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Subscribe to RSSIn an interview with FOX's Carl Cameron before he left Poland, Mitt Romney said that he wasn't talking about culture when discussing Israel and the Palestinian Authority during an fundraiser in Israel on Monday.
"I'm not speaking about it, did not speak about the Palestinian culture or the decisions made in their economy," Romney told Cameron. "That's an interesting topic that perhaps can deserve scholarly analysis, but I actually didn't address that. Certainly don't intend to address that in my campaign. Instead, I will point out that the choices a society makes have a profound impact on the economy and the vitality of that society."
Uriel Sinai / Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivers a speech outside the Old City on July 29 in Jerusalem, Israel.
But according to even the transcript that the Romney campaign released of the fundraiser, Romney did specifically refer to culture when comparing per-capita GDP between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Here's what Romney said:
“I was thinking this morning as I prepared to come into this room of a discussion I had across the country in the United States about my perceptions about differences between countries. And as you come here and you see the GDP per capita for instance in Israel, which is about 21,000 dollars, and you compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority which is more like 10,000 dollars per capita, you notice a dramatic, stark difference in economic vitality. And that is also between other countries that are near or next to each other. Chile and Ecuador, Mexico and the United States."
Romney added:
"I noted that part of my interest when I used to be in the world of business is I would travel to different countries was to understand why there were such enormous disparities in the economic success of various countries. I read a number of books on the topic. One, that is widely acclaimed, is by someone named Jared Diamond called ‘Guns, Germs and Steel,’ which basically says the physical characteristics of the land account for the differences in the success of the people that live there. There is iron ore on the land and so forth. And you look at Israel and you say you have a hard time suggesting that all of the natural resources on the land could account for all the accomplishment of the people here. And likewise, other nations that are next door to each other have very similar, in some cases, geographic elements."
He concluded:
"But then there was a book written by a former Harvard professor named ‘The Wealth and Poverty of Nations.’ And in this book Dr. Landes describes differences that have existed -- particularly among the great civilizations that grew and why they grew and why they became great and those that declined and why they declined. And after about 500 pages of this lifelong analysis -- this had been his study for his entire life -- and he’s in his early 70s at this point, he says this, he says, if you could learn anything from the economic history of the world it’s this: Culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference. And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things."
Also in the same FOX interview, Romney "accused reporters of trivializing the substance of his trip and trying to divert attention from President Obama’s stewardship of the economy," National Journal reports.
Said Romney: "I realize that there will be some that in the Fourth Estate, or in whatever estate, who are far more interested in finding something to write about that is unrelated to the economy, to geo-politics, to the threat of war, to the reality of conflict in Afghanistan today, to nuclearization of Iran. They'll instead try to find anything else to divert from the fact that these last four years have been tough for our country."
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This man is truly a political hack .. He has absolutely no experience speaking with or to foreign countries .He is to stupid to realize he is creating a international incident..just by being Mitt !
what ever wiltard.....
Willard can't resist insulting others even when he's on script...
It's all part of his "YOU people" genetic make-up!
How pathetic!?!
I guess the Palestinians misunderstood. I guess they had no right to get offended by Romneys comments. I guess they mistook his comparisons between Israels and Palestine's GDP/Culture that Romney spoke of were simply imagined.
I guess the people of Palestine need to get an Etch-A-Sketch similar to Romneys to make things better.
Wow, Romney must think we're dumb. "Culture makes all the difference." Next day: ""I'm not speaking about it, did not speak about the Palestinian culture or the decisions made in their economy," Romney told Cameron.
Well, I guess he's right. He did not specifically say what it was about Palestinian culture that made them less successful economically. We're left to draw our own conclusions about what makes Israel a superior culture and Palestine an inferior one. Plus, he threw Mexico under the bus in the same speech. Guess he doesn't think he needs those Hispanic votes.
Poltically dumb. Diplomatically dangerous.
nomoresameo
I guess the Palestinians misunderstood. I guess they had no right to get offended by Romneys comments. I guess they mistook his comparisons between Israels and Palestine's GDP/Culture that Romney spoke of were simply imagined.
I guess the people of Palestine need to get an Etch-A-Sketch similar to Romneys to make things better.
nomoresameo,
Also, Romney better shake it up because:
a. Romney praised the Israeli Healthcare System; yet doesn't know not only does Israel have an insurance mandate like his.
b. Nor does Romney every Palestinian is oppressed by the Israeli therefore they can not make a money since Israeli occupy their land.
c. Before 1947, maps labelled the region Palestine, where christian Arabs, Muslim Bahia, Druze, Samaritan and Jews lived, together. They lived in parts of cities, next door to each other, amongst each other creating a livilhood.
Yeah gang, this Romney guy just can't do anything right.
Odd then that he is tied with THE ONE, right?
I mean what gives?
Thank heavens we are so very focused on Mitt's jaunt overseas and not the collapsing economy, eh?
Say, can any of you loyal O supporters tell me what he has done in the last few weeks to address the unemployment or GDP rates?
Shoot gang, what is he doing to protect his investment in GM? THe wheels are literally falling off over there.
Oh well, what's another $39 billion down the rat hole?
Oh and Bev. - perhaps you can provide some levity this morning - just what are these Chicago values that your awesome mayor keeps yapping about?
And isn't it fantastic that he welcomes Farrakan with open arms? Maybe Louis can do something about all those homicides, eh Bev.?
Well, the good news is, at least Sir GaffeALot is on his way home and can't do any further damage... for now!
Romney is inept. I don't understand how a person with two degrees from Harvard could be dumber than George Bush. Maybe he got them because he paid some one else to do his dissertations.
Bev. dear - what do you think a dissertation is, and just what degrees do you think Mitt received?
Kinda like listening to Seeking Sanity talk about 'Semi-auto' weapons.
Can Romney say anything without NBC trumpting it up as some type of national incident. What a joke this network has turned into. NBC and the main stream media are scrambling like crazy to find something anything that can help erase tha fact that Obama told the whole world a couple weeks back that he sides with Marxism over Capitalism.
The funniest part is Obama's "you didn't build that" speech was stolen from another Marxist Elizabeth Warren. Her speech started with the cynical and snide comment "you built a factory, well good for you"! This morning they announced that Warren will have a major role at the DNC Convention speaking immediately before Bill Clinton.
So for the past couple weeks moonbat bloggers and even the President himself in a new political Ad have said what he said wasn't what he said. And at the same time lots of moonbats say what he said was true.
I know it's all too confusing. But why in the world would you double down with Elizabeth Warren.
I can't figure out what's worse having a Marxist as President or an incompetent Marxist. I suppose the latter.
Romney is unable to relate to anyone not in the upper income bracket... Naturally he thinks the Palestinians are beneath him while Israel fits just right...
I wish Isreal had kept him... I for one, don't want him back... Keep him and his Swiss bank accounts, tax shelters and buy him a car elevator to keep him happy...
How much money have you made today? Romney made $50,000.00 for work he did for Bain Capitol many years ago... Nice work if you can get it..
Hey Feisty,
Mittens may be coming home, but he will most likely cause more international incidents back here. This man has spent all of his time making money and understands nothing else. He has no understanding of international affairs or even good manners. I laughed off "cookiegate," but now his ill mannered ego is reflectng on us as a nation as a whole. Mitt has now become the poster boy for "the ugly American." My hope is he only gets to represent his cold hearted class rather than our nation.
Or like listening to you pretend you know sh*t about constitutional law.
Bev and the Dumbfux -- SSDD.
Try to come up with some original thoughts. You are now boring and predictable.
Come on repubs, you haven't had your convention yet. There's still time to choose someone else. Give Mitt a latte and send him packing. Really, I know for a fact Mitt ain't the best you got. Its 2004 all over again and Mit has John Kerry written all over him. Remember, demos actually believed he could win as well.
So Brockton--I'm surmising that you also did not like what Romney said, since you ignore it and focus on something Obama said. If I were a Romney supporter, I would not be pleased with his performance abroad either. This was supposed to be a trip in which he was going to "listen and learn". Oops.
When has Romney opened his mouth without turning around and saying "well, this is what I really meant, not what I said." This man is nothing but a very bad joke.
Again, this is the BEST the GOP can do? How low the Republican party has fallen.
Obama/Biden 2012
Once again, Mr Romney falls in a rose bush and comes out smelling like $hit.
He's like a comedian, "Did I say that? No I didn't say that!" " Who said that? Where's Who?" Who's on first base. "What?"
A little off topic but I was pretty sure by now that Spanky or WCA was going to tell me that half of India lost power because somebody plugged in the charger of their Chevy Volt.
So Brockton--I'm surmising that you also did not like what Romney said....
I don't have an issue with what Romney said at all. Tell me Bethie, where would you rather live?
Palestine or Israel? Tell me why?
Spanky-
Yeah gang, this Romney guy just can't do anything right.
Odd then that he is tied with THE ONE, right?
Spanky,
Put you money where your mouth is
Barack Obama to be re-elected President in 2012 57.2
Mitt Romney to be re-elected President in 2012 40.7
http://www.intrade.com/v4/home/
Bev. dear - what do you think a dissertation is, and just what degrees do you think Mitt received?
Kinda like listening to Seeking Sanity talk about 'Semi-auto' weapons.
What do think the chances are someone took Willard's bar exam? BTW, did you pass your ethics exam the 1st time?
Speaking to you is more like talking to a clown
Mitt's entire political hackery can be summed up thusly:
"Wait, What?"
We weren't targetting YOU, Palestinians. Just the other poor slobs who are too dumb to be 'successful'.
If success is measured in terms of Net Worth, and Mittens is really THIS worthless as a human being,...why do people still defend him? The proverbial RACE TO THE BOTTOM?
Sheesh.
Hey Bev :
and then there are the Obamas -- two for one today --
President Obama voluntarily surrendered his license back in 2008 in order to escape charges he lied on his bar application. Michelle Obama voluntarily surrendered her license in 1993, after a Federal Judge gave her the choice between surrendering her license or standing trial for insurance fraud
Go figure.
That's bull@!$%# and YOU know it!
Please provide reputable sources for your accusations.
The court transcripts would be nicen for starters...
Hussien and Moochelle are nothing but common hoodlums!
Ha Romney should just finish this trip by having his advisers hold down a Hacedic Jew while Mitt cuts his hair off.
With a name like billybob, He has to be smart!
You're such a billybob!
Um...........Wouldn't that have been brought up by McCain & Palin?
The scary part, is that if he really believes the "culture" line, is that he would apply the same logic to the U.S.:
The reason you aren't successful is because of your culture. Sounds a tad racist, don't you think?
Let's turn this around - businesses aren't successful in the U.S. because of their culture. Try and walk that one back, Mittens.
billybob-6210632
Bev and the Dumbfux -- SSDD.
Try to come up with some original thoughts. You are now boring and predictable.
billybob,
Get out of your trailer park and take a ride in other parts of the county; if you care to hear what other people are saying about R-money.
It ain't pretty!!!
4morefor 44
Definitely Obama/Biden
I laughed out loud--thank you!
As for Brockton's question, I'd never live in either Israel or Palestine because of the unrest there. Neither side wants to give an inch, so there will never be peace. So even though he offended the leadership of at least two countries on his short trip abroad, you're proud of Romney and have no problem with anything he said?
Dumbfux -- Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee
Never got to formal proceedings as they each threw their license in the trash to avoid formal proceedings.
Funny, I can't find anything on it...
Of course you already have the link, so would you mind providing it to us?
Many thanks for your cooperation!
Beverly - speaking to Spanky is EXACTLY like talking to a clown. Actually, a clown would be a step up!
As we all know, Spanky KNOWS everything and no one can possibly know anything but him. I commented on semi automatic weapons yesterday and he doesn't think ANYONE can know what they are but him. He clearly lives in the stone age and doesn't understand that most women can run circles around him as far as intelligence.
Let him go on and spout his nonsense. Most of us know that's all he has!
Brockton - we'd rather live in the US. Does that answer your ridiculous question?
Obama/Biden 2012
flip flop flip flop flip flop....wimp!!!!
billybob - you're a damned liar - nothing more.
The Obama's put their licenses on "inactive" since they will not be using them while they are in the White House. In order to keep their licenses "active" they would have to take continuing education courses each year; pay association dues; and pay for malpractice insurance. This is not needed while they are in the White House. When the President finishes his 2nd term, it is a simple process to re-activate both licenses.
Your lie has been debunked over and over again so clearly you state it knowing it is nothing but a lie.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/lawlicenses.asp
Obama/Biden 2012
How about that wonderful American cultural trait of using black people for hundreds of years as slaves to support free labor for the creation of wealth for an elite percentage of "businessmen" and now since that is illegal using the people of Communist China and others, as slave labor to support the outrageous wealth of a few. You think slavery is one of the things that makes us culturally superior Mitt.
There is nothing more pro-communist than a Wal-Mart shopper or Apple products user.
As for Brockton's question, I'd never live in either Israel or Palestine because of the unrest there
Typical of a moonbat not to answer the simplest of questions.
Now you went and took all the fun out of is Seeking! lol
I was so enjoying, slowing, exposing the jerk-off as the liar he is...
Are these RWNJ's growing more desperate by the day or WHAT?
Sorry Feisty - I just hate watching liars like Brockton try to tear the President down when they know every word they are posting is a lie. But, it's all they have so they have to lie and lie and lie.
Wish I was going to be in Vegas with you guys but I can't make it.
Have a few for me and we'll talk when you get back!
http://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/bestlittlewhorehouseintexasthe/thesidestep.htm
I didn't see a theme song for Etch-a-Sketch.
Nothing is off limits with them!
Will do! Wish you could make it! ;o(
You can hold down the fort while we're gone, and keep track of all the right wingers conspiracy theories over who our guest speaker is this year...
Last year they swore they were going to have peoples jobs over it! lmao!
PS: Where did billybobby scamper off too?
Feisty - will do. Didn't even make it for my Great Aunt's funeral in NC yesterday. (She was 111!!!!) Spoke with her daughter and she told me not to come - we'll celebrate her life later this summer.
I'm sure the little right wing heads will be exploding! How did they think they were going to "have someone's job" over the guest speaker? More stupidity from the far right!
I think billybobby just went away to make up more lies! After all, it's all he and Brockton have!
Obama/Biden 2012
I'm sorry to hear about your Aunt!
Living to 111, I would fathom to guess she had a fulfilling life!
Ask Snookie-Joe, she was going to sic her son the supposed lawyer on them! lmao!
Best part was, MSNBC thought it was a fantastic idea that us long time members were getting together for a meet & greet!
Which in turn made Snookie more unhinged than she usually is... poor old broad was wailing about it for weeks!
Romney doesn't seem to think that "all men are created equal".
Obama/Biden 2012
Feisty, we'll hold the fort down until you guys get back. I'm going to miss all of you.
Snookie thinks any lawyer would take her seriously about anything? Talk about someone that is a total waste of time!
My Aunt had a very fulfilling life. Actually was up walking (with a walker) until 2 weeks before she died. And, she helped her daughter with work. We weren't in mourning at her death - it really is a time to celebrate her life!
Beverly - we'll hold it down together!
"the choices that a society makes has a profound impact on the economy and the vitality of that society"
Liberals want Romney and the US to apologize for our success.
Other countries should be learning from our choices , to learn how to have economic prosperity.
Prior to the current failure that is Obama statism, that is. But we will choose to reject it in November.
Bob--Romney has a point, a pretty basic one: "Culture makes all the difference." Key word--"all". He needs to own what he said and explain what he meant. Instead, he tries to say he didn't say it! He has to know every word he is saying is being recorded, broadcast, twittered, disected. He is running for president of the U.S. after all.
Besides, though "culture" (whatever he means by this is ambiguous) could be very important in the development of a nation's economy, one cannot ignore the plight of the Palestinians, whose livelihoods are controlled by the Israelis. If nothing else, Romney's comment, even with its grain of truth, highlights the fact that he seems to be unaware of his surroundings--he is insulting Israeli's neighbor while on a national stage. It shows Romney lacks diplomacy. I don't think his comments will do anything to help bring peace to Israel; if anything, they just add gasoline to the fire.
Bethie,
Well said!!!
Thanks, Northstar. Just waiting for the candidate from the "party of personal responsibility" to take responsibility for what he said.
How does Romney explain China's success? I mean, they don't worship our God, right? How is it possible they have a booming economy? Does communist China have a better "culture" than Catholic Latin America?
It could make your head explode to contemplate it...
But of course you have some Neo-Nut Right Wing Drones who post here saying, "Liberals want Romney and the US to apologize for our success."
However, we know that these Neo-Nut Conservative types suffer from ODS, and they like Willard Romney are, "DAMN GOOD AT LYING."
So lets remember, Willard Mitt-Wit Romney message to the American People who ask him questions, "Kiss My Ass."
No, Amy, it doesn't. See, the Chinese don't go around destroying the very vehicles of economic activity- while the Palestinians do. Destroying the greenhouses they were gifted with was not, exactly, an economically viable decision.
As to Romney "embarassing" us- I'd like to know what you call Obama attempting to insult the Brotish by referring to the Falkland Islands as "the Malvenas"- but screwing up and embarassing himself by referring to them as the Maldives. Wrong ocean, wrongnpartmof the world- but, what the hck, right?
Culture?
Dunno. But I do know that most of the middle east seems stuck in the 7th century.
And man, they sure do treat their women great, right?
Funny how none of those countries can produce anything of value.
Oh and Amy - China ain't booming. You really should start paying attention.
Here goes Pastyface NJBJ again talking about things she doesn't understand.
So you can relate?
Too bad Bob didn't learn that his excessive Propecia use would leave him floppy.
What is the "fourth estate"?
Depends on how you define "better".
Setting asides stereotypes, the Asian cultures that are improving economically are putting emphasis on education in engineering and science, whereas, the Catholic church has been historically resistant to science particularly in countries where it is the majority religion.
Also, Asian cultures do not give liberal arts the same respect as science and engineering. Contrast that with a recent educator in this country asking if we need to teach algebra.
Certain cultures will be more competitive economically that is a fact. Whether you want to be part of that culture, or whether you think that culture is better is a matter of choice and opinion.
I think this calls for a quote from "The Most Interesting Man in the World":
"I don't always talk to liberal arts graduates. But when I do...I ask for large fries.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Still waiting for someone to address what Romney said without bringing up one of Obama's gaffes. Are Romney's statements so bad that they are indefensible?
yes, unless you are a graduate of the Beck/Limbaugh university of fallacious arguments...
jetster6490455: "What is the "fourth estate"?
It's the press or the media. And before I take a jab at Romney because he should know that, I'll go ahead and confess that I didn't know for sure where the term came from or what the first three estates were. Turns out they're "the Lords Spiritual, the Lords Temporal, and the House of Commons". Hey, I learned something today.
http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/search?q=define+fourth+estate&qpvt=fourth+estate+definition&FORM=DTPDIA
Okay, now for the Romney jab:
Said Romney: "I realize that there will be some that in the Fourth Estate, or in whatever estate"
Oh, never mind.....insert your own punchline here about how hard it is to keep track of all your estates. Massachusetts, California, New Hampshire.....
Bethie - yes, Romney's statements are so bad they are indefensible or unintelligible. Romney is not allowed to go off-script for a very good reason. He isn't capable of making a statement with or without a script. He is the buffoon of all buffoons.
But he's the BEST the GOP has. Pathetic!
Obama/Biden 2012
SeekingSanity
Bethie - yes, Romney's statements are so bad they are indefensible or unintelligible. Romney is not allowed to go off-script for a very good reason. He isn't capable of making a statement with or without a script. He is the buffoon of all buffoons.
SeekingSanity
I saw Willard speaking from his teleprompter. Righties no teleprompter jokes please
4morefor44
Obama/Biden 2012
Unfortunately Bethie you'll be waiting forever. The right's answer to every Romney screw up is either "the press is biased" or "but, but Obama". They rarely defend their candidate on his merits.
The sad thing about Romney's comments is that they were given in a speech, which was surely checked by some people in his campaign. They weren't off-the-cuff statements or gaffes that anyone could make at the end of a long day. They were prepared remarks. Maybe he thought that if he mentioned the books in his speech, they would lend some kind of credence to what he was saying. And again, perhaps there is some truth to what he said about "culture" and its effect on economies. However, he should have simply focused on Israel alone and mentioned what it was about that country's cultural values that helped it succeed, without drawing a negative contrast between rich, powerful nations and poor, struggling ones. There are many truthful, positive things he could praise Israel for without denigrating Palestine (or Mexico or Ecuador, etc.).
Actually, Bethie...
Being of liberal mind you obviously lack the ability to understand all but the most obvious examples, so let me explain it SSSSSLLLLOOOOWWWWLLLYYY for you.
The reason that conservatives keep bringing up Obama gaffes in response to your question is to point out that your boy is no better... he has made plenty of gaffes himself. You all think he is some great orator but he has flapped his lips incorrectly PLENTY of times. (How many states did Obama say he had visited? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws )
So perhaps you should listen to your mama and remember that those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks!
(now... show me the clown nose, fisty!)
TO: Bob in Virginia-5210392 who wrote:
What "success" is that? Republicans have been nothing but miserable, horrible economic failures for as long as I can remember.
All I've heard from Republicans is how Republicans have forced failure on America and the American People, how Republicans sent a bunch of Teagaggers to Washington to throw a wrench into our Economic Recovery so that nothing could get done in Washington, and how Republicans can't wait to repeat their super failure called "trickle down economics."
The ONLY thing I've know Republicans to have "succeeded" at is stalling the United States' Economic Recovery in order to hurt American Workers, if you'd actually want to give Republicans credit for anything, that's about it.
Obama/Biden 2012
TO: SickOfTheBickering who wrote:
So what do the Zombies call Romney when he lies right in your face and tells you he didn't say something, but they've got the whole thing on tape.
What do you say about that? You didn't hear it, he didn't say it, or no matter what you just don't give a damn?
Obama/Biden 2012
Sooner or later the subject of presidential debates will come up. We'll see how Mitt does when his statements aren't prepared. During the GOP debates, Mitt distinguished himself by being condescending toward his fellow wannabe candidates (remember his $10,000.00 bet?) yet famously ignorant of the issues. An example of an extemporaneous Romney verbal bumble is the witless gaffe he made the morning after the Florida primary on January 31 when he blurted out, "I'm in this race because I care about Americans. I'm not concerned about the very poor." Badda bing!
The only reason Romney won the primary race is because Mitt was the best-worst choice among an astoundingly poor field of contenders. The GOP was doomed to failure in January and they will fail miserably in November.
Dear Sick~
I never said Obama didn't make gaffes. He's annoyingly human and has made his share of mistakes in speaking. However, this was no "gaffe" on Romney's part; these were prepared remarks for a speech on a global stage. I guess no one in his campaign was smart enough to see how his comments could be offensive to not only Israel but also to Mexico, our neighbor.
I know you are sick and tired of Obama, but he is still the president. It takes a lot to unseat the incumbent, and so far, Romney has not shown that he is better, especially when it comes to foreign policy. His ideas on the economy seem to be retreads of the Bush administration, and we know where that left us. We can't afford that again.
And, love your little platitude about rocks and glass houses, but I didn't throw any rocks. I really want to understand how you guys can defend what Romney said about Palestine and Mexico. You can't do it. He made things worse for Israel's peace prospects, not better.
Let me explain it slowly to you SOTB, those were not offhand gaffes, those were prepared statements. How about Obama's health-care plan, to republicans that is portrayed as a debacle of apocalyptic proportion, so is Romney's health-care plan just a gaffe then.
(now... show me the brown nose SOTB)
The problem with Romney is that he so wants to please his current audience that he forgets that tomorrow the audience will change. It is just that simple. He is willing to say anything to anybody to curry favor. It just backfires when somebody in a different demographic reads his quotes. His staff must be tone deaf too. He does this so often, the staff must bear some of the blame. He needs to play some chess, so he can train himself on staying two to three moves ahead. That is tricky - even for a chameleon. And when the audience is blended, what color to wear?? The problem in Britain was that he was trying to emphasize his own Olympic experience so much that he forgot to be gracious to our strongest ally. The Palestinian problem was just the same old sucking up problem that he has. He tried so hard for a flawless suck up to Israel. And he was doing so well, he thought. Maybe if he would just shut up some, he would do better. He just bobbles on.
For someone with so much money, education, privilege, and status, Romney shows so little class.
Beyond, Good points. A hundred or so years ago, before instant communications, a candidate could tell individual groups what they wanted to hear. Now, however, every utterance is flashed around the globe in an instant for all to hear. So Romney's speaking to the individual groups and contradicting that elsewhere won't fly today. Willard is so out of touch he thinks he's campaigning in 1912 instead of 2012.
Romney still uses an Etch-o-Sketch in a world where everyone else uses a smart phone.
Bethie - as I often say, all the money in the world cannot buy class. The Romney's prove that over and over. He has had all the privileges money could provide but he has no class whatsoever.
Is that the best 'ya got there Sanity .... just a generalized bs attack ?
You, of all people, have no room to talk about class when you create multiple, personal attacks everyday
jim - again with your usual stupidity. I guess if someone is insecure, meaningless posts like yours might bother them. Too bad for you I'm very content with who I am and I know I have class.
You choose to support classless buffoons and then you have a problem when they show their lack of class and get called on it!
Only post I'm doing to you today so have your fun - you're not worth my time.
Obama/Biden 2012
Your continuing diatribe of hateful, personal attacks shows a great deal about your self-proclaimed "class".
Let's see .... that is the second time you said you were only going to answer my post ... only one time ! LOL !!
I simply have fun pointing out how your venomous attacks never go reprimanded by the so-called "moderators" of this website.
Romney is about as suave as a train wreck. Comparing the GDP per capita of any two countries (let alone Israel and Palestine) only points out the disparity of their economies to the US and comes across as very condescending.
I'm surprised Romney didn't extol the German "culture" vs the Greeks' or Spainish cultures. He could have talked about the superior values of the German people, their frugality, intelligence, physical perfection, vs the swarthy, emotional, less trustworthy "vermin"...oh, wait. Maybe best not to go there in front of the Israelis. Save it for Poland!
Take it one step further - Qatar and Macau top the list of countries with the highest GDP per capita. Are they then cultural meccas?
"Romney says he wasn't talking about Palestinian culture"
Of course he wasn't. He was talking about yogurt cultures.
And move over, Palestinian culture, Greek yogurt seems to be all the rage right now. Expect Jamie Lee Curtis to be wearing a toga in her next Activia commercial.....
Joanne--"He was talking about yogurt cultures." Giggle! I needed that one! We should all eat our good Greek yogurt every day to be able to stomach all the nastiness that gets flung around during these political campaigns!
JoAnne - now that was just funny - thanks for the laugh!
Now...back to contemplating what is culture when it's really not...or will be tomorrow.
England is not prepared for the Olympics, but the next morning oh yes they are prepared, the Arab economy is due to their culture, but the next morning, oh no it is not do to their culture. Romney's foreign policy is the same as his domestic policy and that is to contradict himself from week to week from day to day and now even moment to moment. Flip flop foreign policy is not going to bring any semblance of stability for the US within our circle of friends or adversaries around the world. Who could respect or trust the US if we elect the biggest pathological liar of a one term governor of our lifetime, as our president. If you value personal integrity and honesty as qualities the president of the US should possess Romney has disqualified himself on every single issue, and virtually every one of his personal statements made in public, and even his previous letters to the press, and this has been going on for years with this man. I am not a saint by any stretch and usually never preach about religious values of others, but I will say that for all you good republicans out there who want to mix christian values with politics, I'm pretty sure it is a sin to support, elect and thereby reward a man who is now universally known as a common and habitual liar. Romney is a disgrace to both US and Christian values, he is a disgrace to anybody that values honesty and truth.
About the only time the man's not lying, is when he keeps his mouth shut!
Yes, Obama definitely needs to keep his mouth shut more often !
I wish I had $10 for every "speech" he has given in the past 4 years ! Words, however, do not translate into RESULTS with him because Obama is inept.
Well gee Jim if you don't like speeches Romney is going to wear you out, because every single time he makes a speech he has to make another one the next day telling us we did not hear him say what we just heard him say. If talk is cheap then Mitt is the king of cheap talk because he always offers "a buy one get one free" with everything he has ever said.
Would that be anything like Obama saying "You didn't build that !" ...... only to try and clarify his hoof-in-mouth moment at a later time ?????????
Romney only has to focus on Obama contradicting Obama ..... while Obama has to attack Romney because the $14 trillion national debt, the high unemployment of 8.2%+ and class warfare is all Obama has in his legacy .....oh, and Obamacare , the clu$terf_ck of all government entitlement program$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Hey Jim how about you tell us maybe two issues that Romney has taken a solid stand on, can you even cite one single issue or policy, Romney has not reversed himself on by either word or actions. He runs from his own health-care plan, he raised taxes in Massachusetts, he has enacted the most liberal of policies, but claims to be a severe conservative, his state lost massive amounts of jobs but he claims to be a job creator. He claimed to live in his sons basement so he could file for office from that state instead of where he actually lived, He claims to been separated from Bain but was still listed as the CEO for two more years, I could go on and on, but I won't, I will wait for you to prove anything that Romney has been consistent on. The man does not commit gaffes Jim, he is an unmitigated liar, I can't stand liars Jim, I certainly won't vote for one to hold the highest office in the land, and will vote against any and all republicans in the elections that support him at all levels of government from local to federal. But lets see you defend your candidate, leave Obama and everybody else out of it, defend him on his own merits if you think you can, maybe you can explain away his lies, Romney certainly can't, but maybe you can Jim.
Willard comes across as a smug Mr. Knowitall. He's running around analyzing other countries and how they do things and offering up his wiser than wise opinion. Rather than being diplomatic and say only nice things about them. I was always taught that when you are in someone else's home you never comment on how tacky things are but try and find something nice to say. Don't elaborate but just comment if you must say anything at all. It is what civilized gentle people do.
Yeah--what happened to this trip being a chance to "listen and learn"? Appears that he has failed at both of these objectives.
At worst, Romney's statements are an insult to Palestinians..."You're too backward to be propsperous."
At best, Romney's statements are a failure to see the big picture. It's more than just culture. It's relations between Israelis and Palestinians and it's restrictions to trade and commerce that Israel has placed on the Palestinians.
I think what Romney said is direct and to the point. The big picture, unless you are to blind to see, is that the Palestinians are responsible for own problems. They have had several opportunities to get a peace agreement with Israel and have always used the same BS, failure to recognize Israels right to exist. Why is the Palestinian territory split, it's because Fatah won the election some years back and agreed to Israels right to exist. Hamas, funded and controlled by Iran and a few other Middle East States, still refuse to recognize Israel and in fact have continued to fire rockets into Israeli territory. Hamas does not want an agreement with Israel mainly because they would loose a lot of money they get from the UN and mainly Iran.
Romney does not need to apologize to the Palestinians or anyone else. What Romney said was not racist.
Really Noid? Tell me, how are the Israelies responsible for this?
http://www.haaretz.com/news/palestinian-militants-ransack-former-gush-katif-greenhouses-1.179788
Destroying the means of one's own livelihood seems counter productive to me, but, hey- if you think that's not their problem, but someone else's, go for it. It's no more delusional than thinking Obama is a good president.
More like as delusional as thinking you're capable of anything but being a jobless leech.
Don't breed. I cannot even fathom how stupid your offspring would be.
Sfcret--Romney should apologize to his fellow Republicans for doing such a poor job in such a short time abroad. I mean, he really stepped in it. He was supposed to use this trip, purportedly, as an opportunity to "listen and learn". Instead, he opens his big mouth and says dumb things that he later denies saying. He didn't just insult Palestinians, he insulted Mexicans, too. He made things more difficult for Israel, not better.
no joe, no bo, nj
Really Noid? Tell me, how are the Israelies responsible for this?
Yes they are No jo, just as we are responsible for the same thing we did to the American Indians, we forced them off THEIR Land, promised to pay them, but instead we slaughtered & humiliated them, putting them on worthless land, forcing them to walk hundreds of miles as they died on the trails they once called home for thousands of years.
yes the Israelies are, very responsible for the shape of gaza.
i worked with a man from Palestine and if you see a man of Palestine in 1947 and now. its the same as what we did to the American Indians.
Now if that does not bother you, then you are a worthless human being if you accept this from any body.
Hey Tyler!
What about that Code of Honor that you talk about so much?
Well... what do you say there, Tyler? Remember the CoH?
What acction will be taken against Ruken for his continuously disrespectful (and at time simply hateful) treatment of others?
WELL?
As Romney's mis-steps and mistakes on his overseas trip last week continue to steam along this week--because the poor bastard keeps trying to walk everything he says back--it will be interesting to hear how the Republican Party elite respond. Will they really want to defend Romney? Which gets to the really interesting question: Are Republicans (Tea Party-ers & traditional Repubs) really going to nominate this sycophant? Oh, they want a sycophant, of course, but they don't want a sycophant who is so obviously a sycophant to the American electorate. I'm betting that there will be Republican elites talking tonight and the questions will come up: Can they really afford to nominate Romney? Is there not someone else who might impress the electorate more, be the better (more controlled) candidate? Let's see . . . uh, oh my, Jeb Bush. Yes, he's a Bush, but he's separated himself fairly well from brother G.W. I hope someone in the President's re-election campaign is preparing for it, just in case.
I don't know what's worse...that he made the statement in the first place or that he won't stand by it now.
they won't switch at the convention. Remember, it is Anne and Mitt's 'turn'...
I think its obvious the republicans have no intention of winning the presidency this time around.
Probably why Mr. Gingrich won't be speaking at the convention...all the better to wake up on November 7, 2012 and say, "I TOLD YOU SO!!!"
...and has anybody heard from Rick Santorum lately?
There is still a long way to go. I admit the odds of Romney winning is not good, just like it is always hard to unseat an incumbent just because the Incumbent usually has a large advantage in fund raising and has the use of the "bully pulpit" and gets to make a lot of so called "policy speeches" around the country at tax payers expense, when in fact they are really campaign speeches. (I know every President does it when running for reelection.)
Many months ago I said the Republicans should concentrate on taking back the Senate and retaining the house. I am confident that will occur, thereby preventing Obama from doing more damage. But anything can happen and usually does, so I still think Romney has a chance. In my time only 2 Presidents have failed to get reelected (Carter & Bush 1, I don't count Ford because he was never elected by the people).
Da Noid: "...and has anybody heard from Rick Santorum lately?"
Unfortunately, yes. In addition to jumping on the "defend Chick-Fil-A" bandwagon, Santorum has also weighed in on the Freeh investigation of Jerry Sandusky:
"In a radio interview conducted by Dallas-Ft. Worth's KSKY 660 AM Friday, Santorum did not go into specifics, but criticized the Freeh Report, which investigated the cover up of Sandusky's crimes.
"My concern with the Freeh report... a lot of the conclusions in the Freeh report aren't matched by the evidence that they presented," Santorum said.
Sandusky was convicted of molesting and raping children over a 15-year period on June 22, 2012. Former FBI director Louis Freeh released a report this month on his investigation of Penn State, revealing details about top officials who allegedly conspired to keep reports of Sandusky's assaults on children from the public.
"I understand the NCAA and what they did in reaction to that report," he added, "[but the NCAA] actually usually [does] their own internal investigation, their own fact checking. They sort of accepted someone else's work product." [***Note from me - like a former FBI Director doesn't know a damn thing about investigating?]
Santorum attended Penn State. He claims his grades suffered because of his conservative beliefs. Santorum once sponsored Sandusky in 2002 for a Congressional Angels In Adoption award.
ThinkProgress notes that when the story broke last winter, Santorum said he'd be "rooting for" head football coach Joe Paterno and wished him the best. Santorum said it was unfair Paterno was fired."
Paterno passed away in January, and observers now say the Freeh report demonstrates that Paterno would've likely faced criminal charges such as child endangerment, perjury and conspiracy in his neglect to report Sandusky to authorities.
"I'm a little concerned as I always am, and I found this to be the case when I was in Congress," Santorum said. "When a crisis happens everyone wants to act right away to be decisive and put it behind them instead of maybe taking a little bit of time to see how this all works out."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/santorum-blasts-freeh-report-psu_n_1710702.html
Yeah, seriously, Rick - why act decisively when presented with clear evidence of child molestation and rape? Maybe we should have taken even MORE time to "see how this all works out"???
More good stuff from the Christian Family Values folks! Gotta love it!
Off topic question for sfcret, How come Sargents in the army don't mind being called "sarge" as a friendly referral to their rank, but if you call a Marine sarge they actually get pissed off, what's up with that?
Hey Forrest, how are you doing, good I hope. As to your question I have always referred to Marine Sergeants as "Sergeant or sarge", except the those with the rank of Gunnery Sergeant then one usually uses "Gunny" when referring to their rank. I don't know about now, but pay grade E-7 in the Marine Corps was referred to as Gunnery Sergeant or "Gunny" and all others by "Sergeant" during my time in the service.
Most ranks in the military (army and marines) are based on pay grade. Some pay grades have two different rank titles, example in the Army a pay grade of E-7 has two ranks, Platoon Sgt or Sgt First Class, same with pay grade E-8, Master Sgt or 1st Sgt, depending on your position.
Culture. Seriously. I'll give you another example: the highest enlisted pay grade in all services is E-9, and that pay grade corresponds to a rank. In the AF that is Chief Master Sergeant. Now in the other services it is OK to use the two interchangeably - for instance quite acceptable to refer to a navy master Chief as an E-9.
In the Air Force however to refer to a Chief as an E-9 is a deadly insult - implies he or she is taking the pay but not living up to his/her responsibilities as a Chief. It's just culture.
JoAnne---I love how the Penn State apologists are so critical of the Freeh report (which the University hired him for and agreed to submit to the NCAA). Millions of documents reviewed, hundreds of interviews conducted but now they want the NCAA to do another investigation. This after Penn State agreed to the sanctions. How about the fac that everyone turned a blind eye to what Sandusky was doing?!
I guess it is a branch of the military culture issue, I have no idea about the particular pay grades, but have often referred to young men who have served in the Army as Sergeants as "sarge" in what I thought was a completely friendly and informal way and they never seemed to mind. Like I said I called a marine sarge and he clearly took it as disrespectful of me and I assure you I certainly did not intend any disrespect whatsoever. Thanks for the reply guys.
Mitt Romney is a pathological liar. . . he is daring anyone in the "media" to do their jobs . . . I double dog dare ya'll to do it. . . you can start by putting a stop to the "Mitt Romney says" style of journalism that pretty much reduces the media to being his press agents.
How about "Mitt Romney lies again" . . . hell, that is the TRUTH.
Ain't it?
Geez oh Pete's. They should give him his own reality show... Walk it Back with your host Mitt Romney. Ah, never mind the MSM is already give the old "Weather Vane" free face time.
While my brother has left Komorowski Poland with empty hands, Miss Sienkiewicz has stayed into slavery, raped. There was an other way but they are conntinuing to plot their assasination of the next President of the United States.
However, the people in both Israel and Poland has started to sign together old American songs. This land is my land, this land is your land. And it will stay so, unless my brother will be assasinated, as planed.
Watch video:
Read more:
Too bad Mitt was the only clown left in the GOP clown car.....he is an embrassment to himself and the US.
I suggest next time they send a cardboard cut-out....just as stiff and uncomfortable as Mitt usually looks....but can't open its mouth and speak nonsense.
Too bad Huntsman got run out. He was intelligent, experienced, and sane. Qualities that I fear are gone from the GOP.
Detroit - I agree - Huntsman is the last good Republican and he is a man of honor. The fact that the GOP didn't choose him speaks volumes about how low they have gone.
Obama/Biden 2012
For someone that was born into privilege and educated, Mittens doesn't know jack about how to communicate. A little gaffe here and there is excusable, but this is just beyond the pale. Mittens seems to be spending as much time explaining what he "meant" to say, versus actually saying it. And his press aide telling a reporting "Kiss my a$$"? Shows that even with the money of the Koch Bros. you can't buy class.
So Gov. Romney "accused reporters of trivializing the substance of his trip." Ummm . . . what substance is he referring to? Per Gov. Romney, this was a listening and learning tour. He also only allowed three questions.
That comment was nothing more than an attack on the media and he doubled down by his comment on the Fourth Estate. The only one trivializing anything here is Gov. Romney with his attempted diminishing of the free press.
Palestinians have no freedom whatsoever, are living under occupation. Isreal robs them of their land, income, water etc.
And then call the GDP a cultural difference????
Holly Moses
I don't know how many months we are now into this Presidential race and I 'still' have NO IDEA what Mitt Romney stands for..absolutely nothing.
Romney seems to stand for nothing. Only that he is the anti-Obama.
Based on his ability to say something today, and then reverse his opinion the next day, you have to make your choice based on the fact he probably won't get anything substantial done - outside of tax breaks.
Has our entire governemnt just come down to who to give tax breaks to?
You SAID it you must have MEANT it. No gaffaws . That's how you really feel. It's all ok for you and your taking statements out of context. Where did your Bob Shaffer commerical go????
You really are stupid Mitt.
In the "statements" made by Romney and the article above, this baffoon it appears has as little a grasp of foreign affairs as he does domestic ones and is so clueless he doesn't even know when he's offending other people, cultures or countries. This is the guy the GOP wants to elect to represent this country? This is the guy they want to run this country? Having second thoughts now? Where did you people find this guy?
Man about the only thing he does seem to qualify is the job of "Town Idiot".
Black pastors group launches anti-Obama campaign around gay marriage
By Dan Merica, CNN
Washington (CNN) – A group of conservative black pastors are responding to President Barack Obama’s support of same-sex marriage with what they say will be a national campaign aimed at rallying black Americans to rethink their overwhelming support of the President, though the group’s leader is offering few specifics about the effort.
The Rev. Williams Owens, who is president and founder of the Coalition of African-Americans Pastors and the leader of the campaign, has highlighted opposition to same-sex marriage among African-Americans. He calls this campaign “an effort to save the family.”
“The time has come for a broad-based assault against the powers that be that want to change our culture to one of men marrying men and women marrying women,” said Owens, in an interview Tuesday after the launch event at the National Press Club. “I am ashamed that the first black president chose this road, a disgraceful road.”
At the press conference, Owens was joined by five other black regional pastors and said there were 3,742 African-American pastors on board for the anti-Obama campaign.
When asked at the press conference for specifics about the campaign – funding, planned events and goals – Owens said only that the group’s first fundraiser will be on August 16 in Memphis, Tennessee. But Owens insisted that “we are going to go nationwide with our agenda just like the president has gone to Hollywood.”
Looks like the Rattlesnakes are beginning to commit suicide! The decision to pander to the Hispanic vote added 800,000 illegal aliens to the job market in the black 18-30 demographic where the unemployment rate is 40%! Now he's abandoned a major part of the leadership in his own black constituency... All decisions made out of desperation of a failed presidency and a failing president!!!
Talk about @!$%#ting in your hat!!!
Romney 2012!!! Yeah Baby!!!
I know Mitt...you didn't say what you said. It's just those left wing, liberal transcripts plotting against you.
Question: When is a penalty not a mandate?
Answer: When it's used to enact healthcare legislation in Mass.
billyboob [sic] is repeating pure fantasy when discussing licenses to practice law (post 1.23 above). Here's what factcheck.org says: As an attorney licensed to practice in Michigan, I know that one can, indeed, go into inactive status or retirement status in order to not be required to pay reduced or no Bar dues AND one can be reinstated to practice but (1) Bar dues go back to active-member rates AND (2) may be required to retake the current Bar exam - not a pretty picture, to be sure. So, unless billyboob can present credible (not Fox or similar sources) evidence to support his assertions, I refer to several astute commentators:
(1) ; and
(2)
for whom I have great respect.
Regards to all,
R. Galli
Edison, NJ