The Atheist Communist Caliphate Made Flesh, Spread the Clusterfuck Around Thread

[morpheus]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/05/gupta_steps_aside.html?hpid=topnews

We know that Obama's not Jesus.  Jesus knew how to assemble a cabinet.

[Tank]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/05/gupta_steps_aside.html?hpid=topnews

We know that Obama's not Jesus.  Jesus knew how to assemble a cabinet.

ORLY?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGQRBkv4di8

Hi! As I'm sure you're all aware, there's a movement amongst archaeologists to attempt to reconcile the Biblical account of history with the archaeological record. Now, I'm an intellectually curious young man with, let's face it, no real job. So, I've done some exploring of my own in this vain. The Bible tells us that Christ was trained as a carpenter. But in my most recent digs, I've found artifacts that show He was not a very good carpenter.

This chair, for example. One of the legs is significantly shorter than the other. This causes a certain degree of wobbling and a more subtle defect, no lower back support. Over here we have a table. Now this table has only two legs. Now, I've conferred with many leading contemporary carpenters and they all agree that three is the bare minimum required for stability. Observe. [lets go of table and it falls down]. Even taking into account the primitive times, this portrays a shocking lack of craftsmanship. Now over here we have this, and frankly, I have no idea what this is. For a while I thought it might be a spice rack of some sort. But watch. If I take this jar of crushed cumin seed and place it here... [jar rolls off onto the floor] Clearly, if it is a spice rack, it is not a spice rack of the best ilk.

Conclusions: Yes, Christ was a great philosophical and religious leader; perhaps, even as some maintain, the Savior or Messiah. But it seems clear that He had few career options. As a carpenter, He was incompetent. He would've been unable even to construct the simple crucifix upon which ultimately He met his martyrdom. Now, I know that these views are going to be controversial. But I am also aware that if Christina Applegate were to express them wearing a halter top, you'd eat it up. Thanks!

[MAD]

Thrill's satirical refutation notwithstanding, that's the funniest line morpheus has ever uttered here.  Well played.

[Eli]

Interesting viewpoint at Salon about Obama's "timid liberalism."  I'm sure he's plenty liberal for morph and TJ, but apparently not so for the author.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/03/06/neoliberalism/index.html

Neoliberals are liberals in one sense -- they fret about unequal outcomes. But rather than help middle- and low-income Americans by regulating the prices of privately provided public goods, as the crude and direct New Dealers would have done, neoliberal Democrats have argued for allowing the "market" (translation: the publicly subsidized entities) to set prices and then promised to provide tax subsidies or grants to help middle- and low-income Americans pay for the expensive, privately provided public goods.

You might have thought that the Crash of 2008 would have led Democrats to reconsider this neoliberal approach to providing public goods by private means. But to judge from President Obama's budget, the White House is still living back in the neoliberal era, when the diminutive Milton Friedman cast a giant shadow.

Consider Obama's education proposals. The problem with higher education is that it costs way too much. Tuition costs at private universities and some state universities have been growing far more rapidly than inflation. A crude, old-fashioned, old-thinking New Deal liberal would see the problem as one of excessive prices demanded by universities, not insufficient funds on the part of the students whom the universities gouge. ...

The neoliberal alternative is to avoid impolite and divisive inquiries into the reasons for skyrocketing tuition costs. That would entail the government concluding that prices in a particular industry (in this case, a nonprofit industry) are too high, something that government should not do. Instead, the taxpayer will be forced to cough up money to help students meet the exorbitant fees. Thus Obama's first budget calls for maintaining the $2,500 New American Opportunity Tax Credit for middle-class students, while converting Pell Grants up to $5,550 into a permanent government entitlement. If I were a university, I'd raise my tuition by ... oh ... let's say $5,550 a year. Government subsidies without government price controls would encourage cost inflation, one might think, but this possibility appears not to bother the brilliant economists on Obama's team.

[Gil Gunderson]

Interesting viewpoint at Salon about Obama's "timid liberalism."  I'm sure he's plenty liberal for morph and TJ, but apparently not so for the author.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/03/06/neoliberalism/index.html

Neoliberals are liberals in one sense -- they fret about unequal outcomes. But rather than help middle- and low-income Americans by regulating the prices of privately provided public goods, as the crude and direct New Dealers would have done, neoliberal Democrats have argued for allowing the "market" (translation: the publicly subsidized entities) to set prices and then promised to provide tax subsidies or grants to help middle- and low-income Americans pay for the expensive, privately provided public goods.

You might have thought that the Crash of 2008 would have led Democrats to reconsider this neoliberal approach to providing public goods by private means. But to judge from President Obama's budget, the White House is still living back in the neoliberal era, when the diminutive Milton Friedman cast a giant shadow.

Consider Obama's education proposals. The problem with higher education is that it costs way too much. Tuition costs at private universities and some state universities have been growing far more rapidly than inflation. A crude, old-fashioned, old-thinking New Deal liberal would see the problem as one of excessive prices demanded by universities, not insufficient funds on the part of the students whom the universities gouge. ...

The neoliberal alternative is to avoid impolite and divisive inquiries into the reasons for skyrocketing tuition costs. That would entail the government concluding that prices in a particular industry (in this case, a nonprofit industry) are too high, something that government should not do. Instead, the taxpayer will be forced to cough up money to help students meet the exorbitant fees. Thus Obama's first budget calls for maintaining the $2,500 New American Opportunity Tax Credit for middle-class students, while converting Pell Grants up to $5,550 into a permanent government entitlement. If I were a university, I'd raise my tuition by ... oh ... let's say $5,550 a year. Government subsidies without government price controls would encourage cost inflation, one might think, but this possibility appears not to bother the brilliant economists on Obama's team.

I don't know how much more correct the author could be; the primary driver of college inflation has been the federal government.  The question of price controls is something different entirely.

[Quality Start Machine]

Herein lies the biggest problem with the American economy. One side is always in favor of regulation. The other side wants regulation, but they want to do it gently.

So we're stuck in a vicious cycle where one side continues to preach tax cuts, even though the bulwark of the economy (the midle class) may have already snapped. The other side insists on throwing money at the problem.

There is currently nobody in Washington who is hitting the problem at the head, they're all swinging at its tail.

[Tank]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

[Slaky]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

Bigger crowd than at his book signings:

[Gil Gunderson]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

Bigger crowd than at his book signings:

Is it a pop-up book?

Seriously, this "Joe the Plumber" phenomenon would at least be somewhat more palatable had Joe been a woman, and somewhat attractive, like other insta-D-list-celebrities.

Such as this woman:   Or this woman:

[Jon]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

I'm surprised he hasn't gotten called on that sounding slightly racist in context. Wait. No. I'm not surprised at all.

[Gil Gunderson]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

I'm surprised he hasn't gotten called on that sounding slightly racist in context. Wait. No. I'm not surprised at all.

Racism died.  Check your November 2008 memos.  D'uh.

[MAD]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

I'm surprised he hasn't gotten called on that sounding slightly racist in context. Wait. No. I'm not surprised at all.

I'm surprised he just didn't just use the term "blickety blackness".

[Quality Start Machine]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

I'm surprised he hasn't gotten called on that sounding slightly racist in context. Wait. No. I'm not surprised at all.

I'm surprised he just didn't just use the term "blickety blackness".

Steele wants conservatism to sit on some 22 Spreewells!

[BH]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

It's awful what the media did to him during the election. Innocent bystander.

[MAD]

It's WAR under the GOP big tent...

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151455

MILWAUKEE—Attendees at a gathering of activists today enthusiastically embraced calls to stick to long-time conservative principles and grassroots action in an effort to win back the Congress and White House from Democrats

That sentiment was expressed most bluntly by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber." He called on conservatives to be persistent and warned of a "long road ahead" with four years of Obama and a Republican Party that he said lacks leadership and direction.

"Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it," Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he's since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some conservatives.

"You can't sell principles; either you have them or you don't," Wurzelbacher said to applause from most of the 800 in attendance.

It's awful what the media, in conjunction with Obama's thugs did to him during the election. Innocent bystander.

GOP playbook'd.