Good Morning Good Dem's we are making progress...let us resolve to fight on!

Good morning, again. I have been thinking about the Craig plea. In NY it is legal to revoke your plea and reopen your case if you can convince the Judge by motion that there were circumstances that warrant it. (i.e., you didn't have legal counsel). I wonder if Craig will try this if legal in his state. Although, it could open a bigger can of worms, if you know what I mean.

Lovely weather here; a bit muggy and some good ol thunder boomers coming this afternoon.

Good morning Marsh, JohnE and Cyn and anyone else I missed....John Boy....

morning goodfoe and cyn.

Posted by Cyn_NY on August 30, 2007 at 07:54 AM
Now, that was funny!

The right-wing extremist liar that is taking rash's this week was complaining about the double standard. "Democrats get away with everything." "Ted Kennedy wasn't prosecuted for his sexual transgressions".

These morons keep dredging up the past. I only care about getting hypocrite pseudo-religious perverts and criminals out of office, no matter what party.

Mornin' John Boy. It's good to see you are keeping the home fires burning.

Morning gregg and JohnBoy again.

How's your addition going these days?

Is anyone taking bets that it will hit the fan next week when Congress gets back? bush has been on a non-stop campaign and photo-op tour the last few weeks and I resent paying for it.

Good morning all

King bush the first should do something now that is long overdue. He needs to put his spawn over his knee and paddle his butt.

Cheers and Jeers: Thursday
by Bill in Portland Maine
Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 04:41:27 AM PDT

From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...

Oh! More things I know:

It's not okay for a president to be an adulterer, but it's okay for an adulterer to be president.

Bush's Plan B for Iraq is to keep doing Plan A but more victoriously.

To soften the final version of the September surge report, the White House will dot every 'i' with a little heart.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/30/74127/7589

It just hit 61 degrees. Wow, it's a cold snap.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government has failed to meet the vast majority of political and military goals laid out by lawmakers to assess President Bush's Iraq war strategy, congressional auditors have determined.
The Associated Press has learned the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, will report that at least 13 of the 18 benchmarks to measure the surge of U.S. troops to Iraq are unfulfilled ahead of a Sept. 15 deadline. That's when Bush is to give a detailed accounting of the situation eight months after he announced the policy, according to three officials familiar with the matter.
...also said the administration is preparing a case to play down the findings.

but the pres said everything was going so well when he spoke to the american legion the other day

Morning all,

watched various TV roundtables last night, and word is all in agreement, Craig will be gonzo in another week or two! Had to give up all his seats, etc. Has no more influence. ONLY reason Repubs are demanding it, is there is a Republican Governor in the state who will undoubtedly name another Republican in his place and hope for some damage control. I sure hope Blue from Idaho keeps up the pressure provided by this scum bag for the next elections.

Dan Abramas did a segment last night, showing how many Dems vs Republicans were involved in Sex Scandals in last 10 years.

THE REPUBLICANS BEAT OUT THE DEMS TWO TO ONE !

So Save it, Republican trolls, who might want to throw out some Dems names! Barney Franks for instance, had a ROOMMATE who held parties, Barney did not know about them.

(ps, irritated Dem is no other than our fat little Harpo. I will take a bet on that. So ignore the funny little fool)

The right-wing extremist liar that is taking rash's this week was complaining about the double standard. "Democrats get away with everything." "Ted Kennedy wasn't prosecuted for his sexual transgressions".
****

Hey JE,

Here is the response - was their sexual transgression's a crime? Cheating on your spouse, gay sex isn't a crime. Soliciting / having sex in a public area is a crime.

ps, irritated Dem is no other than our fat little Harpo. I will take a bet on that. So ignore the funny little fool)
****

PamB, it's either harpy or sally. Definitely one of the troll boz.

Posted by Cyn_NY on August 30, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Hanging in here Cyn,,,doing the best I can with what I have to work with,...my mind isn't what it used to be, too many chemicals sent through it...still trying to get readjusted to getting these three grand kids up and on the buses, three different scheduels this year...went out side, patchy fog this AM, surprisingly cool so far....John Boy....

Pam, congrats on chairing one of your County committees! That's quite a feat in such a short time.

Good morning Gregg...hope you are well this morning...

but the pres said everything was going so well when he spoke to the american legion the other day

Posted by jimmyc451 on August 30, 2007 at 08:16 AM
***

jimmyc, I think we all surmised that he would do nothing with benchmarks. Basically, Chimpy is jawing them to death.

Now comes the big battle. Chimpy wants 80 billion more outside of the budget process. You know this isn't for Iraq per se. He is ramping up for an attack on Iran!

Hi Cyn,

It is Town here, not county, but I am still thinking about it.

My CA daughter is moving back East, and I will be needing time to fly out for packing party and Yard sale, etc. I do not want to take on a job right before the elections that I cannot give 150% to.

I am trying to determine how much time this job would require, so I do not short change them.

Posted by Cyn_NY on August 30, 2007 at 08:10 AM
I second that motion! Congrats Pam!

Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007 at 08:14 AM

Morning rj,

Funny. The hearts over the 'i's will really make the families of the one million dead Iraqis happy.

I agree, soliciting in public is a crime. I wonder if craig will go into rehab like all the rest. The pattern seems to be resign then rehab.

Trinkets and treasure: China tames the US

One hundred and fifty years ago, the West subjugated China by addicting it to opium. Today, it is the West, especially the United States, that has become addicted, to an equally or even more addictive substance, cheap consumer products and the profits they accrue. With trinkets and treasure, the communists are selling capitalists the rope with which they will hang themselves.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IH31Ad02.html

"We can do this, but you have to keep in mind Republicans care more about catching Democrats than catching terrorists," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. "They have spent years taking Roosevelt's notion that we have nothing to fear but fear itself and given us nothing but fear."
****

Well Rahmbo that's true. But, conservative Dems (Blue / Bush dogs) act like they fear the GOP's fear and smear tactics. So if the Blue Dogs really are fiscal conservatives let them prove it with Bush's request for an additional 80 billion outside of the budget process. Let them show they are as tough on supporting civil liberties as they are on fighting terrorism.

I agree, soliciting in public is a crime. I wonder if craig will go into rehab like all the rest. The pattern seems to be resign then rehab.

Posted by Johnedwrd on August 30, 2007 at 08:28 AM
****

JE, probably!

Yeah, hearts over the I's will really make the troops that lost limbs happy. That Bush is quite a "compassionate guy" ... phoohey.

Impeach Chimpy
Impeach Shooter

John Boy, you are truly amazing and an inspiration to me. I don't know how you do it. You are a real role model to those grandkids.

Pam, is this the daughter with the grandkids? If so, that's wonderful news. But I hope you will have the time for the committee because you would be very good at it. After the experience you gained with Ned's campaign, you have a lot to offer.

I understand the CA Democratic Party is all over this. Keep your CA friends pushing for this.
This is NOT what the original purpose of the Electoral college was meant to do.

"Now, along comes the Republicans greatest attempted power grab yet. They are asking California voters next June to change the way the state’s electoral votes are allocated – from a winner-take-all system to a congressional-district-by-congressional-district system.

Democrats have been carrying California in recent elections. Even if they were to carry the state in 2008, Republicans would get about 20 electoral votes under these new rules.

On the surface this sounds reasonable – award electoral votes to whichever party carries a particular congressional district. It might be reasonable if it didn’t constitute unilateral disarmament by the Democratic Party.

You see, Republicans aren’t proposing to give up some of their electoral votes in big states that they traditionally carry, such as Texas, Florida and Indiana.

They want to continue the winner-take-all system in their states but have Democrats share electoral votes in a big Democratic state. How stupid do they think we are?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5562.html

With trinkets and treasure, the communists are selling capitalists the rope with which they will hang themselves.
****

Cyn_NY,

How true! The capitalists even sought them out and moved their factories there.

The American people have been deluded into thinking globalism is a good thing because it "brings down prices". But look at what you lose:

Start with the jobs
Loss of quality control and regulation
Insecure personal data, identity fraud, etc...

Then you got to ask, is it really all that much cheaper than when we made it here? OR is this just another way to generate more corporate profits? I tend to think the latter is true.

More bad news for the Republicans who had their fingers crossed that Johnson would never return, say nothing about re-running!

Johnson says he will run for reelection

Sen. Tim Johnson told ABC News he plans to run for reelection next year after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage last December that has kept him out of the Senate all year.

The South Dakota Democrat told ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff, "I expect to run and to win," in an interview broadcast hours after his triumphant return to South Dakota Tuesday.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0807/Johnson_says_he_will_run_for_reelection.html

"These morons keep dredging up the past. I only care about getting hypocrite pseudo-religious perverts and criminals out of office, no matter what party."

Im not saying the Dems are with more family values or anything and have less scandal or anything :) :) :)
but may I respectfully ask, if they don't go back and I mean WAY back and pull the few Dem flubs up, dust them off, put them front and center...what else do they have? Problem is, we are so desensitized because they already "drove it home" then, no one cares anymore. besides, the Dems cannot hold a candle to the "RICH quality" of "Club Pub Flubs". I now believe it is more of a lifestyle and a their own unique blend of "conservative Christian family values". You know, the ole' hypocritical double standard solid Christian family values they believe this country was founded upon?
YEEEEHAWWWWW, GO PUBS!!!! What up for next week? Can we get a preview??? PLEASE?

Liars, Cheaters, Thieves and HYPOCRITES. The NEW Pub Mantra. Just gives ya the warm fuzzies all over, eh?

Cyn, ygm.

"These morons keep dredging up the past. I only care about getting hypocrite pseudo-religious perverts and criminals out of office, no matter what party."

Im not saying the Dems are with more family values or anything and have less scandal or anything :) :) :)
but may I respectfully ask, if they don't go back and I mean WAY back and pull the few Dem flubs up, dust them off, put them front and center...what else do they have? Problem is, we are so desensitized because they already "drove it home" then, no one cares anymore. besides, the Dems cannot hold a candle to the "RICH quality" of "Club Pub Flubs". With the huge numbers of "The coming out" pack of Pub politicians, I now believe it is more of a lifestyle and a their unique blend of "conservative Christian family values". You know, the ole' hypocritical double standard solid Christian family values they believe this country was founded upon?
YEEEEHAWWWWW, GO PUBS!!!! What up for next week? Can we get a preview??? PLEASE?

Thanks Cyn...but the grand kids would not agree with you that I am a good role model,...to them I'm an old scrooge who won't let them do a lot of the things they think they should be allowed to do...but they will appreciate it later in their lives...maybe by the tine they are 35 or so....heheeee....John Boy..

rj, I completely agree. And, with all the recalls on Chinese goods that are not only sub-standard, but contaminated, as well, they are damaging our health.

A while ago, I heard an interview with a book writer on NPR radio who had tried to live for one year without purchasing anything made in China for her family. It was virtually impossible.

Off to hang clothes on the line and get going on some work. Have a great day!

Liars, Cheaters, Thieves and HYPOCRITES. The NEW Pub Mantra. Just gives ya the warm fuzzies all over, eh?

Posted by compostrose on August 30, 2007 at 08:41 AM
*****

Yep, that's the Repugs for you. I have no doubt you can dredge up some Dems with "moral values issues" when defined as narrowly as the Repugs define it. But, isn't it funny how Repugs have way more issues and their issues actually cross the line into the illegal!

Everytime a Pug Ugly talks about "family values" start thinking that they are hiding something!

MoveOn targets pro-surge Democrat

Rep. Brian Baird’s (D-Wash.) recent conversion on the Iraq war is beginning to affect more than the national dialogue. On Wednesday, liberal group MoveOn.org announced an ad campaign against the congressman in his own district.

Baird recently returned from a trip to Iraq and reversed his position on a withdrawal timetable, citing military progress in the four-year-old war.

MoveOn is calling the move a “flip-flop” and says it goes against the views of his constituents.

The ad does not make specific reference to Baird’s conversion. Instead, it features a soldier who served in Iraq talking about the amount of resistance troops encountered and at the end asks viewers to tell Baird to bring the troops home.

The soldier in the ad served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 and describes a scene from that time, long before the current troop increase that Baird has cited as the reason for military progress.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/moveon-targets-pro-surge-democrat-2007-08-29.html

Well bush is forging ahead with his united states of mexico and canada. It's all about money and to hell with security.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Teamsters Union said Wednesday it will ask a federal appeals court to block the Bush administration's plan to allow Mexican trucks to carry cargo anywhere in the United States.

The union said it has been told by officials in the Transportation Department's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that the first Mexican trucks will be coming across the border on Saturday.

The Bush administration said last week it would start the cross-border program once the Transportation Department's inspector general certifies safety and inspection plans.

Supporters of the plan say letting more Mexican trucks on U.S. highways will save American consumers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Teamsters will ask court to block letting Mexican trucks into US

Good morning, all.

To soften the final version of the September surge report, the White House will dot every 'i' with a little heart.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/30/74127/7589

Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007 at 08:14 AM

rj,

I wonder if it ever occurrred to those in the Beltway that the reason why the Iraqi government hasn't met 13 or the 18 conditions for our troops to stay is because they don't want us to stay?

I've never understood why the Republians would think anyone would want their country to be occupied or want their infrastructure and security to be similar to that of an aftermath of a hurricane like Katrina.

I suppose it's the same craven attitude that Babs Bush so eloquently stated: "They seem to be doing fine for themselves."

Later Cyn_NY,

bbl got to walk the dogs.

For Sunny and other Floridians.

"The DNC said again Tuesday that the rules are to be followed, and despite threats of legal action, a 1981 Supreme Court ruling made clear it is the parties, not the states, that have the power here.

“We continue to hope that Florida will do the right thing and come up with a plan that’s in compliance with the rules the DNC and its members from Florida voted for,” DNC spokeswoman Stacie Paxton said in an e-mail. “Florida has the right to determine its primary date. However, the Supreme Court determined more than 25 years ago that the Democratic Party has the legal right to establish the rules by which they select and seat delegates to the National Convention.”

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/florida-delegation-attempts-stare-down-on-dnc-2007-08-28.html

CONTACT THE FL DEM PARTY. TELL THEM TO GO BY THE RULES THEY JUST VOTED FOR A YEAR AGO. WHAT MAKES THEM THINK THEY SHOULD BE FIRST?

http://www.fladems.com/content/w/contact

With his mexican deal, bush is trying to destroy the Teamster's union.

bush is doing all this while Congress is in recess. Shouldn't Congress have a say in the matter?

Sure it may save money but we will never see it. It will go into the Walmart pocket and the six wall brother's foreign bank accounts.

here are those compassionate, caring Republicans again! They probably think that Cancer patients should just take personal responsibililty for their disease, like they do everything else !!

First-tier Republicans skip cancer forum

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The biggest names in the GOP presidential primary — Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) — skipped the first-ever forum on cancer sponsored by Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation.
Two Republican candidates who appeared, Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, promised to rejuvenate a “war on cancer” as president, but disagreed over the need for a federal ban on smoking in public places.

First-tier Republicans skip cancer forum
By Jim Snyder
August 28, 2007
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The biggest names in the GOP presidential primary — Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) — skipped the first-ever forum on cancer sponsored by Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation.
Two Republican candidates who appeared, Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, promised to rejuvenate a “war on cancer” as president, but disagreed over the need for a federal ban on smoking in public places.

First-tier Republicans skip cancer forum
By Jim Snyder
August 28, 2007
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The biggest names in the GOP presidential primary — Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) — skipped the first-ever forum on cancer sponsored by Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation.
Two Republican candidates who appeared, Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, promised to rejuvenate a “war on cancer” as president, but disagreed over the need for a federal ban on smoking in public places.

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/first-tier-republicans-skip-cancer-forum-2007-08-28.html

I still think it is a good idea to impeach Cheney and there by short circuit Bush's brain.....Bush is becoming more and more isolated. If we tie The Evil One up in impeachment proceeding, then Bushrat will be all alone except for Barney who I understand is trying to cut a deal and cop a plea....

Posted by compostrose on August 30, 2007 at 08:44 AM

compostrose,

It's not about sex. It's about acting creepy. This guy was coming on to strangers in the full view of others who would rather he keep it private among consenting adults.

I don't care what he or anybody else does as long as no one is being exploited.

Speaking of which....yesterday Tucker Carlson asked the "innocent" typical kind of GOP pundit question, "What's wrong with a financal institution offering a loan product to people that has a big interest rate that balloons? They don't have to buy it."

It's call usury, bozo. Throughout history people have considered this barbaric and banned it. Jesus throw these sort of moneylenders out of the temple. If the Republicans want to act like Neanderathals, they should join Bin Lauden in those caves in Pakistan.

I'm sick of highly-educated people acting like they don't know the difference between civilized behavior and getting whatever they want at the expense of others.

Rep. Brian Baird’s (D-Wash.) recent conversion on the Iraq war is beginning to affect more than the national dialogue. On Wednesday, liberal group MoveOn.org announced an ad campaign against the congressman in his own district.
****

What's with this dude? If he's in a liberal leaning district, he's toast in an upcoming primary.

Why should the Pubs care? They and their families have great health care for themselves and the money.
Frankly, I would be SURPRISED if they DID get on board with this. My expectations re: the pubs are below ground zero. always was, is and change is not in the forecast.

ooops, sorry for messy post above. Not sure what happened. My system hiccuped, I guess.

I suppose it's the same craven attitude that Babs Bush so eloquently stated: "They seem to be doing fine for themselves."

Posted by SandyH on August 30, 2007 at 08:50 AM
****

Hi Sandy, it's partly that. The Repugs have a tendency to look down at other people in the world.

I think it's mainly that they just don't care. They have their own agenda which is to stay in Iraq indefinitely and get the rights to drill Iraqi oil plus use it as a launching pad for a war against Iran.

I tend to agree with you that the Iraqi people don't care about what they perceive (quite correctly) are our own self-serving benchmarks.

We need a redeployment plan not benchmarks.

"It's not about sex. It's about acting creepy. This guy was coming on to strangers in the full view of others who would rather he keep it private among consenting adults.

I don't care what he or anybody else does as long as no one is being exploited."

I'm sorry if i wasn't clear...i agree completely. Its not what, its how and that its in complete dishonest opposition of their "spoken word" that their constituents trusted.
their lifestyle i referred to is the consistency of their hypocritical behavior.
they hold "we the people" to a higher standard and hold themselves above the law.

Posted by Johnedwrd on August 30, 2007 at 08:59 AM

John,

I think Bush just wants a "safe" way to transport drugs throughout the country for rich GOP politicians after he leaves office with all those "executive privilege" perks.

Posted by compostrose on August 30, 2007 at 09:19 AM

I got what you're saying. Just wanted to add my two cents.

Supporters of the plan say letting more Mexican trucks on U.S. highways will save American consumers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Teamsters will ask court to block letting Mexican trucks into US

Posted by Johnedwrd on August 30, 2007 at 08:50 AM

Those Mexican truckers better avid Houston. The Houston police have a very tough truck inspection team that patrols, stops and tows unsafe trucks....It will be a shame to see it happen, but more Mexican trucks on the road means more Americans killed by reckless drivers in unsafe trucks...

Posted by goodfoe on August 30, 2007 at 09:27 AM

That's not the only issue, John Boy.

These drivers do not belong in this country doing anything for any length of time without a visa. Congress is the only one who has authority to decide if they can.

Bush is running ramshot over the Constitutional. He's done it time and time again with signing statements. Since the Democrats regained power in the House its become the only way for the GOP to continue their pursuit of greed and corruption at the expense of American workers.

Now that the hiring of illegal workers has become a hot potato for incompent Congressional Republicans, Bush is easing their pain by circumenting the whole process and writing his own treaties and implementing them.

He really needs to be impeached.

Allowing those Mexican trucks to drive all over the U.S. is a slick way of replacing union teamsters with much lower paid Mexican drivers. Just another way to export American jobs and bust unions and punish working Americans and further destroy the middle class: all of which are Bushrat objectives. I don't understand why Bush hates America...

but more Mexican trucks on the road means more Americans killed by reckless drivers in unsafe trucks...
Posted by goodfoe on August 30, 2007
good to see we, as americans, are the greatest drivers in the world. all other countries drivers are reckless.

"I got what you're saying. Just wanted to add my two cents.

Posted by SandyH on August 30, 2007 at 09:27 AM"

ok, fair enough. I'm new here and did not want to be mis-understood :)

Under Bushrat's "free trade" policies (which in no way are fair trade policies) the only way the United States will become "competitive" in the "global" economy is when ALL working peoples wages in the United States are driven down to the lowest wages anywhere on the globe....for example $2 per day in China. The objective is to destroy the middle class and drive us into such a wide spread poverty that we become nothing more than economic slaves. Kinda like Mexico is now, vast numbers of very poor people and a very small number of very, very rich who run and govern everything....Sad to say, but we are ketting them so it!

good to see we, as americans, are the greatest drivers in the world. all other countries drivers are reckless.

Posted by jimmyc451 on August 30, 2007 at 09:55 AM

lol

Gotta run. later.

omg...the Today show is interviewing Tom DeLay and the first question asked was if the GOP as a party is in trouble or do they have only two bad apples.

When did DeLay become the litmus test of upstanding behavior?

I'm sorry for harping on this issue, but, here AGAIN in the news..........
Dear Lord, please help us help stop this attack on the sick and elderly.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6754056

the following story is morally corrupt. its like the feds going into a regular pharmacy and confiscating all the meds so you could no longer fill your prescription.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_6753410

they will go back to the dangerous black market and increase crime, be exposed to dangers no one, let alone an aged sick person should have to endure. this is happening everyday all across America.

the DEA MUST be defunded for raids in states that have medical cannabis laws in place as long as they are in compliance with their state laws..... this must be made and "emergency" when the lawmakers return to DC. HR2087, introduced in 2005, (hinchey-rorhabacher ammendment) would have accomplished that.

this is simple cruelty not even to mention A TOTAL WASTE OF MONIES WE DONT HAVE.

we need your help to put pressure on the law makers. this issue is not about drug use/abuse, its not about getting stoned...this is a serious health care issue and is urgent as long as otherwise innocent people are persecuted for choosing the most safe herbal alternative.

I'm not sure I totally understand the process but if Craig steps down doesn't the Gov. of Idaho appoint a replacement?

I think that DC Republicans are concerned if he stays in office he runs the risk of losing the seat in the next election to the Democrat.

Posted by jimmyc451 on August 30, 2007 at 09:55 AM
I don't know who you are "sport" but I live down here and I deal with Mexican drivers. My wife has been rear ended twice by uninsured Mexican drivers while she was at a stop light. Fortunately she was not seriously injured. I have been run off the road by Mexican divers and had two of them try to spoil my Sunday morning by trying to carjack me. Your sarcasm was not appreciated!

they will go back to the dangerous black market and increase crime, be exposed to dangers no one, let alone an aged sick person should have to endure. this is happening everyday all across America.
Posted by compostrose on August 30, 2007
i wonder if the legalization of med marijuana has actually reduced street sales? my guess, no.

When did DeLay become the litmus test of upstanding behavior?

Posted by Kristen on August 30, 2007 at 10:13 AM

That's how bad things have gotten in this country?

Posted by jimmyc451 on August 30, 2007 at 09:55 AM
I don't know who you are "sport" but I live down here and I deal with Mexican drivers. My wife has been rear ended twice by uninsured Mexican drivers while she was at a stop light. Fortunately she was not seriously injured. I have been run off the road by Mexican divers and had two of them try to spoil my Sunday morning by trying to carjack me. Your sarcasm was not appreciated!
Posted by goodfoe on August 30, 2007

first off i am not your "sport", second off there are thousands of motor vehicle accidents a day in the US, are they all also the result of illegals, next is the issue of crime. crime is commited by all people, we call them criminals. and very last, it is awesome how you could tell that a person who ran you off the road was "illegal". i am mexican, how can you be sure it wasn't me. i was also rear ended last month by a wreckless caucasian woman in her mid 50's, though i am not sure if she was here legally since i asked for no birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. i only assume she was cause she was white.

There are a lot of fine Mexican people who live in this area, work every day, pay their taxes and just want the same thing I do, a better life for my children and grand children. There are also a lot of Mexican drivers on our roads who neither speak or read English which makes it difficult for them to drive here safely. Do you think all those Mexican truck drivers they are going to let drive in this country are going to be fluent in English? Wake up!...I hope you remember this conversation when some Mexican, diving an 18 wheeler next to you decides he has missed his exit ramp and changes three lanes at once and runs YOU into the guard rail!

Good Morning, ALL!

The problems with those Mexican trucks are They don't have the inspection standards we do so the trucks may be rolling death traps, there is no limit to how long they are allowed to be on the road, (they can drive for as long as they stay awake, and when they cross the border THEN the clock starts ticking), there will be no cargo manifests, so nobody will know what is crammed into the trailer--goods or humans, there are no weight limits so they will be tearing up our roads and bridges, the Licensing of the drivers is virtually non-existent and they probably can't even read the road signs, etc...

"i wonder if the legalization of med marijuana has actually reduced street sales? my guess, no."

please, re-think this. if patients are able to A) go to the dispensaries, carded for proof they are indeed qualified for medical cannabis and B) the growers are taking it to the dispensaries for the qualified patients to obtain, then...yes, as far as cannabis is concerned, that portion of the BM is reduced. the other issue is if patients are allowed their own gardens and can indeed grow their own medicines, you have even more BM reduction.

if cannabis were taxed and regulated for adult use, it will further reduce crime.

the point, however...do you agree that your ailing parents, grandparents and friends should be arrested, incarcerated for using this herbal alternative for medical reasons?
this policy epitomizes the hypocrisy of this administration.

I support the use of medical marijauana, but as an adult child of parents who dealt through marijuana addiction and the aftermath I don't support full legalization of the drug. It is not harmless.

the last time i was run off the road was by a man in a BMW talking on a cell phone. there are good drivers and there are bad drivers, they are not of one race, religion, or gender. to make blanket statements about any group is racism. i drove while stationed in Japan, yet was not fluent in japanese, and they even drive on the wrong side of the road. did that make me a bad driver? should there be road test for international drivers, yes. should police issue tickets for unsafe vehicles BEFORE they enter into the US, yes, but to make statements like, "if you want your car car-jacked and your wife ranoff the road, keep letting mexicans drive here" (paraphrased of course) is wrong.

I think that DC Republicans are concerned if he stays in office he runs the risk of losing the seat in the next election to the Democrat. Posted by Kristen on August 30, 2007 at 10:17 AM

This is EXACTLY why the Repubs are criticizing Craig, but did not Vitter. A Republican Gov will name the replacement.

btw, after watching some nephews and neighbors use pot for years, and having it kill ambition, motivation, etc, I am not for legalization of it for a leisure drug. I am sure that it can be used in pill forms or other forms for medicinal purposes.

Too many 40-50 year olds now, go around with that "What! Me Worry?" attitude.

Kristen, it is my very humble opinion that your experience is the exception and not the norm. please see this graph.

http://www.mamas.org/Images/HazardPotential.pdf

http://www.mamas.org/Images/HazardsMortality.pdf

i agree with you basically about medical use only until i look at the damage alcohol and prescription drug abuse etc is causing. if you do a side by side comparison to cannabis..im edging towards a system of regulation as more and more studies prove cannabis is very effective in helping people get off other addictions.

Cannabis was, is and remains the LEAST toxic substance out there.

What I started off talking about is this trade unification pact that Bush has agreed to with Canada and Mexico with out the consent of Congress that will allow these Mexican trucks on our highways. If you think those trucks coming from Mexico, are going to have to pass the same safety inspections that American trucks and American truck drivers do, then you are in lala land..it's not going to happen and the result will be a vast increase in the number of unsafe trucks and dangerous drivers on the roads...

Pam, the Today show ran the results of a recent poll that showed that 51% of American's favor Democrats over Republicans (27%).

I think the Democratic Party needs to expunge those that take away civil liberties in telling US what we are allowed to wear in public. The idea that politicians can again control things like hair length is disgusting that it must have a conservative religious look when Jesus had long hair. That laws that require ball caps to be worn a certain way, or that we must wear underwear the boxer or bloomer kind is taking US back to the Victorian Age where one only had the Missionary position of doing things. If we do not stop wearing will be wearing veils and only dresses down to the sidewalks. It is time for the Party to Incorporate the Constitution.

Can you image a law that bans cleavage and the intentional showing of legs. Women show legs so men get attracted and then they will be banned in police women stings.

Take the religion out of clothing or make us all wear Burkas and beards. Christians would declare we have the right to wear what we want.

Get rid of the banners and abusers of Free Expression. Must be organize the Constitutional Party for civil rights, civil liberties, and Free Expression.

Public official should be mandated to show their Party affiliation, especially in city web pages.

compostrose, I don't need to see a graph to change my mind, I lived it and to some extent I still do. My cousin who was a heavy pot user in his teens was diagnosised pschyzophrenic as an adult and recently committed suicide. Recent studies show a significant risk increase on the chances of psychosis with prolonged marijuana use.

I believe there are some illnesses where the pharmaceutical drugs are far worse than the disease and marijuana provides an alternavite for people struggling to maintain a level of wellness, but I would not support legalized recreational use.

Can you imagine traveling across America needing a Dress Code book for each city. Maybe the Pentecostal look should be nationwide. I think Fox News needs to have a conservative look, skirts below the knees and blouses that show no cleavage.

Come on Politician get busy with real problems!

So, now because I don't want unsafe Mexican trucks coming into this country with unqualified Mexican drivers at the wheel, you are calling me a racist?. Cheap shot from some one who can not justify the position he has taken! You better look into the mirror on that racist thing. I'm not a racist, I am an American who wants what is best for ALL Americans, And unsafe Mexican trucks on our roads ain't it! I believe that you are a veteran, so let me thank you for your service to our country.......

Take a closer look at Healthy Wisconsin
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:57 AM CDT

The unremarked point about Healthy Wisconsin — the legislative Democrats’ plan for universal health insurance — is that it reflects how little we have accomplished and how hard the Legislature must work.

More than a decade ago, former President Bill Clinton assembled a task force to develop a national health insurance program. Inaction
triumphed in the ensuing ideological wars, aided by a set of advertisements featuring Harry and Louise, an older couple who repeatedly said they just didn’t understand.

That ad campaign, funded at a reported $17 million by the Health Insurance Association of America and playing on people’s fears, was generally credited with sinking the Clinton proposal and with it any
hope of repairing the mess that is the U.S. health care system.

What have we achieved in the subsequent years? Nothing. The mujahideen of free market capitalism have nothing to show for their continued
insistence that the markets will fix everything. They haven’t. Health care costs have continued to climb until governments and businesses alike are groaning beneath the weight, to say nothing of the millions of poor people with no coverage. Nor has the nation’s pre-eminent rate of health care spending translated into good health for its people.

Now we come to Healthy Wisconsin, which would be funded by a payroll tax and would provide basic health insurance coverage to every Wisconsin resident.

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2007/08/29/opinion/doc46d44593c1ae0047869260.txt

So, now because I don't want unsafe Mexican trucks coming into this country with unqualified Mexican drivers at the wheel, you are calling me a racist?. Cheap shot from some one who can not justify the position he has taken! Posted by goodfoe on August 30, 2007

i believe i did post my position, there should be an international license requirement and trucks should be checked at the border before they enter the country. that is my position, i don't believe it to be vague, though i could clarify any points you are unsure of. the requirement during inspection would also be for insurance.

here are those compassionate, caring Republicans again! They probably think that Cancer patients should just take personal responsibililty for their disease, like they do everything else !!
****

pamB, the GOP sucks. The good news is that people are catching on to them.

"compostrose, I don't need to see a graph to change my mind, I lived it and to some extent I still do. My cousin who was a heavy pot user in his teens was diagnosised pschyzophrenic as an adult and recently committed suicide. Recent studies show a significant risk increase on the chances of psychosis with prolonged marijuana use."

your position is respected. however, those studies are based on a very old report, yes they have done some more recent studies, the thing they dont tell you is how or if cannabis affects psychosis. they simply do not know. the rise in schizophrenia has not been in sync with the rise in cannabis use and has been consistent with the rise in population. they believe folks suffering schizophrenia seek relief from cannabis to ease their symptoms. but at the end of the day, the report is worded to scare people and the truth is they cannot confirm the claims.

i am somewhat of a fence sitter on adult recreational use, to a degree. the waste of tax monies spent on cannabis prohibition is a real grind in my craw... but...i am absolutely convinced and support medical use. my 82 year old father had testicular cancer. he was in total disbelief at how well it worked to help him cope with his disease, he suffered so. he ashamedly apologized for being so against it, but he, as did i, bought into the gov't propaganda in the early days of the 60's and 70's.

thank you for your honesty. i'm sorry your families personal experience with cannabis was bad.

I don't understand why Bush hates America...

Posted by goodfoe on August 30, 2007 at 09:50 AM
****

goodfoe,

Yes, why does the GOP hate american workers? Why do they hate the troops? Why does the GOP hate America?

The Mexican trucks need to pass an inspection at our border, is there any provision being made for this? They should be inspected and the drivers too.

More Failure In Iraq
by DemFromCT
Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 05:59:33 AM PDT

Yet another report documenting benchmark failures. From the WaPo:

Iraq has failed to meet all but three of 18 congressionally mandated benchmarks for political and military progress, according to a draft of a Government Accountability Office report. The document questions whether some aspects of a more positive assessment by the White House last month adequately reflected the range of views the GAO found within the administration.

The strikingly negative GAO draft, which will be delivered to Congress in final form on Tuesday, comes as the White House prepares to deliver its own new benchmark report in the second week of September, along with congressional testimony from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker. They are expected to describe significant security improvements and offer at least some promise for political reconciliation in Iraq.

This joins the NIE (Report Offers Grim View of Iraqi Leaders) as official analysis of progress in Iraq, before the WH-written "Petraeus Report" is issued (and kudos for the WaPo for calling it what it is).

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/30/84759/6890

Pam, the Today show ran the results of a recent poll that showed that 51% of American's favor Democrats over Republicans (27%).

Posted by Kristen on August 30, 2007 at 10:50 AM
****

Kristen, these polls are crazy. I wonder if the disapproval people express for Congress is more a function of GOP filibustering than anything else. I don't see how that works in their favor. They are being cast as obstructionists. Isn't that what they used against Dems back in 2002?

I think Fox News needs to have a conservative look, skirts below the knees and blouses that show no cleavage.

Come on Politician get busy with real problems!

Posted by dlesterpoet on August 30, 2007 at 11:01 AM
*****

dlester, fox noise's rating would really go down the tubes if they did that!

Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007 at 11:11 AM
Thank you for that post rj...As you know, I have health insurance, but because of the deductibls and co-pays I can't afford to use it. Out of desperation, I asked my wife to call United Health Care this morning to see if I could get some tests done. She was told that on the cat scans, bone scans, MRI's, there is a$750 deductible plus a 20% co pay. That would mean that my out of pocket would be somewhere around $1950 if only one co-pay is applied to all the tests. If the co-pay applies to each individual test, then, the sky's the limit!...I think it costs about $300 per month for me to be covered under my wife's group insurance. With these kinds of charges, the ins. co has a good deal going, I'll never be able to afford it. You are more knowledgeable on this than I am, but it seems to me that we pay much more for health care and receive much less than say in a country like the Netherlands.....

Kristen, these polls are crazy. I wonder if the disapproval people express for Congress is more a function of GOP filibustering than anything else. I don't see how that works in their favor.
Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007
Yes, yet the president gets out there and points out congress is doing nothing. congress needs to keep working on bills that aid every american, bully them through if they have to, heck they had 12 yrs to see how its done, and make the pres veto them. bring them back and let the repubs vote against veto override. as it is now, too many important issues are just dying on the vine and it is easy to say "hey its there fault in congress."

dlester, fox noise's rating would really go down the tubes if they did that!
Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007 at 11:28 AM

rj,

Fox's ratings are going down the toilet anyways. My husband made the mistake of stopping on it the other day while playing 'remote clicker'.

I could not believe the Slant they still give, plus the absolute moonbats like O'Reilly, Hannity, on their with their idiotic dribble.

You are more knowledgeable on this than I am, but it seems to me that we pay much more for health care and receive much less than say in a country like the Netherlands.....

Posted by goodfoe on August 30, 2007 at 11:31 AM
****

goodfoe, it's an outrage how little we get for our money. What's truly sad is that the results aren't that good either. Overall, we are ranked 41th in the world but pay more money per capita than any other country.

Your example is a good case in point. The conservatives want us to believe that this can all be solved if we just made your health care even more expensive - 3000 dollar deductibles for instance are typical in these HSA linked high deductible plans. Yet, if your doctor says these tests are necessary, how does paying more help?

We do have good technology and well-trained medical people. But, what good is it when it's unaffordable? That's why we have such bad results. I think people opt for the lowest cost solution or none at all instead of the right solution.

Fox News is condoning a Conservative look nationwide then what does legs and cleavage have to do with the news. Let preachers choose what women wear.

Everybody thinks it is okay to regulate clothing until they are the ones being affected.

Have you seen how the women dress on Fox News, it is not Professional to the news but a showcase of Hollywood fashion. I think they need a religious consrvative look like the men and there business suits.

Fox News talking about have wrong it is to look up women's dresses and then flash their legs on stage. They want a law that if TV viewers see anything they get ticketed for obscene behavior. I think Fox Newa should ban any views below the neck so we do not have FCC indecency.

goodfoe,

Yes, why does the GOP hate american workers? Why do they hate the troops? Why does the GOP hate America?

Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007 at 11:16 AM
I don't know rj. This country has been very good to those people. Why they want to destroy it is a good question. I believe that it is because of short term greed combined with hatred for the working class of Americans. They are either Communist rulers in their thinking or Nazis, I don't know which....

Fox's ratings are going down the toilet anyways. My husband made the mistake of stopping on it the other day while playing 'remote clicker'.
****

pamB, they have taken a big hit. The other networks have taken hits as well. When are they going to get the message that people are sick of these right wing moonbats such as Hannity, Beck, Carlson, etc... Put some progressives on and their ratings will come back up.

You chose the winning script in our Roadblock Republican Radio Contest. Now, it's up to you to air it.

That's the bottom line: this entire campaign is run by you. The ads were written by you, the final script was chosen by you, and now you choose where we air it.

So go here to make a contribution and turn up the heat on the Roadblock Republicans.

Normally, an organization puts out a contribution page to fund the airing of a spot and then chooses where to spend the money. But since this is your project from start to finish, we set it up so you can choose where your dollars are spent. If you want to target a specific state, give to the fund for that state. If you want to target them all, just give to the general fund. You make the call.

-- John Kerry

http://cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?LaN-gWn-2Ld8Q6

"Ted Kennedy wasn't prosecuted for his sexual transgressions".

But ummm, yes he was. He copped a plea just like Craig did. And he didn't come out and say "But I wasn't guilty of anything" afterward....Well, he probably did, but at least he's not GAY. (j/k)

make the pres veto them. bring them back and let the repubs vote against veto override.
****

Jimmy agreed. I said that right after the victories in 2006. We don't have the votes for 2/3 that is needed to override the Chimp. So, expect along of deadlock. But still, it's better to pass legislation that reflects progressive values and make the GOP act as obstructionists. That way it's easy in 2008 to point out all Chimpy's vetoes and the filibusters that the GOP in the Senate pulled.

Posted by PamB on August 30, 2007 at 09:02 AM

I hear Obama wasn't there either. Was he busy body surfing at the beach? I'm not gay (not that there's anything WRONG with that) but he looks mighty cute in dem swim trunks. :)

That way it's easy in 2008 to point out all Chimpy's vetoes and the filibusters that the GOP in the Senate pulled.
Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007
and when we win big in 2008, which i believe we will, we get this stuff signed. i believe, like carl rove did with the repubs, that we can keep the congress and the whitehouse indefinately. unlike rove though, we can do it through actual uniting of americans toward the good of america, and not the division of america as they tried.

GregL, Obama said a few weeks ago that he has decided to opt out of ALL of these special interest forums for the time being and instead concentrate his efforts on "retail politics", meaning getting out and meeting the voters face to face, rather than sitting down and answering questions from 2 or 3 people for several hours.

Posted by rjsnj on August 30, 2007 at 11:11 AM
I believe that a certain "B" grade actor was the spokesman for those commercials....This is one of the things that bothers me about Hillary. It has been reported else where that Hillary has accepted very large contributions from the Health Care Association of America along with large contributions from insurance companies, medical associations, big Pharma, and some of the largest HMO's. The reason for these contributions was that these donors felt she was going to "Run the Table" and "wanted a place at the table"......I have long been an admirer of both Bill and Hillary and am very mindful of the work she did when she was First Lady on health care....if she gets the nomination, I will support her in the General Election and may yet support her in the Primary here in Texas. Never the less, these large donations and the closeness with the Washington lobbyists is troubling to me. I wish she would post her campaign finance donation records (who she has accepted money from) on the internet and clear all this up...I am mindful that these claims about who she has accepted money from could be some of Rove's Republican dirty ticks, leaked to the press to discredit her.

Kennedy has sacrificed much, served well
Republicans phoned C-SPAN's Washington Journal during the Samuel Alito confirmation process with two recurring themes. They were repulsed by Sen. Edward Kennedy questioning the ethics of Judge Alito. And they claimed Democrats such as Kennedy, critical of the invasion of Iraq, are cowards and hate their country.
Kennedy has never escaped his legacy earned in the dark, rushing waters of Chappequidick. Those old enough to remember, can never forget the ghost of Mary Joe Koppechne. Rumors persist about Kennedy's drinking and past sexual transgressions.
Our current president overcame his addiction to a drunken, party-boy lifestyle in his early 40s. Conversely, the ghosts of Kennedy's past have contributed to his personal failings. Two of his brothers, President John Kennedy and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, were assassinated serving their country. His brother Joe, a bomber pilot, was killed during World War II, serving his country. Both his sister and his nephew - the son of a former president- were killed in airplane crashes.
Sen. Kennedy, possessing unimaginable wealth and power, is a champion of those least able to defend themselves - the poor, women, and minorities. His support of civil rights makes one wonder if Martin Luther King Jr. touched his soul and rides on his shoulders.
Sen. Kennedy's halo is shrouded with the ghosts of his destiny. He has long served our country, and his Democratic family has sacrificed much. History, not those ignorant of history, will ultimately judge the enormity of his life of public service and private tragedy.

Nancy Masten, Heron

a good article about Mr Kennedy.

Ummm....Is NAFTA a treaty?

Sen. Kennedy's halo is shrouded with the ghosts of his destiny. He has long served our country, and his Democratic family has sacrificed much. History, not those ignorant of history, will ultimately judge the enormity of his life of public service and private tragedy.

Nancy Masten, Heron

a good article about Mr Kennedy.

Posted by jimmyc451 on August 30, 2007 at 12:17 PM

Excellent post. Thats one that I can agree with every thing in it!

jimmyc, don't forget Ted Kennedy still wears a brace due to his broken back suffered in a 1964 plane crash. Does anybody know where GHW Bush was in 64? (Plane crashes seem to be a popular way for Pugs to eliminate the opposition, or whistle blowers). J/K, but it DOES seem to happen A LOT.

B..B...But YOU were comparing Democrats to Communists. Have you yet found any sites that compares you to a sphincter? I thought you got banned twice yesterday. Oh, well. It shouldn't be long.

Posted by Kristen on August 30, 2007 at 10:56 AM

Heavy use of alcohol causes many types of damage to the body. Should we reinstate Prohibition becuase of this? There has to come a time when we stop writing laws to protect people from their own worst impulses and start educating them on how to recognize and avoid those impulses in the first place. Common sense ain't so common, and it CAN be learned, contrary to popular opinion.

Btw, found out my own answer on the NAFTA thing from Wikipedia:
Under United States law it is classed as a congressional-executive agreement rather than a treaty, reflecting a peculiar sense of the term "treaty" in United States constitutional law that is not followed by international law or the laws of other nations.

Guess that would be why it didn't need a two-thirds majority in the Senate, eh? Pretty f**king sneaky of those Republicans and DINOs (including everyone's f**king hero Clinton).

In case you're wondering, as a "treaty", NAFTA would not exist, as it only received 61 votes in the Senate, 6 below the two thirds majority needed to ratify treaties.

and there goes the door, slamming on civil discourse.

Have a great day everyone!

and to just be clear GregL, I was not referring to your post on prohibition, the time was just what it was.

and when we win big in 2008, which i believe we will, we get this stuff signed.
****

Jimmy, that's another good reason to do it. This way we have the bills worked out and perhaps all they need to do is update the specifics a bit to make them current.

Ummm....Is NAFTA a treaty?

Posted by GregL on August 30, 2007 at 12:22 PM
****

Trade agreement. Needs to be constantly renewed.

Good afternoon fellow Democrats.
Good morning to all the other time zones.

GregL, Obama said a few weeks ago that he has decided to opt out of ALL of these special interest forums for the time being and instead concentrate his efforts on "retail politics", meaning getting out and meeting the voters face to face, rather than sitting down and answering questions from 2 or 3 people for several hours.

Posted by DPD on August 30, 2007 at 12:12 PM

Well, I like my reason better. :)