Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

Come on, man.

Prediction: the GOP will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

Let’s finish the job.

I was promised a recession.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Infrastructure week. at last.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

An almost top 10,000 blog!

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

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75Comments

  1. 1.

    JenJen

    I’d forgotten that whole thing where Glenn Reynolds insisted his 6-burner grill was an excellent reason for why Bush is an excellent President.

  3. 3.

    Uncle Glenny

    Perhaps he doesn’t realize that China owns the only plant (in Panama) that produces fuel for our nuclear carriers.

  4. 4.

    Linda Featheringill

    Uh . . . . no.

    EVEN IF IT WERE POSSIBLE OR EVEN LIKELY, if the US were to default on the national debt, the US would in effect opt out of the whole capitalist economic system [which runs on credit and therefore on some degree of trust]. And since capitalism is the only game in town right now, opting out would result in total economic collapse. That of course would result in widespread hunger and rapid regression of our civilization to where it was a long time ago [a REALLY long time ago].

    Not a good idea.

    I used to think that some conservative Republicans were quite intelligent, even if they disagreed with me. What happened? Did they all die off? Or was I just smoking the funny stuff too much to judge correctly?

  5. 5.

    fraught

    OT, but Gail Collins mentioned the dog on Romney’s car roof again today. She does it every time.

  7. 7.

    Punchy

    Next, Glennnnnn will suggy that every American default on their mortgage and credit card, so that there’ll be more consumer spending money available, so people can buy more stuff on their Visa, like houses.

  8. 8.

    Tax Analyst

    @Linda Featheringill:

    if the US were to default on the national debt, the US would in effect opt out of the whole capitalist economic system [which runs on credit and therefore on some degree of trust]. And since capitalism is the only game in town right now, opting out would result in total economic collapse.

    WHAT? Do you mean that we can’t just threaten and bully everyone into submission and then do what we want?

    This inter-connectedness of things theory really mucks up our Excellent Exceptionalism of America Plan.

  10. 10.

    Eric U.

    nobody ever mentions that the federal budget consists of defense, debt service and medicare (intentionally ignoring SS because it’s funding the other 3). I was told by a Republican that we could just inflate our way out of debt, which is actually true to some extent. But it would mean bringing the current spending back into balance with taxes, which is something the republicans are dead set against.

  12. 12.

    JasonF

    My big problem is that I have a mental block of some sort that consistently prevents me from remembering which one is Glenn Reynolds and which one is Glenn Greenwald until I click through to the link. So I’m constantly thinking “Hmmm, Glenn Reynolds said something stupid? Well, he does that sometimes but he’s still worth reading … oh, wait. It’s the Pajamas Media guy, not the Salon guy. Of course he said something stupid. Everything he says is stupid. Why is this news?”

  13. 13.

    Punchy

    Do you mean that we can’t just threaten and bully everyone into submission

    I kid you not — My pops is a major Rush/Beckhead, and he believes this wholeheartedly. He believes we can run any debt we want, because “who’s going to try and collect on it?” (his exact words).

    And I can promise that he’s not the only one thinking this.

  15. 15.

    kansi

    Seriously, how long has the Republican fiscal policy consisted on nothing more than tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts?

  17. 17.

    Fergus Wooster

    Love it. Incidentally, the movie he refers to is Stroszeck, starring Bruno S. After the reposession, Bruno robs a grocery of a frozen turkey, rides the ski lift at the carnival round and round and blows his brains out. And something about a dancing chicken that they can’t stop.

    Another Herzog fun-fest.

  22. 22.

    Citizen Alan

    @Linda Featheringill:

    And since capitalism is the only game in town right now, opting out would result in total economic collapse. That of course would result in widespread hunger and rapid regression of our civilization to where it was a long time ago [a REALLY long time ago].

    Not a good idea.

    Actually, it’s probably a great idea to help bring about the total collapse of society if you expecting an engraved invitation to Galt’s Gulch to show up in your mailbox any day now. Though what Instacracker could possibly offer Galt’s Gulch beyond shining Midas Mulligan’s shoes for him is beyond me.

  23. 23.

    Linda Featheringill

    To Tax Analyst:

    Thank you.

    What was that word? Exceptionalism? Yeah, that’s the one. The rules don’t apply to us. Sometimes I’m surprised that the law of gravity works in the US.

  24. 24.

    Brick Oven Bill

    I say consider defaulting. America Citizens own around 10% of the debt IIRC, with the balance being held by foreign governments, investment banks, and I forget who else.

    The only other option is destroying the currency. I think that this is the current plan. The powers that be would then establish a new land-based currency. Perhaps this is why our government holds so much land. It could explain Fannie-Freddie and the housing bubble.

    If the decision is made to default, give individual good-faith American investors $0.50 on the dollar, and let all the other investors who thought it was a good idea to buy long-term obligations from a government that defined us as a ‘consumer nation’ come and get the money. This is why we have a military.

    China selling, instead of buying, our securities means that the end game nears.

  25. 25.

    Mark S.

    Well, I was hoping for a thoughtful email from an expert, but instead I got a typically intemperate blog post from Bruce Bartlett. Bruce, I’m not trying to turn the United States into Zimbabwe. That would be the guy in the White House, whom you seem surprisingly anxious to defend.

    Well, I guess that means Insty’s original post wasn’t a joke, because he was hoping some expert was going to pat him on the head for his insane suggestion. As usual, Reynolds has no substantive response to any criticism he receives.

  26. 26.

    Jim C

    @JasonF: Now you have me thinking about Christopher Glenn and “In The News.”

    There are a few on YouTube, and though I don’t know how they’d get a wide audience, but CBS should really put that “series” back into production.

  27. 27.

    El Cid

    The fact that inflation reports still indicate little to no inflation should not be considered evidence against the notion that the biggest problem we face right now is inflation.

  28. 28.

    Brick Oven Bill

    Prices rose 1.4% last month El Cid. I this equates to around 16% annual inflation if I understand the figure correctly.

    It is worth noting that 90% of the land containing oil shale is owned by the federal government. This equates to 1.8 trillion barrels of oil, or 360 years worth of domestic consumption at current rates. You know, that oil that it is currently illegal to extract.

  29. 29.

    eastriver

    @Brick Oven Bill:

    Yeah, that’s it, B.B.O.B., default on the national debt. Then revert to a currency pegged to tinfoil. You will be a friggin’ guhzillionaire.

    Brilliant. (That’s what the extra B is for: Brilliant.)

    And JC, the only word that wasn’t a link in your post: too.

    More Juice, please.

  30. 30.

    Alan

    It’s a step in the right direction–they’re at least figuring out cutting taxes doesn’t increase revenue.

    It’s pretty funny reading one of the voices on the Right promote the idea that there actually is a free lunch.

  32. 32.

    mr. whipple

    The wordiness of my posts increased 1.4% this month, which means if I keep it up by the end of the year I’ll be posting pithy comments longer than War and Peace, if I understand my figurin’ correctly.

  33. 33.

    eastriver

    And I’m still curious, B.B.B.O.B., why you think Joe Stack voted for Obama? When the preponderance of his rhetoric is fringe rightwing.

    Why, Bill, why?

    (Take your time responding. You don’t have to show your work.)

  34. 34.

    Tonal Crow

    The GOP defaulted on their love for America about 40 years ago, and they’re still around, so no, a federal default wouldn’t accomplish what Instapundit professes to desire.

  36. 36.

    gnomedad

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    How is this going to advance his quest to become a transhuman?

    I don’t know, but I imagine that when he uploads, his super-buff robo-body will have six burners. At least.

  38. 38.

    Mark S.

    OT-but I’m getting a little tired of 538 touting unelectable Republicans. This week it’s Newt:

    Gingrich’s biggest weakness is one with which I am occupationally familiar–he’s too professorial. His erudition, policy command and historical references may be assets when he’s on a panel at the Heritage Foundation or AEI, but it just doesn’t work at events like his speech today to attendees at the Conservative Political Action Committee national meeting

    Other Gingrich weaknesses include being an asshole and never having a favorability rating that’s been north of the teens. Clinton owes his re-election in large part to Gingrich.

  39. 39.

    Brick Oven Bill

    I responded to you in the previous thread eastriver. NOW TAKE THIS.

    Producer Prices Jump 1.4% in January.

    1.4% times 12 months equals 16.8%. This is because these dummies have doubled the money supply in order to give cash to their banker-friends.

    There. I explained that. Now somebody explain to me why the ‘core’ government inflation figure does not include food or energy.

  40. 40.

    MattF

    Just wondering… Has Reynolds always been this crazy? His game has always been avoidance of any direct statement of his own views, so I suppose it’s hard to say. But I get the feeling that the last veil covering the mons wingnutta has dropped several times recently, and, lately, with some vehemence.

  41. 41.

    Sentient Puddle

    /facepalm

    Y’know, typically I’m willing to cut the deficit fearmongers a little slack. The fact that the government doesn’t have to play by the “rules” isn’t entirely intuitive. But when someone lays it out for Glenn like that and he makes a moronic and dismissive reply, then I’m just going to revert to calling Glenn an idiot.

  42. 42.

    birthmarker

    My recall of the tax refunds we all received in the early part of this decade was because WE ALL LOST SO MUCH MONEY IN THE STOCK MARKET. Losses could offset gains, plus you could carry over $3000 a year in losses until you used up all your losses. So, yeah. We paid less taxes for a few years. And our portfolios blew up sky high twice in one decade. So let’s just privitize SS while we are at it.

  43. 43.

    Mark S.

    @John Cole:

    As I learned when Insty got in trouble for linking white supremacists, when he links to something and tells you to go read the whole thing, he is not in any way endorsing it. He’s just throwing it out there.

  45. 45.

    dmsilev

    So who is the more annoying hackish yet moronic law professor, Glenn Reynolds or Ann Althouse?

    I’m going to go with Reynolds just based on the sheer volume of crap he puts out, but it’s a near-run thing.

    -dms

  48. 48.

    darryl

    34 February 20th, 2010 at 6:48 pm Reply to this comment
    Brick Oven Bill
    Q: What do you get when you cut a jack o’lantern by its diameter?
    A: Pumpkin Pi!

    Ha! That was kinda cute.

  49. 49.

    Tonal Crow

    I responded to you in the previous thread eastriver. NOW TAKE THIS. Producer Prices Jump 1.4% in January. 1.4% times 12 months equals 16.8%. This is because these dummies have doubled the money supply in order to give cash to their banker-friends.

    Wow. That’s fantastic GOPmath. Now we know why they find it so easy to deny climate change and evolution. Also, one month does not a trend make, except, again, in GOPspeak.

  51. 51.

    Xenos

    @Brick Oven Bill:

    The only other option is destroying the currency. I think that this is the current plan. The powers that be would then establish a new land-based currency.

    Oh, I get it. The state would have superior title to all land, and all landowners would pay rent, and they could get tenants to use and produce on the land, who would then pay rent to the landlords. Using the internet, we could identify the largest landholders and call them “Urls” or something like that.

    Smaller, more localized landholders would be called “Dooks”, because they would would have to raise militia members among their tenants, and when local fights broke out they would be in charge of dooking it out.

    Since a return to the Gold standard would leave us in a permanent shortage of currency, then the Dooks could limit the rents they have to pay by assigning their militia members up to the Urls, who would be responsible for managing the armies to protect the country from invasion.

    Now some tenants would not have enough money to pay their rents to the Dooks, so they would have to pay up in terms of labor, not currency. Since these tenants would have autobody repair experience that could be applied to making surfboards, they could produce surfboards and would soon be known, in short, as “Surfs”.

    At the same time, especially talented militia members could be trained to fight in the nighttime, so they could be known as…

    I could go on, but this is turning into an exercise in futilism.

  52. 52.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Xenos:

    At the same time, especially talented militia members could be trained to fight in the nighttime, so they could be known as…

    Ninjas?

  54. 54.

    Brick Oven Bill

    Benjamin Franklin, Teabagger extraordinaire, teaches us that there is intrinsic value in three things: Land, precious metals, and labor (he lived too early to know about fossil fuels).

    Franklin supported a land-based currency as during his day, precious metals were flooding into Europe from the Americas, causing inflation. Land was expanding as well back then due to American westward progress, but Franklin saw this as a valuable American asset, which it was.

    But now we have settled all of the land, and it is a fixed commodity. The Germans, following their hyper-inflation, established a land-based currency. I am quite sure that this is the plan for us.

    Either that or these guys have absolutely no fucking clue what they are doing. In either case, I am leaving to go drink. Ignore anything that I might say for the rest of the night.

  55. 55.

    Alan

    @WaterGirl:

    Yes WaterGirl, that was me. What you said regarding your own loss has resonated with me as time passed. You are a wise one.

    This site attracts a lot of wonderful people.

  58. 58.

    Tax Analyst

    @Punchy:

    Tax Analyst said: Do you mean that we can’t just threaten and bully everyone into submission

    I kid you not—My pops is a major Rush/Beckhead, and he believes this wholeheartedly. He believes we can run any debt we want, because “who’s going to try and collect on it?” (his exact words).

    And I can promise that he’s not the only one thinking this.

    I have absolutely no doubt that this is the case. And you will never convince him (or any of the others) otherwise.

  59. 59.

    Tax Analyst

    @Linda Featheringill:

    To Tax Analyst:
    Thank you.

    You’re Welcome.

    What was that word? Exceptionalism? Yeah, that’s the one. The rules don’t apply to us. Sometimes I’m surprised that the law of gravity works in the US.

    Gravity applies to the U.S. too? No shit?

    So much for getting those ponies to fly out of my butt.

  64. 64.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Comrade Jake:

    Who is learning law from this fucking idiot?

    Obviously, no one is, yet he still draws a salary. The tenure system has some flaws. If I were a Tennesseean I would be upset. On the other hand, I live in Wisconsin and my taxes pay Althouse’s salary.

  65. 65.

    WaterGirl

    @Alan: Thanks for your kind words. Many people here have been helpful to me, too, in this process, including you.

    Valentine’s Day was the two month mark for me and was a bit of a turning point. A week ago a friend suggested we go to the humane society, and though I was sure I wasn’t ready I thought it might be good for me to go and dip my toe in the water with an eye toward the future.

    I surprised myself by bringing home two kitties (litter mates that they wanted to keep together). I still miss Quiver a lot, but it’s nice to hold a sweet kitty in my arms again.

    The grief doesn’t own me in quite the same way now, and the new company has also been a huge help to my dog, who was very lonely without his constant companion. And the new kids are very sweet!

    I hope things are getting easier for you, too. Grieving, for me, is definitely not linear process, but I am living proof that it does get easier with time.

  66. 66.

    Zuzu's Petals

    This should disabuse anyone of the notion that holding the title of “law professor” is any indication that one knows what one is talking about. Especially Glenn Reynolds.

  67. 67.

    Alan

    @WaterGirl: Yes, things have gotten easier. Though, I still think about the little guy at times. The horror of watching him die is a fading memory. And as you said, it was probably more my own horror than his.

    It’s great you were able to get yourself a couple of kittens. If you’re able, take lots of pictures. (I wish digital cameras were around when Sammy was a kitten).

    Every loss is hard. It’s cliche’, but it does get easier over time. We just don’t see it when the loss is so near.

  68. 68.

    WaterGirl

    @Alan: Good that it is getting easier for both of us. I wasn’t sure at first that it was going to get any easier, ever. What I really want is one of those flip video things but I can’t afford it. First photos here.

    Edit: WereBear has a really great cat website, and there is a lot of information there that I found helpful, especially the links on the lower left hand side. Wish I had seen them before the end with Quiver.
    http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/

  73. 73.

    Quiddity

    Two days ago, I posted this:

    The question that should be asked of all deficit panel/commission/hawks is:

    Do you advocate defaulting on the special Treasury bonds held by the Social Security Trust?

    It dispenses with the smoke and mirrors of CPI angst, detaches Social Security from Medicare/Medicaid, and basically asks if people who paid into a retirement-insurance program should get their money back.

    Instapundit yesterday:

    SO HERE’S A QUESTION: Would a default on Treasuries accomplish what the Balanced Budget Amendment was supposed to achieve, by forcing the government to spend no more than it takes in? With more collateral damage, of course. . . .

    I got my answer!

  74. 74.

    Calvin the Bold

    There’s no need at all for the Federal Gov’t ever to consider defaulting on the national debt. Not a single reason on Earth.

    Ask yourself the following question: Is it possible for a check written by the US Government to bounce? (hint: it isn’t)

    Also consider what really happens when the IRS collects money. Say you give the IRS $100. What do you think they do with it? Spend it?

    In reality, they might as well take the $100 you gave them and burn it. There’s NO difference in the ability of the Federal Gov’t to spend what you hand them and what they print for themselves. It’s all dollars and they all spend the same. Deficit spending by the Federal Gov’t is just another way to print more currency.

    The only consideration the government should ever worry about when generating currency is whether adding money will cause unacceptable levels of inflation. Inflation isn’t much of a concern right now–and shouldn’t be–so there’s no particular reason to get all hot under the collar about running deficits at the Federal level. The states (who can’t print their own money) are a different story.

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