Still Hating America.

[Replaced_Texan]

Originally posted by ironweed
For the still good, if intermittent, Get Your War On:

The Get Your War on play was pretty good, I thought. I saw it in the fall, but I think it's playing in NYC now.

ETA: Nevermind. The NYC run ended at the end of January.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
These tests are bullshit, but here here goes:

Yes, they are. But here's mine:


Liberal
Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Liberal typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.

Liberals represent 17 percent of the American public, and 19 percent of registered voters.

Basic Description
This group has nearly doubled in proportion since 1999, Liberals now comprise the largest share of Democrats and is the single largest of the nine Typology groups. They are the most opposed to an assertive foreign policy, the most secular, and take the most liberal views on social issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and censorship. They differ from other Democratic groups in that they are strongly pro-environment and pro-immigration, issues which are more controversial among Conservative and Disadvantaged Democrats.

Defining Values
Strongest preference for diplomacy over use of military force. Pro-choice, supportive of gay marriage and strongly favor environmental protection. Low participation in religious activities. Most sympathetic of any group to immigrants as well as labor unions, and most opposed to the anti-terrorism Patriot Act.

Who They Are
Most (62%) identify themselves as liberal. Predominantly white (83%), most highly educated group (49% have a college degree or more), and youngest group after Bystanders. Least religious group in typology: 43% report they seldom or never attend religious services; nearly a quarter (22%) are seculars. More than one-third never married (36%). Largest group residing in urban areas (42%) and in the western half the country (34%). Wealthiest Democratic group (41% earn at least $75,000).

Lifestyle Notes
Largest group to have been born (or whose parents were born) outside of the U.S. or Canada (20%). Least likely to report having a gun at home (23%) or attending bible study or prayer group meetings (13%).

2004 Election
Bush 2%, Kerry 81%

Party ID
59% Democrat; 40% Independent/No Preference, 1% Republican (92% Dem/Lean Dem)

Media Use
Liberals are second only to Enterprisers in following news about government and public affairs most of the time (60%). Liberals’ use of the internet to get news is the highest among all groups (37%).





It's hard to understand how they calculate that I have the "Strongest preference for diplomacy over use of military force." I agreed (not "strongly") that military strength is the best way to keep peace. I also agreed (again, not "strongly") that "too much" reliance on military force breeds hatred/terrorism.

The real question on the latter issue is "what is 'too much'"?

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Translation: I am a middle class white male who wants less interference in my life.

I have to hire some twit to do my fucking taxes. That involves me dealing with shit. I am going to die sooner than most people and don't want to waste my fucking time dicking around with Uncle Sam's horseshit. I'm not rich; it's about time and wanting to be left alone. I'm not my brother's keeper because he never kept me. I wish him luck, and I hope he does well. If I have something to give him I will. I honestly don't give a fuck about money. But godamnit, I'd rather burn a $5 bill than turn it over to some shrill liberal asshole who's got the nerve to tell me I don't "care enough" for my fellow man, or poison th enivironment. Those assholes can preach elsewhere. I've only got so many hours. I can't be bothered.

And to make matters worse, I now have to deal with the govt all the time in business matters. Trying to wring a decision out of these fucking people is like squeezing juice from raisins.

Rich? I wish. Then I could build a big fucking wall around my house and, like Joe Walsh sang, "Have accountants pay for it all," as opposed to filling out fucking forms written by goddamned bureaucrats for me.

I love people, but man do I hate it when they get together, get high on mob self-righteousness and start telling me what to do.

If you think I'm crazy, ask yourself why Americans feel its morally acceptable to cheat on their taxes.

Stop whining and buy a copy of TurboTax.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
have you tried to negotiate a fucking contract with uncle sam lately? Holy fucking shit! We had to hire a fucking consultant to guide us through the goddamned process, just to bid on some work!

I've never seen so much sensless paperwork to facilitate jobs for talentless bags of plasma.

Ever presented a case to a govt agency? I have. I had to help comapnies accused of violating EPA standards. You know what its like to give a detailed presentation to a pack of mongoloids?

I have about 14 different balls in the air right now, not counting my social life. I look at life as a concert. I want to enjoy it, not be burdened with bullshit. Commerce requires negotiation, but Uncle Sam, and State and Local Govt are simply absurd.

Do commerce with someone else.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by ironweed
Tax time can be stressful.

If I were a fascist demagogue, I would organize my putsch for right around April 15. My cadre of bitter-lawyer stormtroopers would sweep all before them and establish control over every major metropolitan center within 24 hours.

Then I would hand out the pills, coke and 'shrooms and let them get twisted for a few days while I consolidate my control with more reliable troops, like say mortgage brokers.

I think that they keep withholding rates high in order to counter this very notion. Most of the foot-soldier minions you would rely on are getting refunds around that time, and probably out getting drunk with them.

They are very smart. They are good with the bread and the circuses.

[Gattigap]

I am upbeat. So suck it, ya buncha haters!

[SlaveNoMore]

Gattigap
I am upbeat. So suck it, ya buncha haters!

Upbeat? Pew, indeed.

[Gattigap]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
have you tried to negotiate a fucking contract with uncle sam lately? Holy fucking shit! We had to hire a fucking consultant to guide us through the goddamned process, just to bid on some work!

I've never seen so much sensless paperwork to facilitate jobs for talentless bags of plasma.

Ever presented a case to a govt agency? I have. I had to help comapnies accused of violating EPA standards. You know what its like to give a detailed presentation to a pack of mongoloids?

I have about 14 different balls in the air right now, not counting my social life. I look at life as a concert. I want to enjoy it, not be burdened with bullshit. Commerce requires negotiation, but Uncle Sam, and State and Local Govt are simply absurd.

Translation: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a faceless bureaucratic shit who rises and sleeps by virtue of the confiscatory taxes that I pay, and then questions the manner in which I want a deal to earn it all back. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way."

[SlaveNoMore]

Nothing says "ethics" like putting a crook on an unimportant House panel, like say, Homeland Security:

Rep. William Jefferson, the Louisiana Democrat who's facing an ongoing federal corruption probe, is being granted a spot on the Homeland Security Committee, according to Democratic aides.

The appointment will be announced Friday, according to one aide who requested anonymity because the decision isn't yet official.

Jefferson was removed from his seat on the Ways and Means Committee, one of the most important panels in Congress, by Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) last summer in an attempt to show how seriously Democrats viewed the allegations of corruption.

But the move by Pelosi, who was still minority leader at the time, infuriated members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who said Jefferson shouldn't be punished unless he is indicted; federal prosecutors have yet to bring an indictment, despite an FBI raid 18 months ago on his home that yielded $90,000 in cash in his freezer.

Other lawmakers were angling for the seat on Homeland Security, which was the last slot available on the panel, according to another Democratic aide.

The committee oversees the Homeland Security Department and its web of agencies designed to protect against terrorism on U.S. soil.

The committee has oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which was widely panned for its response to Hurricane Katrina in Jefferson's hometown of New Orleans.

As a member of the committee, Jefferson will not have direct oversight of the FBI or the Justice Department.

A former Jefferson aide has already pleaded guilty to corruption in the ongoing investigation, as has a businessman who alleged in his plea agreement that he bribed Jefferson in order to win contracts with African nations.

When most committee assignments were given out two months ago, Jefferson was assigned a spot on the Small Business Committee, generally considered one of the least sought after panels.

waPo link

Any of you "upbeats" or "liberals" going to even try to defend this one?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Any of you "upbeats" or "liberals" going to even try to defend this one?

I think we "upbeats" and "liberals" -- like Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership, probably including the CBC -- wish that Jefferson hadn't been re-elected to Congress. But since the voters sent him, and since he hasn't been convicted of anything, it's not clear what else can be done with him.

Could Pelosi have done something else? Maybe -- the story doesn't try to explain why Jefferson is getting this seat.

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
What happens when matter and antimatter collide? I went back and retook the test, changing a few of the answers that bugged me the most, and it told me I was an Upbeat.

Something is amiss. Did you notice this about upbeats...

"these voters support George W. Bush’s leadership in economic matters more than on social or foreign policy issues."

"2004 Election
Bush 63%, Kerry 14%."

If Bush had ended terrorism, cured cancer, created a budget surplus, paid off the debt and created a ten percent growth rate you still wouldn't have voted for him.

BTW: I took it again and still got Upbeat

[Spanky]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Nothing says "ethics" like putting a crook on an unimportant House panel, like say, Homeland Security:



Any of you "upbeats" or "liberals" going to even try to defend this one?

Upbeats voted 63% for Bush and only 14% for Kerry. The are mostly independent or Republican. Why do I have to defend this?

[Gattigap]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I think we "upbeats" and "liberals" -- like Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership, probably including the CBC -- wish that Jefferson hadn't been re-elected to Congress. But since the voters sent him, and since he hasn't been convicted of anything, it's not clear what else can be done with him.

Could Pelosi have done something else? Maybe -- the story doesn't try to explain why Jefferson is getting this seat.

Slave would prefer that Jefferson be not only removed from Ways and Means (which he was) but placed on no committees whatsoever.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Spanky
If Bush had ended terrorism, cured cancer, created a budget surplus, paid off the debt and created a ten percent growth rate you still wouldn't have voted for him.

I think Ty or I or anyone else would vote for someone who did that, but there's no way in hell our current president (or, really, anyone) could do those things.

Goddamn bombast.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I think we "upbeats" and "liberals" -- like Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership, probably including the CBC -- wish that Jefferson hadn't been re-elected to Congress. But since the voters sent him, and since he hasn't been convicted of anything, it's not clear what else can be done with him.

Could Pelosi have done something else? Maybe -- the story doesn't try to explain why Jefferson is getting this seat.

The voters returned him to office, and I think everyone has to be put somewhere -- it's not like they put him in a position where he handles cash (or budgeting, or appropriations). What committees would you put him on, Slave?