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Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
Obama Birthers Bring The Crazy To The Airwaves...And No One Is Immune
According to Scalia, People Only Get Rights When There's Nothing At Stake
Lou Dobbs Interrupts His Regularly Scheduled H1-B Visa Rant To Bring You: Girls Gone WASTED!!

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BearDownCBears
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
Does an F-22 get better gas mileage than a "clunker" F-15? Good one, Barry. Meanwhile, all Lockheed and Boeing employees, be on the lookout for Saxby Chambliss trying to trade in an Eagle for a rebate.
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GTCosita
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
I know it's Friday, but I would love to hear Megan's (and everyone else's) comments on the new Defense bill http://tinyurl.com/m566vf
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@GTCosita: Earmarks, pork, and politics. Murtha killed off money for the Raptor (to everyone's evident shock), but made sure $80 million for an anti-missile system the Pentagon doesn't want, stayed in the bill.

It was a crap-fest.
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dreamweave
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt:Did you happen to catch Rep. Nimrod on NPR this morning saying (from the House floor) with righteous outrage "The only person saying this is unnecessary is the Secretary of Defense!"? Sigh.
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@dreamweave: So, Congress shouldn't be listening to the SecDefense? Or the Pentagon? "Here, here's money for a program you don't want... that's OK, keep it... there's more where that came from!"
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GTCosita
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: What I don't get is, if the guy who needs it is saying "This is a waste of money, I'd rather have more for counterterrorism", how is this NOT just throwing money at defense contractors JUST BECAUSE? Yet we can't afford to pay for healthcare? They might as well call this Cash for Missiles/Helicopters/Fighter planes that suck and we don't need anyway.
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GTCosita
07/31/09

@dreamweave: Also, everyone that voted for this bill is supposedly "anti-pork" and a "fiscal conservative" (looking at you, Blue Dogs), and is "concerned about the size of the deficit".
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@GTCosita: At this point, the deficit is an imaginary number. The national debt will never be paid off. One day, someone will get smart, and simply eliminate it with the stroke of a pen.
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GTCosita
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: I think this bill would be a great opportunity for that whole, line by line with a marker thing Obama and Palin talked about during the campaign. I really hope Obama puts on his big boy Underoos and vetoes that bill.
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@GTCosita: Ah yes, the vaunted "line-item veto." Unfortunately, Congress will never cede that kind of power to the Executive Branch, because they know the days of pork and roses would be over.
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milominderbinder
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
What I don't understand is "why?" skirting around the real issues with all of these distractor issues hurts BOTH sides. If all of the talking heads on TV are so patriotic and love America so much then wouldn't they want to have intelligent, intellectual debates that led to progress and an even better country? And then using hot-button issues to block anything being done about the larger problem is incredibly stupid. And even if it will lead to a better good the amount of money being thrown around is literally mind-blowing and really hard for the public to swallow when everyone is having a really difficult time. Each day the numbers get larger and scarier and each day I scrounge for change. I don't understand why these proponents of capitalism who say it's best and the astronomical financial awards are fair because of the risks they're taking but then when they meet the risk and don't make money crawl to the gov't and take our money. It seems like everyone is paying to support these guys' gambling habit but when they strike a jackpot they keep it all and when they do badly there are no consequences (well no consequences they feel at least).
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TheFormerJuneBronson
07/31/09

@milominderbinder: Intelligent, intellectual debates lose viewers, which loses sponsors. I'm fairly cynical, but the only way that these things make sense to me is to assume that people want reasoned debate much less than they want to win. Everyone understands winning, and dumb people understand it more forcefully than smart people do (though smart people don't necessarily want it less). And in this country, winning is determined and/or confirmed by how much money you have. So you need viewers. And sponsors.
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Newsgirl
07/31/09

@TheFormerJuneBronson: That's exactly why the talking heads do what they do. It might be cynical, but it's the truth. The 24-hour networks rake in tons of money from these guys, who aren't trained journalists, and who don't present accurate portrayals of news stories or information. They scream, use blinky graphics and ad-hoc video compilations "proving" Obama is not American/a socialist/a Muslim/a terrorist/bankrupting America/whatever else, whatever it takes to get viewers watching. And, while I know so many people are interested in the details of the healthcare bill and of reform decisions (or any other bill/issue for that matter) , the more popular way people get information is from the heads. Otherwise, CSPAN would have much higher ratings.
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dianersb was bit by a zombie
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
This was published this morning, and it is a wonderful summary/commentary by Professor Gates on the Beer Summit and the past two weeks. I especially love the end where he states:

At this point, I am hopeful that we can all move on, and that this experience will prove an occasion for education, not recrimination. I know that Sergeant Crowley shares this goal. Both of us are eager to go back to work tomorrow. And it turns out that the President just might have a few other things on his plate as well.
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morninggloria
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
I'm paraphrasing Keynes here, but financial forecasting and analysis is such a ridiculous game of trying to approximate the expectations of what everyone expects everyone else to do. It seems that the economy is still "experiencing negative growth" (aka sucking), yet the market is going up because it doesn't suck as much as people thought? It's like buying a 16 year old kid a new BMW because he only crashed two cars last year instead of the expected three.

I am throwing up my hands and making frustrated noises.
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dreamweave
07/31/09

@morninggloria:But, but, people make economic decisions with perfect information. That is why it is so easy to predict. When everyone knows all they need to know to make the most rational choice, which they always do, then economists can make completely informed predictions. Which they have a long record of doing so, so, SO well.
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morninggloria
07/31/09

@dreamweave: You're exactly correct. And everyone seeking their individual best interest has proven, time and time again, to always benefit everyone the most. The market is perfectly rational and efficient, especially when unregulated, as the CDS market proves.

Additionally, everyone is rational, especially when it comes to money. No one ever gets emotional about money.
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dreamweave
07/31/09

@morninggloria:You just got me so excited with econ talk I ate my wallet.
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MizJenkins
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
I think the beer summit was brilliant politics. No, racism isn't over but the media spectacle surrounding this particular incident is. You're right Megan, once two people have come together and discussed it over beers like big boys there's really is nothing left to say. Save it for the next round.

Nice move Mr. President.
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yellow_dog
07/31/09

@MizJenkins:My thoughts exactly, as soon as I heard the words "get together for a beer at the White House" come out of the President's mouth. Inspired!

I told my hubby exactly how it would go down...noone would apologize and everyone would go away satisfied.
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@MizJenkins: It's called "communication," a skill that few people have, but President Obama has in spades. He just seems to be able to talk about issues, but more importantly get people to talk about issues. Say what you will of all the bloviating being done about health care, Justice Sotomayor, the Gates Incident, the Federal bailout... he has people talking. Now, what they are saying doesn't make a lot of sense in some cases...
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morninggloria
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
When you think about it, how can anyone really be sure of where they were born? I have been led to believe for my entire life that I was born in the state of Wisconsin, but who says it wasn't a massive conspiracy to conceal the fact that my mother gave birth to me while on a camping trip in Thunder Bay, Ontario? Who says that my parents thought that I might grow up with presidential aspirations and that they needed to preserve my American citizenship at all costs? It's not like any of us remember being born. We all should hire independent advisory panels to investigate ourselves.

I just blew my own mind.
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TubOfTaft
07/31/09

@morninggloria: History is all hearsay.
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pauljones
07/31/09

@morninggloria: From an epistemological standpoint, it is impossible to truly know anything, and as a result, we cannot be sure of anything.

All that we have is our senses upon which we rely to interpret the world around us, such that it is. Essentially, this has the interesting implication of telling us that in some way or another, the world truly is what we collectively make of it, and it is not reality itself that matters, as reality is little more than a product of our own perceptions.

Curiously enough, string theory tells us much the same.

An interesting way to start a conversation, isn't it?
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@morninggloria: I'm reminded of the episode of The West Wing, where it turns out Donna was not born in the United States, but Canada, owing to a quirk of geography and land exchange.
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morninggloria
07/31/09

@pauljones: Can you imagine a White House press secretary saying this in response to a birther? "Well, we really can't know anything. Let me tell you a little about a very complicated and difficult to understand theory of the universe..."
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wtfox?!
07/31/09

@morninggloria: I remember when I was applying for my first passport and had to get a copy of my birth certificate from the county office. While I stood there waiting, I entertained all sorts of weird scenarios where the clerk handed me the copy, and when I looked at it, I would see my parents were not my parents, or even worse, the clerk would say "you were not actually born in this county, try again," and some surreal and painful personal history would then of course come to light.

There was a touching scene at the end where I assured my "parents" that, no matter the blood in our veins, they would always be my mom and dad. Always.
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lilbobbytables
07/31/09

@morninggloria: Well, my mom gave birth to me in front of local landmark Mickey's Diner, while holding that day's copy of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, witnessed by both a notary public and then-current governor Al Quie. Naturally, this is all videotaped, with the master copy held in safe deposit. I am frankly surprised that apparently not everyone does this!
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bluewine
07/31/09

@lilbobbytables is a la-di-da feminist: But keep in mind that all of that will be null and void if you have a step-great-aunt in another country who suggests you were born in another country after being confused by a question. After all, she will be the only reliable source.

Of course, if she explains that she was confused by the question and that you really born on film in front of local landmark Mickey's Diner, while holding that day's copy of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, witnessed by both a notary public and then-current governor Al Quie, they'll know she's just lying to cover up her earlier confession of THE TRUTH!!!1!
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Edited by bluewine at 07/31/09 10:37 AM bluewine was starred bluewine was unstarred

morninggloria
07/31/09

@lilbobbytables is a la-di-da feminist: I was born into a vat of cheese, but who's to say that those photos weren't doctored? WHY WONT MY PARENTS PUT THIS ALL TO REST BY PRODUCING AN ACTUAL NOTE FROM GOD THAT SAYS EXACTLY WHERE I WAS BORN?!
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pauljones
07/31/09

@morninggloria: I think that it would be a very appropriate response. If you are faced with a couple of smartasses attempting to distract you and the rest of the nation from matters that well and truly are significant to the contemporary state of affairs, why not see just how smart they are?

While the cog in their little brains are jammed up in ways that they didn't even know possible, the rest of us might actually be able to use the opportunity to get something done.

In that context, I would very much like to see a press secretary give such a response.

It is a shame we don't get more beer, epistemology, and existentially-focused posts on Jalopnik.

Also, morninggloria, if you could please check your private messages.
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pauljones
07/31/09

@morninggloria: To continue the theme of my prior posts, if you wish for a note from God, you have only to write it. If both string theory and the prevailing assertions of empistemology are anywhere near correct, then God is a creation of humanity, not vice-versa.
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banh mi
07/31/09

@morninggloria: Why not take it a step further: how can any of us be sure if we were born? Maybe we're all part of a post-apocalyptic dystopia in 2615, grown in a plant to be used as human batteries for our robotic overlords who keep us mentally amused by sending impulses into our brains to make us think that we're living in the 21st century?

And then Keanu Reeves tries to save us all.
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morninggloria promoted this comment Edited by banh mi at 07/31/09 11:33 AM banh mi was starred banh mi was unstarred

NefariousNewt
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
Cash For Clunkers was a lemon.
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yellow_dog
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: How can you say that? It was a huge success. They need to extend it with more money.
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Sev
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: Maybe I'm just confused here, but I heard on the Today Show this morning that the program wasn't out of money but the dealers stopped taking applications because they were afraid they had already reached the 250,000 limit and wanted to make sure they could still sell cars?
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@Sev: @yellow_dog: The idea is a sound one, but they execution left a lot to be desired. Underfunded, it was hoping to prod people into buying cars, but as someone here at work pointed out, most of those people were already going to buy new cars anyway. So the program got flooded quickly, causing dealers to balk at using it further, for fear of it running out of money.
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yellow_dog
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: You're so wrong that most of the people were going to buy new cars anyway.

$3500 on your trade-in (that's worth a lot less) definitely can make the economics of a new car purchase compare favorably with buying a used one, particularly if there are any financing incentives.
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
Could someone put Bill Maher to rest? He's just irritating now.
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willwriteforfood
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: Not til they put Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck to rest first. Like, permanently.

Then I figure Bill Maher will have nothing left to talk about and will shut up on his own.
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

In reply to Isn't There Something More Important Than Beer And Birthers?
I urge everyone to complain to CNN: Lou Dobbs must go.

That is all.
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yellow_dog
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: Now that I agree with. How can Campbell Brown be on the same network with him and Larry King?
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NefariousNewt
07/31/09

@yellow_dog: Because he has a contract, which will hopefully expire soon, but if not, perhaps CNN can get around to firing him, or at least demoting him from the anchor desk. I got involved with a Southern Poverty Law Center effort on Facebook to send a message to CNN to do something about him, and I suggest every do the same, or at least wrote CNN and let them know we're all a bit torqued off about the whole thing.
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willwriteforfood
07/31/09

@NefariousNewt: I say Fox and CNN just do a straight swap: Shepherd Smith for Lou Dobbs. Done, and done!

Is it funny that I keep mistyping his name Loud Dobbs?
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willwriteforfood
07/22/09

In reply to Obama Birthers Bring The Crazy To The Airwaves...And No One Is Immune
OK, birthers, just admit it. You hate the idea of a black man as president. You. Are. Racist. Just say it! You're not fooling anyone. You did not raise the question with McCain, who was also born outside the Lower 48, because he is white. You lost the election and it's just eating you up. I get it. I understand seething. I seethed through eight years of Bush. But see, you lost this time around. It hurts, I know. But it's time to shut it. Because in the end, you do yourselves no favors trying to get the reasonable wing of the GOP to sign onto your crazy.

Oh, and crazy woman screaming at Mike Castle in Delaware? Obama's grandfather served in WWII too. He IS the president and he IS American. So take your crazy and shove it.
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nakadika_shiksa
07/22/09

In reply to Obama Birthers Bring The Crazy To The Airwaves...And No One Is Immune
Megan, I can translate them into Swahili, or we could do a combo Swahili/German and maybe enlist some help to throw in Arabic for good measure just to reinforce how secretly Muslim all us liberals are. can't wait
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Megan
07/22/09

@nakadika_shiksa: Awesome. So there. If you're serious, I fully expect to get at least two today (ohpleaseohpleaseohplease) so email me and we'll work this out. Maybe we could get the entire liberal blogosphere to respond in Swahili and make the birthers' heads asplode?
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Flackette Goes Retro
07/22/09

In reply to Obama Birthers Bring The Crazy To The Airwaves...And No One Is Immune
Wait - did my elderly relatives put Lou Dobbs up to this?
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GTCosita
07/22/09

In reply to Obama Birthers Bring The Crazy To The Airwaves...And No One Is Immune
I think that picture of Loud Dobbs up there does not have enough orange. I think we should swap it out.
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NefariousNewt
07/22/09

@GTCosita: Yeah -- he totally bought that bunk about eating carrots improving your eyesight. All it did was turn him orange and make him more myopic.
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NefariousNewt
07/22/09

In reply to Obama Birthers Bring The Crazy To The Airwaves...And No One Is Immune
I can't do better than that: he said, they don't care about proof anymore, they just want to believe that Obama isn't eligible, so they reject all reason and evidence that doesn't fit with what they already believe.

In the words of Mythbusters: I reject your reality and substitute my own.
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Spritie
07/22/09

@NefariousNewt: Jamie would not put up with this shit.
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