Last week, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley attacked Manning's detention conditions (which have become increasingly harsh and Abu Ghraib-esque) as "ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid". He didn't actually use the word torture, but he came probably as close to it as any public official has so far.
Obama roused himself from his otherwise absolute silence on the issue, replying pretty much with a "so what?", stating he had been assured the treatment of Manning was perfectly within the set out guidelines.
And now, P.J. Crowley has "resigned". And according to CNN, that "resignation" came under pressure from White House officials.
This angers me.
This is absolutely unsurprising.
CHANGE!
\
:obama: <--- we need to fix this.
:lulz: :horrormirth:
He can't even have underwear at night because he's a suicide risk...
How do you kill yourself with underwear?
I can think of ways to kill someone else with it, but myself? Bit of a head scratcher.
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:28:16 PM
I can think of ways to kill someone else with it, but myself? Bit of a head scratcher.
Put your head through one of the holes, find/make a hook in the wall, lean forward.
LMNO
-don't ask me how I know this.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on March 14, 2011, 07:30:11 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:28:16 PM
I can think of ways to kill someone else with it, but myself? Bit of a head scratcher.
Put your head through one of the holes, find/make a hook in the wall, lean forward.
LMNO
-don't ask me how I know this.
Ah... well then they should just give him cheap one that are likely to rip rather than leaving him naked in a cell with no sheets.
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:26:38 PM
:lulz: :horrormirth:
He can't even have underwear at night because he's a suicide risk... keeping someone naked all the time is a good way to help break them, for the coerced accusation you need to "deal with" Assange.
How do you kill yourself with underwear?
Fixed that.
Yup.
It should be noted the circumstances under which Manning was put on suicide watch, which is why he is stripped naked and hauled out of his cell every two hours (thus depriving him of sleep), is also extremely vague and suspect.
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
Quote from: Cain on March 14, 2011, 07:37:13 PM
Yup.
It should be noted the circumstances under which Manning was put on suicide watch, which is why he is stripped naked and hauled out of his cell every two hours (thus depriving him of sleep), is also extremely vague and suspect.
Good thing we reserve that sort of shit to get absolutely vital intelligence from Al Qaeda suspects to stop the ticking atomic bomb in a crowded city and all.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:40:45 PM
Quote from: Cain on March 14, 2011, 07:37:13 PM
Yup.
It should be noted the circumstances under which Manning was put on suicide watch, which is why he is stripped naked and hauled out of his cell every two hours (thus depriving him of sleep), is also extremely vague and suspect.
Good thing we reserve that sort of shit to get absolutely vital intelligence from Al Qaeda suspects to stop the ticking atomic bomb in a crowded city and all.
You're either with us or against us!
\
:cheney:
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Ah. This just reminded me why I want to blow shit up.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Optimist!
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:47:08 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Optimist!
No, that was pure pessimism.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Think what you like (you will, with or without my permission, of this I am aware). Bitch had the look in her eye that said, "we win this shit, it'll take me 48 hours to catch the geezer at the top of some stairs."
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:51:02 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Think what you like (you will, with or without my permission, of this I am aware). Bitch had the look in her eye that said, "we win this shit, it'll take me 48 hours to catch the geezer at the top of some stairs."
The humans have to be protected.
Anyway, we now have a regime that tortures our own soldiers.
Yay!
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:56:20 PM
The humans have to be protected.
Anyway, we now have a regime that tortures our own soldiers.
Yay!
We didn't already? Oh wait, I forgot where I was living for a moment..... :|
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:56:20 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:51:02 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Think what you like (you will, with or without my permission, of this I am aware). Bitch had the look in her eye that said, "we win this shit, it'll take me 48 hours to catch the geezer at the top of some stairs."
The humans have to be protected.
Anyway, we now have a regime that tortures our own soldiers.
Yay!
Fairly sure it would have happened no matter who was at the helm. With McCain and Caribou Barbie it would have been more gung ho, I think, but that's probably the only difference.
Quote from: Hover Cat on March 15, 2011, 02:00:41 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:56:20 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:51:02 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Think what you like (you will, with or without my permission, of this I am aware). Bitch had the look in her eye that said, "we win this shit, it'll take me 48 hours to catch the geezer at the top of some stairs."
The humans have to be protected.
Anyway, we now have a regime that tortures our own soldiers.
Yay!
Fairly sure it would have happened no matter who was at the helm. With McCain and Caribou Barbie it would have been more gung ho, I think, but that's probably the only difference.
Considering that they just fired a State Department geek for saying how stupid and counterproductive this is, and then considering Obama "spoke to the military, and they said it was okay" ("Hey, Hitler...Is that invasion of Poland
legal? Just asking."), I think I'd rather have the gung ho batshit insane approach. This hyper-cynical bullshit isn't even
funny.
Quote from: Hover Cat on March 15, 2011, 02:00:41 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:56:20 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:51:02 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PM
Quote from: Luna on March 14, 2011, 07:44:02 PM
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 14, 2011, 07:39:18 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on March 14, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
Mm.
Getting really ashamed for ever having voted for Barry. I didn't really expect change, it was more a "please god not McCain" thing.
For me it came down to "HOLY CRAP, PALIN CAN'T BE THAT CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENCY"... in the end, I'm still OK with that decision. :lulz:
This. Also, "if he's gone senile enough to pick THAT as his running mate, he's too senile to be President."
I think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
Think what you like (you will, with or without my permission, of this I am aware). Bitch had the look in her eye that said, "we win this shit, it'll take me 48 hours to catch the geezer at the top of some stairs."
The humans have to be protected.
Anyway, we now have a regime that tortures our own soldiers.
Yay!
Fairly sure it would have happened no matter who was at the helm. With McCain and Caribou Barbie it would have been more gung ho, I think, but that's probably the only difference.
Given McCain's experiences and his rather angry view of torture for terrorists, something tells me he would have been gung ho to go after Manning and Wikileaks, but might have gone for something other than torture.
Though, I suppose since he's "only" in solitary and naked, maybe that would be considered torture by McCain...
:|
Quote from: Ratatosk on March 15, 2011, 01:59:53 PM
Given McCain's experiences and his rather angry view of torture for terrorists, something tells me he would have been gung ho to go after Manning and Wikileaks, but might have gone for something other than torture.
Though, I suppose since he's "only" in solitary and naked, maybe that would be considered torture by McCain...
:|
He changed his mind about that sort of thing in 2005.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PMI think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
The good thing about you electing the Smiler is that at least now it's crystal clear you get fucked both ways.
If McCain had won, a fuckload of semi intelligent people, and I suspect quite a few of our own would have still believed "we wouldn't be in as big of a mess if Obama had won".
Crushing those beliefs might just have been worth 4 years of slightly lower quality jokes.
Quote from: Triple Zero on March 15, 2011, 02:35:01 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PMI think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
The good thing about you electing the Smiler is that at least now it's crystal clear you get fucked both ways.
If McCain had won, a fuckload of semi intelligent people, and I suspect quite a few of our own would have still believed "we wouldn't be in as big of a mess if Obama had won".
Crushing those beliefs might just have been worth 4 years of slightly lower quality jokes.
I consider it it a great service on the part of Obama really.
Quote from: Triple Zero on March 15, 2011, 02:35:01 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PMI think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
The good thing about you electing the Smiler is that at least now it's crystal clear you get fucked both ways.
If McCain had won, a fuckload of semi intelligent people, and I suspect quite a few of our own would have still believed "we wouldn't be in as big of a mess if Obama had won".
Crushing those beliefs might just have been worth 4 years of slightly lower quality jokes.
A very good point 000!
Quote from: Triple Zero on March 15, 2011, 02:35:01 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PMI think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
The good thing about you electing the Smiler is that at least now it's crystal clear you get fucked both ways.
If McCain had won, a fuckload of semi intelligent people, and I suspect quite a few of our own would have still believed "we wouldn't be in as big of a mess if Obama had won".
Crushing those beliefs might just have been worth 4 years of slightly lower quality jokes.
I just hope that it doesn't demoralise a generation into thinking that nothing can change, so let's not even bother.
Quote from: Captain Utopia on March 15, 2011, 03:46:17 PM
Quote from: Triple Zero on March 15, 2011, 02:35:01 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PMI think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
The good thing about you electing the Smiler is that at least now it's crystal clear you get fucked both ways.
If McCain had won, a fuckload of semi intelligent people, and I suspect quite a few of our own would have still believed "we wouldn't be in as big of a mess if Obama had won".
Crushing those beliefs might just have been worth 4 years of slightly lower quality jokes.
I just hope that it doesn't demoralise a generation into thinking that nothing can change, so let's not even bother.
Yeah, much better to sleep and dream that our dreams will come true ;-)
Somewhere over the rainbow......
Way up high...
Quote from: Captain Utopia on March 15, 2011, 03:46:17 PM
Quote from: Triple Zero on March 15, 2011, 02:35:01 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on March 14, 2011, 07:45:52 PMI think you both have your heads up your arses.
Palin couldn't be that much worse, and she'd be a hell of a lot funnier.
Obama's jokes were funnier when the other guy did them.
The good thing about you electing the Smiler is that at least now it's crystal clear you get fucked both ways.
If McCain had won, a fuckload of semi intelligent people, and I suspect quite a few of our own would have still believed "we wouldn't be in as big of a mess if Obama had won".
Crushing those beliefs might just have been worth 4 years of slightly lower quality jokes.
I just hope that it doesn't demoralise a generation into thinking that nothing can change, so let's not even bother.
Hope in one hand, poop in the other.
Obama is driving people out of politics for the same reason Bush got them interested.
I guess a Cult of Ideology can't change course as nimbly as a Cult of Personality can.
Did the Right actually revere Bush, or just cheer him on because he was on their team? In 30 years will the Right be yammering on about the "good old days" under Bush?
The right have been doing that since 2008. See "Obama caused the recession" and "Black Panthers/ACORN raping old ladies for the lulz" for more.
Also, I'd just like to point out, on pretty much any left-leaning blog nowadays, criticizing Obama will lead to you being branded a "firebagger" (a cross between FireDogLake, a progressive blog critical of Obama, and Teabagger) and a Republican troll and of wanting Sarah Palin to be the President, which will somehow cause the Apocalypse.
Because, you see, as they've so carefully explained, when the choice between a long and painful descent into ruin and a quick and painful descent into ruin are offered, the former is awesome and the latter is evil and heinous and fuck you you fucking Republican KKK Firebagger troll for even thinking about it.
This has led to the amusing situation where Democrats attempt to rally their base and "get the vote out" by fighting petty in-party battles.
Quote from: Cain on March 15, 2011, 07:13:55 PM
Also, I'd just like to point out, on pretty much any left-leaning blog nowadays, criticizing Obama will lead to you being branded a "firebagger" (a cross between FireDogLake, a progressive blog critical of Obama, and Teabagger) and a Republican troll and of wanting Sarah Palin to be the President, which will somehow cause the Apocalypse.
Because, you see, as they've so carefully explained, when the choice between a long and painful descent into ruin and a quick and painful descent into ruin are offered, the former is awesome and the latter is evil and heinous and fuck you you fucking Republican KKK Firebagger troll for even thinking about it.
This has led to the amusing situation where Democrats attempt to rally their base and "get the vote out" by fighting petty in-party battles.
Though I haven't been called that specifically, I have observed the general principle.
Rachel Maddow's blog wouldn't even approve my comments regarding the lies about Wisconsin she tried to slime her way out.
Meanwhile, my critical comments always show up promptly at the National Review....
Things are pretty bad when even critical comments have to conform to pre-concieved ideological divisions in the press.
Bah, I still wouldn't take Palin. She'd round up my kids and put them in the crosshairs for being baby terraists. Fuck her.
I don't think Palin would have been that bad.
I just wouldn't want to put up with even more whining from people who think the democrats would fix things.
...well, we know the truth about that one, now, don't we? :lulz: :x
Obama = final proof positive that democracy is a complete fucking joke.
The real punchline, tho, is the number of seemingly intelligent people who still don't get it. They'll turn up at the next election and vote for change.
So there's this great big shiny button with "utopia" written above it in ten foot high flashing neon letters and everytime you press it a huge, razor sharp spiky dildo comes flying out a trapdoor in the floor, straight up your ass. how many times will the average person press the button? In the case of democracy the answer would appear to be infinity. :lulz:
Democracy might be salvageable (not that we have much choice), first past the post & anything else subject to Duverger's Law needs to go though.
Quote from: P3nT4gR4m on March 16, 2011, 10:18:14 PM
Obama = final proof positive that democracy is a complete fucking joke.
The real punchline, tho, is the number of seemingly intelligent people who still don't get it. They'll turn up at the next election and vote for change.
So there's this great big shiny button with "utopia" written above it in ten foot high flashing neon letters and everytime you press it a huge, razor sharp spiky dildo comes flying out a trapdoor in the floor, straight up your ass. how many times will the average person press the button? In the case of democracy the answer would appear to be infinity. :lulz:
How many times can a man be mugged by the same people on the same street, before folks call him a rube?
Quote from: Requia ☣ on March 16, 2011, 10:28:16 PM
Democracy might be salvageable (not that we have much choice), first past the post & anything else subject to Duverger's Law needs to go though.
The idea that we can trust anyone with power for four years at a time, where it is extremely difficult to remove them, has to go.
Removing the president is kinda irrelevant in a 1 party system.
Quote from: Captain Utopia on March 16, 2011, 11:02:14 PM
Quote from: Requia ☣ on March 16, 2011, 10:28:16 PM
Democracy might be salvageable (not that we have much choice), first past the post & anything else subject to Duverger's Law needs to go though.
The idea that we can trust anyone with power for four years at a time, where it is extremely difficult to remove them, has to go.
Fixed.
Quote from: Doktor Phox on March 16, 2011, 11:09:41 PM
Quote from: Captain Utopia on March 16, 2011, 11:02:14 PM
Quote from: Requia ☣ on March 16, 2011, 10:28:16 PM
Democracy might be salvageable (not that we have much choice), first past the post & anything else subject to Duverger's Law needs to go though.
The idea that we can trust anyone with power for four years at a time, where it is extremely difficult to remove them, has to go.
Fixed.
A compelling argument :lulz:
:)
I agree philosophically, just not yet practically.
Quote from: Captain Utopia on March 17, 2011, 01:11:10 AM
:)
I agree philosophically, just not yet practically.
Then we agree. :lulz: