Unexpected American Exceptionalism or, Romania Feels The Bern

Bernie Sanders, making America great again:

Romanians Make Fun of Bernie Sanders Over Internet Tweet

From across the ocean, Bernie Sanders has managed to offend a good number of Romanians.

A Romanian travel agency on Thursday offered Sanders airline tickets to visit the country as residents alternately mocked or felt hurt by the U.S. Democratic presidential candidate, who said Romania had faster Internet than the U.S.

Sanders had criticized the low Internet speed in the U.S. in a Twitter post Wednesday.

"Today, people living in Bucharest, Romania, have access to much faster Internet than most of the US. That's unacceptable and must change," he posted.

...

Others were merely offended at Sander's assumptions. One Twitter user wrote that it sounded like Sanders feels Americans are "entitled to being better than everyone else," calling that attitude "very disrespectful."

Yeah, after eight years of Obama-Clinton-Kerry can we afford this sort of arrogant cowboy diplomacy?

Comments

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Bernie looking to go out Ceausescu style?

[daddy]

If we get this marvelous Romanian Internet service Bernie's blabbing about, will we also acquire Romania's marvelous ability to deal with their Communist political leaders?

If we can only have one, I think I'd prefer the latter.

[daddy]

Via Insty:

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"If the four Republicans left really want to make the Democrats look bad at this debate tomorrow night they ought to leave their podiums, put on some Go-Pros and walk around Detroit for a couple of hours."

—Dennis Miller on Facebook.

[_peter]

what a rich choice, I can be fouth on this thread or fifth on the previous one. btw, the last few times the JamesD. poll has been put up, the link was bad. I miss multiple voting; it is strangely addictive and lots of fun!

[James D.]

Peter, here's the link:

http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=56d261bae4b01668ec061dbf

[Send 'em faster, please.]

Don't worry, Bernie, we get more ads.

[James D.]

My perfect record of missing the debates continued last night.

But I can report that Rip Hunter and his team defeated some Time Pirates on "Legends of Tomorrow" and also, the poor nuns in the mountaintop convent in "Black Narcissus" all lose their minds, but are photographed beautifully while doing so.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Is it just me or did it take forever for this page to load?

[daddy on iPad]

It's you Jeff. I'm in a Taipei taxi with wifi and it loaded ASAP. Zai gin.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Thanks, daddy. I am looking for anyone in Romania to confirm.

[henry]

This page is very slow to complete. Must be the ads.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Rupert is on the bandwagon.

Rupert MurdochVerified account
‏@rupertmurdoch
If Trump nominated some Republicans may stay home, but not nearly as many Dems already abstaining or crossing over!
3:30 AM - 4 Mar 2016

[Jack is Back!]

Good morning from the south fork of the east end on Long Island where we are experiencing the JV version of global warming. No more than 1 or 2 inches expected. About the same size as Trump's hands.

JamesD, spent last night voting while watching NBA and rerun's of Big Bang Theory. This morning when I voted you had a good lead. No debate for me. Even the local Fox station in NYC didn't think much of it.

If NJ Transit goes on strike it will be interesting to see how FRB deals with it.

[anonamom]

Detailed but interesting article on (relative) values of each candidate's supporters.
Surprising to me where Trump's supporters are--and Cruz's too!
Of course, people who "care" love Bernie!

lun

(Why do some links publish correctly, while others "bleed" across the right margin of the box?)

[anonamom]

And for anybody who choose to do something more productive than watch the "debate" last night, here's WSJ's two minute video.
It does a solid job of summing up what were the "entertainment highlights" from the hour of my life I wasted watching.

http://www.wsj.com/video/gop-debate-in-two-minutes/9B8434A1-EA58-43D1-8942-2C9CA113E521.html?mod=trending_now_video_1

[Jeff Dobbs]

(I am hoping no one posts anything else on that last thread so that Iggy's comment remains the final word there)

[cheerleader]

I sounds like someone is envious and has even smaller hands than Mr. Trump's.

[NKonIphone]

There were 2000 votes over night. James in lead. My IPhone vote revelation has been liberating

[Miss Marple]

Good morning!

[NKonIphone]

JiB. How are you feeling? Early spring comes to Southampton next week.

[Buckeye]

My gut tells me nothing much happened in the debate to cause significant movement.

I do think Marco has dropped a wing, is picking up speed, and the death spiral may be just around the corner.

[Miss Marple]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/world/americas/brazil-raid-luiz-incio-lula-da-silva.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share

Seems to me there was a large chunk of money from the US for Petrobras around the beginning of Obama's term. I can't remember the details.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Mark Krikorian may just offer a hint why super open borders zealot Rupert Murdoch may be jumping on the Trump bandwagon.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/432347/trump-backs-increased-immigration

So, while has said things like this before, Trump was especially forceful Thursday night in pushing the case for large-scale importation of foreign workers. Why? Maybe a CNN story report published a few hours before the debate offers a clue: “Donald Trump plans fundraising blitz if he wins GOP nomination, source says“. Where do you find the kind of money you need for a general-election campaign? From the very people who want to import more cheap foreign labor.

I wish there were a way to have a serious and honest discussion televised between Krikorian and Sessions on the topic of Trump and immigration. Two guys I very much trust - but who seem to have come down on different sides of Trump's immigration plans.

There's no doubt that Trump's wall keeps getting higher and higher (thanks Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon for cutting those Trump ads). But it also seems like Trump's "big, fat, beautiful door" keeps getting yuger and yuger.

Maybe it's just me, but my spidey sense is tingling.

YES, YES, LET IT NOT GO UNSAID: IVR

[Miss Marple]

Looked it up regarding Petrobras. In April of 2009 the Ex-Im Bank loaned (or guaranteed a loan) of $2 billion to Petrobras for buying offshore equipment.

I remember this because at the same time Obama was pushing for further restrictions on US offshore drilling.

[Buckeye]

Maybe it's just me, but my spidey sense is tingling.

Just a draft, one of the kids left the back door open.

[Jack is Back!]

NK,

Close to going home. Getting fit for brace today which should help me with steps and that is the secret to getting out of here.

[Miss Marple]

http://cbs4indy.com/2016/03/03/fbi-launches-hate-crime-investigation-after-vandalism-at-islamic-society-headquarters-in-plainfield/

Plalinfield is just west of the Indianapolis Airport.

[new lurker]

JIB, Have the docs ever figured out what happened? Anyway, am glad you are going home.

[Truthbetold]

Trump U to Illegal Immigrants: Here's How to Buy a Home

http://www.weeklystandard.com/trump-u-to-illegal-immigrants-heres-how-to-buy-a-home/article/2001383

[Buckeye]

In April of 2009 the Ex-Im Bank loaned (or guaranteed a loan) of $2 billion to Petrobras for buying offshore equipment.

And not too long ago some Petrobras brass got in deep doo-doo after being caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Wonder if any of that $2 bil ended up in a Clinton Foundation bank account, you know "finder's fee"?

[Buckeye]

That is good news Jack.

[Captain Hate]

So, any more GOPe confessions today?

[Buckeye]

Since Mitt's speech went over like a fart in church, may be keeping their mouth shut.

[James D]

Wonder if any of that $2 bil ended up in a Clinton Foundation bank account, you know "finder's fee"?

I think this is the very definition of "a question that answers itself."

[Captain Hate]

Will today's jobs report declare Ear Leader has attained 0% unemployment?

[Miss Marple]

I wish someone with some resources and a publication would look into all that money that went to Haiti and the Rodham brother's part in that gold mine.

[Captain Hate]

Buckeye, just remember that the same crew of wet heads who though Willard's speech was a really smart idea ran the campaigns of the last two tomato cans.

[Miss Marple]

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-corruption-lula-idUSKCN0W60Z6

More details on the Lula-Petrobras story which seems to indicate a widening circle of associated figures.

[Buckeye]

Hmmm..

So much for journalistic integrity. The Weekly Standard article impugning Trump U for teaching illegals how to buy a house pretty lame.

One only has to go to the blog where the article was posted to find:

With all of the recent news about cracking down on illegal immigration, I wondered what the laws were about undocumented immigrants buying homes here

Then the article lays out the facts.

When the revolution starts, remember, journalists (and trolls) are at the top of the list.

[jimmyk]

(Why do some links publish correctly, while others "bleed" across the right margin of the box?)

In Romania they always publish correctly.

Good news, JiB, glad to hear it.

[sbw]

[OT] ‘Morning, all. I have not advertised on the blog that I interviewed before a State Assembly committee last month with about 18 others for the voluntary position of one of 17 New York State Regents. New Regents are elected by the combined Legislature, with more Assembly members than Senators.

While my educator wife says I knocked the interview out of the park, history indicates that regents tend to be educators and come from the larger cities in the Judicial District.

I pointed out that 70 percent of current regents are or have been educators and other skills provide checks and balance. I provided supplementary material to substantiate my understanding, assets, and collegial approach.

The vote will be held Tuesday. While my references -- including past union officers, superintendents, and college presidents -- believe I would make an excellent regent, it is a political decision where they are most likely to choose a “safe“ traditional candidate.

The up side to all this is that I have made myself known to educational and political leaders in the state. The pressures on public education will continue and I offer positive insight how to improve the chances our children will succeed.

Anyone who knows an influential NYS legislator is welcome to weigh in with them before Tuesday. [/OT]

[Momto2]

Good morning! Very happy news JiB! How many more debates are there? Seems we have 10X more than the dems.

[Truthbetold]

Buckeye

Are you defending Trump U?

[James D]

Good luck, sbw! Heaven knows we need more sane people making decisions on education!

[henry]

Momto, Reince will keep making more debates until Trumps lead is smaller than his hands.

[Jeff Dobbs]

sbw:
The vote will be held Tuesday. While my references -- including past union officers, superintendents, and college presidents -- believe I would make an excellent regent, it is a political decision where they are most likely to choose a “safe“ traditional candidate.

Sooooo, what's the link where we can go vote for you?

Wait.

[Miss Marple]

Well, here's a weird and interesting story!

http://www.tmz.com/2016/03/04/oj-simpson-knife-found-murders-nicole-brown/

This case taught me two things:

1. The racial divide was a lot wider than I thought, given the reactions on his acquittal.

2. People who had the money to live in Brentwood were amazingly stupid, based on testimony of neighbors.

[Miss Marple]

From my Twitter feed:

[Miss Marple]

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/271724-report-super-pac-forms-to-push-ryan-white-house-run

[James D]

Good question, Momto2.

My question is, what positives did the RNC think would come from so many debates?

I mean, if the race had gone the way that we all assume they wanted it to from the start, and Jeb was in the lead, using his name recognition and huge money advantage to sweep away the other candidates, what would be gained by having all these endless debates?

[Jack is Back!]

Could apply to the GOP also.

[Wanda]

Also trending on twitter...

"'Boogergate': Did Ted Cruz really eat SNOT live on air during GOP presidential debate?"

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/boogergate-ted-cruz-really-eat-7492009

[Captain Hate]

My question is, what positives did the RNC think would come from so many debates?

More money into the Top Men coffers.

Good luck, sbw.

[Miss Marple]

James D.,

I can't figure it out. If Trump hadn't been in the debates people would have lost interest after a few, so the publicity factor for the party couldn't have been that great.

Maybe they thought that having Jeb field policy questions in the debate format with a couple of competitors would get his message out on the cheap.

Maybe they realize he would need practice before debating Hillary.

Maybe Reince is just a moron.

[James D]

Interesting article over at Insty about the Latino vote, echoing something I believe:

"if you are thinking about different Latino groups -- Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican -- you are ahead of the curve" when it comes to Latino outreach. If so, that demonstrates how out-of-touch many conservatives are.

Every time any R talks in singular terms about any group - "the black vote," "the hispanic vote," etc., they are playing right into Dem hands.

[Miss Marple]

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/04/us-nonfarm-payrolls-totaled-242k-in-feb-vs-190k-estimate.html

[Michael (fpa Patriot4Freedom)]

PD in Detroit - So sorry to hear about your M-i-L. Condolences to you and your family on your loss.

[omg]

OT

If Dr. Ben Carson had won the election would he have been referred to as Dr. President? Just wondering.

[Miss Marple]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3476644/U-S-trade-deficit-widens-exports-hit-5-1-2-year-low.html

[Miss Marple]

http://www.businessinsider.com/average-hourly-earnings-growth-february-2016-2016-3

[Porchlight]

Best wishes sbw!

[Jane]

SBW, I was wondering when the election is. I hope you win, but I can't imagine why you would want to - Except that you will do a great job. Tell Mrs SBW I say "hi".

[jimmyk]

Jane, the vote is Tuesday, according to sbw's post. Best of luck, sbw. I have sent a message of support for you to our representative. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately except for this case) I am completely unconnected politically, but it can't hurt.

[clarice]

Good luck SBw. Wonderful news JIB. I'm sure frederick will be so happy to have you home,

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Exports hit 512 year low?
Scarcely seems possible.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Jane, the vote is Tuesday, according to sbw's post.--

Where's the link? I've cracked my knuckles and am ready to vote.

[I've had traffic moments last forever.]

Heh, some of those years were shorter than others.

[Watch vets ski without knees.]

But not as long as six weeks in purgatory, er, rehab.

[pagar a bacon, country ham and sausage supporter]

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-03-04/over-80-jobs-added-january-were-minimum-wage-earners

"Over 80% Of Jobs Added In January Were Minimum Wage Earners"

Wonder how many of the ones that are connected to Politics are temporary?

[pagar a bacon, country ham and sausage supporter]

Weren't we just warned about how dangerous it was to see pictures?

http://www.weaselzippers.us/259982-saudi-cleric-people-can-catch-cancer-by-seeing-pictures-of-cancer-on-social-media/