Look: I am eager to learn stuff I don't know--which requires actively courting and posting smart disagreement.

But as you will understand, I don't like to post things that mischaracterize and are aimed to mislead.

-- Brad Delong

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Everything that appears on this blog is the copyrighted property of somebody. Often, but not always, that somebody is me. For things that are not mine, I either have obtained permission, or claim fair use. Feel free to quote me, but attribute, please. My photos and poetry are dear to my heart, and may not be used without permission. Ditto, my other intellectual property, such as charts and graphs. I'm probably willing to share. Let's talk. Violators will be damned for all eternity to the circle of hell populated by Rosanne Barr, Mrs Miller [look her up], and trombonists who are unable play in tune. You cannot possibly imagine the agony. If you have a question, email me: jazzbumpa@gmail.com. I'll answer when I feel like it. Cheers!

Friday, September 14, 2012

What the Hell?!? Friday - Romney is ODIOUS, LOATHSOME and DESPICABLE Edition

What Obama said:

I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives. I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants. On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya’s transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss. The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward.

What Romney said (emphasis added):

I’m outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi. It’s disgraceful that the Obama Administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.

 What Jim Wright said:

Looking at this event in the cold light of a rainy Alaskan afternoon, this is what see I immediately:

Barack Obama condemned the attacks, he spoke against violence and expressed sadness for the dead and sympathy for their families and friends, he told us what he was doing to protect our people in similar situations around the globe, and he promised us justice.  About what you would expect from your President in such a situation.

Mitt Romney attacked his own government and his fellow Americans. 

The President was coldly angry, but determined in his public response to prevent further bloodshed, further violence. 

Mitt was outraged.

The President’s concern was for the dead, for their families, for people.

Romney’s concern was that somebody touched our stuff.

Obama responded like a president.

Romney acted like a businessman.

Do the math for yourself.

Wright riffs on this at considerable outraged length, and I encourage you to go read it all.

Two three points stick out for me, even beyond Mittens swallowing his foot before he had any clear idea of what the hell was going on:

1) At a moment when our PEOPLE were under attack and dying, Mittens chose to ATTACK our people.

2) I haven't said often enough what the loathsome Romneybot makes crystal clear: while real people have as their first concern PEOPLE, conservatives (and yes, I believe this about ALL conservatives, not simply the regressives into which the modern Repugnicant party has degenerated) have as their first concern THINGS.

3) The Rethugs have been saying stupid things to their stupid base for so long that it has become reflexive.  Any why not?  They've gotten away with it since at least the Nixon administration.  But the stupid has gotten proregressively stupider over time. Perhaps at last now, famous Republican Abe Lincoln will be right about not fooling all the people all the time.

And what was the Obama administration's pronouncement that Willard found to be so disgraceful?

This, issued by the Cairo embassy staff several hours BEFORE any of the attacks:

The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.

Obama's statement, quoted above, and this statement from the embassy are pretty much boiler plate in these kinds of circumstances.  It's very easy to imagine these banal documents written well in advance and stuck in a drawer, ready to receive fill-in-the-blank details at the necessary moment.

For Mitt to attack the president and the embassy staff over this incident is not merely odious, loathsome, and the very antithesis of patriotism, it is also stupid.

Time and time again Romney has revealed himself to be a fully inside-the-bubble ideologue and ignoramus.  And after issuing these remarks, the son-of-a-bitch left the podium smirking.

And yet, this is going to be a close election.

Oh my god, are we screwed!

____________________________________
Endnotes:
a) I lifted all the quotes from Wright's post, and I appreciate his legwork in rounding them up.
b) H/T to Tux.
c) For a whole lot more, see LGM here and here.
d) Plus this at AB.

4 comments:

The Arthurian said...

Orange Crate Art

http://mleddy.blogspot.com/2012/09/now-other-foot.html

links to a Mother Jones piece by David Corn

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/secret-video-romney-private-fundraiser

Elsewhere, Char Weise comments on the David Corn pone at Creative Destruction

http://gecon.blogspot.com/2012/09/just-when-i-thought-i-couldnt-think.html

Char Weise has fun with it.

Jazzbumpa said...

Art

Thanks.

There's more there than waht i knew about.

Cheers!

JzB

The Arthurian said...

Somethin'else that's right up your alley: "Party Affiliation by Income" at Early Warning --

http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/2012/09/party-affiliation-by-income.html

Jazzbumpa said...

Ah, yes. No surprises.

Cheers!
JzB