Reason Morning Links: Heckling Obama, Recession Ending, Gambling Revenues Drop

- Fed survey concludes the recession might be over.

- Obama health care speech avoids commitments on most contentious issues.

- Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) under fire for shouting "You lie!" during Obama's speech.

- States facing first-ever drop in gambling revenue.

- Recession shrinks income gap, promotes income equality

Comments

[FrBunny]

"There'll be time enough to consider whether or not we ought to make it clear that that action is unacceptable in the House of Representatives," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said late Wednesday on WTOP radio when asked about possible punishment for Wilson.

Your grandstanding got in the way of my grandstanding!

[Euler]

Let's make it unacceptable to have a different opinion. That should speed along the voting process.

[WWJGD]

This story about Wilson is clearly false because he didn't end his heckling statement with "And in conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September the 11th and the Global War on Terror."

[Joe M]

I love it. These assholes, who are almost to a person the worst thugs imaginable, throw a collective fit because one of them shouted during a presidential speech. Apparently, it's okay to behave like reprehensible scum, as long as you pretend to be a civil human being while destroying the nation.

[Thomas]

If a congressman had yelled that during one of Bush's addresses, he would have been considered a hero.

[Gilbert Martin]

Joe Wilson accurately called Obama a liar.

I don't see any problem with that.

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

The big news not being reported is that Wilson was actually cut off in the middle of shouting "You light up my life!"

He was going to shout "Youda Man!", but was afraid it would be seen as teh Racist.

[Kyle Jordan]

"I love it. These assholes, who are almost to a person the worst thugs imaginable, throw a collective fit because one of them shouted during a presidential speech. Apparently, it's okay to behave like reprehensible scum, as long as you pretend to be a civil human being while destroying the nation."

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. It's all a show. Very sad.

[John]

What Joe said. Congress should be more like the British House of Parliment where the gallary catcalls the Prime Minister. Ever watch one of those speechs?

[R C Dean]

"There'll be time enough to consider whether or not we ought to make it clear that that action is unacceptable in the House of Representatives," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said late Wednesday on WTOP radio when asked about possible punishment for Wilson.

Oddly, though, he seems to have had no objection to Dem ruckus-raising during Bush State of the Union speeches.

You reap what you sow. Eight years of concentrated vitriol directed at the President by the opposition create a different standard. NTTAWT

Whatever happened to Hack Watch, anyway?

[Nipplemancer]

didn't they boo bush during one of his state of the union addresses? 2005ish?

since he's from SC, what are the odds that Wilson is going to be branded as a redneck racist on leftist blogs?

[Hugh Akston]

I love it. These assholes, who are almost to a person the worst thugs imaginable, throw a collective fit because one of them shouted during a presidential speech. Apparently, it's okay to behave like reprehensible scum, as long as you pretend to be a civil human being while destroying the nation.

With no pronoun referents present I can only assume you're talking about Mugabe's Zimbabwe, or Il's North Korea, or maybe the Sudan, Iran or Burma. After all, "the worst thugs imaginable" is a strong statement, and not fit for hyperbole.

Either way, none of those stories are part of the Morning Links. Please try to stay on topic.

[Joe M]

Congress should be more like the British House of Parliment where the gallary catcalls the Prime Minister. Ever watch one of those speechs?

That was the other thing I was going to mention. I love the way they non-stop yell at each other over there. We need more of that.

[SugarFree]

SugarLinks?
The "Where's joe to deny the existence of white guilt" edition

Are Babies Racist?

In fact, white children may need not pride, but a little guilt. Rebecca Bigler found that after a lesson on Jackie Robinson, white children had much better attitudes towards blacks if they learned that Robinson had faced discrimination from white people. Bigler says the lesson "made them feel some guilt. It knocked down their glorified view of white people." Instilling guilt in innocent children may sound cruel - but again, kids aren't really innocent when it comes to race. They tend to think their own group is the best one, perhaps especially if that group happens also to be socioeconomically advantaged. Teaching them that they're not superior may actually be kind, both for their personal development and for a society where they will one day be voters, workers, and parents. By the time they grow up to inhabit those roles, it may already be too late.

Melanie Oudin: The Grand Wizard of Women's Tennis

Unpacking all the different levels of sexism and racism that are operating subtly behind the scenes is an incredibly difficult task. Oudin is small, skilled, and attractive, which seems to automatically endear her to the American public. None of these things is a problem in and of itself, but it becomes a problem when the focus is no longer on her skill or achievements, but instead on her "relatability."

[John]

"didn't they boo bush during one of his state of the union addresses? 2005ish?"

Yes they did. Their "outrage" over this, just shows that they think no one but them has a right to say anything.

[Joe M]

Hugh, maybe I just don't have a very good imagination. Aha! Didn't think of that, didja?

[John]

Jesus Sugerfree. Those are some very depressing links. It is amazing how race obsessed people are. "People like the cute perky teenager. They must be racist!!"

[SugarFull]

Recession shrinks income gap, promotes income equality

Good! The rich are sub-human scum. How dare they enjoy the fruits of their labor. They surely work no harder than a dishwasher or a fruit picker.

I also think that car spinning their wheels in place should be the winners at NASCAR events!

Fair is fair!

[Nipplemancer]

i'm a fan of the asian parliaments like South Korea where they have a fist-fight every few months while in session. nothing says democracy better than your thumbs pressing firmly against your opponent's trachea!

[brotherben]

The most amazing thing about Joe Wilson is that he made his point in just two words. Maybe a first for a congresscritter.

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

Obama health care speech avoids commitments on most contentious issues

Obama utters mealy-mouthed platitudes about individualism and "character" while simultaneously stacking HC reform shit to Guiness Record levels

FTFY

[Kyle Jordan]

"SugarLinks?"

That is the shit right there dude. I love it.

As to your links, I'm with John.

[kinnath]

We need to be like the Koreans and have fist fights break out in Congress on a semi-regular basis.

[Anon]

I was actually cheering for Oudin to get beat 6-0 6-0 after she lost the first game. I wanted to be able to watch all of Federer-Soderling before I had to go to bed. I suppose that makes me sexist.

[kinnath]

I'd pay good money to see someone deck Nancy Pelosi.

[brotherben]

Is mine the only mind that spelled deck with an "i" in a fit of fantasy and delusion?

[Nick]

I'm arguing with a liberal via email this morning who says he can see how efficiently govt run institutions can work. He, no shit, cited the Saratoga Spa State Park golf course and the VA.

[I, Kahn O\'Clast]

And repubs booed and hissed at Clinton several times. Whoopee-shit.

Partisanship has crept into these pages far too often. I thought libertarians were supposed to dislike both groups in fairly equal measure especially since both are parties of big government and an encroaching nanny-state.

I would say that it's amusing how the right's outrage over a proposed health care bill is somehow equated with the left's outrage over a war that we were misled into. I do not see these things as equal even if I am opposed to both.

[John]

"I'd pay good money to see someone deck Nancy Pelosi."

Or at least call out in a good cockney accent "ah can it you silly cow!" during one of her speeches.

[Nipplemancer]

nope brotherb. i had to swallow some vomit the first time i read it because of the mental imagery.

[Ska]

I suppose that makes me sexist.

Is that the new code word for gay?

NTTAWWT

[John]

"I would say that it's amusing how the right's outrage over a proposed health care bill is somehow equated with the left's outrage over a war that we were misled into. I do not see these things as equal even if I am opposed to both."

Yes because taking over healthcare and directly affecting the treatment you will and won't recieve for the rest of your life is nothing compared to starting a war you won't ever fight in. Wars can be ended. Government programs go on forever.

[SugarFree]

A quick one: Amish Romance Novels.

[Yakov]

In communist Russia, government heckles you!

[bookworm]

"I would say that it's amusing how the right's outrage over a proposed health care bill is somehow equated with the left's outrage over a war that we were misled into. I do not see these things as equal even if I am opposed to both."

But what if you have a president who does both? On the one hand, he's trying to turn our country into a European socialist type country and on the other hand he keeps up Bush's wars and even expands one of them.

[brotherben]

Instilling guilt in innocent children may sound cruel - but again, kids aren't really innocent when it comes to race.

What a load of BS. In my experience, young kids(mine anyways) don't make unkind judgements that are race based. They have a certain curiousity as they do with the handicapped. predjudices are learned IMO.

[brotherben]

That "d" just doesn't belong there.

[Tomcat1066]

Watch kids on a playground. They don't seem to give a damn about ethnicity until they get older. Guilt for something they had nothing to do with isn't a good thing. Understanding that it happened and that it was wrong is what's important.

[Joe M]

I would say that it's amusing how the right's outrage over a proposed health care bill is somehow equated with the left's outrage over a war that we were misled into. I do not see these things as equal even if I am opposed to both.

Well, they both lead to more death, albeit in extremely dissimilar ways.

[creech]

Of course, Obamessiah lied. So does Rep. Wilson. So does every politician in every party. Including the Libertarian party. Get over it when someone calls you a liar. Have the facts unless you want to keep spinning tales from anectdotes, half truths, and misquotes.

[Thomas Friedman]

I bet in China nobody heckles speech-making executives!

[Xeones]

Whatever happened to Hack Watch, anyway?

Overwhelmed.

[bookworm]

"Wars can be ended. Government programs go on forever."

America's involvement in wars also seems to be going on forever.

[Euler]

I don't see any partisanship. It's a matter of which party is in power. Naturally, the Dems will come under more fire here when they control Congress and the executive branch.

[Kyle Jordan]

"A quick one: Amish Romance Novels."

No sex is a no go. I want to read about how some poor, incredibly cute Amish girl is seduced by an outsider and then deflowed, completely but said outsider and his band of ruffians. Of course, she grows to enjoy it, thus beginning a life of debasement and debauchery as the group slave.

[dbcooper]

Or at least call out in a good cockney accent "ah can it you silly cow!" during one of her speeches.

It'd be more "shut it you stupid cow!", but close enough.

[mitch]

brotherben says, "In my experience, young kids(mine anyways) don't make unkind judgements that are race based."

Check out this Newsweek story: "See Baby Discriminate :Kids as young as 6 months judge others based on skin color. What's a parent to do?"

http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989

[SugarFree]

The shock and outrage on Pelosi drawn and dessicated face that someone would dare question The Chosen One was hideous and hilarious. Hidlarious.

[Tomcat1066]

The shock and outrage on Pelosi drawn and dessicated face that someone would dare question The Chosen One was hideous and hilarious. Hidlarious.

And I missed it? Damn.

I bet in China nobody heckles speech-making executives!

Nope. They just kill them.

Not a bad idea.

[Fluffy]

That Melanie Oudin stuff is such crap.

Yes, the Williams sisters were never as popular as their success would seem to have warranted. And some of that was due to the fact that they were black. But MOST of it was due to the fact that they were BORING: they were successful for a long time, and simultaneously, and watching Williams v. Williams in semifinals and finals is just too boring for words. It makes it very difficult to become a big fan of either of them.

Back when the Williams girls were 15 and 60 Minutes was doing profiles on these amazing kids who were about to crush women's tennis, people were excited about them. But after a few years of dominance they got boring and no one gave a shit any more.

On the men's side when Rafa came along and finally someone could beat Federer once in a while everyone went nuts too. People want to see somebody new.

Oudin is new. Wozniacki is kind of new for that matter. Both will be popular.

[Jehovah]

Guilt for something they had nothing to do with isn't a good thing.

WTF?

[SugarFree]

Pelosi and Obama reaction shot vids

Google version, so it may sidestep some work filters.

[Hugh Akston]

I don't see any partisanship. It's a matter of which party is in power. Naturally, the Dems will come under more fire here when they control Congress and the executive branch.

It's been my experience that when someone drops in here with accusations of partisan shilling or anti-shilling, they usually follow it up with some kind admonition that the other team is worse that the one we're currently hating on.

...Wait for it...

I would say that it's amusing how the right's outrage over a proposed health care bill is somehow equated with the left's outrage over a war that we were misled into. I do not see these things as equal even if I am opposed to both.

[Lamar]

"Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) under fire for shouting 'You lie!' during Obama's speech."

Isn't it treason to call the president a liar while our troops are overseas? I can never remember which outbursts of dubious indignation are treason and which are merely 'talking straight to the American people'.

[Jaosn WOods]

Seems to me the only thing Obama is good at is giving speeches! Like a Pit Bull with no teeth, all bark, no bite!

RT
http://www.anonymous-web.be.tc

[R C Dean]

I can never remember which outbursts of dubious indignation are treason and which are merely 'talking straight to the American people'.

Its not complicated, Lamar.

Outbursts directed at a Republican = talking straight.

Outbursts directed at a Democrat = barbaric incivility.

Outbursts directed at a black Democrat = racist barbaric incivility.

[EJM]

The big news not being reported is that Wilson was actually cut off in the middle of shouting "You light up my life!"

He was going to shout "Youda Man!", but was afraid it would be seen as teh Racist.

I was thinking that he was trying to pull a Gilbert Gottfried.

[Joe M]

Outbursts directed at a Republican = talking straight

Homophobe!

[hmm]

? Recession shrinks income gap, promotes income equality

WHOO HOOO!!! I'm getting closer to the top!!

Wait a sec.

[hmm]

I'd say he's lucky no one caned him. Then again I guess it would have to be Obama doing the canning to be historically correct relative to the parties. (if possible)

How's that for a sticky wicket of an analogy.

[Hacha Cha]

looks like things aren't going so bad for PA. they are thinking of legalizing table games now too. now all PA needs to do is legalize prostitution and medical marijuana!
it looks like NJ isn't doing so bad either.

[Hacha Cha]

oh I wanted to add that revenue is actually increasing at casinos here in PA.

[Boobfan]

"Oudin is new. Wozniacki is kind of new for that matter. Both will be popular."

Only thing I noticed is nobody had any tits.

[Yackoff Wilson]

In Russia, speech heckles you!

[Rimfax]

Putting aside the inappropriateness of the interruption (I think it was inappropriate), what about the accuracy of his objection?

Why should universal health care not be universal? If they intend to block immigrants, illegal or otherwise, from coverage, do they really care about "people" having access to health care? Is it merely a bow to political pragmatism or is it really about levelling health care access, regardless of overall outcomes or economic viability?

In other words, would they agree to bar illegal immigrants because of the politics or because this is really about punishing the rich and middle class for having means for superior health care?

[Tomcat1066]

Speaking of links, here's one about MY Representative. Apparently, he's got a hamster bladder.

Oh yeah. We're so proud.

[Tomcat1066]

Of course, that's from June 14th, but still.

[Old Mick]

If they don't cover illegals, will we see them puking and dying in the streets on our way to the grocery store? How can that be healthy?

Or will illegals be forced to get health care in some back alley health clinic?

[jtuf]

lol. Gambling addicts say, "No thanks, we're good." State officials say, "Common. Please, just one more hit."

[Old Bull Lee]

Health care issues aside, I'm glad to see a politician quit worrying about their image and the next election for 1 second and say what they think. Of course it didn't last long as we had the apology the next day.

[!]

No sex is a no go. I want to read about how some poor, incredibly cute Amish girl is seduced by an outsider and then deflowed, completely but said outsider and his band of ruffians. Of course, she grows to enjoy it, thus beginning a life of debasement and debauchery as the group slave.

Blogger buddy Suki, someone is looking for the beginning of your second book. Maybe not, a "ruffians" mention does not seem to indicate girl-on-girl action.

[Old Mick]

"Maybe not, a "ruffians" mention does not seem to indicate girl-on-girl action."

The have girl gangs in Philly. They're mighty rough, these girls.

Just sayin' 😉

[!]

OM,

The have girl gangs in Philly. They're mighty rough, these girls.

Just sayin' 😉

Well, you are in luck. One if the girl ruffians is from Hoboken and the other was an ex-lover from Tokyo, but it all happens in Arlington, VA.

Must confess, I misread Amish as Asian, so my comment is even less relevant 🙁

[Art-P.O.G.]

I've never seen a racist baby before...did stuff change while I've been overseas? :p

I also love these SugarLinks?...and think the feature sounds like a delicious, but fucked up cereal.

[J.]

"What Joe said. Congress should be more like the British House of Parliment where the gallary catcalls the Prime Minister. Ever watch one of those speechs?"

I'd like to see some good old fashioned Taiwanese parliament-style fist fights. South Carolina could use some more guys like Preston Brooks in Congress. They'd still be crooked scumbags, but at least CSPAN would be mildly entertaining.

[Tulpa]

Congress should be more like the British House of Parliment where the gallary catcalls the Prime Minister. Ever watch one of those speechs?

There's an image Congress is trying to project, that of a reasonable, grown-up deliberative body. If that veneer is drawn back, and they just look like drunk Red Sox and Yankees fans shouting at each other in the bleachers of Fenway Park, the hoi polloi might realize that they're just a bunch of shlubs like the rest of us.

[alan]

brotherben | September 10, 2009, 9:58am | #
Instilling guilt in innocent children may sound cruel - but again, kids aren't really innocent when it comes to race.

What a load of BS. In my experience, young kids(mine anyways) don't make unkind judgements that are race based. They have a certain curiousity as they do with the handicapped. predjudices are learned IMO.

A few years ago, I ran into an old buddy, Luther who I had known all through K-12. He looked at me slyly and said,

"I remember that time in first grade you got a cloth and tried to scrub my blackness off."

I protested, "but your hands are almost white. I didn't know much about pigmentation back then."

[alan]

Back when the Williams girls were 15 and 60 Minutes was doing profiles on these amazing kids who were about to crush women's tennis, people were excited about them. But after a few years of dominance they got boring and no one gave a shit any more.

I watched the Sunday match, and I rarely watch tennis. Venus Williams has a certain elegant grace that is appealing, but at the same time that chi scream she sounds off with every volley is annoying as fuck.

[TrickyVic]

"""Its not complicated, Lamar.

Outbursts directed at a Republican = talking straight.

Outbursts directed at a Democrat = barbaric incivility.

Outbursts directed at a black Democrat = racist barbaric incivility."""

Except when the republicans were in power, it was reversed.

[Anonymous]

Except when the republicans were in power, it was reversed.

According to whom? Maybe the statists in the media, but I don't recall hearing half this hubub about booing Bush. Maybe because Bush had thicker skin than a fresh bowl of pudding.

[Fluffy]

According to whom? Maybe the statists in the media, but I don't recall hearing half this hubub about booing Bush. Maybe because Bush had thicker skin than a fresh bowl of pudding.

If I had stood in the Congress during Bush's 2002 State of the Union speech and yelled, "You lie!" I wouldn't just have been called rude - I would have been branded a traitor to the Republic by the Bush-fellators in the GOP "Cult of Personality of W the Flight-Jacketed Warrior of God".

[Anonymous]

Actually, I'd love to see the news coverage on that for comparison -- the media is never quite so wrong as when it reports on itself -- but I'm terribly lazy, so I'll wait until Reason itself starts doing the legwork.

I dispute the claim of cult of personality, but it could be that in my conservative circles and in comparison with his each of his predecessors, opponents, and successor it just doesn't show up.

In any case, I've read more big-government ideological totalitarian articles that beggar the imagination in the last year than I could have dreamed up for Screwtape-meets-Mark-Russell. Maybe that's the difference between somebody trying to save the world and somebody trying to save me. If so, maybe explaining that distinction would convert some people.