Blogcritics Comments on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:47:29 EDT

The clip in question was not fox, but msnbc, I have a hard time differentiating between the two, and I know that Clavos being the anal retentive he is will probably jump all over me for it. Anyways here is the link and I would like to hear Dave's response to it. cnbc story This kind of reporting in my view respresents the worst of so-called American Journalism. This person was excercising their first amendment rights, to ridicule him is one thing, to actually say that this person should be sent off to a secret prison for rendition, is quite another.

Comment by Dave Nalle on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:02:53 EDT

Pablo, if you admit the remark is in jest, then couldn't the nature of that jest have been an ironic critique of the restriction of free speech in the current political climate? Dave

Comment by Clavos on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:42:42 EDT

"I suppose in your book it is ok for these kind of remarks to be aired on a national news network. It does not surprise me however." As usual, you attempt to impute thoughts and attitudes to people you don't even know. You have no idea what I think, except for what I choose to post here, and I have said nothing about the jest; simply because I never saw it; I have no idea whether it actually even happened, much less the context.

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:12:58 EDT

Clavos, Yes the remarks were in jest. I suppose in your book it is ok for these kind of remarks to be aired on a national news network. It does not surprise me however.

Comment by Clavos on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:08:05 EDT

"My point was about Fox news openly (even though it was not serious per se, suggesting that a person excercising their free speech rights be hauled off to another country and tortured." 1. I don't get my news from television (except for local news), so I didn't see the segment to which you refer. How could I comment on something I've never seen? I certainly won't comment based on your assessment of the report, given the strongly skewed viewpoints you hold on practically anything, as revealed in your comments since you arrived here. 2. Case in point: now, you admit the remark was said in jest. You didn't mention that very salient fact the first time you brought it up. Had I commented previously, I would have been expressing an opinion based on insufficient facts filtered through your twisted, bizarre biases, which is exactly why I didn't comment. 3. Re #70: No, I don't believe your (and others') theories about 9/11 having been an "inside job."

Comment by Ruvy in Jerusalem on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:05:35 EDT

Cannon, there can be no justice when the law itself is unjust. Breaking a bad law is like striking a blow for freedom. Yeah, you tell 'em, Dave! Start with your wife.... Explain to her how sleeping with a whore for five grand an hour is striking a blow for freedom. And then head for the next state!

Comment by Dave Nalle on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:38:15 EDT

Cannon, there can be no justice when the law itself is unjust. Breaking a bad law is like striking a blow for freedom. DAve

Comment by Ruvy in Jerusalem on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:41:36 EDT

Cannonshop, Thank you for bringing this comment thread round to where it belongs - it is about a governor, a former prosecutor, who broke the law. Are there laws against johns screwing whores in New York. If so, this idiot should be prosecuted under them. But, Cannonshop, given that he is married, and given that his wife also knows lawyers, I suspect that she will be charging him $5,000/hr for all of her service time in the sack with him (over twenty years, that can add up) - via a divorce. Given that Spitzer can face disbarment for what he did in office, he is going to have one hell of a time dealing with the locomotive coming his way. What he really needs is a Jewish lawyer smarter than he is - a father figure- like Alan Dershowitz. Mrs. Spitzer, now in the catbird seat, only needs a cushion to make the catbird seat a bit softer and more comfortable.... The rest of us can laugh at poor Eliot - after thanking G-d that we have not been so exposed for our own stupidity - and praying that we are not so exposed in future.

Comment by Cannonshop on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:09:43 EDT

Have people forgotten how much of Spitzer's rep was built busting...PROSTITUTES? Here's where I have a problem-the guy is a John, who built a lot of his career busting providers. I don't care if a politician (or executive, or carpenter, or garbage man) wants to pay for it on the side. It doesn't even bother me if he's married (though I suppose if he were my in-law, I might want to deliver some wall-to-wall counseling on the concept of monogamous relationships...possibly with a two-by-four.) No, the problem isn't that. The problem is the same problem I'd have with a Narcotics officer using heroin or smoking grass when he's not on-duty, or a cop shoplifting, or a Sherriff who drives drunk. It's called "Crooked Cop Syndrome", and at minimum, as in BARE minimum, he needs to be relieved of his position or forced to resign, and if he's broken the law, prosecuted to its fullest extent. Not because he's been questionably naughty, but because... HE BROKE THE LAW. period. by way of comparison, John McCain should probably be under federal investigation for taking backhanders (McCain Feingold anyone?), Bill Clinton should have at LEAST been fined, if not faced prison for Perjury (and over something that STUPID, too. geez...), etc etc. When you're sworn into office, and you solemnly swear to uphold the law, if the law is one you can not obey, you need to depart the office or change the law (if you can). Spitzer's a LAWYER, he knows (presumably) the law. He's a PROSECUTOR, which means he (presumably) knew that he was not only breaking New York laws, but also FEDERAL STATUTES in place for many, many, years. This isn't the same thing as a visitor from California breaking a Nebraska blue-law because it's unusual, Spitzer knew EXACTLY what he was doing. Malice aforethought, folks. As a representative of the People of New York, their governor, a former prosecutor, and noted law-enforcement figure, he damn well ought to have known better, and therefore ought to be held to a higher standard than some illiterate streetsweeper.

Comment by Dave Nalle on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:04:08 EDT

Ok I will bite. Suppose that Faux News was reporting on an avowed racist, something I assume we both find reprehensible. Would you support a mainstream media outlet calling for their rendition and torture? Thats exactly what happened on Fox yesterday. I find this to be disgusting and typical of their phony organization. Not being a Fox News viewer or a big fan of Geraldo and his enormous mustache I haven't seen this particular bit of video. Why not provide us with a link to it? I don't support rendition or torture for any US citizen, however. I will say that I don't think anyone considers Geraldo to be a serious journalist. As to Mr Palast, I do not recall, although I may be mistaken, that he is a socialist, He is. I do know that he exposed how the 2000 election was rigged by disenfranching some 40,000 african american voters by putting them on the cull list as felons, when they were not, courtesy of Choicepoint. The voters in question were not chosen by race as you suggest, but because they had irregularities in their registrations which could be capitalized on. It wasn't just African Americans who were culled, though they were the majority. And I'd say it's no worse than the Democrats challenging and getting thrown out thousands of absentee ballots, many of them from military personnel in that same election. In case you didnt know it Dave a scumbag is a used condom full of dead spermatzoa. I hardly find that an accurate description, surely you can do better than that with your eloquent use of the language. If the condom full of sperm fits... 9-11 was in inside job whether or not your intelligent enough to figure that out Dave is certainly not my problem. I can tell a hawk from a handsaw, Pavel. Dave

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:29:43 EDT

Oh and one other little thing Clavos, you said: "No, thanks, chico, I'm not very interested in anecdotes about 9/11 conspiracists." Does that mean that you dont think 9/11 was a conspiracy? How ignorant, of course it was, it just that YOUR particular brand of conspiracy regarding that fateful day doesnt hold any water, i e it is so full of holes that only a dimwit would believe it quite frankly, but hey each to her/his own. :)

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:19:31 EDT

Clavos, As usual you miss my point. I may as well be talking to an elementary student. My point was about Fox news openly (even though it was not serious per se, suggesting that a person excercising their free speech rights be hauled off to another country and tortured. Thats my point, but as usual it goes right over your head. You only see the 9-11 side of it, i e. you believe the government concoction, I am referring to something quite different.

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:20:00 EDT

What I do find interesting about the whole Spitzer affair is this. Here is a guy who has stood up to Wall Street's corruption more than any other individual prosecutor in recent history. The fact that no other journalist or news organization has even raised the hint that perhaps this man has been set up (due to his own weakness of the female flesh), just shows me how much real collusion there is going on in todays media. You might spend the time Dave, even though you consider this man Palast to be a used condom with dead spermatzoa inside to read the article, it is fascinating. After all even someone who dislikes instensly the National Review occasionally will read an article in that irrelevant publication.

Comment by Clavos on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:15:13 EDT

My opinion of the article is that it's rather poorly written. The allegations he makes are just that: mere unsubstantiated allegations, with no proof offered. One point he made that really doesn't jibe with his characterization of Bush and the Wall Streeters: if Spitzer really is that dangerous to Bush and his cronies, and they are as ruthless as palast says they are, why bother with embarrassing and discrediting him? As long as he (Spitzer) stays alive, he continues to be a potential danger. Killing him would have been a much more secure (and efficient) way to silence him. It's certainly easy enough to arrange a car crash or hit-and-run, even an airplane crash -- there are lots of ways to eliminate enemies permanently with little or no risk. Why on earth would I want to watch a gossip monger like Geraldo? Puhleeze... He actually defamed the 9/11 conspiracy nuts? What a waste of time, they defame themselves with their lunacy. "I can supply the link if you have any interest" No, thanks, chico, I'm not very interested in anecdotes about 9/11 conspiracists.

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:14:29 EDT

Dave, Ok I will bite. Suppose that Faux News was reporting on an avowed racist, something I assume we both find reprehensible. Would you support a mainstream media outlet calling for their rendition and torture? Thats exactly what happened on Fox yesterday. I find this to be disgusting and typical of their phony organization. As to Mr Palast, I do not recall, although I may be mistaken, that he is a socialist, I do know that he exposed how the 2000 election was rigged by disenfranching some 40,000 african american voters by putting them on the cull list as felons, when they were not, courtesy of Choicepoint. In case you didnt know it Dave a scumbag is a used condom full of dead spermatzoa. I hardly find that an accurate description, surely you can do better than that with your eloquent use of the language. 9-11 was in inside job whether or not your intelligent enough to figure that out Dave is certainly not my problem.

Comment by Dave Nalle on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:59:49 EDT

Can I play, Pablito? And your opinion of the article and/or Greg Palast is? I go with lying socialist scumbag. On a side note, did you watch Geraldo, defame the 9-11 truth movment yesterday? You can't defame something which has no credibility in the first place, Pavel. Dave

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:46:28 EDT

Clavos, And your opinion of the article and/or Greg Palast is? Perhaps if I showed you a link to the same article from another source your hysteria would be alleviated. I can do that, cause I certainly don't want you to have a heart attack Clavos. After all that was the point of my post, not who might carry it, i.e Jeff Rense, I was referring to the credibility and excellent journalism of Mr. Palast. Your perchance haven't read any of his books have ya Clavito? On a side note, did you watch Geraldo, defame the 9-11 truth movment yesterday? He all but accused the Times Square bombing incident on 9-11 truthers. Are you aware of any violence being perpetrated by this movement Clavos. Also the day before on Faux Newspeak, they were referring to a recent heckler of Mr. Clinton, who claimed that 9-11 was an inside job, three of the commentators suggested that they hoped this individual would be sent off to rendition and tortured. I can supply the link if you have any interest. I wonder if you support that kind of hysterical lying unamerican journalism Clavos? Here is a guy using his first amendment rights in a "free speech" zone, which is everywhere in the country, and not only do they ridicule him, which is fine, but they talk about sending him off to a dark prison to be tortured. Perhaps you would like me to send you links from FAUX as a more reliable source of the news Clavos. SMIRK

Comment by Clavos on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:14:55 EDT

I see your point, Pablito. My drivel can't hold a candle to that of Jeff Rense; it's not nearly as paranoid or hallucinatory. "for all your so-called political acumen" So called by whom, Paul? You've never seen me claim anything even remotely like that in my comments.

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:43:41 EDT

Clavos, Just as I am not suprised at the drivel coming out of your mouth on a daily basis. :) I bet you never even heard of Greg Palast, for all your so-called political acumen. LOL

Comment by Clavos on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:40:29 EDT

O.....M.....G! rense dot com!! Why am I not surprised???

Comment by Pablo on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:18:38 EDT

An excellent article written by Greg Palast the author of "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy", on the Spitzer affair is available at this link. HERE I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Palast's assessment of the situation, and I find him to be one of the most coherent well informed journalists today. Unfortunately his work is not available in the mainstream US Press, he is widely read in the rest of the world and works for BBC.

Comment by Lono on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:43:59 EDT

He needs to be out because he spent $4500 for a for an hour of ANYTHING. If he feels that is a reasonable rate... for ANYTHING... then he should not be in charge of tax payer dollars. With a mind like that, dude should be running ticketbastard. They are so perilously close to that 50% rate for service charges that Spitzer could be the one to push them over the top.

Comment by The Obnoxious American on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:15:50 EDT

I think it's all about defining acceptable risks, and then looking at ways to deal with the extreme cases. In terms of car accidents, it must be noted that the car insurance, and not regular medical insurance, pays at least in the NY and NJ as far as I know. I think it's difficult comparing car insurance to health insurance. Cars being a privledge and perhaps important for some, but arguably not a need. That said, I think the answer lies somewhere closer to what car insurance is. Individual and not employer based insurance is a great idea. In order to do this, the government should lower taxes, across the board to enable individuals to pay for it. If companies want to assist in paying for the coverage in exchange for tax credits, all the better. What I don't support is the notion to roll back the bush tax cuts (a tax increase) or increase taxes in order to cover everyone regardless of need or want. Nor should the government get into the business of defining doctor pay, whom insurers should cover, or the cost of drugs. Let's try and resolve the real reasons behind why things cost so much, and when we do come across a situation where some (invariably) white fat cat is driving costs up solely for greed, we can deal with that then.

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:14:23 EDT

...And I don't think it's available on YouTube, but the British comic Jasper Carrott once did a great skit on Americans and their car worship, with particular reference to the way automobiles are profusely given away on TV game shows. From memory: 'Congratulations - you've won a car!' 'I don't wanna car. I've already won three. I want the garden spade.' 'You can't have the garden spade, that's the jackpot prize. You won the booby prize. It's a car!'

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Eliot Spitzer: Irresistible Stupidity, Immoveable Standards

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:08:29 EDT

Well, Jon, the US is often perceived (especially overseas) as valuing cars above humans...