Milbank: Republicans' new Web site not exactly what they hoped it would be

[Perky]

By Dana Milbank
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Republicans want to take over the House in the fall, but there's a problem: They don't have an agenda.

So on Tuesday, they set out to resolve that shortcoming. They announced that they would solicit suggestions on the Internet, then have members of the public give the ideas a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down. Call it the "Dancing With the Stars" model of public policy.

Republicans were very pleased with their technological sophistication as they introduced the Web site, America Speaking Out (http://www.americaspeakingout.com), in a ceremony at the Newseum. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who created the program, said that to get software for the site, "I personally traveled to Washington state and discovered a Microsoft program that helped NASA map the moon."

Using lunar software is appropriate, because the early responses to the Republicans' request for ideas are pretty far out:

"End Child Labor Laws," suggests one helpful participant. "We coddle children too much. They need to spend their youth in the factories."

"How about if Congress actually do thier job and VET or Usurper in Chief, Obama is NOT a Natural Born Citizen in any way," recommends another. "That fake so called birth certificate is useless."

"A 'teacher' told my child in class that dolphins were mammals and not fish!" a third complains. "And the same thing about whales! We need TRADITIONAL VALUES in all areas of education. If it swims in the water, it is a FISH. Period! End of Story."

House Republicans, meet the World Wide Web.

GOP leaders seemed to have something else in mind as they rolled out their new site. "I would expect the ideas that come out of this Web site and the involvement of our members will lead to ideas that we can attempt to implement today," House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) proclaimed. "We want to continue to offer better solutions to address the problems that America is facing, and we see this as a giant step forward, directly engaging the American people in the development of those solutions."

Such as?

"Build a castle-style wall along the border, there is plenty of stone laying around about there." That was in the "national security" section of the new site.

"Legalize Marijuana, cause, like, alcohol is legal. Man. Also." That was in the "traditional values" section.

More ----->http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052504396.html

[zipplewrath]

1. How many bits can Stewart get out of their site?

He could probably have a daily bit.

It'd write itself most days.

2 minutes on "what the GOP wants today".

He might have to pay them writers fees. It'd be like when Fay just read the words of Palin, unedited, and it was hilarious.

[Richardo]

2. "Legalize Marijuana, cause, like, alcohol is legal. Man. Also."

:rofl:

That's my new favorite policy statement of all time. :patriot: Go, Republicans!!

[Perky]

4. Dude!!! n/t

[hvn_nbr_2]

29. Now we know why Sarah is so incoherent. She's a stoner. nt

[Richardo]

3. Also:

Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.) contributed to the discussion by twice giving out the wrong address for the new site.

Stop, GOP, you guys are killing me! :rofl:

[Lochloosa]

5. That site reminds me of Free Repug. Completely user unfriendly.

Someone needs to go back to ITT Technical Institute and finish their classes

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

6. That site is one giant DUzy. nt

[msanthrope]

26. It all a Poe....n/t

[Jennicut]

7. Okay, not knowing that dolphins and whales are mammals. That sums up Republican voters

right there: full of sh*t and no brains.

[Arugula Latte]

14. And not only that, but willfully refusing to accept the fact that they are mammals.

Obstreperously demanding that they are fish based on "faith" rooted in ignorance and "truthiness" -- THAT is a Republican voter.

[tblue37]

33. I am pretty sure that is a deliberate leash-yanking. nt

[Arugula Latte]

36. No I know it's a joke, but I was just using that as an example of Republican mind-set.

They want to believe what they want to believe, and so they do, even when presented with facts.

[tularetom]

8. OK which DU'er has been posting over at America Speaking Out?

:rofl:

Either that or the get a brain morans guy has reappeared.

[Cha]

9. Isn't that nice..republicons want to get in on that

whole internet thing.."America speaks out"..and there you have it.

[tinymontgomery]

10. I think I'm going to put on their

that if you want to run as a Repub then you must have had mandatory military service since their all about defending the country.

[Arkana]

11. "End child labor laws"?

:rofl:

I refuse to believe that was a real thing--it had to be written by a troll.

[Inuca]

18. What about this one?

(sorry, I went to the site, I was curious) "End women's suffrage! It's been decades too long, and it's time for justice!" Like it better?

[Arkana]

31. That place is just getting trolled so hard.

The Repubs screwed up by not making commenting a donation-only thing.

They created a massive spam receptacle.

[tishaLA]

39. I literally spit out lemonade when I read that line

I don't know who's writing that stuff over there, but I wish I'd thought of it first.

[activa8tr]

12. The thing the Republicans haven't learned yet about the internet is

that they don't know very much about the internet and how it works.

If they had designed their site only to accept and publish suggestions from people who DONATE MONEY, they would be catching on!!!

Instead, of course, they created another convenient internet place for SPAM. What fools they are!

[Arugula Latte]

15. Come on, they know The Internets are a series of tubes.

What else is there to know? :shrug:

[activa8tr]

25. I guess you're right! There's not much we want them to learn, really, they

have it down pretty well now... with this spam magnet web site they put up.

[Ohio Metal]

13. I have to pass this onto PZ Myers

"If it swims in the water, it is a FISH. Period! End of Story." He should have a field day with this.

[jberryhill]

16. ROFL - "shock site" reference

I like this comment under "American Values"

"If you're sick of this obvious non-American socialist president and want to take our country back, please visit and support us at LemonParty.org Together we can retake our country! Be a Patriot! It's what our founding fathers would have wanted."

DO NOT GO TO THAT SITE IF YOU ARE AT WORK.

The site consists of a photograph of three elderly gay men engaged in sexual activity.

[drm604]

17. Lunar mapping software?

They used mapping software (let alone lunar mapping software) for what is essentially a message board? What? :shrug: :rofl:

[Inuca]

19. I remember seeing Cantor

give an interview (Fox of course, Greta I think) abou this. In the few minutes that I was able to stomach he very enamoured of this wonderful idea, how truly democratic it is, and how using it they are going to show the Ds how to run the House. Greta was saying something like "I am sure the democrats are not at all happy with your idea". Yep! I am sure they are truly sorry they did not think about it first :rofl:

[Inuca]

20. Just finished reading the whole article

cannot stand Milbank as a rule, but once in a while he is a worth a good laugh. This is one of these times.

Here is another quote for your enjoyment

Another contributor had parody in mind (we hope): "English is are official langauge. Anybody who ain't speak it the RIGHT way should kicked out."

[arcane1]

21. Dammit, I HAVE to sign up and check this out

At least one good laugh a day is guaranteed.

Methinks I'll vote "yes" on the "whales are fish" proposal :evilgrin:

[Mike Daniels]

22. From the American Values section

"End the LIBERAL mith of EVOLUSION. My gran-dady aint no monkey"



I imagine a monkey could spell better than this numb-nut.

[Arugula Latte]

23. Ah, that's has to be from a troll. Maybe even a DUer.

[Mike Daniels]

24. You're probably right but given that most of the responses are just as inane

it's hard to tell at times.

[QC]

38. I think there are far more trolls than actual Republicans there.

The goopers seriously miscalculated by setting up that site.

[bergie321]

27. Oh

This could be fun.

[bergie321]

28. :(

Unavailable

A very high volume of Americans are speaking out right now.

Please wait a moment and try again.

[theothersnippywshrub]

30. "god made mice and animals."

someone told me scientists created artificial life in a lab test tube last week. only God can create artificial animals! why should science be allowed to play god? god made mice and animals.

patrioteagle
8 Total Votes

http://www.americaspeakingout.com/browse/questions/in/ethics?sortkey=responses#responses

[NC_Nurse]

32. We had fun checking it out the other day...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8413999

The trolls had obviously come in fast and hard. :)

[SpiralHawk]

34. Trim the subsidy for republicon luggage handlers & rentboys

And the Republicon diaper sex subsidy.

That would help big time.

[sweetloukillbot]

35. One of the funniest sites I've seen in a while...

My favorite was something about letting harlots practice their quim craft...

[QC]

37. You should all register--it's fun! I have demanded that rectal thermometers be banned

because they are turning our infant sons into homosexuals, complained about unwrapped cheese slices that stick together, and demanded that Goldman Sachs be given more money, since there are several things in the world that they do not own yet.

It's fun!

[Inuca]

41. Thanks for the laugh!

I spent a few minutes on the site yesterday, it is indeed hilarious.

[IndianaGreen]

40. GOP is a criminal enterprise, not a political party

Republicans are bankrupt when it comes to ideas and integrity.

[QC]

42. They are now blocking referrals from this site, LOL!

On edit--thy have also banned me!