Blog Buzz: Phil Gramm's Mental Recession, Karl Rove's Congressional Snub and Obama on Bilingualism

Reader Comments

Back to article

в конце концов: отлично. а82ч

adjuct of AL 10:00PM February 24, 2010

http://www.well.com/~smendler/graphics/rove%20poster.pdf

Here's a link to a WANTED poster for this FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE... please share widely!

Skip Mendler of PA 1:58PM July 13, 2008

His remark about the Spanish language was inartful, but the point about being at least bilingual is basically sound. The world economy is becoming more and more global everyday, and Americans are going to have to deal with this fact realistically if we intend to maintain our status as an economical and political powerhouse nation. Greater knowledge about the world outside the USA can only be helpful, both in terms of economics and national security.

The last 8 years under George W. Bush demonstrate just how arrogance and ignorance can lead us into a quagmire from which we can extricate ourselves only with great difficulty. He allowed ideology to trump both diplomacy and a working knowledge of Iraq in order to pursue a personal agenda.

Even though Obama WAS pandering, the basic point he was making should not be lost on us.

anne of DC 11:00AM July 13, 2008

Phil Gramm is a good example of someone who is an out-of-touch elitist. His circumstances in life remove him from the suffering of a lot of people that problems like gas prices, food prices, and lack of health insurance affect greatly.

There is a world of difference between cluelessness about the

economy and having tastes like latte or arugula. One is dangerous for a presidential candidate and the other is just a matter of personal tastes.

McCain showed signs of what gave him the reputation as a "maverick" only after it became painfully obvious that Gramm's remarks did not sit well with everyday Americans.

He already has problems articulating a vision of solving the economic problems this nation faces. And I am glad he belatedly realized that Gramm is not going to help him find one.

anne of DC 10:49AM July 13, 2008

This rancher's anecdote so-o aptly epitomizes Obama's candidacy.

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old Texas rancher, who had caught his hand in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama and his bid to be our next President.

The old rancher said, "Well, ya know, Obama is a 'post turtle'."

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was.

The old rancher replied, "When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top - that's a 'post turtle'."

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain,

"You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, and you just wonder what kind of a dumb ass put him up there to begin with."

of TX 1:29PM July 12, 2008

Oliver North was not afraid to face the congress. I can not wait to proud of the administration occupying the white house again regardless of party.

Earl Marshall McGuire of IL 1:46PM July 11, 2008

Oliver North was not afraid to face the congress. I can not wait to proud of the administration occupying the white house again regardless of party.

Earl Marshall McGuire of IL 1:46PM July 11, 2008

Oliver North was not afraid to face the congress. I can not wait to proud of the administration occupying the white house again regardless of party.

Earl Marshall McGuire of IL 1:46PM July 11, 2008

Oliver North was not afraid to face the congress. I can not wait to proud of the administration occupying the white house again regardless of party.

Earl Marshall McGuire of IL 1:46PM July 11, 2008

It's easy to make a ridiculous remark like that when you spend your days working in a posh office with "servants" to do your bidding, lots of people to delegate your work to, have lunch and dinner on an ample expense account, ferry back and forth between work and home in a beautiful car, and crawl into bed at night never having to worry about the price of gas cutting into your next day's meal and your mortgage payment, or your ability to commute. I'm sure Mr. Gramm is financially secure, but obviously secluded from mainstream America.

Is Mr. Phil actually aware of the numbers of Americans who have lost their homes to the mortgage crisis, or lost their jobs because of the mortgage business collapse? Is he aware of the rapidly growing number of Americans whose incomes depend on using fuel-consuming transportation, and those incomes have shrunken to abyssmal lows because the price of fuel has nearly tripled? Does Phil have any idea what it's like to try to live on $20/hr or less and need to appropriate every penny toward your mere survival? Is Grimmy aware of the constantly growing numbers of low-income and no-income Anmericans who find it impossible to meet their and their families' needs? Has anyone informed Phil of the vast number of workers that have been shifted from full-time jobs with benefits to part-time (less than 36 hours/week) jobs without benefits?

Let's take away all of Phil Gramm's possessions, his fortune, and his job. Let's narrow his choices of finding work to those of the lower-middle class American, where $15/hr is "nice money". Let's watch Mr. Gramm settle for low-income housing, food stamps and welfare, spaghetti for dinner 4 times a week, the inability to purchase his own transportation (or settle for a decrepid car and try to keep gas in the tank). When Phil hits rock bottom, especially for a man of his means, and he's working two or three part-time jobs and has no money or time to indulge in pleasures, and he sees no end in sight for his miserable quality of life, let's see if Phil Gramm starts to whine about the economy like so many Americans already are. Until you've walked a mile in our shoes, Phil, bite your tongue. Empathy is obviously not one of your talents!

Al Todd of VA 8:58AM July 11, 2008

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to article

Photo Galleries

Before and After the Joplin Tornado

A look at Joplin one year after the deadly tornado.

advertisement

Latest Video