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Lock The Doors! Scary Black Man A-Comin’!

44331566-blago-burrisBig ol’ scary Roland Burris says he’s the Senator from Illinois so make way.  The Obamacrats say the idea of Burris sullying the sanctity of the Senate is so terrifying,  they’ll do whatever they have to do to keep him out and keep the country safe.  “Hide the women and children, go to the root cellar, get under the desks, run for your lives, for God’s sake, hide!”

Oh please.  For the Democrats in the Senate to say they’ll block the doors to prevent Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s appointed replacement for Barack Obama (the not scary black guy)’s Senate seat, Burris (the scary black guy) from taking office, just because they’re miffed, is just plain silly and pretty durned funny.  So, too, is Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush (a formerly scary black guy)’s insistence on being…well, Bobby Rush, and warning people against “lynching and hanging”  just because they want to bar entrance to the hallowed halls of the Senate by the scary black guy just like George Wallace wanted to keep scary black kids out of school.  But, never you mind, the fun doesn’t stop there, no sireee, Bobbo!  Being scary on command can be a hoot.  I mean, like The Atlantic’s Ta-Nehisi Coates pointed out, quoting KristenMcQueary, it’s not like Bobby Rush never endorsed a white person over a black one:

He went so far as to compare Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, who in 1963 stood in the doorway of a University of Alabama school building to block two black students from entering. Reid and Senate Democrats pledged to refuse any appointee sent by Blagojevich, even Burris, who would be the chamber’s only black member.

Rush’s lecture, however, seems quite two-faced considering he chaired Blair Hull’s 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.

Hull is white.

If sending a black senator to Washington is so important now, why didn’t Rush support a black candidate four years ago? Not only was Obama on the Democratic ballot, but Joyce Washington, a black woman and health care executive, was as well.

Never mind that Rush endorsed Obama for president over his good white friends, the Clintons, or that Rush crushed Obama when Obie made an ill-advised bid for Bobby’s Congressional seat, or that Obama’s hit man David Axelrod took Hull down hard on his way to the Senate, it’s a black thing, only summa y’all unnerstan’.  But, hey, let the good times roll on.

And, lest you think Senate Majority Leader Reid doesn’t like black people, not just because of the Wallace-esque door-blocking thing, but also because he tried to block Blagojevich from appointing any other black men, too, pish tosh, put those thoughts aside.  I’m sure he knows there haven’t been a whole lot of black people in the Senate; as Earl Ofari Hutchinson reminds us, it’s always been a “good old boy’s club” and, by golly, everybody just likes it that way!  Nothing personal, move along.  And those black folks agitating on Roland Burris’ behalf?  Misguided malcontents, the whole lot of ’em.  So what if there are no black Senators, y’all got a black president, how dare you play the race card?

Oh, the delicious irony.  Now it can be revealed just how racially manipulative the Obamacrats have been.  Just because Barack Obama received overwhelming support from black voters, easily deceived sycophants and other fools could be convinced that all black people love and support him alike.  Ha, ha.  What those sycophantic fools choose to ignore is that the illusion of monolithic support is easy to attain if you keep the relevant questions narrow.  In other words, if you ask 1,000 black people how they feel about, oh, health care, you’d probably get answers as varied as if you asked a similar number of white, Asian, short, or stupid people the same thing.  But if you ask them if they’d rather have a black Democratic president or a white Republican one on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, you’d probably be horrified if anybody picked the white guy.

Duh.

Oh, but now, the vilified, but shrewd Blagojevich has flipped the script.  By appointing Burris, and deliberately, in his familiar, yet inimitable “in your face” style, calling bullshit, Blago has forced the Obamacrats to paint themselves into a corner of hell in much the same way they manipulated him into the role of the face of Illinois corruption, hoping to deflect attention from their own systemic culplability.  And, since there’s no easy way out for either side, the yuckfest continues.

The Senate Democrats have no leg to stand on, and will have to abandon their saber rattling bluff.  Blagojevich is most likely guilty as hell, but, under our legal system that doesn’t count, especially since he hasn’t even been indicted for anything, merely arrested pending formal charges.  While that may be enough for the Illinois branch of the Obamacrats to achieve the desired results in their now accelerated, year long, Blagoenemy Madigan Clan led impeachment attempt, it’s hard to see how that would invalidate the Burris appointment.  Would a conviction subsequent to the appointment legally nullify it?

Add the Al Franken coup attempt to the drama and you’ve got Oscar worthy high camp comedy.  Shouting “we won!” while trying to squeak Franken through the Burris-blocked Senate doors could prove to be a tad embarrassing.   I mean, how can you certify Franken, when he hasn’t even really won, and not certify the legally appointed Burris, without looking like a bunch of modern day racist bigots using token black people, like the president-elect and Illinois Secretary of State, to do your quota-maintaining bidding?

Ya can’t.

Advantage Blago/Burris/Rush.

And, once we get the answers to the “why did U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald step in and arrest Blagojevich to prevent a ‘crime-spree,’ when he could have caught at least two high-profile, guilty as hell people redhanded,” and “who are all these new ‘multiple witnesses‘ and what are they and the people on the ‘thousands of intercepted converations‘ saying that’s intersting enough to make Fitzy file a motion seeking an extension,” it might be game, set, match.

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97 Responses

  1. It reads like comedy. Geez when did our country become fodder for a sitcom?

  2. It’s a great start for Change We Can Believe In.. Drop Princess C on top of the pile and then we can go to the Change We Need.

    It’s a hoot.

  3. Burris is a good choice. He has a solid record here in Illinois.

  4. I know it is wrong but I am so rooting for Blago. The Obamabots are just jealous because they thought they had cornered the market on corruption. There is some irony to a party that stole and coerced delegates to get their desired candidate whining because Blago attempted to manipulate the system.

  5. That’s what makes it so funny. He’s AA and as good a choice as another. How can they not take him? After blustering and threatening, they’re in a pickle.

  6. Blago and Burris are “negotiating” with Reid and the Obamacrats in “back channels,” is what you hear, now. Wonder who wants what and what they’re willing to give up and/or settle for.

  7. Caroline (Kennedy) Schlossberg would be a Stepford Senator. She doesn’t vote on a regular basis and would be a sad replacement for Senator Clinton. Call the Governor’s and Silver’s offices and voice your opinion.
    Silver:212-312-4420
    Governor Paterson: 518-474-8390

  8. “A top Senate Republican is criticizing Harry Reid’s involvement in the Illinois Senate seat scandal, accusing him of meddling in the state’s affairs by pushing certain candidates in phone calls to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

    Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Reid “has led the charge to deny the people of Illinois a voice” in the process.”

    http://mobile.politico.com/story.cfm?id=17016&cat=topnews

  9. The filter is fine tonight….I think R*publican landed me in moderation or maybe H*rry R*id

  10. Burris has a solid reputation here in Illinois. I can not wait to see if the Dimocrats in Washington go through with their threat of barring him entrance.

  11. This is so much fun. I’m just gonna munch popcorn and watch. I’m pretty sure Bobby Rush hates Obama’s guts and I’m guessing Blagojevich isn’t too thrilled iwht him anymore either. Sing Blago sing!

  12. Doesn’t Harry Reid realize that Obama got a cut from every payoff that Blagojevich got? And that Rezko probably knows all about it too? If I were Harry, I wouldn’t push Blago too far.

  13. Bostobboomer, the Congressional Black Caucus has never been united in their support for Obama. I think Blago has inadvertently exposed the cracks in the unity pony.

  14. Cinie,

    I’m not so sure it was inadvertent. Blago is a lot smarter than he looks.

  15. Yeah, I agree he’s shrewd, but saving his own butt was probably paramount, with an “eff you” thrown in for good measure. He probably thought they were smart enough to avoid the risk; but then they thought he scared easily. That’s what makes it fun to me.

  16. bostonboomer, on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:22 pm Said:

    Doesn’t Harry Reid realize that Obama got a cut from every payoff that Blagojevich got? And that Rezko probably knows all about it too? If I were Harry, I wouldn’t push Blago too far.
    *************
    It’s a good bet that Blago’s arrest induced Rezko to start talking to Fitz again. After Obama won, Rezko stopped talking and and asked to be sentenced. That is now off.

  17. SHV,

    Yes, Rezko is talking again. I’d just love to hear what he’s telling investigators.

  18. stepford senator, roflmao …

    how many more soap operas are we going to endure before this entire show gets started? Blago has played them all like celestial harps …

    they SHOULD seat this man … then let them ALL fight it out in an open election … sheesh, we’re still waiting for the damyuhm indictment … seat the MAN you prima donnas!

  19. yummy yummy popcorn recipe time

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn

  20. I don’t think Blago scares at all. or ele he’s a good actor.

    here’s my question about Roland Burris – obviously he’s been around and knows what’s what – he must have known something like this would happen, right? so what’s his deal? does he just want to be in the senate? all these relationships and loyalties are confusing!

  21. Blags has been under Fitz’s investigation since 03 and no indictment yet? Now they need more time to investigate witnesses and listen to tapes.? What could they possibly not know about BLAGO?

  22. Here’s another

    Movie Munch

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmm popcorn

  23. Blago is part of a machine. my guess is that 1 of 2 things is going on. Fitz thinks he can get someone higher up the food chain or Fitz’s case isn’t as solid as they have been intimating.

  24. Cinie: exactly, it seems he pulled the trigger prematurely if he needs YET another 90 days to work out the indictment … fitzgerald couldn’t deliver the goods on cheney, what makes any one think he can really open up the Chicago machine?

  25. bostonboomer, on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:32 pm Said:
    SHV,
    Yes, Rezko is talking again. I’d just love to hear what he’s telling investigators.
    ***********
    Well flipping on Blago is not worth much now so what high value targets are left? Daley, Obama, Jarrett, Emanuel, Jones?

  26. CWaltz, or Fitz got played. Sometimes little birdies lie by omission.

  27. so why did they arrest Blago? just for the drama of it all? a distraction?

  28. SHV: that’s what I wonder, I always thought Blago WAS the ultimate high up target

  29. Wow is it safe to come back to TC?

  30. kiki: speculation is that fitz didn’t want to loose his job, it was a signal to Obama

  31. dakinikat, on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:38 pm Said:

    Cinie: exactly, it seems he pulled the trigger prematurely if he needs YET another 90 days to work out the indictment
    **************
    I think Fitz wasn’t happy to have arrested Blago this soon…It was said that the time-table was indictment in the Spring.

  32. afro: safe?

  33. My money is on Emmanuel as the next Scooter Libby. There is no way in God’s green earth he has as much communication as he had with Blago with clean hands. The great news is unlike Democrats the GOP has a bunch of pit bulls in their party. If their is scandal it will be brought to light with or without Fitz.

  34. Afro- Are you afraid of popcorn? If so then no it is not safe. Otherwise I can’t imagine what there is to be afraid of.

  35. dakinikat, on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm Said:

    SHV: that’s what I wonder, I always thought Blago WAS the ultimate high up target
    ************
    The ultimate target is to destroy the Combine…Fitz is patient and keeps pulling at loose threads. Obama has a hell of a problem with the Northern District of Illinois…Fitz and the senior USAs need to be purged but it would create a sh*t storm he he did.

  36. Point to ponder: can you get to the top of the Illinois food chain without stepping on a few toes?

  37. Cinie: are we talking cement shoes here?

  38. I wonder if Fitz is playing a chess game with Obama and by arresting Blago ensuring that he keeps his position while keeping his options open to pursue other targets.

  39. afrocity — whazzup? Did you get over to the post office to pick up your Secret Santa gift?

  40. Nah, Dakinikat, I’m just wondering aloud if everybody in Illinois really loves Obie as much as we’re supposed to believe.

  41. btw — today is the ninth day of Christmas (9 Ladies Dancing) so make sure to pick it up before Jan. 6 (12th day of Christmas).

  42. most every one down here voted for him because they felt they had no other choice other than a few koolaide drinkers

  43. angie: we always have a huge 12th night party in our neighborhood, big costume day!

  44. SHV,

    What high value targets are left? Are you joking? How much higher target can there be than Obama?

  45. dakinikat — Of course! 12th Night is the official start of the Mardi Gras season — New Orleanians have to start celebrating something as soon as they stop celebrating Christmas! I used to go to the Ball of the Twelfth Night Revelers in my “younger” days — that was always fun — so is seeing the Phuny Phorty Phellows on the Streetcar. God, I miss NOLA.

  46. I have many friends in the phuny phorty phellows

  47. Sorry, I misread that comment. It’s Dakinikat who must be joking.

    Fitz has already put one governor in jail, you know. He is also investigating Obama’s property situation. He needs more time because so many witnesses started talking after it looked like Blago was going down. In addition, Rezko started talking again when he realized he wasn’t all alone out on the limb and others were talking to the feds about Blago. Rezko could end up in jail for life, and he still has another trial to face for the Las Vegas scam. He could give up Obama in regard to his mobbed up buddy Alex Gianoulias, not to mention that Iraqi billionnaire who probably paid for Rezko to help Obama with the house.

    After what happened to Bill Clinton, there is nothing to stop a President from being forced to testify, etc. It’s probably not going to happen, but Fitz will keep following the trail up the chain until someone stops him. And if Obama fires Fitz, it will look very bad.

  48. bb: we can always hope

  49. No, Angie. No Secret Santa yet? You?

    We are not talking about Israel/Hamas, Good. I don’t like to see you guys fighting.

    I am watching An American Carol

  50. Obama has already been interviewed by the Feds, along with Jarrett and Emanuel. And Obie’s not the only one with a staff that could have been involved in negotiations with Blags. Jarrett, Emanuel and Axelrod do too, to name a few.

  51. afrocity: you should have joined the thread on the economy … no kcicking and shouting there

    🙂

  52. BB
    You sound like you believe my chess match theory. By arresting Blago he becomes high profile and Obama can’t remove him without it looking like he has something to hide, particularly with Emmanuel doing all that conversing with Blago.

    I am so going to enjoy the delicious popcorny irony of a bunch of manipulative b@stards squirming about the system being manipulated.

  53. Cinie: you think the extension he asked for was to spread the net wider?

  54. CWaltz,

    Obama has already said he won’t fire Fitzgerald. Not that his word means anything.

  55. dakinikat — if you have friends in the PPP I’m assuming you’ve spent many a Jan. 6th at Rock-n-Bowl listening to Benny Grunch & observing the coronation of the Boss & the Queen! That is fun!

    afrocity — according to the USPS website they attempted to deliver your Secret Santa package on 12/31 & 1/2 & left notice of delivery cards — I think that means you have to go to the post office now & pick it up — did you not get the delivery notices?

    No Secret Santa for me — but I took off work on Friday.

  56. Blago is part of a machine. The same machine Obie came from. The same machine Rahm came from. The same machine that all those folks who are in the business of “making them a US Senator” are in. Between Fitz and the GOP my odds are the honeymoon for Obama will be less than a year before he has to deal with scandal on his watch.

  57. I got my secret Santa gift. It was wonderful and I use it every day.

  58. bb — what did you get & who was your Secret Santa? It is ok to tell now.

  59. besides, I’m DYING to know — really, I will die is you don’t tell me, so my life is in your hands. 🙂

  60. Angie, Okay I know what happened I live in big hi-rise and they have been closed for New Years in the management office. I just went to my box and there is a packge. I will pick up on Monday.

  61. Catarina got me an amazing gadget that makes milk foam up for lattes and hot chocolate. I’m finally getting the knack of it too. It’s called an aerolatte. It runs on batteries. I love it!

  62. Angie,

    I was dying to tell you, so I’m glad you asked. LOL!

  63. btw — who was it that I was talking to a couple of weeks back about the great guilt trips my mother can lay on us (my brother & me)? This is an example of what my mother would say to me right before I went out at night with friends (to parties, dances, etc) all during high school:

    “I love you more then anything else in the world & if anything happens to you, I will die. So, before you go and do anything crazy & get yourself killed, just remember — you will be killing your mother too.”

  64. Dakinikat, I think, and it’s just my guess, that somebody “intimated” that there was something incriminating about Blago on Fitz’s wiretaps he might want to listen to. Whoever it was knew it was there and wanted it exposed. I also think Fitz knew it was more to it to that, but thought it was to his advantage to go out of his way to let it be known the focus was not on Team O while asking for people with info to come forward. Why wasn’t Blago indicted? Why was the “pay to play” Senate seat sale thwarted? Who benefits if Blags goes down? Why is it that everybody involved on Obama’s side is now White House staff? Who would think he’s so smart he could play in the sewer and not get shit on his shoes?

  65. I got Angie an Obama punching bag and a Blago squeeze me doll.

    JK.

  66. afrocity — oh that sucks having to go to the post office! I hope you like your gift.

    bb — that sounds very cool! I bet I could do a Greek-style iced coffee with that (nescafe & milk foamed up together). I should look for one myself.

  67. What the heck is going here? I’ve always enjoyed coming by to read the posts, but lately you all seem to be on fire with your topics.
    I dunno, but I’m REALLY digging the recent posts.
    What ever you guys are putting in that morning coffee, keep it going! ^_^

  68. Cinie: only virgin in the whore house! right?

  69. afrocity — those actually would have been pretty good gifts! LOL

  70. hate to go gang, but my parents are here visiting so I’m going to take off now.

    Love you all! Good night!

  71. Oh, the Secret Santa thing…. (darn) I wanted to participate in that but got totally distracted by my mom’s illness and totally forgot about it until just now. (sulking) Mom always spoils things!

  72. nite ang

  73. KB

    maybe the site can do another swap later on. Lots of holidays! I didn’t participate either.

  74. g’night, Angie! I’m sorry I missed you.

  75. Angie are you of Irish descent?

  76. CWaltz – I’d love that!

  77. Katiebird,

    What did you want for Christmas that you didn’t get? Maybe there is still a secret santa around here. There are still a few more days of Christmas.

  78. BB – I got everything I wanted … and gave them to mister for Christmas! Green Plastic Plates, a Mandolin Slicer, a potato cutter — it was the best Christmas ever. We’ve used everything just about every night.

    It’s not that I wanted a particular gift — it’s that I wanted to be a Secret Santa.

    I don’t think I even remember how it worked.

  79. Dakinikat, didn’t Heidi Fleiss try to pull that “virgin in the whorehouse” thing, too?

  80. Hey boomer!
    Hi everyone!
    All this socializing is cutting in on my blog time so I
    sneaked away from the party to see what was going on at the Confluence.
    So glad you like your Aerolatte-Secret Santa was fun
    🙂

    CWaltz you are making my teeth hurt with those popcorn recipes lol

    ok, back to the guests nite all!

  81. I’m glad I decided to do it. I wasn’t going to at first because I’m so busy, but my secret Santee didn’t mind getting her gift a little late.

  82. Cinie: yeah that sounds about right, and my republican senator down here, david vitter

  83. Hi Catarina,

    I was just telling everyone about my totally cool secret Santa gift. I’m really starting to get the hang of it too.

  84. Katiebird,

    I got just about everything I wanted too, because I bought my own gifts. It’s the best way. Sounds like you and Mister found that out too.

  85. bb It was my pleasure.
    I used my aerolatte to emulsify a lemon parmesan salad dressing tonight.
    looks like i have about a zillion threads to catch up on-maybe i have to tell the guests we have no more food..lol

  86. Heidi,

    Treat yourself… You are the best Santa you can have.

  87. Catarina, that sounds great. I was wondering if you could use it for other purposes. I almost tried using it to beat eggs for an omlet the other day, but I chickened out.

  88. I meant to say Katiebird on that last post!

  89. {{afrocity}} – I think I did… I’ve bought 4 books and a pair of walking shoes just since Christmas!

  90. I bought my self a subscription to winemaker’s magazine. I decided that if i was going to have to scrimp on somethings then I should learn to make my own wine and grown my own grapes … it sounds sorta therapeutic too … i’m looking for grape vines now …

  91. We got a Wii. The kids dubbed me “maverick” and gave me a Sarah Palin mii. My Wii fit age is unmentionable though. Watching my little guy with the Wii Sports is hyserical. It’s full body for him. he jumps when he moves that little remote.

  92. dakinikat
    I got to watch some of the mummers parade today
    It s a New years day parade that is over 100 years old.
    One of the string bands had a theme that was a tribute to the krewes of the Mardi gras. I do not know if it is on youtube yet. It was the Ferko string band.
    I think you would enjoy it.

    WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM, AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

    PUMAS,BUBBAS,AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

  93. And Burris doesn’t even have scary ladyparts!

  94. This whole thing is ridiculous. The Senate Democrats seem to think they can spin this as them finally getting a backbone as demonstated by fighting some stupid unecessary symbolic battle that doesn’t need to be fought, well, bless my dry powder! That’ll show we mean business! We can pretend that Burris is Bush, and it’ll be almost like we impeached him. Or maybe pretend it’s Alito, and we voted him down. Fun for the whole family.

  95. The Emperor’s New Suit
    by
    Hans Christian Andersen
    (1837)

    MANY, many years ago lived an emperor, who thought so much of new clothes that he spent all his money in order to obtain them; his only ambition was to be always well dressed. He did not care for his soldiers, and the theatre did not amuse him; the only thing, in fact, he thought anything of was to drive out and show a new suit of clothes. He had a coat for every hour of the day; and as one would say of a king “He is in his cabinet,” so one could say of him, “The emperor is in his dressing-room.”

    The great city where he resided was very gay; every day many strangers from all parts of the globe arrived. One day two swindlers came to this city; they made people believe that they were weavers, and declared they could manufacture the finest cloth to be imagined. Their colours and patterns, they said, were not only exceptionally beautiful, but the clothes made of their material possessed the wonderful quality of being invisible to any man who was unfit for his office or unpardonably stupid.

    “That must be wonderful cloth,” thought the emperor. “If I were to be dressed in a suit made of this cloth I should be able to find out which men in my empire were unfit for their places, and I could distinguish the clever from the stupid. I must have this cloth woven for me without delay.” And he gave a large sum of money to the swindlers, in advance, that they should set to work without any loss of time. They set up two looms, and pretended to be very hard at work, but they did nothing whatever on the looms. They asked for the finest silk and the most precious gold-cloth; all they got they did away with, and worked at the empty looms till late at night.

    “I should very much like to know how they are getting on with the cloth,” thought the emperor. But he felt rather uneasy when he remembered that he who was not fit for his office could not see it. Personally, he was of opinion that he had nothing to fear, yet he thought it advisable to send somebody else first to see how matters stood. Everybody in the town knew what a remarkable quality the stuff possessed, and all were anxious to see how bad or stupid their neighbours were.

    “I shall send my honest old minister to the weavers,” thought the emperor. “He can judge best how the stuff looks, for he is intelligent, and nobody understands his office better than he.”

    The good old minister went into the room where the swindlers sat before the empty looms. “Heaven preserve us!” he thought, and opened his eyes wide, “I cannot see anything at all,” but he did not say so. Both swindlers requested him to come near, and asked him if he did not admire the exquisite pattern and the beautiful colours, pointing to the empty looms. The poor old minister tried his very best, but he could see nothing, for there was nothing to be seen. “Oh dear,” he thought, “can I be so stupid? I should never have thought so, and nobody must know it! Is it possible that I am not fit for my office? No, no, I cannot say that I was unable to see the cloth.”

    “Now, have you got nothing to say?” said one of the swindlers, while he pretended to be busily weaving.

    “Oh, it is very pretty, exceedingly beautiful,” replied the old minister looking through his glasses. “What a beautiful pattern, what brilliant colours! I shall tell the emperor that I like the cloth very much.”

    “We are pleased to hear that,” said the two weavers, and described to him the colours and explained the curious pattern. The old minister listened attentively, that he might relate to the emperor what they said; and so he did.

    Now the swindlers asked for more money, silk and gold-cloth, which they required for weaving. They kept everything for themselves, and not a thread came near the loom, but they continued, as hitherto, to work at the empty looms.

    Soon afterwards the emperor sent another honest courtier to the weavers to see how they were getting on, and if the cloth was nearly finished. Like the old minister, he looked and looked but could see nothing, as there was nothing to be seen.

    “Is it not a beautiful piece of cloth?” asked the two swindlers, showing and explaining the magnificent pattern, which, however, did not exist.

    “I am not stupid,” said the man. “It is therefore my good appointment for which I am not fit. It is very strange, but I must not let any one know it;” and he praised the cloth, which he did not see, and expressed his joy at the beautiful colours and the fine pattern. “It is very excellent,” he said to the emperor.

    Everybody in the whole town talked about the precious cloth. At last the emperor wished to see it himself, while it was still on the loom. With a number of courtiers, including the two who had already been there, he went to the two clever swindlers, who now worked as hard as they could, but without using any thread.

    “Is it not magnificent?” said the two old statesmen who had been there before. “Your Majesty must admire the colours and the pattern.” And then they pointed to the empty looms, for they imagined the others could see the cloth.

    “What is this?” thought the emperor, “I do not see anything at all. That is terrible! Am I stupid? Am I unfit to be emperor? That would indeed be the most dreadful thing that could happen to me.”

    “Really,” he said, turning to the weavers, “your cloth has our most gracious approval;” and nodding contentedly he looked at the empty loom, for he did not like to say that he saw nothing. All his attendants, who were with him, looked and looked, and although they could not see anything more than the others, they said, like the emperor, “It is very beautiful.” And all advised him to wear the new magnificent clothes at a great procession which was soon to take place. “It is magnificent, beautiful, excellent,” one heard them say; everybody seemed to be delighted, and the emperor appointed the two swindlers “Imperial Court weavers.”

    The whole night previous to the day on which the procession was to take place, the swindlers pretended to work, and burned more than sixteen candles. People should see that they were busy to finish the emperor’s new suit. They pretended to take the cloth from the loom, and worked about in the air with big scissors, and sewed with needles without thread, and said at last: “The emperor’s new suit is ready now.”

    The emperor and all his barons then came to the hall; the swindlers held their arms up as if they held something in their hands and said: “These are the trousers!” “This is the coat!” and “Here is the cloak!” and so on. “They are all as light as a cobweb, and one must feel as if one had nothing at all upon the body; but that is just the beauty of them.”

    “Indeed!” said all the courtiers; but they could not see anything, for there was nothing to be seen.

    “Does it please your Majesty now to graciously undress,” said the swindlers, “that we may assist your Majesty in putting on the new suit before the large looking-glass?”

    The emperor undressed, and the swindlers pretended to put the new suit upon him, one piece after another; and the emperor looked at himself in the glass from every side.

    “How well they look! How well they fit!” said all. “What a beautiful pattern! What fine colours! That is a magnificent suit of clothes!”

    The master of the ceremonies announced that the bearers of the canopy, which was to be carried in the procession, were ready.

    “I am ready,” said the emperor. “Does not my suit fit me marvellously?” Then he turned once more to the looking-glass, that people should think he admired his garments.

    The chamberlains, who were to carry the train, stretched their hands to the ground as if they lifted up a train, and pretended to hold something in their hands; they did not like people to know that they could not see anything.

    The emperor marched in the procession under the beautiful canopy, and all who saw him in the street and out of the windows exclaimed: “Indeed, the emperor’s new suit is incomparable! What a long train he has! How well it fits him!” Nobody wished to let others know he saw nothing, for then he would have been unfit for his office or too stupid. Never emperor’s clothes were more admired.

    “But he has nothing on at all,” said a little child at last. “Good heavens! listen to the voice of an innocent child,” said the father, and one whispered to the other what the child had said. “But he has nothing on at all,” cried at last the whole people. That made a deep impression upon the emperor, for it seemed to him that they were right; but he thought to himself, “Now I must bear up to the end.” And the chamberlains walked with still greater dignity, as if they carried the train which did not exist.
    The End
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  96. Great post, way to call them out, Cinie! Thanks!

  97. Although I used to like Al Frankin but I am not exited about his (win???). It seems to me that democrats collectively turned off the shame buttons. They now behave worse than the neocons during the 90’s, winning at any and all costs. As for CK appointment is there any organized protest from NYers planned yet, because I haven’t heard of anything.

    P.S.
    Lately my comments here for some reason just disappear I hope it is not something I said

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