Letters to the Editor - 2/24/2008
By: Readers of the North County Times and The Californian - | ∞
Her problem shouldn't be our problem
Regarding, "Wife of deployed Marine faces battle at home," Feb. 12: No one disputes the honor of our military, and we support them. Presumably Cpl. Charles Harris, U.S. Marine Corps, knew his wife was illegal when he married her as she surely knew she was when she came across the border. The old saying, "Don't make your problem my problem" is now our problem. She's illegal and should return to her country and come to the U.S. legally, as so many others have. Otherwise, where would this end? How many illegals would marry our military for a free entrance? And who would it be after the military?
Carol Winter
Oceanside
How inhumane can it be?
It is just unbelievable that anyone could treat livestock in the way it's been happening in these slaughterhouses, such as this lastest news from Chino. The people in charge of this should be punished to the highest degree and this murderous building be shut down forever.
We are not buying beef right now and will wonder if we ever will again. Anyone who is cruel to animals would probably mistreat humans as well. Where are the inspectors, or do they care?
Jack and Pat Goslin
Oceanside
A hard November decision
Boy, will it be hard to vote in the presidential election this year! Many in this forum will be lost when Bush leaves office. The choice we have is unbelievable when you consider what each candidate represents. Two are leaning toward socialism and the other is a liberal.
Beth Winchel
San Marcos
Pay my rate increase, too
For the Web comment reader, "oh, please," who responded to "Big water-rate hike on the way," Feb. 19, that the rate is only going up just $1.50 a month and people are acting like they just doubled their mortgage: Would you mind paying my $1.50 also? It's just $3, not like your mortgage payment got doubled.
Ron Blackwood
Oceanside
Design error inconceivable
After having worked on the design of the Metro Rail Red Line Tunnel in Los Angeles, including calculating clearances between the subway cars and the tunnel and platforms, I find it inconceivable that a "design error" was made in the placement of the platform at the Vista station ("Transit district to fix gap at Vista station").
The geometry of the location of the cars with the platforms and tracks can be easily calculated with today's high-tech programs, as well as a visual picture can be drawn with 3-D computer programs. Without knowing why it was made, I will venture a guess that the designer forgot that, as a car moves around a curve, it moves in or out from the track depending upon which side of the curve it was on.
Martin Lassar
Oceanside
30 percenters revise history
Regarding Buddie Gran's Feb.¯11 letter: Al Gore never said he invented the Internet. Actually, he said: "During my service in the U.S. Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet." Vinton Cerf, considered the father of the Internet, said: "The vice president deserves significant credit for his early recognition of the importance of what has become the Internet ... it is very fair to say ... the Internet would not be where it is today ... without the strong support given to it and related research areas by the vice president in his current role and in his earlier role as senator."¯
Gore deserves substantial credit for passing a number of bills that boosted supercomputing and high-speed communications networks, which helped "create" the Internet as it exists today.
Please, Mr. Gran and all the rest of you 30 percenters who love to revise history on this page, give us 70 percenters a break! After seven years of incompetence and many bad decisions, Gore looks pretty good. Cut back on your uninformed submissions, get the "An Inconvenient Truth" DVD, and you just might understand why Al Gore received an Oscar and the Nobel Prize and would have made a great president.
Michael McNulty
Escondido
Preservation of ranch will be a turning point
The North County Times' fine editorial on Rancho Guejito ("North County's sleeping giant," Feb. 19) hits the mark. Preservation or development of this last great San Diego ranch will be a turning point for the region. Once lost, a heritage of open space, history and beauty is gone forever, with only more traffic to show for it.
As the editorial points out, protection will require both good planning and acquisition dollars. Let's hope that the landowners will work with us on an incomparable legacy.
Dan Silver
executive director,
Endangered Habitats League
Los Angeles
Iraq attack on my paycheck
Over $300 million a day is spent by our government to continue the war in Iraq. We started this war. We now face the consequences of playing the Lone Ranger in global matters.
Unlike 1991, there is no true coalition, no jointly supported effort. The buck starts and stops here in my wallet. If one has any question about this, look at what has happened to our economy, gas prices, educational support, illegal immigration control and national pride. We cannot even imagine the cost of the support that returning veterans will require. But if Vietnam serves as any example, we're in for many, many years of dealing with emotionally and mentally tortured veterans.
We will continue to pay for all of this for decades to come. From whom are we borrowing the money that must be repaid from my paycheck, that of my sons, and that of their children someday? China? The world does not support our effort in Iraq. We cannot do it alone. We must exit. Now.
Peter McBride
Carlsbad
Vista council works together
Vista is so fortunate to have a strong, cohesive City Council that works well together for the good of all its citizens. Although they don't always agree, they are respectful and considerate of each other. They show compassion and caring for all citizens, regardless of their status in the community. Because of that atmosphere, they're able to solve problems to keep Vista moving forward.
I appreciate all they have done and thank them for the time and effort they put into their jobs.
Jean Cole
Vista
Innocent babies and violent movies
Tonight I went to see "No Country for Old Men." The young couple in the row in front of me brought their 1 1/2-year-old baby, who was understandably terrified by this large, loud, violent and bloody movie with dozens of men and animals killed with pistols, shotguns, air guns, knives, chains, explosives and vehicles. When the baby started to fuss, Mom went in and out of the theater repeatedly, and finally stayed there until the movie ended (two hours in all).
When we left, the baby was lying on the lobby floor crying inconsolably. Mom was leaning against the wall and pouting. Dad was unaffected and sat through the whole movie.
Laws should be passed to prevent parents from exposing their very young children to these types of films. What#'s the purpose of an R rating? The manager of the theater said the law states parents can bring their children to movies at their discretion. If we can pass laws about smoking in the presence of children, why can#'t we do the same about exposing them to violent entertainment? Or maybe we should require training and licensing for parents.
Jeannette Bullis
Carlsbad
Gallo praised for trying to make Escondido better
My praise to Councilman Ed Gallo, who continues to try and clean up Escondido and make it a safe place to live again ("Escondido upbeat about possible day-labor restrictions," Feb. 20). Many of the illegal aliens who are in Escondido are Mexicans. Some of the most violent criminals at large today are illegal aliens. Their large numbers in Escondido terrorize me and I no longer feel safe in my own hometown.
Hispanic advocates try to blur the distinction between a legal and an illegal resident by asserting that differentiating the two is an act of irrational bigotry. I am outraged by that lie.
The non-enforcement of immigration laws in general has had a destructive effect on our city and decreased our property values. The illegal immigrant population has grown so large that some public officials are terrified of alienating it, even at the expense of ignoring the law and tolerating violence. Certainly fear of immigration officers is not in evidence among the illegal day laborers who hang out on our streets. I support Ed Gallo and the other city officials who continue to try to clean up our city and make it a safe place to live again.
Cheron Frazier
Escondido
Obama supporters are not simpletons
David Brooks ("Obama comedown syndrome," column, Feb. 20) levels, in a tone unworthy of his reputation, the same insult that Sens. Clinton and McCain throw at Obama supporters. They imply that we are delusional simpletons, easily manipulated by oratory. If you want to make a point, insulting your audience is usually not the best approach.
The Obama supporters I know are sober-minded, pragmatic people who understand how important it is that we as a country move away from the rhetoric of fear that has been used to drag us into pre-emptive war and the abandonment of our most basic principles of liberty. We are people who are already changing the makeup of the electorate and democratizing campaign financing. We understand that the invasion of Iraq was a huge mistake and that there is no easy exit from the obligations incurred by that mistake.
Mr. McCain only recognizes problems with execution of the war, which leaves him capable of making the same mistake with Iran or Pakistan.
Steven Savage
Encinitas
Constitution, Amendment II
Americans have the right to bear arms, in militia, against tyrannical oppression, which does not mean that everyone (with a few exceptions) should own weapons. In mass hysteria's false sense of safety, insane malice aforethought [could be] used against innocent victims!
Of course, everything is subject to argument, through self-fulfilling priorities of survival's rights of self-protection, albeit, blind-sighted by the depth of ultimate surprise, disguised behind dark-sided villainy, festering in weak-hearted attainment, turned into unconscionable acts of violence taking lives, which takes the constitutional resolution revitalized in modern society for real-life threats.
Guns should not be easily accessed by those who are twisted up into derision toward others. Through any final policies not yet met, in need of elective laws in procedures of conscience deemed possible, in light of life, limb and sole property of those testaments for the public good. Rightly resolved for all who are involved that have a voice, through the shadows of death's villainous darkness -- we need stricter gun control laws.
Steven Drake
Escondido
A most ignorant view
Re: Mr. Bob Sheard (Letters, Feb. 15): This is one of the most ignorant letters I have ever read. Protecting endangered species is definitely not "utter nonsense." I challenge Sheard to find one person with a degree in science to support his unorthodox views.
He wants "significant, tangible reasons"? How about the fact that each plant and animal, no matter how small or scarce, directly affects our entire ecosystem. This planet is not his, mine or anyone's to say that one species is more deserving of life than another. There's his "common sense."
It's individuals like him that destroy the sanctity of life. ... Under his own views, he is not worth the life he has. Should we stop short of preserving his own life? I would think not. ...
Tyler Kaapke
Oceanside
A white man will be president
There is still too much prejudice in this country to elect a woman, a black or a Mormon. Hail to the chief -- President McCain!
Ralph Peters
Encinitas
What about diesel fuel?
My opinion of your latest gas gauge is, why even bother to list the current fuel prices? My husband and I own two diesel vehicles. There were no listing for diesel prices.
Dianne Willis
Oceanside
Stimulus package is grandstanding
George Bush and the Congress' "stimulus" package will not work. It's an improper response to our current problem. People who are late on credit card bills will not spend a bonus check on iPods and DVD players, but on paying the cable or water bill, or attempting to catch up on taxes.
You know what would work? Ending the $17 billion a month we throw into private contractors' gullets in Iraq. That alone is over $200 billion a year that can be spent (or saved!) on public works projects, welfare and education, all government acts that actually help pull us out of recession.
Refund check? Grandstanding garbage. Bush and the enabling idiot Democrats in Congress are just trying to get some face time on TV. The day we get Bush out of office, and get a true progressive majority instead of wheedling cowards into the people's house, will be a happy day indeed.
Garth Gregory Hansen
Escondido
Decreasing medications could aid patients
I recently read an article on benevolent bacteria published on Feb. 9 ("Benevolent bacteria: Good 'probiotics' increasingly interest food marketers, research scientists"). I enjoyed reading the article and, as a nursing student, I appreciated the different perspective on disease treatment and management.
I have taken probiotics in the past for various things. Additionally, my doctor recommends that his patients eat a specific type of yogurt with live cultures whenever prescribed antibiotics to replenish the good bacteria that antibiotics wipe out along with the bad. Because of this, I think it is an interesting topic worthy of research focus and investigation.
This issue also speaks to a larger problem that the health community is facing, which is that many strains of disease are developing resistance to traditional antibiotics because they are prescribed so much or taken incorrectly. If research can identify scientific reasons why these pre and probiotics work to treat certain digestive ailments, perhaps fewer prescription drugs would need to be prescribed, the number of patients taking multiple medications every day would decrease and the mutation of disease could all be slowed. This would not only benefit doctors, nurses and hospital staff but, more importantly, patients and their families.
Shanna Woodall
student,
University of San Diego School of Nursing
San Diego
Little Mexico in Fallbrook
I wonder how many citizens of Fallbrook have thought about the number of Hispanic markets in our town. They far outnumber those that cater to a greater ethnic majority. Imagine my dismay when reading the Village News on Jan. 31 to learn that our new Fresh & Easy Market, which we have looked so forward to for months, will, according to their new manager, Pablo Baltazar, "specifically strive to meet the needs of the Latino population here."
Although it has been stocked at the onset with the standard selection of merchandise typical in all 33 stores ... according the Mr. Baltazar, "the balance is destined to change." We are not to expect to find much in the way of European items in stock. Mr. Baltazar goes on to say, "The likelihood of the store stocking international foods, other than those that cater to the Latino market, in Fallbrook is minimal," he confirmed.
It seems to me that our share of the markets is already reduced to Major Market and Albertsons. What is happening to our beautiful town that I have lived in for 40 years? I thought the Latinos were going to merge with the Caucasian-Americans. It seems now, especially in Fallbrook, that they are planning to be the majority!
Bridget Canchola
Fallbrook
Cowardice on war funding
Where do our brave, fiscally responsible Republicans stand when it comes to paying for our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Initially, the administration figured a few weeks and we'd be out. No need to pay for that, it's an emergency, after all. Five years and a trillion bucks later, we're still printing money.
This administration is now focused on passing the baton, and the buck, to the next administration without admission of fault. They have known full well that paying as we go for these wars would cause all support, meager as it is at this point, to vanish. They can't even bring themselves to put it in the budget. It's been an emergency for five years.
The debt being accrued by these wars will overshadow the subprime mortgage mess and be with us for decades. Does McCain have a plan for that?
Logic dictates that we must pay for the mess that has been created so far, let alone what is yet to come. What the Republicans want is a permanent tax cut. This irresponsible administration has not and will not do what needs to be done because they are afraid of the outcome. We will all be left holding this bag as they ride off into the sunset.
Dan Peterka
Encinitas
Web Comments
Turning a corner on downtown Oceanside's future
Readers respond to our Feb. 22 story about more than 300 people gathering in the cavernous space that will soon be Harney Sushi to celebrate the opening of Oceanside Terraces, a mix of shops, restaurants, office space and condominiums that marks a turning point for downtown Oceanside.
How low
laura: I drove by these condos a couple of weeks ago. They look like low-income housing and the landscaping adds to the same low-income feel.
Coincidence?
leslie: How timely to put out a report of "crime down in the city of Oceanside." How silly does the city think we are stupid? Buyer beware.
No whining
Thumbs up: Mayor Wood and the council have done a stellar job in the redevelopment of Oceanside and the downtown area. I am proud of Oceanside and its accomplishments. Anyone who disagrees is a whiner.
What a view!
Lo: I attended the event and it was a nice affair! I think the building is aesthetically pleasing and it seems that it will be a welcome addition to the downtown area. I especially love the idea of some new dining places and more upscale retail space! Boy, the views from the penthouse suites are amazing!
Loving it
Andy: I live downtown in one of the row houses and I love it here. I hope the new sushi place is good because it's just what we needed. To Laura who thinks they look like low income housing, you must be jealous. Location, location, location, baby! I can't wait for the rest of the puzzle to fall in place. I love downtown Oceanside. I'd love to see more of this in Oceanside -- especially along Hwy 101. Let's clean up our city!
Credit crunch stings North County Transit District
Readers respond to our Feb. 22 story about Richard Hannasch, the North County Transit District's finance director, telling board members that the interest rate for $34 million in outstanding debt just jumped from 3.36 percent to 4.8 percent, due to the recent evaporation of the arcane "auction-rate securities" market. It is the latest in budget woes that threaten bus and train service.
Doing less with less
That Half-Billion wasted on the Sprinter: ... could sure come in handy now, couldn't it? If we heed this whining and give these wasters another dime, we are all crazy. Busses work -- they carry people who can't drive. Freeway lanes work -- they carry people where they want to go, when they want to go there. Trains don't work! We now have the other shoe of the Sprinter mess about to drop -- more money for less service. When will someone be held accountable?
Stopped at station
Larry: The Sprinter has turned into a huge problem for the district, with its cost overruns and construction mismanagement. The train would be running today gathering revenues if it weren't for the negligent project management team contributing to costly and delaying construction mistakes.
Train and complain
Oceanside Chris: The "$printer" is behind schedule, the bus and Coaster services are out of align with the monies available. If this was a private company, the board would be fired and a new set brought in -- or worse, the company closed. As a ten-year rider of the Coaster, I expect a substantial fare increase based on this article and how the market is. With $4 gas on the horizon, you'll have a train full of complaining customers.
Vista schools will tap 133 for potential layoffs
Readers respond to our Feb. 22 story about Vista Unified School District officials deciding they will let 133 district employees know that they may be laid off this year. Among the employees who will be notified they may not be rehired are 120 teachers, seven assistant principals, three psychologists, a special education resource supervisor and two speech therapists.
Costly cuts
Logic: I wonder if the layoffs of three psychologists and two speech therapists will be a wise move. This may be a cut that the VUSD cannot afford to make. Maybe they should look into cutting more extra administration positions at the headquarters. I would definitely get a second opinion on these cuts mentioned. This mistake could actually end up costing them more than they bargained for.
No control
Vista resident: We need the teachers for our students, but the admin can cut their budget. This is so out of control. The high pay people are cutting the jobs of the ones who actually do the work! Get real!
Pricey program
michael92084: Bales and Gecewicz with their multi-million dollar Linda Mood Bell program should be removed. Good teachers and involved parents teach kids to read, not expensive programs and fancy dog-and-pony shows in oversized class rooms. Show us the data on Linda Mood Bell? Instead all we hear is" too early." Does Bales have a financial stake in that crazy over-priced program?
United to fail
beati: What do you all expect when unions are in control of the money? It goes to the unions and administrators who support the unions. There is plenty of money to teach kids but then you have all these pet programs and new administrative buildings and salaries that suck it up. Privatize the school system or home school. Public school is worthless.
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OBSERVATON wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:49 PM:How inhumane can it be? It should not surprise you that humans can do that to helpless animals. The fact of the matter is that human beings have done much worse to other human beings.
sdraoul wrote on Feb 23, 2008 9:47 PM:Definition of racism in Escondido from a letter above by a good woman who doesn't even know she is a racist:
"Many of the illegal aliens who are in Escondido are Mexicans (. Some of the most violent criminals at large today are illegal aliens. Their large numbers in Escondido terrorize me and I no longer feel safe in my own hometown."
As to Ms Winter's letter that states: "How many illegals would marry our military for a free entrance? And who would it be after the military?" Did she ever ask this of all the English and German women who did the exact same thing as the Marine wife or of the many Japanese and Korean women who did the same thing?
Then there is the base racism in Ms Canchola's letter: "What is happening to our beautiful town (Fallbrook) that I have lived in for 40 years? I thought the Latinos were going to merge with the Caucasian-Americans. It seems now, especially in Fallbrook, that they are planning to be the majority!" This one is too funny for words.
Expat Doug wrote on Feb 23, 2008 10:19 PM:Bridget Canchola claims to be dismayed over the increase of local stores catering to Latino shoppers. But, he lamentations of Latinos not assimulating with "Caucasian-Americans" might be very telling about her real issue.
Could her woes have more to do with the presence of people of color than of what local markets stock their shelves with?
My hunch is even the opening of a specialty market selling, say, Chinese, Filipino, Middle Eastern, or African foods would cause her just has much displeasure.
I bet her intolerance for people who don't look like her and her family is greater than her intolerance for foodstuffs not normally kept in her pantry.
SOLON ... wrote on Feb 23, 2008 10:25 PM:… Beth Winchel (letter today) points out a most hopeful prospect: that with the election of President Barack Obama, man of hope, honesty, compassion, rationality and competence, the nature of these blogs at the North County Times will greatly improve. These blogs for the last several years have reflected the divisive and corrupt nature of our current national leadership. We know we are headed for hard economic times, after the total ransacking of our treasury by Bush’s rogues, but with a total change from the current corrupt Republican administration, the mood and outlook will become much more positive. We writers can re-focus on rebuilding the reputation of our nation, a return of respect for our leadership, and a government of the people, by the people and for the people. You can feel that great hope in the air, the deep yearning in America for a total change which we can trust and believe in.
SOLON ... wrote on Feb 23, 2008 10:37 PM:… I cut and pasted the letter today by Carol Winter into my folder labeled “Worst racist letters.” One need but make minor changes in Winter’s letter to reflect the thinking of Nazi exterminators who justified killing of non-Jews who married or even befriended Jews. After all, these Aryans should not have made their problem the problem of Deutschland. Did these illegal Jews think they would get a free pass for marrying a good Aryan?
MORALITY vs. RELIGION . wrote on Feb 23, 2008 11:04 PM: .. Can GM be a moral corporation without worshiping in the Cult of Global Warming?
This verbatim newswire from Reuters Feb. 22, 2008: QUOTE
ļæ½DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has defended remarks he made dismissing global warming as a "total crock of s---," saying his views had no bearing on GM's commitment to build environmentally friendly vehicles.
Lutz, GM's outspoken product development chief, has been under fire from Internet bloggers since last month when he was quoted as making the remark to reporters in Texas.ļæ½ ...
Time to call it quits = wrote on Feb 23, 2008 11:23 PM: .. Hillary and McCain should drop out of the race for president. All they can do is create ill will and divide America. McCain’s ill temper is legendary, and he will prove to a destructive politician. Clinton supporters have just created a new “527” political committee, which while technically independent and issue-oriented, is explicitly designed to allow Hillary supporters to evade the standard $2300 donation limits. The group aims to get contributions of $100,000 or more from as many as 100 Hillary donors, so they can pour $10 million in ads into the next round of critical races. Whether or not this is legal, and that’s arguable, no other candidate has done anything remotely similar in this election. And since the ads have no checks of accountability, they’ll be as nasty as their backers decide. The latest poll shows McCain would defeat Clinton by 12 points, mainly because Taliban mentality tolerates a mean spirited male, but not a mean spirited female.
With Hillary and McCain out of the way, we can get serious with Obama vs. Ron Paul. Sarcasm.
Jake . wrote on Feb 23, 2008 11:34 PM:.. By the way, that new poll shows Obama defeating McCain handily. So the best chance for the Repugnicans is to pump money into Hillary’s campaign. But if Obama is the nominee, forget McCain. McCain is mud after the first debate pit’s the slow witted McCain against the agile and brilliant Obama. And it’s not just a matter of wits and brilliance. It’s the temperament and personality gap as well. It’s tired old war forever politics versus diplomacy and wise leadership. We need a leader who is smart enough to outflank our enemies and embrace our allies.
intolerance = ignorance wrote on Feb 24, 2008 1:27 AM:what a ignorant and intolerant people wrote today! but what can I say if one of them is supporting Gallo, the same guy that shut the winter shelter last year on the coldest week of the season, and that helped to lose one quarter of million tax dollars , few years ago ,on a stupid ordinance that later he refused to defend. small minds supporting stupid arguments!!!
BLOCK BUSTER NEWS = wrote on Feb 24, 2008 1:27 AM: = Yesterday the LA Times reported one of California's largest for-profit insurers stopped a controversial practice of canceling sick policyholders Friday after a judge ordered Health Net Inc. to pay more than $9 million to a breast cancer patient it dropped in the middle of chemotherapy. The ruling by a private arbitration judge was the first of its kind and the most powerful rebuke to the state's major insurers whose cancellation practices are under fire from the courts, state regulators and elected officials.
Calling Woodland Hills-based Health Net's actions "egregious," Judge Sam Cianchetti, a retired Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, ruled that the company broke state laws and acted in bad faith. “Health Net was primarily concerned with and considered its own financial interests and gave little, if any, consideration and concern for the interests of the insured," Cianchetti wrote in a 21-page ruling. Patsy Bates, a 52-year-old grandmother, was at work at the Gardena hair salon she owns when her lawyer William Shernoff called with the news. Bates said she screamed and thanked the lawyer.”
I hope this is the start of a new era. Health insurance companies have been trampling patients for many years, taking advantage of them when they are at their most vulnerable.
Senior wrote on Feb 24, 2008 4:20 AM:I was in the Southwest Detention Center courtroom building Friday. It is a nice new building with a lot of persons coming and going. I saw a lot of young people in their 20's and 30's who were so fat they waddled as they walked. And there were a lot of middled men with pronounced "pot bellies". I shop frequently at a big Cost Club. I see a lot of large persons there, and many that are a little fat, but few of them waddle and almost none have large pot bellies. I wonder if that observation on a small sample holds up, and if so why.
David wrote on Feb 24, 2008 4:56 AM:Dear Editor,
I was appalled to lean that John McCain was the only Senator who two weeks ago chose to skip a crucial vote on the future of clean energy in America -- dooming the measure to fail by just a single vote.
Now I am even more appalled to learn that this is a pattern with Senator McCain. On the League of Conservation Voters scorecard he received a ZERO for missing the 15 most important environmental votes in 2007. McCain's score of 0 is lower than members of Congress who died last year.
John McCain's LCV score exposes the real record behind the rhetoric: a lifetime pattern of voting with polluters and special interests and ducking the important votes.
Sincerely,
David
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 5:29 AM:>>Obama supporters are sober-minded, pragmatic people who understand how important it is that we as a country move away from the rhetoric of fear that has been used to drag us into pre-emptive war and the abandonment of our most basic principles of liberty.>> LOL Obama doesnt even preach that in his snake oil snowjob stump speeches. He preaches a full out attack of American businesses, to the extent of total communism. I guess he thinks by attacking the employers in the US, your salary and benefits will increase. And we already knows he wants tot turn the healthcare delivery system in this country over to the same bureaucrats who have bankrupted Social Security
Randy wrote on Feb 24, 2008 6:26 AM:The San Diego Union-Tribune downgraded its TV Week guide, then graciously offered to let newspaper subscribers subscribe to a premium TV Week for only 10 cents a day!
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:19 AM:The news is reporting that a suicide bomber killed at least 25 Shiite pilgrims in Iraq, but will there be a single post on this board by a liberal condemning the terrorists? The answer is no. There will be the usual drivel of Bush hate, free medical, hugher taxes, troop hate, etc
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:22 AM:>>>The San Diego Union-Tribune downgraded its TV Week guide, then graciously offered to let newspaper subscribers subscribe to a premium TV Week for only 10 cents a day>> It's like Obama in his speeched decrying the cost of welfare, and his solution is "Pay a little bit more out of your paycheck and get it all for free"
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:25 AM:I see that the Rock of Journalism has had ro retract another story. I wonder if they'd run a story about suspicions that maybe Hillary blew Vince Fosters head off with a gun, and let America stew on it for maximum destructive effect and then retract it???? (Although in that case it probably doesnt need a retraction
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:35 AM:>>>Hillary and McCain should drop out of the race for president. All they can do is create ill will and divide America.>> Why dont you tell us how Hussein Obama is going to unite us. Are you going to be cheering when he attacks those "evil corporation", and hands you the keys to free healthcare??? LOL
Asteroid wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:37 AM:Wow……SOLON gave me a great idea. I’m gonna start cut and pasting into a special folder every blog and letter where the word or term racist/racism is abused. It should be a rather copious collection by years end. Any wagers on who the winner will be; SOLON, Pluto, Chris, sdraoul???
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:39 AM:I was wondering, did anyone do the Benny Hinn fainting spell at an Obama stump speech yesterday. And let me guess, the EMT crew was right there for the rescue, just as it was the last 4 times it happened. I havent seen this many faint since the Beatles took the stage. (and they talk about Hillary planting questions)
Asteroid wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:46 AM:Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:19 AM: No...not quite. Chris, in total sicerety, will post something to the effect that U.S. Marines were to blame. BTW where's chris's letter; isn't it Sunday?
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 8:04 AM:>>There is still too much prejudice in this country to elect a woman, a black>> I dont think its prejudice, I just don't think the people are quite ready for communism.
I agree with Carol Winter wrote on Feb 24, 2008 8:05 AM:We would have so many mail order brides coming to this country to marry our men. Just where would that leave us? I am more concerned about the treat mail order brides pose in our hometowns than the illegal immigrants who were raised her and have a better understanding of our culture than one who just jumps in line and gets a free pass to citizenship because she sold herself out of some magazine. I think that phenomenon needs to stop.
Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 8:07 AM:I don't think it's an attempt to revise history, Michael McNulty. So much as it is an attempt to revise and extend his remarks. Or, this is "creating the Internet" thing, another instance of Bill Clinton rubbing off on Gore, i.e. "That depends on what your definition of the word "Is" is.
If Michael McNulty is correct, that Al Gore actually said: "During my service in the U.S. Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet."
Surely a bad choice of words. To "create" means: To cause to exist; bring into being. What Al Gore meant is fairly obvious, he provided the taxypayer money to bring forth a defense project, support it, and bring other related research areas to make it what it is today. That is a great idea, but was it wasn't his. Gore did what all really good political people do, they steal ideas from the really smart guys, and use them as their own. Some have said, that it was Gore who was this great idea guy, but the actual history of the Internet tells a far different story. The actual idea of an Internet began in the 1950s and early 1960s, an idea back then called "networking". In 1960, Al Gore was 12 years old. This idea of computer networking {computer networking, central mainframe, connected via long leased lines} actually was used in the 1950s by Project RAND to support researchers.
RAND was set up in 1946 by the United States Army Air Forces as Project RAND, under contract to the Douglas Aircraft Company. In other words, it was defense oriented.
A fundamental pioneer in the call for a global network, J.C.R. Licklider, articulated the ideas in his January 1960 paper, Man-Computer Symbiosis.
"A network of such [computers], connected to one another by wide-band communication lines" which provided "the functions of present-day libraries together with anticipated advances in information storage and retrieval and [other] symbiotic functions."
In October 1962, Licklider was appointed head of the United States Department of Defense's DARPA information processing office, and formed a group within DARPA to further computer research.
By 1973, so many different networks existed, something was needed to unify them. Robert E. Kahn of DARPA and ARPANET recruited Vinton Cerf of Stanford University to work with him on the problem. By 1973, "they" had soon worked out a fundamental reformulation, where the differences between network protocols were hidden by using a common internetwork protocol. In effect, they had unified the networks. This again, is not creating, it is the evolutionary step in making the system better.
So Please, Michael McNulty and all the rest of you 30 percenters who love to revise history on this page, give us 70 percenters a break! Part of Mr. McNulty's problem is he advocates Al Gore's DVD "An Inconvenient Truth".
That movie is filled with so many lies and distortions, it's no wonder he can't get the histry right.
chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 8:11 AM:The news says U.S. envoy in Serbia warns on violence. Lets see,if 3 carrier groups are sitting off Iran, twiddling their thumbs over a nuclear threat, and Bush wont pull the trigger there, just what do you think he's going to do about some rioting Serbs?? My guess is he'll send Valerie Plame over to run the kitchen for them, too
Yokozuna to Asteroid wrote on Feb 24, 2008 8:14 AM:RE 7:37 post: Are you sure you will have enough room on your hard drive?
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 8:17 AM:>>>Innocent babies and violent movies>> I'd certainly prefer mothers bringing their kids to violent western movies where the good guys win, than taking them to see the "Vagina Monologues" and "Susie has Two Mommies", where politically correct filth wins
Nick wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:10 AM:
Here are some facts for you to laugh at "SD Raoul":
ICE (April 5, 2006). 37 criminals arrested by ICE during weeklong operation in South Florida. News Release. Miami, Florida. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060405miami.htm
ICE (August 15, 2005). ICE arrests 25 child sex offenders in Chicago area. News Release. Chicago, Illinois. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/050815chicago.htm
ICE (August 26, 2005). ICE deported 550 criminal aliens, status violators from 5-state area during July. News Release. New Orleans, Louisiana. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/050826neworleans.htm
ICE (July 11, 2005). ICE removed more than 3,000 criminal aliens, status violators from South Texas during June. News Release. San Antonio, Texas. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/050711sanantonio.htm
ICE (July 13, 2005). ICE deports 120 illegal aliens from D.C. area. News Release. Washington, D.C. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/050713washington.htm
ICE (July 13, 2005). Ice targets 32 pedophiles and suspected internet child pornographers in Orange County. News Release. Santa Ana, California. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/050713santaana.htm
ICE (June 10, 2005) ICE nabs predator on probation for molesting mentally challenged girl. News Release. San Juan, Puerto, Rico. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/050610sanjuan.htm
ICE (June 10, 2005). ICE removes 525 criminal aliens, status violators from 5-stat6e area during May. News Release. New Orleans, Louisiana. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/050610neworleans.htm
ICE (May 3, 2005). ICE deports sex criminal to Ecuador. News Release. Bloomington, Minnesota. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/ecuador050305.htm
ICE (March 4, 2005). Operation Predator arrests surpass 5,000. News Release. Houston, Texas. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/houstonpred030405.htm
ICE (March 4, 2005). Two men convicted of sexually molesting children slated for removal by ICE. News Release. New York, New York. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/nyremoval030405.htm
ICE (March 10, 2005). ICE deports violent convict to Mexico. News Release. New York, New York. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/convict031005.htm
ICE (March 11, 2005). ICE deports 37 illegal aliens from D.C. area. News Release. Washington, D.C. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/illegals031105.htm
ICE deports St. Paul man who raped 4-year-old. News Release. Bloomington, Minnesota. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/minn_031805.htm
ICE (March 23, 2005). ICE agents arrest 21 child predators and sex offenders in Westchester County. News Release. White Plains, New York. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/chester032305.htm
ICE (March 28, 2005). ICE deports four convicted child predators. News Release. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/phil_032805.htm
ICE (February 2, 2005). ICE deports last four illegal aliens convicted for sex with 14-year old mentally disabled girl. News Release. Bloomington, Minnesota. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/predator020205.htm
ICE (February 2, 2005). ICE removes 207 criminal aliens, status violators from 5-state area during January. http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/dro207removals020205.htm
Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:21 AM:Like most lefties, Peter McBride can't see the forest for the trees. He blames Iraq for breaking the back of the US economy. That is a lie, it's pap, it's baloney!
According to Mr. McBride we are spending Over $300 million a day to continue the war in Iraq. What Mr. McBride is doing is the ole switcheroo, he's taking the total spending on both Afganistan & Iraq and saying that's what we spend in Iraq alone. Since the beginning we have spent $750 billion according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on both Iraq & Afganistan.
According to the CBO, $456 billion has been spent in Iraq alone, since 2003.
Since we now know those numbers, let's look at how they affect our Budget. This year we will spend $141 billion between both Iraq & Afganistan, but Bush's budget deficit is nearly $401 billion. $401 - $141 = $260 billion. Now, where does $260 billion go? If Iraq & Afganistan are only putting $141 billion on the credit card, where does the other $260 billion of borrowing(almost double) come from?
According to Comptroller General David Walker, while Iraq & Afganistan are concerning, that is not where the bulk of the money is spent. In 1797, U.S. government spending represented about 2 percent of the U.S. economy and now it represents over 20 percent. With Social Security taxes alone being raised some 19 times since inception, from 1% in 1937 to 12.4% today. Everytime we were told this would "fix it", and everytime it didn't, they raised the payroll tax, and delayed retirement. He further says:
"Without meaningful action on, by 2040 our government could only have the resources to do little more than mail out Social Security checks and pay interest on the massive and growing national debt." In short, entitlement spending is swamping the rest of the Government's budget.
The amount of government spending on entitlements alone consumes nearly 60% of our entire budget, and by the end of the nest President's term, it will be 70%. That is the fastest growing portion of our spending, not Iraq, and not Afganistan. Reforming both Medi-Care & Social Security are the key to regaining control over our growing indebtedness. These wars, while expensive, are not "the" reason for our debt, or indebtedness. 60% of last year's budget was 1.74 trillion spent on some 40 plus million people. It is absolutely scary to listen to Obama or Hillary talk about adding more people to Medi-Care. Last year we spent $962 billion on just seniors, some 40 million. If we added the 47 million uninsured, that budget number alone would swell to 1.9 trillion today, of a $3.1 trillion budget. That's 2/3rd's folks, and not do-able. Cause, shortly thereafter, we have another 78 million boomers gaining access to those systems.
If enacted, I think a Social Security tax rate of 24% will be mandated, and another tax for Medi-Care at 12%, won't be out of the question.
dennis wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:34 AM:To Chuck:Give it a rest!
DD Wiz wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:35 AM: The post from "MORALTIY vs. RELIGION ." (11:04pm) exudes excitement about the accurate quote from Bob Luntz (note spelling correction), GM Vice President of product development, in which he uses strong language to question the state of scientific research on global climate change. Of course, "MORALITY...." fails to note that in a personal blog on the GM website, Luntz clarified that he was referring to the issue of whether or not human activity contributes to global climate change, not the fact that it is happening.
In any case, the excitement over this quote shows just how DESPERATE the anti-science deniers really are! Hello, HE IS NOT A SCIENTIST! HE IS AN AUTO MANUFACTURER! He does not want to accept environmental standards that might limit sales of his gas guzzlers. Getting excited about a statement from Luntz is almost (not quite) as silly as getting excited over a statement from the CEO of ExxonMobil denying that addiction to non-renewable FINITE FILTHY FOSSIL FUELS purchased from dependence on terrorists and dictators hurts the environment! They are self-serving propagandists!
That said, although in my many decades of driving and automobile ownerships (including both foreign and domestic autos) I have never owned a GM product, if GM beats Toyota in the race to get their Chevy Volt PLUG-IN hybrid to market, I'll be enthusiastically buying my first GM car.
DD Wiz wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:36 AM: The post from "Randy" (6:26am) causes me to wonder why he wrote this complaint about the SD Union-Trib to the North County Times. Did he forget which website he was on? That's almost as silly as getting invaded by terrorists being harbored in Afghanistan and then going after them by invading Iraq.
theWolf wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:36 AM:The biggest surprise that came out of the 2000 election is that judges play politics. Liberals have generally genuflected to court decisions because, for the most part, they moved the progressive agenda without messy legislative votes. But, when they declared Bush the winner, the scales fell from their eyes and they have been spitting mad ever since. On top of that, the Kelo decision reducing property rights to anything a court decides is good for the monied side was voted in by 5 liberal justices.
DD Wiz wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:37 AM: The post from "Ron" (8:07am) shows his addiction to historical revision is running rampant again. The guy seriously needs an intervention.
The actual quote from Al Gore was absolutely correct, but it was fraudulently misrepresented in the corporate media. Oh well, that's just our "Ron" being "Ron."
This snide little accusation about Al Gore claiming to have "invented" the Internet is a complete LIE, which has been thoroughly debunked by anyone who has the slightest familiarity with real news. This has long been debunked on Snopes and many other sources that debunk urban legends. It started when Al Gore stated during an interview with Wolf Blitzer March 9, 1999 and said he "took the initiative in creating the Internet."
Despite the rather desperate attempt by "Ron" to reinvent the English language, this statement accurately reflected Gore's leadership role in passing (CREATING) the enabling legislation to open up and convert the old Arpanet, a closed system, into the open system now known as the Internet.
Even "Ron's" own definition of "create" ("To cause to exist; bring into being") is consistent with Gore's statement. Without his legislative action, the Internet as we know it today would not have been caused to exist, or brought into being.
Gore never used the word "invent" and he used the term "create" in an appropriate legislative sense, in the same way Eisenhower could have said he "created" the interstate highway system, although he never actually drafted the plans or poured a drop of cement.
After the slanderous misrepresentation was spread, initially from a misquote by Declan McCullagh in Wired News and later repeated in a debate line by (of course) liar Dubya Bush, Vint Cerf, who DID invent the Internet, wrote a spirited defense of Gore's statement, fully validating it, and the 2005 Webby Award for online achievement was issued to AL GORE for his leadership in establishing the Internet. The same Luddites who champion old, outdated non-renewable FINITE FILTHY FOSSIL FUEL technologies of the past ridicule the visionaries to implemented the Internet and who seek the clean, effective, affordable technologies of the future.
In his usual, pathetic desperation, "Ron" further lashes out at Gore's excellent book (and accompanying video), "An Inconvenient Truth." While Gore is not a scientist and this cannot be considered a primary source, it is a mostly-accurate scientific-journalism summary of scientific data. It is not perfect. Contrary to "Ron's" wholly unsupported lie about it being "filled with so many lies and distortions," it does have just a few minor errors in it, WHICH GORE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED, but overall it presents an accurate message. The science deniers are quick to cite a British judge who noted these few small errors, but never get around to mentioning that he also acknowledged the overall accuracy, just required the insertion of an errata sheet, and allowed the book to be used in science classes.
Ms M wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:48 AM:Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:21 AM You are correct Ron it's not the war that has us in debt - we haven't STARTED to pay for that yet, just millions a day on interest LOL.
TRUTH IN GOVERNMENT wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:07 AM:From DDWiz at 9:37 a.m. "errors ... WHICH GORE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED..."
Can anyone imagine Bush acknowledging his many errors?
But I guess when there's less of them, you're not as sensitive about it.
Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:11 AM:And thus again, we are privy to another story of the mindset controlling more Americans each and everyday, Liberal Insitutionalism. Thank you Jeannette Bullis, very enlightening. Notice, she reverts backs to the age old liberal argument: "Laws should be passed to ..."
Maybe she meant just "stupid parents?"
She further insists that it should be the movie manager's job to be their babysitter?
And then she advocates: "Or maybe we should require training and licensing for parents."
Now, don't get me wrong, I throughly believe in educating people. But Jeannette Bullis is actually suggesting something very different, and far more insidious. What she is actually advocating is that "The Smart people" tell the dumb people how to live. It assumes that only "the Smart people" can know how the rest of us should live. And that, as a part of this whole Nanny State.. this babysitting, we need the Smart people to enforce rules, laws, and other ideas which are thought to be "good for us." It also assumes that some of us, don't know what's good for us, and it requires that someone else, do the thinking for us. Of course, for our own good. Afterall, their just looking out for us, right?
It shouldn't suprise anyone that this "superiorist" thinking is not new. In fact, it was in vogue back in the early part of the 20th century, and has had a resurgence today. Well, not quite exact, but the mindset has. Eugenics is a social philosophy which advocates the improvement of human hereditary traits through various forms of intervention.
Such as, smartness, for example. Throughout history, eugenics has been regarded by its various advocates as a social responsibility, an altruistic stance of a society, meant to create healthier and more intelligent people, to save resources, and lessen human suffering. The early proponents of eugenics sought to achieve these goals focused on selective breeding. In other words, we can't let dumb people breed.
Since the cat is out of the bag.. so to speak, indoctrination is now the tool.
Laws for or against unwanted behaviors
have grown immeasurably lately. All with the intent to re-direct behavior of the dumb people, to the vision of "the Smart people." Clearly, this is superiorist thinking, and rather snobbish. But, that is how many on the left feel. They know, you don't, and they need to enlighten you at least, or force you if you don't.
Interesting aside, H. G. Wells was an early proponent of eugenics, and he was an outspoken socialist. Wells had liaisons with a number of women, including the American birth-control activist and eugenicist Margaret Sanger, the founder of what is known today as Planned Parenthood. Wells, a member of the Fabian Society, also talked consistently about the ideal of a World State. The term "Liberal Fascism" comes directly from a speech that H.G. Wells gave to the Young Liberals at Oxford in 1932.
During the 1930s H.G. Wells's argued a theory of revolutionary praxis centered around a concept of 'liberal fascism' whereby the Wellsian 'liberal' utopia would be achieved by an authoritarian élite. Smart people running the dumb people, that is fascism by anyone's measure.
Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:24 AM:According to Steven Savage: "Obama supporters are not simpletons." OK? I'll bite...
Can you name one accomplishment?
Or perhaps you could tell us how his New - New Deal would be paid for?
I mean.. the other night as I listened to one of his speeches, by my calculations, for every dollar he claimed to have "saved us", he said he would add spending of another $3 dollars. Is that New math?
OK, so your not simpletons. But you can't add either.
I Agree with Bridget Canchola wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:35 AM:What she says is true. There are more and more stores catering to the Mexicans. Stater Bros in San Marcos is a perfect example. However, Stater Bros is really going downhill with selling inferior goods, just take a look at their egg case, nearly every carton of eggs has a broken one. I say, get rid of Stater and put in a Henry's, where you can find products that suits EVERYONE'S needs, not just a bunch of Mexican ingredients.
Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:39 AM:Wiz @9:37 AM just can not get around the fact that his hero, did not invent the internet, in fact, he never created it, either.
What Gore did, as most politicians do is to claim credit for partially financing the deal, after the "REAL" smart guys told him about it. Not his idea, not his creation, THEIRS.
He was the investor, shall we say?
But.. then again, it wasn't even his own money. The TAXPAYERS invested, so they should be credited for the advances. Come to think of it, he's at it again with his carbon credit/offsets.
He's using other people's money to fund his company, then taking credit for offsetting they do for his jet setting.
DD Wiz wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:56 AM: The post from "Ron" (10:39am) shows he is still determined to repeat his usual LIES.
Yet again, he makes the allegations of Gore "selling" carbon credits/offsets.
I have asked him several times to provide a specific example or program or direct us toward further information to clarify or confirm this claim, but every time the response from "Ron" is -- SILENCE.
He runs away like a cowardly lion with his tail between his legs, but still roaring pretentiously.
Stop playing games, "Ron." You keep saying this. BACK IT UP or APOLOGIZE.
As for Al Gore creating the Internet, it needed legislative restructuring to convert to a closed system to an open one.
"Ron," ever jealous of a true legislative achiever who has also achieved in the private sector, can only belittle this, but can't back it up.
If the claim is so spurious, "Ron," why did Vint Cert write a spirited defense of Gore's claim?
Why did he win the 2005 Webby FOR HIS ROLE IN CREATING THE INTERNET?
More lies from "Ron": "Not his idea, not his creation, THEIRS."
Vint Cerf and his team invented the technology of the Internet, but they could not make the legislative changes needed to authorize a public "information superhighway" -- it took a forward-thinking legislative leader to do that, and in Al Gore they found their man. Without Al Gore there would be no Internet as we know it today.
Al Gore could not invent the technology. Vint Cerf could not change the system.
Together they could create the Internet.
And poor jealous "Ron" is stewing angrily because he is so upset that Dubya Bush doesn't even know how the down arrow works. (Bush has admitted that he does not use e-mail and does not have an e-mail address.)
DD Wiz wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:00 AM: The post from "I Agree with Bridget Canchola" (10:35am) whines about private businesses who find it profitable to serve Spanish-speaking clients, the vast majority of which are perfectly legal.
STOP WHINING.
It is called "private enterprise."
It is called a "free market."
It is called being an "entrepreneur."
It is called finding a market and selling goods to satisfy your customers.
If you don't like it, go to a Communist country where they tell one private business (Stater Bros) to go out of business and become another business (Henry's).
For my part, I like both Stater Bros and Henry's and shop at both.
Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:13 AM:And in further futile defense of the Pope, Wiz @9:37 AM asserts that Gore's book (and accompanying video), "An Inconvenient Truth" is excellent?
GORE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED, wizzer cites: "a few small errors..." but overall it presents an accurate message. The number of these inaccuracies are 9 (Nine) to be exact.
These so-called "few minor errors" found by the Brit judge, he said were: "nine scientific errors", and bad enough to require amending Teacher's instructional manuals to prevent the Alarmist definitions of Gore's book into a classroom. So, What were these "minor errors" Wizz wants to defend?
1. Gore asserts a 20 foot sea level rise in the near future. The judge said, the science shows it's a millennia away. And has since been "amended" to 3 feet by the IPCC.
2. Gore says low lying atolls have been evacuated. The judge said, no such evacuation has taken place.
3. Gore says the Gulf Stream which wamrs the Atlantic would shut down. The judge says, it's very unlikely.
4. Gore says Graphs show {that would be "his" graphs show} CO2 and temp. rise are exact matches. The judges says, there's a connection, but they {the graphs} do not show what Gore claims they do.
5. Then his ridiculous citing of Mt. Kilimanjaro snow levels.
6. Lake Chad... they have a drought. And let's also remember an increased demand on the lake's water from the local population has likely accelerated its shrinkage over the past 40 years.
7. Katrina... please.
8. Gore & polar bears. Weve found 4 dead polar bears. Hardly a crisis.
9. The judge specifically cited that Gore can not make the "leap" to global warming factors, without considering additional factors such as over-fishing & polution.
The only reason Gore would use these Alarmist definitions was to create the crisis, to scare people in order to do the kinds of things they want to accomplish. It's slick marketing & packaging. Like I said before, Film producers are allowed a certain amount of dramatic license. But documentarys, should be a lot closer to the facts.
I think, seen in conjuction with his marketing of carbon offsets, I think I know exactly why Gore made this film. To sell stuff. Like we talked about the otherday, which came first, the DEMAND, or the SUPPLY? If no demand exists, create one. Gore did exactly that.
SUPERHIGHWAY wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:18 AM:Question for Ron: you say that Gore can't get any credit for the Internet because taxpayer money was involved (though I'm not sure if converting it from a military system to an open system means less or more taxpayer money).
Forget the "Information Superhighway" - look at the actual superhighways. You know, the ones we actually drive cars on.
The Internstate Highway System was funded by tax dollars.
Eisenhower is often credited with creating it.
Do you think this is a historical injustice?
Ron wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:23 AM:BLOCK BUSTER NEWS @1:27 AM, reminds me.
Thank god we do have a private healthcare industry, cause if the government run it, you'd have no recourse. No right to sue, No to right to be made whole. I think it's great that this one woman was able to get a lawyer, and sue the pants off this insurer to get what she rightfully was entitled to under her contract with them. You won't have that right under a single payer, or universal system. Cause the deep pockets will be the government, and you can't sue them.
hardtack wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:33 AM:Sarcasm or not, the concept of an Obama vs Ron Paul campaign, raised by “Time to call it quits =” @ 11:23 PM (Feb 23 – posted today) fired my imagination. What an epic contest that would make – Goliath vs. David. The silver tongued law school orator vs. the humble country doctor. Pure emotion vs. pure reason. CLASSIC! Unfortunately, I can’t see “David” winning that one. Cynicism.
DD Wiz wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:03 PM: The post from "Ron" (11:13am) continues his campaign of disinformation.
First, he again provides a litany of charges, NOT ONE WITH A SPECIFIC SOURCE, but more important, his list LEFT OFF his earlier claim about Gore profiteering of offsets/credits.
I'm not going to let "Ron" get away with the typical Republican slime machine tactic of throwing mud and then running away from it. We saw that yesterday when "theWolf" (12:30pm and 4:09pm) made a bald faced misrepresentation that a Democratic congressman was trying to regulate the Internet and then I posted a link to the actual legislation showing the actual proposal was the exact opposite; an amendment to ensure Internet neutrality.
I'm going to demand that "Ron" cite exactly what policy or offering he is referring to, backed up by a source he can direct us to.
Second, his litany does cite a few of the actual errors which Gore has acknowledged, but adds numerous additional items that I am unable to verify. Please note, I have both the book and the DVD and I am prepared to verify these claims, but "Ron" has provided no basis for it, and I dispute his claims.
Please go back to your list, "Ron," and for each item provide the source to validate it.
I'm betting that you can't, unless you resort to your old tricks of making up sources, but we have outed you on that too, in the past, and are eager to do it again.
We demand Truth in Posting, but doubt it will be coming any time soon from "Ron."
"Ron": All we're asking is that you back up what you said.
You must've gotten it from somplace. You wouldn't just make it up, would you, "Ron"?
We're waiting. And waiting. Don't hold your breath, folks.
SOLON ... wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:04 PM: … Ralph Nader announced this morning on “Meet the Press” he is running for president. Consumer advocates are pleased, but the GOP is not. After all, in 2000, when Nader was blamed by many Democrats for their loss of the White House, we find than far more Republicans voted for Nader than did Democrats. Nader is unlikely to gain much traction this late in the game, but considering the dismay and division of the GOP over McCain and Bush, he does offer an alternative for disenchanted Huckabee and Ron Paul supporters.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader said he is launching another independent campaign for the White House because neither major party is addressing fundamental problems and issues of the economy, corporatism and job loss.
Nader, who will turn 74 this week, announced his longshot presidential bid, saying that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans were addressing problems facing Americans. Nader called Washington "corporate occupied territory" that turns the government against the interests of the people. "In that context, I have decided to run for president."
Good luck, Mr. Nader. You will need it. You would make a good running mate for Barack Obama, being 3 years older than McCain, but a hell of a lot more intelligent, agile and trustworthy.
question for Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:07 PM:I see you asking how many liberals wrote to express outrage at the suicide bombing of the Shiite pilgrims, and answering "none". Question: until your post, how many posts were there from conservatives, or anyone else, expressing outrage at this bombing? Answer: none. I also find it amusing that when it suits your purposes, there is an ocean of pity for the poor Shiite pilgrims. If it had been an American bomb that had blown up those pilgrims, you'd be shouting for joy that another bunch of terrorist filth were eliminated. This is the problem in Iraq since the day after "Mission Accomplished": neither Chuck, nor esteban, nor raoul, nor DD, nor Alf, nor anyone on earth has a clue about who our enemy is there. But the yahoos think "stay the course" is the best strategy nonetheless, as long as someone is dying, it's good.
Yawn wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:10 PM:Ron and Chuck need to talk again. One says Obama has accomplished nothing, that he's an empty candidate. The other pegs him with all kinds of plans to give money away to lead us to a communist state. Can't be both. But on a more serious note, don't people EVER get sick of one-liners determining elections? This one's a flip-flopper. That one had a $400 haircut. The bozo over there invented the internet. Obama? All words, no substance. Americans are not worthy of a democratic process, we just seem to enjoy juvenile stupidity too much to ever grow out of it.
Chuck wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:11 PM:>>>we find than far more Republicans voted for Nader than did Democrats.>>> Yea, who found that??? I detect a high level of BS factors in your conclusion
Liberty the world over wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:13 PM:Is it our duty to increase liberty all over the world? I wish we behaved that way, don't you? In Chile, Nicaragua, Palestine, and many, many other countries, the US has actively fought the results of democracy, preferring dictators who are friendly to our business interests. Terrorists have never been a problem when they are Contras, zionists, or paramilitary groups who enact coups against leaders who don't lick our boots. When we start taking that duty to promote freedom and democracy seriously, some of us might get prouder of our military and leadership. It's their move.
DD Wiz wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:15 PM: The post from "Ron" (11:13am) demands one further point of clarification:
He keeps talking about how GORE created the demand for concerns about Global Warming.
As I have repeatedly noted, which "Ron" can't get through that thick skull of his (or just doesn't want to because it wouldn't conform to his partisan campaign of character assassination), GORE IS NOT A SCIENTIST. Gore's works are excellent journalism, but they are only that: popular media.
They are not science.
Gore is not "peer reviewed."
This has nothing to do with the real issue and is part of the CONSERVATIVE