The episode highlights what’s really wrong with Romney. He’s kind of lame, and he’s really ... annoying. He keeps saying these ... things, these incredibly off-key things. Then he apologizes immediately—with all the sincerity of a hostage. Or maybe he doesn’t: sometimes he whines about the subsequent attacks on him. But the one thing he never does? Man up, double down, take his lumps.
In some respects, he’s more weenie than wimp—socially inept; at times awkwardy ingratiating, at other times mocking those “below” him, but almost always getting the situation a little wrong, and never in a sympathetic way. The evidence resonates across too many years to deny. What kind of teenager beats up on the misfit, sissy kid, pinning him down and violently cutting his hair with a pair of school scissors—the incident from Romney’s youth that The Washington Post famously reported (and Romney famously didn’t really deny) back in May? The behavior extends, through more sedate means, into adulthood.
And what kind of presidential candidate whines about a few attacks and demands an apology when the going starts to get rough? And tries to sound tough by accusing the president who killed the world’s most-wanted villain of appeasement? That’s what they call overcompensation, and it’s a dead giveaway; it’s the “tell.” This guy is nervous—terrified—about looking weak. And ironically, being terrified of looking weak makes him look weaker still.
Romney will go at Obama hard until the election on Pentagon cuts and security leaks and Obama’s alleged apologies for America. Here and there he’ll score a point. But here, too, he’s just trying too hard. You watch something like his recent VFW speech, and you see that he so desperately wants people to see him and think: “He’s like Reagan.” Please. You would no more cast Romney as Reagan than you would Pee-wee Herman as James Bond.
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
Quote by Raine:Friday was her last day. Family things she said. I haz a sad.Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
And she looked beautiful on Friday -- she wore a black dress and everything.
From the department of poor music coordination: CNN says it regrets playing the Pink song “Stupid Girls†ahead of a segment on Sarah Palin’s recent visit to Chick-fi-A.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Friday was her last day. Family things she said. I haz a sad.Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
And she looked beautiful on Friday -- she wore a black dress and everything.
awww - sorry I missed that. Hope everything turns out okay for her, she'll be missed. No one could do Ross Perot like Rebecca
Quote by Raine:
This is kinda funny.From the department of poor music coordination: CNN says it regrets playing the Pink song “Stupid Girls†ahead of a segment on Sarah Palin’s recent visit to Chick-fi-A.
Quote by Raine:
This is kinda funny.From the department of poor music coordination: CNN says it regrets playing the Pink song “Stupid Girls†ahead of a segment on Sarah Palin’s recent visit to Chick-fi-A.
We cannot stand silent as those who seek to undermine Israel voice their criticisms. And we certainly should not join in that criticism. Diplomatic distance in our public between our nations emboldens Israel’s adversaries.
Romney regularly attacks While Romney is right to say that Israel is a close American ally that deserves our support, that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t ever publicly criticize Israel when we believe it to be in American (or Israeli) interests. Indeed, though Romney said the United States and Israel have “been the most natural of allies†since 1948, every Republican President since then has publicly criticized Israeli policies:
"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors who breakfasted around a U-shaped table at the luxurious King David Hotel.
The reaction of Palestinian leaders to Romney's comments was swift and pointed.
"It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation," said Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Minutes before Netanyahu meeting, Romney cancels on Yacimovich
Circles close to former opposition leader Yacimovich say meeting cancelled over disagreements surrounding the economic measures the Netanyahu government is about to adopt.
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
Quote by Raine:
Romney is screwing up royally in Israel.
First there is this.We cannot stand silent as those who seek to undermine Israel voice their criticisms. And we certainly should not join in that criticism. Diplomatic distance in our public between our nations emboldens Israel’s adversaries.
Romney regularly attacks While Romney is right to say that Israel is a close American ally that deserves our support, that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t ever publicly criticize Israel when we believe it to be in American (or Israeli) interests. Indeed, though Romney said the United States and Israel have “been the most natural of allies†since 1948, every Republican President since then has publicly criticized Israeli policies:
Then there is the Insurance Mandate (see post below)
Then this sort of insulting comment about Palestine."As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors who breakfasted around a U-shaped table at the luxurious King David Hotel.
The reaction of Palestinian leaders to Romney's comments was swift and pointed.
"It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation," said Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
AND then this: (which will probably piss off People there more than here, but still, not very diplomatic)Pretty shitty.Minutes before Netanyahu meeting, Romney cancels on Yacimovich
Circles close to former opposition leader Yacimovich say meeting cancelled over disagreements surrounding the economic measures the Netanyahu government is about to adopt.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
No more favorable treatment when I call the shew.
Quote by Mondobubba:
So, what you are saying is there is a metaphorical gift of a bacon-wrapped shrimp being given to the Israelis?
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
No more favorable treatment when I call the shew.
you'll have to get it good with the new guy
Quote by Raine:Well, no dear, you said that.Quote by Mondobubba:
So, what you are saying is there is a metaphorical gift of a bacon-wrapped shrimp being given to the Israelis?
I am surprised you didn't have more snark WRT to the Romney Wimp article.
I thought that was right in your sweet spot.
What I do believe is that Romney is literally tearing apart a lot of foreign policy politics with his trip. He's pandering to the politics of Israel as opposed to the diplomacy of Israeli relations-- and that is dangerous, IMO.
Quote by Mondobubba:
Dont have time to read it.
Quote by Raine:
This caller is a paid caller.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
This caller is a paid caller.
had that feeling of being scripted - he so liberal but he wants everyone to own whatever gun they want but he's only going to sell guns to certain people? WTF - that was though salad
Quote by Raine:I thought so as well.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
This caller is a paid caller.
had that feeling of being scripted - he so liberal but he wants everyone to own whatever gun they want but he's only going to sell guns to certain people? WTF - that was though salad
Darfur? REALLY?
Quote by Raine:Well, no dear, you said that.Quote by Mondobubba:
So, what you are saying is there is a metaphorical gift of a bacon-wrapped shrimp being given to the Israelis?
I am surprised you didn't have more snark WRT to the Romney Wimp article.
I thought that was right in your sweet spot.
What I do believe is that Romney is literally tearing apart a lot of foreign policy politics with his trip. He's pandering to the politics of Israel as opposed to the diplomacy of Israeli relations-- and that is dangerous, IMO.
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Raine, Romney is pandering to the Likud and the right wing parties in Israel not so much as to support Bibi Netanyahu as to gain favor with a conservative segment of American voters -- including some Jews but many evangelical Christians. Israeli politics includes a constellation of political parties, such as Labor and Meretz-Yachad, the Democratic Socialist Party.
Romney's missteps have been surprisingly bad and I dread his visit to Poland. If Mitt Romney can not handle a simple series of visits as a candidate without committing serious gaffes, how can we expect him to handle negotiations with China and Russia or build coalitions.
Quote by Raine:I am really glad you came in to comment, Will.Quote by Will in Chicago:
Raine, Romney is pandering to the Likud and the right wing parties in Israel not so much as to support Bibi Netanyahu as to gain favor with a conservative segment of American voters -- including some Jews but many evangelical Christians. Israeli politics includes a constellation of political parties, such as Labor and Meretz-Yachad, the Democratic Socialist Party.
Romney's missteps have been surprisingly bad and I dread his visit to Poland. If Mitt Romney can not handle a simple series of visits as a candidate without committing serious gaffes, how can we expect him to handle negotiations with China and Russia or build coalitions.
This is all really a bit of a train wreck -- for everyone except the parties you mentioned. That can't be good.
Quote by Will in Chicago:
[..]
Still, I suppose the worst may be yet to come. I keep dreading the thought that Romney will crack Polish jokes in Warsaw.
To Whom It May Concern:
As I was going through my Facebook timeline today, I happened to see a posting that a friend of mine had shared second-hand. It shows what appears to be a McDonald's sign making a statement about the recent Chick-Fil-A controversy. I am including the link here, but in case you can't see it for what ever reason, it says "We support Chick-Fil-A / Now try to boycott us"
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3061231709237&set=p.3061231709237&type=1&theater
I would hope that this is not an official stance of the McDonald's corporation, seeing as how McDonald's has been targeted by anti-gay groups for various attempts to reach out to the GLBT community. The sign seems to offer the kind of bullying behavior that I, and millions of other people, find distasteful and offensive
Based on the location of the original poster, it appears that the photo was taken in or near Burlington, Graham, or Mebane NC. Would you please contact me regarding this, to let me know if this is indeed official McDonald's policy?
Quote by BobR:Quote by BobR:
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?
It's not real (scroll to the bottom)
Quote by clintster:Quote by BobR:Quote by BobR:
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?
It's not real (scroll to the bottom)
Thanks for finding that, Bobber. Luckily I hadn't sent the letter off yet. I guess I should have researched a little before I saddled the horse. Sorry, everyone, sorry.
Quote by clintster:Quote by BobR:Quote by BobR:
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?
It's not real (scroll to the bottom)
Thanks for finding that, Bobber. Luckily I hadn't sent the letter off yet. I guess I should have researched a little before I saddled the horse. Sorry, everyone, sorry.
Quote by BobR:Quote by Will in Chicago:
[..]
Still, I suppose the worst may be yet to come. I keep dreading the thought that Romney will crack Polish jokes in Warsaw.
"You know, my friends... My Dad used to say that polacks were the hardest working guys down at the auto plant..."
Mitt Romney Comments At Fundraiser Outrage Palestinians
By KASIE HUNT and KARIN LAUB 07/30/12 01:49 PM ET AP
JERUSALEM — Mitt Romney told Jewish donors Monday that their culture is part of what has allowed them to be more economically successful than the Palestinians, outraging Palestinian leaders who suggested his comments were racist and out of touch with the realities of the Middle East. Romney's campaign later said his remarks were mischaracterized.
"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors who ate breakfast at the luxurious King David Hotel.
Romney said some economic histories have theorized that "culture makes all the difference."
"And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things," Romney said, citing an innovative business climate, the Jewish history of thriving in difficult circumstances and the "hand of providence." He said similar disparity exists between neighboring countries, like Mexico and the United States.
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Anyone here?
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Anyone here?
Quote by Raine:I am here... walked away to watch a bit of the olympics.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Anyone here?
I posted about Romney insulting the Palestinians, I was really in shock about that one.