Ever since, my childhood has been corrupted.

But hey, hammer away.

You are a sick, twisted fuck for having brought up the Liberace/Aunt Harriet scene from Batman as a segue to celebrate BBQ.

I think I love you.

Many things Democrats once disapproved of under George W. Bush, like unauthorized military intervention, they support because Obama did it.

Agreed. I enthusiastically voted for Obama in 2008, but had basically resigned myself to voting for him by 2012. Because

Bush engaged in many abuses of power but in some ways Obama may have done even more significant long-term damage by normalizing these abuses and giving them a bipartisan seal of approval. Obama has helped turn principled concerns into just another partisan fight.

Correct. Obama has given many of Bush’s more offensive policies the sheen of legitimacy. Unsure if this is because Obama’s own ideology is center-right or because Obama is a coward – but I suspect it is a mix.

A tip for George Tierney Jr of Greenville, SC.

OH NO SHE DINT!

Also. Slut.

Best when read out loud.

To illustrate the difficulty, the first example I cited involved whether Clarence Thomas “misunderstood” the financial disclosure form when he failed to include his wife’s income. No doubt, many people doubt that he “misunderstood” but to rebut this as false would be difficult indeed, requiring knowledge of Mr. Thomas’s thinking.

It makes no more sense to characterize Clarence Thomas’ incorrectly filling out a financial disclosure form as a “misunderstanding” than a conscious act of deception. Just say he filled out the form incorrectly and then make an educated guess at his incompetence and/or dishonesty. After all, it would be irresponsible not to speculate.

Look, if I operate a business and I expect someone to attempt to stage a sit-in on my property, I am fully within my rights to lock the doors. That does not prevent anyone from protesting outside, it just keeps them from damaging my property.

I agree…but blocking transmissions goes way beyond locking doors. Your metaphor depends entirely on pre-cell auspices.

And anyway, you’re backtracking. First you argued BART’s case by citing out of control protests, now you’re complaining about sit-ins. Is there any sort of mass dissent that shouldn’t be stamped out before it begins? Like, do you think the editorial board of the Chronicle should refuse to publish dissenting commentary for fear that such might spark a wave of inconvenient protesting?

Seems to me you’re just arguing in favor of

censor[ing] communications [and] to obstruct free speech and assembly,

to use Kevin’s words.

I agree with much of what you say, but the actions undertaken by BART do not bode well for liberal democracy.

And I deeply disagree with this:

They did not muzzle anyone, they did not take away the signs of protesters, and they did not beat the dissenters with batons. They simply kept an expected protest from spinning out of control.

BART did muzzle people, and did take away their signs…nominally to keep an expected protest from spinning out of control, but in reality to keep an expected protest from occurring.

A dangerous precedent.

Which of the Old Masters did you resurrect to capture Lord Wembley’s visage?? Fine work, fine work indeed. I bid $1.

Anyone know how much Brooks earns? We’re getting a bit strapped for cash and my 3 yr old is looking to get a gig at the Times.

He might be overqualified…but these are hard times.

Cyborgs have their own logic.
Cum with me if you want to live.

Who is Sarah Palin?

Morans. Money always wins.

Capra’s version of Arsenic and Old Lace is a favorite. That said, I’m more about post apocalyptic movies, some of which involve gasoline and/or zombies.

This from a guy who loves old horror movies.

‘Have a potato.’ Ernest Thesiger FTW!

Wikileaks’ point is to disseminate otherwise unavailable info. I agree discovering Merkel was called fat is useless, but then again those are your tax dollars at work: what sort of diplomat would say that Merkel is fat in the first place? Why is that tidbit included in a presumably secret diplomatic cable??

It’s unfortunate Assange doesn’t bother to select out only the important bits and leave the stupid parts out, but then again I don’t want him or anyone else making that choice for me. Say it with me: document dump.

I’m feeling pretty conflicted about these leaks, but while there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about the specific fallout to diplomacy, on balance I favor more information and transparency.

The transition from lying to honesty won’t be easy; governments keep their secret agendas secret for a reason.

Regarding Benen, he’s generally extremely insightful and fair…albeit a huge apologist for Obama. He clearly understands the current administration is going to (unfairly, imo) take a bite from a ginormous shit sandwich, so his response is weighted against Wikileaks. At least that’s one way to read it.

Like I said, I’m conflicted.