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The Obama Watch

Catch-22 Revisited

By on 2.24.12 @ 6:07AM

So is Barack Obama “different” or “not that different”? Either way, you’re wrong (not that it’s your call).

Election 2012 is shaping up as a Catch-22 for Republicans. Its outcome depends on whether “more of the same” can out-point “new and improved,” but those labels do not always adhere to incumbents and challengers in predictable ways, which is why even people at the levers of power often pretend to reject the establishment they represent. When Rick Santorum made news by alluding to what he called “phony theology” behind policies advanced by President Obama, a cadre of Democrats accused Santorum of playing the “Other” card. For these Democrats, the maladroit comment was a despicable attempt to marginalize President Obama as different, foreign, or alien. They pounced on Santorum’s assertion by calling it “dog whistle racism” or dismissing it as stupid.

Some of the umbrage was sincere, and some of it was manufactured as a warning to other Republicans who might be thinking about the personal attacks that we’re forever being told distract voters from the “real issues.”

Real or manufactured (let’s not forget that influential Obama chums are masters of the political technique known as “astroturfing”), the outrage over Santorum’s comment revealed the Catch-22 with which conservatism both in and out of the Republican Party must contend: If you suggest that President Obama is insufficiently grounded in traditional American values, you must be a racist. Unfortunately, you cannot escape the taint of racism by calling President Obama an embodiment of the American dream, either, because that position takes a “uniquely transformative” president and lumps him with has-beens on places like Mount Rushmore. In the preferred narrative, President Obama is simultaneously “different” and “not that different,” but the only people allowed to discuss the subject with impunity are loyal Democrats.

This Catch-22 shapes political discourse as definitively as Edward Scissorhands shaped bushes, and usually to the president’s advantage. For example (we are told), protecting women’s health is as American as apple pie, and if that goal morphs into “free contraception for all” and ignoring the First Amendment’s “establishment” clause to redefine “religion” as “whatever you do behind church doors,” well, that attempt to drive a wedge between work and worship is American, too. Never mind John Brown, the Great Awakening, parochial schools, the Gettysburg Address, “In God We Trust,” Salvation Army bell ringers, or the four chaplains of different faiths who died together on the Dorchester in World War II. Never mind the Constitution, about which someone is bound to remind us that President Obama once lectured professionally, even though his conspicuous lack of published legal writing implies that he learned how to vote “present” long before being elected to the Illinois state legislature.

Conservatives have tried to highlight freedom-promoting alternatives to the Obama agenda, but there is no good way around a Catch-22, which is why Joseph Heller’s novel reminded us that “It’s the best [catch] there is.”

If you can’t play around an obstacle like that, you have to play through it, so let’s shout “Fore!” and look again at the “Other” card.

When high-profile Republicans insinuate that Barack Obama is different, they’re not casting aspersions on his humanity, his citizenship, or his skin color. Any dog whistle in the “different” label is an appeal to dispassionate judgment. Rather than caterwauling about who let the dogs out, Democrats should be asking themselves why their man might be vulnerable in this area — except they don’t want to ask, because they already know: Barack Obama is the only U.S. President raised by avowed Communists and their fellow travelers. That does not make him Communist or Marxist, but it does make him different.

He is also the only president born in Hawaii, the only president to call the Muslim summons to evening prayer “one of the prettiest sounds on Earth,” the only president to shrug his shoulders over a national credit downgrade, the first to subcontract every jot and tittle of major legislation to Congressional allies, and the first to host a “White House Poetry Slam.” Barack Obama is also the only U.S. president with professional rather than incidental experience in community organizing (Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times helpfully spun that as “grassroots experience” when promoting it over the “treetop experience” more common to occupants of the Oval Office).

Note that these comparisons are made to other American presidents, as of course they should be. The president’s more excitable supporters seem to forget that Barack Obama himself anticipated the “Other” card and actually welcomed the chance to use it to his advantage, as when he lampooned the message of then-rival John McCain as “He doesn’t look like the other presidents on the currency [and] he’s got a funny name.” Neither McCain nor his running mate had actually engaged in that kind of fear-mongering, but McCain never rebutted the caricature effectively. Sarah Palin could have done so, but campaign handlers unwisely kept her on a short leash because her own “otherness” (feisty, Alaskan, pro-life) befuddled them.

Befuddlement in the face of the different is a malady that crosses party lines, but because it snacks on political correctness, its effects on Democrats are more severe than its effects on Republicans. For all their talk of “tolerance” and “diversity,” Democrats remain deeply ambivalent about “otherness,” especially when it reveals itself as a two-edged sword that might keep people from sleepwalking toward a progressive social agenda.

Republicans are chastised for suggesting that Barack Obama might be different in anything other than a positive way, yet Democrats treat black conservatives like extraterrestrials. When a black conservative embarrasses himself, pundits at Democrat-friendly venues vie with each other to see who can say “Welcome to Earth!” with more panache (and a better punch).

Democrats think social conservatives and Second Amendment activists are aliens, too. Mindful of the red and blue political map from the previous election, Democrats mistrust people in rural areas. Lately they would also like to think that all 180 Catholic bishops in the United States are religious extremists who — as Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post wrote with willful ignorance — “refuse to be placated.” In Democrat hands, that laughably broad brush of extremism is a magical implement: It gives the race-based anger of Jeremiah Wright a free pass but lumps well-known progressives like the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles with snake-handling fundamentalists in flyover country. In this administration, as everyone from Paul Ryan and Scott Walker to members of the Cambridge, MA police department can attest, ad hominem attacks on anyone slow to get with the program are par for the course. Obama defenders seem to think that extremism is whatever the president says it is.

It’s not just Catch-22 that President Obama is protected by; it’s enablers like Nancy “standing with my fellow Catholics in support of the president” Pelosi, Eric “I never got the memo” Holder, and Jay “Blame the Republicans” Carney. Fortunately, the president and his team have misread greens both real and metaphorical before, because conservatism to them is the ideology of, yes, “the other.”

About the Author

Patrick O’Hannigan is a writer in North Carolina.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (70) |

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.24.12 @ 8:12AM

I don't see it. I mean, I know it's there, but I'm not looking at it. And, I know that it can only hurt me, if I let it.

The Double Standard, that is.

Is the Muslim an Anti-American Marxist?
Of course. Read his books. See what he's done. LISTEN to what he has said, his entire adult life!

We have lots of TAPE on this guy. We had it in 2008. We had a Mountain of Ammunition to use against Abu Hussain. It was BALLS, that were lacking.

"He's running a BLACKS ONLY Justice Department." He is. Does anyone believe that 3 White Skinheads in Philadelphia, Mississippi, would have received Get Outta Jail Cards from President Soetoro's crooked A.G., if they had been standing in front of a Voting Place, wearing Military Fatigues, brandishing a WEAPON, and Verbally ASSAULTING Black Voters, as they came up to vote? Does anyone believe that Video of such an action would be deemed "Insufficient Evidence"?

He's been caught, RED HANDED, breaking International Law, and committing an Act of WAR, against Mexico. He has been caught RED HANDED, running 2,000 High Powered Weapons across the Mexican Border, to the worst people in the Western Hemisphere - The Mexican Drug Cartels. The people who leave duffel bags full of SEVERED HEADS, on the edge of town, as a warning to the others. He has the Blood of over 1,000 Mexican Men, Women, and Children, on his hands, and he could care less. He wanted to use the MURDERS of these innocent people, as a means to push more Gun Control, here.

Perhaps we should REMIND people, as we seek Hispanic Votes, about the Muslim's use of MEXICANS, as Cannon Fodder?

Did Mexico get an Apology Letter? Or, do only Obama's fellow MUSLIMS get one of those?

He's a LIAR and a HIPOCRYTE. He rails against the EVIL RICH, and yet, he spends more time with THEM, than he does with his Cabinet Members, or Congressional Leaders. He implores us to do with less, with tales of SELF SACRAFICE, as he heads out the door on his 17th VACATION, in 3 years. This time it's Aspen. The winter playground of the RICH and Famous. Last time was Hawaii. The time before that was Martha's Vineyard.

Apparently he only likes to go where (How did his Pastor/Mentor/"Member of my Family" put it?) Oh, yeah. He only likes to Vacation where there are "Rich White Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeople!".

The National Debt is staring at $16 Trillion. When GWB pushed it to $9 Trillion, Barry called him "Unpatriotic". When GWB ran a Deficit of less than $200 Billion, his last year in office, the Son of the Marxist/Muslim Drunk, and his pals Krugman and Reich, railed about the "Fiscal Insanity" of spending so much more than we were taking in. Now, we would KILL for those deficits, as we head for the Marxist's 4th Trillion Dollar Deficit in a row. When Gas Prices rose, under GWB, Fat Ass' husband BLAMED Bush. Accused him of "MAKING DEALS" and "MAKING MONEY" off of the Misery of the rest of us. Now he proclaims, as Gasoline heads to $6 this Summer, that "There's nothing we can do about Gas Prices", except that, he already has done something. He's put in place an Illegal Drilling Moratorium in the Gulf, along both Coasts, and in the waters off Alaska. He has told Canada to stick their Pipeline, with it's STABLE flow of OIL and Natural Gas, and all the JOBS it brings with it, UP THEIR ASS. He is more than happy to get these things from his Muslim Brothers, whom he BLAMED for the high prices, yesterday.

Need more?

He sided with the Teachers Unions, over the Poor Minority Kids, in D.C. He took away their School Vouchers, and sent them back in to the UNION run Public School Hellholes, that he, himself, claimed, "Are not up to MY Daughters' Standards". Black REAL Unemployment is at 17%. REAL Black Youth Unemployment is over 50%. (This is what you get when you VOTE, not because of the Content of One's Character, but because of the Colour of their Skin.)

2011 was the Worse Year EVER, for the Housing Market. Foreclosures are still happening. Bankruptcies. Bank Failures. We have more Americans of Food Stamps, than we've ever had. We have more Americans living at, or BELOW the Poverty Line, than we've ever had. More Americans needing a HANDOUT from OBAMA, than we've ever had, and that's just the way he likes it. Our Credit Rating has been Downgraded, for the 1st time in our History, and he is now on a Mission to Hollow Out our Military, and GUT our Nuclear Warheads, at a time when EVIL is on the March.

Newt Gingrich had it right. I've been remarking on President Infanticide, for a long time. I've always said that he wants Abortion available all the way up to the Ninth Month, and beyond. He voted 3 times to keep the Abortion going, even AFTER the "LIVING BABY" is out of the womb.

"I am become DEATH. Destroyer of Worlds."

That should be the Name Plaque on his desk. That should be written on every Democrat Party Official Correspondence.

He coddles our ENEMIES, even as he gives our Traditional ALLIES the back of his hand. He has GIVEN Egypt to the Islamists. He has done their work for them, in Libya, while standing MUTE, as Iran and Syria do far worse than what he accused Libya of doing.

This ain't Bean Bag, and we are running out of time. This Country cannot afford the Luxury of another P.C. Campaign. Of another Phobia, toward TELLING THE TRUTH, come what may.

If you can't stand the heat? Get outta the Kitchen. If you can't get it done? We need someone else, who can. Sh*t or get off the Pot.

I've barely scratched the surface with the Friend of Unrepentant Cop Killing Terrorists. I haven't even mentioned Louis Farrakhan or Khalid Rashidi, or all of the Communists, Marxists, and Maoists, in his Shadow Government of Czars.

You cannot be AFRAID to speak the TRUTH.

And, when they come at you, and call you RACIST? You look them right in the eye and you say: "Bullshit! It's not Me, that's Racist. It's YOU, for looking the other way SOLELY, because he's Black. For holding him to a LOWER STANDARD, because he's Black. I'm treating him as a MAN. Period."

PISS OFF! wouldn't be bad, either.

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 9:24AM

“Perhaps we should REMIND people, as we seek Hispanic Votes, about the Muslim's use of MEXICANS, as Cannon Fodder?”
A quibbling suggested correction: they are more accurately termed “small arms fodder”, only because cannons are generally not sold legally in Arizona. Had they been available, I’m pretty sure Holder’s USDOJ would be lending their Fleet of Chevy Volts to straw purchasers in an attempt to tow 105mm howitzers across the border”.

old white guy| 2.24.12 @ 10:19AM

tim.everything you say can be proven. do you think one of the repubs will stand up and say the same things. the people want to hear this, they need to hear it. if the media will not let the public know then it has to be screamed in the ear of every voter in the country. keeping one's voice at a moderate tone will not work.

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.24.12 @ 5:22PM

No.

SUBVET| 2.26.12 @ 2:12PM

TLP.............don't forget we now are apologizing for burning the koran....and you know who is bowing for forgivness. I say this POS burned them on purpose to start the big "R" in June.

Peace brother...........

Louis Jenkins| 2.24.12 @ 10:37AM

These comments sum up my thoughts. Actually there's another across the border arms sales brewing in Texas. So don't be misled, I stated sometime back that there were undoubtly other arms being sold in excess to the drug cartels. Evil is on the move, no doubt, and it started right here, in our own White House, by the president. Since you've blamed it all on GW, Mr. President, why don't you now go and cry on his shoulder? You can't do anything correctly, and passing the blame seems to be the norm. And he said algea was a source of energy? Where's it at? Open up the pipe line and let 'er rip, Mr. President. Oh, sorry old boy, that's the septic tank line.

Jeff1000| 2.24.12 @ 11:01AM

Mr. Pennell, I've been quietly reading your comments for awhile now, and I cannot find anything to take issue with. Even your hard facts are correct. You're in a very exclusive group, FWIW, with Mark Levin and Jesus. Keep up the great work!

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.24.12 @ 5:27PM

Thank you. That's pretty high praise, though I'm not too sure about the JESUS comparison.

What is FWIW, if you don't mind?

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 9:16PM

My Guess:

For What Its Worth

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.25.12 @ 7:44AM

By jove, I think you've got it.

Von Mises Jr.| 2.24.12 @ 11:27AM

That was beautiful, Tim. But you missed perhaps the two biggest assualts on our liberty.
-ObamaCare repeals your "unalienable" right to life and liberty
-Dodd Frank takes away your "unalienable" right to pursuit of happiness (originally understood as property and free markets)

As per the article, political correctness is bullsh*t since it does not apply to Clarence Thomas, Herman Cain or Allan West. It is merely a tactic to keep ignorant and uncritical liberals from engaging in thought, and an attempt to embarrass and intimidate conservatives.
This conservative has one thing to say to liberals: kiss my sweet Irish a$$.

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.24.12 @ 11:46AM

It all boils down to: Too much Sh*t. Too little time, if ya know what I mean.

Von Mises Jr.| 2.24.12 @ 3:25PM

That is on purpose. They overwhelmed the public with ObamaCare and Dodd Frank. While we are fighting to repeal ObamaCare to save our life, our loss of financial liberty goes under the radar.

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.24.12 @ 5:20PM

Indeed.

Alan Brooks| 2.24.12 @ 11:09PM

"He's running a BLACKS ONLY Justice Department."

Blacks do know a bit more about injustice than whites do.

Brian Mc| 2.25.12 @ 6:39AM

That is a ridiculous statement. Over time one would think that the sincerity and perceptions shared here would rub off on you, but no, you continually drink your kool-aid and pop in to drop your insipid, little remarks hoping to accomplish...what? How childish.

Occam's Tool| 2.25.12 @ 6:39PM

TLP:

This is the guy I want for President: Dos and Don'ts

I don't want a guy who has to explain why he cheated on his wives, if I can (not a deal breaker, but I'd like that).

I don't want a guy who wants to legalize heroin---I've got enough work. (Deal Breaker)

I don't want a guy who Barney Frank and Dennis Kucinich can work with. (Deal breaker)

I don't want a guy who thinks maniacal Islamists who murder gays and people who convert to Catholicism should have a nuke. (Deal breaker)

I don't want a guy who thinks Islamic attacks on America are something WE should be apologizing for. (Deal breaker) Or a man who thinks Bradley Manning is a hero. (Deal Breaker)

I DO WANT:

A guy who thinks marriage is between a man and a woman.

A guy who will cut taxes and spending.

A guy who will support entrepeneurs.

A guy who will kick jihadi ass.

A guy who will reform law to support men and women getting married, raising lots of kids, and homeschooling them. (Growth is a much better set of problems to deal with than decline)

I voted for Santorum. I could vote for Newt, although with reservations. I could vote for Mitt with more reservations.

But Ken, although I think the world of you, I ain't voting for the Ronulan. He's the guy nominated, I'm writing you in. Or the wife, as she is of age.

Occam's Tool| 2.25.12 @ 6:40PM

Sorry, I addressed this to TLP: Tim---if Ron is what I've got, I'm voting for you. I like you.

Occam's Tool| 2.25.12 @ 6:46PM

You know, those 5 things mentioned above, with the substitution of Soviet for jihadi, were very mainstream Republicanism under RWR. After 9/11, they were very mainstream Republicanism in 2001. I haven't moved anywhere. Why am I now a "neo-con" and "evil?"

Occam's Tool| 2.25.12 @ 6:47PM

I'm sorry---the 5 dos. Come to think of it, the 5 don'ts were also mainstream. WTF happened?

Clint| 2.26.12 @ 10:45AM

Tool Job's The RINO-CINO Israel Firster Smear Bund Buffoon,Who Said He'll Vote For The RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney.

The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.

Gary B| 2.24.12 @ 8:57AM

A successful Republican candidate MUST run against both the press and Obama. The enemedia, as the fourth and most powerful branch of government, must be confronted head on. This is what concerns me about Romney. He won't do that. Regardless of how you feel about Newt, he will, as we have seen.

Reagan was able to talk right over the heads of the enemedia and he was a landslide winner. Why is this so darned difficult for dumb idiot Republicans to figure out? Answer: Their job is to take one for the (ruline elite) team and preseve the DC gravy train.

Alan Brooks| 2.24.12 @ 11:11PM

Reagan's generation is dead or dying. Reagan was born in 1911-- how many 101 year old conservatives are running for office?
Or 91 year olds?
81 yr. olds?

Not a whole lot.

Brian Mc| 2.25.12 @ 6:47AM

Yes, and that dusty-old Constitution is so...OLD. And this just in, Mr. Obvious, Mozart died in 1791. I should destroy all his recordings and update my library to....

And the Bible; sheesh, I could be reading "Entertainment Weekly".

I would venture that, if you ever worked at a burger joint, everyone got a taste of your spit.

alabama yankee| 2.27.12 @ 4:58PM

Go back to your cellar, Alan, until Mom calls you for supper. And next time you come out, PLEASE zip-up your fly!

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 9:35AM

I think the term “phony theology” is accurately applied to describe the dogma Obama and the left adhere to, and not only regarding environmentalism. No debate or dissension is tolerated, all issues are deemed “settled”, and all power is reserved for the deity and the hierarchy.

In current events, too, it bears mentioning, only one major religion at this time actively puts forth that all others in the world must converts to their beliefs or be put to the sword, and use the apparatus of the state to punish apostasy with death.

Is it any wonder that Islam is the only religion the Left seems to tolerate; they are apparently on a work/ study program.

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 9:48AM

Christianity is not owned by the Right. Evangelical nutbags, well, yes, they are so far right, they are wrong. But the left doesn't hit you over the head with their Christianity. It is between them and their God. Too bad the right can't be more like the Founders of the Constitution, and leave religion alone.

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 10:12AM

It is not the “Christianity” of the left that I am pointing to, it is how they view the tenets of their religious beliefs with religious fervor.

Mitt Romney doesn’t demand that I, a non-Mormon, tithe to his church, but Obama conflates paying taxes to carry out his theo-political agenda with Biblical verse.

Santorum doesn’t require me to publicly announce my belief in the transubstantiation of the Eucharist; the climate change alarmists ultimately demand that I accept Kyoto protocols as a matter of faith, and denounce all who question them as infidel.

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 2:58PM

"It is not the “Christianity” of the left that I am pointing to, it is how they view the tenets of their religious beliefs with religious fervor."

Actually, I meant to say political beliefs with religious fervor.

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.25.12 @ 7:47AM

Don't ya hate when that happens?

Anthony M| 2.24.12 @ 10:10PM

There is no such thing as a Christian left, it is a theological impossibility. It is impossible to be a Christian and support homosexual marriage, abortion, promiscuity, sloth(welfare), envy(taking from the wealthy), and a host of other evils and still call oneself a Christian. Don't take my word for it, read the Bible. There are actually a few rules one must follow or at least attempt to follow if one wishes to be a Christian. The dogmas of the left do not allow this.

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 10:17PM

In many ways, most of the seven deadly sins could be identified as the agenda of the left. To the extent that one defines greed as coveting the property of one who earned it by one who has not, that act alone emcompasses more than one at a time.

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.25.12 @ 8:13AM

I think that if you got a coupla Stone Tablets, and inscribed them with 10 OPPOSITE Commandments, to the Real ones, you'd have your Religious Left.
"Thou shalt not take another GOD over ME" (Paraphrasing here) The Left has Gaea, and some of them (ALAN) has Gaya, and IS Gaya.

They COVET everything they don't have, and they would kill to get those things, like they KILL their Unborn Babies, to get RID of them.
We know they are Adulterers, because all they care about is Abortions and Contraceptives. (Free, of course)
Thou shalt not Steal. Can you say Bailouts, Stimulus Packages, and Trillion Dollar Deficits, as far as the eye can see?
Honour they Mother and Father. That's a problem as there are so few FATHERS in the Church of the Left. Lots of SODOMIZERS. ("Father Alan. Is that a Candlestick in your pocket?") Not that many Real Fathers.
I'm afraid that I'm not up on all of the Ten Commandments, although I know that they're on Display, inside the Supreme Court, above and behind where the Justices sit and hear cases involving the Unconstitutionality of the Ten Commandments being displayed on Public Property. You know, like how it's Unconstitutional to display ANYTHING involving Christmas, ANYWHERE, on Public Lands, or Schools, or Courthouses, WHEREVER!

And, yet, It's a NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

Is it Me?

It's probably Me.

J.C.Eaton| 2.27.12 @ 5:17PM

Just so! It is metaphysically[and theologically ]impossible to be an orthodox Christian and orthodox Democrat. Can't be done, totally different sacraments.

The Bruce| 2.24.12 @ 10:59PM

Tell that to Obama and Pelosi, both of whom quoted the Bible this week. Obama actually inferred that raising taxes on the rich is what Jesus would want.

Can you imagine the media hysteria if GWB ever quoted the Bible?

RCV| 2.25.12 @ 6:40PM

He quoted it many, many times.

Occam's Tool| 2.25.12 @ 6:41PM

And there was a lot of media hysteria, RCV. By the way, how the heck are 'ya?

RCV| 2.26.12 @ 12:49PM

I'm well - just back from a week in Mississippi with my wife. Hope all's well with you and your fine family.

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 9:46AM

I had no idea President Obama was so well rounded and talented. Just another reason to vote for him. At least I won't have to worry about a vaginal probe before I can get an abortion, or an anal probe before I can get Viagra. That anal probe is what Rick Santorum is really after. And, he's first in line. He can't wait.

Chris| 2.24.12 @ 10:37AM

Wow Purp you are able to have both an abortion and use Viagra, now that's what I call diversity. Tell me please though how is an abortion less to worry about than a vaginal probe?

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 12:27PM

You're funny ... not me. the generic "I".... im sure you knew what I meant.
Abortion is an agonizing personal matter between a woman, her family, doctor and God. It is not a state matter.
An invasive vaginal probe for no medical necessary reason dictated by the State is State sanctioned RAPE! Virginia's Governor (who wants to be VP) finally saw the light - until next year it has been delayed.
Now, YOU know the difference too.

Mike Hawk| 2.24.12 @ 2:25PM

You anal fixation is showing again. (__!__)

TR| 2.24.12 @ 3:55PM

So the vaginal probe is "State sanctioned RAPE!".

But abortion is "an agonizing personal matter between a woman, her family, doctor and God." I don't think the baby growing inside her would call it that.

So Purp, why do you not consider abortion to be State sanctioned murder? Jeez, liberals are so amazing. In an irrational, insane, and dangerous way.

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 4:25PM

Good Grief.... are you ignorant or just stupid. The reason is because the State does not dictate you have to have an abortion, but the vaginal probe IS a dictate. Is that a difficult concept for you? What pro-life is all about is stopping a woman and her family from exercising personal choice. If they could, they would make it a crime to have an abortion, and it's none of the government's business.
The Virginia legislature passed the bill, only waiting for Governor "No-Balls" McDonnell to sign it and he chickened out. Why?
Just to be clear - no government dictates abortion, ever. It is not a comparison at all - if you don't see that, you might as well be Muslim and kill for your religion - a religion of peace. I'm sure you miss that point though too.

From the Desk of Media Matters| 2.24.12 @ 5:16PM

Petey "Purp" Pelosi,

You are making us all look bad and we are running out of time. You need to get your act together fast or we'll be forced to reduce your pay.

p.s. We thank you for your voluntary offer to reduce your pay in order to donate it for our emregency legal defense fund that you were previously unaware you volunteered for. Thank you for your sacrifice.

- MM staff

From the Desk of Media Matters| 2.24.12 @ 5:18PM

Petey "Purp" Pelosi,

FYI: Electronic media glitches have very recently come to our attention. Unintentional public postings on the internet of MM personal correspondence has just come to our attention.

Proceed with extreme caution.

- MM staff

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 9:35PM

wtf r u blabbing about?

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 9:23PM

Purp:

Once again, a ticket from the punctuation police: a question mark (?) should follow stupid.

Also, from the content bureau of investigation, a question for the grand jury: if government is forcing taxpayers or non-profit organizations to pay for healthcare plans to fund your abortions surgically, or through abortifacients, is it the business of the government (and each individual taxpayer and lawful voter) at that point? (Example of ending question with proper English language punctuation)

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 9:39PM

Prove YOU pay for anything the Federal Govt. does, then you can talk. Otherwise you are assuming because they tax you. How do you know where your own tax money goes? You don't.. so shut up. But if the Republicant State Govt of Virginia wants to shove a probe in me or any other person for political reasons, and I can assure you if it were you, you would know EXACTLY where that probe went, they can go to hell. Again, the comparison is bogus and you know it - or are you stupid too. ( ? intentionally omitted)

From The Desk Of Media Matters| 2.24.12 @ 9:59PM

Petey "Purp" Pelosi,

You are failing miserably in the achievement of our objectives.

"wtf r u blabbing about?"

Seriously?!? Seriously??!??

You are making us all look bad.

This is your second warning.

- MM staff

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 10:21PM

Purp;

Your rants are getting a bit strained. Who are you addressing your 9:39 p.m.comments to, if you don't mind being specific?

Purp`| 2.24.12 @ 11:06PM

Hahahahahaha! Prove where they went with the probe put, they can go to hell. Otherwise assuming your just another one of them those that are I can assure you violating EXACTLY the Seperation of Church and State. Just to be clear. It is not a comparisan at all. You would know EXACTLY where that probe went, they can go to hell? Its just that ECONOMY that was destroyed by that lying sonofabitch BUSH! Seriously? Reagan to!!!!! wtf r u blabbing about? Seriously?

Occam's Tool| 2.25.12 @ 6:43PM

The State dictates you to have the vaginal probe IF you want to have the ABORTION, as part of the procedure. No abortion, no vaginal probe---although you will get that if you want to actually get the baby to term.

By the way, do you have any idea how many potential adoptive parents are waiting for healthy babies?

The Bruce| 2.24.12 @ 11:03PM

"At least I won't have to worry about a vaginal probe before I can get an abortion."

1) An ultrasound is not a vaginal probe.
2) To perform an abortion, the vagina has to be probed (unless you know of some other orifice that leads to the uterus).

Marie commenting| 2.27.12 @ 10:43AM

Purp,
As a elder grandmother and if I were yours I would be ashamed of this very indecent post. No matter what you think sir others have their right to disagree and not be treated to absolute filth out of your mind. You are what is so wrong with this country today. God help you!

Granny Jan | 2.24.12 @ 10:24AM

If Barack were white would you even have to write this article? People who give him special treatment because of his blackness are racists. Apparently, this country has lots of racists from both the left and right.

I've gone out of my way in my videos to treat him like anyone else. I see him as someone who adopted his racial persona as political expedience along with his name. Along the way he acquired his faux black accent and his faux wife.
After 4 years of constent observation and 100s of videos I know him very well. He's so easy...to make fun of along with his faux wife.

The fact that Republicans refuse to go after him personally will probably cost us the election.

Road Kill| 2.24.12 @ 10:48AM

Of course it's his persona. Can't attack the black man now can we, unless you're the newsmedia. But they only attack certain select people- ie Cain, West, Williams, and others. Black Republicans= bad. Black Democrats=good. How else can you explain the sheep skin glove treatment of Sharpton, Jackson (caught red handed on tape saying he'd like to cut off Obama's family jewels), and others?

Our politicians stink (both sides) and the newsmedia is a bunch of smiling morons. I need a drink.

Russel| 2.24.12 @ 11:10AM

The socialist worked fast ( with help from the two houses of congress ) and it now seems plausible he accomplished a good deal of what he set out to do . Reading today , only 50 % deem him " too liberal " . Now no poll is accurate , but that figure should have been in the 60-70 range . Too little too late , unless the next election is a barn-burning landslide , pushing the socialists' out of DC and back to the 1960's percentile .

Doctor Right| 2.24.12 @ 12:39PM

One day, about 100 years from now, it will finally be divulged that Obama is, in fact, a foreign agent.

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 4:27PM

Ruh-roh and Beck lover...

Appleby| 2.24.12 @ 11:03PM

One day a long time before 100 years it will be revealed that Obama is the Antichrist. He's got every one of the hallmarks.

And as we who have been told in Atlanta for 100 years, we White folk are racists by the mere fact that we wear a White skin, and there is nothing whatsoever we can do about it, I don't care what he and his toadies think about me and all my family and friends. Because I have read the Book all the way to the end and I know who wins.

Purp| 2.24.12 @ 1:19PM

It's too late.

Oldefarte| 2.24.12 @ 4:13PM

THIS is why Newt Gingrich should be [1] the Republican nominee and [2] the next president of the US:

http://youtu.be/vOImnCrKPZ8

cicero| 2.24.12 @ 7:18PM

Isn't it about time we stopped walking on eggs everytime someone of a different ethnicity that Anglo-saxon enters the discussion. After all, I have witnesses over 50 years of affirmative action and all that goes with that. At present, (I heard that) 40% of the Federal workforce are black; women outnumber men in all colleges and professional shcols; and we have a black man in the White House. While I do not begrudge anyone his position, I think it is time to start judgeing people based on their character and qualifications. If the candidate is unqualified, say so, and loudly, and in what ways. If the Republican Party is too much sissified to fight it out, then that party must be moved aside, and a new one with the courage of its convictions, and without fear of false claims of bias, organized to supplant it. In the 1850s, the Whig Party was afraid to call the Southerners morally corrupt on their stance on slavery. The Republican Party was organized to raise the challenge, that was unltimately successful. We are at an equally dangerous crossroad, and timidity in the face of cries of "racism" will not do.

POST American| 2.24.12 @ 10:44PM

-------------------BOTTOM LINE-----------------------

ON this, the 'overlooked' 60th Anniversary
of the KOREAN WAR--

--TSA is rolled out nationwide

----NDAA 1021 (secret arrests etc.) is passed

------Nancy Pelosi calls for TOTAL data
tracking and surveillance --while visiting
RED China

-----------Sitting justice Ginzberg
commits TREASON by dissing
the US Constitution in 'E--Jipped'

AND

Probable Averell Harriman stealth clone
'BAR---Rockefeller' Obama continues his
vapidly over-choreographed 'stand for
the REAL people'.

---Has he ever even mentioned the
ANTI-Constitutional legacy of the 'FED''?

MEANWHILE, we are probably no morre
than 2 years away from complete receivership
to the Rockefeller-CFR/US taxpayer created
RED Chinese 'mere--ICK--cull'.

SO, keep munching those GMO potato chips
as you enjoy this, the 11th hour-------------------

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 11:16PM

You've kind of ignored my refernece to the Korean War and the Indian Head Division yesterday in a way which disappointed me.

Claude| 2.26.12 @ 1:29PM

Why are you still here?

albert constantine jr.| 2.24.12 @ 11:17PM

though most folks would spell it "reference".

Timothy L. Pennell| 2.25.12 @ 8:16AM

Not evlyblody.

POST American| 3.2.12 @ 5:48AM

-----and after Buchanan's dismissal

---------and Nepalitano's ouster

-------------and amid reports of further
blackmail and lock down of even the FAKE
front 'Right' Fox News

---------------------ANDREW BREITBART. . .

--YOU DECIDE--

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