Focal Point wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:50 PM:Phil Epstein; Keep on trying. You like the Joey Bishop movie. I like the ole Burger King commercial, "Where is the meat? Where is your evidence. Present one audio or video in full context where Obama made a racist comment in his entire life.

OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:09 PM:Here we go again, another partisan, racist rant in a letter by Phil Epstein against Barack Obama.
He has basically said the same thing in his letters of 3/1, 3/15, 3/28 and 4/10.
Wait! For those conservatives who complained about liberal letters being printed more often than once every two weeks, this is 4 letters in exactly 40 calendar days! Yes, I do understand that there might be some variance between submissions and the dates printed, which the writer has no control over.
But four letters in 40 days? It does not average out.
Obviously the North County Times' bias is against the Obama people, as Epstein is allowed to just repeat, over and over again, accusations against Obama that amount to nothing more than trying to hold him responsible for what someone else said, which he denounced, while giving a free pass to McCain who sought out for political support bigots who basically made the same anti-American statements about 9/11, but blaming gays and feminists rather than the mistreatment of minorities.
Again, all Epstein and his Republican cronies have is name-calling and accusations of guilt by association (plus help from a free pass by the NCT).

sdraoul wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:29 PM:Two days ago, a poster named “the Virginian” responded to my note that the American Civil War was fought for a number of freedoms. Certainly the most prominent reason was to stamp out slavery. “The Virginian” posted that it wasn’t a civil war, rather it was “the war between the states.” He stated that the war was fought over States’ rights not slavery.

My response is that “the Virginian” should attend school, for whatever he thought he was getting in Virginia, it wasn’t an education.

Only the losers call the American Civil War the “war between the states” – notice I don’t even capitalize his words. The war was started when several states attempted to breakaway from the United States of America after Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States on an anti-slavery platform in 1860.

Moreover, anyone who says the war wasn’t over slavery must not have read Lincoln’s famous “half-free, half slave” speech – IN 1858, two years before he was elected President.

The traitors waged war on the USA when they bombarded a federal fort.

As for the “Emancipation Proclamation” only applying to territory the Federals controlled, perhaps the “Virginian” isn’t aware that the Army of Northern Virginia (28,000 weak and being pummeled by General Phil Sheridan’s superior Union Cavalry) that was commanded by Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9th.

Federal troops occupied all the breakaway South, thus the Proclamation applied to every inch of what was formerly the “Confederate States of America,” a nation that never existed.

Lastly, the United States Supreme Court ruled in 1870 that no state has the right to breakaway or secede from the USA. The Constitution outlines how a state can come into being but not how to leave once it is part of the USA, the court ruled. What part of illegal doesn’t the “Virginian” understand?

sdraoul wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:39 PM:The Trifecta of Eric Parrish, Daniel Lynch abd Robin Hvidson make my day.

Eric Parrish's "God damn" America is the same as "Amerika" and has just as much validity. In Vietnam, more people died there, in Cambodia and Laos after we left. And, if the people in Nicaragua, they voted agaisnt the Communist Sandinistas for 16 years. Reagan was right.

Daniel Lynch's gratuitous assertions about Obama are silly for Obama himself can't claim innocence after sitting in Pastor Wright's that he doesn't believe Wright's haterd of America for himself. He proved his view of America by not serving one minute in the American military even though a commission would have been his for the asking.

As for Ms Hvidson, she should know that if her policy of keeping Consuls in their offices only, the American Counsul in Great Britain could not visit British jails to look for Americans that need help, or in French, German, Norwegian, Swedish, South African, Danish, Canadian or Austrian jails.

Sure, I'll agree, let's keep all consuls in their offices, period. That'll help everyone.

Reply to Eric parrish, of whom I am ashamed. wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:49 PM: Hello America, how are you? Are you free yet today? Are your sons and daughters still defending you and keeping your attackers off shore? Do you cry when your leaders make mistakes? Did you become the single most powerful nation in the world by design or by happenstance? Do you cry when citizens such as the Hollywood crowd call you names and do nothing to help? Do you still take pride when your people send aid to others in need? Does it do you good to hear someone say, "I am proud to be an American?" Do you cry when you hear an American say "God damn America?" Hello America, how are you?

Herb: wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:59 PM: This campaign is going to get very dirty! A lot of people think it is already - but - you ain't seen nothing yet. I just determined why: The candidates have not done anything they can brag about. None of the three have ever done anything but have lackluster careers in congress. None of the three have every done anything presidential. All that they can do is dig up dirt on the other candidates and let it fly and try to stay out of the others shooting range. help us all!

Bill2 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:33 AM:A hypothetical question - I wonder how sdraoul can justify the US support and recognition of all of the countries that have broken away from other countries around the world - notably the Soviet Union - and still deny the right of the South to break away from the US.

Sounds a lot like a double standard to me. If it is OK for them why not for the South? Give me a straight answer on this not a lot of BS double talk.

The big factor in the US Civil War was that the North needed the agricultural production of the South more then the South needed the manufacturing power of the North. The North could not allow that to happen.

Mary wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:42 AM:I wonder how Daniel knows what is in Obama's heart. Did he spend 22 years in that church with him? I would feel better if Obama not Lynch said categorically, I will not be influenced by Wright as President. JFK said it. Obama did not. He danced around it. I do not know what is in his heart. I can only judge by his past and his actions. Those photos in a Muslim uniform and not saluting the flag bother me.

John wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:50 AM:Daniel Lunch's questioning of Hillary's Democratic credential is ludicrous. The former first Lady has championed Democratic causes while Obama was voting "present" almost 100 times. He does not do his candidate proud. PS Obama's scottish heritage does not disqualify him from being a racist.

Escondodo wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:13 AM:I agree with sdraoul that consulates exist to protect the rights of those who are visiting foreign countries. That should be their role. It should not be used as an excuse to allow wholesale abuse of the spirit of the law.

Escondodo wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:19 AM:Consulates protect the rights of INDIVIDUALS within foreign borders, not wholesale invasion. This distinction needs to be made. If the goal of the Mexican Consulate is Reconquista, it should be upfront.

Alf wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:43 AM:To one and all - I'm taking a few days off and hope that you'll solve all the problems of the world in my absense. Regards, Alf.

to GW 2-9-08 5:22pm wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:26 AM:Deer Springs Fire Board is Dysfunctional

The points posted are facts.

Seems that the word "learned people" confused GW. Was not indicating
that I am learned, just noted there are people in the District communities who understood the math (actual tax would have been 24% not 33%), and also people who understand the importance of continuing, extending, and improving emergency response protection for
our lives and our homes.

Points below are based on current info:
There is a current bad real estate market.
The District communities are in the highest wildfire danger zone.
Fuel (vegetation that will burn) is everywhere in the District.
Fire season is year round.

The Fire Board had an opportunity to make the Deer Springs Fire District
safer and stronger re medical services (cardiac arrest, etc.) and fire services.

New fire engine equipment is expensive.
2003 fires were bad.
2007 fires were extremely bad.
The Fire District must be better prepared.

After attending 18 meetings, I am well informed about the Board meetings. The meetings are Dysfunctional and Worse.

The Fire Chief at DSFPD is the fire professional. Not the board.

The current Board does not believe that Rancho Santa Fe five shelter-in-place
communities is 'real' and has been 'tested'. It was tested by the 2007 fires. No homes were lost or damaged in the 5 sip communities. No lives were lost (some people actually stayed in their sip homes). The Board is unable to think clearly and accept new ideas, new tools, etc. Dysfunctional.

The Board censured the same board person 2 times (legally must post and it was
posted both times in the NCTimes). A third censure was submitted. This is dysfunctional.

Another Board member took 8 months to find the info needed (Board expense spending info) which was in the person's Board packet at every monthly meeting. This is dysfunctional.

2 current Board members and GW and the loud uneducated small audience constantly complained about the Board when it did the right things to improve the District fire protection such as building Firehouse #3 in Hidden Meadows.

Thank you to the previous Asaro Fire Board for the new Hidden Meadows Firehouse. Asaro Board (which lasted until Dec. 2006) started Firehouse #3 and it was finished with 3 "YES" legal votes from an early 2007 regular board meeting.

The Asaro Board understood the District communities needs and therefore was a functional board. The Asaro Board knew the issues were to improve health and fire safety for the current District residents.

3 Asaro Board Directors did not live in Hidden Meadows but knew an additional firehouse was needed for the 11000-12000 District residents, especially in Hidden Meadows.
The Asaro Board concentrated on improving the District communities fire and health services.

The Asaro Board looked to the future, and therefore the public voted (2004) for the Board to increase the tax as necessary in the future. The future is now (2008). It was up to the current Board to pass the tax by not being swayed by GW and the loud uneducated small audience. QUOTE NCTimes 04-04-08 Moss "About a dozen property owners were on hand ..." END QUOTE

The current Board voted but they did not consider the 11000-12000 residents in the District communities. The Board capitulated to the loud uneducated audience (their friends). That is dysfunctional.

A true leader does not abstain on the only issues of the Board which is health and fire safety. The President abstained. She has her personal goals; Sacramento and then the White House. Dysfunctional leadership.

Our current board, GW and the loud uneducated small audience cannot comprehend the facts that they are going backwards. They don't focus on the important issues of health and fire safety. They consider that Firehouse #3 was QUOTE a "... boondoggle." END QUOTE. NCTimes 4-9-08 5:22pm.

Nixing the taxes means a health and fire safety opportunity was missed. Seemingly the Board forget about the 2003 and 2007 fires and the 11000-12000 residents. The Board is Dysfunctional.

Virginian wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:01 AM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:29 PM:
Here we go again. sdraul misreads the blog. It was stated, the Civil War or if you will, The War Between the States. Southerns view and teach it as the War Between the States. Again, it was also stated that the war was fought due to the supremacy of the industrial north and the agricultural south which was demonstrated by representation in the Congress and for States Rights. It was also stated that slavery was a political issue for decades prior to the Civil War but did not become an issue until during the war when Lincoln freed slaves within the jurisdiction of the federal army. I am well aware of Civl War and in particular Virginia. I am also aware that the proclamation eventually effected all the territory of the former Confederate States of America as the federal army occupied all of that army. What does the Supreme Court decision of 1870 have to do with an obvious fact demonstrated by the victory of the the North? This is sdraul again trying to bring attention to himself as he consistently does on this blog. I invite anyone to reread my blog. It should be required reading for sdraul.

Virginian wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:06 AM:sdraul: You are not a very good historian. You make judgement calls about history just as you do on politics on this blog.
Most of the time, you are wrong. LOL. Your comments show the old adage that it is the victors who write history. History is not necessary, therefore, the objective truth. The Confederate States of America did exist. Otherwise, why all those dead Yankees who lost their lives trying to destroy it! If the CSA had won, those you call traitors would have been the CSA founding fathers.

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:10 AM:sdraul: Man get it right. Vietnam fell at least two years after we withdrew from Vietnam. We never occupied Cambodia or Laos. South Vietnam was defeated by North Vietnam for the ultimate reason is that the Southerns did not stand and fight.

Surfer wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:11 AM:Alf[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:43 AM: Have a good time, Kahunda.

NCT and ERIC Parish wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:20 AM:You both are offensive with your GD words. I can not believe the both of you would use a word disparaging to our LORD. If you don't care for God, fine, but keep it to yourself. People like you are what is wrong with this country. What next NCT gonna print pictures of sex acts on the front page of the paper. Good Golly!!!!

Thats it NCT wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:22 AM:Printing Eric Parish's letter is so out of line. I'm sure that opening the paper and finding such filth is offensive to many. I'm done with this paper of yours. NCT has no morals left. Yeah, that's right NCT has gone way to the LEFT!

to GW 5:22 PM 04-09-08 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:55 AM:Most likely MMtns. will be built. Hopefully with less than 2700 homes. It would be nice if County Sups follow the General Plan which has a number that is realistic and much lower.

GW writes QUOTE "How can Merriam Mountains be a safer community [then the Deer Springs Fire District communities] when it cannot be evacuated in a condition 1 fire scenario?" END QUOTE

Merriam Mountains will have lots of concrete (streets and many driveways), will have homes built with fire resistant materials, will have concrete block walls for protection, as well as fire resistant plantings. And much more protection. There will be rules that all residents must follow. Much like the rules at Rancho Santa Fe 5 SIP communities.

There will be less fuel therefore less fire.

Therefore MMtns. will no longer be a threat; not a condition 1 fire scenario. This info is from many Fire Chiefs and other fire-related professionals that study fires including the Federal Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory Missoula MT and the Rocky Mountain Center (RMC) Fort Collins CO, and universities in almost every US state.

The County Sups & DPLU & developers are going to continue building. They will be using SIP as much as they can because they can build more dwelling units (du) that way. And expect developers will be able to build on difficult land (rocky mountains) with SIP.

Evacuation won't be needed or used as much in the SIP communities.

Each du means taxes; money for the county treasure chests.

Must make our current District better fire wise and health wise. Merriam Mountains is already a winner fire wise and health wise.

GW writes: QUOTE:"You have definitely lost it -- now go rehabilitate."END QUOTE.

I have lost nothing. I win.

Believe you are very angry. Try to get better.

Free Speech trumps God wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:58 AM:I do not agree with anyone using my Lord's name in vain. On the other hand we do have free speech.

sdraoul wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:58 AM:Virginian is at it again. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 with its base policy--no more slavery. Lincoln was elected on a no slavery platform. The Confederate States of America did not exist as a nation -- exactly what countries recognized it?

As for my defense of people fighting for freedom while being against the Confederate States of America--is that a serious question?

The Confederacy was not fighting for freedom, they were fighting for slavery and white supremacy.

As for the North fighting for agriculture and the South agaisnt industrialization, bull. The South grew cotton which it sent to England.

As for states' rights, fine. Except when those "rights" are counter to freedom and the pursuit of "life, liberty and property." The rub is, the South thought that people were property if they were African.

In the case of the Supreme Court, Texas tried to redeeem bonds sold by it during the Civil War because it claimed it had a right to break away from the USA, Virginian, and the Supreme Court said no, no state could break away--ever unless the Cosntitution was changed to allow it.

Also, the Court ruled against Texas because it tried to deny citizenship to Mexicans who were there in 1848 or were born there since 1848 because, it claimed, Mexicans were not white as required by immigration law for citizenship in 1848.

The Court said, bull, citizenship was conferred to any Mexican present in Texas in 1848 by treaty and that treaties had the force of the Constitution. A real important case that Texas thought they could actually win in spite of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Cosntitution that were approved between 1866 and 1868.

The Court has the ultimate word in the USA no matter how many people in states think otherwise and continue to think that people can be property.

To That's It NCT wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:59 AM:You'd better toss out your TVs,radios and computers while you're at it.

sdraoul wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:00 AM:Focal Point, read Obama's book about his father. Plenty of anti-white screeds there in his own words.

Vista Granny wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:06 AM:In a hurry this a.m. but wish to note that IMHO Chris Pulse is damning the USA because his heart is broken by what it has become. BTW - this is NOT America any more than Mexico, all the Central American Countries, South America and Canada are. Mexicans are Americans too! Maybe we should call ourselves United Statesians--

FOCAL POINT wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:08 AM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:39 PM:
In this country, the USA, a man is innocent until proven guilty. Prove your allegations against OBAMA. I challenge you to produce one written, audio or video quote in full context from Obama that is racist in his entire life.

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:11 AM:NCT and ERIC Parish Free speech is free speech. Whos is our lord? I can hardly wait for the next NCT publication.

Mike wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:15 AM:While Virginian knows his history, sdraoul can't seem to stop talking long enough to learn much of anything, including history. Had the southern states not seceded, they would have had enough votes in congress to prevent any laws to free slaves.

To Phil wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:16 AM:I can tell you one thing that I know to be true because I have been a Born-Again Christian for over 20 years. We do not speak ill of our Pastor EVER!! He is anointed and appointed by God and we respect them no matter what!!! Yes sometimes our Pastors who are only human make a mistake and we than pray for them. Most churches are so big that one never gets a one on one meeting with the Pastor to perhaps correct him. But we NEVER bash the Man of God, Never. Paul just in case you have been asleep for the last decade people abuse the First Amendment everyday!! I admire Barak Obama for his position in not speaking our in public about his Pastor. I have heard lots of things come from the pulpic that could be very questionable but we need to let God deal with that. What a crazy analogy you chose to use. I suggest anyone who continues to question Barak Obama position should read 2 Kings 2:23-25. Look out for the mama bears. Way to go Barak!!!!

Nick wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:19 AM:All this talk of the Civil War and the Constitution, yet no one seems to notice that the 14th Amendment was NEVER LEGALLY RATIFIED according to the Constitution. It was ratified under duress and Military Occupation of the North.
The fact that Congress found the need to submit the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the southern States for Ratification and found the need to send its Military into those States to obtain a Ratification Vote to its liking is an admission by the Congress of 1867 that the southern States were “States” of the Union of the United States of America before, during, and after the Civil War.
If the U.S. Congress has the authority to send Military Troops into the freely associated compact States of the united States of America to obtain “Votes of Ratification” on any Amendment to its liking; then why would there be a need for Constitutional Amendment procedures. For the Legislators of the States to allow the 14th and the 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution to stand “Ratified;” the members would be declaring to the World that they represent a “defacto” government in which the Congress of the United States has been empowered to exercising absolute “dictatorial powers” over the People and the States of the united States of America.
As I have said in the past, The U.S. Constitution, 14th Amendment was not ratified in accordance to the provisions of the Constitution for the United States of America and as such, it does not exist. It survives as a matter of fraud and deception.
All of these so-claimed history experts need to do a little more digging.
Cheers, Nick.

VIRGINIAN wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:23 AM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:58 AM:
The CSA did not need recogantion from any state. Its existence for four years is validated by its soldiers in arms for four years. smartie. Lincoln mission was to save the Union. One of his quotes states that if he could save the union with slavery, he would do so. If he could save the Union without slavery, he would do so. I stated that slavery was a political issue prior to the civil war. It became a real issue during the civil war with Emancipation Proclamation whose writ was valid in areas occupied by the federal army. The issue of the industrial north over the southern agriculture is valid. It has nothing to do with products. It has to do with population and larger representation in Congress. Man, got a brain. Can't you add it up. Again what does the 1870 Supreme Court decesion have to do with an accomplished fact. I do not care about the Mexican issue. It has nothing to do with the American Civil War. The South was fighting for states rights and its way of life and yes those who owned slaves wanted to continue slavery. The vast majority of southerns did not own or have slaves. You think all those Rebs in the ranks of the southern armies had slaves. Then, you have a crazy imagination. I see you still have your inferiority complex evidenced by your constant desire to demonstrate superiority. But, it is a waste of time LOL. No hear this. My original blog was not to contest anything you said. It was simply to make an observation. All you want to do is argue on this blog. You do not want to have a discussion. You are a juvenile. Grow up.

FOCAL POINT wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:25 AM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:00 AM:
Produce the quote in full context.

Randy wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:27 AM:I am astounded that Obama let the General off the hook. I think this tactic will backfire. The Bush legacy begins with Iraq!

Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:29 AM:What have I been telling you about Eric Parish? Anybody remember? This is the guy who said Afganistan was an unjust war. That we had no right to go into Afganistan and get the guy's who drove airplanes into the WTC.
Two things that puzzle me about his letter today. Well, maybe not puzzle, I think I know why, obviously.. he hates America. But he utterly fails to mention his hero Jimmy Carter got 52 U.S. diplomats held hostage for 444 days. Perhaps in his mind, we deserved it? Just like the kook reverend Wright.
He also fails to speak about how Bill Clinton also dropped bombs onto the heads of "peasants" in Bosnia.
And as to Ronald Reagan & the so-called peasants in Central America. As I recall, it was communist peasants killing other peasants. Or have you forgot? No, he didn't forget. He hates America.
Of course he would curse.

god with a little g wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:29 AM:Anytime someone says god damn it is taking "your" Lord's name in vain? What about Jehovah damn? or Allah damn? What century do we live in where tiny minds think God is an American?

lighten up OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:29 AM:I used to be a Republican before I read "...another partisan, racist rant in a letter by Phil Epstein...". Now that I see how ignorant this is, thanks to Epstein's letters, I've joined Republicans Anonymous.

Suspect it isn't a matter of NCT printing his letters too often, but rather, it's that evil liberal media, that Rush Limbaugh warned us about, making up these letters themselves.

DAMM wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:38 AM:Sarah Longwell has a good point regarding those pesky DUI checkpoints. Perhaps they should make this more like the smog check, where you just stop by the sobriety check station, at your convenience.

Yokozuna wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:44 AM:Re: Parish's letter: If the reference to "God damn" was the most disgusting thing to anyone they need to reread the letter and review the contents.

Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:48 AM:You've all heard of BDS, Bush Derangement Syndrone. Today, I'm going to introduce you to OBS. What is OBS you ask? Well, I'm glad you did! OBS is Obama Bedazzlement Syndrone. Now, it's fairly obvious to recognise the suffer'ers of OBS. the symptoms include, but ar not limited to: a glazed look in their eyes, and the constant muttering, of two words: Hope & Change.
Now, according to Daniel Lynch, Obama doesn't take advice from the Rev. Wright. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. But he wrote a book about it.
And in that book, he speaks of how this one man shaped his life, and became his spiritual mentor for more than 20 years.
He believed the man soo much, in fact, he gave $27,000 of his own money to him.
So, what is Daniel Lynch's answer to that? Jerry Falwell and other white ministers who also said ridiculous things. But you know what Dan? You show me the canidate who sat in Falwell's pew for more than 20 years, wrote a book about it, claimed Falwell was their "spiritual mentor", or claimed Falwell "shaped their life." Can you show me just one, Dan? Let's make it easy, OK? Show me anyone reverend who any other canidate gave $27,000 of their own money to. Can you show me that, Dan?
The point is: They are NOT equal, they are NOT the same.

By the way, {He says} Barack is Scotch-Irish on his mother's side, as her great-grandfather came from Ireland. So, now he's just throwing Irish people under the bus?
{He ends with} Barack is not racist...
Your right Dan. He's not a racist, He just hangs out with them.
And as my Mother used to tell me: "Your no better than those you "hang" with."
And the Obamaman is hanging tough with the wrong Rev. Wright.
I guess the moral of the story is: If your the guy's reverend, your safe. But God help you, if your family. Don't let them bus tires hit you?

Hard to believe, and yet... wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:48 AM:I saw in the NY Times today that McCain is increasingly falling into the neocon camp in developing his foreign policy. This is the philosophy that ruled Bush's first term. That made all those rosy predictions about Iraq. That loved Rumsfeld (remember Rumsfeld). This is what McCain is going to run his campaign on. Remember, I've said before that anyone who voted for Bush, especially the second time, should give up voting privileges for at least a decade. This news about McCain is exactly why I feel that way. You Bushies are going to do it again, aren't you? You're going to be persuaded by a clip of a Reverend or a joke about Hillary and you're going to vote to repeat the great Bush presidency. Unbelievable.

To Oh Please wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:49 AM:Freedom of speech does not supersede the Mighty God, Think what you want, it is still offensive and freedom of speech does not make it right. man's law does not me anything in comparison to God's law. You can't wait for the next issue of filth and lies from the NCT's. Knock yourself out. I'll pray for you that think otherwise.

Lemme get this straight wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:00 AM:So if someone is a Communist, no matter where in the world he is, he deserves to die? Even, as in Nicaragua, where he is democratically elected? And if you have the opinion that others have a right to their opinions, and that if Nicaraguans want a socialist government, it's their business, you are a hater of America? Wow!

Focal Point wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:01 AM:Ron[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:29 AM: The guys who drove the planes are and were not in Afghanistan. They are obviously dead in the rubble with their victims. We went into Afghanistan to get Ben Ladin and his crowd. Jimmy Carter did get our people held hostage. Iranians revolted due to the repressive Shah regime created and supported by the US government under various Presidents. Bill Clinton had bombs dropped on the heads of armed genocidal maniacs in Bosnia. You know that for a fact. Just playing games on the blog again, Ron
The US has been intimidating, interfering with and pushing around the people and nations of Latin and South America since the Monroe Doctrine regardless of ideology or type of government. I love America but the truth is the truth. I do not curse her. When she is wrong, it is the duty of the citizen to make her right.

Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:02 AM:Two thoughts today about Sarah Longwell's ltter today.
First, as long as those roving patrols to catch drunken drivers are only held in Solana Beach. Obviously, it would not be "allowed" in Escondido.. Why that would be considered racist, by some. So as long as we only catch white's in Solana Beach, I think your safe.
And two...
According to Mother's Against Drunk Driving {MADD}, on any given weekend they claim that 1 in 4 drivers is too intoxicated to drive. With all the time, money, and education we have spent to prevent this from happening, Can we now call these people by what they really are? Terrorists.

Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:13 AM:Exactly right, John Howard!
"However one feels about whether we should have gotten ourselves into Iraq (I, for two, was also skeptical), the idea that it doesn't matter how we get out is ludicrous." Which is why the Obamaman has again re-calculated his Iraq policy to ensure a stable Iraq with between 60-80,000 troops, when & if he takes office.

The surge is working! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:45 AM:From the Independent (UK) QUOTE: The fifth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad and the toppling of the statute of Saddam Hussein - a symbol of US victory and might - was marked yesterday by death and destruction across the country and an admission from the White House that projected troop withdrawals would have to be delayed. The Iraqi capital remains under curfew after another round of bloodshed in which mortar rounds landed in Sadr City, killing seven people, including two children, and injuring 24 others. Further gunfights in the sprawling Shia slum led to six more dying and 15 others being wounded. ENDQUOTE McCain, although he has shown us that he knows not the difference between Shiite and Suni, Iranian and Iraqi, al Qaeda from freedom fighter, says "Stay the course!" I love America...and utterly detest its foreign policies (because its foreign policies are a living, killing contradiction of everything that's great about it).

OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:46 AM:John at 2:50 a.m. repeats a common urban legend that Obama's opponents have allowed to fester without active correction.
Obama has NEVER voted "present" in the U.S. Senate.
Out of several thousand votes, he did vote "present" in the Illinois state legislature to utilize a strategic maneuver unique to that state, at the request of supporters of several pieces of legislation.

OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:48 AM:A little help, please from SDRaoul at 8:00 a.m. - please be more specific as to which "anti-white screeds in his own words" you were referring to from Obama's book about his father.
Since you say there are "plenty" of them, finding and citing a few specific examples should be a snap for an erudite scholar such as yourself.

Ron and Afghanistan wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:56 AM:So Ron, when we invaded Afghanistan did we ever get that guy who drove the planes into the WTC? Or did we just destroy the Taliban government that had just managed to kick the USSR out of their country? Because they were the same conservative brand of Islam as Osama? Or because they wouldn't arrest Bin Laden and turn him over to Bush? Or are you trying to imply that the Taliban were one and the same as the terrorists who attacked NYC?

Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:00 AM:I don't know about the errors in reporting. I think most times, these so-called "journalists" write more opinion pieces, than actual facts. And I could really care less about the Olympic torch stories.
But what I do find fascinating are the liberal responses to China.
You know... in my history book, I can readily recall a time in this country, 1996 to be exact, when the number of murderous chinese officials visitng this country simply did not matter to most liberals. There were no Protesters rallying in San Francisco, or anywhere, for that matter. No talk of China's alleged torture and imprisonment of religious and political dissidents.
So, what were we all talking about back in 1996? The 1996 United States campaign finance controversy and the Clinton Administration. Really not a "controversy", the investigations into fund-raising activities had uncovered evidence that agents of China directed political contributions from foreign sources into the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Did this upset liberals? Oh No! It was a right-wing conspiracy, aimed to discredit the Clinton Administration. Twenty-two people were eventually convicted for fraud or for funneling Asian funds into the United States elections. A number of these convictions came against "longtime" Clinton-Gore "friends." Again, did any of this disturb any liberals? Oh No! It was just the vast right-wing conspiracy at work.
Then we had the illegal contribution of some $460,000 by Yah Lin "Charlie" Trie to President Bill Clinton's legal defense fund. A FOB, Friend of Bill since 1974. "Charlie" Trie had known the then Governor Clinton from his
Little Rock, Arkansas days.
Trie introduced Wang Jun, chairman of CITIC, the chief investment arm of the PRC {People's Republic of China},
and Poly Technologies, a "front company for the PRC military", that was later charged with smuggling 2,000 AK-47s into the U.S., to a White House "coffee" with then President Bill Clinton. Any lib's upset over that?
Naw, it was all the right-wing conspiracy at work!
Four days prior to Wang Jun's White House visit, the Clinton Administration granted Poly Technologies {the Chinese front company} import permits that would allow the shipment of over 100,000 semi-automatic weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition to a Detroit company (China Jiang An) that had ties to the Chinese military.
Gun control, anyone? LOL
And we all know the rest of the story, don't we? A close business associate of Ron Brown testified in court in 1998 that Brown had told her that Commerce Department trade missions were used for partisan political fund-raising at the behest of President Clinton and the First Lady. Johnny Chung, Liu Chaoying and General Ji, and forty-nine separate visits to the White House between February 1994 and February 1996. Then there was John Huang, James Riady and the Lippo Group, key fund-raisers within the DNC raised $3.4 million for the party.
Any lib's upset then? Nope!
So, you see... what this goes to show one thing, and one thing only. Lib's are lib's first, and everything else comes second.

to John Howard wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:04 AM:Im not an "Iraq doesn't matter" person, but you make some serious errors in your letter. We know now that "al Qaeda in Mesopotamia" is a very small, though very nasty group, that is despised by Iraqis. The idea that terrorists like them would take over Iraq is absurd. As for our "allies" in the war on terror in the region, you might notice that Maliki, "our guy" in Iraq, is already quite allied with Iran. You might also notice that "our guy" in Pakistan has been politically trounced by his people, and the real Al Qaeda and the Taliban are growing in strength there daily. Being an ally of George Bush has been the kiss of death for the leadership of Pakistan, Britain, Italy, Spain, and Australia (among others). I don't know about "Iraq doesn't matter", but I do know that the course we have been following, and which McCain seems to enthusiastically approve of, is a disaster in all ways imaginable. Time for a major change.

Mary wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:09 AM:to Focal Point - Obama is too smart for that.....he has fooled many. He plays the race card when convenient. His supporters are blinded by his charisma and his empty speeches. His real agenda isn't public yet - slowly but surely it will be known.
Rev Wright was making anti-American political speeches IN his church, selling his speeches on DVDs - any other person (who went to church to hear the gospel) would have gotten up and left and never returned. But not Obama...he stayed for 20 years and gave alot of money to the church.
A man (let along a "man of God")does not share that type of opinion in 'church' and cut it off Monday through Saturday.
Obama's associations SHOULD be scutinized - he's running for President! His life is now open to public scutiny. If he can't take the heat, then he has to get out of the kitchen! Obama's supporters defend his every decision - but without facts. They can't disprove what is being uncovered - only scream racism. I have nothing against his race - only against his empty platform. To his supporters: read his book.

Chris to Vista Granny wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:33 AM:How did Chris Pulse's name get into your blog for 8:06. His letter was not in today's paper. Whar are all these abreviations. What is IMHO an BTW?

Chris wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:35 AM:I am in full agreement with Eric Parish's letter.

OOOOOHHHHH! Not Again Robin!!!! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:41 AM:As usual Robin feels the need to chime in on subjects she obviously knows nothing about. Every Country has Consulates stationed all over the world. At times it is necessary to have an advocate. Is it the consulate you hate or the Mexicans?

Chris to sdraoul wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:48 AM:As far as your comment about Nicaragua is concerned, you are making up stories again. Reagan was upset that our corrupt and ruthless dictator, Anastasio Somoza, was thrown out. So we the great USA funded a terrorist groupt called the contras who terrorized the Nicaraguans. So much for our war on terror. But as usual your blogs are just fairy tales.

OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:54 AM:Ron at 8:48 misstates the record on Obama when he says he wrote a book about advice from his former pastor.
I have both audio and print editions of "Audacity of Hope" and it is not about advice from Rev. Wright.
Ron is confusing the content with the title, which he borrowed from one of Wright's sermons with permission.

Must've missed that one wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:13 AM:Is there a Constitutional right to not be offended by something someone might say? Some people are offended by Rev Wright saying GD America. Others are offended by FoxNews playing the clip of the Rev saying this. It's propaganda when it's intended to stir your vote or your reason by offending you, comprende? Look how Ron and others fall for it, how easily they are manipulated. Now THAT's offensive!

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:16 AM:To Oh Please[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:49 AM: What Mighty God? Have you seen him? What is his name? Does he exist outside the univrise or within the universe? The laws of God are just laws made by man attributed to God. Your interpretation of God's law or man's law attributed to God is not superior to the Constitution of the USA in this country. And don't you forget it!

Concerned-1 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:18 AM:Letter writer Daniel Lynch is wrong on two points (maybe three if you disagree with his premise). First Saddam did have WMDs as evidenced by the Kurd genocide. Second, if a person is "Scotch-Irish" he or she would be an intoxicated Irishmen. Those of us with roots in Scotland are Scots, or Scotsmen!

LOL wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:19 AM:Ron[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:48 AM:
Scots Irish people are not Irish people. If you don't believe me, ask one?

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:23 AM:Must've missed that one You are so correct. It is part of the rightie conservo attack play book. It is called guilt by association. If you want to hear it or see it just listen or watch Limbaugh, Cunningham or Hannity or Glen Beck. Evidence is that the vast majority of Democrats and Independents are buying it.

It's unanimous wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:25 AM:I see that McCain has joined Hillary and Obama saying he would boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympics in China if he were President. I wonder if Bush will attend. This joins the other items of more or less unanimity of the three candidates: immigration & global warming.

OBAMACAN wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:26 AM:A little help, please from SDRaoul at 8:00 a.m. - please be more specific as to which "anti-white screeds in his own words" you were referring to from Obama's book about his father.
Since you say there are "plenty" of them, finding and citing a few specific examples should be a snap.

Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:31 AM:Chris,
IMHO
In my humble opinion (kind of like all of your opinions, humble)
BTW
By the way

Or, in truthful English wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:32 AM:Ron's post about Wright & Obama are, as is usual, full of misstatements. As another blogger pointed out, Barack's book was NOT all full of Rev Wright. In addition, he said that Wright was a SPIRITUAL mentor...that's what Pastors do, mentor their congregation in SPIRITUAL (not POLITICAL) matters. And I have to ask, was Obama's $27K donated to his church or was it a personal gift to Rev Wright? Ron, do you EVER speak the truth? And, for the record, I DO think that McCain's sniffling after the various fundamentalists, begging for their endorsements, even though he knows what they have stood for and said, is a lot worse than joining a church as your own family house of worship and remaining in it despite your disagreement with some of the pastor's remarks. Where Obama would've had to reject an entire relationship with a community that was two decades' old, for the sake of rejecting a few remarks, all McCain would've had to do was not go after those folks' endorsement (considering what they've said). If you find McCain's actions more honorable than Obama's, then you are one strange dude.

Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:35 AM:Come on folks, let's get off God. God is a personal thing in all senses. There are no winners or losers on debates about God. Let's move on. Take a look outside, it's an awesome day. I'll see some of you out there playing pasture pool.

May my God bless you all

Mike wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:44 AM:OH PLEASE at 11:16 AM, you're pushing your luck!

The easter bunny in the sky is likely to smite you.

Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:44 AM:"OH PLEASE @ 11:16 AM" Judging by most of the blogs here his name is "ME".

Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:48 AM:"Chris @ 2008 10:35 AM:" Surprise, Surprise.

I apologize Chris for the sarcasm and everyone else, I'm a little giddy in anticipation of enjoying this glorious day on the golf course with my son.

Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:09 PM:"Must've missed that one @ 11:13 AM:"
Everyone in this great Nation has the right to be as obnoxious and rude as they want to be.

freedom of speech wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:11 PM:I know Eric Parish and he is an angry man, always looking for something to critisize. I fully appreciate our freedom of speech and our freedom of the press. Let him express his opinion and make a fool out of himself. Hopefully some day Eric will realize that God loves him and then nicer words may come out of his mouth. I happen to love God and would never damn America. I forgive you Eric.

The Quiz wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:16 PM:sdraul: If the Union states were all initially fighting for freedom, how do you explain that the following Union states of
Missouri, Delaware, Maryland, and Kentucky were slave states? Kind of interesting.

Not okay just because you agree with the message!!!!!! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:16 PM:I agree with Robin so will somebody please tell me why the docudrama "Border" was screened at Escondido Charter School. I think all organizations as well as individuals that have an personal agenda should NOT be allowed to spread that agenda in our public schools. Please someone tell me what the difference is between what the Consulate did and those who screened this anti-immigrant docudrama?

Apollo wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:21 PM:Re: Nick (8:19 a.m.)
The idea that the 14th Amendment is not a valid part of the Constitution is just another wacky tinfoil hat view of the world that ranks right up there with jury nullification, denying the requirement to pay income taxes, or holocaust denial. In the same boat with the Flat Earth people. This idea is just goofy!

And note to Obamacan: Keep up the good work!
The anti-Obama contingent seems to be growing increasingly desperate, and still nothing on the issues or holding their guy to the same standard!

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:21 PM:sdraul: Serving or not serving in the American military is not an example of love of country nor a qualification to be President of the USA. I mean look at our Vice President who stated that he didn't serve in the military because he had other opportunities. Cheny when asked about the death toll of American soldiers in Iraq and the sufferings of their family just answered, "so." Your allegation against Obama is utterly groundless and disparate. I also remember a fellow of military courage and daring do who sold his country out.
What was name? Oh yeah! Benedict Arnold.

To Freedom of Speech wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:24 PM:Your tone in your comment does not show that you love God. Frankly God is Love and if we are believers and followers of God than we must love everyone. You are condescending not loving and I hope one day YOU will realize that God loves you, and Eric and perhaps nicer words may come out of your mouth. At this point I feel you are the one who has made a fool of yourself and I question your salvation. You know that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Eric Parish does not claim to be a believer but you do and should represent our God in a better way.

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:24 PM:freedom of speech: Yes Eric, Aton loves you.

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:26 PM:NCT and ERIC Parish Will the pics be in tomarrow's issue?

Danny wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:28 PM:I see Democrats and liberals have forgotten when Hillary Clinton, and many ther Dems wre worried about Saddam, and action had to be taken based on evidence at the time. But liberals are like that. They don't let facts get in the way of their agenda.

One Thing You Haven't Considered wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:48 PM:God doesn't love an Imperialist America. God doesn't love to see his children murdered. God doesn't approve of pre-emptive war. God doesn't need to damn America because in His infinite wisdom we are damning ourselves. Many will have much to answer for when they stand before Him.

NCT Editors are classy wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:51 PM:If you think damn is a bad word you should see what people are saying about John McNasty (Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran) on open blogs. This blog has one of the highest standards I have seen yet. You bunch of wimps.

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:03 PM:Danny[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:28 PM:
Kind of difficult when the President and his cronies lie to the American Congress and people over 935 times.

SWMBO50 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:05 PM:For you history buffs, a new book has been written that should be added to your reading list, whichever side you stand on regarding the comments of Rev Wright. It's entitled "Slavery by Another Name," by Douglas A. Blackmon. The author is a white man, by the way.

Chris wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:20 PM:I just love how these holier than thow are so upset about the NCT printing the GD phrase. Yet I bet the fact is that these people make a big deal out of it because they don't agree with Parish's veiw. These same people are the ones who support our butchery in Iraq but don't want to see the pictures of it. So which is worse? Using the GD phrase or supporting genocide in Iraq? As far as I am concerned these people can go ahead and go.

Paul wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:22 PM:Some words evolve to become "bad" words. Steam ships on the rivers used to use pasture pastries (dung droppings) for firing their boilers. Well they found out when these droppings got wet they emitted methane gas. Add a spark or fire source and you get an explosive situation. After that this fuel was stored higher in the vessel, they marked these loads as "Ship High In Transit." Of course now we know it as it's acronym.

Chris to Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:29 PM:No offense taken. I can take it as well as dish it out. I still have a problem with supporting war so a person can play golf and drink beer.

Focal Point wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:33 PM:Mary[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:09 AM:
In other words, Mary, you have failed to produce any quote, audio or video of Obama witting or stating a racial remark. Now you make all sorts of undocumented allegations against his campaign. No documentation, no evidence, no nothing.
You are an ideologue. You simply repeat Limbaugh, Hannity and Cunningham. You have never learned to think for yourself. Yes please scrutinize Obama. But, finding him guilt by association is just a conservative action from their play book. Wright is not running for President. Obama is

Oh Come on Robin!!!! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:47 PM:You are always so vocal about your point of view. Don't shut your yap now. Please answer the question. Do you hate the Consulate or the Mexicans? Still Waiting!!

God is Good wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:49 PM:If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and I will heal their land. It is all up to us.

to Danny wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:01 PM:We liberals have criticized those democrats along with the Republicans who bought the justification for the invasion. Many of us did not. Many journalists did not, and they were roasted at the time. Many nations did not, and they were roasted at the time. And 23 Senators did not, and they were roasted at the time. And all these people had it right. There will never be a justification for the invasion. A crime is a crime, no matter how diverse the consequences.

The real BDS wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:06 PM:People who voted for Bush, especially the second time, and even more especially those who still manage to think he's been worth defending, these are the real people with Bush Derangement Syndrome. Those of us who were critical of him from day one happen to have gotten it right. Since truth bears us out, we cannot be the ones that were deranged. As McCain lines up as a good little neocon, beating the drums of more bogus warfare, you people will display the McCain Derangement Syndrome in all its symptoms. Unless sanity wins out and Obama, or even Hillary, is elected.

VIRGINIAN wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:26 PM:sdraul: ""My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume V, "Letter to Horace Greeley" (August 22, 1862), p. 388.

Actionman wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:46 PM:Danny at 12:28 p.m. says that when Clinton and other Democrats were worried about Saddam, action had to be taken based on evidence at the time.
There was never a time when the "action" suggested by any Democrat included launching a full-scale unilateral military invasion such as "shock and awe". They were satisfied with enforcing no-fly zones and rendering Saddam powerless.
And the standard of "evidence" required to justify a unilateral invasion is very high.
Rumsfeld, Cheney and Powell claimed to have identified specific sites where they knew with absolute certainty that WMD were held. This turned out to be a prevarication.

Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:02 PM:Is that "THE" best you got.. "Ron and Afghanistan" @9:56 AM. Please, let's not go down the list of failures to get OBL, alright? Then I'd have to bring up the two or more missed opportunities of Bill Clinton.

Ms M wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:26 PM:On ABC's The View this morning, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was asked about the great strain placed on U.S. troops due to the Iraq war. McCain recognized the strain and said that in order to motivate Americans to join the military, the government should provide stronger "educational benefits": "[O]ne of the things we ought to do is provide them significant educational benefits in return for serving."....um maybe he was having a senior moment LOL.

Alvin wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:42 PM:It's sad commentary on the state of affairs in our country that many feel it's okay for a pastor to espouse hatred and use profanity from the pulpit of the church to which he/she is supposed to be providing spiritual leadership.

To Danny wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:50 PM:No evidence was EVER presented. We were only TOLD that it existed. Many (unfortunately, not enough) voted against the invasion of Iraq because they didn't believe what they were being told. Hillary was NOT one of them and now doesn't deserve to lead our nation. But, then again, neither does the rascist, Obama!

Actionman wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:52 PM:Concerned-1 at 11:18 a.m. cites the Kurd genocide as evidence that Saddam did have WMDs.
He fails to note that those were the WMDs we gave him during the Reagan years.
His massacre of Kurds did not bother Rummy or Cheney during the Reagan / Bush-41 years since Rummy went and made all kissy-face with Saddam after the genocide. And the fact that Saddam had previously had such weapons (from us) long before he was defeated by Bush-41 in the first Gulf War and neutered by weapons inspectors and no-fly zones during the Clinton years, did nothing to indicate he still had them in 2003.
Bush's own American inspector (Scott Ritter) said he didn't have them.
The U.N. weapons inspectors (Blix and El Baradei) said he didn't have them.
Our allies the French (who supported the first Gulf War) knew he didn't have them.
Our allies the Germans (who supported the first Gulf War) knew he didn't have them.
The whole world except those who listened to Bush's fabricated evidence knew he didn't have them.

If U like Bush and his lies wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:10 PM:You're gonna love Hillary! Her Bosnia recollections are down right funny.

Reply to EWMO50 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:19 PM:Rev. Wright should write a book called, "Hatred by Another Name."

Ghosthunter wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:33 PM:Focal Point: Keep on trying. You like the ole Burger King commercial, "Where is the meat?" Well, where is your evidence that President Bush KNEW that the information given to him by his advisors was false. See how that works? Sometimes what we sense about an individual is not supported by audio or videos in full context.

3D wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:37 PM:Regarding the many today who have invoked god, religion or scripture in defense of a war-based phone patriotism:
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matt 5:9
"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matt 26:52

Jorge wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:48 PM:You are right Mr. Patterson. The fence will probably not work as a physical barrier. For that we need a wall manned by an armed military with orders to repel intruders. Hopefully one day the general populace will wake up and vote the Demcrats out off office and we will be able to control this invasion and hold our heads high once again. The fence does do one thing though. It does point out to the people on the Mexican side, the mexican government, and the activists on this side that there really is a border whether they like it or not.

OH PLEASE! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:49 PM:God is Good[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:49 PM: Your house in heaven is located in the Faith and Value blog.

Virginian wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:53 PM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:58 AM:
LOL. It was the Supreme Court that substantiated slavery and reinforced it with the Dred Scot decision. The ultimate authority in the USA is the risen people in arms on the battlefield. That is where it was settled.

WMDs and Whiskey wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:09 PM:Concerned-1[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:18 AM: The gassing of the Kurds happened in 1988. Sadam did not have wmd in 2001. None were found during the inspections and none were found after the invasion. If you are stating that only the Irish and the Scots-Irish drink or drink to excess, you need to remember that it was the Scots who created Scotch whiskey. They are noted for its consumption.

Nick wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:19 PM:A little more for you "Apollo", since you need the help:
When it comes to Constitutional Amendments, there is a proper and legal procedure that must be followed. The Constitution in Article V makes express provision as to the mode of procedure and an effort must first be made at it. 2 methods of proposal and 2 methods of ratification are designated.

Proposal may be made by either a 2/3rds vote of each House of Congress or by applications of the legislatures of 2/3rds of the States to Congress for the call of a National Convention.

Ratification may be by 3/4ths of the State Legislatures or by 3/4ths of State Conventions, as Congress may choose.

Thus it appears that not only is a mode of provision is provided, but that 2 methods are clearly expressed. From this it is reasonably follows that the indicated methods are exclusive, and the courts have so declared.

Revolution as a mode of changing the Constitution would thus be unlawful.

Our Government, thru Military Occupation, ratified the 14th Amendment under duress. They circumvented the laws of the Constitution governing the rules of Constitutional Amendments to get it ratified. THAT IS THE PART THAT IS ILLEGAL! Why is it so hard for people to grasp? If you would like to know more "Apollo", just ask and I will be glad to help. Better yet, do a little digging yourself
Cheers, Nick.

Nick wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:21 PM:"Chris", would you have a problem supporting golf and drinking beer so people could play war?
Just curious.

Reardon wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:24 PM:(Temporary Lapse): David Gergan, long-time White House advisor and Clintonists noticed that in the questioning of David Petraeus there was no longer a push for “timetables”; Hillary suggested that she supported an “orderly withdrawal,” and Barrack’s term was “measured withdrawal.”. Can you say “definitional ambiguity?”

I know that many Bloggers are of the “withdraw NOW!” philosophy, but that just means they have no candidate in the next presidential election. NO ONE is going to precipitously withdraw from Iraq. Pelosi and

Just to make life more interesting to voters, not one of the candidates is going to reduce the number of “warrantless wiretaps,” or defend the border against illegal aliens, or end “Sanctuary Cities” or (fill in the blank).

Except at the margin, there is no difference. This is the pre-season, and everyone is a pennant winner in pre-season and through the first month. Then, reality bites.

Even knowing that, I too have the pre-season jitters – and I did for Bush right up until he pulled the Steel Tariff Fiasco, then I suffered through so many other fiascos: Iraq, illegal aliens, Harriet Miers…

Hillary disciples are more worldly. They understand and accept the foibles of their candidate, so if she gets the presidency they will not be disappointed with her mistakes. They sold their souls long ago to the Clinton dynasty.

Obama supporters will have a terrible time, because they see their candidate as a messiah, and their membership in People for a Perfect World will make them less tolerant of his necessary acceptance of reality.

NOTHING WILL CHANGE!

Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:24 PM:"Chris to Karl @ 2008 1:29 PM"
Chris, I never said I supported war. I believe I thanked soldiers and previous generations for the opportunity. I'll bite, who should I be thanking in your humble opinion?

Focal Point wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:10 PM:Ron[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:02 PM: I do not care about Bill Clinton. GWB and his crew have been in power almost eight years. Got Ben Ladin yet? All you Bushies have done is get over 4,000 of your countrymen killed an dover 20,000 maimed.
You justify your failure with Clinton's failure. It does not wash. The least GWB could do is get Ben Ladin before he leaves office. One would think that you,Ron, would also be demanding it of him.

to President Parish wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:18 PM:Dear sir, Then why don't you run for president? In this free country, even people like you could run. Those hateful killers in our military made sure of that for you. In those other countries people like you would have been at least shot for your opinions, maybe even hung with your tongue cut out. Hail to the chief. President Parish.

Oh, Ron wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:21 PM:There you go again. You know perfectly well that none of your so-called liberals here have ever let Clinton off the hook for his failures. Clinton failed, and Bush failed. Clinton's failures don't excuse Bush's except in your propaganda. Personally, with respect to al Qaeda, I'd make the argument that Bush has failed in a much worse, and much, MUCH bigger way. This is not to give Clinton a pass, but you have to show me that Clinton did worse with al Qaeda than did Bush. Your move (LOL). Let's say Clinton's failure allowed 911. Then Bush's failure did the same. And then Bush went to Afghanistan, and Iraq. Your move. Are you, like, ADDICTED to this misrepresentation that various people take apart every day? Does this being shown up give you some kind of pleasure? The showing you up certainly gives ME quite a bit!

Focal Point wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:43 PM:Ghosthunter: Examine the documented 935 lies. That is the proof. He knows right now that the continued war in Iraq has nothing to do with Al Queda. He came on the TV just recently with more lies.

Surfer wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:49 PM:Reardon[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:24 PM:
Dude, you are so right. But, all the argument about Iraq is really bogus. the Iranians are now going to step up their nuclear program. If anyone really thinks that our people are coming home, they need to think again. We will be going next door sooner than you think regardless of who is President. See ya brah.

Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:03 PM:"Nick @ 5:21 PM:"

That's a peach Nick.

Apollo wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:10 PM:Re: Nick (5:19 p.m.)
Actually, Nick, I do understand what you are saying.
The problem is that you do not accept the legitimacy of the ratification by the appropriate number of states, because you consider the ratifications by the southern states to have been under "duress" because too many rebellious, traitorous southerners were disenfranchised, as per your 8:19 a.m.
Excuse me, but these people rebelled against the United States.
Like any felon, they lost their franchise.
The Supreme Court, our official arbiter, has declared these amendments to be valid.
Those who dispute this are sympathizers with the traitorous, rebellious slave-holders.
You are living in a world of bizarre fantasy. Sorry, but the world is still round.

Focal Point wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:35 PM:GHOSTHUNTER: For openers read this article

ADMINISTRATION
What Bush Was Told About Iraq

By Murray Waas, National Journal
© National Journal Group Inc.
Thursday, March 2, 2006

Nick wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:00 PM:What's up Mr Ed? You post my 2nd blog on the 14h Amendment, but you ommit the first? You know, the 1st one that leads into the 2nd one. Since you guys can't get your act together, I will post it again.

Oh Please! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:03 PM: to President Parish[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:18 PM: Here, so far, we just water board ya. At least, that is what we know so far.

Nick wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:06 PM:"Apollo", this is the one the Blog Ed's should have posted right in front of my Apr 10, 2008 5:19 PM post. I think the Blog Ed's need a refresher in American History as well. Here are a few points for you to consider:
(1)The Fourteenth Amendment was proposed by a rump Congress that did not include representatives and senators from most of the former Confederate states, and, had those congressmen been present, the Amendment would never have passed.
(2)Former Confederate states were counted for Article V purposes of ratification, but were not counted for Article I purposes of representation in the Congress.
(3)The ratifications of the former Confederate states were not truly free, but were coerced. For instance, many former Confederate states had their readmittance to the Union conditioned on ratifying the Fourteenth Amendment.
(4)In order to have 27 states ratify the Fourteenth Amendment, it was necessary to count those states which had first rejected and then under the duress of military occupation had ratified, and then also to count those states which initially ratified but subsequently rejected the proposal.

To leave such dishonest counting to a fractional part of Congress is dangerous in the extreme. What is to prevent any political party having control of both houses of the Congress from refusing to seat the opposition and then without more passing a joint resolution to the effect that the Constitution is amended and that it is the duty of the Administrator of the General Services Administration to proclaim the adoption? Would the Supreme Court of the United States still say the problem was political and refuse to determine whether constitutional standards had been met? How can it be conceived in the minds of anyone that a combination of powerful states can by force of arms deny another state a right to have representation in the Congress until it has ratified an amendment which its people oppose?
Cheers, Nick.

Chris to Karl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:34 PM:The point is that the military had nothing to do with you being able to play golf. If there is anyone to thank then it would be all the American people who built this country and made it was it is. They could do that without going into other counrties and murdering their people just so we could have another vassal.

Chris wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:39 PM:According to what was broadcast on the news 42% of our tax money goes to the military. Of course all you hear from these conservatives is how we seniors are bankrupting this country. But these military lovers have no quams with trashing out budget for the military. After all going around and killing people around the world is more important than taking care of our own citizens.

Chris to to President Parish wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:44 PM:Did you have anything of importance to say other than criticizing Parish for being upset at our government's agenda of going around the world killing people in order to promote our imperialism. Oh, of course you try to cloak our imperialism by implying that it is necessary for our freedoms. What has our freedoms got to do with the slaughter in Iraq. Just see if you can answer that.

surfer wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:48 PM:Nick[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:21 PM: I support playing golf and drinking beer.
See ya brah.

RevWRIGHT wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:52 PM:The truest comment of the day: (12:48 PM)
"God doesn't love an Imperialist America. God doesn't love to see his children murdered. God doesn't approve of pre-emptive war. God doesn't need to damn America because in His infinite wisdom we are damning ourselves. Many will have much to answer for when they stand before Him."

God will Damn America as he sees fit, and doesn't need Eric Parish.
8:51pm

RevFarewell wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:11 PM:- It does seem God is visiting his wrath upon America for her abominable transgressions in Iraq. For too long America has worshiped the Almighty Dollar and used it to indulge in Greed, Sloth, Pride and Gluttony. Now the Almighty is allowing our Prideful leaders to destroy this false god, and with it will go greed and pride.
PRIDE is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity. This is the primary sin of our government.
GLUTTONY is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires. Not since the corrupt Roman Caesars have we seen such gluttony as in corporate America.
GREED is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness. America has abandoned the spiritual world for the excesses of the material world. They forget that the only thing we truly possess is that which we carry with us beyond the grave.
SLOTH is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work. America is obsessed with avoiding work by engaging in corporate slavery of peoples of other nations. And those at home curse the immigrant laborer while compelling him to do their work for them.
God will allow us to destroy ourselves and our golden calf, the Almighty Dollar.

SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL - wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:20 PM:- Reardon’s (5:24 PM) comments about orderly withdrawal omit’s the real possibility that, like Vietnam, we will still suffer a humiliating defeat and be forced into an unavoidable sudden withdrawal from the rooftop of the embassy in the Green Zone. Our army is being ground into dust, the nation is broke, and as the dollar sinks, other nations may refuse to loan us more money to conduct further war. We are inexorably grinding down. And of course the brilliant McBomb Bomb McCain will blame it on the Democrats. They cannot accept that that the Bush-McCain War has no strategy and no justifiable cause, that it is a criminal war of the worst kind.

Apollo wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:35 PM:Re: Nick (8:06 p.m.)
Sorry, Nick, but your belated Part One doesn't add anything other than the black helicopeters.
Nice try, though.
And I do understand about the furstration of the delayed posts - sometimes mine take hours to post or I have to make a second posting. Not sure what it takes to get NCT to process posts in some kind of reasonable order. Guess the online edition is the poor stepchild of the print edition, except that it is the future of the news business.

freedom of speech wrote on Apr 11, 2008 7:45 AM:To the person who commented on my comment, 'to freedom of speech'. You're right, and I'm sorry. When I wrote that I didn't realize I had a tone in my thoughts, but when I read it on the screen, it sounded arrogant. I apologize to Eric and to 'to freedom of speech'.

Nick wrote on Apr 11, 2008 7:55 AM:Right on "Surfer". I'll be doing dawn patrol at D-street Sat, should be fun before the wind kicks in.
Cheers, Nick

Ghosthunter wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:06 AM:Focal Point
[-] wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:35 PM:

I read the article. Very interesting. However, if this is accurate wouldn't this be an impeachable offense? It would be helpful if Murray Waas documented how someone was able to read the classified reports. Proof of the authenticity would strengthen the assertions and should be made public. This has not happened so we can only speculate as to its truthfulness. The result is, we believe what we want to believe despite available information.

Mary wrote on Apr 11, 2008 10:12 AM:Another response to Focal Point....I have scutinized Obama now it's his supporters time to do it.........I don't have to prove anything to you on this blog.......you need not attack, but research. Later.

Focal Point wrote on Apr 11, 2008 1:06 PM:Mary[-] wrote on Apr 11, 2008 10:12 AM:
You make claims of knowledge of OBama but do not demonstrate it. His platform can easily be seen on his web. There is nothing in his book that indites him for any transgression. Again you can not present in context any quote, audio or video statement that shows Obama to be a racist-can you? If you are unwilling to prove your allegations and assertions on this blog, the we must assume you what you say has no credence.

Focal Point wrote on Apr 11, 2008 1:09 PM:Ghosthunter[-] wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:06 AM:Of course it is an impeachable offense.
I consider it a treasonous offense. You can not impeach a Republican President with a Republican Congress or with a Democratic House and a Senate short three members to impeach.