The Judean Teabaggers Front
When Rachel Maddow had Americans for Prosperity’s Tim Phillips over for a barbecue the other night, one of the skewering points was whether a corporate-backed organization could be called “grassroots.” Phillips put up a spirited fight, despite Rachel saying — to his face, in the studio — that someone who had waged the smear campaign against Max Cleland was “a parasite who gets fat on Americans’ fears.”
Turns out sick puppies aren’t the only ones questioning the provenance of Tea Parties and similar political roadshows. In a development we missed a couple weeks back, the teabaggers have the same complaint:
An argument has broken out, perhaps inevitably, between Tea Party activists and one of the groups that has laid claim to the Tea Party mantle. The self-described grassroots activists in Tea Party Patriots and the American Liberty Alliance see the Tea Party Express as a sham organization, using the political heft of the movement to push a bland, partisan Republican agenda. Privately and publicly, they accuse the Tea Party Express of being an “astroturf” outfit, a scheme for Republican strategists and candidates to take advantage of a movement that was chugging along fine without them.
So if you’re following this, the Tea Party Express — apparently now joined by Doctor Voodoo — is full of evil political shills, while the Tea Party Patriots are backed by the saintly lobbyists at FreedomWorks, led by Dick Armey.
(And lest we forget, the whole Tea Party meme was started by a financial reporter at — no, not Fox — Obama lapdog NBC, who was complaining about massive government bailouts for Wall Street robber barons “loser” homeowners.)
Meanwhile, the Tea Party Express embarks upon its new tour this Sunday — opening in classy Sandy Eggo, also known as Stinque World Domination Headquarters. We’re debating whether to attend the event as yet another splinter group: the Tea Party Cannibal Anarchists.
Tea Party Activists Reject PAC-Backed ‘Tea Party Express’ [Washington Independent, Oct. 9]
In Tea Party Civil War, McKalip Appears To Ditch Former Comrades In Favor Of GOP Consultants [TPM]
Caged The Elephant’s No Rest for the Wicked
I was walking down the street,
When out the corner of my eye
I saw an ugly little Armey approaching me.
He said “I’ve never seen a man
Who looks so depressed,
Could you march in a Tea Party tonight?
If I set the right price
We can take back this place,
And you can go and I’ll send PAC cash.”
I said “You’re such a powerful thing
Why you don’t you do this yourself?”
He looked at me and this is what he said,
“Oh, there ain’t no rest for you stupids,
Money don’t grow on trees.
I got lies to sell,
I got Rubes to buy,
There ain’t nothing in this world for free.
I know I can’t slow down,
I can’t hold back,
Though you know, I wish I could.
No there ain’t no rest for you stupids,
Until we stop this Hope TM for good”.
Not even fifteen minutes later
I’m still walking down the street,
When I saw a fat ugly man creep out of sight.
Then he walks up from behind
And puts a sign into my hand,
He made it clear he was looking for a white.
He said “Wave this sign you’ve got
I want you to make some noise,
But only try to do it in front of a camera.”
I said “I’ll do what you want
But first you know I got to ask
What made you want to live this kind of life?”
“Oh, there ain’t no rest for you stupids,
Money don’t grow on trees.
I got Bekc to cry,
I got ads to sell,
There ain’t nothing in this world for free.
I know I can’t slow down,
I can’t hold back,
Though you know, I wish I could.
No there ain’t no rest for you stupids,
Until we stop Hope TM for good”.
Now a couple hours passed
And I was sitting at my house,
The day was winding down and coming to an end.
So I turned on the TV
And flipped it over to the news,
And what I saw I almost couldn’t comprehend.
I saw a lobbyist in a suit he’d played the Teabagger game,
He’s got this bank account with lots of dollar bills.
But even still I can’t say much
Because I know we’re all the same,
Oh yes we’re all simple pawns for those elights.
“Oh, there ain’t no rest for us stupids,
Money don’t grow on trees.
I got paid to shill,
I got pols to scare,
I don’t do nothing in this world for free.
I know I can’t slow down,
I can’t hold back,
Though you know, I wish I could.
No there ain’t no rest for us stupids,
Until we kill our (best) interests for good”.
You should attend as the Tea Bag Zombies.
@ManchuCandidate: Damn! I wish I knew these songs you reference. I feel like such a fool. I so admire that you do it. If only I could sing along.
Maddow just gets better and better. she really seems to be finding her voice.
I am hot for Rachel. all the whining about the death of video journalism is premature.
I’m sorry was that sexist?
this explains a lot:
Duke study: McCain loss to Obama hit supporters in testes
Young men who voted for either McCain or Barr suffered immediate drops in their testosterone levels after the election results were announced, while Obama supporters suffered no change. Females also suffered no change, according to the study, which will be published in the journal PLOS One on Wednesday.
“This is a pretty powerful result,” said Duke neuroscientist Kevin LaBar. “Voters are physiologically affected by having their candidate win or lose an election.”
am I the only one who takes great glee from causing them to not only loose elections but also erections?
D-Day veteran’s speech on gay marriage is YouTube hit
He said: “I am here because of a conversation I had last June, when I was voting.
“The woman at my polling place asked me, do I believe in equality for gay and lesbian people.
“I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me.
“Finally I asked her: what do you think I fought for in Omaha Beach?”
You know, I apologized, I mean actually apologized for insulting people and making others uncomfortable. And I meant it. I even ignored a commenter who decided to take me to task after I apologized. That was an act of will, believe me. And now we’ve got this tired “is that sexist?” meme going on several threads. I’ve been trying to decide whether I should just wait for it to die out or whether I should stand up for myself and say, “Yes. Some of the shit going on around here is sexist, and I don’t like it.” I could have expressed myself in a less-combative way, but I didn’t, and, again, I’m sorry. I took a day to cool off and try to be less whatever I was being, and I’m still working on that. But really, I apologized. What more do you want/need/demand?
@JNOV:
Nothing from me. I steered well clear.
@ManchuCandidate: True. And I’m sorry if my actions caused you to feel like you couldn’t be part of the conversation. That apology extends to everyone who saw the shitstorm go down and were put ill at ease.
I could be wrong, but this is how I see it: Most of us ended up here at this virtual home because we witnessed a brilliant, kind and capable woman being treated very shabbily. We pride ourselves as cynics, but cynicism is just a defense mechanism for idealists.
We rallied around a candidate who promised hope and change (still waiting, Barry), and we called out people on their racism and their homophobia. As a person of color, it felt incredibly wonderful to have this community of like-minded individuals who were willing to stand up and lend their voices to combating the asshattery we saw all around us.
But I’m also a woman, and sometimes it seems that our conversations devolve into typical gender roles of Mars/Venus bullshit that I just don’t buy. Maybe that’s a personal failing of mine. Maybe I lack the funny bone that you guys have. I don’t know. It just seems that we’re willing to shout down certain behavior, but we’re quite guilty of similar behavior when the target is changed.
@JNOV:
No awkward feelings here. Despite my own somewhat combative nature, it is also my nature to steer well away from fights that I have no skin in so I’m merely playing the neutrality card here.
We all have different triggers that set us off. It just is and part of being human.
@ManchuCandidate: Thank you and yes about the triggers. It just seems that folks are getting a pass that we wouldn’t allow others under the “boys will be boys” fallacy. I can’t speak for anyone else here, but I see women being treated as sexual fodder enough in my life that I would rather not see it here. If I’m seeing something that doesn’t exist, well, then I need to reevaluate or adjust my frame of reference. But the recent rash of “is that sexist” snide comments makes me think that actually there is some there there.
@JNOV:
I don’t know about that. It seems to me more teasing, but that’s just me.
would you like to talk about triggers?
heres one for me. people who call other people sexist, racist or bullshit etc just because the say or do something they dont like.
I got enough of that in the primaries thank you.
I think its safe to say no one who (I have seen) post here is racist or sexist. those are loaded terms and using them as you do does no service stopping either racism or sexism.
of course that just my opinion (a term IMO you should familiarize yourself with) but then I am just an asshole who laughs at drunks.
@ManchuCandidate: Good-natured friendly teasing? I don’t know about that. A woman has the audacity to very vocally complain, cuss and insult people about something she views as sexism and the response is good-natured teasing? If we tease it out (heh), I’d say there’s some hostility masquerading as “Aw, shucks! Can’t you just take a joke?” At least my hostility isn’t veiled.
@JNOV:
they don’t get it, the martians. they really don’t. we think differently.
and besides, sexism is far from dead. there have been some law bones tossed at us, but every woman reading this can tell dozens of tales of it.
before i left the planet, i was neck deep in the Boys Club as a career.
my favorite remark was made by a boss who after a huge WIN, said to me,
“i’m so glad you wore that suit with the short skirt today!”
@Capt Howdy: Okay then. I’m sorry I called you an asshole.
ADD: And who called anyone racist? I was saying that it felt good to be around people who flat out called racist asshattery. And, really, just because you haven’t seen sexist behavior, even what I ::gasp:: characterized as your own doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I did find that Mars/Venus thing out of line, but I could have expressed myself differently. I wish I had.
no problem
I’ve been called worse.
@baked: See, and that’s the weird thing. I spent six years in the Navy dealing with sexism. My only recourse was to join in the fun and act like no one was demeaning me, my work or other women because that was the only way to survive. It wasn’t worth it then, and it’s not worth it now.
calling a bunch of gay men part of the “boys club” is a little myopic.
ftr
we know something about good naturedly taking the demeaning.
(not assuming anything NOJO but the sense of humor is a giveaway. forgive me if the gaydar is not what it used to be)
@JNOV:
As brutal we males can be to females, we can actually be worse to each other. Always have been.
Sexism, racism and a lot of isms will always be with us in large part because there is no collective memory. Each generation learns or unlearns the lessons of the past so there is no end in this struggle.
A coming clean moment here:
As a teenager, I said a lot of dumb shit in my time. Called guys fags etc, told lots of sexist and homophobic jokes. When I think about it, I shake my head in embarrassment and shame. Today, my insults to others are limited to scatological terms.
@ManchuCandidate:
to wit:
laughing at the drunk. which as I pointed out would not have happened the same way if it had been a woman.
or even an african american or hispanic man.
As brutal we males can be to females, we can actually be worse to each other. Always have been.
True again, BUT that’s just a description of behavior, not a reason for it, you know? And it’s not a matter of degree, or who gets the shorter end of the stick or anything like that. I really hope you’re not saying that sexism is dead because men can be dicks to each other, too.
Is this about the testes thing? What did I miss?
@JNOV:
you may have found it out of line but the fact is I was relating an empirical observation that every single man that I had witnessed seeing that video almost pissed his pants laughing and every single woman and said ahhhh, thats so sad.
try it and see for yourself.
@JNOV:
No. I ‘m not trying to do a GOPer equivalency fail here.
Sexism isn’t dead. I think it never will be.
More to the point, just saying we males can be assholes. It’s something we have to unlearn.
@Capt Howdy: It’s not myopic — it’s mind boggling. I mean, I would think that being a member of an oppressed minority would lend some sort of clarity or solidarity amongst groups. But look at the homophobia amongst certain African-American groups, and you realize that membership does not have its privileges sometimes. So, yes, I think it’s quite possible for gay men and women of all sexual orientations to be part of, or to try to be part of, the “boys club” at times. Sexual preference and gender identity do not negate societal pressure and norms.
@Prommie: Heh. Your testes are fine.
@JNOV:
they also do not negate biology. which IMO is to a great extent what we are talking about.
@ManchuCandidate: Understood. Thanks for the clarification.
@Capt Howdy: How does biology come into play? Are you talking about some irrepressible urges?
@JNOV: You’re confusing people playing with stereotypes with the real thing. Should I react when gay men seem to be confused with teenage girls? As if we all watch Project Runway? Not at all. I’ve gone off the rails myself a couple of times in the past and withdrawn. And all of you here have been forgiving and I’ve been happy to return. This is the only place I post. I have enough drama in my working life and find it relaxing to pretend to be a nitwit. But it’s only pretend.
I’m not a cynic. I’m not remotely cynical. What I am is pompous and opinionated. That’s different. I’m also quite sophisticated. Others here aren’t. Others here are. Some are more emotional than others. I have come to recognize that. Others seem cool. But we are only online personas and I think it a mistake to confuse that with the person behind the façade. It can only bring grief.
And by the way, I never subscribed to the brilliant-M idea. I found, and find, her to have an entirely inflated conception of herself. Not because she’s a woman but because she’s not very talented. If she can make a living posting online good for her. I see she’s contributing at Huff Post. Again, good for her. I found it amusing that she should presume to condescend to commenters here who were wildly more successful and accomplished than is she. Others won’t agree. that’s fine. So far as I’m concerned it was, and is, the commenters who made this place interesting. And I, for one, can only be grateful to noj that he can take the time away from his ALW collection to keep us all going.
I think we should let this go. We’ve always tried to be a welcoming place. I think that’s how we should remain. And I write this affectionately.
@Benedick: Hmmmm…okay. But do you see me actually trying to mend some fences here?
ADD: And I was all for letting it go until the meme kept appearing. I should let it go until others are tired of strangling the life out of it?
@JNOV: You did. Fine. Well done. It’s over.
@Benedick:
wise as usual. for me, I am cynical AND pompous and opinionated.
about Maddow, I assume that is what you were talking about, does she have an inflated conception of herself? of course. do I always agree with her? absolutely not. there were times during the primaries when I would have gleefully strangled her. but what she is doing now is IMO important. it is something no one else in the cable news universe is doing.
that example was but one of a line of shows she had done that made me want to stand up and cheer in my living room. or at my desk or where ever I see them.
just MO.
whoa whoa….when i referred to the Boys Club i was not talking about gay men, where did that convolution come from? i’m a dyed in the wool hag.
(is that now un pc?)
i was talking about men in general and i think i know who can explain the phenomenon of sexism.
CHRIS ROCK:
“this is what women can’t understand. when a man says to you, here, let me carry that heavy bag for you, he’s really saying, can i fuck you? when he says, let me get that car door for you, he’s saying, can i fuck you?
men are always trying to get laid, and women can turn it down because it’s always available, unlike the menfolk, who take all the other power away from women because of this”
Am I the only one who finds it kind of funny that this thread is on a post illustrated by the Judean Peoples’ Front?
@Capt Howdy: M = Megan.
@JNOV:
I hope you don’t think I was “taking you to task” for anything. What I was saying was I didn’t think you owed anyone an apology, that’s all.
@Tommmcatt is hunkered down in the trenches: No, no — it wasn’t you, sweetheart. Thank you for checking, though. You are a dear one.
@SanFranLefty:
K
never mind
@baked: Thats not sexism, thats sex. And its not “can I fuck you,” its “want some dick?” Just a friendly offer, just in case, not pushy or anything.
btw
can you make T shirts?
“Tea Party Cannibal Anarchists”
Its the pervading pollution from the surrounding popular culture that results in sexism seeping into even this elite salon. Lets establish our perfect sexism-free society aboard our sea-wandering Ark: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1965/Classic-Cruise-Ship–2023731/Croatia
@Prommie: Only if I get to drive (or pilot or whatever). ;-)
@Tommmcatt is hunkered down in the trenches: No, that was me, getting involved when I should have kept my opinions to myself. A mistake I make less and less frequently, but still make sometimes.
@baked: Not remotely. No no no. Love Chris Rock. I mean I looooooooooove him. So brilliant. And so brilliantly performed!
@Capt Howdy: M is the reason we are all here. A migration from Wonkette over a ridiculous firing, via Cynic’s Party, what, two years ago?
@JNOV: You got it.
@IanJ: Good God, man, if you’re going to keep your opinions to yourself what the hell fun is that?
BTW. Is it just me or does John Cleese look totally hot in that picture?
@JNOV: I’ll navigate.
@SanFranLefty: Yeah, cuz we all know the dudes won’t consult a map.
@Capt Howdy: not assuming anything NOJO but the sense of humor is a giveaway
That makes two votes, including Benedick. In my defense, I thought Paul Lynde was merely funny.
@Capt Howdy: can you make T shirts?
I have a dormant Cafe Press account, but I hate their tees, and can’t bring myself to use them. Scouted what seems like a great alternative months ago, but the set-up is more involved, and I haven’t found a moment to deal with it.
@Capt Howdy: The frightening thing about the drunk video is that I just saw it referenced at WND under “Comedy”. I still enjoy it, but agreeing with the wingnuts over a point of humor is disturbing.
@Capt Howdy: I love Rachel, too. I think she is by far the best thing to happen to news in a long, long time.
@nojo:
Im tellin ya its biology and that trumps even ideology.
at least it took them a week to find it.
@RomeGirl:
Im hot for Rachel.
dyke stash and all
;-)
@Benedick: I never thought of Megan as “brilliant,” but that wasn’t her appeal to me. Instead, it was her perspective as a former lobbyist, bringing a knowledgeable grounding to Wonkette that hadn’t been seen since Ana Marie. She knew the turf.
@Benedick: Come visit one day, and I’ll show you my nut collection. Sometimes I let the cats bat them around.
@nojo:
I thought of her as “wry”. Plus, her funny had meat behind it.
The W is particularly cheezy of late. I keep going because of Newell, but I’m starting to reconsider. Did you see that Sebalious thing they did? Way over the line.
@Tommmcatt is hunkered down in the trenches: Have they gotten over the glitter graphics yet?
@JNOV: This dude loves maps and asking for directions. I found the plane crash site of a friend’s dad with map study, report review and most importantly, asking around in a little mountain village. Mrs RML cringes at the thought of asking directions. I have no problem with it. Also, a compass is really handy to keep in the truck to ensure you’re traveling the right way on those remote Forest Service roads. I got into maps and map reading over the two summers I spent being indoctrinated into the socialist land ethic in the Youth Conservation Corps that did projects in the local national forest back home.
@redmanlaw: Then you may keep your balls, my son. Use them wisely!
An unsophisticated ghetto rat like me knows little about topo maps and compasses and knows even less about floating vessels. I sailed a faluka on the Nile once and almost got us killed by a river bus. I’ll just stick with what I know. You could fit that in a small jar.
@JNOV: Almost hit by a bus while sailing int he Nile? Awesome. At least you been to Egypt.
@nojo:
It’s a religion with them.
@redmanlaw: It was just one of those weird slips of fate. I happened to befriend someone at law school who invited me to her wedding in Kenya. I figured when else am I going to be in Africa, so I spend a week in Egypt. After the awkwardness of hobnobbing with the fabulously wealthy in Nairobi, I found common ground with the locals in Cairo which is how I ended up on a faluka while my new friends smoked a joint. It was a surreal experience.
@Tommmcatt is hunkered down in the trenches: Well, there’s a good example. I’m all for running gags, but that one has a shelf life of about a day. And don’t get me started with truck nutz.
@nojo: Big Mouth Billy Bass, then? I love Trucknutz, because they really are a strong symbol for all thats wrong with this country. Silver naked ladies, on the other hand, I genuinely like.
Road maps and bra straps
8-tracks and mud flaps
@Prommie: Yosemite Sam mudflaps. I’m old-school.
@nojo: I have this sticker of a burning covered wagon by Navajo artist Ryan Singer on the back window of my truck:
@redmanlaw: That one’s going in the library.
Interesting illustration of corporate-GOP establishment’s orchestration of supposedly populist and marginal teabagger movement. Teabaggers’ willingness to be orchstrated yet another example of right wing idiocy, of which there is no shortage.
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