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Survivor 1%
Author: BobR    Date: 2013-09-16 11:26:01

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (for you youngsters - that's what came before CDs MP3s), the Republicans are once again pretending to be legislators while the country staggers along. Syria and the should-we-or-shouldn't-we debate over bombing to prevent/punish Syria from/for using chemical weapons has once again distracted the public from the very real problems we face.

The Republican-led House has voted to repeal Obamacare too many times to list (I hesitate to provide a number because it could happen again before this is posted, but at least 42). We've have also lurched from budget vote to budget vote, generally pushing through some flawed legislation at literally the 11th hour before the government grinds to a halt. Right now, those drop dead dates are about October 1st when the country runs out of money, and October 15th when the country hits the debt ceiling.

President Obama has criticized the Republicans for this before, stating that midnight votes when there is no more time left is no way to run the country. Naturally, he is irritated again:
US President Barack Obama hit out at conservative Republicans, warning he would not negotiate on raising the debt ceiling in a showdown that threatens to throw the government into default.

Obama said in an interview broadcast Sunday that he was willing to talk to Republicans on the separate task of agreeing on a budget, but would not allow conditions to be attached to increasing the government's borrowing limit.

If no deals are reached in bitterly divided Washington, the US government could be shut down by the beginning of October and the United States could begin defaulting on its debts by the middle of next month.

The sequestor has hit the economy hard, which while lowering expenditures also guarantees less tax revenue for the government, thus creating a downward spiral. President Obama has tried to reverse this, but of course the Republicans kowtow to their well-heeled overlords, and impede him every step of the way:
The president has powers to fight income inequality, President Obama argued in an interview broadcast Sunday, adding that Republicans in Congress have hobbled his efforts to do it.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week" program, Obama acknowledged that the wealthiest Americans have benefited disproportionately from the economic recovery of recent years. But he was quick to add that much of that trend is due to globalization, technology and, not least, the GOP's opposition to his economic agenda – all factors he suggested are beyond his control.

"I think the president can stop it," Obama said, when asked about the growing income gap. "The problem is that there continues to be a major debate here in Washington, and that is, how do we respond to these underlying trends?"

Obama promoted his efforts to increase funding for education, infrastructure and research and development programs, and he trumpeted his push to reform the tax code to discourage outsourcing.

"It doesn’t solve the problem entirely, but it pushes against these trends," Obama said. "And the problem that we’ve got right now is you’ve got a portion of Congress whose policies … just want to, you know, leave things alone, they actually want to accelerate these trends."

I linked to a story about the widening income gap in my Thursday blog. The effects are felt all across the country, in cities like New York and even outside our borders. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and the politicians distract the masses with their nonsense, while they continue to live off of the taxpayers' dollars.

Raine and I discussed a version of the TV show "Survivor", only call it "Survivor 1%", where rich people are dumped into a ghetto and forced to live on food stamps, welfare, and whatever they can earn doing menial labor. I am not familiar enough with the format of the show enough to flesh it out more than that, but it certainly seem like it would be enlightening television. Documentarian Morgan Sperlock ("Supersize Me") tried it for 30 days on his TV show "30 Days", and found it extremely difficult.

Some people have tried this as an experiment. The latest is Panera Bread founder and CEO Ron Shaich, who tried to live on the equivalent of food stamps for a week. He found it to be much harder than he ever imagined. There is also an effort among members of Congress to do the same thing; it's called the "SNAP Challenge". If you click through to the link, you'll see that all 26 congresspeople are Democrats.

What does this tell you? Republicans bitch and moan about money spent by the government on "freeloaders" who are barely eking out an existence, while they get nothing accomplished and work less than half the year, knowing they will collect cushy pensions the rest of their lives. It would be merely aggravating if there weren't so many people actually suffering.

Maybe we should revise that "Survivor 1%" idea - make one team the rich and the other team Republican politicians. I imagine that would get very ugly very quickly.
 

115 comments (Latest Comment: 09/17/2013 02:53:11 by Raine)
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Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 12:48:25
Good morning.

I would love to see a reality show like this.



Comment by Mondobubba on 09/16/2013 12:59:20
"Breaking Bad" last night.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:06:25
Gunman still at large at the Navy Yard. At least on person shot. At least 3 shots have been fired.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:07:44
Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:09:08
Quote by Mondobubba:
"Breaking Bad" last night.
haven't watched the show, but I see the internets are quite a buzz with what went down.


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:12:02
Shelter in place for the entire area.



Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:13:52
Marine barracks are now lined up and ready to assist if needed.

I;m really hoping they can figure this out soon.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 09/16/2013 13:15:16

Lucky goes to the vet this afternoon. Just don't know what to do. I suppose not knowing what's going on isn't helping. I just know he's lost a lot of weight and he was having a lot of trouble navigating the cat tree this morning. Nothing I can do, everything I had went to taking care of both cars last month plus a massive jacking up of rent.

I was floored, however, when I mentioned this to my boss this morning and he offered to help. I don't know what to make of that, either. I know the guy's a cat lover.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:19:05
Why isn't Chicago playing TSMShow?

Comment by wickedpam on 09/16/2013 13:20:25
Morning

I have a friend who could help with a treatment for a show but I think networks already think's they've done this with Undercover Boss (no I don't watch it) and Secret Millionaire (don't watch that on either).

Comment by wickedpam on 09/16/2013 13:22:48
Quote by Raine:
Gunman still at large at the Navy Yard. At least on person shot. At least 3 shots have been fired.


jeez us - what the F is wrong with people.


So I wonder how the NRA is going to spin this.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:22:55
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Lucky goes to the vet this afternoon. Just don't know what to do. I suppose not knowing what's going on isn't helping. I just know he's lost a lot of weight and he was having a lot of trouble navigating the cat tree this morning. Nothing I can do, everything I had went to taking care of both cars last month plus a massive jacking up of rent.

I was floored, however, when I mentioned this to my boss this morning and he offered to help. I don't know what to make of that, either. I know the guy's a cat lover.
Sounds like you have a very cool boss, Rabbit.

I hope there is nothing seriously wrong with Lucky. <-- again.


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:29:01
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Gunman still at large at the Navy Yard. At least on person shot. At least 3 shots have been fired.


jeez us - what the F is wrong with people.


So I wonder how the NRA is going to spin this.
Idiot gun nuts already making comments on WTOP --

If only civilians could carry guns...


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:31:18
from WUSA:


#BREAKING UDPATE: MPD says five shot at Navy Yard.

Four are civilians, one is an officer. http://on.wusa9.com/1aNry3W

UPDATE: Police are looking for the shooter. He is described as a black male with a dark complexion, approximately 5'10" to 6 feet tall, 170 pound with a black shirt and black hat. He is believed to be barricaded somewhere.


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/16/2013 13:31:44
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
"Breaking Bad" last night.
haven't watched the show, but I see the internets are quite a buzz with what went down.



Lemme just say this, Walter White isn't just a bastard, he's a right bastard.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/16/2013 13:36:52
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Gunman still at large at the Navy Yard. At least on person shot. At least 3 shots have been fired.


jeez us - what the F is wrong with people.


So I wonder how the NRA is going to spin this.
Idiot gun nuts already making comments on WTOP --

If only civilians could carry guns...



Since this is at the Navy Yard where they have sailors you know guys in the military who, unless they are required to by a duty station don't carry fire arms. This makes your idiotic argument invalid.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:38:51
I really hope this is the last of the victims:

D.C. police confirm 4 victims, including 1 D.C. police officer at Navy Yard http://bit.ly/1eUGWul


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:39:26
WaPo reporting that 3 people are in critical condition


Comment by trojanrabbit on 09/16/2013 13:43:53
Quote by Raine:
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Lucky goes to the vet this afternoon. Just don't know what to do. I suppose not knowing what's going on isn't helping. I just know he's lost a lot of weight and he was having a lot of trouble navigating the cat tree this morning. Nothing I can do, everything I had went to taking care of both cars last month plus a massive jacking up of rent.

I was floored, however, when I mentioned this to my boss this morning and he offered to help. I don't know what to make of that, either. I know the guy's a cat lover.
Sounds like you have a very cool boss, Rabbit.

I hope there is nothing seriously wrong with Lucky. <-- again.

I knew I had a cool boss long before today.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:44:25
Sorry about flooding the blog with the Navy Yard shooting this morning.

Comment by wickedpam on 09/16/2013 13:48:33
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Gunman still at large at the Navy Yard. At least on person shot. At least 3 shots have been fired.


jeez us - what the F is wrong with people.


So I wonder how the NRA is going to spin this.
Idiot gun nuts already making comments on WTOP --

If only civilians could carry guns...



Since this is at the Navy Yard where they have sailors you know guys in the military who, unless they are required to by a duty station don't carry fire arms. This makes your idiotic argument invalid.



and this is why I'm staying out of WTOP comments as much as I can *wanders off to enjoy fandoms on tumblr*

Comment by wickedpam on 09/16/2013 13:54:25
Quote by Raine:
Sorry about flooding the blog with the Navy Yard shooting this morning.


no worries, I didn't even realize it was happening until you said something.

Comment by Scoopster on 09/16/2013 13:58:23
Mornin' all..

Holy fuck @ this shit goin down in DC..

And NO SPOILERS on BB or Newsroom!! I'm downloading both now & not watching 'em until I get home!

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:58:57
Bowling AFB is closedright now and National Airport has a ground stop right now -- unsure if they are related.

The shooting happened on the fourth floor of building 197.

More ambulances are arriving.


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 13:59:31
Sorry : Boiling AFB.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:01:32
UPDATE: FAA has grounded all flights at National Airport in D.C. due to Navy Yard incident - http://cbsn.ws/16xe4oD #navyyardshooting


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:02:50
NPS police have done two helicoptor rescues of people according to the live stream I am watching.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:04:11
Building #197 is the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:05:31
NBC Washington says at least 10 shot. more shots were fired at 920 am.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:06:31
reports are it was an AR 15

Comment by BobR on 09/16/2013 14:08:07
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Gunman still at large at the Navy Yard. At least on person shot. At least 3 shots have been fired.

jeez us - what the F is wrong with people.


So I wonder how the NRA is going to spin this.
Idiot gun nuts already making comments on WTOP --

If only civilians could carry guns...

Since this is at the Navy Yard where they have sailors you know guys in the military who, unless they are required to by a duty station don't carry fire arms. This makes your idiotic argument invalid.

I made the same argument to a person post-Sandy Hook saying teachers should be packing heat. I said what about Fort Hood... it didn't help there? They said "ha ha - shows how much you know about the military - soldiers aren't allowed guns in their barracks". So I responded that soldiers who are trained in the warfare and gun usage can't be trusted to carry guns on base, but you want teachers to carry guns?

That shut him up.


Comment by Scoopster on 09/16/2013 14:10:05
Quote by Raine:
reports are it was an AR 15

Now.. MSNBC is saying that the AR-15 is a mIlitary-issue rifle. That is slightly incorrect. AR-15 is the civilian designation of the military-issue M-16 automatic rifle.

The two are identical aside from some very minor cosmetic differences, to my understanding.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:13:32
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
reports are it was an AR 15

Now.. MSNBC is saying that the AR-15 is a mIlitary-issue rifle. That is slightly incorrect. AR-15 is the civilian designation of the military-issue M-16 automatic rifle.

The two are identical aside from some very minor cosmetic differences, to my understanding.
MSNBC should have said military *style* -- you're right -- it's not issue. that is an important distinction. Local NBC said *style*


Comment by TriSec on 09/16/2013 14:15:50
Bowling, Boiling, wanna try for Bolling?



Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:17:48
Reports of fatalities: 4

Shooter has either been taken into custody or taken down.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:18:38
Quote by TriSec:
Bowling, Boiling, wanna try for Bolling?

Gimme a break here....

I was literally reporting what I was hearing on the radio and live stream.


Comment by wickedpam on 09/16/2013 14:22:33
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Gunman still at large at the Navy Yard. At least on person shot. At least 3 shots have been fired.

jeez us - what the F is wrong with people.


So I wonder how the NRA is going to spin this.
Idiot gun nuts already making comments on WTOP --

If only civilians could carry guns...

Since this is at the Navy Yard where they have sailors you know guys in the military who, unless they are required to by a duty station don't carry fire arms. This makes your idiotic argument invalid.

I made the same argument to a person post-Sandy Hook saying teachers should be packing heat. I said what about Fort Hood... it didn't help there? They said "ha ha - shows how much you know about the military - soldiers aren't allowed guns in their barracks". So I responded that soldiers who are trained in the warfare and gun usage can't be trusted to carry guns on base, but you want teachers to carry guns?

That shut him up.


*bold mine* Brilliant.




Comment by TriSec on 09/16/2013 14:22:42
See now, it's not that funny when it happens in YOUR backyard, is it?

[imagined snark for anyone that made fun of Boston after the marathon shooting. Oh wait, that wasn't this website. My mistake.]

Yeesh. What the hell is wrong with this country these days?

(scurries off to look at map.)


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:31:56
Quote by TriSec:
See now, it's not that funny when it happens in YOUR backyard, is it?

[imagined snark for anyone that made fun of Boston after the marathon shooting. Oh wait, that wasn't this website. My mistake.]

Yeesh. What the hell is wrong with this country these days?

(scurries off to look at map.)


I just heard from jj greene on WTOP that he was watching another chopper coming in with a basket and somone holding a gun.

it appears that chopper may have landed ON the 11th street bridge,




Comment by trojanrabbit on 09/16/2013 14:36:09
And Mrs. Rabbit has an interview at BJ's on Wednesday.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/16/2013 14:49:29
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
reports are it was an AR 15

Now.. MSNBC is saying that the AR-15 is a mIlitary-issue rifle. That is slightly incorrect. AR-15 is the civilian designation of the military-issue M-16 automatic rifle.

The two are identical aside from some very minor cosmetic differences, to my understanding.



There are no cosmetic differences. The AR 15 doesn't do full auto, the M 16 does.
Don't get me started on rifles that build on the AR 15 platform, it is kind of like the Linnux of rifles; many common elements, but infinite variations.

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:50:00
OK we have now entered entirely fucked up mode. WaPo reports...
Police say three shooters, including at least one in fatigues, have shot at least 10 people at the Washington Navy Yard.



Comment by TriSec on 09/16/2013 14:50:07
In local news you may know about, Martha Coakley declared for governor this morning.

I'm ambivalent about this, since I'd rather not have Charlie Baker be governor.



Comment by Mondobubba on 09/16/2013 14:51:51
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

Holy fuck @ this shit goin down in DC..

And NO SPOILERS on BB or Newsroom!! I'm downloading both now & not watching 'em until I get home!


I said this to a friend last night. A spoiler would be wow, that right bastard Walt, I can't believe he did BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP to Hank and and Skyler.

If you don't want spoilers stay off the interwebs!

Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:57:15
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
reports are it was an AR 15

Now.. MSNBC is saying that the AR-15 is a mIlitary-issue rifle. That is slightly incorrect. AR-15 is the civilian designation of the military-issue M-16 automatic rifle.

The two are identical aside from some very minor cosmetic differences, to my understanding.



There are no cosmetic differences. The AR 15 doesn't do full auto, the M 16 does.
Don't get me started on rifles that build on the AR 15 platform, it is kind of like the Linnux of rifles; many common elements, but infinite variations.
Let me ask -- is it fair to say that this could possibly be an M16?

(shudder)


Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:57:41
Comment by Raine on 09/16/2013 14:59:21
One local report says a second shooter has been detained.

Comment by Scoopster on 09/16/2013 14:59:45
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
reports are it was an AR 15

Now.. MSNBC is saying that the AR-15 is a mIlitary-issue rifle. That is slightly incorrect. AR-15 is the civilian designation of the military-issue M-16 automatic rifle.

The two are identical aside from some very minor cosmetic differences, to my understanding.



There are no cosmetic differences. The AR 15 doesn't do full auto, the M 16 does.
Don't get me started on rifles that build on the AR 15 platform, it is kind of like the Linnux of rifles; many common elements, but infinite variations.
Let me ask -- is it fair to say that this could possibly be an M16?

(shudder)

You can manually modify an AR-15 to be full automatic. That's a widely known fact.

Comment by TriSec on 09/16/2013 15:03:29