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alp227

(32,037 posts)
Thu Jan 30, 2014, 11:00 PM Jan 2014

Kochs fire back at Harry Reid

Source: Politico

The Koch brothers are firing back at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his broadside on their political activities, with a spokesman calling Reid’s comments “beneath the office he holds.”

After Reid on Thursday accused the billionaires Charles and David Koch of trying to “buy the country,” a top aide for the brothers said Reid’s remarks were simply the latest efforts by Democrats “to try to intimidate and silence their political opponents.”

“Senator Reid falsely accused the Kochs of trying to ‘buy the country’ because they have exercised their First Amendment rights of free speech and free association,” said Koch Companies Public Sector President Philip Ellender. “Sen. Reid’s divisive remarks were not only disrespectful and beneath the office he holds, they were indicative of what lengths he and his Democratic allies will go to eliminate and silence their political opposition.”



Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/koch-brothers-harry-reid-102914.html

48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Kochs fire back at Harry Reid (Original Post) alp227 Jan 2014 OP
I guess they figure if they didn't get a broker to buy it.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #1
Attack the Messenger bucolic_frolic Jan 2014 #3
Screw them n/t GP6971 Jan 2014 #4
Thank You John Roberts! chuckstevens Jan 2014 #5
Worse than Dred Scott v. Sanford? Plessey v. Ferguson? n/t bobclark86 Jan 2014 #17
2 Awful Supreme Court Decisions chuckstevens Jan 2014 #46
Yeah... nowhere near the same level of horrid. bobclark86 Jan 2014 #47
Very telling Saviolo Jan 2014 #6
Supervillains indeed...I always imagine them to be a caricature for the evil villain is some Lucky Luciano Jan 2014 #8
Or at least one of yuiyoshida Jan 2014 #26
+1 freshwest Jan 2014 #15
cretins UpInArms Jan 2014 #7
Throw a rock into a pack of jackals. Efilroft Sul Jan 2014 #9
sound like real drama queens KT2000 Jan 2014 #10
Drone them. nt onehandle Jan 2014 #11
They are men of wealth and taste BeyondGeography Jan 2014 #12
Listening to that right now! tazkcmo Jan 2014 #36
The Ya/Yas live version is one of my all-time faves BeyondGeography Jan 2014 #38
Stones tazkcmo Jan 2014 #39
Here you go...cheers BeyondGeography Jan 2014 #41
Thanks again! tazkcmo Jan 2014 #43
and when they say the "political opposition" They_Live Jan 2014 #13
Crybabies! riversedge Jan 2014 #14
Aaaaaaahhhh~ sheshe2 Jan 2014 #16
I would like to respond with equal effect to their plight, but until I have google times infinity $, silvershadow Jan 2014 #18
I hope Harry is watching his back NastyRiffraff Jan 2014 #19
What Did They Do To Rachel?.....nt global1 Jan 2014 #22
The Kochs demanded that she read their own "apology" on air NastyRiffraff Jan 2014 #31
I wonder if Reid and the Democratic party aren't doing this to bring attention to the Kochs okaawhatever Jan 2014 #20
Where does this devil-duo find time to run their businesses? They seem so occupied with politics. tofuandbeer Jan 2014 #21
for them, business and politics are one and the same Skittles Jan 2014 #25
GOP Red Wingers setting up government monies Trickle Up. DhhD Jan 2014 #29
Doesn't Reid have any First Amendment rights of free speech? Lasher Jan 2014 #23
No. Only the 1% have rights Jack Rabbit Jan 2014 #24
Of course they did madokie Jan 2014 #27
Those wonderful brothers SamKnause Jan 2014 #28
Bring it. nt bemildred Jan 2014 #30
Well, the spokesman has a point ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #32
Spot on!! 3auld6phart Jan 2014 #35
spot on 1SBM nt JanT Jan 2014 #40
Kochs hate sunlight Gothmog Jan 2014 #33
curious the Koch bros felt compelled to respond to this particular comment ladywnch Jan 2014 #34
Pay close attention to the reaction of the Kochs to public criticism. summerschild Jan 2014 #37
so did Harry's words strike too close to home? JanT Jan 2014 #42
"they have exercised their First Amendment rights of free speech" Martin Eden Jan 2014 #44
Fuck the Kochs Enthusiast Jan 2014 #45
Fuck the Kochroaches TheKentuckian Jan 2014 #48
 

VanillaRhapsody

(21,115 posts)
1. I guess they figure if they didn't get a broker to buy it....
Thu Jan 30, 2014, 11:02 PM
Jan 2014

then they weren't really attempting to...

Response to alp227 (Original post)

 

chuckstevens

(1,201 posts)
5. Thank You John Roberts!
Thu Jan 30, 2014, 11:11 PM
Jan 2014

The Supreme Court is the main reason that these two assholes are getting away with ruining democracy in this country. Citizens United was the single worst Supreme Court ruling in US history.

Really Chas and Davy? "The lengths that Democratic Allies will go to silence their political opposition?" How many billions are spending to bring us back to the Robber baron days? One starts to understand how the French felt toward Marie Antoinette.

 

chuckstevens

(1,201 posts)
46. 2 Awful Supreme Court Decisions
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 07:17 PM
Jan 2014

But to rule that corporations can spend as much money as they want in order neuter the will of the majority of the American public makes a mockery of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the very idea of democracy itself.

Saviolo

(3,282 posts)
6. Very telling
Thu Jan 30, 2014, 11:13 PM
Jan 2014

...that they refer to themselves as Reid's political opposition. The Koch brothers hold no office, are beholden to no constituents, are not the subject of any checks and balances, and were not voted into the power they hold.

The Koch brothers are the closest thing we have to real life supervillains. Their superpower is a never-ending avalanche of money.

Lucky Luciano

(11,257 posts)
8. Supervillains indeed...I always imagine them to be a caricature for the evil villain is some
Thu Jan 30, 2014, 11:30 PM
Jan 2014

...Marvel/DC comics episodes. Shouldn't they be Spiderman's nemesis or something?

Efilroft Sul

(3,579 posts)
9. Throw a rock into a pack of jackals.
Thu Jan 30, 2014, 11:36 PM
Jan 2014

If one yelps, you know you hit your mark.

Harry must've rocked them good given their fast-response victimization act.

BeyondGeography

(39,377 posts)
38. The Ya/Yas live version is one of my all-time faves
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:31 PM
Jan 2014

I mean, that sucker just rumbles from the first note. Best song they ever did, imo.

And, yes, it suits these monsters to a tee.

tazkcmo

(7,300 posts)
39. Stones
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:35 PM
Jan 2014

I like the original cuz I'm old fashioned like that. I'll ask my son if he has the version you like cuz I'm not THAT old fashioned! Thanks!

tazkcmo

(7,300 posts)
43. Thanks again!
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:47 PM
Jan 2014

LOL! Color me embarrassed! I thought YA YA was a band! I suppose it's obvious I'm no music aficionado! (My fav band used to be ABBA and it's still in my top 10. I'm such an old dork!) I love learning!

And I agree with you about this one being a better version. Much better in my humble opinion.


Note: Reply delayed due to enjoyable music event.

 

silvershadow

(10,336 posts)
18. I would like to respond with equal effect to their plight, but until I have google times infinity $,
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 12:56 AM
Jan 2014

I am afraid I won't be able to. I will bring the issue up, next time I have the floor though. Idiots.

NastyRiffraff

(12,448 posts)
19. I hope Harry is watching his back
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:04 AM
Jan 2014

The Kochs are very nasty pieces of work. They can't stand opposition of any kind. Just ask Rachel Maddow, among others.

NastyRiffraff

(12,448 posts)
31. The Kochs demanded that she read their own "apology" on air
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 12:26 PM
Jan 2014
Of all the players in American politics to take on, the Koch brothers are among the most exacting. They’ve turned media pushback into a virtual subsidiary of their conglomerate, via KochFacts.com, which calls itself a “repository for media responses and factual information presented by Koch Industries, Inc.” The headline of its response to Maddow’s show was this: “Rachel Maddow Deliberately Misrepresents the Facts then Refuses to Admit It.”

That post came after Koch tried to get Maddow to issue a correction of her report linking the company to the work of the FGA. A letter from Holden to MSNBC included this passage:

Given the serious nature of this matter, we ask that on the air tonight Ms. Maddow correct her false, misleading, and malicious statements by reading the statement below unedited and in its entirety, and that this statement be posted on your website unedited and in its entirety:


“During last night’s show, I was wrong when I stated that Koch Industries, Charles Koch, and David Koch were involved in the Florida law concerning drug testing for welfare recipients. That was not a true statement. Contrary to what I said last night, Koch was not involved with these issues and did not work with the Florida Foundation for Government Accountability on these issues. I apologize for this misstatement of fact and regret it.”

That suggestion didn’t impress Maddow. After receiving it, she went on air and told her viewers: “I will not read scripts provided to me by anyone else. I do not play requests.”


Linky: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2014/01/08/msnbcs-rachel-maddow-hunkers-down-on-koch-bros-claim/

okaawhatever

(9,462 posts)
20. I wonder if Reid and the Democratic party aren't doing this to bring attention to the Kochs
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:18 AM
Jan 2014

activities. They are super private people and like to hide as much of their political dealings as possible. I think Harry and Obama are being so forward in their comments is to bring them out into the light. Get their names in the papers a few times so the average voter will know who they are and what they're doing.

madokie

(51,076 posts)
27. Of course they did
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 04:04 AM
Jan 2014

You notice whose doing the talking here and it isn't one of them. Hell no they want to stay above the fray even though it is about them. f*'m and the all mighty dollar they rode in on. Just F*'m

SamKnause

(13,108 posts)
28. Those wonderful brothers
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 05:16 AM
Jan 2014

are the job creators that so many hold in such high esteem in this country.

The best of the best.

The best and brightest.

They have the money.

They have the power.

They have the teams of attorneys.

ALL THEIR POWER was given to them by OUR GOVERNMENT !!!!

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
32. Well, the spokesman has a point ...
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:31 PM
Jan 2014
“Senator Reid falsely accused the Kochs of trying to ‘buy the country’ because they have exercised their First Amendment rights of free speech and free association,”


The Koch brothers aren't trying to buy the country ... just the law makers. If they bought the country, they would have to pay real estate taxes ... buying law-makers is a tax deductible business expense!

Gothmog

(145,413 posts)
33. Kochs hate sunlight
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:01 PM
Jan 2014

We need to keep talking about the Koch's actions and do our best to hold the Kochs accountable for their actions

ladywnch

(2,672 posts)
34. curious the Koch bros felt compelled to respond to this particular comment
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:04 PM
Jan 2014

they never cared what any dem has said about them or what the media has reported about them......odd that they should care now.........struck too close to the truth maybe????????????

Are they actually nervous now??????? what has changed that makes them comment and defend themselves?

summerschild

(725 posts)
37. Pay close attention to the reaction of the Kochs to public criticism.
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:21 PM
Jan 2014

They want to play the role of magnificent benefactors, worshipped for their great works - patrons of the arts, ballet, opera, etc. These wealthy thieves who stole from the Indians need to be called on their crimes incessantly.

Keep the lights on the kochroaches!

JanT

(229 posts)
42. so did Harry's words strike too close to home?
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:40 PM
Jan 2014

So they are now the victims? You go Harry and keep it up.
Continue to shine the light on them and maybe they'll crawl back under the rock they came from and leave us alone. OK well i can dream can't I?

Martin Eden

(12,873 posts)
44. "they have exercised their First Amendment rights of free speech"
Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:49 PM
Jan 2014

99.999% of Americans don't have the "rights" the Kock brothers have ...

... not as long as speech = money

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