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Politics

Tonight on The Independents: Jeffrey Miron on the Stimulus, John Stossel on Good News, Deroy Murdock on the V.A., Mary Katharine Ham on the CIA & Life Sentences for Teen Hash Dealers, Plus Call-in Aftershow and More!

Matt Welch | 5.20.2014 8:37 PM

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Tonight's live episode of The Independents (Fox Business Network, 9 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. PT, repeats three hours later) is so jam-packed with material that we had to sacrifice Topical Storm, and there isn't even enough room in the headline to mention that one of our guests will be Aliea Bidwell, a young Alabama mother who claims that a pediatrician at the hospital threatened to have her newborn taken into state custody unless the parents consented to give the child a Hepatitis B vaccine.

Also, for the second (and possibly last!) time, tonight's after-show, which can be found at foxbusiness.com/independents beginning at 10 p.m. sharp, will feature LIVE PHONE CALLS FROM ALLEGED HUMAN BEINGS, or at least those who call the super-secret telephone number (*cough* 877-249-9626 *cough*). Please do the world a solid and DON'T ACTUALLY CALL THAT NUMBER UNTIL JUST BEFORE 10 P.M. Kthnxbi.

Party panelists tonight are Hot Air/Townhall media personality Mary Katharine Ham and Demos Senior Fellow Rich Benjamin, who will talk about most of the following stories: 1) The National Security Agency recording every damned phone call in the Bahamas; 2) a 19-year-old Texas kid facing LIFE IN PRISON for making and selling pot brownies; 3) the CIA vowing to really never again pose as vaccinating doctors when collecting blood data on people they hope to assassinate; and 4) the Chipotle/Bloomberg/gun kerfuffle.

We're just getting started. Beloved Harvard economist and occasional Reason contributor Jeffrey A. Miron will be on to defend his outlandish ongoing contention that maybe the ARRA Stimulus wasn't the best of public policies. Beloved eponymous Fox Business Network host and Reason.com columnist John Stossel will be on to promote his upcoming Thursday show on the "Good New Days." National Review Online contributor Deroy Murdock will talk about the V.A. hospitals scandal, and the co-hosts will discuss about some under-appreciated aspects of the Beverly Hills Hotel boycott.

Follow The Independents on Twitter @ independentsFBN; tweet out during the show and we might use it. And click on this page for more video of past segments.

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NEXT: How You Can Get Life for Hash Brownies in Texas

Matt Welch is an editor at large at Reason.

PoliticsPolicyEconomicsCivil LibertiesCultureWar on DrugsThe IndependentsStimulusNSACentral Intelligence AgencySurveillanceJohn StosselVaccinesIslamDrugs
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  1. Fist of Etiquette   11 years ago

    I'm not watching if they're not doing the news weather.

    1. Hyperion   11 years ago

      How do you envision Kennedy's style as weather girl?

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        Arguing with the tornadoes?

        1. Hyperion   11 years ago

          Maybe Kennedy can interrupt global warming and save us all!

          1. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

            Climatus interruptus.

            1. PapayaSF   11 years ago

              Via some sort of earring-related superpower.

              Tonight's hoops: her biggest ever?

              1. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

                Could be twin particle accelerators.

    2. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

      Hello.

      1. Slammer   11 years ago

        Howdy, Rufus!

  2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

    "will feature LIVE PHONE CALLS"

    Best behavior guys.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      left out an "a" in the middle.

    2. Bam!   11 years ago

      They never did put up the video of the previous live call-in show. It sounded awesomely bad.

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        Live as in live on the air?

        Uh-oh.

        1. poloniusium   11 years ago

          Am I going to get to hear Mary?

          1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

            God willing.

  3. Hyperion   11 years ago

    Looky, for all you here suffering from extreme nut punch trauma today, Stossel has some good news! It will be like nut punch healing balm!

    1. Winston   11 years ago

      Hey Hyperion, remember what Shriek said yesterday? Turns out Reason deleted it.

      1. Hyperion   11 years ago

        Shieks a moron. I never remember anything that he says.

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

          Re: a golf trip. My response got deleted too.

          1. Hyperion   11 years ago

            Maybe I missed it. Are we censoring things here now?

            1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

              You got a problem with that, you _____?

            2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

              It was a good call, and I support it. I don't want Reason getting sued.

              Shriek made a libelous statement.

              1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                "_____ is known to _____ with _____."

                1. Hyperion   11 years ago

                  Wait a minute... it's coming back to me. Oh yes .... mmmhmm, I now remember.

                  But, what does it have to do with 'Stossel's nut punch healing balm elixir, TM'?

              2. Hyperion   11 years ago

                Well, if anyone remembers, I said only yesterday that Shriek was teetering on the edge of a massive freakout, Mary style. He was totally losing it yesterday, so nothing surprises me.

                1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                  Coke bender. He's getting too old for that shit.

                  At least he'll sleep through tonight's show.

                  1. Winston   11 years ago

                    So he's a cokehead Georgia redneck? That or Weigel.

                2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                  Well, I think his problem is that his ____ is ____.

                3. Winston   11 years ago

                  Well he already made a comment that Reason saw fit to delete so he seems to have just gone over...

              3. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

                Classical liberalism lost a good one.

                1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                  I got a laugh out of that. Thanks.

                  1. Sudden   11 years ago

                    I will contact you later to find out what exactly was said. I need a laugh today.

          2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

            Yeah, I'm bored by golf discussions too.

  4. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

    Dodgers prized Cuban prospect Alex Guerrero has a chunk of his ear bit off by his own teammate during dugout altercation

  5. Fist of Etiquette   11 years ago

    Also, for the second (and possibly last!) time, tonight's after-show...will feature LIVE PHONE CALLS FROM ALLEGED HUMAN BEINGS...

    The first time should have been the last time. Fool the Independents once, shame on you; fool them twice, shame on them.

  6. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    "the CIA vowing to really never again pose as vaccinating doctors when collecting blood data on people they hope to assassinate"

    I'm beginning to think all those crazy people babbling about how even the most innocent-looking people are part of a CIA plot may be on to something...

  7. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    And the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely feature 3 Canadians next season.

    1. Winston   11 years ago

      Time for Canada to avenge 1783!

    2. GILMORE   11 years ago

      Canadians play basketball?

      Ah. Apparently its all because of Vince Carter & the Raptors

      http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/f.....ion-131010

      1. Winston   11 years ago

        Basketball was invented by a Canadian.

        1. PapayaSF   11 years ago

          True! I love this bit (from Wikipedia):

          The objective of the game was to throw the basketball, into the fruit baskets nailed to the lower railing of the gym balcony. Every time a point was scored, the game was halted so the janitor could bring out a ladder and retrieve the ball. Later, the bottoms of the fruit baskets were removed.

          1. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

            there used to be a TV spot about that.

        2. GILMORE   11 years ago

          "Winston|5.20.14 @ 8:53PM|

          Basketball was invented by a Canadian.

          yeah and your only team is named after a fucking dinosaur. Well done there.

  8. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    is Anyone actually watching Judge Judy Primetime?

    1. Hyperion   11 years ago

      Why on fucking earth would anyone ever do that to their own eyes?

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        I would say ears.

        1. Hyperion   11 years ago

          Senses, period.

      2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        Self esteem. You watch the people on the show, and immediately feel better about yourself. Sort of like Hoarders.

        1. GILMORE   11 years ago

          This is true.

          This was what they found in the 1990s with daytime tv like Montel and... the one with the woman... and Jerry Springer etc. Middle class housewives LOVED to watch shows about shitty people who could get their fucking lives together. bad families, problem relationships, whatever.

          I wrote about how this was also what made Starbucks successful in the 1990s-2000s

          it made the middle-class feel upper-middle-class. it made tasteless people feel like they had taste. They may not even care for the coffee particularly, but *at least they're better than people who drink Dunkin Donuts*

          1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

            I'm sure Jersey Shore fits in there somewhere too...

          2. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

            Which has better coffee by most accounts.

            1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

              I eagerly await the expansion of Dunkin Donuts into CA.

              1. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

                No Krispy Kreme, either, right?

                1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                  No, we have that. I take my kids to the factory store to get free samples.

                  My wife and I disagree on the educational value of such excursions.

            2. lap83   11 years ago

              Yes, much better coffee. Starbucks has better customer service but their coffee is extremely overrated.

              1. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

                The locals in Seattle used to regularly mock Starbucks' coffee when I worked for a Seattle-based company.

                1. BuSab Agent   11 years ago

                  Starbucks burns their beans and that's just gross.

  9. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    I am tempted to call the number, and then just scream STEVE SMITH! at the top of my lungs.

    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      Sure, but don't do it before 10PM Eastern.

    2. GILMORE   11 years ago

      STEVE SMITH LOVE SHOW! THINK MATT HAVE PRETTY MOUTH

    3. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

      I'm tempted to call and ask Kennedy if being a guest on Bill O'Reilly's show made her appreciate how it feels to be interrupted by a host.

      1. Derpetologist   11 years ago

        Oh, that is brilliant!

        1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

          Surprisingly, it was not the interrupt-fest we were all expecting (and the reason I tuned in). Kennedy won on O'Reilly, and got the center square, to boot.

  10. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    INDEPENDENTS, REGURGITATE!

    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      I don't assemble to an orange font.

      1. GILMORE   11 years ago

        We resemble that remark

    2. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

      It's a John Stossel kind of night, I see.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUis9yny_lI

  11. Bam!   11 years ago

    "we had to sacrifice Topical Storm" -- But then how is Kennedy going to get her gossip fix?

    1. Winston   11 years ago

      How about a Tulpical Storm? Rollo and Hydra will add commentary.

  12. Max Power   11 years ago

    Ugh, Cavuto.

    1. GILMORE   11 years ago

      In some ways, The Independents is a 1-hour mind-wash of the 5 mins of Neil Cavuto I have to see.

      it doesn't even clean it all. what's the deal with that?

  13. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

    The Special K is back.

  14. Bam!   11 years ago

    What's the "K" stand for?

    1. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

      Kwality.

    2. All-Seeing Monocle   11 years ago

      It stands for "you just got Kut off, bitch"

  15. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

    Also her face has much more color to it today, so I guess she had her fill of virgin blood today?

  16. poloniusium   11 years ago

    POST THE PICTURE!

    1. poloniusium   11 years ago

      Of hippie Matt, if it wasn't obvious.

  17. Max Power   11 years ago

    Ever been to Disneyland... on weed?

  18. Slammer   11 years ago

    Is it improper to call attention to Reason giving one a hat tip, or is that frowned upon here?

  19. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

    "Should I have gone to jail for life for experimenting with baked goods?"

    Hell no is right, Matt. But for your wardrobe, on the other hand...

    1. Max Power   11 years ago

      I like that suit.

      1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

        It's okay. But I'm talking about previous outfits like the cowboy one.

  20. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Victimless crime is an oxymoron.

  21. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    Wow, The People want reform! They said so in a poll! This defendant should be reassured!

  22. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Wouldn't it be great if Kennedy, Matt, and Kmele all wore Ks on their shirts? You'd have K, K, uh oh.

  23. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    Suddenly they're prosecuting white people!

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      (which they've never done before)

      1. Slammer   11 years ago

        Matt cut that BS off right away.

        1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

          Nicely handled. Texas doesn't discriminate when it comes to life sentences and the death penalty...everybody gets one or the other!

  24. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    This gives us another view of those caribbean vacation destination ads.

  25. Max Power   11 years ago

    Welch sounds fired up tonight!

  26. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Come to sunny Belize and have NSA agents watching your every move!

  27. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    A lot of yes-persons on the panel - where's John Bolton?

  28. poloniusium   11 years ago

    Answers from the government?

  29. Slammer   11 years ago

    Call BR-549

    1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

      How is our show? Call 1-800-EATSHIT

  30. kibby   11 years ago

    No matter how awful tonight is, it cannot be worse than this Dancing with the Stars bullshit. My extended family is the worst.

    1. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

      all extended family is the worst, kibby.

      1. kibby   11 years ago

        At least most extended family has internet.

      2. Derpetologist   11 years ago

        Relatives are merely a tedious pack of people with no clue how to live nor the slightest idea about when to die.

        -paraphrased from Oscar Wilde

  31. poloniusium   11 years ago

    Is kennedy channeling Gaffigan?

    I feel like I'd be a perv for tuning in afterhourssss.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      No, there's no connection, it's just a coincidence.

  32. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    So one of the guests is the author of In Search of Whitopia...

    That book is an attempt to explain why white people move away from cities. Because of course, the answer must be racism.

    I'm white and I moved away from Chicago because it is a crumbling, crime-infested shit hole.

    1. Slammer   11 years ago

      I'm white

      Racist.

    2. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

      They've hated livable suburbs from the very beginning. See Stalin-apologist Pete Seeger's 'Little Boxes' song.

    3. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Amazon quotes from Publishers Weekly:

      "Starting in 2007, Benjamin, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan think tank Demos, and, more significantly, an African-American, spent two years traveling through America's whitest communities?patches of Idaho and Utah and even pockets of New York City?where, according to his research, more and more white people have been seeking refuge from the increasingly multicultural reality that is mainstream America. There's plenty of potential in this premise, but Benjamin writes without any sense of purpose, alternating between undigested interviews with policy experts, self-indulgent digressions on the pleasures of golf and real estate shopping and sketchy portraits of his subjects. Despite Benjamin's countless conversations with everyone from Ed Gillespie, former head of the GOP, to a drunk in an Idaho bar, he never offers any fresh insights or practical suggestions. He concludes by barraging the reader with a series of unearned musts: we must revitalize the public sector, we must work hard for a new universalism. If his time in the nation's whitest enclaves gave him any specific thoughts about how those ideals might be achieved, he would have done well to share them."

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        I miss Bolton.

      2. PapayaSF   11 years ago

        Yeah, a "revitalized public sector," that's the ticket.

      3. Irish   11 years ago

        Starting in 2007, Benjamin, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan think tank Demos, and, more significantly, an African-American, spent two years traveling through America's whitest communities?patches of Idaho and Utah and even pockets of New York City?where, according to his research, more and more white people have been seeking refuge from the increasingly multicultural reality that is mainstream America.

        I like when people claim that whites are segregating themselves from a 'multicultural' America. Those people never seem to mention how black and Hispanic people have a strange tendency not to live in the same places.

        Why aren't Hispanics pilloried for not living with black people? It's almost like there's a weird double standard.

        1. PapayaSF   11 years ago

          Double standards about race? Seriously? Is that even possible?

          1. Irish   11 years ago

            When white people live with lots of other white people in rural Idaho, it's evil. When Mexican immigrants live with lots of other Mexican immigrants in rural California, this proves nothing you racist rethuglicunt.

            1. Sudden   11 years ago

              What about when second generation Mexicans live in Harbor Gateway alongside blacks and something approaching a race war develops between the two?

              1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

              2. chmercier   11 years ago

                An evil Republican fake scandal conspiracy, that's what it's called.

                Funded by the Kochtopus, of course. As are all white communities in Idaho, because evul gunz or something.

                1. seguin   11 years ago

                  Idaho is a Koch brothers conspiracy.

                  1. Corning   11 years ago

                    Idaho is a Koch brothers conspiracy.

                    And the only character in Dune who without the aid of "magic" is actually worth a shit.

  33. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    GILMORE should call in to do his wardrobe review live.

    1. Sudden   11 years ago

      Seconded.

  34. poloniusium   11 years ago

    MAD AS HELL

  35. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    How long did he take to comment on Skippy Gates as he attacked Cambridge police for 'acting stupidly' again?

    This guy is not a leader. He's a poser.

    1. chmercier   11 years ago

      Isn't it ironic that a cop who was actually doing his proffered job - serving and protecting - got pilloried for it?

  36. BigT   11 years ago

    Obama votes "Present" just like in the IL house. The on responsibility Prez

  37. Bam!   11 years ago

    Why do we even have a president if his job is to eat burgers and play little league?

    1. All-Seeing Monocle   11 years ago

      To distract the proles?

    2. poloniusium   11 years ago

      Because our head of government is also our head of state.

      At least with monarchy, the celebrity is centered around the Queen and not around the PM.

  38. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    He's a clown because it's the VA is a fake scandal.

    1. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

      I thought the VA was a real scandal, because it was that guy that was retiring's fault, not his Gracelessness'.

  39. The Bearded Hobbit   11 years ago

    I was surprised to find that there are three Chipote restaurants in New Mexico (all in Albuquerque). I can't believe that they survive with a city full of Sadies, La Cocina, and Los Quates, to name a few. They would get slaughtered in Santa Fe.

    ... "Red or green?" Hobbit

    1. PapayaSF   11 years ago

      We have Taco Bells in SF and environs, and there are Taco Bells in NM.

      1. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

        Really, there's likely nowhere in the U.S. that doesn't have a Mexican restaurant better than Taco Bell. It serves its purpose.

        1. The Bearded Hobbit   11 years ago

          I ran into a place in Eureka, MT that had New Mexico chile on the menu. The wife of the owner was from Chama, NM.

          I'm also told that one of the best New Mexican restaurants around is in Anchorage.

          BH

          1. jesse.in.mb   11 years ago

            The Red Iguana in Salt Lake City was excellent.

      2. The Bearded Hobbit   11 years ago

        Unfortunately, true. Even a couple in Santa Fe. I thought that they had closed the one in Espanola, but I see that a new one has opened up.

        BH

    2. Sudden   11 years ago

      I can't tell you how many times I see people passing by the amazing food trucks where Mexican families make authentic street tacos for Crapotle.

    3. Tejicano   11 years ago

      I will tell you why - because there are enough white people in Albuquerque who are embarrassed by their Spanish pronunciation, and less appreciative of real Mexican food, that they would go to Chipotle to feel comfortable ordering in English.

      1. Tejicano   11 years ago

        Shorter version - snow birds

        1. poloniusium   11 years ago

          They absolve their white guilt at not know lots of spanish by ignoring hispanics.

          makes perfect sense.

  40. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    Let's go to the phones!

  41. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

    When it's all said and done, this is a scandal that really shows the administration's contempt for the American people. Because you must hold people in contempt if you expect them to swallow the line about the president not knowing and being madder than anyone about this whole thing which exists separate from the administration he ostensibly runs.

    If this happened under Bush the progs would screaming about how Chimpy doesn't care about our veterans and this is exactly what happens when you elect people that don't believe in government.

    1. poloniusium   11 years ago

      It did happen under Bush, as well, and I think we're going to hear as much BOOOOSH as usual.

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

        Aren't this more systemic problems bigger than any President? Can the President really fix things since in the end, it's all bureaucracy anyway? It'll never get better. It'll just slowly rot away.

    2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      But, thank God, we elected someone who Cares, someone willing to tackle these problems inherited from Bush!

      1. All-Seeing Monocle   11 years ago

        As soon as he gets through the next election he's really going to shake things up!

      2. Derpetologist   11 years ago

        Remember, Obama cares-

        https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A3LlyoeCAAAdCIw.png

        1. poloniusium   11 years ago

          Oh jesus.

        2. Bam!   11 years ago

          That looks like a police sketch of a child molester.

    3. Acosmist   11 years ago

      Uh, it did happen under Bush. Walter Reed. And the progs did flip out.

  42. poloniusium   11 years ago

    Hot.

  43. GILMORE   11 years ago

    The Independents Attire Review, 20 May 2014

    Blue Jean-Edition

    - Kennedy: We discover that Lisa was actually a member of the least-known sorority @ UCLA = "Kappa"; either that, or she's a bigger Kafka fan than we thought. We're 2-for-2 for Pink Week (which I guess is what Pre-Memorial Day Weekend-Week is?) so far. If we can go all 4 days with shades of Pink we will mail Kennedy a stuffed animal. WE SWEARS IT.

    - Matt: We note = The Formula Suit here has only *ever* been worn on this show with the pink shirt and the same cyan tie. (hence the name 'formula') Our feelings here are neutral (as always, a white shirt would be better) Mixing things up here challenges our comment from last night = will he go another full week without Drastic Disasters? We continue to bemoan the over-use of the grey and pink shirts and pray for their eventual consignment to the laundry bin of history.

    - Kmele: I'm mixed on Kmele's fondness for patterned/plaid shirts with sport coats. (particularly the 'Boyd Crowder' thing) It isn't something I have a lot of experience with or appreciation of; however, the color-balance with shirt and tie is just 100% On. Let's call this sort of thing, 'Expert Level' - its easy to do it wrong. He doesn't do it wrong.

    - All about the Benjamins: The hair wins. 'nuff said.

    On This Day In History =
    May 20, 1953
    French see "light at the end of the tunnel" in Vietnam
    Ha!

    Merci

  44. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    An economist getting on cable TV to say we don't necessarily know a lot about something?

    (flips through Book of Revelations)

    1. poloniusium   11 years ago

      Economics isn't an experimental science

      uh...

  45. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    All this talk of the MSM sucking up to Obama is just plain rubbish!

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLG9.....nquest.jpg

    1. poloniusium   11 years ago

      Jesus, I thought it was a shop.

    2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Wow, but at least it's Newsweek.

  46. GILMORE   11 years ago

    Dear Fox Business News =

    Please don't call the guy "Harvard Economist". We're not children. We understand that if he worked at say, George Mason U, you wouldn't tell us because *that* would seem stupid, but that you WILL do that with Harvard because Harvard is being used as a replacement for "Really Fucking Smart!"

    It makes us think you, the producers of the show, are fucking idiots.

    Thank You

    1. Derpetologist   11 years ago

      It is sad that people continue to drop the name of a college which can count the following as alumni:

      Bill O'Reilly
      George W Bush
      Barack Obama

      and of course-

      MAAAAAAT DAAAAAAMON

      1. Corning   11 years ago

        You forgot McNamara.

        He puts the body counts of Bush and Obama to shame.

        1. SusanM   11 years ago

          This what you mean?

          http://assets.amuniversal.com/.....163e41dd5b

    2. Derpetologist   11 years ago

      It is sad that people continue to drop the name of a college which can count the following as alumni:

      Bill O'Reilly
      George W Bush
      Barack Obama

      and of course-

      MAAAAAAT DAAAAAAMON

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        The CIA again.

        1. Derpetologist   11 years ago

          You ever heard of a sub-dermal neurophone?

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

            Heard about it? I've been trying to convince my doctor of it for years!

      2. GILMORE   11 years ago

        Matt Damon did 1.5 years @ Harvard and dropped out

        not 'alumni'

        unless he went back?

        1. Tejicano   11 years ago

          I thought that was a Good Will Hunting reference.

          1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

            How do you like them apples?

  47. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Newsweek can't die soon enough:

    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2CNA.....sident.jpg

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      First gay President, second black President!

      /Bill Clinton

      1. Winston   11 years ago

        James Buchanan gets the er...shaft once again.

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          You mean Abraham Lincoln:

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.....am_Lincoln

          Who wants to claim Buchanan - that slaver? Just because he never married and roomed with other men in Washington...and really liked that Alabama senator...they were simply bonding over a common interest in chains and whips.

          1. Winston   11 years ago

            This Bondaphobia must end. Time for Reason to get on the bandwagon!

            (I think Barry Nelson and Woody Allen were the best by the way.)

  48. GILMORE   11 years ago

    I wonder if they will note the ~dozen or so aid workers murdered in Pakistan since 2010 because everyone trying to help are now considered 'spies'

  49. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    It seems like that guy on the corner babbling about the CIA was ahead of the curve.

  50. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    It seems like that guy on the corner babbling about the CIA was ahead of the curve.

  51. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    It seems like that guy on the corner babbling about the CIA was ahead of the curve.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Would you cut that out, CIA!

      1. NSA Andy   11 years ago

        CIA, heh

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          not funny

          1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

            Knock-knock.

  52. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Great Zeus, is there no end to Newsweek's brown-nosing?

    http://www.groundzeromedia.org.....t-full.jpg

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Your friends are getting concerned about you...you need to get on the wagon and read healthy stuff like Reason...

      1. Pathogen   11 years ago

        Too much derp... he's gone feral..

        1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

          The evil of the Derponomicon has been loosed, and all shall be consumed by it.

    2. Irish   11 years ago

      There's no way that's real.

      1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

        It's real and it offended Hindis

      2. Derpetologist   11 years ago

        Oh, but it is:

        http://lockerroom.johnlocke.or.....-newsweek/

    3. NebulousFocus   11 years ago

      Shiva is known as "the destroyer", so....

      1. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

        Or just Remo.

    4. Pro Libertate   11 years ago

      Holy cow. Could they commit journalistic suicide a little more quietly?

  53. poloniusium   11 years ago

    What the hell was kennedy doing around her junior high teachers?

  54. GILMORE   11 years ago

    Matt *says* he doesn't work for "the Agency"...

    ...yet seems to have an intense desire to look like Matt Damon in The Good Shepherd

  55. poloniusium   11 years ago

    This guy is confused, isn't he?

    1. Bam!   11 years ago

      He works for Demos, so yes.

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        They should have a guy on from the Family Research Council...just a suggestion...

    2. NebulousFocus   11 years ago

      He's proof liberals don't understand conservative or libertarian viewpoints at all...

    3. Slammer   11 years ago

      How does one not get the idea of FORCE? It's so maddeningly simple.

      1. Pathogen   11 years ago

        Punch them in their faces, and take their wallets... they'll get it..

  56. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    Sure, I'd get a Volvo, but I'm worried that the annoying voice-over lady would be included in the deal.

  57. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

    Poor Francisco, missing his role model on TV. I hope everything is OK.

    1. NSA Andy   11 years ago

      he's probably fishing.

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        Corey?

        1. Agammamon   11 years ago

          Corey, sleeps with the fishes.

          He got caught pulling a 'Snowden'.

    2. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

      He mentioned fishing season having opened, so he's presumably off enjoying retirement.

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        I hope he is getting his questions ready for the call in segment.

  58. Irish   11 years ago

    College students protest a right wing hatemonger.

    The group of about 15 students was there to impede the appearance of Kristian Williams, an anarchist author who has suggested sexual assault allegations should be more thoroughly investigated rather than assumed to be true.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      An anarchist wants to *reform* the justice system?

      1. Irish   11 years ago

        She's an anarcho-syndicalist, which basically means she wants the government to stay exactly as it currently is, but we'll just call Congress a 'Worker's Committee.'

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          With a two-thirds vote for major policy changes, and a majority vote for purely internal matters...

          1. Sudden   11 years ago

            If only their meetings were only bi-weekly.

    2. GILMORE   11 years ago

      College = where you go to insulate yourself from different opinions.

    3. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      More than a mere "protest" -

      "Students at Portland State University stormed a panel talk on police brutality and continuously chanted "we will not be silenced in the face of your violence" among other profanity-laced insults until the event was shut down, a video of the protest shows."

      This induces Orwell-gasms.

    4. Irish   11 years ago

      More Krazy Kollege Kids!

      If your class is too large to memorize names and pronouns, avoid using gender-specific language whenever possible. For example, if your instinct is to call on "the guy in the purple shirt," try instead saying, "you, in the purple shirt."

      Remove triggering material when it does not contribute directly to the course learning goals.

      Listen to your students, accept no gracefully.

      A "no" is not a comment on you personally nor on your rapport with the student.

      Clearly the best way to run a learning environment is to allow students to unilaterally veto the teacher's lesson plan.

    5. Derpetologist   11 years ago

      What's the difference between the Borg and progs? Well, one is a hive-mind prone to speaking in unison...wait, let me try again.

      1. chmercier   11 years ago

        HAHA! ^this

  59. GILMORE   11 years ago

    I liked the 1980s, when nuclear war was imminent, AIDS was going to kill everyone, crack babies were going to be the mutant survivors, and music was descending into an anarchic combination of fags playing metal and drug dealers doing Rappity Rap.

    These days, the worst they can come up with is *global warming*?

    i'll be honest. I prefer flip-flops. I fail to see the downside.

    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      I don't get the flip flip hate. You wear Tevas? You better be on your way to a rock climbing excursion.

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        *flip flop.

      2. poloniusium   11 years ago

        What about scrambling up creek beds?

      3. Pathogen   11 years ago

        Flip-flops are the goto 'shoe' in FL...

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

          Same here.

          1. Sudden   11 years ago

            I used to wear nothing but flip flops. However, I do have to be a bit more careful on those occassions that I do, lest I puncture my foot with a stray heroin needle walking past skid row en route to watching the Blackhawks sweep the Kings at the Escondite.

            1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

              New Reefs will protect against that, but if the tread is worn down, you'll take a needle to the heel.

              1. GILMORE   11 years ago

                I have always been partial to the Adidas soccer flip flops that have the little nubs on them. Bloodflow and shit.

                1. Pathogen   11 years ago

                  Shower shoes..

                2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                  Also, exfoliation.

      4. GILMORE   11 years ago

        I worked @ REI when tevas were first marketed/invented

        Never liked them, even as pre-climb/post-climb footwear. And I climbed a lot.

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

          My roommate freshman year of college wore them. He came out to visit me one summer, and I confiscated them.

    2. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

      ABC

      Anything
      But
      Crocs

      1. Pathogen   11 years ago

        *narrows gaze*

  60. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    Accent should be on "new," not "good" or "days."

    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      The razor commercial?

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        I thought Kennedy.

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          Good new days, the Stossel show

  61. GILMORE   11 years ago

    she's fucking the lawyer

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      ...who has a great sense of humor, I hope?

  62. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    What a scum bag doctor.

  63. GILMORE   11 years ago

    The lawyer used to be a bouncer

    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      He seems to be earning his money. Won't even make eye contact.

  64. poloniusium   11 years ago

    This is an important lesson; everyone needs a crew.

  65. GILMORE   11 years ago

    Also, the bouncer-lawyer doesn't know not to wear a striped tie with a plaid shirt

    1. poloniusium   11 years ago

      He fits right in.

  66. GILMORE   11 years ago

    I keep expecting the lawyer to be like, "YOU'RE LEADING THE WITNESS!"

  67. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    What was the point of the lawyer?

    1. Bam!   11 years ago

      To interrupt if it started going south.

    2. All-Seeing Monocle   11 years ago

      I assume to keep her from blurting out something that would be used against her in court.

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

        I get that but it was too weird.

        1. All-Seeing Monocle   11 years ago

          True, he could have whispered into her hear a few times congressional-testimony style.

  68. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

    That law talkin' guy better not bill her for that.

  69. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Lou Dobbs!!

    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      What I said yesterday.

  70. Andrew S.   11 years ago

    Mitch McConnell won his primary.

    Was so hoping he'd get bounced.

    1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

      You know who isn't disappointed by the McConnell win?

      Congratulations to my colleague Mitch McConnell on tonight's victory! KY GOP must now unite for a win in November. Onwards to victory!

      ? Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 20, 2014

      [removed][removed]

      Guess Rand knows when you have to be a Team player.

      1. Bobarian   11 years ago

        This, but I did my duty and voted against Mitch.

  71. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    OK, who's calling in?

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      They're screening me for some reason...all I said was that I wanted to share my own experiences with the CIA, in my fillings...

      1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

        You are Caller #1. Sadly, we will not have time for a Caller #2.

  72. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    Let the calls begin!

  73. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    Is Chris really Episiarch?

  74. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    Interrupting callers?

  75. All-Seeing Monocle   11 years ago

    OH MY FUCK WILL YOU GET TO THE FUCKING POINT?

  76. GILMORE   11 years ago

    So the first caller is going to take 30 fucking minutes to make a goddamn point?

    And he's a doctor? Normally these people cut to the chase.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      I couldn't stand the tension...what was the point?

      1. Pathogen   11 years ago

        It was a ruse.. all the long.

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          Pathogen and the medical profession should have a dialogue...why should they be so hostile all the time?

          1. Pathogen   11 years ago

            They refuse to recognize our right to exist... Oh, and they deny the antibiotic holocaust...

    2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      Doctor?!?
      Damn, medical school ain't what it used to be...

  77. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    Boy the guest is pretty proggie.

    1. All-Seeing Monocle   11 years ago

      "Employers use force too!"

    2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      She sure is.

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

        I'm talking about the dude with the freaky hair. Buckwheat.

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

          Me too.

          1. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

            Heh.

  78. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

    Well I called in and got their call screener who said they're done taking calls. Should have done it sooner.

    1. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

      awww shucks!

      1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

        Oh I would have bored you all by asking about whether or not a Federal judge striking down Pennsylvania's gay marriage ban was a net gain for liberty.

    2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      Quality bunch of callers. Very information sparse.

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

        I was expecting a spazzed out paranoid Beavis to call in.

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

          It would have been an improvement.

        2. Winston   11 years ago

          I imagine he has proof that BOOOOSH was behind 9/11.

          1. Pathogen   11 years ago

            I thought the Joooooos did it...

        3. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

          I think one of those Texas accents was fake, though.

          1. Winston   11 years ago

            Mary Stack called?

  79. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    WikiLeaks Threatens To Reveal Information That Glenn Greenwald Says Could Lead To 'Deaths'

    1. Winston   11 years ago

      Snowden's closest source and the U.S. government believe that revealing the unnamed country "could lead to increased violence."

      So....Iran?

  80. GILMORE   11 years ago

    Cut her off!!

  81. Pathogen   11 years ago

    Because.. gunz.. In your face.. smelly hippie!

  82. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    I called, but could not get through. I was going to ask the Whitopia guy if he thought high taxes, corruption, crime, stupid gun laws, & awful schools might be reasons people would move from big cities.

    1. NebulousFocus   11 years ago

      The callers they did have were much better. /s

      1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

        Big improvement this time around. Screening works, unless you get an experienced Baba-Booey in there.

    2. Pathogen   11 years ago

      Check your privilege... next caller!

  83. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    My stream was interrupted, doctor, is that a common problem?

  84. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

    Still planning my Memorial Day weekend.

    San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Legoland, or poolside in the desert?

    Depending on which way I drive, there will be a 30 degree temperature differential...

    1. Derpetologist   11 years ago

      Which place will give you the least hassle if one of your kids helicopter pisses on something?

      I keed, I keed

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        Probably the desert. He can helicopter piss in the pool without detection. So can I.

    2. RannedPall   11 years ago

      San Diego Zoo. They sell beer.

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        I'm not above bringing it with me in my stomach.

    3. Pathogen   11 years ago

      San Diego Zoo ? Beer content 0.0%
      Wild Animal Park ? Beer content 0.0%
      LEGOLAND ? Beer content 0.37%
      Poolside in the desert ? Beer content 100.0%

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        I included this in my calculation.

        The hotels in the desert get so douchey this weekend, though. It's close enough to LA that all of the Persians show up with their fufu dogs and go clubbing in the lobby with their purple curtains.

        1. jesse.in.mb   11 years ago

          Last weekend was probably better...

          1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

            For you. Most of the Persian dudes pluck their eyebrows. I'll get you some business cards if you want.

            1. jesse.in.mb   11 years ago

              Blech, no plucked eyebrows.

              If you bump into that guy who explained bitcoin on TI a few months ago you can give him business card though.

    4. MJGreen   11 years ago

      Twenty miles to Legoland!

  85. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    Hello, hello... (Hola)
    I'm at a place called Vertigo (d?nde est?s?)
    It's everything I wish I didn't know
    Except you give me something...
    I can feel, feel

    1. Derpetologist   11 years ago

      I believe this page covered these lyrics well:

      http://www.thebestpageintheuni.....?u=11worst

      1. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

        Hating U2 is the new hating U2?

        1. Winston   11 years ago

          I've heard of U2 so of course they suck.

      2. Derpetologist   11 years ago

        The part about the "poignant lyrics" made me chuckle. As did this:

        "I don't know why, but we always had this belief that there was something sacred about our music, that it was almost holy."

        -Bono, pompous asshole and lead singer of U2

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          It's even better than the real thing.

        2. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

          I'll still listen to them with or without you.

          1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

            I wish they satisfied all my music wants but I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

            1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

              How long must they sing those songs?

        3. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          "something sacred about our music"

          You laugh, but they borrowed some of their lyrics from the great liturgical composer Palestrina:

          You know you're chewing bubble gum
          You know what that is but you still want some
          You just can't get enough of that lovey-dovey stuff

  86. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

    Howard Dean stumping for a Dem:

    "We have had enough of the extreme right wing," Dean continued. "We have had enough of the politics of anger, we have had enough of the politics of hate, we have had enough of the politics of division..."

    Based on a knowledge of prog-jection, we can guess what comes shortly after this:

    ""This country has been sold down the river by the right wing for their own purposes," Dean told the wildly enthusiastic crowd. "This is a Republican Party that has decided they like power so much that they think it's okay to win by taking away the right to vote. They are not American. They could be more comfortable in the Ukraine or Russia. But stay away from our country, this is based on the right to vote.""

    The candidate Dean was endorsing felt it necessarily to walk this back.

    http://www.coloradostatesman.c.....s-romanoff

    1. Winston   11 years ago

      Wasn't Dean supposed to a more libertarian Democrat?

      1. Pathogen   11 years ago

        Yes, much in the same way as melanoma is a benevolent cancer...

      2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        It's been too long to remember. Who *hasn't* been touted as a New Kind of Democrat?

      3. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

        A libertarian from Vermont?

        I don't think so! Wha happened?

      4. poloniusium   11 years ago

        I think he was supposed to beeYAAAAAAAAAAa!

      5. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

        Wasn't he the forerunner of the socialist ACA type laws at the state level?

        1. Winston   11 years ago

          We was anti-Iraq war so that was the most important thing.

          1. Pathogen   11 years ago

            Yeah, but then.. there's this..

  87. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    So far, less than 100 foolhardy souls have attempted to read The Derponomicon. Dozens must be tumbling headlong into a mental abyss by now.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      And you're there waiting to welcome them?

    2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      That's probably about the # of readers here.

      1. Army of the 12 Monkeys   11 years ago

        I survived the first entry. I don't know if my stomach is strong enough to go back in there.

  88. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Some fresh derp- a prog tried to tell me that Asians invented medicine and Muslims invented math. I asked him who invented the microscope, vaccines, antibiotics, calculus, differential equations, & statistics.

    No response.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Trick question - it was the Egyptians, who stole it from the Nubians.

      1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

        Mmmm, Nubians.

  89. SlV   11 years ago

    Smokin' Hot Air/Townhall media personality Mary Katharine Ham
    fix'd

  90. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    I can't get that stupid song 'Gigantic' from the iPhone5 commercial out of my head.

    That and Bluto for some reason.

    1. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

      oh I'm done with that ad.

    2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Clean out your brain by thinking about another song.

      "Weee're no strangers to loooove, you know the ruuuules, and so do I..."

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

        Yeah.

        Thanks.

        Not.

      2. Bobarian   11 years ago

        That is still better than the fucking Apple song.

  91. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    Who wants some PJ O'Rourke?

    http://thebea.st/1oGtDEn

    Gonna watch the rest of this Ind/Mia game and head to bed.

    Ciao.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      I love O'Rourke to death, but once he admits that only a tiny minority of the students were involved in that silly protest, he shouldn't have used it as a segue to bash *all* the students today with their ipads and their hippity hop.

  92. Winston   11 years ago

    They should have replaced the Topical Storm with a Tulpical Storm.

  93. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

    How was the show?

    I'm in Salmon, ID to pick up the new puppy.

    1. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

      good stuff!

    2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      Which one? And what was the name?

      Also, there was a call in segment on the after show, and I had high expectations for you.

      1. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

        I won't see them till tomorrow AM.

        Name is going to be Cutty.

    3. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

      Also, Stossel was a guest. Have I mentioned that?

  94. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    SJW has fire in her belly. Featuring SJW classics like "check your privilege" and "studies show":

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1W-UT1sr4E

  95. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    SJW has fire in her belly. Featuring SJW classics like "check your privilege" and "studies show":

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1W-UT1sr4E

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      You've finally lost it, haven't you?

      They should put you to bed with some Bastiat until you recover.

      1. Pathogen   11 years ago

        And a medicated shower gel, to scrub away the filth...

        1. The Bearded Hobbit   11 years ago

          ... except in Minnesota.

          1. Pathogen   11 years ago

            Yes, void where prohibited...

          2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

            Don't get Corning started.

      2. Derpetologist   11 years ago

        Look, you fools, you're in danger! Can't you see?! They're after you! They're after all of us! Our wives, our children, everyone! THEY'RE HERE, ALREADY! YOU'RE NEXT!

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFnSxeDfENk

        Nothing can save from....

        INVASION OF THE WINDOWLICKERS

  96. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

    Neocon at Night: Commentary Magazine Cites Reckless Rhetoric on the Right

    "Mr. LaPierre is not the only one who describes America in dystopian terms these days. Earlier this year Dr. Ben Carson, a Tea Party favorite who is considering a run for the presidency in 2016, said America is "very much like Nazi Germany." Michele Bachmann, a 2012 GOP presidential candidate, has said the Affordable Care Act is evidence of a "police state." This kind of language?America is bordering on or has basically become a tyranny?is common currency within some quarters of conservatism.

    Now it is one thing to believe, as I do, that in some important respects America is in decline and that President Obama is in part responsible for that decline. I agree, too, that there are some alarming problems and trends facing the United States just now, which many conservatives are attempting to address in a responsible fashion.

    But it is quite another thing to describe America as the New Left did in the late 1960s, when America itself was spelled with a "k" ("Amerika") in an effort to identify it with Nazi Germany. Among the young and left-wing academics there was talk about the need for revolution. The United States was viewed as fundamentally corrupt. Once upon a time conservatives fought against this. Today, however, some on the right are turning on America. They employ language you would associate with Noam Chomsky."

    http://www.commentarymagazine.com/

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Good thing libertarians don't have that problem.

      1. GILMORE   11 years ago

        Tulpa is running out of socks

        1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

          Poor Gilmore, ignorant of the fact that I do not cite Commentary articles with approval but derision.

          Carry on my wayward son.

        2. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

          I don't think Bo is Tulpa. Tulpa isn't smart enough to run someone so different.

          Bo is just a troll who likes to argue.

          1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

            Or maybe I am a libertarian who happens to disagree with you on some things that get you really angry.

            1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

              Hint: It's not your ideas. It's the way you behave.

              1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                You've outed yourself a long time ago as off the libertarian reservation, so maybe you just dislike the fact that I am on it?

                1. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

                  Case in point.

                2. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

                  Bo: you're not wrong, you're just an asshole.

                  1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                    Again, one can't help but notice how all those who say that lean.

                    1. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

                      You're 95% contrarian sophistry, 5% obvious observations that SNOCONZ have bad ideas.

                    2. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      And you're curiously really, really, concerned about criticisms of SoCons.

                    3. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

                      You're tiresome. Notorious G.K.C can be tiresome as well with the topics that interest him but he isn't a dick about it. I actually find him entertaining at times.

                      You just split hair after hair after hair when you argue.

                    4. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      Again, the correlation of how you lean and your denunciation says it all.

                    5. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                      You have a serious case of dick denial. YOU ARE A DICK. Look in the mirror. That's what a dick looks like. Nobody wants to listen to your ideas, no matter how brilliant you think they might be, when they are wrapped in dick.

                      There's no way you're not aware of this fact either. No way. It pervades your personal life.

                      Stop being a dick. Have a little self control.

                    6. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

                      YOU ARE A DICK.

                      You only think that because you aren't libertarian enough.

                    7. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                      You forgot to call me a peanut.

                      Bo really reminds me of someone.

                    8. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

                      Come on Serious, you couldn't possibly be a libertarian and hate Bo.

                      You see, when I asked Bo why he's despised by nearly everyone here, he claimed it was because everyone here is a Republican. After all, it couldn't be anything he's done. So, OBVIOUSLY, if you don't like Bo it's simply because you aren't libertarian.

                      Rationalization and denial.

                    9. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

                      Again, he's not wrong to call out so-cons when they try to impose shit through government, but he incessantly tries to bait everyone here with it as if you can't find progressives more threatening to liberty than social conservatives.

                      So he's an asshole that just likes to hear himself argue.

                    10. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

                      How do I lean?

                      I think you are an asshole.

                      You aren't a libertarian if you hate Bo. It's the libertarian litmus test.

                      Talk about rationalization.

                    11. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      Francisco, you have libertarian leanings. I think it is just that your normal self-centered, thoughtless approach to life find some kind of vindication in a vague, unprincipled libertarianism, and, in your obvious loneliness, you post here for friendship and community, but you've given little thought to what libertarianism might demand and you get really, really angry if anyone points out something uncomfortable to you.

                    12. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

                      You live in your own little world, don't you?

                3. poloniusium   11 years ago

                  Have you taken the Libertarian Purity test, though?

                  1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                    Pol, you may be joking, but you are on to something here.

                    Same lack of self control as PB. Different voice, same pathology.

                4. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                  "You've outed yourself a long time ago as off the libertarian reservation"

                  Citation fucking needed.

                  1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                    Don't remember our exchange on that immigration thread, eh?

                    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                      I don't. You sure it was me? I've said I don't like you on numerous threads, but I have always been pro freedom of movement.

                  2. poloniusium   11 years ago

                    You've outed yourself a long time ago as off the libertarian reservation

                    It's like if a proggie thought he was a libertarian and felt the need to exclude people from his new team.

                5. jesse.in.mb   11 years ago

                  You've outed yourself a long time ago as off the libertarian reservation, so maybe you just dislike the fact that I am on it?

                  Ok, I've literally (not figuratively) made popcorn. Please tell me about this reservation. Does it have border guards, or just roving Indian Affairs officers. Did we get to keep our ancestral homeland, or was there a Libertarian Trail of Tears led by Abe Lincoln?

                  1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   11 years ago

                    The reservation has a tribal council that will argue you to death.

                  2. jesse.in.mb   11 years ago

                    (I made way too much popcorn)

          2. GILMORE   11 years ago

            "Francisco d'Anconia|5.20.14 @ 11:24PM|#

            I don't think Bo is Tulpa. Tulpa isn't smart enough to run someone so different.
            "

            Well, that's a reasonable theory.

            My impression is that Tulpa is a half-assed and incompetent law-school grad from Tulane who never functioned at all well in Law. He couldn't have. He's too fucking dumb.

            However, I think he may have some minor talent in creative writing. He is obsessive about creating alternate personalities. Some of which are at least temporarily convincing for their attempt at differentiation of rhetorical style.

            By himself, he's just a boring dick. Add a little character flair? = potential for MegaDick.

            See: Bo.

            if bo is a real person, he's a seriously fucked up sociopathic, masochistic retard, because he's desperate to have his dumb ass kicked around.

            But if Bo is just a Tulpa sock? its actually something of a creative success.

            Which is my point = I think tulpa has some minor talent in character creation. Unfortunately, his only successful character is a despicable douchebag. its a start. I can respect him at least for the creativity to create the voice.

  97. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Derp is highly addicting:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlrE8hRidnU

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      Addicting...good...now you admit you have a problem...

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        "I have harnessed the shadows that stride from world to world to sow death and madness. . . ."

        http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/quotes.aspx

  98. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

    Trigger Warnings?

    "Last Monday, members of a New York group called the Satanic Temple joined Harvard students to hold a "black mass" at a Chinese restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    the ceremony - a quasi-religious parody of a Catholic Holy Mass - was originally scheduled to be sponsored by a Harvard University student organisation and held on campus.

    Although Harvard did not prohibit the event, allowing it as an expression of student free-speech rights, the campus group - the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club - pulled its support, forcing relocation at the last minute to the nearby Hong Kong Restaurant and Lounge.

    This didn't dissuade Catholic groups from criticising the ceremony, however, and urging Harvard to prevent it from taking place on campus.

    The Boston Globe's Tom Keane disagrees, saying that those who called for blocking the Satanists are just as wrong as people who protest controversial university commencement speakers or get upset when God is invoked on public property.

    "We seem to be afraid of words," he writes."

    http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-.....s-27476868

    1. Pathogen   11 years ago

      Well, The Boston Globe's Tom Keane's commanding grasp of the obvious intrigues me.. I wonder if he has some sort of "news lett"... Oh..

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

        Some other column titles from the Boston Globe's Tom Keane:

        "The numbers are in: Menino was a great mayor"

        "Gun violence's toll a relentless form of terror"

        http://www.bostonglobe.com/contributors/tkeane

        1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

          Why did the Catholic groups object to mere words, Eddie? I know you've poked fun at groups doing this about college speech before.

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

            Let me see, do you have a citation, just for fun?

            1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

              A citation of you criticizing, say, the trigger warning movement?

              1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                Like the NYT article you posted recently noting they were part of an alarming trend of trying to shut out students from hearing points of view that upset them?

              2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                IIRC, that was at the University of California at Santa Barbara, a *public* university, i.e., an arm of the government subject to the constitutional guarantees of free speech.

                1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                  Oh, yes, trigger warnings for the classics, now I remember. I did post that one.

                  Yes, indeed, assigning Hamlet without giving trigger warnings is just like sacrilege! Where's my consistency?!?!?!

                  1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                    Trigger warnings for the classics, what an affront to free speech!

                    What, you want to have a Satanic ritual on your college? NOOOOOO!

                    1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                      "Trigger warnings for the classics, what an affront to free speech!"

                      No, an affront to education. Professors should rigorously censor bad books by not assigning them.

                2. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                  Really? That's all that article was about?

                  1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                    I don't have it bookmarked, perhaps you do?

                    1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      Eddie, you've already acknowledged at 11:45 that that one is not going to go your way...

                    2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                      http://xkcd.com/1081/

          2. Pathogen   11 years ago

            "Why did the Catholic groups object to mere words, Eddie?"

            I don't get it.. are you asking him to defend the Catholic groups

            The inane tirades of religious zealots are just low hanging fruit, Bo... You tell us... Why would they object?

            1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

              "I don't get it.. are you asking him to defend the Catholic groups"

              Er, do you not know Eddie?

              1. Pathogen   11 years ago

                I know a few Eddies, some Edwards too... even knew a Ted, once. I still don't understand the point...

                1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                  Notorious G.K.C. is the commentator formerly known as Eddie Van Haulen.

                  1. Pathogen   11 years ago

                    And...

                    1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      A noted, regular, Catholic apologist.

                      If you post about the Pope talking about redistribution, expect Eddie to be there lickety-split to defend him.

                    2. Pathogen   11 years ago

                      As is his right... and the point is?

                    3. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      "Why did the Catholic groups object to mere words, Eddie? I know you've poked fun at groups doing this about college speech before."

                    4. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                      http://xkcd.com/386/

                    5. Pathogen   11 years ago

                      Soo.. then, it's a battle of attrition over just how many angels could dance on the head of a pin?

                    6. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      If you think 'angels dancing on a pin'=criticizing groups trying to squelch speech while defending Catholic groups doing the same, then yeah Pathogen.

                    7. Francisco d'Anconia   11 years ago

                      This, from the good libertarian who was promoting a ban on the Confederate flag the other night.

                      Because freedom of speech means speech Bo approves of.

                      Such a principled libertarian.

                    8. Pathogen   11 years ago

                      You're angry, Bo... I understand..

        2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          The Boston Globe's Tom Keane finds some words he's afraid of.

          It seems that there's a billboard insulting Yankees fans.

          In Boston, of all places.

          And Tom Keane is Deeply Concerned.

          "ATOP A yellow brick building on Boylston Street, within spitballing distance of Fenway Park, a billboard from auto dealer Herb Chambers proclaims, "We give everyone great service. Unless you're a Yankees fan."...

          "Given this history, given some of the viciousness that has erupted, just how much of a joke really are Chambers's billboards? One read on the ads is that they're subtly self-mocking. Some, I suspect, see them as braggadocio, crowing about just how over-the-top we can be. Others may think they give imprimatur to behave badly. At a minimum, Yankees fans have a right to feel a bit worried. And Red Sox fans, me included, should regard those billboards as exposing an ugly side of ourselves that is a joke that *should never be*." [emphasis added]

          http://www.bostonglobe.com/opi.....story.html

          1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

            This is great.

            Eddie has posted comments criticizing groups for trying to squelch speech on campuses, but when confronted with an article about his groups doing the same he feels the need to attack those pointing it out.

            It's almost as if his principles bend to who is involved!

            1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUKIMU4MwlE

              1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                Ah, the usual retreat.

                1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

                  Did I kick sand in your face as a child or something?

                  1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                    You're great Eddie, just do not think that libertarians are going to go 'ok, that's great' for your Catholic apologia.

    2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      The article is quoting people from different sides...bizarre...

    3. Rich   11 years ago

      Fox News's Emily Walker says that if she had tried to hold a ceremony at Harvard mocking Islam, it never would have been permitted.

      Other than at a Chinese restaurant, you mean?

  99. Fist of Etiquette   11 years ago

    I had to work. How was the show? The aftershow? Disasters?

    1. Pathogen   11 years ago

      Chair were thrown, baby-daddy's were revealed, unruly teenagers were scared straight, tear gas was fired...

      1. Sevo   11 years ago

        Did they beat on the commie twit?

        1. Pathogen   11 years ago

          No, they drank slivovitz with him, and sang the Internationale...

          1. Sevo   11 years ago

            And this is totally believable. But I'm sure Kennedy went ballistic over, uh, something.

            1. Pathogen   11 years ago

              Apparently, he doesn't like Wal-Mart...

  100. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

    Protests of Commencement Speakers!

    "A little over a year ago, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny was invited by Boston College to give the commencement speech for the Class of 2013. Anti-abortion extremists, livid over the audacity of a Jesuit Catholic university hosting a man who appeared to them to support abortion rights, attempted to stop the occasion from happening.

    This particular band was not "pro-life" as one might expect, but rather"pro-death".

    Here's why: Kenny was attempting to reform Ireland's abortion law in accordance with a 21 year old Irish Supreme Court decision that found abortion to be legal in circumstances that threaten the health and life of the mother. This push stemmed from a 2012 case in which a woman named Savita Halappanavar was refused an abortion in the process of a miscarriage, contracted septicemia as a result and died shortly thereafter.

    Somehow, they didn't get the hint the first time and they're back for Round 2.

    John Kerry: former Senator from Massachusetts, the Democratic nominee for President in 2004, and current Secretary of State, will be giving the commencement address. But the same "pro-death" extremists who had a problem with Enda Kenny last year want to ruin the fun and protest John Kerry too for similar reasons."

    http://bcgavel.com/2014/05/17/.....n-college/

    1. Pathogen   11 years ago

      Sooo, Universities are fever swamps of intolerance and groupthink?

      1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

        I think this is nothing new. Conservative and liberal groups have been protesting and complaining about speech and speakers for years. It's news this year because some prominent conservative speakers were targeted, so conservatives have been raising the issue. But neither side is interested in free minds.

        1. Irish   11 years ago

          I agree. That's why I thought the conservative hissy fit over the Dixie Chicks was as moronic as the left-wing hissy fits over Condollezza Rice and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

          I would say that left-wing groups stifling opposition speech is a much greater threat in modern times because the left controls most American institutions - or at least the type of institutions in which stifling free speech tends to be the most odious, like colleges, bureaucracies and the media.

    2. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

      You ought to use ellipses when you're leaving out text.

      At the end of the first paragraph you quote, there's this sentence: "They [the pro-death extremists] wrote letters to Father Leahy, Cardinal O'Malley, and Pope Francis, and protested on Commencement Day, but to no avail."

      Horror!

      1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

        So they really tried to get the speaker disinvited but could not. Awesome!

      2. Irish   11 years ago

        Which has nothing to do with the fact that pro-lifers were trying to do exactly the same thing progressives do.

        They failed, but all that proves is that their brand of anti-free speech fascism is less popular on campuses than the prog-version.

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

          I agree with FIRE - if a private university, secular or religious, holds itself out to the public as places which enforce a particular orthodoxy, I wouldn't hold them to standards of academic freedom.

          FIRE's policy isn't to call such colleges fascist or what have you, but to acknowledge that they're free to impose their openly-stated orthodoxy.

          Catholic colleges (like Boston College) are among those institutions with an openly-stated orthodoxy, so their constituents can ask them to adhere to it.

          If you're blaming me for agreeing with FIRE, go right ahead.

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

            Oh dear, Boston college of course adopts secular academic-freedom standards in its policy, naturally earning FIRE's ire.

            Well, so be it, let them invite all the abortionists they wish.

            1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

              Well, so long as they drop their claims of Catholic affiliation, let them have Sebelius herself give a talk at the LGBTQ Center.

              1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                Must. Preserve. Orthodoxy.

                You're no different than these wacky feminists.

          2. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

            So you are fine with Brandies or Harvard etc., using as many trigger warnings or disinvitations to speakers as they feel proper?

            1. Notorious G.K.C.   11 years ago

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUKIMU4MwlE

  101. Derpetologist   11 years ago

    Last one, I promise: Climate skeptics heckled

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAWLeXqOpgc

  102. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

    NYC DA Wages War on Assault Weapon ('Gravity Knives'), Lawsuit Challenges for Vagueness

    "Shortly after taking office as District Attorney of Manhattan, Cyrus Vance, Jr., began enforcing a novel interpretation of New York State's half-century old ban on "gravity knives."

    The gravity knife was invented for German paratroopers during World War II. It is made to open (the blade coming out of the handle) with almost no effort. In contrast, common folding knives require a push on the blade to open. Unlike the gravity knife, they have a bias toward closure.

    District Attorney Vance and the New York City Police Department (under Mayors Bloomberg and de Blasio) have prosecuted individuals and stores (e.g., Home Depot, Orvis, Eastern Mountain Sports) for possession/sale of common folding knives from mainstream manufacturers such as Husky and Benchmade. The prosecutions are based on the claim that any folding knife which possibly could be opened with a hard and dexterous flick of the wrist is a "gravity knife." Owners and vendors have no way of knowing which folding knives are legal, since the Vance/Bloomberg/de Blasio position is that even if one person tries to open the knife with a wrist flick and cannot, maybe someone else could."

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....ty-knives/

    1. Pathogen   11 years ago

      Those pearls aren't gonna clutch themselves...

      1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

        NYC has what, 8-9 million people? How much do you want to bet that murders with 'gravity knives' can be counted on two hands every year?

        A ridiculous law.

        1. Pathogen   11 years ago

          I'll agree with that.. I don't recall the last time I heard about a drive-by 'Gravity Knifing'...

          1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

            When the same people who tell you they are not for banning guns but just want the especially dangerous ones banned turn around and push bans on knives, then you know they are liars and terrible people.

            1. Pathogen   11 years ago

              I deduced that when the gave the NYPD M-4's and MP-5's...

    2. Suthenboy   11 years ago

      This calls to mind Feudal Japan/Scandanavia where peasants were disallowed to be armed or to even make eye contact with their betters on pain of being beheaded on the spot.

      NYC is designing and building their own hell. Fuckem.

  103. Archduke von Pantsfan   11 years ago

    Batman Explains Government

    1. Pathogen   11 years ago

      Wayne Enterprises never took a dime of the bailout money...

    2. Jensen   11 years ago

      "And with that power I created a world where no child would lose his parents because of some punch with a fun.

      1. Jensen   11 years ago

        I really hate my phone right now.

  104. Grand Moff Serious Man   11 years ago

    Well 'Fargo' has gotten really bleak.

  105. Acosmist   11 years ago

    Bo isn't banned? Still? Huh, the vile racism in the Clarence Thomas thread was apparently ok? Then why is Murican always deleted?!

    1. Winston   11 years ago

      Did Murican say something anti-Semitic?

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