Friday Open Thread
Posted by Michael Link on November 30, 2007 at 09:17 AMChat away...
Comments - 232 »
Comments - 232 «
Good morning, everyone.
For the good of the day. Enjoy it!
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).
Just like a computer, what you allow into your heart programs your thinking and words, which ultimately determines the direction of your life. Your eyes, ears, and mouth are all gateways to your heart. What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not. You can guard your heart by filtering what you watch and listen to. If you don’t want to be like the people you see on TV, you shouldn’t watch that program. If you don’t want to act like the people in the songs you hear, you shouldn’t listen to them. But beyond that, you have to guard your heart against bitterness and bad attitudes. When those negative emotions sink into your heart, they will keep you from moving forward. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means your words show where your heart is. Take inventory today of what you are saying, watching, and listening to. Make sure that you are glorifying the Lord with your every action. As you guard your heart and mind, the wellspring of life within in you will flow freely, and you will live in the abundance the Lord has in store for you.
Posted by Esmeralda on November 30, 2007 at 09:35 AM
here you go, folks.
A review of all the Lies from the Grand Old Perverts debate the other night !!
GOP YouTube Debate Flubs
Falsehoods, exaggerations and stumbles
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/gop_youtube_debate_flubs.html
Posted by PamB on November 30, 2007 at 09:36 AM
This is for Cyn!
Don't forget to click on the link at the bottom of the first list for the recalled Fisher Price toys.
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Oops Cyn...my link didn't work.
http://www.usrecallnews.com/2007/10/complete-list-of-recalled-toys-for-lead.html
I posted this article the other day but just incase you missed it there are a couple other toys/poducts adding to the do not buy list.
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 09:44 AM
good morning fellow democrats, happy friday.
Posted by peaceman on November 30, 2007 at 09:49 AM
I do hope that the Democrats running for President don't make the mistake that they Western states are a sure thing. So far most of them have completely ignored Washington voters and only two have come for high cost fundraisers.
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 09:50 AM
This is worth reading for a chuckle or two or three.
Debate time! Once again Wednesday night, Republican candidates came together to taunt the viewing public with the reminder that one of them is going to have to be nominated for president.
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Debate time! Once again Wednesday night, Republican candidates came together to taunt the viewing public with the reminder that one of them is going to have to be nominated for president.
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 09:56 AM
I love the term to describe them, "None- of- the- Above Crowd". Gleaned from Polls saying Republicans and others check off "None of the Above" instead of one of those Idiots! The lesser of all evils, is still evil!
Posted by PamB on November 30, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Pam...she had some great lines in that article. I loved when she described Thompson's campaigan as allegded and this was probably my favorite.
But on the Republican side, it's not hard to imagine the poor voters veering from one to the other. (Him? -- Oh, god no. How about -- him! No, wait, what were we thinking? )
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Kristen, If THESE are the best of the lot, just think of those who are not throwing their hats in the ring ! You have Santorrum, Macca Allen, Delay, etc! All slimy, sleazy corrupt, repugs !
Posted by PamB on November 30, 2007 at 10:14 AM
DNC FALL MEETING ABOUT TO BE BROADCAST ON C-SPAN.
Posted by PamB on November 30, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Sharp! (speaking of the economy)
Obama Campaign Changes Its Story Over Controversial Donations
(what a baby)
Tom Cruise Had Spielberg's Family Doctor Picketed By Scientologists
Clinton Presidential Campaign Drops Scruggs Fundraiser (a wise move) did Obama drop that radical FREAK Gay hating yet GAY himself Preacher?)
I saw no announcement. I sure hope so lest he be branded himself the same way everyone brands Hillary for her choices along the way!
-------------
and to the sheep trolls; it's called begging!! You may call it prayer, but if YOU do it I'm POSITIVE it's called BEGGING! PLEASE JESUS forgive those pansey liberals and make them MORE like me!! A hateful, blind & greedy bigot lemming of the lord.
NO THANKS - you can keep it to your useless self!
Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 30, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Good morning Dawn!
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Good Morning Kristen! ;-)
Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 30, 2007 at 10:26 AM
MICHAEL HONEY! CLEAN UP THE DIRTY CACTI AISLE 9DUMDUM!
OFF TO BRUNCH
Peace
Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 30, 2007 at 10:33 AM
Good Morning, ALL!
CYN,
Here's an interactive thingy of a bunch of lead filled trinkets (with pictures). The black dot represents the maximum amount allowed by the government, and the pinkish spot represents the actual amount over that allowed.
It's the hot-link titled "Interactive graphic" in the box with the blue headings Called "Related Content".
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Wackogelical Asshattery Attains a New Low in Texas
Update: Welcome, readers of Crooks and Liars! You may want to read the next blog post in this series when you finish the one below. This story gets better and better.What the heck is wrong with Texas?First, they get a creationist governor. Then their creationist governor appoints a creationist to head the State Board of Education.
And now, when Chris Comer, the Texas Education Agency’s director of science curriculum, sends out an email announcing a talk by anti_creationism advocate Barbara Forrest, the TEA forces her to resign.
Why? Hold on to your seats here, folks, because you won’t believe this:
[Texas Education] Agency officials cited the e-mail in a memo recommending her termination. They said forwarding the e-mail not only violated a directive for her not to communicate in writing or otherwise with anyone outside the agency regarding an upcoming science curriculum review, “it directly conflicts with her responsibilities as the Director of Science.”The memo adds, “Ms. Comer’s e-mail implies endorsement of the speaker and implies that TEA endorses the speaker’s position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral.”
That’s right, the Texas Education Agency must remain neutral when it comes to science versus antiscience!
Keep 'em stoopit and they'll keep on voting republic. Never in history has any group so glorified and celebrated stupidity, ignorance, bigotry, and all-around being a dumbass and proud of it as today's GOP, the party of asshats and perverts.
Texas used to be such a wonderful place to live; I've lived there three times. When the Democrats had control, it was prosperous, educated and a wonderful place to be (no place but!). Unfortunately, they've got this habit of messing with repelicanism every few years and each and every time the state, its economy, it educational system and environment goes to hell in a handcart.
This latest sad turn really takes the cake for self-destructive idiocy.
Posted by HillWilliam4Edwards08 on November 30, 2007 at 10:51 AM
g'morning people, sorry if this was posted earlier (the article is from march, 07), but this is the sort of thinking we need more of. american consumers can't make intelligent choices if they don't have the facts to base them on. so, let's hope we see this here.
The UK Will Require Carbon Footprint Labels on Products
You used to be able to count only the calories in your snacks...soon it might be just as easy go on a carbon diet...The first company to launch the label cut the carbon footprint of their cheese and onion crisps by one-third after doing a thorough carbon analysis...If you aren't lucky enough to live in a place as trailblazing as the UK, you won't be able to discover the carbon released during the production of your organic shampoo, but you can still keep an eye on your own carbon footprint with helpful online tools here and here.
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Hunters Donate Game meat to Food Banks
Very interesting concept - I had no idea that they took such food product, but then it is perfectly good meat. It's distributed in a ground form. Much of it either venison or elk.
If hunters are doing this and paying for the processng fee themselves for the meat, why can't cattle ranchers or meat producers to the same????
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071130/ap_on_re_us/hunters_charity;_ylt=AircsAoUc6B.zWGPTyYLjg2s0NUE
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 11:01 AM
g'morning, hill...g'morning, doobee
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 11:02 AM
amd J...g'morning
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 11:01 AM
J, I don't know about other states, but in california it's illegal to haul off a road killed deer, elk, or such. the highway department will, however, pick up and take the carcasses to shelters or institutions so they don't go to waste.
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 11:07 AM
and now for the truth regarding Seattle's Operation Santa.
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Doobee...here's the new Horsey. I do think he has the riders facing the wrong way...we would surely recognize the horses in the race better if they were running backwards.
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 11:13 AM
As I stated this morning to marymac?, the current tax code needs overhauling desperately.
Incentive needs to be given for those that produce a product to donate more with restrictions and oversights to try and avoid fraud. If food producers and say building contractors were given substancial tax savings for giving to for instance food banks and say building a number of homes or housing per year, the hunger and housing shortage would receive a boost in the arm. The programs would be designed so that the donating party would make absolutely no profit in any form. Not even in a replacement of resources used in the donation.
Yes the rich and business reap tax benefits when they donate, BUT they recoup them in the loss/profits or capital gains. The loop holes removed and their being only one road to a reduction in a taxing amount then the of donating of vital items to boost the socioeconomic situation for all who fall below the poverty line increases.
Just a thought........................
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Good Morning, ALL!
CYN,
Here's an interactive thingy of a bunch of lead filled trinkets (with pictures). The black dot represents the maximum amount allowed by the government, and the pinkish spot represents the actual amount over that allowed.
It's the hot-link titled "Interactive graphic" in the box with the blue headings Called "Related Content".
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Anyone from Ill here that can tell me if there is any chance of a primary before Feb 5th or are the rules specific that it will have to be at that time.
Posted by Kay-Wisconsin on November 30, 2007 at 11:23 AM
I don't know how that happened. I had a different comment in preview, and when I hit "post" it timed out, so I hit "try again" and the old post came through.
Anyhoo, Thanks, Kristen. I also like this one, whch coincides nicely with Cyn's request earlier today.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 11:28 AM
J, here's another one. let's say a farmer has a certain amount of land and he typically grows only a couple of different crops on that land each year. to increase the diversity of food produced and to provide food for people in need, it would be a simple thing to, as you say, offer incentives; in this case a direct tax credit of the wholesale value of anything grown on less than 1% of the farmer's land but not to exceed a certain acreage, say 50 or so. simple, easy, effective and would keep many family farms in business. unfortunately, our system frowns upon simple solutions.
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Here ya go, Kay. P.S., Denny has said that he's going to be spending A LOT of time in your neck of the woods (living it up at his taxpayer subsidized "fishing lodge"). Also, the Brat Stop is there, not to mention the Cheese Castle. It's a two-fer.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Good Morning bbl
Posted by goodfoe on November 30, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Morning Kristen. Funny, even children can figure this one out. It's too bad that our education system has left so many conservatives behind.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Well I just finished sorting through bags and bags of baby clothes and need to get them out for donation so I should probably get busy.
Dawn, if you check in we found out it will be boy number 4!
Have a great day everyone!
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Blue, I think our kids have a much better grasp on being a citizen of the world than we ever did.
My son (15) recently told me that one of his best friends 'came out' to all his friends, I cringed at first thinking how hard that had to have been for the young man. Then my son told me that everyone shrugged, told the kid they sorted figured it was the case, and then decided what they all wanted to do for the rest of the day.
I was very proud of him. :)
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Posted by Kristen on November 30, 2007 at 11:57 AM
I watched an episode of 30 rock last nite that had something similar. One of the coworkers was taunting another and making cracks about him being gay and the rest of the coworkers just looked at him in a bored manner and went back to work. He couldn't figure out why his taunts weren't funny anymore. Progress is slooowwwww.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Morning again all good Dems,
I tuned past a freak religious show yesterday and they were bitching about the boy scouts allowing gays to join.
Remember all the Millions bush gave these faith based groups.
Well these groups are denying our money to the Biy Sccuts because they allow gays to join.
THIS IS DISCRIMINATION FOLKS AND WE SHOULD NO LONGER TOLERATE THIS FAITH BASED CRAP FROM BUSH USING OUR MONEY.
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 11:29 AM
I like that suggestion for farmers. I hate subsities - getting paid by the government NOT to plant. High class welfare, is all it is.
USDA used to have a program that took the surplus amounts of crop harvests and packaged them for a give away program by income, but I haven't heard anything of it in about 5 years. At least surplus harvest would benefit someone other than the farmer who in many cases would just turn the ground over.
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 12:24 PM
j,
There used to be a program where the feds gave surplus food to the public schools for their lunch program. Then they sponsored free lunches for the kids.
Do they still do this? I remember ray-gun bitching about it. He wanted to call catsup a vegetable. What a tightwad. ray-gun and every repuke since is a putz.
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 12:21 PM
I don't understand. Your angry because religious groups don't give your money to the BSA? My church sponsors the BSA in my town.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Blue,
I don't think they should discriminate.
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Another interesting article by John Dean about the California scheme to steal votes and REAL election reform:
Soon we will learn whether a few desperate but very well-funded Republicans have succeeded in collecting the necessary 434,000 valid signatures to go directly to California voters on a ballot initiative to change the election laws. If the initiative were to succeed, it could significantly help elect a GOP presidential candidate in 2008.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 12:42 PM
There used to be a program where the feds gave surplus food to the public schools for their lunch program. Then they sponsored free lunches for the kids.
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 12:29 PM
I don't think USDA gives food any longer, BUT they do demand an adherence to the Food Pyramid and calerie count/food portions. And yes, there is still the free lunch program.
My understanding (from here in FL) is that instead of the surplus food, the school districts receive Federal funding for food purchases which must correlate with a strict food structure of nutrition.
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Good afternoon fellow Democrats.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 12:24 PM
whoa!...just noticed i negelected to add the food, of course, would have to be donated to a certified charitable organization who would validate the farmer's donation. also, usda publishes wholesale values on a weekly basis. there currently is a program offering coupons for eligible low income people to use at farmers markets for fresh foods. last year our farmers market took in over $30,000 worth of these coupons. the program i'm describing, however, would potentially not only bolster the farmer but would make more food available for less cost to the tax payer.
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Sometimes diagrams can assist education:
http://saintgasoline.com/2007/03/12/politics-stupidity-religion/
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Correct information for those viewing incorrect information.
The NAACP has local/state elected positions. ANY dues paying member, black/white can aspire to any of such. There is a Board of Directors that are appointed positions.
The Congressional Black Caucus is comprised of African-American members of Congress. It is a private organization that has chosen to only accept black members of Congress.
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Posted by BoilerMan on November 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM
The WIC program here in the State of FL gives coupons on a one time basis for parents to take to Farmers Markets to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. The allotment is a one time $15.00
The concept is good, BUT give the parent ENOUGH to benefit the child as he gets to know fresh fruit and vegetables. And they give the coupons during the summer months which really is not a good time in the state for produce because of the tremendous heat. They could at least do this twice a year so that children and pregnant women would have the benefit of fresh citrus fruit.
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 12:37 PM
I don't think they should either, and until sexual orientation is recognized as a protected class, any group can discriminate against gays. I believe that CA enforces some tougher laws on BSA though because, IIRC, they prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, and those groups that continue their unAmerican tendencies won't get a dime of CA's money. We may have to wait for the haters to die off before we see any real enlightenment.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Kind of would defeat the whole purpose of the caucus if they were to allow non-blacks to join. Hopefully, someday there will not be a need to have groups like this and we can trust that all voices are heard. Probably not in my lifetime. :(
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:04 PM
The United States could shave as much as 28 percent off the amount of greenhouse gases it emits at fairly modest cost and with only small technology innovations, according to a new report.
A large share of the reductions could come from steps that would more than pay for themselves in lower energy bills for industries and individual consumers, the report said, adding that people should take those steps out of good sense regardless of how worried they might be about climate change. But that is unlikely to happen under present circumstances, said the authors, who are energy experts at McKinsey & Company, the consulting firm.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/business/30green.html?n=Top/News/Science/Topics/Global%20Warming&_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1196446180-8Md2/C9man8iOYBzrXaHxA
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:11 PM
A new United Nations report warns that progress toward prosperity in the world’s poorest regions will be reversed unless rich countries promptly begin curbing emissions linked to global warming while also helping poorer ones leapfrog to energy sources that pollute less than coal and oil.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/28/world/28climate.html?n=Top/News/Science/Topics/Global%20Warming
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Marines to slash mine-resistant truck purchaseWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Marine Corps said on Friday it would slash by nearly 40 percent the number of mine-resistant trucks it was planning to buy, sending shares of armored vehicle maker Force Protection Inc down 20 percent.
Citing security gains in Iraq and a better sense of the vehicles' limitations, the Marine corps said it will buy 2,300 so-called Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected, vehicles -- the number currently under contract -- down from previous plans for 3,700.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN3030630120071130
Posted by dlesterpoet on November 30, 2007 at 01:14 PM
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - Thousands of Sudanese, many armed with clubs and knives, rallied Friday in a central square and demanded the execution of a British teacher convicted of insulting Islam for allowing her students to name a teddy bear "Muhammad."The protesters streamed out of mosques after Friday sermons, as pickup trucks with loudspeakers blared messages against Gillian Gibbons, the teacher who was sentenced Thursday to 15 days in prison and deportation. She avoided the more serious punishment of 40 lashes.
They massed in central Martyrs Square outside the presidential palace, where hundreds of riot police were deployed. They did not try to stop the rally, which lasted about an hour.
"Shame, shame on the U.K.," protesters chanted.
They called for Gibbons' execution, saying, "No tolerance: Execution," and "Kill her, kill her by firing squad."
The women's prison where Gibbons is being held is far from the square.
Several hundred protesters, not openly carrying weapons, marched about a mile away to Unity High School, where Gibbons worked. They chanted slogans outside the school, which is closed and under heavy security, then marched toward the nearby British Embassy. They were stopped by security forces two blocks away from the embassy...
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071130/D8T82JV80.html
Have the muslim population of Sudan taken leave of their senses? This is a prime example of religious intolerance at its worst. While I can half way understand the deportation order, after all, each nation has a right to its own rule of law to a degree, fifteen days in jail for something as innocuous as naming a teddy bear Mohammed is downright uncalled for. I could understand it if Ms. Gibbons' had a more notorious motive but this is just downright silly.
And now there are armed people marching through the streets of Khartoum demanding her execution? I think I know who is in need of execution here.
Now before someone pipes up with something to the effect of, "Bob you're being insensitive to the view of another culture", I thought of that. Then I read this from the same article:
Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, accused the Sudanese authorities of "gross overreaction.""This case should have required only simple common sense to resolve. It is unfortunate that the Sudanese authorities were found wanting in this most basic of qualities," he said.
The Muslim Public Affairs Committee, a political advocacy group, said the prosecution was "abominable and defies common sense."
The Federation of Student Islamic Societies, which represents 90,000 Muslim students in Britain and Ireland, called on Sudan's government to free Gibbons, saying she had not meant to cause offense.
"We are deeply concerned that the verdict to jail a schoolteacher due to what's likely to be an innocent mistake is gravely disproportionate," said the group's president, Ali Alhadithi.
The Ramadhan Foundation, a Muslim youth organization, said Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir should pardon the teacher.
"The Ramadhan Foundation is disappointed and horrified by the conviction of Gillian Gibbons in Sudan," said spokesman Mohammed Shafiq...
There is only one logical conclusion. The people protesting are nothing more than whack job fundamentalists with one foot in the door of their local Al-Qaeda recruiting office. This is your war on terror Mr. President, not the one you have manufactured.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Kind of would defeat the whole purpose of the caucus if they were to allow non-blacks to join. Hopefully, someday there will not be a need to have groups like this and we can trust that all voices are heard. Probably not in my lifetime. :(
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:04 PM
Blue, I understand their philosophy of wanting to meet in an atmosphere of comfort and being "themselves", BUT I was very, very disappointed when they would not let US Rep. Steve Cohen (TN) who has won Harold Ford, jr. old seat join. I deeply feel this man WANTED to join so that he could give better representation to his costituents. I also detested the manner that they went about telling him that they would not take him in.
All in all, I'm pretty disgusted with them right now (guess that makes Harpo happy). Some of the members now subscribe to the "centrist" mindthought and have hampered the organization terribly.
I agree, hopefully one day organizations like these won't be needed :)
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Who says New Yawkers are mean? Out of the goodness of their hearts they funded a lovenest for Bernie Kerik and pimped out the Mayor's ride for his bootie calls:
Following up on an item from yesterday, Ben Smith had a blockbuster when he reported, “As New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani billed obscure city agencies for tens of thousands of dollars in security expenses amassed during the time when he was beginning an extramarital relationship with future wife Judith Nathan in the Hamptons, according to previously undisclosed government records.”
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Posted by owl on November 30, 2007 at 01:28 PM
Are these trolls the stupidest things on Earth? (Yes).
Neither the BCC nor the KKK receive TAX PAYER FUNDING. The BSA DOES, ergo, the money should be cut off.
Also, the biggest supporter of the BSA, with the most troops and dens etc., is the Mormon Church, which is not only anti-gay but also rabidly racist.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 01:28 PM
the_Burdinator
Harpo_saw_Santa_drowning
__D_A_Cactus_
harpo the dope why dont you bring all your personalities in to on person instead of talking your self all the time in third person
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:28 PM
It may be a tad early for the summer olympics but I just love watching an expert execute flips so well:
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:29 PM
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 01:20 PM
I wonder what they think of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.?
Posted by Esmeralda on November 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Homosexuality is un-natural. It is perverted. keeps those freaks away from the Boy Scouts.
Posted by the_Burdinator on November 30, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Speaking of Perverted--------
Let's ask the RNC to keep their party members from joining them, then.! Rumor has it Craig, Foley, and the rest of the Republican Perverts buying sex in public bathrooms need to be kept away.
Posted by Trolls_are_Nazi_asshats! on November 30, 2007 at 01:33 PM
Posted by dlesterpoet on November 30, 2007 at 01:14 PM
I thought better of the Marine Corps than this. What do you want to bet that some Bush-worshipping crony in the U.S.M.C.'s procurement department did this either at the request of the manufacturer of Humvees or in an effort to supposedly save money? IMHO, to not provide the best equipment available to our front line forces is tantamount to aiding and abetting the enemy or even treason. Whomever is responsible for this decision should be relieved immediately.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 01:34 PM
BOSTON -- Police are responding to a hostage situation at a Hillary Clinton presidential campaign office in New Hampshire.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:35 PM
Well, this explains a LOT.
Heck of a job, Chimpy!
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 01:35 PM
i dont think so harpo the dipshit your the dolt lol
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:36 PM
i dont think so harpo the dipshit your the dolt lol
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Marking the 14th anniversary of legislation that allowed gay men and lesbians to serve in the military but only if they kept their orientation secret, 28 retired generals and admirals plan to release a letter on Friday urging Congress to repeal the law.
“We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy,” the letter says. “Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish.”
The retired officers offer data showing that 65,000 gay men and lesbians now serve in the American armed forces and that there are more than one million gay veterans.
“They have served our nation honorably,” the letter states.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/us/30military.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=washington&adxnnlx=1196428265-tvwxX3fSxmlgbWK1dLQopw&oref=slogin
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:37 PM
harpo they should Outta run you out of town on a rail.
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Homosexuality is un-natural. It is perverted. keeps those freaks away from the Boy Scouts.
Posted by the_Burdinator on November 30, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Do you watch porn?
Posted by Esmeralda on November 30, 2007 at 01:41 PM
the_fagurdinator and your perfect to judge other people
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Posted by Esmeralda on November 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
That's a good question. Africans flocked to him in 1975 when he defeated George Frazier for the championship.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 01:44 PM
There is only one logical conclusion. The people protesting are nothing more than whack job fundamentalists with one foot in the door of their local Al-Qaeda recruiting office. This is your war on terror Mr. President, not the one you have manufactured.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 01:20 PM
-----------------------------------
The Chinese have got Bush and the Neocons checkmated here.
Sudan sells oil to China.
China finances our debt and has our consumer sector by the balls (from chronic "race to the bottom" profiteering by our greedy corporations.)
Sudan practices ethnic cleansings and harbors anti-Western fundamentalist radical Islamic sentiments.
Posted by owl on November 30, 2007 at 01:44 PM
i cna read and your the one harpo thats has three personaliies not me dipe shit
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:45 PM
hi Esmeralda
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:48 PM
I agree, hopefully one day organizations like these won't be needed
Posted by J
They shouldn't exist TODAY! Outta run 'em out of town on a rail.
Posted by Harpo_saw_Santa_drowning on November 30, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Ever stop to think that because of people like Harpo, that's why they exist????
Hmm..................somthing to think about.
Posted by J on November 30, 2007 at 01:51 PM
dusty saw harpo drowing
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:51 PM
One thing I have to give the MSM 'credit' for (as little as they deserve) is that they didn't dub Larry Craig's toilet trolling with the all pervasive "...GATE" catch phrase. I wonder why that is? Maybe they "mastered" the art of scandal naming, or decided that it would be basically beating the term to death.
11 months before the election. Plenty of time for more Pug perversion, theft, incompetence, and general stupidity.
A scandal fest is awaiting.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 01:52 PM
dusty saw harpo drowning
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:52 PM
hiya, dusty.
Posted by Esmeralda on November 30, 2007 at 01:54 PM
Fags are perverts, its unnatural.
Posted by the_Burdinator on November 30, 2007 at 01:39 PM
jealous are we ? this coming from a masterbating creep who lives in his moms basement and gets no sex except with himself.
Posted by peaceman on November 30, 2007 at 01:55 PM
Quick! Throw him an anvil!
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 01:56 PM
O.K. From now on I'll call Harpo "Asshole".
Done.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 01:57 PM
afternoon, Dems. Babysitting today, so just a hit and run!
Fags are perverts, its unnatural.
Posted by the_Burdinator on November 30, 2007 at 01:39 PM
now this made me snicker. From someone who never had sex (at least with another person) until he got shipped to Germany, then married the first girl who put out for him, he probably is not unknown in various public men's bathrooms himself !
back later, Dems. Keep the fire going.
Posted by PamB on November 30, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 01:37 PM
While I highly respect the General's opinions, because of people like our resident trolls here who are allowed to join the military, DADT policy will be needed until the baby boomers have become irrelevant as they appear to be the last generation where racism is prevalent. Those of us born in 1965 or later, GenX, understand that being homosexual is probably no different than being left-handed.
There are certain religious biases against homosexuality but, that cannot be allowed to affect public policy as it would be a direct violation of the seperation of church and state. When you allow church and state to mingle you get regimes like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and America from 20JAN01 to 20JAN09.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 01:57 PM
who dopeyd dipshit harpo was drowing in the bath tub
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Lunch break over.
Enjoy the day, everyone.
For the trolls:
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." - Benjamin Franklin
;P
Posted by Esmeralda on November 30, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Here's a one too good to pass up.
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be."- Kurt Vonnegut
Posted by Esmeralda on November 30, 2007 at 01:59 PM
harpo equals asshole
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 01:59 PM
NEWS FLASH!
ROCHESTER, N.H. -- An armed man has taken people hostage at the Hillary Clinton campaign office in Rochester, police said.
It was not clear how many hostages there were or what weapons the man has. Police have set up a command post near the office on 28 North Main St.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 02:01 PM
BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC staff and news service reports
updated 18 minutes ago
ROCHESTER, N.H. - A man has taken people hostage at a New Hampshire campaign office for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, police said Friday.
The man claimed to have bomb strapped to him when he walked into the office in Rochester, WHDH-TV reported.
WMUR-TV quoted a woman, Lettie Tzizik, who said she spoke to someone with a child who said she had just been released by the man.
"A young woman with a 6-month or 8-mont-old infant came rushing into the store just in tears, and she said, 'You need to call 911. A man has just walked into the Clinton office, opened his coat and showed us a bomb strapped to his chest with duct tape,'" Tzikik said recalling the moment.
Police have surrounded the building, evacuated the immediate area and placed other buildings, including a nearby school, in lockdown.
Clinton, who was scheduled to campaign in Virginia on Friday, was not present at the office on Rochester's Main Street.
The number of hostages was not immediately known.
This report will be updated as information becomes available.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Micheal, could we possibly have a thread somewhere to discuss Drug Policy? I realize that some don't want to discuss the War at Home, but there really are some people who would like to have an open discussion on how Drug Policy affects our lives, our rights, and our economy.
Posted by gro4me on November 30, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Harpo need to see phycoligist he allways talk to him slef and he think he perfect to everybody else
Posted by dusty2006 on November 30, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Dusty,
I have reserved the name asshole for bush and cheney but I don't mind using it for the trolls.
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Homosexuality is un-natural. It is perverted. keeps those freaks away from the Boy Scouts.
Posted by the_Burdinator on November 30, 2007 at 01:24 PM
``````````````
even those who eat roadkill and molest their baby girl cousins are entitled to fundamental human rights.
Posted by owl on November 30, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Depends who I'm partying with. Heterosexual males usually don't care what I'm talking about as long as they get to look at me while I'm talking.
Posted by gro4me on November 30, 2007 at 02:17 PM
harpo your a real funny guy in a anal narciccistic arrogant no nothing way.
Posted by peaceman on November 30, 2007 at 02:19 PM
WMUR TV in NH reports two people (unidentified) are being held hostage by a man claiming to be wearing a bomb - in the Rochester, NH Clinton headquarters. The hostages are volunteer campaign workers.
Posted by McQuink on November 30, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Nice try, Rudy. I bet they try this scam again.
1250. (07-0016 Amdt. #1NS) Requirements for Presidential Electors. Statute. WITHDRAWN from Initiatives in Circulation. (bold in original)
It all began when Old Coastie [named for her work in the Coast Guard], along with Vikingkingq and PeteB2 from Kos and a few other sharp-eyed observers saw people gathering signatures on multiple petitions in a way that looked suspicious. While ostensibly signing for a children’s cancer hospital [I mean really, how heartless could you be not to support a children’s cancer hospital?] people were asked to put their name on ‘multiple copies.’ But these weren’t duplicates, they were other initiatives, with the deception hidden by using rubber bands across the pages.
PUGS! They will steal anything that's not nailed down, any way they can find.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 02:24 PM
Posted by gro4me on November 30, 2007 at 02:03 PM
I agree with Gro4me. A seperate thread for drug policy should be introduced.
But don't let that keep you from posting your articles here on the open thread. I was on the fence when you first started posting here but you have done an excellent and professional job on expatiating your view regarding the legalization and/or decriminalization of marijuana. Whether someone agrees or not with your position, you have represented your group admirably and I do not recall ever seeing you use some of the negative tactics we've all resorted to at one time or another, myself included.
There is a function here on the DNC site that I've tinkered with that allows you to make your own blog here at the DNC. You can see it when you click the link that says, "Create Your Own Blog". Theoretically, you could put a link to your individual blog in the "URL:" field above the "Comments:" box whenever you post here on the open thread.
Fight the good fight, Gro. Your an excellent example of what a DNC blogger should be.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Browse > Home / Health / MPP to Offer Giuliani, Romney, McCain $10,000 to Prove Statements on Medical Marijuana MPP to Offer Giuliani, Romney, McCain $10,000 to Prove Statements on Medical Marijuana
November 30, 2007
WEST BABYLON, NEW YORK — On Monday, Dec. 3, the Marijuana Policy Project and two New Hampshire patients will challenge presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney to back up their statements regarding medical marijuana with scientific evidence. The challenge will be announced at a Manchester press conference featuring a mobile billboard with images of the three candidates bearing Pinocchio noses. The exact time and location of the news conference will be announced Monday morning.
In response to questions asked by medical marijuana patients and supporters, Giuliani, McCain and Romney have all claimed that medical marijuana is either not needed or “too dangerous” for medical use. The MPP Medical Marijuana PAC will offer the maximum $10,000 contribution ($5,000 for the primary campaign, $5,000 for the general election) to any of the candidates who can prove that their claims are true.
WHAT: Press conference to announce MPP’s $10,000 presidential challenge.
WHO: Medical marijuana patients Clayton Holton and Linda Macia; Stuart Cooper, campaign manager, Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana.
WHEN/WHERE: Manchester. Exact time and location to be announced Monday morning, at least 2 hours before the event.
VISUALS: Mobile billboard featuring Giuliani, Romney and McCain with Pinocchio noses.
With more than 23,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.
####
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bruce Mirken,
MPP director of communications
415-668-6403 or 202-215-4205
Posted by gro4me on November 30, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Who the heck is Mr. Quick?
Posted by McQuink
Sheesh, the chronic complainer just looks for ANYTHING and ANYONE to bash.
Must be a sad existence being a Libertarian Pug hybrid knowing what a failure the whole Neo-Con agenda has been.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Bob, I just can't say "Thank You" enough. I try really hard to be professional in all I do with the mj/mmj movement, and it is really nice to have that recognized by someone who is/was neutral on my issue. It really makes it all worth it.
Drug Policy tends to be polarizing, and people lose perspective, and sometimes their tempers because passions run deep. I try to present the facts and the issues that are being brought up as a result of our current Drug Policy.
Posted by gro4me on November 30, 2007 at 02:42 PM
NEW YORK (AP) - The Bush administration is working with industry on a plan to extend lower, introductory interest rates on home loans before they reset at higher levels.The talks come amid hints from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke of another cut in a key interest rate to keep the economy from sliding into a recession.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other top regulators met Thursday with loan servicing companies — firms that collect and distribute loan payments — and other industry executives. No formal agreement was announced, but an accord on this issue could be revealed in the next week or two...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22039594/
How long will it be before this turns into another S & L debacle? How long will it be before our tax dollars are used for another round of corporate welfare because these lending institutions were dumb enough to loan vast amounts of money to people who couldn't figure out the terms of the agreement and who had no chance of meeting the higher payments?
Six to twelve months, that's how long. In the end, I would not be surprised to see that this was a conspiracy by some mortgage lenders so they could forclose on a bunch of houses thus adding to their capital holdings which mean they get to fatten up their net worth for their stockholders and be eligible for bigger lines of credit for having tangible assets.
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Hey there, some of us predated 65 and were still blessed with open minds and intellectual curiosity. :)
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 03:08 PM
There goes Christmas
As I finished writing the check to refill my heating oil tank this morning, I came to the realization that there went Christmas. I was aware already that due to the continued rising costs of gas over the last few months that it was already going to a meager celebration this year. However, as I paid for my first refill this year I was shocked. My final bill was over $740.00 up a whopping $196.00 from my last fill up last year. When I consider that throughout the winter last year I filled my tank five times, I know I must somehow find the extra $800.00 to $1000.00 for the year. Do not forget that this is on top of the increased $200.00 per month gasoline expenditures our family is experiencing in comparison to this time last year. Sorry kids, only useful items such as clothing this year. Other friends and relatives please do not be offended if we have no gift for you. And yes, we already have done everything possible to cut our costs.
This issue is having such a negative impact on all of America that I was surprised that it was not even mentioned in the Republican debates this past Wednesday night. When I talk with family and friend’s they all seem to have the same concerns.
How are we going to be able to afford the ever-rising cost of energy and the ever-rising cost of everything else as result of rising energy cost? We can directly link the devaluation of the dollar to this problem. It is having a snowball effect on our society and for some reason the issue is being ignored by our Congress and Media. I can only hope that possibly one of the candidates running for President on either side will call some attention to the matter.
I understand that to some the added three to four thousand in yearly expenses do not sound like much. However, to the millions of already struggling families in this country, those extra few hundred dollars per month make all the difference in our quality of life. Unlike Congress, we cannot just vote ourselves a raise. In fact, I have some friends who actually will make less this year due to the impact, this problem is having.
I also have to wonder about that secret Energy Task Force that Dick Cheney formed. If their plan was to help the American public, they have seriously failed. I do not understand why the American public and media are not asking what their plan was. I know there are conspiracy nuts who say it was to grab oil from Iraq. Of that, I do not know. I do know that the meteoric rise of oil company profits begs questioning. Who has benefited from this Energy Task Force? What was their plan? Who was involved? Why has it had such a negative impact on America?
Merry Christmas to all.
Bill Miller
Posted by BillMiller08 on November 30, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Posted by BillMiller08 on November 30, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Don't waste your time wondering about what Chainee intended when he gathered his secret Cabal. He only intended for himself and his closest conspirators to benefit and to hell with everyone else. The rich get richer and the poor get ignored. The two Americas platform is what drew me to John Edwards. Although I am far from poor, I have been there and do not wish it upon anyone. Working together and caring about your neighbor is what made this country great. We need to get back there.
I sincerely hope your Christmas becomes brighter.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 03:20 PM
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 12:21 PM
??? When did the Boy Scouts, the most homophobic male organization in the country, stop being homophobic?
Posted by GregL on November 30, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Do we know the name yet of the republican terrorist in Senator Clinton's campaign office? Yeah, I know I'm speculating on his political persuasion, but given the violence threatened I don't think it's much of a stretch.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 03:25 PM
Micheal, could we possibly have a thread somewhere to discuss Drug Policy? I realize that some don't want to discuss the War at Home, but there really are some people who would like to have an open discussion on how Drug Policy affects our lives, our rights, and our economy.Posted by gro4me on November 30, 2007 at 02:03 PM
I second the motion!
Posted by Swooper420 on November 30, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Blue, that is true however, people like yourself tend to be the exception as opposed to the rule, IMHO. And far be it from me to start throwing around blanket statements especially when folks like you are there to remind me of such... ;-)
Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on November 30, 2007 at 03:32 PM
November 30, 2007 WEST BABYLON, NEW YORK — On Monday, Dec. 3, the Marijuana Policy Project and two New Hampshire patients will challenge presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney to back up their statements regarding medical marijuana with scientific evidence. The challenge will be announced at a Manchester press conference featuring a mobile billboard with images of the three candidates bearing Pinocchio noses. The exact time and location of the news conference will be announced Monday morning.In response to questions asked by medical marijuana patients and supporters, Giuliani, McCain and Romney have all claimed that medical marijuana is either not needed or “too dangerous” for medical use. The MPP Medical Marijuana PAC will offer the maximum $10,000 contribution ($5,000 for the primary campaign, $5,000 for the general election) to any of the candidates who can prove that their claims are true.
Want to bet that none of the three will even try to respond with evidence? At best, we'll hear ONDCP platitudes and more of the standard lies they tell all the time.
At worst, they will just ignore the challenge and do the usual obfuscation by talking about anything but the War On [Some] Drugs.
I think this is a very clever and novel method of pointing out the standard bs spewed by most prohibitionists.
Posted by Swooper420 on November 30, 2007 at 03:38 PM
GregL,
Maybe I got it backwards. These evangelicals may have been complaining because the Boy Scouts is homophobic but that doesn't make sense. They usually don't support homosexuals. ?????
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Posted by Swooper420 on November 30, 2007 at 03:38 PM
Personally, I believe that people like the hatefilled, satan-loving trolls on this blog could have greatly benefitted from mild pot use. I've never met anyone that was high on marjuana that was anything other than relaxed, open-minded and tolerant.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 03:43 PM
...and hungry.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 03:53 PM
I hope Michael will consider some kind of side bar for those who want to discuss drugs. It is FAR down on my list of priorities right now. In this seventh year of Bush destruction of the country, the world, the peace, the constitution, our military, our vets, our elderly, our children, education, our working class, there is far too much to work on right now to get side tracked.
Personally, I think if we Get a lot more Democrats into office, it will be just a step from legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, so I think your passion and energies should be put towards getting Dems elected (pick a candidate, local or wherever) and start getting them into the majority, until this country is rid of the republican party of corruption, crimes and perversion. THEN work on your pet projects.
Posted by PamB on November 30, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 30, 2007 at 03:53 PM
yeah, but they'll eat anything....and everything.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 03:58 PM
Bill Miller
Posted by BillMiller08 on November 30, 2007 at 03:13 PM
-------------------------
See if you can find someone who makes automatic exhaust dampers for oil furnaces. That should save you 20% right off the top. It kepts the heat in the furnace between "on" cycles. you may want to put a stud some where on that port, so the damper stays slight open (when closed) to keep the draft going in an outward direction, to keep furnace pollutant from backing up into the furnace room.
Make sure your pre-cast combustion chamber is calibrated correctly to your nozzle spray angle and gallons/per/hour rating of the nozzle.
If there is room space that chamber inside the furnace, you may want to pour a pumice-concrete jacket around it. It will not only insulate the chamber, but will accumulate heat to keep the boiler simmering at the end of the cycle. Pumice concrete pebbles come from a California company
Posted by owl on November 30, 2007 at 03:59 PM
ahhhhh, darn, Harpo. Hate to burst your bubble, but Hillary was in VA at the DNA meeting.
So she won't be blown up today! don't cry !
Posted by PamB on November 30, 2007 at 03:59 PM
"the fact remains that the war in Iraq cannot be won militarily" and that the Iraqi government has failed to capitalize on "window of opportunity" created by the additional U.S. troops.
Murtha and called for "an orderly redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as practicable."
"The House of Representatives has passed a $50 billion funding bill that provides the president, our troops, and our nation with a responsible plan for bringing our troops home," Murtha said. "The president should heed the advice of the American people and allow this funding bill to become law."
--- John Murtha, November 30, 2007
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Posted by Johnedwrd on November 30, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Well, it more than likely had to do with the fact Philadelphia is going to take away their lease:
Philadelphia Sets Deadline for Boy Scouts to Renounce Anti-Gay PolicyThe city of Philadelphia is threatening to end a nearly 80-year building agreement with the nation’s third Boy Scouts chapter if the group doesn’t change its policy to accommodate gay employees.
All members of the local Scouts chapter, which operates as the Cradle of Liberty Council, must take the Scout Oath and Law in which they promise to do their duty to God and to be morally straight, as well as to be clean in their thoughts, words and deeds.
While the organization does not inquire about sexual orientation at the time of membership, the group bars an avowed homosexual from leadership because they believe such an individual would not be a role model for the values espoused in the Oath and Law, according to a past news release from Boy Scouts of America.
A 2000 Supreme Court ruling upheld the right of the national Boy Scouts to exclude openly gay members from its ranks since it was a private organization.
However, Philadelphia City Solicitor Romulo Diaz said the group’s currently policy amounts to discrimination and has set a Dec. 3 deadline for the Boy Scouts to either renounce their moral standards or lose the headquarters they have rented from the city for $1 a year since 1928, reported the Washington Post.
Posted by GregL on November 30, 2007 at 04:17 PM
It is sick that republicans who claim to support the military will slander and demean veterans whenever they exercise their American Constitutional right of Free Speech.
They truly need to seek professional help in order to stop this fetish with American soldiers only when those soldiers are placed in the crosshairs on foreign soil.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on November 30, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Good afternoon, all.
There have been some interesting developments today on the Palestinian/Israeli front.
US withdraws Mideast resolution at UNBy EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer
UNITED NATIONS - In an about face, the United States on Friday withdrew a U.N. resolution endorsing this week's agreement by Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to reach a Mideast peace settlement by the end of 2008, apparently after Israel objected.
Deputy Ambassador Alejandro Wolff informed the Security Council that the United States was pulling the resolution from consideration less than 24 hours after Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad had introduced it and welcomed the "very positive" response from council members.
Khalilzad had said he needed to consult with the Israelis and Palestinians overnight on the text of the resolution to ensure it was what they wanted.
Well-informed diplomats said Israel, a close U.S. ally, did not want a resolution, which would bring the Security Council into the fledgling negeotiations with the Palestinians. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters Friday in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, that while he didn't know the details of the draft resolution it was a sign of the seriousness of the United States, which he also perceived at this week's Mideast conference in Annapolis, Md...
Two-state solution needed for survival, Olmert saysBy Josef Federman
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
11/30/2007JERUSALEM — In unusually frank comments, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned in an interview published Thursday that "the state of Israel is finished" if a Palestinian state is not created, saying the alternative is a South African-style apartheid struggle.
Olmert's explosive reference to apartheid follows his attendance at a high-profile peace conference in Annapolis, Md. He is hoping to prepare a skeptical nation for difficult negotiations with the Palestinians.
Just hours after his return, the Israeli leader received an important boost when police recommended that prosecutors drop an investigation into whether he illegally intervened in the government's sale of a bank two years ago. The threat of indictment in the case cast a cloud over Olmert for months.
Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed at the Annapolis summit to resume peace talks after a seven-year freeze. The two leaders pledged efforts to reach an agreement on the creation of a Palestinian state by the end of next year.
In the interview, Olmert said it was a vital Israeli interest to create a Palestinian state due to the growing Arab population in the area.
"The day will come when the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights," Olmert told Haaretz. "As soon as that happens, the state of Israel is finished."...
www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/world/story/7C6088A1076E5AA9862573A300117608?OpenDocument
It appears that former President Jimmy Carter and Prime Minister Olmert both understand the true significance of the situation.
IAPEC can no longer manipulate Israel into a false sense of security. A political settlement must be crafted that addresses the needs of both peoples. And it must happen soon before Israel finds itself in the same position as South Africa once was.
Seven years of valuable negotiating time has been lost because Bush wanted to play King David versus Saddam's Goliath in Iraq instead of facing the real problem in the region....or going after Bin Lauden.
Posted by SandyH on November 30, 2007 at 04:24 PM
I think this is a very clever and novel method of pointing out the standard bs spewed by most prohibitionists.P

