Got an email from Senator Warren today:
… Government is real, and it has three basic functions:
*Provide for the national defense.
*Put rules in place rules, like traffic lights and bank regulations, that are fair and transparent.
*Build the things together that none of us can build alone – roads, schools, power grids – the things that give everyone a chance to succeed.These things did not appear by magic. In each instance, we made a choice as a people to come together. We made that choice because we wanted to be a country with a foundation that would allow anyone to have a chance to succeed.
The Food and Drug Administration makes sure that the white pills we take are antibiotics and not baking soda. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration oversees crash tests to make sure our new cars have functioning brakes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission makes sure that babies’ car seats don’t collapse in a crash and that toasters don’t explode.
We are alive, we are healthier, we are stronger because of government. Alive, healthier, stronger because of what we did together.
We are not a country of anarchists. We are not a country of pessimists and ideologues whose motto is, “I’ve got mine, the rest of you are on your own.” We are not a country that tolerates dangerous drugs, unsafe meat, dirty air, or toxic mortgages.
We are not that nation. We have never been that nation. And we never will be that nation.
What’s on the agenda for the start of the weekend?
Villago Delenda Est
There you go, bringing reality into it again, Senator Warren.
Reality has a liberal bias.
Well, I’d like to believe this, but there is a substantial minority, at least, who do actually believe in the doctrine of “I’ve got mine, fuck you!” to use the military equivalent lingo.
J
She’s terrific! …and according to a NYT headline of a few days ago, a heroine of the ‘far left’. We know something’s gone terribly wrong elementary common sense and the belief that we are in it together with our fellow citizens (and fellow human beings) is at the ‘far left’ of the political spectrum.
Villago Delenda Est
@J:
Giving a rat’s ass about the serfs is of course a “far left” position.
Which is why tumbrels seem to be the only form of persuasion that works with some people.
Violet
Love her! Democrats need to be talking up the importance of good governance. People are so used to the Reagan “scariest words” observation about government and the good stuff that government does seems to have been forgotten. It’s a great opportunity for Democrats to talk about the important role government plays and how it’s essential that government be functional and effective.
Pooh
I need a cigarette after watching and reading that.
ranchandsyrup
Heart her so. She did a better job with “You didn’t build this” than Obama did.
James E Powell
We are not a country of pessimists and ideologues whose motto is, “I’ve got mine, the rest of you are on your own.” We are not a country that tolerates dangerous drugs, unsafe meat, dirty air, or toxic mortgages.
Well, now, I love you Senator Warren, but on this you could not be more wrong. “I’ve got mine, the rest of you are on your own” has been the motto of our country ever since Ronald Reagan was hired to be the genial salesman of the return to the Gilded Age. We are a nation of mean-spirited, selfish, and venal people.
There are certain things I can’t stand hearing anymore and this tiresome boast about what good people we Americans are is one of them. The only way we ever got anything decent done in this country was by fighting and quite often dying for it.
NotMax
Gave the link to video of Ms. Warren’s latest (from Thursday), as quoted in the post here.
? Martin
@Pooh: Have at it. The FDA is shut down, after all.
Villago Delenda Est
@James E Powell:
The forty hour work week and overtime pay being pretty good examples of things that people quite literally fought, bled, and died for.
Moonbatting Average
I never see them play because I live in Texas, but the Pirates’ uniforms sure are snazzy (they also beat down the Cards, which helps freedom and prosperity for all)
scott (the other one)
I hope this is okay to post here. I only comment, generally, every few months, but I’ve been doing it for five or six years, and I read the comments for almost every post. I’ve got a new book out and I think it might have some appeal to some Balloon-Juicers.
It’s called Uncivil War: The Island. It’s a novella and the first volume of a new series called, not surprisingly, Uncivil War. As you can probably guess from the title, it’s about the next American Civil War—but even more so, what happens after that, as we see the thousands of ways our country being ripped apart would effect the people who, to slightly misquote a great man, do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this country.
Hill Dweller
@James E Powell:
Benen has a post up detailing the consequences of Obama cancelling his trip to Asia next week. Read the comments section.
Wingnuts are vile people.
dmsilev
It appears John Boehner found an unusual way out of his predicament: Reports: Man Sets Himself On Fire On National Mall.
Omnes Omnibus
@dmsilev: He was just lighting a cigarette and his breath caught fire.
Villago Delenda Est
@Omnes Omnibus:
He really needs to get hooked up with a dragon and learn to breath fire in a safe and responsible manner.
MikeJ
Heheheh
Issa wanted his lawsuit against the government to proceed, even though the government lawyers aren’t being paid. the judge was not amused.
Omnes Omnibus
@Villago Delenda Est: Thatcher died.
srv
New Johnnie To movie tonight, and tomorrow I’m going to do a little flying away from the oppressive reach of the FAA. Wrapping up with some wine, cheese and camping in the Vaca range.
lamh36
Since this is an open thread, anybody else watch The Blacklist on Monday with James Spader? What do we think? I like it, but then again, I’ve always loved James Spader, he was the best thing about Boston Legal in it’s later years….plus I could watch Stargate (the movie) every day and still love it, cause it’s got 2 of my fav people in it…Kurt Russell and James Spader.
So anyway, after seeing the first episode, I figured that Agent Keen has got to be Red’s daughter, but dang, that would be too obvious and I think the show seems smarter, even if it is only 2 episodes so far…lol. I’m hoping for something more “twisty” than the Star Wars trope (i.e. “Luke I am you father…”)
So, for fellow Blacklist watchers, what are your theories?
No idea if Liz is Red’s daughter, says ‘The Blacklist’s’ Megan Boone
Villago Delenda Est
@MikeJ:
Nice. A bitch slap of that fucktard Issa.
OzarkHillbilly
via LGM, Hobby Lobby doesn’t cater to “our people”
Our good friends at Hobby Lobby are at it again:
When one of our friends asked where the Chanukah goods were, was told there wouldn’t be any, and asked why. According to her, the answer was:
“We don’t cater to you people”….
“Because Mr. Green is the owner of the company, he’s a Christian, and those are his values”
Violet
@lamh36: You saw this, right?
Omnes Omnibus
@Violet: I have visions of lamh36 dusting off her passport and checking for the next flight to London.
Violet
@Omnes Omnibus: That’s exactly what I thought when I saw the story.
Seanly
@lamh36:
My wife & I are giving it a go. I hope that not every week uses the “trick the FBI into doing my dirty work for me”.
Spader’s playing the character as a Hannibal Lector without the face-biting & eating of livers.
Opening myself for derision, but I’m also watching SHIELD. Is it going to be a weaker network version of Warehouse 13 (only 1 half-season left of that, sniff, sniff)?
Anyone watching SOA?
On topic – that quote by Warren makes my heart go pitter-patter.
Amir Khalid
@lamh36: Go for it, girl!
Death Panel Truck
Um…actually, we are that country. And that’s the problem.
WereBear
@Death Panel Truck: 27% of us are.
Wally Ballou
3+ hours until the Tigers start their LDS in Oakland. I hope that weeklong layoff hasn’t broken them.
lamh36
@Violet: What!!! Naw I haven’t seen that. Welp, looks like I’m have to dust off my passport and go head over to UK and give Idris some comfort…lol
@Omnes Omnibus:
Shoot, you think it’s a joke. I’m already planning my first ever trip to Europe next summer or fall once as a college graduation gift for my sister, and of course a vay-kay for me…lol.
All I’ll ask is for Idris to just wait for me…lol.
Omnes Omnibus
@lamh36: Go get ‘im.
Violet
@lamh36: Ha! Good thing you have the passport, since you can’t get one right now. Go get him!
Edit: If you can swing it, go in the fall. Airline tickets are usually cheaper and the rest of Europe is less expensive as well. Of course the weather usually isn’t as nice, but it’s still fun to go.
geg6
I heart her, too, Anne Laurie. Sadly, she is not my senator, so I can’t take any more credit for her than my small donations entitle me to. I’m stuck with Pat Fucking Toomey ( who I’m terrified I might be related to because my mom’s Irish side was littered with Toomeys) and Bob Casey, Jr., who is ten times better than his old man but will still never set the world on fire either. But he’s a loyal Dem and Obamabot, so I’ll keep him.
lamh36
@Seanly: I’m watching it. It is a bit cheesy right now, but I’ve been a Marvel chick since I was younger. Marvel has always been a bit more cheesy and quirky than DC Comics. I think that’s why I loved it then and still do now.
So I’m more open to sticking with it than other may be.
ETA: Also too, I like the insider wink to the movies and the even deeper winks to the comics (of which it’s been a long time since i’ve read them…thank goodness for twitter and the Google).
Also too, too, Ming Na kicking ass and Ron Glass as some type of “Q”-esque science guy and I was sold!
Roger Moore
@Seanly:
I would be worried if Joss Whedon weren’t in charge. If anyone can be trusted not to let the show turn into something boringly conventional, it’s him.
LanceThruster
But, but, but…all taxation is theft!
PaulW
I’m getting emotionally and spiritually prepared for NaNoWriMo!
Also, shamelessly plugging my blog entry about the Cooper Union Speech and how it applies to the modern bullying movement known as the House GOP.
PaulW
@LanceThruster:
Only when that taxation is progressive in nature and taxes the rich. Any taxation that is regressive – that is, a higher burden on the poor class earning a merely five-figure annual income – is perfectly fine as long as nobody talks about it.
PaulW
@Death Panel Truck:
The problem is that it’s roughly the upper 5-10 percent that thinks and acts like that, and that they’ve got all the lobbyists making deals with enough politicians to make the system protect that way of thinking.
There is no powerful lobbying firm protecting the middle class right now. Everybody on K Street are protecting the corporations and hedge fund embezzlers.
The Art of Compromise
@Death Panel Truck:
I agree wholeheartedly. We like to claim the higher road, but someone had to tie the rope to put on the tree, deny people the right the vote, force children to work, etc. We seem to forget the reason why we became who most of us are. We did have to fight for and overcome many demons.
muddy
My experience with heart and guts today was somewhat different. I had made a deal with one of the farmers at the market last week for the tongues, livers and hearts as it is harvesting season. Only $1#, she didn’t think there was a market for it until I asked. I was very pleased with my prize.
When I opened it up at home, the tongues were right there at the top. I found they were not cut off the throat at all. Ugh, says I, and set to cutting the roots. I’m pulling and it seems so long and heavy – turns out it was the esophagus and the windpipe, tongue at one end, lungs at the other. Mercifully the heart, liver and kidneys don’t live in the same sac.
I had not prepared myself for that level of gore, I had fresh blood and gobbets to the elbows. And it’s not even deer season yet.
The Other Chuck
@lamh36: The Blacklist is awesome, probably the best new show on. As for the father angle, I think it’s pretty obvious — there’s even some physical resemblance. If he is, I really hope they don’t stretch out this revelation forever, since it’ll surprise pretty much no one.
Omnes Omnibus
@muddy: That sounds … fun.
muddy
@Omnes Omnibus: I’m not squeamish, it wasn’t bad, it was just really surprising! The fun part was when the lungs floated to the top of the pot and knocked the lid off like a lobster – I took a long knife and stabbed them and stabbed them and stabbed them, pretending they were Rethugs.
jo6pac
Sorry, words are cheap. Yes I know EW doesn’t have the power now and is building a base but then again I refused to be fooled again
Omnes Omnibus
@muddy:
::backs away slowly, holding up hands to show no harm is intended::
Baud
@jo6pac:
Agree. I bet she hasn’t killed even a single man yet.
muddy
@Omnes Omnibus: You’re fine as long as you’re not in the big stock pot.
tybee
excellent, senator warren, just fuckin’ excellent.
when do you plan your presidential campaign?
tybee
@dmsilev:
i am a bad person. i laughed out loud.
schrodinger's cat
Senator Warren rocks. You go girl!
Viva BrisVegas
@J:
So Elizabeth Warren favours a dictatorship of the proletariat and total state ownership of the means of production?
If it wasn’t for the NYT we would never know these things.
@lamh36:
So far it’s OK, but it’s showing ominous signs. For instance, have you noticed how banal the show seems when Spader is not on the screen? He is carrying the show and I don’t think he has the shoulders for it. As for the daughter angle, all I can say is, I hope not.
rikyrah
@Seanly:
Love Agents of SHIELD
Trinity
I will go broke to help make her President.
James E. Powell
I’m thinking it might help the Democrats’ national image if every Democratic senator and congress-creature would simply repeat whatever Senator Warren said yesterday. They are free to put it in their own words, so long as they don’t change the core message.
TriassicSands
Elizabeth Warren — the best senatorial candidate in my lifetime. I have every reason to believe she will be just a good a senator as she promised to be as a candidate. Honest, straightforward, and gutsy. We desperately need more like her.
Lurker
@Violet:
Well, this lady would gladly go on a date with him. He’s incredibly handsome.
fake ted & helen
this also somehow proves Obama is a poopyhead!
cvstoner
George Orwell considered the middle class to be the greatest threat against totalitarianism, because it has too much to lose to be bribed. If you want to know why there is a full-court press against the middle class, that is why.
Older
@lamh36: So now, if you do hook up, you’ll let us know, right?
John M. Burt
I’m an anarchist by philosophy, but a Democrat out of simple self-defense until conditions make true anarchy possible.