No, thank YOU!

Busy trolls are happy trolls!

Sometimes I buy toilet paper without recycled content, too.

"As an independent"
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????....

Next to Fred van der Wahl's comment about walking the streets virtually anywhere in the US and being able to duke it out with anyone who might accost him with a firearm, this is the funniest post I've seen all week.

Cindy, I do not deserve to be called names because of choices you have made, one of which caused you to be included in a piece of special interest research I received some time back. I will "say" that your name and blogsite drew no special attention from me other than that it was printed on the page and so remembered with the others.

Greg, why all of the question marks? I've stated numerous times that I do not have a specific political party affiliation. I do however lean toward intelligent and thoughtful solutions to social problems.

Bob, giving me the "funniest" post of the week status is a compliment as that's usually your corner. ; ) But I'm not sure I deserve such merit as I merely presented the research at hand. If you have more research humor to share please do.

Also, Cindy or someone who has read this book, does it include notes (foot or end?) or otherwise provide information sources? I don't care for fiction. Thanks,

No one called you a name, Bren. I made a general statement as to the overall happiness of a busy troll.

The book is not publicly footnoted, though I keep content notes for every statement. First readers told me the notes were simply too hard to get through and interrupted the enjoyment they gained from the text. There are, on a few occasions, live links to video content. (That's one of the most fun things about using an ebook medium.)

And gosh, now my feelings are hurt. I thought Bob was talking about my toilet paper comment. I guess I'll head to the corner to repair my ego.

"Greg, why all of the question marks? I've stated numerous times that I do not have a specific political party affiliation. I do however lean toward intelligent and thoughtful solutions to social problems."

You can lie to us, but you really should try to be honest with yourself.

No research necessary, Bren. This site is lousy with evidence of the absurdity of you calling someone else out for being less than independent.

The best joke is floating around Twitter:
"I'm not the member of any organized party; I'm a Republican."

(Bren, giggle. It's good for you.)

I will publicly admit I paid dues this year for the first time in a long time since I have a friend working at the RNC and it made me feel guilty not to do so.

Bren wrote: “Just to provide balance for readers, I will share that your name and blogsite appear on a list of attendees of a blogger conference call with member(s) of the American Petroleum Institute in 2008…”

Followed with: “API…counts among its current directors Totiq Al-Gabsani, who is a Saudi national, registered foreign agent, and head of a subsidiary of S.A.'s state-run oil company Aramco…”

Interesting. In one paragraph Bren has linked Cindy with a Saudi national. I wonder how long before she dons her burqua.

Finally, Bren added: “…I'm not suggesting that you involved with these agencies in a substantial way…”
Yes Bren, that is exactly what you are trying to do. Guilt by association is a standard tactic of Liberals, Trolls, and most notably, Liberal Trolls. Maybe Cindy does support API, but let’s wait for the facts shall we?

And even if she does, what is so terrible about API, execept that it has a Saudi on it’s board of directors (are you becoming a racist Bren?) For months you have deluged us with ALEC and how terrible it is, yet haven’t any provided any real evidence or insight as to why “cookie-cutter” legislation is so terrible. A good law is a good law, it doesn’t matter if it is written by Bush 43 or Barack Hussein Obama, or even Bren.

Anti-Alinsky: You are absolutely correct. I tend to use a standard "laugh until they shut up" response for trolls, but you've nailed it.

Bren, obviously very clever and confidently trained in the Alinsky method, did just that. I am forever guilty by association. If it makes her feel any better I'll mention the long-held family belief that I'm probably related to John Wilkes Booth.

What Bren lacks, though, is conviction. She's obviously very easily impressed with herself, but not enough to let us know her real name. Now I know she'll buck and bite as to her right to anonymity, and sure. The right exists. It's simply gutless to be that obnoxious without any way for us to research what devilish associations she might hold. For all we know, she was a pole dancer at the DNC convention. (And I laugh as I type that because YOU KNOW she will have been trained at the Cordon Bleu School of Pole dancing and has kept her perfect figure for many years.)

Nice dodge, but of course you or your designated representative hit the "Reply" button instead of posting the comment independently. And what a random comment it would have been, hanging there in the 4th dimension, leaving unfortunate readers to surmise its intent and/or target. And what author wants to confuse readers? ; )

Hey, easy on the pole dancers.

Greg, as I wrote, I lean toward intelligent and thoughtful solutions toward social problems. That's straightforward as it gets. I've also shared that I have voted Libertarian (even though I think that mode is impractical given the complexity of modern America. And no, the Tea Party is Authoritarian, not Libertarian).

Bob, Mr. Hoffa (and where is he these days? I miss him) is the one I look to for "independent" analysis. There are independents across the political spectrum as I know you are aware.

Anti, Cindy linked herself to API, I merely encountered the link during my ALEC research (which you know is one of my areas of focus). As I wrote, I don't believe, nor do I have further evidence of Cindy's deeper involvement in API. But her choice to participate in a conference call with that organization puts her name out there. And then you repeated the information I presented, providing another "hit" opportunity, given the direction of research. That's why the experts always caution about the internet.

Concerning API, it is a vehicle for the S.A. government (via Aramco) to fund U.S. political candidates and become a shaper of U.S. law (via ALEC). That makes me a little uncomfortable from a purely political standpoint. As to why ALEC and cookie cutter legislation are so "terrible," the Libertarian side of me infinitely prefers state-specific legislation written by legislators invested in their state. Not by a paid lobbyist sitting in Washington D.C.

And Bren is always perplexed concerning just how we all know she's a female....

Hint: prefrontal lobe

"Nice dodge, but of course you or your designated representative hit the "Reply" button instead of posting the comment independently. And what a random comment it would have been, hanging there in the 4th dimension, leaving unfortunate readers to surmise its intent and/or target. And what author wants to confuse readers? ; )"

Yeah. You're pretty jealous I did something you couldn't. I wrote a whole book that real strangers are buying. You'd probably be easier on me if you were one of those kinds of people who enjoyed the success of others as incentive for your own goals, but it's just not your thing, huh?

You are really great entertainment though, Bren. By all means, keep it coming.

Cindy, I've never read Saul Alinsky. I understand that he was writing from his time (hippie era) but the world has changed a bit since then. I wonder how many who cite Alinsky have actually read his work.

Cindy, not sure how Booth figures into this discourse but we all have our interesting ancestors. Interesting that you think I'm female, and your conjecture, while amusing, does not indicate a high degree of perceptivity. As I have written before, Patch is a guilty pleasure. It's fun and at times even insightful and that's why I play. So while you use Patch to promote your ideas and book, I have no similar motivation or need. But I do appreciate an honest discourse. That's why I shared when I remembered where I saw your name. So readers know how you define "fairly."

Put another way, would it be honest of me to write that I was "fairly" intelligent or "fairly" well informed?

Bren said: "Put another way, would it be honest of me to write that I was "fairly" intelligent or "fairly" well informed?"

No. Please let us know if anyone seriously spouts such falsehoods.

Bren, not being a card carrying R or D or L or L or G or whatever, doesn't mean you're an "independent" in the political sense. If you consistently trash Republicans, as you do, and never criticize Democrats, as you don't, you're not an independent. You're just not on someone's list as a Democrat. It's that simple. It's why people scoff at you when you make the claim. It's the same reason folks scoffed at Nick whatsit when we claimed he used to be a Republican. There isn't a Republican bone in the guy's body.

I honestly don't know why people who are so blatantly one-sided need to identify themselves as "independents", as if the only conclusion a "thoughtful independent" could come to somehow always comes from the same side of the political fence. Just own your lefty-ness. Nobody's going to hold it against you.

If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, most people are going to recognize it as a duck - even if it thinks it's a swan.

Cindy, far from being jealous I encourage journaling and committing thoughts to paper or other tangible format. An elegant internal recalibration takes place during the writing process as we embrace and channel the need to communicate into a cogent form. Even if one never publishes it is a uniquely soul-satisfying experience.

Any artist, including the literary, resonates most with audiences when using an honest, open voice to resonate. The best writing comes when the author writes from experience. Being a real conservative is certainly nothing to be ashamed about. If that is what you are, embrace that. Especially since you post under your real name and most people I know like to learn more about the authors they read.

Luke, my point precisely. ; )

Bob, not carrying a party card does demonstrate a desire for independence. Growing up in a household with one conservative and one liberal parent put me into the moderate zone of the political spectrum. I have observed how increasingly "leftist" my Goldwater Republican father has found himself with his radical notions of land conservation/environmental safety and respect for personal privacy (domestic spying, anyone?). After all, Dick Nixon created the EPA. So if poor dad is turning into a tree-hugger for thinking we shouldn't drill for oil in federal parks, it's no surprise that moderates seem even more liberal since the goal posts have moved.

Bren: I have a question for you. Why did you link my participation in the call but NOT LINK anything to prove your assertion:

"API has a Washington DC registry but counts among its current directors Totiq Al-Gabsani, who is a Saudi national, registered foreign agent, and head of a subsidiary of S.A.'s state-run oil company Aramco. This foreign company provides significant funding for the American Petroleum Institute. "

I am a little curious.

(P.S. I'm reading Persepolis tonight. It's got me thinking. Why do people like you want America to continue to be dependent on the oil in the Mid East? I bet I'll post about that sometime next week.)

Cindy, I wrote, "I will share that your name and blogsite appear on a list of attendees of a blogger conference call..." What I stated is most certainly true and not an assertion, as proven by the link. A link to API's Vimeo channel and audio of that call (http://vimeo.com/channels/energyconversations/page:3) proves that the call itself indeed took place, text and audio match. As I wrote, your name was an incidental appearance in a larger research project on an organization funded by API. Blame my near-perfect textual memory recall for remembering your name from a marginally useful activity note. But it certainly underscores the need for care when posting information online.

As for "people like me" wanting to be dependent on foreign oil, as a non-universalist I can only state my own view. Every dollar we hand over to foreign countries with undemocratic regimes perpetuates those government systems, which usually includes mistreatment of civilian populations. Our use of oil could have been contained at the outset, post WWII, by following the models of other regions, such as Europe, where practicality is more focused. Instead, Americans were convinced that more and bigger was best by brilliant marketing ploys by the captains of industry. Perhaps people thought the government would protect the country by not letting things get out of hand? But it's not the job of government to control advertising and consumer spending...

...Corporate common sense/self-regulation should have been in order, but that can't be legislated (the special interests squawk when modest anti-pollution and fuel consumption controls are legislated). Big Oil wasn't about to step in when the automakers churned out 15 mpg cars, or when plastics companies weaned Americans off resealable containers, etc., and into throw-aways that clog the landfills with nonbiodegradables. Or when offshorers expand the carbon footprint by shipping millions of tons of products in from 3rd World countries. No, Big Oil just makes sure it kept its hands in the flow/profit stream. There's some profit involved, you see.

Obama actually opened up more domestic oil production than GWB. From an environmental standpoint it's worrisome because clean-up technologies are basically unchanged since Exxon Valdez days (as we learned from the BP oil spill and other recent problems). The new shale oil extraction and piping adds a new tier of clean-up problems because of all of the chemicals. Big Oil hasn't invested in clean-up. But dirtying our own nest, so to speak, is preferable to aiding and abetting undemocratic governments. At least we have some environmental controls to protect citizens.

The logical answer is to wean ourselves from foreign oil through new fuel technologies. Big Oil has been snapping up "green" patents with intent to maintain control of energy. But they will continue the status quo/profit-making as long as possible.

Haha! But your near perfect textual memory can't put up a link showing the API Saudi connection.

Cutie pie. You go have a great day.

Cindy, here is al-Gabsani's name on the API board of directors: http://www.thenation.com/sites/default/files/2012-gabsani-apiboard.pdf

Now I link for the statement, "Totiq Al-Gabsani, who is a Saudi national, registered foreign agent, and head of a subsidiary of S.A.'s state-run oil company Aramco."

You can pop one up for the claim that they provide "significant funding" for API by linking how much they fund and also the total budget.

I don't mind your statement. I just think it's fair you need to support it entirely.

You are a "non-universalist" but constantly reference "Big Oil."

Fascinating.

A "universalist" is an individual who believes that his/her own opinion is shared by all and expresses views within that context. Therefore I interpreted your "people like you" statement as an abstract as you really know nothing about me yet somehow attempt to lump me in with some undefined herd. As I responded, I can only "speak" for myself. "Big Oil" is an established reference to the largest oil companies. I do agree that there is something fascinating about an individual who is compelled to write a book based on very recent events without including data sources and without (apparently) knowledge of current socio-political terminology.
; )

I didn't understand your earlier information request (having considered the issue resolved) and don't understand your comment above about linking. I do seem to recall an earlier discussion about clarity/cogency.

Now, were you going to respond to my statements about domestic v. foreign oil, or was I merely helping you write your article? ; )

The point, Bren, is for someone so overtly pedantic you sure have trouble proving anything.

Cindy, again I do not understand your post. I provided precise source information for my comments. Thus I have proven my points.

Not to nit-pick, but the adverb "overtly" is unnecessary. I believe we have sufficiently established that our respective facility with the English language places us in different facets of the spectrum.

Please let me know if you need any additional assistance with your oil article.

The point remains you fail to prove your allegations from your original comment in a way that satisfies.

@Bren,
Her use of "overtly" was perfect. Notice that it is preceded by the adverb "so," referring to the degree or manner of being pedantic in public (cf. "trolling"). (Notice, also, the ellipsis of "that is" just prior to "so," which is perfectly allowable in casual conversation.

I believe we have sufficiently established that our respective facility with the English language places us in different facets of the spectrum. Please spend more time honing your skills.

@Luke - I was writing of Bren, so would it not be "who is" instead of "that is" which was inferred? ;)

(Dude. That rocked. High five!)

Cindy,

I stand corrected. However, you should hang your head in shame for not pointing out a punctuation error at the VERY end of my first paragraph. I'm now not sure that I can be seen in public with you if we ever meat.

And, yes, I am aware that there is a mistake at the end of the paragraph above. Unlike Bren, I make no unintentional mistakes, including the one you pointed out in your post, immediately above.

So, Bren's a that and not a who; you can't be a programmer as you fail to close your parenthetical expressions; if we ever get together, you want steak.

Roger that.

@Cindy,

Bren does not disclose her gender. I, however, address her as a female because she exhibits behaviors typical of a person who has a prefrontal lobe that has developed two standard deviations earlier than the typical male over the age of 18. That would make Bren very likely to be a female, since they are done developing much earlier.

You are correct that I selected the wrong pronoun. But as I said, I do not make unintentional mistakes.

I pegged Bren as a female due to her schoolgirl crush on Governor Walker, this extensive interest in Cindy had added a special twist.

I'll interrupt, just briefly, to remind everyone that an oxymoron is a 'big dumb guy'.

And now back to my dinner of Jumbo Shrimp.

Nice name calling. That's real mature.

Fred, if you took your own words to heart regarding being able to walk virtually anywhere w/o packing a gun, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't need to worry about that. The problem would take care of itself.

You can do it!

I'll let you in on what worked for me. No internet, no breakfast, no girlfriend phone chats until 500 words are down. They don't have to be great. They just have to be there. Then I go back to it after lunch and put together another 500 before I can start dinner.

Not eating? It makes me write. :)

Excellent! I look forward to hearing from you.

Gear, I will buy your book. Steam is good for the sinuses!

Searching Amazon on "Obama book" nets 10,361 results. He's still, technically, in his first term and I doubt all those were published after Nov of last year. Think all those (or of those who published a glowing account of his life, so far, anyways) people are looking for political appointments, or are they capitalizing on a topic they think people will want to read about?

Actually, I've been sketching out an idea on Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Does that mean I want to be sainted?

Scott Walker doesn't even know I exist. So woohoo to your great theory.

(And seriously - read the thing and you tell me if it's "glowing." I left a bunch of it out, but there's some less that flattering personal stuff revealed.)

@Sense

The first "glowing book" about Obama was written by Obama.

Was that the one with the composite girlfriend?

I thought the options were hard rubber or inflatable. They're made out of composites now as well?

@Greg,

Yes. That was the alleged girlfriend that cried because she wished she knew what it was like to be black in America. Alas, she will never really, really, superdeeduperly know.

I heard it was actually Chastity Bono.

@Greg,

That was so unexpected that I sprayed my coffee out of my mouth and all over my computer.

Actually, I wasn't drinking coffee at the time that I read your last comment, but I did immediately go to Starbucks after reading it so that I could spray the coffee on my computer.

I never drink coffee.

I can appreciate your perspective. I'm too libertarian on a number of social issues to consider myself very conservative, but since my placement on the spectrum is entirely dependent upon my own definition of conservative, it's all (obviously) debatable.

Walker's election here in WI was a strong statement. That he managed and R/R legislature to go with it? Well either Dems aren't watching or voters are more clever than I thought.

It's our urban centers in the US that keep us D nationwide. I suspect that's why the Ds have a genuine dislike for suburbia or rural. When the cities die (and just look at Detroit) it could be a different ending.

He's sworn in on January 20th for his second term.

Regardless, the point is that many people write books about politicians before the summation of their career has been determined. That doesn't make them ass kissers or assassins intent on gaining a political appointment by the subject or his or her opponents as the ultimate return for their efforts.

I probably won't read Cindy's book, not because I think there's anything wrong with it. It just doesn't really interest me at this point. I hope others who have an interest do. I applaud anyone that takes the time to write something and publish. That includes you. You tend to have a different take on things around here than most. You could probably write something interesting. If you did, I'd assume you did it for the sake of doing so. Not because of some ulterior motive.

Make that January 21st.

As far as I know, that's the truth. Several requests were made for his input, but you are correct. I should send over a pdf. I've been in the same room with the Governor once, but we've never been introduced. (Conversely Tom Barrett knows my name well enough that when I introduced myself he said, "Fairly Conservative" before we started chatting about libraries.)

The photo the high school let me use was ok'd by the Governor's office, so I know they were aware of the project.

The protagonist is Wisconsin. Scott Walker is a supporting character. It's in three sections: Walker, The Protests, The Recall.

You could always read the darn thing and then complain. Oh, and if you happen to have first-hand knowledge that he has a clue who I am, then bring it on.

So you get to play the alpha-male role with your challenge for the truth, but I am not allowed to answer it. Got it.