Blame It On The Rain — And Also Obama

[cleanhippie]

President Obama urged members of Congress Monday to pass a farm bill intended to relieve farmers struggling in the midst of a debilitating drought. He also signed off on $170 million in drought aid.

That might all be a product of Obama’s guilty conscience, suggested an aide to House Speaker John Boehner, who wrote on the official speaker’s website Monday that not only should Obama do more — he should take personal responsibility for the natural disaster: “The president continues to blame anyone and everyone for the drought but himself.”

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/08/boehner_drough_blame_obama.php?ref=fpblg

Well, fuck. The AgSec even prayed for rain, Mr. Speaker.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack: I pray for rain every day
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/agriculture-secretary-tom-vilsack-i-pray-for-rain-every-day/2012/07/19/gJQAmCBOwW_blog.html

Maybe you should talk to that god of yours, he doesn't seem to be listening. He doesn't seem to be listening to anyone.

[RobertEarl]

1. Why should God listen? n/t

[cleanhippie]

4. I've been told that he listens, and answers, quite frequently.

Never had that experience myself, but then again, I don't believe in such a thing, so it's no surprise to me.

[struggle4progress]

2. I'm not inclined to blame the drought on anyone, so disagree with Boehner

But, to speak at a more fundamental political level, I don't think Boehner really believes that Obama is to blame for the drought, even though that is what he says: I think Boehner is simply following the Republican strategy that has been standard since the time of Gingrich -- namely, make sure that whatever you say about your opponents, is loaded up with negatives

So Boehner manages to mangle the drought together with Obama and irresponsibility, in the hopes that folks will just take away a sour feeling

This tactic is crude and uninteresting as rhetoric. Moreover, it offers no possibilities for fruitful discussion.

[cleanhippie]

3. With many, especially on the right, there is no hope of fruitful discussion.

[longship]

5. All are punished. All are punished.

nt