Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats

[GasBandit]

This makes me sick: Tennessee Cops Posed as a Defense Attorney To Get Suspect To Incriminate Himself. Not only did the cops do this, but the DA asked the judge to ignore it. The judge let it go to trial. The three cops still have their jobs as well.This is a cluster fuck of massive proportions.

Seriously, how hard is this to understand?When Justice is corrupted one, it is corrupted FOR US ALL.

EDIT: Here's the opinion from the case. These guys pretended to be federal attorneys, going so far as to make fake letterhead and delivering mail to the defendants. This is like a bad movie.

That's like a far more sinister, far more conspiratorial version of a different story I heard when I was young... It was the early 80s and a great many low-income criminals had yet to see an actual polygraph machine... or a photocopier. So some enterprising police interrogators got a piece of paper with a typewritten "HE'S LYING" on it and put it on the glass, then brought in the suspect and "plugged him in to the lie detector." Then every time the suspect protested innocence, they'd just push the copy button and show him the paper that came out.

Yeeeeeah, that got the brakes put on it fairly quickly once it came to light.

 

[Covar]

That's like a far more sinister, far more conspiratorial version of a different story I heard when I was young... It was the early 80s and a great many low-income criminals had yet to see an actual polygraph machine... or a photocopier. So some enterprising police interrogators got a piece of paper with a typewritten "HE'S LYING" on it and put it on the glass, then brought in the suspect and "plugged him in to the lie detector." Then every time the suspect protested innocence, they'd just push the copy button and show him the paper that came out.

Yeeeeeah, that got the breaks put on it fairly quickly once it came to light.

That sounds about as effective as a polygraph.

 

[GasBandit]

This statistic should scare the yak squeeze out of any productive member of society - Government payouts make up more than a third of total wages and salaries of the U.S. population. Even as the economy has recovered, social welfare benefits make up 35 percent of wages and salaries this year, up from 21 percent in 2000 and 10 percent in 1960.

Thomas Sowell explores union myths.

Here are five reasons why unions are bad for America.

Today is the day that TSA workers begin to vote on which union they want representing them.

Harry Reid is promising an up-or-down vote on the $61 billion in budget cuts passed by House Republicans -- just to show that version of the spending bill is "dead."

At what job can you work just 30 days over three years and get paid a full year's salary? If you are a government school teacher in Green Bay, Wisconsin

The Democrat Party of Wisconsin has filed an ethics complaint against Gov. Scott Walker

General Motors' lobbying expenses went up 113% in 2010. Bailout money at work.

Democrats in the House are upset with Republicans ... for switching to Styrofoam cups in the cafeteria.

The young 20 year old police chief of a violent Mexican border town is now seeking asylum in the United States.

(Video) The New F***ing Tone. Warning: unsafe for work.

 

[AshburnerX]

The young 20 year old police chief of a violent Mexican border town is now seeking asylum in the United States.

They've updated that story since you posted it. No one is confirming or denying anything other than she is here at the moment, but it IS likely the case that the cartels had enough of her and forced her to flee the country.

 

[Disconnected]

heh. Yak Squeeze. I like that. I've heard of many squeezes but I think that's the first yak.

 

[Krisken]

You really should stay away from the Wisconsin stories, Gas, since I've already posted them in another thread. Well, except the crazy opinion pieces whining about unions.

 

[GasBandit]

You really should stay away from the Wisconsin stories, Gas, since I've already posted them in another thread. Well, except the crazy opinion pieces whining about unions.

I've noticed (way after the fact of course) that happen a couple times, and I grumble. I blame the new board's layout... no, I don't, this has been a problem for me ever since everything got segregated into subforums. I hate subforums. They make browsing for topics irritating for me, so I don't. There's been maybe one time each month when I actually go and look at other threads to see what's going on... otherwise I just keep clicking "watched threads" and replying when someone replies to me. And yes, I know about the "what's new" button but for some reason it's just not the same.

So, sorry if I post something you already posted in another thread.

 

[Krisken]

It's cool Just thought I'd give you a heads up that I'm trying to keep the Wisconsin stuff separate from the general mish mash. I'd like to keep it as up to date as possible (and have been doing my darnedest to do so!)

 

[jwhouk]

Truth is, I'm looking both places.

And from what I understand, the capitol building is PACKED at the moment.

 

[Krisken]

You can see it here:
http://www.livestream.com/theuptake...e612&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb

 

[GasBandit]

By removing all spending clauses from the bill, thus removing the need for a quorum, Wisconsin Republicans have passed the bill. But I'm sure that's all covered in Krisken's thread so I 'll just leave that to it.

Today is the Homeland Security Committee hearing on Islamic radicalization, called by Chairman Rep. Peter King. MSNBC moonbat Chris Matthews wants to know why King isn't going after Arab Christians. /facepalm.

Patients are demanding doctors' orders for over-the-counter products because of a provision in ObamaCare that slipped past nearly everyone's radar.

The latest ObamaCare waiver goes to ... the entire state of Maine!

The Senate has rejected the Republican and Democrat plans (as pithy as they were) to cut spending.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says that the Republicans will continue with their efforts to defund NPR.

Here's government education for you! An estimated 82 percent of U.S. schools could be labeled as "failing" under the nation's No Child Left Behind Act this year. Not that NCLB is a good thing, but we just seem to keep lowering that bar.

New polls show that 64% of Americans believe our country to be on the wrong track.

Another day, another union thug ... doing what union thugs do best.

Enjoy it while we can: America still has the most billionaires. But China, Russia, India and Brazil are moving up fast.

 

[AshburnerX]

Another day, another union thug ... doing what union thugs do best.

To quote the article:

Yesterday was a lovely day in Columbus, Ohio. The sun was shining, the breeze was crisp, birds were singing, and union thugs were marching around the state capitol, demanding the “right” to squeeze more platinum benefits out of taxpayers.

No, it wasn't and no they weren't. We've been having off and on rain the last few days in Columbus. That's why everyone is wearing coats and some of they are carrying umbrellas. Second, they were protesting a similar union busting measure to the one in WI. Third, that was a single guy telling a cameraman to get out of his face, not a concentrated union assault. If it was, the clip would have lasted a lot longer than 10-15 seconds and would have involved the camera guy running for his life.

However, if you want a good idea of how the Tea Party acts around Columbus, Ohio, why not give this clip a gander?



That's Tea Party members taunting a guy with Parkinson's at a protest almost a year ago. There IS a reason why the Tea Party is genuinely reviled by most members of the state of Ohio and it's because they do shit like this ALL. THE. TIME. It's not surprising that no one wanted to deal with them during the weather we've been having, especially with emotions running as high as they have been the last few weeks.

 

[GasBandit]

The difference is the Teamsters really DO break bones.

 

[Espy]

You know, in general, no matter the side, I find most protestors to be extremely annoying. It seems to be the excuse to get loud, ugly and stupid.

 

[Krisken]

The difference is the Teamsters really DO break bones.

When was the last time a teamster broke someone's bones? Is this something you saw on The Soprano's?

I'm pretty sure the Wisconsin Teachers unions, along with those representing the garbage men and other city workers, aren't breaking bones. You're confusing private unions with public unions, and in very, VERY different places.

 

[GasBandit]

You know, in general, no matter the side, I find most protestors to be extremely annoying. It seems to be the excuse to get loud, ugly and stupid.

Well, you do remember my stance on anyone carrying a sign in public during normal work hours, yes?

When was the last time a teamster broke someone's bones? Is this something you saw on The Soprano's?

I'm pretty sure the Wisconsin Teachers unions, along with those representing the garbage men and other city workers, aren't breaking bones. You're confusing private unions with public unions, and in very, VERY different places.

Ah, my mistake, you're right, it wasn't the Teamsters, it was the SEIU I was thinking of.

 

[Krisken]

You are a silly person.

 

[Espy]

Well, you do remember my stance on anyone carrying a sign in public during normal work hours, yes?

Vaguely but for the sake of enjoyment please repost.

 

[Krisken]

I must have missed it. I guess I would have expected that kind of statement when the tea partiers were donning their tri-corner hats and carrying guns into parks.

 

[TheBrew]

You and I both know that they don't count.

 

[Espy]

You and I both know that they don't count.

Obviously, if there is one thing Gas has been super clear about it's that he loves Tea Party protestors and Tea Party people in general.

 

[Adam]

Obviously, if there is one thing Gas has been super clear about it's that he loves Tea Party protestors and Tea Party people in general.

I support what the Tea Party goals are. I don't support some of the idiots and whackjobs who have been attracted to the movement.

 

[Espy]

Which is great, but I don't think Gas loves any protestors terribly much. Nor do I. I'm not saying what some protestors do isn't good or valid, but it still usually annoys me.

 

[GasBandit]

Vaguely but for the sake of enjoyment please repost.

Even I don't remember the exact wording, but the general idea was, if you see someone carrying a sign and shouting/chanting in public during normal working hours on a weekday, chances are that person, regardless of what cause he or she champions, is a douchebag and probably doesn't have the firmest grasp on reality or perspective

Obviously, if there is one thing Gas has been super clear about it's that he loves Tea Party protestors and Tea Party people in general.

I do love them. I love that now republicans can have protests somewhere other than abortion clinics, and often and vocally. Because as much disdain as I have for protesters individually, the conflict-junkie in me can't help but love what happens in these situations.
Added at: 14:51

I support what the Tea Party goals are. I don't support some of the idiots and whackjobs who have been attracted to the movement.

The thing is, it's a grass roots movement and it isn't centralized, so really there's no "The Tea Party" any more than there are "The Muslims."

And really, some people just look for an excuse to protest. And that's the case on all sides of the political spectrum.

 

[Espy]

I do love them. I love that now republicans can have protests somewhere other than abortion clinics, and often and vocally. Because as much disdain as I have for protesters individually, the conflict-junkie in me can't help but love what happens in these situations.

Fair enough.

 

[Krisken]

The thing is, it's a grass roots movement and it isn't centralized, so really there's no "The Tea Party" any more than there are "The Muslims."
And really, some people just look for an excuse to protest. And that's the case on all sides of the political spectrum.

This, while true, has some big financial backers. Most grass roots movements don't have access to

 

[Adam]

The thing is, it's a grass roots movement and it isn't centralized, so really there's no "The Tea Party" any more than there are "The Muslims."

And really, some people just look for an excuse to protest. And that's the case on all sides of the political spectrum.

That's why I didn't use quotes around "Tea Party". What I understand is that the central tenets of a Tea Party is that it is citizens taking back their government from the establishment. Less government, less regulation, less social engineering. It's more a libertarian movement than republican, even if Republicans are jumping all over themselves to be considered the 'official' Tea Party candidate. (Joe Miller, "I am not a witch" O'Donnell)

 

[GasBandit]

This, while true, has some big financial backers. Most grass roots movements don't have access to

I think those were more opportunistic interlopers rather than founders. I meant to say it STARTED as a grassroots movement.

That's why I didn't use quotes around "Tea Party". What I understand is that the central tenets of a Tea Party is that it is citizens taking back their government from the establishment. Less government, less regulation, less social engineering. It's more a libertarian movement than republican, even if Republicans are jumping all over themselves to be considered the 'official' Tea Party candidate. (Joe Miller, "I am not a witch" O'Donnell)

At its core it would be, if it stuck to its premise... unfortunately it's been co-opted by a few commercial interests, racists, homophobes, lunatics, and regular old Republicans who just want to ride the groundswell of anti-government sentiment to greater government power.

And let's be frank, most Republicans don't [really] want a small government or less power any more than Democrats do. They say they want a government that isn't intrusive in the same breath they say they want the federal government to ban gay marriage, ban abortion in any form, and cluster bomb back to the stone age every middle-eastern and south asian nation where terrorists MIGHT be (although for some, admittedly, that might be a short trip, but it still takes a squadron of multibillion dollar stealth bombers to do it).

 

[MindDetective]

I could respect the Republican party more if it would at least be consistent. The small, less intrusive government + moral police cognitive dissonance thing they have going irks me to no end. I am no democrat either, but you just touched a nerve pointing out that particular hypocrisy of the Republicans.

 

[Espy]

I could respect the Republican party more if it would at least be consistent. The small, less intrusive government + moral police cognitive dissonance thing they have going irks me to no end. I am no democrat either, but you just touched a nerve pointing out that particular hypocrisy of the Republicans.

Amen.

 

[GasBandit]

And on that note - Just "How are Democrats and Republicans Different?" when it comes to using tricks to pass legislation?

The collective bargaining issue for government employees is now also playing out in Iowa, where government employee unions contributed almost exclusively to Democrats' campaigns in the past decade.

Liberals deriding Michelle Bachmann for pointing out a $105 billion slush fund in advance appropriations tucked inside Obamacare. Well guess what? Turns out...

The number of individuals renouncing their U.S. citizenship and expatriating from the U.S. more than doubled in 2010.

This columnist believes that the fight over government unions is already lost. Here's why.

A House Republican is pushing a new bill that would allow individuals to get a waiver for ObamaCare's individual mandate.

Between 1961-62 and 2006-07, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education, per-pupil spending in public schools more than tripled in real terms, while student achievement stagnated.

This from the UK: Hospitals are cutting back on routine operations like hip and knee replacements as the NHS budget freeze starts to take effect while waiting times are beginning to rise.

A generational gap seems to be emerging among Iowa caucus-goers with many younger voters citing the nation's fiscal situation as their main focus, while older Republicans cite social issues.

Maryland spent $18 million on an effort to modernize its tax collection system, then abandoned the project without ever using it.

John Kerry is looking to slash taxes on some small businesses in America.

Michigan Governor wants broad new emergency powers. What could go wrong?

 

[AshburnerX]

The number of individuals renouncing their U.S. citizenship and expatriating from the U.S. more than doubled in 2010.

I'm pretty sure US citizenship isn't something you can officially renounce unless you weren't born here. I know they can't (or at least won't) deport you if you were.

 

[GasBandit]

I'm pretty sure US citizenship isn't something you can officially renounce unless you weren't born here. I know they can't (or at least won't) deport you if you were.

That sounds logical to me - probably what this is a measure of is immigrants going back home because of the economy... but terminating their citizenship means they don't expect to come back if and when things improve.

 

[Krisken]

Yeah, it has nothing to do with the general mood of the country and the way they treat immigrants and is only tied to the economy.

 

[GasBandit]

Yeah, it has nothing to do with the general mood of the country and the way they treat immigrants and is only tied to the economy.

From what other things I've read in the past, it's primarily been the economy getting them to come here in the first place. But really, I think you're exaggerating the "how we treat immigrants" bit. The aforementioned people were not only legal, but already citizens - and it's the illegals who bear the brunt of the most disdain.