Have you ever been in an argument with a liberal and got so frustrated by the non sequiturs being uttered that you wanted to ask, "Are you literate? Do you own a newspaper?"
Well, on Wednesday, conservative talk radio host Michael Graham did exactly that to liberal talker Laura Flanders.
Appearing on MSNBC's "The Ed Show," the pair were contentiously debating the need for healthcare reform when Flanders said, "We are seeing a handful of naysayers basically derail our whole process. Americans voted for change."
This was all Graham could stands, cuz he couldn't stands no more (video embedded below the fold with transcript, h/t HotAirPundit):
ED SCHULTZ, HOST: The Senate is set to start debating the health care bill on Monday, but there is an alarming report from "Bloomberg" today. Health care may get bumped to next year because Congress has to work on legislation set to expire at the end of this year.
For more, let me bring in our panel tonight, Laura Flanders, author of "Blue Grit," and host of GritTV.org, and Michael Graham, radio talk show host on WTKK in Boston.
Michael, it -- there are some inherent things that the Congress has to deal with and it is money. The stall tactics by the Republicans, are they working and is this working out for the conservatives in this country who want to stop health care reform?
MICHAEL GRAHAM, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Obviously, I hope it is stopping this disaster that is health care. The story of the two folks you just had on is incredibly moving. Yet nobody has explained how the disastrous Obama-care monster, two trillion dollars, is going to solve those problems.
The "Huffington Post" talks about people dying right now. There are people dying under government-run systems in Canada and the UK while they wait for health care. It still may be the best system we can get, but nobody denies that either. So anything that can stop us from following the Europeans into their disaster, OK by me.
SCHULTZ: Laura, is it that many people dying in Europe and also in Canada, as he just mentioned?
LAURA FLANDERS, GRITTV.ORG: No, the statistics are crazy, and you know that, Ed. The story is so moving of what happened in Chicago a couple of weeks ago, because you have the spectacle of people in pain being laughed at, people in need. And the Houghs are not the only grieving parents this Thanksgiving eve. You`ve got parents and people all across this country grieving for lost ones whose lives could have been saved had we got better health care, more accessible, higher quality for everybody.
I go back to what Alan Grayson said on this network yesterday. He said the longer the Senate stalls, the more Americans are going to die. It`s not a problem of just what`s happening in these Tea Parties. The lack of respect for people`s needs and wishes in this country, it`s happening in our Congress. It`s not a government takeover of health care. We have our government taken over by people who believe in no government. And they`re going to prove that government change can happen, because that`s what they were elected to do. They`re a wrecking crew. We can`t let them wreck our chance for change.
GRAHAM: How can you say they`re ignoring the people when only 31 percent of the people in the latest poll support this plan, and more than 50 percent say they don`t? It`s absolute insanity. Another planet.
FLANDERS: The point that Ed just raised, the House has passed 100 bills that are languishing because of Senate inactivity. That stop the stalling in the Senate petition from Alan Grayson is critically important. We are seeing a handful of naysayers basically derail our whole process. Americans voted for change.
GRAHAM: Do you not have access to the polls? Are you literate? Do you own a newspaper? Have you not seen the polls on President Obama`s performance on health care, on the overwhelming rejection of this? Independents don`t like it. Republicans -- a handful of the far --
SCHULTZ: Michael, I don`t know where you`re getting your information.
GRAHAM: "Newsweek."
Delicious.
Of course, recent polls do back Graham's view according to PollingReport.com.
But facts never seem to matter to a liberal talker, do they?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Maybe Flanders forgets.....
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 17:54 ET by superconDemocrats controll both houses of Congress by huge margins. They do not need ONE SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE!!!
Who are the naysayers ?
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
Indeed
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:28 ET by Quasi-socialistPeople also voted for those blue dogs for a reason as well.
LOL....owning a newspaper?
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 10:10 ET by Patriot IIOwning a newspaper doesn't make you literate! They make more misprints, lies, down right mistatements...outright deceptions that even the TV media does...if that is possible in this lying world! People better read what the Bible says about liars......"they will be outside in the dark, gnashing of teeth" )(paraphrase)
Nope, not ONE SINGLE
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 22:41 ET by GregENope, not ONE SINGLE Republican do they need. But they LOVE to say Republicans are obstructing. Republicans CANNOT obstruct. The Democrat majority is large enough to pass legislation to round up all the nation's conservatives and put us all before firing squad. They would need NOT ONE Republican go along. Flandera and her ilk can't seem to understand this.
More! More! More!
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 17:56 ET by NortonalecWell done sir! That is how you speak to those idots on Big Head's show, IF you decide to go on in the first place. This video should be part of a training course on how to deal with lefties that are not dealing with reality and just spout talking points.
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."~David St. Hubbins
How many times have you had to point out to a liberal
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:28 ET by Army BratThat the sky is indeed blue...no matter what they read at Huffpo or heard from liberal pundit/apologist, "X"?
I like..."You're entitled to your own opinion, not your own facts."
It's just incredible...the number of libs out there that are convinced that the Democrats fought against Republican opposition to and were the driving force behind the passage of the Civil Rights Act! Although...it really is quite fun to set them straight. Is it wrong for me to enjoy doing so? I say things like, "Here's the truth...Choke on it." But..only when the lib makes it clear that he/she feels that they are my superior in every way by virtue of their being a liberal.
Hmm... Liberal Supremacism.... maybe that's why libs support islam so blindly and regularly. islamic supremacism...kindred spirits in superiority?
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
But MSNBC poll.....
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:43 ET by averageschmoeBlowhard Schultz will say "but our MSNBC poll with 99%Democrats have it 70% support the Health Care plan. That is his poll and that is the only one that counts. These Libs are not illiterate however they will lie through there teeth in order to get what they want.
The Jepps [Canadians] are Jeeped to Montana - for childbirth?
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:48 ET by Gary HallYes the story must have been incredibly moving... but, how many folks remember this incredibly moving story from the summer of 2007?
About what, you ask? About how a very [did I say very?] pregnant woman, Karen Jepp, in Calgary, Canada [population 1,097,310], end up being rushed 325 miles to Great Falls, Montana [pop 27,885], the USA, in order to deliver her 4 little ones?
Not enough beds in Calgary and not well-enough equipped, they say. Several of our network morning news shows did spotlight the story back then as - go figure this - a shinning example of how creative the Canadian health care system can be. Tell that to Natasha Richardson.
A few scattered quotes from the Canadian comedy of shortcomings:
Yea, that one, Laura Flanders.
(;~/ gary
waiting for treatment
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 20:27 ET by konoWas it a year ago or two, when the wait list for post-natal care in parts of Canada grew longer than the 9-month gestation time for a baby? The private sector's responsiveness to under-served markets like that is usually far better than the gubm'nt can muster.
I pray for real reform, something that brings down runaway costs while safeguarding the patient-doctor relationship and preserving their freedom to choose the course of treatment that's right for them. May the Socialist offspring of the Democrats' orgy of authoritarianism be stillborn.
Alan Grayson?
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:52 ET by Dan DiegoShe lost the debate when mentioned Alan Grayson.
No kiddin'. Not a great
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 22:42 ET by GregENo kiddin'. Not a great card to bring out if one wishes to remain credible during a discussion.
Ignorance Must Be Bliss...
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 19:19 ET by stratman... Why else would so many subscribe to it?
Laura Flanders bio from Wackypedia:
I didn't know we needed to import Socialism into the USA. I thought we had too many rabble-rousing Leftists already.
priceless
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 20:17 ET by konoThanks for the uplifting post, Noel. This exchange brought a small sense of satisfaction to a lot of Liberal-media-weary Conservatives out here.
I don't know how you do it, Noel
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 20:16 ET by jefflebowskiI cannot bring myself to watch these babbling babboons of blather. What do you expect from those who fall all over themselves to not call a Muslim madman who kills 13 Americans while shouting Alihu Akhbar after saying at work infidels should be decapitated and in contact with a radical Imam a terrorist?
I don't know how you force yourself to watch such garbage. I expect nothing from the left except stupidity...exactly what we saw in that video clip.
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.com
kapow! Correct, Noel. Facts do not seem to deter liberal talk
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 20:22 ET by pahubershows in the least.
It never ceases to amaze
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 20:44 ET by acumenhow folks like Flanders can be so smug about their cluelessness.
But can't you tell how much
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 21:13 ET by nadadhimmiBut can't you tell how much Laura cares because she is so EARNEST!!!! People are recognizing these liberals completely disregard reality for their own little cloud. See, it doesn't matter to libs if people GET good health care, it only matters that liberals WISH for people to get good health care. That, in their minds, solidifies their superiority. LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER.
The Real Mr. Ed
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 21:18 ET by ZuccoZoidThe talking horse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_PZPpWTRTU
I voted for CHANGE ... I voted for Palin ...
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 21:19 ET by Jayke... This is NOT the CHANGE I voted for. STOP saying "America voted for change". That is so INANE! This past election result was NOT overwhelming. Only a little more than HALF of America voted for Barry and now they push it like they have some kind of "mandate" from the people. Communist POOP-a-ganda doesn't even sound this STUPID!
Polls from Time or Newsweek magazines
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 21:26 ET by NotFondOfLibsAny poll from Time or Newsweek is about as valuable as a used roll of Charmin (No disrespect intended to that fine manufacturer). The editors and columnists of these magazines are pure liberal scumbags. I refuse to purchase or read these publications for any reason.
worthless polls
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 03:12 ET by konoAmen on all counts. But since Libs view these rags as credible, citing Time and Newsweek as source material in arguments against them is permissible. It's even advantageous, because in order to discredit your argument, the Lib has to admit that those sources aren't reliable. (So either way, you win.)
Liberals again and again
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 22:01 ET by metaphorsbwithuLiberals again and again demonstrate they are incapable of thinking rationally and logically. They don't hear you when you give them facts. Their only program forces them to regurgitate leftist talking points which are mostly derived from misinformation and emotionalism. You can show, for example, how rationing HAS to happen under ObamaCare, rationing that will be applied by a governmental bureaucracy, and it will just go right over their heads.
All objectivity and common sense are thrown out the window when one becomes a hard-core liberal. It has to.
metaphorsbwithu
Only favorable polls
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 22:40 ET by octaviojLiberals have an interesting view on polls. If they favor them they are good. If not they are irrelevant.
I love this comment: The
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 23:14 ET by Radical1979I love this comment:
The lack of respect for people`s needs and wishes in this country, it`s happening in our Congress.
Hey lady, Congress has no magic wand they can grant wishes with. They do it by taking money from me and giving it to someone else. I'm sick of it.
What a boob. Just like the
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 23:41 ET by GregEWhat a boob. Just like the liberals always crying "you're just selfish" to the conservative who's against this healthcare deform bill, and any other government redistribution.
During a debate in a high
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 00:06 ET by Radical1979During a debate in a high school class my daughter was told she wants poor people to die because she's against the health care bill. Well gee that deflects all the logical arguments against the bill doesn't it?
Yea, and deflection is what
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:18 ET by GregEYea, and deflection is what is hoped for by the person saying it, because they have very little or nothing else to say to make for a civil discussion.
Tell her to next time ask the person if they want a federal law mandating a maximum speed limit of 15 mph on highways. They'll say "no, thats stupid" (or they'll say yes, if THEY'RE stupid). Then she can just tell them that "...but lowering the speed limit to 15 mph would save 10's of thousands of lives per year. If you're against it, is it because you want those people to die?" Then let the person respond.
And she can then follow that up, if she wants to be nice and show she's having a civil conversation, by telling the person, "...of course you don't, and I'd never say you do, because it's a ridiculous thing to say, just as what you said to me about healthcare is just as ridiculous."
effective argumentation
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 03:19 ET by konoWell-put, Greg. If there's a way to shut down their inane insult without forcing an escalation of polemics, your approach seems as good as one can try.
Another planet???
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:27 ET by JPR1Great effort on Grahams part but I think he’d have been better off attacking her assertion that we’ve had “our government taken over by people who believe in no government.”
This woman has to be from another galaxy altogether. That is without question the most inane statement I’ve encountered in a long time.
Even Ed the Head hasn’t said anything that stupid. Yet.
"......Even Ed the Head
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:45 ET by GregE"......Even Ed the Head hasn’t said anything that stupid. Yet...."
Well uhh...LOL
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2009/09/03/schultz-i-never...
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/09/03/msnbcs-schultz-i-belie...
Oh I'm with ya Greg,,,
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 02:18 ET by JPR1Schultz has a long history of stupid. I used to catch him on the radio when I would pass through the Twin Cities going north. Now he's hit the "Big Time" and the whole nation can be amused by his nonsense.
But I'll tell ya, this Flanders woman...inane doesn't really cover it.
And her artfully contrived accent? Whoooo, sorry, makes my blood boil.
“our government taken over by people who believe in no governmen
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 09:44 ET by jacktheripperwhen I heard that I'm like huh?, am I in bizzaro world or is she having some flashback and thinks Bush is Prez.
Proud HillBilly from NNY
This lady will be long
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 05:00 ET by RR GOPThis lady will be long forgotten years and years from now when everyone's crying over how shoddy our crappy Obamacare system is and no one will call her to task on what how she said back in '09 how great this program would be.
That's the way it always is. The talking heads quickly forget who said what and supported what on these kinds of things unless they're a really big name. They do their damage in the past, downplay it and continue to get paid anyway in the future.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
maybe
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 09:46 ET by jacktherippera "list" is in order...hold these scums accountable in 10 yrs.
Proud HillBilly from NNY
Jackass's
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 11:28 ET by Libertydudehow do these lefty, big gov't, moron, jackass's get on tv???
Liberals Have No Clue
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 13:45 ET by DaMamaLiberals are really bothered by those pesky things called facts.
This woman is typical of most liberals. They don't research things and they don't look at the big picture. Liberals are knee-jerk reactors. They don't look 5-10-15 years down the line. They want things fixed now regardless of cost or the affect on our country.
Flanders really came off like a fool in this interview, and that's a good thing. The more people see foolish people like this, they will understand that a 1000+ page health care bill that the senate hasn't even read is a disaster just waiting to happen.
Keep talking Ms. Flanders - you are doing wonders for the conservative cause.
Just had to complete the reply.
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 17:56 ET by CTSCHULTZ: "Michael, I don`t know where you`re getting your information."
GRAHAM: "Newsweek."
CT: "Just not out of our BUTT like you Ed!"