Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 5, 2008 at 4:23 AM

comment #1

Zimmergirl Author Profile Page says ...

Yeah, that was awesome. Rove has no strict moral code. With him it's whatever works at the time, evil genius that he is.

Posted by Zimmergirl Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 5:38 AM

comment #2

Teacher's Pets Author Profile Page says ...

The twisting strands of cynical hypocrisy have never been so beautiful...

Posted by Teacher's Pets Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 6:23 AM

comment #3

Ogami Itto Author Profile Page says ...

Ugh, what a bunch of soulless, awful creatures.

Posted by Ogami Itto Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 7:07 AM

comment #4

George Prager Author Profile Page says ...

quintus arrius says...

Hypocrites! Don't you realize that your hero Walter Lippman pulled the same trick in 1972!!!!!

Posted by George Prager Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 7:11 AM

comment #5

Teacher's Pets Author Profile Page says ...

Last night's Daily Show was even better, with one of Stewart's correspondents discussing Bristol Palin's pregnancy with RNC attendants...

Posted by Teacher's Pets Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 7:23 AM

comment #6

corey3rd Author Profile Page says ...

Where's McCain's flag pin? Did he leave that back in his Hanoi Hilton cell?

Posted by corey3rd Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 7:27 AM

comment #7

MDOC Author Profile Page says ...

I'm one of the righties here, and I'll always defended O'Reilly, but this is pretty bad. For Rove, what do you expect? But O'Reilly can be a sensible guy. Most of his harshest critics, (looking around the room) don't watch him, they just see stuff like this and judge. It's fair, he also came off bullyish with Obama last night. Let's see if anybody puts together something similar with Olbermann. Republicans are having fun right now, they always are the ones being called racist and biased. It's an ugly thing to be called racist, how do you come back? You can't blame them for having a little fun pushing back.

Posted by MDOC Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 7:50 AM

comment #8

quintus arrius Author Profile Page says ...

"quintus arrius says...
Hypocrites! Don't you realize that your hero Walter Lippman pulled the same trick in 1972!!!!!"

I'm in my happy place. Obama is now for the surge after he was against it, so even if he gets in, he'll find that he has to continue community organizing the middle east and can't just walk away from victory.

And I've seen the first woman president of the U.S., whether or not she's Vice President first.

Everything's going to be all right - unless you actually thought you were electing a Move On type president. Ain't nobody left in the race like that, suckahs. But keep showing the love!!!

Posted by quintus arrius Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 7:57 AM

comment #9

dinther Author Profile Page says ...

MDOC, I've only seen excerpts of Obama's appearance on O'Reilly, but I wouldn't characterize what I've seen as "bullyish."

What I saw was akin to a teacher attempting to explain a something to one of the slow kids in class. O'Reilly is plainly in over his head whenever engaging matters of substance or policy, so he resorts to posturing and painfully obtuse simplicities.

Yes, I know, that appeals to people who are incapable of grasping nuance, but outside of that group, O'Reilly is circus sideshow that few people take seriously.

I think it was a mistake for Obama to appear on the show. The audience of that show doesn't get it, and never will.

Posted by dinther Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 8:23 AM

comment #10

Chicago48 Author Profile Page says ...

That was hilarious! Jon Stewart for President.

Posted by Chicago48 Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 8:58 AM

comment #11

Ghost072 Author Profile Page says ...

"And I've seen the first woman president of the U.S., whether or not she's Vice President first."

Can you elaborate on what you find so impressive about Sarah Palin? Is it her fiscally conservative record? Or perhaps her large breadth of experience? Her education, perhaps? I am sincerely interested in what the right sees in Sarah Palin, other than someone who is like them.

Posted by Ghost072 Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:05 AM

comment #12

Monument Author Profile Page says ...

Call me a misogynist, but she lost me the first time I heard her say "hockey mom" with that nasally Alaskan/Canadian accent.

Posted by Monument Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:11 AM

comment #13

quintus arrius Author Profile Page says ...

"Can you elaborate on what you find so impressive about Sarah Palin?"

You seem to be mistaken about the purpose of this site.

Posted by quintus arrius Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:14 AM

comment #14

dinther Author Profile Page says ...

This is so typical. Quintus takes the time to sign on to this site and write out two paragraphs of half-informed commentary on political issues, and then when asked to explain himself, he claims that the purpose of this site is not to comment on such matters.

And now, proving that he's the ultimate putz, he'll respond with a self-amused one liner.

Posted by dinther Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:30 AM

comment #15

quintus arrius Author Profile Page says ...

Better to be thought a putz than lose my head to Che's machete for stating my beliefs.

Sarah Palin-- what a moo cow! Boy, McCain sure screwed up! I found a poll that makes me feel better! Praise be to Che!

Posted by quintus arrius Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:44 AM

comment #16

Ghost072 Author Profile Page says ...

"You seem to be mistaken about the purpose of this site."

I am not the one mistaken, friend. Jeff Wells blogs about movies and he blogs about politics. This post was pretty clearly in the politics camp and you responded to it. I asked you a straight question, feeling fairly certain you'd have no better answer than any of the other righties I'd asked. And you didn't disappoint.

Posted by Ghost072 Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:47 AM

comment #17

quintus arrius Author Profile Page says ...

What part of

http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2008/08/stalinist_purge.php

did you think didn't make it exactly clear what the penalties would be if I answered your question?

It's easy to call people cowards when all the whips are on your side, hombre. Very, very easy.

Posted by quintus arrius Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:51 AM

comment #18

Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page says ...

What Jon Stewart does is important. There was a time I didn't feel that way. I was mistaken.

And quintus? Really? Lippman in '72? Jesus fucking Christ. And nobody's cutting off your head any time soon. What an ego, that thinks otherwise. Amazing...

Posted by Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 10:05 AM

comment #19

frankbooth Author Profile Page says ...

"Republicans are having fun right now, they always are the ones being called racist and biased. It's an ugly thing to be called racist, how do you come back?"

Here's how!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/05/politics/p091746D97.DTL&tsp=1

Posted by frankbooth Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 10:21 AM

comment #20

dinther Author Profile Page says ...

quintus, Wells didn't ban viewpoints - he banned irrational idiots who thoughtlessly parrot right-wing talking points.

Ghost 072 asked you a basic question and gave you an opportunity to sit at the adult table. You came back with some 8th grade excuse as to why you couldn't answer the question. You have only yourself to blame. Stop playing the victim.

Posted by dinther Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 10:26 AM

comment #21

quintus arrius Author Profile Page says ...

Yes sir. I'll try to do better sir.

Posted by quintus arrius Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 10:28 AM

comment #22

quintus arrius Author Profile Page says ...

(didn't ban viewpoints? maybe you want to read what he actually SAID again?)

Posted by quintus arrius Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 10:28 AM

comment #23

frankbooth Author Profile Page says ...

And quit arguing with or otherwise engaging Quintus, ya dolts. He's not Mgmax, he's obviously one of the gnats Wells zapped. DirtyBusybodyEOTWJessieHelms.

You're feeding his ego. You're as silly as the fools who try to earnestly and rationally argue with D.Z.

Posted by frankbooth Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 10:28 AM

comment #24

DarthCorleone Author Profile Page says ...

Those were the most brilliant examples of foot-in-mouth that I've ever seen. And to think that guy was Bush's brain. It's shameful how positions are taken in modern political discourse that are purely in support of the team or to create an expedient soundbite with no rationality or consistency whatsoever. Keep propping these guys up, and America will never move forward.

As for Obama's appearance on Bill O'Reilly, I thought he represented his positions well and explained exactly how his views on the surge are not a flip-flop, or whatever dismissive, rah-rah, bullshit way you want to categorize them. God forbid our potential leader actually considers complexities of situations and takes a moment to THINK.

Posted by DarthCorleone Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 11:08 AM

comment #25

Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page says ...

frankbooth,

I understand the larger merits of your argument, but my responding to quintus, with whom I admit an entire lack of previous acquaintence, doesn't make me a dolt, QED. I responded, as a psychiatrist (well, not legally), to what I saw as the very same overfed ego you make mention of. You say the cocksucker's been banned, and his mere appearance here is an affront to the camp generally? I stand corrected, and not in some small way humbled, and will make no further attempt at intercourse with the miserable fuck whose name I won't speak again. Obviously, I have spent the last two days, entire, watching "Deadwood" episodes on DVD. Now THERE was a show!

Posted by Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 11:14 AM

comment #26

CMAC Author Profile Page says ...

Call me a misogynist, but she lost me the first time I heard her say "hockey mom" with that nasally Alaskan/Canadian accent"

Monument I have to take exception to that remark. I as a Canadian and being from the the North West do not have a nasal "accent" nor do most Canadians I know (I have lived all over the Country and in the US, have family still living in the US) and I can safely say that "nasal" is not the way I would describe a Canadian accent. Now one would argue that many Canadians tend to pronounce words that end with "out" that sound like "boot" or more commonly "oat' (as in Quaker Oats). That I would agree with in particular in the east from Ontario on to the Maritimes. The "oo" sound is derivitive of the heavy French influence in our culture. Again more predominently in the east.

Having said that, listening to Governor Palin speak, made my ears bleed. A one point in the speech I found my fork at my own throat. Scary but true.
Which brings me to; was it the content or the SOUND of her voice. I going to go with content.

These are exciting but scary times and until you've walked in our shoes up here, you can't truly appreciate how what happens down your way, deeply affects what happens up our way. So we all have a stake in this.

The line from Maximus in Ridley Scott's Gladiator comes to mind;
"What we do in life, echoes in Eternity"

Posted by CMAC Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 11:44 AM

comment #27

Teacher's Pets Author Profile Page says ...

"It's easy to call people cowards when all the whips are on your side, hombre. Very, very easy."
(I'm not responding to Q, just the attitude this represents, so don't get on me about it)

I'm about to lose it on these right-wingers who try to play the victim/underdog/outsider card all the goddam time. In addition to being substantially supported by the richest and most elite segments of society, it was YOU dumb motherfuckers who've been in charge for the last decade.

I heard some asshole talking about how the failure of the democrats to turn things around in less than two years absolves Republicans somehow.

Look, I hate the spinelessness Democrats have shown as much as everyone else, but blaming them is like the parent of a mentally impaired kid who is trashing the aisles of a grocery store blaming a janitor for not cleaning up fast enough.

Posted by Teacher's Pets Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 11:59 AM

comment #28

Monument Author Profile Page says ...

CMAC, I apologize to you and any other Canadians who were offended my "nasal" slur. I will only say that people with accents are often unable to hear them, or think that they don't have one. I used to date a girl from Wisconsin, she told me once that she thought her accent had gone away. It hadn't, not by a long shot, she just couldn't hear it.

Posted by Monument Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 12:06 PM

comment #29

Richardson Author Profile Page says ...

"(didn't ban viewpoints? maybe you want to read what he actually SAID again?)"

Yeah, guys! When Jeff specifically said, "It's not what you believe or feel as much as the electric-ascendant or mind- numbing expression of same that counts" it's obvious he meant the exact opposite of that!

I think it's great that quintus has so little faith in the arguments his own side makes that he thinks they will all inherently be "crude", "belligerent", "tedious", and that they all come off like "wingnuts".

Posted by Richardson Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 12:08 PM

comment #30

Richardson Author Profile Page says ...

Just out of curiosity -- did Wells actually ban anybody or just threaten to? because I noticed Walter made a post well enough after the "purge" was announced, and it made me wonder if Jeff actually got around to banning anybody.

Posted by Richardson Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 12:09 PM

comment #31

62Lincoln Author Profile Page says ...

"...did Wells actually ban anybody or just threaten to? "
Seen any posts from Mgmax lately?

Posted by 62Lincoln Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 12:28 PM

comment #32

Richardson Author Profile Page says ...

Not since the one where he swore he wasn't going to post here anymore because of Jeff's post.

Posted by Richardson Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 12:29 PM

comment #33

CMAC Author Profile Page says ...

Thank you Monument.

I'm wondering what people thought of McCain's speech last night. I have to say aside from the rhetoric it I found dull, uninspired and tired (in particular, in the delivery). I was secretly hoping he would come out swinging and blow us out of the water because I remember (yes I'm old enough) the "actual maverick/wildcard" he was. Then the fight would be ON. I wanted drama fireworks tears.
It was sorely lacking.

Everyone knows his backstory, they never let us forget. I(t`s become like watching the 3rd or 4th sequels to "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"). So re-telling again and again becomes tedious and smacks of, lacking anything else, being a surviving prisoner of war the only reason and qualification in becoming the President of the United States.

Yes there parts that were levelled at the current administration but no serious hits, very general and some aimed at the Dem Congress. (which I find comical since it's only been two years)

But if I'm not mistaken sections of his speech seemed literally "stolen" from Obama's speech. Some parts sounded awfully familiar. Original? I think not.

Also, if I was one of his strategists, I would seriously make him drink a Red Bull before he has to speak. I realize the man is elderly but come on. It seemed to go on for years.

For me the most exciting moments were the brief shots of "caught" protesters being dragged out and the fellow in the bleeds holding the sign that read "McCain Votes Against Vets".

In all sincerity, due respect to his service in the Military. But I can't help thinking about Jon Stewart's comment the other night about Quantanamo Bay being "an excellent training ground for future heads of State".

Gives me pause.

Posted by CMAC Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 1:21 PM

comment #34

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

Can we stop pretending Karl Rove is smart?

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 1:27 PM

comment #35

iamwhoiam Author Profile Page says ...

What difference does it make, when the new polls have Obama and McCain dead even. This stupidity/racism combination is stunning.

Posted by iamwhoiam Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 1:45 PM

comment #36

Richardson Author Profile Page says ...

iam - the highest McCain is doing in any poll is tied with Obama. And that's way off the median for most of the polls. Obama is topping 50% in more polls than he is tied with McCain in.

Posted by Richardson Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 1:48 PM

comment #37

Richardson Author Profile Page says ...

(and he's sniping off formerly red states left and right. North Dakota is tipping!)

Posted by Richardson Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 1:49 PM

comment #38

Craptastic Author Profile Page says ...

I think everyone here should go outside and read a book.

Posted by Craptastic Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 2:31 PM

comment #39

George Prager Author Profile Page says ...

What book?

Posted by George Prager Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 2:47 PM

comment #40

Richardson Author Profile Page says ...

why would I go outside to read a book? If I was able to go outside (ie: not be at work), I wouldn't spend the time reading. I read on the subway, I read at lunch, but if I'm outside, I'm enjoying being outside.

Posted by Richardson Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 2:55 PM

comment #41

George Prager Author Profile Page says ...

I'm reading "Good as Gold" by Joseph Heller. Timely stuff. There's a neo-con named Lieberman in the book who is just like Joe Lieberman.

Posted by George Prager Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 3:18 PM

comment #42

Richardson Author Profile Page says ...

George - I never cared much for 'Good As Gold', but 'Picture This' is a wonderful book. (I assume nobody would be reading 'Good as Gold' if they hadn't already read 'Catch 22' and 'Something Happened').

I was also surprised that 'No Laughing Matter' and 'Portrait of an artist as an old Man' were as good as they were.

Posted by Richardson Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 3:52 PM

comment #43

JapAdapters Author Profile Page says ...

*runs outside and burns a book*

Wait, you said read? I guess the spirit of Sarah Palin overtook me.

Posted by JapAdapters Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 4:23 PM

comment #44

Ross Author Profile Page says ...

Video's been removed, watch it on The Daily Show site:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

Posted by Ross Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 4:34 PM

comment #45

tfresca Author Profile Page says ...

I'm not calling Republicans racist or anyone racist for that matter but at this point I feel people are looking for an excuse to NOT vote for Obama. Considering the state of the country right now that shouldn't even be an option. I went to a pro Hillary Clinton message board and ALL the posters were women pledging loyalty to Mccain because "Pailin" spoke to them. Forgetting that Pailin is on the opposite of just about every issue Clinton was. Nobody in this election is talking substance it's all rhetoric on both sides. NObody gives specifics so they can't really be questioned. THis is different than just 25 years ago when you had Ross Perot writing books about his plans for the country and people mentioning specific ideas. I have little hope for us at this point.

Posted by tfresca Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 8:18 PM

comment #46

SpinDozer Author Profile Page says ...

The Change-Meister

Posted by SpinDozer Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:07 PM

comment #47

D.Z. Author Profile Page says ...

MDOC: "Republicans are having fun right now, they always are the ones being called racist and biased. It's an ugly thing to be called racist, how do you come back? You can't blame them for having a little fun pushing back."

It'd be better if they proved they weren't racist the way Dems prove that they're not "appeasers".

quintus: "Obama is now for the surge after he was against it,"

No, he said that things are improving, not that the surge is working.

"It's easy to call people cowards when all the whips are on your side, hombre."

You called people like Max Cleland cowards when whips weren't at your side.

Posted by D.Z. Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:38 PM

comment #48

George Prager Author Profile Page says ...

Richardson: I'm liking "Good as Gold." I like the subject matter. Maybe I'll check out "Picture This.'

Posted by George Prager Author Profile Page at September 6, 2008 9:35 AM

comment #49

Chicago48 Author Profile Page says ...

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

Jeff, you must headline this -- it's so scary. (McCain)

Posted by Chicago48 Author Profile Page at September 6, 2008 7:03 PM

comment #50

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

D.Z., he absolutely said the surge succeeded, and then made the very valid point that we have failed to force the Iraqis to fully take advantage of that success. You are the least informed liberal I've ever seen. As my mother says in the kitchen, stop helping.

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at September 7, 2008 11:51 PM

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