White House press secretary Jay Carney gestures as he speaks during his daily news briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, March, 18, 2013. Credit: AP
A local reporter from Colorado on Monday asked White House Press Secretary Jay Carney how President Barack Obama justifies “lavish vacations” and golf trips when sequester cuts will supposedly result in furloughed federal workers and the unemployment rate remains high.
The reporter cited the high unemployment rate among minority communities, the “millions of Americans unemployed” and the government furloughs that the White House says are on the way due to the sequester.
“How does the president justify lavish vacations and a golf trip to Florida at taxpayer expense? And does he plan to cut back on his travels?” the reporter asked.
Evading the question, Carney replied: “I can tell you that this president is focused every day on policies that create economic growth and help advance job creation.”
“We have presided over the past three years over an economy that has produced over 6.3 million private sector jobs,” he added. “And we have more work to do.”
“But it’s not working minority communities,” the reporter interrupted.
Carney went on to say that the unemployment rate “has come down” but not enough. To be sure, when President Obama came into office in 2008, the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent when Bush left office and he was inaugurated. In February 2013, the unemployment rate 7.7 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Watch Carney’s full comments via C-SPAN below, here.
Featured image via AP
(H/T: Weekly Standard)
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Comments (161)
LBJDIDIT1963
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:39pmYup Obama has contempt for this Country and contempt for me, a white Conservative Libertarian.
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michaelmoron
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:00pmHere is what Carney wanted to say:
I can’t believe the Public is so stupid not to have figured out that this government is a foreign-owned Private Corporation owned by the International Bankster Cartel.
These Idiots really think they have a 2-party system and Representatives. lol. OMG, can you believe they still think that ?
This United States Corporation only answers to the IMF and their owners, NOT the people.
We will continue to do what we want, until we see a 10-million man march in Washington D.C.
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uziah51
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:04pmat first i had hopes for obama maybe change would be good. but i have come to the conclusion
that he wants to punish america for being capitalists by turning us into socialists and destroying
are economy so that we will fall to are enemies and be forced to obey the will of the U N by sharing the wealth with the world much like the philosophy we are seeing in cyprus you are rich and you must be forced to share with the poor
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pollyanna
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:19pmOh yessah indeed. Carney is the mouthpiece of the traveling amusement show; that is occupying OUR peoples White House. He is in way in over his ability. I am really surprised that the Regime hasn’t hired someone with a little more snake oil finesse.
Sorry to say, LBJDIDIT1963.in this warped world, if you are a Male, White, Christian…You are so in the minority…(they would lead us to believe) God Bless you! Be strong and do not lose faith!
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uziah51
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:27pmsorry … our…. our….. caught up in the moment
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michaelmoron
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:29pm“The District of Columbia Organic Act of 1871 created a private corporation (hereinafter “Corp. U.S.”, Trademark name, “United States Government”) owned and operated by the actual government for the purpose of carrying out the business needs of the government under martial law. This was done under the constitutional authority for Congress to pass any law within the ten mile square of Washington, District of Columbia.”
http://teamlaw.net/HistoryOutline.htm
~~~~~~~~
Who Is Running America?
The Bankruptcy of America, the Corporate United States,
and the New World Order
Who is running America? Have you ever asked that question?
Under the doctrine of Parens Patriae, “Government As Parent”, as a result of the manipulated bankruptcy of the United States of America in 1930, ALL the assets of the American people, their person, and of our country itself are held by the Depository Trust Corporation at 55 Water Street, NY, NY, secured by UCC Commercial Liens, which are then monetized as “debt money” by the Federal Reserve. It may interest you to know that under the umbrella of the Depository Trust Corporation lies the CEDE Corporation, the Federal Reserve Corporation, the American Bar Association, the legal arm of the banking interests, and the Internal Revenue Service, the system’s collection agency.
http://www.barefootsworld.net/usfraud.html
~~~~~~~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYLe02uld_0
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MLeo
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:29pm“O tunes out Marine band”
By S.A. MILLER
March 18, 2013
“WASHINGTON — The Obama administration hit a sour note by canceling a traditional Marine Corps Band performance yesterday at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Rocky Point, NY, blaming “sequestration” budget cuts.”
‘We’re political pawns,’ fumed Joe Cognitore, commander of the Rocky Point VFW Post, which co-sponsored the parade.”
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/tunes_out_marine_band_7wYuLNiHDKlKiazxtSFYZN?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National
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carbonyes
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:41pmObama is a prolific liar, an unabashed deceiver, a fraud and an imposter. He is a tyrant and has no empathy for the American people nor this country and is not a supporter or practicer of the principles espoused by our Founding Fathers, nor does he embrace the tenants and governmental system of either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.
Barack Hissein Obama is not an American regardless of where he was born. He is a usurper and a traitor. The sooner Obama is exposed for who he is and who he is not, the sooner he will be able to be removed with whatever power or force is necessary.
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dmerwin
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:57pmShort answer. No.
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SendTheMeteors
Mar. 18, 2013 at 9:39pmcarbonyes, I hope your post was a catharsis for you! Can you sleep now? I think I can help you work through some issues you’re having. Yes, this administration is evil. True. I agree you’re right about that. But I think you’ve got some other things going on in your life as well. I think we should address those issues as well.
Your post was fine as far as it went, but I feel like you still have some bottled up anger. I believe you should post again and here are some things you missed that I think you consider to help you vent your bile further. Are you religious? If so, I think you should state that the President of the United States is actually the anti-Christ. When you look at it, he’s proposing that all Americans have health insurance, that we should employ Americans rebuilding Americas bridges and roads, and help pay to educate the next generation by taxing the people who are so rich they don’t know what it’s like to clean their own house, or take the trash out or fly coach. People who view people like you as cockroaches to be manipulated so you pay more taxes and they pay less.
Obama is like Stalin and Hitler too, a point you missed. And he hates America and is trying to destroy it by helping poor people. Go with that on your next post.
Now, with you’re anger and hatred what is the real reason? Can’t pay bills? Tough situation with your partner? Let’s talk about that…
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SendTheMeteors
Mar. 18, 2013 at 10:06pmWe’ve been through this before haven’t we? Obama goes out to dinner with the First Lady and the right wing press wants to know how much it costs the taxpayer. Obama plays golf, like Bush did, how much does that cost the taxpayer? Not how much it cost the taxpayer when Bush did it – who cares – but how much it costs when Obama does it. None on the right care about the two trillion dollars Bush spent on a discretionary war in Iraq, how much it cost to bury those 5000 Americans and how much it will cost the US for the next 60 years for the medical costs for the 20 or 30 thousand brave American soldiers who lost limbs or eyes or organs in that war of choice. They want to know how much it costs for President Obama to take Michelle out to dinner. That’s a lack of perceptive if there ever was one.
But I’m happy to help you with that. I want you to have some perspective about the cost Bush incurred for vacations while racking up the greatest debt in the nations history (before the economic collapse, which brought revenue to an all time low in recent American history).
Bush made 77 trips to Crawford for vacation (between Camp David and Crawford Bush spent a third of his term away from office, the official record for US Presidents). Those 77 trips cost, simply for the flights of Air Force 1, approximately 17.4 million dollars. That doesn’t count cost of staff and Secret Service. And you’re upset about Obama taking a trip to Hawaii? Where was the outrage before?
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LakeHartwellSailor
Mar. 18, 2013 at 10:11pmSENDTHEMETEORS:
you say, “Yes, this administration is evil. True. I agree you’re right about that. But I think you’ve got some other things going on in your life as well. I think we should address those issues as well. ”
So you agree that this administration is “evil”; but why do you feel compelled to attack your critic, when the critic makes a valid point that you agree with?
What color is the sky in your world?
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LakeHartwellSailor
Mar. 18, 2013 at 10:23pmSENDTHEMETEORS:
May I ask a few questions?
* How old are you?
* What is your current education level (if you have a degree, please summarize it)?
* Are you currently employed?
* Do you own your own home, or do you rent?
* If the answer is “No” to the above question, do you live with your parents?
* Does your wardrobe consist of primarily tee-shirts with “heavy metal concert” themes?
* Have you ever considered joining the military, if so, which branch?
* Depending on your answer above, why or why not?
* Do you care for the livelihood for your family?
* Do you wonder if there really is a God?
* Would you like to help the poor?
* If the answer is “yes” to the above question, would you like to make more money so that you could directly help the poor?
* Are you willing to contribute to charities?
* If you were to make a lot of money, what percentage would you be willing to contribute to charities and what percentage would you contribute to taxes; if you could have your own say?
Just a few questions I would ask you in a bar over a beer.
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debrarae
Mar. 18, 2013 at 10:31pmI agree 1000% & Michael has it right. Carney and Obama have to be laughing out of both sides of their mouths!
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Dark_Night
Mar. 19, 2013 at 4:57amGiven SendTheMeteor’s apparent position, I am surprised time posting on this site isn’t spent writing love letters to Obama.
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BehindBlueEyes
Mar. 19, 2013 at 8:13am@GEEMAN
Obama makes Jimmy Carter look like George Washington.
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Solidspine
Mar. 19, 2013 at 8:49amYou are so right, but it is amazing how many people feel the same way, I live in California and the whole state things like Buckwheat,
Simply disgusting
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kenboo1
Mar. 19, 2013 at 10:31amSendTheMeteors is typical of the left’s voting block. Totally moronic in their logic. We need to return the Senate to represent the states interests in order to save this country… visit http://www.repeal17.net in order to return this country to the correct path and return states rights…
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SendTheMeteors
Mar. 19, 2013 at 10:45amLakeHartwellSailor, let’s see. I’m 22 years old, got my GED, live with my parents and am still looking for my first job, although my parents pay me for mowing the lawn and taking out the trash.
At least that might be true. On the other hand, I could have an advanced degree, make a lot more money than you if statistics hold, own my own home and so forth.
It’s kinda hard to tell from my posts which is the case isn’t it?
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TX_Ag_Engineer
Mar. 19, 2013 at 12:19pm“But, but, but… Bush spent money too!!!” -SENDTHEMETEORS
Okay we got it! Now, can we talk about how wasteful the current President is? It looks really bad for this guy to stand up there and tell us that we need to go on a budget, while he jet sets wherever he wants anytime he wants.
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RetiredUSMC
Mar. 19, 2013 at 3:47pmWhen are the zombies in this country going to snap out of it? These losers are spending our tax dollars as they please, at the same time reducing everybody else’s services.
The stupidity of Americans is off the charts.
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dbrockjohnson
Mar. 19, 2013 at 6:23pmToo bad these white liberals can’t get that he has it for them too!!! When they wake the hell up, it will be way too late.
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pinkpercolator
Mar. 23, 2013 at 12:15pmThe Commander and Buffoon won’t cut his spending on trips. He won’t cut nothing that benefits him and his family. He takes it all away from the people of this country. Most of it from us middle class people. Start cutting things with his salary and of those other politicians who support Ovomit’s ways.
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shorelineliz
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:38pmMakes me wish for the Bill Clinton days and “I feel your pain.” LOL!
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OneWithGodistheMajority
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:59pmYep. Me too! I never thought I would say that!
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RJJinGadsden
Mar. 18, 2013 at 6:23pmLIZ, just gotta agree with you on that too. And to think, that man scared the crap out of me back then.
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Joe_The_Patriot
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:07pmObama plans to “cut back” on cutting back… So they can spin that into a “cut back”…
when your broke you have to spend more money just ask Joe “the huge embarrasment” biden….
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geeman
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:55pmMakes we wish for Jimmy Carter days,and that’s not good.
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cantstandlibs
Mar. 19, 2013 at 11:48amBill will probably be back in the WH soon, as the first first gentleman, with lots of time on his hands.
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truthnstuff
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:34pmStepford wives…..0bama journalists.
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BlackCrow
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:34pmDear Leader cut back? Are they kidding?
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DavidH628
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:32pmAccording to a report this afternoon, Carney confirmed President Obama had to move his mother-in-law out of the White House because of sequestration cut-backs. http://www.thedailyrash.com/sequester-cuts-force-obama-to-kick-mother-in-law-out
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banjarmon
Mar. 18, 2013 at 6:25pmFunny Wish it were true?
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tootbug
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:32pmShe should never have been there in the first place and don’t tell me she’s going to a place that’s “not exactly Mayberry” and it’s his predecessor’s and the Republican’s fault!!!!!!!! This man is bonified crazy! Poor Obamas. They can’t afford to see to it that her mother is in a safe place place rather than “the projects.” Hogwash!
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qpwillie
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:31pmIn other words, “I don’t like that question so I’ll just answer one that nobody has asked.”
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rickc34
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:39pmThere are less people working now then when Obama took office. And yes Obama will still waste millions of dollars on vacations. And Jay is just a little whining b__ch that needs to be backhanded.
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davycrockett
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:51pmHe has a new dance. It’s called the White House Shuffle.
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quiltgal
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:27pmThe answer is: Scr.w America. Obama doesn’t like this country anyways.
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AmericaMustBeFree
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:25pmAs far as I am concerned Obama hasn’t worked a full day since he was elected in 2008. He delegates his work.. thats why he didn’t have a clue about Benghazi.. and he gave no orders! Help didn’t come, because Obama wasn’t available!
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Stoic one
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:41pmI disagree. Bathhouse barry has been working very hard; dismantling the housing sector, castrating the military, eviscerating our economy, working on his golf handicap, inserting racial divide at every opportunity. These as just a few highlights of his never tiring effort to transform the country.
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denkat56
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:24pmLet them eat cake. Meaning Obama the boy king could give a rats rear about the working people in America. He’s got anywhere up to 15 mill. In the bank and still takes his paycheck every two weeks. Kennedy gave his paycheck to charities, Romney did this also as governor. My point is that Obama is all about mine, mine, mine. And also of what’s yours is also mine. Go figure, he’s a selfish , arrogant little man. Of course the rest of the pols aren’t suffering very much either. No voluntary cuts on benefits or raises,nothing at all. Instead of leading by example, they prove what their all about.
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Exrepublisheep
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:29pmNONE of the politicians will feel the bite. Their chefs, chauffeurs, landscapers, housekeepers or staffers will be furloughed.
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Hotconchick
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:59pmHe came into office with taxes that claimed he only made a million too. Destroying America has been a pretty lucrative business for him.
I’m sure he has off shore accounts from campaign money and such as well.
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Greenlantern
Mar. 19, 2013 at 7:40amBottom line for Obama and his like-minded ilk “I want to promote charity and we should give to the poor, as long as I am giving away someone else’s money”
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RDavis49
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:24pmFrom the mouth of Hypocrite In Chief……. the Quote of the Decade: “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America ‘s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America ‘s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, “the buck stops here.’ Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”……… ~ Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006
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dodgedart1966
Mar. 18, 2013 at 7:07pmWell, he does love to talk about himself. He was simply looking into the future.
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everydaywoman
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:23pmYeah, I don’t know about you but I don’t see where he answered the question. (Of course, NOT answering a question – answers the question).
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foxrocks
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:22pmJay knows the answer, Nope! obama’s will take all the boondoggle vacations on the taxpayers dime they can get away with… Barry wants to go on the seinor golf tour when he retires, so Tiger will hook him up…..
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FactsMcTrutherson
Apr. 12, 2013 at 2:08amI take it you were saying the same thing after Bush took more vacation time than FDR?
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Sara72
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:21pmHow much longer can Jay Carney keep his lies going…..
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Lily82
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:16pmBravo for the question! Ever notice that its the local media/reporters that ask the more challenging questions? I say national MSM should be kicked out of the briefings and let the local guys take their places.
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maggiepie
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:15pmJay Carney, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STOP LYING. How do you sleep at night?
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Marnin
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:21pmHe’s a liberal progressive socialist, he just wraps himself in lies to keep warm and sleeps very comfortably at night.
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mbean
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:13pmLet them eat cake
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Marnin
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:23pmYou really should learn the background of that quote before you use it completely out of context. One of the great historical lies is what people commonly think it means…
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richauthor
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:12pmCarney’s response sounds a great deal like the left’s explanation for why global warming is such an (important) topic. A vacuous statement at best.
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electroencephalographic
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:10pmSo…….That’s a no!
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Living In NYC
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:14pmYeppers no way baby…Barry will take your savings out of your bank account before he and his “princess” stop their vacations!
All your monies belong to the state and Barry thinks he is the “state” not a public servant!
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neverending
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:09pmThe answer to that would be NO – the more he knows he angers a lot of Americans the more they will do it. Loves nothing more then to slap the American people in the face and laugh all the way to his next vacation, golf game, celebrity concert and on and on it goes. If he worked as hard FOR the American people as he does against that would be awesome but how would you work for something or someone you basically hate.
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shorelineliz
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:09pmHa. Ha. Jay Carney Carnival Clown on the hot seat. Ha. Ha. So sweet. So Sweet.
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quiltgal
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:09pmObama is taking advantage of American taxpayers and of his position–taking advantage as in opportunism. As in most socialist countries, he feels he belongs to an elite class of privileged politicians. Carney is not allowed to admit this. That’s why he dodges the question.
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RJJinGadsden
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:09pmCarney barker can out tap dance even this act.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B718RsboGEI
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:16pmRJJ:
or this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6-tYS9k1U&playnext=1&list=PLDEE749B25EE22550&feature=results_video
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The-Monk
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:19pmHi RJJ,
I’ve always wondered….. do they not use their arms in bed either? LOL
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The-Monk
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:24pmHi Darmok,
UUPER DUUPER !!! Too funny. : )
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:29pmHey Monk:
They don’t swing their arms, otherwise they would spill their drinks, and that’s alcohol abuse.
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RJJinGadsden
Mar. 18, 2013 at 6:36pmHi DARMOK, MONK, sorry guys I was away for a short time, so just now getting to this. DARMOK, LOL, I had completely forgotten that even though I often use a couple of scenes from Young Frankenstein here. Thanks.
MONK, I guess DARMOK made a valid point on the arms. LOL, yes that would be alcohol abuse to many of the Irish that I have known.
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firearm
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:08pmHey Jay, try answering the question that was asked if it doesn’t make Obama look any worse.
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Quiata
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:07pmJay Carney’s inner monologue: “I hate my job I hate my job I hate my job — look serious — act earnest — cover tracks — look into their eyes — fabricate more bull**** “
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shorelineliz
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:40pmawesome dude.
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Mar. 18, 2013 at 5:06pmCome on people, Carney’s answer sounded alot better than the true answer “Hell no, he has some fun to get on, and Obama has to find his groove.”
Besides, the peasants shouldn’t be questioning what the King is doing, he has drones you know.
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Mar. 18, 2013 at 6:07pmAll too true, and the drones will be firing on us soon enough.
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Mar. 18, 2013 at 6:54pmHey Snow:
How are you feeling? Allergy season is right around the corner, I need to start taking my Zyrtec soon.
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Mar. 19, 2013 at 12:42am@Darmok – allergies ripping me apart here, just as Obama is doing to the economy.
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