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Comments Posted By whatsthatsound

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Weekend Music Thread – Summertime

Janis, Summertime

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 6, 2011 @ 2:51 pm

Shovel-ready in a Sagging Economy

You’re right! I forgot about that. 😉

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 4, 2011 @ 12:44 am

Great piece, Em! Thanks for writing it! As I have pointed out before, Japan’s public debt “crisis” is WAY beyond that of the U.S. (which has a debt to GDP ratio below France, Germany, Italy, etc. as well). And Japan builds bridges, schools, etc.

It’s almost a parallel reality from the U.S., because Japan OVERbuilds, and that contributes in no small way to our bloated debt problem (biggest debt to GDP ratio in the world). Japan, because it has so many natural disasters, and the man-made disaster of WWII, continually has to rebuild itself. This has resulted in the construction industry being this nation’s biggest pork barrel. It’s a major problem, but what we don’t have here are the potholes. We DO have “bridges to nowhere” though.

Why can’t governments get things right? Strike a balance between what’s REALLY needed and the public funding it costs to build and maintain that.
Maybe we in Japan could send all those construction companies over to the States, so they could work on more projects that really need doing!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 3, 2011 @ 2:40 pm

The Deal That Says “Splunge!”

I hear you on that, AD. Actually, in all particulars, I am less than enamored of the deal. It was a manufactured crisis. If you want to talk about a country that needs to do something about its debt, look to Japan. Japan’s debt to GDP ratio is 225%, FOUR TIMES the U.S.’s. There was no crisis. So, so long as any deal needed to be made, the president should have insisted upon tax increases on the uber-rich and filthy rich corporations, or at the least ending loopholes.

On the other hand, the cuts are more smoke and mirrors than the rabid progressive side is willing to acknowledge either. It’s a “Splunge” deal that never needed to be made. But if it exposes the Tea Baggers in the House for the frauds and maniacs they are, it is a good thing.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 7:35 pm

Ha! I’m afraid you’re reading too much into my innocent statement, but I like it! Let’s imagine! It just might resemble something like that pic up there…..(ouchhh….)

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 3:13 pm

Thanks, KT. Much appreciated.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 2:34 pm

I totally agree with your last point, but I also think the Tea Party may have overplayed their hand as regards the GOP establishment. They burned some bridges and pissed some folks in their own party off, and this will come back to haunt them.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 5:29 am

I am splungily humbled!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 1, 2011 @ 10:39 pm

Thanks, Patsy!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 1, 2011 @ 10:37 pm

here’s the clip (and thanks to Adlib for posting it earlier!)


» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 1, 2011 @ 9:52 pm

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

hey, great point!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 2:39 pm

Great story, jkk. Thanks for sharing Matt with us!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 2:39 pm

NIcely stated, sir! I agree and feel the same way.
If any of us is ever in a traffic accident and our life depends on the quick and skillful work of a doctor, we are not going to care if the doctor is a Muslim, an atheist, a homosexual, a porn addict, a Republican (gasp!) or any other thing we might personally have a distaste for. In that moment, that person, who perhaps in another circumstance we would only want to argue with, becomes the most important human being in the world to us.

You never know WHO might save your life someday. So respect all.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 6:18 am

Outrage Manufacturing, Inc.

Adlib, there is no need for me to personally email you. I have made my points and it is abundantly clear that you see nothing of value in them. So be it. It happens.

You make an awful lot of assumptions, though. I’m curious as to where in my comments you read that I am for giving special consideration to critics of the president.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 6, 2011 @ 8:03 pm

funky, I really appreciate that. Thank you.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 6, 2011 @ 5:52 pm

To whomever is thumbing down all these comments of mine on this thread, thank you for your contribution to this exchange. I am sure you are also aware that the Planet makes it possible for you to add your thoughts, arguments, etc., and more articulately explain just exactly what it is about them that you take issue with. That’s what the “Reply” button is for, very close to the thumbs down button.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 6, 2011 @ 5:32 pm

AL, I read the whole thread, several times in fact. I continue to believe that the poster’s comments were overreacted to.

“And if you want to see why I believe any remaining Obama supporter is deluded, set two hours aside and watch” is a comment that, according to an admin “came this close” to being removed?

The comment may come across as obnoxious and overbearing, but insulting? A personal attack? I disagree.

I don’t mind being in the minority on this point, but I maintain my pov that episodes like this, collectively, could have the effect of dissuading posters here from making comments that run counter to the “general slant” of this site. I love this site and would not like to see that happen, but the fact is that idea has been voiced several times by critics of the president who, although they could be more tactful, are not hurling insults around to members, only the president himself. Which, of course, is allowed.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 6, 2011 @ 3:14 pm

I understand and completely agree, Adlib. But there is still a certain gray area that needs to be considered, I feel. In a poster’s comment below, a general comment about Obama supporters is made. No specific member of this site is mentioned, and yet it is treated as an insult by other members. But really, was it that bad? The poster has a right to express an opinion about Obama supporters in general, and the metaphor of a flounder merely serves to make the point that he feels they are biased in their thinking. People reading this may FEEL insulted by such an attitude, but that is not really the same thing as actually BEING insulted. I fail to see any difference between that and the continual assertions that critics of the president don’t read enough, are purists, rant, didn’t get a pony, etc. etc. It is well known that there are critics of the president here; people who are not happy with his policies, and yet these “insults” not only continue, they are expressed by the administrators, such as yourself.
Look, I understand. It’s a coincidence that the administrators of this site are, to a one, dedicated, committed, staunchly loyal supporters of this president. This, I feel, is admirable. But that fact, which is coincidental, nevertheless leaves open the possibility that a certain slant will appear in terms of what is, and what isn’t, considered insulting (and also puts Obama supporters in the position of being able to decide what comments stay and what go. I commend you for your fair mindedness with this task, and hope that you will continue to make all efforts to keep personal bias out of the equation when engaged in it) . This is what I am trying to convey, as I feel that tinge of slant has been the case in rare circumstances.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 6, 2011 @ 1:25 am

I hope the flounder had a similarly kind grandfather to treat him to some seaweed sherbet or something like that.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 5, 2011 @ 6:33 pm

I think they are just as weighty in a more subtle way. We have a very corrupt system of government that coddles the rich and disenfranchises the poor. It is no coincidence that major corporations are rolling about in cash right now, while unemployment rises. This is a DIRECT result of laws that have been passed and dereliction of duty by “public servants”.

As Chomsky points out in the article I linked to on TOOT, the people care about JOBS, it’s only the financial industry to whom deficits is the great crisis of the day. But they push that (which of course means gutting federal programs, perish the thought that they should contribute more). We Da People are being woefully under-represented by the officials we elect.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 5, 2011 @ 6:26 pm

yikes, give me a flounder any day!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 5, 2011 @ 6:08 pm

Em, that happens to everybody.

No wait, it doesn’t.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 5, 2011 @ 5:53 pm

Your wish is my command, Tex. See how magnanimous I can be? 🙂

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 5, 2011 @ 5:49 pm

Em, There IS a way to stop them! If you donate a hunred bucks to me, or heck, even five or ten, I’ll be able to get the word out about just how much they suck!

I know exactly what to do! I just need your cash to make it happen!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 5, 2011 @ 5:41 pm

I think there is a fair amount of mischaracterization happening on both sides. It is natural that one would feel demeaned when referred to as a flounder (those unlovely fish – great eating though), but it is no less so when one is compared to children who didn’t get their pony, whiny ranters, etc.

There are very valid and legitimate grounds for criticism of both the Democratic Party and the president. Just as there are valid arguments for the efficacy of Obama’s go-slow and achieve long term results approach.

We have intelligent posters here who are able to provide facts, resources and articles that present both perspectives well and professionally. So long as this site continues to be a forum where critics and fans of the president converge to express their views, and the viewpoints of those they admire, I think it would behoove us all to be willing to slip on the other side’s moccasins.

At least until they start to stink too much.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 5, 2011 @ 5:17 pm

Marion, would you provide some links for this? You have written that it was Reid who stopped Obama from ending the Bush tax cuts as well. And now this assertion. I have no particular love for Reid, but I would greatly appreciate learning where you are getting all this from.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 2, 2011 @ 5:39 am

Hee hee! She thanks you!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 1, 2011 @ 9:56 pm

Happy to disagree with you on this, Cap’n. We often don’t line up on things, but I always respect you and your opinions, and am grateful to have that reciprocated.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 1, 2011 @ 7:54 pm

THAT’S the clip!

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 1, 2011 @ 7:48 pm

disagree. The tweet, “I can’t believe she chose this vote to make her comeback” is not an attack. It is voicing displeasure, particularly with the deal more so than Rep. Giffords.

Given the circumstances, it is tasteless, but it is not anywhere near the level of what the other putz added on to it.

» Posted By whatsthatsound On August 1, 2011 @ 7:44 pm