The American Spectator : Disaster Drill

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Disaster Drill

By Robert Stacy McCain on 9.6.12 @ 6:11AM

Obama headlines a Democratic convention plagued by bungles.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — By nine o’clock Wednesday night, the fire marshal closed down entry to the Democratic National Convention because the Time Warner Cable Arena was past fire-code capacity. Even former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw was reported to have been briefly locked out.

This logistical screw-up was perhaps but a faint foreshadowing of Thursday night’s disappointment. President Obama’s acceptance speech, originally scheduled for the 70,000-seat Bank of America Stadium, has been shifted to the indoor arena, which seats only 20,000. This will mean that some 50,000 ticket-holders for the president’s speech will be out of luck. The DNC blamed the move on the weather forecast. “We have been monitoring weather forecasts closely and several reports predict thunderstorms in the area,” Steve Kerrigan, the convention committee’s CEO, explained in a statement that expressed concern for “the safety and security of our delegates and convention guests.”

The weather excuse produced scoffing — a local meteorologist said Thursday promised the best weather all week — and Republican skeptics immediately suggested the change of venue reflected the Democrats’ inability to fill the stadium. “They just don’t have the people, folks,” Rush Limbaugh told his nationwide radio audience. “They just can’t get the people there.… It’s not that they don’t have buses. They don’t have people to put on the buses. They don’t have people who want to go. It’s no more complicated than that. They can’t find 64,000 people that want to go to this thing.”

Four years ago, some 80,000 filled Denver’s Invesco Field for Obama’s acceptance speech featuring a Greek-columned portico that critics dubbed the “Barackopolis.” The wild enthusiasm Obama generated in 2008 has now clearly waned. Even the most slavish Democrat constituency, organized labor, seems less excited about another four years of Obama. Labor unions have effectively boycotted this year’s Democrat convention, miffed because the DNC chose to host its quadrennial event in North Carolina, a state with right-to-work laws and one of the lowest percentages of union enrollment in the nation. If Democrats couldn’t fill the Charlotte stadium for Obama’s speech, it may have been due to a lack of union organizers to bus in supporters.

This convention has been plagued by problems both large and small. Delegates have complained about being stuck in cheap motels, some reportedly infested with bedbugs. Concession stands at the arena appear understaffed, compelling delegates to stand in long lines for overpriced food. As I stood in line for a $4 cup of coffee Wednesday night, a Rhode Island delegate in line behind me talked about the transportation problems that left some of her fellow delegates stranded downtown last Tuesday, forcing them to pay an outrageous cab fare to reach their hotel 30 minutes away.

More politically significant was the Democrats’ official party platform, which was revised this year to omit reference to God, and to delete a previous statement supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. When these revisions sparked negative headlines, party leaders moved quickly to change the platform, but they screwed that up, too. With Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa chairing the convention, a motion was made to re-instate both God and Jerusalem into the platform, but when Villaraigosa called for a voice vote to approve the motion, it was far from clear that the measure had support from the required two-thirds of delegates necessary to pass. After asking the question three times, Villaraigosa finally ruled that the “ayes” had it, producing a storm of booing from the hall. The controversy was sufficiently heated — and the embarrassment sufficiently great — that Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz canceled her scheduled TV appearances, evidently to avoid discussing the issue.

The lineup of speeches Wednesday was “a freak show,” as one conservative in the press center remarked. For a party that is trying to pin the “liar” label on Republicans, the Democrats certainly didn’t seem conscious of the optics they presented, including a prime-time appearance by Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke. Back in the spring, Fluke stirred controversy by claiming that Georgetown’s student insurance policy, which doesn’t cover contraception, imposed health risks and prohibitive costs — as much as $3,000 a year, she said — on female students. Fluke’s claims were quickly debunked when it was shown that local pharmacies sell birth-control pills at a cost of about $9 for a month’s supply. Fluke took to the stage here Wednesday to assert her celebrity-victim status, saying she had been “shut out and silenced” by Republicans, targeted by “hateful slurs” from “extreme, bigoted voices” and “verbally attacked.”

The delegates cheered Fluke wildly, and also cheered Elizabeth Warren, the former Harvard Law professor and Obama economic adviser who is now running against Republican Sen. Scott Brown in Massachusetts. Warren is scarcely a symbol of honesty and integrity. Her claims of Cherokee ancestry, used to gain “minority” status and Ivy League faculty positions, have been as discredited as Fluke’s $3,000-a-year birth-control claims. At most, she’s 1/64th Cherokee, and even that slender sliver of Native American heritage is disputed. Polls in Massachusetts show Warren trailing Brown, and her primetime spot in Wednesday’s convention lineup seemed intended to boost her flagging candidacy, the Democrats’ best hope of picking off a GOP Senate seat this fall. Warren’s speech said nothing about her alleged Cherokee forebears, but instead assailed billionaires and “Wall Street CEOs … who wrecked our economy.” Her peroration cited a famous passage from the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus urged charity toward “the least of these,” which somehow Warren interpreted as a demand for more government programs as endorsed by a departed saint of liberalism. The Bible verse, she said, “teaches about God in each of us, that we are bound to each other and called to act… all of us together. Senator Kennedy understood that call.” This reference to Saint Teddy was certainly an imaginative exegesis of Matthew 25:40, and drew cheers from the Democratic delegates. Mary Jo Kopechne could not be reached for comment.

The man whom Warren introduced was, of course, not exactly a paragon of honesty. If nothing else, Wednesday night was another milestone on Bill Clinton’s rehabilitation tour. The erstwhile perjurer and Oval Office sex fiend was given a hero’s welcome by the Democrats, and proceeded to give a speech that ran overtime. At 48 minutes, Clinton’s convention speech rivaled some of his interminable State of the Union addresses, and ran more than 20 minutes past the scheduled 11 p.m. conclusion. He praised Obama’s economic plan, despite the fact that no one has ever seen this alleged plan. “I think the President’s plan is better than the Romney plan,” Clinton said, “because the Romney plan fails the first test of fiscal responsibility: The numbers don’t add up.” Obama has no numbers to add, and this is a virtue, according to Democrats. Instead, Clinton praised Obama in terms of glittering generalities: “clean air, clean water, safe food,” and “shared prosperity where the middle class is growing and poverty is declining.” He might as well have added, “and every child gets a unicorn for Christmas.”

Democrats enthusiastically cheered this stuff and they’ll cheer even more tonight when Obama takes the stage, no matter what he says. The same media establishment that insisted on fact-checking everything said at last week’s Republican convention has scarcely said a peep about the whopping lies told at this week’s Democratic convention. And Obama’s media cheerleaders have barely mentioned the slipshod planning that caused this week’s convention bungles.

About the Author

Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (213) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

drudge ette obama| 9.6.12 @ 6:25AM

No balloons? Sure they had them last night with Clinton and Elizabeth "Pow Wow Chow" Warren. Bedbugs, switch of final venue, the "No God" Vote, accusations abound of Nazis and their mistresses in South Carolina and the RNC? What could be better? How bad is the DNC convention going to get? How much fun are we really going to have?

Seriously, only two months until the big day - satrt putting your money into the PACs and big elections now. This is that important.

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 6:57AM

I havent' watched many conventions or political speeches for years. As penace for my sins I watched Romney's boring, speech. It had not much for the independents, libertarians, paleo conservatives, and young whose votes he needs to get. It was all I am a better manager and there is no hope these endless wars will ever be over. He would have done himself a world of good if he had announced in his speech that his first action as President will be to bring the troops home from Afganistan

Now as further penance for my sins I will watch Obama tonight. Biden has been running around saying the Republicans will put us in a war with Iran and Syria. I expect Obama to put forth a much more peacefull talk to his crowd. Painting the Republicans as warmongers is the ony way to excite his base and get the the young and independents he needs. It is sad when a guy who has started 6 wars can outflank the Republicans on the peace issue. Obama deserves a resounding defeat. Does Romney deserve to be the victor?

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 8:20AM

"It is sad when a guy who has started 6 wars can outflank the Republicans on the peace issue."

Six wars? What are they?

Otis, my man!| 9.6.12 @ 10:27AM

WTF are you talking about?

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:13PM

I'm trying to think of an analogy for what's going on in Charlotte. Something other than Liars Poker.

Herding Cats? Monkeys with Typewriters? The story of the Blind Men and the Elephant?

This Convention is about Celebrating everything that's Wrong with this Country. Like having Everyone's Favourite SLUT speak about the rudeness she received, after attacking a Catholic Institution - Georgetown University - because they wouldn't pay for her Vaginal Creams and Condoms so she could continue Whoring around the town to the tune of 3,000 a year.

This is the same Georgetown University that The Muslim refused to speak at, until every reference to JESUS CHRIST was removed from the room.

There was Pukeahontas, from Massachusetts. The original "You didn't build that" POS. I wonder HOW she did, and was she wearing Moccasins? And why does our Domestic Enemy President insist on Plagiarizing Massholes? "Just Words?"

There was the VOTE to add GOD in to their platform, because everyone knows that GOD is for Taxpayer Funded Abortion on Demand, Partial Birth Abortion, and Snapping the little Bugger's Neck when he disobeys Mommy by not DYING during his Abortion. Everyone knows that HE's for Free Condoms, and Creams. Free Dildos and Vibrators. Free Needles and Meth. All of these things GOD LOVES, because the Children are gonna need these things, after their Anal, Oral, Vaginal Sex Instructions from their 3rd Grade Teacher. And, especially so, if they miss Masturbation Lessons.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:15PM

GOD got booed at the Democrat National Committee last night, while a Lying Slut got a Standing Ovation.

Anyone surprised?

They had a Vote to Add the word Jerusalem to their Platform (which is 1 More Time than the Koran mentions it) and it got booed.

Obviously the little Nazi Propagandists - Jay Carney - was lying outta his ass when he said that his Master's position on Israel was well known. Really? Cause, what I take from his REMOVAL of Jerusalem as Israel's Capitol from the Party Platform, is that his position on Isreal is: Fck You. And, should he be re-elected?

Israel is Dead.

I hope my Jewish Cousins took their Heads outta their Asses long enough to see what happened, down there. Israel got BOOED at The Muslim's Convention. Go figure.

Then there was Billy. The 1st Sitting President to be Impeached, and accused of RAPE and Molestation, by two women, on National Television, in Primetime, on the #1 Show in the Country.

The 1st Sitting President to be charged with Indecent Exposure, and losing his Law Liscence for LYING to a Grand Jury.

The 1st Sitting President to leave DNA on a Fat Intern's Dress.

There he was. America's Favourite Pathological Liar, Serial Misogenyst, standing on the Stage, VOUCHING for The man who would Destroy America.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:17PM

If that wasn't a CLUSTERFCK last night?

Then we need to get rid of that word.

IzeHavitt| 9.7.12 @ 7:44AM

Mark my words: These are the accursed. Period.

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 11:33AM

Libya, Syria, Pakistan, Bareign, Somalia, Pakistan, and Kenya. There are more but I am going to lunch.

Otis, my man!| 9.6.12 @ 2:14PM

Jack,

I assume you meant Bahrain not Bareign (unless that is a new country we are fighting in that I don't know about :-))

Anyway, who are we fighting in Bahrain? 5th Fleet is headquartered there!

And Obama didn't start anything in Somalia. And I don't know about any troops he has sent to Kenya unless maybe he is pissed at his stepbrother and he's sent in a SEAL team to take him out. Do you know something I don't?

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 3:29PM

You must forgive Jackboot the Nazi, Otis.
He is an illiterate, moronic anti-Semite. Nuff' said.

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 3:45PM

I was in hurry George Nick and had temporary brain siezure. Bahrain. You are a nasty Zio Nazi pretending to be Catholic. I notice as usual you dispute none of my facts. You are far too ignorant of do history to do that. Like most of of your ilk it is nothing but name calling and nonsense.

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 3:57PM

You are not worth my time, Jackboot the Nazi.
Now, go back to teaching your grandkids how to goose-step & how your hero, Hitler, was such a good friend of the Jews, because he wanted to ship them all to Madagascar.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 4:27PM

But you are Nazi Nick. I guess it takes one to know one.

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 5:04PM

Nazi Nick: Thats a good one. He sure is a nasty little racist and warmonger. Nasty Nazi Nick, that is his name from now on. Like most zionist apologists here he all all name calling and nonsense with no positive contributions.

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 6:56PM

Oh, look!
Jackboot the Nazi and Jack'o the Marxist have made a love connection.
I feel like Chuck Woolery!

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 8:17PM

Actually,Nick...

ONCE AGAIN you show your total ignorance of REAL HISTORY....

Hitler had NOTHING to do with the plan to use Madagascar as a possible exile place for the Jews of Europe.

One of the Gauleiters of the occupied Eastern European regions--some lackey of Himmler's- proposed this as a solution--and was NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY by ANY of the top brass in the Nazi Party-- LET ALONE HITLER - who probably didn't even know of it....

READ YOUR HISTORY--YOU NEO-NAZI...!

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 8:55PM

You need to get a refund from whoever taught you English, Pelleas.
Read what I wrote, again.

It is Jackboot the Nazi who claims that Hitler was a friend of the Zionists, who wanted to ship them to Madagascar, Einstein. Not me.

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 9:24PM

"Nick| 9.6.12 @ 3:57PM

You are not worth my time, Jackboot the Nazi.
Now, go back to teaching your grandkids how to goose-step & how your hero, Hitler, was such a good friend of the Jews, because he wanted to ship them all to Madagascar."
------
YOU ARE NICK, NO?

I didn't see anyone else comment onThe Madagascar Plan--other than YOU....

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 11:18PM

YOU ARE IGNORANT, PELLEAS, NO?

Did I write that Jackboot the Nazi claimed that garbage about Madagascar in this thread? Um, no, I didn't.
He has asserted it in the.....PAST, brainiac.

Go study up on your hero, the Polio Prince, okay?
And, his wife. (She's a man, baby!)

Pelleas| 9.7.12 @ 1:44PM

Ignorant?

WHAT THREAD, ...?--like ALL of you wing.nutz, ya never ANSWER THE QUESTION..AND-point to some fairy-tale of your imagination

Nick| 9.7.12 @ 2:58PM

Yes IGNORANT, twit.
There is a search bar at the top of AmSpec's pages.
Use it.

RCV| 9.9.12 @ 2:22PM

Pelleas. You are indeed misreading Nick's comment. He has repeatedly called out Jack on Jack's prior claim that Hitler benevolently wanted to exile the Jews, not kill them. Nick has been one of the staunchest attackers of antisemitism on this site.

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:27AM

Temporary seizure? You mean you were rational for a moment?

I've seen your "facts". I think it's honest ignorance - or rather dishonest ignorance, since you pick your sources - based on straw man arguments like the Kishinev pogrom. If you like, I can quote a single paragraph from a man who made a career defending the Scots Catholic Church, that refutes at once most of your points regarding Jewish history under Christendom. It's that easy!

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 4:18PM

I think you are out to lunch. Obama didn't start wars with any of these countries.

Drunken Sailor| 9.6.12 @ 4:54PM

I believe Jack may be talking about drone attacks on foreign soil as acts of aggresion. No idea why he listed Pakistan twice though.

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 5:06PM

I was in hurry to go to lunch. I also could have added Yeman, Sudan and numerous other countries where this do gooder thinks killing people is progress.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 5:18PM

Well I agree - the worst part of Obama's presidency has been the drone and bombing attacks. Only a tiny fraction of the numbers that GW killed though. With Romney of course we would see the extermination of many more innocents.

CJW| 9.6.12 @ 5:48PM

Are you criticizing Obama for the drone and bombing attacks, and believe he has killed innocents?

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 5:58PM

Indeed - of course he has killed innocent people (not deliberately). That's indisputable. Upwards of 100,000 citizens died in Iraq after GW went in though.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 6:56PM

That's WAR, Dumbass.

That's why you don't wanna FCK WITH US.

Our Fathers, and Grandfathers, Firebombed Dresden, Firebombed Tokyo, Bombed Berlin in to the Stone Age, and NUKED Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And they are REVERED as The Greatest Generation.

So WTF is your problem, with a buncha Dead Muslims?

Kill them all, and let GOD sort it out.

Like the Japanese - They started it.

I say FCK'EM.

Until we turn that desert in to GLASS?

The world will never know Peace.

And, Everybody knows it.

They Love Death.

I say: Give'em what they want.

Period.

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:04PM

TLP - you're trying to reason with chuckleheads that can't think their way out of a three-sided box. Baraign, indeed. Doesn't that tell you all you need to know? Lin Yutang said it best: "When small men cast big shadows, that means the sun is about to set." If that's true, that's one sunset I'm looking forward to.

IzeHavitt| 9.7.12 @ 7:50AM

Now, TLP, you bring up a good point. The Scripture says: "All they that hate wisdom, love Death." So then, let all they who hate wisdom...meet their lover.

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 7:08PM

"Upwards of 100,000 citizens died in Iraq after GW went in though."

That's a lie, Jack'o.
The best estimates are between 50k & 75k killed. And, most of them were from attacks by al Qaeda in Iraq & Shia-on-Sunni violence.

But, thanks for spreading al Qaeda propaganda, though. Your family must be so proud.

How does it feel to have your democrat convention going down in flames, Jack'o?
Because of the repeated lies from Debbie Blabbermouth-Putz?
And, Bubba "The Rapist" Clinton's geologically long speech?
And, the Foodstamp President's lying about why he changed venues for his speech?
(The real reason is because he can't fill the seats of the stadium. There will be no rain tonight.)

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:30AM

Remeber, Clinton burst onto the political scence with a two-hour speech. The excuse was he didn't write it. Now we know better.

Having that man and Teddy shows they have no shame.

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:29AM

By whom? By us of the other guys?

Tom Kyba| 9.6.12 @ 6:45PM

Thank goodness your criticisms are so intelligent. Evil death monger Romney is even now calculating how many innocents he can bag.

Cuckoo for cocoapuffs.

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 7:11PM

"I also could have added Yeman"
- Jackboot the Nazi

It's YEMEN, you illiterate, anti-Semitic tumble-weed!

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:35PM

Nick:

Jack keeps on discussing his major business and organizing skills, in a semi-literate fashion that makes me wonder. My wife is a summa cum laude accounting grad as well as a girl who grew up on a farm, and her writing and grammar are impeccable. makes me wonder.

As usual, Nick, you are a blessing, and a joy to read. Have a lovely weekend. Tomorrow is my 17th Wedding Anniversary, and my wife and I will be taking our 8 and 9 year old out with us because we can't think of a better way to spend that day.

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 11:29PM

Thanks, Occam!
You, too, are a blessing to these pages in cyberspace.

Have a wonderful anniversary, and weekend. It sounds superb.
May G-d Bless you, your wife, and your precious children.

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:31AM

Mazal tov.

In my case it's fat fingers.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:32PM

Well, Libya's one, I know that. There's also a small US force somewhere farther South in Africa doing something fairly useless, if I recall.

As the chief warmonger here, I don't really want the US involved in Syria, as both sides are vermin. Assad might be a better choice, but I would really defer to Bibi on this, quite frankly, as the next door neighbor.

I DON'T want ground troops in Iran. I want its nuclear capability destroyed, regardless of cost to Iran. But the job should cost us relatively little since rubble don't make trouble, and we have a lot of ways to create rubble in Iran without ground troops.

drudge ette obama| 9.6.12 @ 7:22AM

Am I the only one who feels sorry for the Mayor of Los Angeles who will forever be remembered as the one who stole the vote from the "No God/No Jerusalem" DNCers?
I think that his political career just went into the sewer. How can he recover from this. Three voice votes and it was rigged all along - the teleprompter rules, not the man.

Come to think of it, isn't Los Angeles a "refugee city" where American immigration law is ignored? Maybe God just gave the American people a gift to show us a future bad choice in the LA Mayor. God truly works is mysterious ways.....

R Martin| 9.6.12 @ 7:43AM

You may well be the only one who feels sorry for the mayor. I thought the platform vote was a perfect metaphor for the naked dishonesty of the Democrat party and its leftist leaders.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 9:33AM

R Martin,

Hear, hear! It was a sight, wasn't it?

spike59| 9.6.12 @ 9:57AM

indeed; the Party that booed God, yet gave standing ovations for abortions

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:34AM

This I will give them. If you saw the response (including applause) to the closing invocation, which after all chided them,, it's clear they did not boo God. What there is t oblame them for was taking it out in the first place. (P.S. Beck came to the same conclusion, althoguh not for that reason.)

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 9:58AM

Apparently none of you have any idea what went on in Tampa. Or you do, and you just don't mind naked dishonesty as long as it's wearing an 'R'.

Daniel W| 9.6.12 @ 10:11AM

Well, I watched the convention last night, and after Clinton's electifying speech I said to myself, "There's a slow train coming, and it's coming 'round the bend, and Republicans had better get out of the way."

Sorry to say, but the Diesel-Engine Democrats have already won the election. It's Obama for four more years, and extreme right-wing Republicans are the reason moderate Americans will go Democrat again in 2012.

Time to start nursing your wounds.

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:24PM

Daniel W - you little kidder you. Now stop annoying the adults and go back to playing doctor with yourself.

spike59| 9.7.12 @ 6:12AM

daniel, take advantage of ObaMaoScare while you can and stock up on your meds; much like 1948, when Truman was speaking to unthusiastic and growing crowds while Dewey was droning on before ever smaller crowds, and the 1948 media and 'intelligensia' was writing off Truman and all but inaugurating Dewey, November provided a thunderbolt 'surprise' that should have and could have been predicted-right now, GOP enthusiasm is higher than it's been since 1984, Democrat enthusiasm is measurably lower than before, only 40% of likely voters believe that ObaMao deserves a second term, and his poll #'s are down in EVERY demographic versus 4 years ago...and now, especially after the Charlotte Bungling Brothers Circus, where abortion was cheered and God was booed, a 2010-type shellacking is in the offing

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 12:37PM

Marston,

Do tell, Marston! Give us some examples! I'll spot you the 3 hour marathon.

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 2:58PM

You dare suggest that a falsehood could pass the angelic lips of our dreamboat Ryan? But he's so young, so wonky, so dreamy!

How about late buses, forced-out rules committee members, ignored floor vote, and rigged teleprompters? Oh, you didn't know that our so-perfect-he's-boring-gosh-if-only-he-weren't-so-darn-perfect-oh-and-also-dreamy-Mitt-Romney! was capable of strong-arm tactics more blatant and disgusting than Obama and Villaraigosa? The Democrats could learn a thing or two from the Republicans on how to crush the voice of the people--don't give them three chances when one good beat-down will do.

Warrior| 9.6.12 @ 4:35PM

You're just upset because the Tampa crowd did not boo God and cheer on partial birth abortions.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:37PM

Warior:

yeah, I'm kind of finding it hard to believe that these clowns were stupid enough to boo G-d in a highly religious country here. The GOP should be playing that clip repeatedly everywhere they can and work it into every speech.

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:37AM

They didn't, they booed the rigged vote, and maybe Israel (not fun, as I live there). Take a look at the response to the closing invocation if you don't believe me.

They should be held accountable for the original vortes, and the Keystone Kops reaction.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 4:47PM

Marston,

A Paulista, perhaps? Hung up on Rule 12? It may have been strong-arm but where is the lie? To me the whole thing is a tempest in a teacup displaying more the irrelevance of the convention. Did anyone, other than a Paulista, expect any other outcome? Were the delegates doing anything more than partying at taxpayer expense? Did anything in Tampa have the remotest effect on, say, the Ted Cruz election?

The Republican party is quickly becoming nothing but a legislative caucus. I haven't given a dime to them since Bush/Darmon gave us the largest tax increase in history (until then). I only donate to the races. And the quicker these conventions become self-funded the less of this you will see.

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 6:46PM

John,

Not a Paulista, at least not yet, but give me time! No, I still Pick Rick, actually. But you're right, the convention is irrelevant, but not because of the delegates--they still believe that they make the rules, or at least they believed it until last Tuesday. I suppose a different outcome was in fact expected, but why it should have been is a good question. They rammed Romney down our throats, they lied about Santorum and Gingrich every chance they got, and so why we would expect honorable and disinterested behavior at this point does seem ridiculous. (And before any of you ask who 'they' are, if you're asking, you already know. And you liked it.)

The party, the convention, the caucuses and primaries, they are irrelevant because they have all been infiltrated and corrupted by the statists, not because they are expensive or long or boring. (Although that is a statist specialty). Therefore, we should not say that the convention should go away because the people running it are liars, thugs, and thieves. You don't stop putting money in banks because thieves break in and steal it. You find a way to make the institution stronger, impenetrable, more effective for its customer, but you don't limit the rights of the customer; you limit the access of the thief.

To be continued...

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 6:50PM

...continued

But the notion that the delegates were not doing anything more than partying at taxpayer expense is false. I know two of the delegates well, and the trip cost them personally thousands of dollars for air travel, accommodations, taxis, and the like, as well as various functions that were not required, but recommended and expensive. More importantly, in keeping with the convention's theme of 'unity', strong pressure was exerted on them to change their votes from their candidate, for whom they were duly elected, to another candidate--and Ron Paul was neither of those candidates. They were told that they would not have been allowed to come to the convention had the state rulers known that they would remain in support of their candidate. These two delegates were very alarmed, confused, and upset by the tactics, and by the very fact that a need for any 'tactics' would be even be conceived of. But perhaps it is now common knowledge that delegates must be well-schooled in the tactics of thuggery just to participate in a convention? I doubt that most Republican voters, or even most of the delegates had any idea what their 'leaders' and their party were really engaged in, because they were already supporting the chosen candidate, so no 'persuasion' was necessary. After all, the slave rebellion doesn't need to be put down if it never rises up. It is only the rebellious slave who really knows the temperament of his master.

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 6:51PM

...continued

But we are not meant to be slaves. We are the customers--not the RNC, not Romney--they are our servants. The convention, the caucus, everything serves us. These rules changes are just the latest in the relentless assault on CITIZEN government, the latest attempt to make everything, particularly us, serve them. It is so true, it's become trite. And that is why it seems like a tempest in a teacup. We are so beaten down, so manipulated, our heads hang so low, we do not even perceive a tempest when we are in the midst of one.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 9:25PM

Marston,

Thanks for the response. Indeed we share similar views.

I have suggested in the past and continue to suggest that a third party is a fool's errand. It would split the conservative from the more moderate and would leave us in the wilderness for decades.

I still think the outrage you express is somewhat overwrought. This party, to which I do NOT belong, is in transition. We are, through grass roots efforts, electing conservatives into the Republican party which will, one hopes, transform the party. If it does not, we are doomed and I don't think any third-party effort would save us.

As I mentioned, the floor shenanigans have and will have no effect on the election of Tea Party candidates so long as we support the candidates of our choosing and ignore the party.

I remain convinced, however, that lies were not the hallmark of the Republican convention.

Cheers!

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 11:21PM

John,

I have enjoyed our discussion. I often wonder why others are not more curious.

I have three little parting questions. Do you think that the differences in perspective that you and I seem to have, and the factions that we represent, might just be generational? If so, is it possible to reconcile them? If not, what will happen then?

Cheers to you!

John Navratil| 9.7.12 @ 9:55AM

Marston,

Just to let you know, Rick was my man as well. Apropos of nothing, I love Ron Paul as a Congressman, but never as a C-in-C; his foreign policy positions border on madness, to me.

Perhaps generation has something to do with my lack of concern for the party rules changes. Perhaps it is because I don't think caucuses are particularly representative and find that grass roots efforts work in the primary system just as well. Addressing faithless electors is not a bad thing.

Should this further concentrate power into the hands of those in the smoke filled room, the result will be further distrust of the party and less funding. As I said, I quit giving twenty years ago and over the years have noticed more and more of my friends and associates doing the same thing.

A lot of the problem in 2008 was McCain and just as much was funding. Organizations such a The Club for Growth provide an alternative which has effectively worked against the old guard.

So I conclude the rules changes obviously ticked off a lot of people - mostly Paulistas (that's why I asked) who were planning a rear-guard action of dubious merit - but aren't the disenfranchisement you fear.

John Navratil| 9.7.12 @ 10:14AM

Marston,

PS. I'm aware that delegates fund themselves to go to the convention (I was a local delegate, once). What I consider profligate is the, roughly, $12 million each party got to fund its bash. That has got to go.

John Navratil| 9.7.12 @ 10:17AM

Marston,

PPS. Oops. Make that $18 million for the convention. The cost of security is much larger which begs the question: "If a convention is so dangerous, why have one?"

Tom Kyba| 9.6.12 @ 6:48PM

And here I thought you were sane. Hey Professor, Arlington Road was just a movie. On planet earth we call this fiction. Things are a little different on planet Chomsky I guess.

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 7:34PM

I just found this quote online, from some guy calling himself Socrates; he must live on Chomsky, too:

"But if any man come to the gates of poetry without the madness of the Muses, persuaded that skill alone will make him a good poet, then shall he and his works of sanity with him be brought to nought by the poetry of madness…”

I don't blame you for embracing Romney; in your sanity, you couldn't help it.

Ldot| 9.6.12 @ 1:11PM

obama needs your money and your dependency.......aka useful idiots

Joellen| 9.6.12 @ 10:21AM

This is exactly what will happen election day if we are not vigilant in making sure they cant and wont STEAL the election.

JmsA| 9.6.12 @ 12:39PM

Don't worry about the Mayor; the dupes in L.A. and the rest of California will continue to vote for the ex-gang banger, (unaccredited) law school flunky, cheater, etc., who never met a camera he didn't love.

sotto voce| 9.6.12 @ 8:19PM

Don't waste your time feeling sorry for LA's buffoonish mayor. He's known here in SoCal as a serial womanizer (his specialty is news babes) and shameless political hack who's ruined LA. He'll be termed out soon and is busy shilling for his next political gig. I'm sure he thought the DNC chairmanship would be his springboard to greater glory.

The Democrats had to be dumb or desperate (probably both) to select him as chair of their convention. God has indeed done us a favor by exposing Villaraigosa's monumental ineptitude.

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:18PM

Villaraigosa's career just went into the sewer? That whole city is a sewer. That's how he got to be mayor.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:40PM

I left LA on June 19, 1993, the day after I finished my residency. My fantastic profs at UCLA, knowing that I was moving across country, let me take my last two weeks off, for which I am eternally grateful.

My instructors and professors in psychiatry were awesome at UCLA; the city was a fantastic learning ground for psychopathology. But leaving was a great decision.

LA will turn around when Conservatives take over; not before.

Appleby| 9.6.12 @ 6:34AM

TheKids haven't changed much since 1968 came around the first time. Glad I decided to watch something else instead.

Von Mises Jr| 9.6.12 @ 6:48AM

Of course I watched Eli Manning and Dez Bryant instead of Bubba.
I caught the slickmeister during a commercial and he accused Ryan of wanting to give the $716 billion Obama stole for ObamaCare socialized medicine back to insurance companies. I was confused since I thought we were talking about health care insurance plans. Go figure.
I finally concluded that he was trying to sell the new health program as the DMV on steroids. Next they will want to mandate that we get our car repairs and gasoline from the state DMV Office. I guess that was the point, but the speech was intended for stupid people, so I couldn't quite decipher it.
I did figure out why the regime wants to kill football. Nobody watched the slickmeister.

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 7:02AM

I watched the football game as well. There were also a couple of great old Humphrey Bogart films on, that I snuck a peak at during the commercials. Thank heavens it is football season. It will be alot better watching football instead of politicians. The fact tha Wi. is such a heavily contested state this year means that a lot of political commericals are stinking up every football game. Thank God for remote control.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 7:05AM

I have to keep correcting this. So let's ask a question: can you walk into Target and buy contraceptive pills without a prescription?

chuck| 9.6.12 @ 7:40AM

No, but a trip to the gynecologist is covered by insurance, even insurance provided by religious organizations.

And you can certainly buy a box of condoms at Target without a prescription.

Besides, it;s not like the lesbian Fluke is going to get pregnant anyway, at least not without a turkey baster.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 8:01AM

No - Georgetown has its own student health centre. The point is they wouldn't write prescriptions for contraception under the student plan. And Fluke is engaged to a boyfriend - why are you saying she's a lesbian?

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 9:05AM

Why doesn't this Lesbian Slut get her FIANCÉ to buy her shit?

George S| 9.6.12 @ 9:36AM

Does Georgetown provide that health care for free? Then she should be grateful.

Does Georgetown make her pay her tuition? Then she can afford to buy another policy or even the contraceptives.

Does she go to Georgetown for free? Then she should have saved enough money to buy her own policy or contraceptives.

Does Georgetown force her to buy a policy that does not meet her consumer needs? Then she understands the basic concept of ObamaCare.

So what exactly is her complaint?

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 9:44AM

"Does Georgetown force her to buy a policy that does not meet her consumer needs? Then she understands the basic concept of ObamaCare"

Oh no George - you fell into the trap. Yes, the paid for Georgetown student plan excludes (or did) prescriptions for contraception. But Obamacare rolls out more standards for insurance - including contraception. We already have many state health insurance standards anyway.

George S| 9.6.12 @ 10:01AM

Again, Jack, what is the great public policy issue of our time? Is he policy free... is she forced to buy it? Can she not afford her own policy... but afford Georgetown? Is she going to Georgetown for free... yet cannot save to buy her own stuff?

Which is it and why should that make money fly out of my wallet???

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 10:26AM

George, I understand you have an ideological objection to physician consultation and prescribing for contraception being part of health plans. But more than half of states already require coverage even before the move from the Department of Health, so your plan may now or in the past have covered it anyway. As you also know, your insurance probably pays for things like other men's erectile dysfunction. I don't see you complaining about that.

George S| 9.6.12 @ 10:37AM

I do not care about what plan covers what procedure. The issue here is Flucke:

If she objects to Georgetown's plan, buy another one! If it is free, then shut up and go buy your own damn plan with the money you save! If it isn't free and she is forced to pay for THAT PARTICULAR plan as a condition of going to Georgetown, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

There is nothing ideological about this. Keep Your Vagina Out of My Wallet. That's all I ask.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 10:47AM

You're making a different argument now, which is for religious exemptions, not contraceptive coverage, as you now seem to be saying you have no objection to contraceptive coverage per se - am I right?

I'm not sure though - what do you mean by 'Keep Your Vagina Out of My Wallet.' if you have no objection to contraceptive coverage?

I think you're a rather confused person.

George S| 9.6.12 @ 11:11AM

Of course not. Contraceptive coverage should be an option offered for sale. If it is not offered, get together with like minded investors and start your own insurance company. Contraception is a commodity, invented by the free market, offered for sale in the free market and available to those who can pay. Just like everything else. Insurance, on the other hand, is to compensate for loss arising out of statistically improbable events. Choosing to use contraception is a free will decision, which is the basis of free market economic transactions. It is not a statistically improbable loss, therefore it is not insurance coverage.

But you are still dancing around the public policy issue: do you want to see contraception paid for by third parties? A failure to do so is a War on Women?

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 11:45AM

Oh I see - you want to isolate contraception from mainstream health services, rather like cosmetic surgery?

So insurance would include reproductive health (or ill-health) but no state should then mandate that a doctor can prescribe contraception under insurance during a consolation, even though the drugs may well have a co-pay.

But there is overwhelming public policy evidence for contraception - eg long-acting implants - as contributing to the health and social wellbeing of women and society. Isolating medical intervention from insurance for this is plain stupid and we are talking about cost savings here - would you rather pay more in unwanted pregnancies and abortions, as I suspect that's it's just your precious wallet you care about?

George S| 9.6.12 @ 12:59PM

You are dancing around the edges (or I may not be clear):

Should contraception paid for by third parties when it is not a medical necessity prescribed by a physician? Is a failure to do so is a War on Women?

Remember: Flucke complained that contraception was too expensive for her. She never said she was sick.

By the way, I love the diametrically opposed irony of the DNC platform: reproductive health and abortion.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 2:43PM

No you're not clear. There are many things covered by health insurance that are not 'medical necessities' in your definition. Thankfully health has a much wider context - holistic and societal - and most certainly the safe control of fertility under a physician is part of this. I know you don't like it but it really does not affect you and in fact has many positive benefits.

And Fluke used an example of a friend who had a medical condition for which contraception was indicated.

And you have some nerve about 'diametrically opposed irony' - yours is the side trying to limit contraception access but also ban abortion.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 2:11PM

Jack London,

You belittle George_S's wallet. It's biblical that you should respect other people's property. It's a foundation of civilization that we don't steal. Yet you have no difficulty telling George_S that he should, even if he doesn't desire to, spend money on behalf of women so they can have sex without consequences.

If you don't wish to become pregnant, don't have sex (that's cost free) or buy contraceptives (about the price of a bottle of decent vodka per month). A student will willingly spend more at the bar before hitting the sack than the cost of contraception.

Admit that the ends are not at issue here.

It's the means. Sandra Fluke wrote in the piece you linked to that the "over-ride" was a problem as it led to intrusive questioning. Did it every occur that, while legitimate non-contraceptive uses of the pill exist, that this cohort of women presented a statistically anomalous group? Is it really unreasonable to question if prescribing "the pill" to a woman who admits to being sexually active is for contraception and not mood swings? No!

This is all about changing the rules to Fluke's desire and to deny people of conscience their right to conscience. It's the culture of death.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 2:53PM

No John - it's about certain employers changing the rules to suit a few men in the Vatican. Your insurance pays for all sorts of people and procedures that do not benefit you directly. But in fact extending safe fertility control does benefit us as a society. It makes no sense to me for a doctor to be banned from prescribing contraception under insurance because a few bigots like you are so hung up about people's sex lives.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 4:35PM

Jack London,

I don't care about your or anyone else's sex life. My concern is for the unborn. If that makes me a bigot, so be it! If I were a real bigot I wouldn't waste time with you.

That my insurance pays for medically necessary treatments that I would never use doesn't discount the medical necessity of the procedures. Your lumping safe fertility control as a benefit is touching. There is nothing safer than abstinence and - no - I am not advocating abstinence. However contraception is not a medical necessity.

The problem here is that the client for insurance is rarely the insured. If you bought your own insurance policy you could purchase just what you wanted. And you could expect the premium to reflect the cost of contraception. When you get it through someone else, expect their values to prevail. Next time you feel like modifying your employer's policy to suit you, let me know how you get on.

Those "certain employers" didn't change any rules to suit the Vatican. They provided policies according to their conscience. I'm not Catholic, but I wouldn't buy coverage for contraceptives for several reasons related to conscience and medical necessity.

If Sandra Fluke was so hung up on the failings of Georgetown's medical services, she most certainly could have attended some other university which suited her better.

Now address my point about the real agenda.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 4:54PM

Jack London,

PS: The doctors were working for a university which had a policy against contraception. Legally, they could prescribe what they wished. Perhaps you would like to require Catholic doctors to perform abortions, as well. Oops, did I spill the beans on the next battle in this war?

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 4:59PM

Well John as I said to George you are talking about medicine, not healthcare, which has a much wider context. Fertility control is both societal and medical. It will be mandated in insurance because access to the range of options gives women, poorer women in particular, more control of their lives. It makes no sense for a woman to have two doctors - a family one and one that deals only in contraception at extra expense (and for what's it worth I would argue for at least small co-pay on pills - it's the health checks and prescribing of things like long-acting implants that are vital).

And employers are changing the rules. In New York, as the example at Fordham shows, contraception is mandated in plans, but they wouldn't write a prescription.

And you need to make your mind up - are you arguing for religious exemptions, or wholesale elimination of the contraception mandate for all plans, with the inevitable cost in unwanted babies and abortions? I would have thought your concern for the unborn would trump your distaste fro contraception under insurance.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 5:43PM

Wholesale elimination of contraception mandate for all plans! I've nothing against contraception, but if you want me to pay for your abortion because you couldn't keep from having unprotected sex, I wouldn't do that either. Unwanted babies are better than dead babies.

If you want to have sex without consequences, don't come to me. If you can't afford contraception, even when it's available cost free to the poor, don't have sex. If you want an abortion, don't come to me.

Put another way, don't bill me for your irresponsibility.

I'll ask again for your comment on the real agenda. How do you feel about people for whom this is a matter of conscience? Are you prepared to ban conscience from laws? Where does it go next? You won't touch that, will you!

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 5:54PM

Well at least you're out in the open. Every other developed nation has insurance coverage for family planning prescriptions and consultations but you want us to be the exception.

As for conscience, anyone who is against contraception can not use it. Any organization with a mixed employee base though has no right to ignore state law, although i agree with churches having an exemption.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 8:23PM

Jack London,

I'm on a roll. Of course I want it to be an exception. We are an exceptional nation dedicated to individual freedom.

Just as a though experiment... My wife and I like downhill skiing. I've described it in looser language as "the second finest feeling in the world". It's most certainly not medically necessary. Should my insurance purchase my skis and lift tickets. Compared to rutting (Fluke is not married and seeks to avoid children), isn't this as valid an activity for individual choice?

If you want contraception, buy it!

Your reference to state law is a red herring. Just another argument for tyranny of the majority. Sodomy was illegal. Did you have a problem with that?

Now on to that question of the real agenda... where is your response? That's three! Are you up, or just another troll?

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:43PM

No children equals no welfare state, Jack. The Dems are amazing in not realizing how their support for abortion and THE CONSEQUENCES of that led to the entitlement crisis.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:56PM

Really? Contraception leads to improved female health? That's interesting, since the psychiatric data would NOT show that, given how "the pill" has led to the assault on marriage and long term committed relationships. Unmarried women with children tend to be poor. Promiscuous individuals tend to have poorer health. Contraception gives poor women LESS CONTROL over their lives, actually.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 11:00PM

Your argument makes no sense from where this Psychiatrist, who works with the poorest of the poor and 3 Native reservations, sits.

Things that FORCE men to take responsibility for their sexual actions and their offspring IMPROVE outcomes for the women in those relationships and, much more importantly, the CHILDREN of those relationships. In short, it gives women MORE control over THEIR lives by MAKING men responsible.

Do some volunteering in homeless shelters, Jack, and get a grip on the problem. Theory without practical knowledge is worse than useless. But I find it fascinating how the problems in the New Zealand Welfare state among the Maori, where Contraception and abortion are covered, and prostitution is legal and out on Main Street (literally Main Street in Rotorua) has not lowered the Maori's insane child abuse and wife beating rates, (and low life expectancy and high lung cancer rates despite the NHS) and how Native Americans on the Rez, thousands of miles away, in their Welfare state with an NHS (the Indian Health Service) have the same diabetes problems, drug abuse, child abuse, short life expectancy, high murder rates, high illegitimacy rates that the Maori have---mirror images.

What connects them? Your policies, Mr. London.

(To start to check these points out,, Google "highest lung cancer rates in the world." You will find the answer in a September 2004 New Zealand Medical Journal.)

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 11:02PM

(Sorry, April 2005 NZMJ)

http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1213/1410/

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 11:33PM

You rock, Occam!
(With stats!)

Walruskman| 9.6.12 @ 1:14PM

That comment gives a whole new meaning to the term "pocket pussy".

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 9:41AM

Jack London,

"they wouldn't write prescriptions for contraception under the student plan"

Source, please. I'm not saying you are wrong, but you are the only source I've heard to say this.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 9:49AM

Well, this article by Fluke herself explains the background.

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/.....georgetown

Plus this NYT piece that mentions Fordham:

"Bridgette Dunlap, a Fordham University law student, knew that the school’s health plan had to pay for birth control pills, in keeping with New York state law. What she did not find out until she was in an examining room, “in the paper dress,” was that the student health service — in keeping with Roman Catholic tenets — would simply refuse to prescribe them."

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01.....own&st=cse

spike59| 9.6.12 @ 9:59AM

the only reason this DNC/OFA plant applied to Georgetown in the first place was BECAUSE of their policies; playing the 'innocent victim' is the depth of intellectual dishonesty and hucksterism

George S| 9.6.12 @ 10:05AM

So what? Go to a doctor, pay the $150 office visit, get your prescription and pay for it yourself. Leave me and my wallet out of your business.

Hey! Keep Your Vagina Out of My Wallet!!!

How's that for a protest poster.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 10:29AM

As I said above, I understand you want no contraception services covered by health insurance. I don't think you'll win on that and you're wrong to oppose it for many health and social reasons but I respect your position.

mike 3/505| 9.6.12 @ 11:02AM

That's not what he is saying. What he and the rest of us normal people are saying is, "No government has the right to set the terms of a contract freely entered into by both parties (absent illegal stuff like murder for hire)."

This is not rocket science.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:07PM

Apparently, Jackass from London has found a RIGHT to Whore Around The Town, using other people's money.

I'm sure it's right there next to The Right to an Abortion, and the Separation of Church and State Clause, which is right beside The Right to a Job, a House, a Car to get to Work, and Gasoline for that Car.

Go back to London, ya Cigarette. (Fag)

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:41PM

Beard.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 11:04PM

Fluke's "fiance" is a beard.

spike59| 9.7.12 @ 6:04AM

to go along with her poorly bleached moustache?

Jacob McCandles| 9.6.12 @ 9:11AM

If Fluke truly cared about women's health, she would speak out about cervical cancer. We hear so much about breast cancer, why not cervical cancer? Does she know how many lives are lost each year to this disease? So why don't we hear more about it?

We have known for many years that cervical cancer is caused by a virus called HPV. Here's the thing though: the only way to prevent the spread of HPV is......drumroll....ABSTAINING from sexual activity. Condoms not effective, BCPs not effective. For years, even before the vaccine, the public was not widely informed of this cancer cause. So why didn't the feminist groups crusade for this particular women's health issue?? Maybe they didn't like the solution.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 9:33AM

You don't know what you're talking about. We've had pap smear testing for 50 or so years and deaths from cervical cancer are low now in the US, and mainly among women who have not been screened. And health campaigners always promote condom use for a range of STDs.

spike59| 9.6.12 @ 10:00AM

are you kidding? from the DNC point of view, 'women's health' is concentrated solely between their legs

Jacob McCandles| 9.6.12 @ 10:39AM

You missed my point- condoms do not prevent the disease. Screening does NOT prevent death from the disease. For every death, many more women lose their cervix or are subjected to radical hysterectomy. Keep talking son, you don't know Jack. The more you say, the more evident that becomes.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 10:49AM

I don't know what you're saying then Jacob - if we all stop having sex, the human race ends. Or maybe we can all do it in test tubes?

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 10:50AM

Sorry - and screening most certainly does prevent death. That's why it's a relatively rare disease here now.

Jacob McCandles| 9.6.12 @ 11:01AM

I'm saying it's an STD. Folks who abstain before marriage will be fine. And yes, despite screening, some women still die from the disease. Proper screening helps, but is not perfect.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 11:17AM

There are many types of HPV, some indeed are primarily transmitted sexually. So are lots of other things such as HIV. I doubt we'll ever see more than a small minority where both partners had no experience before settling down - what we need is good sex education, sexual health promotion and access to services.

Jacob McCandles| 9.6.12 @ 11:57AM

Maybe only a small minority will choose the "old fashioned" way. Sexual revolution and all. But for years many women were not informed of the risks. Condoms were a nice little fix for HIV because it did not force a serious conversation about abstaining. HPV- much less protection from condoms (although some). I believe that's why those who do not want "old fashioned" ideals did not want that conversation.

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 12:00PM

Condoms most definately DO prevent the spread of HPV... what Medical School did YOU go to, where you can make such an outrageous claim?

EARLY Screening for HPV most assuredly DOES prevent death from the disease, as well--If a Woman..(or Man--yup WE get it--TOO--and in Men it results in colon-rectal Cancer) gets early screening-- and shows abnormal cell growth-- their are MANY techniques now used to try and eliminate the mutant cells-- or at least keep them in check

George S| 9.6.12 @ 1:02PM

Ask the lawyers of the condom companies or the clinics if they should make your respective claims.

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 2:43PM

I have ASKED my Doctor-- who is actually the head of the Colon-Rectal /Cervical Cancer Division at NYU Medical Center..and YES..Condoms are 99% effective in preventing the spread of HPV...

That might not be the same percentage for ALL STD's, however....

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:10PM

How nice for you.

Your Doctor is a Rectal Specialist.

Lucky Boy.

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 4:24PM

TLP:

Perhaps YOU should get yourself to one, as well--he or she might be able to pull your head out off your butt..

BTW--YES--I AM LUCKY-- to have the smarts to make SURE ALL my parts are in working order...

He is just one , of many doctors I consult with-for over-all health

I guess that's why yours seem to be OUT OF ORDER?-NO?

Tom Kyba| 9.6.12 @ 6:54PM

This has nothing to do with the original subject matter, but if "he" is just one of the MANY doctors you consult, you are a hypocondriac at best. If reasons are other, my condolences.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 7:01PM

He's a HOMO.

That's why he needs a Rectal Specialist.

Capiche!

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 11:18PM

I would doubt 99%. It's a barrier protection, and barriers can be broken. Prefer vaccine, and partner selection. vaccine is recommended in men and women. Apparently, my 9 year old daughter should be immunized, as well. (CMDT 2013, p. 1709)

However, there is fertility damage possible. This may not matter to you, Pelleas, but to women it does.

Jacob McCandles| 9.6.12 @ 1:58PM

I acknowledged some protection in previous post. It is approx. 70% reduction in transmission. But they DO NOT prevent the spread of HPV. If you want the medical details as to why this is the case, do some research on your own. Of course screening for cervical dysplasia helps reduce the advancement of this disease, and in most cases it is eliminated with minor procedures in the office. But if you think the Dr.s always get a good tissue samples, all pathologists are perfect, and all disease gets caught in time, YOU are in need of more education.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 11:07PM

In addition, some cases of cervical cancer require hysterectomies to treat. There is suffering and infertility here. Men's freedom; women and children's pain. A Clintonian solution.

George S| 9.6.12 @ 10:12AM

If she truly cared, she wouldn't be:

a) A 30 year-old student;
b) A 30-yearl old law school student.
c) A 30-yearl old law school student activist.

Is there anything less useless to society?

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 1:37PM

George_S

A fish on a bicycle?

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 1:36PM

Jacob McCandles,

You are quite right that abstinence would prevent HPV infection. Would it surprise you to know that the CDC estimates that 50% of all sexually active adults have HPV at some point in their lives. So we have 100 million plus women infected at some point, but only 12,000 diagnoses and 4,000 deaths from cervical cancer each year. I'd hate to be one of the 4,000 (if I were female), but the odds suggest HPV is not the scourge you may think it is.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 11:05PM

Vaccination against HPV is somewhat effective. More effective still is limiting sex partners and selecting them carefully, as jacob noted. Ah, yes, sexual freedom---freedom to be miserable and sick.

Alej| 9.6.12 @ 2:30PM

Yep... she threw away her vibator cuz it kept chipping her teeth.

JimH| 9.6.12 @ 9:15AM

Yes, if you mean an aspirin to squeeze between your legs.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 9:38AM

Jack London,

Interesting question! Along the lines of:

Can I walk into a gun show and buy a gun without a background check?

Can I by beer or cigarettes without an ID?

Can I distill my own liquor?

Can I enter a court house without going through a metal detector?

Can I drive without fastening my seatbelt?

NO?

But I can vote using a utility bill.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 9:54AM

Think you're missing the point here John - why should you pay for a doctor consultation outside of your plan.

Also - private gun sales take place at shows in many states without checks.

George S| 9.6.12 @ 10:08AM

Because a doctor wants money. If you don't like your plan or what it covers, buy another one. Keep me out of your business.

Appleby| 9.6.12 @ 10:35AM

Why should you pay for what you want, instead of sticking somebody else with the bill? Well, if I asked my parents that question after I passed the age of 10, I probably would have got a smack upside the head.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 12:41PM

Jack London,

As George_S says: If you don't like you plan, buy another one. What she really wants is free healthcare to her liking.

As to private gun sales, they take place everywhere without background checks. The Federal background check is required for dealers wherever the sale - at gun shows, or not.

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 12:52PM

That's a facile response John - student health plans are often unique to that institution and they are not 'free'.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 1:16PM

Jack London,

Facile? She attends a University which states it's policy clearly. She wants the University, but she wants it's policy to match her desires. If she is so poor that she can't afford birth control, she can get it free through Medicaid. If not, she can buy it herself. That's not what she wants. She wants it HER way and is willing to compel the university to bend to her wishes despite the fact the she has options and access to free, or damned cheap, contraceptives.

PeteM1999| 9.6.12 @ 10:01AM

A better question is, can you go to the DNC Convention without having a photo ID checked at least three (3) times?

No you can't. And they see nothing wrong with this!

But they will allow you to vote with out an ID to prove who you are.

You have to wonder how many poor people have been disenfranchised from the DNC convention by these requirements that are aimed at the poor who cannot afford or have the ability to aquire a photo ID.

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 11:50AM

"Can I by beer or cigarettes without an ID?
"Can I distill my own liquor?"

YUP-- at least in my neck of the woods...

...unless you really look under-age-- I have never seen a cigarette or beer vendor "card" an Adult

...if you are making wine or spirits FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL USAGE-- their is bo law against that, either

IF you're gonna make up lies..AT LEAST have the common sense to make them SOMEWHAT believable

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 12:44PM

Pelleas,

I'm fifty-six and am carded at airports regularly. You will not buy a beer in any stadium in Houston without an ID. Now try sending your underage person into a shop - the success rate around here is pretty low as the penalty is pretty high.

Federal law prohibits the distillation of ethanol without a permit.

Believe that?

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 2:50PM

John N.

...Actually--I don't ...

How many "home-brewers " are there, in this Country?--Beer kits are sold in Wal-Mart, fer Christ sakes....

How many people make their own wine?--MILLIONS

In NYState, the ONLY persons whom the law Legally permits to be "carded" are those who the store owner has strong reason to think might be under-age...

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 3:42PM

Pelleas,

Beer and wine are not distilled spirits. You make make alcohol, but you may not distill it. I asked: "Can I distill my own liquor?"

So what happens in NY when someone the clerk thinks in underage and has no ID. Will he be able to buy without ID? You stretch the point rather thin but I will concede that I have purchased alcohol and cigarettes without ID.

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 4:21PM

Pelleas,

See: http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/faq.shtml#s7

You may not produce spirits for beverage purposes without paying taxes and without prior approval of paperwork to operate a distilled spirits plant. [See 26 U.S.C. 5601 & 5602 for some of the criminal penalties.] There are numerous requirements that must be met that also make it impractical to produce spirits for personal or beverage use. Some of these requirements are paying special tax, filing an extensive application, filing a bond, providing adequate equipment to measure spirits, providing suitable tanks and pipelines, providing a separate building (other than a dwelling) and maintaining detailed records, and filing reports. All of these requirements are listed in 27 CFR Part 19.
Spirits may be produced for non-beverage purposes for fuel use only without payment of tax, but you also must file an application, receive TTB's approval, and follow requirements, such as construction, use, records and reports.

Appleby| 9.6.12 @ 3:28PM

All that is true in Toronto -- unless you're wearing a burqa. Recently one of our newspapers sent a 14 year old boy in a burqa to five different liquor stores and "she" was able to buy at will without a single question being asked.

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 11:24PM

I was carded at age 37.

By the way, Pelleas: UTMB school of medicine 1988, UCLA school of medicine 1993 (med school and residency). Toodles.

Drunken Sailor| 9.6.12 @ 11:22AM

No but Fluke, being the good leftist she is, could get them for free from Planned Parenthood.

http://www.ehow.com/how_504567.....thood.html

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 12:38PM

So - when you've eliminated Planned Parenthood, which you want to do, what then?

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 1:05PM

Jack London,

First off, people are not trying to shut down Planned Parenthood for their contraceptive services. But, if they are not available, just contact HHS to find a clinic which will provide them. If you qualify, Medicaid cover their cost.

Drunken Sailor| 9.6.12 @ 1:44PM

Nice try but I answered your question. She had other options but choose to make a issue about the school because it didn't jive with her belief. As I understand it birth control is covered under Obamacare. Except for all the companies and states that Obama has exempted. Why are you not upset over that?

Tom Kyba| 9.6.12 @ 7:00PM

I feel sad for you that you have to repeatedly defend someone(the liver Fluke) who is obviously trying to further herself and her future Democrat career. This isn't some brave soul fighting for a greater cause. Quite frankly, it's pathetic when someone glorifies a two bit charlatan just to buttress some other point.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 7:03PM

How about she Stops Being A Whore?

That would solve everything.

spike59| 9.7.12 @ 6:02AM

Jackie, Jackie, Jackie...here's the part that you libtards ALWAYS get wrong-either by design or by sheer stupidity: eliminating taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood does NOT equal eliminating Planned Parenthood...eliminating taxpayer funding of PBS does NOT equal eliminating PBS...and so on and so on

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:28PM

Sandra Fluke should pick up a bottle of aspirin. It's cheap. Just put one tablet between her knees and hold tight. That should work just fine.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 7:09AM

I'm trying to think of an analogy for what's going on in Charlotte. Something other than Liars Poker.

Herding Cats? Monkeys with Typewriters? The story of the Blind Men and the Elephant?

This is the same Georgetown University that The Muslim refused to speak at, until every reference to JESUS CHRIST was removed from the room.

drudge ette obama| 9.6.12 @ 7:23AM

Hey, some of the democrats' best speeches are written by monkeys in typewriters?

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 7:45AM

GOD got booed at the Democrat National Committee last night, while a Lying Slut got a Standing Ovation.

Anyone surprised?

They had a Vote to Add the word Jerusalem to their Platform (which is 1 More Time than the Koran mentions it) and it got booed.

Israel is Dead.

I hope my Jewish Cousins took their Heads outta their Asses long enough to see what happened, down there. Israel got BOOED at The Muslim's Convention. Go figure.

Then there was Billy. The 1st Sitting President to be Impeached, and accused of RAPE and Molestation, by two women, on National Television, in Primetime, on the #1 Show in the Country.

The 1st Sitting President to be charged with Indecent Exposure, and losing his Law Liscence for LYING to a Grand Jury.

The 1st Sitting President to leave DNA on a Fat Intern's Dress.

There he was. America's Favourite Pathological Liar, Serial Misogenyst, standing on the Stage, VOUCHING for The man who Destroy America.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 7:47AM

If that wasn't a CLUSTERFCK last night?

Then we need to get rid of that word.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 7:55AM

VOUCHING for the man who WOULD Destroy America.

All those words, and I Fckup the 3rd last one.

It's not fair.

Stephie| 9.6.12 @ 8:30AM

I call it a shitshow. I was almost embarrassed for them having the 3 votes and then giving it to the nays. The hatred for Israel and God was on clear display yesterday by the democrat party.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 9:03AM

I'm running a Contest on Ben Stein's Spot.

Care to join?

There'll be Prizes.

Martin kzovich| 9.6.12 @ 7:23AM

The Marxists have displayed their dirty underwear. They have given our side many good adds. I hope they are used effectively.

WRTolkas| 9.6.12 @ 8:46AM

Dear Martin:

You are a very wise man. I hope the RNC is reading your comment.

Dodd2| 9.6.12 @ 7:47AM

An assemblage of kooks and misfits -- all on the government dole on way or another

rightasrain| 9.6.12 @ 8:02AM

I've tried to be objective about the speakers at the DNC and I certainly don't begrudge them their partisanship. That the whole point of a convention after all. But except for Michelle Obama, and especially as compared to last week's RNC speakers, there seems to be a whiny, cheerless, classless tone to the speeches I've listened to.

Indy| 9.6.12 @ 8:12AM

Comment seen on other sites -

Bank of America - too big to fail
BoA Stadium - too big to fill

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:35PM

Indy - that was priceless! Where can I get the bumper sticker?

Wendy| 9.6.12 @ 8:18AM

I knew the DNC convention would be a disaster, but I never dreamed the disaster would exceed my expectations disaster-wise....

I grew up with Democrats, parents and siblings, and the Democrats today don't resemble Democrats of yesterday. Imagine Jackie Kennedy shilling for Jack's re-election with appearances on late night TV talk shows or Pat Nixon?

We have the government we deserve, and the DNC convention, just two days in, proves how far we have plunged ETHICS-wise.

Ken (Old Texican)| 9.6.12 @ 8:27AM

TLP
heh, you sure save me a ot of typing. Thank you.

One bservation; Obama's surrogates and delegates certainly shaved off a significant Christian coalition last night.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 9:08AM

Kenny, you old Dog.

I'm running a little Contest over at Ben Steins.

If you're not busy? C'mon over.

I don't have any Food, but I hear there's gonna be Prizes given out.

I'm just sayin.

JimH| 9.6.12 @ 8:28AM

BO and his minions constantly rant on about fairness and sharing without ever saying who will determine what is fair. They either have no notion, or choose to ignore the fact that sharing at the end of a gun barrel is theft. BO has either never read Animal Farm or did not understand it. I suspect that the level of charitable donations and volunteer work is much higher among the Right than the Left. The sense of volunteerism in America noted by DeTouqeville stil lives among the small government proponents. On the left, the notion of dealing with a problem is to get the government to do something for you. BO even had this as a job.

MelvinNC| 9.6.12 @ 8:29AM

"Oy Vey, Aye Carumba, and Holy sheep squeeze Batman," hmm, I think that I have sufficiently covered all my multicultural verbal descriptions of moral indignant surprise. I called Elizebeth Warren's office to get the Cherokee version of Aye Carumba, but the office said they would get back with me on that one.
I was hoping that the Democrats would step on they're wee wees during they're convention but I didn't realize, that they would engage in total self-mutilation. And the blood did flow last night in many a hotel room.
In a more serious note, we have to put into some sort of context that these people last night are the ones running our government. People, the God awful display of, Abbot and Costello's "Who's on first," was not very reassuring to the American people, and some of our allies.
Last night was supposed to be the signature marquee of the best and the brightest that the Democrats had to offer for the next four years.
What has been on display since Monday is a vivid picture of, that the Democrats couldn't even conduct a circle jerk correctly.
Even Mrs. Obama's exquisitely sculpted bare arms, as so many female news reporterettes, and columnists have orgasmed over, can save Barracks bamboo raft.

Stephie| 9.6.12 @ 8:39AM

And it seems her act,err, I mean speech, was the best so far.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 9:10AM

Wanna bet that Her Dress was the Most Expensive so far?

And that, You and I paid for it?

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 11:43AM

Michelle Obama's dress retails for $500--off the rack, at J. Crews.

Ann Romney's dress was over $2,000.

Which would you rather pay for?

Drunken Sailor| 9.6.12 @ 1:48PM

Why should we pay for either one?

Appleby| 9.6.12 @ 3:30PM

Mr. Romney paid for his wife's dress. Wanna bet who paid for Mrs. Obama's drses? Hint: not Mr. Obama.

spike59| 9.7.12 @ 5:58AM

Ann Romney's dress was paid for by her husband; Michelle ObaMao's dress, along with her $600 sneakers, $1000+ tote bags, and $2000+ jackets, not to mention her multimillion-dollar vacations, are paid for by US...so which would YOU rather pay for?

am i supposed to be more concerned with what Romney does with HIS money than with what ObaMao does with MINE?

Darin| 9.6.12 @ 8:34AM

Why does an enemy of Israel, whose stated goal is the destruction of Israel, have ANY say in what city Israel can say is it's capital?

Patrick in Michigan | 9.6.12 @ 8:57AM

Which is why I haven't watched the DNC convention at all. I mean, why watch a bunch of habitual liars?

it just does not make any sense at all.

-Pat

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 9:47AM

"And if you want more lies, you MUST re-elect Obama" - "Bubba" Clinton

The reason that wasn't the last line of Clinton's speech is that IT would have been true.

Mimi | 9.6.12 @ 8:59AM

Well we sure got the the BS we were expecting last night...darn entertaining at that...He called the Black intoWhite better than anybody and entertaining at that....They didn't nick name him the SLICKSTER for nothing.
"NO PRESIDENT could help this economy in four years".......Hello?...Mitt could do it in less than a year with the ....fear and Obamacare GONE
and some hard work with some SMART...GOOD people! AND HE WILL !!!
Not one WORD of the countries main FEAR with Obama..The sharp bend to socialism and the LOSS OF LIBERTY AND THE FREEDOM. The REASON this group of Republicans don't BEND to the will of this President... and his IDEOLOGY of the 20%.....The PEOPLE (bosses) won't stand for it anymore and say NO ! It's over Willy...over!

7-08| 9.6.12 @ 9:04AM

As for the progressive’s convention the only moderate to speak so far was a convicted perjurer, accused rapist, and disbarred attorney. I find moderation palatable is if it is not overwhelmed by hypocrisy, anyone who has actually vetted the Clinton era without blinders finds it odd this particular magnitude of narcissism is the only one capable of carrying the Marxist’s bags.

The lobbying effort to get the rich to pay for hymen transplants, the diversity of Princess SummerFall WinterSpring’s seminar on Harvard economics, and how Castro spent his La Raza summer left me cold. The real story line emanating from Charlotte was the dynamics of how democrats institute platform “change.” It is finally evident what they were blathering about four years ago with all those posters proclaiming “Hope and Change.” I am guessing “Hope” was a typo, it is evident they meant “Hops.”

I haven’t scanned drudgery this morning to review the Islamic and Israeli news services but I will wager there is a bit of discontent. If I were Hillary I would avoid any Middle Eastern photo ops for a while. 43 was pretty agile at dodging shoes. Hillary has skills but dodging Bill and Conventions won’t help much when the projectile is “Arab street” laden footwear.

So far the Charlotte gathering has been a success (other than the light turnout) - for Republicans

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 9:12AM

That was great.

Check out Ben Stein.

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 9:53AM

I'm running a Contest.

Pecos Pete| 9.6.12 @ 9:33AM

Didn't watch the DNC, don't have TV. Didn't listen to it on the radio. But, I do wish I could have watched the God/Jerusalem platform amendment debacle. Any vote for a democrat has to be by an idiot. No wonder so many elected democrats have chosen NOT to attend, and that Hillary is half-a-world away.

grant1863| 9.6.12 @ 9:49AM

Would like to see Thornberry's take on our local Tampa Bay Times's gushing coverage of the DNC. They love everything in sight at Charlotte.

OregonBuzz| 9.6.12 @ 10:43AM

"This convention has been plagued by problems both large and small. " After the past 3+ years could anyone, anyone expect the DemocRATS to organize a decent pep rally?

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 11:36AM

It is hilarious --(and somewhat sad and creepy) the way the (current) Republicans and their cohorts ,( on this site) have to concoct /lie/nit-pick/ about anything and everything, to try and diss the Democratic Party, and their Convention

When the Dems raise legitimate issues against The Repugs... we are called all sorts of snarky names--but all the Repugs can come up with are allegations of bed-bugs???

BTW.. watch the Dem. Convention vs The Repugs-- it is amazing just to see the difference in the crowds. The Democratic Convention floor looks like my neighborhood , in NYC--REAL PEOPLE: while the dirge in Tampa was something out of my wildest nightmares--- blindingly White..

Tom Kyba| 9.6.12 @ 7:04PM

Actually, it's you and your Alice in Wonderland world that is the greater cause of merryment. YOUR people wrote the book on everything you just snarked about.

Who Knows?| 9.6.12 @ 11:48AM

The very universe is conspiring to make me happy.

Hubris, hubris, hubris!

Forget about all the dumbing down spilt milk. Accept the fact that public schools have ALREADY not only failed to properly educate, but actually succeeded in brainwashing people into believing so much that is not true.

If only we could teach even the dummies what hubris is, we could start to open their minds, one by one, to at least unclenching their rigid beliefs, a little.

What is the defining characteristic of blacks? High self esteem.

The deleterious effects of the spread of the self-esteem movement are everywhere apparent. When ALL are “great”, despite accomplishments, well---wysiwyg.

But reality will NOT be mocked.

So, with the arrival of a plethora of high self esteem phonies, led by The One, wild hubris is inevitable---and good, and just what is needed. Like any bubble, Obama = high self esteem is imploding like a dying super star on its way to being a black hole.

Yes---live and learn: hubris yields nemesis!

Ah, Clint taught us that, in layman terms---you’ve got to know your limits.

NOT knowing them, and acting as if you do, equals YOUR disaster.

Groovy!

RichTex| 9.6.12 @ 11:57AM

I watched the Cowboys & Giants also (of course!). When the game was over I wondered if Clinton was still speaking, and apparently, he had finally finished not long before that time. Fortunately, the local NBC affiliate went directly into local news instead of joining convention coverage.

John II| 9.6.12 @ 12:07PM

Reflecting on his own country's lengthy struggle with the dangerous entitlement culture created by the welfare state, the Swedish writer Roland Martinsson recently described such a culture as "a beast that feeds on itself."

Perhaps, in its eagerness to impose that culture on the rest of us, the Democratic Party just can't help showing its hand by its weird display of self-cannibalism in Charlotte. I suppose the rest of us should feel some glimmerings of relief at such clear signals of derangement, but for now the spectacle is just plain jaw-dropping.

And now back to "The Producers," the superior 1968 version, in one scene of which the camera pans on an audience stunned by its astonishment at the sheer imbecility of a play deliberately planned by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder to be a flop. What happens afterward, though, is a bit complicated.

Anthony| 9.6.12 @ 12:27PM

All those in favor of amending the platform by adding God, indicate by saying yes, (yes). All those who oppose, indicate by saying no, (NO).
The chair deems a 2/3 vote in favor of amending the platform.
Yep, the jackbooted Ds do to their own what they plan on doing to us. To hell with the vote, do as we damn well tell you!!!

Oldpatriot| 9.6.12 @ 2:32PM

Sounds about right.

rehabber| 9.6.12 @ 12:50PM

I just heard a good line, the dems could not organize a one car funeral.

Noel Koch| 9.6.12 @ 1:55PM

Can't Fluke's needs be accommodated with a "user's fee"? Let her boyfriends pay for it like any other entertainment tax.

Regarding Minnehaha, even the NYT felt compelled to note that her claims of American Indian blood are not sitting well with those having a more compelling claim to that ancestry. That may be one reason she didn't bring it up in her little talk.

Noel Koch

Oldpatriot| 9.6.12 @ 2:29PM

'Disaster Drill' is the perfect name for what this convention has turned into. Any non kool-aid consuming person should be able to see this. When a group extols the virtues of a disparate Bill Clinton and a President latches onto him for dear political life it's obvious the Democrat party is in it's last throes. Why more people can't, or won't, see this is beyond me.

Oldpatriot| 9.6.12 @ 2:38PM

I have been reading several of the comments here. One thing is abundantly clear. If a person calls themself a Democrat that person has one or both of the following problems. They have no real conception of the of what the modern Democrat party stands for and/or they are just plain ignorant or stupid.

Carroll | 9.6.12 @ 11:54PM

If Democrats couldn't fill the Charlotte stadium for Obama's speech, it may have been due to a lack of union organizers to bus in supporters.

Mickle | 9.6.12 @ 11:57PM

If the MSM had not refused to cover Juanita Broadrick, after one of their own had found her horrific rape story credible, Clinton would not have dared show his face anywhere. This stain will never leave the party.

DidITweetThat| 9.8.12 @ 11:41AM

Is it any wonder the party of hate and fear mongering is going to lose. Even when they lie (which is less than 80% of the time) they can't come up with a good enough excuse to beat Barack Obama.

6 wars... that's a good one. Whe knew we were in 6 wars... I have to start watching more Fox News or hanging out at more conspiracy blogs.

DidITweetThat| 9.8.12 @ 11:45AM

So Conservative of you...

" He might as well have added, "and every child gets a unicorn for Christmas."

Only a conservative would think to catch a Unicorn and give it to a godless child on a made up holiday for a man who was a .... man.

I can hear heads exploding already.

Brian Richard Allen | 9.8.12 @ 11:49AM

.... The delegates cheered Fluke wildly ....

But then, as Professor Doctor Bob Emmett Tyrell points out elsewhere in this issue, the "Democrats" delegations are as often as not comprised of those too damned stupid to know they're lied to and/or are too damned envy-contorted, mean-spirited and/or greedy to care!

Or are Al-Fredo Gore-leone and/or Jean-François Kerry and/or Carolyn Kennedy and/or are the most stupid woman to in all of recorded history have ever taken a dump between two shoes: Missus Brunhilda Billy-Bubbah Blythe -- who, 'Collectivist-ively' -- are all of the above.

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drudge ette obama| 9.6.12 @ 6:25AM

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 6:57AM

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 8:20AM

Otis, my man!| 9.6.12 @ 10:27AM

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:13PM

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:15PM

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 3:17PM

IzeHavitt| 9.7.12 @ 7:44AM

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 11:33AM

Otis, my man!| 9.6.12 @ 2:14PM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 3:29PM

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 3:45PM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 3:57PM

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 4:27PM

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 5:04PM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 6:56PM

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 8:17PM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 8:55PM

Pelleas| 9.6.12 @ 9:24PM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 11:18PM

Pelleas| 9.7.12 @ 1:44PM

Nick| 9.7.12 @ 2:58PM

RCV| 9.9.12 @ 2:22PM

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:27AM

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 4:18PM

Drunken Sailor| 9.6.12 @ 4:54PM

Jack in Wi| 9.6.12 @ 5:06PM

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 5:18PM

CJW| 9.6.12 @ 5:48PM

Jack London| 9.6.12 @ 5:58PM

TLP| 9.6.12 @ 6:56PM

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:04PM

IzeHavitt| 9.7.12 @ 7:50AM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 7:08PM

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:30AM

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:29AM

Tom Kyba| 9.6.12 @ 6:45PM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 7:11PM

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:35PM

Nick| 9.6.12 @ 11:29PM

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:31AM

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:32PM

drudge ette obama| 9.6.12 @ 7:22AM

R Martin| 9.6.12 @ 7:43AM

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 9:33AM

spike59| 9.6.12 @ 9:57AM

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:34AM

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 9:58AM

Daniel W| 9.6.12 @ 10:11AM

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:24PM

spike59| 9.7.12 @ 6:12AM

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 12:37PM

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 2:58PM

Warrior| 9.6.12 @ 4:35PM

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:37PM

mzk| 9.9.12 @ 7:37AM

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 4:47PM

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 6:46PM

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 6:50PM

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 6:51PM

John Navratil| 9.6.12 @ 9:25PM

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 11:21PM

John Navratil| 9.7.12 @ 9:55AM

John Navratil| 9.7.12 @ 10:14AM

John Navratil| 9.7.12 @ 10:17AM

Tom Kyba| 9.6.12 @ 6:48PM

Marston| 9.6.12 @ 7:34PM

Ldot| 9.6.12 @ 1:11PM

Joellen| 9.6.12 @ 10:21AM

JmsA| 9.6.12 @ 12:39PM

sotto voce| 9.6.12 @ 8:19PM

MaggieRyerson| 9.6.12 @ 9:18PM

Occam's Tool| 9.6.12 @ 10:40PM

Appleby| 9.6.12 @ 6:34AM

Von Mises Jr| 9.6.12 @ 6:48AM