Dealergate and the MSM

By Michelle Malkin  •  May 28, 2009 09:06 AM

I talked about Dealergate on Fox and Friends this morning. Will try and get the video clip up later today. I made sure to credit bloggers Doug Ross and Joey Smith, who took the lead in probing the relationship between political considerations and Chrysler dealerships targeted for closure, also Hot Air, which is where the F&F producer saw the story.

The bloggers are continuing their intriguing work. Doug has a new post here shedding more light on Mack McLarty/Robet Johnson’s dealerships. Joey has more info on Lithia Motors here.

As I’ve stated from the beginning, there is still much to be researched on this issue. Given Obama’s Chicago gangland propensities, anything corrupt is possible.

Some professional journalists, however, have shown obstinate unwilligness to get to the bottom of the decision-making process.

The Washington Post’s business columnist Steven Pearlstein was asked about the story yesterday in an online Q&A. He scoffed:

Boonsboro, Md.: A bit off the topic, but have you or anyone at the Post investigated this? Chrysler dealers shut down in Obama bankruptcy are mostly Republican? It seems a crosscheck of dealerships to be closed versus donations shows almost all the dealers to be closed donated to Republicans. http://hotair.com/

Steven Pearlstein: Oh, please. What percent of all auto dealers are Republican? I bet its (sic) pretty high.

Well, why don’t you use all your professional journalism training and find out the answer, Mr. Pearlstein? And why don’t you look at the flip side of the question — as “amateur” bloggers have been doing — and investigate the circumstances of the protected dealers?

Pearlstein is not alone in dismissing the blogosphere out of hand. The impulse to denigrate blogs is borne of professional protectionism.

Ace reflects on the conservative blog-MSM dynamic:

Here’s a dilemma for conservatives. The MSM will not investigate any of these claims, ever. So what is a conservative to do? If a conservatives admit that this line of inquiry seems unlikely to turn up malfeasance, the MSM uses such statements as pretexts to not bother to even check, and uses such statements against conservatives who are agitating for additional investigation — “Even conservatives think this is unlikely, so you guys are obviously crazy…”

Of course I want this looked into, of course. It’s my guess it’s a non-story, not my expert opinion.

But the MSM is so ridiculously biased that they make honesty a dangerous and politically counterproductive business.

The only way to even get the MSM to do their jobs and take a look is to pressure them by claiming Worst Scandal Eveh, even if we don’t all necessarily buy that. But we have to claim that in order to spur any sort of media interest whatsoever. (That interest, of course, coming in the form of stories like Conservatives Now So Crazy They Think Obama Is Closing Chrysler Dealerships for Political Advantage, which isn’t exactly the headline we seek, but that’s the best we can hope for from the MSM.)

A few quick points: I do think that eventually, the MSM will come around to investigating. If they find anything at all that confirms the politicizing of the process, they’ll either whitewash it, downplay it, or take credit for exposing it with little or no credit to the bloggers who first started digging. They’ll also ignore the fact that some of us early on have made the caveat from the start not to make too-broad claims.

I also don’t think it’s necessary to over-sell the story in order to get more mainstream coverage. The fact is, Missouri senators have already pressed the White House for more transparency on the closure decision-making process.

Do the rest of the MSM’s business journalists take Pearlstein’s arrogant “Oh, please” position that the answers are not even worth pursuing?

***

Jim Hoft has further info/commentary.

Posted in: Chrysler

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Trackbacks

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  4. Thursday, May 28, 2009: Daily Handpicked Headlines :: Daily Uprising :: Join the Conservative Counter-Revolution!
  5. Dealergate - alternate media diggs through Chrysler franchise mess | Radio Vice Online
  6. So, How About Those Closed Dealerships? | Little Miss Attila
  7. Dealership Closings Reak of Partisan Hit-Job « Patriot Burr
  8. Obama ‘Dealergate’ and The MSM | Obama Exposure
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  11. The Jawa Report
  12. Obama Shutting Down GOP Friendly Chrysler Dealerships
  13. Dealergate / Mopargate - Evidence Mounts That Chrysler Dealer Closings Possibly Politically Motivated : Conservative Nation
  14. Empathy and Obscurantism [Dan Collins; UPDATE x2]
  15. Camelot devotees make very poor investigative reporters: will the press ever hold Obama accountable? « Jim Blazsik
  16. Chrysler Conservatives Axed - Only Blogs Investigate | Got Access News
  17. Sonia Sotomayor- The nominee and the empathy continuum
  18. Obama administration has systematically targeted for closing Chrysler dealers who contributed to Repubicans « Goodtimepolitics
  19. Dealergate: Additional Research Shows Closing Bias « Nice Deb
  20. Which Chrysler dealerships got shut down? Heavy GOP donors! - Big Obama donors keep their dealerships and get competition eliminated! | New Chrysler dealerships to be openned? WTF is going on here? | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
  21. Chrysler Conservatives Axed - Only Blogs Investigate | Latest Technology News - Business News And Expert Advice
  22. Washington Post Notices Potential Car Dealership Closures-Minority Ones » Pirate’s Cove
  23. Washington Post Notices Potential Car Dealership Closures-Minority Ones : Stop The ACLU
  24. BizzyBlog » Dealergate: Center-Right Bloggers Doing the Establishment Media’s Work
  25. Is This The Plan For The Auto Industry? « Around The Sphere
  26. Michigan Taxes Too Much » Michigan getting the screws, but the car is falling apart.
  27. Obama “Dealergate” Picking Up Interest | Be John Galt
  28. Chrysler Conservatives Axed - Only Blogs Investigate | Business Opportuinty Buzz And Web News
  29. PoliBlog: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » Another Thought on “Dealergate”
  30. Chrysler Conservatives Axed - Only Blogs Investigate
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  34. The Dealergate Post That Will Make No One Happy « Political Math
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Comments


  1. #709017
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:23 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    The fact is, Missouri senators have already pressed the White House for more transparency on the closure decision-making process.

    Yes Senator we shall look into it–you still have family in the old country?”

    You might need to be long of tooth to catch that one-but it works for the old and lame.

    Let your sidearm be like MasterCard: DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.
    And if you live in a sissy state that won’t let you carry move to one that will–we need you.

  2. #709019
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:25 pm, MtsEdge said:

    And if you live in a sissy state that won’t let you carry move to one that will–we need you.

    Haha, AzN. We live in one of the “sissy” states. I took a handgun class a couple of weeks ago and learned that the sissy states are in the minority, fortunately, so our options are great.

  3. #709020
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm, Cogs said:

    It is critical that all of us keep the pressure on the corrupt MSM as well as the Progressivists. We watched this work in the case of the Swift-Boat Vets. The corrupt MSM avoided reporting on any of the damning evidence against John Kerry. In time, the vets’ testimonial commercials, the internet commercials, the bloggers and the honest media offered enough of a case, that the corrupt MSM couldn’t avoid the issue.

  4. #709023
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:30 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Obama is working very constructively to accomplish what he and others envision “America” to be. In their minds what they are attempting to accomplish is the best America imaginable. So when they act all hostile about any resistance to their attempts, that hostility is sincere and deeply felt.

    And because they feel it so deeply (libs always feel deeply) they won’t mind stepping all over your rights to do it.

    The government should never be in business. Period. But Obama is Marx for all intents and purposes.

  5. #709024
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:31 pm, J S Ragman said:

    Guys, guys, guys, I’ve figured it out. All we need is for somebody to contact the State of Hawaii, and have them issue a birth certificate confirming that Barry Hussein is really related to George W. Bush. Once that word gets out, the MSM will be all over him like ugly on an ape.

  6. #709026
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:34 pm, MtsEdge said:

    Barry Hussein is really related to George W. Bush

    I thought Hussein was related to Brad Pitt??? :)

  7. #709029
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:39 pm, Ragspierre said:

    THE ONE is the son of his father…who we know was a Marxist/Leninist thug and serial baby-maker on several continents.

    The ACORN does not fall far from the tree…

  8. #709034
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:42 pm, MtsEdge said:

    THE ONE is the son of his father…who we know was a Marxist/Leninist thug and serial baby-maker on several continents.

    But otherwise, a fine, upstanding human being, I’m sure. :)

  9. #709038
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:52 pm, ScottyDog said:

    If any of you have been listening to Rush Limbaugh lately he has been highlighting how many people are losing their jobs due to the programs that Barry Soetoro has been implementing.

    BTW-Robert Gibbs thinks the fact that the American people are demanding to see Barry Soetoro’s natural born citizenship documents are a big joke. Watch the MSM laugh the whole thing off when a reporter asks to see his long form Birth Cetificate not the forged COLB on the web.

    Maybe if Conservatives had forced him to provide those documents he would not be in the oval office.Many believe he is not a natural born citizen because his father was a british subject.

  10. #709043
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:54 pm, MtsEdge said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:52 pm, ScottyDog said:

    Since you mention it, I noticed how Gibbs was so “astounded” (I think that’s the word he used) that this issue hasn’t gone away. After all, haven’t he and the rest of the lib establishment patiently instructed us over and over that this is matter is settled?

  11. #709047
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:56 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:
  12. #709050
    On May 28th, 2009 at 1:58 pm, Tazed and Confused said:

    BHO must be arrested, tried, and convicted for racketeering in this heavy-handed swipe at those who supported candidates opposed to the Democratic Party.

    BHO has again placed his vanity above the health of our nation. BHO is bereft morals, conscience and rational behavior. Said simply, he is a sociopath, and unfit for leadership in any capacity.

    The time to cast out BHO is NOW.

  13. #709058
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm, txvet2 said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, MtsEdge said:

    Why would the Dems need to destroy the Repub party if they weren’t interested in ultimately steering the country over a cliff (which I know in their minds means, “success”)?

    The first step is to destroy the Republican Party, or more precisely, to reduce it to a small rump minority party run by semi-liberal hacks – more or less what we have now. It’s a lot easier to remake the country in the manner they desire if they have one-party rule.

  14. #709063
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:12 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “The first step is to destroy the Republican Party”

    Let’s say that is the case. Why? What difference does that make? Conservatives will still vote. Destroying the Republican Party does nothing to ensure the leftist socialist rule forever and ever. We don’t lose our voting rights because there is no Republican Party.

  15. #709068
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:16 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “they won’t mind stepping all over your rights to do it.”

    Not only will they not mind, they will be proud of doing so as it is seen as a good thing to do so. Stepping all over another person’s rights will be both a justifiable action AND an action to be praised.

  16. #709073
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:18 pm, MtsEdge said:

    Not only will they not mind, they will be proud of doing so as it is seen as a good thing to do so. Stepping all over another person’s rights will be both a justifiable action AND an action to be praised.

    Which brings us back to our original point of contention: Do you believe they are trying to destroy this country?

  17. #709076
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:22 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “Do you believe they are trying to destroy this country?”

    Nope. I believe they are trying to make this country the very best they think it can be.

  18. #709096
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:35 pm, MtsEdge said:

    I believe they are trying to make this country the very best they think it can be.

    I asked because the words you use to describe their tactics would be the same words I would use to describe someone who is intent on destroying something.

    Not trying to argue, though.

  19. #709098
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:37 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Look, guys…

    jsmiddleton4 is saying that, of course, they are trying to destroy the America we believe…and grew up…in.

    But destruction is not their goal. Destruction is incidental to their goal, which is to REMAKE America in the image of collectivism, as opposed to our tradition of individual rights and enterprise.

  20. #709106
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, txvet2 said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:12 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    Don’t be obtuse. If there is no opposition party, whether it’s called Republican, Conservative, or Whig, for whom, precisely, do you think you will be voting? The Eastern European countries had “free” elections” for decades – but if there’s only one candidate what difference does it make?

  21. #709108
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, MtsEdge said:

    But destruction is not their goal. Destruction is incidental to their goal, which is to REMAKE America in the image of collectivism, as opposed to our tradition of individual rights and enterprise.

    Point taken. I’m just saying that I believe we make a mistake when we assume that their intentions are good. There is a way that is right and a way that is wrong for this country. Stepping on people’s rights and celebrating that fact is WRONG. There is nothing good about it. These same people who gleefully squash your rights and mine would jealously guard (with their bodyguards’ lives, of course) their own rights.

    We must recognize evil if we wish to combat it.

  22. #709111
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, madmonkphotog said:

    I found this article at Drudge while catching up on my readings.

    Seems as though the bloggers are getting some props, but I’m certain that this will turn up on Newsbusters as nothing more than empty b*tching from the right.

    More the pity.

  23. #709112
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Watch the MSM laugh the whole thing off when a reporter asks to see his long form Birth Cetificate not the forged COLB on the web.

    I would love to see someone ask him which hosital. There aren’t many, but I bet he’d hem and haw….

  24. #709115
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:56 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Ok, my spelling is off today… ;)

  25. #709116
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:56 pm, ScottyDog said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Watch the MSM laugh the whole thing off when a reporter asks to see his long form Birth Cetificate not the forged COLB on the web.

    I would love to see someone ask him which hosital. There aren’t many, but I bet he’d hem and haw….

    It just amazes me that the RNC has let him get away with this just like everything else he has done. They either are on the take or have been threatened to not fight it.

    What other explanation is there for someone that has all his records sealed from the public.

  26. #709117
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:57 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    MtsEdge said:
    Haha, AzN. We live in one of the “sissy” states. I took a handgun class a couple of weeks ago and learned that the sissy states are in the minority, fortunately, so our options are great.

    We do have a majority of states with some form of Concealed Carry license-good start-Shall Issue is better-no license required, no registration or other “reasonable fascism ” is better yet-all goals we work for. I am told Illinois, Massachusetts and New York City haven’t been told we have a Constitution. We must send Second Amendment missionaries to those heathen lands and try to reach the barbarians.

    So did you get Carry License? When the Ship hits the Sand you will need it ;-)

    ====

    In My Obamamobile
    Come away with me Lucile in my merry Obamamobile
    Down the road of life we’ll fly automo-bubbling you and I.
    To the church we’ll swiftly steal, then our wedding bells will peal,
    You can go as far you like with me, In my merry Obamamobile.
    They love to spark in the dark old park, as they go flying along,
    She says she knows why his motor goes; his sparker’s awfully strong.
    Each day they spoon to the engine’s tune, their honeymoon will happen soon,
    He’ll win Lucile with his Obamamobile and then he’ll fondly croon;


    Let your sidearm be like MasterCard: DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.
    And if you live in a sissy state that won’t let you carry move to one that will–we need you.

  27. #709119
    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:58 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    It just amazes me that the RNC has let him get away with this just like everything else he has done. They either are on the take or have been threatened to not fight it.

    They left their spine in San Francisco or the Beltway.

  28. #709129
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:14 pm, MtsEdge said:

    So did you get Carry License?

    I’m a gun owner, but I live in MD. No concealed carry.

  29. #709130
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:15 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    I’m just saying that I believe we make a mistake when we assume that their intentions are good.”

    As far as they are concerned their intentions ARE good. Conservatives are wasting time trying to convince the left that their intentions are bad. They do not believe they are bad. They sincerely think they are doing the best thing for America. They are not plotting on destroying America. This attempt to convince folks that Obama is evil is bordering on Deranged Bush Syndrome. Sorry but there it is.

    Conservatives waste too much time trying to reason with folks and attempt to change minds on the left so they “get it”.

    It is we on the right who don’t get it.

    Use a football game as an example. We the conservatives have the ball. Instead of running a play, doing the work physically to push people out of the way and drive toward the goal to score, we spend our whole time trying to convince the other team that they should let us score cause we’re good guys, we’re right, their wrong and our ideas are better than theirs. So please, pretty please, let us score?

    Absurd. But its what we do.

    The folks on the left believe they are doing what is best for America. They really believe it. So when we on the right say, “Hey, you guys are destroying America…” They say, “No we are not.”

    And then we argue. “Yes you are!” And they say, “No we are not!” And we say, “Yes you are….” And on and on the dysfunctional dance goes.

    We on the right have got to get it in our heads that the folks on the left believe they are doing the right thing, not an evil thing AND we need to stop acting as if it matters that they will one day agree with us AND we need to stop all this wasted time trying to “prove” they are evil.

    Do know what I am describing looks like don’t you? It looks like leadership. We on the right need to lead. We need to quit acting like there is something wrong with us, that we need some kind of affirmation to be right, we need to start acting based on what we know is true: conservativism is a good thing and it works very well. I don’t need to apologize because I am a conservative. We need to lead and quit this ineffective dogfight with the left. They don’t and will never get it. We need to quit whining about the media. Stop wringing our hands over the GOP. We need to lead in our homes, in our jobs, in our local politics, in every way we can.

    We need to be conservatives. You know folks who think one person can make a difference. Folks who think that I can change the world. Folks who actually do hope and do change things. Folks who don’t think we have to have someone else help us otherwise we will fail.

  30. #709132
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:18 pm, MtsEdge said:

    Conservatives are wasting time trying to convince the left that their intentions are bad.

    I’m not wasting any time trying to convince libs that their intentions are bad. I think it’s more important that we conservatives recognize that fact FOR OURSELVES and stop ascribing higher motives to their obviously evil and destructive actions.

  31. #709134
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:23 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “stop ascribing higher motives to their obviously evil and destructive actions.”

    Sorry but Obama is not an evil man. He is sold out to his world view. That does not make him evil. He is wrong in terms of the end result of his policies and belief system. But he is not evil any more than George Bush’s being labeled evil by the left was valid. As I have already said this “Obama is evil” stuff by the right sounds the same as the Bush Derangement Syndrome stuff from the left.

  32. #709135
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:24 pm, Cogs said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 2:56 pm, ScottyDog said:
    It just amazes me that the RNC has let him get away with this just like everything else he has done. They either are on the take or have been threatened to not fight it.

    What other explanation is there for someone that has all his records sealed from the public.

    The Conservatives tried, but couldn’t get a foothold. That’s what happens when you have a corrupt MSM.

  33. #709139
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:26 pm, MtsEdge said:

    Sorry but Obama is not an evil man.

    We’ll just have to disagree on this.

  34. #709149
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:41 pm, ScottyDog said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:24 pm, Cogs said:

    Actually this is what happens when you let the MSM frame the issue then cower in the corner by not fighting for your principles.

  35. #709150
    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:41 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Sorry but Obama is not an evil man.

    Whoever is pulling his strings certainly is.

  36. #709166
    On May 28th, 2009 at 4:04 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 3:41 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Sorry but Obama is not an evil man.

    Whoever is pulling his strings certainly is.

    The same people pulling the RNC strings? So everyone is evil? Pointless.

  37. #709171
    On May 28th, 2009 at 4:13 pm, Cogs said:

    Well, I think Obama is evil. As is anyone who works to develop and expand a dependence class for a political agenda. Ayn Rand warned us of this and that was back in the 50’s (of course, she had been through it all before).

  38. #709177
    On May 28th, 2009 at 4:20 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “who works to develop and expand a dependence class for a political agenda.”

    So if you reduce the size of that dependent class, is his power reduced?

    And the very best way to reduce the size of that dependent class is how?

  39. #709181
    On May 28th, 2009 at 4:26 pm, Cogs said:

    Thats called freedom and personal responsibilty. You want to destroy a person’s ambition and creativity, keep him dependent. Once dependent, he has nowhere to go. That’s Progressivism.

  40. #709184
    On May 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pm, MtsEdge said:

    The same people pulling the RNC strings? So everyone is evil? Pointless.

    Anyone who attempts to destroy the human spirit is evil. Doesn’t matter whether someone calls themselves a Repub, Dem, or Martian. Avoiding your overgeneralization (”so everyone is evil?”) requires you to think beyond whether someone self-identifies with a particular party and do the hard work of looking at their philosophies and actions.

    This point has been amply covered on this site many times.

  41. #709187
    On May 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pm, MtsEdge said:

    And the very best way to reduce the size of that dependent class is how?

    The answer to this question should be a no-brainer for someone who calls themself a conservative.

  42. #709198
    On May 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pm, BOB said:

    Even a lot of “real” conservatives, bloggers or whatever do not want to talk about Obama’s legality, or lack thereof, to be president. Are they satisfied with what they have been told, are they intimidated, or what?

    Why would a presidential candidate, now president, seal virtually all his records from view. Not just the birth certificate, but college records, admissions papers, thesis, legal papers from his lawyer work, if he actually did any, his grades from the various schools he attended……, literally years of his life are hidden.

    If I am wrong, and all this is available, can someone tell me how to access this information?

  43. #709205
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:07 pm, MtsEdge said:

    Why would a presidential candidate, now president, seal virtually all his records from view.

    I think there are some pretty obvious reasons for this, mostly having to do with obtaining and keeping power and influence.

    If I am wrong, and all this is available, can someone tell me how to access this information?

    That’s the $64,000 question.

  44. #709207
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:17 pm, JonB said:

    Leaving the “Obama is evil” argument out of it, he certainly is NOT looking to do what he thinks is best for America. He is doing only what he thinks is best for *himeself*, and if that includes the destruction of America, the execution of millions, or allowing another country to simply walk in and take over, *that* is what he will do.

  45. #709208
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:19 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    I just see no point in basing an argument against politicians on “evil”. They are politicians and so, not to be trusted. Period. Getting bogged down in these discussions is a waste of time. Everyone sees the other party’s candidate as “evil” these days. It wasn’t always that way.

  46. #709215
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:33 pm, babiesgrandma said:

    I have heard plenty of supposedly conservative talk-show hosts and others in the media who immediately PooPoo the thought that Oblama is not a citizen of the U.S. They usually say it’s a settled issue….. kinda like Settled Science of Gorebull Warming…

    I’m just sayin’ this is all too clear to me. He is a fake, a phony, and dangerous.

  47. #709216
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:35 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

    Even a lot of “real” conservatives, bloggers or whatever do not want to talk about Obama’s legality, or lack thereof, to be president. Are they satisfied with what they have been told, are they intimidated, or what?

    Les Kinsolving from WND actually asked Obama’s mouthpiece Gibbs at a news conference and was mocked and laughed at by all.

    Gibb’s most interesting remark: “I certainly hope by the fourth year of our administration that we’ll have dealt with this burgeoning birth controversy.”

    Uh, huh. WHEN IT’S TOO LATE!!!

  48. #709217
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:36 pm, Ragspierre said:

    There is a problem here, guys.

    jsmiddleton4 is giving you the relativist view. “Obama isn’t evil because he sincerely thinks he’s good”.

    Most conservatives reject that view. Most of use are the opposite of relativists. We believe there are absolutes (at least sometimes). Good and evil are not susceptible to relative positions; they are what they are, and the evil person’s really sincerely belief that they are good doesn’t alter their evil.

    I’m sure Uncle Joe, Mao, Pol Pot, and Hitler could argue…very sincerely…they were good people who sought to do fine things.

    The larger point is this, IMNHO: it is not enough to recognize and vocally identify evil, especially when so many of our neighbors don’t get it. It can sound shrill and a little nuts, though we know it isn’t.

    Our better endeavor is to POSITIVELY show them why liberty and freedom are superior ways to live, and that those qualities in our system are being lost.

  49. #709225
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:53 pm, BOB said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:33 pm, babiesgrandma said:
    I have heard plenty of supposedly conservative talk-show hosts and others in the media who immediately PooPoo the thought that Oblama is not a citizen of the U.S. They usually say it’s a settled issue….. kinda like Settled Science of Gorebull Warming…

    I’m just sayin’ this is all too clear to me. He is a fake, a phony, and dangerous.

    And when someone ask Gibbs or whoever about this, they should include asking for everything that is kept secret, not just the birth certifcate. They are all interrelated to protect disclosure of the fact Obama is an illegal president. Even the school admission records will show this. What they are saying is “we have a really good fake birth certificate, so shut-up and accept it”.

    There are many other questions about his past that have not been answered that are related to the citizenship issue.

  50. #709230
    On May 28th, 2009 at 5:59 pm, Member-VRWC said:

    The nature of the evidence is irrelevant; it’s the seriousness of the charge that matters.

    I thought that was the MSM standard regarding whether or not something should be investigated.

    Or does that only apply when someone or something in the Bush administration was being pursued?

    There are obviously different rules for BO and his team. The MSM wouldn’t want to take away from their time spent drooling over BO’s pecs and MO’s arms.

    The MSM — what a bunch of worthless hacks.

  51. #709236
    On May 28th, 2009 at 6:19 pm, OneMonkeysUncle said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pm, The Master said:
    This is not rocket science. If the dealership closures are nonpartisan, and the majority of dealers are Republican, then BOTH the dealers targeted for closure AND the protected dealerships will be mostly Republican. The easy way to check this is to see which percentage of Democratic dealers are being closed versus the percentage of Republican dealers being closed. The percentages should be similar. If the Republican dealerships are being closed at a higher percentage, then indeed there is discrimination going on. My money’s on discrimination.

    The Master asked a good question, and despite the precipitous descent of this thread into the loony bin whackapalooza of long forms vs. COLBs, here’s the answer:

    http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/05/news-flash-car-dealers-are-republicans.html

    In short, someone DID do the math and discovered that of all the auto dealers who contributed money to ANY political party, 88% donated money to Republican candidates… Which pretty much explains why a huge number of dealerships being dumped donated money to Republican candidates. As the Master said, this is not rocket science…

  52. #709249
    On May 28th, 2009 at 6:55 pm, MtsEdge said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 6:19 pm, OneMonkeysUncle said:

    You’re leaving out the whole discussion of why dealerships are being closed AT ALL. If they make money for the company whether or not they sell a single car, then why are ANY being closed? This seems like more of an opportunity to shut down one’s political enemies than a business decision. Which is what led to the discussion of “motive” in the first place. Did you read this entire thread?

  53. #709253
    On May 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pm, MtsEdge said:

    I’m sure Uncle Joe, Mao, Pol Pot, and Hitler could argue…very sincerely…they were good people who sought to do fine things.

    I’m sure their mothers thought they were fine young men. :)

    The larger point is this, IMNHO: it is not enough to recognize and vocally identify evil, especially when so many of our neighbors don’t get it. It can sound shrill and a little nuts, though we know it isn’t.

    Our better endeavor is to POSITIVELY show them why liberty and freedom are superior ways to live, and that those qualities in our system are being lost.

    Yes, merely arguing about whether something/someone is evil (or not) can eventually hinder the cause. At some point, we must show the better way.

    Unfortunately, the Repub party is not in a position to do this b/c its “leadership” keeps fighting against conservatism and conservatives.

  54. #709255
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm, Ragspierre said:

    OT, but only some…

    The next economy killer…especially for the entrepreneurial small-to-mid size business…is the implementation of the new Consumer Product Safety regs.

    Congress has already passed these, and passed them on to the bureaucrats so they can propound the regs. These are going to be economic activity KILLERS, and need to be immediately withdraw, and the law changed.

    Be aware…!!!!

    One feature of fascist economic policy is it enmity toward entrepreneurial businesses. They do not fit neatly into the collectivist corporatist model, and they don’t fair well under fascist economic planning.

  55. #709262
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:06 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Unfortunately, the Repub party is not in a position to do this b/c its “leadership” keeps fighting against conservatism and conservatives.

    The idea of a big tent was and is not a bad one, SO LONG AS THE CENTER-POLE AND FOUNDATION OF THE TENT IS SOLID CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLE. That tall, strong pole will raise a canvas high enough to welcome anyone who is dedicated to individual liberty and enterprise.

    The mundane mush that is moderation cannot raise any shelter, or provide a landmark of principle to which hungry people are drawn from a distance.

  56. #709272
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm, MtsEdge said:

    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:06 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Good metaphor. If you will indulge me for just one more moment, that is why the *opposite* of, or a watered-down version of, conservatism (which amounts to oppression of the human spirit in whatever form it takes) does not have equal moral weight with conservatism.

  57. #709275
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:24 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “I’m sure Uncle Joe, Mao, Pol Pot, and Hitler could argue…very sincerely…they were good people who sought to do fine things.”

    Obama is Stalin, Mao, Hitler?

    I’m sure that makes it easier to be heard. Like I said, there are folks on the right who sound no different than folks on the left who had Bush Derangement Syndrome.

    It is sad that the only way some folks can frame any argument is to make the “other” guy evil.

  58. #709276
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:26 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Actually, if Obama is corrupt, and things like the Rezko sweetheart house deal would seem to suggest that, even if he sincerely believes some modified version of Marxism is what is best for America, then he is evil.

    If Obama knowingly protected Demonratic dealerships, and targetted Republican ones, that is a version of corruption and he is indeed a very evil man indeed.

    On a related subject, Bill Ayers was planning a bombing at an enlisted men’s dance at Fort Dix, and apparently hoped to kill many soldiers and their dates.

    Is that evil? Of course it is. Bill Ayers may think a few dozen dead soldiers, (and supposedly a few tens of thousands of bourgeosie counter-revolutionaries after the revolution) is just breaking some eggs for an omelette of the workers’ paradise, but objectively, he is an evil man.

    No matter if Adolf Hitler thought the Jews were a pestilence to be driven from Europe or eliminated any way possible, the fact that he had men, women, children and even babies murdered makes him evil, by definition.

  59. #709277
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:26 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “That tall, strong pole will raise a canvas high enough to welcome anyone who is dedicated to individual liberty and enterprise.”

    A pole that will be up to each of us to raise.

  60. #709278
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:27 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    Those remaining dealers are in for some rough times. I would never buy another vehicle from either a GM or Chrysler dealer who has benefited from the expulsion of a fellow dealer.

    I know some will continue to purchase these vehicles, but now me.

    I will no longer support either of these automotive companies.

    I said late last year that as a family I intended to lower my spending this year and every year until Obama is out of office.

    I owe nothing, and will not go into debt to help Obama get his fannie out of this mess. I realize my little bit is insignificant by itself. However it is what it is.

  61. #709279
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:29 pm, MtsEdge said:

    It is sad that the only way some folks can frame any argument is to make the “other” guy evil.

    What’s more sad is when someone doesn’t have the stomach to recognize and fight evil when they see it.

  62. #709281
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:35 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Obama is Stalin, Mao, Hitler?

    I’m sure that makes it easier to be heard. Like I said, there are folks on the right who sound no different than folks on the left who had Bush Derangement Syndrome.

    It is sad that the only way some folks can frame any argument is to make the “other” guy evil.

    I find it incredible that you could read my post, understand anything I was saying, and still write that.

    Hence, I conclude you can’t understand.

    Play on, McDuff…

  63. #709290
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:49 pm, Cicero said:

    Steven Pearlstein: Oh, please. What percent of all auto dealers are Republican? I bet its (sic) pretty high.

    Shhhh. Democracy’s self-appointed watchdogs are trying to sleep.

  64. #709291
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:52 pm, freemind25 said:

    I would expect some more research and journalism before posting these accusations. Nate Silver did some research and here’s what he found:

    Overall, 88 percent of the contributions from car dealers went to Republican candidates and just 12 percent to Democratic candidates. By comparison, the list of dealers on Doug Ross’s list (which I haven’t vetted, but I assume is fine) gave 92 percent of their money to Republicans — not really a significant difference.


    Here’s the whole post.

    So where is conspiracy, I won’t hold my breath for an apology. Please move on to the next conspiracy theory.

  65. #709295
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:56 pm, flenser said:

    What percent of all auto dealers are Republican?

    That’s a meaningless question. The real question is what percentage of Democrat auto dealers had their franchise revoked, and what percentage of Republican. If everything is above board, they will be the same. But the MSM would prefer not to find out.

    Much as they preferred not to know what was going on with Scare Force One.

  66. #709297
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:58 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “Hence, I conclude you can’t understand.”

    Gee rag, I didn’t know all my posts were to you personally.

  67. #709299
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:58 pm, flenser said:

    Overall, 88 percent of the contributions from car dealers went to Republican candidates and just 12 percent to Democratic candidates

    .

    That means nothing whatsoever, and Nate Silver knows it. You may be dim enough not to of course.

  68. #709302
    On May 28th, 2009 at 7:59 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “What’s more sad is when someone doesn’t have the stomach to recognize and fight evil when they see it.”

    I don’t need to have the “other” guy be evil to stand up for what I know to be right. Sad that some of you seem to need to have an “evil” opponent to get you going.

  69. #709303
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:01 pm, flenser said:

    Obama is Stalin, Mao, Hitler?

    Rags is write, you are illiterate.

  70. #709304
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:03 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Don’t let freeblind turn you around.

    The scandal here isn’t a made-out case for discrimination against the independent dealers. That case has yet to be made, and despite the stats cited in freeblind’s post, it still could be shown.

    But the REAL scandal here is that ANY independent dealership is having its contract abrogated, apparently at the behest of some unelected fascist bureaucrat.

  71. #709305
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:04 pm, DBNinKY said:

    So where is conspiracy, I won’t hold my breath for an apology.

    It’s not about the contributions but the preferential treatment of some Chrysler dealership owners over others, such as McClarty’s partnered dealerships being spared while equally if not more successful ones were closed. Why?

  72. #709306
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:06 pm, freemind25 said:

    That means nothing whatsoever, and Nate Silver knows it. You may be dim enough not to of course.

    Ok, lets say you have 100 rubber balls 88 are blue and 12 are red. You have to remove 10 balls from the box they are in. What are odds that all 10 will be red?

  73. #709307
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:06 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Gee rag, I didn’t know all my posts were to you personally.

    Well…in this forum…I, um, don’t see how that would be possible.

    You?

  74. #709308
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:06 pm, flenser said:

    Sorry but Obama is not an evil man. He is sold out to his world view. That does not make him evil.

    What do you think would make Obama, or anybody else, evil? Are there any evil people in the world, as you see it? If so, how do you recognize them?

  75. #709309
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:06 pm, MtsEdge said:

    I don’t need to have the “other” guy be evil to stand up for what I know to be right. Sad that some of you seem to need to have an “evil” opponent to get you going.

    jsm, you seem to be unable to make the call even when evil is staring you in the face. Fine. That’s your choice.

    But I say that’s what’s wrong with our country – it has lost its stomach for identifying, much less confronting, evil.

    I wonder what you would say to those boys at Omaha Beach 65 years ago, or in the jungles of Viet Nam, or the mountains of Afghanistan? “Aw come on, they’re not THAT bad, are they? Do you REALLY have to shoot ‘em?”

  76. #709310
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:07 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Ok, lets say you have 100 rubber balls 88 are blue and 12 are red. You have to remove 10 balls from the box they are in. What are odds that all 10 will be red?

    How does it skew the odds if you are discriminating for one color or the other?

  77. #709311
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:11 pm, MtsEdge said:

    freemind #148, please see post #136.

  78. #709312
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm, flenser said:

    Ok, lets say you have 100 rubber balls 88 are blue and 12 are red

    .

    The problem is, you are counting rubber balls when you are supposed to be counting rubber ducks.

    Silver is NOT telling you what percentage of the different groups were Democrat or Republican. He is counting the aggregate amount of money donated by each. This only works for our current purpose if there was very little variation in the amount donated on an individual basis.

    In other words, if everybody donated $2000, then Silvers approximation is accurate. If the Republicans donate significantly more (or less) on average then his approximation is wrong.

    As I said above, the relevant numbers are (a) the percentage of Republican dealers who had their franchise revoked and (b) the percentage of Democratic dealers who had their franchise revoked.

    Aggregate dollar amounts from Democrats and Republicans are not very helpful.

  79. #709314
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:21 pm, Ragspierre said:

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/28/gop-bloggers-charge-obamas-auto-task-force-playing-politics-chrysler-dealer/

    According to this, their methodology did NOT show discrimination in the closings.

    Read the story CAREFULLY, however. You will find several contradictions between Gibbs and others, and SEVERAL rationally inconsistent statements in quotes.

  80. #709315
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:26 pm, freemind25 said:

    freemind #148, please see post #136.

    Excellent question, heres an answer.

    In its court filing, Chrysler said that it needs to radically reduce the number of dealers to increase sales at its surviving showrooms and to make distribution more efficient. Currently, the average Chrysler dealer sells 303 vehicles a year, compared with 1,292 for a Toyota dealership and 1,219 for a Honda showroom.

    Industry analysts said the reductions at both G.M. and Chrysler were overdue, given their falling sales.

    “These companies are making up now for what they have avoided doing for years, if not decades,” said John Casesa of the automotive consulting firm Casesa Shapiro Group. “And if the market doesn’t stabilize, this may only be Phase 1.”

  81. #709317
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:27 pm, freemind25 said:

    As I said above, the relevant numbers are (a) the percentage of Republican dealers who had their franchise revoked and (b) the percentage of Democratic dealers who had their franchise revoked.

    So what are those numbers?

  82. #709318
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:29 pm, flenser said:

    In its court filing, Chrysler said that it needs to radically reduce the number of dealers to increase sales at its surviving showrooms and to make distribution more efficient.

    Then how do you explain the fact that among the dealers being closed were some of the top preforming Chrysler dealerships in the country?

  83. #709320
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:31 pm, flenser said:

    So what are those numbers?

    Those numbers, to return to the topic of the post, are what the lapdog media are supposed to be finding out. You know, speaking truth to power and all that jazz?

  84. #709321
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:33 pm, flenser said:

    Industry analysts said the reductions at both G.M. and Chrysler were overdue, given their falling sales.

    Yes, but industry analysts did not say that profitable dealerships should be closed on political grounds.

  85. #709322
    On May 28th, 2009 at 8:33 pm, Ragspierre said:

    Industry analysts said the reductions at both G.M. and Chrysler were overdue, given their falling sales.

    “These companies are making up now for what they have avoided doing for years, if not decades,” said John Casesa of the automotive consulting firm Casesa Shapiro Group. “And if the market doesn’t stabilize, this may only be Phase 1.”

    Oh, shoot…

    if GM or Chrysler are the only lines these dealers are going to sell…

    you ain’t see NUTTIN yet.

    As I said earlier, the only reliable market for these brands will be government.

    Only one dealership needed.

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