going to return to their old stuff?


Well, on this much we agree. I felt like the message was precisely the same message I've heard from Republicans for my entire adult life, they just found a "new" (read: non-white) mouthpiece.

True on the mouthpiece.


Their values have not changed much since they invented themselves. It seems softer for some reason.

Oh, I'm sure a second party will form anyway. When the federalists fell, the whigs rose; when the whigs fell, the republicans rose. With any luck, the republican party will fall and a centrist party will rise.

What worries me is that if the GOP falls, the new party that would rise would be the christian theocratic party. Of course, the GOP's been going down that road for a while anyway.

What worries me is that if the GOP falls, the new party that would rise would be the christian theocratic party. Of course, the GOP's been going down that road for a while anyway.

without the business community backing them, the christianists don't have the numbers or resources to win nationally. and, well, the business community appears to be getting fucking frightened of their previously convenient allies as it is already.

without the business community backing them, the christianists don't have the numbers or resources to win nationally. and, well, the business community appears to be getting fucking frightened of their previously convenient allies as it is already.

Isn't the number of American's who don't believe in evolution around 60%? Sure, their are plenty of disagreements among that 60%, and some are more extreme than others, but its not like a right-wing religious party wouldn't have a considerable base of public support. In fact, if the economy continues to worsen, fanatical religious beliefs to explain the current crisis, and End Times ideas, may well become more popular.

In fact, if the economy continues to worsen, fanatical religious beliefs to explain the current crisis, and End Times ideas, may well become more popular.

Which probably explains why they absolutely adored Dear Leader. Religious fanaticism combined with incompetent management skills and a blank-check-to-Israel approach that seemed sure to bring on the Second Coming way ahead of schedule.

Isn't the number of American's who don't believe in evolution around 60%? Sure, their are plenty of disagreements among that 60%, and some are more extreme than others, but its not like a right-wing religious party wouldn't have a considerable base of public support. In fact, if the economy continues to worsen, fanatical religious beliefs to explain the current crisis, and End Times ideas, may well become more popular.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/114544/Darwin-Birthday-Believe-Evolution.aspx

Indeed. 39% believe in evolution.

Isn't the number of American's who don't believe in evolution around 60%? Sure, their are plenty of disagreements among that 60%, and some are more extreme than others, but its not like a right-wing religious party wouldn't have a considerable base of public support. In fact, if the economy continues to worsen, fanatical religious beliefs to explain the current crisis, and End Times ideas, may well become more popular.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/114544/Darwin-Birthday-Believe-Evolution.aspx

Indeed. 39% believe in evolution.

And yet I feel that part of reason that number is so low may have something to with 34% of people answering the question "Can you tell me with which scientific theory Charles Darwin is associated" with "I don't know".

http://www.gallup.com/poll/114544/Darwin-Birthday-Believe-Evolution.aspx

Indeed. 39% believe in evolution.

and a further 36% have no idea. not sure about how fully they overlap, but the 25% who actively disbelieve is actually fairly close to the crazification factor/christianist core. you know, the people that never stopped loving bush and who voted for alan keyes over obama.

and a further 36% have no idea. not sure about how fully they overlap, but the 25% who actively disbelieve is actually fairly close to the crazification factor/christianist core. you know, the people that never stopped loving bush and who voted for alan keyes over obama.

Isn't that factor originally from The Daily Show?

The steady percentage of any large population that are batshit insane?

He was doing just fine, and then his mouth opened. ;)No, actually the way he sauntered around the corner toward the camera made him look weird even before he opened his mouth.

Isn't that factor originally from The Daily Show?

The steady percentage of any large population that are batshit insane?

i think this is the origin of it
http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2005/10/lunch-discussions-145-crazification.html

Not a bad idea maybe you should pitch it to them. I think that would be a first as well. First Jewish President, it could happen. I think New York would split apart if that happened.

I'm Agnostic, not Jewish, not even by descent.

Not yet, but I do have a few more openings in my Roving Band of Maniacs. If he sends a resume...

What's your e-mail, please? Send me a PM.

Just do what I do, and pretend you're Mexican when things from India start to embarrass you.

Not over here. I could pretend to be half-Italian though (got the hair for it.)

That does sound like something I would like to see, ;)

Not surprised.

No, actually the way he sauntered around the corner toward the camera made him look weird even before he opened his mouth.A poster on 538 put it better than I did:
Like MSNBC's Chris Matthews, I also said "Oh God" when I saw BoJi slump around the corner. He looked horrible and walked like he had a broomstick shoved were the Sun never shines. He was the quintessential, nervous high school dork making his first speech before the student body as to why he and not the smart, cool, popular kid should be student body president.

He's smarter than Biden.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=9906943

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - Giving the republican response to President Obama's speech Tuesday night, Governor Bobby Jindal pointed out fundamental differences in how republicans and democrats see the economy.

"But what I don't understand from Governor Jindal is what would he do?," asks Joe Biden while on the Early Show.
That rhetorical question to Governor Jindal on the Early Show, was followed with this.

"in Louisiana there's 400 people a day losing their jobs, what's he doing?" asks Biden.

But that claim is wrong, if you look at the numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

"In December, Louisiana was the only state in the nation besides the District of Columbia, according to the national press release that added employment over the month," says Patty Granier with the Louisiana Workforce Commission. According to her, not only is Louisiana not losing jobs. "The state gained 3,700 jobs for the seasonally adjusted employment," Granier said of the most recent figures.

You don't even have to take my word for it, these are number you can check out yourself if you just go to laworks.net, there you can find the latest unemployment statistics, statistics that appear to directly contradict what the vice president said this morning.

The latest stats show this - from the week ending January 17th there were 4,527 claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana, for the next week, that number receded to 4,179.
Folks who crunch the numbers credit a diverse economy for Louisiana's resilience to unemployment.

It's unclear where the VP gets his numbers, but they certainly don't match numbers from the labor department.

Well, Mr. Biden, maybe he's running things right. The only state aside from the District of Columbia to gain jobs when everyone else was losing them.

Well from reading the Economist it would seem that Jindal is not doing that bad in his home state, with a few errors here and there but overall positive. However, I have to say that aside from the odd article I read about him, his speech the other night after the State of the Union was my first real live introduction to him and I really disliked him as a person. Again, from what I've read his done ok as Gov but as a person..ugh he's just very unnattractive in mannerism, speech and style.

Plus the way he walked out to the camera from the corner of the room was just awkward. I don't want him representing my party.

He's smarter than Biden.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=9906943

Well, Mr. Biden, maybe he's running things right. The only state aside from the District of Columbia to gain jobs when everyone else was losing them.

I notice you cut short the article, leaving out the bit where they made a lie of their own figures.

"The unemployment rate in Louisiana has gone up, from 5.3 to 5.9."

Unemployment rate increased by .6% =/= "gained jobs".

He's smarter than Biden.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=9906943

Well, Mr. Biden, maybe he's running things right. The only state aside from the District of Columbia to gain jobs when everyone else was losing them.

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/jobless_claims_up_in_louisiana.html

Jobless claims up in Louisiana
by The Associated Press
Saturday February 14, 2009, 11:07 AM

BATON ROUGE -- Initial claims for jobless benefits are up in Louisiana, according to the state labor department.

For the week ending Feb. 7, initial claims totaled 4,338, down a bit from the previous week's tally of 4,591. But for the week ending Feb. 9, 2008, the figure was 2,283.

Continued claims totaled 39,257 for the latest week, up from 38,769 the previous week. A year ago, the figure was 21,003.

eh?

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/jobless_claims_up_in_louisiana.html

eh?

Don't be too confused. Even the source Hotwife pulled that from actually admits it's horseshit.

He's smarter than Biden.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=9906943



Well, Mr. Biden, maybe he's running things right. The only state aside from the District of Columbia to gain jobs when everyone else was losing them.


http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/jobless_claims_up_in_louisiana.html


eh?

Who is smarter then Biden? Oh right.
And who is full of shit? Once again, its you.

I notice you cut short the article, leaving out the bit where they made a lie of their own figures.

"The unemployment rate in Louisiana has gone up, from 5.3 to 5.9."

Unemployment rate increased by .6% =/= "gained jobs".

I swear DK does that on purpose. He can't really have believed none of us would actually look and notice that according to the link HE provided, LA is sinking just like everywhere else.

And the answer to what he's doing is obvious. According to him, government only fucks things up and thus, he's assisting the state by standing perfectly still in the corner.

I swear DK does that on purpose. He can't really have believed none of us would actually look and notice that according to the link HE provided, LA is sinking just like everywhere else.

And the answer to what he's doing is obvious. According to him, government only fucks things up and thus, he's assisting the state by standing perfectly still in the corner.

I commend DK on presenting sources. I applaud that much - it means I don't have to go far to find evidence when the post is full of crap.

What I just don't get... what's the motivation?

Is it pure trolling? Is anyone going to be convinced by the 307th troll post that, wow, you know, DK was right? Obama IS bad, Pelosi spilled my pint, or Democrats eat babies - whatever it is this week?

I commend DK on presenting sources. I applaud that much - it means I don't have to go far to find evidence when the post is full of crap.

What I just don't get... what's the motivation?

Is it pure trolling? Is anyone going to be convinced by the 307th troll post that, wow, you know, DK was right? Obama IS bad, Pelosi spilled my pint, or Democrats eat babies - whatever it is this week?

He's actually on Obama's side, see. Its like "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". He inures us to ridiculous claims...but then one day, its true.

It eventually turns out that Obama really is a Kenyan Muslim Socialist who personally whooped that chick's ass at the gas station and carved "Obama" into her forehead with the same switch blade that Willy Horton used.

And we. Won't. Believe it.

And then the terrorists win.