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You are here: Home / Politics / Why Do We Even Have a Congress?

Why Do We Even Have a Congress?

by John Cole|  January 29, 20085:36 pm| 80 Comments

This post is in: Politics, Republican Crime Syndicate - aka the Bush Admin.

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The latest edition in a sad saga.

I have nothing but contempt for George Bush, that pissant of a man.

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Previous Post: « Stimulate This
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Reader Interactions

80Comments

  1. 1.

    ThymeZone

    January 29, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    Well, as some constitutional authorities have argued lately, nothing in the great document authorizes ignoring the great document, and so the War Powers, and the resolutions, and the signing statements, and all the rest of the extraconstitutional horsecrap from the last 60 years can just be ignored. All the officials have to do is declare them all invalid and move on. The Iraq war can be stopped immediately. The signing statements are useless.

    Unfortunately, the rules on the Hill make these things possible only if there are a certain number of votes, and the rules are designed to make it almost impossible for anything but an improbable majority to force its will on the minority. Thus, we have basically chosen deadlock over tyrrany of the majority, as the lesser of two evils.

    Therefore, suck it up, and get over it. As long as you have a party willing to put its own power over the interests of the country, unless you can basically crush that party at election time, you are stuck.

    We get another shot in November.

  2. 2.

    Grand Moff Texan

    January 29, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    So, because of a treaty with Iraq, which isn’t being called a “treaty,” and which Bush has no authority to make, Bush claims he can ignore laws he signed, because of another authority that he does not have.

    The man is null and void.
    .

  3. 3.

    Punchy

    January 29, 2008 at 5:47 pm

    Next comes a signing statement that says the 15-day FISA-thing extension just agreed to by Congress will actually last for 900 days.

    If he doesn’t get his way, he makes it his way. I wish I could issue a signing statement with regards to what my salary will actually be, instead of what my company agreed on.

  4. 4.

    Jake

    January 29, 2008 at 5:47 pm

    One such provision sets up a commission to probe contracting fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    But this has nothing to do with why he whpped out his Majikal Executivized Deciderating Pen.

    [eyeroll]

  5. 5.

    Zifnab

    January 29, 2008 at 5:48 pm

    Who’s going to impeach the President if he runs off and gets a blow job?

    Really, that would be the absolute last straw. If, by some miracle, Democrats manage to drag Bush up before the House and get him to claim he hasn’t received any oral sex while in office, and then get Condi Rice on tape saying otherwise. Bush would have the title “Worst President Ever” wrapped up for another century to come, easy.

  6. 6.

    Davebo

    January 29, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    Change for the Better: The Bush Plan

    Hilarious, yet sad.

  7. 7.

    Jake

    January 29, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    If, by some miracle, Democrats manage to drag Bush up before the House and get him to claim he hasn’t received any oral sex while in office, and then get Condi Rice on tape saying otherwise. Bush would have the title “Worst President Ever” wrapped up for another century to come, easy.

    Only a Liberal Fascist would have a problem with Bush doing his part to improve race relations in America.

  8. 8.

    Gus

    January 29, 2008 at 6:01 pm

    Congress will exercise oversight by stamping their little feet and sending a sternly worded letter of disappointment.

  9. 9.

    Sinister eyebrow

    January 29, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    To answer John’s question of why do we have a Congress, it’s so the President can blame them for everything he does that fails. In other words, he can blame the for everything he does. Congress and Terra! And maybe Iran a little, but mostly Congress.

  10. 10.

    Bubblegum Tate

    January 29, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    So, because of a treaty with Iraq, which isn’t being called a “treaty,” and which Bush has no authority to make, Bush claims he can ignore laws he signed, because of another authority that he does not have.

    That’s it, but you sound as though you think all of that is somehow bad, which places you dangerously close to Islamocommienaziveggiefascist territory, moonbat. If you really loved America, you’d let Bush do whatever he wants to it.

  11. 11.

    Sasha

    January 29, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    I have nothing but contempt for George Bush, that pissant of a man.

    You’ve probably discussed this at length, but I’m a relative newcomer here.

    Why did you vote for Bush twice? I had him pegged as manifestly unqualified and an unserious goof from Day One. Did you see potential in him that I didn’t?

  12. 12.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    Why did you vote for Bush twice? I had him pegged as manifestly unqualified and an unserious goof from Day One. Did you see potential in him that I didn’t?

    Who are you pointing at when you say “you?”

    I didn’t vote for him twice. I didn’t vote for his daddy neither.

  13. 13.

    Jen

    January 29, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    I expect Sasha is probably pointing at JC, the person (s)he quoted.

  14. 14.

    Jake

    January 29, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    To answer John’s question of why do we have a Congress, it’s so the President can blame them for everything he does that fails. In other words, he can blame the[m] for everything he does.

    Exactly.

    If any reporter is allowed to ask he’ll say he had to put the Signerating Statements in because Congress kept sending him such crappy bills.

    It makes Congress’ continual caving to the runt of the litter all the more puzzling. If they like taking it up the ass they should just hang out in the bathroom with Larry Craig.

  15. 15.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 6:24 pm

    I had him pegged as manifestly unqualified and an unserious goof from Day One.

    A lot of people were probably misled by the lapdog media that kept harping on how wonderful Bush was and what a liar Al Gore was.

    The same media that has hated the Clintons for the last 16 years.

    The same media that loves Obama right now.

  16. 16.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    I expect Sasha is probably pointing at JC, the person (s)he quoted.

    Sorry, I got confused cuz John was echoing my thoughts.

  17. 17.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    OK… how many days until we get to prosecute this little turd for sedition?

    It’s not hyperbole, right? Actively attempting to circumvent the legislative body is sedition, no?

    Wiki, Sedition:

    Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority.

    Wiki, Subversion:

    Subversion refers to an attempt to overthrow structures of authority

    Am I trying too hard?

    Maybe I’ll have to settle for prosecuting him as a war criminal and having him duly executed by the federal government.

  18. 18.

    Teak111

    January 29, 2008 at 6:26 pm

    From the BBC, in tonight’s top headlines, President Bush issued a signing statement stating that the results of the 2008 Presidential election were null and void and that he and VP Cheney would continue on office indefinitely. Mr. Bush’s stated justification for the action was that a transition of national power at this time would encourage terrorists to attack the US and also that the incoming administration had failed to show any dedication to finding a pony in Iraq. The President-elect made a furious speech at the Lincoln Memorial denouncing the action (clip of screaming politician) and vowed to take the President and VP to court. The secret service was later observed surrounding the area, guns drawn. Fox News applauded the move as needed to protect the country. Congressional Democrats called for caution and said more time was needed to study the situation because they were not sure it it really meant. Congressional Republicans showed their support for Bush by marching down the National Mall with knee pads on shouting four more years. The rest of the country shrugged and continued surfing for porn on the internet. And now, in sports….

  19. 19.

    The Moar You Know

    January 29, 2008 at 6:27 pm

    Sasha:

    I won’t presume to answer for John, but know a great many people who voted for Bush who now regret it. It’s pretty simple – they all believed that he was there to clean up politics, they could not concieve that ANYONE would lie the country into a war, and, most importantly, 9/11 scared a lot of people shitless. Scared people will do things they normally wouldn’t, and they don’t look too hard at the motivations of anyone who promises to keep them safe.

    A lot of people ooze contempt towards those “stupid enough to vote for Bush”. Don’t. It’s self-serving one-upmanship, it alienates the shit out of people who could otherwise be persuaded to vote Democratic, and next time around…it could be you voting for the criminal.

  20. 20.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    A lot of people were probably misled by the lapdog media that kept harping on how wonderful Bush was and what a liar Al Gore was.

    The same media that has hated the Clintons for the last 16 years.

    The same media that loves Obama right now.

    OMG u cant b serios teh media iz librul conspirasy!

    How about we get serious to the concept that the Media is more like a bipolar teenage girl, instead of an organized system of poorly written 2-minute segments, hmm?

  21. 21.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 6:35 pm

    A lot of people ooze contempt towards those “stupid enough to vote for Bush”. Don’t. It’s self-serving one-upmanship, it alienates the shit out of people who could otherwise be persuaded to vote Democratic, and next time around…it could be you voting for the criminal.

    I don’t have contempt for those who voted for Bush, just the people who still think he’s doing a great job.

    I have contempt for the media who not only failed to do their jobs but who actively participated in selling that piece of shit as someone of integrity and honor.

    The truth about G-Dub was out there, the media covered it up while manufacturing stories about Gore being a serial liar.

  22. 22.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 6:37 pm

    OMG u cant b serios teh media iz librul conspirasy!

    What liberal media? There isn’t one.

    Which begs the question why they like Obama so much?

  23. 23.

    Mike S

    January 29, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    I was watching Shepard Smith today and he was talking about Bush telling the govt agencies to ignore any budgets that have ear marks in them. Shepard actually showed a little moxy by lambasting dear leader for doing nothing about them during the GOP reign while the Democrats have actually cut them in half.

    Of course he also had a college Republican bimbo on who was praising Bush’s leadership on the issue. Just goes to show that the GOP cultists
    still exist.

  24. 24.

    DougJ

    January 29, 2008 at 6:46 pm

    I don’t have contempt for those who voted for Bush, just the people who still think he’s doing a great job.

    I have contempt for the media who not only failed to do their jobs but who actively participated in selling that piece of shit as someone of integrity and honor.

    The truth about G-Dub was out there, the media covered it up while manufacturing stories about Gore being a serial liar.

    What he said.

  25. 25.

    Zifnab

    January 29, 2008 at 6:46 pm

    A lot of people were probably misled by the lapdog media that kept harping on how wonderful Bush was and what a liar Al Gore was.

    The same media that has hated the Clintons for the last 16 years.

    The same media that loves Obama right now.

    The media is in love with Barak Obama because he’s a black man running for President and that’s “historic!” It also gives them the opportunity to use big and serious sounding terminology like “race relations” and “Bradley effect”. And the impending transcendence of Barak Obama to the Presidency hints at race riots and assassination attempts, both of which the news media absolutely adores.

    That doesn’t really say anything about how Obama would perform as President. Just that the media is particularly shallow and insipid.

  26. 26.

    DougJ

    January 29, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    If, by some miracle, Democrats manage to drag Bush up before the House and get him to claim he hasn’t received any oral sex while in office, and then get Condi Rice on tape saying otherwise.

    No, it would just further prove what a cool cowboy George Bush is. Matthews would say “Who wouldn’t want to give him one after seeing him in that flight suit?” and then turn to a laughing Norah O’Donnell.

  27. 27.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    Which begs the question why they like Obama so much?

    Are you fucking kidding me? Tell me you DID NOT just play the Right-wing conspiracy card. You’re just showing yourself off as potential victim material by doing that.

    There are no conspiracies. Just you sitting on your ass complaining about things. You want something your way, go do it.

    Stop bitching that other people don’t have your sensibilities; they don’t know you and I doubt you’re such a godlike orator that you need not apply effort to your cause. You want to stay on your ass? Fine: then just argue your point and stop bitching.

    The media on the other hand, has a HUGE flock of sheep that it fleeces daily. Right wing conspiracy, or a business arrangement without a drop of ethos? Hint: Obama is profitable in a shiny pony show; not profitable in a war movie about Normandy.

    (of course, silly me, we all know money has a significant right-wing bias)

  28. 28.

    Jake

    January 29, 2008 at 6:53 pm

    Fix

    The same media that loves Obama right now ^but will turn on him like mad dogs if he gets the nom.

    /Fix

  29. 29.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    Islamocommienaziveggiefascist

    If the Christians that indoctrinate our children can have the Veggietales, can we have the Veggiefascists?

  30. 30.

    Ivan Toledo

    January 29, 2008 at 6:59 pm

    Well, at least Bush had a pretty good handle on the economy, until the Democrats won Congress and fucked it all up. I still trust the Republicans to lower my taxes and stimulate the economic interests. The Democrats want to raise taxes and become Socialists. America can’t have that.

  31. 31.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 6:59 pm

    Just that the media is particularly shallow and insipid.

    What he said

  32. 32.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 7:03 pm

    There are no conspiracies. Just you sitting on your ass complaining about things.

    Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean no one is out to get me.

    You make me feel stupid for defending you earlier. Someone said Caidence is a dumb-ass piece of shit troll and I stuck up for you and said you weren’t a troll.

  33. 33.

    Jim

    January 29, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    Contempt for Bush? How dare you. Consider the words of one who would fellate W if given the chance:

    America is blessed – very blessed. We have had an amazing leader who believes in the wisdom of ‘we the people’. Through 7 years of attack from within and without. from across the aisle and from those too obsessed with purity in his party, President Bush has been a stalwart gentleman who has maintained dignity and honor for his office as those around him have collapsed into angry rants. The nation is going to miss George W Bush.

  34. 34.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 7:08 pm

    myiq2xu Says:

    Just that the media is particularly shallow and insipid.

    What he said

    Oh, that sounds much more grounded.

    So then resolve this little nugget?:

    What liberal media? There isn’t one.

    Which begs the question why they like Obama so much?

    You’re implying a statement in the domain of:
    Obama is, or appears to complete idiots to be, a closet Republican
    Obama is a guerrilla Republican, and the media knows it
    Obama is incapable of being liked by liberals (which would seem to be disproven by polls)

    Make sense of this?

  35. 35.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 7:12 pm

    You make me feel stupid for defending you earlier. Someone said Caidence is a dumb-ass piece of shit troll and I stuck up for you and said you weren’t a troll.

    You know I’m not a troll. I don’t stick around to piss people off, I stick around to see if I can get people to agree with me. Abrasion has nothing to do with intentional flaming.

    However you have appeared to have walked off a cliff with the rest of the borderline-psychotic conspiracists, and it makes me feel like I’m a poor judge of intelligent hoo-mahns on the intardumbs.

  36. 36.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    However you have appeared to have walked off a cliff with the rest of the borderline-psychotic conspiracists, and it makes me feel like I’m a poor judge of intelligent hoo-mahns on the intardumbs.

    Gotcha!

  37. 37.

    demimondian

    January 29, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean no one is out to get me.

    Actually, technically, it does. In DSM IV B, paranoid ideation must reflect an unfounded fear. A well-founded fear may cause great psychological discomfort, but it is not a symptom of mental illness.

  38. 38.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Gotcha!

    Umm. whut? I did I just get slimed. Am I supposed to walk away in shame now?

    P.S. My history is short on here, and as far as trolling goes, myiq is the only one who CAN attempt to say I’m a troll, with one minor exception of ThymeZone, who I hit with a heavy dose of sarcasm once (he figured it out).

    Everyone else ever rationally annoyed by me are just some far-left guys pissed because I actually said unregulated business has its own place with regulated businesses in the economy. Blasphemous arguments! Silence him!

  39. 39.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    Actually, technically, it does. In DSM IV B, paranoid ideation must reflect an unfounded fear. A well-founded fear may cause great psychological discomfort, but it is not a symptom of mental illness.

    But that’s still independent from any people actually attempting capture. For example: if he goes off spouting about conspiracies, I WILL be one of those people going off to get him.

    I didDid I just get slimed? Am I supposed to walk away in shame now?

    I need to walk away and get nutrients. I’m not even enunciating properly on my keyboard. Blah.

  40. 40.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    You’re implying a statement in the domain of:
    Obama is, or appears to complete idiots to be, a closet Republican
    Obama is a guerrilla Republican, and the media knows it
    Obama is incapable of being liked by liberals (which would seem to be disproven by polls)

    Make sense of this?

    No, I can’t make sense of it.

    First of all, I asked a question, and didn’t imply anything.

    My point is that the media is highly critical if not disdainful of everyone and everything liberal.

    With a few exceptions, the only “liberals” who get any airtime or column space are fake liberals like MoDo and Broder or whackjobs who don’t represent true liberal ideology.

    The media as a group hates the Clintons, hates Gore, hates Kerry, loves G-Dub.

    So this go round, who does the media love on the Democratic side? A very junior Senator from Illinois. They hate Edwards for his haircut, and ignore Dodd, Richardson and Biden. Why?

    Hint: Obama is profitable in a shiny pony show;

    Are you implying the media love Obama because he’s black? Naughty! Naughty!

    I’m sure you must be referring to his pretty speechifying.

  41. 41.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Actually, technically, it does. In DSM IV B, paranoid ideation must reflect an unfounded fear. A well-founded fear may cause great psychological discomfort, but it is not a symptom of mental illness.

    I once knew a dyslexic paranoid. He had delusions he was following somebody.

  42. 42.

    Pixie

    January 29, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    ugh another signing statement…so when Bush does these, I know he’s basically saying that “the law says X, but I’m going to do Y” , but has this ever been tested in court? Even once? I guess I’m wondering why there are no lawsuits to challenge whether the pres. can willfully disregard laws on the books.

  43. 43.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    The media as a group hates the Clintons, hates Gore, hates Kerry, loves G-Dub.

    See, I’ll give you the Clintons straight up, how can I not?

    But the rest has more nuance to it.

    First of all, Bush and Kerry are part of the same phenomenon. Bush learned that if the president withheld information, the media couldn’t do shit but whine about it. Kerry, on the flip-side, didn’t learn to assert himself.

    You gotta give Bush this: he’s one brazen asshole.

    As for Gore, I don’t see it. Not today at least. If you’re talking pre-2000, my memory isn’t too hot, but I saw everyone paying attention to Bush because he was so much more fun to look at. This is very related to how Obama is going to give HRC problems until after the DNC.

  44. 44.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    Why do we even have a Fed chairman?

    Economic issues are, as we anticipated, now firmly in control of Washington’s policy agenda. White House officials have told us that President Bush intervened forcibly to convince an initially reluctant Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates. “There were some telephone calls from the White House to the Fed in which some very crude language was used.”

  45. 45.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    ugh another signing statement…so when Bush does these, I know he’s basically saying that “the law says X, but I’m going to do Y” , but has this ever been tested in court? Even once? I guess I’m wondering why there are no lawsuits to challenge whether the pres. can willfully disregard laws on the books.

    Yeah, it’s that simple. There’s not much case law (or none; ask myiq) regarding the President being a dick.

    Technically, the Congress should be able to subpoena witnesses and then impeach the President, but such things didn’t work as planned. You see, we were all supposed to work together by not working together by forming parties. Oops.

    This will be tested to some degree after Bush leaves office; it’s too big a wound to leave unaddressed. But it probably won’t be enough, seeing as Republicans put party before country.

    I can’t wait for Saxby Chambliss to say that we have to give Dubya immunity, because if we don’t, he won’t work with Congress in the future.

  46. 46.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    Why do we even have a Fed chairman?

    That was dated last week, for the 3/4 drop.

    You scared the hell out of me. If they did that again, we’d be firmly in Weimar Republic territory.

  47. 47.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    What difference does it make when Bush grabs the reigns of the Fed? The problem is that he’s doing it at all.

  48. 48.

    HumboldtBlue

    January 29, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Bush is the zucchini in the line of Presidents.

  49. 49.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 8:03 pm

    As for Gore, I don’t see it. Not today at least. If you’re talking pre-2000, my memory isn’t too hot, but I saw everyone paying attention to Bush because he was so much more fun to look at. This is very related to how Obama is going to give HRC problems until after the DNC.

    Well, for starters they made up stories of Gore lying. They spent time proving that things he never said were lies. They ignored his policy discussions in favor of stories about his clothes (and alleged lies.) They basically blew-off global warming as non-existent. Oh yeah, and they gave him lots of unsolicited advice about avoiding the Big Dog, who had an approval rating arount 67%.

    The media talked about how G-Dub would be fun to have a beer with, and ignored his record in business and as Governor of Texas. For some reason, they never bothered to look into Bush’s military record (AWOL) or criminal history (DUI)

    Incompetence, cronyism, cold-hearted conservatism, it was all there but ignored by the media.

    Bush claimed to be a “uniter, not a divider” but his record said otherwise. The media missed it.

  50. 50.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    so when Bush does these, I know he’s basically saying that “the law says X, but I’m going to do Y” , but has this ever been tested in court?

    He has to do more than make a signing statement before a lawsuit can be filed.

  51. 51.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    Bush is the zucchini in the line of Presidents.

    I nominate for POTD!

  52. 52.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    The problem is that he’s doing it at all.

    Fair (albeit general) argument, but the Fed isn’t in charge of all aspects of the Economy. The Economy is Vast. It includes pretty much everything. If it gives you incentive or disincentive, it’s part of the economy. Extreme E.G.: Your daughter’s access to RU-486 is part of the economy.

    If you step back from that example, you’ll see that the Fed is at the helm of just the monetary system. They don’t handle general humanitarian issues (still part of the economy). So the President can, at risk, sway the Fed. Usually they do so to handle disasters, because they have wide effects.

    Now, if you’re scared that a 7-year-old with a sexual fetish for G.I.Joe figurines is now swaying the Fed… yeah… I’ll back you up on that :(

  53. 53.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    {{channeling thymezone}}
    You’re a fuckin’ idiot.

  54. 54.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Well, for starters they made up stories of Gore lying…

    I gotta give you credit for this because, well, I can’t remember shit, Sir.

    it was all there but ignored by the media.

    In the Giuliani thread, the media missed the blatant misspelling of “economy” in their own publication. As a matter of fact, they CAN afford spell checkers.

    Talk about the media in terms of positives. “They covered this, they covered that.” The list of important shit is huge, and there’s not a lot of time left after we cover the list of self-abuses Brittany has performed.

    That’s part of why I blame Kerry for losing ’04. “They can’t hurt me, because they can’t cover Bush as a war hero against me”. Wanna bet, you anemic apparition?! Anyone with a name (and preferably white skin) says anything, the media covers it.

    “Bush is a war hero because of Iraq”. “Hmm, let’s discuss!”
    “Hillary is a lesbian”. “Hmm, let’s discuss!”
    “Mission Accomplished”. “Hmm, let’s discuss!”

    Why do you think I’m here spending time being a borderline-asshole, even? By saying shit, I spread memes, regardless of quality. I jump-start conversation.

    Liberals have to learn how to do that.

    I mean, aside from Kos.

  55. 55.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    {{channeling thymezone}}
    You’re a fuckin’ idiot.

    myiq, Perfect example: wasabi gasp thinks I’m wrong, but by not expending the effort, he doesn’t even knock me off of what could be a specious argument.

    Hey wasabi! Hint: I only work in finance, I don’t wonk in finance. I’m only telling you what I remember reading years ago. You could be right! Take a shot! Get some credit! Earn some laurels!

  56. 56.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Why do you think I’m here spending time being a borderline-asshole, even? By saying shit, I spread memes, regardless of quality. I jump-start conversation.

    Borderline?

  57. 57.

    demimondian

    January 29, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Caidence, remember the joke that “Al Gore claimed to have created the Internet?” Ha-ha! Hee-hee! What a liar!

    Except, um…he didn’t say that. What he said was that he played a key role in the original creation of the internet, a statement which is entirely accurate.

  58. 58.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    You casually blew off the politicization of Fed policy.

    But, the hint makes all the difference.

  59. 59.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    I only work in finance, I don’t wonk in finance.

    But do you wank in finance?

  60. 60.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    Borderline?

    You know? The border between Crackpotamia and Assholia?

    Caidence, remember the joke that “Al Gore claimed to have created the Internet?” Ha-ha! Hee-hee! What a liar!

    Except, um…he didn’t say that. What he said was that he played a key role in the original creation of the internet, a statement which is entirely accurate.

    Yeah, but he didn’t back himself up. The fact of the matter is, he was pretty key for getting Arpanet wired and funded, and he did actually intend for the experiment to occur. And look, it was profitable!

    Instead the opposing side said “HAHA YOU SUCK COCKS”, and the media said… you guessed it!

    “Hmm, lets discuss if Gore does SUCK COCKS”

    And Gore said “Well… I guess the population doesn’t believe me. Aw shucks”

    He failed to separate the media from general opinion. He should came back and said “PROVE ME WRONG, FUCKERS! I M 1337 HAX0RZ!!!”

  61. 61.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    You casually blew off the politicization of Fed policy.

    You didn’t give a solid argument of politicization. Just him taking control (and I thought, recklessly, at first).

    I’m of the group that believes Bush can’t get anything right. But he does have some job to do, somewhere, and this is one of them.

    I mean, sure, I’d be suspicious if that dude walked in the room I’m sitting in… but still the Office of the President DOES have responsibilities.

  62. 62.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    But do you wank in finance?

    Only at my previous jobs.

    Note: I offer you no assumption as to who I was wanking.

  63. 63.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    Yeah, but he didn’t back himself up.

    Yes he did, but the media ignored it. They keep telling those fairy tales even now, just like the ones about the Clintons.

    The media and Ken Starr dug and dug, and in the end it turned out that the Clintons did nothing wrong in Whitewater and Vince Foster committed suicide.

    But the Big Dog got a hummer in the Oval Office! Call the impeachment posse!

  64. 64.

    myiq2xu

    January 29, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    I offer you no assumption as to who I was wanking.

    Someone of higher wank?

  65. 65.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    But he does have some job to do, somewhere, and this is one of them.

    No. Its not. The president has no place sticking his nose decisions of he Fed.

  66. 66.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    Yes he did, but the media ignored it. They keep telling those fairy tales even now, just like the ones about the Clintons.

    I know it was a long time ago, but do you have some linkage? I have the Auto-Correct feature installed. I can read the link and prevent future errors!

    Someone of higher wank?

    If this were Opposite Day, I’d nominate that for PotD.

    That was horrible. You should be ashamed of yourself. :)

  67. 67.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    nose in the decisions

  68. 68.

    Gus

    January 29, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Caidence, you need to discover a little blog called the Daily Howler.

  69. 69.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    The president has no place sticking his nose decisions of he Fed.

    No support, again? Fine, I’ll go fix your shit for you.

    What you’re looking for a’la Wiki:

    As the nation’s central bank, the Federal Reserve derives its authority from the U.S. Congress. It is considered an independent central bank because its decisions do not have to be ratified by the President or anyone else in the executive or legislative branch of government, it does not receive funding appropriated by Congress, and the terms of the members of the Board of Governors span multiple presidential and congressional terms. However, the Federal Reserve is subject to oversight by Congress, which periodically reviews its activities and can alter its responsibilities by statute. Also, the Federal Reserve must work within the framework of the overall objectives of economic and financial policy established by the government. Therefore, the Federal Reserve can be more accurately described as “independent within the government.”

    The Fed is independent insofar that it does not have do keep running to the Preznit for approval, or cower from his displeasure. There is nothing that says the President has to stay the fuck out.

    Aside from that, most of this acts like an oversight branch. You know… of the Executive Branch.

    There is no excuse for not looking in Wiki. It took me 30 seconds to find it and 30 seconds to look for problems with my argument. This is the Age of ZOMGIn4mashun! You’re just letting me dominate conversation by doing this.

    Also, FAQ

  70. 70.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Caidence, you need to discover a little blog called the Daily Howler.

    Thank you, but you’re being too kind. There is a point somewhere in reading text that I just go completely cross-eyed and stupid.

    If I ever have so little of a life (and career), I could get into that.

  71. 71.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 9:24 pm

    From your FAQ:

    The intent of Congress in shaping the Federal Reserve Act was to keep politics out of monetary policy. The System is independent of other branches and agencies of government. It is self-financed and therefore is not subject to the congressional budgetary process.

    But this turn of logic of yours is brilliant:

    The Fed is independent insofar that it does not have do keep running to the Preznit for approval, or cower from his displeasure. There is nothing that says the President has to stay the fuck out.

  72. 72.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    January 29, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    The System is independent of other branches and agencies of government.

    Shit. I didn’t see that. You win.

    If I were caffeinated, I might try to win this back, seeing as it doesn’t say what the mechanisms are, but you pretty much got your argument into black ink.

    Now, next time, find your own sources. Don’t ask me to provide the sword to fight me with.

  73. 73.

    wasabi gasp

    January 29, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Yes. Your sources.

    I’ll be sure to call wiki dibs next time.

  74. 74.

    scarshapedstar

    January 29, 2008 at 10:30 pm

    Ahh, small-government strict constructionist conservatism.

  75. 75.

    crw

    January 30, 2008 at 1:33 am

    Hmm. Bush pushes the Fed to keep lowering interest rates, just barely holding off a recession, but sparking inflation. Next president steps in, sees our currency is going to be competing with the Zimbabwe dollar if we don’t do something quick, and lets the Fed jack up interest rates ala Paul Volcker, leading to a deep recession that he/she gets blamed for…

  76. 76.

    Goseph Gerbils

    January 30, 2008 at 1:44 am

    If, by some miracle, Democrats manage to drag Bush up before the House and get him to claim he hasn’t received any oral sex while in office, and then get Condi Rice on tape saying otherwise.

    “Now remember, Ms Secretary, you are under oath. What did you see on entering the Oval Office?”

    Long pause.

    “I saw the President with Jeff Gannon’s dick in his mouth.”

  77. 77.

    TenguPhule

    January 30, 2008 at 4:41 am

    The line to piss on the Pissant’s grave starts behind me.

  78. 78.

    LITBMueller

    January 30, 2008 at 10:10 am

    If Give ‘Em Hell Harry Reid actually did have a pair of testicles, he would ramrod through a resolution that is brought immediately to the floor, and considered by only voice vote, a Resolution which declares all Presidential signing statements illegal, and also institutes a $1 million fine for any Executive branch member who uses one to ignore a law’s provision.

    That would make Cheney’s head explode.

  79. 79.

    Birdzilla

    February 3, 2008 at 12:52 am

    They dont call it the demacratic CONgress for nothing

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