Reardon wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:10 AM:As if to prove that the electronic version of the NCTimes is not ready for prime time, the letters were posted half a day late today, and all of the letters in the print version are not included.

Worse yet, those letters that are here now, are incomplete. Compare the print version of “Patriotic Americans smeared” above with the print version and you will see that an entire long paragraph was omitted above. My clue was “Finally...” in the letter above, which is badly out of place for such a short letter, so I checked and indeed the print version is much longer!

I have not checked which ones are missing, but the print version has 12 Letters, and the electronic version has 9.

Diogenes wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:30 AM:Mark Van Aelstyn’s letter is typical over-the-top Minuteman style. They always refer to themselves as “patriotic”. If they say it enough, maybe somebody will believe it. But here’s a new one: “the popular nationwide Minuteman secure-borders movement”. Popular, eh? Is that why Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter did so well in the Republican primaries, and John McBush - the candidate of “comprehensive immigration reform”- won? The Minutemen always say whatever they like, but it doesn’t make it true. The Southern Poverty Law Center has been well respected for decades for their work suing and monitoring the KKK, American Nazi’s, Tom Metzger and his White Aryan Resistance, and other violent, white supremicist organizations. SPLC’s founder, Morris Dees, has been favorably profiled on 60 Minutes and other TV shows, magazines, newspapers, etc. Google them and you'll see that Mr. Van Aelstyn’s comments have absolutely no basis in reality.

to Reardon wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:31 AM:It's an imperfect world, Sherlock. Stuff happens. Get over it.

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:34 AM:The news is reporting that Senate Republicans block proposal to tax oil industry's profits. I cant believe the moron liberals want to raise taxes that will be immediately passed on as higher gas prices. The liberals are out to destroy the economy and jobs, and spineless McCain will wont say squat about it

yadda yadda wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:35 AM:Reardon[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:10 AM:
You are correct. Furthermore, the comments for today are all missing. NCT is making for a real turn down day for the bloggers.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:36 AM:Well, "Reardon" at 10:10AM, although the number of letters has been corrected, we both as well as many others have noted that the recent "improvements" are exactly the opposite. Maybe their next "improvement" will be to set their website to 150 baud (for those who don't remember or know what the term "baud rate" means, it is bits per second, not bytes per second. There are 8 bits in a byte, one byte is one character, the letter "b" is 8 bits). Regards, Alf.

yadda yadda wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:36 AM:to Reardon[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:31 AM: There is always some who has a smart mouth but a dullard brain. Reardon can make an observation or complaint. You get over it.

yadda yadda wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:38 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:34 AM:
I thought it was attempting to get a gas holiday? At least, McCain does not hold hands with a Saudi prince.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:39 AM:Ollie North is my hero. If you believe that, I have some Florida Everglaciers for sale, just for you. Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:42 AM:Well, "Diogenes" at 10:30AM, how right you are. If sdmm and their type of "group" are patriots, I'm the President of the United States. Regards, Alf.

Explaining Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:43 AM:You all fail to understand that Chuck does not speak English in the commonly used way. When Chuck says "liberal" he means a certain way of thinking. I've tried to figure out what it means. I know for sure that it stands for anything Chuck doesn't personally like or agree with. And it's associated with being unmanly (in the phony John Wayne, Dirty Harry sense). It doesn't refer to actual people. So, for example, when Bush chooses not to drill, Bush is being a "liberal" no matter what he does or how he feels about anything else. In this way, pretty much everyone becomes a "liberal" for Chuck (e.g., he has referred to the brass in the Pentagon as "liberals" because they don't fight wars viciously enough for Chuck). The only person who is not "liberal", in other words, is Chuck, the only real man left in the once-proud USA.

But Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:54 AM:Ollie North really IS a hero to many self-styled "patriots". There is always some portion of the population that sees the world as one of perpetual warfare. It's paranoid, I know, but it seems these folks' minds were shaped somewhere in elementary school, "playing army" or maybe dealing with an authoritarian father..who knows? Anyhow, these folks love the Ollie Norths. Men who put themselves above the law for a higher and secret military purpose. Reagan was that way as well in many respects. Nixon. Cheney. You know the type, the "heroes" who destroy America in order to fantasize saving her. Every nation has these people, but at present we are one of the few in the world that are actually RUN by such. Cuba. Venezuela. Burma. Some African countries. Hopefully, this phase of our life as a nation will end soon. Let's pray.

Greenergy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:00 AM:Letters from Phyllis Hassinger and Lowell Dunn start off today's column with well-intentioned naivete.
Hassinger repeats the old "inside the box" thinking that the way to solve our energy problems is to do more of what got us into our current crisis in the first place. As DDWiz pointed out yesterday, when you're in a hole, stop digging!
The way out of the hole is energy from clean, renewable sources that are now available, and electric cars that utilize these sources.
She also fails to note the real causes of high prices, which are the Bush monetary policy, the war in Iraq, and resistance to use of alternative sources that would reduce demand for oil.
The letter from Lowell Dunn wrongly blames Democratic support of ethanol for food shortages. He does not seem to realize that, like other alternative energy sources, ethanol has been an idea some have touted, but it has not actually been utilized on a wide enough scale to actually contribute to food shortages, which are the result of many other short-term policy failures. Nor does he seem to understand that some in the grip of Big Agriculture (mostly Republicans - as if the Democrats even had enough votes to override vetoes or block filibusters) have promoted ethanol instead of the superior (and cleaner) recycled cooking oil into biodiesel or, even better, electric cars powered by alternative sources.
Those like the Wiz who prove every day the practicality of such alternatives are the ones showing the way out of the petroleum-based energy disaster.

Reardon wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:06 AM:The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the new Democratic initiatives in Congress (cap-and-trade global warming bill, farm bill, the housing bailout bill, the clean water bill, and the school construction bill) ALL have a built-in bow to unions in that they each contain the Davis-Bacon Act provision.

In effect, each bill demands that “prevailing wage” be paid, or more accurately “prevailing UNION wages” be paid – and that adds significantly to the cost of EVERYTHING.

The Heritage Foundation studied the issue, and for example, in Nassau-Suffolk,New York, the usual wage for a Brickmason is $25.50 an hour, while Davis-Bacon requires a minimum $49.67 an hour!

Can you say “Pork?” Can you say “Buying votes?” Can the Congress ever say "NO!" to spending other people's money?

Floyd The Techie wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:12 AM:One baud is one character consisting of ten pulses: a start bit, seven data bits, and two stop bits. It can be adjusted to eight data bits with one stop bit if you're using an 8-bit code (like EBCDIC) instead of ASCII (which is a 7-bit code). In modem usage, 300 baud is: 300 tones per second, 30 characters per second, or 210 ASCII data bits per second. In other words, it's not just "bits per second" due to the overhead involved. (Hi, Reardon!)

Observation wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:13 AM:Kucinich Introduces Articles of Impeachment
POSTED June 9, 8:38 P

Tommy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:17 AM:Greenenergy has the right idea about getting out of the hole we've dug ourselves into, but gets it wrong. We have placed our own oil supplies off-limits, which means we have to buy it from others. Keeping our own supply off-limits is another way of digging the hole deeper. To help solve our self-inflected energy crisis, eliminate the restrictions on domestic oil production.

Marky Marx wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:25 AM:Peggy Hart….you so rock chick. Your right to chooooooze and be gay will be protected by Obama. And everything you’ve ever wanted will be given to you….FREE. Also, he’ll impose win-fall taxes on Big Oil just like the best ever President, Carter did, which worked out really well. He’ll also drastically downsize our military and “swiftly and judiciously” remove our boys from Iraq which “will save lives from death”. HOW COOL IS THAT?!! Power to the Peeps!

To Mark Van Aelstyn Sr. wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:36 AM:You protest to much!!!

Joseph wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:43 AM:To Tommy and the others on this board who keep claiming that we have placed our oil supplies "off-limits. An Associated Press computer analysis of Bureau of Land Management records found that 80 percent of federal lands leased for oil and gas production in Wyoming are producing no oil or gas. Neither are 83 percent of the leased acres in Montana, 77 percent in Utah, 71 percent in Colorado, 36 percent in New Mexico and 99 percent in Nevada

sdraoul wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:47 AM:Thanks to Senate Republicans for blocking another huge increase in gas prices that would come about if Democrats had their way.

How in the world do they think that putting a huge "windfall" profit tax on oil companies (all American companies combined total only 6% of the industry) will do anything but raise prices.

Since when do corporations swallow tax increases and not pass them on to the consumer?

What Democrats and other whiners don't understand is that for many oil companies mott years are barely break even years.

Now, with record profits they can spend more money on exploration and alternate fuel research for future implementation.

What Obama and others with a "community organizing" mind-set don't understand is the free market economy.

Organizing street protests in Chicago and Harvard Law seems not to have done much to educate Obama on how America really works.

hardtack wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:50 AM:Greenergy: I believe the blogmaster spiked the end of your last sentence @ 11:00 AM.
Shouldn’t it read: “. . . the ones showing the way out of the petroleum-based energy disaster (that exists some minds).”

Vista Granny wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:54 AM:The web version of the NCTimes is awful. I have an older MAC which works beautifully every place but here. The New York Times on line is what a newspaper on line should be. Easy to navigate, and things are not jumping, swirling, making noise, unfolding, etc. etc. Also, they must be having trouble keeping good help since things are never quite right.

Floyd wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:56 AM:Right you are that Dennis Kucinich has introduced articles of impeachment against George Bush. According to the San Francisco Examiner (which has a video of Kucinich introducing the articles of impeachment), a new nationwide poll shows that 34% believe Bush should actually be impeached, down from 39% in May of 2007. In the liberal view of the world, this downtrend represents a groundswell of public opinion. With logic like that from the extremist Democrats, it's no wonder we've got a dysfunctional government working against our best interests.

Frankie wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:57 AM:I just re-read Joan Horn's May 30 letter, and it merely points out that there are some violent, hard-core racists involved in the anti-immigrant movement. That's what SPLC does, monitor what violent, hard-core racists are doing these days. Of course that doesn't mean that every Minuteman is one of those, or that every Minuteman group is "infected". But it does explain SPLC's conclusion that anti-Latino hate crimes are up, even though, if Mark Van Aelstyn is to be believed, there has been a drop in hate crimes overall. And it seems to explain why Van Aelstyn and a previous writer are so anxious to distance sdmm from this Laine Lawless (sic) person who apparently "runs her own small group in Arizona, which has no ties to the Minutemen". The question is, why are these writers trying so hard to discredit SPLC, deny that hate crimes against Latinos is up, and deny that violent, hard-core racists have jumped on the anti-Latino bandwagon?

Tommy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:04 PM:I like the way Joseph ignored the issue of opening restricted land to oil recovery by discussing nonrestricted land. Hello! Please try to stay on-topic! Removing the barriers to our known reserves will allow for oil exploration and recovery to occur. This will reverse the relentless rise in fuel prices that is damaging our economy and hurting the poor.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:08 PM:The price at the corner gas station (that begins with an S) in Encinitas was $4.39.9 on Sunday, it is now $4.59.9! Two days, twenty cents increase! Regards, Alf.

Greenergy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:11 PM:No, it is Tommy at 11:17 a.m. who gets it wrong on energy.
Oil is the problem, not the solution!
We do not need more drilling.
We need to invest in developing the vast free resources of sun, wind, geothermal and others.
Of course, the oil companies don't want you to understand this. When you get free, natural, renewable energy, they don't make money. They don't want to kill the golden goose. They will do anything or say anything (or pay anyone else to say it) to prevent real solutions to ending our dependence on oil.
Too bad so many (including poor Hardtack at 11:50 a.m.) have fallen so gullibly to the millions of petrodollars they have spent on their disgusting propaganda.

Ms M wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:11 PM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:34 AM:The news is reporting that Senate Republicans block proposal...yes Chuck remember that statement - Rep. block proposal. You see the dems just don't have enough members to pass anything be it right or wrong in the cons eyes. But that will change come January 2009 with a dem. pres. and dem. congress. Then we can really give you something to complain about.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:14 PM:Well, "Floyd The Techie" at 11:12AM, I knew that someone would provide a more technically accurate answer to my simplified statement. Either way, 300 baud is sssslllloooowwww, just as this site was in the AM today! Regards, Alf.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:20 PM:To answer Lowell Dunns question,
Ron Paul in 2008!!!!!!!!!!!

Focal Point wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:21 PM:Tommy[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:17 AM:
Oh Really! Do you think the American oil companies will be selling American oil to the American people for anything less than the world market value? Naw. They are going to sell if for the world price either to us or on the world market.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:33 PM:Unfortunately, "Greenergy" is the one being naive when it comes to oil and alternative sources of energy.
You see, "Greenergy" as well as others on these blogs seem to believe that Obama and Liberal Democrats are some kind of savior when it comes to leading this Country in the right direction. WRONG!!!!!!!
I have said it before and I will say it again, Obama, Hillary and McCain are all bought and paid for by The Bilderberg Group and the Trilateral Commission. All of the above will allow just enough alternative energy sources to appease the Liberal tree hugging crowd into thinking they are actually doing something about it.
That is the lie! They will never let us stop being controlled by oil, and to think that those in power will let it happen is beyond foolish.

I just told you folks that Hillary and Obama just met the other day in Chantilly, Va. Now why would they meet there and not in D.C, at Hillary or Obamas place?
I find it very alarming that they would go out of their way to meet at the very same time and very same place as The Bilderberg Group, who just so happened to be holding their own meeting in Chantilly, Va.

The amazing thing on these blogs is the Liberal Democrats who are always whining about Conservative Republicans being ignorant and just blindly following along with the Republican Party drivel, are doing THE EXACT SAME THING, but following The Democrat Party dribble like blind little sheep.
You folks need to do some research and start thinking outside the box before it's to late, and that time is not to far off.
Cheers, Nick.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:39 PM:It seems the only thing "Ms M" and other Democrat sheep care about is "giving" it to the Republicans.
I can't seem to decide who is loonier, all these know-it-all, holier than thou Liberal Dems, or the crazy right-wing, Christian Conservatives.
I think we should lock you all in the rubber room and throw away the key.
Both groups are a detriment to this Country and will only help to flush the toilet we are already swirling around in.

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:40 PM:>>>The price at the corner gas station (that begins with an S) in Encinitas was $4.39.9 on Sunday, it is now $4.59.9! Two days, twenty cents increase! Regards, Alf.>>> And the liberals want to raise the gas tax which adds to the cost, and they want to put added taxes on the oil companies, which will be tacked right on to the price of gas. The liberals will do anything possible to destroy this economy and destroy jobs before the election

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:46 PM:>>>Ollie North is my hero. If you believe that, I have some Florida Everglaciers for sale, just for you>>> I personally think it was beautiful how he hosed the liberals in this country by picking the back pocket of their friend, the Ayatollah, and used the money to defeat the socialists thug friends of Ted Kennedy in El Salvador. But I have to admit, I 've never heard of an Everglacier, but I'm relatively certain that Al Goreleone will testify that the Florida Everglaciers would still be there if it weren't for those evil mean corporations

Good Floyd wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:52 PM:I just looked up what the same polls said about Clinton in 1998: 25% thought impeachment was in order. What did you call the Democrats? Extremists? What were the Republicans in the Clinton years? And currently only a few Democrats are calling for impeachment; the Republicans actually went through with it. Who were the extremists, Floyd? You might also check out Clinton's general favorability ratings in the polls during and after impeachment. I believe they were about double Bush's.

What a great day wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:55 PM:Ya-hoo! Reardon is back. So is Marky Marx. And Chuck is steamrolling along. What a great day on the NCT blogeroo. Just like old times. We haven't had this much juvenile name-calling in months!

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:55 PM:>>Right you are that Dennis Kucinich has introduced articles of impeachment against George Bush.>> Gee, what a pity if Bush were to resign. Cheney would become President and pick McCain as his VP. Then Cheney would resign and McCain would pick Condoleza Rice, and off to the convention they go. And if MCCain wants to be Pres, he'd close the borders, flood the markets with as much oil as possible, not only to reduce the price, but to bankrupt the oil speculators and hedge funds, then outlaw ethanol, not only to lower grain prices, but to bankrupt the speculators, then cap it off by jailing Paulsen. He's win by 20 million votes.

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:01 PM:LOL, It's pathetic that an 11% approval rating Congress wants to impeach a president with a 36% approval rating.. The only high crimes and misdemeanors I see are the liberals trying to raise the gas tax, and impose higher income taxes on the oil companies in order to drive the gas up so high, our economy would collapse

John wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:04 PM:Republicans block extra taxes on oil companies - political suicide baby. And bad policy to boot.

yadda yadda wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:04 PM:Floyd[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:56 AM:
Hold On There! The action of one senator hardly represents the views of American liberals who may or may not be members of the Democratic party. Heck with polls. They are rigged by the questions being asked. That is a joke. Dysfunctional government. Sure had one for at least seven years and the latest Congress does not have the over ride in the Senate while the GWB has the veto. The Executive branch does act against the interest of the American people.

yadda yadda wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:09 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:46 PM:
The load of horse manure is here. Olie and his crew sold weapons to our enemy. They didn't pick his pocket. Helped El Salvador. Here is where it really smells.
The government and their rightest gangs murdered and tortured thousands of civilians. It is public historical fact.
Olie and pals got away with it because Regan was asleep at the wheel or was told but just could not remember being told.

Wait just a minute wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:09 PM:McCain says Obama will be bad for business. Could he be worse for business than the recession makers in the republicorn party? No way Jay. From what I have read and heard, many in the business community see Obama as a person who will listen and that they can work with. He also realizes we can't run our country on borrowed money - something the republicans never figured out. If you want to play - you gotta pay.

Greenergy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:11 PM:OH Joy, here we go again - the capricious blog censors skipping over my posts again. Sent this one at 12:11 p.m. and all the ones around it and after are coming on line and mine is omitted.
Second try at 1:11 p.m.

No, I was not wrong - it is Tommy at 11:17 a.m. who gets it wrong on energy.
Oil is the problem, not the solution!
We do not need more drilling.
We need to invest in developing the vast free resources of sun, wind, geothermal and others.
Of course, the oil companies don't want you to understand this. When you get free, natural, renewable energy, they don't make money. They don't want to kill the golden goose. They will do anything or say anything (or pay anyone else to say it) to prevent real solutions to ending our dependence on oil.
Too bad so many (including poor Hardtack at 11:50 a.m.) have fallen so gullibly to the millions of petrodollars they have spent on their disgusting propaganda.

Great plan wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:16 PM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:55 PM:
CHUCK FOR PRESIDENT!!!!

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:18 PM:Tomato, Tomatoe. Why do I strongly suspect that if those tomatoes were grown by a white, Christian, heterosexual farmer, it would have taken the FDA and the bottom feeding lawyers 5 minutes to locate the source. But, since they likely are from Mexico, Guatamala or China, the FDA and liberal media will likely never let it be known where they came from

Patriot wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:25 PM:In a press release dated April 24, 2006, Nancy Pelosi said, "With skyrocketing gas prices, it is clear that the American people can no longer afford the Republican Rubber Stamp Congress and its failure to stand up to Republican big oil and gas company cronies. Americans this week are paying $2.91 a gallon on average for regular gasoline – 33 cents higher than last month, and double the price than when President Bush first came to office." After a year and a half is clear that the new speaker of the House is no more successful than Hastert in reducing gasoline prices. Investigations and hearings have done nothing to help. Where is the bold legislation to move this country off of oil and into renewable energy?

Ms M wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:34 PM:Nick
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:39 PM:It seems the only thing "Ms M" and other Democrat sheep care about is "giving" it to the Republicans. Excuse me Nick but my response was to Chuckie ranting about libs. If this is being a dem. sheep then baaaaaaaaaaaa!

Ms M wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:38 PM:Nick
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:39 PM:...Both groups are a detriment to this Country and will only help to flush the toilet we are already swirling around in. Nick the group that has been in charge is the con group. Get back with the libs in a few years after we clean up the toilet as we have had to do in the past after the con administrations.

Ms M wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:41 PM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:55 PM: And if MCCain wants to be Pres, he'd close the borders...um Chuck, wasn't McCain for the amnesty bill that was proposed by Bush?

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:51 PM:>>>Ms M yes Chuck remember that statement - Rep. block proposal. ... But that will change come January 2009 with a dem. pres. and dem. congress. Then we can really give you something to complain about.>>>> We'll just have to see how many think Uncle Sam needs to tend to each of their needs by opening th freebee cookie jar. Most liberals want the freebees, and the rest are so jealous of those who have more, that they implore the government to tax those who have more, just to even the score

jvc wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:04 PM:How do you impeach a president who is a born-again Christian and goes to church
and gets his direction to lead directly from God, albeit a very rich God?

Thank you to Reardon wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:05 PM:I won $50.00 today betting you would be back. Will do a little toast to you at dinner tonight. Thanks!

Focal Point wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:45 PM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:01 PM: The price for gas is going to increase with or without a windfall tax. Consequently, our economy is endangered. The confidence of the American people and credit has sustained the economy. If that confidence even falters, the result will not be a recession but a depression.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:50 PM:Patriot
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:25 PM: The President has had several plans for war. Why doesn't GWB have a plan or at least a suggestion for this crsis? While the American people suffer, His Majesty is enjoying his vacation saying fare thee well to the Europeans.

Greenergy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:58 PM:Patriot at 1:25 p.m.doesn't seem to get the picture on how our government works.
We have three branches of government, and the legislative has two houses. Clear?
Democrats have tried to pass serious legislation, but the same Bush who had rubber stamped the Republican-controlled Congress suddenly found his veto pen. When the Democrats get a Democratic president or veto-proof majority and enough to block filibusters, then we will get things done.

Spreading democracy in the Middle East wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:04 PM:From McClatchy Newspapers QUOTE BAGHDAD - Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed “status of forces” agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country indefinitely.
Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq. Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran. “The points that were put forth by the Americans were more abominable than the occupation,” said Jalal al Din al Saghir, a leading lawmaker from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. “We were occupied by order of the Security Council,” he said, referring to the 2004 Resolution mandating a U.S. military occupation in Iraq at the head of an international coalition. “But now we are being asked to sign for our own occupation. That is why we have absolutely refused all that we have seen so far.” Other conditions sought by the United States include control over Iraqi air space up to 30,000 feet and immunity from prosecution for U.S. troops and private military contractors. The agreement would run indefinitely but be subject to cancellation with two years notice from either side, lawmakers said. “It would impair Iraqi sovereignty,” said Ali al Adeeb a leading member of Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki’s Dawa party of the proposed accord. “The Americans insist so far that is they who define what is an aggression on Iraq and what is democracy inside Iraq… if we come under aggression we should define it and ask for help.” ENDQUOTE Weren't we discussing how humiliation is a great way to turn moderates (or even allies) into enemies? Can you imagine the nerve of Cheney/Bush/McCain to make these kinds of demands on a sovereign nation even as it proclaims it fights for freedom and democracy. And where, in all this talk, is the Congress? Oh, I forgot, Congress doesn't participate in the Bush government unless it's asked to. Clearly, even if Maliki is coerced into signing this, an accord of this type is immoral and illegal. The number of Americans who are ashamed of their country just grows by the day. Terrible.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:31 PM:"Ms M", you don't seem to get it, do you? You seem to believe that just because Republicans have been in charge that things will change by voting in a Democrat...YOU ARE WRONG!
How many times do I have to tell you IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PARTY AFFILIATION.
This is what the Power Elite want you to do. That is why they have so deply entrenched themselves in BOTH Parties.
Wake up "Ms M" and do your homework.
If you think that Obama is the answer JUST because he IS NOT a Republican and a Democrat, then yes, you are just another lamb being led to the slaughter.
I have been putting the TRUTH out there for everyone to see. Don't take my word for it, do a little digging and it will open your eyes. Many folks on these blogs are starting to see the light.
You can too.
Cheers, Nick.

Chuck wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:32 PM:>>>>CHUCK FOR PRESIDENT!!!!>>>>>>>

I second that. You are a very smart person

But Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:38 PM:You keep repeating the same story but have nothing to suggest other than a silly write in vote for Ron Paul, whom many people find very unappealing. Suggestion: instead of framing your message of truth in terms of "either" you vote for a Dem/Rep "or" you see the truth...how about trying a "both" approach. You know full well that either a Dem or a Rep will be our next President. When you assume that, what advice do you have for yourself, with what you know, that you can pass on? That'd be much more useful and interesting. Thanks in advance.

Ms M wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:48 PM:Nick
[-] wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:31 PM:"Ms M", you don't seem to get it, do you? You seem to believe that just because Republicans have been in charge that things will change by voting in a Democrat...YOU ARE WRONG! No Nick YOU ARE WRONG!!!! If a democrat was president with a democratic congress we would have NEVER invaded Iraq. I don't think that when Obama is elected we will wake up and everything is peachy and wonderful - it's going to take years if not generations to get us out of the mess that the cons have made. Our country was doing just fine at the end of Clinton's term even after 8 yrs. of Kenneth Star. The cons have just about destroyed everything great about our country.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:59 PM:Well, "Chuck" at 12:46PM, "Everglaciers" is a made up, nonsensical word, similar to "Snake Oil", neither of which exist, yet. What with climate and polar shift, "Everglaciers" might come into existance in a few hundred thousand years. Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 4:17 PM:Well, "Chuck" at 12:40PM, if those idiots in Detroit AND many of the American consumers had used more than one neuron back over 33 years ago when the "Arab Oil Embargo" hit, there wouldn't be Hummer and big SUV production facilities to shut down. BUT, NOOOO, they refused to see the writing on the wall. Now, there is a Ford commercial that asserts that their quality is as good as the Japanese imports. It took over 30 years to get there and longer to come close to what most of the rest of the world already knew, that oil is a finite resource and we should not waste it. We are finally seeing that, in terms of oil, "money (price at the pump) talks and mule fritters (the attitude that we can be as wasteful as we want) walks". It makes no difference whether you are a "liberal" or a "conservative", 10 gallons of gasoline at the corner station costs $45.99 and the choice is yours whether that 10 gallons gets you 60 miles or 500 miles. Regards, Alf.

Reardon wrote on Jun 10, 2008 4:18 PM:To Thank You...: It depends upon what "back" means. I will, on occassion,post, but will not be engaged in dialog because the posts are not sufficiently rapid or sufficiently reliably posted at all to engage in dialog. (As others have experienced, today.)

But I will post factual and current information -- such as a lawsuit has been filed in LA Federal Court against their notorious Special Order 40.

Also, the previous post mentioned the Davis-Bacon Act -- I forgot that the Farm Bill has already passed and it contained the Davis-Bacon provision FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 75 YEARS OF FARM BILLS!

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 4:23 PM:Well, "Nick" at 12:20PM, I'm with you. I am going to write in Ron Paul. I simply will not vote for the one that offends me the least, I will vote for the most qualified person whose position is one of which I approve and who will obey their Oath of Office. Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 4:38 PM:In his letter, Lowell Dunn asks "Who stands for the average American? Well, "Nick" and I and many others believe that the Libertarian Party stands for the average American and all Americans because it stands for the governing document of this country, the United States Constitution. Regards, Alf.

Ron wrote on Jun 10, 2008 4:44 PM:I find I need to address, and perhaps "interpret" "Greenergy"
@2:58 PM post.
He says: "Democrats have tried to pass serious legislation..."
Interpretation: Democrats have tried to tax you more.
And further...
"When the Democrats get a Democratic president or veto-proof majority and enough to block filibusters, then we will get things done."
Interpretation: Then we will take ALL of your money. And nobody can stop us.

Albondigas wrote on Jun 10, 2008 4:56 PM:I really like a lot of the Libetarian values. Legalized drugs and expanded civil liberties - whooo-hoo! But the rest of the party platform is a bit too "Law of the Jungle - Dog eat dog" for my tastes. So I'm sticking with the Big O this year. I think he will be a wonderful president - not perfect - but P.D. good. McCain is clearly a dinosaur looking for a fossil bed.

jvc wrote on Jun 10, 2008 5:24 PM:Just heard a Republican congressman
bemoan the fact that his is paying to much in gas to fill his car, pickup
and motorcycle! Why is it that he did not include his boat?

Marilyn wrote on Jun 10, 2008 5:29 PM:Chuck thinks "It's pathetic that an 11% approval rating Congress wants to impeach a president with a 36% approval rating". I think Congress' approval rating would jump much higher if they impeached Bush for his war crimes. People don't like Congress largely because they've been spineless and complicit in the unprecedented crimes of Bush & Co, and the country is going down the toilet while our "leaders" are bogged down in Bush's criminal war.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 5:42 PM:To "But Nick": You pose a very interesting question for me. I will have to think about that for a few. I want to make sure my resonse is thought out and what you are looking for.
I will try to answer it shortly.
Cheers, Nick.

to Alf and Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 5:43 PM:I fully support your right to promote Ron Paul, but to say that he represents the interests of the average American seems a bit ludicrous considering the percentage of Americans who've chosen to vote for him in the primaries. So often, people of a particular philosophy or party are just positive that they really know what's best for everyone else. Well, at the moment, it surely is not the Libertarian philosophy or party. I do wish, however, and I think you two will agree with me, that the parties would be more honest and follow-through with more integrity so that people could at least figure out what each one stands for. Ron Paul did a half-way job of this, which is better than the other guys by far. For example, many polls have shown that when you put actual issues in front of Americans and ask them their preferences, a large majority tend to line up with so-called "liberals". When you add the word "liberal" to the description, they oppose these exact same preferences. This is the stuff I hate, the dishonesty to gain power. The perpetual playing us all for fools. The fact that we allow ourselves to be so played.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:13 PM:You really don't seem to understand the big picture "Ms M" do you? I am far from wrong. You are way to caught up in your Democrat/Republican non-sense.
We still would have invaded Iraq if John Kerry had been President.
We invaded Iraq because Saddam was releasing oil in Euros and was about to flood the market with LOTS of cheap oil VALUED IN EUROS.
Iran is ready to do the same thing. They will flood the market with millions of barrels of cheap oil valued in EUROS. We will be at war with Iran in the very near future, that is for certain.
Do you not understand the dire consequences of oil denominated in Euros to our economy and the falling value of our dollar?
Kissinger made a deal with The Saudis in the 70's to buy all of our oil from them as long as it was denominated in American Dollars and that they used a percentage of the profits to buy our national debt.
I am not trying to pick on you "Ms M", I am trying to help you understand.
This isn't about America losing money, it is about the Power Elite who control The World Bank and The Federal Reserve.
They stand to lose BILLIONS upon BILLIONS if cheap oil valued in Euros is released.
The World Bank controls the price of oil as long as it is denominated in dollars. If not, they have not control, and they will never let that happen.
That is where the Trilateral Commission and The Bilderberg group come into play.
They control whoever is in Office, not "We the People".
Who do you think is going to pick Obamas V.P.?
Top corporate elitist James A. Johnson is going to, that's who.
For the Bilderberg uninitiated, Johnson also selected John Kerry’s running mate John Edwards in 2004 after Edwards had impressed Bilderberg elitists Henry Kissinger and David Rockefeller with a speech he gave at the globalist conflab in Italy that year.
The Bilderberg Group is shaping some of the primary developments in the domestic and geopolitical arena today, particularly in the context of oil prices, which continue to accelerate towards Bilderberg’s target of $200 dollars a barrel.
Like I said "Ms M", I am not trying to pick on you, I am trying to help you understand the big picture and that the whole Political Party thing is a sham. It doesn't matter who is in office, for some one else is pulling the strings.
Cheers, Nick.

Roberto wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:14 PM:The Liberarian party...lol!....and they say we want open borders.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:16 PM:I am with you "Alf". It is high time to take our Country back. We must spread the word and help all those understand the Big Picture.
I am going to continue to keep spreading the truth until all Americans are wise to The Big Con going on in front of our faces by lying Politicians on BOTH sides of the fence.
Cheers amigo, Nick.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:17 PM:I also see that the Blog Eds are up to the same ole' 2-3 hours between posts.
What is the deal?
Care to enlighten us Mr Ed? I know for a fact that I am not the only one who would like an answer to that question.

Sam wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:29 PM:Unbelievable! Today the democrats in the Senate, many of whom are as dumb about economics as those who in this day believe the earth is flat are dumb about geography, actually tried to solve the high gasoline prices by raising taxes on oil companies. They show no understanding of how much of the increase is caused by oil speculators, no understanding of how much the OPEC nations are being paid out of this higher oil, no understanding of the effect on our entire economy of the increase in oil. It is making ocean shipping fuel costs double, it is destroying our air transportation system. It is making asphalt roofing used in most of this country greatly increase in price. It is making concrete increase, it is greatly increasing the cost of repaving blacktop roads and highways, it is increasing greatly the cost of farm products produced with tractors and combines and shipped to market in trucks and trains. It is increasing the price of all the synthetic clothing made from oil, and the price of cotton raised on farms, and the price of wool from sheep. Only about half of the barrels of oil go into fuels. The increase in oil does not just effect motorists at the pump. It is greatly increasing the cost of food. It will soon eliminate the fresh fruit and vegetables shipped here from South America and Australia. Unless we can succeed in getting these "economic flat earth" Democrats out of the senate our economy is doomed. The very idea they can solve the oil and energy problems by raising taxes on oil companies shows their ignorance and lack of fitness for their high positions.

Vista Granny wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:36 PM:I wrote this once before but it wasn't printed. Those of you who want to drill for more oil here must understand that most of the oil available in the continental US is thick and expensive to refine. The wells were capped eons ago, waiting for the price of oil to go over $100 a barrel. They may start pumping now, or try for shale oil, but it won't save you any money. Both solutions mean higher gasoline prices. You might get some oil offshore here in California, but at what price? And that oil in Alaska you seem to want -- I understand there's not enough there to last a year. BTW, I've heard that much of our Alaskan oil actually goes to Japan. True? I don't know. Do you?

sdraoul wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:56 PM:Hey, Yadda Yadda, how did you manage not to find this story in your allerged google of Barack Obama and Saul Alinsky?

While it is true that Barack arrived after Alinsky died, he was recruited, trained and paid $13,000 a year to rile up blacks in Chicago with Alinsky's communist methods.

"Seventeen years later, another young honor student was offered a job as an organizer in Chicago. By then, Alinsky had died, but a group of his disciples hired Barack Obama, a 23-year-old Columbia University graduate, to organize black residents on the South Side, while learning and applying Alinsky's philosophy of street-level democracy. The recruiter called the $13,000-a-year job "very romantic, until you do it."



Washington Post, March 25, 2007:

sdraoul wrote on Jun 10, 2008 7:07 PM:Poor DD (Dinosaur Dinosaur) he couldn't help himself and had to criticize me because my published work in the LA Times -- three times since March.

His criticism--My work didn't appear in the print edition these three times; it appeared in the Online Edition.

Weel, I jsut read that the owner of the Times, Sam Zell has fired many staff reporters and editors at the Chicago Tribune and ordered that it carry 50% ads and 50% news.

Why, because like all newspapers, the print editions are losing circulation and are shrinking.

The same is happening at the LA Times. Last I heard over a 100 editorial and management people have been let go. Reason: The print edition is tubing.

THE ONLY PART OF THE TIMES THAT IS HOLDING IT'S OWN AND, IN FACT, IS GROWING IN READERSHIP IS THE ONLINE EDITION.

Moreover, it can be and is read world wide whiule the print edition is available in limited areas of California and used to print 3000 copies in Washington D.C.

So, Dinosaur Dinosaur, my work is read by a growing cohort of people while the print edition is being ignored.

To Reardon wrote on Jun 10, 2008 7:08 PM:Playing Bill Clinton, are you? "It depends on what you mean by "back". No, it doesn't. You said (twice now) that you would no longer post here and gave your farewells. This last time you about gave jvc a broken heart as he pined for you day after day. But as last time, here you are again. I have no problem with that, you are welcome here. Just sayin', didn't believe you last time and won't believe you next time. That's cool though. No one expects accurate information from you. Except for maybe jvc.

Ronson wrote on Jun 10, 2008 7:38 PM:Re: Cheaper gas
Drill in the U.S. Great Idea, just one problem; who's going to do the drilling? That's right, the oil companies. Need I say more?

hardtack wrote on Jun 10, 2008 7:57 PM:Alf, I applaud your statement @ 4:23 PM: “I simply will not vote for the one that offends me the least, I will vote for the most qualified person whose position is one of which I approve and who will obey their Oath of Office.”

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost." – John Quincy Adams

In my young years, I had a perennial golf partner – a very successful, wise lawyer.
We usually talked about golf or women. But, on the one occasion that we talked politics, he confided in me that he never voted. I was shocked.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because one vote doesn’t matter,” Herman said.

“What if everyone had your attitude?”

Herman answered: “Then I’d vote.”

After I thought about what Herman said for two months, I decided that he was right. A person has a better chance of winning the Super Lottery than deciding an election. Moreover, with everyone voting party line, there is nothing left but “evil” and “the lesser evil.”

I’m pushing 80 and I see the country going into the latrine. It’s time for Atlas to shrug.
Like Alf, I’m writing in “Ron Paul” and letting the chips fall where they may.

Somebody’s grand-kids, and their grand-kids, are going to have a big mess to clean up if our only choice is Obama or McCain – in my opinion.

Floyd wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:15 PM:Ms M says that if a Democrat had been in office around 9/11, we would never have invaded Iraq. That's what happened when Bill Clinton was in office -- attacks against America were ignored so the aggressors got progresively bolder until they tried to take out one of our Navy vessels during refueling operations. President Bush took that war back to the Middle East where the attacks were coming from and we've been safer and more secure as a result.

Nick wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:35 PM:I take it back. It is now 8:34pm and the last post was "Alf's" at 4:38pm.
What is the prolem with you folks Mr Ed?
4 hours between posts. Does the NC Times need to hire more help?

Focal Point wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:20 PM:Spreading democracy in the Middle East Gee. I thought a UN mandate had to be extended by the UN not the US. No treaty should be negotiated. We need to get lock stock and barrel out of Iraq/ The proposed treaty makes Iraq into a client state instead of an occupied state. No American military bases are needed in Iraq. And while we are at it. There are about 120 world wide American bases that need closing.

Who-Cares wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:53 PM:To Alf, We already know you thik you are so superior to us mere mortals, but you do not need to end every post by repeating who you are, it's redundant, we already know who it is by title. Regards, Who-Cares.

So Alf wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:00 PM:Now that summer is upon us, don't you find that fuzzy suit a little warm? You can respond with something clever like, Oh, I was never told that one before, or better yet, Don't.

Cry Baby Buddy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:08 PM:I want to be a Reardon "Cry Baby Buddy", I did not get a lot of my posts in yesterday either. Do I get my money back? Oh, Thats right. IT'S FREE!!!!

To Reardon wrote on Jun 11, 2008 4:14 AM:If you had a life, you wouldn't be aware of when NCT commented on anything! Big fish - small pond. LOL... There is life beyond this rag.

Conspiracy Theorist wrote on Jun 11, 2008 6:49 AM:First submitted 5:07 p.m. -
2nd submission 9:28 p.m. -
3rd submission next day at 6:49 a.m.

Nick at 12:33 p.m., and in numerous posts of recent days, continues his ranting and raving about the dreaded Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Not only that, but this time he actually tries to connect it somehow to Greenergy's posts about the solutions for the oil problem.
No one except oil company stockholders can deny there is a problem.
At least Greenergy offers long-term solutions.
All Nick offers, repeatedly, is a bunch of paranoid, tinfoil-hat conspiracy theorizing!
The CFR is a discussion group - an elite debating society - that encompasses elites from both parties and a wide range of viewpoints. It is a toothless tiger, a chance for people of high strata to come together and express themselves candidly over tea and crumpets. Just about everyone of any stature is a member. It means nothing. About the worst you could call them is that they are elitists.
Nick, if you are going to imagine something evil and sinister about a harmless debating society, you are going to have to actually post some substantive basis for it, not just another in your multi-part screeds practically lifted verbatim from the raving lunacy of John Birch Society literature.
No one reads such wild ravings, because there are few who really take these unsubstantiated rants with the least bit of seriousness.
We are more concerned with the loss of life in war, damage to our environment and climate, and the loss of civil liberties at the hands of the office holders who are closest to the right-wing views from which these insane, extreme delusions emanate.
Your posts are really not worth the effort to respond to, but I'm just tired of these long, rambling, pointless, multi-part, unsubstantiated posts coming day after day, and then whining when some of the blog editors understandably tire of wading through it.

Yokozuna to Who Cares wrote on