Kicking Ass: The Democratic Party's Blog

Wednesday Open Thread

Posted by Michael Link on December 26, 2007 at 08:51 AM

Chat away...

Comments (300) «

Good Morning Good Dem's...another great day to carry the fight on to victory in '08......

1
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 09:09 AM

I have some work to do this morning, I'll have to catch up with you fine folks a little later....keep it in the road....

2
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 09:23 AM

German chicken (chit) tests positive for H5N1 flu strain

ohh Pammy, is our nasty cowardly Nazi troll sick? lmao well we all KNEW that didn't we???

(and a ho,ho,ho, no let up for the slash and dash burn of all the campaigns)

Two conservative groups plan Hillary Iowa attack ads

Merry Christmas, Barack!

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed documents with the Federal Election Commission this weekend announcing that they will spend $40,755 on a mailing opposing Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), according to the Washington Post. The labor union is among several active in Iowa promoting Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) candidacy, and will also run critical TV ad spots.

Also jumping on the holiday bandwagon is a group founded by a former supporter of Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), "Democratic Courage," which is spending $20k on an anti-Clinton TV ad buy.

The group has already produced two television ad spots -- one in which Obama is shown delivering lumps of coal to Iowa voters, a second rebuking Hillary Clinton for "lacking spine," showing her as a cardboard cutout "blowing in the wind."

Two conservative groups also declared their intentions to attack Clinton.

A political action committee affiliated with Republican Alan Keyes will spend $39k on phone banks and mailers opposing the junior New York senator; RightMarch.com will spend $16,465 on mailers.

3
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:44 AM

The BBC has an interesting comparison chart on the presidential candidates this morning. It's at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/default/stm
Go to the bottom left corner of the page and click on "US election issues". It gives a comparison between the views of the candidates. There's a Republican section and a Democrat section.
They are only listing the top three Democratic candidates, but they don't editorialize on the candidates views, and you can see them side by side.

4
Butte on December 26, 2007 at 09:48 AM

gee dah, ya think GW DOUCHE has continued a trend?

December 26, 2007
At 60% of Total, Texas Is Bucking Execution Trend
By ADAM LIPTAK

~snip~

This year’s death penalty bombshells — a de facto national moratorium, a state abolition and the smallest number of executions in more than a decade — have masked what may be the most significant and lasting development. For the first time in the modern history of the death penalty, more than 60 percent of all American executions took place in Texas.

Over the past three decades, the proportion of executions nationwide performed in Texas has held relatively steady, averaging 37 percent. Only once before, in 1986, has the state accounted for even a slight majority of the executions, and that was in a year with 18 executions nationwide.

But enthusiasm for executions outside of Texas has dropped sharply. Of the 42 executions in the last year, 26 were in Texas. The remaining 16 were spread across nine other states, none of which executed more than three people. Many legal experts say the trend will probably continue.

Texas you must be just sooooo damn proud? NOT!!

5
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:49 AM

Drat! I put a slash where it was a dot, let me put the link in again.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/default.stm
Sorry about that. It's still a good chart, though.

6
Butte on December 26, 2007 at 09:52 AM

Disappointing Sales During Holiday Season

By MICHAEL BARBARO
Published: December 26, 2007

~snip~

American consumers, uneasy about the economy and unimpressed by the merchandise in stores, delivered the bleak holiday shopping season retailers had expected, if not feared, according to one early but influential projection.

Spending between Thanksgiving and Christmas rose just 3.6 percent over last year, the weakest performance in at least four years, according to MasterCard Advisors, a division of the credit card company. By comparison, sales grew 6.6 percent in 2006, and 8 percent in 2005.

7
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:53 AM

Posted by Butte on December 26, 2007 at 09:52 AM

I agree.

8
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:04 AM

I still can't freaking believe that about Texas.

I need to send this to my TX relatives. They will be in shock I'm sure. Nasty kitty litter strewn state. blechhhhhhhhhhh!

sorry lone star folks I can't stand your state

(nothing against the fine DEMS trying to survive there)

9
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:06 AM

Time for breakfast!!

Peace and BBL

10
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:07 AM

Gotta love when Republicans eat their young.

In New Hampshire, Republicans are out protesting other Republicans because they're all fighting who's the most conservative. And now 11 of them have been arrested. And now that their rights have been abrogated, will they turn to the ACLU to save them? Gotta love em.

11
radioleft on December 26, 2007 at 10:18 AM

bak w/brunch!

This is a pretty great list of the DIRT we're getting rid of in Congress & Senate.

REPUKES - Going

Sen. Wayne Allard (CO)
Sen. Pete Domenici (NM)
Sen. Chuck Hagel (NE)
Sen. Trent Lott (MS)
Sen. John Warner (VA)

Rep. Barbara Cubin (WY)
Rep. Terry Everett (AL)
Rep. Mike Ferguson (NJ)
Rep. Denny Hastert (IL)
Rep. David L. Hobson (OH)
Rep. Ray LaHood (IL)
Rep. Steve LaTourette (OH)
Rep. Jim McCrery (LA)
Rep. Steve Pearce (NM)
Rep. Chip Pickering (MS)
Rep. Deb Pryce (OH)
Rep. Jim Ramstad (MN)
Rep. Ralph Regula (OH)
Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ) (yuuuckkk)
Rep. Jim Saxton (NJ)
Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO)
Rep. Jerry Weller (IL)
Rep. Heather Wilson (NM) (double yuuuckkk)

Homeland Insecurity adviser Francis Townsend

Gov. Ernie Fletcher (KY)

Going??

Sen. Larry Craig (ID)

Gone (hip hip HOORAYYY)

Alberto Gonzalez
Secy of Ag. Mike Johanns
Karl Rove
Tony Snow

In jail (better yet)

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (CA)
Rep. Robert Ney (OH)
Gov. George Ryan (IL)

Indicted

Former Rep. Tom DeLay (TX)

Under investigation

Former Rep. John Sweeney (NY)
accused of abusing his wife
Former Rep. Don Sherwood (PA)
accused of choking his mistress
Former Rep. Mark Foley (FL)
inappropriate activity with underage pages
Sen. Pete Domenici (NM)
accused in firing US attorney David Iglesias
Rep. John Doolittle (CA)
subject of federal probe into Jack Abramoff ties

12
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Too bad Montana's Republican (non)Representative Denny Rheberg isn't somewhere on that list.
All he's done for the last eight years is rubber-stamp the Bushiato's requests. Yeeeech!!!!!

13
Butte on December 26, 2007 at 10:43 AM

well blow me down!

North Carolina 2008 Presidential Election

Clinton Competitive in North Carolina

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

~snip~

North Carolina has been a safely Republican state in recent Presidential elections. Even with a home state Senator as the Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate in 2004, President George W. Bush carried the state by a dozen percentage points.

But, early in the 2008 election cycle, North Carolina offers some hope to the Democrats. Hillary Clinton is competitive in the state against four leading Republican Presidential candidates. The former First Lady has a two-point edge over Mitt Romney (42% to 40%) and trails Rudy Giuliani by a statistically insignificant single percentage point (Giuliani 40% Clinton 39%).

-----------------------------
maybe I'll get myself a Hillary bumper sticker after all.......... or one like my neighbor has that says (and I still love it)

Well Behaved Women
RARELY make History!

14
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:43 AM

Posted by Butte on December 26, 2007 at 10:43 AM

yea and I didn't see any from NC on that list either and we've got some doozies! I thought old biddy DOLE would be on that list.

15
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:45 AM

G'day,

Texas you must be just sooooo damn proud? NOT!!

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:49 AM

LD, maybe it's something in the water, or bad (mad) beef. Or, with a little detective work, may find something stunning being broadcast in the air waves.
Something ain't kosher.

16
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 10:48 AM

Posted by TomN on December 26, 2007 at 10:48 AM

it's the "deadly" kitty litter! It's toxic and full of OIL!! (literally) ;-)

17
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:51 AM

I never thought I'd hear myself say this but, "RIGHT ON RUSSIA!"

Go ahead, egg my Hummer
(there is one in my complex I'd LOVE to pelt)

13 minutes ago

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Hummer owner in Russia's second city St. Petersburg has given antiglobalists the green light to pelt his oversized vehicle with rotten eggs, Russian news agencies reported on Wednesday.


"Peter Antiglobalist" activists told news agency RIA they found a driver willing to let them express their dissatisfaction with consumerism by throwing things at his luxury sport utility vehicle, a spokesman said.

A Moscow car dealer puts the base price of a Hummer H3 at $49,500.

"Luxury is a false value, clouding modern society's vision. Advertising posters, TV shows and slick marketing constantly tells us that buying things is the most important value in our society," RIA quoted the spokesman as saying.

The antiglobalists said throwing eggs and tomatoes at the Hummer will help draw attention to their cause.

The vehicle's owner said he will then sell it and donate the proceeds to an orphanage.

18
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:58 AM

Good morning and an early Happy New Years. In case you are wondering how the shopping season held up economically:


Target, Sears and Macy's have slowest season in five years
by Chris in Paris · 12/26/2007 10:21:00 AM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: Comments (9) · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

During my recent visit to the US, I was shocked at how empty a local Macy's was just a few weeks before Christmas. I walked in to a nearly empty store (on a weekend) and went to the checkout with only one person ahead of me in line.

Sounds like the high gas prices hurt budgets this year. Maybe Cheney was wrong again, but when was he ever correct?

http://www.americablog.com/2007/12/target-sears-and-macys-have-slowest.html

19
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:04 AM

Another NH paper slams Mitt
by Joe Sudbay (DC) · 12/26/2007 08:58:00 AM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: Comments (28) · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

Over the weekend, The Concord Monitor called Mitt Romney a "phony" who should not be president.

Today, another major smackdown of Mitt from the Union Leader, which is the right-wing Republican paper in NH (and pro-McCain). The funny thing is that Mitt considers NH something of a second home. He has a big second home on Lake Winnipesaukee. But NH folks, at least the editorial writers, aren't loving the Mittster. Best line:

In this primary, the more Mitt Romney speaks, the less believable he becomes.

Classic.
===============================================
I think the people in New England know Mitt the Flipper all too well. They could hardly wait to get rid of him in Massachusetts.

20
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:06 AM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:04 AM

ya know what I was thinking earlier when I posted that other article about lower Xmas sales.......... if it was the other way around ???

can you imagine? If this country would be so crass and indifferent that they would spend like drunken sailors over the holiday when soldiers are dying and the nation is plunging into the depths of despair over this Wretched Administration!!!

Well that would just about convince me to move OUT of the U.S.

Had they been so selfish and shameless! (as a whole)

almost the same way I felt when so many FOOLS voted for that IDIOT-in-THIEF TWICE!!!!! OMG!!

I think America has awakened from it's drunken, selfish stupor of the wonderful 90's. That's what happens when you have such a great economy for so long. People get in a habit. Time to BREAK the HABIT! Time to Bring the TRoops HOME and get on to fiscal responsibility again!!!

DEMOCRATS IN 08!!!

21
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:11 AM

Republicans, who 12 years ago made up 41.7 percent of the presidential primary electorate, now constitute 29.4 percent, Gardner said.


http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2007/12/25/big_growth_in_independents_continues_among_new_hampshire_electorate/

Posted by PamB on December 26, 2007 at 08:47 AM

Conservatism/authoritarianism is dead in the water. The shift is now to a green type of party that is heavy on enviornmental conservation and retaking the commons away from private greed and plunderers.

How can we help switch the Repellant/Antipeople party status in the two party system to Green?

Voters would have the more realistic and better choice of 2 major parties: Dems vs Greens/SOS (save our forests and waters and grandkids).

Banish repubs from the 2 party status.

22
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 11:12 AM

If Sen. Clinton is elected as the first lady president what would she do to protect and defend the rights of men, just as many great men in the past have defended the rights of women? I ask this as I am one of millions of fit fathers who are denied substantial access to their child. Would she support amending Title IV-D or another federal statute to something similar that 85% of Massachusetts voters approved here in this link -

http://www.fatherhoodcoalition.org/cpf/inthenews/2004/shared%20parenting%20initiative%20results%20chart.htm

23
ParentOfChild on December 26, 2007 at 11:14 AM

Two Bombings Kill At Least 26 in N. Iraq
Officials Call for Increase in Security Forces

By Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, December 26, 2007; Page A14

BAGHDAD, Dec. 25 -- Two bombs ripped through a pair of cities north of Baghdad on Tuesday, causing some of the worst carnage in the country in recent weeks and revealing that, despite the relative calm that has taken hold, insurgent groups remain capable of carrying out devastating attacks.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/25/AR2007122500382.html

================================================

Okay we had a couple of quiet months but so what! You can see the violence shifting over to other areas as the insurgency figures out weak spots. Turkey is now bombing the Kurdish area on a dialy basis. What have we gained in Iraq? General Betrayus and the GOP are liars. There is no such thing as a military solution to Iraq. They know it darn well and have even said as much. Of late, they have been misleading the public into thinking that we are on the verge of a military solution. Pure garbage! It's time for the USA to leave.

24
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:16 AM

What will be Big Brother's response?


We are a Sovereign Nation
A Declaration of Independence from the USA

By LAKOTA FREEDOM DELEGATION

Lakota Sioux Indian representatives declared sovereign nation status today in Washington D.C. following Monday's withdrawal from all previously signed treaties with the United States Government.

The withdrawal, hand delivered to Daniel Turner, Deputy Director of Public Liaison at the State Department, immediately and irrevocably ends all agreements between the Lakota Sioux Nation of Indians and the United States Government outlined in the 1851 and 1868 Treaties at Fort Laramie Wyoming.

"This is an historic day for our Lakota people," declared Russell Means, Itacan of Lakota. "United States colonial rule is at its end!"
*****

The Lakota reservations are among the most impoverished areas in North America, a shameful legacy of broken treaties and apartheid policies. Lakota has the highest death rate in the United States and Lakota men have the lowest life expectancy of any nation on earth, excluding AIDS, at approximately 44 years. Lakota infant mortality rate is five times the United States average and teen suicide rates 150% more than national average. 97% of Lakota people live below the poverty line and unemployment hovers near 85%.

"After 150 years of colonial enforcement, when you back people into a corner there is only one alternative," emphasized Duane Martin Sr. "The only alternative is to bring freedom into its existence by taking it back to the love of freedom, to our lifeway."

We are the freedom loving Lakota from the Sioux Indian reservations of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana who have traveled to Washington DC to withdraw from the constitutionally mandated treaties to become a free and independent country. We are alerting the Family of Nations we have now reassumed our freedom and independence with the backing of Natural, International, and United States law.

www.counterpunch.org/lakota12212007.html

25
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 11:16 AM

To MaleParent

This is Hillary's website blog page. Sign up, ask your question. Go to the other links provided for answers to other questions.

It's really a nice website, imo. :-]
And good luck.

26
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:20 AM

Conservatism/authoritarianism is dead in the water.
===================================================
TomN, I agree it's not a growing idea. It's definitely way past it's high water mark as an idea.
I don't think it's dead in the water though just fracturing. You have the religious right conservatives and the greed head libertarians. They are not seeing eye to eye anymore. There is an outside chance that the religious right conservatives would take up environmentalism as a cause ... after all, we are destroying God's creation. The greed head libertarians just don't care.

27
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:20 AM

NYT on Prosecutor Purge Investigation: Don't Stop There Hotlist
by MissLaura
Wed Dec 26, 2007 at 08:02:16 AM PST

The New York Times is not ready to let go of the US attorney firings, and they're pushing for some governmental follow-through.

They acknowledge that key players have left Washington (AG AG, unnamed), that Congress made changes such as rescinding Bush's power to appoint US Attorneys without Senate confirmation, and that AG Mukasey has restricted contacts between the Justice Department and the White House. But, they rightly conclude:

These changes are important, but are not enough. Congress must hear from all of the major participants. The House Judiciary Committee has voted to hold Joshua Bolten, the White House chief of staff, and Ms. Miers in contempt for ignoring Congressional subpoenas. The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to do the same for Mr. Bolten and Mr. Rove. The full House and Senate should affirm those votes and refer the witnesses for prosecution if they still will not cooperate.

The attorney general also must do more. There is evidence of impropriety in several recent prosecutions, including that of Don Siegelman, a former governor of Alabama who is serving a lengthy prison sentence. Mr. Mukasey needs to investigate Mr. Siegelman’s case and others that have been called into question to ensure that no one was wrongly put in jail by his department, and that anyone who acted improperly is held accountable.

The integrity of the Justice Department is precious. The fair application of the law is the cornerstone of American justice and American democracy. A halfway resolution of this scandal is not enough. It needs to be investigated vigorously and completely.

That's about right. For starters, anyway.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/26/1439/6144/656/426478

28
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:23 AM

Hello. Is anyone on here planning on going to Denver for the big convention? I have been considering it, not to actually go inside but to just hang around and meet people to talk politics. Mike

29
NewYearSoon on December 26, 2007 at 11:23 AM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:20 AM

speaking of selfish LIBs:

that humvee, has ron paul stickers posted all over it!!

I need to buy an extra dozen eggs I think. LOL

30
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:25 AM

Was Cheney behind the EPA decision on the California emissions waiver? Hotlist
by DWG [Subscribe]
Wed Dec 26, 2007 at 04:44:05 AM PST

There has been considerable analysis over the decision by the EPA to deny California the right to impose more stringent emissions standards on automobiles than the minimum standard imposed by the EPA. The disingenous spin from Stephen Johnson, EPA administrator, has been eviscerated here, here, and here. However, somewhere buried in the news dumps on Friday and Monday, conveniently lost in the holiday shuffle, were stories that Dick Cheney was responsible for pressuring the EPA to side with the automakers instead of the state of California.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/26/64422/719/655/426503

================================================

Why is Shotgun Dick behind all of the truly disgusting Bush shenigans? I don't think Chimpy is the president at all. Cheney should be impeached.

31
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:25 AM

speaking of selfish LIBs:

that humvee, has ron paul stickers posted all over it!!

I need to buy an extra dozen eggs I think. LOL

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:25 AM
===================================================

Hi Dawn,

I don't think very much of Mr. Paul. He's right on the Iraq war but I find myself pretty much in disagreement on everything else. He is definitely an extreme economic Libertarian.

32
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:27 AM

Posted by NewYearSoon on December 26, 2007 at 11:23 AM

I would LOVE to go to Denver again. It's a definite possibility for me. I have friends there I could stay with so that would be no problem. Plane fare on the other hand may prove difficult.
It depends who is nominated of course.

33
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:28 AM

Kansas GOP Chair Sends Email Boasting of Voter Caging
By: billw @ 6:38 AM - PST

Kris Kobach, a former counsel to then-Attorney General John Ashcroft who is currently the chairman of the Kansas GOP, sent out an email on Thur entitled “Kansas Republican Party Year in Review” in which he brags of voter caging. Blue Tide Rising has the goods:

… Kris Kobach, chairman of the Kansas GOP, sent out a self-congratulatory litany of accomplishments. Among them was one particularly eye-catching item:

“To date, the Kansas GOP has identified and caged more voters in the last 11 months than the previous two years!” […]

Slate.com has the best comprehensive write-up on how the Republican Party employs caging techniques to suppress the votes of the poor, the deployed, and college students. (You know, likely Democratic voters.)

Did we mention it’s illegal? And that Kris Kobach is proud to be doing it?

Since Kris Kobach can’t expand his own party or force his own Party’s members to support his candidates he’s shamelessly trying to keep Democrats from voting instead. This is the stratagem of a desperate and shrinking party.

Someone needs to ask Kris Kobach which voters he’s caging and how he’s doing it. Someone like a newspaper editor or perhaps a Grand Jury. … (more)

More on Kris Kobach here and here (He apparently suffers from an advanced case of Lou Dobbs disease). Depending on what methods are being used in Kobach’s admitted voter caging scheme, it may very well be illegal, but hardly surprising. Voter suppression through caging lists has become a standard part of the Republican playbook to steal elections for some time now. In Sept McClatchy detailed current Republican voter caging efforts underway in Florida and Ohio to “impede Democratic-leaning minorities from voting in 2008,” and back in July PBS NOW took a look at the Republican Party’s voter caging plan “designed to keep Democrats from voting, allegedly by targeting people based on their race and ethnicity.” Watch that video here.
================================================

UMMMM .... is anyone from the DNC out there paying attention? The GOP just admitted to a crime!

34
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:31 AM

Jersey,

He's only right about the war because of the economics of it all. HE doesn't give a FLIP about the people dying over there. (jmo) I think he's sucked on one too many paint chips in his life.

AND I also saw my first IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST bumper sticker the other day too! FINALLY NC DEMS are beginning to VOICE their DISTASTE. They're all just too NICE!! (or is that even possible?) LOL

35
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:31 AM

AND I also saw my first IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST bumper sticker the other day too! FINALLY NC DEMS are beginning to VOICE their DISTASTE. They're all just too NICE!! (or is that even possible?) LOL

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:31 AM
==================================================
Dawn,

I don't trust Paul at all. From what I know`about him, he is fairly extreme.

Hey, so impeachment is catching on even in NC ...
It's still not too late to impeach Shotgun Dick.

37
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:37 AM

Here's more on the Shotgun's shenigans:

Cheney at work
By: Steve Benen @ 5:33 AM - PST

Before EPA administrator Stephen Johnson rejected California’s application to impose greenhouse-gas regulations beyond federal requirements, auto executives appealed directly to Dick Cheney. Sure enough, Johnson delayed his decision until after the VP had talked to the execs: “On multiple occasions in October and November, Cheney and White House staff members met with industry executives, including the CEOs of Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler. At the meetings, the executives objected to California’s proposed fuel economy standards.”

You can probably guess what happened next.

The US vice-president, Dick Cheney, was behind a controversial decision to block California’s attempt to impose tough emission limits on car manufacturers, according to insiders at the government Environmental Protection Agency.

Staff at the agency, which announced last week that California’s proposed limits were redundant, said the agency’s chief went against their expert advice after car executives met Cheney, and a Chrysler executive delivered a letter to the EPA saying why the state should not be allowed to regulate greenhouse gases.

As Digby put it, “Merry Christmas, California. Love Dick.”


http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/12/26/cheney-at-work/

38
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:40 AM

Good morning fellow Democrats. I hope everyone's Christmas and Hannukah celebrations went well.

39
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 11:40 AM

hmm, my Mom (wise elder that she is) lol may be right suggesting a while back that Hillary should pick Obama as VP (or vice versa) to take up MOST OF THE DEMOCRATS and a LOT of the Indies.

It would pretty much guarantee a win. Don't cha think? I mean if any or even PART of these polls are correct and Hill and Obama are really that HIGH on the "I want" chart! The two would be a sure WIN? right?

They better try being nice to each other. (not that they are not) I'm about tired of the media hype that they are at each others throats. Maybe a time for a "love-in" gathering of forces?

really FREAK out the remaining 23 percent of the hostiles!

have DEMS unite for ONCE against the MINORITY PUKES!!

40
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:42 AM

Good morning fellow Democrats. I hope everyone's Christmas and Hannukah celebrations went well.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 11:40 AM
=================================================

Good morning. Same to you.

41
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:46 AM

Bush and Cheney are so joined at the hip that impeaching one is the same as impeaching the other. They'll BOTH go down.
They need to drag that bill of impeachment out of committee and get on with the proceedings before anything more bad happens.
GIVE THIS COUNTRY A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY NOW!!!!

42
Butte on December 26, 2007 at 11:47 AM

Jersey,

It would also put a spotlight on all of the Racists, Bigots and Clinton haters out there.

Ok well I have to run.

Peace & BBL

43
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 11:48 AM

… Kris Kobach, chairman of the Kansas GOP, sent out a self-congratulatory litany of accomplishments. Among them was one particularly eye-catching item:

“To date, the Kansas GOP has identified and caged more voters in the last 11 months than the previous two years!” […]

Slate.com has the best comprehensive write-up on how the Republican Party employs caging techniques to suppress the votes of the poor, the deployed, and college students. (You know, likely Democratic voters.)

Did we mention it’s illegal? And that Kris Kobach is proud to be doing it?

Since Kris Kobach can’t expand his own party or force his own Party’s members to support his candidates he’s shamelessly trying to keep Democrats from voting instead. This is the stratagem of a desperate and shrinking party.

Someone needs to ask Kris Kobach which voters he’s caging and how he’s doing it. Someone like a newspaper editor or perhaps a Grand Jury. … (more)

=================================================

I really hope the Democratic jumps on this because there are already reports of voter caging schemes going on in Florida and Ohio. Clearly, the GOP is taking advantage that it still has the partisian hack attorneys in place and is going to try to disrupt the election on 2008. We should be filing criminal charges against the GOP.

44
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:48 AM

GIVE THIS COUNTRY A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY NOW!!!!

Posted by Butte on December 26, 2007 at 11:47 AM
==================================================
Butte, works for me. I think that Cheney is operating so far outside the bounds of the constitution that something must be done to bring the executive branch back in line. Otherwise, future President's can push it even further toward a dictatorship.

45
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:53 AM

Later ...

46
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 11:55 AM

They will be in shock I'm sure. Nasty kitty litter strewn state. blechhhhhhhhhhh!

sorry lone star folks I can't stand your state
That was not nice, Dawnie!....There are 22 million of us here, and most are good folks!

47
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 12:11 PM

Texas is the best state in the USA. No income taxes,
a right to work state, vast areas in which to live, low crime rates, etc.etc. It is the very best place to live.

48
dieharddemocrat on December 26, 2007 at 12:17 PM

"Nasty kitty litter strewn state!" How would you feel if off the top of my head I said something like that about NC? You would think that I had let my alligator mouth overload my humming bird ass! If you don't like our criminal justice system here, you have every right to voice your opinion in a civilized way. Calling Texas, a state that I am very proud of, a "Nasty kitty litter strewn state" was uncalled for and way over the top. Shame on you!!!We are the beneficiaries of a large and growing criminal elemnt, a lot of it from other parts of the country. The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole is letting criminal loose at a record rate, since we just don't have anywhere to house them. In my neighborhood, we have a 176 convicted child pedophiles within a 10 mile radius of the schools I send my 3 grandchildren to. You take care of your crime in NC and we'll take care of ours down here.

49
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 12:33 PM

C.A. RULES PEACE OFFICER NO EXPERT ON 'MEDICAL' MARIJUANA

Panel Says Jury Wrong to Rely on Police Testimony About Defendant's Intent to Sell

Police officers who have only limited experience dealing with people who possess marijuana legally do not have a sufficient basis to determine whether such persons intend to sell it, the Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled Friday.

In a unanimous opinion, Div. Three reversed Christopher James Chakos' conviction for possessing marijuana for sale based on a lack of evidence, saying the police officer upon whose expert testimony the conviction was based had no expertise in differentiating between individuals who possess marijuana lawfully for their own consumption, and those who possess it unlawfully with the intent to sell.

Writing for the court, Justice David G. Sills said:

"Mere and undefined 'contact' with undefined "investigations" is manifestly not substantial evidence that an officer is in any way familiar with the patterns of individuals who, under state law, may lawfully purchase marijuana pursuant to a physician's certificate under the Compassionate Use Act, nor does it show any expertise in the ability to distinguish lawful from unlawful possession."

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1490/a07.html?397

50
gro4me on December 26, 2007 at 12:36 PM

On Monday, Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that funds the White House drug czar’s ad campaign at only $60 million for 2008.

This figure is down from $99 million for 2007 ... and is considerably less than President Bush’s request of $130 million for 2008. In fact, since 2002, the lobbying efforts of MPP and a host of other organizations have helped to achieve a 66% reduction in funding for the White House’s ad campaign.

The White House’s media campaign largely consists of absurd TV ads featuring teenagers committing violent crimes while under the influence of marijuana. In 2005, an independent assessment of the ads found that they not only fail to reduce teen marijuana use, but in some cases they actually increase teen marijuana use. But in late 2006 it came out that the drug czar’s office had buried the report for a year-and-a-half — while continuing to run the ads in question!

The bill also admonishes the drug czar — and his Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) — for travel for political purposes on the taxpayers’ dime. In the months before the November 2006 elections, the drug czar and his deputies traveled to 20 events to help vulnerable Republican members of Congress get re-elected — illegally spending taxpayer money to do so — including two trips to Nevada to oppose our ballot initiative to end marijuana prohibition entirely.

The bill chastens, “The Committees are aware of instigations of travel by ONDCP officials that may have occurred for political purposes and caution the Director and other high-ranking officials that travel should occur for official business reasons only, not for political gain ...”

Despite that delightful reproof of governmental prohibitionists, the bill unfortunately still includes language that prohibits the District of Columbia from implementing the medical marijuana initiative that voters approved with 69% of the vote in 1998.

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

51
gro4me on December 26, 2007 at 12:51 PM

The GOP is going down. A third party candidate to catch them as they fall away? And build a party to replace the defunct-dandies-in-rehab GOP. Now is a good time to plan and be ready with the alternative party. Lets help them out, in the sustainable peaceful direction that they should be heading. Or, by gum, some fascist freakazoid may appear and sweep them off their feet with xenophobic fear mongering war drumming.

They are in confusion and looking for help:
******

GOP voters decry stances on illegal immigration
By Susan Ferriss -

Pat Ricutti is a diehard Republican voter, but he laments what he's hearing from GOP presidential contenders about illegal immigration.

The Fresno fruit and grape farmer gave money to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani last February at a fundraiser. He said he won't be giving him or any other candidate a dime more at this point, though, until he starts hearing alternatives to calling for millions of illegal immigrants to be shipped off or pressured to leave voluntarily.

"We're what, the sixth or seventh largest economy in the world?" Ricutti said, referring to California. "Do they really know what it would be (like) to send all these people off? It will cause a major disruption in the American way of life."

Ricutti may be Republican, but he's also among tens of thousands of California business owners – farmers and landscapers, hotel and restaurant operators, nursing home managers and home builders – who hire immigrant laborers.

www.sacbee.com/111/story/591544.html

52
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 12:57 PM

I wrote this post on Christmas Eve and then sat on it for awhile. Though apostate now, I was raised in the Christian tradition and found myself reluctant to publish such uncharitable thoughts on Christmas Day.


"...those who would lead mankind backwards into the gloomy corridors of a new Dark Age whose shadows are made deeper and more sinister in the harsh light of a perverted science." Winston Churchill, referring to Hitler and the Nazis. (This quote is from memory, and might not be accurate. I have not been able to find it exactly replicated on the internet even after several searches.)

What if the Chinese were putting lead in the paint on toys deliberately, in the hopes of "dumbing-down" coming generations of Americans? What if it weren't really the Chinese at all, but the international venture capitalists (the Neo-Cons) who have, according to some reports, virtually taken over Chinese manufacturing? How's that for a conspiricy theory? American democracy, which depends on the intelligence of the American people is the strongest remaining bulwark against the absolute tyranny of the rich. Are they too moral to pursue such a plan? Some historians speculate that the fall of European Rome was the result of widespread lead-poisoning from their pottery glazes. Greeks supplied the pottery, and the Byzantine Greeks remained a super-power throughout the middle ages until Turkish gunpowder brought down their walls in 1462(?). To this day, Greeks celebrate by smashing unglazed dishes. Is such speculation the road to madness for us, or to salvation?

"What Song the Syrens sang, or what name Achilles assumed when he hid himself among women, though puzling Questions are not beyond all conjecture." Sir Thomas Browne, HYDRIOTAPHIA, Ch.5

53
radlib on December 26, 2007 at 01:12 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 12:33 PM

gf, good people are everywhere, and there's no place like home, but IMHO, Texas is a focal point of the world's fury with this disasterous administration.

When Jr ridiculed a condemned prisoner's plea for mercy and executed her, Texans should have taken him out of office and saved the world from this insanity and carnage that he delivered it. He executed minors and retarded people too, didn't he? People question what the heck is up in Texas, why this heartless terrorism of the poor. People with money obviously get to buy their way out of this nasty system, right?

54
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 01:16 PM

New Jersey’s banning of the death penalty is a breath of fresh air for humanity.As a 21 year old college student, I tried hard to figure out how such a cruel and primitive form of punishment is reconcilable with our ever modernizing civilization. My conclusion, not unlike New Jersey’s, was that it is indeed not. Oppenents might bash what is essentially a symbolic step, considering NJ hasn’t executed a prisoner in decades, but they are bogged down on a instrument of justice that is no longer feasable for most of the civilized world. That is why the federal government should follow suit with NJ, and completely ban executions. Then we might finally be able to put this horrific, out-dated, and ineffective measure to rest.

55
Mohammad on December 26, 2007 at 01:24 PM

Good Afternoon, ALL! I hope everyone had a nice Holiday. It's truly a demonstration of the pathology of the trolls that they will sit here all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day just flinging out juvenile insults into the ether at no particular target, and spend all day and night trying to one up each other with the latest "butt" and "poo" comments directed at people who aren't even on line. It's sad and sick that they have no family or friends with which to spend the Yule time,but I can only assume that they brought that situation on themselves.

goodfoe, what I think Dawn was getting at was referring back to a post a few years ago where someone likened TX 'soil' to kitty litter because it's mostly dry clay and red dirt.

As for the number of executions going down over the past several years that can be explained in 2 words. Bush Family. Chimpy and Jebbie were having a contest to see how many people they could off and now that neither can pull the switch the deaths have declined.

56
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 01:28 PM

Rome's Coliseum to be lit up for UN death penalty freeze

2 days ago

ROME (AFP) — Rome's historic Coliseum, where thousands of Christians were put to death during the Roman Empire, will be lit on Christmas evening to celebrate a death penalty freeze voted by the UN General Assembly.

"The Coliseum will be lit up at 1700 (1600 GMT) on this day to stress the moral and civic value of this historic decision taken by the UN on December 18 and strongly backed by Italy," a statement from the Rome mayor's office said.

This UN non-binding resolution, in view to a total abolition of the death penalty proposed by Italy and sponsored by 87 member states, was adopted by the General Assembly with a vote of 104, with 54 against and 29 abstentions.
******

It could be seen from space. And the people on Mars said: "WTF was that? They're slaughtering each other right and left from overpopulation pressures and they can't even find the presumption to play God?

57
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 01:55 PM

Bush Administration Proposes $10 Billion Christmas Present From Joe Taxpayer to Big Oil

The Bush Administration proposed a change to Interior Department leasing rules today that would massively expand the volumes of oil that companies could produce without having to pay any royalties to the federal government for the privilege of drilling on public land. The Bush Administration's own estimates are that taxpayers could lose up to $10.3 billion over the next 26 years as a result of this rule change.
President Bush repeatedly issued veto threats targeting any bill that would have re-invested funds from oil and gas in clean energy technologies, arguing that the subsidies - which were created at a time when oil was less than $20/barrel - were still necessary to promote domestic production - despite the fact that oil now trades close to $100/barrel, providing strong market incentives to prospect for new oil sources.

So Chimpy tried to slip one in under the radar on Christmas Eve when nobody was looking? Typical of that punk.

58
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 02:06 PM

Posted by TomN on December 26, 2007 at 01:16 PM
That is absolutely correct Tom, and when Karla Faye Tucker was executed, I was one of George Bush's harshest critics. It was a brutal and inhumane thing to do. As far as taking Bush out of office, nothing short of armed insurrection could have done that. With the money and spin machine of Karl Rove, we lost! You addressed the issue in a polite, reasonable way. You did not refer to my state as "A nasty kitty littered strewn state" and I thank you for that.I don't know how many people visit this blog from Texas. I suspect it is very few. But it would only take one influential one to send the comment about " Nasty kitty littered state"to the Houston Chronicle and get it reprinted to irritate a lot of moderate and independent voters. We are trying to elect Democrats here and besides that, I just plain didn't like the lowness of it or the meanness of it. It is no way justifiable.

59
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:11 PM

So Chimpy tried to slip one in under the radar on Christmas Eve when nobody was looking? Typical of that punk.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 02:06 PM
====================================================

There is no end to Chimpenfurher's treachery. This is without a doubt not only the worst president in history but the most disgusting person to ever serve in office. Thank goodness the subhuman Chimp is gone soon.

60
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:17 PM

Posted by TomN on December 26, 2007 at 01:16 PM

The American Judicial System is the best that money can buy.

61
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 02:18 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:17 PM

"Chimpenfuhrer"? Bwwwaaahahahahahahahaha! ROFLMAO! 12.8 months and counting....

62
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 02:21 PM

Good afternoon all.

63
peaceman on December 26, 2007 at 02:25 PM

CNN: Bush legacy a "mixed bag"
by Chris in Paris

Is political success the same as a legacy?

http://www.americablog.com/2007/12/cnn-bush-legacy-mixed-bag.html
==================================================

Have you noticed how the right wing nuts in the media have been frantically spinning Chimp's legacy?

Let me make it simple for them:

1) He is the worst President in history.
2) He is a despicable human being - a liar, a cheat, a boor and a petulant child.
3) He has managed to be dreadful at absolutely everything from the economy to foreign policy.
4) He has shown his disdain for the American public with the terrible response to Katrina.
5) He ignored the will of the American people by escalating an occupation when he knew damn well that people wanted an exit strategy.

Get it straight right wing idiots- there is nothing to admire in George W. Bush. He is black spot on American history. It will take decades to reverse the damage he caused.

64
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:25 PM

"Chimpenfuhrer"? Bwwwaaahahahahahahahaha! ROFLMAO! 12.8 months and counting....

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 02:21 PM
====================================================
Bob, somehow it fits him ... To be honest, I picked it up from a friend ... had me rolling on the floor laughing as well.

Yup, one more year to go of this Bush nonsense.

65
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:28 PM

The Clinton campaign announced Wednesday that a labor steering committee member for Barack Obama was now backing Hillary Clinton in Iowa, the latest skirmish in a battle between the two Democratic rivals over supporters who have decided to switch sides.

In a statement released by the Clinton campaign, Bob McFadden of Muscatine County said he made the jump because “Hillary Clinton won’t just talk the talk – she cares about the issues important to all of us and will work to change the direction of our country.”

The two candidates have been highlighting turncoat supporters for the past few weeks. The Obama campaign had a hit two weeks ago with a much-viewed Web video of Susan Klopfer, a former Clinton volunteer in Iowa who switched her allegiance to the Illinois senator. Shortly afterwards, the Clinton campaign released its own Web video featuring several Iowa Democrats who’d supported other candidates, including Obama, but were now behind the New York senator.

The Democratic race in Iowa has been too close to call in most recent polls, with three candidates – Clinton, Obama, and John Edwards – in a dead heat for first place, although one survey released over the holidays seemed to show Clinton breaking away from her presidential rivals.

66
peaceman on December 26, 2007 at 02:31 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 12:33 PM
I would say that is your right and opinion.

I have no loyalty to any state. That's ludicrous.

I'm sorry goodfoe, I do hate Texas. That's my opinion. I've traveled MOST of the states and that's just my own personal thought. I don't hate all the people stuck there. I did say that. Please don't be so touchy. It's only a piece of land (that happens to suck) unless you own an oil well.


67
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:37 PM

Military family members share public's division on Iraq war, Bush
Polls: Almost half say invasion was a mistake

By Gregg Zoroya
USA TODAY

Close family members of U.S. troops are split on whether the Iraq invasion was a mistake, and 55% disapprove of President Bush's job performance, according to USA TODAY/Gallup Polls focusing on immediate relatives of servicemembers.

"They've maxed out on the troops. You've got guys who are over there on their fourth or fifth tours. It's ridiculous," says Jeanette Knowles, 40, of Mountain Home, Idaho, whose brother, Jeff, served a tour in Iraq with the Oregon National Guard.

Knowles, who calls herself a Democratic-leaning moderate, says her disapproval of Bush stems from his handling of the war.

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071226/1a_bottomstrip26.art.htm
================================================

Let's face it. No matter where you started out on Iraq, at this point most people have gotten tired of it. The money that is being spent is criminal. That is money we need to grow our economy into new industries, fix up our ailing health care system and patch up our infrastructure. We simply can't continue to float more debt. The amount of interest we are paying out right now is too high.

I don't want to hear anymore about how "wonderful the surge is" or what a genius Petraeus is. He may be a competent General but so what, it isn't going to wind this occupation down now is it? Even Ryan Crocker admits that we seem to have replaced one set of problems with another. Now, we may the issues of what too do with these Sunni militias and we have the problem of Turkey bombing Kurdistan. What we need to concentrate on is reconciliation with the goal of removing the vast majority of American troops from Iraq AND no permanent bases.

68
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:38 PM

although one survey released over the holidays seemed to show Clinton breaking away from her presidential rivals.

Posted by peaceman on December 26, 2007 at 02:31 PM
===================================================

That poll appears to be an outlier. The polling company has consistently shown larger than normal leads for Clinton.

Go Edwards (sorry for the plug!)

69
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:41 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:25 PM
I agree, RJ,...totally!....later....

70
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:41 PM

btw

I hated TX long before there was as GWDouche in charge.

71
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:42 PM

and I also hate Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and a dozen other states. It's not personal. Unless you make it that way.

shame on YOU! :-P

72
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:45 PM

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish warplanes hit eight suspected Kurdish rebel hideouts in northern Iraq on Wednesday, the third cross-border air assault in 10 days, Turkey's military said.

The warplanes struck in an "effective pinpoint operation" targeting eight caves and other hideouts being used by the separatist rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, the military said in a statement posted on its Web site.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071226/turkey-kurds/

==================================================

Excuse me but at what point is the obnoxious Chimpenfurher going to say to Turkey that it's enough? So far they claim to be limiting it to PKK targets. What if they make a mistake and hit one of the large cities like Kirkuk and kill innocent civilians? It's time for Chimp brains and the United Nations to step up and tell Turkey to quit it.

73
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:45 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:25 PM
I agree, RJ,...totally!....later....

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:41 PM
===================================================

Hi goodfoe,

I think we'll have to get used to the right wing media spinning for the Bush legacy the next year. Clearly, they have alot to be ashamed of and therefore alot to try to bury.

74
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:47 PM

Congrats Sen. Clinton!! You GO GIRL!

Clinton gets nod from black leader

By SHANNON McCAFFREY, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 46 minutes ago

ATLANTA - Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton received another boost from a prominent black leader on Wednesday as the head of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators endorsed her candidacy.

Georgia state Rep. Calvin Smyre said the New York senator has "the strength and experience" to bring about needed change.

"Hillary is ready to lead this country on her first day in the White House, and her agenda to expand economic and educational opportunities for all Americans will be a welcome change from the last seven years of presidential neglect," Smyre said in a statement.

Clinton is locked in a battle for the black vote with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who is trying to become the nation's first black president. That fight is heated in Georgia where blacks have made up nearly half the vote in the state's recent Democratic primaries. Georgia's presidential primary is Feb. 5.

75
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:49 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Why don't you comment on that post too while you're at it Dawn?

76
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:50 PM

Connecting immigration and the mortgage crisis?
By: Steve Benen @ 11:00 AM - PST

There’s shameless right-wing pandering, and then there’s this level of shameless right-wing pandering.

Janice Easley’s fury over illegal immigration boiled over Saturday as she confronted Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson at the Music Man Square museum.

She said she recalled a film about Mexicans who wanted to take over California and New Mexico. Calling illegal immigrants a taxpayer burden, she wondered whether Americans could march in the streets of Mexico and demand welfare. When Iowans call up the power company, she said, “everything is in Spanish; it’s sickening.”

“You are so, so right,” Thompson responded. English should be the national language, he told the retiree, and immigrants bear some of the blame for the home-loan crisis. “A lot of them couldn’t communicate with the people they were getting the mortgage from,” he said.

I’ve seen the Republican field link immigration to national security (terrorist will sneak across the Mexican border), and link immigration to the culture war (Roe v. Wade allegedly made immigration necessary), but linking immigration to mortgages and sub-prime loans? That’s a new one.
=================================================

Freddy Cheeseball! What a total loser. I am almost hoping he is the GOP's candidate. He would be very easy to beat.

77
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:52 PM

now don´t ya´ll git yer jets a goin caus I´s a born this way. a real liv mountn mama. We´s a littl on the wierd side.

78
Ladydavvn on December 26, 2007 at 02:53 PM
79
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 02:53 PM

I don't hate all the people stuck there. I did say that. Please don't be so touchy. It's only a piece of land (that happens to suck) unless you own an oil well.


Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:37 PM
So, now Texas sucks!...You don't know when to quit Dawn..as far as me being touchy, why don't you put a sock in that big mouth of yours?

80
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:55 PM

Ministers say they didn't endorse Obama

By SEANNA ADCOX, Associated Press Writer 27 minutes ago

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Two black South Carolina ministers listed by Barack Obama's campaign as endorsing his White House bid say they did no such thing, and at least two others affirmed their support only after being contacted by campaign workers when questions were raised about their endorsements.

Earlier this month, Obama's campaign released a list of what it said were nearly 130 senior pastors in South Carolina endorsing his run for the Democratic nomination. But when contacted by The Associated Press, several ministers said they have yet to decide who will get their vote and were unclear how they ended up on the Illinois senator's list.

"I really haven't decided to endorse him yet. I was thinking about it," said the Rev. Clifford Gaymon of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in rural Clarendon County.

---------

ugh huh.

81
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:56 PM

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 02:53 PM
=================================================

Simpy unbelievable story. There has never been a government like this one and hopefully there never will be again. The complete lack of respect for decorum, tradition, constitutional separation of powers is appalling.

82
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 02:57 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:55 PM

what the hell makes you think your opinion is any more important than mine?

get over it.

it's a free blog for dems. I'd never tell you to shut the fk up like you just did me but what the hell.........

83
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:58 PM

I´m on your side goodfoe, she´s gone way over the limit.

84
Ladydavvn on December 26, 2007 at 03:00 PM

and I also hate Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and a dozen other states. It's not personal. Unless you make it that way.

shame on YOU! :-P

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 02:45 PM
I guess you don't mind losing votes in those states either....keep it up!

85
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 03:03 PM

Posted by Ladydavvn on December 26, 2007 at 03:00 PM

I guess the moderators are OFF today. u must be really hard up.

86
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:03 PM

Clean up on 5! clean up on 5! dawnie didn´t get her meds!

87
Ladydavvn on December 26, 2007 at 03:04 PM

Posted by Ladydavvn on December 26, 2007 at 03:00 PM

I guess the moderators are OFF today. u must be really hard up.

88
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:04 PM

look at the wierd shit your posting

89
Ladydavvn on December 26, 2007 at 03:05 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 03:03 PM

I think I will. Keep it up. Since YOU think I'm UP to something other than stating a fact of MY own opinion for decades!!!

Go ahead and tell me to shut up again.
Maybe bring your gun with you.
Threaten me perhaps?

lmao like I control anyone's vote? NOT.

90
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:07 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 02:11 PM
I notice that you didn't bother to comment on that post of mine. Tom expressed his opinion in a responsible way and I respect him for that. You did not.
You,re right about one thing Dawn, you do have a lot of hate in you for a lot of places and people. Too bad!

91
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 03:12 PM

Dawnie, you have absolutly no right to go off on goodfoe like that. you are wrong,wrong,wrong. SHUT UP dawnie.

92
Ladydavvn on December 26, 2007 at 03:12 PM

Operation Condor - South America's Gladio...

Italy is demanding the arrest of 140 members of Operation Condor, which was a secret assassination team created by six governments in South America during the 1970s. These neo-fascists, right wing terrorists targeted left leaning opponents of the military dictatorships in South America as well as peace activists and even religious leaders who dare question the torture tactics of the various governments. Condor was put together in order to make sure that no one got out alive. If a target escaped one country, they would be hunted down in any of the remaining five should they go there. Here is the basic summary of the news out of Italy:
****

Milton Friedman's economic plan was forcefully implemented into these countries with the help of Kissinger and banks and businesses -that made a killing. What good is an economic experiment that relies on the repression of civil liberties, torture, and murder to gain its ends?

The legal trappings are now in place in the US for just such an economic transformation if any crisis should occur to justify a martial law declaration and roundup of undesirables.

www.counterpunch.org/lendman12172007.html

93
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 03:14 PM
(AFP) - The leader of the world's Anglicans slammed "human greed" in his Christmas sermon, saying it threatened the Earth's fragile environmental balance. Doctor Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, told worshippers at Canterbury Cathedral in south-east England, that humanity needed to protect the world created by God.

People should treat each other and nature with "reverence", the Church of England leader said.

"More and more (is) clearly required of us as we grow in awareness of how fragile is the balance of species and environments in the world and just how our greed distorts it.

"When we threaten the balance of things, we don't just put our material survival at risk; more profoundly we put our spiritual sensitivity at risk -- the possibility of being opened up to endless wonder by the world around us." ...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071225124807.xf6rxoak&show_article=1

My compliments to the Most Reverend Archbishop of Cantebury for his thoughtful and insightful Christmas remarks. If you get time, click on the comments links and look at what the conservatives had to say and on Christmas Day no less.

94
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 03:14 PM

Hey, there's nothing wrong with "Pride of Place". I like Austin and San Antonio. Houston is a mess of hodge podge development due to there being no zoning laws. Other than the entire State being a pollen factory I don't mind it. it could be worse. It could be Indiana (JUST KIDDING!).

95
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 03:15 PM

lmao like I control anyone's vote? NOT.

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:07 PM
==================================================

Dawn and goodfoe, I been to Texas several times. and it's not that bad. It's all a matter of taste what states you like and don't.

So, I humbly suggest - let's lighten up gang ... after all it's the holidays. No sense starting a "civil war" over a state just because of where Chimpy hangs his pointy hat.

96
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 03:16 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 03:12 PM

I rarely comment on every post
I see you have a troll friend?

I was NOT talking to you initially "notso" goodfoe.
YOU drew me into this ......... I had no memory you lived in TX.

It's an O P I N I O N why do you care?

They are like A holes. Everyone (including apparently YOU) have one!!!

97
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:16 PM

dpd

Indiana also SUCKS!

I never said you can't have pride. I don't care what anyone else feels or does. I was only voicing my freedom of expression like MOST of you do here.

There are some CRAP states and there are some GREAT states. And MOST states are a little of both. SO What?

98
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:19 PM

My compliments to the Most Reverend Archbishop of Cantebury for his thoughtful and insightful Christmas remarks. If you get time, click on the comments links and look at what the conservatives had to say and on Christmas Day no less.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 03:14 PM
===================================================
Bob, the ArchBishop's comments were very good. The conservatives comments on this story once again show their painful ignorance.

99
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 03:22 PM

It's all a matter of taste

exactly Jersey.

100
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:23 PM

I think I will. Keep it up. Since YOU think I'm UP to something other than stating a fact of MY own opinion for decades!!!

Go ahead and tell me to shut up again.
Maybe bring your gun with you.
Threaten me perhaps?

lmao like I control anyone's vote? NOT.

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:07 PM
You are not even worth responding to now Dawn. I hope you find some peace and happiness in your life. I will not respond to you again, so have at it! You don't demean me or the state of Texas with you comments, you only demean yourself.

101
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 03:25 PM

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 03:25 PM

finally

102
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:28 PM

Bob,

You got in the last licks on that one. Good comment.

I worry about the pathology in some of these right wing churches. There is an element of violence and hatred in them that doesn't belong in religion. I suspected for a long time that some of the pastors in these churches are aligned with "skin heads" and "white supremists". They seem to have taken up their bigotry and hatred. There was a good artcle in The Nation on this point. I'll post the link if I can find it again.

103
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 03:29 PM

afternoon Dems.

I just don't get it. WHY do we hear all this bitching from Repugs about paying taxes that help fund social programs, YET you NEVER hear them complain or write their Congressmen about $555 Billion worth of taxes to pay for this illegal Occupation ! They would not even notice any social programs, SS or Medicare if they did not have to pay for this shit!

CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush, still voicing concern about special project spending by Congress, signed a $555 billion bill Wednesday that funds the Iraq war well into 2008 and keeps government agencies running through next September

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071226/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

104
PamB on December 26, 2007 at 03:30 PM

$555 Billion worth of taxes to pay for this illegal Occupation !
==================================================
Hi PamB,these idiots just don't see "defense" as a government program. Of course, it is a program especially when it involves research and development of new weapon systems. It's a disease amongst right wingers ... they can only fund destruction and gripe about anything that is constructive.

105
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 03:35 PM

Poll: Bush, Hillary Clinton most admired

WASHINGTON (AP)They're the odd couple again: George Bush and Hillary Clinton, the most admired man and woman in America.

Though they stand on opposite sides of a political divide, the Republican president and the Democratic senator from New York are sharing the honor for a sixth straight year, according to a USA Today-Gallup poll.

They didn't win by much. Oprah Winfrey and Clinton's husband, former president Bill, were right behind.

When people were asked to name the man they most admire, 10 percent picked Bush, his lowest figure in the seven years he has been president. Bill Clinton got 8 percent — within the poll's margin of sampling error — while Nobel Prize winner and former Vice President Al Gore had 6 percent and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a presidential hopeful, was chosen by 5 percent.

Whoever is president has won the most-admired title every year since 1981.

Sen. Clinton, hoping to be president-elect by the time of the next poll, was named by 18 percent as the most-admired woman, the 12th time she's been in the top spot. Talk show host Winfrey came in a close second with 16 percent. First lady Laura Bush and actress Angelina Jolie were each selected by 3 percent.

106
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 03:45 PM

Progressives, To Arms!Forget about Bush—and the middle ground.
By Paul Krugman
Posted Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, at 7:53 AM ET

Here's a thought for progressives: Bush isn't the problem. And the next president should not try to be the anti-Bush.

No, I haven't lost my mind. I'm not saying that we should look kindly on the Worst President Ever; we'll all breathe a sigh of relief when he leaves office 405 days, 2 hours, and 46 minutes from now. (Yes, a friend gave me one of those Bush countdown clocks.) Nor am I suggesting that we should forgive and forget; I very much hope that the next president will open the records and let the full story of the Bush era's outrages be told.

But Bush will soon be gone. What progressives should be focused on now is taking on the political movement that brought Bush to power. In short, what we need right now isn't Bush bashing—what we need is partisanship.

http://www.slate.com/id/2180178

107
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 03:52 PM

Run Amok

Spencer Ackerman has more from the motherload that his FOIA request to the State Department has yielded.

Today, it's an internal September 2007 State Department report on how bad the department's own accounting practices are in Afghanistan, where $28.4 million in U.S. government property issued to contractors Dyncorp and Blackwater cannot be accounted for.

--David Kurtz

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/062008.php

108
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:01 PM
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Roundworms may infect close to a quarter of inner city black children, tapeworms are the leading cause of seizures among U.S. Hispanics and other parasitic diseases associated with poor countries are also affecting Americans, a U.S. expert said on Tuesday.

Recent studies show many of the poorest Americans living in the United States carry some of the same parasitic infections that affect the poor in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, said Dr. Peter Hotez, a tropical disease expert at George Washington University and editor-in-chief of the Public Library of Science journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Writing in the journal, Hotez said these parasitic infections had been ignored by most health experts in the United States.

“I feel strongly that this is such an important health issue and yet because it only affects the poor it has been ignored,” Hotez said via e-mail.

He said the United States spent hundreds of millions of dollars to defend against bio-terrorism threats like anthrax or smallpox or avian flu, which were more a theoretical concern than a real threat at present.

“And yet we have a devastating parasitic disease burden among the American poor, right under our nose,” Hotez said...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22398067/

Worms? In the United States of America? Outrageous! This is the 21st century for God's sake. This is uncalled for. This is not some third-world banana republic.

109
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 04:03 PM

This is unbelievable. Has there ever been a more corrupt government than this so-called conservative one? Conservatism breeds corruption:

Blackwater's 2004 Iraq Contract with State: A 'Pyramid' Scheme
By Spencer Ackerman - December 24, 2007, 2:17PM

More goodies from our Blackwater FOIA: the security company employed such creative accounting methods that it charged the State Department from the profit it made off its 2004-edition Iraq contract.

A January 2005 audit performed for State's inspector general discovered several of Blackwater's accounting irregularities. But how the company accounted for its profit is perhaps the most impressive. Blackwater hid its profits within its "dedicated overhead" -- that is, the expenses it incurred in the cost of fulfilling its contractual obligations. Here's what happened:

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004975.php

110
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:03 PM

Good afternoon, all.

Who in the hell is this nitwit?

Ed Henry is a CNN White House correspondent.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It's the best of times, it's the worst of times -- a tale of two legacies as President Bush prepares to ring in the final year of his presidency...

It's the best of times?

I nominate this man as the worst journalist of all time. Not only has he ripped off the words of a distinguished author who would have been horrified to have his words used to describe the worst United States president in history, he's also taking a huge liberty with the truth.

America is on its knees and going down for the last count and this guy says it could possibly be the best of times...for who and in what parallel universe?

We deserve better than this from our fourth estate. It sounds more like the fourth branch of the federal government speaking to me.

111
SandyH on December 26, 2007 at 04:04 PM

This is the 21st century for God's sake. This is uncalled for. This is not some third-world banana republic.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 04:03 PM
==================================================

Bob, it shouldn't be happening. This is a failure of conservatism. Bush is merely the crowning achievement of a failed philosophy. It's time to ho in a new direction - a progressive revolution. Are we ready?

112
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:06 PM

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 04:03 PM The true cost of Bush's war for occupation for oil, greed, and to enrich his cronies is probably already well past the trillion dollar mark if all expenditures were honestly accounted for. What that money could have done to help the American People is only and will be only speculation because the money is gone. Bush does not care one bit about the American people, he only cares for his own interest and his own kind.

113
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 04:13 PM

Posted by SandyH on December 26, 2007 at 04:04 PM

Sandy it is the best of times, for the richest 2%, that is. Tax cuts, offshore tax shelters, cheap labor by outsourcing, defense industry stocks through the roof; it's been a very good year for the rich.

114
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 04:15 PM

I have been listening to FDR's speeches of late. They are truly amazing. The man was a giant. Here is a link to his Madison Square Garden speech:

http://millercenter.virginia.edu/scripps/digitalarchive/speechDetail/24

Full transcripts can also be found. FDR knew the powerful would fight reform every step of the way. I hope our next Democratic President understands that. Nothing gets done in Washington, DC without a fight.

115
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:15 PM

(goodfoe, and Dawn, watch this)

Hey, DooBee,

Would you give us your regarded opinion on California, and even Californians, if you please?

116
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 04:19 PM

American Research Group Does Iowa Again

12/25/07

Here are how the past two Iowa polls by American Research Group has stacked up.

Hillary Clinton appears to be rolling in the Democratic race. Not only has she jumped 5% but it has been at the expense of Obama who has dropped 6%.

It looks like the "lacking experience" blitz against Obama is working... well either that or this is just a statistical blimp in the polling radar but no matter what you think or where your allegiance lies, Clinton is holding a 14% lead in this poll and that is very major.

Democratic Candidate

IA 12/20-12/23 - 12/16-12/19
Hillary Clinton 34% 29%
Barack Obama 19% 25%
John Edwards 20% 18%
Joe Biden 8% 8%
Bill Richardson 5% 7%
Chris Dodd 2% 3%
Dennis Kucinich 2% 2%
Other(vol.) 10% 8%
Details

117
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:20 PM

Posted by TomN on December 26, 2007 at 04:19 PM

oo, oo, ask me, ask me! ;-) (kiddin)

118
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:21 PM

It looks like the "lacking experience" blitz against Obama is working... well either that or this is just a statistical blimp in the polling radar but no matter what you think or where your allegiance lies, Clinton is holding a 14% lead in this poll and that is very major.
===================================================

Dawn, the problem with what you are saying is that Clinton has always held a double digit lead in this poll even when other polls showed her losing. It appears to be an outlier.

I think the race is very close. It will depend on turnout.

119
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:26 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:26 PM

I'm not saying it. That website is.

I have no idea who is gonna win Iowa, NH or SC but I'm pretty sure Hillary will win the rest. Again, jmo.

120
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:29 PM

By the way, not to be cynical but we may as well start thinking about this. Exactly, what experience does Hillary Clinton have? Seems to me that she has a bit more in the Senate than Obama but Obama actually has more combined with his state legislator experience. When Hillary Clinton counts her experience I sure hope she doesn't her years as First Lady. That just would not be right and the GOP will punch all sorts of holes in that argument.

In full disclosure, I am still an Edwards supporter. His experience is also somewhat limited. If experience really was the main criteria, Richardson would be the hands down choice. Just saying ... no disrespect to Clinton supporters.

121
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:31 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:31 PM

I don't care really which of the top 3 win at this point. I'm just posting the facts. Or supposed facts.

I've always thought it bizarre that she was so far ahead ......... but I'm not a conspiracy type person either. Sometimes the facts are just the facts.

Not much longer until we know for sure. I just wonder how many here will leave the party if HILLARY is the candidate? Cutting of their nose to spite their face. Real smart!

122
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:34 PM

cutting OFF not of

123
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:35 PM

I'm not saying it. That website is.
===================================================
Dawn, I know that. We'll see how it goes. I make no predictions at all. I really do think Iowa will turn on who can get their vote out.

124
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:36 PM

Jersey

what's the forecast (weather wise) for 1/3? and then 1/9?

125
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:38 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:31 PM
I believe that judgment,intelligence, and internal core values are far more important than experience.I'm an Edwards supporter also, although I believe that any of the top three will do a great job. Any of ours is better than the best of theirs.

126
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 04:38 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:26 PM

RJ, the way I see it is that Sen. Clinton (D-NY) has to win either IA or NH or she's toast. If Sen. Obama (D-IL) wins IA or NH, he could very well be on his way like Sen. Kerry (D-MA) in 2004. Former Sen. Edwards (D-NC) has to win IA to remain viable. That leaves the VP slot open to either Gov. Richardson (D-NM) or Sen. Biden (D-DE) unless, of course, one of those two pull off a shocker with a second or third place showing in IA or NH.

Now, having said all of that, here is my unofficial prognostication for the 2008 election.

Obama/Richardson vs. McCain/Huckabee
52% vs. 46% (2% for the third party candidates)
320 Electoral votes vs. 215

127
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 04:39 PM

The immigrants are going to dance on repub's forked tongues till they are frickeen flaming. It's their death knell issue. (rj, don't you go getting into negative realism here, it's the thought that counts. And staying with the untenable position of hiding the crooks and liars has to be dismaying.) Keep em on the run.

# 13 Immigrant Roundups to Gain Cheap Labor for US Corporate Giants
****
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) flooded Mexico with cheap subsidized US agricultural products that displaced millions of Mexican farmers. Between 2000 and 2005, Mexico lost 900,000 rural jobs and 700,000 industrial jobs, resulting in deep unemployment throughout the country. Desperate poverty has forced millions of Mexican workers north in order to feed their families.
The National Campesino Front estimates that two million farmers have been displaced by NAFTA, in many cases related to the increase in US imports. In 1994, the first year of the agreement, the United States exported $4.59 billion of agricultural products to Mexico, according to the Department of Agriculture. By 2006 the figure had risen to $9.85 billion—an increase of 114 percent. US exports of corn, Mexico’s staple crop and largest source of rural employment, alone doubled to over $2.5 billion in 2006.
This combination of unemployment in Mexico, the huge gap between salaries in the United States and Mexico, and US demand for cheap labor to compete on global markets has created the current situation. The demand for undocumented labor in the US economy is structural. It is not just a few companies seeking to cut corners. These are not just jobs that “US workers won’t take.” Migrants work in nearly all low-paying occupations and have become essential to the US economy in the age of global competition.
www.projectcensored.org/censored_2008/index.htm

128
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 04:40 PM

I've always thought it bizarre that she was so far ahead ......... but I'm not a conspiracy type person either. Sometimes the facts are just the facts.
===================================================
Dawn, polls are funny sometimes. I remember seeing ones in 2006 that constantly showed Kean Junior with leads on Menendez almost up to the last day. When the smoke cleared Menendez won by over 10%! I think sometimes it's a matter of who they ask or how they go about asking questions.

I sure hope no one drops out because of who is ultimately our candidate. That would indeed be silly. I am just being open minded and thinking ahead to the sort of criticisms I think we'll get from the GOP. No matter who wings they will be targeted one way or the other. I think we need to develop clear answers ahead of time.

129
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:40 PM

what's the forecast (weather wise) for 1/3? and then 1/9?

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:38 PM
==================================================

Dawn, looks like 1/3 will be mostly sunny with high of 32 degrees (low 21). 1/9 is a bit too far down the road for the 10 day forecast I have access to.

130
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:44 PM

Thurs, 1/3
predicted SUNNY and 29 in Davenport


no predictions that I could find for NH weather as far out as the 9th.

131
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:46 PM

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 04:39 PM
==================================================
Bob, I can't find much fault with what you are saying. Though, I am still refraining from predictions at this point.

132
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:47 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:44 PM

jinx, lol

Bob - If Obama wins the slot, he'll need more MILITARY experience than Richardson has to offer imo. Why not Biden? Or don't they get along?

I have no clue.

I, like Jersey, make no predictions of the first 3 states...... but the rest are Hillary's to lose. imo.

133
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:49 PM

rj, don't you go getting into negative realism here, it's the thought that counts. And staying with the untenable position of hiding the crooks and liars has to be dismaying.
===================================================

TomN, I agree that the Republicans are finished and for many reasons. They sure have not made inroads with Latinos and Asians in recent years!

134
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:51 PM

For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years of despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent.

-- FDR --
=================================================

Sound familar? It's the reign of the Chimpenfurher!

135
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 04:56 PM

Posted by SandyH on December 26, 2007 at 04:04 PM

Sandy, he was being somewhat of a bulldog lately, so he was slapped in the snout with a rolled up Constitution and made to heel. (Instead, he turned into a heel in order to maintain "access").

Bush gives CNN the Helen Thomas treatment.

So much for the "fighting Fourth Estate". They are too easily intimidated.

136
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 04:56 PM

Jersey,
maybe it's just around here but,

I've noticed both on line and around here that MOST of the Italians I know LOVE BUSH!!

I don't get it.

but you are right I don't know ONE Latino, Black, Asian (except Malkin) or Native American that like BUSH. Granted I don't know a LOT of Native Americans (at this point) but I do have many other minority friends and NONE support W.

137
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:57 PM

Posted by TomN on December 26, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Excellent post Tom...thank you,...I don't know enough about this other tan the results as you post them are much as I had guessed. As I understand it, the Republicans pushed this through and Bill Clinton signed off on it. Is this factual? I thought the purpose was to create jobs in Mexico. What went wrong?

138
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 04:58 PM

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 04:49 PM

Gov. Richardson (D-NM) has been running for VP all along. He has the credentials to make a fine VP for what some will believe is an inexperienced "President" Obama. Furthermore, with Richardson on the ticket, if we win, it will galvanize the latino vote for us for decades to come. GEN Wesley Clark is an excellent choice as well for VP, IMHO.

139
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:00 PM

So here's my idea for immigration and border security.

Instead of building up the infrastructure of Iraq (which seems to have a tendency to spontaneous combustion anyway and will require constant mending), build up the infrastructure and economy of Mexico!

Let us help to make Mexico such a nice place to live and work, that the immigrants will just naturally head back.

The US did help in displacing these workers what with NAFTA, and we do lure them Northward with job offers.

No more permanent class of underpeople. Give US your huddled masses backwards.

(We don't know who our friends and foes are in the MIddle East but by taking their resources by force we kinda can guess. We need to get the hell out of their territory and the deadly business of fighting for the world-destroying fuel.)

140
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 05:02 PM

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:00 PM

I agree about Clark but he's supporting the CLINTONS of course. I don't think he'd switch sides after being so vocal for Hillary. Same with Joe Wilson. HE'd be a great VP, imo. And after the great job JIM WEBB did over the holiday, he may have a shot too!!

141
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 05:02 PM

Ok bbl

I'm gonna see what tweety is churping about

Peace

142
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 05:04 PM

Posted by TomN on December 26, 2007 at 04:19 PM

I was only there for a conference / meeting work related snooze fest the week Noxious resigned. Like the song says, "L.A. is a great big freeway" :)

I'm planning MAYBE to go to SF / Oakland this Summer. I really want to see more of the State. The PCH was nice, Marina Del Ray was nice, Santa Monica Pier was O.K. (expensive meal not worth the price, but I didn't expect any different from a tourist trap).

143
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 05:05 PM

I've noticed both on line and around here that MOST of the Italians I know LOVE BUSH!!
===================================================
Dawn, trust me there are many Italians who think Chimpy is no different than Mussolini. You'll find Italians are either fairly conservative or very liberal. It's like that it Italy as well.

144
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:05 PM

IMHO.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:00 PM

Choice VP's, amen, Humble Hawk.

145
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 05:08 PM

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 05:02 PM

I think Sen. Webb (D-VA) gets his shot in 2012 as a VP or 2016 as a POTUS candidate. GEN Clark is like Gov. Richardson, IMHO. Whomever gets the nomination will call these two for the short list. Both will show for the interview.

146
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:08 PM

let those who complain that the democratic congress has accomplished little be mindful of the small and tender mercies such as this:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate was called to order for 11 seconds on Wednesday as the last political scuffle of the year between the White House and the Democratic-led Congress played out.

Nearly all the senators left the Capitol for the Christmas holiday last week, but Democrats are keeping the Senate in session to block President Bush from making any recess appointments -- a constitutional mechanism that allows the president, during congressional recesses, to fill top government posts for up to one year without Senate confirmation.

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Virginia, opened and then immediately gaveled the Senate session to a close. He spent 57 seconds in the chamber.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, announced December 19 that he would keep the Senate open with a series of "pro forma" sessions through mid-January.

Talks had just broken down with the White House on a deal that would have allowed the president to make dozens of those appointments if he agreed not to appoint one controversial official, Steven Bradbury, as the permanent head of the influential Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department...

...so bush stays pig headed and is confined to his pig pen as he should be on the holidays.

147
gregg on December 26, 2007 at 05:10 PM

GEN Wesley Clark is an excellent choice as well for VP, IMHO.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:00 PM
==================================================
Or for Defense Secretary!

148
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:12 PM

goodfoe,

I don't know much, but what I've read is that farm subsidies and free trade have ruined much of the developing world's agriculture business, and it has cost them those jobs and the security of that industry.

149
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 05:12 PM

I'm planning MAYBE to go to SF / Oakland this Summer
===================================================
SF is terrific! I been in the Bay Area alot.

150
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:17 PM

what I've read is that farm subsidies and free trade have ruined much of the developing world's agriculture business
===================================================

That is exactly what was the cause of unrest in Venezuela that ultimately led to Chavez winning the Presidency. Quite a few Latin American countries are fed up with the so-called "Washington concensus" on trade. I strongly recommend articles by Willian Grieder in The Nation if you want to get a feel for the issues.

I suppose many people didn't really get what the WTO protests in Seattle (and other places) were all about. This is the essense of the issues.

151
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:20 PM

Posted by TomN on December 26, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Thanks for the response, Tom.

152
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 05:21 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:12 PM

With Sen. Biden (D-DE) at State, Amb. Wilson at the UN, and Robert Reich at the Treasury Dept., we have the beginnings of a stellar cabinet.

153
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:22 PM

With Sen. Biden (D-DE) at State, Amb. Wilson at the UN, and Robert Reich at the Treasury Dept., we have the beginnings of a stellar cabinet.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:22 PM
===================================================
Good picks Bob. Now could Krugman be convinced to serve on the economic council ...

154
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:25 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Thanks rj, a case of "unintended consequences"?....

155
goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 05:27 PM

Thanks rj, a case of "unintended consequences"?....

Posted by goodfoe on December 26, 2007 at 05:27 PM
====================================================
goodfoe, they sure didn't count on Chavez or a backlash in Latin America against globalization.

The goal of the globalists is to privatize everything including water. In many cases the way they drive farmers off their land is by making water very expensive.

156
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:35 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:17 PM

It all depends on what the baseball schedule looks like. (I get an advanced copy in late Jan / early Feb. The dates are set, but the times and broadcast rights aren't worked out at that time.) I'm trying to do 2 stadiums at a time. 2007 ALMOST got me a 3-fer, Philly / Baltimore / D.C., but that didn't work out, so it was an all Philly trip.

I'm thinking Giants /A's, KC / St.L., or Oriols / Nationals for this year.

STILL, out of ALL the Major League parks I've been to, the Twins DO have the BEST HOT DOGS!

Detroit knocked themselves out of First Place when the Tiggers moved to the new park. The dogs at Comerica SUCK!

157
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 05:35 PM

Tonight I call the roll-the roll of honor of those who stood with us in 1932 and still stand with us today.

Written on it are the names of millions who never had a chance-men at starvation wages, women in sweatshops, children at looms.

Written on it are the names of those who despaired, young men and young women for whom opportunity had become a will-o'-the-wisp.

Written on it are the names of farmers whose acres yielded only bitterness, business men whose books were portents of disaster, home owners who were faced with eviction, frugal citizens whose savings were insecure.

Written there in large letters are the names of countless other Americans of all parties and all faiths, Americans who had eyes to see and hearts to understand, whose consciences were burdened because too many of their fellows were burdened, who looked on these things four years ago and said, "This can be changed. We will change it."

We still lead that army in 1936. They stood with us then because in 1932 they believed. They stand with us today because in 1936 they know. And with them stand millions of new recruits who have come to know.

Their hopes have become our record.

We have not come this far without a struggle and I assure you we cannot go further without a struggle.

-- FDR at Madison Square Garden in 1936 --

Gawd, this man was amazing.

158
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:37 PM

Detroit knocked themselves out of First Place when the Tiggers moved to the new park. The dogs at Comerica SUCK!

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 05:35 PM
===================================================
Philly and Baltimore have really nice stadiums. I never been to the DC stadium (in Virginia isn't it?).

Been to Oakland ... not bad.
Been to SF ... pretty nice.

I sure wish I could brag on Yankee stadium but it's become a bit too costly. Yet, if you were never there it great to see just because of the history. Same goes for Fenway. Shea stadium where Mets play is a bit too run down.

That about exhausts all the stadiums I been in. So, you appear to be trying to get to "all of them"? That's cool.

159
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:42 PM

My goal is to have a hot dog at EVERY Major League park. I even had to do repeats (CLE, DET, MIL, etc.), because they keep tearing them down and puting up new ones; so it will be a never ending quest. I'm saving NYY and NYM along with Cooperstown for LAST.

160
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 05:47 PM

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:25 PM

Better yet, give him the Federal Reserve slot when Bernake's term expires.

161
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:50 PM

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 05:05 PM

DooBee, you are a good sport. I trust you know my address was well-intentioned.

Maybe a visit to NorCal will improve your estimate of CA. Perhaps not.

162
TomN on December 26, 2007 at 05:51 PM

Good night fellow Democrats. Keep the Faith and keep the faith. The liberal revolution is now...

163
BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:56 PM

rjsnj the Nats are getting a new stadium. It is in DC, about a mile south of Capital. It is scheduled to be ready for this upcoming season.

164
Jonah on December 26, 2007 at 05:57 PM

It is in DC, about a mile south of Capital. It is scheduled to be ready for this upcoming season.

Posted by Jonah on December 26, 2007 at 05:57 PM
===================================================
Jonah, I didn't know that - thx!

165
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 06:01 PM

Who knows, Tom. The last time I was in CA, a corrupt President resigned. Maybe I should go to L.A. this week?

BBIAB

:)

166
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 06:02 PM

Better yet, give him the Federal Reserve slot when Bernake's term expires.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 26, 2007 at 05:50 PM
==================================================
Maybe ... I am not sure Krugman is a monetarist though. It would certainly be different to have someone as Fed chief who isn't principally an economic monetarist (using interest rates and money supply to control an economy). That's why head of the economic council came to mind.

167
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 06:04 PM

I'm saving NYY and NYM along with Cooperstown for LAST.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 05:47 PM
==================================================

Ahhh. A new Yankee stadium is in the works - very close to the old one. I have no idea when it's suppose to be done. Shea Stadium really could use the work but I don't think the team has the finances.

168
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 06:07 PM

Later ...

169
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 06:08 PM

posted by TomN on 26 Dec at 4:40P
I've been saying that all along. That the Mexicans coming north are economic refugees, and NAFTA was responsible for it.
The Republicans are using the flood of economic refugees as a boogey man to scare people into ignoring more important issues, and the real reason our economy and the Mexican economy are in such bad shape.
The Republican hate lies are not just affecting Mexican and Central American immigrants, but Puerto Rican, Native Americans, and native born persons on Latino descent in Southwestern states. There a lot of people who are catching hate because they "look" Mexican, even though they are native born US citizens. Some of them have been busted by immigration in the South east and hassled because they fit the stereotype.
We just had some teen stomp a homeless veteran to death in Missoula. He was a native born Californian, a Latino, and a Navy veteran.
The sad thing is that a lot of Democrats seem to have fallen for the lies too.
BTW: A "right to work state" is another term for a "right to starve with full-time job" state. I know I used to live and work in one.

170
Butte on December 26, 2007 at 06:08 PM

Hello Dem's
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I certainly did. My daughter gave me two wonderful books, Living History and The Conscious of a Liberal.
I have to say I'm half way thru Living History. I don't know ifit is such a good idea to read this book during the election.
I just get so mad at the press and the reptiles for trying to destroy one of our greatest Presidents.What they did to Hillary should be illegal and worth some jail time.
I only hope she wins and I'm 125% for her to win and then win the big one. Just as the DesMoines Register said, "she has prepared her whole life to be the first women President". If she wins, she will no doubt be one of the greatest we've ever had.
Its difficult and was before reading the news today to watch the likes of mathews, Russett, but now its almost unbearable.
Politics isn't just a dirty business, it a business that alot of the time, in my opinion is criminal.
I cannot see how with the filthy pukes and the press we are ever going to run this country to move ahead. The last 4 or 5 Presidents carcusses are littering the promenade to the Whitehouse. When will the American people going to step up and say NO and NO MORE will we allow the other party (which ever that may be) to so disrespect those that are trying to work to make this country better to be masacred in the news.
This so paralyses the President and his advisors that is it any wonder nothing gets done.
Obama is kidding himself if he thinks he has enough experience to even begin to handle incoming. I know Hillary does and maybe Edwards(mainly because of his experience as a personal injury lawyer).
Well, onward towards Iowa and New Hampshire and hoping and praying the best woman wins!!!

171
connfloyd on December 26, 2007 at 06:15 PM

If you don't mind me jumping in mid-conversation on the hot dogs I have two suggestions if you don't mind minor league stadiums;

Rochester, NY (Red Wings) - Red and White Hots, beef and pork hot dogs are the staple up there and quite good last time I had them

NYC - Coney Island Cyclones - get your Nathan's hot dogs. The stadium is a must visit if you are checking out the Mets and Yankees stadium. Right on the beach and boardwalk in Coney Island and down the street from the famous Nathan's hot dogs. While you are at it check out the Staten Island Yankees' stadium. The outfield frames the Manhattan financial district on the horizon. And you get to take the ferry (for free) right to the stadium.

172
Jonah on December 26, 2007 at 06:16 PM

Jonah, upstate NY's best hot dogs are either White Eagle or Hoffmann's.

173
Cyn_NY on December 26, 2007 at 06:46 PM

That middle ground doesn't exist—and if Democrats try to find it, they'll squander a huge opportunity. Right now, the stars are aligned for a major change in America's direction. If the Democrats play nice, that opportunity may soon be gone.

By Paul Krugman
Posted Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, at 7:53 AM ET

www.slate.com/id/2180178

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 03:52 PM

-- FDR at Madison Square Garden in 1936 --

Gawd, this man was amazing.

Posted by rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 05:37 PM

rj,

You pulled together two of the most compelling reasons why we need a return to our roots as a party. Forget about a political middle America that never really existed unless you come from Arkansas and had a lot of charm.

Americans want change not a return to to a strategy that led us to the end of medical insurance benefits, a pre-emptive atack on Iraq, and the outsourcing of our jobs and assets to Asia...and the shame of Enron, Abu Graibe, and Katrina.

There is only one way forward and that is to take the left fork in the road and pick up where FDR left off. America as a beacon of freedom and justice and the land of opportunity cannot survive without this change in course. And the majority wants it back badly.

If our party doesn't reach out and embrace its destiny; it will die. Something else will rise to take it's place. We cannot be afraid of success when we are so close to it.


174
SandyH on December 26, 2007 at 07:10 PM

Subprime fiasco fallout - everyone suing everyone
by Chris in Paris · 12/26/2007 04:45:00 PM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: Comments (59) · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

Wouldn't it have been easier if "leaders" bothered to provide some reasonable ground rules? Obviously when people want to push the limits, they're going to find a way to do what they want to do. However, I reject the arguments that claim we could not have done anything and that "the market" will ultimately solve such excesses. Perhaps, but at what cost?

Our leaders both at the Fed and in Congress could have minimized the fallout but they all were too busy playing Republican financial experiments with our financial system. Just like the Republican societal experiments with supposed safe sex (abstinence programs), I wish they would just experiment amongst themselves and leave everyone else out of their little games.

A few examples of the lawsuits, after the jump.

http://www.americablog.com/2007/12/subprime-fiasco-fallout-everyone-suing.html

175
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 07:17 PM

There is only one way forward and that is to take the left fork in the road and pick up where FDR left off. America as a beacon of freedom and justice and the land of opportunity cannot survive without this change in course. And the majority wants it back badly.
===================================================
Hi Sandy,

I am in awe of FDR's speeches. The people that say that FDR is not relevant are totally wrong. If you modernize the set of problems he talked about in the 1930's just a bit, you will find parallels to today's America - home foreclosure, job insecurity and a weak to non-existent social safety net.

We need bold action just as FDR urged. He wasn't afraid to take on the powers that be. That's what we need from our next President.

176
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 07:23 PM

So...ENDING this topic... (It ain't the grub, it's the Norman Rockwell experience. Baseball and a Hot Dog, Major League level. I just choose to equate the experience of the whole thing with the game, the experience, the Stadium etc., but the ONE thing I rate is the DOG! I check whatever care they take with THE American game and THE American snack at said game.). The West Michigan Whitecaps had a good one as did the Chattanooga Lookouts , who also have the coolest logo of ANY team; BUT...

O.K., MY (personal) goal is to keep a score card while watching a HOME GAME at EVERY Major League Ballpark and rate the dogs and the Park. I am a scorecard maestro, it's just the dogs that need to be sampled all over the Country.

No offense, Jonah, ("Pride of Place" AGAIN--and all of that) but Nathan's opened a SLEW of "Soggy Sausage Stands" in Chicago with the self proclaimed boast of "We'll show them what a hot dog really is".

They shut down ALL of their Mushy Meat Marts in about 8 months.

They really don't know what they are doing, and if not for the morbid curiosity of wondering if someone will choke to death on the FOURTH OF JULY, there really isn't much interest in NY dogs anywhere outside of NYC.

177
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 07:31 PM

Bob Cesca
The Most Inappropriate Bush War Smirk of 2007

Given 2008's inevitably ramped-up analysis of the Bush Legacy by the very serious traditional media, there's one aspect of the president which, staggeringly though not surprisingly, won't be covered. In fact, it's never been covered to my knowledge. The traditional media has never really challenged the president on his grotesquely inappropriate reactions to serious issues -- especially Iraq.

His uncomfortably ridiculous smirks and smiles illustrate his inadequacies as a leader: his fugacious attitude; his vacant stature; and, most strikingly, his apparent inability to grasp the reality of his decisions. It's all right there on the screen -- underlined by those tiny baby teeth.

So as a reminder to the traditional media, I'd like to present the Most Inappropriate Bush War Smirk of 2007. But first, some runners up

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-most-inappropriate-bu_b_78357.html?view=print
================================================

Smirky the Chimp is most absymal President in history.

178
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 07:32 PM

the world has been rigged by decades of shitty leadership by republicans and yes to some extent by bill clinton up for corporations to get what they want. they operate without borders but countries can't. the hard part if we win back the white house will be to pressure our democratic government to take back control of the world from the corporations and return it to the people. in concrete terms i am talking about regulating things like interest rates and mortgages and environmental impacts from a perspective of what is good for the people of this country and the world instead of what is good for corporate bottom lines. for too long we have been told that the interests of the masses of people and of corporate profit margins are the same and THEY ARE MOST DEFINITELY NOT!!

179
gregg on December 26, 2007 at 07:37 PM

I am listening to an analyst now talking about experience. Can someone explain to me how Hillary Clinton has so much more experience than Obama? She has one full term+ in the Senate. Obama has around 4 years. But, Obama has several terms as a State Senator in Illinois. So, why does HRC have more experience? It doesn't add up to me as much of an advantage if any advantage at all.

180
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 07:42 PM

And Corporations ARE NOT to be afforded the same Rights as PEOPLE!

The Cigna MURDER BY SPREADSHEET proves that. The CEO should get the chair.

That is the ONLY way these bastards will snap out of their "greed is good at all cost" Randian bubble.

Same with illegal immigrants. LIFE n prison for any CEO who allows less than minimum wage workers to toil for the bottom line for cheap wages.

(Hey, trolls, agriculture has a separate wage scale, you friendless freaks).

Leftover day.

YUMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm...

BBL

181
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 07:48 PM

for too long we have been told that the interests of the masses of people and of corporate profit margins are the same and THEY ARE MOST DEFINITELY NOT!!

Posted by gregg on December 26, 2007 at 07:37 PM
===================================================

gregg, I agree. Isn't it funny that the Republicans in FDR's era use to say things like the business of america is business. They haven't changed much. We need a President that is willing to take them on. Not to ruin them mind you but reign them in so the world is livable again.

182
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 07:49 PM

Later ...

183
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 07:54 PM

if experience were the criteria for who our candidate would be either biden or richardson would be the pick.

we need someone with experience and with the steel nerves it will take to begin to bring corporate greed to heal. one thing working in the favor of such a person is that as this countries dominance of the world economy wains...and wain it will this is not a wish of mine but a simple fact re: china, europe, russia, etc.... american corporations are going to be less independent of the needs of the american people and more eager to protect and please their markets here.

184
gregg on December 26, 2007 at 07:59 PM

ah, the crypts are opening and the trolls are rising up....eeekkkkk!

185
gregg on December 26, 2007 at 08:40 PM

this is VERY LONG but worth perusing - gregg

12/26/2007
Former Clinton Administration Officials Supporting Senator Clinton*
1. Madeleine K. Albright - Secretary of State

2. J. Brady Anderson - Administrator, USAID

3. Christopher Ashby - Ambassador to Uruguay

4. Ronald D. Asmus - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs

5. Harriet C. Babbitt - Administrator, USAID

6. Elizabeth Frawley Bagley - Ambassador to Portugal

7. Lt. Gen. Joseph Ballard, Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers

8. John P. Barker - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Controls

9. Judith Barnett - Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East and North Africa, Department of Commerce

10. Charlene Barshefsky - U.S. Trade Representative

11. Daniel Benjamin - Director for Transnational Threats, NSC

12. James Blanchard - Ambassador to Canada

13. Susan Braden - Director for Central and Eastern Europe, NSC

14. Karen Brooks - Director for Asian Affairs, NSC

15. Amy L. Bondurant - Ambassador to the OECD

16. Edward P. Brynn - Ambassador to Ghana

17. Louis Caldera - Secretary of the Army

18. Kurt Campbell - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia and the Pacific

19. Ashton Carter - Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy

20. Barry Carter - Deputy Under Secretary for Export Administration, Commerce Department

21. Sheila Cheston - General Counsel, Department of the Air Force

22. Timothy Chorba - Ambassador to Singapore

23. Edward Chow, Jr. - Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Veterans Affairs

24. Warren Christopher - Secretary of State

25. General Wesley Clark - Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO

26. PJ Crowley - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Public Affairs, NSC

27. Daniel Cruise - Director of Public Affairs, NSC

28. John Dalton - Secretary of the Navy

29. William Danvers - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Legislative Affairs, NSC

30. Rudy de Leon - Deputy Secretary of Defense

31. Thomas E. Donilon - Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State, and Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs

32. John Douglass - Assistant Secretary of the Navy

33. Tyler Drumheller - Europe Division Chief, Directorate of Operations, CIA

34. Robin Chandler Duke - Ambassador to Norway

35. Laura Efros - Director, International Economic Affairs, NSC

36. Robert J. Einhorn - Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation

37. Stuart Eizenstat - Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

38. Lee Feinstein - Principal Deputy Director, Policy Planning Staff, State Department

39. Daniel Feldman - Director of Multilateral and Humanitarian Affairs, NSC

40. Thomas Foley - Ambassador to Japan

41. Richard Fredericks - Ambassador to Switzerland

42. Edward E. Gabriel - Ambassador to Morocco

43. Peter Galbraith - Ambassador to Croatia

44. Suzy George - Deputy Chief of Staff, State Department

45. Gordon Giffin - Ambassador to Canada

46. Marc C. Ginsberg - Ambassador to Morocco

47. Hershel Gober - Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs

48. Matthew Gobush - Deputy Spokesman, NSC

49. Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon - Ambassador to Chile

50. David L. Goldwyn - Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs

51. Ernie Green - Chair, African Development Foundation

52. Maria Haley - Board Director, Export-Import Bank of the United States

53. Nina Hachigian - Special Assistant to the Deputy National Security Advisor

54. Morton H. Halperin - Director, Policy Planning Staff, State Department

55. Ruth Harkin - President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation

56. Anthony S. Harrington - Ambassador to Brazil

57. Richard C. Holbrooke - Permanent Representative to the United Nations

58. Stephen Honigman - General Counsel of the Navy

59. Donna Hrinak - Ambassador to Venezuela

60. Swanee G. Hunt - Ambassador to Austria

61. Robert Hunter - Ambassador to NATO

62. Karl F. Inderfurth - Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs

63. Lionel Johnson - Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Development

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=4918
64. James R. Jones - Ambassador to Mexico

65. Robert Jones - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense

66. Jan Kalicki - Counselor to Department of Commerce

67. Paul G. Kaminski - Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology

68. Mickey Kantor - Secretary of Commerce

69. Mary Lou Keener - Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

70. Lt. Gen. Donald Kerrick, Deputy National Security Advisor

71. John Kornblum - Ambassador to Germany

72. Franklin D. Kramer - Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs

73. Bob Kyle - Associate Director for National Security and International Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget

74. Philip Lader - Ambassador to United Kingdom

75. Vinca LaFleur - Special Assistant to the President and Director for Speechwriting, NSC

76. Carol Lancaster - Deputy Administrator, USAID

77. Luis Lauredo - Ambassador to the Organization of American States

78. David Leavy - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Public Affairs, NSC

79. Jonathan Levitsky - Counselor to the Permanent Representative, USUN

80. Kenneth Lieberthal - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs, NSC

81. Evelyn S. Lieberman - Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs

82. Theresa Loar - Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues, State Department

83. James Lyons - Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Economic Initiatives in Ireland and Northern Ireland

84. Alphonso Maldon - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management and Personnel

85. Charles T. Manatt - Ambassador to Dominican Republic

86. Michelle Manatt - Director of Legislative Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy

87. Mack McLarty - Special Envoy for the Americas

88. Tom McDonald - Ambassador to Zimbabwe

89. Gerald McGowen - Ambassador to Portugal

90. Mark Medish -Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs, NSC

91. Johanna Mendelson-Forman - Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau for Humanitarian Response, USAID

92. William Green Miller -

93. Judith Miller - General Counsel, Department of Defense

94. Walter F. Mondale - Ambassador to Japan

95. Richard L. Morningstar - Ambassador to European Union

96. George Munoz - President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation

97. Marc Nathanson - Chairman, Broadcasting Board of Governors

98. Joseph Nye - Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs

99. David Ohrenstein - Senior Advisor, Export-Import Bank

100. Paul Orzulak - Director for Speechwriting, NSC

101. Joseph Paolino - Ambassador to Malta

102. Hugh Palmer - Assistant Administrator, Food and Humanitarian Assistance, USAID

103. Robert Perreault - Director, Medical Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

104. William J. Perry - Secretary of Defense

105. Jan Piercy - Executive Director, World Bank

106. Jack Pritchard - Senior Director for Asian Affairs, NSC

107. Joseph Reeder - Secretary of the Army

108. Anne Richard - Director, Office of Resources, Plans and Policy, State Department

109. Steve Ricchetti - Deputy Chief of Staff, White House

110. Kirk Robertson - Executive Vice President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation

111. Lula Rodriguez - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs

112. Peter F. Romero - Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs

113. James C. Rosapepe - Ambassador to Romania

114. Tom Rosshirt - Director for Speechwriting, NSC

115. Stanley O. Roth - Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

116. David Rothkopf - Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade

117. James P. Rubin - Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs

118. Mara Rudman - Deputy National Security Advisor

119. Peter Rundlet - Associate Counsel to the President; Counsel, 9/11 Commission

120. Richard Schifter - Special Assistant to the President and Counselor, NSC

121. Cynthia P. Schneider - Ambassador to Netherlands

122. Arthur L. Schechter - Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

123. Jill Schuker - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Public Affairs, NSC

124. Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak, Jr., Director, Defense Policy, NSC

125. Stephen Sestanovich - Ambassador-at-large and Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for the New Independent States

126. General John M. Shalikashvili - Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

127. John Shattuck - Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Rights and Labor

128. Derek Shearer - Ambassador to Finland

129. Wendy R. Sherman - Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State, and North Korea Policy Coordinator

130. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia

131. Susan Shirk - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

132. Elaine K. Shocas - Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State

133. Terry Shumaker - Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago

134. Thomas L. Siebert - Ambassador to Sweden

135. Steven Simon - Senior Director for Transnational Threats, NSC

136. Jeffrey Smith - General Counsel, CIA

137. Gene Sperling - Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director, National Economic Council; Leading expert on global education

138. Daniel L. Spiegel - U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva

139. Carl Spielvogel - Ambassador to the Slovak Republic

140. Joan E. Spero - Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs

141. Paula Stern - Chairwoman, U.S. International Trade Commission

142. Todd D. Stern - Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary and Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury

143. Ambassador James Sweeney - Special Representative of the President for Arms Control and Nonproliferation

144. John Tedstrom - Director for Russian, Ukrainian, and Eurasian Affairs, NSC

145. Laura Tyson - Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director, National Economic Council

146. Arturo Valenzuela - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Inter-American Affairs, NSC

147. Vanessa Weaver - Governing Member of the Board, Export-Import Bank

148. Toni G. Verstandig - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs

149. Melanne Verveer - Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady

150. William Wechsler - Director for Transnational Threats, NSC

151. Togo D. West, Jr. - Secretary of Veterans Affairs

152. Andrew S. Weiss - Director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian affairs, NSC

153. Maureen White - U.S. Representative to UNICEF

154. Ted Widmer - Director for Speechwriting, NSC

155. Sheila Widnall - Secretary of the Air Force

156. Doug Wilson - Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs

157. Joseph C. Wilson - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, NSC

158. Jonathan Winer - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Law Enforcement

159. Jon Wolfsthal - Special Policy Advisor to the Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Department of Energy

160. Lee Wolosky - Director for Transnational Threats, NSC

* Denotes Positions held during Clinton Administration

Other Foreign Policy Experts Supporting Senator Clinton

161. William Drozdiak - American Council on Germany

162. F. Gregory Gause - University of Vermont

163. F. Stephen Larrabee - National Security Analyst

164. Michael Levi - Council on Foreign Relations

165. Eric Lohr - American University

166. Vali Nasr - Naval Post Graduate School

167. Trevor Nielson - The Global Business Coalition on HIV/ADIS

168. Shannon O'Neil - Council on Foreign Relations

169. Diane Orentlicher - Washington College of Law, American University

170. Orville Schell - University of California, Berkeley

171. Stephen Schlesinger - New York University

172. Julia Sweig - Council on Foreign Relations

173. Ray Takeyh - Council on Foreign Relations

Additional Flag Officers Supporting Senator Clinton

174. General Johnnie Wilson

175. Lt. General Joe Ballard

176. Lt. Gen. Robert Gard

177. Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy

178. Lt. Gen. Frederick Vollrath

179. Major General Roger Blunt

180. Major General George Buskirk, Jr.

181. Major General Edward L. Correa, Jr.

182. Major General Paul Eaton

183. Major General Paul D. Monroe, Jr.

184. Brigadier General Michael Dunn

185. Brigadier General Belisario Flores

186. Brigadier General Evelyn "Pat" Foote

187. Brigadier General Keith H. Kerr

188. Brigadier General Virgil Richard

189. Brigadier General Preston Taylor

190. Brigadier General Jack Yeager

191. Rear Admiral Connie Mariano

192. Rear Admiral David Stone

193. Rear Admiral Alan Steinman

Congressional Advisors on Foreign Policy and National Security

House Foreign Affairs Committee

194. Rep. Lantos (CA) - Chairman

195. Rep. Ackerman (NY)

196. Rep. Crowley (NY)

197. Rep. Engel (NY)

198. Rep. Hinojosa (TX)

199. Rep. Meeks (NY)

200. Rep. Scott (GA)

201. Rep. Sherman (CA)

202. Rep. Sires (NJ)

203. Rep. Watson (CA)

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

204. Sen. Menendez (NJ)

House Armed Services

205. Rep. Andrews (NJ)

206. Rep. Gillibrand (NY)

207. Rep. Meek (FL)

208. Rep. Snyder (AR)

209. Rep. Tauscher (CA)

Senate Armed Services Committee

210. Sen. Bayh (IA)

211. Sen. Pryor (AR)

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

212. Rep. Hastings (FL) - Vice Chairman

213. Rep. Boswell (IA)

214. Rep. Ruppersberger (MD)

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

215. Sen. Feinstein (CA)

216. Sen. Mikulski (MD)

217. Sen. Whitehouse (RI)

House Committee on Homeland Security

218. Rep. Christian-Christensen (VI)

219. Rep. Clarke (NY)

220. Rep. Cuellar (TX)

221. Rep. Harman (CA)

222. Rep. Jackson Lee (TX)

223. Rep. Langevin (RI)

224. Rep. Pascrell, Jr. (NJ)

House Appropriation Subcommittee on Homeland Security

225. Rep. Roybal-Allard (CA)

226. Rep. Serrano (NY)

House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign, and Related Operations

227. Rep. Lowey (NY) - Chairwoman

228. Rep. Israel (NY)

Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee

229. Sen. Inouye (HI) - Chairman

House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs

230. Rep. Maloney (NY)

231. Rep. Lynch (MA)

232. Rep. Higgins (NY)

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=4918

186
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 08:41 PM

Posted by Dan5 on December 26, 2007 at 08:41 PM

yea you forgot that HILLARY is up there as NUMBER one female MOST ADMIRED! Convenient you would leave her out.

187
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 08:45 PM

dan you douchebag you left out some info:

Bush, Sen. Clinton top 'most admired' list

President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate Sen Hillary Rodham Clinton again top Gallup's annual list of "most admired" men and women, the pollsters just announced.

As Gallup Poll editor in chief (and Gallup Guru blogger) Frank Newport says in the video we've attached below, U.S. presidents typically come in first in this yearly rite (done this year as part of the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll).

Bush's support this year, though -- he was the choice of 10% of 1,011 Americans polled -- was the lowest since he took office and just 2 percentage points above the No. 2 choice, former president Bill Clinton. Bush peaked at 39% in December 2001. Last year he was at 13%.

Sen. Clinton has been No. 1 on the list of most admired women since December 2002 (first lady Laura Bush was the top choice in 2001). This year, the senator was the choice of 18% -- her highest rating since December 2000 but just barely above entertainer Oprah Winfrey.

188
gregg on December 26, 2007 at 08:47 PM

Posted by Dan5 on December 26, 2007 at 08:44 PM

what are you slow???? her HUSBAND was the HO!

Are you just stupid or trying to pretend you are cute???

189
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 08:47 PM

FDR rocks!
The business of America is taking care of our fellow Americans.
Corporations are NOT people.
People are MORE important than corporations!
We almost went down the tubes during the Great Depression! We are sliding on down the drain now!
We need someone who will stand up to corporate greed, draw the line, and make it stick!
We need a president who will kick butt and take names!
We need to get out of the 1920s and 30s and into the 21st century!
One Great Depression was more than enough!

190
Butte on December 26, 2007 at 08:48 PM

dawn, whichever democrat gets the nod gets my vote, my financial support and lots of phone banking...at least 2,000 calls and i am very, very good at it.

now that the trolls have come up from the muck i will leave for a bit and see if the tube has anything to offer of interest.

191
gregg on December 26, 2007 at 08:49 PM

Posted by gregg on December 26, 2007 at 08:47 PM

exactly

Thank you for posting the link gregg
I didn't have it right at the ready.


192
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 08:50 PM

Posted by gregg on December 26, 2007 at 08:49 PM

wow GREGG you rock the phones!!

Thats a LOAD of calls!! Talk about a neck cramp. LOL

193
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 08:52 PM

gregg

I turned on Keith when I got home from my daughters earlier and he was running some Year End ODD BALL special which bores me usually so I came back in here.

Maybe Abrams will be better.

194
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 08:54 PM

Bush, Sen. Clinton top 'most admired' list

No, once AGAIN YOU "selectively edited" something. At least it wasn't a LTE this time that you claim to be "reported" by a newspaper. The USA Today Poll for rating ANYONE in the World. I wonder how many times Brittany Spears received votes? The site even states that people MUST be "over 13, so apparently "likely" voters is out the window.

Oh well, lame attempt as usual.

195
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 09:07 PM

Gotta go. Crazy Pie Lady has a "crisis".

196
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 09:08 PM

Posted by Dan5 on December 26, 2007 at 08:58 PM

The DOPE is wafting from YOUR direction TROLL

197
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:09 PM

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 09:08 PM

LOL - cya

198
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:11 PM

ok, I just found this and to be fair I am posting the other candidates supporters!!

Sen. Barack Obama
(D-Ill.) (30)

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)
Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.)
Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.)
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.)
Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.)
Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.)
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.)
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.)
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)
Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.)
Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.)
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.)
Del. Eni Faleomavaega (D-A.S.)
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)
Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.)
Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.)
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.)
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.)
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)
Rep. David Loebsack (D-Iowa)
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.)
Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.)
Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.)
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.)
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.)
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.)

Former Sen. John Edwards
(D-N.C.) (16)

Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa)
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.)
Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.)
Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-S.D.)
Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas)
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas)
Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.)
Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine)
Rep. Brad Miller (D-N.C.)
Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.)
Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.)
Rep. David Price (D-N.C.)
Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.)
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.)
Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
(D) (7)

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.)
Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas)
Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas)
Rep. Ed Pastor (D-Ariz.)
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas)
Rep. Tom Udall (D-N.M.)

Sen. Chris Dodd
(D-Conn.) (10)

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.)
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.)
Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.)
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.)
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.)
Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.)

Sen. Joe Biden
(D-Del.) (1) (I can't believe he doesn't have more supporters)

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.)

199
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:39 PM

fyi on that list

Hillary's is longer than both Romney and McCain put together!! LMAO!!!

200
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:46 PM

Perhaps all you leaning towards Hillary should read and consider this?

...Just the FACTS, Ma'am. ;-p

201
KA-Boom on December 26, 2007 at 09:49 PM

Bush definitely wins the award as the most obnoxious disgusting Chimp ever (with plenty of help of his GOP Chimp friends):

Key moments in modern American history, The Bush Years
by Chris in Paris · 12/26/2007 07:42:00 PM ET ·

The year 2000 delivered many new possibilities to friends of the GOP. A full food trough was just sitting there and many were puzzled, not quite sure what to do.

After the jump, a happy bunch who understood the full potential of a permanent GOP majority.

Mmmmmm, Iraq...oil, reconstruction contracts and security forces. Yummmmm. Post Katrina rebuilding. Delicious. Tax cuts for the richest Americans and send the bill to the middle class. You have what? No regulations for financial markets? Great! Just keep dishing out favors to millionaire farmers and throw in a splash of a dismantled consumer protection and we'll be set, for now.

http://www.americablog.com/2007/12/key-moments-in-modern-american-history.html

202
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 09:57 PM

Posted by KA-Boom on December 26, 2007 at 09:49 PM

perhaps that BOOK you just posted will be perused by me at a later date. Most of it I've heard. The rest has been broadcast by many already and the rest I will read later.

whom ever you are - fake name and all

I rarely read things posted by those I don't know but I did look up Parry and he seems ok (for now).

I'm sure DPD will know more about him than I have read thus far.

Most of the scandals from that time have long since been written about by now. ANy thing else??? Time will tell. That goes for Obama, Edwards and the rest!

203
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:59 PM

What's Normal?

In all the talk about the housing market meltdown there seems to be this implicit belief that a "normal" housing market has significant annual price appreciation, if not quite as crazy as the past few years. So a return to normality is thought to be a return to rising prices. But it just isn't the case the home prices go up every year, and after past burst bubbles prices stayed flat for several years.

Home prices are going to fall to a level which makes sense if you aren't factoring in an expected x% appreciation every year. I try to avoid making too many predictions, but I don't think we're anywhere close to that level.
================================================

There are some very sharp drops. 10%+ in some areas ... Miami, Tampa, Detroit. The drop in prices has already been more severe than what we seen in 1990's. There is little to think it's over.

204
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 10:00 PM

All the Mayor's Men

Rudy Giuliani biographer Wayne Barrett introduces non-New Yorkers to Ed Norris, a Rudy confidante who was deputy commissioner of the NYPD and who apparently picked up Rudy's (and Bernie Kerik's) penchant for romancing on the public dime:

Norris, who was still at NYPD headquarters when the Judi Nathan adventure began in 1999, pled guilty to federal charges in 2004 that he had used a supplemental police fund in Baltimore as if it were his own ATM, "financing romantic encounters with several different women." The original indictment referred to eight women entertained by the police chief on the public tab, but that was later reduced to six. Prosecutors also claimed that the married Norris used the apartment of his chief of staff for workday liaisons that were called "naps," sometimes occurring several times a day. Within months of taking over as police commissioner, he billed an October 2000 stay with "female number one" at the Best Western Seaport in New York to the fund, according to the indictment. The estimated $20,000 in playtime billings included luxury hotels and gifts from Victoria's Secret, and his final plea included admitting to looting the funds and not paying taxes on the income.

Norris went on to become a much celebrated police chief in Baltimore and the head of the Maryland State Police before his federal conviction and six month prison sentence. He is now a talk radio host in Baltimore and a regular on HBO's The Wire.

================================================

So the Ghoul and his thugs have no problem spending taxpayer money as long as it benefits them. Typical conservatives.

205
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 10:04 PM

That's all for now ... later.

206
rjsnj on December 26, 2007 at 10:05 PM

perhaps that BOOK you just posted will be perused by me at a later date. Most of it I've heard. The rest has been broadcast by many already and the rest I will read later.

whom ever you are - fake name and all
Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:59 PM

Excuse me? I posted a link to an article.

And I don't know what your "fake name" remark is intended to mean, but that is MY handle here.

So, back off.

207
KA-Boom on December 26, 2007 at 10:07 PM

me too I'm out

enough w/politics for one day -

Peace

208
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:09 PM

what ever kaboom I've never seen you

that LINK you provided was to an article the size of an average BOOK (imo) and it was LOADED with opinion and innuendo.

I did scan most of it and it was nothing but some guys suppositions of things that may or may not have happened with people not named yet they "suggest" something might be UP!

COUGH BS!

l8tr

209
Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 10:12 PM

Oh, yes, you most certainly have see me, Ms. Dawn.

You even tried to credit several posts made by me a few weeks ago (lists of republikan corruptions)to some one else.

Thanks. A lot.

210
KA-Boom on December 26, 2007 at 10:20 PM

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 08:41 PM

And I get accused of posting BOOKS?

211
KA-Boom on December 26, 2007 at 10:22 PM

Sen. Joe Biden
(D-Del.) (1) (I can't believe he doesn't have more supporters)

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.)

Posted by Ladydawn on December 26, 2007 at 09:39 PM

Dawn,

You can add BobVA for one.

It doesn't really matter who endorses who. It's who come out to the Iowa caucus or bothers to vote in NH and SC...and maybe the next two or three primaries.

I and a growing number of voters would like to think our votes in the later primaries carried more weight. Just because the MSM says our votes are not as important doesn't make it so...to us.

It's lucky for the front runners that the Republicans pushed for electronic voting machines which make it so hard for people to write in candidates’ names. I have a feeling that with this election a lot of people might write in Biden, Richardson, or Clark if they were given a chance in the general.

Same thing for the GOP voter. I can see Newt, Pat Buchanan, or Ron Paul racking up just as many write-in votes in the general as their nominee without they're even campaigning.

I don't think the winners of this primary system are going to make anybody happy this year. The days of these front-loaded campaigns better be numbered or there is going to be a full-scale voter revolution at some point. The Electoral College needs to go as well.

Americans are showing strong signs of wanting a true democracy. They are getting sick of this two-party republic that is stacked against some of the better, less financially backed candidates.

No wonder we end up with idiots, liars, and the selfish leaders in the White House. Why are we allowing a small minority to run everything in this country including the political parties?

212
SandyH on December 26, 2007 at 10:24 PM

Instead, the Congress dropped into the bill nearly 9,800 earmarks that total more than $10 billion."

LOL. Bush is suddenly worried about $10 billions in earmarks when he's wasted nearly a trillion so far on Iraq? He spends that much a week on this freakin' occupation.

I sure hope someone is recording all these stupid remarks and will re-play them the week before the November election.

Bush has decreed that poor children will be deprived of life-saving medicine and Katrina victims can't have the money appropriated by Congress to rebuild their homes.

Yet for seven years he had no problem approving bridges to nowhere. Now he does? Republicans have no honor or integrity.

I love it that the hypocrisy is catching up with them. Let's make the Republicans running for Congress next fall explain the logic of their agenda.

Good night, all.

213
SandyH on December 26, 2007 at 10:41 PM

Posted by Dan5 on December 26, 2007 at 09:19 PM

Well listen up, ASSWIPE LIAR, the Headline IS THE FRIGGING LINK! What a FOOL.

214
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 11:27 PM

Newsweek Mason Dixon poll:

Do you think the enormous size of Hillary's ass disqualifies her from being President?

Disqualifies 88%

Doesn't disqualify 8%

No opinion or don't know. 4%

215
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 26, 2007 at 11:56 PM

Where is our evening open thread? Lazy bastards!

216
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 12:02 AM

Greetings Maoists, Leninites and Stalinitskies!!!

217
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 12:39 AM

I see that Dawnie is into Cannibalism, they way she tor into Goodfoe earlier. I don´t like NC or Florida myself.

218
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 12:44 AM

So telling that you want to recognize that:

On this date: In 1893 Chinese leader Mao Tse-tung was born in Hunan province.

It had to come out some time. I believe you are looking for the Web Site of the Anti-Freedom, Anti-Democracy, Pro-censorship, Pro-Torture, Pro-Arrest without warrant, Anti-American Party.

That Site Is Right HERE

219
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 12:47 AM

No DopeyD I´m at the right place. I´m just waiting for Dawnie to open up her own personal Gulag for the libs that dare to talk against her.

220
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 12:52 AM

Actually I think Texas is a pretty cool state.

221
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 01:05 AM

Hey Dan, stick around, maybe DopeyD will get in a fight with dawnie. catfight!!!

222
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 01:09 AM


GEE Dopey Asshat, YOU SELECTIVELY EDITED IT, you just posted the head line.

Danny the BLIND LIAR who doesn't know how to read. @ 9:19PM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well listen up, ASSWIPE LIAR, the Headline IS THE FRIGGING LINK! What a FOOL.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 26, 2007 at 11:27 PM

Sheesh, I'm surprised you can feed yourself. But, then again, I guess it doesn't take much brain power to warm a can of SPAM on a 1996 Ford F-150 engine block for "Christmas Dinner" with your imaginary "friends".

How pathetic of you trolls. 24 hours a day all day on the 23rd, all night into Christmas Eve and all day DURING Christmas Eve, then all through the night into Christmas and continuing into the 26th just spewing made up vile B.S. and flinging insults out at nobody in particular for 3 days running at a time when NORMAL people who DON'T suffer from mental illness are enjoying the company of family and friends.

You have none of those. No family, no friends and no normalcy.

You are borderline insane IMHO.

And just what good did you derive from your spew fest. After all of that what did you accomplish other than demonstrating just how pathetic your life really is?


223
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 01:24 AM

Yes, that one which YOU selectively edited to make it appear as something that it is not. That is called LYING. You didn't hot link it and some people would just look at the text and take it as being truthful. The people who know what a LIAR you are knew enough not to take anything you post as even mildly accurate. gregg and others also called you on your LYING BY OMISSION. (Which according to Jesus is still LYING.)

Lie your way out of THAT, LIAR.

224
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 01:37 AM
...just 36 percent of active-duty military, veterans, and their families believe “it was worth going to war in Iraq,”

Chimpy has even lost the Military. Rotsa Ruck, Pubic Party.

55 percent: Number of “close family members of U.S. troops” who “disapprove of President Bush’s job performance,”...

What a fool that Chimpy is.

225
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 01:49 AM

No he´s not, he manipulated the polls!!!! WWWWWWWaaa
WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on december 27,2007 at 01:56 AM

Another sore loser.

226
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 02:06 AM

In a poll of ALL people world wide open to people 13 years or older, yep. With a +/- of 3% which means some people had a NEGATIVE number. FOOL. That was ALSO an opinion piece.

They were statistically tied if you want to go there. The only "top" involved with the Chimp is named Gannon/Guckert. (

227
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:07 AM

Really like to LIE don't you. You know damn well I never made that post.

228
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:08 AM

And you forgot to capitalize the D in "december" thus PROVING what a LIAR you are.

229
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:10 AM

Posted by Dan5 on December 27, 2007 at 02:11 AM

DopeyD is going through a phase of mental stress. With the winter weather, he can´t wander out on the sidewalks with his giant box of Crayola Crayons, scribbling childish pictures and hoping for a handout to suppliment his taxmoney financed welfare income.

230
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 02:19 AM

Posted by Dan5 on December 27, 2007 at 02:22 AM

he is the "versital" type isn´t he?

231
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 02:25 AM

Can't deal with being caught in ANOTHER lie so you go to the default routine of talking about bestiality. You trolls have some serious issues that need to be addressed. Join AA or check yourselves into a clinic. You are truly mentally out of whack.

It will be only a matter of minutes before the scatological spew fest resumes.

232
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:32 AM

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:32 AM

Do we now meet the flip-side of DopeyD? A degree in
Psycho-analysis? A real multi-talent!

233
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 02:37 AM

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 01:37 AM

Stop trying to quote Jesus you Godless Commie.

234
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 02:42 AM

Stop claiming to be a patriot, you neo-Nazi skinhead wanna-be.

235
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:46 AM

It will be only a matter of minutes before the scatological spew fest resumes.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:32 AM


Are you trying to start something?

236
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 02:48 AM

God Bless America!!! IN GOD WE TRUST!!
........ ONE NATION; UNDER GOD.....

237
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 02:52 AM

Can't deal with being caught in ANOTHER lie so you go to the default routine of talking about bestiality. You trolls.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:32 AM

I brought up the illegality of bestiality last night when greggy confessed to being "intimate" with farm animals, notably chickens. Other than that I don't recall the subject ever being addressed here.

238
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 02:53 AM

Other than greggy being "intimate" with his goat Billy of course.

239
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 02:56 AM

No, but it's been a few hours since the diaper comments have come from the 8 year old troll contingent, and since you have already breached the animal sex barrier it just naturally follows. Happens every night. You trolls feed on each others' fantasies and get weirder by the day, as evidenced by spending 3 days on here NON STOP spewing insults and poo "jokes" and bestiality comments to each other in a juvenile attempt to out do each other with your boorish behavior.

You KNOW the Pugs are stinking up the joint and ruining the Country and the World, but your egos can't let you come to the realization that Chimpy RUINED the entire "BRAND" of the Pubic Party.

It's really bad when your front runner is "None of the Above" this far into the cycle.

I guess you're hoping for a "Draft Newt" push at the Convention. Check all the men's room stalls to make sure you get the correct delegate count.

240
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 02:58 AM

Hey Dan5 and Mr Vogel!

241
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 03:02 AM

Hey Frosty!!!

242
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 03:04 AM

MAMA(pammy)!!!!! The trolls are picking on me again!!!!

243
D00-BEE-D00-BEE-D00 on December 27, 2007 at 03:05 AM

Posted by Dan5 on December 27, 2007 at 03:05 AM

Is that why she tied the porkchop around his neck???
And the dog still didn´t want to play with him.

244
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 03:10 AM

What Gregg I do in our free time is none of your buisness.

245
D00-BEE-D00-BEE-D00 on December 27, 2007 at 03:13 AM

Wrong again, pUSs. I can multi task. IS there any reason AT ALL that your trollish lives are so pathetic that you can't find anything better to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and parts of the days bookending them? Friendless? So 'scary nuts' that your own family wants nothing to do with you? Not allowed around children? There's GOT to be a reason.

What is it?

246
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 03:15 AM

Posted by Dan5 on December 27, 2007 at 03:16 AM

It better be a big one.

247
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 03:19 AM

Well, the trolls have reach complete mental meltdown.

Such a sad 'so called' "life".

248
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 03:20 AM

Quit picking on me or I´ll get Duhsty2006 to come beat you up!!!

249
D00-BEE-D00-BEE-D00 on December 27, 2007 at 03:21 AM

Looks like Dusty2006 doesn´t really care, now thats what I call a real friend. The porkchop didn´t even help.

250
Mr_Vogel on December 27, 2007 at 03:29 AM

I get a lot of insite into the direction of politics form Dusty2006. Dusty2006 is one of the brighter posters amongst the regular 6 or 7. Or 7 or 8 with Dusty2006.

251
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 03:50 AM

Good too early morning, everyone.

All politics is personal

What do the Hillary Clinton campaign and comedian Michael Richards have in common? When feeling insecure, both appeal to social prejudices to delegitimize their adversaries.

252
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:05 AM
253
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:10 AM

Danny boy, WHAT makes you think anyone here, gives a RATS ASS about you or your family? TRUST me, what we do know about you, makes us sick to our stomach ! The folder I have on you is a bunch of sick, sorry trash, from an old man who has absolutely NO LIFE outside of his finding this blog to post his hatred on!

Posted by PamB on December 26, 2007 at 08:55 AM

Had top go back to yeasterday to find some foolishness to comment on - Pamb getting sick to her stomach - probably fixin to spit his/her sandwich or her coffee out. And he/she has a folder on Dan too. And he has no life either. Geez, I thought I was the only one he/she had a folder on. But she/he did say that "my" folder was very thick. And he/she didn't say that Dan's folder was "very thick".

Keep it up though Dan, but at this point - I am cooler than you though cause I have a thick folder and you don't.

254
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 04:18 AM

Partisan Fissures Over Voter ID

The Supreme Court will open the new year with its most politically divisive case since Bush v. Gore decided the 2000 presidential election, and its decision could force a major reinterpretation of the rules of the 2008 contest.

255
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:22 AM

Cuyahoga County's return to paper ballots still a mystery to some

Cuyahoga County's dramatic return to paper ballots after a failed multimillion-dollar experiment with touch-screen machines begs the question: Why wasn't the new voting method picked in the first place?

The paper-ballot voting system, to be installed for the March 4 presidential primary, had its advantages. It turned out to be about $10 million cheaper, it was simpler, and it was without the security risks recently found in the touch-screen machines that were purchased by the Board of Elections from Diebold Inc. in 2005.

But the "central-count" system the board is converting to wasn't on the radar when the county shopped for equipment in 2005. It was not considered because it offered no protection for voters who incorrectly cast their votes -- a near-necessity after many ballots were tossed out during controversial elections in 2000 and 2004.

256
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:27 AM

Some local officials worry voters aren’t aware of pushed-up primary deadlines

Between the shopping, the wrapping, the baking, and the festivities that come with the holiday season, Carol and Joe Mehlmann of Harford County, Md. haven’t really had too much time to think about politics.


But sometime between now and late January when they depart for their winter home in South Carolina, the Mehlmanns are going to have to find time to apply for an absentee ballot for Maryland’s upcoming February 12 presidential primary, something they’ve never had to do before because the primary has typically been in March.


And it wasn’t until a reporter’s inquiry about the moved-up primary that the Mehlmanns realized they would even need to apply for an absentee ballot.


“We think it is unfair and does a disservice to the people of Maryland. If you are going to move primaries up, decide two years before and publicize it well,” Carol Mehlmann said.


Like the Mehlmanns, millions of seniors head to second homes in warmer climates during the winter. And with dozens of states moving up their primaries – by several months in some cases – there are countless numbers of senior citizens, who make up the nation’s most active voting group, who will need to vote absentee if they wish to vote in the primaries.

257
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:29 AM

Brag , Brag

Someday I will have a thick folder too!

Posted by Dan5 on December 27, 2007 at 04:21 AM

Well, I am sure you will. Sometimes I forget that I have been here longer than PamB or anyone else. Of course I would have a thicker folder than you. I apologize for getting snooty about my folder.

258
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 04:30 AM

Esmeralda got up to have coffee with us FROSTY.

I hope she brought the doughnuts.

Posted by Dan5 on December 27, 2007 at 04:27 AM

g'morning. actually, the coffee is self timed to start brewing any minute. the carpenter & his brother are going hunting. (muzzle loader season for the next couple of days) I was thinking about cooking up some hash and "dippin" eggs for them.

maybe I'll send some banana nut bread with them for a snack.

259
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:34 AM

I didnt sleep with you Elsi, you could say good morning.

Posted by Dan5 on December 27, 2007 at 04:32 AM

I would say not! you aren't the carpenter. And I was typing a greeting to you before I read your post.

;)

260
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:37 AM

Enough reading for now.

Enjoy the morning!

261
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:39 AM

Posted by Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:29 AM

Geez Esmerelda, that is such a sad story. Can we do anything for the Mehlmanns? Do they have an account set up where we can send money?

262
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 04:53 AM

Good Morning Essi and all

263
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 05:01 AM

Texas does not suck. This is a great state, with a lot of the most wonderful people in it that I have ever know. My name, by the way, is goodfoe....

264
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 05:09 AM

What does suck is these front loaded primaries where a caucus in a small state means more than that of other states. I also feel that the electoral college needs to go the way of the buffalo and the nickel cigar.

265
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 05:15 AM

My name, by the way, is goodfoe....

Posted by goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 05:09 AM

When you are being pleasant maybe but then when we leave and you turn on us you are Dopeyfoe or goodfool.
You must learn to be consistent one way or the other.

266
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 05:16 AM

Posted by *MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 05:16 AM....Oh get over it!....there have been a lot of times when I have been far nastier to you when you were here than after you left. You're getting old, the victim of selective memory. Or maybe "convenient" memory.

267
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 05:21 AM

Well G'nite Dan5. Again, I apologize for getting snooty about my folder being thicker than your folder.

And Dopeyfoe, you are a dopey foe.

268
*MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 05:29 AM

There has never been a presidential election in which I was 100% satisfied with any of the candidates that were running of either party. That is true again this year. Fortunately, the office seems to mature them, to give them wisdom after they are elected. Some rise to the occasion, some float down to the bottom. George Bush is a true bottom feeder and I don't think much more of the current crop of Republican "wanna be" pretenders. I'm not totally happy with the Democratic candidates either, but as a group, they are head and shoulders above what you have to chose from.

269
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 05:34 AM

Edwards is the best Democrat running, good family man, has core values and has cut his teeth on taking the hmo's back down to earth as a trial attorney. I believe he is strong enough to handle the office of president and mature and rise to the challenges and do us all proud and bring pride in America back. He's absolutely correct, as FDR said, you can't negotiate, you can't compromise, you have to TAKE their power away from them, the struggle will go on and it will not be for the weak willed or the corporate inclined.

270
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 05:42 AM

i see the vampires are getting back into their crypts. they are so pissed that principal waldo weatherbee tossed them off the a.v. squad for for smoking clearasil soaked cigarettes in the boys room....

anyhow good morning goodfoe. i like edwards too. he knows there are battles to fight with lobbyists and corporations and this country needs more fighting in board rooms and courts and less in other countries backyards. going back to bed but here is a little commentary:

from msnbc with comments.

"The nation's largest banks are losing billions of dollars from the mortgage debacle. But will pain from bad housing bets be compounded by government investigations?

******Who gives a shit if the banks feel pain?*****
welcome to the club!

The nation's largest banks are losing billions of dollars from the mortgage debacle. But will pain from bad housing bets be compounded by government investigations?

******i sure hope so, so it won't happen again****

As credit woes sparked by the troubled housing market threaten the broader economy, investigators are trying to determine whether Wall Street investment banks bundled risky loans with good ones without properly disclosing such risk to investors.

Law enforcement officials including those at the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York attorney general's office are scrutinizing whether banks and mortgage lenders helped fuel the crisis by misleading investors about dicey housing assets and then covered up losses when the markets turned sour. Government subpoenas are flying, investor lawsuits are mounting, and in the nastiest cases, businesses are pointing the finger of blame at one another...

*****did they mislead??? bet on it, take it to the...well loan shark i guess...get serious****

271
gregg on December 27, 2007 at 05:57 AM

Huckabee is turning the Republican primary into a "Christian" popularity contest. Since the other guys are either criminals or criminal "wanna bees" or in one case a Mormon, he has a good shot at the Republican nomination. He is VERY, VERY weak in the area of national defense, homeland security, foreign affairs and a host of other issues. If elected, I fear that he will not be able to grow into the office and we will have "Bush Revisited" only worse. HE WILL ATTEMPT TO TURN THIS NATION INTO A CHRISTIAN THEOCRACY, WHICH, FOR THE REST OF US, WOULD BE WORSE THAN LIVING IN SAUDI ARABIA UNDER A FUNDAMENTALIST ISLAMIC GOVERNMENT.

272
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 06:04 AM

Good morning Gregg,...The banking crisis is the possible lynch pin to an economic collapse. Since the great Bush economy and "Bush world" have already destroyed me, I don't care if the banks are hurt. Just some more greedy criminals in navy blue pin striped suits, with their red power ties and wingtip black shoes who all deserve to be in prison. However, if the banking crisis gets bad enough and the banks fail,the Federal Government will not be able to print enough worthless paper money to bail the economy out. It will be a repeat of Germany after WW 1. where hyper inflation hit and lenders were running away down the street from debtors who were attempting to pay off their mortgages with wheel barrow loads of worhtless German Marks.

273
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 06:16 AM

None of the Republican candidates appear to have the least understanding of the economic problems we face. While I am supporting Edwards, no matter who the Democratic nominee is, we as Democrats, must come together and support the nominee. If another republican is elected president, it would probably result in an economic disaster that this country would never recover from. It's that serious folks, we MUST put a Democrat in the White House and elect more Senators and Congressmen on the Democratic side.

274
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 06:35 AM

Posted by Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 04:29 AM

Geez Esmerelda, that is such a sad story. Can we do anything for the Mehlmanns? Do they have an account set up where we can send money?

Posted by *MarvelousFrosty* on December 27, 2007 at 04:53 AM

Have elections in MN been moved? Better call ahead for your vote by mail...ya never know how the weather will be on voting day.

If you want to send money somewhere, Howie has an account here at the DNC. Just click on the "contribute" linky.

;p

275
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 07:39 AM

Good morning Goodfoe and Essie,

Good stories. Way to prove again that the illogical trolls are low-class and complete morons. When those two guys admit they love each other, and propose to each other, we can have Pam preside over the civil union ceremony. They seem to be obsessed with Pam. I think they need mental evaluations. What kind of men pick on a woman on-line? How pathetic!

276
Big_Yellow_Dog on December 27, 2007 at 07:47 AM

g'morning, gg, Johnboy.

High in the 40's today, drizzle now, sun forecasted for this afternoon.

I informed my board of my taking another position yesterday. Happy Holidays and all that jazz. snicker

My belongings are packed and ready to be moved.

277
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 07:47 AM

Good Morning Essie,..I hope you had a very nice Christmas,..you and the carpenter,...I know that you remembered and celebrated the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus as did I.

278
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 07:49 AM

Hello, Big Yellow!

279
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 07:50 AM

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on December 27, 2007 at 07:47 AM You nailed it again Big Dog! I don't think Pam will agree to perform the ceremony, she might bash both of them "upside their haids"

280
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 07:53 AM

{{{johnboy}}}

I celebrate every day. Peace on Earth, goodwill toward mankind.

281
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 07:59 AM

Good morning, Dems! 33 and sunny today and all Christmas guests have officially left.

282
Cyn_NY on December 27, 2007 at 08:00 AM

Big Dog,...You are correct about them needed mental care. Several months ago I got into a real tirade against "Frosty" for attacking Pam when she was not here to defend herself. He went on and on about Pam's undergarments and it turned out that Frosty has a fetish. I can not discuss exactly what it is with Essie here.

283
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:04 AM

Bhutto critically injuried in Pakistan explosion.

284
Cyn_NY on December 27, 2007 at 08:10 AM

I can not discuss exactly what it is with Essie here.

Posted by goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:04 AM

haha

Essie has heard/read plenty between Steve & Pam over the past 4 years!

Time to hit the road, Jacq!

Only 2.5 working days left in my almost 16 years with the county.

For those who partake:

1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Enjoy the day, everyone!

285
Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 08:12 AM

Good morning Dems,


They seem to be obsessed with Pam. I think they need mental evaluations. What kind of men pick on a woman on-line? How pathetic!

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on December 27, 2007 at 07:47 AM

These little men know they cannot dispute the FACTS that I post, so they attack the messenger.
It makes me smile.

But I did feel a stab of pity on Christmas day, when I quickly logged in and saw how it was almost exclusively these trolls who were here all day and night before, and all day Christmas. THIS after telling us all along about these wonderful children they have, families, friends, homes, etc, they sit all by themselves filled with hate on a Holy Holiday. I swear I had a moment when I just I felt sorry for them. If they ever wonder why they have dysfunctional families that want nothing to do with them, they should just read back over their posts some night. They might get a little phone call from their kids on christmas day, but that is the extent of it ! pathetic.

286
PamB on December 27, 2007 at 08:13 AM

Posted by Esmeralda on December 27, 2007 at 07:59 AM
I wish I had your peace Essie, but I don't, I still have hatred in my heart for the Arab terrorists who attacked us on 911. I would kill them all, given the opportunity to do so. Does that make me a warrior in God's army?

287
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:13 AM

It was sad to see David Gurgen saying "Clinton is all over the place saying she is change and experience. What is her message? It's all over the place. Obama is change. He's coming on strong..." What a hack job.

She says TWO WORDS and he claims she's "all over," and you can't understand her message??? I didn't know a candidate can only be one vague term... change OR experience. According to Gurgen, a Democrat can not be both. HA!

Is Obama saying that he can do better than '92-2000 Clinton/Gore? It sure sounds like it. Think of all the experience Clinton/Gore took the WH? How could he "change" policy, and make things better? Did Obama learn something in the State Senate that Bill Clinton didn't learn as a multi-term Gov?
Did the Illinois State Senate teach him something that Al Gore did not learn during all those years in the US SENATE?
And just WHAT has Obama EVER changed? Nothing!

And he shows a lack of integrity when he makes unfair attacks on Dems. As if Clinton, Edwards, Biden, Richardson would not offer CHANGE too. In fact, Obama is the ONLY who can not make a claim to making change. It seems that Obama wants to take credit for YEARS of Democratic PROGRESS, and he's the ONLY one who has NOT made CHANGE.

Edwards is still being ignored by the MSM, but people in Iowa love him. No wonder Republicans don't want to take on his mind, policy, or appearance.

After all the goofy and gross comments that Huck has made, I think it's safe to say that Edwards is the real Southern Gentleman of the crowd. No wonder his positive approval rating is so high.

288
Big_Yellow_Dog on December 27, 2007 at 08:21 AM

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on December 27, 2007 at 08:21 AM....Excellent post Big Dog!...I hope Edwards has a good surge.

289
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:30 AM

Good morning fellow Democrats!

290
peaceman on December 27, 2007 at 08:32 AM

I still have hatred in my heart for the Arab terrorists who attacked us on 911. I would kill them all, given the opportunity to do so. Does that make me a warrior in God's army?

Posted by goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:13 AM


{{JohnBoy}}}

The same hatred you have in your heart towards them, is what drove them to think that suicide was the answer to the hatred in THEIR hearts. We must ask ourselves why would these men hate our country so much. And the answer lies in the fact that they look at the USA as an arrogant power, that thinks it has a right to invade, occupy, build Bases, assinate their leaders, tell them how to live. And we must back off and become part of the World neighborhood, instead of believing that we own it!

291
PamB on December 27, 2007 at 08:32 AM

Just heard on TV that Bhutto (s/p?) in Pakistan has died from her injuries.

292
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:32 AM

Posted by PamB on December 27, 2007 at 08:32 AM
I agree with every thing you just posted Pam, but I can not let go of the fact that over 3000 American men, women and children were killed in what I consider a cowardly attack. I saw a video tape of Bin Laudin in Kabul, giggling about how many Americans he had killed through his smart planning, And I do mean giggling. I would get us out of their countries as you suggest, but like the Mossad, who tracked the Nazis, I would never forget and would track them to the ends of the earth and kill them all. I know talk is cheap, I'm 72 and not in good health, but if I were, I sure would volunteer for that assignment.

293
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:44 AM

JohnBoy,

Our hatred should be directed toward Bush and the Neo Cons, who have let Bin Laden sit their giggling at us for 6 Years Now . Bush never did care if they caught him or not. It was his fault it all happened by ignoring the reports and warnings, and it is his fault Bin Laden continues to plot and laugh at us now.

294
PamB on December 27, 2007 at 08:54 AM

Most Moslems are good people: they just want the same things we all want, peace and a better life for their children. But the Moslem-Whabbi radical fundamentalists who attacked us will never back off, the destruction of western civilization is their avowed goal and they will continue to pursue it. When they back off on their goals, I will back off on mine which is to see all of them dead.

295
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 08:56 AM

We cannot let up one single bit, Dems. We must keep up this fight for the next 313 days ! Do not let your guard down for one second ! (And remember, the Center is NOT the place to be)


"Here's a thought for progressives: Bush isn't the problem. And the next president should not try to be the anti-Bush.

No, I haven't lost my mind. I'm not saying that we should look kindly on the Worst President Ever; we'll all breathe a sigh of relief when he leaves office 405 days, 2 hours, and 46 minutes from now. (Yes, a friend gave me one of those Bush countdown clocks.) Nor am I suggesting that we should forgive and forget; I very much hope that the next president will open the records and let the full story of the Bush era's outrages be told.

But Bush will soon be gone. What progressives should be focused on now is taking on the political movement that brought Bush to power. In short, what we need right now isn't Bush bashing—what we need is partisanship.

And here's the thing: Progressives have an opportunity, because American public opinion has become a lot more liberal.

Not everyone understands that. In fact, the reaction of the news media to the first clear electoral manifestation of America's new liberalism—the Democratic sweep in last year's congressional elections—was almost comical in its denial.

Thus, in 1994, Time celebrated the Republican victory in the midterm elections by putting a herd of charging elephants on its cover. But its response to the Democratic victory of 2006—a victory in which House Democrats achieved a larger majority, both in seats and in the popular vote, than the Republicans ever did in their 12-year reign—was a pair of overlapping red and blue circles, with the headline "The center is the place to be."

Oh, and the guests on Meet the Press the Sunday after the Democratic sweep were, you guessed it, Joe Lieberman and John McCain.

http://www.slate.com/id/2180178


296
PamB on December 27, 2007 at 09:00 AM

Posted by PamB on December 27, 2007 at 08:54 AM
We can agee on that. Bush needed to keep bin Laden alive so that he could pull this "boggy man" out of the closet when he needed him to create fear in the American people so that he (Bush) could continue his wars of aggression. I get all that.

297
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 09:01 AM

New Open Thread

298
PamB on December 27, 2007 at 09:04 AM

NEW THREAD

299
goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 09:04 AM
White House faces hearing on CIA tapes

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has made its position clear in legal filings and now gets a chance to say it to a judge in open court: Hold off on inquiring about the destruction of CIA videotapes that showed suspected terrorists being interrogated.

U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy ordered the hearing Friday over the objection of the Justice Department after lawyers raised questions about the possibility that other evidence also might have been destroyed.

LINK

It seems that the White House can destroy data "At Will" even if it is requested by the Federal Courts and/or Congress. That it can obstruct justice by any means to get its desired result. This is called obstruction of justice.

If in a trial a Prosecutor held back or destroyed data "At Will" they would be brought up on charges. Look at the Duke case!

It Nixon would have destroyed the Watergate Tapes "At Will" defying the courts and Congress would he have faced impeachment? So does Bush being a better Totalitarian, has that right to defy the Trilogy of checks and balances? That Bush has Stalin like powers to do as he wishes without US having Constitutional protections. If he is allowed this right others behind him will expand it further.

Can you imagine what Romney would do with this corporate/political/religious united power?

Can someone ask the candidates, if they would use recess appointments to avoid Congressional oversight?

Corporations have merged politicians with its policies, and now it is merging its religion of corporate compassion, where all religions must adhere to the President "At Will." As ultimate parent of a nation the President will act like a Red Chinese Premier dictating its corporate socialistic agenda on the masses, where no one dares challenge him from the courts and/of the rubber stamp legislative branch.

In Iraq U.S. Generals are paying private Sunni militias to support the U.S. Could that not have been done while they were still in the Iraqi Army, before Bush fired all of them setting up his Bush Civil War Quagmire ? Now the U.S. pays the Central Government and a zillion other militias plus their Blackwater cowboys. These DynCops get paid better that the regular Armed Forces like Republican Halliburton Goliaths. This Republican welfare giveaway cost our children their inheritance, for Bush does not support helping Americans citizens here.

How many trillions has the Bush family cost this nation? How many lives will his legacy end up with?

300
dlesterpoet on December 27, 2007 at 05:17 PM


« Hide Comments

Comments are now closed for this entry.