tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post6073401043390834060..comments2023-10-23T14:15:29.331-07:00Comments on Shallow Cogitations: Possibly Coming To A Bigoted State Near YouHank Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15243840232233423724noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-25253206590147945932013-05-15T07:40:20.712-07:002013-05-15T07:40:20.712-07:00The Watergate story worked well because it had a c...The Watergate story worked well because it had a cartoon story at its core--the break-in--that linked to, and could stand in for, larger issues. The media got to present themselves as both victims and heroes (writing the story became the story), and feds were at war with each other (Deep Throat) providing revelations. It was impossible not to root for the neatest conclusion--the President's direct involvement. At that time, of course, people already had the now-quaint notion that a President was responsible, even if not guilty, and the buck stopped in the oval office.<br /><br />The AP story has many of the same elements. Easily understood complaint, link to larger issues, victim/heroic (and nostalgic) media, and,in the background, federal officials missing the informal leak process. Particularly so given the White House itself releases 'official' leaks (eg the drone white paper) that never get investigated. Interagency disputes no longer air out in the right hand column of the Times, and it's a pressure cooker of resentment.<br /><br />Interestingly, Obama and Holder are hiding behind Watergate era reforms that increased the indepence of agencies. Can that work? Do our votes mean nothing? The balance seems far out of whack when an AG recuses himself from knowledge of "one of the biggest" investigations of the Justice Department.<br /><br />But also gone is the Special Prosecutor.<br /><br />It really seems that now the executive can pick and choose when to take responsibility, and when to dump responsibility on lower level managers. And of course Obama can always play the national security card--total power with zero oversight.<br /><br />In the AP scandal, though, he and Holder appear to invoke both strategies. We recused ourselves, but even then, it was for national security. That seems a contradiction. If the investigation was for national security, the locus has to be in the special national security apparatus headed by the President, and including the AG. But the White House has oddly gone so far to say this was an independent criminal investigation. And remember, Justice targeted personal and home phones, presumably shared phones as well.<br /><br />Is Obama saying that entities within the federal government can violate civil liberties independent of the White House national security apparatus and/<br />or political oversight? This is in fact a crucial step in the development of totalitarian societies--independent, politically unaccountable quasi agencies for surveillance and intimidation. Obama and Holder's recusal defense apparently rests on this new "independent contractor" spinoff of national security doctrine.<br /><br />I guess that's what he meant by a "new era of responsibility."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-22771597893579196952013-05-14T15:53:43.624-07:002013-05-14T15:53:43.624-07:00I have never been a quitter. To leave office befor...I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body.<br /><br />Therefore, I shall recuse myself from responsibility for any decision I have ever made, effective at noon whenever.BHOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-29525600795860724502013-05-14T15:42:13.422-07:002013-05-14T15:42:13.422-07:00Recusal? Goddamit why didn't I think of that?...Recusal? Goddamit why didn't I think of that? I hadda wait for that goddam Ford pardon? Shoulda RECUSED myself. Goddamit. RMNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-82116409843134008382013-05-14T15:25:37.829-07:002013-05-14T15:25:37.829-07:00My favorite is Holder "recusing" himself...My favorite is Holder "recusing" himself from the AP spying scandal. Let's all try it!<br /><br />"It's not my fault, Teacher. I recused myself from the homework process."<br /><br />"But officer, I recused myself from anticipating the effects of drinking vis-a-vis my driving."<br /><br />"You can't try me for this crime, judge, I've recused myself from this trial."Je recusenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-5032114401477733702013-05-14T15:01:22.620-07:002013-05-14T15:01:22.620-07:00Is there any hope that the Libya, IRS, and AP stor...Is there any hope that the Libya, IRS, and AP stories are also satire?<br /><br />This week all the papers read like the Onion.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-52310032486703474212013-05-14T13:47:39.486-07:002013-05-14T13:47:39.486-07:00Alas, the story of Bachmann moving to Eugene was b...Alas, the story of Bachmann moving to Eugene was but a fantasy tease.<br /><br />I was so hoping to see Bachmann twirly-dancing at the Oregon Country Fair, painted, high, and topless.<br /><br />Good one.Cal Apooyanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-91198722614616396372013-05-14T10:16:46.266-07:002013-05-14T10:16:46.266-07:00If Bachmann is Coulter's drag persona, that co...If Bachmann is Coulter's drag persona, that could add another to layer of credibility to Coulter's "outing" of Marcus Bachmann.<br /><br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/09/ann-coulter-marcus-bachmann-sexuality_n_1138784.html<br /><br />Maybe the "Judy Garland of the right wing" is actually BOTH Marcus and Michele.<br /><br />The two shall be as one! Now, that's deviant.Three Fingered Jacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-56356667035034000142013-05-14T09:20:28.781-07:002013-05-14T09:20:28.781-07:00So, in order to avoid God's wrathful volcanoes...So, in order to avoid God's wrathful volcanoes and earthquakes, Bachmann says she's moving from the seismically polite Minnesota to...Oregon??<br /><br />Maybe she could get a nice cabin on Crater Lake and think about that logically.<br /><br /><br /><br />Twisted Sistersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-55797629656454772932013-05-14T07:45:06.747-07:002013-05-14T07:45:06.747-07:00Michele Bachmann is Ann Coulter in drag.
Bible or...Michele Bachmann is Ann Coulter in drag.<br /><br />Bible or not, she's not going anywhere.Big Lotsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-7178555052572432852013-05-14T07:29:54.415-07:002013-05-14T07:29:54.415-07:00The Sodom-Gomorrah Metropolitan Region Development...The Sodom-Gomorrah Metropolitan Region Development Council (SoGo) has passed a resolution advising the Twin Cities to take Ms. Bachmann's claims with a pinch of salt.<br /><br />A pillar of salt, even.<br /><br />SoGo advises Ms Bachmann, "Girlfriend, just leave and don't look back!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com