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Thomas Sowell makes a lot of noise
Monday, April 6, 2009 6:17 AM PDT
Thomas Sowell, being among "those on the outside," has finally admitted that there is something he doesn't know — that is, whether the AIG executives who received bonuses were responsible for AIG's problems.
Still, he is omniscient enough to know what Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Christopher Dodd know. (See his column of March 26.)
It is remarkable that someone who has never spoken to someone else knows what that someone else knows! He also knows that "everyone" at one time seemed to be a military expert, and that "everyone" now seems to be an expert on executive pay. Note, please, his use of "everyone," which includes you but, of course, excludes himself. Or does he include himself as one of "everyone?" Note, too, that he doesn't mind borrowing from author Tom Wolfe the particular connotation of the word "chic."
Mr. Sowell makes a lot of noise, but it is an old trick of sophistry to make a lot of noise and blame someone else for making it. It is also tricky to hide one's own faults by pointing fingers at others, pinning labels on them and calling them names. Usually the label or name he uses is "liberal." Perhaps it is time for him to realize that the Hoover Institution is "liberal" enough to keep him as a senior fellow. What surprises is that the same courtesy has not been extended to Rush Limbaugh. They could stand back-to-back, "everyone" else could stand to their left, and nobody to share their views would remain.
Does Mr. Sowell actually get paid for the publication of his nonsense?
Jim Turner
Lodi
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Leonard wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:59 AM:
Discussions of El Lardo tend to inspire high spirits.
Cogito, I am sure you are a fine Christian. I can only hope that you will reconsider your political positions in the light of Christ's teachings on subjects like war, greed and justice. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:53 AM:
Of course, there is probably some overlap between these two groups, given the absolute moral bankruptcy of the Republican Party and its leader. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:51 AM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:49 AM:
" Yes, who was that hugely obese liberal radio host who got busted for child pornography a couple of years ago? What about THAT loser?
What about him? Berny Wart was a regional radio personality with a small audience. When his crimes were revealed he was repudiated by his party and sent to jail.
Rush Limbaugh, on the other hand, avoided serving even a day of jail time and was subsequently made the de facto leader of the GOP.
A striking contrast to be sure. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 13, 2009 10:33 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 13, 2009 10:29 PM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 13, 2009 7:57 PM:
dyan wrote on Apr 13, 2009 7:49 PM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 13, 2009 7:23 PM:
The idea that the GOP, an organization led by the morbidly obese Dear Leader(a man who is literally to fat to copulate by natural means), is the party of God is simply laughable. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 13, 2009 7:18 PM:
Christ was absolutely against violence.
Christ was extremely egalitarian to the point of socialism.
Christ was dead set against divorce.
Jesus taught that we should not be judgmental towards others.
Republicans divorce at a higher rate than Democrats and, to my mind, they perform even more abysmally on the other three. Both parties fall far short of Christ's mark in every way but to claim that the GOP is somehow coming closer is, based on the evidence at hand, simply absurd. "
stantaves wrote on Apr 13, 2009 7:04 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 13, 2009 6:03 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 13, 2009 5:56 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Apr 13, 2009 12:45 PM:
Your bible knowledge isn't sufficient to carry you through the rotten, soggy parts of your own argument; and then your assinine insistence that the Republicans are somehow the Godlier political party leaves me shaking my head in disbelief. I wish for your own sake you had left that unsaid. "
Ivan Dixon wrote on Apr 13, 2009 7:55 AM:
Until you come to terms with that fact, I can't see how you can possibly contribute anything meaningful to this discussion. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 13, 2009 12:31 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Apr 12, 2009 8:13 PM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Apr 12, 2009 7:04 PM:
" By the way Ivan, what did Passover have to do with the lives of the unborn? "
I was speaking to the issue of killing innocent infants. I don't know if God killed the unborn sons of Egypt as part of the bargain. "
voter wrote on Apr 12, 2009 6:54 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 12, 2009 6:08 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 12, 2009 6:07 PM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Apr 12, 2009 11:27 AM:
do you think God views an unrepentant mass murderer in the same light as He views innocent unborn life?"
Mr Cogito, I would say that Passover is an excellent time to ponder the value God puts on the lives of innocent children. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Apr 12, 2009 11:13 AM:
I thought you said you learned your Republican political values in church? "
Cogito wrote on Apr 11, 2009 7:25 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 11, 2009 6:26 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Apr 11, 2009 11:28 AM:
If you are in a Christian church and you are, as you claim, learning only Republican political values, then you are being disingenuous in at least some, if not all, of your claims. "
OTH wrote on Apr 11, 2009 8:48 AM:
God is a woman who doesn't like polotics period, Republican or Democrat. :) "
voter wrote on Apr 11, 2009 7:47 AM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 11, 2009 12:01 AM:
voter wrote on Apr 10, 2009 8:43 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 10, 2009 7:27 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 10, 2009 7:24 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Apr 9, 2009 12:41 PM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 9, 2009 7:14 AM:
" I don't think chris would stand for the wholesale murdering of millions of unborn children in the name of convenience.
If you are going to make that argument, then you are going to have to look at Christ's position on killing in general.
I think a honest examination of his teachings on this subject would be MOST uncomfortable for politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle.
To say, however, that he would condemn killing by one side while ignoring it on the other is simply absurd. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 9, 2009 7:08 AM:
" Sorry Leo, I think you're wrong.
Likewise. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 8, 2009 8:55 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 8, 2009 8:54 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 8, 2009 8:52 PM:
stantaves wrote on Apr 8, 2009 8:15 PM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 7:50 PM:
Christianity may be the most popular religion in this country but most people don't want to have anything to do with Christ himself.
After 2000 years he is still far to radical for most Americans to handle. "
stantaves wrote on Apr 8, 2009 7:13 PM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 2:03 PM:
On the whole, though, the values espoused by men like Gingrich, Limbaugh and the Little Wiener, are diametrically opposed to Christ's teachings.
If Jesus were to return to the Earth today, I have no doubt that these individuals would be at the front of the line waiting to nail him back onto the cross. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 1:58 PM:
This sticker is a graphic illustration of the disconnect between most conservatives and Christ. There is very little room for Christ's teachings in a political philosophy that is founded on the principles of greed and intolerance. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 1:39 PM:
Given the conservative belief that marriage is for procreation I have often wondered why more conservatives were not arguing that Limbaugh's latest marriage ought to be declared invalid. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 1:37 PM:
" No Leonard, that would be Bill Bennet on values. See, you lefties just don't get it.
Yeah, Gingrich is on wife number 3 just like Limbaugh.
These conservatives may talk up a storm about family values but, when it comes to actually following the teachings of Christ, they always fall short.
Gingrich's treatment of his ex wives is nothing short of disgusting. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 1:33 PM:
" My GOP values are reinforced at Church every Sunday, my Mens accountability group on Thursday, and when I read the Bible. That's where I look for moral guidance. My political leanings are a reflection of that.
What, are you a follower of Shiva or something?
I find very little in common between the teachings of Christ and the values of the GOP. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 8, 2009 1:02 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 8, 2009 12:53 PM:
stantaves wrote on Apr 8, 2009 10:50 AM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 10:46 AM:
" Mr Taves, never listen to who the other side appoints to represent you. their motives are not truthful. I, as a Republican, consider the leaders to be Mitt Romney as the face, and Newt as the intellect. Gingrich is the smartest man in politics, on either side, believe it.
For most people, Newt Gingrich is the moral face of the Republican Party. The man is the living embodiment of GOP values. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 8, 2009 10:45 AM:
" I know you kooks "out there" would love for Rush to be the face of the republican party; but the thing you don't get is that Rush thinks most republicans are idiots too.
I don't see how that precludes him from leading the Party. Most Republican leaders believe this. "
stantaves wrote on Apr 8, 2009 10:20 AM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 8, 2009 8:57 AM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 8, 2009 8:54 AM:
stantaves wrote on Apr 8, 2009 5:03 AM:
stantaves wrote on Apr 8, 2009 4:36 AM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:56 PM:
" Leonard, I will expand the scope of my comments to Mr. Turner to include you as well. "
I'm hurt.
Really.
I base my image of my self on your opinion of me.
I am going to go lie in bed and cry now.
:( "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:51 PM:
" Leonard, you never forget to remind us of Rush's drug addiction. In the realm of drug addiction, his was minor and is done with
And you know this how?
You know what they say about Rush...
You know he's lying if you can hear him talking. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:49 PM:
Do you think people cannot change? Do you still think Senator Byrd, Democrat, is a Klansman (recruiter, by the way) without the robes?
Byrd has strongly renounced the Klan.
That hasn't stopped me along with many other Democrats from calling for his resignation. Of course, if the people of his state want to keep electing him year after year, there isn't much you can do about it. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:47 PM:
" By the way people, how many Kennedys do you think could get into Ivy League schools if they weren't Kennedys? JFK Jr., is a good example. Took 3 tries to pass the bar, never practiced law, failed as a publisher, and ultimately as a pilot. The Kennedy family curse seems to be that they get dumber by the generation.
If your point is that they have had affirmative action for rich white guys for a long time, I am not going to argue with you. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:45 PM:
It's true that Bush probably got into Yale by legacy, but how did Obama get in?
This is a good question since Obama didn't attend Yale.
If you are going to spout nonsense, at least take the time to get your nonsense straight. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 3:44 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 3:39 PM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 3:34 PM:
max stanfield wrote on Apr 6, 2009 3:23 PM:
Jeff wrote on Apr 6, 2009 2:09 PM:
Do you really think Bush would have went to an Ivy League school if he were NOT to put his Daddy's name on the application? I seriously doubt it. "
JD wrote on Apr 6, 2009 2:04 PM:
Dodd and Frank know that the best defense is a good offense. Both know how hard it would be to defend their own roles in the housing debacle
That is an eminently logical assumption to make, based on the facts as they are currently widely understood. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 1:07 PM:
" I happen to think that Sowell is on point the overwhelming majority of the time.
I think it would be more accurate to say that he is right the majority of the time.
Far right.
For some, that is just as good as being correct and I think that is why Thomas Sowell skates by where another man might be out on his but, instead of smooching the Dear Leaders double wide drug addicted but. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 1:05 PM:
" What about Clarence Thomas' pov on racial quotas? How would you like all your achievements viewed through the prism of "you only got where you are because white America lowered the standards for you". Do you really think Obama would have went to an Ivy League school if he were to put only his mothers race on the application? I seriously doubt it.
You are saying that a University that accepted George W. Bush on his personal merits wouldn't have accepted Obama?
I find that hard to believe. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 11:28 AM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 11:24 AM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 11:11 AM:
If a modern Democrat were to propose Nixon's Civil Rights agenda Limbaugh would crucify him and Sowell would kiss Limbaughs larded glutes. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 9:38 AM:
parishioner wrote on Apr 6, 2009 9:29 AM:
max stanfield wrote on Apr 6, 2009 9:24 AM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 9:14 AM:
" Here's a quote for you:" There has been more change in the structure of American public school education in the last month than in the last 100 years". The subject? Desegregation. The president? Nixon. The year and person quoted? 1970, Democrat Senator, Daniel Patrick Moynahan, New York.
The point? "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 9:07 AM:
It's also interesting that Mr. Turner claims Sowell is making noise, when it wasn't Sowell who created the frenzy about executive pay.
The noise Sowell makes is something similar to a very wet raspberry. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:46 AM:
yabajobu wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:44 AM:
Most serious readers of Sowell would understand that he is essentially expounding the Hayekian notion that almost all knowledge is local, and those who pretend to know more than what's within their personal experience are probably wrong. Case in point: those "experts" who proclaimed the Iraq war lost years ago. Now, people have become "experts" on how much executives should be paid without any local knowledge on how an executive should be paid.
It's also interesting that Mr. Turner claims Sowell is making noise, when it wasn't Sowell who created the frenzy about executive pay. "
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:31 AM:
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:28 AM:
" Come on L ~ how could Sowell be a shill for the Repungs? I didn't think your side admitted there were any Black in the GOP.
As the Steele case so vividly illustrated, there is plenty of room for Blacks in the GOP, just as long as they know their place and they are willing to get on their knees and kiss the marbled posterior of the Dear Leader. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:12 AM:
So I gather that you mean that calling Sowell a "paid propagandist for the Republican Party", is the same as me calling the ACLU a paid constitutional nuisance representing the Democrats.
What would you suggest the function of the Hoover Institute is? "
Cogito wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:03 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Apr 6, 2009 7:55 AM:
t jefferson wrote on Apr 6, 2009 7:27 AM:
As far as the OP, Sowell writes an OPINION piece, so in his OPINION, these vaunted leaders should know more than us tax slaves....
As to your other assertions, non-sense, but hey when you have a soft skull that is to be expected. "
Leonard wrote on Apr 6, 2009 7:12 AM:
The last I checked, Thomas Sowell was a "Senior Fellow" at the Hoover Institute which is, of course, another way of saying that he is a paid propagandist for the Republican Party. "
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