Glenn Beck (A Professional Moron) Says Only Way HRC Can Win Election Now Is Actual Magic

Because of FBI Director James Comey deciding to interfere in the election (SWTD #356).

[The video that was here has been removed because it is of the type that starts loading and then plays automatically, which I HATE. I mean, I don't want this stupid video to play every time I load this page. Because I have a data cap. Go here and then scroll down a bit to view it. Stupid Beck Blaze encoders].

And, if "magic" somehow does come into play (magic favoring HRC), what we will end up with is a president Tim Kaine. Because HRC will be sent to prison, impeached and removed from office (presumably).

And remember that Glenn was for the Canadian-born religious nutjob Ted Cruz (SWTD #332). And he's said he's not voting for Trump (or Hillary). But now he says Trump has it in the bag.

Me, I doubt it. Maybe Comey's meddling will make it a tad closer, but I'm still predicting an HRC win. Some dumb-dumbs might be fooled, but why the hell should an investigation into Anthony Weiner throw the election to Trump? (BTW, among the dumb-dumbs are people like Luke Spencer, who wrote on his blog that Weiner is HRC's "pervert buddy". Yes, he seriously is THAT stupid).

But I'd say Glenn Beck still has Luke Spencer beat. Or maybe it's a toss-up. Glenn Beck has the fact that he's very wealthy (100 million net worth) going for him. He is apparently smarter than the average dumb-dumb, in that he has been able to fool the dumb-dumbs into giving him lots of money.

A 2/3/2016 Daily Beast article says some people refer to him as a "mad genius". The article then goes on to note that Beck's "media empire" is currently crumbling.

But, even if it burns down, he'll likely come out the other side a wealthy man. It isn't as if he would have to pay the $10 million The Blaze owes out of his personal fortune. At worst he'll declare bankruptcy and sell off the Blaze's assets. Possibly to the coming Trump TV network (speculated).

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump, Glenn Beck, Hillary Clinton, HRC email Controversy.

DSB #60

Donald Trump, The "I Know You Are, But What Am I?" Candidate

Donald Trump employs the "I know you are, but what am I" strategy at the 3rd POTUS debate held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on 10/19/2016. (0:41).

Another "I know you are, but what am I" from the bigot Trump (0:20). A 8/24/2016 WP says "Donald Trump called Hillary Clinton a bigot while addressing the crowd at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson MI".

I could probably find many other examples, but to keep it short, I'll get to my point, which is that Donald Trump, with his "I know you are, but what am I" strategy, reminds me (and Stephanie Miller, which is where this idea actually comes from) of the following scene from the 1985 film, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. In the movie, Pee-Wee Herman employs the "I know you are but what am I" strategy in an argument with Francis Buxton, his neighbor (who, unbeknownst to Pee-Wee, as paid someone to steal his bicycle). (0:07).

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump, Stephanie Miller.

DSB #59

Trump Supporters Hear Donald's Calls For Hillary To Be Assassinated If Elected

Members of The Young Turks discuss Trump supporter Dan Bowman explaining Hillary Clinton assassination plans to WSJ reporter.

Transcription of the video above (from 10/17/2016).

Dan Bowman: I feel like Hillary needs to be taken out. If she gets in the government I do everything in my power to take her out of power. Which, if I have to be a patriot, I will. WSJ Reporter: Is that a physical threat? Dan Bowman: I don't know, is it? (The Independant article by Feliks Garcia. 10/17/2016).

I would say yes. "If I have to be a patriot, I will" is code for him saying he will attempt an assassination and give his life in order to "take out" a president Hillary Clinton. Exactly what Trump called for! (DSB #52).

YouTube Video Description: At a rally in NC, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Second Amendment supporters may be able to figure out a way to stop Hillary Clinton from picking federal judges as president. It wasn't clear what Trump meant. (Published on Aug 9, 2016).

Regarding whoever posted this to YouTube saying "it wasn't clear what Trump meant"... IMO it was very clear. It was crystal clear to people like Dan Bowman. Give me a break, we all (or at least most of us) know the coded language of the far Right! A "patriot" is someone who dreams of revolution to get the government they want, and "2nd amendment remedies" is a call to assassinate Democrats/politicians you disagree with.

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton.

DSB #58

Trump/Pence Yard Signs In My Neighborhood

I've only seen one, although, given that TN is projected to go Trump, I suspect many people are supporting him, they just don't have yard signs. The pic below was taken by me on 10/18/2016, up the road from where I live.

Below is a picture of the house the yard signs are in front of. The last pic is of their horses. As you can see, the house is fairly large, so I'd guess they're voting Trump for economic reasons. But to have a sign in the yard indicates more than support simply because Trump isn't a Democrat. This isn't a situation of someone voting AGAINST a candidate, as opposed to FOR one. SIGNS point to these people possibly being deplorable, in other words.

For the record, I've never met these neighbors. I don't recall when they moved in, but the house was for sale for awhile. They might have been there a few years. I just don't remember.

These neighbors, in addition to the horses, also have donkeys, which are very loud. Not that I'm complaining, I just didn't realize how loud a donkey's braying was before. Sometimes, lying in bed at night, I'll hear them. And they aren't close, but up the road a ways.

DSB #57

Hillary Clinton Will Die Shortly After Being Elected President, Making Tim Kaine POTUS #46

Tim Kaine would be an unelected potus! He was selected by Hillary Clinton, not the voters. Is this what you want, Democratic voters? Clearly the only choice is to vote for Donald Trump. Given the fact that, if elected, he would be the healthiest preznit ever. As per his doctor.

FYI, I know that HRC will die soon because I read it on World Net Daily. This is a very reliable mainstream news site that many people look to for a "fair and balanced" take, just like Fox Nooz. And, like Fox, WND is totally Right. Right-wing, that is. Although WND is even fringe-ier.

In any case, that HRC has only months to live, as WND editor-in-chief Joseph Farah (guy you can recognize by his Groucho-Marx-looking-greasepaint-mustache) reveals in a 9/11/2016 commentary.

...Mrs. Clinton prematurely left a memorial service marking the 15th anniversary of 9/11 in New York City, walking gingerly and collapsing as aides tried to get her into a van... On Sunday afternoon, the campaign recognized the tide had turned as her collapse dominated the news cycle [the HRC health "conspiracy" has now gone mainstream]. It turns out Hillary had battled a previous undisclosed bout with pneumonia, all the while insisting she was in perfect health. The pneumonia caused her to become "overheated" in a mild autumn day and "dehydrated". Does this explain the coughing fits, too? Does it explain other falls? Does it explain the disturbing head-bobbing episodes that have gone unreported by the media? Wouldn't "pneumonia" be a convenient excuse for all of it? (Hillary Health "Conspiracy" Goes "Mainstream" by Joseph Farah. WND 9/11/2016).

"Something is wrong here. Something is very, very wrong" Farah writes, concluding his commentary. What is wrong is that HRC is brain damaged and dying. As DOCTOR Drew Pinsky recently revealed. An act of truth-telling that got him fired from his HLN show (OST #177).

Clearly, HRC should come clean with the American people. Which is that she's dying and therefore unfit for the presidency. Then she should drop out of the race for the White House and admit that Donald Trump should be the next commander in chief. Because DJT tells the truth about his health (also that the Generals are rubble, that we should take Iraq's oil, and that it "should be expected" that male military personnel will rape female military personnel).

Image: Mustache man Joseph Farah tells the truth about HRC's health issues (the ones she's covering up because they will result in her death sometime in late January 2017 or early Februrary 2017, making her the next William Henry Harrison). Clearly HRC's health issues disqualify her from the presidency. Trump 2016!

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, World Net Daily

Disaffected: Shocking! How Fox News could fix Obamacare and save the brain-damaged dying Hillary Clinton, 8/19/2016.

DSB #55

Donald Trump Says That As President He Might Have Hillary Clinton Deported

The following quote via a Rightwing website called the "Conservative Book Club" (note: it isn't from the Onion).

Donald Trump: I am going to create a new special deportation task force focused on identifying and quickly removing the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants in America who have evaded justice just like Hillary Clinton has evaded justice. Okay? Maybe they'll be able to deport her. (Should Hillary Clinton Be Deported? by Bradley Matthews. Conservative Book Club).

Note that Donald Trump never indicates that he's joking. The title of the article doesn't indicate that this is a joke. In fact, it's posing it as a serious question. Nowhere in the body of the article does the author say DJT is joking. Most of the comments attached to the article also take the suggestion seriously (though not all).

Even though (and you may have already guessed it) but a US born citizen can't be deported. FindLaw.com says that US citizenship can be revoked, but only if the person was born a citizen of another country. In which case they'd be deported back to the country of their birth.

Natural-born US citizens can not have their US citizenship revoked and therefore cannot be deported. A natural-born US citizen can voluntarily give up their citizenship, but such a person (which Hillary Clinton is) can NOT be stripped of their citizenship and deported against their will.

One herp-derp says "I hope Trump is our next President. I hope also that he will prosecute her and deport her". But, if she were "deported" somehow, she could live quite comfortably in another country. That's a major belly-ache Clinton detractors have; that she's wealthy. And she got wealthy via criminality (Clinton Foundation is a "slush fund").

Although another commenter (one who is slightly less of a derp) says "OMG! Heck YES!!!! However, because she is an American citizen, we cannot do this. Therefore, the right thing to do is to deport her to the BIG HOUSE, where she belongs!!!!!"

So this person is right that HRC can't be deported. But she isn't going to be sent to the Big House either. In fact, I think it's more likely that Donald Trump could be sent there. Not a lot more likely though, given the fact that different rules apply when it comes to wealthy and powerful people. Which isn't to say that I think HRC is going to get off the hook (re her supposed criminal acts) due to being wealthy and powerful (it's because she isn't guilty of most/all of the things Rightwing derps think she's guilty of).

But wealth and power are why I think it isn't likely that Trump will end up in prison for his crimes (raping a 13yo, Trump U fraud, mob ties, illegally employing non-US citizens, encouraging Visa fraud, other crimes). Much as I'd like to see that happen.

Maybe the HRC administration can fast-track a law change that will enable a DJT deportation? I think that Hillary should at least look into it. That and many other things.

DSB #54

Donald Trump Suggests Hillary Clinton Should Be Assassinated If Elected

"2nd amendment remedies" ala Sharron Angle?

Speaking to a crowd in Wilmington NC, Tuesday [8/9/2016], Trump expressed concern about Hillary Clinton possibly picking Supreme Court justices and other judges. He then said, "If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is. I don't know". (Trump's Assassination Dog Whistle Was Even Scarier Than You Think by David S. Cohen. 8/9/2016 Rolling Stone).

What the hell is it with these 2nd amendment enthusiasts threatening those who disagree with them with DEATH? And, yeah, that IS what Trump was implying. Later Trump said he meant that he was suggesting that 2nd amendment people should vote for him. But he was talking about AFTER Hillary is elected, so that lame-o excuse is BS.

As for why "Trump's assassination dog whistle was even scarier than you think", it's because someone might take his call to do something about it (stop HRC from appointing SCOTUS judges) seriously and literally.

it's really irrelevant what Trump actually meant, because enough people will hear Trump's comments and think he's calling for people to take up arms against Clinton, her judges or both. Though most of the people hearing that call may claim he was joking, given what we know about people taking up arms in this country, there will undoubtedly be some people who think he was serious and consider the possibility. In other words, what Trump just did is engage in so-called stochastic terrorism. This is an obscure and non-legal term that has been occasionally discussed in the academic world for the past decade and a half, and it applies with precision here. Stochastic terrorism, as described by a blogger who summarized the concept several years back, means using language and other forms of communication "to incite random actors to carry out violent or terrorist acts that are statistically predictable but individually unpredictable".

Trump's comments, BTW, made in the context of his fearmongering re "Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment". A claim that is utter bullpucky (PolitiFact rates it false).

Video: Remember when Trump said that Megyn Kelly "had blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever"? This is another example of Trump speaking without thinking. We knew then what he meant, even though he didn't spell it out. Just like we know now what he meant, even though he didn't spell it out. (Before: menstruation. Now: assassination)(0:43).

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump, Gun Nuttery, Hillary Clinton.

PE: Donald Trump, the GOP Presidential Nominee, Went There Today (8/9/2016).

Disaffected: Trump calls for "Second Amendment People" to assassinate Hillary Clinton (8/9/2016).

RNUSA: GOP Presidential Canmdidate Goes Beyond Overboard (8/10/2016).

DSB #52

Hillary Clinton On Budgetary & Defense Policy Has The Republican Position

"On budgetary policy and defense policy she actually has the Republican position" Larry Pressler said on msnbc live, 6/15/2016. The position that pushed Pressler to endorse Clinton is gun control. The slaughters convincing him that something has to be done.

So, that HRC is quite hawkish is well known (SWTD #323), but she has the Republican position on budgetary issues? Perhaps I just haven't been paying attention, but if you read the Conservative and Libertarian blogs (OST #110) the impression you get is that HRC was in a contest with Bernie Sanders to see who could offer the most "free stuff" (AKA investing in America and providing for the needs of its citizens).

I was going to say that this is yet another sign of how terrible Trump is, but it seems that Pressler endorsed Barack Obama for President in 2008 and 2012. So, why is this guy being identified as a Republican, I wonder. On the other hand, I think what this means is that both BHO and HRC are centrist Democrats, and NOT Liberals or "Progressives who get things done".

"Does the Democratic Party want to be a party of getting things done that don't make a real crack in the 30-year explosion of income funneling to the wealthy or be the party that stops settling for compromises that continue the status quo?" Jordan Chariton writes in a 4/17/2016 Mediaite article titled Debunking the Progressive "Who Gets Things Done" Myth.

Given that HRC is the status quo candidate, this is my fear. That we're going to continue funneling the wealth of our nation upward, what with wealth inequality in the United States continuing to increase under Republicans and Democrats. Bernie Sanders had REAL proposals to deal with this problem AND a strong and consistent message and record that showed he is serious about wealth inequality and not a pandering flip-flopper or Republican-lite candidate with budgetary and defense policies that are actually the Republican positions.

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, MSNBC.

DSB #46

Thoughts On Trump For President Voters & Supporters

H/T to the Stephanie Miller Show listener who sent Stephanie this clip (see below), which she then played (6/9/2016).

I don't recall what episode of The Simpsons this clip is excerpted from, but surely this is an example of the writers speaking through Homer. Given the fact that Homer himself is an idiot and more likely to be a rube himself. As opposed to someone smarter than a rube. (Interestingly Homer's middle initial is "J", the same as Trump's. Although Trump's middle name is "John", while Homer's is "Jay").

In any case, this absolutely describes how I feel about MANY Trump supporters. Those who participate in Donald's call and response re his wall.

"We're going to build a wall. And who's going to pay for it?" And the crowd yelled, "Mexico!" and then they lost their minds. Now, we all know exactly why this is stupid. (Trump Rally No Joking Matter by keenekarl. Daily Kos 3/11/2016).

Donald Trump is clearly just telling the rubes what they want to hear (SWTD #330). That would be the ONE upside to seeing Trump in the White House. How would he excuse breaking all his promises? The ones that caused the rubes to vote for him? And how would they react? Would Trump be the most unpopular one term president ever? Would the disaster which would surely be a Trump presidency destroy the Republican Party (as Zachary Taylor's presidency destroyed the Whig Party)? Hopefully we will never know.

Video: Rubes So Many Rubes. Uploaded to YouTube 1/31/2016 (0:11).

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump.

DSB #45

If gop Preznit Nominee Trump Promises To Appoint Ted Cruz To SCOTUS #NeverTrump Wingnut Author Tells Glenn Beck Then He'll Vote 4 Him

The following via the Cruz-supporting Glenn Beck website.

Ted Cruz's defeat on Tuesday may have pulled the plug for some in the #NeverTrump movement, but not for Brad Thor. The New York Times best-selling author joined The Glenn Beck Program on Wednesday [5/4/2016 to discuss the] "only one way that I will move out of the #NeverTrump camp... and that would be to put Ted Cruz into Scalia's seat at the Supreme Court". (This One Thing Could Convince Author Brad Thor to Abandon #NeverTrump by Jonathan. GlennBeck.com 5/4/2016).

"Glenn pointed out many people are arguing a vote against Trump is a vote for Hillary" and Brad Thor replied "Right — and no to Hitler was yes to Stalin"... so Trump is Hitler and Hillary is Stalin? And yet Thor would vote for Adolf Trump, if only Donald J. Hitler promises to appoint Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court?

Nevermind that this appointment is, constitutionally speaking, Obama's to make. Thor adds, "We've now seen who really stands with liberty, who is a constitutionalist and who is in this just for their own". Ha ha, he made a joke. But actually, no. That was no joke.

Anyway, who the heck is "Jonathan" (dude the article is credited to)? Damned if I know and damned if I care. Someone who works with Glenn, I'm guessing. Brad Thor (for the record) is "is an American thriller novelist [and] a member of The Heritage Foundation [who] has spoken at their national headquarters on the need for robust missile defense". Also, "Thor has said in interviews that he shadowed a Black ops team in Afghanistan in 2008 to conduct research for his thriller The Apostle [and, additionally] because of the content of Thor's thriller The Last Patriot, Glenn Beck predicted incorrectly that he might be assassinated by Muslim extremists".

Interesting, because (regarding assassinations) Thor said (during the Beck interview) "I think we will see unprecedented assassination attempts on Donald Trump"... which I doubt. Because (1st of all) he's very likely going to lose spectacularly to Hillary Clinton.

Secondly, the assassinating-types (extremist militia groups who want/wanted Obama dead) are Rightwing. I'm not saying that nobody will want Trump dead, but "unprecedented assassination attempts" against a White Conservative is stretching it bigley IMO. Keep in mind that under our first African American POTUS "the rate of threats against the president has increased 400% from the 3k a year or so under President gwb" (Source).

But back to Thor... he sez "far be it from me as an author to lay out the meaning of words, but perhaps the hashtag should be #NeverEverTrump... I mean, it can't be more clear than that. Never - you know, this is coming from the left. I thought no meant no to the left. Does never not mean never?".

Obviously (given the FACT that he laid out a scenario under which he WOULD vote for Trump) never must NOT mean never (to him). Hashtag should be #NeverTrumpUnlessCruzSCOTUS.

Audio: Snippet of Glenn Beck and #NeverTrump advocate Brad Thor conversation from 5/4/2016.

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Glenn Beck, Hillary Clinton, SCOTUS, Ted Cruz.

DSB #42

Larry Flynt Offers A Team Of Doctors To Conduct An Examination Of Trump's Package To "Confirm His Boast"

"He referred to my hands, if they're small, something else must be small. I guarantee you there's no problem. I guarantee it" Trump said in response to a comment by Marco Rubio in which he implied that Trump's weiner was small (this statement by Trump from the 11th gop debate on 3/2016 in Detroit MI).

"Boasting" is how Larry Flynt perceived Trump's comments, and now he (as well as several other groups) want to "document" Donald's size.

Late last week, Hustler founder Larry Flynt was said to have issued an open letter to Trump offering "a team of doctors ready today to conduct the examination required to confirm your boast", according to the Erotic Heritage Museum in Las Vegas. ...adult toy and novelty maker Pipedream Products chimed in, inviting the Republican front-runner to have his member molded [and] the Erotic Heritage Museum, a five-minute walk from Trump International in Las Vegas, said it wants to display that cast. (Las Vegas sex museum seeks donation from Trump by Wesley Juh. Las Vegas Review Journal 3/7/2016).

OK, so there is probably a zero chance that Trump will acquiesce to any of these request, and those making them likely know it, but that they have is pretty funny.

This reminds me of when Flynt derailed the speakership of Republican Robert Livingston. When the gop controlled House threatened to impeach Bill Clinton for receiving a Lewinsky, Flynt offered a million dollar reward for proof that any Repub member of Congress cheated on their wife. Which resulted in Livingston admitting an affair and resigning.

But back to the funny - according to Stephen Colbert the situation with Trump is even worse than what happened during the Lincoln/Douglas debates, when Lincoln said the following.

Abraham Lincoln, 10/15/1858: No American, whether they be from North or South, free or slave, has ever complained about the size of my Lincoln log. And yes, the beard matches the drapes. (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 3/7/2016).

10/15/1858 was the date that the last (of 7) of the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas took place (in Alton IL). Abe lost that election to the Illinois senate, btw. Here's hoping that the upcoming presidential election's results are similar. With Trump losing, that is. And/or with the Republican losing (if the nominee somehow isn't Trump).

Image: "He's always calling me Little Marco. And I'll admit he's taller than me. He's like 6'2, which is why I don't understand why his hands are the size of someone who is 5'2", said the soon to drop out out Rubio.

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump.

DSB #40

Donald Trump Prenup With Wife Melanoma Says If She Poops Or Farts She Gets Nothing In Divorce

Actually Donald's prenup doesn't say this, that is a joke Carlos Alazraqui made on the 3/9/2016 airing of the Stephanie Miller Show in reaction to John Melendez bringing up a REAL story concerning Trump's claim that his wife Melania (not melanoma) does not poop or fart. Seriously.

The following from a 2003 Howard Stern interview (edited, see full interview video below).

Trump: Howard let me just ask you. You said something a while ago about Beth that amazed me because it applies to Melania. You said you've never seen her do anything, like, bad, in terms of her own personal. ... You said you've never heard her fart. Stern: Not only is that true, she doesn't make doody. She hasn't made doody... Trump: I can say the exact same thing about Melania. ... I've never seen any of that. Stern: You're probably expecting a big one this year, though. Trump: Maybe they save that for after marriage. Beth and Melania, maybe they save it for after marriage. (Donald Trump claims his wife doesn't poop or fart by Stefan Sirucek. 2/24/2016).

This explains Trump's comment about Hillary Clinton taking a bathroom break during the 3rd debate being "too disgusting" to talk about... he thinks women's bodies process waste differently than men's bodies do.

Even though, according to Oddee's Fart Facts "people pass gas about 14 times per day [with] the average person producing about half a liter of farts every single day... and even though many women won't admit it, women do fart just as often as men".

I guess you could say that Donald Trump is a dumbsh*t. In this case he's a dumbsh*t regarding women sh*tting... as well as tooting.

Video1: Donald Trump and Howard Stern discuss the "fact" that neither of their wives poop or fart... as far as they know (Trump sez "I've never seen any of that"). Fast forward to the 7 minute mark for the exchange (19:03). Update, 10/26/2016: Sirius whined to YouTube and had the video removed, although the relevant part can be viewed as attached to a 2/16/2016 BuzzFeed article, Trump Isn't Into Anal, Melania Never Poops, And Other Things He Told Howard Stern. (Note: the video, as presented on BuzzFeed has no embed option. I looked at the html in an attempt to find it, but no luck. So you'll have to follow the link to view it).

Video2: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump remarked on Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton's brief absence from the debate stage on Dec. 19 saying, "Where did she go? I thought she quit".

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton.

DSB #39

Kiss-up Kick-down Christy Trump Endorsement (Thom Hartmann Rant #8)

The following is an excerpt from the Thom Hartmann Radio Program, 3/2/2016, which I edited for brevity and clarity. Thom discusses the endorsement of Donald Trump by Chris Christie.

Thom: My take on Chris Christie? I have known, in business over the years, a number of people that I refer to "kiss-up kick-down people". They are people who, [in regards to] their bosses and their supervisors, they're unctuous. They kiss-up to them, they're "oh, you're so wonderful". The people below them they treat like absolute crap. They kiss-up, and they kick-down. I think Chris Christie is that kind of person. I think he created that culture in his gubernatorial administration and that's why the whole Bridgegate thing happened. I think now that Donald Trump is the big dog, so Chris Christie is kissing up. It's a terrible character flaw and it's disappointing.

Yeah, I think that sounds right. The bully Christie got whipped, so now he's eager to kiss-up to bully who beat him. Being a toady for, and getting to share the spotlight with Trump is better than nothing. And Christie doesn't appear that interested in governing NJ, what with his spending 55% of 2015 outside of the state (Travelin' guv: Christie's been out of NJ 5 out of every 9 days, NJ.com).

And there could be something in it for Christie, according to Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight blog.

Vice President Christie or Attorney General Christie ain't all that far-fetched. Christie also replicates many of Trump's weaknesses, however. Like Trump, Christie is very unpopular with general election voters. Like Trump, he has been accused of cronyism and corruption. Like Trump, he can come across as a bully. So Rubio and Ted Cruz won't have to change their messaging all that much. ...the Christie endorsement... once again proves how easily Trump can control the news cycle. Christie, long a favorite subject of political reporters, will also be an effective surrogate for Trump. (Christie's Endorsement Of Trump Totally Makes Sense).

Unfortunately for Christie, toadies get kicked down and treated like crap by their bully masters. After his endorsement, Christie was expecting to stick around. "I'm with the winner" was likely what he was thinking, and he was looking forward to receiving any congradulations that might be coming his way (for the "wisdom" of jumping on the Trump train).

But Trump, in typical bully fashion, put his toady in his place and told Christie to get lost (not wanting anyone to horn in on the adulation the crowd was showering him with). "Get on the plane and go home" Trump informed the surprised and dejected apple polisher. And so Christie slunk away, embarassed.

Or, that's the interpretation of some (including myself). RealClearPolitics says "it appeared that Trump was dismissing Christie [but he was actually] thanking him and giving him a free plane ride back to New Jersey".

Free plane ride, huh? Maybe. That isn't as funny as the first interpretation, though.

Video: The Young Turks discuss Trump's dismisal of his toady Christie (3:32).

See also: The real reason Christie endorsed Trump: NJ governor, 53, was infuriated by patronizing Rubio, 44, phone call telling him he had a "bright future in public service". The Daily Mail 2/28/2016.

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Chris Christie, Donald Trump, Thom Hartmann.

DSB #38

Regarding The Donald Trump "Joke" Tweet Re Obama Being A Secret Muslim

Remember when one of John McCain's supporters gave him a chance to go the "Obama is a Arab" (AKA a secret Muslim terrorist Manchurian candidate) route and he declined? Sure, McCain would have made a horrible president, but at least he had SOME integrity, unlike the current 2016 Republican potus front runner (McCain: Obama not an Arab, crowd boos. Politico 10/10/2008).

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump: I wonder if President Obama would have attended the funeral of Justice Scalia if it were held in a Mosque? Very sad that he did not go! (Trump insists tweet that Obama would've attended Scalia's funeral "if it were held in a Mosque" was just a joke by Scott Eric Kaufman. Salon 2/22/2016).

How much you wanna bet that Trump's supporters (who likely believe that Obama is a Muslim) got the "joke"? By which I mean they viewed that tweet as Trump being with them (in their belief that Obama is a Muslim). And that he only said it was a "joke" to cover his ass. Due to the political correctness of the "lamestream media" he couldn't just come out and say (without it being a "joke") what many of his supporters know to be "true". Yeah, I'm sure Trump's supporters got the message.

In any case, regarding jokes... this one from a late night host (concerning the Trump tweet) is actually funny, IMO.

Seth Meyers: Of course he wouldn't have gone if it was held in a Mosque. He didn't survive as a secret Muslim president for this long by falling for an obvious trap like that. Come on! (source: Late Night with Seth Myers, 2/22/2016).

Very sad that a bigoted racist misogynist like Trump is poised to win the GOP presidential nomination!

Image: Photographic proof that Barack Hussein Obama is a secret Muslim! In this pic he conspires with Osama bin Laden to bring death to America.

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Barack Obama, Donald Trump.

DSB #37

Corporate Media Employee Rachel Maddow Sells False Narrative Re Bernie Sanders Revolution

Sad to see Rachel Maddow join in with the corporate establishment insider narrative concerning how Bernie Sanders can't possibly win. As Thom Hartmann points out in a recent article, Rachel sold this false narrative via a misrepresenting of the IA and NH voter turnout figures.

Tom Hartmann: Rachel Maddow rolled out the latest confused bit of reporting on [2/12/2016]. Rachel ...by saying that the rationale for Bernie's becoming POTUS and actually getting something done (when Obama had such difficulty) is... Bernie's mobilizing huge numbers of new and energized voters. She showed a bunch of examples of his talking about his "political revolution" and how he's bringing new people into politics. [However, Rachel says] It turns out that fewer people showed up to vote Democratic in NH and IA this year than they did in Obama's 2008! ...how could Bernie possibly claim [there is a] revolution? ...as Rachel points out, "40k fewer people voted in this year's NH Democratic primary than did in 2008". [Repeating] for emphasis... "40 thousand less!" "And it was the same story in IA last week", Rachel continued. "Voter turnout was a record for Republicans in IA, but on the Democratic side... turnout... was DOWN from 2008!" [Rachel is saying Bernie can't win. But she] missed a few facts ... [Most importantly re] the numbers [she presented] in an astonishingly confusing fashion... The 2016 turnout on the Repub side was bigger than in 2008 in both NH and IA – because, in large part, the Repubs were running more candidates this year than last cycle. Dems, on the other hand, are running fewer candidates. In 2008, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, and Bill Richardson all had on-the-ground get-out-the-vote operations (GOTV) running in both NH and IA. This year, instead of 7 well-funded, well-staffed GOTV operations running in those states, there were only 2... And looking at votes by candidate (something Maddow... ignored), Bernie, with 151k votes in NH, shattered the prior record of 112k in 2008, a record set by... HRC. Bernie got more votes this year in NH than Al Gore and Bill Bradley got combined in the 2000 NH primary. In other words, Bernie is turning out voters, just as he said he could. (Bernie's Political Revolution Is Actually Happening, Although the Corporate Media Won't Tell You That by Thom Hartmann. AlterNet 2/14/2016).

So, was this slanted anti-Sanders reporting by Rachel Maddow wholly her idea, something suggested by the msnbc bigwigs, or something Rachel understands she needs to do to keep her job? Whatever the case, it is sad to see. However, with msnbc committing to going even more corporate, it's certainly possible that Rachel got the message - tow the corporate line or get fired like Ed Schultz (SWTD #305).

On the other hand, Rachel apparently said that she finds it "hard to imagine him [Sanders] still being there at the convention" (MSNBC's Rachel Maddow: "Hard to imagine" Bernie Sanders winning). So both Rachel Maddow and Chris Matthews (who speculates that Bernie might be a Soviet-style socialist that wants government to own the means of production) are in the bag for HRC. And I've also heard that Chris Hayes is attacking Bernie as well (and no, I'm not only talking about Hayes calling the VT Senator "Bernie Sandwiches").

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton.

DSB #36

Bernie Sanders Can Win The Nomination Despite So Many Of The Superdelegates Pledging Their Vote To Hillary Clinton

The establishment insiders want you to think that Bernie Sanders can't win the nomination because Hillary Clinton has so many of the Superdelegates "locked up". But this is not exactly true.

Superdelegates have never decided a Democratic nomination. ... When you look at the astounding numbers from IA & NH, where more than 80% of young voters have chosen Sanders over Clinton... it's clear that Clinton already finds herself in a very tenuous position for the general election. ...any hint that Bernie was screwed by the establishment will result in total abandonment. Democrats win when turnout is high, and if the DNC decides to go against the will of the people and force Clinton down the electorate's throat, they'd be committing political suicide. The important thing to know here is that Superdelegates are merely pledged to a candidate. We know who they support because they've stated it publicly... They are not committed, and can change at any time. If Bernie Sanders wins the popular vote, he will be the nominee. End of story. (After Sanders' Big Win in New Hampshire, Establishment Figures Want to Scare You with Superdelegates. Here's Why It's Bullshit. by Shane Ryan. Paste Magazine 2/10/2016).

The superdelegates aren't locked up. They are "pledged", but they can change their votes, and WILL if Bernie Sanders gets more "regular" delegates than Hillary Clinton (wins the popular vote). Which means that if you're for Bernie... you should absolutely NOT think your vote in the primary is pointless because Hillary is inevitable and you need to GET OUT AND VOTE!

Be you a registered Democrat or a unaffiliated. Just be aware that to vote for Bernie in the primary you need to be registered as a Democrat (and each state has it's own cutoff deadline for doing this. See voteforbernie.org for info re your state).

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton.

PE Comment: Re Superdelegates.

DSB #35

Right-winging Bitter Clinging Proud Clingers

Half wit, half term ex-Alaska governor Sarah Palin, wordsmither of "refudiate", Shakespeared another neologism during her 1/19/2016 Trump endorsment.

[Sarah Palin] And you quit footing the bill for these nations who are oil-rich, we're paying for some of their squirmishes that have been going on for centuries. Where they're fighting each other and yelling "Allahu akbar", calling jihad on each other's heads forever and ever. Like I've said before, let them duke it out and let Allah sort it out". [NYT Commentary] Here, Mrs. Palin accomplishes many things unusual for a political speaker: She recites the Arabic phrase for "God is great", and, more notably, coins a new word, squirmishes, a cross between squirm (which means to wriggle the body from side to side) and skirmish (which means a brief fight or encounter between small groups). Twitter embraced the new term instantly. (The Most Mystifying Lines of Sarah Palin's Endorsement Speech by Michael Barbarojan. NYT 1/20/2016).

Frightening that she could have actually been elected VP. Although this time around the GOP electorate might go for the Canadian-born, Green Eggs and Ham reading Ted Cruz. Not that there are any good Repub choices... but is this guy even eligible?

In any case, please find below some humorous takes on the Palin endorsement (via YouTube)...

Video1: Yosemite Sarah Palin (0:27).

Video2: SNL Palin Trump Endorsement Cold Open (5:09).

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump, Sarah Palin.

DSB #33

Rep Alan Grayson On The Republican Charge That Hillary Clinton Did Something Illegal Or Dishonest Re Benghazi

The following is an excerpt from comments made by Rep. Alan Grayson on the Thom Hartmann Radio Program, 1/15/2016, in regards to the Republican's fake Benghazi investigation. (Note that I edited these comments for brevity and clarity).

Caller: I want to commend you on your Benghazi committee ethics complaint and I'd like to know what the status of it is.

Alan Grayson: It's under consideration. We will not hear back until they've reached a conclusion. For those who are not familiar with this - Kevin McCarthy, when he was planning on running for Speaker, admitted on national TV that the purpose of the Benghazi Committee was to make Hillary's numbers drop. That isn't an appropriate purpose for a taxpayer funded investigation - to hurt an opposing political candidate (SWTD #314).

Recognizing the ethical implications, I submitted a complaint against McCarthy and the head of the committee [Trey Gowdy] and the following day McCarthy dropped out of the Speaker's race. He clearly recognized that this was a problem. When he dropped out and held a news conference to explain his decision a reporter asked him whether the Benghazi Committee controversy had been the basis for his decision, and his surprisingly honest answer was that "it sure didn't help".

But the fact is that the problem is still there because the committee is still there. It's gone on longer on the 9/11 Commission and there is still the possibility that it will be used to try and alter the outcome of the the 2016 presidental election in an unfair way - using taxpayer dollars to tip the scales against the Democratic candidate [should that candidate be Hillary Clinton].

I have read every single classified document regarding Benghazi. I'm on the Foreign Affairs Committee. I have free access to that information. It took me a long time, but I went into the bowels of the Capital where we keep the secure information, and I read every single cable and email and so on. It's pretty clear to me that Hillary did nothing wrong.

Wherever you stand regarding the presidential nomination, it's improper for the Republicans to use their control of the House of Representatives - which they obtained through gerrymandering and dirty money - to attempt to harm the potential Democratic presidential nominee.

[End Alan Grayson Comments]

Alan Grayson also mentioned the fact that he is the only member of the House of Representatives who raised most of his campaign funds in 2014 from small contributors and that he hopes to do the same this year in his Senatorial bid (for Marco Rubio's seat). Grayson added that the only Senator who the same applies to is Bernie Sanders. (Politifact article: Alan Grayson says he is No. 1 in the House for small donations. Politifact says: TRUE).

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Bernie Sanders, MSNBC, Thom Hartmann.

OST #100: Concerning The Willis Hart Obsession With Rightwing Spun Fiction Re Hillary Clinton "Lying To Benghazi Families" (1/28/2016).

DSB #31

Thoughts On A Bloomberg 2016 Presidential Campaign Via The Thom Hartmann Program: "It's A Joke" & "It's Just Ridiculous"

The following is an excerpt from comments made by the former Republican Representative from Ohio's 18th district Bob Ney (now with Talk Radio News) on the Thom Hartmann Radio Program, 1/26/2016.

Thom and Bob discuss the speculation that Michael Bloomberg may run for president as an Independent. (Note that I edited these comments for brevity and clarity).

Thom Hartmann: It seems to me like the Bloomberg speculation is just a vanity thing, trial balloon, slash joke.

Bob Ney: I really hope people from across the political spectrum pile on to put an end to him today. I really do. Because it's an ego thing. That's for sure. I think this is the most ridiculous thing. I don't think this is going to be viewed as legitimate.

[End 1/26/2016 THP Excerpt]

My thoughts on a possible Bloomberg potus run? It's one of the signs that the plutocrats have WAY too much money. That one of them is contemplating spending a Billion dollars to NOT be elected president!

Money that won't do much good, as most of it will go to mega multi-media corporations (for ads) and high paid Insider political consultants. I'm positive he could put this billion dollars to better use AND feed his ego at the same time. I mean, there are some people who bow down and worship the oligarchs who use their money to ensure their legacy (and, incidentally help some needy people in the process).

Seems to me that a joke bid for the presidency might be a good idea for a uber-wealthy person who wanted to do some damage to his legacy.

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Thom Hartmann.

DSB #30

We All Knew It Was Only A Matter Of Time (Re Trump Saying Hillary "Lied" About Terrorists Using The Donald's Rhetoric To Recruit)

During the 3rd Democratic debate (which took place on 12/19/2015, in Goffstown NH at St. Anselm College; aired on ABC News and was moderated by journalist David Muir, anchor of World News Tonight) Hillary Clinton made the following comment...

ISIS is "going to people showing videos of Donald Trump insulting Islam and Muslims in order to recruit more radical jihadists". (No evidence for Hillary Clinton's claim that ISIS is using videos of Donald Trump as recruiting tool By Louis Jacobson 12/19/2015.).

According to Politifact "extensive Google searches did not turn up any evidence" that this was occurring, and therefore they rated the statement "false". But we all know it was only a matter of time before a terrorist group DID use Trump's words to recruit.

The Republican presidential contender brushed off the appearance of an African militant group's video to recruit Americans that shows him calling for Muslims to be banned from coming to the US. (Trump brushes off militant recruiting video citing his words AP Story 11/3/2016).

So, perhaps Hillary misspoke, and what she should have said was that terrorists WOULD use Trump's words to recruit. If she had there wouldn't be any BS about Hillary "lying"... we'd all have realized that, if they were not already doing so, it was only a matter of time before some terrorist group used Trump's words.

Donald Trump, in calling for banning all Muslims from entering the US makes no distinction between the small percentage of radical Muslims and the vast majority who are peaceful. Trump's rhetoric is hateful, ignorant and divisive... and it plays right into the hands of the radicals. But those on the right love it, which is why he's saying it. They're doing the same thing with their pushback to accepting Syrian refugees.

Jeborah Bush says that Donald Trump "isn't a serious candidate", but I say he's serious as a heart attack... because the Republican party has been using hate of "the other" to appeal to voters for some time now. Hate for African Americans (since Nixon's Southern Strategy), hate for gay people, Hate for hispanic "illegals", hate for Muslims and hate for women (not wanting them to be able to decide for themselves what they do with their own bodies).

They do this because many of the people who vote Republican do so against their own interests. Many of these people being of an economic class that would (directly) benefit from a stronger social safety net.

Trump is only using the blueprint that's been in place for many decades. A blueprint the GOP has had to resort to because their economic ideas are losers and primarily benefit rich people and corporations.

Which is why I don't really give a crap about "lies" that are actually "duh, of course they're going to" predictions. And say that Politifact can stuff their "speculative left-of-center rhetoric" (which is how they described HRC's statement a mere 15 days ago). Also, WTF makes what she say "left of center"? Did Politifact acknowledge the fact that hate for the other is Right-of-center (in that only the Right party is using it to get votes)?

SWTD Tags: 2016 Election, Donald Trump.

DSB #28