The Desperation of The Freeps

[benburch]

It is a sign of their desperation that instead of pursuing their own agendas that they have to constantly read our web boards and attempt to derail ours.

Their Party has been in absolute power for five years in this country, but every fuck up they make is still blamed on Clinton's Penis.

After five years;

• Abortion is still legal in all 50 states
  
• Divorce is still legal in all 50 states
  
• Evolution is still taught in all 50 states
  
• They are still paying income tax
  
• They are still paying estate tax
  
• There are still food stamps and welfare
  
• Paganism is still the fastest growing religion in the country
  
• White people are still becoming a minority
  
• The borders are still open
  
• Guns are still tightly controlled (and now subject to arbitrary siezure)
  
• Hillary Clinton is still in the Senate
  
• We are losing a prolonged guerilla war against a nation 100 times weaker than we are
  
• The economy is in shambles
  
• Gasoline costs 170% more than it did under Clinton
  

In other words, looks like they are total failures!

[tsuki]

1. Hey, but they can spin like a top. That's got to mean something. eom

[MissB]

2. Too bad that wouldn't fit on a bumper sticker.

:spray:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. personally, I'd give them all Fs

as in Failure. Even my boss, who runs a very small company (three employees) has been going around telling people here (Arkansas) that we were better off under Clinton. And this is a guy who only listens to sports on the TV and radio, and isn't political!

[bluestateguy]

4. I wonder how Bush's "rebuilding the military" is going?

2 quagmire wars, over 2000 dead, recruitment targets regularly missed, slipshod equipment being used in Iraq, morale is low, everybody hates the Secretary of Defense, women in combat (I'm sure Freepers just love that), AWOL's and desertions are up and bases are being closed.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. neat flag

I mean the large one-is it of New Orleans?

And is your avatar the Georgia state flag?

[benburch]

7. That is the Misssissippi flag in the Avatar. nt

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

24. Thank you for the information about the avatar

Is the larger flag that of the city of New Orleans?

[benburch]

33. Indeed it is. nt

[Prodemsouth]

42. Georgia Flag no longer has the confederate battle emb. on it.

n/t

[TroglodyteScholar]

6. "Paganism is still the fastest growing religion in the country"

What's your source for that?

[benburch]

8. A study I read months ago.

No source just now, but I'll see if it is online.

[Fountain79]

10. hmm...

I would be a little weary of that...saying something is the fast growing anything would have more to do with rate of growth not necessarily with total numbers correct?

[benburch]

12. Correct.

Rate of growth. Not total numbers.

[benburch]

17. Some more data.

Here is a study that puts neo-pagans at 1 million worldwide;

http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html

This study estimates 750,000, including children in the USA alone, and further says "The 408,000 Wiccan adults in the U.S. would then represent the 7th largest organized religion, and the 10th largest religious grouping, in the United States";

http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_nbr3.htm

[PsychoDad]

54. This info may scare some...

:)
Islam or Neo-Paganism, Depends on the source.

Either way, it's sure to freak out the freeps, considering that protestant numbers are in decline.

"Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people..."
HILLARY RODMAN CLINTON, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1996, p.3

"Five to 6 million strong, Muslims in America already outnumber Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Mormons, and they are more numerous than Quakers, Unitarians, Seventh-day Adventists, Mennonites, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christian Scientists, combined. Many demographers say Islam has overtaken Judaism as the country's second-most commonly practiced religion; others say it is in the passing lane." JOHAN BLANK, USNEWS (7/20/98)


I think Sen Clinton might be wrong, it does appear that Paganism/Wicca is the fastest growing in the US, and Islam is the fastest worldwide.

Actual numbers are hard to come by due to the nature of neo-paganism, and who exactally is included in the numbers. But, looking at popular culture, there is no doubt that Wicca is quickly growing in popularity among young americans.

"The Graduate Center conducted a National Survey of Religious Identification (NSRI) in 1990. It questioned 113,723 individuals about how they viewed themselves religiously. A similar American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) was conducted in 2001-FEB to APR. The latter included telephone interviews of 50,281 persons who were 18 years of age or older. Phone calls were limited to residential households from the contiguous 48 states. For a reason that is unclear, Hawaii and Alaska were left out of the survey. Additional questions were added, about religious beliefs, affiliation and change. Although ARIS involves less than half the number of subjects than NSRI, it is still very accurate; ARIS's margin of error is +- 0.3 percentage points for the main questions. Additional questions were asked at a smaller sample of 17,000 households; the margin of error for those questions is +-0.77%.

There are some concerns about this, and any other, telephone survey:

The accuracy of data for "underground" religious groups is suspect. Many followers of Wicca, Druidism, other Neopagan traditions, Santeria, Vodun and similar faith groups are reluctant to reveal their religious faith to a stranger over the telephone. Many of the public fear them because of the high levels of misinformation spread about their religions. They in turn fear attacks, loss of job or loss of accommodation if they are open about their religion."
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm

So Blessed be and Salaam :)

[benburch]

60. Salaam, my friend

May Allah smile upon you.

[benburch]

11. Here is a different study that makes the same claim.

http://www.sacredtribes.com/issue2/STJ-finals/Factors%20of%20Paganism_Cooper.pdf

I'll keep looking for numerical survey data, though.

[kikiek]

15. Nothing wrong with Paganism. I read that the Mormons will soon have

the greatest number of members in a Newsweek special edition on religion. They attribute that to the way they marry only within the faith and multiply. I guess like the Osmonds. Fine with me as long as they don't try to take over the govt like some rw evangelicals we know. Robertson is such a phoney anyways. Anyone who believes he is a Christian is not paying much attention.

[benburch]

18. Largest in numbers does not equal rate of growth. nt

[kikiek]

38. Didn't say it did. n/t

[Tower]

9. That is such an excellent point. Their leaders toss them some symbolic

scraps every once in awhile- like that whole Schiavo travesty. That's free.

But the real Republican agenda is the corporate agenda. Most of the wealthy people in this country don't want to live in a theocracy anymore than we do. And besides- if the Republicans give their fundamentalist followers the things they're demanding, then why would they bother voting Republican? They might even start asking why their tax money is subsidizing the wealthiest Americans.

[Goldensilence]

13. Flyer material?

yea too bad it doesn't all fit on a bumper sticker. Maybe i'll just print it up and post it on campus here in town.

Peace n Respect

[benburch]

19. I declare it public domain.

Have at it.

[Deja Q]

14. Regarding the gas comment...

Clinton also removed the 55MPH speed limit.

Find out how much more gas you use in order to accelerate to and maintain 65MPH, compared to 55MPH. You won't be so happy then.

And this finger pointing is bullshit anyway. Unless you go back to the source. Demented reagan was the one who terminated alternative energy programs, claiming "obsolescence". No president since reagan has done jack shit about the oil problem except to make it worse. Not even your precious Clinton. (and note I am capitalizing his name and I am not for reagan. While politicians are self-serving and corrupt, reagan's list is far nastier.)

Also, corporateamerica buys out our politicians - on both sides. * is hardly to blame for the economy being in shambles. Our own corporations, offshoring and offpeopling and treating us as expendable money machines is the problem. Indeed, should they offshore just one job, they should move their entire damn company as well - they do not deserve the benefits of BEING American whatsoever.

Don't worry about the other issues. Things take time and they're in control.

[bluestateguy]

20. Clinton eliminated the federal speed limit

If states want to have a 55 mph speed limit, then by all means, they can do it. But I fail to see what business the federal government has mandating a national speed limit.

[benburch]

25. And in any case...

That actually has very little to do with the price of gas.

Most driving is in urban environments where you can usually not make the speed limit due to gridlock.

[bobbieinok]

65. I think it was the republican controlled congress after 94

[benburch]

21. My Prius is most efficient at 100 kph about 62 mph.

But I agree with your point.

And he isn't my precious Clinton... I think he was a "just OK" president compared to the abject failure we have now.

[tavalon]

55. Really?

I thought the prius was supposed to be most efficient in stop/start city driving because the battery takes over so often.

I have to admit, I'm pretty amused by my boyfriend's Prius with it's geek monitor in the middle.

[benburch]

58. The EPA mileage tests measure hybrids poorly. nt

[Laelth]

51. Hmm ...

I thought it was Ronald RayGun who pushed the max federal speed linit back to 70.

Not that it's really important who did it ... or, am I missing the point?

-Laelth

[benEzra]

66. My '87 Camry is most efficient (34 mpg) around an indicated 70 mph

due to the fact that the engine (16-valve 2.0 liter 4) is operating at a much more efficient combination of BMEP and RPM at 70 mph than it is at 55; as a result, I get better gas mileage at 70. Above 70, my efficiency falls off due to increasing aerodynamic drag.

Internal combustion engines are extremely inefficient at light load and get more efficient as the load increases (up to a point), and the most efficient RPM is generally close to the engine's torque peak. There is a speed at which both your BMEP and RPM will fall into the most efficient range, and that is the engine's "sweet spot" as far as efficiency goes. For my car, that's around 70 mph.

To make this car most efficient at 55, you'd have to go with an engine so small that it wouldn't have enough power to safely accelerate the car in traffic. Hybrids get around this a bit by using the electric motor to augment acceleration, thereby allowing you to run a smaller engine at a higher and more efficient BMEP for cruising at moderate speeds. Turbos also offer a way around it, by allowing you to use a smaller engine for cruise and pressurizing it only when strong acceleration is needed (that's why a Volvo S40T5 gets better fuel mileage than a Mustang).

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. They are all a bunch of FLOPS

Failures to lead on purpose.

[OregonBlue]

22. Since we know they're spying, why not anyone who comes

across real, credible, damning information, send it to moderators who can get it to the right people or to your Dem Congress people who will know what to do with it? Better to get it where it will do some good and not let them see what we really have?

Funny how everything important that hits here, they have a response up shortly. Such idiots, they can't do their own research. Or like the prez, to lazy!!

[DistressedAmerican]

23. Official Troll Hunter Check In And Nomination!

And a shout out to my troll buddies...

[benburch]

28. I want to say a special hello...

to my good friend AnonymousArmy :hi:

Now go put your nuts in a duck press.

[DistressedAmerican]

30. A Little Shout Out to A Freep That Followed Me Home - Bite Me Joe Blow!

Ditto on the press!:evilgrin:

[tavalon]

56. AnonymousArmy isn't here, is he

I thought he only played in cesspools.

[benburch]

61. You know that smell you sometimes detect?

That's him. He doesn't shower before crawling out of the cesspool to troll here.

[Nikki Stone 1]

26. Paganism is still the fastest growing religion in the country?

Wow. Who'd a thunk it!

How do pagans feel about evolution?

[benburch]

29. We favor it.

In fact we'd love to help it along some...

[Nikki Stone 1]

34. That I can live with.

:)

[GreenPartyVoter]

27. Yeah.. they aren't much good at running a country

------------------------------------------------------
Ditch Bu$h and save the Gulf: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Pathwalker]

31. Bravo! Thanks, I needed that. Glad to hear about

the growth of Paganism!
A lovely reminder for us all.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. Of course

This should show that you shouldn't trust the republican party as a whole to governor because they suck. My town had a republican mayor this last time and he was okay. By themselves I'm sure there are still good republicans but as a whole it's party first and damn everybody else.

[Jade Fox]

35. Thank you. Everytime I hear folks talking about how hopless it all is...

and that the Neocons have taken over our country, I want to hand people
a list like yours.

[C_U_L8R]

36. Geez I Feel Kinda Sorry For the Lil Fweepies....

NOT !!!!!!!!!!!

The Reich Wing, These Weepy Fweepies
and much of the Republican Party
(the loudmothed part that hijacked it from true conservatives)
are nothing but a pathetic bunch of inbred half-wits.

Fweeeeep Fweeeeep
Dumb-dee-dumb-dumb
Pfffffffft.

[benburch]

37. Don't call them inbred!

Just because their family tree does not branch is no reason to call names!!!

[deacon]

39. Federal Law: Once the president declares an area under a state of

emergency, all command and control of the situation belongs to the Federal Government.

So stop blaming the governor and mayor. Bush TOOK control from them on August 30.

[benburch]

40. EXACTLY.

[benburch]

41. If you can find it... Post chapter and verse of that law, please!

That should go a long way to shoving that issue back up their asses.

[deacon]

45. this came from a former FEMA adminstrator on NPR today n/t

[benburch]

59. Remember what show?

They have online archives, I'll try to find the clip.

[ck4829]

43. I love this. I'm going to make my own post about this.

[stevietheman]

44. Wow. Great post. n/t

n/t

[Freedomfried]

46. SS still not privatized, still lots of gay bars, Janet Jackson still has..

tits


and.....2 cities destroyed

[Iris]

47. Do you think any of them actually inherit enough to pay an estate tax?

Don't you have to inherit a significant amount of money for this to kick in?

[benburch]

48. Well, some do.

Republicans tend to be criminals, and some will have folks who stole fortunes.

[leeroysphitz]

52. Republicans tend to be criminals, LOL!

For once! A gross generalization I can really get behind!

[benburch]

63. Just don't get in FRONT of them. nt

[stevedeshazer]

49. Miserable failures

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. And everything wrong is still Clinton's fault.

Don't forget that one.

[Cats Against Frist]

53. That was a truly awesome list

You forgot to mention what Bush HAS done:

1. Tried to stop the consumer from buying drugs from Canada. (so much for the free market, eh?).

2. Expanding the size and scope of federal government, and bureaucracy.

3. Increasing Medicaid -- except the payments go to his buddies.

4. Gutting the Bill of Rights, with the Patriot Act.

5. Ushering in a near-unprecedented era of division that threatens the union.

Good job, Bush!!! And way to go, idiot fucks that voted for him!!!

[Mz Pip]

57. Well, that sure explains

why they are all so damn pissed off all of the time.

They got nothin'. Blaming Clinton just doesn't work anymore.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[neuvocat]

62. Nah, you're wrong. They showed us real good and stuff.

I mean, they kept telling us over and over just how much better off america was without Al Gore in the White House. They said that Bush was put in there by God so that america could go back to being a great Christian nation because God punishes the U.S. for electing democrats, right?

I mean, just look at all the good that's come out after Clinton left office. I mean, we're so much safer now that there's less crime and terrorism, our economy is turning the corner now that there are more jobs, and we're better off without Saddam Hussein now that we're winning the war on Iraq over those WMD's.

Boy howdy, that George W. Bush was such a great leader and he did so much for the Christian movement all over world too.

:sarcasm:

[Dudley_DUright]

64. One correction Ben

You claim that, "paganism is still the fastest growing religion in the country". Apparently is is actually the church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Many have been touched by his noodly appendage. Pastafarianism is growing by leaps and bounds of the meat ball. :P

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3988677

[benburch]

67. Well, as a dedicated pantheist...

I too can be touched by his noodly tendrils.

[benburch]

68. Wikipedia has an article on pastafarianism!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster