In Mike Lange's F*cked Up Head, Negotiations=Bribery

Ah yes, mikey lange, the new face......... (0.00 / 0)

of the Rethugly party.  There you have it, folks.  Just when you thought that judy mars and corndog buns were about as low as the Pubies could go, they find lange!  What he lacks in brains, he compensates for in class!  Sad, so sad and pathetic that this is what the Republican Party has become.  No WONDER many people I know are ex-Republicans.  Methinks that he just committed Martizide!  And I hope that he takes the party with him!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 14:43:15 PM CDT

Lange (0.00 / 0)

Sounds like he's in over his head.

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by: Mark Tokarski @ Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 18:34:02 PM CDT

Actually, (0.00 / 0)

little mikey boy has his head firmly up his Lange!  Mikey is the typical bully boy.  If ya needle him enough, and make fun of him, he's gonna blow!  And mikey boy blew.  Boy DID he!  THAT is the real mikey lange, bully, blowhard, dumbass!  Ain't no doubt left.  Clueless, classless, brainless.

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 19:11:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Best Fake Apology (0.00 / 0)

From the Missoulian: "I certainly meant no offense," Lange added. "My frustration got the better of me."

I can't believe that he didn't mean any offense when he called the Gov an SOB and told him to stick it up his @ss.  Either he's an idiot or he's a liar, probably both.

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by: V @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 09:50:01 AM CDT

I wonder how many democrats..... (0.00 / 0)

...would like to chip in and cover this fellas filing fee against Max?  I like a good four letter adjective as much as the next guy, but I thought our elected public officials were supposed to use civil political discourse. Silly me.  I sure hope no one wonders too much why our political leaders are less likely to be viewed as role models than ever before.  I'm sure there are lots of parents that want their children to talk to people they way Mike Lang and Conrad Burns do.  I think Jeff Foxworthy has made a career out of making fun of them.

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by: Truxton Rolfe @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 10:01:23 AM CDT

Rep. Lange's comments.... (0.00 / 0)

I think it's safe to say we are finally feeling the effects of Term Limits. There is no longer any institutional knowledge left at the legislature. The process of passing legislation has been twarted by ego's and emotion, common sense and civility have gone by the way side. We don't have statesmen/women representing the citizenry of Montana any longer, simply people who are out to cram their own agendas down the other guys throat on both sides of the aisle! There was a time when rational men and women came together to represent the people of Montana during a legislative session, my husband served back in the early 70's with statesmen like Bob Brown, Jim Lucas, Max Baucus, Francis Bardenauve, and Hal Harper to name a few. While these men didn't necessarily agree on all the issues of the day they were cival to one another and conducted themselves like gentlemen. He is proud today to have had those associations.There is an old political saying which I believe holds a great deal of truth in politics that my good friend Bob Brown uses regularly "Everyone is entitled to their say, NO one is entitled to their way".

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by: A Republican Mom @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 10:26:31 AM CDT

Agreed, but..... (0.00 / 0)

You're absolutely right about the need for civil discourse, but I think you're mistaken about term limits.  A fresh perspective can't HURT anything and having a forced, "changing of the guard" can help facilitate new ideas and purge lifelong politicians who's world view has differed significantly from the Average Montanan.  True, it's nice to have legislators, "know the game" in Helena, but while in power it's hard to throw them out - as the lifelong politician knows how to play the media and public like a fiddle for the next election.

This is about taking some accountability and pride in being a statesman.  Term limits might help that, but that's no excuse for any of our elected officials (who are essentially a reflection of their constituency that elected them) to turn OUR  state capital to some sort of Jerry Springer show - this includes BOTH republicans and democrats.

Lange would do best by exercising one of the foremost "mantras" of the Republican party:  Personal Responsibility.

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by: drylander @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 13:00:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Democrats too? (0.00 / 0)

What, may I ask, has any Democrat done that even comes close to Lange's meltdown? Where do you get parity out of this?

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by: Mark Tokarski @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 18:19:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

the perfectest politicians EVER (0.00 / 0)

Mark,
There was a point, when a Bozeman senator or legislator shot some inappropriate comment (albeit outside of chambers).  I'd drag out the link, but why.  It's floating out there on the Gazette, Tribune, etc...
Whatever.
Granted, it wasn't as infantile as Lange's tirade - but some unprofessional conduct was there.
So, dismount from your moral "high horse".  More civility on both sides is needed.  ALTHOUGH, it seems the republicans can take that lesson a bit more to heart these days.

Probably not perfect parity.  But, still, as a voter with liberal tendencies it's hard to say one side's soooooooo much better than the other.  Seems more like playground politics, no?

  Don't paint a different picture that the repubs are all horrifically evil, and the demos are always the nice good ones.  There are assholes politicians on both sides - lest you forget.  Pick some other battle.

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by: drylander @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 19:45:32 PM CDT

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The problem (0.00 / 0)

The problem with term limits is institutional knowledge, and our God-given right to choose. Institutional knowledge doesn't just disappear it merely gets moved about. So if we clean House (and Senate) then that knowledge will be left with someone who is going to be there year after year. Who you ask? I'd say lobbyists. (Maybe a few state employees) I'd rather have some real women and men at the Capitol that know what they are doing, and not relying on some paid lobbyist to tell them how it is.
We need people who we can count on from year to year if we so choose. We already had term limits long before definite ones were imposed. They were called elections. If anyone says that the voters of this state can't decide when its time for someone to go then I cry foul. Just look over the passed two election cycles. The voters decided it was time to change hands.

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by: Mathello @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 21:31:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You have a good point. (0.00 / 0)

Oh, I totally agree that institutional knowledge is a good thing to have... and that by having term limits we have a purge of that  - and then a placement of the knowledge is in un-elected hands (like lobbyists, state workers, etc).
Not a good thing - I agree.

I realize that's a problem.  But, I think that the incumbent candidate usually has a decided advantage as far as electability goes, as that person has more media exposure and access to pulpit, if you will, to have his/her candidacy to be more available to the voter.
I think that advantage can also keep incumbents who should be knocked out, IN.  For example, Conrad Burns might have been ousted a bit earlier than he might have been, if term limits were available; as I think he stayed in office longer because of name recognition more than anything, rather than pure political genius or contribution.

Anyhow, I know there is good solution for this... In my utopic world people would have the knowledge they'd need once they got into office, trouble is they don't... 
I see your point.

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by: drylander @ Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 10:21:50 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you (0.00 / 0)

I appreciate your comments, and I agree with you in part. Incumbents do have the name recognition, and media coverage. Senator Burns may have benefited from those, but (and I can't believe I'm saying this) he wasn't noticably corrupt until 2006. As soon as the people of Montana saw what he truly was we promptly kicked him out. 20,000 people from his own party voted for someone else in the primary.

In Congress, power is based on seniority, and expertise. I'd rather keep voting for Senator Baucus knowing that he is the powerfulest senator in the country. (70% of the federal budget crosses his desk) It's a position that brings Montana to the forefront. I can ramble on example after example, but what it boils down to is choice. There should never be any law that restricts me from voting for the person I want to represent me. That goes from dog catcher all the way to the Oval Office. I have a quote, and I love it... "Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve." ~ George Bernard Shaw

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by: Mathello @ Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 11:38:49 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey, Drylamer, you're a moron, right?! (0.00 / 0)

Hey, Drylamer, let me offer sumthin' up here that even a moron like yourself might understand.  And it's this.  If the Pubies want term limits so badly, WHY CAN'T THEY JUST DO IT THEMSELVES?!!  TO THEMSELVES!  Answer me that one, drylamer!  Why can't the Pubes just say to Montanans that we think that term limits are a good idea.  So, we'll self-impose them REGARDLESS of what the Dems do!  What's wrong with that, Drylamer?  Think of the political capitol the RePubes would gain!  What's wrong with this idea, Drylamer?  Why don't the Pubes ever put their money where their mouths are?????  Just  wondering.

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 23:14:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Larry, you moron, calm down. (0.00 / 0)

Hey, DOLT, I am a liberal voter - I vote democratic.  I just so happen to think that term limits are an OK thing. 
Read my damned post before you come unglued, for crying out loud.

There's room for disagreement, EVEN IF I AM A DEMOCRAT!

And dude, as a fellow democrat...  You rants here (and on other blogs) don't really do our cause much good, when they're as laced with insult and profanity as yours seem to be.  I am actually a bit ashamed to be lumped into the same political spectrum as you... and hope that when the rest of MT looks to see what a liberal, democratic voter is, they don't look at your posting as the example.

Grow the F' up Larry. 

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by: drylander @ Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 10:02:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

No thanks. (0.00 / 0)

I think you're simply a plant.  There's NOTHING Democractic about you.  Term limits are a horrific idea.  Now, let me repeat, if the Rethugs want term limits, let them do that as a party!  Institutional knowledge is a must.  And your take on cornbred burns is WAY wrong!  What you fail to mention is that at least nearly HALF of Montana voters think that connie burns is OK.  That has nothing to do with term limits.  And I'll thank you not to restrict my free speech.  You say what you want, and I'll say what I want.  How's that, plant boy?

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 16:14:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm a plant? I'm a democrat. Just who the hell are YOU? (0.00 / 0)

Hardly.
I'm a MT democrat.  I don't always go to the left, I do tend to go to the center and even take ideas from the right.
Go accuse someone else with your pithy little comments. 

You don't like my brand of politics?  That I can take some things from the right and the left?  Well, maybe I'm more a centrist to you.  Whatever.  Go pound sand. 

I have nothing to prove to you.  I can only speak my mind - and I can also speak that you're not doing our party any favors by being a semi-sentient being.

I'm not sure why I'm wasting my time, defending myself against someone who doesn't even know me, but can disrespect me instantly.  Is this how you treat others that you communicate with in your life?  Or, is it that you can sit behind the shield of semi-anonymity that you think you can get off being this way?

Whatever Larry.  I'm a democrat with some different perspectives than you.  So that makes it OK for you to lambaste me here?  I've listened a long time to you on Wulfgar's site, Netroots and so on.  I've used a different name there (and I've agreed with you before, in the few times you've decided to post civilly).  Never have I had to deal with you on my ass.  Well, I've come the conclusion that you are an asshole.  100% asshat.  I can't believe you teach people. Where is your compassion?  You don't seem to have any.

Anyhow - I am proud of the MT democratic party.  Last year watching Tester get elected was one the best political victories I've seen for this state (outside of Brian getting in the Governor's chair).  I know who I am and who I support: the democratic party.
Leave your chicken-shit comments in some other coop, like the Billings Blog, you DAFT bastard.

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by: drylander @ Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 17:11:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Daft bastard? (0.00 / 0)

Maybe.  But anonymous, no.  Hell, I've been kicked outta more public meetings than you've probably attended!  Anonymous, no.  Never have been, never will be.  I've even told off the legislature a time or two. (made the front page of the GF Tribune) When the other side returns to civility, so will I.  But  unlike wussie Dems, I fight back.  It's my nature.  The Repubes started the war of incivility, I simply return fire.  And ya know what.  It's kinda  fun.  And sorry, but I see NOTHING worth borrowing form the rightwing.  They  are nazis, corporate nazis.  But hey, let me offer you something from their side that you might want.  Here:  the earth is four thousand  years old.  That might be a tidbit  you want to  borrow!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 18:22:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh my (0.00 / 0)

He's calling you out, Landlubber. Can't we all just get along? Some people are just a little more center than others.

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by: Mathello @ Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 21:58:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

calling who out? (0.00 / 0)

Ah, well, Larry and I disagreed and our poltics are a tad different.  I don't share all of his views (or get kicked out of public meetings) - but that doesn't make me a republican.  I hope there is room for me in the MT democratic party? Or maybe, I've got it wrong?  Does the vote I cast for Tester, Schweitzer amongst other deocratic candidates not count?  Hmmm.
Anyhow, Larry, so you know... the MT Democratic party has people who are pretty far left, and those who are a bit moderate - and yes, my vote is needed too. So is yours.  I just didn't feel like being blasted by a fellow democrat for not turning my tiller all the way to the left.

If that's calling me out, then you've got a lot a members of our party, just like me, to give the same treatment.  I think it would be a pretty small party without folks like me being a part of it.
But that's my take.
Larry, I certainly do want to get along.
I'm done with this.

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by: drylander @ Sat Apr 28, 2007 at 21:12:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Actually, DryL.......... (0.00 / 0)

to be quite honest, DL, most Dems would probably reject me too!  The Environmental Rangers are shunned by everyone, even other enviro groups.  But you know what.  We don't care.  We accept that.  We simply do our thing and let the chips fall where they may.  We don't expect anyone to do what we do.  We confront the bad guys head on.  We don't run.  We don't hide.  And we don't negotiate with criminals. We simply tell it  like it  is.  And if the bad guys resort to violence, we neutralize that tactic immediately.  We like to say that we  hold the hard line of hope.  That's all.  So, DL, shun me.  I expect you to.  But the Rangers will be there when we're needed, just as we always have been in the past.  And the bad guys know that.  Helps keep things in Montana civil.

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Sat Apr 28, 2007 at 23:21:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]