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Yet Another Debate
Author: BobR    Date: 01/20/2012 13:37:00

Okay - I'll confess right up front: I only watched about 10 minutes of the Republican "debate" last night in South Carolina. I wanted to be able to write about my first-hand reactions, but I couldn't do it. The kicker was when John King - after asking Newt and Paul about 3 things they'd do to help the economy - asked Romney to rebutt a comment just made by Gingrich. That is what a debate is - a controlled discussion where participants provide their various viewpoints and counterpoints on one more subjects:

  1. a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
  2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.

Romney's response? (paraphrasing here): "I'll do that in a minute, but first I want to answer the question you asked them, and then I'd also like to discuss this...."

Of course - King let him run with it. That is not a debate. It is an interview/press conference. There is no control. I've seen in previous debates where candidates would start arguing with each other and the crowd cheering like it's a WWE show. The audiences, too, are disgusting, cheering the most horrendous chest-beating bumper-sticker sound bites with bloodthirsty verve. Again, the WWE metaphor seems particularly apt.

But - I suppose I should post some of the more discussion-worthy points of the debate...

The tone was set early when John King gave Newt an opportunity to respond to allegations by former wife #2 that he requested an "open marriage". He gave King, CNN, and the media in general an indignant tongue lashing (sorry for that mental image):
“I am tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans,” he thundered, winning a standing ovation as he denied the story as “false” and called the question “as close to despicable as anything I can imagine.”

Close to despicable, but not as completely despicable was what he did to wives #1 & 2. King gave the other candidates a chance to chime in, and they all did to some extent, but meekly. Here's a good breakdown of Newt's response.

Besides Gingrich's complete lack of moral scruples, the other big wowser moment was Romney's clumsy tap dance when asked about his personal finances. He was booed by the audience as he waffled on when and how many years of tax returns he'd release. Gingrich used that as an opportunity to opine that " if there’s something in Romney’s tax returns that could sink his candidacy, it’s better to know now than after he’s the nominee".

Besides those two topics, "ObamaCare" was also discussed (big surprise there). One does not need a crystal ball to know how THAT went. Romney also made the ludicrous assertion that he's "lived in the real streets of America". Are those the streets paved in gold, or the Wall Streets and K Streets? This was Mitt's attempt to separate himself from the other candidates who have spent time in DC as "insiders".

Despite there only being 4 candidates participating, Ron Paul still seemed like the odd one out, relegated to the margins by his age and viewpoints which consistently jibe with the views of about 10% of America. At least he's consistent and doesn't seem to be lying every 3rd word.

One thing they could all agree on is that SOPA sucks. I fear that is this a cause to which the Dems in Congress have unwisely hitched their wagons. I know a stopped clock is right twice a day, and this is that time of day when I agree with the Republicans.

Saturday is the election in SC. I believe Newt will win it, which will puff up his inflated ego and fat head even more so. Romney and Santorum will be a close 2nd and 3rd. Paul will get his usual 10-20%. Super Tuesday isn't until the beginning of March. It cannot get here soon enough.
 

93 comments (Latest Comment: 01/21/2012 03:34:23 by BobR)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 13:57:49
Acutally Bob the primary is tomorrow. South Carolina is...different.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:03:24
good morning!

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:04:39
Morning


Wasn't Newty part of the "elite" media for a while as he was part of Fake News and since it was a #1 rated station that in my book makes it the mainsteam "elite"

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:05:22
This makes me smile. And swoon!



Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:06:49
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning


Wasn't Newty part of the "elite" media for a while as he was part of Fake News and since it was a #1 rated station that in my book makes it the mainsteam "elite"





Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 14:10:23
So, Newt was appalled, eh? I bet Mrs. Newt #2 felt the same way.

I'd read the "debate" this way....Newt can't handle high-pressure questions? So, what's he going to do with Vladimir Putin or Imadinnerjacket when they ramp up the rhetoric?

Or to paraphrase a favored movie quote: "They must have hit pretty close to the mark to get him all riled up like that, huh kid?"


Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:10:50
Quote by Raine:
This makes me smile. And swoon!




I heard this was at the Apollo - I think if one ever steps onto the Apollo stage they have to sing no matter how good or bad

Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 14:12:35
Quote by Mondobubba:
Acutally Bob the primary is tomorrow. South Carolina is...different.

D'OH! - I knew that.

I guess I should fix the blog.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:18:15
Quote by wickedpam:
I heard this was at the Apollo - I think if one ever steps onto the Apollo stage they have to sing no matter how good or bad
I like this idea.

Boy -- Obama can sing!


Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:20:53
BREAKING: Sen. Reid: “In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday’s vote on the PROTECT I.P. Act."

Via TPM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:24:22
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:27:24
He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.

I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:27:40
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
I heard this was at the Apollo - I think if one ever steps onto the Apollo stage they have to sing no matter how good or bad
I like this idea.

Boy -- Obama can sing!


There are very few stages that warrent automatic singing of any sort

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:30:26
Quote by Raine:
He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.

I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.


I didn't even know. I'm not cool any more.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:31:11
Quote by Raine:
He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.

I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.



You mean he wasn't a doucheknob before? Just sayin...

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:33:41
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.

I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.


I didn't even know. I'm not cool any more.
Maybe Mark Wahlberg shouldn’t have inserted his ego into a question about 9/11. The “Contraband” star, who was scheduled to be on the American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles that crashed into the World Trade Center on 9/11, told Men’s Journal in their latest issue, “If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did. There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.’”
He deserves to be a meme.

You are still cool, Mondo.


Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 14:34:48
The Mythbusters did that a while ago....an inexperienced person would put the plane upside-down in a field. Unless a very experienced ATC dude talked them down.



Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:00:06
I'm not surprised about the newt affair -- and I think that people have a right to question about the second wife and her affair with newt -- but the very idea that he was asking for an open marriage just skeeves me out.



Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:04:37
Quote by Raine:
I'm not surprised about the newt affair -- and I think that people have a right to question about the second wife and her affair with newt -- but the very idea that he was asking for an open marriage just skeeves me out.




I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:09:25
Quote by Raine:
I'm not surprised about the newt affair -- and I think that people have a right to question about the second wife and her affair with newt -- but the very idea that he was asking for an open marriage just skeeves me out.



Newt's idea of an open marriage would be he gets to keep his mistress and his wife. Woo unto her if she started humping someone else.


Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 15:16:21
Quote by wickedpam:



I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich


Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.

< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >



Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:16:51
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee! :

I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:17:38
It appears that a lot of people are forgetting the entire reason WHY Brian Ross wanted to interview Marianne Gingrich-- it was because of an FBI investigation into both she and Newt.

In the 1990s, the FBI considered a sting operation against then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich after sifting through allegations from a notorious arms dealer that a $10 million bribe might get Congress to lift the Iraqi arms embargo.
The investigation appears to have gone nowhere.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:18:50
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:



I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich


Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.

< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >




eeewwww - can I wish that image into the corn field?

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:19:36
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee! :

I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!


well, then you must send an underling for coffee, chop chop


Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:20:44
Here are a few more details:
Unaware that Soghanalian was an FBI informant, it is alleged that Marianne Gingrich whilst working for the Israel Export Development Corporation (IEDC) tried to facilitate a bribe to the tune of $10 million so that her husband could use his influence to lift the arms embargo against Iraq in order for Soghanalian to collect an outstanding payment of $54 million from Saddam Hussein.

In a series of interviews before his death in October 2011, Soghanalian claimed that people representing the Gingrichs advised that the money should not be paid directly to Gingrich but to a fund set up by the Institute for Advanced Strategic & Political Studies (IASPS), an Israeli/US think tank. According to its website, the IASPS was founded in 1984. It is connected to the Likud Party in Israel and maintains ties to conservative politicians in Israel and the United States.


Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:20:47
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:



I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich


Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.

< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >





Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:21:48
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee! :

I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!


well, then you must send an underling for coffee, chop chop



Isn't there a weird intern for that?

Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:27:19
Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:28:24
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee! :

I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!

well, then you must send an underling for coffee, chop chop

Isn't there a weird intern for that?

I would send the office Labrador, but he doesn't exactly have the same mentality as a St. Bernard..

Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 15:28:46
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:

I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich


Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.

< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >


Really?

Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 15:44:12
*grumbles*

An hour and ten minutes to lunch yet?

I WANT IT NOW!



Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:55:43
Quote by TriSec:
*grumbles*

An hour and ten minutes to lunch yet?

I WANT IT NOW!


I'm hungry. I must address that. That said, I shall.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:02:49
SAY WHAT?? the local news on the radio stream said tha tNEWT cancelled his appearance at the SRLC.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:07:48
Wow. HE really did cancel.
There were just a few dozen people in the audience at the College of Charleston’s arena, where the event was taking place. The conference has suffered from low attendance all week but Gingrich rival Rick Santorum went ahead and addressed the group on Thursday.

Gingrich’s spokesman said skipping the stop would give the former House speaker more time at his next scheduled event, a tour of a children’s hospital.


He's doing it for the behbies.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 16:12:25
Quote by Raine:
Wow. HE really did cancel.
There were just a few dozen people in the audience at the College of Charleston’s arena, where the event was taking place. The conference has suffered from low attendance all week but Gingrich rival Rick Santorum went ahead and addressed the group on Thursday.

Gingrich’s spokesman said skipping the stop would give the former House speaker more time at his next scheduled event, a tour of a children’s hospital.


He's doing it for the behbies.



He wants to eat a baby.

Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 16:16:44
Quote by Mondobubba:



He wants to eat a baby.


Holy Infant - so tender and mild!




Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:17:13
Quote by Mondobubba:
He wants to eat a baby.


It's his base appeal.

There is this from Fox
"I think it stinks," said Ann Sullivan, of Goldsboro, North Carolina when she learned of Gingrich's cancellation. "Is this the best attended event I've ever been to? No. But he gave his word."




Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 16:21:15
Tri, I need you to go to Watertown and crotch puch a guy for me, mmmkay?

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:22:05
I gotta say it: I won't be surprised if Santorum wins this primary tomorrow.

Newt canceling appearances is not a good sign, IMO. It should not matter if it a smaller than expected crowd --


Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 16:27:44
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:

He wants to eat a baby.


Holy Infant - so tender and mild!



Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 16:28:32
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
He wants to eat a baby.


It's his base appeal.

There is this from Fox
"I think it stinks," said Ann Sullivan, of Goldsboro, North Carolina when she learned of Gingrich's cancellation. "Is this the best attended event I've ever been to? No. But he gave his word."



Newt's word is worth the toilet paper it's printed on

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 16:30:53
Quote by Raine:
I gotta say it: I won't be surprised if Santorum wins this primary tomorrow.

Newt canceling appearances is not a good sign, IMO. It should not matter if it a smaller than expected crowd --



no it shouldn't - heck I remember getting to meet Dukakis when it was just about 20 college students in the student union - it was great and he was super nice

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 16:50:20
TMZ is reporting that Etta James has died

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:50:53
Quote by BobR:
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:

He wants to eat a baby.


Holy Infant - so tender and mild!

I just got that... X2


Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:51:32
Quote by wickedpam:
TMZ is reporting that Etta James has died



Her suffering is over.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:54:09
Oh... Chris is playing Etta.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:02:11
HUGE breaking news.

Obama Administration Approves Rule That Guarantees Near-Universal Contraceptive Coverage

Comment by livingonli on 01/20/2012 17:02:45
Good day everyone. I feel like feeding Newt to a pack of wild Wolverines but they probably would all get a stomach virus.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:04:22
Statement from Planned Parenthood on Facebook:
BREAKING: Pres. Obama has rejected efforts by anti-women's health groups and their allies in Congress to cut off access to birth control for millions of women. Now, women cannot be denied birth control coverage simply because they work at religiously affiliated hospitals or attend religiously affiliated universities. This is GREAT NEWS!!


Comment by livingonli on 01/20/2012 17:07:43
Pap is filling in for Ed Schultz today

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:11:34
Quote by livingonli:
Pap is filling in for Ed Schultz today

Karl Frisch is filling in for the first hour of Thom today.

Now I am conflicted.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:22:41
Scoop, yesterday you mentioned about that sight being targeted by the government.

It was Megaupload.com, right? I'm wondering at this point (because I believe you said that it was notorious for uploading copywrited material)

WHY then is Anonymous going after these groups?

It's not meant to be a set up question, I am really wondering why they are poutting the horses behind a website that may be notorious for copy-write infringement?

I think I have made my feeling clear about Anonymous-- I find the idea niceon paper -- but I question the application of the idea.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/20/2012 17:37:56
Quote by wickedpam:
TMZ is reporting that Etta James has died



May Etta James rest in peace and may her memory live on.

Here is the story from CNN: Singing legend Etta James dies at 73



Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/20/2012 17:42:57
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:44:08
Here's the Deal -- I hate SOPA/PIPA.

I also think that places that actually do infringe upon copywrite protection should be punished under existing law. Bob said the other day that he wouldn't want for his creative work to be stolen -- and I would say the same thing about my visual work.

If a website is known to be not caring for copywrite infringement -- should we not be happy that laws are being used to protect people?

SOPA/PIPA has been temporarily shelved --and that is awesome. I want to see the bills go away forever. That said, I don't think if and when it happens it means that there is a free pass for those that would give away content for free.

Maybe I am missing something here. I remember the napster wars. I understood the p2p sharing of it -- but I also understood that creatives were not getting paid for their work -- the weren't getting the royalties that they deserved.





Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 17:44:15
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:



He wants to eat a baby.


Holy Infant - so tender and mild!





You will roast in Hell for that, sinner!

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:45:39
I saw that the other day! I was thinking of you Rabbit.

I like what the Rev is doing -- highlighting companies that are looking to hire.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 17:46:21
Quote by Raine:
Here's the Deal -- I hate SOPA/PIPA.

I also think that places that actually do infringe upon copywrite protection should be punished under existing law. Bob said the other day that he wouldn't want for his creative work to be stolen -- and I would say the same thing about my visual work.

If a website is known to be not caring for copywrite infringement -- should we not be happy that laws are being used to protect people?

SOPA/PIPA has been temporarily shelved --and that is awesome. I want to see the bills go away forever. That said, I don't think if and when it happens it means that there is a free pass for those that would give away content for free.

Maybe I am missing something here. I remember the napster wars. I understood the p2p sharing of it -- but I also understood that creatives were not getting paid for their work -- the weren't getting the royalties that they deserved.






Psst that's copyright, not copywite. However, if you were a copywriter, you work would be protected under copyright law. Just sayin...

IP

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/20/2012 17:47:07


Of course. W. North Temple Street & W. South Temple Street. Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 17:50:41
Quote by Raine:
Scoop, yesterday you mentioned about that sight being targeted by the government.

It was Megaupload.com, right? I'm wondering at this point (because I believe you said that it was notorious for uploading copywrited material)

WHY then is Anonymous going after these groups?

It's not meant to be a set up question, I am really wondering why they are putting the horses behind a website that may be notorious for copyright infringement?

I think I have made my feeling clear about Anonymous-- I find the idea nice on paper -- but I question the application of the idea.

Let's not kid around here.. They probably utilized MU for their own personal needs, including trading of all kinds of copywritten material.

I'm not gonna hide from it either.. I've been downloading stuff for almost two decades now, tho today it's mostly music and anime. If something is good enough to buy, and it's available for a reasonable price, I'll buy it. And that's the attitude that most people take. I will say this tho.. I rarely used MU as a source. Bittorrent P2P is a much faster way of doing the same thing, since you don't have to rely on a single server acting as a file repository which can get clogged with traffic when everyone's downloading the same thing on its weekly release day.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:51:30
Mother Jones kinda asks the same question as me -- But way betterer.
In conversations with other anons, I had a hard time getting a clear picture of why they felt MegaUpload.com was worth defending. Some argued that the arrests were draconian because the site's primary purpose wasn't piracy and it had complied with requests to remove illegal material. Others said they didn't care whether or not the site was intentionally hosting pirated content. And others expressed anger that authorities took the site down without regard to legitimate files that its customers had stored there. "It would be like shutting down YouTube for having copyrighted videos posted," one anon said.

At a time when Anonymous is increasingly defined by its role in the physical encampments of the Occupy Wall Street movement, #OpMegaUpload is a reminder that the anon army of geeks still cares just as much about what it can and can't do in front of a computer screen. Last night, it looked like one Anon was thwarted from DDoSing the FBI by an even more intrusive authority figure:



Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 17:55:29
Quote by Raine:
Here's the Deal -- I hate SOPA/PIPA.

I also think that places that actually do infringe upon copywrite protection should be punished under existing law. Bob said the other day that he wouldn't want for his creative work to be stolen -- and I would say the same thing about my visual work.

If a website is known to be not caring for copywrite infringement -- should we not be happy that laws are being used to protect people?

SOPA/PIPA has been temporarily shelved --and that is awesome. I want to see the bills go away forever. That said, I don't think if and when it happens it means that there is a free pass for those that would give away content for free.

Maybe I am missing something here. I remember the napster wars. I understood the p2p sharing of it -- but I also understood that creatives were not getting paid for their work -- the weren't getting the royalties that they deserved.

Sites like MegaUpload give ammunition to those seeking to implement SOPA and PIPA. The fact they can go after them without SOPA or PIPA would seem to prove that they aren't needed, but then Anonymous turns around and does the SOPA/PIPA's supporters' work for them. Not too bright...

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:56:22
Quote by Scoopster:
Let's not kid around here.. They probably utilized MU for their own personal needs, including trading of all kinds of copywritten material.

I'm not gonna hide from it either.. I've been downloading stuff for almost two decades now, tho today it's mostly music and anime. If something is good enough to buy, and it's available for a reasonable price, I'll buy it. And that's the attitude that most people take. I will say this tho.. I rarely used MU as a source. Bittorrent P2P is a much faster way of doing the same thing, since you don't have to rely on a single server acting as a file repository which can get clogged with traffic when everyone's downloading the same thing on its weekly release day.
Thanks Scoop.

I think you're right, I would think it is fair to say everyone has done that. (see my napster comment)

It seems to me -- just me at least -- that Anonymous is not exactly helping the cause of trying to get rid of SOPA/PIPA once and for all.







Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:57:21
Quote by Mondobubba:

Psst that's copyright, not copywite. However, if you were a copywriter, you work would be protected under copyright law. Just sayin...

IP
Settle down.




Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 18:00:02
Quote by trojanrabbit:


Of course. W. North Temple Street & W. South Temple Street. Salt Lake City, Utah


No, Marsh Street...Belmont, MA

The photo below is not that location....the lovely Germanic-looking building is the commuter rail station.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/BelmontCenterStation.jpg/250px-BelmontCenterStation.jpg


Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 18:03:16
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
Let's not kid around here.. They probably utilized MU for their own personal needs, including trading of all kinds of copywritten material.

I'm not gonna hide from it either.. I've been downloading stuff for almost two decades now, tho today it's mostly music and anime. If something is good enough to buy, and it's available for a reasonable price, I'll buy it. And that's the attitude that most people take. I will say this tho.. I rarely used MU as a source. Bittorrent P2P is a much faster way of doing the same thing, since you don't have to rely on a single server acting as a file repository which can get clogged with traffic when everyone's downloading the same thing on its weekly release day.
Thanks Scoop.

I think you're right, I would think it is fair to say everyone has done that. (see my napster comment)

It seems to me -- just me at least -- that Anonymous is not exactly helping the cause of trying to get rid of SOPA/PIPA once and for all.

I completely agree.. they're absolutely not doing anything good with their attacks. They're being reactionary, spiteful morons and doing damage not only to the movement against SOPA/PIPA, but to themselves as activists.

Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 18:11:35
Oh yeah.. you know what else I use the back alley pirate channels of the internet for?

Downloading music that I already OWN a license for. Whether it's because I have a really old tape, a lost, destroyed or heavily scratched CD, or if I want a copy of the same music at work that I have at home, or if I just want the higher quality 320k recordings on my iPod rather than the 128k CD-ripped one, downloading stuff I've already bought once is a catch-all solution.

Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 18:15:03
http://kaispace.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers.jpg


Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 18:38:37
Quote by Scoopster:
Oh yeah.. you know what else I use the back alley pirate channels of the internet for?

Downloading music that I already OWN a license for. Whether it's because I have a really old tape, a lost, destroyed or heavily scratched CD, or if I want a copy of the same music at work that I have at home, or if I just want the higher quality 320k recordings on my iPod rather than the 128k CD-ripped one, downloading stuff I've already bought once is a catch-all solution.

I think that's fair. As a songwriter (who's never made a dime selling music), I've always come down squarely on the "no free downloads" side of the argument. However, I also feel that the spirit of copyright law is more important than the letter of the law.

That's why I think making a copy of a CD is fine, if you keep the original and don't resell it, because you are not depriving the artist of a sale. Same goes for making a photocopy of sheet music, so you can take it with you instead of lugging the entire songbook around, or tearing out the pages.

Downloading music you've already bought - to me - falls under that same umbrella. What musician really expects someone to buy the CD if you've already bought the cassette?... Or buy another copy if your original gets damaged?

Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 18:48:42
True story - I've purchased at least six copies of Pearl Jam's "Ten" on a mix of cassette, CD and vinyl.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 18:54:18
who is Thom talking too?

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 18:56:52
I need some serious help with some serious research -- has anyone ever heard that one of Newt's siblings was a pastor?

(I have -- but it is simply word of mouth from someone back up in NYS -- ) I need some more proof than something an acquaintance said.





Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 19:02:03
Quote by wickedpam:
who is Thom talking too?
That was Dick Gregory.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 19:11:59
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
who is Thom talking too?
That was Dick Gregory.



thanks

Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 19:12:32
Quote by Raine:
I need some serious help with some serious research -- has anyone ever heard that one of Newt's siblings was a pastor?

(I have -- but it is simply word of mouth from someone back up in NYS -- ) I need some more proof than something an acquaintance said.





not sure, I know he's got 3 sisters only name I know is Candice


Comment by livingonli on 01/20/2012 19:17:32
We're supposed to be getting either 2-4 or 3-5 inches of snow starting late tonight into tomorrow.

Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 19:17:35

THUD! (dies)


Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 19:30:48
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I need some serious help with some serious research -- has anyone ever heard that one of Newt's siblings was a pastor?

(I have -- but it is simply word of mouth from someone back up in NYS -- ) I need some more proof than something an acquaintance said.





not sure, I know he's got 3 sisters only name I know is Candice
Susan and Roberta are his other sisters.

Susan Gingrich Shurskis
Roberta Gingrich Brown listed as a public servant



Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 19:42:03
It's official!

I am the new Sons of Liberty District Training Chairman...starting on Feb 4 with committee training and other Scout fellowship things!



Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 19:45:33
Quote by TriSec:
It's official!

I am the new Sons of Liberty District Training Chairman...starting on Feb 4 with committee training and other Scout fellowship things!




Congrats!

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 20:39:46
Quote by TriSec:
It's official!

I am the new Sons of Liberty District Training Chairman...starting on Feb 4 with committee training and other Scout fellowship things!




This came up in discussion with two friends of mine who are Eagles. Are you an, TriSec in that group or are you just Life Scout? Me wanna know.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 20:50:03
Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 20:51:22
Ah, I am not a member of that august group. Nor have I even reached the also-rans, or "Not the brightest Stars" as we say in the business. (Not an insult - Star is the last of the "easy" ranks to attain.)

I progressed no further than First Class Scout as a youth member. Most of my significant achievements have come as a Scouter.

I am a Lifeer, but that's different.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 20:51:43
In other news, Congress is back in town just in time to go on a GOP retreat.

But wait... there is more...
After just two days back in session following a three-week break, House Republicans left the Capitol today to attend the GOP’s annual retreat in Baltimore, Md. But they’re not the only ones leaving Washington behind this weekend.

Helping finance the getaway are some of Washington’s most powerful lobbyists, who are paying $25,000 for personal access to the GOP retreat, which this year is dubbed “Congress of Tomorrow.”


Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 20:54:45
I was just reading over some Arrow of Light ceremonies for the upcoming graduation and crossover at the Blue & Gold.

While I pride myself on being unflappable under pressure while onstage...this is the first and only time my own child will be standing before me for this ceremony.

I'd best get through it in one piece.



Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 21:33:10
I have come to the decision that being awake since 3:30 in the morning is not conducive to normal brain function.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 21:34:31
Quote by TriSec:
I was just reading over some Arrow of Light ceremonies for the upcoming graduation and crossover at the Blue & Gold.

While I pride myself on being unflappable under pressure while onstage...this is the first and only time my own child will be standing before me for this ceremony.

I'd best get through it in one piece.

I have no doubt in your ability to show grace under pressure, TriSec.


Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 21:37:13
This may explain why:

Elizabeth Warren Is No Longer Just A Candidate, She's A Cause

I know she is a candidate for Massachusetts, but she represents far more than that for many liberals out there.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 22:15:35



He calls his email news letter "Firewire" Clearly no one has dropped a dime on Beck about the trademark & copyright violation. Apple & Sony would like to know.

Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 22:43:51
OOpsie doopsie. Santorum's law License has been suspended -- seems as tho he forgot to pay the $70 fee.

Comment by BobR on 01/21/2012 03:34:23
I forgot to mention - I will be out in the woods next Wednesday, so if anyone can take my blog that day, I would greatly appreciate it.