In Defense Of Capitalism

Trump is targeting Socialist Creep in American politics, or maybe just socialist creeps. While we wait for confirmation of the rumor that Putin's Twitter-bots are behind the amplification of AOC, let me toss this NY Times think piece from tech writer Farhood Manjoo into the mix:

Abolish Billionaires

A radical idea is gaining adherents on the left. It’s the perfect way to blunt tech-driven inequality.

I'll let you read it, or guess the rest.

And because there is nothing so satisfying as talking to the wind (possible exception - shouting "Get off my lawn!), I posted this comment among the hundreds there. Yup, my free content is helping the Times thrive.

First, the notion that all billionaires equal a policy failure is a call-back to the zero-sum notion that wealth is the result of exploitation.

Sometimes that is correct - Aldrich Rockefeller monopolized oil, driving up prices for everyone who used it directly or indirectly (ie, everyone). That IS exploitative, and is also barred by antitrust law. Break 'em up!

On the other hand, some people have breakthrough ideas that enrich us all. Who did JK Rowling exploit with her Harry Potter monopoly? (Then again, George Lucas is also a billionaire and if social policy had made him stop already with the Star Wars films after "Return of the Jedi" I'd have been a backer).

As a tech writer Mr. Manjoo is well positioned to understand this, as is every New Yorker who ever bought a lottery ticket or went to a restaurant staffed by aspiring Broadway stars. People line up for a chance to win $500 million in the lottery. Do they stand in line for $50,000? The prospect of an Gyneth Paltrow/Hugh Jackman type payday inspires hundreds who never make it. Would capping a media star's pay enrich or diminish our cultural life?

Tech is like Hollywood. Venture capital is looking for the NEXT Facebook success. However, most of The Next Big Things won't be. Tut-tutting at Zuckerberg's payday overlooks the huge number of ideas (a few of them good!) that got funding based on his example.

If there are antitrust problems with Big Tech, apply the law. Don't trash the whole process.

They have a character limit so I was mercifully brought up short. Left unremarked: The Times is likely to be a Last Man Standing in media, and will stay alive based on a mini-monopoly as one of a very few sources of "real" journalism (rather than clickbait aggregation). Whether the billionaire Sulzberger family is OK with this is left unexplored, but my guess is they consider themselves to be "good" billionaires.

MORE RUMORS: Bernie was compromised by his Soviet spymasters during his honeymoon in Russia. They knew his day would come! That is why they tried so hard to sandbag Hillary in 2016, but their timing was off. Still, defeating her kept the door open for Bernie 2020. Yes, it did!

Comments

[Extraneus]

Bad night for AOC, if not fatal.

[Jane]

Boy I'm pissed at the republican. (So what else is new?). Where the hell are they? Post SOTU we have an incredible opportunity. And they are nowhere.

Term Limits today!

[daddy]

our hotel in sydney is the Marriott and they have a new pitch man for the hotel when you turn on the Info Tv Channel---Mitt Romney. it is odd how I now have such anegative visceral reaction upon seeing him. i think the description of him in that Conrad Black column was great---a well oiled weather vane.

[Beasts of England]

I've been spending my JOM time reading about WWII and also watching some excellent documentaries on the net. I believe the folks linked below are in some way associated with the BBC and their content is impressive; if y'all are so inclined.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC88lvyJe7aHZmcvzvubDFRg

[Jim Eagle]

Beasts is truth. How can we continue to even accept this horse shit from the left and then impose an echo shamber around it.

I agree. Let’s not give them any noteriety even negative. Stop reacting and start charging.

[Pinandpuller]

https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article188404953/Erstklaessler-in-Duisburg-und-Berlin-haben-Defizite-bei-Sprache-und-Motorik.html
Two reports on the health of elementary school pupils make it to the headlines simultaneously: Duisburg is experiencing problems with the German language, the children in Berlin have lots of other problems.
Affected are Duisburg and Berlin. While the language proficiency was the main problem in the Ruhr region, the children in Berlin showed a series of motor skills problems. According to a report by RP Online, less and less children speak good German in Duisburg. The percentage of children speaking fluent German during the entry examination was just 8,2% city-wide. 16,4% of the new first-graders speak no German at all.
The reason is the increasing share of migrant children. Half (49,9%) the children examined in Duisburg has German as mother tongue. 50,1% of the children speak a different language at home. In some neighborhoods, like Duisburg-Marxloh, 74,7% of the children don't speak German at home.
This has caused a delay in the examinations, since the parents don't speak German and aren't able to cooperate with the examiners, writes the RP. On a similar note, motor skills and behavioral problems are rampant.
Children from Arab families are affected the most, even when they previously attended a kindergarten for two years.

[lurkersusie]

Went from Green Deal to eliminating ice

Mediaite
@Mediaite
Ocasio-Cortez Calls on Congress to Defund ICE in Fiery Presser: ‘They Do Not Deserve a Dime’ (link: http://mediaite.com/a/hqcej) mediaite.com/a/hqcej

[clarice]

Megan McArdle
‏
Verified account

@asymmetricinfo
Follow Follow @asymmetricinfo
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The most bizarre passage in the Green New Deal is the admission that after they've junked every car in America, replaced every power plant, and renovated every single building within the space of a decade, they might not get around to slaughtering all the cows by their deadline.

[MissMarple2]

Today, it was my great honor to sign a Presidential Memorandum launching the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative. #WGDP
Read more: https://t.co/qr3jevdayp pic.twitter.com/HyIPPm4Q7b

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2019

Video and article at links.

[Jim Eagle]

Is it better to ignore AOC, or to continue to reveal her ignorance.

I say ignore her, and counter pose her idiocy from 4 th grade science projects.

[MissMarple2]

Each year, America pauses to remember its fallen astronaut heroes and the great accomplishments for which they strived. @FLOTUS Melania and I mourn their passing and take to heart the lessons of their lives and the greater human potential to which they continue to inspire. https://t.co/P9d1bpapsd

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2019

Link goes to picture and NASA tweet.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
18m18 minutes ago

So nice how well my State of the Union speech was received. Thank you to all!

[clarice]

This is a better link to the Solomon story:https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/429041-adam-schiff-glenn-simpson-and-their-forrest-gump-like-encounter-in-aspen

[MissMarple2]

Jack,

I am trying to ignore her (difficult because the press quotes her every inane utterance) BUT when she puts something in writing that is positively ridiculous AND dangerous, I think we need to speak up.

Apparently the hoots and guffaws and embarrassment of Nancy Pelosi got it taken down.

[Extraneus]

No reason to ignore her. She's the greatest gift from the left in a long time. An adolescent with power. Remember this guy?

link

[Dave (in MA)]

"THE GREEN NEW DEAL — IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED: Aaaaand AOC’s “Green New Deal” FAQ Page Got Taken Down." https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/321081/

But it can still be found here: https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/321089/

[hoyden]

Is that you, AOC?

[Jim Eagle]

I know it is early but Mrs, JiB have been up early and need to go to bed and I will lurk. Funny story. Frederick went to Salisbury school for a wrestling match on the 26th, Saturday, and then "red faced" told it was lost on Thursday. Went to the insurance, filed a claim and recevied the new replacement phone on the 6 th.

Today he tells me they found the phone on the bus he took to the wrestling match. The bus took a bunch of girls to NYC then came back and one of them found it.

Sending back the replacement tomorrow. Kids!

[Rocco]

I love this bullet point from AOC's Green New Deal

Economic security for all who are unable or unwilling to work.

[Threadkiller]

Boy I'm pissed at the republican. (So what else is new?). Where the hell are they? Post SOTU we have an incredible opportunity. And they are nowhere.

Term Limits today!

We already have term limits. And before the end of each term, lackluster politicians can be primaried and replaced for the next term. The House's term is 2 years and the Senate's is 6 years.

If anything be pissed at the voters.

[Narciso79]

A long way from flying cars:

https://ktla.com/2019/02/07/downtown-l-a-typhus-outbreak-may-prompt-city-hall-to-replace-all-carpets/

The first world bloodbath was the source of many of the problems of the last century

[Extraneus]

Just a bargaining chip, Rocco. She might be willing to compromise on that.

[Narciso79]

Well that will work out well:

https://legalinsurrection.com/2019/02/northam-about-to-get-the-boot-va-delegation-rallies-around-ag-herring-to-replace-northam/

[GUS]

That Ocasio-Corrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtez is such a kidder. She wants to eliminate ICE????

Listen BITCH, I want my drink, and I want ICE in it NOW. NOW BITCH.

[Another Bob]

Extraneus | February 07, 2019 at 06:53 PM

Fatal? Not even close.

Dems have more morons than you can shake a stick at.

[Narciso79]

The level at which they will abase themselves is limitless:

https://mobile.twitter.com/RaferWeigel/status/1093638305596534786

[GUS]

Being a stooooooopit BARTENDER and being really toothy and KOOL, is a feature not a bug.

So correct AB

[Extraneus]

CNN Offers Criticism-Free Praise for Green New Deal; Compares AOC, Markey to Gaga, Cooper

CNN special correspondent and far-left climate activist Bill “ignorant f***sticks” Weir joined afternoon CNN Newsroom host Brooke Baldwin Thursday for a criticism-free lovefest in honor of the Green New Deal. All told, the pair determined it was akin to NASA and a necessary step to save Earth without offering any questions or answers about how this move toward communism would be paid for.

If those things didn’t convince you that this four-minute-plus segment was a trainwreck, Baldwin sat in awe as Weir quipped that the Green New Deal was a love story for Earth, like A Star Is Born where Bradley Cooper could play Senator Ed Markey (D-NY) and Lady Gaga would be Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Video at the link.

[Captain Hate]

We already have term limits. And before the end of each term, lackluster politicians can be primaried and replaced for the next term. The House's term is 2 years and the Senate's is 6 years.

If anything be pissed at the voters.

Where in the Constitution are the two dogshit parties mentioned?

[Another Bob]

Does anyone know what sort of bar AOC worked in? A Tilted Kilt sort of joint?

[MissMarple2]

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/429066-comey-pens-op-ed-about-race-controversy-in-virginia

Argues statues should be taken down in reparation.

Who asked him, anyway?

[Captain Hate]

Brooke Baldwin really threatens my promise to a-mom.

[clarice]

David Burge
‏

@iowahawkblog
6h6 hours ago
More
If you can mix a mai tai, you can redesign the laws of economics and physics
29 replies 174 retweets 667 likes
Reply 29 Retweet 174 Like 667

[Catsmeat]

Hey, clarice--there's a piece (rather nasty) in Esquire I just saw today trying to account for the effects of the political divide in DC on the social divide (parties, bars, restaurants), and among other things the author says this:

...many younger Trump staffers have discovered these safe spaces: the Line, a hip new hotel in Adams Morgan; Union Trust, a bar in a former bank near the White House that for Trumpsters has replaced traditional area spots like the Hay-Adams; and the Salt Line and Mission, two bars in Navy Yard, a newly developed Southeast D. C. neighborhood abutting the Anacostia River that has attracted many out-of-town Trump aides and is often looked down upon by old-timers as D. C.’s version of Manhattan’s frat-boy-friendly Murray Hill.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a26016237/dc-restaurants-bars-republicans-democrats-donald-trump/

Does this comport with your understanding of things? It's always interesting how these things shake out.

[Narciso79]

It's from Ryan lizza, the #metoo fellow kicked off the new Yorker, the ewok chewed on the bigger branches of it.

[GUS]

Who did COMEY vote for for GOVERNOR of VA????
Northam or Robert E Lee.

Fucking weasel

[Narciso79]

Julianna Glover the doyenne of that crew, was the one who browder hired to get the magnitsky act passed she was also the one who had a 'war of the roses' divorce back in 2009

[clarice]

catsmeat..I vey rarely eat out or go drinking here so I've no idea.AndI hardly know a handful of Trump supporters here.

[Narciso79]

Michelle fields and Jamie weinstein, remember their freakout three years ago, are prominent members

[Narciso79]

Of this resistance coffee clatch

[MissMarple2]

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/07/paul-ryan-spotted-at-the-white-house/

I hope he's being given a courtesy heads-up on an indictment.

[peter]

I have had lunch in the restaurant where AOC worked, although it was several years ago, and likely before she worked there. It's now out of business. It was called Coffee Shop, and it was one of those hipster-ironic places, in that the decor, formica counters, fifties turquoise upholstery, dinette type furniture, was made to look like a coffee shop from the fifties. The food was quite good. It was right near Union Square on 15th Street. I'm sure at night it was more of a bar scene, but for lunch it was just a nice restaurant. Most of the wait staff looked like out of work actors in their twenties.

[MissMarple2]

peter,

I think AOS fits the "out of work actress" mold. I am wondering if she got elected because she looked and sounded the part.

[MissMarple2]

I meant AOC.

[Narciso79]

Apparently hes never heard of cobvolutex:

https://medium.com/@jeffreypbezos/no-thank-you-mr-pecker-146e3922310f

Its ironic this happens after we discover the paper was covering miss Tyson 'with a pillow, still she stopped moving'

[Narciso79]

You're the hasenfefer:

https://t.co/YBtxGUc1cX?amp=1

[MissMarple2]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6678767/Ancestor-modern-day-sparrows-finches-flew-Earth-52-million-years-ago.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline
\
This is an interesting article but the headline is misleading. Nowhere does it say these birds could fly around the world.

[MissMarple2]

JUST IN: John Dingell, who was the longest-serving member of Congress, dies at 92 https://t.co/To2rgvZYQ7 pic.twitter.com/qAkjdrLspt

— The Hill (@thehill) February 8, 2019

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
26m26 minutes ago

Highly respected Senator Richard Burr, Chairman of Senate Intelligence, said today that, after an almost two year investigation, he saw no evidence of Russia collusion. “We don’t have anything that would suggest there was collusion by the Trump campaign and Russia.” Thank you!

[Pinandpuller]

Meanwhile I keep writing 'Year of the Dog' on all my checks

[Narciso79]

John Dingell previous pronouncement was to abolish the Senate, very palpatine of him.

[Pinandpuller]

i think the description of him in that Conrad Black column was great---a well oiled weather vane.

Posted by: daddy | February 07, 2019 at 07:00 PM"

Is he still tarted up in Mitt Romney Face?

[MissMarple2]

George Soros Arrested & being extradited to Hungary ; the credibility of this video not confirmed but two credible sources— One Military & one in Banking Have Confirmed GEORGE SOROS ARRESTED IN SWITZERLAND #PatriotsAwakened https://t.co/e47oIXX1y2

— Ken Jones⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@sxdoc) February 7, 2019

Link goes to video. NOT CONFIRMED.

[Narciso79]

Making more mistakes, I see angela:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/2185354/germany-wants-avoid-banning-huawei-5g-networks-report-says

[Catsmeat]

clarice--fair enough!

I bet that earlier passarine is just a crow. Been around forever mocking everyone and stealing everything shiny.

[JimNorCal]

.

[MissMarple2]

.@AOC literally less than 12 hours apart pic.twitter.com/HqCCITh4Tu

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) February 8, 2019

Video at link.

Not only is she nuts and stupid, she is a liar.

[Narciso79]

As someone else put embrace the word and:
https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientlbs.php?id=D000051951&year=2018

[Pinandpuller]

Listen BITCH, I want my drink, and I want ICE in it NOW. NOW BITCH.

Posted by: GUS | February 07, 2019 at 08:01 PM

If you look off to your far right from The Ledge you can see me in the Steve King Skybox. We've got ICE. Lots and lots of ICE. Mark Steyn is singing Christmas songs. Bring your guitar over later.

[MissMarple2]

https://apnews.com/94e5907d6a5a486796041f130cfe2577?utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is stopping Louisiana from enforcing new regulations on abortion clinics in a test of the conservative court’s views on abortion rights.

The justices say by a 5-4 vote that they will not allow the state to put into effect a law that requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s four liberals in putting a hold on the law, pending a full review of the case.

============================
So, has Roberts grown in office, was he a closet liberal who lied to get confirmed, or is he being blackmailed?

[Pinandpuller]

Does anyone know what sort of bar AOC worked in? A Tilted Kilt sort of joint?

Posted by: Another Bob | February 07, 2019 at 08:15 PM

She looks like a Draught Dodger.

[Pinandpuller]

Who did COMEY vote for for GOVERNOR of VA????
Northam or Robert E Lee.

Fucking weasel

Posted by: GUS | February 07, 2019 at 08:36 PM

Was he Extremely Careless or Grossly Negligent?

[JimNorCal]

MM: "has Roberts grown in office, was he a closet liberal who lied to get confirmed, or is he being blackmailed?"

I'm going with closet liberal.
He may have some conservative outlooks but at the essential point where self-government conflicts with elite opinion ... he'll go with the elitists.

[MissMarple2]

Border Narcotics
‏ @BorderNarcotics

Due to damming testimony in Sinaloa Cartel El Chapo’s trial I have sent two of our Agents to New York to obtain transcripts and witness states! Testimony was given that El Chapo and Mexico paid off U.S. politicians and we want to know who they are!
=========================

This is a private organization so caution on believing this, but I am going to keep an eye on this account.

[James D.]

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s four liberals in putting a hold on the law, pending a full review of the case.

He showed he was a dishonest piece of trash with the Obamacare decision. Nothing has changed since then.

[Captain Hate]

John "FISA Court" Roberts is an establishment tool.

[cathyf]

“FISA” is the English translation of “STASI”

[MissMarple2]

When it comes to our southern border, we will not rest or relent until we have the technology, personnel, and the barriers required to secure our southern border. We will build that wall one way or another. pic.twitter.com/ZLuI13yKmx

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 7, 2019

Video at link.

[MissMarple2]

https://dailycaller.com/2019/02/07/ocasio-cortez-npr-chuck-todd-opposite/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=atdailycaller&utm_source=Twitter

[GUS]

Don't worry folks the 4-D Chess end game will be bigger than all of the SUPER BOWLS combined.

You can see it every day. For fux sake, DJT has been in office well over HALF HIS FUCKING TERM, and the INSANE CLOWN POSSE still believes he's just biding his time for the BIG FINALE.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6679399/Jimmy-Kimmell-Jimmy-Fallon-Billy-Crystal-Judy-Garland-Ted-Danson-Joy-Behar-blackface.html

Ha!

[MissMarple2]

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/429000-former-fox-news-reporter-joining-state-dept-to-lead-effort-to-counter

[Pinandpuller]

Last year, about two hundred red haired Israeli Jews gathered for a conference at Kibbutz Gezer in Israel. While that is a nice size group, there were, apparently, many hundreds who were interested in attending, but unable to do so. Those who attended the conference shared stories, sang a popular children’s song called “I am a Redhead,” and reportedly had a good time. Gezer, by the way, is Hebrew for carrot.

And then there is Stav Shaffir, the not even thirty year old Member of the Knesset whose hair is vibrant red. Stav, by the way, is Hebrew for Autumn.

There is even Hebrew slang for redheads: gingi (Jeenji) for a male and gingit (Jeenjit) for a female, both Hebraicized corruptions of the English ginger.

What’s with Jews and red hair?

https://www.judaismandscience.com/ginger-jews/

[MissMarple2]

Don Purser
‏ @DGPurser
11m11 minutes ago

Abortion, in its increasing heinousness, is the keystone issue facing America. Keystone, because it's the symptom of a disease - the disease of Godlessness.

The answer for Godlessness is God.

Individually and collectively in our churches, we must return to God!

And PRAY!!
1 reply 10 retweets 17 likes

[MissMarple2]

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/02/07/president-trump-remarks-during-signing-of-womens-global-development-prosperity-initiative/

14-minute video at link.

[Pinandpuller]

Strong enough for a man, but made for a dead woman

[Threadkiller]

Where in the Constitution are the two dogshit parties mentioned?

Nowhere. Foxholing patriots can band together a brand new party before they start CW2 over unknown reasons at an unknown point in time.

[lurkersusie]

Good

Joe Concha
@JoeConchaTV
·
Good: Trump-focused tweet Jemele Hill tweet alluding to Malcolm X assassination referred to Secret Service

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

MABA - Make Alexandria a Bartender Again

[Pinandpuller]

Is anyone in the room right now?

[daddy]

I did the Sydney Zoo today and was surprised to see that most of the signs and info plaques about various animals were also in Chinese. I suppose that makes sense.

[Pinandpuller]

daddy

I have a book someone brought back for me from Australia. There's a passage in it that describes what's probably still a certain sentiment there: "Two Wongs don't make a White."

I was watching a video from this summer that Lauren Southern shot in Sidney while she and Stefan Molyneaux were doing a speaking tour. Basically, she was told by a police sergeant that she couldn't walk up the road past a mosque. He was more or less threatening to arrest HER for breach of peace. Peace Not Be Upon Her, it seems.

Lakemba, Sidney: Thrown Out Of Sydney No Go Zone

https://youtu.be/LqY4Z1fTrMc

[Pinandpuller]

I expect all the 'Hams' in Britain to be replaced with 'Stans' at a certain point. Mayo and mustard not be upon it.

https://tinyurl.com/y7vm53ys

[Pinandpuller]

Um, colleges aren't really 'private' employers (right?) but it says that university systems are the largest private employer in eight states.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/walmart-nation-mapping-largest-employers-u-s/

[Pinandpuller]

I should say, state university systems are not private sector so what's the deal with that?

[daddy]

Two Wongs don't make a White."

Pin,

I hope you weren't planning on running for Congress anytime soon😉

Friday night here, 6 PM, and the skies overhead just burst into thunder and pounding rain, but I was just able to slide in to a 'cook your own steak' Restaurant and found a table in the open verandah with a tin roof above just singing away with the raindrops. Sydney is packed with foreigners. They remain a very friendly country, but my take is that as a Nation they are really sick and tired of immigration, legal or otherwise, but on the other hand I think with their severe weather (ie droughts, floods, and heat waves) they are much more believers of Global Warming than any of us in the states.

[daddy]

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more bizarre, try out these headlines:

1) Jeff Bezos: National Enquirer Tried To Blackmail Me With Nude Pics

2) Ronan Farrow Says National Enquirer Tried To Blackmail Him Too

3) Woody Allen sues Amazon for backing out of $73 million deal due to 'baseless' sexual assault allegation

We need a 4th headline to square this circle tho' I can't imagine what it might be. L'il help.

[daddy]

4) Woody Allen Elopes With Jeff Bezos's Adopted And Now Estranged Underage Korean Daughter

That might work🤪

[hoyden]

It's -11F in Proggyapolis with wind 280 at 11 kts. Yesterday we got a couple 3 inches of snow. It'll be sporting but I'll go out towards sunrise to clear the walks and driveway. For now, off to wrok.

[daddy]

New Thread!!! as of about 6 hours ago, but I missed it.