Jack_D wrote on May 29, 2008 1:36 AM:I endorse the sentiments of Paul Cavanaugh in his call for a democratic foreign policy (and why not a democratic domestic policy while we're at it?) I highly suggest Eric Alterman's excellent book on the subject: Who Speaks for America: Why Democracy matters in Foreign Policy.

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 5:44 AM:Hello Moderator - Not only are the NCT letters from the 22nd missing as well as both NCT and Californian letters from the 23rd, BUT NOW the NCT letters from the 28th are also missing. What's going on? Thank you in advance for any information and/or help. Regards, Alf.

Bob wrote on May 29, 2008 6:00 AM:Whatever became of the May 28 letters?

Roger wrote on May 29, 2008 7:17 AM:The May 28 letters have vanished! What has become of sdraoul's sensless ad hominem attacks and reviews of a book he hasn't even read? Did the NCT censor fall asleep reading this drivel?

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 7:39 AM:The news is reporting that N.Y. is set to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. Gee, I wonder if that is in line with the NY electorate or the governors agenda and sexual orientation

Focal Point wrote on May 29, 2008 8:02 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 7:39 AM:
Could be one or the other or even both.

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 8:05 AM:On Monday, the corner gas station had regular at $4.05.9, as of this morning it is $4.21.9!!!!!! Regards, Alf.

Focal Point wrote on May 29, 2008 8:08 AM:People should have more say about war:
I agree with the premise. Originally, the people elected representatives to make that decision for them on the proviso that they would vote as their constituents desired. International treaties and war resolutions have replaced the formal, Declaration of War after World War II.
I would like to have a return to the formal deliberation, debate and declaration.

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 8:12 AM:Let's hear it for Scott McClellan. He is a typical spineless crybaby who has to make a scene after being fired for incompetence. A liberal group got ahold of him, wrote a book for him, and the liberal media outlets will get the book for free, the public schools will make it required reading and the other 950,000 copies of the one million that were printed will be on the $1 shelf at Barnes and Noble in 90 days. He must be desperate for a job that he had to turn to hiring liberals to write a book for him.

Bob wrote on May 29, 2008 8:17 AM:Regarding Alf's 8:05 AM post, having given this considerable study, I conclude: the price went up :)

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 8:19 AM:Well, "Chuck" at 8:12AM, don't sugar-coat it like that, give it to us straight! Regards, Alf.

Ron wrote on May 29, 2008 8:24 AM:Just curious here, but...
I'm wondering if Gina Lovin was half as upset when we all found out that former Vice President Gore was using his office to receive campaign funds? A violation of Federal law, ta boot.
And another thing that kind a bothers me about these libs who complain about mixing politics with religion. I seem to remember a Buddhist temple, some nuns, grocery bags filled with illegal cash, and Al Gore. And what was our dear former vice president's response to both of these events? "I didn't know." Playing dumb. But, isn't that what all these lib's do when they get caught? Play dumb?

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 8:24 AM:>>>I feel that it is in America's interest to feed the people of Myanmar>>> I don't think anyone would disagree with you. The junta created this mess for the payoffs. They want huge $$$$$ in oreder to allow relief aid in. Thats how liberals operate. The UN has paid them off big, so that the TV cameras will be able to film the good work of the UN. Hopefully, Bush has told them to shove it if they think they are getting cash aid, as we all know that over $400 million of tsunami cash aid made it to terrorist organizations uder the great leadership of Koffi Anon and his UN cabal of thieves.

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 8:27 AM:From her letter, it would appear that Noralee Sherwood believes that people don't mind walking down the beach and feeling dog feces squishing up between their toes. I, on the other hand, find the need to clean dog feces off my feet (or shoes) far more offensive than litter, most litter does not stink and stick to you. Regards, Alf.

Up Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 8:28 AM:Have you actually read McClellan's book or are you just regurgitating "talking points"?

McClellan is nothing wrote on May 29, 2008 8:28 AM:LOL. The liberal media is wetting their pants over McClellans book. Can't you just wait for the litany of books to come out on Hillary when she is finally laid to rest on history's scrapbook after the primary season is over

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 8:33 AM:What is the big uproar about the missing letters from the 28th??? You liberals, and the public school history teachers are all into revisionist history anyway. Half of your whiney posts are about why Johnny Jones letter got published and yours did not, or that Billy Smith shouldnt have his comments posted because they dont agree wioth your point of view

Ron wrote on May 29, 2008 8:38 AM:What? No sense of humor, Anne McDaniel? You people really need to lighten up. No pun intended. See how easy that was? I mean.. "lighten up", could THAT particular comment be misconstrued by Anne, or her ilk? I think we all know what "Blatant racism" is. Don't you?
But, in the world of the lib's, any... ANY preceived slight is considered a racist attack. I think it's because they wear their emotions on their sleeves, and in general, have no sense of humor. In some extreme cases, I think they actually go looking to be offended. So lighten up, life is far too short to go around looking for stuff you think you see or hear. Ya know?

Nutty wrote on May 29, 2008 8:43 AM:How does Chuck do it? He's everywhere. He was there in the White House to know that McClellan was fired for incompetence. Then he was on the phone listening as that bad old liberal group called Scott to say - "hey, let us write that book for you". And finally, he runs over to the Office of Education just in time to hear them say, "this is a really good book, so let's make the kids read it". These are all facts that we can believe are really true. I was shaking my head "yes, I believe" as I read your post Chuck. What else can you tell us?

Nick wrote on May 29, 2008 8:46 AM:I'll trade with you "Alf", I'm paying $5.10 a gallon for diesel and driving 85 miles round trip each day for the job I'm on for a few weeks.
I am now including a $50.00 dollar a day surcharge in all my bids. That adds $1,000.00 to the job I'm on this month, a cost that I can't afford to absorb, so it is passed down the line.
Cheers, Nick.

Roger wrote on May 29, 2008 8:51 AM:Regarding Paul Cavanaugh's letter, watch Eugene Jarecki's 2005 documentary "Why We Fight" for a clear explanation of recent wars.

Repeat from Yesterday wrote on May 29, 2008 8:51 AM:Since yesterday's blogs have disappeared into the ethernet, I will mention this again. McClellan's Kiss-And-Tell-All has not only confirmed what the majority of Americans have known for several years now, but also did us the double favor of throwing McSame's entire campaign platform right down the drain! PS Chuck, as much as you hate to hear the truth, McClellan's publisher has already confirmed that the author wrote every word himself. We wish you would have come clean sooner, Scott, but better late than never. Welcome President Obama! Oh and Chuck, Ron, esteban and SDRaoul? Your preferred way of life will shortly become obsolete by way of the majority.

AtDogBeach wrote on May 29, 2008 8:59 AM:Dog beaches generate income for communities who get on the "pet friendly" bandwagon. Usually empty vacation rentals have waiting lists when they become dog friendly. Local cafes with outdoor patios become very popular with dog owners.
We travel with our lab to Santa Barbara (Fess Parkers has a pet concierge), Carmel (the entry guard to the 17 mile drive hands out dog treats) where many hotels cater to travellers with pets, and to Julian and Big Bear where a once empty cabin rentals are now booked every weekend due to being "pet friendly".
I find dog beach folks more responsible than your average beach goer - offering poop bags to those who need them.
There are established rules and regulations governing dog beaches - dogs must be under voice command, they must be socialized and owners must pick up after their dogs. Rarely do the cities themselves need to enforce these rules as the dog owners themselves do not tolorate breaking these rules. They are in place to safeguard the owners and their pets.
This is big business folks and I encourage Oceanside to pursue our very own world famous dog beach. Is there a steering committee forming? I would be happy to volunteer my time, take the mayor and city council on a field trip to Del Mar Dog Beach, Fiesta Island, Ocean Beach and Coronado to witness first hand the joys of having a leash free dog beach! Local business could sponsor benches, water stations, poop bag kiosks and signage. We could make the Oceanside Dog Beach an asset to our city.
I respect the opinons of those against this concept. No one will force to to go to dog beach - but I suggest you do! It may just make you smile...

Nick wrote on May 29, 2008 9:03 AM:More on DNA between Jews & Arabs.
Palestinians, however, differ from other Arabs in some ways. As the web site for Harper's Magazine reported, one study showed that Jews and Palestinians have common ancestry that is so recent that it is highly likely that at least some of the Palestinian blood actually descends from Jews. Another study by New York University confirmed a remarkable similarity between Jewish and Palestinian genes. "Jews and Arabs are all really children of Abraham," said Dr. Harry Ostrer, director of the Human Genetics Program at New York University School of Medicine, who worked on the study. "And all have preserved their Middle Eastern genetic roots over 4,000 years.
According to several other studies, Palestinians and Jews are genetically closer to each other than either is to the Arabs of Arabia or to Europeans. A study of congenital deafness identified an allele limited to Palestinian and Jews of Ashkenazi origin (those who lived in Europe in recent centuries), suggesting a common origin. Furthermore, Y-chromosome polymorphism is very similar among Palestinians and Sephardic Jews.
There is a significant Christian population among Palestinian Arabs, leading some to claim that at least part of the Palestinian population (the Christians) descended from the original followers of Christ, who were, of course, Jews (they were Jews ethnically, even if they didn't follow Judaism).
Furthermore, the fact that there is joint heritage of 2,000-3,000 years ago does not mean that new genes were not introduced into the Palestinian genetic pool. For one, genes from the Arabian peninsula were introduced after the spread of Islam. As part of the Arabian genes, African genes were introduced, as described above.
Several studies have shown that Palestinians have a larger than usual (among Arabs) European blood. This may be explained by the Crusades and the establishment of a Crusader Kingdom in medieval times. It is highly likely that at least some percentage of the Palestinian population mixed with Europeans, either through intermarriage or rape of Arab women by Europeans, as well as European women by Arabs. Additionally, cities with significant Palestinian populations, including Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, are sites of many Christian holy landmarks, which draw a large number of European tourists. This, too, may have played a role in the disproportionate amount of European genes found among Palestinians.
Cheers, Nick.

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 9:04 AM:The news is reporting that oil prices have hit record prices for 22 straight days and that world food prices will remain high. Have you noticed that Bush's request for all-out drilling has fallen on the deaf ears of the 11% approval rating Congress. Have you noticed that their has been no action to stem the speculation in the commodities markets by the hedge fund criminals and the global warming Kool-Aid drinkers. Here is how the liberals are dealing with the gas crisis and resulting loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs and commodity inflation: First, they threaten massive new taxes on the oil companies, so the oil companies boost prices to compensate, and then the liberals let the cat out the bag, when Maxine Waters let their strategy of socialization and nationalization slip out. We already know if a liberal gets elected, you heart or cancer surgery will be scheduled for December 2009, and now when they grab the oil companies, only your buddy Allah will know when you'll be allowed to fill up.

Reardon wrote on May 29, 2008 9:08 AM:Richard Riders excellent new print column is also missing from today's electronic version.

Obviously the e-version is "not ready for prime time" and most of our complaints about having our posts ignored are really the fault of a badly executed new system.

Is the electronic version possibly being run by the North County Transit District? Here's wishing the NCTimes electronic version a speedy recovery.

Oh Please wrote on May 29, 2008 9:10 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 8:12 AM:
LOL. Here is Chuck with his assumptions and throwing it against the wall to see if sticks mentality. Of course, Chuck with his crystal ball knows all. Yep, the Liberal Commandos kidnapped Scott. Then, he was water boarded. Next, Scott wrote the book our way. LMAF. Chuck makes all these assumptions without reading the book. He must have just listened to Saint Rush this morning. Chuck. You have a good day. But, be careful. The Liberal Commandos must be looking for you as well.

Another Swift Boat group appears wrote on May 29, 2008 9:10 AM:Now a group called Veterans for Freedom has begun running ads attacking Obama. The group says it backs no candidate. And yet its spokesperson has been identified as a member of McCain's leadership team in Virginia, the founder of the group is another member of McCain's team, and a third member of the group's board has been a McCain foreign policy advisor. Two Senators who supported the group have resigned over the ads. Talk about filth!

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 9:13 AM:>>>I would like to have a return to the formal deliberation, debate and declaration.>>>> Thats what Hussein Obama offers. He has said he will deliberate (ie appease) terrorists and invade our ally Pakistan. Obama offers you liberals the utopia you want. He'll grab money from those who earn more than you, just to make you feel better. He'll postpone medical car for those those who have paid for better medical plans that you, just to make you feel better. He'll make sure your child gets that MRI when he twists his ankle at soccer practice, instead of 5 cents worth of ice, just to make you feel better. He'll send $3 trillion to the Kyoto accords, to keep you drinking the global warming Kool-Aid. He'll have gas at $10 a gallon, just so those evil corporations struggle, just to make you feel better,. And you'll need to feel better, because after he's done screwing American business, employers and entrepreneurs, you won't have a job

McClellan wrote on May 29, 2008 9:15 AM:The flood of 100% predictable remarks about Scott McClellan's book has begun. Why do these critics even bother? We know, more or less word for word, what they will say. Yawn. The funny part is how MANY people they've had to attack this way! Former staffers, diplomats, generals, you name it, each and every one is a money-grubbing slimeball, an incompetent, a shill for secret liberal organizations, yawn, yawn, yawn. (And notice it's always the person that is attacked, never the truth of their claims.) We know, we know, only Bush, Cheney, and Rove are honest and true, pure through and through, with no agendas of profit or power of their own, just a deepfelt wish to serve their country. LOL

Oh Please wrote on May 29, 2008 9:15 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 9:04 AM: More of the conservative and oil robber baron type talking points. The oil companies would not sell ANWAR oil for less than the world market. If they could not get into our pockets, then they would sell American oil on the world market. But, I am puzzled. Bush had a congress for six years that would do his bidding. Why didn't Bush and his rubber stamp Congress for six years ok for drilling? But, thanks for listening to Rush.

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 9:16 AM:>>Now a group called Veterans for Freedom has begun running ads attacking Obama>>> Good, because I cant think of one idea or proposal of Hussein Obama that promotes the cause of freedom in this country. His whole gig is social engineering in the best style of Marx and Lenin

DD Wiz wrote on May 29, 2008 9:18 AM:The posts from numerous participants cite the missing 5/28 letters, as well as those from 5/22 and 5/23.
That is THREE TIMES in the last week, almost half of the days, that the NCT has managed to lose our letters and comments!
And why is it only the NCT, not the Californian?
It is shameful the disrespect that the North County Times shows to its North County Times subscribers, who constitute the vast majority of its patrons. Do they understand whose subscirptions (and online ad clicks) pay their salaries?
By the way, the links to the 5/23 letters and comments have disappeared, but the actual page itself can still be found at:
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/05/23/opinion/letters/z7756eec35e88221e88257451007ad955.txt
My hisotry links to both 5/22 and 5/28 are completely missing and I have been unable to find a replacement link.
Whoever is responsible for hitting the "delete" button over and over should be required to sit there and re-enter all the letters and comments.

Reminder wrote on May 29, 2008 9:23 AM:In the flood of swift boat ads and otehr nonsense, please take the time to read the speech that Obama gave in the Fall of 2002 about the Iraq invasion. In that speech, he clearly and forcefully asserts the difference between wars that need to be fought, as in Afghanistan (where those who attacked us are), and wars that are bogus, as he saw Iraq was going to be. Of all the members of the administration and the current candidates, he is the only one who nailed it before the fact. When you talk about judgment in foreign policy decisions, especially decisions that might mean the death of thousands of American kids, remember that speech and the one guy who got it right. That's who I want in the White House, the guy that actually has demonstrated this kind of judgment. If he'd been in charge in 2002 Saddam would be sitting in Baghdad fully contained, without WMDs, without much a functioning army, completely impotent, waiting for death and a successor. We'd have actually defeated the Taliban and much of al Qaeda because that would've been the focus of our military efforts. What a difference from McCain's "stay the course" and Vietnam victory fantasies! No thanks, I'll take real judgment. You?

Reardon wrote on May 29, 2008 9:32 AM:It’s about time someone mentions libraries, as Richard Rider does in the print version today – but not yet in the e-version. There are almost 700 tax supported libraries in San Diego County! (60 community and 600 schools)

You can’t throw a rock in this County that it does not break a window in a public supported library!

Libraries are a tax-supported “Quiet Time” with comfortable chairs for a sub-set of a sub-set of the population – sort of a subsidized private club with free magazines and newspapers for the homeless, the elderly, and a few people (a very few) who love the tactile feel of paper over the information contained therein.

The taxpayers continue to vote for Community Centers (which would never pass) because community center supporters have renamed their facilities “libraries” – with the support of the librarians for whom the facilities provide job security.

It’s a scam!

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 9:38 AM:I don't want to trade, "Nick" at 8:46AM. Your need to pass the cost of fuel on to customers/clients illustrates why food prices and the prices of everything that requires transport are going up at an alarming rate. It's not "the ripple effect", it's more like "tidal wave effect". Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 9:49 AM:What I cannot fathom, "AtDogBeach" at 8:59AM, is something like we have in Encinitas, a park that is a dog park in the morning and a public park the rest of the day. Since dog owners can not clean up the dog urine and since dog feces can't be totally cleaned off the grass, would you want your child playing in the grass of a "part-time" dog park? I certainly would not. I feel that dog parks should be paid for by admission fees from the people who bring their dogs there, most certainly NOT from public funds. Regards, Alf.

To Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 9:50 AM:Yawn.

Reardon wrote on May 29, 2008 9:54 AM:I toured the General Atomic research facility studying fusion power last night. I had no idea GA was even studying the issue, but they have a very advanced facility with several hundred scientists and engineers. The control room looks like NASA control.

GA develops their own power to run their experiments – because the “shots” take half a giga-watt of electricity, and they take 60 or so a day.

It is still research, and there is no power being produced, but the world research combine (US, EU, Japan, & China) hope to have a prototype working in France in 2035 and actual electric production by the end of the century.

The research facility at GA can sustain plasma operation for 5 or 6 seconds – which is a quantum improvement and the slope of the curve over the past 20 years exceeds Moore’s Law.

I suppose the selection of France for the prototype (more than $20 BILLION) is because French law forbids nuisance and obstructionist lawsuits against power plants – and that is why they are so far ahead of us in nuclear power production.

Finally, something we could learn from the French!

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 10:02 AM:>>>Have you actually read McClellan's book or are you just regurgitating "talking points"?>>>> No, I wont read it or use it as toilet paper until Barnes & Noble dump it out on the $1 table, next to the Koran, so right now, I'm just regurgitating talking points that McClellan admits to

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 10:32 AM:Were I to use the "logic" and "reasoning" of Richard Rider, I would declare that, since I do not drive on 905 with any regularity and since it is not important to me, that I should not have to pay for it through taxes of one sort or another. The roads and freeways are there for all to drive upon, libraries are there for all to use and should be paid for by all people. However, dedicated dog parks and dog beaches are there for a small segment of the population and should be supported (paid for) by that same small segment of the population, dog owners. Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 10:38 AM:At somewhere around 10:35AM, the NTC letters from the 28th were found and re-posted. Excellent first half of the job for the 28th. Now, let's see if the corresponding comments can also be found. So far, so good. Regards, Alf.

No North Fan wrote on May 29, 2008 10:56 AM:Oliver North's column is a waste of space and money. Nothing he writes can persuade me that the man knows how to tell the truth. Bring back Miss Manners! At least she writes about helping people live and work together in a civil - and honest - manner.

Oh Please wrote on May 29, 2008 11:07 AM:DUNKIN DONUT COMMERCIAL: Oh Rachel!
Dunkin Donuts has pulled a commercial featuring pitch woman Rachael Ray wearing a scarf because Michelle Malkin and other conservative observers thought the scarf looked too much like a keffiyeh, what Malkin describes as "the traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad." Now, the Conservo righties are monitoring how Americans dress. When did they become fashion commentators? Bush never needed his NSA bugs under the Patriot Act with Makin on board his society watch.

Big difference in books wrote on May 29, 2008 11:08 AM:Actually I expect the books on Hillary will be predictable and probably accurate. But to compare them to books like McClellan's is naive. McClellan is, after all, talking about how an administration sold this country into an unjustified war that has resulted in thousands of deaths. Hillary's books might reveal all kinds of deals and corruption, but she has nothing that can compare to what the Bush administration has done. If McClellan's book was an out of the blue, lone voice about this, he'd be easy to dismiss. But the people who say similar things about Bush/Cheney make up a pretty large chorus at this point. And the evidence was out there all along, and many people, including more than 20 Senators, saw it for what it was at the time. No, saying that we'll learn that Hillary had some shady deals is peanuts compared to what the true story of Bush/Cheney and their Iraq adventure at our expense is all about. That's the legacy of all you folks who voted for him in '04.

hardtack wrote on May 29, 2008 11:10 AM:Fred O'Hara asks: “Do you think large contributors don't expect to receive something in exchange [for their political support]”? Obviously! As do small contributors and non-contributors.

Originally, all we expected in exchange for our political support was national defense and the protection of individual liberty and property; now everyone expects a “free lunch” at someone else’s expense, in one form or another.

Chris wrote on May 29, 2008 11:17 AM:Have you noticed yet another example of dishonesty from the US and their puppet in Iraq. You remember the cease fire agreed upon by supporters of Sadr and the US and their puppet government. Well a cease fire means that both sides leave each other alone. But true to form as soon as it went in the US and the puppet government in Iraq started arresting followers of Sadr. But anybody that makes any agreement with the US is a fool.

Chris to Nick wrote on May 29, 2008 11:20 AM:I don't know about all this DNA but continue to believe that the Ashkenazim and the Shephartic Jews are not related. Even if the DNA is similar that does not give one group the right to invade the other groups country and drive them out.

Karl wrote on May 29, 2008 11:25 AM:After a trip to San Jose last week to see the son graduate I will be going on a gas diet. I hereby promise to play golf in my electric cart for 30 days straight and take it to Vons for groceries. I'd rather pay the fine for driving the cart outside the cart zone than spend it on gas. It's going to be a rough 30 days but I think I can do it. I sure am glad beer hasn't gone up like gas.

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 11:30 AM:The news is reporting that Myanmar is lashing out at "chocolate bar" foreign aid. LOL. First these communist criminals let people starve and die by not letting aid in, or keeping the aid for themselves, now they are complaining about the quality of the aid?? LOL. It's clear that the filth running Myanmar wanted "cash only" aid (sounds like the RED Cross during the fires here). And we all know how much of that cash would have been spent on aid for the victims (the same amount a liberal thinks they should have to personally spend on healthcare)

AtDogBeach wrote on May 29, 2008 11:34 AM:Seriously Alf... with your fears of not watching where you step, and all the other beautiful beaches reserved exclusively for you, why on earth would you venture on to a small stretch of sand where pooches play? Have you ever visited a dog beach? They truly are cleaner than most public beaches!

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 11:42 AM:Well, "Karl" at 11:25AM, a few months ago the local constabulary took a dim view of me driving my (gasoline powered) lawn tractor to the store, but didn't ticket me. I got lucky, that time. Regards, Alf.

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 11:45 AM:Fox News is reporting that their founder, Murdoch is predicting a landslide win for Obama. Murdock has apparently forgotten what American will do when they get in the voting booth and consider "Lets see, Obama or My Job", "Obama or my job", "Obama or my Job". Obama will be demanding chads be counted in 20 states.

DNA wrote on May 29, 2008 11:47 AM:DNA is also irrelevant. Who was there before them? No record doesn't mean no one was there. Why should rights to land be determined by when the first records happen to be written? There are places where ownership of land makes sense, as in contracts, treaties, and deeds. But belonging to "peoples"? Forget about it. It all and always goes back one more step, and in time you reach the days before property was owned at all, or even informally "belonged" to anyone or any group. We are thrown back on our own morality, that's all there is. No invasion can ever be based on someone's claim that once that land was "theirs" without a deed or treaty (not that the US has ever honored treaties that it later found inconvenient).

Price of Gas wrote on May 29, 2008 11:48 AM:You all cheered when Bush wanted drilling in the Gulf and ANWR and suggested Iraq would pay for the war with oil, and Congress told him to shove it. Now you're paying for your cheering

I gotta agree about Ollie wrote on May 29, 2008 11:51 AM:Ollie North is, of coursed, entitled to his opinions, and entitled to try to sell a column. But he is a lawbreaker and a model of thinking himself above the law. I don't think it's a good practice to give such low lifes money for their opinions in our local paper. There surely must be plenty of people with similar political views that can get that space without a criminal past. North's escapades remain a terrible black mark on our government. Why reward this?

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 11:55 AM:Well, "AtDogBeach" at 11:34AM, no, I have not visited a dog beach. I have looked at the condition of the park that is a dog park in the morning and general use the rest of the day near Encinitas City Hall, I was not favorably impressed and would not let my grandchildren use that park. It would appear that some dog owners, just like some smokers, tend to ruin it for the rest by not picking up after their dog(s). Regards, Alf.

Liberal Commando wrote on May 29, 2008 12:00 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 11:30 Liberals have nothing to do with the aid situation in Burma. Observing how Chuck links two different subjects is amusing.
But, I do hope that he gets help.

Floyd wrote on May 29, 2008 12:06 PM:Since today is "post as Floyd" day, I will do so. What we need is less meddling by government in our daily lives, lower taxes, and more freedom.

Ron wrote on May 29, 2008 12:19 PM:Hey, "Nick" @8:46 AM: The Democrats, as I have continually pointed out, are next week going to unveil their Cap & Trade Bill. I call it, "The Raise Your Gas Bill" Bill... or "How Can We Fool Them Again Today" Bill.
Paying $5.10 a gallon for diesel will seem cheap once these so-called compassionate liberals raise your fuel tax, carbon tax, and Cap & Trade it all.
Afterall.. it's for "the Children", don't ya know? Oh, yeah.. one more thing.. quit eating so much.

Surfer wrote on May 29, 2008 12:21 PM:Alf[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 11:42 AM: Oh Dude. Inquiring Alfs want to know how you pulled that one off? Se Ya Brah.

Ron wrote on May 29, 2008 12:31 PM:Well... given all the "hub-bub" about the missing letters, links, and posts; I'd say this is more than an appropiate time to review our Letters to the Editor peer-review process, don't you?
"Letters-to-the-editor that correct major errors in articles are a common indication of peer review failures. Many journals have no procedure to deal with peer review failures beyond publishing letters. Some do not even publish letters. The author of a disputed article is allowed a published reply to a critical letter. Neither the letter nor the reply is usually peer-reviewed, and typically the author rebuts the criticisms. Thus, the readers are left to decide for themselves if there was a peer review failure."
So, the bottom line, at least in my mind is this: If you allow these gatekeepers to decide which letters or posts they will publish, can they not also decide to delete them, as well.
I mean.. afterall, it is their page, and we must abide by their rules.
Further, if the paper decides to place an inexperienced moderator in this position, is that not also part of the review process? And potentially a "weak link." Which always brings me back to Lenny Berstein & the housing guy as authors of IPCC reports.

Roger wrote on May 29, 2008 12:36 PM:Reardon at 9:32 AM advocates: THROWING ROCKS THROUGH WINDOWS OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES!

(don't bother to read his post for yourself, I'll tell you what he said, you don't need to know the context, or even the point of his post)

Think I'm ready for my own AM radio talk show?

Ron wrote on May 29, 2008 12:46 PM:I attempted to answer Alf yesterday regarding my post about gay marriage. Of course, I still stand by my thoughts there, Alf. If the redefinition of marriage is changed to "persons", persons is pural, meaning at least two, if not more persons. If think this change will, of course, bring action by those believers in polygamy, also with religious considerations in conjuction with persons. I hope this helps. I never was making an argument about it harming me, my marriage, or any one else's. I was making a legal, and quite logical argument based on terminology, and knowing how lawyers think. I know the lawyers on this page understood perfectly what I was saying. Don't ya fella's?
But, speaking of harming other's...
Remember when I spoke of spray painting in your backyard, and your neighbor then sues you because he got a rash, because he thinks your paint cause it?
I know this may seem a bit un-connected, but, it's really not.
Your painting in your own backyard, minding your own business, and he believes your harming him?
And think about smoking in your own apartment or condo? Can your neighbor sue you to stop you for smoking?
Now, to me.. this is wholly illogical, and very irrational. I mean... how does the guy with the paint, or the smoking make the link that you are harming him?
Do we have any documentable evidence that these two things are causes of someone's death, or illness? I mean.. really! It's kind of ridiculous that while we can not document it, people who THINK/BELIEVE/or FEEL they have been harmed, can get you to stop?
So, I guess, my contention is: If your side can believe, irrationally, and illogically, that you are being harmed by something we do, Why can't we use the same illogic and irrationality to assert our beliefs? Level playing field and all that other stuff, ya know?

Cluck wrote on May 29, 2008 12:52 PM:Ironic, the strict military government of Mynamar says no chocolate bar aid, and that their people can stand by themselves and still some can find that it is the fault of the liberals. Sounds more like the filthy conservatives here in North County telling them to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. I guess some might be suprised that some of these slimey cons would think it was the all powerful bogeyman liberal, but most will not. As it is typical conservative "personal responsibility" to place the blame in the wrong place.

Ron wrote on May 29, 2008 12:54 PM:Quite obviously, the liberal left think they are onto something here with Scott McClellan's new book. Interestingly, they have left out a very key piece of information as to "how" this book came about. Peter Osnos, who wrote Wednesday that he “worked very closely” with published by PublicAffairs which Osnos founded, is a liberal whose publishing house is affiliated with the far-left The Nation magazine and the publisher of The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder. PublicAffairs has a roster of authors who are nearly all liberals and/or liberal-leaning mainstream media figures, including six books by far-left bank-roller George Soros.
No wonder the book is being touted as a "tell all" by liberals, they wrote it.

Cluck wrote on May 29, 2008 1:00 PM:And the swift boating continues.. They are so saddened by Scott. He was out of the loop. Why didn't he ever speak up before? Not the Scott we knew. The bogeyman liberals got to him and wrote the book. Typical conservative "personal responsibility." Here is a guy, a conservative republican for sure, who is actually taking some personal responsibility, and the filthy conservatives scatter when he does and blame it on the liberals. Like cockroaches scattering when the light comes on. And typical of a cockroache they blame the light, not the fact that they are a cockroach. Some people consider truth to be the light. No wonder this filth scatters from it and are so saddened by it and can't understand it.

Concerned One wrote on May 29, 2008 1:09 PM:Hey Alf, a dog ate the letters and comments from the 23rd and 28th! Dog karma, Dude.

Cluck wrote on May 29, 2008 1:10 PM:Now these filthy conservatives want to tell you what to wear? Can't wear a scarf? First they want to tell you what to do with your body, who you can marry, what religion you have to practice and what religious text is good or bad, where to sit on the bus, what water fountain you can drink out of, what school you can go to, and the list goes on and on and on. And now they are going to dictate what we can wear? I'm sure they have a nice little uniform already picked out for their subjects should McFacist gets in office. This is what they mean by "personal responsibilty". Thanks but no thanks. The terrorists might take my life, but they'll never take my Freedom. NEVER!!!

Cluck wrote on May 29, 2008 1:14 PM:I'll tell you what some of these conservatives are just too much. Now libraries are a scam? Talk about wanting to dumb down your society. What's next? Why not just have a good old fashioned book burning and tear down all the libraries. McFacist will tell you what books you are allowed to read; it'll be a real short list don't worry. Books are for elitists anyways.

snerd wrote on May 29, 2008 1:33 PM:Scott McClellens book probably wouldn't have had as much impact if it didn't just confirm what previous book writers have already said, that Bush was an uninterested and incompetent leader. Lt. Gen Sanchez just wrote that Bush was guilty of "derelection of duty" in his conduct of the Iraq War. This has been an awful administration and no amount of historical revisionism is going to make it any better. Those of you who voted for Bush in 2004 did this nation a terrible disservice. You should've seen the unconscienable way Bush ran the country for four years and refused to vote for him.

Dirty Deals wrote on May 29, 2008 1:53 PM:Books about Hillary may disclose all manner of dirty deals, no doubt. But let's not forget our own dear George W Bush. I am not aware of any illegal business activities he engaged in prior to his public life. But there are public testimonies by the Chair of the Board of the Carlyle Group, and by Ronald Reagan, that "getting a job" for W was something each was asked to do. Neither one wanted to do it but it was a favor for W's dad. Neither thought very highly of W. As I say, nothing illegal there, but if you are offended at all by unearned goodies done for purely political reasons (in other words, the opposite of merit), even the parts we know about W's history are a bit stinky, no?

Voting and jobs wrote on May 29, 2008 2:37 PM:When I go into the booth, I might remember what the economy was like under socialist Bill Clinton compared to W's. I also might think, "Obama or more wars?" I have lots of good things to think about in that booth, and they all point me to Obama's box. But, I must admit, Americans are easily bamboozled by fear-inducing slogans, so perhaps Chuck is right. I've learned decades ago not to bet on the intelligence of the American voter.

Floyd wrote on May 29, 2008 2:53 PM:Well, I'll make my one post as "Floyd" for "post as Floyd" day. It sure makes sense to want less government debt, more government spending while wanting to pay less in taxes. I've got it, let's borrow more money from China! What a novel idea! I'm not wearing my white lab coat so I'm not Floyd the scientist today, but I am good with a slide-rule so I'm Floyd the mathematician and Floyd the economist for this post, unless I am Alf. Regards, Alf.

Oh Please wrote on May 29, 2008 2:58 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 11:45 AM
Obama or war.
Obama or recession.
Obama or hungry Americans.
Obama or continued lost jobs.
Obama or continued foreclosed homes.
Obama or continued conservative hatred of
the poor.2h9x3

Focal Point wrote on May 29, 2008 3:02 PM:Ron[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 12:19 PM:
I suppose Ron has seen the obesity report. So, his advice to quit eating so much might be appropriate. Taxes don't matter. When the Arabs and the international market get done with us, no one will be buying gas or paying taxes on unpurchased gas.

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 3:04 PM:Well, "Surfer" at 12:21PM, I got lucky and had to push it back home. That's one way to get exercise. Regards, Alf.

Jack_D wrote on May 29, 2008 3:18 PM:Chuck in his barely coherent post (8:12 A.M.) made a number of charges against Scott McClellan. Chuck said: "Let's hear it for Scott McClellan. He is a typical spineless crybaby who has to make a scene after being fired for incompetence."

Even if this were true (and there's no reason to believe this) McClellan were a "spineless crybaby fired for incompetence," how does that invalidate anything he says? Please explain.

Apollo wrote on May 29, 2008 3:23 PM:Re: Ron (12:46 p.m.)
Ron mentions restrictions on behavior and cites spray painting in your back yard and smoking in your condo.
Please, Ron, just try for once to remember the basic maxim of liberty: your freedom to swing your fist ends where others' noses begin.
You can spray paint your back yard or smoke in your condo all you want, as long as you keep it to yourself.
If your neighbor can prove that they did get a rash from your paint or second-hand smoke from your cancer stick, then they do have a right to demand that you take better precautions to prevent harming others.
Oh yeah, I know, Ron is a believer that the biggest baddest bullies, like corporations, have an absolute right to do anything they want, no matter who they hurt, but private individuals need the government to dictate the most private aspects of their personal lives, including their relationships, medical choices, religious practices, etc.
Sorry, Ronnie, but we're on to you.

Happy Birthday today to JFK and Bob Hope!

Reardon wrote on May 29, 2008 3:25 PM:The Left’s War on the Poor (worldwide) continues. This from the WSJ today, as the UN plans for a $1.2 billion food aid fund: "Rising prices now translate, unfortunately, as an increase in hunger and civil strife. Uncertainty rules and our people are worried," FAO chief Jacques Diouf told a Paris news conference. OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, at his side, added: "The end of cheap food in a world where half the population lives with less than two dollars a day is a source of grave concern." (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization).

Can we hear it for Ethanol? OOPS!

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 3:31 PM:>>>Ollie North is, .... But he is a lawbreaker and a model of thinking himself above the law>>>> What felonies has he been convicted of?? You're just mad at him because he picked the back pocket of your good friend, the Ayatollah, and helped your enemy- the Central American freedom fighters. What could possibly be more hateful to liberals than fleecing the Ayatollah and helping freedom fighters???

Chris wrote on May 29, 2008 3:31 PM:Oh, I see Chuck is on his self-righteous box again concerning "these communist criminals" who let their people starve. But yet Chuck looks the other way when the US does the same thing like they did concerning the sanctions against Iraq. Typical. All these concervatives can do is point fingers while committing their crimes.

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 3:36 PM:>>Cluck[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 12:52 PM:Ironic, the strict military government of Mynamar says no chocolate bar aid, and that their people can stand by themselves>>> Imagine that, the people of Myanmar stand by themselves, but the liberals in New Orleans are still whining and whining about how little they got from America

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 3:40 PM:>>who let their people starve. But yet Chuck looks the other way when the US does the same thing like they did concerning the sanctions against Iraq>>> How do sactions make people stave?? Sanctions made Iraq make a conscious decision of Guns or Butter. Your hero whom you love and praise, Saddam made the choice, not Bush

Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 3:50 PM:11:42 AM: Oh Dude. Inquiring Alfs want to know how you pulled that one off?
He put a blue handicapped placard on the lawnmowers steering wheel

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 3:51 PM:Well, "Ron" at 12:46PM, your strawman "argument" is neither "logical" nor "legal". It does not address the failure to provide "equal protection under the law" and also that there is discrimination based on "sexual orientation". Keep on trying, I like to see the absurd lengths to which people will go to try to justify that which is incapable of being justified, i.e. unequal treatment under the law and blatant discrimination. My friend deserves the same right to marry that I have, she deserves the ability to have her marriage be completely recognized in the entire U.S., just like mine is, and she deserves ALL the same rights AND responsibilities that my wife and I have under the law and the California and U.S. Constitutions. Regards, Alf.

Greenergy wrote on May 29, 2008 4:01 PM:Reardon at 3:25 p.m. is like a broken record. He keeps repeating the same tired talking points that have been answered over and over and thinks he is saying something new. What was Einstein's definition of insanity?
OK, Reardon, for about the six thousandth time, your big point (guess it must be about all you have) about ethanol is totally bogus.
1 - Ethanol production is a fairly new alternative energy source. Its share of market penetration is miniscule. It is not the cause of food shortages. Conservative government policies and poor farm management policies by government-subsidenced agribusiness corporations are a primary cause. We didn't see these problems when Clinton was president.
2 - Your ethanol mantra is an admission of the failed conservative war against the poor. It is corporate agribusiness, subsidized by their Big Ag allies in the Republican party, that support ethanol. Remember Bush's big speech about "switch grass"? Liberals propose clean renewables such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric and hydrogen fuel cells. The closest we come to biofuels is to consider using recycled cooking oil rather than throwing it out, or maybe Reardon can't tell the difference between diverting growth of grains from food to fuel (ethanol) and recycling used cooking oil (biodiesel).
3 - You overlook the actual cause of food shortages: overpopulation. Yet conservatives want to shut down birth control clinics if they distribute artificial contraception or allow access to abortions.
Oppose Over Population Starvation (OOPS).

DD Wiz wrote on May 29, 2008 4:16 PM:The posts attributed to "Floyd" (12:06pm and 2:53pm) somehow do not appear to be the usual blogger who uses that screen name. I understand the desire to try to bite back at "Floyd" for suggesting others post as someone else today, but true liberals do not stand up to conservatives by lowering ourselves to their level.
I have not appreciated the couple of times when others have usurped my usual screen name, and frankly I'm far too old to be wallowing in juvenile, middle school insults.
Whichever blogger(s) is(are) doing this, all true liberals will repudiate these childish tactics.

Floyd wrote on May 29, 2008 4:25 PM:Chuck at 3:31 PM is right on top of the situation again, with his Ollie North post. Back before you sissy liberals came along, and ruined everything, we were out there enabling "freedom fighters" in Central America, Afganistan, Iraq...

What ever happened to those "freedom fighter" guys?

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 4:27 PM:The political cartoon by Nick Anderson on the editorial page in the paper today should have had the drunk be GWB and the bartender be China. Regards, Alf.

For the record wrote on May 29, 2008 4:29 PM:Reagan violated international law by blockading the harbor off Managua. The world court cited this offense. He also funded, trained, and armed a terrorist group that wreaked havoc on villages. These are incontrovertible facts. Saying that these people weren't terrorists but "freedom fighters" doesn't change anything. They did what they did. They opposed, illegally, a democratically elected government. But Reagan did not like what the Nicaraguan people voted for, and for this, he funded a group to terrorize them, kill them, burn their homes. He blockaded imports to the capital, leading to sickness and starvation. These were the acts of a world-scale tyrant who had the unmitigated gall to talk of the US as the shining city on the hill even as he contradicted its core values in addition to international law. Ollie North was a gopher for a simlar mission that was in violation of US law. These were among the most shameful acts perpetrated by a criminal government in our recent history. Naturally, killing anyone who dares disagree with us about their own self-interest is something Chuck and others applaud as heroic. This is how twisted their morality has become. They want the world run purely and simply from a dictatorial position, and anyone who doesn't play ball gets offed. No rule of law. No moral code other than might makes right. This is the voice of the "moral majority" of the right.

The ChuckBush mentality wrote on May 29, 2008 4:36 PM:If you walk down a city street with your young child, and someone comes up to you with a guy, points it at your kid, and says, "Your wallet or I shoot the kid". You hand him your wallet. This was entirely your choice and doing. The mugger had nothing to do with it. Yep, that's neocon morality all right. They not only want to get to be bullies and criminals, but they also want us to believe they are morally innocent. Incredible.

Floyd wrote on May 29, 2008 4:38 PM:Roger at 12:36, you're definitely not ready for AM radio. You can't just take a few words out of context, and leave it at that. You need to tell us what Reardon really meant by that, and then take redundant phone calls from loyal listeners regurgitating what you just told them.

Keep working at it.

Right you are Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 4:41 PM:How many times have people posted here with a version of the very simple question: a couple is entitled to many benefits under the law only if they are of opposite sexes: how do you justify that under the equal protection clause? And no matter how many times we ask for a rational answer to that question, the loyal opposition simply will not do it. They'll talk about all kinds of other things from polygamy to child marriages to getting hitched to a duck. But they will not address that simple question. We are seeing that mindset, that does the same kind of nonsense in so many areas, so clearly in this very simple and basic question. Change the subject. Bring in fear or absurd exaggerations. Try to claim that we are a democracy so the mob's will rules. Anything but actually facing up to that question. Cowards. They won't admit they are wrong, but they also refuse to show how they are right.

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 5:03 PM:Well, "DD Wiz" at 4:16PM, I am not a liberal, I am a Libertarian. In my 2:53PM post I said that I was making my "one post as "Floyd" for "post as Floyd" day" and, after the basic message, I signed off in my usual way. While we have both had someone impersonate us maliciously upon occasion, I was up front about what I was doing, not at all underhanded or with intent to deceive. Regards, Alf.

Cluck wrote on May 29, 2008 5:04 PM:Well I'll take a stab at what might be more hateful than fleecing the Ayatollah or helping freedom fighters. Lots of things actually. Conservatives who blame liberals for everything while taking no "personal responsibility" for anything, for starters. Conservatives who still think Ollie North is an American Hero. Their American Hero who went behind the back of their Senile Hero, only way I can believe he had no idea actually, and illegally(WHAT PART OF ILLEGAL DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND) funded these "Freedom Fighters." Actually today I believe they call them "insurgents" or "terrorists". Oh well, one man's freedom fighter is another man's suicide bomber. Let's see, what else is more hateful to a liberal; revisionist and apologist conservatives who know that McClellans book is all true; we've all known it for years, and just don't care. It is absolutely hateful to to liberals to think that people will put ideological dogmatic worldview ahead of the truth. And those who would sell out my freedoms which conservatives are determined to do.

Floyd wrote on May 29, 2008 5:23 PM:Well, "DD Wiz" at 4:16 PM, get over it.

Oh Please wrote on May 29, 2008 5:38 PM:Reardon[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 3:25 PM
Reardon usually just blames the liberals for the shortage of food in poorer countries. Now, he uses the term, left or leftist. So, how about it? Please the leftist individuals or organization to which you ascribe this calamity? Is it the UN? If so, who else deserves the acrimony?

Alf wrote on May 29, 2008 5:40 PM:Huzzah! The NCT letters from the 23rd as well as their comments are back in the archives. The NCT letters from the 28 are back, but not with the original comments and the NCT letters from the 22nd as well as their comments are still nowhere to be found, yet. Regards, Alf.

DD Wiz wrote on May 29, 2008 5:51 PM:The post from "Alf" (5:03pm) defends stooping to "Floyd's" level (after "Floyd" had suggesting using someone else's screen name today) because he is a Libertarian, not a liberal.
I'm cool with that, "Alf."
I was addressing liberals.
I don't ask non-liberals to aspire to the same standards as liberals :-)
Hope you enjoyed "post as 'Floyd' Day."
Hope you'll understand why I didn't join in.

Reardon wrote on May 29, 2008 5:57 PM:The original concept of a library was to dispense knowledge -- and initially "books" were on chains and had to be read in place. In the US, good old Ben Franklin began our library system, but when it comes to dispensing knowledge, we now have VASTLY more purveyors of knowledge than just libraries. In fact, libraries are America's Quiet Zone, a country club for those who have no country club.

I love books -- so much so that my wife has declared that each new book requires a book must go -- but I have Barnes & Noble and Borders and if I am particularly lazy, Amazon.com. Strangely enough those are not elitist places -- everyone can go, or order on-line!

Most people I know, can afford subscriptions to newspapers and magazines -- so do we REALLY need a library in Rancho Bernardo, or Del Mar, or La Jolla, or RSF, or...

Most people own a computer -- and those who don't DO NOT WANT ONE!

Libraries are simply a tax-supported anachronism. Government buggy-whip shops for lovers of buggy-whips!

Oh Please wrote on May 29, 2008 6:07 PM:Reardon[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 3:25 PM:
Now Reardon blames the leftists of the world for the food prices and alleges taht they are responsible for the hunger. Its a straw mans argument. He is also aware the
increase of meat in China and other nations, droughts worldwide, the commodity market, the future's market, the supply and demand of the international market, the oil crisis and the desire of American grain farmers to get more for their labor and product then just break even all contribute to the food crisis. OOPS. Ethanol is only a partial reason. Leftists and Liberals do not control the weather, the profit motive, international weather or the diets of the Chinese. LMAO. Reardon continues his ridiculous conservative ploy. He continues the tactic of repeating the lie until it is believed. Reardon insults the intelligence of the blog members. Why? It is because he does not believe that we have the intelligence to discern his misrepresentations and false allegations.

Too Bad So Sad wrote on May 29, 2008 6:35 PM:I do understand why Chuck is increasingly bitter and nasty to everyone. His beloved neocon world is crumbling about him. It must be quite the shock.

Karl wrote on May 29, 2008 6:39 PM:Alf @ 11:42

Alf my friend,
I was also busted last year for driving to Vons. I got off with a warning. I seriously can't wait until I am pulled over again. What can it cost me $100? $200?. I will plead poverty. Poor me with no job and no chances for one since I'm an old fart. Whoa is me. Thank god I have 2 electric carts. Alf, here's a challenge, your "lawn tractor" against my "electric powered" DD Whiz approved golf cart. Are you in? I hope we can get Double D's and Chuck to drop the flag. In the event of a tie deviled eggs reign supreme.

Buck up Alf, let's go.

Floyd wrote on May 29, 2008 6:46 PM:What we need is less meddling by government in our daily lives (except for Terri Schiavo where government needs to drop their important investigation of steroids in major league baseball and meddle up a storm), lower taxes (for the rich) and more freedom (except for habeas corpus, which is hard to spell anyway).

Every day should be "Post as Floyd Day".

Karl wrote on May 29, 2008 6:52 PM:What's up my friends? I have been out of the jungle for days and days. It appears that nothing has changed. I spent the weekend as a proud papa watching my sperm graduate from SJSU. Can't this forum move on? As far as the days missed on the LTTE who give's a rats hind end? NACRME I love all you folks especially A and R. Rock out with your conscious out. Chris, I love you man but please lighten up my friend.

Invitation wrote on May 29, 2008 7:13 PM:I could write this every day, but let me offer an invitation to anyone reading our little blog space. Read the conservative posts of Chuck, Ron, Reardon, etc. Read the liberal posts. Then, trying to be as objective as possible, make some judgments about the content of the posts of each side. Which side has more logic? Facts? Straightforward questions? Humility? Which side invents fictions? Name-calls more? Which is more crude? Rude? Which promotes dialogue more? I leave it up to you to decide for yourselves.

dna wrote on May 29, 2008 7:21 PM:Since when does ones DNA give them the right to certain real estate? We are all from Africa originally and yes - that DOES mean we were all black once. I don't think that makes it right for us to invade Africa. Very strange thinking, Dolores.

To Karl wrote on May 29, 2008 7:25 PM:Re your sperm graduating? Way TMI. Congratulations anyway. :)

DD Wiz wrote on May 29, 2008 7:27 PM:The posts from "Karl" (6:39pm and 6:52pm) merit a response:
Yes, your electric transport clearly, definitely, is "DD Whiz" and "Double D" approved.
And congrats on the kid graduating from SJSU.
My daughter graduated from CSUSM on May 17 and, because the university is one of my long-time contracts, I arranged to work the graduation and was able to be on stage and give her a hug onstage as she took her diploma. Got the pix to prove it.
Life is great in SUNNY (free electricity) Escondido!
We need to get together for a brew one of these days.
"Alf" (who knows everyone) knows how to reach me :-)

Floyd The Scientist wrote on May 29, 2008 7:32 PM:Thank you to all who joined the fun in "post as Floyd" day, an effort to demonstrate that sometimes we take ourselves too seriously.

Focal Point wrote on May 29, 2008 7:43 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 9:13 AM: My opinion regarding a return to debate and an official Declaration of War still stands. Your extrapolation into what Obama offers and what he will do is all personal conjecture without any credulity or veracity. But you are entertaining. I like your quip about the handicap sign and Alfs mobile mower.

Reardon wrote on May 29, 2008 7:52 PM:Greenenergy: Make you a deal – meet me at any nice eatery of your choice, and if you arrive there in a vehicle entirely built and entirely powered by ”solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric and hydrogen fuel cells,”(each is the liberals preferred source of power as proposed by you at 4:01), I’ll buy you the finest meal in the house

Deal?

Focal Point wrote on May 29, 2008 8:03 PM:Karl[-] wrote on May 29, 2008 6:39 PM:
Now that is a race worth seeing. What will the winner receive? Devil eggs anyone?

Reardon wrote on May 29, 2008 8:06 PM:Whatever you think of the candidates or the press, an exhaustive study of the treatment of each of them has been made by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Joan Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University.

Obama got 69% favorable coverage, Hillary got 67% favorable coverage, and John McCain got 43% favorable coverage.

to Don Peck wrote on May 29, 2008 8:50 PM:I would like to relate that I have personally witnessed San Marcos sheriffs deputies use unnecessary force against innocent bystanders to a bar fight. They have a hard job, but they're not all professional all the time and critizising their mistakes when they happen should be OK.

Observation wrote on May 29, 2008 9:03 PM:ARMY SUICIDE RATE:
"WASHINGTON (AP) - Army soldiers committed suicide in 2007 at the highest rate on record, and the toll is climbing ever higher this year as long war deployments stretch on. At least 115 soldiers killed themselves last year, up from 102 the previous year, the Army said Thursday. Nearly a third of them died at the battlefront - 32 in Iraq and four in Afghanistan. But 26 percent "had never deployed to either conflict."

poster girl wrote on May 29, 2008 9:10 PM:I'm just trying to figure this board out, you guys all have to much time on your hands. I couldn't keep up with you bloggers if I tried. LOL.....guess I'll just leave it there

Floyd or Chuck wrote on May 29, 2008 9:30 PM:I dont think I need to post under Floyd's name. I doubt it would be very hard to figure out who wrote it, anyway

Greenergy wrote on May 29, 2008 10:57 PM:Reardon at 7:52 p.m. continues to ignore the substance of posts he is unable to respond to, and keeps trying to make serious general issues into personality contests.
Once again, he demands perfection at the expense of incremental progress in the right direction.
The epitome of all-or-nothing extremism.
If I do not have a car that is entirely built and entirely powered by clean renewable, then I am no different than the worst gas guzzler who isn't even trying to move things in the right direction.
He ignores my actual points: the technology is there NOW for plug-in hybrids powered primarily by solar electricity, with range extension from engines powered by either fuel cells or biodiesel (not to be confused as Reardon usually does with ethanol).
This technology is available NOW and, if subsidies and tax breaks for oil companies are transferred to these clean, renewables, they could be built and marketed in the short term immediate future.
Oh, but Reardon taunts and ridicules and says they're not here yet.
That is because obstructionists like Reardon have not helped moved the Big Oil subsidies and tax breaks (corporate welfare) from pollutionists to clean alternatives.
When that happens, the change will occur.
It hasn't happened yet.
Because of obsturctionists like YOU.
OOPS.

to Reardon wrote on May 30, 2008 7:31 AM:I guess the study of the media coverage of the candidates proves that the Democratic candidates are superior to the Republican candidate, and that Obama is a little bit superior to Hillary. I'm joking of course, but Reardon, what DOES it prove? You might say this is proof of bias, but that's only true if you assume the truth is that all should get identical scores. Why should that be? I recall similar studies of the press coverage of the run-up to the Iraq invasion. I don't recall the numbers exactly, but it was in the neighborhood of 95% "pro" invasion, 5% anti. Is this "proof" that the mainstream media is conservative or pro-Bush? Tell you what: when the Democrats are done selecting their person and it's that person against McCain, get back to us with the results of the same study at that time.

Apollo wrote on May 30, 2008 7:39 AM:Re: Reardon (8:06 p.m.)
Reardon notes that Obama and Hillary get more "favorable" press coverage than McCain and assumes it implies media bias.
Maybe it just means the press is reporting the facts.
If you look at the 1932 election for chancellor of Germany, if the press reported more favorable coverage for Hindenburg than for Hitler, would you call them biased or accurate?

Submit 9:48 p.m. -resubmit 7:39 a.m.

Reardon wrote on May 30, 2008 8:42 AM:To Reardon and Apollo: Please define where I implied ANYTHING! I reported factual information in a factual manner.

You inferred that I implied. There was not even a hint of preference in my report, because I am a supporter of none of them.

The mind boggles.

Oh Reardon wrote on May 30, 2008 10:13 AM:This is what you always do. Put something out there that, as a court would say, any reasonable adult would read in a certain way. Then, when we DO read it that way and call you on it, you claim to have meant nothing by the post. Who knows, perhaps you were just reporting some random fact that you came upon. But please, in the future, do a better job imagining how the average reader will interpret what you are saying. That's a critical part of being an effective, mature, communicator. Sheesh. And, in addition, since I am "to Reardon", can you point to anything in MY post that says that you believe anything in particular? I ask you, in that post, what it proves. I say that you might think it shows bias, but that this would be erroneous. If you actually read my post, you'll see that you did, at 8:42, exactly what you accuse me of doing. But let me say it now: I DO think you posted this to make a point about bias in the media. Am I wrong? OK, so why DID you post it? What WAS your point?