Monday, May 24, 2010

Being Republicans

For all of you who are against big government and are now criticizing this administration for the disaster of private companies as if the government is in the business of oil drilling, you need to shut up. This was not a natural disaster; it was a private man-made one. Of course, the government now has to find remedies for the continued failure of private companies, those entities upheld by conservatives as demigods.

14 comments:

Judith Ellis said...

The hypocrisy is overwhelming. Palin accused President Obama of being in bed with the oil companies. And, she was the governor of which oil rich state again? That would be Alaska.

zorro said...

How do they get away with it? And they do. Why do I say they get away with it? because if a newscaster shows a clip of Palin saying that "Obama is in bed with the Oil Companies" or a clip of Newt Gingrich saying that "Obama is as dangerous to American Democracy as Germany in the 1930's" and does not follow it up with "What the Fuck?!", the news caster is letting them get away with it.

wmmbb said...

Judith, you are right that oil release is not a natural disaster. You have to wonder about the recklessness involved, regulations or not. I do not accept that those involved did not understand the potential implications of the activity.

Judith Ellis said...

Yeah, Zorro, this kind of talk is just ridiculous. I agree that those newscasters who do not follow up sod idiocies are irresponsible. I don't think the majority of the people are buying it anymore though--at least this seems to be the trend for now. All of the hate didn't win the election two years ago and it hasn't been the year of the incumbent so far.

Judith Ellis said...

wmmbb - The irresponsibility and lack of accountability of these big oil and gas companies is breathtaking. This is the government's responsibility before a disaster to make sure they are meeting their safety obligations. Of course, Dick Cheney was literally in the bed with them. He's awfully quite for someone who seemed incapably for shutting up after the election after being so quite during the eight years in office, causing great harm to the American people here and abroad.

Anonymous said...

Amen! I was just thinking the same thing.

Here's what I think people say in their heads:

"Big bad government... OH, they're so terrible, they're turning the country socialist, they should stay out of the stock market, we don't need regulations, they should leave big business alone....
What, there's a private company who can't clean up their own environmental disaster?
OH, big, bad government, how could they not jump in and save us, why are they waiting so long, they know how to clean up oil spills..."

Do these people hear themselves from week to week?

@zorro... I'm with you. I think fair and balanced journalism is a rapidly dying breed. I remind myself... there is someone making a choice for me as to what I see on the news/above the fold/in that sound bite. I don't get to hear all of it and make my own choice, it's dictated to me.

Judith Ellis said...

MWG - They act as if the government is in the oil and gas business. If the private industry can't control the bellowing or mitigate the damage, how is the government suppose do so? Somebody suggested that we all go down and volunteer as if that will make a difference. It will probably do something for out psyche but with million gushing out our movement will appear nil for sure. It looks like Kevin Costner has a plan. If so, we will forgive him for Waterworld. :-) Here is the link..

zorro said...

I flipped on Rush Limbaugh this afternoon and he had a guest host. This guy was going into detail why it is unconstitutional for the government to force business
to serve all people regardless of race.

Judith Ellis said...

Wow! Maybe I should flip him on occasionally.:-) I have never done so..ever. The clips are enough for me.

zorro said...

I can't stand him, but on my car radio, I check him out from time to time. Its just interesting to what he has to say. Ten or so years ago, I used to listen to him while I exercised, because he'd piss me off and I'd work harder.
But now, he's so hateful, I can only stand it for two minutes or less.

zorro said...

The bright side of the leak is that Sarah Palin won't
say 'Drill Baby Drill" again unless she becomes a Porn Star. Which would be a step up.

Judith Ellis said...

ROTFL at your second comment, Zorro. I understand the frustration with Limbaugh and I agree that he has gotten progressively more hateful. It would have been good to catch the interview today, though.

Anonymous said...

Depending on what channel your remote lands on, government is either the devil incarnate, or the savior of all mankind. I am amazed at how wide the pendulum swings (on various topics) in this country. I think that is one of the things that makes America great.

That being said... back during 9/11, in an effort to get as much info as I could, I started listening to both "left" and "right" radio on my long commutes. Taking both with a grain of salt, it was an efficient way of getting both sides of the story quickly. However, it all turned to hate not long after and I just couldn't listen anymore. The pendulum swung from hate... to hate. And it seemed everyone started believing whatever garbage was pushed through their ears, without using their brains to analyze it.

I'm not the best student of history, but does history show that in turbulent times people turn off their brains? Are we too overwhelmed to analyze what we hear these days - maybe too much connectivity? And when, if ever, do the masses cross the line and turn their brains back on? We need more of the everyday workin' Joes and Janes to be thinkers again.

On a lighter note... cracking up at the Waterworld and Palin comments!

Judith Ellis said...

Great comment, MWG. Thank you. This line made me laugh aloud: "I'm not the best student of history, but does history show that in turbulent times people turn off their brains?" I suppose I should have cried because history does indeed prove this time and time again, expecting a different result. I guess that's the definition of insanity, eh? :-)