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bbartlog
15 years ago
Putin is a smart guy who actually wants Russia to do well, even if he’s also a bastard (assassinating inconvenient opponents). Sort of like Pinochet. The Russians could do a lot worse (and have). You can see why his approval ratings are high.
Neo
15 years ago
Last week Giulio Tremonti, Italy’s finance minister and Mr. Geithner’s host for the weekend, gave a tart review of the Obama administration’s stimulus in a local newspaper here.
“If the problem is an excess of debt, the cure is not adding more debt, whether that debt is public or private,” he wrote in the Corriere della Sera
How did Obama do and pass a “stimulus” bill without first consulting with our (obviously smarter) European allies. There goes the image of America down the toilet due to unilateral cowboy actions of an inexperienced POTUS.
Time Traveller
15 years ago
Like him or not , Putin is very smart.
He also has a clever wit .
What he says about the economy of USSR -nobody can dispute. Russia undoubtedly has worries but I would love to know his thoughts on USA.
Is USA in a similar position to Russia 1994?
batman
15 years ago
Yes, the the USA is indeed in a similar position to Russia in 1994. No, this “hope and change” has nothing to do with the success of my country, a republic, as it is. It has all to do with its failure. Putin has first hand experience with Marxist bolshevism, and is intimately familiar with its tragic result. 100.000.000 dead people in the last century is hard for some to overlook. Instead, this porkulus bill is about destroying this country as it is; And, then reforming the country as it should be. Cf: Saul Alinsky.
The One and his party are out to transform this country. To accomplish this, they will, quoting Rahm Emmanuel, “let no good crisis to go to waste.” Its about creating a problem” a crisis, then promoting a resolution; A synthesis: towards their goal of “as it should be.” The constitution stands in the way. But, watch, as they chip, chip chip away at it. To ultimately, revise the document. Debasing the whole economy. ala Franks and Dodd, is no accident.
The Democrat view, as it should be is: Ultimately, a dictatorship of the proletariat. A clearly tiered class society, with those in power at the top, and the slaves at the bottom. Those in power, remain in power. Power being passed to their heir apparent. As, power was passed from royal lords to their offspring. Much like North Korea, or even our “Democratic” government today. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. The Democrat view has remained unchanged the Democrats inception. Washington observed, in a letter to James McHenry, back in 1798, in response to the XYZ affair and the alien and sedition act: Washington quipped to James McHenry: “It would be easier to scrub a blackamoor white than to prevent a profest Democrat from attempting to overthrow the government of this country.” From Day 1. the Democrats have aligned themselves as the predatory plutocracy. The Republican party split from the Democrat party over the slavery issue. Had the their Democrats had their way against Lincoln, slavery would still be an institution in this country today. Even Putin can see this flaw.
trizzlor
15 years ago
I’m shocked that you people are seriously implying that Putin has the best in mind for his people or for the world. His free market principles are laughable in the face of his economic actions – which have been to tolerate completely any oligarchs that pledge support, imprison the rest, and then strong-arm the neighboring countries into lucrative oil contracts.
He sure has learned a lot from Leninsm – like how to consolidate the free media into the executve, literally eliminate any traces of federalism by neutering the state elections, and plunge the country into never ending ethnic skirmish (anti-semitism is up in Russia, btw, just like Putins poll numbers). Imagine Obama locking up Rupert Murdoch for monopoly and then transferring his holdings to Soros and you’ll get the idea of what actually happened in Russia a few years back. Or better yet, here’s a funny story: Putin converts the state committee-leaders (like our senators) into government agent, and the representative from St. Petersburg goes on the air to make a speech which begins “I wan to thank Putin for restructuring the government – I used to have to answer to all my constituents, now I only have to answer to him”. Yes, we sure have a lot to learn from Russia!
Have you forgotten about Putin “rearing his ugly head”, or “we’re all Georgians today,” Ukraine, Belorussia – he didn’t just land out of the sky, it is the same Putin, the only thing that’s changed is our president.
Btw, I’d love to have a discussion about free markets and the effect shock therapy had in Russia, but to see people hold these inspiring anti-socialist protests and then come home to consult Putin on domestic policy is making me gag.
ditto
15 years ago
It appears to me that the Democratic elite want to mold America into a social-capitalistic feudalism. Like 1984 but with a ruling class. A society of Orwellian economic slavery. Eventually, they will undermine the unions. With more and more surveillance advances we are steadily headed to Orwell’s Big Brother system. The Homeland Security Organization will make the final steps to become their secret police. The MSM has already taken great leaps to become the Propaganda Ministry.
@trizzlor: I don’t think anyone is giving Putin a pass here. What you said about his is entirely accurate. But what is troubling is that the left in this country wants to take the worst of what Putin did and emulate it. Even Putin wouldn’t go so far as some of what is now being proprosed as an economic remedy for the U.S.
South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford suggested Thursday that he’s open to accepting money from President Obama’s stimulus plan, even as he and other GOP governors voice opposition to the package.
A handful of Republican governors are considering turning down some of the money from the $787 billion package.
But Sanford told FOX News his state is still “looking at the pros and cons” of the bill and combing through the “fine print” to see what would benefit South Carolina residents.
He suggested he’s open to taking the money, saying Democrats aren’t turning down tax cuts even though many oppose them.
“There are a lot of Democrats that voted against tax cuts and yet they don’t go back to their states and their congressional districts and tell their folks, ‘Look you can’t take the tax cut because if so it’ll undo what I believe’,” he said.
He also told CBS’ “The Early Show” that being against the plan “doesn’t preclude taking the money.
@openid.aol.com/runnswim: Larry, I’ve made a big deal of much of your hypocrisy but I don’t believe I have ever included tax cuts in that sorry, lengthy catalog.
Perhaps would care to refresh my memory?
Then perhaps you could explain how your comment is relevant to the post topic?
Mike, Just about a week ago we had this big back and forth thing going on, which started with my observation that the Bush tax cuts were a much larger form of “generational theft” than the Democratic stimulus package. You accused me of hypocrisy for not refusing the tax cuts or rebating the money I saved from the tax cuts to the treasury. Or at least I think it was you. Maybe it was “Hard Right.” If so, I apologize. Don’t have time to go looking through the blog archive. It’s not a big deal. The reason for putting it on this thread is that you are the author of the blogpost: I wanted to address it to you; and the post is about “excessive intervention in the economy” (i.e. the stimulus). Which was the topic of what started the “hypocrisy” tempest in a teapot. Again, if the guy I was arguing with was someone other than you (my main nemesis on this blog), I’m sorry to have cast aspersions your way.
@openid.aol.com/runnswim: Larry, once again you are mistaken. I wouldn’t make a big issue out of it except that you seem to take pleasure in returning the favor the few times I am in error.
I’d suggest in future that before you start lumping me in with every other commenter here you go back and find the thread you were active on (it’s not that difficult) and verify what I said or didn’t say before you commit further factual errors.
I’d suggest in future that before you start lumping me in with every other commenter here you go back and find the thread you were active on (it’s not that difficult) and verify what I said or didn’t say before you commit further factual errors.
Apology previously extended and herein confirmed; above good advice will be observed.
However, just for the record, I did make an attempt to do just that. I searched both Google and this blog’s “search” tab on the menu bar, entering everthing I could think of in a 10 minute period:
larry hypocrisy larry mike hypocrisy larry mike hypocrit larry mike stimulus tax cuts
larry hypocrisy larry hypocrite larry stimulus tax cuts bush obama etc etc etc etc
Couldn’t find the posts in question.
So, it’s actually more difficult than one might expect.
But I agree that one should take pains to be accurate before proffering even implied criticism of a specific person. So, for the third time, I’m sorry.
You said I “Recently you made a huge deal about my alleged “hypocrisy” in having been opposed, on principle, to the Bush tax cuts, yet accepting my own tax cuts.”
I would have thought if it was such a big deal you would have an easier time finding the proof.
bbartlog
15 years ago
I’m pretty sure it was a commenter (maybe Aye Chihuahua) who thought it hypocritical to advocate for higher taxes without freely paying higher taxes.
I would have thought if it was such a big deal you would have an easier time finding the proof.
Mike, I’ve already apologized to you 3 times. I will now apologize 4 times.
I am very sorry that I was not accurate in identifying you as the person with whom I was arguing concerning whether or not it is “hypocritical” to be opposed to tax cuts, on macroeconomic principle, yet to accept such tax cuts in the case of one’s personal microeconomics, when they come one’s way. (Thanks to bbartlog for correctly identifying the person with whom I was actually having the honest difference of opinion).
I have learned a good lesson from this (that it is unacceptable to be even obliquely critical of someone without having one’s facts straight). I sincerely apologize to you, and I ask you to accept my apology.
@openid.aol.com/runnswim: I’m just glad to know you are human Larry. I was beginning to wonder. Apology accepted on the condition you don’t repeat the offense.
Putin is a smart guy who actually wants Russia to do well, even if he’s also a bastard (assassinating inconvenient opponents). Sort of like Pinochet. The Russians could do a lot worse (and have). You can see why his approval ratings are high.
How did Obama do and pass a “stimulus” bill without first consulting with our (obviously smarter) European allies. There goes the image of America down the toilet due to unilateral cowboy actions of an inexperienced POTUS.
Like him or not , Putin is very smart.
He also has a clever wit .
What he says about the economy of USSR -nobody can dispute. Russia undoubtedly has worries but I would love to know his thoughts on USA.
Is USA in a similar position to Russia 1994?
Yes, the the USA is indeed in a similar position to Russia in 1994. No, this “hope and change” has nothing to do with the success of my country, a republic, as it is. It has all to do with its failure. Putin has first hand experience with Marxist bolshevism, and is intimately familiar with its tragic result. 100.000.000 dead people in the last century is hard for some to overlook. Instead, this porkulus bill is about destroying this country as it is; And, then reforming the country as it should be. Cf: Saul Alinsky.
The One and his party are out to transform this country. To accomplish this, they will, quoting Rahm Emmanuel, “let no good crisis to go to waste.” Its about creating a problem” a crisis, then promoting a resolution; A synthesis: towards their goal of “as it should be.” The constitution stands in the way. But, watch, as they chip, chip chip away at it. To ultimately, revise the document. Debasing the whole economy. ala Franks and Dodd, is no accident.
The Democrat view, as it should be is: Ultimately, a dictatorship of the proletariat. A clearly tiered class society, with those in power at the top, and the slaves at the bottom. Those in power, remain in power. Power being passed to their heir apparent. As, power was passed from royal lords to their offspring. Much like North Korea, or even our “Democratic” government today. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. The Democrat view has remained unchanged the Democrats inception. Washington observed, in a letter to James McHenry, back in 1798, in response to the XYZ affair and the alien and sedition act: Washington quipped to James McHenry: “It would be easier to scrub a blackamoor white than to prevent a profest Democrat from attempting to overthrow the government of this country.” From Day 1. the Democrats have aligned themselves as the predatory plutocracy. The Republican party split from the Democrat party over the slavery issue. Had the their Democrats had their way against Lincoln, slavery would still be an institution in this country today. Even Putin can see this flaw.
I’m shocked that you people are seriously implying that Putin has the best in mind for his people or for the world. His free market principles are laughable in the face of his economic actions – which have been to tolerate completely any oligarchs that pledge support, imprison the rest, and then strong-arm the neighboring countries into lucrative oil contracts.
He sure has learned a lot from Leninsm – like how to consolidate the free media into the executve, literally eliminate any traces of federalism by neutering the state elections, and plunge the country into never ending ethnic skirmish (anti-semitism is up in Russia, btw, just like Putins poll numbers). Imagine Obama locking up Rupert Murdoch for monopoly and then transferring his holdings to Soros and you’ll get the idea of what actually happened in Russia a few years back. Or better yet, here’s a funny story: Putin converts the state committee-leaders (like our senators) into government agent, and the representative from St. Petersburg goes on the air to make a speech which begins “I wan to thank Putin for restructuring the government – I used to have to answer to all my constituents, now I only have to answer to him”. Yes, we sure have a lot to learn from Russia!
Have you forgotten about Putin “rearing his ugly head”, or “we’re all Georgians today,” Ukraine, Belorussia – he didn’t just land out of the sky, it is the same Putin, the only thing that’s changed is our president.
Btw, I’d love to have a discussion about free markets and the effect shock therapy had in Russia, but to see people hold these inspiring anti-socialist protests and then come home to consult Putin on domestic policy is making me gag.
It appears to me that the Democratic elite want to mold America into a social-capitalistic feudalism. Like 1984 but with a ruling class. A society of Orwellian economic slavery. Eventually, they will undermine the unions. With more and more surveillance advances we are steadily headed to Orwell’s Big Brother system. The Homeland Security Organization will make the final steps to become their secret police. The MSM has already taken great leaps to become the Propaganda Ministry.
@trizzlor: I don’t think anyone is giving Putin a pass here. What you said about his is entirely accurate. But what is troubling is that the left in this country wants to take the worst of what Putin did and emulate it. Even Putin wouldn’t go so far as some of what is now being proprosed as an economic remedy for the U.S.
That’s the point.
Hey Mike,
Recently you made a huge deal about my alleged “hypocrisy” in having been opposed, on principle, to the Bush tax cuts, yet accepting my own tax cuts.
It seems that your own Governor sees this more my way than yours:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/02/19/sanford-suggests-hes-open-taking-stimulus-money-despite-opposition/
– Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach, CA
@openid.aol.com/runnswim: Larry, I’ve made a big deal of much of your hypocrisy but I don’t believe I have ever included tax cuts in that sorry, lengthy catalog.
Perhaps would care to refresh my memory?
Then perhaps you could explain how your comment is relevant to the post topic?
Mike, Just about a week ago we had this big back and forth thing going on, which started with my observation that the Bush tax cuts were a much larger form of “generational theft” than the Democratic stimulus package. You accused me of hypocrisy for not refusing the tax cuts or rebating the money I saved from the tax cuts to the treasury. Or at least I think it was you. Maybe it was “Hard Right.” If so, I apologize. Don’t have time to go looking through the blog archive. It’s not a big deal. The reason for putting it on this thread is that you are the author of the blogpost: I wanted to address it to you; and the post is about “excessive intervention in the economy” (i.e. the stimulus). Which was the topic of what started the “hypocrisy” tempest in a teapot. Again, if the guy I was arguing with was someone other than you (my main nemesis on this blog), I’m sorry to have cast aspersions your way.
If so, I’ll also apologize for thread creep.
Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach, CA
@openid.aol.com/runnswim: Larry, once again you are mistaken. I wouldn’t make a big issue out of it except that you seem to take pleasure in returning the favor the few times I am in error.
I’d suggest in future that before you start lumping me in with every other commenter here you go back and find the thread you were active on (it’s not that difficult) and verify what I said or didn’t say before you commit further factual errors.
Apology previously extended and herein confirmed; above good advice will be observed.
However, just for the record, I did make an attempt to do just that. I searched both Google and this blog’s “search” tab on the menu bar, entering everthing I could think of in a 10 minute period:
larry hypocrisy larry mike hypocrisy larry mike hypocrit larry mike stimulus tax cuts
larry hypocrisy larry hypocrite larry stimulus tax cuts bush obama etc etc etc etc
Couldn’t find the posts in question.
So, it’s actually more difficult than one might expect.
But I agree that one should take pains to be accurate before proffering even implied criticism of a specific person. So, for the third time, I’m sorry.
– Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach, CA
I’m not surprised you didn’t find any hits on search terms where you link me to comments I did not make.
You might have had better luck reviewing recent posts on which you have been active.
Even with your usally high word rate per comment I was able to find these comments of yours which reference tax cuts:
http://www.floppingaces.net/2009/02/12/the-true-price-of-the-theft-act/comment-page-1/#comment-161981
http://www.floppingaces.net/2009/02/12/the-true-price-of-the-theft-act/comment-page-1/#comment-161958
You said I “Recently you made a huge deal about my alleged “hypocrisy” in having been opposed, on principle, to the Bush tax cuts, yet accepting my own tax cuts.”
I would have thought if it was such a big deal you would have an easier time finding the proof.
I’m pretty sure it was a commenter (maybe Aye Chihuahua) who thought it hypocritical to advocate for higher taxes without freely paying higher taxes.
@bbartlog: Right you are bbart. I guess Larry was just eager to pick a fight with me.
Mike, I’ve already apologized to you 3 times. I will now apologize 4 times.
I am very sorry that I was not accurate in identifying you as the person with whom I was arguing concerning whether or not it is “hypocritical” to be opposed to tax cuts, on macroeconomic principle, yet to accept such tax cuts in the case of one’s personal microeconomics, when they come one’s way. (Thanks to bbartlog for correctly identifying the person with whom I was actually having the honest difference of opinion).
I have learned a good lesson from this (that it is unacceptable to be even obliquely critical of someone without having one’s facts straight). I sincerely apologize to you, and I ask you to accept my apology.
– Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach, CA
@openid.aol.com/runnswim: I’m just glad to know you are human Larry. I was beginning to wonder. Apology accepted on the condition you don’t repeat the offense.