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[bodyofanamerican]

Jeez, Christie is blaming everybody for his poor performance.

He's responsible for nothing. Buck stops everywhere but his desk

Link? Where's this happening?

 

[Wilsongt]

Oh, there's a thread in OT about the Sandy Hooks story I posted yesterday. *grabs popcorn*

 

[KingK]

I've been reading a lot of conservative opinions about how the Obama administration is embarrassing us on the global stage.

I'm like holy shit, did any of these people ever travel abroad during the Bush administration? There's no comparison. In 2007 I couldn't even watch a football match in a British pub without 10 people wanting to talk to me about Iraq and express their opinions on Bush. Again, no comparison.

Seriously. I spent a little over a month in Europe the summer before my senior year of high school, which was Obama's first year in office and the summer of the health care debate (goddamn time flies). Much more than once, in England, France, and Germany, Bush was brought up by locals wanting an explanation for how terrible he is. One week of the trip was spent staying with a host family in Germany,and the first night I was there my host and his dad asked me to explain how the fuck Bush got elected twice and why so many people hate Obama for trying to pass healthcare lol.

 

[Wilsongt]

Seriously. I spent a little over a month in Europe the summer before my senior year of high school, which was Obama's first year in office and the summer of the health care debate (goddamn time flies). Much more than once, in England, France, and Germany, Bush was brought up by locals wanting an explanation for how terrible he is. One week of the trip was spent staying with a host family in Germany,and the first night I was there my host and his dad asked me to explain how the fuck Bush got elected twice and why so many people hate Obama for trying to pass healthcare lol.

Apologist in chief.

 

[WayneMorse]

Seriously. I spent a little over a month in Europe the summer before my senior year of high school, which was Obama's first year in office and the summer of the health care debate (goddamn time flies). Much more than once, in England, France, and Germany, Bush was brought up by locals wanting an explanation for how terrible he is. One week of the trip was spent staying with a host family in Germany,and the first night I was there my host and his dad asked me to explain how the fuck Bush got elected twice and why so many people hate Obama for trying to pass healthcare lol.

I think it's pretty accurate to just say white America's hatred for black people and (former) hatred for gay people contribute to almost every political issue in America today. It's more racism than homophobia but gay marriage did get Bush re-elected in 2004.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

I think Friedman is now just using the Friedman generator to write his columns now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/opinion/friedman-the-square-people-part-1.html

I think I’ll plan to go from Kiev to Hanoi more often. It’s only when you go to two seemingly disconnected places that you see the big trends, and one of the big ones I’ve noticed is the emergence of “The Square People.”

it only gets worse

 

[WayneMorse]

Speaking of the NY times, Jill Abramson has been fired as executive editor.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

So the GOP is being slimy with their FCC stance. They're opposing the FCC's rules but not because they want Net Neutrality but because they want no regulation. They're really trying to make the reclassification as a telecom service an attack on the internet. Their wording is so disingenuous

Look at cruz's statement :

"The FCC's latest adventure in 'net neutrality' would stifle innovation and subject the Internet to nanny-state regulation from Washington. Internet freedom has produced robust free speech for billions and a wide-open incubator for entrepreneurs to generate jobs and expand opportunity. A 5-member panel at the FCC should not be dictating how Internet services will be provided to millions of Americans. I will be introducing legislation that would remove the claimed authority for the FCC to take such actions, specifically the Commission's nebulous Sec. 706 authority. More than $1 trillion has already been invested in broadband infrastructure, which has led to an explosion of new content, applications, and Internet accessibility. Congress, not an unelected commission, should take the lead on modernizing our telecommunications laws. The FCC should not endanger future investments by stifling growth in the online sector, which remains a much-needed bright spot in our struggling economy."

also

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/14/scott-brown-energy-bill_n_5325117.html?1400096043

lol scott

 

[gcubed]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...-special-forces-to-rescue-nigerian-girls.html

but he wouldn't dare go into Pakistan without its permission for Bin Laden.

 

[The Technomancer]

I think Friedman is now just using the Friedman generator

oh my god my sides

 

[thepotatoman]

I think it's pretty accurate to just say white America's hatred for black people and (former) hatred for gay people contribute to almost every political issue in America today. It's more racism than homophobia but gay marriage did get Bush re-elected in 2004.

It's not like Europe is perfect on race, and it's not like most of europe was great on same sex marriage issues in 2004. Race also does seem to play some role in European politics when you look at the way some of these politicians are advocating for tougher immigration policies.

It's just that it's a lot easier to attach race to every issue when people of color make up over 25% of the US population compared to Europe where it's usually 5% or less.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Speaking of the NY times, Jill Abramson has been fired as executive editor.

I thought this was stupid, I could care less who is in the newsroom if they don't have ethical lapses

BUT, I just saw this

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/currency/2014/05/why-jill-abramson-was-fired.html
https://twitter.com/davidfolkenflik/status/466700946127716352

Asking about pay is 'too pushy', I can't help but think theirs sexist undertones to it.

Some white male establishment reporters are already pushing back saying the "outrage machine" will crush all facts.

@morningmoneyben
And once the outrage machine is in full blazing glory all facts will become secondary.

 

[Wilsongt]

I thought this was stupid, I could care less who is in the newsroom if they don't have ethical lapses

BUT, I just saw this

https://twitter.com/davidfolkenflik/status/466700946127716352

So, she wanted more money and they fired her?

 

[NYCmetsfan]

So, she wanted more money and they fired her?

looks like it might have been a straw on the camel's back

 

[WayneMorse]

It's not like Europe is perfect on race, and it's not like most of europe was great on same sex marriage issues in 2004. Race also does seem to play some role in European politics when you look at the way some of these politicians are advocating for tougher immigration policies.

It's just that it's a lot easier to attach race to every issue when people of color make up over 25% of the US population compared to Europe where it's usually 5% or less.

Of course there's a lot of racism in European politics, more so against Muslims than blacks, but race is nowhere near an issue in Europe as it is in the US. The entire Conservative realignment in 1980 was based around race. Race is an undertone to most issues in American politics.

 

[Arrowgigantic]

looks like it might have been a straw on the camel's back

Wanting to be paid the same as a man would be isn't a straw.

 

[Chichikov]

I think Friedman is now just using the Friedman generator to write his columns now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/opinion/friedman-the-square-people-part-1.html



it only gets worse

He's going to try to make "the square people" a thing now, doesn't he?
Fuck that hack.

 

[thepotatoman]

Of course there's a lot of racism in European politics, more so against Muslims than blacks, but race is nowhere near an issue in Europe as it is in the US. The entire Conservative realignment in 1980 was based around race. Race is an undertone to most issues in American politics.

Yeah, that's why I brought up the point about how the number of minorities in the US elevates race as an issue to the point that they can look at welfare and labor and foriegn affairs, and whatever else as an issue about race. Meanwhile a racist european can usually just rely on his wall of segregation ease any racial anxiety, and has a lot less of an opportunity to see a coworker of a different race and be mad that he's getting union benefits.

I guess I'm just trying to stress that the circumstances might be different, but I don't think as a whole americans are any more racist than the average person anywhere else in the world. So in the words of the great Iwata to any european friends, basically "please understand".

 

[Piecake]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ubios-plan-to-fix-americas-retirement-system/

Rubio wants to open up the federal Thrift Savings Plan -- which is available to members of Congress and their staff -- to people who don't have access to a retirement plan through their employers. Similar to a 401(k), the thrift plan lets workers contribute up to $17,500 of their pay annually before taxes in a retirement account. The thrift savings plan also comes with lower fees than what most consumers are charged through private defined-contribution plans, Rubio said.

"The twisted irony is that members of Congress – who are employees of the citizens of the United States – have access to a superior savings plan, while many of their employers – the American people – are often left with access to no plan at all," Rubio said during the speech.

But I thought the government couldnt do anything right and the private sector is better at everything?

Well, I think it is a good idea actually, and personally think it should be open to everyone, not just people who don't have it. though I imagine that companies would drop 401ks if TSP is available.

Its also nice to see that polticians are talking about retirement more, because it is a complete clusterfuck of a disaster waiting to happen. Sadly, nothing proposed so far by politicians is going to do much about it because they are just trying to tweak a failed system.

 

[alstein]

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/...-net-neutrality-heres-how-fcc-makes-its-rules

Apparently the FCC puts out its new rules on Net Favoritism tomorrow.


Hoping title II gets pushed, even if Comcast is saying if it is they'll ignore it completely. I wonder how well a politician could make it work on running on thwarting the ISPs.

Most likely given that the FCC Chair has taken so much ISP money in the past we're going to get something massively consumer-screwing, and internet costs will double in the US.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2RzRv8yQXQ

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpoli...-collide-in-silicon-valley-congressional-race

God I really hope Ro Khanna doesn't win the primary, Mike Honda is one of the best people we have in the House.

Khanna, meanwhile, looks and speaks like someone giving a TED talk. Indeed, the business-savvy young technocrat and lawyer has given one.

Complete disqualifier TBH

 

[WayneMorse]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpoli...-collide-in-silicon-valley-congressional-race

God I really hope Ro Khanna doesn't win the primary, Mike Honda is one of the best people we have in the House.

 

[Chichikov]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2RzRv8yQXQ

Clairvoyance is no excuse for trolling.

 

[thepotatoman]

Link? Where's this happening?

Maddow just covered Christie tonight.

So I guess take your pick between naming off New Jersey's former governors by name to blame the credit downgrade on, and pointing to the chairman of New Jersey's investment committee by name to pass blame for the breaking of the law by putting New Jersey's investment money in the investment account of a donor who donated to Chris Christie.

 

[FyreWulff]

Sounds like a good idea. So what's the catch?

Raising the retirement age while also cutting a tax, so it basically depends on hoping enough people die before they can actually pull benefits to keep it afloat.

A nice idea with no funding.

 

[B-Dubs]

Sounds like a good idea. So what's the catch?

Well, they do say a broken clock is right twice a day. Could be he's trying to get some bipartisan cred ahead of 2016.

Raising the retirement age while also cutting a tax, so it basically depends on hoping enough people die before they can actually pull benefits to keep it afloat.

A nice idea with no funding.

Or that.

 

[WayneMorse]

Average Americans Think They're Smarter Than the Average American

Fifty-five percent of Americans think that they are smarter than the average American, according to a new survey by YouGov, a research organization that uses online polling. In other words, as YouGov cleverly points out, the average American thinks that he or she is smarter than the average American.

A humble 34 percent of citizens say they are about as smart as everyone else, while a dispirited 4 percent say they are less intelligent than most people.

Men (24 percent) are more likely than women (15 percent) to say they are "much more intelligent" than the average American. White people are more likely to say the same than Hispanic and black people.

Btw don't read the comments.

 

[Chichikov]

Average Americans Think They're Smarter Than the Average American



Btw don't read the comments.

Only 53%?
Lake Woebegone laughs at your stupid face, America.

Spoiler

but really, you would expect a lower number anywhere in the world? That's against human nature.

 

[Tamanon]

I feel the lack of a retirement option isn't the reason people aren't saving for retirement. I think it has more to do with not being able to spare money to save.

Our economy is built on debt, with everything we own becoming a monthly payment. Economy as a Service means we can't really focus on the traditional method of"save up for your dreams".

 

[Armoured Priest]

Average Americans Think They're Smarter Than the Average American



Btw don't read the comments.

This is nothing new (though certainly reinforces earlier studies, and is useful in that regard), and is not just Americans:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning_Kruger

 

[PhoenixDark]

@ArkDavey 1h


AR surgeon general: Of those who visited ER, number of uninsured reduced by 24% 1st quarter '14 v. 1st quarter '13.

@ArkDavey 1h

AR surgeon general: Of those hospitalized, number of uninsured reduced by 30% 1st quarter '14 v. 1st quarter '13.

wow

 

[teiresias]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ubios-plan-to-fix-americas-retirement-system/

But I thought the government couldnt do anything right and the private sector is better at everything?

Well, I think it is a good idea actually, and personally think it should be open to everyone, not just people who don't have it. though I imagine that companies would drop 401ks if TSP is available.

Its also nice to see that polticians are talking about retirement more, because it is a complete clusterfuck of a disaster waiting to happen. Sadly, nothing proposed so far by politicians is going to do much about it because they are just trying to tweak a failed system.

I hate how these articles - going by your quote - always make it sound like these programs are only for members of Congress and their staff. The TSP is for all federal employees in every agency (maybe postal is different, I'm not sure on that one), so it's not like it's some hugely exclusive club that only Congress and their staffers have access to for retirement accounts.

 

[Wilsongt]

I feel the lack of a retirement option isn't the reason people aren't saving for retirement. I think it has more to do with not being able to spare money to save.

Our economy is built on debt, with everything we own becoming a monthly payment. Economy as a Service means we can't really focus on the traditional method of"save up for your dreams".

This is the difference again between baby boomers and our generation. Baby boomers have the luxury of retiring at 55 and being able to travel the world, pop a cialis daily, and be taken care of by the government in their old age while we pay for it. While our generation will be working until we're 80, taking student loans with us to our graves, and will be lucky if our entire social support system from the government is even there if Republicans ever control all branches of the government again.

 

[Piecake]

Sounds like a good idea. So what's the catch?

During a speech organized by the National Press Club, Rubio proposed raising the retirement age for younger workers, opening up the retirement program used by Congress to non-government workers, and eliminating the payroll tax for people who continue to work after reaching full retirement age. Rubio also proposed scaling back Social Security benefits for wealthy retirees by slowing how quickly benefits will increase for those retirees who may not rely as much on Social Security payments.

Basically increase the retirement age. I actually like eliminating the payroll tax for people who continue to work after retirement age. Scaling back benefits for wealthy retirees works for me too.

Retirement age is the big issue. The only way I could see myself agreeing to this if that was also income based. poor to lower middle class people's retirement age stays the same while middle on up increases. The big argument for increasing the retirement age is people are living longer. Well, that might be true of the middle and upper classes, but it is not true for the poor.

I feel the lack of a retirement option isn't the reason people aren't saving for retirement. I think it has more to do with not being able to spare money to save.

Our economy is built on debt, with everything we own becoming a monthly payment. Economy as a Service means we can't really focus on the traditional method of"save up for your dreams".

I simply think people are terrible at saving for retirement. This isnt just a problem with the poor. Even upper-middle class families, people who should be able to save for retirement, are usually well behind.

 

[alstein]

Basically increase the retirement age. I actually like eliminating the payroll tax for people who continue to work after retirement age. Scaling back benefits for wealthy retirees works for me too.

Retirement age is the big issue. The only way I could see myself agreeing to this if that was also income based. poor to lower middle class people's retirement age stays the same while middle on up increases. The big argument for increasing the retirement age is people are living longer. Well, that might be true of the middle and upper classes, but it is not true for the poor.



I simply think people are terrible at saving for retirement. This isnt just a problem with the poor. Even upper-middle class families, people who should be able to save for retirement, are usually well behind.

I don't like eliminating the payroll tax- will give rich incentive to work longer instead of retire. It should be limited to folks earning below a fairly low amount.

Also agreed on retirement age changes.

 

[Zona]

Keeping people in the workforce longer, aside from the other problems, makes it harder for a young person just entering it to find a job. Especially in a field where the number of openings is already smaller then the number of applicants the person without experience or with limited experience wont be able to compete against someone who's been in the field 30 years.

 

[Piecake]

I don't like eliminating the payroll tax- will give rich incentive to work longer instead of retire. It should be limited to folks earning below a fairly low amount.

Also agreed on retirement age changes.

I'd be fine with that. I was thinking of it in terms of low wage elderly workers getting more money from their paycheck.

Keeping people in the workforce longer, aside from the other problems, makes it harder for a young person just entering it to find a job. Especially in a field where the number of openings is already smaller then the number of applicants the person without experience or with limited experience wont be able to compete against someone who's been in the field 30 years.

Well, yea, but the only way that is going to be changed if we completely overhaul the system to something like a living wage social security income. That isnt happening anytime soon, so I will take the small improvements

 

[Lucky Forward]

'Operation American Spring' Aims To Bring 10 Million 'Patriots' To D.C. On Friday

The idea behind Operation American Spring is simple: the restoration of constitutional government, the rule of law, freedom, and liberty. The plan calls for the removal from office of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Attorney General Eric Holder. And that's just to start.

The organizers of the operation have picked Friday to kick things off. Phase one of "Operation American Spring – Beginning Of Tyranny Housecleaning" calls for as many as 10 million "patriots" to assemble in a "peaceful, non-violent, physically unarmed (Spiritually/Constitutionally armed), display of unswerving loyalty to the US Constitution and against the incumbent government leadership, in Washington, D.C., with the mission to replace with law abiding leadership," according to the organizers' website. Phase two calls for at least a million of the protestors to remain in Washington until the aforementioned officials are forced from office. Phase three hopes to see a governing tribunal made up of a who's who of conservative icons.

"Those with the principles of a West, Cruz, Dr. Ben Carson, Lee, DeMint, Paul, Gov Walker, Sessions, Gowdy, Jordan, should comprise a tribunal and assume positions of authority to convene investigations, recommend appropriate charges against politicians and government employees to the new U.S. Attorney General appointed by the new President," according to the website.

Hey, it worked for Egypt, right?

 

[Wilsongt]

'Operation American Spring' Aims To Bring 10 Million 'Patriots' To D.C. On Friday



Hey, it worked for Egypt, right?

 

[kehs]

physically unarmed (Spiritually/Constitutionally armed)

what

 

[Tamanon]

'Operation American Spring' Aims To Bring 10 Million 'Patriots' To D.C. On Friday



Hey, it worked for Egypt, right?

I know what I'm doing for my summer vacation!

 

[Tamanon]

I simply think people are terrible at saving for retirement. This isnt just a problem with the poor. Even upper-middle class families, people who should be able to save for retirement, are usually well behind.

I completely agree people should be saving for retirement more, but I don't think it's because of a lack of retirement plan options personally.

 

[WayneMorse]

'Operation American Spring' Aims To Bring 10 Million 'Patriots' To D.C. On Friday



Hey, it worked for Egypt, right?

A lot of people in the Tea Party and conservatives in general really think the overwhelming majority of American people are true believer conservatives like Ted Cruz who are just waiting for the perfect "true conservative" leader to come about.

 

[The Technomancer]

Phase two calls for at least a million of the protestors to remain in Washington until the aforementioned officials are forced from office.

I wonder how most of them felt about Occupy Wall Street...

 

[Wilsongt]

I wonder how most of them felt about Occupy Wall Street...

"Why don't these people get jobs and stop loitering?"

 

[B-Dubs]

'Operation American Spring' Aims To Bring 10 Million 'Patriots' To D.C. On Friday



Hey, it worked for Egypt, right?

Ten million? They'll be lucky to get ten thousand.

 

[Sibylus]

what

You doubting they'll be dressed and confessed?

 

[Wilsongt]

OOOOk-lahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain,
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet, When the wind comes right behind the rainQ
OOOOk-lahoma, Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I, Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk makin' lazy circles in the sky.

Oklahoma House Committee Rejects Science Standards Over Teaching The ‘Hyperbole’ Of Climate Change

Oklahoma Rep. Mark McCullough expressed his concern over the sections in the standards that deal with climate science, sections he said make references to “human impacts on the climate” in third, fourth, and fifth grades. He also said he thought references to human activity related to the environment focused on negative aspects of human involvement, such as the over-spraying of pesticides, and said “positive” examples of humans intervening in the environment to produce a change, such as flood control, weren’t as common, a focus that could end up leading to an “agenda-driven curriculum” that teaches students that “people are the problem.”

“There’s been a lot of criticisms, in some sectors, as to maybe some of the hyperbole — what some consider hyperbole relative to climate change. I know it’s a very very difficult, very controversial subject,” he said, going on to ask, “do you believe that those sections specifically relating to weather and climate particularly at the earlier ages…could potentially be utilized to implicate into some pretty young impressionable minds, a fairly-one sided view as to that controversial subject, a subject that’s very much in dispute among even the academics?”

It's the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[MrCat]

I simply think people are terrible at saving for retirement. This isn't just a problem with the poor. Even upper-middle class families, people who should be able to save for retirement, are usually well behind.

Unfortunately there is a more systemic specific reason why the personal savings rate has been steadily dropping since the 1980's. The advent of debt-backed financial instruments gave way to easy credit, which has given way to mal-investment in a world of asset bubbles.

Easy credit gives way to bad personal decisions when we are bombarded by consumerist propaganda, media creating an artificial sense of worth based on what we have, real incomes stagnating for the lower 99%... at the end of the day "fear of missing out"/short-term rewards are more powerful forces than rewards 30-40 years from now when it is time to retire.

Fiddling with the retirement age is an actuarial band-aid that politicians can push, because at least the public understands it (and they think politicians are actually trying to "do something"). It's a waste of time, and doesn't address the problem at all.

 

[Crisco]

How are people still allowed to call it a controversial subject or a debate? It's true about a lot of things in politics, but this in particular, the motivation for continuing to insist that climate change isn't man made is so transparent. Just look at all the money from individuals or corporations invested in fossil fuels that these candidates get. Our political system really needs to have explicit penalties for politicians when they say things that are not only blatantly false, but harmful to the public good. I mean, there aren't that many degrees of separation between these assholes and the Taliban. The main difference is that our politicians are trying to make everyone less educated, not just women. If nothing else, the court of public opinion needs to be much more aggressive towards deniers of scientific truths. If we can generate enough outrage over racism and bigotry to make millionaires and billionaires change their ways, surely we can force this sort of regressive behavior out of politics.