Aspen Daily News Columnist: Is That Rove's Laughter Mingling with Fiddling Sounds?

[Hissyspit]

http://www.aspendailynews.com/article_20605

Is that Rove's laughter mingling with fiddling sounds?
Steve Skinner - Aspen Daily News Columnist

Mon 07/09/2007 10:01PM MST

- snip -

And last but not least, there was the story about Karl Rove's visit to the Aspen Ideas Festival. In the article Rove defended the Iraq war as "the right thing to do," and warned that when we close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility we will have to house the terrorists at places like the Pitkin County Jail. I really hope someone did not pay Karl Rove an outrageous sum to slime us with his political slitherings. There are other people out here that need that money for nobler causes.

[Heidi]

1. The answer is, "Yes, while Rome burns."

:kicked: and recommended.

[bridgit]

2. ...

[Heidi]

3. Kick.

:kick:

[Me.]

4. Looks Like The Aspens

have really, finally, turned

[marions ghost]

5. Yes KKKarl is the Nero of these burning times....

Meaning of "to fiddle while Rome burns:" :nopity:

"To occupy oneself with unimportant matters and neglect important ones during a crisis. For example, The account was falling through, but he was more worried about missing his golf game--talk about fiddling while Rome burns! This expression alludes to the legend that the Emperor Nero played his fiddle while watching the conflagration of Rome."

Sez me: This Nero behavior is a common reaction of pathological narcissists after having sewn the seeds of destruction --they're like the arsonist who casually stands by watching others fight the flames. We are seeing a LOT of this behavior with the Repugs.
--------------------------


The other part of this Aspen article you posted makes a point about a subject that is often overlooked, especially as we analyze how the Bushites have rearranged our country to their own ends. I have worked with some non-profits and have noticed how they are having to pick up the slack from the failure of public services and underfunded govt institutions. It's like fighting over crumbs
now, to make ends meet, for essential non-profits. I RESENT that we are being asked to cover for no pay--what SHOULD be covered by local governments as community services. It's exploitation.

Excerpt from the article (referring to a recent Clinton fundraiser in Aspen):

"...I've dedicated much of my life to nonprofit work and when I see what some nonprofits have to go through just to do the noble work that needs to be done, yes I'm jealous. When I see bulging pockets numbly being emptied onto Hillary's plate I wish I could just shake some sense into people.

I recently attended "Philanthropy Days" in Leadville. I was surprised at how many essential services are being provided by groups who are barely getting by on a shoestring budget. We are talking about local groups purchasing ambulances, providing emergency medical care, education programs for youth at risk, help for poor, pregnant mothers, homeless support, arts programs, historical programs and the list goes on and on.

These are not the high-profile marquee nonprofits putting on big, flashy shows for the "in" crowd. These are not the groups that draw a perceived prestige to the donors. These are humble people filling in the holes left behind by those doing the cutting back and making the big bucks. And they are forced to compete hard with each other to get a slice of what appears to be a very small and restricted pie.

Philanthropy Days should have been attended by the wealthy philanthropists who were coughing it up for Hillary's war chest. They would have gotten a lot more bang for the buck spending it locally rather than dropping it into the massive vortex of the Hillary show. So yes, it can be a daunting challenge to stay happy and optimistic in the shadow of the Hummers and the plates of cash passing just beyond reach." (snip)

*(Not to disparage Hillary you understand--she's just doing what's necessary in a corrupt system that places no limit on campaign expenditure).

[robinlynne]

6. They invited Rove to the ideas festival? think about that for a second...

[librechik]

7. Aspen just isn't the same town it used to be. n/t