Tuesday Open Thread

Filed in National by on April 13, 2010

Hello gloomy Tuesday! What would lift your gloom? How about an open thread?

David Gregory thinks fact-checking is for the little people:

Critics say that kind of truth telling rarely happens on television. But David Gregory, the moderator of “Meet the Press” on NBC, said that accountability is “in the DNA” of his program. He said he had considered Mr. Rosen’s idea but concluded that people can fact check the program on their own online.

David Gregory is Exhibit A of everything that is wrong with the traditional media. This Week‘s first fact-check is up now.

Compassionate conservatism strikes again!

Democratic policymakers corrected this, and even many Republicans have said they have no intention of reversing course on this. Missouri’s Roy Blunt (R), however, has a unique approach to the issue. Here’s what he told an ABC affiliate in Missouri last week:

“Access for kids who have pre-existing conditions, who would be against that?” the House Republican said. “But access for adults, who have done nothing to take care of themselves, who actually will have, as I’ve just described, every incentive not to get insurance until the day that you know that you’re going to have medical expenses, that’s, that’s a very different kind of story.”

In case you think Blunt is some random Republican (he’s running for the MO-Sen seat), Steve Benen reminds us:

Keep in mind, Blunt isn’t some random back-bencher — he’s the chair of the House Republicans’ Health Care Task Force.

Remember Alan Grayson – the GOP plan is don’t get sick and if you get sick, die quickly – doesn’t seem that far off does it? Newer GOP slogan: if you’re sick it’s your own damn fault.

Tags:

About the Author ()

Opinionated chemist, troublemaker, blogger on national and Delaware politics.

Comments (20)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Take the Pew Center News IQ quiz! I got an 11 out of 12, and I shouldn’t have missed the one I missed. Oh well.

  2. pandora says:

    Whoo hoo! 12 out of 12!

    Hmm… perhaps I should step away from the computer. 🙂

  3. anonone says:

    12/12

  4. delacrat says:

    Pay Federal income tax ? 53% goes for war.

    “Military spending in all its myriad forms works out to represent 53.3% of total US federal spending.”

    http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/04/13-4

  5. aqc says:

    12 for 12. UI, which one did you get wrong?

  6. I missed the one on who holds most of our debt. I thought it was a trick question, but there was actually 2 right answers. It’s the question that had the highest percentage get right, BTW.

  7. P.Schwartz says:

    A member of Gov. Jindals staff and her boy friend were brutally attacked outside a Republican event in New Orleans. Both are hospitalized, she with a broken leg and he with a broken jaw. So far the scant news reports fail to mention who the attackers were…

    who needs Bull Connor when you have the SEIU.

  8. MJ says:

    Considering it was Nawlins, it was probably the NOPD who did it.

  9. Geezer says:

    Schwartz probably doesn’t realize this, but unions and progressives don’t necessarily get along. You don’t need a long memory to recall the harassment campaign waged against Karen Peterson after she defeated the union’s chosen candidate, Tim Shelton, in a primary.

    I doubt most of the progressives at this site would engage in knee-jerk defense of union members, let alone union thugs. Therefore, false equivalence. We’re not engaged in actively bullshitting anyone that these constitute the actions of a great bunch of patriots.

  10. 12 of the 12 possible questions The debt one was tricky UI because you may have missed the stories about China reducing its debt positon (it is now second behind Japan) because of inflationary fears due to the wild printing of money. That does not fit your great leader agenda so I am not surprised.

    There is an old saying, an ultra conservative is someone who keeps old newspaper clips.

  11. skippertee says:

    Fuck you Geezer! There wouldn’t be a middle class in this country without unions you old fuck.I’d like to bust your head!

  12. Geezer says:

    You’re right, there wouldn’t (and yes, I know sarcasm when I see it. Usually.) But that doesn’t excuse the bad behavior when it happens — just as the fact that Tea Partiers really, really love America doesn’t excuse their excesses.

    That said, these false equivalence arguments have to be stamped out whenever they crop up. Violence by left-wingers is not the same thing as politicians egging on Tea Partiers, because what we’re criticizing isn’t the violent behavior, it’s the egging on.

  13. skippertee says:

    Ah,ya got me Geez. Can’t pull one over on your ancient eyes.You’ve seen ’em all.

  14. John Manifold says:

    Milton Friedman agrees: corporations are not persons. Brad DeLong analysis.

    http://www.samefacts.com/2010/04/commerce-and-its-discontents/milton-friedman-and-the-servile-corporation/

  15. P.Schwartz says:

    Here is the Police statement in full, courtesy of WWL-AM 870:

    Superintendent Warren J. Riley and members of the New Orleans Police are asking the public�s assistance in locating and identifying several suspects wanted in connection with an incident that occurred in the 600 block of Saint Louis Street . The incident occurred Friday April 9, 2010, at approximately 10:45 P.M.

    According to investigators, the victims were walking from a function at a restaurant in the 400 block of Royal Street . When they entered the 600 block of Saint Louis Street , three to five Caucasian males made derogatory comments to the 25-year-old female and her 28-year-old male friend. When the male victim turned towards the group of men, one or more of the suspects struck the victim several times. At some point the female victim fell to the ground and screamed. The suspects then fled on foot. Officers in the area heard the female screaming and responded to the scene and broadcasted a description of the suspects and requested Emergency Medical Paramedics. As the female was waiting for EMS , she used her purse as a pillow. When the victim was in the ambulance, she discovered her purse was missing.

    The female was transported to a hospital where she was treated for a broken leg. The male victim was also transported to the hospital and was treated for a mild concussion, fractured jaw and nose.

    One of the suspects was described as a Caucasian male who appeared to be dirty, in his 20�s, 6�1� tall, thin build with a thin face. He had a beard and auburn color hair in a pony tail. He was wearing a light color T shirt and dark color pants.

    The incident is on-going and detectives are in the process of determining if any surveillance cameras captured the incident.

    Investigators are currently working on the incident and at this time the report is not available. Notification will be made to the media when the report is complete and ready for dissemination.

    Investigators are in the process of identifying the suspects, as well as a motive. Eighth District Detective Sergeant Nicholas Gernon is in charge of the investigation. Citizens with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111, toll-free 1-877-903-STOP(7867). You could receive a cash reward of up to $2,500.00 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the responsible person(s). You do not have to give your name nor testify to receive the reward.

  16. Geezer says:

    Yeah? And? So what?

  17. John Manifold says:

    It’s today’s effort to introduce an echo into the chamber, an allegation that folks were “savagely beaten … for wearing Palin buttons.” Source? “According to a source.” It’s Freeper World. Persecution of conservatives in a state where 8 percent of whites voted for Obama. Put on your bodysuit if you want to link around:

    http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/04/gop-official-boyfriend-savagely-beaten-for-wearing-palin-pins-including-broken-leg-jaw-concussion-media-silent/

  18. John Manifold says:

    Looks like troll P. Schwartz’ hopes for a story about Crescent City persecution of Palinfolk are dashed:

    http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/04/this_story_had_been_bubbling.php#more

    http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/04/police_report_jindal_aide_atta.html