Althouse: "I don't sit around talking to experts because this is a college seminar. We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers, so I know whose ass to kick."

June 8, 2010

"I don't sit around talking to experts because this is a college seminar. We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers, so I know whose ass to kick."

Obama talking tough. Reminds me of George Bush's "dead or alive" cowboy style.

204 comments:

1 – 200 of 204 Newer› Newest»

David said...: He should kick his own ass, but then he would risk a head injury.; 6/8/10, 12:34 PM
Bob_R said...: Urkel on the war path.; 6/8/10, 12:35 PM
DKWalser said...: One was simply being himself, the other is simply adopting a pose.; 6/8/10, 12:38 PM
Adam said...: Polls without mutually exclusive options are even worse than internet polls in general.; 6/8/10, 12:41 PM
mccullough said...: Both W. and Obama trying to give the illusion they are on top of things when, for the most part, it's out of their control.; 6/8/10, 12:42 PM
Opus One Media said...: These "polls" are a hoot. I just love the choice of questions...how about #5 - Is it true that Bush was all hat but no horse?

or #6. Obama is to Einstein as Bush is to Fluffy the Clown (T/F); 6/8/10, 12:43 PM
Hoosier Daddy said...: Obama talking tough. Reminds me of George Bush's "dead or alive" cowboy style.

The difference is that Bush was referring to Islamofacists who killed 3000 Americans.; 6/8/10, 12:49 PM
Meade said...: QUESTION: Do you want bin Laden dead?

BUSH: I want justice. And there's an old poster out west, that I recall, that said, "Wanted, Dead or Alive." STAFF: Thank you. Thank you very much.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: I think that this is a long-term battle -- war. There will be battles, but this is long term. After all, our mission is not just Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda organization. Our mission is to battle terrorism and to join with freedom-loving people.; 6/8/10, 12:51 PM
prairie wind said...: Another difference is that, along with his tough talk, Bush actually DID SOMETHING. Obama talks and threatens. Period.

Bush was/is a compassionate man while Obama doesn't have it in him. His passion is all about what he wants, never about what someone else has experienced. Bush recognized the anguish America felt over 9/11; Obama hasn't noticed that anyone other than him has been inconvenienced by the oil.

Obama is a bullying prick.; 6/8/10, 12:54 PM
AllenS said...: Mr. House,

The phrase is "all hat and no cattle" not "all hat but no horse"

Sometimes...; 6/8/10, 12:55 PM
Kirby Olson said...: What good would it do for him to kick someone in the ass?

What he needs to do is figure out how to cap the gusher.

the 21-year old's tire idea, and others, should be taken more seriously.

Obama's just wasting more time playing politics.; 6/8/10, 12:56 PM
AllenS said...: Obama is all hat and no ass. Or, do I have that backwards?; 6/8/10, 12:58 PM
John Stodder said...: What this really reminds me of is when George H.W. Bush bragged after his debate with Geraldine Ferraro that he had "kicked a little ass."

This is also reminiscent of Bush the Elder's claim that he ate pork rinds.

There's nothing worse than fake populism.; 6/8/10, 12:59 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: Presumably a big corporation like BP would have women VP's..

Obama's boot kicks Betty Boop.; 6/8/10, 1:00 PM
Lance said...: So far, Obama has talked more about punishing BP than fixing the leak or cleaning up the mess. I understand why he doesn't want to talk about the leak itself, it truly is out of his hands. But he's supposed to be the community organizer par excellence. He should be more involved in the cleanup, which is if nothing else an organization problem.; 6/8/10, 1:00 PM
MadisonMan said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6/8/10, 1:00 PM
chickelit said...: I kicked some metaphorical butt this morning by voting for Darrell Issa.; 6/8/10, 1:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Once he's done taking advice from wonks about ass-kicking, Obama plans to ask some prizefighters how to stop the oil leak.; 6/8/10, 1:02 PM
Unknown said...: do you really doubt that Obama can and does cuss up a storm in typically private conversation ? i remember seeing an interview w/ Rahm where this was alluded to, but Rahm would not verify that this is the case.

...and there was that conversation about Kanye West where he called Kanye a Jackass.

yes, some stage craft. but not such a leap i bet.

And Bush was all cowboy.; 6/8/10, 1:02 PM
Unknown said...: He and congress need to make sure that BP's liability is not capped.; 6/8/10, 1:04 PM
AllenS said...: Unless you're an Indian, cowboy is a good thing.; 6/8/10, 1:04 PM
Lance said...: He and congress need to make sure that BP's liability is not capped.

Recriminations at this point are counter-productive. There'll be plenty of time for punishing BP after the leak is capped and the cleanup is progressing.; 6/8/10, 1:07 PM
Thorley Winston said...: I think this comment really highlights Obama’s lack of leadership skills and executive experience. It’s one thing to “talk tough” about going after your enemies or the competition in front of your team. It’s another to talk that way about your team in front of another group of people. The latter shows that you’re setting them up to take the fall if things don’t work well which doesn’t exactly inspire people to make their best efforts. I wouldn’t be surprised if after this comment, some of the “experts” start shifting their focus towards CYA.; 6/8/10, 1:08 PM
Anonymous said...: I hate this Administration's Chicago Way rhetoric--"boot on the neck," this latest statement, along with Obama wanting a "big f---ing deal" tee shirt, etc.

I thought that Holder opened a criminal investigation. So don't we have to go through a trial before Obama kicks someone's ass?; 6/8/10, 1:08 PM
Tank said...: Is he going to be kicking that person's ass at the same time he has his boot on BP's neck?

Will this be on Youtube?; 6/8/10, 1:08 PM
Beth said...: You left off "there is no difference. Neither guy is an ass-kicking cowboy."; 6/8/10, 1:09 PM
Tank said...: We've come a long long way from Gearge Washington, Thomas Jefferson, et als.

I tink we be movin in de wrong direction.; 6/8/10, 1:10 PM
Triangle Man said...: This is no different than Gov. Christie's "you punch them; I punch you" metaphorical speech. It is understood that no one is punching anyone and no one is going to get a foot in their ass.; 6/8/10, 1:11 PM
mccullough said...: Danielle,

The boycotts and environmental clean-up costs will put BP under. The economic damage cap of $75 million is pure window dressing. So I'm sure the administration and Congress will be all over lifting it, though BP will have no money left to pay for economic damages, or t.v. commercials, or Obama's re-election fund, assuming he decides to run for re-election on his, to date, record of incompetence.

BP's only hope is to get a bailout like the banks and GM and Chrysler.; 6/8/10, 1:11 PM
Roger J. said...: I am actually sympathetic to Mr Obama's plight--a man with zero executive experience is now charged with getting a ponderous bureaucracy to do something given that the bureaucracy's main objective is to maintain their turf.

The problem, it seems to me is that Mr Obama has no idea of what an executive does, and worse yet, doesnt understand the federal bureaucracy given his limited experience.

Worthwhile remembering Mr Truman's comment about Ike--(paraphrasing here) Poor Ike he will say do this and do that and nothing will happen.

Mr Obama is not responsible, except in the most generic understanding of responsibility--His task, it seems to me is to cut the bureaucratic barriers that ineveitably lead to piecemeal and haphazard response--He has not seemed to be able to do that and apparently is following Spike Lee's counsel.

Alas, we have a twit in the white house and an incompetent one at that--The asses that will be kicked will be kicked in November.; 6/8/10, 1:11 PM
Anonymous said...: "He and congress need to make sure that BP's liability is not capped."

Yes, and stop all offshore drilling,
stop all exploration, start criminal investigations....and how does all this plug the hole?

Anybody seen Stephen Chu? BO can practice on Chu's ass until he finds a better bullseye.; 6/8/10, 1:12 PM
Bender said...: Obama was "simply adopting a pose," but at the same time, his Administration is one constantly in the pursuit of thuggery.; 6/8/10, 1:14 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: While Obama looks for somebody's ass to kick, the debt is steadily kicking us in the nuts.; 6/8/10, 1:16 PM
Anonymous said...: I think that the "Obama's not showing enough emotion about the spill" meme is just about the stupidist criticism that has ever been made about a president. (No surprise that it's coming from the libs.)

That he takes it seriously, and apparently thinks that this showboating and grandstanding is going to make people like him again (as opposed to actually managing the response to the problem) is just one more reminder that we sent a child to do a grown-up's job.

- Lyssa; 6/8/10, 1:16 PM
Lance said...: "I don't sit around talking to experts because this is a college seminar..."

Prior to being elected President, has Obama ever had to rely on someone else's technical expertise to solve a problem? Has he ever had a conversation with a technical expert that wasn't a college seminar?

IMO, this is why Senators make poor Presidents: whatever policy experience they may have, whatever political skills they may have, they don't have experience solving practical problems.; 6/8/10, 1:16 PM
AllenS said...: Good point, Lem.; 6/8/10, 1:17 PM
Anonymous said...: Talk to fishermen to find out about oil?

Or sue, bring criminal charges, send out billion dollar bills, and kick some ass.......and then hope that other companies will get involved and help?

Does this guy know anything about getting things done with an organization.

You don't start a huge firefight and remediation project by telling everyone in the room that you are going to kick some ass.

All you'll get then is ass covering by everyone in every step of the work.

Obama is clueless.; 6/8/10, 1:18 PM
James said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6/8/10, 1:19 PM
Fred4Pres said...: Too bad the story is coming out that the government could have done far more to migitate this harm. And it is not Fox reporting that, but ABC.

President Obama screwed up. He is killing pelicans and dolphins through inaction. He is destroying lives. Gaia weeps tears of crude. The President should be kicking his own ass and those who are serving him poorly.

And Dick Durbin, Obama's greasy Illinois buddy? Durbin is cooking up a sweet heart deal for BP right now.

Now that is slick!; 6/8/10, 1:21 PM
Peano said...: Bush was referring to terrorists who intended to kill us. Obama was referring to engineers who are trying to help us.

Obama doesn't understand the difference.; 6/8/10, 1:21 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: If only Matt Lauer, a journalist [heh], had asked Obama for some examples of what he had learned in his alleged meetings with the fishermen.; 6/8/10, 1:23 PM
A.W. said...: I consider sevearl differences.

First, to be blunt, the president should be trying to keep his language g-rated. i don't mind something caught off-mike, or anything like that, but to say in an interview, "ass" is wrong. he can say butt, or behind.

Second, Bush was talking about people who murdered americans, or facilitated that murder. dead or alive is more serious, but the situation was, too. as bad as the oil spill was, dead or alive would be completely over the top. and "whose ass to kick" is dubious, because...

What if no one is really at fault? what if everyone just made honest human mistakes? you know there is such a thing as an accident without liability, although it is vanishingly rare. I mean appropriate cynicism may make us likely to believe that someone somewhere f---ed up, but we are actually nowhere near that res ipsa loquitor rule that this cannot happen without someone being negligent. Not to mention that Obama should not literally be kicking anyone's ass.

BP put up their cheif of staff, for free, in a DC apartment for years. the rig got a safety award last year. but now obama looks bad, holder is talking criminal investigation and Obama is trying to figure out whose butt to kick, all while complaining that BP shouldn't lawyer up. you know, because they have no reason to fear an out of control administration looking for an easy scapegoat.

of course, this is after we learn that Obambi was told from the beginning how bad it would be. i don't attack obama for the rig accident on his watch, but that information makes me blame him for the severity of the results.

It all goes to show you that you shouldn't pick a part-term senator when choosing a president, but instead someone with some frickin' executive experience.; 6/8/10, 1:24 PM
Lincolntf said...: There's nothing more pathetic than some pansy who's been cosseted his whole life trying to act like a tough guy.
Looking for an "ass to kick", Obama? Really? You can't throw a baseball, and now you want to try throwing punches??? Bwahahahahaha....

This jackass has 2.5 years left in his Presidency and I have a feeling that this is just the first symptom of his inevitable public meltdown. I just he doesn't embarrass us too badly when he finally flips out on a reporter or breaks down in tears on camera.
First jobs are tough, he should've at least worked a few summers at Tastee-Freeze so that actual work wasn't such a shock to his system.; 6/8/10, 1:25 PM
James said...: Obama: "I would've fired BP CEO."

"The BP executive last month complained about the amount of time he is spending dealing with the disaster, saying "I would like my life back," and also played down the spill's effect. The Gulf was "a big ocean," he said, adding "the environmental impact of this disaster is likely to be very, very modest."

"He wouldn't be working for me after any of those statements," Obama told TODAY. "

That's just too rich considering that Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano still have jobs in his administration.; 6/8/10, 1:25 PM
chickelit said...: The viewing public responds: Link; 6/8/10, 1:27 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Speaking of summer jobs? Has Obama ever had a summer job when he was in high school or college? I don't think President Obama knows how things work- how things get done in a big non-govt organization.; 6/8/10, 1:28 PM
Blue@9 said...: Just weak and sad. It's pathetic because it's so obviously scripted. It's so obvious when it comes on the heels of criticism that the President isn't showing enough emotion. It's reactive and phony, an attempt to pander.

When Bush made his "tough talk," no one was criticizing him for lack of it. It came off the cuff and was not expected. Was it wise for him to do so? Maybe not, but it seemed genuine and provided some insight into the mind of the President.

Here we don't get anything other than the realization that the Admin listens to the chatter and is reactive.; 6/8/10, 1:28 PM
Beth said...: I, on the other hand, would happily and thoroughly kick Tony Hayward's poncy ass. Unironically, with no posturing, and no doubt about my standing and ability to do so. If anyone's wondering.; 6/8/10, 1:28 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Really, this is idiotic Obama Derangement Syndrome. You hate Obama, Ann. We got it.

Matt Lauer asked him a question about kicking butt. He answered the fucking question.; 6/8/10, 1:29 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Our media is displaying their vapid shallowness by worrying about theatrics and not being able to look at, and report, substance.

Here is the Lauer question:

LAUER: Critics are now talking about your style, which is the first time I've heard that in a long time. They're saying here is a guy who likes to be known as cool and calm and collected, and this isn't the time for cool, calm and collected. This is not the time to meet with experts and advisers; this is a time to spend more time in the Gulf and -- I never thought I'd say this to a president -- but kick some butt. And I don't mean it to be funny.; 6/8/10, 1:30 PM
Lincolntf said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6/8/10, 1:31 PM
The Drill SGT said...: Roger J. said...
I am actually sympathetic to Mr Obama's plight--a man with zero executive experience is now charged with getting a ponderous bureaucracy to do something given that the bureaucracy's main objective is to maintain their turf.

Me thinks that Obama was focusing his bogus ferocity on BP.

Good commanders never can get angry. They can however use theatrical anger on the staff (never the troops).

Instead of sending all his minions from different agencies down there to investigate and find fault, Obama's huge failure from the beginning was exactly the opposite. What he needed to say from the beginning was:

"The time for assessing blame and responsibility is later. Now our job is to stop the leak, contain the spill and clean the environment. I am issuing direction and executive orders where appropriate that suspend any government regulations that impede those three critical jobs. We will expedite actions on all fronts. My message to the onsite team is, "if something needs to be done, do it, and seek permission later"; 6/8/10, 1:31 PM
Unknown said...: Actually I was torn between 1 and 3, both are valid; the National Socialists' attempt to demean Dubya only show what a phony The Zero is.

The Zero is the guy who had his lunch money stolen by everybody else. He's tough only with a gang behind him. Dubya did what he said he'd do.

PS Disagree on Old Dad's cage match. Abe wasn't much for personal combat, Old Hickory and TR were. My money would be on Andy in a split decision.

As to Grant and Lee, don't forget Grant had a stacked deck. Had the odds been even...; 6/8/10, 1:31 PM
Beta Rube said...: Geez Ann, is this what happens when you surround a scrawny law prof with highly trained armed men and make him CIC of the geratest military in history?

Pathetic.

Remember his tough guy act next time he's bowing, scraping, and aplogizing for us abroad.; 6/8/10, 1:31 PM
Roger J. said...: drill said it better than I did--if you cant cut thru the red tape, you will be eaten alive.; 6/8/10, 1:34 PM
Roger J. said...: Beth: point of order--what is a Poncy Ass?--the ass part I got, but poncy?; 6/8/10, 1:38 PM
Beth said...: Oh alpha, don't go fucking things up with context! Next thing you know someone will plead nuance.

Mission accomplished!; 6/8/10, 1:39 PM
Beth said...: Roger, it's the adjectival form of "ponce," I hope. That's a derogatoryt term, I'm pretty sure, so I'm sure I owe someone an apology for it. I'll send that along as soon as BP cleans up its mess.; 6/8/10, 1:43 PM
Anonymous said...: edutcher,

Lincoln didn't fight much because he was tempermentally peaceful, but he kicked a lot of serious ass. People were afraid of him. Ask the Clary Grove Boys.

Washington and Jackson were also serious frontier ass kickers. TR was quite the boxer and had plenty of guts, but pretty small--5'8", strong, though. I'm gonna stick with Honest Abe, but I wouldn't be surprised to see either Washigton or Old Hickory emerge victorious.; 6/8/10, 1:43 PM
AllenS said...: Obama could probably beat up the president that had polio and was in a wheelchair.; 6/8/10, 1:46 PM
mrs whatsit said...: Obama's read the polls indicating that people don't think he's angry enough, so now he's acting angry. But it's just a pose, and the pose isn't working -- instead, what he's demonstrating, once again, is that he has no idea how to lead.

To talk about kicking somebody's ass is just another way of diverting blame onto somebody else. Problems of this scale and complexity are not solved by blaming; they are solved by figuring out what to do, and then actually doing it. In this case, since Obama obviously isn't equipped to figure out what to do alone, he needs to take the executive action of putting together a team of those best-equipped to figure it out and making sure the team has all the resources and support it needs to get the job done. This is not a task to be accomplished by making quick appearances at a microphone to pose as an angry ass-kicker in between vacations, fundraising appearances, and musical nights at the White House.

How long will this man be President before it dawns on him that 1) talking is not doing and 2) blaming is not doing, either?; 6/8/10, 1:46 PM
Mark said...: If we want to get into opposites, "Because on Bush it looked simple-minded and dangerous, while on Obama it looks weak and pathetic."; 6/8/10, 1:48 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Libs have been desperate for a manly president of their own since they nominated John "reporting for duty" Kerry.; 6/8/10, 1:49 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Can it be long before Madonna does a remake of "Strike A Pose" with an Obama theme?; 6/8/10, 1:54 PM
Blue@9 said...: "Washington and Jackson were also serious frontier ass kickers. TR was quite the boxer and had plenty of guts, but pretty small--5'8", strong, though. I'm gonna stick with Honest Abe"

Yeah, but TR once made a speech after getting shot by a would-be assassin. How many bullets could Lincoln take?; 6/8/10, 2:01 PM
bagoh20 said...: What the hell does a global war with thousands purposely murdered have in common with an accidental oil spill?

Answer: Tough Presidential talk.

Now, what will Obama threaten the Islamofacists with, super secret probation?; 6/8/10, 2:02 PM
Anonymous said...: "Washington and Jackson were also serious frontier ass kickers. TR was quite the boxer and had plenty of guts, but pretty small--5'8", strong, though. I'm gonna stick with Honest Abe, but I wouldn't be surprised to see either Washigton or Old Hickory emerge victorious."

Jackson killed a least one man in a duel (and probably did a couple of others 'off the books') and was not averse to caning , whipping, or boxing ears. Not a man to shy from up-front-and-personal combat. He was tough as 'old hickory' and rattle snake mean. He would have the rest of the 'contender' presidents shaking in their boots; 6/8/10, 2:04 PM
Ironclad said...: I hope that Obama realizes that he better not kick BP's ass until they get the plugging wells drilled and the leaking well cemented. At this point, that is the only way that this mess is every going to get under control. If you don't stop the source, you will be chasing the effect all over the place.

What I really, really do not understand is why they did not repeat what was done in the Persian Gulf during the (several) wars here when a tanker was hit. You take ships out and try to suck the surface oil off. Yes, you suck up a lot of water with it, but those tankers are big for a reason. And I realize that most of the oil now is underwater (a lot deeper than the Persian gulf from the release point). But at least you clean something.

If there is anything to learn from this mess, it is that wells drilled over a certain depth (meaning underwater depth) need to have 2 blowout preventers in series. At least that way you have a chance to choke the well if one fails.; 6/8/10, 2:10 PM
Big Mike said...: Where's the button for "all of the above"?; 6/8/10, 2:12 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: "The poll also finds growing disapproval of the "tea party" movement, with half the population now expressing an unfavorable impression of the loosely aligned protest campaign that has shaken up politics this year."

The Republican lemmings are running off that cliff over there, way to the right.; 6/8/10, 2:13 PM
Damon said...: Holy schmolly, I actually agreed with something AlphaLiberal said. "...media is displaying their vapid shallowness."

@Beth - context of a stupid question didn't call for a stupid response. Stupid in that it was contrived, inappropriate, and misplaced.; 6/8/10, 2:13 PM
AllenS said...: Look! Over there! Sarah Palin!; 6/8/10, 2:15 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "The difference is that Bush was referring to Islamofacists who killed 3000 Americans."

Actually, this poll began with one more option, and I must have put an illegal character in it because it didn't come out in the code, something I noticed only after I'd published the post.

It was: Bush, speaking a few days after 9/11, had greater provocation.; 6/8/10, 2:17 PM
Damon said...: @AlphaLiberal - stay on topic. The Tea Party had nothing to do with this conversation.; 6/8/10, 2:17 PM
Darcy said...: It doesn't remind me of Bush at all. Bush didn't need to resort to "talking" about kicking ass.

It's really very painfully funny to hear it from Obama. Lord. As someone on Twitter said, he'd first have to be able to distinguish it from a hole in the ground.; 6/8/10, 2:18 PM
Anonymous said...: Blue,

TR sure as hell did make that speech. He was one tough hombre, but Honest Abe has a huge reach (and probably strength) advantage.

Lars,

I wouldn't want to meet Jackson in an alley, but remember--no weapons. And Abe was a first flight "no holds barred wrassler." That meant eye gouging, ear biting, finger breaking, shoulder dislocating.; 6/8/10, 2:19 PM
bagoh20 said...: "Oh alpha, don't go fucking things up with context! Next thing you know someone will plead nuance."

Yes, Obama needed Lauer to help him express his missing emotion and Obama didn't realize how stupid it was to pose like that. Yep, the context really shows his leadership style in action. Lauer should be on the payroll as Teleprompter chief.

Notice how Bush didn't need help being tough or human.; 6/8/10, 2:19 PM
Lincolntf said...: A solid year of lies and attacks from the most powerful institutions in the nation haven't done a bit to dampen the Tea Party spirit.
Keep tryin' chumps, it's no skin off our nose.

By the way, Alpha, Obama's failures have crushed the re-election hopes of so many Dems this year, I'd think you'd be be more interested in reforming your own Party than slagging a non-Party.; 6/8/10, 2:20 PM
AllenS said...: How tough can you be, if you throw like a girl?; 6/8/10, 2:21 PM
Darcy said...: Obama: "Don't make me take off my Mom jeans!"; 6/8/10, 2:23 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Ironclad, I don't get that, either. One claim I heard was that they've got other uses for the tankers, including keeping them at sea until oil prices go up. Don't now if that's true, either.

Good question, though.

I disagree that BP should be left in control of anything. They can bring another oil services firm in to do the drilling, etc, on BP's dime. BP should be yanked now. They lie, they ignore the public good and they are not competent.; 6/8/10, 2:26 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: By the way, Alpha, Obama's failures have crushed the re-election hopes of so many Dems this year, I'd think you'd be be more interested in reforming your own Party than slagging a non-Party.

Actually, I do support Dem Party reform. Watch the AR Senate race tonight. Hopefully, one DINO down a few more to go.

But you are counting your chickens before they hatch. If you think all these extremists will get any traction outside the R primary, well, by all means keep thinking that! I eagerly anticipate your crushing defeat.; 6/8/10, 2:28 PM
Bender said...: No-class unpresidental punk.; 6/8/10, 2:30 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Notice how Bush didn't need help being tough or human. .

Yeah, he was so convincing in his flight suit on that aircraft carrier. He was real convincing under the "Mission Accomplished" banner.

But Clinton was the bigger emoter of them all.

America doesn't need emotional President or some play actor. That's for the poofy talking heads on TV to tut about. The job entails more than that!; 6/8/10, 2:31 PM
Anonymous said...: "They lie, they ignore the public good and they are not competent."

Remind you of the current administration do they?; 6/8/10, 2:32 PM
Bender said...: Obama has assured us that he has been "in charge" since "day one."

So, if he's the one in charge, why should it matter one way or the other if BP is yanked??

If the job isn't being done, since he's the one in charge, shouldn't Obama be the one that is yanked??; 6/8/10, 2:33 PM
traditionalguy said...: Obama may have mis-read the Truman personal motto that said the buck stops here. He reads it, "The bucks come here".; 6/8/10, 2:38 PM
AC245 said...: Just a reminder, since Obama is looking for an ass to kick and the "let's not place any blame - BUT IT'S ALL BP'S FAULT!!!" brigade has rolled in:

USC TITLE 33 > CHAPTER 26 > SUBCHAPTER III > § 1321:

(a) Definitions
For the purpose of this section, the term—
(1) “oil” means oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil;
...
(11) “offshore facility” means any facility of any kind located in, on, or under, any of the navigable waters of the United States, and any facility of any kind which is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and is located in, on, or under any other waters, other than a vessel or a public vessel;
...
(b)(1) The Congress hereby declares that it is the policy of the United States that there should be no discharges of oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone, or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.], or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States (including resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]).
...
(c) Federal removal authority
(1) General removal requirement
(A) The President shall, in accordance with the National Contingency Plan and any appropriate Area Contingency Plan, ensure effective and immediate removal of a discharge, and mitigation or prevention of a substantial threat of a discharge, of oil or a hazardous substance—
...
(d) National Contingency Plan
(1) Preparation by President
The President shall prepare and publish a National Contingency Plan for removal of oil and hazardous substances pursuant to this section.
(2) Contents
The National Contingency Plan shall provide for efficient, coordinated, and effective action to minimize damage from oil and hazardous substance discharges, including containment, dispersal, and removal of oil and hazardous substances, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
...
(B) Identification, procurement, maintenance, and storage of equipment and supplies.
...
(F) Procedures and techniques to be employed in identifying, containing, dispersing, and removing oil and hazardous substances.
...
(M) A fish and wildlife response plan, developed in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other interested parties (including State fish and wildlife conservation officials), for the immediate and effective protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of, and the minimization of risk of damage to, fish and wildlife resources and their habitat that are harmed or that may be jeopardized by a discharge.; 6/8/10, 2:38 PM
Lincolntf said...: I'm not really "counting chickens". Half the Repubs nominated/elected might be as liberal as GW Bush for all I know. I'm just watching Democrats nationwide fleeing from the disastrous Obama Administration in order to save their political skins.
The anti-semitic and anti-capitalist extremists in the White House turn most Americans stomachs. They will be run out of office, Tea Party or no. I'm just enjoying the show.; 6/8/10, 2:43 PM
Unknown said...: AllenS said...

Obama could probably beat up the president that had polio and was in a wheelchair.

Maybe not. FDR was supposed to have incredible upper body strength to the point that wrestlers and boxers were impressed.

Bottom line: Zero might have been able to take John Adams or Madison, but that's all.; 6/8/10, 2:46 PM
Darcy said...: @AC245

Wow!

My first reaction to that is that - well I didn't know this, and I'm kind of stunned Obama is getting away with abdicating his responsibility here. But what else is new there?

Oh, what I'd give to have some real journalists covering Obama.

My second reaction is that it looks like Obama had better limber up.; 6/8/10, 2:48 PM
hombre said...: Alpha wrote: Matt Lauer asked him a question about kicking butt. He answered the fucking question.

In part, I have to agree with Alpha, but I don't completely agree that Lauer's stupidity justifies Obama's lack of statesmanship.

A presidential response would have acknowledged that solving the problem, not kicking ass, is the order of the day.

Besides, the image of Obama trying personally to kick anyone's ass is laughable.; 6/8/10, 2:48 PM
X said...: Alpha wrote: Matt Lauer asked him a question about kicking butt. He answered the fucking question.

Except there was no question there. Lauer was just emoting. Obama should have said Lauer needs kick the ass of whoever planted those plugs in his head.; 6/8/10, 2:53 PM
A.W. said...: Alpha

the obama administration gave that rig an award for safety. when they learned how bad this would be they did... pretty much nothing.

Obama is incompetant. It saddens me to say that, saddens me more that it is true, but it IS the truth.

On the fairer end, i am not sure how much better mccain would have been. he only had a little more executive experience than obama. they were both sucky choices for president.

And i will add the president should not be cursing, period. low class moment, though not the worst thing a president has said by a long shot. its not the end of the world, but it still deserves a "please don't do it" criticism. although who knows? maybe now bill maher will say he is a "real" black president. (Btw, maher outed himself as a racist with that comment.); 6/8/10, 3:00 PM
rhhardin said...: Bush didn't have a political target.; 6/8/10, 3:05 PM
jayne_cobb said...: Lack of class aside, at the very least we now have a new nickname for Captain Kickass.; 6/8/10, 3:09 PM
jayne_cobb said...: Or maybe Admiral Ass Kicker would be better?; 6/8/10, 3:10 PM
Fen said...: Recriminations at this point are counter-productive. There'll be plenty of time for punishing BP after the leak is capped and the cleanup is progressing.

No kidding.

Obama was stupid to launch a Justice Dept investigation into BP while its still trying to fix this.

Fix the leak VS shield yourself from DOJ.

What would your priority be if you were a BP employee?

But our Diversity Hire needs another scapegoat to ride. To cover for his incompetence while he's out fundraising and golfing.

Hey Obama, who's are you going to kick when Islam gets the Bomb?

I hope some adult in the WH is keeping an eye on whats going on in AfPak, Europe and Israel while Obama acclimates to the course load of the first executive job he's ever held in his life.; 6/8/10, 3:16 PM
prairie wind said...: Why not President Ass?; 6/8/10, 3:21 PM
Fen said...: This jackass has 2.5 years left in his Presidency and I have a feeling that this is just the first symptom of his inevitable public meltdown.

I'm actually looking forward to the Revisionist History of Obama's presidency. It should be good for a ton of laughs. You just know they're going to lionize him, make him into a Myth the same way they did Kennedy.

America's First Black President will have the Legacy of Legend, no matter what he does. I think he knows this. I think he's counting on it the same he's counted on preferential racial treatment all his life.

I wonder how many years will pass before the true story is allowed to be told.

Worst. President. Ever.; 6/8/10, 3:26 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Obama said something.

*makes a note of it*

I just now got an idea to put an Obama with an empty speech bubble on every single page of the next pop-up card, incongruent and completely irrelevant to the subject. But I'm certain the result will not be nearly as funny as I'm imagining it right now. So I'll just drop it.

I saw a clip without the sound of Salazar in Louisiana. I lived at Barksdale so this had my attention. Salazar is from Colorado, so that's two connections. Pure photo op. It's offensive, actually, to show up in a starched shirt and $2,000 suit, having donned a pristine white lab coat as if you're all "gett'n in it" up to your shirtsleeves, while standing back behind workers who are furiously scrubbing crude oil off pelicans. Just shut up.

The first time I saw pelicans gathered at a lake 1/2 a mile from our new house off-base I was simply awestruck. Armadillos too, but that's another story.; 6/8/10, 3:27 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Tea Party plummeting in the polls.

Love it! As Americans get to know the TPers more, they go blub, blub, blub.

"Obama is incompetant."

ha ha. Be sure you know how to spell "incompetent" before making the accusation!

Yes, yes, I know. Obama baaaaaad. Keep bleating.; 6/8/10, 3:27 PM
bagoh20 said...: "Love it! As Americans get to know the TPers more, they go blub, blub, blub. "

Absolutely correct, Alpha. Nothing to worry about in November. It was all just a bad dream. Tell your friends.; 6/8/10, 3:31 PM
A.W. said...: btw, Alpha, with all that is going on, Obamacare is still less popular than off-shore drilling. by a wide margin.; 6/8/10, 3:36 PM
Fen said...: Alpha's been reduced to spelling flames.

I get double points for that, right?; 6/8/10, 3:37 PM
Robert Cook said...: There's no difference between them making these childish and puerile remarks except that Obama presumably should know better. But then, Obama is simply Bush with darker skin and better manners (and a smoother tongue).

Actually, Obama is more contemptible precisely because he's not a disfunctional dry drunk working out his daddy and mommy issues in public but someone who actually thinks about public policy matters...and yet he still carries on as if believes real life is a Dirty Harry movie.; 6/8/10, 3:39 PM
Unknown said...: Lance @1:00 pm: So far, Obama has talked more about punishing BP than fixing the leak or cleaning up the mess. ... he's supposed to be the community organizer par excellence. He should be more involved in the cleanup, which is if nothing else an organization problem.

The trouble is that "being a community organizer" isn't about organizing the community to do something useful. It is about pressuring government or business organizations to do things that benefit you and your buddies, supposedly in the name of the community. Oil leaks are not fazed by the political and legal tactics that community organizers are experts in.; 6/8/10, 3:43 PM
A.W. said...: Cook

Sheesh, good to know bush derangement syndrome is not dead.; 6/8/10, 3:47 PM
Fen said...: Congressman Charles Rangel: “I don’t think the administration has the slightest clue."; 6/8/10, 3:50 PM
Synova said...: So many hated Bush's cowboy talk, the posturing and breast beating. In truth, though, he was pretty subdued about it all and posturing is how violent conflict is avoided in nature, how the strong decide who is dominate without the need to entirely destroy the other.

So many don't like it, they don't like that process or even recognize it. Certainly we can do better, be more civilized, use our words. Certainly the posturing itself if the threat and the danger and without it conflict would simply dissolve away into peace.

It's a pretty fantasy.

And really... who did Bush posture for? He didn't do so that often, lock and load, whatever. Who was he beating his chest to impress with the bold cowboy talk while he spoke a constant refrain about the Religion of Peace?

When Obama is talking street, getting in faces or punching back twice as hard or kicking ass... who is he attempting to impress?

Who's ass is he threatening to kick? Or should I say, who's ass is he threatening to kick this time? Evil Wall Street Tycoons, or Doctors who Amputate for Profit, or some hapless Oil Industry Executive?

I believe in the efficacy of making a show of strength, of a process that determines the outcome of a contest before the conflict begins.

So I should like Obama talking tough, right?; 6/8/10, 3:50 PM
A.W. said...: Fen

I have said before, i think to some liberals they think that if obama turns out to be a bad president, that the american people will hold it against all black people, somehow.

so that is why some of them are so bound and determined to convince us--and themselves--that obama is awesome. but with the whole spill, i think its getting hard to cover up the craptitude.

that being said, obama's failures are his own. i would be perfectly happy to have a competant black president and i am certain an appropriate candidate exists.; 6/8/10, 3:50 PM
Synova said...: "The difference is that Bush was referring to Islamofacists who killed 3000 Americans."

Yes, my thought. Thank you.; 6/8/10, 3:52 PM
Anonymous said...: Actually, Obama is more contemptible precisely because he's...someone who actually thinks about public policy matters...

I submit that you have absolutely zero evidence of this. If you do, I'd love to see it, because he's certainly not shown it for the last 18 months. He's a knee-jerk legislator in an executive's job. Like a slug, he simply reacts to stimuli, with no apparent reason, and no thought as to what the mid-to-long term consequences of his heedless blundering will be. In fact, it's almost as if he has public policy Tourette's - his "solutions" are unfailingly inappropriate and have little to do with the given subject at hand.; 6/8/10, 3:52 PM
Fen said...: Libtard: someone who actually thinks about public policy matters

Paul McCartney doesn't REALLY believe Bush cant find a library. McCartney is many things, but he's not an idiot.

But you, Robert. Do you really believe Bush never thought about policy matters? Are you this stupid?; 6/8/10, 3:56 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Ann Althouse should post on the controversy regarding Sarah Palin's new (?) breasts. (Maybe she just got pregger or gaining pounds instead of had a boob job. Fertile ground!)

This will round out your breast blogging.

Maybe if we're lucky she will thrust those babies out in front of Bill Clinton.

Annie, get yer post!; 6/8/10, 4:00 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: And, what "regular Moms" haven't had their own race horse place at Belmont?; 6/8/10, 4:01 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: And, I gotta say the commenters at Wonkette are lots more fun.

"So many hated Bush's cowboy talk, the posturing and breast beating."

There is no call for breast beating. Leave those babies alone!; 6/8/10, 4:05 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Synova scintillates:
And really... who did Bush posture for .

That's the big question? Really? You need help with that one?

Like when he strutted on the aircraft USS Lincoln is Very Embarrassed Now with his stuffed codpiece?

Yeah, he's a regular model of modesty.; 6/8/10, 4:08 PM
Synova said...: "I have said before, i think to some liberals they think that if obama turns out to be a bad president, that the american people will hold it against all black people, somehow."

That's possible. Not to upset Crack by taking it to a discussion of race yet again, but believing that other people are horribly racist is a popular belief.

But really... have we all developed a intractable prejudice against Southern peanut farmers?; 6/8/10, 4:13 PM
A.W. said...: Sy

Well, let me be clear. i give the american people alot more credit. but i do think that this is a line of thought for alot of liberals.

in other words, i was describing an attitude i think liberals have, not my own attitude.

and yeah, as far as i am concerned, let's kill all the peanut farmers. Five Guys Burgers be damned. (yes, that is a joke.); 6/8/10, 4:16 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Sweeeet emotion!

Please emote, Mr President! Puhleeeezzze!

That will solve everything!

Apparently, "support the President" is so 2008.; 6/8/10, 4:19 PM
A.W. said...: alpha, wow, you are one deranged guy. you cite a humor website to prove bush had stuffed his pants. mmm, okay.

on the other hand, i think a deep investigation into palin's boobs is entirely a good idea. can you post pictures, please?; 6/8/10, 4:19 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: A.W.

i do think that this is a line of thought for alot of liberals.

in other words, i was describing an attitude i think liberals have, not my own attitude. .

uh huh. You made some shit up in that wee brain pan and then say liberals think that.

How do you know what liberals think?; 6/8/10, 4:20 PM
Synova said...: I don't know how that landing on the Lincoln is anything but a confirmation of what I said, Alpha.

He was there for the sailors and for the military. That's who he was trying to impress by landing a jet on an aircraft carrier (instant bonafides that can't be faked) and giving a speech in appreciation of the military and their accomplishment.

Oh, and it doesn't matter to me if the issue is just two photos in jackets and one in a thin clingy T-shirt or if Palin decided to spend some money to keep her mommy boobs.

And if the Tea Party has 50% approval, it's still got just as much as any major political party in this country.; 6/8/10, 4:20 PM
Big Mike said...: And, I gotta say the commenters at Wonkette are lots more fun.

It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.

Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?

Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone!

So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!; 6/8/10, 4:22 PM
A.W. said...: alpha

i listen to them. i try to understand where they are coming from.

How do you try to understand people?; 6/8/10, 4:22 PM
Big Mike said...: Like the Rump Parliament, Alpha, you are headed for the trash can of history.

Now, in the name of God, go.; 6/8/10, 4:23 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: AW,
alpha, wow, you are one deranged guy. you cite a humor website to prove bush had stuffed his pants. mmm, okay.

Thank you.

Dude, that was well known from the millions of President Codpiece photos we were subjected to back in the day when he strutted out there and said "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"

on the other hand, i think a deep investigation into palin's boobs is entirely a good idea. can you post pictures, please?

Follow the links, brother. On further inspection, I think she was just thrusting those puppies around or it could have been "miraculous underwear."; 6/8/10, 4:24 PM
Synova said...: "How do you know what liberals think?"

I don't think it takes making anything up to suppose that liberals think that the general population and most especially their ideological opponents are entirely racist.

It's actually sort of... kind... to wonder if the support for Obama is motivated by a fear that if he should fail that minorities will be hurt every bit as much as they were encouraged by his election. The other options involve either stupidity or malice.; 6/8/10, 4:24 PM
AllenS said...: Look! Over there! Sarah Palin!; 6/8/10, 4:25 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: How do you try to understand people?

I read what they write and come to places like this to seek the ever-elusive Rational Conversation With a Conservative.

Plus, I've known a few for all my days.

President Codpiece, indeed.; 6/8/10, 4:26 PM
AllenS said...: Look! Over there! George Bush's crotch!; 6/8/10, 4:28 PM
Synova said...: And none so wonderful as that picture of Cheney in magnificence. *Sigh*

Egad, Alpha.

If I strap up into a harness like that, which I've done for rappelling and some awesome zip line runs *I* look like I have a cod piece.; 6/8/10, 4:28 PM
Synova said...: (Of course nothing is sillier than a five point safety harness and a skirt.); 6/8/10, 4:30 PM
A.W. said...: Alpha

Sorry, a picture gallery doesn't prove your point, and i remember enough of the other stupid theories to be extremely skeptical of this kind of claim. you know, like when bush supposedly was being fed the answers in a debate by karl rove, as evidenced by a bump in his back that turned out to be a bullet proof vest. BDS is at this late stage is just tiresome.

Sy

Well, i would say its one strain of thought and i do think its sincerely there. i wrote out my feelings in more detail, here: http://allergic2bull.blogspot.com/2010/04/jackie-robinson-theory-of-obama.html; 6/8/10, 4:31 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Look! Over there! Sarah Palin!

Ann is famous for posting about women's breasts. She will jump at the opportunity to mock a liberal woman's breasts for their protruding.

She also likes to write about the former half-term Governor and Triple Crown race horse owner (just a regular gal) from Alaska.

Not to mention the feminist angle for the grifter from Alaska.

So I thought this opportunity to riff on both was something Ann would appreciate.

Gratitude is too much to ask, apparently.; 6/8/10, 4:31 PM
A.W. said...: Sy

Don't bother explaining to him. He is beyond explanation. Its like the people who think that when Karl Rove found listening devices in a campaign HQ in a previous campaign (before Bush), that the most logical explanation is... Rove planted them! Because Rove is evil! Evil! Evil!

There is no reasoning with people like this. But i keep wondering what is going on in their heads. do they believe what they are shovelling. what is knocked loose that they can't think rationally.; 6/8/10, 4:34 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: *I* look like I have a cod piece.

Yeah, right.

I'm sure the whole bulging crotch was just an accident and had nothing to do whatsoever with Rovian stagecraft.

Ms. KAY: ...he arrived there in his flight suit, in a jumpsuit. He should wear that all the time. Why doesn't he do all his campaign speeches in that jumpsuit? He just looks so great.

MATTHEWS: I want him to wa--I want to see him debate somebody like John Kerry or Lieberman or somebody wearing that jumpsuit.

Oh, for swoon! Remember how the press corps fell for bush in those years?

G. Gordon Libby (convicted felon):
And here comes George Bush. You know, he’s in his flight suit, he’s striding across the deck, and he’s wearing his parachute harness, you know—and I’ve worn those because I parachute—and it makes the best of his manly characteristic.

"show some emotion" is the same caliber of political talk as "his manly characteristic"; 6/8/10, 4:38 PM
James said...: Sarah Palin does NOT own the horse named "First Dude" but I suppose that fact wouldn't stop you from claiming otherwise.; 6/8/10, 4:40 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: AW:

Rove is evil

True, dat.
Dude exposes a CIA undercover agent working weapons mass destruction.
He helped launch the invasion and occupation of Iraq, a country that was already on it's knees and no threat.
He took money from the poor and gave it to the rich.
he made excuses for torture including, we know now, Republican experimenting on the tortured! (Move over Mengele!)

The list goes on and on. Karl Rove is a very bad man.; 6/8/10, 4:42 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Alpha and HdHouse are still around while [I guess] Jeremy, Ritmo, DTL, etc are sitting in padded rooms slowly and steadily knocking their heads against the wall.

It sure sucks to be a demented liberal.; 6/8/10, 4:42 PM
ricpic said...: Speaking of policy matters, when Governor Jindal asked federal permission to build berms to keep the oil from reaching the Louisiana beaches and swamps and didn't get an answer for a month and then when he did get an answer it was permission to build something like a ridiculous five percent of the berms he had requested where the fuck was Obama?!?!; 6/8/10, 4:43 PM
AllenS said...: AL,

When you put on a parachute harness, you better have your privates inbetween the straps. Unless there's nothing to protect. Maybe that's your problem not conprehending. You know, we don't know your sex.; 6/8/10, 4:43 PM
traditionalguy said...: To kick ass, or to kiss ass, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous oil spill media coverage, or to take arms against BP in a sea of 5000 feet deep troubles and by opposing to make them stop my campaign contributions? Funny that he is kicking the ass of all our best allies, but kissing the ass of all our worst enemies. IMO Obama does whatever Obama has planned to do and suffers from no Hamlet double mindedness at all.; 6/8/10, 4:49 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: James:

Sarah Palin does NOT own the horse named "First Dude" but I suppose that fact wouldn't stop you from claiming otherwise.

Huh. I am actually not sure, now. When I read that, it said it was her horse, which she could certainly afford with the millions of dollars she has fleeced from her followers. But that was a comedy site, so WTF.

I cannot find conclusive evidence on the intertubes so this is an unsettled question, like those breasts, real as a Palin pledge to serve our her term?; 6/8/10, 4:51 PM
Blue@9 said...: AL, you seem rather obsessed with Bush's "bulging crotch." Anything else you'd like to contribute today?; 6/8/10, 4:54 PM
Synova said...: Apparently Alpha thinks that Bush should have flown without the harness in order not to offend maidenly sensibilities.; 6/8/10, 4:58 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Ricpic:

Yesterday's AP news story reported Obama has "been talking about the spill almost every day and he has made 3 trips down there".

What else do you want from the prez :); 6/8/10, 4:58 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: AllenS, if Obama paraded around in a costume showing off his "manly characteristic" do you suppose that would go without comment or criticism from the right wing?

not so much.

It was a stunt, plain and simple. And the media airheads are demanding more stunts, more pathos from Obama. Anything but making them report facts.

Really, our pundits are a bunch of dipshits.; 6/8/10, 4:59 PM
AllenS said...: Blue,

He's also got a breast thing going on. Just sayin.; 6/8/10, 4:59 PM
bagoh20 said...: Alpha,
Maybe your type needs to stuff, but that really is just how real men are made down there. Frightening isn't it? Don't feel bad - size doesn't matter. Ha!; 6/8/10, 5:00 PM
AllenS said...: AL--

Obama has stood on the pitchers mound twice, and 2 times has thrown like a girl. He got nuttin.

But your're right, if Obama paraded around in a costume, we'd probably all laugh. Clown costume, right?; 6/8/10, 5:02 PM
chickelit said...: Alpha Libelar wrote: Ann Althouse should post on the controversy regarding Sarah Palin's new (?) breasts. (Maybe she just got pregger or gaining pounds instead of had a boob job. Fertile ground!)

Put it back in your pants Alpha. The lovely vbspurs tweeted this photo taken from a different angle which tells a different story IMO.

You party is going down in CA this year Alpha. I'm stoked!; 6/8/10, 5:04 PM
Synova said...: That's silly, Alpha. Obama isn't a pilot. I suppose he could go rock climbing or something in order to frame his family jewels. In any case we did get pictures of him coming out of a work-out at the gym with his moobs showing and pictures of him at the beach. Granted, nothing quite as impressive as Putin standing in a stream fishing.

I'd rate Bush clearing brush in Texas with Sarcozy on his horse.; 6/8/10, 5:05 PM
AllenS said...: Seriously, what kind of costume would Obama wear?; 6/8/10, 5:06 PM
Trooper York said...: Well he could borrow a tu-tu from Rahm.

That should do the trick.; 6/8/10, 5:08 PM
Trooper York said...: And ballet dancers have a fierce kick. Just sayn'; 6/8/10, 5:08 PM
AllenS said...: A thought just occured! Obama could do something historically presidential, and show up wearing a powdered wig.; 6/8/10, 5:08 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: AL, you seem rather obsessed with Bush's "bulging crotch." Anything else you'd like to contribute today?

I still think it's funny that they would go to such lengths to make the guy look "manly." They cinched those things way up tight to show off his package.

And, this is what the poofy press talkers want - more drama, more staged "news" events.

Maybe they want Obama to stroll out on that rig and declare "Mission Accomplished?"; 6/8/10, 5:12 PM
Anonymous said...: Obama on Halloween,

Back end of a horse?; 6/8/10, 5:14 PM
chickelit said...: Alpha wrote: I still think it's funny that they would go to such lengths to make the guy look "manly." They cinched those things way up tight to show off his package.

That's hysterical Alpha...are you codpiece curious?; 6/8/10, 5:14 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: I'd rate Bush clearing brush in Texas with Sarcozy on his horse.

Uh huh. Think he's still clearing brush out there in Dallas? He moved out of that rural house to the big city as fast as he could.

When did clearing brush become so much fun? Or is that possibly, do you think maybe, just for show? For the rubes?

The Real Chicken:
You party is going down in CA this year Alpha. I'm stoked!

Stoked for the Republican/lawyer/Birther/Dentist Orly Taitz to come into her own and lead the Republicans to victory?; 6/8/10, 5:15 PM
chickelit said...: Alpha wrote: Stoked for the Republican/lawyer/Birther/Dentist Orly Taitz to come into her own and lead the Republicans to victory?

She's a midwife too?; 6/8/10, 5:19 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: The Real Chicken:

That's hysterical Alpha...are you codpiece curious?

No. More of a T and/or A guy. Just pointing out more Republican deception and what really turns on the press corps.

These guys are wearing flight suits and harnesses without pulling it so tight it makes a mountain out of a molehill. Same with this guy.

Really, you guys will fall for anything.

The convicted felon G Gordon Liddy really lapped it up. Think he developed some new tastes in the federal pen?; 6/8/10, 5:23 PM
AllenS said...: Maybe Barack could dress up and do some manly stuff like wearing bib overalls and working in Michelle's garden.; 6/8/10, 5:23 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: "The lovely vbspurs tweeted this photo taken from a different angle which tells a different story IMO. "

Inconclusive. Time for some transparency.; 6/8/10, 5:25 PM
Lincolntf said...: Rules for Radicals (The Hidden Texts):

"When your President is a stammering, bumbling buffoon, and your position has been blown out of the water, rapidly attempt to shift the conversation to boobies."; 6/8/10, 5:28 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: And I can't believe no-one has observed a Bush doesn't need a codpiece.

Take that, Commander Codpiece!; 6/8/10, 5:28 PM
chickelit said...: Alpha wrote: Inconclusive. Time for some transparency.

I'm sure your buddy Joe McGinnis is all over that one. How can he even hold his pencil?; 6/8/10, 5:31 PM
chickelit said...: Alpha wrote: And I can't believe no-one has observed a Bush doesn't need a codpiece.

Like I said, are you codpiece curious or something?; 6/8/10, 5:33 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Oh man!

Now I have to wash my eyes out.; 6/8/10, 5:36 PM
AC245 said...: One good thing about AlphaLiberal linking to his voluminous stash of pictures of Bush's crotch is that it will be convenient to refer back to all of these derogatory "Commander Codpiece" links the next time he and the other Obama seminar commenters whinge about people not treating the office of the Presidency with the respect it deserves.

In the meantime, while the Left spends their time gazing forlornly at photos of Bush's crotch and Palin's breasts, the rest of America is watching President Obama continue to bumble and stumble around looking for a scapegoat to blame for his utter incompetence in handling the oil spill in the Gulf.; 6/8/10, 5:44 PM
James said...: How hard did you look?

http://www.horseracingnation.com/horse/First_Dude

Owner(s): Donald R. Dizney

Huh. I am actually not sure, now. When I read that, it said it was her horse, which she could certainly afford with the millions of dollars she has fleeced from her followers. But that was a comedy site, so WTF.

I cannot find conclusive evidence on the intertubes so this is an unsettled question, like those breasts, real as a Palin pledge to serve our her term?; 6/8/10, 5:45 PM
AllenS said...: Look! Over there! A horse!; 6/8/10, 5:47 PM
Synova said...: Well now Alpha. If I hadn't actually pulled the harness tight I'd have fallen right out of the Costa Rican canopy.

The comparison pictures that count are those of the pilots dressed in the same gear walking next to Bush. And although Bush was in excellent physical shape, all of them are far more trim than he is, and they do all have their straps pulled tight.

They aren't lining up for a picture before they fly when nothing needs to have been buttoned down. They're coming home.

I mean, I get it, OMG Bush has man parts... but I think it's a distraction from the simple fact that even women who land jets on aircraft carriers have man parts. And everyone wanted to holler "faker! faker!" but it's not something that can be faked. So they yell "crotch! crotch!" and see if it works better.; 6/8/10, 5:48 PM
The Scythian said...: The media is mounting one last defense of President Obama before his popularity tanks completely. When that happens, individual journalists and pundits will have to abandon him or lose whatever credibility they have left.

So they're setting the bar low for him. Instead of demanding action, they're demanding rhetoric. With the bar set so low, all Obama has to do is change his tone and the media will fawn over him for successfully navigating his image crisis.

I'm not sure that America will buy it. It's already getting out that Obama has not merely been fiddling while the Gulf dies, he has been vacationing, playing golf, and sitting in the front row at White House rock concerts.

So we'll see.; 6/8/10, 5:51 PM
The Scythian said...: Oh, also, in case some people missed the memo, President Bush isn't in office anymore.; 6/8/10, 5:54 PM
Franklin said...: Haha David @1 FTW!; 6/8/10, 5:55 PM
Lincolntf said...: "I cannot find conclusive evidence on the intertubes so this is an unsettled question,.."

As James (I think) pointed out, simply typing the horse's name and "Belmont" into any search engine would have shown you the owner's name. So you didn't "look" at all, did you?
I can deal with idiot Libs, but I simply cannot tolerate idiot liars.

Mr. Shinebox, meet Mr. Alpha Lib...; 6/8/10, 6:02 PM
Barristers Handshake said...: I imagine those juvenile comments were spoon fed to him by his shirtless beer pong playing political team:

http://gawker.com/5557807/the-time-obamas-hottie-speechwriter-played-shirtless-beer-pong-with-his-bros

Someone should have told those guys that BP was an oil disaster, not beer pong. Keep working hard kids.; 6/8/10, 6:04 PM
Unknown said...: AlphaLiberal said...

"The poll also finds growing disapproval of the "tea party" movement, with half the population now expressing an unfavorable impression of the loosely aligned protest campaign that has shaken up politics this year."

Achieved, it should be noted, by cutting the size of the conservative sample from 42% to 36%. As usual, the Lefties have to lie when they're losing.

PS Ask Alpha about all the containment booms sitting in Maine warehouses unused.; 6/8/10, 6:29 PM
Trooper York said...: Hey, I think I have the outfit and the baseball thing covered!; 6/8/10, 6:59 PM
A.W. said...: AL

> Remember how the press corps fell for bush in those years?

Okay, seriously, are you actually this deluded? Yeah, the press gave bush a free ride? Seriously, are you an idiot, or do you just think we are so we would believe that horseshit?

> True, dat.

True, “dat” you are that paranoid and idiotic? I concur.

> Dude exposes a CIA undercover agent working weapons mass destruction.

No, Rove did not. Armitage did. Idiot.

> He helped launch the invasion and occupation of Iraq, a country that was already on it's knees and no threat.

Gee, sucks that your big daddy dictator was kicked down.

> He took money from the poor and gave it to the rich.

Um, given that you got other verifiable facts wrong, yeah right.

> he made excuses for torture

Torture, of course, being defined as reading Harry Potter to them. You know it’s funny how liberals are flexible on terms like patriotism, and terrorist, but you act like “torture” is determined with mathematical certainty.

> But that was a comedy site, so WTF.

So again you are relying on comedy sites for valuable information.

> if Obama paraded around in a costume showing off his "manly characteristic"

What? His ears?

> do you suppose

Ah, so again, we are hypocrites because you imagine that if the situation was turned around we would respond differently.

No, as a matter of fact, I never noticed Bush’s crotch until you brought it up today. And I haven’t noticed Obama’s either. You seem to be one obsessed with cock.

And you know pictures of flight suits would be more convincing if they were from, you know, this century. But its nice that you are virtually molesting thousands of pilots online.

> Now I have to wash my eyes out.

More like you need a bib for your salivating.

Allen

> Unless there's nothing to protect. Maybe that's your problem not conprehending. You know, we don't know your sex.

I am sure where he has XX chromosomes, or XY, he has no equipment to protect. He’s built like a Ken doll.

> Seriously, what kind of costume would Obama wear?

Well, he could go with dumbo, although his ears are a little too big for it.; 6/8/10, 7:25 PM
Pastafarian said...: You know, I'm not bothered by the fact that President Obama is a mincing, effete ninny.

It takes all kinds, to each his own, and all that happy horse shit.

What bothers me is when a mincing, effete ninny who's never kicked anyone's ass, ever, announces all mannish-like that he's a-fixin' to deliver an ass-whoopin'. Cognitive dissonance, I believe they call it; the same feeling you get when Pelosi starts spouting about "The Word", and what a beautiful word that is -- the word "Word".

Does anyone here suppose that Barack Obama has ever been in a fight, ever in his life? He went to private schools; his fingers and features are as delicate and fragile as any woman's. Hell, I doubt that he's ever even had to fire anyone, let alone fight them -- he's never run anything before in his life, except for his own campaign. Even if he's being figurative with his ass-kicking pronouncement, he's still embarrassingly inadequate.; 6/8/10, 7:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Trooper,

Didn't Alan Shephard smooth a sweet six iron on the moon?

Damn, a little catch would have made a great photo op.; 6/8/10, 7:51 PM
Michael said...: Obama is a sissy. He is not going to kick anybody's ass.; 6/8/10, 7:52 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: We are going to take over the country again from libs like Prez Obama. It's all gonna be good again.

Hell maybe we can even get them to appoint some real middle class people to Joe Biden's Middle Class Task Force.; 6/8/10, 8:22 PM
Alec Plumb said...: These guys are wearing flight suits and harnesses without pulling it so tight it makes a mountain out of a molehill. Same with this guy.

And how many Gs were these guys pulling in their WWII-era propeller-driven bomber?

Really, how high do you have to turn up your cognitive-dissonance-compensators to make it through the day?; 6/8/10, 8:24 PM
Paul Kirchner said...: Synova said... But really... have we all developed a intractable prejudice against Southern peanut farmers?

We won't know until we elect another peanut farmer president, will we?; 6/8/10, 8:53 PM
Paul Kirchner said...: Pastafarian said...What bothers me is when a mincing, effete ninny who's never kicked anyone's ass, ever, announces all mannish-like that he's a-fixin' to deliver an ass-whoopin'.

You know whose ass Obama should have kicked if he ever had it in him to kick anyone's ass? The aggressive panhandler who made his grandmother too nervous to wait at the bus stop. But then Obama's grandfather, the guy who didn't hold down a job, told Obama that his grandmother was only scared because the panhandler was black, and then our president was sickened by the thought that his grandmother was a racist.

That incident, and the way he spun it in his overly praised race speech, told me all I needed to know about our president's manliness.; 6/8/10, 8:59 PM
Lincolntf said...: Pussy is as pussy does.
And our President is a total pussy.; 6/8/10, 9:02 PM
roesch-voltaire said...: Alpha how do you find the energy to deal with these wild projections? Ah yes Obama made it through the tough, criminal world of Chicago politics because he is a 'effete ninny." Or he shouldn't pick on those poor
bp engineers because that is not the way to solve the problem. To bring up all the Bush talk is futile as may folks have pointed out for
Bush it was al just talk: claiming he wanted bin Laden dead or alive and then later admitting he
he didn't think much about bin Laden and on it goes.; 6/8/10, 9:51 PM
AC245 said...: Alpha how do you find the energy to deal with these wild projections?

All praise Alpha and his tireless work at researching how George Bush's crotch looks from every conceivable angle! Maybe if you ask him nicely, roesch-voltaire, he'll email some pics from his private collection to you.

But while the Left is ogling what hangs between Bush's legs, the rest of the country is watching Obama and his administration's feckless buffoonery in their response to the Gulf oil spill.; 6/8/10, 10:09 PM
bagoh20 said...: roesch,
You do realize this is an accidental oil spill, not at all comparable to a global war, which is also not comparable to Chicago's filthy, but merely municipal, politics.

And who do you think is more scared of Obama, Osama Bin Laden or some poor BP engineer who happens to not be a murdering terrorist?

This guy is embarrassing, and a poor example of a leader, especially an American one.

Maybe you are impressed him threatening people who have to deal with this accident and never intended any harm. The same people who will save his ass by fixing a problem he is stuck posing about.; 6/8/10, 10:19 PM
Methadras said...: President Barely, the tough guy, looking for an ass to kick so he can project the illusion that he is a manly man. Hey, President Lightweight, you couldn't kick anyone's ass even if you tried. You probably throw a punch like a girl.; 6/8/10, 10:23 PM
DavidD said...: E: All of the above.; 6/8/10, 10:29 PM
Phil 314 said...: including keeping them at sea until oil prices go up. Don't now if that's true, either.

I was waiting for this meme to surface (pardon the pun)

AL;
I believe this describes perfectly your present obsession/predicament.

The bikini. Funniest thing. Turns out once I'm inside a liberal's head, It's like poof! Off with the clothes. I tell ya, it's gotten to the point that I really don't even notice it anymore. No, don't be embarrassed or ashamed, most of your friends don't even give me the bikini.; 6/8/10, 10:52 PM
Alex said...: Like all movements, the Tea Party has jumped the shark and the American people who are majority center-right disapprove.; 6/8/10, 11:20 PM
Jason said...: @ Alpha Libtard:

I still think it's funny that they would go to such lengths to make the guy look "manly." They cinched those things way up tight to show off his package.

Alpha, you stupid, drooling moron. How many flight hours do you have in high-performance jets? How many jumps from military aircraft do you have?

Don't you think it might be a stupid idea to speculate about shit you know zip about, you drooling imbecile?

You cinch parachute harnesses tight because if you DON'T, and you eject from a jet going 400 mph or more, the force of the parachute opening will ram your nuts through the top of your head, or rip your hips out their sockets.

Just shut the hell up. Maybe you'll learn something from your betters, twit.; 6/9/10, 2:22 AM
lemondog said...: Obama’s antagonism to BP is rooted in desperation and prejudice

Uh, oh, British perhaps general European disillusionment setting in?

That’s hypocrisy and hypocrisy is bred of prejudice. Obama dislikes Britain and the British. Dreams From My Father was an exercise in Anglo-phobia: none of the accusations therein have been substantiated yet they colour his diplomacy. His immediate return of the Churchill bust that sat in the Oval Office was a slight but subtle statement of intent. Obama deals with British politicians contemptuously. No matter how absurd, foreign politicians deserve respect on the international stage: having Gordon Brown chase around after him was as callous as it was hilarious. In the case of BP, contempt has become hectoring. Initiating a criminal investigation denotes Obama’s political impotence, vanity and arrogance. His divisive conduct offends the dignity of his office, but it also shows a complete disregard for the globalised world in favour of narrow political interest.

Perhaps his WH meeting with the Palestinian President to beat up on the Israelis will help soooooooothe injured feelings.; 6/9/10, 6:44 AM

«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 204 Newer› Newest»

The main difference between Obama's statement and Bush's is...
	Bush actually intended to do what he said. Literally.
	Obama's line is not true self-expression, but what others seemed to push him to say.
	It's one thing to allude to the cowboy tradition, quite another to sound like a schoolyard bully.
	Obama is trying to counterbalance his professorial image, but Bush was pretty much all cowboy.

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"I don't sit around talking to experts because this is a college seminar. We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers, so I know whose ass to kick."

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June 8, 2010

"I don't sit around talking to experts because this is a college seminar. We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers, so I know whose ass to kick."

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