Joseph West commented on Palin Offers Her Insights Into Constitutionality Of “Obamacare”
2012-03-28 02:17:08 -0400
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Would Mrs Half-Term Palin take just a few minutes and actually read the very document she claims Pres Obama doesn’t understand?
Here’s the text that mentions “enumerated limits powers” (actually those words DO NOT EXIST as such):
Amendment 9:
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
(That’s where “enumerated” comes up. ALL other uses of that word—whether as a noun, verb or adjective—refer to CENSUS, and an indirect reference to taxation.)
Amendment 10:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
(This is a slightly tricky one, but note the KEY clauses “not delegated to the United States by the Constitution” AND “nor prohibited by it to the States.” As Article I, Section 8 CLEARLY notes, Congress has the power to “provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.” Since Congress DID pass a bill that would “provide for the general Welfare”—a power that IS within Congressional purview—it becomes a bit tricky to say that the program is a violation of the Tenth Amendment. Even more, there’s the fact that the states—prior to the passage of the program—did NOT do anything that could reasonably* be construed as “prohibiting” the United States, through the Congress, to enact this program.)
But the Quitta from Wasilla can’t be bothered to do any sort of CRITICAL thinking on any topic. She simply spits out whatever comments happen to emanate from those two neurons that (barely) function as her cerebrum.
Here’s the text that mentions “enumerated limits powers” (actually those words DO NOT EXIST as such):
Amendment 9:
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
(That’s where “enumerated” comes up. ALL other uses of that word—whether as a noun, verb or adjective—refer to CENSUS, and an indirect reference to taxation.)
Amendment 10:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
(This is a slightly tricky one, but note the KEY clauses “not delegated to the United States by the Constitution” AND “nor prohibited by it to the States.” As Article I, Section 8 CLEARLY notes, Congress has the power to “provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.” Since Congress DID pass a bill that would “provide for the general Welfare”—a power that IS within Congressional purview—it becomes a bit tricky to say that the program is a violation of the Tenth Amendment. Even more, there’s the fact that the states—prior to the passage of the program—did NOT do anything that could reasonably* be construed as “prohibiting” the United States, through the Congress, to enact this program.)
But the Quitta from Wasilla can’t be bothered to do any sort of CRITICAL thinking on any topic. She simply spits out whatever comments happen to emanate from those two neurons that (barely) function as her cerebrum.
Joseph West commented on Dick Morris' Crackpot Predictions If Obama Gets Re-Elected
2012-03-28 01:43:10 -0400
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Ellen wrote “Morris has got to have an inlaw in a high place at Fox. How else to explain his continued presence there?”
Um, he’s got incriminating pictures of—or incriminating evidence on—top Fox officials, including Murdoch?
Um, he’s got incriminating pictures of—or incriminating evidence on—top Fox officials, including Murdoch?
Joseph West commented on Johnny Dollar: Obsessed Cyberstalker Or Paid Troll?
2012-03-26 04:28:13 -0400
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Ellen, to answer the question you pose as this entry’s title, Yes. (It’s actually possible, and incredibly likely, that he’s both—an obsessed cyberstalker who’s being paid to troll.)
Joseph West commented on Who Really Benefits From Geraldo Rivera’s War On Trayvon Martin’s Hoodie?
2012-03-26 01:10:48 -0400
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Rivera tried to explain his stance by saying, âPeople take you at what you look like. It is unfortunate but if you dress like a wannabe gangster, some knucklehead is going to take you at your word.â
So, does this mean that it’s better for people to wear three-piece suits—you know, the look that gangsters like John Gotti (as well as fictitious ones like the Godfather as interpreted by Brando or “Fat Tony” from "The Simpsons) tend to sport?
So, does this mean that it’s better for people to wear three-piece suits—you know, the look that gangsters like John Gotti (as well as fictitious ones like the Godfather as interpreted by Brando or “Fat Tony” from "The Simpsons) tend to sport?
Joseph West commented on Monica Crowley: I'd Vote For A Pineapple Over President Obama
2012-03-25 01:40:35 -0400
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@mlp!: fitness must have fallen for Noot’s little $2.50/gal prop-osal. And if he really thinks that any of the GOPers would be able (or willing) to prevent $7/gal gas prices, he’s one of Bill Maher’s little “bubble conservatives.” Nothing that any rational person can say will ever break through that bubble.
Joseph West commented on Geraldo Rivera Blames Trayvon Martin’s Hoodie For His Death
2012-03-24 01:46:06 -0400
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@Joe Waustinski: Do NOT turn this around and try to claim the NRA “have been turned into a pawn of right wing extremist.” The NRA leadership WILLINGLY sided with those right wing extremists a couple of decades ago (especially since Wayne LaPierre became the group’s Executive Vice President).
The NRA hasn’t seen a single piece of RESPONSIBLE gun control legislation that it hasn’t opposed. If the NRA had its way, the entire country would resemble the (mythical) Wild West, where everyone would pack heat (preferably while concealed)—except, of course, for the “criminals” who are, somehow, managing to get handguns with such ease. (Essentially, the NRA want “law-abiding citizens” to be able to get handguns just as easily as “criminals.” Of course, the “criminals” are getting their guns through illegal methods.)
The NRA hasn’t seen a single piece of RESPONSIBLE gun control legislation that it hasn’t opposed. If the NRA had its way, the entire country would resemble the (mythical) Wild West, where everyone would pack heat (preferably while concealed)—except, of course, for the “criminals” who are, somehow, managing to get handguns with such ease. (Essentially, the NRA want “law-abiding citizens” to be able to get handguns just as easily as “criminals.” Of course, the “criminals” are getting their guns through illegal methods.)
Joseph West commented on Gingrich: Obama’s Not A Muslim, He Just Acts Like One
2012-03-22 14:23:28 -0400
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@Alex: Assholes are also an erogenous zone. Gingrich is the complete opposite. (The only way that Gingrich can lead someone to arousal is by waving large sums of money or expensive, gaudy jewelry.)
Joseph West commented on Is Fox News Contributor Sandy Rios Anti-Semitic?
2012-03-21 19:22:06 -0400
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@truman: The far right evangelicals only love Israel because their apocalyptic worldview requires the existence of an Israel as one of the prerequisites for Christ’s eventual return. Unfortunately for them, most Israelis (especially the Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish ones) are a bit less concerned with what Americans (whether of the secular or the Evangelical Christian variety) want and more concerned with what THEY want.
Joseph West commented on "News" Anchor, Martha MacCallum, Whines About Free Birth Control As Sandy Rios Freaks Out About "Used -Up" Women
2012-03-21 17:00:22 -0400
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She channeled the US Conference of Catholic Bishops when she asserted that “pregnancy is not an illness.”
-—————
So, when a woman’s pregnant and she spends many mornings throwing up, we can’t call it “morning sickness” any more?
I’d love to ask some of these morons if they feel so strongly about their “pro-life” stance, does it apply to parasites like tapeworms or even fleas and lice? Strictly speaking, a fetus IS a parasite. It’s NOT really a part of the woman’s natural body, and many women DO suffer from a number of physical ailments during pregnancy. (Many of these ailments occur without pregnancy but, for a lot of women, their first experiences with some serious diseases—diabetes, anemia, GERD—come during pregnancy; in most cases, these are short-term but additional pregnancies can increase susceptibility to these becoming long-term conditions, even barring other conditions, like obesity, commonly associated with the diseases.)
So, when a woman’s pregnant and she spends many mornings throwing up, we can’t call it “morning sickness” any more?
I’d love to ask some of these morons if they feel so strongly about their “pro-life” stance, does it apply to parasites like tapeworms or even fleas and lice? Strictly speaking, a fetus IS a parasite. It’s NOT really a part of the woman’s natural body, and many women DO suffer from a number of physical ailments during pregnancy. (Many of these ailments occur without pregnancy but, for a lot of women, their first experiences with some serious diseases—diabetes, anemia, GERD—come during pregnancy; in most cases, these are short-term but additional pregnancies can increase susceptibility to these becoming long-term conditions, even barring other conditions, like obesity, commonly associated with the diseases.)
Joseph West commented on O’Reilly: Most Important Campaign Issue Is Welfare
2012-03-21 16:41:43 -0400
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Oh. I forgot to mention that I somewhat agree with O’Reilly. Welfare IS an important issue. Where I DISagree with him is that I’m more concerned with CORPORATE welfare—the way the government (especially the GOP side) wants to cut corporate taxes even further while contemplating the idea of (yet) another tax holiday for companies to “repatriate” a percentage of their off-shore holdings for mere pennies on the dollar (instead of being taxed at a mere 15 cents on the dollar—AFTER they’ve taken all their other deductions and written off their “losses”, etc).
This country loses more money in a year by enabling the CORPORATE WELFARE system than is “lost” through a decade of welfare for the poor and disadvantaged. (And NONE of that money that goes to the corporate fatcats gets down to the workers. No, it winds up being funneled back into various PACS designed to put MORE “corporate-friendly” politicians in office so they can enact more laws to create even more corporate welfare. And NONE of the GOP leaders or their mouthpieces at FoxNoise seem the least bit interested in discussing that “inconvenient truth.” No, you get the likes of Palin and Bachmann decrying “crony capitalism.” I suppose what they describe as “crony capitalism” really means “companies that won’t give us millions of dollars in bribes—I mean, campaign contributions.”)
This country loses more money in a year by enabling the CORPORATE WELFARE system than is “lost” through a decade of welfare for the poor and disadvantaged. (And NONE of that money that goes to the corporate fatcats gets down to the workers. No, it winds up being funneled back into various PACS designed to put MORE “corporate-friendly” politicians in office so they can enact more laws to create even more corporate welfare. And NONE of the GOP leaders or their mouthpieces at FoxNoise seem the least bit interested in discussing that “inconvenient truth.” No, you get the likes of Palin and Bachmann decrying “crony capitalism.” I suppose what they describe as “crony capitalism” really means “companies that won’t give us millions of dollars in bribes—I mean, campaign contributions.”)
Joseph West commented on Cavuto Suggests It’s Time For Gingrich To Drop Out Of The Campaign
2012-03-21 16:12:07 -0400
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@doors: Newt’s 68 and “may not have another chance.” Since when? Look at Ron Paul and how many runs he’s made for the White House. He’s 76 now and this is his 3rd FULL run for the Presidency (in fact, he’ll turn 77 just SEVEN DAYS before the GOP Convention starts). He first ran in 1988 (as a Libertarian), then again in 2008 (as a GOPer) and this year.
He considered running in ‘92 but chose instead to endorse Pat Buchanan which showed what Libertarian “principles” he truly supported. (Note to Paul and his current Paulistas: When you endorse the MOST socially conservative candidate in any election cycle, you’re NOT a Libertarian, no matter how often you use the term for your beliefs.)
He considered running in ‘92 but chose instead to endorse Pat Buchanan which showed what Libertarian “principles” he truly supported. (Note to Paul and his current Paulistas: When you endorse the MOST socially conservative candidate in any election cycle, you’re NOT a Libertarian, no matter how often you use the term for your beliefs.)
Joseph West commented on Fox News Ignores Rick Santorum's Bigoted Preacher Pal?
2012-03-20 23:40:15 -0400
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Actually, Mr Terry should be reminded that, despite his assertion, this country was founded as a BUSINESS enterprise. (Why is it that everyone seems to forget that the Jamestown colony was established over a decade before the little Pilgrim story took place?) But, putting that aside, Mr Terry should recall that HIS denomination was one of those being forced to pay tax money to fund ANOTHER denomination which led to Jefferson’s great declaration of a “wall of separation” between church and state. (A group of BAPTISTS in Connecticut wrote a letter to then-President Jefferson over what essentially amounted to persecution. If the Baptists didn’t pay an annual fee to help finance Connecticut’s STATE CHURCH—the Congregational Church—they were largely excluded from all functions of government—no voting, no jury service, no running for political office. The Baptists at that time were a minority denomination.)
And good ol’ Frothy Mixture should remember how much genuine persecution those of his denomination faced in this country until well into the mid 20th century. Catholics were loathed by the vast majority of Americans (especially in the Midwest and South), not only because of their being Papists but also because the majority were immigrants (mainly from Ireland and Italy; by the early 20th century, many Catholics were also coming from Eastern Europe, especially Poland).
And good ol’ Frothy Mixture should remember how much genuine persecution those of his denomination faced in this country until well into the mid 20th century. Catholics were loathed by the vast majority of Americans (especially in the Midwest and South), not only because of their being Papists but also because the majority were immigrants (mainly from Ireland and Italy; by the early 20th century, many Catholics were also coming from Eastern Europe, especially Poland).
Joseph West commented on On Fox & Friends: Kirk Cameron Defends His Homophobic Comment & Promotes His Movie
2012-03-20 14:55:34 -0400
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Kirk could do with reading some “Spider-Man” comics: “With great power comes great responsibility.” That basic truth is at the very heart of the First Amendment. While the Amendment specifically limits Congressional power regarding various freedoms, the Founding Fathers were also well aware that having a right did NOT equal unbridled restraint in expressing those rights. The law clearly prohibits falsely shouting “fire!” in a crowded (netaphoric) theater. The law clearly prohibits slander and libel. The law clearly prohibits the unregulated slaughter of animals for Santeria ceremonies and the smoking of marijuana in Rastafarian ceremonies (even the use of peyote in Native American Church ceremonies is forbidden when conducted by followers OFF reservations—unless something’s changed in the last couple of decades).
Additionally, Kirk could use a history lesson when it comes to the “Pilgrims.” They weren’t as “free and just” as he may seem to think. As long as you followed THEIR religion, everything was hunky-dory. But, if you dared to think that God would understand your missing a church service one morning (as long as you said all your prayers and read a few verses of scripture), you were liable to find yourself spending a day or two in the stocks. And let’s not even talk about what happened if you were a Catholic (take that, FoxNoise!) or a Jew. And he might want to remember what happened when those wonderful Pilgrims decided that some of their neighbors were witches and other servants of the Devil. Where was the religious freedom for THOSE people, Kirk? (You want to talk about being your rights being “infringed upon,” sweetie, read some REAL history and you’ll read what it was like for people whose rights were REALLY “infringed upon”—often by people with your mindset.)
Additionally, Kirk could use a history lesson when it comes to the “Pilgrims.” They weren’t as “free and just” as he may seem to think. As long as you followed THEIR religion, everything was hunky-dory. But, if you dared to think that God would understand your missing a church service one morning (as long as you said all your prayers and read a few verses of scripture), you were liable to find yourself spending a day or two in the stocks. And let’s not even talk about what happened if you were a Catholic (take that, FoxNoise!) or a Jew. And he might want to remember what happened when those wonderful Pilgrims decided that some of their neighbors were witches and other servants of the Devil. Where was the religious freedom for THOSE people, Kirk? (You want to talk about being your rights being “infringed upon,” sweetie, read some REAL history and you’ll read what it was like for people whose rights were REALLY “infringed upon”—often by people with your mindset.)
Joseph West commented on O’Reilly Denies Reality: Nobody Is Messing Around With Women’s Reproductive Rights
2012-03-20 14:30:47 -0400
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Wait a minute! You mean to tell me that these free enterprise-loving “conservatives” haven’t attacked Wisconsin for trying to REGULATE the insurance industry there by telling the insurers what they can and, more importantly, CAN’T cover?
Send it to Ripley. There’s finally something NEW to put in “Believe It or Not.”
Send it to Ripley. There’s finally something NEW to put in “Believe It or Not.”
Joseph West commented on No Embarrassing Questions For Romney About Bain’s Capital’s Ties To Chinese Surveillance Equipment
2012-03-19 14:20:42 -0400
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“But the paper also notes that the investment coincides with Romneyâs calls for a hard line against Chinaâs repression of political and religious freedom.”
I’m having a bit of trouble with the use of “coincide” in that sentence (not sure if Ellen is quoting the Times or using it in a paraphrasing of the Times’ article—either way, it throws me). A better term would be “conflict” or even “runs counter to.” Now, if the investment were revealed AFTER China suddenly began a massive wave of repression, then “coincide” would be workable verb.
I’m having a bit of trouble with the use of “coincide” in that sentence (not sure if Ellen is quoting the Times or using it in a paraphrasing of the Times’ article—either way, it throws me). A better term would be “conflict” or even “runs counter to.” Now, if the investment were revealed AFTER China suddenly began a massive wave of repression, then “coincide” would be workable verb.
Joseph West commented on Fox News Attacks Food Stamps: Food Benefits For The Poor Are “Inherently The Problem”
2012-03-19 00:20:09 -0400
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Maybe these FoxNutsies missed Alexandra Pelosi’s report on “Real Time with Bill Maher” where she interviewed a lot of poor WHITE people in Mississippi (and almost to a man, they will vote GOP). One of the men defended his use of food stamps as something he was owed. (The man really could’ve used some dental work as well, but I digress….)
I also think that Wayne Rogers needs a personal assistant to help him understand how to do an internet search. I did a quick search for “snap” and the FNS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was the first thing to come up. And a click to that link took me to the government program but nothing there that mentions “rescuing dogs and cats in Houston, Texas.” There is, however, a link to something that FoxNoise’s Catholic Brigade are probably quite familiar with—the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which happens to use the acronym SNAP; it was the SECOND link. The third link, I’ll admit, IS for the Houston, Texas Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, which DOES deal with cats and dogs in Houston. See, that’s why Rogers needs an assistant. He obviously doesn’t understand that the acronym “SNAP” refers to several DIFFERENT things, and the links take you to all those different items.
I also think that Wayne Rogers needs a personal assistant to help him understand how to do an internet search. I did a quick search for “snap” and the FNS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was the first thing to come up. And a click to that link took me to the government program but nothing there that mentions “rescuing dogs and cats in Houston, Texas.” There is, however, a link to something that FoxNoise’s Catholic Brigade are probably quite familiar with—the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which happens to use the acronym SNAP; it was the SECOND link. The third link, I’ll admit, IS for the Houston, Texas Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, which DOES deal with cats and dogs in Houston. See, that’s why Rogers needs an assistant. He obviously doesn’t understand that the acronym “SNAP” refers to several DIFFERENT things, and the links take you to all those different items.
Joseph West commented on Bill O’Reilly Laughably Insists “We Never Threatened Anyone” With A Boycott
2012-03-16 15:24:26 -0400
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What I think some people are forgetting is that Billy-boy gets away with saying such insane crap because he knows his audience have such bad attention spans they can’t remember what they were told an hour ago (which may be why the FoxNoise crew have to keep repeating their claims so frequently), much less a month, a year or a decade ago.
Joseph West commented on The Evolution Of A Fox "News" Meme - The Obama Face Flag
2012-03-15 13:01:21 -0400
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Uh, Priscilla, while I fully agree this is little more than a tempest in a teapot that FoxNoise is blowing WAY out of proportion, the flag in that Teabagger picture is actually a historical flag. It’s known as the Bennington Flag (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennington_flag).
Joseph West commented on Why Is Hannity Associated With A Charity Run By A Slavery Apologist Who Thinks Most Women Are “Little Whores?”
2012-03-15 12:54:18 -0400
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@Priscilla: You just know that the FoxNation freaks are probably calling this guy (and Alan Keyes and Clarence Thomas and Herman Cain) all sorts of “clever” variations on the n-word. Oh, not on the site, but to each other—in the privacy of their homes and around the cooler at work (well, those who actually have jobs and aren’t living on all those evil government handouts—oh wait: they actually feel they’re entitled to those because they’ve “worked hard” all their lives—never mind).
Joseph West commented on Gutfeld Describes Feminists As "Easy Sex Without Commitment"
2012-03-14 17:03:18 -0400
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I’m glad I missed NOW’s defense of Bachmann. For NOW to actually describe Bachmann as a “serious female candidate” is beyond belief. (They would describe as “serious” a woman who, by her own admission, did NOT want to have a job. Michele said that her hus-beard Marcus MADE her get an accounting degree and then go work for the IRS before she finally went into politics—presumably, on Marcus’s orders. What Bachmann’s statement says to me is anything BUT serious—sort of like a kid who only gets a job at McDonalds just long enough to pay for a new video game, then he quits so he play the game all day long.)
Bachmann was NEVER a “serious female candidate.” She was a shill for an agenda that would ultimately turn back the clock on ALL women’s rights (pretty much Phyllis Schlafly redux).
Bachmann was NEVER a “serious female candidate.” She was a shill for an agenda that would ultimately turn back the clock on ALL women’s rights (pretty much Phyllis Schlafly redux).