The PR wing of the Obama Permanent Campaign aka Mainstream Media has been busy humping The One’s leg so they missed — right out loud, in public, before God and Congress for pity’s sake on January 7 — Barry’s economic advisor, Robert Reich, feeling comfortable enough to drop this little bon mot about the “stimulus” package and directing funds to infrastructure building
I am concerned, as I’m sure many of you are, that these jobs not simply go to high-skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers. … I have nothing against white male construction workers. I’m just saying that there are a lot of other people who have needs as well. … Criteria can be set so that the money does go to others, the long term unemployed minorities, women, people who are not necessarily construction workers or high-skilled professionals.
Absolutely one of the best examples of how racism makes a person stupid.
Comment by Mr. Pink on 1/22 @ 7:16 pm #
My dad is a white construction worker and I feel very safe in saying for him “Go fuck yourself”.
Comment by Carin on 1/22 @ 7:18 pm #
Ayn Rand’s portryal in “Atlas Shrugged” of the do-gooders really was dead-on. Idiots.
Comment by The Sanity Inspector on 1/22 @ 7:18 pm #
For enough bailout money, I might be willing to take a federal job as a lookout for midwestern tsunamis. Hey, if it happened once, it could happen again.
Comment by parsnip on 1/22 @ 7:18 pm #
But, but…I thought Obama was going to govern to the right of W.
Comment by Carin on 1/22 @ 7:20 pm #
Snippy’s on the wrong blog again.
Comment by The Sanity Inspector on 1/22 @ 7:20 pm #
Someone should tell Mr. Reich “That’s what this newspaper is for.”
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 1/22 @ 7:20 pm #
That reminds me of the Calc I instructor a friend of mine had. When asked if he was planning to grade on a curve, he asked how many of the students were engineering majors. 70% or so raised their hands.
His response: “I drive on bridges and fly in airplanes all the time. There will be no curve.”
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 1/22 @ 7:21 pm #
Nipply? I see no Nipply here.
Comment by ccoffer on 1/22 @ 7:41 pm #
Post racial? No. Brakabama is officially the nation’s first exclusively racial President. Its all he is about. Its all his election was about. Its all his term in office will be about.
Comment by Guess Who on 1/22 @ 7:42 pm #
structures by ’snip
Comment by John Cheshire on 1/22 @ 7:45 pm #
I wonder how the media leftards would have reacted if it had been Rush, Hannity or Beck that had made that statement.
Comment by guinsPen on 1/22 @ 7:47 pm #
an earlier edifice
Comment by AKA Pablo on 1/22 @ 8:40 pm #
Mebbe we should have the Chinese do it.
Comment by Matt on 1/22 @ 8:49 pm #
Do white men still get their mortgages paid ? That’s really my concern right now.
Comment by N. O'Brain on 1/22 @ 9:03 pm #
Oh, good, you found it.
I’d just like to state for the record that Robert Reich is a malignant dwarf.
Comment by N. O'Brain on 1/22 @ 9:05 pm #
I think alfie fell into his own footprint.
At freefall speed.
Comment by thor on 1/22 @ 9:47 pm #
Probably the exact number as the quantity of right-tards who over-reacted to Reich’s statement.
Isn’t that what this narrative is about essentially? Darleen’s faux-outrage as revenge for some loon on the Left’s previous faux-outrage. It’s faux-outrage ping pong with no end.
Next Darleen is going to lay into Robert Reich for being a midget-hating midget, which means he’s no midget at all!
Comment by Don on 1/22 @ 9:58 pm #
Damn Blacks…
Get a fucking job and be someone other than a welfare case selling drugs while the white man pays your way.
Always wanting something for nothing!
What walks like a duck and quacks like a duke is a FUCKING duck my friends…
Comment by thor on 1/22 @ 10:03 pm #
Now that there is some non-faux-outrage, uhuh. It’s straight David Duke Republicanism.
Comment by dicentra on 1/22 @ 10:06 pm #
Thor, sweetie, don’t respond to the Moby. I know you can’t tell when it’s a fake, but those of us who speak the language as natives can always hear the accent.
Comment by Darleen on 1/22 @ 10:06 pm #
Oh goody… Don the Moby shows up to give cover to Obama’s racist advisor.
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 1/22 @ 10:12 pm #
Yo, Don:
Tell Axelrod that he’s paying you too much.
‘Hammered.
Comment by phil on 1/22 @ 10:14 pm #
dear Thor,
I can assure you that we’re not faux outraged.
Our new overlords think my taxpayer dollars should go to people based on the pigment of their skin regardless of experience. This would be bad enough already but those receiving my tax dollars will be building the bridges I drive on.
I guess this makes the democrats of racism and shifty bridges.
Comment by N. O'Brain on 1/22 @ 10:15 pm #
Comment by thor on 1/22 @ 10:03 pm #
That’s nice, hor, now go take your nice num-nums and have a nice long nap.
Comment by thor on 1/22 @ 10:15 pm #
Ah yes, I’ve a tin ear to the Mormon accent. My apologies to the David Duke Republicans.
Comment by soroslapdog on 1/22 @ 10:24 pm #
My apologies to the David Duke Demorats
Republicans.Who said it? Bill Moyers or David Duke?
Comment by Jeffersonian on 1/22 @ 10:26 pm #
Is the idea to improve actual infrastructure, or to pass out money?
Comment by N. O'Brain on 1/22 @ 10:27 pm #
Comment by thor on 1/22 @ 10:15 pm #
hor, your OCD is kicking in again.
Go take your mes, ‘mkay?
Comment by thor on 1/22 @ 10:28 pm #
Dear Phil,
Where did Reich utter a disregard for experience? If you want to rely on experience then I think we should outsource our bridges to engineers and architects from Spain or France. You have seen their work, have you not? Breathtaking! Artistically stunning!
Comment by Rick Ballard on 1/22 @ 10:50 pm #
“Is the idea to improve actual infrastructure, or to pass out money?”
If you really want money to move through the economy then handing it out to low skilled bums is good policy. If you can organize a crack dealer round-up just before each handout then brewers, distillers and convenience stores pick up a nice chunk of business. It also helps slumlords like Rezko and the Pritzker family. That’s the main way in which progs suck cash out of the serfs – jacking up rent, whether for apartments or for the bodegas which serve the wants of the permanent trash class.
Reich knows what he’s doing. There’s no faster way to fill a progs pocket than by giving money to bums.
Comment by Phil on 1/22 @ 11:37 pm #
Since you apparently did not bother to read the quote heading this thread (which was even bolded for you), I’ll repeat it for you:
Speaking of which, isn’t it a little disturbing that a former Labor secretary thinks most of the people he shared the room with in a committee hearing believe high-skilled people shouldn’t be building our bridges?
I’m sure among the fucking moron gene pool there are some nice guys and all, but I don’t want them anywhere near a McDonalds, let alone the construction crew of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Comment by Jorsh on 1/22 @ 11:46 pm #
Rick Ballard’s on to something. Death to landlords and the petit bourgeoisie, comrades!
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 1/22 @ 11:47 pm #
Anyone else suspect that josh/Jorsh is still being supported by his parents?
Comment by Darleen on 1/22 @ 11:58 pm #
Jorsh/josh/lef/Festivus/Smedley
does mommy know you’re up this late?
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 12:15 am #
Are you too stupid to realize that it’s easy to see you’re bending Reich’s context to suit your childishly partisan dogma? His obvious meaning is to parcel the monies to assorted qualified companies versus simply the largest few.
Obviously Mr. Reich’s was a poor choice of words. He should’a been more specific for the benefit of illiterate harpies.
Comment by Roland THTG on 1/23 @ 12:21 am #
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 12:15 am #
Obviously Mr. Reich’s was a poor choice of words. He should’a been more specific for the benefit of illiterate harpies.
Oh, he misspoke
Not so much changey there.
Comment by Roland THTG on 1/23 @ 12:24 am #
Cool, we get 4 years of:
“This is the operative statement. The others are inoperative.”
Comment by dicentra on 1/23 @ 12:26 am #
Ah yes, I’ve a tin ear to the Mormon accent. My apologies to the David Duke Republicans.
You’re so sweet! And so thick! The accent I was referring to was the conservative idea set, not the DDRs, whom we also consider to be abject luuuuzers.
Today on Medved, some dude called in and said that Medved was right about calling the MSM a fifth column, but it being Disagreement Day, he had to take Medved to task for not recognizing another fifth column: Mormons.
Yeah. We’re fixin’ to throw the city gates open wide for the Telosians. And then you’ll be sorry you mocked me, thor.
Comment by Phil on 1/23 @ 12:26 am #
My apologies, so when Reich stated he thinks federal stimulus dollars shouldn’t go to, and I’m quoting here, “high-skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers”, he actually meant to say federal stimulus dollars SHOULD only go to “highly skilled people who are already professionals, regardless of their skin color”.
Oy, I need a translator. And some Advil. And a rope. It’s going to be a LONG four years folks.
Comment by Darleen on 1/23 @ 12:41 am #
His obvious meaning is to parcel the monies to assorted qualified companies versus simply the largest few.
Walthor Mitty is not only the Master of Every profession and Traveler Extraordinare of the World and Ravager of Exotic Virgins but know he knows what Reich really and truly said even if Reich’s own words say different. Double Secret Meanings!
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 12:51 am #
Versus your knowing what Reich really and truly meant, eh?
Look, it’s Code Pink with a flag-Pins!
Comment by Darleen on 1/23 @ 1:06 am #
Criteria can be set so that the money does go to others, the long term unemployed minorities, women, people who are not necessarily construction workers or high-skilled professionals
No spin … Reich wants criteria set so stimulus money marked for infrastructure does NOT go to white males – either construction workers (because white male needs aren’t as important as others needs) or highly-skilled people.
“long term unemployed” vs “high-skilled professionals” is Reich’s own words.
This isn’t building infrastructure to get the best bridge built, because in building the best bridges is going with the best skilled. Period.
Racist/classist “criteria” is stupid.
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 2:39 am #
Weren’t you one of the those long-term unemployeds before you joined the union?
Your spin is dumb. Robert Reich isn’t dumb. Noam Chomsky isn’t dumb.
Comment by Cowboy on 1/23 @ 5:15 am #
Noam Chomsky?!
Look, over there, a bunny!!!!!!
Comment by SDN on 1/23 @ 5:21 am #
David Duke Republicans? Would those be the same Republicans who encouraged Louisianans to vote for the Democrat instead? See, we throw our Kleagles out of the party, we don’t elect them (repeatedly) to the Senate.
Comment by SDN on 1/23 @ 5:24 am #
Oh, and Don? You can redeem a coupon for one free *ss-whupping any time you want to put up an address. Racist f*ck.
Comment by Rusty on 1/23 @ 6:12 am #
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 2:39 am #
#43
Weren’t you one of the those long-term unemployeds before you joined the union?
Your spin is dumb. Robert Reich isn’t dumb. Noam Chomsky isn’t dumb.
The fees for my skills just went up.
Comment by Bob Reed on 1/23 @ 6:13 am #
There are currently a large percentage of set-asides when it comes to federal projects. Indeed, for some projects the percentage set aside reaches into the mid to high 40% range; especially in the DC metro area where I ised to live, and in the NYC area where I currently am…
I believe the argument that I would hear shrieked from the left would be a demand that the percentages match the demographic distribution in society. They already exceed that…
And by the way, if you check the demographics of the federal work force, exempting the military, you’ll also find a skewed demographic distribution; guess which group is favored..?
OUTRAGE!, WE NEED JUSTICE!, NO JUSTICE NO PEACE!
What Reich is proposing is discriminatory, biased, unfair, and a recipe for failure. I’m stunned by it as well, as I generally have some regard for the former labor secretary, although I disagree with him politically…
Critical infrastructure projuects such as bridges, dams, and tunnells require the best contractors and engineers available, as opposed to a sheltered or low bid pool. To do otherwise is a recipe for disaster…
Comment by B Moe on 1/23 @ 6:21 am #
Robert Reich isn’t dumb.
No, he is a fool.
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 6:25 am #
Are speaking of when he ran and lost in the Republican primary to the Republican candidate for governor?
Strange, most Republicans simply voted for other Republicans in the primary.
Comment by B Moe on 1/23 @ 6:34 am #
Not so strange, thor doesn’t seem to understand he is arguing against his prior post.
Comment by Rob Crawford on 1/23 @ 6:38 am #
Why do the words “Big Dig” come to mind?
Comment by Rob Crawford on 1/23 @ 6:43 am #
Consistency would mean he thinks. He doesn’t, so consistency is unnecessary.
Interesting thought: hor hasn’t stated disagreement with Reich, merely tried to inject nuance into a statement as baldly clear as I’ve ever read.
Comment by Bob Reed on 1/23 @ 6:45 am #
Rob,
I’d love to know about the percentage of set-asides for minority and disadvantaged businesses during that project…
Comment by B Moe on 1/23 @ 6:54 am #
Why do the words “Big Dig†come to mind?
Actually, I was thinking “Atlanta Olympics”.
Pingback by Instapundit » Blog Archive » ROBERT REICH: Racist? on 1/23 @ 6:55 am #
[...] ROBERT REICH: Racist? [...]
Comment by Eben on 1/23 @ 6:58 am #
Glad to see it’s business as usual in D.C.
Take money from me and give it to your pet projects/friends/family/lobbyists.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 6:59 am #
Gee Bob, what might be the basis for your general regard for Robert Reich? Dartmouth B.A., Rhodes Scholar, Oxford M.A., Yale Law J.D., author of eleven books, former Sect. of Labor of the United States, former Harvard prof, current prof at Cal-Berkeley – did it have something to do with his resume?
You musn’t have too much regard for the man if you’d so easily go along with the flag-pin-hicks from hooterville in taking his words out of context.
How about Noam Chomsky, Bob, do you believe him to be dumb?
Comment by Mossberg500 on 1/23 @ 7:03 am #
thor, does that mean they’re always right with their policy and opinions?
Comment by B Moe on 1/23 @ 7:03 am #
Gee Bob, what might be the basis for your general regard for Robert Reich? Dartmouth B.A., Rhodes Scholar, Oxford M.A., Yale Law J.D., author of eleven books, former Sect. of Labor of the United States, former Harvard prof, current prof at Cal-Berkeley – did it have something to do with his resume?
He is still a fool.
Comment by Mossberg500 on 1/23 @ 7:05 am #
thor, does that mean they’re always right with their polic
yies and opinions?Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 7:05 am #
“As baldly clear?”
Amusing word-grope.
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 7:13 am #
No it doesn’t, and I don’t usually agree with Messieurs Reich and/or Chomsky per their general politics but I don’t see how over-reaching using an out of context gotcha is worthy of either man.
I believe Sect. Reich knows labor law. Why should we pretend he doesn’t and do the faux-outrage crazy spins over something so silly as this?
Comment by Broadsword on 1/23 @ 7:35 am #
Trying to pick winners and losers in the economy gave us the housing crisis/debacle, where Fred and Fannie Buttocks chose homeownership based not on ability to pay, but nonsense criteria. Full disclosure, in my business, there is a 400% surcharge for people shorter than 5′ 1″. I have a sign, ‘You must be at least this tall not to be price-gouged.’ But so far, no one has paid the surcharge. I just don’t understand why they suddenly take their business elsewhere…
Comment by Joshman on 1/23 @ 7:42 am #
What is Reich’s actual job in the administration? Does he even have one? Why are we getting so upset over the words of someone who I regard as completely “out in the cold” in the Democratic party policy world?
Comment by R Brooks on 1/23 @ 7:44 am #
Reich is an intellectual (scientific) socialist. For him and for all the other intellectual (scientific) socialists in the Obama administration experienced professionals and white male construction workers and their families are the new Kulaks.
Comment by Joshman on 1/23 @ 7:46 am #
except he’s NOT “in the Obama administration”. Is he?
Comment by Clyde on 1/23 @ 7:54 am #
My suggestion is to take all these liberal cruds, round them up in one location and transform them into something useful. Like soap.
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 1/23 @ 7:56 am #
I see josh has resorted to the “keep changing your name so that people hear me screech” strategy.
Not gonna work, child.
Buh-bye.
Comment by AKA Pablo on 1/23 @ 7:56 am #
Reich was on the Transition Economic Advisory Board, which is not what I’d call “out in the cold.”. There was no administration for him to be in on Jan 7. I don’t see what you’re arguing here.
Comment by Joshman on 1/23 @ 8:20 am #
I’m arguing that no one listens to Robert Reich, who was too liberal for the Clinton administration already, and will have no role in policy in this one. He’s a straw man. I’m much more interested in arguing with the people who are in this government rather than wasting my time getting agitated about people who aren’t.
I do love the paranoid who thinks I’ve posted here before. I haven’t.
Comment by Joshman on 1/23 @ 8:22 am #
Oh Clyde, that’s charming. And Reich is Jewish too! How perfect.
Comment by Darleen on 1/23 @ 8:25 am #
Robert Reich is proof that having a lot of education does not correlate with a sound morality.
In 2007 he was advocating confiscatory taxes … a 50% marginal tax rate PLUS a yearly tax [rent to the government] on property.
He’s a classist as well as a racist.
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 1/23 @ 8:29 am #
Joshman/josh/Jorsh/lef/Festivus/Smedley: you can change your name and maybe even your IP address, but your idiocy is immutable.
Vita brevis, and I intend to spend as little of it as possible arguing with those who bring nothing but bad faith to the podium.
See ya.
Comment by AKA Pablo on 1/23 @ 8:29 am #
His appointment to Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board and his appearance before Congress (where he let this bit of idiocy loose) would seem to disprove that.
Comment by McGehee on 1/23 @ 8:33 am #
Just for Joshman/josh/Jorsh/lef/Festivus/Smedley’s edification, I TrollHammered Clyde before I TrollHammered Joshman/josh/Jorsh/lef/Festivus/Smedley’s latest incarnation.
Comment by Darleen on 1/23 @ 8:34 am #
Joshman
for someone “out in the cold” what was he doing testifying before Congress? What was he doing on Obama’s transition team?
Let Barry come out and say “This is not the Reich I knew”
I’m still waiting for Him to say that about Lowery.
Comment by Joshman on 1/23 @ 8:34 am #
Can you name the other 16 members of that board, which I don’t believe ever met in one place?
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 8:36 am #
As long as we’re slandering at will, maybe you’re simply being anti-Semitic and anti-Midget.
Comment by Joshman on 1/23 @ 8:43 am #
This thread is linked on Instapundit this morning, fercrissakes! I’ve never been here before! You people are insane though, I know that much. See ya later!
Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 1/23 @ 8:43 am #
I TrollHammered Clyde‘
Ditto.
Oh, and “Joshman”? Even if it were just an unfortunate similarity of names, your bad faith tactics show that you have no interest in honest debate.
Enjoy your five minute of attention from me. It’s all you’re going to get.
Comment by Darleen on 1/23 @ 8:47 am #
Walthor Mitty
Racism, including anti-Semitism, is collectivist. It says one particular trait or attribute of a group of individuals (ie melanin levels) dictates talent/morality/character across the whole group.
Criticizing an individual on his/her own spoken words is not [fill in blank]ism. I hold Reich to the same standard as any melanin-challenged who would say “regardless of talent, I don’t hire blacks – their needs are not as important as white peoples.”
not that your syphocant reactions to Reich/Chomsky or any other leftist statist would understand that.
Comment by AKA Pablo on 1/23 @ 8:48 am #
Reich can do that for you. You know, the Reich who was too liberal for Clinton, who decided to hide him at Treasury Secretary, where apparently no one would notice him. Reich, one of the Top 10 Best Cabinet Members according to Time. Reich, one of the top 10 Most Influential Business Thinkers according to WSJ. That Reich.
Comment by AKA Pablo on 1/23 @ 8:53 am #
Correction: Labor secretary.
Comment by J Bowen on 1/23 @ 8:58 am #
Of course Reich knows labor law, he has all those degrees!
Just like Geithner and Rangel know the tax laws.
Comment by Percy Dovetonsils on 1/23 @ 9:00 am #
“Actually, I was thinking ‘Atlanta Olympics.’”
Brother, wait until you see the graftathon clusterfuck that will be the Chicago Olympics.
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 9:02 am #
Taking a person’s words out of context in a too-obvious and vain effort to promote yourself is hackish and cheap.
You can disagree with Reich without acting in character of a right-wing retard.
He’s an expert in American labor laws. He’s not a racist. He holds differing views than you. Big Whooptee.
Comment by Carin on 1/23 @ 9:03 am #
his thread is linked on Instapundit this morning, fercrissakes! I’ve never been here before! You people are insane though, I know that much. See ya later!
Don’t go away angry, Josh … just, you know …
Comment by Bob Reed on 1/23 @ 9:18 am #
thor,
I do admire Reich for his academic standing and accomplishments as well as for his government service. Also, I know him to be a man who is unpretentious as well as un-hypocritical. I base these latter insights on several conversations I had with him on the DC metro when our paths crossed on a few occasions and I took the opportunity of speaking with him; yes, he didn’t avail himself of a limousine preferring the average man’s mode of transport unless necessary…
That said, I don’t agree with all of his political convictions nor all of his economic ideas; but as far as economics go I will defer to his greater knowledge in areas I am unfamiliar with, just as I assure you he would defer to me if the subject were aerodynamics, rocket propulsion, or some other esoteric aerospace engineering topic. Indeed, while being respectful, cordial, and polite, I voiced my disagreement on Clinton policy, enforced diversity, and PC speak in general. We discussed things as gentlemen; disagreeing, but not being harsh, ugly, or disagreeable. I value these few brief encounters with a gentleman and a scholar…
I respect him much as Reagan respected Tip O’Neil. We will never agree on everything, but he truly believes what he says, conducts himself with courtesy and aplomb, and perhaps most important, is no hypocrite…
All that said, I was taken aback when I heard his recent testimony; especially with Obama’s desire to be post-racial and all. I’ll wait until the ideas are fleshed out further before I pass any judgements, But I stand by what I said earlier. basic roadwork is one thing, but bridges, tunnels, and dams should be constructed by the most experienced engineers and contractors; those with track records of both quality achievements and meeting budgetary constraints…
And as far as Chomsky? I can’t really speak to that. I’ll defer to those with greater knowledge. I understand he has done groundbreaking work in the field of linguistics. And, that he is possibly at the other end of the political spectrum from my me. If that’s the case, I would, as always, admire his successes and contributions, while agreeing to disagree, without being disagreeable…
Best Wishes
Comment by wilky on 1/23 @ 9:26 am #
Thor, would an expert at any law advocate that the “criteria can be set so that the money does go to others, the long term unemployed minorities, women, people who are not necessarily construction workers or high-skilled professionals”? For infrastructure? Like bridges and tunnels? When something bad happens don’t you see a HUGE lawsuit waiting? And it won’t be just Reich paying, so will I since the government only gets its money from us.
Comment by BJTexs on 1/23 @ 9:28 am #
Google: It’s beautiful, maaaaaan!
Does anybody else (Carin?) recognize the transcendent irony to infinity of Mich. Gov. Jennifer Granholm place on that board? Unless, of course, her role is to be the metaphorical economic pinata for how not to manage an economy.
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 9:31 am #
Let it be said that in this day I forced an confession out of Bob Reed. Like my friend who was once a unapologetic ditto-head who found himself seated next to Lanny Davis in first class again and again who finally became convinced that Lanny Davis is a fine fellow and a first rate advocate that simply had a differing opinion. My friend renounced Rush!
Fine essay quality post, Bob. We do not have to make out those we disagree with as monsters and less thans.
Reich and Chomsky and Limbaugh (that ex-drug addicted, big, fat liar) are all decent and intelligent. Their differences are what makes for a colorful weave.
Comment by Carin on 1/23 @ 9:33 am #
But BJ, Michigan’s perfectly shitty economy is because of BUUUUSH. Jenny said so.
Comment by BJTexs on 1/23 @ 9:35 am #
LOL, Carin. Maybe BUUUUUSH should be on the panel to fulfill the function listed above!
Comment by Carin on 1/23 @ 9:39 am #
Fine essay quality post, Bob. We do not have to make out those we disagree with as monsters and less thans.
Thor, I’m sure many of those on the left are perfecly fine people. That is beside the point, because politics isn’t supposed to be personal. It is the left who mostly demonize those on the right. Bush is Satan. And, I’ve seen leftists call Republicans evil enough times to render me catatonic.
Reich and Chomsky and Limbaugh (that ex-drug addicted, big, fat liar) are all decent and intelligent. Their differences are what makes for a colorful weave
No, sorry, Chomsky is an asshole. It isn’t in what he says, it is in his actions. He is a prime example of the “do as I say, not as I do” types. He hates Capitalism, yet is a first rate Capitalist. He is all for high taxes, yet he sheilds HIS income in trusts.
Comment by Carin on 1/23 @ 9:48 am #
Before Jenny was elected my mother said “My brother knows someone who knows her and says she is the smartest woman he knows.
hee hee hee … yes, that has gotten a lot of milage in my house.
You guys hear about how Michigan’s unempolyment system is broke dick, as my husband would say? Here’s a look into our socialist future … this could be tomorrow’s healthcare!
But, you know, Jenny’s very concerned …
Comment by Obstreperous Infidel on 1/23 @ 9:50 am #
“As long as we’re slandering at will, maybe you’re simply being anti-Semitic and anti-Midget.”
You, of all people shouldn’t have a problem with slander.
“He’s an expert in American labor laws. He’s not a racist. He holds differing views than you. Big Whooptee.”
and this,
“Fine essay quality post, Bob. We do not have to make out those we disagree with as monsters and less thans.”
ButPaging hickbilly Sarah Plain. See, not that you care but this is where you shot yourself in the foot, the leg, the arm, the brain, the dick and the left knee, thor. It’s hard to take you seriously. Why’d Reich mention a color, though? He just mis-spoke, huh.
“
Comment by Obstreperous Infidel on 1/23 @ 9:51 am #
Shit! Paging hickbilly Sarah Palin!
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 9:53 am #
Chomsky follows the law, Carin. And if he’s given a decent wage then he’s entitled to it. If he lived in communist China he would follow the law there, I presume. You may think this and you think that, but you also have little knowledge of him other than your reactionary perceptions.
Noam Chomsky is a good American. America is a better country for his citizenship. He’s a true scholar and gentleman. His views can be politically extreme, but so fuckin’ what.
Comment by gone gulchin' on 1/23 @ 10:08 am #
Rangel’s response to Reich’s racist proposition was equally appalling. This coming from a Democrat, “the champions of the middle class”:
“RANGEL: And one thing you can depend on, you don’t have to be worried about what the middle-class is gonna do. Things are so bad. They have to put food on their tables. Clothes for their kids. Get them in school.”
These sound bites will make for some terrific campaign ads.
Comment by Carin on 1/23 @ 10:24 am #
And if he’s given a decent wage then he’s entitled to it. If he lived in communist China he would follow the law there, I presume. You may think this and you think that, but you also have little knowledge of him other than your reactionary perceptions.
I know what he advocates. I know that he, himself, doesn’t live the life he advocates.
Regardless, speaking of reactionary perceptions … (cough)Sarah Palin(cough).
Comment by Carin on 1/23 @ 10:26 am #
I’m going to start advocating that everyone car pools to work everday. Four people per car minimum. It will save money and our planet. CAR POOL PAROLES.
But, for me … well, I have places to go …
Comment by wumhenry on 1/23 @ 10:28 am #
#87: >>Taking a person’s words out of context in a too-obvious and vain effort to promote yourself is hackish and cheap.<<
So, thor, what else did Reich say in his testimony from which we can infer that what he meant by the quoted statement is something other than what it seems to mean on its face? I’m all ears.
Comment by bigbooner on 1/23 @ 10:53 am #
It sounds like Reich is proposing exactly what our financial institutions did that put us where we are right now. How’s that working out?
Comment by Bob Reed on 1/23 @ 11:11 am #
thor,
I too have had the pleasure of meeting Lanny Davis and Paul Begala, in casual settings around D.C.; they too were gentlemanly and a pleasure to talk to.
Carin is right, the political should never really be personal. That’s all part of what has created the rancor in our society today. A person’s beliefs don’t necessarily make them evil, only what they do. That’s not to say that a rhetorical devices, or argumentative tactics, that folks employ are not maddening at times…
For instance, my blood boiled during the campaign whenever I heard the very lame “100 years” reference to the Iraq occupation. Outside of being cheap and unrealistic, it was illogical since we still have troops in Germany, Japan, and Korea. But while I considered the device to be disingenuous, and the user to be a bit conniving for invoking it, I never would have considered them evil, but at worst operating with bad intent…
The founders intended us to argue our positions. But they never meant for them to divide us in an irreparable way. While the arguing is often fierce, we all have to get along when the discussion is done. The impersonal and anonymous nature of the internet lends itself to vitriol and invective. It’s up to us to avoid that and try to discuss the merits of ideas, instead of our human feelings about the person putting them forth…
And in all honesty, you must admit that there has been much more irrational hate and obstructionist behavior directed towards Bush. Perhaps it’s payback for Clinton, perhaps it’s electoral frustration; who know…
So, you didn’t have to twist my arm to admit that these fellows are OK people; I did so voluntarily. Hell, I’ve even told you the same is true for Obama; I don’t like his politics, but he seems like a guy I’d enjoy sharing a drink, a smoke, and some time with…
Some other time I’ll regail you with tales of others I’ve had the pleasure to meet and talk with, in DC and on the train moving up and down the northeast corridor. A few names, No B.S.; Jessica Simpson, Robert Toricelli, John Riggins, and…JOE BIDEN!…
Biden, by the way, is a riot; convivial, garrulous, and witty…A real piece of work!
Best Wishes
Comment by Rob Crawford on 1/23 @ 11:11 am #
It’s a tired old game (mainly because those who should never seem to learn from it), but imagine if the party and color had been reversed.
The interesting thing is, conservatives would have been among the loudest calling for the fellow’s head, while lefties would have been ignoring that in order to tar everyone to the right of the Clintons as Klansmen reborn. But in this case, the left treats it as if it’s nothing.
To which I say: Anyone who doesn’t think Reich should be hounded out of public life: Go Fuck Yourself.
Comment by Bob Reed on 1/23 @ 11:12 am #
Drat!
Formatting again…
I’ll have to stop tryin’ to be soo cool with the HTML (non)skillz
Comment by Rob Crawford on 1/23 @ 11:13 am #
Thor is incapable of believing you, Bob, because his own mind simply cannot work that way. He simply projects his own sad, pathetic hatreds and bigotries onto others, then savages them in order to “prove” he isn’t really a hate-filled piece of shit.
Comment by Carin on 1/23 @ 11:20 am #
At issue, is that me calling Chomsky an asshole is me being reactionarily partisan. Him calling Sarah Pallin a stupid hillybilly is ok, because it’s a fact.
And, around it goes.
Comment by Clyde on 1/23 @ 11:27 am #
I hear Chomsky and the Dwarf are both fighting over which of them will marry Barney Fag, uh, Frank. Shitsak Yomama probably won’t allow that, however, seeing as how he’s been throwing a wall eye on that fine manrump.
Comment by Bob Reed on 1/23 @ 11:28 am #
He broke me down…
It was a Perry Mason moment!
I still adore Palin; she’s a fine woman who I’d love to meet…
But alas, Alaska is far from NYC…
Comment by pat on 1/23 @ 11:28 am #
ifn i needs intrrpitive of commintary of fellars words i will ask thor. he is real smart alik.
Comment by James on 1/23 @ 1:09 pm #
Robert Reich is only 4′10″ by the way. A weird little gnome, he is.
Comment by Stu on 1/23 @ 1:34 pm #
isn heer nome chomkpsee i says wez ang um fruma tre an beet al is famly an burrn is baryn downp
Comment by Clyde on 1/23 @ 1:34 pm #
I might let him run between my legs and slap my balls, just so I could kick his ass for doing it.
Comment by ginsocal on 1/23 @ 3:16 pm #
Well, just looking at Reich, one can see he’s from the VERY shallowest end of the gene pool. As is Chomsky, though you have to listen to him or read his drivel to be certain. Personally, I want my bridges and mob museums to be designed and built by highly skilled professionals, not the guys hanging out in front of Home Depot. Mr. Reich (and his various fellators on this site) may feel differently.
Comment by thor on 1/23 @ 9:15 pm #
Looks like Larry Craig is trolling PW again.
Comment by whiskey on 1/23 @ 11:41 pm #
What this says is that GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HELP WHITE MEN. It’s simple.
Obama and Dems want to EXCLUDE White men from any help, at all, in the bailout goodies. Particularly working class White men.
Goodies: Blacks, Hispanics, Gays, women, elite-connected White men.
Discriminated Against: White men, particularly engineers and working class White men.
Sustainable in good times, not in bad. If you are a White Men, Government exists ONLY to take your money and NEVER to help you. You are the wrong skin color and your Black President hates you.
Reps ought to make this argument and cite Reich’s own words all the time: Government is useless for White men — it only takes their money and NEVER does anything to help them. Their skin color makes them forbidden.
Comment by Rusty on 1/24 @ 6:52 am #
What WIll Dear Leader’s accolades come up with next?
Set them to raising a huge edifice, “O”, rising up to the sky!
What utter shit.