Good evening fellow Democrats.

Yes we can!

Change we can believe in!

Si se puede!

I am a Democrat and I am voting for a Democrat on 4NOV08. If you can't or won't say that, why are you here?

Rice hits U.S. 'birth defect' By Nicholas Kralev

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that the United States still has trouble dealing with race because of a national "birth defect" that denied black Americans the opportunities given to whites at the country's very founding.

"Black Americans were a founding population," she said. "Africans and Europeans came here and founded this country together — Europeans by choice and Africans in chains. That's not a very pretty reality of our founding."

As a result, Miss Rice told editors and reporters at The Washington Times, "descendants of slaves did not get much of a head start, and I think you continue to see some of the effects of that."

"That particular birth defect makes it hard for us to confront it, hard for us to talk about it, and hard for us to realize that it has continuing relevance for who we are today," she said.

Race has become an issue in this year's presidential campaign, which prompted a much-discussed speech last week by Sen. Barack Obama, one of the two remaining contenders for the Democratic nomination.

Miss Rice declined to comment on the campaign, saying only that it was "important" that Mr. Obama "gave it for a whole host of reasons."

But she spoke forcefully on the subject, citing personal and family experience to illustrate "a paradox and contradiction in this country," which "we still haven't resolved."

On the one hand, she said, race in the U.S. "continues to have effects" on public discussions and "the deepest thoughts that people hold." On the other, "enormous progress" has been made, which allowed her to become the nation's chief diplomat...

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/FOREIGN/746301768/1001

Well, here something that doesn't happen very often. I agree with Secretary Rice. I have found her comments to be quite insightful and tasteful. The junior senator from NY should try a similar tact with her campaign. In this one case, Secretary Rice sounds more like a Democrat than the junior senator from NY, IMHO.

I'm with you Bob, I'm voting Democrat. maybe a few more texans will follow my lead.

Posted by TexasLane on March 28, 2008 at 07:24 PM

It would be nice to see TX turn blue again. It's been a long time as it has for my home state, VA. Sen. Obama (D-IL) has a good chance here in November. The junior senator from NY is a long shot.

What's your opinion of TX in that regard?

Godo evening again, all.

In the past when there were close primaries, similar polls were taken. When the smoke cleared in the generals, there was no evidence that "irate Democrats" crossed the line to vote for a Republican.

Posted by rjsnj on March 28, 2008 at 05:07 PM

rjsnj,

While there's nothing wrong with letting the Republicans become overly confident, I sincerely doubt any of them really think their party has much of chance this year.

Limbaugh's Chaos strategy is pretty much a last ditch effort to sideline our momentum but it came way too late.

The Rev. Wright thing is not working for the Swiftboaters. And Hillary is not looking like the ogre Republicans had been told she was for all these many years.

Oddly, Limbaugh has introduced the sheeple to something they actually seem to like...Democrats.

For all the bickering and name calling going on between the two campaigns, most Democrats and Independents can't help but like both of our candidates to some degree. So how could they not continue to be enthusiastic about our side the closer we get to November?

And more importantly, the longer this primary contest goes on the more attention and free media time our party gets in the corporate MSM.

For almost eight years now Democrats have been ignored or marginalized in the press...so much so that some voters didn't even know who we were or what the possibilities were outside the GOP.

They do now.

Not only are we being taken seriously, most voters find our primary ruckus fascinating. It's democracy in action...something they haven't seen in such a long time.

Americans have lived under the censorship and executive abuse of this incompetent Bush Nightmare for so long that they are thrilled that the two party system is still alive and kicking...and that Change is really possible with either of our two remaining Democrats.

Have a nice weekend fellow Democrats. Keep the Faith and keep the faith. The populist revolution has begun.

imagine what damage he would have done as President.

You so witty.

Could anything be worse than Spunky? Yeah, McCain. He's dumber than Bush and more senile than Mr. Magoo.

McCain is your standard bearer and you never tell us about all his sterling qualities? Why is that?

All we get is a sermon about climate change.
What are you a Nature worshipper? Do you like to run through the woods naked and forage for nuts and fruit?

Well, From the news I would say that Obama has a better chance. But when I watched the Texas Debate it seemed the opposite.

They had a group of students from SMU who were scoring the debate in terms of favorable or not. Every time Clinton would speak it would go up and would go down when Obama would speak. The only time this wasnt the case was when Clinton went negative.

Of course, this was before Clinton's mis-statement.

Oh, interesting story from my wife. She went to caucus for Clinton ( I work nights and couldn't) and was made a delegate. She said the caucus was really unfair to Hillary here because it so late and many of her supporters were elderly and couldnt stay till the end. I have heard this statement from Hillary's campaign a few times and, at least here, it is true.

Oddly, Limbaugh has introduced the sheeple to something they actually seem to like...Democrats.
==================================================

Sandy, wouldn't that be an irony if good ole Rush actually pushed Republicans over to the Democratic side.

btw.

I'm still barely in Clinton's camp while all my daughters (two voting age) are in Obama's camp. I hear that their Grandfather ( A possible superdelagate since he is very active in the Democratic party) is for Obama as well.

This is a chilling story. Don Siegelman has been released for now.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/28/17340/4869/847/486314

Siegelman: Rove's Fingerprints Smeared All Over Case Hotlist
by DHinMI
Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:16:45 PM PDT

We know part of the story in the scandal of Republican politicization of the U.S. Attorneys. We know about U.S. Attorneys who got sacked for not doing the partisan dirty work for the Bush White House and the GOP. The other side of the story is still murky: what about the U.S. Attorneys who did willingly turn their offices in to partisan outposts and used the Department of Justice to settle political scores?

A part of that story may start to emerge with the release from federal prison of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman:

In a telephone interview shortly after he walked out of a federal prison in Oakdale, La., Mr. Siegelman said there had been "abuse of power" in his case, and repeatedly cited the influence of Karl Rove, the former White House political director.

"His fingerprints are smeared all over the case," Mr. Siegelman said, a day after a federal appeals court ordered him released on bond and said there were legitimate questions about his case.

[...]

The former governor, a Democrat, said he would "press" to have Mr. Rove answer questions about his possible involvement in the case before Congress, which has already held a hearing on Mr. Siegelman. On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee signaled its intention to have Mr. Siegelman testify about the nature of his prosecution.

[...]

On the telephone outside the prison today, Mr. Siegelman said he had confidence that the federal appeals court, which will now consider his larger appeal, would agree with his view of the case — that he was convicted for a transaction that regularly takes place in American politics.

Otherwise, Mr. Siegelman said, "every governor and every president and every contributor might as well turn themselves in, because it’s going to be open season on them."

Siegelman is expected to make a public statement this evening.

http://www.dailyreportonline.com/Editorial/News/singleEdit.asp?individual_SQL=3%2F28%2F2008%4022312

How many times have you (rjsnj) called me a troll? Please realize that not everybody agrees with your point of view. Since we belong to the same team you would think you would be a little nicer!

Posted by jenar on March 28, 2008 at 10:37 AM

Jenar, He calls everybody that doesn't agree with him a troll. Don't take it personally. He just doesn't know how to debate nicely.

New Bush admin. scandal: Top aide quits over misuse of US AID money
by Joe Sudbay (DC) · 3/28/2008 03:36:00 PM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: 47 Comments · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

It's always something with those crooks, liars and cheaters at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW:

The White House says an aide to President Bush has resigned because of the alleged misuse of grant money from U.S. Agency for International Development.

Presidential spokesman Scott Stanzel says the former aide, Felipe Sixto, had been a special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs. Stanzel said Sixto was promoted to that position on March 1 and that he came forward on March 20 to tell his superiors about the alleged wrongdoing.

Stanzel said it involved improprieties involving the use of grant money and Sixto's former employer, the Center for a Free Cuba. Stanzel says the matter has been turned over to the Justice Department.

More on the Center for a Free Cuba here.

http://www.americablog.com/2008/03/new-bush-admin-scandal-top-aide-quits.html

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Impeach the Chimp!

Global warming is a bitch!Cold Holds Back Sugar Makers

You really just do not understand the whole concept of Global Warming and Climate change do you? That is the problem, there old shit for brains. You have no idea what it is all about. May I suggest you spend less time here, and more time reading exactly how it all works. Then you would not appear as ignorant as you do! (ps, trust me, making corporations comply with carbon pollution will not cost you one of those few pennies you have)

Wall Street borrowing $32.9 billion per day from Fed
by Chris in Paris · 3/28/2008 03:21:00 PM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: 15 Comments · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

But remember, they love the free market. That's what Wall Street and the GOP tell us anyway. Just make sure the "free" is free money from taxpayers. What a sad bunch of freeloaders. The only thing that's worse is that nobody is getting serious yet about the strings that ought to be attached. If we're going to subsidize these bums then what are we getting in return? Another CEO making millions in stock sale profits? Sorry, not interesting.

What is so difficult about talking money now, as in today? Give me specifics about the new regulations that will safeguard our investments. Tell me how we're going offer plans to help investors from getting ripped off by Wall Street charges on their retirement plans. Maybe even put a hold on executives from selling any of their shares until we have a clear picture of what is happening. These are extraordinary times so let's not miss the window. Let's talk about this now. Today. Not tomorrow. Today.
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Corporate welfare! Your tax dollars going to Wall Street criminals. The same that outsource your jobs, bust your pension fund and subject you to usury if you go bankrupt.

These are the people that McCain supports.

McCain ... same as Bush!

O'Hanlon Iraq follies, part 359,802
by A.J. Rossmiller · 3/28/2008 12:34:00 PM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: 36 Comments · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

Michael O'Hanlon, expert on everything and embarrassment to foreign policy professionals everywhere, regularly pumps out vacuous op-eds on the pages of, well, every major paper you can think of. His latest Washington Times gem, though, is particularly special, and includes this treasure:

The Iraqi Security Forces are surely better than before. But with memories of Iraq's intense civil war of 2006 and early 2007 still very fresh, it is doubtful they have gone far enough towards establishing national rather than sectarian loyalties.

That's a relief! I was worried that the past few days demonstrated the continuation and complication of an internal civil war, but apparently it's just a few little aftershocks of that ugly civil war that ended a year ago.

He also says we should send "at least modest numbers of American troops southward" into Basra. Not sure which side he wants us to take in that civil war . . . I mean, post-conflict zone.

Yikes.
=================================================
Face up to it O'Hanlon, you were wrong about the "surge".

The surge has failed.

McCain waffles on sensible tobacco policy
By: Steve Benen @ 12:20 PM - PDT

There was a point, a couple of personas ago, at which John McCain didn’t mind showing some leadership skills on matters pertaining to public health. It’s what led him to work with John Edwards on a Patients’ Bill of Rights (which he has since given up on) and, for many years, support efforts to crack down on the tobacco industry.

But as is too often the case, the new McCain has little use for the positions taken by the old McCain. (thanks to A.B. for the heads-up)

Ten years ago, Senator John McCain took on the tobacco industry, saying he would never back down from legislation to regulate the industry. He also supported a $1.10-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund programs to cut underage smoking. “I still regret we did not succeed,” he said as recently as last October.

Now, McCain’s longtime effort to crack down on tobacco is being put to a new test. Within weeks, the Senate is expected to vote on legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco. McCain agreed months ago to cosponsor the current bill with Senator Edward M. Kennedy, but McCain’s policy adviser said the senator won’t commit to voting for it until he sees the final legislation.

McCain has also dropped his support for increasing cigarette taxes. Last year, McCain voted against legislation that would have used a 61-cents-per-pack tax to expand a children’s health program.

On the Hill and in policy circles, McCain was known as one of the “good guys” in the Republican caucus on this issue. The tobacco industry hated him, his fellow GOP lawmakers knew he’d vote with Dems on regulation, and public-health advocates came to see him as a reliable ally.

And then McCain decided he wanted to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2008.

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

McCrap (as in he is full of it!)

heading out Dems. Between fund raising events for a 10 year old burn victim, a baby shower for my daughter, getting ready to go to the Final four in Tampa, I am on the run every day.

Blog ya over the weekend.

Mourning Their Loss?
By: Nicole Belle @ 9:51 AM - PDT

I love Helen Thomas. Look how flustered she makes Perino.

Media Bloodhound watched this presser and Dana Perino’s assertion that Bush mourn every military loss and asked “Really?”

And how was our mourner-in-chief spending his day as our four thousandth soldier took one last breath in the sands of Iraq? Goofing around the White House and posing for pictures with a six-foot-tall Easter Bunny. No, really.

As Edward M. Gomez pointed out in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Noted the British newspaper the Daily Express yesterday: “Bush larked about with a 6-[foot-tall] Easter Bunny yesterday [Sunday, March 23] as his troops mourned their 4000th death in Iraq. The grim milestone was reached after four U.S. servicemen were killed when their patrol in southern Baghdad was hit by a roadside bomb on Easter Sunday. The president was pictured hugging the [Easter Bunny] at the White House as children…took over the South Lawn for the [annual] Easter Egg Roll….”

Read the whole article here.

http://mediabloodhound.typepad.com/weblog/2008/03/this-is-a-presi.html

Damn Chimp. So while the troops die, he's doing this!

Special Report:
President Bush Mourns Every Loss?

Reutbunny_2 In the last line of "The Unfeeling President," novelist E.L. Doctorow’s masterful 2004 essay on President Bush, he wrote: "He cannot mourn but is a figure of such moral vacancy as to make us mourn for ourselves."

Many Americans would have agreed with Doctorow's assessment four years ago. Today, far more have accepted this reality about the man who sends our sons and daughters off to die in his never-ending war of choice. Yet, by and large, our national press corps still covers President Bush as if he were a king, treating him with a deference and submissiveness equal to the contempt and belligerence he affords its members, the American people, world opinion and the rule of law.

In a telling prelude to the grim milestone of 4,000 American dead in Iraq (of which 97% were killed after the president, with his "Mission Accomplished" banner aloft, declared major combat operations over), Mr. Bush, less than two weeks ago, gushed about how "romantic" it would be to fight right now on the "front lines" in Afghanistan. You know, trudging through clouds of depleted uranium while sniper bullets whiz by your head, wondering if the next roadside bomb has your name on it. On March 13, in a videoconference with U.S. military and civilian personnel stationed in Afghanistan, our president spoke of war as if it were a videogame (to date, roughly 482 US troops have died in Afghanistan):

"I must say, I'm a little envious," Bush said. "If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed.

"It must be exciting for you ... in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You're really making history, and thanks," Bush said.

Adding insult to injury, on that very same day, March 13, the Pentagon released an exhaustive study confirming that there was no connection between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda.

Meanwhile, our uber chickenhawk of a president - who, along with his multiple draft-deferring vice president, avoided serving in Vietnam - had expressed a similar callous, G.I. Joe vision of warfare in September 2007. Writing for the Washington Post, Dan Froomkin reported on Bush's "misguided sense of bravado":

President Bush wishes that he could be alongside the troops in Iraq -- except that he's too old. At least that's what he reportedly told a blogger embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq...."N.Z. Bear," one of the eight guests sitting around a table with Bush at the White House, reported: "Responding to one of the bloggers in Iraq he expressed envy that they could be there, and said he'd like to be there but 'One, I'm too old to be out there, and two, they would notice me.'"

Froomkin also noted that since declaring an end to major combat missions operations on May 1, 2003, Bush, through September 2007, had only visited Iraq three times, for a total of fewer than 15 hours. Here's the courageous breakdown:

Bush's first trip was a two-and-a-half-hour visit to the Baghdad airport on Thanksgiving 2003, where he teared up at the sight of the soldiers and was famously photographed posing with a prop turkey.

In June 2006, Bush spent five hours visiting Iraqi political leaders in Baghdad, although he didn't let the prime minister know he was coming.

During his most recent trip, two weeks ago, Bush was on the ground for seven hours, never leaving the confines of a military base known as Camp Cupcake, a heavily fortified American outpost for 10,000 troops with a 13-mile perimeter.

And how does Bush's vice president soften the oncoming blow of 4,000 American dead? In response to ABC's Martha Raddich pointing out that two-thirds of Americans think the war was a mistake, Dick Cheney replied, "So?"

Check this out. When the 4000th fell, this is what the Chimp was doing!

http://mediabloodhound.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/26/reutbunny_2.jpg

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

Arrogant right wing POS.

McCrap is no different.

McCain ... same as Bush.

Bush: Violence in Iraq is a “positive moment”
By: SilentPatriot @ 9:00 AM - PDT

You see, because we’re winning if casualties go down, and we’re winning if they go up. Got that? We can’t lose!

Times of London:

President Bush gave warning yesterday that Iraq’s “fragile situation” required the US to maintain a strong military presence there, even as he defended the withdrawal of British troops from Basra, the scene of heavy fighting in recent days.

In an interview with The Times, he backed the Iraqi Government’s decision to “respond forcefully” to the spiralling violence by “criminal elements” and Shia extremists in Basra. “It was a very positive moment in the development of a sovereign nation that is willing to take on elements that believe they are beyond the law,” the President said.

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

Hey Chimpy you moron, the Iraqi troops responded by abandoning their tanks in the field! Al Sadr's goons mocked them by spray painting the tanks. So, I guess your Iraq-itization worked as well as Vietamization. It's time to admit that there isn't any exit strategy at all. Bush and McCain want to commit us to an open ended occupation spending 12 billion or more per month. Do the GOP morons actually think they can continue to spend at that rate? Even worst the moron McCain wants to start another war with Iran. How irresponsible and how stupid.

McCain ... same as Bush.

Now this clown Kagan opines ... another surger:

Wronger than Wrong: Fred Kagan decrees “civil war in Iraq is over”
By: SilentPatriot @ 6:40 PM - PDT

Just when you thought war cheerleaders couldn’t get any more deluded, Fred Kagan comes through in the clutch.

video_wmv Download | Play video_mov Download | Play

The first thing I want to say is that: The Civil War in Iraq is over. And until the American domestic political debate catches up with that fact, we are going to have a very hard time discussing Iraq on the basis of reality.

The hilarity of this absurd statement is self-evident and requires little elaboration. But if one is so inclined, I’ll let Glenn take it away:

Less than 24 hours after Kagan decreed the Civil War in Iraq over — and lectured Americans that we must accept this if we are to understand reality in Iraq — McClatchy News Service reported:

With Iraq’s top leaders directing the battle, Iraq’s army and national police pressed a major operation Tuesday to wrest control of the southern port city of Basra from the Shiite Mahdi Army militia. Fighting between government forces and the militia quickly spread through Iraq’s south and into Baghdad.

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

Hey Freddy you idiot, it's gotten so bad that factions of Shiite are now fighting each other. They all are fighting the "central government" (if there really is one). 80,000 Sunni militia just broke off because we were giving them their bailmail. Hey Freddy, your credibility is shot as well.

More potholes of NOPE:

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...

Posted by jensaysnotodynasty on Mar 27 at 11:04

OMG! She actually prayed with Republicans? What is the big idea of this UNITY and NEW WAY of politics? Is she crazy? ONLY Obama can talk about faith and religion, and speak nicely about Republicans. When Hillary does it it's proof that she's one of them.

This article is a good way to slime her, and start a rumor at the DNC bb. I can not believe she would pray with Republicans! Why the next thing you know she will have Brownback's anti-gay signer headlining a fundraiser! AND I'm sure the same double standard will apply, and it won't be okay for Hillary, like it is okay for Obama.

Thanks for more of "the politics of hope," Jen.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood:

U.S. drawn deeper into Iraq clashes

American aircraft launch strikes in Basra; troops battle militia in Baghdad
MSNBC staff and news service reports
updated 3:10 p.m. ET, Fri., March. 28, 2008

BAGHDAD - U.S. forces were drawn deeper into Iraq’s four day-old crackdown on Shiite militants on Friday, launching air strikes in Basra for the first time and battling militants in Baghdad.

President Bush said the resurgent violence would not alter his determination to continue his administration's mission there. Bush said the deadly flare-ups presented "a defining moment in the history of Iraq" as the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki seeks to root out Shiite militants.

"It's going to take awhile, but it's a necessary part of the development of a free society," Bush said at a White House news conference with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. At the same time, the president said the situation in Iraq remains "dangerous and fragile."

The renewed violence came as tensions rose among followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr angry over a crackdown that has threatened to unravel a militia cease-fire.

"Basra has been a place where criminality has thrived," Bush said. "They are fighting some pretty tough characters... and yes, there's going to be violence, and that's sad."

Renewed violence
Recent fighting has exposed a rift within the majority Shi'ite community and put pressure on al-Maliki, whose forces have failed to drive fighters loyal to the cleric off the streets of Iraq's second-largest city.

In the capital's U.S.-protected Green Zone government and diplomatic compound, a mortar or rocket strike hit the office of Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi Friday, killing two security guards, an official said.

Al-Maliki has promised “no retreat” in the fight against militias in Basra despite growing anger among al-Sadr's followers. They say U.S. and Iraqi forces have taken advantage of their seven-month-old cease-fire to target the movement.

The campaign to rid Basra, Iraq’s second-largest city, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad, of lawless gangs and Shiite militias — some believed tied to nearby Iran — is a major test for al-Maliki and for the Iraqi military.

Defense Minister Abdel Qader Jassim acknowledged at a news conference in Basra that Iraqi security forces had been caught off-guard by the strength of the opposition.

"We supposed that this operation would be a normal operation, but we were surprised by this resistance and have been obliged to change our plans and our tactics," he said.

The ability of Iraqi leaders and security forces to control situations like this one is key to U.S. hopes of withdrawing its forces from the country.

U.S. forces taking a larger role
Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported Friday that U.S. troops appeared to be taking the lead in the fighting in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City, with Iraqi army and police units largely remaining on the outskirts.

A correspondent with the newspaper reported that four U.S. Stryker armored vehicles rumbled throug h Sadr City, one of them engaging militiamen with the Mahdi Army, which is loyal to al-Sadr, with heavy fire.

The newspaper said that American forces were involved in about a dozen gun battles on Thursday in Baghdad alone, with clashes spread across six neighborhoods.

To the south, a British military spokesman in Basra said U.S. warplanes carried out at least two airstrikes overnight in the oil port.

Maj. Tom Holloway said jets have been providing air support since clashes between Shiite militias and Iraqi forces erupted in the southern oil port on Monday, but it was the first time bombs have been dropped.

Iraqis have been in control of security in Basra since the British withdrew last December but Britain maintain troops there to provide assistance when needed.

In Baghdad, a U.S. helicopter launched a Hellfire missile during fighting in Sadr City early Friday, killing four gunmen, military spokesman Lt. Col. Steve Stover said.

The strikes underscore the risks that the United States and its allies in Iraq could be drawn into an internal Shiite conflict that has threatened to unravel al-Sadr’s cease-fire and spark a new cycle of violence after months of relative calm.

Vice president's office struck
Lubna al-Hashemi, the daughter of Vice President al-Hashemi, said at least five guards were injured when rockets or mortars hit the courtyard outside her father's offices in Baghdad.

She said her father was praying at the time and was not in the offices.

The government says it is fighting "outlaws," but al-Sadr's followers say political parties in al-Maliki's Shiite-led government are using military force to marginalize their rivals ahead of local elections due by October.

The Iraqi ground commander in Basra, Maj. Gen. Ali Zaidan, told Reuters his forces had killed 120 "enemy" fighters and wounded around 450 since the campaign began.

But Reuters television footage from Basra showed masked Mahdi Army gunmen still in control of the streets, openly carrying rocket launchers and machine guns.

In Baghdad, Iraqi authorities instituted a strict curfew on Friday.

Emergency session of parliament
In political developments, the main Shiite bloc in parliament said it would not attend an emergency session called for Friday to find ways to end fighting between government forces and militiamen in southern Iraq.

Deputy parliamentary speaker Khalid al-Attiyah, also a member of the United Iraqi Alliance, said the events in the south are a law and order issue, not legislative.

The bloc has been in contact with its Kurdish allies to boycott Friday’s session too, which would prevent a quorum, he said.

It was not immediately clear whether house speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni, would still attempt to convene a session.

Amid the crisis, the prime minister has decided to skip this weekend’s Arab summit, officials said. Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi will attend the meeting in Syria instead, according to Laith Shobar, an adviser to the Shiite vice president.

Ripples of violence across Shiite heartland
The Basra offensive has triggered a violent response among al-Sadr's followers, with dozens killed in Baghdad and across the Shiite heartland of southern Iraq.

# At least 22 people — six civilians, four Iraqi security forces and 12 militants — were killed Friday in fierce fighting in the southern cities of Mahmoudiya, Nasiriyah and Kut, according to reports from police and army officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information.

# Suspected militia fighters also killed the top administrator in a village near Diwaniyah, police said.

# Al-Sadr's office in Mahmoudiya also said 15 Iraqi soldiers had been captured, including two officers, in the city, about 20 miles south of the capital.

# Ten rounds of rockets or mortars also were lobbed at a U.S. facility in the southern city of Hillah, although no casualties were reported, the military said.

# Sporadic fighting also was reported in predominantly Shiite areas in eastern Baghdad despite a curfew banning unauthorized movement in the capital was imposed from 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Sunday.

# Purported Mahdi Army gunmen abducted three policemen with their weapons and vehicle in one area and clashes erupted between militiamen and U.S.-Iraqi troops in another, according to police.

# The U.S. military did not immediately comment on the latest reports but said 26 militants died during operations Thursday in mostly Shiite areas in Baghdad.

Call for weapons to be turned over
Al-Maliki’s office also announced Friday that it has given residents in Basra until April 8 to turn over “heavy and medium-size weapons” in return for unspecified monetary compensation.

The deadline is separate from the three-day ultimatum for gunmen to surrender their arms and renounce violence or face harsher measures, which expires later Friday, government adviser Sadiq al-Rikabi said.

The move instead appeared to be aimed at noncombatants who may have weapons like machine-guns and grenade launchers either for smuggling purposes or to sell to militants or criminal gangs.

The government also announced a days-old curfew in Basra would be loosened to allow people to move around in the city from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to facilitate shopping and other necessary tasks. It also called on local agencies to use the time to help residents, who have complained of food shortages and other problems amid the chaos.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23788065/

I am a lifelong Democrat. The DNC has mess up again this election year. It was Gore, then Kerry, now Hillary Clinton. Obama will never win a General Election. We will have a Republican President another four years, as I and many others will vote for Mc Cain, before we vote for Obama. Go Hillary.

I am a lifelong Democrat. The DNC has mess up again this election year. It was Gore, then Kerry, now Hillary Clinton. Obama will never win a General Election. We will have a Republican President another four years, as I and many others will vote for Mc Cain, before we vote for Obama. Go Hillary.

I am a lifelong Democrat. The DNC has mess up again this election year. It was Gore, then Kerry, now Hillary Clinton. Obama will never win a General Election. We will have a Republican President another four years, as I and many others will vote for Mc Cain, before we vote for Obama. Go Hillary.

Corporate welfare! Your tax dollars going to Wall Street criminals. The same that outsource your jobs, bust your pension fund and subject you to usury if you go bankrupt.

These are the people that McCain supports.

Posted by rjsnj on March 28, 2008 at 07:57 PM

rj,

These are the people running McCain's campaign. They can't seem to raise much money and haven't come up with a strategy to fix it. It makes you understand why McCain is so conflicted about taking public funding.

These GOP wizkids can't handle anything financial without failure.

btw, did anyone see the new McCain TV ad? He's so busy telling us that he's an American..over and over again...that he forgets that he's running for president. It's all about John McCain, Public American #1.

At the end they give you a shot of him in a prisoner of war camp (which most kids under 30 probably will think is Gitmo) telling the Vietnamese that he's is indeed an American.

McCain is living in a time warp. He acts as though his life began and ended in Vietnam. I'm sure he'll invade them again if he becomes President...as a pre-emptive move to keep them from adopting a radical Islamic terrorism lifestyle?

Time for dinner. bbl.

McCain=Bush.

So go ahead, vote for McCain, let's see how many people who he, (and thus you for voting for him) will send to Iraq.

You must WANT the war in Iraq to last 100 years if you vote for McCain.

You must WANT a president who is clueless on the economy if you vote for McCain.

You must WANT a third Bush term if you vote for McCain.

REAL Democrats are voting for a Democrat in November.

Good evening all, just dropping by to share an insightful column from one of my local editors at the AJC.

No saint, MLK provoked us to be better

Forty years since the death of Martin Luther King Jr.? Has it been so short a time?

In the four decades since the assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968, the nation has undergone a stunning social and political transformation that even King might not have anticipated. The average 25-year-old has a hard time imagining what the country was like before......

.........Among the most controversial public statements King made was his 1967 repudiation of the Vietnam War, delivered at New York's Riverside Church. Aside from its incisive criticism of the war itself, it offered a biting critique of America's use of power.

"I know I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today — my own government," he said.

The Vietnamese "watch as we poison their water, as we kill a million acres of their crops. ... So far we may have killed a million of them, mostly children," King said.

That speech is rarely recalled during commemorations of King's life and work, but it is as much a part of his legacy as his speech during the 1963 March on Washington. It is a reminder that he believed that genuine allegiance to his country lay in realistically appraising its weaknesses while laying his life on the line to make it better.

He was a patriot.

Bill Clinton Praises McCain Again

Friday, March 28, 2008 1:45 PM

By: Newsmax Staff Article Font Size  

For the second time in a week, Bill Clinton offered high praise for Republican presidential nominee John McCain — the candidate who could end up squaring off against Clinton’s wife Hillary.

At a stop in rural Pennsylvania on Thursday, Bill told the gathering that McCain is a “moderate” who “has given all you can give for this country without dying for it.”

He said McCain is on the right side in opposing the torture of enemy combatants and on the global warming issue, which “just about crosses the bridge for [Republicans].”

Clinton also told the audience that the race should not about the past, but about who is going to do more for the country in the future, ABC News reported. That person, he said, is Hillary.

One week ago Clinton expressed similar sentiments at a gathering in North Carolina, calling McCain a war hero who had demonstrated his love for his country.

Clinton noted that McCain supported campaign finance reform and “he doesn’t think global warming is a myth … so it is not going to be all that easy to beat him.”

At that same campaign stop, Clinton angered the Barack Obama campaign by saying that McCain and Hillary share a love of America — without mentioning Obama.

“I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country,” he said.

“And people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”

By not mentioning Obama, he suggested to some observers that he believes Obama’s patriotism is lacking.

Fellow Democrats:

Given the recent uptick of violence in Iraq, I think it would be a good time for Senator Hillary Clinton to address some of her prior inconsistent and ill-informed positions relative to the Iraq War. In order to fact check my statements, please refer to the following website:

http://www.npr.org/news/graphics/2008/mar/timeline_onIraq/timeline_onIraq.html?ps=bb2

On October 11, 2002, Hillary Clinton voted to authorize President Bush to use force against Iraq. As an aside, she did so without reading all the available intelligence. She failed to read all the available intelligence in spite of being admonished by a colleague that she should read all the available intelligence before voting to authorize President Bush to use force against Iraq.

On February 5, 2005, after returning from a trip to Iraq with Senator John McCain, both Senators McCain and Clinton appeared on “Meet the Press.” While on “Meet the Press” on February 5, 2005, Senator Hillary Clinton said the United States shouldn’t set a deadline to leave Iraq because it would only encourage the insurgents. Nearly 2.5 years after voting to authorize President Bush to use force in Iraq, Hillary Clinton apparently still did NOT realize that the two warring factions in Iraq, the Sunnis and the Shiites, had already been fighting for millennia. 2.5 years after voting for the Iraq War, Hillary Clinton was apparently operating under the assumption that the War in Iraq was a standard insurgency, notwithstanding the conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiites.

Finally, in June of 2006, Hillary Clinton said she “would like” to bring the troops home and that the United States should “empower Iraqis.” While this represented an evolution in her position, she still was not calling for a timetable or asking for anything definitive.

On January 20, 2007, Hillary Clinton announced she was running for President.

On February 2, 2007, AFTER ANNOUNCING SHE WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, Hillary Clinton didn’t call for a timetable, rather she said the United States should cap the number of ADDITIONAL TROOPS sent to Iraq via the surge. To her credit, she at least said that if the War in Iraq were not over by 2009, she would end it as President, though she offered no specifics as to when and how she would end it.

On September 11, 2007, Senator Hillary Clinton basically noted there was little progress in Iraq and there was little hard evidence as to what needed to be accomplished. She still did not call for a timeline for a troop withdrawal or set forth a specific method for ending the war.

On February 2, 2008, after the primary contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama had already grown difficult, Hillary Clinton finally said she’d start bringing the troops home within the first 60 days of taking office. She said it was the Iraqi’s responsibility to solve Iraq’s problems. Her statements on February 2, 2008 and since February 2, 2008 are in marked contrast to the statements she made before the Democratic Primary had grown difficult.

Given Hillary Clinton’s prior positions on Iraq along side her recent problems with “mis-speaking” relative to Bosnia and her experiences as first lady, it seems reasonable to question whether Hillary Clinton really intends to end the War in Iraq. After all, she traveled to Iraq with John McCain and went on “Meet the Press” with John McCain in support of John McCain’s opposition to a timeline.

During this same timeframe, Barack Obama consistently said the Iraq War was the wrong battle for the United States to be fighting and insisted the United States should instead be attacking Al Qaeda along with its leader, Osama Bin Laden.

Explain Hillary Clinton’s prior inconsistent positions relative to Iraq.

http://blog.hillaryclinton.com/blog/main/2008/03/28/151845

by Peter Daou
3/28/2008 11:18:45 AM

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose New Hampshire and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins New Hampshire, defying the predictions and the polls

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose the big states on Super Tuesday and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins the big states on Super Tuesday – and wins them by double digits

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton will lose Texas and possibly Ohio on March 4th and the race will be over
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton wins both Texas and Ohio on March 4th – and she wins Ohio by double digits

THE PUNDITS
Despite Hillary Clinton's big victories on March 4th, "the math" works decisively against her and the race is essentially over
THE REALITY
The math is simple: neither candidate has reached the number of delegates required to
secure the nomination and either candidate can win

THE PUNDITS
Barack Obama is substantially ahead in the pledged delegate count; pledged delegates are the only measure of success; therefore the race is essentially over
THE REALITY
The candidates are within fractions of one another on delegates; Barack Obama needs super delegates to win; and a marginal pledged delegate lead does not determine the outcome

THE PUNDITS
Barack Obama is substantially ahead in the popular vote; Florida and Michigan don’t count; therefore the race is essentially over
THE REALITY
The popular vote is virtually tied; half of Barack Obama's narrow vote advantage is from his home state; and his lead excludes Florida and Michigan

THE PUNDITS
Once the remaining states vote, Barack Obama will be substantially ahead in delegates and votes and the race will be over
THE REALITY
The race is a dead heat now and no one knows where things will end up after millions of remaining voters in the upcoming states make their choice

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton's situation is dire; her campaign is struggling; her supporters are disillusioned and desperate
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton and her supporters are calm, confident, and focused heading into the key
state of PA, where she is running strong

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton’s campaign lacks significant grassroots energy; only one candidate has mobilized supporters to take action for the campaign
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton’s supporters across America have written letters, blogged, donated tens of millions of dollars, volunteered millions of hours and made millions of calls

THE PUNDITS
There is a loud and growing chorus of voices asking Hillary Clinton to withdraw from the race
THE REALITY
Precisely the same number of voters (22%) think Barack Obama should drop out of the
race as Hillary Clinton

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton is the candidate running a negative, divisive campaign; she is throwing the "kitchen sink" at Barack Obama
THE REALITY
Barack Obama has been throwing the sink, the stove, the plates and the garbage can at Hillary Clinton, attacking her integrity and character every day

THE PUNDITS
For Hillary to win the nomination, super delegates will have to "overturn the will of the
people"
THE REALITY
The will of the people is split and both candidates need - and are making their case to -
super delegates

THE PUNDITS
Hillary Clinton is threatening to poach pledged delegates from Barack Obama
THE REALITY
Barack Obama is reportedly already trying to poach pledged delegates from Hillary Clinton

THE PUNDITS
Florida and Michigan’s voters won't be heard and their delegates won’t be seated all
because of complicated procedural roadblocks
THE REALITY
Barack Obama is intentionally disenfranchising voters in two critical states for purely political reasons, namely, that he'll lose his small advantage if they count

THE PUNDITS
Every single word or action from Hillary Clinton, her campaign, her surrogates and her supporters is part of a calculated and cynical political strategy
THE REALITY
Hillary Clinton is a loyal Democrat, a lifelong public servant, a tireless and
tenacious candidate, and is fighting hard - and fair - to win with the help of millions of dedicated supporters

uhhhhhhhh.....this is kind of weird.....comments?

Obama Praises Bush's Father
By DEVLIN BARRETT Associated Press Writer

Mar 28th, 2008 | GREENSBURG, Pa. -- Sen. Barack Obama said Friday he would return the country to the more "traditional" foreign policy efforts of past presidents, such as George H.W. Bush, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.

At a town hall event at a local high school gymnasium, Obama praised George H.W. Bush — father of the president — for the way he handled the Persian Gulf War: with a large coalition and carefully defined objectives.

Obama began a six-day bus tour through Pennsylvania, the largest remaining primary prize in the contest with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Sen. John McCain is the Republican nominee-in-waiting.

"The truth is that my foreign policy is actually a return to the traditional bipartisan realistic policy of George Bush's father, of John F. Kennedy, of, in some ways, Ronald Reagan, and it is George Bush that's been naive and it's people like John McCain and, unfortunately, some Democrats that have facilitated him acting in these naive ways that have caused us so much damage in our reputation around the world," he said...

Posted by Zuni_Sun on March 28, 2008 at 10:56 PM

President Bill Clinton is absolutely right that John McCain will not be easy to beat in a general election. Given McCain's recent speeches about the economy and Iraq, I would disagree with the former President about the label he applied to McCain's politics. McCain is a great American, but he is a self-proclaimed right wing conservative, and he is proud to be a right wing conservative.

Because John McCain will be a formidable right wing conservative candidate, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton should not have attacked Barack Obama's character. They are well aware his character is beyond reproach.

Similarly, Bill and Hillary Clinton should not have questioned his experience, only to turn around literally the next day and have Hillary Clinton offer to run on the same ticket as Barack Obama. How could they offer to run on the ticket with Obama if he didn't have the experience to run at the top of it, or to take over the Presidency on a moment's notice, if he were at the bottom of the ticket?

You are correct in that the Clintons also should not have questioned Barack Obama's patriotism. He would not subject himself to this kind of scrutiny were he not a patriot.

When Americans hear Republicans attacking Democrats or Democrats attacking Republicans, it sounds like politics as usual, and Americans are inclined to simply dismiss the attacks. But when they hear renowned Democratic politicians attacking another Democratic politician, Americans are more inclined to perk-up and listen. It is for this reason that the Clintons’ conduct has been so egregious.

President Bill Clinton is a very smart man and Hillary Clinton is an incredibly smart woman. They know Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton embrace nearly identical policies. Accordingly, they couldn't attack Obama's policies. For Hillary Clinton to seriously attack Obama’s policies would be tantamount to attacking her own policies. Accordingly, they chose to go after Obama personally, at the risk of damaging the Democratic Party and losing the general election.

The Clintons chose to assume the risk we'd lose the election when they chose to attack Obama in a very personal manner, in spite of the fact that McCain is not a political moderate, and both Bill and Hillary Clinton know this.

John McCain supports staying in Iraq until we resolve "the conflict" and stabilize Iraq. The problem is, in addition to an insurgency, the Sunnis and the Shi'a are still engaged in ongoing sectarian violence. So what's the big deal?? Well, these two groups have been fighting for hundreds and hundreds of years. The disagreements and conflicts started, I believe when they disagreed as to whom Mohammad's successor would be.

In addition to other deep religious disagreements besides Mohammad’s successor, they continue to disagree about the manner in which Islamic law should be made and interpreted. For example, deep disagreements have persisted ever since the "closing of the door of ijtihad." This is believed to have occurred around the 10th century A.D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijtihad

The point is, the Sunnis and the Shi’a have been fighting with one another for well over a thousand years in an attempt to resolve deeply heartfelt religious and legal disputes, yet John McCain thinks we're going to resolve their conflicts for them. We don’t even adequately understand their conflicts. We don’t adequately understand their culture. Brute force alone will not do the trick. As soon as the brute force is removed, the conflicts will resume. Forgive me for being skeptical, but I don't think John McCain’s is reasonable position and I don't think it is a moderate position.

Unfortunately, the situation in Iraq is even more difficult, because Shi'a are fighting Shi'a. So we really have three or four conflicts going on simultaneously. I think we could contain it if we were to redeploy our troops to say, Kuwait and let it be known to surrounding nations that if they intervened, so would we and we wouldn’t be nice about it when we did, but other than containing the conflict to prevent a regional war in the Middle East, I don't think we can do much. The Iraqis have to work this out and we should get out of their way and give them a little breathing room, without pulling out of the entire region.

In addition to his ultra-conservative and extremist position on Iraq, John McCain's stances on taxes and the economy are not moderate stances. Not only does he want to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, he proposes to implement additional tax cuts, in spite of rampant deficits. We’re over 9 trillion in debt. The cost of servicing the debt already encompasses over 12% of the budget. Moneys used to cover interest on the debt obviously can’t be used to cover governmental services. It can’t be used for healthcare. It can’t be used for veterans’ benefits. It can’t be used for Social Security. John McCain’s proposals would increase the national debt at great cost to our military, our Medicare, our Social Security, our infrastructure and our national livelihood. We can’t afford a third term of George W. Bush, which is essentially what John McCain is proposing.

In addition to his extremely conservative stance on taxes, John McCain does not embrace the moderate position relative to the economy that, although markets must be free, governmental regulation has an important place in our capitalistic society especially relative to preventing panics, diffusing crises and preventing market failure. Rather than embrace that moderate position, he is reluctant to encourage governmental institutions to intervene during crises and apparently does not believe governmental institutions should attempt to intervene in markets to prevent panic or collapse. He lambasted Ben Bernanke for preventing Bear Stearns from failing. But Bear Stearns failing could have completely destroyed our financial markets. I’m not a big fan of Ben Bernanke, but he did the right thing in not allowing Bear Stearns to fail. Now, if the Fed is going to assume this role, which I believe it should, I agree with Barack Obama, that we need to have a regulatory regime in place similar to that which we have for traditional banks.

John McCain's is a Pre-Great Depression mentality. I don't believe that's what we need at this time.
In addition, John McCain would nominate conservative justices to the Supreme Court in the mold of Justice Scalia or Justice Thomas. Although Justices Scalia and Thomas may be quality Americans, I disagree with their policies and their interpretation of our Constitution. I believe we should have more rights, not less.

Although he is a great American, John McCain is no moderate and shame on Bill Clinton for feeding the misperception that he is moderate. Perhaps Bill Clinton wants us to lose in November and that is why he is attacking our front runner while lavishing praise on the Republican nominee.

Obama felt the need to praise reagan and bush 1??
pathetic.

speaking of racism:

(CBS/AP) North Dakota State University is investigating complaints about a campus skit in which a white student in blackface portrayed Barack Obama receiving a lap dance.

The same skit, part of a charity fundraiser held at a campus theater, also featured a depiction of cowboys having sex with each other, witnesses told The Forum newspaper, which first reported the backlash Friday.

"We're trying to find out the right approaches for accountability, but at the same time try to heal wounds that have occurred and allow the campus to move ahead," Janna Stoskopf, NDSU's dean of students, told The Associated Press on Friday...

Posted by gregg on March 28, 2008 at 11:59 PM

I don't have a problem wiht him praising certain actions taken by Former Republican Presidents that are not running next November. It wasn't an unequivocal statement. He was comparing and contrasting the conduct of the current Iraq War with that of the previous Iraq War. I think the analysis is pretty good. He wasn't saying, "these Presidents were absolutely great!" Similarly, he wasn't saying "these Presidents were the emodiment of moderation and reason!!!" He was simply pointing out things they did that worked better than things that have been done recently by the current President Bush that have not worked. In addition, he pointed out that John McCain embraces the failed policies of the current President Bush and will continue these policies. John McCain will be on the ballot next November so I don't have a problem with Obama using an anology with former Republican Presidents to point out that the policies embraced by the current candidate, John McCain, have been tried, did not work, will not work and are extreme.

Posted by gregg on March 28, 2008 at 11:59 PM

I don't have a problem wiht him praising certain actions taken by Former Republican Presidents that are not running next November. It wasn't an unequivocal statement. He was comparing and contrasting the conduct of the current Iraq War with that of the previous Iraq War. I think the analysis is pretty good. He wasn't saying, "these Presidents were absolutely great!" Similarly, he wasn't saying "these Presidents were the emodiment of moderation and reason!!!" He was simply pointing out things they did that worked better than things that have been done recently by the current President Bush that have not worked. In addition, he pointed out that John McCain embraces the failed policies of the current President Bush and will continue these policies. John McCain will be on the ballot next November so I don't have a problem with Obama using an anology with former Republican Presidents to point out that the policies embraced by the current candidate, John McCain, have been tried, did not work, will not work and are extreme.

He explained that clearly defined benchmarks and objectives are good. Coalitions are good. Once the clearly defined objectives are met, the War is done. Before starting a war, it's a good idea to know why you're starting it and what you want to achieve. If you don't know these things, you get bogged down in a never-ending quagmire. Both John McCain and George W. Bush enthusiastically advocated attacking Iraq and starting this War. They both advocate "staying until the job is done." The problem is, we really don't know what that is, because it was never clearly defined and has changed a half dozen times over the last five years. Pointing to previous Republicans who embraced a more circumspect approach, helps show that the policies of the current Republican Party are not mainstream and are not reasonable. That's what I was trying to explain above, if I wasn't clear.

Posted by gregg on March 29, 2008 at 12:42 AM

Gregg, no question, both racism and sexism are alive and well. I saw this story. It's unfortunate.

Obama felt the need to praise reagan and bush 1??
pathetic.

Posted by gregg on March 29, 2008 at 12:40 AM

I note that neither Reagan nor Bush I is running. John McCain is running. Therefore, I think it is far more pathetic that the Clintons have been lavishing praise on John McCain calling him a "moderate." He is not moderate. Compared to Ronald Reagan and George Bush I, John McCain and George W. Bush are extremists. A look at George W. Bush's foreign policy, which has been wholeheartedly embraced by John McCain, as contrasted with that of Ronald Reagan and Bush I shows how extreme and ridiculous John McCain and George W. Bush's policies are.

You shouldn't advocate going ot war unless you know what you're trying to accomplish. You shouldn't advocate continuous war, unless you have clearly defined objectives and know what you are trying to accomplish. Both George W. Bush and John McCain think it's fine and dandy to advocate going to war without clearly defined objectives, because they did it. Both George W. Bush and John McCain believe in continuing a war without clear objectives, because they're doing it right now. That's what the analogy was meant to show.

good night

Obama felt the need to praise reagan and bush 1??
pathetic.

Posted by gregg on March 29, 2008 at 12:40 AM

I note that neither Reagan nor Bush I is running. John McCain is running. Therefore, I think it is far more pathetic that the Clintons have been lavishing praise on John McCain calling him a "moderate." He is not moderate. Compared to Ronald Reagan and George Bush I, John McCain and George W. Bush are extremists. A look at George W. Bush's foreign policy, which has been wholeheartedly embraced by John McCain, as contrasted with that of Ronald Reagan and Bush I shows how extreme and ridiculous John McCain and George W. Bush's policies are.

You shouldn't advocate going ot war unless you know what you're trying to accomplish. You shouldn't advocate continuing a war, unless you have clearly defined objectives and know what you are trying to accomplish. Both George W. Bush and John McCain think it's fine and dandy to advocate going to war without clearly defined objectives, because they did it. Both George W. Bush and John McCain believe in continuing a war without clear objectives, because they're doing it right now. That's what the analogy was meant to show.

I understand it perfectly old squirrel faced one.

Posted by FrostyRadish on March 28, 2008 at 11:48 PM

I like that one, do I have permission to use it when talking to the old CT Troll?

Posted by Kev on March 29, 2008 at 12:33 AM

You are correct in that the Clintons also should not have questioned Barack Obama's patriotism. He would not subject himself to this kind of scrutiny were he not a patriot.

================================================
A
I did not state that, after the statements by his pastor, which to date O'bama has not condemned, he should have his patriotism questioned very soundly to see where he stands, to say he does not always agree with his pastor is not enough.

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

The Clintons chose to assume the risk we'd lose the election when they chose to attack Obama in a very personal manner, in spite of the fact that McCain is not a political moderate, and both Bill and Hillary Clinton know this.

===================================
A

Both McCain and Hilary are Moderates, there is no one running to the right, but Obama is running to the left, bad for Hilary, good for McCain. Hilary has her socilist heath care and criminal back ground.

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

A

As far as Iraq, like MacArthur tried to tell the asshats in Washington many years ago, you don't half ass it, if you want it, you use all forces available and stay out of the way while the military handles it or do it at all. McCain wanted to use a larger force to begin with and probably style it more like a Japanese model, which after we defeated Saddams army, a General would have been in charge to take care of security and write the Iraqis a set of rules to live by. There would have been No targets off limits or some dumb ass from the State Dept. put in charge.

O'bama wants to pull back the troops and go in as needed. That is nothing but silly, our troops going back in time after time, that would be a hundred year war, how many will we lose taking the same ground over and over.?

Hilary as far as I can tell wants to pull out the support troops, but I don't believe will pull out all, which is just as bad as O'bamas plan.

No like it or not, we are there, we might as well rake up the sand box and clean it up before we leave.

Although he is a great American, John McCain is no moderate and shame on Bill Clinton for feeding the misperception that he is moderate...

Posted by Kev on March 29, 2008 at 12:33 AM

McCain has been known as a "maverick" for a long time. McCain most recently broke with republicans on immigration reform, campaign finance reform, global warming, and he argues Iraq strategy. I don't know if you can find another Republican who has been this BI-PARTISAN? Can you name another Republican who has reached out to Democrats on these important issues? NO.

In fact, few Democrats have shown this much bi-partisan leadership. This is why I don't like Democrats using the "new way" of politics in Washington argument. This is why I think we need more of a fighter than a uniter.

Don't blame Bill Clinton for speaking the truth. He's not helping McCain. He's being truthful. I suppose you would be happy if Bill lied about McCain strengths? But that would be the politics of destruction, and not the "new way."

Shame on YOU for criticizing a democrat for speaking the truth, and doing the right thing. I suppose it's only honorable when your candidate speaks the truth about a Republican?

Considering that Reagan is one of the few leaders to ever be convicted by the World Court for mining the civilian Nicaraguan harbor, and even worse his role in funding the death squads in Central America, I don't think I would hold Reagan up as a role model for foreign policy.

Oh... and things got a lot better with Bush I (NOT). We were in a conflict overseas EVERY Christmas. Merry Christman, World. These wise men bring bombs and mines.

FROSTY,

I don't know why she would get offended by that, she was talking the other day about having a fight in the house with a dog and tearing a claw off.

Do you want to be told where to stick your "World Court" yellow hole in the snow. This is America, God Bless It.

Good Morning FROSTY and McBURD!

Can you say "President Obama" or "President Clinton" ?? You better start practicing!

Go Democrats!

It appears that Frosty Fruit Loops has left the building with his many made up "friends" that he likes to pretend he is talking to all night. It's lonely up their in his shack in the Mn woods. Kinda feel sorry for him, with his illness and all.

Oops! "their" should be "there"...Sorry 'bout that!

Breaking News from MoneyNews.com

Chinese: Our Prices Are Way Too High

Americans aren't the only ones complaining about inflation.

A recent survey by the People's Bank of China revealed that more than 49 percent of Chinese urban consumers — a record — think that prices are unacceptably high, the Shanghai Daily reports.

Nevertheless, just under half think China’s inflation will become worse in the second quarter, down from nearly 65 percent three months ago.

Researchers attributed lowered inflationary expectations to seasonal factors, as well as to confidence in steps the government has taken to rein in inflation, which hit a near-12-year high of 8.7 percent in February.

Now that is a shame, isn't it?

Dear MoveOn member,

Since we launched the Obama in 30 Seconds contest three weeks ago, we've heard from thousands of people who are excited about making ads—lots of those ads are just about ready to be submitted. But we've also heard from folks who really want to make an ad, but couldn't quite make the original deadline.

So, due to popular demand, we've extended the deadline for submissions by two weeks—until April 15th. The online collaboration forum is buzzing with good ideas, and we can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.
Thanks for all you do, and have a great weekend.

–Adam G., Laura, Daniel, Peter and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
Friday, March 28th, 2008

Dear john,

Thank you for voting in our recent online 'Pick a Progressive Patriot' event and for joining with the thousands of other political activists from across the country who are working together through the Progressive Patriots Fund to promote a progressive reform agenda.

Thousands of you cast ballots in our first event of the year for one of our seven great Senate challengers and I hope that with your continued support, all seven of these challengers are elected to the United States Senate.

With the power of the progressive community, the Progressive Patriots Fund has worked for real change and will continue to support extraordinary candidates as we move toward the 2008 elections.

If you have friends who aren't involved with the Progressive Patriots yet, click here to send them a message about how they can become part of our organization to help get our country back on track.

Once again, I sincerely appreciate your support, and look forward to working with you as we rise to meet the challenges that lie ahead. I know that with your help we will succeed.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.

Breaking News from MoneyNews.com

California Economy Whacked by Housing Slump

California, the most populous state in the U.S., is being hit the hardest as the housing meltdown continues.

Part of the state’s woes were caused by the fact that California was the headquarters of the subprime mortgage industry, which has seen massive layoffs.

Now bearing the brunt of the housing collapse, the state is expected to see its gross domestic product drop 1.5 percent in the first half of 2008, the largest decline in the U.S., according to Global Insight.

Sacramento, the state’s capital, may be firing about 600 people after first offering buyouts, while its fire and police departments have already slashed their budgets by 20 percent.

Breaking News from MoneyNews.com

Consumer Spending Weakest in 17 Months
Consumers, jolted by a credit crisis, job cuts and soaring energy costs, turned in the weakest spending performance in 17 months in February, further evidence that the risks of a recession are increasing. The Commerce Department said Friday that consumer spending edged up by just 0.1 percent last month, the poorest showing since September 2006.

The dumb ass in the White House is still strutting around like a little Peacock, totally ignorant of the 3 trillion dollar war he has criminally foisted of on this and the next two generations of Americans to pay for

McCain is Bush squared! He must be defeated!

Uprooting the New Racism
By Patrick J. Buchanan

This smuck is accusing Obama of racism. I won't post it, but if you are interested in his absurd dribble, check Human Events..This smuck needs to get a real life!

The material I have posted above isn't really all that important, but this is. John Cornpone is a Bush stooge and needs to be defeated. Rick is a good man, recently served a year in Afghanistan and would represent us well!

Dear john,

There are just three days left until the end-of-quarter fundraising deadline -- click here to donate towards our $35,000 online fundraising goal today!

They said it couldn't be done.

On March 4th, we secured the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate, and we earned more than a million votes in the primary election. That's 100,000 more votes than John Cornyn got in the Republican Primary, and more votes than were cast for John McCain.

But our momentum isn't just limited to Texas -- three days ago, Senator Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriots Fund named Rick as their New Progressive Patriot. Our campaign is attracting national attention, and we're building up support across the country. To show our opponents that we're gearing up for a difficult campaign against Cornyn, we've already passed the halfway mark to our $35,000 online end-of-quarter fundraising goal. But we need you to finish the job.

The end-of-quarter filing deadline is in just three days -- click here to donate towards our online fundraising goal before March 31st!

As someone who is campaigning for Rick every day -- knocking on doors, making phone calls, and recruiting volunteers -- I can tell you that voters in Texas are hungry for change. After all, while John Cornyn has voted with the Republican leadership in Washington a whopping 97.7% of the time, Rick has worked tirelessly in the Texas House of Representatives, fighting for children's health care and small businesses.

Rick is ready to lead the way, but he can't make it to the U.S. Senate without your help.

We have only three days left until the March 31st end-of-quarter filing deadline -- click here to donate towards our $35,000 online fundraising goal today!

Sincerely,

Rowland Garza
Deputy Campaign Manager
Noriega for Texas

P.S. Thanks to our supporters, we're just a few thousand dollars shy of our $35,000 grassroots fundraising goal. Whether you can afford $10, $100, or $1,000, help us close the gap before March 31st and donate today!

To make a contribution by mail, please download this form.

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National Security

Often questions are raised about a candidate’s readiness to serve as Commander-in-Chief. Yet most president's don't have a military background and instead rely on two primary teams that are ready to advise them on military and national security issues. These teams are The National Security Council and Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Contrary to romanticized notions of a president answering the phone in the middle of the night and determining our collective fates, there’s an entire team of civilian and military experts who play a pivotal role in helping a president assess risk, develop strategies in times of crisis, and arrive at the best national security response to any threat to the United States.

So who are these advisors to the president on matters of military and national security?

The National Security Council (NCS) involves civilian and military leaders, whereas the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) represents military leadership in the Pentagon. The National Security Council is the Presidents principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials. The Council is chaired by the President but includes the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the statutory military advisor to the Council, and the Director of National Intelligence is the intelligence advisor. The Chief of Staff to the President, Counsel to the President, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy are invited to attend any NSC meeting. The Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget are invited to attend meetings pertaining to their responsibilities. The heads of other executive departments and agencies, as well as other senior officials, are invited to attend meetings of the NSC when appropriate.

Since its inception under President Truman, the function of the Council has been to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policies. The Council also serves as the President's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff consists of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the principal military adviser to the President, Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council (NSC).

Join Tom Udall's Team.
Dear John,

I've known Tom Udall for more than 25 years. But more than just being my good friend, he has shown himself time and again to be a voice for reason and solid Democratic values.

In fact, he was one of the very few Members of Congress to have the courage to vote against the War in Iraq, even when George W. Bush was stampeding the entire country into an invasion that we now know was completely unjustified and ultimately deeply damaging to America. You can hear Tom talk very eloquently about his plan to end the war by clicking here.

You, I and all of America need his wisdom now in the U.S. Senate--particularly when we've seen how 49 Republicans can block the entire progress of the country through political maneuvering and threats of filibuster.

Today I'm asking you to join all of us who support Tom by becoming part of his New Mexico Progressive Action Network. All New Mexicans--and all Americans--must be united in our resolve to take back our country after eight years of the Bush-Cheney Administration.

Without Tom in the Senate, along with a veto-proof Democratic majority, we cannot begin to undo the terrible damage George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and the Republicans have done to our economy, our environment and our future.

Millions of Americans now face home foreclosure while trillions of dollars in personal wealth have been wiped out because of Republican aversion to financial regulation.

37 million Americans face every day without health insurance because of Republican devotion to insurance company profits.

And America is hobbled by its dependence on foreign oil while the Republicans have blocked a meaningful renewable energy policy for the future.

Tom Udall is exactly what New Mexico and America needs right now. And with your help, he can represent us all in the U.S. Senate.

I know that right now the media and many voters are focused on the presidential election. And there is no question that it is critically important. But it is every bit as important that we elect as many Democrats to the Senate as possible.

A Democratic president will need a Senate that will fully support the change America needs now. And if, despite our best efforts, the Republicans hold onto the White House, it will be like a third term for George W. Bush and Dick Cheney unless we have a veto-proof majority in the Senate.

Even though my own presidential bid is over, I remain keenly engaged in this election at every level of government. We have an opportunity to take our country back now that we simply must not miss.

My fondest hope for you, John, and every other activist is that you remain engaged in this election as well. And that you support my friend Tom Udall's campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Thank you for being the kind of American who is willing to stand up for what you believe.

All the best,

Bill


Paid for by Richardson for P

National Security - Ready to Serve?

Often questions are raised about a candidate’s readiness to