tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post9204454694634655948..comments2024-02-14T11:00:03.180-05:00Comments on Tom McLaughlin: Romney RoutTom McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691546351143209227noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-15888111940832801302012-11-07T10:14:37.870-05:002012-11-07T10:14:37.870-05:0030 Good Morning Tom,
I've read your column for...30 Good Morning Tom,<br />I've read your column for 4 years. Mostly for humor not content. I do not believe you are misguided in your views. I believe you only want the best for this country. It's hard to convince others to adopt your own views when ones views are so myopic. I believe you would do yourself, your readers, and your country a great service by being able to expand your views, or at the very least, realize that opposing views may also have validity. <br />I offer you this simple task. Spend a day (perhaps today is a good time for reflection on this), and re-read some of your most pointed political pieces.<br />Then.<br />Try with all your power to write an article arguing your own point from a democratic viewpoint. Do research. Find sources. Craft your article. No need to publish it. Just some self discovery.<br /><br />As far as your prediction for a Romney landslide.....what went wrong? Did you truly believe that the information stated in your article would change the vote? Or were you publishing it as a way of helping the Republican cause? I have no allegiance to either party and never will. I believe the federal government system of pitting Republicans versus Democrats has all the voters over a barrel and creates an ineffectual government bent on politics not policies. I believe both parties play this game. I believe anyone (you're in this group in case you were wondering) that believes only in their own "side" and nothing about the other side is part of the problem and not part of the solution.<br /><br />Good luck and best wishes,<br />Raging Mad ModerateRaging Mad Moderatenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-73902629203483533472012-11-07T07:11:49.229-05:002012-11-07T07:11:49.229-05:00Maybe now it will sink in for Tom just how out of ...Maybe now it will sink in for Tom just how out of touch with the pulse of America he is. How could he possibly think it was going to be a rout for Romney unless he kept himself cocooned in his Radical Right bubble, where people like him spouted as the mindless sheep dittoed. <br /><br />But I implore Tom to keep up his columns as a public service. I really believe that it is the ugly, fact-challanged talk like his that turned off so many Americans to the Republican party.Briannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-33542588151899844312012-11-07T06:53:38.951-05:002012-11-07T06:53:38.951-05:00.."OK Mr. Smith....we'll wait and see. If...<br />.."OK Mr. Smith....we'll wait and see. If after Obama is reelcted he becomes MORE anti-corporations and fights MORE for the little people and their rights, then your theory is blown to hell.."<br /><br />What on earth are you talking about? Please, give me concrete examples of Obama fighting corporations and helping the little guy? How does murdering American citizens without trial helping anyone? Corporations? Are you delusional? Obamacare? That really helps. Ndaa? So, running guns in Mexico helps the little guy how exactly? ( fast and furious) ask Bradley manning how helpful Obama is. <br /><br />What is it with you people? Get over it. He's a shill. A liar and a fraud. Mr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-1279265278517375582012-11-07T06:41:11.906-05:002012-11-07T06:41:11.906-05:00Hey Tom, good thing we use the electoral college h...Hey Tom, good thing we use the electoral college huh? <br />It seems your boy Romney may have even won the popular vote! But who wants the candidate with the most votes to win? That makes no sense. Lets use the electoral college. Brilliant! Americans are so dumb they'll even argue for it!<br /><br />PatheticAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-79987390626618255222012-11-06T10:35:36.609-05:002012-11-06T10:35:36.609-05:00YOU Mr. Smith, are beyond weak... you are willfull...YOU Mr. Smith, are beyond weak... you are willfully obtuse and sophistic. Enjoy your dark little fantasy world where Obama eats babies for breakfast and tortures old ladies in his secret White House torture chamber.<br /><br />The election is over, and I am done with this place. Unlike you, who claimed to be done but came groveling back spewing more nonsense.<br /><br />I hope you get better. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-66196606705319899542012-11-06T08:37:07.921-05:002012-11-06T08:37:07.921-05:00Anonymous, nice try. But that mother jones article...Anonymous, nice try. But that mother jones article is beyond weak. Do you have any idea what is going on with Obama? Any? A clue? He's far worse than W ever could've dreamed of. <br /><br />"So it is with some morbid fascination that I watch Barack Obama, who has become the prime “dominatrix” of the liberal class, force us in this election to plead for more humiliation and abuse. Obama has carried out a far more egregious assault on our civil liberties, including signing into law Section 1021(b)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), than George W. Bush. Section 1021(b)(2), which I challenged in federal court, permits the U.S. military to detain American citizens, strip them of due process and hold them indefinitely in military facilities. U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest struck down the law in September. The Obama administration immediately appealed the decision. The NDAA has been accompanied by use of the Espionage Act, which Obama has turned to six times in silencing whistle-blowers. Obama supported the FISA Amendment Act so government could spy on tens of millions of us without warrants. He has drawn up kill lists to exterminate those, even U.S. citizens, deemed by the ruling elite to be terrorists."<br /><br />It isn't even close man. Obama is an evil lying corporate puppet. Kill lists, no Habeous corpus, detaining whistle blowers, etc etc etc who cares what he thinks about water boarding? Look at gitmo!!! Nice promise.<br /><br />Not even close.<br />Mr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-88174040449909097962012-11-06T08:33:08.284-05:002012-11-06T08:33:08.284-05:00Hence the name--- two party paradigm.
I know, it ...Hence the name--- two party paradigm.<br /><br />I know, it hurts to acknowledge youve been played your whole life. My advice, get over it and move on. I did. Mr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-90122359355358369672012-11-06T08:31:23.441-05:002012-11-06T08:31:23.441-05:00Anonymous, really? P,ease inform us all of the las...Anonymous, really? P,ease inform us all of the last time more than two candidates made it this far? Please, love to hear about it.Mr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-78154854688623543482012-11-06T08:27:45.532-05:002012-11-06T08:27:45.532-05:00Here is what Mother Jones had to say about Civil L...Here is what Mother Jones had to say about Civil Liberties and the election in it's piece entitled "Obama is Bad on Civil Liberties, But Romney Would Be Much Worse":<br /><br />"Anyone whose vote is based on civil liberties and national security issues ought to be aware of what it means to do anything that makes a Romney victory more likely. As bad as you think things are now, it means implicitly supporting the election of someone who would make them appreciably worse. It's sophistry to pretend otherwise."<br /><br /><br />Obama banned torture; Romney wants to bring it back, saying that waterboarding is not torture, and that "We'll use enhanced interrogation techniques which go beyond those that are in the military handbook right now."<br /><br />If the election is lost by a margin of non-voters like Mr. Smith, than they will be the cause of people getting tortured.<br /><br />http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/11/obama-bad-civil-liberties-romney-would-be-much-worseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-60544862239708713602012-11-06T07:54:22.254-05:002012-11-06T07:54:22.254-05:00And to be fair, Mr. Smith, we had a hell of a lot ...And to be fair, Mr. Smith, we had a hell of a lot more than two choices, but they have now been whittled down to 2. Saying there are only two is like saying it is screwed up that only two teams get to play in the Super Bowl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-18031897910873733942012-11-06T07:52:41.582-05:002012-11-06T07:52:41.582-05:00OK Mr. Smith....we'll wait and see. If after ...OK Mr. Smith....we'll wait and see. If after Obama is reelcted he becomes MORE anti-corporations and fights MORE for the little people and their rights, then your theory is blown to hell.<br /><br />It's funny, but I think we both envision the same end product for our country, we just disagree on the best way to get there.<br /><br />A big bad world? Yes, but also a big beautiful world. We are not stuck in some bad movie with a goofy conspiracy plot that doesn't hold water.<br /><br />Live and learn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-49336307193927276662012-11-06T07:48:57.742-05:002012-11-06T07:48:57.742-05:00http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=TfdPihFSuHc&des...<br />http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=TfdPihFSuHc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DTfdPihFSuHc<br /><br />Third party voting. Wow, I wonder why the corporate media constantly sells us the lie that we only have two choices?! Hmmm......Third partynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-41307982911046283262012-11-06T07:29:44.467-05:002012-11-06T07:29:44.467-05:00"I learned at the age of 10, when I was shipp..."I learned at the age of 10, when I was shipped off to a New England boarding school where the hazing of younger boys was the principal form of recreation, that those who hunger for power are psychopathic bastards. The bullies in the forms above me, the sadistic masters on our dormitory floors, the deans and the headmaster would morph in later life into bishops, newspaper editors, college presidents, politicians, heads of state, business titans and generals. Those who revel in the ability to manipulate and destroy are demented and deformed individuals. These severely diminished and stunted human beings—think Bill and Hillary Clinton—shower themselves, courtesy of elaborate public relations campaigns and an obsequious press, with encomiums of piety, patriotism, devoted public service, honor, courage and vision, not to mention a lot of money. They are at best mediocrities and usually venal. I have met enough of them to know.<br /><br />So it is with some morbid fascination that I watch Barack Obama, who has become the prime “dominatrix” of the liberal class, force us in this election to plead for more humiliation and abuse. Obama has carried out a far more egregious assault on our civil liberties, including signing into law Section 1021(b)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), than George W. Bush. Section 1021(b)(2), which I challenged in federal court, permits the U.S. military to detain American citizens, strip them of due process and hold them indefinitely in military facilities. U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest struck down the law in September. The Obama administration immediately appealed the decision. The NDAA has been accompanied by use of the Espionage Act, which Obama has turned to six times in silencing whistle-blowers. Obama supported the FISA Amendment Act so government could spy on tens of millions of us without warrants. He has drawn up kill lists to exterminate those, even U.S. citizens, deemed by the ruling elite to be terrorists.<br /><br />Obama tells us that we better lick his boots or we will face the brute down the hall, Mitt Romney. After all, we wouldn’t want the bad people to get their hands on these newly minted mechanisms of repression. We will, if we do not behave, end up with a more advanced security and surveillance state, the completion of the XL Keystone pipeline, unchecked pillage from Wall Street, environmental catastrophe and even worse health care. Yet we know on some level that once the election is over, Obama will, if he is re-elected, again betray us. This is part of the game. We dutifully assume our position. We cry out in holy terror. We promise to obey. And we are mocked as we watch promises crumble into dust.<br /><br />As we are steadily stripped of power, we desire with greater and greater fervor to be victims and slaves. Our relationship to corporate power increasingly mirrors that of ancient religious cults. Lucian writes of the priests of Cybele who, whipped into frenzy, castrated themselves to honor the goddess. Women devotees cut off their breasts. We are not far behind..."<br /><br /><br />Read the rest at truthdig.com <br /><br />Chris hedgesMr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-8755233425909005222012-11-06T07:23:32.956-05:002012-11-06T07:23:32.956-05:00It is stunning. Stunning, to see you anonymous pos...It is stunning. Stunning, to see you anonymous posters trying to defend this system. It's as if you don't read my posts at all. I find it hard to believe your that obtuse.<br /><br />If you want to believe what these guys say, go ahead. <br /><br />You merely have to looks t the facts, reality, to see it ain't so.<br /> <br />It's all a lie. Professional wrestling. And you all believe it!!!<br /><br />Go back and read the federalist papers and then get back to me about two party systems. <br /><br />And, once again, electoral college? Hahahahaha! Have fun voting, er I mean recommending today.<br /><br />Mr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-73658524184720378362012-11-06T07:18:25.948-05:002012-11-06T07:18:25.948-05:00Eric, hey genius, can you read? That's not at ...Eric, hey genius, can you read? That's not at all my stance.<br /><br />Here's the point. These " candidates" are one in the same, corporate puppets acting out a role so you water heads can choose one! One! It's called the two,party paradigm and it is NOT at all what was imagined for this country. Divide and conquer. It's easy to do when you own everything.<br /><br />Do you always limit your choices to two? Ask yourself why it's only two? And then, go bak and study the electoral college. It's as much of a joke as the two party lie.<br /><br />Step outside the box Eric. It's a big bad worldMr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-51617690980986561972012-11-06T06:34:29.443-05:002012-11-06T06:34:29.443-05:00Oh, what a beautiful day!Oh, what a beautiful day!Barrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-27958713067978077542012-11-05T19:18:38.249-05:002012-11-05T19:18:38.249-05:00It seems to me that Mr. Smith and Mr. Mclaughlin h...It seems to me that Mr. Smith and Mr. Mclaughlin have something in common. They both see the world as either black or white, good or evil, no in between. For Tom, one candidate can do no wrong, the other can do no right. For Mr. Smith, if a candidate does any wrong then they are all wrong. It is not possible for a candidate to have flaws and yet do more good then a more deeply flawed candidate. Nope, they are all the same. This is a sad condition. There are many, many shades if you open your eyes, and mind, far enough.<br /><br />Think. It ain't illegal yet.Ericnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-75213881136829202202012-11-05T19:03:14.711-05:002012-11-05T19:03:14.711-05:00You say that I would be outraged if a Republican e...You say that I would be outraged if a Republican enacted health care reform, Wall Street reform, got rid of 'don't ask, don't tell', improved benefits for vets, enacted new EPA regulations, helped with pay equality for women, and expanded stem cell research?? No, THEN I would admit that there is no difference between the parties. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-42872459164212553412012-11-05T18:24:45.953-05:002012-11-05T18:24:45.953-05:00Uhm, ok, so should I assume that you get YOUR news...Uhm, ok, so should I assume that you get YOUR news from a corporate owned source? Since it's pretty much impossible, where else would you get it? <br /><br />Romney will not raise taxes on the rich, will make it easier for Corporations to pollute, will do his best to deregulate Wall Street and big business, will not put as much emphasis on education, and will appoint Supreme Court justices that will put an end to Roe vs. Wade. If you claim that Obama would do these exact same things to the same degree then you either don't pay attention or are in denial.<br /><br />I agree that we should have a popular vote. But if the winning candidate also wins the popular vote, then how is that particular election comprimised?<br /><br />You seem quite young and juvenile in your thinking. You are under 40 perhaps? It is ok to be young and cynical, but naive and cynical is a bad combination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-10591213311396200252012-11-05T17:14:24.883-05:002012-11-05T17:14:24.883-05:00Uhm, ok, so if you dot get your news from a corpor...Uhm, ok, so if you dot get your news from a corporate<br />owned source then where do you get it? Because, it's pretty much impossible...do tell...I didn't assume. <br /><br />One only believes in a difference between candidates if they believe the rhetoric. I don't. I see who backs them. Enough info for me. You need only, again, look at the myriad lies from Obama and his egregious assault on our liberties to see it. Honestly, if a so called republican were doing what obama is youd be outraged. But I guess you can't ? Which is baffling..I guess the concept of divide and conquer is hard to grasp?<br /><br />These are two corporately backed, banker backed corprprate whores. Nothing more. If you think Obama is going to do a damn thing ( by the way, what is it exactly you believe from this guy?) different I have some ocean front for you in Bangor. <br /><br />And, yet again, unless we have a true popular vote its all a big joke. The electoral college? A travesty to this once great republic....a shame really. And a huge embarrassment to this country and its dumbed down populous.Mr. Smitjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-34690638603735343052012-11-05T07:29:03.824-05:002012-11-05T07:29:03.824-05:00Isn't a lecture on "assumptiuon" a b...Isn't a lecture on "assumptiuon" a bit hypocritical coming from somebody who said "stop getting all your news from CNN, or whatever corporate bs you watch"?<br /><br />And from somebody hiding from the reality of the huge differences between the candidates....<br /><br />Unreal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-36559439220622117442012-11-03T07:24:09.275-04:002012-11-03T07:24:09.275-04:00Anonymous,
You can't disagree with reality. S...Anonymous,<br /><br />You can't disagree with reality. Sorry.<br />It's all fact.<br /><br />And when you make assumptions, well, you know what they say about that......Chris hedges is one of many, many, people I find inspiring.Mr. Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-55496683070179347252012-11-02T10:59:23.312-04:002012-11-02T10:59:23.312-04:00We are getting off topic about Tom's bizarre c...We are getting off topic about Tom's bizarre claim that Romney will win in a landslide. Is he really such an astute observer of politics that he knows better than the experts? Or is he about to prove to everybody that he is totally clueless about it all. Will this be the final proof to what many believe - that Tom rants and raves but actually knows very little. We are about to find out.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-27056732218335579372012-11-02T10:39:22.669-04:002012-11-02T10:39:22.669-04:00Yes, Mr. Smith, I read all the posts and disagree....Yes, Mr. Smith, I read all the posts and disagree. If some people are blind to the obvious differences between the two, so be it. People believe what they want to believe, facts be damned. <br /><br />Stop letting one man do all your thinking for you. Forget Hedges and look for yourself with a critical eye and the differences will become clear. <br /><br />Good luck to you as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-44307971360982801202012-11-02T09:59:23.401-04:002012-11-02T09:59:23.401-04:00Anonymous, how can you STILL be missing the point?...Anonymous, how can you STILL be missing the point? Haven't you read all the above posts? My god man. <br />There is NO difference between Obama and Romney. You say you don't see it? How is that possible? Have you not read the above posts? <br />The only alternative is to vote third party, whomever that may be? But a vote for Obama changes nothing. Obviously.<br /><br />Do you know who Chris hedges is? Former nytimes war correspondent, Pulitzer Prize winner, Harvard divinity school graduate....listen to him. He knows what he's talking about.<br /><br />"The November election is not a battle between Republicans and Democrats. It is not a battle between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. It is a battle between the corporate state and us."<br /><br />Get it? <br /><br />I'm done here. Apply some critical thinking and stop getting all your news from CNN, or whatever corporate bs you watch. It's all a lie<br /><br />Good luckMr. Smithnoreply@blogger.com