The media are still beating the Wright dead horse. I can't believe this childishness in focusing on every little off-color remark made by one, insignificant Pastor! WHO CARES what Rev. Wright said in the past? HE'S NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT! And even if Obama were elected, he won't be flying from D.C. to Chicago every Sunday to attend church. Honestly.....ENOUGH! Can we PLEASE focus on what matters and start taking on the REAL enemy: John McCain.

Yea, everytime I see a Wright story Iturn the channel. You would think the media has a dog in this race.

Another repuke bites the dust? Good riddance. I'll bet he is a pedophile too.

Governor of Puerto Rico accused of corruption

MarkLoof, you are stupid. The only reason anyone is beating the paator Wright dead horse is racism, pure and simple.

PBJGirl: Does the media have a dog in this race?
Hmmmm, Let's see. I don't know. Just because the media is owned by large corporations and makes its bucks off having other large corporations pay them to show their commercials. Uh, you think they might fee threatened by someone who wants to make changes? Uh, Yeah, that'd be my guess. ;-D

Posted by Christopher_blunt_proud_member_of_the_VLWC on March 27, 2008 at 07:52 PM

I don't think it's racism that is keeping them on it, but the ratings the spectacle of race brings.

The Clinton camp doesn't want to admit it, but this campaign is at a tipping point.
More and more there is a "feeling" that it's over, really over.

Yes, Clinton will get a moral victory in PA, but this is over.

The super delegates aren't going to overturn the will of the people.
They just aren't.

So it's time for us Obama supporters to start making the road for Clinton supporters a bit easier so they will find their way back.

At first there will be total rejection, then a little less, then a little less, then a little less.

The true democrats will find their way back. The ones that aren't will vote for McCain. But if you don't understand that McCain=Bush you aren't a real Democrat anyway.

So, it's time to take those first steps to come together. Yes those steps are going to be hard, but the time has come to start.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-Y8hFv8I0&feature=related

I am speechless - and upset.......

Where the "F" is blackwater. We are not paying them each $500,000 a year to hide in the green zone.

They should be out patrolling and killing these people shooting rockets into the green zone.

Are they hiding like our chicken hawk president and vice president?

Better yet, let's get our f'ing asses out of Iraq NOW!

Diplomats Told to Take Cover in Baghdad

Racism is involved only in that the large corporations are trying to manipulate the voters, and stirring up racism is one way to do it.

Another way to look at it is, if that's all they can come up with to try to discredit him, Obama isn't doing badly at all.

Posted by MarkLof on March 27, 2008 at 08:00 PM

That's why I had a question mark after the statement.

I see the pond scum is acting like the typical ass he is..please - don't feed the trolls - they like the attention.

So much anger meatloaf...er... marklof.

So, your candidate won't make it to the nomination. Your anger is understandable. But McCain is the real danger.

He's the one that wants us in Iraq for 100 years. (you know about the same period of time that he's been alive).

He's the one who said the economy is a mystery to him.

He's the one Bush wants to win.

Let me repeat that last one, Bush WANTS McCain to win..

If you admire Bush, if you like Bush, if you think that Bush has been a wonderful leader, then you also want McCain to win.

But if you don't, you can't.

So please direct that anger toward the Republicans and their ilk. They deserve it.

Good evening

Impeach Chimpy and Shooter

Today In Iraq Hotlist
by BarbinMD
Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:02:12 PM PDT

Today's headlines from Iraq:

Fighting continues unabated in Basra

Across Iraq, battles erupt with Mahdi Army

123 Iraqis, 3 US Contractors Killed; 191 Iraqis Wounded

Thousands in Baghdad Protest Basra Assault

Growing clashes with US troops in Iraq

Baghdad's Green Zone attacked for 4th day this week

Bombers attack Basra oil pipeline

Iraqi spokesman kidnapped in Baghdad

U.S. military fatalities in Iraq; 4,004

George Bush today on his upcoming and latest new "way forward" in Iraq:

As this debate unfolds, I ask people on both sides to keep an open mind, and to take a close look at the situation on the ground.

And from John McCain, the presumptive nominee for George Bush's third term:

We're succeeding. I don't care what anybody says.

...even if it takes 100 years.
================================================

McCrap!

That dude is just plain nuts.

McCain ... worse than Bush.

Posted by Johne on March 27, 2008 at 08:04 PM
==================================================

Evening JE,

Clearly, the lid has come off. The McCain surge has failed completely. But good OLD Johnny McCain says he don't care what anyone says ... it's working. Now, how is this any different than president ahole and vice president ahole?

McCain ... worse than Bush.

Oh, now I get it, marklog="their ilk". I thought he was from the Clinton camp, my mistake. I should have known that no Clinton supporter is that stupid.

So did I just tell him to go sc__w HIMSELF??

I didn't intend to, .... but now that I think about it....yeah that's about right.

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on March 27, 2008 at 07:06 PM

Yea, I figured as much.

The housing projects are incredibly violent, but I don't think a curfew is the only/best idea. Plus, I think it has the outward perception of racism, even if the violence is concentrated in those areas.

The thing about DC is that I thought I was following the reverse directions and I just ended up in the wrong place. I eventually got back to where I needed to be, but a lot of the roads were closed for night construction, so I kept having to go around. And I'm pretty sure that I got a ticket from one of those dummy cop cars. Dang!

I love the area though. I've been looking at houses, too. I'm thinking that the area around the new stadium will really take off in the next few years. In San Diego, they build the new stadium and I live in the expanding area. It has become a great place for young professionals, which I consider myself, so I think the same thing could happen in DC. Plus, I noticed they put up a lot of new road signs for the stadium, so I know the city is trying to attract people to the area.

Posted by Kathy_from_Indiana on March 27, 2008 at 08:04 PM
=================================================

Kathy, did you ever see The Siege? I think the movie is downright prophetic. There's no doubt there are covert policies that pertain to martial law. I doubt Congress ever reviewed them or would even be consulted if the right conditions occur.

Posted by JASt on March 27, 2008 at 08:37 PM
================================================

He's been here before ... let the noise pass on through.

Posted by GregL on March 27, 2008 at 06:51 PM

Well, my issue with Clinton goes beyond the sniper fire. It started with Bill and it encompasses many of her surrogates. It's the "not as far as I know" comment. It's when she puts herself and McCain on a pedestal instead of tearing him down and Bill implying that Obama does not imply love America. It's the fact that her campaign demanded that Power be fired, but she barely does anything about Ferraro. And she continues to say that Obama didn't distance himself far enough from Wright, when Wright didn't even say anything bad (and the "bad" stuff is just true). It's the fact that she won't release her tax documents and then chides Obama for not donating "enough" to charity after he releases his. C'mon, stop being such a brat Hillary!!!

Iraq oil - another black hole of corruption
by Chris in Paris · 3/27/2008 04:27:00 AM ET ·

It's hardly a surprise considering all of the other areas of corruption and missing millions and billions. So far for each story of failure and missing money, the result from the Bush administration (and Congress, for that matter) has been a shoulder shrug. We continue to throw money in to that pit, allowing Republican talking points to dominate the discussion and rule the day. Somehow, we expect a different end result despite no evidence that suggests anything has changed. If the administration is afraid of taking action, why would Iraqi ministers change their behavior? Either way, as the bill for the Wall Street bailout hits home, American opinions on more spending in Iraq is going to change. When the question is bailout at home or bailout of Iraq, who do you think Americans will choose?

http://www.americablog.com/2008/03/iraq-oil-another-black-hole-of.html

Was Spitzer about the only one left with any power to go after the mortgage scandal players? And now the real story will be paved over with tax dollars on public airwaves? Something stinks here:
------------

Was Spitzer scandal and bailout of rich Wall Street bank linked?

The $200 billion bail-out for predator banks and Spitzer charges are intimately linked

By Greg Palast
*****

But there was this annoying party-pooper. The Attorney General of New York, Eliot Spitzer, who sued these guys to a fare-thee-well. Or tried to.

Instead of regulating the banks that had run amok, Bush’s regulators went on the warpath against Spitzer and states attempting to stop predatory practices. Making an unprecedented use of the legal power of “federal pre-emption,” Bush-bots ordered the states to NOT enforce their consumer protection laws.

Indeed, the feds actually filed a lawsuit to block Spitzer’s investigation of ugly racial mortgage steering. Bush’s banking buddies were especially steamed that Spitzer hammered bank practices across the nation using New York State laws.

Spitzer not only took on Countrywide, he took on their predatory enablers in the investment banking community. Behind Countrywide was the Mother Shark, its funder and now owner, Bank of America. Others joined the sharkfest: Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Citigroup’s Citibank made mortgage usury their major profit centers. They did this through a bit of financial legerdemain called “securitization.”

peterrost.blogspot.com/2008/03/was-spitzer-scandal-and-bailout-of-rich.html

radioactive cat ... hehe

I love Olbermann

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 08:46 PM
===================================================

Margot, in general, I try not to comment on Obama V Clinton. In full admission, I voted for Obama in the primary. I was originally an Edwards supporter that decided Obama was a bot closer to Edwards than Clinton.

With that out of the way, I do find it disturbing that Clinton implicitly put a Republican above a Democrat. To my knowledge, that's unprecedented in politics.

I wish her well because she has done good things and she did help politicians in my state. But, I think she damaged her future role in the party by doing this.

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 08:46 PM

Oh, and now there's the letter from the Clinton donors to Pelosi. WTF are they doing threatening other Dems???

radioactive cat ... hehe

I love Olbermann

Posted by PeanutButterJellyGirl on March 27, 2008 at 08:52 PM

And we can't find OBL?? C'mon!

Oh God I hope Rove goes to jail! PLEASE!!

Posted by TomN on March 27, 2008 at 08:50 PM
===================================================

TomN, that's something to think about. It's oh so coincidental that his name came out in an investigation when all of this wall street corruption is going on. No doubt, there were many powerful people who wanted him out of the way. Yet you have to admit that when a person is in a position like he was and wants to clean house, your house has to be squeaky clean or your enemies will get you. Sad but true.

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 08:56 PM
==================================================

Yeah, that one isn't playing too good either within the party from what I can tell. They been following the story on America's blog:

http://www.americablog.com/2008/03/clinton-campaign-knew-of-threatening.html

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 08:56 PM
=====================================================

Margot, here's another link:

http://www.americablog.com/2008/03/hillary-threat-against-pelosi-and-dccc.html

Looks to me like a bad move on her supporter's part. In effect, it's threatening the super-delegates. What an odd thing to do!

I remember getting castigated and getting called names for saying I had doubts about Hillary, and I didn't want to support her. The events of the last few weeks are making me feel vindicated.

Recession: The Movie
by John Aravosis (DC) · 3/27/2008 12:10:00 PM ET ·

http://www.americablog.com/2008/03/recession-movie.html

Posted by Butte on March 27, 2008 at 09:27 PM
==================================================
Butte, it's got to the point, where people like me who tried hard not to comment on the race because I really will vote for any Democrat over McCain, just have to say something anyway. There comes a point when the tactics go too far. I think this letter sent to the DCCC pretty much seals it for Obama. What a strange thing to do? This has to be desperation.

Posted by rjsnj on March 27, 2008 at 09:20 PM

Thanks for the link. I originally read about it on HuffPo, but Olbermann mentioned it tonight, too. Dems threatening Dems is not a good thing.

Saying that 'the surge is working' ... Hotlist
by Meteor Blades
Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 06:28:06 PM PDT

...has worked pretty well for the Cheney-Bush regime the past few months. It certainly calmed down the megamedia, which – after years of publishing and broadcasting stuff about Iraq quaffed from the Kool-Aid fire hose – had actually started doing the job they should have started in January 2002 when the White House initiated its march-to-war publicity tour. After years of fawning and phony patriotism in the aftermath of September 11, the megamedia finally began to make visible some ugly truths that had previously been confined to the world of the bloggerati.

Then came the "surge," the escalation designed to undermine the lukewarm recommendations of the Iraq Study Group. Within a couple of months, the coverage, except for the McClatchy people (and a few others whom you can call journalists without meaning the word as an epithet) were right back where Editor and Publisher Editor Greg Mitchell wrote about in So Wrong for So Long: How the Press, the Pundits--and the President--Failed on Iraq.

As I noted two weeks ago in Megamedia Coverage on Iraq Fuels Ignorance, one measure of how lousy coverage of the war affected Americans was the plunge in those who knew how many of their fellow Americans had died because of the Iraq invasion and occupation. In August 2007, 54% could correctly put the number of deaths at 3500. By the first of this month, only 28% could say the number had reached 4000. The graph shows you what’s been happening. Of course, the U.S. media have never done a good job of covering the Iraqi fatalities and other horrors of that continuing disaster.

As clammyc points out today in his Diary, Iraq is imploding right before our eyes, the surge isn’t working. It never was.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/27/19123/3783/458/485678

John the farmer was in the fertilized egg business. He had several
hundred young layers (hens), called "pullets", and ten roosters, whose
job it was to fertilize the eggs.

The farmer kept records and any rooster that didn't perform went into
the soup pot and was replaced. That took an awful lot of his time, so he
bought a set of tiny bells and attached them to his roosters. Each bell
had a different tone so John could tell from a distance, which rooster
was performing. Now he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency
report simply by listening to the bells.

The farmer's favorite rooster was old Butch, a very fine specimen he
was, too. But on this particular morning John noticed old Butch's bell
hadn't rung at all! John went to investigate. The other roosters were
chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing. The pullets, hearing the roosters
coming, would run for cove r.

But to Farmer John's amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so
it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to
the next one. John was so proud of old Butch, he entered him in the
Renfrew County Fair and he became an overnight sensation among the
judges.

The result...The judges not only awarded old Butch the No Bell Piece
Prize but they awarded him the Pulletsurprise as well.

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making: who else but a
politician could figure out how to win two of the most highly coveted
awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the populace
and screwing them when they weren't paying attention.

Vote carefully this year...the bells are not always audible.

rjsnj: Speaking of $4.00 gas, like that video reminded me.
All the time the price of a barrel of oil was dropping, the price of gas here stayed at $3.19. Now that the barrel of oil went up a few days ago, they raised the price of gas $3.29 this morning.
Looks like Big Oil strikes again.
It keeps up, $4.00 gas won't wait for summer.

Barack opened pandora's box with this Rev. Wright business on his own. Like Oprah, he should have left that church years ago. Do you think the republicans will forget good old Rev. Wright this November? Fugheddaboudit.

MarkLoF: Hillary, socialist tendencies?
I don't think so. She has been too Republi-lite in the Senate. I also didn't like the Big Money contributors she's attracted. Now that she seems to be copying Republican campaign tactics, her right-of-center "centrist" stance has become obvious. That is corporatist, not socialist.

It keeps up, $4.00 gas won't wait for summer.

Posted by Butte on March 27, 2008 at 09:45 PM
===================================================
butte, I noticed that myself. It's rising very quickly. That just adds to the misery and will aggravate the Bush / McCain recession even more.

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 08:40 PM

The curfew is useful because if kids are hanging out late night the police can say, "go home," or "what are you doing here at this hour? You live in Glen Burnie." It's a useful tool for police work. Everybody knows that Mayor Moyer is the last person in the world that can be called a racist. When the reality is what it is in those areas, perception is not a priority.

Yeah, those speed traps got me too once. I pretty much know where they are now: NY Ave (eastbound at Brendwood, westbound after Bladensburg), 295 around Penn Ave, and 395 after the tunnel. It's only 50 bucks, but still, it's a speed trap, especially the one just where NY Ave turns in 50 at the Arboretum. From now on, if you see the camera lines on the road, slow down. I've heard you can spray your license plate with a clear coat that causes a reflection when it flashes. So all they get is a picture of someone in a volvo giving them the bird. :o

Forget that area by the stadium. It's really bad crime, and it's a toxic dump. Not a good combination. A stadium is all it's good for. If I were you, I would look at EASTPORT, or out Georgia Ave in Silver Spring. DC is a pit of corruption and pollution. Besides, they don't even have Senators or Congresspeople. So just who would speak for you? I would live in Northern VA before DC. But Maryland is the place to be. I think you should move to AA County. Lots of people take the bus to DC from Annapolis. Besides, we have one of the best Governors in America. :-)

New blog post!

Republicans are the REAL terrorists

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making: who else but a
politician could figure out how to win two of the most highly coveted
awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the populace
and screwing them when they weren't paying attention.

Vote carefully this year...the bells are not always audible.

Posted by jensaysnotodynasty on March 27, 2008 at 09:45 PM
=====================================

You sure pegged AL Gore, good post!

The way I hear it, the Clinton donors wrote to Pelosi because she is the CHAIR of the Convention, and they expressed that she should be neutral. Nothing wrong with that. I don't see a controversy here. If fact, I think what Pelosi said actually helps Clinton... just like when Donna Brazille said it, and like when Obama said it. The only difference is that the CHAIR of the Convention MUST BE UN-BIAS.

I know I don't speak for everyone but I am tired of hearing about Rev Wright. Also, once again,I don't speak for every black church,but Rev Wrights sermonisof a common vein in the black church. It is what it is. Older black folks have amuch different view of the country that turned water hoses and released attack dogs on them in the streets. It seems like people think thatis a thin excuse. If from time I was born until some time in the 70s I was treated like shit by my government I'm sure I would still carry a grudge. The not only was treated like shit but also served in the Marines. Just enough already. If he wants to still be pissed aboutit let himstill be pissed about it. There is a difference when celebrating the story of our country between the guy who was a patriot and the guy who was a slave to that patriot.
My mom, sweetest little old white lady you ever met, hates Asians. I know she isn't a racist cause she's married to a black man. But her brother was killed in Korea. It embarrasses me because shethinks that asians that speak with accents somehow means they don't speakEnglish and she says some pretty bigoted stuff. I disagree with it, my siblings disagree with it,but her formed ideas will not change in her lifetime. People see things throughthe prism of their own experiences. I do ... you do ... we all do. So just enough already.

it's a speed trap, especially the one just where NY Ave turns in 50 at the Arboretum. From now on, if you see the camera lines on the road, slow down. I've heard you can spray your license plate with a clear coat that causes a reflection when it flashes. So all they get is a picture of someone in a volvo giving them the bird. :o

Forget that area by the stadium. It's really bad crime, and it's a toxic dump. Not a good combination. A stadium is all it's good for. If I were you, I would look at EASTPORT, or out Georgia Ave in Silver Spring. DC is a pit of corruption and pollution. Besides, they don't even have Senators or Congresspeople. So just who would speak for you? I would live in Northern VA before DC. But Maryland is the place to be. I think you should move to AA County. Lots of people take the bus to DC from Annapolis. Besides, we have one of the best Governors in America. :-)

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on March 27, 2008 at 10:04 PM

A few things. The arboretum is where I got caught (they have a dummy cop car that sits on the service road facing eastbound on NY Ave where it turns into 50. But, I saw on Mythbusters that the spray doesn't protect your license plate from the camera. Oh well, I'll pay the fifty bucks if they promise to use it to hang up a street sign. Anywhere, but mostly along Constitution.

My parents live in Annapolis (it's where I am now, actually). I like it, but I'd rather be in the city. I'd love to live near the Eastern Market or in G-town, but I don't have the money right now. I commuted to Clarendon from Annapolis for an internship and I would never make that drive every day. My best friend just moved to Clarendon, and she plans to live there until she gets a better feel for the city.

I know the stadium area is pretty bad, but it could pick up if enough people are interested in that. I'm still a year or more from buying, so I'm going to look into all my options.

The only reason anyone is beating the paator Wright dead horse is racism, pure and simple.

Posted by Christopher_blunt_proud_member_ of_the_RaceCardDebates on March 27, 2008 at 07:52

WARNING! RACE CARD! WARNING! RACE CARD!
When they have nothing intelligent to say, they play the race card. It has NOTHING to do with how common people across America, including those coveted independents, view the pastor statements, and Obama's passive support of the pastor over the years, does it? Why do you people make EVERYTHING about racism. I really feel sorry for your type.

in general, I try not to comment on Obama V Clinton. ...With that out of the way, I do find it disturbing that Clinton implicitly put a Republican above a Democrat. To my knowledge, that's unprecedented in politics.

Posted by rjsnj on March 27, 2008 at 08:56 PM

Unprecedented? Like the harry and louise ad that scared voters about health care? Like "it's clear Hillary's voters will vote for me. It's not clear my voters will vote for Hillary."

"I try not to comment on Hillary v Obama." That's a good one. We know you try. Yep, you and Joe Scarbough really try not to comment. LOL.

So, to change the subject for a moment, I'm having lunch at the Pentagon tomorrow. One of our family friends is high ranking in the Navy office, so I meet with him periodically to talk about my "naval career" and such. It's nice to know people like that, though I always have to avoid politics. He's a civilian, so he's a political apointee, and we know what that means...

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on March 27, 2008 at 05:34 PM

You're on... How best can we defeat John McCain? The economy and the war are likely to play a major roles. But how we take McCain apart is crucial. I've asked a veteran the same question. Now it's your turn. Run with it DOG...

Posted by MARZBAR on March 27, 2008 at 05:46 PM

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on March 27, 2008 at 10:37 PM

Five hours later... and you haven't said anything about ISSUES-POLICY. Do you need a bit more time?

Hillary's Prayer: Hillary Clinton's Religion and Politics

For 15 years, Hillary Clinton has been part of a secretive religious group that seeks to bring Jesus back to Capitol Hill.

Through all of her years in Washington, Clinton has been an active participant in conservative Bible study and prayer circles that are part of a secretive Capitol Hill group known as the Fellowship. Her collaborations with right-wingers such as Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and former Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) grow in part from that connection.

Bill Clinton reportedly terrified that Hillary is about to officially lose Texas

You'll recall that the media declared Hillary the winner of Texas before it was actually over. Texas had a primary and a caucus, and Hillary only won the primary. The winner of Texas is decided by the delegates from both the primary and the caucus. Come this weekend, we should find out that Obama really won Texas. A NY Daily News reporter accidentally got invited to a private conference call Bill Clinton was holding today with Texas delegates. Seems the campaign is terrified that people may finally figure out this weekend that Hillary lost Texas.

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 10:23 PM

That's where they got me once too. Now I pump my brakes to warn speeders there. I can't believe they set it up there. It's 3 lanes and turns in 50, and they think people are going to drive 35? It's a total speed trap... targeting Marylanders. ERRRR.

My parents live in Annapolis too. I like the city, and it's close to DC and Baltimore. Those townhomes in G-town are far above $1 million, and for what? traffic and crime so bad that it's not safe. I suppose a million doesn't buy much these days. DC is just too uncivilized and dirty for me. The people are pretty mean too. The only area I would live in DC is the far Northwest, near MD. I think those places go a cool million plus too. Besides, DC is one incident away from losing a lot of property value. It's just too risky for me... Mr. Vegas. I do like Claredon and the Del Ray area of Alexandria. It's MUCH more community-oriented than DC. They have good democrats too. ;-)

Southeast is worse than pretty bad; it's a war zone. Yes, in 20 years it's going to be better... but that's not saying a lot. It's a shame because the area could be much better. But the massive corruption and poor leadership are ruined DC. I do think that it would be better if DC was a real state, and had Senators and a Representative. I'm glad to see a new effort to give DC statehood. If not, I'm for Maryland reclaiming it.

The Democratic party will lose a lot more then 24 mill from the big donors if they mess with this race! I know there will be a much larger percent then 28% of Hillary Clinton supporters who even now are not giving a penny to the DNC until those Florida & Michigan delegates are seated. They end this campaign early and they will have a mass exit by over half of there party! We just might become a 3 party nation over this! It is that serious! Hillary Clinton was to be this election year party nominee and everyone knew it. If this is not run in a way in which every single Democrat who wants a voice & vote and a delegate at the convention to choose this years nominee you will see most Florida and Michigan and Hillary supporters not be there with either money or votes! How many Obama supporters are only Obama supporters and not other Democratic interest supporters? How many Hillary Clinton supporters also support all other Democratic Party interest? Her supporter show up at the voting booth and vote straight Democratic tickets year in and year out. Can you say that about Obama's supporters? We need of Mayors, State leaders, US Senate, US House of Representatives not just the White House. You sure you can afford the cost of a Obama nomination?

A NY Daily News reporter accidentally got invited to a private conference call...

Posted by jensaysnotodynasty on March 27, 2008 at 11:14 PM

Are you kidding me? Thanks for info from the gossip paper filled with lies. FYI, If the NY POST said it, you know it's a lie. You Obama supporters will say anything, won't you? So much for a new way of politics. The politics of hope have become the potholes of hope.

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on March 27, 2008 at 11:16 PM

I think the nice area of SE will expand in the coming years. It will never be perfect, but nowhere is. I suppose I really just want one of those row houses in the Eastern Market/Capitol Hill area. Maybe some day I'll hit the jackpot and buy an estate in McLean or something. I guess I'll have to track things and see how they are doing in the coming year.

Posted by MARZBAR on March 27, 2008 at 10:53 PM

Sorry, I didn't see you addressed me. I've answered this question a million times. I've asked the mod to make a special section on the bb about the lies and facts on Reaganism because McCain with certainly hold Reagan up like a savior to America. The truth about Reagan will be key to winning the debate in November.

But right now, I'm going to call out these hypocrites of "hope" and "a new way" who attack Hillary with everything from the gossip pages of the NY FREAKIN POST to the race-baiters claiming racism. Enough is enough. When these people stop attacking a fellow Dem with lies and hate speech, I'll get back to my usual heavy policy talk.

Maybe some day I'll hit the jackpot and buy an estate in McLean or something.

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 11:28 PM

With the price of oil these days you'll need a jackpot to pay the heating bill. I'd rather live in the historic district of Annapolis, or around Murry Hill, or Eastport. We have good Democrats... McLean has Ollie North-type nut jobs. :-/

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on March 27, 2008 at 11:42 PM

Well, I guess I have to get a better handle on the surroundings before I live here. Although, Annapolis is pretty much out of the question since my parents live there. I have to be some distance away!

Ok, well I have to get up early for my trip to the Pentagon, so I'm heading out. Good night and Good luck Dems!

The Public Servant

Posted by margotb822 on March 27, 2008 at 10:42 PM

That means he's pro-surge, and everything is hunky-dorie. Maybe you should talk about the weather, family, and the cherry blossoms?

Whatever you do... don't tell him you have an on-line Democratic friend who is setting-up a campaign to HAVE YOU CLONED because you're such an amazing democrat, and you're so awesome and smart. Save that one for your mom. ;-)

I'd tell him you are looking at starting a defense consulting firm... "because those idiots at halliburton can't do ANYTHING right and they need a leader taking advise from someone like ME!"

Good luck with that meeting. You're not going to wear the shirt you wore on the plane are you? lol.

Good evening, all.

jen,

Those prayer circles aren't doing much for the Republicans or The Clintons of late, are they? Perhaps the Rev. Moon might be able to help?

In my experience much of organized religion is about the congregation and contacts people can make there not about what's being preached.

Faith is a personal thing when you get right down to it. Nobody can make you believe anything you don't want to believe. You can, however, through very public demonstations and rituals, be force to go along with stuff they personally don't agree with. Nobody wants to appear out of step.

That's why this whole Wright flap is so bogus. Pastors at most churches live and die by how much money they can bring into the place to keep the bills paid. If a minister can't pack the pews, he's fired.

And the political forces that are pushing this controversy know it more than most of the rest of us, because they are in the fund raising business themselves. Such hypocricy.

When I think of all the black churches Bill and Hillary have attended during their political careers. Now she suggests that Obama shouldn't have attended one of the more prominent ones in the country?

You expect Repubicans to do these sorts of things, but not other Democrats. Hillary acts as though she's forgotten where she came from and who put her where she is today. I'm not black but I can see it.

No wonder her negatives keep going up with Republicans who already hated her, while Obama's support from Democrats and Independents hasn't been hurt in the least by this ruckus.

Hillary Clinton was to be this election year party nominee and everyone knew it.

I beg your pardon? John Edwards, as the the party's last V.P. candidate, had that designation. You presume a lot and that's why you and your candidate are in the straits you are now.

And who was Edwards with back when...the one that got whisked away by King Kong.
Dynasty??? Cluck on...the sky will fall before we get anywhere with this muck.
However, I would rather go solar in a barnyard than this monster any day.
This link brought to you by AlGore.com -
Bells? Beware the big meltdown. Oh my...I can hear the buzz now. Ever been near one of these things? No way. Not a healthy option at all.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_8705700?nclick_check=1

This is what Spitzer was after, and this is what still makes some preachers mad as hell. And what makes regular US citizens question fairness and the rule of law, I should think.

More from Greg P from the same article:
---------------

Now, what kind of American is ‘sub-prime.’ Guess. No peeking. Here’s a hint: 73% of HIGH INCOME Black and Hispanic borrowers were given sub-prime loans versus 17% of similar-income Whites. Dark-skinned borrowers aren’t stupid – they had no choice. They were ‘steered’ as it’s called in the mortgage sharking business.

‘Steering,’ sub-prime loans with usurious kickers, fake inducements to over-borrow, called ‘fraudulent conveyance’ or ‘predatory lending’ under US law, were almost completely forbidden in the olden days (Clinton Administration and earlier) by federal regulators and state laws as nothing more than fancy loan-sharking.

peterrost.blogspot.com/2008/03/was-spitzer-scandal-and-bailout-of-rich.html

The false narratives and the media machine the dems are up against:
---------
Why We Write

By Robert Parry
November 13, 2007
*******
Media Infrastructure

To push this fearful vision further, right-wing foundations – coordinated by former Treasury Secretary Bill Simon – began investing in a conservative media infrastructure that included ideological magazines, attack groups to go after mainstream journalists, and think tanks that would generate endless position papers and talking points.

By the 1980s, after Ronald Reagan’s election, many young neocons – the likes of Elliott Abrams and Robert Kagan – were getting credentialed into the U.S. government. Meanwhile, at CIA, hard-line Cold Warrior, Director William Casey, and his deputy, Robert Gates, were purging the old analysts who kept seeing signs of Soviet decline.

The preferred narrative was that the Soviet juggernaut, which was supposedly encircling the United States, required a massive U.S. military build-up combined with support for brutal right-wing regimes and instigation of anticommunist insurgencies around the world.

So, while hundreds of billions of tax dollars were poured into the Star Wars missile defense and other expensive weapons systems, the Reagan administration also backed “death squad” regimes in Guatemala and El Salvador, terrorist-style insurgencies in Nicaragua and Angola, and Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan where a Saudi named Osama bin Laden helped out by recruiting bands of Arab jihadists.

As the Soviet Union continued its decline through the 1980s, the Reagan administration kept its eyes wide shut. The housebroken CIA analytical division knew better than to continue challenging the Soviet-juggernaut narrative.

Ironically, when the Soviet empire broke apart from 1989 to 1991, the CIA analysts came in for ridicule for “missing” the Soviet collapse.

But the neocons simply adjusted the narrative: Rather than accept that the Nixon-Ford détente-ists had been right about signs of Soviet weakness in the 1970s, the narrative became that Ronald Reagan had “won” the Cold War by supporting brush-fire wars, lavishing money on the Pentagon, and telling Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down that wall.”

An accurate narrative might have suggested that Reagan and the neocons had unnecessarily extended the Cold War, enriched military contractors, inflicted needless bloodshed, and strengthened future enemies like bin Laden. But the accepted narrative essentially justified all the carnage and corruption as essential to victory.

As the U.S. media and political hierarchy accepted the neocon narrative, the neocons learned a key lesson: no one in the Washington power structure would challenge them if they used a combination of fear to herd the American people behind a position, media power to blast out their message, and ridicule to discredit the remaining critics.

www.consortiumnews.com/2007/111207.html

This primary season has exposed the race and gender relationship that exist in this country. From surrogates speaking out on behalf of their candidate, to where we are fighting amongst ourselves. The media is keeping the race card in the airwaves. The Republicans are loving our infighting and waiting for their chance to place racism back in play. We remain a country divided. It's not up to the candidate to bring the country together, it's up to us as Americans. Big Business and those who love our divided history are threaten by the possibility of this country coming together. As a united party we threaten to bring down those barriers. If we ever want to do away with affirmative action as it is defined and install true equality in this country, then we need to mend the differences that exist between the races of this country; followed by gender differences and sexism as it is described by our American citizens. Senator Obama offered it in his speech.
We need to move forward or allow the Republican party another term so that they can continue to take this country further backwards as a global society.

Posted by TomN on March 28, 2008 at 01:46 AM

Tom,

Even as the Republicans talk about the victory that is possible, our citizens look around them here at home and only see a super power in decline.

The corporate media can recite all the conservative think tank copy points they want, but it doesn't mask the truth from the sheeple any longer.

We need leadership in the worst way. It's not going to come from those who brought us down this path and still cling to past glories. McCain and Clinton are a like in this respect.

They remember things that didn't happen and tell us they can make them happen again.

We need to move forward or allow the Republican party another term so that they can continue to take this country further backwards as a global society.

Posted by scpo1096 on March 28, 2008 at 01:55 AM

scpo1096,

We've given them leave to self-distruct too many times already. It's getting redundent and very unhealthy to wait for things to right themselves. We no longer have the luxury of proving them wrong.

We have to take back control and make the course correction ourselves. The masses won't give it to us. We have to take it.

Posted by dog on March 28, 2008 at 02:26 AM

Now that you have buried one of your reoccuring global warming demons, why don't you think about doing the same with McCain?

Admit it. What you really hate about us is that we won’t stop the GOP incompetents from making things worse.

They have been in control for 15 years now and have acted exactly the way you said we would if we were running things.

You know it's true.

Now they are putting up McCain who is squirrellier than Kucinich.

I understand your frustration. But after helping these doorknobs get into power and then defending them (even as they destroyed everything you hold dear) you want to blame it all on us?

No, you did this to yourself. But there is a way to redeem yourself.

Instead of voting for the Libertarians this fall (who are going to be running Gravel anyway) why don't you help us sink this dysfunctional GOP oil cartel once and for all?

Don't you want to teach the RNC a lesson for allowing McCain to get the nomination? Besides. it would be public service to send him to a nursing home with Lieberman as his assisted living aide.

And, while Obama may have big ears, he doesn't have a big ass...and getting him elected could put your side in a really strong position for 2012, if you can ever find a decent candidate to run.

Think about it.

Meanwhile, we're getting a posse together and are going to lure Julius Caesar into the shadows of the Forum. Join us if you like, but don’t tip off Reid. He doesn't have the stomach of something like this. Nancy does.

Posted by SandyH on March 28, 2008 at 03:22 AM

Duh?

Posted by FrostyRadish on March 28, 2008 at 04:18 AM

You ought to quit posting your anti global warming posts. They are too long, nobody here in the morning id doing to bother reading them and they are going to be scrubbed anyway. You are wasting your time! Go to bed!

id doing, should read "is going to bother reading"

Where did you go, Frosty? Cat got your tongue?

Frosty is leaving the building! Boo Hoo. Just when I wanted to get into a nice long discourse on why John McCain is Bush reborn but more feeble!

George Allen is toast! Rick Santorum is toast! And John McCain is Frosty's candidate! Hee...Heee.....

Allen is a flaming Hitler style racist and Santorum is a religious crank nut job and these are the two nut jobs that Frosty hoped would get the nomination from the floor at a brokered Republican convention. Fat chance now, Frosty. You are stuck with McQack! Can you say "President Obama" or "President Hillary?" hee...heee....

Frosty, if you are lurking out there, licking your wounds, I have one final thing to say to you, MCQACK EQUALS BUSH SQUARED!!!!

On a serious note, the more McCain staggers around giving speeches, trying to appeal to the Republican conservative base, the deeper the hole he digs for himself in the general election. It does not sound real and he definitely does not sound like he has the faintest idea what he is talking about.

Ir was real nice to see our two candidates quit shooting each other in the foot yesterday and both started talking about the issues and started attacking McCain. I hope that continues. I wonder if some of the Party leaders had a "come to Jesus meeting" with the two of them about not continuing to hurt the Party. I hope so! And it's about time!

If global warming is all "hype" then why are BP, Chevron, Shell, Exxon-Mobil investing billions in alternative energy sources? The executives of these companies are hard-boiled business types who aren't doing this becasue it "feels good" or is the "right thing to do." They plan on making more money selling these energy forms back to us.

One year of expanding ice isn't a trend... We simply do not know if warming is part of a natural cycle exacerbated by human beings' consumption of fossil fuels or something triggered exclusively by us. It would seem prudent to error on the safe side. The fact that the energy companies are "drilling" for alternatives indicates, to me at least, that they are playing it safe as ell.

We equate MORE with PROGRESS because it doesn't require any modification of our consumption patterns or their underlying value systems. It reinforces the "status quo" and doesn't require any effort. Change does... hence the resistance to global warming.

God Bless America!

Posted by dog on March 28, 2008 at 06:24 AM

You would be better off talking to or about someone who knows you. When your day of judgment comes, you will be standing with the goats, not the sheep!

Your Prostate will take the final dive when a republican takes office.

Posted by dog on March 28, 2008 at 06:30 AM

Your memory isn't very good,"Dog" I don't have a prostate, it was removed by incompetent Republican HMO surgeon. If your memory has been affected by the syphilis that is eating your brain, click on my screen name for a refresher!

You need to invest in order to continue. Posted by dog on March 28, 2008 at 06:24 AM

Think about what you just said... Their investments in alternative energies then means that they have made the decision that alternative energies are the future. Your own logic leads to this conclusion! Otherwise, why would they be doing it?

In that case, I´ll see you in Hell Lil´ Tex.

Posted by dog on March 28, 2008 at 06:37 AM

No doubt! And since I'll be going first, (unless that syphpll gets you first), I'll save you a good spot. It will be nice to have someone to argue with who is so easy!

How nice of you, but I don´t take handouts. especially handouts from libs. I´ll find my spot when I get there.

Posted by dog on March 28, 2008 at 06:56 AM

Awh,....Did you get your baby feeling hurt?

BTW,..."Those of you without sin shall throw the first stone...." ...were you trying to quote scripture there? You better leave that to Essie,...she's much better at doing that.

Hillary Clinton's wealthy pals warn Nancy Pelosi on superdelegates

WASHINGTON - Hillary Clinton's megabucks donors picked a fight with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday, pitting the most famous woman in politics against the most powerful.

Angered that Pelosi wants Democratic insiders to follow the will of voters when they cast their own "superdelegate" votes in the nomination race, 20 of Clinton's top fund-raisers issued a veiled threat to Pelosi and warned her to change her tune.

Link

There are two way to run a Clinton campaign. One is while your winning demand the campaign is run with Clinton ethnics that does not challenge her, and where she controls all the questions and answer few. The other is when she loses control and throws in the Kitchen Sink in. This is a brawl of Clinton intimidation, where she and her friends will destroy anyone opposing her with the Clinton vengeance of pure venom and hate mongrels.

There are basically saying, the Clinton's own the Democratic Party, it is part of their possession by inheritance of royal lineage of ascending the Bush throne. Look at what they are doing to Pelosi, trying to ban her opinion like banning an Alabama Poet right to speak out.

Can you imagine her in the White House with Executive Privilege, we might have to open a Clinton prison of the unfaithful?

In the way Bush ruled the Republicans, the "We the people" Democratic Party would be destroyed into another Bohemian Party Bush turned Clinton Republic of the wealthy corporate power elite that is why they are dictating to a freely elected Democrat to shut her mouth and follow the foot steps of Clinton power, by denying any Democratic candidate the right to speak out against her.

The Clinton Corporation would also censor descent like Pelosi, like they did me in Alabama, where 24/7, a poet was denied the right to put any verse down on paper, even in their own home. It was "Obscene" to oppose a Bush, now a Clinton in the Freedom and Democracy of Constitutional Civil Liberties. You see with royals, the working class has no right of diversity's equality of economic Free Speech in a worker's own home. I know how much it costs to be truly free in America, where you must stay indoors to afford it, especially in Spring Break Florida inflation.

After serving in the military, I started writing Vietnam rants which vented the venom that built up. This released the frustrations of things like a Bush and now Clinton Intimidated World, where civilians are not allowed to question Bush Intelligence and some accept it "At Will" Clinton power. How can one stop writing therapeutic thoughts down on paper in order to keep a job in Alabama? It seems here workers have no Constitutional rights to their homes.

It seems with this close Royal Fraternity, one never confronts the President for concrete accountability of facts. It also seems these Bohemians love to talk in secret strategy sessions in business meetings making them money, leaving "We the people" out of the equation, as if to say, you are not part of government. It is their Clinton White House and they can rent it out in the future for campaign funds now.

Morning JohnBoy and MARZBAR,

It's 46 and clear.

I am sick to death of the chimpenfuhrer. He sounds like a f**king broken record. "we are making progress in Iraq" "stay the course", yada, yada, yada.

Iraq is descending into civil war as we speak.

bush and cheney are lying sacks of liquid crap.

Once people find out how really old McCain REALLY is, he's going to nose dive in the polls.

I respect older people, I do. They should be honored, but someone who is 80+, running the most powerful country in the world?.... not the best idea.

Some will say, don't worry McCain will have "helpers" in office.

Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Scooter, Brownie, helped Bush.

We can't afford anymore of that "help".

We can't afford another Bush, we can't afford McCain.

Posted by Johne on March 28, 2008 at 07:09 AM

Good morning Johne, it's going to be hot here today.....The gangsters are planning to continue their looting of the US treasury. Ain't going to happen!

John,

There was an article about a speech that mukasi (attorney general) made about corruption in the governemnt.

He sounds like an honest individual. He is going after all evil doers. He said that bush was trying to slip a loophole into a law holding contractors accountable for their actions in Iraq.

He said "no way". I am going to root out all corruption no matter which party. This has been my perception of how our government is supposed to operate. We have had these republican political games for so long, it is hard to recognize exactly how our government is supposed to run.

HONESTLY WITH NO LIES

There is another story out there. The two generals who got us into war, Franks was one,
actually admitted they trumped up the story about Iraq. Bush asked them if they thought he should go to war. Franks and this other general considered this over cocktails one night in 2002 and concluded that despite the lack of evidence of any kind, that it was a good idea to attack Iraq.

I always knew there were unpatriotic, worthless generals but I didn't know the stupidity went so deep.

heh heh. I hope our candidates' strategists are spending at least some time filing away all the idiotic things McLame keeps saying to toss back at him like an IED during debate time next fall. If the economy and the Iraq invasion and continued oppression are the main issues for November, the easiest commercials in the world will be to play McLame speaking aux naturale these past few weeks. That will also be great because it won't be Democrats digging through dirt or lowering ourselves down to negativity, but simply reminding the country what an idiot he is. For those of us who already cringe when our current Pretzeldent speaks, this will only solidify the Democrat lead.

It was real nice to see our two candidates quit shooting each other in the foot yesterday and both started talking about the issues and started attacking McCain. I hope that continues. I wonder if some of the Party leaders had a "come to Jesus meeting" with the two of them about not continuing to hurt the Party. I hope so! And it's about time!

Posted by goodfoe on March 28, 2008 at 05:13 AM

I agree John - it was refreshing. I'm getting a litle burnt out hearing the two of them bash each other. But I'm also getting burnt out hearing the media saying over and over again about how this party is split, how both Obama and Clinton are hurting the party and how McCain will slide in as President.... having said that, I'm taking a few days off. I'm not listening to TV, radio, not reading any newspapers or blogging...need to give it a rest!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Keep on Rockn'

Johne, if I was in better physical condition, I would love to drive over and hook up with you and see some of your beautiful state. But that's not on the table. If I had the money and the time, i would move to NM to not be in the same state with the Chimpenfuhrer after he retires. Oh, well ,I'll just have to put up with it. Maybe he'll move to Paraguay and give us all a break.....John Boy....

Incompetence Alert: Pentagon gives inexperienced 22 year-old $300 million contract

A lengthy investigation published Thursday reveals that the Pentagon gave an inexperienced 22-year-old a $300 million contract to provide ammunition to Afghanistan. The shady deal resulted in decades old, substandard munitions being delivered to US and Afghan troops fighting on the front lines of the war on terror.

Link

It seems the Bush White House cannot keep track of nuclear triggers, nor 50 year old outdated munitions. It seems however our contractors make millions swindling our Republican Republic Corporate government.

It seems the U.S. Attorney General sees prosecuting politician as more important that prosecuting Republican Republic Corporations swindling billions in unaccounted for White House funds. We can allow a 22 year old to set up a sham corporation that sells inferior ammo to our allies, who might be defending U.S. troops. Like Blackwater, Halliburton, and now this kid the U.S. Attorney General will do nothing to combat the fraud, he is going after Democrats with a vengeance.

WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER SET OF WARMONGERING WAR PROFITEERS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, EVER!

Posted by Johne on March 28, 2008 at 07:31 AM

The generals knew what Bush wanted to do. They were planning to attack Iraq prior to 911. The generals just caved and said what they knew he wanted to hear.

With the exception of Gen. Zinny who wrote the report "Desert Crossing" which the DOD in their deception, refused to release.

John,

You would be welcome. New Mexico is a beautiful state. It kind of grows on you. You can't beat the climate.

I heard on the radio news all day yesterday that cities in the south like Atlanta, Dallas and others are the fastest growing cities in the country. The reason being that lots of people are moving out of the northeast because our industrial might has all been shipped to China. This is scary. If you'll remember, the opposite happened during WWII when people from the south flocked to the northeastern cities and California to find work.

Posted by Kathy_from_Indiana on March 28, 2008 at 07:32 AM

Get awayfor awhile. It will do you good and you'll come back refreshed and ready for the battle. We still have a long way to go....John Boy....

Kathy,

Take care and come back when you are rested. It is an epic struggle against these mafioso.

Posted by Johne on March 28, 2008 at 07:42 AM

That's one of the reasons I would like to move to the Texas Hill Country or to New Mexico. Too many people here in the Houston Metroplex and I long for my old home town that only had 1500 people in it. Life was easier and simpler then. Didn't have to fight with 2,000,000 other drivers to get somewhere.

Well, off to work. One street project to go. It is half done, then I will take the summer off.

That's it for me for awhile. I'm going to take Foster to school now. ...Later....maybe.....more likely in the AM.....Peace.....John Boy......

good morning. getting some rain here in the hudson valley. should be a bumper mosquito crop this year...

Shut Guantanamo, ex-diplomats say

ATHENS, GA. -- Five former U.S. secretaries of State on Thursday urged the next presidential administration to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and open a dialogue with Iran.

The former chiefs of American diplomacy, who served in Democratic and Republican administrations, reached a consensus on the two issues at a conference in Athens aimed at giving the next president some bipartisan foreign policy advice.

Each of them said closing the prison in Cuba would bolster America's image abroad.

Link

While Guantanamo is run by the military and its Judicial White House branch, how much does the State Department own its policies. Can they we charged in the World Court?

Why does not Hillary ever challenge Bush in anything? Hillary and Obama put your names on the list to do the same and/or commit to closing it down.

John,

I hate large cities. I lived in Los Angeles for about 4 years in the 1960's. It was too crowded even then.

Ever since, I have lived in small towns ranging from 1,200 to 20,000.

We are close enough to ABQ (50 miles)and live about 20 miles south of a small town of 6,000. It is just the perfect size and hasn't taken on a life of it's own yet. When cities get to a certain size, everyone wants to move there and the city starts growing too fast.

the peepers started their singing last night.

jeepers creepers here come those peepers

awwww, the peepers are sooo cute, Gregg! Reminds me of the green tree frogs that used to live in our siding in Florida

This is what they sound like: quank. Click the "listen" button.

ah yes Alcoa Aluminum siding frogs! whenever the siding guy would come thru our neighborhood in post war long island trying to sell siding jobs to the rubes he would always have a fedora full of the little silver buggers to entertain the kids....

karen i went to the coyote photo from that site and played the sound and my lab jumped up and ran to the little computer speaker and tilted its head listening like the old rca victor dog nipper used to do!

nipper

Good morning

Impeach the Chimp and The Shooter

American tourists with dollars turned away from currency exchanges in Amsterdam
by John Aravosis (DC) · 3/28/2008 08:27:00 AM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: 1 Comment · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

I'd seen this article while I was Greece two weeks ago, and forgot to post it then. It's still relevant. The Republicans are destroying our international reputation. This is the dollar we're talking, not the peso. This kind of thing happens with developing country currencies experiencing hyperinflation, it doesn't happen with the US dollar. Until now. I really think this is an issue that Hillary, Obama and the Dems overall have dropped the ball on. It's frightfully embarrassing. And it so encapsulates what the Republicans have done to our country over the past 8 years. The almighty dollar is now no better than a third world currency you've never even heard of. From Reuters:

The U.S. dollar's value is dropping so fast against the euro that small currency outlets in Amsterdam are turning away tourists seeking to sell their dollars for local money while on vacation in the Netherlands....

That's because the smaller currency exchanges -- despite buy/sell spreads that make it easier for them to make money by exchanging small amounts of currency -- don't want to be caught holding dollars that could be worth less by the time they can sell them.

Imagine if Bill Clinton had done this. Imagine the Republican talking points. Come on, Democrats - think strategically. This is the kind of insult that regular Americans can appreciate.
=================================================

It's the war economy, stupid!

McCain ... same as Bush!

Froomkin: "There is plenty of reason to doubt the White House spin."
by Joe Sudbay (DC) · 3/27/2008 11:12:00 PM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: 25 Comments · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

Dan Froomkin, in a column that he could have written in 2003 or 2004 or 2005 or 2006 or 2007, dissects yet another version of the Bush victory speech, while Basra and Baghdad are in chaos (again):

As fighting rages in Basra, the White House is unleashing a forceful spin campaign to frame the Iraqi government's offensive there as a positive outcome of the U.S. troop surge and a symbol of better days to come.

Speaking to an invitation-only audience at an Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio, this morning, President Bush argued that the Basra incursion "shows the progress the Iraqi security forces have made during the surge" and "demonstrates to the Iraqi people that their government is committed to protecting them. . . .

"The enemy, you know, will try to fill the TV screens with violence," he scoffed. "But the ultimate result will be this: Terrorists and extremists in Iraq will know they have no place in a free and democratic society."

But is the bloodshed in Basra an example of a unified central government asserting itself and the Iraqi army standing up? Or is it further evidence of the internecine strife ravaging the country? Will Basra become a symbol of the restoration of the rule of law? Or will it turn out to be a step toward heightened violence?

There is plenty of reason to doubt the White House spin. Just look at what's happening on the ground, compare that to what the U.S. military is saying about it, and recall the administration's many previous statements of optimism about Iraq.

Oh yes, we can recall many, "many previous statements of optimism about Iraq." Many. And, they've all been misleading, if not outright lies. If one wanted to challenge Bush's optimism, one could take note of the current working situation for U.S. embassy personnel in the Green Zone:

On Thursday, the State Department instructed all Embassy personnel not to leave reinforced structures. A memo sent to embassy staff and obtained by The Associated Press says employees are required to wear helmets and other protective gear if they must venture outside and strongly advises them to sleep in blast-resistant locations instead of trailers.
=================================================

McCain and his million year occupation.

McCain ... same as Bush.