Friday, May 30, 2014

Fried Day


Despite putting on our new Google Thinking Cap (Google Glasses are so five minutes ago) while reviewing the news, there wasn't any single story which felt worthy of an entire commentary. Ergo, we're going the smorgasbord route today.

Among the wretched news items which caught our eye (and caught in our throat): Barack Obama's West Point speech at which he declared that he believes in American exceptionalism "with every fiber of my being," despite having less personal fiber than the average ball of cotton candy. He then continued, saying "But what makes us exceptional is not our ability to flout international norms and the law." In other words, the president went to West Point to take a big, steaming dump on the military and the United States.

Also in the news, Michelle Obama has accused some Republicans of hating women, children, and the poor and wanting them to suffer from malnutrition. Why? Because of their effort to allow those people to buy white potatoes with their government handouts if they so choose. "For too many years, white potatoes oppressed potatoes of color," the first lady said angrily, "especially the potatoes from Idaho."

Okay, we just made up the quote from Michelle - we just like to imagine her saying "Idaho" because we have a juvenile and politically incorrect sense of humor. But she is against white potatoes, despite her husband's annual St. Patrick's Day claim to be Irish.

Going back to last week's commentary on the 9/11 Museum Gift Shop, Hope n' Change is pleased to see at least one item being thrown out of the store: a decorative cheese platter in the shape of the United States with three adorable little hearts marking the spots where Americans died in agony at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Frankly, everyone in the supply chain responsible for this nightmarish novelty item should be given a one way plane ticket adorned with an adorable little heart marking their new home at Guantanamo Bay.

And finally, there was an interesting story about a new study which shows that people with cynical outlooks are three times more likely to develop dementia in their old age. Considering how cynical this administration makes us, we're not crazy about that idea - but apparently, we soon will be.

28 comments:

Chuck Baker (formerly just plain "Chuck") said...

Ah, for the simpler times when one thing stood out enough to warrant our undivided attention. This current state is, of course, by design. By being submerged in a morass of evil, we can't focus on anything to correct (assuming that were even possible) and it makes the next heaping of evil seem less offensive. I mean, when you are covered in s*#t, why would you care when more s*#t is thrown on top? Distract the masses. Keep them off guard. Suddenly, the scandals that deserve attention (and not just a few executions) become lost in the morass.

We're doomed. And I welcome my cynicism induced dementia with open arms. To be unaware of the reality that has beset us would be the lifting of an enormous burden.

Colby Muenster said...

Imagine if you will, Phil Robertson giving a speech at an LGBT convention. That would be sort of like O'Liar giving a speech at West Point. It just doesn't fit.

So Chewy would have us eating more black potatoes? Ya know, when I was a batchelor, I'd eat just about anything, but a guy's gotta draw the line somewhere. By the time a potato turns black, they're pretty disgusting. And she's upset that people are using their food stamps to buy taters? What!? Has she ever been in a grocery line behind somebody who used food stamps? I have. Potatoes are likely the most nutritious thing in the cart.

As far as the dementia/cynicism thing, isn't there a difference betwen being cynical and being able to see through the continual media hype bombardment? I think you'll be OK, Doc. if not, we'll start calling you Doctor Demento.

CenTexTim said...

re: the cynical outlook/dementia study - that's because we cynics need more 'coffee' to get through the day...

Geoff King said...

I agree with Chuck. The current state of affairs is by design. By generating one continuous scandal after another, our senses and sensibilities are pushed into overload. Few even recall Fast and Furious anymore, with so many new criminal actions to distract us. As we speak, the Bilderberg Group is meeting in Copenhagen to devise even more treacherously evil plans to undermine our way of life. As they are the globalist 1 percenters, you can be sure their agenda will include discussions on how to further their New World Order destruction of everything we hold dear.
In a lighter vein, if Wookie said " I don't like potatoes from Idaho", would Barely respond with "Udaho, Idapimp"?

WMD said...

OK, not really on topic but the other day I saw a cartoon from Red State about king hussein not being responsible for anything. It reminded me of the movie "Head Office" from 1985. There is a scene with Rick Moranis that seems rather reminiscent of the current regime. Or should it be prophetic? Anyway, judge for yourself. I think this bit is hilarious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9qsnSLDEqMc


I wish I could have made that an active link but I don't know how to do that. If you wacth the clip you'll immediately identify with the attitudes and M.O. of our betters.

American Cowboy said...

After listening, and reading about the consistent way the White House squatter and other leftists subtly and not so subtly revile the United States military, I would like to see an amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America that would require a term of active, battle-zone service of at least the same number of years that the office they aspire to consists. For example; One wants to be President and expects eight years, then they MUST serve eight years of active, battle-zone time BEFORE being eligible for office. I believe this standard should be adopted for all avenues of elected federal government.

American Cowboy said...

@ Colby
I agree with most of what you stated about the EBT users.
A number of years ago I found myself and my family in the humiliating position of having to rely on EBT for a very short time. I imagine the tens of thousands of dollars I forked over in taxes before that more than made up for the couple thousand dollars I received for the four months or so that we used EBT.
We also were the object of snide comments about groceries bought. We purchased meat, potatoes, vegetables, and the ingredients to make bread etc. And yes, occasionally we would permit ourselves a carton of ice cream or some other "treat".
It is for those reasons I agree with your comments about 99% of EBT users who are just that..."users".
I believe a solution would be to track purchases made by EBT users. For every dollar spent on alcohol, cigarettes, or non-nutritious food, reduce the next months allotment by the same amount. Sooner or later they would either use EBT as it was intended, get off EBT and provide for themselves, or be forced off to provide for themselves.

John the Econ said...

Obama @ West Point: A speech so totally incoherent, that even the New York Times had to say "Whah?"

If this speech confirmed anything, it was that beyond reducing America's footprint in global affairs, foreign policy has always been nothing more than an unwanted distraction to this president.

If I was a young graduate at West Point, I'd be paying more attention to how Obama is dealing with the VA as an indication of what this President really thinks about the military. He's prefer that they all just go away and die.

That's why John Kerry is trotting the globe talking up "climate change" instead of actual events, like American citizens being held and murdered abroad.

I can't get too excited about the "potatoe" thing. IMHO, if you are reliant upon the state (or fellow citizens) for the basics of life, such as food, then you're pretty much stuck with what your overlords deem appropriate for you.

Of course, this is the very reason why I resist being sucked into socialism. I don't want these idiots making any choices on my behalf.

What gets me is that they'll fight in DC about what kind of potatoes are appropriate for welfare recipients, but Democrats will fight tooth-and-nail to prevent any restrictions on the spending of EBT funds on booze, gambling, or strip clubs. (Apparently the the left actually does believe in "trickle down economics", but only as long as it's only applied to sleaze)

Seriously, who the hell would buy a 9/11 commemorative cheese plate? Even the "Commemorative Elvis Plate" crowd would turn their noses up at this.

@Chuck Baker, I came to this conclusion during the Clinton years. It's a brilliant plan, really; Just barrage us with a constant stream of insanity and eventually people stop questioning the details.

John the Econ said...

Other insanity for "fried day":

Obama’s DREAM Amnesty Leads to Huge Surge in Illegal Alien Minors Invading US

Free citizenship for all who show up! Is anyone surprised?

White House leaks the name of the top CIA official in Afghanistan. White House Counsel will look into it.

Remember the hysteria over the Valerie Plame non-scandal during the Bush years? We had to have a special prosecutor because of the publishing of a name over a CIA pencil-pusher who's own husband would advertise her occupation to anyone who'd listen. So the Obama White House outs the top man in Afghanistan. Think anything will happen this time?

CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker says that "We're not going to be shamed into [covering the Benghazi investigation] by others who have political beliefs that want to try to have temper tantrums to shame other news organizations into covering something. If it's of real news value, we'll cover it."

Of course not. Because how would a network that hires people like Elliot Spitzer and Pier Morgan recognize "shame"?

My favorite: NTY economics columnist Paul Krugman, in a column supposedly supporting the raging success of European socialism says "Northern European nations, France included, have done far better than most Americans realize. In particular, here's a startling, little-known fact: French adults in their prime working years (25 to 54) are substantially more likely to have jobs than their U.S. counterparts."

Get that? Paul Krugman himself is saying that Obamanomics is such a raging failure, that even France now has better employment statistics that we do! Just in time for "Recovery Summer 4".

And as predicted, the "Spawn of Hollywood" killing spree has already all but disappeared from media consciousness. Clearly, this promoted a narrative that the left could not afford to address.

Have a great weekend folks.

Stilton Jarlsberg said...

@Chuck Baker- I agree that it's no accident that we're simultaneously beset by so many scandals. It makes me think of Heracles fighting the Hydra; cut off a head, and two will take its place. The primary difference being that we've had so little success actually "cutting off" any of the heads; have we had success pursuing Benghazi? Fast and Furious? The IRS abuse? No. Those of us who are really invested in the news tend to suffer death from a thousand cuts.

@Colby- Unsurprisingly, the National Potato Council (or something like that) has refuted the first lady by presenting actual evidence of the healthful qualities of spuds, as well as the fact that they're so substantial (and so cheap) that it frees food stamp recipients to buy other items.

And speaking of Doctor Demento, about 40 years ago he played one of my band's songs on his show.

@CenTexTim- I believe you're referring to Crème de Mentia...

@Geoff King- In the words of Coach B. Hussein, "The best defense is ten more offenses."

@WMD- I really enjoyed the Moranis clip! I haven't seen the movie but guess I'll have to check it out!

And yes, I can hear Barry squealing "Don't you know the difference between making a decisions and approving a decision?! I didn't make the decision! It's not my fault!"

@American Cowboy- Excellent suggestion. Reminds me of the recurring idea in Robert Heinlein's books that no one was truly a "citizen" with full rights until they'd completed military service.

Regarding EBT users, I know that there are a lot of people who deservedly and appropriately rely on that program at one time or another to get by, and there should be no shame in doing so. That being said, the cheaters must be cut off. Tracking purchases as you suggest would be a good start to improving the system.

@John the Econ- The whole speech seemed to be about denigrating the military, and supplanting their role with diplomacy. The problem? Every diplomatic move made by this administration has failed miserably and made the world a more dangerous place.

The potato "controversy" is stupid, of course, and I don't frankly care whether people can buy potatoes or not. I only included the story today so I could mock Michelle a bit, because I find her so freaking annoying.

The 9/11 cheese platter, however, genuinely pissed me off. Seriously, is there no one anymore who can simply look at an idea like that and scream "What the HELL were you thinking of?!"

Regarding the White House outing of a top CIA operator, it comes as a huge relief that the White House will conduct its own investigation. I'm betting that months from now, they'll declare the name was inserted into the press document by Scooter Libby.

Krugman is, of course, always a source of head-slapping bemusement. As you quite rightly point out, he's not praising France so much as admitting that his perfect president has run our economy into the ground and made joblessness into a lifestyle.

And yes, the MSM has already moved on from the murderous Hollywood Virgin. If a killer can't be used as a cudgel against the Right, the news media just isn't interested.

Jim Hlavac said...

Aw, don't worry you can't say any more on yesterdays scandals, incompetence, willful misconduct and the like -- that's old stuff. And even Johnny Carson you can only do three jokes on a subject. But don't worry -- tomorrow there shall be fresh and new, and even improved scandals. That's the thing about digging in a garbage dump, that's all you ever find - garbage.

@Colby -- Roberston would be welcome to an LBGT convention if he said something along the lines of "oops" -- we've welcomed every other hetero as they "evolved" -- what's one more? In fact, we'd be so appreciative of a mind change we might well give him an award.

And the difference between Obama and Robertson -- is that Obama will never change -- while Roberston will probably back off a bit.

Frankie said...

Drudge has a great headline on now regarding Shinseki
titled:

"OFF THE WAITING LIST"

Colby Muenster said...

@American Cowby and Doctor J.,
I was a bit harsh there... I too have used EBT (like when my son's wife left him with four kids while he was laid off) and do not begrudge anybody buying some "fun food" with it. I would never expect EBT users to only get beans and rice, but I also have seen a lot of shopping carts piled high with total crap that is expensive and wasteful, like frozen dinners and cans of spaghetti-o's.

@Jim Hlavac,
Maybe a better comparison would be Phil Robertson speaking at a PETA convention!

@John the Econ,
No doubt there are a good number of libs lamenting the fact that the California killer "used a damn knife." I guess even DiFi or Michael Buffoonberg can't bring themselves to demand harsher knife control laws.

Colby Muenster said...

So.... Shinseki has resigned. Thank GOD!!! Now the VA is all fixed, and veterans will stop dying for lack of treatment!

Well... that's what O'Liar and his MSM minions will try to sell the public anyway.

CenTexTim said...

@John the Econ - hey, I have an Elvis commemorative plate hanging on my office wall...

But you're right - I would never buy a 9/11 commemorative cheese plate, which I guess proves your point.

Anonymous said...

And now after 3 years of daily lies,even Jay Carney can't take it anymore.Good riddance.I hated how he kept a stoic and unfeeling face while knowingly telling those lies.

oldredleg said...

I didn't mean to use anonymous,rather my oldredleg name.

sc said...

@ Colby - I have to disagree, EBT users should not be able to eat better that the hard-working taxpayers that provide them with free food. The EBT cards should be like the WIC program, only valid for certain items: generic, low cost staples & nutritional foods only. This is an instance where I think the Govt should dictate what people (EBT users) can buy/eat.
If you want the expensive, brand name 'goodies' go get a f'n job and pay for them yourself. Dementia is right around the corner for me.

John the Econ said...

I'm sure Carney has a job lined up at one of the non-Fox alphabets, just like Stephanopoulos did.

EBT: I don't begrudge those who are truly in need that take advantage of EBT. In a country as wealthy as ours, nobody should be starving to death.

However, I think that once you become a ward of the state for whatever reason, you also become subservient to it, for better or worse. There is no rational argument for welfare recipients to consuming at a better level than those who work to provide those benefits. Such choices should be reserved for those who do not feel or have the need to live off of the labor of others.

Several years ago when gas prices spiked, I recall a network news sob story about high energy prices, and how it was forcing sorry middle class people to go hungry. (What administration, btw, encourages higher energy prices in the name of "climate change"? Oh, never mind) They profiled this guy, who opened his cupboard to make the point. Mrs. Econ, who goes to great lengths to stretch the family grocery dollar flipped her lid, as everything he had in there was expensive name brand items. He wasn't even trying to save money. Much better that I should be taxed more so that he doesn't have to.

American Cowboy said...

@ Colby said
"...but I also have seen a lot of shopping carts piled high with total crap that is expensive and wasteful, like frozen dinners and cans of spaghetti-o's."

You are correct. And that is exactly why I believe that in their infinite tracking "wisdom" the fed's must begin some sort of spending tracking that deducts the amount spent this month on that total garbage from the next ten or twelve months worth of EBT "benefits".
My firm belief is that either the users would learn how to actually make nutritious meals at home, or they would eventually be denied any EBT "benefits" as a result of their intentionally poor food choices.
Oh hell! I made some kind of "ist" attack there. We mustn't do anything that promotes self-responsibility.

David in SoCal said...

Mrs. SoCal sez that the lying spokes-weasel Jay Carney had to quit as a result of running out of lies and excuses...I concur.
Dear Jay Carney: Good riddance, and don't let the White House Press Room door hit ya in the Barry Soetoro on your way out.

PRY said...

Great stuff, everyone! I see you are all as fed up as I am!

One thing about Phil Robertson, Doc, he and I share our beliefs according to the Word of God, and not our own ideas, and I can assure you, he will not back off an inch in what he believes, and neither will I, nor should any believer who trusts that Jesus Christ is still in control. And, as painful as the future in this country will likely be for everyone, for those who place their trust in Him, a very bright eternity awaits each and every child of God!

John the Econ said...

Breaking: Obama Stunned to Learn He’s President

By Peter Kirsanow: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/379215/breaking-obama-stunned-learn-hes-president-peter-kirsanow?fb_action_ids=10152037926056890

Responding to recent allegations that Barack Obama is president of the United States, putative White House press secretary Jay Carney stated he was looking into the matter. “We found out about Obama supposedly being president from reports in the media, just like everyone else.”

Appearing briefly at today’s news conference, Obama stated, “I’m madder than anybody to learn about this. If true, this is completely unacceptable. I won’t stand for it; I won’t tolerate it. Not a smidgen. Period.”

Pressed as to whether Obama, now aware that he’s commander-in-chief, would finally take action on the numerous scandals and failures plaguing his alleged administration, Carney emphasized Obama will first call for an investigation to get to the bottom of the troubling allegations. “He will not rush into this with incomplete information like his supposed predecessor. He will approach this in a deliberate, judicious manner. To this point, he’d been reliably informed that he was simply a member of ‘The Real Presidents of Washington, D.C.’ reality show. So, understandably, we’ll want to see what the investigation yields before acting.”

Asked by Ed Henry of Fox News why an investigation was needed when there had been two relatively well-publicized presidential elections in the last five years, Carney, who’d just announced his departure from whatever, retorted to the delight of the other members of the White House press corps, “Obviously, Ed, those reports were primarily driven by your network, and, frankly, have been seized upon and politicized by Republicans and other extremists. Those of us in the reality-based community want a bit more evidence of Barack’s alleged presidency.”

PRY said...

Wow, John! That is incredible news! I bet Barry WAS stunned! About as much as we were when he was re-elected!

Stilton Jarlsberg said...

@Jim Hlavac- You're right, but oh how I wish we would run out of scandals to talk about.

@Frankie- Yes, Jay Carney is leaving his spokesweasel position. He'll finally be able to begin the many skin grafts he'll need to repair the damage to his legs from the many times his pants caught on fire while lying.

@Colby- I think we're all in agreement here. Nobody wants food stamp recipients to have a punishing bread and water diet; a little fun might actually translate to a little hope. It's only the abusers of the system that we're down on.

And speaking of the Libs' disappointment that Elliot Rodger used a knife to kill, I'm reminded of a story from a couple of years ago when Obama appeared at some Hispanic dinner event - and the secret service confiscated all the dinner knives. I doubt that they're as cautious when Obama hosts his White House Ramadan feast.

@Colby- Shinseki's resignation will only provide the administration with a useful distraction; the process of approving his successor will give the media enough time to get bored and start reporting on Kim Kardashian's mammoth ass again.

@CenTexTim- I've got nothing against tacky memorabilia (if you could only see my office right now). But the 9/11 cheese platter bypasses "tacky" entirely and seems more like heresy.

@oldredleg- I'm delighted to see Jay Carney go. He was very good at his job, which means he was very bad for this country. Frankly, I'd like to see him waterboarded so, at least on his way out, he might actually tell us some truth for once.

@sc- I think some common sense guidelines need to apply. Food stamps for fish sticks? Okay. For lobster tails? Not so much.

@John the Econ- Why doesn't the government just send people survival boxes of nutritious food, hand selected by Michelle Obama? That's been a huge success in our nation's schools, except for the fact that much of the taxpayer funded food goes into the garbage because the kids won't eat it.

@American Cowboy- Now I'm wondering if there are government funded videos on basic, healthful cooking that people could learn from? (I'm afraid to look, out of fear that the government has paid a billion dollars on "The Joy of Food Stamp Cooking" show)

@David in SoCal- I don't think Carney had run out of lies, but he had completely run out of credibility. Even the lap dogs in the White House press room were starting to take bites out of him.

@John the Econ- Hilarious!

@PRY- You think Barry is stunned now, wait until he reads in the newspaper that he's black!

Geoff King said...

Jay Carney's resignation from his post as White House Liar in Chief may mean he is now considering a political career. With his experience at spinning the truth on all subjects, he would have no trouble gaining a Democratic nomination. Being a white male could be a problem, but not if he simply starts wearing dresses, wigs, makeup, and announces that he now prefers to be called Jane. He would then be a shoe-in for the Presidency.

Colby Muenster said...

@John the Econ,
That is friggin' FUNNY!!

Geoff King said...

FYI. Bob at drinkingwithbob.com, after about a two month hiatus, has returned with 10 new video rants that are worth checking out.