Friday News Roundup - Domestic
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-01-20/friday-news-roundup-domestic
Republican presidential candidates debated in South Carolina as polls showed former Governor Mitt Romney with a seven-point lead over former Speaker Newt Gingrich; the U.S. government charged seven hedge fund managers in a $62 million insider trading case; and several prominent websites "blacked-out" in protest of controversial anti-piracy legislation in Congress. Jerry Seib of The Wall Street Journal, Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times and Ryan Grim of The Huffington Post join Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
Guests
Jerry Seib
Washington bureau chief, The Wall Street Journal.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg
Washington correspondent, The New York Times.
Ryan Grim
Washington bureau chief, Huffington Post.
Friday News Roundup Video
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Washington correspondent for the New York Times, Ryan Grim,
Washington bureau chief for the Huffington Post, and Jerry Seib, Washington bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal discuss Obama's decision to reject the Keystone Pipeline permit.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Washington correspondent for the New York Times, Ryan Grim,
Washington bureau chief for the Huffington Post, and Jerry Seib, Washington bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal talk about the SOPA and PIPA legistlation.
Comments
Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct and Terms of Use before posting your comments.
Here is a joke that's going around, Ron Paul should get out of the republican party because he's not a conservative! yea that's a laugh riot. Maybe the so called "conservatives" should join the democrat party because in reality they are nothing more than neocon republicans pretending not to be the progressive liberals they obviously are. What a joke of epic distortion it is that the Constitution does not clearly restrict military "interventionism" by it's obvious disdain for standing armies and perpetual wars. National interest militarily has become the equivalent of the socialist nanny state pushed forward by liberal democrats and the republicans always find a way to sustain and expand that as well. Totally out of control, misguided and in the end destructive to true national security, that defines what it means to be be a conservative in 2012. Ron Paul is the ONLY conservative, the others are nothing more than pretend defenders of the Constitution, a feeble minded un-American attempt to co-opt traditional constitutional values for big government control over our lives. The Constitution is a "Libertarian" document, for many the force of feeding of Jesus and militarism is a return to traditional values but fortunately or not it's not the same as constitutional values. The presidency is the "conservatives" to lose, if they lose it it will be because their message of false conservatism was uncovered and made to look foolish by the obvious record of inconsistencies demonstrated by the candidates.
Let's read what the "father" of the Constitution had to say about perpetual wars. James Madison
Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people.... [There is also an] inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and ... degeneracy of manners and of morals.... No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.
A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence agst. foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people..
I think Jimmy would have liked Ron Paul just fine!
reinhard wrote:
"I think Jimmy would have liked Ron Paul just fine!"
-----------------------------------------
Unless Jimmy Mad was into conspiracy theories about 911 and the JFK assassination, he would think Paul is absolutely crackers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
reinhard wrote:
"Here is a joke that's going around, Ron Paul should get out of the republican party because he's not a conservative!."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Considering Phil Donahue, the long time liberal loon, rhapsodized about Paul on CNN's Piers Morgan, it's no joke.
Ron Paul cannot be held responsible for the beliefs held by the people who support or admire him. Every candidate has their own cadre of loons, a vote is a vote.
As far as Jimmy, Ron Paul is probably be the only candidate he would recognize. My James Madison quotes could have been written by the man himself yesterday.
If Gingrich is the nominee, I will either sit out the election (simply not vote) or hope for a viable third option. I cannot vote for the President and I cannot vote for someone with the despicable record of Gingrich. Perhaps a Gingrich nomination opens a path for someone like Bloomberg?
reinhard wrote:
"Ron Paul cannot be held responsible for the beliefs held by the people who support or admire him. Every candidate has their own cadre of loons, a vote is a vote."
-----------------------------------------
What? Paul is a conspiracy moonbat. That other liberal moonbats like him has nothing to do with the fact that he likes what they like?
----------------------------------------------------------
reinhard wrote:
"As far as Jimmy, Ron Paul is probably be the only candidate he would recognize. My James Madison quotes could have been written by the man himself yesterday."
----------------------------------------------------------------
Now you're saying Paul is a plagiarist as well?
StLouis,
Nobody is perfect. I will put it to you simply. Anything other than a vote for the Republican nominee is a vote for Obama. I don't say that to be snarky or sarcastic. It's true. You have to look at priorities, and priority number one is to get him out of office. If you think he has been radical left the last 3 years, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
I often think of the Tytler quote (attributed to him), "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years."
We are living on borrowed time already. People HAVE figured out they can vote themselves gifts of OPM. I truly fear where another 4 years of Obama would take us.
StLouis wrote:
"If Gingrich is the nominee, I will either sit out the election (simply not vote) or hope for a viable third option. I cannot vote for the President and I cannot vote for someone with the despicable record of Gingrich. Perhaps a Gingrich nomination opens a path for someone like Bloomberg?"
---------------------------------------------------------
Why would the liberal Bloomberg run against POTUS Obama?
Back in 08, the far left propaganda weblog ran this headline:
"Bloomberg endorses Obama’s Economic plan"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/02/14/456900/-Bloomberg-endorses-Obam...
Newt is a pathological liar and, like the President, willing to say ANYTHING if it will gather some measure of public approval and the associated votes. Like the President, he is a campaigner, not one capable of governance. Like the President, he is a man of big ideas, but completely incapable of executing upon these ideas. McCain was hardly the ideal candidate, but I was able to hold my nose and pull the lever. But Gingrich is a vial human being - someone that fully believes he should not be judged on his behavior and actions, but only his words.
I find it interesting that no one in the media thinks that the audience was applauding Newt's answer because it put down the media. That was my first thought. Even though I thought the question was relevent, I don't think it should have been the first question, or even worded differently. I am tired of the media's disdain and gotcha mentality.
If the crowd reaction in debates should not be allowed then we also should not allow the pundants to tell us what we just heard should we? What better way to take the pulse of America than to immediately hear the reaction of a politically mixed group of people to statements, ideals and trends of each candidate?
StLouis,
Take your point completely, and it is important. But, like I said, it's a matter of priority. (Of course all this is assuming that Newt is the nominee).
"Anything other than a vote for the Republican nominee is a vote for Obama. "
Paste that on your bathroom mirror the week before election day so you see it every morning.
Hi Diane. You would DEFINITELY NOT want to have been here for the debate last night. I was almost apoplectic over so much disinformation and downright lies coming out of the candidates' mouths. Ron Paul was the only one that was reasonable sounding throughout. I really wanted to hear Jon King press Romney on the $30 million offshore, but he never even mentioned it. I also thought that, while maybe not the very first question, the issue of Gingrich's fidelity - from a party that wants to drive family values down our throats - was quite apropos.
And the issue of the pipeline REALLY irritates me. Republicans want us to believe that there will be so many jobs 'lost' if it's not built but, again, they fail to tell the entire storry. Will jobs be created? Sure - while it's being built. After that, not so much.
Why is there no mention of military service? Have the major contenders served? I heard yesterday that Mitt Romney was excused from service during the Vietnam War to do his missionary work. Any other good excuses?
I'm amazed by the comments about Ron Paul here. I have not been much of a supporter of his in the past, but that was largely due to paying him little attention. After watching the entire Republican debate last night (the first one I've seen all the way through) he seems to me to be the only one on the stage who actually understands the needs of the ordinary citizen, and the country as a whole, not just special interests. He also does not appear to have ego issues driving his campaign. I was not surprised by Gingrich's response to the opening question about his former wife's comments, but I was appalled by the way he deflected the blame back on the media, and that his daughters are the ones taking up his defense. After listening carefully last night, I feel Gingrich is a seriously dangerous candidate.
And I agree with your suggestion, Diane, that the audience be quiet during these debates. It sounds more like Roman circuses at times, and I find it very distracting. Let the candidates' words ride on their merits, not by the crowd's responses.
This pipeline has been studied for over three years. If the President truely supported this project, he would have given it the go ahead. Congress did not force his decision, they just forced him to admit what he had already decided.
Ron Paul sits back and allows others who endorse him to make racist comments in his name and under his letter head. He's been doing this for decades. Additionally, he was the only legislator to vote against the MLK holiday. He's a crackpot and if he wants to be taken more seriously, needs to be more serious about important social issues.
WikiLEAKS was shut down, Diane? No, WikiPEDIA was shut down. Not the same.
You don't know that. Do you think that the pipeline issue has been Obama's top priority? He may have given it some thought but it was only recently that enough information has come through to be able to make that final decision. This pipeline is a dangerous thing - and that doesn't even take into account the fact that most of what comes through the pipeline isn't even for domestic use, but rather for export - including to China. Aside from that, there is already a Keystone pipeline in operation from Canada to refineries in Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania and the company has been cited repeatedly for leaks and spills. I wouldn't trust them to change the oil in my car, let alone transport toxic material through sensitive areas. If there were to be a spill, the water table throughout the entire Midwest would be contaminated
Bort wrote:
"WikiLEAKS was shut down, Diane? No, WikiPEDIA was shut down. Not the same."
---------------------------------------
The women is 76 years old. She gets confused. I suppose that is part of her charm?
catjohn22 wrote:
"I'm amazed by the comments about Ron Paul here. I have not been much of a supporter of his in the past, but that was largely due to paying him little attention."
It's kind of like having a Rembrandt hanging on your wall and not noticing it.
frant wrote:
"Why is there no mention of military service? Have the major contenders served? I heard yesterday that Mitt Romney was excused from service during the Vietnam War to do his missionary work. Any other good excuses?"
-----------------------------------------
Paul and Perry served in USAF.
Regarding SOPA and PIPA, why is no one asking how these new movies are hitting the internet to begin with? Are we not tasking others to deal with the inadequacies of the media industry?
reinhard wrote:
catjohn22 wrote:
"I'm amazed by the comments about Ron Paul here. I have not been much of a supporter of his in the past, but that was largely due to paying him little attention."
"It's kind of like having a Rembrandt hanging on your wall and not noticing it."
----------------------------------------------------
More like having a portrait of Pat Buchanan on your wall and just starting to notice his resemblance to Paul.
Diane is 76? What an awesome lady! Lay down Bort.
Jeff Reding wrote:
"I really wanted to hear Jon King press Romney on the $30 million offshore, but he never even mentioned it. "
False. Look at the transcript. By the way, everything that Romney did wrt Caman Islands was legal. Accounts are used there to draw foreign investors because if they come to US accounts THEY GET TAXED TOO GD HIGH!!!
"the issue of Gingrich's fidelity"
Is for the tabloids. And it is not an "issue", it is an accusation, demonstrably false according to Gingrich, by a PO'd ex-wife. Hardly the stuff of a Presidential debate unless you're into the salacious.
This is little more than the "hit" tactic used to drive Herman Cain out of the race. Funny, we've never heard from those women again, have we?
"Republicans want us to believe that there will be so many jobs 'lost' if it's not built but, again, they fail to tell the entire storry. Will jobs be created? Sure - while it's being built. After that, not so much."
False. Maintenance jobs, and the "retail" jobs that go along with a project like this will be on-going. So let me get this straight, Jeff. Obama can count "jobs saved", but Republicans can't count a job that WOULD have been created AT NO COST TO TAX PAYERS?
If by some horrible twist of fate the Libertarian Paul won the GOP nomination, he would have Phil Donahue as his running mate.
SOPA and PIPA. Again, I wish Jon King had pressed the candidates one one particular aspect of this terrible bill. The United States has no right to shut down or shut out websites originating in foreign countries. What are we, China? These two bills are terrible because they would give the government the power to do just that, and THAT is about as un-American as you can get.
These Republican candidates are killing me with their hypocrisy. They keep saying how they want smaller government and to stop telling people what to do - at the same time as they keep trying to do exactly the opposite when they want to tell people they can't get married if they're of the same gender and want to stop same-sex couples from adopting any of the hundreds of thousands of orphaned children in this country, they want to stop funding to any planned parenthood organisation at the same time as they want to stop all abortions, which will only create more unwanted children, and I can't even put words to my disgust at their hypocrisy every time they open their mouths.
Ultimately all of the issues you've been discussing are a question of ethics... just because you can do something does it mean you should do it? Whether it's Evangelical crowds cheering the dealth penalty or cagey politicians or technology pirates or bankers or even journalists - 99 percent or 1 percent - we've lost a genuine sense of ethics.
The question isn't whether anti-Mormon voters would vote for Barack Obama instead of Mitt Romney. The question is whether anti-Mormon voters will stay home on election day.
-- MrJM