Well, it could use some leaping kittens and Domo-Kun.

"Kicking Ass"? Sounds like the donkeys have been eating jimson weed. (symtoms include "hyperexcitability followed by depression". Have Al Gore and Howard Dean been eating at the same salad bar?)

"Kicking Ass"? Shouldn't it be more like, "Cowering in Fear and Betraying America"?

"Sucking ass and giving a reach around to America's enemies".

all that's needed to make their blog perfect is the disclaimer:

"This blog does not represent the policies, opinions, or official positions of the Democratic Party"

-----

btw - the secret to your getting Atrios-like numbers of hits is simple: Change your comment counter to base4.

People like to be part of a crowd, which explains why an Atrios-brand Open Thread(tm) can have over 500 comments.

Your comments average around 10-40 with an extreme of around 200. If you change your blog over to base4 for the comments, those 10 replies will show up as '22 replies.

Forty-one actual replies would show up "221 replies" . That's the kind of (seemingly) thread-comment activity that will drive people to your blog.

Plus, it'd take half of forever for people to figure out that none of the comment tallies has a number above 4 in it.

.

Ima wunderin why them white flaggers picked a pitcher of my wheat field rat cher in the Red State homeland. And if I ain`t mistaken "Kicking Ass" was the name of a paiute injun renown fer his skill at pervidin his tribe wit lotsa rats, gophers n lizards!

Ain`t gotta lot of book larning but I got enuff reckonin to stick wif the Re-publikcans, yessireebobalouie....

considering the image... Smoking Grass!

The Pube Party motto should be Sucking bin Ladens Dick.

Republican Party motto: Blood in the mud for Halliburton. Your kids, our stock earnings.

Oh yeah, I forgot that this was a blood for oil war, that's why gas is so cheap at the pump.

Keep talking the same way. Keep losing elections.

IT Has Nothing to do with the price at the pump. Halliburton is an oil field services company, not an oil company. Cheney gets his money whether one drop is pumped or one million. He quadrupled his wealth since George started this little war for profit.

Yes, yes. Keep talking.

Cheney sold his Halliburton stock in August of 2000. I think that was before the "war for oil."

By the way, I gotta ask. How does it feel to be morally inferior to scheming Washington fatcats and all those elections they leave in their wake as they BLOODFOROILHALLIBURTON?

Or whatever you drooling simps are calling it in shorthand these days. Doesn't it just drive you nuts that these evil neocon plots make the world a far better place than anything you could do if you tried?

Cheney sold his Halliburton stock in August of 2000. I think that was before the "war for oil."

*sputter* Insider trading! Because he knew it would be a quagmire!

That screech of metal on metal was a moonbat's brain changing gear without a clutch.

Talk about OLD NEWS...

Can't the wingnuts on this thread come up with something other than the usual Rush, O'Reilly,
Hannity, Savage and Coulter blather?

"Cowering in Fear and Betraying America"?

"Sucking ass and giving a reach around to America's enemies."

"The Pube Party motto should be Sucking bin Ladens Dick."

And if these Bush sycophants think the little creep in the White House is so almighty fucking powerful...where is this Bin Laden guy he promised to take out?

If these idiots could yank their heads out of Bush's ass for a few minutes they just might be able to think for themselves...instead of towing the standard right wing line.

Ace, the only way to increase commenters is to increase the level of stupid people who read your blog. Rightwing News has a few regular stupid liberal trolls, and thus generates a couple of hundred post argument threads.

Atrios is all stupid liberal trolls, so they get, like four hundred comments.

One of the things I like about this blogs is the quality of commenters. You wouldn't want to sacrifice that for quantity, unless you're just a big blogads whore.

where is this Bin Laden guy he promised to take out?
Posted by Gene at December 31, 2005 03:42 PM

Silly bastard. Dick Cheney's cock keeps Bin Ladin in a cage as a pet. The cock only lets Bin Ladin out occasionally to release a tape and scare up the voters, you know, like right before the 2004 election.

Gene -

I've never listened to Rush. O'Reilly annoys me. Hannity I'm vaguely aware is on Fox News. Savage - I don't know who that is. Coulter - I tried to read one of her articles once, and her writing style annoyed me so much I stopped.

Am I allowed to have an opinion?

"instead of towing the standard right wing line"

Yeah, so recently I call this towing company and they say where are you at and I'm like, I'm a moonbat, I live in an asylum, and they say, you want us to come tow a car from an asylum? and I'm like, no, its not a car, its a line, and they say, you want us to tow a line, what do you mean a line, and I'm like, yeah, its just your standard right wing line and they say we cant do that probably but we'll send someone out to take a look at it and I'm like don't placate me, so they say, what's wrong with the line, and I'm like, its metaphor is pretty mangled.

I agree with steve_in_hb, except that I enjoy the screeching of Ann Coulter. She's loud and obnoxious and makes libs pee themselves in anger. That doesn't mean I agree with everything she says.

Who's this Savage person?

If Star Trek ever wanted to create an avian-like humanoid, she would have the job in a minute. A few feathers, some type of multi-colored crest for threat displays. She would blow that Hawk asshole from Buck Rogers away.

I think what Ace had in mind was changing K to L, but I don't really know him well enough to be sure.

A few suggestions:

- We'll produce Ossama after you produce Hoffa.

- Let's stipulate that this is a war for oil, then let the machine rager againsters try to argue THAT wouldn't fall within legitimate national interest.

- Let's try actually using nothing but O'Reiley arguments for a week or so, make it a challenge. They, of course, would remain free to call upon the full spectrum of all of their creative faculties, and maybe come up with some new rhetorical uses of dollar signs in place of the letter S and little equasions of Imperialism, Bu$h, or Cheney with Hitler, Poo, or Devil.

I think Ass just has to continue displaying his Liberal blog envy and he may attrack 4 or 5 more wingnuts to join in with the 3 or 4 regulars he has already.

steve_in_hb,
Sure...ALL opinions are welcome...but...at least 90% of what I find here are no more than rigt wing jerkoffs telling the world that anyone who disagrees with our supreme leader is an un-patriotic, terrorist loving cocksucker who doesn't deserve to live in "their" America.

Well, as far as I''m concerned, what happened to "our" America over the past 5 years is pretty sad.

Well, as far as I''m concerned, what happened to "our" America over the past 5 years is pretty sad.

I don't want you to leave the United States.

Your sputtering, incoherant and completely over-the-top outrage at losing election after election is far too entertaining.

Please, stay.

Cheney DID NOT sell his stock. He put it in a blind trust until the day he leaves office. (Whether voluntarily or by force). He is still collecting "Deferred Payments" on his salary, too.

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Cheneys_stock_options_rose_3281_last_1011.html

Oh god, if you dumb assholes ever left the country, Gene, I'd have to start working for a living again.

Lee-I-Thought-You-Were-Already-Dead-Atwater,
I have absolutely NO idea what your comment that I'm somehow expressing "outrage at losing election after election" is in reference to.

My comments were directed at people like you, who have their heads buried so far up Bush's ass they apparently can't muster up an original thought.

But...if you think things are BETTER today, than they were before this idiot took office...then fire back with some examples of where things have gone well for Americans.

Oh, and forget the usual: "we haven't been attacked on American soil since 9/11" bullshit. After the mini-bombing in 1994 we went 7 years without any attacks...right up until numbnut took office and ignored every fucking warning that came his way.

Gene an anonymouse, yew ain`t got the brains God give my chickens. When it rains they will look up and drown ifn I don`t flush em to the chicken house.

Dufusses, I ain`t the reason Re-publikcans willa keep on winnin; YOU are!

Much obliged...

Sorry, Karl...I have no idea what that means.

I don't remember saying anything about leaving the country.

Is it hard to read with your head buried up there?

But...if you think things are BETTER today, than they were before this idiot took office...then fire back with some examples of where things have gone well for Americans.

Lower taxes. A great economy. No more stupid ABM treaty. Etcetera.

How's that economy doing for ya, Gene? Don't know? No one's talking about it in the news? I WONDER WHY.

What are some other good things that have happened... hmm... I seem to remember some guy with a beard in a spider hole... I liked that a whole lot.

So, let's see, roaring economy at home, Saddam on trial in Iraq, with a democracy taking his place (oh, sorry, that's good for little brown Iraqis as well as us, you colonial-minded twat...), yeah, I just miss those Clinton years. Boy, HE knew how to spy on Americans, that guy.

I think Cletis answered it for you, Gene, but I'd be happy to explain. See, I'm not a political genius or anything, it's just that you're really, really, really stupid.

And you seem to be obsessed with Bush's ass.

As long as people like you make up the Anyone But Bush crowd, my boys will be in control of the White House and Congress for... oh... fifty more years. And I won't have to lift a finger.

Anyone got some funyuns? Or bugles? I need something to pass the time until quittin' time, when I prank call Howard Dean.

Gene: We didn't say that EVERYONE who disagrees with President Bush is a cocksucking traitor... just that those who put their party before their nation and betray legitimate national interests to try to advace their party agenda were traitorous cocksuckers.

Like, y'know, the majority of Democrats.

It should bother you that an ever-increasing majority of America- including almost ALL military personnell- view you and people like you as being more interested in your party's agenda than in the good of the nation, and as very willing to sell out America for the good of the Democrats. Especially as your party has been moving more and more towards political violence lately.

But if you want to hide behind BDS and ignorance, that's fine with me too- my side wins either way.

Well, Clitoris,
Your response should help anyone who didn't already know you were some kind of mutant trailer trash moron, understand the intellectual capacity necessary to become
a Republican.

We've discovered a life form immune to irony.

Gene -

I'll tell you some of what I've seen. A string of people coming here not to discuss issues, but rather to hurl canned insults.

Typically the first sentence contains "fascist". There is also a generally sneering use of mock hick phrasing. Some type of allusion to gun racks and trucks. Also, some variation on the Chimpy McHitler when referring to Bush.

Frankly, there is no reason to take these people seriously. They start out with the assumption that Republicans or Conservatives are evil and stupid, not that their fellow citizens are good people who have different political beliefs. How can you have serious discussions with this type of person?

As for "unpatriotic" -

Having reservations about surveillance activities, counter-terrorism tactics, etc is not unpatriotic. However, many of the "liberal" commenters don't really want to talk about trade-offs between privacy vs security, regime change vs realpolitik, etc. They instead take glee in US setbacks, misteps, etc because it helps their political side. That is unpatriotic.

I'm not even a Republican and disagree with a lot of their positions. In other words, I'm the Dems/Libs target audience. But all I see from them is blind anger, petty politicing, sneering elitism, and, at times, a lack of patriotism.

The truth about Cheney's stocks. Not that truth matters to the left.

That still would leave the possibility that Cheney could profit from his Halliburton stock options if the company's stock rises in value. However, Cheney and his wife Lynne have assigned any future profits from their stock options in Halliburton and several other companies to charity. And we're not just taking the Cheney's word for this -- we asked for a copy of the legal agreement they signed, which we post here publicly for the first time.

The "Gift Trust Agreement" the Cheney's signed two days before he took office turns over power of attorney to a trust administrator to sell the options at some future time and to give the after-tax profits to three charities. The agreement specifies that 40% will go to the University of Wyoming (Cheney's home state), 40% will go to George Washington University's medical faculty to be used for tax-exempt charitable purposes, and 20% will go to Capital Partners for Education , a charity that provides financial aid for low-income students in Washington, DC to attend private and religious schools.

The 'Booming" economy ended the year with a -0.61 on the NYSE. People LOST money on the Stock Market in 2005.
This site wont let me link to CNN, but you can Google the NYSE YTD figures as well as I.

Geee, thanks, Davey-Boy,

It's always nice to hear from some fucking dolt who throws bullshit right wing innuendos around like confetti.

But, could you possibly provide any shred of evidence of the following:

That Democrats are: "those who put their party before their nation and betray legitimate national interests to try to advace their party agenda were traitorous cocksuckers." (Really? WHO?)

Or...that your charges relates to: "Like, y'know, the majority of Democrats." (Are you a like...Valley Guy?)

Or..."that an ever-increasing majority of America- including almost ALL military personnell- view you and people like you as being more interested in your party's agenda than in the good of the nation." (Really? WHO says?)

Or...that Democrats are: "willing to sell out America for the good of the Democrats." (Really? WHO?)

And...this is the best one: "Especially as your party has been moving more and more towards political violence lately." (Really? WHEN & WHERE?)

Lee-I-Thought-You-Were-Already-Dead-Atwater,

I'm dead, and yet I can still flame your ass.

And how many fucking times are you going to say "Oh, Lee Atwater, he's uh, dead. HUH HUH HUH"

Joke's old, kiddo. Get a new one.

Lee-You're-An-Asshole,
It's not a joke, moron. He IS dead.

But a better question is this: Why do you use the man's name...especially when anyone who's ever read a fucking book knows he expressed heartfelt remorse over the horrible dirty political tricks and methods he utilized while running campaigns?

You think it's FUNNY trading on someone's name to somehow make yourself look better?

I think it's the sign that you're a very little man.

News flash! People lose money on the stock market!

Strange that first you emphatically state that Cheney SOLD his stock in HAL, and when the truth is pointed out, you show that there was a "Gift Trust AGREEMENT" which is NOT binding (according to those left wing wackos at the University of Chicago Law School) and can be changed at any time. The fact that his wife is also listed on that agreement means that she controlls the stock if anything happens to her husband. Good financial planning, BTW.

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:-Mx38qU5El4J:blsa.uchicago.edu/upper%2520class/trusts-estates/trusts-estates-Davis2002.doc+gift+trust+agreement+not+binding&hl=en&client=firefox-a

The booming economy lifted the more representative S&P 500 and the NASDAQ for the year, in spite of a great surge in fuel prices (so much for the blood-for-oil canard).

All the market indices would've risen--and risen more--but for the Fed racheting up interest rates to tamp down the perceived threat of growing inflation caused by those fuel prices and...wait for it...quickening economic growth.

Cordially...

steve_in_hb ,
I agree with much of what you say, but as for the "trade-offs between privacy vs security," I have NO problem with wiretapping, etc...but only if it's done so within the confines of our constitutions and the laws that govern America.

History reveals plenty of such maneuvers, all designed to supposed thwart evil, but in the long run we ALL lose when a president can do whatever "he himself" deems necessary for the good of all Americans.

I think Bush should have used FISA and should get off this "war on terror" bandwagon he uses to explain or defend everything he does.

Personally, I've never see our country so split apart...but that's merely MY opinion.

Hey Gene. Welcome back.

Let's talk economy.

Do you get full value for your money?

Well do you?

I think it's the sign that you're a very little man.

You say that with some expectation I'll give a shit?

You must be either an optimist, or a complete moron. I'm guessing moron, but I'll give you optimist - it is the holidays, after all.

Sadly-Sortelli,
So...you actually think:

That we have a "roaring economy at home..."

And that "Saddam on trial in Iraq..."

And we have a true "democracy taking his place"...

And that "I just miss those Clinton years. Boy, HE knew how to spy on Americans, that guy."???

The stock market went up an astounding 1% in 2005, Saddam will use his trial to make fools of Bush and America, if you think there will actually ever be a "democracy" in Iraq you're delusional...and whatever "tapping" Clinton did, was either under the guidlines of FISA or was carried out via the FBI which is NOT goverened by the same laws Bush has broken.

Like I said...pry that little head ouf yours out of Bush's ass and try reading more...and talking less.

steve_in_hb ,
I agree with much of what you say

Wow, Gene's really knows how to hurt ya. It's like Mohammed Atta but with words.

What cracks me up is that Gene thinks the economy's strength is measured by the stock market.

Am I the only one who thinks Gene is just a little too obsessed with President Bush's ass?

Gene, put me some fucking knowledge here.

Little-Man-Lee,
Read on:

Lee Atwater Makes a Change:

"I've found Jesus Christ - It's that simple. He's made a difference."
2/91

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FR) - GOP chairman, Lee Atwater, the man behind the hard-ball political tactics of George Bush's 1988 presidential campaign, announced recently that he has "found Jesus Christ."

"It's that simple," said Atwater shortly after being treated for an inoperable brain tumor. "He's made a difference, and I'm glad I've found Him while there's still time." Now the man who turned the release of rapist Willie Horton and the Pledge of Allegiance into national issues in an unrelenting attack on Michael Dukakis during the 1988 presidential campaign wants the world to know about his change toward compassion.

After having destroyed the political reputation of the Democratic candidate, Atwater testified: "I don't hate anyone anymore. For the first time in my life I don't hate somebody. I have nothing but good feelings toward people."

In the most dramatic, spiritual conversion since that of President Richard Nixon's hatchet man, Chuck Colson, Lee Atwater has promised to make peace with those he has mistreated. He now admits that having made disparaging remarks about Columbia attorney Tom Turnispeed's clinical treatment for depression was one of the "low points" of his career.

Gene -

I also get very antsy when it come to surveillance where American citizens are on at least one end of the line. However, I don't think the "war on terror" is overhyped/used. There are very hard decisions to be made, some of which are of the lesser-of-two evils type.

I don't really have time to get in to the details of this specific issue. I was just trying to make the point that the current sneering elitism of much of the Dems is counterproductive for both the nation and their party. Throwing words like fascist around is as useless as when right wingers used to mindlessy hurl "Commie" at anybody who disagreed with them on some specific issue.

at December 31,

"Wow, Gene's really knows how to hurt ya. It's like Mohammed Atta but with words."

Sorry...does not compute.

Try it again...this time in English.

I know the story. Maybe this surprises you, but I picked the name because I respect the man.

Shocker of shockers, huh?

Now, I'm off to a party. You kids play nice while I'm gone, okay?

steve_in_hb,
Point-Counterpoint...accepted.

Here are some charts using data from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Dep't of Commerce. Savings are nonexistent and wages haven't kept up with the CPI. People have been making less every year since 2001.

http://jec.senate.gov/democrats/Documents/Reports/wed01nov2005.pdf

Sorry...does not compute.

Try it again...this time in English.

I'm not going to placate you, Gene. You're not at least an 8-10.

Davey-Boy...

When you say: "Gene, put me some fucking knowledge here."

Is this another one of your "coded" messages...and do I need one of those Secret Decoder Rings you share with Ace...to decipher it?

Gene, a pilot is landing an airplane. What is he looking at?

Emperor of Icecream,
Huh?

Gene, where's Joe?

Davey-Boy,
I think it's time for your nappy, dude.

Take a few more pulls off that crack pipe and get yourself some shut-eye.

Sandy Booger,
He died in 1982.

is he looking at the runway, or the instruments Gene?

Have you ever seen a me drink a glass of water?
Well, no, you can't say you have, Gene.

Davey-Boy,
Are you familiar with the term: irrelavant?

Now, take another hit off that pipe...and move on.

Strange that first you emphatically state that Cheney SOLD his stock in HAL, and when the truth is pointed out, you show that there was a "Gift Trust AGREEMENT" which is NOT binding (according to those left wing wackos at the University of Chicago Law School) and can be changed at any time. The fact that his wife is also listed on that agreement means that she controlls the stock if anything happens to her husband. Good financial planning, BTW.

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:-Mx38qU5El4J:blsa.uchicago.edu/upper%2520class/trusts-estates/trusts-estates-Davis2002.doc+gift+trust+agreement+not+binding&hl=en&client=firefox-a
Actually, I only provided a link showing the current nature of his holdings. I'm not the one that brought them up. Now your anonymous argument is that things change.

So we have "current fact" versus "possible future". I don't know how we keep beating you guys.

Emperor of Icecream,

When you say: "Have you ever seen a me drink a glass of water? Well, no, you can't say you have, Gene."

It makes me wonder if you've ever taken an English course...OR if you're sharing that pipe with Davey-Boy.

You two aren't under the covers again...are you?

Gene, who's the only important person up on that stage?

Davey-Boy,
My God...I DO need the Secret Decoder Ring!!!

See if YOU can decipher this one: oblay emay.

I'm starting to think that Gene isn't getting the joke.

Strange that first you emphatically state that Cheney SOLD his stock in HAL, and when the truth is pointed out, you show that there was a "Gift Trust AGREEMENT"

Yes, he SOLD his stock, and yes, he is donating all of the proceeds from his options to charity. Yes, he receives ZERO BENEFIT from Halliburton's profits.

Maybe you don't know the difference between stock and options. But what part of ZERO BENEFIT do you not understand?

Better put up your defense-against-facts shield. War for oil! War for oil! Cheney is making millions!

Gene, this is just the integrity kick I'm on. Do you understand where I'm coming from with integrity?

I'm not arguing that things change, just pointing out the FACT that Cheney DID NOT sell his HAL stock, and he can pocket the proceeds anytime he leaves office. All 4,000% increase since 9-11-01.

I'm starting to think that Gene isn't getting the joke.

Wait, "starting"? Gene hasn't caught a single quip, even the ones we granny pitched. Dude's not quite advanced enough for the Ace O Spades Lifestyle.

digitalbrownshitinmypants,

Yeah, that's it...

But, c'mon...I know I'm not dealing with a group of intellectuals here...I mean, .you ARE Republicans.

Here's a secred coded message for you, too: ucksay imay ickday.

Sadly-Sortelli,
You idiots actually DO think you're witty?

And you REALLY think these moronic comments are "quips"??

You dipsticks are even dumber that I thought.

Davey-Boy,
Smoking crack and posting nonsensical comments doesn't have much to do with "integrity."

Have you considered picking yourself up a dictionary?

I DO need the Secret Decoder Ring!!!

The whole point of the secret decoder ring is lost . . . if you keep it a secret!
Why didn't you tell Gene, ay?!

You idiots actually DO think you're witty?

They are idiots, and they're not very witty. Nevertheless, they make me laugh. So lighten up, Gene. Don't make me bring Vinny F'n Falcone in here to ride your ass.

I rode Gene's ass once. Could've been a bit tighter.

That last comment wasn't me. All these faggots around here lie all the time.

Gene, you were sweet tight, don't let anybody tell you different.

"You idiots actually DO think you're witty?

And you REALLY think these moronic comments are "quips"??

You dipsticks are even dumber that I thought."

You hit the nail on the head with that one.

Proud Liberal Vet,
Et tu PLV?

che genere di traitor è voi?

at December 31, 2005,
Thankzzzzzzzzzz, I felt pretty good about it myself.

[President Bush]should get off this "war on terror" bandwagon he uses to explain or defend everything he does.

War on Terror in quotation marks??

You mean when he explains the importance of the Patriot Act?

Or the reason victory in Iraq is important to the War on Terror?

Okay, I have to leave for a party...so...being it's New Yeqar's Eve and I know most of your are probably at the very least, "problem drinkers"...here's a parting joke you may have heard, but what the hell:

Guy's sitting at a bar, telling his friend how drunk he got at a party the night before:
"Man, did I get fucked up last night...and I did something that I'm gonna have a tough time forgetting."
"What did you do," his friend asks.
He says, "I blew chunks."
His friend just shrugs. "So what?"
He says, "No, you don't understand...I REALLY blew chunks."
Again, his friend just shrugs. "Hey, everybody gets sick. I've done it plenty of times."
Now the guy leans in real close, looks around to make sure n one can hear and whispers..."No, no, you don't understand...Chunks is MY DOG."

Happy New Year...even the Republicans.

Gene is a very funny guy.

Happy New Year...even the Republicans.

Rock on. You too, Gene.

Gene,

You made me promise not to tell anyone and here you are blabbing it all over the net!

"Thankzzzzzzzzzz, I felt pretty good about it myself."

It's funny watching these morons keep congratulating themselves when they are about as clever as a piece of wood.

"Thankzzzzzzzzzz, I felt pretty good about it myself."

It's funny watching these morons keep congratulating themselves when they are about as clever as a piece of wood.

What the fuck do you want from me? Seriously!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? I give, and give, and give and... this! This is what I get! I'm wasted on you people. WASTED.

You are wasted all right. Have you and Rush been shooting up together?

It's like rain on your wedding day!

Well, Republican types, it's been kinda nice actually having a "Battle of Facts" with those who are actually interested in real discussion.

Good Tidings to you and yours, and may '06 be better for America than this past year of corruption, cronyism, and incompetence.

The Juvie attacks are stupid. I'll be back in the future to have REAL info exchanges, rather than ad hominem et alla waste of bandwidth.

Happy 2006 to ALL Citizens of the Goos Old U. S. of A.

THAT WAS A TYPO, LOOK IT UP (Sorry) ;)

Well, it's rather impossible for two facts to battle, as logically neither of them can be mutally exclusive and remain a fact.

So I guess "battling facts" is asserting that one side has their heads rammed up someone's posterior. Your contributions have been enlightening.

Ironically.

As it was once said (Rush fans take note)

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but Nobody is entitled to their own facts."

THAT is the difference between the Ditto Heads (who don't research) and the educated populace.

I provided a fact, you provided an opinion about something that might happen in the future. That's assuming you're the moron that kept bringing up Cheney's holdings. It's hard to tell when you don't own your own posts.

Take it easy, bucko, there's not that much of me to go around. Quit while you're ahead.

PS, I won on the Cheney Halliburton stock / trust fund / Rush talking point thing.

I won on the "Booming economy" thing with FACTS put out by the US GOVERNMENT

I won on the point that wages have been regressing.

Talking points are fine, but the Republicans need more than personal attacks, and saying "WE WIN" over and over..

THIS IS NOT A FREAKING FOOTBALL GAME!

ANNNNND, WHY AREN'T THE YOUNG REPUBLICANS QUITTING COLLEGE AND SIGNING UP FOR THE MILITARY??

Hey, hey, Irony. Buck up. Anonoclown is just slamming Rush Limbaugh rather than engage in substantive argument.

This is my territory now.

Aw yeah. You know it always comes down to me, don'tcha? I swear, if it wasn't for me and bitter anger, the Democrats wouldn't have a platform.

Prove me wrong, and at the same time prove Rush right.

I won on the "Booming economy" thing ...

I won on the point that...

Talking points are fine, but ... need more than personal attacks, and saying "WE WIN" over and over..

THIS IS NOT A FREAKING FOOTBALL GAME!

I can't keep up with this guy!!!

Prove me wrong, and at the same time prove Rush right.

Man, this guy is like a late Christmas present!

ANNNNND, WHY AREN'T THE YOUNG REPUBLICANS QUITTING COLLEGE AND SIGNING UP FOR THE MILITARY??

You guys got me. I thought it was a real moonbat comment until that last line.

Send it or unwrap it. Saying I'm wrong doesn't PROVE it. If you are saying that the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics are liars, you are saying that the Bush Administration is a bunch of liars (proven time and again bt Scotty McClellan)

Prove it, and gloat.

Seriously, DBS, don't look at me. I think he meant it.

Saying I'm wrong doesn't PROVE it. If you are saying that the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics are liars, you are saying that the Bush Administration is a bunch of liars (proven time and again bt Scotty McClellan)

Prove it, and gloat.

I am gloating, pal, I am. You're the best thing that ever happened to me.

So, will I be staying in your room? You don't mind if I kinda, you know, snuggle up behind you?

We just go so well together, you and me. Will you still feel the same in the morning, though?

Will you still feel the same in the morning, though?

Ha ha ha. You're kidding, right?

That was for fallacy (i.e. the Christmas present remark,) but it is open to all. This isn't a football game where winning is the ONLY thing. The Republicans have shown that they can "win" whether legally or not.

They have PROVEN that they can't govern, and instead want to rule.

You just sit riiiight there at the keyboard, I'll get you a refill.

Republicans seem able to GET the job, but not DO the job.

No one to kiss tonight, huh? That's okay. I'm here for you.

An aside to the guy who runs this Exceptional blog.

That picture of Tony Blair is the worst one I've ever seen. C'Mon, nothing wrong with Tony 's pictures, and if you wanted him to look betterthere are several more available.

JMHO

STFU

An aside to the guy who runs this Exceptional blog.

Me and him are out having a good time. But that's okay. I still have time for you. Alone. At home.

Heeeey! It's IAC! It's been awhile. You guys having a party? Can I come?

Wha--?? Friggin' NO! Man! You know you and me don't go good together, Shotgun! Beat it! You only bring tragedy!

I been with this thread since the beginning.

I'm in a different time zone. The Bubbly is cold, the hats and horns start in a few, the Republicans go down in '06 when Abramhoff starts squealing like the pid that he is, Rove gets the Fitzgerald treatment, Cheney "Resigns" due to "Health Reasons"....

AND King George gets booted out of Public Housing.

Hello!

G.W. just came out with a surprise Happy Thanksgiving announcement.

Let's not spoil it for him.

You're not only in a different time zone, you castrato troll, you're in an entirely different universe. But hey, enjoy your stay in reality. You may learn a thing or two while you're here.

Don't you worry about that reality thing, anono-man, I got your back. You don't need reality with me around.

You and me, we're "reality-based".

Is there such a thing as irresponsible semen consumption? I sure hope not...

Just taking up the Gantlet that was thrown down when I mentioned Flush Rim Job (since y'all seem to be overly anal curious.)

If I was a late X-Mas present, why didn't the Ditto-Head take me apart.

Again, prove me wrong, and in turn prove Flush right.

Oh look, the castrato troll made up an insulting name for Limbaugh. I think I'll make one up for the troll. Let's see... how about Donk Felcher?

Look, I'm an open guy. You can spend time with Alcohol and me. In fact, we go better together. Alcohol does not get along with my bastard brother Logic, who is an asshole and I hate him. So, me, you, Alcohol, let's do it. Let's party. Bring along Fantasy, and see if she can get that saucy Denial to come along.

Just, you know, not so rough, okay? I'm starting to feel really used. Be a little sparing with your attentions, 'cause I'm starting to chafe from all the times you've whipped me out in this thread.

Could we at least have some variety? Maybe you could get off of your homoerotic facination with Rush here. It's not that I'm jealous, it's just that no one seems to be responding to it. Between you and me, I don't think as many people care about him as you.

You could try some appeals to authority or begging the question. That's always nice for beginners.

AHEM, I mentioned RUSH, and I was instantly attacked with homo slurs. When I said Flush Rim Job, I also stated the OBVIOUS FACT that you folks are overly obsessed with sphincters (because you defend the one in 1600)

Once again, PROVE that ANYTHING I have posted is not backed up with facts, rather than opinions.

When you can do that, you will prove me wrong, and therefore, by default, Rush right.

Ball is in your ciurt.

(Remember, I'm a "late Christmas present....")

What's that about a phallus?

Oh, never mind.

Fags!

When you can do that, you will prove me wrong, and therefore, by default, Rush right.

I wish you knew how to quit me!

Once again, PROVE that ANYTHING I have posted is not backed up with facts, rather than opinions.

Sigh - I've tried to get to this thread about 5 times today, but things kept getting in the way. Looks futile for tonight and tomorrow - maybe tomorrow night.

Get away from him! He's mine! If anyone introduces him to my bastard stepbrother Logic, I'll... I'll... I HATE YOU ALL.

How can we argue your points when we're not even sure what they are? There's at least a couple of libs commenting in this thread without signing their posts so it's hard to tell which ones are yours. I'm still wondering about the Cheney stock thing. How exactly was that proven?

Logic trumps FANTASY every time. Fallacy is the same as LIE. (False Truth)

Near as I can tell, Cheney said (on tape, and later denied...LIE) he had severed ALL financial ties to HAlliburton.

When it turned out that he didn't, he said that he meant "Current ties". So, the fact that his shares are in a trust, and he (rightly so) is still collecting deferred pay (which he EARNED) means that Cheney isn't keeping tabs on his own shit, so how on Earth can he be trusted to keep on top of the entire World?

The link I provided earlier proves that you're an idiot. That's a fact.

You'll also notice that I provided a link to back up my claim, rather than pulling it out of my ass like you have done.

You might not be familiar with pay structure at large corporations. If you had read the linked information it would have explained to you why Cheney has received payments from Haliburton. Top officers often have parts of their pay received after they leave because of the taxes. You only get taxed when you get the check, so part of the payment is received later. It's kind of like NFL salary caps in that aspect.

Logic trumps FANTASY every time. Fallacy is the same as LIE. (False Truth)

Shh! Don't talk about our relationship like that! Say something about Rush again, c'mon, go for the ad hominem! Make some more hasty generalizations!

You and me have been hand in hand this entire thread, don't leave me now.

BTW, when you put it in trust, it's normally not kept track of by the portfolio owner. That's the trust part. I guess he's got more important stuff to worry about than his personal finances. Hard for you to believe I'm sure.

I like pink elephants.

I like pink elephants too.

I like pink buttholes. Just not on chicks.

Happy New Year, fags!

Gee, Digi Brownshirt. That is EXACTLY what I just said. I didn't feel the need to use (I was going to use Baseball Players) Athletes, because I thought that the TWO times that I stated that Cheney EARNED his pay would be obvious to those who actually READ posts, rather than jump into attack mode once the name Cheney and Halliburton come up.

It's too bad that your instantaneous knee-jerk reaction precludes you from even READING a post. Too much spoon-fed ideology, I guess.

Ahh. Nice dismissal.

Thanks, for a second there, I thought you were getting honest.

Honest? Today's Donks have never heard of the word!

Here you go.

Notice the irrevocable assignment mentioned on page 8? That means that they can't take them back later, something that you mentioned earlier.

Now, how about a link to that Cheney lie you mentioned? I haven't heard that one before.

Aaaah, has anyone seen... ahhh... Irreshponshble Alcohol Consumption? I need ... aaaah... to catch a ride home with him...

Press the Meat with Tim Russert. Do your own fact checking. Google works

Sorry about missing what you said earlier. I missed it before I pressed the post key. You're still a liar and an idiot though by pushing the stock option lie.

So explain how he's making money on Halliburton again.

Jesus, Teddy, even I think you're a slob. Let the girl drive this time, okay?

Happy New Year, you louts, I am Audi.

Once again that "AGREEMENT" is NON-BINDING (i.e.the word "Agreement")

Refer back to my link to the University of Chicago Law School site.

Thanks for trying, though.

Where's the link? I missed it in the 150+ comments in this topic.

HEY, EAST COASTERS...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Let's clean up the Government, and let WE THE PEOPLE run the show instead of the lobbyists!

In a nutshell, the "Agreement" is kind of like a "first pick" item for a lousy basketball team. Unless / until the "Agreement" is changed to a "Covenant" it isn't worth the paper it's printed on. The "Agreement is only valid as long as Cheney is VP, and Lynn is the OTHER signatoree. So that means that Lynn is still in charge of the thing no matter WHAT happens to Dick.

EXCELLENT financial planning on Dick's part.

Is this the relevant section of anon's link?

Brainard v Commissioner (p 586)(7th 1937)

1. Rule – where a promise to declare a trust of property not yet in existence is unsupported by consideration, and the intention to hold the property in trust is not manifested until sometime after its acquisition by declarant, the property is not received in trust and is therefore taxable to the declarant.
1. An interest not yet in existence (future profits from stock trading) cannot constitute the property of a trust.
2. While an individual can contract to provide the property of the trust in the future, such a contract is not binding unless supported by consideration.

I am certainly not a lawyer, but it's not clear to me that handing over the disposition of the stock options (a 'real' property) is the same as promising future stock profits. Do you have a decent source that interprets this the way you do?

Options, by their very name, infer FUTURE gain.

See my previous post linking to the U of C.

Is anyone going to let me suck their cock or not?

The point of Options Trading is that a person bids on a price IN THE FUTURE, and has the option of buying said stock, or not. Since it is a price bid on in the Future it's similar to Futures trading on livestock, and other real commodities.

HAL is a Service Industry, and therefore isn't as succeseptible to the vagaries of weather, or glut on the market.( i.e. lotsa pigs coming to slaughter at the same time. Remember when McDonald's and Burger King etc. ALL had a lot of Bacon Cheese Burger specials? LOTSA HOGS that year.)

Same thing for HAL. Future Options on a bet made in 2001.

Options, by their very name, infer FUTURE gain.

No, there's a clear difference between promising future profits on stocks you control vs. ceding your control to the trustee. Options have an intrinsic value, while future profits do not. As to your link - either I excerpted the relevant portion or should guide me more accurately to the section you mean.

As far as the agreement vs. convenant thing goes, here's the definition of legal agreements from American Heritage:

1. A properly executed and legally binding contract. 2. The writing or document embodying this contract.

This is consistent with my personal experience, where an agreement is a legally enforceable contract. Perhaps you can be more explicit in describing the alleged loophole here.

The "AGREEMENT" is valid as long as Cheney is VP. If he wanted to divest himself of ALL HAL he could / would have. The "Agreement" is NOT binding unless / until he ACTUALLY signs off on the Do-Re-Mi.

He HASN'T.

Perhaps you should e-mail him and ask WHY? He has already stated that he "Has severed ALL ties to HAL..." which was proved to be a LIE, then he lied about saying it which was Proven to be a LIE, and then he has an accounting wordsmith trying to show that what IS really isn't.

Either he has NO financial ties with HAL, or he is a LIAR / War Proffiteer.

Period. He Must come clean.

The "AGREEMENT" is valid as long as Cheney is VP.

That's not correct. The termination clause says that the agreement can be terminated if:

1) the Adminstrative Agent breaches the agreement;

2) the Options have been exercised or have lapsed, and all resulting Stock has been sold, and the net proceeds have been distributed.

Cheney's status is not tied to the agreement, as far as I can see. Maybe your eyes are keener than mine.

3)

The "Agreement" is NOT binding unless / until he ACTUALLY signs off on the Do-Re-Mi.

What didn't he sign? He certainly signed the agreement. We are both talking about the Gift Trust Agreement, aren't we?

The "3)" in the previous comment should be ignored.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE CENTRAL TIME ZONE!!!

May 2006 bring us a Government OF, BY, and FOR the people.

AAAUUGHH!! He signed an "AGREEMENT" NOTa transfer of assets (real or future). The "Agreement" only means that IF he disolves his holdings, those 3 entities get "Something" (which is NOT spelled out, so they could each get a Buck, and fulfill the "Agreement").

What? The agreement assigns an agent exclusive rights to dispose of Cheney's stock options. There is no hold-back.

The agreement states:

2.a) The Administrative Agent shall exercise all vested but unexercised Options in its discretion . . .

The agreement says that Cheney's options can be exercised "without consultation with the donors." He transferred complete control over their disposition to the Agreement Agent, there is no guarantee that they won't be gone by the time his term is finished, and given Halliburton's market performance, there's certainly no incentive for the Agent to delay in exercising the Options and selling the stocks as they vest.

I doubt that he's allowed to transfer the options to a 3rd party without a modification to Halliburton's ESOP - that's certainly true in the small companies I've worked in, though larger companies may be more lax on that point. So he did the next best, and morally equivalent, thing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, MOUNTAIN TIMERS

LET'S HOPE ABRAMHOFF SINGS LIKE A CANARY NEXT TUESDAY, AND DeLAY AND HIS CULT OF CORRUPTION GOES DOWN LIKE A WHITE HOUSE REPORTER (Male Prostitute) NAMED GANNON / GUCKERT has been doing for God knows How long, and Jesus approved of it, cuz Jesus talks to the President...He said so!!!

Nice use of the elipses (...) {{for those who don't know the terminology}}

Print the whole paragraph, and the sub headings (and referrence numbers)

When talking about "vested" assets that means REAL VALUE at the time. Go on with the Aadditional codicil, and the 3,800 + Per cent increase in value is getting into some REAL numbers.

Look it up. Cheney is mouse poor now, but when he retires...WOW!!!

Cheney is mouse poor now, but when he retires

Estimates of Cheney's wealth a few years ago ranged from $30 - 100 million. Without the options.

Print the whole paragraph, and the sub headings (and referrence numbers)

Why don't you just post the relevant parts of the whatever documents you see fit, because I can't find anything here to support your statements. I don't see a reference to a codicil in the agreement, other than Appendices A & B, neither of which offer any loopholes. Come on, if this stuff is at your fingertips, you can make your case with very little effort. At least give me a hint where to find it.

It's certainly nowhere to be found in the Gift Trust Agreement.

Oh, and the reason I didn't post more of the paragraph is that I have to transcribe it from a .pdf image. There was nothing nefarious as you go down the clauses; in fact it made the case in favor of Cheney that much stronger. But show me the loophole path and convince me that it will provide significant value to Cheney, and then I will most likely buy into at least part of the Cheney-didn't-properly-divest-himself argument.

I'm beginning to believe that you have no idea what text and clauses followed the ellipses.

Hey, Administrator, that Pic of Tony Blair LOOKS LIKE HE IS TRYING TO GROW A MOHAWK!

I've seen pics of Tony, and I know they are available.

Nice site, BTW, and for the most part, nice folks and intelligent too.

The name calling happens everywhere. I'll recommend this place to my friends (MOST of them are Republicans) The Dems are nice too.

Thanks to the guy who posted this site on Kickin' Ass.

(He did a trackback "Ping" thinking he was being clever)

More Dem Fact Checkers to come.

Anyhow,

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE MOUNTAIN AND PACIFIC TIME FOLKS!

MAY WE TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY FROM THE POWER HUNGRY NEO-CONS.

America, Love it...or put up with it (Republican motto)

AMERICA, WORTH FIGHTING FOR!!

(Democratic Motto)

I've seen pics of Tony, and I know they are available.

You realize, I hope, that Ace doesn't pick the ads that run on his site - BlogAds does. And that BlogAds didn't pick the picture of Tony Blair - the advertiser did. So complaining on this site is two layers away from the problem. But you can fix that by clicking on the picture and complaining directly to the source.

THX for the tip, geoff.

Happy New Year to YOU, and YOURS.

Getting ready for MINE!!!

See y'all often. And thanks once again to W C Varones for turning us on to this site.

HAPPY NEW GOVERNMENT IN THE NEW YEAR!!!

I like pink buttholes. Just not on chicks.

It's your lucky day, PLV. Ace has a pink butthole and he is not a chick.

Do you enjoy pretending to be me and then responding to yourself asshole? I may have been wrong that you are Sortelli and if so I apologize to Sortelli. Whoever you are why don't you be a man and let me know who you are? Oh wait, as a Republitard, you are a coward. Better to keep hiding and shaking in the dark. Don't piss yourself girly-boy.

Looks like the jackasses should get branded right in its ass area

You use me and use me and then never ever mention me! Bastards!!!!

Yes, I talk tough from the safety and anonymity of my computer, but I'm really just a punk-ass wuss piece of shit. That's why I pretend to be other people on here, because I can't deal with the stupid worthless waste of time that is my life. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go stick a French tickler up my ass.

Oh, and by the way, as everyone here already knows, I'm not a vet. I'm just a punk-ass junior high school loser and I'd piss my pants if any of the adults here ever called my bluff.

Ooh, I just love those French ticklers!

I CANT STAND THE SIGHT OF WORMS OR LOOK AT MICROSCOPTIC GERMS BUT TECHNOCOLORED PACADERMS ITS REALY TOO MUCH FOR ME

Anybody else notice that, at least lately, this Dem Blog is running 2 or 3 posts per day with an open thread every single day? Sometimes it's the only post of the day.

Why don't these places just set up a damned bulletin board and be done with it?

It appears, Ace, that the formula for increased traffic is to go with 1 open thread each day and then post less than 5 more stories per day.

This does, of course, provide the side benefit of more drinking time.