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Uh. Mah. Gawd.
I…words simply fail me.
In the fine tradition of George W. Bush standing under the "Mission Accomplished" sign, or any one of the Katrina backdrops (where no expense was spared to bring power to an area for a photo op, and then just as quickly cut off), we now have the head of the NRCC, Tom Reynolds, using small prop children as set decoration in a press conference devoted to the topic of…yes, predatory online sexual solicitation of minors.
Even the reporters present could not contain themselves:
Reporter: Congressman, do you mind asking the children to leave the room so we can have a frank discussion of this, because it's an adult topic. It just doesn't seem appropriate to me.
Reynolds: I'll take your questions, but I'm not going to ask any of my supporters to leave.
[]
Reporter: Who are the children, Congressman? Who are these children?
Reynolds: Pardon me?
Reporter: Who are these children?
Reynolds: Well, a number of them are from the community. There are several of the "thirtysomething" set that are here and uh I've known them and I've known their children as they were born.
Reporter: Do you think it's appropriate for them to be listening to the subject matter though?
Reynolds: Sir, I'll be happy to answer your questions, I'm still, uh…
Nobody has yet answered the question as to why the matter was put at the feet of the NRCC anyway (a body whose sole function is the re-election of Republicans to Congress), but considering the problems that the situation is visiting upon the GOP for November I guess it's small wonder nobody was really anxious to do anything about it. Reynolds now says it's All Denny Hasert's Fault.
We thought there were new nadirs hit with Drudge's "blame those teenage beasts" defense of the GOP, and then came Rush's "the teenagers were setting him up" line of attack, but this was a damn good shot at the "how low can they go" gold medal.
Nice coda: fundies are pissed. Seems the GOP kingpins seriously misjudged the amount of kool-aid they were capable of chugging and confused them with die-hard authoritarian cultists who would have no trouble with a little institutional coverup of page diddling, considering it was All For The Cause, after all.
Looks like that was a bit of a miscalculation.
BuffaloGeek also reports that:
Marc Odien asked him if he or the NRCC had any plans to return the money or earmark it for programs or groups which fight against sexual predators.
Reynolds said it was essentially clean money. Foley did not raise the money using illegal or immoral means and it was given as per standard operating procedure to the NRCC. He has no intention of returning it.
Like a good Republican, Reynolds never takes his eye off the ball — he wants that $2.7 million Foley raised for his re-election campaign for the NRCC. Any thought about using the money to help get therapy for any of the kids who might have been traumatized in the situation, especially because of the GOP leadership's inaction? Doesn't seem like that was ever a consideration. Reynolds cares about the kids who may have suffered in this case about as much as those he is using as his small human backdrops.
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EPU got the zero…
:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
This is like live blogging a football game that never ends!
You guys are driving me nuts..two new posts within 12 minutes..I am trying to get some work done.
Jane and Christy -
It’s been at least a half hour, perhaps longer, since I have looked at what was the prior thread then. I haven’t read what is now the penultimate thread. Would this extemporaneous headline be a good way to summarize what’s happened so far?
Hastert pulls boner, House cooks hot potato in Reynolds wrap, with condiments to follow soon…
Jane, speaking of Mission Accomplished.
Did you see in one of Woodward’s interviews he mentioned that Bush’s speech to be given on the carrier had originally contained the statement “Mission Accomplished” until Rumsfeld made them take it out at the last minute (but he was unable to get through in time to fix the banner).
This basically gives the lie to their claim that it was the folks in the military who came up with the idea for the banner and put it up.
“Republicans using children as human shields.” I love it!!! Drudge saying that the Pages were “seducing” Foley? Priceless. They got sh*t-nothin’. Burn, baby-BURN!!!
Roll Call reported that when Alexander told Boehner, possibly as early as Feb. 2006 (maybe just after Boehner was elected Majority Leader?), that Boehner then told Alexander to tell Reynolds about it.
GOP sources said Reynolds remembers being told of the Foley e-mails by Alexander “sometime in the spring.” One source said Boehner told Alexander to go to Reynolds with his concerns about Foley’s behavior.
*xyz @ 8
They’d long since admitted it was a lie, but it never got much coverage, since the press was still fully in “all good citizens support Dear Leader” mode at that point.
That’s astonishing, Jane. Did any of the reporters get closer to explicitly asking Reynolds if he was hiding behind the kids? And/or if using them as props demonstrated Republican values?
Then again, maybe Reynolds was just looking to score a date afterward.
These guys have been smokin the political pipe for so long they no longer can see through the smoke to recognize a moral issue when it hits them square in the face. John Dean’s book becomes more and more and more important in understanding who these people are because that authoritarian personality won’t allow these leaders to recognize what they have become. And if Cheney leads the country to war based on a 2% chance of nukes, it’s amazing that that 2% chance wasn’t taken up when it came time to protect the children of this country. It’s like all the titles of these books have reached a nexis moment, then there’s Hubris…
I believe it’s called the Center for Missing and EXPLOITED Children. What definition of EXPLOITED do these guys not understand?
Like I said over at watertiger’s – Foleycoverupgate is the end of the Republican Party. We’ve seen nothing yet, in either the extent of their sleazoid actions, nor the extent of their even sleazoidier coverup actions. Mark my words. This is it. They are fucking finished.
Thanks for picking this up. This press conference could be the end of Reynolds politically if enough people see it
Sharkbabe – I’m marking down your quote. Hope you’re right. Will give you full credit if this plays out the way you predict.
Hmmmmm….
Isn’t this another one of those posts that is just made to be SPOTLIGHTED to the local media in Reynolds’ district????
In response to the question in the last post, I think they could have gotten out of this by sacrificing Hastert if he hadn’t been obviously lying to cover his ass from the moment this broke. It didn’t have to be immediately (it’s human to think for a few hours that you can talk your way out of it), but if he’d taken responsibility pretty soon and resigned as Speaker, it could have all been over. But conservative politicians are congenitally incapable of taking responsibility for anything.
So now the story is the coverup, and nobody falling on their sword is going to make it go away.
Couldn’t happen to a more deserving bunch of guys.
So, what is Reynold’s district? I want to do some spotlighting. Does it include Buffalo?
Bullseye.
Thanks Jane.
Please repukes, have lots more press conferences with people holding their babies.
Please I beg you.
All Repubs (including wingnut talk show hosts) who are using every conceivable tactic to move past Foleygate should be forced to read Foley’s IMs out loud to each other on camera.
I can think of a lot of terms to describe them, but Snow’s “naughty” is not one of them:
http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/foley_093006.html
*xyz -
Please repost your 10:11 comment from the prior thread; it is just as relevant here.
I’m brought to think back to 1990, with Sadaam holding the press conference with the young English boy on his lap, stroking his hair, and the profound discomfiture the child showed to the world in the presence of Sadaam.
Anyone up for a morphing video of these folks?
Perhaps CPS needs to intervene next time Reynolds and the GOP exploit children for personal gratification and political cover?
Stephen Parrish, I actually have to run – I give you full permission to bring it up to this post and elaborate as you see fit. Thanks.
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 7
Is that Reyonlds wrap aluminum Foley?
Holy.
Cow.
Raw Story says naming of names to commence soon on ABC. Who knew what and when:
“ABC will soon report who had knowledge of the Mark Foley page scandal, and when they became aware of it, RAW STORY has learned.
In an interview with DemocracyNow, ABC’s Maddy Sauer has shared some startling facts about the story.
Pages have, according to Sauer, been able to produce instant message conversations going back as far as five years. Some of them are reportedly sexually explicit.
The FBI, Sauer claims, will be interviewing pages starting today.
Sauer also indicated that ABC’s next wave of reports on the Foley scandal will focus on who in Congress was aware of the situation, how much they knew, and when they were alerted.”
So, what is Reynold’s district? I want to do some spotlighting. Does it include Buffalo?
Yes, it’s NY-26 — bascially goes from Rochester’s western suburbs all the way to Buffalo.
What we are seeing here is a cultural clash. Republicans like Reynolds and Hastert think responsibility if for saps so they will do everything to duck it or stick others with it. The religious Right whacky as it is sees this as a question of sin. To receive forgiveness you need to acknowledge the sin. Clinton knew this. Whenever one of his sins became too
pubicpublic, he would call in a bunch of ministers, get harangued, and ask for forgiveness which was grudgingly given. Worked like a charm everytime. The Republicans exploit the religious Right but few of them understand it, hence the tone deaf, tin ear that has afflicted their approach to the Foley affair.Stephen Parrish, CPA @
7
I think your summation is quite succinct, Stephen.
Do these guys truly believe they have any credibility left? How low can they go?
Diane @ 33
I guess we’re going to find out
*xyz @ 20
Tom Reynolds 26th New York
Erie County
Genesee County
Livingston County
Monroe County
Niagara County
Orleans County
Wyoming County
Republican party tanks and stock market hit all time high. WTF is going on with that?
Yearly Kos is in Chicago. OOOH RAAAH!
Anyone have a suggestion as to which wine goes best with roasted elephant? I think there is going to be a lot of it on the menu for the forseeable future. Additionally, after the main course, sandwiches, and soup from the carcass, any recipes to keep it interesting? Bon appetite!!!
Rushton @ 38
How about Dom Perignon?
WRT Hastert, IANAL, but I don’t think he will resign. It would be tantamount to admitting he was criminally negligent wrt the statutory rape that I am assuming Foley perpetrated on pages. I am aware of no evidence of this, but if one of the pages says it happened, Foley’s IM’s don’t leave him very credible if he says it didn’t happen. Tom Reynolds’ “I took it to my supervisor,” seems to lay responsibility squarely on Denny. Denny can run the dummy defense to his heart’s content, but as Speaker it’s his Federal responsibility to keep the pages safe from predators such as Foley. If he does not know what’s going on, as Foley’s supervisor, he could be guilty of criminal negligence as it pertains to statutory rape.
Steve @ 36
It’s a random fluctuation that is only a record because of how badly the stock market has done under Bush.
Sharkbabe @ 15
Yep, this is one of those stories that 85% of the entire U.S. poulation will have heard about within the next day or two (if not already). Unlike the “inside the beltway” scandals this one resonates among the entire population; and primarily because it *really* is all about sex.
All you gotta do is read one of those IMs and then you see Hastert blathering on teevee, and you think “Republicans, Jeezus, who could they?”
Nobody’s gonna forget this before November 7th. Nobody.
Good work. Putting the kids onstage is priceless.
I hope the Thugs keep on defending the indefensible and I’m
pretty sure I won’t be disappointed.
Drudge bascially saying the ‘best and brightest young repubs’ are
nothing but beasts is pretty much spot on when you really think
about it. These young perverts (political) are the ones the leadership are grooming for future political action. Of course they’re beasts,
but maybe not in the way Drudge was thinking.
Rush: The pages seduced Foley. Thank you Mr. Drug-addled
fool.
Snow: naughty emails…
When do we light the bonfires?
Enjoy.
The Republican party is using basically what are kids, to fight and die in Iraq. Anything and anybody is fair game for the Republicans, including children in the furtherance of their unquenchable and perverted and twisted pursuit of power. Power. It’s the Republican aphrodisiac. Absolutely disgusting.
Rushton @ 38
Some fava beans and a fine Chianti.
John Casper @ 35
It looks like upstate rural dyed in the wool Republican territory. Timothy McVeigh came from around there. Others could probably tell you more.
Hugh – Interesting re: Clinton. I’ve always believed that Clinton “sinned” on purpose so that he could then admit to them and be “forgiven,” and know that “we” still loved him. An iteration of a lack of self esteem in ways for someone who otherwise seems to have a great deal of it. Complicated man that Clinton – BUT GREAT PREZNIT.
Sharkbabe – I agreed with you yesterday, in general. This is big, there is no good way to spin it, and the more they talk the bigger (proverbial) grave they dig for themselves. Usually, I like the big odd prognostications like this will mean the end of the GOP, but even I wouldn’t go that far. I would agree that it may mean the end of the GOP as the veritable RICO enterprise of corruption, incompetence and hypocrisy that the wingnuts and neocons have turned it into – and that would be a good thing for the country.
Hey, I’m way behind here, just waking up in NZ. Forgive me if I’m covering old ground.
But my husband and I were talking about the isolation, not only of Democrats on the page committee, but also Democrats on the 911 Commission. These seem to echo each other.
Did Tenant tell anyone on the Commission about the July 10 meeting? Did he tell everyone, or is there more info from the 911 Commission that is concealed from other members and therefore, missing from the Commission’s report?
Some of this is in plain view, or nearly so (why did Ashcroft quit flying commercial?), but we can’t seem to get the narrative stitched together, either through all the “sand thrown in our eyes” or because the implications are such that we aren’t prepared to accept them, just as my dear father-in-law has no place for the evidence of Bush’s malfeasance to land in his stalwart Republican psyche.
The press conference was surreal political theater. Reynolds rounded up every Republican politico in Western New York and asked them to bring their kids to stand with him at the podium.
He refused to answer any questions in a direct manner, he simply reiterated his original statement as he was pressed by the Buffalo News, WHLD, New York Times, Philly Inquirer, WaPo, and other outlets for more information.
Reynolds is in a statistical dead heat with his opponent Jack Davis. Thus far, Davis hasn’t capitalized on the situation instead letting the local media and national news organizations do the work for him.
The full video is available at my site as well as selected clips on YouTube.
Thanks for the help in spreading the word on the situation in Buffalo.
The latest humor about Mark Foley (R-Neverland):
Q: How is a Republican congressman like a cel phone set to vibrate? A: They both get a little buzz when a page comes!
Q: What did Mark Foley and his pages have in common?A: They both gave up their seats.
Q: What’s the difference between Republican congressmen and Michael Jackson? A: As John Ashcroft makes clear, Michael can sing.
Q: How can you tell Republican Congressmen are avid readers? A: They always head right to the bottom of the page!
Q: Who are the Republicans going to replace Foley on the ballot with? A: They don’t know yet, but they’ve narrowed it down to three: Pete O’file, Anne De’rage, and Sixteenyearold Boychaser.
“using children” is right.
OK…help me with something:
Everyone swears Rove is a political genius right?
OK. Then why in the hell is he letting these guys continue? I mean, ok, I’m a moron politically, but doesn’t it make the most sense for Bush to step in as the Great Leader and publicly demand resignations from everyone involved?
Allowing Hastert and Reynolds to keep making asses of themselves in public is taking a serious toll on the GOP as a whole, not just these two guys. Getting them out of the spotlight as quickly as possible seems to be the smart move.
What am I missing?
BuffaloGeek @ 48
Great honor to have you here. You did a great job.
LMAO!!!
I just saw a YouTube clip of Katherine Harris saying that it was the media and Democrats who “kept this from the public interest, because our children are at stake.”
WTF? hahahahahahahahahaha…!!!!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..30844.html
Dream on, Reynolds. That’s already earmarked for Foley’s legal defense fund. Or it will be, I’m sure. ;)
Hugh @ 31
I actually think something a bit more venal is at work here — Hastert and all the other kleptocrats thought there was no end to the bullshit the fundies would swallow in their “Common Cause.” They kept loading them down with the most outrageous, stupid, unbelievable hogwash and the fundies kept yelling for more. I’m sure it shocked them no end when they couldn’t lay it off on gays (though lord knows, many journalists like Mike Viqueira tried to point them in that direction — if they could simply get the left fighting the wingnuts as to whether this was a “gay thing,” they thought they might be able to duck). They must be melting down that the fundies are in high dudgeon.
Chickens coming home to roost. A beautiful thing.
Hey, can anyone find that picture from right before the Gulf War? You know, that one of Saddam posing with his hostages, especially that little British boy that looked so terrified while Uncle Saddam was trying to act all avuncular to show what a nice guy he is?
I just think it would make a nice companion piece to this latest GOP stunt.
anybody who hasn’t watched what is going on today, and seen that Denny Hastert has been chosen as the lamb to be sent to slaughter, so they can get this over and out of the public view is naive.
I am thrilled to see the demise of Hastert, but let’s not take our eye off the NIE report, Woodward’s book and the fact that the Party of Family Values is in name only!
Lots going on , folks. Don’t let it get buried under Foley.
ABC News:
Foley had internet sex while awaiting house vote!
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thebl…..insta.html
Zergle @ 52
That Rove is not as smart as he has been touted to be?
BuffaloGeek @ 48
Thanks much for shooting the video and speaking up. Go read Buffalogeek’s post and see the other YouTubes of the unbelievable Reynolds presser, it’s great.
This is quicksand. The harder they struggle to get out, the faster they sink.
Just a point to ponder…
This cover up must have begun when DeLay was still slinking around congress.
I’m curious to see what his role in this was.
The crying babies in the background is truly pathetic. I think it just makes Reynolds look more ridiculous than he would otherwise.
They need to send Foley to Gitmo post haste.
NZ Expat @ 49
Others will be able to respond better than I, there’s some good stuff in the comments on earlier threads today. What I recall, is that the latest is that Tenant did tell the 9/11 Commission about the meeting with Rice. What Ben-Veniste is saying is that Tenant diluted the intensity of that meeting in recounting it to the 9/11 Commission. Woodward got a very different take (and probably more accurate) on the intensity than the 9/11 Commission got.
Zergle @ 51
Not everyone. I’ve sweared he’s not a genuis since I first got to FDL, often, and at length.
yellow snapdragon @ 59
Wow – and it gets even worse. And I have the feeling we have barely scratched the surface.
yellow snapdragon @
59
Holy. Freaking. Shit.
Oh man…is it just me or did it just become rather apparent that he almost certainly has had direct sexual contact with these boys?
Oh man…if anyone knew ANYTHING before this IM exchange…oh man…
*xyz @ 67
I feel like I need to go back home and take another shower. Ick.
_
The press conference just looked like another form of child abuse. I will be delighted watching as these abusers get their comeuppance in the days to come.
I don’t think Rove had anything to do with this. When the NRCC found out about Foley last year, they didn’t tell either of the other 2 members of the Page Board, and only one of them is a Democrat.
Rove’s specialty is setting up situations, then having someone else tip over the domino to start the smear/event/whatever. There’s no way Rove would do this without the House leadership insulated from this fiasco. He’d never pull a stunt like this so close to an election.
No, this is an honest to God political scandal. I’m making popcorn!
That press conference is so weird and in such bad taste that I don’t think whoever planned it checked with Unka Karl in advance.
BobbyG @ 69
I’m still hoping for “Foley had cybersex with high schooler during impeachment hearings”.
Zergle @ 69
In this age of the internets, I would say this does qualify as “direct sexual contact”.
The ABC news new IMs talk about Foley and the kid going to drink at the Congressman’s place. It sounds like there was almost certainly physical contact with this page. It sounds like the kid was 17, so maybe over the age of consent in DC (Does anyone know?), but encouraging the drinking by a minor is at least one crime in that message.
Things just got even worse for the GOP. I hope the kid in this one doesn’t get outed. The whole thing is such a tragedy.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thebl…..insta.html
Also completely reprehensible is the fact that those parents were in on the ruse. If I had been one of them, I would have left the room when the press brought up the topic. You just don’t take needless risks with exposing your children like that, do you?
Jane Hamsher @ 56
This could create an opening to Democrats. The whackier fundies are a lost cause but there may be quite a few who would be responsive to the message: Are you tired of being screwed over by righteous sounding hypocrites? And are you willing to give the Democrats a try? They may not hit all of your hot button issues but they are, unlike the Republicans, committed to a better life for you and your children.
Everything falls apart!
A map of the NY-26 Congressional District. It does not appear to include Buffalo.
As bad as this press conference was (and I think it’ll go down as one of the worst), he didn’t really have much choice. It’s the only way he could ensure that all of those IMs weren’t read to his face. They have almost no room to maneuver here.
Why Not Send Reynolds a Nice Fax, Asking Him to Resign?
I just did. Here’s a copy of what I sent, please feel free to use this text to create a FAX or email of your own:
Rep. Tom Reynolds FAX numbers:
DC: 202-225-5910
NY: 716-631-7610
585-663-5711
Can anyone say “Contributing to the Delinquence of a Minor?” That’s one guaranteed charge.
Letting American kids die in Iraq…
Exploiting kids in Congress…
What’s not to like about this ‘traditional family values’ crowd?
Anybody care to bet the Religious Right still vote Republican this fall, though in lesser numbers?
But, there are many other Republicans who must be throwing up about now. I can’t imagine the Libertarian strain of Republican or the Rockefeller Republicans or even the Log Cabin Republicans voting for more of this.
Even the Wall Streeters realize things will be better (in many ways) with Dems back in charge, so as the Republicans fall on their faces the Street rises towards Clintonian highs.
Hugh @
78
This is where Senator Harry Reid comes in: he’s basically a socially conservative Democrat because of his Mormon background.
This is a perfect spot for Senator Reid to step forward and provide real leadership and wisdom.
Hugh @ 78
Completely agree.
Also in this story the Traditional Media has a confluence of events that both the right and the left want them to cover.
John Casper @
40
John -
I can see why you think that Hastert won’t resign, but think that one very important consideration that has already been mentioned in previous threads should be repeated here: Dennis Hastert, as Speaker of the House, is next in line to become President after Dick Cheney. Under present circumstances, with a burgeoning cloud suspended over him, would it be better to leave Dennis Hastert two heartbeats away from the presidency (as I have expressed the thought in at least one previous thread) or precipitate a potential constitutional crisis if he were to resign, while Congress is adjourned, as Speaker of the House when we take into consideration Dick Cheney’s health problems?
Zergle @ 52
I asked the same question in a previous thread. Seems weird. Couldn’t Bush score some points by asking for the resignations instead of standing by these perverts. Something seems to be missing… besides the moral compas.
got cha Jane – have a kool aid swillin’, Limbaugh lovin’ brother-in-law – who happens to have a 15 yr old son – and he is beyond outraged with this story . . .
this is one of those guys who takes up the Santorum meme about actually finding WMD . . .and he wants the Leadership’s heads on platters – yesterday !
guess I’ll give him a call and see if he’s seen the, um, presser*g*
Thanks Stephen CPA, yeah, you raise good points.
Chickens coming home to roost? This is the schoolyard scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.
What next? A nuclear explosion from North Korea?
-GSD
CSPAN I – Washington Times Editor – Hassert resignation! Now!
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 86
I’m with John on this one. Denny is in substantial LEGAL jeopardy here. We don’t know how deep this goes, but based on the speed on Foley’s resignation, I’m guessing that there are more predators involved. Denny doesn’t know what else is going to come up (or worse, maybe he DOES know). He could be in danger of multiple civil and criminal suits here. A resignation, no matter how he words the speech, will be seen as an admission of guilt. He just can’t do it.
It’s not physically possible for Bush to admit a mistake, even someone else’s. That would look like he’s taking responsibility for a problem. Bush only takes credit, even when he doesn’t deserve to.
One of my young family members, Chuck, who’s been in the army for thirteen years, came state-side for his six year old daughter’s birthday this past weekend. Chuck has done two tours in Iraq and after returning to Germany next week, is facing a redeployment to Iraq. He may never see his three children again. And just as bad, we may never see Chuck again. We don’t discuss Iraq much in this family, as we have several of our close knit loved ones serving in the military. But Chuck said something rather interesting at the b’day party. He told us that before leaving Germany, and arriving at Fort Sill, here in Oklahoma, his sergeant remarked to him, “I’m so tired of lying”. This is a true story. I want our babies home from Iraq! Now!
TheOtherWA @
72
Oh, I have no doubt Rove found out about this pretty damn close to the same time the rest of us did. IMO Rove is chewing out these bastards up one side and down the other: “You’ve ruined everything! You and those damn kids!”
However, I would think that Rove would recognize the need for significant damage control at this point which would involve cleaning the House. Then again, as others mention, the latest about Condi, the 9/11 comish, etc…
hehehe…he’s a busy little Turd Blossom ain’t he?
Tom Reynolds: “I did what most of us would have done in the workplace. I heard something, I took it to my supervisor.”
I’m surprised that more attention hasn’t been drawn to the import of this comment from Reynolds.
It’s apparent that Reynolds has forgotten that his supervisor is the voting population in his district, and that the Republican leadership are his *peers*, not his bosses.
Obviously, there are a lot of levels on which this comment, and Reynold’s behavior in general, has been appalling and disgusting, but just in a general way I would think the voters in Buffalo should be concerned that their own representative characterizes himself as a follower rather than a leader.
Way to build support, Tom.
Should work with elephant also:
Hot Gingered Pygmy Mammoth & Jumbo Shrimp Salad
Feeds your whole tribe.
1 pygmy mammoth, boned and cubed (about 1/2 ton)
1/2 ton jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (many many ordinary shrimps, or one Ebirah claw)
10 buckets sesame seeds
60 pounds bean thread noodles if you are an Eastern tribe, whatever your tribe uses for noodles otherwise. If you have not yet invented the noodle, this might be a good time to do so.
1 bucket vegetable oil
1 bucket sesame oil
Salt
10 buckets minced fresh ginger
6 buckets minced garlic
15 buckets dry Sherry
15 buckets rice wine vinegar
60 pounds sugar
60 buckets diced fresh mangoes
15 buckets chopped green onions
Big Snorgul’s helmet full of red pepper flakes
10 buckets chopped fresh cilantro, plus 5 Big Snorgul’s helmets fresh cilantro, garnish
1000 large heads lettuce, cored and leaves separated (a raid on the People Who Grow Stuff may be necessary)
30 buckets thinly sliced, peeled, seeded, drained cucumbers, or just chop up the damn cucumbers and say “Fie to thee!” a lot
All the chives you got
Preheat a giant turtle shell over a fumarole. A big giant turtle. Put some oil in there. Make sure no other giant turtles are around to see you do this.
On a flat rock, stirring with your Stick of the Dining God, dry cook the sesame seeds over medium heat until they are brown and smell good. Remove from the heat. Add the noodles to the turtle shell and fry fast until puffy and the color of sunrise. Remove from the oil and drain on non-itchy leaves. Throw salt. Set aside.
Sear the mammoth meat on the flat rock. Salt but don’t overdo it, you remember what happened to the Chest-Clutching Tribe of the Plains. Drain.
Get a less giant turtle shell. Okay, think of this as a celebration dish for a good turtle hunt and shrimp catch. Make the vegetable oil and most of the sesame oil dance. Add the shrimp, mammoth, ginger, and garlic, and cook fast, stirring, until the shrimp are just pink and firm. Doom of Ten Thousand Wretched Canaps awaits those who overcook shrimp. Remove from the shell with pole weapons. Add the sherry and vinegar, and sing the Song of Deglazing over medium heat. Add the sugar and stir until it is one with the sauce. Cook until half the fluid is gone. Feed anybody who thinks this is waste to the giant turtles. Add the rest of the sesame oil, mangoes, green onions, and pepper flakes, and stir to warm through and wilt. No, this wilt is good. Tell the people it is the wilt of the Wilt God. You need all the mojo you can get. Remove from the heat and add the shrimp and ginger, and the cilantro. Stir to warm through and do the Highly Dramatic Ritual of Adjusting the Seasoning to Taste.
Now your tribal status is on the thin edge of the cleaver. Have everybody bring what they eat off of. You know your tribe. Put lettuce on whatever they hold out and spread the hot stuff on it. Those who have no eating platters should be used to the drill by now. Arrange cucumber slices on top in whatever symbolic pattern seems propitious to you and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds. If you have a really tough tribe, yell “Bam!” until they get a groove going. Add fried noodles, cilantro sprigs, and chives, and watch for any signs of people keeling over that can’t be blamed on strong drink.
John M Ford, Making Light: D & S: A Story from Capclave
These GOP types for the most part do not understand that the Christian Right is SERIOUS about their issues. They are often easily fooled w/ some pandering(Terri Shivo case for example) but this time it isn’t going to work. This is Harriet Meir’s territory. They’ve been had and even the most fundamentists authoritarian followers of the lot knows it. There is some shit that even they won’t swallow.
The undoing of the current GOP is going to be when the business interests and the religious right clash. This might be the start of it. The Dems are never going to cause their undoing, they will cause it themselves.
citizensue @ 87
Maybe there is something missing, but maybe it’s just that the Pres is so unpopular now that no one is willing to listen to Rove.
Besides, how bad would it look like for the Pres if he called for resignations from his own party and didn’t get them? In my view a real possibility with this crowd. It’s every Repub for themselves now and they know it.
boosh on msnbc at george w bush elementary school that has a liberry named after Laura…
what a stoopid community.
lordy.
Frank Probst @ 73
boosh on foley: unacceptable behavior.
he is disgusted and disappointed.
he fully supports Hastert’s call for an investigation. “I know Denny and he is a father, teacher, coach who cares about the children of this country.”
I am confident he will provide leadership to law enforcement (WTF???)
BarbaraB @
45
Ooogh. Better keep the Gas-X handy!
Is there no limit to what these guys will do to dodge personal responsibility? This black & white still photo says it all. Iconic photo of Rep. Reynolds hiding behind children at his press conference. Earth to Republican Party: Get a grip!
Frank Probst @ 74
I know this sounds harsh, but this occurred during HR 1559, Emergency War Time supplemental appropriations, so the appropriate message should be:
Foley Moses!
The Pigman (Rush Limppaw) is wondering where Jocelyn Elders is on this issue, since masturbation is safe sex, and that’s what was happening with Foley.
Limbaugh has no problem with safe sex between adults and minors!
Oh, my bleeding ears…
Zaphod @
63
Nice catch.
I’m thinking there’s going to be a very, very low voter turn-out.
And Hayduke, you are absolutely right.
Yes, really, epu’d. Is this a record? *g*
cbl @ 19
I read the letter in your first link, prepared to write a note and will do so shortly. Here we go again with this letter sidestepping the real issue and blaming the internet not the behavior or the cover up. I will say again this internet pornographic finger pointing will be used against net neutrality. Do these people support incumbants at any cost as we witnessed NARAL love ‘em even if he’s Lieberman?
Laura Bush. And they, the media, say she’s soooo popular. Popular? With who? I don’t see her babies in Iraq.
Doesn’t it kill you when you hear someone call a library a liberry!? What sorts of ‘berries’ exactly do they keep in liberries?
Evil Parallel Universe @
67
I guess when you’ve successfully managed to cover up, distort, & lie about Bush’s service record, the run-up to the worst attack on the US since Pearl Harbour, and the rationale for attacking Iraq, covering up some congressman making inappropriate overtures to under-age boys must have seemed an easy days work.Hubris, I believe it’s called.
Please God, I hope Jon Stewart gets a hold of the footage of that press conference. I need a good laugh tonight to shake off all the slime going around.
two beers @ 107
Maybe Rush would care to elaborate how it’s all good…especially in light of his recent trip to the Dominican Republic, armed with loads of Viagra. Sheesh.
Oklahoma kiddo @
95
S*I*G*H
I watched as much of the Reynolds video as I could stand. Reynolds likes to use the word “despicable” to describe the Foley e-mails and IMs. I think “dispicable” is equally useful to describe Reynolds surrounding himself with children at a press conference called to discuss an incident of pedophilia.
omg – just remembered Hastert, in a fit of pique about not being told of Goss’s firing – publicly questioned Hayden’s nomination – and then pinned a Distinguished Service Medal on Porter Goss – after he was fired
oh yeah Denny, WH should be a big help in your hour of need . . .
Boehner Says Foley Was Hastert’s `Responsibility’ (Update1)
By Jay Newton-Small and Nadine Elsibai
Bold is mine.
My guess is, Boehner told the radio station exactly what he told the investigators.
Wow, they are just falling all over themselves to try and make this OK, aren’t they? They are pissing off decent people, abuse survivors, the voting mainstream, and its going to cost them bigtime.
Great juxtaposition on their front page, though. The link to their namby-pamby statement about Foley is right above a campaign to educate teens about Internet predators.
Frank, Stephen, and John –
[EPU’d from the last thread after less than 20 minutes? Wow! Revised and extended here . . .]
A resignation from Hastert’s leadership position could easily be phrased in such a way as to avoid any admission of guilt. “For the good of the party, and the dignity of the Office of Speaker of the House, I am stepping down from my position as Speaker. I have done nothing wrong, but have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the political games the democrats will play with my presence in this office will unavoidably draw the attention of the House and the country away from the serious work that remains to be done before this session of Congress concludes. We must pass appropriations bills, and continue the war on terror . . .”
This is more than enough of a political mess that a good defense lawyer – if things ever get to a trial – could easily paint a resignation as a political act and not an admission of guilt.
Shorter version: this is a question of legislative branch politics, not the legal process. Prior to November 7, the question of Hastert’s staying or going will revolve around electoral calculations. Period.
My new GOP election campaign bumper sticker I just created.
http://www.bgladd.com/GOPervs.jpg
Please appropriate and distribute widely.
_
Republican use your children as human shields.
What kind of parent allowed this?
Anyone catch CNN Headline News clips of Jr.’s appearance out in CA today?
Headline News anchor was repeating what the nit supposedly had said about being all disgusted at Foleygate & stuff, while concurrent video showed said nit yucking it up before starting a speech aimed at the local Latino community. His “host” on stage looked as if DELIBERATELY not even coming within a mile of a smile, and rapidly backing away as Jr. pretended to accept his warm(?) reception. Ouch.
In reading through the blogs today, my schadenfreude if tempered by the growing undercurrent from the fundies. The evolving message seems to be “the problem is social tolerance of homo-sex-uals and we know how to fix that. Or as Ms Buchannan basically said “what do you expect from a known homosexual.” This is the sermon to the zombies in the mega-church for the next weeks. Vote for value candidates and protect you children from the homosexuals.
If more shoes drop, lets hope there are some str8 shoes in the mix. That would de-rail the fundies.
LATimes
When was Foley elected to the House? In the 1994 election that got the Repubs the majority and control. Foley took office in Jan. 1995, and by THAT SUMMER pages were being warned.
Republicans have controlled the House since Jan. 1995. This is all in their laps. All of it.
Frank @ 11:21 am -
I’m not disagreeing with you or John; I was trying to verbally illustrate the dilemma with which Dennis Hastert is confronted. Both of you have expressed some excellent points in your comments. I think that no matter what he does, the problems that Dennis Hastert faces seem intractable.
So much for any hopes the Republicans had that this story was going to die over the weekend.
Jane Hamsher @
56
You and Christy aren’t there yet, but eventually you’ll reach an age where you realize that those dead kids we see on the screen every few days from Iraq could have been your kids. It will probably hit you in your forties, just as it hit me. I’m not especially fond of kids, and I’m not all that empathetic as a rule. So clearly, this is an instinct that runs pretty deep in people.
Most members of the religious right seem pretty impervious to thought, but I think this is a thought they’re having. These guys have been killing someone else’s kids, and now they’re taking advantage of them, and in both cases they seem less concerned with that than they do with how things appear. I don’t think you have to be a genius to understand that.
Maybe if this scandal had happened on its own it wouldn’t have mattered to them, but after Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention Katrina, I think the RR have finally reached their limits.
Always good to have you on a thread Cujo.
Exploiting children while talking about predatory sexual behavior towards children.
It’s the most vile, twisted, disgusting double shot of kool aid ever served.
DairyMaid just reminded me of an EPU comment that fits with the “hide behind the kids” post.
Caoimhin Laochdha @
260
It was an absolutely pathetic spectacle. A gloriously righteous Christian man, caught with his pants around his ankles, doing the “right thing” just in time for the evening news.
The right thing, of course, being dragging his poor kids and his humiliated wife out on to their front lawn to face a phalanx of cameras. He surrounded himself with his children as he talked to the press about God’s forgiveness. He then proceeded to bawl like the big pussy he was/is in front of his propped-up children and for the cameras.
Naturally, Congressman live-girl-Crane (R-IN) proudly won the GOP nomination and unashamedly ran a righteous GOP reelection campaign the next fall. He lost.
Hiding behind anyone, even kids when you’re found out to be a child molester, is in these guy’s DNA.
slainte,
cl
Adie @ 124
Headline News anchor was repeating what the nit supposedly had said about being all disgusted at Foleygate & stuff, while concurrent video showed said nit yucking it up before starting a speech aimed at the local Latino community. His “host” on stage looked as if DELIBERATELY not even coming within a mile of a smile, and rapidly backing away as Jr. pretended to accept his warm(?) reception. Ouch.
Bush is out here in CA raising funds and campaigning for both Pombo and Doolittle. The fact that he had to address the Foley mess is a sign of how bad the stink has gotten, and how much the Republicans fear how far it will spread. Pombo and Doolittle must be soooo happy . . .
reports i have seen indicate that the nrcc is in a lot of trouble and are being investigated for deeds involving kids that pale in comparison to what Foley did, also several other repub congressman and reps are being investigated for sex crimes involving kiddies. and when reynolds get tossed and or convicted how charitable do you thinks those props will be then
Millineryman @ 130
Shows just how frightened they are about this one.
Still lookin for the Jimmy Swaggart moment.
windje @ 134
As well they should be.
What part of NJ are your from windje?
Isn’t it disturbing that Americans will take a flyer on an unconscionable piece of legislation abolishing habeas corpus “for some”, that wars of aggression that we are losing are treated to ho-hum coverage at best and the deaths of our young men and women soldiers much less the non-combatant civilians of Iraq & Afghanistan are not worthy of continuous 1A-above-the-fold status, while the prurient behavior of a wayward Congressman ends up being the cause celebre that could bring down the GOP? JFC on a bed of rice pilaf, man – what is the 21st century equivalent of the “have you no shame” soliloquy?
Millineryman @ 135
Princeton
Is it just me or does that bizarre Reynolds press conference remind you of that scene from the movie “The Dead Zone” where Senator Stillson grabs the infant and hold it in front of his face in order to ward off assasination? Just curious.
CNN now reporting Foley cybersex during House vote, calling it “even more shocking.”
They say Bush is defending Hastert. He’s confident Hastert can put things right. Hang in there, Bush!
a dingo ate the baby @ 135
Recall Big Dog’s $100 million hummer?
_
Part of the challenge the GOP leadership faces, imo, is that they can’t recall when they found out Foley was GAY. Because (to them) all gay men prey on little boys, they figure they couldn’t be mean to Foley in this new era of tolerance of diversity, because that would be homophobic. I think they are puzzling out that they are in trouble for coddling a child predator, since the politically correct thing to do is to be nice to gays. “Nice” in the personal sense, like when the gays show up with the caterer or the gays show up at fundraisers. Not “nice” in the political sense, e.g. FMA.
Since, in their minds, GAY = PREDATOR, what’s a House leader to do? They see no difference between gays and predators, so there was really, for them, only ONE open secret — that Foley was GAY (and therefore also a predator).
neurophius @ 116
Sorry–I do know how to spell “despicable.” Got in too big a hurry, I guess.
Millineryman @
136
Princeton, yourself?
neurophius @ 140
Heckuva a job, Denny
“Hours after a conservative Washington newspaper called for Hastert’s resignation, Bush referred to the speaker as a “father, teacher, coach” and said he supports Hastert’s call for an investigation.
“I know Denny Hastert. I meet with him a lot. I know that he wants all the facts to come out,” the president said…”
_____
Yeah, maybe along about 2009. Need to have a thorough “investigation” till then.
.
Pitman, it’s a very small town in SJ. Think Mayberry meets Children of the Corn.
Very Michael Jackson-esque
A question read elsewhere….Didn’t 41 warn 43 about Pissing Off the CIA?
This fits right in with Neil Bush giving herpes to an underage Thai prostitute, though I think that was a little girl instead of a little boy, IIRC.
These idiots have completely lost their freaking minds. I mean, I know the only thing the zomboid cared about were the TV visuals, but what kind of stories does he think those reporters are going to file — flattering ones? And what are the folks watchign at home going to think when they hear their congressman talking about Internet sex in front of 4 and 5 year old children????
Doesn’t the stupid shit have ANY instinct for self-preservation left?
Shorter Tom Reynolds: All you gotta do is say “earmuffs” to them, then you can say “Fuck. Shit. Bitch.”
The bombing or Iran/Syria will probably start next week. Cornered dogs and all.
a dingo ate the baby @ 137
It’s actually rather understandable.
Most reasonably comfortable folks in most neighborhoods don’t believe they know anyone who might be wrongly picked up by the government and would need to invoke habeas corpus rights.
Most reasonably comfortable folks in most neighborhoods don’t have an immediate connection to the deaths in Iraq.
But these very same folks know about sex. They likely have it themselves, their neighbors have it, and those that aren’t having it want to have it. They know about consent and boundaries, even if they don’t always follow them.
Debates about habeas corpus they can leave to the lawyers. “I am not a lawyer” is not a phrase found solely on the blogs. Debates about Iraq they can leave to the folks with all the briefings and weapons and such. “I don’t get all the intelligence, or know how battles are fought and diplomacy is conducted.” But sex? “I know about sex – and 52 year old Congresspeople in positions of power ought not to be having it or asking for it from 16 year old pages. And no one ought to cover for them or look the other way, especially the leaders of Congress!”
It’s an easier story to tell, and an easier story to grasp.
But really, it’s almost exactly the same story. All three are about power, throwing it around, and seeking to avoid any accountability for misusing it.
wow
I am convinced that this is a controlled implosion. The republicans have laid waste to our system of government while enriching themselves. Their bank accounts are full, and it’s time to leave the party before somebody demands that they clean up the mess they made. Watch: Takeover of the house, but not the senate so they can avoid impeachment of dear leader, and get pardons thru for the worst offenders by 2008. They will, of course, leave Foley in federal prison to take it up the a** from his new friends.
O.M.G. Craven and costly, Mr. Reynolds. Just…ick.
Much newer thread
http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..g/#respond
Rushton @ 38
Anyone have a suggestion as to which wine goes best with roasted elephant?
Malbec is clearly the correct wine, IMO
He wasn’t using those kids as shields. Those little beasts were standing there, hogging the cameras. They wouldn’t get out of the way. Seriously.
Dang! I swear my drudge-tags were showing when I previewed my last post.
Don’t forget Bush’s “snowflake children” appearance while vetoing the stem cell research bill, too. That was rather apalling.
Would someone with the right connections PLEASE forward this video to Colbert and TDS?
So, the Democrats have lost their monopoly on sexual exploitation and perversion in high places.
If the Dems really run with this, perhaps they’ll be obliged to be a bit less supportive of the “alternative life style.”
That’s embarrassing. I can’t believe the gall that this group of corrupt incompetents continually display.
Amazing. I know these guys are experts at hiding behind the troops but… Children?? Okay, I’m nor surprised. I AM surprised he wasn’t ducking down behind them.
How bizarre would it be if Bush were to start demanding that all involved should resign. I can almost hear the laughter sweeping the Congress and then the country. How many Congressmen have told Bush to demand that Rumsfeld resign? And didn’t George Bush announce to one and all that if anyone in his administration was involved in outing Valerie Plame that he would demand their resignation? No, I think Bush and Rove realize how ridiculous it would be for him to demand that anyone resign.
Another tactic the Republicans picked up from the Taliban.
One said: “You see the Taliban cutting around on dirt bikes, their weapons in one hand, their kids in the other. They think we will not shoot them. There have been some terrible incidents. It is horrible to kill a kid, nothing could prepare you for it.”
I can’t help but wonder were the kids human shields or targets of opportunity?
seeing that video of Reynolds hiding behind those children makes me want to vomit. I always thought the man was a scumbag and he hasn’t proven me wrong yet. My Congressman is fecal matter (with apologies to all fecal matter in the world)