The Intellectual Weakness of The Fourth Estate [CBD]

The Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect is a recurrent theme around these parts, and we all have examples we can trot out to expose the stupidity of the media.

This one might be my favorite though .....Imagine a large industrial corporation that produces hundreds of thousands of relatively expensive products with just 14,000 workers. The market for their products is quite literally the entire United States, and the math --really just arithmetic -- says that those 14,000 workers are a tiny part of the market. Yet the brilliant media accepts unquestioningly the weak-minded analysis that Henry Ford raised his workers' wages so that they could become consumers of his products.

"Henry Ford understood this when he paid his workers high enough wages to buy his cars. Today's titans of the economy appear to have forgotten the lesson."

Math doesn't lie. This is a moronic supposition that should have been rejected after 10 seconds of doodling on a scratch pad.

After thousands of examples of the intellectual flaccidity and inferiority of the journalists in our midst, we have to accept the fact that they are not the best and the brightest. They are, overwhelmingly, college students who couldn't handle college math, couldn't manage to do the work to pass Biology 101 and Chemistry 101, and were daunted by the prospect of reading a bunch of long books with lots of facts in them, so history was not an option either.

So what was left? (fill in the blank)_____ Studies or Journalism.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:50 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Word.

Posted by: model_1066 at June 14, 2015 12:52 PM (WEvvb)

2 History majors, FTW!!!!

Posted by: Sean Bannion at June 14, 2015 12:52 PM (V+kmg)

3 According to the sources I've read, Ford harbored a thorough hatred of unions, and came to feel that a preemptive increase of his workers' wages was the best preventative of a union takeover of his business. I'm not sure how well it worked. Ford is certainly unionized today, but the tactic might have bought the company a number of years.

Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at June 14, 2015 12:53 PM (d2g9U)

4 Remember, the two-fold purpose of a union is to subsidize the lazy and protect the incompetent.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at June 14, 2015 12:54 PM (V+kmg)

5 Hard work instead of studies of journalism

Posted by: Skip at June 14, 2015 12:55 PM (FIt6q)

6 CBD, + 6.022 x 10^23.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at June 14, 2015 12:57 PM (u82oZ)

7 If it really worked that well, why not cut out the middle man and just give them a car?

Posted by: egd at June 14, 2015 12:58 PM (YYZCI)

8 Ford Hunger March. Wiki is good enough.
There are other events that accompany this one. Other sources you can consult.

Posted by: Quintos Kaine at June 14, 2015 12:58 PM (Nah7V)

9 By that logic, Boeing should pay all of its employees enough to buy a jumbo jet and McDonalds only needs to pay enough for them to eat at McDonalds.

Posted by: Phelps at June 14, 2015 12:58 PM (QTqVd)

10 Wasted Studies and Journalism degreed elites are who are driving Brawndo stock throught the roof.

Posted by: Roy at June 14, 2015 12:58 PM (fWLrt)

11 Same math applies to taxing the wealthy, regardless of where you draw the line.

Posted by: Diogenes at June 14, 2015 12:58 PM (08Znv)

12 Construction workers should be paid enough to buy the building they are working on.

Posted by: Jerry Seinfeld at June 14, 2015 01:02 PM (T/TcN)

13 Another one of my favorites from the left is:

"The Clean Water Act cleaned up the country's water pollution!"

As if it were some magic bullet.

As if Congress or state legislatures hadn't done anything at all with respect to water quality before 1972.

Posted by: chemjeff at June 14, 2015 01:03 PM (2XMpf)

14 "My Life and Work" by Henry Ford (pdf) available online from multiple sources.

http://www.pdfbooksworld.com/My-Life-and-Work-by-Henry-Ford

Posted by: Quintos Kaine at June 14, 2015 01:04 PM (Nah7V)

15 Free..

left out the most important word...

free online

Posted by: Quintos Kaine at June 14, 2015 01:05 PM (Nah7V)

16 ok, maybe not fee at the random link posted earlier.

ok, maybe I should just go back to sleep

change my name

move to another country

shoot myself

we could take a poll.

Posted by: Quintos Kaine at June 14, 2015 01:08 PM (Nah7V)

17 Math says that 2+2=4. But we know for a fact that it is 5. So math does in fact lie to us.

Posted by: Winston Smith at June 14, 2015 01:10 PM (cIoI4)

18 My Life and Work by Henry Ford (Kindle Edition) free on Amazon.

Sorry for the mistaken assumptions.

Posted by: Quintos Kaine at June 14, 2015 01:11 PM (Nah7V)

19 Pish, Basket Weaving 101 was to hard for most intellectually challenged journalists.

Posted by: Gmac- Pulling in feelers in preperation... at June 14, 2015 01:12 PM (4CRfK)

20 "Henry Ford understood this when he paid his workers high enough wages
to buy his cars. Today's titans of the economy appear to have forgotten
the lesson."
===

Good thing he didn't build yachts!

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:13 PM (hoiM7)

21 One of the issues here is that those who "can" do.

People who understand finance, economics, industry, science, politics, etc well enough to write about them in a "deep" way are unlikely to want to do so for peanuts for the newspapers.

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:15 PM (hoiM7)

22 "Best and brightest"

How about some humility and obedience to properly constituted and reliable standards and authority instead of the scandals our elites inflict.

Posted by: DM at June 14, 2015 01:16 PM (j/tOh)

23 You have no talent, skill, or useful attributes of any kind.

Wanna be a Journalist?

Posted by: High School Student Councilor at June 14, 2015 01:17 PM (MY+7b)

24 LA times. I had guessed the quote was from Vox. But in any case, there seems to be an overwhelming concensus in favor of the theory, so anyone who disagrees is an economic denier and should be prosecuted under RICO and locked up.

Posted by: Michael "Krugg" Mann at June 14, 2015 01:17 PM (XrHO0)

25 Conservative School of Journalism?

ha ha, make joke

Posted by: Nip Sip at June 14, 2015 01:17 PM (0FSuD)

26 CBD, + 6.022 x 10^23.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at June 14, 2015 12:57 PM (u82oZ)

What do avocados have to do with this?

Posted by: filbert at June 14, 2015 01:18 PM (h6Mpm)

27 Journalists are professional gossip hounds. Even you could do that.

Posted by: High School Student Councilor at June 14, 2015 01:18 PM (MY+7b)

28 "Henry Ford understood this when he paid his workers high enough wages
to buy his cars. Today's titans of the economy appear to have forgotten
the lesson."
===
Well, the "lesson" here is fundamentally wrong.

Ford, who probably knew a "little" bit more about running a business than some third tier journo school grad, probably knew that the labor market effectively sets the price of labor, not him.

He paid his employees what the market could bear, probably a bit on the generous side to ensure high quality labor and loyalty.

To the extent that the ability to purchase his product was a factor at all, he probably figured that if his factory workers could afford to purchase his cars, then most working Americans should be able to as well. IE, he was deliberately creating "working class" vehicles, not "luxury" ones.

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:19 PM (hoiM7)

29 You have no talent, skill, or useful attributes of any kind.

Wanna be a Journalist?

Posted by: High School Student Councilor at June 14, 2015 01:17 PM (MY+7b)

------
Are you talkin' ta me? Are you... talkin' ... ta me?

Posted by: Matt Yglesias-Bickle at June 14, 2015 01:20 PM (3F6F8)

30 Henry Ford? Another white male that, like Edison, Bell, Wright Bros, Whitney.... undoubtedly stole his ideas from oppressed classes. The automobile, like everything else, was invented by George Washington Carver but didn't get credit due to racism.

Posted by: High School Student LIV at June 14, 2015 01:21 PM (1BQGO)

31 Fourth Estate..Fifth Column...

Posted by: Mr Wizard at June 14, 2015 01:21 PM (hCdMd)

32 Ford may have been an asshole on the personal level, but by using the production line and standardized parts he brought the price of a car down to a level that average Americans could afford. The very idea that the average person could and ought to have such a luxury was in itself revolutionary.

It's something that needs to be periodically restated, because "Mass Transit! Monorail!" is still trumpeted by our betters who of course use personal transportation themselves, as their time is more valuable.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at June 14, 2015 01:22 PM (jR7Wy)

33
Though there were exceptions, I recall one of my standard comments about that sector after having left it (Beltway journalism) was that "I was never confused that I was among a bunch of rocket scientists".

But it's more complicated than that. At the "elite" levels, it's not platonic-ideal stupidity or low intellect, it's a stupid mindset. Historically and economically illiterate, all in line with a particular distorted outlook - and not as simply described as "leftism". Just as with Obama, the term "socialist" or "Marxist" is tossed around, but just as with him these people really don't have the vaguest idea about those actual (stupid, pernicious) philosophies or policy outlooks.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 01:22 PM (QDnY+)

34 #20

Excellent...

Posted by: Mr Wizard at June 14, 2015 01:22 PM (hCdMd)

35 The primary reason Ford instituted 5.00 a day was the turnover rate in his factories was so high, it interfered with his goal of ever higher production and sales. 5.00 brought that to a smoking halt. The fact that some of his newly affluent employees could now afford a car was just happy accident., and usually after a very long period of saving. 5.00 a day was 1500.00 a yaear. A car then, even a cheap one was 900-2000.00- still well out of the reach for most.

The facts are all there for anyone to see. But lazy journalist is....lazy.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 01:23 PM (Baojj)

36 looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:19 PM

That's my conclusion also.

He identified a mass market and went to meet the demands of that market.

Sam Walton did the same thing with Walmart.

Posted by: Quintos Kaine at June 14, 2015 01:23 PM (Nah7V)

37 Fact: Henry Ford started his own automobile company before moving to Hollywood and accepting the role of Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise.

Posted by: Zach Beauchamp at June 14, 2015 01:25 PM (cIoI4)

38 14
"My Life and Work" by Henry Ford (pdf) available online from multiple sources.

http://www.pdfbooksworld.com/My-Life-and-Work-by-Henry-Ford

Posted by: Quintos Kaine at June 14, 2015 01:04 PM (Nah7V)

Is this the one where he mentions how much he hates Jooos?

Posted by: Nip Sip at June 14, 2015 01:26 PM (0FSuD)

39 Posted this the other day. An illusion stration of how they just throw crap out with no critical thinking.

RAD has a radio commercial with Ryan Seacrest stating drunk drivers kill 300 people a week. "That's the equivalent of two 747 plane crashes every single week."

Wiki says a single 747 holds 400 to 600.

Be responsible. Do some work. Be accurate.

The point could still be made.

Posted by: Golfman at June 14, 2015 01:27 PM (9HX7k)

40 May I go off topic about OPM since I got their letter yesterday?

I just activated through OPM CSID their monitoring services.

And true to government stupidity or they are data mining; I was asked the following -

1. to provide email addresses other than one I entered.
2. bank account numbers.
3. credit card numbers.
4. driver's license number.
5. passport number.

Needless to say they got jack from me.

Good news though, they have zero alerts for me. And when you click on Credit Alerts it already knows about all of your open and closed credit cards.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 14, 2015 01:27 PM (S55pX)

41 There's also the work Ford did in communist Russia. During our depression lots of Americans were fooled by communist propaganda and went to the "workers paradise" had their passports confiscated and never returned.

Posted by: Beth M at June 14, 2015 01:30 PM (kiy9d)

42 Ford may have been an asshole on the personal level,

No may about it. He was a confirmed socialist, did his level best to interfere and control his employees lives, and was a notorious Jew-baiter. He was personally a mercurial man at best.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 01:30 PM (Baojj)

43 Great post, CBD.

My favorite: journalists citing the photo of the polar bear sitting plaintively on melting ice floe ... proof positive of global warming!

Except the photo was obviously taken in broad daylight, which only happens in the Arctic ... at the height of summer. So ... ice melts in the summer. Stop press.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:30 PM (oKE6c)

44 #36 Its also the conclusion of Kevin Williamson, who wrote the
"rebuttal" article to the stupid quote above (which of course I didn't read
after making my post).

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:32 PM (hoiM7)

45 I got it one piece at a time, and it didn't cost me a dime.

Posted by: Jawnni EBT at June 14, 2015 01:33 PM (0bXhD)

46

Holy crap, I read the Reason piece in the side bar about the Florida couple.

Call out the suspected neighbor. I wouldn't put up with this.

Move out of Florida.

Sue.

What is happening to the US that we all grew up in.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: SVN 1 ENG 2 at June 14, 2015 01:33 PM (qCMvj)

47 Downing Street and the Home Office are being challenged to answer in public claims that Russia and China have broken into the secret cache of Edward Snowden files

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at June 14, 2015 01:33 PM (UGWs/)

48

CBD working over time this weekend!

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: SVN 1 ENG 2 at June 14, 2015 01:33 PM (qCMvj)

49 #36 cont'd

Henry Ford knew that the key to making a car for the "great multitude" was not paying his workers more but keeping prices low, as his actual quote. . .makes clear:

"It will be so low in price that no making making a good salary will be unable to own one, and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces".

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:34 PM (hoiM7)

50
Having been on the other side of the equation WRT to "big" stories, dealing with the top-tier media, I can say that there are in fact many who are not at all dim or stupid - nor even illiterate - but the mindset (sorry, no handy term for it) is the problem. Often not *theirs*, but the collective, controlling one in the editorial structure.

Example. Non-American reporters for the big wires, covering a big story in a hot war zone, having their basic copy and reporting altered to fit the predictable line back in Paris, London, and NYC (AFT, Reuters, AP). Several times they came to me furious, apologetic, explaining that *they* had filed a different story than the one that we now saw on the web. One even had printed out his original for side-by-side. And there was the time the non-American wire reporter was hopping mad, yelling to (not at) me about the outrageous dispatch from the AP on a major incident, wherein some ridiculous anti-US nonsense was just accepted and inserted in the story.

There were a few exceptions of guys with the stature to protect their dispatches from any monkeying around back at HQ. Some of them became our go-to guys to do actual reporting, and we opened the kimono wide for them, and they did a good job (not that it mattered).

In the end it's just depressing. Journalism with a skeptical, but not tendentious, mindset can accomplish great things. It has been, indeed, one of the key elements in building successful open societies.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 01:34 PM (QDnY+)

51 Um, that's "AFP", not "AFT", duh.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 01:35 PM (QDnY+)

52 Beth M, read Victor Herman's book Coming Out of the Ice tas hat is how he ended up in the USSR. His parents went from the US to the Soviet Union to help their auto industry. Victor ended up in the gulag system. And his parents are buried under a factory in Russia.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 14, 2015 01:35 PM (S55pX)

53 A thousand years ago when I entered college as a Chemistry major I was one of many. Six months later three out of four at least were long gone.

"Too hard." "Too much math."

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 01:35 PM (MQEz6)

54 47
Downing Street and the Home Office are being challenged to answer in
public claims that Russia and China have broken into the secret cache of
Edward Snowden files
===
"We have no public comment on issues regarding national security".

Next question.

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:35 PM (hoiM7)

55 Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 01:30 PM (Baojj)
---
In what way was Ford a Socialist? Unless you mean National Socialist...

Posted by: All Hail Eris at June 14, 2015 01:35 PM (jR7Wy)

56 Oh shit, just read story on Bush's campaign in NY Slime. Looks like the asshole is going on the attack.

So once again, we eat our own. Why can't Bush get it. He's a loser.

Posted by: Nip Sip at June 14, 2015 01:36 PM (0FSuD)

57 Not having a car blows. Government ought to guarantee that everyone of legal age has access to a car if they want.

Posted by: Jesse A Myerson at June 14, 2015 01:37 PM (F1Z8f)

58 "Henry Ford understood this when he paid his workers high enough wages
to buy his cars. Today's titans of the economy appear to have forgotten
the lesson."

Therefore, McDonald's workers should be paid enough to afford McDonald's.

But Maserati assembly line workers should be paid enough to afford a Maserati?

Posted by: Don Imus at June 14, 2015 01:37 PM (oVJmc)

59 It's only funny because it's true.

Posted by: Draki at June 14, 2015 01:38 PM (JtoZF)

60 Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:30 PM (oKE6c)

Would you bet that more than a small % of journalists who do not have direct experience above the Arctic Circle know that?

They don't know fundamental scientific concepts that you and I and many around here knew as teenagers.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 14, 2015 01:38 PM (qoJbS)

61 [iTherefore, McDonald's workers should be paid enough to afford McDonald's.

But Maserati assembly line workers should be paid enough to afford a Maserati?

Posted by: Don Imus at June 14, 2015 01:37 PM (oVJmc)

Boeing workers cheer!

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:39 PM (oKE6c)

62 Every Boeing worker should have the choice of an F-15 or an F-18 in the driveway.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 14, 2015 01:39 PM (S55pX)

63 Anna, I read "The Forsaken: An American Tragedy In Stalin's Russia" It was heartbreaking. Over 100,000 Americans went over there, most never made it back. I'll check out the one you mention!

Posted by: Beth M at June 14, 2015 01:41 PM (kiy9d)

64 42
Ford may have been an asshole on the personal level,

No may about it. He was a confirmed socialist, did his level best to
interfere and control his employees lives, and was a notorious
Jew-baiter. He was personally a mercurial man at best.
===
Ford's personal anti-Semitism was widely known. In fact, Adolf Hitler cited Ford as a personal inspiration (really).

In an unprecedented move, in 1997 the Ford Motor Company paid for an adless run of the movie "Schindler's list" to appear on commercial broadcast TV.

They publically denied it (of course they would), but many believe that this was in part a form of "atonement" for Ford's historical anti-Semitism.

See here: http://tinyurl.com/cg25any

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:41 PM (hoiM7)

65 In the future what should be the pay rate for guys that work in the Fembot factories?

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 01:41 PM (MQEz6)

66 Would you bet that more than a small % of journalists who do not have direct experience above the Arctic Circle know that?

They don't know fundamental scientific concepts that you and I and many around here knew as teenagers.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 14, 2015 01:38 PM (qoJbS)

It's true. Just like when "Barry" was surprised to find out that aluminum is not ferromagnetic. Don't kids play with magnets in Indonesia?

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:41 PM (oKE6c)

67 62
Every Boeing worker should have the choice of an F-15 or an F-18 in the driveway.
===

Could I get an F-22 Raptor?

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:42 PM (hoiM7)

68 "So once again, we eat our own. Why can't Bush get it. He's a loser."

The GOPe told him he was special and he believed it.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at June 14, 2015 01:42 PM (KVS7H)

69 eman this video should give an inkling of the doom that awaits such workers - https://youtu.be/5a9JOE3_uAs

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 14, 2015 01:42 PM (S55pX)

70
62 Every Boeing worker should have the choice of an F-15 or an F-18 in the driveway.
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 14, 2015 01:39 PM (S55pX)

F-15 for commuting to work and getting groceries.

F-18 for the weekend.

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (MQEz6)

71 "Could I get an F-22 Raptor?"

Lockheed.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (KVS7H)

72 F-15 for commuting to work and getting groceries.

F-18 for the weekend.

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (MQEz6)

747 for summer vacation trips.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (oKE6c)

73 In what way was Ford a Socialist? Unless you mean National Socialist...
Posted by: All Hail Eris at June 14, 2015 01:35 PM (jR7Wy)

Ford used his employees as guinea pigs in his social experimentation. He tried in various ways to extend his control over his employees through housing, education and daily life. This was loooong before the Nazis were even a serious political party.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (Baojj)

74 9 By that logic, Boeing should pay all of its employees enough to buy a jumbo jet and McDonalds only needs to pay enough for them to eat at McDonalds.
Posted by: Phelps at June 14, 2015 12:58 PM (QTqVd)

I'm calling threadwinner.

Posted by: rickl at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (sdi6R)

75 "They don't know fundamental scientific concepts that you and I and many around here knew as teenagers."

Not just journalists.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at June 14, 2015 01:45 PM (OCcU9)

76 I like this idea of paying people enough to buy the product they make.

Journalists... how much does your paper sell for, daily? The boss has a dollar for you every time something you write gets in the paper.

Posted by: BurtTC at June 14, 2015 01:45 PM (Dj0WE)

77 Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:41 PM (oKE6c)

Only when they are learning how to make triggers for suicide vests.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 14, 2015 01:47 PM (qoJbS)

78 During the TVA era, Henry Ford laid out a compete Ford assembly town in Florence Al. (or maybe it was Mussel Shoals, same difference) Streets, powerlines etc. The only thing missing were the factories themselves. He then used this as leverage against the unions saying 'Push too hard and I'll move everything to Alabama for cheap workers and cheap electric power'.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 01:47 PM (rwI+c)

79 In the future what should be the pay rate for guys that work in the Fembot factories?

A Fembot per week?

Posted by: JoeF. at June 14, 2015 01:48 PM (g3EXi)

80 68
"So once again, we eat our own. Why can't Bush get it. He's a loser."

The GOPe told him he was special and he believed it.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at June 14, 2015 01:42 PM (KVS7H)

The sad thing about the story is they specifically say they are going to attack Rubio and Walker.

Asshole is going to fcuk this up and still not get the nomination.

Posted by: Nip Sip at June 14, 2015 01:48 PM (0FSuD)

81 Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (Baojj)
---
I was just being facetious there, Bill. And employees, even desperate ones, are still free agents who can leave if they find the social engineering too oppressive.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at June 14, 2015 01:49 PM (jR7Wy)

82 In the future what should be the pay rate for guys that work in the Fembot factories?

Nothing extra in the pay packet but the fringe benefits are extraordinary.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 01:50 PM (rwI+c)

83
And of course along with the pernicious anti-US, anti-military, anti-western, anti-freedom mindset (simplifying/exaggerating a bit on those terms, but hey comments section) goes the groupthink peer pressure dynamic.

One BBC reporter (they cycled through every few months) "came out" to me one day - literally talking low, in a furtive manner, one day during a lunch break - that he couldn't believe the inverted moral framework/attitude of the western press in our location. He noted that the enemy the US and its allies were fighting were as evil and vile as the Nazis had been, obviously so, yet the focus was always on the slightest possible misstep byan American soldier.

Framework and mindset, more than simple intellectual incapacity, are the downfall of journalism (at least when it comes to big war/peace stories). And as with so much - Vietnam War. Not the war itself, but the disastrously distorted/inaccurate "reporting"on it, andreaction to it, by American society and institutions. journalism on big topics.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 01:50 PM (QDnY+)

84 QC is the place to be in the Fembot factory.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 01:50 PM (rwI+c)

85 n the future what should be the pay rate for guys that work in the Fembot factories?

-
Everybody gets an O'Donnell but only the elite get an Upton.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at June 14, 2015 01:50 PM (LImiJ)

86 Ford's personal anti-Semitism was widely known. In fact, Adolf Hitler cited Ford as a personal inspiration (really).

In an unprecedented move, in 1997 the Ford Motor Company paid for an adless run of the movie "Schindler's list" to appear on commercial broadcast TV.

They publically denied it (of course they would), but many believe that this was in part a form of "atonement" for Ford's historical anti-Semitism.

See here: http://tinyurl.com/cg25any

Posted by: looking closely at June 14, 2015 01:41 PM (hoiM7)

Yah, that's well known at least amongst people who dig a little bit into the history.

I thought Ford presenting Schindler's List without interruption remarkable, if not unheard of. They probably did do that for absolution. But as far as I care, the problem with Ford's anti-Semitism ended when he died in '48.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 01:52 PM (Baojj)

87 3 According to the sources I've read, Ford harbored a thorough hatred of unions, and came to feel that a preemptive increase of his workers' wages was the best preventative of a union takeover of his business. I'm not sure how well it worked. Ford is certainly unionized today, but the tactic might have bought the company a number of years.

Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at June 14, 2015 12:53 PM (d2g9U)

Of course Ford did; he was an anti-semite and a fascist. This comment is why I can never feel comfortable with "conservatives". "They" believe that they did it all if they founded a business. Nonsense and balderdash! It takes good, dedicated workers on all levels of the business to make it a success. No problem for the entrepreneur and capitalist to get good returns on their magnificent efforts, but SO SHOULD THE "WORKERS". And, yeah, I have no love for most unions and most are corrupt -- but unions have often been the only recourse for many workers for some protection (hours, conditions, safety, child labor, etc.) and sharing of the "wealth" they help create.

Capitalistic greed and selfishness is what has turned "the people" toward evil Marxism -- in addition to people's own propensities for self-aggrandizement (freebies). But think of all the freebies the ent/cap kept for themselves from the sweat of the brow of the managers/engineers/supervisors/less-skilled workers.

Henry became insanely wealthy; gave his children bazillion $s and gifts, even during the depression in view of all the horrible suffering of others. How did his children fare? Not so well.

We all are in this together, something those calling themselves "conservatives" tend to forget. I have not yet been able to find any place better than classical liberalism, which begins with the Magna Charta -- not a product of conservatism. I abhor those who keep denigrating the idea of "liberalism" and mistaking marxist authoritariansm or fascist totalitarianism for it. The Republicans began the worst of this language dumbing-down for political purposes, as they also did by denying rights, privileges, and respect to gays and lesbians. If these Rs-Ps-R had been given willingly, there would be no corrupting of marriage. Marriage should be between a man and a woman; there are other forms of wonderful, loving partnerships for life. Christian authoritarianism is also part of the "conservative" problem. It must not dictate behaviors of others due to "divine fiats" believers believe are universal.

Posted by: pyromancer76 at June 14, 2015 01:52 PM (zvcr8)

88 yet the focus was always on the slightest possible misstep by an American soldier.

Undermining social institutions as a step to building socialism. Agitation 101.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:52 PM (oKE6c)

89
80 68
"So once again, we eat our own. Why can't Bush get it. He's a loser."

The GOPe told him he was special and he believed it.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at June 14, 2015 01:42 PM (KVS7H)

The sad thing about the story is they specifically say they are going to attack Rubio and Walker.

Asshole is going to fcuk this up and still not get the nomination.
Posted by: Nip Sip at June 14, 2015 01:48 PM (0FSuD)

Let him attack. It is the season. If Rubio and Walker can't face a clown like Jeb, better to learn it now rather than later.
I await Walker's counterstroke. His crown of skulls grows dusty and needs new guests.

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 01:53 PM (MQEz6)

90
82 In the future what should be the pay rate for guys that work in the Fembot factories?

Nothing extra in the pay packet but the fringe benefits are extraordinary.
Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 01:50 PM (rwI+c)

Quality Control is the bee's knees.

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 01:54 PM (MQEz6)

91 The Republicans began the worst of this language
dumbing-down for political purposes, as they also did by denying rights,
privileges, and respect to gays and lesbians. If these Rs-Ps-R had
been given willingly, there would be no corrupting of marriage.
Marriage should be between a man and a woman; there are other forms of
wonderful, loving partnerships for life. Christian authoritarianism is
also part of the "conservative" problem. It must not dictate behaviors
of others due to "divine fiats" believers believe are universal.

Posted by: pyromancer76 at June 14, 2015 01:52 PM (zvcr
So ... good wi-fi in the bathhouse, I take it?

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:55 PM (oKE6c)

92 Ford did pay more on average than other concerns, but he himself said it was to promote retention. The turnover rate in his early factories was horrendous. They were spending all their time training new employees.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 01:55 PM (rwI+c)

93
Nip, if Jeb savages Rubio, America gains (and Jeb will not get the nod anyway). And if Walker must face tough stuff from Jeb, then one more chance to show what he's made of, on the national level. Just spitballing, seems likely that Jeb would be coming from the idiotic GOPe angle on major issues, forcing Walker to differentiate by emphasizing the importantly different approach he does have (e.g. budget sanity and willingness to take on the catastrophic problem of public sector unions).

Can't see any harm in that. I'm assuming various things will doom Jeb's quest, perhaps a risky yet not insane assumption, so if Jeb goes after Rubio, net-net, the country benefits.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 01:56 PM (QDnY+)

94 "Henry Ford understood this when he paid his workers high enough wages to buy his cars. Today's titans of the economy appear to have forgotten the lesson."

It is weak. Additionally, Henry Ford make the conscious business decision to not install front brakes on the Model-T. Because mAtH!

Doesn't seem to fit with the revisionist narrative, now does it.....

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at June 14, 2015 01:56 PM (Y1ZL9)

95 So ... good wi-fi in the bathhouse, I take it?

The best parody since Che Che.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 01:57 PM (rwI+c)

96 The Republicans began the worst of this language
dumbing-down for political purposes, as they also did by denying rights,
privileges, and respect to gays and lesbians. If these Rs-Ps-R had
been given willingly, there would be no corrupting of marriage.
Marriage should be between a man and a woman; there are other forms of
wonderful, loving partnerships for life. Christian authoritarianism is
also part of the "conservative" problem. It must not dictate behaviors
of others due to "divine fiats" believers believe are universal.

Posted by: pyromancer76 at June 14, 2015 01:52 PM (zvcr
Homosexuals have been disparaged throughout history in almost every culture except Greek. Nothing to do with Republicans per se. For example, Prop. 8 passed in California with thunderous support from ... blacks, Democrats virtually to a man.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 01:57 PM (oKE6c)

97 Ford used his employees as guinea pigs in his social experimentation. He tried in various ways to extend his control over his employees through housing, education and daily life. This was loooong before the Nazis were even a serious political party.
Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 01:43 PM (Baojj)

See also: Hershey.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at June 14, 2015 01:58 PM (Y1ZL9)

98 If Rubio and Walker can't face a clown like Jeb, better to learn it now rather than later.

Oh man. I can't imagine what sort of personal destruction awaits he who is so bold as to challenge Team Hillary! 2016. Remember how they had several dozen reporters sifting through every single email of Palin's after she was out of office.

Yeah, let's see what ol Jebba can do.

Posted by: Snoodling World Champion 1997 at June 14, 2015 01:59 PM (Q819Q)

99 Apropos of nothing except exploitation, I was thinking about what might have been if a group of Southern planters had decided to institute a Scottish Laird system of crofters and sharecroppers to replace chattel slavery in the 1830s. They basically did that after the war anyway.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:00 PM (rwI+c)

100 Homosexuals have been disparaged throughout history in almost every culture except Greek.

The Greeks referred to it as "the unnatural act", so they weren't exactly pro homo. But they tolerated it quite a bit.

Posted by: Snoodling World Champion 1997 at June 14, 2015 02:00 PM (Q819Q)

101 Awesome idea, Henry! Please have the government send me (a taxpayer) my share of the largesse that our Congresscritters bestow upon the poor masses. So that I can continue to send these Deewbs to DC for more humor opportunities. Take it out of the existing Congresscritters salaries.

Thanks!

Posted by: dissent555 at June 14, 2015 02:01 PM (yR6A1)

102 I was just being facetious there, Bill. And employees, even desperate ones, are still free agents who can leave if they find the social engineering too oppressive.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at June 14, 2015 01:49 PM (jR7Wy)

Sorry 'bout that. You having been here this long, I should know better.

Their problem was they weren't free to leave- the money was just too good compared to other automakers at the time. I mean, yah- they were free to leave. But going down the road to the Studebaker plant meant wages were 1/2 what they were at Ford. A squeaky fresh and new immigrant all of a sudden sees their wages double? You're damn straight they're gonna put up with whatever crap the boss tosses at them.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 02:02 PM (Baojj)

103 I abhor those who keep denigrating the idea of "liberalism" and mistaking marxist authoritariansm or fascist totalitarianism for it.

I welcome your abhorrence.

...and giggle at your utter lack of recognizing logical ends.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at June 14, 2015 02:02 PM (Y1ZL9)

104
100 Homosexuals have been disparaged throughout history in almost every culture except Greek.

The Greeks referred to it as "the unnatural act", so they weren't exactly pro homo. But they tolerated it quite a bit.
Posted by: Snoodling World Champion 1997 at June 14, 2015 02:00 PM (Q819Q)

The crowbar hadn't been invented yet.

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 02:03 PM (MQEz6)

105 The Greeks referred to it as "the unnatural act", so they weren't exactly pro homo. But they tolerated it quite a bit.

Posted by: Snoodling World Champion 1997 at June 14, 2015 02:00 PM (Q819Q)
I'm so glad you didn't say "pro bono."

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:03 PM (oKE6c)

106 Beating up the media infantry is a pleasant diversion, but look at what's happening to the media industry. The little media enlisted people find themselves swimming in a pool that's shrinking dramatically. Newspapers, big networks, cable news (with Fox being the -least- affected), all under stress.

The only news outlets that have a chance are the ones moving to niche venues, mostly in social media. Those poor kids. thousands of them, disgorged by Big Education every year without a clue about how the real world works, don't have a chance.

Posted by: mrp at June 14, 2015 02:04 PM (JBggj)

107 Look ma, a pony that doesn't crap or need food.

http://tinyurl.com/o453uuu

Posted by: Nip Sip at June 14, 2015 02:04 PM (0FSuD)

108 Check out this Canadian joke (space inserted into the link) http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/

new-ad-campaign-touts-the-value-of-professional-journalism-more-important-than-ever

Posted by: yoptvoimat at June 14, 2015 02:05 PM (Q4sxC)

109 A rising tide of economic activity frees the workingman. He sees his value rise without any particular effort or luck on his part.

The problems our country is facing could all be ameliorated with a decade of 5 or 6% real GDP increases.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:06 PM (rwI+c)

110 @107

The entire video

http://tinyurl.com/ph5eecv

Posted by: Nip Sip at June 14, 2015 02:06 PM (0FSuD)

111 Those poor kids. thousands of them, disgorged by
Big Education every year without a clue about how the real world works,
don't have a chance.

Posted by: mrp at June 14, 2015 02:04 PM (JBggj)

Just think of the graduates of the Gaia Democratic School. Boy, are THEY in for a ball-jarring shock when they go out into the world.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:06 PM (oKE6c)

112 Those poor kids. thousands of them, disgorged by Big Education every year without a clue about how the real world works, don't have a chance.

The Party will need Kommissars.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:07 PM (rwI+c)

113
pyromancer, your thinking is flabby and emotionally tinged - i.e., it's not really thinking.

Marriage predates Christianity by a quadrillion years, obviously flows from biological and social logic and common sense, and was not founded to deny "rights" to a tiny minority. Plural marriage in some cultures almost always arose as a practical, primitive social safety-net response to husbands dying off leaving families. All very practical reasons for most things, not "philosophical". As for marriage redefinition today, no practical rationale for it whatever. Any "inequities" (tax code, legal/$$$ stuff) are first of all just one more set among many, and secondly can be fixed by the opposite of what is being done: take the social engineering out of the tax code , and voilaany contractural relationship can be established w/out even engaging social/religious/cultural norms or objections.

As for feeling comfortable with "conservatives" you (and many others here) should stop being lazy and tribalistic and drop the label-focus and, uh, think and do the ditch-digging you need to do. Your gauzy "you didn't build that" perspective on economic growth and enterprise is factually flawed. The social cost and suffering involved in the (early) building of modern industrial economies was literally undetectible on the scale of human history, while the direct result of same (modern industrial economies) are the greatest advance for the most people in species history, by orders of magnitude.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 02:07 PM (QDnY+)

114 Polygamy has a longer and wider lineage of cultural acceptance than homo sex.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:09 PM (rwI+c)

115 Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:06 PM (rwI+c)

Sorry, we live within a giant vote-buying machine.

Politicians say buy the votes now with borrowed money and fuck the future cuz we'll be dead when the shit hits the fan.

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 02:09 PM (MQEz6)

116 114
Polygamy has a longer and wider lineage of cultural acceptance than homo sex.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:09 PM (rwI+c)

This! (and goats)

Posted by: Mohamed, the goat fucker at June 14, 2015 02:11 PM (0FSuD)

117 Henry became insanely wealthy; gave his children bazillion $s and gifts, even during the depression in view of all the horrible suffering of others. How did his children fare? Not so well.

Dude, before you flap your gums, take a little time and learn a little about your intended subject.

Henry and Clara had one son- that was it. One child. His name was Edsel. He had a gift for styling and design. He was the one behind the '32 restyle. he was also a depressive guy owing to the fact his father treated him with complete disdain bordering on outright contempt. Yes- Edsel was wealthy. It did him absolutely no good, falling ill and dying in '40. Henry's relationship with Edsel did rather a lot to contribute to his early grave.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 02:11 PM (Baojj)

118 106 "Those poor kids. thousands of them, disgorged by Big Education every
year without a clue about how the real world works, don't have a chance."

Yeah, it's a perpetual motion machine. New serfs every year to become government dependents afterwards.

And then they breed!

Posted by: dissent555 at June 14, 2015 02:11 PM (yR6A1)

119 All very practical reasons for most things, not "philosophical".

Male homosexuality has been deprecated not for philosophical or theological, but rather for public health reasons, that later became enshrined in various religions. Rather like prohibitions on eating pork or shellfish.

And yeah, I know, the next argument is going to be that the dietary restrictions are now outdated, because eating pork and shellfish no longer pose a threat. But that's not true of (male) homosexuality; it's still a disease vector for STDs generally, and AIDS in particular.

So, in summary, eat pork, not dork.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:12 PM (oKE6c)

120 On the other hand-

Lab Grown Boobs!!!

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27712-boob-

tubes-breast-grown-in-lab-will-test-cancer-

treatments.html#.VX3CeGCe3Wh

So, who will be the Henry Ford of Boobs?

Posted by: naturalfake at June 14, 2015 02:12 PM (KUa85)

121 I think that as a practical matter, the new 3rd Party needs to be an outrageous Populist Party. Protectionist and possibly Nativist. In economics, it is shortsighted but not suicidal. I don't think that we can get a real Classical Liberal party going until the pendulum starts to swing back.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:13 PM (rwI+c)

122 Well...what the hell are idiots like Brian Williams, Katie Couric, Shepherd Smith, Bill O'Reilly and Chelsea Clinton supposed to do you morons.

Posted by: Zombie Walter Cronkite at June 14, 2015 02:13 PM (JG47A)

123 This theory still doesn't explain why Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, consumed more liters of Chivas Regal than the Kennedy Compound.

Posted by: Fritz at June 14, 2015 02:14 PM (GFrM3)

124 Populism also allows short and simple soundbites for the LIV.

You don't got because someone took from you! Who did? Democrats!

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 14, 2015 02:16 PM (rwI+c)

125 Is that Mike Flynn add a joke? AdBlock didn't Block it.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 14, 2015 02:16 PM (dRtHa)

126 Just think of the graduates of the Gaia Democratic School. Boy, are THEY in for a ball-jarring shock when they go out into the world.

Not if former Gaia graduates are running that world.
They could give them some phoney baloney jobs and
pay them with worthless money.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at June 14, 2015 02:17 PM (W5DcG)

127 See also: Hershey.
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Suntanning in Bizzaro World at June 14, 2015 01:58 PM (Y1ZL9)

I had heard some rumbling in that direction, but never checked out it since I'm not much of a chocolate guy. Doesn't surprise me, though. A lot of people through the teens and on into the forties felt that this was the way forward, into the New Age.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 02:17 PM (Baojj)

128
Again, polygamy in most cases started as a practical response to reality. Warriors in warrior cultures (Arab bedouin) always on the move were killed, their families would starve without another breadwinner, basically new husband substituted for a collective social safety net. Similar situation in many African societies. Not some philosophically distinctive approach to marriage - just an expedient real life adaptation. Of course plural marriage later evolved into a power equation (economic ability, plus desire to create many heirs/followers).

But redefining marriage fundamentally, in a biological sense of two of the same gender, would be entirely a philosophical move, not practical (and I'm agnostic on the issue). A cultural question not to be settled by courts. But the authoritarian instinct among "Americans" (pyromancer for example) to compel the masses to adopt their particular outlook now is supreme, and the institutions set up to modulate/block that are essentially broken.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 02:19 PM (QDnY+)

129 A lot of people through the teens and on into the forties felt that this was the way forward, into the New Age.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 02:17 PM (Baojj)

Fascism was very popular until Adolf put it in bad odor. FDR among others was much taken with what today is called "private-public cooperation."

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:21 PM (oKE6c)

130 Adding to what others have said about fascism's fashionability pre-1939, Mussolini was somewhat the darling of the early social engineers. "Make the trains run on time" - I think? - was in fact a reference to the desirable order that a "stronger hand" was bringing to parts of Europe that were quite a mess during following WWI and during the depression.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 14, 2015 02:23 PM (QDnY+)

131 As I have pointed out, today is June the 14th, Flag Day.

It's an important day for me, not only because of the flag, and manifest American pride, but because it is also my dad's birthday anniversary.

My dad always had a flag up. I still break out his 48 star flag and run it up the pole for a few minutes every June 14th. It's becoming tattered, and so I only put it up to air it out for a few minutes.

After that, and for the rest of the day, I fly up the 'Big' flag, which is a little about 30% larger than the usual nylon flag, it's also made from cotton bunting, just like my dad's.

Anyhow, here's a (certified clean) link to a pic of the flag over Ft. Hammer today:
http://tinyurl.com/pouh7k3

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 14, 2015 02:24 PM (F2IAQ)

132 There is a glaring exception to this rule of journalism being a refuge for the intellectually deficient: sports journalism. Say what you will about reporters in general, the sports guys really know their stuff. The pantheon of the names behind the inspired commentary lives on in our culture: "Red" Ruffinsore, "Crusty" Jerksock, Oscar Madison, George Will. A few such as Keith Olbermann and Bob Costas went on to become respected social commentators. Others such as George Will found themselves unable to move on from sports reporting.

But please, credit where credit is due.

Posted by: Edgar Allan Schmoe at June 14, 2015 02:24 PM (0A2li)

133 so bureaucrats should be paid enough to buy all the regulations they write..?

Posted by: mallfly at June 14, 2015 02:28 PM (qSIlh)

134 Fascism was very popular until Adolf put it in bad odor. FDR among others was much taken with what today is called "private-public cooperation."
Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:21 PM (oKE6c)

FDR was an admirer of Uncle Joe, and tried as much as he could to emulate all of what he saw in Communism as "good". He got away with it because of this complete ignorance on the part of the electorate- the uneducated simply because they didn't know better, and the educated because they knew better bur didn't give a fuck about the consequences. People didn't finally start seeing through this bullshit until the Iron Curtain came down.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 02:28 PM (Baojj)

135 Olberman and Costas respected social commentators?

You're not from around here are ya.
Between that and some of the comments I've read on marriage, I'm gone.

Posted by: teej at June 14, 2015 02:29 PM (H8mJH)

136 132

You forgot the sarc tag.

Posted by: Ronster at June 14, 2015 02:29 PM (8WDL/)

137 Wut up.

Posted by: EC at June 14, 2015 02:30 PM (cJ1t+)

138 You forgot the sarc tag.
Posted by: Ronster
---------------------------

Troll, possibly. Hash has never appeared here before.

Posted by: Hmm. at June 14, 2015 02:32 PM (F2IAQ)

139 200th anniversary of Waterloo is coming up this week: Hot Times in Belgium

coupla hundred Brits held out all day under constant attack at that farmhouse compound at the base of the ridge. Balls of steel...........

that kind of courage needs to be honored and remembered

Posted by: Biggie Large at June 14, 2015 02:32 PM (8CdUx)

140 Just got news from the boy.

He's in Israel, getting his Hebrew on with his sisters in the IDF.

Bring one one, son!

Posted by: EC at June 14, 2015 02:33 PM (cJ1t+)

141 Home

Posted by: EC at June 14, 2015 02:33 PM (cJ1t+)

142 You forgot the sarc tag.
Posted by: Ronster

With names like Crusty Jerksock and Oscar Madison was a sarc tag really necessary?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at June 14, 2015 02:34 PM (W5DcG)

143 I wonder what took the French so long to surrender that day?

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 14, 2015 02:34 PM (dRtHa)

144 The Belgians are making a Coin to commemorate Waterloo over much Butthurt from the French.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 14, 2015 02:35 PM (dRtHa)

145 Crusty Jerksock is my neighbor.

Posted by: Ronster at June 14, 2015 02:35 PM (8WDL/)

146 So, who will be the Henry Ford of Boobs?

Posted by: naturalfake at June 14, 2015 02:12 PM (KUa85)
---
Dagmar bumpers for the common (wo)man!

Posted by: All Hail Eris at June 14, 2015 02:37 PM (jR7Wy)

147 2 and half Euro.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 14, 2015 02:38 PM (dRtHa)

148 I believe that Woodrow Wilson's presidency will give Barry's White House Follies competition for the title of 'the worst administration in US history'.

Posted by: mrp at June 14, 2015 02:39 PM (JBggj)

149 Sports commentators know a lot about their specific sports ONLY and ONLY BECAUSE their target audience knows so much about the subject in such detail.

If they tried to pull what is pulled regularly on 2A, firearms in general, law enforcement, legal decisions, science, sociology, evolutionary biology, statistics and tax policy they would be laughed off the continent, lose their jobs and their media employer might well send a goon out yearly to set the appliance boxes they moved into on fire.

There is a solution in that, somewhere, but I'll be damned if I can see how to make it happen.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 14, 2015 02:40 PM (3pRHP)

150 Marx, like all false prophets, demands absolute and unwavering belief in his heresy to offset absolute belief in the prevailing orthodoxy.

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 02:40 PM (ry4ab)

151 Let us pray that Barry is not worse than Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 14, 2015 02:43 PM (3pRHP)

152 148 "Barry's White House Follies"

When first scanned it, my brain read "Barry White's House"

Posted by: dissent555 at June 14, 2015 02:44 PM (yR6A1)

153 Posted by: Edgar Allan Schmoe

Parallel dimension leaking through again.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at June 14, 2015 02:45 PM (UVfht)

154 Parallel dimension leaking through again.
Posted by: Blanco Basura
-----------------------------------

A leak from the Kos?

Posted by: Hmm. at June 14, 2015 02:46 PM (F2IAQ)

155 151 "Let us pray that Barry is not worse than Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan."

It's neck and neck at this point. But I've been in a generous mood today.

Posted by: dissent555 at June 14, 2015 02:46 PM (yR6A1)

156 Jay Guevara:

" Prop. 8 passed in California with thunderous support from ... blacks, Democrats virtually to a man."

Not just blacks. Prop. 8 won in Nov. '08 when Obama was taking CA in a massive landslide. In my liberal Silicon Valley neighborhood I saw people campaigning for Prop. 8, not black but none of them white (Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander etc.). Hard to believe that was less than 7 years ago, now if you question gay marriage it's like you're KKK.

Posted by: FOAF at June 14, 2015 02:48 PM (eVemY)

157 151
Let us pray that Barry is not worse than Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan.
----------------
Too late for that sentiment by many years. Pierce and Buchanan didn't do much to halt the metaphorical fire consuming the nation, but they at least tried not to throw more fuel on it. Obummer in their place would have given a speech on the cleansing nature of fire while standing on a pile of oil-soaked firewood.

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 02:48 PM (ry4ab)

158 A leak from the Kos?

Not sure. We better start patching the walls of reality, just to be safe.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at June 14, 2015 02:48 PM (UVfht)

159 Bob Costas should be the new host of Redeye.

Posted by: Boss Moss at June 14, 2015 02:49 PM (dRtHa)

160 With names like Crusty Jerksock and Oscar Madison was a sarc tag really necessary?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr.

Oscar Madison was a friend of mine. We once shared an apartment. He was a brilliant sports writer.

You sir, are no Oscar Madison.

Good Day!

Posted by: Felix Unger at June 14, 2015 02:50 PM (+1T7c)

161 132

Others such as George Will found themselves unable to move on from sports reporting.

But please, credit where credit is due.

Posted by: Edgar Allan Schmoe at June 14, 2015 02:24 PM (0A2li)

I understand that George Will did find himself a lucrative gig in the fashion commentary industry.

Posted by: antisocial justice beatnik at June 14, 2015 02:50 PM (l3LvV)

162 151 It's neck and neck at this point. But I've been in a generous mood today.

Posted by: dissent555 at June 14, 2015 02:46 PM (yR6A1)

======
Tell me about it ...

Posted by: John Brown at June 14, 2015 02:50 PM (JBggj)

163 "I'm the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat in this chair." - Barky

Uh..., no, I don't think so.

The Barker missed a really big opportunity there. If he had said, "I'm the closest thing to a woman that has sat in this chair", then the entire world would have agreed.

Posted by: Hmm. at June 14, 2015 02:50 PM (F2IAQ)

164 Not just blacks. Prop. 8 won in Nov. '08 when Obama
was taking CA in a massive landslide. In my liberal Silicon Valley
neighborhood I saw people campaigning for Prop. 8, not black but none of
them white (Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander etc.). Hard to believe
that was less than 7 years ago, now if you question gay marriage it's
like you're KKK.

Posted by: FOAF at June 14, 2015 02:48 PM (eVemY)
Yep, I just chose blacks as an exemplar. Lots of people had to support Prop. 8 to pass it.
But enjoy this time. Seven years from now, if you oppose legalizing pederasty on young teens, it'll be like you're KKK. 'Cause that's where we going.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:51 PM (oKE6c)

165 144
The Belgians are making a Coin to commemorate Waterloo over much Butthurt from the French.
-----------
It makes sense to me. Belgium exists because of the Vienna Conference whose tenets were enforced by the outcome of the Hundred Days. Bonaparte had temporarily realized the dreams of the French kings by absorbing the Flemish lands into France. If Waterloo had been a French victory Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands would not exist as independent nations.

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 02:51 PM (ry4ab)

166 I understand that George Will did find himself a lucrative gig in the fashion commentary industry.

Posted by: antisocial justice beatnik

No capes!

And no bluejeans!

Posted by: Edna Mode at June 14, 2015 02:52 PM (+1T7c)

167 ""I'm the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat in this chair." - Barky

And what could be more Jewish than inviting a demagogic antisemitic hatemonger like Al Sharpton to the White House?

Posted by: FOAF at June 14, 2015 02:53 PM (eVemY)

168 Posted by: FOAF at June 14, 2015 02:48 PM (eVemY)

Sadly.... like the TEA Party protests... Prop 8 proved to a LOT of Mid America's voters, that the system is broken... that their votes just don't matter...

So many have checked out... because its like worrying about the weather... you put on a coat when its cold... shorts when its hot... but you can't do a damn thing to change it.

The Media, and Government, have convinced the Electorate, they are powerless.

Posted by: BB Wolf at June 14, 2015 02:55 PM (qh617)

169 Sadly.... like the TEA Party protests... Prop 8 proved to a LOT of
Mid America's voters, that the system is broken... that their votes just
don't matter...

True. But OTOH, it also showed that a lot of people don't like the direction things are going.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:57 PM (oKE6c)

170 65
In the future what should be the pay rate for guys that work in the Fembot factories?
---------------------
Nothing. The fembots will be built by fully automated factories in order to prevent theft and misuse of company property. Despite the propaganda dispensed to the lumpenotaku by the anime industry, fembots will be the de rigeur accessory of trust fund IT hipsters residing in the Blue Coast sprawls.

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 02:58 PM (ry4ab)

171 I'm the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat in this chair." - Barky

I agree if he means Jews like Chomsky, Lenin, The Rosenbergs, Alinsky and Marx.

Posted by: Cruzinator at June 14, 2015 03:02 PM (rxtQa)

172 Let me amend that prior comment. the hipsters that will actually own the fembots won't have the smarts OR technical education to maintain their fembots. An entire sub-industry of bitter lower middle class technicians will be required to keep the fembots serviceable in order to service their monied beta male owners.

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 03:03 PM (ry4ab)

173 True. But OTOH, it also showed that a lot of people don't like the direction things are going.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:57 PM (oKE6c)

But as they are now convinced their votes do not matter... just how do they effect change?

Because the first rule of Jeffersonian thought.. is not to talk about Jeffersonian thought...

Posted by: BB Wolf at June 14, 2015 03:04 PM (qh617)

174 But shall I after tea and cakes and ISIS,
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?

But though I have golfed and fund raised, golfed and schmoozed.

Though I've seen my head (grown slightly grey) brought in upon a platter,

I am no leader, and here's no great matter.

I have seen the moment of my legacy flicker,
And I have seen the term limit hold my coat and snicker,

And in short I was afraid.

I am not Washington, nor was meant to be,
I am a sleazy hack, one that will do
To dupe the voters, take a bribe or two.
Sell out to special interests, no doubt an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use.
Politic, cautious, meticulous,
Reading my teleprompter, but a bit obtuse,
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous.
Almost at times, the fool.

Posted by: Thomas Stearns Obama at June 14, 2015 03:04 PM (F1Z8f)

175 An entire sub-industry of bitter lower middle class technicians will be required to keep the fembots serviceable in order to service their monied beta male owners.

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 03:03 PM (ry4ab)

H1B workers....

Posted by: BB Wolf at June 14, 2015 03:05 PM (qh617)

176 "So what was left? (fill in the blank)_____ Studies or Journalism."

Education majors. The stupidity is painful with them. Then there are psychology graduates (no math requirements)--- stay away from them.

Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at June 14, 2015 03:05 PM (xZz29)

177 169 Sadly.... like the TEA Party protests... Prop 8 proved to a LOT of
Mid America's voters, that the system is broken... that their votes just
don't matter...

True. But OTOH, it also showed that a lot of people don't like the direction things are going.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at June 14, 2015 02:57 PM (oKE6c)

As this continues the notion to Let It Burn grows in strength and popularity.

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 03:07 PM (MQEz6)

178 Then there are psychology graduates (no math requirements)--- stay away from them.
Posted by: Buckeye
--------------------------------

I see.
And when did you first begin to feel this way?

Posted by: Insipid Psych Major at June 14, 2015 03:07 PM (F2IAQ)

179 156 In my liberal Silicon Valley neighborhood I saw
people campaigning for Prop. 8, not black but none of them white
(Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander etc.). Hard to believe that was less
than 7 years ago, now if you question gay marriage it's like you're
KKK.
-------------
The Muzzies have been watching and taking notes. The next president will have to deal with Muzzies wanting the legalization of polygamy and child brides. And when the sensible answer of "hell no" is given they will point at ghey marriage and say "why not then" and then things will get awkward.

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 03:07 PM (ry4ab)

180 So if Rachel Dolezal has a kid with a White dude, can the kid claim to be of mixed race?

Posted by: eman at June 14, 2015 03:10 PM (MQEz6)

181 175
H1B workers....
------------------
I stand corrected. Bitter H1zB visa service workers who have to go home to their pregnant 17-year old wives (legally married in Blue coastal states) and listen to the bitching instead of a fembot's dulcet intonations of "What may I do for you my master?"

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 03:13 PM (ry4ab)

182 So if Rachel Dolezal has a kid with a White dude, can the kid claim to be of mixed race?
Posted by: eman
===========

From George Orwell:
-----------------
The keyword here is blackwhite. Like so many Newspeak words, this word has two mutually contradictory meanings. Applied to an opponent, it means the habit of impudently claiming that black is white, in contradiction of the plain facts. Applied to a Party member, it means a loyal willingness to say that black is white when Party discipline demands this. But it means also the ability to believe that black is white, and more, to know that black is white, and to forget that one has ever believed the contrary. This demands a continuous alteration of the past, made possible by the system of thought which really embraces all the rest, and which is known in Newspeak as doublethink. Doublethink is basically the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.

— Part II, Chapter IX — The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 14, 2015 03:13 PM (F2IAQ)

183 174
I am not Washington, nor was meant to be,

I am a sleazy hack, one that will do

To dupe the voters, take a bribe or two.

Sell out to special interests, no doubt an easy tool,

Deferential, glad to be of use.

Politic, cautious, meticulous,

Reading my teleprompter, but a bit obtuse,

At times, indeed, almost ridiculous.

Almost at times, the fool.
------------------------------------
Mighty!

Posted by: exdem13 at June 14, 2015 03:14 PM (ry4ab)

184 Helps if you're a Bullshit Artist
Things are whatever you say they are

Posted by: billypaintbrush at June 14, 2015 03:15 PM (cSSBx)

185 Of course the homage to sports writers was sarcasm. Most of them are half as bright and three times louder than the average dumbass journalist. How much more obvious could I have been?

Posted by: Edgar Allan Schmoe at June 14, 2015 03:19 PM (/f6Nd)

186 I have an undergraduate degree in journalism. I had an excellent GPA and high SAT scores. I exempted college math (i.e. journalism did not require any math beyond high school). In my first semester of chemistry I had a high average and wanted to switch to the honors science program that combined chemistry, physics, and biology. My counselor strongly advised against this, saying it was more than I needed. He and my department head blocked this move. I was only a journalist for a couple of years, but found the practical aspects of the education very useful for all subsequent careers. But the converse is the problem; the field actively discourages smart people from entering. The average journalist doesn't know enough about statistics, economics, or science to know how to ask the right questions, or spot obvious falsehoods. It is not difficult to mislead the entire field by simply appealing to authority or group think. Intellectually blunted, they go on moral crusades convinced in their tiny little minds that they are on the side of the angels.

Posted by: Ian Deal at June 14, 2015 03:20 PM (QgD01)

187 And thus, the talking head Journalists are paid enough to believe their lies.

The More You Know.

Posted by: Tom Brokejaw at June 14, 2015 03:27 PM (3oq25)

188 to subsidize the lazy and protect the incompetent.

Incompetently outsourced HR.

Posted by: DaveA at June 14, 2015 03:28 PM (DL2i+)

189 As a J-school graduate, I must protest the entire tone and message of this post which doesn't recognize the rigor and discipline required of good journalists. They're out there, and many of them became good journalists by studying at a good journalism school.

To be fair, however, CBD's post is mostly accurate.

Posted by: FireHorse at June 14, 2015 03:33 PM (bf8iC)

190 Couldn't bing up an Archer Katya robot vagina clip for a fembot joke. Sometimes the internet isn't for porn.

Posted by: DaveA at June 14, 2015 03:51 PM (DL2i+)

191 In remarks following her acceptance of the Diogenes Award, Hillary Clinton said she has always felt trustworthy and is transitioning into Honest Abe.

Posted by: Dave at Buffalo Roam at June 14, 2015 04:33 PM (1HNqn)

192 Troll, possibly. Hash has never appeared here before.

Posted by: Hmm. at June 14, 2015 02:32 PM (F2IAQ)

Naw, not trolling; he's making a joke. Read some of the "names" he gave.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 14, 2015 04:40 PM (wfQnl)

193 To be fair, however, CBD's post is mostly accurate.
Posted by: FireHorse at June 14, 2015 03:33 PM (bf8iC)

Unfortunately, the prevailing view makes the few like you look just as bad as someone who really does look at history through red tinted glasses.

I could forgive the views on Ford if sheep dip would come around to the realization that Ford was a selfish prick with a nasty mean streak. He came up with a masterstroke idea which allowed him to rule effectively over his rather large kingdom. Unfortunately, the narrative that employers are there primarily for the good of the employees is just too juicy to pass up. The 5.00/day wage at Ford is a major benchmark for social justice, no matter how bad the consequences were.

Posted by: Bill H at June 14, 2015 04:49 PM (Baojj)

194 Remember also there were only a handful of "schools of journalism" in the '70s. Most classes were offered under English departments and taught by the faculty not smart enough to teach Shakespeare or Romantic Poetry or 20th Century American Fiction. When the boom began with Woodward and Bernstein, these schools were created out of those same lame professors.

To this day, few if any professors in schools of journalism have ever actually worked as a journalist. Before j-schools, reporters learned their craft on the street, under the scrutiny of surly editors, working their way up from garden clubs to crime blotter, only after years of training being entrusted with City Hall. There are no more such reporters. It is a dead occupation. They are all college "educated" and indoctrinated as Social Justice Warriors.

Posted by: Adjoran at June 14, 2015 05:03 PM (QIQ6j)

195 I didn't trust the lazy journalists either. That's why I bought my own newspaper. You could say, politically, I was the Ross Perot of my time, too.

And now, looking back, I'm thinking "what the hell" - I was a teetotaller and everybody in the family since has been roaring drunk.

Posted by: Henry Ford at June 14, 2015 10:05 PM (7Cuuw)

196 And to be clear, since the newspaper guys are so lazy - I paid $5 per day, not $5 per hour. Hell, I didn't even pay my partners, the Dodge Brothers $5 an hour. You think I'm made of money, buster?

Posted by: Henry Ford at June 14, 2015 10:09 PM (7Cuuw)

197 And furthermore, back in my day there was no CAIR in Dearborn. Harry Bennett and a couple Ford Security boys woulda cleaned out that rathole in short order!

Posted by: Henry Ford at June 14, 2015 10:13 PM (7Cuuw)

198 My first 2 semesters of college I couldn't decide if I wanted to major in Philosophy or History.

After I got academically suspended my parents only agreed to foot half the bill if I got a job (to soak up all the free time I spent not studying).

When it came time for me to declare I went with Business. It dawned on me, what the hell was I going to do with a BA in Philosophy or History?

So I sort of have to wonder what I saw and all of the Journalism majors didn't and still don't understand?

Posted by: Honky at June 14, 2015 10:25 PM (aKWBd)

199 You know, Ace, if you take ten dollars out of your left hand and put it in your right hand, you are now ten dollars richer!

Posted by: David Hogberg at June 15, 2015 09:45 AM (L2yq3)

200 How about "women make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes for the same work". Obama even said this in the SOTU. The same for "97% of scientists agree on AGW". Agree on what? How much? What to do? Causes? Even if not made up the number is meaningless. Finally, 1 in 5 women sexually assaulted on campus. Would ANYONE send their daughter ANYWHERE with those odds? Yet they peddle that for all of academia.

Posted by: Lisa at June 15, 2015 09:48 AM (l+wRk)

201 Employers pay above-market wages for various reasons, but mainly to attract better talent or avoid excessive turnover. Both of these were the real reasons for HF's policy. According to Journalist Conventional Wisdom, however, Ford would have had to know workers' assets and disposable income when setting wages, and he would have had to prohibit them from buying Dodges, Studebakers or Saxons. And failing to do that, he would simply have been "paying workers high enough wages to buy his [competitors'] cars."

Posted by: jerry herbel at June 15, 2015 07:56 PM (rnTGd)

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