Cliff LyonAmerica To Survey Damage Caused By His Disastrous Presidency
From The Onion. h/t James Lyon
Bush Tours America To Survey Damage Caused By His Disastrous Presidency
It is with great reluctance that I post such irreverent material about our President. He is after all our President. But you have to admit, he IS funny in a so-stupid-can’t-help-it kind of way.
…Which reminds me that very many Americans voted for him, and it makes me sad, sick to my stomach actually.
How can so many people treat voting for the president as some sort of joke? Its not as if they didn’t know George Bush was an idiot, a coke-head and a drunk.
I guess most Republicans just don’t take their country very seriously.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Sometimes the news media get it right…
July 9th, 2008 at 11:14 am
The Onion foresaw all this.
January 17, 2001: ‘Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace And Prosperity Is Finally Over’
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28784
July 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Hey stupid maybe, but rich…the “family” has extended its fortune which stood at 200 million 8 years ago, to the current total of near 8 billion.
It is as simple as that. Prosperity, it’s a personal thing
July 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Can you document those numbers? With a reliable source?
I’ll take NYT WashPo CongQ or any of the major news outlets.
Otherwise, I’m calling “Shenanigans”.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hey, they have done it all legally in the last 8 years, much of that money of course is out of sight, and to be sure, Dad and Mom are doing much of what needs to be done.
The fortune includes the “shenanigans” of Neil, and of course never forget convicted felon little brother, Marvin.
Will you eat yellowcake jd if I find it for you?
July 9th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
So - without any sources, you’re just full of crap, aren’t you, str?
Liar liar, pants on fire?
July 9th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I can see we are back to 4th grade activity jd.
It will not be sourced to an official paper, with your disdain for “credentials” I’m surprised that you would care, it is obvious that you are concerned about sourcing and credentials when you perceive it is your ox getting gored. Well, give me some time, believe me I am a Bush supporter and very proud of what he has accomplished in 8 years.
The family has benefited from the war and military production, it is the American way to increase wealth and then do righteous things with the money. There is nothing wrong with their accumulation of wealth as a family is there jd?
The increase in value of the Bush families stock holdings in oil and military procurement is obvious, they have benefited from keeping America strong. Is there anything wrong with that jd?
Here is your link:
I don’t imagine that anything I provided about the bush family fortune would satisfy like the link I have provided, big and juicy as it is.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
The video proves there is humor in tragedy. Very funny!
July 9th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I don’t have disdain for credentials. I just have disdain for those who use them as a crutch for an unimpressive argument. I do have respect for facts, though. As amusing as the “link” is, it still says nothing about how the Bush family’s wealth has increased 4,000% in the last 8 years.
I don’t think that it’s too much to ask for some documentation, no?
Clearly, you are in the habit of throwing out wild unsupportable accusations.
LIAR.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
jdberger:
str doesn’t exist. He is glenn and a plethora of other characters. Now can you see why I think it would be a good thing for people to use their real names here? I have had my doubts about your real aims here myself, but I do appreciate that you use one moniker.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I gotta know what you think my “aims here” are?
I’ll tell you what they are if you tell me what you suspect…
July 10th, 2008 at 12:01 am
I’m sorry jd, but it’s been proven that Republicans cheat. They pay people to visit left wing blogs and mess up the conversation on purpose. I’ve seen a bunch of them on BradBlog.
Since you defend Republicans despite the fact that none of them give a hoot about your civil liberties, It makes me wonder where you’re coming from. I admit it’s hard to defend the Democrats these days, but there are more then a few of them who still support our liberties. You don’t have any proof that Democrats want to disarm you, so please don’t go there.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:53 am
JD,
You helped out with the “Christian Colleges”, hope you don’t mind if I jump in here
Washington D.C
Mayor Years Political Party
Walter Washington January 2, 1975 – January 2, 1979 Democratic
Marion Barry January 2, 1979 – January 2, 1991 Democratic
Sharon Pratt Kelly[1] January 2, 1991 – January 2, 1995 Democratic
Marion Barry January 2, 1995 – January 2, 1999 Democratic
Anthony A. Williams January 2, 1999 – January 2, 2007 Democratic
Adrian Fenty January 2, 2007 – present Democratic
Which town went to the Supreme Court to keep a GUN BAN in place?
Another town with a Gun ban - Chicago
Martin H. Kennelly April 15, 1947 - April 20, 1955 Democratic
Richard Joseph Daley April 20, 1955 - December 20, 1976 Democratic
Michael Anthony Bilandic December 28, 1976 - April 16, 1979 Democratic
Jane Margaret Byrne April 16, 1979 - April 29, 1983 Democratic
Harold Washington April 29, 1983 - November 25, 1987 Democratic
David Duvall Orr November 25, 1987 - December 2, 1987 Democratic 8 days, Interim Mayor
Eugene Sawyer December 2, 1987 - April 24, 1989 Democratic Elected by city council to complete Mayor Washington’s term
Richard Michael Daley April 24, 1989 - Present Democratic
How about from the current Democrat candidate?
“35. Do you support legislation to ban the manufacture, sale and possession of
a. handguns?
Even I with my education from Podunk Christian College can read and understand that– If it was politically practical, Obama would ban hand guns. Is that proof?
This is from the survey that Obama never saw, but his hand writing was on it.
How about from his book?
Maybe even folks, law abiding folks in the inner city, should be able to defend themselves?
I could keep going, but I think it’s proof that democrats clearly want to disarm America.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Bob S,
I’m convinced and I agree. It is still politically difficulty to ban handguns. In some parts of the country, it is political suicide.
We have the NRA and folks like you to thanks for that.
So alas, with no end in site, we will continue to produce and distribute freely this murder weapon like the grunting, knuckle dragging, killer species we are.
…and raise our children to live in fear (just like religion does) to become fearful adults imbued with a disproportionate fear that someone is trying to kill them.
Thanks Bob, Thanks JD, Thanks NRA.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Cliff,
Yes, this is a murder weapon, it is also a target killing weapon. I’ve used it many times to punch murderous holes in paper. In fact, firearms are so evil they have brainwashed the Olympic committee to make it an official sport. The dastardly weapons, is there no end to their plotting.
It’s also a murder weapon, it has been used thousands of times to kill rapists, assailants, and would be murderers…how dare we keep such a foul tool in use. We should let the criminals have their way if they have the physical strength to accomplish their crime.
Ladies, you’ll just have to hit the gym instead of the range.
People are out to assault us, rape some (and not just the ladies) mug us, kill us;random people, envious people, people without understand of the respect for other people’s lives and dignity.
So, I’ll accept your thanks on behalf of the NRA (thanks for reminding me to join) and all the others who have worked so hard to keep this a protected right.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Bob S, for Parent of the Year!
Never forget kiddies;
July 10th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Cliff,
Please revise your post to make it clear that this:
Is something you’ve added and I have never said.
I teach my children firearm safety. All of my kids have been taught what to do an case they find a firearm, how to safely handle one under adult supervision, the 4 rules of firearm safety.
This responsibility is what any parent should do; the same basic requirements for handling knives, dealing with kitchen appliances, power tools, learning to drive, etc.
Responsible parents equip their kids to deal with the world that we live in, not some personal delusion,fairy tale world where firearms and bad things don’t exist.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I think you’ve made it quite clear I ascribed those comments to you in jest. Jest or cynicism.
Do you also teach your children to drill with their rifles so they will be prepared when the militia calls?
Here’s another statistic for ya. Kids brains continue to develop as late as their very early twenties.
So its a really wonderful idea to teach children how to use the human killer device as early as possible so they don’t confuse it with the fake ones they use in movies or the Cracker Jack prize.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Bob S.,
I am not sure why this thread has become a gun control thread.
At any rate, you offered considerable “…proof that democrats clearly want to disarm America.” It would be more accurate to state “some Democrats.” Governor Brian Schweitzer (D-Montana) is a prominent Western Democrat with a much different position on gun control.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Leo,
When Larry made this statement
It started down that path.
I stand corrected and will try to remember to phrase my replies to be more specific. I have longed believed this to be more of a rights issue then a party issue. I think that people on either side of the political spectrum are trying to take away our rights.
But thanks Leo, I will remember that some democrats are standing up to do the right thing.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Bob S.,
Thank you. I think this is partly an East vs West issue. Gun control does play differently in the urban East. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court reminded us that we have one Constitution.
Governor Napolitano (D-AZ), Governor Richardson (D-NM), Governor Ritter (D-Colorado), and Governor Freundenthal (D-WY) could not have been elected on a disarmament platform.
Democrats in the West, especially, need to stand up for what they believe, especially when that differs from party orthodoxy. That will have the benefit of insuring a viable two party system throughout the West.
That said, we should be thinking about constitutional ways to reduce lawlessness and violence, including gun violence. I think we can all agree on that.
Thanks again.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Leo,
I can agree with what you’ve said. I have a question, and this is in all seriousness.
Why the focus on “gun violence”? I’ve heard this over and over again, but can not understand how “gun violence” is better, worse, more traumatic, etc than lead pipe violence, knife violence.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Bob S:
Settle down!
For the Democrats to disarm you, they would have to take your rifle like Blackwater did to the poor people in New Orleans.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Bob S.,
Yours is a fair question.
Simply because there is, unfortunately, a lot of it and much of it is fatal. If there was a lot of lead pipe violence (Colonel Mustard in the library comes to mind), I would call attention to that, too.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Larry,
I’m not sure why you are telling me to settle down. I haven’t been hyper or excessive in any of my posts. I just responded to your post for JD.
The point that I and others have made here, is that we don’t think it will be a “Blackwater” style gun control effort. I believe that it will be a legislative movement, continually chipping away at our rights. Over and over, you of all people should be aware of this, our rights have been enacted away from us. The gun bans in Chicago, Washington D.C. might not survive, but “reasonable restrictions” are a favorite ploy of gun grabbers. Much like the “reasonable infringements” on the 4th amendment.
Check out some of the gun grabber sites (Brady Campaign, Violence Policy Center, AHSA, etc) see how much their programs have changed since Heller. I’ll help you, not much, just references to bans and collective rights have been removed.
Gun Control folks arent’ going away or giving up, neither am I.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Leo,
Thanks for responding.
So how much violence is actually being committed with firearms? How about an estimate or guess from you without research?
My point that I’m trying to make by asking that is to determine perception vs. reality.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Bob:
So long as the federal courts and the Supreme Court apply strict scrutiny to the issue, what do you have to fear? Or are you suggesting that the government has no compelling interest whatsoever in ensuring the safety of the citizenry?
July 10th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Albert,
No joking…I have to fear Obama or Hillary or Pelosi or half a dozen other gun control advocates becoming president.
Heller was a 5 to 4 decision, several justices are reaching retirement age, it would be just a matter of time before “judicial activism” would used to over turn Heller.
Court case after court case has removed the government from the responsibility of protecting an individual citizen, I think the government would continue to try to protect the citizenry as a whole. It’s just the type of protection that worries me.
Check out the country where Great Britain used to be, home owners are being convicted of assaulting burglars, self defense is not encouraged-sometimes discouraged, youth crime out of control; most of the changes made for the ‘good of the citizenry’. Thanks but I’ll pass.
Care to trust a government willing to spy on you, me and anyone else with your safety?
Bob S.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Bob:
The Heller decision is notable for holding the 2nd Amend. provides a fundamental right for an individual to keep and bear arms. You have pointed that out plenty of times as has jd and others. That being said, the government still has the right to pass gun control legislation so long as, in the event such right is infringed, the legislation passes strict scrutiny. Heller need not be overturned for such purpose.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Bob S.,
Again a fair question. Without research, I do remember reading in the book Freakonomics that a backyard swimming pool is more dangerous than a gun in the house. That is a good point to keep things in perspective, to be sure, though accidental drownings are hardly to be ignored. I know that violent crime, including gun crime, is much rarer in much of Europe than in the U.S. I once lived in low-crime, but well-armed Switzerland. There was hardly a dangerous neighborhood in Zurich, day or night. In the year I lived there, you could count on the fingers of one or two hands the number of murders reported, and most of those it seemed were committed by non-Swiss. Without research I can’t confirm the exact numbers. I once lived in Cook County, and there are plenty of violent and dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. The gang bangers in the ‘hood are not a well-regulated group. It is famously said that people kill people. We need get to the root of why Americans kill Americans at a much higher rate than in much of the world, and take appropriate measures.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Leo,
The statistic is actually that accidents involving swimming pools occur more often and have a high fatality rate then firearm accidents.
The reason I’ve asked the question is answered in your last line, I agree completely.
To answer the question,
For fatal crime, 68% of homicides involved a firearm. For 2005
The numbers show that homicide is a very small portion of violent crime and most violent crime does not involve a firearm; so why the hysteria about “gun violence?
I believe it’s about control, not gun control. By taking away our rights a little bit at a time and for the “good of the community”; people will willing go along with the agenda.
As with search and seizure without warrants, free speech limited by “hate speech” the pattern has been established. Find a reason that people can support without thinking too hard about and then use that to take away our rights. Need to wire tap to fight terrorists; can’t have people saying mean things in today’s society, let’s limit free speech; guns are the problem behind crime, let’s ban them. All good intentions but wrong way to execute.
Guns simply are an excuse, you noted that yourself. Zurich with high firearm ownership was safe but Chicago with a gun ban wasn’t.
Thanks for keeping an open mind about this; so how can we address the problem of violence and maintain the right to keep and bear arms?
How about enforcing the laws on the books now regarding crime?
Let’s start electing District Attorneys that won’t plea bargain serious crimes down just to make sure their conviction rates look good.
How about once we convict the criminals we keep them in jail for the maximum amount of time possible?
Criminals don’t fear the justice system because they know its a revolving door. Let’s also make jails/prisons places where people don’t want to go at all. I like what Sheriff Joe Arapho (spelling?) is doing out west. Pink uniforms, convicts in tents, work crews cleaning, growing their own food. Hard labor in otherwords.
On the front side, how about breaking the cycle that creates the criminals?
Starting over with the public schools; I don’t know, actually making it a requirement to learn and master skills before moving on to the next grade. Teaching skills and abilities that mean something today. Computers, not just how to use them but build them or the software. Solid trades: plumbing, electricians, construction, medical and doing this in middle and high schools. The kids can learn if we let them and require them. Self esteem develops from successful accomplishments, not grade inflation and social promotions.
How about stop giving rewards for having kids without having a means to support them? Social Security reform to limit the time and money available. Want the government money- be ready to work for it. How many neighborhoods need low cost day care? How about rehabbing houses for low income folks?
In the same vein, let’s build two parent households instead of single parent families. Not by law, but society pressure. Let’s it unwelcome to have a child out of wedlock, for both the mom and the dad. Let’s start pushing people to live up to their responsibilities once they have kids.
How about income? Breaking the cycle of poverty by letting people keep their money; reducing the tax burden (by reducing government expenditures) so people can keep more of what they earn. Tax breaks for high saving rates.
Notice how most of these solutions will reduce the total level of violence without requiring people to register a firearm, live in a neighborhood where only the criminals have guns.
To me it’s about helping people learn and take responsibility for their lives but making sure there are consequences for each person’s decisions- both positive and negative consequences.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Oh my, the decision has been made and yet it still continues, the mop even spreads to different threads now.
It’s like talking about abortion now.
Let’s talk about the messiah obamas’ vote to support FISA, and moving to the center like any politician. Talk about change!
July 10th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Bob S.,
We are in general agreement, I am happy to say. We might not agree on everything, but we are definitely on the same page.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
The relationship that gun control advocates cannot see between crime and illegal gun ownership is fascinating. On the one hand they say that if we ban handguns it will reduce deaths, on the other hand, they refuse to see that criminals will not comply. With the handguns in their given abundance, they have no plan other than confiscation, though they dare not speak that.
There is no argument you can give them, no facts that can be presented to change their minds, they are in fact zealots, committed to the dismemberment of the rights that were decided inalienable in this Country.
They then go on to pass the baton to education, where our graduates and students test in 30th place in international competency testing, as the cure for our troubles of wayward youth evolving lives of crime. This, compounded with a 50% graduation rate for inner city youth in high school and the disconnect is complete. What many do learn in school is little more than social engineering, a means to an end that is destroying individuality in favor of State control.
Their answer to all this? Deny the licensed law abiding access to handguns. The “do anything even if it doesn’t work” approach, and live with conviction that at least your heart is in the right place. Very simplistic.
Move along and you find that gun control advocates refuse to see in the United States the civil liberty of the Right to own and bear arms as a personal right. They would rather that it be something else, they would deny the history of the People and the Nation and hope to make it in the image they hold and not that of the Constitution.
In short, they would alter the very thing that made us what we are.
If all of this kind of behavior sounds familiar, it is no less than what the crown foisted upon American colonists, no less than any other fascism promoted in the name of the greater good, and not a very innovative attempt at that.