Open thread

11 comments February 24th, 2009

 

I’m going to be out of the loop for three or four hours, at least, and I figured that da bunches a yuz could use an open thread on which to vent, especially given the preponderance of snarky spirits in your ranks today.

And don’t forget, the president is on the tube tonight with his big address to Congress. That’s must-viewing here at Applesauce World Headquarters.

Carry on.

Looks like it’s open season on RINOs

7 comments February 24th, 2009

 

Both major political parties exercise a certain amount of ideological discipline, but the Democrats (with their Blue Dog caucus in Congress) not so much.

Republicans, on the other hand, can get downright hostile about it. The party’s more zealous elements are quick to apply the label “Rino” (Republican In Name Only) to any member who dares show even a modicum of civility toward the dreaded “Demoncrats” or dares stray even a bit from conservative orthodoxy in thought, word or deed.

The bloodletting among GOPers during RINO-hunting season is always fun to watch.  And it looks like we’re in a for a NEW ROUND of it. Goody.

UPDATE: No RINO hunting in THIS CASE, but it’s funny anyway.

Only loonies could pose a question like this

4 comments February 24th, 2009

 

 The above is an ad I gleaned from today’s Drudge Report.

 Gee, do you think the ad was sponsored by wingnuts?

 And do you figure that most respondents will blame Obama or Pelosi (or both)?

 (Anybody answering no to either question should report immediately to a mental-health facility. And hurry. There’s no time to spare.)

Bobby Jindal, et al, are blowing smoke

9 comments February 24th, 2009

 

The Gray Lady’s editorial has got THIS ONE right.

 What is it with these Southern Republican governors balking at federal aid for the jobless residents of their states? They seem almost eager to represent the most unflattering political stereotypes of their region — cruel, backward and distrustful, stubbornly clinging to ideology in the face of countervailing realities.

 They’re doing their states, their country and, yes, their party no good. And those Republicans from elsewhere who sympathize with them are on the losing side of history in this current struggle against economic crisis.

 America is moving in a different direction.

UPDATE: Chuck Schumer SAYS states should have to take all the stimulus money due them — or get none of it!

UPDATE II: Roger Simon has some SNARKY SLANTS on all of this.

UPDATE III: Bobby Jindal was singing a DIFFERENT TUNE about federal unemployment funding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Situational ethics, no doubt.

Is Obama trying to move the center leftward?

6 comments February 24th, 2009

 

 In one sense, the answer to the question in the headline above is: Well, duh!

 In another, there are THESE ANGLES proffered by Matt Miller in the Wall Street Journal.

 But Miller’s piece unfortunately focuses mainly on economics, ignoring questions of culture.

 Regarding the latter, the political center has been moving leftward, almost without interruption, through much of American history. Barack Obama’s election to the presidency is just one indication of that.

 There are countless other indications of culture moving inexorably leftward — too many, in fact, to address here and now (but I intend to get around to them when I have the time).

 Your thoughts?

Pat Quinn running for guv next year

Add comment February 24th, 2009

 

A big question is whether Pat Quinn’s rivals for the job he now holds by virtue of STRANGE POLITICAL FATES will try to tar him with the sins of Rod Blagojevich.

If they do, I don’t think it’ll work.