Our Eminent President

Via Majikthise and Mark Kleiman comes an interesting point: The post-Kelo outrage seems to have run its course without much of anyone pointing out that George W. Bush owes a good chunk of his personal wealth to the use of eminent domain on behalf of the (privately owned) Texas Rangers. Is it too much to hope that some liberals who gushed over Kelo will find that their hatred of Bush trumps their affection for state economic planning?

Comments

[Dynamist]

The trouble Bush haters have here is that they can't admit he's bright enough to arrange a stadium deal. Chimpler just couldn't wangle his own ED arrangement, with all the math and words involved, so to be consistent, the taking had to be somebody else's idea. Who was Bush's brain before Rove took the controls?

[Matt Welch]

Actually, I think criticism of his sweetheart Arlington deal was pretty boilerplate lefty anti-Bush stuff from way back.

[Biff]

"ED" now stands for "Eminent Domain," "Emotionally disturbed," and "Erectile Dysfunction." Any way to work all these into the same story?

[JD]

My constant confusion of sense #1 and sense #3 tends to make me sense #2.

[Rhywun]

The trouble Bush haters have here is that they can't admit he's bright enough to arrange a stadium deal.

Yeah, it's not like people use financial advisors or anything... But seriously - there are other reasons to dislike Bush besides his aggressive anti-intellectualism; arranging to bilk a nice salary out of the taxpayers of Texas while somehow evading arrest is just one of them.

[Realist]

You forgot Arbusto too:
http://www.nypress.com/15/29/news&columns/beans.cfm

[Chimpleton]

Would some actual Bush hater or other member of the Looney Left? be so kind as to refer to the president as "Chimpy" or "Chimpler" or "Bushitler" or some variation thereof in a real-live sentence? It's got to be exhausting for Bush supporters and "Dynamists" to be the only people who have ever used this phrase (ironically! ironically!).

[JB Allen]

I'm not sure I understand lefty support of Kelo (or, for that matter, libertarian animus towards lefty support of Kelo), when the decision itself is so very federalist. I mean, if you don't like state/local government possessing such power, why not either work for legislative change in your state or vote with your feet and move someplace where such governmental license is prohibited?

[joe]

The "liberals who gushed (sic) over Kelo" have their own ideas about how to stop that sort of thing. It involves supporting politicians that don't drop their shorts when somebody waves a bundle of cash.

[joe]

Dynamist, Bush was brought in by the established ownership because they needed someone with political connections. Sort of like Arbusto oil and his presidency.

But, in an odd way, your determination to see his capacity to make some deals to get rich off the taxpayers as meritocratic success takes the Randroid/Republican connection to a whole new place.

[joe]

Chimpleton, if it will make you feel better, I'll write the phrase "Bush lied" as one word.

[Rhywun]

Chimpleton,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/

[thoreau refuses to say "chimpl]

I have never used the word "chimpler" on this message board and I never will.

[thoreau, who just said "chimpl]

Doh!

[Biff]

Wow, I knew there were a bunch of Matts and a couple of Erics around here, but a second Biff?

[Sandy]

It involves supporting politicians that don't drop their shorts when somebody waves a bundle of cash.

Jefferson and Washington kept slaves for economic reasons despite personal opposition to slavery. I take it your argument is that Jesus wasn't the real messiah, liberals found the real one in Sheboygan, and he's going to wield the mighty amulet of zoning power with perfect impartiality?

[ChicagoTom]

It involves supporting politicians that don't drop their shorts when somebody waves a bundle of cash

Like the ones who voted for the bankruptcy "reform" bill ?

[David Sucher]

What a strange claim! There are many references to Texas Rangers' stadium and eminent domain. Best not to show off ignorance with such a foolish assertion.
Moreover, there is scanty defense of Kelo among people (left or right) who know anything about land use and property rights.

[Rhywun]

Sandy,

My poor hometown of Rochester probably wishes it had that amulet right about now - with Kodak about to face around round of massive layoffs...

[Rhywun]

grrr - make that "another" round of layoffs

[Happy Jack]

Sandy- I've always pictured joe as being thinner. Another burst bubble, I guess.

[Dynamist]

your determination to see his capacity to make some deals to get rich off the taxpayers as meritocratic success

Your words, comrade, not mine. Taking stuff from people is bad and wrong, but if you need to demonize someone, go ahead and keep pretending I'm the righty in your head.

Chimpleton: Do you really have a shortage of Bush-mocking in your meat world? You post as if nobody but me (and now thoreau) use such ridiculous labels. Maybe you only listen to selected folks...in any event, I'll continue with the absurd Chimpler McOilburton crap until y'all get over it. Bushitler is the new "nigger"; I'm co-opting your power words.

[Jennifer]

Guys, a few days ago Dynamist made the serious claim that the only reason I think things are going badly in Iraq is because I hate the President for going to church (while giving our "previous pagan president" a pass). He's obviously concluded that there's no sane reason a person could think Bush is doing a bad job, so it comforts him to invent insane reasons why people oppose the President. In this case, the insane reason consists of listing stupid nicknames used by the Ann Coulter equivalents of the left.

But if it makes him feel comfortable and saves him from having to think, hell--let him indulge. Think of it as an act of charity--he obviously believes that typing "Chimpler" over and over again here is a brave and courageous stand--co-opting power words, and all that.

[Jennifer]

Also, from Dynamist's point of view, I can see where defending Bush from imaginary attacks on his churchgoing or his name is much easier than, say, pretending that turning Iraq into a theocracy was the plan all along, or that it's good for a wealthy man from ANY party to benefit from the use of eminent domain to confiscate land from non-millionaires.

[thoreau, who just said "chimpl]

Jennifer-

Why do you hate our God-fearing Dear Leader so much? How can you not respect a former cokehead and alcoholic who failed at every task he attempted before finally discovering the usefulness of ED?

What's most disgusting is your dishonesty: You should just go ahead and show your true colors by calling him Chimpler, instead of maintaining this illusion of honest debate. We all know you're consumed by irrational hatred of the man, so just go ahead and show it to the world.

Embrace Chimpler. Love Chimpler. Chimpler is your friend.

[joe]

"Like the ones who voted for the bankruptcy "reform" bill?"

No, ChicagoTom, more like the large majority of Democrats who voted against it.

Dynamist, do you see anything ironic about insisting to Chimpleton, thoreau, and myself that "chimp" and "Bushitler" are our Power Words, despite the fact that we don't use them? Especially when you make the comment immediately after objecting to my description of "bright enough to arrange a stadium deal" as an assertion of his merit?

[smacky]

Wow, I knew there were a bunch of Matts and a couple of Erics around here, but a second Biff?

This is for Biff #2: Why don't you make like a tree, and get outta here!

[Jennifer]

Dynamist, do you see anything ironic about insisting to Chimpleton, thoreau, and myself that "chimp" and "Bushitler" are our Power Words, despite the fact that we don't use them? Especially when you make the comment immediately after objecting to my description of "bright enough to arrange a stadium deal" as an assertion of his merit?

Dammit, Joe, why don't you just admit that you have an irrational hatred of Bush because you hate all people who go to church?

No, wait, you're a Christian yourself. Never mind.

Okay, admit you just hate Bush because you have this irrational prejudice against the use of eminent domain!

No, wait, you're actually one of this site's most vociferous supporters of the "Kelo" decision. Never mind.

Well, then, admit you hate Bush because--well, I don't know why you don't like him, but it's totally irrational because it's impossible for a reasonable person to feel anything less than adoration for the Prez! That that, Chimpler McOilburton Cokesnort Stalin! Ha!

And just a reminder: the fact that things are going badly in Iraq is entirely your fault.

[joe]

Jennifer,

"No, wait, you're a Christian yourself. Never mind." Not a churchgoing one, though, so that's back on.

And remember, if Tinkerbell dies, it's because you didn't clap.

[M1EK]

" takes the Randroid/Republican connection to a whole new place."

Why are there so many posts about Peak Oil
And what's on the other threads?
Parties are visions, but only illusions,
And RC has nothing to hide.
So we've been told and John chose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the Randroid connection,
Dynamist, RC Dean and me.

[jc]

It involves supporting politicians that don't drop their shorts when somebody waves a bundle of cash.

They only live in Fantasyland. And even THAT was built using ED.

[joe]

Zing! Pow! Lol.

[joe]

There is a strong progressive anti-takings line - No Corporate Welfare Takings!

But the knowledgeable progressive position on this doesn't fit on a bumper sticker. It gets into the difference between New London and SCOTUS, between Constitutional fidelity and wise policy, between real planning and fake planning.

Perhaps the reason there hasn't been an anti-Kelo, anti-Bush memo propagated in the media is because, after seeing what happened to bumper-sticker-shunning John Kerry, there just isn't much of a motivation among liberals to stake out complicated positions.

[nmg]

joe: "The "liberals who gushed (sic) over Kelo" have their own ideas about how to stop that sort of thing. It involves supporting politicians that don't drop their shorts when somebody waves a bundle of cash."

Why not ask for Santa Clause too?

"It gets into the difference between .... real planning and fake planning."

Is the difference between "real" and "fake" planning something other than just whether or not Joe likes it?

nmg

[joe]

joe likes real planning, and dislikes fake planning, but no, those are not the criteria.

[R C Dean]

It involves supporting politicians that don't drop their shorts when somebody waves a bundle of cash

Lemme know when you find one, joe.

[R C Dean]

A politician who doesn't drop his shorts, that is.

Not somebody waving a bundle of cash.

Although, come to think of it, let me know either way.

[Jennifer]

Thorerau, the only reason you've ever found fault with Bush is because your Papist overlord in the Vatican has ordered you to despise all God-fearing Protestants. Admit it! There's no legitimate reason ANYBODY could criticize ANYTHING Bush has ever done! You've all been blinded by lies, prejudices and propaganda.

[Randolph Carter]

Joe,

What is this "words of power" business? Are they used to activate the Amulet of Zoning? Sounds like something from 12th century Finland.

[thoreau]

According to The Player's Handbook (2nd edition, I stopped playing a while ago), there are power words for Stun, Blind, and Kill.

Chimpler didn't make the list.

[Mark Borok]

Maybe I'm out of the loop, but the strongest "gushing" over Kelo that I've heard from liberals was "it's not as bad as it seems".

You can also hold the position that it was the right decision from a legal standpoint, but that it will have very bad results. Not being a legal expert I can't say.

Anyway, as a liberal who hates the Kelo decision I am quietly rubbing my hands with glee (which makes typing difficult) as I think about springing this anti-Bush factoid on my conservative friends.

[joe]

"What is this "words of power" business?"

I have no idea, Randolph. Dynamist said he was going to keep using our words of power, like "Chimpler" and "Bushy Mc"Somethingsomething.

[thoreau]

I once walked into a room of conservatives and uttered "chimpler." They all rolled 1d20 to do a save vs. spell. Those who failed began cowering in terror and I was able to take their wallets without resistance. My DM gave me a bunch of XP for recovering so much loot with a single spell.

But one of them passed his save vs. spell. He then did an intelligence check, passed it, and was able to claim the power word "chimpler" for himself. When he uttered it his AC and THAC0 dropped, he gained HP, and he was able to do 2 attacks per round. I guess it's an "empowering" word for him.

So I got the hell out real quick.

[Randolph Carter]

Thoreau,

You should have taken out the one who stole your "chimpler" by throwing a rune of "Kerry would have been worse" (with a bonus if +1 incoherent mindflay!)

[Jennifer]

No, Thoreau, the magical word to out-Chimpler a user of Chimpler is "Flip-flop." It makes liberals shrivel into helpless piles of dust; so great is the power of that phrase that I myself can't even finish typing this comment before I col

[Matt #463]

I actually know a guy who regularly refers to Bush as "Chimpy McFuckhead." It amuses me.

[Jennifer]

Does anybody recall the minor news story that came put during the Presidential debates, when some Cheney supporters went to online chatrooms and posted ludicrously anti-Cheney insults? The one I remember was the reference to "ol' Halliburton Dickie." I guess they would have succeeded in embarrassing the left-wing, too, if they hadn't been caught and only embarrassed themselves.

Was Dynamist one of them? I've heard "Bushitler" before, but never, ever heard of "Chimpler" before Dynamist mentioned it here.

[Don Mynack]

As someone whose visited Arlington, TX, and as someone who's horrifed by Kelo, I have to regrettfully admit that in this very rare case, ED for stadia might be the best thing for that burg. It literally would have no reason to exist other than having a stadium and an amusment park (Six Flags). There is nothing else to to do there and no other reason to visit it. They haven't even build up much of an area to retain vistors to the stadium to stay there and spend some cash (restaurants, bars, etc.) It's one of the worst baseball experiences you can have (aside from the game) - you just go the game and then drive home, and Arlington returns to being a ghost town. Hell, even in automobile hell Houston they have decent bars across the street from the stadium, and clubs and restaurants within walking distance.

Rangers suck, BTW.

[Dynamist]

This is exactly the kind of rational discourse I hoped to inspire!

I amazed at how much action I got out of my linking Jennifer's irrationality about BushSatan with Jennifer's irrationality about people who are not atheist. Cokesnort is a nice addition, though. Thanks for that.

If anyone is still coherent enough to sort through it all, I'm trying to out-joe joe. The technique is to attack weak arguments and occasionally make willful misinterpretations to stoke the fire. Y'all think you know what I actually think based on my reaction to rhetoric and my supposed ability to present the arguments of people who actually do disagree with you. It's comedy gold.

[Eric the .5b]

When he uttered it his AC and THAC0 dropped, he gained HP, and he was able to do 2 attacks per round. I guess it's an "empowering" word for him.

I'll just betray my geekiness by realizing that Thoreau hasn't played in a while - now, AC goes up and THAC0 is gone. 🙂

Double-sadness points? I know this, and I've never actually played D&D.

[Phil]

Since all my earlier comments got eaten by the fucking H&R hamsters, I will try again to mention that "Chimpler" sounds like the name of a very poorly-conceived fast-food joint:

"Hey, y'all, let's run down to the Chimpler for some Halliburgers and Freedom Fries!"

[Jennifer]

The technique is to attack weak arguments and occasionally make willful misinterpretations to stoke the fire.

Or invent weak arguments so you can defend Bush without actually addressing the topic at ahnd. But as I said before, if it makes you feel better.

But really, as a Christian you should know that only Jesus is perfect and without sin. Not "Chimpler."

[joe]

It's good to know that Dynamist can be safely ignored.

You see, it isn't that he gets his ass handed to him every time he tries to argue. It's that he's engaged in an elaborate online performace art experiment for his own amusement.

Yeah, that's it.

[Jennifer]

Joe--

You may be right about the performance art, but I dunno--I think on some level Dynamist really believes what he says.

And like I said before, defending Bush from attacks on his church habits or bad puns from his name, even if those attacks exist only in your head, is a LOT easier than pretending that turning Iraq into an Islamic theocracy with ties to Iran was the plan all along. Or pretending that eminent domain is USUALLY an evil liberal plot, but when Bush does it it merely proves what a brilliantly savvy businessman he is.

[Kira Zalan]

I thought I saw Alice the other day! Or maybe it was Justice Souter ?skipping in Wonderland, immune to and above the laws he passes.