Minor Ripper

Lou Dobbs and Rick Santorum Consider Presidential Runs

2009-11-25T08:59:00.006-05:00

The first comment that comes to mind when hearing this news is....why?

Lou Dobbs is the formerly staid, boring CNN anchor who after a brief stop as CEO of space.com during the Internet bubble, transformed himself into a fire breathing anti-immigration wingnut.

Rick Santorum is the former Republican senator from Pennsylvania who was routed in his reelection bid last year. He, too, is an extreme right wing wingnut.

The answer to the question of why two incredibly politically divisive men with literally a 0.00% chance of ever getting elected president by a plurality of American voters would put themselves through the rigor of travelling the country, raising money, kissing babies, etc. in what surely will be a futile effort is actually pretty simple...

Cash.

You see running for president for a guy with even minimal name recognition gives the narcissist politician or TV talking head a forum to blab away at nationally televised debates, get interviewed by both local and national newspapers and bloggers...and generally keep their names in the mix and raise their profile.

By doing so they keep themselves busy, have their massive egos continually stroked by staff and supporters, and crucially raise the fees they charge for speeches, appearances, etc.

So basically there is little downside for people to run for president, even if they stand no chance of winning.

It satisfies the two ultimate desires for the narcissist politician/public figure: money and ego.

Must See Video: Palin Supporters Interviewed at Book Signing

2009-11-24T08:56:00.001-05:00

Tea partiers heckle woman whose daughter-in-law died because she didn’t have health insurance.

2009-11-24T08:32:00.000-05:00

from Think Progress

Health Care

2009-11-23T07:20:00.004-05:00

President Obama is poised to score a gargantuan legislative victory in the coming days as health care reform--which has already passed in the House, is about to squeak by in the Senate, narrowly avoiding a Republican led filibuster by a 60-39 vote count.

I've always maintained that this 'debate' was somewhat fraudulent: America already has de-facto universal health care--if an uninsured person gets hit by a bus and gets his or her head cracked open, that person will be treated at the hospital and you and I will (the taxpayer) will get billed.

Unless we as a society make the collective decision to deny care to those who cannot afford it--you know, letting the man having a massive heart attack just rushed to the hospital by his terrified wife wither, turn blue and die because he can't afford to pay, then this entire 'debate' has been a total fraud. We already have a universal health care system in this country. Just a really, really shitty one.

Prices are going up something absurd like ten percent a year and more and more people are going uninsured or being denied coverage by the big greedy insurance companies. Americans are bombarded on a nightly basis on TV with ads from the pharmaceutical companies pimping everything from Viagra to Prozac. Doctors are incentivized to bill and bill away and to schedule as many unnecessary visits and treatments as possible because no one knows what the costs are or who is really paying...

Gee, you think we might have a little problem with health care in this country?

Well done Mr. President and thank you for tackling the big issues.

YouTube: Senator Inhofe to Senator Boxer--"Get a Life"

2009-11-21T10:19:00.005-05:00

Sorry I don't have more context on this, but it's not often you hear one Senator telling another Senator to 'get a life' in public while in chamber! Senator Inhofe of Oklahoma is a wingnut who doesn't believe in global warming (he's also known by many as perhaps being the dumbest sitting Senator today). Senator Boxer is a very liberal Senator from California. There is a history of enmity between the two of them.

Video Proof of Impending American Apocalypse? Huge Crowd Chants "Sign our Books'" at Palin Event

2009-11-21T10:06:00.003-05:00

from YouTube:

Angry crowd shouts at Sarah Palin at her book signing in Noblesville, Indiana on November 19, 2009 after Palin quits and refuses to sign books for around 300 families that spent about 3+ hours getting wristband and another 3+ hours waiting in line to get the Palin book signed. At Borders bookstore it was announced that 1,000 individuals would be given wristbands and could get two books signed each. By the time Sarah Palin quit, there were still about 300 individuals and there families who did not get even one book signed.

Helping Business? Birther Freak Billboard In Colorado Features Picture Of Obama And Asks ‘President Or Jihad?’

2009-11-21T09:45:00.003-05:00

Oh how pleasant!

These birthers seem so well grounded...probably well read, interesting folks you'd really like to sit next to at a dinner party--

And to think some folks had the nerve to suggest this billboard might be racist?!?

Palin/Paul 2012!!

2010 Midterm Elections Senate Update

2009-11-20T11:56:00.002-05:00

From Stu Rothenberg...

When all the dust is settled, the Democrats 60-40 current majority will probably be little changed.

However, it goes without saying that quite a bit can happen between now and November 2010--

Wingnut Videogame Fantasizes about Obama Coup

2009-11-20T09:03:00.004-05:00

Very strange stuff, but no real shock coming from these types of freaks.

Michelle Malkin writes the Second Declaration of Independence. Rep. Barney Frank, the "banking queen," escapes the people's militia "dressed as an ugly hag." The pro-Obama forces are responsible for mass graves. The "almost illiterate" Rep. Maxine Waters hides out "with the poor in the shanty town she helped create due to the fake Global Warming, Health and other various Communistic bills." Hillary Clinton is captured after trying to use children as a human shield. Sarah Palin attacks "several Hamas warriors" working with Rahm Emanuel. Barack Obama proclaims himself "the Legendary Lost Imam."

Minor Ripper's advice for the folks that this type of smut appeals to: Lay off the bong, Oxycontin, or Crank for a minute. Take a long look in the mirror. Take a shower....

And then get a job.

YouTube: Chief Republican Haley Barbour Refuses to Say Palin is Qualified to be President

2009-11-20T08:53:00.003-05:00

Make no mistake about it people, Sarah Palin is very, very bad for the Republican party. The powers that be--Republican Governor's Association president Haley Barbour chief among them, really, really wish she would just go away. Sarah herself, of course, as an ignorant narcissist--is completely oblivious to all this, perfectly content to keep chattering away about Willow, The First Dude, Trig, Bristol, Track, and Levi on Oprah, Good Morning America, Fox News, etc.

Kerry Daughter Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

2009-11-19T15:44:00.004-05:00

Rich people really just shouldn't drive themselves around, period. The risk/reward just isn't there.

Especially after a few drinks!!

So stupid--but then again what was going through her mind when she put on that dress to the right back in 2004 during the height of her dad's presidential run??

The Google Chrome Operating System: The Future of Computing is Now

2009-11-19T15:17:00.001-05:00

Jon Stewart's Daily Show: Sarah Palin the Rogue Warrior

2009-11-19T14:31:00.002-05:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Daily Show: The Rogue Warrior

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Murdoch Ambushed: Flip Flops on Whether Obama is a Racist or Not

2009-11-19T14:24:00.004-05:00

The left adopting Murdoch's Fox News style ambush journalism tactics...

Top Seven 2012 Republican Presidential Hopefuls

2009-11-18T14:43:00.017-05:00

A little over a year ago I wrote this post, on who at the time I thought were the top five contenders on the Republican side to take on Barack Obama in 2012. Needless to say, quite a bit has happened in the subsequent year (Mark Sanford, anyone?) and an update is long overdue:

For starters, what had been 5 has grown to 7--seemingly solid contenders a year ago like Florida governor Charlie Crist and Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal have fallen off the list altogether. Jeb Bush? We will have to take him at his word when he says America is suffering from "Bush Fatigue". So, without further ado...

Here's my take on who, in order, the top 7 prospects to win the Republican nomination in three years time are:

Mitt Romney--Not much has changed from when I wrote this a year ago with regards to Romney in 2012:
Somewhat akin to the 1976 Republican nomination fight where an aging, tired Gerald Ford narrowly fended off what turned out to be the future of the party in California governor Ronald Reagan--who became the Godfather of the modern conservative movement--many Republicans today have McCain buyer's remorse and realize they should have nominated Romney. Ford went on to lose to Carter in 1976, just as McCain will lose to Obama in a few days. Romney has the benefit of being filthy rich, handsome, and young. Moreover, he's competent, and he is far and away the Republican front runner as it stands today for 2012. Romney's so smart that he probably smelled a loser from a mile away in McCain and should be thankful he didn't wind up on the present ticket. Did he make it clear to McCain that he didn't want the slot?? Maybe.
I will only add this: Romney is clearly still the wealthiest of the group, and the GOP doesn't traditionally eat its own--the powers that be in the party usually loyally go with the 'next guy in line' weather that be losers like Dole in '96 or McCain last time around. The next guy in line, clearly, in 2012 is Romney.
Mike Huckabee--In a sense former Arkansas governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee possesses many of the critical qualities that his chief rival for the nomination, Mitt Romney, does not: he's a Christian southerner (remember, Romney is a Morman) with Bill Clinton like retail politicking skills. Huckabee is at his best when he's deep in the middle of a crowd kissing every baby in sight. He's not wealthy, either, and has a populist, anti-elitist, anti Wall Street message that plays well to many in the GOP base these days. His problems? He's not the 'next in line', his campaign cash war chest will be dwarfed by Romney's, and it is a real stretch to see his appeal travelling very far from his Southern base. Can anyone really envision Republicans in New York or in California pulling the lever en masse for Mike Huckabee?
Tim Pawlenty--The current governor of Minnesota is known for his moderate, pragmatic approach, but has been busy sprinting to the right these days to placate the wingnut, Rush Limbaugh/Glenn Beck loving base of the GOP. The ones who tend to actually turn out to vote on cold primary and caucus winter days. He's young, smart, and telegenic though and is the odds on favorite to be selected as Romney's eventual running mate--barring any blowups (aka 'Mark Sanfords'). The big question? Will Joe GOP Base Voter in Alabama or South Carolina trust a northerner like Pawlenty with his vote?
John Thune--Every presidential nominating race has its' dark horse, and I have a feeling 2012's for the Republicans' will be John Thune--he's currently the GOP du jour among the chattering classes and is best known up to now for defeating then Senate Minority Leader Democrat Tom Daschle back in 2002 for the South Dakota Senate seat that he still occupies. Handome and having a reputation for being reasonably moderate, Thune in reality has a very small chance of winning the nomination this time around, but certainly will be a guy to watch and could wind up as the VP choice for the eventual nominee...
Sarah Palin--Yes, believe it or not, the former Alaskan governor merits the #5 spot here if for nothing else than the fact that Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh love her. In other words the right wing of the right wing: religious conservatives who don't believe in evolution or abortion, and believe President Obama is a Muslim who was born in Indonesia...that's the demographic that supports governor Palin, and there are millions of them. As the famous boxing promoter Don King has famously said, "Only in America..." That about sums up the Sarah Palin phenomenon.
Newt Gingrich--The fact that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich makes this list speaks volumes about the state of the modern Republican party. Arguably the most divisive political figure of the late 80's and 90's, Gingrich--almost unfathomably, comes off as a voice of reason, a kind of elder statesman in today's GOP. To say his candidacy for president would be a monumental long shot would be putting it kindly. Paris Hilton has a greater chance of being our next president...
Ron Paul--Known for being the Libertarian who made waves in the GOP nominating contest last time around by garnering impressive grassroots support and loudly disagreeing with the party's foreign policy dogma, Paul seems poised for an encore run this time around. Paul appeals to disenchanted voters from both parties with a simple message: government is the root of all evil. Paul's message makes complete sense for people who look for simple answers to complex problems. Your tuna sandwich just got 50 cents more expensive at the local diner? It's the government's fault. No health insurance? It's the government's fault. Global warming? The answer is less government. He stands as much of a chance of getting elected president as Ralph Nader did back in 2000. Which is exactly why his candidacy frightens the hell out of the GOP hierarchy and why he cannot be ignored. We all know what impact Nader eventually had on that contest....

So there you have it: the only certain thing about this list when I revise it next year is that it once again be vastly different--especially in the lower slots. In November of 2005 Barack Obama was serving his first year in the Senate. Very, very few people thought he would win the Democratic nomination three years later and go on to become elected president.

But for now, the smart money remains on Romney. Just as that same money was on Hillary Clinton at this point in the cycle last time around.

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE 2012 GOP NOMINEE ? PLEASE VOTE IN THE ONLINE POLL AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE!!!

Andrew Sullivan Working on Something Big With Regards to Sarah Palin

2009-11-18T14:08:00.004-05:00

STORY HERE

Hmmmm. Andrew Sullivan is perhaps the world's foremost political blogger. He's investigating the controversy over Palin's newest child and whether it is indeed hers or not...

The ramifications for the entire Republican party--who nominated Sarah Palin to be their vice presidential candidate, 15 short months ago...should not be underestimated.

Best of Minor Ripper: The Palin/Couric Interviews

2009-11-18T08:51:00.009-05:00

This is must watch viewing for pretty much the remainder of mankind's existence on earth, but in light of the buzz surrounding the release of Sarah Palin's new book--especially so now.

It is worth mentioning that roughly 46% of American voters, or 58,421,377 people, thought it was ok to have Palin a heartbeat away from the presidency...

Coming: The Google Phone?

2009-11-18T08:11:00.003-05:00

And I'm not talking about the Droid or just merely the Google Android operating system either...

If we are going to believe this article coming out of a pretty reputable California high tech blog, then we can expect a full on branded Google phone or G-phone or whatever, pretty damn soon.

The Apple Iphone has pretty much dominated the 'cool phone' world landscape for the past two years or so--for good reason, too. It is an incredible, once in a generation type of product....

But it's high time they got a little competition--and as the below comment from the above article illustrates, users of the Iphone are by all means not completely satisfied with apple:

Nice. I wonder if when the Google phone breaks you’ll have to make an appointment with a ‘genius’ and personally accompany the phone to the store for repair … oh, sorry … that’s Apple and their f&%$ing stupid broken iphone policy.

And if Google is indeed making its own phone, we can be sure of one thing:

It will be one cool, good fucking phone--

The New Sarah Palin Book

2009-11-17T12:45:00.004-05:00

Boy has there ever been a ton of interest and buzz about the new Sarah Palin book!

Appearances on Oprah, book signing events galore....number one on the Amazon best seller list, etc.!

Must be a great read, right?!?

Interesting, funny, insightful...thought provoking. Deep.

My questions to you, the readers of this blog, are: what do you think about all this buzz? do you plan on reading the book? why or why not? do you think Sarah Palin would make a good president?

Does the fact that the Palin book is by all accounts selling like hotcakes and is a big success...does that speak to anything with regards to today's America?

COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!!

Angry White Men: Bill O'Reilly Interviews Lou Dobbs

2009-11-17T08:14:00.001-05:00

Absolutely Hilarious: 'Robert Erickson'--Imposter Tea Bagger Whips Dunce Anti-Immigrant Crowd Into a Frenzy with Anti-European Immigrant Speech.

2009-11-16T14:22:00.004-05:00

This guy deserves some sort of a comedy award...the funniest thing I've seen in quite some time--the crowd, apparently, are not quite a group of rocket scientists...

Let’s send these European immigrants back where they came from! I don’t care if they are Polish, Irish, English, Italian, or Norwegian! European immigrants are responsible for the most violent and heinous crimes in the history of the world, including genocide and slavery! Its time to restore the sovereignty of people native to this land! I want more workplace raids, starting with the big banks downtown.

Man Greets his Dog after Afghanistan Tour

2009-11-16T08:08:00.002-05:00

Full Video: Sec. of State Hillary Clinton on This Week with George Stephanopolous

2009-11-15T13:46:00.002-05:00

Sec. of State Hillary Clinton

New York City Can Handle the Terrorist Trials

2009-11-14T11:10:00.005-05:00

It's always puzzled me how the rest of America voted for George W. Bush in 2004 to 'keep us safe', whereas the residents of New York City--the place by a factor of like 10x most likely to be attacked by terrorists, voted for John Kerry to the tune of about 75%

A bit of a head scratcher, right??

These days the Obama administration is under fire by Republicans for plucking the master mind of the 9/11 attacks out of the Gitmo torture chambers and into New York City to finally (after nearly a decade) stand trial for the atrocity.

As a resident of New York City for the past 10 years, Minor Ripper has a message to Peoria and the rest of the country: Thanks for you concern, but we can handle ourselves. You might be afraid, but we are not. Below is what NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has to say on the matter:

“I support the Obama Administration’s decision to prosecute 9/11 terrorists here in New York. It is fitting that 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site where so many New Yorkers were murdered. We have hosted terrorism trials before, including the trial of Omar Abdel-Rahman, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. When I spoke to Attorney General Holder earlier today, I told him New York City stands ready to assist the federal court in the administration of justice in any way necessary. I have great confidence that the NYPD, with federal authorities, will handle security expertly. The NYPD is the best police department in the world and it has experience dealing with high-profile terrorism suspects and any logistical issues that may come up during the trials.”

Case closed. You see, we are pretty thick skinned here in the Big Apple and can handle ourselves.

Now go attack Obama for something else.

How Pleasant! Tea Party Organization to Burn Nancy Pelosi and Local Congressman in Effigy

2009-11-13T15:58:00.002-05:00

If this doesn't scare you, I don't know what will....Video of the well mannered burners with their Congressman below