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Post by tehlung on Feb 10, 2009 1:53:52 GMT
I love President Obama!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
He's the best president ever! Isn't he grand? He's so awesome at fixing all the problems over the last 200+ years caused by George Bush!!!!!!1 He gives great speeches! I hope he's president for life!
He and his followers stand for timeless American values like helping your lazy neighbor, apologizing for America, spending our kids' money, and encouraging discussion of his ideas exclusively.
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Post by Gromlakh on Feb 10, 2009 3:30:14 GMT
Ah, the monthly Uncle Daddy Tehlung (congrats, man!) Completely Uninformed Lunatic Ranting! I didn't realize we were due. I'm looking for some help here. I gave the Chosen One a shot, and it turns out he's more radical than he came off in the campaign. So maybe you folks can help explain some things to me. 1. Joe Biden said something along the lines of 'Paying taxes is patriotic'. So why is so many of the Messiah's cabinet members seeming to have tax trouble once they're appointed? Honest mistakes, I suppose. I remember my father making a mistake on his taxes during the Clinton years, and the IRS damn near put him in jail over $1500. They insisted on an audit and went way over the top when he had the check cut as soon as he found out that he owed money. Honestly, I'd be more concerned about this if our tax code wasn't designed by a pack of crackhead monkeys. I can do my taxes easily; all I grab is my nice W-2 from my cushy government job and fire off a 1040EZ. For rich people with tons of investments in various different places, it just ain't that easy. It takes a hell of a lot more work. Mistakes are going to happen, and some people are just idiots anyway. That's not a Democrat thing or a Republican thing, it's a rich people thing. Which encompasses both parties. Much like MLK, I have a dream. My dreams is that one day you'll take a class and learn what socialism actually is. I find it ironic that you rant about socialism all the time, but out of all the things you've talked about almost none of them actually has anything to do with socialism. Even more ironic is that you said almost nothing about Bush's bailout of the banks, which is one of the few things the government's done recently that actually IS pseudo-socialistic. Your complaint here is non-sequitur, because government contracts do create jobs. Someone has to do them, so peeps have to be hired. The whole "money doesn't grow on trees" thing doesn't mean jobs aren't created, it just means the government goes farther into debt. That's at least a legit complaint (although you didn't address it properly) that a few economists have raised, and it's why I'm ambivalent on the whole thing. The economists say it's needed, but I'm still waiting patiently for anyone in Washington to figure out how to balance a damn checkbook. Ironic again that you mention the USSR & North Korea in your "This Is Not Actually Socialism But I'm Going To Call It That Anyway Because It Sounds Scarier" rant, because a lack of infrastructure spending (which is what 90% of the stimulus bill is) is a major reason why the USSR failed in the first place. Again, you have a good point regarding the cost, but you're mixing up a fuckload of stuff. I assume with the "abortions in Africa" comment you're referring to Obama's reversal of the Mexico City Policy. How that has anything to do with the stimulus bill is beyond me. ACORN is also not getting any money out of this, because none of the infrastructure spending is going to voting stuff. Last I checked, ACORN doesn't build highways, run public schools, run hospitals, or run power grids. I could be mistaken. You lost me on the frisbee golf park. Here's the reality: if you are a Democrat who has been around for the last 10 years or so in any capacity, then you served in some way in the Clinton administration. It's just like that. However, very few of Obama's picks held a seriously high position within Bubba's cabinet. His cabinet, with few exceptions, has some tangential connections to Bubba, but none of them were policy wanks with major influence during that time. So, no, there's nothing unusual about him not picking Bill's major advisors to serve as his major advisors. Thank you for pointing that out. It was a stupid move. Next. You're again showing your lack of research. You're reading part of a news article, reading more into it than what's there, and assuming that you know what's going on when you don't. Obama's not trying to cap private sector salaries. He's trying to include requirements for the bailout money that banks may or may not accept. If the banks want the bailout money, then one of the conditions upon that is that they have to cap the amount of money they pay their CEOs. If they don't like that, then they can always politely decline the money. Nobody other than those specific banks would be affected in any way. And A-FUCKING-MEN that he's doing that. People were legitimately and justifiably outraged when the first round of banks ponied up to the government trough because they were in such dire straights and almost immediately afterwards gave ridiculous raises to their top executives. If you're a business in trouble, fucking act like it and use the government money for something that will fix the company. Giving another $50 million to Whitey McStuckup ain't gonna make that happen. Once again, nothing to do with communism/socialism. It's the government's money, they can choose how to spend it and who to give it to. You don't like the conditions, then fuck off and do it yourself. That type of "here's the money, but you have to play by our rules" is how Congress has gotten the States to play the way they way Congress wants for years, and every handout of government funds comes with government strings. That's not an Obama thing, that's a reality thing. You got snow in New Orleans because there was a cold snap that brought in precipitation. It's basic meteorology. That kind of extreme weather event is exactly what is predicted to happen by "global warming." I REALLY wish someone would use a different term, since: 1.) it's highly inaccurate, since the problem/symptoms aren't simply "warming"; and 2.) so uneducated idiots like Rush Limbaugh and Matt Drudge will finally stop running around like simpletons saying "The Earth can't be warming! It's still cold in some places!!!!" Nancy Pelosi doesn't have her own jet and never asked for one. As Speaker of the House, she (like Dennis Hastert before her) gets military transport to and from her home district courtesy of the fine men and women of the US Air Force because she's third in line for the Presidency. Gee, look, that wasn't complicated at all! Oh, and before you repeat the overinflated fearmongering over the request of the House Sergeant at Arms to have available to her a jet capable of reaching Cali without having to refuel, www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_nancy_pelosi_order_up_a_200-seat.html. Obama needs that shit BECAUSE HE'S THE FUCKING PRESIDENT AND LOTS OF PEOPLE WANT TO KILL HIM. That would also be the same security detail that the last numerous Presidents have had. Seriously, you're really scrapping the bottom of the barrel for criticisms at this point. Show me where they said the rich are the scum of the Earth. I'd really like to see that. The rich do need to pay more taxes. How the politicians are living their lives doesn't have anything to do with whether or not rich people owe more. I have no fucking clue what you're talking about. First, your "hints" are unhelpful. The only thing that springs to mind is "black", which doesn't rhyme with "Barack." Second, if you think Obama hasn't repeatedly mentioned both his mother and his grandmother, then you've not been paying attention for YEARS. You're right. And since Matt Drudge hasn't posted about it on his website, it's probably because either it didn't happen, or it actually wasn't that newsworthy of a question. If you have a link that shows otherwise, please post it here because I'd like to read the story. You're welcome. ;D
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Post by sinister on Feb 10, 2009 3:34:53 GMT
4. This falls under Grommie's exception, so I'm wastefully arguing a point he clearly excluded. The economic team is pretty deeply filled by Clinton policy makers... just the way I like it (as least in terms of very best of slim pickings) . I just hope they don't marginalize Volcker, as the Summers/Volcker conflict has been making the rounds lately.
7. I haven't heard the term "global warming" in quite some time, it's been reworded to "climate change" now.
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Post by Notanalt on Feb 10, 2009 7:36:31 GMT
Wow, that was like reading Chinese.
What does that have to do with someone making me a very fine trillian shield of excellence?
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Post by tehlung on Feb 11, 2009 0:01:29 GMT
I love President Obama!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
He's the best president ever! Isn't he grand? He's so awesome at fixing all the problems over the last 200+ years caused by George Bush!!!!!!1 He gives great speeches! I hope he's president for life!
He and his followers stand for timeless American values like helping your lazy neighbor, apologizing for America, spending our kids' money, and encouraging discussion of his ideas exclusively.
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Post by sinister on Feb 11, 2009 14:40:49 GMT
#1. So why is so many of the Messiah's cabinet members seeming to have tax trouble once they're appointed? Honest mistakes, I suppose. I remember my father making a mistake on his taxes during the Clinton years, and the IRS damn near put him in jail over $1500. They insisted on an audit and went way over the top when he had the check cut as soon as he found out that he owed money. #10. The tough question the Woman asked You've come to our county and asked us to trust you, but those that you have appointed to your Cabinet are not trustworthy and can't handle their own budget and taxes," the woman said to boos. Essentially the same thing happened to your dad. You shouldn't have it both ways, you should give some benefit of the doubt that you would give to your dad. The tax code is complicated with over 1 million lines. It's a freaking beast that keeps you employed in your current profession. Yeah a family memeber got hit with an audit a decade ago too. Result: no fines, no taxes, no penalties, but freaking hundred hours of work + accounting fees to prove that, yeah flat tax is the way to go.
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Post by tehlung on Feb 11, 2009 19:00:35 GMT
I love President Obama!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
He's the best president ever! Isn't he grand? He's so awesome at fixing all the problems over the last 200+ years caused by George Bush!!!!!!1 He gives great speeches! I hope he's president for life!
He and his followers stand for timeless American values like helping your lazy neighbor, apologizing for America, spending our kids' money, and encouraging discussion of his ideas exclusively.
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Post by tehlung on Feb 11, 2009 23:12:41 GMT
I love President Obama!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
He's the best president ever! Isn't he grand? He's so awesome at fixing all the problems over the last 200+ years caused by George Bush!!!!!!1 He gives great speeches! I hope he's president for life!
He and his followers stand for timeless American values like helping your lazy neighbor, apologizing for America, spending our kids' money, and encouraging discussion of his ideas exclusively.
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Post by Gromlakh on Feb 12, 2009 4:57:10 GMT
Quickie shots, because I'm tired and off to bed soon: 1. You should re-read your source, because it doesn't say squat about ACORN getting billions of dollars. What it says is that there is a provision in the bill that expands the group of recipients for previously allocated funds to include non-profits. Essentially, what the article says is that since a non-profit could get some money, and ACORN is a non-profit, then all the money MUST be going to ACORN! That's about as flawed of logic as can possibly exist. The "source" also repeats a common right-wing myth regarding ACORN, which is that they are involved in voter fraud. This myth came about because a shitload of people don't understand what voter fraud is. If I pass out a registration form to someone, and they fill it out under the name of "Kris Kringle" and turn it in (which is what ACORN is accused of doing), THAT IS NOT VOTER FRAUD. If that person shows up to vote as "Kris Kringle", then and only then has voter fraud occurred. Show me a source that confirms ACORN has actually encouraged both fraudulent registration AND the people then showing up to cast fraudulent ballots and I'll start caring. 2. I don't know what you're wanting with the "change" stuff. I already pointed out that he's not using Bubba's main policy peeps and instead bringing in people who were not previously in power. What exactly are you looking for? Is he supposed to only hire people with no experience in politics? At which point you'd bitch at him for bringing in people who don't know what they're doing. 3. Yup, I'm still going to tell you that "economic justice" has ZERO to do with socialism. Socialism/communism is about the government taking control of businesses and running them instead of having private enterprise. That's it. It has nothing to do with tax policy, wealth redistribution, "economic justice", or anything else. Just governments running the business. 4. Sorry, I didn't realize that there was some requirement that every speech Obama gave had to have a necessary quotient of white relatives that he gave shout-outs to. I'll pass that message along to him. When I'm doing this, though, maybe you could answer a question for me: what exactly is the number of times he must mention specific white people in order for it to be acceptable? Must they be mentioned in all speeches? 90%? Or are there simply certain speeches where the white relatives are required to be mentioned to the exclusion of the black ones? Just checking, because apparently his incessant discussions about his white mother and grandmother over the last two years have failed to make the necessary impact on a Coonass. 5. Dude, MAJOR letdown on the "Indiana woman" link. I thought it was going to be some kind of mind-blowing, well thought out, insightful drilling that hit the tough question and might be interesting to read. Seeing politicians squirm is always fun. Instead, the link simply confirmed why I hadn't heard about it before: IT'S NOT NEWSWORTHY. It wasn't even a question, it was simply an attempt by her to get publicity. She failed to even meet "Joe the Plumber" standards; which is sad, because he REALLY set the bar low. 6. I'd advise that you read Putin's entire remarks from Davos, because that article grotesquely misinterprets what Putin actually said: online.wsj.com/article/SB123317069332125243.html. Putin didn't scold the US on squat, he was addressing a group of world economic leaders on contributions they could make to help out. Putin's real advice to the world was "Communism doesn't work." Not many peeps are disagreeing with that, and as we've previously discussed, none of Obama's policies have even the first thing to do with state ownership of business (you do at least recall from three paragraphs ago that state ownership of business = communism/socialism and nothing more, right? Good!). He also warned in those same remarks that inadequate government regulation of the banking industry was a major factor in the economic crisis, which doesn't seem to support your position of deregulation. He also couldn't be too much against the bailouts, since he's already announced that Russia will be bailing out the MiG corporation: www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489210.htm?section=worldFuck, I said that was going to be short, didn't I? *grumble*
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Post by sinister on Feb 12, 2009 14:14:24 GMT
re: geithner taxes
I don't see what the problem is. When he was audited in 2006 for 2003 and 2004 and the error was discovered, he paid his back taxes too.
Now if you're referring to the paying taxes for years 2001 and 2002 after the statue of limitations ran out when he was nominated. I can't hold him to a higher standard than me. I know no way in hell am I going to be pay those taxes myself and neither would you.
re: Dashle
Yeah, this situation was completely hypocritical and he certainly needed to go.
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Post by tehlung on Feb 12, 2009 23:16:21 GMT
I love President Obama!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
He's the best president ever! Isn't he grand? He's so awesome at fixing all the problems over the last 200+ years caused by George Bush!!!!!!1 He gives great speeches! I hope he's president for life!
He and his followers stand for timeless American values like helping your lazy neighbor, apologizing for America, spending our kids' money, and encouraging discussion of his ideas exclusively.
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Post by Gromlakh on Feb 13, 2009 1:09:31 GMT
Again, there's really not much more to comment on with the "change" stuff. I fail to see how bringing in a bunch of people who were not previously in power isn't "change." Your explanation so far has just been "Uhh...it's like...not, and stuff." So basically, in Tehlung world, "Different = Exactly The Same." There's just no way to respond. Actually, no, you couldn't tell Putin was speaking directly to the US, since he didn't actually criticize anything we're doing. He warned against the government directly taking over businesses, which is a lesson the Soviet Union learned doesn't work. Pulling out a few choice quotes from his speech and tossing them into an article where someone claims that he just simply MUST be talking about the US doesn't make it so. Reading his actual speech makes it abundantly clear that he wasn't doing anything of the sort. Wrong again about ACORN, because indeed neither they nor any of their workers have ever been convicted of (or investigated for) voter fraud. A few select individual canvassing workers for ACORN have been found guilty of faking registration forms, but their purpose was to get paid for work they didn't do, not stuff ballot boxes. There is not one single case in any state where ACORN or anyone affiliated with them has ever conspired get more votes for any candidate by registering fradulent votes. So...yeah, that would be a bald-faced lie when conservative pundits say they have. Link: www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/acorn_accusations.htmlThe woman didn't ask him a question, all she did was criticize him. There was no question included. It wasn't a question, it was a publicity stunt; one that was weak enough as to not even be newsworthy. Joe the Plumber did an even weaker job of criticizing Obama when he had the chance. Essentially, what he told Obama when he had the chance is that he didn't like Obama because Obama wanted to raise his taxes. Obama tried to explain to ole' Joe that Joe would pay less taxes under Obama's plan. Joe didn't try to illustrate how Obama was wrong, he just simply ignored him and insisted that somehow he would pay more. Factcheck.org and the non-partisan Tax Policy Center even proved that Obama was right, and Joe boy, McCain, Palin, and a number of conservative talking heads continued to flagrantly ignore all evidence presented and insist that Obama was still somehow this huge tax raiser. At least the Indiana woman had an actual point to make. It's not socialism. It's not Marxism. It's not communism. It's not class warfare. It's not any of those, nor is it even vaguely or marginally related to them. When conservatives call Obama's policies "socialist", it's not because they are. It's because conservatives want some scary, fear-mongering name to call them so that people will be scared. The problem is that it's not true. The easy fix is to just say "well, we'll just redefine socialism to be whatever he's doing!" That's fundamentally ridiculous. It's like me deciding that I'm going to say "Tehlung is a child molester", and justify it by quietly saying "I define 'child molester' to mean 'A person who plays Ancient Anguish.'" I've already explained the issue of "wealth redistribution", so I'm not going to do it again. I'll just suggest that you go here, again: ancientanguish.proboards10.com/index.cgi?board=pc&action=display&thread=223&page=56#11216. Keep in mind, if you're buying the beer, I'm a RAGING beer snob!
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Post by tehlung on Feb 13, 2009 2:49:40 GMT
I love President Obama!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
He's the best president ever! Isn't he grand? He's so awesome at fixing all the problems over the last 200+ years caused by George Bush!!!!!!1 He gives great speeches! I hope he's president for life!
He and his followers stand for timeless American values like helping your lazy neighbor, apologizing for America, spending our kids' money, and encouraging discussion of his ideas exclusively.
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Post by Gromlakh on Feb 13, 2009 13:56:00 GMT
Nice dodge on the substance. Good call; I'm there. Reminds me a lot of Cooter Brown's (corner of Carrollton/St. Charles).
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Post by tehlung on Feb 13, 2009 14:39:14 GMT
I love President Obama!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
He's the best president ever! Isn't he grand? He's so awesome at fixing all the problems over the last 200+ years caused by George Bush!!!!!!1 He gives great speeches! I hope he's president for life!
He and his followers stand for timeless American values like helping your lazy neighbor, apologizing for America, spending our kids' money, and encouraging discussion of his ideas exclusively.
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