San Luis Rey Resident wrote on Apr 1, 2008 9:51 PM:Nadine Scott forgot to thank the NIMBY crowd, and the CAVE(Citizen's Against Virtually Everything) crowd. By the way Nadine, even though you say 24,000 people are "against" the project, there are still over 140,000 people who were "not against" the project. Yes, we will remember in November how the City Council voted.

sdraoul wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:11 PM:The stock market jumps 400 points in one day because: It looks like the credit crunch has bottomed out as has the housing construction fall-off.

We keep driving despite the price of gas, thus the price stays up.

Unemployment hasn't spiked up or, for those who don't understand, employment hasn't plunged...

Obama is tanking with independent voters and he is chasing back loose-minded Republicans who thought they heard the Messiah. White men have abandoned a Party that might nominate Pastor Wright's best student. Many white women are sticking to Hillary and will abandon the Party that doesn't nominate her.

And, despite tripping over his tongue, John McCain knows more about the economy than either lawyer Obama or Hillary because as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. There he oversaw most of the economy for more years than Obama and Hillary have been in the Senate in total.

Things look good for the good guys. Don't believe me, ask Moqtada al-Sadr.

Ms M wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:41 PM:sdraoul
[-] wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:11 PM ...John McCain knows more about the economy....um SDR I think your guy John said of himself "I really don't know that much about the economy". You are just too funny!

Another San Luis Rey Resident wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:06 PM:It doesn't matter who showed up at the council meeting on the third concrete plant in our city. What really counts is that the law required the city council to mandate preparation of a legal environmental impact report. They did not according to legal briefs. This council has been openly opposed to following environmental laws and not just those who are living here now will suffer because of it, future generations will also suffer. And the council didn't just ignore residents they voted against all the businesses along the creek which will be flooded again. This San Luis Rey resident wasn't there but he should have been. The writer should not speek for the San Luis Rey Valley because many of us agree with Nadine on this one.

Chuck wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:48 AM:The AP news is reporting that U.S. firms flood gov't with visa applications for foreign workers. I thank the public schools for teaching the kids diversity, how to fit condoms to cucumbers and the rights under SB777 instead of the skills needed to work for US firms. The yoonyuns are sure showing us what they think is more important in the schools

to oh, chuck wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:25 AM:in regards to yesterday's pot..when I said "let me try to explain for you. someone that behaves that way seeks attention for some lacking, regardless if the attention is positive or negative. Provocation creates a more immediate reward. It is a trait in many social behavioral disorders." I was answering your question on why Chuck acts the way he does. Felt it necessary to explain that one.

Ron wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:43 AM:We are so far away from the Founding Fathers, Kevin Cox. We are on the slow road to tyranny.

You take a serious look at any of our so-called leaders, and not one ever refers back to what the Founders of this great country has said.
The have breeched the Constitution for their own purposes, and you are not
"secure in person or possessions." You haven't been for a very long time, and it anit gett'n better. With the Government having the ability to reach down into your personal private property.. "your paycheck"... all other property rights are slowly being seized by a Government who wants to "take care of you." I mean... what does it say about a system of Government that decrees they have the right to your money, your paycheck first, before you've figuired out what you need to live on? It should tell you everything you'll ever need to know how little they actually think of you, the citizen.
A Supreme Court who have decided private property can be taken by a city from a private citizen, and given to another private citizen.
Private property rights are the foundation of all our liberties. Once initially lost, the Government keeps raising the bar. The Government regulates and controls every aspect of your life, essentially stealing your freedom and liberty.

To Ron wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:29 AM:Your post at 7:43 is right on. What do you propose we do? Who do you support in the election?

Poor, Poor Pete wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:56 AM:Pete Angelo calls and out of control Sheriff "his hero". I have read many articles about the actions of this man and heroic is not a label I would use to describe him. This is a sick world I tell you.

Ron wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:59 AM:Terry Hart recounts Rocky Velgos as a father, hero, role model and visionary. She says: "His insight and letters will be missed."
I did not know Mr. Velgos, I'm more than sure he was many of those things, in short, a nice man.
As far a "visionary" goes, right there, we have a disagreement. I do not consider his ideas as visionary, in fact, I found most of his ideas harmful to society.
While you can talk about "consenting adults" and all that other baloney. You can not separate the homosexual movement from other sexual movements. They are, one in the same. They are intertwined in this mish-mash of leftist causes, and the push to impose their sexual wants on society has harmed the country as a whole.
Just today in Boston, the state's prison system is re-examining a case of a convicted killer suing the Department of Correction to try to get a sex-change operation. This is an outgrowth of this sexual movement.
In California, we now have SB777, in which a child can pick & choose which sex, which gender they shall be today.
Again, an outgrowth of this movement.
We are way beyond "consenting adults", now we have virtually every sexual want or wish seeking to become mainstream, and acceptable. The Government is aiding and abetting this behavioral movement by law.
At the same time, our schools are producing kids that can not read the diploma they receive upon graduation. In fact, by 4th grade, only 31% of students can red a greade level, by 8th grade, it's even worse, only 29% can.
Within the school system, leftist socialization has become the dominate force, rather than education. Again, an outgrowth of this seuxal movement.
You can not now separate what people do in the privacy of their bedrooms, when your teaching it in the classrooms.
Particularly, when that teaching is more dominate than math, science, reading, and spelling. Not only have we turned out schools into employment agencies for educrats, but those educrats are teaching stuff that is not helpful to seeking work, succeeding in college, or living life. Based on time spent alone, sex is such a small portion of one's entire life. The only reason Government schools are emphasing sex ed over all other aspect of one's individual education is to mainstream what is considered by the majority of Americans as divergent sliver of the population. I have an idea too. How bout we start teaching kids stuff they can use for the rest of their lives, like reading, math, and spelling. So they can earn a living, raise their families, and yes.. pay their taxes.

sdraoul wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:18 AM:I said McCain tripped over his tongue specifically on the economy. He said he didn't know as much as he could, but nonetheless, as Chairman of the Commerce Committee which oversees most of the economy, McCain has forgotten more about the economy than either neophyte Obama or Hilalry who was busy attending "Jesus Christ, Superstar" whent he World Trade Center was attacked the first time.

Economics was my minor in college and I don't know all there is about the economy that I could know. I have yet to hear that Obama or Hillary minored or majored in economics in their undergraduate. I also know that neither has ever managed or run any organization private or public.

McCain's years of stellar chairmanship of the Commerce Committee places him much farther up the economic knowledge ladder than his opponents...Comprende?

Ron wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:25 AM:>>>The city of Oceanside,... is attempting to prevent Pacific View Charter School, a homeschooling program, from moving to Ocean Ranch Industrial Park.>>>
Two words for you, Marian Cavadias.
Teacher's Union.
Amazing isn't it? Since the leftists have completely taken over the public school system, what is the cry about how to fix em? Anyone?
That's right! We need MORE Government!
These people have a strangle hold on the public education system, and they have tried for years to prevent any other avenue for parent's to seek a good educational opportunity outside that system. They have a Monopoly, and they like it that way.
Nationally, it is now known that only about 52 percent of students in the main school systems of the nation's largest cities ever complete high school.
While most of the population believes that number is closer to around 70 percent.
The studies show that by the 4th grade only 31% of students read at grade level. And by 8th grade, that number dropped to 29%. While at the same time, California teachers ranks second in pay & benefits. Now, how can this be? We are told by the lib's, we need to spend more money, and more money will directly tranfer into better learning and higher test scores. That is a lie.
We are already spending half our State Government's budget on education, and it hasn't shown squat.
Instead of teaching, we are getting leftist indoctrination. It's beyond the time for all parent's to take seriously their own children's future in these public schools. It's way beyond fixing, it's about leaving. It's time to storm the bastile and take no prisoners in regard to your child's education.
It is nothing short of child abuse to enroll your kid in a school that you know will not teach them to read, write, and arithmatic. What kind of future are you sentencing them to?
To be handicapped in this way? We know that education, true education, the ability to read and think for one's self, is the route of successful people. Those who do not develop these skills, fall behind, drop out, and fail at record rates. The results are in, and they are dismal, they are nothing short of failure. I'm far beyond hearing the same old lie one more time, "WE need more money." That is a lie Americans have bought so many times, we should now be immune.
Hold the system accountable is what now needs to take place. If we can not, We need to have the ability to set up sepatate schools, outside this system.
With the politicians in the pocket of Unions, this will be difficult, but not impossible. It will take work, and lost of it. But throwing more money down this current hole, is a fool's game.
Stop digging. If you can not get the results you believe your child deserves, and frankly, all children deserve. Then get out! Get a second job, home school, but please don't believe there's nothing you can do, and feel you are trapped. That's is exactly what these dictators are counting on.

to Ron wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:21 AM:I agree that our schools need to be improved, and that just throwing money at them has not been very helpful. Where we disagree is that schools somehow replaced its curriculum with leftist indoctrination, for one thing. My child went through a local public school system and got, in my opinion, an excellent education. He is currently attending a highly selective university and doing quite well there academically. I was closely involved with his education throughout K-12 and sure as heck didn't see much leftist indoctrination. There was sex ed, but I consider that normal and good, and we have always been comfortable talking about that topic with him anyhow. There was also a teacher who hooted with glee as Bush defeated Gore in 2000, wasting an incredible teaching moment in our history in favor of loud, rightist partisanship. A leftist propagandist would've been an improvement in that social studies class, believe me. My feeling is that many conservatives have developed the habit of simply blaming all things they don't like on "leftists", even when there's no evidence for this. They are deliberately confusing a political agenda they have (promoting conservative and Republican candidates) with real issues that are complex. We see in this space, repeatedly, efforts to blame the Iraq disaster on liberals, even though Democrats had essentially NO power during the first 4 years of the war. It's just automatic, and it's extremely dishonest. It's also unpatriotic because you try to sell the idea that if only those leftists could be gotten rid of, things would be better. But because the problem never really WAS leftist indoctrination, ending such has no effect on the problem whatsoever, so the kids in the schools continue to get shortchanged while your candidates get the votes. Slimy!

Reardon wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:24 AM:Has anyone concerned about proposed teacher layoffs considered sending their $1,200 "FREE money from the federal government" in May to their favorite school? Don't complain about "balancing the budget on the backs of the children" -- solve the problem you perceive at NO COST from your pocket! QED!

Apollo wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:50 AM:Re: Ron (8:59 a.m.)
Ron misstates and inaccurately describes what SB777 is with regard to protecting children from harassment.

Ms M wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:58 AM:sdraoul
[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:18 AM: He said he didn't know as much as he could, but nonetheless, as Chairman of the Commerce Committee...sorry SDR as "Chairman of the Commerce Committe he should be EXTREMELY knowledgeable about the economy. Maybe because of his lack of knowledge is the reason why the economy is in the tank..........

However wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:41 AM:McCain is not a good choice for a country that is tired of wasting lives and money on an illegal war. He will not be elected in November.

Realist wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:46 AM:Collages are more likely to have professors that are liberal than high schools. I have taken several classes where it's been painfully obvious. The professor wastes time talking about how bad the government is instead of teaching the course material. I never had this problem when I attended high school. If teachers TAUGHT instead of impressing their views upon their students, this country would be better off.

Sorry raoul wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:51 AM:Bush has destroyed our military and the generals are advising that we cannot sustain our present actions let alone respond to a new attack. McCain's plan for unending occupation is unrealistic. His ignorance on the economy is apparent in that he still thinks we can continue to fund the war in Iraq with lives and money. He thinks "service to our country" - i.e. a draft is going to provide additional manpower, but have you taken a look at the Average American lately? Overweight and uneducated, our soldiers don't even want to fight alongside your average American. At some point China will pull the plug on our loans and we will have no more money to fight either. While world domination and continued war excites you, raoul, it still anit gonna happen. McCain is so twenty years ago.

Question for the Republicans wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:52 AM:If McCain wasn't good enough for you in 2000, why is he good enough now?

Asleep at the Switch wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:57 AM:Ben Bernanke comes out today and warns that "a recession is possible." Do ya think? Heck of a job, Bernie.

esteban wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:58 AM:Realist, you are right. That's why I give this country less than 50 years to exist as we know it. When you spew liberl anti American filth, for years, to impressionable youth, you tear away at the fabric of our society.

Hilarious wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:02 PM:Scott writes a nice thank you letter and her detractors still can't resist attacking her and the neighborhood groups coalition. Get a life of your own please and try to do some good works of your own.

hardtack wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:05 PM:Actually, Ms M, the fact that John McCain admits that he doesn’t know much about the economy is his one bright spot. Perhaps, if he attains the presidency, he will make it a point to surround himself with some bright, free market economists. Personally, I would be encouraged if he had also added: “I really don’t know that much about foreign policy, or the Constitution, either.” An honest politician is such a rarity, under those circumstances I might even vote for him.

Endorsements Just Keep On Comin' wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:08 PM:INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indiana Rep. Lee Hamilton endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president Wednesday, praising his ability to transcend partisan division and calling his foreign policy outlook "pragmatic, visionary, and tough." Hamilton, who during a three-decade House career rose to be chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees, also was vice chairman of the Sept. 11 commission.

"Barack Obama has the best opportunity to create a new sense of national unity and to transcend divisions within this country, not by ignoring them or smoothing them over, but by working together with candor and civility to meet our challenges." On Obama's foreign policy stance, Hamilton said: "He will work with our friends and allies. Obama will strengthen our ability to use all the tools of American power, and relentlessly promote the American values of freedom and justice for all people."

Obama '08

Karl wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:20 PM:To "Poor, Poor Pete
[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:56 AM:". I am in agreement with Pete about the Sheriff. As for your comment, I believe the world would be a lot less sick with more Sheriffs like Joe Arpaio in charge.

McCAIN 2000 wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:32 PM:To Question at 11:52:
Why is McCain good enough for Republicans now but not in 2000?
Because Dubya was so much better HAHAHAHAHAHA.

it's "professors", not "teachers", realist wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:37 PM:In college, the students are adults and the professors are called such because they are active experts in their fields and thus have earned the right to "profess" their knowledge and opinions. Your comments are appropriate for K-12, but not for colleges. We've been hearing how the colleges have been dominated by the left since the 1960s and that these faculty are brainwashing our young adults. But the evidence for this is just about zero. It's true that faculty tend to be democrats (most republicans with doctoral degrees won't work for a professor's salary). But brainwashing? Judging by how people have been voting since the 1960's, if this behavior is caused by brainwashing, then somehow the conservatives are the ones doing it. If brainwashing upsets you, turn off right wing talk radio.

Question for McCain wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:42 PM:How will your military persist and grow? As it is, we are paying mercenaries many times the salary of our military for the same work, and there are at least as many mercenaries in Iraq as there are regular troops. How long can this state of military desperation continue? The Army, the main supplier of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been doing a lousy recruiting job and has lowered its standards as a result. If military action were truly needed somewhere, how in the world would we be ready? Would we pull troops from Iraq, even though they are, many of them, on third and fourth stop-loss deployments already? Would we just open the vaults and pay billions for a more mercenary force, with no particular chain of command and profit driving their motivations? It's nice to hear you, McCain, sloganeer about "Never Surrender" and stay the course, but, my gosh, HOW? (And WHY?)

Off by about a half century wrote on Apr 2, 2008 12:54 PM:Realist and Esteban bemoan the state of the American civilization. I agree, but I locate the problem about 50 or 60 years ago. That's when we became a society based on a military. That's when we started having to exaggerate or fabricate enemies for all of us to fear, the better for the war economy. To me, that was the beginning of the end, and you two are star citizens of the formerly great US of A.

To:Question for the Republicans wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:12 PM:Question for the Republicans
[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:52 AM: He's not! But I guess we'll have hold our collective noses and to go with the devil we know.

Chris wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:13 PM:I see that we paid 430 billion dollars in iterest on the national debt last year. So that means that about a quarter of the budget goes to pay interest. If you want to get a real feel for what is going on in Iraq then get the April issue of Harpers magazine and check out the article exodus. Another article that was in Rolling Stone magazine is called The myth of the surge. You can bring it up on line by just typing in The myth of the surge. Of course I don't expect certain people to take me up on this because these bloggers just want to spend time blogging about things they know nothing about.

John wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:23 PM:So, let me see if I got this right....the Barack Hussein Obama supporters, whose numbers seem to be growing daily, think that it would be a great idea to elect an inexperienced man of half/color who's not afraid to throw his white grandmother in the conversation for good measure, who's closest religious mentor is one of the biggest bigoted and anti-American biased
people alive, but knows how to write great speeches and is a great orator. Is that correct? This guy has NO grounded qualifications for the job. Just because he can give heart tugging speeches doesn't make him a good choice to run what used to be the most powerful
country on Earth. Need I remind you of another great "orator" and speechwriter who, in the middle of the last century tried to take over the world, convincing the German people that he could "unite" them and give them the world. I've seen nothing that qualifies
Hussein Obama for the U.S. presidency, and great speeches, no matter how moving, don't necessarily make a great person. Personally, I think it would be a good idea to just scrap all the candidates running for presidency and start over with some people that just might know what they're doing. This selection is the worst its ever been and no matter which of these three gets elected, things will not be as they should be. Of course, this country elected a drug using, lying ignorant buffoon for a second term last election, knowing full well what he was about, so there's no accounting for what the American people will do next.

juee9 wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:33 PM:John[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:23 PM: No, you do not have it straight. You are merely repeating the conservative mantra. Look at his numbers and his positions as stated on his web site. Then, you will have it straight.

Surfer wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:35 PM:John[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:23 PM: Dude. Now the conservatives are so scared of Obama that people like John are comparing him to Hitler. LOL. LMAF.

Oh, John wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:38 PM:Too bad your credibility is so lowered by your language. Using "Hussein" is childish but says a lot about your objectivity. Then you compare Obama to Hitler on the basis of their both being good speakers. Then you exaggerate the evilness of Rev Wright enormously. And finish with an indirect endorsement of W in 2000 (when he was already obviously a drug using, lying ignorant buffoon, or at least this was true for the majority of voters). I'm hoping that based on your outlook, you stay home in November and not add the burden of your perspective to the vote. LOL

Alf wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:45 PM:Well, "esteban" at 11:58AM, I counter your "When you spew liberl anti American filth, for years, to impressionable youth, you tear away at the fabric of our society." with When our president illegally and immorally invades and occupies a sovereign nation (Iraq), acts as if he is above the highest law in the land, the United States Constitution and his string-puller v.p., dead-eye Dick, also declares himself above the highest law in the land, when GWB drives our military into the ground (over 4,000 DEAD American Troops, forcing 3 or more tours, etc.) and drives our economy into the ground by going into debt to China rather than raise taxes, THAT shows our youth how dishonorable, disloyal to his Oath of Office and despicable "conservatives" can be. GWB has torn "away at the fabric of our society" far more than all liberals combined. Regards, Alf.

Surfer wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:53 PM:Alf[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:45 PM: Dude, I just love it when you get feisty. Thanks, Kahuna. See ya brah.

esteban wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:57 PM:Alf, you are mostly right about the Dubya...I was mainly talking about liberal social policies that have weakened America....ACLU, activist judges, Berkely...etc.

snerd wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:02 PM:I notice all you guys, liberal or conservative, all seem to agree that somehow American society is going to h__l in a handbasket. I don't see it. When you read history, especially old diaries which is my hobby you realize that our culture is certainly no worse than that of 100 or 200 years ago, and in most ways much better. For one thing, judging by your blogs I'm guessing most of you are quite old which means that years ago you would be dead. In fact you would've been dead for years. I don't understand why old age brings on this disdain for current times, especially when the times are for the most part really good. Maybe you guys spend too much time sitting around watching the news over and over. Maybe you actually believe the things said on CNN, Fox and by Rush...remember these are entertainment venues not serious political discussions.

Surfer wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:08 PM:Darrell Beck: Here he is yet again using the conservative attack method of, "guilt by association." But, Dude. I did not know that black people are birds? Man, you are so far out!

snerd wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:12 PM:to Ron: Geez, why don't you get hysterical. You're comments are those of a fanatic, someone so out of touch with what is really going on that you've lost any sense of perception or credibility. Most public schools are fine. I have six kids, all graduated from public school (where they didn't have to worry about a holy authority figure commiting un-holy acts on them)went to public and private colleges and have good careers. Public schools can be a great equalizer. I was raised in a household where catholics were considered completely un-American, Popish, beneath contempt. This was a Protestant country and the catholics were just visiting and needed to go back to their own countries. Then I went to school and discovered they were pretty much like me and my prejudices were ended. The public schools perform the most valuable of services including social services that are not available anywhere else. You Ron are very, very wrong.

snerd wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:17 PM:Of course most college professors are liberals: they are smart and well educated.

Realist wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:18 PM:WHENEVER the government decides to enter a person's life, they end making things worse than when they started. For example, if we raise taxes, we will hurt the economy more. During Bush's tax cuts, the government raked in 10% more dollars than before. If the government comes in and takes money from hard working Americans, they will have less to spend and therefore have a negative impact on the economy. It's basic economics, people! The more money Americans have in their pockets, the more they will spend, and the more stable the economy will be.

John wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:24 PM:Actually, I'm as anti-conservative as you can get. I mean, look at the mess they've got us in right now. And the candidate's name in question is Barack Hussein Obama, is it not? So why not use his name, whatever it happens to be, or does the Hussein part bother you? By the way, I have visited his website and seen the long list of what he says he stands for and it looks simply wonderful, as it should, just like a good resume'. And as sad as it may be for you supporters of Barack Hussein Obama, I can and will be at the polls come voting time, along with many more just like me! LOL

realist: huh? wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:25 PM:I'm rather astounded that you post your "basic economics" at this moment when we are in a recession. Most Americans have been spending like crazy, so much so that they are at record levels of debt. And now some are worried and will use their rebates to help pay off the debt. What's your basic economics idea when spending (which stabilizes the economy, in your view) far exceeds income?

snerd has a point wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:28 PM:Measures of happiness in the US haven't, I don't think, changed much over the years, though I don't think this has been studied that long. We are a pretty happy people, though not as happy as those in several other countries. We've staked the ranch on radical individualism and the car, and so far, these have been good horses to bet on. I'm not really optimistic about the long-run success of these things, but you're right, things in the US are pretty good.

Alvin wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:42 PM:The three candidates being presented for our consideration is further proof that the political system precludes the best and brightest of our country for running as President. We've already had 28 consecutive years of either a Bush or Clinton in the White House, so Hillary is out! McCain is an entrenched member of Washington's "good ol' boy" network, so he's out! Obama is giving every indication that he's a racist at heart, so he scares me! Did anybody see Jesse Ventura on the "Larry King Show" last night? He (Jesse) made a lot of sense and would get my vote if he were to choose to run.

Apollo wrote on Apr 2, 2008 4:05 PM:Re: Realist (3:18pm)
Glad to see another great liberal here in the blog!
We agree that when the government gets invovled in personal matters, such as telling people who they can marry, interfering in medical choices (abortion, end of life issues, medical marijuana), or intruding religion into the public square, it always makes things worse.
Public policy should deal only with public issues, and personal matters should be left to the private sector.
This is the essence of liberalism.
Thanks for your support!

OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 2, 2008 4:18 PM:John at 2:23 and 3:24 shows he is just another empty suit who gets all his "information" from right wing rants.
As juee9 said at 2:33, if you get real facts and real information about his background and positions on issues, you would see that he is a very substantial candidate.
And let's clear up one piece of baloney that keeps getting repeated.
I keep seeing people talking about all the rabid Obama fans who keep fainting and swooning at rallies. Total urban legend! Have any of these people ever been to an Obama rally? Have you seen him? Met him? I have.
The thing about his "amazing oratory" is not amazing oratory. It is that he is able to explain things, clearly and simply, and make people understand. He is not fiery, inspiring, whipping up passions like a William Jennings Bryan or, c'mon, a Hitler. He does not inflame passions. He illuminates minds. He is articulate. He is knowledgeable. He is a former college professor of Constitutional Law. It is about time that we had someone who speaks directly, understandably, and actually knows the Constitution.
The old "Straight Talk Express" got derailed in flip-flops. The new "Straight Talk Express" is picking up the former fans of the original.

Might make some people think! wrote on Apr 2, 2008 4:21 PM:I see that Bush the diplomat got thoroughly trounced at NATO, another failure. But it has always been puzzling: our European allies have historically been hit by terrorist-type attacks much more than we have; they also are strapped with the issue of Islamic immigration. So it's obvious that these nations must care a lot about radical Islam and its demands and tactics. And yet these countries have been less than enthusiastic about joining W and his "global war on terror". Isn't that odd? I know the usual yahoos here will just insult the European countries, but that's dumb. They are all democracies, maybe more so than we are, and if their population were under attack, the people would insist on action and protection. So why isn't this happening? My sense is that they ARE very involved in protecting themselves from terrorist acts, but they don't see this job as a military one. They see it as a police job, with international alliances, infiltration, intelligence work. And this has been successful many times. My feeling is that having actually experienced some of the worst wars in history, Europe wants to try other ways unless war is absolutely necessary. I must say that I admire them for this. We could learn a lot from this way of thinking. Clearly W's approach, declaring war on at least two fronts, has been an utter failure so far. Maybe we ought to try listening to our friends a little more.

Great point Obamacan wrote on Apr 2, 2008 4:35 PM:I have been struck, too, with the enormous mismatch between what people SAY about Obama's oratory and the speeches themselves. I hate to say it, but I suspect a bit of racism in this. People just seem to NEED to imagine that an effective African-American speaker just MUST be of the fiery preacher stereotype, the King, the Jackson, and especially the Wright. But you're right: when you actually listen to Obama, it doesn't have the huge crescendos and diminuendos, the rhythms, or the sloganeering of the preacher. It IS, as you say, the voice of reason. Careful, modest, clear, willing to flatter the listener by assuming s/he can handle complicated matters. We've not heard anything like this since JFK, a bright candidate who isn't afraid to be seen as owning a brain. Clinton wouldn't go near it. Bush couldn't go near it. McCain isn't in the same league. An intelligent candidate who is willing to appear so has not tended to win in anti-intellectual USA. I hope this time's different. We deserve this.

Alf wrote on Apr 2, 2008 4:45 PM:Yup, "esteban" at 2:57PM, we have arrogant "activist" judges. The problem is that most of the judges that you call "activist" are the ones who do the terrible thing called OBEY THE LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION. I know that people like GWB and those who favor this insanity of a war and favor torture don't want to be bothered with that thing called a Constitution. (Not only is torture a violation of international law, it is a violation of the Geneva Conventions AND since we signed into the Geneva Conventions, by the Constitution the Geneva Conventions are part of American Law, torture is, therefore, a violation of American Law as well.) What a fine example of arrogance is provided by GWB, The Cheney Branch and the wimps who refused and still refuse to get GWB et al out of office as well as continue to knuckle under to a madman. I blame GWB for the insanity of his actions as well as all the cowards (Republican AND Democrat) who appease him. Why do you think that I was and still am in favor of Ron Paul? I may not agree with ALL his positions, but he has something that very few other candidates have - integrity! Regards, Alf.

Reardon wrote on Apr 2, 2008 4:47 PM:WOE IS US! THE SKY IS FALLING! This from uber-liberal Ted Turner on the Charlie Rose show:” Not doing it will be catastrophic. We'll be eight degrees hotter in ten, not ten but 30 or 40 years and basically none of the crops will grow. Most of the people will have died and the rest of us will be cannibals.” I suppose we should all stock up on meat tenderizer!

Surfer wrote on Apr 2, 2008 4:48 PM:John[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:24 PM: Dude, judging by your two recent posts, I'd say that you flip flop. I'll see ya t the polls. Everyone should vote. I am going to vote early and often. See ya, rah.

Realist wrote on Apr 2, 2008 5:02 PM:Allow me to rephrase - the more money in the hands of Americans, the better off this country will be. Whether they save it or spend it (I'd prefer that they save it) is their business. I also advocate living within my means, and not buying anything that I can't afford.

chuck wrote on Apr 2, 2008 5:11 PM:The AP is reporting that Al-Qaida's al-Zawahri says they do not kill innocent people. As the liberals celebrate every precious word from their hero, Zawahiri, let me remind you they also believed some nitwit who said "I did not have sex with that woman"

OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 2, 2008 5:42 PM:Does anyone else notice here how all the conservatives, who thought Bill and Hillary were devils incarante all through the 90's, have remained silent about her flip-flop on Iraq, exaggerations about her experience, and either an outright lie about the risks she exposed herself to in Bosnia or an admission that she endangered her young (at the time) daughter who she took into danger with her?
Why do you think that is?
Richard Mellon Scaife, Rupert Murdoch and even Ann Coulter (!) are all making nicey nice and smiley face for Hillary and avoiding mention of all her recent gaffes that they would normally be jumping all over? (Scaife even donated to Bill's charity!)
Do you think they suddenly all had a change of heart? Got soft on us? Realized the Clintons aren't so liberal after all (so why should liberals support them)?
No! It is because they want her to win!
No, not the presidency, silly, the nomination.
They are terrified of facing Barack Obama but believe they can beat Hillary.
So tell me again why a Democrat would support her now (of course we will support her if she gets the nomination - she is miles ahead of the morally and intellectually bankrupt Republicans and their declawed former tiger).

Apollo wrote on Apr 2, 2008 5:52 PM:Re: Realist (5:02 p.m.)
So, Realist, work with me here.
You ask to "rephrase" but I'm not sure what old text is being deleted and replaced by the new.
Please, don't tell me you think it is a good idea for the government to butt its big nose into private, personal choices of individual Americans, such as who to marry, personal medical decisions (reproductive, end of life, medical marijuana) or injecting private religion into the public square.
As for the money thing, we agree that stimulating the economy with more money in people's pockets is definitely a positive thing.
The difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives want that to be limited to a few wealthy elites, and liberals want it in as many hands as possible - workers and consumers, with higher wages (spending power) and more buyer protection (consumer confidence).
Glad you're on our side, Realist!

Chuck wrote on Apr 2, 2008 5:57 PM:>>Of course most college professors are liberals: they are smart and well educated.>> Yea right. I just read that companies are begging the state dept to allow them to bring in high tech and other workers because the college kids are too stupid when they enter the work force . But, they sure know their gender rights under SB777

Cluck wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:01 PM:Dear John,
Thank you for your letter. It was simply adorable. Boy oh boy we could debate the details of why Senator Barak Hussein Obama is as qualified to be president as much as any president in history. Suffice it to say there are probably some folks elected president over the years that weren't exactly fully "qualified". Whatever that means. But what you fail to see is what makes him "qualified" to be a president is because of the traits that he has that makes him a good Leader; he inspires people. See, it's easy to see how you could be so easily confused. This president is one of the most un-inspiring people most have ever seen. He's painful to watch. Mangles the language. Watching him trying to tangle with challenging ideas is a national embarrassment. He got elected because his Dad was president and people thought it would be cool to have a father and son presidemtial dynasty. He had failed at everything he did, and somehow people thought he was qualified. Yes, rest assured. Senator Barak Hussein Obama is qualified to be president. Yes a man of "half/color", as experienced as he, is qualifed to be president. Senator Barak Hussein Obama inspires people, he has a clear vision and a detailed plan and explains it clearly and coherently, his ideas are bold and daring, his compassion is genuine, his intelligence is obvious. And you ask the question if it bothers us that Barak Hussein Obama's middle name is Hussein. The answer is a simple no. Not at all. But it begs two follow up questions; does it bother you and why? The fact that the name is used by some in a manner of contempt is obvious. True, that is bothersome. But, see here's where that silly ploy is going to fail; some of us have more faith in the american people than some and believe the more his full name is used the more people will realize it is just his name; he's not Saddam Hussein. He's not Osama Bin Laden. But when all you have is innuendo desperation will lead some to do desperate things. Like I said, adorable. Just because the last persident got elected because of his name, I'd be careful to expect people to not elect someone because of theirs. People have been paying a little closer attention this time around. And they like what Senator Barak Hussein Obama has to say.

SOLON ... wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:01 PM:... Best comment of the day: (12:32 PM)
Why is McCain good enough for Republicans now but not in 2000?
Because Dubya was so much better! HAHAHAHAHAHA.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

sdraoul wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:14 PM:Ms M makes me laugh.

Of course, McCain knows far more about the economy than Obama and Clinton. Her remark that the economy is in the tank because of his Chairmanship of the commerce Committee is hilarious.

Ms M, John hasn't been chairman of the committee for 18 months and our economic problems started just a few months ago under Democratic control of the Senate and Congress.

How soon people forget. Or is it how silly people are when they are uninformed.

To Reardon wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:03 PM:Actually the planet is due for a shift in axis in a few years, that should cause a few interesting changes in climate, all the sudden-like.

thewolf wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:04 PM:TO Snerd: Being well educated does not mean you are smart-this is a logical non-sequitor to which many liberals fall prey. Smart to me is the ability to see the world as it is. Professors never have to swim in the muck of competitive capitalism where everyday you have to prove your worth. EZ to be a liberal in that situation

Ms M wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:20 PM:chuck
[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 5:11 PMAs the liberals celebrate every precious word from their hero, Zawahiri, let me remind you they also believed some nitwit who said "I did not have sex with that woman". and what about those who believed our commander in cheif who said they had WMD? and please let me know who the liberals are that feel the Zawahiri is their hero?

Oh Please! wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:33 PM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:14 PM:
Our problems are due to the economic policy of Bush as well as the war being fought on credit and devalued dollars.
You do not know the depth of knowledge of any of the candidates.

Ron wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:39 PM:You don't vote for Stalinists, like Hillary, Obama, or McCain.
"To Ron" @8:29 AM, and every one else who would promise you anything that is unconstitutional.
I've written about this before, we need to vote out everyone is not a Constitutionalist.
Look at anything these three are promising, MORE GOVERNMENT!
Government is why we are in the situation we are in now! All three are crying about the oil companies. Well, I got news for you. The Oil Companies in this country have been regulated for the last 100 years. And they are, in fact, quasi-owned by the Government.
They can't drill, refine, transport, or sell without permission. What do you think that does to the price of gas?
How much of this regulation is inserted into the tank you fill each week?
You think all that regulation lowers the cost? No! It makes it more expensive to sell it. Can't drill here, reduces supply, raises the cost.
When you attack an oil company, your attacking regular Americans. Period.
Everyone from the guy who works an oil derrick, to the consumer who uses gas to get to work. Most of these oil companies are publically owned through publically offered shares, and most the rest is owned by funds. You probably have some oil stock if you own a 401K.
But these clowns feed you this disinformation about how they are trying to sc=2w you! It's pap, baloney, and your buying it! Use your head!
And they do this for one reason, and one reason only, to give you bigger more intrusive Government. These people are Statists, they believe in the power of the State, not the individual. If they truly belived in the power of the individual, they'd be for reducing Government. Not creating more programs and sections, and positions inside the Government for you to pay for.
Quit voting for people who want to grow the Government.

Reardon wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:42 PM:To Snerd: Actually, college professors -- and I was one -- are indeed liberal Democrats...in the liberal arts areas and Schools of Education. Unfortunately, those schools have the lowest academic rigor and attract the students with the lowest SAT scores. Those areas with high SAT scores, and with the most rigorous academics, Engineering and Computer Science, are about evenly divided between conservative and libertarian. The Computer Science departments are almost uniformly libertarian. (There is a reason that government interference with the Internet has been so strongly and successfully opposed -- it is the libertarian bent of computer science majors.)

To Margaret Liles wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:53 PM:What difference does it make to you that Mr. Rupp set a higher price than you would like on the property? It isn't your property. A fair price is what the buyer and seller agree upon, not your formula of 10% per year. So far a fair price hasn't been established because the seller has not agreed and if the owners have their own plans for the property, that's their business.

Chris to sdraoul wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:31 PM:For you to say that our economic problems started a few months ago is absured. It has been building for several years. The national debt has doubled under Bush. But as I said you have never been right about anything you have said.

Reardon wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:39 PM:Republicans have a stake in creating chaos in the Democratic Party -- not that the Democrats need much help. The Republican "candidate research" team cannot touch the Clinton team at finding, and feeding dirt -- the Clintons have a Ph.D in that category. The Republicans don't love Hillary, they just love Hillary's "dirty tricks team" finding and feeding dirt on Barrack...not only is it cheaper to have Hillary do it, but the Republicans don't get their hands dirty with feeding the dirt to the press. She is beaten (absent her team finding something REALLY dirty), but meanwhile she keeps Barrack covering his six-o'clock. A Clinton is NEVER out of a race. Six years after passing away, a Clinton is still politically dangerous. Whatever you think of them, they are relentless.

snerd wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:50 PM:to Reardon: So the Seven Sisters liberal arts colleges attract those with the lowest SAT scores. And liberal arts colleges like Oberlin, Bates etc attract those with the lowest SAT scores too. I guess I'll have to explain to my six kids that they didn't get in to those schools because their SAT scores were too high.lol

snerd wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:52 PM:also to Reardon: When you talk about conservatives do you mean fiscal conservs. or moral conservs.? Two entirely different creatures.

Reardon wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:45 PM:Fiscal, usually. Most professors in engineering and computer science are religiously agnostic, but traditionalists, nevertheless. And yes, you can check the SAT scores in ANY university that has a wide range of schools, and uniformly engineering and computer science have the highest SAT students. The "School of Education" is historically the lowest SAT, and the "liberal arts" department is just above the "educators." Perhaps the is partial explanation for California ranking 48th among states, and the US ranking about 16th among nations.

John too wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:50 PM:Hey Surfer Dude - Beware of Johns. There are a lot of us with that name and not many of us agree with each other about who's sane and who's a looney. This John thinks Barak Rocks!

to Reardon wrote on Apr 3, 2008 6:48 AM:Recent research described in the Chronicle of Higher Ed shows that the strong Democrat or liberal bias in college professors is stronger in departments of physics and mathematics than in the social sciences. Sorry to burst your bubble. As for the SAT data, you are probably right, but I'd be curious about similar comparisons if we omit the math SAT. I wonder if the other fields are inferior then. Do you have that data?

Realist wrote on Apr 3, 2008 9:28 AM:If you really want to know where i stand, Apollo, here is what I believe:
1. Protection of our borders, families, and rights
2. Pro-family
3. Anti-gun control
4. Low Taxes and free market economy
5. High-education (throw the unions out!)

I really consider myself a moderate than a conservative or a liberal. Both groups have fringe elements that i do not like.

Apollo wrote on Apr 3, 2008 9:38 AM:Re: Ron (7:39 p.m.)
Once again, another conservative who has it backwards.
Ron says that attacking an oil company is to attack regular Americans.
No, Ron.
When you attack clean, renewable, alternative energy, that is when you attack regular Americans.

Reardon wrote on Apr 3, 2008 9:41 AM:Your data is not inconsistent with mine. My remarks were limited to engineering and computer science departments. Math is sometime a subset of engineering, but not necessarily. And, no, I have never seen an SAT analysis absent the MAYH portion. I am certain the data exists, but I doubt anyone has done an analysis on that data.