Speaking of incessant, grating whines…here's another Minnesota pest, Michele Bachmann. She spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (by invitation…how deranged have the Republicans become, anyway?) and offered this jewel of logic:
I just wondered that if our founders thought taxation without representation was bad, what would they think of representation WITH taxation?
Don't even try to comprehend the strange thoughts that flit through that tiny brain.
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Well Michelle, it's like this... the problem the founders had with that whole 'taxation without represention' thing was the 2nd part of it... as in not being represented. I'm sure that if they didn't want any taxes at all, they might not have given Congress the power to levy taxes. Ugh, what was I thinking, these people don't read the Constitution, they use it as toilet paper.
WTF? Augh, that hurt.
I don't even understand what she's trying to say.
ugh
That was unpleasant.
A good comment on Bachmann is this posting from Hilzoy at washingtonmonthly.com:
Michele Bachman: Keeping It Real
From CNN, via TPMDC:
"As he concluded his remarks, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann -- the event's moderator -- told Steele he was "da man."
"Michael Steele! You be da man! You be da man," she said."
Dat Michele Bachmann is sho' nuff hep to da black man's lingo. She down with Malcolm and the Panthers. Any moment now she gwine get wise to da special secret code words like 'bling' and 'bitch' and 'chill' and 'whack'.
She keep conversatin like dis, black folks gwine realize dat Barack Obama ain't the only hep cat on da scene.
—Hilzoy
What?
Don't tell me, I bet it got a big round of applause?
I can see how Minnesota residents might take issue with their taxation paying for that quality of representation.
WHAT?!?!
In an ideal situation, such an embarrassing and ridiculous display of stupidity would be enough to ensure someone would never be elected to a position of power again (assuming it wasn't an honest mistake). In our current situation, it will be a badge of honor. Sad. And scary.
They would think it was a just order.
Did she go to fundy opposite school or something?
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/6mb592
Ahhh fuck. Scott for Oregon will be in here soon spouting off his bullshit.
The bit from TPMDC was absolutely un-bucking-felievable.
they even had to put a disclaimer that it is not from the Onion!
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/steeles-new-gop-message-my-b…
Okay, I think I understand what she's saying, but... she does realize that taxation is the price of representation, right? Even Michelle Bachmann isn't that stupid, right?
Please... tell me she can't possibly be...
She keep conversatin like dis, black folks gwine realize dat Barack Obama ain't the only hep cat on da scene.
"Oh stewardess! Michelle speaks jive."
W...T...F?
Michele Bachman: Please learn some basic reasoning skills before speaking again. If you don't, we will continue to point and laugh. You have been warned.
It looks like Limbaugh has been sharing his pills again.
When can we have the DEA start kicking in the doors of these Republicans? As a taxpayers we deserve to know what the hell they're on. Especially since they won't let us have whatever it is.
Quickly! Notify the Dingbat Hall of Fame.
At a convention yesterday she also told Michael Steele, "you be 'da man."
She doesn't seem to have brain.
Brain... hurt...
Slightly off topic (but not if topic = incessant, grating whines), heeeeeeere's a crashable poll:
Can one believe the biblical account of creation and still believe in evolution?
Don’t forget to click the “related story” link - it’s got a cute picture of a chimpanzee with another primate, plus incisive commentary from Answers in Genesis on the Vatican’s evolution conference next month and fossil evidence for Noah’s flood!
Considering they sided with President Washington in putting down the Whiskey Rebellion they would think taxation with representation is just peachy Representative Bachmann.
Ouch- that hurt more than the time I thought about the buttered cat paradox.
Dennis, have you considered the power-generating potential of a buttered-cat array?
So Bachmann thinks the Revolution was fought over the "taxation" part, not the "no representation" part? How does she manage to feed herself day after day with a brain like that?
I don't even understand what she's trying to say. - Bacopa
Don't worry; nor does she.
I watched the video clip of this speech on Greg Laden's blog (linked above). The woman's voice is incredibly irritating and grating; do her constituents not get fed up with this?
And I just find it depressing that the loudest voices in politics and the media opposing the stimulus bill are generally spouting this kind of illiterate drivel. Rep. Bachmann is clearly just not terribly bright.
The stimulus bill is, in fact, an extremely bad idea, and a variety of articulate, economically literate and sound arguments against it can be found on various libertarian blogs, websites and journals. But unfortunately, the average American voter doesn't read any libertarian blogs, websites or journals. S/he gets his or her information about politics from the news media, and so s/he probably thinks that the likes of Michele Bachman represent the mainstream of opposition to big government. They do not - which is why an independent libertarian voice is desperately needed in the American political arena, IMO.
Pierce, since you moved it here,
How do you suggest crashing that poll?
Obviously the answer is not compatible, but that's probably the way that most readers of that site will vote anyway.
Watchman, thanks to you I now have a new "favorite phrase":
buttered-cat array.
I intend to use it almost as much as I use "Maple and Bacon". (Which I use often because Maple + Bacon can solve so many of life's problems.)
Good point.
"What is that, CIA stash?"
Bachmann's just warming up so she can dance with MC Rove!
@19: By the way that poll is worded, the answers should be 100% yes. I mean, people can believe in whatever they can imagine. Like Scientology.
a variety of articulate, economically literate and sound arguments against it can be found on various libertarian blogs, websites and journals. - Walton
*Chuckle* Good one Walton!
I take it that she refuses to be paid out of the tax revenues. She wouldn't be a hypocrite, now, would she be?
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/6mb592
Rev BDC @ # 26: How do you suggest crashing that poll?
Now that you mention it, "Yes, No, Not sure" doesn't allow much room for edification, does it? (In the mode of the present thread's inspiration: ... do it?)
It might be an interesting experiment to swamp 'em with the third answer to see how they go about "educating" the "ignorant"...
Ludlum's typesetter @ # 30: the OneNewsNow related article offers an unambiguous hint as to the theologically correct answer, and yours, alas, ain't it (ahem: don't be it). Rev. Wildmon thanks you for playing!
I tried to follow her trail of thought, and my brain ended up throwing a rod in the process.
Thanks a lot, Michelle. Now my brain's gonna be in the shop all weekend.
hmmm... buttered cat array teeshirt design....
I'm sure there's a tiny buttered cat inside Bachmanns head, that's what makes those words come out like that. That or a block of Gouda is just rattlin' 'round in there.
Not being from Minnesota, I decided to look up Michelle on Wikipedia. That was a big mistake: part of my memory will now be permanently used up by the Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act.
Well how....
But why...
I mean it's...
You know that they...
\facepalm
She probably also owns a complete collection of Ray Comfort's masterful works on logic and irrefutable argumentation techniques.
Actually, she's much worse than Ray - she has some actual influence on real-world policy apparently, and she has actually studied the subjects she's ignorant about.
But not together. I hate maple smoked bacon. My bacon should not taste like my pancakes.
How does Michele Bachmann not fall down or walk into walls all the time? Or maybe she does and it just doesn't make the news. Christ on a cracker my head hurts from reading her remarks. She needs to wind up the monkey playing cymbals in her head more often so she's distracted from making stupid statements. Heh heh! Funny monkey.
Depends if you've had good maple cured bacon or not.
Most commercial brands put way too much ample flavoring on their bacon.
it would have avoided a revolt, and we'd be British. so i guess i sort-of agree with her* that we're lucky it didn't come up
[*gargles w/ bleach]
Former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, speaking to an assembly of 900 Israelis in Tel Aviv:
So the US would be more like Canada?
Looks good, Rev. I'd definitely try it. But, for store bought, the only maple that I care for, is in the name of the manufacturer.
http://www.mapleleaf.ca/ConsumerProducts/OtherMLF/OpenBrand.aspx?ID=7
The dissonance! It burns us!
A commenter above (I forgot who) stated that he thinks he got what she was trying to say. How in the sweet baby jeebus could you get any sort of logic out of that drivel? Like, I have attempted to do the "other mind" exercise to understand Bachmanns point but it still doesn't grock. (To borrow the already out of date vernacular of those hip gamer kids)
What no one has pointed out is that the founders probably would've thought, "Prithy, whom is this women and why is she not in the home?" Not to knock the fathers of our country but it was over a hundred years before women would even be able to vote let alone hold office so maybe framing a question of any type under the auspices of "what would the founders make of this" is a bat-chit stupid place to start anyway. I compare it to asking what an 18th century barber/surgeon would think of an MRI machine. Lack of mental traction much?
Well, the warmer bits would be like Jamaica.
You have to admire Bachmann. With a single sentence, she leaves Sarah Palin in the dust. And she makes it look so effortless!
Well, I didn't mean the Maple + Bacon thing for just flavour. It has other applications, as well.
Need a floor tiled.... DELICIOUSLY?... MAPLE AND BACON!
Need a quick way to patch a hole.... DELICIOUSLY? MAPLE AND BACON!
But yes, if you're buying that store brand fake maple crap, it's sucks. If you're buying the good stuff, locally made and using REAL maple syrup/maple wood it's ever so much better. But not on pizza, or in a blt. I like to use maple bacon on a turkey, or perhaps on a fruit based salad or in peanut-butter and bacon sandwiches.
I prefer to get the salt cured, smoked bacon for enjoyment with eggs. Goes better with hasbrowns.
How about this ironic statement.
Michele Bachmann is my representative, but she doesn't represent me.
I... err...
Can someone explain what she was trying to say there? I'm really struggling with that one.
That just blew my mind. And not in a good way.
MAPLE+BACON?
you do know about:
http://www.baconunwrapped.com/2007/10/maple-bacon-doughnut.html
Oh, please, somebody tell Ed. He needs a new "stupidest statement ever" winner.
Has this crazy person ever been to DC? Perhaps she was confused by the license plates?
@46 They didn't just think women needed to stay home but also any male that wasn't of European descent, owned land, and was in a reasonable distance to a polling site.
Even today the government isn't totally about taxation only with representation because DC still is excluded.
I mean she's obviously pulling the "small government, minimal taxation" line or attempting to at least. However, I really think someone should have explained it better to her. This makes less sense than the republican rebuttal to Obama's speech.
@mandrake
Yep. :) I have many bacon related websites bookmarked for daily perusing and "Bacon Unwrapped" is one of them. I am, unfortunately, a bacon addict. I don't tend to eat it often, but only because I'm interested in maintaining healthy blood pressure and not gaining so much weight I begin to pull satellites from orbit.
It's not easy, though. Especially since I discovered the "Bacon Explosion". That's just pure food/bacon porn. Porn with bacon and bbq sauce.
Typically when I cure my bacon I do not use maple, but I have and will in the future occasionally do it.
Not sure what's next.. I need to get some cherry wood for smoking it I think.
"variety of articulate, economically literate and sound arguments against it can be found on various libertarian blogs, websites and journals"
? You did say this knowing it's bullshit, correct? Sound arguments from libertarians? That's as likely as lips on a duck.
How about apple wood, Rev?
This reminded me of a passage from Patrick O'Brian's great series concerning the naval adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and Steven Maturin. At least this is funny where Bachmann is just sadly incomprehensible.
Rev.BigDumbChimp - Damn! Too bad shipping is so high. I live in the cherry wood capitol of America. We have a boxcar load of it out at the farm. I'd give you all you wanted. The wild sage here is incredible to open fire pit cook with.
I'm making lentil soup for lunch, with chopped bacon. It may or may not be edible, I'm adding some garam masala powder to it.
So, does she want to take away representation or something?
Damn.
Watch what you say...you know Michelle Bachman has the inside track on all unAmerican activities, not just in Congress and the Presidency, but everywhere. She could be hiding behind in the bushes watching anytime.
I bought some of that major-brand maple bacon, and, yeah, it's complete crap. I was excited to have my chicken livers, bacon, and onion, and the nasty, cloying flavor of the bacon ruined the whole dish. Good thing it only costs me about two bucks to make it again. Chicken liver = great taste at a bargain-basement price.
All is not lost Chimpy - The wild sage weighs very little when dried. I can ship you some of that this summer when it blooms. It smells so sweet it almost makes you high. ;)
Michael the G:
You're using and spelling it wrong. Also, the word is from the 60s -- not exactly the era of "gamer kids".
You know, representation with taxation sounds like a good idea. Strangely enough, Bachman opposes representation for the residents of Washington D. C.
See:
http://minnesotaindependent.com/27527/bachmann-senate-march-liveblog
If she was intelligent, she might have said something like "taxation without representation is bad, but is excessive taxation with representation any better?"
Except it's still not that poignant a point.
I have no words.
In English, anyway.
Luckily, there's still Japanese.
Honto ni anta tte,
Mataku anta tte,
Tonikaku anta tte,
Baka ne! Baka! Baka!
Baka! Baka! Baka! Baka!
Baka! Baka! Baka! Baka!
Baka! Baka! Baka! Baka!
Baka! Baka!
I'm sure it made sense in that big vacuous head of hers.
Oy vey. I wonder what would come out if we squeezed her.
Do you ever involuntarily facepalm? I've done it deliberately before, but today was the first time it ever happened on its own. Thanks, PZ[ed].
I think it's a bit disingenuous of people to claim that they don't understand what she could have meant when she said "taxation with representation".
I think it's pretty clear that she meant that she wondered how people feel about this specific taxation with the current representation (the Democrat dominated congress).
So, she didn't express herself very well.
But, I think it's also pretty clear that she was just riffing on the idea that "Democrats are bad cuz they raise taxes and spend it on dumb stuff"
She may be dumb, and what she said was certainly dumb, but I find the non-critical chiming in of "She is so dumb I can't understand what she was thinking" to be pretty dumb too.
As a writer, I couldn't make up a character as wacky as Michelle Bachmann. This shit is stranger than fiction.
Psuedodog:
I think it's a bit disingenuous that you've misquoted her, making her appear to be more lucid than she actually was. She said "representation with taxation", not the other way around.
And yes, the fact that she used the word "taxation" within what appears to be a complaint, combined with the context that she's a modern Republican, does lead to the conclusion that she's somehow making a comment about "tax-and-spend" Democrats. Exactly what that comment is is far from clear.
After her call for investigation of Anti-American activities of certain (Democratic) Senators prior to the election this is chump change. The fact is that even after that kookfest she was re-elected by her district because they too are apparently a kook majority. Sad, but that's how the system works.
Julie K,
which your quotation from O'Brian is as who should say wonderfully apposite.
@#74 Psuedodog
"I think it's pretty clear that she meant that she wondered how people feel about this specific taxation with the current representation (the Democrat dominated congress)."
But the people of Washington D.C. have no representation and are still taxed. She opposes giving Washington D.C. representation.
Don't worry, the folks at CPAC didn't pay much attention to Bachman. No, they were focused on their true intellectual leader, a 13 year old boy brainwashed by right wing talk radio.
roger Over.
Ugh...I have bronchitis right now, so I tried taking nice big dose of my really heavy cough meds, waiting half an hour, and rereading to see if the crazy made any more sense. It didn't. Now I'm just dizzy. Mainly from trying to shift my brain into Bachmann-logic mode.
I think it's a bit disingenuous of people to claim that they don't understand what she could have meant when she said "taxation with representation".
I think you're more than a bit of an ass. Not only have you misquoted her, but you've snipped her words out of context -- she presented "representation with taxation" as something even less desirable than "taxation without representation". If you "understand" her logic, that makes you at least as stupid as she is.
Let me make it even more explicit:
Bachmann contrasted
a) "taxation without representation"
b) "representation WITH taxation".
In case a), there isn't representation, but in case b) there is.
In case a), there is taxation, but in case b), there IS.
Now what, exactly, was Bachmann's point? Saying this isn't understandable isn't disingenuous, it's displaying intelligence -- far more than psuedodog appears to possess.
a variety of articulate, economically literate and sound arguments against it can be found
The first two, perhaps, but the third is an example of petitio principii.
@#84 nothing's sacred
I am guessing that she meant that... actually I don't know. I was about to say, "she thinks representation with taxation is worse than taxation without representation," but that really does not make sense. Of course, she opposes giving representation to Washington D.C., so that could explain it.
that really does not make sense
A point apparently beyond psuedodog's ken.
Wow!
That is now officially on my top ten list of "Stupidest Things Anyone Has Ever Said..."
Psuedodog also refers to the "democrat" controlled Congress - which is a sign that he's a wingnut right there. Also - learn to spell "pseudo".
On a somewhat related note (the intersection of batshit crazy and politics) the guys that wrote that Left Behind dreck are going to be on The Rachel Maddow Show in a bit, apparently explaining how Obama's election means the Rapture is coming or something.
Should be worth a laugh.
I dunno, Batshit Crazy Lady from the 6th District, but I think if you reverse the polarity, decrease the field strength, and add a Herschel, it becomes orthogonal.
I recognize that Bachmann is a local representative. However, it seems to me that her being in Congress is a much larger issue than a simple Minnesota congressional district - she's a national embarrassment, not just a local one. With 90+ comments on this post alone, it seems that all of us should be paying attention to what it takes to find an adequate challenger in 2010.
How like a fawning publican he looks.
Psuedodog also refers to the "democrat" controlled Congress - which is a sign that he's a wingnut right there.
It's the use of "Democrat" as an adjective, as in "The Democrat Party", that is a sign of wingnuttery. OTOH, "The Democrat dominated Congress" is correct (or would be if a hyphen were inserted), whereas "The Democratic dominated Congress" would not be correct.
Also - learn to spell "pseudo".
Again being charitable, I take that as a joke: "psuedodog" is dyslexic for "pseudogod".
But accusing people here of being disingenuous by saying that Bachmann's statement doesn't make sense -- that was immensely stupid, regardless of psuedodog's politics or spelling abilities.
Attention:
On the grounds that the original disagreement can be resolved in an agreeable fashion (to whit: the nation in question shall join the commonwealth and hence be independent but nonetheless included within the grouping that includes Canada, Australia etc.) and that the inhabitants no longer understand their own history, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland hereby declares the Treaty of Paris null and void. Please return your flag to the pre - revolution state and await the arrival of Crown Governor Stephen Fry.
(Joking)
Attention:
On the grounds that the original disagreement can be resolved in an agreeable fashion (to whit: the nation in question shall join the commonwealth and hence be independent but nonetheless included within the grouping that includes Canada, Australia etc.) and that the inhabitants no longer understand their own history, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland hereby declares the Treaty of Paris null and void. Please return your flag to the pre - revolution state and await the arrival of Crown Governor Stephen Fry.
(Joking)
Bachmann. The same lady that called for an investigation for those she considers "Un-American," among other baffling acts.
Judging by the other comments to this post, I suspect the answer to my question is No, but I'll ask it anyways: Did she just forget to say a few things? Like (added bits in bold), “I just wondered that if our founders thought taxation without representation was bad, what would they think of useless representation like me WITH taxation?”
Please return your flag to the pre - revolution state and await the arrival of Crown Governor Stephen Fry.
Governor-General, surely? Otherwise America would be a dominion of a lower rank than Canada or Australia... we can't have that.
You're always making mean and hateful comments about people you don't agree with. Yesterday you called Lew Dobbs odious, and now you say that Michele Bachmann has a tiny brain. You're oh so cute with your Cephalopod Friday feature, but you have a mean heart. I guess that narrow-minded, militant atheism has made you bitter. If I weren't an atheist, I'd pray for you.
Shorter Richard: Concern troll is concerned.
Aww, Richard's concern shows Richard is an ignorant twit. Our overlord wishes us to be lewd, crude and rude. So, either join in or shut up.
In case it has not been mentioned, Rep. Bat-shit-crazy-lady's district is mostly made up of Stillwater and St. Cloud and the area in between. Stillwater is a center of the psychopathic kleptocracy in MN, and St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County. In the 1930's, a study was done of the deleterious effects (physically and mentally) of inbreeding over multiple generations. The study named these problems "Stearns County Syndrome", because of the prevalence of the problems in this area. It's Minnesota's ground central for Aryan Supremacists, fundie creotards, and Toby Keith record sales.
I like to pour maple syrup on both my bacon and waffles.
Richard...
WTF is a "militant" atheist? Is it someone who dares speak out instead of remaining in the closet about their lack of belief in "god", whatever that is? What, specifically, is the link between being a "militant" atheist and being mean? Should atheists be more respectful of the delusions (Dawkins) of others? I know - let us be more kindly when we point out that true believers are full of pig doots.
Lew Dobbs is odious . He has a track record of saying a number of things at odds with reality such as his "War on Christmas. That's offensive to anyone with a brain. PZ was being kind when he stated MB had a tiny brain. At least there is the remote possibility she is using what little she has available to the fullest extent. The other case would be she has a normal size brain but it is none to functional. There seems little else to conclude from her comments.
What is it about hardcore Xians that they fight for jobs without any knowledge base for that job?
...and Toby Keith record sales.
I happen to like Toby Keith's music... is that so wrong?
I happen to like Toby Keith's music... is that so wrong?
I'd never heard, or heard of, Toby Keith. According to the Pffft of all Knowledge, Wikipedia, Toby is a country music singer-songwriter. So, Yes, it is wrong. Country music is not music, but it does smell so bad it probably did come from a dungheap, which is usually found in the country. I think the only alleged music I actively dislike more than the country shite is French rap. Can you say putrid? Yesh it's bad…
You did ask! ;-)
I love country, bluegrass, gospel and all related styles. Along with choral and organ music, these are the only types of music I actually listen to. (I dislike most pop and rock.)
Yes, I would admit to being weird.
I object to Mr. Keith's jingoism and the "Kick you in the ass" foreign policy. His music is trite, however blf's opinions are uncommonly narrow-minded (remember the 90% crap rule means that 10% isn't crap, and anyone who disses Buck Owens or Johnny Cash has some 'splainin' to do).
Please explain...
PZ is a scientist. He has trained long and hard to call a spade a spade -- not a stick, not a shovel even, but a spade.
You see, Lou Dobbs is odious, and Michele "male Italian by name" Bachmann does act as if important parts of her brain were just not there.
You obviously haven't heard Chinese hip hop.
No, seriously...
He bought a second hand Nova from a Cuban Chinese
And dyed his hair in the bathroom of a Texaco
With a pawnshop radio quarter past four
He left Waukegan(8) at the slammin' of the door
Left Waukegan at the slammin' of the door
I said, John, John, he's long gone
Gone to Indiana, ain't never comin' home
I said, John, John, he's long gone
Gone to Indiana, ain't never comin' home
Completely irrelavant to the topic at hand but the city (Waukegan) mentioned and the fact that I am listening to a fair bit of Tom Waits as of late caused me to feel the need to post it.
LMAO
English doesn't have any good substitute for baka. "Moron", "idiot" et al are too stuffy and lack its invigorating plosiveness. "Fool" is archaic and barely registers as an insult any longer. "Jackass" comes close but carries extra connotations. Other alternatives double as slurs against the handicapped. Ah well...
"if our founders thought taxation without representation was bad, what would they think of representation WITH taxation?"
Poor Michelle. She couldn't even get the quotation right. The correct quotation is:
"If you think taxation without representation is bad, you should see it WITH representation."
And, like any true creationist, she did not acknowledge that she plagiarized it.
Ah...the sun-ripened raisin-brain cacks forth another brilliant bon mot.
Don't look now girl, but the founders had something just like you in mind when they fretted over taxation without representation. In that light, incredibly, the rest of your statement almost begins to make some kind of sense. In an alarming sort of way. I need some aspirin.
Addressing "nothing's sacred" (and a few others) comments:
1) Psuedodog vs Pseudodog.
Yup. I misstyped that one.
2) Using "Democrat" as in "Democrat controlled congress" is a sign of wing-nuttery.
Perhaps I'm a wingnut (though how would you know anything about my mindset?), but I think you're reading a lot into my comment that I didn't intend. I only meant to reference the fact that Democrats (members of the Democratic Party) control congress. I could have written it differently.
3) I misquoted Michelle Bachman
Yes, I did. Sorry about that. I don't think it changes the substance of what she was implying.
I think she was implying that although taxation without representation is bad, having representation and then getting over-taxation (or whatever in the current tax situation that she disagrees with) is worse.
In hindsight, I shouldn't have posted anything. My only point was "Duh, you guys know what she means, even if she is inarticulate" Rethinking it, though, perhaps I am reading too much into what she said and drawing unsupported conclusions from it based on stereotypes of Republican talking points.
At a convention yesterday she also told Michael Steele