So in regards to deeper meanings, I’m not looking for any. God bothering politician turns out to be comical dishwater hypocrite, why, goodness, whoever could have imagined what a shock gracious golly good grief burp. And that’s about it. To put this another way, I’d always considered Sanford sort of a clown, so when he behaved clownishly, I chuckled. I had always been certain that he lived where motley is worn, and shazam! I was right. Nothing changed utterly, a farcical press conference was born. To borrow a phrase.
So imagine my surprise to discover, via Red State, where I often learn similarly surprising things about The Left, that to us — to me — the Sanford Affair is of World Historical Importance.
So many hopes have devolved on the next generation, the 50-and-under Republicans, many of them in state government or in the House: Sanford, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio, Pat Toomey.
Among that younger generation, Sanford stood out as the most experienced, and has compiled a strong record not only of principle but of public integrity, from leaving Washington after three terms in Congress to battling his own party back home over spending….
The Left, of course, sensing the removal of an obstacle to ever-greater social control, is ecstatic at Sanford’s downfall.
I had no idea, myself. Frankly, I am totally thrilled by the prospect of any of those folks seizing the banner of the Conservative Movement, because I quite enjoy laughing at wingnuts. Or, more concisely, I’m even less worried about Sarah Palin than I ever was about Mark Sanford. No, honestly.
The other great thing about that Red State post is the stuff about how banning abortion and keeping gays from marrying aren’t nearly the threat to personal liberty as seat-belt laws. These are very silly people.
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thersday!
Thersday!
Evening.
Nuts, must change diaper. BRB, after I apply for a Superfund grant. What the HELL was he eating…
“Public integrity?” We’re talking about the man who went AWOL to visit his mistress on the taxpayers’ dime, right?
Thersday!! And liberations day! (Summer school officially ended).
My only reaction to Sanford was, “Oh, another hypocritical talibangelical Republican sex scandal. *Yawn*”
As to Ms Palin, Cantor, and Jindal, Bring ‘em on! Please! That would be the most entertainment since the circus was in town.
wicked evil laugh and innocent look – what did you feed the child, thers?
Well, they are Republicans after all. This is as close as they come.
Well, they still got Hard Right Xhristopath Rubio, but Rubio has to get by Charlie Christ. That’s a tall mint julep.
It’s gonna be Mittmo Romnutz. Might as well start preparing the oppo research and communications right now.
And if Awshucksabee joins The Tax Whisperer, well that would require some effort on our parts.
If one were to take this episode seriously, one would have to be sorry for a man whose life is so bereft of meaning that he couldn’t talk to his wife (re servant) about the meaningful things in his life.
They’re nothing if not consistent.
Hey Dr. Dick,
I asked last night after you’d departed if you really think l’affaire Sanford and other ‘thug sex scandals are locus-of-control problems.
Well, loot and pillage is their governing philosophy.
I can’t take this seriously. I think Stewart had it right last night when he got out his soda and popcorn for Sanford’s presser…
And later, I wrote a parody of Maria that’s up at Oxdown now.
Viking in the third boat to another Viking: “Why do we always get rape? Just once, I want to get pillage or plunder…”
I honestly think that is part of it. It also underlies a lot of their authoritarian impulses. They need the “strong daddy” to control them and assume everyone else does as well.
They’re like Vikings, but with better PR people.
It is in their political DNA. Look at all the great political scandals like The Grant administration and Teapot Dome.
I thought about it quite a bit and came to the conclusion that it does make sense. They’re running around with a major external l.o.c., and suddenly they are the boss. There’s no one to tell them, “no, that’s not a good idea,” so they do it. For politicians it’s probably worse, because they’re surrounded by sycophants who tell them their stuff doesn’t stink.
Then again, they are on occasion hilarious.
Is being mean also an authoritarian factor? I assume so, in the company of Coulter, Laura, Rush, Dick, Rummy, etc etc etc. Just a few….
Especially when they are not in a position to create major havoc on the populous at large.
Everyone hold your comments until Thers finishes changing his diaper. (TMI?)
Did someone say Vikings?
http://media.photobucket.com/i…..ings-1.jpg
I think the authoritarian comes from the fact that they are rather mean spirited people to begin with. They also have mindset that forces them to identify enemies whom they can demonize and blame for all the problems in the world.
Taking Sanford’s presser seriously is not necessary. Just a hypothetical.
hey bonkers – the package arrived yesterday. thank you for the referral – the stuff is great
Taking Sanford’s presser seriously is not
necessarypossible.There, fixed it.
Fortunately his wrong turn on the Appalachian Trail appears to have taken one of the major disasters of Republican Governance out of play.
Has there been any noise out of South Carolina about an impeachment investigation? The news tonight has been all Michael Jackson all night. Even the so-called meteorologist delivering the alleged weather report got some stuff in about MJ.
Spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam, spammity SPAM, wonderful SPAM…
I have seen a couple of stories about political leaders there, including some Republicans, calling on him to resign, but nothing about impeachment. Apparently abandoning his post like that is an actual impeachable offense.
Taking Sanford’s presser seriously is not
necessary possibledesirable.As long as we’re wordsmithing…
I don’t know, he must have ate a bug or something. That was gross. Now he’s asleep on my shoulder, cat-like. What a weird kid.
The bright side of Michael Jackson’s death is that it may cast a shadow over Sarah Palin’s latest attention grab.
Shut up!
Bloody Vikings…
We’ve ham eggs sausage ham an’ spam. That’s no’ go’ much spam in it.
*not saying a word*
Sanford must be saying a great big thank you to MJ
Is oppo research really necessary? Let him talk = oppo research.
Down on his knees thanking his plastic Jeebus.
Besides the Talibangelicals hate his funny underwearing guts. He ain’t going nowhere, even if he gets the nomination.
I would imagine so.
The guy I really feel sorry for today is Ryan O’Neal. His wife dies after her struggle, and today and tomorrow’s entertainment news should have been her. He would have his opportunity for whatever public mourning and tribute to her he wanted to make.
Instead, MJ dies this afternoon and in death as in life, she’s a B-list actress.
lard love a duck – do ya think they will be stuck with jeb?
OT, please. This am I heard Ingraham doing a piece on super rich kids in NYC….ridiculing their $$ habits, lack of values, their boredom with life at a very early age. I wondered if she connected that that’s the group, parents, who could spare their largess into making health care affordable.
I did not hear her say that.
I’m also not worried about Sarah Palin being in the Public Eye either. She may not be doing herself any favors by, like, reminding people of her existence, as far as her political ambitions go.
Sounds like another non-starter to me. The Bush name is going to be tarnished in the voters’ minds for a bit more than four years.
Honestly don’t know who the Rethugs will front next round. They really have a pathetically weak field and suffer from severe internal divisions. I doubt that it will be Jeb, still too much Bush fatigue, but nobody else really stands out either. Jindal and Palin are really walking jokes, though they appeal to a certain constituency. Huckabee is a contender, but the money boys hate his guts and could starve him out of the race.
I’m also not worried about Vikings, insofar as they may be lead by Mr. Favre…
And never will.
Of course not. It’s better to raise children with a complete sense of ennui rather than respect and reverence toward life, than it is to provide social benefits for people out of the shallow end of the gene pool.
These people really are the worst sorts of social Darwinists since the German General Staff in 1915.
After coming to the NRA convention in Phoenix and been given a .50 caliber semi-automatic rifle I am sure she is busy killing God’s creatures that were put in Alaska for her to shoot.
Spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam…
Someone gave that moonbat a Barrett?
WTF were they thinking?
I sort of love it when Newt gets mentioned….the new Harold Stassen, I guess. He’s the Momma Dearest of the political realm.
Who said they were thinking? This is the NRA we are talking about.
Petraeus running in 2016 is all they got.
Newt might have a shot at the nomination, as do Palin and Jindal, but all three would be toast in the general. As I said before, Palin and Jindal are national jokes and Newt is as cuddly as a barracuda with leprosy.
It can’t be Newt. The Repug’s decided in 1998 that having something on the side was a disqualifier for the presidency. Newt’s got way too deep a history of philandering to win the primaries.
That could actually work for them. Second best shot I think is Huckabee. Doubt that he would win and don’t know about Patraeus’ chances.
I also was sort of thinking about Sanford & Palin….She doesn’t seem to much like her marriage either.
What was I thinking? NRA == Neural Reactions Afunctional.
OT: Colbert tonight does a number on the GOoP’s anumerate Health Care Reform proposal.
NRA == Neural Reactions Absent.
Thanks Thers.
Anyone link to the Rocket Man Sanford parody yet?
So you think Palin wants to boink Sanford?
I agree about Newt….but I get a headache at how he keeps showing up…That disqualifer rule seems to have a very short life span.
The Left, of course, sensing the removal of an obstacle to ever-greater social control, is ecstatic at Sanford’s downfall
Yes, so ecstatic in fact that we spent ten million dollars on investigations trying to find something to use for impeachment. Oh wait…
Do we get to see them tossed into a bear-baiting pit to determine who’s on top?
I don’t want to watch the subsequent act, but the determination might be fun to watch.
Thanks. Major improvement.
A 50-caliber “Beowulf.”
It is her alright.
I don’t think he is troglodyte enough for her taste.
Oh I used to LOVE having a baby sleep on my shoulder!
What are you drinking EDP?
O Dear I wasn’t really thinking that ;). Just what a cute couple…he’s way younger than McCranky.
I’m looking forward to grandkids doing that. Just not anytime soon.
Probably use it to hunt rabbits – from an airplane.
Water.
Now you’re scared.
Already have two and they are long past that at 11 and 13.
“Nothin’ left of Foofoo but a thick red spray, you betcha!”
Not me! Not for another 10 years.
Instant tartare.
That reminds me. I need to cook some more elk burgers soon.
I’ve got a very nice of Jornada Water Company 2009 for you… very low Ar levels this year…
It’s been real, but it’s time for me to turn in. Peace out, y’all!
Think I will head out. Take care all.
Lt. Countertenor got married a couple of months ago to Capt (now)Countertenor. We told them there is no particular hurry for grandchildren.
‘night EDP and DrD.
waving g’nite to the leaving sleepy pups
Am I the last Dr. standing tonight?
Those two leaving together? Again??
Me too, Niters!
Since we haven’t finished the HS thing around here yet, NO BABIES!
That looks like it might be a reasonable cartridge… for hunting elephant or cape buffalo. No game in NA, though.
You sound like my mom around that time. “For god’s sake,” she said, “don’t go get some girl pregnant!”
g’nite thers – baby sleeping on shoulder will do that to ya
NBC has a special on Farrah…. no MJ…..
What gets me about Sandford is that he booked a 10 day trip using skymiles….. HE decided that he could be awol from being the chief executive of a state facing hurricane season and other disasters without notifying anyone…….. 10 days!
Sleep well. Enjoy that baby.
i think i heard ko say there would be an hour special on mj followed by an hour special on farah.
Saw that a few hours ago. Wonderful show. Wonderful woman. Did you have a chance to read my tribute to her?
Hey, given his performance as Governor, I think it’s possible that SC was better off with him AWOL.
Kind of like we were better off when Dubya was on vacation.
I want to know when someone is going to ask for impeachment……. not handing over his executive authority is a violation of his oath but then I happen to be a stickler for details
the lt gov was not a happy camper when he was on rachel mon.
Well, katy, you know IOKIYAAR and all.
But while there have been calls for him to do the honorable thing and resign, no one seems to be using the “I” word publicly. Personally, I think it would be a serious stroke of karma if he were impearched. If impeached I expect he’d be convicted in the State Senate, but that’s not based on any real knowledge.
Also, this isn’t the first time he’s pulled the AWOL stunt. After becoming Governor, he joined the National Guard (someone needs to ’splain that to me — he’s the titular commander of the SCNG and SCANG). When he was gone on military duty he didn’t transfer power to the Lt.Gov.
So the Lege has overlooked this behavior before.
Finally, with a year and half to go in his term, after this little episode he’s no longer a lame duck. He’s a crippled duck. After all the drama surrounding him recently, the SC Lege might just want to leave that crippled duck in place. Impeaching him would put the Lt. Gov. into the office, and he’d run as an incumbent in 2010. Leave Sanford in place and it’s an open seat.
So, watch and learn, weedhopper.
The word is that Sanford and Lt. Gov have been on the outs for quite a while. SC elects the offices separately, so there’s never any assurance that the two can share a sandbox.
There are a lot of legal things about this, the Lt Gov even with Sanford missing, had no authority to take over unless they legally declared him MIA ….. just think the chain …… disaster and lt gov calls or his staff to deal with it and some bubba sheriff says on whose authority?
They’re like Vikings, but without the gravitas
better PR people.But… but… but… he was just a cell phone call away.
That was the defense he used. Which suggests that someone in the Governor’s office was not misled about his actual location.
but he is a white boy from south carolina and a republican. All he has to do is ask God for his forgiveness and all is well.
I’m sure it would be ok with South Carolinians for Obama to take over their state in order to get the Nat’l Guard in for emergencies.
;)
plus he knows the secret handshake.
the thunderstruck look on the lt govs face when rachel asked what happens if the gov doesn’t show up tomorrow said it all.
Get it…… at least I am reading and hearing this issue…..
btw I feel great…… 2 units of blood really helps, I could do errands, go out to lunch and not drag my ass back to the house..
That was the defense he used. Which suggests that… he is stupid.
hurray Katymine. Energy is a great thing. Blood, too.
“Can you hear me know?”
I thought it was a foot wiggle under the men’s room stall divider!
thank goodness for blood donors katy :)
Some kind of wiggle from some body part.
I think that Jennifer is the brains in that outfit.
The Sanford’s political marriage does not appear to me to be Bill and Hillary in R-ideology.
& the money behind his campaigns.
Yep. Cannot image Mrs. Sanford becoming Sec of State.
betcha her daddy made sure there was a prenup
Bless all the blood donors and hope they get stars in heaven for their special gifts..
The question is do they have prenups in Argentina?
That’s because if there is a gracious God, there won’t be another R president in my lifetime.
he would end up living in his mistresses apt with her two kids because i bet the prenup says he don’t get squat if his dick wanders during the marriage.
why is there no mention of Farrah on huffpo? it is MJ all over it?
I was never a fan of either, liked some of MJ songs but the battle and courage that Farrah fought cancer is more important than some 50 yr old has been having a heart attack (am I being a little harsh or bias?)
It’s not clear how much money Sanford has himself, but he’s got some non-negligible resources. Per his wiki bio he grew up on a big SC plantation and still owns the farm.
katy – didja see this ox diary?
given the length of the marriage he would have to pay alimony and then there is also the child support for the 4 boys. add in the reduction in lifestyle without her daddy’s money and he would not be having the easy ride he had before mucking it all up.
My nomination for wackiest MJ tribute so far today:
“You have to look back to Mozart to find another prodigy like him.” That was from some Professor of African American Studies at Princeton (or another Ivy.)
MJ wasn’t even the best African-American composer (okay, songwriter) of the 20th C. He doesn’t stack up against the likes of Louis Moreau Gottschalk or William Grant Still on the legit side, or Quincy Jones, Thad Jones, John Lewis or others on the pop side.
My daughter put in 6 yrs as a cardiac nurse. Lost some in their thirties.
Suzanne is diving into the Lake upstairs!
yes but that is fine. MJ was weird. He had an impact on the culture along time ago. Farrah had an impact most recently
and was a healthier person. Not hard to do. I resent the amount of time given to any dead entertainer. I want to know what happened today in Iran.
Maybe. A lot’s going to depend on how she handled their finances. The trust fund will be her sole-and-separate property, but separate maintenance and child support computations will get whacked if she was commingling that income in joint accounts.
I’ll bet Michelle Bachmann is a Vikings fan!
But then again, I can’t see John Boehner crying on the shoulder of a Viking.
Funny. They might impeach Sanford for leaving, but if we could we would’ve impeached Bush for coming back. LOL
Ya figure there more of an X & O couple?
X for Christian and
O for Opportunist?
I too have no compunction about yucking it up at Sanford’s expense. First, it amuses me. Second, I think it has a valuable social function.
Morality aside (his is none of my business), the best way to keep people from dropping their pants where they shouldn’t (and thereby frightening the public’s horses) is to laugh and point. Yeah, Sanford and Red State want his fall from fundie grace for a serpent in a siren’s black dress to be Paradise Lost in Gone-with-the-Wind costume–momentous, epoch making, tragic–and only unintentionally cheezy. But it isn’t anything so grand to me. Smarmy, yes. Embarrassing, yeah really–but not for me. I can enjoy it. Hee hee (point)!