Does he have to clear this with the FEC?

Hell, I know an abandoned gas station that I'd set up shop in if he gets away with this...

Should have gone with the obvious, smitty.

[IRONIC] Obama supporter benefits from economic freedom

In Michigan, the "buy 3 get one free" pizza special at the gas station across the street is a brilliant counter-tactic.

Well, played, Michigander.

I'll just be sitting here with some popcorn...Waiting for some ignorant, racist McCain voters to show up and render their inevitable, poorly-spelled knee-jerk hackery insinuating that because this guy is from a country they've heard is in or near the Middle East, has an arabic-sounding name, and is an Obama supporter, that somehow this makes Obama a secret extremist Muslim "terrist" who must be stopped.

Don't disappoint me, now, Righties!

/i don't expect you will

Well, that's awfully damned clever, but there's just one thing I don't understand:

How can a man be a Lebanese?

simsite9: Well, that's awfully damned clever, but there's just one thing I don't understand:

How can a man be a Lebanese?

He's from Lebanon. Perhaps you were thinking of my familial background; namely, Lesbian.

/You know, from Lesbos

simsite9: Well, that's awfully damned clever, but there's just one thing I don't understand:

How can a man be a Lebanese?

if he's from Lebanon.

/It's where babies come from
//very, very, very obscure

Samir Bazzi

Of course... This guy is probably getting his gas for cheap anyways. He and Obama probable go way back. In fact, I think they both went to Wright's church before going to the Mosque.

_{/good enough, Maxx, or do you want more?}

Something is not wright here. I'd rather spend full freight and be sure I was not involved in anything wonky.

Churchill2004: Should have gone with the obvious, smitty.

[IRONIC] Obama supporter benefits from economic freedom

Have you enjoyed the free market at work this past week? I think it's fabulous. Gone are the days of trickle-down economics, and the idea that a totally free market is the epitome of goodness.

MaxxLarge: this guy is from a country they've heard is in or near the Middle East, has an arabic-sounding name, and is an Obama supporter, that somehow this makes Obama a secret extremist Muslim "terrist" who must be stopped

So i herd u liek rite wingz?

Also, Barack HUSSEIN Obama was in INDONESIA. A MUSLIM country where they train TERRORISTS.

/Madrassa, anyone?
//Let's play wheel of fortune. O_ama. What's the last letter? Hint: synonym for terrorist

simsite9: Well, that's awfully damned clever, but there's just one thing I don't understand:

How can a man be a Lebanese?

First, he must be a skilled thespian.

Christ, I hope I wasn't being taken seriously back there.

Tacoby Bellisbury: Samir Bazzi

Of course... This guy is probably getting his gas for cheap anyways. He and Obama probable go way back. In fact, I think they both went to Wright's church before going to the Mosque.

/good enough, Maxx, or do you want more?

Nice one. But actually, Samir attends my Methodist church and loves Schwarzaneggar flicks and football.

Touche gas station owner... touche.

simsite9: Christ, I hope I wasn't being taken seriously back there.

Age of Credulity is a biatch. . .

ConservativesBlow: Have you enjoyed the free market at work this past week? I think it's fabulous. Gone are the days of trickle-down economics, and the idea that a totally free market is the epitome of goodness.

Right, because the massive government bail-outs to companies who did something the government used to be actively encouraging and subsidizing is clearly the free market at work. And let's not forget Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, clearly the brainchild of those laissez-faire radicals and the infatuation with government sponsored enterprises.

That's cool. Very strange, but cool. I wish my corner bar would lower prices on beer if I bought an Obama hat. I would have lots of hats.

Churchill2004: Should have gone with the obvious, smitty.

[IRONIC] Obama supporter benefits from economic freedom

Ah, come on, I thought the Churchill joke was funny. . . I doubt he was incredibly serious.

Wicked Mint: Tacoby Bellisbury: Samir Bazzi

Of course... This guy is probably getting his gas for cheap anyways. He and Obama probable go way back. In fact, I think they both went to Wright's church before going to the Mosque.

/good enough, Maxx, or do you want more?

Nice one. But actually, Samir attends my Methodist church and loves Schwarzaneggar flicks and football.

American as apple pie.

RemyDuron: Ah, come on, I thought the Churchill joke was funny. . . I doubt he was incredibly serious.

Unfortunately, I think he was.

RemyDuron: Ah, come on, I thought the Churchill joke was funny. . . I doubt he was incredibly serious.

As in "making a serious point"? No.

Churchill2004: Right, because the massive government bail-outs to companies who did something the government used to be actively encouraging and subsidizing is clearly the free market at work. And let's not forget Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, clearly the brainchild of those laissez-faire radicals and the infatuation with government sponsored enterprises.


I think you dropped this 'deregulated debt-equity swap' on the way to your keyboard. Let me give it back to you. Oh, and you can have a free clue, as well.

Churchill2004: ConservativesBlow: Have you enjoyed the free market at work this past week? I think it's fabulous. Gone are the days of trickle-down economics, and the idea that a totally free market is the epitome of goodness.

Right, because the massive government bail-outs to companies who did something the government used to be actively encouraging and subsidizing is clearly the free market at work. And let's not forget Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, clearly the brainchild of those laissez-faire radicals and the infatuation with government sponsored enterprises.

So you're saying that this whole financial meltdown is the fault of the bail outs, and not the deregulation?

Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

Well, at least he got away from that desk job.



/dnrtfa

quizzical: Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

You don't have to buy the Obama schwag, and even if you do, you don't have to vote for him.

Wicked Mint: Samir attends my Methodist church and loves Schwarzaneggar flicks and football.

Secret Republican!

quizzical: Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

It what regard quizzical?

ConservativesBlow: So you're saying that this whole financial meltdown is the fault of the bail outs, and not the deregulation?

The problem was the housing bubble that the government actively encouraged through artificially low interest rates and direct subsidies. Everything else has stemmed from that.

The idea that the problem is a lack of government involvement is ridiculous. The government was pushing these loans, and the housing bubble never would have happened without government intervention.

Churchill2004: The idea that the problem is a lack of government involvement is ridiculous. The government was pushing these loans, and the housing bubble never would have happened without government intervention.

I don't believe that at all.

Churchill2004: The problem was the housing bubble that the government actively encouraged through artificially low interest rates and direct subsidies. Everything else has stemmed from that.

The idea that the problem is a lack of government involvement is ridiculous. The government was pushing these loans, and the housing bubble never would have happened without government intervention.

I don't necessarily disagree with you here -- but I would add that it's not just that the government was involved, but rather the type of involvement. I think the subsidies you mention weren't so good. A little regulation, on the other hand, would probably have been just fine.

Churchill2004: The idea that the problem is a lack of government involvement is ridiculous. The government was pushing these loans, and the housing bubble never would have happened without government intervention.

Oh, and now you've dropped your 'rampant speculation and flipping of McMansions' and 'fraud and abuse by lenders.'

You're so careless tonight!

Nina_Hartley's_Ass: simsite9: Well, that's awfully damned clever, but there's just one thing I don't understand:

How can a man be a Lebanese?

First, he must be a skilled thespian.

Or a cunning linguist.

Churchill2004: ConservativesBlow: So you're saying that this whole financial meltdown is the fault of the bail outs, and not the deregulation?

The problem was the housing bubble that the government actively encouraged through artificially low interest rates and direct subsidies. Everything else has stemmed from that.

The idea that the problem is a lack of government involvement is ridiculous. The government was pushing these loans, and the housing bubble never would have happened without government intervention.

The government sets interest rates?

ayenull: quizzical: Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

It what regard quizzical?

In that
1) people are pocketing the difference between the price of gas in the surrounding area, and
2) the discount is being offered to induce support for Obama.

True, Paedophile_Deluxe, nobody who buys the gas is gauranteeing they will vote for Obama in exchange for the discount. And the Obama campagin didn't contact the guy and arrange for him to do this. I'm just not sure what qualifies as buying votes.

GhostFish: American as apple pie.

APPLE PIE IS GERMAN!!!

iawai: Does he have to clear this with the FEC?

I was thinking the same thing. It seems like selling people discounted gas to encourage them to vote for your candidate would be breaking some kind of election law.

MaxxLarge: I'll just be sitting here with some popcorn...Waiting for some ignorant, racist McCain voters to show up and render their inevitable, poorly-spelled knee-jerk hackery insinuating that because this guy is from a country they've heard is in or near the Middle East, has an arabic-sounding name, and is an Obama supporter, that somehow this makes Obama a secret extremist Muslim "terrist" who must be stopped.

Don't disappoint me, now, Righties!

/i don't expect you will



Tighty righties?

quizzical: ayenull: quizzical: Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

It what regard quizzical?

In that
1) people are pocketing the difference between the price of gas in the surrounding area, and
2) the discount is being offered to induce support for Obama.

True, Paedophile_Deluxe, nobody who buys the gas is gauranteeing they will vote for Obama in exchange for the discount. And the Obama campagin didn't contact the guy and arrange for him to do this. I'm just not sure what qualifies as buying votes.

Hint: Bribing/paying someone to vote a certain way

heklim: quizzical: ayenull: quizzical: Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

It what regard quizzical?

In that
1) people are pocketing the difference between the price of gas in the surrounding area, and
2) the discount is being offered to induce support for Obama.

True, Paedophile_Deluxe, nobody who buys the gas is gauranteeing they will vote for Obama in exchange for the discount. And the Obama campagin didn't contact the guy and arrange for him to do this. I'm just not sure what qualifies as buying votes.

Hint: Bribing/paying someone to vote a certain way

I think your on to something. This has to be a violation of the Logan Act!
/subby

quizzical: ayenull: quizzical: Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

It what regard quizzical?

In that
1) people are pocketing the difference between the price of gas in the surrounding area, and
2) the discount is being offered to induce support for Obama.

True, Paedophile_Deluxe, nobody who buys the gas is gauranteeing they will vote for Obama in exchange for the discount. And the Obama campagin didn't contact the guy and arrange for him to do this. I'm just not sure what qualifies as buying votes.


Isn't this just a more spiffed up (and topical) version of putting out candy on your campaign table or offering free pizza at the College Democrats club?

If they were doing it right outside of the polling place that would be different, but this is isn't bribing people to vote a certain way, it's bribing people to come listen to your spiel.

quizzical: I'm just not sure what qualifies as buying votes.

heklim:Hint: Bribing/paying someone to vote a certain way

Let me rephrase - Fark lawyers, what exact elements are necessary to establish attempted bribery under election law?

Does there need to be some kind of agreement from the bribee to vote for a specific candidate in exchange for the money?

Is it enough for the bribe offerer to put the money out there as an inducement?

Does the bribe have to come at the behest of the candiate/campagin directly?

Is it legal for completely idependent individuals to, of their own free will, walk around handing out money to encourage others to vote for a particular candidate? Could Bill Gates walk around in a Nadar shirt handing out $100 bills as long as he didn't make people promise to vote for Nadar in return? (note - I suspect the answer is yes, and that this doesn't happen more often because people don't like giving away thier own money).

In this case, I see money being offered - the difference in price between the cost of gas and the surrounding area, and the price of gas at this particular station.

I see an inducement to vote for a particular candidtae - the station is branded with Obama's logo.

Legally, is this a bribe?

Wine Sipping Elitist Quote 2008-09-25 10:55:17 PM
Nina_Hartley's_Ass: simsite9: Well, that's awfully damned clever, but there's just one thing I don't understand:

How can a man be a Lebanese?

First, he must be a skilled thespian.

Or a cunning linguist.



We're from the internet.

/officially obscure(tm)

quizzical: Isn't this, effectively, paying people to vote for Obama?

How the hell did you come to that conclusion?

How is this any different than promising tax cuts if elected? Isn't that basically bribing people to vote for you?

quizzical: Legally, is this a bribe?

Quid Pro Quo.
It has to be proven that party A gave money to party B in exchange for party B promising to vote a certain way.

He gives cheap gas to everyone.
Nobody promises him anything in return.

It fails both parts.