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What the GOP and the airlines have in common

By see-dubya  •  May 18, 2008 12:50 AM

I’m writing this hunched over because my laptop has slammed deep into my intestines. The slamming was the work of the energetic fellow in the plane seat ahead of me, probably a linebacker or defensive end for some college football team. Six five, about two-sixty, and, judging from the alacrity with which he slammed his seat backwards into my knees, able to squat-lift eight hundred pounds.*

The slammation and the various petty indignities of today’s airline travel led the longsuffering Mrs. See-Dub to recall an article she has seen recently in the WSJ (reprinted here) about how airlines passengers are fed up and becoming loutish, loud, and confrontational.

One reason for this change is that the airlines make it more and more clear that they are squeezing every possible cent from their customers without any particular regard for their interests, comfort, or dignity. People are acting out (in rather repulsive ways–baby diapers left in the seat-back pockets, and open mile-high-club initiations in first class) and there has been a breakdown in the norms of acceptable behavior:

One reason frequent fliers and flight attendants perceive an increase in offensive behavior may be the decline in air service — customers seek retaliation for late flights, snippy workers, lost baggage and unavailable upgrades.

“Increasingly, passengers are certain that the airlines are not on their side and actually don’t care anything about them,” said Irwin Sarason, a University of Washington psychologist in Seattle who has studied passenger behavior. “In that kind of environment, it isn’t too surprising that people will not exercise the restraints they normally would.”

And I thought, hmmm…what does this remind me of?

Of course, last night I had just seen MM’s post about NRCC Chairman Tom Cole’s blog, and the vituperative retaliation he received (and continues to receive) in his comments, and in the comments here.

But there’s more. Remember how they used to give you a box lunch for free on the airplanes? Hey, times got tough and they had to cut back the hot meals, but they’d still give you a cold BLT and some chips. Now it’s five bucks for a can of tuna and a few leftover items from some slow-selling Hickory Farms sampler. What really chaps your hide about that isn’t the five dollars so much as it is that something that you think ought to be free suddenly sets you back some change.

I was thinking of that in particular because of this column by Peter Wirs at Townhall announcing a new Republican Leadership Council website that lets you sign up to direct your feedback directly to the relevant decision makers of the GOP. Good idea; the catch is that you need to plonk down twenty-five smackers to do it. And twenty-five a month to get up in the first-class cabin, er, the chats with party leaders.

The reaction to Wirs’s article was likewise confrontational (and weirdly personal about Peter Wirs, for reasons I don’t understand. Like I said–breakdown in the norms of acceptable behavior). Scores of conservatives who felt abandoned by their party were venting their spite on what was intended to be a flag of truce.

Wirz’s project has some merit, if it’s done right and grassroots Republicans get more involved with the party. And I can see why such a project would need to have a fee to determine which voices are serious contributors and not just cranks or trolls or mobys. It’s easy to drop a rant in a comment box, but are these people willing to put a small amount of money where their mouth is? Is this agitated e-mail from some loon just shooting his mouth off, or is this really someone who might support the party financially, who might volunteer, and who will probably be there on election day? A separating equilibrium of committed donors is a useful threshold.

At the same time, I sympathize with loyal Republicans who, thinking the GOP was interested in finding out what they think so it could correct its mistakes and better represent their interests, suddenly found the GOP charging them for the privilege of doing so. They’re feeling betrayed by a party they thought was conservative, but which is now giving them a green, open-borders candidate and a Democrat-lite return to S-Chip. And many might see that $25 fee as a means for the GOP to profit off the very contempt and anger they’ve stirred up. Not only are conservatives getting a cruddy box lunch instead of a hot meal–we’re now being charged for the privilege.

So here’s my memo to the GOP leadership, and though I’m not going to pay $25 to send it directly to them, I hope they take note: we’re headed for some big-time turbulence. It looks like a lot of Republicans are going to lose, and there’s not even any guarantee that we’ll be shedding the dead weight and keep the winners in the upcoming shakedown.

So, gentlemen: you can get beat for standing on the principles that built the GOP, or you can get beat in a halfhearted attempt to remake the party into a mushy statist-lite simulacrum of the Democrats that no one will believe anyway, because everyone knows what you’re supposed to stand for, and everyone will see you no longer stand for it.

One way reminds voters of the principles that knit the successful party together, and may do so again. It also preserves something else that’s vital from a purely political standpoint: the right to say “I told you so” when the inevitable consequences of the liberal agenda begin slamming into our knees. The other way, of course, yields ignominy, distrust, and contempt that the party will never shake off.

In other words, GOP leadership, you can die on your feet, or you can die on your knees.

Choose honorably.

*Note to airline passengers: if you look behind you and see a human head, it is a safe assumption that it is usually attached to one or more knees, which will be bruised by a sudden rearward motion of your seat. No matter how many times you shove the seat backward again and again against that bony obstruction that mysteriously impedes your rearward progress, the knees will probably still be there. They have nowhere else to go.

_____

{Post by See-Dubya; some of it written in the air and some of it on the ground late at night. Front page image capped from here.}

Posted in: 2008 campaign, GOP

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Comments

  1. #1
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:12 am, Vntnrse said:

    Well written, See Dub! Well written indeed!

  2. #2
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:15 am, Silkyinfamous said:

    I also shared the same pain of a laptop in coach. It just seems they weren’t meant to be. As in every great country, change occurs for better or worse, but their is a time when it does happen. Now is the time the Dems will control all, and build up all what they think are important actions for this country. It give the Repubs 4 years to get their act together, to put their agenda, hopes and dreams among the American people in perspective. Sometimes its good to sit back, relax and regroup. Even though, it’s still going to be a long flight.

  3. #3
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:26 am, Mookie said:
  4. #4
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:29 am, WarTip said:

    The last time we saw this much Democratic “democracy” in action was in the thirties and we are still paying dearly for that. To think what this election will bring us … and ultimately cost us … well, I have sympathies for your knees See-Dubya but I think our other ends are getting ready to hurt a lot worse.

    Greed
    Over
    Politics?

    Greatly
    Overbearing
    Panderers

    Gone is our Grand Ol Party.

  5. #5
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:39 am, feebiebabe said:

    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:26 am, Mookie said:
    The best $14.95 you’ll ever spend

    :lol:

    ROFL

  6. #6
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:46 am, feebiebabe said:

    *Note to airline passengers: if you look behind you and see a human head, it is a safe assumption that it is usually attached to one or more knees, which will be bruised by a sudden rearward motion of your seat. No matter how many times you shove the seat backward again and again against that bony obstruction that mysteriously impedes your rearward progress, the knees will probably still be there. They have nowhere else to go.

    I have so been there See-Dub. I laughed so hard I cried with this story…good one.

    Sorry your flight was so unpleasant. I’ve felt your pain.!!!

    On a side note, isnt it great…no matter what cards are delt, Conservatives always seem to have a better sense of humor about it than liberals…..

  7. #7
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:10 am, Little Ma said:

    “…passengers are certain that the airlines are not on their side and actually don’t care anything about them….”

    Exactly.

    Conservatives are certain that the Republican Party is not on their side and actually doesn’t care anything about them.

    Exactly.

    I no longer fly.
    I am no longer a Republican.

    I do not tolerate scorn and indifference.

  8. #8
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:16 am, love2rumba said:

    The RNC leadership remind me of some of the scenes from “Airplane” where the lead characters go about their business completely oblivious to the mayhem they they were causing…at least then it was a comedy.

  9. #9
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:21 am, love2rumba said:

    By the way, See-Dubya,

    You use the term “slammation” in your article…you don’t happen to really mean “slamnation”, do you?

  10. #10
    On May 18th, 2008 at 6:23 am, herself said:

    This is an election with dream opponents. Yet the Republican part is faltering, putting up a Presidential candidate that is not particularly representative of the people who are supporting the party, and generally working hard to live up to their reputation as “The Stupid Party.”

    Republicans should ask the same question Democrats should ask. “Just who in hell is in charge here and to whom are they beholden?”

    {^_^} Stupid party - faugh! Scroom, given the choices, why vote? I wish we had a “none of the above” option with a real sting to it. Any candidate who gets fewer votes than “none of the above” is forever barred from running for any office, even second assistant dog catcher, ever again throughout eternity.

  11. #11
    On May 18th, 2008 at 7:13 am, zorro said:

    …because everyone knows what you’re supposed to stand for, and everyone will see you no longer stand for it.

    The republicans are foolish masquerading as democrap-lite. You’re quote above nails it. The ruse will not work.

    Even more disappointing, you would think the republicans would have sense enough to judge the success of their “new look” by measuring the increase or decrease in fundraising. As I understand it, fundraising efforts have not been successful. So, not only are they foolish, they are ignorant as well.

  12. #12
    On May 18th, 2008 at 7:23 am, tarpon said:

    We just got back, spending our contributions on the vacation. The planes were atrocious. Gas prices up, no loose change left for the RINOs.

    You tell ‘em sse-Dubya — Compassionate conservative, Democrap-lite, otherwise known as dead duck.

  13. #13
    On May 18th, 2008 at 8:12 am, graysonret said:

    It seems liberalism is the politics of the year. The democrats have gone far left, and the republicans have gone moderately left. We conservatives seem to be left out of the mix. Well, I’m not changing my views and values, nor will my family. If someone wants my vote, they will have to “sing my song”. I haven’t flown in quite awhile now, and I’m glad of it. From what I see, I’d rather drive to my destination. It may take longer, but the meals and company are great.

  14. #14
    On May 18th, 2008 at 8:49 am, ajmontana said:

    The GOP needs to implement drug testing.

  15. #15
    On May 18th, 2008 at 8:58 am, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    I have all but given up on air travel except for “pressing” business needs.

    My family and I and our dog drive.

    I know the costs associated are a little higher, but it is worth it and our dog gets to go.

    My 11 year old gets to carry a lot more of her stuff with her and there are no security breaches along the way.

    Although last summer our the supercharger belt came off just east of Amarillo Texas. Lucky for us it was just that belt and he regfular drive belt was fine and we droive the 40 minutes back to Amarillo and in 3 hours were happily back on the road. A note about the folks at Brown Pontiac, they were superb.

    Back to my point. Unless you are in a hurry, even at these gas prices. Driving is still not that much more expensive.

    Now if you stop and eat every 4 hours, that can get expensive. Pack a cooler, and XM radio is the way to go.

    And for those driving I-40, thoise Love’s Truck Stop’s have everything.

    T

  16. #16
    On May 18th, 2008 at 8:58 am, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    I have all but given up on air travel except for “pressing” business needs.

    My family and I and our dog drive.

    I know the costs associated are a little higher, but it is worth it and our dog gets to go.

    My 11 year old gets to carry a lot more of her stuff with her and there are no security breaches along the way.

    Although last summer our the supercharger belt came off just east of Amarillo Texas. Lucky for us it was just that belt and he regfular drive belt was fine and we droive the 40 minutes back to Amarillo and in 3 hours were happily back on the road. A note about the folks at Brown Pontiac, they were superb.

    Back to my point. Unless you are in a hurry, even at these gas prices. Driving is still not that much more expensive.

    Now if you stop and eat every 4 hours, that can get expensive. Pack a cooler, and XM radio is the way to go.

    And for those driving I-40, thoise Love’s Truck Stop’s have everything.

    T

  17. #17
    On May 18th, 2008 at 9:07 am, DaveC said:

    on a quick aside.. I have to say that the scene from ‘Airplane!’ is timeless… I still fall over laughing every time I see it..

  18. #18
    On May 18th, 2008 at 9:10 am, DaveC said:

    as for the GOP.. start to vote them out.. senate first.. then they might start to get the message…

    put the allmight fear of the ballot box into them.. even if it’s a dem running.. they start to feel vulnerable, they might start to shape up..

    the 11th commandment is obsolete..

  19. #19
    On May 18th, 2008 at 9:25 am, Dandapani said:

    They’re feeling betrayed by a party they thought was conservative, but which is now giving them a green, open-borders candidate and a Democrat-lite return to S-Chip

    Yup. 100% agree. Since I changed my voters registration card from R to NPA (no party affiliation) I have never felt so FREE! In your face, RNC, in your face! And those RINOs who say I’m cutting off my nose to spite my face? Uh, whose face? Not mine. Yours! LOL! RINOs will die by slow starvation. When you vote for RINOs you feed them. Let them die on the vine. I still support my CONSERVATIVE Republican Representative with time and money. Too bad she’s too smart to run for the presidency!

  20. #20
    On May 18th, 2008 at 9:39 am, tampadave said:

    If the GOP consolidates its active voting membership to its very base, what percentage of the Party does that leave us in remainder? How many GOP stalwarts are traditional conservatives ala Hannity, Ingraham and Limbaugh? How many of us are old country club Republicans types? Or Rockefeller Republicans of a slightly more liberal bent? Will the religious right withdraw from the political process, attempt to strengthen their influence in the GOP, or simply desert the Party? What a mess we are in. I get daily mailers and weekly phone calls from the RNC and McCain campaign begging for alms or desperate for campaign assistance, respectively. It is starting to look like the GOP is out to win at all costs, damn the consequences. Only 39% of Americans are or lean towards the Republican Party, versus 53% for the liberal socialist group otherwise known as the Democratic Party. Personally, I think we need to solidify our platform and let those who cannot adapt fall out of the Party. I would rather influence legislation and the course of American society as a small consolidated opposition party than become the majority party standing for nearly the same platform as the Democrats. The GOP must minimally promote the traditional family, fiscal conservatism, free markets, international policy derived from a position of strength and backed by a strong military force, zero tolerance of terrorism, and firm control of our borders. Just a thought….

  21. #21
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:03 am, beenthere said:

    My first thought on reading this:

    feedback directly to the relevant decision makers of the GOP. Good idea; the catch is that you need to plonk down twenty-five smackers to do it.

    was “Oh, how clever of them.” They’ll just take the money and ignore the feedback (and we all know what feedback sounds like anyway). They want the money afterall, since their usual sources are drying up — even the corporate welfare queens know they can get a better deal with the Big O. And besides, what honest business man wants to contend with Mr. “Patriotism not Profit?”

    I think for many people there is still hope that somehow the RINO Party will recover its bearings (so to speak) and return to the old-time religion. It’s not going to happen. When Peggy Noonan writes that G.W.B. has destroyed the Republican Party, it’s not a rhetorical flourish. She really means it. Roll the phrase around your tongue, say it aloud several times, scream it if necessary until it starts to sink in. The Republican Party is dead. The Democrats have outflanked us so completely that come this November it will be a wonder that any republican remains. And how will the GOP (Gruesome Old Progressives?) establishment eunuchs interpret the defeat? If only we had gone further to the left. Oh, how, how are we going to get rid of those conservative creeps and still get their money?

  22. #22
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:05 am, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    I have never been a fan of simply voting out our weak players as a starting point as it misses the point.

    We should run and elect conservatives as replacements for the democrat held seats first. Then after we have wrested control from them, focus our energy on weak Republicans.

    Constantly turning over our team simply allows the dems to build up seniority and war chests. Either of which alone is difficult enough to overcome.

  23. #23
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:25 am, beenthere said:

    This just in.

    As if on cue, the current governor of California gives the Establishment’s eulogy to the Republican Party:

    “The Republican idea is a great idea, but we can’t go and get stuck with just the right wing,” Schwarzenegger said. “Let’s let the party come all the way to the center. Let those people be heard as much as the right. Let it be the big tent we’ve talked about.

    “Let’s invade and let’s cross over that (political) center,” he said. “The issues that they’re talking about? Let them be our issues, and let the party be known for that.”

    Read it and weep, folks.

  24. #24
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:25 am, ajmontana said:

    Good idea; the catch is that you need to plonk down twenty-five smackers to do it. And twenty-five a month to get up in the first-class cabin, er, the chats with party leaders.

    the dems will probably be the majority of people signing up for this. GOP grasping for dollars, sounds like a game show.

  25. #25
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:30 am, madchef said:

    So the sequel to “Snakes on a Plane” can be “RINOS on a Plane”. If they don’t get rid of them they surely will crash and burn.

  26. #26
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:33 am, Nosferightu said:

    It’s time to vote for the Southwest Party.

  27. #27
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:37 am, WarTip said:

    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:05 am, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    I have never been a fan of simply voting out our weak players as a starting point as it misses the point.

    We should run and elect conservatives as replacements for the democrat held seats first. Then after we have wrested control from them, focus our energy on weak Republicans.

    Constantly turning over our team simply allows the dems to build up seniority and war chests. Either of which alone is difficult enough to overcome.

    The only problem I have with this theory is that if they do not toe the party line they will never advance within the ranks of the party. As long as those at the top remain committed to destroying the Conservative ideas we have stood for for so long, it is time to form a new party.

    The trick is going to be forming a new Conservative party that does not attract all of the isolationists (Though this train of thoughts does at least have some merits on the surface) and the troofers and other wacks that will never be taken seriously.

    The plans are easy to come by … it’s getting all the pieces of the plan to fit that makes it difficult.

  28. #28
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:39 am, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    “The Republican idea is a great idea, but we can’t go and get stuck with just the right wing,” Schwarzenegger said. “Let’s let the party come all the way to the center. Let those people be heard as much as the right. Let it be the big tent we’ve talked about.

    “Let’s invade and let’s cross over that (political) center,” he said. “The issues that they’re talking about? Let them be our issues, and let the party be known for that.”

    So why even have 2 parties. All we have to do, is swallow our pride, our morals, our belief in the traditions and institutions that built this country and let the dems have it.

    Is that what the good governor is saying.

    Sorry Governor, the adversarial system is there for just that reason.

    Unchecked power is not good. And discarding our beliefs only bequeaths that unchecked power to the other side.

    As soon as you do that, maybe all those good dems begin to think that even to question their decisions might be unconstitutional. And of course the good governor just wanting to get along, wouldn’t want to rock the boat.

    The boat that floats best is that boat which can continue to sail in any storm. And that my friend is America as we have always known it.

  29. #29
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:42 am, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:05 am, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    I have never been a fan of simply voting out our weak players as a starting point as it misses the point.

    We should run and elect conservatives as replacements for the democrat held seats first. Then after we have wrested control from them, focus our energy on weak Republicans.

    Constantly turning over our team simply allows the dems to build up seniority and war chests. Either of which alone is difficult enough to overcome.
    The only problem I have with this theory is that if they do not toe the party line they will never advance within the ranks of the party. As long as those at the top remain committed to destroying the Conservative ideas we have stood for for so long, it is time to form a new party.

    The trick is going to be forming a new Conservative party that does not attract all of the isolationists (Though this train of thoughts does at least have some merits on the surface) and the troofers and other wacks that will never be taken seriously.

    The plans are easy to come by … it’s getting all the pieces of the plan to fit that makes it difficult.

    I’m with you my friend, I simply say we start the voting out with the Democrat held seats.

  30. #30
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:51 am, Alaskan said:

    The leaders of the Republican Party should start remembering history - particularly their own party’s history. The Republican Party wasn’t always the alternative to the Democrats. It arose in the 1850’s as one major party was dying, the Whigs, and a radical one, the Know Nothings, was heating up the scene. A new party that reflects the will of the voters and its own beliefs can arise. In a decade or less, the Republicans can be no more significant than the Whigs.

  31. #31
    On May 18th, 2008 at 10:52 am, Jim M. said:

    The reaction to Wirs’s article was likewise confrontational (and weirdly personal about Peter Wirs, for reasons I don’t understand. Like I said–breakdown in the norms of acceptable behavior).

    Gotta disagree with you there, seedubya.

    Mr. Wirs made the topic personal when he came out of the chute telling people to “stop griping”, that he has worked his fingers to the bone on a solution. For a mere $25 per month, the GOP will be willing to listen to your gripes. It seems Mr. Wirs has been doing extensive “research” into the practices in the porn indistry. His cyber version of a GOP peep show or a 900 line is pathetic.

    When someone blasts out a “STFU” message, it does indeed strike people on a personal level. Especially when the “solution” is that the GOP will listen to you, for a fee. Just listen, though. The fee for getting them to listen AND do something about it is financially out of reach for most of us.

    One is naturally curious as to the background and qualifications of someone delivering such a hollow and confrontational message. Does he have standing to brand complaints about the GOP as “griping” or “whining”? Does he have the moral high ground to back his accusations?

    In this case, he does not. He is a card carrying member of the ACLU! There is a real defender of conservative values. Professionally, he is a notary public. I suppose all those car titles he has notarized give him some keen insights into conservative issues. Wirs is a lifelong political hack who has found a comfortable spot that masks his incompetence and affords him an easy life on the political teat without having to compete based on merit or accomplishment.

    In this case, if you consider this a case of shooting the messenger, the messenger deserved to be exposed for what he was and dispatched with prejudice. Wirs is just another example of why the GOP is dying from within.

  32. #32
    On May 18th, 2008 at 11:31 am, LOBOMAN said:

    And the both brought it upon themselves, at the expense of the “little people” !

  33. #33
    On May 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am, IndependentTom said:

    Regarding the suggestion that we start by voting out the democratic representatives, I don’t think it can be done.

    For example, in my state Democratic registrations far exceed those of Republicans. We have a Democratic governor and Democratic control of the state legislature. I believe that this was a direct result of the Republican leadership’s mishandling of the party.

    As for me, in November I’ll be looking at candidates and issues that have influence locally. That could be construed as “isolationist” but frankly I’ve given up hope that anything can convince the GOP leadership that my opinion and my vote matters to them. I am grateful for the opportunity to post here and I hope that maybe…just maybe…a few members of the Republican establishment may scan the postings and get an idea of the depth of dissatisfaction of the rank and file.

    I cannot say with any certainty that I won’t vote for McCain in November. But with hacks like Tom Cole and Peter Wirs scolding me it’s becoming increasingly unlikely.

  34. #34
    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:07 pm, Boomer said:

    Good morning everyone! Back from our leave on the beautiful Oregon coast last week and due to our profound dislike for the airline industry we drove there and back. It was a much more pleasant trip then having to be considered an enemy of the state and to be inspected or groped by TSA until cleared through their security to be treated like cattle and shoved into seats that have been designed by the Josef Mengela of the airline industry. Sorry about your knees See-Dubya but it appears Mookie #3 has a great solution for your next trip by air.

    I will admit that I am spoiled after 11 years of taking my assigned aircraft to any destination the Air Force ordered me and my crew to fly to. It was great with a 4 man crew having the run of a B-707 or DC-10 variant usually to your self for aerial refueling (passing gas) missions unless hauling cargo (trash) or passengers (self loading baggage). I guarantee you we treated our military and their dependent passengers a hell of a lot better than the airline industry does in first class.

    I vented my frustration with the “Stupid Party” on Tom Cole’s blog and did not read one comment in there that was positive. The best was someone elegantly telling the parties leadership to pull its collect heads out of their butts and once cleaning the fecal matter off their heads to take a good hard look at themselves in the mirror. How dare they charge $25 a pop to give you access to the parties leadership, they have taken prostitution to a new low. I almost had to replace the ceiling when I found out about the new betrayal of Senator wide-stance Craig on Thursday night and they wonder why they aren’t filling their coffers this election cycle. I hope he doesn’t plan on coming home to Idaho to live when he finally is pulled screaming and kicking from his Senate seat it may not be safe for him after catching up with my neighbors. They keep this stupidity up and I am very tempted to stay home this election cycle, but fortunately many running for office in Idaho this election cycle understand we will only vote for real conservatives that believe in and will support only those values.

    Cole and Wirs need to quit blaming the conservative base for their problems and find candidates for office to replace those that are running positions left of most main stream liberal Democrats. I am still writing in “none of the above” for POTUS there is no way I can see myself voting for the grumpy old man and will explain that to the party leadership when I finally get my shot on 27 May.

  35. #35
    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:11 pm, Politicalguano said:

    The leadership of the GOP has no interest in winning or losing. They all have either become wealthy or have guaranteed jobs, excellent health care, and are all members of the “American Politburo.” Their children will get into the best colleges and have guaranteed employment. We don’t even exist to these soulless sellouts.
    McCain is the perfect example - what part of the Constitution stirs his soul and is something he is still willing to fight and die for defending it? That part of him never left Vietnam. Talk about a bitter clinger-on. Oops! I forgot I was supposed to shut up and just vote for Mr. Keating 5 - forget the First Amendment, forget the law, just turn out 100% to vote. When do we get our 2 minutes of hate?

  36. #36
    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:32 pm, Speakup said:

    In other words, GOP leadership, you can die on your feet, or you can die on your knees.

    While dying on your feet is always preferable to being on your knees for any damn reason, if I’m going to die, their going to have to achieve that dastardly deed with my hands around their throat and my knee in their crotch.

  37. #37
    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:39 pm, Concerned Citizen said:

    “The Republican idea is a great idea, but we can’t go and get stuck with just the right wing,” Schwarzenegger said. “Let’s let the party come all the way to the center. Let those people be heard as much as the right. Let it be the big tent we’ve talked about.

    “Let’s invade and let’s cross over that (political) center,” he said. “The issues that they’re talking about? Let them be our issues, and let the party be known for that.”

    The Republican Party wants the center, they can have it. Give me a party to the right of them.

  38. #38
    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm, Concerned Citizen said:

    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:32 pm, Speakup said:
    In other words, GOP leadership, you can die on your feet, or you can die on your knees.
    While dying on your feet is always preferable to being on your knees for any damn reason, if I’m going to die, their going to have to achieve that dastardly deed with my hands around their throat and my knee in their crotch.

    Or at the very least, with middle finger in the air.

  39. #39
    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:47 pm, abc123 said:

    You know, McCain does bear a certain resemblance to Leslie Nielson. No offense to Mr. Nielson of course.

    Once again I say, support your candidates of choice but let the GOP leadership know they are not getting a dime. Speaking of which, has anyone got a list of actual conservatives running? Maybe this would be a good column for Michelle or Ann Coulter.

  40. #40
    On May 18th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, Tantor said:

    I love to fly but I hate to fly. I love to fly because I flew fighters in the Air Force and just love climbing on a jet going anywhere and seeing the Earth from an eagle’s perspective. I hate to fly because Muslim terrorists have forced the airlines to make us traverse a gauntlet that is at least incovenient, at most humiliating. I mean, really, where else in the world do you need to have your shoes tested to make sure you’re not carrying bombs in them?

    I can not fault the airlines for being careful about security, but I can fault them about being abusive to their customers. I’m a pretty genial guy, not given to fits of anger. I’d rather just walk away from bad service and take my revenge by giving my business to somebody else. However, I can sympathize with the out of control airport rage I read about after an encounter with an American Airlines gate agent who obtusely and furiously insisted I was to blame for missing my connection in Chicago O’Hare when my AA flight was two hours late. Getting mad and shouting at the gate agent is probably the only satisfaction you’ll ever get from companies like American Airlines, who regard their customers as a necessary nuisance, if not their enemy. I just walked away and never booked that flight again.

    After that encounter, I rent a car for trips under 200 miles. The rental agencies are unfailingly courteous and reliable, unlike the airlines. The time of travel is about the same when you add in the two hours you need to spend in the airport pre-flight and the hour it takes postflight to deplane and collect your bags. Your bags never get lost in the trunk of the rental car. They always arrive with you. It’s much cheaper, too.

    Though the airlines provide mediocre service, to be fair, they’re giving us exactly what we want. Airline customers choose flights entirely by the lowest price, not by service. The meals are disappearing and the seats shrinking because the airlines are reacting rationally to the market demand for cheap seats. We don’t choose flights for the meals nor roomy seats, but only to get there.

    That said, Midwest Airlines is different. If you ever have the chance to fly with them, I highly recommend the experience.

    However, nowadays the train is the best way to travel. No security, big seats, big windows. It’s the way civilized people should travel. If you’re lucky enough to have Amtrak service between your city and your destination, take it. For trips of up to about four hundred miles, it’s the way to go. More than that, it’s probably an overnight trip and you’ll probably have to sleep in your seat.

  41. #41
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm, meatpieandtatters said:

    I despise the seat-back types. Not always of stupendous girth, some are just plain old inconsiderate.

  42. #42
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm, love2rumba said:

    RE: post 25

    RINOs on a Plane, man that is funny!

  43. #43
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pm, Papa Louie said:

    Schwarzenegger said, “Let’s let the party come all the way to the center. Let those people be heard as much as the right. Let it be the big tent we’ve talked about…Let’s invade and let’s cross over that (political) center…The issues that they’re talking about? Let them be our issues, and let the party be known for that.”

    Tom Cole said,”Republicans must be prepared to campaign against Democrat challengers who are running as conservatives…the fact is they have pulled off two special election victories with this strategy, and it should be a concern to all Republicans.”

    If Democrats are winning in red states by moving to the right and running as conservatives, should Republicans move to the left and adopt liberal issues as our own? Yeah, that will work! Maybe we can all meet in the center and sing Cumbyah.

  44. #44
    On May 18th, 2008 at 1:49 pm, love2rumba said:

    The GOP is dying from within because too many of its standard bearers have asked us to back people who were at best nominal Republicans:

    Case in point: Sean Hannity during the recall election of Gov. Gray Davis literally looking Tom McClintok in the eye and saying in effect to (real) conservative Tom McClintok : ” I think you are a great candidate, but I think Swarzenagger will be easier to put in”.

    Sean Hannity should never have said that on Fox in public, and I credit him more than any other RINO for why California has a Ted Kennedy loving joke of a governor.

    Save me from Hannitization, please!

  45. #45
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:01 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    Sean is a great guy. Not a great intellectual thinker.

    He can do a lot for the party, not necessarily for conservatives.

    First the base there, waiting for leadership.

    The missing ingredient is a cohesive national organizatin which funds and builds grassroots republicans and conservatives and daily is visible in every community.

    That takes funds.

    Lots and lots of funds.

    Secondly we need strong local leadership with the ability to make sur the kooks from any direction cannot infiltrate our efforts.

    Third, we need message discipline.

    The party cannot be all things to all people. We are the party of smaller government. Smaller does not mean, we only grow government by 3% and the dems grow it by 5%. Smaller means smaller.

    If the republicans simply want to grow government less than the dems, then why bother. People will do what is their individual best interests if that is the only difference.

    I’ll be back, family calling…..

  46. #46
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, terrig said:

    I hate to fly myself but Mookie’s link was a great thing! I have had experiences with American Airlines myself and I refuse to fly them ever again.
    Oldcollegeguy, the Flying J truck stops always seem to have clean restrooms, usually much cleaner than the ones on the Interstate.
    Flying is a lot like the Republican party. They both gladly take your money, then treat you like excrement. When you complain, they yell at you because in their eyes you’re at fault even if you’re delayed to one of their planes coming in late, or you complain about the state of the party to the higher ups. Either way, you’re at fault.

  47. #47
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, love2rumba said:

    Papa Louie,RE: post #43

    Here is a thought: The fact that Dems have had to put in right-leaning candidates to win in Red States, is I believe a potential opportunity for conservative activists to infiltrate, influence,and yes eventually control Democrat ops on a number of levels.

    The fact that so far these particular democrats have been willing to vote against illegal immigration, gun control, etc. could mean a new way to have our voice heard, provided that the conservative leadership we have now that is not RINO does not get co-opted in the process.

    There could be a silver lining to these Republican defeats, if, as I increasingly believe, this is evidence of a new political trend: Conservatism amongst the population has not changed, but abject reality for Dems is that to have any power at all they have to open themselves to conservative voters.

    What I’m saying in a nutshell, is that in order to combat the policies we detest, we in fact have a strong influence even under a Democrat administration than we at first blush realize.

    WE don’t need McCain, nor should we even think that our influence will wane if we don’t put him in there.

  48. #48
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:18 pm, Fineous Reese said:

    $25 to ignore me? The GOP really is all about Grabbing Our Profits.

  49. #49
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pm, Papa Louie said:

    If the GOP continues its march to the left by adopting liberal causes like Global Warming and Open Borders, it won’t be long before we are unable to tell the two parties apart. I’m afraid the only difference will be the signs above their doors. The DNC sign will say “Party of Hope” and the RNC sign will read “Abandon hope, all who enter here.”

  50. #50
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:42 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    There is a Flying J at exit 46 I-15 and Cheyenne. Not too far from my house. Its ok but small parking lot, they are remodeling, so it is in flux.

    Still not too bad a breakfast plate.

    The problem is they can remodel all they want but it will not make ingress and egress any easier.

    No room for real growth.

  51. #51
    On May 18th, 2008 at 2:50 pm, Papa Louie said:

    The way I see it, the Republican party has two choices: they must choose between two California Governors. They can follow the example of Ronald Reagan, which has been very successful in the past; or they can emulate the example of Arnold Schwarzenegger, which means getting in bed with the Kennedys.

    It’s a tough choice. I just wish there was some indication from McCain’s past that would allow us to predict which direction he would take the party…
    /sarc off

  52. #52
    On May 18th, 2008 at 3:21 pm, lonewolf said:

    I used to fly quite a bit in the pre-security days. Even then I had a 500 mile radius within I found it more convenient, just as fast and cheaper for one person to drive instead of fly.

    No more. Last summer, I drove a 23 mpg car from OK to SF, CA, about 2000 miles, and flew home. Trip out took two looooong days, one night in motel and $256 gasoline. Flight home took three hours and $159 air fare.

  53. #53
    On May 18th, 2008 at 5:25 pm, havok said:

    The GOP fools missed an opportunity to capitalize on Obama’s success. Instead of charging $25 dollars to igonore people they should state they will charge ’spare CHANGE‘. This way they get your money and get to play nice nice with Obama their new ruler.

    /sarc off…

  54. #54
    On May 18th, 2008 at 7:33 pm, Dandapani said:

    Once again I say, support your candidates of choice but let the GOP leadership know they are not getting a dime. Speaking of which, has anyone got a list of actual conservatives running? Maybe this would be a good column for Michelle or Ann Coulter.

    Ginny Brown-Waite

    http://brown-waite.house.gov/

    Florida’s 5th Congressional District

  55. #55
    On May 18th, 2008 at 11:35 pm, Billy Mays said:

    CHECK IT BLEED, BRO WAS ON!
    DIDN’T TRIP, BUT THE FOLKS WAS FREAKIN MAN HEY.
    SO BRO HAMMERED OUT AND JAMMED CHIP!
    TIGHTENED THAT BAD SUCKER SIDE THE RUNWAY LIKE A MOTHER!
    GOLLY!

  56. #56
    On May 19th, 2008 at 12:36 am, DaveC said:

    On May 18th, 2008 at 11:35 pm, Billy Mays said:

    Golly

  57. #57
    On May 19th, 2008 at 5:11 am, love2rumba said:
  58. #58
    On May 19th, 2008 at 11:05 am, misterbee241 said:

    Greed
    Over
    Politics?

    Greatly
    Overbearing
    Panderers

    Gone is our Grand Ol Party.

    Grumpy
    Old
    Poops
    McCain.

  59. #59
    On May 19th, 2008 at 11:17 am, misterbee241 said:

    I went to gopondemand.com from a link on another forum. Soon as I found out they wanted 25 bucks just to express my opinion of them, I left.
    I’ll send my $25 here.

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