Displaying 0 To 0 Of 0 Comments Boehner’s Crying Game on The Budget Showdown With you on that, agrippa. We probably need this threat to come to fruition if we want a good shot at taking back power from these nut jobs in 2014. IMO, it’s worth it to suffer short term pain for long term gains. » Posted By AdLib On September 20, 2013 @ 2:11 pm CL, the problem is that I don’t know if Boehner has one good bone left in his body and if he does, it surely isn’t a spine. » Posted By AdLib On September 20, 2013 @ 9:41 am Cheers, CL! A leopard can’t change its spots and a Boehner can’t change the orange streak of cowardice Coppertoned down his back. He is a weak, spineless man who would only abandon the Hastert rule out of fear and desperation, never out of courage. Boehner knows the reality of his position, he is not in control of anything, he is a powerless figurehead who commands no respect or influence over his party…possibly the worst Speaker in U.S. history (I don’t know Speakers that well far into the past but I can confidently say that in recent history, there has never been such a failure as a Speaker). If a shutdown or debt default occurs, I think it will ultimately be for the best. I think it could ensure a Dem takeover of the House and a retention of The Senate. And could you imagine how a sane House under Dem control after this period of insanity could influence a generation to never put Repubs in power in the foreseeable future? Granted, we would still have a filibuster issue in The Senate but if ever there would be a time for real filibuster reform, it would be when Obama has two years left in his last term with a Dem controlled House. I know that the Repub establishment still believes they can stop the Baggers from following through on this insanity, maybe they’re right and if so, the Repubs might retain control in The House in 2014. But the Baggers are so whipped up now, that’s not a sure thing, they could hold out because they fear a Bagger backlash that could get them primaried and to them, getting re-eected is more important than destroying the American economy. So, we’ll see what unfolds but I do remain hopeful that they overplay their hand, shutting down the government briefly (they won’t be able to sustain it) and dooming themselves and the GOP in 2014 and beyond. » Posted By AdLib On September 19, 2013 @ 9:38 am Kes, thanks so much! I don’t know with any certainty whether the Baggers will succeed in holding out for a government shutdown or debt default but since even top Repubs have assigned responsibility to them and the GOP for any shutdown or economic disaster that they cause, their wishful thinking that Obama could be blamed for it is a waste of time. The GOP is already in the midst of the civil war many saw coming and the aftermath of this budget/debt ceiling extortion attempt can only end in greater internal resentments and polarization. All of us, including the cynical con men Cruz, Lee and Paul, know that there is no way on Earth that the Senate or Obama will agree to the Baggers extortion. So what happens next? Either the Baggers blow up the economy and turn the other half of the GOP and the majority of Americans strongly against them or the GOP Establishment prevails on stopping them…whipping up greater anger and resentment in Baggers against the GOP and a more inflamed civil war in their party. There is no way that the GOP comes out of this period escaping serious damage. Boehner is mortally wounded, McConnell is, Cruz will be along with Lee and Paul and the GOP itself will be trashed. I can tell you that I am really looking forward to the 2016 GOP Primary because that could be the last nail in the GOP coffin, as frustrated Baggers savage the GOP Establishment and vice versa, I can see that party savagely tearing itself apart in full view of the public. And like many other Progressives, I will be relaxing on my couch with a big bowl of popcorn enjoying that reality show. » Posted By AdLib On September 19, 2013 @ 9:25 am I saw another piece on this as well on Maddow and it is just amazing how Cruz and his ilk have become such obvious con men, robbing the mindless haters on the right of their money in a cynical ploy to enrich themselves. It’s kind of funny, they are preying on the very people they are warning about being preyed upon by Obama and the Dems! It’s like a slaughterhouse warning cows about the dangers the outside world poses to them while churning out sides of beef. Hey, if anyone deserves to be ripped off and have their money taken away, it’s the racists and haters out there who are so easily manipulated by con men like Cruz who appeal to their basest instincts. » Posted By AdLib On September 19, 2013 @ 9:12 am KT, I would have to say that using extortion that threatens to destroy America’s economy and the lives of tens of millions of Americans is about the worst anyone could be who’s a politician. Agreed, the Putin love fest really exposed how hollow and hateful the Repubs are. They would embrace a tyrant and murderer as long as he dislikes Obama like they do. How just plain evil does that make them? That is one of the things I found so amusing about this, the Repubs demonized Obama as a “commie” yet they held up Putin as glorious even though he is an actual communist (at least historically). But is anyone ever surprised anymore at the hypocrisy of the GOP? I think people would be more surprised by Repubs who show any consistency. I think that if they shut down government or defaiult on the debt, that will be the low mark as well as the final straw for the GOPTP. It may not happen but as I keep saying, if it did, we may suffer for a short while but we would be rid of them in 2014 and possibly far longer than that. » Posted By AdLib On September 19, 2013 @ 9:05 am Hey Kes, the URL was missing the http stuff at the beginning, it’s working now! And what a great article! Thanks! » Posted By AdLib On September 18, 2013 @ 7:29 pm KT, add to all of this the class warfare that has heated up from the GOP side, the renewed verbal and legislative assaults on the poor, the decoupling of SNAP from the Farm Bill, the massive slashing of SNAP they are proposing along with big cuts in Head Start and all social programs. Yet you call them on it and they of course accuse you of declaring class warfare. All of this is toxifying the GOP so that only the most prejudiced, hateful and/or ignorant white people will remain party members and if they shutdown the government or default on our debt, their party will become radioactive. So maybe the best thing for the nation is for the GOP to do their worst. » Posted By AdLib On September 18, 2013 @ 5:53 pm So true, agrippa. He tries to look like a leader but he has to keep looking over his shoulder to see which direction they’re marching then rushes over in front of them to look like he’s leading them. He really is a total sham as a leader, a total failure. » Posted By AdLib On September 18, 2013 @ 11:43 am Thanks, Funk. Your thoughts over KQuark are very appreciated. » Posted By AdLib On September 30, 2013 @ 10:04 am Nirek, in a time of growing pettiness and irrationality, it is pretty special to have had KQuark and Bito as inspirations here. Both exemplified the kind of humanity, reason and humor that all of us aspire to. We were lucky to have known them and to have shared with them all the conversations, debates and joking around we did. Their integrity will always remain as part of this community. » Posted By AdLib On September 20, 2013 @ 9:39 am Sorry for the delay in replying, empi. It has made it less difficult to work through this by having the chance to share memories and feelings with others who knew and cared a lot for KQuark. Glad you were here, hope to see you here again soon. » Posted By AdLib On September 20, 2013 @ 9:34 am Thanks for that, empi. » Posted By AdLib On September 18, 2013 @ 3:57 pm AB, really appreciate your philosophical wisdom on this. You’ve proven how a tragic loss can lead one to truly remarkable expressions of compassion. I agree, it takes time to heal from such a loss and nature does abhor a vacuum so eventually, we can find a way to help fill the space that’s left empty but we never forget the one who left it. » Posted By AdLib On September 18, 2013 @ 3:55 pm Really appreciate your kind words, agrippa. KQuark was also more patient than I was with HP trolls though I did enjoy those occassions when he’d had enough and took them down. He did tire of all that unnecessary and manipulative conflict though, which is why he, Kalima and I came together to found The Planet as a haven for thoughtful conversations and debate. » Posted By AdLib On September 18, 2013 @ 11:49 am Kes, I was thinking the same thing, those who genuinely speak out against injustices and for humanity do so because they are compelled to by conscience, not because of the attention it may bring them. Knowing KQuark, I am confident he wouldn’t have been aware of how strongly people came to feel about him, that wasn’t why he was doing any of this. It’s rare to see such examples of courage and humility nowadays but it is inspiring. » Posted By AdLib On September 17, 2013 @ 11:34 pm Very cool, Murph, great to hear. » Posted By AdLib On September 17, 2013 @ 11:27 pm Bito was among the earliest Planeteers and after being such a passionate and prolific blogger-of-conscience here, he came on board as an Admin. He came up with the idea for and hosted our Time Out for Off Topic page which quickly became the hang out for Planeteers to chat about anything and everything. Bito then turned his focus to our Twitter presence and skillfully built it up and forged relationships with other Progressive sites and bloggers. And he was a great friend to many here, just as KQuark was. They had a good deal in common in many ways, they were each very singular and selfless. That’s just a thumbnail that can’t do justice to everything Bito meant to us and The Planet, Kalima’s link to the remembrance post for Bito is probably the best way to learn about who he was. It’s difficult to lose Bito and KQuark in the same year. I do feel so fortunate though to have shared so much with them. They are and always will be hugely missed… » Posted By AdLib On September 17, 2013 @ 11:25 pm Empi, I do think that KQuark made a very conscious decision to make the most of the time he had and he really did. That should be a lesson well learned by those who knew him, he never gave up and he kept caring and investing himself in making a difference. This does make me think more about valuing each day as much as possible and the great people we’re lucky enough to be connected to. » Posted By AdLib On September 17, 2013 @ 11:08 pm Empi, thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts about KQuark. This is a profound loss for many though sending our best thoughts to his lovely wife. » Posted By AdLib On September 17, 2013 @ 11:02 pm Thanks so much for the kind and thoughtful words, GirlOutWest. We will always have their words and perspectives on life and the world, thanks to all they wrote. They have left a bit of themselves here so I agree, they will always be around in a way. » Posted By AdLib On September 17, 2013 @ 2:07 pm beowoof, nice to see you and thanks for sharing such kind words and sentiments. HP is where I first met KQuark as well, his brand of moral conviction with logic and facts to back it up was what made him stand out for me. He was dealing with a great deal of pain and difficulty, I’m thankful that’s over for him but of course he is greatly missed. If he was here, I think KQuark would reply that it is you and the other members that are here on The Planet that make it what it is. Not being as humble about him as he was, I’d say that the smart and reasoned tone that KQuark set here, along with our invaluable co-founder, Kalima, had a lot to do with starting The Planet in the right orbit. And in that way and with the collection of his works that will always reside here, he’ll always have a presence here as far as I’m concerned. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 10:40 pm Khirad, nice to see you though I regret as well that it’s under such circumstances. KQuark was so humble, he probably didn’t know how much he meant to so many people. Maybe, as Haruko said, he, Bito and Hume are all having an ice cream together after a heated debate and if so, I hope they have wifi and an iPad so KQuark can see all the comments here and all the people just at The Planet who cared about him. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 10:30 pm Haruko, all this time and I didn’t know where his avatar came from. Thank you so much for sharing this, really appreciate it. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 10:16 pm Thank you for your heartfelt words, Nirek, they mean and say so much. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 10:12 pm Kind words indeed, foodchain, thank you. KQuark was a man of real character and he genuinely cared about people. That seems self-evident now. His words and actions do live on through others, what more could one hope for? » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 10:06 pm I know how you feel, CL. We move on because we must but we bring KQuark and Bito with us. Their thoughts, passions, opinions and sense of humor will always be a part of The Planet and a part of us. Kalima and I will be around for a very long time, there is no better place to be than on The Planet with such wonderful people. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 10:01 pm Murph, I think it is a real tribute to KQuark if he is an inspiration to you when you’re Navigating people into the ACA healthcare plan he campaigned so hard for. Like everyone I know here at The Planet, KQuark walked the walk when it came to standing by his principles, respecting and valuing humanity and having an allegiance to conscience. His mix of intellectualism, curiosity, ethics and humor was truly unique. The many recollections of him here testify to what a special man that made him and how he affected so many. Always missed, never forgotten. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 9:50 pm Sally, so sweet of you, I’m toasting you back! Losing someone close to many of us does refocus one on making sure everyone here does know how much they’re appreciated and valued. Sending this out to all our members but also saying thanks to you Sally for all you contribute here. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 5:26 pm Murph, PlanetPOV was founded by KQuark, Kalima and me. » Posted By AdLib On September 16, 2013 @ 4:13 pmComments Posted By AdLib
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