I Feel A Song Coming On

Jake Tapper and AllahP tackle the emerging Chinese patriotic song controversy.  From ABC News:

White House Says Chinese Folk Song Played During State Dinner Was Not An Insult; Experts Divided

Ivories that were tickled last Wednesday night at the White House are, to some conservative media, no laughing matter.

At the White House State Dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao, pianist Lang Lang played, among other ditties, the song “My Motherland.”

That song was written for a 1956 propaganda flick boosting China and its glorious victory (alongside its heroic North Korean partners) against the imperialist running dog Americans at a battle during the Korean War.

And what does it mean today?  Well, the lyrics are mostly quite peaceful and do not specifically mention the US, so it might be taken by the Chinese as much more of a China-booster than a US basher (Does anyone in this country consider "The Star-Spangled Banner" to be bashing Britain?  I have no idea whether we play that in the presence of the Queen or visiting Brits, but maybe!)

However, if the pianist had really wanted to find common ground with his hosts he might have tried this perennial favorite from the Chinese Patriotic Songs playlist:

Socialism Is Good

Socialism is good, socialism is good!

In socialist nations, the people have high status.

Overthrow the reactionaries. Imperialism flees with its tail between its legs.

The entire nation is in great unity and has raised the socialist construction to a new height, to a new height.

The Communist Party is good! The Communist Party is good!

The Communist Party is a good leader for the people.

It holds its promises and works of any heart for the people.

Firmly anchored to the Communist Party, it is necessary to complete, complete the construction of our great fatherland!

I assume that is even more danceable in the original.

BREAKING NEWS:

My inside sources tell me they were going to play "Socialism is Good", but they scrapped it when they found it impossible to keep Barry in his seat during rehearsals.

Ouch.  Well, he was only standing up so he could slide towards the center.

 

Comments

[Jane]

Nobody is stingier or screeches louder than a progressive who perceives someone has a hand in their wallet.

Now wouldn't that be fun to watch!

[Jack is Back!]

Hit,

Working on improving longevity of those Navy nuclear propulsion thingamagigs? I did a mockup for a refueling there back in the day. Nice area if you like fish:)

[Rick Ballard]

Rich,

The Chrysler decision revealed the ephemeral nature of the BK code. Why should anyone imagine that a Federal judge charged with apportioning the misery occasioned by Democrat control of the rotting Blue Hells would not address the political implications of a grant of unwarranted privilege to those magnificent public servants who have done so much to destroy for this country? I don't mind the general obligation bond holders taking a very well deserved major haircut for giving credence to the promises of Democrats. I do mind bonds secured by revenue producing projects being tossed into the unsecured pool.

There is also a basic question of the shift in responsibility occasioned when a BK judge has to make decisions that a gutless, cowardly and corrupt legislature refuses to make. Why should a Federal judge take heat for decisions required due to the mis and malfeasance of duly elected political scum? The states are meant to be proving grounds for political policy. Let the proof run its course.

[clarice]

I take back what I said about Rahm's chances on appeal. I relied on the wrong commentators. Taranto cites the municipal and state law and Rahm is surely eligible.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704698004576104203397156280.html#printMode>Someone who knows what he's talking about

[Melinda Romanoff]

But Rick, that would mean they would be forced to take responsibility for their actions!

Can't have that...

[jimmyk]

In the case of CA (and perhaps other states) pension benefits, they have paid zero or next to zero.

They may have accepted lower wages in exchange for pension benefits. In general I agree that "everybody gets screwed to one extent or another in bankruptcy." This case is a little different because contracts were entered into with the understanding that bankruptcy was not an option, and now the rules would be changing. If there's no bankruptcy, there's at least a chance that the outcome would be massive cuts in state employment, wages and salaries, and other spending. That might be a better outcome than maintaining higher spending and screwing bondholders and pensioners.

[clarice]

jmh, I wish I could see your contribution.
(I know who Christo was and I think it was a funny remark, JiB, but some days half the posts are worthy of LOLs and I can't keep up..

[Jack is Back!]

Mel,

In all honesty, you know you're going to get a Dem for mayor - so who would be better? Some how I think having a dirt ball, fish wrapper, nude thug like Rahm will be good for Chi-town as long as he can both appease business and control the hungry dangerous union bosses. I lived in London under Red Ken Livingston and I would not wish that on anyone but I don't see Rahm that way - I see him as liberal but a mean, tohaugh liberal who won't let anyone tell him to do this favor or that favor. Give us your take.

[Jack is Back!]

tohaugh = tough

Geez, I'm being infected by clarictosis.

[Danube of Thought]

Clarice beat me by three minutes. (What else is new?)

If that's accurate, it's how to see how the appeals court came out against him. But forget it, Jake, it's Daleytown.

[Captain Hate]

The problem with Bill is he won't be as good on a talk show as you'd think. Because, first of all, he never shuts up. I mean he cannot hit time cues.

What a shock; a major bullshit artist that all the lefty dimwits think is so brilliant because he can do crossword puzzles while talking meaningless pie in the sky policy garbage. Take those clowns to the carney and watch them get fleeced. Clenis is like David Letterman with ADD.

[Captain Hate]

Btw, Tammy Bruce will be doing a Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of the SOTU free on her online feed. I'd listen to it if I wasn't going to see Sequentia.

[Danube of Thought]

This case is a little different because contracts were entered into with the understanding that bankruptcy was not an option, and now the rules would be changing.

And these contracts are a little different, too. The public employee unions are bargaining for taxpayer money with people on whom they bestow large sums of money to keep them in the offices they hold. The taxpayers who actually pay the taxes are not even represented at the table. I won't shed a tear for them.

[Danube of Thought]

daddy, in Scotland it's "whisky."

I recall many years ago when 60 Minutes or somebody did a segment where they had a bunch of crusty old Scots in a pub doing a taste test of genuine Scottish Scotch vs. some Japanese brands. None of the old boys could tell Suntory from their own. Clever people, these Japanese.

[caro]

jmh, I would love to see it,too. I "looked inside" and see the pertinent pages are 158 and 159. The book is a collector's item I guess.Well done!

Rob, I got it right away,too,but with 50 comments between lol,Rob wouldn't mean much. Actually, I really loled the Crisco joke,set up by (A)B!

[JM Hanes]

Sue:

"They aren't taking my bacon away from. Or my sausage. Or my ham."

You''ll just have to hide it. In your stomach. And hope they don't have body scanners.

"We need to determine how many of these cabinet members he didn't meet with had czars with the same job descriptions."

Probably all of them, along with others he has been seen with, too. The first thing Obama did on appointing Hillary to State was to make Susan Rice UN Ambassador and beef up her status by making it a cabinet level position. Unprecedented! Look for Obama machine guys in second slots too, not just czars -- especially where Obama has made putatively centrist choices.

[narciso]

This has got to be one of the most ridiculous studies put forth, it's really counterintuitive, in the LUN

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Sue:

I'm with you. I did better collars in 7th grade home ec sewing class. Shoddy work on a designer piece, no wonder they are all going bankrupt. That red poofy number on the stylist reminds me of a Mama Cass mini tent from the '60s.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

You know how bad that suit on Michelle really is? My computer illiterate daughter-in-law sent me a pic on my phone this morning. The tailor at her dry cleaner had shown it to her. Apparently Miss Tran was "aghast." (Their words). I, OTOH, was flabbergasted that my d-i-l knew how to send the pic to me. I haven't spoken to her yet, but it had to be a big deal at the Cleaners this AM for her to figure out how to send it. Major leap forward in computer use thanks to Michelle.

[centralcal]

Catching up again. My new iPad finally arrived and I just got it all set up and functioning here at the office. It is put away for now, however. I can't wait to use it tonight for the snark blogging SOTU thread.

There will be one, won't there?

BTW, I even got a cute itsy bitsy little wireless Apple keyboard to make commenting easier. Don't know how the menfolk hunt and peck and type on that integrated on screen one!

[MJW]

I was struck by the music that was being played--Cat Steven's "Morning Has Broken!" I recall being somewhat ashamed of myself for thinking that the music was singularly inapropriate, and was probably some clueless clergyman's idea of "reaching out," while at the same time thinking that if the family wanted it who was I to question it.

For those who might not know, "Morning Has Broken" wasn't written by Stevens. It's a Christian hymn, set to a traditional melody, written in 1931.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

OT: I just got a text from my cousin in Pittsburgh:

"We are Blitz-burgh, a drinking town with a football problem!"

Made me laugh.

[JM Hanes]

The trick with snark blogging, cc, is to keep your eye out for the new SOTU thread in time to move the commentary over!

[JM Hanes]

Catching up on this fast moving thread myself!

RichatUF:

"Wait until the political class in CA find some way to appropriate private retirement savings like they are doing in Europe."

When Obama first made noises about all the businesses sitting on billions, and refusing to create new jobs, I thought it sounded awfully like writing on the wall.

Ditto what Rick said on state bankruptcies. I'm withholding judgment till I find out what the new rules look like. After GovMo, can anyone really doubt that they will be rewritten?

daddy:

"Rahm by 8,000 write-in votes." Rahm by whatever it takes.

caro:

"The book is a collector's item I guess." Kind of like an antique, alas.

[centralcal]

lol, JMH - I know what you mean! Usually by the time I get home from work you guys are on a roll already, so it is pretty easy to find.

Who is our resident JOM iPad tech support person (not necessarily for tonight but some future time)?

[Ignatz]

Taranto left out a bit of the relevant statute which makes it a bit more ambiguous IMO:

Sec. 3‑2. (a) A permanent abode is necessary to constitute a residence within the meaning of Section 3‑1. No elector or spouse shall be deemed to have lost his or her residence in any precinct or election district in this State by reason of his or her absence on business of the United States, or of this State.

It appears to me, with the inclusion of state business, to be referring to a person who is employed by a federal or state agency and is transferred to an out of state assignment.
Seems a bit of a stretch to claim someone who voluntarily takes on new employment which requires leaving the state is what the statute is referring to.

[hit and run]

I am not sure how the prom at the US Capitol will play out tonight,but on the ground here at Reagan National I can report that there is very little interest in mixing the seating here at gate 35A so that Republicans and Democrats come together in the name of you nitty.

Some have resorted to calling me names for pushing the idea,and appeals to do it for Obama were no more successful than appeals for Gifford or for the children. As a last gasp effort at comity,I appealed for celebrating diversity.

Some of these people are really giving me the stink-eye.

State of the Union.

[Stosh Grodomoski , Esq.]

Darn it, I was hoping to come back and insult Clarice's prediction of the Chicago mayoral ballot challenge. Oh well.

Now the question is will the law prevail in Illinois (with Rahm on ballot) or politics (Judges Hoffman & Hall). My bet is on the law. Not an easy bet.

[clarice]

Iggy I do not believe that "on business of the United States" could reaonably exclude the President's chief of staff.

[Boatbuilder]

MJW--D'oh! If Rosanna Danadana had Irish blood, I'm pretty sure we're related.

Neverrr miiiind.

[Boatbuilder]

Hit--Stay thirsty, my friend!

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

Has anyone compared Judge Hoffman's decision to Taranto's analysis?

From all reports, Hoffman is known in Illinois as being a particularly competent judge. What did the respected jurist miss?

[clarice]

Should the feds ever seriously consider stealing private pension funds, there would be war.

They could refuse, however, to grant further deductions for them.(they'll do that right after they kill pell grants and mortgage deductions--i.e., never.)

If they need money, it's time for Congress to get unbought from the giant foundations, time to exercise some supervision over the trillions of bucks in the hands of giant foundation administrators.And require they spend it domestically on recognizable charitable functions.

[clarice]

Jim, Here's J Hoffman's ruling:
http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/AppellateCourt/2011/1stDistrict/January/1110033.pdf>BootingRahm

[clarice]

I haven't done an analysis but I believe that Hoffman thought the provision on electors cited by Jim applies only to voters and Taranto shows that the section applies both to electors and candidates.

[RichatUF]

hit and run-

you nitty...Some of these people are really giving me the stink-eye

Well there's your problem, they aren't Penn State fans.

[Jane]

My co-tea party guy Paul is now posting at You too. Can you guys please stop over there and encourage him? His first post is here.

[clarice]

**cited by Iggy*

[RichatUF]

Rick-

Said it better in few words than I did.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

The Chief of Staff works for the President. He isn't working for the US or the state of IL. If this is considered covered under the law, then any civil servant or volunteer who goes to Washington for a job should count as well.

I know the WH has to submit a budget, including staff salaries, to someone, but are they paid out of general funds, or is there a set budget amount for WH expenses that is divided up among staff salaries and other operating expenses?

[Neo]

I've recalled that, in the last deep recession of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the two most obvious signs that things were wrong were the ubiquitous potholes in our roads and the ubiquitous homeless people on our roadsides.

Well, the potholes are here. Can the homeless masses be far behind?

[Neo's link and link again.]

Heh, Steve Shaya better watch his ass. There are some municipalities who would go after him for such action.
==================

[clarice]

Well, Sara, people can disagree with that and I do, but obviously the courts in Illinois aren't of one mind either.

[clarice]

Rumors are that Hosni Mubarek has fled Egypt as the rioting spreads. Hezbollah seems to have taken over Lebanon and tunisia is still unsettled and we have at our helm the most clueless incompetent since Jimmy Carter sat in the executive office.

[Threadkiller]

--“JIB that was interesting, but if you summon another birther anchor baby poll with it, I won't speak to you for a month.
Posted by: Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)"--

--"Jane,
What? Have you got me confused with someone else? An anchor baby birther poll? When did I do that?
/Quiz day at JOM.
Posted by: Jack is Back!”--

HaHaHaHa!

My poll. Sorry.

Jane I have been so good about keeping it over there. It is not easy for me, but you asked so nicely. ;-)

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Clarice: I didn't word it well, I was really asking the question, rather than stating an opinion. I have no idea how these things work. I know that when I worked for a Member of Congress, as my duties changed, so did the source of funds for my paycheck, sometimes from the House, sometimes from general US Treasury, sometimes from the Re-Elect Committee funds. As to the WH, I have no idea.

[Ann]

Full text of speech draft obtained by National Journal:

SOTU:Obama to Declare 'The Rules Have Changed'

The good news is we don't have to see Nancy jump up and down tonight.

[RichatUF]

But we are living in our "Sputnik moment". At least I don't have to watch the speech.

[RichatUF]

Looks like I'm late. Again.

[bgates]

Obama to declare 'The Rules Have Changed'

The rules about how campaigns can be financed, how inspectors general can be fired, what inducements can be given to get someone to make a political appointment or withdraw from an election, what happens to people who don't pay their taxes....

[clarice]

**the SON of Hosni***

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

To get you in the snark mood, this Althouse fisk of SOTU:

The text of the State of the Union Address from a Democratic insider who has violated the White House embargo.

[clarice]

Sara, I don't think who issues the paycheck is the determining factor-Obviously it was designed to cover servicemen, Congressmen, etc. But it's hard to say that the President's no. 1 executive is not performing a service for his country just as would an appointed member of a federal commission or agency or a cabinet official or a member of the feeral judiciary.

At some point down the ladder it certainly gets murkier I agree.

[Ann]

Rich:

No problem. Like Kaus just tweeted:

You all have the words. This can be the first karaoke SOTU. :)

[Danube of Thought]

I'm pretty sure the Chief of Staff works for the government; he simply reports to the president. He has a government pay grade, something like a PA-1.

Things are complicated enough that I wouldn't predict the Chicago outcome without reading all the statutes, ordinances and cases, and I'm willing to let somebody who gives more of a shit do that.

[PD]

Who is our resident JOM iPad tech support person (not necessarily for tonight but some future time)?

Whoever knows the answer to your questions when you post them!

[PD]

'The Rules Have Changed'

What, Hugo Chavez is standing in to give the address?

[RichatUF]

Ann-

Right there in the first paragraph: But there’s a reason the tragedy in Tucson gave us pause. Amid all the noise and passions and rancor of our public debate, Tucson reminded us that no matter who we are or where we come from, each of us is a part of something greater – something more consequential than party or political preference.

We are part of the American family. We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed; that the dreams of a little girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own children, and that they all deserve the chance to be fulfilled.

The speech runs about 6800 words, its going to be a long night.

[centralcal]

Before the speechifying starts, I have a supposition - do you suppose the new chief of staff, Daley, is giving Moochelle clothing advice? A little more middle of the roadish?

[Ann]

Rich:

From twitter:

Nat'l Journal version of the SOTU is about 6,800 words. Gettysburg Address:272. Decl of Independ: 1,458, Constitution: 4,543

A long night indeed.

I hope everyone remembers that we have lost 10 police officers so far this year. Are their wifes and children in the gallery? How many soldiers families? (It makes me ill.)

[narciso]

What a bunch of unadulterated bull, with all due respect, it just shows like in Killeen, or Times Square, or in the skies over Detroit, authorities are either unwilling or incapable of protecting civilians,

[Jane]

Thanks Threadkiller, I truly appreciate it.

[Dave (in MA)]

In case you want to get an early start on your drinking, the National Journal has the text:

"invest" -5
"investment" - 7
"investing" - 2

[centralcal]

aaaggghhhh - oh never mind! Going to the limo it looked like Michelle was wearing a white pencil skirt with a dark blazer.

Well, she made her grand entrance in white satin!!!! A sheath.

[PD]

Does he say, "I welcome any good idea no matter who it comes from"?

Like he's been saying for two years, but has never actually done?

[centralcal]

TK: double ditto what Jane said!

[Jane]

Ann,

A border guard was recently killed in AZ and the family cannot get any info about the investigation from ther government. Some deaths in AZ are a lot more important than others.

[centralcal]

Thanks, Dave(in MA) - made a batch of Brandy Manhattans, so I am good to go.

[centralcal]

Here he is, Mr. Anti-America . . .

[Ann]

cc:

I haven't seen her yet. Does she look like an angel on high?

Funny tweet:

I feel like sitting on my couch and yelling at scumbags, crooks, attention-whores, and liars. Do I watch MTV or C-span? LOL

[Jack is Back!]

We, of course being a half belgian family are watching Kim Clijsters dismantle this helpless Polish girl on ESPN2. Does The won play tennis?

[DrJ]

New SOTU thread.

[Dave (in MA)]

Paul Ryan is a lot like some of the rock bands I've seen over the years. I have to sit through a crappy opening act.

[centralcal]

heh - Ann!!!!!

New thread - do we stay or migrate?

[RichatUF]

He's got an "all of the above" bit about energy. "Clean coal" makes an appearence.

[PD]

Didn't take long to get that nose up in the air.

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

Having now read Hoffman's decision, he seems to take the position that the provision saving residence for those who are in the service of the US applies only to "electors" and not to "candidates". He points out that the requirements for the two are in different sections of the code, and the one applying to candidates does not contain the savings clause.His analysis is based on statutory construction and legislative history dating back to the early 19th century.

Whether he's right or not I can't say but he clearly has written a detailed opinion which comes to a different conclusion than Taranto did. Taranto's analysis implies that the savings clause applies equally to "electors" and "candidates".

Now on to the SOTU.

[centralcal]

iPad techs - does Safari have browser tabs?

[Ann]

Let's Move!!!

for Michelle of course!....cc

[Ignatz]

--Iggy I do not believe that "on business of the United States" could reaonably exclude the President's chief of staff.--

Well judge Hoffman agrees with you clarice, as his opinion explicitly addresses the issue and declares Rahm to be exempt under that portion of the election statute, however his contention is that portion only pertains to a voter retaining residency and in fact the title of the article is "qualification of voters".
The crux of his decision is that regardless of the Election code and any exemptions it contains the Municipal code is not overruled by but is complementary to the election code and the municipal code requires not just residency as in having a residence but actually physically residing for the previous year in the state. He argues a very fine point but does so more convincingly IMO than the dissent.
Taranto's dismissal of the opinion is uninformed and incorrect IMO.

[clarice]

Iggy, it seems clear to me that reasonable people can come to opposite conclusions on this. Most states have some provision for residents who enter the service and are stationed away from their long time homes and persons who are working in DC for the federal government. I was interested to read that rahm had retained more ties to Ill than initially reported, including maintaining his drivers' license and paying taxes there.

[PD]

iPad techs - does Safari have browser tabs?

No, but you might try Atomic Web.

[Ignatz]

clarice,
There's no question he maintained legal residency; even Hoffman's majority readily admits that and that he clearly qualified for the exemption regarding going to DC.
The question at hand is; is there also a legal requirement in the municipal code that physical presence is also required to run for office.
Taranto's criticism seems spurious and is not addressed by the dissent either. Surely one of the three judges is at least as familiar with IL statute as he is.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Ig-

Which statute were you thinking?

There are two, and precedents have favored muni code over electoral.

[Ignatz]

--Ig-

Which statute were you thinking?--

Hoffman admits he meets election code standards, but says that muni code also requires physical presence, not just residency as in a domicile.

[JM Hanes]

"iPad techs - does Safari have browser tabs?"

Actually it does. In the "View" drop down menu, just click "Show Tabs."

When you right click a link, you can choose to have the new page open in a tab or a separate window. Depending on how you set your preferences you can choose to use command/click to open them in new tabs automatically.

If you go to the Safari Preferences pane (from the drop-down menu under "Safari"), and click on the tabs preferences, you'll find several options for how new pages open.

[elvaldoerr]

I was listening to the radio on my way to work today, It was on an alternative rock radio station, it was mostly acoustic in the begining, and the only part I rememeber is one line " I can feel is coming back again" I have been searching the internet and I cant find it any where, any help you can give would be great. I need the name of the song and who sings it. Thanks
Leanspa

[Andrew]

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[article submission sites]

Style section for media progaganda hand our own eyes, our own sense of taste, our justification, the shining brightly lit to see Michelle Obama does not rely on your sense