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Comments Posted By MurphTheSurf3

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Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Romney’s Debate Bounce

That’s what I think as well. I wrote “For the Media, all media, stories are generally not valued for their truth- they are valued for the attention they garner. That attention is the key to their bottom line. The big story is the Presidential Race and the more conflict, the closer the contest, the more clicks, the more listeners/viewers, and the bigger the profits.” Perhaps I was not clear enough?

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 10, 2012 @ 6:25 pm

Ad Lib – Starting with your great article and then based on our conversation, here is the article I wrote for HP….Just posted. Spreading Planetary Wisdom to other Solar Systems.
=====================================================

I WONDER IF THE MEDIA WILL ACTUALLY EVALUATE THE BIDEN-RYAN “DEBATE” AS A DEBATE AND NOT JUST AS EFFECTIVE DRAMA
As they did for the Obama-Romney “Debate” Last Week

For the Media, all media, stories are generally not valued for their truth- they are valued for the attention they garner. That attention is the key to their bottom line. The big story is the Presidential Race and the more conflict, the closer the contest, the more clicks, the more listeners/viewers, and the bigger the profits. Thus the media takes a story like last week’s debate and replays it because it was so unexpected and thus exciting.

For the same reason, they have NOT done as you suggest, apply the rules of debating to the REAL OUTCOME because that would have awarded the victory to Obama.

I was a debater in high school and college. The number of times when the duller, less animated, less audience pleasing team won far outnumbered the pyrotechnical crowd pleasers.

WHY? As Joe Friday used to say: “Just the facts.”

A debate is a method of interactive and persuasive argument. A Well Developed Thesis, Logical Consistency, Factual Accuracy and Reasonable Emotional Appeal to the Audience are, in that order of importance, the principal elements of the art of persuasion. Points were awarded for each category with emotional appeal getting the fewest points.

FACT CHECKER RESULTS SHOULD BE THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH THE DEBATE VERDICT IS BASED….and then that should be played up.

While Mr. Romney won the day last week for emotional appeal, he failed miserably in the areas of thesis development, logical consistency and factual accuracy. As a result, it is clear that the night was won by the President.
I want debater Biden and debater Ryan judged as an honest representatives of policy and a truth tellers not as an actors delivering his lines effectively.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 10, 2012 @ 6:23 pm

Of course, I am still nervous as hell and wearing a track in the carpet from worried pacing.

(You knew that did you not?)

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 10, 2012 @ 11:37 am

Ad Lib…..great thinking here.

My mantra the past few days is borrowed from you:

For the Media, all media, stories are generally not valued for their truth- they are valued for the attention they garner. That attention is the key to their bottom line. The big story is the Presidential Race and the more conflict, the closer the contest, the more clicks, the more listeners/viewers, and the bigger the profits.

Thus the media takes a story like the debate and replays it because it was so unexpected and thus exciting. For the same reason, they have NOT done as you suggest, apply the rules of debating to the REAL OUTCOME.

I was a debater in high school and college. The number of times when the duller, less animated, less audience pleasing team won far outnumbered the pyrotechnical crowd pleasers. WHY? As Joe Friday used to say: “Just the facts.”

FACT CHECKER RESULTS SHOULD BE THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH THE DEBATE VERDICT IS BASED….and then that should be played up.

Here is the line that we should have heard from real news people.

“A lackluster presentation by President Barack Obama, especially when compared with the energetic and confident performance of Governor Mitt Romney, has left many Obama supporters stunned. But that reaction misses the point. A debate is a method of interactive and persuasive argument. Logical consistency, factual accuracy and some degree of emotional appeal to the audience are, in that order, the principal elements of the art of persuasion. While Mr. Romney won the day for emotional appeal, he failed miserable in the areas of logical consistency and factual accuracy. As a result, it is clear that the night was won by the President……” And then they should have provided samples from the night in the way of illustration.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 10, 2012 @ 11:35 am

What if Michelle had said it? “I am concerned about Barack’s Emotional Stability.”

Replayed in endless loops…the left is constitutionally incapable of going for the jugular.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 5, 2012 @ 6:20 pm

agrippa- that comment was supposed to be for you….the addling of my brain continues.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 5, 2012 @ 6:19 pm

Nirek…a lesson made more obvious by the events of this week. A chameleon cipher seeking to appeal to the uninformed…..the so called independents.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 5, 2012 @ 6:18 pm

http://articles.latimes.com/2002/feb/20/news/mn-28924

Study Finds Utah Leads Nation in Antidepressant Use
The Nation

Medicine: Some point to the pressures of Mormonism, especially for women, to explain the surprising findings.

February 20, 2002|JULIE CART | TIMES STAFF WRITER

SALT LAKE CITY — Doctors here have for years talked about the widespread use of antidepressants in the state. But there was no hard evidence until a national study that tracked drug prescriptions came to an unexpected conclusion:

Antidepressant drugs are prescribed in Utah more often than in any other state, at a rate nearly twice the national average.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 1, 2012 @ 6:14 am

I watched the entire Ryan/Fox interview last night. The ducking, weaving and bobbing being done by Ryan reflects badly on Romney as someone who either cannot be nailed down or chooses not to be.

pretentious, condescending and even hostile

Three very descriptive words that help me understand this Romney/Ryan strategy –

pretentious- Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed. ACTING PRESIDENTIAL WITHOUT BEING PRESIDENTIAL.

condescending- Acting in a way that betrays a feeling of patronizing superiority. THE CULTURE OF THOSE BORN, RAISED AND AT HOME AMONG THE ELITE.

hostile- Unfriendly; antagonistic. FAKED LAUGHTER, USE OF THE “MY FRIENDS” MEME WITH CROWDS WHO ARE NOT HIS FRIENDS, DOES NOT HIDE THE TRUTH WHEN HE APPEARS IN FRONT OF CROWDS (WHICH HE RARELY DOES).

How does he avoid making this obvious on Wednesday?

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 1, 2012 @ 6:09 am

I think I related the experience of a friend from Va. who told me that the crowd reaction at Romney events are feeling as forced as Romney seems to be. Had another conversation last night from the same source (a reporter) who filled in the story a bit more. The spaces are now being “assembled” as people arrive so there are very few empty seats; warm up acts precede the candidates providing “excited crowd 101” tutorials to those who come and providing crowds with helpful hints re. when and what kind of cheering is most helpful.

Wandering in the crowds it is clear that few are “for” Romney and that the enthusiasm around “being against” Obama is waning.

Also noteworthy: the facial and body language from both Romney and Ryan when they are not purposely interacting with each other displays the tensions that exist.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On October 1, 2012 @ 5:58 am

I think you are correct. I spoke with a friend who was at a Mitt Rally on Friday in PA yesterday. He said that there is so much talk before, during and after about how odd Mitt is that crowds are being given little peopl talks about understanding that Mitt is unconventional and not into the political games that others are. The applause is forced and the audience needed cuing to come in at the right time.

It is interesting that the class war Romney and the GOP accused the Dems, and particularly Obama, of starting may indeed be in the offing….only it is Romney and Ryan who have provided the lens through which it appears more and more people are viewing the war that is being waged by the mega wealthy against those below them on the economic pyramid- most of us.

That realization is opening eyes. Fast enough? Wide enough? Don’t know but if the President earns a 2nd term, a stronger Dem Senate, and a Dem House then we know enlightenment has visited the voter. Of course there are degrees of enlightenment and I will still be pleased with several combinations of electoral results.

I am aware of how many commercials have disappeared from the Romney arsenal- they were not working. It is not clear what is.

Now we have to keep our folks motivated and committed to bring out the Democratic vote.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On September 29, 2012 @ 8:31 pm

Spot on Greta…spot on….

I am a little stunned that the comment has not gotten more coverage than it has. Why? Well, first the folks on the left just are not that aggressive…we have no FOX (and what we do have is- to their credit- very loyal to its principles of journalistic integrity-)….the result is that messages like this one can get lost (not hard enough news – but this one might be far more important than a policy speech- is the guy unable to deal with pressure?).

With you on this all the way.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On September 29, 2012 @ 5:07 pm

CAE…..first time I saw the term and it really works.

Look at how he manages the crowds during rallies. Look at how he works with reporters. Look how he works a crowd.

Self-assured, calm, cool….and concerned, engaged and interactive….he is a natural (except of course we know he is actually inclined to be strong introvert who is drawn to the role of policy wonk)….makes this all that much more impressive.

Your point about Clinton- I don’t think Bill listened enough – age has quieted him and made him not just smart but wise.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On September 29, 2012 @ 5:01 pm

Ok do you want the standard, deluxe, or supreme treatment….of course there is an additional surcharge for each- most of which we will stiff you on.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On September 29, 2012 @ 4:52 pm

I spoke with a psychiatric nurse this afternoon. I sent her a list to my post here and over at HP. She called to tell me that she and a number of her colleagues think that Mitt is on some meds, and at times more than others. She pointed to the time in the last couple of days when Mitt was passing out jerky in the plane. Her quote- “he seemed stoned- not just tired, but really out of it.” Being a LDS, meds would be a rarity and their effect can be significant.

Just another twist. She also said that his very relaxed campaign schedule is a sure sign of nervous exhaustion and that Ann may have said what her conscience urged her to say. It is a very serious warning.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On September 29, 2012 @ 4:50 pm

EXCLUSIVE: New Video Clip From Romney Fundraiser!

You are just too evil- in a really good sort of way.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On September 18, 2012 @ 5:30 pm

With GOPTEA Congress Broken Fed to the Rescue

Bernanke and His Committee Take a New Course

Michael Woodford, a preeminent monetary theorist at Columbia University, has argued that more quantitative easing was likely to be ineffective — because Bernanke is acting too sporadically. What was needed, he said, was for the Fed to have an extended program of purchases tied to economic performance (watching inflation and unemployment primarily with GDP secondarily). This would shift expectations and bolster confidence about the future course of the economy.

AND THAT IS WHAT THE FED DID.

IN QE3…

First, the Fed will keep short-term interest rates low until mid-2015.
Second, the central bank will buy up $85 billion worth of assets each month between now and the end of the year.
But, unlike QE1 or QE2, this new round of purchases will be more open-ended.

AND….THE FED HAS COMMITTED TO A VERY AGGRESSIVE POLICY IN THE FUTURE:
“If the outlook for the labor market does not improve substantially, the Committee will continue its purchases of agency mortgage-backed securities, undertake additional asset purchases, and employ its other policy tools as appropriate until such improvement is achieved.”
SO….The Fed is pumping equity back into the economy – something the record setting, profit makers and the banks should be doing but are not. I also think the timing reflects a belief by most of the Fed Board members that the current administration is the one they want to work with. A two month delay would not have mattered. Doing ti now is a big statement and the conservative backers are not happy. That in itself is a good sign.

BUT….THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED:

A) Short term…The uncertainty that still surrounds health care, tax policy, debt management ALL await the election. Reelecting Obama is fine, but he needs a Democratic House and Senate to do what must be done.

B) Mid term….the fact that there are plenty of job openings in health care, in computer programming, in engineering, and plenty of college grads with degrees in art and journalism. We need technically trained college grads AND we need skilled labor that was once produced by the unions.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On September 13, 2012 @ 6:17 pm

“2016- Obama’s America” : The Right Wraps Crazy in a Rational Package

Thanks for this. Appreciate your kudos. Glad you found it useful.

I went with three others with whom I have long been friends. All GOP – as I once was. Two agreed over lunch that it was nonsense. The third e mailed us all the next day to say she agreed that it was crap. Now two of them are taking others to see it and then going for coffee afterwards to discuss the film. Their mission: open up some minds. Both know that moderation is what their party desperately needs and opening minds is a good place to start. To that I say: Good Luck.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 28, 2012 @ 11:25 am

Choice…hey. I too find Moore’s basic thesis correct although, per his usual style, he lacks the discipline to create a really tight and verifiable argument.

A side note….

The Pennsylvania Plane-

I have read more than a few descriptions of the crash that indicate Flight 93 was hit by fire from fighter jets.

Google: “9/11 pennsylvania plane shot down” dozens of stories. This story is one of the more interesting: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-401315/Flight-93-shot-claims-book.html

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 28, 2012 @ 11:20 am

But D’Sousa has made a good living off of this meme for a long time. Beginning in his college years at Dartmouth, he quickly learned that his English Major might not get him a job but his association with the College Republicans and the University Student Conservative Alliance could. He speaks well, gives a good impression, and because of his color, surprised audiences with his political positions. In other words, this shtick has worked almost from the start.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 28, 2012 @ 11:10 am

Choice- I agree with you. Much more beneath the water than on top.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 27, 2012 @ 1:05 pm

That is apparent.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 27, 2012 @ 1:04 pm

You, I and others like us are fighting the same kind of battle in what is a war over who will direct this nation’s social, economic, technological, and military policy for years to come. The Supreme Court is ground zero at the national level; while voter rights rules are the focus at the state level.

WHO gets elected is important because of WHAT they will introduce and vote on/sign.

The group of Republicans who I went to the film with have decided to get others to go and then discuss the film with them. Their hope is to reignite the cooler flames of moderation among our mostly farming community where the impact of climate change, of agri-business, and foreign imports are keenly felt. In that these points of engagement are more the responsibility of the GOP than the Dems, they think the issues are wedge issues.

Frankly, the Akin candidacy is causing many GOP here to ask: “Who in the hell are we backing anyway.”

But, in general I agree with your assessment of who is going to the film and who will believe it.

BTW- did you like the media snow job about the opening weekend numbers? In the weakest two week period for theaters, the film did ok but here are the numbers I find most interesting.

This week it came in 8 and last week it was 13.

$6,238,000 was the weekend gross an improvement of +401.2% in 1,091 theaters- an increase of +922 theaters. It made $5,718 on average per theater for a total earning of $9,075,000 in its 7th week on the road. STILL- THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE. So we need to get the word out.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 27, 2012 @ 1:03 pm

D’Sousa as an English major at Dartmouth and a member of a conservative student club discovered that when someone who “looks liberal/progressive/Democrat” speaks from the right, he/she gets lots of attention. That became his meal ticket. Your comparison to Coulter and Beck is very appropriate.

And who is his audience? The same crowd that buys into Coulter’s and Beck’s vision of American and its enemies. They are, as you say, people who believe because they want their versions of reality to be true fitting into their worldview. Projection at its worst.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 27, 2012 @ 12:45 pm

Thanks…the KOCHsters or Crossroads or as Sue has pointed out the owner of Sox, Ricketts. There is no lie they will not tell.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 26, 2012 @ 4:08 pm

My research has taken me to Crossroads GPS. Will, what is clear is that it is privately produced and that almost all production issues are deeply buried.

I was in a theater in a wealthy St. Louis suburb as the film rolled. There were murmurs all around me in agreement. I wanted to pull a Joe Wilson and scream “You Lie”- but I am more polite than he is AND unlike Joe was not surrounded by those who would agree with me.

Afterwards there was a “reception” in a spacious lobby. My three friends told me it was a fund raising event. We left excusing ourselves because of a luncheon engagement. Our lunch. Two of my three friends quickly conceded the film was crap. The third e mailed us this AM to say that after a bit of research she concurred.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 26, 2012 @ 4:06 pm

Women and the GOP Men That Hate Them

Kennedy is dead, I think, but his ideas, his cancerous, festering, putrid ideas live on and on and on.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 24, 2012 @ 9:57 am

They will only become a permanent minority if they can be kept from taking it all in November and if we can push back enough for a beachhead.

29 state governors and 31 state legislatures are now GOP…they control the House and have deadlock power in the Senate.

As you say, my living in Missouri and being so often in locked battles with troglodytes I may well have a pessimistic and jaundiced view but I find it realistic.

Everything you say about the GOP is true- and that is in light of my experience as a member of that party for many years. It actually hurts to see what the party has become.

I was at a meeting two days ago of a farmer’s association and the side discussion made me sick. It was a mixed crowd of men and women and the women’s perception of Akin as a man standing up against the godless was nearly universal.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 24, 2012 @ 9:56 am

I live in Missouri and can assure you that Akin has quite a following among women who are drawn almost entirely from the fundamentalist, evangelical churches. Met one today at a program. I was wearing my Obama cap and she decided to take me down. Fierce champion of Akin and of his views.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 21, 2012 @ 7:14 pm

You make a strong case for the GOP as the Iceberg Party. 10 percent is above the water and 90 percent below. Akin gave the masses a peek at what lies below and for that he is being excoriated by the GOP.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On August 21, 2012 @ 6:14 pm