Michael Brennan Doherty: The Bulwark Longs For the Days When They Could Lie to Conservatives and Profit From It

Sarah Longwell works for The Bulwark. She often is a source for leftwing media articles which say, for example, that DeSantis is failing.

She is an all-purpose source for Democrat hit-pieces. The leftwing media always refer to her as a "longtime conservative activist," even though she's a lesbian and has always been on the left of the party, and a hater of The Deplorables, to the extent she was part of it at all, and has been being paid by Pierre Omidyar and other Democrats to flack for Democrats for over six years now.

A rare non-horrible piece at National Review, which is like a pre-op The Bulwark, fully transitioned, but without actually cutting any parts off.

At the Bulwark, Sarah Longwell argues that one of the clearest results of her many focus groups of Republican voters is that they don't want to turn the clock back to the time before Donald Trump. She writes, "The Republican party has been irretrievably altered and, as one GOP voter put it succinctly, 'We're never going back.'"
And this basically dooms candidates such as Mike Pence and Nikki Haley who are running as if the pre-Trump world still existed. She quotes voters who identify these candidates as "pre-2016" throwbacks, one voter saying of Haley: "She would just be right back to the Paul Ryan, John Boehner kind of a thing. That's a no-go for me."
Longwell ends ominously with the warning that the next election cycle will dispel any notion of a return to the pre-Trump party. "The question, then, will be what AT [After Trump] Republican politics evolves into once everyone in the Republican party understands that it is the future. The answer isn't likely to be pretty."
It's a piece that interests me because I agree with Longwell that there is no coming back. But, it is also emblematic of a certain strain of rueful NeverTrump commentary. It never ventures beyond what has become the Bulwark's enduring thesis of American politics: Republican voters are deplorables after all.

Longwell never stops to consider one obvious self-interested reason Republicans would not want to go back to the pre-Trump party, which is that Donald Trump, despite driving a historic turnout against himself in 2020, never took the party to the depths it experienced under George W. Bush in 2006 and 2008.
...
The Bush-era bait-and-switch politics tended to disabuse grassroots conservatives of the idea that the elected GOP leadership cared about the same issues or had the same concerns they had. Of course they don't want to go back to being used and abused. Putting up with all of the baggage Trump brought with him is a testament to how much they wanted a change.
The same high-handed attitude toward Republican voters is continuous in NeverTrumpism, where many of the intellectual luminaries on the right during the Bush era seamlessly defected to repeat liberal accusations and liberal slurs against the voters, Fox viewers, and readers they once courted.
After all, the voters in the Republican Party didn't really change. They remain the more pro-life party. They remain the party more supportive of religious liberty, the party whose members stand to lose more from the moral revolution unleashed by Obergefell and Bostock. They remain opposed to amnesty. They defend the Second Amendment. The big thing that changed is that the Bush administration wised them up to the game being played on them.
Their critics, however, have abandoned even the pretense of social conservatism and have abandoned every political position they once held. They've retained only their fondness for foreign intervention and made explicit what was only hinted at when they were in power and influence: their contempt for the voters that make up the Republican coalition.

You can only Con the Rubes for so long before the Rubes get wise.

Posted by: Ace at 04:15 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Well,...don't leave us hangin'!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:17 PM (LvTSG)

2 Could be worse … it can always be worse.

Posted by: Adriane the Cynical Critic. . . at April 25, 2023 04:17 PM (jonTH)

3 /b

Posted by: Adriane the Cynical Critic. . . at April 25, 2023 04:17 PM (jonTH)

4 trying again …

Posted by: Adriane the Cynical Critic. . . at April 25, 2023 04:17 PM (jonTH)

5 "From this point forward, it will only be..America First"

Posted by: t-bird at April 25, 2023 04:18 PM (ptElO)

6 I see that fat fuck Jonah blames Carlson for destroying CONSERVATISM!!!!

Nice set of teats ya got there lefty.

Posted by: Jak Sucio at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (PfC9N)

7 AKA The Work of Bull ('s Colons)

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (krQz2)

8 Afternoon.

One might say National Review socially transitioned.

Posted by: Robert at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (1Yy3c)

9 A rare non-horrible piece at National Review, which is like a pre-op The Bulwark, fully transitioned, but without actually cutting any parts off.
++++
Brutal. Cruel.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (t0OGg)

10 Their critics, however, have abandoned even the pretense of social conservatism and have abandoned every political position they once held. They've retained only their fondness for foreign intervention and made explicit what was only hinted at when they were in power and influence: their contempt for the voters that make up the Republican coalition.

=========

And we should vote for them! Because Reagan!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (LvTSG)

11 The wheels are closing in...

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at April 25, 2023 04:20 PM (DhOHl)

12 I see that fat fuck Jonah blames

****************

I don't understand how all that whale blubber hasn't gone rancid by now

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:20 PM (VTu1l)

13 6 I see that fat fuck Jonah blames Carlson for destroying CONSERVATISM!!!!

Nice set of teats ya got there lefty.
Posted by: Jak Sucio at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (PfC9N)

========

"Conservatism was me lying to you about what was going to happen, and you believing me. Now that you don't believe me, conservatism is dead."
-Jonah

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:20 PM (LvTSG)

14 Could be worse in that some people have wisened up but …

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it: those who learn from history, are doomed to repeat it from the sheer mass of those that didn’t.

Posted by: Adriane the Cynical Critic. . . at April 25, 2023 04:20 PM (jonTH)

15 So Don Lemone was finally told to pull his finger out.

Posted by: andycanuck (Vwz3I) at April 25, 2023 04:21 PM (Vwz3I)

16 I see that fat fuck Jonah blames Carlson for destroying CONSERVATISM!!!!

Nice set of teats ya got there lefty.
Posted by: Jak Sucio at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (PfC9N)
---
Carlson appears to have the same adherence to "conservatism" I do: Not dogmatic, but also a lot of effective conservatism.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:21 PM (krQz2)

17 >>Longwell ends ominously with the warning that the next election cycle will dispel any notion of a return to the pre-Trump party.

Pointless wars, Corporate Tax Breaks, Temporary Tax Cuts, Medicare Part D, Lightbulb Bans, Terrible Foreign Policy, Worse Economic Policy, Amnesty for millions of Illegals and on and on..

I think I did that thing in my pants again.

--
Karl "Turd Blossom" Rove

Posted by: Thomas Bender at April 25, 2023 04:22 PM (up/3i)

18 The left took over the R party after 1999 - remember they had the blackmail material on Hastert.

But the people at NRO and the like didn't have to go along with it. They could have "stood athwart" the leftward lurch of the R party and said "NO"

Instead they went right along with the like of Pedo Hastert.

Were they bribed? Were they blackmailed? Were they always leftwing? Probably all of the above.

Posted by: 18-1 at April 25, 2023 04:22 PM (lc5cP)

19 Some people actually want to be cool like Ryan

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:23 PM (Zzbjj)

20 Jonah Goldberg is at this point essentially like a fat, homeless, unkempt, unsightly Keith Olbermann. It's like a bad Twins remake, with Jonah in the Devito's role.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:23 PM (ppBhU)

21 Jonah wasn't a standard bearer for anything other than how many hot dogs he could shove in his mug at one time. He's what one might call a carpetbagger conservative. A fat one.

Posted by: Marcus T at April 25, 2023 04:23 PM (T9WMp)

22 If not for 9/11 and Iraq, Bush would have lost in 2004. The left was chomping at the bit for revenge, and I don't think that the right would have backed him. 9/11 scared suburban whites, soccer moms became "security moms" and started blogging about islam and geopolitics, and the early successes in Afghanistan and Iraq gave Bush and the GOP a lot of political cover. For a while, you could run on "kill terrorist, cut taxes" and didn't need anything else. However, this gave the GOP the illusion that Bushism had a future in American politics. When they tried to apply it outside of Bush- McCain and Romney- it fell flat. Unfortunately, by 2008 the Bushites were infesting the GOP like parasitic brain worms.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:23 PM (wmDcS)

23 That (at least from the excerpt) is a piece that actually gets it.

The "Elites" have been conning the masses for a long time and are really angry that their con has been exposed.

THAT is the reason for the elite anger. "HOW DARE you rubes not get fooled by my OH so very erudite dissimulations!"

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at April 25, 2023 04:23 PM (N1tpc)

24 I thought maybe the boldface would carry over into the comments.

Posted by: m at April 25, 2023 04:23 PM (qZtr0)

25 contempt for the voters that make up the Republican coalition.

Posted by: Ace

This is the truth about both parties, not just conservatives.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (gUvIq)

26 As long as the Demedia can apportion "conservatives" along the border of the program, it can ignore people functioning as conservatives.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (krQz2)

27 Longwell never stops to consider one obvious self-interested reason Republicans would not want to go back to the pre-Trump party, which is that Donald Trump, despite driving a historic turnout against himself in 2020, never took the party to the depths it experienced under George W. Bush in 2006 and 2008.
++++
Eh, sort of. I don't think that's it. That might be a wonkish interpretation, but not the real one. Normal people don't look at relative curves of influence and polling over time and whatnot. That is great fodder for politics enthusiasts, but doesn't mean dick to normal people. For normal people, Trump exposed how shitty the Republican Party is and had been for decades. These people are losers. They are losers on purpose. They suck. They hate their own base. They don't do what they promise and, more importantly, they don't even try. Of all the things Trump did or did not do, the biggest in my opinion is the exposure of just how crappy the political establishment is, especially on the right.

Once people realize they've been being shat on for decades, they tend not to want that to happen anymore. That's it. This has nothing to do with heights or depths or whatever.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (t0OGg)

28 Their critics, however, have abandoned even the pretense of social conservatism and have abandoned every political position they once held. They've retained only their fondness for foreign intervention and made explicit what was only hinted at when they were in power and influence: their contempt for the voters that make up the Republican coalition.

In the end I think most of these NT types never really believed in any of the conservatism beyond rhetoric useful to dupe the rubes. I think all they ever stood for was riches and perpetual wars.

Party types always hate populists because they exist out side and in competition with the party structure.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (0hOvj)

29 without actually cutting any parts off.

That's because Jonah's too f***ing fat to get it cut off.

The only thing he's getting cut off is his legs when he shoves too many jelly doughnuts down his morbid blob of a body's food hole.

Posted by: XTC at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (UnA8+)

30 "Conservatism was me lying to you about what was going to happen, and you believing me. Now that you don't believe me, conservatism is dead."
-Jonah
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:20 PM (LvTSG)

Honestly...yeah. The crisis isn't that the Republican Party repeatedly betrayed and lied to its voters, the crisis is that the voters have therefore lost faith in it.

Posted by: Dr. T at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (bhRsz)

31 6 I see that fat fuck Jonah blames Carlson for destroying CONSERVATISM!!!!

Nice set of teats ya got there lefty.
Posted by: Jak Sucio at April 25, 2023 04:19 PM (PfC9N)

I read that... It's an LA Times article... Says it's not just Trump who destroyed Conservatism but Tucker too... I think he's mistaken about Conservatism.. I think he means Rinoism...

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 04:25 PM (bs+z0)

32 Old and Busted: Grand Old Party (GOP)

New: Bold Republican Organization (BRO)

Posted by: Joe Mama at April 25, 2023 04:25 PM (WmGrA)

33 Just heard an interesting take on Tucker's firing from Vince C on WMAL. Murdock who is 92 yrs old was recently engaged for two whole weeks to a woman who is a bit of a nutcase/grifter. Supposedly he broke the engagement(after only 2 weeks) because she told him that Tucker was a voice from God. Murdock said Nope. Then Tucker gives a very spiritual speech on Friday at the Heritage Foundation. Friday after Tucker said he'd be back on Monday. Then completely blindsided by being fired on Monday. The only intervening thing was his speech. It was also made clear that it was Murdock who demanded the firing.
Interesting take, no?

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:25 PM (Y+l9t)

34 Now who wants to be "very different" like, Paul Ryan?

Hmm https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:25 PM (Zzbjj)

35 New: Bold Republican Organization (BRO)

Posted by: Joe Mama at April 25, 2023 04:25 PM (WmGrA)
---
Too fratty.

Posted by: Jobless Bud Light Exec at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (krQz2)

36 This is the truth about both parties, not just conservatives.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (gUvIq)

Remember that the progressive wing of the Dems hated Clinton's "Third Way" politics. Hillary was always more their avatar than Bill. Obama's victory convinced them that they could win with a combination of suburban whites, millennial voters, and minorities. Blue-collar whites were no longer needed. It's part of the reason why they were driven so insane by Trump's win in 2016: they couldn't admit that they were wrong and that they still needed working-class white voters.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (wmDcS)

37 I need the Patriot Act to fight this war and totes won't use it against the American public. In fact it's only a short term measure. Promise.

-George W. Bush

Posted by: Marcus T at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (T9WMp)

38 Donald Trump, despite driving a historic turnout against himself in 2020, never took the party to the depths it experienced under George W. Bush in 2006 and 2008.

Yeah, Biden might have gotten as many as 60 million votes.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (0hOvj)

39 GOPe pre-Trump: We just don't have political capital right now to enact your policies. It's not popular and we'd be committing suicide. We'll just have to focus on GOPe priorities and try to make small gains while arguing for your policies to the American people. They'll come around someday, we just know it. *wink*

GOPe post-Trump: We know your policies are popular, but we don't want to win by bending the knee to you howling baboons. You're evil and we're going to actively work to excise you from our party.

Posted by: bonhomme at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (R38qh)

40 38 Donald Trump, despite driving a historic turnout against himself in 2020, never took the party to the depths it experienced under George W. Bush in 2006 and 2008.

Yeah, Biden might have gotten as many as 60 million votes.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (0hOvj)

=========

Sure, cheating happens, but it never makes a difference. That's why people cheat at elections: to have no effect.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:27 PM (LvTSG)

41 After all, the voters in the Republican Party didn't really change. They remain the more pro-life party. They remain the party more supportive of religious liberty, the party whose members stand to lose more from the moral revolution unleashed by Obergefell and Bostock. They remain opposed to amnesty. They defend the Second Amendment. The big thing that changed is that the Bush administration wised them up to the game being played on them.
++++
Hmmm. Interesting assessment. I am not sure I agree. After all, I - and millions of others - decided to hold my nose and vote for McCain *and* Mitt Romney. I regret it to this day, but I didn't know at the time what I learned later.

For me, at least, it wasn't Bush 43 that did it. I didn't like Bush 43 (creating the DHS and pushing through Medicare Part D and No Child Left Behind were disastrous), but he wasn't the cause of my awakening to how awful the Republicans were. That honor goes to John "Thumbs Down" McCain and, more generally, the immediate subversion of the Tea Party (or the betrayal of the Tea Party candidates - I got back and forth on cause and effect of that one). That was much later than Bush 43.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:27 PM (t0OGg)

42 I remember the good old days, when even suggesting that the GOP colluded with the DNC got one a good explaining to, from the smarter and more mature folks here. Because they understood how things worked and such. They didn't fall for all that conspiracy theory crap.

Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 04:27 PM (towrt)

43 Republicans are the same, It's MAGA Republicans that are different

Posted by: Skip at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (xhxe8)

44 The GOP has been pretty deep state NWO since Nixon with only some outliers like Trump and Reagan. It's just a lot more obvious now coupled with them not even bothering to keep up the pretense of being conservative anymore.

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (VTu1l)

45 >>>And we should vote for them! Because Reagan!

if you mean DeSantis, he's not one of these people. He has adopted all of the MAGA principles and policies, only he actually delivers.

The idea that "only" trump is in favor these policies is simply false. It's a way to say there can be no one but Trump.

In which case: what happens in 2028? I have a feeling in 2028, people will admit that maybe there are other people besides trump who are pro-MAGA.

If you didn't mean that, ignore this post, please.

Posted by: ace at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (iHBZj)

46 39 GOPe post-Trump: We know your policies are popular, but we don't want to win by bending the knee to you howling baboons. You're evil and we're going to actively work to excise you from our party.
Posted by: bonhomme at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (R38qh)

Also GOPe (even pre-Trump) : We agree with the democrats that none of you filthy animals deserve meat, electricity, or transportation.

Posted by: XTC at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (UnA8+)

47 George W. Bush should have stuck to doing Howdy Doody appearances and stayed out of politics.

Posted by: Marcus T at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (T9WMp)

48 25 contempt for the voters that make up the Republican coalition.

Posted by: Ace

This is the truth about both parties, not just conservatives.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 25, 2023 04:24 PM (gUvIq)

Repubs have contempt for their base.
Dems have uses for their base, and slot them in as they proceed to get more and more power. Less contempt for, and more "just sees them as non-human"...

Posted by: Nova Local at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (exHjb)

49 This seems like worrysome news:

Sudanese terrorists invaded a dangerous research lab and now have their hands on polio and measles and other dangerous viruses.

https://bit.ly/41SBp3s

Posted by: bonhomme at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (R38qh)

50 Biden says war in Sudan unconscionable (unlike Ukraine), and wants boots on the ground!

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (Zzbjj)

51 I keep going back to an article I read in 2016- by Matthew Continetti, I believe- arguing that socialism had won, and that the GOP needed to focus on making the case to voters that they were the party better capable of managing the socialist superstate, at least for another twenty years until it was possible to make the "small government" argument again.

I remember thinking at the time that he was probably just regurgitating what he'd heard behind closed doors from a lot of these so-called "conservatives."

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (wmDcS)

52 This is a hate-post.

Posted by: Adam Kinzinger at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (iHBZj)

53 In 1998, before Bush and Hastert

We had religious liberty
Globohomo was mostly confined to the most leftwing cities
The notion the government could mandate you be injected with poison would have been laughed off as a conspiracy theory
And the even then incredibly bloated federal budget was...only $2T.

By any objective standard Bushism failed completely. And if the Bush people were any form of conservative, "moderate" or no they would have resigned, in mass, and apologized.

Posted by: 18-1 at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (lc5cP)

54 ... Sudanese terrorists invaded a dangerous research lab and now have their hands on polio and measles and other dangerous viruses. ...
Posted by: bonhomme at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (R38qh)
++++
Sure, that might as well happen.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (t0OGg)

55 I do not imagine any of you rubes have any Grey Poupon.....

Posted by: GOP Operative, driving his Bentley at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (ZQ2LF)

56 The Bush-era bait-and-switch politics tended to disabuse grassroots conservatives of the idea that the elected GOP leadership cared about the same issues or had the same concerns they had. Of course they don't want to go back to being used and abused.

--------

AKA Battered ~~Wife~~ Conservative Syndrome.

Posted by: ShainS -- The Abolition of The West is from Men Without Chests at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (p/Gsu)

57 43 Republicans are the same, It's MAGA Republicans that are different
Posted by: Skip at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (xhxe

I guess Joe attacked the mega MAGA folks in his running for office again pre-recorded speech... I couldn't stomach listening to it...

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (bs+z0)

58 45 If you didn't mean that, ignore this post, please.

Posted by: ace at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (iHBZj)

========

I was imagining Nikki Haley or Jeb Bush, because we all know that if the GOPe thought they had as much control over the presidential primary process as they had pre-2016, they'd be pushing, hard some obvious establishment stooge like a Mitt Romney.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:30 PM (LvTSG)

59 Yeah, Biden might have gotten as many as 60 million vote

****************

81 millions votes:

50 mil maybe legit

20 mil dead people

10 mil computer "glitches"

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:30 PM (VTu1l)

60 @49

>>This seems like worrysome news:
Sudanese terrorists invaded a dangerous research lab and now have their hands on polio and measles and other dangerous viruses.https://bit.ly/41SBp3s

Victoria Nuland: And you get a BioLab, and you get a BioLab and you get a BioLab, and you get a BioLab and you...

Posted by: Thomas Bender at April 25, 2023 04:30 PM (up/3i)

61 >>>49 This seems like worrysome news:
Sudanese terrorists invaded a dangerous research lab and now have their hands on polio and measles and other dangerous viruses.
https://bit.ly/41SBp3s

I have ordered the NIAID, which I totally don't still control, to give $8 million to this lab to begin gain-of-function research on bat viruses.

Posted by: Anthony Fauci at April 25, 2023 04:30 PM (iHBZj)

62 George W. Bush should have stuck to doing Howdy Doody appearances and stayed out of politics.
Posted by: Marcus T

Yeah. that's MY gig.

Posted by: Chelsea Clinton at April 25, 2023 04:31 PM (WmGrA)

63 I remember the good old days, when even suggesting that the GOP colluded with the DNC got one a good explaining to

I don't think they go so far as to plot things out together in a smoke-filled room, cackling like villains in a melodrama. I don't think that they have to. They have the same goals, the same paymasters, and the same worldview, they just vary on how to get there.

The Republicans and Democrats have definite and easily identifiable differences, such as tax policy. But they agree that the purpose of power is to enrich themselves, have all the stuff they want, and gain power for themselves. Neither party views themselves as public SERVANTS. They view themselves as masters over unwashed, idiotic peoples who they must pander to on occasion.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:31 PM (0hOvj)

64 Remember the pre-Trump Republican battle cry:

THIS IS NOT THE HILL TO DIE ON!

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:31 PM (krQz2)

65 64 Remember the pre-Trump Republican battle cry:

THIS IS NOT THE HILL TO DIE ON!
Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:31 PM (krQz2)

========

Except for amnesty. That we'll kill and die for.

*suggested addendum*

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:31 PM (LvTSG)

66 Sudan. We love you long time, just like Ukraine....

Posted by: NeoCons at April 25, 2023 04:31 PM (5YB0N)

67 Sudanese terrorists invaded a dangerous research lab and now have their hands on polio and measles and other dangerous viruses.

***********

*ahem*

Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l)

68 >>>I was imagining Nikki Haley or Jeb Bush

Why not Nikki?!

Posted by: Nikki Haley 2024 and this is totally a real candidacy, not a bid for a Fox Weekend Show at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (iHBZj)

69 I don't think they go so far as to plot things out together in a smoke-filled room, cackling like villains in a melodrama. I don't think that they have to. They have the same goals, the same paymasters, and the same worldview, they just vary on how to get there.

They largely come from the same class. They attend the same schools, live in the same neighborhoods, date each other, and fuck each other's wives.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (wmDcS)

70 This is a hate-post.
Posted by: Adam Kinzinger at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (iHBZj)

Have yourself a good cry, and it'll all be better.

Posted by: Dr. T at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (bhRsz)

71 Posted by: Nikki Haley 2024 and this is totally a real candidacy, not a bid for a Fox Weekend Show at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (iHBZj)
++++
Weekend? Why? A primetime spot just opened up, Nikki.

How about some ambition?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (t0OGg)

72 Even My Pet Goat has had enough of the Bushes.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (ZQ2LF)

73 53 By any objective standard Bushism failed completely. And if the Bush people were any form of conservative, "moderate" or no they would have resigned, in mass, and apologized.
Posted by: 18-1 at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (lc5cP)

Seppuku is the only noble way to restore their honor.

Posted by: XTC at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (UnA8+)

74 68 >>>I was imagining Nikki Haley or Jeb Bush

Why not Nikki?!

Posted by: Nikki Haley 2024 and this is totally a real candidacy, not a bid for a Fox Weekend Show at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (iHBZj)

========

She checks just all the right boxes. She's unbeatable!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (LvTSG)

75
That honor goes to John "Thumbs Down" McCain and, more generally, the immediate subversion of the Tea Party (or the betrayal of the Tea Party candidates - I got back and forth on cause and effect of that one). That was much later than Bush 43.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Trent Lott, Mi'sippi RINO deserves honorable mention in the race for most contemptuous of the voters sweepstakes

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (pNxlR)

76 >>>THIS IS NOT THE HILL TO DIE ON!

there were many hills they were willing to die on -- chiefly those hills that were critical for fighting against actual conservatives.

they just wouldn't die for any of our hills.

Posted by: ace at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (iHBZj)

77 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger

Because Fauci couldn't fund them if they were Stateside.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (gUvIq)

78 45 >>>And we should vote for them! Because Reagan!

if you mean DeSantis, he's not one of these people. He has adopted all of the MAGA principles and policies, only he actually delivers.

The idea that "only" trump is in favor these policies is simply false. It's a way to say there can be no one but Trump.

In which case: what happens in 2028? I have a feeling in 2028, people will admit that maybe there are other people besides trump who are pro-MAGA.

If you didn't mean that, ignore this post, please.

Posted by: ace at April 25, 2023 04:28 PM (iHBZj)

I think we get there by next year, Ace. VA already did, and I have to suspect many places are looking to VA's example (and FL's, but a lot of places want to see themselves as purple and principled, not "FL man"). The right guy (or girl, but I think it's gonna be a guy b/c the VA LT Gov can't be pres

can win this...

Posted by: Nova Local at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (exHjb)

79 They attend the same schools, live in the same neighborhoods, date each other, and fuck each other's wives

The Paulo knows one part of this is not the true. The Jonah not even fuck the Jonah's wife.

Posted by: The Paulo at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (lc5cP)

80 The Republican senate almost fully has complete contempt for the voters, especially what passes for leadership. They've adopted the same electoral shenanigans the Democrats use to retain power and have their toadies re-elected. There is a very small section of the House who does the hotels yeomans work.

Posted by: Marcus T at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (T9WMp)

81 Sure, cheating happens, but it never makes a difference. That's why people cheat at elections: to have no effect.

Look the millions they spend and the hours they take cheating are completely worthless, you can tell by how hard they work at it every election.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (0hOvj)

82 Nikki Haley 2024 and this is totally a real candidacy

********************

Go sit on a barbed banana you horse faced twat waffle

But first, you will blow me

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (VTu1l)

83 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l)
---
To gain function.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (krQz2)

84 Trump's breath still stinks !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Dorcus Blimeline at April 25, 2023 04:34 PM (snpvX)

85 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l)

A lot of these labs are focused on local research related to agriculture or public health. Doing that kind of work often means you have exposure to dangerous viruses, as well as the kind of equipment necessary for at least some weaponization.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:34 PM (wmDcS)

86 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l)

Just for asking that, I'm afraid I'm going to have to declare another national lockdown. Just two weeks, though.

Posted by: Tony Fauci, counting his money at April 25, 2023 04:34 PM (bhRsz)

87 @67

>>Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses IN THE SUDAN?

Because bug running is just as lucrative as gun running now.

Maybe even more so, seeing as every f**king one of these sh*t holes around the world got themselves some US funded BS4 Lab.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at April 25, 2023 04:34 PM (up/3i)

88 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

Because our elites watch old scifi movies and then try to implement whatever plan the villain had?

Posted by: 18-1 at April 25, 2023 04:34 PM (lc5cP)

89 I swear, if you pulled up Jonah Goldberg's greasy shirt there'd be a giant nipple. Nothing else. No belly button or droopy fat man tits. Just a big nip.

Posted by: MJ at April 25, 2023 04:35 PM (zwDuR)

90 Stephen Green: UKRAINE WAR: So Where Is That Counteroffensive We Were All Promised?

https://tinyurl.com/3yab7be7

Link goes to 12ft.io.

Posted by: Robert at April 25, 2023 04:35 PM (1Yy3c)

91 [Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?

"The fact that we have biolabs in every armpit of the world is no indication that we are engaging in banned experimentation and violating every human ethic since Cain"
--DHS, Phizer, et al

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:35 PM (0hOvj)

92 Well as Ron wants to be "different like Ryan", and is the Bushies (Air lifting illegals) guy, I say hard pass. Yeah, he can push through things with a friendly legislature, but Trump could have too. I suspect they'll investigate his Abu Ghraib where the detainees said he witnessed the torture, Romney will be askance, Murky will cry for the detainees and he will get no cooperation.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:35 PM (Zzbjj)

93 The leadership of both parties are embarrassing themselves in pursuit of one demographic: Affuant white females.

Only one party has a realistic chance at that vote.

But the GOPe is still selling that a kinder, gentler, compassionate, sensible engineer conservative Republican can win that vote.
Even if it means losing the much larger working and middle class vote.

Because the AFW policies get you fawning press in the NYT.
And conservative social issues are mean. And who really wants to hang out with people who work with their hands? Gross.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at April 25, 2023 04:35 PM (aqviX)

94 I suspect back shortly after 9/11 someone suggested we stop "the bad guys" from making bio-weapons by hiring them.

But...they are good at making bio-weapons so...that's what we hired them to do.

Posted by: 18-1 at April 25, 2023 04:36 PM (lc5cP)

95 89 I swear, if you pulled up Jonah Goldberg's greasy shirt there'd be a giant nipple. Nothing else. No belly button or droopy fat man tits. Just a big nip.
Posted by: MJ at April 25, 2023 04:35 PM (zwDuR)

========

Nope.

That's his dog. Jonah accidentally rolled over in bed.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:36 PM (LvTSG)

96 DeSantis was asked how he felt about trailing Trump in the polls at this point. His response: I'm not a candidate, so we'll see if and when that changes."

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:36 PM (Y+l9t)

97 33 Just heard an interesting take on Tucker's firing from Vince C on WMAL. Murdock who is 92 yrs old was recently engaged for two whole weeks to a woman who is a bit of a nutcase/grifter. Supposedly he broke the engagement(after only 2 weeks) because she told him that Tucker was a voice from God. Murdock said Nope. Then Tucker gives a very spiritual speech on Friday at the Heritage Foundation. Friday after Tucker said he'd be back on Monday. Then completely blindsided by being fired on Monday. The only intervening thing was his speech. It was also made clear that it was Murdock who demanded the firing.
Interesting take, no?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)
------
Just read the speech. It is a good one. Said before, I would not be surprised to see Tucker interested in running for Prezzie sometime.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:36 PM (Vtm8d)

98 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

We thought it was a baby aspirin factory?

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at April 25, 2023 04:36 PM (ZQ2LF)

99 they just wouldn't die for any of our hills.
Posted by: ace at April 25, 2023 04:33 PM (iHBZj)

They investigated Trump instead, very noble kneecapping.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (Zzbjj)

100 CN, Trump had Congress for two years.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (Y+l9t)

101 100

Posted by: m at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (qZtr0)

102 Just read the speech. It is a good one. Said before, I would not be surprised to see Tucker interested in running for Prezzie sometime.
Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:36 PM (Vtm8d)

Like in the next few months b/c he'll never be more popular with the base...nor more available with no job yet on the horizon...

Posted by: Nova Local at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (exHjb)

103 The Republican party has been irretrievably altered and, as one GOP voter put it succinctly, 'We're never going back."

-----

Unadulterated bullshit.

The GOP is 0.0% different than it was pre-Trump, except insofar as their betrayals are now open and mirthful instead of hidden under the rug and pretended away.

And their base gave them a house of Congress less than a year ago, and after the Party gleefully participated in a slow-rolling coup against their own candidate.

Nothing has changed about that Party or its slavish voters, and it never will. Same for Dems. This is America, and politics is our civic religion. The politicians are so cynical and brutal because they know all too well that the faithful will show up for church on Tuesdays.

No. Matter. What. They. Do.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (oINRc)

104 @Marcus T-Welcome to 1998!!! Shit we knew by then when the R leadership bounced the actual conservatives from The Class of 94 and Goober f'ing up the Clinton impeachment.

Better late than never I always say!

Posted by: JROD at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (IlL6s)

105 In 2024 The abortion issue trumps all and Trump knows it as does everyone else in the party. Here and conservative talk show hosts and fox talk transgenders 24/7 ;but it won't work as 80% of voters don't want abortion banned. Notice how conservative talk show hosts stopped talking about abortion after the Kansas vote? If it wasn't for NY state running corrupt democrats (george santos even beat one!) democrats would still control congress.

Posted by: exodus 21:22-25 at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (Jxuln)

106 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l)
++++
There's no evidence that I am aware of that it's ours. I'd bet that we have something to do with it, but I wouldn't bet a paycheck on it yet.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (t0OGg)

107 The leadership of both parties are embarrassing themselves in pursuit of one demographic: Affuant white females.

Only one party has a realistic chance at that vote.

Yep - The AWFLs I know have been pretty consistent. If they are the voting kind they pulled the D lever in every election since 2004. If they are the non-voting kind they don't vote...but they do hate Republicans.

And it does not matter if the R standard bearer is scum like Mittens or an actual alternative like Trump.

Posted by: 18-1 at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (lc5cP)

108 They can argue about what conservatism is, that's fine. I probably don't meet their definition of a conservative. I'm assuming, based on Trump's appeal, there is a large chunk of the country like me, dissatisfied with both parties. What are the eunuchs at the Bulwark going to do, if anything, to appeal to these people? They seem to be okay with their version of conservatism that appeals to a shrinking number of fellow navel gazers. Then what is the point of the Bulwark? Other than soaking up funds of bored out of touch billionaires, that is.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (fs1hN)

109 Whig, Vince played a good part of the speech and it seemed very passionate and heartfelt. It was vey strong on the fact that he would not stop telling the truth no matter what. That may have been the turning point for Fox knowing that he did not intend to lie for them.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (Y+l9t)

110 GOPe post-Trump: We know your policies are popular, but we don't want to win by bending the knee to you howling baboons. You're evil and we're going to actively work to excise you from our party.
Posted by: bonhomme at April 25, 2023 04:26 PM (R38qh)

I think they still try and suggest that classical liberal, ie conservative policies, are unpopular - but then they just sneer when called out about that retarded fallacy by suggesting that these policies are unpopular with the refined sophisticated folks you should imitate, not those ditch digging non-media loved grub-meisters like, oh I don't know, the guy who might buy our magazine or pay for that VIP online room where AllahPundit used to perform his patented weirdness while parading around in his tighty-whities.

BTW - I have a theory that AllahPundit might actually be Dylan Mulvaney - well, perhaps his spirit animal, if not actually him in the flesh...but I know only Ace has seen they guy so...

Posted by: Boswell at April 25, 2023 04:39 PM (+Cgut)

111 93 The leadership of both parties are embarrassing themselves in pursuit of one demographic: Affuant white females.

Only one party has a realistic chance at that vote.

But the GOPe is still selling that a kinder, gentler, compassionate, sensible engineer conservative Republican can win that vote.
Even if it means losing the much larger working and middle class vote.

Because the AFW policies get you fawning press in the NYT. And conservative social issues are mean. And who really wants to hang out with people who work with their hands? Gross.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice
------
The GOP has always been establishment from its heart since McKinley but occasionally someone like a Trump or Reagan or even Nixon breaks through the barriers. Establishment GOP could not stand any of them and Ike tried to dump Nixon from his VP ship. Both TR and Coolidge were accidental presidents btw that the party establishments by and large did not like much.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:39 PM (Vtm8d)

112 Only one party has a realistic chance at that vote.

But the GOPe is still selling that a kinder, gentler, compassionate, sensible engineer conservative Republican can win that vote.
Even if it means losing the much larger working and middle class vote.

There's a reason that Trump's election came about right after the growth of the whole Pick-up Artist movement and MGTOW movement: the GOP establishment is the political equivalent of the guy sitting home alone on a Friday night, frustrated because he can't get a date with the girl he likes. GOPe dweeb sits at home and complains because he studied something useful in school, got a good job, and volunteers at his church, and why can't she see what a catch he is? Instead, Mary-Sue Rottencrotch is out banging the "sensitive" artist with commie posters on his wall.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:39 PM (wmDcS)

113 No. Matter. What. They. Do.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (oINRc)

Standing Os for failure theater! Hoorah!

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (Zzbjj)

114 Nope.

That's his dog. Jonah accidentally rolled over in bed.
---------------------
I'll grant you it might be hairy, but it's a nip, not a dog. I can understand the confusion.

Posted by: MJ at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (zwDuR)

115 "
*ahem*

Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l) "

no law, no oversight, hell, no paperwork, total deniability.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - we are being gaslighted 24/365 at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (1WdLY)

116 96 DeSantis was asked how he felt about trailing Trump in the polls at this point. His response: I'm not a candidate, so we'll see if and when that changes."
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:36 PM (Y+l9t)

He's probably holding back to see which law suit ends up convicting Trump.. You know one will...We need a back up.... And no I don't prefer one over the other....

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (bs+z0)

117 I keep going back to an article I read in 2016- by Matthew Continetti, I believe- arguing that socialism had won, and that the GOP needed to focus on making the case to voters that they were the party better capable of managing the socialist superstate, at least for another twenty years until it was possible to make the "small government" argument again.

I remember thinking at the time that he was probably just regurgitating what he'd heard behind closed doors from a lot of these so-called "conservatives."
Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:29 PM (wmDcS)

so much of the post-war intelligentsia have believed that socialism is the only way to run a complex world, whether it is because it guarantees a voice for the poors and littles, or because it can intelligently manage a complex economy for the benefit of all, or that it will avoid costly competition between producers because all parties will be overseen by a government.
No one seems to catch on that these very points supports populism, communism and fascism. Until the 90's the main text on economics predicted the Soviet economy to outperform the Western economies "real soon"

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (xhaym)

118 "The idea that "only" trump is in favor these policies is simply false. It's a way to say there can be no one but Trump. "

True, and I believe a lot of people are missing how important the individual states have become. We have another few legislatures and governors that will most likely move into the Republican column due to their policies, which are not Trump's but more so an outgrowth of the voters wonder desires and the abject evil that Democrats represent. It's much harder to support what the Democrats are doing for a state legislature and governor than it is for Congress. There is really nowhere to hide.

Posted by: Marcus T at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (T9WMp)

119 They can argue about what conservatism is, that's fine. I probably don't meet their definition of a conservative.

If Jonah and co had been arguing for Globohomo and Clot Shots in Arms (TM) since the 90s that would be a fine argument.

But...back then they pretended to believe in all the things they now claim make you a NAZI

Posted by: 18-1 at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (lc5cP)

120 Well as Ron wants to be "different like Ryan",
You have quote marks. Where is this from?

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (Y+l9t)

121 Then what is the point of the Bulwark? Other than soaking up funds of bored out of touch billionaires, that is.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (fs1hN)

Sounds like one of those "you answered your own question" cases.

Posted by: Dr. T at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (bhRsz)

122 BTW - I have a theory that AllahPundit might actually be Dylan Mulvaney - well, perhaps his spirit animal, if not actually him in the flesh...but I know only Ace has seen they guy so...
Posted by: Boswell

AP came out of the closet and joined the Dispatch I think. Some guy named Vinnie.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (Vtm8d)

123 CN, Trump had Congress for two years.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (Y+l9t)

Only in name. I'm not interested in Trump-DeSantis warfare, but suggesting what Trump had in DC is similar to what DeSantis has in FL ain't right.

Posted by: Catherine at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (ZSsrh)

124 heir critics, however, have abandoned even the pretense of social conservatism and have abandoned every political position they once held.

But, we're still fiscal cons....why are you laughing and screaming simultaneously? How do you even DO that!?!

Posted by: true blue fiscal con artists at April 25, 2023 04:41 PM (5Al3g)

125 Are there no rich conservatives that can play games like the Left does?

Why are we so horribly outgunned at everything?

Somehow the other side can basically buy up everything and have a pretend opposition "Washington Generals".

Our side needs to figure out how to make some money.

Posted by: Blago at April 25, 2023 04:41 PM (nH8H4)

126 Murdoch is a demented old man. About to lose another gazillion dollars.

Posted by: runner at April 25, 2023 04:41 PM (HmA4g)

127 123 Only in name. I'm not interested in Trump-DeSantis warfare, but suggesting what Trump had in DC is similar to what DeSantis has in FL ain't right.
Posted by: Catherine at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (ZSsrh)

=======

McConnell and Ryan only opposed Trump for real reasons, like because he said pussy and was a Russian stooge, not for any unrealistic policy preference reasons.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:41 PM (LvTSG)

128 Still no word from Tucker ?

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 04:41 PM (bs+z0)

129 My small private company had more than a month to pull its money out of First Republic bank. Whoops. May be too late now. Paydays gonna be interesting.

Posted by: Grudge Harbor at April 25, 2023 04:42 PM (wBpKf)

130 no law, no oversight, hell, no paperwork, total deniability.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez - we are being gaslighted 24/365 at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (1WdLY)

Think of it as the Trinity site for this type of weapons.

oh, look we have been violating treaties about biowarfare. Oops. Oopsie! No really, oopsie, pleas lock yourselves into you houses again for a couple of years

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 04:42 PM (xhaym)

131 106 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l)
++++
There's no evidence that I am aware of that it's ours. I'd bet that we have something to do with it, but I wouldn't bet a paycheck on it yet.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:38 PM (t0OGg)

Can't have biolabs in NATO countries as per treaty (IIANM). One would think they'd be better controlled/managed if they were allowed.

Hence labs are put into shithole countries like China, Ukraine (yes - they are there too), Sudan, etc.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at April 25, 2023 04:42 PM (N39Ws)

132
*ahem*

Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW

Because our Big Brained Betters (TM) wished to be able to swear that our shining city on a hill gubmint had foresworn icky bioweapons like, FOREVER! So they doled out the ickiness to Third World Shithole countries and pretended that our behavior was above reproach in that arena.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at April 25, 2023 04:42 PM (pNxlR)

133 100 CN, Trump had Congress for two years.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:37 PM (Y+l9t)
Yeah, I know, I've only mentioned it 100x that the GOP could have used those years productively.
ANd Ryan refused to work with him, said so. And they spent the time investigating him, not making good on promised legislation. The investigated ended when Pelosi got her big ass gavel back.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:43 PM (Zzbjj)

134 Please explain to me why in the fucking hell do we have a biolab filled with dangerous viruses

IN THE SUDAN?

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - America is Dead - National Divorce NOW at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (VTu1l) "

no law, no oversight, hell, no paperwork, total deniability.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez

No one would believe that premise. Try Amazon. Have you SEEN what they did to Tolkein????

Posted by: Netdlix at April 25, 2023 04:43 PM (5Al3g)

135 DeSantis was asked how he felt about trailing Trump in the polls at this point. His response: I'm not a candidate, so we'll see if and when that changes."

Good answer. There's no percentage for him in saying he's a candidate now. For one thing, it gets the attention of the FEC. For another, he's letting Trump have all the spotlight. At the moment, the spotlight is doing Trump no favors.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (eOEVl)

136 IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger
_______________

How did it become "the" Sudan? I mean, sometimes "the" makes grammatical sense, as with the U.S., or the Netherlands. But don't see that here.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (96fR7)

137 Trump was not smart enough to figure out how to make majority R congress work .

Posted by: runner at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (HmA4g)

138 McConnell and Ryan only opposed Trump for real reasons, like because he said pussy and was a Russian stooge, not for any unrealistic policy preference reasons.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:41 PM (LvTSG)

That's right from 2017-19, they obstructed. Relentlessly.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (Zzbjj)

139 Saw over at Insty that Warner Bros is celebrating its 100th anniversary by remaking and wokefying 6 of its classics including Robin Hood, A Star is Born, The Prince and the Pauper and Calamity Jane. LOL. This seems like just the subject for aces's sharp wit.

Posted by: Tuna at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (gLRfa)

140 It doesn't surprise me, but I still find it kind of cool that the entire text of the Rite of Exorcism is online.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (LvTSG)

141 John Sexton: Bill O'Reilly's take on why Tucker Carlson was fired

https://tinyurl.com/8ys8u25r

Posted by: Robert at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (1Yy3c)

142 Still no word from Tucker ?

He's never gonna have a better opportunity to ditch his prim bow-tie persona, don an oversized cap, get behind the wheel of a big rig, and become the man America needs: Trucker Carlson, broadcasting pirate radio on the move.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (ppBhU)

143 Trump had Uniparty Republicans for two years, my take is they ran to the Uniparty believing all the Democrats Propaganda Ministry Russian bullshit.

Posted by: Skip at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (xhxe8)

144 Beware the Government-Mad-Science complex.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (krQz2)

145 Sudanese terrorists invaded a dangerous research lab and now have their hands on polio and measles and other dangerous viruses

Hell, that's coming across our southern border every day.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (Xrfse)

146 A jury of 6 men and 3 women was picked Today for a trial on E. Jean Carroll's civil claim that Donald Trump raped her in a New York City department store in the 1990s.

Opening arguments are scheduled to begin at 2:45 p.m. ET.

https://tinyurl.com/563k32ae

Posted by: redridinghood at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (NpAcC)

147 How did it become "the" Sudan? I mean, sometimes "the" makes grammatical sense

or The Ukraine. I think the area is called Sudan, and the country is referred to as The Sudan, as a result. But that's just a guess.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (0hOvj)

148 137 Trump was not smart enough to figure out how to make majority R congress work .
Posted by: runner at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (HmA4g)

=========

The majority Republican Congress that had a significant number of members who happily voted for Merrick Garland to be AG? And every other Biden cabinet official?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (LvTSG)

149 Are there no rich conservatives that can play games like the Left does?

Because the game isn't Left vs Right. When push comes to shove, the game is Rich vs Everyone Else. The Left vs Right bullshit is just to keep Everyone Else confused.

Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (towrt)

150 He's never gonna have a better opportunity to ditch his prim bow-tie persona, don an oversized cap, get behind the wheel of a big rig, and become the man America needs: Trucker Carlson, broadcasting pirate radio on the move.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (ppBhU)

He needs to immediately start up a new show, "Can't Cuck The Tuck."

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (wmDcS)

151 This brunette in her underwear would like to cordially invite the entire political establishment to leap into an active volcano:
https://is.gd/3lnzOw

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (t0OGg)

152 117 I remember thinking at the time that he was probably just regurgitating what he'd heard behind closed doors from a lot of these so-called "conservatives." Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile
--------
Walter Dean Burnham, noted historian and later NR contributor, coined the managerial class way back in the 40's when he was still dabbling with communism. Essentially, whether socialist or private enterprise, the managerial elite emphasize control and eschew the titular ownership of a piece of property in the west. In the socialism, the managerial elite still control but the titular ownership is the public. By emphasizing control, you get someone like Larry Fink who while compenstated handsomely, uses his efforts to undermine and siphon off money from the actual owners of the funds he manages. He controls but does not 'own'. But as JD Rockefeller once said, control is everything, not ownership.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (Vtm8d)

153 or The Ukraine. I think the area is called Sudan, and the country is referred to as The Sudan, as a result. But that's just a guess.

Dunno. I'll go check on The Facebook, or possibly the Google.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (eOEVl)

154 A jury of 6 men and 3 women was picked Today for a trial on E. Jean Carroll's civil claim that Donald Trump raped her in a New York City department store in the 1990s.

Its shocking to me that this blatant lunatic is getting any time in court at all. Isn't this the crazed bint that accused Trump then started hitting on the CNN host she was being interviewed by, implying rape was great fun?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (0hOvj)

155 146 A jury of 6 men and 3 women was picked Today for a trial on E. Jean Carroll's civil claim that Donald Trump raped her in a New York City department store in the 1990s.

NY city jury.. Oh yeah.. Trump will be found guilty even though the accuser is bat shit crazy

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (bs+z0)

156 He's never gonna have a better opportunity to ditch his prim bow-tie persona, don an oversized cap, get behind the wheel of a big rig, and become the man America needs: Trucker Carlson, broadcasting pirate radio on the move.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (ppBhU)
++++
HAHAHAH

Nice

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (t0OGg)

157 Trump was not smart enough to figure out how to make majority R congress work .
Posted by: runner at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (HmA4g)
---
That's crap.

The Republican'ts never figured out how to block for the guy moving the chains.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (krQz2)

158 Sudanese terrorists invaded a dangerous research lab and now have their hands on polio and measles and other dangerous viruses.

---

It's OK. They washed their hands with soap and warm water for five minutes. So should you! We're in this together!

Posted by: Prim NIH flak demonstrating proper mask use and removal at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (wzAuc)

159 Contrary to this, I'd say a watershed moment in the pre-Trump vs. post-Trump landscape is Obamacare.

Republicans ran on repealing Obamacare for years. Then when Trump won and they had to votes to do it, McCain helped prevent them from doing it.

Republicans are primarily charlatans and frauds.

Posted by: deadrody at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (kYmXc)

160 The majority Republican Congress that had a significant number of members who happily voted for Merrick Garland to be AG? And every other Biden cabinet official?

Agree. Trump couldn't make it work because too many of them didn't WANT it to work.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (eOEVl)

161 A jury of 6 men and 3 women was picked Today for a trial on E. Jean Carroll's civil claim that Donald Trump raped her in a New York City department store in the 1990s.

Remind me, is she the one who eventually went on to characterize rape as sexy? Or do I have her mixed up with some other crazy broad?

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (ppBhU)

162 Republicans ran on repealing Obamacare for years. Then when Trump won and they had to votes to do it, McCain helped prevent them from doing it.

Republicans are primarily charlatans and frauds.
Posted by: deadrody at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (kYmXc)

And closet democrat supporters.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (Zzbjj)

163 151 This brunette in her underwear would like to cordially invite the entire political establishment to leap into an active volcano:
https://is.gd/3lnzOw
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (t0OGg)

========

"Jumping into active volcano" suggestions must be accompanied by references to either Orange Soda or calling the volcano the Big Woo.

I have declared it so! So it must be done!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (LvTSG)

164 The Nikki Haley campaign would surely take off like a rocket. Just a couple hard hitting MSM interviews from the ultra bright/ talented Dana Perino and Gayle King is all it will take. Conservative bonafides confirmed.

Posted by: Cooldawg at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (FM5Yy)

165 Interesting short thread on what Haiti's been up to since 2019. Spoiler: It's been on a steep downward slide.

https://bit.ly/3LuueJm

Posted by: bonhomme at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (R38qh)

166 Walter Dean Burnham, noted historian and later NR contributor, coined the managerial class way back in the 40's when he was still dabbling with communism. Essentially, whether socialist or private enterprise, the managerial elite emphasize control and eschew the titular ownership of a piece of property in the west. In the socialism, the managerial elite still control but the titular ownership is the public. By emphasizing control, you get someone like Larry Fink who while compenstated handsomely, uses his efforts to undermine and siphon off money from the actual owners of the funds he manages. He controls but does not 'own'. But as JD Rockefeller once said, control is everything, not ownership.
Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:46 PM (Vtm8d)

Yup. It also explains why the GOP has no actual interest in constraining the executive branch. They want a massive bureaucracy that removes any accountability towards Congress. They just want to be in charge of it.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (wmDcS)

167 OMG, I tweeted my displeasure, and they did not listen to me!

---POTUS trump

Hard work indeed.

Posted by: runner at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (HmA4g)

168 63
The Republicans and Democrats have definite and easily identifiable differences, such as tax policy. But they agree that the purpose of power is to enrich themselves, have all the stuff they want, and gain power for themselves. Neither party views themselves as public SERVANTS. They view themselves as masters over unwashed, idiotic peoples who they must pander to on occasion.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:31 PM (0hOvj)
----
So we need a 'French Revolution' styled insurrection!

Posted by: Ciampino --- samosas are delicious at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (qfLjt)

169 Trump was not smart enough to figure out how to make majority R congress work

There was no way to get them to work with him. Ever.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (0hOvj)

170 in these troubled times, I wish we would use the /sarc tag more.

if it is, in fact , /sarc ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - we are being gaslighted 24/365 at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (1WdLY)

171 Agree. Trump couldn't make it work because too many of them didn't WANT it to work.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (eOEVl)

Because they're just cosmetic conservatives who are happy to toss red meat and do fuck all

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (Zzbjj)

172 160 The majority Republican Congress that had a significant number of members who happily voted for Merrick Garland to be AG? And every other Biden cabinet official?

Agree. Trump couldn't make it work because too many of them didn't WANT it to work.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (eOEVl)

========

Yeah, that's not something that gets fixed by having a "less dramatic" conservative become president.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (LvTSG)

173 RE: all these biolabs popping up in these third world hellholes... Only a handful of countries have both the wherewithal and the psychotic urge to pursue this kind of apocalyptic research.

And only of them has laws banning it.

It doesn't take a clairvoyant to figure out who's building these labs in lawless, poor countries with no oversight.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (oINRc)

174 "Republicans ran on repealing Obamacare for years. Then when Trump won and they had to votes to do it, McCain helped prevent them from doing it. "

Yeah. Don't hear anything about repealing Obamacare anymore do we?

Posted by: Tuna at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (gLRfa)

175 I am going to repost my profound comment from willowed 2 threads ago

Trump has been dealt with poorly. But! Unlike people of character who become heroic and insightful and overcome , It did not elevate him! He became trashy, obnoxious, lost few positive qualities that he had and is now buzzing DeSantis for some reason.

Posted by: runner at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (HmA4g)

176 Well as Ron wants to be "different like Ryan",
You have quote marks. Where is this from?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:40 PM (Y+l9t)

Those are scare quotes, not quotation marks. It indicates irony or sarcasm using an hypothetical opposing voice.

We really need updated punctuation. Or rather are getting "along" with the formats we were taught in school

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 04:49 PM (xhaym)

177 Here's the thing. I don't understand why some are against have an open and serious debate via a primary. I voted for Trump twice. Even risked my neck for him. I have nothing against him and he accomplished a lot under dire circumstances; however, I am not obligated to give him a second term because of that. I want to see him defend his policies vs what De Santis says he'll do.
What is wrong with that? People keep saying he is a Bushie but I haven't seen any proof other than someone's talking points. Certainly there has been no indication in Florida.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:49 PM (Y+l9t)

178 the problem for Sudan is that it's currency is not convertible

Posted by: REDACTED at April 25, 2023 04:49 PM (us2H3)

179 Kindltot, my point is people keep saying this shit with absolutely no real world proof and I find it incredibly annoying.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:50 PM (Y+l9t)

180 reckon we funded the lab in Sudan?

Posted by: DanMan at April 25, 2023 04:50 PM (DB6tu)

181 This brunette in her underwear would like to cordially invite the entire political establishment to leap into an active volcano:
https://is.gd/3lnzOw
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (t0OGg)

My son, thy place in Heaven is secure.

Posted by: The LAWD Yo GAWD at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (1Yy3c)

182 ANd Ryan refused to work with him, said so. And they spent the time investigating him, not making good on promised legislation. The investigated ended when Pelosi got her big ass gavel back.
Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:43 PM (Zzbjj)

I hate it that Trump failed to do all the things he promised that way.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (xhaym)

183 125 Are there no rich conservatives that can play games like the Left does?

Why are we so horribly outgunned at everything?

Somehow the other side can basically buy up everything and have a pretend opposition "Washington Generals".

Our side needs to figure out how to make some money.
Posted by: Blago
---------
Basically, you have to have a Cromwell to smash the system at this point--the coalition is that the rich and poor have united against the middle and are milking them from both sides. The usual response in history is you either get a monarchy to stamp on the elites in favor of the middle class or you get someone like Pinochet, Julius Caesar, or Franco--a strong man to stamp on obnoxious elites in favor of the productive class. That sometimes coincides with a collapse of the public fisc as well.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (Vtm8d)

184 >>>The majority Republican Congress that had a significant number of members who happily voted for Merrick Garland to be AG? And every other Biden cabinet official?

Andrew McCarthy (NRO) assured us that Merrick was an excellent non-partisan choice and "the DOJ will be in good hands."

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (9yUzE)

185 Here's the thing. I don't understand why some are against have an open and serious debate via a primary. I voted for Trump twice. Even risked my neck for him. I have nothing against him and he accomplished a lot under dire circumstances; however, I am not obligated to give him a second term because of that. I want to see him defend his policies vs what De Santis says he'll do.
What is wrong with that? People keep saying he is a Bushie but I haven't seen any proof other than someone's talking points. Certainly there has been no indication in Florida.

To be clear: Trump was torpedoed by his own side, but that doesn't entitle him to reelection. Both things can be true.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (eOEVl)

186 Remind me, is she the one who eventually went on to characterize rape as sexy? Or do I have her mixed up with some other crazy broad?
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (ppBhU)
*****
It was her.

Posted by: redridinghood at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (NpAcC)

187 There was no way to get them to work with him. Ever.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (0hOvj)

But I'm sure they'd defy the donks and their donors for someone else/s/. Trump was just so misogynistic not like the Bidens who would never do such a thing, except Joe insulted Hunter's ex, and Hunter called Jill a c*nt. This they're fine with. It was always because they had no intention of overturning Obamacare, controlling the border, or stopping fentanyl and drug cartels.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:52 PM (Zzbjj)

188 184 Andrew McCarthy (NRO) assured us that Merrick was an excellent non-partisan choice and "the DOJ will be in good hands."
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (9yUzE)

==========

He was obviously right then, even if he turned out to be wrong later. We should continue to go to McCarthy for insight into the workings of politics and the DOJ.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:52 PM (LvTSG)

189 No bio safety labs of 3 and 4 in Sudan -- BSL-3 -4

https://www.globalbiolabs.org/map

Paw prints [!] for animal disease ones, ticking off the correct sidebar boxes

Posted by: andycanuck (Vwz3I) at April 25, 2023 04:52 PM (Vwz3I)

190 I hate it that Trump failed to do all the things he promised that way.
Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (xhaym)

Don't worry, DeSantis wants to be like Ryan, he said so.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:52 PM (Zzbjj)

191 I think that it's incredibly interesting that the only person worse than Trump for the Never-Trumpers is DeSantis.

No, I don't want to start a fight between supporters here, there's no point to it. And it doesn't matter how much the two of them insult the other. I'm only pointing out that the Never-Trumpers will be Never-Ron, or already are, or Never-whomever gets the Republican nomination.

If Tucker Carlson throws his hat in the ring (and why the heck not?) he will also be so much worse than either Don or Ron that the abundance of kitten having will be apocalyptic in angst and horror.

Posted by: Synova at April 25, 2023 04:53 PM (BD/yx)

192 147 How did it become "the" Sudan? I mean, sometimes "the" makes grammatical sense

or The Ukraine. I think the area is called Sudan, and the country is referred to as The Sudan, as a result. But that's just a guess.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (0hOvj)

---

Wish we'd been as wise in our youth. We used to have bitchin' name.

Posted by: The Netherlands at April 25, 2023 04:53 PM (wzAuc)

193 72 Even My Pet Goat has had enough of the Bushes.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (ZQ2LF)
----
Neandertal:"Don't eat those bushes, you'll break right out!" (Cosby)

Posted by: Ciampino - spicy samosas are delicious at April 25, 2023 04:53 PM (qfLjt)

194 reckon we funded the lab in Sudan?
Posted by: DanMan at April 25, 2023 04:50 PM (

I'd be surprised if anyone else was behind it.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (oINRc)

195 I prefer a two-door, but a sporty Sudan can be nice as well.

Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (towrt)

196 @183 whig-why don't we employ some nerds to hack into and fiddle with Dominion voting machines and harvest ballots even in states where it's illegal? How much money would we need to cheat our asses off?

Posted by: JROD at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (IlL6s)

197 But I'm sure they'd defy the donks and their donors for someone else/s/.

I know you're being sarcastic, but there is some truth to that. Trump was so obnoxious, he made it easy for people to dislike him, even people in his own party. DeSantis is a much more anodyne figure, and they'll be hard pressed to treat him the same way they treated Trump, even if they want to. Some will try, though.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (eOEVl)

198 It doesn't take a clairvoyant to figure out who's building these labs in lawless, poor countries with no oversight.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice
--------
Darn those Mennonites and Amish./sarc.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (Vtm8d)

199 I'm against RINO's entirely. Which means I'm no Republican.

So, about Amy Acker (and Sarah Shahi...especially Sarah Shahi)

Posted by: Huck Follywood at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (aIPFv)

200 I keep telling you guys, Republicans don't want to lead, or fight! or govern- they just want to be let inside, where it's warm & cozy. They'll be happy to stand over there and partake of the refreshments. They won't make any noise! Just let them in. That's all they ask.

Posted by: DB - clearing the tower at April 25, 2023 04:55 PM (geLO8)

201 Unremarked and important: Sarah Longwell has a face like a misshapen gourd grown to prodigious size and sentience in a lab at DuPont and then tacked onto a sack of genetically altered taters.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:55 PM (ppBhU)

202 So, about Amy Acker (and Sarah Shahi...especially Sarah Shahi)
Posted by: Huck Follywood at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (aIPFv)

I'll take one of each, please.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:55 PM (wmDcS)

203 CN, are you a troll?
If not please show me the link to what you keep insisting is a DeSantis quote.
Or are you just here to start a fight.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:56 PM (Y+l9t)

204 Jonah could never transition because he's so fat the doctors couldn't find his dick to invert into a faux vagina.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at April 25, 2023 04:56 PM (1Ohlm)

205 @143

>>Trump had Uniparty Republicans for two years, my take is they ran to the Uniparty believing all the Democrats Propaganda Ministry Russian bullshit.

The Senate Intelligence committee report issued while under Republican control stated Russia materially interfered with the 2016 election.

Believe it, they were leading the charge.

Stupid motherf**kers, the lot of them.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at April 25, 2023 04:57 PM (up/3i)

206 DeSantis is a much more anodyne figure, and they'll be hard pressed to treat him the same way they treated Trump, even if they want to. Some will try, though.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (eOEVl)

No, they will do it with ease. If they were willing to side with Biden on Garland of the CRT books, obnoxious is not their issue. They LIED to the people about policy. I'm not buying the "we're going to go back on our promises to the people because Trump said pussy" Just no way.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:57 PM (Zzbjj)

207 I feed my daughter crickets for protein — it saves hundreds on grocery bills

https://tinyurl.com/3n9ps9s9

Posted by: redridinghood at April 25, 2023 04:57 PM (NpAcC)

208 204 Jonah could never transition because he's so fat the doctors couldn't find his dick to invert into a faux vagina.
Posted by: Smell the Glove at April 25, 2023 04:56 PM (1Ohlm)

Since he can't see his dick he probably doesn't know he has one

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 04:57 PM (bs+z0)

209 I'm against RINO's entirely. Which means I'm no Republican.

So, about Amy Acker (and Sarah Shahi...especially Sarah Shahi)
Posted by: Huck Follywood at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (aIPFv)
---
To me "Republicans In Name Only" are the bulk of Republicans.

Which is why I'm not a registered Republican. I actually voted for a non-Republican on my first election off the plantation.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:57 PM (krQz2)

210 206 DeSantis is a much more anodyne figure, and they'll be hard pressed to treat him the same way they treated Trump, even if they want to. Some will try, though.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (eOEVl)

No, they will do it with ease. If they were willing to side with Biden on Garland of the CRT books, obnoxious is not their issue. They LIED to the people about policy. I'm not buying the "we're going to go back on our promises to the people because Trump said pussy" Just no way.
Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:57 PM (Zzbjj)

==========

"Mitt Romney gave a woman cancer!"

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:58 PM (LvTSG)

211 Jonah could never transition because he's so fat the doctors couldn't find his dick to invert into a faux vagina.

When you've got a Jonah belly, you don't need a faux vagina.

Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 04:58 PM (towrt)

212 We need love, too!

Posted by: Misshapen gourds at April 25, 2023 04:58 PM (DhOHl)

213 Huh, Fox News fired Dan Bongino too. I think Murdoch is gearing up to sell Fox News.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:58 PM (0hOvj)

214 DeSantis is a much more anodyne figure, and they'll be hard pressed to treat him the same way they treated Trump, even if they want to. Some will try, though.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (eOEVl)
---
I lost a buddy in the Pudding incident.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:59 PM (krQz2)

215 203 CN, are you a troll?
If not please show me the link to what you keep insisting is a DeSantis quote.
Or are you just here to start a fight.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:56 PM (Y+l9t)

Here it is, again. https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx

Ace if you're here do me a favor, or maybe Mannix will do it; BAN ME. I don't want to read "troll" crap again.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:59 PM (Zzbjj)

216 Remind me, is she the one who eventually went on to characterize rape as sexy? Or do I have her mixed up with some other crazy broad?
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 04:47 PM (ppBhU)

Ugh, her.

IF anything between them happened at all rather than it all being her own fantasy, she's likely the sort who'd let him (whoever that him might be) know that she liked the feeling of not being able to get away and was excited by being restrained.

Posted by: Synova at April 25, 2023 04:59 PM (BD/yx)

217 214 DeSantis is a much more anodyne figure, and they'll be hard pressed to treat him the same way they treated Trump, even if they want to. Some will try, though.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (eOEVl)
---
I lost a buddy in the Pudding incident.
Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 04:59 PM (krQz2)

==========

"DeSantis raped me when he was my teacher."
-Some chick who never went to Florida

"I knew DeSantis was worse than Trump!"
-David French

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:59 PM (LvTSG)

218 Huh, Fox News fired Dan Bongino too. I think Murdoch is gearing up to sell Fox News.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:58 PM (0hOvj)
---
He's painting the rooms a neutral, marketable color.

As much as the libs bitch about Hannity, you'd think he'd be the next to go.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 05:00 PM (krQz2)

219 I can't find the quote CN keeps referencing. However, I did find these:

Trump calls DeSantis a Ryan "disciple".
https://tinyurl.com/4xfnkdes

Trump calls DeSantis a "twin" of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan
https://tinyurl.com/33cxxjy2

Dems are trying to tie DeSantis to Ryan
https://tinyurl.com/zs429kr3

Now why do you suppose the Dems are attacking DeSantis NOW if he's the weaker candidate?

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:00 PM (eOEVl)

220 I agree completely Whig - the system is now too far gone to be repaired. It needs to be overturned and rebooted completely. And it will take a Cromwell , or even a Napoleon to do it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 25, 2023 05:00 PM (i9ffA)

221 "DeSantis raped me when he was my teacher."
-Some chick who never went to Florida

"I knew DeSantis was worse than Trump!"
-David French
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 04:59 PM (LvTSG)
---
You, sir, straddled the target.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 05:01 PM (krQz2)

222 As much as the libs bitch about Hannity, you'd think he'd be the next to go.

Can't.

He knows karate.

Posted by: Ruport Murdoch at April 25, 2023 05:01 PM (ppBhU)

223 As much as the libs bitch about Hannity, you'd think he'd be the next to go.
Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 05:00 PM (krQz2)

Nah.. He's too bland.. Ingraham...

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 05:01 PM (bs+z0)

224 As much as the libs bitch about Hannity, you'd think he'd be the next to go.

I think he's viewed as a safe, controllable "alternative voice" on the channel, someone you can trot out and say "see, we are neutral, we have both sides"

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 05:01 PM (0hOvj)

225 196 @183 whig-why don't we employ some nerds to hack into and fiddle with Dominion voting machines and harvest ballots even in states where it's illegal? How much money would we need to cheat our asses off?
Posted by: JROD
--------
From the apparent ease of hacking them, the nerds that comment here could do it. But, essentially if you imagine elections as a fortune teller to a donkey voter and and elephant voter, the gypsy has a gun at her back telling her what to tell the rubes about who won.

Simply put, I think curbing voter fraud is an important thing to do but that would require a massive societal effort that neither the GOP nor the Dems have any interest in doing. In fact, they will put every single barrier they can to prevent correction of fraud. A lot of these True the Vote type organizations can't even get lists of voters without suing or paying huge ransoms to get public information.

But, to answer your question directly, you need a team of door knockers that can pay off voters for their ballots and people willing to register empty lots and non-existent voters and then harvest those votes to do what the Dems do.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:01 PM (Vtm8d)

226 IIRC back when it was disclosed the US had biolabs in Ukraine there was a list of other locations thought to, or confirmed to have other labs. The list was extensive. Reasons given were all over the place... security, existing agreements, medical research connections to various pharma and academic institutions, etc. Mostly it's to circumvent US laws.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 25, 2023 05:01 PM (Q4IgG)

227 If those terrorists have taken over that lab, it should be bombed immediately. Just blow it up.

Posted by: JoeF. at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (mR6Gs)

228 Again, what is wrong with keeping our options open? It seems want Trump so badly that they are unwilling to even entertain the idea that someone might actually be better? Why not let it play out? If Trump prevails, fine. I'll vote for him. If DeSantis can prove he is the better man, fine, I'll vote for him.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (Y+l9t)

229 Kindltot, my point is people keep saying this shit with absolutely no real world proof and I find it incredibly annoying.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 04:50 PM (Y+l9t)

I agree. No sarcasm there.

When statements start whipping around like flies on roadkill, it get hard to keep to the thread. If you get whipped around you don't have time to think, only react.
Remember everyone else is is the same position.
Remember what you care about and what is important.
Sometimes I forget that Winning The Internet is not the goal I should be chasing

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (xhaym)

230 But he's a great American!

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (DhOHl)

231 >>>She often is a source for leftwing media articles which say, for example, that DeSantis is failing.

Isn't he though? Is -30+ points succeeding?

I know, I know. "He hasn't announced yet."

How is this not announcing helping him succeed with the whole -30+ points thing?

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (7R+co)

232 Sean Hannity told me I'm a great American. But that if I tried to fire him, he'd Akido me, and I'd end up firing myself.

Posted by: Ruport Murdoch at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (ppBhU)

233
IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger
_______________

How did it become "the" Sudan? I mean, sometimes "the" makes grammatical sense, as with the U.S., or the Netherlands. But don't see that here.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba

Piss off, whitey.

Posted by: The Gambia at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (n+4am)

234 Here it is, again. https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx

Okay, how about purveyor of straw men?

DeSantis said Ryan was a leader, which he manifestly was, just not for our side.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:03 PM (eOEVl)

235 Sudan... We better start flying in refugees....

Posted by: JOE at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (bs+z0)

236 Stay in your lane.

Posted by: The Ukraine at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (DhOHl)

237 don't think they go so far as to plot things out together in a smoke-filled room, cackling like villains in a melodrama. I don't think that they have to. They have the same goals, the same paymasters, and the same worldview, they just vary on how to get there.

They largely come from the same class. They attend the same schools, live in the same neighborhoods, date each other, and fuck each other's wives.
Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 04:32 PM (wmDcS)

----------------

George Carlin made that same point years or decades ago.

The man was a prophet.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (ffUJI)

238 First "the" Ukraine, then "the" Sudan. I'm pretty sure "the" Netherlands is screwed

Posted by: Smell the Glove at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (1Ohlm)

239 This brunette in her underwear would like to cordially invite the entire political establishment to leap into an active volcano:
https://is.gd/3lnzOw
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 25, 2023 04:45 PM (t0OGg)

My son, thy place in Heaven is secure.

Posted by: The LAWD Yo GAWD at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (1Yy3c)

Much better than Trump Wars 2.0, DeStablishment Boogaloo.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (7R+co)

240 I do not share the assumption that the left could not possibly be as unfair to DeSantis as Trump, even if DeSantis is a cut above.

That's really attributing to the left a form of honor I don't see.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (krQz2)

241 It needs to be overturned and rebooted completely. And it will take a Cromwell , or even a Napoleon to do it.

Interesting spellings of Franco and Pinochet.

Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (towrt)

242 Thank you Archimedes.
Glad I'm. It alone here.
Beginning to see what we will be facing troll wise. I think they are being subtle but I think will become more obvious as we get closer to primary season.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 05:04 PM (Y+l9t)

243 @225 whig-should of been more specific because yes, it would take an effort outside of the Republican apparatus.

Posted by: JROD at April 25, 2023 05:05 PM (IlL6s)

244 220 I agree completely Whig - the system is now too far gone to be repaired. It needs to be overturned and rebooted completely. And it will take a Cromwell , or even a Napoleon to do it.
Posted by: Tom Servo

Nothing is impossible with the Lord but the current situation of a republic of the people, by the people and for the people does not look good. The failure of federal public finances could very well trigger a breakup followed by a war to unify or separate.

That is what kicked off the English and French Revolutions, fiscal problems necessitating a call to the middle class to prop up the king's warmaking finances in one case, and to pay debts for past warmaking in the other.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:05 PM (Vtm8d)

245 Jonah Goldberg is at this point essentially like a fat, homeless, unkempt, unsightly Keith Olbermann.

So, Keith Olbermann then.

Posted by: Ian S. at April 25, 2023 05:05 PM (ZGrMX)

246 I LIKED Paul Ryan. I'm not sure what happened to him, but at one time he was popular (even here) and seemed like he'd be a fighter. Unless DeSantis said YESTERDAY that he'd want to be like Paul Ryan, I'm not interested in that statement.

Posted by: Synova at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (BD/yx)

247 Jonah Goldberg is at this point essentially like a fat, homeless, unkempt, unsightly Keith Olbermann.

So, Keith Olbermann then.

Posted by: Ian S. at April 25, 2023 05:05 PM (ZGrMX)

lol

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (7R+co)

248 210 206 DeSantis is a much more anodyne figure, and they'll be hard pressed to treat him the same way they treated Trump, even if they want to. Some will try, though.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:54 PM (eOEVl)

No, they will do it with ease. If they were willing to side with Biden on Garland of the CRT books, obnoxious is not their issue. They LIED to the people about policy. I'm not buying the "we're going to go back on our promises to the people because Trump said pussy" Just no way.
Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 04:57 PM (Zzbjj)
==========
"Mitt Romney gave a woman cancer!"
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=================
TheRomney Lesson: the Propaganda Press and the Democrat smear merchants (sorry to repeat) will slander and try to destroy every single Republican.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (ldx5s)

249 I do not share the assumption that the left could not possibly be as unfair to DeSantis as Trump, even if DeSantis is a cut above.

That's really attributing to the left a form of honor I don't see.

Honor doesn't enter into it. They (and the GOPe) will do whatever they can get away with. My point was simply that DeSantis has a smaller cross section than Trump.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (eOEVl)

250 This is about us, isn't it?

Posted by: Busty girls in their underwear at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (DhOHl)

251 > This brunette in her underwear

Some of your pictures are duds, and some are winners. This one's a winner.

Posted by: bonhomme at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (R38qh)

252 Huh, Fox News fired Dan Bongino too. I think Murdoch is gearing up to sell Fox News.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:58 PM (0hOvj)

---------

Maybe Elon can buy it, merge it into his planned X.com integrated one-stop shop platform, and rename it Twit News.

Posted by: ShainS -- The Abolition of The West is from Men Without Chests at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (p/Gsu)

253 246 I LIKED Paul Ryan. I'm not sure what happened to him, but at one time he was popular (even here) and seemed like he'd be a fighter. Unless DeSantis said YESTERDAY that he'd want to be like Paul Ryan, I'm not interested in that statement.
Posted by: Synova at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (BD/yx)

=========

He was a "fighter" when he couldn't actually get anything done, and even then, it was weak tea stuff like a budget that would balance in 50 years if the government never, ever increased spending again.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (LvTSG)

254 Without wild spurious "troll" accusations, we wouldn't be able to figure out who is on their menstrual cycle, and put them in the hut. [cue Family Guy menstrual cycle gag]

Posted by: The Badgers of Hope County, Montana at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (LNkkH)

255 So, Keith Olbermann then.

Nah, Keith is obssessed with his appearance to a degree seldom seen outside of permanent bachelorhood.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (ppBhU)

256 209:So, about Amy Acker (and Sarah Shahi...especially Sarah Shahi)
Posted by: Huck Follywood

Moar Sarah Shahi!??

Posted by: Puddleglum at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (sAmhv)

257 My son, thy place in Heaven is secure.

Posted by: The LAWD Yo GAWD

**********

Nay, the elbows verily art too pointy

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (VTu1l)

258 248 TheRomney Lesson: the Propaganda Press and the Democrat smear merchants (sorry to repeat) will slander and try to destroy every single Republican.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (ldx5s)

==========

"Except this one, because he's too squeaky clean!"

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (LvTSG)

259 So, Keith Olbermann then.
Posted by: Ian S. at April 25, 2023 05:05 PM (ZGrMX)

Olbermann could pull better tail.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (wmDcS)

260 Jonah Goldberg is at this point essentially like a fat, homeless, unkempt, unsightly Keith Olbermann.
=========================
Now that Ace and Jonah hate each other I wonder who writes Jonah's LA Times column?

Posted by: Huck Follywood at April 25, 2023 05:07 PM (ldx5s)

261 243 @225 whig-should of been more specific because yes, it would take an effort outside of the Republican apparatus.
Posted by: JROD

I support a volunteer organization in my state that is trying to clean the voter rolls via an indy organization, it is better than doing nothing.

Likewise for sound local and state officials. Could give a hoot less about national races.

To do what you are suggesting, would be something similar to what Jefferson Smith did in Mr. Smith goes to Washington except with ballots instead of newspapers. Probably the same result though as both GOP and Dems unify to destroy the threat.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:08 PM (Vtm8d)

262 "Anodyne" should be on a Sherwin Williams color palette somewhere in the off whites.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at April 25, 2023 05:08 PM (DhOHl)

263 Common denominator between Cromwell, Franco, Pinochet, and Napoleon - they all were military leaders with devoted military support.. no way does a purely civil figure ever have the power needed to pull off a major transformation.

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 25, 2023 05:08 PM (i9ffA)

264 "Except this one, because he's too squeaky clean!"

Again, they'll try. But the question is whether Mr. and Mrs. America will buy it. They could believe all those things about Trump because...well...Trump. He invited it. I don't see DeSantis serially divorcing his wives.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (eOEVl)

265 I keep going back to an article I read in 2016- by Matthew Continetti, I believe- arguing that socialism had won, and that the GOP needed to focus on making the case to voters that they were the party better capable of managing the socialist superstate, at least for another twenty years until it was possible to make the "small government" argument again.

There was an interesting Twitter conversation over the weekend, sparked by a full-on communist who said "Conservatives talk about civil war 2. They don't realize that it happened in the late 60s/early 70s and they lost".

Someone noted that in an 18 month period in 1971/72 there were 5 bombings a day in the continental US, according to official records. And many of those bombers now have comfy university or FedGov positions.

So yes, in that way, socialism did win.

Posted by: Ian S. at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (ZGrMX)

266 I LIKED Paul Ryan. I'm not sure what happened to him

************

Eddie Munster was cool right up to when he bent over and let Biden rim ride him in the VP debate in classic soysimp soaked fashion, and then that was it

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (VTu1l)

267 "Anodyne" should be on a Sherwin Williams color palette somewhere in the off whites.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at April 25, 2023 05:08 PM (DhOHl)

It's in their "Non-denominational Church" Palatte...

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (wmDcS)

268 Do their cycles synch?

Posted by: Just Wondering at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (DhOHl)

269 NOOD

Posted by: It's me donna at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (bs+z0)

270 Sarah Shahi is greatly underappreciated. Except here, obviously.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at April 25, 2023 05:10 PM (ldx5s)

271 Sure the media that called a bill the "Don't Say Gay" bill to riff endlessly on how teachers, who are already censored as "employees of the State" would be censored from using the word gay, they're going to be more straightforward with DeSantis because he's not Trump!

The scorpion only stings Trump.

Posted by: Axeman at April 25, 2023 05:10 PM (krQz2)

272 I LIKED Paul Ryan. I'm not sure what happened to him, but at one time he was popular (even here) and seemed like he'd be a fighter. Unless DeSantis said YESTERDAY that he'd want to be like Paul Ryan, I'm not interested in that statement.

Posted by: Synova at April 25, 2023 05:06 PM (BD/yx)

See, I don't hold stuff like this against pols. They say stupid stuff to ingratiate themselves with other power players, hoping to gain power themselves.

I am more concerned with who is backing that politician, and what do they hope to get out of it. Because, we should have long been disabused of the foolish notion that we are their constituents.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:10 PM (7R+co)

273 Trump was not smart enough to figure out how to make majority R congress work

There was no way to get them to work with him. Ever.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 25, 2023 04:48 PM (0hOvj)

---------------

Just a reminder that Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell were at the bigwig Jekyll Island confab in 2016 on how to stop Trump from winning the nomination.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (ffUJI)

274 I LIKED Paul Ryan. I'm not sure what happened to him, but at one time he was popular (even here) and seemed like he'd be a fighter.

He told Obama to his face that he was a big dummy that doesn't understand math. And 2 weeks later he was a Democrat. I think he was shown his CIA blackmail file, for daring to insult the Lightbringer.

Posted by: Ian S. at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (ZGrMX)

275 264 "Except this one, because he's too squeaky clean!"

Again, they'll try. But the question is whether Mr. and Mrs. America will buy it. They could believe all those things about Trump because...well...Trump. He invited it. I don't see DeSantis serially divorcing his wives.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (eOEVl)

========

They believed it about Romney.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (LvTSG)

276 I am more concerned with who is backing that politician, and what do they hope to get out of it.

Trump just got the endorsement of a bunch of the FL GOPe.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (eOEVl)

277 Again, they'll try. But the question is whether Mr. and Mrs. America will buy it. They could believe all those things about Trump because...well...Trump. He invited it. I don't see DeSantis serially divorcing his wives.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:09 PM (eOEVl)

Again, they believed it about Romney. Even if they didn't really buy it, the accusations gave suburban voters, especially women, something to latch onto and justify joining the other side. They needed a thin shred of a reason to vote Dem. It's never about actual policies or the candidate, but about being in good standing with one's social circle.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (wmDcS)

278 Pinochet, Julius Caesar, or Franco--a strong man to stamp on obnoxious elites in favor of the productive class. That sometimes coincides with a collapse of the public fisc as well.
Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (Vtm8d)

Not to be a downer, but remember also that these generals, in the long run, failed.
Cromwell could be said to have succeeded because he drew back to a more traditional way of English governance that the later kings could not ignore, and appealed to the larger parts of society that still felt that the nobility and king were occupiers.

A strong man may be someone to rally to, but for long term success you need more that charisma, you need a system that works as well or better than the one being rebelled against.
in the end Julius Caesar, Franco, and Pinochet were declared to be not illegitimate authority because of what the did to break the system, and not enough people opposed that. Cromwell's long parliament and protectorate also failed since did not have enough legitimacy to survive his death, though his principles of what makes a legitimate ruler did.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 05:12 PM (xhaym)

279 They believed it about Romney.

No, I think that was unique. Nobody was going to beat the first black president.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:13 PM (eOEVl)

280 They believed it about Romney.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being witty and sophisticated with Ernst Lubitsch at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (LvTSG)

They believe the media.
Every time

Posted by: JoeF. at April 25, 2023 05:13 PM (mR6Gs)

281 He told Obama to his face that he was a big dummy that doesn't understand math. And 2 weeks later he was a Democrat. I think he was shown his CIA blackmail file, for daring to insult the Lightbringer.

Posted by: Ian S. at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (ZGrMX)

That makes sense.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:13 PM (7R+co)

282 So yes, in that way, socialism did win.

We embraced Federalized Socialism in parts long before that. Social Security. Medicare. Food Stamps. And a ton of other "safety nets". What are they, other than socialism.

And afterward. Reagan signed EMTALA. Federalized public schools. Subsidized college education. And on and on and on.

And people, for the most part, absolutely love it.

Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 05:14 PM (towrt)

283 Again, they believed it about Romney. Even if they didn't really buy it, the accusations gave suburban voters, especially women, something to latch onto and justify joining the other side. They needed a thin shred of a reason to vote Dem. It's never about actual policies or the candidate, but about being in good standing with one's social circle.

Agree, but as I said in 279, there was simply no way they were going to defy their group and NOT vote for Obama. Romney was almost incidental.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:14 PM (eOEVl)

284 I LIKED Paul Ryan. I'm not sure what happened to him, but at one time he was popular (even here) and seemed like he'd be a fighter. Unless DeSantis said YESTERDAY that he'd want to be like Paul Ryan, I'm not interested in that statement.
Posted by: Synova
--------
Synova, I advise from experience with politicians close up in the past, don't ever get into the mental habit of 'liking' a politician. They are essentially employees and work for you. As a cruel but efficient boss, you decide their fate by what they do; never by what they promise or whether they are likable.

Never personalize your political decisions as politicians (or con artists for that matter) are excellent at emotional appeals when any application of reason and logic indicates that they cannot do what they promise.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:14 PM (Vtm8d)

285 He told Obama to his face that he was a big dummy that doesn't understand math. And 2 weeks later he was a Democrat. I think he was shown his CIA blackmail file, for daring to insult the Lightbringer.
Posted by: Ian S. at April 25, 2023 05:11 PM (ZGrMX)

I really and truly hate the fact that my initial reaction to this isn't that it's off in the conspiracy theory corn field but that it's entirely possible that it's true.

F*ck.

Posted by: Synova at April 25, 2023 05:14 PM (BD/yx)

286 I just looked up that quote and the site won't let me see the rest to find out when, where that quote was taken from. It is 1/2023 but that was when it was posted. De Santis looks younger in the little bit of video and remember he was a congressman so probably served under Ryan's speakership as a newbie comgresman would expect him to respect his leader. And as was said previously, we all did like Ryan at one point.
So, again, Archimedes provided more proof of what is happening than CN.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 05:15 PM (Y+l9t)

287 224 As much as the libs bitch about Hannity, you'd think he'd be the next to go.

I think he's viewed as a safe, controllable "alternative voice" on the channel, someone you can trot out and say "see, we are neutral, we have both sides"
____

I have no idea what you are talking about. No, seriously, I have no clue.

Posted by: Sean Clueless Hannity at April 25, 2023 05:15 PM (fs1hN)

288 To be clear: Trump was torpedoed by his own side, but that doesn't entitle him to reelection. Both things can be true.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 04:51 PM (eOEVl)

To say that both can be true is not helpful. There are a lot of true things that have nothing to do with each other, and to bring them all up can be a false equivalency. Dirty pool in debate, my good man.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 05:15 PM (xhaym)

289 Our side needs to figure out how to make some money.
Posted by: Blago

------------

The system is rigged.

The reason there are very little or no conservative ultrarich is because the vast majority of money created in the system goes to the well connected financial people first.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at April 25, 2023 05:17 PM (ffUJI)

290 I can imagine DJT will be found guilty in a case decades old that they magically figured out how the statute of limitations has long ago hasn't expired.

Posted by: Skip at April 25, 2023 05:17 PM (xhxe8)

291 Romney did. I thing to fight back against the dog on the car, cutting some kids hair in High School, binders full of women. The debate where he let Candy Crowley walk all over him. He deserved to lose. Besides he was never a true conservative. If that was true he neve would have won in MA.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 05:18 PM (Y+l9t)

292 Again, they believed it about Romney. Even if they didn't really buy it, the accusations gave suburban voters, especially women, something to latch onto and justify joining the other side. They needed a thin shred of a reason to vote Dem. It's never about actual policies or the candidate, but about being in good standing with one's social circle.

Agree, but as I said in 279, there was simply no way they were going to defy their group and NOT vote for Obama. Romney was almost incidental.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:14 PM (eOEVl)

But they still needed something to latch onto , some thin reed of reasonable doubt to justify them not doing what they didn't want to do in the first place.

Posted by: JoeF. at April 25, 2023 05:18 PM (mR6Gs)

293 Did nothing. I have to stop typing faster than the iPad can keep up.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 05:19 PM (Y+l9t)

294 Kindltot,

All men and systems fail including leftists, it is the nature of the beast but failures have repercussions well beyond their time period. Caesar's adopted son becomes First Citizen and reigns as a shadow emperor, Cromwell's aftermath includes a King too cowed by his ghost to replicate what his father did and then James II has to flee because of Cromwell's living legacies not being willing to put up with a return of the Stuarts and their ways. Pinochet's legacy is that Chile is still not as dysfunctional as much of the rest of Latin America. Had Allende remained it power, Chile would probably be Venezuela by now.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:20 PM (Vtm8d)

295 "Republicans ran on repealing Obamacare for years. Then when Trump won and they had to votes to do it, McCain helped prevent them from doing it. "
---
Not just that, they put up a brand new, convoluted bill. Instead of any one of the 8 prior bills they had all voted in favor of-- when it was safe that Obama would veto it.

So it was the very peak of their duplicity exposed out in the wide open.
And they still act like we didn't see them do it.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at April 25, 2023 05:20 PM (aqviX)

296 The system is rigged. The reason there are very little or no conservative ultrarich is because the vast majority of money created in the system goes to the well connected financial people first.

Ever stop to consider just how much we sound like old 80s hippies arguing against Big This and That ? Too bad we didn't listen to them back then.

Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 05:20 PM (towrt)

297 136 IN THE SUDAN?
Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger
_______________

How did it become "the" Sudan? I mean, sometimes "the" makes grammatical sense, as with the U.S., or the Netherlands. But don't see that here.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at April 25, 2023 04:44 PM (96fR7)
----
It's been The Sudan for as long as I can remember in 40 years of Africa. Kenya and Uganda, where I spent a long time, are at it's southern border.

Posted by: Ciampino -- spicy samosas are delicious at April 25, 2023 05:20 PM (qfLjt)

298 Romney did. I thing to fight back against the dog on the car, cutting some kids hair in High School, binders full of women. The debate where he let Candy Crowley walk all over him. He deserved to lose. Besides he was never a true conservative. If that was true he neve would have won in MA.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 05:18 PM (Y+l9t)

That was the debate AFTER the one where Mitt cleaned Barry's clock and then toned it down so as not to offend Barry's voters? Or was that the third debate?

Either way, I think the Candy Crowley Intervention is when Mitt got the message that he wasn't going to be allowed to win

Posted by: JoeF. at April 25, 2023 05:21 PM (mR6Gs)

299 Repost from last night.

First Little League game of the season on the books with a win. Little flounder played catcher, pitcher (first appearance), and first.

Two to three errors (one as first, one as pitcher, both tough ground balls between fielders, and another throwing error to first), and two bases on balls and one strikeout for at bats.

In his initial closing appearance, he let two runs go in two innings - mostly fielding errors with successive overthrows - and he struck out five, IIRC.

Not too bad, considering he's playing with older kids this year. But he works his tail off, and I am very proud.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:21 PM (7R+co)

300 If Tucker Carlson throws his hat in the ring (and why the heck not?) he will also be so much worse than either Don or Ron that the abundance of kitten having will be apocalyptic in angst and horror.
Posted by: Synova at April 25, 2023 04:53 PM (BD/yx)

Wally Pleasant wrote a song addressing a situation like that

https://youtu.be/sVQWbV6CwLA

Bob Dylan was the first Bob Dylan, who was billed as the next Woody Guthrie . . . And the next Bob Dylan is the flavor of the week on MTV . . .

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 05:22 PM (xhaym)

301 "Mitt Romney gave a woman cancer!"
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
-----------

"Mitt Romey drove with a dog on top of his station wagon."

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 25, 2023 05:22 PM (ju2Fy)

302 https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx
https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx
https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx
I posted it 3 other times, but some people just can't find it
And with that, after being here since Bush was president. I am now a troll. Of course. Utter bullshit, just like giving the GOP and out on campaign promises because Trump is so crude. Honorable men would have honored their promises and not punish the people, but some brilliant minds can't see this.

Now I will have more time for other things.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 05:23 PM (Zzbjj)

303 Wish we'd been as wise in our youth. We used to have bitchin' name.
Posted by: The Netherlands at April 25, 2023 04:53 PM (wzAuc)

The Netherlands has gone through more names than a garage band.

What Holland? Weren't you The Dutch last week?

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 05:24 PM (xhaym)

304 263 Common denominator between Cromwell, Franco, Pinochet, and Napoleon - they all were military leaders with devoted military support.. no way does a purely civil figure ever have the power needed to pull off a major transformation.
Posted by: Tom Servo
-------
I think it is more to the point to have some organization behind you as some of the nasty transitions in Italian mini states from aristos to princes or despots and in some other places like the Russian Revolution had the common folks arming up in hurried fashion as a civil movement became an army. But your point is well served, you have to have legions of some sort behind you.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:26 PM (Vtm8d)

305 But he works his tail off, and I am very proud.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder
-------------

Congrats. 11-13 year olds?

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 25, 2023 05:26 PM (ju2Fy)

306 And with that, after being here since Bush was president. I am now a troll. Of course. Utter bullshit, just like giving the GOP and out on campaign promises because Trump is so crude. Honorable men would have honored their promises and not punish the people, but some brilliant minds can't see this.

Now I will have more time for other things.
Posted by: CN
------
People tend to argue politics from the point of a lawyer defending a client and simply put weave a narrative to explain the facts most favorable to their client. I don't take it personally anymore despite insults of various sorts.

Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:27 PM (Vtm8d)

307 Congrats. 11-13 year olds?

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 25, 2023 05:26 PM (ju2Fy)

9-10 year olds. He is 8.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:30 PM (7R+co)

308 Piss off, whitey.
Posted by: The Gambia at April 25, 2023 05:02 PM (n+4am)

Qu'est-ce que vous prétendez ?

Posted by: Le C�te d'Ivoire at April 25, 2023 05:30 PM (xhaym)

309 Now I will have more time for other things.

Posted by: CN at April 25, 2023 05:23 PM (Zzbjj)

Stick around. People who can't make a cogent argument sling slurs. We're all on the same side here.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at April 25, 2023 05:31 PM (7R+co)

310
Ever stop to consider just how much we sound like old 80s hippies arguing against Big This and That ? Too bad we didn't listen to them back then.
Posted by: Hairy Handed Gent at April 25, 2023 05:20 PM (towrt)

------------

Yes. I had a hippie college professor that railed against the Chamber of Commerce in the late 80's. He was 100% spot on.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at April 25, 2023 05:35 PM (ffUJI)

311 Pinochet's legacy is that Chile is still not as dysfunctional as much of the rest of Latin America. Had Allende remained it power, Chile would probably be Venezuela by now.
Posted by: whig at April 25, 2023 05:20 PM (Vtm8d)

I agree with Cromwell, but he built on what was there. Chile has gone back to nationalizing industries and socialism, and will be Venezuela eventually.
As will colombia

Posted by: Kindltot at April 25, 2023 05:37 PM (xhaym)

312 To say that both can be true is not helpful. There are a lot of true things that have nothing to do with each other, and to bring them all up can be a false equivalency. Dirty pool in debate, my good man.

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. What equivalency?

Posted by: Archimedes at April 25, 2023 05:41 PM (eOEVl)

313 His surname is 'Dougherty'.

Posted by: Art Deco at April 25, 2023 05:54 PM (V7E3M)

314 Michael Brendan Dougherty (not Doherty) is one of the few good writers at National Review. He's also a non-interventionist. Not sure how he survives there.

The amusing thing about The Bulwark is how it hosts a million different podcasts, none of which have any listeners. The fact that they publish movie reviews is hysterical. Sonny Bunch could not be a bigger moron if he tried.

Posted by: Michael Mann Fan at April 25, 2023 06:01 PM (18PNs)

315 ttps://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx
https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx
https://tinyurl.com/56we2dfx
I posted it 3 other times, but some people just can't find it
And with that, after being here since Bush was president. I am now a troll. Of course. Utter bullshit, just like giving the GOP and out on campaign promises because Trump is so crude. Honorable men would have honored their promises and not punish the people, but some brilliant minds can't see this.

++++
286 I just looked up that quote and the site won't let me see the rest to find out when, where that quote was taken from. It is 1/2023 but that was when it was posted. De Santis looks younger in the little bit of video and remember he was a congressman so probably served under Ryan's speakership as a newbie comgresman would expect him to respect his leader. And as was said previously, we all did like Ryan at one point.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 25, 2023 06:02 PM (Y+l9t)

316 I get paid over $85 per hour working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I'd be able to do it but my best friend earns over 12,000 bucks a month doing this and she convinced me to try. The potential with this is endless.
Here's what I've been doing.. www.Payathome7.com

Posted by: www.Payathome7.com at April 25, 2023 09:34 PM (RbgK5)

Processing 0.05, elapsed 0.056 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0157 seconds, 325 records returned.
Page size 199 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.