Open Thread

Hat tip John Cole, also covered by diarists AntonBursch and Glic. Matthews tears this clown's throat out. Words can't do it justice, you just have to see it. The fun begins at about four minutes in:

Recommended diaries at  9 pm, Thursday, May 15, 2008
:

Something Amazing Just Happened On Hardball        by Glic    Republican Radio Host DESTROYED by Chris Matthews on Hardball        by AntonBursch    Huge McCain Blunder: Says Reagan Didn't Negotiate With Iran        by existenz    IGTNT: we remember two more        by Sandy on Signal    Email Shows Evidence of a Rotten Policy within the VA (UPDATED w/major media links)        by Brandon Friedman    Support Marriage Equality        by Gavin Newsom    Sen Joe Biden Pwns Bush: "This is bullsh!t" & Democratic Unity and Serious Hardball Pwnage        by Steven R    Updated: Surprise Vote in House Rejects War Funding!        by Timroff

•  Couldn't have happened to a dumber box of rocks

  good for you Matthews.

  by Jimmy Crackcorn on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:11:56 PM PDT

  •  be sure to hit the YouTube and rate it up

    I'm betting for 250,000 hits by this time tomorrow

    by Jimmy Crackcorn on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:14:31 PM PDT

    •  Done!

      I even left a comment.

      by El barragas on Thu May 15, 2008 at 08:59:32 PM PDT

  •  The problem is...

    ...there are so many more of these dolts that couldn't answer a simple, substantive question like the one Matthews asked, but how many of these others will be put to the test - even by Matthews?

    This treatment should be mandatory on these shows. If enough of the stupid bloviators are embarrassed like this, maybe they will stop accepting invitations to appear.

    by KingOneEye on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:20:44 PM PDT

    •  The "yelling box" format was nutured specifically

      for these cable talk shows. It has always been the base format--people are brought on not because they are knowledgeable, but because they can be counted on to devolve into an incoherent shriek fest. Anyone who refuses to play the game soon finds that the phone stops ringing.

      Matthews' show has been as culpable as any at perpetuating this practice, so today's performance reversed a small part of his bad karma.

      But they are only seeing the fruits of their labors.

      by Azdak on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:29:07 PM PDT

      •  This guy make Smerconish look like a Saint

        at least I can watch him. He doesn't yell and seems to like Obama.

        by Jimmy Crackcorn on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:35:44 PM PDT

        •  excuse me. The Saint has a great tune, and

          a halo, as he drives great cars, finds jewels and catches bad guys, while getting the pretty, wide eyed,  large breasted girl.

          by agnostic on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:47:35 PM PDT

      •  True.

        Just ask Stephanie Miller.

        by djtyg on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:55:34 PM PDT

        •  she LOVES the Saint.

          well, so long as he doesn't suggest mercury laden sushi.

          by agnostic on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:10:56 PM PDT

    •  Well, remember, it's Bush's comment that is

      actually being lambasted here. It is Bush who doesn't know his history, to even make such a comparison in the first place.

      by Uniter on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:53:21 PM PDT

    •  The problem is

      that the macho knuckledragging that is modern conservatism is built on a bedrock of historical and factual ignorance, and they DON'T CARE, and they GET AWAY WITH NOT CARING AND GET ELECTED ANYWAY.

      Tweety pushed the camel's nose into the big stinking tent tonight. The tent is the real story. The tent is the fact that blowhards like this Kevin-whats-his-fucking-name are the rule, not the exception. He and the legions like him exist in a world where being informed and historically aware and factually correct are WAY less important than that one's ideas come out on top, whether they merit it or not. How could anyone fail to predict bad governance and bad foreign policy from people who think this way? Unless they think like him to begin with...

      "Conservatives" are dominance-oriented; we are reality-oriented. That is the major fault line in the culture wars, in politics, in public discourse. Matthews cracked a window open onto that larger reality tonight, if just for a tiny moment. "Left" and "right" are useless terms of antiquity that have almost nothing to do with what is going on here today. Dominance-orientation vs. Reality-orientation - that's my paradigm and I'm sticking to it.

      by electric meatball on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:48:58 PM PDT

    •  That is the first time I have seen Matthews

      hammer someone like that!  Good for him.  Usually he just goes on when someone evades answering a question.  

      What is happening in this country.  It looks like our politicians and talking heads are finally growing a spine!  

      by Katiebegood on Fri May 16, 2008 at 06:46:30 AM PDT

  •  You could tell by the way he came out yelling...

    that it was gonna go bad for him.

    Note to Republicans:

    Loud does not equal credible.

    :::::

    by nowheredesign on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:36:46 PM PDT

  •  what a dumbass...

    ...just keep reading those talking points, don't ever have an individual thought of your own.

    by Blaarg on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:54:40 PM PDT

    •  Not only that, He cited the Disney fiction

      "pathway to 9/11"!!!!!!

      Unbelievable!!!!

      by netguyct on Thu May 15, 2008 at 09:27:23 PM PDT

•  Fav quote from that video:

  When you're in a hole, stop digging.

  by BA BarackUS on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:12:05 PM PDT

  •  "Put the shovel down, buddy..."

    It's deep enough.

    They have also hung themselves with all the rope they took 8 years ago.

    Metaphors are busting their balls.

    by xxdr zombiexx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:14:03 PM PDT

  •  The current preocupation with the Jewish vote?

    I apologize in advance for jumping the comments but I'm curious to hear an answer about this?  Any theories?  

    I think it's great: the middle East peace process should play a role in deciding who we elect as our next President.  I just don't understand why.

    It seems to me, all hoopla aside, that Obama will play pretty well with the Jewish vote on election day.  The demographics are certainly in his favor in terms of voting patterns and education level.

    by such sweet thunder on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:15:52 PM PDT

    •  I'll take a crack at that.

      Some seem to think that Jews and Arabs are natural enemies, and hope that Jewish voters will turn on any politician who doesn't loathe Arabs automatically, and that Jewish voters will be won over by anyone who hates Arabs.  No, it's not logical, but that's what seems to me to be the case.

      How increased war in the Middle East would be good for Israel is beyond my comprehension—and I'm sure most pro-Israel and pro-Arab people (and I class myself among both groups) don't get it at all.

      by Larry McAwful on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:32:05 PM PDT

      •  Thanks for the response.

        It still doesn't make sense to me, though.  Jewish people represent only a small contingent of people in the United States, and their communities seem to me to be in states that are largely not in play: NY and FL (which Obama is going to have a hard time with given the age demographics of the state.)  

        The only thing that I can come up with is that it would be a money thing -- trolling for McCain donations.  But the problem with that is, I would have to assume that 95% of the people who take the step to donate to a campaign are politically active enough to see through this garbage.

        by such sweet thunder on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:48:13 PM PDT

        •  Strategically, I'm not sure...

          ...what part of the map the Republicans are thinking about.  There are significant (and politically active) Jewish populations in the Philadelphia area and in New Jersey, both of which are states McCain hopes to maybe pick off from the Democrats this year.  They could make all the difference.

          He might also be trying to curry favor with the fundies, who see the establishment of the Jewish state as fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, and somehow supporting Israel in a war and fighting on the Plains of Armageddon amounts to "supporting" Israel.  He needs to let these End Timesers know he's one of them, and this is a good way to do it.

          Those are theories, anyway.

          by Larry McAwful on Thu May 15, 2008 at 08:33:17 PM PDT

  •  No!

    The best was when the Air America guy told him to go read a book and the moron came back and told him to watch a movie! Republicans have to watch movies because they are to dumb to read books!

    "Go watch Pathway to 9-11!"

    by gttim on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:57:09 PM PDT

    •  Yes, go watch a *fictionalized* movie! (n/t)

      by nom de paix on Thu May 15, 2008 at 08:04:24 PM PDT

•  You're--you're telling me to watch Chris

  Matthews ON PURPOSE? Do you have any idea what fifty flying pigs can do to a new roof?

  by decembersue on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:12:08 PM PDT

  •  Cats and dogs...living together...

    End Times.

    by xxdr zombiexx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:14:30 PM PDT

    •  haha

      real wrath of god type stuff

      by BDA in VA on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:22:15 PM PDT

  •  Perhaps the funniest thing I have ever seen

    on TeeVee.  Almost makes me want to subscribe to cable.  

    But why?  I get all the best stuff here!

    What a complete moron that guy is.  Quick, light his hair on fire, then hand him a rock.  Bwaaahaaahaaaa!

    by Red no more on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:15:01 PM PDT

  •  Now We Just Need to Give Him a Mic Kill Button

    so he can momentarily silence overtalking & gain a little control.

    It's been 30 years now, we should all realize that this is what Republicans do.

    The corrections though were priceless.

    by Gooserock on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:17:04 PM PDT

•  I Hope Bush's Veto of Red State Wellfare Stands

  The Farm Bill is wellfare for the wealthy of the worst kind.

  by Lefty Coaster on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:12:21 PM PDT

  •  Yes!

    I am sorry that so many Dems sold out on this one.  I understand the politics, but I don't like it.

    by Stevie on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:51:24 PM PDT

•  Anyone who hasn't seen it

  watch the first segment of Verdict from today. It's very interesting. The video isn't up on the website yet, but check it out when you get the chance. It's about Congress potentially arresting Karl Rove.

  by Nick Blas on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:12:52 PM PDT

  •  sounds good to me!

    by pmb on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:47 PM PDT

  •  Robert Wexler threatened Inherent Contempt

    Wexler was on the Verdict and he threatened to use Inherent Contempt.  Then I got an e-mail from him this morning saying if Rove refused to testify they might use Inherent Contempt on him.  I would rather it said will instead of might, but at least they are talking about Inherent Contempt.  Since it is the only weapon they have to fight the Republicans, they need to start using it.  I'm hoping that the three Democratic wins recently will give them the spine they need to finally take on the Bush Crime Family.

    by Katiebegood on Fri May 16, 2008 at 06:53:54 AM PDT

•  Morning in America

  and people DONE with the GOP.

  Kossacks are cheering a talking head for FINALLY...FINALLY doing what only John Stewart has been doing.

  Hillary and Obama take a moent to jump on Bush with both feet.

  Is this the dawning of the Age of Aquarius...or something?

  by xxdr zombiexx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:12:56 PM PDT

  •  The Age of Obama.

    A new way to do politics.

    by Phil S 33 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:18:53 PM PDT

•  why is he always screaming?

  by pmb on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:00 PM PDT

  •  Chris Matthews

    "gets him excited." He also has to shout to be heard over his own self-importance....

    Alex
    Choose Our President 2008

    by ourprez08 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:15:12 PM PDT

  •  He's DESPERATELY attempting to steamroll

    Chris Matthews. It's bigtime bullying and Matthews apparently isn't interested in being bullied.

    ITs the same thing the wingnut talkshow hosts do.

    by xxdr zombiexx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:24:41 PM PDT

    •  "Energized! Legitimized!"

      The plaintive new cry of the helplessly misinformed with talking points.

      If I were unfortunate enough to be this guy, I'd try to have a sense of humor and put a good face on it by renaming my radio show "The Energized Legitimized Show."

      Alex
      Choose Our President 2008

      by ourprez08 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:34:12 PM PDT

•  Conyers threatening Kar Rove with arrest.

  Inherent Contempt Anyone. Just heartd on Abrams show.

  by JugOPunch on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:08 PM PDT

  •  So has Wexler.

    If Rove refuses to testify voluntarily and ignores the subpoenas that will certainly be issued, he should be held in Inherent Contempt of the House of Representatives.

    No American is above the law.  None of us should be able to ignore Congress without consequence.   If Mr. Rove ignores a subpoena from the Judiciary Committee, then the House of Representatives should pass an Inherent Contempt citation and exercise our right to send the House Sergeant-of-Arms to gather Mr. Rove and bring him before Congress to testify.
    ______________________________________

    Yeah! That's the shit!

    by xxdr zombiexx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:16:32 PM PDT

•  Tweety is tire

  of all the race baiting going and BS he is forced yo cover and spout

  by IamTheJudge on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:15 PM PDT

•  This Thread needs some Neil Young

  With the Band at the Last Waltz

  by jds1978 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:18 PM PDT

  •  Nice video thanks :) nt

    by Janeo on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:50:03 PM PDT

•  Come speculate

  with us in the Daily Open Obama V.P. Thread! Today's the Non-Senator Edition, with additional analysis of the important pun factor.

  Alex
  Choose Our President 2008

  by ourprez08 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:38 PM PDT

•  see what happens when you order

  pizza during history class.

  by Crisis Corps Volunteer on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:43 PM PDT

•  A photo from a few days ago

  Last week I managed to get a Yellow Warbler to land right next to me :)

  

  by juliewolf on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:45 PM PDT

  •  DAMN, woman!

    that is righteous.

    by voila on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:16:18 PM PDT

    •  Yeah...

      but it takes 100 to make a decent meal.

      by xxdr zombiexx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:17:32 PM PDT

    •  Thanks :)

      I was really happy with that photo (for obvious reasons).

      by juliewolf on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:18:06 PM PDT

      •  Glad to see your photos back on here again...

        by Phil S 33 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:20:25 PM PDT

        •  The timing's been bad

          I'm not doing as much in the way of light drawings, and when I am doing them, I have to start a lot a later so I don't get them set up in time to post for open threads.  

          But I'm getting some pretty amazing bird photos as of late, so I'll try to find the time :).

          by juliewolf on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:24:07 PM PDT

  •  Why do birds suddenly appear?

    Every time you come near?

    by Larry McAwful on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:41:47 PM PDT

    •  I'm also learning how to get Orioles...

      ...to come in to the yard when I want to take pictures of them.  If I get the pitch and pattern right, I can whistle in a way which draws them into the feeders.

      by juliewolf on Thu May 15, 2008 at 08:01:43 PM PDT

    •  Funny you should quote this song.

      The Simpsons episode tonight featured this song as part of a door bell.

      by El barragas on Thu May 15, 2008 at 09:17:43 PM PDT

      •  I like that episode.

        I like Bacharach and David, too.  It was a beautiful synthesis of two of my favorite aspects of popular culture!

        by Larry McAwful on Fri May 16, 2008 at 06:08:47 AM PDT

•  One wonders about PA senate candidate Matthews

  if he'd be this much fun to watch if he runs or if he'd show up as the other Matthews who likes to poke the Democratic base in the eye with insulting stereotypes.

  Either way, it'd be fun to have his musky man-scent in the Senate as opposed to Specter.
  

  by Sam Loomis on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:13:49 PM PDT

  •  we can do better

    by citizenx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:17:21 PM PDT

  •  the musky man scent comment

    almost made me lose my dinner! WOW

    by ryaninnj on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:04:29 PM PDT

    •  Grampa Fred reference

      From when Tweety was lusting after Aqua Velva Freddie.

      by Sam Loomis on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:42:42 PM PDT

•  pimping

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by aaraujo on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:14:26 PM PDT

•  breaking news...CONYERS MIGHT ARREST ROVE

  Sorry to change subject...breaking news on Abrams.
  Rep John Conyers will give Rove a week to testify
  or....he will have him arrested!
  YYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!
  What a great week!

  by ROADRUNNER DEM on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:14:47 PM PDT

  •  Would make my month.

    Wouldn't make my year because I have reserved that spot for Obama's election.

    by crankyinNYC on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:30:13 PM PDT

•  Appeaser!

  Appeaser appeaser appeaser! He appeasered! He propagated appeaserment! Appeaserosity!

  The British appeased the Zionists, no?

  by plok on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:15:28 PM PDT

  •  Appetizers?

    by xxdr zombiexx on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:18:04 PM PDT

  •  it's the SAME THING, Chris

    Chamberford was an APPEASER,  same thing, it emboldens and invigorates the ENEMY

    by voila on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:18:06 PM PDT

    •  Embolden. invigorates the enemy---key talking

      phrases.   Gotta get them in there.

      by Phil S 33 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:22:22 PM PDT

    •  Watching that video...

      reminded me of a recent confrontation of my own.  Brutal.

      by MajorFlaw on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:27:01 PM PDT

•  You Will Respect Talk Radio Slogans! Or Else!

  That is the root of fascist propaganda - short meaningless slogans repeated endlessly, and anyone that asks questions gets the boots to the face.

  But when people start scoffing, there's a hole in the balloon.

  Remember Tweety blows with the wind, so he sees their collapse as a done deal.

  by bernardpliers on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:16:02 PM PDT

•  joe biden was right on the money

  the state sponsors of terrorism to worry about are bush, mccain, and folks like them.

  by timbuck on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:16:04 PM PDT

•  Anybody got any change you can microwave?

  There ain't jack in the vending machines.

  by blueyedace2 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:16:29 PM PDT

•  OMG

  It's a nuclear train wreck for the Republican Party. I'm making popcorn.

  by Ex Con on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:17:00 PM PDT

  •  I'm to young to remember...

    the Lyndonslide but will we have an Obamaslide?

    by blueyedace2 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:20:21 PM PDT

  •  like I said...it's been a great week!

    Edwards endorses Obama & nullifies Clintons wv win.  Dems take over 3 ex-repub house seats!!!
    More endorsements for Obama, including Rep Henry Waxman!!!
    Keith calls Bush out on the 'giving-up-golf' thing and shows tape of him playing (I found more/aug29 & 30, 2005 during Katrina)
    Now, Rep John Conyers (love, love, love) is putting it to Karl Rove...fess up or be arrested!  The lady judge on Abrams show, Catherine Crier, said in days gone by, when such arrest were made by Congress, the 'villain' (Turdblossom) would be housed in the basement of the Capitol!! Ha!
    I'll even offer to buy the orange jumpsuit!

    oh, and I even won at the slots Monday!
    Great week!  

    by ROADRUNNER DEM on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:25:08 PM PDT

    •  The Phantom of the Capitol

      is there, inside your mind....Would love to see him do years there....

      Alex
      Choose Our President 2008

      by ourprez08 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:37:16 PM PDT

    •  

      

      by Ex Con on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:39:51 PM PDT

      •  can I order a 16 X 20 for my living room?

        I'd also like 8 x 10's to send to my Repub. relatives!   Life is good.

        by ROADRUNNER DEM on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:54:19 PM PDT

      •  From your camera to God's eye!

        OK, then, your photoshop software to God's eye.  You know what I mean.

        by rlochow on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:23:47 PM PDT

      •  Photoshop some tears

        on that guy.  You know that, unlike DeLay in his mug shot, he'd not be smug.  He'd be spilling real scaredy-cat tears.

        by conlakappa on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:54:00 PM PDT

•  You know you're an idiot when...

  ...when you are thoroughly schooled by an interviewer who's basically the Fred Willard character from Best in Show.

  by Maxlongstreet on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:17:48 PM PDT

  •  thoroughly

    as in, exhastively, soundly, completely - roundly.

    by voila on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:19:37 PM PDT

  •  Rec'ed

    for Fred Willard!

    Another Fred Willard (from "The History Of White People in America)

    "It just doen't get any better than this"

    by offgrid on Thu May 15, 2008 at 09:00:37 PM PDT

•  It's not like Matthews

  even "grilled him" with a series of questions...he simply asks him over and over "what..did..he do?"

  Now if only someone was this pointed with the entire Fox News anchor crew.

  by LauraC on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:17:50 PM PDT

  •  he did that with Rep Erik Cantor/R-VA

    last year...the guy didnt know that Congress must approve War...Cantor thought the pres & generals just decided.  I sent him a copy of the Constitution.

    by ROADRUNNER DEM on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:27:32 PM PDT

    •  I met Warren Burger once

      as a teen, and handed him a letter asking him for advice for a future president. He sent back a pocket copy of the Constitution, with no note, just penciled marks around the First Amendment. It's cool to get mail from the Supreme Court when you're a teenaged politics nerd.

      : )

      Alex
      Choose Our President 2008

      by ourprez08 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:39:35 PM PDT

      •  I also got a copy...

        ...from Burger.

        As part of a high school project (and because a theater was being shut down near my house) I sent him a question about pornography and the First Amendment.

        I got a pocket Constitution with the words "no law" underlined in the First Amendment. No other comments, but it was clear what he was saying.

        I realize it was probably sent by a junior clerk assigned to the task, but like you I was thrilled to get it.

        by Mad Dog Rackham on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:56:19 PM PDT

        •  That's definitely how I'll roll

          when I'm Chief Justice.

          Alex
          Choose Our President 2008

          by ourprez08 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:58:23 PM PDT

        •  The funny part of all of this is

          of course, that Berger was perhaps one of the least distinguished Chief Justices in the last century.

          And, Justice Black's "no law" statement quoted by Berger is, of course, a gross over simplification.

          "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging freedom of speech" except Copyright, and Trademark, and incitement, and libel, and threatening the President, and yelling fire in a . . .

          on and on and on.  And all of those policies have a place in our society.  

          by such sweet thunder on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:08:00 PM PDT

          •  Well, being an absolutist...

            ...I would argue that the exceptions carved out for threatening the President, yelling fire in a crowded theater, etc. were wrongly decided and should in fact be protected.

            One should be held accountable for one's actions (for the trampled people in the theater, for example) but not subjected to prior restraint.

            But, then again, there are probably a lot of reasons why I'm not Chief Justice.

            by Mad Dog Rackham on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:19:20 PM PDT

            •  I respectfully disagree

              I think there are legitimate prior restraints on free speech, but they are few and far between.  Yelling fire in a crowded theater is one of them, or its equivalent, is one of them.  

              by Guy Fawkes on Thu May 15, 2008 at 09:32:15 PM PDT

•  Alaska Senate

  Does anyone else think that, if the polling numbers in Alaska continue to favor Begich, that Ted Stevens might retire?

  I don't know just how stubborn Ted Stevens is. If retiring were the only chance Republicans had of retaining the seat, do you think he'd be willing to step down? The primary isn't until the end of August, btw.

  by Yirmiyahu on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:18:47 PM PDT

  •  stubborn, who knows? crazy, hell yeah.

    stevens is probably too delusional too care about polling numbers. the guy is quite mad.

    by UntimelyRippd on Thu May 15, 2008 at 09:44:36 PM PDT

•  Please rec up my diary

  so people can hammer Harry Reid ..

  It's time for Joe to GTFO!

  by shpilk on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:19:41 PM PDT

  •  I'd like to but cant yet: Sen hearings

    too important to chance losing the chairmanships.
    Unless we had it in writing (in blood).
    If Pat Leahy steps aside, Arlen Specter takes over!
    The investigations into the torture memos & CIA and unauthorized wire tapping etc...too important.  We're so close...I think we just have to wait a little longer.
    The day when Joe Lieberman is Chairman of Broom Closest will come soon enough....I can wait.  It will be sweet victory whenever that is.

    by ROADRUNNER DEM on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:59:29 PM PDT

•  As The Nuclear Core Melts Down, Will 'Pubs Mutate

  from the gamma rays, gaining bizzare powers?

  by bernardpliers on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:20:10 PM PDT

  •  We can only hope

    Wait, that's not right

    by jds1978 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:22:27 PM PDT

    •  Or Dunk Them In Toxic Waste

      by bernardpliers on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:51:43 PM PDT

•  About time

  Those conservative idiots have been making up history for years and everyone's been buying their nonsense.

  Man is that guy annoying.

  by BJ Tabor on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:23:41 PM PDT

  •  I don't see what's good about this clip

    I'm afraid this Hardball exchange will leave a different impression on 99% of viewers than it did on kossacks.

    Matthews enjoyed his gotcha moment against James (the Republican), but James had plenty of time to spout his venom and lies. And Mark Green, the guest Democrat, never gets a word in edgewise.

    And the real implications of history never got discussed -- how in the runup to WWII Republicans rather than Democrats were against intervention, how Reagan negotiated with Iran, how Bush's policies foster terrorism.

    by codairem on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:50:51 PM PDT

    •  You have a point there about missed opportunities

      to discuss some finer points of history, but on the other hand, the basic message: "You don't know what you're talking about, at all!" was very thoroughly demonstrated. I don't think I've ever seen a nail driven home with such force.

      by Canadian Reader on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:05:27 PM PDT

      •  Such subtlety is no more Chris's long suit

        than it is James's, and never mind that Chris is obviously about fifty times as smart as this fool.  He was just annoyed, and it was his show, so he wanted to make a fool of the guy, and he did.  

        by rlochow on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:28:56 PM PDT

•  the guy is unhinged.

  all you have to do is look at his eyes around 1:20.... Then again, most of these radio hacks are.

  by mertmh on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:24:11 PM PDT

  •  his voice breaks a couple times

    and he goes, "squeaky! squeaky!" while his neck bulges and his eyes roll back.

    all in all, a big bang for the entertainment buck, I'd say.

    by voila on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:26:54 PM PDT

•  Precious! Hope this guy gets a show on FOX.

  Even if we had mated Hannitty with Limbaugh we could not have made a dumber guy!

  by organicdemocrat on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:25:27 PM PDT

  •  but a great

    reality show

    by voila on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:28:15 PM PDT

    •  lol. Could be a hit!

      by organicdemocrat on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:32:48 PM PDT

  •  OMG! Brain bleach, please!! n/t

    by Purple Priestess on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:35:08 PM PDT

•  Matthews ain't my fave, but wow .. this

  jackass just got totally p0wnd .. good on Chris.

  by shpilk on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:26:28 PM PDT

•  Wow.

  I know it was a little before his time, but come on, who hasn't heard of Neville Chamberlain and "Peace in our time?"  It was a pivotal point in history, and a colossal blunder in world politics.

  Anyone who claims to be politically savvy would know about this.  I love Chris' point: If you don't know the meaning of a word, don't use it.

  by Canatheist on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:28:47 PM PDT

  •  Didn't Chamberlain actually....

    ...hold the treaty up for the newsreel cameras?  My WW2 history professor was fond of old newsreel footage, so I think he did.  But this was about 20 years ago that I saw it.  (Totally unrelated, but OMG 1988 was twenty years ago!  That means some of my socks are older than college kids!)

    That said, I learned about Chamberlain and Munich back in high school.  Holy crap, did this guy not learn a single thing in his entire life?  I'm surprised he can feed himself.

    by rbird on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:52:54 PM PDT

    •  Yes, he did hold it up

      But as despicable an act as giving Czechoslovakia to Hitler was, there weren't a whole lot of options available to Chamberlin.

      One can make a fairly good argument that if he had instead spurned Hitler that Germany would have turned west instead of east and the invasion of England attempted earlier, and that England would have lost. The Battle of Britain was very narrowly won and England needed as much time to arm itself as possible. And to receive American aid.

      If Germany had won air superiority over England then it likely would have been able to successfully invade, particularly if it still had the resources it spent on the Czechs and Poles.

      But there is, of course, no way of knowing. And genuine appeasement--such as sacrificing entire countries for a slight possibility that the time it buys will be helpful--is certainly not worth it.

      by Mad Dog Rackham on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:08:55 PM PDT

    •  Idiot Wind

      Bob Dylan:

      Someone's got it in for me, they're planting stories in the press
      Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out but when they will I can only guess.
      They say I shot a man named Gray and took his wife to Italy,
      She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me.
      I can't help it if I'm lucky.

      People see me all the time and they just can't remember how to act
      Their minds are filled with big ideas, images and distorted facts.
      Even you, yesterday you had to ask me where it was at,
      I couldn't believe after all these years, you didn't know me better than that
      Sweet lady.

      Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your mouth,
      Blowing down the backroads headin' south.
      Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,
      You're an idiot, babe.
      It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe.

      I ran into the fortune-teller, who said beware of lightning that might strike
      I haven't known peace and quiet for so long I can't remember what it's like.
      There's a lone soldier on the cross, smoke pourin' out of a boxcar door,
      You didn't know it, you didn't think it could be done, in the final end he won the wars
      After losin' every battle.

      I woke up on the roadside, daydreamin' 'bout the way things sometimes are
      Visions of your chestnut mare shoot through my head and are makin' me see stars.
      You hurt the ones that I love best and cover up the truth with lies.
      One day you'll be in the ditch, flies buzzin' around your eyes,
      Blood on your saddle.

      Idiot wind, blowing through the flowers on your tomb,
      Blowing through the curtains in your room.
      Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,
      You're an idiot, babe.
      It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe.

      It was gravity which pulled us down and destiny which broke us apart
      You tamed the lion in my cage but it just wasn't enough to change my heart.
      Now everything's a little upside down, as a matter of fact the wheels have stopped,
      What's good is bad, what's bad is good, you'll find out when you reach the top
      You're on the bottom.

      I noticed at the ceremony, your corrupt ways had finally made you blind
      I can't remember your face anymore, your mouth has changed, your eyes
      don't look into mine.
      The priest wore black on the seventh day and sat stone-faced while the building
      burned.
      I waited for you on the running boards, near the cypress trees, while the springtime
      turned Slowly into autumn.

      Idiot wind, blowing like a circle around my skull,
      From the Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol.
      Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,
      You're an idiot, babe.
      It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe.

      I can't feel you anymore, I can't even touch the books you've read
      Every time I crawl past your door, I been wishin' I was somebody else instead.
      Down the highway, down the tracks, down the road to ecstasy,
      I followed you beneath the stars, hounded by your memory
      And all your ragin' glory.

      I been double-crossed now for the very last time and now I'm finally free,
      I kissed goodbye the howling beast on the borderline which separated you from me.
      You'll never know the hurt I suffered nor the pain I rise above,
      And I'll never know the same about you, your holiness or your kind of love,
      And it makes me feel so sorry.

      Idiot wind, blowing through the buttons of our coats,
      Blowing through the letters that we wrote.
      Idiot wind, blowing through the dust upon our shelves,
      We're idiots, babe.
      It's a wonder we can even feed ourselves.

      Copyright © 1974 Ram's Horn Music  

      by offgrid on Thu May 15, 2008 at 09:18:30 PM PDT

•  something's happening here

  When a liberal can turn on a prime time cable news talk show, and not only tolerate it, but actually enjoy it, I'd say there's a big change afoot.
  I was giggling like a little kid watching this.  
  And earlier I had watched Biden verbally deconstructing Bush almost as badly as KO last night in an interview with Wolf Blitzer.  Then he brought on 3 talking heads and I figures at least one of them would take the Repub side, but not one of them did.
  Please god, let this continue all summer.

  by wvhillrunner on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:29:44 PM PDT

  •  If Matthews would only put Matt

    Lauer in his place in a similar manner.  Yesterday Mattster made a nasty, condescending comment about those on the left who support civil rights.  He officially became slime to me at that point.

    by FoundingFatherDAR on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:48:15 PM PDT

    •  He officially became political slime...

      ..a LOOOOOOOOOONG time ago.

      He should stick to jet setting and talking about the best flavor of coffee in an exotic locale.

      by floundericiousMI on Fri May 16, 2008 at 09:15:10 AM PDT

  •  I love Biden. I was for Biden before I

    was for Obama.  Tell it like it is, Joe.   No need to apologize!  (your Pennsylvania constituent)  

    by ROADRUNNER DEM on Thu May 15, 2008 at 07:05:10 PM PDT

•  If you listen closely...

  you can hear the faint fizzle of yet another conservative's career.

  :::::