Thinking Right

By Charles

May 16, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

I’m sure the mainstream press is already studying John McCain’s family tree to see if his great-great-great uncle (twice removed) was a slave owner. Then they’ll ask why he hasn’t apologized for his actions. Nevermind that his ancestors were probably subjected to untold horrors by the English monarchy - that’s not at issue here.

Also …..

I find it highly offensive that someone would compare a human being to a monkey. There should be no tolerance for such behavior in our society!

That being said I think it is time the AJC takes a stand against denegrating people in this manner. They can start by firing Mike Luckovich for drawing our President as a monkey.

(of course, they’ll never do it - Liberalism is a one-way street)

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. I pondered my best arguments over yesterday’s “appeasement” kerfuffle; suppose I’ll have to save those for Saturday.

Had not heard the latest CDC pronouncement. Glad they are so controlling the disease of cell phone usage. Clearly a communicable problem for society.

Almost comic that some of us with conservative inclinations once considered Schwarzenegger as a possible future model for national office.

I think the likely efforts of the Soros loonicrats, to attach all bigots and homophobes to Captain Queeg, will fail. Such efforts only work with a comparatively unknown product, and whatever one thinks about McCain, he is not unknown to the American public. Obama, however, is vulnerable to such an attack, as he hides the ball (or tries to.) If Obama is half as smart as his publicists keep telling us, he will engage a wall-to-wall campaign soon, introducing himself, for defensive reasons. [Alright, since you begged, I’ll go ahead and make my argument. The appeasement kerfuffle yesterday is a loser for Obama. I can see some combination of three reasons the democrats embraced the victim role yesterday: (1) the democrats truly believe appeasement is an intelligent strategy for dealing with Iran. (Ok, I won’t use the inflammatory “appeasement,” let’s call it “rapprochement,” but it is Chamberlainism or Carterism by any other name.) (2) Even if they know “rapprochement” is a futile strategy with a fundamentalist religion terrorist-nation, the democrats believe it is a domestic political “winner.” (3) Obama has an even thinner-skin than Captain Queeg. I think it is mostly #3.]

A Grady employee stole from a dead person? Shocking. Don’t they know that will discourage people from going there? It could hurt their business.

The farm bill is an insult to taxpayers, but of course taxpayers have little say with a democrat congress. Even less than they had with a republican congress. Republicans were too stupid to get anything passed. Of course, “taxpayers” are not a democrat constituency.

MLK has no particular meaning to me, so I withhold comment on his statue, other than I disapprove of spending taxpayer money on monuments to people. People are flawed. I would even disapprove of taxpayer money for a statue for Reagan, and he was the best of our lifetime.

I voted for Bob Barr in his celebrated/lamented race against John Linder. Back then I did not think Barr was an isolationist. I was wrong. While I am still open to casting a futile protest vote, it will not be for one who is wrong on the singular big issue.

John Lewis, technically, speaks the truth. He was committed to Hillary, then changed when the political winds blew. A tower of jelly.

Heck, I am celebrating the failure of the government to create a “trauma” network. Government is good at killing people, not keeping them on life support (although I will admit it spends a lot of money on the latter.)

The Sailor story is a comic commentary of our social commitment and affection and respect for government. Sounds about right to me.

You mean the California Supreme Court is not a legislative body? Thought that was all they ever did, what do you mean “adjudicate issues?” The best example of an abusive political body, making laws that neither the legislature nor the public will support. That is why leftists in Congress have never voted for abortion, too. They are too cowardly, want someone else to do their dirty work, then say ”what can we do, it’s the law of the land!”

By Copyleft

May 16, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

partisans and their commentators on the left will make certain that the uttered, printed or e-mailed stupidity or racism of anybody who ever voted Republican is surgically attached to the hip of John McCain.

In other words, they’ll do exactly what the Republicans have been doing for the past year (actually, much longer). Horrors! Everyone KNOWS that Republican candidates shouldn’t have to undergo any scrutiny!

Haven’t you figured out yet, Wooten, that Americans are unimpressed with your cries to shield the GOP figurehead from any and all criticism? We don’t need a fragile little hothouse flower in charge, we need a LEADER.

If McCain’s too petulant and brittle to stand up to the same sort of crap his party’s been dishing out… well, whose fault is that? (snicker)

By HIDT

May 16, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

What possible public health issue could be tied to cell phone use in the house? Is it that whole cell phone radiation thing again?

A Republican borrowing money to avoid spending cuts and a Democrat in Tennessee cutting spending to avoid raising taxes. What’s going on here?

A ghoul at Grady. Why does that not surprise me?

I like the Russell statue much better than the puny ones. If you are going to honor someone, do it in a grand way, I say.

So, judging from a recent blog, Barr moves up to second behind Hillary?

By The Devil You Say

May 16, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Wooten - you missed something on the election to replace Sailor - it was a waste of taxpayers’ money. The legislature does do some major work during the ‘off-season’ but the voting etc… takes place only when the legislature is in session, and that won’t be until January. They could have waited to replace Sailor in the Novemeber election, which they would have had to hold anyway. But that’s government for you!

By Copyleft

May 16, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

Activist judges willing to substitute their social views for those of legislators exist everywhere.

This has been a popular smokescreen for right-wingers for some time now; according to them, ANY time a judge does his job (i.e., interpreting the law), he’s Legislating from the Bench.

Unless, of course, he interprets the law the way the fascists WANT him to. Then, he’s “doing his job.” Yeaaahhh, right. Haven’t you children figured out yet that your little tantrums don’t work?

By The Devil You Say

May 16, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

copyleft - please cite some concrete examples of current Republican office-holders saying or doing anything racist. Please make it concrete. Do not call votes on certain social engineering measures racist. I want concrete examples. I can give you concrete examples among current Democrat office holders!

By Taxpayer

May 16, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

So, Jim is going to vote for a Democrat for President this year. You could always write in Ron Paul — it’s not too late to do the right thing. I’m not going to compromise. Compromising is for wussies. I’ll vote for Ron Paul or Bob Barr. Why settle for less, why vote for a Liberal when there are better choices? Don’t settle for casting your vote for the “Lesser of the Evils”.

By jet lag

May 16, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Not strawberries, but rasberries to you, Jbmlaw.

By Mid-South Philosopher

May 16, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim,

First, as you know, I believe that the institution of marriage should be composed of one man and one woman. That being said, I have always favored the concept of “civil unions” to protect the property rights and personal privacy rights (e.g., doctors being able to talk to designated partners of ill patients, etc.) of homosexuals.

Yesterday, the State Supreme Court of California held that marriage, at least in California, should not be denied to individuals on the basis of sexual orientation.

Now where in the h*ll are my “Constitutional Origninalist,” conservative friends?

Last time I read the U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 1. states: Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.

If marriage is not an institution governed by an “act” of the state, then what is it?!?

It seems to me that unless there is a national solution to this issue, we are apt to have a whole new arena of law suits over the next decade or so.

One of the few instances in which George W. Bush has indicated that he posseses an ounce of intellect is with respect to this matter. He knows that the only way to prevent same-sex marriage is by a constitutional amendment. If that can’t be accomplished then we need to get over it and “move on!”

My Goodness, did I say that?!?

By Ray

May 16, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

The farm subsidy bill is a joke and some of the worst ones are the peanut farmers. Their subsidy started out in 1941 as an aid to help strapped peanut farmers after the depression. It evolved over the years as an entitlement program for a bunch of voters who returned career politicians to office to perpetuate their handouts. And who is footing the bill? Certainly not the 43M plus people in the entitlement crowd who pay no taxes at all. That means that those of us who do pay taxes are supporting nearly 20%+ of the population that doesn’t pay a dime. Doesn’t look too good for the middle class.

By RacistRight

May 16, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

Just as I figured….not a word from Wooten on the Obama/Curious George shirt from his racist buddies at Mulligans. Those good ole’ boys want to make sure they don’t have to live with a black man as president. That would never do. Could you imagine?

Get ready. Just as soon as Hillary is driven from the race for the Democratic nomination, partisans and their commentators on the left will make certain that the uttered, printed or e-mailed stupidity or racism of anybody who ever voted Republican is surgically attached to the hip of John McCain.

Sorry Woot. The left want have to do that. Mulligans is proof they can do that on their own….and be proud of it. Proud to compare a black man to a monkey. Proud to be a racist. Proud to be a republican.

And not a word from you on this deal. Drop by Woot. I’m sure they would be glad to buy you a beer. Pat you on the back and say “Good Job!”

By The Devil You Say

May 16, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Copyleft - legislatures are supposed to make policy. Judges are supposed to interpret and enforce existing laws, not make policy. The California Supreme Court, acting as a super legislature, made policy and made law, out of whole cloth. Whether it is a liberal or a conservative doing it, it is wrong. By the way, the biggest fascist in this country right now is a declared Barak Obama supporter, Louis Farrakhan! You throw around that label much too freely. Fascism is a form of socialism. Republicans are NOT socialists!

By Maniac is accurate

May 16, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Get in line, gents. Shania is back on the market!

By Redneck Convert

May 16, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Well, I want judges that will make rulings that favor Republicans. That’s what being a good judge is. But if they make rulings that favor Democrats, well, that’s social activism and its got to stop.

I’m so upset about this gay marriage ruling in CA I don’t think I’ll be able to eat my chicken weenies at lunch. We need to send some troops into that state and arrest the judges. Next they’ll be saying its OK for men to marry sheep. They need to rule the way the Bible says to do. And the most worst part is the judges that voted for gay marriage was Republicans. I say we need to drum them out of the party.

Have a good day everybody. I’m just too disgusted to write anymore.

By RacistRight

May 16, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Just as I figured….not a word from Wooten on the Obama/Curious George shirt from his racist buddies at Mulligans. Those good ole’ boys want to make sure they don’t have to live with a black man as president. That would never do. Could you imagine?

Get ready. Just as soon as Hillary is driven from the race for the Democratic nomination, partisans and their commentators on the left will make certain that the uttered, printed or e-mailed stupidity or racism of anybody who ever voted Republican is surgically attached to the hip of John McCain.

Sorry Woot. The left want have to do that. Mulligans is proof they can do that on their own….and be proud of it. Proud to compare a black man to a monkey. Proud to be a racist. Proud to be a republican.

And not a word from you on this deal. Drop by Woot. I’m sure they would be glad to buy you a beer. Pat you on the back and say “Good Job!”

By David

May 16, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

It really doesn’t matter what pipe Wooten or the other GOP morons in this state think. Their days in the Capitol are numbered. So long to war profiteers, racists, hypocrites, white collar criminals, hello progressives who actually care about principles.

By Jeff

May 16, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Jim—You are such a fool. The California Supreme Court is not conducting social activism. It is interpreting the state’s Constitution and ruled that a law passed by the legislators of that state violated that Constitution. That is the role of the courts. If you knew anything about our government and how it works, you would understand that concept. The term “activist judges” is so lame and tired. Using it in 2008 is not going to keep the Republicans from being completely wiped out at the polls this election cycle. The citizens of this country, as well as those of the world community, have seen the catastrophe of what allowing you Republicans being in charge has caused. We are already seeing it in this state just after a few short years of Republican rule. Kick out the bums!

By Taxpayer

May 16, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Jim, I have not looked into how the CDC acquired the phone data but I can tell you that there certainly should be many new diseases attributed to cell phones. For one, there’s the “I can’t get the stupid thing separated from my ear disease”. I would not be surprised to learn that some people talk in their sleep to people — while on their cell phone. Don’t worry about electromagnetic radiation though. If you can’t see it, touch it, smell it, or taste it, how can it possibly exist — much less hurt you. And we wonder what’s wrong with our education system. Maybe it’s not the system though. Maybe some people just won’t stop with the “LaLaLaLa…” long enough to learn that there’s more to the world than what they have been led to believe in.

By Saint Joan

May 16, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Anyone who has had the misfortune to be a patient or have a loved one treated at Grady knows that you have to protect your personal belongings first. To hell with establishing an airway or stopping bleeding; job one at Grady is fleecing patients too ill to protect themselves.

By Copyleft

May 16, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Devil: Please cite one example of Obama doing or saying anything racist. You can’t; but if “guilt by association” is the order of the day, then McCain expect his own heapin’ helpin’, and SOON. This will be fun!

I don’t throw around the term “fascist” loosely at all. I throw it right where it belongs: squarely at the feet of right-wing idiots, who squeal like stuck pigs because it’s too close to the truth. (snicker)

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Dear MidSouth @ 8:40, I don’t think the “full faith and credit” clause will be a problem. Any intelligent court would require Georgia to give “full faith and credit” to a California act to the same extent that California law controls, and would compel California to honor Georgia law to the same extent that Georgia law controls. A marriage that is illegal in Georgia would remain illegal in Georgia, and California would not be obliged to honor Georgia’s prohibition. A marriage that is legal in California would remain legal in California, and Georgia would not be obliged to honor California’s construction.

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Dear MidSouth @ 8:40, second try. Suppose we were talking about dope distribution. If California legalized dope distribution, that legalization would not be binding on Georgia within the borders of Georgia.

By E-Roll

May 16, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

Is it still activist judges when they are people that share your on views? From cnn:

The ruling surprised legal experts because the court has a reputation for being conservative. Six of its seven judges are Republican appointees.

Maybe they are just ruling on a case that was brought before them. They just said that you can not ban a person from marrying based on sexual orientation based on current interpetation of the state constitution. Simply move forward with the amendment in the fall that is proposed and this ruling will be moot.

By Marty

May 16, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

One way Californians could put an end to “activist judges” would be to stop electing Republicans. Six out of seven supreme court judges in California were selected by Republican governors. Meaning of course 6 out of 7 California Supreme Court justices are Republicans.

Republican Governor Schwarzenegger opposes the constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage.

Yep, California, home of Ronald Reagan, home of Republican activist judges.

By Aquagirl

May 16, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

The cellphone study was also brought to you by the Center Of We Can’t Find You If You Call 911 On Your Cellphone.

Since our emergency response system relies on caller ID to locate helpless/panicked callers, the CDC does indeed have an interest. But don’t let a fact stand in the way of science-bashing, Jim. It’s just not as much fun.

By Mid-South Philosopher

May 16, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Dear jbmlaw@9:20

It does seem that there is some weakness in the application of Article IV, Section 1.

But, suppose that Georgia enacted legislation that required all parties to a marriage must be 21 years of age. Would that negate marriages of individuals moving to Georgia from states where the legal age is lower?

I suspect that if this issue is ever litigated to the U.S. Supreme Court level, the 14th Amendment will be brought into play.

I still believe that a Constitutional Amendment establishing marriage as an institution between one man and one woman is the only sure way to achieve the desired result.

Quite honestly, I don’t believe that such an amendment can be passed. So the question may be moot.

As we are likely to have eight years of liberal domination of the Congress and the White House, I suspect it will be Adam and Steve in the future.

By ron

May 16, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Good morning all,There is no cell phone here.I receive about one call per week via landline.I’m healthy.

Bob Barr?Don’t be a kidder.

jbmlaw,Appeasement it is.Capitulation anyone?

Texas rice farmers,or I should say,ex farmers,love the farm bill.Paid not to plant.

By John E.

May 16, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Activist judges willing to substitute their social views for those of legislators exist everywhere.

How can a court unholding the Constitutional principle of “Equal Justice Under the Law” be considered activist? And how can a Constitutional amendment be enacted which ignores this basic principle?

Clearly, civil unions don’t provide all the benefits and advantages awarded to married couples, so is not equal justice under the law! That’s why eventually marriage will be open to both heterosexual and homosexual couples in every part of this country.

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Ho hum..so much dibble dabble…so little time…

Cell phones—as soon as I finish talking on mine I’ll let you know how I feel about them..(actually I am the one in a million who does not have one or want one.)

McCain has been through the fiery furnace of politics before. He’s fireproof.

The only statues I like are in Lincoln Memorial and New York harbor.

Bob Barr..Who? What?..whatever….zzzzzzz

California can solve the gay marriage question in California. I don’t live there.

Oh yeah, the monkey tee shirt some one mentioned. When are they going to bring a case against the myriad drawings of Luckovich picturing the president as a monkey? That is more widespread than a bar tee shirt and succinctly rabidly false and discriminatory. Also jail all the liberals who call the President a “chimp”. Let’s cover all forms of discrimination by use of “art work”, written work and vocal slurs. That would cut out a bunch of libs right here on this blog and most of Luckovich’s….Also… Throw out RedNeck on grounds of blatant ignorance, more real than phony.

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

I learned a new word this morning, and am looking for a chance to apply it to Obama: tergiversate. Help me keep my eyes open for the opportunity.

By Glenn

May 16, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

“A bloody Solomonic mess,” is what I called it when a California law dean asked me just what in hell the California Legislature was getting itself into by becoming the first state body to pass a gay-marriage bill through committee. And though he was (and is) a friend, my remark shut him up, because he knew that I was serious, and that he and his law school were partly to blame.

It was from the beginning an exercise in incrementalism (modeled of course on the NAACP approach of mid-century). The Chief Justice who wrote yesterday’s opinion has been for years an accomplice in implementing this strategy, working closely with the three legislators who, through a relentless blurring of statutory distinctions, laid the foundation for a successful petition before…his own court.

It’s “judicial activism” at its naked worst. And that’s why my friend the dean was flummoxed; because he’d taught several of the players to arrogate in just that way, but he also knew their limitations well enough to understand that they were not the sort to whom should be entrusted the overturning of ancient cultural traditions.

The politics are these: the Court established a right. Bad move. Marriage is not a right, but a licensure. In our culture it is preeminently a religious institution, one in which the State takes an interest mainly out of its selfish concern that children be seen and not heard, but also because marriage in Western Tradition always has been in large part a property interest—-such that the State-issued marriage license is in part a kind of title deed.

The People of California will vote in November to amend their Constitution mainly because most of them think they’d already done so with the Defense of Marriage Act of 2000, which however merely changed statutory, and not constitutional, California law.

Arnold’s on the wrong side of this, politically and otherwise. I don’t understand why the Church continues to permit him to partake of the Eucharist. Had I known that it one day would be cool to be a smorgasbord Catholic, I might have abandoned my ancestral Protestantism long ago.

By Marty

May 16, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Pork no????

What do you call a $7.3 million horse barn and practice ring for Houston County? The home of Republican Governor Sonny Perdue!!!!

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Dear MidSouth @ 9:34, good question. “Suppose that Georgia enacted legislation that required all parties to a marriage must be 21 years of age. Would that negate marriages of individuals moving to Georgia from states where the legal age is lower?” At least prior to the ruling last year that freed the young rapist Genarlo or whatever was his name, a statutory rape prosecution was always a theoretical risk in Georgia. Our own activist court would probably make that decision for the legislature.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Better save your pennies Woodenhead, to pay me for my oil. “The price of oil rocketed to a record high point of 127.43 dollars per barrel on Friday, as US President George W. Bush prepared to urge Saudi Arabia to pump more crude, analysts said. New York’s main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for June delivery, beat the previous peak of 126.98 that was set on Tuesday owing to worries about tight supplies despite a downgrade to global oil demand growth for 2008.”

THE ONLY OIL SAUDIA ARABIA CAN ADD TO WORLD SUPPLY IS HEAVY SOUR CRUDE, A P** POOR GRADE THAT THE WORLD HAS NO USE FOR….80% OF THE WORLD’S REFINERIES CAN ONLY PROCESS LIGHT SWEET CRUDE TO WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE CRUDE. To convert a light sweet crude refinery to process heavy sour crude, first you have to tear down 80% of the refinery, then build from the ground up. This is speciality steel intensive, and steel prices are going verticle….did i mention the pipes of heave sour crude refineries are lined with a nickle alloy, and nickle sells for 38 - 40 thousand dollars per ton? The nickle alloy is plate welded to the high strenth steel, a time consuming and expensive job…some companies use explosive welding technology, but ah doubt you clowns would understand that…..

By The Truth

May 16, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Someone please help me out here. Marriage, as defined in the dictionary, is between a man and a woman. There is procreation involved, yes? I don’t want government pushing an agenda on people but how is gay marriage, marriage?

RacistRight, The GOP doesn’t have any members of the KKK in it’s party. The DNC does. Robert Byrd. Care to debate that one? Besides, I was told by my science teacher that we all come from monkeys. So, how is showing Hussein Obama as a monkey racist?

By jet lag

May 16, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Wooten is not a racist. That’s ridiculous. Neither is 99% of americans. The problem is not in the individual intercourse of day to day life, but rather in the intrinsic and systemically absorbed birthmark coded into our country’s slave-mutated DNA. We know not what we do. How could we, we’re swimming in the sins of our founding fathers.

Our economic realities are the children of capitalism and freedom, (the ironic icons of ivory towers and our own iron curtain). To protect slavery and avoid war, our founding fathers advance the finer points of contract law to a point where slavery lives today in all of our careers. Think about your rights as an employee. You have none. You’re fired. Now get outta here.

Legally, we are all slaves, beholden to the trickled-down environs so graciously provided by the sacrosanct sadists of spuriously gleaned socio-economic rank. We tread water via the engine of our capitalism, the generationally-powered revolving doors of entitlement and devolvment, of elite and effete, of the banks and the brokes.

Racism is a bumper sticker and a political card. Nobody can be a racist when everybody’s a slave. Slavery lives. It pays 7 bucks an hour, (and you have to pay for gas). Foreign countries own us now, and they cant believe how much power and autonomy their dummy corporations have over America’s slaves and yet we squabble over who’s got the better looking children.

Forget racism, dummies. Look to empower yourself by banding together against the foreign-owned sellouts with the really terrific socialized healthcare plans and golden parachutes and just watch them land on the backs of your racist children.

Obama 08. It’s just a beginning. A small step for a black man, but a giant leap for Americans.

America. It’s not for Americans anymore. Obama will change that.

By Aquagirl

May 16, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Mid-south @ 9:34, you have stumbled upon the reason for the full faith and credit clause, despite jbmlaw’s misdirection. Remember, never trust a lawyer, even if it’s about a law.

Should Redneck Convert tie the knot with a 15 year old pregnant girl, when they retire to their doublewide in Alabama they won’t be living in sin. According to the State of Alabama, anyhow. What God (and the neighbors) think is another matter entirely. And of course the laws about marrying one’s kin may present further problems.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Yo The Truth - Like most lying neocon traitors, your grasp of reality is based solely on your agenda….who cares what foggots do behind closed doors, who cares about 90 year old senators who were once members of the kkk but have since supported every piece of civil rights legislation in existence, and insulting Mr. Obama with a stolen image of a monkey will result in a multi million dollar intellectual property thieft settlement….Now pack your bags and git out of my country….the sewers of tele aviv is where you and yours belong…

By JK

May 16, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

The California Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision on marriage is precisely the reason voters in Georgia and elsewhere amended state constitutions.

Mr. Wooten, I strongly disagree! The reason voters in Georgia and elsewhere amended state constitutions to prohibit one segment of the population from enjoying the same state-sanctioned legal rights and protections as the rest of the population IS BECAUSE THEY ARE BIGOTS. There is no basis in law for prohibiting Bob & Steve from entering into the same legal contract as Bill & Mary. It’s BIGOTRY, SEXISM, and RELIGIOUS OPPRESSION of the same ilk that denied women the right to vote until 1920 after they fought tooth and nail, went to prison, and denied their husbands the booty until the wrong was righted. Discrimiation and bigotry: alive and well in Georgia. Aren’t you proud?

By Jim Earl

May 16, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

If ol’ Convert wuz ta be marrying his pregnant 15-year-old cousin and movin’ to Alabama, hit wouldn’t be his young’un. He’s got that reptile disfunkshun.

By Redneck Convert

May 16, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

That weren’t Jim Earl what wrote that piece. It must of been some librul imposter trying to make me look bad. I’m not no child molester. Besides by wife beats me at the fambly reunions if I look to hard at any of the purty girls.

By The Truth

May 16, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

George Washington, How am I lying? Who cares about members of the KKK in the DNC? I keep reading on this blog that the GOP is full of racists yet you guys have members of the KKK in your party. As for the t-shirt, how is it racist if we all come from monkeys? And, why no anger from you about Condi being drawn up as a slave woman? Liberals are one sided on every issue and it takes conservatives to call you guys out on it. You belong in Ahmadinejads toilet you hack.

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Dear jbmlaw@9:57

I would like to sate

Your desire to use tergiversate.

But sorry, mate,

I can’t substantiate

The meaning of tergiversate

Unless it is the hate

That comes from Obama’s home plate.

You know, those politicians of low estate.

But I will try to compensate..

Obama is a TERGIVERSATE!!!! (?)

By Jim Earl

May 16, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

I can’t quit you.

By Friend of the court

May 16, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Very interesting legal precedence being set in California over the internet harrassing that led one teen girl to hang herself. I know exactly the pain that poor girl felt. It totally destroys you. The pen is more powerful than the sword.

Imagine if the girl’s death wishes and death threats came from a presumably safe public forum like a newspaper blog, and the chief author and instigator was an editor on that newspaper? Wow. A reader has a reasonable expectation not to get death threats and death wishes from a newspaper, dont you think. Imagine waking up one morning, and the headlines over your coffee is “Mr. X, please die, kill yourself now, nobody likes you and you’re doing the world a favor by hanging yourself.”

Can you imagine that? Now imagine reading that everyday for two years? Isn’t that ridiculous?

Very interesting legal precedence in california.

Very interesting. an apology. a resignation. and maybe an out of court settlement can be considered.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

The Truth is a Liar: American tax dollars for the foreign country of israel is a A ok by you stinking traitors, but American tax dollars to help poor americans is bad according to you double standard scum. Git out now, while you still can…..

By Enemy of cort boullion

May 16, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

OK what newspaper editor has every day for two years been suggesting that someone kill him/herself? Inquiring legal minds want to know.

By RacistRight

May 16, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

I figured I would get the typical “Robert-Byrd-is-in-the-KKK-and-its-not-racist-because-we-all-come-from-monkeys” response.

Face it.

You are the party of racist bigots. You can’t run from it. You can’t hide from it.

By fearless fosdick

May 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Here we go again (NOTICE WHICH STATES THEY REPRESENT)

Seven Republican senators — Tom Coburn (OK), Jim DeMint (SC), Jeff Sessions (AL), Saxby Chambliss (GA), David Vitter (LA), Jim Bunning (KY), and Richard Burr (NC) — are holding up a vital AIDS bill that would save the lives of countless children and adults in Africa.

Yes, indeed, every Republican senator is pro-life except when they are regularly anti-life. It’s a paradox that only God can apparently resolve, but he or she is clearly not communicating with these extremists who willingly let people die.

Let’s attack Iraq…Let’s bomb Iran..but, when it comes to saving lives .. No!

By admirably in tune

May 16, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Kudos to Dusty for resisting the impulse to sneak in a wanking reference with all those words ending it “ate”.

Now that’s journalistic discipline! She should get a pulitzer for that alone.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

The world would be better off without dusty and her ilk…..

By ron

May 16, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

jbmlaw,I do believe that tergiversator is a word that the late William F.Buckley would use to describe a politician that he didn’t particularly care for.

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Dear JetLag @ 10:07, you err: “To protect slavery and avoid war, our founding fathers advance the finer points of contract law to a point where slavery lives today in all of our careers. Think about your rights as an employee. You have none.” I can quit, a slave cannot. Ask John Galt.

Dear Aquagirl @ 10:13, you are correct, I did not answer the question. (Not maliciously misleading our friend MidSouth, just typed the first thought that crossed my mind.) I think the “full faith” clause would not obligate the state to recognize a marriage illegal within the state. My “misdirection” noted that imaginative state plaintiff attorneys would attempt to punish also, but I suppose that would not necessarily be a component of nonrecognition. I think “illegality in the inception” would be a valid defense to a divorce action, for example. The court’s refusal to use the power of the state to enforce an illegal contract is well-established at law, and marriage is merely another contract, albeit one with statutory provisions.

Dear JK @ 10:15, I disagree. Noticing that there are physical differences between men and women is not bigotry; if the law takes similar related notice, it is not bigoted, either. Take the chip off your shoulder.

Dear Dusty @ 10:27, I salute you. Your performance would do Ogden Nash proud.

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Dear fearless @ 10:52, is it possible that the seven noble obstructionists are pro-taxpayer rather than anti-foreigner?

Dear ron @ 11:05, you are surely correct. I did not understand my impulse, and I am grateful for your apt analysis.

By The Truth

May 16, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

George Washington, You still have not told me what I lied about? I asked a question and you call me a liar. Your life must be a sad one.

RacistLeft, What racist past do I have? How is the GOP racist? You throw around this word without any merit.

By admirably in tune

May 16, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

No, GW, Einstein proved that all observations are valid, and in fact necessary. The world would be a poorer place without dusty, even if she wasn’t so beautiful.

And what is with you anyway? You are a very verbose verdant. And You still use the term neocon. Dont.

The problem with you and wipemysnatch (same idiot?) and most other well meaning liberals is that you dont know the craft of spin. You simply have no appreciation for the power of a single word or phrase. You’re just a blog-simple hack. Dont you think we have enough of those?

Now, if you think you havent been given a fair chance here, then write 25 words or less on any or all of Wooten’s topics today. Wow us and I’ll never post another comment on this board again. Guaranteed.

Otherwise stfu.

By Crafty

May 16, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

RacistRight, Define just who is racist in the GOP. I want specifics and not random name calling. Who in the GOP has shown racism?

George Washington, The GOP supporting the monkey shirt is news to me. How does the GOP get painted racist for that? How about explaining Husseins racist pastor who openly says he hates white people.

By SwiftBoat

May 16, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Obama Hussein is a racist and so is his pastor of 20 years.

By Aquagirl

May 16, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

jbmlaw, I have no doubt you’re lawyering now. There is no way you could possibly be that ignorant of marriage contracts.

Here’s an example: Redneck’s now 23-year old wife kicks him out of the doublewide for bringing home Sweetwater 420 instead of PBR. (In Alabama, this is no doubt considered grounds for divorce. Maybe annulment.) Mrs. Redneck goes to court, wanting half the trailer (a singlewide) and custody of the little Rednecks and Rednecketts.

Now, does the judge look at her marriage certificate and say “sorry, you have no legal rights since this marriage certificate would not have been issued in Alabama”?

No, the divorce proceeds, because a marriage in Georgia—-even though illegal if performed in Alabama—-is accepted due to the full faith and credit clause. Now, if they had married in Alabama, and Mrs. Redneck had falsified her age as 16 when she was 15, the court could consider the marriage illegal or invalid.

Your shameful misdirection was attempting to introduce criminal acts as the subject. Full faith and credit is about:

“public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.”

Which the courts seem to have considered contracts, convictions, etc. That would include marriage, not statutory rape laws.

By JK

May 16, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Dear jbmlaw @11:13: So you admit that you believe one’s physical difference from another justifies the application of a different set of legal rights when the government to which we all pay taxes starts dispensing privileges? Ever argued this in court?

By admirably in tune

May 16, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

The Truth’s 11:18 is the funniest bit I’ve read in a long time. See? His ID is “the truth”, and he’s ranting about being called a liar.

Truly great stuff.

Listen truth, you are wasted on this blog. They wont get it. I suggest the Steve Rose blog, there’s plenty of clown acts and they love to facebook as much as you do, (or were you myspacing? I get those two things mixed up), and who knows, you may even get a pearl necklace.

jizt saying

By fearless fosdick

May 16, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Dear fearless @ 10:52, is it possible that the seven noble obstructionists are pro-taxpayer rather than anti-foreigner?

Little late in the game for that analogy isn’t it?

“NOBLE?”

By The Truth

May 16, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

U know, I was reading some back blogs from last week, and I saw two or three instances where some other bloggers were implying that I was a liar. I’m not a liar, you’re a liar. I didn’t tell a lie, you did. I’m not the liar here, you’re the liar. How dare you call me a liar? HOWDAREYOU???

Funny, funny stuff.

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Well, I’m getting the “swellhead” over all these nice comments on poetry. I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as…oh nevermind.

Anyway, I am also in a state of shock. George Washington is here telling BIG LIES when he said he wouldn’t after chopping the cherry tree. He’s even a bad phony.

Did someone say that RedNeck Convert is now marrying a 15 year old pregnant girl? Is he an old time Mormon or a fulltime Romeo? Who would have guessed?

jbmlaw had to go to law school to find out that there are physical differences between men and women. My mother informed me (like I hadn’t noticed) in no uncertain terms and regulations.

Condi Rice and Justice Thomas don’t seem to think that Republicans are racists. Could it be that these intelligent people have a broader vision than propaganda mills stirring trouble?

Fearless Fosdick is “fearless” until it comes to fighting for the freedom of two enslaved nations and our own safety from terrorists. Oh yes, we could talk our enemies to death. Carter and Obama say it will work although it never has.

Now..I must contemplate my own fate!! Will it be chik fingers or chalupas for lunch? Pepto Bismol or bicarb soda? Decisions! Decisions!

By The truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth

May 16, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

admirably in tune, pearl necklaces? Sounds like you’ve sucked off one too many kennedys.

By Redneck Convert

May 16, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

My good friend and lawyer jbmlaw is going to be hitting you with a seize and detest order for all this slandering and libeling you are doing, Aqua girl. Maybe we can get you locked up as a trader, too.

By Copyleft

May 16, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Wow, TheLies is really on a roll today with his blatant ignorance! And all packed together so tightly, too.

Marriage, as defined in the dictionary, is between a man and a woman. Yes, we’ll have to update that as new meanings and new terms EVOLVE. That’s why they re-publish the dictionary every year.

There is procreation involved, yes? No. Married couples are not required to procreate, and procreation doesn’t require marriage.

I don’t want government pushing an agenda on people but how is gay marriage, marriage? Wrong again: the government isn’t “pushing” anything on anyone. They’re recognizing individual rights and freedoms, which they can use as they see fit.

The GOP doesn’t have any members of the KKK in it’s party. The DNC does. Wrong again. Byrd was a KKK member, once; he isn’t any more. The KKK is now made up entirely of Republicans.

Besides, I was told by my science teacher that we all come from monkeys. No, you weren’t. You clearly know nothing of basic biology to make such a stupid remark.

Someone please help me out here. Sorry, education is only possible if you have a working brain. As a Bushdrone fascist dupe, you obviously fail that test.

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Dear aquagirl @ 11:32, I stand by my analysis. You argue that a judge would disregard the law due to his feelings; I think that is irrelevant to construction of the language. To place my argument in a similar, but unrelated context: suppose you are a rich former basketball player and you reside in a state where gambling is mostly illegal. You go to Las Vegas and run up a gambling tab of $400,000, owed to a casino. That casino could certainly get a judgment against you in Nevada, because gambling is a legal activity in Nevada. However, as you own no real or personal or nontangible property in Nevada, a Nevada judgment would be worthless without domestication to you home state. Could the casino domesticate its judgment, to seize you bank accounts or yacht or home? I have not researched, but my guess is that it could not, as the consideration for the debt was an activity illegal in home state.

Dear JK @ 11:35, most people are not silly enough to try to obtain special privileges as in your hypothetical, but I urge you to try, I’ll take the case against you, and we’ll see what happens. Surely you would not argue that it would be illegal for a publicly owned performance venue to put in more toilets for women than men? I think a court would recognize the practical difference, that women require slightly more time to use the bathroom than men, and that it is reasonable for the public entity to plan for the differential, to avoid inflicting longer wait times for women.

Dear fearless @ 11:17, certainly “noble.” I realize leftists believe it is justifiable to steal from taxpayers to give the money to drug companies, but I don’t.

By ron

May 16, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Dusty,What would think if Obama called you “sweetie”?

By Redneck Convert

May 16, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Well, there goes Sister Dusty misspelling my name again, sticking a capital N in there like Red was my first name and Neck was my middle name and she has a defective space bar. Sister Dusty always says the only defective bar is one that closes too early.

By Taxpayer

May 16, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

George, I understand what nickel and vertical are. Are you still hung up on some weird phonetic spelling thing. That just drives engineers crazy. Proper material specification can be critical in some applications and that can be difficult to accomplish without standards compliance.

By Redneck Convert

May 16, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Well, I see that other Redneck Convert and the other Jim Earl are on here blabbing away. It was sure a big suprize to me and Jim Earl when we logged in.

Anyhow, we need to ban gay marriage on account of it says its a Sin in the Bible. The Bible is kind of strange when it comes to You Know What. It says right there you can’t sleep with another man but Lot did You Know What with his two dotters and it was understandable. All the other women had been burnt up when Sodom and Gonnorhea was destroyed.

Anyhow, I’m all for guvmint leaving us alone except when it comes to You Know What. We need to make a law that puts cameras in every bedroom just so we can be sure people are doing You Know What right. The law should just swoop in and arrest everybody doing You Know What the wrong way or with the wrong person. Besides, you could sell the tapes to pay for it all and we could put the porno people out of business. It would sure make for good talk at work when some woman walks by and you just watched a tape of her doing You Know What last night.

I don’t like people using a example of me moving to Alabama with some 14 year old in the Fambly Way. People just work extra hard to hurt my feelings. Sister Dusty and the other people can just kiss my pile-on cyst.

By The Truth

May 16, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Copyleft, You’re a complete moron. You’ve just proved it with your statement about the entire GOP being involved in the KKK. Where are the burning crosses? I have yet to see a member of the GOP hang a black person from a tree.

The government DID impose gay marriage on California. In 2004 it was voted down in EVERY state. The issue was on the ballot in 13 states and was voted on BY THE PEOPLE. Four judges decided upon themselves to make it legal. You are an uneducated person in serious need of help.

By Crafty

May 16, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Copyleft, You have lost your small mind. GOP is the KKK? What planet are you from anyway? Also, yes, the evolutionary chart CLEARLY shows monkeys evolving to men. How is Obama being shown as a monkey offensive if we all come from monkeys? Admit it. You’ve been beaten.

By Aquagirl

May 16, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw, I think the very existence of casinos negates your argument. Leg-breaking aside, all a big loser would have to do is leave Vegas and he’s off the hook legally?

I must now seize and detest, as ordered by Redneck. But your response was either a supremely stupid moment for someone who calls themselves a lawyer, or trolling. Sorry I can’t sugarcoat that one bit.

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Dear Dusty @ 11:52, my next assignment for you is to write a rap song I can use, “It’s Tough Being a Nerd.”

Dear Redneck @ 11:59, thanks for the spirited defense. Aquagirl is a long-time sparring partner, and she is one of the brightest lights on this blog, and Mrs. jbmlaw would not approve of me seizing and detesting her.

By Believer

May 16, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

Ron, If Obama called Dusty “sweetie”, it would just be proof that word of Dusty has not spread to locations that Obama might frequent such as the USA minus Georgia.

By The Surge is Working...?

May 16, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

JBM, how about this sentence: John McCain tergiversates each time he calls for the renewal of the Bush tax cuts, after having voted against them twice “on principle”. Pretty much hits the nail on the head, doesn’t it?

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Truth, your very name is a lie….

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

Dear Copyleft @ 12:00, you have a few holes. Marriage, as defined in the dictionary, is between a man and a woman. Yes, we’ll have to update that as new meanings and new terms EVOLVE. That’s why they re-publish the dictionary every year. [Or as Lewis Carroll wrote, each word means precisely what I wish, nothing more and nothing less.] There is procreation involved, yes? No. Married couples are not required to procreate, and procreation doesn’t require marriage. [Conservatives disagree with whatever foundation you claim for your latter argument. We believe that absence of marriage is causative of many societal ills today.] I don’t want government pushing an agenda on people but how is gay marriage, marriage? Wrong again: the government isn’t “pushing” anything on anyone. They’re recognizing individual rights and freedoms, which they can use as they see fit. [Thus you would permit businesses to grant different health care coverage to heterosexual couples than homosexual? Alternatively, are you not pushing an agenda?] The GOP doesn’t have any members of the KKK in it’s party. The DNC does. Wrong again. Byrd was a KKK member, once; he isn’t any more. The KKK is now made up entirely of Republicans. [There is only one way you could know that, and that is if you are one of the two members of the KKK left.] Besides, I was told by my science teacher that we all come from monkeys. No, you weren’t. You clearly know nothing of basic biology to make such a stupid remark. [You clearly know nothing of basic biology teachers.] Someone please help me out here. Sorry, education is only possible if you have a working brain. As a Bushdrone fascist dupe, you obviously fail that test. [You don’t even know what a fascist is; remember they are the ones who think government should regulate the way businesses do business? Mussolini made the trains run on time, under penalty of death.]

Der HIDT, you had me fooled. You are good.

By Fulton

May 16, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Funny how some people find ways to justify their actions…

No - to abortion but yet, yes - to war.

No - to provide for starving Americans but, yes - to provide for foreign countries if it serves the ‘common interests’.

No - to large government but, yes - to restaurant gun laws & putting prayer back in school.

Can someone pls explain?

By fearless fosdick

May 16, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Fearless Fosdick is “fearless” until it comes to fighting for the freedom of two enslaved nations and our own safety from terrorists. Oh yes, we could talk our enemies to death. Carter and Obama say it will work although it never has.

Have you ever traveled outside this country? Believe it or not, we as a country are not as beloved as you would like to believe!

The U.S. attacked a soverign nation which is costing billions of dollars.

Those dollars could have helped rather than destroy.

now go write some crappy poetry.

Ignorance is bliss

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Dear Aquagirl @ 12:13, “all a big loser would have to do is leave Vegas and he’s off the hook legally?” Right, that is why Sir Charles is in the news. Since he is an honorable Republican type, however, he will pay his debt.

By truetoform

May 16, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

“Get ready…partisans and their commentators on the left will make certain that the uttered, printed or e-mailed stupidity or racism of anybody who ever voted Republican…” Hey, isn’t this kind of like what the conservatives did in the past two elections with anyone who voted Democrat? Didn’t the conservatives make them all out to be godless, america-hating supporters of terrorism?

Conservative hypocrits.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

When we allow forign liars like the truth, chertoff, barnikie, greenswine, and their ilk into high government positions, this is what we get in return: The Consumer Price Index is a complete FRAUD.

The overall CPI rose 0.2% in April, down from a gain of 0.3% in March. Meanwhile, the “core” (ex-food and energy) CPI gained only 0.1%. That brings the year-over-year rate in CPI inflation down to 3.9% from 4%, and leaves the core CPI year-over-year gain at 2.3%, down from 2.4%.

But to call this CPI report a little fishy would be the understatement of the century. Did you know that gasoline prices fell 2% in April? Or that airfares dropped 0.5%? It’s true — or at least, it is if you buy the numbers the Bureau of Labor Statistics is selling.

Never mind that the New York Times just reported this:

“Airlines have raised fares or increased surcharges, partly to cover the rising cost of jet fuel, at least 10 times so far this year — most recently on Thursday, when American Airlines and Delta Air Lines raised ticket fees again. The increases have wiped out many of the discounts the carriers offered in 2007 to fill planes.

“Full-fare coach tickets on some transcontinental routes, like Los Angeles to Philadelphia, now cost more than $1,000 round trip. Leisure fares, bought in advance, are back to what passengers paid in 2006, or about $230 round trip on average, according to Robert Harrell of Harrell Associates, which tracks air fares. Business-class tickets are up 30 percent from the recent lows touched three years ago, when Delta cut fares sharply, Mr. Harrell said.”

Or that CNNMoney.com had the following to say about gasoline costs:

“Retail gas prices hit record highs for the seventh day in a row, auto group AAA’s Web site showed Wednesday.

“The nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded hit $3.758, up 2 and six-tenths of a cent from the previous day’s high of $3.732.

“Gas prices have now risen for eight straight days. The pinch on consumers at the pump comes just ahead of the summer driving season.

“The AAA national average shows gas prices up more than 11% over the past month and up nearly 22% from year-ago levels.”

Gasoline prices have exploded across America, contradicting the government’s April CPI report. According to the number-crunchers in Washington that stuff never really happened. Curious, isn’t it? Gas and airfares are actually going down. You gotta love it!

Still, at least one part of the CPI report reflected what IS going on in Realityland: Food prices surged 0.9% in April, the single-biggest monthly increase since January 1990. That’s absolutely what I’m seeing in my budget, and it just goes to show that average Americans ARE feeling the inflationary pinch.

By The Truth

May 16, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

George Washington, How?

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Dear Surge @ 12:22, even if I were emotionally invested in the candidacy of Captain Queeg, I would have to grant your genius.

By JK

May 16, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw: So you’re equating the sacred right of people to choose their own partners upon whom to bestow specific familial rights with TOILETS at a concert venue? (Wow, you’re a real romantic.) What does that have to do with the STATE bestowing rights and privileges unequally? Do you also think women should not be issused driver’s licenses because “women are different” and in your opinion, perhaps not as good at driving as you think you are?

Your son can get a marriage license with the woman he loves, but I cannot? If I were so inclinded, which I’m not, but if I were…. Why shouldn’t I have the same rights as your son? Because I don’t have a pee-niss? How does that make you NOT A BIGOT?

By HIDT

May 16, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Well, Jim does say it’s a free for all. Yee haw!

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Dear Fulton @ 12:25, funny how some people find ways to justify their actions. Yes to murdering the innocent unborn, but No to wiping out those who kill the innocent. Yes to income redistribution domestically, but No to facilitating freedom to those suffering under dictatorships. Yes to large government, but No to school vouchers.

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Dear JK @ 12:32, you are the one manufacturing the phony differential. Nobody objects to “domestic partner” contracts, even if the language is word-for-word parallel to martial statutes. I argue that it is reasonable for courts to acknowledge sexual differences and you try to distinguish one type of recognition of sexual differences from another. I realize you are totally unprincipled, but I am comfortable that your castigation for my consistency does not reflect on your logical skills.

By Kruschev's Father

May 16, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

I finally got my tax rebate check in the mail today. It had the Myanmar Junta General’s name stamped across it.

My wife is trying to get her groove back. She put a stripper pole in our bedroom, but it’s not so much “boots with the fur” as “son-she-got hairy toes toes toes”

I finally got my 15 minutes yesterday while I was having sex. It only lasted two minutes.

I was born so far out of the money that the Kurds gassed my ancestors.

I’ll be here all week.

By Van

May 16, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

“Take the profits for “social good” and tax up the price to force people out of the hated SUVs”

It really is a simple concept. If you drive a more fuel efficient vehicle our demand for oil goes down. That is a good thing. Someone tell me how it is not.

By ghost rider

May 16, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Saudi Arabia rebuffs Bush on oil production.

When Bush first ran for president in 2000, he criticized the Clinton administration for high fuel prices and said the president must “jawbone” oil producing nations and persuade them to increase production. At that time, oil was nearing $28 a barrel.

And, What it it now $127.00.

Remember that secret meeting years ago when Cheney sat down with the likes of Exxon, Chevron and all the money grabbers and devised an energy policy that has not seen the light of day? I wonder why!

How many more days before this crooked administration rides off into the sunset? Can’t come too soon.

By Jeff

May 16, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Hey Glenn! Have you ever heard of separation of church and state???? Just because Arnold may be a Catholic doesn’t mean he has to force all of his religious beliefs on the people of the state he governs. Do you follow your church’s teaching to the exact degree? Do you ever partake in communion without having gone to your weekly confession? At the end of the day, some of us just don’t believe in your church, and because we don’t, doesn’t mean me you can force your beliefs on the whole of society. If your church doesn’t want to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, then so be it. I can respect that, even though I don’t agree with it. But the state ought to provide loving couples, same or opposite sex, with the same basic rights so as to encourage a stablize and caring society. Most of the problems in our society today are resulting from unstable family life, and by far, most of that is related to opposite-sex families—not same-sex families. Take a look in the mirror and comtemplate the real issues.

By Maniac is accurate

May 16, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

A Van is not a fuel efficient vehicle. And when he’s been on the frijoles, he’s bad for the environment.

Jim, remember me saying to look out for Bookman? Don’t worry about it. He’s done three lame posts today. And, he censors the funny stuff out. What a dweeb. Wooten is still the king.

By Fulton

May 16, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Dear jbmlaw @ 12:37.

No man has a right to tell a woman what to do with her body, child, etc.

As for murdering the innocent? America could never be accused of doing the same, right?

And “facilitating freedom to those suffering under dictatorships”. Where were the troops during the decades of apartheid in South Africa?

As I said before, it’s funny what people will do & say to justify their actions…Like the Obama ‘08 t-shirts, I guess it’s all in how you spin it, huh?

By JK

May 16, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw: I totally agree with you!

The State should recognize and sanction “domestic partner” civil contracts. Period. “Marriage” is traditionally a ceremony performed in church (for which people pay highly-principled attorneys like your blog-all-day self thousands of dollars to extricate themselves from every day). Since the citizens of Georgia cannot agree that the State should dispense marriage licenses equally without discrimination, they should CEASE dispensing them at all. Let there be civil contracts for those who choose them, and “marriages” in churches or under gazebos for whomever gives weight to such rituals. The State would then be at one with its imperative to treat citizens equally, and you’re still free to pay caterers, drink cheap liquor, and dance with the bride, if she’s not too grossed out.

By Van

May 16, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Maniac,

Swing and a miss.

By Kruschev's Father

May 16, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

baddum boom

BTW, GW: that was a very informative and well written article (@ 12:28). You can be very proud. I’m printing it out and framing it for my niece’s wedding.

Tervergisate: to allow a lazy loaf pincher to postulate any legal ramifications about any issue facing anyone at anytime for any reason

China’s earthquake. They’re discovering reality TV. The whole country is watching their countrymen’s relief efforts in the disaster areas. they’re seeing unvarnished truth, real news. in real time. They’re discovering themselves the way the baby boomers discovered themselves in 1964 when the beatles invaded and we watched each other swoon. Look how quickly change happened after that. This is morphing the chinese zeitgeist and perhaps is the first step toward the end of communism once and for all. Information in real time changes people, and when a billion people are all on the same wavelength, injustices become so blatant that change progresses geometrically. The leaders of china who want to preserve their monopoly on power will regret that they ever considered hosting the olympics.

By Kruschev's Father

May 16, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

I wonder if there were aftershocks every half hour on the half hour after the chinese earthquake?

Bush weighed in the the Burma flood: “The Junta was right not to allow relief to arrive. It’s up to the local officials to request aid, and it’s certainly up to them to plan evacuation procedures no matter how far underwater they find themselves or how drowned those officials are. First, the locals act, then the national government. Word, bru.”

By Maniac is accurate

May 16, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Your mama.

By Copyleft

May 16, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Crufty: You need to look at that chart a little more closely. Monkeys and humans descended from a common ancestor. That’s not the same as saying “Humans are descended from monkeys,” any more than it makes sense to say Toyota descended from Ford. They’re both made of the same stuff, but they developed separately. In parallel.

Face it, you’re ignorant. Read a book.

By Copyleft

May 16, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Some days, pointing out right-wing stupidity is just TOO easy, y’know?

By Tom

May 16, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

These so-called “Marriage Amendments” are NOT in-line with the actual purpose of a constitution. Even the most socially-conservative constitutional scholars recognize this……but there has been a groundswell of support of these “amendments” by many who are simply using it as a political firebrand.

I’ve been a near-exclusive Republican voter for over 25 years, but alot of those within the GOP have forgotten where the line is drawn between legislation and the protection of rights. Folks, you don’t B******* a constitution because somebody simply thinks it’s ok to do so.

The Founding Fathers are spinning.

*

By jbmlaw

May 16, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

Dear Copyleft@1:49 You will let us know if and when that day arrives I hope.

By Peter

May 16, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Well speaking of yesterday’s Blog….Good think Sonny signed into LAW the fact one can carry a concealed weapon into a BAR, or Restaurant…

Heck the Police are getting drunk and shooting….. So having a gun to shoot back at the cops I guess must make sense to Sonny !

A former Duluth police officer was “highly intoxicated” and suffering from chronic depression when he attacked a woman and wounded another officer in a roadside shootout, a social worker said.

Sheridan Jackson, a licensed clinical social worker who was hired by the family of former Duluth officer, Jay Dailey, said she had planned to testify in a bond hearing on Friday.

The bond hearing was postponed indefinitely, however, after defense and prosecuting attorneys met with Superior Court Judge Dawson Jackson for a 30 minute bench conference.

Outside the courtroom Friday morning, Jackson said Dailey sought help in the past for alcoholism. She said he even took a leave of absence from the Duluth Police Department for several months about a year ago to seek help for the problem.

He stayed sober for about nine months, but then dropped out of an Alcoholics Anonymous program when a member of the group kept “outing” him to fellow police officers, Jackson said.

On the day of the shooting, Dailey had “two drinks that he can remember and then woke up in a pool of blood,” Jackson said.

Yup ALL makes sense here in the Atlanta…….gotta protect one’s self from the Police…..

Heck in Atlanta they are $18 Million over budget in the Police force, so I guess they will have to cut back on the services to us.

Good thing we are spending all that money in Iraq, pretty soon there won’t be any money to protect citizens here at home.

By Crafty

May 16, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Crappyleft, You are indeed an idiot. The evolutionary charts do show man evolving from a monkey. Plain and simple. Read a book? I’ve read tons of books and from reading your comments I’d have to say that you got an “F” in biology. That’s IF you actually took biology.

By Kruschev's Father

May 16, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

copyleft and mitochondrial dna!

By Maniac is accurate

May 16, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Speaking of yesterday’s blog, did you guys see the CSI season finale last night? The mob mole was the under sheriff and he murders Warrick? Holy guacamole, I never saw that one coming! It was jarring, like the ending of The Mist where the mercy killings leave four of the five survivors dead seconds before the doomed sole survivor finds out the nightmare is over and thzt he killed them for nothing.

By TW

May 16, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Today’s McCain/’w’ supporter is nothing but a closet lib. The inevitable left wing tsunami will be proportional to the rightwing’s grip on the current loser regime in Washington. Let it go. Denounce the ‘w’ infiltration of the GOP and let’s get back to restoring the once credible conservative voice.

It’s over. Apologize and let’s move on.

By Marge N. Overa

May 16, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

On June 26 Wooten is going to be teaching other Georgia newspaper folk how to blog. Now your local rag may start having good blogs, too. Wonder if any of his regular contributors will be in his audience?

By Marvin

May 16, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Man, I sure hope Bookman signs up for that seminar. He could use it.

By AmVet

May 16, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Good Friday afternoon, my fellow on-line liberal degenerates and conservative Mrs. Grundys,

It has been proven beyond doubt, at bastions of learning such as on the H&C show and the EIB network that there are not now, have never been and will never be ANY racists, bigots or otherwise iniquitous types in this new, family sized, “family values”, “conservative” GOP. Nor, by proxy, ANY of their morally valorous and heroic supporters.

(Excluding the occasional Obama- as-monkey T-shirt entrepreneur/sleazy bar owner)

ALL of the reprobates are Democrats (excepting SOME of the Reagan Democrats), independents (unless they voted for Nader, bwa!), greens and tree huggers, people with very high pigmentation, the wicked liberals and worst of all, atheists.

And they are going to pay for it this November…

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Ron@12:03

My goodness, if Obama called me “Sweetie”, I’d pinch his cheek and say “Thank you, honey.”

What would you say if he called you “Sweetie”?

Dear jbmlaw @12:14

I’m thinking…. I’m thinking… —————

There once was a man named Fred

And this is what he said:

“It’s tough being a nerd.

People think I’m absurd”.

I’m name changing to “Red”

Which will get me ahead.

But his beer truck went dead

And his madame was not fed.

Yet the convert stayed “Red”

Until the day he fell dead

Saying “It’s true what I heard.

It’s tough being a liberal nerd.”

It’s tough being a liberal nerd,

Part of the jackass herd.

I tried to escape one day.

They took my food stamps away.

Lost Peachcare and trailer I preferred.

Oh…. it’s tough being a liberal nerd.

By Ron

May 16, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

I’d french kiss him.

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Dear Ron @3:14

Are you from California?

By Mike

May 16, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

Well, all I can say is that the nastiest sentiments on this comment section, and the nastiest stuff I hear on raido, always seems to come out of the mouths of left wing fanatics, not right wing racists.

Maybe some og you guys need to go look in a mirror ?

By Ron

May 16, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

No but I’m visiting there for a wedding very soon.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Marge N. Overa - Bring your digital camera to capture the images of all attendee’s, complete with the names on their labels…try to git their blogging names too, we can put up a rogues gallery of the left, right, and middle…aw sure would like to see what Dusty and JMB looks like…Ah betya they are real funny lookin’…FAT, with big MOLES on their faces…If not, thanks to photo shop, we can make them so….heh heh heh

By GiveITUP

May 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

*Some 1.1 million signatures have been gathered to put it on the ballot; 763,790 are required.

Did they show proof of residency, a driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card and their US Citizenship before they placed their John Hancock on that petition? I mean if you can’t vote, without those of the above, you should have to show proof that you are indeed NOT dead, not a convicted felon and actually live in CA, before signing any petitions. You should have to show your ID, if you sign anything that is going on the BALLOTS.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Ah sure enough wish you people would stop calling me GW, if my name is too much for you to type, then just call me MR. PRESIDENT. ~THANK YOU FOR NOTHING

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Uh Kruschev’s Father - The well written part is from a financial newletter, the p** poor stuff is mah own…

By Peter

May 16, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Dusty……..got a Lemming song…..you know something you sing in your shower?

By Lily Toad

May 16, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Some 1.1 million signatures have been gathered to put it on the ballot; 763,790 are required. This is meaningless — over a million privileged people want to keep heterosexual privilege for themselves. Talk about special rights.

By Rose McGowan, Tatum in Scream

May 16, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Since you are a dead founding father, how’s about I just call you Mr. Scary Ghostface?

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

In the shower I sing Donna Summer’s, “Love to Love You Baby.”

By Glenn

May 16, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

The answer is that I am indeed familiar with church/state separation, and used to teach the subject, having studied it for some years. Still I would like to know the Catholic Church’s reason for not excommunicating Arnold Schwarzenegger. Does either my asking so or the Church’s doing so violate the Establishment or Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment?

By Van

May 16, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Peter,

This is closest I can come, and just about sums up society.

“Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes. Contestants in a suicidal race.”

From “Synchronicity II” by The Police.

By Peter

May 16, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

So Dusty and Van are the same person? I’m confused. Who am I?

By hotlanta

May 16, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Wooten you forgot to mention why wasn’t the couple in that $700,000.00 home wasn’t arrested for trafficking drugs in their home.They did not come outta their home handcuffed not has their names/pictures been splattered all over the news.

By hotlanta

May 16, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Wooten you forgot to mention why wasn’t the couple in that $700,000.00 home wasn’t arrested for trafficking drugs in their home.They did not come outta their home handcuffed not has their names/pictures been splattered all over the news.

By My Opinion

May 16, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Peter, you and Redneck are the same.

By Aquagirl

May 16, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

jbm @12:26, Sir Charles relocated his Republican responsible side after both civil and criminal charges were filed.

Apparently the casinos are experts on that whole full faith and credit thing, as they seem to be relying on the law and not a friendly visit from “Guido” to collect their money

By HIDT

May 16, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

You know, My Opinion, that could be true.

By Guido, esquire

May 16, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

My visit was to the district attorney’s office. That was a friendly visit. But if it goes to trial, I will be a very unfriendly witness.

By George Washington

May 16, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Yes Aquagirl, but who will git our money back from Israel?

By Mark Knopfler

May 16, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Parched. Praying for punditry from the populace. Please post.

By Crickets

May 16, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…chirp … chirp…

By Aquagirl

May 16, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

I suggest the State Dept. call Guido, given how Barkley folded like a cheap lawn chair, I’d say he’s quite effective.

By Tumbleweed

May 16, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …tumble … tumble …

By OnceWasRepublican

May 16, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

OK, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how the California ruling could possibly be considered “activist”. The California legislature voted, twice, to grant same-sex marriage rights. The governor, twice, vetoed the bill, which was unable to be overturned by the legislature.

What happened is someone brought legal action against the California court to argue that, according to the California state constitution, neither the executive nor the legislative bodies has the right to make any sort of decision on this issue, and is specifically precluded from such according to the language of the state constitution. Rather than “establishing” a right, the court stated that the language of the constitution had granted that right since its inception, regardless of whether or not the right has been used in the past.

Basically, it seems to be the same situation that, if the US Congress passed a law stating no redheads could vote, and then the President vetoed it, the Supreme Court would rule that, according to the Constitution, neither body had the right to make any decision on the issue, as the right is already extant in the Constitution.

As some above have stated, the only recourse would be an amendment, which, according to the latest polling, is unlikely to pass.

By Buzzard

May 16, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

(silence)

By OnceWasRepublican

May 16, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

OK, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how the California ruling could possibly be considered “activist”. The California legislature voted, twice, to grant same-sex marriage rights. The governor, twice, vetoed the bill, which was unable to be overturned by the legislature.

What happened is someone brought legal action against the California court to argue that, according to the California state constitution, neither the executive nor the legislative bodies has the right to make any sort of decision on this issue, and is specifically precluded from such according to the language of the state constitution. Rather than “establishing” a right, the court stated that the language of the constitution had granted that right since its inception, regardless of whether or not the right has been used in the past.

Basically, it seems to be the same situation that, if the US Congress passed a law stating no redheads could vote, and then the President vetoed it, the Supreme Court would rule that, according to the Constitution, neither body had the right to make any decision on the issue, as the right is already extant in the Constitution.

As some above have stated, the only recourse would be an amendment, which, according to the latest polling, is unlikely to pass.

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Hey.. NO FAIR .. we’ve got a crook or should I say a nerd? That was NOT me at 3:42. Donna Summers?? I thought she retired.

Marge Overa, don’t take my picture. Just look in the fashion section of the AJC and there I am, picture perfect. George Washington is in another section,where the “bald is beautiful” company shows how they fit toupees on bald bulbs. That’s our George (el presidente) in the “before” picture. Wooo, shiny!!

I guess Jim Wooten has cut out weekends. Good. See you folks at church. Try to be on time, you hear!!

By OnceWasRepublican

May 16, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

OK, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how the California ruling could possibly be considered “activist”. The California legislature voted, twice, to grant same-sex marriage rights. The governor, twice, vetoed the bill, which was unable to be overturned by the legislature.

What happened is someone brought legal action against the California court to argue that, according to the California state constitution, neither the executive nor the legislative bodies has the right to make any sort of decision on this issue, and is specifically precluded from such according to the language of the state constitution. Rather than “establishing” a right, the court stated that the language of the constitution had granted that right since its inception, regardless of whether or not the right has been used in the past.

Basically, it seems to be the same situation that, if the US Congress passed a law stating no redheads could vote, and then the President vetoed it, the Supreme Court would rule that, according to the Constitution, neither body had the right to make any decision on the issue, as the right is already extant in the Constitution.

As some above have stated, the only recourse would be an amendment, which, according to the latest polling, is unlikely to pass.

By Glenn

May 16, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

OnceWuz,

That’s a misunderstanding of the decision. In his opinion for the Plurality, Chief Justice George borrows the nomenclature of “rights” he himself helped to craft in the vetoed legislation. In this ruling he simply finds a violation of the equal protection guaranteed under the California Constitution. Therefore his calculus is based on a test applicable only where fundamental rights are at issue. His conceit is in pretending that a right to same-sex marriage already is established in California law. It is not.

By Peter

May 16, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

By Peter

May 16, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

So Dusty and Van are the same person? I’m confused. Who am I?

Well I have to laugh…… there is always a rabble rouser out there……

By Dusty

May 16, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Hey.. NO FAIR .. we’ve got a crook or should I say a nerd? That was NOT me at 3:42. Donna Summers?? I thought she retired.

See even Dusty is getting messed with…..

Sorry folks this time and I guess there will be others, when someone decides to steal an identity.

For the fake Peter out there……. I do hope you find who you are !

By @@

May 16, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

As I motorvate down the busy streets Jim, I’ve come to realize that driving with a plastic tumor sticking out of your ear is hazardous to everyone’s health. Therefore, I have no problem with the CDC’s study.

So Arnold is robbing from the education pool to pay for the welfare of whom exactly. Heck, Obama’s !?!presidency!?! will mandate that parents yank their kids from in front of the T.V. in the interest of education. Put Arnold and Obama in the same room and the answer to the problem will be HomeSpooling - Obama’s tangled up in useless rhetoric.

I’d like to see the dems try to perform that hip-replacement on McCain. After the dems’ campaign, the scalple will cut the surgeon, not the intended patient.

The person who stole that engagement ring puts me in mind of a necrophilous Obama and his obsession with Bush, the lame duck.

MLK 28ft tall? No way! That man had humility. The kind that does not seek idol worship unlike Obama who would require something taller than the Statue of Liberty, but with hollow legs.

Bob Burr under the saddle….Who dat? Just kidding. I’ve begun wondering what would have happened had no one turned out to vote. Force a do-over and do it right not Wright. For those of you who believe that Obama is The Real Do-Over think again. He’s the DooDoo-Over. Nothing more.

Shame on you Jim. Like my father, you’re old enough to know that Lewis vs. Mable is a black label. I’m Carling on out on that one. RACIST!

Pointing guns at pork. I’m good to go. I yike pork chops.

So tell me Jim….was Jane spotted atop a tank in Iran’s recent military parade. Was she smilin’?

Good grief! If gays want what we have, they should marry the opposite sex. If it’s legalities they’re in pursuit of, just be civil about it and move on. I’ll think none the less of them for their compromise on the tissue.

By Glenn

May 16, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

@@,

Arnold’s not really filching from the school pot, but rather is putting up the garnish as surety. The creepiest thing about his governorship has been his near-perfect pusillanimity in the face of runaway spending. California’s had plenty of Democratic governors with far more spine and fiscal discipline, even under conditions of divided governance. As Governor, he’s Don Knotts.

By BUSHWACKER

May 16, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

I was worried Barr might take away a lot of republican votes and help put a dem in the WHITE HOUSE, but after the public finds out Barr is closer to the liberals, he calls our troops occupiers and is for gay marriage, I now believe he will take a lot of dem votes and put McCain in the WHITE HOUSE.

By getalife

May 16, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

The Republicans? Busy dying. The brightest of them see no immediate light. They’re frozen, not like a deer in the headlights but a deer in the darkness, his ears stiff at the sound. Crunch. Twig. Hunting party.

The gop is the new whig party.

By Kruschev's Father

May 16, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

lol @@.

The loss of life overseas in the last week have been astonishing. The way they just take it and go on is admirable. I think the way the GOP has been dancing around celebrating in the streets, firing their concealed weapons in the air and shouting Leedleleedleleedle in falsetto and just the overall displaying of total joy over the loss of no good commie scum and of course the islamists in Burma is a disgrace. Conservatism is only good when they’re making fun of, and enjoying other folk’s misfortunes and calamities.

that’s why conservatism is dead, and why sen craig sounded taps, with his flag at half mast, and why obama will get 70% of the vote in November.

Obama ‘08. he doesn’t dance around and laugh when an earthquake kills no good commie scum or a typhoon kills innocents in Burma like the GOP does.

By @@

May 16, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Glenn:

I’m in agreement with you on Arnold. Must be the Kennedy influence, NCLB and all. All we have to do is sit back and watch my Cali make all of the same mistakes socialist Europe has made.

Cali isn’t oceans away. It’s always been on the leading “edge”, the left coast. It’s fixin’ to drop off that edge.

By Glenn

May 16, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

That’s true, yaksme, get. It is becoming much like the Whigs. I think it’s fair to call GWB and McCain “Whigs” (except that the Whigs were, first and foremost, appeasers).

But then, remember that Lincoln was a Whig before his surprise third-party victory. So I can’t think we’ve heard the last from Peggy’s skeert deer.

By Dutchman

May 16, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

It amazes me that so many of the lefties would willingly give up bigger portions of their paychecks to fund a bloated government.

Time to clean out Congress and make it something to look up to.

There are too many lefties too lazy to work 50-60 hours a week to make something of themselves. They want the feds to do that. I guess when your company id is says “Hi, I’m Bucky” and that is as far as you want to go in life - I can only say you will get want you want.

By Kruschev's Father

May 16, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

Dutch: you are the posterchild for what went wrong with the GOP. and why you have no credibility. Your fantasy liberal does not exist, except in your underwear. (“Last night I flamed a liberal in my underwear, how he got in there only Sen Craig knows”).

As a liberal, I was happy to get my 600 dollar tax relief check in the mail till I saw the Myanmar Junta Generals had stamped their name across it. Those guys want credit for everything.

Funny how @@ fantasizes about what Osama Bin Laden fantasizes about concerning americans on the west coast. Terroristic threats and wishes are terroristic threats and wishes, @@, and there’s just no room for you in this country if that’s your attitude and political persuasion. Now apologize to the nice folks who call themselves americans and maybe you’ll see the light.

bwa

By Kruschev's Father

May 16, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

@@ is trying to get her groove back. She put a stripper’s pole in her bedroom, only she’s not so much “boots with the fur” as “son-she-got hairy toes toes toes”.

bwa

By Ray

May 17, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

The Fairtax Challenge

I wonder if I can ask Fairtax to do a head to head comparison of your proposed method of taxation versus my Adjustable Rate Transaction Tax (ARTT) method? I ask because; #1- I am not qualified to do such a comparisin and> #2- I feel it may prove beneficial to your efforts to see how the 2 methods are similar although significantly different. I point this out because I have had many casual conversations with many individuals relating to this topic &, invariably, I am finding that most people seem to be of the opinion that the fair tax method would actually cost them more as opposed to even our current method of taxation. Whether or not they are correct is of little significance because that is, by a large margin, the opinion of most people that I talk to. Conversely & during the same conversations I am finding an approval rate for this ARTT method to be almost 100% with most indicating that any candidate who might offer this ARTT method would receive serious consideration come this November.

In any event--Allow me to get you up to speed on this ARTT method as I envision it & then you can do with it as you wish. I began by using the pie charts supplied via the IRS tax booklets available all over the country for fiscal 2006 Federal Income. I rounded the $2.407 Tril gross income up to $2.5 Tril simply to make calculations & comprehension a little easier. I then visited the National Taxpayers Union Foundation website & calculated the top 10% income earners total contribution towards the entire Federal budget to be about 28% via FICA taxation. Next I visited the IRS SOI tables & found 1 table indicating "net receipts" of about $20 Tril. I assumed I could find more so I am using $25 Tril as the taxable base for this demonstration because it is easy to comprehend the relationship between a $2.5 Tril budget requirement & a taxable base of $25 Tril. So-- These are the basic components for this demo-->; 1-$2.5 Tril budget/$25 Tril taxable sales/6.6% ARTT tax rate funding 66% of the $2.5 Tril budget with the other 34% being funded by FICA taxation of the upper 10% income earners + a few miscellaneous taxes.The final breakdown would look like this> 1-Top 10% income earners contribute via FICA taxation———————28%/700 Bil. 2-Misc taxes contribute 6%—————————————————————6%/150 Bil. 3-ARTT eliminates all other taxes & provides $225 Bil for Nat Debt-66%/$1650 Bil. The remaining 66%, as indicated, would be derived from the 6.6%X$25 Tril in gross sales ARTT method. Remember that this is a demo & as such you can change the figures if required. One of the primary differences between the Fair Tax & the ARTT method, as I see it anyway, is that business AND all individual taxpayers contribute equitably via the 6.6%Xpurchases scenario. Doing this, including business purchases in the taxable base, in conjunction with retaining the 34% taxation requirement above provides the opportunity to lower the overall Federal sales tax rate to the low 6.6% level while simultaineously providing ALL individual taxpayers with more take home pay. Note that SS/Med taxation of the lower 90% AND the upper 10% income earners has been eliminated along with FICA taxation on the lower 90%.

Assuming a net savings to business at all levels of 8-!0%X cost after having paid the ARTT tax would result in a similar savings @ the retail level sale price—tax included. It is important to realize that this is what would occur although results will vary dependant upon the ratio of employees wage cost vs “other overhead costs”—which would be taxed. Businesses with a high wage vs lower “other overhead cost” ratio would experience different results than other businesses with a reversed ratio but with elimination of businesses contributions to the SS/Med/Un/Ret fund factored against the 6.6% tax on “other overhead costs” would likely be somewhere near a net sum/cost equal scenario would be my guess—-& that is all I can do is guess—- Ha!

The bottom lines here are really easy to show—> Business is able to sell its products and services for 8-10% less tax included & consumers are receiving 20—35% more in their pockets & business profits are not affected. The potential ramifications are huge if anywhere near this scenario can be realized & I am sure you are aware of that so I will not bother to list them now. I will however get into the adjustable feature as I envision it being utilized.

I would envision the creation of a tax monitoring agency whose job function it would be to monitor & adjust the tax rates in co-operation & in co-ordination with the Fed Reserves practice of monitoring/adjusting interest rates. The primary objectives being to maintain the 34%/64% ratio indicated by this model, always keep the budget in the black, and influence the economy to not form these “bubbles” via monitoring & controlling credit guidelines/lending practices in such a manner that prevents the formation of these so called bubbles.

I hope I have included enough detail here to encourage you to take a serious look at this concept & I really do feel & hope that doing an objective & fair mini-poll will really cause you to take a second look at the Fair Tax method. If you do that you will hear a lot of this> 1-I like this! 2-Why aren’t we doing this now? 3-I like it but you will never be able to get it done because Government won’t do it!

If you have any questions please do call or E me. I am only 20 miles away & I am willing to come see you if you wish.

Thank You— Ray Pfeiffer/703-395-1123/ ray154751@yahoo.com

By Buddy Hill

May 21, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Jim, you left out all of the benefits a TAD brings back to the School system. Blighted properties are usually valued very low therefore producing little property tax to begin with. The School system’s share of a low tax base compared to a high property tax paid on a blighted area which is redeveloped at a new, much higher tax base is a tremedous windfall of money for the School system involed. Kindly print the entire truth instead of the spin you have written.