33 Comments

1. AlanC:

Roger,

This has always been one of my fears about an Obama presidency. Democrats have long been pushing for this and it is one of the signature policies of dictators from time immemorial.

The criminalization of policy differences can only lead to revolution or tyrrany. Unfortunately all too many of the Democrats don’t care for liberty, freedom or the rule of law. They also demonstratively don’t care for politics if they can find another venue (aka courts) to get their way.

No, the current crop of which I fear Obama will be all too ready to lead only believe in power no matter how attained or retained.

This could get very, very ugly if Whitehouse, Rangel, Frank et. al. get their way.

Nov 13, 2008 - 8:19 am 2. promoguy aka AllanC:

AlanC, normally I would generally agree with what you’ve said. Even though I wouldn’t put it past those nasties, I’m almost thinking that Obama might be a bit more pragmatic. The Congress and O are going to be spending so much time trying to get their arms around the economy, I think they’ll start looking silly attacking the past.

Nov 13, 2008 - 8:36 am 3. Insufficiently Sensitive:

Agree with AlanC.

It has been well known for a couple of years at least that the Democratic party is under control of its extreme leftists – the ‘ends justify the means’ gang – who have enough ‘activists’ and sugar daddies (and funds from taxpayers and Foundations, siphoned off in Alinskyite grants) – to bury the more centrist Dems. And the emergence of the demonize-and-revenge meme show a yearning toward banana republic authoritarianism, to say the least. OK, they’re not proposing public executions yet, but are certainly wishing to make life miserable for their predecessors.

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:04 am 4. AlanC:

Promoguy, I hope you’re right but I don’t like the look of this. I’m not one who believes that by Feb. 1 we will be run by a facist dictatorship. What I’m concerned about is that while that is a huge leap, there are a lot of small steps on that road that have been proposed. Remember the moderate Democrats act as though they believe that the Devil is Republicans. But they are wrong, the Devil is the fascists.

The Dems. are like Roper

More: What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
Roper: I’d cut down every law in England to do that!
More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you — where would you hide, Roper, the laws being all flat?
– Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:25 am 5. Belladonna Rogers:

And members of Congress wonder why their collective approval rating is 18 percent, six points lower than that of GWB. When they write the new edition,the DSM should use such politicians as Whitehouse, et al. as textbook examples of a combination of narcissism and Asperger’s for their solipsistic concentration on single issues of little or no importance to their fellow citizens.
If Al Franken joins Robert Byrd, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and Dick Durbin, the soi-disant description of the Senate as “the world’s greatest deliberative body” will become even more ironic than it already is. When I consider this state of affairs, my own DSM diagnosis is nothing short of major depressive episode—and “episode” may last four to eight years. Happily for us all, there are other things to consume our energies and passions.
BTW, congratulations to PJM for adding Ron Radosh to your line-up. A brilliant addition. Kudos.

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:25 am 6. Webrider:

AllanC:

I don’t agree. I think that Obama is actually not that pragmatic or strong. He’ll let this play out and the idiots on the Democrat forefront will use it to distract from their own ethical problems. eg. Frank, Dodd, Jefferson, Martinez, Hastings, Feinstein, Pelosi et al. Waxman, Conyers, Levin, Frank, and Dodd (I’m sure there are more) such as Roger’s pointing out Whitehouse, have shown absolutely ZERO responsibility, only a tendency to be absolutely ruthless in using whatever power they have to “punish the enemy” eg. Republicans.

Frankly, as I see it, our only hope is that the voters will be paying attention and get rid of these jerks when things continue to go to hell in a handbasket as they conduct their witch hunts and fail to do anything constructive about all the problems. Pelosi and Reid’s congress is already the lowest rated in history (even lower than President Bush’s ratings), so it would appear that the public is watching. I hope that the MSM also gets back to their job by reporting on this kind of destructive behavior, but I’m afraid it will be more of the Chris Matthews approach (”it is my job to help this administration succeed”.) Ever read a more frightening and disgusting idea from a member of the MSM?

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:28 am 7. promoguy:

Webrider, okay I concur. Thanks for pointing out the other scum.

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:36 am 8. Anita Hope:

Is anyone watching the Minnisota final counting? Where did all these Demo votes come from to put Al Franken over Coleman is a big question that will
more than likely be washed away. One more reason to lower the ratings of the Senators, if they wanted change, it would be a good step to question this
situation themselves as a majority and we all might be a bit more receptive to the changes in Washington, but only ” a bit “.

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:54 am 9. srlucado:

This is what happens when one side gets to control both sides of the communication:

CNN is reporting “Congressman sorry for likening Obama to Hitler”.

Now, where could he possibly have gotten the idea that it’s okay to compare a president (even a president-elect) to Hitler?

I bring it up because this is exactly the sort of thing I (and many other conservatives, of course) have been warning about for years: “Political correctness” has come to mean that everything liberals do is constitutionally-protected freedom of expression; anything conservatives do is a criminal act of hate.

This is bad, bad, bad for everyone concerned.

Scott

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:56 am 10. Jamie Irons:

Roger,

While I respect the humorous intention of your use here of the DSM (now in a version called the “DSM-IV-TR”), as a psychiatrist I have to add a further caveat.

Back when I was learning my trade at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute, the DSM was in its second and third editions, and one of my teachers, the redoubtable Joel Yager, memorably said of psychiatric nosology (which is what the DSM distills):

“It’s kind of like what happens at a Jewish delicatessen: no matter how you slice it, it’s still baloney.”

Jamie Irons

Nov 13, 2008 - 9:59 am 11. David Thomson:

The leftist Democrats adhere to the Saul Alinsky doctrine that they must relentlessly attack the “reactionary scum bags.” Their enemies must not be allowed no rest. Also, this tactic is employed to discourage Republicans from demanding legitimate investigations. There are, after all, nit-picky investigations—and there are also legitimate ones. We should definitely be investigating voting fraud and the mess at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mac.

Nov 13, 2008 - 10:07 am 12. Lightnin' Hopkins:

Regardless of what the Obama administration does in terms of attempting to exert influence over the Dem-controlled Congress, the dark forces of Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Frank, Conyers, et al, are kept in power by BDS-suffering constituencies back home who demand “justice.” So I won’t hold my breath waiting for a raft of reasoned pragmatism, much less decency and common sense – Cold Turkey is not an option for people convinced that Bush and his “cronies” are war criminals.

Do these loons look like they’re ready to accept anything less than Karl Rove being frog-marched to the gallows?:

http://tinyurl.com/5qq6rp

Nov 13, 2008 - 1:01 pm 13. Mingjaiyo:

Like “Lightnin’Hopkins”, I too am less concerned with Obama than the big name Dem’s in the Houses of Congress. Some of them (Shumer,Boxer,others) have been talking about this sort of thing for at least a year (or longer). I don’t believe that Obama will display that “spine of steel” that Old Slow Joe mentioned in his speech warning of a “generated crisis” to test Obama. No,I think Obama will just go with the flow with these “investigations” and be run roughshod over by the Leftist wing of the Dem.Party. Why should he even try to fight them when (as it appears)he will have a supermajority in both Houses that will overide any veto he could attempt. A frightening prospect,that. I firmly believe that this incoming administration will give a whole new meaning to the words “malfeasense” and “corruption” by the time their time comes to an end (as it inevitably will). Whitehouse is an embarrassment. I am one of the very,very few conservatives living in Rhode Island (proudly not a native RI’er) and there is not a member of the Federal Gov’t elected from this state that does anything other than to cause me to recoil in disgust at the mention of their names.

Nov 13, 2008 - 1:23 pm 14. hermie:

Obama exert influence?

Where was his supposed leadership during his 4 years as a US Senator? He was part of the same crowd that stood silent while MoveOn was promoting the ‘General Betray Us’ mantra. That was not only looney, but a vile slander against a decent and honorable soldier.

If he wouldn’t do the decent thing and walk away from that nuttiness, how would he be able to influence 300 plus member of Congress who are out for blood?

Nov 13, 2008 - 1:41 pm 15. thedoctor:

I’ve spent a lifetime around politicians. The most successful are indeed people you can’t stand to be around…it is always about them. Most have come to believe that they embody what is good and right for the body politic. They all hope to die in office as the thought of being nobody is too foreign to comtemplate.

Nov 13, 2008 - 1:44 pm 16. JL:

Perhaps it is wishful thinking, but I do believe the outrage from the somewhat more mentally healthy (including Dems) to the spectacle of war crimes trials for President Bush and Company would blow Barack Obama’s hope for an audacious second term to hell in a hand basket. And beyond.

I know our house representative and a number of other reps (you’ve only got 2 years, boys and girls) and senators would never see the light of an other election win, and maybe not even a run.

These “criminals” are who has kept me safe flying and visiting big cities and sleeping well at night with no fear.
In spite of the fact that many Dems act like we are a banana republic (with apologies to the bana republics) we are in fact a republic.

Nov 13, 2008 - 1:47 pm 17. babar:

Our government already provides us with a corrective for such alleged malfeasances, which are more often than not really policy differences. It’s called “The Vote.” And we just had one. The Democrats won and they get to do whatever it is they want – up to a point.

Exactly. And the Dems remain free to investigate. Furthermore, as of last year, there was still a great deal of enthusiasm for these inquiries.

I’m not sure what the problem is here. Elections, as the GOP was wont to say it 04, have consequences. So why, Roger, should the guilty go unpunished? The innocence have nothing to worry about.

Nov 13, 2008 - 1:52 pm 18. glenn:

Just another bunch of spoiled brats tossing their toys out of the pram.

Nov 13, 2008 - 2:03 pm 19. Les Meade:

In his recently published book, The Importance of Being Honest, Northwestern Law Professor, Stephen Lubet, coins a new phrase to identify the condition that afflicts some judges, but which applies equally to some business executives, celebrities, and politicians. He identifies the condition as “Introspection Deficit Disorder.” Think of it as the inability to engage in meaningful self-reflection which results in the subject taking himself too damn seriously. I fully expect the diagnosis to appear in the DSM-V.

Perhaps we should help out by identifying the clinical symptoms of the disorder. Hmmm.

Nov 13, 2008 - 2:37 pm 20. Point out the obvious:

People under investigation have to hire lawyers, so essentially these newly empowered politicians intend to levy hefty fines on members of the opposite
party. Just because a defense lawyer rather than the government gets the money, the people paying the lawyers are still penalized whether or not
they actually did anything wrong. Cute, huh? In fact this is altogether a truly disgusting and unfair system; no wonder nobody decent wants to run for office or take a high-profile government job. The problem for the rest of us is that sooner or later these animals will get tired of ripping up each other and turn on the general public. Imagine all those newly enrolled civilian voluteers that I read so much about wandering around, ears flappiing and cell-phone cameras at the ready, authorized to hand out tickets for “hate speech” or some other previously unregulated activity. In fact, once the snooper corps are in place all sorts of possibilities suggest themselves. You could set up a new categoy of ecological crimes, such as taking an unnecessary trips in your car, that contribute to global warming or the extinction of rare species. After the government starts paying for medical care, people can be kept healthy by handing out tickets for being overweight, not exercising, eating junk food, and so on. You also better be sure that you can demonstrate that the required amount of time has been spent watching government-mandated sensitivity training programs on TV. When the snoopers accuse you of violating these sorts of regulations, it’ll be your word against theirs, and now you’ll be in basically the same position as today’s unlucky government official — you too will have to pay up or hire a lawyer (or both) for previously non-criminal actions or inactions. All this may sound extreme, but just consider how much of it is more or less standard procedure on many college campuses today (well, maybe not the health bit, because young adults can abuse their bodies in the most amazing ways and still not get sick, so the colleges have
less excuse for getting involved. However, I believe California recently put a tax on, or tried to put a tax on, junk food to discourage its consumption.)

Nov 13, 2008 - 2:48 pm 21. Lightnin' Hopkins:

“Obama exert influence?”

Allow me to clarify. My point was that even if he wanted to cool down the angry mob – purely out of political necessity, ie; in order to get re-elected – he couldn’t. I’m perfectly aware of his lack of decency and honor. I voted against it.

Nov 13, 2008 - 3:04 pm 22. Horatio:

Pity the poor, diseased politician. Imagine: to spend your days and expend your efforts making rules for others to live by, thinking up ways to run other lives. Actually to strive for the opportunity to do so! What a hideous affliction! – From The Second Book Of KYFHO (F. Paul Wilson, “An Enemy of the State”)

Nov 13, 2008 - 4:26 pm 23. Anita Hope:

Who wants to listen to the media day in and day out regarding trials, like that would help anyone. Now is the time to try and get ourselves back on course
for survival. We have no money to waste on our representatives. sitting in front of camera’s for the TV audience & trying to make political gains for themselves. Let Pres. Bush retire along with all of the past 8 yrs. of his Policies, and now see what Pres. Elct. Obama really plans to do regarding his promises for change, he will make his own history and if he fails in the next 4 years we all know what will have to be changed. If in the next two years both houses don’t show some vast changes they too will see not only the Repub. but the Dems ready to vote them out.

Nov 13, 2008 - 4:52 pm 24. brad G:

Oh my god! — is being a politician a personality disorder? Are you serious? Have you ever watched Barney Frank, or Chris Dodd?? I mean in what area other than the political arena could two such obvious idiots actually represent such sucesses? In real life, at least in my neighborhood, they would have been pounded mercilessly by any redblooded boy…well wait a minute. I think that may have happened to Frank anyway…I mea what else could explain such a freak show.

Nov 13, 2008 - 5:00 pm 25. Mike G in Corvallis:

Years ago I saw a cartoon in a magazine: The scene is a psychiatrist’s office, with three doctors and a nurse facing a patient. One of the shrinks is saying to the subject: “I’ve diagnosed you as a paranoid schizophrenic, Dr. Aaron thinks you’re a sociopath, Dr. Baker believes you have delusions of grandeur, and Miss Willoughby thinks you’re just an asshole.”

One or another of those diagnoses should fit most politicians …

Nov 13, 2008 - 5:30 pm 26. Andrew Garland:

The Democrats know little about economics, or they don’t care. They know a lot about political infighting, accusations, and hearings. It builds their brand, so that is what they do.

Nov 13, 2008 - 5:45 pm 27. Fderfler:

I laugh when I hear pundits talk about The Dems as having only a little time to please their voters before the voters turn nasty. I laugh because the American public, aided by the media, has cultural ADD. Yes, the pace of change (credit to the Tofflers, not the Democrats!) helps blur anything older than 12 hours, but failure to remember and to apply lessons is now endemic.

The new administration has so many problems, promises, and pressures that they will need circuses to keep the masses distracted. Really, any old thing will do for a while. Hearings that re-play how awful the Bush administration was will do fine …for a while. The issues that are too tough.. healthcare, social security, out of control spending.. those issues will never be heard of again. In there place will be… ??, but you can bet it won’t be anything important.

Nov 13, 2008 - 5:45 pm 28. bobby b:

“So why, Roger, should the guilty go unpunished? The innocence have nothing to worry about.”
– - – -

Ya’ know, I used to throw out the line that goes “yeah, but we have all the guns” as a joke, recognized as humor by both speaker and listener.

Both sides now seem to give it a quick, slightly surprised head-jerk before nervously laughing.

But, as you say, (almost – I fear that your “trials” might be run as exactingly as your typing), the innocent need have no fear. Just make sure you’re in that room when we define “innocent.”

You know – the room with the guns.

Nov 13, 2008 - 5:50 pm 29. MB Kitchen:

“It is an indictment of a person’s character, who wants to be a politician.” –MB Kitchen

Nov 13, 2008 - 7:44 pm 30. Bryan:

Dunno if it’s a psychiatric disorder. *I* think it’s more like substance abuse.

Nov 14, 2008 - 3:05 am 31. Mike Shuster:

Roger, I agree that Whitehouse is being silly and that it would be bad for the county for there to be full-fledged criminal investigations of the outgoing administration, but you are completely wrong when you write “everyone knows the executive branch has the perfect right to make such firings.” If such firings were indeed motivated by politics (to open up positions so as to reward allies with favors, etc.) rather than job performance, it is illegal for the executive branch to fire federal prosecutors– those aren’t political appointments like (for instance) the OMB or State Department or whatever. Seriously, do a little research before you write things!

Although again, I agree that it would be silly to pursue these sorts of investigations and Whitehouse et al should just be quiet, in the interest of unity, forward-thinkingness, etc.

Nov 14, 2008 - 2:16 pm 32. Crusader:

Mike Shuster – post a link that proves the firing were illegal. Otherwise STFU.

Nov 15, 2008 - 6:43 am 33. raf:

So when will Bill Clinton be investigated for firing *all* of the federal prosecutors when he first took office?

They are all political appointees.

Nov 16, 2008 - 2:17 pm

Write a Comment

Name:	(required, displayed)
Email:	(required, not publicized)
URL:	(optional, displayed)
Comments: