Mike Luckovich

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

Blah, blah, Iraq failure, blah, blah, Mookie is good, blah, blah, Bushie sucks, blah, blah.

Meanwhile, back on Earth:

{{{{The report also found Iraq’s output in the last two quarters held steady at 2.38 million barrels a day.}}}}

{{{{U.S. officials in Baghdad attribute much of the recent gains to a drop in attacks on Iraq’s northern pipeline system, >>>which is now being patrolled by Iraqi security forces.<<< The pipes, including a crucial export line from the country’s northern fields to Turkey, had been hit regularly in the past by insurgents and smugglers.}}}}

Can you say victory?

~~~~~~

Gee, that was an awfully short “recession:”

{{{{The Dow Jones industrials cross 13,000 as dollar soars and optimism rises about economy.}}}}

This is the worst possible news the dimokrats could ever see:

{{{{Despite a drumbeat of bad economic news, the stock market is up — almost 11 percent in the last few weeks. Junk bonds, those risky corporate I.O.U.’s, are rallying. The value of financial shares, bank loans, tricky credit derivatives — up, up, up.}}}}

Housing sales are picking up, consumer spending is strong, economic growth was at a positive .6% the last quarter, it sucks, don’t it, liberals?

Meanwhile, out on Planet Moonbat, the libs have created their own economic disaster:

{{{{The city is laying off 441 employees. Mayor Shirley Franklin and her staff plan to cut back recycling pickup from once a week to twice a month. They’re even eliminating one of the three “pothole posse” crews —- a service that drew raves from drivers when Franklin created it in 2002.}}}}

{{{{Her staff projects a $140 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1, but estimates $40 more million in property taxes, along with the proposed cuts and other fee increases, would eliminate the shortfall.-Urinal}}}}

Guess who got stuck with the bill?

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

{{{{But these comments are not new. These were precisely the outrages that prompted the initial furor when the Wright tapes emerged seven weeks ago. Obama decided to cut off Wright not because Wright’s words or character or views had suddenly changed. The only thing that changed was the venue in which Wright chose to display them — live on national TV at the National Press Club. That unfortunate choice destroyed Obama’s Philadelphia pretense that this “endless loop” of sermon excerpts being shown on “television sets and YouTube” had been taken out of context.}}}}

{{{{This 20-year association with Wright calls into question everything about Obama: his truthfulness in his serially adjusted stories of what he knew and when he knew it; his judgment in choosing as his mentor, pastor and great friend a man he just now realizes is a purveyor of racial hatred; and the central premise of his campaign, that he is the bringer of a “new politics,” rising above the old Washington ways of expediency. It’s hard to think of an act more blatantly expedient than renouncing Wright when his show, once done from the press club instead of the pulpit, could no longer be “contextualized” as something whites could not understand and only Obama could explain in all its complexity.}}}}

~~~~~

{{{{Despite - or perhaps because of - their handsome returns, a large part of this exercise seems to be political. The well-to-do Rockefellers have embraced the eco-enthusiasms of the day, and perhaps for some of them this is one way of assuaging any guilt over a multibillion-dollar fortune built on carbon. One of their clan, Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, (dimokrat,) blazed this trail in 2006 with a letter demanding that Exxon management cut off funding for global warming skeptics - or else.}}}}

{{{{One luxury of being a Rockefeller is that you are wealthy enough to live in style even if Exxon’s performance starts to slide. The same can’t be said of millions of pensioners and small investors for whom Exxon’s profits may be the main source of a secure retirement. If John D.’s heirs aren’t satisfied with Exxon, they’re welcome to invest elsewhere. Our guess is that few will, given how much money they’ve made over the decades on fossil fuels.}}}}

By GMAN

May 2, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Once again early in the morning before the crack of dawn, THE CRACKER FACTOR RAISES IT’S UGLY HEAD! The incessant references to a man’s EX-PASTOR as a major issue continues to prove my point.

By Goldie

May 2, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

That “Mission Accomplished” banner has been depressing for all of America. Every bit of this administration has been all about PR tactics, propaganda and a disconnect from reality.

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

{{{{By GMAN May 2, 2008 8:21 AM Once again early in the morning before the crack of dawn, THE CRACKER FACTOR RAISES IT’S UGLY HEAD!}}}}

Anyone else notice that it is the liberals that are the ones that quickly drag racism into every issue?

It is totally legitimate for us to question Obambi’s association with a virulent hate mongering anti American, no matter if the America hater is black, white or green.

Soon enough, us “crackers” will be delving deep into Obambi’s coziness with bomb throwing William Ayers, who is a white hater of America.

I do not blame you pinkos from trying to distract from the real issues, right now, while the voting is in the hands of the left wing kooks, brainwashed college students and other assorted morons, reverend wrong is probably seen as a benefit to Obambi’s kampaign, as he has his head up his as-s just as much as the rest of you do.

But when the general election rolls around, these scandals are going to sink your ship straight as-s to the bottom of the ocean where it belongs, not many real Americans are going to get on board with Captain Ultra Lib and wormy crew of radical extremists.

Just like all the other pinkos that came before this pinko.

Glug, glug, glug.

See ya, wouldn’t want to be ya.

By mm

May 2, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Speaking of a disconnect from reality, look at Duh try to claim the economy is in good shape.

Oh, that’s right. Because Bush said so.

By RB from Gwinnett

May 2, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

By GMAN 8:21 AM

Isn’t it a little early in the day to start playing your race card?

Will you ever figure out nobody cares about Wright as he’s not the one running for office? As EVERYONE keeps repeating (except you, of course), this issue is about OBAMA and HIS belief systems. If OBAMA didn’t agree with Wright’s hatred of whites and America, why did OBAMA sit through his hate filled sermons for 20 years? None of you godless liberals will sit though sermons you don’t agree with for 2 weeks much less 20 years, but somehow you give OBAMA a pass like he was there but didn’t actually hear what was being said. Amazing… It’s about as bad as bashing Bush for Iraq while giving Clinton, Kennedy, Edwards, Kerry and Co. a pass for voting for it.

But maybe if the race card is all you have in your play book, that’s what you have to play.

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Paul,

I just read your 6:50 last night and totally agree.

Like I’ve said all along, war is about money (duh), and blowing things up, well, it’s good in the movies, but accomplishes little with these people. It’s like stepping on a fire ant bed, you may do a little damage initially, but those little critters are smart and will adapt.

Also, like you said last night, and I have said as well, these people have the patience of Job, or well, maybe not Job because they don’t do the Bible, is there an equivalent to Job in the Koran?

Iran? We’ve done their dirty work, free of charge to them, and playing the “victim.”

Anyway, that was a good point about Europe:

“And if our allies don’t take the same steps - well, we can discuss a more equitable defense sharing arrangement, can’t we”

We can take our footballs and go home!

Those who criticize Jimmy Carter - they all claim he was a bad president, but he warned us of this 30 years ago, and nobody listened, insead they want to continue to b*** about him not being a good president.

I was thinking the other day about how two relatively new inventions, the automobile and plane, and the fuel we’ve used in that short amount of time - and how so much of our economy is driven (no pun intended) around these, and how our landscape has changed to accomodate these. It’s pretty crazy if you let your mind wander a bit.

My priest popped over last night, to share his 12 year old Scotch with me! That’s why I missed the last post. Sorry, but Scotch trumps blogging.

By GMAN

May 2, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

AJC Management

So you are a cracker! Johnnie McShame will soon receive another swollen jaw when he has to account for his legislative record, adulterous affairs, and flip-flopping on everything he says. The old man will go down in flames and return to the elderly assistance home where he belongs. THE CRACKER FACTOR IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE USA!

By FRANKLEEDARLING

May 2, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

Christianity is stupid stop listening to people who talk about it

By Georgia74

May 2, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

I see gman’s point, I have sat through 60 years of sermons and masses etc. I didn’t agree with. Why blame Obama for something we’ve all done. And I’m a Hillary supporter.

By Lunatic Fringe

May 2, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Hey W, think about Jenna’s wedding this way…You are not losing a daughter, you are losing a war.

By Copyleft

May 2, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Ask any American Catholic about sitting through sermons that matter to you only in selected areas.

All Christians pick and choose the parts of their faith they pay attention to, and ignore the rest. There’s no other way to function as an adult.

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

@@,

Saw this story this morning:

Baby zebra named Evidence goes home Injured zebra will start his new life at Noah’s Ark

Good news is always best.

By GMAN

May 2, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

RB from Gwinnett

Once again you prove my point by using the term “race card” to avoid the real issue. You continue to take a bits and pieces of one (1) sermon out of context and make a generalization that all of the man’s sermons were filled with hate. This is typical of an individual being raised on cable news shows, blogs, and talking points. It only goes to show that hillbillies have computers too! THE CRACKER FACTOR IS ALIVE AND WELL!

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Is this new VOTE FOR OBAMA OR YOU’RE A RACIST slogan coming from the campaign itself or just from truth?man? …errr gman?

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

{{{{By mm May 2, 2008 8:45 AM Speaking of a disconnect from reality, look at Duh try to claim the economy is in good shape. Oh, that’s right. Because Bush said so.}}}}

I base my views of the economy on hard, real facts, statistics that show an improvement and cannot be denied.

You know, reality.

Meanwhile, mmoron lives in a world created by goony liberal propaganda, fake news stories that have been run ever since 2001 and have said the exact same thing the whole entire time, basically “The sky is falling!”, only now, after 7 years, are they even marginally correct.

But the real factors that we should all be looking at, are you a complete economic failure like mmoron must be or are you successful like I am?

As I’ve said before and I say again, maybe YOU are the problem, no?

By Paul

May 2, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

G’Morning, Bosch!

I’m gonna have to talk to my priest about a new outreach program. Yours!

You’re correct about how our living arrangements have been drastically altered by the car. Heck, not too long ago I drove a bit over 60 miles to work. It was an easy commute (hit the not too crowded freeway, tune into NPR or the classical station and hit cruise control). It took me, door to door, 15, maybe 20 minutes longer than my coworkers who lived in the popular suburb 25 miles away (heavy urban traffic).

Still and all, it took a long time to get us to where we are. And just as with our vehicle mix, the past is past and the time to start change is now. I agree.

BTW - Hillary’s second interview was very, very good, too (o’Reilly). The “sanctuary city” was a good example of having different definitions for the same term. Hillary was opposed to a crackdown on sanctuary cities - didn’t want to inhibit cooperation with local law enforcement (people won’t cooperate if they think they’ll get deported). BOR contered with the story of the soldier in Iraq whose son was killed by an illegal who’d been arrested on felony charges and released. Hillary said that was wrong and agreed with deportation. BOR said he agreed, no deportations for those here illegally but who are living law abiding lives (to those who will say they are lawbreakers just by being here, save it).

See what happens when people talk and they define concepts?

Howard Dean, Chairman DNC’s on Fox Sunday. Bye-bye, MoveOn.

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

(to those who will say they are lawbreakers just by being here, save it)

Paul,

Is that your aside or or imputing that to BOR?

Either way, facts are stubborn things and I can see why someone that wants to use the “otherwise law abiding” argument wants to tell others that see things differently just to “save it.”

By mm

May 2, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Duh,

Sorry, but I’m recession and depression proof.

But others aren’t so fortunate.

So you want to cherry pick facts?

Still there were clear signs of weakness in the report. The average work week slipped to 33.7 hours from 33.8, a sign of difficulty that some workers were having finding full-time work. In fact there was a large jump, by 306,000, in the number of people who were working part-time who wanted full-time positions, a fact that helped to take the unemployment rate lower despite the weaker job market.

The average hourly wage edged up only a penny to $17.88, the smallest gain in almost two years. The slim increase in pay, coupled with reduced hours, led to the biggest drop in weekly wages in almost two years. It left average weekly wages up only 3.1% in the last 12 months, less than the 4% rate of inflation in the 12 months ending in March, an indication that paychecks are not keeping up with prices

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

“or” when repeated sometimes means “are you”

Geez….

By mike

May 2, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Strange how a man spent two years in the Marine Corp and four in the Navy and be called anti-american. Thats more that the lot of you have done. Like it or not most of what rev said is true whether you believe it or not. I want to know when are you of the Cracker Factor going to take up the cause of those children from the Texas compound. That is turning out to be one of the biggest child abuse cases in this country. But I guess it is better to villify Obama because of something a pastor said. You know the veteran which is something most of you are not.

By AmVet

May 2, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

W is depressed?

No wonder.

Though his bumbling apologists refuse to acknowledge reality, even he knows that nearly three out of four Americans think he’s a BIG part of the problem, not the solution.

01-20-09

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Paul,

Outreach program - LOL! Yeah, I’ll have to tell my priest about that.

When you said that about living arrangments, it made me think of something else - I live in an old home (you know, by American standards), and it’s funny how newer homes are designed so that the television is the focal point of the living room, family room, whatever. Not so in older houses, little inventions that change our lives so dramatically.

Gosh, I’m all philosophical today.

The Iraq soldier story: I see people do that all the time, especially here, one example to support their position, and that pretty much sums it up for them - I’ve done it myself, but it’s not right.

But did I read your post right? BOR said no deportation for those living law abiding lives here? Wow. Have you seen Lou Dobbs in the past six months? He has turned into a rabid monkey in regards to immigration. They should make a pull string doll of him screaming “Deport all the illegals! Illegal immigrants are BAD!!! They break the law just by existing!!!!”

Sad.

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

mike,

What does one do to “take up the cause” of the children from the Texas compound? I thought getting them out of there and beginning to sort out out the crimes/allegations/charges without just firebombing the place and killing them all was a nice improvement over the last Texas compound the government went after.

By Paul

May 2, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

I just didn’t want to go into way more detail on the rationale from the interview. The concept of “here illegally so a lawbreaker” is true but is a different concept from what BOR’s interviews have been. It’s also an aside to the larger issue of Feds confronting cities over sanctuary policy as outlined in the interview (those arrested for crimes, not just for being here). Many of the same points have been debated here before. We know there are some who pop in every now and than with a well-worn soundbite argument and want full engagement on only one point and want to ignore the larger issues.

By Jesus

May 2, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!!

By RB from Gwinnett

May 2, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

By mike 9:45 AM

Mike, based on your silly logic, I assume you’ll be voting for McCain as he is the only candidate who served in the military???

Is there some connection you’d like to make between conservatives and the texas compound? I don’t think any of us have ever defended what went on there. Actually, I assumed you libs would defend the place since you don’t seem to have a defining line of deviant behavior. “It’s none of your business what they do in their bedroom” I believe is the mantra I keep hearing repeated on the left. Why do these people’s bedrooms matter to you and why do you feel it’s ok to peer into them?

By Paul

May 2, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Bosch

I just email my priest with a suggestion for a new Outreach Program -

BOR’s said that before. Said it’s nutty to think of deporting 13 million people and the idea of authorities going door to door questioning people to determine residency status and then deporting them is also nutty. He’s taken a few shots at Dobbs. ‘Rabid’ was a good choice of words.

Mike 9:45

“Strange how a man spent two years in the Marine Corp and four in the Navy and be called anti-american. “

Dont’ want to start a big thing, here, but the notion of patriotism as measured by military service may be generally true but specifically inaccurate.

Leavenworth military prison’s full of people who aren’t the most patriotic. There are many very, very patriotic people who never served a day. Given we now have an all-volunteer force, that’s truer now than in the past. But even during Vietnam it wasn’t an indicator. Join the Navy or get drafted into Army infantry and head for a jungle. Patriotism isn’t a factor. Survival is.

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Paul,

The police/informant argument of Hillary’s in her defense of sanctuary cities is a little fallacious. If you suspect someone of committing a crime you need a certain level of evidence to pick them up, but if they’re here illegally you can get them off the street while you do the investigating, unless you’re a sanctuary city. Not to mention that sanctuary cities are illegal under the oath she wishes to take in January.

By Paul

May 2, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

To clarify: my understanding of what Hillary said is that she’s opposed to authorities undertaking a coordinated effort to identify those here illegally and deport them.

If a person is arrested for a crime, she fully supports reporting them to ICE and deporting them.

But even that can be exploited. There’s a city near mine - Hispanic workers congregate in the parking lot of a business to await people who hire them. The business owner gave them his permission.

The police chief began heavy patrols. Arrested people for stepping into the street. Literally stepping off the curb when the cars pulled up, not in the parking lot. He said he was doing it for their own safety.

I don’t think any Anglos have been arrested for jaywalking in quite a while.

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

RW and Paul,

BOR is right in my opinion - oh my God, did I just write that? Many times people deal simply with the emotion of a situation and not the practicalities of the problems or solutions.

Case in point - illegal immigrants - how do we get them all out - how do we investigate each and every single case - whose going to replace them in their jobs? In my opinion, it’s impossible.

Another opinion of mine is that they are human beings who deserve a little respect. Simply being here is breaking the law, that’s true, but we’ve all broken the law at some point in our life - yes, yes, we have, don’t deny it.

Another case in point - initial invasion of Iraq - if Saddam Hussein had WMDs (which it turns out he didn’t at the time in question) - just how was he going to use them? It seems we gave him an easy target with having our military in his front yard.

RW,

I know we’ve had discussions before about the former (Iraq) issue, not trying to rehash that, because we just have a difference of opinion there, I’m just trying to make the point about emotion v. practicality.

Anyway, just some observations.

By Daniel

May 2, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Paul,

She said flat out that she wouldn’t crack down on sanctuary cities. All the rest of her dissembling came after BOR expressed his shock.

We can’t sustain the level of illegal immigrants in this country whether you believe they are “otherwise legal” or not and I would submit that very few illegal families fit the “otherwise legal” definition. The toll on an area where single family homes are occupied by four and five families destroys the property values while drastically inflating the infrastructure cost that needs to be paid in large part by property taxes on that depressed value. It’s a recipe for disaster and too many people are willing to buy your “otherwise legal” argument while their city or town crumbles around them.

I also find it odd that many of the people that complain about nicely paying “American jobs being shipped overseas” will happily watch nicely paying American jobs turned into minimum wage jobs here at home. Then again, and I’m not accusing you of being one, moonbat(ic)s® don’t often see the contradictions in their beliefs.

No wonder you said “save it” earlier. :-)

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

{{{{By mm May 2, 2008 9:38 AM Duh, Sorry, but I’m recession and depression proof. But others aren’t so fortunate.}}}}

mmoron: You are the typical off the shelf bleeding heart pinko liberal with the dimwit accessory kit included.

It’s always the “others,” other people are having a hard time so let us give them other people’s tax money, right?

Maybe the “others” have figured out this game and are scamming you pinkos to get off your fat as-s for them and take some more of other people’s money away to give to them, knowing full well that whining induces an idiot guilt response from you Pavlov mouth breathers.

Let’s call it a vicious circle jerk, shall we?

By the way, your “others” theory carries no weight with me whatsoever, you live in a free land with the protection of the US armed forces keeping you safe, while “others” do not, and I believe this is far more of a pressing need for “others” than for them to have “free” health care.

But you don’t.

Selfish mofo.

P.S. {{{{Employers cut far fewer jobs in April than in recent months and the unemployment rate dropped to 5 percent, a better-than-expected showing}}}}

Bwa.

By Paul

May 2, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

The BOR-Hillary interview - I was trying to illustrate how two parties can begin a discussion with a topic (sanctuary cities), disagree, then define what they mean by the term, then agree.

What you describe is a question of degree. Many people are happy to let it ride - their roads get built, their food gets served, their hotel rooms get cleaned, their produce, poultry and other food gets delivered at an okay price. That’s all they see.

Other people see the housing effects you describe. Or the schools with accelerating enrollments - in districts with already low tax base.

So they come at it from different angles. I think I see a number of the contradictions. I do think, just as with energy, we’ll have to live with some contradictions. And hold our elected officials accountable for their lack of action.

It’s shaping up to be another ABI (Anybody But the Incumbent) election.

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Bosch,

You probably agree with O’Reilly on far more topics than just mass deportation. I’m not for that either, but I am for stopping the flow and then figuring out what to do next. For instance BOR thinks Big Oil is gouging the folks and every time it’s investigated it turns out they aren’t. Funny how actually seeing something for yourself is far more informative than listening to nutbags on blogs and taking their word for it. Speaking of which, did IT(h)FS get banned?

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

RW,

“I’m not for that either, but I am for stopping the flow and then figuring out what to do next”

Yes, I agree with that too.

But cities and towns aren’t crumbling down around us based solely on the Hispanic population, not that you implied that, like all issues, it’s multi-dimensional.

Going to eat lunch! Later.

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Paul,

I think a lot of Republicans see the ABI election coming which is why so many are not seeking reelection. I realize you see various contradictions which is why I specifically excluded you from the comment.

See y’all around Happy Hour!

By Daniel

May 2, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Five years after “Mission Accomplished”. News item: “52 Americans were killed last month in Iraq.”

By Lunatic Fringe

May 2, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

President Bush, You aren’t qualified to run the Clayton County School Board much less the United States of America. If you were the CEO of a major corporation, you would already have been fired long ago. You are definately fortunate to be a member of “the lucky sperm club.” Somewhere along the way though your silver spoon was replaced by your foot.

By @@

May 2, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Shades of yesterday ml! When I entered today, I thought I’d stumbled into archives. Had to do a double-take.

Here’s what I look forward to (other than the progress that awaits Iraq)….

When General Petraeus moves his proven successes into Afghanistan, a holiday destination for liberals - will you deem it a failed policy? Will the liberals call for an all-out bombing campaign? Will you say “The Surge” into Afghanistan is working?

Liberals’ “cartoon boxes” CAN be funny at times! I look forward to the four-cornered one filled with “liberal wind baggage.”

Title suggestion: “WHITE NOISE FROM A BLACK BOX”.

By Paul

May 2, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

@@

What I look forward to are peoples reactions when either Pres Obama or Pres Clinton follow through on their

“It is not acceptable for Iran to have nuclear weapons and I will do (begin italics) whatever it takes (close italics) to prevent that from happening.”

I’ll make it easy. Just take the comments they’ve written, omit “Bush” and insert “Obama” or “Clinton.”

See? That was easy.

By AmVet

May 2, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Oh no! The always dreaded Friday afternoon Pop Quiz!

But this is an easy one.

This administration reminds you of:

a) The 1899 Cleveland Spiders who went 20 - 134 and lost 40 of their last 41 games.

b) The 9 and 73 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers who finished 59 games behind the Celtics.

c) The 1976 0 - 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers who were outscored 412-125.

d) The 1992-93 Ottawa Senators who finished with 10 wins and 70 losses and who won but one road game all year.

e) All of the above

By @@

May 2, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Paul:

I think Hillary was a wee bit more specific than Obama.

(((Iran made a complaint to the United Nations about U.S. presidential candidate ——>Hillary Clinton’s comment that the United States could “totally obliterate” Iran in retaliation for an Iranian nuclear strike against Israel,<——- The Iranian deputy ambassador to the United Nations sent a letter to U.N. Secretary Ban Ki Moon and the president of the U.N. Security Council condemning the “provocative, unwarranted and irresponsible statement.” Clinton’s remark came the week of April 20 during her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.)))

We’ve at least had the opportunity to see “one peep’s” reaction already.

I’m off from my first job and on my way to my second. It took me a week to figure out what inspires the little fella at my church’s Child-Tech program. Enough so, that he would attempt communication. Problem is, it’s very messy and I have to clean it up. Now it’s on to less messy endeavors…drink…eat…ball withholding the messy till last.

Brick by brick construction and I have to make the bricks from scratch.

Whew!

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Iran has a presidential election next year, maybe Mr. Imanutjob whatever his name is won’t be around to run his mouth.

Saddam Hussein made people believe he had WMD, and see where it got him. I don’t think the Iranians would be that stupid. These guys like to talk tough, but I don’t think they are willing to carry out their threats because they know they will be wiped off the map, not just by the U.S., but if anyone is actually crazy enough to attack with a nuke, the whole world would join in to make sure they weren’t around to do it again.

It’s just tough talk, like on a soccer field when you make a coy remark about your opponent’s mother being extremely obese, or how your opponent’s sister has remarkable “social skills” utilized by your whole team.

By Daniel

May 2, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

AmVet: “All of the above.” The interesting thing about the next election will be the struggle for control of the republican party. The right wing will not let go easily. I continue to fear a war on Iran. Nothing rallies the right like blood and gore; especially when it’s someone else’s.Paul Wolfowitz, to his credit, admitted the Bush Administration was “Clueless”.

By Paul

May 2, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

AmVet

Okay, I’ll get into the ideological swing of things.

None of the above.

Each choice had a team that won… something.

@@

The way to a man’s heart isn’t through his stomach. A man’s heart IS his stomach!

That’s some good work you’re doing -

Bosch

“I don’t think the Iranians would be that stupid.”

I, on the other hand, have great faith in the ability of many peoples to be really stupid.

Seriously, I’d hope this administration, and the next, begins each policy discussion with “what can we do to encourage the moderates… and not alienate them.”

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

{{{{Hillary Clinton summarized the narrative this week: “They came for the steel companies and nobody said anything. They came for the auto companies and nobody said anything. They came for the office companies, people who did white-collar service jobs, and no one said anything. And they came for the professional jobs that could be outsourced, and nobody said anything.”}}}}

And they came for this moron’s brain but found that there was nothing to take.

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Paul,

But to seriously attack someone with a nuclear weapon? We’ve had lots of crazy people with that capability - no, not even the crazy North Korean is that crazy.

BUT, what is scary is that I could see OBL doing it. He’s lying low and I totally expect him to do something crazy right before the election. Like Rev. Wright needs Obama to fail so he can blame it on the man and not make his millions being the victim (whew, that was long-winded) OBL also needs chaos to keep his mission of world domination alive.

By AmVet

May 2, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Paul, what are you? Some kinda rebel? or worse - an anarchist?

If kids just made up the rules as they went along think of the mess we’d be in.

What’s that? Oh? Really? It turns out were already in a helluva mess? Never mind…

Daniel, I agree that the GOP’s lunatic fringe, as overly represented here, will try to hold on as long as they possibly can. But there are two huge past events and two more huge aspects that are now working against them.

The 2006 elections where the Republicans failed to take one single solitary open seat in the entire US Congress. Stunningly embarrassing and a first in American politics. Almost certainly never to happen again.

Then the quick dismissal of every conceivable neo-con and faux conservative Bush-like candidate by a RINO maverick who is absolutely loathed by the GOP power brokers and the “faithful” in their once solid “base”.

And there are still millions and millions of people who could tell back in 2000 that Bush/Cheney was going to be an absolute train wreck. And I wish beyond wish I had been wrong about that. But it appears I was dead on.

Secondly and somewhat inexplicably is the enormous defection by the once numerous Bush loyalists. We have all now read about life long Republicans who are so disgusted by the corruption, ineptitude and deadly mismanagement that they have finally given up on this joke of a political party and who will not easily return.

Granted he barely skated by in both his selection and his election. But nonetheless what the hell happened to the millions who voted for W (some twice) who now, like most of the nation, see him as a colossal failure?

I am not very comforted by these voters who were so gullible and so “manipulatable” by such obvious inept ideologues that they couldn’t or wouldn’t see the writing on the wall.

Perhaps some have had their epiphany but I wonder.

The good news is that Bushco has almost certainly spelled the demise for this moronically misnamed conservative agenda…

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

{{{{{The 2006 elections where the Republicans failed to take one single solitary open seat in the entire US Congress. Stunningly embarrassing and a first in American politics. Almost certainly never to happen again.}}}}}

Of course if Blowhard makes a HUGE statement of fact it is almost certainly wrong. Take the open seat in Illinois district 6 and ask “Congresswoman” Duckworth how she’s enjoying the office.

Maybe you could look to the open seat in Tenn district 1 and see what party David Davis is a member of.

I’m sure there are plenty more, but I’ve got places to go and people to see.

Later!

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Oh and didn’t Blowhard tell us he once lived in Nebraska? I know, I know, he’s told us he’s lived everywhere, but bear with me. Check out the office holder of Nebraska’s district 3! Yes, sports fans, it was another open seat in 2006.

RW Out!

By Paul

May 2, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

AmVet

Naw, just every so often an agent provocateur -

Bosch

Rule Number One: when dealing with other countries or ideologies, never ever think in terms of “normal” or “crazy.”

Rule Number Two: always remember Rule Number One.

Saddam deceived the world? Another rule - always take your opponents seriously.

That’s what makes these people so scary - unlike the Cold War Russians or Chinese - who had a self preservation instinct - Islamists don’t. In fact, some say (parallels to fundamentalists) that it is necessary for destruction to precede Allah’s kingdom. So destruction is righteous.

That’s why I don’t give much time to the “but there are only a few of them…” arguments. It doesn’t take many, with great wealth, to unleash mayhem.

Last night’s news - Hamas TV production getting wide play. Ahmadinejad says Holocaust is a myth. Hamas says it happened - and was engineered by Jewish leaders like David ben Gurion to get rid of the crippled and weak in anticipation of the establishment of Israel and to garner sympathy for the Jews. Also cited a popular play - the ovens were intended by the Jews to be used on the Palestinians.

Propaganda - hitting an entirely new generation. You’re right - there aren’t any quick fixes.

By Ralph

May 2, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

AmVet: But history demonstrates to us that very few Repugs ever learn from the chaos they create and the lies which they MUST believe. The mindset is fashioned upon hatred, repression, racism, a pretend-feeling of mythical superiority and a NEED to identify with the ultra wealthy. Watched it all my life - walked away from it decades ago. Ugly stuff. Witness embracing Reagan, Reagan, Bush, Bush, Bush. They lack the intellect, the morals, the ethics, the guts…to change their voting/thinking habits. And never ever consider the good of the nation. Sad, but true.

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Yeah, you’re right, good rules to live by. That’s why I’m not a diplomat.

Wouldn’t that be funny, some ambassador, “ARE YOU FREAKING CRAZY OR SOMETHING? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING YOU FREAKING MORON!” That’s probably what I’d do. Who knows, maybe it would work.

“That’s what makes these people so scary - unlike the Cold War Russians or Chinese - who had a self preservation instinct - Islamists don’t. In fact, some say (parallels to fundamentalists) that it is necessary for destruction to precede Allah’s kingdom. So destruction is righteous”

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Point taken. I guess when you live in a culture where strapping on a bomb to your chest and blowing yourself up - then you’re considered a hero, well, yeah, that’s FRAKKED up :-) it’s Friday, remember?

Have you seen that commercial from somewhere over yonder that shows a Mickey Mouse impersonator stabbing GWB to death? That was exremely surreal.

I’ve never really understood these quacks who claim the Holocaust wasn’t real, when the people who actually committed the crimes have fully admitted it. Weird.

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Oh, but I still don’t think a sovreign nation would be that dumb, like I said, OBL, yes - I don’t worry about Iran.

By Glenn

May 2, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

You got that right, Ralph. There will be millions who vote for McShame. And that should just scare the hell out of anyone who dares to think.

By Paul

May 2, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Bosch

Thanks for the Friday reminder. Thank heavens for DVRs. With all the hospital visits the days just ran together.

Priest hasn’t responded to my email suggestion. I’m kinda anxious to see what’s in the communion cup on Sunday -

Holocaust deniers? People will latch onto anything for a cause. Hey, we have people here who think we never went to the moon and 9-11 was an inside job. Speaking of which, I saw a tape by OBL’s number 2, al Zawahiri (okay, I know it’s Friday and all, but please, no jokes about “yeah, al Zawahiri really is a number 2”) in which he told his followers to ignore the Western nut jobs ‘cause al Qaeda really did hit the Twin Towers.

Rosie? Hello?

By Abe

May 2, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Paul: you seem to talk endlessly here, perhaps it is your career. But only rarely do you say anything of substance or truth or realiy or accuracy or relativity. Is this as good as it gets for you???

By @@

May 2, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

(((The way to a man’s heart isn’t through his stomach. A man’s heart IS his stomach!)))

From what I’ve seen, you do most, if not all, the cooking in your house. I guess that makes you very self-serving? (ISH)

(((That’s some good work you’re doing)))

You wouldn’t say that had you heard the screams of protest coming from the room where I worked with “the little fella” and two others. The two others picked up on the technique pretty quickly. The “little fella’s” screams didn’t phase THEM as long as they got what they wanted. Role models for him and me.

What I call the IGNORE & IMPLORE approach.

Off to Stratfor where all indications are that cautious optimism rules the ME.

I YUV IT!

‘Tis amazing what a lame duck President and the State Department can accomplish when the eyes of the uber-left are on the U.S. elections, Reverend Wright, and Senator Obama.

Obama’s good for something afterall.

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Sorry to be nosey, but why are you going to the hospital so much? I hope everything is okay.

He-he he said “number 2.”

Sorry, couldn’t help it. :-)

By Thor

May 2, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Here is the acid test: On this 5th Anniversary of Iraq, would you send your 18 year old son over there?

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

{{{{NASA satellites found that last winter’s Arctic Sea ice covered 2 million square kilometers (772,204 square miles) more than the last three years’ average. It also was 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) thicker than in 2007. The ice between Canada and southwest Greenland also spread dramatically. “We have to go back 15 years to find ice expansion so far south,” Denmark’s Meteorological Institute stated.}}}}

{{{{“Not CO2, but water vapor is the most important greenhouse gas,” asserted climatologist Luc Debontridder of Belgium’s Royal Meteorological Institute. “It is responsible for at least 75 percent of the greenhouse effect. This is a simple scientific fact, but Al Gore’s movie has hyped CO2 so much that nobody seems to take note of it.”}}}}

{{{{“In stark contrast to the often repeated assertion that the science of climate change is ‘settled,’ significant new peer-reviewed research has cast even more doubt on the hypothesis of dangerous human-caused global warming,” 100 prestigious geologists, physicists, meteorologists, and other scientists wrote U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon last December. They also noted that “today’s computer models cannot predict climate. Consistent with this, and despite computer projections of temperature rises, there has been no net global warming since 1998.”}}}}

Can you say “junk science?”

By Devastator

May 2, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

In every state across the country, there are thousands of qualified voters who are not registered to vote.

Some believe their vote doesn’t matter, some have been actively disenfranchised, and some have been overlooked or excluded by a broken system that has lost touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans.

Barack and I entered this race because we believe there’s a chance to change that.

From the beginning, our goal has been to reach out to people of all races, ages, and backgrounds and bring them back into the political process. We must use the rare opportunity we have right now to bring people together and make this a better country for all Americans.

That’s why I’m excited to announce a 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive we’re calling Vote for Change.

Beginning with a nationwide kick-off on Saturday, May 10th, more than 100 Vote for Change events will take place in every state, organized by our dedicated volunteers who are leading this campaign for change in their own communities.

http://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange

This campaign is about the change in all of us — it’s about demanding that we live in a different world and being ready to fight for the vision that we have for our children.

If you’re reading this, you’re already somewhat engaged in this campaign. But if your experience is anything like mine, you know at least 20 other people who are not engaged, who are not focused on politics, and who may not vote in November.

If we are going to change this country, the change must come from the bottom up. That means reaching out in your community, in your circle of friends, and even in your family.

You can help get new people involved in the process so together we can finally solve the problems that this country faces.

Throughout this campaign, we’ve seen millions of Americans get involved who have never been interested in politics, never volunteered on a campaign, and many who have never even registered to vote before.

And some of our greatest successes have been recent.

Voter registration drives organized and conducted by supporters like you have registered more than 200,000 new Democrats in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana

By RB from Gwinnett

May 2, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

By Thor 3:59 PM

{{{Here is the acid test: On this 5th Anniversary of Iraq, would you send your 18 year old son over there? }}}

I’m more concerned about my just turned 16 year old driving alone on the streets of Atlanta than I would be if he went to Iraq where he would be supervised by the best military leaders on the planet. And I wouldn’t feel much more comfortable about him walking around Atlanta than being in Iraq. But you just keep whining….

By THE BUSHTER

May 2, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Hey, my fellow-Repug crackers, it be Friday agin! Time ta slip inta them huge tees, the long shorts, put cher ballcap over yer shaved heat, wear it at a jaunty angle which says, “I’m tuff - n ready fer trouble.” Grab thee keys ta thee PU/SUV, spin gravel outta yer hood, call other dorks on yer cell phone, on down to thee sports bar n a few long rounds of courage. God bluss ewe n God bless thee ewe nited states of Murcuh!

By RB from Gwinnett

May 2, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

By Thor 3:59 PM

{{{Here is the acid test: On this 5th Anniversary of Iraq, would you send your 18 year old son over there? }}}

I’m more concerned about my just turned 16 year old driving alone on the streets of Atlanta than I would be if he went to Iraq where he would be supervised by the best military leaders on the planet. And I wouldn’t feel much more comfortable about him walking around Atlanta than being in Iraq. But you just keep whining….

By Thor

May 2, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Hey RB - I never wrote anything but a simple question, no whining here.

Since you have a 16 year old the stakes are quite high for him. America is toying around with Iran and we have a two front war. We can find ourselves in a draft situation very soon if the winds change. I am quite concerned about our situation and teenagers regarding a draft should the winds of change occur.

By Ernie

May 2, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

RB. I’m concerned for your 16 year old - simply because he’s…yours.

By AmVet

May 2, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Kudos {{{{ricky retardo}}}}, wrong once again!

The irrefutable fact remains that it was a Democratic SWEEP in the 2006 elections:

The final result was a thirty-one-seat pickup for the Democrats, including the pickup of the Vermont At-Large seat, previously held by Independent Bernie Sanders who caucused with the Democrats. Democrats defeated twenty-two Republican incumbents and won nine open Republican-held seats.

Republicans won NO seats previously held by Democrats in either the House or the Senate for the first time since the party’s founding.

OUCH!!! To both the Bushistic Republicans and to {{{{baby rickster}}}}!

A shocking embarrassment for his beloved neo-cons to be sure.

And if the loser had a shred of dignity about his Bush-like never ending screw ups, for him as well…

Keep trying though {{{{Tiki}}}}.

One day you just may find those “holes in the fossil record”!

Ralph, my experiences parallel yours.

But after decades of GOP debacles, I still hold some hope that the more rational once-Republicans will not once again fall for the claptrap that is what the “conservative” GOP has become.

McCain, who in many ways is the antithesis of these extremist bumbling fools on the far right, is a first good baby step in that direction.

And if a new generation of Republicans can come to the fore, stand up to these cretins who have hijacked it and retake it, there is much hope for America.

Off to see the Braves/Reds game.

Have a good weekend all!

By Paul

May 2, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

RB from Gwinnett 4:07

Fine example of keeping things in perspective.

Bosch

Thanks for asking. My wife is fine. Followup surgery from her kidney cancer encounter two years ago. Old incision needed repair. Long recovery, no matter the age. She’s one of the 4 percent survivors. People can say what they want about God, faith, whatever. In my mind it’s more an attitude of thanks.

This just came in from factcheck dot org

Q: What percent of taxes does the top 1 percent pay and what percent of the income do they make? A: The top 1 percent of all households got 18 percent of all personal income and paid nearly 28 percent of all federal taxes in 2005, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The top 1 percent now pay a significantly larger share of taxes than before President Bush’s tax cuts, and also have a larger share of income.

Q: Would raising the capital gains tax rate hit the middle class? A: More than 80 percent of all capital gains income went to those making more than $200,000 a year in 2006. Very few making under $50,000 would be affected by any increase in the top capital gains rate.

First question: that’s as it should be. It’s why we have a progressive tax system.

Second: sheds a bit of light on who benefits. I always thought the “it helps the middle class ‘cause of their teacher union retirement fund investments…” was a stretch.

Five hours thirteen minutes and counting -

By bon scott

May 2, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

I see where a regular poster here commends the non-violence that accompanied the takeover of the FLDS compound in Texas, as opposed to the fatal mayhem that resulted from the assault on the

By Glenn

May 2, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

RB-

Things are winding down, despite the AJC’s long-hoped-for Spring Offensive, and those military leaders to whom you paid tribute are going to come home soon. A lot of them to Georgia. Let’s try to get as many of them as possible to decommission and displace: displace faculty, elected officials, and ultimately judges.

Whaddya say?

By bon scott

May 2, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

I’d like to point out to one of the oosters here that there were significant differences between the FLDS compound raided by authorities recently and the Davis Koresh compound fatally trashed by the feds more than a decade ago.

For starters, the FLDS has a clear cut concept of what marriage and family is. A little strange my mainstream Christian standards, but regulated and enforced. Quite a difference between them and Koresh, who seemed to feel he had sexual rights to anyone in his group.

Secondly the FLDS were not maintaining an armed camp. Koresh had enough weapons to invade Belize, And probably win. Dangerous. The FLDS did not.

Andee SEDPO (Secret Extreme Democratic Party Operative), your argument that since you’re doing okay economically, people who think we may have a problem (like President Bush) obviously have a screw loose.

Let’s see what the folks in a depressed upstate New York town have to say about this $600 TO $1200 rebate:

Where rebates will go - Elmira StarGazette

Just my opinion, but for the main part, this is NOT the kind of spending that’s going to set the economy on fire.

Footnote: The Elmira Stargazette (once known as the Elmira Star-Gazette) has a unique place in American newspaper history. The fact that it shares it’s hometown with NBC anchor Brian Williams doesn’t count. Guess what it is? Looking in Wikipedia automatically disqualifies you.

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Tsk, tsk, tsk Blowhard,

Once again here’s what you said.

{{{{{The 2006 elections where the Republicans failed to take one single solitary open seat in the entire US Congress. Stunningly embarrassing and a first in American politics. Almost certainly never to happen again.}}}}}

Now that I’ve proved that statement wrong beyond the shadow of ANY DOUBT, you claim that it says any open seat previously held by a Democrat. Sorry, Blowhard, it clearly says ENTIRE US Congress.

It must suck going through life as an egotistical moron, but maybe your inability to see your faults and ignorance insulates you.

By Glenn

May 2, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Has the Vietnam analog worn thin yet, or shall I check back in a couple months?

By Bill Ayers

May 2, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Attica!

ATTICA!

VIETNAM!

VIETNAM!

By AJC Management

May 2, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

{{{{By bon scott May 2, 2008 6:13 PM Let’s see what the folks in a depressed upstate New York town have to say about this $600 TO $1200 rebate:}}}}

bonnie: I’d like to be able to say that I’m glad that you recovered from your first attempt at this post but I can’t.

{{{{depressed upstate New York}}}}

Gee, I wonder who their U.S. Senators are?

Perhaps these looking a gift horse in the mouthers might have cast the wrong vote and are living in depressed NY because of it, no?

By the way, I don’t even get a rebate check and you will never hear me whining about it.

Think about that for a minute.

By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

finch,

Are you toasted or have you still not figured out that Mac?

By Bosch

May 2, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Wow, just woke up from my Friday night nap.

I was afraid it might be your wife, but I’m glad she’s okay. Good luck.

Taxes? I’m tax stupid and you won’t see me arguing much about taxes, I just know to pay them, and I usually get a little back. That’s about all I know.

Have a great weekend!

Three hours 10 minutes and counting!

By Paul

May 2, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Bosch

Like the simplified tax form says:

List income.

Send it in.

Pleasant weekend, all -

By raisedanidiot

May 2, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Hi all! Greetings to all my old blog friends..bosch, paul, amvet…not trying to leave anyone out. I see not much has changed…sort of like those soap operas. I do like the mission accomplished anniversary pic…I wrote an oped on the third anniversary that got the locals around here coming at me with their hackles up. I’m so out of touch these days…whats the word out on a mccain/huckabee ticket…am I the only one scaird shtless over that idea? If you lived where I do and heard the things I hear at my shop all day…well, lets just say my paranoia comes quite honest. Anywho, just been busy…it was really good to read all of you again…smoke em if ya got em!

By Buy Danish

May 2, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

{{By RW-(the original)

May 2, 2008 6:15 PM}}}

At least Blowhard said “stunningly” this time instead of “stuntingly”.

By RW-(the original)

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

Buy Danish,

That he did and only an egomaniac like him would defend his typo from the first time so vehemently. He also talks of electoral bloodbaths quite a bit and there finally was one.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s governing Labour Party was crushed in local elections and seemed set to lose the London mayoralty Friday in results dubbed a “bloodbath” by commentators.

Keeping with the trend sweeping Europe, the Brits are voting in Conservatives. Maybe it really is time for us to start being more like Europe.