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Comments Posted By kesmarn

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The Case Against Democrats Supporting Hillary Clinton (Yet)

AdLib, I agree that a vigorous, healthy primary season will benefit the Democratic Party in the long run.

I have seen some people who feel that the nastier it gets, the more Hillary will be “toughened up,” and I can’t say I see the logic in that. It would be like saying that bullying your kid at home before school will make him tougher when it comes to facing bullies when he gets there. I realize that’s not what you’re advocating, but I have seen comments like that. That seems just silly.

But really hashing out issues like the TPP and cracking down on Wall Street is something that needs to be done. I’d like to see Hillary obliged to make some firm commitments in those areas.

Refusing to vote or voting for some splinter party candidate just seems self-defeating to me. Do we really want Scott Walker to appoint the Supreme Court justices that the Koch brothers tell him to?

I may be wrong, but I wonder if — should Hillary have some sort of health issue or whatever — Elizabeth Warren might feel freed up to step forward and accept the nomination. I can’t see her doing it under any other circumstances, though.

Bottom line, as you said: a Dem win is a must in 2016.

» Posted By kesmarn On April 28, 2015 @ 9:41 am

I have to ask then, whom you would vote for, VB?

» Posted By kesmarn On April 28, 2015 @ 9:17 am

Okay, I Know I’ve Talked About This Before.

Nirek, thanks so much for a valuable reminder — and especially for the links to resources that you included in your article.

FracTracker is a really helpful site. I never knew it existed. When I clicked on my state I was amazed to see the number of licensed fracking operations in the southeastern part of the state.

Unbelievable — well over 100. And this is a beautiful part of the state. Highly attractive to tourism because of the hilly terrain, cliffs and waterfalls. What a place to put at risk! (Not that any part of the country should be jeopardized.) In a sense, these frackers are willing to sacrifice the steady income from farming and tourism for the short term gain of fracking. An activity that could destroy the ability of farmers and tourist services (like white-water rafting and fishing) to continue to operate.

Everywhere, these Koch-type operations are killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Short-sighted, to say the least.

» Posted By kesmarn On April 25, 2015 @ 10:11 am

The Presidential Campaign TV Series Starring Hillary Clinton and the GOP!

Awesome! That rounds out the entire group perfectly.

And that’s the way they became “The Shady Bunch.”

» Posted By kesmarn On April 16, 2015 @ 4:17 pm

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars, AdLib. So funny and incisive!

And — just think — we’re only at the beginning of this season. So many more shows yet to be announced…

There’s the “Uncle Ben Carson Hour” with step-by-step instructions on how to perform a lobotomy on yourself, from a surgeon who’s had plenty of experience in that specialty.

Then we have “Leave It To Walker,” with Beaver Walker and Lumpy Kasich engaging in madcap adventures in backyard budget-slashing.

Followed by “America’s Top Model,” featuring the lovely C. Christie Brinksman with musical backup supplied by “The Bridgeclosers.”

And finally — a new season of that old favorite — “The Walking Brain-Dead,” starring Rick Count-on-my-fingers-before-they-fall-off Perry.

Still in the works are the Huckabee and Santorum shows, which are currently being evaluated by network boss, Bibi Netanyahu, to make sure they clear censorship requirements. Updates to follow.

» Posted By kesmarn On April 16, 2015 @ 9:05 am

What do Republicans Stand For?

Having spent the last few days doing people’s taxes for them, AdLib, I’m sorry I’m late to the party as far as reading this wonderful article. But it was really worth the wait, as far as I’m concerned.

In the relatively rare conversations I have with Republicans, I’ve found that — more and more — the way to shut them down is to ask them what their plan is for the improvement of the country. They’ve spent so many years perfecting their speeches about what they’re against, that they’re caught up short when you ask them for something positive.

They seem to function almost entirely on emotion — not rational thought. And unfortunately, not even positive emotions like loyalty and compassion. But rather — fear, rage and greed.

And, as others have mentioned, they have a very rigidly hierarchical worldview. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but it has seemed even more pronounced than ever now. They put forth the notion (even if they’re nihilistic atheists like Rove and Cheney) of a masculine, harsh, judgmental God who operates through his favorites — white males — who then “hold dominion” over minorities and women. Children — who have no rights except the right to work — are one step further down the food chain. Followed by animals and the earth itself — which exist only to be exploited.

Collaborative decision-making? Peer-to-peer relationships? Family circles (instead of vertical flow charts of power distribution)?

Not in their vocabulary.

» Posted By kesmarn On April 10, 2015 @ 5:12 pm

You forgot Benghazi, funk.

» Posted By kesmarn On April 10, 2015 @ 4:54 pm

Arkansas Bill Would Provide Tax Credits For Christians Only

I’d have just a bit (a very little bit) more respect for them, Sue, if they’d just say aloud, publicly, what their goals are. But they’re so sneaky. So secretive. That’s the way people act when they’re not really very proud of what they’re doing, but want to have their way regardless.

“Slither” is the perfect word for what one of them would do once you turned the light on him.

» Posted By kesmarn On April 4, 2015 @ 4:27 pm

😆 It’s a little eerie, AdLib, the way you can get inside their tiny little brains, discern their crazy thought patterns and then put them out there as satire. Then then you re-emerge into the daylight, brush off the cobwebs, and resume your normal rationality and good humor.

This must be the way Stephen King feels too.

And you both deal with the horror genre.

Except the TeaPublicans (I’ve also heard them referred to as “Y’allqaeda.”) are scarier than anything King ever came up with.

» Posted By kesmarn On April 2, 2015 @ 2:43 pm

INcensed: Republicans Surprised That Making Homophobia Legal is Offensive

Welcome to the Planet, EmigrePeppersDad! I left HP a while earlier than you did — several years ago — but I was kesmarn there as well. I’ve never looked back since I’ve joined the Planet.

This is more like a community than HP and we really get to know each other. Also there’s not the ridiculous censorship and silly badge system here — which is a huge positive with me.

You may want to join the Friday night live chat (10 p.m. EST) where members hash over the news of the previous week and catch up on what’s going on individually too.

Looking forward to seeing more of you!

» Posted By kesmarn On April 2, 2015 @ 2:50 pm

Hear, hear, PPO!

These mega-churches who instruct their members — from their pulpits — on how to vote really need to be taxed.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 31, 2015 @ 7:18 pm

For once the “free market” and morality are not on a collision course, Homie! You’re right — the irony! 🙂

» Posted By kesmarn On March 31, 2015 @ 7:14 pm

Wonderful article, AdLib. I have to admit that the comedy angle of this whole situation is tough to find. But it got easier this afternoon — once Scott Walker, Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz had all jumped on to the Pence, Indy 500 Bandwagon.

Right after Pence had jumped off.

Here they are — defending his strong defense (as of yesterday) of a bill that he’s currently running a mile from. The GOP can’t even begin to keep up with its own 180 turns. The ones they screech their tires performing in the hot pursuit of votes.

And I can only imagine how baffled the Hoosier right wing fundies must be right about now. Here they voted for guys who told them that they were solid, God-fearing, upright Christians who were going to make sure that Old Testament values became the law of the land. This morning they wake up to see the Indianapolis Star screaming in bold white-on-black headlines: FIX THIS NOW and to watch their “fearless leaders” on national TV frantically scrambling to backpedal on their alleged “principles” once they saw that the State of Indiana was going to take a gigantic financial hit if this monstrosity is allowed to stand.

Feeling used much, Dominionist “Christians”? Or are you too brain-washed by your masters to have that much insight? Will you just accept it when those politicians you elected explain it to you by saying “Tim Cook made us repeal it!”

» Posted By kesmarn On March 31, 2015 @ 5:09 pm

Ted Cruzin’ For a Political Bruisin’

The two shining intellects of the right:

[img]https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10778_10153362320173132_4357323448363916533_n.jpg?oh=28e20f9b2d2be521f2692c39bb114e46&oe=55780B16[/img]

» Posted By kesmarn On March 25, 2015 @ 6:26 pm

Oh, that is awesome, SLM! I hadn’t seen that one yet.

Thanks for passing it on. Hilarious!

» Posted By kesmarn On March 25, 2015 @ 6:12 pm

You’re right! That would have been even better!

» Posted By kesmarn On March 25, 2015 @ 6:11 pm

Kalima and friends, I thought you all might enjoy this:

[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10423785_1089494094401301_2022650411289905537_n.jpg?oh=dd519ab49b961c1050629b7882b25e96&oe=557319D5&__gda__=1437251519_493d9712e12970284b0507eae734f42a[/img]

» Posted By kesmarn On March 23, 2015 @ 8:56 pm

He’s a wrecking ball alright…

» Posted By kesmarn On March 23, 2015 @ 7:48 pm

I totally agree, AdLib. I think he laughs about his supporters when he’s off-camera and the audio feed is turned off.

He’s a carnival barker, a con artist and a total narcissist. Very likely a sociopath to boot.

Which — now that I think of it — is pretty much the norm for most of the GOP contenders for 2016. Join the club, Ted. As Haruko said — you’re a face in the crowd.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 23, 2015 @ 6:12 pm

Nirek, I’ve read that some of the students are not happy about having been compelled to attend — in effect, being used as props, backdrop and assumed supporters against their wills.

Of course, we have to ask if they should really be surprised — given the fact that they chose to attend a very, very right wing “university” — that the administration would expect this. It’s what that place really is. It has never been a bastion of intellectual freedom, that’s for sure.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 23, 2015 @ 6:09 pm

He is, HH! But he might have to share the title with Glenn Beck.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 23, 2015 @ 5:55 pm

Terrific, AdLib! I think we could also toss in one more game the GOP is trying unsuccessfully to play. Clue. Because Cruz hasn’t got one.

I agree, his chances of being the actual nominee are — like the weather here tonight — near zero.

If you’d like to cap off your evening with a chuckle, though, I’ll offer this. Preface: If you were Teddy’s campaign manager what would be one of the first things you’d do? You guessed right! Secure his domain name!

So what happened here? http://www.tedcruz.com/

» Posted By kesmarn On March 23, 2015 @ 5:47 pm

The Grand Old Party of Sedition

Yes! Some people have even raised the question of whether or not Joni Ernst should be court martialed for signing the letter, since she’s still technically in the military.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 13, 2015 @ 7:12 am

Rand Paul even said it was a clever ploy, meant to “strengthen the President’s hand.”

Really?

Since when was the meaning of the word “strengthen” changed to “bite”?

The Ayatollah said this is symptomatic of a “complete collapse of political ethics,” and as much as it pains me to admit it — when it comes to the GOP — he is right.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 12, 2015 @ 6:43 pm

I think that’s not in the least an exaggeration, CD!

» Posted By kesmarn On March 12, 2015 @ 6:14 pm

CD, future historians are going to have a real adventure trying to sort out what the hell happened during this era, aren’t they? Thanks so much for a clear summary and analysis of just how far off the rails these 47 senators (not to mention much of the House) have gone.

I wonder if they have the slightest notion of how the rest of the world regards them? Their little letter comes across as patronizing, arrogant, juvenile and insulting. Iranian/Persian culture is ancient and deep. These are not ignorant, uneducated people the GOPers are addressing. But far be it from people like Rand Paul to recognize anything of worth outside of their “exceptional” borders.

While the President and John Kerry are trying to get some real, adult work done, the adolescents here are throwing spitballs and flipping their middle fingers at the world. They’re an embarrassment to say the least.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 10, 2015 @ 5:38 pm

WATCH: Vice Special Report: Killing Cancer

Daedalus, thanks so much for raising the issue of who supports funding. When I read about the Koch brothers supplying funding for economics departments at various universities, it makes my blood run cold because they make sure that they control the information that goes into and out of those departments.

I’m sure it has to be the same with medical research. I know first hand — from dealing with my Dad’s eye situation (involving macular degeneration) — that there was manipulation of data regarding the Avastin vs. Lucentis controversy. Both meds were equally effective in dealing with the condition. But one cost $75/dose and the other costs $1200-$1500/dose.

Guess which one is the only med to have gotten approval so far?

Since Lucentis is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans, there’s a lack of urgency to get the cheaper drug approved. Since the cost isn’t coming directly out of the patient’s pocket. In fact, Genentech, the manufacturer of Lucentis, even sponsors its own “charity” for people who don’t have insurance. It covers the cost of the med. (And then Genentech can write that off as a tax deduction. Diabolically brilliant, no?) And then no patient ever gets angry enough at the ridiculous cost of the med to push for an investigation.

Meanwhile — the incredible profits of the drug manufacturers come at the price of higher insurance premiums and higher Medicare/Medicaid costs.

Shady — all the way around.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 8, 2015 @ 4:36 pm

We all owe such a debt to people who are willing to take trial meds and treatments. Our Bito did that too. How else can we learn what works in human subject without these brave patients?

And when something works — well, talk about a double benefit!

» Posted By kesmarn On March 8, 2015 @ 4:23 pm

This is so encouraging, AdLib. I’d heard bits and pieces of info about this technique of using viruses as something like “magic bullets” to kill cancer cells, but this is the clearest explanation I’ve seen to date.

I like that timeline — 2 years — for this to be available to the public. My brother in law is dealing with melanoma at this point. It’s been stabilized, but not cured. This seems to offer some real hope.

VICE News is doing some amazing reporting, no? It’s so great to see some genuine investigative reporting going on — to counterbalance all the news about the Kardashians, and mother dogs who’ve adopted orphaned baby rabbits. As important as all that is, stories like this somehow seem to hold my attention better. 😉

» Posted By kesmarn On March 8, 2015 @ 12:05 pm

Thoughts and prayers are with you both, GirlOutWest, as you fight this battle. I hope your husband is one of the people who benefit from this groundbreaking research.

» Posted By kesmarn On March 8, 2015 @ 11:59 am