tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post6359089290233777070..comments2024-03-29T09:28:41.933-04:00Comments on Progressive Eruptions: Rick Santorum THRILLED Vote in Support of Disabled in UN DefeatedShaw Kenawehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-91387331075930702192012-12-09T22:43:23.122-05:002012-12-09T22:43:23.122-05:00Your suggestion for conservatives would be?Your suggestion for conservatives would be?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-58610363185062791042012-12-08T06:47:25.014-05:002012-12-08T06:47:25.014-05:00Since WWII how many wars has the US fought that we...Since WWII how many wars has the US fought that were unilateral vs. multilateral, how many of them were fought under UN approval?<br /><br />Remember the last conservative administrative pleading its case for war in Iraq at the UN?<br /><br />With WTO, IMF, and the World Bank to name just a few, what exactly does the term "sovereignty" mean anymore?<br /><br />Oh, but when the UN wants to use our American With Disability Act to sponsor support around the world the right just goes nuts voting against this UN measure.<br /><br />This is shadow boxing plain and simple.<br /><br />As far as Santorum goes, it is getting a little sickening that way he uses his daughter as a prop everytime he needs a prop....David Alexrod has a child with a disabilty and you never see him using his child a prop.<br /><br />Its a shame that conservatives are down to fighting windmills....there really is nothing to defend in regards to the behavior of the Republicans and the right is just going to have to learn that knee jerk responses to everything the Republicans do as they slowly but obviously fall further into irrelevancy is not doing their cause any good.<br /><br /> Tao Speakshttp://taospeaks.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-13901008814104802692012-12-08T01:01:39.620-05:002012-12-08T01:01:39.620-05:00"Santorum said he didn't want internation...<i>"Santorum said he didn't want international lawyers and foreign countries telling him or telling local officials what they can or cannot do as far as treatment for his daughter. And that was his reason in convincing a lot of Republicans to reject the treaty."</i><br /><br />There's nothing in the treaty that would make it possible for international lawyers, foreign countries or even Dag Hammarskjold's ghost to tell Santorum to so much as hold a Kleenex to his daughter's nose if it's running. The treaty calls on other countries to adopt the standards of our disabilities act. And, even here in the good old U.S. of A., Americans With Disabilities Act or no, no one is telling Santorum what to do with his daughter. The man just hasn't bothered to find out what the treaty really is, what it would and wouldn't do, and why it's nothing like he's making it out to be.<br /><br />At this late date, with the mountains of evidence he created since he first darkened the Senate's door, even "a lot of Republicans" should know what a complete ignoramus Santorum is.<br /><br />I don't say that because I have no use for Santorum's in-your-face, holier-than-thou attitude and even less use for his political ideology. I don't say it because he strikes me as being an insipid, self-superior twit. I say it because of all the times he's opened his ill-informed, misinformed mouth and made it clear he's a dim-witted jerk.<br />S.W. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16521540043304710796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-81431392260608989222012-12-08T00:47:52.658-05:002012-12-08T00:47:52.658-05:00Sliverdiddle, if ignorance is bliss you should be ...Sliverdiddle, if ignorance is bliss you should be in a perpetual state of ecstasy. Why do I say that? Because you write things like this:<br /><br /><i>"Santorum aside, you do realize this vote was to ratify as UN treaty, making it the law of the United States, right?"</i><br /><br />If you weren't steeped in the twisted, distorted, festering bile served up by the right-wing noise machine you'd might know this treaty is based on the Americans With Disabilities Act, passed and signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. You've got it exactly backwards.<br /><br />So, what's in this treaty has been the law of this land for 22 years. And yet, ours is still a free and independent country. It's just that people in wheelchairs can actually get into places like courthouses they help pay for, into schools their kids attend, on parents' night — that kind of thing. Pretty tame stuff where subversion of the flag, mom and apple pie are concerned.<br /><br /><i>" The treaty has passed at the UN and has been adopted by over 150 countries around the world."<br /></i><br /><br />No, it's been ratified by 126 countries.<br /><br />What comes through in your comment is fear and loathing of having anything to do with the U.N. That's foolish, because the the U.N. is a good organization that does plenty of good things around the world every day, every year since its establishment. No, it's not perfect, any more than our own Congress — now with poll numbers that telemarketers look down on — is perfect. The U.N. was designed and is operated by imperfect mortals, after all. But it's still damned good, and if we didn't already have it we would need to get busy and create it.<br /><br />Please, do us all a favor and do some reading up on the U.N. Learn what it is, how it works, what it does and some of its history — from an <i>ethical, neutral source</i>. You'll be amazed it's not plotting to take over America, usurp our government's authority or usher in an era of total world control. The U.N. would be delighted if it could just help arrange for every child to have needed immunizations, clean water to drink and enough food to eat. That kind of thing — no black helicopters, no evil plot.S.W. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16521540043304710796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-82685317986257897112012-12-07T18:01:30.940-05:002012-12-07T18:01:30.940-05:00As a friend asked, "Is it considered a medica...As a friend asked, "Is it considered a medical disability when one body has 38 assholes?"<br />Leslie Parsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13743778482517634823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-6809943972637229992012-12-07T15:12:25.597-05:002012-12-07T15:12:25.597-05:00Silver, no, the govt of Mexico will not respond to...Silver, no, the govt of Mexico will not respond to us... but their states or localities will respond to their people who could be emboldened by our support of this UN treaty.<br /><br />For the least among these to know that the most powerful nation on earth stands with them on their issues can be a powerful motivator, as many conservatives point out when it suits their issues.<br /><br />This is only different by degree.<br /><br />We should have supported this treaty. It required little if us, but would have spoke volumes internationally...Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-17238787372623481812012-12-07T12:41:25.919-05:002012-12-07T12:41:25.919-05:00"Allowing the useless UN to dictate the laws ..."Allowing the useless UN to dictate the laws of the Sovereign United States of America is, to say the very least both ludicrous and IMNSHO immoral."<br /><br />Since that's NOT what is going on here, your statement is irrational, as usual.<br />A ridiculous "chicken little" rant by a reactionary who has no clue what the UN has done since the 1940's. <br />No surprise coming from RN.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-28636156328115047602012-12-07T12:38:03.062-05:002012-12-07T12:38:03.062-05:00Thank you Dave, and blesses to you, your family an...Thank you Dave, and blesses to you, your family and your work in the new year. KPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13788103894599339102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-12570476829915706232012-12-07T10:52:52.662-05:002012-12-07T10:52:52.662-05:00Dave Miller:
"Your comments seem to say that...Dave Miller:<br /><br /><i>"Your comments seem to say that unless there is a law behind a UN Treaty, approval is meaningless."</i><br /><br />Yes. That is exactly what I am saying.<br /><br />@ <i>"In January I will be answering a question from a good friend in Guadalajara, Mexico who is a quadriplegic, why the US does not support the UN Treaty designed to push governments like his, to improve living conditions for disabled people."</i><br /><br />I respect your point of view, and I also respect the credibility you bring because you choose to live out your faith in Mexico, rather than just sit around and pontificate.<br /><br />So, given your experience, do you really think that Mexico will respond to our "pushing" them to treat their disabled better?<br /><br />There's a history there, and Latin American nations do not respond well to lectures from the north.Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-54713083501117884202012-12-07T10:48:15.057-05:002012-12-07T10:48:15.057-05:00Octo asks a good question. I don't know what ...Octo asks a good question. I don't know what Les's answer is, but here is mine:<br /><br />International law and treaties have their place in making global interactions more beneficial for the signatories, and in the case of Nuremberg, it served the very beneficial purpose of punishing guilty people, and having that punishment doled out by the global community, and not just a few conquering powers.<br /><br /> Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-1017012004870495412012-12-07T10:19:03.448-05:002012-12-07T10:19:03.448-05:00And that KP sums it up... some of us can see where...And that KP sums it up... some of us can see where both sides take part in the hyperbole and some claim that only one side does it.<br /><br />Regarding the filibuster, those who think otherwise are just plain uninformed...<br /><br />KP, have a wonderful Christmas holiday enjoying the California sun...Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-28843006917151967372012-12-07T09:07:12.200-05:002012-12-07T09:07:12.200-05:00@Dave Miller “… when Mitch McConnell was consider...@Dave Miller “… when Mitch McConnell was considering filibuster reform a few years back, was he too looking for God like powers?”<br /><br />Dave, that’s a fair question. Perhaps it is best answered by the two most vocal critics of McConnell seeking to end the filibuster in 2005.For those that don’t remember when the Dems were in the minority, Senator Reid and Senator Obama went crazy at a mere mention of “nuclear option”. <br /><br />Reid: "Ending the filibuster is a sheer act of brute force." <br /><br />Another quote from Harry Reid: he called it "The last check against abusive power."<br /><br />Senator Obama said: “Everyone in this chamber (Senate) knows that if the majority chooses to end the filibuster, then the fighting, the bitterness, the gridlock, will only get worse." "I know the Republicans are under a lot of pressure to do this, but we need to rise above the 'ends justify the means' mentality, because we are here to represent the people, all of the people, not just the ones wearing our party label."<br /><br />It there wasn’t so much emotion involved in politics, it would give us comic relief.<br /><br />Merry Christmas, Dave<br /><br />KPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13788103894599339102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-12084470484250592692012-12-07T09:00:20.780-05:002012-12-07T09:00:20.780-05:00RN: "Standing firmly against the One World O...RN: "<i>Standing firmly against the One World Order Domination of the many Sovereign States of the Globe.</i>"<br /><br />Then explain to me the difference between "International Law" versus the paranoid delusional construct you call "One World Order."<br /><br />By your logic, the Nuremberg Tribunal would be considered a tyrannical imposition of One World Order. There would be no prosecutions for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. No standards for what constitutes human rights. No standards for commerce and trade between nations. Hence, no standards of accounting, currency exchange, fair trade, or maritime law.<br /><br />By your logic, a NATO action to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo is not an imposition of "One World Order" only because our side does it, and whatever our side does is justifiable (but far be if from me to it call "hypocritical" just because the biggest bully on the block can send troops wherever it wants - with impunity); but when the U.N. sends peace missions into trouble zones, it's considered an imposition of One World Order and a threat to U.S. sovereignty. <br /><br />No, this ridiculous debate doesn't get any stupider, more pathetic or more paranoid than this ... all because the stinking Santorum family has a defective gene map.(O)CT(O)PUShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07589336822561030860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-36700062863046046902012-12-07T08:48:57.686-05:002012-12-07T08:48:57.686-05:00And the LA Times:
"Paranoia strikes deep. Th...And the LA Times:<br /><br /><b>"Paranoia strikes deep. That’s the bottom-line explanation for the failure of the U.S. Senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. But it was more than a generic fear of black helicopters (or black wheelchairs) that impelled 38 Republican senators to disrespect Bob Dole and oppose the treaty, depriving it of the required two-thirds majority.<br /><br />To hear the opponents, the devil in this demonic instrument of world government was in the details.<br /> <br />[...] Even to analyze these specific objections may give the treaty’s opponents too much credit. <br /><br /><i>If you think the United Nations is a sinister threat to U.S. sovereignty, the details, however devilish, don’t matter much. The opposition to the treaty is probably best interpreted as a primal scream -- but the number of screamers was depressing.</i></b><br /><br />The Primal Screaming GOP!Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-46242749296856217102012-12-07T08:46:16.330-05:002012-12-07T08:46:16.330-05:00The USAToday editorial board may help enlighten ou...The USAToday editorial board may help enlighten our hide-bound Anti-Anything UN paranoid friends on the right:<br /><br /><b>This week, when the Senate rejected a United Nations treaty banning discrimination against the disabled, the vote received relatively little attention. And why would it? The United States already has laws that prevent such bias. They've made curb cuts and wheelchair ramps common sights across America.<br /><br />But the Senate's failure to ratify the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was nevertheless remarkable - for what it said about the state of domestic politics. Despite GOP efforts to recalibrate after last month's election losses, the treaty vote reflected the continuing influence of a fringe that gets frantic about anything involving the United Nations.<br /><br />[...] Not long ago, the treaty would have passed easily amid lots of self- congratulations. But too many in today's GOP have turned their backs on the party's past and embraced concocted scenarios of U.N. bureaucrats telling Americans how to lead their lives and structure their laws. The opponents persuaded 38 Republican senators to vote no, enough to deprive the pact of the two-thirds needed for ratification</b><br /><br />"...scenarios of U.N. bureaucrats telling Americans how to lead their lives and structure their laws."<br /><br />Perfect description of SF and Les and their reactions to this vote.Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-9033143705038507992012-12-07T08:39:45.326-05:002012-12-07T08:39:45.326-05:00Les,
#1: This is an American initiative,
#2: It...Les,<br /><br />#1: This is an American initiative,<br />#2: It was a non-binding vote.<br /><br />I agree with Jerry. SF's comments and your rant appear to be theatrical outrage over a routine vote.<br /><br />It also appears that SF's and your comments are the usual knee-jerk reaction to anything the UN does.<br /><br />This treaty vote was a no-brainer; therefore, the GOP no-brainers voted against it.Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-65151529400052234412012-12-07T01:26:29.094-05:002012-12-07T01:26:29.094-05:00Really? Well, yes. Then again a "bit of stret...Really? Well, yes. Then again a "bit of stretching" is no more or worse than the "other side" regularly engages in. IMNHO anyway. But I guess that's what makes the merry -go- round go around and around.<br /><br />Perhaps that explains all the dizziness found in today's world. It ( the merry-go-round) promises to only increase in velocity.<br /><br />Oy Vey... !!!Les Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-29535522015267518872012-12-07T00:22:29.810-05:002012-12-07T00:22:29.810-05:00I think you are stretching a bit, RN. I detect a ...I think you are stretching a bit, RN. I detect a "slight" exaggeration in your comment.Jerry Critterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870618647449723147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-23048263995227083202012-12-06T22:05:44.701-05:002012-12-06T22:05:44.701-05:00Righto Shaw. Right is right, and since discriminat...Righto Shaw. Right is right, and since discrimination in any form is WRONG how can any reasonable person argue against it. Right? Wrong!!!<br /><br />To hell with the useless UN and the concept of One World Government, which is what Silver alluded to and what the progressive want<br /><br />Our Constitution, and the government of the United States of America can, and should take the right and appropriate action to insure RIGHT prevails within our country. Right? ABSOLUTELY!!!<br /><br />Allowing the useless UN to dictate the laws of the Sovereign United States of America is, to say the very least both ludicrous and IMNSHO immoral.<br /><br />I know I said I was through commenting on this site but I simply could not let this ridiculous and irrational post go by without comment.<br /><br />Respectfully submitted,<br /><br />Les Carpenter<br />RN USA<br />Liberty -vs- Tyranny<br /><br />Standing firmly against the One World Order Domination of the many Sovereign States of the Globe. <br /><br />When will you progressive get itLes Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-27862563460987030442012-12-06T18:18:01.143-05:002012-12-06T18:18:01.143-05:00Skud... you fail to realize that one Senator Kenne...Skud... you fail to realize that one Senator Kennedy, one of 58 Dems in the Senate was on his death bed and two, Sen Franken was not seated until weeks after the election, a result of the GOP challenge.<br /><br />Senator Bernie Sanders is indeed left leaning and was a pretty reliable vote, but the same could not be said of Lieberman.<br /><br />Still, with Kennedy out, the best the Dems could've hoped for was 59 votes, not enough to counter a GOP filibuster.<br /><br />That is before we get to the fact that Dems are much less likely to vote along strict support the party lines like the GOP does.<br /><br />Our side has a lot more people with independent streaks, possibly because we do not punish them like the GOP does, as evidenced by the removal of some GOP committee members this week because they were too conservative.<br /><br />Again, maybe you missed my link... FOX News does not agree that the Dems had a super majority. Finally when we get a real fact from them, you, like so many other conservatives, refuse to acknowledge it.<br /><br />BTW... where did I insult you?Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-47857090949727876622012-12-06T17:54:07.510-05:002012-12-06T17:54:07.510-05:00David,
Wrong because the two left leaning senator...David,<br /><br />Wrong because the two left leaning senators made it a super majority. <br /><br />Your insults are unwarranted and shallow, we live in a partisan society, you a leftist and me a conservative. skudrunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610092853412481236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-61983650105226835112012-12-06T16:52:42.937-05:002012-12-06T16:52:42.937-05:00Rick Santorum, one of the people who worked hardes...Rick Santorum, one of the people who worked hardest to derail this treaty said no government had the right to tell him how to raise his daughter Bella.<br /><br />We hear this type of paranoia from many on the far right, most recently, apart from this treaty, in regards to Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign against childhood obesity.<br /><br />Let me just pose a question for all you parents have absolute rights people... do parents have an unalienable right to abuse their kids, be it poor child care, physical abuse, mental abuse, or providing a diet that insures an unhealthy lifestyle?<br /><br />If so, from where does that right flow, and are there any limits on that right? if there are limits, how does a civil society decide when a line has been crossed?<br />Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-43807578095366911862012-12-06T16:46:51.228-05:002012-12-06T16:46:51.228-05:00As for not approving the treaty, once again, we lo...As for not approving the treaty, once again, we look like idiots to most of the civilized world around the world.<br /><br />As one who travels outside of our borders pretty frequently, this tpe of stuff makes life really difficult.<br /><br />In January I will be answering a question from a good friend in Guadalajara, Mexico who is a quadriplegic, why the US does not support the UN Treaty designed to ush governments like his, to improve living conditions for disabled people.<br /><br />Silver, we pass all sorts of resolutions such as Sense of the Senate resolutions to show our support and which have no force of law.<br /><br />our politicians pass these because they believe these types of measures can provide succor to certain groups and move people to consider the plight of others.<br /><br />Your comments seem to say that unless there is a law behind a UN Treaty, approval is meaningless.<br /><br />Apparently a lot of the GOP agrees with you.<br /><br />Too bad it only applies to something with the name UN in it as they frequently approve those other pesky statements.<br /><br />Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-77901884132008570692012-12-06T16:39:35.914-05:002012-12-06T16:39:35.914-05:00Skud, again your partisan view is showing through....Skud, again your partisan view is showing through...<br /><br />The Dems never had the Super majority to which you allude and even FOX News admitted this...<br /><br />http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/01/democrats-senate-supermajority-strong-advertised/<br /><br />Why do you persist in such a blatant partisan untruth?<br /><br />Why do you persist in ad hominem attacks on Democrats like Harry Reid? Does this help move ideas forward?<br /><br />Finally, when Mitch McConnell was considering filibuster reform a few years back, was he too looking for God like powers?<br /><br />I never heard any Republicans back then describe McConnells ideas for doing the same thing Reid is now considering as desiring of God like powers.<br /><br />Truly, your partisanship is showing through.<br /><br />You can, and have done better in the past, even being reasonable in your points against the Dems.<br /><br />Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-30387564684699538332012-12-06T16:35:22.984-05:002012-12-06T16:35:22.984-05:00(cont.)
"It is difficult to comprehend how, ...(cont.)<br /><br />"It is difficult to comprehend how, as a party, Republicans have become so completely unhinged that they conflate a treaty on rights of the disabled with a bizarre notion that there is a one-world plot to rob Americans of their liberties, force an abortion agenda on the disabled, or prohibit parents from home schooling or sending their children to private religious schools. It is tragic that in Republican circles, a conspiracy-theory is driving how they govern, and that their hatred of President Obama coupled with their biases and paranoia over a non-existent United Nations plot has erased any compassion normal human beings have for the least fortunate among us, or that it prevented them from supporting a treaty based on a prime example of American equality and compassion."Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.com