America’s Dummy Belt

We are a land of many ‘belts’: the Bible Belt, the Rust Belt, the Sun Belt, to name a few.

But watching the near dissolution of our political institutions and our international reputation as a scientific, medical, and cultural leader at the hands of ideologically puritanical and intellectually useless base idiots, the time has come to name another of America’s ‘belts’: the DUMMY BELT.

This belt encompasses a swath of the United States that, were it drop-kicked from the Union, would instantly join the likes of Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau among the world’s most primitive societies. A grotesque mutation joining Iranian theocracy and Central African poverty would emerge, despoiling the planet and setting back global progress a dozen generations merely by existing …

Article:
America’s Dummy Belt

1) Was Michelle even there? Bat got her tongue?

2) He’ll run in Florida on a no-tax, God’s annoited, anti-abortion platform. I doubt the senior vote can overcome that.

3) You notice he didn’t answer the question about innocence, but instead veared off into cop killers. Still, he spent a lot of tax money on those executions so it’s good that he’s happy.

4) Preview of tonights GOP response “NO!!!!” “HELL NO” “HELL NO AND GO BACK TO CHICAGO”

5) There’s a story that will be violently ignored by the MSM.

Boxturtle (Hell no and go back to Chicago may be the correct response)

The plan would be paid for partly by closing corporate loopholes and raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans in the future

Just as soon as EFCA is enacted and the Fourth Amendment becomes Administration policy.
Game over.

Good morning BT and firepups,
So Christie thinks that the dems are “stupid” in his state. I wonder how the news of his remarks is sitting with them today after they went along with his cuts.

Gods, Christie is a nasty piece of work.

Hej pupses and thank you, BT

So Christie thinks that the dems are “stupid” in his state

They went along with his cuts. I’d say Christie is on pretty firm ground with that statement.

Boxturtle (In their defense, the Dems here in Ohio ain’t that much brighter)

Christie is what the Koch’s have in mind for us as the future of our country. Somehow, the thought of that is worse than even 2012.

Thanks, BT
a note on last night;

everyone kept a really sane public face on. I think a lifetime of speaking before groups that know you have hex stuff on your underwear has served Mitt well.

You probably can’t find that stuff at the local department store. I’d like to see a pair….or is it one-piece? (Like an old fashioned swimsuit for men) Does it come in pink, or only white?

Mornin’, BT, pups

The plan would be paid for partly by closing corporate loopholes and raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans in the future…

Granny McConnell sez, “We want to go in an entirely different direction” in a soundbite on NPR.

I guess they managed to pack the house at the debate with pro-death penalty types and warmongers.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

The area is attracting national attention. Hooten hopes he’ll be able to get federal assistance at some point.

Not if (P)rick Perry has anything to say about it.

Ah, the future.

I’m trying to think of something clever to write, but nothing is coming out (on edit)

Thanks BT.

Good morning pups.

Happy to report that I skipped the “debate” and feel better for it.

It’s him and the un-American bloodsucking conspiring to deconstruct what the public demanded and built crowd he’s addressing.

These bastards hate everything about America completely other than the American dollar. Do these kocksuckups ever serve on their glorious battlefields or are they just the brains behind the slaughter ?

guess they managed to pack the house at the debate with pro-death penalty types and warmongers.

Well, it was a REPUBLICAN debate. You expected maybe intellectuals?

Boxturtle (I’m just pleased they accept lethal injection and aren’t wanting a return to stoning)

I think they are just the bloody hands that grab the war $$.

Immoral bastards.

You really don’t want to see it it’s like georges cod piece except longer and in white, not a pretty sight.

re the stoning:

that is just the pretty public face that the majik underwear conjures.

A great spontaneous chuckle here with that.(belly laugh) Thanks Ruth and Good morning pups. Missed the show last night, conserving electricity and the set was off.

oh please tjbs. Friends don’t do that to friends!

Mornin’

Me too. Didn’t even come here to read the snarky comments. Spent the time going through a Great Courses catalog. Found a course on Herodotus’ book on the Persian Wars for 20 bucks. Cannot. Resist.

Never touch the stuff. From the little I know, it’s supposed to be like a hair shirt, skritchy.

Me neither. I wasn’t as ambitious as SD, but did visit some diaries that I had missed.

Mark in Ireland had a great classical music flash mob. Ravel’s Bolero.

Crane -Station has a marvelous time-lapse sky/nature/music video. Must see.

p.s. KrisA is your daughter?

It was not so much entertaining as a heads up. Not in front of the hometown crowd, the clown college was putting on its sane face. Which is pretty astonishing, when you realize that THIS is sane, for them.

Have to agree with Christie. Democrats are stupid and I’d add either clueless or complicit.

Positively medieval. Can scourges be far behind?

Son. #2.

Son.

You have done well. He is definitely a keeper.

Christie as vice would make Perry more electable.

I like browsing that catalog, but so far have not been motivated enough to dive in.

I guess they managed to pack the house at the debate with pro-death penalty types and warmongers.

There were a few disturbing moments in the debate. I was struck by Perry calling it “justice” (putting aside the question of whether innocent people were executed, is that justice?).

Meanwhile, I had CNN on during the day yesterday when they played an old clip of Perry. I wasn’t really watching the TV at the time, but was amazed by how much he sounded exactly like W. I thought it was Bush till I looked up!

Try the boiling oil!

gotta get some stuff done now, thanks for the good company.

Double down an asshole-crazy? (Or is it crazy-asshole?)

Don’t go! But if you must, have a safe and happy day Ruth.

I just saw your comment and my crazybrain read it as down the ass hole (as in Alice and the rabbit).

Man, I’ll bet gettin’ the harp and kettle drums in there was a trick. MFI is a wonderful person.

Good son, loving father and husband.

My first course was on the history of the Bible. Good courses but I always wait for sales cuz they’re kinda spendy otherwise.

I’m glad you watched it. I have only been to his diary a couple of times, but he brings some wonderful music to FDL. I need to make a habit of visiting.

That gives you a tremendous sense of peace and joy, I know.

He handled that trawl (won’t dignifiy it with a name) with calm, efficient dispatch yesterday on the ‘payroll tax holiday’ issue.

As Kris rightly pointed out, we should never adopt that framing.

I love flash mobs. Did one for St Pete For Peace once couple years ago.

The one who shall go unnamed is our resident conservative mouthpiece.

That must have been so cool. Is there YouTube? What did you guys perform?

I missed that. Will go back and have a look.

No YouTube. Small gathering. One afternoon. Wandered around BayWalk until the whistle blew then we all froze with open copies of the Constitution. Free speech event.

In all seriousness, I know I am shortsighted, but reading that post about Christie truly gave me cold chills. It scares me because I don’t think we have a prayer of defeating the plans of the Koch/PTB through the ballot box.

We can but we need candidates who are willing to fight the status quo and the direction the country’s taking. Unfortunately they are few and far between. Money is a powerful addiction.

One of my heroes, Ariel Dorfman, is guest on democracynow this morning. I read one of his books in 02. The subject is commemorating the Chilean coup 9/11/73. He should have been in the palace with Allende and killed by the bombing. He is an extraordinary person who has moved back & forth bet U.S. & Chile & Argentina and maintains the most amazingly positive attitude about what real people can accomplish. He is currently prof at Duke.

Good Morning SD, BT, and other Fine FireDogs
Yesterday I said I wasn’t going to watch the debate, but I did.
The doctor at the Urgent Care unit I spent the afternoon at said to stay off the foot, with it elevated and on ice. So that’s my lame excuse.
And, since I was already feeling pretty yucky, it kind of took my mind off myself.

Didn’t find Kris dipatching a troll.

Also, SoDrag I’m unfortunately unfamiliar with Mr. Herodotus’ work.

My parents participated several times in the EIL (Experiment in International Living). In the early 70s one of the groups was from Chile and the leader, a young man in his early 20s, I guess, stayed with us. He was very politically active and his family were strong Allende supporters, I remember. I wish I had been more interested. I’m not even sure if he and his family suffered during and after the coup.

Your heart (and the questioner’s) is in the right place; however,I think that approach is a slippery slope.

In a perverse way it presupposes that a slam dunk certainty of guilt might justify execution after all. That door should not be left ajar, and arguments against execution should be absolute and consistent in all cases — no exceptions.

I’m afraid my inclination will be hard to do. It will be a slog. It seems likely the issue will have to be fought out in each state in an uncompromising way, and it will take a long time. The Feds won’t get meaningfully involved, at least not yet.

For nostalgia, read the book I linked to. Although I read it so long ago, it made a lasting impression on me in terms of how one individual could look at the horrific situations he has lived through and come out with positive lessons. Certainly wouldn’t be my strong suit. Furthermore, he writes beautifully.

It was the Obama Jobs Plan post http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/09/07/obama-jobs-plan-300-billion-half-to-tax-cuts/#comment-140494

Hope the link works. Scan through the whole thing. Kris was on a roll.

{{{demi}}}

hope you get well soon

Herodotus, The Histories – the first historian

Another favourite

Thucydides, The History of the Peloponnesian War

How did you manage to injure your foot?

Thanks. After xrays, two injections (tetnus and an antibiotic) and 3 prescriptions, I should be. Actually, it looks much better already.

I will definitely do that, thank you.

eCAHN, about bees. I have seen a grand total of 3 honeybees this summer. The bumblebees abound. I don’t see them in the clover that the bees loved, but they are busy in just about all my flowering shrubs, annuals and perennials. Is that happening elsewhere?

Also a question about Mason bees. I have been thinking about trying to make a nesting box for them (probably not the right word). Are they going to help with pollination as bee keepers attempt to save their colonies from CCD?

Ah. I accidentally stepped backwards onto Piccilo and he bit me. Deep and it got infected pretty much right away.
My mom said, Oh, you’re not getting rid of the cat are you. Hell to the no. It was my fault, though unintentionally.

Holy smoke, that was some cat scratch. Should have turned Picky loose in that debate crowd last night. No, that would have been an awful thing to do to him. OOps, bite on edit.

Always like Plutarch: “The poor go to war, to fight and die for the delights, riches, and superfluities of others.”

Would that Americans had a greater love of history, SD, which may not be a “guide” to the future, but it does hold some “suggestions”, well worth considering in the process of getting, “there”.

DW

Docs are thinking it was probably a bite and not a scratch. As I said, he was behind me so I didn’t see what happened. Just heard a really loud cat screech and felt the pain.
Yeah, Picky would have got them good last night. If my dog and cat were running, Perry and Mitt wouldn’t even be contenders. :)

Oh wow, your bee Qs go well beyond my knowledge. I don’t even know what a Mason bee is. (Will google it and ask my bee keeper next time he comes around.) Good on you for thinking about them.

How long ago did this happen, demi?

I’d been reading about your injury but hadn’t realized how it happened.

DW

There’s also a course on Plato’s Republic. I’m mulling that one over. I’ve got a copy from the 40s.

Nowadays Penquin is the place to go for good translations of the classics. Used to be Modern Library.

I do think about it lot, but need to do some serious reading.

Monday night. I learned a lesson about stepping back without looking. Kind of a neat metaphor actually.
The good news is that there was no co-pay and the total cost of the 3 prescriptions was only $35.00.
Wish everyone had great coverage. Got to be grateful for the things I do have.

My son John minored in philosophy. I remember when he was 9 he wanted to be Bishop of Ontario and a Philosopher King.

I knew then that I was in way over my head :)

I need to get out the catalogue and find a Great Course for myself. Sonny took one on math over the summer. And, yes, only the ones that are on sale. $20 bucks is doable. $200, not so much.

Looks like it’s Mittens. I thought I could go with Christie but now I see he is also a Koch lover. WTF.

Not looking for much from Zero, prolly won’t listen to it. I’m sure everyone will analyze this turd half to death.

I’m a little late here, but did anyone see the HuffPo’s lead this morning with Joe Scarborough. Can anyone explain to me why Arianna gives him so much love?

Fruitless Fall and A Spring Without Bees are the two recent books. Authors of neither are scientists, iirc, so keep an open mind. But they will bring you up to speed.

Great genes and a wonderfully attentive set of parents can produce a really challenging child.

MSN’s headline:

Analysis: Texas governor proved he was an aggressive contender.

Sigh.

You are right about being mindful and grateful.

May be destined to be the Silent Spring of our time.

I’ll head on over to Amazon. Thanks, eCAHN.

I think he is a throwback, but thank you. He managed to survive us, and for that I am truly grateful :)

Thanks!

I’m starting to ease out of here. It was so good to see all of you this morning. Off to a good start.

demi I’m so glad you are on the mend.

Love you guys,

ohmmmmm

Off to swim in the great capitalist cesspool.

US KIA Afghanistan: 1,760

US KIA Irak: 4,474

Iraki, Afghan and Pakistani casualties: estimates vary to over 1.5M

US MBS 2011: 31,000 and counting

Love is Strange

No war but class war

Be good to yourselves, and all other living things

Namaste

Never. Give. Up.

What if zero gave a speech and no one showed up?

You might want to go somewhere other than Amazon. Amazon is a major contributor and participant to/in ALEC.

Try AbeBooks.

http://www.abebooks.com/

Our country cannot afford another President from Texas.

A transcript of the Christie tapes should be posted. Some career ending content. All of a must hear and read (once transcribed).

Have a really good one. And, you should give yourself some credit for your son. You are a bright and compassionate person. It shows so clearly in your comments. Hugs.

There are bad people from every state. Not just Texas. Let’s not overgenearlize. It can be demeaning.

Have a wonderfull day.

Bowing to you, kind sir.

demi,

I am not bashing the good citizens of Texas. I am wanting to not have a President from the state that contains the seat of power of the petro industry.

Additionally, I do not want a candidate that has ever sat on a petro industry board, or held an executive position in a petro industry.

Gotcha. Glad you clarified that.

It’s been my position here at FDL for over 10 years.

I look at politics as power plays. There are areas of the country (states) which hold certain seats of power industry-wise. I get very concerned when candidates arise from such states.

For me Texas is top of my list.

Let’s not overlook their worship of the states death power over mere mortals, laid and carried out on a Christian Cross no less .

TX Capitol Punishment, We’re #1, We’re # 1, We’re # 1,……

Good Morning All, Ms. D. What did you do to yourself? Sorry you’re having trouble….

Demi,

I was hoping you would get to the doc’s, I’m relieved that you did, and I hope they didn’t give you any sort of guilt-trip, “why didn’t you come in immediately,” stuff.

G’Day, Bev. See my #60.

I saw it…thanks. Hope everything heals….that’s some bite, or whatever it was….Yuk

No guilt trips, thankfully. They were very kind, but did make the point that if I didn’t take their advice and it got worse that they’d have to put me on an iv. I got the message.

Very good…