Matt,
Good topic about google alerts. Not many people know about it.

Can you provide the keywords you used to setup your alerts?

I'd like to setup two different alerts and substitute Republican/Democrat to see how it plays out.

Thanks

condemn corrupt Democrats the same way you condemn corrupt Republicans?
This one.
Are you going to grant "innocent till proven guilty" to both sides or use it only for Republicans?

Of course if there is democratic corruption let's expose it. Interesting coming from someone who wrote an entire book claiming that corruption is fundemental to the Democratic party and only incidental to the Republican party. No partisanship there - who has ever heard of any Republican corruption or scandals or corruption... (Watergate, Tom Delay, Gonzo, Iran Contra, mark folley, Haliburton, Valery Plaime, jack ryan)

But I am sure Matt has a completely un-partisan reason for each and every one of those....

Sigh.. Just say it. POLITICIANS are corrupt...

[NOTE FROM EDITOR: Contrary to the claim of this commenter, our book does not claim that "corruption is fundamental to the Democratic party and only incidental to the Republican party." Read the book and try again. I would also add that how come back in 2006 liberals didn't say "POLITICIANS are corrupt." They were only saying Republicans were... that's why we wrote our book]

Ahh...my post gets deleted. Nice!

[When you call one of us a tool, you get deleted. Not hard stuff to figure out.]

Of course if there is democratic corruption let's expose it.

Posted by: liberalT at August 7, 2007 04:01 PM

Absolutely!! Anyone who poses as a morally superior being denouncing the very thing he, himself, is engaging in deserves to be exposed.
In fact anyone who represents the people and commits a criminal act should be unmasked.

Of course if there is democratic corruption let's expose it.

If? If? C'mon, moron, the Donkaroaches invented corruption--they commit it every election cycle, and most of their misdeeds are ignored by the drive-by's.

(Watergate, Tom Delay, Gonzo, Iran Contra, mark folley, Haliburton, Valery Plaime, jack ryan)

Ass-tick, liberalTHC's above list is a prime example of your side not applying "innocent until proven guilty." Tom Delay and "Gonzo" haven't been convicted of anything, and Halliburton--with two "l's"--isn't a member of the Republican Party.

I'd like to setup two different alerts and substitute Republican/Democrat to see how it plays out.

Why's that, stevomoron--to keep score? For got'cha purposes? What a tool you are, grandpa...

Why's that, stevomoron--to keep score? For got'cha purposes? What a tool you are, grandpa...
Posted by: keefer

Kiefer,

No, for purely intellectual curiosity. There is a definite bias in the media. So the reports generated from alerts should be skewed one way or another.
You can tune the alerts to include major media outlets, newsgroups, blogs etc. I want to compare the difference between the following:
Rep/Dem with a subset of: Mainstream\Blog reporting.

Yes I am a grandpa. If only you could know the joy of having your own children and seeing them blossom and the even greater joy of grandchildren.
:)

"Yes I am a grandpa. If only you could know the joy of having your own children and seeing them blossom and the even greater joy of grandchildren."

Good for you Stevo! One question, do you want them living in a Socialist state, or a free one?

jbiccum

The way he plants corn....a starving state...LOL!

Just kidding Steveo so don't get all po'd now.

JB,
If you quite honestly believe we are going to end up a socialist state if the democrats win in '08, you are beyond paranoid. The framers the constitution built a system of checks and balances. That why our country (with the exception of the civil war) hasn't really changed a whole lot in 200yrs from a constitutional standpoint.

You sound just like the people on the left (OMG! we are going to be a police state and wearing jack boots in the Rep.s win in '08)

It never ceases to amaze me how little faith so-called patriots have in our constitutional government. Yeah things trend conservative for a while and then things trend liberal for a while. Then history repeats itself.

I have been hearing the same doom and gloom from both sides for over 40yrs.

Dont sweat it.

Navy,
I never get PO'ed Its just a forum where people vent, opine, blabber, etc.
:)

Matt: Mark and I also don't claim that corruption is nonexistent in the Republican Party. We simply want to bring balance to the debate by discussing something that has gone ignored far too long.

Back when you and Mark were starting your "radio tour" to support your book I called you up and asked several (tortured) questions. One reason they were tortured was because I didn't have the book at the time, and wasn't able to ask the questions with any real background (except for a thorough search through your noagenda.com web site -- which I highly recommend, by the way). But basically, the questions I asked had to do with (1) how you decided which allegations were nothing more than allegations (or whether you thought allegations good enough), (2) how much you thought media exposure drove the judicial process, and (3) once the judicial process initiated, was there ever a point when the allegations could be sufficiently rejected if no legal action was taken. After all, many times allegations don't result in investigations, and even when they do, investigations are simply dropped for lack of evidence without fan-fare, and without indictments.

So the question is (and remains), how importantly do you think those decisions are influenced by non-judicial pressures, and what evidence do you have that those pressures are partisan?

I think that's a big question. And it has become even more so in recent months. Unfortunately, the conversation got interrupted, and you never really answered it. So consider this a reiteration of that question. What say you?

In that conversation you did, however, indicate that your information was primarily obtained from Lexis/Nexis -- which, I understand, should provide at least some info as to how active a given investigation is. So the next question is... how did you evaluate whether a given investigation was active or not?

From my reading of your book (yeah, I bought it), my impression is, you didn't evaluate that question at all. In fact, I consider the comment in the present topic very telling: "In fact, I once considered including any report of Democrats on a local or state level accused of unethical or illegal behavior on NoAgenda.org, but ultimately chose not to because documenting those cases would take more time and effort than I had (or still have) available to me" . [Emphasis mine]

In other words, it appears that allegations are good enough. And sadly, I agree that it happens a lot -- on both sides. And because of it, I admonish everyone, on both sides, to consider the evidence. Consider the state of the legal inquiry, or lack of one.

Clearly, civil servants should try to steer clear of even the appearance of impropriety. But though it's an admirable goal, the realities of public life make it exceedingly difficult to achieve. And unfortunately, the judicial process often lags well behind the electoral process. That generates a gray area. In some cases, the appearances alone go so deep that it's hard to support someone EVEN THOUGH they haven't yet been found guilty of anything, or even charged of anything. William Jefferson is probably the premier poster child in that respect. But there are others. For example, I find it hard to support Tom DeLay because although I'm not sure he's guilty of any legal offense, the only alternative I see is to argue that he was oblivious to a considerable amount of (admitted) wrong-doing surrounding him. So in my mind, he's either guity or an idiot. And I don't find either alternative acceptable. Ernie Fletcher is another example in kind.

So making a (very) long story short... with respect to Biden: from the face of it, it appears that someone in his employ screwed up by placing a seal that they shouldn't have placed on a video with his name on it. Subsequent to that, as far as I can tell (I'm not very YouTube savvy), it appears he's pulled everything from his YouTube channel. And that, I would argue, is the appropriate response -- you can't oversee everything every individual in your employ does. But once wrong-doing is exposed, you have an obligation to look into it. And that appears to be what Biden did. On the other hand, if it's an on-going pattern, especially if the pattern happens with no repercussions, that's a different matter entirely. Is there any evidence of that?

Does the Culture of Corruption exist only on the Democratic side ?
Are the corrupt Republicans jsut individual cases ?
I do know that when the William Jeffeson scandal broke the Democratic Partyt did not all coem rushing to his side like the Republicans did when their colleagues had problems.

"Ass-tick, liberalTHC's above list is a prime example of your side not applying "innocent until proven guilty." Tom Delay and "Gonzo" haven't been convicted of anything, and Halliburton--with two "l's"--isn't a member of the Republican Party."

Fair enough, Kiefer. Let's judge the parties based on convictions for corruption.

"If? If? C'mon, moron, the Donkaroaches invented corruption--they commit it every election cycle, and most of their misdeeds are ignored by the drive-by's."

Wait, what? Are you basing this on any convictions? What happened to the "innocent until proven guilty" standard you proposed for Repubelikaroaches?

Gar Wood

Most people seem to defend "their own" but honestly, I don't understand what is to be gained from coddling criminals in your own party. If anything, most of us liberals condemn corruption within our own party with greater force and outrage than conservative corruption, hence our outrage at Libby walking. We expect it from them. Any corruption should be viewed as a cancer within the progressive party that is and ought to be removed as quickly as due process allows.

"Your guy is bad too" is foolish and pointless. "Our guy is above the law" as Republicans are now claiming, is suicidal.

I hope you like fascism. You are about to get a heaping helping. Martial law will begin in five months. You heard it here first!

Contrary to the claim of this commenter, our book does not claim that "corruption is fundamental to the Democratic party

That's interesting, Matt. Your co-author seems to disagree with you:

*"[The media] relentlessly ignored the endemic corruption in the Democratic Party."

* "The MSM successfully painted the GOP as corrupt, while succesfully deflecting attention away from the endemic corruption in the Democratic party (more on this when Caucus of Corruption comes out)."

*" in the Democratic party, corruption is endemic"

And that's just glancing at a cursory search. You guys should do a better job coordinating your talking points.

stevomoron,

Is there some reason that you insist on calling me "Kiefer?" Just curious, and now you've got Gore Weed doin' it.

I hope you like fascism. You are about to get a heaping helping. Martial law will begin in five months. You heard it here first!

Pray tell, Broder--por que?

Fair enough, Kiefer. Let's judge the parties based on convictions for corruption.

I have a better idea, Gore Weed--let's judge the parties on the issues, and not the few bad apples that permeate every profession. But let's be fair, if we must politicize it.

Wait, what? Are you basing this on any convictions? What happened to the "innocent until proven guilty" standard you proposed for Repubelikaroaches?

I didn't, Gore Weed--pay attention. I think fair is fair, and Donkaroaches have a long history, with help from the drive by's, of condemning(sp) any Republican who's under suspicion. The Donkaroach motto: The seriousness of the charge trumps the nature of the evidence. It works well for them--even if a person is completely exonerated, his/her reputation is destroyed. Your idols--Dodd, Edwards, Clinton (both), Kennedy, Reid-tard, Piglosi, et.al., are professional liars, and can get away with lying even when their lies have been debunked. Hell, it's a wonder Republicans ever win any elections.

Alas, I don't forsee America waking up...

Even though the Democrats are the majority now, aren't there more Republicans being investigated for corruption?

"JB,
If you quite honestly believe we are going to end up a socialist state if the democrats win in '08, you are beyond paranoid. The framers the constitution built a system of checks and balances."

Oh yeah, like for instance the First Amendment. Oh wait, some liberal phsychos passed laws in New York that ban specific words, "bitch" and "ho". Way to go checks and balances!

Do you deny that Hillary is a socialist? Do you deny that Hillary Care is Step 1 to socialism?

"JB,
If you quite honestly believe we are going to end up a socialist state if the democrats win in '08, you are beyond paranoid. The framers the constitution built a system of checks and balances."

Oh yeah, like for instance the First Amendment. Oh wait, some liberal phsychos passed laws in New York that ban specific words, "bitch" and "ho". Way to go checks and balances!

Do you deny that Hillary is a socialist? Do you deny that Hillary Care is Step 1 to socialism? Redistibution of wealth?

Steveo, I do have alot faith in our government. I also have faith in progressives (socialists) trying to destroy it. If a socialist is elected president, do you honestly believe checks and balances will save us from socialism?

Either your extremely naive, or extremely dumb. Ever hear of the term "useful idiot"? Look it up.

"I do know that when the William Jeffeson scandal broke the Democratic Partyt did not all coem rushing to his side like the Republicans did when their colleagues had problems."

Aparently you don't know very much then do ya? Exactly why is he still a voting member? You would think with the mountain of damning evidence Mr. Pelosi would have relived him of his duty.

JB,

Like I said before...I have faith in our government to remain stable and even keeled no matter who is elected. Quite honestly you would need the total cooperation of the executive, congress and judicial branch to significantly change this country.

The Republicans had control of the Executive & Congress. What exactly happened during that time? Not a damn thing. Did we become a police state, with everyone wearing jackboots? Of course not. Why? the framers of the constitution designed our government knowing full well that extended cooperation is difficult in politics. Witness the implosion of the Republicans. They had everything and yet squandered the opportunity away.

We could elect a communist to president and very little will change.

Like I said, I have faith in the design of our government. You don't. You seem to really respect and in awe of the power of progressives/libs/communists/homosexuals/deviants/etc.

stevomoron,

Is there some reason that you insist on calling me "Kiefer?" Just curious, and now you've got Gore Weed doin' it.
Posted by: keefer
-----------------------------------------------------
Kiefer,

The one person that distorts just about every screen suddenly has a problem with me distorting his screen name. Sounds like I have hit a nerve, since you have asked this question about 10+ times in a few days.
You know why I call you Kiefer. Stop being coy. ;)

You know why I call you Kiefer. Stop being coy. ;)

No I don't, but I'm sure you know why I call you stevomoron. It's obvious.

By all means, don't answer my question, and continue to call me whatever you wish. Don't worry, old man, I won't threaten you. Hell, you might stick me with your pitchfork...

Has anyone heard about Glenn Murphy Jr.? He just recently left the chairmanship of the Young Republican National Federation. He said it was because he got a new job that would not allow him to be chairman of the Federation. In actuality he was arrested for sexual assault on a man. Apparently, Glenn was performing oral sex on a sleeping man who woke up and told him to stop.

Poor Glenn. Maybe if found guilty he can ask to go to jail. I am sure in jail there would not be a shortage of men to please.

Glenn's story is almost as good as Bob Allen's, a republican in Florida, who offered a guy $20 to blow him because he was fearful blackmen were going to beat him up. Too bad for Bob the guy he offered the $20 to was a cop.

Good Times.

Maybe Glen thought there were stocky black men waiting outside and he wanted to get some practice?

These stories are better then anything the National Enquirer can publish.

It's assholes such as stevomoron and babyshiteater who whine about a divided country, yet revel whenever Republicans get nabbed for unsavory behaviour. You two deserve a good ass-whuppin'.

Disclaimer: I was in no way, shape, or form threatening to seek out and give stevomoron or babyshiteater a good ass-whuppin'. I am a peace-loving good ol' boy who hates libs, and who wishes they'd all move to Canada, where they belong...

Kiefer,
When did I whine about a divided country?

As for reveling...you have to admit Kiefer, its pretty funny that two Republicans (both self-proclaimed, staunch, bible toting, conservatives) get caught polishing the old knob back to back like this. At least when a Democrat gets busted, it is usually with someone of the opposite sex.

I bet you comics across the nation are working the 'stocky black guys' line to death.

"I do know that when the William Jeffeson scandal broke the Democratic Partyt did not all coem rushing to his side like the Republicans did when their colleagues had problems."

Aparently you don't know very much then do ya? Exactly why is he still a voting member? You would think with the mountain of damning evidence Mr. Pelosi would have relived him of his duty.
Posted by: jbiccum
----------------------------------------------------
JB,
I'm going to assume you skipped civics class when you were in high school. Pelosi has no authority to remove a sitting congressman from office.
Thats why he is still a voting member. Its that pesky thing called the US Constitution.

Mind you, I think Jefferson is guilty and should go to prison. You cant get much more guilty then having a freezer full of cash. But on the flip side, there is a judicial process, one that I have alot of faith in (you obviously dont). It's only a matter of time.
But if he gets off, he won't be different then any other rich/well connected/powerful person. They get special treatment, while the rest of us get convicted. ;)