SCOTUS: Scalia Says Constitution Permits Court to ‘Favor Religion Over Non-Religion’

LGF • Views: 37,000

E gad, I was out with my son all day last Thursday and wasn’t even aware of this until just now. Seriously creepy stuff—I’m surprised no one Paged it (at least not that I could find).

Antonin Scalia

The separation of church and state doesn’t mean “the government cannot favor religion over non-religion,” Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia argued during a speech at Colorado Christian University on Wednesday, according to The Washington Times.

Defending his strict adherence to the plain text of the Constitution, Scalia knocked secular qualms over the role of religion in the public sphere as “utterly absurd,” arguing that the Constitution is only obligated to protect freedom of religion — not freedom from it.

“I think the main fight is to dissuade Americans from what the secularists are trying to persuade them to be true: that the separation of church and state means that the government cannot favor religion over non-religion,” the Reagan-appointed jurist told the crowd of about 400 people. […]

More at MSN…

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417 comments
1 Charles Johnson  Oct 6, 2014 6:31:16pm

This is a horrible, disgusting statement from anyone in public office, but from a Supreme Court justice it’s much, much worse. This is a guy who’s in a position to affect the course of US law-making, and he’s espousing an overtly theocratic viewpoint that’s totally opposite to the Constitution.

This, right here? This is why elections matter. Right wing presidents appoint loony religious fanatics like this to the Supreme Court, and they serve for life.

Disgusting beyond belief.

I intended to write a post about this a few days ago but got into other things — thanks to CL for bringing it back to the forefront. This is what everyone who cares about liberal values needs to be aware of.

2 wrenchwench  Oct 6, 2014 6:32:08pm

At the risk of crossing the streams here, this is what Sam Harris called ‘white theocracy’. Yet Bob Cesca attacks Affleck for calling Harris ‘racist’ for his views on Islam.

There is a good argument to be made (it has been made) for calling Islamophobia ‘racism’. If you still can’t do it, just use the word ‘bigotry’.

3 CuriousLurker  Oct 6, 2014 6:33:17pm

re: #1 Charles Johnson

I was completely gobsmacked when I read it. I just… O.O

4 jaunte  Oct 6, 2014 6:34:52pm

Scalia: “I think we have to fight that tendency of the secularists to impose it on all of us through the Constitution.”

He’s obviously chosen a side.

5 CuriousLurker  Oct 6, 2014 6:36:22pm

re: #4 jaunte

Scalia: “I think we have to fight that tendency of the secularists to impose it on all of us through the Constitution.”

He’s obviously chosen a side.

Yeah, so much for justice being impartial, huh?

6 CuriousLurker  Oct 6, 2014 6:39:34pm

re: #2 wrenchwench

At the risk of crossing the streams here, this is what Sam Harris called ‘white theocracy’. Yet Bob Cesca attacks Affleck for calling Harris ‘racist’ for his views on Islam.

There is a good argument to be made (it has been made) for calling Islamophobia ‘racism’. If you still can’t do it, just use the word ‘bigotry’.

A (Harris?) quote from the Cesca article:

We have been sold this meme of Islamophobia, where every criticism of the doctrine of Islam gets conflated with bigotry toward Muslims as people.

This is demonstrably untrue.

7 HappyWarrior  Oct 6, 2014 6:41:14pm

He’s a terrible judge and a dishonest asshole too.

8 wrenchwench  Oct 6, 2014 6:50:47pm

re: #6 CuriousLurker

A (Harris?) quote from the Cesca article:

This is demonstrably untrue.

Yes, that’s a quote of Harris.

I just read a thing where Harris defends himself from the ‘racist’ charge —coming from Glenn Greenwald. Ew, I agreed with Greenwald….

9 CuriousLurker  Oct 6, 2014 7:09:54pm

re: #8 wrenchwench

Yes, that’s a quote of Harris.

I just read a thing where Harris defends himself from the ‘racist’ charge —coming from Glenn Greenwald. Ew, I agreed with Greenwald….

LOL—makes you feel like you need a shower, doesn’t it? Ah well, stopped clock and all that…

10 I Stand With Big Sodomy!  Oct 6, 2014 7:18:39pm

re: #9 CuriousLurker

I have gained some serious respect for Affleck lately.

11 Eclectic Cyborg  Oct 6, 2014 8:19:55pm

In a perfect world a statement like that would get him kicked off the bench.

12 HappyWarrior  Oct 6, 2014 8:39:45pm

re: #11 Eclectic Cyborg

In a perfect world a statement like that would get him kicked off the bench.

No, in a perfect world, he’s not even on the bench.

13 mechanic  Oct 6, 2014 9:06:59pm

Tom Jefferson is rolling in his grave. And George Washington and John Adams. So while we’re at it Justice Scalia why don’t we just return to the Maryland Act of Toleration where it was still ok to kill Jews and other non believers. What a dangerous fool you are Scalia. You and your unchecked ego.

14 William of Orange  Oct 6, 2014 9:08:42pm

What was that about activist judges?

15 HappyWarrior  Oct 6, 2014 9:14:22pm

re: #14 William of Orange

What was that about activist judges?

He was talking ironically about himself.

16 HappyWarrior  Oct 6, 2014 9:18:10pm

And remember people: This is the guy that nearly every Republican candidate for president cites as their model Supreme Court judge. This is the guy they want more of on the high courts. A judicial extremist with a hypocritical worldview masked in the guise of “strict constructionism.”

17 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 6, 2014 9:21:03pm

From downstairs, my list of things I know about CCJ from his tweets:

He’s an award-winning journalist.
He’s been to Indonesia.
He’s been building rockets since he was 6.
He likes to threaten to sue people.
He graduated well from top schools.
He had an Asian girlfriend in college.
Their relationship was not well.
His Asian wife is “hot.”
She is an Indonesian Christian.
He is fat and dumpy.
He’s a ginger.
He knows virology.
He knows theology.
He knows the Bible.
He understands Asians.
He has driven a BMW.
His grandma listened to Rush Limbaugh.
He thrills to hear his name on Rush’s show.
He smokes “fine cigars.”
The Bell Curve changed his life.

I am sure it is not complete, since I have never followed CCJ on Twitter.

18 teleskiguy  Oct 6, 2014 9:22:03pm
19 HappyWarrior  Oct 6, 2014 9:23:06pm

re: #18 teleskiguy

[Embedded content]

As I’ve said. Judicial Activism to Cruz’s fans is any time a judge dares to disagree with them. Sorry Ted, it’s not judicial activism at all. Sorry if that chaps your bigoted ass.

20 Kragar  Oct 6, 2014 9:25:04pm

So Scalia would have no problem with a Wiccan community deciding a town council had to go skyclad for official business?

21 jaunte  Oct 6, 2014 9:30:05pm

[2013]
“Justice Antonin Scalia was in Houston, Texas on Friday, where he spoke at the Lanier Theological Library, which isn’t a “theological” library as much as it is a “Christianity” library.”

“While I would not argue that capitalism as an economic system is inherently more Christian than socialism … it does seem to me that capitalism is more dependent on Christianity than socialism is. For in order for capitalism to work — in order for it to produce a good and a stable society — the traditional Christian virtues are essential.”
addictinginfo.org

22 Kragar  Oct 6, 2014 9:31:34pm

re: #21 jaunte

[2013]
“Justice Antonin Scalia was in Houston, Texas on Friday, where he spoke at the Lanier Theological Library, which isn’t a “theological” library as much as it is a “Christianity” library.”

Because obviously in all of human history, no non-Christian civilization ever created a stable, moral and productive society.
///

23 HappyWarrior  Oct 6, 2014 9:32:12pm

re: #21 jaunte

[2013]
“Justice Antonin Scalia was in Houston, Texas on Friday, where he spoke at the Lanier Theological Library, which isn’t a “theological” library as much as it is a “Christianity” library.”

The usual tying in Christianity to capitalism. As old as the day itself and the claims about Christianity not being compatible with socialism.

24 jaunte  Oct 6, 2014 9:32:41pm

Scalia:

“The most disreputable area of our law is the establishment clause… the greatest miscarriage of constitutional justice… A violation of the establishment clause that does not affect someone’s free exercise — there is no reason why you should have standing.”

……………….

First Amendment Center:

The first of the First Amendment’s two religion clauses reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion … .” Note that the clause is absolute. It allows no law. It is also noteworthy that the clause forbids more than the establishment of religion by the government. It forbids even laws respecting an establishment of religion. The establishment clause sets up a line of demarcation between the functions and operations of the institutions of religion and government in our society. It does so because the framers of the First Amendment recognized that when the roles of the government and religion are intertwined, the result too often has been bloodshed or oppression.
firstamendmentcenter.org

25 jaunte  Oct 6, 2014 9:33:05pm

Scalia does not belong on the Supreme Court.

26 HappyWarrior  Oct 6, 2014 9:34:15pm

re: #25 jaunte

Scalia does not belong on the Supreme Court.

I would honestly suggest he doesn’t belong on any court.

27 austin_blue  Oct 6, 2014 9:34:31pm

Salafist Catholic.

Opus Dei fundamentalist.

Pitiful that he serves on the SCOTUS.

28 goddamnedfrank  Oct 6, 2014 9:35:19pm

LOL Scalia, what a fucking dishonest, sniveling hack.

My alcoholism has alcoholism.

29 austin_blue  Oct 6, 2014 9:37:53pm

re: #28 goddamnedfrank

LOL Scalia, what a fucking dishonest, sniveling hack.

My alcoholism has alcoholism.

Yeah, but he is a life sentence on the rest of us.

30 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 6, 2014 9:38:36pm

re: #21 jaunte

I dunno, Tony, capitalism works just fine in China and Vietnam.

31 Jay in Oregon  Oct 6, 2014 9:38:53pm

Scalia may think he knows his Constitution, but he sure as fuck doesn’t know his American history. It wasn’t too long ago that Catholics were second-class citizens in this country, the same as the ones he wants to turn “secularists” into.

Italians and Irish weren’t quite white enough for the WASPs. Scalia’s name would never have come up for a SCOTUS nomination and if it did, the GOP would filibuster until they were collectively blue in the face before they let a “papist” onto the high court.

How times have changed. JFK had to give a speech rejecting the notion that the President of the United States would get marching orders from the Vatican; now, GOPers are practically giddy over Rick Santorum saying the exact opposite.

32 jaunte  Oct 6, 2014 9:46:55pm

“…the Lanier Theological Library, which isn’t a “theological” library as much as it is a “Christianity” library…”

“The Lanier Theological Library is a growing resource for all students and scholars of the Bible in Northwest Houston. Within the library, you will find a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, historical documents and artifacts with topics ranging from Church History and Biblical Studies to Egyptology and Linguistics.”
laniertheologicallibrary.org

Yup.

33 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 6, 2014 9:50:29pm

When did it become acceptable for SCOTUS Justices to comment publicly on Constitutional matters — issues that at some point they might need to rule on?

Scalia seems to be bucking a long tradition of Justices being very closed mouthed about their opinions until they retire from the bench.

Or was I just not paying attention in the past?

34 jaunte  Oct 6, 2014 9:57:04pm

Antonin Scalia:

It’s erected as a war memorial. I assume it is erected in honor of all of the war dead. It’s the — the cross is the — is the most common symbol of — of — of the resting place of the dead, and it doesn’t seem to me — what would you have them erect? A cross — some conglomerate of a cross, a Star of David, and you know, a Moslem half moon and star?

Peter Eliasberg:

Well, Justice Scalia, if I may go to your first point. The cross is the most common symbol of the resting place of Christians. I have been in Jewish cemeteries. There is never a cross on a tombstone of a Jew. [Laughter.] So it is the most common symbol to honor Christians.

Antonin Scalia:

I don’t think you can leap from that to the conclusion that the only war dead that that cross honors are the Christian war dead. I think that’s an outrageous conclusion.

Salazar v. Buono oral arguments, 7 October 2009, regarding the Mojave Memorial Cross
en.wikiquote.org

35 teleskiguy  Oct 6, 2014 10:05:19pm

[re-posted from two floors down] [poor Chris Woods, should have had his own thread, but bad craziness persists]

I wonder if UpChuck will like this.

36 teleskiguy  Oct 6, 2014 10:07:43pm

Hateful drivel. UpChuck’s mind is diseased with unadulterated hate.

37 Kragar  Oct 6, 2014 10:08:24pm
38 freetoken  Oct 6, 2014 10:09:07pm

So, this comes across my news feed:

Lab-grown penises are ready for human trials

There are many a comedian who will make a job out of this one.

39 freetoken  Oct 6, 2014 10:09:35pm

re: #37 Kragar

I can confirm that CCJ is an idiot.

40 Kragar  Oct 6, 2014 10:10:16pm

re: #39 freetoken

I can confirm that CCJ is an idiot.

41 ausador  Oct 6, 2014 10:12:29pm

re: #17 wheat-dogghazi

I am sure it is not complete, since I have never followed CCJ on Twitter.

He has an I.Q. of 150
He has been building model rockets since he was six
He frequently makes typos but never deletes and corrects them.

42 Kragar  Oct 6, 2014 10:14:31pm
43 teleskiguy  Oct 6, 2014 10:14:39pm

It sucks that we have to rehash all the mindless sludge that UpChuck Johnson spews from his filthy sewer of a mind. But Charles is right, he gets linked by Matt Drudge. There are perhaps millions of right-wing automatons that are exposed to this cretin’s bile.

The beat goes on…

44 gwangung  Oct 6, 2014 10:15:42pm

re: #37 Kragar

[Embedded content]

The basic mantra of a journalist is to confirm…confirm…confirm.

Those who say otherwise are charlatans.

45 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 6, 2014 10:18:07pm

re: #37 Kragar

I can neither conform nir deny that allegation.

46 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 6, 2014 10:22:19pm

re: #37 Kragar

I’ve always been a nin-confirmist. I can confirm Anais Nin once lived.

47 teleskiguy  Oct 6, 2014 10:27:06pm

re: #46 wheat-dogghazi

I’ve always been a nin-confirmist.

NIN has a fantastic new song!

Youtube Video

48 teleskiguy  Oct 6, 2014 10:31:17pm
49 Jack Burton  Oct 6, 2014 10:34:44pm

re: #39 freetoken

I can confirm that CCJ is an idiot.

Forget it, he’s rolling.

50 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 6, 2014 10:47:08pm

Let’s assume that Scalia is correct and the constitution doesn’t mandate the separation wall. But that makes it a pretty useless constitution, since freedom of religion necessarily includes freedom from religion, so the constitution doesn’t defend a basic freedom.
Thanks, Scalia, for devaluing your constitution.

51 Shazam  Oct 6, 2014 10:51:37pm

rawstory.com

“If I had the other view of the Constitution - that it was an empty bottle, which was to be filed by my court, and it was my responsibility to decide … all these massive ethical questions — if they were all my call, I couldn’t sleep at night,” Scalia said. “Some of my colleagues have said, ‘Oh, we agonize a lot.’ I don’t agonize at all. I look at the text, I look at the history of the text - that’s the answer. It’s not my call.”

Bullshit. Scalia is the most ideologically influenced justice on the court. I believe he doesn’t agonize over cases, but only because he has already decided based on his biases.

52 ausador  Oct 6, 2014 11:03:31pm

re: #51 Shazam

rawstory.com

Bullshit. Scalia is the most ideologically influenced justice on the court. I believe he doesn’t agonize over cases, but only because he has already decided based on his biases.

If he actually was looking at the history of the text as he claims then he would know his statement runs contrary to the founders intent.

Edit: Probably gets all of his history from the two Davids, Barton and Irving.

53 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 6, 2014 11:50:02pm

Scalia’s worst feature is not even his theofascist views. Rather it’s his pretense of being this objective and unbiased arbiter while he spouts the most extreme partisan views ever.

54 freetoken  Oct 6, 2014 11:50:52pm

Waiting for Obama to be blamed for this one:

NURSE IN SPAIN GETS EBOLA, RAISING GLOBAL CONCERN

In a case underscoring the perils of caring for Ebola patients, a nurse in Spain has come down with the disease - the first time someone has caught the disease outside West Africa during the current epidemic.

The nurse’s illness illustrates the danger that health care workers face not only in poorly equipped West African clinics, but also in the more sophisticated medical centers of Europe and the United States, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University.

“At greatest risk in all Ebola outbreaks are health care workers,” he said.

[…]

55 goddamnedfrank  Oct 6, 2014 11:56:56pm

re: #50 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

Let’s assume that Scalia is correct and the constitution doesn’t mandate the separation wall. But that makes it a pretty useless constitution, since freedom of religion necessarily includes freedom from religion, so the constitution doesn’t defend a basic freedom.
Thanks, Scalia, for devaluing your constitution.

Let’s say that Scalia is right and the government can favor religion over non-religion. This would in turn necessitate an operational means testing of religions.

Otherwise there’s nothing to prevent people from simply dressing up their lack of religion as a religion. For instance, I simply assert that God is some intrinsically unknowable force that magically caused the Big Bang and then, realizing that as an omnipotent being they were incompatible with the Universe and free will permanently removed themselves from the ensuing Creation. My hypothetical religion also says that God hears our prayers, but can’t answer them without destroying the Universe and all existence. Also my religion says that in death everyone goes bowling, or not, it’s a sacred fucking mystery. These are all deeply held holy tenets of my new faith, so voila the State must favor it alongside every other flavor of religion, no?

56 ausador  Oct 6, 2014 11:58:30pm

Free Indy game that looks like it might be fun, going to have to try this one tomorrow…

Youtube Video

57 goddamnedfrank  Oct 7, 2014 12:13:35am

re: #55 goddamnedfrank

My faith also has a few sacraments and rules.

1. Stay hydrated.
2. Wash your hands before eating and after going to the bathroom.
3. Don’t be a fucking douchebag.
4. Tip your waitstaff.
5. Dogs are better than cats.*

*There is a breakaway sect that maintains cats are better than dogs. SPLITTERS!

58 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 12:37:27am

This one goes out to all you communist-music lovers:

MP3 Audio

59 Shazam  Oct 7, 2014 12:37:55am

re: #53 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

Scalia’s worst feature is not even his theofascist views. Rather it’s his pretense of being this objective and unbiased arbiter while he spouts the most extreme partisan views ever.

This is my view. Okay, conservatives get on the court and can decide however they want because there’s no oversight. Good job. But to claim he’s just interpreting the law objectively is an insult.

60 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 1:37:26am

You know it’s getting that time again, when I’m reviewing Christmas music…

61 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 1:45:36am

I fear the War On Christmas will be a rough one this year. The enemy has taken a great deal of online Christmas music down.

62 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 1:45:49am

You have to also interpret Scalia’s comments in light of the “America is a Christian nation” arguments.

And when he mentions “religion” in the generic sense, he has a specific religion in mind.

63 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 1:57:10am

re: #62 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

God dies hard.

64 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 2:26:42am

re: #62 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

In another public appearance on Wednesday at the University of Colorado Boulder Law School’s annual John Paul Stevens lecture, Scalia compared his efforts to restore constitutional originalism to the challenges faced by “Lord of the Rings” protagonist Frodo Baggins.

“It’s a long, uphill fight to get back to original orthodoxy. We have two ‘originalists’ on the Supreme Court,” Scalia said, referencing Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. “That’s something. But I feel like Frodo … We’ll get clobbered in the end, but it’s worth it.”

This one goes out to the Ainur:

MP3 Audio

65 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 2:29:37am

If the mp3 won’t play, try this one:

MP3 Audio

66 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 3:19:06am

re: #64 freetoken

Well, that’s an unusual contribution to constitutional law: the Frodo Baggins analogy. Being an “originalist” is just like carrying a ring under the sinister control of an evil being across hill and dale to an active volcano, just so you can throw it in. Except you don’t. The poor warped creature many years older than you fights you for possession of the ring, and finally takes the ring with him as he plunges off a cliff into molten lava.

Ayup.

67 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 3:29:19am

While West Africa deals with ebola, Guangdong, China, is dealing with dengue fever, which has affected more than 20,000 people so far. Six people have died from it.

Story at the South China Morning Post (possibly paywalled) scmp.com

And, incidentally, the Great Firewall of China is now blocking all of SCMP because of the 9-day long Hong Kong protest. Don’t wanna give restless mainlanders any ideas, after all.

68 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 3:41:49am

Be prepared for an onslaught from the conspiracy corner:

Husband of Spanish Ebola nurse now in quarantine

Four more people have been hospitalised in Spain after it emerged a nurse had contracted Ebola in Europe, a Madrid Hospital official said.

[…]

That came after this yesterday:

Japanese tourist quarantined in India for Ebola symptoms

There’s been no updated I could find on the latter. Is is just hysteria?

69 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 3:46:34am

re: #68 freetoken

Be prepared for an onslaught from the conspiracy corner:

Husband of Spanish Ebola nurse now in quarantine

That came after this yesterday:

Japanese tourist quarantined in India for Ebola symptoms

There’s been no updated I could find on the latter. Is is just hysteria?

The only reports I can find are IBT and Xinhua News Agencies, not the most reliable of news sources.

The Spanish are approaching full panic mode, it seems.

70 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 4:02:37am

re: #69 wheat-dogghazi

The Spanish are indeed frazzled over this, the news reports suggest.

Regarding the Japanese woman in India - yeah, that was what I thought too, hard time finding Western news agencies (Reuters, AP, BBC) reporting on it. However, I don’t think that automatically should let us discount it. Yet the story does say the woman came from Myanmar, not Africa.

71 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 4:03:18am

Art show depicts Vladimir Putin as Hercules performing his 12 labors.

bbc.com

Image: _78049085_img_4977.jpg

72 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 4:04:32am

re: #70 freetoken

AFAIK, Myanmar is not doing any relief work in West Africa. I’ll see if the Indian news sites have anything.

73 freetoken  Oct 7, 2014 4:07:10am

re: #72 wheat-dogghazi

I’m wondering if the suspect news outlets are trying to piggy-back on this article that got some widespread attention:

Beware! Ebola virus could hit India

74 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 4:11:53am

re: #73 freetoken

This is a more level-headed and detailed report from The Times of India. The tourist has not visited West Africa, and the report says she was not exhibiting specific ebola symptoms.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

75 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 4:16:10am

re: #17 wheat-dogghazi

From downstairs, my list of things I know about CCJ from his tweets:

He’s an award-winning journalist.
He’s been to Indonesia.
He’s been building rockets since he was 6.
He likes to threaten to sue people.
He graduated well from top schools.
He had an Asian girlfriend in college.
Their relationship was not well.
His Asian wife is “hot.”
She is an Indonesian Christian.
He is fat and dumpy.
He’s a ginger.
He knows virology.
He knows theology.
He knows the Bible.
He understands Asians.
He has driven a BMW.
His grandma listened to Rush Limbaugh.
He thrills to hear his name on Rush’s show.
He smokes “fine cigars.”
The Bell Curve changed his life.

I am sure it is not complete, since I have never followed CCJ on Twitter.

He’s the very model of a modern major general conservative “journalist”?

76 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 4:18:09am

re: #75 Timothy Watson

Perfect tune for a song about CCJ, but it would be waste of time to write one. it would only inflate his sense of self-importance.

77 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 4:24:04am

re: #38 freetoken

So, this comes across my news feed:

Lab-grown penises are ready for human trials

There are many a comedian who will make a job out of this one.

South Park already did. (Firewalled here, but it’s the episode titled Eek! A Penis!)

78 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 4:24:52am

re: #34 jaunte

Antonin Scalia:

I don’t think you can leap from that to the conclusion that the only war dead that that cross honors are the Christian war dead. I think that’s an outrageous conclusion.

WHAT WHAT WHAT

79 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 4:26:29am

OK, this is funny, even if it’s true. North Korea is saying Kim Jong-Un pigged out on so much Swiss Emmental that he gained a lot of weight and fractured his ankles on a recent tour.

indiatoday.intoday.in

Other reports provide an additional detail that the Fearless Leader wears lifts in his shoes to appear taller, and teetering on these shoes led to his injuries.

With North Korean news reports, it’s hard to distinguish fact from fiction. This story is plausible, but could be a clumsy cover for some other reason Kim has not been seen in public for several weeks.

80 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 4:31:54am

re: #55 goddamnedfrank

Let’s say that Scalia is right and the government can favor religion over non-religion. This would in turn necessitate an operational means testing of religions.

Otherwise there’s nothing to prevent people from simply dressing up their lack of religion as a religion. For instance, I simply assert that God is some intrinsically unknowable force that magically caused the Big Bang and then, realizing that as an omnipotent being they were incompatible with the Universe and free will permanently removed themselves from the ensuing Creation. My hypothetical religion also says that God hears our prayers, but can’t answer them without destroying the Universe and all existence. Also my religion says that in death everyone goes bowling, or not, it’s a sacred fucking mystery. These are all deeply held holy tenets of my new faith, so voila the State must favor it alongside every other flavor of religion, no?

Your religion makes a lot more sense than some of the other ones that are out there.

81 sattv4u2  Oct 7, 2014 4:32:01am

re: #79 wheat-dogghazi

he gained a lot of weight and fractured his ankles on a recent tour.

Yeah. That was going around a couple of weeks ago. Now the speculation is these recent surprise talks the North and South are in are so Lil Tiny Kim can get special ankle braces not available in the North!!

((not really ,,,, but a few days back a delegation from the North did go to the south for unscheduled talks)))

news.com.au

82 sattv4u2  Oct 7, 2014 4:33:16am

re: #79 wheat-dogghazi

The timing of this visit has also raised questions.

On Friday, North Korea gave a 24-hour notice to Seoul that it would send three senior officials to attend the closing ceremony of the Asian Games, including the second most powerful man in North Korea, Vice Marshal Hwang Pyong-so. Over the weekend, the two frosty neighbours rushed to high-level conciliatory talks

83 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 4:34:17am

re: #55 goddamnedfrank

Otherwise there’s nothing to prevent people from simply dressing up their lack of religion as a religion.

You mean like Scientology?

84 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 4:38:44am

re: #66 wheat-dogghazi

Well, that’s an unusual contribution to constitutional law: the Frodo Baggins analogy. Being an “originalist” is just like carrying a ring under the sinister control of an evil being across hill and dale to an active volcano, just so you can throw it in. Except you don’t. The poor warped creature many years older than you fights you for possession of the ring, and finally takes the ring with him as he plunges off a cliff into molten lava.

Ayup.

I can’t imagine Scalia as anyone other than Gollum. Elana Kagan is more of a Frodo.

85 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 4:47:57am

re: #84 Pie-onist Overlord

I can’t imagine Scalia as anyone other than Gollum. Elana Kagan is more of a Frodo.

Suitable choices, I feel.

86 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 4:49:53am
New Oklahoma policies restrict media access to executions

A new policy established by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections will severly restrict the media’s ability to witness state executions.

The new rules, which went into effect September 30, cut the number of media witnesses at any given execution from 12 to five, and give state officials discretion to close the viewing room or remove witnesses from the facility altogether if the condemned remains conscious five minutes into the lethal injection procedure.

rcfp.org

87 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 4:52:04am

re: #86 Timothy Watson

In other words, rather than reform the procedures, Oklahoma prefers to sweep any problems under the rug.

88 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 4:59:21am

Well it looks like Scalia was not the first SCOTUS justice to to hold this view:

89 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 5:02:28am

re: #88 Pie-onist Overlord

Well it looks like Scalia was not the first SCOTUS justice to to hold this view:

Andrew needs to proofread his tweets better. If John Jay did say that, he probably said “It is the duty of our …”

Oh, I found the quote, unattributed to Jay, in a document by David Barton. A Tuscaloosa newspaper column by a pastor attributes it to Jay.

90 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 5:04:22am

re: #88 Pie-onist Overlord

Well it looks like Scalia was not the first SCOTUS justice to to hold this view:

[Embedded content]

Truncated quote:

“Real Christians will abstain from violating the rights of others, and therefore will not provoke war. Almost all nations have peace or war at the will and pleasure of rulers whom they do not elect, and who are not always wise or virtuous. Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” (emphasis in original)

91 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 5:06:38am

re: #90 Timothy Watson

Real Christians will abstain from violating the rights of others

obviously not a True Christian…

92 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 5:08:07am

re: #90 Timothy Watson

Truncated quote:

I bow to your greater Google-fu. I have seen that quote before, but couldn’t find it quickly, as China has crippled my Google access.

Bing sucks as a search engine, especially as it is also handicapped by Chinese censorship.

93 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 5:11:35am

re: #89 wheat-dogghazi

Andrew needs to proofread his tweets better. If John Jay did say that, he probably said “It is the duty of our …”

Oh, I found the quote, unattributed to Jay, in a document by David Barton. A Tuscaloosa newspaper column by a pastor attributes it to Jay.

*FACE PALM*

Of course it’s a Fake Quote, I saw it on Teh Twitters.

94 Alyosha  Oct 7, 2014 5:12:50am

re: #71 wheat-dogghazi

Art show depicts Vladimir Putin as Hercules performing his 12 labors.

bbc.com

Image: _78049085_img_4977.jpg

I gave you the upding in spite of myself since it’s a violation of my parole to surf the net whilst hard.
Or do people aquaplane the net now? I’m so awkward!

95 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 5:17:04am
96 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 5:17:10am

re: #93 Pie-onist Overlord

*FACE PALM*

Of course it’s a Fake Quote, I saw it on Teh Twitters.

In context, it makes better sense. Timothy Watson has the full paragraph, in which Jay says real Christians would not start wars nor abridge the rights of others. I would argue that Jay’s understanding of the word “Christian” is not the same as David Barton’s, or the twitterato Andrew. To say to someone, “that’s very Christian of you,” was once understood to mean generous, compassionate, kind — you know, that liberal Sermon on the Mount stuff.

97 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 5:18:12am

re: #94 Alyosha

I gave you the upding in spite of myself since it’s a violation of my parole to surf the net whilst hard.
Or do people aquaplane the net now? I’m so awkward!

Uuhhh, what did you use to click on the upding button?

Nevermind, I don’t want to know.

98 Alyosha  Oct 7, 2014 5:19:04am

re: #95 darthstar

It’s what happens when you let rural minorities into the suburbs.

99 sattv4u2  Oct 7, 2014 5:19:13am

re: #95 darthstar

Australian Road Rage !?!?!

100 Alyosha  Oct 7, 2014 5:20:26am

re: #97 wheat-dogghazi

Uuhhh, what did you use to click on the upding button?

Nevermind, I don’t want to know.

Sadly it’s small enough to touch off the + icon on an IPhone 4 screen :(

101 sattv4u2  Oct 7, 2014 5:20:33am

re: #94 Alyosha

I gave you the upding in spite of myself since it’s a violation of my parole to surf the net whilst hard.
Or do people aquaplane the net now? I’m so awkward!

“surf”.,,, is that what you kids are calling it nowadays

102 Alyosha  Oct 7, 2014 5:22:29am

re: #101 sattv4u2

“surf”.,,, is that what you kids are calling it nowadays

I look to my elders for guidance ;)

103 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 5:23:16am

re: #102 Alyosha

I look to my elders for guidance ;)

Giving yourself a selfie, perhaps.

104 sattv4u2  Oct 7, 2014 5:23:45am

re: #103 wheat-dogghazi

Giving yourself a selfie, perhaps.

TMI ,, TMI ,, TMI!!!

105 sattv4u2  Oct 7, 2014 5:25:13am

Urban Renewal Project!?!?!
ibtimes.co.uk

Islamist terror group Boko Haram destroyed over 180 churches in the West African country following its capture of towns and villages in the north-eastern states of Borno and Adamawa.

106 Mattand  Oct 7, 2014 5:30:13am

If the Constitution allows government to favor the religious over the non-religious, then why does it forbid religious tests in order to hold public office?

107 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 5:31:46am
108 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 5:32:56am

re: #107 darthstar

[Embedded content]

I generally do not care what an actor has to say about politics unless he have elected one…

109 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 5:33:56am

re: #106 Mattand

If the Constitution allows government to favor the religious over the non-religious, then why does it forbid religious tests in order to hold public office?

It would be better to have civics tests. Many of our public officials seem to slept through those classes in school.

110 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 5:39:53am

re: #108 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I generally do not care what an actor has to say about politics unless he have elected one…

Reagan wasn’t politics, he was theatre.

111 b.d.  Oct 7, 2014 5:44:41am

re: #110 darthstar

Reagan wasn’t politics, he was theatre.

All sizzle, flag waving romancing for an America that never was.

112 Alyosha  Oct 7, 2014 5:47:10am

Reckon Ted Cruz can get into SAG before the primaries? I’m sure if anyone can turn California Red again it’s Munster-face.

113 Mattand  Oct 7, 2014 5:47:38am

Between having lifetime-serving SCOTUS judges who want a theocracy*; and a party that runs in large part on wanting the US to become a theocracy; I really despair for this country sometimes.

Like Charles said in the first post: elections do matter. The problems is too many Americans conflate being religious with being a good person to see that.

*Don’t kid yourself if you think Scalia’s the only judge who thinks Jesus helped write the Constitution.

114 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 5:48:25am

re: #27 austin_blue

Salafist Catholic.

Opus Dei fundamentalist.

Pitiful that he serves on the SCOTUS.

The great joke is that the flavor of Christianity that runs the school where he spoke would gladly outlaw his religion, given the chance.

ccu.edu

115 Dr. Matt  Oct 7, 2014 5:48:32am

If right-wingers were not so obsessed with turning politics into a sport, whereby scoring cheap political points is a “victory”, they should be scared to fucking death that a Justice is such a radical religious extremist.

116 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 5:52:23am

117 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 5:52:36am

re: #110 darthstar

Reagan wasn’t politics, he was theatre.

All that saluting and flag-kissing just performance art.

118 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 5:54:03am
119 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 5:54:09am

re: #110 darthstar

Reagan wasn’t politics, he was theatre.

Reagan was the victory of style over substance. Not the first president to do so, but one of the few for whom it was so painfully obvious. His electoral victories came not because of accomplishments, but because he was so great at portraying war veterans as “wimps” compared to himself, the smug actor who thought of military uniforms as “costumes.”

120 Eventual Carrion  Oct 7, 2014 5:56:16am

re: #62 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

You have to also interpret Scalia’s comments in light of the “America is a Christian nation” arguments.

And when he mentions “religion” in the generic sense, he has a specific religion in mind.

Funny that the people that were, you know, alive at that time in our history said unanimously:
“As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion”

So what ever religion is supposed to be supreme from the beginning, of our nation, that statement says it isn’t the christian one.

121 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 5:56:42am

SCOTUS IS FAIR AND BALANCED

I’m actually not totally hating this morning.

Hubby purchased 3/4 particle board piece for under my side of the mattress.

you?

122 b.d.  Oct 7, 2014 5:57:37am

re: #118 Lidane

Stoke that culture war Ted, please proceed.

123 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 5:57:45am

re: #119 Targetpractice

Reagan was the victory of style over substance. Not the first president to do so, but one of the few for whom it was so painfully obvious. His electoral victories came not because of accomplishments, but because he was so great at portraying war veterans as “wimps” compared to himself, the smug actor who thought of military uniforms as “costumes.”

Not to mention, being able to repeatedly claim he was present for the liberation of a concentration camp when he never left the country during World War II.

124 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 5:58:28am

Listening to Michael Cunningham’s The Snow Queen. Cunningham (who by the way is a wonderful author) has a character who could be a poster here. Absolutely hates the GOP.

125 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 5:58:49am

re: #121 FemNaziBitch

SCOTUS IS FAIR AND BALANCED

I’m actually not totally hating this morning.

Hubby purchased 3/4 particle board piece for under my side of the mattress.

you?

Your sleep number is concrete?

126 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 5:58:58am

re: #118 Lidane

[Embedded content]

One of those times I love the idea of Ted Cruz as the GOP nominee. Social issues are a guaranteed loser for the GOP, that’s why they worked so hard in 2012 to drag the dialogue to the economy. Except the economy’s improving such that the most that the GOP can do on that front is make promises nobody really believes anymore.

127 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 5:59:10am

From now on every gun nut who Tweets to me that HURR HURR A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WITH GUNZ COULD OF STOPPED TEH HOLOCAUST!!!1!!!! gets this:
ushmm.org

Not that it would change their thinking or anything.

128 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:00:21am

re: #21 jaunte

[2013]
“Justice Antonin Scalia was in Houston, Texas on Friday, where he spoke at the Lanier Theological Library, which isn’t a “theological” library as much as it is a “Christianity” library.”

How about age-old values, that many seem to think are exclusively Xtian.

129 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 6:00:31am

re: #119 Targetpractice

Reagan was the victory of style over substance. Not the first president to do so, but one of the few for whom it was so painfully obvious. His electoral victories came not because of accomplishments, but because he was so great at portraying war veterans as “wimps” compared to himself, the smug actor who thought of military uniforms as “costumes.”

He was able to convince people that he truly believed in what he was telling them, and that still counts for a lot among the American electorate.

A lot of people voted for Bush because he had a similar ability: they felt that they would rather have someone who (at least seemed like ) he had principles and followed them rather than an opportunistic politician, which is how they succeeded in portraying Gore and Kerry.

130 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:00:32am

re: #125 darthstar

Your sleep number is concrete?

Yes

131 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 6:00:50am

re: #126 Targetpractice

One of those times I love the idea of Ted Cruz as the GOP nominee. Social issues are a guaranteed loser for the GOP, that’s why they worked so hard in 2012 to drag the dialogue to the economy. Except the economy’s improving such that the most that the GOP can do on that front is make promises nobody really believes anymore.

I’d love to see them nominate a culture warrior like Cruz. A war hero couldn’t win in 2008 and a “job creator” couldn’t win in 2012. Watching a social conservative nutcase lose in 2016 would be a trifecta of fail for the GOP and would hopefully force the power structure of the party to rethink a few things.

132 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 6:01:14am

re: #130 FemNaziBitch

Yes

You’d like the beds in China, then.

133 Alyosha  Oct 7, 2014 6:01:23am

re: #123 Timothy Watson

Not to mention, being able to repeatedly claim he was present for the liberation of a concentration camp when he never left the country during World War II.

Well, he spoke to SS ghosts at their grave sites if I recall accurately, so it was as if he were there the whole time.

134 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:01:39am

re: #10 I Stand With Big Sodomy!

I have gained some serious respect for Affleck lately.

He has substance. Once I found out he had a part in writing Good Will Hunting, I decided I liked him.

135 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:01:57am

re: #132 wheat-dogghazi

You’d like the beds in China, then.

blanket on the floor —yes, that is my favorite.

136 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 6:02:16am

re: #134 FemNaziBitch

He has substance. Once I found out he had a part in writing Good Will Hunting, I decided I liked him.

He is a bit smarter than he lets on, he could have made it as a writer and producer even if he had never starred as an actor.

137 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:04:50am

re: #129 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

He was able to convince people that he truly believed in what he was telling them, and that still counts for a lot among the American electorate.

A lot of people voted for Bush because he had a similar ability: they felt that they would rather have someone who (at least seemed like ) he had principles and followed them rather than an opportunistic politician, which is how they succeeded in portraying Gore and Kerry.

I still think that of Kerry.

I just never believed anything he said.

138 b.d.  Oct 7, 2014 6:04:50am

Simpler times;

139 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 6:04:50am

re: #135 FemNaziBitch

blanket on the floor —yes, that is my favorite.

The “mattress” is the what we call the box spring in the US. On top goes a quilted cotton pad, not unlike a Japanese futon. In the north, the traditional bed is a brick platform heated from underneath in the wintertime.

140 Eventual Carrion  Oct 7, 2014 6:04:53am

re: #88 Pie-onist Overlord

Well it looks like Scalia was not the first SCOTUS justice to to hold this view:

[Embedded content]

141 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 6:06:57am

re: #131 Lidane

I’d love to see them nominate a culture warrior like Cruz. A war hero couldn’t win in 2008 and a “job creator” couldn’t win in 2012. Watching a social conservative nutcase lose in 2016 would be a trifecta of fail for the GOP and would hopefully force the power structure of the party to rethink a few things.

Back in the day, the last two losses would have been a serious wake-up call for the GOP and Ted Cruz would be seen as an outside bet for the presidential nomination. But after Citizens United, in the age of astroturf and social media, the man is actually a strong contender simply because he stands outside the “establishment.”

142 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 6:09:15am

re: #128 FemNaziBitch

How about age-old values, that many seem to think are exclusively Xtian.

Age-old values: First Strike, Overwhelming force, Eat who you kill.

Everything else is progressivism.

143 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:09:43am

Any Man Not Born of Woman?. I’m still pissed about this one.

Why Women Vote Blue:

144 Alyosha  Oct 7, 2014 6:10:18am

re: #137 FemNaziBitch

I still think that of Kerry.

I just never believed anything he said.

Simpsons pull-string Gore:

‘You are heearing me talk.’

Edited

145 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:10:31am

re: #139 wheat-dogghazi

The “mattress” is the what we call the box spring in the US. On top goes a quilted cotton pad, not unlike a Japanese futon. In the north, the traditional bed is a brick platform heated from underneath in the wintertime.

Both sound wonderful!

146 Eventual Carrion  Oct 7, 2014 6:10:42am

re: #107 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Oh, people kept telling RR what to say. He was a script reader, not a brainiac. A puppet if you will. And we can be pretty sure of who was pulling the strings.

147 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 6:12:09am

re: #135 FemNaziBitch

blanket on the floor —yes, that is my favorite.

You’re a cat.

148 NJDhockeyfan  Oct 7, 2014 6:15:35am
149 b.d.  Oct 7, 2014 6:16:12am

re: #146 Eventual Carrion

Oh, people kept telling RR what to say. He was a script reader, not a brainiac. A puppet if you will. And we can be pretty sure of who was pulling the strings.

A drunken Peggy Noonan?

150 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:16:57am

Funniest Parenting Tweets:

151 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:17:43am

re: #147 darthstar

You’re a cat.

In a former life —a pampered house cat.

152 NJDhockeyfan  Oct 7, 2014 6:19:23am
153 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 6:21:48am

re: #143 FemNaziBitch

Any Man Not Born of Woman?. I’m still pissed about this one.

Why Women Vote Blue:

Where is that graphic from?

154 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:22:34am

Feral Girl went to the Big Back Yard yesterday. She spent about 4 hours playing with a 5 month old foster terrier. My friend, who owns the Big Back Yard, said that they became real buddies The played nearly the whole time, took a short nap together, they dug a hole together.

Ah, remember the days when you could spend the whole afternoon with friend and never leave the back yard?

One of my girlfriends and I, I think in about 3rd grade, decided we were going to dig our way to China. I guess she got in big trouble for it when she got home. I barely remember it.

Feral Girl did not get in trouble.

I don’t think I ever took a nap with friends.

155 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 6:24:22am

re: #139 wheat-dogghazi

The “mattress” is the what we call the box spring in the US. On top goes a quilted cotton pad, not unlike a Japanese futon. In the north, the traditional bed is a brick platform heated from underneath in the wintertime.

Germans like to use a Lattenrost, a curved wooden slat frame with a mattress on top of it.

156 Rightwingconspirator  Oct 7, 2014 6:24:42am

Why facts should drive politics rather than the other way around.

Example 1,276

LA Times
Dr. C.J. Peters, who battled a 1989 outbreak of the virus among research monkeys housed in Virginia and who later led the CDC’s most far-reaching study of Ebola’s transmissibility in humans, said he would not rule out the possibility that it spreads through the air in tight quarters.

“We just don’t have the data to exclude it,” said Peters, who continues to research viral diseases at the University of Texas in Galveston.

157 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 6:29:00am

Okay…this is pretty funny. The Oatmeal’s writer has been loving up Tesla since he got his car…

Youtube Video

158 b.d.  Oct 7, 2014 6:33:16am

re: #152 NJDhockeyfan

[Embedded content]

I thought that N. Korea was busy trying to find their dear leader?

159 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:34:23am

Proponent’s Argument for voting Yes:
[Rep. Fortenberry, R-NE]: Americans deserve to know how the government spends their money, and they are right to refuse the use of their tax dollars for highly controversial activities—in this case, abortion. Abortion harms women. It takes the lives of children, and it allows a man to escape his responsibility. The abortion industry many times profits from all of this pain. We can and must do better as a society, and at a minimum, taxpayer dollars should not be involved. This issue has manifested itself most intently during the health care debate. Unless a prohibition is enacted, taxpayers will fund abortion under the framework of the new health care law. Abortion is not health care.

Just had to share that.

160 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 6:37:55am

re: #159 FemNaziBitch

Proponent’s Argument for voting Yes:
[Rep. Fortenberry, R-NE]: Americans deserve to know how the government spends their money, and they are right to refuse the use of their tax dollars for highly controversial activities—in this case, abortion. Abortion harms women. It takes the lives of children, and it allows a man to escape his responsibility. The abortion industry many times profits from all of this pain. We can and must do better as a society, and at a minimum, taxpayer dollars should not be involved. This issue has manifested itself most intently during the health care debate. Unless a prohibition is enacted, taxpayers will fund abortion under the framework of the new health care law. Abortion is not health care.

Just had to share that.

Yet, how far are these social warriors willing to take that logic? Are they willing to force unwilling men to marry women they impregnate? Is a woman raped by a man going to be forced to marry her rapist so that he takes “responsibility” for the child?

There are so many dark places such logic can go that anyone who buys into it should have their heads examined.

161 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 6:38:40am

re: #153 Pie-onist Overlord

Where is that graphic from?

Landover Baptist Church?

162 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 6:38:50am
163 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:39:29am

Tiger Kitties!!!
Youtube Video

164 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:40:01am

re: #161 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

Landover Baptist Church?

from my FB, I am still trying to refind it to see if there was a source. I don’t remember.

165 TDG2112  Oct 7, 2014 6:41:23am

This reminds me of a discussion my Politics and Christianity professor had with us in class about “Freedom To vs. Freedom From”

Freedom to do what you want vs. the Freedom From bad things (hunger, oppression, poverty, disease, etc.).

It seems that Conservatives are alright with taking away other people’s freedom from things, so long as they have the freedom to “run Coal,” “Stand their ground,” and generally to do whatever they like without concern of how it effects others.

166 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 6:42:18am

re: #162 darthstar

[Embedded content]

The press really don’t know what to do here. A definitive yes or no could be picked apart by their “experts” for weeks. Declining to hear any cases has thrown them for a loop, because it lets the lower court rulings stand but leaves the matter unresolved.

167 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 6:42:19am
168 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 6:42:50am

re: #150 FemNaziBitch

[Embedded content]

Funniest Parenting Tweets:

169 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 6:46:01am

So, out of the more than 100 cases where the CDC was contacted about possible Ebola incidence, how many of those turned out to be an actual confirmed case of Ebola.

One.

Out of more than 100 suspected cases. 99% of the cases to date have turned out to be other ailments.

We’d probably see the same kind of dynamic in other countries where public health agencies are screening for Ebola cases - as in Spain or Africa.

The Spanish case is worrisome because the nurse claimed to have followed all protocols and still managed to get infected after only two contacts.

Meanwhile, in the Texas patient case, new information suggests that the patient didn’t know that the pregnant woman he was helping even had Ebola; her family had told him that she had malaria. Screening at the airport can be undermined by incentives not to self-report, because people would end up being stuck in West Africa, where the medical care is less than ideal.

Liberian officials said last week that the patient hospitalized in Dallas, Thomas Eric Duncan, did not report to airport screeners that he had had previous contact with an Ebola-stricken woman. It is not known whether Duncan knew she suffered from Ebola; her family told neighbors it was malaria.

The potential disincentive for passengers to reveal their own symptoms was echoed by Sheka Forna, a dual citizen of Sierra Leone and Britain who manages a communications firm in Freetown. Forna said he considered it “very possible” that people with fever would medicate themselves to appear asymptomatic.

One possible solution is for the US and other countries to build out facilities at the airports to better screen those patients. That would go a long way to building in more trust in the system to catch infected persons before they even get on the plane - let them know that they’re going to get Western-levels of care even without getting on a plane to Europe, Asia, or North America.

Then there’s the airborne component - a few virologists claim that we can’t rule that out, but they’re talking about droplet transmission (coughing or spitting viral loads), rather than airborne virus. It’s not merely a distinction without a difference.

170 Sionainn  Oct 7, 2014 6:46:09am

re: #37 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Yes, confirming is such a horrible thing to do. It’s something that Chuck resists every day.

171 Frenchy  Oct 7, 2014 6:47:42am

re: #131 Lidane

You’d think they would’ve seen the writing on the wall and rethought a few things long before now, but instead they’ve become more radical as the bulk of their constituency has become more rabid at the thought of a black man in the White House.

At any rate, if Ted Cruz runs, I expect his campaign to be high comedy. If he actually manages to get nominated (which I can’t imagine but frankly I’ve lost the ability to be surprised by anything that comes out of the GOP), it’ll mean a landslide victory for the Democratic candidate, I assume HRC.

172 darthstar  Oct 7, 2014 6:48:18am
173 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 6:49:16am
174 Ian G.  Oct 7, 2014 6:49:16am

Scalia is the Roger Taney of our time, and future generations are going to hold him in similar contempt.

175 NJDhockeyfan  Oct 7, 2014 6:50:01am
176 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 6:51:07am

re: #169 lawhawk

The problem with such a solution, of course, is that it’s proactive, whereas modern US politics are primarily reactive. Case in point, the decision to send thousands of US troops to assist in the efforts to contain and treat Ebola patients in West Africa was met not with approval, but instead wild screaming about the possibility of soldiers being infected or disapproval of troops not being sent to combat ISIS instead. For such a solution to actually be adopted, we’d have to worry about the lives of people other than fellow Americans, and I doubt there’s the political will there anymore to make such things happen.

177 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 6:53:15am

It’s a bizarre world!

178 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 6:53:47am

re: #176 Targetpractice

The problem with such a solution, of course, is that it’s proactive, whereas modern US politics are primarily reactive. Case in point, the decision to send thousands of US troops to assist in the efforts to contain and treat Ebola patients in West Africa was met not with approval, but instead wild screaming about the possibility of soldiers being infected or disapproval of troops not being sent to combat ISIS instead. For such a solution to actually be adopted, we’d have to worry about the lives of people other than fellow Americans, and I doubt there’s the political will there anymore to make such things happen.

It would also involve giving FREE STUFF to brown people.

And even though it would more than pay for itself by reducing our exposure in the US, it would not be approved in the current political climate.

179 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 7:01:00am

His So-Called Friend Gave His Girlfriend a ‘Poke’ — And So He Punched That Friend to Death

Men can be so strange. Sorry guys, I just will never understand what sets that fuse alight.

180 NJDhockeyfan  Oct 7, 2014 7:01:34am

Bad news…

181 WhatEVs  Oct 7, 2014 7:03:11am

re: #37 Kragar

182 NJDhockeyfan  Oct 7, 2014 7:04:32am
183 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 7:07:57am

I’m watching Transformers: Age of Extinction now on the TV. Pretty stupid movie, but this caught my eye. It’s the logo on the bank card Cade uses in an ATM in the middle of the Southwest USA. A big blue C, just like on my bank card.

What every Texas home inventor carries on him

Nothing like product placement.

184 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 7:08:31am

re: #181 WhatEVs

[Embedded content]

I think he means “conform”. CCJ didn’t graduate well from spelling skool.

185 Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi  Oct 7, 2014 7:10:28am

re: #155 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Germans like to use a Lattenrost, a curved wooden slat frame with a mattress on top of it.

The sleeping arrangement I’ve never been able to fathom is the use of a hard headrest instead of a pillow, as in ancient Egypt. I just can’t even.

186 b.d.  Oct 7, 2014 7:10:43am

re: #184 Decatur Deb

I think he means “conform”. CCJ didn’t graduate well from spelling skool.

He graduated well!

187 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 7:11:06am

This is a note to Charles.

If I don’t use my VPN, with Chrome and Win 7, these LGF buttons don’t work: Reply, Quote and New Comments. Maybe others, too.

With the VPN running, they do work.

So, what’s going on?

188 danarchy  Oct 7, 2014 7:12:31am

re: #179 FemNaziBitch

His So-Called Friend Gave His Girlfriend a ‘Poke’ — And So He Punched That Friend to Death

Men can be so strange. Sorry guys, I just will never understand what sets that fuse alight.

Maybe you could ask this woman:

A woman was arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of repeatedly biting another woman during a fight.

The victim was hospitalized to be treated for a broken eye socket and several bites that tore flesh, according to the criminal complaint.

Sarah Sodd, 28, was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

Police said Sodd and her friend were drinking alcohol together at the victim’s home late Saturday and they started to argue. Sodd allegedly attacked the woman and bit her on her legs, stomach and chest, according to the complaint.

Alcohol appears to be a common link :)

189 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 7:13:52am

re: #188 danarchy

Alcohol appears to be a common link :)

It disabled the civilized parts of the brain and allows our inner Beast to manifest itself.

190 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 7:14:09am

re: #178 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

It would also involve giving FREE STUFF to brown people.

And even though it would more than pay for itself by reducing our exposure in the US, it would not be approved in the current political climate.

Not just brown people though; there are US citizens who are affected by this - whether they work, do business, or have friends/relatives in West Africa.

Underlying the problem, of course, is that there are only a handful of doctors per million people in West Africa.

Cuba has sent a 165 doctors/medical experts to West Africa, primarily to Sierra Leone.

Pre outbreak:
Sierra Leone (pop ~5.7 million) has .02 doctors per 1,000 people. That’s 2 doctors per 100,000 people. 20 per 1,000,000. That’s roughly 114 doctors for the entire country.

Liberia (pop ~4 million) is even worse. .01 doctors per 1,000 people. That’s 10 per 1 million. Or roughly 40 doctors for the entire country.

By comparison, the US has 2.42 per 1,000 or 242 per 1 million.

In other words, Cuba is sending enough doctors to nearly double the amount of medical staff on the ground in Sierra Leone.

Source - cia.gov

The US is sending health experts, but are primarily involved in logistics - supplying those working directly with Ebola patients with all the gear that they need, whether it’s building new facilities, or getting shipments of life saving hydration kits or isolation ward gear.

BTW, the biggest threat to the US forces aiding the West Africa mission isn’t Ebola, but a notorious longtime scourge of tropical regions - malaria. And that’s got the right wing freaked out too.

So, what does the right wing think to do? Cut public health funding more (which the GOP already did with sequester cuts), demand even deeper cuts, and limit the mission to Africa where it can do the greatest good in protecting any outbreak from spreading to the US by containing further cases much as Nigeria has apparently been able to do after a fully-symptomatic individual flew into Lagos (with contact tracing, isolation, and other known medical measures).

Let me put it another way; if Nigeria, which shares a common border with the affected countries, is able to stop the outbreak from spreading beyond a handful of cases, the US, which is separated by thousands of miles and has a top-notch medical system (American exceptionalism for the right wingers), should be able to do the same with the same exact measures that the Nigerians have been able to do. Of course, Nigeria was also able to put its considerable experience in trying to eradicate polio to good use here too - since Nigeria is still waging a polio eradication effort.

191 sagehen  Oct 7, 2014 7:14:31am

re: #160 Targetpractice

Yet, how far are these social warriors willing to take that logic? Are they willing to force unwilling men to marry women they impregnate? Is a woman raped by a man going to be forced to marry her rapist so that he takes “responsibility” for the child?

There are so many dark places such logic can go that anyone who buys into it should have their heads examined.

In 35 states, if a woman who’s been raped chooses to carry the pregnancy to term, the rapist has parental rights. When he gets out of prison, he can sue for visitation and/or joint custody, he will have a legal right to be in her life, to always know where she is, forever.

192 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 7:15:56am

re: #181 WhatEVs

Confirmation bias? He’s a prime example of it. He knows for sure that Michael Brown had a criminal record; that he committed murder as a juvenile, and when the state explicitly stated that wasn’t the case, he didn’t correct. He stands by that claim, all while claiming that he was a criminal as a juvenile in other matters. All baseless and nothing but smears.

He repeats this at every opportunity and against anyone that becomes his focus.

193 Charles Johnson  Oct 7, 2014 7:17:45am

re: #187 wheat-dogghazi

This is a note to Charles.

If I don’t use my VPN, with Chrome and Win 7, these LGF buttons don’t work: Reply, Quote and New Comments. Maybe others, too.

With the VPN running, they do work.

So, what’s going on?

If those buttons don’t work, it means something is preventing Javascript from operating. If you open the Web Inspector panel in Chrome, there may be an error message in the Console that tells you what the problem is.

194 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 7:18:29am

re: #190 lawhawk

Dark Falcon has rightly pointed out that aid money sent to Africa would most likely just flow into the pockets of corrupt politicians before reaching the people.

But that is part of the overall problem: any sort of epidemic or crisis in any part of the world is likely to affect us in a very costly way, we cannot afford to be isolationist.

195 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 7:18:47am

re: #161 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

Landover Baptist Church?

Landover is a parody site

196 Charles Johnson  Oct 7, 2014 7:18:49am
197 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 7:18:54am

re: #192 lawhawk

Confirmation bias? He’s a prime example of it. He knows for sure that Michael Brown had a criminal record; that he committed murder as a juvenile, and when the state explicitly stated that wasn’t the case, he didn’t correct. He stands by that claim, all while claiming that he was a criminal as a juvenile in other matters. All baseless and nothing but smears.

He repeats this at every opportunity and against anyone that becomes his focus.

Too sophisticated. Occam says he’s lying to pimp his world-changing blog.

198 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 7:19:02am

Well the Uterus/Devil Graphic isn’t unique.

199 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 7:21:39am

re: #198 FemNaziBitch

Well the Uterus/Devil Graphic isn’t unique.

I see that it’s on the David Icke site but where did it originate?

200 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 7:23:35am

re: #199 Pie-onist Overlord

I see that it’s on the David Icke site but where did it originate?

I think the “horns” or shape of horns often associated with the shape of the uterus with the fallopian tubes is an ancient thing. When horns became associated with the devil isn’t in my current mental database. From there add St. Augustine, shake and get institutionalized misogyny.

201 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 7:23:46am

Gun-fuckers just do not give up their stupid fantasy of HURR HURR A BUNCH OF RANDOM PEOPLE WITH GUNZ COULD OF STOPPED TEH HOLOCAUST!!!!!!

HURR HURR WARSAW GHETTO WAS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE THEY SHOULD OF STARTED EARLIER HURR HURR BEFORE HITLER TOOK THERE GUNZ AWAY!!!!!!

Except Hitler didn’t…..

Fuck it, these people are hopeless.

202 FemNaziBitch  Oct 7, 2014 7:25:13am

bbl

203 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 7:26:07am

re: #200 FemNaziBitch

I think the “horns” or shape of horns often associated with the shape of the uterus with the fallopian tubes is an ancient thing. When horns became associated with the devil isn’t in my current mental database. From there add St. Augustine, shake and get institutionalized misogyny.

Start looking around Greek and earlier iconography for Pan/fauns/satyrs.

204 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 7:26:34am

re: #194 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I’m not denying that monetary aid might get pocketed by the corrupt folks overseas; I’m talking about direct medical aid/assistance in running these facilities directly, along with the medical equipment/gear.

But even if we’re talking about delivering the aid in monetary form or materials being sent is a meager sum considering the scope of the unfolding medical disaster there.

205 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 7:27:11am
“I think the main fight is to dissuade Americans from what the secularists are trying to persuade them to be true: that the separation of church and state means that the government cannot favor religion over non-religion,” the Reagan-appointed jurist told the crowd of about 400 people.

That’s what I like about the court, and wingnut jurists in particular, their even-handedness and completely non-ideological, non-political utterances.

///

206 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 7:31:44am

re: #193 Charles Johnson

If those buttons don’t work, it means something is preventing Javascript from operating. If you open the Web Inspector panel in Chrome, there may be an error message in the Console that tells you what the problem is.

Well, now they work. I started and stopped my Chinese translate add-on, and the glitch stopped. As usual, an add-on is the culprit.

207 NJDhockeyfan  Oct 7, 2014 7:31:46am
208 Jenner7  Oct 7, 2014 7:33:38am
209 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 7:36:22am

re: #196 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

For someone apparently brilliant he doesn’t seem to get that SSM being legal has no effect on him unless he for some reason gets invited to a same sex wedding and has to pay for a gift. Man the way conservatives like Chuckles freak out on this issue greatly amuses me. Only a downright insane bigoted zealot would look at what the USSC did yesterday and think OMG COMPULSORY GAY MARRIAGE WILL NOW HAPPEN.

210 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 7:37:05am

re: #204 lawhawk

But even if we’re talking about delivering the aid in monetary form or materials being sent is a meager sum considering the scope of the unfolding medical disaster there.

But still only a patch on what it could potentially cost the USA to contain or treat an outbreak.

211 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 7:37:43am

re: #208 Jenner7

[Embedded content]

Agh what a dickhead. Really. Why bring that. People watch sports to escape that. But i bet he’s not racist at all since he cheers for black, Hispanic, and Asian baseball players!

212 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 7:39:48am

Anyhow first full day of SSM being legal here in the commonwealth and guess what. My parents marriage of 31 years? Still strong. I have no desire to marry another man. It’s almost as if the world doesn’t come to an end over two adults who love each other getting married who happen to be of the same sex.

213 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 7:40:13am

re:
#196

Doesn’t Chuck C. Journalist have a subpaena to answer to?

214 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 7:40:57am

re: #213 Bulworth

re:
#196

Doesn’t Chuck C. Journalist have a subpaena to answer to?

He was subpoena’d well.

215 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 7:42:13am

re:
#212

Yeah, but, ‘traditional marriage’, marriage should be between ‘one man, one woman’ and um, voters should decide, just like with inter-racial marriage, and the Court just did a terrible thing to our side but it’s all good because it means the struggle against love will go on, and um, please donate money.
///

216 wheat-dogghazi  Oct 7, 2014 7:45:09am

re: #203 Decatur Deb

Start looking around Greek and earlier iconography for Pan/fauns/satyrs.

Moloch was a horned Canaanite god, who was associated with the bull. In the OT, Moloch is considered a demon.

And the Devil is usually depicted with horns like a bull or goat, which can be pretty ornery critters when they want to be.

217 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 7:45:16am

re: #215 Bulworth

re:
#212

Yeah, but, ‘traditional marriage’, marriage should be between ‘one man, one woman’ and um, voters should decide, just like with inter-racial marriage, and the Court just did a terrible thing to our side but it’s all good because it means the struggle against love will go on, and um, please donate money.
///

I swear. When my generation’s children are my age. They’re going to wonder “Gee, what the hell was wrong with people?” “Did they really think that society was going to collapse over that?” I mean it’s just absurd to me that this is the issue that chaps the asses of conservatism. Not environmental problems and certainly not hunger and poverty but a gay couple who they don’t even know having the same rights in marriage as them.

218 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 7:45:57am

More FoxNews argle-bargle word salad Obama-Ebola Benghazi crazy, this time courtesy of Gretchen Carlson.

This isn’t a news network. It isn’t even entertainment. It’s right wing propaganda that is as fact-free as it gets.

219 WhatEVs  Oct 7, 2014 7:48:13am

re: #215 Bulworth

re:
#212

Yeah, but, ‘traditional marriage’, marriage should be between ‘one man, one woman’ and um, voters should decide, just like with inter-racial marriage, and the Court just did a terrible thing to our side but it’s all good because it means the struggle against love will go on, and um, please donate money.
///

C’mon. Everyone knows that SSM is between one man and several dogs. /

220 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 7:48:18am

re: #218 lawhawk

More FoxNews argle-bargle word salad Obama-Ebola Benghazi crazy, this time courtesy of Gretchen Carlson.

This isn’t a news network. It isn’t even entertainment. It’s right wing propaganda that is as fact-free as it gets.

It’s propaganda that would make Prada blush.

221 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 7:49:08am

re: #216 wheat-dogghazi

Moloch was a horned Canaanite god, who was associated with the bull. In the OT, Moloch is considered a demon.

And the Devil is usually depicted with horns like a bull or goat, which can be pretty ornery critters when they want to be.

In the OT, Moloch, Baal, Baal Pe’or, Baal Ze’vuv, Asherah were all names of Egyptian or Canaanite deities

Baal Pe’or is the shit god.

222 NJDhockeyfan  Oct 7, 2014 7:51:03am

WTF?

223 makeitstop  Oct 7, 2014 7:53:15am

re: #162 darthstar

Discussing the absence of a decision to discuss?

The afternoon anchor on NYC’s WCBS News Radio yesterday quoted Rush (the band, not the asshole) on this story.

‘If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.’

I lawled.

224 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 7:53:27am

re: #123 Timothy Watson

Not to mention, being able to repeatedly claim he was present for the liberation of a concentration camp when he never left the country during World War II.

So he was there when the Japanese-Americans were let out of Manzanar?
//

225 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 7:54:44am

M6.0 earthquake about an hour ago, 18km WSW of Weiyuan, China

226 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 7:58:52am

re: #217 HappyWarrior

I swear. When my generation’s children are my age. They’re going to wonder “Gee, what the hell was wrong with people?” “Did they really think that society was going to collapse over that?” I mean it’s just absurd to me that this is the issue that chaps the asses of conservatism. Not environmental problems and certainly not hunger and poverty but a gay couple who they don’t even know having the same rights in marriage as them.

There is the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and there is the institution of marriage. There was a time when they were considered identical.

And if churches want to refuse to recognize the Sacrament for people of the same sex (or of different races for that matter), then they can, they just have to recognize the legal institution of marriage for them.

227 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 8:01:50am

The RWNJ freakout over gay marriage continues apace:

228 blueraven  Oct 7, 2014 8:02:23am

re: #180 NJDhockeyfan

Bad news…

Andrew Katz ✔ @katz
Follow
Erdogan: ‘Kobani is about to fall’ ti.me
8:57 AM - 7 Oct 2014

If this is true, why doesnt he use the tanks he has sitting right there at the border?

No, he wants us to initiate a no-fly zone in Syria.
He needs to get busy and stop bitching.

229 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:03:03am
230 WhatEVs  Oct 7, 2014 8:03:30am

re: #227 Lidane

The RWNJ freakout over gay marriage continues apace:

Anti-gay pastor warns SCOTUS marriage equality ruling would lead to biblical Last Days bit.ly

I thought they wanted this.

231 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:05:36am

re: #227 Lidane

The RWNJ freakout over gay marriage continues apace:

[Embedded content]

Some countries that allow gay marriage:

Canada
Netherlands
Sweden
Denmark
Belgium
Norway
Iceland

Devastated wastelands, every one of them.//

232 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:06:46am

re: #229 Pie-onist Overlord

[Embedded content]

A stealth “personhood” law.

233 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 8:06:54am

re: #227 Lidane

Gordon Klingenschmitt to SCOTUS: “Sodomy is still banned by God in all 50 states” and “God will have the last word”

Let’s have a comprehensive list of everything banned by God and start putting into effect, starting with the material your wife’s dress is made of…

234 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 8:07:18am

re: #232 Targetpractice

A stealth “personhood” law.

They should only allow embryonic lawyers…

235 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:09:01am

When we drove to Toronto last month I noticed the “Visit Ontario” promotion video that they play in a loop on the overhead TV screens at the highway rest stops, includes a gay wedding.

236 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:12:26am

re: #233 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Let’s have a comprehensive list of everything banned by God and start putting into effect, starting with the material your wife’s dress is made of…

A Turtle girl may not marry a Turtle boy, even if he’s a Lenape and she’s a Tuscarora.

237 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 8:13:48am

The Speaker is at it again with his daily ablutions tweets:

238 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 8:15:03am

re:
#230

I thought they wanted this.

Yeah, very confusing.

239 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 8:17:00am

re:
#227

Gordon Klingenschmitt to SCOTUS: “Sodomy is still banned by God in all 50 states” and “God will have the last word”

“Thanks for sharing, Gordon, but free time is over now and we need you to go back to your room, please.”

240 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 8:18:13am

re:
#227

Peter LaBarbera vows “civil disobedience on a massive scale” to stop gay people from getting married

Rule of Law.

241 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:18:29am

re: #237 lawhawk

The Speaker is at it again with his daily ablutions tweets:

[Embedded content]

Careful now, he might start blubbering about “hundreds of bipartisan bills sitting on Harry Reid’s desk” again.

242 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 8:22:01am

Got one of those automated “Hi! We saw your resume online and want to offer you a job!” emails this morning. It’s for a job identical to the shit job I have now, even with the same lousy pay. They even want three times as many calls in a day from me. The best part? It’s in California, so I’d have to move halfway across the country to have the same exact job I have now.

Hahahahaha NO. Not a chance. I’m already looking for a better position. I’m not moving to Cali for the same shit pay or crappy job I’m dealing with here.

I wrote back to the recruiter telling him I wasn’t interested because I already had that same job now and that I wasn’t feeling challenged at all, and I didn’t feel like my education and experience were being used to their full potential. I then told him that if he had a more senior position with better pay and real responsibility at his company that I’d qualify for I’d be open to looking at it.

I don’t expect to hear back.

243 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:24:35am

“God will have the last word”? Let me know when he has the first. So far, it seems the only time I heard “God’s word,” it’s as interpreted by his fan club. If God wants to have a word about gay marriage, perhaps he needs to come down to Capital Hill and give a speech about it.

244 Mattand  Oct 7, 2014 8:25:02am

re: #237 lawhawk

The Speaker is at it again with his daily ablutions tweets:

[Embedded content]

Apparently someone didn’t get the news that unemployment is at 5.9%, the lowest it’s been in like six years.

245 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:25:07am

re: #242 Lidane

What’s to keep your present employer from monitoring the ‘net for the resumes of ‘disloyals’? That’s another way the on-line hiring BS works against the employee.

246 RealityBasedSteve  Oct 7, 2014 8:25:27am

OT, but if anybody is looking for an MRI machine, they have one up on eBay.

ebay.com

Only problem, it’s in San Diego and they won’t ship. :(

RBS

247 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 8:25:48am

re: #244 Mattand

248 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:26:36am

re: #247 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

Despite 6 years of pure TPGOP sabotage.

249 Dr. Matt  Oct 7, 2014 8:26:48am
250 RealityBasedSteve  Oct 7, 2014 8:26:51am

re: #245 Decatur Deb

What’s to keep your present employer from monitoring the ‘net for the resumes of ‘disloyals’? That’s another way the on-line hiring BS works against the employee.

I know an employer that did just that… and kept checking sites looking for people posting skill sets that were suspiciously like what we have in our business (Microsoft Certified Trainer). It got ugly.

RbS

251 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:27:08am

re: #244 Mattand

Apparently someone didn’t get the news that unemployment is at 5.9%, the lowest it’s been in like six years.

You have to remember that, to the guy’s base, the UE percentage is fake. The “real” percentage is in the double digits, because it counts all the 50-60 yr olds who left the workforce and never came back because they chose early retirement. The Baby Boomers are calling it quits early due to the Great Recession, and the wingnuts are convinced that this is the failure of the President rather than a consequence of decades of workers getting fucked over.

252 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:27:20am

theatlantic.com

A belated comment or two on the Atlantic article about fraternities that someone linked to yesterday. (Link attached above.) I did not delve deeply into the comments since that rapidly turned into a pissing contest and not a discussion.

A bit over-the-top like the original commenter said, but otherwise fairly spot on in a lot of ways from my experiences with a being a member, officer, and national volunteer with one. And the bulk of my experience was from the mid-80s through the early 2000s when fraternities started seriously paying attention to alcohol liability issue and the FIPG guidelines, risk management policies, and self-insurance programs got going.

Which, at the chapter level, was a massive uphill fight since it was going in opposition to “tradition”*, the “Animal House” image of wild partying, and involved increased costs in order to pay for liability insurance that was steadily increasing in cost, if you could find an insurer at all.** And it’s still an ongoing battle as the article is citing events in the last four years, and I’ve been part of trying to get *one* fraternity to not haze, serve alcohol, and act responsibly all the time for over twenty years. (With some degree of success, but there are still violations.)

Oh, and my one guffaw in the article was about the reference to the “beloved national” organization. Nope. Most member’s loyalty is local chapter and their immediate buddies. The term “national” was used in a derogatory sense, and we as volunteers knew it. We were tolerated as a necessary evil, lied to, and then run to to save them once a chapter screwed up.

And amidst this the fraternities do some good as well. There are networking connections, and also a lot of opportunities to learn skills and get experience in places that the university itself often overlooks in terms of leadership, planning, and organizational skills. There is also the weird love-hate relationship they have with many university administrations in terms of the bizarre environment that most college campuses are.

* - Drinking as a tradition in a fraternity is an odd duck since most of them were dry up until the 1960s. Liberalization from the membership changes in that period and also the change to the legal drinking age converted things over towards the Animal House image.

** - A lot of alcohol liability issues and resulting policies started as a CYA item by both the universities and the fraternities. Some of them (both universities and fraternities) have moved beyond simple CYA behavior and seen that there are additional benefits to cooperation and developing programs for members that offer alternatives to alcohol parties as the main source of entertainment.

253 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:28:26am

re: #231 Pie-onist Overlord

Some countries that allow gay marriage:

Canada
Netherlands
Sweden
Denmark
Belgium
Norway
Iceland

Devastated wastelands, every one of them.//

Well, most of the Canadians live close to the US border. They’re simply waiting for their opportunity to slip across into a land not yet devastated.
//

254 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 8:29:33am

BEES!

255 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:30:07am

re: #254 Lidane

BEES!

[Embedded content]

NOT THE BEES!!!

256 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:31:21am

HURR HURR MINIMUM WORKERS IS TEH WORTHLESS LAZY MOOCHERS!!!!! CEO’S DESERVES ALL TEH MONEYS!!!!!!!

257 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 8:34:11am

Missed this bit yesterday:

258 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 8:35:22am

re: #245 Decatur Deb

What’s to keep your present employer from monitoring the ‘net for the resumes of ‘disloyals’? That’s another way the on-line hiring BS works against the employee.

My current employer is already aware that everyone here is actively looking for a better job. Their firewalls prevent people from looking at any job search sites. The only one that’s allowed is LinkedIn because people can actually use that to do their jobs.

259 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:35:33am

And of course…
HURR HURR WORTHLESS MOOCHERS WILL ALL BE REPLACED BY ROBOTS!!!!!

260 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 8:36:06am

re: #257 lawhawk

No wonder Klayman was calling for Obama to be deported yesterday.

261 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:36:38am

re: #259 Pie-onist Overlord

And of course…
HURR HURR WORTHLESS MOOCHERS WILL ALL BE REPLACED BY ROBOTS!!!!!

[Embedded content]

Why will robots take those jobs? Because dipshits like “Luna” would rather millions be without a job than pay a dollar more for a burger.

262 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 8:36:38am
U must’v missed news that most min wage jobs will be roboticized w/in 10 yrs.

WITHIN 10 Years!!!! Confirmed. FACT. //

263 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:37:29am

re: #262 Bulworth

WITHIN 10 Years!!!! Confirmed. FACT. //

Yes. They’ll have to get new jobs once they finish building all the flying cars and getting the fusion power industry off the ground.
///

264 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 8:38:04am

re:
#259

U must’v missed news that most min wage jobs will be roboticized w/in 10 yrs.

“Citation, please.”

Do the googling yourself I cant do ur research for you!!!11

265 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:38:31am

HURR HURR PUNCTUALITY!!!!!!!

They all spew the same talking points.
Just like…..ROBOTS

266 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 8:38:54am

re: #261 Targetpractice

And it wouldn’t even be a buck more per burger. It’d probably be a quarter to 50 cents more for places like Burger King or McDonalds to give living wages as a starting point.

And they could more than make up for it with chopping executive pay even slightly (because there’s no evidence that executive pay correlates with business success)

267 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:04am

Keep pushing & there’ll B NO unskilled jobs….Entry level skills: time management, learning to handle responsibility, learning how to work w/public & handle complaints.

If the robots take over the nonskilled work then where will the serfs learn essential skills like time management, how to work with public, etc?

//

268 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:04am

re: #266 lawhawk

And they could more than make up for it with chopping executive pay even slightly (because there’s no evidence that executive pay correlates with business success)

Executive pay correlates with executive success and that is the final arbiter of all the decision they make.

269 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:15am

HURR HURR WORTHLESS!!!! WORTHLESS MOOCHERS!!!!!

270 RealityBasedSteve  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:18am

re: #257 lawhawk

Missed this bit yesterday:

[Embedded content]

And in other birther news. Mike Zullo, lead investigator for Sheriff Joes “Cold Case Posse”, the one promising “universe shattering news” for months and months now. He’s back in the limelight, claiming that “I would be focusing real hard on who the Mommy is”. rightwingwatch.org

RBS

271 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:26am

re: #259 Pie-onist Overlord

And of course…
HURR HURR WORTHLESS MOOCHERS WILL ALL BE REPLACED BY ROBOTS!!!!!

[Embedded content]

Robots with a passion for luxury cars and Chinese-made tube socks.

272 ausador  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:30am

re: #218 lawhawk

More FoxNews argle-bargle word salad Obama-Ebola Benghazi crazy, this time courtesy of Gretchen Carlson.

This isn’t a news network. It isn’t even entertainment. It’s right wing propaganda that is as fact-free as it gets.

Latest PunditFact rating says FOX only tells the truth 20% of the time, up slightly from its previous 18% rating…
politifact.com

(counts only statements rated True or Mostly True made by FOX on-air personalities and their pundit guests.)

273 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:31am

re: #267 Bulworth

Keep pushing & there’ll B NO unskilled jobs….Entry level skills: time management, learning to handle responsibility, learning how to work w/public & handle complaints.

If the robots take over the nonskilled work then where will the serfs learn essential skills like time management, how to work with public, etc?

//

They will hire time management robots to do it for them.

274 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:40:58am

re: #266 lawhawk

And it wouldn’t even be a buck more per burger. It’d probably be a quarter to 50 cents more for places like Burger King or McDonalds to give living wages as a starting point.

And they could more than make up for it with chopping executive pay even slightly (because there’s no evidence that executive pay correlates with business success)

Ayep. But all of this is lost in the need to believe that worker pay is the cause of price increases. Hell, many businesses would make up the losses in lower costs due to decreased turnover, but that’s good business, which is something that died out with the Henry Fords of America.

Perhaps “Luna” thinks that, when the robots have replaced all the workers, prices will stay low. But really, once they’ve eliminated employees as a “cost” to be minimized, what else can they cut?

275 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:41:10am

re: #268 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Executive pay correlates with executive success and that is the final arbiter of all the decision they make.

CEO’s have destroyed entire corporations and still went away with millions.

Carly Fiorina, for example.

276 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:41:48am

re: #268 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Executive pay correlates with executive success and that is the final arbiter of all the decision they make.

Is that like that commercial where the doofus tells the underling that his key to being successful is looking like he is successful? Sounds like one of the main grifter/con man rules there.

277 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:41:50am

HURR HURR UR A COMMUNIST!!!!!!!!111

278 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:42:52am

re: #269 Pie-onist Overlord

HURR HURR WORTHLESS!!!! WORTHLESS MOOCHERS!!!!!

[Embedded content]

And just how does she expect someone working two jobs in order to pay rent to invest in skills and education? Better yet, just how long does she think one has to work in a minimum wage job to afford even an associate degree?

279 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 8:42:56am

re: #276 Feline Fearless Leader

Is that like that commercial where the doofus tells the underling that his key to being successful is looking like he is successful? Sounds like one of the main grifter/con man rules there.

That is the ethos of the 80’s and it has never left us.

280 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:43:08am

re: #274 Targetpractice

Ayep. But all of this is lost in the need to believe that worker pay is the cause of price increases. Hell, many businesses would make up the losses in lower costs due to decreased turnover, but that’s good business, which is something that died out with the Henry Fords of America.

Perhaps “Luna” thinks that, when the robots have replaced all the workers, prices will stay low. But really, once they’ve eliminated employees as a “cost” to be minimized, what else can they cut?

The number of stores since they seem to have a lack of customers?
//

281 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:43:25am

re: #277 Pie-onist Overlord

HURR HURR UR A COMMUNIST!!!!!!!!111

How dare you Commies use our Veterans to propogandize your Gimme, Gimme, Gimme demands!

My Commie DD214 says I can.

282 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 8:44:57am

re: #279 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

That is the ethos of the 80’s and it has never left us.

And two years ago, half the country wanted to elect one of those Gordon Gekkos to the presidency.

283 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:45:58am

re: #281 Decatur Deb

My Commie DD214 says I can.

I still don’t understand why the USS Tracy is so important to all these veteran discussions.

;P

284 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 8:46:28am
285 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:47:06am

re: #284 Backwoods_Sleuth

We’ll have to elect a Republican in 2016 in order to fix that.
//

286 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:47:07am

re: #283 Feline Fearless Leader

I still don’t understand why the USS Tracy is so important to all these veteran discussions.

;P

God made tincans to draw fire.

287 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:49:58am

re: #284 Backwoods_Sleuth

RT to spread the word: The unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in 6 years →

Think how much faster it would have fallen if Obamacare hadn’t killed the job market.

288 Romantic Heretic  Oct 7, 2014 8:53:52am

re: #217 HappyWarrior

I swear. When my generation’s children are my age. They’re going to wonder “Gee, what the hell was wrong with people?” “Did they really think that society was going to collapse over that?” I mean it’s just absurd to me that this is the issue that chaps the asses of conservatism. Not environmental problems and certainly not hunger and poverty but a gay couple who they don’t even know having the same rights in marriage as them.

It’s the loss of power that chaps their ass. Until recently ‘conservatives’ had most of the power. They had the power to determine who ate and how well. They had the power to decide who worked and at what. They had the power to decide who could learn and what they could learn. They had the power to decide who could get married. They had the power to decide who actually were people.

Now they don’t.

And it really chaps their ass.

289 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:55:01am

Walmart cuts health benefits

I guess my main question is whether Walmart is going to offset the benefit cut with any sort of salary increase.
(Hey - stop laughing!)

290 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 8:55:20am

re: #275 Pie-onist Overlord

CEO’s have destroyed entire corporations and still went away with millions.

Carly Fiorina, for example.

Chainsaw Al Dunlap.
Neutron Jack Welch.

The current HP executives are likewise cleaving the company in two and firing thousands to “save” the business.

Then there are the banking gurus who walk away with millions in golden parachutes even though the company is in worse shape than when they first took the job. Vikram Pandit at Citibank comes to mind.

291 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 8:55:31am

re: #287 Decatur Deb

Think how much faster it would have fallen if Obamacare hadn’t killed the job market.

Thank you, doctor, for the spin.

292 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 8:56:33am

re: #288 Romantic Heretic

It’s the loss of power that chaps their ass. Until recently ‘conservatives’ had most of the power. They had the power to determine who ate and how well. They had the power to decide who worked and at what. They had the power to decide who could learn and what they could learn. They had the power to decide who could get married. They had the power to decide who actually were people.

Now they don’t.

And it really chaps their ass.

Which to a student of history has interesting parallels to the hysterics coming from the southern aristocrats when it became clear that their stranglehold on national power was slipping away in the 1850s.

293 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:57:23am

re: #290 lawhawk

Chainsaw Al Dunlap.
Neutron Jack Welch.

The current HP executives are likewise cleaving the company in two and firing thousands to “save” the business.

Then there are the banking gurus who walk away with millions in golden parachutes even though the company is in worse shape than when they first took the job. Vikram Pandit at Citibank comes to mind.

Eddie Lampert

294 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 8:57:34am

re: #290 lawhawk

Chainsaw Al Dunlap.
Neutron Jack Welch.

The current HP executives are likewise cleaving the company in two and firing thousands to “save” the business.

Then there are the banking gurus who walk away with millions in golden parachutes even though the company is in worse shape than when they first took the job. Vikram Pandit at Citibank comes to mind.

But we need high CEO salaries to attract the best talent!

295 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 8:58:21am

re: #291 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Thank you, doctor, for the spin.

Played “Archie and Meathead” with my FIL for 30 years. These people are impervious, yet they mest be reached.

296 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 8:58:45am

Mary Barra who actually did “climb the ladder” from the rank and file, was probably selected just in order to take the fall.

297 Romantic Heretic  Oct 7, 2014 9:00:31am

re: #269 Pie-onist Overlord

HURR HURR WORTHLESS!!!! WORTHLESS MOOCHERS!!!!!

[Embedded content]

How are they going to invest money when they don’t have enough to feed themselves? How are they going to invest time when their jobs use up so much of it that there is none to spare for other purposes?

298 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 9:00:45am

re: #290 lawhawk

Chainsaw Al Dunlap.
Neutron Jack Welch.

The current HP executives are likewise cleaving the company in two and firing thousands to “save” the business.

Then there are the banking gurus who walk away with millions in golden parachutes even though the company is in worse shape than when they first took the job. Vikram Pandit at Citibank comes to mind.

Friend of mine works for FMC Corporation and they are currently looking at spinning off a chunk of the company to be independent. My immediate questions was whether this was a particularly profitable sub-group of the corporation, who was the fair-haired boy being put in charge of the spin-off company, and whether he was going to be with the new company or what was left after the split.

Turns out that it’s a profitable section, a well-connected VIP, and he’s to be part of the new company.

299 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 9:01:43am

re: #297 Romantic Heretic

How are they going to invest money when they don’t have enough to feed themselves? How are they going to invest time when their jobs use up so much of it that there is none to spare for other purposes?

Then, in that case, God intended them to be in the circumstances they find themselves in.
:p
///

300 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 9:01:46am

re: #289 Feline Fearless Leader

Walmart cuts health benefits

I guess my main question is whether Walmart is going to offset the benefit cut with any sort of salary increase.
(Hey - stop laughing!)

Half of all US Walmarts are to open a service to navigate customers to…wait for it… Obamacare.

retaildive.com

301 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 9:04:11am

re: #40 Kragar

Charles C. Johnson @ChuckCJohnson

The consistent pressure to make everyone confirm is the defining folly of our time. Resist it.

This is from a guy who wrote a hagiography of the Great Conformer, Calvin Coolidge.

302 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 9:04:17am

re: #300 Decatur Deb

Half of all US Walmarts are to open a service to navigate customers to…wait for it… Obamacare.

retaildive.com

Hmm. Why do I suspect that it will simply be giving you internet access like the library, a bit on on-hand expert help for answering a few of the questions, and then charging a $20 access fee?

303 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 9:05:41am

re: #302 Feline Fearless Leader

Hmm. Why do I suspect that it will simply be giving you internet access like the library, a bit on on-hand expert help for answering a few of the questions, and then charging a $20 access fee?

Yup. They’re going to charge for the services we navigators provided free last year. That’s progress, in a perverted sense.

304 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 9:06:15am

re: #302 Feline Fearless Leader

Hmm. Why do I suspect that it will simply be giving you internet access like the library, a bit on on-hand expert help for answering a few of the questions, and then charging a $20 access fee?

There’s gold in them thar pills!

305 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Oct 7, 2014 9:06:19am

re: #302 Feline Fearless Leader

Hmm. Why do I suspect that it will simply be giving you internet access like the library, a bit on on-hand expert help for answering a few of the questions, and then charging a $20 access fee?

They would not be doing it if they did not see a profit in it, and the people they make a profit off of are people who are at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

306 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 9:07:16am

re:
#301

The consistent pressure to make everyone confirm is the defining folly of our time. Resist it.

Wingnuts. So very brave and nonconforming. /

307 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 9:07:59am

re: #305 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

They would not be doing it if they did not see a profit in it, and the people they make a profit off of are people who are at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Only in states whose governors aren’t brain-dead. Most of my rejections last year were Alabamans who didn’t make enough money to qualify for help.

308 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 9:08:38am

re:
#300

Half of all US Walmarts are to open a service to navigate customers to…wait for it… Obamacare.

Wingnuts heads exploding….

309 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 9:09:02am
310 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 9:09:03am

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul, but first I have to take out the trash or my folks will ground me for a month.”

— CC Johnson

311 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 9:09:28am

re: #307 Decatur Deb

Only in states whose governors aren’t brain-dead. Most of my rejections last year were Alabamans who didn’t make enough money to qualify for help.

Kafka wishes he thought of that.

312 William Barnett-Lewis  Oct 7, 2014 9:09:35am

re: #275 Pie-onist Overlord

CEO’s have destroyed entire corporations and still went away with millions.

Carly Fiorina, for example.

Looks like HP is going under as Meg is unable to fix the damage wrought by Carly. Not really surprising since Meg is only marginally more competent but still…
npr.org

313 William Barnett-Lewis  Oct 7, 2014 9:10:20am

re: #277 Pie-onist Overlord

HURR HURR UR A COMMUNIST!!!!!!!!111

[Embedded content]

I despise twits like that that dare claim they care about veterans while pissing on our backs and saying its raining.

314 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 9:15:21am

re: #311 wrenchwench

Kafka wishes he thought of that.

Heller did.

315 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 9:15:26am

re: #313 William Barnett-Lewis

I despise twits like that that dare claim they care about veterans while pissing on our backs and saying its raining.

They only like to use soldiers to pay-shame low-wage civilians.

316 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 9:18:04am

Wow, the RWNJ trolls aren’t even trying anymore.

Having a discussion elsewhere about same-sex marriage and one shining pillar of idiocy suggested that the answer was getting rid of all federal income tax credits and all federal benefits for married couples just to make things equal so that gays don’t get marriage rights.

Right. Because people are going to give up their tax credits and benefits. Uh huh.

317 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 9:18:38am

re: #315 Pie-onist Overlord

They only like to use soldiers to pay-shame low-wage civilians.

Not to mention that non-officer soldier has historically not been considered very honorable employment.

318 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 9:20:39am

re: #316 Lidane

319 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 9:21:11am

re: #317 Feline Fearless Leader

Not to mention that non-officer soldier has historically not been considered very honorable employment.

Wingnut Twitter profiles are full of flags, eagles, guns, colonial dudes and PRAY FOR OUR SOLDIERS!!!!! I SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!! HAVE U PRAYED FOR A SOLDIER TODAY!!!!! SOLDIERS ARE AWESOME HERE’S A STORY I SAW ON FACEBOOK ABOUT A MARINE STOMPING A LIBERAL!!!!1!!!!!

Except when it comes to, you know, actually SUPPORTING THE TROOPS.

320 William Barnett-Lewis  Oct 7, 2014 9:21:46am

re: #317 Feline Fearless Leader

Not to mention that non-officer soldier has historically not been considered very honorable employment.

O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”;
But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play.

poetryloverspage.com

321 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 9:22:30am

When that guy who drove into Mexico with a bunch of guns in the front seat of his car gets out of jail, you think any wingnut is going to offer him a job?

322 Bulworth  Oct 7, 2014 9:23:25am

re:
#316

That sure sounds like a positive agenda. Let’s get behind that!
///

323 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 9:24:15am

re: #321 Pie-onist Overlord

When that guy who drove into Mexico with a bunch of guns in the front seat of his car gets out of jail, you think any wingnut is going to offer him a job?

I’m sure there’s a gun range somewhere that will hire him.

He’ll also hit the grifter speaking circuit.

324 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 9:24:37am
325 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 9:25:55am

The GOP is still trying to peddle supply side economics, and the latest attempt is for Rep Ryan to call on the CBO to move to dynamic scoring, rather than static scoring. That’s despite 30 years of tax cuts showing that they do not create the economic growth that proponents have claimed would occur (and for which places like Heritage’s dynamic scoring fall billions short).

Dynamic scoring is a very bad idea, and 30 years of experience shows that it exaggerates the economic benefits (but is a boon to right wingers who love to tout economic benefits in pushing tax cuts that benefit a select few folks and shift tax burdens on to a beleaguered middle and lower class).

326 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 9:27:20am

re: #324 Pie-onist Overlord

[Embedded content]

327 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 9:29:13am

Heh.

328 ausador  Oct 7, 2014 9:31:40am

re: #266 lawhawk

And it wouldn’t even be a buck more per burger. It’d probably be a quarter to 50 cents more for places like Burger King or McDonalds to give living wages as a starting point.

And they could more than make up for it with chopping executive pay even slightly (because there’s no evidence that executive pay correlates with business success)

McDonalds could double its wages and break even by charging 68 cents more for every Big Mac sold. Of course they wouldn’t double wages, nor would they only increase the price of the Big mac.

But they could raise wages by 50% and increase the price of all menu items by a few cents without hurting their bottom line at all.

329 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 9:33:10am

re: #318 De Kolta Chair

An example:

Demographic shifts are happening. Just like people agreed with civil rights and interracial marriages over time people are looking to get married less and less over time. That combined with divorce will create a large group of people, eventually the majority if we are not there already who will see it unfair that a select few get a tax break for getting into some legally binding contract they would rather not get into. Where as a loving couple who plans on staying with each other but never marrying is exempt from that because of a piece of paper. The fact that their taxes will be higher as it usually is for non married individuals. This will become an issue and you clearly want to be on the wrong side of history as were people who opposed Dr. King.

330 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 9:34:06am

re: #328 ausador

McDonalds could double its wages and break even by charging 68 cents more for every Big Mac sold. Of course they wouldn’t double wages, nor would they only increase the price of the Big mac.

But they could raise wages by 50% and increase the price of all menu items by a few cents without hurting their bottom line at all.

I’m just amused by all the wingnuts who think that raising the wage for workers will cause the price of burgers to go up, but installing an expensive automatic burger robot (and the $50/hr maintenance engineer who comes with it) will keep prices down.

Automation—how does it fucking work?

331 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 9:37:09am

Meanwhile, Drudge is back with obnoxious blind sourced claims that

American troops in Liberia will come in direct contact with infected… Developing…

No links. Nothing.

That’s despite reports elsewhere that no US troops will be in direct contact with infected patients.

Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said the military has begun medical testing for Ebola at two new labs in Liberia. Kirby said that the service members are not going to treat patients and are not expected to come in contact with anyone who is infected.

There are about 230 U.S. troops deployed for the Ebola mission now. About two dozen are in Senegal setting up a transportation center and the rest are in Liberia.

Scare monger has to scare. Too bad Sully and Mike aren’t bottling up all the scare, because they’d have a gold mine.

Of course, the real problem is that the US efforts to build new facilities isn’t going fast enough, and there aren’t doctors or medical clinics to go around, so the number of cases being treated is likely at the low end of the true scope of the medical emergency there (underreporting the number of actual cases).

332 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 9:39:42am
333 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 9:42:46am
334 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 9:43:47am
335 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 9:44:21am

re: #333 Pie-onist Overlord

[Embedded content]

Please proceed, Senator.

336 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 9:44:47am

re: #333 Pie-onist Overlord

So basically, Cruz wants 50 sets of marriage laws, including 50 separate definitions of who is entitled to what financial benefits and tax credits and who isn’t.

Why bother having a federal government at all, then?

337 Ian G.  Oct 7, 2014 9:45:16am

re: #333 Pie-onist Overlord

Are we sure he’s not some deep cover agent for the Democrats designed to completely discredit the GOP in the eyes of sane people?

338 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 9:45:42am

re: #326 wrenchwench

Blowing away out the birthday candles.

339 Rightwingconspirator  Oct 7, 2014 9:46:18am

re: #324 Pie-onist Overlord

340 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 9:46:42am

re: #336 Lidane

So basically, Cruz wants 50 sets of marriage laws, including 50 separate definitions of who is entitled to what financial benefits and tax credits and who isn’t.

Why bother having a federal government at all, then?

Which will work right up til the day Utah announces that it’s legalizing polygamy.

341 Ian G.  Oct 7, 2014 9:46:52am

re: #227 Lidane

The RWNJ freakout over gay marriage continues apace:

[Embedded content]

The “Biblical Last Days” one has this argle-bargle:

the LGBT rights movement and “Islam and the global terrorism” are “working together to silence the gospel.”

Yes, if ever there were two groups who are natural allies, it’s gays and Islamists. Hoo boy.

342 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 9:47:17am

So thats what those tweets are about….

343 klys  Oct 7, 2014 9:47:55am

re: #342 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

So thats what those tweets are about….

It’s the Republican five point plan of doing nothing for jobs!

344 Ian G.  Oct 7, 2014 9:48:24am

re: #342 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

So thats what those tweets are about….

Anyone want to troll him and ask him if he supports Senator Cruz’s gay marriage amendment?

There aren’t enough Marlboros in the world for the poor boy right about now.

345 Targetpractice  Oct 7, 2014 9:48:55am

re: #342 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

So thats what those tweets are about….

1. Cut taxes
2. Deregulate businesses
3. Abolish Obamacare
4. ?
5. PROFIT!

346 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 9:52:10am

re: #345 Targetpractice

1. Cut taxes
2. Deregulate businesses
3. Abolish Obamacare
4. ?
5. PROFIT!

347 Lidane  Oct 7, 2014 9:52:13am

Wheee!

348 Schadenboner  Oct 7, 2014 9:53:44am

re: #333 Pie-onist Overlord

[Embedded content]

Why, yes, Senator Cruz. That would be an example of “Big Government”.

Thanks for playing, good to see that Ivy League edumacation paying off!

349 b.d.  Oct 7, 2014 9:53:52am

Such progressive, Much liberal.

October 7, 2014 More than 80 organizations on Tuesday will urge eBay to end its affiliation with the American Legislative Exchange Council.

In a letter addressed to eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and other top executives, a coalition of mostly left-leaning environmental and public-interest groups will pressure the e-commerce website to follow the lead of other prominent tech companies that have in recent weeks chosen to divorce from ALEC, a conservative coalition of state legislators and corporations, National Journal has learned.

nationaljournal.com

Omidyar is no more a progressive than Pat Buchannan and his stable of non-writing dudebros changes that not one bit.

“The recent exodus of technology corporations was in part due to concerns over ALEC’s extreme views; that extreme agenda includes denying the science of climate change, defunding public services, curtailing workers’ rights, and opposing net neutrality,”

350 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 9:53:54am

re: #347 Lidane

Wheee!

[Embedded content]

RNC PR BS say what.

351 RealityBasedSteve  Oct 7, 2014 9:54:48am

re: #347 Lidane

Wheee!

[Embedded content]

Now, would that be because the gay extremists, working with the Islamic radicals, will roll in from Canada bringing affordable health care? I’m confused.

352 makeitstop  Oct 7, 2014 9:56:13am

re: #333 Pie-onist Overlord

I’ll be introducing a constitutional amdt to prevent fed govt or courts from striking down state marriage laws:

What a showboating, pandering ass.

353 Decatur Deb  Oct 7, 2014 9:57:50am

re: #333 Pie-onist Overlord

[Embedded content]

Does yon’ dimwit know that most Americans do not live out their lives in one state?

354 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 9:59:44am

re: #336 Lidane

So basically, Cruz wants 50 sets of marriage laws, including 50 separate definitions of who is entitled to what financial benefits and tax credits and who isn’t.

Why bother having a federal government at all, then?

HURR HURR GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF ARE LIFES!!!!!!1!!!!!!

355 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 10:01:53am

re: #342 wrenchwench

The only jobs he’s really concerned about are for his own caucus. Everyone else is an afterthought.

356 Mike Lamb  Oct 7, 2014 10:02:34am

re: #336 Lidane

So basically, Cruz wants 50 sets of marriage laws, including 50 separate definitions of who is entitled to what financial benefits and tax credits and who isn’t.

Why bother having a federal government at all, then?

Now you get it…

357 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 10:02:34am

re: #342 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

So thats what those tweets are about….

I actually watched part of the video, what, exactly, is going to stop people from suing one another? What percent of civil suits are bought under the state’s jurisdiction?

358 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 10:04:34am

re: #355 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

The only jobs he’s really concerned about are for his own caucus. Everyone else is an afterthought.

4 ??? could be 4: Go on vacation for weeks, work on tan by playing golf, and tip the caddy the least amount possible.
Alternatively: DRINK!

359 Ace-o-aces  Oct 7, 2014 10:07:04am
360 Kragar  Oct 7, 2014 10:08:00am
361 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 10:08:45am

Something tells me that Ted would have been at home complaining about the federal government getting involved in the 60’s. Same shit, different year.

362 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:09:17am

re: #195 Pie-onist Overlord

Landover is a parody site

Isn’t that the point? ;)

363 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 10:11:34am

Woman, 90, locked officer in basement, settles with police

Read more: wbaltv.com

BALTIMORE —An elderly woman got the last word after locking a police officer in her basement, and later suing the police.

Venus Green, who was 87 when she was handcuffed, roughed up and injured by police, will receive $95,000 as part of a settlement with Baltimore City. The city chose to settle the case instead of taking a chance in front of a jury.

“We thought we would have a difficult time in front of a city jury, or any jury,” Baltimore City solicitor George Nilson said.

(My bold) Ha!!!
Dumasses

364 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 10:12:48am

“If I’d known you were going to order pizza, I wouldn’t have worn a shirt.”

365 dog philosopher  Oct 7, 2014 10:15:12am

while ebola can only be transmitted thru fluids, the new ibola 6 is lte compatible and can be transmitted over your iphone

366 lawhawk  Oct 7, 2014 10:16:33am

[facepalm]

367 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:18:10am

re: #363 Backwoods_Sleuth

Does anyone still respect the American police?

368 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:18:44am

spitsforjobs?

369 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 10:19:28am

re: #333 Pie-onist Overlord

He might as well add a clause repealing Obamacare at the same time. Saves the expense and time of putting it in a separate bill that will proceed about as far.
///

370 Ian G.  Oct 7, 2014 10:20:09am

re: #359 Ace-o-aces

You can probably strike “gay” from that statement too.

371 Eventual Carrion  Oct 7, 2014 10:20:48am

re: #297 Romantic Heretic

How are they going to invest money when they don’t have enough to feed themselves? How are they going to invest time when their jobs use up so much of it that there is none to spare for other purposes?

Ask parents for $50,000 loan? Mitt told me that worked for him.

372 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 10:21:11am

re: #349 b.d.

Such progressive, Much liberal.

nationaljournal.com

Omidyar is no more a progressive than Pat Buchannan and his stable of non-writing dudebros changes that not one bit.

The Intercept can put out the article shortly about how these groups and their petition are anti-capitalist Obama stooges.
//

373 yoshicastmaster  Oct 7, 2014 10:22:05am

On the bright side, Scalia isn’t using the tired old argument that atheism is a type of religion or that “I just don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.” So that’s a win.

Further, although Scalia and others continue to create reasons why Christian virtues are essential, they can no longer point to an inherent amorality of atheism. Indeed, science has begun to demonstrate that ethics are innate in humans and many other animals. As the late great Christopher Hitchens pointed out, atheists don’t borrow their values from Christians but, instead, Christianity has borrowed its values from human evolution.

Similarly, as Stephen Fry beautifully elucidated, the fault is certainly not in our stars. Instead, both the fault and the the glory are in us and we should take credit for what is great about man and take the blame for what is dreadful about man.

Now THAT’S personal responsibility.

374 Pie-onist Overlord  Oct 7, 2014 10:23:31am

Ausador is still having a conversation with “Lady Luna” but I’m only seeing one side of it since I blocked that idiot. Aus is responding POLITELY to a massive fireball of Derp.

375 dog philosopher  Oct 7, 2014 10:23:51am

i dont want to live in a world where americans are reduced to watching gnats play on tee vee

376 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 10:24:25am

re: #373 yoshicastmaster

On the bright side, Scalia isn’t using the tired old argument that atheism is a type of religion or that “I just don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.” So that’s a win.

Further, although Scalia and others continue to create reasons why Christian virtues are essential, they can no longer point to an inherent amorality of atheism. Indeed, science has begun to demonstrate that ethics are innate in humans and many other animals. As the late great Christopher Hitchens pointed out, atheists don’t borrow their values from Christians but, instead, Christianity has borrowed its values from human evolution.

Similarly, as Stephen Fry beautifully elucidated, the fault is certainly not in our stars. Instead, both the fault and the the glory are in us and we should take credit for what is great about man and take the blame for what is dreadful about man.

Now THAT’S personal responsibility.

Dead on. We are responsible for both our good, and our evil. Not some external force.

377 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:24:59am

re: #373 yoshicastmaster

There aren’t even any well-defined “Christian values”. All a matter of interpretation.

378 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 10:25:25am

“I knew you loved pizza, Vlad, but not this much”

379 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:27:30am

re: #378 De Kolta Chair

[Embedded image]

“I knew you loved pizza, Vlad, but not this much”

Here is what should have happened.

Youtube Video

380 Ian G.  Oct 7, 2014 10:27:49am

re: #373 yoshicastmaster

they can no longer point to an inherent amorality of atheism.

Yes they can, but it will be the same bad-faith argument that it has always been: NAZIS, COMMUNISTS, OOGA BOOGA. The Nazis might not have been traditional Christians, but they sure as hell weren’t atheists. And North Korea might be officially atheist, but seems to be a gigantic religious cult, with the Kim family as Gods.

No, if you want to find atheist societies, look at northern Europe or Canada or Japan to find places where large percentages of the population don’t subscribe to religion. And whaddya know, those are pretty good places to live, with low crime rates. So much for atheist immorality.

381 Kragar  Oct 7, 2014 10:29:19am
382 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 10:29:24am

Well, yesterday’s weather in the Ohio River Valley apparently wasn’t bumpy enough:

383 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 10:30:32am

re: #379 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

Va bene!

384 dog philosopher  Oct 7, 2014 10:31:12am

re: #377 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

There aren’t even any well-defined “Christian values”. All a matter of interpretation.

“christian values”

- gay persons should be publicly shamed
- women should be condescended to politely
- display christian charity by handing out soup and condescending lectures
- remember you know all the answers so you have the right to pass judgement on all issues and dont forget to be condescending
- the bible says what i say it says
- christian economics demands that you respect your eldersthose more wealthy than yourself, since jesus said “blessed are the poor in spirit, because they own all the cargo”

385 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:33:45am

re: #380 Ian G.

It’s really hard to call NK atheist. As you point out, the official religion is basically the cult of the current dearleader. Much more so than, say, in the USSR - there are supernatural elements to this cult too, so I think it formally qualifies.

North Korean authorities have co-opted portions of Christianity and Buddhism,[17] and adopted them to their own uses, while greatly restricting all religions in general as they are seen as a threat to the regime.[18][19] An example of this can be seen in the description of Kim Il-sung as a god,[20] and Kim Jong-il as the son of a god or “Sun of the Nation”,[21] evoking the father-son imagery of Christianity.[20] According to author Victor Cha, during the first part of Kim Il-sung’s rule, the state destroyed over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Christian churches which might detract from fidelity to Kim.[22]:73 There is even widespread belief that Kim-il Sung “created the world” and that Kim Jong-il controlled the weather.[23] Korean society, traditionally Confucian, places a strong emphasis on paternal hierarchy and loyalty. The Kims have taken these deeply held traditions and removed their spiritual component, replacing them with loyalty to the state and the ruling family in order to control the population.[24] Despite the suppression of traditional religions, however, some have described Juche, sociologically, as the religion of the entire population of North Korea.[25]

The Nazi rhetoric was officially anti-atheist. While one could be de facto atheist in, say, the SS, one had to identify himself as gottgläubig (a believer in God) in the papers.

386 Kragar  Oct 7, 2014 10:33:59am

re: #377 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

There aren’t even any well-defined “Christian values”. All a matter of interpretation.

Actually saw a Christian arguing that atheists couldn’t be moral because atheism couldn’t say why murder was wrong. Apparently the Bible is the only reason why one would say “thou shall not kill”.

387 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 10:34:03am

re: #382 Backwoods_Sleuth

That weather patterns looks awfully familiar…

388 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 10:34:25am

re: #380 Ian G.

Yes they can, but it will be the same bad-faith argument that it has always been: NAZIS, COMMUNISTS, OOGA BOOGA. The Nazis might not have been traditional Christians, but they sure as hell weren’t atheists. And North Korea might be officially atheist, but seems to be a gigantic religious cult, with the Kim family as Gods.

No, if you want to find atheist societies, look at northern Europe or Canada or Japan to find places where large percentages of the population don’t subscribe to religion. And whaddya know, those are pretty good places to live, with low crime rates. So much for atheist immorality.

Was it on here someone linked to a piece that was making the very convincing argument that the DPRK was closer to a right-wing totalitarian state than communist?

389 HappyWarrior  Oct 7, 2014 10:35:21am

re: #388 Timothy Watson

Was it on here someone linked to a piece that was making the very convincing argument that the DPRK was closer to a right-wing totalitarian state than communist?

Well since the goal of communism is a classless society, I’d wager to say that’s somewhat accurate. The Kims and their allies live very well.

390 William Barnett-Lewis  Oct 7, 2014 10:35:23am

re: #384 dog philosopher

You’ll please pardon me if I refuse to accept them as being the arbiters of what my beliefs, values and actions as someone who tries to be a Christian.

391 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 10:36:30am

re: #385 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

It’s really hard to call NK atheist. As you point out, the official religion is basically the cult of the current dearleader. Much more so than, say, in the USSR - there are supernatural elements to this cult too, so I think it formally qualifies.

The Nazi rhetoric was officially anti-atheist. While one could be de facto atheist in, say, the SS, one had to identify himself as gottgläubig (a believer in God) in the papers.

NK has something like a low budget Shintoism?

392 Kragar  Oct 7, 2014 10:37:07am
393 dog philosopher  Oct 7, 2014 10:39:19am

re: #390 William Barnett-Lewis

You’ll please pardon me if I refuse to accept them as being the arbiters of what my beliefs, values and actions as someone who tries to be a Christian.

i would call them “christians”, not christians

394 Eventual Carrion  Oct 7, 2014 10:40:28am

re: #378 De Kolta Chair

[Embedded image]

“I knew you loved pizza, Vlad, but not this much”

It’s a scratch-n-sniff bible.

395 RealityBasedSteve  Oct 7, 2014 10:40:37am

re: #386 Kragar

Actually saw a Christian arguing that atheists couldn’t be moral because atheism couldn’t say why murder was wrong. Apparently the Bible is the only reason why one would say “thou shall not kill”.

Because even though Hammurabi codified that long before the Bible did, (as, I am sure, other cultures in other parts of the world did), it’s the Bible that is the ultimate authority because, you know, talking flaming bush. answersingenesis.org

RBS

396 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:42:27am

re: #386 Kragar

Actually saw a Christian arguing that atheists couldn’t be moral because atheism couldn’t say why murder was wrong. Apparently the Bible is the only reason why one would say “thou shall not kill”.

There is a schizophrenic disconnect in the way these people (I mean folks like William Lane Craig, a well-known proponent of this view) argue.

In the debates they will pull out an argument from emotion: we know morality is objective and absolute because we all feel that people like Hitler and Stalin are objectively evil. (The pitiful trick is to make the opponent seem to defend Hitler by denying objective morality.)

OK, so far, so good. Then it comes to discussing the biblical God’s atrocities, like wholesale genocide of various people, with specific instructions to murder small children.

Now suddenly our instinctive understanding that this is evil and wrong is not enough! Because - “what objective reason do you have to say these actions are evil if you’re an atheist? Your morality is not grounded in reality. Ours is grounded in God, and what God does cannot be evil or immoral”.

So this is a nice catch-22 they’re playing there.

397 Kragar  Oct 7, 2014 10:43:08am

re: #395 RealityBasedSteve

Because even though Hammurabi codified that long before the Bible did, (as, I am sure, other cultures in other parts of the world did), it’s the Bible that is the ultimate authority because, you know, talking flaming bush. answersingenesis.org

RBS

The flip side being that without the Bible, many so called Christians couldn’t think of any reason not to kill people they dislike.

Yeah, they’re sane, stable people.

398 Timothy Watson  Oct 7, 2014 10:43:28am

re: #395 RealityBasedSteve

Because even though Hammurabi codified that long before the Bible did, (as, I am sure, other cultures in other parts of the world did), it’s the Bible that is the ultimate authority because, you know, talking flaming bush. answersingenesis.org

RBS

Man, that’s some pretzel logic right there.

399 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:44:04am

re: #388 Timothy Watson

Was it on here someone linked to a piece that was making the very convincing argument that the DPRK was closer to a right-wing totalitarian state than communist?

Maybe someone else did too, but I defended this idea a few weeks ago based on the extremely racist, völkisch official rhetoric.

400 dog philosopher  Oct 7, 2014 10:45:20am

i’ll repeat it one more time: when i asked sister mary christobel about people who thought that if god did not punish murderers by burning them in hell there would be no incentive to be good, she said to me “well many people are stuck in a child’s view of religion”

401 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 10:45:59am

re: #397 Kragar

The flip side being that without the Bible, many so called Christians couldn’t think of any reason not to kill people they dislike.

Yeah, they’re sane, stable people.

Or at a minimum highly immature since they seem to think without Sky Daddy sitting up there watching them and tapping the Hell Stick in his hand they would be out looting, raping, and murdering.

Ninja’d!

402 William Barnett-Lewis  Oct 7, 2014 10:46:39am

re: #399 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

Maybe someone else did too, but I defended this idea a few weeks ago based on the extremely racist, völkisch official rhetoric.

That’s a good point. I tend to think of them as the last absolute monarchy.

403 Kragar  Oct 7, 2014 10:47:17am

An atheist reason not to kill people and be good in general

If this life is the only one we get, then taking it away from someone is the greatest crime, because you’re destroying everything they’ll ever be. Instead, help make sure people have the best life they can, because its all they get.

Take that, Incendiary Topiary!

404 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 10:47:24am

re: #402 William Barnett-Lewis

That’s a good point. I tend to think of them as the last absolute monarchy.

You’re not counting Obama, are you?
///// ;P

405 Backwoods_Sleuth  Oct 7, 2014 10:47:55am
406 klys  Oct 7, 2014 10:48:16am

re: #403 Kragar

An atheist reason not to kill people and be good in general

If this life is the only one we get, then taking it away from someone is the greatest crime, because you’re destroying everything they’ll ever be. Instead, help make sure people have the best life they can, because its all they get.

Take that, Incendiary Topiary!

I am in love with this last line.

407 De Kolta Chair  Oct 7, 2014 10:48:32am

♫ When you’re smiling
Oh when you’re smiling
The whole world smiles with you ♬

408 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:50:33am

As far as I’m concerned, nobody has solved Euthyphro’s dilemma satisfactorily: does God define morality? Or is he himself subject to it?

409 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:50:56am

re: #402 William Barnett-Lewis

That’s a good point. I tend to think of them as the last absolute monarchy.

Wait till Vova is crowned.

410 dog philosopher  Oct 7, 2014 10:51:34am

my most frustrating moment in religious debates came when this guy who was “interpreting” for me “what jesus really meant by that” told me that he had the authority to interpret because, as a christian, he was inspired by the holy spirit, whereas, as a jew, i was not of the same religion as jesus so naturally i misunderstood him

411 Schadenboner  Oct 7, 2014 10:51:49am

re: #407 De Kolta Chair

[Embedded image]

♫ When you’re smiling
Oh when you’re smiling
The whole world smiles with you ♬

I would pay good money to see the Command Staff of the DPRK KPA re-enact the closing scene from Mighty Aphrodite.

412 wrenchwench  Oct 7, 2014 10:51:57am

re: #407 De Kolta Chair

[Embedded image]

♫ When you’re smiling
Oh when you’re smiling
The whole world smiles with you ♬

That goes (kind of oddly) on the next thread.

413 Feline Fearless Leader  Oct 7, 2014 10:52:46am

re: #410 dog philosopher

my most frustrating moment in religious debates came when this guy who was “interpreting” for me “what jesus really meant by that” told me that he had the authority to interpret because, as a christian, he was inspired by the holy spirit, whereas, as a jew, i was not of the same religion as jesus so naturally i misunderstood him

That’s your indication that you were not actually engaged in a debate.

414 RealityBasedSteve  Oct 7, 2014 10:53:01am

re: #402 William Barnett-Lewis

That’s a good point. I tend to think of them as the last absolute monarchy.

That’s a good way of categorizing it. They have the trappings and outward appearance of communism, those beliefs are used to instill a type of ‘state belief and structure’, while the ruling monarch (and his court) rule.

I have to imagine that being anywhere near the top of the power structures in NK would make living in Game of Thrones look like a walk in the park by comparison.

RBS

415 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator  Oct 7, 2014 10:54:34am

re: #414 RealityBasedSteve

They have the trappings and outward appearance of communism

No longer - they even quietly removed the mention of the word “communism” from their “constitution” a few years ago. (Yes, Animal Farm comes to mind.)

416 Dr Lizardo  Oct 7, 2014 11:32:17am

re: #388 Timothy Watson

Was it on here someone linked to a piece that was making the very convincing argument that the DPRK was closer to a right-wing totalitarian state than communist?

There’s a book about North Korea called The Cleanest Race: How The North Koreans See Themselves, and it’s gist that North Korea is an extremely ethnocentric totalitarian state that has more in common with fascism than it does with communism.

417 sagehen  Oct 7, 2014 12:18:37pm

re: #408 Islamo-Masonic Conspirator

As far as I’m concerned, nobody has solved Euthyphro’s dilemma satisfactorily: does God define morality? Or is he himself subject to it?

There are several episodes in the Tanakh where somebody objects to God’s laws, and they get right up in his face with “You’re wrong. This is a bad law. Here’s why your ruling is immoral and unethical”… after which God says “huh. you’ve got a point. okay, decision changed.”

Unquestioning obedience isn’t really our thing.


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