tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post9209326527579985421..comments2024-03-28T16:08:29.578-04:00Comments on Sardonicky: Some Climates Never ChangeKaren Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-72108015800864762992013-06-28T21:46:11.330-04:002013-06-28T21:46:11.330-04:00Just a little local news:
http://www.sacbee.com/2...Just a little local news:<br /><br />http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/28/5530481/no-jury-trial-for-beale-afb-anti.html<br /><br />I was at this protest as a legal observer and not in a position in any way to get arrested.<br /><br />Beale AFB is right in my back yard, and 3-4 drones can sometimes be seen flying over the base at night.Elizabeth Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05996557196169451999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-50991628324113602322013-06-27T12:03:16.192-04:002013-06-27T12:03:16.192-04:00(cont.) "Its taken as consensus now by most l...(cont.) "Its taken as consensus now by most liberal thinkers that the drone wars are morally bankrupt precedent. This was ignored for years by the established left, Greenwald was out front on this.<br /><br />It's taken for granted among most liberal thinkers that Obama is an enemy of privacy and his Nixonian impulse to stifle meaningful dissent of the military industrial complex is probably his most troubling legacy. He was out front on this (by a long margin)<br /><br />That the true crime of the Great Recession wasn't just the rampet corruption of banks, but also their Washington protectors and the moral hazard of allowing their crimes to go unpunished by "looking forward, not backwards", is now seen as obvious to those paying attention. He was out on front on this. While most on the left were piddle-dicking over how many jobs Obama created that month and how this helped his reelection, Greenwald, day in and day out, developed broad systemic critiques that addressed the larger issue of corporate capture and how it got us there (and will do so again), agnostic to short term partisan convenience.<br /><br />Some may find this approach self-righteous and unrealistic. Others, solipsistic and rigid. I think it is all those things, but those things are the entire point of journalism.<br /><br />The point of the press isn't to internalize the needs of those in power, or operate as functionaries in service of some short term victory, it's to engage in the naive, but essential, practice of assuming people actually believe in what they say, that truth is not a malleable, arbitrary byproduct of power, but an objective reality that ought to have meaning and life and purchase in our political sphere. One may disagree with his notion of "truth", one may disagree with his tactics, but one cannot dispute the value of it over process and tabloid. To this extent, I can't think of anyone more deserving of landing these scopes and having a megaphone on which to influence the national conversation."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-16936436289051720592013-06-27T12:01:05.566-04:002013-06-27T12:01:05.566-04:00James,
he was also profiled in buzzfeed.
http://ww...James,<br />he was also profiled in buzzfeed.<br />http://www.buzzfeed.com/jtes/how-glenn-greenwald-became-glenn-greenwald?s=mobile<br /><br />There's a Gawker bit on the NYDN v. BuzzFeed profiles. Included in the responses is one of the most admirable defenses of Greenwald (truly, a man who can handle himself) or of anyone - I've read:<br /><br />"I'm actually glad to see Greenwald get a little mainstream ink, even if it's shameless hatchet work by a centrist rag like the Daily News. For those of who've been following him since he his Bush-bashing days at Salon, it's kind of like the hipster who knew the band before they blew up, totally misplaced pride but an odd form of validation nonetheless. I went through the "hate him for being self-righteous" / "thinking he made good points" / "disagreeing with some things here and there but ultimately thinking he's the most important American political writer working today" phase and I'm okay with that.<br /><br />Some legit criticisms of Greenwald first:<br /><br />1) He engages in uncalled for ad homenim (only on twitter oddly enough). Addressing points but not before throwing out defensive speculation about the motives of his attackers.<br /><br />2) He has a blind spot for anti-Semitism and Islamic extremism, even once equating a poll showing 65% of Egyptians believing in death for people who leave Islam with 72% of American's believing in creationism. Post-modern relativism is the drunk, silly uncle of the left and the sooner Greenwald stops indulging in it to score lame political points, the better.<br /><br />3) He has an almost laughably moving goal post as to what is and isn't a creditable source of information. When the NY Times prints something he disagrees with, it's "We shouldn't be shocked that an Iraq war supporting, sleazy beltway worshiping centrist paper like the times would say this." BUT if they validate his worldview its "EVEN THE NEW YORK TIMES agrees that X is true." Well which is it? Seems like a rather convenient standard for judging credibility. One cannot dismiss appeals to establishment authority as conservative hackery one day, and then hold them up as dispositive the next.<br /><br />All that being said, I can't think of a current political writer who has been more right about shit more while giving less of a shit about zeitgeist and taboo . Like science or art, one of the few objective ways political ideas are measured is by how many smaller minded people rip them off later."<br /><br />(cont. below)<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-65236642825696703342013-06-27T09:53:40.080-04:002013-06-27T09:53:40.080-04:00Have any of you read the article on Glenn Greenwal...Have any of you read the article on Glenn Greenwald by the NYDN? Of course it is the NY Daily News and this could be expected, but even so.James F Traynornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-73265665919748198112013-06-27T09:45:21.793-04:002013-06-27T09:45:21.793-04:00When Dear Leader publicly denies something, you ca...When Dear Leader publicly denies something, you can count on it being a big fat lie. That's just Who He Is. He must believe he has his Snowden problem under control, because this is in the news:<br /><br />'DAKAR, Senegal -- President Barack Obama says he won't engage in wheeling, dealing and trading to get NSA leaker Edward Snowden extradited to the U.S.' {Already done - Russian prisoners released, Snowden captured}<br /><br />'Obama says he also won't be scrambling military jets to go after a 29-year-old hacker,' {He prefers stealth and subterfuge} rejecting suggestions the U.S. might send the Air Force {duh, CIA!} to force down a plane carrying Snowden from Russia to another country.' {He prefers a ground game, like tricking Snowden to hurriedly leave Hong Kong where he had cover and public support for a cold barren airport terminal in Russia, and too conveniently messing up the paperwork to allow him to make that move} <br /><br />'Obama says he hasn't personally called the leaders of Russia or of China {his aide dialed}. He says he shouldn't have to {because he's King of the World}. He says expelling a criminal {Guilty!} is something that should be dealt with through routine legal channels.' {Star Chamber or secret prisoner swaps.}<br /><br />Poor Ed. I fear he's in permanent 'underground' status.Snowden Is My Heronoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-59662022866284402782013-06-27T09:25:39.811-04:002013-06-27T09:25:39.811-04:00On a less inspiring note than tge TX filibuster:
...On a less inspiring note than tge TX filibuster:<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/27/nyregion/cia-sees-concerns-on-ties-to-new-york-police.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-83853609314222944782013-06-27T09:16:30.004-04:002013-06-27T09:16:30.004-04:00Denis,
All that said, I find the Davis filibuster ...Denis,<br />All that said, I find the Davis filibuster potentially more powerful than you do.<br /><br />It's not Davis alone who stalled that legislation (and in so doing brought nat'l attention to what anti-choice advocates have been trying to do in Texas and more successfully in Kansas and Alabama.)<br /><br />It was a Paul Woodruffian-"First Democracy"-style crowd of citizens whose chaotic but masterfully non-violent disruption helped stall, so other Dems could run out the clock.<br />THAT, I thought, was truly noteworthy.<br />This, too, is worth pointing out: while it is important to speak up against rights violations and systemic dysfunction, it is counter-productive to refuse to recognize - and celebrate - when something goes right. <br /><br />Wendy Davis may not save the planet, but she stands as an example of what Democrats have been missing. To refuse to recognize the significance of the crowd she inspired may put us into the "relentlessly grumpy old fart" category. I wouldn't wish to chase her (or the mixed crowd she inspired) off my lawn anytime soon. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-74308141494898596322013-06-27T08:05:49.088-04:002013-06-27T08:05:49.088-04:00And by "lately" I mean the last 5 years....And by "lately" I mean the last 5 years.<br />And by "leader"...oh, never mind.Katnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-17605876136066275452013-06-27T08:04:08.624-04:002013-06-27T08:04:08.624-04:00Zee,
Naah, not my words. Just the most asinine of ...Zee,<br />Naah, not my words. Just the most asinine of tweets found here:<br />http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/06/supreme-court-pundits/66614/<br />Chris Hayes is really stretching to find something defensible about a leader who has been hard to defend lately.Katnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-16377053826964098682013-06-27T06:16:55.377-04:002013-06-27T06:16:55.377-04:00@ Anonymous
Yes, Wendy Davis was very impressive...@ Anonymous <br /><br />Yes, Wendy Davis was very impressive.<br /><br />A real Democratic senator filibustering harmful legislation that would restrict her constituents' rights! Imagine that!!<br /><br />Unfortunately, Wendy Davis is a Democratic Texas state senator and not a United States Senator.<br /><br />It’s too bad that we don’t have more legislators like her throughout America.<br /><br />Even more unfortunate, on the very same day, just two hours after the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, the Republican Texas Attorney General announced that Texas would advance a voter ID law and the very same redistricting map that was previously designed to keep Davis out of office. Thanks to the SCOTUS, Wendy Davis will likely lose her Texas Senate seat.Denis Nevillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-7356429018797302972013-06-27T01:37:05.175-04:002013-06-27T01:37:05.175-04:00This kind of President would a truly respectable, ...This kind of President would a truly respectable, gutsy point when he dropped to shield DOMA. It turned out definitely *not* the road involving very least resistance.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.joyrs.com/" rel="nofollow">runescape gold</a><br /><a href="http://www.mmomarkt.com/" rel="nofollow">World of Warcraft Gold</a>Gold For RShttp://www.joyrs.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-91952201081566870592013-06-27T00:57:14.159-04:002013-06-27T00:57:14.159-04:00That Wendy Davis is pretty impressive. It's no...That Wendy Davis is pretty impressive. It's not really an issue I'm passionate about, but it was great to see a Democrat stand up and fight. She looked cool and confident doing it, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-75149300009726133832013-06-26T20:26:02.387-04:002013-06-26T20:26:02.387-04:00In fact, I think that it would be as shameless for...In fact, I think that it would be as shameless for Obama to take any credit for today's outcomes as it is disingenuous for Bill'n'Hill to express "thanks" that a bill signed into law by <i> Bubba hisself </i> was overturned by SCOTUS.<br /><br />http://m.weeklystandard.com/blogs/clinton-hails-supreme-court-overturning-law-he-signed_737939.htmlZeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-53706748968622099852013-06-26T20:08:07.403-04:002013-06-26T20:08:07.403-04:00Kat--
I presume that you're being sarcastic?
...Kat--<br /><br />I presume that you're being sarcastic?<br /><br />Obama's "[in]action" was the most tepid possible, truly bogus "support" for gay marriage from a bogus president.<br /><br />BTW, I am thrilled with today's two SCOTUS outcomes.Zeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-81180337532758321002013-06-26T15:52:17.968-04:002013-06-26T15:52:17.968-04:00tweet o' the day:
This President did a truly n...tweet o' the day:<br />This President did a truly noble, gutsy thing when he declined to defend DOMA. It was definitely *not* the path of least resistance.<br /><br />Definitely.Katnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-1696867349420696622013-06-26T10:10:24.077-04:002013-06-26T10:10:24.077-04:00Senator Chuck Schumer(D-Wall Street)
I LOVE IT.Senator Chuck Schumer(D-Wall Street)<br />I LOVE IT.steve becknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-19452556203191667612013-06-26T06:34:31.126-04:002013-06-26T06:34:31.126-04:00Obama sends a “bold signal” of American action and...Obama sends a “bold signal” of American action and “leadership” on global warming to the rest of the world! <br /><br />“The most remarkable thing about the president's big speech on climate this afternoon was that it was considered remarkable at all.” - Charlie Pierce, “Obama Bails Out The Ocean With A Thimble” http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/president-obama-climate-speech-062513<br /><br />On the same day the Supreme Court undercut the environmental progress Obama so “boldly” envisions. http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/06/25/2212331/how-the-supreme-court-just-undercut-the-environmental-progress-obama-envisions/<br /><br />The Supreme Court also planted a dagger in the heart of the Voting Rights Act Law.<br /><br />Many leading Democrats (but, to his credit, not Senator Obama) knew that that Roberts and Alito were corrupt, racist, sexist asshats before they were confirmed. Yet they confirmed them anyway.<br /><br />Some climates never change.<br /><br />Democrats are always asking the sheep to defend them. Yet they consistently refuse to defend the sheep. <br /><br />I remember reading the following joke somewhere:<br /><br />"The Democratic Party is like a horse that refuses take commands from its owner and stubbornly refuses to carry him. <br /><br />The owner does not go out and get a new horse, but picks up the horse and carries it around in the belief that, eventually, the horse will change its mind. <br /><br />Years later, the horse is thinking, "I'm a genius!"Denis Nevillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-71142118238111710442013-06-26T01:41:58.283-04:002013-06-26T01:41:58.283-04:00"We will likely be spending billions of our t..."We will likely be spending billions of our taxpayer dollars to construct a full-fledged militarized zone at the southern border, complete with a 700-mile long double fence, a fleet of drones, and one border patrol agent stationed every thousand yards. The drones and the cops will probably outnumber the population."<br /><br />I guess this is how we will placate the police and prison lobbies now that we are (supposedly) facing the eventuality of the end of the "war on drugs".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com