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The Obama White House signaled Alan Simpson today that he can say whatever damn-fool thing he wants, and since he’s the GOP co-chair of Obama’s Catfood Commission, it’s to be expected that Simpson will say some things Obama "strongly disagrees with."
Even though the White House accepts apologies not directed to it from Alan Simpson.
Sounds like a Free White House Pass to mouth off, Alan: go for it.
This presages an exciting fall as no one is holding Alan Simpson back from his evening phone calls to folks who’ve written or called or emailed him. He’s not shy about writing to people. He’s also eager to call AP reporters with fun leads for stories about how Vietnam veterans aren’t doing their fair share to bring down the deficit.
Have you heard from Alan Simpson?
If you have, we’d love to hear from you here at Firedoglake. Put your correspondence with Alan Simpson in your own Seminal diary. Let the world know how Alan Simpson treated your concerns about America’s deficit, and the outsize role he sees for Social Security benefits in solving those concerns. Or perhaps you are a veteran who’s not doing enough to ease your country’s pain right now? If you’ve heard from Alan Simpson about your lack of sacrifice, please let us know.
Alan Simpson got his Free White House Pass today. It’s going to be a very exciting three months until the Catfood Commission presents its report to President Obama in December. Simpson can, apparently, say anything he wants without White House censure. Simpson, unbound!
P.S. You can send emails to Alan Simpson at commission at fc.eop.gov
59 Comments
Not that I’d want anyone to write anything MEAN to Alan, or anything like that.
But patriotic Americans should probably make their views known….
I’d send him some cat food, but I just ate my last can.
Well, there’s the empty can to be sent, I suppose….
great idea teddy. recommended
Thank you, Suzanne!
This cat food commission is enough by itself to keep me from voting for obamarahma in ’12.
Make sure your missives mention “sovereign default” at least once!
Funny how Alan Simpson, a massively entitled scion of a powerful Wyoming political family, is allowed fee pass after free pass by Obama and the corporate media, yet Van Jones and Helen Thomas were not.
Alan Simpson… the man who characterizes 1,200 a month as: Seniors zipping around in thier Lexus’s to pickup thier new seniors discount card.
Alan Simpson is a patient man. He waited 40 years to spit on returning Vietnam vets.
That’s a myth I do not want anyone to perpetuate. No one spit on Vietnam Vets. Those of us in the peace movement back then wanted to save their lives. We wanted them not to have to deploy. We wanted them home and safe and whole. Our government did not care about our lives. They only cared about weapons industrialists and the people who made the helicopters and bombers. They did not care about our young lives then and evidently, Mr. Simpson, does not care about our lives now that it is forty years later.
Any time I hear someone talking about the whole spitting on soldiers myth, I’ve invited them to try this little experiment;
Go to the airport, the bus depot or just stand out in the street, pick any man in uniform that comes along and spit on him.
If you want to modify the experiment, pick any random man, or pick the smallest man you can find.
The result is likely to be the same in all cases.
First, there are very few humans who would dare to spit on another human, and then there is the inevitible result of being punched in the nose which pretty much explains why this act is so rarely witnessed.
In short, if there had been many Viet Nam vets spat upon, there would be an equal number of stories about protestors being beaten by irate vets.
I have known many Viet Nam vets, and most have told me their biggest disappointments are being misunderstood by civilians, and neglected by our government so far, I’ve never heard of any being spat upon.
ZING!
I’m torn: I hate Simpson and his snotty demeanor, BUT having his can tied to the Cat Food Commission’s tail may bring it the scorn it deserves.
Not from the Very Important Media People, of course, but word could get around . . .
He’s the only one mouthing off, so I’m beginning to thinks he’s gold.
Maybe O really doesn’t want it gutted and keeping Simpson’s jaws flapping are the best way to get it so odious that even repubs hate the idea.
When you mes with their sacred idea of vets, you’re in BIG trouble.
Not a very good recruitment tool for the endless wars, you know?
If O doesn’t want it gutted, why did he create the Catfood Commission?
Pressure from the IMF and Standard & Poor’s? He says it’s to give credibility to “the markets”. I guess so we can keep borrowing for wars.
but surely he knows it’s going to further wreck the economy?
Hell, I don’t know.Way too many righties from both parties up there. Baucus is one of them which I don’t like at all
Exactly. I still cannot understand his motivation for becoming the 2nd worse President ever. He could have gone down as a hero, but ended up being a zero.
Second to whom?
Maybe O really doesn’t want it gutted
Are you serious? Obama created the commission by executive order after Congress voted it down. Obama chose the neanderthals who are on the commission. This is Obama’s baby.
Rahm probably told him it would be the bipartisan thing to do, and the Republicans and conservatives would like it. And O probably believed it.
Bipartisan! Obama is desperate, it seems, to be accepted by the conservatives and Republicans. He will do anything to gain their approval. But they will never let him into their club. No matter how many he steps on or destroys while proving himself. Pathetic – but great material for a psychological study in a few years.
No chance. When it comes to “fiscal responsibility”, Obama has aligned himself with conservatives from the start. This is from January 15, 2009, before he was even inaugurated:
Just a month later, Jane reported that hedge fund billionaire Pete Peterson would speak to the fiscal responsibility summit, following Obama and Biden but before anyone else – quite a prominent speaking position. I think Peterson was subsequently dropped from the summit after this revelation created a lot of rancor among progressive Congressional Democrats, who at that point weren’t so blindly loyal to Obama.
Hmmmm… I’ll have to put some thought into my email to Simpson. Long weekend coming up.
Cat food is expensive. You’d be better off buying ground beef or chicken.
It’s true. Maybe rename it “the giblets commission”?
We could start seriously cutting the deficit, helping the environment and providing some jobs by not supplying expensive bottled water to our Senators in session. I recall sparkling glass pitchers and water glasses when seeing congressional news shots a decade or so back. Might have to hire two or three people to handle the water faucet, distribute the pitchers and do the dishes, generating income for them and taxes back to the gov’t.
Maybe drop a well out back and put in a hand crank pump like grandpa had, no electric pumps is the answer.
Simpson by his own words and conduct has been rendered politically impotent.
As such, isn’t it preferable that he stay as co-chair as opposed to his being replaced by someone sharing his views on Social Security that is politically savvy and a polished television salesperson?
When everyone in Congress rebates half their salaries to reduce the deficit….oh wait, that’s never gonna happen.
So, if Simpson says he wants see the birth certificate or Obama’s baptism certificate, Obama will still keep on the commission?
Can’t WAIT to hear how he feels about LGBT Americans bleeding the country dry…
Obama and the Dems have an election coming up soon Alan is Obama’s pick comments like this could hurt the Dems.
punctuation please.
Off topic but absolutely hilarious!
Following the model used in Vietnam, the White House wants to burn down Social Security in order to save it.
Really? who still thinks Obama is a democrat?
Remember Bush famous line it went something like this
Fool me once you just fool me!
Fool me twice you just fool me Twice!
It was ( I remembrance it well) “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice….I can’t get fooled again!”
It made no sense as usual with Bush.
Dear Mr. Simpson: I’m an Iraq vet about to be homeless. I don’t even have catfood anymore. Please help.
Alan: Eat your cat. Hell, we used to throw em in the river. Hahaha! What do you mean, “but seriously”? That IS my serious answer, you rude young ass, and what’s wrong with it? Now kindly get the hell out of my face and quit your goddamn whining.
I can’t help but think of him as Alan “Get off my lawn” Simpson. Kind of like Meg “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” Whitman.
Rachel ended her piece last night on Simpson by rhetorically asking who thought he should be on the commission. Since she is constantly aghast that progressives are not impressed with BHO’s ‘accomplishments’, I advised her that she doesn’t wear disingenuous well, and should stop.
She took your email? Mine always get sent back…….to any of those “professional lefties”
at least Olbermann didn’t do a LO repeat last night, he expressed some outrage.
I’ve emailed (rachel@msnbc.com) in the past with no reply (nor bounceback), but this was a comment at maddowblog. Since the show had just ended I thought it just wasn’t online yet, so I posted under the ‘preview of tonight’ clip. That was my first foray into her blog – just peeked, and the Simpson piece never did go up for comment….
I worked with two vets whose lives were essentially destroyed by Agent Orange. One fought for years and got some small settlement, but not after spending years and really the rest of his life as with neurological, psychiatric, and dermatological problems that rendered him totally disabled.
By leaving Simpson in — and leaving aside the question of the catfood commission, which should be junked altogether — is a particularly sickening decision by the Obama WH, one which does have the silver lining in that it demonstrates the cynicism and true attitude of the ruling elites towards the human beings they use as combat instruments for their imperial wars. Frankly, they couldn’t care less what happens to them (unless they need them for a photo op).
Dragging this moldy fossil out of his casket-in-waiting to co-chair anything shows you what this administration/ or any for that matter think of our VETS. Sure they’re good enough for the backdrop in PHOTO-OPS / or the token (no melted faces please) State of the Union VET – but once they’re home, they’re tossed under the bus. Simpson the old fool never had to worry a day in his life, coming from Super Rich Playground Wyoming / pop a mere 544,000/ mostly WHITE, except for a few scut workers (maids – gardeners – bed pan cleaners etc).
His ONE year in Germany was a vacation – NOT service. NOTE with the coffers plundered for war and more war/ the high roller banksters in their casino (decade) shadow banking scheme ( Clinton – Gramm – Rubin – Summers etc) with the REPEAL of Glass Stegall (let the good times roll)/ SORRY FOLKS WALLY-WORLD’S CLOSED – the hucksters needed your life long donations to SS to pay off (shhhhh) trillions to the European Banks. As for Veterans recall that Kissinger stated that they were ‘stupid animals – mere pawns’. Check out the TIT that Simpson and his croonies are on. During the campaign it was reported that McCain (voted against GI Bill) was raking in some $40,000 in perks/ pension!!
Him with his RICH trophy wife (ditched his handicapped wife, who was more disabled than him from accident/ raised his kids) couldn’t remember how many homes (its 8) or cars ( 13) he owns!! He sure doesn’t need to suck the system eh? Check out the obscene PENSION plans of Simpson and his mildew crowd (WE PAY) with YEARLY cost of living increases – LIFE LONG insurance (we pay 75% of their premium costs) with over 300 different PLANS to choose from (no co-pay, no problem with pre-existing conditions – no waiting period) WHILE they have vets (see Washington Post series on deplorable treatment of vets at Walter Reed) with missing limbs/ melted faces (no armor for their war vehicles/ with armor 2 ft thick on political vehicles riding around US towns!).
One young Marine ( 23) with a missing arm – blind in one eye – ears gone – melted face / was awarded a 10% disability – had to (family – friends helped) FIGHT for over a year for adequate benefits!! Simpson sees NO problem in us paying CONTRACTORS (mercenaries) from $1,200 to $1,500 per DAY while robbing REAL SOLDIERS NOT going to WAR for a PAYCHECK/ paid McDonald wages! Simpson is getting all kinds of pensions – perks – bonuses checks up the wazoo!!!
These stooges are NEVER out of work. They go from elected office to lobbying to think tanks to silly ass committees – boards – Fed – Treasury – consultants etc. HEY ALAN – try working as a North Sea Fisherman at age 73 – an IRON WORKER building the new Freedom tower – laying asphalt (100 degrees) – a dock worker – lumber jack.
The only callouses that Simpson and his fellow shills – lap dogs – (for corporate masters) have is on their powdered back sides. The most strenuous thing these POSERS do is cracking open lobster tails / or throwing a shoulder out, FLY FISHING in playground Wyoming, that SUED the Energy Dept when they found out an incinerator MIGHT be built in IDAHO (no whiff of pollution for them – who reap bundles from their Chemical Alley / Miss -La – Ala STOCKS!)
I worked for decades with the homeless/ 1/4 are VETERANS from all wars. Tossed in the gutter with their injuries/ Agent Orange / brain injuries. My young brother in laws (age 18) were drafted into a no win war (Vietnam) and came home STERILE – suffering these decades with numerous cancers/ gastric problems – neurological and NOW diabetes.
NOT the diabetes of Joe Sixpack and Sally Sitcom but a RAGING out of control type, that (as I write) they are trying to control in the VA hospital where my (NOT STULTIFIED SIMPSON) brother in laws have spent most of their lives. They wrote home from NAM about how the bark was MELTING from the trees where they were CAMPED.
Poor kids – poor Vietnam folks / killed for NOTHING. Agent Orange like (TODAY – DUH) Depleted Uranium poisons the LAND FOREVER and populations! TA DAH – nah we didn’t defeat COMMUNISM – but now Heinz and every other corporate interest (our jobs) are now located there. US? We got a black weeping wall – !
NOT fly fishing – or sitting their asses on the porch of some multi mill LODGE in Jackson HOLE Wyoming toasting each other / ‘GREED IS GOOD – VERY GOOD’. As for VETS -Seniors those who fought for/ built a nation in this new Global World since they are no longer useful worker bees / let’em die. This new (ha) health reform (not for politicians – president) should be called ICE FLOE INC. – it’s a joke.
It’s Medicare on steroids / the ONLY ones who will get care are those who can afford THOUSANDS to buy insurance on the Exchange. Everyone else will die / TRUE. Even now hospitals/ doctors are gearing up to NOT take Medicaid or Medicare patients. END – Obama knew whom he was choosing for this PHONY Committee. It’s a ruse to place blame on a Committee (Sob what could we do – wringing hands) this is what the CAT FOOD GANG has decided. Let’em eat kibbles and bits!!!
Tom Thumb is an idiot, thousands of returning Vietnam vets were publicly screamed at and called names like “Baby Killer” and other obnoxious things to say nothing of the thrash that was thrown at them. Who gives a crap about “what we just wanted”, you acted disgracefully against the very people who were serving their country. Drop Dead WEASEL along with Jane Fonda!!!!
Alan Simpson for years has been part of the establishment that denied respopnsibility and treatment to the Vietnam Vets who were exposed to Agent Orange! Now he wants to say “Vietnam veterans aren’t doing their fair share to bring down the deficit.” The sinile old jackass might consider taking a large pay cut for all of congress (just like the rest of the country)and stopping the life time salary they receive after they are voted out of office.
Stop Organized Crime, Vote all Encumbents out of Office!!!!!!!!!!!
Sign me,
A Vietnam Vet
I may be the opposite of smart and have lacked grace and may have been seen by you as a traitor to your cause back then. But, Owen, it has been forty years and the Catfood Commission folks are spouting the same language they used back then too. Let’s not misunderstand each other. It only encourages the folks who truly want to discredit Vietnam Veterans. These are the same corporate folks or their sons who sent you to war to line their pockets with gold. They love it when the ‘lesser people’ (they think that’s us) squabble.
What about my friends who are still working at the Veteran’s hospital, taking care of you for the last umpteen years? When are you going to be ready to heal your hate?
No big deal. No more judgements. Let both of us be healed now. I am ready for that.
Outside of the VA, where I worked in psychiatry for 16 years, Viet Nam vets have gotten short shrift from the govt since the war started. There was a time when I carried the kind of anger owen displays over Jane Fonda, etc. Being in on the beginning of treating PTSD at VA and continuing in that effort off and on for the next 16 years I’ve managed to turn that anger into more positive activities, e.g. homeless issues, peace activities, etc. My experience with treating those anger issues is that vets who don’t deal with it don’t fare well.
Mobile Riverine Force, Dong Tam, 1967-70.
Thanks. I have not forgotten your gift of ‘Don’t Give Up.”
My prayers for healing are not just for Owen and myself, they are for every single one of us. We are ALL being taken for a ride.
The Big Lie is when one group sets itself up as better than the other group. We are in a class war and many are not even aware of it.
I refused to register for the draft in 1969. By 1971 I was I-O, a conscientious objector. I do not get too personal because of the ‘blowback’ you just witnessed.
It is just all very, very sad to me. Be good to your selves.
Shit dude, we were shown and listened to tapes of Jane Fonda in SERE school during one phase of our training. There was never any love lost between the military and Jane Fonda for her actions in North Vietnam, and even after she has (I think) apologized for her actions I still know people who wouldn’t go to anything she is associated with.
Tip of the hat to you brother…thank you!
Be well and keep the faith…
What does this guy have to do? Devour a live human baby a day at the oval office in the spirit of reducing the future load on Social Security for Obamarahma to take notice? Still, I’m kinda glad he’s where he’s at. You can’t buy this kind of negative publicity about the cat food commission. A smart progressive pol can really make some effective ads from Alan’s utterances.
Well, as politically incorrect as it might be I’ll say it. I think Simpson could put a lawn jockey on his property facing a public road, name it “Barack” and suffer not a single consequence from the White House. Hell, he could probably put it on the White House Lawn with full Fox coverage and not a fucking thing would happen except Bobby Gibbs would talk about how the “Professional Left” made him do it or is making a big deal out of a bi-partisan display of “Genuine Americana”. Ass Clowns.
Gotta love Alan Simpson, he’s such a professional hater it’s amazing. The only thing he loves is money, money he has and money he can steal.
Simpson has always been a mean-spirited, hateful man. His behavior re the Catfood Commission is no surprise. I am somewhat (not much) surprised that Obama is letting him get away with the things he is saying. But I have come to the conclusion that Obama’s main fault is that the he is the most stubborn person on the planet. He listens to no one outside his bubble and refuses to back down on anything – unless it is to please the Rs and the Blue Dogs. He is headed for big trouble if he continues like this.
Obama/Rahm thought they were really slick by appointing this commission. I think it was supposed to serve as “cover” for gutting Social Security, but it’s another “bipartisan” move that’s blown up in their face.
As for Simpson, he will probably have to throw an elderly woman in a wheelchair off of the Empire State Building before Obama “considers” letting him go. After all, as Obama would say, “good people can sometimes disagree”.
The only blog post that is going to count in this whole Catfood Commission thing is the one that announces the street protests.
Emails and petitions to Obamarahma or Simpson or any of our complicit, two-faced, lying Dem reps is a waste of time. Unless we scare them out of it, they are going to do what they have set out to do.
Simson and his repuke butt buddies want to change the name of the country to Dumbfuckistan.
does anybody want to contrast the treatment of simpson with the treatment of Shirley Sherrod? By this Administation? By this President!
These discussions of how to take care of our Vets is yet another example of why we need a national health care plan. Then we wouldn’t be bickering and dickering about what made somebody sick. (The “what” should be for war crimes tribunals at The Hague). Everybody who is sick needs to receive the same care as anybody else. But then on top of that, we can have extra money for veterans who served in the military. Simpson and most of the courtiers there in Washington have got it backwards. Everybody should have decent care and those who served and those who go into burning buildings deserve more,not less.
Same with Social Security. It should be more generous and should start earlier not later. It’s time to take the offensive and come up with real alternative visions. I’m looking forward to reading Tom Geoghagen’s
book “Were You Born on the Wrong Continent?”. Just arrived in the mail.
Simpson thinks “it’s ironic” that the veterans who once saved the country are the cause of its economic demise by asking for medical help. No, it’s ironic that some privileged ranch brat son of a Senator who thinks he’s funny and his cronies who have sunk the whole world’s economy are the ones who think they know the solution. The solution is to send them packing and to put a lot of them in jail.
What’s truly amazing is the silence of the Democratic leadership on this issue. Really, it’s not just Obama. The whole sorry lot of Dems need to be kicked out starting with Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. If this commission had been Bush’s creation we’d be hearing about it 24/7. It appears the Dems have something to say only when they’re in the minority. They will be talking quite a bit in the near future, I suspect.