Apollo wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:51 AM:Re: Chuck Hagen (letter)
Chuck may not ask why a mosquito or pit bull bites or cancer attacks, because he is the front line soldier, the grunt, whose job it is to follow orders and respond. He is not the policy maker.
But I can assure you, the vector control specialists, manufacturers of insect repellent, animal trainers, animal control officers, and those researching how and WHY cancer develops and grows and who develop the radiation and medical regimens Chuck promises to comply with very aggressively - the policy makers - do indeed ask "why" and invest extensive study, research and funds into the process.
In like vein, the soldiers on the ground in Iraq (which had nothing to do with Osama or the war on terror) and Afghanistan (which did), do not ask questions as to why.
Those in the White House, who formulate policies of international relations and military action, should.
(And when/if the do, they should answer them honestly.)

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:06 AM:Hagen has it exactly right, and certain area over there should feel some global warming, say 10,000 degrees. The planet was made to be a civilized place to live, so, as the liberals cheer as their friends blow up another hospital, market square, orphanage, clinic or police station, I prefer they be terminated

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:18 AM:>>>Mr. McCain has given up the right to be judged on his own merits and history.>>> Well, Mrs Carmel, maybe you can tell us all about the merits and history of Hussein Obama. Maybe you can inform us of his great accomplishments, and why he should be handed a vehicle to launch his brand of pure Marxism on America.

Spreading democracy in Iraq cond wrote on Jun 13, 2008 6:59 AM:From today's NY Times QUOTE BAGHDAD — Iraq’s negotiations with the United States on a security agreement governing America’s long-term involvement in the country are at an impasse because America’s demands infringe upon Iraq’s sovereignty, the country’s prime minister said Friday.

The comments were the first by the prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, in which he explicitly detailed the main points of contention between the United States and the Iraqi government on the security agreement, which would authorize American forces and operations in Iraq after a United Nations mandate expires at the end of the year.

In a meeting with newspaper editors in Jordan, Mr. Maliki said the current draft of the agreement was unacceptable. “The American version of the agreement infringes hugely on the sovereignty of Iraq and this is something that we cannot ever accept,” he said. ENDQUOTE Infringes hugely on the sovereignty of Iraq. How about that. This is what Bush wants. A colony. The right for American contractors to do whatever they wish or are told to do in Iraq, immune from Iraqi law, without requiring the ok of any Iraqis (including their government), permanently. This is our kids "defending American freedom", "spreading democracy and freedom in the Middle East". I suspect it might be time for the Iraqis to toss Bush's armies out on their ears. Does W's arrogance and sense of entitlement have any boundaries whatsoever? Once again: anyone who voted for Bush, especially in 2004, should give up their voting rights for at least a decade. (And McCain says "stay the course")

Oh Please wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:27 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:18 AM: The reason is the alternative, John McBush.

Frankie wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:29 AM:Eric Parish consistently writes the best and most brutally honest letters. I'd like to believe his last sentence, which implies that some higher power will judge the arrogant, criminal conduct of our leaders and the complicity of so many. However, I don't think we'll be judged by anyone except the rest of the world, which already regards us as selfish bullies with no conscience.

Frankie wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:37 AM:Patricia Carmel is right about John McBush, aka George W. McCain.

jvc wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:51 AM:To the story: Inflation rate jumps by the biggest amount in 6 months......
In our so-called free market economy,
when inflation gets high, the Federal Reserve lowers the prime rate. Obviously the low amount at present is not working....will they lower to 0%?
Usually it is lowered to a quarter or half but why not go to 0%? Keep Feds out!

To jvc wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:56 AM:Try googling "stagflation" and you will see we are currently in a very unusual and difficult economic situation.

Alf wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:10 AM:Well, "Oh Please" at 7:27AM, you're forgetting Ron Paul. My vote will be for the best person for the job, Ron Paul, NOT the "lesser of two evils". That vote, along with other people's votes, is a statement. At least I will not take the lazy way out and not vote at all. Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:19 AM:Well, Eric Parish, I do not judge a race by the actions of a few, nor do I judge a country by the actions of a few. I do not believe that, in this time of the internet and instant communication, with well over 60 percent of the American People AGAINST what GWB is doing, other countries and their people judge the People of the United States by the actions of a few sick, twisted and perverse people who are out of touch with reality. I could be wrong, but I doubt it, unless we vote in GWB II aka McCain aka McGWB. Regards, Alf.

Lessons of the ancients wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:20 AM:The ancient Greeks, who invented democracy and philosophy, knew in their deepest hearts that when a person or a society is arrogant, forgets its humble humanity, and oversteps itself, pandemonium and terrible suffering follow. Some see this as punishment from offended Gods, others as karma, others as the natural consequence to narrowminded greed and ambition. When a king or a city went down, the Greeks knew it was arrogance that caused the horrors.

jvc wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:25 AM:Sorry, my earlier story should have read when inflation gets high, the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to put the skids on the economy and
lowers interest rates to expand economy,
therefore our present low interest rate
is used to expand the economy, a condition that is in the inflation mode.

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:25 AM:>>>Patricia Carmel is right about John McBush, aka George W. McCain.>>> Yea, she's right to every liberal who wants the freebee feeding trough wide open. Daddy gave her the money to live in Rancho Santa Fe, and now she wants Santa Hussein to provide whatever else daddy wont

Fair and balance How about desperate wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:28 AM:From the AP QUOTE NEW YORK - Fox News Channel referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama's baby mama" in a graphic on Wednesday, the latest in a trio of references to the Democratic presidential campaign that have given fuel to network critics. The graphic "Outraged liberals: Stop picking on Obama's baby mama" was flashed during an interview with conservative columnist Michelle Malkin about whether Barack Obama's wife has been the target of unfair criticism.
In the past two weeks, Fox anchor E.D. Hill has apologized for referring to an affectionate onstage fist bump shared by the couple as a "terrorist fist jab," and Fox contributor Liz Trotta said she was sorry for joking about an Obama assassination. ENDQUOTE This is just the beginning folks. Look forward to non-stop character assassination, racism, and the rest coming from our "liberal media" and the Republican hacks. It's all they have, so we're in for a whole lot of it. Will Americans say "I've had enough of this kind of nonsense!" by turning those stations off? If only...

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:32 AM:>>>>when inflation gets high, the Federal Reserve lowers the prime rate>> What public school textbook is that economic theory in??
If Bernanke lowers rates again, it will be because Paulsen wants to bail out more of his freinds. Right now, Paulsen has all of his buddies at Chase, Citi, JP Morgan, Merrill, BofA, etc fully engaged in profit recovery through internal hedge fund maipulation of the crude, grain, metal and financial futures markets, and those with credit card ties are being allowed to hammer credit card customers, despite the agreements that the credit card companies made in oreder to make bankruptcies virtually impossible

OBAMACAN wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:39 AM:The capricious blog censor is at it again! I submitted a comment at 5:05 a.m. and other comments posted about the same time went through but mine is skipped over.
Fairness please, blog editor! This is a comment on a printed letter and there is nothing wrong with it!
I have included my e-mail, if something is wrong with this post, please tell me specifically what it is!

Second try at 8:05 a.m.; 3rd try at 8:40 a.m.:
Jack Davis shows an absurdly superficial level of misunderstanding American politics, in his letter claiming there is no difference between McCain and Obama on most issues.
He cites a few issues in which McCain has made some token gestures towards moderate positions, such as climate change, in which McCain gives lip service but avoided casting 22 crucial votes on the issue, but misses the really big issues such as the failed war in Iraq and other international fiascos, or the economy, in which McCain has promises four more years of Bush, since he admits to not understanding the subject.
Nor does Davis mention little things like Bush's tax giveaways to the rich or policies on illegal search, detenention and torture, which he once vigorously opposed, but now has flip-flopped into becoming Bush's pathetic puppet.

Change Me Mommy wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:40 AM:Whenever I hear the word "Change", I envision liberals with their hands out ready to receive what Sugar Daddy Uncle Sam wants to hand them now. As an example, I just heard that now when Billy and Bobby adopt a child, because they tried and tried and tried to have one themselves, and failed, they can both have 2 months paid leave to bond with their new child

Ms M wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:50 AM:Alf
[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:19 AM: I could be wrong, but I doubt it, unless we vote in GWB II aka McCain aka McGWB. Regards, Alf.... I wish that we had a strong third party to change the way our government does business. To cast a vote to make a statement could be a vote for GWB II aka McCain aka McGWB giving us the same that we have had. Obama may not be YOUR choice but he is better than McCain. It is unfortunate that voters are sometimes stuck with choosing between the lesser of two evils, but in this case to elect McCain is suicide and that can happen.

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:56 AM:>>My vote will be for the best person for the job, Ron Paul,>>> My vote will be for Hussein. I believe it is best to vote for a Marxist that is so far out there, that he will create massive gridlock in Washington and thus nothing will get done. The shock doctor is a much better approach, that the slow and continual erodation (is that a word?)of America

Time to watch em again wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:59 AM:Wow, here go the yahoos with their senseless and false propaganda again. Watch 'em at work! Chuck says that Obama will "launch his brand of pure Marxism on America". Pure, yet! Yes in deedy, folks. Vote for Obama and if he wins he will single-handedly transform the USA into something more pure than China under Mao. Really! He really wants to and will if we vote for him! Can you believe this stuff?

Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:02 AM:I hear ya, Jack Davis: "Where is the choice?"
They are nearly identical, except for Iraq & taxes.
Personally, I don't know how John McCain can say he does not support raising taxes, when he supports this farce of Carbon Cap & Trade?

Sadly wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:05 AM:Ron Paul dropped out of the race last night.

Can you imagine wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:05 AM:Wow, if Chuck feels this way about Patricia Camel just for her address, I can only imagine what he thinks about Cindy McCain, the beer heiress. What's that? Cindy's a Republican? Oh, well then I'm sure Chuck feels that Cindy worked her rear end off to get her millions the old fashioned way. LOL

How strange wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:13 AM:Isn't it strange that anyone would accuse the US of having imperial ambitions in the world. Apparently, what Bush wants Iraq to sign onto is an "agreement" that's carefully worded to give the appearance of legality. From the Inter Press Service QUOTE The administration also used such ambiguous language to help the Iraqi government sell the agreement to Iraqi nationalists who object to long-term U.S. bases in their country. Thus as early as last December, Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubayi declared in a television interview, “The Iraqi people reject the presence of permanent bases in Iraq” and reassured Iraqis that the government would not accept such bases “in any form whatever and will not approve, and I believe the Council of Representatives will not approve it.”
As Iraqi sources have now revealed to Western reporters, however, the U.S. has proposed access to dozens of military bases without a time limit that would be technically Iraqi bases but which would actually be fully under U.S. control.The ploy of turning over legal control of U.S. bases to a client regime is one that U.S. administrations had used on at least two previous occasions to get around legal/political problems associated with continuation of U.S. base rights. In the 1973 Paris peace agreement that ended the Vietnam War, the U.S. pledged to dismantle all of its military bases in South Vietnam within 60 days. But it had already secretly transferred the deeds to the bases and equipment to the South Vietnamese government and then had them “loaned back” to the United States. U.S. officials then claimed that there were no U.S. bases to dismantle. Because of nationalist opposition to U.S. military bases in the Philippines, the United States gave nominal “sovereignty” over the bases to the Philippines in 1978 and put a Philippine officer in nominal command of each base, while insisting on U.S. “effective command and control” as well as “unhampered military operations”. ENDQUOTE For those of you who like to complain about Chris Pulse's letters and posts, these aspects of our glorious history fully explain why people like Chris have so much ammunition for their accusations and beliefs. When the US begins to live up to its purported values, I will be first in line to be proud of her. Those values are the best the world has ever seen. Sadly, bitterly, I'm still waiting.

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:15 AM:>>>Sorry, my earlier story should have read when inflation gets high, the Federal Reserve raises interest rates>>> Whoops. Then excuse the shot I took at your original comment (if it gets posted)

Oh Please wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:15 AM:Alf[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:10 AM: Alf, I know you are a strong supporter of Ron Paul. I also know that you will write him in on your ballot. Unfortunately, Ron Paul did publicly end his campaign yesterday.
Alf, I do admire you for your principles.
Regards, Oh Please!

Foclal Point wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:18 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:25 AM Could be right, Chuckie. It just may be time for the people to feed at the government trough After all the rich and the contractors and the war profiters have been doing it for at least for eight years in term of billions of dollars. They have also killed over 4,000 of our military. But, what the heck, got to make a buck. Why do the rich hate the poor?

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:21 AM:The news is reporting that "Wounded U.S. troops at rehab center want to return to Iraq". Those troops best keep their mouths shut. When Murtha, Pelosi, Kennedy, Reid, Turbin and Boxer hear about this, they will be in full body chains by noon.

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:25 AM:Whenever I hear the word "Change", I immediately turn on the TV to see if Hussein is waving his staff, and waiting for the Red Sea or the Mississippi to part, as all the swooning women faint att his very presence

hardtack wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:31 AM:If Jack Davis does, in fact, fail to see a choice between McCain and Obama, he is both right and wrong. Either way, we get bigger government – much bigger – no choice there.

Alexis de Tocqueville (circa 1835), predicted two ways that democratic government will grow dangerously centralized:

(1) “It is chiefly in war that nations desire, and frequently need, to increase the power of central government. All men of military genius are fond of centralization which increases their strength; and all men of centralizing genius are fond of war.

Then, (2) de Tocqueville predicted with phenomenal foresight the power and grip of the welfare state: “Above this race of men stands an immense and tutelary power, which takes upon itself alone to secure their gratifications and to watch over their fate. That power is absolute, minute, regular, provident, and mild. It would be like the authority of a parent if, like that authority, its object was to prepare men for manhood; but it seeks, on the contrary, to keep them in perpetual childhood. . . . For their happiness such a government willingly labors, but it chooses to be the sole agent and the only arbiter of that happiness . . . it facilitates their pleasures, manages their principle concerns, directs their industry, regulates the descent of property, and subdivides their inheritances; what remains, but to spare them all the care of thinking and all the trouble of living?”

Actually, Mr. Davis, we have three choices: Warfare State (McCain), Welfare State (Obama), or Freedom State (Ron Paul or Bob Barr). Unfortunately, twenty-first century Americans seem to find the Freedom State the most frightening option. De Tocqueville was right – we have become the “children” of government.

Another Income Tax wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:45 AM:Hussein annouced today he wants to turn the Social Security Tax into another income tax. He wants Social Security Taxes to apply to every penny of a persons earned income, but, that extra wont be applied to that persons account to raise that persons benefits. That extra amount will go to the freebee hunters and grubbers. So, not only will Hussein raise everyones income tax who earns over $38,000, he wants to turn SocSec into a second income tax and re-distribution scam. I prefer my Soc Security credits go to me,as promised, not to you or money grubber that thinks he's too good to work

Floyd wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:50 AM:Lots of great double-talk in today's article about inflation. It claims that inflation is up 0.6% over last month (that's 7.2% a year, up from less than 2%) unless you ignore market segments where the prices are skyrocketing. In the real world, you can't ignore the rising prices and increased taxes (which are never included in the inflation calculation) because you have to pay them. If you include all of the cost increases we have to pay, you'll probably find the inflation rate exceeds 15%.

The choice wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:55 AM:Jack Davis lists some of the ways that this coming election is good news: both candidates agree on some things that they should agree on. But does that list of agreements mean there's no differences? Hardly. For example, McCain has been a consistent opponent of women's right to choose. Obama is the opposite. McCain was and is a gung-ho cheerleader for the Iraq disaster. Obama has opposed it since the Fall of 2002. McCain opposes the GI Bill, Obama is for it. McCain supports the Bush economic policies. Obama has other ideas that will help people who aren't in the wealthiest 1%. There are many similarities between McCain and Obama, thank goodness. But Oh! those differences!

Glad its working wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:58 AM:The other day a friend of mine put two brand new tires on his rear wheels. Hours later he lost control of his vehicle and crashed the car badly. It was totalled, but he wasn't seriously injured. As he got out of the car, he noticed how the rear tires still had that beautiful new tread. "The tires are working!", he said. That's our surge in Iraq.

BirthControlVendingMachines wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:02 AM:Mr Kim and the liberals now want birth control vending machines. Why?? You can put a hood over your head and walk into any public school or Planned Abortionhood office and grab handfulls of whatever you need. And, if an accident happens at the big Friday night party, just check into one of their clinics and they'll de-babify you and they wont even tell mommy or daddy

Nick wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:06 AM:"Alf" good buddy, Ron Paul is withdrawing from the race, but he is far from done. Check out his website and get on the bandwagon of the Campain for Liberty.
Cheers, Nick.

Nick wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:08 AM:The Campaign for Liberty(Part I).
How many of you on these blogs indentify with these feelings instead of the gibberish from the 2 major parties?

Americans inherit from their ancestors a glorious tradition of freedom and resistance to oppression. Our country has long been admired by the rest of the world for her great example of liberty and prosperity – a light shining in the darkness of tyranny.
But many Americans today are frustrated. The political choices they are offered give them no real choice at all. For all their talk of “change,” neither major political party as presently constituted challenges the status quo in any serious way. Neither treats the Constitution with anything but contempt. Neither offers any kind of change in monetary policy. Neither wants to make the reductions in government that our crushing debt burden demands. Neither talks about bringing American troops home not just from Iraq but from around the world. Our country is going bankrupt, and none of these sensible proposals are even on the table.

This destructive bipartisan consensus has suffocated American political life for many years. Anyone who tries to ask fundamental questions instead of cosmetic ones is ridiculed or ignored.

That is why the Campaign for Liberty was established: to highlight the neglected but common-sense principles we champion and reinsert them into the American political conversation.

The U.S. Constitution is at the heart of what the Campaign for Liberty stands for, since the very least we can demand of our government is fidelity to its own governing document. Claims that our Constitution was meant to be a “living document” that judges may interpret as they please are fraudulent, incompatible with republican government, and without foundation in the constitutional text or the thinking of the Framers. Thomas Jefferson spoke of binding our rulers down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution, and we are proud to follow in his distinguished lineage.

With our Founding Fathers, we also believe in a noninterventionist foreign policy. Inspired by the old Robert Taft wing of the Republican Party, we are convinced that the American people cannot remain free and prosperous with 700 military bases around the world, troops in 130 countries, and a steady diet of war propaganda. Our military overstretch is undermining our national defense and bankrupting our country.

We believe that the free market, reviled by people who do not understand it, is the most just and humane economic system and the greatest engine of prosperity the world has ever known.
Cheers, Nick.

Alf wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:08 AM:The letter from Elizabeth Taylor raises a good question. We are urged (told) to recycle, yet there is a list of things that we cannot put in our recycle bins that is seemingly endless. Plastic grocery bage, plastic newspaper bags, many other plastics, computer monitors (the CRT type) and on and on and on goes that list. Regards, Alf.

Nick wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:09 AM:The Campaign for Liberty (Part II):

We believe with Ludwig von Mises, Henry Hazlitt, and F.A. Hayek that central banking distorts economic decisionmaking and misleads entrepreneurs into making unsound investments. Hayek won the Nobel Prize for showing how central banks’ interference with interest rates sets the stage for economic downturns. And the central bank’s ability to create money out of thin air transfers wealth from the most vulnerable to those with political pull, since it is the latter who receive the new money before the price increases it brings in its wake have yet occurred. For economic and moral reasons, therefore, we join the great twentieth-century economists in opposing the Federal Reserve System, which has reduced the value of the dollar by 95 percent since it began in 1913.

We oppose the dehumanizing assumption that all issues that divide us must be settled at the federal level and forced on every American community, whether by activist judges, a power-hungry executive, or a meddling Congress. We believe in the humane alternative of local self-government, as called for in our Constitution.

We oppose the transfer of American sovereignty to supranational organizations in which the American people possess no elected representatives. Such compromises of our country’s independence run counter to the principles of the American Revolution, which was fought on behalf of self-government and local control. Most of these organizations have a terrible track record even on their own terms: how much poverty have the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund actually alleviated, for example? The peoples of the world can interact with each other just fine in the absence of bureaucratic intermediaries that undermine their sovereignty.

We believe that freedom is an indivisible whole, and that it includes not only economic liberty but civil liberties and privacy rights as well, all of which are historic rights that our civilization has cherished from time immemorial.

Our stances on other issues can be deduced from these general principles.

Our country is ailing. That is the bad news. The good news is that the remedy is so simple and attractive: a return to the principles our Founders taught us. Respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, individual liberty, sound money, and a noninterventionist foreign policy constitute the foundation of the Campaign for Liberty.
Cheers, Nick.

Asteroid wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:20 AM:Wow; all week I’ve been watching the flooding in Iowa. It’s terrible; a good portion of Cedar Rapids is under water, thousands have lost their homes tens of thousands more are being evacuated and displaced; there’s more rain on the way. It’s just like Katrina. NO, not at all. First of all I haven’t heard FEMA mentioned, not once. Secondly, despite a levy failure yesterday and the looming threat of others failing soon, no one’s blaming Bush. The people I see in the video are helping! Helping themselves and each other, not wallowing in their lose demanding the government save them and make everything all better; NOW! There’s no hysterical Mayor demanding MORE help or inept Governor. So far it appears the resilient self-sufficient people of Iowa are saving themselves at the local and state level. Really where is FEMA; was it disbanded after Katrina? Anyone know?

Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:00 AM:>>>he noticed how the rear tires still had that beautiful new tread. "The tires are working!", he said.>>> The problem being Murtha, Pelosi, Schumer, Kennedy, Turbin, & Reid sabotaged the tires.

Alf wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:06 AM:Well, as you said "Sadly", "Oh Please" and "Nick", Ron Paul left this Presidential race. Droop. The sane voice among the insane. I must research this the Campain for Liberty. Regards, Alf.

Oh Please wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:10 AM:Asteroid[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:20 AM: Why ask Bush for help? He showed us what he could do or rather could not do.
Besides, GWB is kissing all the Europeans adios a bye bye. Your comparison to Katrina and Cedar Rapids is apples to orange. The flooding in Iowa does not compare to what happens at New Orleans. But that is not what interests you at all. Its just your conservative nature to misinterpret the events of the day. It is the weird way conservatives misuse the suffering of people for their own self interest.

Floyd wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:15 AM:Of course a woman has a right to choose. But if she makes that choice and becomes pregnant, she does not have the right to change her mind and kill the developing baby.

Reardon wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:33 AM:To Fair and Whatever: Rush has played the original Mrs. Obama impassioned introduction of her husband, as "...my man...my baby's Daddy, Barack Obama"

Somehow, when Fox News paraphrases Mrs. Obama's phrase, that becomes unfair?

The mind boggles.

sdraoul wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:37 AM:It is comforting to know that Eric Parush has access to every comma and tilde of a document being negotiated by diplomats and lawyers of Iraq and the United States.

Even more comforting is his repeating of political statments made by negotiators seeking better terms for their side. Evenhanded remarks are always useful when published in blogs by people with "inside" information.

The New York Times doesn't seem to have the "inside" information that Eric has. Good for him. LOL

Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:43 AM:"hardtack" @9:31 AM, What a great post!!!
Children of, for, and by the Government.
My hat is off to you, a very enlightening!

Asteroid wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:43 AM:hardtack
[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:31 AM:
Thank you for your very eloquent and erudite explanation of the plight of America today. It never ceases to amaze me how we quote and elevate certain prescient people of our past and then completely ignore them by repeating failed habits.

Ms M wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:51 AM:Asteroid
[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:20 AM:...First of all I haven’t heard FEMA mentioned, not once...Asteroid, I don't know what you've been listening to or reading, but there have been many folks questioning "Where is FEMA when you need them". They are missing in action and not where there should be - this is a natural disaster.

Bill Too wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:54 AM:There is a constant stream of rhetoric about how the liberals are only interested in handouts from the government and hate the poor. I am curious - what does our tax money really pay for? Our Government has been reducing benefits for our citizens systematically for a long time now. These are NOT give-aways from our Government - These are things that are supposed to be provided for from the taxes we pay. Where DOES our tax money go? No one mentions the money being paid in - only the money that is to be paid out that is treated as if it is something that is being stolen from the politicians. The tax money is not being used for the Iraq war - that is being paid for by money we are borrowing from US bonds sold mainly to China, North Korea and other countries we consider to be enemies. Where does our tax money REALLY go? OH! And by the way - why are so many "Liberals" so poor if they hate the poor so much?

Reardon wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:56 AM:Asteroid: My daughter, who spent many years living in Bountiful, Utah, tells me that it floods regularly when the snows melt -- but that the Mormon Church congregations sandbag the streets to purposely create channels to divert the flood through town in a predetermined manner. Further the congregations have trucks, boats and volunteers to assist ANYONE with evacuation if things get out of hand. I doubt they have ever heard of FEMA. New Orleans had a population so dependent on government, that when government at all levels failed, they were helpless. The liberals War on the Poor has as its major weapon, dependency, and I learned that from a great liberal, Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:57 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:06 AM:
My post calling Chuck and outright ****
was prohibited. So just let me say that it was all despicable incorrect drivel.

Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:08 PM:"Spreading democracy in Iraq cond"
@6:59 AM: Shows us all today why liberals can not be trusted to secure this country. Completely disconnected with reality, facts, logic, and historical perspective.
Iraq will be a "long, hard slug", no doubt about that. And the current left in this country has no guts to hang tough, when it gets rough. This is why they are righty titled: "The Cut & Runner's".
History, and our own destiny would have been a lot different had we listened to the anti-war types in Germany, Japan, and every where else we have fought and died to make this planet freer.
It is just un-nerving to know that inside this country we have these people who do not believe in spreading democracy. John Kennedy did, LBJ did, Truman did, heck.. FDR & Woodrow Wilson did. This new flock of liberal Democrats are not of the historic Democrat party leadership. This new batch would gladly cave in to every single socialist/communist tyranny, unlike any past leader they claim to adore. When they cite this great men, it is babble, it's pap, it's baloney.
And it is just so dishonest for them to say: We should stay and fight in Afganistan, cause that's where our enemy really is. You know, I'm growing just a bit tired of this nonsense. I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
Had we not gone into Iraq, and only focused on Afganistan. These very same leftists would then turn their sights onto Afganistan, and how THAT war is wasting taxpayer dollars, wasting brave soldiers lives, and we need to get out.
Does anyone remember the 1st Gulf War?
Remember we had the backig of the entire world? And what did these leftists do? That's right! They became human shields, and they claimed we would lose 50,000 men... Remember? 50,000 body bags!
They said the same thing about Afganistan. And they said the same thing about Iraq.
We have occupied Germany, Japan, Korea, and we have never made them a colony. When no government existed, yes... We were the civil power to reckon with. Once those countries had civil authority, we got out of the way. That's what we do, we allow their government to thrive inside a security framework. And once they can provide for their own security, we withdraw, unless we are a welcomed presence their government feels they require.
But, this is all lost on those who hate America.
Why do you hate my country?

Focal Point wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:09 PM:Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Amit R. Paley BAGHDAD, June 13 -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Friday denounced demands made by the United States to extend the presence of American troops in Iraq"... The Iraqis want us gone. They do not want foreign bases on their territory. The Iraqis do not want us there so that we can continue to meddle in their domestic politics. Bush is trying to force an agreement for 56 permanent American bases in Iraq. It is against the will of the Iraqis. Would we tolerate 56 military bases of a foreign government on American soil?

Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:11 PM:BirthControlVendingMachines?
Not unless Planned Parentinthehood is the only one's making money on the deal.

Many Differences wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:13 PM:There is another very important difference between McCain and Obama. McCain, who is Pro War, is also Pro Life. (The irony is not lost on me.)He has a zero percent record on voting for Women's Rights. Before November you can bet the Democrats will make sure women everywhere are aware of this. Women of all races, ages and economic circumstances are the largest voting bloc in this country. McCain doesn't have a chance.

Alf wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:22 PM:Well, "Asteroid" at 10:20AM, after the lack of trailers to the victims of Katrina and then the FEMA trailers causing illnesses, FEMA may have decided to keep a low profile. "Ineptitude, incompetence and poor response" (if they respond at all) seems to be their motto. Manage emergencies? Balderdash! Horse hockey!Regards, Alf.

To OBAMACAN wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:31 PM:At 8:39AM, Typical Obama Fan mentality. The world does not revolve around Your Massiah Obama and his Obama-nation Tax raising followers. Get a grip (with both hands), Neither You, I or anyone else on this site is important enough to be singled out!, It happens to all of us. Check out Chucks post yesterday regarding his 50% post rate.

WeHaveNoTomatoesToday wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:34 PM:Yes, we have no tomatoes, we have no tomatoes today. Still no word on the source of the e-coli tomatoes. Why do I suspect that if they came from a Fresno farm, owned by a white, heterosexual, Christian, we would have known in a nano-second where they came from. But, Bush and the FDA will cover up that they came from Mexico, Guatamala or China, and we'll never know.

Curious... wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:04 PM:Why is it, when I call a business number in the United States, I have to tell the recording as to what language I want to listen to the message in, but when I call a business number in Mexico, or in South America, or anywhere else in the world, I don't have an option. I have to be able to speak/understand that country's language?

Now, while I understand that there is NO written record of the official language of the United States, it was taught to me that it was the unofficial language of the United States. Is this changing? Is the unofficial language of the United States no longer English?

Just curious.

Focal Point- wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:07 PM:Reardon[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:33 AM:
Playing the conservative by line again. You should quote them. Obama is the, baby's daddy of Michelle children. The term baby momma is street lingo for an underage unmarried mother. Michell Obama is not that at all. It is just part of the slime and smear of the conservative machine. You know it is because you are part of it.

Asteroid wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:09 PM:Well Alf,thanks for the effort, but no cigar for you today, "horse hockey". FEMA was never intended to manage emergencies on the level of involvement it did during Katrina. Had you ever even heard of FEMA prior to Katrina? Reardon got it right! Regards. "Oh Please" is beneath contempt and I won't dignify him with a response.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:10 PM:To OBAMACAN[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:31 PM You are so right the world does not revolve around Obama. It has revolved aground GWB, his war and our 4,000 plus dead in Iraq and nearly 50,000 wounded.
Do you know why taxes have to be increased? We have to pay for the billions spend on credit for this war. OOPs, I get it. You want to pass the bill to your grand children and great grandchildren-don't ya?

To hardtack wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:10 PM:While I generally find myself on the opposite side of your argument, I found your post today at 9:31 am regarding the War State, Welfare State and Freedom State to be brilliant. Nice job.

Asteroid wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:14 PM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:06 AM:
If I new your last name I'd write you in for VP. Of course I'll be writing in Sherrif Joe Arpaio for the top post.

Oh Please wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:15 PM:Reardon[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 11:56 AM:
Again apples to oranges. New Oreleans was a city of millions. Whats the population of your little burg? Can channeling mountain run off be compared to a super hurricane and flooding from the sea? You guys are a joke!

Simple thinker wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:16 PM:Well said Gigi. Wouldn't you rather pay $21 per $100,000 assessed than not have a good hospital in your backyard? What's that phrase - "penny wise, pound poor"? As for Alf lamenting Ron Paul's departure, try the Libetarian candidate, Bob Barr as a potential alternative.

Oh Reardon wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:26 PM:I was hoping that when you returned you'd have made a personal pledge to be less dishonest. To say that the Fox News statement was a paraphrase of what Michelle said is what boggles the mind. I am sad to report: Reardon is back. And of course New Orleans' broken levees and the disaster these caused are not only the fault of liberals, but are, in Reardon's view, deliberate efforts by liberals to kill and maim the poor. "The mind boggles" is too weak a phrase. Welcome back, Reardon.

The good old days wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:33 PM:Of course the poor were not always dependent on the government. Did you ever read about our cities in the late 1800s and early 1900s? For people like Reardon, those were the good old days. Very little government regulation. No minimum wage. No powerful unions. The poor had no food stamps or other safety nets, nor medical care, nor sanitation, and hardly had schools. They lived in tenements, a dozen to a room. When they worked, it was in sweat shops. But the ruling conservatives demonstrated their family values by having children working in those same sweat shops so the family might afford food. Women didn't have the vote and if you were African-American, you'd have to be mighty careful about how you behaved. The "real Americans" at that time, as now, were manipulated by the ruling classes to blame all their problems on immigrants, whom they insisted should go back where they came from. This was, to Reardon and Ron, the Great Society. If you read their posts with this picture in mind, it'll all fit into place quite nicely.

RIP Russert wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:34 PM:Tim Russert died of a heart attack today. He was a great journalist and one of the last fair and balanced newscasters. He was only 58. He will be missed. May he go gently to his next appointment. Rest in peace, Mr. Russert.

Chris wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:34 PM:So Dolores Wiener says that her paternal linage is traced back to the house of Moses. This just proves that all this buisness of tracing your linage back hundreds or thousands of years is rubbish, especially since this Moses never existed.

Enough already wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:35 PM:The current flap over Bush's desire to impose a permanent, immune-from-law military force in Iraq has even Bush's allies enraged. Enough already. US out of Iraq immediately. Immediately.

Straw Man wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:36 PM:"To Obamacan" singles out Obama-fans as the only ones who complain about their posts not being posted. Check out who else has been complaining of the same thing and try again.

To Oh Reardon at PM wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:40 PM:Reardon never actually leaves when he says he is going to. He continues to monitor the blogs to see what kind of a reaction he gets with his announcement. jvc gave him some real jollies this time around but when no one else seemed to care Reardon felt compelled to speak up again. It's a way of calling attention to himself, poor thing.

Reardon wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:41 PM:Regretably, my tomatos have not yet ripened, but I am only days away -- so if you want fresh veggies and you are libertarian -- grow them yourselves. Or conservatives can buy them at privately-owned stores.

Liberals can wait for the government to deliver them.

Reardon wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:47 PM:Focal Point: Your name calling is purely bush league -- please refer to "Cluck" who, in a mere 30 minutes yesterday wrote: "double speaking hypocritical, stupid, empty heads, hearts, and souls, foaming at the mouth blaming everyone else for their problems, terrorists have in common with conservatives. stupid conservatives, un American, way past tin foil hats and old men yelling at clouds”

Then again, perhaps you are Cluck.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:53 PM:RIP Russert[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:34 PM: I am in shock. You are right. He was so great as Mr. Meet the Press. He will deeply missed.

Chris to Alf wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:55 PM:In a way you can say that you cannot blame a country for the transgressions of a few, but need I remind you that the majority of the American people supported the war and now many don't. Is their opposition because they give a damn about the iraqis or is it just what IT IS COSTING US. Just look at what happens when a story comes out about prosecuting a military member for committing a act of wonton murder of innocent unarmed Iraqis. All you see are all these bloggers comming out of the woodwork trashing the prosecuters and saying they ought to give these military members a medal. Although there are a few, very few of us who care about the horrific things we did to the Iraqis I can tell you that we are in the minority. So for myself I will always look at the United States as a rogue murderous country.

The Central Front wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:05 PM:So good that Bush and McCain think Iraq is the central front in the war on terror. From the AP QUOTE KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) -- Taliban militants staged a brazen bomb and rocket attack on the main prison in southern Afghanistan late Friday, blowing down the gate and helping hundreds of suspected insurgents flee, officials said. Many police officers were reported killed. ENDQUOTE All the 350 Taliban insurgents in that prison got away. Obama, since 2002, has stated that the war in Afghanistan/Pakistan is where we need to be. Bush and McCain chose Iraq. Let's vote for the one with a public record of good military judgment: Obama. Let's shift our focus to where our attackers and their protectors are, and get out of Iraq immediately.

Bill Too wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:06 PM:As some of the bloggers have pointed out, our current administration is attempting to force Iraq to addopt our package to allow us to place permanent military bases on Iraqi soil - as many as 58 of them in a country roughly twice the size of Idaho according to the CIA world Handbook (166,858 Square Miles) and to make all our military AND CONTRACTORS exempt from any penalties for violating any Iraqi law - or virtually any other law for that matter. In return we will release 20 BILLION dollars of Iraqi money that we have impounded since the start of the war. Needless to say, the Iraqi Government is not ammused.

Focal PointBush League wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:26 PM:Reardon[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:47 PM:
LOL: I never claim to be nothing more than bush league. Who cares other than you! Do you think that this blog is one of intellects? Even you with great education and vocabulary typify mediocrity. But, it is just a typical conservative ploy. Never speak to the issue when confronted. Your play book just states to slander, to slime and to insult those who disagree with you.

Oh Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:30 PM:I'm sure you can find some liberals who oppose any war. So what? Let me remind you of a speech Obama gave in October, 2002 in Chicago (you can find the content with a google). In that speech, Obama said forcefully and clearly that the fight in Afghanistan against the Taliban and al Qaeda was right and needed to be won. He also said that the coming invasion of Iraq was bogus. Ron, you can go find someone, somewhere to fit your idea of "liberal", but one person is actually running for the Presidency and his views on our military actions has been clear and consistent for going on 6 years. He's the one that got it right. McCain and Bush got it absolutely, totally wrong, and many of us knew it and said so from day one of the run-up. I'm going to vote for the guy that has already displayed wisdom and judgment in that area. Ron, you can continue complaining about hypothetical pacifists and communists all you like. Meanwhile, a good strong man is running for President, someone with an alternative to the Bush/McCain view of the world.

Oh Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:34 PM:Do Japan and Germany have agreements with the US that allows us to conduct any military activity anywhere in their country without consulting their governments? That stipulate that any personnel associated with the US is immune from Japanese or German law? Do you really believe that our bases there are only there now because the Germans and Japanese have asked us to stay for the sake of their security? As Reardon says, the mind boggles.

skip wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:39 PM:Re: Newspaper bags - my understanding is that the #4 newspaper bags can be recycled together with the standard plastic grocery bags in the bins at supermarkets. We've included them in the bundles we put in those bins for some time now. Now using re-usable supermarket bags so that's less frequent. Also we re-use the newspaper bags for dog poop on walks and in the yard. I agree that they are not really necessary given our climate -except that a lot of papers are delivered into the gutter filled with sprinkler runoff (another topic), or onto a lawn that has just been or is about to be watered in the early morning, or there's sprinkler overspray on the driveway...etc. If the paper were delivered by a kid on a bike who could actually land it on the porch the whole problem would be solved...as it stands now a wet paper results in the manager driving a smog spewing full size van to your house to deliver a new one, which probably has an impact worth quite a few "wasted" bags. Anyway - recycle them at the supermarket and/or re-use them.

Don wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:48 PM:Something is wrong with this picture. Why are we in a country where our young men are loosing their lives for people who don't seem like they care about their way of life. Most of them appear not to want us there in the first place. Another "WAR" like Viet Nam where we try to force our way of life on another country who really doesn't want it. We should be taking care of our own country before spending all that money on another country.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:54 PM:Reardon: from Chuck this morning. ..."as the liberals cheer as their friends blow up another hospital, market square, orphanage, clinic or police station,"..
This slander is not name calling? You worry about my one word, ****? You call name me bush league for name calling. Is what Chuck wrote the truth or a lie? It is not the truth? What does that make him? Now you know what I called him.

Oh Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:56 PM:To say that the many dozens of nations that contain US military bases asked us to have them there is equivalent to saying that all those businesses that paid protection money to the local Mafioso capo invited the boys' protection. But perhaps you like to think of yourself as an American version of a made guy, a goodfella, a member of the rank and file that's loyal to the boss. "Hey, our bizness is legit! Dis neighborhood would be all, uh, chaotic widdout us! Dese folks need us around to, uh, protect 'em! You sayin' I'm lyin', punk? I know where you live..."

sdaoul wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:04 PM:Who said that New Orleans had "millions" of people in pre-Katrina days?

According to the U.S. Census, in 2003 New Orleans had 469,000 people, a 3.2% drop since 2000. The entire state of Louisiana had only 4 million people.

So, how could New Orleans have
"millions?" They didn't.

As for FEMA not doing a good job, blame the Corp of Engineers and the corrupt politicians of New Orleans who skmmed off millions of dollars allocated by the USA to build levees.

Those levees failed and flooded the city filled with people abandoned by the incompetent mayor of New Orleans and governor of Louisiana.

The corrupt New Orleans police evaporated. The National Guard was not called up by an incompetent governor until it was too late.

The National Guard of Louisiana had 90 percent of its troops available as only 200 were in Iraq. The Governor refused President Bush's suggesion that she call up the Guard. She is gone.

Only the federal government came to the aid of New Orleans and people bitch it wasn't enough. Too bad, the city and state abandoned all those poor blacks to a fate we watched on television.

Nevermind that the federal Coast Guard and Navy and Marine units came rushing in to help. Never mind that the Mexican Navy came to help as did the Mexican Army.

Never mind that many of those moved to Texas raised the crime rates higher and defrauded the federal government of millions of dollars. Nevermind...

Yokozuna wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:07 PM:I hope Mrs. Obama can learn to keep her mouth shut. Otherwise she'll do to Barrack what Bill did to Hillary's campaign. These people need to let their spouses run and not impede them by inserting some unearned ill conceived self importance. Mahalo...

Robin Hood wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:07 PM:Time to steal from the government and give to???? ME?

to RC plant it right wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:16 PM:You all must use plants that are drought tolerant. And fire retardant (for zones 1 and 2), and fire resistant (for zones 2 and 3).

All new buildings (homes, offices, etc.) in SD County should be required to do so.

All new 30+ developments, offices, golf courses, etc. must have a grey water system.

Don't wait until the law leaves us with very few choices: such as concrete, blacktop, and rocks.

To Chuck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:29 PM:What significance is Senator Obama's middle name add to the discussion, and how is it relevant for you to repeat it over and over and over? Or to falsely refer to him as a Marxist? It just show's your ignorance and lack of a real argument to incorrectly call him by his middle name. To be consistent, perhaps you should start incorrectly referring to Senator McCain as a Fascist, or by his middle name. In your ignorance, I'll bet you didn't even know that was that middle name is.

Reardon wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:34 PM:The International Herald Tribune is reporting that Ireland has rejected the European Union pact (Lisbon Pact) that was written to meet the objections of France and the Netherlands who had previously rejected the European Union.

All 27 nations of the EU must approve, but future approvals will be by the other 26 nation's legislators.

There is just too much democracy going on in Ireland to suite the European Union.

Cluck wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:38 PM:Thanks for playing Reardon. The irony of my post name obviously going above your head. Typical. I'm a mirror. Reflecting back the hate spewed by the chickens here on this site who call themselves conservatives. iRONic you don't hold the same contempt for your peers. Again, typical. You can't take the low road on a high horse, as they say. And if anyone wants to wallow in the mud, hop on in! I'll drive everyday of the week and twice on Tuesday. Especially Election Tuesday!

Hey Clucker wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:59 PM:The last time I saw someone write, "Thanks for playing", it was estebum, Could it be - "EL POLLO LOCO"?

Oh raoul wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:05 PM:Ever heard of the expression "blame the victim"? I think raoul has used this expression when referring to immigrants who are blamed for crimes. Anyhow, watch how raoul now goes all the way and actually demonizes those people who were made homeless by Katrina. Watch how the conservatives take this tragic situation and find ways to make it all come out to suit their political ideology. Bush did a good job, it was the governor who was at fault. The fact that Bush appointed a man to head FEMA whose only experience was being a Bush backer, this is irrelevent. And the people of the city who got creamed? A bunch of no-good, mooching, defrauders & criminals. I do love raoul's personal spin on it though: only raoul would remember to highlight the role of the Mexican Navy saving America. Good stuff, raoul.

Bill wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:15 PM:Eric Parrish, like Chris Pulse seems to pick and choose which UN Mandates he recognizes.

The UN had a charter that called for consequences in the event of breach after the gulf war.

Hussein breached several provisions of the UN Charter such as no fly zone violations etc. The weapons inspectors were not granted access to the area they wanted to see when they wanted to see them. This allowed for a cat and mouse game of hide and seek.

Had he not done that, we might not have thought that he had the WMDs. Husseins behavior coupled with Hans Blix inabilty to explain shortages in inventory gave us reasons to enforce. However, our "allies" as liberals love to call them, were doing corrupt business with Iraq and we couldnt get their vote.

Eric?

Thats as much a reason as 9/11 of our presence.

Thats not imperialistic since the oil you speak of isnt in our hands and we arent benefitting in any way.

We have been bombed numerous times over the years and only Reagan, in 1986, had any kind of retaillatory strike that made people listen. This notion that we have mistreated the poor old Arabs is nonsense. They have been bombing American targets for years and we have done nothing most of the time.

Its about time we had a president that ignored public opinion polls and lead like leaders are supposed to. A president that ignores a threat to the nation is negligent and that wont be said about GW thats for sure.

A president that ignores unpoplular realities to gain political advantage or to be liked by anyone, both here and abroad is a coward and a disgrace to the USA.

Bush has the courage to be judged by history and not by public opinion polls.

God Bless Bush because contrary to all the liberal blather you and your ilk spew, we are much more safe today than when Bush took office.

Liberals love to say we are not but cant point to one attack since 9/11. They predicted a wave of them when we went to war but they havent come have they? Bush is forcing AQ to expend resources abroad and into self survival.
He has them fighting between Sunni and Shiite etc. He has their financing coming from Hawala brokers.

Thats a good thing Eric.

Why are you against that?

I guess you would rather that AQ have Iraq so they can plan strategic attacks on our ally Israel and who knows Eric?

Maybe even on us one day!

Thank Bush for every breath you take.

Because of him, and his stubborn unwillingness to surrender to the enemy, you and others can live to see another day.

Electing a president isnt a suicide pact.

Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:16 PM:Apparently, my dear friend "Oh Ron"
@2:30 PM has not read anything our enemy has written. I strongly suggest that you do so.
You say: "Only a few lib's speak this way, and that many support the war in Afganistan." Fine, I'll take your word for that. May I also suggest you bring your "brothern" in line, so that we speak with a unified voice here?
That being said, I still stand by my statement. I still believe, that when the going gets rough, you'll get going... back home, that is.
This is the war, "STAYING POWER". Do you not recognise this?
Again, I very strongly suggest that you read very carefully Bin Laden's Fatwa against the United States. He very plainly points out, that where-ever we go, he intends & Al-Queda intends, hence Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the like intend... to beat us in the "long war." They have completely figuired out YOUR mentality, your thinking, your pysche... they understand very.. Very well you have no stomach for war, especially in a long fight.
Let me ask you this, then. Had McCain said He intends to stay in Afganistan for the next 100 years, would that be cool with you? I'm betting not.
I mean.. you guy's "Say" that's where we need to fight, so let's fight! Let's win, as long as it takes. Right?
But, as always with you lib's, this is just the talking points for today. It's scripted, it's phoney, it's another false choice. You don't really want to be there either, and using Afganistan as a tool against Iraq, for the moment, suits your political purposes right now. Because in the end, as with most leftists, at some level, your really like ole wrong Rev. Wright, you believe we deserve it. Now... isn't that the real deal here?

To Focal Point wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:23 PM:@ 1:10PM, No Professor Focus, My adult children, grandchild and future great grandchildren will be just fine, I have made sure of that, Despite your Obama's promise to tax even Bill Gates back into the middle class. Thanks for your concern. Also, You give GWB or any president to much credit, I seem to recall congress having a play in our current state as well.

Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:31 PM:Now, your onto to something here, "Oh Ron" @2:56 PM, now just stay with that train of thought, for a second.
You say: "To say that the many dozens of nations that contain US military bases asked us to have them there is equivalent to saying that all those businesses that paid protection money to the local Mafioso capo invited the boys' protection."
Now, except for that last part, about paying a Mafia guy for protection... your almost on target.
Think about Europe for a second.
Why are their own military's so small, when they bordered a Communist country with massive military capability?
Cause, we were there. It's called "projection of force", to those not familiar. Under the US security umbrella, these European countries didn't have to build a huge military to fend off a Soviet Union, they had us do it for them. Think of it as a kind of military welfare system. This pretty much describes how it was done. We are allowed to base in their countries, as a "trigger force", triggering those forces, then triggers the larger US forces. Now, under this umbrella, they, the Euro's didn't have to spend a bunch of money to defend themselves from a bordering Soviet Union, so they instead, and taking advantage of our good will, used the money they should have spent on military need, and have built a socialist dream state.
It's like I always say: "If you give something away for free, some people will built the structure of their entire lives around the freebie."
Ever see a young man who still lives at home, and drives just the nicest car?
And why not? Momma & Daddy are paying his rent, buying his food, and paying the electric bill. He uses their phone to call his girlfriend, and I'm betting his Mother probably still washes his clothes, and cleans his room for him.
So, he does what a lot of folks in his position do, they take advantage, and spend ALL of their money on them.
That exactly explains how the European economy works. Which also explains why a number of people here say the exact same thing. Spend less on the military, and spend more on me. We have actually helped the Europeans create their welfare states.

Ms M wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:12 PM:Ron
[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:16 PM:...ole wrong Rev. Wright, you believe we deserve it....and Ron when the radical white ministers preach their hatred and that natural disasters are the result of your pagan behavior do you believe we deserve it? And as far as Afganistan goes - this is one lib that feels we should be fighting the war on terror there. Not in a country that had nada to do with 911 and Obama, your next president agrees. I don't recall any libs saying that we should not be in Afgan. - could I get a name or two? If we had not left and cut and run and started this usjust war in Iraq, then maybe we could have contained Al Queda there. They were not in Iraq before we got there, hence we are responsible for strengthening the Al Qaeda forces. Anyone that would back staying in a war torn country for 100 years is crazy. It is time to stop the warmongering. If you are following things in Iraq - the surge is not working. All Sadr has to do is snap his finger and it's all over.

Pie Crust Promise wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:15 PM:"To Focal Point
[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:23 PM:@ 1:10PM, No Professor Focus, My adult children, grandchild and future great grandchildren will be just fine, I have made sure of that."

Oh really? You can control the future? There are no forces beyond your control? Too bad so sad you won't be around to face them when your piecrust promise (easy to make, easy to break) falls apart.

hardtack wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:44 PM:Yes, I will miss Tim Russert.

I found him a breath of fresh air, compared to the run-of-the-mill suck-ups, and sycophants that do interviews on TV.

God bless him and may he rest in peace.

Beth-San Marcos wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:49 PM:Larry's statement re congress and their level of stupidity is hilarious.

However, as long as we have these creeps in congress, we are screwed.

Hey, did you hear that the D names in Sacramento waNT TO RAISE GAS TAXES

GO FIGURE

Ms M wrote on Jun 13, 2008 6:06 PM:Yokozuna
[-] wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:07 PM:I hope Mrs. Obama can learn to keep her mouth shut...no Yokozuna, if the cons would not twist her words around then we would not be having this conversation. Michelle can stand proud next to her husband, the next president of our country and say whatever she wants. Obama will not allow her to be "swift boated" as Kerry was. Already Obama is already showing that he just is not going to take the bs from the cons. And to take it a step further - Americans are not going to fall for the bull. So her words can be twisted and turned but the only ones who will hear the negative spin are the ones who would never vote for Obama even if he was the second coming!

To Pie Crust Promise wrote on Jun 13, 2008 6:53 PM:Hello my angry young friend, You have assumed quite a lot. Where did you ever get the idea that I made any future promise to anyone that I could not and have not performed and secured (by Gods grace) already? Trust me, If it all "falls apart" then we will still be able to help 97% +/- of the work force population less fortunate, and there is nothing "sad" about that. Thank you for showing such compassion and worry for my kids.

Nick wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:05 PM:A good man has passed.
Tim Russert 1950-2008.
A tragic loss for journalism, poilitcal commentary and the Amreican public as well.
R.I.P. Tim Russert.
Cheers, Nick.

Oh Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:09 PM:I know, I know, blah blah blah about what some hypothetical people will do under hypothetical conditions. Meanwhile, back in the real world, Obama stood up for the fight in Afghanistan, strong and clear, and against the bogus whatever-it-is in Iraq, strong and clear. I don't know about your hand-picked hypotheticals, but I know one thing: Obama nailed it while Bush, McCain, and Ron blew it. I'll stick with the guy that got it right, and we can all deal with the hypotheticals in our dreams or in the future, should Ron's imagined future ever arise.

Oh Ron wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:14 PM:Since the USSR fell 20 (yes, twenty) years ago, why is that all our bases need to be in Europe? I have an idea. Instead of reveling in our might and causing all manner of death all over the world, let's pull out of Europe and all the other places as they build up their military forces, if that's what they choose to do, ok? Then we can finally put an end to this absurd nonsense about how all our military might is used for the Good and to protect the good people. Let them decide if they want to protect themselves. We can pare back to a force that we need to protect ourselves. The US will no longer be suspected of being a kind of imperial power. Make a binding agreement with each nation in which we have bases that we will completely clear out in, say, 10 years. They can do what they wish during that time. Deal?

sdraoul wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:41 PM:"oh Raoul" is funny. I didn't blame the welfare sucking bumss of New Orleans for Katrina's aftermath. I blamed the punk mayor and that phony woman who played at being governor and the New Orleans politcians like the current Democratic U.S. Senator's family who skimmed money off the top of levee construction money.

It was the Army Corps of Emgineers who designed and oversaw construction of the levees that FAILED and caused the flooding. Katrina did little damage.

As for criticism of FEMA it was and is irrelevant because its work is done by professional civil service employees not Presidential appointees. Appointees just sign ff on work by civil service employees of GS-14 levels and above.

Consider this statement: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."

No one can count on the government to provide a-rated help. That's where mayors, police and governors come in handy as they are close to the action.

It was not the mayor or the governor's political appointees that rescued people off roof tops, it was federal people who did it. It was not local police that provided security, it was federalized Ntional Guard with an Army general in charge. It was FEMA who brought in food and water. FEMA moved pe4ople to Texas.

It was not the mayor or the governor who fed the people and moved them to Texas it was FEMA.

Lastly, you bet your feet bottom that I remind you all that the Mexzican Navy and Army came from Mexico to help in New Orleans and Houston. By the way, Mexican fire trucks and prsonnel came from Tijuana to help fight out fires last year.

And, let us not forget that the fine people of New Orleans refused to come back to their city to help rebuild it. Mexicans came by te thousands, almost all illegal to rebuild a city whose own "citizens" refused to come back and work at any price.

If I don't remind you all, you will claim Mexicans never help the USA when it needs it.

Ignorance, you see, is absolute.

DD Wiz wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:06 PM:The post from several participants have paid homage to journalist Tim Russert who died today, on Friday the 13th.
He was inspiried to political interests by fellow Irish-Catholic public servant John F. Kennedy.
He was hired into public life to join the Washington DC staff of Irish-Catholic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY).
He subsequently served on the staff of Gov. Mario Cuomo (D-NY) before moving into journalism.
Intelligence, objectivity, balance, and tough-but-fair journalism.
Fox News (and journalists everywhere) could learn the true meaning of "fair and balanced" from this truly great journalist.

Chris to Bill wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:37 PM:Once again you show that you don't have a clue. The no fly zone had nothing to do with the UN. It was a unilateraly set up by the US. The US used it to soften up Iraqi air defenses and to gain intelegence. The weapons inspectors had free access and could go wherever they wanted. But wanted war period. Quite frankly I get tired of trying to educate the uneducatable.

Nick wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:21 PM:Nobody here agrees with the principles of The Campaign for Liberty?
I have a feeling just about everyone here agrees with it.
If that's the case, why is it that neither Obama, Hillary or McCain stand for these things?
Sure, they talk a good game, but that's all they do. They dance around the issues with no real strategy. Just a lot of hot air to make you think they have a plan.
You notice that none of them talk about our National Debt or Illegal Immigration.
We don't honestly expect them to deal with the real issues do we?
Cheers, Nick.

Bill Chris is right wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:27 PM:The no fly zones were NOT sanctioned by the UN, they were an American invention, quite illegal under international law. But hey, when you're the self-appointed sheriff, I guess you ARE the law, right? We knew, in other words, that Saddam was impotent and weak. Bush commanded a valiant shock and awe bombing of a major capital (all civilian deaths certified as accidental, oops, sorry) and then an heroic military attack on an army-less former strong-man. Yet another bold leader makes a show to cure us of the Vietnam syndrome and fails. What else is new? And as the show which was supposed to end in glory on the deck of the carrier, as Iraqis threw us flowers and quickly paid for the whole shebang with their oil, the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan/Pakistan looked up and couldn't believe their good fortune. What? The Americans have cut and run, choosing to destroy our enemy, Saddam? You're kidding! Let us take back our land, plant poppies up the wazoo, and make a glorious comeback. Allah bless Bush! Allah is great!

to sdraoul wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:27 PM:No, Make that mxraoul, It's only about 30 miles to the south amigo, Start hoofing it.

Paul wrote on Jun 14, 2008 6:46 AM:To Paul Normandin of Bonsall,

Name calling is never persuasive, and in your case it is foolish. AG Moonbeam, aka Jerry Brown, was named that by b=columnist Mike Royko because as governor, he proposed California launch a satellite to communicate between Sacramento and LA due to the high costs of courin audit revealed the satellite would have paid for itself within a couple of years, and Royko apologized to Brown, saying he was way ahead in his thinking.

To Paul wrote on Jun 14, 2008 9:42 AM:6:46AM,IMHO, JB Was also a flower child of the 60's So it is far from foolish in it's intent. Moonbeam is appropriate.

Bill wrote on Jun 14, 2008 4:51 PM:Thats nonsense.

The no fly zones were part of the reason we stopped bombing. Hussein agreed to that and did not grant the UN inspectors free access.

That is nonsense too.

Had the UN allowed us to get Saddam in the Gulf War, we wouldnt have had the problem to begin with.

I have read the 9/11 report in its entirety and there is no way we could have taken Husseins word for it.

Dont even get me started on Blix lack of credibility.

Chris is frustrated because informed minds resist his indoctrination attempts.

He would be the first guy blaming Bush had he NOT taken action and it resulted in something.

Youre transparent Chris and a great example of how liberals are humerous out of power, but dangerous while in power.

This American wrote on Jun 16, 2008 1:24 PM:I can't believe I actually agree with SDRaoul. But when he finally tells the truth about something, I must agree. The FACT that New Orleans is still in shambles almost three years after the devastation speaks volumes about the former residents. The vast majority were/are living on government assistance and have been taught that they are "entitled" to all things for generations, is NOT "blaming the victim" but stating a FACT. The further FACT that Nagin didn't put into place any emergency evacuation procedures, did not furnish the evacuation centers with supplies OR shore up the levies despite being given $750 million to do so is a FACT, period. The FACT that he abandoned his city to check on his THREE homes in Lafayette is also just that: FACT. The recent floods in IA have total relevance to the floods in NO with ONE big difference: THEY (Iowans)are invested in their communities as property/home owners who think it is THEIR responsibility to protect their OWN hearth and home. Not so in NO and that is a FACT.