Woman to Woman

By flats

September 5, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

she was picked because she has access to oil in Alaska.

By Gale

September 5, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

It looks like our topic leaders have been reading the comments this week and figured the discussion would not be diverted elsewhere for a while. IMO, the key factor was the pro-life vote. Politicians on both sides have forgotten that the goal is to provide solutions to problems facing the country and keep us safe and sound. How do we convince our elected leaders that they need to start fixing what is broken? We are like an old house that is in need of some real repair. Painting the siding won’t resolve the crumbling plaster or seal the leaking windows. Partisanship in Congress is the real problem. next…

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang … what was Lyn Westmoreland thinking???

from the WaPo: Westmoreland was discussing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech outside the House chamber today when he veered into his thoughts on Michelle and Barack Obama.

“Just from what little I’ve seen of her and Mister Obama, Senator Obama, they’re a member of an elitist class individual that thinks that they’re uppity,” Westmoreland said.

When a reporter sought clarification on the racially loaded word, Westmoreland replied, “Uppity, yeah.”

Lyn - when someone gives you an out, take it.

And even Bush’s speechwriter gives McCrankyPants a giant meh for last night’s performance:

(again from the WaPo): But McCain’s speech tonight began slow and got slower (before its genuinely moving end). He set out a strong, overarching theme of restless reform — then undermined that theme with uncreative, typically Republican policy. The speech was not a flop; it was a missed opportunity. But in a come-from-behind race, every missed opportunity is costly.

And this little bit of fiction drives me insane: She’s been overseeing a $5.5 billion budget — roughly the same as private sector companies Target or Dell, and significantly larger than Dow Chemical or Microsoft. If McCain had picked a two-year CEO of a $5.5 billion company as his running mate, would people scoff?

YES. We would. 1) we’ve all seen the stellar performance of an administration who wants to run this country like a corporation - we’re 8 years down that road - it ain’t workin’. and 2) in such a time as this when we need international unity, putting someone in office with no national experience, much less INTERNATIONAL experience is insane.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Hi Gale!!

IMO, the key factor was the pro-life vote

I’d take that a step farther and say it was the religious right vote - it goes beyond pro-life to sex-ed, anti-environmentalism, creationism, etc. With her, he got the whole package to placate the extremes in his party who weren’t that happy that they didn’t have Huckabee as their man.

By Lyrazel

September 5, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

What is the key factor behind the GOP selection of Sarah Palin for VP?

Vibrancy. Look how shook up people are—especially democrats are now. A WASP-y older milk-toast elected dude never would have electrified like choosing Palin did. Maverick McCain wants to prove he is NOT a Bush—and she is far from Ivy League elitism. Her odious views of religion’s place in government are popular with many voting the Republican ticket.

One problem I keep having is with people who say she can’t/should not be VP because of the terrible demands of her family—and yet these same people want recognition to working women with children who also say a woman can do any job if she chooses WITH child. I never hear MEN being asked parenting issues while they campaign and that double standard is galling. No one asks a man about the terrible ordeals his family is undergoing—if he has his priorities wrong—and MANY have special needs/delinquent children. Why this sexist double standard is voiced by so many women also escapes me.

How many families have unmarried daughters giving birth at 17? You will find MANY MANY households in America with such statistics—proving abstinence education lectures don’t work and life goes on despite the best intentioned parents.

By lk

September 5, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Shaunti is right - all the VP choices are meant to fill a need and attract voters that the party needs. The democrats needed foreign affairs experience and to attract blue collar voters - Joe Biden. The republicans needed excitement and to attract the conservative value voters that McCain wasn’t getting - Sarah Palin. The fact that she’s a woman is an extra zing - it gets conversations going and may net additional votes. That’s the whole strategy for both sides.

As an executive, wife, mother and community volunteer I like that one of the 4 speaks to me and what I think is important. The mainstream media is remiss in dismissing Sarah Palin’s grass roots appeal. Even for those of us who were lukewarm about both sides - she generates excitement and interest. No matter the outcome of the race, Sarah Palin will be around a good long while. Get used to her!

By Willie

September 5, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

I get it…only liberal women can choose liberal women to run for political office…Hmmm is that not amazing? You have to be a socialist to be viable.

By Gale

September 5, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

religious right vote Yes, quite. I stopped at one of the issues that always gets them jumping. Reading more about Palin’s views makes me more convinced that party leaders foisted he on McCain in an act of desparation. We have had administrations where the pres and the VP did not work together. It has to be worse if they work at cross purposes.

By WhatEV

September 5, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I never hear MEN being asked parenting issues while they campaign and that double standard is galling. No one asks a man about the terrible ordeals his family is undergoing—if he has his priorities wrong—and MANY have special needs/delinquent children. Why this sexist double standard is voiced by so many women also escapes me.

Lyrazel, NOT TRUE. When the news came out that Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer had returned, John Edwards received the same kind of comments. “How selfish of you to continue your run for president when your wife has cancer and you have small children! You should be taking care of your family and not your ambition!”

However, the double standard you mention escapes me too. If Hillary had stolen drugs from her own charity like Cindy McCain, if Chelsea turned up preggers and unmarried, Chuckster and the likes would be posting it every single day as evidence that Democrats have no morals whatsoever.

By Clay

September 5, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Why don’t folks like Andrea Sarvady tell it like it is when it comes to abortion? Gov. Palin is not anti-choice. She is pro-life. You—and the people like you—are pro-abortion. You are not pro-choice. Do you think I have the choice to carry a gun? You certainly do not. The only choice you care about is killing babies. Stop using “feel good” words like pro- or anti-choice and tell it like it is. You are either pro-life or pro-abortion. Gov. Palin is pro-life.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Willie -

I get it…only liberal women can choose liberal women to run for political office

no, conservative women are free to choose liberal women to run for political office, too …

(the proper placement of the word “only” can make a big difference in the meaning of your sentence)

By denice

September 5, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

You better believe it was a pro-life issue…but I am glad that we finally got a REAL woman on the ticket….she’s awesome and I will vote for her and for McCain…

By Gale

September 5, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Willie, I can deal with her holding all those beliefs. My problem is that she wants to make it law that we all think the same things. I do not want to live in a theocracy.

lk, I for one don’t care if she has a flock of small children. That is her choice and she can surely afford a nanny, and maybe Dad is deeply involved with child rearing. Many women juggle these responsibilities. It just proves the stronger of the species.

By WhatEv

September 5, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

From Jay Bookman’s Sept. 3 column:

In March of 2007, John Edwards decided to continue his presidential campaigning even after his wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The reaction will sound familiar.

Rush Limbaugh said the Edwards were turning their eyes to the campaign when they instead should turn their eyes to God. Katie Couric, in a “60 Minutes” interview, accused Edwards of mining his wife’s condition for sympathy votes.

“Even those who may be very empathetic to what you all are facing might question your ability to run the country at the same time you’re dealing with a major health crisis in your family,” Couric told Edwards.

And in Time magazine, columnist Jay Carney wrote that “surely many average Americans have to be wondering at what point the candidate will decide that his duties as husband and father to three children, including a 6- and 8-year-old, trump his duty to his country and the cause of winning the White House.”

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Clay -

Do you think I have the choice to carry a gun? You certainly do not.

um. actually you do have the choice to carry a gun - you just are restricted in where you can carry it.

we also believe that women have the choice to carry a fetus to term. or not. if she chooses to carry it to term, we believe she has the right to keep it (even if she’s - GASP - not married). or put it up for adoption.

choice. don’t like abortion? don’t have one.

By Tomhere

September 5, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Which books did she want to ban? She has the same philosophy of IDEA CONTROL as the TALIBAN. GOVERNMENT CONTROL IS BEST FOR THE CITIZENS. WE know what’s best. That’s why the GOP is the party of “less government”…?

By dittohead

September 5, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

By Rebecca Burt

September 5, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

Palin: She has next to no experience in government. When ask about national security back ground or knowledge regarding foreign affairs the best Ms. McCain could come up with was “she lives right by Russia.” She has only traveled outside the country twice in her life. She was associated with to a 3rd party which among other things supports allowing Alaska to secede from the United States and feels the only thing wrong with the John Birch Society was it was to liberal! Her husband “First Dude” was registered as a member of this party between 1994 and 2004!

She tried to have a local Librarian fired for not banning books. She used her political office to try to have fired and smear a state trooper who is in a custody battle with her sister. She is being investigated for this and is worried enough about the outcome to have recently “lawyered up.”

Palin currently has pretty messy family issues. She recently gave birth to a son with Downs Syndrome and has a 17 year old daughter who is pregnant. Ironically she has fought sex education in the schools and availability of contraception for minors.

She believes that for 9 months a woman has no right to control what is happening to her own body and is basically nothing more than a baby container. She does not believe in a women’s right to choose to end a pregnancy, even if she has been raped.

She does not believe human pollution has anything to do with global warming (even Bush has had to back down on this one). Is so in bed with big oil she is willing to watch as the polar bear and beluga whales become extinct, rather than slow the possibility of drilling. She would open up one of the last great wilderness on earth to exploitation by oil interests.

Laughs when hearing a fellow Republican woman being called a b*** in public (she and the woman had disagreed on several issues) I guess this does make her on par with McCain who thinks it is alright to call your wife a c** in public. She has been repeatedly described as stubborn with a vicious streak – even by family and friends. (nick name Sarah Barracuda)

Has an undergraduate degree in Journalism for a small obscure university.

She did fund raising for Sen. Ted Stevens (think major Alaskan corruption) and accepted money from the same sources as Sen. Ted Stevens. She pushed for the “bridge to no where – the flipped when convenient to do so.

She has been named Sen. John McCain’s VP selection for the Republican ticket. Sen. McCain is 72 years old and has reoccurring cancer as part of his health history. One can not help but question Mr. McCain’s judgment regarding her selection. John McCain has made a calculated choice in selecting his VP, that has unfortunately put an undereducated, inexperienced right wing nut case a “heart beat” away from becoming President at a time when our Nation faces some of the most complex and volatile issues it has in decades. John what have you done????

By lovelyliz

September 5, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

Sarah Palin was picked as a way of assuring the evangelicals what the GOP ticket represents them just like the current residents of th White House and the southeast corner of 34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

Anybody who think the GOP VP candidate was selected to woo Hilary supporters is smoking some serious crack though, because Sarah Palin is about as anti-Hillary as one can get.

By newsflash

September 5, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

obama is “inexperienced” but has a law degree from harvard and was a professor of constitutional law. he was a community leader, and possibly most importantly he has led his own campaign, which succeeded in defeating a very entitled clinton campaign. even if he doesnt have “executive experience” he is an extremely intelligent person and has a pretty good idea of the job.

palin has a bachelors degree in journalism from the university of idaho (after transferring to six differant schools in five years). she was the mayor of a city half the size of tifton georgia. two weeks ago she couldnt even tell you what the vice president does. you are certainly free to like her as the VP choice, but trying to equate her level of experience to obama is absurd. Its equivalent to putting a middle school physics teacher in charge of the physcis department at MIT because they have more “teaching experience” than a person with a phd. you can tout her appeal to blue collar workers, as well as her appeal as a washington ‘outsider’, but to say she is better qualified than obama to be the president because of ‘executive experience’ is delusional. i realize shes the VP, but being that mccain is 72 years old and has had 4+ bouts with cancer, there is a very real possibility that she could end up as president, should mccain be elected.

bottom line, i think the president should be smarter than me. 5th from the bottom of the class at navy and drug along by your father/grandfathers accomplishments, and a journalism degree from idaho dont really give me the impression the repubs satisfy that.

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By TomG

September 5, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

McCain picked her for the same reasons Obama picked Biden

By GAexpat

September 5, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

Sorry, Clay, but you have it wrong. Leaders on the extreme right are not “pro-life”. You can’t be pro-life, pro-death penalty, pro-guns, and pro-war. Sadly, the pro-life/pro-choice debate was never about life. It was about making sure that the MEN in charge (like Dobson) get to tell women what to do. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t lots of true believers who sincerely do believe that it’s about life. But it’s not.

I’m also always amazed at the right wingers who on one side scream against their scary vision of Government health care, suddenly are quite content to let the government dictate a medical decision. When’s the last time you met a church minister or a congressman with an MD? They’re few and far between. And if Frist was an example, they’re not very good MDs at that.

Adding Palin to the mix makes this election - even more so than the last election - an absolute life-and-death struggle for the American way of life. By that, I mean the freedom for us to be who we are, not what a few religious leaders want us to be on our behalf.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

lovelyliz -

Anybody who think the GOP VP candidate was selected to woo Hilary supporters is smoking some serious crack though, because Sarah Palin is about as anti-Hillary as one can get.

well said.

By Dark Knight

September 5, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

It is quite interesting that a woman who no one knew one week ago is so praised by people who never met her before. The Repugs are really out of their minds. They don’t know this woman from a bump on a log, yet they talk about her like she’s a Bush or Reagan. Actually, she’s worse than both of them. The reason they chose her is because McPain was forced to do so by the Bush/Rovies running his campaign. They want this woman as a distraction, like Bush, so that the Big Oil/Money Barons can steal the ‘wealth’ of America as they have done for the last 8 years. They began using Reagan that way and the same thing has taken place ever since 1980. Don’t you think it is funny that they didn’t mention George Bush by name, only mentioned Bush 41 by his number and went straight to Reagan. Reagan begin the downward spiral of abuse by the Republicans with “TrickleDown” Reaganomics only there was never any trickle of truth, just tricks!!!

By lovelyliz

September 5, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

There are other much better qualified Republican women who could have been chosen:Kay Bailey Hutchison, Olympia Snowe, Sue Myrick come to mind. They are all more qualified and I bet you they have had passports for more than 2 years.

By Jay

September 5, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

With Obama on the ticket the lib/left and the media sat down and created a little box on the floor for the GOP. This Obama watch combined with the ten to one media bias was doing its job of draining the life out of the election and ensuring a cake walk for the first African American President. Sara Palin pulled a reversal on the lib/left and the media as they now reside in a little box on the floor complete with Sara watch. Sticking it to the rich elite talking head liberals and their disgusting left wing foot solders… was worth the price of admission never mind victory in November. Do on to others as they would do on to you. Amen

By newsflash

September 5, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

@ lk youre a community vounteer voting republican? did you see giuliani or palin’s speeches? they openly mocked obama’s service as a community leader as if its a total waste of time. it was sickeneing.

@clay palin is indeed pro-life, but also anti-choice. she tells everyone to respect her daughter’s choice, but wants to overturn roe v wade and take that choice away from other americans. im a liberal who is anti-abortion, but i am pro choice. i think that the number of abortions should be reduced through education and adoption, but i dont think it is the federal government’s position to tell a woman she must carry a baby to term, even in cases of rape (such as palin supports)

@ditto head - this was not a maverick decision by mccain. mccain’s first choices were lieberman and graham. who are both pro choice. palin was a substitute when the party threatened mutiny over a prochoice VP. if mccain cant stand up to his own party, how is he going to stand up to special interests and corporations as he claims?

By carlin

September 5, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Its not a mystery, McCain wants this gun toting mama “by his side” when he appoints the justices that will overturn Roe v. Wade. Palin has no real creditentials to be vp and will be a disaster in office. America does not need this type of polical game playing right now while our economy is in trouble and we are at war. John McCain should be ashamed.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

by the by …

in case anyone is playing the “are you better off than you were 8 years ago” game …

Unemployment rate in September 2000: 3.9%

Unemployment rate in September 2008: 6.1% (just released today)

Headline inflation rate in September 2000: 3.5%

Headline inflation rate in September 2008: 5.6%

Average hourly earnings growth in September 2000: 3.8% (higher than inflation)

Average wage increse in September 2008: 3.6% (2% BELOW the inflation rate)

and lastly

GDP in Q200: 4.8% year-on-year growth

GDP in Q208: 2.2% year-on-year growth

can we really AFFORD another 4 years of the GOP running the country???

By Franck

September 5, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

what is the primary reason Palin is on the ticket?

She is as redneck as most of the GOP. 50 percent of the country, if I remember correctly the 2000/2004 election ratios between GOP and DEM.

By Lyrazel

September 5, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Ok, I will give you the Edwards’ critiques—but a politician’s job is to run for political office and wasn’t Edwards just working? Is it being a public figure that confuses so many? How many husbands give up their jobs when wives get cancer—most do not. Unlike the masses of Americans the Edward’s family will never have problems with medical bills nor receiving proper medical care because of his political Senate job. No one ever said Edwards had little experience even if he was just a one-term senator. Will we see the Palin nutcracker like the Hillary?

By Joe

September 5, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

The idea isnt to woo left wing feminist supporters. The idea is to expose them for what they are. Power hungry narrow minded political hacks that care more about personal political preference than supporting real feminist issues. All you ladys should loook up feminist,integrity and hypocrite then go look in the mirror. The GOP wanted to stick a knife in your heart and remind you just how irrelevant you are in this day and age. Helping the special needs children is just the cherry on top. Who’s laughing now?

By mhe

September 5, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Gov. Palin was chosen because she is a woman and she has extreme right wing opinions - pro-life, pro-guns, no environment control. I am amazed that the party that calls itself the Teddy Roosevelt or Abe Lincoln party has the nerve to do that! Both of them are rolling over in their graves at the exclusive, you must agree with us on everything to be deserving of our attention, viscious party that is now the Republican Party. I was raised Republican and my dad is a Vetnam war veteran, but I can no longer support a party that wants to dictate to me how to run my life, yet does not care if corporations do whatever they want in the name of profit and dividends. It’s simple - they want those Hillary supporters. Too bad they didnt select someone that had even a tenth of her beliefs.

By Sue

September 5, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

You know how 60-something corporate CEOs marry women young enough to be their daughters thinking it will make them look younger when it actually makes them look silly. Well, the GOP thought Sarah would make McCain look younger when she actually makes both of them look silly.

By WhatEV

September 5, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

To address the question directly, I think “denice” said it best at 9:01. “REAL woman!” The Republicans and their followers have clear ideas about what a “REAL woman” is and is not, and what a “REAL woman” believes, and how a “REAL woman” behaves. The subversion of these ideas in recent decades has assaulted their sensibilities. Time to rectify the situation.

McCain knows that McGidget will do exactly what she’s told by her masters, and do it with enthusiasm, just like the lipstick-wearing pit bull she professes to be. She will show no mercy in attacking those she’s ordered to attack, and will submit fully when appropriate, while always presenting a comely, womanly appearance and a bright, cheerful smile. She needs no knowledge of foreign policy, even if McCain has a McStroke and she becomes President, because she will be directed by the puppetmasters as to which Saudi royal to bed, which nations to give the cold shoulder, and which to invade. Like Bush, it will be unnecessary for her to learn the names of foreign leaders; her teleprompter and speaking skills put Dubya’s to shame! This “REAL woman” has no need for elitist higher education and post-graduate degrees at uppity schools, or for experience beyond the small pond where she’s a big fish. She WILL BE a big fish in the big pond because they SAY SO. Period. (Politics is faith based after all.)

That McCain picked her after only meeting her once, and a half-a*******ed vetting job, passing over more qualified, more experienced Republican lawmakers and public servants, (including those with gasp! a va-jay-jay) tells us that we really over-thought the concept of working hard and getting ahead, and about what it means to be a leader. We women need to get over ourselves and ditch this irreverent idea of self-determination and governance of our own bodies. The masters choose. We follow.

Thank goodness, FINALLY, there’s a REAL woman on the ticket! (Thanks denice!)

By CommunistAJC

September 5, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

USinUK, I hate to bring you bad news BUT THE GOP HAS NOT RUN CONGRESS IN 2 YEARS! The democrat party has. Get your facts straight. We had a better economy under the GOP than we did with Clinton. Higher stock market! IT hit 14,000. Under Clinton it hit 9000. Jobless claims were at 6% under Clinton. Under W they were at 4% with GOP control. Democrats don’t know anything about economics because most democrats are lawyers chasing ambulances. See Bil Clinton, Hillary, Barack Hussien, John Edwards and so on and so on.

By Frank

September 5, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Palin knows how to make sweet. What else could a guy want?

By Mara

September 5, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

why was Palin brought into the campaign?

For the “narrative” (she’s a mom who eats mooseburgers!), her evangelical/christianist bona fides (Jews for Jesus, Rev. Ed Kalnins), and her popularity numbers (how many Republicans can claim they’re popular these days?).

Clay - she IS pro-choice…as long as that choice isn’t abortion. She tells us that it’s Bristol’s CHOICE to continue her pregnancy and yet, if she gets elected, you can bet that she’ll work to keep me and mine from having the same freedom Bristol has. If she has her way, there will only BE one choice, HER choice. And you have it totally wrong. Saying we’re “pro-abortion” makes about as much sense as saying we’re “pro-appendectomy” or “pro-tonsilectomy”. Rediculous. You might as well pull out your “Abortion = Murder” placard and start stalking the workers at the women’s clinic, because that’s the kind of person you present yourself as.

Hey lozen, Lyrazel! Long time no blog :^)

USinUK - Westmoreland, southern born and raised as he is, now claims that he didn’t know refering to a black person as “uppity” might possibly be construed as a slur. m’hmmmmmm. right.

Gale - “Partisanship in Congress is the real problem”

and yet the lines that got the loudest applause at the Republican convention were those which insulted, sneered at, or blamed everything on the “liberals” and their media. Republicans have no intention of muting the partisanship and uniting us in common goals. After all, as Rove proved to them, they don’t have to govern for ALL of America, just 50.1% of us.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Joe -

The idea is to expose them for what they are. Power hungry narrow minded political hacks that care more about personal political preference than supporting real feminist issues.

ah. I see. so we should abandon the beliefs we hold personally because she has a uterus. we should say “to hell with contraception, sex education, choice, equal pay - she’s a girl, so we’ll vote for her.”

sorry, but the issues are more important than what the candidates have in their pants.

By jay

September 5, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

She increased the side of government from less than 20000 employees in 2005 to 24000 employees in 2008. Thats a 20% increase in the size of government. Small government and family values- core principles of GOP, where are they now?

By Bird Watcher

September 5, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Dark Knight,

That is exactly what I was thinking. All the criticism of Obama being a “celebrity” is now all forgotten with Palin. No one knows who this lady is, yet she now has more popularity than McCain. This amazes me to no end. Palin is the new Obama - Go figure.

By Mara

September 5, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

First, please accept my apologies for the looong cut-and-paste. They won’t let us post links anymore so this is what it’s come down to…

ABOUT SARAH PALIN –

I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992. Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her father was my child’s favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the residents of the city.

She is enormously popular; in every way she’s like the most popular girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won’t vote for her can’t quit smiling when talking about her because she is a “babe”.

It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for seven months.

She is “pro-life”. She recently gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby. There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.

She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.

She is savvy. She doesn’t take positions; she just “puts things out there” and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.

Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin’s kind of job is highly sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything like that of native Alaskans.

Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.

She’s smart.

Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000 (at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about 670,000 residents.

During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall campaign.

Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a “fiscal conservative”. During her 6 years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they benefited residents.

The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren’t enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece of property that the City didn’t even have clear title to, that was still in litigation 7 yrs later—to the delight of the lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the community but a huge money pit, not the profit- generator she claimed it would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing. While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office redecorated more than once. These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.

As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state.

In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today’s surplus, borrow for needs.

She’s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren’t generated by her or her staff. Ideas weren’t evaluated on their merits, but on the basis of who proposed them.

While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin’s attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.

Sarah complained about the “old boy’s club” when she first ran for Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of “old boys”. Palin fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people, creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally grateful and fiercely loyal—loyal to the point of abusing their power to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the case of pressuring the State’s top cop.

As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla’s Police Chief because he “intimidated” her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska’s top cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every legal right to fire him, but it’s pretty clear that an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn’t fire her sister’s ex- husband, a State Trooper.

Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in- law. She tried to replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew her support.

She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn’t like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness. Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything publicly about her.

When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party) engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a gutsy fighter against the “old boys’ club” when she dramatically quit, exposing this man’s ethics violations (for which he was fined).

As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the “bridge to nowhere” after it became clear that it would be unwise not to.

As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative action restored most of these projects—which had been vetoed simply because she was not aware of their importance— but with the unobservant she had gained a reputation as “anti-pork”.

She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a fiscal conservative. Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They call her “Sarah Barracuda” because of her unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah’s mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her. As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package of legislation known as “AGIA” that forced the oil companies to march to the beat of her drum.

Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to global warming. She campaigned “as a private citizen” against a state initiative that would have either a) protected salmon streams from pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State’s lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior’s decision to list polar bears as threatened species.

McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a heartbeat away from being President. There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more knowledgeable and experienced than she. However, there’s a lot of people who have underestimated her and are regretting it.

Sincerely,

Sean-492003

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Communist -

USinUK, I hate to bring you bad news BUT THE GOP HAS NOT RUN CONGRESS IN 2 YEARS! The democrat party has. Get your facts straight. We had a better economy under the GOP than we did with Clinton. Higher stock market! IT hit 14,000. Under Clinton it hit 9000. Jobless claims were at 6% under Clinton. Under W they were at 4% with GOP control. Democrats don’t know anything about economics because most democrats are lawyers chasing ambulances. See Bil Clinton, Hillary, Barack Hussien, John Edwards and so on and so on.

aw. isn’t that cute? he can parrot talk radio!

first of all, Clinton inherited unemployment of over 7% from Papa Bush and brought it down to 3% during his tenure.

higher economy? this is our second recession during W’s administration … last 2-term president to have 2 recessions? UNCLE RONNIE!

heck, even Fox news said, “The economy has cranked out fewer jobs under President Bush — by millions — than it had by the same point in the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.” FOX NEWS.

Under Clinton, the S&P reached a high of 1436.51 - only slightly lower than W’s high of 1549.38. The Dow during Clinton hit a high of 11,497 - rising from an inherited low of 3271 when he entered office - while W’s Dow high was 13,895, hit in September 2007 and has fallen since.

Additionally, under Baby Bush, we’ve not only had the housing bubble, but the associated credit bubble, as well - both of which were the result of poor oversight by government. under Clinton, we had the dot-com fall-out which was not the fault of government.

honey, you do not want to go up against me on economic data. I have a Bloomberg terminal and I’m not afraid to use it.

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

I already weighed in my opinion on this sham.

Take care all.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Jokes -

but … but … but … you can’t leave … this is a target-rich environment!

:-)

By ByteMe

September 5, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

As I said earlier on another blog and no one has yet to dispute it: except for the religious fascists, the infatuation with Palin is the same as you’d see with any schoolboy who got the hot feisty chick to say “yes” on the first date. For the religious fascists, she’s one bad heartbeat away from us becoming a “Christian nation”. For everyone else, the infatuation will cool and then they’ll wonder if she’s really the right person they want going eyeball to eyeball with Russia, Venezuela, and a Democrat-controlled Congress where she’ll have few allies.

By Concerned

September 5, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

She’s been the mayor of a city of 5,000 people and a state of 680,000 (the size of Ft. Worth Texas). She has no foreign policy experience and only fought corruption to meet her political goals. In addition, she brings with her a scandal of trying to fire her brother in law and proof that abstinence only education doesn’t work with her teenage daugter.

She probably helped Obama with his “Hillary” problem. She’s so far right, none of those Hillary supporters will flock to her. They are smart enough to understand her position on issues.

By SaveOurRepublic

September 5, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

“Juan McAmnasty” selected Palin as a gimmick to offset (fellow Globalist shill) “Bacrock Obummer’s” diversity/PC factor. I assume the Manchurian Candidate also thought he’d garner some of the female swing vote with this transparent selection. While I praise her support of the 2nd Amendment, willingness to utilize ANWR and prior support of real conservative Pat Buchanan, I suggest Palin will fall in line with the Neocon’s Globalist agenda (with McAmnasty) if elected. Don’t be deceived, the DNC & GOP (save for patriots like Ron Paul) are two sides of the same coin folks. Please don’t be hoodwinked by the phoney “Left vs. Right” paradigm, which is just a ploy to deceive the populace into thinking the have a legitimate “choice” between two (controlled) candidates!

By Gale

September 5, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

I find it interesting how the topic heading has brought many new names into the discussion that was hot last week as a shopping choice.

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

but … but … but … you can’t leave … this is a target-rich environment!

One succinct phase:

She is a token: Female, Religious Right , pseudo maverick and pseudo reformist.

By Gale

September 5, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

She probably helped Obama with his “Hillary” problem. She’s so far right, none of those Hillary supporters will flock to her. They are smart enough to understand her position on issues.

Makes you wonder if McCain wants Obama to win. How many votes are there in the Christian right that the party is willing to take this risk. I always thought they were just a loud minority.

By Toni T

September 5, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Politicians’ personal lives are their personal lives, yes. Politicians, by the nature of their task, MUST serve as role models for our children, our country, and, owing to our international place, to our world.
Sarah Palin proudly went back to her high-profile work two days as the Governor of Alaska after giving birth. Supermom? We—moms and dads alike — have fought for years to get INCREASED maternity leave to be able to bond with our babies AND keep our jobs. It’s Palin’s choice to leave a two day old special needs baby and pursue work goals. I cried when I went back to work after 10 weeks home and returned to a career I love. Will Palin support other moms who want to stay home longer and keep their jobs? Or has Palin set back the course of liberation for women, babies—and men— back to the ice age?
Yes, it’s Palin’s personal life, but is she going to see the need to provide sex education for teenagers who do not have the same supportive, religious, abstinence-only environment that she has provided for her children, who, whoops—it’s her personal life, but the 17 year old is pregnant.
And yes, it’s her personal life. But I get to choose if I want her to be my role model for the world, and if I want her to represent my country. Is she the role model I hold up to my sons and daughters?
Would you vote for her to head up your PTA? Not MY PTA. Not my country. Not my world.

By Kishia

September 5, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Nice rebuttal Shaunti, except you missed the opportunity to refute a few key elements brought up by the commentator:

1) SHE STILL LACKS ANY FOREIGN POLICY EXPERIENCE! Unless of course you chose to close your mind to this fact as most of your other blind counterparts. Vladamir Putin is prepared to lead the world into a 3rd world war & if the nation loses it’s mind & elects GI Joe (who is only 8 years shy of 80) and he dies, then GI Jane is up! Russia will have a field day with her! Lord help us!

2)Are you able to refute her support of pork-barrel spending or have you chosen to dismiss the facts one again because they don’t play up in your favor? I’d like to hear you offer up a position in support of her guilt here.

3)How prepared is your “Golden Girl” to lead our nation when she can’t even manage the affairs of her own home? Afterall, her 17 yr old un-wed daughter, who is preparing to have a shot gun wedding, doesn’t exactly play with dolls anymore. And Mr. Mom clearly was asleep at the wheel. I’m a Pro Life African American female & I applaud her efforts to bring life into this world- no matter how premature. But let’s be real, pre-marrital sex is as much a sin as abortion. So which sin is she guilty of? Or which sin carries more weight?

4) Finally, if you think being Mayor of a town with a population of 10k qualifies one to run our country, even as a VP, then maybe you should live in Atlanta. Our Mayor manages a budget nearly twice the size of Wasilla, (sp?) since no one knows where it is, & our population far exceeds 10k. How naive of you! Of course the state of affairs could be worse- YOU COULD BE RUNNNING FOR VP! How absolutely insane!

Do me a favor, provide a rebuttal based on the facts, and actually refute the claims of your opponent/commentator- unless of course you can’t because they are true! Debate 101.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Jokes -

She is a token: Female, Religious Right , pseudo maverick and pseudo reformist.

you know that … and I know that (and Mara and Gale and a few others here) … but it’s just so. much. fun. to watch the other chuckleheads come in here and tell us that the Dems are afraid (SKEEERD! I tell you) that she’s on the ticket.

stuff like this always brings out the lightweights … fun for your Friday!

By Dear Governor Sarah Palin

September 5, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Dear Governor Sarah Palin: Many Americans agree with your position regarding abortion — they do this as a matter of faith, ethics, personal experience and sometimes politics. I am just wondering though, if you have thought about what would happen if you succeeded in getting your position — that fetuses have a right to life — established as the law of the land? Did you know that it not only threatens the lives, health and freedom of women who might want or need someday to end their pregnancies, it would also give the government the power to control the lives of women — like you who — go to term? Your last pregnancy, the one that has become the topic of widespread discussion and speculation provides an important opportunity to demonstrate how this could be true. According to press reports your water broke while you were giving a keynote speech in Texas at the Republican Governors’ Energy Conference. You did not immediately go to the hospital — instead you gave your speech and then waited at least 11 hours to get to a hospital. You evaluated the risks, made a choice, and were able to carry on your life without state interference. Texas Governor Rick Perry worried about your pregnancy but didn’t stop you from speaking or take you into custody to protect the rights of the fetus. After Ayesha Madyun’s water broke, she went to the hospital where she hoped and planned to have a vaginal birth. When she didn’t give birth in a time-frame comfortable to her doctors, they argued that she should have a C-section. The doctors asserted that the fetus faced a 50-75 percent chance of infection if not delivered surgically. (Risks of infection are believed by some health care providers to increase with each hour after a woman’s water has broken and she hasn’t delivered). The court, believing like you that fetuses have a right to life, said, “[a]ll that stood between the Madyun fetus and its independent existence, separate from its mother, was put simply, a doctor’s scalpel.” With that, the court granted the order and the scalpel sliced through Ms. Madyun’s flesh, the muscles of her abdominal wall, and her uterus. The core principle justifying an end to legal abortion in the U.S. provided the same grounds used to deprive this pregnant and laboring woman of her rights to due process, bodily integrity, and physical liberty. When the procedure was done, there was no evidence of infection. According to the press reports, instead of going straight to a hospital you chose to get on a long airplane flight back to Alaska. When Pamela Rae Stewart, allegedly, didn’t get to the hospital quickly enough on the day of her delivery, she was arrested in California on the theory that she had violated the rights of her fetus. When Laura Pemberton chose to give birth at home in Florida, a Sheriff came to her house. Doctors believed that she was posing a risk to the life of her unborn child by having a vaginal birth after having had a previous c-section and were in the process of getting a court order to force her to have a c-section. The sheriff took her into custody during active labor, strapped her legs together and forced her to go to a hospital where an emergency hearing was taking place to determine the rights of her fetus. She was “allowed” to represent herself. A lawyer was appointed for the fetus. This woman, who vehemently opposes abortion, nevertheless believed in her right to evaluate medical risks and benefits to herself and her unborn child. She was forced to have the unnecessary surgery and when she later sued for violations of her civil rights, was told fetal rights outweighed hers. You chose to continue working throughout your pregnancy — even during your labor. Until 1991 women who worked in high paying blue color jobs that provided health benefits were being fired based on “fetal rights” policies that claimed if the woman became pregnant she would expose the unborn child to workplace health risks. Eventually, the Supreme Court said employers covered by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (the PDA) could not do this. But, millions of American women work part time or for small employers who are not covered by the PDA. If your political position on abortion is accepted — all of these women could be forced to give up their jobs because an employer, family member, or state agent believed it necessary to ensure the health and rights of their unborn child. Governor Palin, you have led an extraordinary life, balancing work and family, public service and private family obligations. We hope you know though that your freedom relies on exactly the same legal principals that guarantee that American women can choose to have an abortion when they need and want one. Sixty one percent of women who have abortions are already mothers. Eighty-four percent of these will be mothers by the time they are in their forties. As a proud mother of five beautiful children, we hope you will recognize that the issue isn’t abortion — it is ensuring the lives, dignity and freedom of all pregnant women and their families. Lynn Paltrow Executive Director National Advocates for Pregnant Women

By DC

September 5, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Democrats are quick to challenge the theory that Palin can pick up votes from Hillary supporters. But consider the strategy. People who are determined to vote for a woman are not picking from a long list of options. McCain will be too old for a second term, assuming he survives the first. That leaves Hillary to run against Palin in 2012 — which GUARANTEES a female president. But if Obama wins, the next chance for Hillary is in 2016. That campaign could be meaningless for Hillary if any of the following take place: (1) Obama has GWB-style approval ratings, (2) Obama loses in 2012 which means Palin is running as a sitting President, (3) The Democrats promote someone ahead of Hillary, just as they did in 2008 (is anyone going to remember her 8 years from now?). Hillary is effectively out of politics if Obama wins. But if he loses, she is right on track for her best possible matchup (vs. Palin) in 2012. For the Republicans, choosing Palin is almost as as good as convincing Hillary and Michael Moore to run on an independent ticket.

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

USinUK,

Off topic:

Did you see the youtube video that has been getting a lot of hits regarding the reunion with the lion released back into the wild from 1966ish?

It is pretty darn cool. Check it out if you haven’t.

By anti Repub

September 5, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Sarah Palin is not a woman’s choice. I’m really glad people are stepping up and speaking out against Palin. She’ll rip apart our rights as females. It was especially disturbing to watch Bible-based Republicans cheer as she smiled while delivering her tacky jabs. So much for good Christian values. How did that abstinence only program work for ya Palin? If she represents her party’s leadership, no wonder this country is in such a mess. After 8 years of Bush-Cheney-Rove-Rumsfeld, the last thing America needs is more aggression. Democrats, progressives, women, Americans–we have to take back the future; there is simply too much at stake. Voting for a Republican puts freedom on the line for all women. Keep all bibles off women’s bodies.

By PZO

September 5, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

I have named the entire Palin charade as “The Palin Ploy”, lets play hide and seek for the next 60 days.

I am not going to say Palin is not experienced enough to run, but let her run.. Would she have gotten this if she had at all been in the national spotlight, or what if Tom Ridge had been completely Pro-life.. Or even if he were a woman….

BTW, Barack Obama has been running for President for about 75% of her gubernatorial term… Learning the true values of all America

He has been vetted to the point of absolutes.. You either love him or hate him, your choice… But her admonishment of his past, and his experience in the political trenches helping those born into poverty, and those let go because of losing jobs.. She should really be ashamed of her speech..

Honestly, If I were a woman, I would be extremely demoralized in this pick, and because of the past 8 years, and white conservative America literally ENABLING the GWB fiasco, I think its going to backfire. Obama’s now 7 point lead will jump to 10 within a week, and 12 with two weeks.

Conservatively, can you even empathize with her, and why would anyone put anyone with empathy concerns in the white house.. We empathized with ‘W’, he is not an idiot, he just doesn’t read the teleprompter well.. Well, both conservatives and liberals now know, yes, he was then and continues to be an idiot…

Conservatives.. Are you even from this planet?

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Jokes -

Did you see the youtube video that has been getting a lot of hits regarding the reunion with the lion released back into the wild from 1966ish?

oh, gawd … is it going to make me cry?? thanks for the tip - I usually save all my youtubing for the weekend - will definitely look that up!

By maurice

September 5, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Was,nt jesus christ a community organizer conservatives are bigoted hipocrits that will do anything to keep power . this country can be going straight to hell and you all just want to drive the car.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

hey - quick question for the group …

UK media have been pronouncing her name PAY-lin (like Michael Palin) - is that correct? or is it PAH-lin?

just wonderin’

By Mara

September 5, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

anyone looking for the video might use as keywords “Christian the lion”.

and yes, if it doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, you got no heart.

Thanks, Jokes.

By onefreeman

September 5, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Question: Is Gov. Palin qualified to be VP.

Answer: Barack Obama was a community organizer and he went to Rev. Wright Church.

Question: How much foreign relations experience does the governor have?

Answer: Barack Obama has never been a Governor or owned a business.

Question: Is Sarah Palin ready to lead on day one?

Answer: Rev. Wright said he hates America and Barack listened to the sermon.

By CommunistAJC

September 5, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

USinUK, Awww. A patronizing liberal. How stupid. Recession? Do you know what a recession is? A recession is an extended decline in general business activity, typically two consecutive quarters of falling real gross national product. Sorry buddy, but we are not in a recession. We have not had 2 bad quarters since Bush has been in office. Now, when the democrat party took over in 06, things have gone down hill ever since. Remember, my partisan hack friend, the democrat congress has a 9% approval rating. Lower than any in American history. Then again, you do live in the UK, right?

By Mara

September 5, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

According to Nicole Wallace of the McCain campaign, the American people don’t care whether Sarah Palin can answer specific questions about foreign and domestic policy. According to Wallace — in an appearance I did with her this morning on Joe Scarborough’s show — the American people will learn all they need to know (and all they deserve to know) from Palin’s scripted speeches and choreographed appearances on the campaign trail and in campaign ads. - Jay Carney, Time Magazine

check out the video from Scarborough’s show - keywords “Scarborough”, “Nicole Wallace”, “Jay Carney”

another little nugget of intrique, the business partner Palin is alleged to have had an affair with has filed an emergency request to seal his divorce records. It was denied. I’m now officially curious on what yesterday I considered to be a salacious, unfounded rumor…

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Mara -

It was denied. I’m now officially curious on what yesterday I considered to be a salacious, unfounded rumor…

say what you want about the National Enquirer, but those people know extramarital affairs

(and I just love how the GOP had no problem with the tabloid when it was John Edward’s affair and Bill Clinton’s affair … but now that it’s one of their own, they’re clutching their pearls that anyone would give credence to it)

By Mara

September 5, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

how amusing. CommieAJC lecturing USinUK on economics, using almost verbatim, the arguments our own resident name-changer typically uses.

TOJ, is that you? LOL!!

By WhatEV

September 5, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

“…the democrat congress has a 9% approval rating. Lower than any in American history.”

Right-wing hack, why do YOU think that is? I think it’s because the Democrats in Congress have failed to do what they promised: to UN-DO the results of 12 disastrous years of Republican control! They have capitulated on too many issues to list, effectively castrating the voters’ mandate for change. The fact that they continue to ignore Kucinich’s articles of impeachment earn them MY lowest rating of all time. Instead, Pelosi (whom the right wingers claim to despise) has been the bestest buddy our Criminal-in-Chief could have asked for. Last time I checked, our troops are still occupying Iraq at great expense (with interest) to the American taxpayers, our debt is still spiraling out of control, soldiers are stretched thin in Afghanistan, Bin Laden is still free, and oh yes, the Russians are flexing their big muscle, about to kick sand in some more faces, and our come-to-the-rescue machine is a few quarts low at the moment.

So tell me, Mister CommieAJC guy, how do YOU like this Congress?

By hotlanta

September 5, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

McShame played the disbility card. Played the hockey mom card, Played the gender card. Played the married with children card when he pick Plain I mean Palin. I wonder would he have chosen her if she was a SINLGE woman with no kids or if all her kids were healthy. He picked her for her uterus and not her brains. McShame sent the women’s movement back 50 years on this one.

By hotlanta

September 5, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

McShame played the disbility card. Played the hockey mom card, Played the gender card. Played the married with children card when he pick Plain I mean Palin. I wonder would he have chosen her if she was a SINLGE woman with no kids or if all her kids were healthy. He picked her for her uterus and not her brains. McShame sent the women’s movement back 50 years on this one.

By Bill

September 5, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I would never have clicked on this link if I had known what it leads to. I could care less what these two women think about anything.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Communist -

A patronizing liberal. How stupid. Recession? Do you know what a recession is? A recession is an extended decline in general business activity, typically two consecutive quarters of falling real gross national product. Sorry buddy, but we are not in a recession. We have not had 2 bad quarters since Bush has been in office. Now, when the democrat party took over in 06, things have gone down hill ever since. Remember, my partisan hack friend, the democrat congress has a 9% approval rating. Lower than any in American history. Then again, you do live in the UK, right?

an ignorant Republican. how redundant.

most economists don’t use the 2-quarters-of-negative-growth definition - they look at overall economic performance. The National Bureau of Economic Research definition is the Gold Standard these days and they define it as “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales”

and, just to save you the trouble of looking up the data for the last few months … it’s been bad. Really bad.

But, if you want to stick with the 2 consecutive quarters definition … in July Q407 was revised downward into negative growth (oh, and every other quarter for the last 3 years was also revised downward, as well). Q1 growth wasn’t particularly strong (only 0.9%), so … tell me … which way do YOU see the wind blowing, my friend?

you want to pin all this on the Dems??? oh, dear - desperation is such an ugly thing …

the downturn has been caused by the housing bubble - which started and grew LONG before the Dems took office (take a few minutes and read about the sub-prime mess … again - started LONG before the Dems took office). The housing bubble has led to the credit bubble - brought about by a complete lack of oversight on Wall Street’s peddling of derivatives - specifically, rolling up and packaging crap mortgages.

I’d explain further, but I fear it’d just confuse you. you just keep listening to Boortz unquestioningly and leave the economics to the grown-ups who know what’s going on.

as for the approval rating? Dems are p’d off at the Dems in office FOR NOT DOING MORE TO END THE WAR AND IMPEACH THE ABOMINATION SITTING IN THE WHITE HOUSE - so, since I’ll bet math isn’t your strong suit, either, I’ll explain it to you - GOP unhappy with Dems + Dems unhappy with Dems = low approval rating. That doesn’t mean that they’re unhappy for the same reasons - just that they’re both unhappy - and it sure as hell doesn’t mean that the Dems are going to turn around and vote GOP.

By gwinnett mom

September 5, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Clay- I am pro choice AND anti abortion. You forget that abortions have always happened, and they always will. I believe they should remain safe and legal. But I wish that no one ever had to have one. Palin is “proud” of her daughter to choosing th keep her baby. But she will do everything in her power to make sure my daughters don’t have that same choice. I wonder how this Palin grandchild will obtain health insurance? I guess they are rich enough to go purchase coverage on the open market.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Mara -

how amusing. CommieAJC lecturing USinUK on economics, using almost verbatim, the arguments our own resident name-changer typically uses.

nah - even Truth/TOJ has more coherent arguments than this guy … (and that’s saying something)

this guy is a Boortz-head …

okay … heading home … will check in later

By aaron

September 5, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Palin is a dominionist with ties to “Bible Believing” AOG affiliated churches. She believes that America is a “Christian Nation” and that we should be governed under Christian DOCTRINE. The dominionist are ANTI-DEMOCRATIC - they DO NOT believe in democracy - .

Palin and her husband are also tied to the Alaska Independence party, whose founder stated quite emphatically his HATRED for America, yet there is NO condemnation from you RIGHT wingers (though there was plenty for Jeremiah Wright - Hypocrites).

Palin and her ilk have been stealthy (and even quite blatantly) working for years to gain key government and military positions to take over our governmnet with the goal of turning the U.S. into a theocracy.

Check out the “government” section on theoracywatch: www dot theocracywatch dot org and you will understand just how far the Bush administration has moved the U.S. in that direction - Palin is a “true beleiver” who will complete the take over of our government by the fanatic religious right.

By Get Real

September 5, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

“part-time state senator …. ” Thats funny, I didn’t know Illinois had part-time state senators. He was actually my state senator on the southside of Chicago (Hyde Park) during the time I lived there from ‘00-‘04. I don’t believe he was part-time as you say, and I feel my opinion actually carries more weight being that, well, I was there. When the General Assembly wasn’t in session, you could find him available and accessible in his office. While you’re just reiterating RNC talking points, I happen to know that he was out in the community listening to the people. Thats what politics is, ‘expressing the will of the state.’ Think I’m lying look at any book regarding public administration. So I think he will govern in the same manner. Review all the votes the votes he made, and all the legislation he put forth. Yes, even the present votes, which Republicans in Illinois also used. It’s an option in Illinois, so get over it, members of both parties used it.

It’s easy to belittle someone, and then try to expound on your candidate who was mayor of a town the population of Lenox Mall on saturday. I don’t think a woman should be anymore scrutinized for a position in office just because she’s a parent. But examine her views. Pro-life, I honestly don’t know her positions on contraception, she WAS for the Bridge to Nowhere and took the money for it, the Alaska Independence Party (since people want to keep bringing up Wright), and the fact that she just got her passport last year while Republicans at the same time say how dangerous of a world we live in. Kind hypocritical if you ask me about that. I’d rather if both of you would present only the FACTS and allow the votes to make an informed decision based on reality, and not on your salacious opinions. The majority of this country does want change, and for McCain and the republicans to say they’re the party of change and can bring reform to their own failures of the last 8 years is utterly laughable.

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

but it’s just so. much. fun. to watch the other chuckleheads come in here and tell us that the Dems are afraid (SKEEERD! I tell you) that she’s on the ticket.

To be honest, USinUK, I personally find the very visceral reaction to Palin’s nomination by the left-wingers to be an indication that McCain likely made a good choice for a running mate. I don’t know all the details of her life and political career, but she appears to have been successful in meeting every challenge she has faced so far.

I came back on board today to answer two points that were raised yesterday after I left:

(1) More than one poster brought up the fact that Palin has no experience on the federal level. Apparently it didn’t occur to those posters that Bill Clinton had no experience on the federal level either prior to being elected president. One more Democratic double-standard, I guess.

(2) Per the IRS study that I referenced: I don’t have a link, but Herman Cain has mentioned the study on his radio talk show on WSB 750 AM several times this week. The gist of the report is that over a ten year period, most of which under Bush, the bottom 1/5th of the wage earners in this country have seen a 91% increase in wages, while the top 1/5th of the wage earners have seen a 26% decline in wages. I brought the study up to once again point out that the perception of the rich getting richer while the poor are getting poorer simply isn’t factually true. From my perspective, the media has gone out of its way the past eight years to paint a doom-and-gloom picture which isn’t supported by fact. In my lifetime, the worst economy occurred under the since-nominated-for-sainthood-by-the left Jimmy Carter.

By MARCEL MARCEAU

September 5, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

, . ? ! , , !!!

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Additionally, under Baby Bush, we’ve not only had the housing bubble, but the associated credit bubble, as well - both of which were the result of poor oversight by government. under Clinton, we had the dot-com fall-out which was not the fault of government.

Quick question for you, USinUK—How and why is it the government’s fault that a lot of stupid people bought homes they knew they couldn’t really afford? Ditto for the greedy “house flippers” who thought the run of quick profits would never come crashing to a halt. If you recall, I’ve been sounding the alarm bells here on W2W for more than a year concerning the credit bubble which has now burst. FYI, my house payment is around $750.

BTW, what’s with all the name-calling and hyperboe recently? I’d hate to see your credibility as a political commentator sink as low as WhatEV’s.

By Get it STRAIGHT, genius

September 5, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

hey there, USinUK:

nice facts and figures, but you might want to check your interpretation of them again. Yeah, the economy is tanking right now, but remember, you elected a Democratically controlled Congress to help run this country into the ground!

Nancy Pelosi and her cronies are doing a great job of screwing things up royally, and blamint it all on Bush!

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

The thing I hate so much about elections is the way that they end up pitting neighbor against neighbor. From my POV, the only real impact the folks in Washington have in my life is when they either raise or lower taxes. Which is why I could never in a million years vote for Obama, whtever his other redeeming qualities may be. His plan to double the capital gains tax sounds like a one-way ticket to REAL economic doom for this country. How about cutting spending for a change??

By THINK FOR YOURSELF!

September 5, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES: #1 Fiscal and social differences between Conservatives and Liberals:

Conservatives believe in lowering taxes for all tax payers. Obviously, those who pay higher taxes will get the biggest break with an even percentage. Example, Mr. Smith makes $100,000.00 a year and his taxes are cut by $2500.00 while Mr. Jones makes $50,000.00 a year are cut by $1,250.00 The percentage is the same. The one who earns more gets more back. Common sense. Mr. Gray, meanwhile, paid no taxes because his income was too small. No tax cut will help him because he isn’t entitled to one.

Liberals want to increase taxes on those with higher incomes and give it to those with smaller incomes. They hope to tax the population into prosperity.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES: #2 Conservatives want a smaller, less intrusive government. Allow people to do what they want as long as it’s within the law.

Liberals want more control over the people. They want to limit as many rights as possible and keep control over all sorts of behavior. Example, cigarettes are still legal, but the liberal “smoking police” try to prevent smokers from even lighting up outdoors. Now the “food police” are going to tell people what they can and can’t eat?

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES: #4 Welfare is another sore subject, every election year. Conservatives believe in helping people get on their feet. If a single parent or family is in financial trouble beyond their ability to manage, Welfare is a good safety net. It was never intended to be a permanent lifestyle! I personally know several families who have been on Welfare for generations. It never occurs to them to get an education or even find a job at McDonalds. Welfare has become a self-perpetuating social quicksand that is becoming a fiscal disaster for all of us. Conservatives forced Bill Clinton into his small attempts at repairing the Welfare system. It helped a little, but it wasn’t enough. The old saying about giving a man a fish and you’ll feed him for life sounds just like Welfare, doesn’t it? Conservatives want to teach the man to catch his own fish so he can feed himself. With new technologies popping up nearly every day, there should be no shortage of jobs for people willing to learn and work for a living.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES: #5 The differences between Conservatives and Liberals touch every aspect of American life. How about health care? Hillary Clinton wanted to turn one third of the nation’s economy over to a health care system that would have been a nightmare. The liberal approach is to raise taxes and set up a new bureaucracy to choose who gets care and who doesn’t. Canada tried that, by the way. Maybe that’s why so many Canadians come to the US for treatment? On the other hand, Canadian (and Mexican) drugs are very popular because of the prices. Conservatives believe that making health care available and affordable for everyone should be the business of voters and legislators. Frivolous malpractice suits are part of the rising cost of medical care. Limit them, and it’s a start. Private insurers should be held accountable for failing to cover what they are supposed to and raising their rates unreasonably. Conservatives backed a bill in the senate awhile back that would allow small businesses, such as funeral homes, to insure their employees under the umbrella of the Funeral Directors Guild and provide coverage for the same price as Guild members. Unfortunately, the Democrats fought it down. Who’s in favor of cheaper health care?

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES: #6 Race relations are very popular in election years. Liberals love to race-bait at every opportunity. They talk about the poor, down-trodden blacks and how the Republicans are keeping them down. Let’s examine this, shall we? Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, freed the slaves. Republicans have fought for civil rights against Democrats and ultimately won. Democrats taunt and insult Conservative black people like J.C.Watts, Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice and others for being “Uncle Toms”. The aforementioned people have earned their positions by virtue of their dedication to their country and their abilities. They aren’t tokens, and they aren’t sell outs. Hear that, Minister Farakhan, Jesse Jackson and Maxine Waters? Black people, white people, brown people, red people all have the same opportunities, in spite of the liberal rhetoric. Judging a race by the worst of its members is a mistake. Assuming that people “of color” need special treatment because they aren’t smart enough to get through school or get a job is insane. It’s the lowest form of pandering to make people believe they’re somehow inferior for political gain. But it must work, at least up to a point. Lots of blacks are Democrats.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES: #7 The War on Terror is also a big issue. After 9-11, we had to do something to insure that it couldn’t happen again. Kissing terrorist butts hadn’t worked before and it wouldn’t work again. When the United States decided to wage a war against terrorists, wherever they might be, we were (at least briefly) united in intentions. Democrats and Republicans had the same information the President had and they resoundingly agreed to go to war. It was only later, when politics reared it’s ugly head, that Democrats decided to pretend the war was forced upon them. Instead of fighting an evil that threatens to consume the entire free world, the liberal pacifists want to blame America for the war. If they can’t blame Pres. Bush for starting it, they try to say that somehow we either caused it or are making it worse by fighting back. Apparently they think it will get them back into the White House in ’08. For the sake of America, I hope it doesn’t work.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES:#8 Abortion is always a “hot button” issue. Liberals have no problem with killing unborn children. They want to spare convicted murderers, terrorists, and enemy combatants, citing that killing is wrong while being in favor of the wholesale slaughter of pre-born children and brain damaged people (euthanasia). Conservatives believe that life is sacred and has a right to continue unless it threatens others. Those who kill should have consequences to face. Those who attack the innocent should be held accountable. Those who have done no wrong must be protected.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES: #3 Education is always a hot topic. Democrats were in charge of education for more than 40 years, complaining during every election about the need for more funding. They got more funding every year, compliments of the tax payers. Education in this country is in a sorry state these days. Pouring money on a school doesn’t improve anything but a few bank accounts.

By Locke

September 5, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Last week it was “who’s Sarah?” In two months it will be “who’s Hillary?”

By Lyrazel

September 5, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

waves to Mara HAPPY FRIDAY So since its Friday and to keep on topic here are some jokes:

“She does know about international relations because she is right up there in Alaska, right next door to Russia.” –FOX News Channel’s Steve Doocy, gushing over Palin’s qualifications, to which Jon Stewart quipped, “When you think about it, Alaska is also near the North Pole, so she must also be friends with Santa.”

You know, Sarah Palin, John McCain selected her to be the vice presidential running mate on the Republican ticket, and she’s also the governor of Alaska, and outdoors, like the outdoors, likes assault rifles, has a collection of rifles, likes to shoot assault rifles. I’ll say this for her daughter’s boyfriend: the kid’s got guts.

Barack Obama is now denying that he is email pals with the beautiful actress, Scarlett Johansson. Remember that story? They were saying that Scarlett Johansson and Barack Obama were emailing each other. He says no, it’s not true. In fact his exact words were ‘I did not have textual relations with that woman.’

Italy is designing clothing based on how Barack Obama dresses, well, yes, that will connect him with the angry working-class voters. John McCain has also inspired a new line of clothing, if you want some of the John McCain stuff, it’s being sold at the Very Old Navy.

By the way, here’s good news, ladies and gentlemen: the Palin family crisis that we were talking about on Sunday and Monday, that has been solved now, and, today, the baby is being adopted by Angelina Jolie.

By Tray

September 5, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Pro-life and Pro-choice are only an issue every 4 years, after an election, 80% of the public could care less about it. Palin is a great choice. Oh, but let’s dog her and say she can’t be a good mom and VP at the same time…Doesn’t Obama have 2 kids roughly the same age…I guess he couldn’t be president and a good dad then, too, huh?

Oh, and while she oversees the 5.5 billion industry, let’s put that aside for a minute and talk about other experiences. Does Palin have foreign experience, NO. Does Obama, NO! I’m sorry, but the job of president doesn’t need ‘on the job training,’ especially for someone who thinks there are 48 states, and that the Joint Chiefs of Staff actually makes decisions. So in that argument, Palin is just as experienced as Obama, and she’s VP, not a presidential pick.

Another point-oh, she was tied to a group that wants to succeed from the Union. Ohhhh, who cares, that’s a FREEDOM states have if they want to make that choice! Obama is tied to CONVICTED FELON Tony Rezko-they were neighbors who bought their houses together on the same day and had many behind the scenes dealings.

Currently, Obama’s campaign is tied to funding by terrorists, i think that’s much worse than succeeding from the union.

how about the below:

Obama voted to deny medical care to babies born alive after abortion — a bill too extreme even for Nancy Pelosi!

Obama’s wife Michele’s salary nearly tripled in 2005 — the same year he was sworn in to the U.S. Senate and began earmarking funds for her employer! (COINCIDENCE, I THINK NOT)

Obama opposes school choice through vouchers or tax credits — while sending his own children to an elite private school

Obama won his first election (to the Illinois State Senate) by having his lawyers knock all his opponents —including the black, female incumbent — off the ballot on technicalities, so he could run unopposed

ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE FACTS PEOPLE, AND I SWEAR MY LIFE TO IT! Think not, why not lose that ‘democrat mindframe’ and look it up yourself instead of being lead blindly by your Messiah!

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

If you want to get it straight, you would say it straight:

Almost 15years of a Repub controlled congress with majority, versus a democrat controlled congress for the last 2 years without ever having a majority. Big difference there that you are omitting.

By geekboy

September 5, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

I hate to burst your bubble Shaunti, but Microsoft reports as much revenue in a month as the state of Alaska does in a whole year! Nice try though.

It makes me wonder if you know what you are talking about.

By Common Sense

September 5, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU BRUNO!!! Common sense finally!

“The thing I hate so much about elections is the way that they end up pitting neighbor against neighbor. From my POV, the only real impact the folks in Washington have in my life is when they either raise or lower taxes. Which is why I could never in a million years vote for Obama, whtever his other redeeming qualities may be. His plan to double the capital gains tax sounds like a one-way ticket to REAL economic doom for this country. How about cutting spending for a change??

Listen up folks!

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

I did not have textual relations with that woman.’

Good stuff, Lyrazel!!! Though USinUK has made a lot of inroads as the new “Queen of W2W”, you will always be the “Mother Superior”. Hope everything is going well for you and your man-friend.

I can’t wait for this election to be over so that all the hateful talk will subside. What happend to all the love?

By Frank

September 5, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Big difference there that you are omitting.

don’t forget all the bills Bush has VETOED from the alleged Democratic Congress.

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

If you want to get it straight, you would say it straight

Once again, JokesOn, I’m on your side in your ongoing battles with Truth/TOJ.

C’mon, Truth, be a man and post under your own name.

By Another Question

September 5, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

You didn’t go far enough: Why is the government spending tax money on bailing out corporations (instead of roads, bridges, and energy initiatives) that fail because they didn’t implement common sense policies to NOT lend make home loans that stupid people clearly could not afford? Why no, “We won’t lend you $300K, but we will lend you $70K if you can find a house for that,” from the lenders? Personal responsibility is great. Why aren’t corporations held to the same standard? Oh yes, they own our representatives.

By Gale

September 5, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Amusing comment from a SF board: “The angry left says bad things about bad people on blogs and on the internet. The angry right drops bombs on bad people and sends them to secret prisons. Everybody deals with anger differently, I guess”

We have a lot of angry people here today.

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Listen up folks!

Gee, thanks, Common Sense! (blushing)

I’m speaking from my own experience of losing clients and damaging personal relationships by getting too worked up about things that don’t really matter in the long run. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again now: The wisest thing that any of us can do is to focus our efforts on making our own lives and those that we love better. Are you listening, WhatEV?

By Mara

September 5, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

LOL!! Seems like the GOP is having a tough time finding musicians willing to lend their music to the campaign, so now they’ve resorted to simply using the songs without permission. They’ve been forced to cease their use of songs by ABBA, John Hall, Jackson Brown, Frankie Valli, John Mellancamp, Chuck Berry, and others. Now they’ve pirated “Barracuda” for Sarah Palin.

Not surprisngly, Ann and Nancy Wilson (aka Heart) have sent them a cease and desist letter, saying “The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission.” The statement goes on: “We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored.”

Maybe he should give John Ashcroft a jingle and ask to use “Let the Eagle Soar” — ROTFLMAO!

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Once again, JokesOn, I’m on your side in your ongoing battles with Truth/TOJ.

Thanks, but do not be absolute about it. Call me out when I am (factually) wrong.

(although I think you would and know this)

I can’t wait for this election to be over so that all the hateful talk will subside. What happend to all the love?

You think that will happen? There is such a binary divide now that I cannot see it. The GOP has solidified that it is the party of god. That is a barrier that will be very hard to tear down.

By Tray

September 5, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

A vote for Obama is a vote to help destroy this great nation. All the problems happening now started 4 years ago when democrats took over…Unemplyment high-because the democratic move to raise minimum wage!

Housing crisis-Democratic move for banks to give loans to people who flat out couldn’t afford them.

Giving to the poor doesn’t fix problems, it causes the poor to sit around and ask for more!

Think about this-can you walk into your CEO’s office and say ‘give me a hundred bucks because your rich and your money belongs to me!”?

That’s Obama’s Robin Hood plan-and remember people, Robin Hood was actually a criminal by definition. Even thoughwhat he did was nice, it is still wrong!

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

You didn’t go far enough: Why is the government spending tax money on bailing out corporations (instead of roads, bridges, and energy initiatives) that fail because they didn’t implement common sense policies to NOT lend make home loans that stupid people clearly could not afford? Why no, “We won’t lend you $300K, but we will lend you $70K if you can find a house for that,” from the lenders? Personal responsibility is great. Why aren’t corporations held to the same standard? Oh yes, they own our representatives.

You’re not going to get much argument from me on that one, Another Question.

The angry left says bad things about bad people on blogs and on the internet. The angry right drops bombs on bad people and sends them to secret prisons. Everybody deals with anger differently, I guess

There may be some truth in your statement the past 8 years or so, but historically it has been the Democrats who have dragged us into war. Did you forget about Vietnam already?

By Angela

September 5, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

A sarcastic, snarky female for VP? Joan Rivers would have been the better choice.

By Mara

September 5, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Lyrazel - “She does know about international relations because she is right up there in Alaska, right next door to Russia.”

LOL! and as Jon Stewart said to Newt Gingrich, “That makes no sense. Yeah, she’s right up there in Alaska, right next door to the North Pole. Does that mean she knows Santa?”

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

BRUNO!!

thought we wouldn’t see you again for days -

• Bill Clinton had no experience on the federal level either prior to being elected president. One more Democratic double-standard, I guess*

at least Bill was in office for 2 whole terms … Palin hasn’t had time to unpack her boxes

as for visceral - I always respond viserally when someone wants to tamper with my rights over my own body

How and why is it the government’s fault that a lot of stupid people bought homes they knew they couldn’t really afford? Ditto for the greedy “house flippers” who thought the run of quick profits would never come crashing to a halt.

because the government (specifically Alan Greenspan) relaxed government oversight on bank activities - the people should never have gotten the loans in the first place (want proof? check out recent fed statements on how they’re clamping down)

The gist of the report is that over a ten year period, most of which under Bush, the bottom 1/5th of the wage earners in this country have seen a 91% increase in wages, while the top 1/5th of the wage earners have seen a 26% decline in wages.

I’d like to read the study, first, thanks :-)

glad to see you back, fellow Irregular!!

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

The GOP has solidified that it is the party of god. That is a barrier that will be very hard to tear down.

From what I’ve been seeing, there has been a movement away from fundamentalism control of the Republican Party. Too bad for chuck, eh? Also, I have to give a shout out to Mara for her astute comments that the Repubs have unfortunately gotten away from their stated core values of less gov’t intrusion into our lives. Right on, Mara!

Call me out when I am (factually) wrong

I will, bud. I’d like to believe that you and I are here for a greater purpose, not just here to advance one-sided polical arguments which conveniently ignore half the facts. Are you listening, USinUK and WhatEV?

By Evelyn

September 5, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

The fact that Palin’s daughter got pregnant at the age of 16, is proof the Governor could not and cannot have it all.

I am a professional women, who was able to quit and stay home when my kids were young, and then again, when they got to be teens. It was a full time job, to keep them away from landmines, keep a loving, watchful eye on them and to keep them busy with fun and educational activities. Despite, all my efforts to keep them busy involved in wholesome activities, I often had to resort to Nancy Reagan’s “Just say no” policy. No hanging out at friends houses, no to excessive dating, the mall, parties, etc., and even getting a driver’s license too early).

Steering kids/teen away from landmines is a job, the most important one I have ever had; for those willing and able to make the sacrifice, it is a full time job.

Family first, was and is our moto. I thank all those in public service for the sacrifices they make, truly I do. But, let us not full the public into believing it will not come at a great cost.E

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Gotta run and ingest some calories before lunch hour is over.

Big cyber hug to all the beautiful ladies here and a hearty pat on the back for the fellas!

By Jan

September 5, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

OK, I’ll weigh in. Palin was chosen because:

• Dems didn’t know her, they were all scrambling
• she gets the Rep base out there knocking on doors and getting out the vote (they were always going to vote for McCain, now they are fired up)
• She does have a record of taking on the big boys, McCain needs that to bolster his maverick image.
• woman ( I don’t think they were seriously wooing Clinton supporters, I don’t see them supporting Palin)

Second comment

She isn’t “anti-choice”, she is adamantly “pro-life”. You have a choice - don’t have sex. (yes I know there is the incest/ rape question, but that isn’t what the “pro-choice” crowd is arguing about)

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

From what I’ve been seeing, there has been a movement away from fundamentalism control of the Republican Party.

I heard it repeated a number of times during their convention: “It is not that we are too conservative, it is we are not conservative enough.” That leads me to believe that this is just the beginning, although I hope you are right.

By amazed

September 5, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

I am amazed at some of you comparing her to Obama. Who’s running for President and whos in the VP running. Why are you not comparing her to Biden. hmmmmm…. I am so sick and tired of the ignorance flying out of some of your mouths about Obama being nothing but a community organizer…Please, wake up people, you are doing it again by voting for Mr. McCain just like you did for your boy Bush, thinking he is going to make a change cleaning up Bush’s mess.. I told you they are just a clone of Bush and we will be back in the same rutt. Also, what about Health Care. What are their issues on that!!

By Concerned Grandma

September 5, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

“From my POV, the only real impact the folks in Washington have in my life is when they either raise or lower taxes.”

Most Americans are impacted by their government, some people I guess have no children or family to worry about their future or whether they go to war or what will be waiting for them when they get back if they make it back, or if their families make it while they’re gone or can they afford a decent education and whether they can get a decent job or whether their jobs will be outsourced or whether your pregnant daughter’s health insurance gets cancelled and whether the surgeon will operate on your grandchild if it does, or whether they’re dad spends any time with the family between three jobs and no time to instill values in the kids or if the factory in their town has polluted the ground water so bad the cancer is too late when they find it. People care when they care about someone besides their own wallet.

By SHANIKA

September 5, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

HER DAUGHTER A UNMARYED HO AN SHE SHUDENT BE NO VICE PERSIDANT FO NOTHIN WHUT WE ALL BE NEEDN IS OBAMA FO SHO

By Skegee

September 5, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Key factor? Fear!

By Wow

September 5, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

What amazes me are the morons who are so condescendingly “pro-life” are the same people crying and moaning about the increases in crime and/or how too much of their tax money is spent every year on housing prisoners.

Step back and realize the macro effects of something like outlawing abortion. Number 1 you’re NOT going to get rid of it. It will still happen, there will be an underground, obviously less sanitary methods where abortions will take place. Remember the ramifications of outlawing alcohol?

The truth is, a major percentage of fetus’ that are aborted, are to low income adults where the child would have a much higher percentage of being neglected and grow up in a negative environment. This translates to a higher percentage turning to a life of crime and the next thing you know all of our tax dollars are paying for this guys cable, food, and charmin down at the prison where he now resides for the rest of his days because he raped someone and got a life sentence.

Think people - Don’t miss the forest for the trees.

By 2D

September 5, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Tray… FYI… The Dems didn’t take over 4 years ago. They most recently took over 2 years ago, and had control of the Senate for two years early in the Bush Presidency due to a switch by Senator Jeffords.

What is interesting in this contest is that NEITHER candidate has proposed anything new. Republicans propose cutting taxes, cutting spending, being hawkish with the military and playing to social conservative views. Democrats want to raise taxes (but only on the rich), expand government involvement (national health care anyone???) in our daily lives and be less hawkish on defense.

Same old talking points, different candidates for delivering them. That’s why, when I cast my vote for McCain and Pailn, my rationale will be simply… I know what I’m getting with John McCain and I have no idea what I getting with Barack Obama. Call me crazy, but I’m not willing to roll the dice with my pick for President. If the Dems had nominated Hillary, I would have had a MUCH tougher decision since Hillary and McCain do not present nearly the same contrast.

By USinUK

September 5, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

All the problems happening now started 4 years ago when democrats took over…Unemplyment high-because the democratic move to raise minimum wage!

ohfercryingoutloud … learn how to ADD - Dems were elected into office in Nov 2006 - taking office Jan 2007 - that’s less than 2 years!

unemployment is high first of all because no houses are being built, secondly because no one is buying manufactured items and thirdly because the financial system is going pear-shaped.

has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with minimum wage

Housing crisis-Democratic move for banks to give loans to people who flat out couldn’t afford them.

no, it’s because Alan Greenspan 1) shirked his responsibilities as chairman of the fed in banking oversight and 2) encouraged consumers to use adjustable rate mortgages when the fed funds rate was 1% - meaning there was nowhere else for rates to go but up

Giving to the poor doesn’t fix problems, it causes the poor to sit around and ask for more!

are there no workhouses? are there no orphanages?

That’s Obama’s Robin Hood plan-and remember people, Robin Hood was actually a criminal by definition. Even thoughwhat he did was nice, it is still wrong!

obviously spoken by someone who has no idea how much corporations are taking out of your pocket in the forms of corporate welfare (see: Big Oil)

By Bruno

September 5, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

I’d like to read the study, first, thanks :-)

Hey beautiful!! I’ll try to call the station to see if I can get more info for you.

*I always respond viserally when someone wants to tamper with my rights over my own body

I respect your concerns, USinUK. You aren’t considering bringing some little USinUKs into the world, are you?? (NOT—I know you too well).

glad to see you back, fellow Irregular!!

Thanks, gorgeous. I’m putting you in charge of spreading the love in my absence.

By Gale

September 5, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Bruno, you are quite right about Dems and VietNam. Maybe it was the lack of the internet and blogs that let them do that instead of what they do now?

By JeremiahWright

September 5, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Obama’s gonna lose now hopefully. And then Jeremiah Wright and Cynthia Tucker can scream “See! America’s racist!”. I can’t wait for the day.

By Katherine Harms

September 5, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Sarah Palin appeals to anyone who believes in the dignity of life, from the moment of conception to the moment of death. We who believe in life believe that a person should die of natural causes, not because it is politically inconvenient for that person to live. The murder of babies in the womb because they are inconvenient is only the first step to a time when all babies will need to be certified valuable by the government in order to be approved for birth. This is the line being pursued in China. So far the government only punishes uncertified babies by not giving them benefits, but it will get worse. Families who choose to have more than one child have all kinds of difficultiesalready. If you doubt me, read some of the material about the “generosity” of the Chinese government when it decided that the government would permit parents to register a new child if the certified child was killed in the recent earthquake. Is this what we want in the USA? My point is that a socialist government thinks it can run every part of every citizen’s life. We don’t want socialists, because we want to eat what we like, drive the cars we like, weigh whatever we weigh, give birth to as many children as we want and be completely free to do all these things without interference from the government. The uproar of liberals in favor of abortion is just the beginning. Socialism asserts that the state more important than any citizen. We who love life and freedom must aggressively defeat the entire socialist agenda. Sarah Palin is a strong statement that McCain is serious about defeating socialism. We are very proud of this choice, and we will elect this team.

By Mara

September 5, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

All the problems happening now started 4 years ago when democrats took over…

sigh Poor Tray, so sure that the Democrats are eeeeeee-ville that he refuses to consider any other causes…

unemployment is high because business is down. Business is down because the credit market has collapsed. The credit market collapse was part of the imploding housing bubble The housing bubble was engendered by historically low federal interest rates, real estate speculation, and a lack of fudiciary oversight of the subprime market by the Banking Commission. Please google the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to see what started the whole d-mn mess.

And speaking of Robin Hood and the Housing crisis…you Republican stalwarts were pretty eager to take from the “rich” (aka American taxpayer) and give to poor ol’ Bear Stearns, GoldmanSachs et al…just like they did poor old Neil Bush’s S&L back in the ’80s.

But if it makes you feel superior, go ahead an pretend that the big, bad, Democratic boogeyman is coming to take away all your money and give it to a bunch of inner city baby mama’s sitting on their fat behinds eating bon-bons and filling up their SUV’s so they can get from their de-lux apartments to the welfare office. And we’re gonna burn your Bibles, force you to have gay sex, and abort your just-born babies. Woooooooo!!! Wooogie-woogie…oooooooooo!

By Archie

September 5, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

The key factor behind the Sarah Palin selection for vice president is that she is a woman. I agree with Andrea’s commentary and I think Shanti is in la-la land.

since Hillary and McCain do not present nearly the same contrast. Say what? you must be talking about race because if you visit websites and check votes, Hillary wanted universal healthcare and pretty much everything that Obama wanted. If you didn’t visit websites well, guess what Hillary told you she and Barack were for the same things. I am sorry to be so direct but that statement doesn’t match known facts so what else could one think.

By BlueMoon

September 5, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Andrea-

Way to get 80% of your facts wrong. I thought you had to be educated to get a job like yours? Guess not. Let’s touch on one subject…abortion. Pubs don’t want to necessarily get rid of abortion…we just want it to be decided on by the states, not the d* federal government. Getting rid of RoevsWade would NOT get rid of abortion, it would bring the power to the states where it should be, unless you’re a socialist fool like yourself that wants the federal government to have all the power and make our state governments a moot point. D*, I can’t read your articles anymore, you’re just too ignorant.

By Tray

September 5, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

My mistake, it was 2 years, not 4.

However, people, 80% of your company’s retirement plan is vested in oil…go ahead, raise the taxes on them, watch your retirement slip away!

Oh, and dispute all my housing and minimum wage statements all you want, but NO ONE has disputed my Obama comments about Rezko, his elite private school kids…look for the first comment i made…dispute that, then will talk.

Oh, and he’s still funded by terrorists, dispute that, too!

By WhatEV

September 5, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Katharine Harms, you are entitled to your own opinions about “life,” so I won’t go there, but your assertions about “socialsism” are totally retarded.

Can you tell me when exactly fixing something that’s broken or finding a better way forward became UN-American? If our neighbors are sick and poor, our quality of “life” (not to mention the principles of Jesus’ word) DO suffer. If curative and preventive health care is out of reach for tens of millions of Americans, guess what sparky? THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! Making it better does not make us “socialists.” Being SMARTER does not mean we would all wake up tomorrow speaking French, drinking Perrier, and refusing to go to work. Geeeez, we’d still be AMERICANS — independent minded and eager to do our own thing. How little faith you people have to think that acknowledging a problem and trying to fix it makes us all “socialists!” — the scourge of the earth! What, Daddy’s not a drunk as long as no one admits it, and if you do, then you don’t love Daddy! That’s RETARDED.

Don’t want the gov’t to fix it? Then why don’t YOU stop thinking only of yourself and offer some suggestions, huh?

By the way, Sarah Palin has so much respect for life, she loves to chase animals down in a helicopter and pick them off one by one with her high-powered rifle… just for fun. Nice lesson for the underaged drinking, knocked up kids, eh?

By Brittany

September 5, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

“For those who believe that our most important values - like the preciousness of all human life… “

Umm, last I checked, Palin was in favor of the death penalty. And she supported a vote for a constitutional amendment to deny state health benefits to same-sex couples. What gives you the right to deny health benefits to someone because you don’t agree with who they fell in love with. You deciding who should and should not recieve benefits is troublesome to me. As a Christian myself, and for her to be such a supporter of religion, she should know that it is not any of our places to judge one another. That’s His job.

By Mara

September 5, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

We don’t want socialists, because we want to eat what we like, drive the cars we like, weigh whatever we weigh, give birth to as many children as we want and be completely free to do all these things without interference from the government.

Ah, socialists. Those being the Democrats who are ushering in the punitive “No insurance for the fatties” and the holier-than-thou’s who’ve led the fight to ban smoking everywhere, to bury marijuana smokers under the jail, and to criminalize fashion choices they don’t find attractive (like saggy pants). Yup, it’s those drasty socialist Democrats who force us to have abortions and refuse to let loving, caring couples adopt. Uh-huh. Those awful, awful socialists who don’t want to control who we marry, what we ingest, and how we live.

Say…Katherine Harms, maybe you should actually look at which party is pushing those repressive, anti-freedom laws before tossing out accusations that are patently, and stupidly, false.

HEY BRUNO!! <<hug>> You sweet talker you!

By SHANIKA

September 5, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

HAY TRAY WHUT MAKE YOU SAY OBAMA HE FUNDEED BY TEROSIST YOU DA ONE WHUT BE RACEST WHEN WE ALL KNOE DAT JUS WHUT WE NEED NOW IS HE IN DA WHITE HOUSE

By Tray

September 5, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Just Google ‘Rafah, GA’ and read about the donation from terrorists to Obama’s campaign, and how they used a fake, made up city in GA to hide where they were from…

All other BS aside, you want a president who accepts funding from terrorists??

These are the facts, and they are undisputable!

By lovelyliz

September 5, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Even back in 1984 Geraldine Ferarro was no slouch.

By BUSHWACKER

September 5, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Andrea,

I suppose you are talking about McCain’s judgement when you cricize his choice.

Care to discuss O’Bama’s “judgement”?

Friends with a terrorist who bombed the pentagon and City Hall as well as a crook who helped him get his mansion, not mention his “MENTOR” who hates white america?

thats’ what I thought, no response when you have no argument.

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Yeah, lets get rid of all socialism. No roads, parks, schools, churches….etc.

If you did not get it, socialism is already woven into the fabric of america.

By Tray

September 5, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

RIGHT ON BUSHWACKER!!!

You’re apparently able to see through the ‘MESSIAH’ BS!!

By GA in TX

September 5, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Oh, and he’s still funded by terrorists, dispute that, too!

Because you assert it, it is true? The burden of proof for such an absolutely ludicrous claim rests on your shoulders. That you make it without proof or evidence and then demand that we either refute you or accept it as truth suggests that you are a “Talk Radio Debater”.

As for school vouchers…what does his opposition to school vouchers (a system, by the way, that would largely function as a property tax break for people already wealthy enough to send their children to private schools and would help the poor and middle class not at all AND would drain resources from an already-underfunded public school system) have to do with where he sends his children to school?

By Tray

September 5, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

I posted the link to the terrorist funding, but apparently it was blocke dby AJC?? Funny, so funny…

By BeScared

September 5, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Sarah Palin has not class. She and her family look like trailer park trash.

By Bob

September 5, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Check your info: Dow Chemical - Mkt Cap - $31.28B LTM Rev - $59.02B Microsoft - Mkt Cap - $236.02B LTM Rev - $60.42B Target - Mkt Cap - $41.45B LTM Rev - $64.98B Dell - Mkt Cap - $40.66B LTM Rev - $64.15B

By SaveOurRepublic

September 5, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Tray @ 3:53 PM - Our friendly AJC censors also decided not to include my link to the JBS, which is as genuinely true pro America, pro Constitution & pro freedom as any organization out there (bar none)! It’s par-for-the-course for the controlled “mainstream” media to suppress what it deems detrimental to the Globalist agenda!

By Jimbo

September 5, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

What everyone seems to be missing, with all this talk of ‘will women vote for Sara because shes a woman’, is that she’s gonna win a ton of men’s votes that might have gone to Obama, because she is a stunningly attractive and compelling woman on all levels. She is the kind of woman men dream about; smart, beautiful, loving, and funny. Any man would just want to be around her. And a lot of voters, especially men, are gonna want to have Sara around for the next 8 years or more.

By RJONES

September 5, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

I have been putting up with the Women’s Lip Movement since the 70’s, and all I have to say is …….YOU HAVE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN MOANING ABOUT, A WOMAN GOING TO THE WHITE HOSE. PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

By JGex

September 5, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Wow, Shaunti Feldhahn seems as shallow as Palin.

By JokesOn

September 5, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

I posted the link to the terrorist funding, but apparently it was blocke dby AJC?? Funny, so funny

Or no links work anymore…they started blocking the a few days ago.

BTW - I cannot find a single respectable site that echoes your claim. i wonder why? The whole world, repubs included, are in on the conspiracy?

By Mike D

September 5, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

One acronym: MILF

By Arch Stanton

September 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

RE: Sarvady

Anyone who uses a quote by Woody Allen to make a point is obviously not a very deep person. Throw in the disdain by Hollywood’s Candace Bergen and Oprah, what other reasons does one have to disregard the liberal democratic sympathizers?

Arch

By ljb

September 5, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Sarah Palin is just another McCain pandering project- intended to appease women. First- she and Hillary Clinton are as different as night and day!!! So- I don’t think that tactic will work. Second- she has NO experience in high-profile politics (she can demean the media all day, but they Will respond). Third- she is a VERY SCARY “Right Winger” with guns. To what base will that appeal? The GOP is sooooo out of touch with the main issues (caused by their party} we face in this country that they will grasp at any straw to say or do what they feel America wants; then when they are elected, its- JUST KIDDING!!

By dandy22

September 5, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

For those of you who say “Palin is as anti-Hillary as you can get” guess what? Yeah!!! We Religious, Conservative, pro-life, pro-gun, EDUCATED, stay at home moms say Finally!! A women we can support, yes!

By The Other Jack

September 7, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

I am watching Joe Biden on Meet The Press. I have to admit it, but he’s a pretty impressive guy. Tom Brokow is hitting him with some pretty tough questions and he is giving some pretty convincing answers. This was a good move on the part of the Obama campaign. It does two things: it allows Biden to answer charges in his own words. Tough interviews are great if the interviewee is able to counter the questions. It also allows NBC to counter the charges of media bias. Even CNN started questioning it’s own coverage of the RNC when just after Sarah Palin’s speech, they started talking about the speech writers for the Republicans. Their own anchor pointed out that they didn’t ever even speak of the speech writers for the DNC. (By talking about the writers, they were diminishing the perception of a heart-felt speech, a dagger in the heart for any political speech.)

One thing Biden says that i find very confusing and it is on the issue of abortion. He claims to follow his faith (Roman Catholicism) and he believes that life starts at conception. But he doesn’t want his religion to be forced on others.

I’m confused.

If a lawmaker believes, for whatever reason that an act results in the intentional killing of a human being, then it becomes a criminal matter, not a religous matter. What little faith i have teaches me not to steal, but that is also civil law. So does that fact that my religion teaches me not to steal negate the need for a civil law?

USinUK

Got a ghost … well, sort of … actually I didn’t shoot it, a student did and it really doesn’t look like a ghost … but there was that face in the mirror that looked like a woman if you squint you eyes just right and maybe turn your head, after a couple of glasses of good scotch and a doobie … at least that is what I believe it would take. I wouldn’t know.

Hey, how about this subject? I see a bunch of new posters that really seem to be new posters. Say it ain’t so. Build it and they will come. Write up an interesting, current topic and we get many new voices.

By The Other Jack

September 7, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Watching Obama on ABC. Stumbling and bumbling around. He sounds like GW without the Southern accent. He is going to be eaten alive in the debates. This doesn’t seem as planned as the NBC offering. This is really tough on Obama. He is giving pat talking points and Stephanopolis is stepping all over him, breaking up his concentration and actually staging a brutal interview. I have always said that ABC is pro-Hillary, but certainly not pro McCain.

I believe that we need to see what happens with an Obama/ Pelosi/Reed Washington. I think that all these upwardly mobile liberals need to try and sell that home to buy a better one and see a large part of their profits go to the government.

I think we need to see our allies go away. Georgia is no more. It is once again, Soviet Georgia. If anyone believes that this is the end of Soviet expansion, i have some property in South Florida for sale. Bush should have had no problem using several well armed predators and knocking out a few billion bucks worth of Soviet hardware using push button, remote controlled war. But he won’t because of the political implications.

If McCain/Biden get in, they will be just as impotent against a Polisi/Reed Congress. We will be in bad shape after 4 years of what we have had for the last two years. Simply put, we are going to need a White House AND a Congress that is willing to step up and protect our allies.

We need a liberal overload. Feed ‘em liberalism until they puke. It is the only thing that will circumvent the media and the propaganda and the BS and show the country what is at stake.

By JokesOn

September 7, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

So does that fact that my religion teaches me not to steal negate the need for a civil law?

Steling is illegal because it infringes on anothers right, based on the constitution/bill of rights. It just happens that ones faith coincides with teching it is wrong from a purely moral position.

The same applies to Biden’s and Obama’s position on abortion. You have to look at it from a rights perspective, the fetus’ versus the mother’s.

Look at it this way: If they were both 7th day advent (i think) and did not believe in celebrating birthdays or alcohol, they would not try to pass law based on it. Except for blue laws which are being decided as unconstitutional each time they are challenged, laws are based protecting our rights, as spelled out in the “bill of” and constitution. Those two entities are the only “morality” built into our legal system.

By HStchr.

September 7, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

The reason Sarah Palin electrified the race isn’t just tactical: it’s because she represents the future for conservatives. She’s a bright, successful leader who is a wife, mother and eloquent leader in the effort to protect American traditional and religious values

That about sums it up for me. The conservatives are lukewarm in support of McCain, so he brings in a fresh face to “electrify” the campaign. What does it say about the presidential candidate when he has to have a charge to keep his campaign alive. At his age, he might need a “charge” to keep the old ticker working before 2012. That, I think, is the real reservation the doubters have. She’s intelligent, well-spoken, and so far slicker than snot on a doorknob, but she isn’t really ready for the Oval Office,IMO. I find it interesting how McCain seems to have taken a backseat, at least for now, to the energy of his VP. How will that play out in the White House? Do conservatives really think he’ll let her run loose? I doubt it. My doubts are centered on her use of power since becoming an elected official. Barely sworn in as mayor of Podunkville and she’s firing the librarian for not agreeing to remove books from the library if they were found objectionable. Fast forward to Troopergate, and there she is again pushing, if not exceeding the limits of acceptability in use of her power. Maverick? Yes, but the line between use and ABuse of power can be very fuzzy at times. The smart person can toe that line carefully. A “maverick” will cross it without regard and clean up the mess later. Dangerous attitude in the White House, IMO.

TOJ- I watched Biden as well, and his experience plays well. That will be a crucial issue in the next 50+ days. If he and Obama can present a solid plan, they just might be able to put some shorts in the republican “electrification.” I’m waiting to see how the McCain/Palin plan rolls out and how different it will be from the Obama/Biden plan. They keep saying they’re the “real change”, but how can they do that without alienating the hard-core conservatives in congress whose support they will desperately need in a heavy liberal voting pool in congress? One wonders how they’ll play to both sides. Bipartisan politics ain’t easy in the current environment.

This will, without a doubt, be the most contentious and interesting campaign we’ve seen in a long time!!

By The Other Jack

September 7, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

HStchr.

^This will, without a doubt, be the most contentious and interesting campaign we’ve seen in a long time!!*

it’s like watching a couple of Sumo wrestlers positioning before they lunge.

I re-read my last post and realized I did a horrible job about explaining what I was talking about. I think the country needs a Republican Washington, not a democratic Washington. Democrats will never put protecting our allies over their own political careers.

If you think we have bad foreign relations now, wait until the Soviets roll over a few more countries and we “condemn them” or turn it over to the UN security council where Russia has a veto vote. I am just hoping that only two years of the most liberal government since 1937 is gong to slap American into realizing what happens when Unions, environmental groups, Health Insurance Companies, Big Oil, the ACLU, the media and Hollywood take control of our country.

It worked when Clinton had a majority in Congress from 1992-1994. The democrats were so incompetent that they turned over a 40 year total domination of both houses in only two years. I just hope we can keep the economy from spiraling into a total depression in only two more years of the disaster the democratic Congress has brought onto us in the last two years. Replacing my Volvo with a Styrofoam car so i can feed it is just not in my budget.

By The Other Jack

September 7, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

You have to look at it from a rights perspective, the fetus’ versus the mother’s.

Exactly.

That rights issue is what constitutes a crime. Roe v Wade says that the rights of a woman completely erases the rights of the child. That the entire debate. The question to both candidates in the church deal in California was “When did a child’s rights begin.” That was referring to the child’s right to live. When does a child have the same right as their mother’s to live?

Murder is all about one person assuming that he has the right to end another’s life. It is the ultimate denial of civil and human rights.

By JokesOn

September 7, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Roe v Wade says that the rights of a woman completely erases the rights of the child.

Supersede, not completely erases.

Murder is all about one person assuming that he has the right to end another’s life. It is the ultimate denial of civil and human rights.

Correct. And you used the words “person” and “another’s life” which currently does not legally apply to a fetus. Using the bible, a cartoon book, or anything else that is less than “factual” does not provide usable information and must be omitted in the decision. Otherwise, you are forcing your opinion onto others.

By The Other Jack

September 7, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Supersede, not completely erases.

No. I would say killing the child and dumping the dead body in a dumpster erases, not supercedes.

Correct. And you used the words “person” and “another’s life” which currently does not legally apply to a fetus. Using the bible, a cartoon book, or anything else that is less than “factual” does not provide usable information and must be omitted in the decision. Otherwise, you are forcing your opinion onto others.

If you want to discuss issues, I am not going to explain what I have said, over and over again. Please read my post referring to Biden’s stance on abortions.

By JokesOn

September 7, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

No. I would say killing the child and dumping the dead body in a dumpster erases, not supercedes.

I thought we were going by the decision, not personal choice of words. As for the decision goes, the mother’s rights supersede those of a fetus.

If you want to discuss issues, I am not going to explain what I have said, over and over again. Please read my post referring to Biden’s stance on abortions.

I did, and what you wrote was based on religious beliefs, not factual knowledge. What you wrote was: If a lawmaker believes, for whatever reason (cannot be for “whatever reason in law) that an act results in the intentional killing of a human being (fetus, not human being), then it becomes a criminal matter, not a religious matter.

And what a lawmaker personally believes is irrelevant unless it is backed up with factual information. In this case Biden has no factual knowledge to base his belief on, only spiritual belief; therefore it is not legally acceptable.

By USinUK

September 7, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

TOJ -

Got a ghost … well, sort of … actually I didn’t shoot it, a student did and it really doesn’t look like a ghost … but there was that face in the mirror that looked like a woman if you squint you eyes just right and maybe turn your head, after a couple of glasses of good scotch and a doobie … at least that is what I believe it would take. I wouldn’t know.

way-hey!! congrats on the chemically induced ghostie!! ;-)

seriously, how was the trip? it looked like the DC area got wollopped by the storm - where you there then? or did you get out in time?

Hey, how about this subject? I see a bunch of new posters that really seem to be new posters. Say it ain’t so. Build it and they will come. Write up an interesting, current topic and we get many new voices.

gah. new but definitely not better informed. coming here and quoting talk radio talking points on the economy and think they can get away with that crap??? not on my watch, mister.

so, what do you think of the fed buyout of fannie and freddie?

all I have to say is thank god this administration is for “small government” and “market forces” - imagine how huge it would be if they weren’t??? criminey.

(hang on for a minnit - I think my tongue has to be surgically removed from my cheek after that)

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

For all those people (and you know who you are) who say that voting for a Dem will destroy the economy … guess again: (from Forbes-owned Investopedia)

http:// investopedia. com/printable.asp?a=/articles/financial-theory/08/political-party-democrat-republican-stock-returns.asp

For Higher Stock Returns, Vote Republican Or Democrat? by Lisa Smith

Conventional wisdom in the United States suggests that stock returns are better when a Republican president is in office. This belief is fostered by the Grand Old Party’s traditionally pro-business, anti-tax platform. Democrats, on the other hand, are traditionally associated with an anti-business, tax-and-spend platform based on using taxation policies and welfare programs to redistribute wealth from affluent individuals and large corporations to people at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale. Despite these well-established characterizations of each party’s position, a 2003 study conducted at the University of California’s Anderson School produced numbers that reveal significantly better stock market returns when the nation’s highest office is held by a Democrat.

Methodology and Data Pedro Santa-Clara and Rossen Valkanov published the results of their work in “The Presidential Puzzle: Political Cycles and the Stock Market,” which was featured in The Journal of Finance in October of 2003. The duo analyzed stock market returns using Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) indexes, including the value-weighted and equal-weighted portfolios. CRSP portfolios track the major market indexes and are created according to clear, unbiased, systematic processes. As such, they are widely used as a foundation for academic research.

Unlike most studies, which are based on total returns, Santa-Clara and Valkanov based their efforts on the average excess return of the indexes over the return of the three-month Treasury bill. The results were striking. When a Republican president held office, the value-weighted return delivered nearly a 2% premium over the T-bill. When a Democrat held office, the premium was nearly 11%. While the 9% difference clearly favors the Democrats, the results from the equal-weighted portfolio were even more telling, with a 16%+ result in favor of the Democrats.

Further investigation reveals the results were generated by higher real returns and lower interest rates under Democratic administrations. Business-cycle fluctuations showed no correlation to the results, demonstrating statistically significant outperformance for the Democrats regardless of underlying economic conditions. Value-weighted portfolios posted a steady 10% premium in favor of the Democrats, while equal-weighted portfolios came in at around 20%.

Examination of additional business-cycle variables revealed that expected returns (those anticipated by the markets) were 1.8% higher under the Republican administrations analyzed in the study, while unexpected returns were 10.8% higher when Democrats were in power, suggesting that stock market results may driven by Democratic policies that surprise investors. Interestingly, the results do not show up in close proximity to election dates, but rather grow over time during the president’s term.

Coincidence? Could it really be that the so-called anti-business party actually generates better results for business than the business boosters? Analysts, experts, soothsayers and sages have used everything from Super Bowl winners to women’s skirt lengths to predict stock market performance - does using the political party in power to predict the market fall into the same category of off-the-wall (and generally unreliable) indicators?

It’s tough to say. President Eisenhower (from 1953-1961) was the only Republican to hold office during a statistically significant period of market outperformance, while President Roosevelt (1937-1941) was the only Democrat to preside over a massive underperformance. Furthermore, an equal number of presidents from each party (two and two) held office when the numbers came in roughly at par with the benchmark index. Overall, the small size of the sample (just 18 administrations) brings the results into question.

Similarly, the study’s authors cite data mining as another potential flaw. While the stock market return results hold true for the president, there is no similar correlation based on which party holds a majority in Congress. However, despite the potential flaws, extensive testing of the data suggests a legitimate connection between the data and the returns.

Implications for Voters and Investors The results of the study, while intriguing, remain inconclusive. While the numbers are certainly real, the correlation may be spurious. In their own words, the authors acknowledge that “it might just be the case that we have stumbled upon a variable that tests significantly even when there is actually no underlying relation between the presidency and the stock market.”

So what should an investor to do? Watch and wait; as time passes, more administrations will come and go and more studies will be done. In the meantime, focus on your personal investment goals and develop a sound investment plan that has a statistically significant chance of helping you achieve your goals regardless of which political party the current resident of the White House represents.

By lovelyliz

September 8, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Sarah Palin’s state has been the per capita leader in earmarks. How is this fiscally conservative?

By Gale

September 8, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Your tongue comment, USinUK, reminds me of an announcer suggesting that Bill Clinton’s tongue had to be surgically reattached after endorsing Obama at the convention. The new faces may or may not be back this week. I hope some will return, but the parrots can go back to the talk shows.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

::: waving :::

hi gale! hi lovelyliz!!

lovelyliz - I don’t remember all the details, but I remember something about all residents of Alaska getting a federal reimbursement on their taxes just because they live there.

By Gale

September 8, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Interesting, USinUK. Knowing what you do, I tried hard to focus on your posting. I wonder if government mucking about with subsidies, taxes and tariffs throws the real economy so far out of norm so make metrics harder to fugure at this level.

By Lyrazel

September 8, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Alaskans get 2500/person in oil subsidies this year—paid for by the lower 48 states taxes just for living in Alaska but Alaska does not have mental health facilities for assisting adults/children with mental problems (including Down Syndrome) but must send them out of state for care with their $5.5 billion dollar budget. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are being bailed out by taxpayers—but we can give the country of Georgia $1 billion dollars.

Ok I don’t see any ideas for our government NOT spending money it does not have being brought up by both parties—indeed the candidates are being quite mum about our gifts to other nations and errant corporations in this time of deficit, hard scramble, job loss for many Americans. One billion dollars would go a long way to pay down some war bills—but do elected officials ever say: lets fix up America—lets pay a debt? Nothing! So why should I vote for either chucklehead or any incumbent when they are part of the problem and NOT the solution? How many new unfunded programs can politicians plot up to convince voters to check their names? Like we are suddenly going to have funds once they are in office? Look at all the programs from national parks to infrastructure failures, mental health facilities all being shut down or scrapped because of lack of funds state to state and ask yourself where this new money is going to come from—bend over baby. You may not have a job, afford care at a hospital, but yeah as soon as these chuckleheads get in office the grass will be green as the stuff they are smoking now! Use your vote carefully people.

By Gale

September 8, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

lovelyliz, I could balance my budget handily too if someone was sending piles of money my way. I would feel lots better about Palin if she was in her second term and the voters in Alaska had decided she was doing a good job. But then again, how many times did Alaska send Stevens back to Washington?

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

lovelyliz

Sarah Palin’s state has been the per capita leader in earmarks. How is this fiscally conservative?

I keep hearing liberals say that. One word: Duh!? It is very fiscally responsible for the state that is receiving the earmark. it’s not responsible for the fed, but she wasn’t working in the fed, she was working in the state government, the recipient of the money. She WAS DOING HER JOB. And judging from an 80% approval rating, she was doing it rather well.

By Gale

September 8, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

The last president I remember who talked about reducing the Debt was Bill Clinton.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Gale -

I wonder if government mucking about with subsidies, taxes and tariffs throws the real economy so far out of norm so make metrics harder to fugure at this level.

speaking as someone who works with the market, what they’re doing isn’t going to make an impact on the key economic stats most fixed income or equities analyst would look at when gauging the economy: growth, unemployment, housing, consumer prices, producer prices, factory orders, and retail.

the fannie/freddie bailout is going to basically shore up the financial markets and ensure liquidity in the mortgage bonds (which are usually huge holdings in most institutional investor portfolios)

By Gale

September 8, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

USinUK, so from a market standpoint, you think the freddie/fannie move will be good; even if forclosures continue at this rate? What if the next administration decides to break them up into ten or more smaller units? Would that cause too much instability or be a non-issue.

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

USinUk

lovelyliz - I don’t remember all the details, but I remember something about all residents of Alaska getting a federal reimbursement on their taxes just because they live there.

Wasn’t that a great thing for the people she was working for: THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE THAT ELECTED HER.

Maybe the rumor that she cheated on a beuty contest would have more bite.

This isn’t working. Attacking her for the good she did for her own state shows desperation.

The two anchors for MSNBC were demoted because of obvious bias. Even uncle Tom Brokow said they were way out of line. I think that if Palin does anything, her presence has and is showing the incredible and obvious media bias. Most liberals argued that it never existed, but even the liberal media is having to admit their bias. And judging from the disappearance of a 13 point pro-democratic bump after the DNC, the polls are showing that America has had enough of liberal snobs telling them how to think.

Palin is a great thing for so many reasons, but the revelations about a very biased and sexist media could be her biggest and most effective contribution.

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I posted this before but it never made it to the screen.

Had a great trip. We were over in Western VA, up in the hills. It was sunny and hot. It is due on the 25th and I am adjusting my clock to work later and later until I will be a vampire toward the end of the month. Is it getting cool in limyland yet?

As far as the Democratic economy, I’ll pull a little democratic tactic and ask a simple question: Are you in better or worse shape after the democrats took over Congress in 2006?

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

it’s not responsible for the fed, but she wasn’t working in the fed, she was working in the state government, the recipient of the money. She WAS DOING HER JOB

actually, I agree with you on this - HOWEVER …

if you look at her tenure as mayor, she increased expenditures by more than 30% while at the same time, taking a city with no debt and increasing that by more than $20 million. While governor, she could have taken the budget surplus and invested it in needed state infrastructure - she decided to distribute it to the residents.

(from Wiki): In June 2007, Palin signed into law a $6.6 billion operating budget—the largest in Alaska’s history. At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The $237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly $1.6 billion.

In 2007, the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing Matanuska Maid Dairy, an unprofitable state-owned business. Palin objected, citing concern for dairy farmers and a recent infusion of $600,000 in state money. Palin subsequently replaced the entire membership of the Board of Agriculture and Conservation. The new board reversed the decision to close the dairy. Later in 2007, the unprofitable business was put up for sale. No offers met the minimum bid of $3.35 million, and the dairy was closed. In August 2008, the Anchorage plant was purchased for $1.5 million, the new minimum bid. The purchaser plans to convert it into heated storage units.

as a friend of mine likes to say, “it’s food to think about”

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

gale -

USinUK, so from a market standpoint, you think the freddie/fannie move will be good; even if forclosures continue at this rate? What if the next administration decides to break them up into ten or more smaller units? Would that cause too much instability or be a non-issue.

from what I’ve read on this …

1) this is a 15-month stop-gap, so nothing is going to happen immediately, letting the market hopefully become a little more stable over the next year.

2) while the deal is good for bond holders, it sucks for stock holders - many of whom are banks. so keep an eye on the fdic website for more banks going out of business.

3) will they break it up? that’s what most people are talking about right now - buy it and sell it off for parts. as I said earlier, if that is the general plan down the line, hopefully, the market will be a little more stable.

4) last thought - basically, the gov’t currently has about $1bn in preferred stock and will, inexchange, guarantee the bonds (even for those which cover mortgatges that have defaulted). If, in the course of the next year+, the companies return to profitability, the government will have a HUGE (80%) piece of that pie - even if it is sold off.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

We were over in Western VA, up in the hills. It was sunny and hot. It is due on the 25th and I am adjusting my clock to work later and later until I will be a vampire toward the end of the month. Is it getting cool in limyland yet?

did you do Skyline Drive??? :::sigh::: man, I miss VA this time of year. did you miss the storm?

working late isn’t a problem - as long as you don’t have to start at 0-dark-30 in the morning!

yes, it’s starting to feel a bit autumnal here in limeyland … major rains and flooding this weekend (we get the wash-out from US storms). seriously yucky weekend.

the best thing about it, though - a return to food like toad-in-the-hole! steak and guiness pie! bangers and mash! shephard’s pie (made with real shephards) … if there’s one thing the brits know, it’s cold/damp weather food :-)

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I had heard about the debt for the sports center. The dairy? Sounds like the entire state is getting a rectal exam.

But here’s also something to think about. This week I was working around schedules because county budget meetings were going on and most of the locals were in the governmnet. They had to really deal with budgets and laws and infrastructure. And countries and cities rarely have a credit line like states and the fed has. You screw a county budget up and policemen don’t get paid. it is real executive decisions that directly address the quality of life.

There will be lots of stories like the dairy. The reason is that Sarah Palin has made lots and lots af real executive decisions and have made them on a constant basis. Obama, Biden and even McCain hasn’t had to deal with making those decisions. Out of the hundreds and thousands of real decisions that she has made, there will be mistakes found. You will not find mistakes regarding executive decisions made by any of the other three. They have never made any executive decisions.

I know that Palin is the new liberal anti-Christ, but I like her. I like her smarts and i like the way she has handles herself. I like the fact that the media is stumped. They have gone so far overboard that they are beginning to realize the backlash could cost the democrats the election.

By Answer Man

September 8, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

When does a child have the same right as their mother’s to live?

When the child can and does exist outside of the mother’s body.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

As far as the Democratic economy, I’ll pull a little democratic tactic and ask a simple question: Are you in better or worse shape after the democrats took over Congress in 2006?

first of all, they didn’t take over Congress until Jan 2007, not 2006

secondly, the downturn had already started, unemployment was already rising, foreclosures were already starting to increase in 2006 - retail and factory orders were already wobbly (just as many months of negative growth as positive before and afer the Dems took office), the number of foreclosure filings hit 6 digits in Jan of 2006 and has risen every month since (with 2 exceptions), inflation actually fell for the first 9 months after the Dems took office and has risen due to external influences, not internal.

just because they grabbed the wheel as the bus was careening over the cliff doesn’t mean they are responsible for the direction.

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I have done stories on different parts of the Blue Ridge parkway. There are sections that are simply a bridge over the mountains. It’s like flying in a small airplane and you are just over the top of the trees. There were several days that i needed to be somewhere in the early morning and that moist mountain air makes the whole country-side look like an impressionist painting. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

The place reminds me of California in that the people are either the nicest people you will ever meet or serial killers. There’s almost nothing in between.

I would live in a small town again, if I could support myself. But I would rather have a small town on a small island in a small part of the Caribbean. Those pretty mountains get mighty ugly in the winter.

Looking forward to fall here. My home central air conditioner is dying and I am trying to make it to fall without dropping all those bucks. It was out when i got back so fans are blowing everywhere. I am napping in the hottest part of the day so i can shut down my computers when the office is just too hot. Another challenge. I am dressed like an Arab with loose fitting shorts and hospital scrubs for a shirt. It’s kind of nice to be breathing real air for a change.

By norman ravitch

September 8, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Out of desperation McCain has given his campaign over to the Christofascists.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

And countries and cities rarely have a credit line like states and the fed has. You screw a county budget up and policemen don’t get paid. it is real executive decisions that directly address the quality of life.

oh, yes countries and cities do so have credit lines - they’re called bonds. and if the country or city defaults on their payments, their credit rating will be affected, decreasing their liquidity and reducing the pool of investors who will buy them (many regulated institutional investors aren’t allowed to buy anything below a certain grade)

I know you like SP, but, really, the folks who keep saying that acting as mayor of a podunk town in AK (pop: 5,000) is the same as serving as a senator just smacks of desperation.

By Gale

September 8, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

USinUK, give me chili or chicken noodle soup for cold/damp food. I’ve tried bangers and mash and shepard’s pie and they don’t say ‘cozy’ to me.

As for freddie/fannie, it sounds like the intentions are good, the results will be a while coming, and the interin will have mixed effects.

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

USinUK

We will never agree on the economy. I don’t think you should grab the wheel of the bus unless you are going to steer it back onto the road. The problem with the Congress is that they aren’t getting anything done. It’s not like Bush is vetoing bills. They haven’t offered any.

You know how I feel about all of this. I will vote for McCain, but I like the guy and I like his running mate. I wouldn’t wish the job on my worst enemy. Cable news will destroy whomever is in there.

Hey, I’m watching FOX and a Republican is touting the fact that her state borders Canada and Russia. This is the first time i have heard something I said a week ago. They are reading my mail.

I need to crank out some editing before the office gets too hot. Have a great day and stop eating that limy food. Shepherd Pie? Pie is supposed to be apple, cherry (my favorite) or peach and should be served with ice cream on top. You’re an American ain’t cha?

BTW. I brought back a box fuil of home grown tomatoes. They call them maters up there and even the small ones are incredible. I have been just slicing them up and eating them while I work. I should be a minister. You don’t believe in God? Taste this.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Gale -

USinUK, give me chili or chicken noodle soup for cold/damp food. I’ve tried bangers and mash and shepard’s pie and they don’t say ‘cozy’ to me.

I’m with ya on the chili - but prefer tomato soup (with grilled cheese sammich on the side). as for bangers and mash - I think ANYthing and mash is good cozy food! yumyumyum!!! :-)

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I know you like SP, but, really, the folks who keep saying that acting as mayor of a podunk town in AK (pop: 5,000) is the same as serving as a senator just smacks of desperation.

I don’t think it is a debate that will favor the Senator. I think the only advantage on the part of the Senator is the perceived importance of the votes he casts. Yes, funding the troops is more important than the new fire hydrant at the corner of Main and Elm in that podunk town, but Senators are perceived as being elite-do-nothing-people and sadly, there is a reason for that perception.

By Gale

September 8, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

TOJ, it usually works that way. Grow food in real soil with real weather and it tastes better than hothouse any day.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

good luck staying cool - gah - Atlanta summer with a dodgy A/C??? eeeeyikes!

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

I don’t think you should grab the wheel of the bus unless you are going to steer it back onto the road. The problem with the Congress is that they aren’t getting anything done. It’s not like Bush is vetoing bills. They haven’t offered any

the economy isn’t a MiniCooper … it’s more like a giant cruise ship (trying to avoid the obvious simile, here) … it doesn’t turn on a dime - it takes a long time to turn. They’ve been in office less than 2 years - during that time, they’ve worked on the stimulus plan which has helped in the short-term and have worked on the housing bill, as well.

as for not passing bills - it’s because they don’t have a strong majority, all you need is a handful of people to vote against a bill for it to not pass (that’s for both the House and Senate) -

Hey, I’m watching FOX and a Republican is touting the fact that her state borders Canada and Russia. This is the first time i have heard something I said a week ago. They are reading my mail.

hate to tell ya this, but cindy mccain said it first right after Palin was named

I have been just slicing them up and eating them while I work. I should be a minister. You don’t believe in God? Taste this

I’d join that church! Our Lady of the Holy ‘Mater (sorry for the Latin nerd pun) - with communion being ‘mater sammiches on white bread with lots of mayo … yumyumyum

By Gale

September 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

as for not passing bills - it’s because they don’t have a strong majority, all you need is a handful of people to vote against a bill for it to not pass (that’s for both the House and Senate) -

The other side of that story is partisan politics. Boths side completely understand there is a serious problem to solve. BUt neither side wants the other side to look good so they both spend their time tripping each other instead of working together. One would think in a situation where everyone is getting hurt, they could lay aside the power plays long enough to do some good for a change.

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

USinUK

Heating and air guy just left. A new system is going to cost almost exactly what a new HD Camera would cost. Looks like fans for a while.

I bought this place, knowing the H/A was very old. The house was built in 1868 so I have been investing in insulation to make the H/A system’s job easier so it would last. I got 5 more years out of a 30 year old system. Heat still works so if I can make it through a couple more weeks, I’ll be OK until spring. Want to buy a classic southern farmhouse in an inner city Atlanta Hood? You could break it up into four apartments and rent it to liberal hippies. They would be right at home here. I’m ready for St. Croix.

By The Other Jack

September 8, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Gale

If trends hold true, we are about to have the most liberally lopsided Congress since 1937. I hope you guys are really confident that your ideas will work (for the first time in history) because if Obama wins, you will have installed the most partisan government in 75 years.

USinUK

I’ll give you the two years to correct the course of the cruse ship, but you better be careful what you wish for because I am not going to want to hear about that cruise ship in 2010 when I am paying $14.00/gal and $5 for a loaf of bread.

By USinUK

September 8, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

ToJ / Truth -

Heating and air guy just left. A new system is going to cost almost exactly what a new HD Camera would cost. Looks like fans for a while.

oh, honey. with today’s high being 92, I’d stick with the vampire hours and beduin attire.

hopefully, the heat will break soon and you can go back to open windows and cool fall breezes! until then, put a cold beer between your legs ;-)

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 8, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

The Pick of Sara Palin has boosted the McCain Ticket almost 10 points. So love her of hate her, she has hit the big time.
Thank the Lord above tonight as you fall asleep, for averting what might have been if that maybe-muslim Barry O’Bama and that socialist want-to-be Joe Biden had duped us.
YEAH SARA! YEAH JOHN! GO GOP! YEAH!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 8, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

The Pick of Sara Palin has boosted the McCain Ticket almost 10 points. So love her of hate her, she has hit the big time.
Thank the Lord above tonight as you fall asleep, for averting what might have been if that maybe-muslim Barry O’Bama and that socialist want-to-be Joe Biden had duped us.
YEAH SARA! YEAH JOHN! GO GOP! YEAH!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 8, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

I love it when this bloggette double posts! You get my insight in stereo! Yeah Gandalf! Yeah GOP! Yeah Sara Palin! Yeah!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

What a great day for America!

By T

September 8, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Sarah Palin is the new definition of feminism. She had defined it in her terms and not the terms set down by the liberals.

Too bad so many on the left came out swinging so early. You may have helped to redefine to many woman just what we’ve had to fight against for so long.

Pro choice, pro NRA, pro Sarah!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 8, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Yeah T! Yeah Gandalf! Yeah Sara!Yeah John! Yeah NRA! Yeah Life (as a Choice, as opposed to death)! Yeah GOP! YEAH! (I had to slow down there for just a second, I almost said Yeah AJC! That would have been Hypocrisy at it’s worst! Well this rag gives me a place to yell at (DUMBASS)es like J******* and GALEFORCE..so I will say YEAH WTW!) YEAH!

By Gale

September 8, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

I am not eager to have Sarah Palin redefine feminism for me, thanks. I am not at all clear on what her definition is, however. What is it women on the right have been fighting against, T?

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 8, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

JOKES ON?Isn’t your special project still calling you? Maybe you can go back to it or simply STFU! 15 candles! HEHE you are such a (DUMBASS)!

By lovelyliz

September 8, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

By The Other Jack

Sarah Palin’s state has been the per capita leader in earmarks. How is this fiscally conservative?

I keep hearing liberals say that. One word: Duh!? It is very fiscally responsible for the state that is receiving the earmark. it’s not responsible for the fed, but she wasn’t working in the fed, she was working in the state government, the recipient of the money. She WAS DOING HER JOB. And judging from an 80% approval rating, she was doing it rather well.

It’s called hypocricy when one does these things and claims to be a conservative.

It’s called hypocricy when one does these things and claims to be against earmarks.

It’s called stupidity if voters voter for a candidate who claims to be conservative and against earmarks with such a record.

By lovelyliz

September 8, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

By Gandalf, the Grey If you believe that Obama is a Muslim, then George Bush must be a Nazi and since neither is true………..

By lovelyliz

September 8, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

With the battle cry Conservative, Conservative, Conservative, Conservative, you would have thought that Ron Paul would have had a better showing.

Or is it a matter of a real conservative does not a neo-con make?

By lovelyliz

September 8, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

If McCain had wanted to shore up the conservative vote, he should have pick someone more like Ron Paul. Sara Palin in no Ron Paul. She was picked to appeal to the neo-con evangelical base and nothing more.

By Gale

September 8, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

By some measurements, even I am a conservative. The problem is I am quite liberal on some other matters. Real conservatives don’t think queers should be counted as conservatives; or only if we stay in the closet where we belong

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Gale -

Real conservatives don’t think queers should be counted as conservatives; or only if we stay in the closet where we belong

no - you’re thinking of real neo-cons.

REAL conservatives think it’s no one’s danged business who you sleep with.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

I think someone needs to hand GtG some pom-poms … and maybe a Kleenex, if you know what I mean (and I think you do)

he does make a perfect cheerleader - adds nothing of substance to the game, just makes a lot of noise on the sidelines.

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

lovelyliz

Judging by your BOLD print, it appears that you are pretty angry. I can understand that. According to most polls, picking Palin was a brilliant move, solidifying the conservative base and securing a huge chunk of the undecided vote.

Democrats are inventing reasons to hate Palin. You hate her for doing her job in securing government money for her town and state. Some hate her for having a down baby, some hate her for her accomplishments and many, many hate her for simply being a very strong, intelligent women that is not the liberal, hate spewing femini-nazis that put one or two ultra-feminist issues over all other.

But if it makes you feel any better: Obama was starting to lose without her. The polls had an almost dead heat going into the conventions. That is almost un-heard-of. Obama is an empty box. He has never stood up for or against anything, especially against his own party. He will simply be an open door for the most liberal congress since 1937.

If Palin had refused the money, she would not have ben doing her job, and for that you would hate her. So she will never win you over.

Republicans put the first woman in the supreme court. Republicans appointed the first female Secretary of State. The myth that Democrats help minorities and women is obviously wrong, yet again.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

USinUK, I was hoping a few hours of echos in the blog would bore him enough to make him go away.

Listening to sound bites for Palin this morning on the drive in, I was stuck by the perkiness of her voice. I could get sick of that pretty quick, but I guess the neo-cons and evengelicals must be lapping it up. I was wondering what the rest of the world governments must think of us that we are even considering two very inexperienced individuals for the top offices. Are they rubbing their hands in glee or wringing them with worry.

Y’know, I am unimpressed with Palin’s 80% approval rating and with Obama’s campaign donations. Had either of them served a second term in their elected office and showed a high approval rating, I would be more impressed. Neither has faced the challenge of accountability. Yet here they are, asking the country to believe they are qualified and ready to lead the country in the international community. It takes serious chutzpa.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

TOJ, I am curious what you consider to be an “ultra-feminist” issue.

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

Gale

It isn’t so much the issue. it’s the importance put on an issue. Most women have strong feelings about abortion, but only an ultra-feminist would base her choice on that one issue.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

ToJ -

It isn’t so much the issue. it’s the importance put on an issue. Most women have strong feelings about abortion, but only an ultra-feminist would base her choice on that one issue.

um. and it’s okay for the anti-choicers to do it?

honey, it’s not just feminists that hang their hats on abortion, a lot of religious conservatives do, too.

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

gale

I have to admit, her voice is really bad. She sounds like the school secretary in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Most women have strong feelings about abortion, but only an ultra-feminist would base her choice on that one issue.

So, most conservatives who come out of the wood work to fight against abortion are ultra-feminist. That does not make sense, TOJ. Were you up too late working while it was cooler?

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

She sounds like the school secretary in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

“Oh, he’s very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore him. They think he’s a righteous dude”

hahahahaha … thanks for that memory!

By Gale

September 9, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

And there were complaints about Clinton being shrill. At least she sounded like a professional, not a snarky “hocky mom”.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Lovelyliz,
That is a poor analogy. I never stated he was a muslim, I said maybe-muslim. His father was a muslim, who actually abandoned his Christianity to join the religion of hate. He attended a muslim school in Jakarta, and attended classes on the Koran as a youth. He only began to profess himself a christian as he joined this black christian-like church in Chicago that preaches africa first. “GD America! THE KKK OF AMERICA?” Not much like the Christian church I attend.
Bush on the other hand, had a father that was the youngest bomber avaiator in Navy history, who heroicly fought the NAZI’s allies the Imperialist Japs.
George Bush is as far from a NAZI as you can get, and Barry Obama has muslim roots. Liz you are rapidly heading to (DUMBASS)!! status. Be very careful.
YEAH LIZ! Yeah SARA! Yeah BARRY (for being such a DUMBASS and making the GOP looks so darn good)! YEAH JOHN! YEAH GOP! YEAH!

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Gale -

Listening to sound bites for Palin this morning on the drive in, I was stuck by the perkiness of her voice. I could get sick of that pretty quick, but I guess the neo-cons and evengelicals must be lapping it up. I was wondering what the rest of the world governments must think of us that we are even considering two very inexperienced individuals for the top offices. Are they rubbing their hands in glee or wringing them with worry.

can’t speak for any other country - but here in the UK, people are just shaking their heads in disbelief.

here’s one of my fav columnists from the Times:

“In the UK, the continuing revelation of Palin’s autobiographical facts have been reported with a nervous, blinky amazement. She named one of her children - Piper - after a make of snow plough! She believes that victims of incest or rape should be denied abortion! She thinks the world was made in seven days! She regularly kills things - not like just wasps, or even a chicken - but stuff like bears! And mooses!

Imagine if there was a British candidate for Deputy Prime Minister who had a child called “JCB”, believed raped children should endure labour, dismissed evolution and regularly shot gigantic animals. It would be regarded as borderline sectionable behaviour.

In America, however, it makes them even hotter for Palin. To be crude, a tough chick with great hair who shoots things - that just turns America on. They like the idea of politicians who could hold their own in a bar brawl.

This is one of those instances of international nuance where you see that the Atlantic Ocean should, really, be renamed The Aesthetic Gulf. It’s the same difference in US/UK attitude that became apparent around the time of the Millennium Bug. In America, survivalists in Minnesota built a whole, self-sufficient underground complex, complete with air-filtration system and hydroponic greenhouses. In the UK our most high-profile Millennium Bug planning came from Richard Madeley and his Millennium Cupboard - in which he placed tinned sardines, Wet Wipes and a torch.”

and here’s a view from the right (also from the Times):

All the same, her selection was a shock. What horrified me was not so much the woman herself, though she is clearly entirely unfit to be vice-president or president. It was McCain’s cynical and sudden choice of her. Would you give power of attorney over your entire life to someone you had only met once, or possibly twice? Of course not. You would give the matter and the person very serious consideration. Yet McCain in effect is offering power of attorney over all the affairs of the United States and over all Americans, including me, to a woman he had barely met. I myself wouldn’t hire a house-sitter on such scant acquaintance.

By Black Girl

September 9, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

As one pundit so succinctly stated, the Democrat Party is as it always has been, the party of the four S’s: Slavery, Secession, Segregation and now Socialism.

It was the Democrats who fought to keep blacks in slavery and passed the discriminatory Black Codes and Jim Crow laws. The Democrats started the Ku Klux Klan to lynch and terrorize blacks. The Democrats fought to prevent the passage of every civil rights law beginning with the civil rights laws of the 1860’s, and continuing with the civil rights laws of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

It should come as no surprise that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican. In that era, almost all black Americans were Republicans. Why? From its founding in 1854 as the anti-slavery party until today, the Republican Party has championed freedom and civil rights for blacks.

Given the circumstances of that era, it is understandable why Dr. King was a Republican. It was the Republicans who fought to free blacks from slavery and amended the Constitution to grant blacks freedom (13th Amendment), citizenship (14th Amendment) and the right to vote (15th Amendment). Republicans passed the civil rights laws of the 1860’s, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Reconstruction Act of 1867 that was designed to establish a new government system in the Democrat-controlled South, one that was fair to blacks. Republicans also started the NAACP and affirmative action with Republican President Richard Nixon‘s 1969 Philadelphia Plan (crafted by black Republican Art Fletcher) that set the nation‘s first goals and timetables. Although affirmative action now has been turned by the Democrats into an unfair quota system, affirmative action was begun by Nixon to counter the harm caused to blacks when Democrat President Woodrow Wilson in 1912 kicked all of the blacks out of federal government jobs.

Few black Americans know that it was Republicans who founded the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Unknown also is the fact that Republican Senator Everett Dirksen from Illinois was key to the passage of civil rights legislation in 1957, 1960, 1964 and 1965. Not mentioned in recent media stories about extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act is the fact that Dirksen wrote the language for the bill. Dirksen also crafted the language for the Civil Rights Act of 1968 which prohibited discrimination in housing. President Lyndon Johnson could not have achieved passage of civil rights legislation without the support of Republicans.

Today, Democrats, in pursuit of their socialist agenda, are fighting to keep blacks poor, angry and voting for Democrats. Examples of how egregiously Democrats act to keep blacks in poverty are numerous.

After wrongly convincing black Americans that a minimum wage increase was a good thing, the Democrats on August 3rd kept their promise and killed the minimum wage bill passed by House Republicans on July 29th. The blockage of the minimum wage bill was the second time in as many years that Democrats stuck a legislative finger in the eye of black Americans. Senate Democrats on April 1, 2004 blocked passage of a bill to renew the 1996 welfare reform law that was pushed by Republicans and vetoed twice by President Bill Clinton before he finally signed it. Since the welfare reform law expired in September 2002, Congress had passed six extensions, and the latest expired on June 30, 2004. Opposed by the Democrats are school choice opportunity scholarships that would help black children get out of failing schools and Social Security reform, even though blacks on average lose $10,000 in the current system because of a shorter life expectancy than whites (72.2 years for blacks vs. 77.5 years for whites).

Democrats have been running our inner-cities for the past 30-40 years, and blacks are still complaining about the same problems. Over $7 trillion dollars have been spent on poverty programs since President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty with little, if any, impact on poverty. Diabolically, every election cycle, Democrats blame Republicans for the deplorable conditions in the inner-cities, then incite blacks to cast a protest vote against Republicans.

In order to break the Democrats’ stranglehold on the black vote and free black Americans from the Democrat Party’s economic plantation, we must shed the light of truth on the Democrats. We must demonstrate that the Democrat Party policies of socialism and dependency on government handouts offer the pathway to poverty, while Republican Party principles of hard work, personal responsibility, getting a good education and ownership of homes and small businesses offer the pathway to prosperity.

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Gale

I went by Lowes and bought a small window unit for the office. All i need is a washing machine on the front porch and maybe a hound dog. Love those window air conditioning units.

People coming ouit of the woodwork to fight for any single issue might make them a radical. (This sounds like the beginning of Jeff Foxworthy routine)

Sorry for my heart not being in this discussion. I’m tired of the whole thing. I think we are screwed, no matter what. And I say that because of the Congress, not the White House.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Ouch! I was afraid that was the reaction we’d get. And that from country we generally get on with. I have been scanning BBC news online, but apparently my scanning was too superficial.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Thank God we were removed from the oppressive rule of GREAT BRITIAN and thier ridiculous form of monarchy. Who has a queen in the 21st Century? They lived in the sun once, now they are only shadows of what could have been and once were. No one cares what brits think. They have no influence anywhere. Gave us Monty Python and the Aston Martin and some would say the mini skirt. No use for the bad teeth people of britian. Good luck over there EXPAT, get you absentee ballot in early.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Gale -

And there were complaints about Clinton being shrill. At least she sounded like a professional, not a snarky “hocky mom”.

here’s what bugs me:

Had Hillary gone and given a speech when her labor was imminent … or, god forbid, had a DS child and gone back to the Rose Law Firm 3 days later, could you imagine how she would have been excoriated by Rush, Mike Savage, Michelle Malkin and the like?

Jeeeebus Cripes on a slice of toast - just think of what they said about her when she said she didn’t stay home and make cookies!!

But, because St. Sarah of the Tundra did it, she’s “a frontier woman who knows how to get things done”.

yet another example of IOKIYAR.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

People coming ouit of the woodwork to fight for any single issue might make them a radical. (This sounds like the beginning of Jeff Foxworthy routine)

what’s wrong with feeling passionately about something? some people vote based on their profession (is so-and-so good for teachers), some people vote based on larger issues (is this candidate going to be pro- or anti-environmentalism). Some people vote on 1 issue - for some it’s the 2nd amendment, for others, it’s abortion.

doesn’t make them radical - it just means that’s the issue that blows their skirt up. :::shrug:::

speaking as a woman of child-bearing age who has young nieces and nephews who are in the STUPID years of child-bearing age, I want to make sure they (or their partner) has access to birth control. THAT right is also being eroded, you know - especially with this administration. The president’s hand-picked head of HHS wants to make it perfectly acceptable for all health workers to opt out of doing anything they may have moral issues with (including dispensing birth control)

THESE are the issues I vote on, not just abortion.

By Copyleft

September 9, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

No need to “invent” anything about Palin; the reasons to oppose her are quite clear and based on fact.

Her association with America-hating secessionists. Her association with evangelical nutballs who want an American theocracy. Her pious posturing about moral values when her own family demonstrates the failure of those same values. Her rabid gun-toting and contempt for the environment. Her hatred of women and determination to deprive them of choice. Her support for Crime Boss Stevens and his bridge-to-nowhere project… remember, she was before it before she was against it!

All those are admitted—heck, they’re proudly PROCLAIMED by the ignorant radical-right masses who love such idiotic things.

And the fact that her record is full of contradictions and hypocrisy won’t bother the Religious Reich even slightly—because facts simply don’t matter to them.

Oh, I’ll agree Palin was a smart choice for McLame. He found a way to appeal to the evangelical idiots of the far right. And best of all, he found a way to pull some media attention on his campaign while keeping himself out of the spotlight. Because the one thing he fears most is that voters will actually get a good look at McLame and what he really stands for.

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Black Girl

To hell with Sarah Palin. I want YOU to be the president.

History is brutal to the Democrats. But the education of that true history is completely controlled by a liberal educational system. Ask any high school kid what party George Wallace belonged to, and if they even knew who George Wallace was, they would never know that he ran for president as a Democrat and an independent.

Orval Forbus, the Governor of Arkansas was the person who first stood up to the integration of a Southern School. Forbus was a Democrat. Integrating Central high School in Little Rock quickly became a national issue and Eisenhower, the Republican president sent National Guard troops in order to assure the fair integration of that school.

Last year, the top rated academic high school in the country was … Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. I guess that “dumbing down the schools” that the democrats preached wasn’t such a solid theory.

Good to have you here. Stick around. We could sure use another intelligent and civil poster.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Gale -

Ouch! I was afraid that was the reaction we’d get. And that from country we generally get on with. I have been scanning BBC news online, but apparently my scanning was too superficial.

I like the Times of London (www. timesonline. co.uk) - good, middle-of-the-road newspaper.

the fun thing here is that you have newspapers that are SCREAMINGLY left and right - no pretense at all of being unbiased. Like FOX news, you know what you’re getting.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Copyleft! YOU (DUMBASS)! Sara is why you and the rest of the party of Slavery Session and segregation and socialims are going to lose. HEHE I love it! Idiots like you think you are so smart, but you are engrossed in being agaist as opposed to thinking. HEHE You hater! I feel sorry for (DUMBASS)es like you…No more socialist god to worship, :-) Barry should have changed his name when he converted to christianity. Most muslims change theirs when they convert. Barry Howard OBryan. that would be a pretty name. Not like the ugly name he now has. What name is prettier? Barrack? Or John? Christians prefer John, muslim prefer Barrack….WHO WOULD OSAMA want as PRESIDENT? hmmmmm think about that (DUMBASS)!

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I thought of that woman the first time I heard Palin speak. I spent a lot of time up north and I believe that any woman who uses the term “dude” has to speak with that accent.

Then there was the bartender in Wausau Wis. that would close the bar by announcing “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here”. She had that accent, but somehow, she could make it sound sexy. She was one of “those” women that a guy will remember for the rest of their lives.

Just not into the politics today. I watched Obama last night on O’Rielly. He’s a good guy. If he is in the White House, he will not be the problem, Congress will.

I am watching a good woman that has worked hard her entire life to make the world a better place, being called all sorts of things by people who would not have recognized her on the street a month ago.

I am seeing a brave fighter pilot who has spent his life as a strong fighter for what he believes being called McLaim by someone who will never accomplish a small fraction of what McCain has accomplished.

Why would anyone put themselves in that position?

Hey, breaking news. Kim Jung Il had a stroke. Karma’s a b^tch.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

GtG -

Thank God we were removed from the oppressive rule of GREAT BRITIAN and thier ridiculous form of monarchy. Who has a queen in the 21st Century? They lived in the sun once, now they are only shadows of what could have been and once were. No one cares what brits think. They have no influence anywhere. Gave us Monty Python and the Aston Martin and some would say the mini skirt. No use for the bad teeth people of britian. Good luck over there EXPAT, get you absentee ballot in early.

oh, I have already contacted the last state I lived in to make sure I get my absentee ballot … don’t you worry your pretty little head about that.

as for your misinformation about the UK … first of all, it’s a constitutional monarchy - the queen doesn’t govern. we let parliament do that.

secondly, I’m so sad to hear you don’t like our fair island. does that mean you don’t plan to visit? ever? can I get your word on that?

lastly, considering we’re pretty much the only people out in the middle east fighting with the US, you should care what we think of you. without us, you would have lost Afghanistan years ago when the CiC got distracted by something shiny in Iraq.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

USinUK, don’t encourage him by answering him!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

EXPAT, I forgot about Bass beer. The one saving grace of the empire. You have my word about not visiting England. Ireland broke free of the Queens tyranny, correct? Gawd, Save the Queen! Good luck with them Olympics, we will visit Germany during that time with a stop at Normandy to see where my 3 Great Uncles are buried. 1 German, 1 American and 1 Irish.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

EXPAT? You were not suggesting that Afganistan is in the middle east? I hope not!

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

gale -

USinUK, don’t encourage him by answering him!

considering it was his first non-wank-to-Sarah posting in a week, I was just impressed that it was something that wasn’t a junior varsity cheer.

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I’ve worked with quite a few Brits, especially around the time of the Olympics. Decent folks, but definitely has that European condescension thing going on. My GF has that. It’s a lot of fun to jump on that bandwagon and look down your nose at Americans.

But make no mistake. That’s what it is. it’s just condescension. Europeans do not own the patient on civility, culture or class.

The only advantage I could see to living in Europe would be that some parts of Europe, like France has completely accepted nuclear power and many of the old cities are being cleaned up for the first time in two thousand years. Of course our cities are already clean, by comparison.

I’m not cutting you down for living there. Affairs of the heart are strong things to deal with. And considering your politics, i can see why you would think that Brits are fair, even though you list incredibly unfair articles written by Brits,

I’m in a good place with my GF. She goes home and I am an American, again. You don’t go home. You are submersed in that European condescension every minute of every day.

As much as we disagree, i think you are a good hearted Southern woman who cares about other people and has a deep love for her home country. Looking down your nose at anyone is not an attractive trait.

There is only one thing that is more fun than being in Europe. That’s being an American in Europe.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Gale? You (DUMBASS)! STFU! We conservatives don’t care about your sexual orientation, but we are miffed by your (dumbass) attitudes! I almost forgot
Yeah SARA!
Yeah John!
Yeah Log Cabin Republicans!
Yeah Packers!
Yeah NFL!

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

But make no mistake. That’s what it is. it’s just condescension. Europeans do not own the patient on civility, culture or class.

I think Americans need to look in the mirror a bit on that one. Who came up with the name “cheese-eating surrender monkeys” for the French? Americans. Who makes the joke about Italian rifles “dropped once, never fired”? Americans. Who thinks all French smell and are obnoxious. well, actually, that’s everyone else who isn’t French, actually ;-) (but the Brits have made making fun of the Germans into an art form … even to the point of having a cheer at international football matches against Germany “if you’ve won a war, stand up!”)

Americans are condescending in their own right when it comes to Europe. So are the Brits when visiting abroad. So are the French and, god help us, the Germans - you’ve never experienced anything until you’ve seen a German tourist not get his way.

The point is, EVERYone thinks their country is the best, has the best people and the best way of life.

There are things I absolutely LOVE about living here and things that I really don’t like (the Brits can also be drunken louts). :::shrug::: people are people, I think.

There is only one thing that is more fun than being in Europe. That’s being an American in Europe.

TRUE DAT!!! Especially when you want to have fun and play up to their prejudices (they think all Americans are effusive, so I love to do big hellos and thank yous … it messes with their head)

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

GtG -

W2W ate my response - but yes, I consider Afghanistan part of the middle east … as does wiki … look it up.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

“Log Cabin Republicans” ?? So you’re gay, GTG?

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Gale it doesn’ really matter does it?

By The Other Jack

September 9, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

USinUK

I always loved the French. They were always nice to me and Italians are well … Italiian. Brits drink. Damn, do they drink. But so do most Europeans. But they were good to work with. I think I like working with the Australians the best.

But the condescension wars aren’t new. One of my favorite books of all times, “Innocents Abroad” is all about condescension. I still keep a copy of Twain’s best works on my nightstand.

By Snidely Buttright

September 9, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

things Sarah and my pit bull have in common -

Both:

• Look confused when asked questions.

• Like to poop on the environment.

• Can attack unprovoked and will rip you to shreds.

• Are good at following the commands of their handlers.

• Remain quiet on the birth control issue.

• Have extensive foreign policy experience.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

One of my favorite books of all times, “Innocents Abroad” is all about condescension. I still keep a copy of Twain’s best works on my nightstand.

I loved Innocents Abroad! They even did a decent movie version of it back in the 1980s with David Ogden Stiers (from MASH)

okay. since you’re a Twain-head - have you been to his home in Hartford? they did a killer job on the home and the museum - just fantastic.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

EXPAT: Can you smoke in England? Inside I mean. I am a reformed smoker and miss it terribly. Smoking is great, just is to damn bad for you. Broke my heart when they banned smoking in Ireland.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Snidely Butthead! Funny!

BTW: If I ever see your pitbull I will make sure and dispose of it properly (that is with a .45 caliber hollow point!) Pitbulls are useless and should be outlawed, along with Rotwiellers. They (and thier owners) lick donkey balls.

By USinUK

September 9, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

GtG -

EXPAT: Can you smoke in England? Inside I mean. I am a reformed smoker and miss it terribly. Smoking is great, just is to damn bad for you. Broke my heart when they banned smoking in Ireland.

nope - they enacted a smoking ban about a year ago. you know what the #1 complaint was about a week after it took effect? how badly pubs SMELLED (a lovely mixture of BO and pee). that’s probably the only good thing you can say about cig smoke - it covers everything else up.

I love being able to visit my fav coffee shop in the morning and leave without smelling like I spent the night “on the lash”, as they say here.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

GTG, nope, it doesn’t matter. Obnoxious people can be found in every group. I just have the impression that you are male and I have never met such an overtly rude gay man, with no apparent redeeming features.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Expat, and the flavor! Smoking is so much fun! Damn cancer!

By chuck

September 9, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Things Snidely Buttright and my BUTT have in common.

1) They smell the same

2) The hole opens up and something FOUL comes out.

3) Nothing good (in the case of my butt NOTHING GOES IN)goes in but WASTE comes out

4)They don’t know themselves from a hole in the ground.

By What EV

September 9, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

I must now go on record with the fact that MY pit bull (mix) and the lipstick-wearing hockey mom have NOTHING in common, and we are insulted by the continuing references to their alleged likeness! My dog actually loves and protects our family, and does not exploit and embarrass us for personal gain. Plus, my dog never lies. Thank you for letting me clear this up on her behalf.

By Truth

September 9, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

So Snidely owns a pit bull. Wow. What a surprise.

Protects his family. It’s not his family I am worried about. It’s the innocent 5 year old girl that happened to do something to cause the brainless, worthless piece of dog flesh to decide that the 5 year old is worth killing in order to protect Snidely’s family.

Ever notice how few Pit Bulls are used by the police or the military? That’s because they are dumb as they are dangerous. Since the 70s, pit bulls have been responsible for over 1,500 deaths and countless maimings. Rotts are second with slightly over 1,000. The next breeds are in the tens, not the hundreds.

People like Snidely believe that their masculinity is tied directly to his dog, his car, his music, in other words, it needs to be represented by something big and powerful, something that he ain’t.

He’s a Joke. He’s a clown, He is not even smart enough to realize the liability in owning a brainless set of attack teeth. But then, judging by his past posts, he is a brainless set of attack teeth.

By What EV

September 9, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

As usual, “Truth” is pumps the board with false assertions. I am not Snidely, lots of people own pit bulls, (or in my case, a mutt from a rescue organization), and LOTS of people think you are an a—hole.

I don’t know about Snidely, but as long as he or she takes care of the dog, his or her “masculinity” is not for me to judge. My dog protects me (a helpless woman), my family, and my home from a—holes, of which there are an abundance it seems, and from criminals, much better than an annoying alarm system that everyone ignores. There are also fitness benefits from walking and jogging with a large dog, but then, I’m sure you’ll find a way to judge that negatively too, being that you’re an a—hole.

Clue: YOU’re the clown here.

By What EV

September 9, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Some dogs are dangerous, and the stats A—hole cites do indicate these breeds should not be kept unless they’re well secured, supervised, and loved. Mine lives inside and therefore cannot escape the yard to make trouble. Not every dog owner is Michael Vick, just as not every MAN is an intolerable, bitter TOOL who can’t get over his past and must blame everybody else forever.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

GALE? Am I not good enough to be Queer? WTF?

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

PIT BULLS SUCK DONKEY BALLS! And kill innocent children. No use for them other than target practice for my handgun. People that own pit bulls are stupid. Not ignorant, but stupid. Even an ignorant man could learn how evil Pit Bulls truly are, only a stupid idiot would igore this and actually own one. If your rescue dog is part pit bull, you should cut it’s throat this very day. They are evil!

By Gale

September 9, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

GTG, I imagine it is just the company I normally keep, GTG. I don’t usually encounter intentionally rude people, gay or straight. IF it wasn’t for the normally interesting people here, comments like yours would incline me to leave.

By Sideliner

September 9, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

GALE? Am I not good enough to be Queer? WTF?

You are not good enough to be human.

By What EV

September 9, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

G the shriv, you’re entitled to your opinion, of course. I think YOU’RE evil. So?

How many people do MEN kill every year? How many people do WOMEN kill every year? (Oh, do go on about the innocent children…) I blame MEN and WOMEN for keeping dangerous dogs and allowing them the opportunity to hurt others. I applaud the conviction of those power freaks in California whose dogs killed the nice lesbian girl in their apt. hallway. Golden retrievers and chijuajuas bite too. It’s a dangerous world. Glad I have someone to stand between me and a psychotic criminal MAN in my home or on the jogging trail. Trust me, you don’t want me to walk around with a glock in my pocket, and no, I wouldn’t be glad to see you.

Have a lovely evening, y’all.

By Gale

September 9, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Did everyone have a bad day, or what? This sure is a big spat over some innocent comments about Gov Palin’s pit bull comment. It was stupid when she said it and it is stupid now. (I feel like the playground monitor.)

By thinkBefore U vote

September 9, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Seriously folks. Everybody, particulary women, need to really think about who they vote for & how it WILL DIRECTLY affect all women. Sarah Palin: under her mayoral leadership in Wasilla, Alaska, rape victims were charged for their own rape kits.

A rape kit is a sexual assault forensic evidence kit, used to collect DNA that can be used in criminal proceedings to assist in the conviction of those who commit sex crimes. The kit is performed as soon as possible after a sexual assault or attack has been committed. It is usually humiliating and uncomfortable for the victim-imagine enduring that and then paying $1200 just so that the criminal who assaulted you might be caught. Let’s put this into perspective. One of the services that almost every American (with the exception of a few hardcore Libertarians, I suppose) agree that our government should provide is policing and investigation into crime, especially of a violent nature. Rape, one of the most difficult to prosecute, disproportionately affects women—young women, in fact. If Palin wants to play fierce mother hen in her stump speeches, I suggest she explain how it is that she wouldn’t do everything in her mayoral power to make sure that rapists be caught and prosected.

What adds insult to injury here is her stance on abortion for rape victims. So, not only did she neglect to support women who were raped in getting the evidence they needed to get justice, but she doesn’t believe they should have the right to choose what happens with their bodies after they’ve endured such violation.

Nobody with views like that have any business being in any position of power in this country.

By lovelyliz

September 9, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

By The Other Jack

Labeling a neo-con as a conservative does not make them a conservative Ron Paul is a conservative. Sarah Palin and John McCain are not. They are not political conservatives and not even close to being fiscal ones either.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 9, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

WHATEV: Get a freaking GERMAN SHEPARD or An ELKHOUND, or a MASTIF, but for your kids sake get rid of that pit bull mutt. Don’t take it personal, just don’t be stupid. Let me put this succinctly, DON’T BE A (DUMBASS) get rid of the PIT BULL IF YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN!
A Glock wouldn’t be my first choice, but it would be much less likely to KILL YOUR CHILDREN than the PIT BULL. DON’t BE A (DUMBASS)! Pit Bulls Kill children, owners, nice lesbians, bad lesbians, and especially (DUMBASS)es!

By JaneJ

September 9, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

I heard about that too. How many women can honestly afford $1200 for a rape kit? And how souless and spiritually bankrupt do you have to be to even consider charging women for this?

I am utterly enraged still. Thank goodness the mayor after her changed the policy. I wonder how many women in her town went without the rape kit because they couldn’t afford it?

By lovelyliz

September 9, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

All these folks calling John McCain and Sarah Palin conservatives. Barry Goldwater must be rolling over in his grave.

Why not call a Republican a Republican and leave it at that?

By Gale

September 9, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

I wonder how many other local agencies charge women for rape kits.

By AK teachr

September 9, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

“ANCHORAGE - Gov. Tony Knowles recently signed legislation protecting victims of sexual assault from being billed for tests to collect evidence of the crime, but one local police chief said the new law will further burden taxpayers.(HUH????!!?)

Is there any other crime where it would be in the least bit acceptable to force the victim to pay for the investigation? Disgusting. Does anybody know how often women are made to pay for their own rape kits? Given the victim-blaming that goes on everywhere, I guess I wouldn’t be surprised if this is not an isolated case.

It’s still not ok to charge the insurance companies for a rape kit—it’s PART OF THE FORENSIC INVESTIGATION. And just in case anyone else is wondering, the 2005 re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act explicitly forbids doing what Palin did before it was passed.

Imagine yourself a poor, young high school/college student, scared to death because you’ve been through the worst experience of your life, can you count on Sarah Palin to stand on your side?

Wow scary stuff.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Charging for a rape kit. Did a quick serach and it seems that several states do the same thing. three of the states are Illinois, Arkansas and Georgia. It has always been the case in Georgia. So … didn’t we have a complete domination of our state by democrats since the civil war until just a couple of years ago?

Damn democrats. Charging women for rape kits.

By AK teacher

September 10, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Other Jack is there any other crime where the victim is forced to pay for the investigation? Isn’t this discrimination? So what happens if you don’t have $1200 laying around? Ends up on your credit? Nice.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Lipstick on a pig? LOL!!! Yeah, that should bring women back to the democrats.

At this point, after destroying the DNC bump and then gaining a strong lead in less than two weeks, it’s just a matter of whether or not it is going to be a landslide for the Republicans.

Imagine this: The democrats had this one to lose. Bush has some of the worst ratings of any president, but because of the candidate the democrats are running, McCain will probably walk away with this one.

Desperation is a horrible thing. USinUK. Still ready for the Republicans to “bring it”?

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Gandalf

We were sooo wrong. Snidely got the GOOD pit bull. And strangely enough, yet another brand new poster that no one had ever seen came here, completely supported Snidely and strangely enough seems to know all about me.

But Snidely and WhatEV got the two GOOD pit bulls. Remember during the College football championship last year where the trained K-9 officer lost control of his pit bull and it attacked a offensive receiver in the end zone, resulting in that athlete having surgery on his hand? That was a BAD pit bull and that highly trained K-9 officer that couldn’t control his pit bull? He wasn’t nearly as accomplished as Snidely. Snidely knows what he is doing, man. He can do what no other person can do, he can be absolutely sure that his dog which has been declared a dangerous breed by almost every state in the union, will never attack anyone and will always make the right decision before attacking anyone. Yea, his pit bull is different than any other pit bull. His pit bull is the exception.

But seriously, the problem with pit bulls is not only that they are horribly dumb (like most of their owners), but the real problem is that the half-wits who buy these little monsters have no sense of responsibility to the safety of their community. It is a combination of paranoia and a screaming need for added masculinity.

But this lack of any idea of the danger these breeds introduce is multiplied because most owners of pit bulls are lower income people who would never have any sort of home owner’s insurance. So if your little girl gets her face eaten off by Snidley’s little treasure, chances are, Snidely’s net worth would not pay for the ambulance trip to the emergency room, and certainly not the years of plastic surgery that will be required to attempt to rebuild the little girl’s face.

So it’s not only the fact that they buy the brainless attack machines, they rarely can afford the home owner’s insurance to pay for the damage the dogs are completely capable of doing.

Personally, i got the opportunity to cure a pit bull several years ago. After the third time, he got into my fenced in back yard to attack my little girl’s cairn terrier, I pulled the trigger on the cure and cured the little b^stard. Never had that problem again. The owner wasn’t very happy, but he never bought another dangerous breed. So it was all good.

By AK teacher

September 10, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

Lipstick on a pig? Isn’t that the term McCain used for Hillary? Sigh, everywhere you turn sexism is there.

Why aren’t families of murder victims charged with the forensics for that case then?
I’m speechless on this one. And why aren’t sex offenders funding all rape kits? WHY? I don’t get this. Who can we contact to get this changed? We need a new law. Taxpayers & especially women should not be paying for this. How do normal people figure out who to contact & how to get something like this changed?

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

AK teacher

I agree that it doesn’t seem right. But the point is that it happens all over the country, not just in Alaska, but the only state that anyone has a problem with is the state that Sarah Palin governs.

This stuff ain’t workin’. You are trying to hold Palin responsible for every law or position that is represented in the state government of Alaska. Is this all you got? Apparently it is. With all the investigations into Palin, what they are finding out is non-associated issues like this. And none of this is helping.

Obama is calling a very intelligent and popular woman a pig. You have bigger problems than the price of rape kits.

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Curious as to how long Sara Palin’s greatest hits tour will fascinate people? (you know that is all she says, right? The big hits of her 30+ minute, written for her, speach)

Talk about undue celebrity status and a flash in the pan.

By lovelyliz

September 10, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

What is the key factor behind the GOP selection of Sarah Palin for VP?

Perhaps McCain is trying to recreate the Bush/Cheney team?

By lovelyliz

September 10, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

By The Other Jack

Obama is calling a very intelligent and popular woman a pig. You have bigger problems than the price of rape kits.

By that same logic, McCain did the same thing.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

lovelyliz

Barry Goldwater must be rolling over in his grave.

Yeah. Imagine the grave spinning of all those Dixiecrats that fought against integration and now their own party is running the first Black candidate?

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

liz, you seem very angry, swinging wildly. Calm down. it’s just an election. Do you think Obama would be that upset about you losing an election?

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Obama is calling a very intelligent and popular woman a pig.

Anyone that actually believes that is what Obama said has half a brain or is deliberately lying.

…a total non-issue.

And seeing that she is a woman and passed the legislation to make rape victims pay for their kits does mean something: she is not an advocate for women, which will and has already hurt her.

By Gale

September 10, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Given no legal aide group has challenged the rape kit charge to the victim in court, I guess even they care little for women’s rights. Probably women who can afford the charge are too traumatized to refuse to pay, and those who can’t pay are on public aid anyway. Then there are those who don’t report the crime in the first place. It is understandable since if the case does go to court, the victim is often accused of being responsible for instigating the rape and the accused get off without punishment.

I was suprised to read yesterday that Obama has been criticizing his fundraisers because they are not meeting his goals. How much money does he need to beat McCain? He ended the primary with, what 3-4 times as much cash?

By Snidely Buttright

September 10, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Palin is nothing special. She’s too cowardly to face an aggressive free press, but brave enough to shoot wolves from the safety of a low flying aircraft. She’s a bald-faced, unrepentant liar. She’s used her political power to punish those who’ve “crossed her” and touted it as a good thing. And she charges the State of Alaska for living expenses — FOR HER OWN HOUSE! She a Creationist who believes in “speaking in tongues”, believes God likes oil pipelines, and has no doubt that Iraq is a mission from Him.

She compares HERSELF to a pitbull but whines when her opponents use a common adage for “useless” to describe her. McSame and Cheney-in-Drag, just what we need!

By Gale

September 10, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Regarding who to contact for changing the laws for charging the victim for the rape kit to continue a criminal investigation: Probably a good start would be to collect the names of the governors who have signed such legislation and everyone who voted for same, and plastering their names on the internet where lots of people would see that they believe in making it harder to convict rapists.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Non-Issue. LOL!!!

And the rape kit is such a huge issue. It’s on all the cable news shows this morning … wait actually it is all over the liberal blogashere, nothing about it on real TV news.

But there is just not much room for talk about the rape kits. All the time is taken up from talk about that non-issue. LOL!!!

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Gale

So have you written the governor of Georgia to make sure women here don’t need to pay for a rape kit? Have you marched on the Capital here? Are you on the phone between posts or is this just a bunch or partisan nonsense that is all about Sarah Palin and nothing to do with supporting women?

Women have paid for rape kits in Georgia, long before Republicans took over this state. but oddly enough, many on here seem very concerned about that horrible policy in Alaska, but don’t seem to mind the policy in Georgia.

By AK teacher

September 10, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Probably a good start would be to collect the names of the governors who have signed such legislation and everyone who voted for same.

How do you find that out? Excellent idea, post names & contacts on this board !

By Copyleft

September 10, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

TOJ still seems stuck on that old racist Democratic party of the south… which, of course, has become the new Republican party base.

The fact that Palin is a creationist proves she’s unfit to hold any office, much less the vice presidency. Dangerously stupid people have had too much influence on our policies already.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Snidely!!!!

How’s that little baby killer that protects your family?

Just a few question: Be sure to ignore them all.

Please point to a single source that says that she takes part in the EPA’s attempt at holding down the surplus population of wolves that kill the moose and Caribou herds. Wolves in Alaska are not endangered. in fact they are dangerous predators that regularly attack civilians and protected herds of other animals if they are not culled. But of course, you would know much more about such things than the governor of Alaska. Pit bulls, wolves, 14 day vacations that only take 6 days, you know it all.

And she charges the State of Alaska for living expenses — FOR HER OWN HOUSE!

We have a governor’s mansion here in Georgia, too. Maybe Barnes could stay with you. no wait, you have that damn dog.

Speaking in tongues. She attended such a church while she was a teenager. So if she learned to speak in tongues in those few years, what did Obama learn in the 20 years he supported the racist church he attended?

I mknow you were just blabbering like you always do. but I thought i would have a little fun. I know you can’t answer the questions. Everybody knows.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Copyleft

Yes there are people who think differently than you. it is obvious that the term “open minded” will never get in the way of your way of looking at life. But everyone can’t think just like you. We are all from different back grounds. Lots and lots of people are smarter than you, Lots are better educated and lots want everyone to be free to worship how they want. unlike you.

There are countries that only one way thinking is allowed. If I were you, I would consider those countries as my new home. They don’t believe in the rights of others to worship how they please. That sounds perfect for you.

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

I see, when the media picks up on something you agree with they are hitting on a good point. But when they report on the stuff you dislike, they are just a bunch of liberal blowhards.

Yes. Non-issue. Just like when McCain used the same phrase and Obama used it previously regarding Bush policies. But….Now it is different! half a brain or lying is all it comes down to, unless you want to point to the transcript where her actually called her a pig….

Anyone???

Lying and stealing ideas/catch phrases are the only angles the repubs can come up with. Sad really.

By Gale

September 10, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

How do you find that out? Excellent idea, post names & contacts on this board ! Which is why people usually keep their mouths shut and don’t make suggestions. I think the folks who are most outraged by this should be the ones after changing the laws. I was just pointing out that Palin was not alone in this instance and then commenting on the “where to start” question. Suddenly I am pegged as a community organizer. TOJ, I was not even aware of this issue until yesterday and I only read this morning that GA is among the states that do this. FWIW, it sounds like the fat is in the fire on this one and the media will bring it to public attention.

I’m uncomfortable with a religious stance from any candidate. It is well and good if they lean on their faith and it guides their decisions. However, when they use it to get votes from extremists or to justify passing discriminatory or oppresive legislation, how far is it to using religion to promote a war. How close are we really to the Islamist accusation of making war on Islam? If our president started claiming our troops were fighting with God’s grace, how much more certain would our enemies be that we are fighting against the religion and not the terrorists?

It is quite sad, IMO, that our candidates for office are required to wear their faith on their lapels like the flag pins to prove something. Faith should be something much deeper that mere pronouncements and public prayers.

By Copyleft

September 10, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Actually, a repressive theocracy is what the fundamentalists are trying to turn the U.S. into, TOJ—so I think I’ll stay right here and fight their anti-American efforts, thank you.

As for “thinking differently”… sorry, but that doesn’t apply to creationists. They don’t believe in thinking at all. Don’t trust it. Thinking could lead to questions, and that gets in the way of establishing their new American Christian Empire.

Creationists simply ARE stupid, TOJ. This is not a difference of opinion, like what policy to pursue with Iran. This is basic fact. Flat-earthers are stupid, creationists are stupid, and people who believe in either are unfit to hold any position of authority—from a school board all the way up to the White House.

By Snidely Buttright

September 10, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

that’s right, ToJ. Just stay on message, attack the messangers, and get hysterical at the drop of a hat.

Heh. We see how you are. According to you, the STATE OWNED governors mansion is no different than a private home. And Palin’s never used the hunting method most prefered by cowards. sssssure she hasn’t.

She attended such a church while she was a teenager. and still does idiot!

~ “Palin attends church at the Juneau Christian Center, a congregation affiliated with the Assembly of God, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. Pentecostals are evangelicals who believe in unintelligible utterances commonly known as “speaking in tongues.” They are also distinguished by their emphasis on faith healing, their belief in the rapture, and their emotional, hand-waving style of Christian worship. Disgraced televangelists Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker are Pentecostals.”

Yeah. St. Sarah has no skeletons in HER closet. St. Sarah is here to save the Republicants. St. Sarah doesn’t beleive in pork, except when she does. St. Sarah doesn’t believe in deficit spending, except when she does. St. Sarah doesn’t beleive in partisan name-calling, except when she does. Heh, you whiners might as well just put her in a shrine and carry her around on your shoulders, the way you’re all worshipping at her feet. Seek blessings from the savior of the GOP

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

They don’t believe in the rights of others to worship how they please. That sounds perfect for you.

Like a place where the candidates cannot distinguish their religious beliefs and facts. Ohhh yea, that would be right here in the good USA if Palin has a say about policy.

Seems you may not have to move after all.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

We have a governor’s mansion here in Georgia, too. Maybe Barnes could stay with you. no wait, you have that damn dog.

she wasn’t staying at the gov mans - she was staying at her home in Wasilla … and charging the state for per diem (which you should only charge if you’re AWAY from your home)

Speaking in tongues. She attended such a church while she was a teenager. So if she learned to speak in tongues in those few years, what did Obama learn in the 20 years he supported the racist church he attended?

no, she stayed at the pentacostal church until 2002 (which puts her in her mid-30s, not her teens) … and, while the new church doesn’t speak in tongues, they do invite “featured speakers” who say things like Israel gets terrorist attacks because they don’t believe in jesus … and that homosexuality can be “cured” …

sorry, but you can’t examine Obama’s church under a microscope then give Palin’s a pass …

By Mara

September 10, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

I’m sure y’all have heard about the Troopergate issue, and the investigation swirling around Governor Palin. Well, it seems like the she’s taking pages from the Bush and Cheney on invoking “executive privilege” to sheild herself from accounatability. I’m still surprised that the Republicans would select someone who is already under ethics investigation.

WASILLA, Alaska, Sept. 9 — Gov. Sarah Palin is being asked by a local Republican activist to release more than 1,100 e-mails she withheld from a public records request, including 40 that were copied to her husband, Todd.

Palin had claimed executive privilege for documents copied to her husband, who is not a state employee, in responding to an open records request in June made by Andrée McLeod, an activist in Anchorage. The administrative appeal filed yesterday by McLeod’s attorney, Donald C. Mitchell, argued that by copying Todd Palin on sensitive state correspondence, the governor and her aides shattered the privilege rightly afforded elected officials.

“She has allowed Todd Palin — who has not been elected by the people of Alaska, who is not a state employee — to entangle himself apparently as he sees fit in the operations of the executive branch of the state government,” Mitchell said.”

By AKteacher

September 10, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

So how does ANYBODY find out why rape kits are charged to rape victims? And who to contact to change this to SEX OFFENDERS funding these? Is this a well kept secret because nobody really cares about women-stuff?

Seriously, this is really messed up. It’s all well & good to bring attention to issues like this, but unless we start actually doing something……

By AK teacher

September 10, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

So how does ANYBODY find out why rape kits are charged to rape victims? And who to contact to change this to SEX OFFENDERS funding these? Is this a well kept secret because nobody really cares about women-stuff? How can this be legal?

Seriously, this is really messed up. It’s all well & good to bring attention to issues like this, but unless we start actually doing something……

By HeeHaw

September 10, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

*How do you find that out? Excellent idea, post names & contacts on this board ! *

don’t expect any posting of the kind(don’t hold your breath) as it was all just more BS from a BSer.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

AK Teacher -

So how does ANYBODY find out why rape kits are charged to rape victims? And who to contact to change this to SEX OFFENDERS funding these? Is this a well kept secret because nobody really cares about women-stuff?

are you looking at this as a national issue or a state issue?? If you’re trying to find out what’s going on in states across the country, try the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) - they monitor trends, votes, issues, etc. while they won’t give you granular detail, they may have an idea of national trends.

if you’re just talking your state, then look up your own state legislature online and do a search on the issue (also, try looking for it through lateral searches such as public safety or public health — sometimes these things are buried in other bills and people don’t know it’s there).

By Gale

September 10, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

AK teacher, I remember reading up topic that the law was changed in Palin’s town by the mayor after her. That indicates local juristicion rather than state. This may not be evenly applied within the state.

By AK teacher

September 10, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Thank you USinUK, I’ll take a look & see what I can find. (i didn’t mean to post twice, how did that happen !) hehe

By Gale

September 10, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

USinUK, I was hoping you would show up with a search suggestion. I have often confessed my laziness when it comes to searching. I’m not proud of being lazy, but research just doesn’t excite me.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Gale -

to quote one of my favs, Carl Sandburg:

I am the grass. I cover all.

:-)

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

I guess we are not going to get a direct quote of Obama calling Palin a pig?

Anyone surprised?

:tumbleweeds:

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Jokes -

I guess we are not going to get a direct quote of Obama calling Palin a pig?

you’ll see that the same time you see folks calling W a “defeatist” for announcing a timeline for a troop pullout …

:::crickets chirping:::

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 10, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Jokes ON: What in your 15 years of grade school education makes you believe that Obama called Palin a pig directly? You are a DUMBASS He implied it. I don’t think they taught that word in double secret probation classes you took while 15 in 8th grade YOU, YOU…YOU….(DUMBASS!)

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 10, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Jokes ON: What in your 15 years of grade school education makes you believe that Obama called Palin a pig directly? You are a DUMBASS He implied it. I don’t think they taught that word in double secret probation classes you took while 15 in 8th grade YOU, YOU…YOU….(DUMBASS!)

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Copyleft

this morning you said that anyone who doesn’t believe what you believe should not be allowed to run for office. That is what YOU said. But now it is the Christians that want to demand that others think like them. LOL!! Nice dodge. When has any Christian demanded anything like what you said this morning?

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Snidely Bullsh*t

And Palin’s never used the hunting method most prefered by cowards. sssssure she hasn’t.

LOL!!! That double digit IQ is just shinin’ today. Hunters use high powered rifles against unarmed creatures of the forest. What part of that is not being a coward? Shooting from an airplane to cull a dangerous predator is no more of being a coward than anything else.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

USinUK

Tell you what. I will compare a church that speaks in tongues to one that speaks in racist dogma any time. Speaking in tongues is not teaching hate. It’s simply teaching somnething that you can’t agree with.

I’ll take that debate. Bring it.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

Tell you what. I will compare a church that speaks in tongues to one that speaks in racist dogma any time. Speaking in tongues is not teaching hate. It’s simply teaching somnething that you can’t agree with.

that’s right. ignore the bit about her current church hosting people who preach that Israel has terrorism because they don’t believe in Jesus.

speaking in tongues isn’t the issue. anti-semitism AT HER CURRENT CHURCH is.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

If the greatest wordsmith since JFK used the term lipstick on a Pig and the term old smelly fish and didn’t know that there would be a parallel drawn even among the most liberal media outlets, he is not smart enough to wipe his as^. So he certainly isn’t smart enough to be the president.

it doesn’t matter how many liberals on a political blog fold there arms and demand that a direct quote is listed. The world can see what he said. They can see the pregnant pause after he said it that gave the crowd time to go nuts. They can see the smirk on his face. It is the lead story on ALL the networks. Obama just tried to slime out of what he just saId.

Yea. Non-issue. A few more non-issues like that one and Obama won’t carry a single state.

You can pretend all day that nobody cares. You can call me all the names you want. You are losing the election and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.

So keep raising hell about Alaska policies that you don’t like that many, many other states have. Keep pretending that a brother-in-law that tazed her 10 year old nephew with a full powered police tazer, just for fun is going to raise a scandal when she tried to get him fired. Keep pretending that no women will vote for her because she is pro-life.

Keep pretending. And I’ll keep pretending that the Democrats still have a prayer for winning this election.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Mara

Are you really complaining that she confided in her husband?

When we get those Alaska e-mails released, will you help me in getting the e-mails between Hillary and Bill released?

None of this is working. Obama, the teflon presidential candidate has become the magnetic presidential candidate. It is that rare day in America when the feeding frenzy is aimed at a democrat, instead of a Republican. And the more of these “issues” that come up about Palin, the more people believe that she is being unfairly attacked.

So keep reading those blogs and democratic propaganda sites. Stay away from the real media, because right now, even places like CNN are going after Obama. And we are just a few weeks from the election. And even worse, 9-11 is HERE, the day that democrats refuse to discuss and Palin’s son goes to Iraq.

All you guys seem so pis^ed off. No wonder. This should have been the easiest election in history. But because the democrats ran an empty box, you are going to lose. I’d be pis*ed, too.

By TheSearcher

September 10, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

We would never bill the victim of a burglary for fingerprinting and photographing the crime scene, or for the cost of gathering other evidence. Nor should we bill rape victims just because the crime scene happens to be their bodies. According to the U.S. Justice Department, 272,350 sexual assaults were reported in 2006. The same survey estimated that only 41 percent of rapes and other sexual assaults are reported to police. “Many times, you have people who were drunk, maybe doing drugs, maybe they’re underage, and you start talking about the police and they get scared.”

Back in 2007, in North Dakota victims of sexual assault crimes will not be stuck with the bill for a medical exam used to gather evidence.The state will now pay for the “rape kit,” which can cost up to 450-dollars. The change comes through a bill passed by the Legislature earlier this year. Williston Senator Stan Lyson (LEE’-sun) introduced it after he found out that some women who have been sexually assaulted walked out of the emergency room rather than have the exam, because they would have had to pay for it.

I’m still looking. Isn’t charging a rape victim discrimination against women? I can’t find another crime where the victim is charged for the investigation. I don’t get this at all. Why is this the 1st time most of us have heard of this policy? This sounds so illegal.

By Copyleft

September 10, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

this morning you said that anyone who doesn’t believe what you believe should not be allowed to run for office.

Wrong. I said that anyone so disconnected from reality that they think 2 + 2 = purple is too dangerously stupid to hold office. And that remains true.

And that describes creationists perfectly. They’re functional in day-to-day life, but they’re insanely dumb.

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

it doesn’t matter how many liberals on a political blog fold there arms and demand that a direct quote is listed. The world can see what he said.

Now the whole worlds believes what you pretend happened. Try googling the phrase and see how many hits are stating that is not what he said. I already did and could not find but a handful that claimed that is what he meant, and those were parroting McCain (like you) and not stating what they thought.

Did you even watch the speech in question? I know you said you did not watch the DNC either. That means you are parroting what the press picks up on, and not thinking for yourself based on what you saw.

You can call me all the names you want. Where did I call you a name? Betcha cannot quote that either. But, that is right, you can get in peoples head and tell them what they actually meant;) LOL

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

All you guys seem so pis^ed off. No wonder. This should have been the easiest election in history. But because the democrats ran an empty box, you are going to lose.

The repubs sure are trying to steal all the ideas and slogans from that “empty box.” You should calm down a bit and take a break from blogging if you are going to freak out so soon.

By Mara

September 10, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

TOJ - a brother-in-law that tazed her 10 year old nephew with a full powered police tazer

um…you DO know that is completely false, right? While he did use the devise on the boy, it wasn’t a full-powered, disabling taze. The boy was curious and asked for a demonstration. The father removed the wires and set it for manual operation. From the accounts I read, the shock was equivilent to touching an electrical stock fence and lasted for only a second or so.

While I agree the he used bad judgement in the manner with which he satisfied the sons curiosity, in no way was it a “full powered police tazer”. And to condone the use of Palin using her political office to “punish” him for that lack of judgement…I don’t know what to say about that except…wow! Do all Republicans view ethics as irrelevant?

By JMC

September 10, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Sarah Palin and her daughter are proof positive that the teaching of abstinence only Does Not Work.

Also she’s been caught in lie upon lie.

You people who are so enthralled with her should watch something other than Fox noise.

I’m not crazy about either ticket, but I certainly will not be voting McBush/Palin.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Copyleft

I could name hundreds of our founding fathers that believed in creationism. Are they stupid, too?

You are not going to win this. You just sound more like a bigot every time you post.

So please: continue.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

USinUk

Anti-semitism? So that’s the charge d’jour? LOL!!

Funny thing. I have seen a piece done on her church that was done by CNN and I have seen a p[iece on FOX. Amazingly enough, they both said that it was a non-denominational church they both said that it taught traditioanal Christianity, but neither said a word about anti-semitism.

I am about as pro-Jew as it gets. Haven’t read a thing. So where are you getting your information? Wouldn’t be liberal blogs and propaganda sites would it?

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

*If the greatest wordsmith since JFK used the term lipstick on a Pig and the term old smelly fish and didn’t know that there would be a parallel drawn even among the most liberal media outlets, he is not smart enough to wipe his as^. *

his only mistake is underestimating the depths to which the GOP will go to smear an opponent

his only error in judgement is thinking that anything he says won’t be taken COMPLETELY out of context, then thrown out into the echo chamber

the only thing he has done wrong in this situation is taking the high road. if I have a choice (which, in this case, I do), I’ll take THAT over the smearing/faux outrage (clutch those pearls, John!!) eminating from the McCain/Palin campaign EVERY TIME

By Sunshine

September 10, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

The original article, just as some FACTUAL Back up:

The Frontiersman / May 23, 2000 ANCHORAGE - Gov. Tony Knowles recently signed legislation protecting victims of sexual assault from being billed for tests to collect evidence of the crime, but one local police chief said the new law will further burden taxpayers. While the Alaska State Troopers and most municipal police agencies have covered the cost of exams, which cost between $300 to $1,200 apiece, the Wasilla police department does charge the victims of sexual assault for the tests. Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon does not agree with the new legislation, saying the law will require the city and communities to come up with more funds to cover the costs of the forensic exams. According to Fannon, the new law will cost the Wasilla Police Department approximately $5,000 to $14,000 a year to collect evidence for sexual assault cases.

proof that Palin supported/hired Fannon. Here it is:

Police Chief Accused Palin of Politically-Motivated Firing [Anchorage Daily News, 3/28/97] “Wasilla got a new police chief Thursday, one who said he will bring to the job a philosophy of personal freedom that doesn’t include his predecessor’s support of limiting bar hours…’I don’t think the answer to crime is restricting people’s freedom more and more.’ Fannon is replacing Irl Stambaugh, whom the mayor fired in January. Palin said she did not think Stambaugh supported her administration…Stambaugh has sued the city, alleging Palin fired him because local bar owners and the National Rifle Association asked the mayor to do so. Stambaugh wanted the city to adopt earlier bar closings as a way to combat alcohol-related traffic accidents, according to the complaint.”

By Copyleft

September 10, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

I have won this, TOJ. Creationism is pure stupidity, as all educated people know.

We’re talking established facts here, not opinions. “2 + 2 = purple” is simply wrong, and so is creationism. Bigotry has nothing to do with it.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Mara

Not full powered? Well. That’s perfectly OK.

Did you see the CNN piece on him. He’s a scumbag with severe emotional problems.

If he would have done what he did to my family, I wouldn’t have gotten him fired, I would have kllled him.

This ain’t working. Nobody cares that she wanted to get a retarded and violent thug fired from being a state trooper.

Look at the desperate crap on this blog TODAY. As funny as it is to me, it is also extremely sad.

Why is it so incredibly important to you people that this hard working, good person is smeared?

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

I could name hundreds of our founding fathers that believed in creationism. Are they stupid, too?

First, there were not hundreds; there were 49. So, no you cannot.

Second, the majority were (as been discussed soooo many times) deists.

By AGF

September 10, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Copyleft said:

Wrong. I said that anyone so disconnected from reality that they think 2 + 2 = purple is too dangerously stupid to hold office. And that remains true. And that describes creationists perfectly. They’re functional in day-to-day life, but they’re insanely dumb.

Ignorant statements such as these are a prime example of why Obama will lose this election. Those on the far (copy)left have never understood educated, religious, people and they never will. If McCain wins it will be because Obama (with his clinging to religion and guns quote) has effectively alienated a large block of potential voters from ever considering him as a viable candidate while at the same time motivating people like myself (who were fully prepared to sit this election out) to vote for his opponent.

Sixteen of twenty states with the TOP SAT scores voted for Bush in 2004. Of the ten states with the lowest SAT’s - five voted for Bush and five voted for Kerry. DC, the state with the lowest SAT scores, handily went into the Kerry column. It is not ignorant, bible-believing, lower-class Americans that consistently vote in Republican Presidents, it is the educated, bible-believing, MIDDLE CLASS Americans that do so. The ignorant poor religious folks don’t vote.

It is a foolish argument to state that those who believe in creation are somehow disconnected from reality. Every job I’ve had required me to work with people that held at the minimum a bachelor’s degree. Many of my co-workers had advanced degrees in scientific fields. Never have I had a job related discussion, nor have I ever had to make a job related decision, that required my coworkers and me to ponder the mysteries of the universe or the origin of life.

I am sure in La-La Land (and it is clear that is where you live) you have been held back from reaching your full potential by a vast right wing conspiracy. Apparently this deep seated resentment causes you to spew venom on a weekly basis on blogs against law abiding, productive citizens like me. No copyleft, it is you that is disconnected from reality, not me.

And for what it is worth, I imagine my SAT scores, IQ, and educational background would give yours a run for the money.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

look up the speaker representing Jews for Jesus - from Politico (not even slightly liberal):

An illustration of that gap came just two weeks ago, when Palin’s church, the Wasilla Bible Church, gave its pulpit over to a figure viewed with deep hostility by many Jewish organizations: David Brickner, the executive director of Jews for Jesus.

Palin’s pastor, Larry Kroon, introduced Brickner on Aug. 17, according to a transcript of the sermon on the church’s website.

“He’s a leader of Jews for Jesus, a ministry that is out on the leading edge in a pressing, demanding area of witnessing and evangelism,” Kroon said.

Brickner then explained that Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jewish.

“The Jewish community, in particular, has a difficult time understanding this reality,” he said.

Brickner’s mission has drawn wide criticism from the organized Jewish community, and the Anti-Defamation League accused them in a report of “targeting Jews for conversion with subterfuge and deception.”

Brickner also described terrorist attacks on Israelis as God’s “judgment of unbelief” of Jews who haven’t embraced Christianity.

now … as for the rest of the LipstickGate … if you think that smear jobs like this is going to attract people to McCain, I suggest you read about the WaPo poll:

In the Washington Post/ABC News poll released this week, 48 percent of respondents said the candidates’ positions on issues are their main concern, compared with 37 percent who said they place greater weight on personal qualities such as experience and leadership.

Among issue voters, Obama is leading McCain 56 to 37 percent.

Among so-called personal quality voters, McCain is ahead 56 to 39 percent.

you guys can keep flogging non-issues like this til the cows come home (with or without lipstick) - it only smacks of desperation and clutching at straws …

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

USinUk

his only mistake is underestimating the depths to which the GOP will go to smear an opponent

So you believe that the GOP owns CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC AND FOX? It’s everywhere!!

This wasn’t taken completely out of context. He knew exactly what he was saying. I know you will never believe it, but of course he did. he did this so he could make the Republicans seem hypersensitive, but the news media was who reacted, not the GOP. He was wanting to be able to say exactly what you are saying, but even the most liberal outlets aren’t buying it. So why are you?

I looked up the charge of anti-semitism. ONE GUY on MSNBC IMPLIED that her church was anti-semantic because they allowed a guest speaker from Jews for Jesus to speak and people from that organization, not her, not her minister, not even her own church have, in the past made anti-semantic statements.

Not quite the same thing as when Obama’s church was selling DVDs with racist comments, now is it?

The best thing about all of this is watching the anchor on CNN going to a live shot where the reporter just keeps saying “we can’t find anything and everybody here loves her”.

it’s the best thing on TV.

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

And for what it is worth, I imagine my SAT scores, IQ, and educational background would give yours a run for the money.

Great. Another “I am smarter than you contest on an anonymous blog.”

That in itself is not too smart of a comment/challenge.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Copyleft

Yessir. You win. no one here is as bigoted as you. You win. Congratulations.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

So you believe that the GOP owns CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC AND FOX? It’s everywhere!!

yes, actually, I do believe that the media is far more afraid of offending the right than the left (especially when columnists and TV pundits admit as much)

and, yes, if you look at the chain of events - in particular the MCCAIN PRESS RELEASE ABOUT IT THE MORNING AFTER THE EVENT, the McCain campaign has ginned this up out of all proportion.

This wasn’t taken completely out of context. He knew exactly what he was saying.

yes - he did know exactly what he was saying, that the McCain campaign is putting lipstick on a pig - WITH THEIR ECONOMIC POLICIES. but, since McCain ain’t got nuttin’, all he can do is smear-smear-smear and gin up a little faux controversy to cover up the whole Emporer/Clothes problem (especially where his running mate is concerned)

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

but the news media was who reacted, not the GOP.

Nope. Cannot find a single media outlet beside FOX that is reporting Obama called her a pig. They all are reporting on McCain saying that Obama said that; big difference to those that care about accuracy.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

USinUk

So politico is non-partison. LOL!!!!

So the fact that the CURRENT headlines at that site is all about ranting about how many ex-Bush campaign people that are now working for McCain is all about fair and balanced, huh?

Other headlines:

Why are white women flocking to McCain-Palin and will it last?

McCain reaches for Palin sympathy in ad

Poll: US-Europe relations need Obama

Sounds reeeeal fair to me. Almost as fair as MSNBC just before two anchors were demoted because of their overt bias.

Damn girl. Do you really believe the things you write? Politico has been discredited as a left wing propaganda site ever since it appeared.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Just for those keeping score at home … TOJ / Truth’s excuses for Palin’s church:

1) she hadn’t been there since she was a teenager! (false - she was a member of the pentacostal church until her mid-30s and is now a member of the more sedate bible church)

2) they only spoke in tongues! (false - her current church features speakers who are anti-semitic)

3) well, they’re only featured speakers, it’s not the pastor (you’re kidding, right? the pastor selected him, introduced him and has only now made a statement that they were no longer welcome back) … btw - I think this nails the coffin shut on the Jewish vote … BUH-BYE, Florida!

spin, Truthy!! spin-spin-spin!!! (just be sure to take a little motion-sickness medicine … I have a feeling you’re going to need to spin for the next couple of months as more stories keep drip-drip-dripping out)

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

So the fact that the CURRENT headlines at that site is all about ranting about how many ex-Bush campaign people that are now working for McCain is all about fair and balanced, huh?

reporting v. ranting. please look up the difference. dictionary.com

also, the number of ex-Bush campaign people IS a story, considering how often McCain says he’s different, that he isn’t the same, that he’ll take the country in a new direction. now, how can he do that surrounded by the same people, hmmm???

just cuz you don’t like it, doesn’t make it “liberally biased”.

as for the other headlines, how on earth can they be considered liberal? they are all legitimate statements (and a question)

Damn girl. Do you really believe the things you write? Politico has been discredited as a left wing propaganda site ever since it appeared.

discredited by whom??? links or name names

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

USinUK

You keep trying to pin this on FOX. It’s not working. It is all over the media. It was all over the media long before this morning when McCain’s camp was ready with the new ad.

This blew up in Obama’s face. He thought he was being very clever, but somebody didn’t call the media.

I do have to agree that at this point, because of the garbage that is appearing everywhere (This blog is the perfect example), right now, at this time, the liberal media is seeing that many, many centrist women that would have never even voted are circling the wagons around Sarah Palin. They know how horribly they screwed up and they know that if they don’t back off, Obama is toast.

So what to do? The media can’t openly attack Palin. Obama loses the experience debate. Polls are showing him sinking like the Titanic and his great tactic d’jour just backfired.

Not a good day for the Obama camp. He’s not gone, yet, but unless they hire somebody really smart really quick, the old guy that can’t speak well and only has a fraction of the money Obama has is going to soundly beat his as^.

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

and, yes, if you look at the chain of events - in particular the MCCAIN PRESS RELEASE ABOUT IT THE MORNING AFTER THE EVENT, the McCain campaign has ginned this up out of all proportion.

Straight from WBush’s playbook.

If it looks like a duck, walks…(now I am going to be called out for calling McCain a duck! Darn!)

Too funny.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Truth / TJ -

You keep trying to pin this on FOX. It’s not working. It is all over the media. It was all over the media long before this morning when McCain’s camp was ready with the new ad.

I haven’t said a single thing abour FOX

oh, and if you think Politico is “liberal”, see what Media Matters (which IS liberal) has to say about them

By TheSearcher

September 10, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Legislation Concerning VAWA Certification:
Currently, Georgia stands to loose $3.3 Million in funding from the Violence against Women Act unless we can certify by January 5, 2009 that our State is in compliance on the following VAWA statutes:

The refusal of a victim to submit to a polygraph examination shall not prevent the investigation, charging, or prosecution of the offense. A victim shall have the right to a forensic medical examination (rape kit) regardless of whether the victim participates in the criminal justice system or cooperates with law enforcement. A victim shall not be required to pay, directly or indirectly, the cost of a forensic medical examination.

Women in Georgia report they have been required to file police reports or have been be subjected to a lie detector test as a condition of receiving a forensic exam or having their cases investigated. As a result of this practice, Georgia is at risk of loosing all VAWA funding, which currently supports victim services, law enforcement, prosecution, and shelters. GNESA is taking the following action to address these issues for the State of Georgia:

Collaborating with CJCC to ensure that there is legislation to certify that: “The State, Indian tribal government, or territorial government does not require a victim of sexual assault to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law enforcement in order to be provided with a forensic medical exam, reimbursement for charges incurred on account of such an exam, or both. By January 5, 2009.”

Collaborating with CJCC to ensure that there is legislation to certify that: “Not later than 3 years after January 5, 2006, the state’s laws, policies, or practices will ensure that no law enforcement officer, prosecuting officer or other government official shall ask or require an adult, youth, or child victim of an alleged sex offense as defined under Federal, tribal, State, territorial, or local law to submit to a polygraph examination or other truth telling device as a condition for proceeding with the investigation of such an offense; the refusal of a victim to submit to such an examination shall not prevent the investigation, charging, or prosecution of the offense.”

It is important that legislators understand that this is the last session, prior to January 5, 2009—the date in which we have to certify, that this legislation can be passed.

The impact of not addressing these issues this session will be:

A loss of $3.3 Million dollars, subsequent dismantling of a majority, if not all, of the rape crisis centers, shelters closing prosecution and law enforcement dollars will be lost

uhhh what other crime victim has to take a lie detector test in order to continue prosecution? I’m I actually reading this right? SEXISM, SEXISM, SEXISM, unreal. sign

By Mara

September 10, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

sigh

what is it with people like TOJ? Are they so filled with hatred and anger that they can’t manage a reasonable (sane?) discussion?

I said that I did not agree with tazing the kid to satisfy his curiosity and yet, somehow it’s twisted into me condoning it.

And the issue with the e-mails isn’t about her husband being one of the recipients, per se. It’s about her claiming privilege when privilege has been compromised by including him. If she wanted to whisper her bile to her husband, that’s one thing…but to pretend that he’s part of the government and covered by her privilege is something else entirely.

And if you don’t believe that her church, especially the pastor of her church, doesn’t agree that Palestinian suicide bombers are Gods judgement on the Jews for not converting to christianity, then tell me why Kroon said he’d be more than happy to have Brickner back for another round of smug, holier-than-thou backpatting.

It seems like you have no trouble accusing Obama of sympathizing with racism because he didn’t immediately leave his church after what HIS preacher said when Obama wasn’t even around, and yet you get all huffy-puffy when people question Palin’s decency for remaining IN THE PEW at her church while such bile is spewed.

Now, I assume you will stamp your feet, spew out some lies, twist some words and end up feeling victorious. But darlin’, facts is facts and we’ll see how it all plays out in the next few weeks.

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

as for the other headlines, how on earth can they be considered liberal? they are all legitimate statements (and a question)

Maybe because liberals ask questions and make actual statements versus smearing/spinning/lying most of the time?

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

UsinUK

Look at the polls. What happened to the Messiah’s great post convention bounce? More people watched McCain than watched Obama.

You guys think you are the norm. You said yourself that anyone who was pro-life was a radical. You just don’t get it. Churches are growing. Micheal Moore can’t get people to go to his “films” any more. The only thing that has less respect than the Democratically controlled Congress is the democratically controlled media. CNN is stepping on egg shells because it is no longer just a conspiracy that says that the mainstream media is biased. The mainstream media is saying that it is biased. They are demoting anchors because of it. You can keep digging at FOX all you want, but the complaints aren’t against FOX. They are against the liberal media.

You really think that Jews are going to vote for the son of a Muslim over Sarah Palin? Do you think that Jews are going to look at a single speaker at a remote little church that no one can even know what he said over a man that financially and physically supported a church that openly supports and endorses the political views of Lewis Farrakhan?

As you said, bring it. The worst thing that could have happened has happened. People are now paying attention. That’s the worst thing that could happen to an empty box running for president.

By Mara

September 10, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

USinUK - just cuz you don’t like it, doesn’t make it “liberally biased”.

haven’t you heard? The truth (as opposed to “Truth” LOL) does have a liberal bias. HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!

anyhoo…later, taters.

By Sunshine

September 10, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

New article in the Washington Post today, you know, we have got to make sure we don’t elect any more of those tax and spend liberals, oh wait, I mean Republicans!!

By Lori Montgomery Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, September 10, 2008; Page A01

A weak economy and a sharp increase in government spending will drive the federal budget deficit to a near-record $407 billion when the budget year ends later this month, and the next president is likely to face a shortfall in January of well over $500 billion, congressional budget analysts said yesterday.

A deficit of that magnitude could severely constrain the next administration’s agenda, regardless of whether Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the Republican candidate, or Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), his Democratic opponent, wins in November. Each has promised billions in new tax cuts or new spending. The expanding deficit also will increase the national debt and could impair future economic growth, particularly if lawmakers are forced to pay down that debt by raising taxes.

This year’s deficit will be more than double last year’s $161 billion, and it will rise from 1.2 percent of the gross domestic product to nearly 3 percent. If the next president extends some or all of President Bush’s signature tax cuts, as both candidates have promised, annual deficits could balloon to as much as 5 percent of the economy, rivaling the dark fiscal days of the early-1990s and those of the Reagan administration, said Peter Orszag, director of the Congressional Budget Office.

Oh, lets be sure to Elect McSame, hasn’t he Promised to make sure those Bush Tax cuts stick!

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

sigh

what is it with people like Mara? Are they so filled with hatred and anger that they can’t manage a reasonable (sane?) discussion without making it a personal attack against another poster?

I said that I did not agree with tazing the kid to satisfy his curiosity and yet, somehow it’s twisted into me condoning it.

And exactly when did I say that you condoned anything? Why don’t you calm down and read what is actually written instead of what you wished had been said? Your hysterics get old quick.

And the issue with the e-mails isn’t about her husband being one of the recipients, per se. It’s about her claiming privilege when privilege has been compromised by including him. If she wanted to whisper her bile to her husband, that’s one thing…but to pretend that he’s part of the government and covered by her privilege is something else entirely.

And I can say the exact same thing about Hillary and Bill. That is OK, isn’t it? Am I all a’hatin’ if I ask for the exact some thing that you want?

And if you don’t believe that her church, especially the pastor of her church, doesn’t agree that Palestinian suicide bombers are Gods judgement on the Jews for not converting to christianity, then tell me why Kroon said he’d be more than happy to have Brickner back for another round of smug, holier-than-thou backpatting.

Please present any proof that any anti-semetic statement was said in that church. That’s all I asked. Now, would you like to do a little research and see if anything has ever been said in Obama’s church that might offend a Jew? Remember that church supports Lewis Farrakhan. I’ll be glad to play the antisemitism game with anybody who supports a man who financially supported an institution that supports the beliefs of the leader of the American Muslim Movement.

It seems like you have no trouble accusing Obama of sympathizing with racism because he didn’t immediately leave his church after what HIS preacher said when Obama wasn’t even around, and yet you get all huffy-puffy when people question Palin’s decency for remaining IN THE PEW at her church while such bile is spewed.

While such bile was spewed? You haven’t even read the article have you? No one is saying that a single word of antisemitism was said in that church. They are simply saying that speaker had said anti-semitic statements in the past.

Immediately leave his church? LOL!!! He was a member FOR TWENTY YEARS. ABC found the DVDs that had the hate speech because THEY ORDERED THEM FROM THE CHURCH’S WEBSITE!!!!

Now, I assume you will stamp your feet, spew out some lies, twist some words and end up feeling victorious. But darlin’, facts is facts and we’ll see how it all plays out in the next few weeks.

Palin hasn’t even been giving interviews, yet. I’m looking forward to the next 7 weeks. How about you? Still want to bring up experiance? Still want to bring up anti-antisemitism, Ms. Obama/ Ferrikhan 08?

This one is not even going to be close.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

USinUk

oh, and if you think Politico is “liberal”, see what Media Matters (which IS liberal) has to say about them

They compete for the liberal voter. Are you surprised one claims to be more liberal than the other?

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

New smear:

McCain saying that Biden sunk to new low.

Using the same tactics and half brain thinking as Bush they took this and turned it into yet another smear:

• The Republican camp’s sharp response came after Biden said GOP advocates for children with birth defects should support stem cell research.*

During a campaign event in Columbia, Missouri, Biden did not mention his Republican counterpart by name but said, “I hear all this talk about how the Republicans are going to work in dealing with parents who have both the joy … and the difficulty of raising a child who has a developmental disability, who were born with a birth defect.

I only hope for two things: They keep up the self humiliating smear tactics and that people are smarter than they give them credit.

By USinUK

September 10, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

What happened to the Messiah’s great post convention bounce? More people watched McCain than watched Obama

both candidates got a post-convention bounce - so what? as for more people watching McCain’s speech (which even Bush’s speechwriter said was a bore), good! they saw nothing but noun. verb. POW - same ol’ same ol.

They compete for the liberal voter. Are you surprised one claims to be more liberal than the other?

spin-spin-spin!!! Politico is a “news service”, media matters is a media analyst. 2 entirely different services. if they were truly liberal, MM would be singing hosannas and pointing their readers to Politico instead of pointing out all their biases and errors.

but, you go right ahead and keep squaking “liberal media! liberal media!” everytime someone dares question St. Sarah of the Tundra - the rest of us will just spray the room with Febreze to get rid of the stench of desperation.

oh, and as for the jewish vote - every gallup poll I’ve read has Obama in the 66%-70% range.

… and thanks for the chuckle:

Ladies and gentlemen … I give you Excuse No. 4: Okay, so the speaker is anti-semitic - but, we don’t think he said anything against Jews in the church that night!

you better stock up on dramamine, Truthy - I think you’re gonna need it!

okay, enough fun for one day …

By AGF

September 10, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

AGF: And for what it is worth, I imagine my SAT scores, IQ, and educational background would give yours a run for the money.

JokesOn: Great. Another “I am smarter than you contest on an anonymous blog.”That in itself is not too smart of a comment/challenge.

First - I am not saying I am smarter than copyleft (or anyone else for that matter). I am simply saying that I believe I am as smart as him/her.

Second - read copyleft’s post and then read mine. See for yourself which one is more arrogant and offensive in nature.

Third - On several occasions you have accused other posters and conservatives in general of having “binary thinking”, which clearly demonstrates that you believe your reasoning skills are somehow greater than ours. So please spare me with the condescending lecture as if you are above the fray when it comes to touting your own intellectual prowess. Call me black pot, I’ll call you black kettle.

By Lynn Sward

September 10, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Unbelievable the hatred and snide comments by Andrea Cornell Sarvady. It’s no wonder the AJC continues to lose respect in the world of Journalism and revenues as more and more people drop their subscription and advertising. I admire Governor Palin and believe me I’ve changed my vote and I now enthusiastically endorse the McCain-Palin ticket. I don’t care to be part of a group so obviously full of hate and lies.

By JokesOn

September 10, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Third - On several occasions you have accused other posters and conservatives in general of having “binary thinking”, which clearly demonstrates that you believe your reasoning skills are somehow greater than ours. So please spare me with the condescending lecture as if you are above the fray when it comes to touting your own intellectual prowess. Call me black pot, I’ll call you black kettle.

Binary thinking is how you process info and is easily inferred by how someone shows that process right here on the blog.

• So please spare me with the condescending lecture as if you are above the fray when it comes to touting your own intellectual prowess.*

Two lines is hardly a lecture, a pi$$ing contest about IQ on an anonymous blog is in itself condescending and I have only challenged those that claim to be far superior. Never have I stated the stupid premise of “My IQ is xx better that yours.”

Prove me wrong and put up or…

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 10, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

EXPAT: On the Afganistan being in the middle east, I concede that WIKIPEDIA says it is sometimes considered the middle east. But here in GA they don’t teach it to our kids that way. I still consider it more Southern Asia, but concede how others would consider it the Middle East. I thought when I started this question that you were way off. Glad I didn’t come back with something smart! Goodday!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 10, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

JOKESON! MY FAVORITE (DUMBASS). LET’s SEE… I WAS 13 in 8th grade and you were 15? IQ problem solved! You are a (DUMBASS)! Ask most people in this room what age the were when the graduated 8th grade. Bet most will say 13 or 14. Many from your liberal camp may say 15. I don’t know. So you lose. You retain the (DUMBASS) (TITLE).

yeah you!

By Facts

September 10, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

On the Afganistan being in the middle east, I concede that WIKIPEDIA says it is sometimes

wiki and a whole host of other places. Seems Pakistan is also considered “Middle East”.

do a search on ‘middle eastern countries’ as I did and you will learn it is much more than just wiki that considers Afghanistan ‘Middle East’.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 10, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

I think a pig with lipstick is smarter that Copyleft and JokesON..see I made a joke, used that Barry Obama line against Sara Palin yesterday. See how very clever I indeed am!
Yeah Wizard!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 10, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

I think a pig with lipstick is smarter that Copyleft and JokesON..see I made a joke, used that Barry Obama line against Sara Palin yesterday. See how very clever I indeed am!
Yeah Wizard!

By AGF

September 10, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

JokesOn: Never have I stated the stupid premise of “My IQ is xx better that yours.”

And neither have I. I said mine would give his a run for the money. That means I believe I am his equal. Either I don’t understand what the phrase “give you a run for your money” means or you don’t. And I never said my IQ was XX better than copyleft’s - you are making that up.

JokesOn: Two lines is hardly a lecture.

Agreed. It is not a lecture. It is a typical JokesOn comment. You could not factually disagree with anything I wrote, so you launched into a personal attack about a post NOT EVEN DIRECTED TOWARDS YOU. I believe copyleft is big enough to take care of his/her own fights.

JokesOn: I have only challenged those that claim to be far superior.

That is not true. You have thrown out your “binary thinking” comment on many occasions and directed it towards different groups of people, but it is generally reserved for conservatives and religous people (and not just those on this blog).

And let’s not forget your “Let’s make a Deal Paradox” challenge. You went on and on about how Chuck should be able to solve the problem, yet no one on the board was able to answer the question (myself included). But because Chuck couldn’t answer it, this was somehow “proof” that he lacked reasoning skills and therefore other conservative like him do as well. Just out of curiosity, did you get the problem right?

I’ve put up, and now I’m going to shut up.

By The Other Jack

September 10, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

USinUK

You can call it spin. You can call it clutching your pearls, you can call it whatever you like, but politico.com is a liberal leaning source.

If you have proof that anything anti-semitic was ever said in the church that Palin once attended, please post it. Asking too much? Am I spinning by just requesting facts to back up your accusations? According to Mara: et you get all huffy-puffy when people question Palin’s decency for remaining IN THE PEW at her church while such bile is spewed.

I don’t want to be accused of mis-stating Mara’s position, but it appears that she thinks that Palin was actually in the church while someone was preaching against Israel. I haven’t even been able to find where she was even in the church when this guy spoke and I haven’t heard anyone say that he expressed anti-jewish sentiment while in the church.

And you say the Republicans are desperate. it would be good if you could actually see the US media instead of being spoon fed that liberal garbage that you get over there. CNN is saying that the democrats are appearing desperate. The polls show Obama falling like a stone. They have nothing new to offer except grossly mis-calculated statements like lipstick on a pig.

Hope and change ain’t doing it anymore. No one believes that Obama is going to fix the deficit by giving 95% of Americans a tax refund. Not going to drill, no nukes, no coal and wind powered Styrofoam cars are not being accepted anymore, even after gas has gone down a little.

The conventions were a disaster for Obama. The Republicans got a much bigger bounce against the greatest orator since JFK. They beat him at the only thing he can do. Obama speaks like GW Bush when it isn’t scripted so he will have some damn long debates and Palin will destroy Biden.

So now that Obama is losing in most polls and apparently they have no new message, why would you think they will spring back and re-take the lead?

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

TOJ -

but politico.com is a liberal leaning source

just cuz you say it doesn’t make it so - any more than chuck’s belief that god created the earth in 7 days makes that myth so.

The polls show Obama falling like a stone

he’s within 5-7 points of McCain - that’s hardly falling like a stone.

it’s not even mid-September - we still have 7+ more weeks to go - too close to call (and enjoy the Palin Bounce while you can - it’s only because no one has heard her say anything other than belittle Obama … that strategy has a limited shelf life)

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

TOJ -

On lighter note … thought you’d appreciate the editorial cartoon in today’s Times of London (it’s the one at the top of the deck):

http://www. timesonline. co. uk/tol/comment/cartoon/

(copy, paste, delete the spaces)

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

That is not true. You have thrown out your “binary thinking” comment on many occasions and directed it towards different groups of people, but it is generally reserved for conservatives and religous people (and not just those on this blog).

Once again, binary thinking is the inability or unwillingness to accept that nearly all subjects have multiple layers of truths. That is a style of thinking that is totally separate to IQ or SAT scores. More-over, one does exhibit their style of thinking on a blog and IQs and SAT scores are simply numbers that people can/have made up on the blog and mean nothing.

And let’s not forget your “Let’s make a Deal Paradox” challenge. You went on and on about how Chuck should be able to solve the problem, yet no one on the board was able to answer the question (myself included). But because Chuck couldn’t answer it, this was somehow “proof” that he lacked reasoning skills and therefore other conservative like him do as well.

I never categorized the inability of understanding the paradox to pertaining to conservatives or any group for that matter. I got sick of chucks constant assertion of MENSA and “i am soo darn smart” crap that I figured I would put him on the spot. He, like you this time, brought up the IQ/SAT stuff and he ran when presented with a real problem that he could not fabricate his way through or google easily.

Just out of curiosity, did you get the problem right?

Do you mean understand it the first time I heard it? Yes, but not right off the bat. I had to write out the probabilities and then wrote a program to confirm what I came up with because I still was reluctant to buy it. (the thing that coerces the change in probability is the hosts choice in opening a door is dictated: he cannot open the winning door)

Well, any-hoo I find the comparing of IQ/SAT/Colleges the most useless discussions on here since it is all fabricated so easily; and that is what I was expressing.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Fact: STFU! Georgia doesn’t consider it the middle east. You (DUMBASS) Wiki considers India up your (a*). Classic Middle Eastern Countries; For you d******* (exception is EXPAT, whom I was attempting to have a discussion with before this ASSHAT jumped in) include:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Egypt
Georgia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
Others have been added recently due to the religion of hate being considered the religion of this region.

By Gale

September 11, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

If some of us are so close to our SAT scores that they are a big issue, perhaps some of us should take that particular p*ssing contest to a blog where adolescents hang out. Many of us here are enough years removed from SAT scores that they are no very interesting.

By lovelyliz

September 11, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

I find the hypocrisy coming from the right regard the lipstick on a pig remark by Obama to be mind-boggling. I can’t imagine the stretch one must make to take a commonly used phrase made about the policies of John McCain and his support of President Bush and turn it into a sexist rant made about Governor Palin while at the same time ignoring the GOP’s candidates use of the exact same phrase les than a year ago when talking about Hilary’s health care plan.

Typical. It’s so typical.

Yesterday I was in a colleague’s office. This guy is one of those there hasn’t been a gun invented that I don’t have the right to own, the gays are destroying marriage and the family although he’s been divorced more than once as has hid wife, Good Christian but doesn’t go to church during football or deer hunting season, never actually read the US Constitution, neo-conservatives. On his desk was a picture of Sarah Palin in a red, white and blue bikini. Now I have no idea if this was a real picture or PhotoShop and I’ve got nothing against swimwear, but this is so typical. The neo-con who rail against the liberals for their sexist behavior towards their VP candidate while posting a bikini photo on their monitor.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

JOKESON? I thought I told you to STFU! You (DUMBASS)!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

JOKESON? I thought I told you to STFU! You (DUMBASS)!

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

GtG -

now we know … the Middle East is just a state of mind ;-)

it’s funny, I guess I just associate certain countries with certain things - Turkey + Greece = Mediterannean. Pakistan + India = their own effed-up, bifurcated category. Afghanistan + Iraq + Iran = group associate because of their wars with each other, then you add in the oil issue and you’ve got the Middle East.

Yes, Turkey borders Iraq on the North, they have an oil pipeline and the ongoing Kurd issue, but I always associate them more with their wars with Greece than I do with anything involving Iraq. This despite the fact that they wouldn’t let us set up military bases there for Gulf II.

This is why I usually don’t play the blue category in Trivial Pursuit unless I have to!

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

lovelyliz …

someone needs to leave a pamphlet about “hostile work environments” for your coworker. his behavior is pretty textbook. pinup pictures on his desktop? can you say “legally actionable”?

By lovelyliz

September 11, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

By USinUK

Some battles aren’t woth fighting.

By Facts

September 11, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Georgia doesn’t consider it the middle east.

well, that takes care of THAT; if some backwards/uneducated/redneck/hick place like Georgia does not consider it the Middle East, then it ain’t the Middle East.

thanks for clarifying that.

By Jack

September 11, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Washington is indeed broken. I’m sure Obama and Biden who have less than 10 years combined in the private sector will fix it. God help us all should the American people make the wrong choice.

By Gale

September 11, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the deck is stacked and Americans cannot make a right choice. Neither ticket is a good choice. The two-party system has fouled the process again. The electorate is presented with two poor choices.

By HeeHaw

September 11, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

I’m sure Obama and Biden who have less than 10 years combined in the private sector will fix it.

as opposed to McCain/Palin’s less than 10 years combined in the private sector? What was Palin before she ran for mayor? A waitress? or just a lipstick pit bull?

Good argument there.

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Washington is indeed broken. I’m sure Obama and Biden who have less than 10 years combined in the private sector will fix it.

ahem. and McCain is what? new in town? doesn’t know how to find Mass Ave? thinks the Mall is someplace you go to shop?

please.

By Gale

September 11, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Facts, I was biting my tongue over a similar comment about Georgia’s educational ranking.

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

ahem. and McCain is what? new in town? doesn’t know how to find Mass Ave? thinks the Mall is someplace you go to shop?

75% of McCains staff/advisers are the ones Bush used. Also, be prepared for a new McCain lie: Obama pushed legislation that would provide comprehensive sex ed for kindergartners. Talk about sinking to new lows.

Same tax breaks for the rich.

Same religious right base to increase numbers.

Same infringement on our and others liberties.

Same lying/slander campaign.

But…..he is promoting change! Right.

By Gale

September 11, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

The only sex ed kindergartners need is the difference between ‘ok’ touching and ‘not ok’ touching. It has gotten to a point where teachers of young children don’t dare hug a child who fell down on the playground because it might be perceived as inappropriate. I know it’s a nasty world out there, but hokey smokes. Maybe things like this are part of why it is so nasty. ::end vent::

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Jokes -

Also, be prepared for a new McCain lie: Obama pushed legislation that would provide comprehensive sex ed for kindergartners. Talk about sinking to new lows.

I saw that in yesterday’s WaPo - McCain is recycling a lie used against Obama by Alan Keyes in a Senatorial race (so McCain not only lies, he doesnt’ even use original lies)

Newsweek is all over this, printing a piece from factcheck-dot-org in its entirety: http://www. newsweek. com/id/158314 (cut, paste, delete spaces)

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

75% of McCains staff/advisers are the ones Bush used.

one of them being Karl Rove, while he still accepts a paycheck as a “political analyst” … liberal media my sweet patoot!

By Jack

September 11, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

USinUK. You don’t live in this country so what you think means nothing to me. There are many other points to make against the Dems but I don’t have the time to list all of them.Gale is right it always boils down to the lesser of the evils. Neither party is going to fix Washington but if the taxes are raised as the Dems want, you will see jobs fly from this country like never before. We won’t need to worry about oil. We’ll have to worry about eating. Better get the gardening skills up to par along with fishing and hunting because the government will only give us bread.

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

USinUK,

PS… Looks like links are working again.

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

reporting v. ranting. please look up the difference.

Good morning. bloggers.

USinUK—I agree wholeheartedly with your challenge, and am now going to turn that same challenge back to you. You, along with the supposedly unbiased media, have spent the last 7 1/2 years castigating the “failed Bush economic policies”. In return, I have contended that the actual facts show that the economy has been very similar under both Bush and Clinton. So, this morning, I looked up both the annual unemployment rates and inflation rates, and here’s what I found:

According to the US Department of Labor stats (www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm), the annual unemployment rates under Clinton (1993-2000) were 6.9, 6.1, 5.6, 5.4, 4.9, 4.5, 4.2, and 4.0. If you add these rates up and divide by 8, you get an average of 5.2% for the Clinton years. Under Bush (2001-2007), the rates have been 4.7, 5.8, 6.0, 5.5, 5.1, 4.6, and 4.6. When you add these rates together and divide by 7, the annual average has been—drum roll, please—5.2%, the same exact figure as for Clinton.

In regard to inflation, according to government stats (www.measuringworth.com/inflation), the average annual rate of inflation from 1993-2000 was 2.54. From 2001-2007, the annual rate of inflation was 2.66.

IMO, these facts well support my contention that the media has gone out of its way the past 7+ years to paint a gloom-and-doom picture in an effort to discredit Bush. What say you?

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Washington is indeed broken. I’m sure Obama and Biden who have less than 10 years combined in the private sector will fix it. God help us all should the American people make the wrong choice.

Unfortunately, the deck is stacked and Americans cannot make a right choice. Neither ticket is a good choice. The two-party system has fouled the process again. The electorate is presented with two poor choices.

Jack and Gale—It’s very refreshing to hear two voices of reason amidst the sea of one-sided, let’s-present-only-half-the-facts bickering which has taken over the airwaves, including the W2W blog.

From my POV, the best thing the Washington politicos can do is reduce taxes and reduce spending. In my lifetime, I’ve never seen any big-spending federal programs truly solve social problems, all the way from Johnson’s Great Society programs, to Jimmy Carter’s CETA programs, to Bush’s NCLB debacle.

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Neither party is going to fix Washington but if the taxes are raised as the Dems want, you will see jobs fly from this country like never before.

taxes would rise for people making $250k/year under Obama and lower taxes for people of lower incomes.

McCain would keep the tax breaks for those above $250K and keep taxing the poor.

All in all, the amount of taxes collected would break even between the two. The main difference being whether the money collected goes to more wars and building other countries infrastructure, or whether it goes to our own countries needs like child services/infrastructure/schools.

Yeah. McCain is the clear choice.

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Bruno,

Are you saying the “bad economy” is just a mass delusion?

Average unemployment means nada. What is the rate of change?

By Gale

September 11, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Bruno, a spin on your stats: I see constant improvement under Clinton, and degrading under Bush, until the last two years. Hmm, control of congress changed. I’m just saying.

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I have won this, TOJ. Creationism is pure stupidity, as all educated people know. We’re talking established facts here, not opinions. “2 + 2 = purple” is simply wrong, and so is creationism. Bigotry has nothing to do with it.

I see our resident gay blade, CopyLeft, is still beating his “all educated people know” drum regarding the Origins of the Universe. Once again, the FACT is that no one can explain how life began, and likely never will. The so-called “established facts” he keeps referring to (Big Bang—Darwinian Evolution) are little more than “Scientific Creationism”, and actually explain nothing. The fact that “inert” matter has properties which allow “self-organization” remains both a mystery and a miracle. As such, IMO, we should have respect for both the mystery and the miracle, something which at least the “fundies” do. I wish I could say the same for our current crop of “pseudo-Scientists” who write our textbooks and control the FDA.

By Gale

September 11, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Taxes - if the revenue stream remains the same, the only way to help the debt picture is to reduce spending. Congress isn’t getting it.

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Are you saying the “bad economy” is just a mass delusion?

Average unemployment means nada. What is the rate of change?

Bruno, a spin on your stats: I see constant improvement under Clinton, and degrading under Bush, until the last two years. Hmm, control of congress changed. I’m just saying.

I’m not an economist, and I don’t live in a $750,000 house like USinUK, but the “downward trend” within each of the past two administrations appears about the same to me. Don’t forget, Bush inherited a rapidly disintegrating economy following the “dot.com” bust, just as whoever is the next Prez will have to deal with the housing/credit bubble bursting.

Didn’t any of you own tech stocks circa 1999-2002?? If I recall, Lucent Technology went from more than $200 per share to less than $1 per share within just a few years time. Whose “fault” is that?? My main point, once again, is that the economies under Bush and CLinton have been fairly similar. In contrast, look up the stats on the websites I referenced during the 1970s and 1980s if you want to see what hard times are. The worst economy in my lifetime occurred under Jimmy Carter.

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Bruno -

look at these numbers and tell me what pattern you see:

Clinton - 6.9, 6.1, 5.6, 5.4, 4.9, 4.5, 4.2, and 4.0

Bush - 4.7, 5.8, 6.0, 5.5, 5.1, 4.6, and 4.6

I’ll spare you the agony - Clinton inherited high unemployment and brought it down. Bush inherited low unemployment and it rose. (just so you know, YOY unemployment right now is 6.1% and the economy has lost just under a half-million jobs since the new year).

so, they may be the same on average, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the same.

IMO, these facts well support my contention that the media has gone out of its way the past 7+ years to paint a gloom-and-doom picture in an effort to discredit Bush. What say you?

so, let’s see … Clinton: 8 years of fairly steady economic growth, the birth and government fostering of the Internet industry, a shrinking public sector and only the tech bubble at the end … vs … Bush: 7 years of economic staggering, a housing bubble, a corresponding credit bubble and exploding growth in the public sector and 2 recessions.

yeah. it’s “the media” that’s to blame.

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

As per the topic of the week, it’s pretty obvious to me why McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate: She’s young, totally hot, and shores up the conservative base. On the “hotness meter”, I give her a solid 10.

Just for reference, I’m giving USinUK, Gale, and Mara an 11 on the hotness scale. ; > }

Love to all.

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Bruno -

Didn’t any of you own tech stocks circa 1999-2002?? If I recall, Lucent Technology went from more than $200 per share to less than $1 per share within just a few years time

yes - the entire market went down … 2 words: Day Traders. People who didn’t know how to research and properly analyze stocks were quitting their jobs, donning their jammies and hanging out in their basement, pretending to be Jim Cramer. They placed stupid bets and built a house of cards that, when it fell, took the good companies with it. “oooo … it’s an internet company … let’s buy 500 shares” “what does it do?? what are it’s revenue streams??” “it’s an internet company! it can’t fail!!”

ah, yes. I remember those days well.

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

but the “downward trend”

You cited the average.

By Jack

September 11, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Hey Dog.

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

7 years of economic staggering,

All I can say, dear, is that our definitions of “staggering” are a little different. In the end, both of the last two Presidents averaged 5.2% unemployment, and virtually similar inflation rates. That doesn’t qualify as “staggering” to me. Am I happy with the current downward trend? Heck no. But, any intelligent person has seen it coming for a few years. If you want to tlk about a “staggering economy:, let’s talk about the Carter years.

BTW, you’re still an 11 in my book. ; > }

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Bruno -

Just for reference, I’m giving USinUK, Gale, and Mara an 11 on the hotness scale. ; > }

aw …. shucks … and I’m in killer company, too!! :-)

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Hey Dog.

Hey, Jack. I can’t give you a hotness rating since I’m a guy, but I’m guessing you’re a 12 to the ladies. ; > }

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

2 words: Day Traders

In the case of Lucent, it wasn’t all the fault of the day traders. They sold miles and miles of fiber optic cable to anyone and their uncle, all on credit. I.e. in-house credit. When the dot.com bubble burst, they were left holding the bag.

In the end, I don’t think the economy is truly under the control of any one politician, including the President, or even Congress—except when they raise taxes, that is.

One last one-sided shot at Obama before I go—I keep hearing rounds of praise for him for his years as a “community organizer”. While that phrase may conjure up visions of soup kitchens, etc., the fact is that he was employed by the Dailey political machine in Chicago to “get out the vote” for the Democrats. From what I have heard, his wife was richly rewarded for Obama’s effort. Doesn’t quite qualify as a noble effort in my book.

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Bruno -

Don’t forget, Bush inherited a rapidly disintegrating economy following the “dot.com” bust, just as whoever is the next Prez will have to deal with the housing/credit bubble bursting.

geez-o-pete … what do you think Clinton inherited? a fun fair? we were in a post-Gulf I recession - thus the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid”.

Both Clinton and Bush the Lesser inherited a crap economy - one put great people in charge of economic policy (oooo … Jamie Reuben and Gene Sperling … they’re yummilicious) … C+ Augustus faffed around with economic advisors and didn’t have anyone worth his salt in office until poor Hank Paulsen.

and I will say right here and right now - I have immense respect for Hank Paulsen for taking the job when he did.

I will also say right here and right now - I will credit Bush with 1 good thing during his tenure - nominating Ben Bernanke (he’s also yummilicious, even if he is a Republican)

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Bruno -

They sold miles and miles of fiber optic cable to anyone and their uncle, all on credit. I.e. in-house credit. When the dot.com bubble burst, they were left holding the bag

which is my point - the dot.com bubble was inflated by day traders in the first place.

While that phrase may conjure up visions of soup kitchens, etc., the fact is that he was employed by the Dailey political machine in Chicago to “get out the vote” for the Democrats. From what I have heard, his wife was richly rewarded for Obama’s effort. Doesn’t quite qualify as a noble effort in my book.

if you want to pull out the “they say” game, well THEY SAY that McCain pulled strings to cover up for his wife stealing drugs from her non-profit. I believe illegal activity trumps Obama’s wife getting a bonus.

I’m happy to fling unsubstantiated rumors until the cows come home if you want, but I’d rather talk about the things that we know to be true.

By The Other Jack

September 11, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Remember the folks that died 7 years ago. And pray for our country.

UsinUK

Funny cartoon.

I am so tired. Did a training session this morning, but just acted as a camera trainer. That left me a couple of hours to snooze, which is really worse that working the whole 4 hour session. Haunted Inn piece is going great, it is just taking so long to do.

Staying away from politics today like McCain and what’s-his-name.

Bruno

Have a good one.

AGF

When I first heard the term “binary thinking”, I knew I had heard it before. My kid is a super-geek, in the process of collecting advanced degrees in computer sciences. When he was in Middle School, he was about even with most of the IT guys I have met. He and his geek friends used that term to self deprecate in talking about the ability to write code fast enough that they were actually thinking in code, or as they put it, binary thinking.

I don’t know why Joke uses it here. It doesn’t make any sense. Probably just a way to condescend.

Everybody have a good day.

Remember.

By Mara

September 11, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

dammit third time I’ve tried to post this since 10:00. I’m removing the link this time and we’ll see what happens. grrrrr!

Hi Jack! Nice to hear from you.

Bruno, you’re gonna make me blush ;^)

as for your economics post, it all depends on what data you look at. (this is where the link used to be, directing you to a site called “economic perfomance of presidential administrations”. nice charts, pretty colors, updated info. Should be the first google link if you paste in the title) - we now return to our regularly scheduled post :^)

another point - Most people look at the state of their own economics to decide how well things are going. Frankly, most of us are spending a greater portion of our income on necessities, so we feel poorer. We can’t afford the vacation, the hobby/craft supplies, the dinner out, or any of the other thousand things we got used to having in the ’90s.

Our neighbors are being laid off because business is down. Our government’s cutting Public Services because of budget shortfalls. Hospitals are closing, bridges are falling down, dams are cracking, and on and on. These are issues “the media” is supposed to tell us about, whether they’ll make us gloomy or not.

Regardless of what the national numbers say, those of us who haven’t had a decent raise in years, who’ve watched our 401K hemorrhage money, seen our property values tank, who’ve looked at the price of milk, and bread, and (god help us!)beef, have come to the conclusion that we are NOT better off today than ten years ago. And for most people that’s the most important thing.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

lovelyliz Your not understanding how saying “Lipstick on a Pig” days after the “Hockey Mom and Pit Bull” comments is a sexist comment deliberately aimed at Sara Palin places you squarely into the aforementioned (DUMBASS) category.
Bikini Pics are not apporopriate in the work place, Garage yes, Bar, yes, workplace no!
Yeah Sara!
Yeah Lipstick!

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

which is my point - the dot.com bubble was inflated by day traders in the first place.

I agree that the artificial demand for the fiber optic cable was ultimately fueled by the day traders, but that doesn’t excuse the management team over at Lucent for selling the cable using in-house credit. Similarly, the management teams at FreddieMac and FannieMae should be tarred and feathered for their lack of oversight during the past 10+ years. They were more concerned with their “production bonuses” than they were in stewarding their respective companies in a reasonable, prudent way.

Remember.

But don’t forget to look ahead either, TOJ.

I’ts too bad that IQ tests or SAT scores don’t directly translate into financial/personal success. Otherwise I wouldn’t be in the gutter right now like I am. The “sweetness of release” that WhatEV has mentioned before seems very appealing about now.

By Rape Victim

September 11, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

And why aren’t sex offenders funding all rape kits?

Apparently, because we were asking for it.

By Bruno

September 11, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Apparently, because we were asking for it.

RV—You didn’t deserve your fate. God loves you. C U in heaven.

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

TOJ -

I am so tired. Did a training session this morning, but just acted as a camera trainer.

fercryingoutloud … go turn on the fan, lie down and take a nap. the ATL heat + no a/c = little quality rest.

I remember. boy, do I remember. I’ve only this year gotten to a place where I can watch TV shows about it - and even then, I can only do about 5-10 minutes before I need to turn it off. for the 2.5 years between 9/11 and when I left DC, I couldn’t drive around the G/W Parkway - 395 intersection (where the Pentagon is) without watching the sky …

the saddest thing … I did some work for a guy out in McLean - his neighbor 2 doors down died of cancer 2 years after her husband died in the Pentagon - they left 2 sweet little kids. gah - too much tragedy for 2 little ones to deal with.

I remember sitting in my apt. in Alexandria when the smell of the Pentagon smoke came through my windows around 11:00.

I remember driving through Del Ray and seeing service-men and women walking, trying to get home

I remember not being able to call my family on my cell phone to let them know I was OK

I remember not being able to call my friend who had just moved to NYC to find out if she was okay.

On the positive side, I also remember getting together with 5 good friends to go give blood and the lines were hours long - (we’re talking 6-7 hour waits)

I also remember volunteering at the local Red Cross donation center for a day and seeing people pull up with their SUVs crammed full of water, blankets, dog food, snacks, bread, PB&J - all sorts of things to help the rescue efforts at the Pentagon.

People like to malign DC a lot, but during the 8 years I found it to be an amazing place - people really pull together when times get weird (including 9/11, anthrax and a sniper).

oh. I remember.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

FACTS: You DOUBLE (DUMBASS)! Do you live in Georgia? If so, please go pick up that other (dumbass) Gale and move!
YEAH (DUMBASS)es Moving!
So the education system is not what you want it to be, what are you doing to help? (Besides bithin like the (DUMBASS) you are!)
I don’t see you reading in the classroom on Monday morning. How long do you spend with your children helping with their homework?
The oldest public school in America is in this state you DOUBLE (DUMBASS).

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Bruno -

I agree that the artificial demand for the fiber optic cable was ultimately fueled by the day traders, but that doesn’t excuse the management team over at Lucent for selling the cable using in-house credit. Similarly, the management teams at FreddieMac and FannieMae should be tarred and feathered for their lack of oversight during the past 10+ years. They were more concerned with their “production bonuses” than they were in stewarding their respective companies in a reasonable, prudent way.

oh, I’ll not only give a big AMEN to that, I’ll also add a chorus of “how many companies WASTED their money on stupid marketing gimmicks, spent stupid amounts of money at trade shows and generally spent like drunken sailors on leave because they thought the VC cash would never stop flowing”

By Mara

September 11, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

re: “lipstick on a pig” - I took it to mean that Palin was the lipstick that was being used to give frumpy, grumpy Grampa McSame’s tired ol’ schtick a veneer of freshness and sassy appeal.

By lovelyliz

September 11, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

McCain and Palin are a good choice if you want 4 more years of McBush

By Gale

September 11, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

GTG, I know very well the state of education in the state of Georgia is more the fault of the parents than the school system. I do not spend time in school or helping with school work because I do not have a child in or out of school. It does not mean I am not appalled by the percentage of high school graduates in this state. It does not mean I am not shocked when my partner’s sister, a fifth grade teacher tells me her class was unaware that Harry Potter was a book be fore it was a movie. Why have parents abdicated the education of their children? I have no clue. I do thank you for the info that Georgia has the oldest public school system. I am impressed. You really could pass on that information without the insults. People might credit what you say more if you do.

By Gale

September 11, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

stewarding their respective companies I like this phrase. The concept is completely missing in most of corporate America, as well as in politics. Short term gain is the only thing rewarded in business and reelection appears to be the only thing important in politics. The concept of stewardship is missing. (My idealism is showing again.)

By The Other Jack

September 11, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

USINUK

I was here in Atlanta. I was in my big old ranch, standing in my kitchen, but could see the TV in the den. I was on the phone with a client and noticed what i thought was a grain silo on fire. In my client’s office, (over the phone) i heard a woman scream and I looked at the TV. The second plane had just hit the WTC. I was divorced, but my ex called immediately, crying. She is a broker and was on the phone with another broker in the WTC when his phone had gone dead. We found out later that he had survived, but he was one of about ten that got out from his floor.

I had to drive to North Atlanta to pick up a check, so after watching an hour or so, I headed out. It was unreal. In almost every car I saw, people were crying their eyes out.

A couple of years ago, I interviewed the guy that worked for the FDNY that had been in charge of setting up triage all over Lower Manhattan. Man,talk about crying. We had a four man crew and there were several others on set and everyone was bawling.

The saddest thing was the pictures of the well made beds and all the organization and all the nurses and doctors waiting to help, but almost no-one showed up. You either died or you didn’t. There were almost no injuries.

BTW. I bought a 6,000 BTU window air conditioning unit for my office. Not really popular with the home owners association, but I think it is celebrating my Appalachian Heritage. A washing machine on the front porch and drag my old truck out of the garage and into the front yard and I am ready for a hoe-down.

By Gale

September 11, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Mara, I like your read of the “lipstick” comment. I listend to a set of sound clips from various politicians using that phrase over the years last night on NPR. What struck me about Obama’s use was that he seemed to stumble on the phrase, as if it was foreign to him and he was trying very hard to say it right. Like when you are trying to tell a joke and are not sure you can get the punch line right. It seems like some speech writer must have given the line to him. I can imagine him saying, “What? What is that supposed to mean?”

By The Other Jack

September 11, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

Gale

I said that I wasn’t going to talk politics, but you might want to consider this:

Obama was on Letterman, last night That was booked days ago. He knows Letterman is a friendly face and will help him out. Obama says the Pig line, and if you saw the clip and don’t think that he knew the connection he was making, especially when he paused to wait for the ooohs and ahhhhs, you aren’t paying attention.

The reason was to hit the Republicans with something that would stop them from playing the “victim of the media” role. So he “baited” them. The Republicans ate it up, they fell into the trap, the liberal media jumped on any bandwagon to stop the Republican claims of media bias, so as the day went on, yesterday, the liberal media became less and less apologetic and by the time Obama walked onto the Lettermen stage, it was just the big joke that it had been designed to be. Letterman got huge laughs, Obama just looks happy and all is well in liberal-land.

These people are the equivalent of world class chess players. They try to appear to not be looking any deeper than their talking points would indicate, but they, like the chess players are many moves ahead of the average spectators. The Letterman appearance summed it up. He needed that punch line and to many people, the Republicans were made to look foolish, Smart move Obama.

But believe me, it was a well placed strategic statement that did just what it was supposed to do.

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

He and his geek friends used that term to self deprecate in talking about the ability to write code fast enough that they were actually thinking in code, or as they put it, binary thinking.

Not its meaning at all. It means black white thinking. Binary: everything is a 1 or 0, true or false, right or wrong. No. Grey. Area.

FYI - binary is what code gets turned into after compiling. One never writes a program in binary.

By Mara

September 11, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Gale, I can’t disagree with ya there. I don’t think home-spun colloquialism fit his style very well, either. What’s unfortunate is that these kind of contrived “issues” pull oxygen from the real debate, which is who would be able to lead this country better.

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

I had to drive to North Atlanta to pick up a check, so after watching an hour or so, I headed out. It was unreal. In almost every car I saw, people were crying their eyes out.

I was too numb to cry that first few days. I felt like I was wrapped in cotton or something … then, about 3 or so days after, NPR did a story about a young violinist (about 18) who went down to the church near ground zero and played for the rescue teams - it was a first-person account - he talked about just wanting to do something that could give some of the firefighters and police some peace when they rested. (if you google it, I’m sure you can find it somewhere - it was one of the most moving things I’ve ever heard)

sobbed. I totally broke down and sobbed.

then, for the 1-year anniversary, the local NPR station did an all-request morning - people were encouraged to e-mail or call with a suggestion for fitting music to remember the day. man. there’s something about music that brings people together, that helps them to share their feelings and their memories. elgar … gershwin … beethoven … mozart … and each piece was preceeded with a snippet of the letter or phone call of the person telling why they chose that particular music …

it was a 4-hour kleenex-fest, I tell you.

By USinUK

September 11, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

REALLY bad pun for all you Palin People:

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian .

ba-dum-bum

thanks folks, I’ll be here all week!

By Gale

September 11, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

It is interesting how perceptions can change depending on the delivery mechanism. I have made a practice of reading the speeches rather thn watching them. Mostly I get impatient with all the pauses for applause. I don’t watch the speeches on TV and rarely listen to them on radio. I think it keeps me from being caught up in the rally atmosphere. Listening to all the candidates on radio, granted I only hear sound bites, I have gotten the impression that Obama does not express himself well without prepared text, McCain seems to know what he wants to say, but speaks slowly and without a lot of feeling, Palin always sounds sarcastic to me (I guess she has the attack dog role) and I am afraid I haven’t heard Biden at all.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Gale: When reading rhetoric only a small percentage of the desired effect of the speakers presentation is received. Very smart of you to read instead of watch!

Much like the way the “say nothing” speaches of Adolf Hitler serveral generations rallied an desperate nation into near suicide, Obama can really punch out a gut buster.

Politicians have not been elected on what they say, at least since the start of Camelot, but on how they say it. JFK, NIXON, that disgraceful POS from Plains, RON REAGAN all moving public speakers.

By Jack

September 11, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

one of the things that got to me on 9/11 was when a fire fighter was walking among the rubble and all you heard were hundreds of beeps coming from under the pile of debri. The news commentator said that those beeps are from devices fire fighters wear to alert others that they are down. I can still hear those beeps.

By Copyleft

September 11, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

It’s 9/11.

And, as millions of clueless Americans prepare to actually reward the Republican Party for their stellar leadership since that tragic day, it’s appropriate to stop and reflect on this:

“Where’s Osama?”

By Mara

September 11, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

I just so happened to be over at FactCheck.org reading about Satans Lizards and other Palin rumours. As I read through the article regarding the book banning at the Wasilla Library, I came upon this particular quote which, in MY mind, illustrates exactly what’s wrong with the Republicans these days -

“Palin initially requested Emmons’ (the librarians’) resignation, along with those of Wasilla’s other department heads, in October 1996. Palin described the requests as a loyalty test and allowed all of them…to retain their positions.”

Any politician who demands absolute LOYALTY from their underlings is obviously more worried about their own success than they are the well-being of their constituents. A loyalty test! From an AMERICAN politician! It turns my stomach.

By JokesOn

September 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Supposedly joke of the year:

3 year old boy is showering and examines his testicles. “Mommy, are these my brains?”

“Not yet son.” she replies

By Mara

September 11, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Yikes!! The McCain campaign has really done it now. FactCheck is livid that McCain has an ad out that distorts and falsifies statements from a FactCheck article.

“With its latest ad, released Sept. 10, the McCain-Palin campaign has altered our message in a fashion we consider less than honest. The ad strives to convey the message that FactCheck.org said “completely false” attacks on Gov. Sarah Palin had come from Sen. Barack Obama. We said no such thing. We have yet to dispute any claim from the Obama campaign about Palin.”

“They call the ad “Fact Check.” It says “the attacks on Gov. Palin have been called ‘completely false’…’misleading.’” On screen is a still photo of a grim-faced Obama. Our words are accurately quoted, but they had nothing to do with Obama.”

“The ad also quotes the Wall Street Journal as saying that the Obama campaign “air-dropped a mini-army of 30 lawyers, investigators and opposition researchers to dig dirt on Governor Palin.” That’s also a distortion. The Wall Street Journal opinion article did not say that the Obama team was there to “dig dirt.” It said they were there do “dig into her record and background.” Maybe the McCain-Palin campaign knows something we don’t about what’s in Palin’s record and background.”

ouch!

By Archie

September 11, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Our neighbors are being laid off because business is down. Our government’s cutting Public Services because of budget shortfalls. Hospitals are closing, bridges are falling down, dams are cracking, and on and on. These are issues “the media” is supposed to tell us about, whether they’ll make us gloomy or not. Preach Mara. I mentioned some issues on another blog. I am becoming discouraged about how little people actually care about the issues. My state pays 630 dollars for an employee’s full family coverage and the employee still has to pay 295 dollars per month!! That is just for the basic plan so imagine an employee paying 630 dollars per month for an HMO. Imagine a person having to pay the entire 1200 to 1300 dollars per month to cover their family. We can’t talk about that but we can talk about lipstick,though.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Mara, that’s how politics should work! To the victors go the spoils!
YEAH SARA!
It’s good to see she has the strenth to be merciless. Most don’t. To get slightly off subject why did that blonde wack job of a mayor start putting up parking meters to stop panhandlers. She has moved to that rarified air and is now shoulder to shoulder with that oldest of 8th graders and that mental midget buddy of his, copyWRONG. Yes you guessed it she too is now officially a (Dingdong). Bet you all thought I was going to say something else!!
YEAH NICER WIZARD, AT LEAST FOR THE REST OF THE DAY!

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 11, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Archie! They need to cut more public services! Get rid or MARTA around here. These poor Atlantans have to pay $4-5 dollars for every rider. Less Marta, more Smarta! Close poorly run Hospitals! YEAH! Bridge are falling? Which ones here in Atlanta? Seems we are working pretty hard to rebuild them. Northerners spend billions on BIG DIGS because they are DINGDONGS! DAMs are cracking? Where? $295 seems reasonable. Neighbors should start their own business. Cut taxes then other americans can employ more people. Taxing the oil componies for EXCESS profit won’t win you any economic gains. What about all the years they have provided us with DIRT CHEAP fuel? Ungrateful lot aren’t we! HOW MANY OF YOU CAR POOL? I do! It isn’t always fun, I have to listen to an old chinese woman b*** all the way to suburbia. She thinks I am a TAXI. But do I shoot her? No! Because we need to conserve energy. And there is all that paperwork about proving it was self defense, though she has struck me twice….no, I digress. Share the road!

By JokesOn

September 12, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

Poor Palin did not even understand the question. And then, she followed up with a hard line on going to war with Russia.LOL

The bounce is beginning to crumble already.

By Gandalf, the Grey

September 12, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Oh oldest of 8th graders, she got it spot on. War with Russia. You (Dingdong)! What do you think the result of an attack on a NATO nation will be? Diplomacy? (Dingdong) it mean nuclear war, PERIOD. End of story, do not pass go, do not collect $200 dollars, put you kids in the bomb shelter. At least she undestands that. Bounce this oh, oldest of 8th Graders! The McCain/Palin ticket is in fine shape. No sane Amercan will vote for Obama with so much at stake. We don’t need socialism now, we need leadership. We need change!
McCain/Palin for Real Change!