Friday News Roundup - Domestic
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-04-13/friday-news-roundup-domestic
The U. S. economic picture remains mixed. While the government reports a lower-than-expected trade deficit, weekly jobless claims hit a two month high. Apple denies accusations by the Justice Department it conspired with publishers to fix e-book prices. G. O. P. presidential hopeful Rick Santorum suspended his campaign this week, claiming he was out of cash. The fight for women voters heats up as the White House tries to distance itself from a Democratic strategist’s controversial comments about Ann Romney. And gay rights activists decry President Obama’s decision not to push through an executive order banning gay bias by employers. Jerry Seib of The Wall Street Journal, Jeanne Cummings of Bloomberg News, and John Harwood of CNBC join guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
Guests
Jerry Seib
Washington bureau chief, The Wall Street Journal.
Jeanne Cummings
deputy government editor, Bloomberg News.
John Harwood
chief Washington correspondent for CNBC; reporter, "The New York Times."
Friday News Roundup Video
The panelists discuss Democratic activist Hilary Rosen's comments earlier this week that Ann Romney "never worked a day in her life." Politicians and pundits from both sides of the aisle, including President and Mrs. Obama, defended Mrs. Romney against the criticism. Mrs. Romney has worked in the home as a stay-at-home mother of five children.
Comments
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Can I get into the retirement plan?
Politicians retire campaign debt. What does this mean. Is there a conspiracy with political pundits - we don't call it "writing down the campaign debt - it is retirement".
Why can't a home owner get in on this plan? Just saying...
My point is that it is a true statement.
Teece Bowman wrote:
"Get real, Americans should throw every single millionaire out of public office...all of them.'
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Well. working from the top down, that means you want to start with POTUS Obama. At least Romney made his money out of politics, while Obama made his millions while in office from book sales.
I fail to understand the political party relavence to a seventeen year old being stalked and shot point blank in the chest by racist cloaked in civic duty. The child was stalked while walking on public streets and ultimately murdered. As to his life being in danger, that is just XXXX, the child was not the stalker with a firearm; and the last time I checked, has the right to walk on any public street without being stalked. This has nothing with liberal, conservative but more about freedom and justice.
billtmore wrote:
"Ann and Mitt have NO EARTHLY IDEA what day to day life is like for the struggling workin folk. They can spin this anyway they want but Rosen is right! "
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Then you must have a beef with Obama, his wife, the harpy Debbie Wasserman Shultz and press secretary Jay Carney. They all condemned Rosen for her benighted comments. Carney is not even sure which of the three Hilary Rosen's he knows is the one who visited Obama in The White House 38 times. Brilliant.
To libertarians r us wrote:
"If you mean holding a job in the private sector, I don't think so. But this description pretty much fits Obama, so what is your point?"
My point is that Rosen's assertion is literally TRUE.
moplus wrote:
"I fail to understand the political party relavence to a seventeen year old being stalked and shot point blank in the chest by racist cloaked in civic duty. The child was stalked while walking on public streets and ultimately murdered. As to his life being in danger, that is just XXXX, the child was not the stalker with a firearm; and the last time I checked, has the right to walk on any public street without being stalked. This has nothing with liberal, conservative but more about freedom and justice."
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You must be getting your misinformation from MSNBC. Martin, the 6' 3" 17 year-old , was not on a public street, but in a gated community. Zimmerman is Hispanic and has not made any comments that suggest he is a racist. Zimmerman was also not stalking Martin as he had returned to his vehicle when Martin came up to him.
If this is not about political ideology, why did the liberal NBC news edit Zimmerman's phone call to make it appear he was racist?
VanFromGreensboro wrote:
"This is paranoid baloney! Why do right wingers defend Zimmerman?"
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When did Alan Dershowitz become a right winger? The renowned appeals lawyer says that the special prosecutor has a very weak case for 2nd degree murder and that a judge could easily throw out the indictment.
Not to mention former CNN anchor Joe Oliver, a liberal, has been defending Zimmerman as well.
VanFromGreensboro wrote:
"My point is that Rosen's assertion is literally TRUE."
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Really? Then you are at odds with the First Lady who said, "Every mother works hard, and every woman deserves to be respected."
Lots of Rush Limbaugh listeners comments here today.
thanks35 wrote:
"Lots of Rush Limbaugh listeners comments here today."
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Actually, the conservative comments here are not representative of Limburger loons in the least in that these comments are lucid, civil, and accurate.
The issue isn’t Romney’s Mormonism, but whether he will impose his faith on the nation (if elected). That is what JFK’s speech was all about: not his Catholicism, but the fact he wouldn’t “take his marching orders” from the Pope. Will Romney take his from the Book of Mormon?
I don’t care if Romney does or doesn’t believe in the Trinity (as the caller apparently does). Many of our past presidents didn’t (Jefferson, for one). I don’t care what he believes at all, and neither does the Constitution, which forbids religious tests for public office. (Art. 6, Paragraph 3) I do care whether his decisions (as President) will be based solely (or even primarily) on his faith, and whether he will insure that “religious liberty” is protected for all Americans, not just religious conservatives.
Romney has not made a JFK type speech. Go back and read what he said in 2007. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16969460) While some of it was similar to Kennedy’s speech, Romney pointedly declared that he would allow his faith to guide his decisions, and he spoke slightingly of church/state separation (repeating the conservative lie about a “religion of secularism”). JFK made no such remark.
In short, while railing against “religious tests”, Romney imposed one of his own. He declared himself a “friend and ally” to “any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty”. By failing to mention those who don’t, he proved he still has much to learn about this issue. As a Jew, I await a more Kennedyesque statement. So far Romney has not made one.
Most of the media reports on George Zimmerman's arrest has shallow & uninformed. Like most other commentators, your guests clearly have not bothered to learn anything about Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law and how it works.
For one thing, the law made what used to be an affirmative defense at trial into an immunity – from arrest as well as prosecution. Talking about whether Zimmerman will receive a fair trial before a jury is highly premature. Under Florida law, the case may well never get to trial. The first thing that will happen will be that there will be a hearing before a judge to determine whether the police had probable cause to not believe his claim that he acted in self-defense and arrest him. If the prosecutor cannot clear that hurdle, there will be no trial.
It is not certain that the prosecutor will prevail in the probable cause hearing there have been other cases in Florida with facts that would seem to have made the self-defense claim ridiculous to most people and the killer has been freed after the probable cause hearing. Moreover, if Zimmerman prevails at the probable cause hearing, he may be able to sue the police under the “Stand Your Ground” law.
The national media have also done almost no reporting on other cases in Florida, and focused too much on the racial aspects of the case. In a number of other Florida cases race could not be considered an issue, and the killer was not prosecuted, even when the killer pursued the victim. These cases show what happens when states pass the “Stand Your Ground” laws promoted by the NRA.
Twelve children are killed in gun violence every week in the US. The truly tragic thing about this case is that we’ve heard nothing about the other eleven kids who died the week Treyvon Martin was killed; that and the fact that none of our leaders are really interested in stopping these deaths.
MarcusTullius on April 13, 2012 @ 12:26 pm wrote: “. . . . these comments are lucid, civil, and accurate.”
Well, that certainly doesn’t describe your first Comment today. I note that while you tried “a lame attempt” to link Ms. Rosen to “a formal role on the president's reelection campaign”, your “proof” fell entirely into just two categories:
1) Her role in the 2008 election (not the re-election), and
2) Her links to the DNC.
Even then, you didn’t provide proof of a “formal role”.
(Admittedly that latter phrase is so vague that it could mean anything.)
The real question is: when she made her remark was she speaking on behalf of the White House or the DNC? No. And so they were justified in condemning it, even if she is a supporter.
Tell me, Marcus, how often has Romney “distanced himself” from similarly inane statements by his supporters? Including Limbaugh, O’Reilly, Coulter, Malkin, . . . .
And let’s not forget, despite the attempt to distract attention from the “war on women”, enforced vaginal probes (Virginia), repeal of fair pay laws (Wisconsin), and a host of other legislation and actions hostile to women’s rights will count more in the Fall than Ms. Rosen’s “15 minutes of fame” (or, rather, infamy).
P.S. - Oh, and I’d apply some critical analysis to that National Review article you cite. It contrasted Rosen’s name appearing in the White House visitor’s log 36 times with Biden’s only appearing there 6 times. Do you honestly believe the V.P. visited the White House only 6 times?! I’d say the story simply reveals how unreliable that log is.
Oops indeed.
Ciao.
Why is it that we never question the meme that being a mother is hard work? I am a mother--a single, working mother, in fact--but I just don't see it as being all that labor intensive. There's a bit more cooking, but since I'm all too fond of eating myself, it's a matter of tossing a few more potatoes in the pot. The extra cleaning and dishwashing I did when my daughters were young is off-set by the cleaning and dishwashing they do now.
I've never lived exclusively for my children; we've made accommodations for each other, and we spend quite a bit of mutually agreeable time together. I have high expectations for their grades, but it doesn't seem like I had to nag or bully or superintend to get them met; I helped with homework if asked, otherwise I assumed they could handle it.
I've been blessed with lovely daughters, and maybe that's why it has been fairly easy, but I don't thank that's it. I think it's because I dispensed with display-mode parenting (lots of ruffled bedding and other laundry-inducing practices).
OJ Simpson, Casey Anthony . . . high profile cases tend to have juries made up of a demographic that are more likely to lean toward acquittal. Anyone who hasn't already made up their mind about such highly covered cases is someone who will likely always feel doubt (and thus not meet the "beyond a reasonable doubt" criteria). Finding people to fill a jury with who have no opinion, or are "impartial", or completely oblivious, is to find, statistically, more people who just won't get to the certainty a juror needs in order to conclude "guilty".
People say Zimmerman won't get a fair trial . . . I agree, and that is precisely why he will walk free.
Etaoin Shrdlu wrote:
"The real question is: when she made her remark was she speaking on behalf of the White House or the DNC? No. And so they were justified in condemning it, even if she is a supporter."
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If she were not a White House sock puppet, why did the President, his wife, DNC harpy DWS, and Press Secretary Carney immediately distance themselves from her? If she were just a freelance liberal pundit, they wouldn't bother.
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Etaoin Shrdlu wrote:
"Tell me, Marcus, how often has Romney “distanced himself” from similarly inane statements by his supporters? Including Limbaugh, O’Reilly, Coulter, Malkin, . . . ."
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Limburger is definitely not a Romney supporter. What did O'Reilly say that you believe Romney should "distance" himself from? What do you have against conservative women? That sounds misogynistic.
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Etaoin Shrdlu wrote
"And let’s not forget, despite the attempt to distract attention from the “war on women”
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The same people who laughed at O'Reilly's idea that there was a "war on Christmas" actually believe there is a Republican "war on women." Nikki Haley must not have your delicate sensibilities. It would appear the only person attacking women in this story is.....Rosen.
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Etaoin Shrdlu wrote
"It contrasted Rosen’s name appearing in the White House visitor’s log 36 times with Biden’s only appearing there 6 times. Do you honestly believe the V.P. visited the White House only 6 times?"
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Do you think Rosen was in The White House just to use the facilities? Rosen meet with POTUS Obama five times during those 36 trips. BTW: The White House does not deny either of those numbers. Why would VP Biden be in The White House? POTUS Obama is no doubt pleased that Biden makes his usual gaffes from another location.
Etaoin Shrdlu wrote:
"The issue isn’t Romney’s Mormonism, but whether he will impose his faith on the nation (if elected )"
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That may be your issue, but certainly not a consideration for educated non paranoid Americans. Just how would Romney accomplish this takeover of American religions? By the laying on of hands?
Where are all the Rabbis who share your bizarre fear? Imagine if Romney were an Orthodox Jew. How would we know he would work past sundown Friday?
Etaoin Shrdlu wrote:
"...a host of other legislation and actions hostile to women’s rights will count more in the Fall than Ms. Rosen’s “15 minutes of fame” (or, rather, infamy)."
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Rosen has been a well known leading Democratic Party strategist for many years. You are contradicting yourself, again. If she were some antonymous liberal pundit, do you think the entire Democratic Party structure from The White House to the DNC would be tripping over themselves to throw her under the Greyhound? The GOP isn't likely to let liberals forget Rosen's personal "war on women."
Teece Bowman wrote:
"Get real, Americans should throw every single millionaire out of public office...all of them"
Ummm ... I believe that would include Mr. and Mrs. Obama.
strudel wrote:
" I do care whether his decisions (as President) will be based solely (or even primarily) on his faith, and whether he will insure that “religious liberty” is protected for all Americans, not just religious conservatives."
Really? Do you care if Harry Reid's decisions (as Majority Leader of the Senate) will be "bsased soley (or even primarily) on his faith"? I don't think I've EVER heard you mention a concern about Reid bringing HIS Mormon faith into his lawmaking . You hypocrite bigot! If you have, point to the post and I'll apologize. I APPLAUD Mitt Romney for saying that his faith in God will guide his decision making. Religion-based decision making adds a MORAL flavor to same that is GOOD for the country whether your secular humanism believes it or not. The founding fathers were almost ENTIRELY religious men whom, without their moral and religious foundation you would not enjoy the freedom to bloviate that you do.
The liberal posters here don't think the Romneys can identify with the average American? You think the OBAMA'S can?!
By the way, anyone claiming that Mitt Romney was "born with a silver spoon in his mouth" doesn't know that the money he inherited form his father ... HE GAVE AWAY. His current wealth is truly self-made. Did he have advantages? Sure. Does he want to see many more Americans enjoy those advantages? Absolutely.
"billtmore wrote:
Ann and Mitt have NO EARTHLY IDEA what day to day life is like for the struggling workin folk. They can spin this anyway they want but Rosen is right! By the way when are those 5 Romney boys going to join the "military???"
But quess who has made more struggling folks the last 4 yrs. You got it, Obama.
April 13, 2012 - 10:34 am
Kelly wrote:
Regarding Ann Romney/Hilary Rosen:
1." Funny how Romney thinks that staying home to raise one's children is a valid career choice and the hardest job imaginable--until an impoverished single mother tries to do it"
Staying home to take care of kids is a valid career. What does an impoverished single mother have to do with Ann Rommey. Remember most of the working people that have been laid off during the last 4 yrs have been women
Kelly states
"2.. As a working mother, I take offense at Ann Romney saying that she chose to be a "full-time" mother. As if us women who work are NOT full-time mothers???"
Sounds a little envious Kelly. Would you not like to be a stay home mom?
Kelly states
"3.. If Romney doesn't want his family brought into the campaign, then he should not bring them up in the first place. He said that his wife is his chief advisor on an issue with which she has zero experience. "
Have you ever thought that Ann has alot of Common Sense. I would take Rosen comments with a grain of salt.
"SenatorCharlotte wrote:
Ms. Rosen would have done better to describe A.R. as "unemployed;" THAT is irrefutable. A.R. does not contribute to the tax base or the GDP. She is UNEMPLOYED"
But her husband still pays.
During this program a caller expressed his desire for Romeny to talk about his religion. It would be OK.
I want - as many others - the President to give us a solid speech about his religion; not general thoughts about religion but his own religion.
johnandere wrote:
"Ummm ... I believe that would include Mr. and Mrs. Obama."
You crazy right wingers never listen....I said "ALL" millionaires....and yeah that includes the Obamas. ALL OF THEM. Every single millionaire and so called "successful person and idiotic job creator" They are all liars....
I despise Democrat and Republican alike. The problem with this country is "this country". Our attitudes, our values, our interests and what we think is important. We are an empire in decline.
If you think that the Republicans are a better alternative to the Democrats then you are simply a fool. If anything they are worse, far worse.
Throw it out and start over.
Teece Bowman wrote:
"I despise Democrat and Republican alike. The problem with this country is "this country". Our attitudes, our values, our interests and what we think is important. We are an empire in decline."
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Instead of lamenting the fact that this country doesn't live up to your peculiar standards, have you considered relocating to a readymade paradise that suits you, such as North Korea?
Teece Bowman wrote:
"I despise Democrat and Republican alike."
Uh ... no you don't - and your last statement demonstrates that.
"The problem with this country is "this country". Our attitudes, our values, our interests and what we think is important. We are an empire in decline."
OK. I'll disregard the personal attacks and ask you a simple question. You say, "Throw it out and start over". Throw what out? The Constitution? I hear frustration but not a lot of ideas. If you could remake America in YOUR image, what would it look like?
"If you think that the Republicans are a better alternative to the Democrats then you are simply a fool. If anything they are worse, far worse."
Thanks. That tells me your frame of reference precisely.