Hey, everybody! Where’s the beer?

Drinking Old Farm (i.e., Vielle Ferme) wine, not beer.

Seems that poor Larry Craig was left out of the fundraising antics and hijinx.

-G

What have we here?

Ahhhhh, titties and beer

What else is there?

Penises & champaigne.

Touché

Got to get the feminist POV inserted here.

Can you Digg this?

Too many syllables, although Zappa (RIP) coulda made it work.

Vitter could get excited about this!

Excellent!

The GOP, Lap dancing for family values!

Okay, gang:

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to see whether any of your home state GOPers got money from Session’s PAC. You know what to do!

Republicans and sexual impropriety: they go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

Like peas and carrots… and that’s all I have to say… about that.

;!P

order strippers and beer and see who attends?

I’ll volunteer to host.

So: Did the Republican contributors pay to see Michele Bachmann strip, or did they pay to not see Michele Bachmann strip?

Reese’s Republicans!

The Arizona contingent didn’t take funds from Ted Stevens ….. but then we cleaned out the JD Hayworth and Renze who would be front row center…..

McBush? hmmmmm

looks like current Republican values are about 36-double D

In my elementary school years, there was this song about “Love & marriage” “go together like horse & carriage.” But there was this couple (8th grade?) so I changed the song to: “Lynn & Davey, go together like potatoes & gravy.”

order strippers and beer and see who attends?

always worked for me….

TDS: Ben Wattenbug: liberals created neocons.

We don’t get it out here for another 3 hours, so curbing spoilers would be appreciated.

How does that work? Comedy Central is cable only which casts in every time zone live I thought. What is on your CC right now?

everything is our fault - the cons only take credit for work done by others and blame everyone else for their screwups.

hopefully, the cons will find themselves to be the other kinda con(vict) real soon

tds rerun from last night

how was that a spoiler?

what did it spoil?

satellite feeds

I think it is the “stolen watermelons taste the sweeter” phenomenon. Strip clubs just wouldn’t have the same attraction if it weren’t forbidden. Hypocrisy adds spice.

From the perspective of an anthropologist visiting from Mars, it is very interesting behavior.

I actually agree that everything is “our” fault, meaning everything is “my” fault. I am at the center of the universe, so everything good & bad is directly a consequence of what I do or think. /s

bloody comcast cable - would have to cut down trees to get sat here

East and West coast get it at their respective 11pm’s. I don’t know about the other 2 zones.

OT - The Family Values Boys

Mr. Erickson over at Redstate has some new designs up for his junk. One item is an O with little devil horns and written across the the bottom - The Anti-Christ. The other is the Enemy of My Enemy is McCain. Not hard to guess where the haters hang out.New additions to the RedState Store

Ben Wattenberg, who was so happy that Bush was driving very slowly while he was drunk. Ben thought that showed how much of a decent guy Bush was.

-G

OT - Bush threatens to veto equal pay for women.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/.....for-women/

In its defense the WH stammers: The bill would unjustifiably amend the Equal Pay Act (EPA) to allow for, among other things, unlimited compensatory and punitive damages, even when a disparity in pay was unintentional.

ummm - no. No such thing as unlimited (unproven) compensatory damages, nor are punitives allowed for an unintentional act. Jeebus, Georgie, just go ahead and get a lawyer NOW. You know you’re gonna be needing one or twenty in the next few years anyway.

i didn’t read it as saying it was a spoiler - just asking for no spoilers

Not a spoiler, that was from an NPR interview or something a while ago.

-G

Oh gee, I thought it was Wattenbug.

OMG, I thought the clip of McSame with the Dalai Lama was hysterical. Stewart’s riff on it was hilarious, but I kept imagining what Obama (or any other normal human being) would do…namely look at him when he was talking to you and, y’know, hold hands back.

But Huckleberry looked right at home.

So, what’s gonna happen in Israel now that Marty Feldman, I mean Ehud Olmert is stepping down?

-G

Sessions IS in my home state. :(

Rottenberg. Typical neo-con shill still chest pounding and finger wagging.

Yawn.

-G

the guy comes off as a total dufus. How could anyone take him seriously?

Ummm…Huckleberry?

gonna be interesting for sure… not sure how that plays into the con’s hope for israel taking on iran…

Senator Lindsey Graham.

Thing about Goopers and strippers is that the only way they can get sex is to pay for it - or hang out in airport men’s rooms.

the look on McSame’s face was beyond belief. Being in the presence of the Dalai Lama is an amazing thing. The man almost literally glows. And McStupid looks like he’s afraid of catching leprosy from his touch. Beyond belief.

Oh, I didn’t notice him…he musta been the one on the other side. good excuse to go watch it on the website again.

maybe the airport should turn the airport bathroom into a strippers and beer place to get money off the goppers coming in for the convention. that way both sides of the r party will be entertained.

they could, uh, be stupid?

Wow.

With any luck, the *best* part about this will be the attack ads, that show lots of big bills being stuffed in the Repug’s shorts by stogie-smoking fat-cats. Now that’s entertainment!

Isn’t that how donations are traditionally taken at strip clubs? And the GOP is nothing if not the party of “tradition”.

That or the local strip clubs should offer rent boys in the toilets. Could even have some male strippers like some of the clubs in NO.

On the left.

I know. How could you be human and not sense that?

I keep thinking we should keep mum about what a dipshit McSame is until after he is actually nominated or else the Repugs are going to wise up, bang the gong and yank him off the stage. But it is impossible not to stay astonished. The only consolation is that one thing I have noticed about the Rs (mostly from my family) is that they are completely tonedeaf to sarcasm. So they probably won’t get it anyway.

the look on McSame’s face was beyond belief. Being in the presence of the Dalai Lama is an amazing thing. The man almost literally glows.

very shortly after Katrina hit, doofus-emeritus Larry King did a split-screen thing with the Dalai Lama and some fundie mega-church preacher (seriously - like they’re equals!!). The questions was “what are *you* doing about the Katrina catastrophe?” Preacher went on and on about money and essential items his congregations was sending (all good things, btw).

Then King asked the Dalai Lama the same question - his reply was “I am praying for them”. Larry looked at him like he was dog-dirt - dissed him the rest of the show.

And that’s the last time I ever watched Larry King.

Hate to take a contrary position, but I should point out that whatever else he may be, the Dalai Lama is an actual theocrat, unlike the fundies who are just theocratic wannabes. Personally I have serious reservations about that whole situation.

Thanks for saying this, I really mean that.

Well, if it gets Bibi Netanyahu into the PM’s spot, I’d say that the chances for a strike are increased greatly.

I assume that Tzipi Livni will get to lead Kadima.

We’ll see.

-G

How could you ever watch him? I always thought that his dentures were going to come flying out.

Easy for a theocon with no power to appeal to all & sundry.

He actually does still have considerable power over his followers in the exile community in India, though nothing like the absolute power he had in Tibet prior to the Chinese takeover.

… easy for theocracy to be garbed in robes and trumpet peace & meditation, so as to appeal to the peaceful nature in us …

I checked out the list….oh, yeah…Dave Reichert !!! What a man.
Darcy Burner’s most worthy opponent.
Guess it’s time to send Darcy a few more dollars.

Not to mention how his head rests vulture like between his rickety shoulders…..

Hello Memphis.

-G

So is the Dalai Lama a theocrat in the way the Taliban and Iranian mullahs are theocrats? I guess I always looked at him as a philosopher, and a cheerful one.

Well, I guess it goes to show you that religion is not always evil.

Same.
Petro, Dr. Dick - please tell us in a little detail why admiration for this guy is misplaced…

Yes and no. Prior to the Chinese takeover, Tibet was a theocracy run by the monks with the Dalai Lama at the head. I do not think that they were as brutal as the Taliban or as repressive as the Iranians, but I do not know much about the details. They were totally supported by taxes (tithing) levied on the peasants and their authority was absolute.

Dr. Dick is much more eloquent and learned in this subject than me so I will defer to him … my feeling is, it is ridiculous to pledge blind faith to any one person who claims to be God’s representative …

I am not saying he is not personally a good man. What I have heard him say I respect and admire. He does, however, represent an autocratic and potentially repressive system. There have been both good and bad Popes, Ayatollahs, kings, emperors, and the like. It is the system they represent and embody and from which they cannot be separated which troubles me .

As abhorrent as that kind of blind faith may be, and I don’t disagree, I would be interested to know if there was anything you could do to get you killed or jailed for life by speaking, if they attack their neighbors, if they repress and mutilate women, etc.

I always had the sense that the current Dalai Lama could have exercised much more power than he actually did, and that he bears a great load of responsibility for the welfare of the Tibetan people and grief for what they have experienced.

I personally have a great deal of respect for him.

I’m not sure where this is coming from - Buddhists are not even deists.

Not wanting to take this “Beers & Stripers” thread further down such a serious and sobering , I would suggest that you look at his ideas to see whether they place women as equals. Democracies are not perfect but properly governed democracies are far better than any other forms of governing in every aspect, including women’s rights. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer than the “one ruler” nations.

This would indicate that Tibet under the Lamas was rather far from sweetness and light. I myself am not familiar with the details of Tibetan history, but my knowledge of anthropology suggests that this is what I would expect. The author seems to have good scholarly and academic credentials. Autocracy invariably leads to strife, conflict, and excess by the rulers.

Are Buddhists authoritarians, i.e. do they believe their earthly leader has substantial power over them?

1,718 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Citizen Phoenix Woman:

Speakin’ of Norm Coleman…didja see the new Al Franken spot out with the 4th grad teacher and Al’s family? Coleman is gunna play hell posin as the “family values” candidate ‘cuz that’ll give the local press the okie doke ta shine a light on ol’ Norm’s predatory habits in Twin Cities saloons and his “wife’s” rather unconventional family values…don’tcha know. God I LOVE it!!!

KEEP THE FAITH AND KEEP YER EYES ON THE PRIZE…NO MORE FASCISM!!

strippers and beer

Petro & Dr D, I get your points about theocracy, absolute authority and blind faith and think they are valid whether the result is benevolent or not (which is the example we mostly hear of).

the times I have seen the Dalai Lama (on TV mostly), he has come across as truly benevolent (and glowing as RevDeb said), so I wonder if he were ever returned to power after all this time in exile whether he would resume the theocracy or institute democracy. What an idealist I am! it is a moot point anyway.

The short answer: no.

hey norske

There are many Buddhisms, with many different structures. Tibetan Buddhism recognizes the Dalai Lama as its supreme, infallible and divine leader. Most Buddhist sects have a less centralized structure.

Good evening, all…and Norske, it is good to see you!

So the reason for the extreme veneration of the Buddhists for the Dali Lama is his holiness, not his temporal power? What do they regard as the evidence for his holiness? The very primitive knowledge I have of the process is that the Dali Lama is chosen in childhood, and I wonder how holiness can be determined at an early age.

Truly a moot point - but he has been very strongly influenced by the west and I cannot imagine him try to restore a “theocracy” that he has in many ways been quite uncomfortable with.

And truly the greatest oppression has come from the Chinese, not Tibet’s traditional rulers.

As I said previously, I have seen nothing which indicates to me that the current Dalai Lama is anything but a good and devout man. He is, however, the beneficiary of a system which rather ruthlessly exploited the Tibetan peasants and enriched the Lamas. The current Dalai Lama still controls considerable wealth, though he seems to live rather modestly from what little I know.

He is considered to be the incarnation of the previous Dalai Lama.

His autobiography is very much worth reading, and explains how the selection process happened - sorry I forget the title.

1,718 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Firepup Freedom Fighters:

God I am sick to my stomach at the legitimacy that religion is given in the post modern, mass marketing world…I wanna see a truly advanced democrwatic political movement that does away with religion as a legitimate replacement for rational thought and decision makin’…There is a direct relationship between the existance of organized religion and war.

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION…LET GOD SORT ‘EM OUT!!

Here in Tampa, the outlaw stripper capital, the club owners(especially local institution Joe Redner ), seem to largely keep their money local, using it to defend themselves in the media, fund their own independent campaigns, and defend themselves in court.

The family values of republicans are this: you only have value based on your family connections. Period, end of story. Beloved Glorious Leader, case in point.

thanks for the link. A couple of wks ago my husband and I went to see the movie Mongol which was described in the SF Chronicle review as about “the human side of Ghenghis Khan.” Some days I don’t think all that much has changed from those days…and in that setting, Ghenghis Khan was a downright mensch. Sigh.

Then, there’s this…

GOP Senator Norm Coleman’s father in public sex bust

A report in this morning’s Roll Call shows that Norm Coleman, Sr., the father of Minnesota Republican Senator Norm Coleman, was arrested after he was caught having sex in public in St. Paul, Minnesota, RAW STORY has learned.

Coleman’s father was arrested for lewd and disorderly conduct after he was found having sex outside a pizzeria with 38-year old Patrizia Marie Schrag. Norm Coleman, Sr., is 81-years old.

From the comments to the Daily Kos diary linked in the first sentence of Phoenix Woman’s post above (see Norm “unconventional marriage” link)

Jonah Goldberg’s career explained in 25 words or less.

a truly advanced democratic political movement that does away with religion as a legitimate replacement for rational thought and decision makin’

All I can say is “Amen”.

must be why he didn’t go the stip club with the others - awkward running into dad and his latest yanno (/s)

The old adage always applies. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. There may be rare individuals who can resist the corruption, but over the long term autocracy of any sort ultimately leads to despotism. On the peaceful nature of Buddhists, one also needs to examine the role of the warrior monks and religious strife in China, Japan, and Sri Lanka in the past.

LOL !!!

Beloved Glorious Leader is beginning to look a little tattered around the edges. He is much grayer, has lots of lines in his face and they aren’t trotting him out much any more to mouth Cheney’s words. I think he will be glad when this is over for him.

Hallelujah, Brother! Preach it!

Man, when I get this darn book published, I’ve gotta visit CT in Paradise, then I’m gonna come and have a long chat with you over some Lamb Curry & Basmati …

This is my constant lecture to people … the difference between theory and actual practice …

Boy, I sure will be glad when it is over as well! My emotional fatigue is really showing.

doesn’t anyone want to talk about Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.)’s “unconventional marriage“? the kossacks had a lot to say about it, although I’m not sure they ever agreed on what was “unconventional” about it…they also had quite a dispute about whether Al Franken, in light of his writings for Playboy, is really such a good guy or not…

depends on who he is replaced with

Yep. Much to admire and respect in the teachings of Rabbi Yeshua al Nazarat (a big influence on my own moral growth and my conversion to socialism). Not going to hear any nice words from me about his modern representatives like Rev. Falwell or der Popen Fuhrer, however.

I suspect he’s going to sell the “show ranch” and all its brush to some other rich republican for about six times what he paid for it (and thus cement a legacy of his being a “genius” real estate investor) and move to a luxury condo in North Dallas where he can read books with big print and the Sunday funnies.

My guess, on his homeward-bound trip on whatever AF-One becomes when he’s taken back to Tejas, he’ll have a beer and won’t stop.

Am I wrong to hope so much?

what was that line bush used about laurabot looking in dallas - something about how he has had his say and now he gets no choice in the matter? can’t remember the exact wording but remember that dallas was a new location… rumor had been houston until he said dallas.

I generally try real hard not to think about Republican marriages. My own were disastrous enough.

absolutely not - i hope for the best but plan for the worst. tis my nature to do so. please don’t let my pessimism fork up your optimism.

Indeed. We have regressed in this country. Because I hang out mostly with scientists and most of my friends are atheists, the lack of rational thought is always a shock to me when I venture out of the bubble. When my husband who is from South America came to the US he was shocked at the number of churches…we lived in SoCal in a neighborhood where you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting a church with a name like “First Korean Baptist Church.” I think we are pretty much stuck with our history in this country in that the original colonists came here for “religious freedom” and we spent so much time recently with the godless commies as our main enemy, that it has evolved into the freedom of the religious to cram their religion down our throat. Freedom from religion would be a breath of fresh air.