(Ben Sargent via GoComics.com)
Best summary of last night’s GOP debate, from Davis X. Machina:
Think ‘Reactionary Poetry Magnets’. It doesn’t have to mean, it has to sound.
Scariest comment of the evening, from Richard Adam’s Guardian liveblog:
7.59pm ET: Did you know that, including tonight, there are four – four! – Republican debates in the next 13 days?
What’s on the agenda, apart from the ongoing GOP FailParade?
Bill E Pilgrim
Scariest comment? No no no!
Well scary in one sense true, but in another, best news in years.
I think what puzzles me most is the people insisting that “none of this matters”, because “Cain won’t be the nominee” or whatever. As if the Republican Party being exposed night after night as a pack of utter loonies would have no effect on how Romney and any other Republican running next year might do.
Winner of these debates? Easy: Barack Obama.
I think the Democrats should find something the Republicans want and then use it to negotiate a deal in which the Republicans are obligated to debate every night from now to the conventions.
I’m actually amazed they haven’t put themselves out of their misery by now.
harlana
I made it through 40 minutes, missed the Perry flop. This one was not as much fun. These guys need to ramp the crazy back up because I expect to be entertained!
Raven
62 today, damn I never thought I’d see this day.
CarolDuhart2
I didn’t watch the debates, but I’m beginning to wonder: will we have a bunch of candidates who refuse to face reality and drop out? Considering that the party is raising hell over a fifteen-cent tax (sales and other taxes on those trees doubtless are more), has put a sleaze with no experience or positive accomplishments (Cain) in the lead, I wonder if they are so out of it the Party itself needs an intervention.
Will Obama have to consult the DSM?
Hal
Ad at top: bypass the media filter, support Herman Cain! What a card, this Hermain Cain!
See, it’s all the medias fault. And Democrats. And Racism (but only if your a black conservative.) And Rick Perry. or not.
And Cain doesn’t know who that woman is! Guess he never watched Clinton’s that woman moment.
CarolDuhart2
@Raven: Happy Birthday. I just turned 55 myself. I never thought I would be old enough to claim a senior citizen benefit myself. But it’s good anyway.
CarolDuhart2
@Bill E Pilgrim: But you don’t know, and they don’t know for sure. What if something comes out about, or happens to Romney? Then what? Sure, come candidates are clearly out-classed, but everything really depends on who shows up and survives, not on much of anything else.
Bill E Pilgrim
For all those repeating the CW that the problems in Europe are all because of “welfare states”, Kthug does the honors as usual and should be required reading.
Raven
@CarolDuhart2: I hear ya! I went in the army 45 years ago today on my 17th and the situation was shaky then. Now I hope to be able to work for at least another 5 years.
amk
what republican debate ?
Cheryl from Maryland
@Raven: Happy Returns of the day.
Bill E Pilgrim
@CarolDuhart2: I’m not sure if I understood, or if possibly you misunderstood what I meant, but my point was just that no matter who ends up being the nominee, the Republicans being seen as such clowns, en masse, is bad for their chances next year. The common assumption of Romney being the nominee was the one I was going with but was neither here nor there, my point would be the same no matter who is.
As far as “nothing else matters but survival”, I disagree. Romney (or whoever) being seen as the best emerging from a sober, serious intelligent group is one thing, being seen as only the best they could find among a group of morons is another entirely. The “Republicans are clowns” meme is really taking hold and mostly as a result of these debates– and that can’t be good for them next year.
SiubhanDuinne
@Raven:
Hey, happy birthday, Raven! How are you celebrating (if that’s not an indelicate question)?
amk
@Raven:Happy b’day and Congrats.
I myself was 51 five days ago. Not great shakes as they make it out to be.
CarolDuhart2
@Bill E Pilgrim: What I meant was that as far as the primary goes, the field is set. Yes, Romney is the sanest one of the bunch, but there’s no guarantee that he survives to face Obama. There never is for any candidate in the primaries.
That this clown show is bad for the Republicans no matter who the nominee is, I agree. That these people even have a chance to win the nomination taints that nomination. It’s like having a Miss America in a burka. Yes, someone has to win, but is winning worth it?
WereBear
@Raven: Happy happy! I think just about everyone becomes a senior with similar shock and surprise.
I know you Faced Death quite literally and that’s one factor; but the grandmother realizing she’s now buying elastic waist slacks from Blair goes through similar reappraisal– I never imagined getting here.
That’s not me, BTW.
In my own case, I have always valued comfort over fashion, my own opinion over the mass of popular culture pushing me in another direction, and have a geeky love of gadgets and technology. I am actively trying not to be the “get off my lawn ya damn kids” kind of Senior.
In fact, back in MY day, television was lousy, it was hard to find a pay phone that worked, and typing the same term paper over and over really sucked. I have a titanium tooth, hundreds of books in my pocket, and the wealth of world knowledge at my fingertips.
I like the future. Considering the whole of my adult life started with Reagan, I have more hope for the future NOW.
amk
scumbag cain’s scumbag lawyer to those wimmin accusers- you better watch out
Assholes.
Bill E Pilgrim
@CarolDuhart2: Then we agree, since my only point was that it’s bad for the Republicans. The more of them they have, the better.
However now I’m trying to think of how the Miss America Pageant could be “tainted” in my estimation by pretty much anything… but that may just be me :)
Phylllis
@Raven: Happy birthday. I’ll be 50 next May. Looking forward to that magical letter from AARP. How do they know?
ned
What? No link to Pierce?
You’re slipping, AL.
CarolDuhart2
@Phylllis: Somehow I think they must have an in with Social Security somehow-who else has your exact birthday?
Frankly, I think some things are better now than they were when I was 24. More choices, more open communication, less isolation. I used to think I was alone in my views. Kids these days can google and find a peer group somewhere who shares their interests. I like the tech-not having to settle for what the local poobahs allow us to read, listen to, or know is a plus. I remember feeling bad when my jazz station ended with the century. These days, it would have still been able to live on the internet, and I have more jazz stations than I can ever listen to now, even if they can’t support a brick and mortar version here.
amk
james murdoch: I know nothing, I know nothing
WereBear
@CarolDuhart2: It actually is an age of Abundance, in some ways. We moved our office and I found myself throwing out a calendar (a wealth of desktop images is out there, I don’t need to scan these) and an instruction manual (I can google more up to date info) and other things I would have once packed in a box.
No more.
JPL
Raven, Happy Birthday. Do you have any big plans to celebrate your special day?
EconWatcher
You gotta root for Romney, for at least three reasons:
1. He will generate the least enthusiasm from the base, so he would be best for our chances down the ticket; 2. If a Republican is going to win, he’s the least likely to completely destroy the Republic; and 3. If all the worst happens at the top of the ticket and below, I can’t picture how Romney could sign a repeal of ACA, given that he promoted its model in Massachusetts–no matter what he is saying now.
A Humble Lurker
NANCY SMASH! was on the Daily Show last night. Jon was quite painful to watch, but she was pretty good.
CarolDuhart2
@WereBear: I tore apart an old calendar and scanned the images. I sent a few old instruction books to the secondhand store (you will be surprised at how much old tech is out there, and some facts are immutable). But all my old cassette tapes (except for a few that are irreplaceable) are now gone. I have CDs as backup material only (I almost never play them except when I want to save bandwidth). I only tune into my local radio station when I want news and weather and other local stuff).
It’s all good.
I also enjoy the enhanced choices in food-yes, food. When I was a kid in the 60’s, the most exotic thing out there was chow mein. Now within reach, there’s a Thai Restaurant (haven’t tried yet), 3-4 Indian Restaurants, a Japanese and a vegan restaurant. I love Indian food that’s not too hot, the Chinese Buffet, French food when I can find it, and just about anything else. Soy milk? Yogurt? tortilla? Round the corner.
I enjoy the enhanced choices in music. I can listen to just about anything I want to regardless of where it comes from. I remember as a kid listening to my brother’s short-wave radio in awe, and listening at night to the transistor radio when distant AM stations had clearer reception. Now I listen to Australian talk radio without strain or a giant radio big as a piece of furniture.
I enjoy the ethnic diversity on television. We went from black people being a rarity and an event to Kim Kardashian in it seems as a flash of an eye. Kim Kardashian? Jersey Shore? Black Bridezillas? Latin Stations?
Raven
@SiubhanDuinne: Going to the Virginia Tech game!
Raven
Four people who never served a minute are lecturing YOU on how shitty vets are treated.
JPL
@Raven: Have a great time but I hope the other Tech wins.
Southern Beale
From today’s news: Tennessee Tea Party folks — including Michele Bachmann’s finance director — sue CA businessman for $19 million, claiming they were defrauded in Tea Party TV scam.
Raven
@Phylllis: It’s strange the outfits that send birthday greetings. I get em from Hot Rodder, Chevy Talk, Gulf Coast Fishing and a host of [email protected]
Mark B.
Honestly, I think one of the reasons for the multiplicity of debates is that so the candidates can keep repeating their talking points in a forum where no one will stand up and point out the complete falsehood of their premises. It’s a form of brainwashing for the core cadre of nimrods which make up the Republican base. No one else will be watching.
Raven
@JPL: swines
DZ
@Raven:
Happy Birthday. I’ll be 64 in a month, and I share your sentiments. Just celebrate the fact that we got this far.
PurpleGirl
I have some typing work to do today (changes to a play). This afternoon I want to do some house cleaning. (Exciting, no.)
Looking forward to Sunday’s meeting.
Heard that the students at Penn State aren’t happy the coach was fired. If they don’t understand why he had to be fired, then what the hell are they doing in college? (ETA: Sorry didn’t see the other threads.)
Raven (formerly stuckinred)
@DZ: Here’s how I feel! “Twarnt the Mormons”
Triassic Sands
@EconWatcher:
I don’t think I agree. Your reason 1 may be true, though I think Republicans are less likely (than Dems) to allow a lousy candidate to keep them home on election day.
Number two is almost right, but if you consider all the declared candidates, then Huntsman, not Romney, is probably the one least likely to wreck everything. Romney has no character, no confidence in who he is and what he believes. Huntsman is both smarter and more secure and not only could, but probably would stand up to complete GOP insanity. Not Romney.
And three fails (I think) because in the event Romney has Republican majorities in the the House and Senate, he will be handed a bill to kill PPACA that has overwhelming (i.e., unanimous) GOP support. There’s no way he’s going to veto that. Especially since, in his mind (a kind of Wonderland of Hypocrisy), Mitt probably has convinced himself that Romneycare and Obamacare are completely different. Reality is irrelevant.
(If the Republicans control both houses and Romney is president, the only hope of saving the PPACA will be repeated Democratic filibusters to keep bills from passing. However, I’m pretty sure the GOP will discover a “parliamentary solution” to that problem.)
Cat Lady
@Raven:
Happy b-day big guy! You’re my older brother’s age, and he likes – LIKES – Newt Gingrich, so comfort yourself with the knowledge that you could be your age AND think Newt Gingrich isn’t a giant gaseous asshole. Which means you wouldn’t be here with the smartest funniest commenters on this here intertube thingy which would be our loss.
Raven (formerly stuckinred)
@Cat Lady: Was he a draft dodger too? :)
Cat Lady
@Raven (formerly stuckinred):
Low draft number so he signed up, and ended up serving, but instead of going to ‘Nam he organized interbase football games in England. He was a phys ed major. Gee, I wonder if there’s any connection between being a Republican and playing football, living in a frat then being in the military (and not seeing action) at an early age.
Paul in KY
@Raven: Happy birthday! Have many more of them.
Amir Khalid
@Raven (formerly stuckinred):
Many many happy returns of the day, Raven. I hit the big five-oh in July and got a ton of good wishes from the crowd here. That’s one of the things I love about this place.
As to the debates, I wonder why the Republican party keeps inflicting them on its own presidential candidates, on itself. All the candidates do at these events is flaunt, before America and the world, their utter lack of qualification to be president: they don’t know jack shit about the job and they couldn’t be arsed to learn. That only proves to thinking voters (and to us on the rest of Earth) that the party as a whole is oblivious to the job of governing and unfit to be elected — surely not the impression you want to leave on your country’s electorate.
Cris (without an H)
I had this weird dream that I was reading this site and one of the commenters denounced Fats Domino. Was that really a dream, or was it real?
Yutsano
@Raven (formerly stuckinred): Awful lotta scorpions around here! :)
Raven-san wa otanjyoobi o omedeto gozaimasu!
Catsy
Holy crap, did I ever miss an epic fail parade last night. I almost wish I’d gotten to watch Perry end his career live, but I have a good excuse: I was at a Jonathan Coulton/They Might Be Giants concert.
TMBG are awesome, of course, but probably one of the funnier (and in retrospect, ironic) moments was when John Flansburgh was giving one of his rambling spiels and ended it–right before starting the next song–with “I’m Rick Perry and I’m running for president.”
Cris (without an H)
The rotating tagline on this site just gave me “Enormous, mendacious, disembodied anus.” I had to google it. Jesus, the Poorman was funny.
Catsy
@Cris (without an H): Yes, The Poor Man was one of the hidden treasures of the internets. We are all, well, poorer for his retirement.
Ruckus
@Raven:
Beat you by just a few months. This morning thinking the same thing, long ago I thought I’d never be this age. Friend of mine has a saying “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are” I told my friend 15, maybe 17. But then I look back and no way could I pack that much crap (and some good stuff too!) into 17 years. I’ve learned a lot but mostly it seems so insignificant.
And BTW congrats on making it this far.