White House Says It Can't Comment On Possible Chris Dodd Investigation

from the no-surprise-there dept

Wed, Feb 1st 2012 8:00am — Mike Masnick

This isn't a huge surprise, but following the popularity of the petition asking the White House to investigate Chris Dodd (after Dodd's own statements suggesting that he expects politicians who get Hollywood money to pass Hollywood's preferred bills no questions asked), the White House has officially stated that it can't comment on the matter. As per the terms of the White House's "We the People" petition site, it can refuse to address issues that deal with law enforcement:

consistent with the We the People Terms of Participation and our responses to similar petitions in the past, the White House declines to comment on this petition because it requests a specific law enforcement action.

I'm sure the White House has no interest in getting involved in this in any way, and that if it was actually investigating any of this activity, it wouldn't want to talk about it publicly until later. Still, I think the petition -- and the publicity it got -- did serve a key purpose: to highlight the public's disgust with the MPAA's form of crony capitalism, and the hubris of folks like Chris Dodd who think that as long as they donate enough money, politicians should be working for the MPAA, rather than the public.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: bribery, chris dodd, petition, white house
Companies: mpaa

85 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Mike C. (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 7:23am

Word play
Aww... and I was so hoping for a more detailed response. Of course, their play on words hides the fact that the petition wasn't a request for "enforcement", just for an investigation. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to let them know how we feel about their responses and actions in November... :-)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
xenomancer (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 7:58am

Two Simple Solutions
Since there is already a large support base, there are two simple solutions that this can be rolled over to immediately:
1. Mass requests to congress (a la SOPA, though maybe a little less pushy)
  - Create a site for action (see americancensorship, this can likely be done over night)
  - Guide the public with unbiased and non-skewed facts
  - Cause at least a congressional inquiry by individual members of congress
  - Cause congress to critically consider who they represent (again)
2. Mass requests to highest law enforcement authority possible
/lists-are-cool
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:03am

You read way too much into it. Basically, they are saying nothing because there is nothing to say.

All the petition did was show that there are some vengeful little children out there pissed off that Megaupload got taken down, and now they want to get back at Dodd.

WTG kiddies. Now go back to bed.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Hephaestus (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:07am

Re: Two Simple Solutions
I am not sure about CA or TX but in some states you can walk into the grand jury and file as a private citizen.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:08am

Re: Two Simple Solutions
"Guide the public with unbiased and non-skewed facts"

and what rock did you crawl up from under? Government presenting the public with unbiased facts? Only in your imagination.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Planespotter (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:09am

Re:
Really? I thought it showed that people are waking up to fact that multi Billion dollar industries have been buying laws through campaign contributions.

Of course over there in Shillville where you lobbyists live you think that is the norm. One day it'll bite you in the backside and you'll be either living off welfare checks or getting cabbage soup from the local kitchen.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Hephaestus (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:10am

Re:
You do realize that everytime the "kiddies" are not listened to it makes things worse for the politicians. The whole fighting against SOPA PIPA was a symptom of something larger.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Nathan F (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:10am

Re:
Try again. The MU take down happened after the petition reached its 25k sigs.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:10am

Re:
You read way too much into the OP.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:12am

Re: Re:
No, it shows mostly that a few websites (like 4chan) can muster up enough kiddies to bomb a petition.

It doesn't really show much more.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:16am

Re:
Yeah, time-traveling vengeful little children are the worst.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Richard (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:19am

Re: Re: Re:
No, it shows mostly that a few websites (like 4chan) can muster up enough kiddies to bomb a petition.

Huh - your response to a public outcry about corruption is to insult the public!

Have you learnt nothing?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:19am

it shows that the government is not going to do anything, being more concerned with keeping politicians and corporations happy than the people they are supposed to serve. will be voting time soon folks!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Richard (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:20am

Re: Re:
In fact the MU takedown can be viewed as a childish reaction to the public outcry.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gwiz (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:27am

Re:
WTG kiddies. Now go back to bed.

You would like that more than anything else at this point wouldn't you? You fear this new type of activism and wish that the internet populace would go quietly back to watching their cat videos. You fear it because you can never control it or use it, because in order for an uprising like the SOPA protests to happen, the message needs to be righteous at it's core. About all you can do is try to marginalize and minimize and that is becoming more and more apparent all the time.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
That Anonymous Coward (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:28am

From a very smart person over on slashdot talking about this...

http://politics.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2647875&cid=38887369

No. The petition asked for the wrong thing. (Score:5, Informative)
by tlambert (566799) on Wednesday February 01, @12:19AM (#38887369)

The correct request for a petition would be to impeach Dodd for high crimes and misdemeanors.

The impeachment process may be triggered by non-members. For example, when the Judicial Conference of the United States suggests a federal judge be impeached, a charge of what actions constitute grounds for impeachment may come from a special prosecutor, the President, a state or territorial legislature, grand jury, or by petition.

.

hhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_in_the_United_States#The_federal_impeach ment_procedure

A high crime is one which seeks the overthrow of the country, which gives aid or comfort to its enemies, or which injures the country to the profit of an individual or group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_crimes_and_misdemeanours [wikipedia.org]

Despite that he left office on 3 Jan 2011 and went on to head the MPAA in March 2011, and therefore was not in office, there is precedent for impeaching a government official after leaving office. That precedent is the 1876 case of General William Belknap, who was impeached by a unanimous vote of the House of Representatives shortly after he had resigned for allegedly having received money in return for post tradership appointments (bribery).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_W._Belknap [wikipedia.org]

Other precedents also exist. Feel free to consult a real lawyer before submitting the next petition so that a stronger case can be made and actually trigger action.

-- Terry
[ link to this | view in thread ]
That Anonymous Coward (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:29am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
he learned to try and hide himself...
Seems brave to call out 4chan when you think your hiding.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Machin Shin (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:31am

Re:
Really what this shows is that at least 31,034 people see what happened as blatant admission of bribery. I happen to be one of them and I am no longer a child. Whats more I will not shut up because some "old fart" like you tells me to go back to bed.

In fact why don't you and your friends just go ahead and move to your assisted living communities and leave the rest of us to fix this mess.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Pixelation, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:32am

Next we need a petition to investigate the White House for failing to investigate Dodd.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:34am

Re: Re:
Only big corporations can be represented, anyone else asking for representation is just a little child.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
/s, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:39am

That response doesn't mean they won't investigate. They only said they won't comment on it. They probably are investigating and just want to keep everything secret for national security reasons like Operation Fast N' Furious and OBL death photos.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:46am

How fucking convenient
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gabriel Tane (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:53am

Re: Re: Re:
Considering the "we know what's best for you" and "it's for your own good" attitudes of the corporations and the general disparity in wealth and (subsequent) power... your analogy is, sadly, rather accurate.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Jeremy Lyman (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:55am

Re: Re:
Crony capitalist likes his masses subjugated.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 8:59am

Re: Re:
Whoa there, whippersnapper! I'm no youngster and I'm pissed off at these things too.

I contacted my congresscritter, I signed petitions, I boycott, I bore people to tears about IP run amok and what it can mean for this country and them personally.

Don't fall into the trap of old vs. young. It's about mindset, not age. It's about abuse of power and refusal to adapt to market disruption and entrenched players clutching for control at the expense of all others and it enrages me too. The internet is the greatest communication tool to arrive in my lifetime and I know it. Those that would control it know it too, and it SCARES THEM TO DEATH.

Their actions are more easily exposed, they know they'll go up like flashpaper when the rocks they hide under are flipped and the sunlight hits them. Their own words do them in, and those words never go away, the internet doesn't forget, the internet keeps it all there, it's an organism, a collective brain that can't be lobotomized.

They can't hide and I think it's been too long in coming. And I'm old! ;)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:01am

Re: Word play
Yeah we will sure show them, by voting for someone else who won't do shit about this.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
JayTee (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:04am

Re:
Regardless of your statement do you deny that Dodd has gone on the record threatening elected officials and admitting to bribery?

Such an admission of guilt must be investigated no matter who you represent...unless you do not believe in a free and fair society and the application of justice (no matter how rich you are)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:05am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Yeah these kiddies need to go back to their video games and cheetos. We don't need them paying attention to the way we do business. They get all up in arms with their "moral outrage" to our "corruption" and "back door deals", well guess waht kids that the real world. A handful of rich powerful people people skull fucking the rest of the world. Stop looking because you won't like what you see and nothing is going to change because the same people that disgust you are in charge of enforcing the laws and it will be a G-rated day on 4chan before they throw out their free lunch.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:06am

once again the government ignores the want of its people, i hope the next "wikileaks" goes medievil on yo ass, viva la revoltion and all that, what, what........jolly good!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:08am

Re:
Are you talking about retroactive impeachment? Cuz now he is a scum lobbyist and not a bought politician.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:20am

From the response:

"the White House declines to comment on this petition because it requests a specific law enforcement action"

I think it would have been more truthful if they had said:

"the White House declines to comment on this petition because it requests law enforcement."
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:23am

Re: Re: Re:
old man at heart when it comes to certain issues
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:30am

But isn't that what the Executive Branch is supposed to do?
You know enforce the laws or at least make sure they are being enforced?

It seems like it would be in the DoJ realm of authority to ensure no backroom deals with a lobbyist were illegal and the only way you do that is to start an investigation. Hell, you already have the confession, what more to you need to prosecute?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gwiz (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:32am

Re: Re: Re:
Don't fall into the trap of old vs. young. It's about mindset, not age.

I agree. Let's not drift into ageism on this stuff. It's too important. I am a grandfather and I'm fighting these battles so my grandchildren may have a better future.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:33am

Re:
someone far cleverer than myself should rewrite the pertition after reading the terms, to make it near impossible for the government to give out a generic bulshit response, use it against them while keeping the spirit of the pertition

i dont know.........is that even possible?

My recomendation, be as vague as possible, as that seems to be the only lingo they'll listen to.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:34am

Re:
haha, its funny coz its true
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:35am

Re: Re: Two Simple Solutions
Facts make a much stronger case than fictions. As Tim Lee did, take the facts to the people and they will fight hard for what's right over cronyism.

Please Keep The ACTA Debate Fact-Based
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120130/21440417593/please-keep-acta-debate-fact-based .shtml
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:36am

Re: Re:
thinking about it more, its infuriating, coz its true
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:43am

Re:
"to get back at Dodd"

To get back at Dodd, is this a tacit admission that Dodd did in fact do something wrong for us to get back at him for? Did he do something against the public interest? Do you not think that (his) bad behavior should be punished?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:44am

Re: But isn't that what the Executive Branch is supposed to do?
Do you know how many members of the DoJ used to be the ones doing those backroom deals? The Justice Department isn't exactly big on justice.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bengie, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:48am

Re:
Petition happened before Mega got hit. Logic fail
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:50am

Re: Re:
"Regardless of your statement do you deny that Dodd has gone on the record threatening elected officials and admitting to bribery?"

No, he went on record stating:

(a) donations had been made to the campaign
(b) that they had helped support the person to get elected, and
(c) if they were unable to provide support for their causes, they would stop doing A and B.

Which is pretty much what every group and individual does in donating to a campaign.

Example: If you gave money to the Obama campaign and helped get him elected, and he doesn't do the things you hoped he would do, perhaps next time you will give money to Ron Paul or Romney. If you state in public "Obama, pay attention to my needs or my next donation is to someone else", are you threatening anyone, or just stating fact?

The lack of a comment from the Whitehouse on this petition is only that, a lack of a comment. Not commenting doesn't suggest anything beyond them not having a comment.

31,000 signatures for something that was spewed all over 4chan, reddit, and the like is pathetic, really.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:53am

Re: Re:
It's amazing how the moment someone infringes on something IP extremists want to sue them into the ground but when the MPAA practically contributes money in exchange for legislation, attempts to punish them are considered vengeful.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:56am

LOL did anyone expect any other reply over this, I didn't.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:56am

Re: Re: Re:
"If you state in public "Obama, pay attention to my needs or my next donation is to someone else", are you threatening anyone, or just stating fact?"

You are threatening them, of course. But that's not mutually exclusive with stating a fact.

Dodd's statement lays bare the overt corruption of the system. That the system is corrupt is not Dodd's fault, although that he plays the game also makes him corrupt.

The real problem is that campaign donations are so important to politicians that they can be used as bribes in the first place. In a healthy democracy, campaign money wouldn't have that kind of pull. Voting would.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:10am

Re: Re:
Indeed, that's kinda even part of the point Mike was making about the poor timing of the shutdown after most everyone protested SOPA.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rapnel (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:18am

Please correct me if I'm wrong here but surely the integrity of this country should take precedent should it not?

Law enforcement action? Oh, please forgive us for seeking remedial steps in an attempt to prevent the reign of madness.

Weapons of mass destruction.. indeed.

Accountability. Integrity. Duty. Justice. Honesty. Truth. Have I left anything relevant off of the "Do Not Disturb" list?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
hothmonster, 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:31am

Re: Re: Re:
Yeah. He wasn't saying he bribed them, he was just saying he wouldn't give them millions of dollars in the future if they didn't do exactly what he asked and ignore whatever "facts" "reason" or "opposing viewpoints" go against his cause. Completely different!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:32am

Re:
election year coming up, Obo needs money too
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:32am

can our governments be really this blind to continually brush off issues brought before them by their voters, if they continue this path alot of people gonna get pissed, alot more then we have now, with people realising the potentential the internet provides them when issues arise that they dont agree with, its not gonna go away a-me-rica, well, unless your plan to censor the net succeeds, and yes, i do think they think about it, but they have'nt figured out how to do it without a public outcry
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Zacqary Adam Green (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:37am

Okay, so let's try this again, but instead not specifically requesting they do anything about it, just to comment on it.

Maybe that's better.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:52am

we must censor the internet, because of terrorists, think of the babies, and your jobs, how will we make obscene's amount of profit, if we cant control what you can or cant see

thankyou

vote obama
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Hephaestus (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:52am

Re: Re:
That sounds like a line from something I am writing ...

"Brought together by modern telecommunications, the party of We can be seen as a bunch of do gooding, protectors of the innocent, light in the darkness, ally to good, nightmare to the oppressor types(1)."
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:15am

We the goverment will give you the illusion that you can voice your opinions and that we will act upon them, we will respond to any petitions you feel firmly about, and then proceed to kick you up the ass

vote obama
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:27am

Re:
we must censor the internet, because of terrorists, think of the babies, and your jobs, how will we make obscene's amount of profit, if we cant control what you can or cant see

thankyou

vote obama/romney/gingrich/santorum/paul

FTFY
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Some Guy, 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:31am

I guess Obama doesn't care about those 30 something thousand votes. Oops.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:35am

I am sure that when Mike read the comments in this post, he laughs his ass off. You guys are so ready with the cross to nail this guy to, that you didn't even read the post in it's entirety.

The White House didn't do anything. They declined to comment on it, because of content. They have no other comments. They have no statements. They didn't say it has any merit. They didn't say they support it. They didn't say anything is happening at all. THEY SAID NOTHING.

What Mike has done is get you guys in a tizzy by setting up the post to make it look like the White House is hiding something, that there is something going on, and they refused to comment on it because there is some sort of ongoing investigation. There is none of that sort of thing that exists, not even a suggest of it.

Mike has got you idiots wrapped around his finger so tight, that when he picks his nose, you guys think he is moving a mountain.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:42am

Re: Re: Word play
Well, I guess we could get Ezio Auditore out of retirement...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:44am

Re: Re: Re:
Well then perhaps Creative America's double-and-triple-counting of signatures is just government in action, in your eyes, and not just a bunch of kiddies being misled over something...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HarlanSanders, 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:46am

Re: Word play
By voting for whom? Mitt "Corporations are people" Romney? Lol...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:55am

Re: Re: Re:
Crony capitalist likes his usury.

FTFY
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 11:59am

Re: Re:
"I feel disinclined to acquiesce to your request, Joe Public"
-Captain Jack White^H^H^H^H^HSparrow.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 12:00pm

Re:
im so ashamed, how could i have been fooled, mike whyyyyyy??

You've shown me the light, hallelujah, Im going back to listening and nodding to everything my goevernment says, because i know at least there i will hear truthfull things on subjects that will affect me in a positive way, and that no preferential treatment will be given to certain entities, and last but not least i know that when we as a people bring an issue up to our governement they will at least have the common decency to respond
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 1:02pm

VP sez "Senator Dodd is one of my best friends in life"
�

�Senator Dodd is one of my best friends in life.�.�.�. Jill and I wish Chris and Jackie the best as they move on to their next endeavors and know the future holds only great things for their family.�

�� Joe Biden, Statement by Vice President on Senator Chris Dodd, January 6, 2011

�
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 1:07pm

Obama: "Best Wishes" for Dodd
�

�Michelle and I extend our thanks to Senator Dodd for his service to our Nation and offer our best wishes for the future to him and his family.�

�� Barack Obama, Statement by the President, January 6, 2011

�
[ link to this | view in thread ]
rubberpants, 1 Feb 2012 @ 1:49pm

Re:
And, when you pick your nose, no one cares.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 2:57pm

Re:
So, not only did you fail to read Mike's article, you failed to read the comments as well.

So naturally you pretend that Mike tried to spin-doctor this into a conspiracy coverup, and you assumed that the comments were going in conspiracy theorist mode.

As opposed to...Mike saying that this petition wasn't expected to go anywhere in the first place, and commenters saying "well that sucks".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Endtimer (profile), 1 Feb 2012 @ 5:43pm

Re: Re: Re: Word play
Too bad he's dead, and I think Ubisoft now owns the patent on his techniques and weaponry.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
demented, 1 Feb 2012 @ 7:36pm

Re: Re: Word play
Yeah, our choice is between Romney or Obama. Like either of THOSE crony politicians will actually do anything about corruption.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
demented, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:01pm

Re: Re: But isn't that what the Executive Branch is supposed to do?
They should be called the DoJ - Department of Jokes.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
demented, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:01pm

Re:
Freedom?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:22pm

Re: Re: Re: Two Simple Solutions
Most people do not know and do not care about these issues.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:27pm

Re: Re: Re:
Ya, 50 year old "kiddies" that see through the smoke and mirrors.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:29pm

Re: Re:
To paraphrase the obvious 4chan response; OP is an individual of confused sexual orientation.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 9:31pm

Re: Re: Re:
Corporations are people, people are not.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2012 @ 10:59pm

Re: Re: Re:
and you see nothing wrong with this?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Niall (profile), 2 Feb 2012 @ 5:05am

Re: Re: Re:
Won't these 'kiddies' one day be registered voters? How much do you want to P them off?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2012 @ 5:05am

Re: Two Simple Solutions
one problem with that, you are asking people who are benefitting from this behavior to investigate it. even if you finally do get someone to look into it i predict you will probably hear something like Our investigation showed no conclusive evidence... which translates to hey have a coke and a smile and shut the fuck up. i mean do you really think anyone at the white house is going to investigate something like this during a run for re-election. come on now, they are taking money off the same people and people just like em
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gabriel Tane (profile), 2 Feb 2012 @ 5:14am

Re: Re: Re: Word play
Yeeeeeup. Welcome to the dog & pony show of "here, have the choice we give you" illusion of our government at work.

Anyone else notice that the 'other option' of the current administration seems to be a constant train-wreck of a contest to see who can be bat-shit crazier, thereby getting more people to vote Obama back in again? Almost like someone out there wants to keep the status-quo as long as possible?

"hey everyone... look how craaaazy your other options are! A bunch of nutty bible-beating scary's! Those would be much worse than a Kenyan Socialist Commie!"

Now go cast that vote which has never mattered because your election isn't based on the general popular majority and is instead based on the Electoral College and this whole Primary Party Vote and one candidate-per-party thing is not listed anywhere in the constitution. But never mind that! vote vote vote!!! You're an American hating TERRORIST who not only doesn't support our troops, but actively causes them to DIE if you don't vote. And you hate puppies.

Crap. Dropped my tinfoil hat.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
hmm (profile), 2 Feb 2012 @ 9:24am

ever get the feeling
That those currently in power think voters opinions don't matter because they have plans to "suspend" elections to

a) protect the children
b) stop terrorism
c) stop piracy
d) stop terrorist-pirates
e) stop child terrorists.....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2012 @ 9:27am

Re: Re: Re:
Oh great, now that song is gonna be stuck in my head all day...

http://youtu.be/GI6CfKcMhjY
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gary, 2 Feb 2012 @ 12:44pm

Re:
Bullshit I got an-email myself from The White House

ftfy
[ link to this | view in thread ]
jackn2, 23 Feb 2012 @ 12:54pm

Re: Re: Word play
I wonder if people are considered people nowadays?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
terc�me b�rosu, 25 Mar 2012 @ 2:36pm

disagree
Sorry, but I do not agree...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Wally (profile), 3 Apr 2012 @ 2:53pm

Cannot Comment
Well if the Whitehouse cannot comment on an internal affair there are one or two possibilities....either they are investigating things now and cannot give out any information, or they took money and the MPAA is blackmailing them.
[ link to this | view in thread ]