It is about time people started to challenge the hypocrites on the right. All evil needs is for good men to do nothing.

Shorter Newt: I’m forgiven, so f*ck you!

“I hope you feel better about yourself…

Way to not address the question, you smug sonofabitch. Nice to see these wingnuts getting their asses kicked right out in the open, for a change.

Part of Newt’s quote:

I hope you feel better about yourself

Just to Note: I notice many rightwingers making similar types of comments to those who call the conservatives out on their bald-faced hypocrisy. this seems to be some kind of standard rightwing thinktank-devised “response” to bounce back the negativity onto those calling out the “IOKIYAR” bullshit.

Just want that to be duly noted.

I just responded to that, myself. I see conservatives constantly using this “defense” when called out on their hypocritical double-standards. Some rightwing thinktanks must’ve come up with this “strategy” bc I see it employed *often,* not just by sleazebag politicians, like Gingrich, but also by various bloggers. Just saying…

Shorter Newt: I’m forgivensaved, so f*ck you!

Fixed it for ya!

And Ya’ll Motherf*ckers need Jesus.

Isn’t that handy to have a “forgiving” dog. To paraphrase Kieth, “You Sir, are an idiot.”

I believe that it means “If you are doubting or questioning me then you must be mentally deranged but maybe letting out some of that anger will make you feel better, and who knows you may be cured some day and can vote for me”

That response is straight out of the wingnut playbook. Turn the issue to make it about the questioner. They teach it somewhere in schools. It’s been pulled on me twice. I’ve now learned to do it myself. Don’t know why I missed it way back when I went to school.

From Newt’s older quote:

It doesn’t matter what I live.

From nefarious Doug Coe’s playbook. You know: Doug Coe who founded the “christianist” Family/Fellowship, whose membership includes other known adulterers like Mark “Appalacian Trail” Sanford, John “Help Me Mommy & Daddy” Ensign, “Diaper” David Vitter, etc.

Doug Coe has carefully taught his elitist band of pols that there is one “christianist rule” for them, and a whole completely different cohort of rules that the serfs MUST follow, including the 10 Commandments (which, apparantly, “god” only “wrote those on the tablets” for serfs to follow.)

Got it? Just saying….

These wingnuts are good at staying on their scripts, I’ll give them that. So yes, probably some idiot think tank (Oxymoron? Nah.) probably came up with this Orwellian bullshit.

Exactly: turn it back onto the questioner and make it about THEM, not you. A load of bunk, I see conservatives *employing* that strategy a lot.

Republicans; lying ,thieving, two faced bastards need to be told to shut up and back off now.

They stole the presidency in 2000,

they stole the election machinery,

They stole Glass-Steagall,

they want to steal public education

and now want to steal collective bargaining rights.

They are America’s domestic enemies.

The point of asking these kinds of Qs is to embarrass the speaker, not for the A you get. Wingnuts should face these Qs relentlessly (since the corp media won’t do it), and thanks for the ‘bright young woman’ for doing so.

Convincing themselves that everyone else is as depraved as they are is the only way they can manage to sleep at night,

Yep. It’s part and parcel of the same strategy that politicians and pundits employ to delegitimize the person who points that kind of thing out. They try to tar the questioner and reduce their credibility. Eric Alterman tried to do the same thing to me in the book salon when he tried to equate a comment I made with Ralph Nader calling Obama “an Uncle Tom”, when I never even mentioned Nader so it’s not just a right wing trick.

Thanks, BT: good “catch.” Not that this bit of truth-telling will make one whit of difference to conservative voters. They have been very carefully taught that, if it’s one of “their own” tribe: IOKIYAR always applies. Doesn’t matter how often these clowns are caught with their pants down, if they’re Republican, then they are “forgiven” and all is right in this world. A load of crap, but that’s how it plays with the Tea Party.

I think it’s more a suggestion that the question doesn’t have merit because it’s an attack or an insult. He’s calling the questioner childish or immature to even mention his behavior and gays getting married. I read it more as “You think you’re better than me, but I’m the one standing up here. I’m beyond reproach. Now do you have that out of your system? Good, let’s move in.”

Newt this is sex it sells you can’t avoid this men look at you and think if I get rich and powerful I can still get women even if I’m ugly and let myself get morbidly obese.
Women look at you and think thank god the economy is not that bad for me… yet.
There is no way you can deflect attention from this. Heck if we had photos of Newts ex wives and mistresses this post would get much more attention.

What makes Newt think that God has forgiven him? And THREE times? I don’t think so.

I also notice that women are more likely to challenge authority by asking these kinds of Qs. Whistleblowers also tend to be disproportionately female, given their lower position in the hierarchy.

A religious version of Straussianism?

…so it’s not just a right wing trick

of course, you’re correct about that, but I definitely see this trick employed most often by conservatives when they’re “busted” by facts.

If you recall, folks from Philly spare no one, not even Santa Claus.

Forgiveness assumes a desire a sincere desire not to do such a thing again and if possible at least try and make up for what you have done.

The point of asking these kinds of Qs is to embarrass the speaker, not for the A you get.

I completely agree, and I also agree that these kinds of questions should be asked relentlessly. Just wanted to point out, though, that Newt stuck the conservative playbook with his response, which is what I often get from conservatives when they’re confronted with “facts” which refute their position.

I hope others call out Newt often on his sanctimonious hypocrisy.

Not sure, as I’m unfamiliar with that philosophy.

Only because the right wingers are more often wrong about facts.

Anyone who wants insight into Gingrich should read Max Blumenthal’s “Republican Gomorrah”, which was an FDL Book Salon pick. Not a pretty picture.

Shorter Newt: I have two heads and two tongues, so deal with it.

If you get a chance for a follow up, I would say something like: I noticed you turned the question back on how I feel. This is not about how I feel, but about how you hypocritically put yourself forward as a moral authority.

Yes, it is something like that: a way to belittle the question and the questioner to deflect attention from the merit of the question, itself. As in: don’t look at that man behind the curtain (or something like that).

I first read that as “Republican Gonorrhea”..

I don’t think he has said anything of importance yet. I do know he is quite a lying hypocrite.

Exactly. I have employed a similar technique in private conversations with conservatives who have tried to pull this kind of thing on me. THAT is the best response: Hey, this is NOT about ME (who asked you the question), it’s about the moral authority that you propose you represent. What about that??

Or Republican Diarrhea.

Well, yes, that is true, too (heh).

Two U.S. female authors are facing a huge backlash after claiming that feminists love divorce because they find it ‘liberating’.
Phyllis Schlafly and Suzanne Venker said some women like splitting from their husbands so they can be independent and duck their duties as a mother.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1359899/Escape-husband-duck-duties-mother-Feminists-face-furious-backlash-flippant-comments.html

Phyllis Schlafly views on Newt, Senators Vitter, Ensign, Craig, ex Rep Mark Foley, ex Gov Mark Sanford etc etc vs that one gay Dem rep who resigned last year I think thats our only recent Dem sex scandal would be interesting
I think its rich powerful men who want divorce.
I think if poor and middle class families could make enough money so that one parent could afford to stay home with the kids divorce in this country would drop except for the ultra rich.

He isn’t polling well among Rs. Don’t think he has much of a chance even if he thinks God is on his side.

Agree completely. We already know what the answer is, anyway. The point is to publicly and repeatedly humiliate them, preferably when cameras are rolling. That whole “viral video” thing can do a lot of damage…

He’s a cheater.

What did the big dude say to the woman at the well something like, is there no one left to condemn you neither do I

Money quote” Go and sin no more”.

Got it grinch

C&L says that Walker is going to “address the media” at 2:30. I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that the fake Koch has him stone busted trying to lure Democrats back under false pretenses, admitting that he considered placing agent provocateurs in with the demonstrators and joked about using a baseball bat on the Democratic Senators?
Wish the fake Koch had asked him about the website they were using going down.
Gotta click down. The media announcement is in the updates.

More likely he’s gonna announce that he’s calling out the national guard.

Except he doesn’t have the authority to do so unilaterally. Gates has to sign off on it too. Those guys and gals are paid by American taxpayers, not just Wisconsin ones.
On edit:
It wouldn’t surprise me though to find out that he doesn’t know that.

Wanker may be even stupider than the average wingnut, but that’s not really saying much. It’s a race to the bottom for these assholes…

When did legal authority get in the way of a R, let along a TPer.

Has Obama appointed Newt to anything yet?

I think he’ll say the same things his office has already said in their statement. “He didn’t do anything wrong, shows his dedication, same thing in private as in public” yada yada yada.

Well if the C.O. obeys such an (unlawful) order, he’s going to lose more than his command.

Think a ruling elite who must lie to the dumb masses who don’t understand the way the world works they pretend morality to keep us inline. Neocons love Strauss because they assume that they are the Elite and despite evidence such as losing 2 wars, the economy etc their Elite Status means they are always right.

Gates works for Obama. He’ll give Walker what he wants.

Salamander-in-chief.

Well, OK, riot police with live ammunition.

Maybe but if so, we should all know where the order ultimately comes from.

Is that 2:30 Eastern or Central Time? Don’t wanna miss the Grand Weasel.

admitting that he considered placing agent provocateurs in with the demonstrators

Ok I am not paranoid? I don’t own a tin foil hat??? Great Catchforget recall we might have grounds for impeachment.

Divorce as such is a recent liberal (and liberating) contribution to civic society. Gingrich isn’t so much a hypocrite as he’s a welfare queen.

In that case: yes. Sounds about right. Certainly there is *ample evidence* that the elites agree amongst themselves that it’s quite alright to lie and lie incessantly to fool the masses into going along with them… and hey: sadly, it works quite reliably with a huge portion of the population. More’s the pity…

Wisconsin State Journal reporting the Walker punk.

I’m hoping for the best, but I betcha that Walker ends up being like Teflon and having this incident roll off of him. I hope I’m wrong, but let’s face it: the Kochs will pay zillion$$ to pump out the propoganda, and rightwingers will *ignore* the facts as usual bc they’ve been brainwashed into believing the Unions are “evil.” So: any means to the end will satisfy the Tea Party (in fact, they’ll probably grovel at Walker’s feet for sucking up to the Kochs).

We shall see… but I won’t hold my breath for Walker really having to “pay” for his stupidity and cupidity.

I’m assuming Central but like Mubarak, Gaddafi and Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa, I don’t expect this despot to be on time either.

Now you owe welfare recipients and queens everywhere an apology.

heh… good call.

Newtie will be taking a page out of the Chimp’s book next and pre-screening questions,

The upside to the Walker punk is that the Koch name is flushed out into the open. Cockroaches work best in the dark, so the Koch’s can’t be very pleased about this.

The GOP needs Walker to make this to go away they don’t need another weekend of protesters on tv. They don’t need Libya, Egypt and Wisconsin protests linked in the public mind. Mubarak was unknown but Gaddafi? Walker getting compared to Gaddafi brings down the whole GOP brand name and well look at how many words like protests, riots, unhappy workers etc are used to describe Libya, Egypt and Wisconsin.
Egypt fell if Libya falls people will wonder if Wisconsin is next. Sometimes it is best to withdraw from a fight if the GOP has anyone smart running the show they will withdraw now if not I get popcorn and watch the show.

OT –

Marcy on Twitter –

emptywheel RT @peterdaou: A UN First — Both Israel and Palestine Co-Sponsor Resolution Condemning Libya Violence http://shar.es/3ejdF
11 minutes ago via TweetDeck
Retweeted by cbl2

I’ll betcha he already does. That’s why things like this only happen every once in a while.

Despots under stress not being on time I wonder if that is a characteristic they as the only real decision makers must want to avoid decisions they don’t want to make and have nobody to turn to when times get rough plus nobody can make them show up on time.

Talk about multiple hypocrises.

What’s next for him then? Making potential questioners sign a release acknowledging that they understand they will be tasered if they ask a question other than the approved one?

Dunno but it’s a great name for a new sitcom:
“Stay tuned for another hilarious episode of ‘The Tardy Dictators’”.

What’s next for him then? Making potential questioners sign a release acknowledging that they understand they will be tasered made out with if they ask a question other than the approved one?

This is hell.

Hope so. The Koch name *is* getting more play even in the corporate-owned media, but I’m not sure how much the serfs are “getting it.” So I agree: any publicity about these John Bircher crooks is a good thing.

Besides, I think their being late is just a way to maintain some control in a situation in which they have totally lost control. Watch. Walker will be late…

Mr. Gingrich’s hypocrisy reveals that he doesn’t believe what he says. He says it to garner political power, which he will use for purposes unrelated to his publicly advocated priorities. He says what he says to become powerful. He won’t help who says he speaks for when he gets it. Like Russian oligarchs (thank you, Jane, for that analogy), he’ll help himself.

you’re ona roll… made me laugh!

Folks that think they can come to FDL and not receive some penetrating questions amuse me. Last Sunday’s book salon was one I was content to merely watch while eating some popcorn. :-)

EWWW!
BRAIN BLEACH!

I normally just read also because almost always, I’m trying to see if the book is worth spending my meager money on but I was a fan of Alterman…until I discovered what kind of dismissive, self important person he really is.

Exactly. Not only applies to Gingrich but to most in positions of power, which would be *useful* for *all* citizens to recognize & understand… those in power will say *whatever it takes* to maintain their power and control. They don’t really give a sh*t about the meaning and intention of what they say. It’s all about the Kabuki Show.

Frankly, this plays out in the microcosm of everyday life – esp at work, but also in families – as well. It’s too bad that more people don’t grasp this simple fact of life.

Newt forgave himself and was saved by Murdock.

IOKIYAR P = It’s Okay If You’re A Prick

Because Gingrich seems to have the righteous messiah complex so often observed in authoritarian social dominators, his last quote is apt.

“People need to hear what I have to say. There’s no one else who can say what I can say. It doesn’t matter what I live.”

This is precisely the Christian life lesson to take away from the Gospels. It is the complete disregard for Christian acts, as opposed to authoritarian diktats, that Jesus so often tried to get across to his disciples. And it explains why his dad listened to his plea in the Garden of Gethsemane and allowed him to escape crucifixion.

He is a liar and a cheat … and those are his redeeming qualities !

OTOH, his run for Office would make for lots of fun, esp if Trump steps in the Circus Ring.

It’s a classic re-direct of the incoming attack. Every martial art style teaches a variation of this defense. Newt’s a world class narcissist, so he does all this shit with absolutely no conscience. Standard modern pol and Corporatist.

That’s a super turn-off but it’s a real public service for such to be unmasked. All things considered, I decided there are other more worthy causes to which I can apply my pesos. I can dig for his stuff in our (fortunately superb) local library or in the remaindered section of our humongous bookstore if I really want it.

Yay! Isabel Friedman, student and president of Penn Democrats at the University of Pennsylvania, for asking Gingrich that great question!

Heh. Never having studied any martial arts, I never thought about it in that context, but of course you’re perfectly right. Furthermore, I’ve never understood much about how the concept works in martial arts (thought I’ve done a lot of sports, so I kinda sorta can think about how it might work), so your comment also illuminates that for me.

Firepups:

Everyone of these phony, self-righteous, corrupt, sycophants needs to be called out at every public forum and our “kids” in school need ta do the callin’. It’s kinda like workin’ up their chops, if we ken hold onto the perimeter then we give the kids time to get it together to throw the bums back to Weimar Germany where they belong.

Pompas Asshole is a truer description. I have never seen any other author act that way on our Book Salons…

;)

Norske !

I’ve been reading your great comments at the rallies, but not live. How are you doing ?

Gingrich, from the quotes posted by BT, and your experience with Alterman are examples of how one recognizes ideologues: they are not interested in dialogue, compromise, questions, or collectively beneficial, pragmatic solutions. They have to be right, sinless, victorious at all costs, and thoughtlessly protect their articles of faith. This attitude, coupled with its aggressive application and the personal insecurity that is the root of fundamentalism of any stripe, is what makes these folks so dangerous to the majority of their fellow humans.

Do you read John Ralston Saul?

experience with Alterman are examples of how one recognizes ideologues:

Which is why I left book salon after I got told “Read the book x2″ at the 10th comment. Watching mindless TV is a better way to spend one’s time than suffering a narcissist ideologue.

David Dayen has a fresh cross-post ready: Again, Scott Walker’s Budget Repair Bill Is NOT About the Budget

I’ve seen it happen before. Such folks simply embarrass themselves, even skewer their credibility or are unmasked for being something they pretend they are not. Such exposure is an important public service for a whole host of reasons.

Your point is evidenced in Gingrich’s dismissal of his past as irrelevant. If one thinks they are an indispensable messiah, it doesn’t leave much room for honest self-reflection.

What turbo charged hubris. How does this malignant toad think he has ANY chance of being President? His disapproval rating is in Palin territory and rising. Move off the stage you odious fat f**k.

I read that interview with Gingrich’s ex-wife, too. What a f*%kwad he is.

that certainly isn’t his opinion of himself.

Exactly!!!

I “GONG” anyone who insists that they can be a credible “messenger” despite their actions. Gimme a break (the bunneh-of-disapproval look). :-(

Elliott !

Newt just needs to convince 60 million Americans to see him his way, and he’ll be the next POTUS … we’ll see how much God helps him …

Petro!!

Ha!

Yes, Mr. Alterman was remarkably thin-skinned. He disdained criticism of Mr. Obama as readily as he did the task of every author on a book tour, which is to pithily restate arguments he had pursued at length in his book. A more confident, professional guest would have briefly done that, then answered other questions. Instead, Mr. Alterman desperately wanted to tell the class to read their assignment, his book, while he went to sit in the back of the lecture hall and read the funny papers.

Gingrich’s hypocrisy is merely a more extreme example of the kind of hypocrisy employees here from their CEO’s at every employee meeting.

You gotta admit, Newt and Trump in the ’12 race would be far more entertaining than Tancredo and Thompson …

heh

Didja see that PBO is catering more and more to our ideals ?

Must be getting close to Election Season …

Mr. Gingrich,

She does feel better about herself. She admonished you and good for her. She made God smiled.

Now, about your response regarding forgiveness. I believe in a forgiving God too but He holds both of us to account for walking in cheap grace.

Knowingly repeating the same sin and still believing in yourself as a role model would be Webster’s-like definition of cheap grace.

If he was a democrat, they would have disowned him years ago. The only place such a ethically bankrupt creature as Newt Gingrich is allowed to exist is the party of the amoral majority… The republican party.

I think you’re confusing forgiveness with contrition.

Newt thinks the first is his right and due from God. And as a conservative and a republican forgiveness is automatically granted.

The second? A contrite Newt? To show sorrow, atone for injuries and a firm intention not to commit the same sin again? Not in this lifetime.

Yeah, it was dissappointing that Alterman’s argument contained a glaring paradox that he did not address, and that in general his comments were more didactic than explanatory.

HA! :)
Yeah, actions tend to count, too.

and thanks for the ‘bright young woman’ for doing so.

Ubetcha! Luvs me that young lady.

Ghost,

You are absolutely correct. One day I was clicking around and got to the Kardashians in time for Kim to be whining about her sex tape. The only truth that came out of that little episode was when the Mom said, “No, Kim, everybody does not make sex tapes”.

Typical Rethuggery. Typical Newtonian bullshyte.

Newtie is one of SEVERAL Rethugs who looks as though he could drop dead of cardiac arrest at any given moment. Sure would enjoy it. For ALL of them, ANY of them, yes, too, also, you betcha~

earlofhuntingdon@77
onitgoes@82

Are you talking about Obama?

This is our best way to fight back against the gop! We need to go out and tie the republicans, kochs and their agenda to qaddaffi and mubarak. Let the American public see once and for all the fascism that drives teapublicanism! Keep fighting Wisconsin, don’t stop marching until muwalker caves like the filthy weasel he truly is!!!

Late to the party…busy today…

The reason this kind of questioning is important is because the people who actually decide elections–the folks in the so-called “middle” or “independents”–may get the hypocrisy and outright lies. They are less likely to take the lying SOB at his word.
Keep asking the hard questions that expose their lies.

Newt thinks the first is his right and due from God. And as a conservative and a republican forgiveness is automatically granted.

I don’t think so. I think he–and a lot of other Repubs–USE religion as a way to cut through the messy deal with The Truth. A lot of religious folks are programmed to accept mythological stories as God-given facts with absolutely zero evidence or proof. To appeal to the Believers, the GOPers introduce Republican beliefs in the context of–or actually part of–Christan religious positions, therefore bypassing logical analysis.

It’s clever, but it’s still a pack of lies, and it’s particularly odorous because it USES a person’s spiritual beliefs, like a virus, to deliver a hidden set of political actions.