jvc wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:47 AM:WE LOVE YOU GEORGE!

jvc wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:19 AM:Mr.Reardon,speaking of tickets,please
provide Mr. Rider and Mr. Goodman with
dinner tickets!

WaitingForSugarDaddy wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:51 AM:Not only will the citizens vote down the needed bond measure to keep Tri-City Hospital a modern medical center, then they'll vote for Hussein to make sure they can be treated there for free.

jvc wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:08 AM:I hope the NCT can use The New York Time's op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd's
stuff....what a breath of fresh air!
She is the real heir apparent to Molly Ivins!

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 6:19 AM:>>>I have a fundamental difference of opinion with any group that considers the rights of animals more important than the survival of the human race. >>>Well, Mr Perkins,put your job on that list too. The liberals have told Bush to stick it on his proposals to drop the price of gas and stop this crushing commodity inflation. They don't care about your job or if you can afford a car, medical expenses or groceries, they only care about stonewalling any Bush energy proposal in an effort to destroy America enough that they can blame Bush and win in November. You're just an ant waiting to be crushed when their only interest is the White House

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 6:49 AM:>>>>>The communities along the rail line now have an opportunity to recreate their historic pedestrian front doors by planning pedestrian and transit-oriented development. This kind of smart planning leads to more livable communities that are good for our future.>>>> That statement tells the whole story how agendized wackos sold the plan of this choo-choo and ran the costs up 4 fold. Why do these govt employees still have a job, a house or a pension? They should be locked away in orange jumpsuits for 20 years.

Daphne wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:34 AM:Gee, Neil why would we want a President whose first priority is to release convicts. Compean and Ramos are exactly where they belong and where they should stay in prison. They received a fair trial and were convicted by a jury of their peers. Why do you feel it is fair that a President should release them into society without paying back their debt? No they should remain incarcerated. It seems that this Mr. Baldwin is a one issue candidate and that immigration is the issue. What will he do about the Mortgage crisis, gas prices, and the war, etc…? I see that you want employers prosecuted for hiring undocumented (there is no such word as illegals) because they are breaking the law but you want two criminals to be released from prison, hummm? If you want America restored to its founding principles and our Constitutional rule of law than why don’t you begin with giving the immigrants illegal or not their rights under the 14th Amendment? Sorry but my vote is still going to OBAMA.

Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:51 AM:jvc: If Mr. Goodman thinks Richard Rider is a "younger man" then his eyes are as faulty as his logic. "Younger" age is relative, but certainly Rider is not young -- he has sufficient age to have wisdom, and an appropriate amount of wrinkles and gray hair as well. He is one of the top 10 brains I have known -- I attended a few annual college debates with representatives of the Democrats and Republicans debating Rider, and in every case, Rider was voted by the college kids as winning the debates. His political knowledge base is astounding.

I recommend that they pay their own way, and have a fine dinner ay Vincent's Sirinos on Grand I had dinner there just last night. Superb!

the dude wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:52 AM:to jack do some reserrch cole porter was gay

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:08 AM:You know.. Mervyn Hoover Jr., I've been thinking about this.
Accrding to the latest poll 76% of Americans want to drill here, and drill now. That leaves 24% of the country who are insisting on not drilling.
I say, let's insist they lead the way, today. I say, by government fiat force them to buy solar panels and plug-in cars. The rest of us would receive an immediate 24% relief in demand on gas, lowering prices. And if your concerned about forcing them by government fiat, not to worry. These Big Government types will see it as Daddy looking out for them.

Yokozuna to Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:12 AM:Do we really know how old Mr. Goodman is? Could be much older. Anyway, Mr. Ryder has some real good points about computer usage with relation to libraries. Personal anecdote: When scheduling a visit to my son in law at Fuqua (Duke) School of Business one of my great expectations was to see a graduate business school library. While there I asked him to show it to me. He opened a door and there were no books, just some computers. It seems books cannot keep up with changing business conditions.

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:30 AM:Hey "Reardon" @7:51 AM. This is the cry baby attempt at winning an argument.
Of course, from my end, I would expect a logic discourse to proceed along the lines of, say: "Well, I agree on this point and this is why, but I disagree with this point and here is why."
In other words, we tend to begin with facts & logic, working through an empirical process to come to a conclusion.
Because David Goodman does not have a response, he must take the "He treated me badly route."
All liberals do this when they lose, or can not answer the question. For liberals, it then becomes.. not only what your answer was, but HOW YOU ANSWERED HIM. And within the liberal circles, whenever you disagree with you opponents assertions, you must do it in a way that allows him to maintain his own dignity. Even though he might have been lying through his teeth.
Because of the fragility of a Leftist's ego, anything that threatens it is intolerable and provokes rage. So most Leftist's can be summarized in one sentence: "How DARE anybody question what I believe!". Rage and abuse substitute for an appeal to facts and reason.
A Leftist's beliefs are all designed to pander to his ego. So when you have an argument with a Leftist, you are not really discussing the facts. You are threatening his self esteem. Which is why the normal Leftist response to challenge is mere abuse.

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:35 AM:Sometimes, you gotta go looking for opportunities to help, Dorothy Salicos.
I called several local area Wal*Mart's and asked "Are you helping flood victims?" The switchboard operator then patched me through to an area coordinator, a Wal*Mart employee, no less.
I wrote the check days ago.

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:43 AM:I think Lance Schulte pretty much nails what the progressives think in this one little sentence...

"Peering into our past, the Sprinter's original rail line; which was built in the 1880s and that ran passenger service until the late 1940s..."

The should be named: "The Regressive party."

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:45 AM:>>>Sorry but my vote is still going to OBAMA.>>>> Of course it is. Taxing people who make more than your envy of them, hosing the employers in this country, and his littany of freebees Hussein offers is just too much to resist, even though you know nothing about him, he has no track record and he's anti-Bush

to Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:49 AM:Well, you're consistent. You say we should go with the quarter of Americans who oppose new drilling sites and let the terrible consequences fall as they may. In Iraq, about a quarter of Iraqi citizens still like US presence there, and we've been going with them for years (with your enthusiastic approval, I might add). The oil companies have millions of acres of leased land already that they can drill on. Why should the taxpayer toss them more, and more, and more gifts? Let them work out the obstacles to drilling land they already have. They don't need new sites. I suspect that they are not altogether against being "immobilized by liberals"...thanks to investor/cheerleaders like Ron and the oil companies' employees (aka the US government), we taxpayers will be tossing them welfare goodies ad nauseum...

Mike wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:53 AM:While Lance Schute is getting nostalgic about railroads, how about restoring the Temecula-Oceanside railroad?

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:54 AM:"I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." Barack Hussein Obama in his book Audacity of Hope

Yokozuna to Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:56 AM:Ron[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:30 AM: I would assume then that any "feel good" across the table dinner attended by you and DD would not be fruitful? :-)

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:57 AM:Have you all noticed that Cedar Rapids is under 10 feet of water? Thousands upon thousands of people are displaced?
Have you noticed that nobody is looting every empty property in sight? Have you noticed that nobody is shooting at rescuers? Have you noticed any victims on TV wondering where the federal government is to 'take care of them'? Or, have you noticed victims, who have lost everything, make comments like 'life goes on', 'we'll just need to pick up the pieces and start over', and 'at least we still have our life'. Maybe the Government could help make victims of these survivors as well, convince them that they aren't strong enough to take care of themselves, that they are not smart enough to survive. Maybe we should subsidize their lives for the next 2+ years, free housing, and $2000/month to not work.... Just food for thought.
Have you noticed? (especially you Mayor Nagin????)

Bad news for yahoos wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:01 AM:Sorry Chuck, esteban, raoul, Ron. The Supreme Court decided that punishing the rapist of a child with execution is cruel and unusual punishment and found this unconstitutional. One of their reasons: they did not want the child-victim to be in the position of participating in and contributingt to someone's death. I can hear your responses: "they don't know anything about kids or people: we all LOVE the chance to help kill someone that we've decided deserves it...vengeful blood lust is the BEST!" Sorry, gang, you'll have to settle for the perpetrator sitting in prison for the rest of his life...for your way of thinking, I know, this amounts to punishment via vacation, but alas, I guess your way is out of line with the Constitution. So sorry.

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:02 AM:"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."" Barack Hussein Obama in his book, Dreams of MY Father.
And yet, anyone who asks him a tough question is branded a racist.

To Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:08 AM:Ya, Chuck, I got the same email with the out-of-context lines from his books. I realize it is too much for you to actually read them. You are so predictable.

Roger wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:12 AM:While Ron 8:08 AM is correct that "76% of Americans want to drill here, and drill now", I worry that this is mighty close to the same percentage who bought into the Neo-Orwellian's ruinously expensive, counterproductive, "Operation Iraqi Liberation" scam. How's that working out?

Will increasing the global supply of oil by 1% actually cause the price of gasoline to plummet?

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:15 AM:Since jvc loves George Carlin, I think it only fitting to post what George said regarding enviromentalism.
QUOTE: CARLIN: "Let me tell you about endangered species, all right? Saving endangered species is just one more arrogant attempt by humans to control nature. It's arrogant meddling. It's what got us in trouble in the first place. Doesn't anybody understand that? Interfering with nature. Over 90%, way over 90% of all the species that have ever lived on this planet, ever lived, are gone. They're extinct. We didn't kill them all. They just disappeared. That's what nature does. We're so self-important, so self-important. Everybody is going to save something now. Save the trees, save the bees, save the whales, save those snails. And the greatest arrogance of all, save the planet. What?
I'm tired of these self-righteous environmentalists, these white bourgeois liberals who think the only thing wrong with this country is there aren't enough bicycle paths, people trying to make the world safe for their Volvos. There is nothing wrong with the planet. Nothing wrong with the planet. The planet is fine. The people are (bleep) -- difference, difference. The planet is fine. Compared to the people, the planet is doing great. It's been here four and a half billion years. Did you ever think about the arithmetic? The planet has been here four and a half billion years. We've only been engaged in heavy industry for a little more than 200 years.
Two hundred years versus four and a half billion, and we have the conceit to think that somehow we're a threat, that somehow we're going to put in jeopardy this beautiful little blue-green ball that's just a-floatin' around the sun? The planet has been through a lot worse than us, been through all kinds of things worse than us, been through earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, continental drift, solar flares, sunspots, magnetic storms, the magnetic reversal of the poles, hundreds of thousands of years of bombardment by comets and asteroids and meteors, worldwide floods, tidal waves, worldwide fires, erosion, cosmic rays, recurring ice ages, and we think some plastic bags and some aluminum cans are going to make a difference? The planet isn't going anywhere. We are! We're going away." END quote

Jack_D wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:16 AM:Thank you, Victor Selvig. You are right on the money. Oil drilled in Alaska is not "our" oil, it's Exxon's.

Cluck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:17 AM:I hear the local chapter of the Republican't Party is holding a prayer vigil at a local McChurch and praying for another terrorist attack. Ever since Charlie Black said that another terrorist attack would benefit McCan'ts campaign they have been abuzz with fund raising activities. Jumbo combo meals and super sized sodas will be served with your donation. A donation of 100.00 dollars or more also buys you a seat in heaven. They are hoping for something even bigger than 9/11 this time. Figuring it will guarantee a win on Tuesday.

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:18 AM:"Yokozuna" @8:56 AM:
A lot of heat, but very little light.

Chucks Impeccable Source wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:19 AM:Here, let me help you out, Chuck. Here is the entire email:

Think you know who this man is?

This possible President of the United States !! Read Below and ask yourself, is this REALLY someone you can see as the President of our great nation!!!!

Below are a few lines from Obama's books; In his words!

From Dreams of My Father: 'I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites.'

From Dreams of My Father : 'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race.'

From Dreams of My Father: 'There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.'

From Dreams of My Father: 'It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names.'

From Dreams of My Father: 'I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa , that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself , the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.'

And FINALLY the Most Damming one of ALL of them!!!

From Audacity of Hope: 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'

* If you have never forwarded an e-mail, now is the time to Do so!!!! We CANNOT have someone with this type of mentality running our GREAT nation!! I don't care whether you a Democrat or a Conservative. We CANNOT turn ourselves over to this type of character in a President. PLEASE help spread the word!

Well, Chuck, at least you can feel confident you did your part to save the U S of A! Woohoo! *snore*

Oh Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:20 AM:In other words, if anti-Muslim feeling in America got so strong that Muslims started being targeted for violence because of their religion, Obama would stand with them. That's called being an American, Chuck. You might think it more patriotic to be in the mob hurling firebombs at the mosques, but hey, that's just you. That anyone thinks that quote says bad things about Obama is a perfect small example of exactly this point. Defend Muslims = bad. Hey, Chuck, were you in Mississippi in the early 60's patriotically tossing grenades at the busloads of Freedom Riders? Sounds like your kind of thing.

Cluck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:22 AM:These stupid conservatives are now pushing the oil drilling agenda like crazy. Just shows how little they understand about what has caused the out of control increases in prices. Actually I think some may even be "smart" enough to know it's not the answer and are deliberately using "misleading information". But it's an emotional hot button. And my how they love hot buttons. It's just their way of passing the blame on to someone else and taking no accountability. Typical conservative "personal responsibility".

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:24 AM:>>>The Supreme Court decided that punishing the rapist of a child with execution is cruel and unusual punishment and found this unconstitutional.>>> Decided by the 5 liberals on the Supreme Court who are obviously in the back pocket of the ACLU, NAMBLA, the child molesters and the gay mafia

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:26 AM:>>>Ya, Chuck, I got the same email with the out-of-context lines from his books""
Yea, I know, everything a liberal writes that shows his true character, is always out of context.

Interesting... wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:26 AM:WASHINGTON — A new Associated Press-Yahoo News poll gives John McCain a 39-33 advantage over Barack Obama among respondents choosing which candidate would do a better job in Iraq.

McCain, who supported a surge in troops and says he would keep U.S. forces in Iraq as long as the situation were stable, was seen as a better leader for the military than Obama. One out of three respondents said that image fits McCain “very well,” whereas only one out of 10 said the same of Obama, who did not serve in the armed forces.

In the poll, more than one out of five of the respondents who said they opposed the war also said they support McCain for president. The sentiment does not discriminate by gender or by age. Most significantly, it splits independent voters in favor of McCain.

The Iraq findings track McCain’s advantage on the issue of terrorism. Of those surveyed, more than twice as many believe McCain can handle terrorism better than Obama.

McCain voted to support the war in Iraq and opposes a timetable to withdraw. His support contradicts the view of a strong majority of Americans, who believe it was wrong to go into Iraq in the first place.

Image often has as much to do with a candidate’s success as policy. McCain is a former Navy pilot who spent more than five years in a North Vietnamese prison.

“He’s more experienced militarily,” said Ann Burkes, a registered Democrat and retired third-grade teacher from Broken Arrow, Okla. “And I don’t know if I agree with stay-the-course (policy), but I think the good probably outweighs the bad with him, experience-wise.”

Earlier this month, McCain kicked off his general election advertising campaign with an ad that featured his and his family’s military service and his years in captivity. However, he never shies from saying as a former military man, he knows as well as anyone how bad war can be.

“Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war,” he says in the ad.

The public’s views about Iraq are especially notable because many voters appear to separate McCain’s past record of support for the war from their perception of his performance as a military leader. What’s more, it points to a potential Obama vulnerability.

Only 6 percent of those who say they will vote for Obama say McCain would do a better job on Iraq. But among “weak” Obama supporters, that figure rises to 15 percent. Moreover, among undecided voters, McCain is preferred 25 percent to 15 percent over Obama on Iraq.

Leeann Ormsbee, a registered Democrat from Waterford, Pa., believes the United States rushed to war, but now does not believe troops should simply withdraw. The 29-year-old self-employed house cleaner says she has never voted for a Republican. She might this time.

“I do believe that he will do better in Iraq,” she said of McCain. “Because he’s served in the military and he has said we can’t just pull out. … I think we’re just kind of stuck with it now and we have to finish.”

Cluck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:26 AM:Now I know why they haven't caught Osama Bin Laden, and why terrorism recruitment is on the rise. Talk about the perpetual campain. They have been planning the McCain't campaign since the early days of the Iraq invasion. Hoping, praying, and wishing for more terrorism as it helps the Republicans in their minds. No wonder they have created more terrorists around the world. They're considered "campain fundraisers" and "interns". And then they use the name Hussein in a derogotory manner when talking about Obama.

Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:28 AM:To Bad News: Placing a child-rapist in the general prison population will prove to be REALLY "cruel and unusual punishment."

Patrick Kennedy will rue the day he "won" in Court. This case defines a "Pyrrhic victory."

Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:29 AM:Bad news for yahoos[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:01 AM: You can add my name to your list. A child rapist should be hung, drawn and quartered or worse if I could think of a worse punishment. You show absolutely no empathy for the victim or her family.You take glee in a life sentence as if it were some personal victory for your self. Supreme Court has been incorrect in its judgments various times in our history. In fact, it has reversed itself several times. I hope that it shall do so again in the case of child rapists. This is one of the few times that punishment should be applied by the parents.

So Chuck lemme get this straight wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:30 AM:The Mayor of New Orleans was to blame for not properly calling in the feds. Yet now the people of Iowa are heroes for not calling in the feds. And, in cartoon land where Chuck seems to reside, there was NO looting in Iowa, but non-stop looting in New Orleans. In Iowa EVERYONE just helped their neighbors, but in New Orleans NO ONE helped their neighbors. The people of Iowa are GOOD. The people of New Orleans are BAD. And, finally, a question: Chuck, was the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans comparable to the flooding in Cedar Rapids? Or might they have been on completely different scales? Did you know that a hundred years ago, a huge earthquake caused havoc to the City of San Francisco. The other day, near Redlands, there was a 4.0 quake. The people of Redlands handled theirs with good humor and went on with their lives. The people of San Francisco (you know, liberal-town) just whined and whined and whined. Typical. Oh, Chuck, you should stick to your posts about cucumbers. You get into real trouble when you venture out into riskier, more adult waters.

Cluck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:32 AM:So Karl Rove says Obama is the guy at the country club who smokes a cigarette and leans against the wall and makes fun of everyone who walks by. Is there any depth low enough that this scumbag won't go? LOL!! And he's the Republican super hero. First of all isn't Rove doing EXACTLY what he is describing? And I'm sure if he and his cronies had their way he wouldn't even be allowed in the country club. Typical conservative double speak. It's to be expected from these losers.

DD Wiz wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:35 AM:The published letter from Mervyn Hooper is just another poor dupe of Big Oil propaganda.
In contrast, the published letter from Clifford Brown hits the mark perfectly.
The cause of our energy crisis is not the lack of drilling. It is the diversion of oil to the unnecessary Iraq war of choice, demand from emerging nations, devaluation of the dollar and the McCain/Bush deregulation of oil futures speculation. If drilling were the issue, Big Oil could drill on the 68 million acres they are currently "sitting on" or we could revoke the waiver that was granted 15 years ago allowing them to sell oil from federal lands to other nations instead of satisfying our own people first, as noted in the published letter by Victor Selvig.
Hoover is correct that any new drilling would not lower prices for 10-15 years.
He is wrong about alternative technologies and reflects the "can't do" negativity of conservative pessiminsts or the dupes of Big Oil propaganda.
Solar is available, practical and being installed NOW.
Successful electric cars were deployed 10 years ago but withdrawn for purely political reasons. Even better technologies are now being redeveloped and will be broadly available soon.
When you're trying to get out of a hole: stop digging.
When you're trying to break free of oil addiction: STOP DRILLING!

Submit 8:30am.; re-submit 9:35am

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:35 AM:First of all, "to Ron" @8:49 AM no war should be fought based on polls.

And two, I would expect a response like this from you. A total deflection away from yourself. I say, if you do not want to drill for more oil, fine. Then quit using it. Buy yourself an electric car, plug in into your solar panel, and we'll call it even. OK?

Irony Thy Name is Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:35 AM:PRICELESS.

"Ron
[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:30 AM:
Hey "Reardon" @7:51 AM. This is the cry baby attempt at winning an argument.
Of course, from my end, I would expect a logic discourse to proceed along the lines of, say: "Well, I agree on this point and this is why, but I disagree with this point and here is why."
In other words, we tend to begin with facts & logic, working through an empirical process to come to a conclusion."

Cluck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:42 AM:Someone remind me; are KKK members Christians or Muslims? Should entire religions be held accountable because of extremists? So if irrational fear should lead some to attack an entire gorup because of the actions of a few should we defend or abandon? No wonder these filthy conservatives are praying for another terrorist attack; it's not only to ensure a win for McBush it's the excuse they have been hoping for to attack Muslims and continue to fight their holy war. Having no real convictions of their own, they need to attack others to validate their own dogmas. It's getting harder and harder to deiscern between a terrorist and a conservative. Maybe we should keep gitmo open?

Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:50 AM:Ya' Got'ta love the Democrats!

No fried foods at their Denver convention; they will have an Official Carbon Adviser to tell them how to carbon offset everything they do; everything must be both union-made and organic ("We have a union cap or an organic cap," Mr. DeMasse ( the "Official Merchandiser") says. "But we don't have a union-organic offering."

The Democrats wanted 15,000 Fanny Packs – but they must be made of organic cotton, and made by union labor, and be made in the US. One problem – that combination simply does not exist!

The food must include "at least three of the following colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white."

And the balloons must be biodegradable!

The mind boggles!

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:00 AM:Liberals, take note. This is how logical processes work.

Take a look at "Chuck" @6:19 AM: in his post he notes: "..."crushing commodity inflation."

And then, take a look at "to Ron"
@8:49 AM post, in which he says:
"we taxpayers will be tossing them welfare goodies ad nauseum..."

First note, that I read ALL posts, never skip.

and two, Are you aware "commodity inflation" of nearly 240% {corn, wheat, rice, sugar}, is a direct result of "taxpayers tossing them welfare goodies ad nauseum..."

That's how it's done, folks. Logical, fact-filled, and I do a lot of reading.
Read everything. When you use the (-), you limit the information. It's not helpful.

Ms M wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:01 AM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:57 AM: Have you noticed any victims on TV wondering where the federal government is to 'take care of them'? Yes I have and also there have been numerous articles about those citizens asking for MORE help from the government. It seems they feel they need more assistance for this disaster. As request come from those folks I will be glad to post them to your attention.

Bill Too wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:10 AM:(Not to be confused with Bill One) Thank you DD Wiz – I was beginning to think no one read my blogs.

What I refer to as a REAL flat tax is a tax on ALL income from ALL sources – not just EARNED income – which is what has been proposed by some multi-millionaires in the past. Earned income is defined as money made by physically performing work of some kind for it rather than having your MONEY work for you. That would make only wage earners taxpayers, which is really what the super rich want anyway, isn’t it? And NO I do not think any higher graduations of income brackets are needed or justified. There is no reason at the 5% rate that there should be any reason to give breaks for higher income. BTW - The current poverty level as published by the US government this year is $10,400 for a single person with $3,600 more for each additional person in the family.

Probably the biggest objection to this proposal would be that it would put a lot of lawyers and accountants out of work who now spend vast amounts of time and effort (and earn a lot of money) finding ways around the present laws and make them find honest work. It would also simplify the tax returns and reduce the need for the vast number of IRS employees.. While we are at it - why not eliminate these tax lawyers that I constantly see on TV who get large tax debts for companies reduced to pennies on the dollar, while the poor working stiff who owes a few hundred or even a few thousand will have their home taken to pay the taxes. Fair for the worker – fair for the business. If businesses paid their taxes when they come due they wouldn’t have big debts.

FYI - I owned my own small contract computer (hardware) design business for over 20 years –mostly doing work for companies working on Government contracts - before everyone started farming the work overseas at MUCH lower prices. Yes I DO have an idea about what is involved in running a business. I agree that I should have included ALL businesses in the proposed FLAT TAX - not just Corporations, Maybe 10% is a bit low for covering expenses for some business, but there DOES need to be a way to keep the exorbitant salaries down to a reasonable level. If the law does mot mandate it, it will never happen. Unfortunately we live in a ‘Golden Rule’ society – the ones with the Gold make the rules.

Patriot wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:11 AM:Daphne, I'm not going to excuse Ramos and Compean for putting a bullet in the butt of a drug smuggler, but the sentence does not match the crime. These two agents were prosecuted for using a firearm while committing a crime of violence. Is chasing a drug smuggler a crime of violence? Senator Dianne Feinstein does not believe the U.S. Attorney prosecuted these agents under the proper statute. Your opinion is at odds with Senator Feinstein and many others who believe an injustice was done. I also believe this country sent the wrong message to drug smugglers with this prosecution. Obama has no stated position on Ramos and Compean that I can find. Moreover, his approach to dealing with drug smuggling is somewhat of a mystery to me since drugs don't appear as an issue on his web site. This makes me question whether he considers smuggling of illegal drugs across our border (and the associated violence) a serious problem. As a supporter, can you tell us: what is his voting record on this problem and what steps has he proposed to curtail it? I invite other Obama supporters to chime in.

Wont get trampled or hooked wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:50 AM:Chuck, Your right on! But it doesn't mean a thing to some Obamacanknights when they are in that riot mode, Sometimes reading there comments is like watching mad fans go nuts at a soccer game, or fish fighting over a worm.(riot) Carry on Chuck, You are not alone, Many of us are with you, Most people, like me, don't blog, Or bring the baby's out to be kissed, But we do show up at the polls.

The hope candidate wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:05 AM:I see that McCain's push for giving the oil giants offshore and other sites is, in his words, designed to be a "psychological" move, to allow voters to think he's actually doing something meaningful. He says that it's good to give people the feeling of hope. Clever, there, John. Hope! Where'd you pull that word from? So what you're saying is that as we all know, giving the oil companies more drill sites really will have no impact on anything but their own profits. But it would make Americans think it will help them, and this illusion is something worth advocating. Seriously, is anyone considering actually VOTING for this guy? Why?

The hope candidate PS wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:08 AM:Oh, and for the offshore sites, one governor (of California) opposes McCain's idea. The other governor (of Florda) thinks it's a fabulous idea. Now: can anyone guess which of the two governors really, really wants to be McCain's choice for VP? "I'll take slimy self-serving politicians for $20, Alex"

DD Wiz wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:26 AM:The published letter from Mervyn Hooper is just another poor dupe of Big Oil propaganda.
In contrast, the published letter from Clifford Brown hits the mark perfectly.
The cause of our energy crisis is not the lack of drilling. It is the diversion of oil to the unnecessary Iraq war of choice, demand from emerging nations, devaluation of the dollar and the McCain/Bush deregulation of oil futures speculation. If drilling were the issue, Big Oil could drill on the 68 million acres they are currently "sitting on" or we could revoke the waiver that was granted 15 years ago allowing them to sell oil from federal lands to other nations instead of satisfying our own people first, as noted in the published letter by Victor Selvig.
Hoover is correct that any new drilling would not lower prices for 10-15 years.
He is wrong about alternative technologies and reflects the "can't do" negativity of conservative pessiminsts or the dupes of Big Oil propaganda.
Solar is available, practical and being installed NOW.
Successful electric cars were deployed 10 years ago but withdrawn for purely political reasons. Even better technologies are now being redeveloped and will be broadly available soon.
When you're trying to get out of a hole: stop digging.
When you're trying to break free of oil addiction: STOP DRILLING!

Submit 8:30am.; re-submit 9:35am; 3rd submission 11:26am
This post is in response to published letters (the topic of this web comments page) and does not violate any NCT standards.
"Ron" and "Chuck" are allowed numerous, often lengthy submissions processed immediately --
The weekday morning blog editor is clearly withholding and delaying my posts --
FAIRNESS and PROFESSIONALISM, PLEASE

More evidence wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:29 AM:Chuck's impeccable source chimes in, fabulously making my earlier point. S/he says that the most damning of ALL the things Obama wrote was that he would stand with Muslims if they became targeted for violence because of their religion. Folks, the mentality of the KKK is merrily in our midst and posting right here! If you side with them and, if violence against people for being Muslim began, you'd want to be in the mobs, fire-bombing mosques with Chuck and his compadres, go for it. Meanwhile, actual Americans will ALL side with the Muslims, and dare you and your ilk to become murderers in the name of your hatreds. Every time you post, I feel more strongly that Obama is the man for the job, and that the posters belong in some terrible place reserved for violent bigots.

Oh Oh wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:33 AM:Dear Oh, It's getting hard to tell if you just like churning the Obama/Mc pot, or, You just have a thing for Chuck?

Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:34 AM:Supreme Court: The editor probbly found my method of capital punishment for child rapists too violent for this blog. Anyway, this is one time that you can put me in the camp of the conservatives on this blog. I think that he should be dispatched.

Oh Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:46 AM:I never said that I opposed more drilling, only that the oil companies drill on land they already lease, which we know has billions of barrels of oil under it. I prefer this to giving them more sites, more freebies, more incentives out of my pocket. Even your guy McCain admits that his promoting giveaways of more drill sites is something to give Americans a "psychological" boost. Yes, even McCain knows that mantras like "drill here, drill now" will not lead to "lower prices". And Ron, if you so oppose polls that speak of matters of war, even when that poll is among an occupied people who want democracy, why are such a big fan of polls when they can be used to back up your selfish (oil investor, hoping for profits at taxpayer expense) interests? Why is that Ron?

Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:48 AM:Ya Gotta love the Democrats!

No fried foods at their convention; they will have an Official Carbon Adviser to tell them how to carbon offset everything they do; everything must be both union-made and organic ("We have a union cap or an organic cap," Mr. DeMasse (Official merchandiser) says. "But we don't have a union-organic offering."

The Democrats wanted 15,000 Fanny Packs – but they must be made of organic cotton, and made by union labor. And be made in the US. One problem – that combination does not exist!

The food must include "at least three of the following colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white."

And the balloons must be biodegradable!

The mind boggles!

(Resubmission)

The Liberal Court wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:53 AM:This same so-called "liberal court" also decided to reduce the financial penalty on Exxon for the oil spill enormously. Yep, that's the liberals for you! We all know that some people, maybe most people, just love the idea of killing someone that they despise, and this lust for vengeance takes over when they hear of certain kinds of crimes. They feel so strongly the desire to kill these people that they even think that anyone who might propose anything less is actually a supporte of child molestation. Sick. I wonder how they'd feel if their son had been caught molesting a child. Sitting there with him in all his tormented misery, so unlike the "satanic" creature his neighbors all say he is as they stand in the yard with their pitchforks.

Apollo wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:53 AM:Re: DD Wiz (11:26 a.m.)
C'mon, Wiz, the only way Ron or chuck would ever be able to make a point is to block anyone else from getting equal time.
Ditto for Focal Point (11:34 a.m.)

Alf wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:04 PM:Well, "Focal Point" at 11:34AM, you have let emotion cloud your judgement. I ask you to answer this with your mind, not your emotions - Should the death penalty be applied to crimes other than the killing of another human being? If so, which ones and why? I realize that molesters are the "pariah du jour" and that much misinformation was force-fed to the public in the campaign to pass Prop. 83 aka Jessica's Law (I make it a point NEVER to vote for law or proposition with a name attached, such a law or proposition is almost always aimed DIRECTLY at emotion, not reasoned, rational thought), but do you honestly believe that murdering someone for something other than taking a life is justified? Life without parole, no hope of ever being outside a prison unless it is in a casket is pretty steep. Regards, Alf.

To Neil Turner wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:21 PM:Tell me is ICE going to be in attendance at this function? I am an American of Mexican descent but it seems you and your type think all Mexicans are illegals and I would hate to be deported accidently!!

esteban wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:31 PM:To "bad news yahoos"...I tried to reply to you but NCT censors me...again. So much for free speech (no blog policy violation either).

Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:42 PM:Alf: If life in prison is so horrible, why does almost every person sentenced to death take every advantage of the Court to get their death sentence reverted to life in prison?

I would agree with ending the death sentence for everything if prison was not so easy.

Boring, yes. Dangerous, yes. But hardly difficult -- free food, free medical care, free cable TV, free books, free time....

My daughter works in a California prison -- in the medical section -- and she is livid with the care prisoners get. She has a poster of Sheriff Joe Arpaio over her desk -- as do many others -- with a banner reading, "Sheriff Joe, He's Our Man!"

The prisoners complain about the posters...they also complain the food, the overcrowding, the book selection…and they write my daughter up for “disrespecting” them. (She is her Daddy’s daughter!)

Question: How much respect is due a murderer? A child rapist? An armed robber?

Bring back chain gangs! Bring back “hard labor!” How long would it take to turn the rocks in the Rocky Mountains into a fine powder?

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:44 PM:Responding to Wizzer @11:26 AM:

Mervyn Hooper is not another poor dupe of Big Oil propaganda, he just wants his car to run, and not break his back while doing it. You know? A regular American?

And based on the following:

"Submit 8:30am.; re-submit 9:35am; 3rd submission 11:26am
This post is in response to published letters (the topic of this web comments page) and does not violate any NCT standards.
"Ron" and "Chuck" are allowed numerous, often lengthy submissions processed immediately --
The weekday morning blog editor is clearly withholding and delaying my posts --
FAIRNESS and PROFESSIONALISM, PLEASE"

I'd say my take on peer-review goes unmatched.

Daphne wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:45 PM:Obviously you feel Ramos and Compean were justified in shooting this individual because as you so plainly put it he was a “drug smuggler” therefore he deserved a bullet in the butt. My concern is the cover up!!! Those agents just as all other Law Enforcement agents do not have the right to serve up justice out on our streets. They do not have the right to act as judge, jury and executioner. Whatever Diane Feinstein believes is irrelevant here because she was not on the jury in this case. She obviously did not hear the compelling evidence against these two men. I believe many people are prosecuted and given harsh sentences everyday why aren’t you concerned about them being freed? You have got to be kidding if you think that anyone in their right mind does not consider drug smuggling of drugs a serious problem. I ask you to research how the next President of the United States plans on curtailing this enormous problem. Also to all other OBAMA supporters do not take the bait put out by this self proclaimed Patriot.

Off the subject wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:45 PM:but still....Does anybody know why the City of Escondido is running their fire trucks and ambulances on red lights only? I know the people sleeping probably appreciate it, but one old guy with a white cane and red tip was getting ready to cross the street in front of the ambulance showing red lights only no siren.

DD Wiz wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:45 PM:The post from "Bill Too" (10:10am) shows he does not understand key aspects of the Flat Tax issue.
He is confusing the tax rate structure with the calculation of income.
Tax simplification is a separate issue, which I support, because most of the loopholes that complicate the calculation were inserted by special interests to get special treatment.
ALL of the complexity comes in figure out your net taxable income. Once that is done, you just look up the tax on a table (probably your computer does it) and it takes less than a minute.
And again, "Bill Too" did not address the fact that the allowance of a primary exemption layer of income essentially concedes the point of the need for recognizing differing levels of marginal utility of money at differing levels of income. So why stop at just two layers? If the principle is valid, then apply progressive (graduated) rates. If not, then don't have any -- but you know how well that would go over, don't you, because it makes the concept way too transparent.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:49 PM:My Good Alf: You are always seem to be the voice of reasoned judgment and good advice on this blog. I may even vote for Ron Paul. Yes, my comment was a reaction to the court finding in the cases of child rape. It was highly charged and emotional.
You are probably correct that the lousy culprit should suffer no more than a life sentence. I was also reacting to the person who blogged it. He or she seemed more overjoyed that somehow that the Supreme Court ruling was a victory over the more consecrative bloggers that were mentioned. Using that ruling as some sort of personal victory is reprehensible. Anyway, Alf, them are my two cents and you have a good day. Regards, FP

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:03 PM:You seem to be under the illusion, that "life without parole" is actually life without parole.
"Bad news for yahoos" @9:01 AM?
Personally, I can not think of a better punishment for those who rape little children, than to become one of those little children in prison.
But, I do tend to lean in the direction of death for scum like this, because your side is always trying to find ways of excusing their behavior, and then springing them. Down the road, you'll find some lunatic doctor who'll say "they are victims", and they'll let them out.
Under the Ron's rules of life, I have this theory. And I think it's pretty accurate. Let me explain....
Most of us, about 90%.. just want to get up every morning, go to work, make some money to feed our family's, and have a decent shot at life. Oh, sure, we bump into each other from time to time, we don't really mean it, but for the most part, we are not predators on the rest of society.
Then you have the other group, the predators, the 10%. I don't know what's wrong with them, and frankly, it's really none of my concern. All I know is they consider the rest of us prey.

And when they do want to set them loose, they always seem to find a community, which they do not notify, and plunk them down next to a park, a school, or some other good hunting ground.

And then, WE are told, they've done their bit, and leave them alone. When we all know what this is, a sickness.
A mental disorder, a pathology that can not be stopped. But, they turn them loose anyways.
And that's why I own guns.

To Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:11 PM:The piece you posted by George Carlin was brilliant, thank you. You did read it all the through though, yes? It didn't quite illustrate your point as he includes a very undesirable end for humankind. Just though you'd want to know. Thank goodness for the Environmentalists and thanks again!

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:17 PM:Yes, "Reardon" @9:50 AM.
We will all wait with baited-breath to see all the limousine liberals fly in to Denver by private jet. Including the Pope Al Gore. Of course, all offset by carbon credits... LOL too funny!

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:29 PM:More on socialized medicine across the world...
Australia's doctor shortage is becoming critical, with new figures revealing a plunge in the number of GPs. A report to be released today shows the number of practising GPs fell 9 per cent between 1997 and 2005.

Concerned One wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:30 PM:Another wonderful lunch hour in the blogosphere! Good posts, especially Ron's George Carlin sketch. So true. As for letters, the writers are getting more adamant as we get closer to the election. Who is this guy Baldwin? I like a lot of those points; just not sure they are realistic. I'll join Alf and the rest with a write in, just to feel good. Hopefully by now you know my candidate. Honest, reliable, trustworthy, optimistic (maybe a little too optimistic), friendly (unless you mess with me, or my kids), and one hundred percent focused (food mostly)! Yes folks, a vote for Rex is a vote for a good thing! Regards, C-1.

A good point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:33 PM:I am completely against the death penalty on the premise that I find it wrong to kill except when necessary in self or other-defense. But I do agree with making a life sentence in prison (1) truly without chance of parole and (2) useful to society via hard work. I continue to be amazed at people who assume that if you are against execution, you are somehow "for" criminals. Boggles the mind.

chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:33 PM:.>>Every time you post, I feel more strongly that Obama is the man for the job,>>>>
Thats false and you know it. We all know that Obama is your man because of the freebees he's offering, and the taxes he's going to raise on your employer and other people who have more than you.

Patriot wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:36 PM:I have been researching Obama's positions and plans for curtailing drug smuggling, but cannot find any. Drugs are coming into this country, causing violent crime in our cities and ruining lives. Look at the havoc the drug cartels are causing south of the border and increasingly on our side of the border. I really want to know what Obama will do about this problem. Of course he cares about it is no answer. To coin his own phrase, I need a plan for change I can believe in.

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:39 PM:>>>because most of the loopholes that complicate the calculation were inserted by special interests to get special treatment>>>> That hasn't been true for 25 years. Tax laws get changed to promote behaviors. They dont want you to smoke, so they raise the taxes. The economy is in a recession or they need technology, job growth, medical cures, want more people to go to college, etc and they lower taxes and/or increase deductions or credits.

Child rapists second try wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:39 PM:I would ask you all to consider that pretty much every child rapist is himself a former victim of molestation. So in your clamor to have the person executed, the actual cause of all this horror is having his dinner, i.e., the perpetrator of rape to the now-rapist. And the victim who gets to help give the lethal injection will himself possibly become a future molester. Of course all you yahoos who love revenge never think about any of this. Instead, you scream against any program that might provide therapy for the victim, increasing the likelihood that he, too, will rape in the future. But let's make it simple and even lovelier for you revenge-freaks: when a child is raped, why not execute both the perpetrator and the victim (a future rapist, kind of a pre-emptive strike like you folks love so much, to prevent possible future attacks). This way you get TWO executions, save money and arguments abouit social services being provided to anyone, and also save future victims. Deal?

chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:50 PM:>>>>The weekday morning blog editor is clearly withholding and delaying my posts>>> What a whiney liberal

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:52 PM:>>>My Good Alf: You are always seem to be the voice of reasoned judgment and good advice on this blog.>>>> Hogwash, I thought I was the voice of reasoned judgement. Fair and Balanced is my motto

to Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:08 PM:It's good to see that you appreciate reason when dealing with issues. But suddenly with the urge for revenge-killing, you toss it aside. You say that my earlier post about "yahoos" sounded like I was pleased at this victory. I admit that, because, as I've said, I oppose killing unless in self- or other-defense. So, yes, I celebrate that the Court decided that I (as a taxpayer) and the victim (a child) would not have to participate in a revenge-killing. That said, I am astounded that even you, reason-lover, seem to assume that anyone that does not want to murder these people must -- I don't know -- want them free? living in luxury? encouraged to repeat the crime? Seriously, you guys write as though anyone who might oppose execution was FOR child-rape. That is incredibly insulting to me. That crime is one of the great horrors of possibility. I want the perpetrator to never see daylight again, and if it means making "time" tougher, as Reardon suggested, you have my vote. Please understand this: one can find that crime absolutely sickening and STILL oppose execution. OK?

jvc wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:10 PM:The FEDS need to raise interest rates now..inflation is well out of contol
and needs to be abated!

Yo Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:16 PM:Most folks on here think more of themselves then they ought to, But you FP got them all beat.

Apollo wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:19 PM:Re: Reardon (11:48 a.m.)
I'm just wondering if you could elucidate as to why you felt the series of efforts such as healthy food, being conscious of carbon footprint, and other very simple environmental and other considerations are so deserving of ridicule.
Which one(s) exactly do you object to organization voluntarily complying with and why?
You know, Reardon, if you don't think it is worth negligible effort to try to contribute to a better world, why do you feel so compelled to ridicule those who do?
Or does it make you feel a little more superior, a little more smug, if you think you can use ridicule to pull them down to your level?
Actually, what happens is the opposite.
And the only thing that boggles my mind about it is the thrill of a large organization actually putting its effort where its mouth is.

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:29 PM:In Hugo Chavez news.. I mean.. Nancy Pelosi news....
Today signaled her strong support for revival of the “Fairness Doctrine.”
Now, we all know what this is, it is aimed at the heart of talk radio, just as FDR "created" FCC licensing to thwart Father Coughlin in the 1930's.
Then, to add insult to injury, FDR orderd the US Postal Service to not deliver the Father's newsletters.
Unable to compete, matching format against format, as we all saw Air America go down in flames, this will mandate by government fiat equal time.
We know how this doctrine was applied in the past, and it's real world effects. Instead of providing equal time, broadcasters simply changed their station formats eliminating all controversial subject matter. Effectively silencing confrontational debate. In other words, it will do exactly what Hugo Chavez has done in Venezula, shut down opposition to Democrats on the airwaves.

How to be Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:41 PM:On the issue of health care, here's what you do to be "smart like Ron": ignore all data that indicates that health care in the US has problems. Ignore the mortality rate. Ignore the cost. Ignore the uninsured and underinsured. Then, vigilantly scan the world press in search of any factoid that shows that some health care system somewhere has any problem. Pass that on to your adoring readers as proof that the US system is the best. You may apply this method of "argument" to any issue you wish: Ron does!

Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:44 PM:Patriot[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:36 PM Probably he will continue the very successful plan of GWB. Don/t see any reasons to change the policy of the Great Decider. Do you?

What say ye wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:44 PM:Imagine you are the parent of a 24-year-old young man, a "good kid", maybe a little immature but no drugs, no criminal record, just an ordinary kid. He's dating a 17 year old girl that he met through a friend. On their third date, he tries to see if she'd be interested in "going all the way with him". She says no, but he persists, begs, argues, touches. He knows that sometimes, as his pals say, "no means maybe", and he persists. She freezes and he has his way. She goes right to the police. Your kid is now a child rapist. Shall we execute him? What say ye?

Drillers wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:45 PM:More on the 76% wanting to drill. How about those living here in 100 or 200 years from now? Think they might want a voice in this. Probably so, but we'll never know, nor will they likely have that choice, because our rash and self serving decisions now will not even give them that option. Do we not have ANY obligation to them?

to Patriot wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:54 PM:And what is McCain's ingenious plan for decreasing Americans' enormous appetite for drugs? Because certainly no plan that's ever been tried has helped in any way whatsoever. So if McCain says, on his website, that he supports the "war on drugs", well, that's no plan, it's a proven loser. Does he say we should pour "even more tax dollars" into it? Hmm, sounds like the way people want to "fix" the public school system. That's a loser. I suspect that much of the drug problem is driven by some core features of American life. The pursuit of happiness. The desire for instant fixes for everything. The expectation that life should be filled with entertainment. The access to spendable money. The advertisements that insist that every kind of misery can be quickly cured by taking a drug. The nonstop messages from all the corporations that advertise on all the media that we should all feel great all the time! And social conditions elsewhere: the absence of a middle class in nations that can grow and traffic drugs. Desperate poverty among the world's peasants. The opportunity to make more money than you could've dreamed of, and then have all the stuff that American heroes have. Well, I could go on, but this seems like a general start towards understanding the drug problem. What's McCain's "plan" to fix this situation? Can't wait to hear it!

Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:57 PM:to Focal Point[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:08 PM: No Siree Bob. You used the issue as an avenue to thwart the conservatives on the blog. I do not believe that you care about the victim or the culprit at all. Your extrapolation is wrong and your problem. My first preference for people who harm helpless children, rape them or kill them is to execute them. Alf offered some sane advice in which I concurred that life without the real possibility of parole would be acceptable. I never said that you were for child rape. If so, quote me? Don't lump me in with, "you guys" when addressing a blog to me.
As a stated, read your blog. You start out with an insult to the conservos and then gleefully state the Supreme Court finding without any reference to the miserable crime or the sufferings of the victim.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:00 PM:to Focal Point[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:08 PM: You are right. That is my main mission for this week. My main goal is to rival or surpass the position of the Chuckster on this blog. Your observation suggests that I am succeeding. Thank you.
I know that this a blog and you can use names or multiple names. But most people who have any gutts use at least one consistently. So until you get at least one, I shall consider your opinion worthless.

jvc wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:07 PM:Scholars write textbooks that are written to impart knowledge and it is the unit of the text of one area of knowledge in combination with many other texts of that area of knowledge that fulfills our base to understand
all things. Consequently, the research done in with our scholarly texts is and will continue to be the necessary tool of learning! Scholarly research is fundamentally about comparisons of facts and given this, no computer can ever replace a scholarly texts insofar as a computers is unable to make reasarch comparisons!And therefore computers can never replace libraries.

To Neil wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:10 PM:Hey where is my post? I asked if it is safe for brown people to attend the presentation being announced by Neil Turner.

Apollo wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:12 PM:Re: Ron (2:29 p.m.)
What on earth are you talking about? Air America "going down in flames"?
You sure have a small, local, provincial perspective. Either that or a mix of your creative fact-making or wishful thinking again.
One local station, owned by an extremely conservative parent company, Clear Channel, was taken off the air just in time for a critical presidential election.
However, Air America is still thriving, and can be heard via the Internet, as well as receiving the Los Angeles affiliate in many parts of North County.
And please note, that it takes time to build up a new format. The format has only been around for a few years, but is way ahead of where Rush Limbaugh was at an equivalent point in his career.

Now it is no longer wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:14 PM:the little peoples problem in the USA, they went after a congressman's relative. lol Pardon me while I laugh! A woman who reportedly is a relative of Congressman Silvestre Reyes was kidnapped in Juárez, then released with the help of U.S. law enforcement agencies. Reyes, D-Texas, declined to comment. The kidnapping was first reported on the Narcosphere Web site, which attributed the report and knowledge of the victim's relationship to Reyes to a DEA official in El Paso. Though the Web site reported the kidnapped person was Reyes' sister-in-law, another federal agency and other officials are saying that some of the facts in the online report might be wrong, including the connection to Reyes.

Relatives of Reyes told Channel 9-KTSM (cable Channel 10) off camera that they were told not to comment.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement was the lead U.S. agency in the incident, but the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration were also involved. However, neither agency would release any details, including when the incident took place. "I have nothing to say about that," DEA spokesman Matthew Taylor, who was quoted in the Narco News report, said.

to Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:18 PM:Yes indeed, I DO want to insult and attack the conservos whose knee jerk response to so many things is "kill 'em". I DO want to celebrate that the court interpreted the constitution in a humane way, as the Founders probably intended when they thought of "no cruel or unusual punishment". So I plead guilty to all this. But Focal Point, how does it follow from this that I don't care about the victims? You know what? I have spent a very long career working in mental health and have sat for hundreds or thousands of hours with both victims and perpetrators. I've been through their experiences with them frame by frame and seen, up close and personal, what kind of pain they feel. So please, don't insult me further by saying that just because I think conservatives are idiots, I therefore am whatever you wish me to be. And, as has been mentioned, it's very real to me that perpetrators are themselves former victims. Some aspect of their crime is yet another consequence of their having been raped when they were children. You prefer executing "pictures" of people that are mostly fantasies, of monsters, lurkers, satanic evil figures. Sorry, while some of these exist, most are people with hellish suffering in their past and every day of their lives. While you folks are all excited about getting to execute the perpetrator, most conservatives refuse to support the victim getting the kinds of help that might avert a future as a perpetrator. Having said that, I will say again that I am in favor of perpetrators truly being locked up for life, and with a tough "time" to serve. OK?

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:19 PM:Oh, I see that "Apollo" @11:53 AM:
is very much aware of how the peer-review process works!

"C'mon, Wiz, the only way Ron or chuck would ever be able to make a point is to block anyone else from getting equal time."

Which is exactly how elite journals, such as Science block skeptical scientists from publishing.

They block.

Being Reasonaable wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:22 PM:What say ye[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:44 PM: In the case of my daughter, I would just settle for a penectomy.

Alf wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:25 PM:Well, "Reardon" at 12:42PM, you ask "Question: How much respect is due a murderer? A child rapist? An armed robber?". My answer is NO respect to any of the above, however, what rights they have left is another matter as well as treating them like human beings. They may have committed horrible acts, they may well be sub-human in their brain wiring but "as you treat the least ...." still applies and they ARE human beings whether you or I or Joe Smith believe otherwise. If your daughter finds the criminals that she tends to be so vile, why does she work in that environment? A family friend who is a retired Probation Officer treated her "clients" as PEOPLE who were convicted drug dealers, rapists, thieves, etc. they were the ones who warranted probation versus prison many of whom finished probation just fine and a few were sent to prison. Regards, Alf.

Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:30 PM:To What Say Ye: The Louisiana law overturned by the Supremes specifies the child under the age of 12! What say ye to the rape of a child under the age of 12. BTW, the perp in this case raped a stepdaughter, violently, who was 8! (Another Louisiana rapist in the Supreme case was raping a child, 5!)

There is not need to suppose something when we have an actual law, and an actual age before us.

Alf wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:36 PM:Well, "Concerned One" at 1:30PM, if you are going to vote for Rex, I may change mine to Miss Maggie Mae the cat. I'm kidding around. How about Pat Paulsen for President. Regards, Alf.

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:41 PM:Wow! So far off, but what can I say? He's a lib. He'll never understand.
Will you, "How to be Ron" @2:41 PM?

Believe me, leave it to "the professional", ok? I'll be me, you be you. Your not cut out for my job.

and two, it's none of my business.
More plainly, it's their choice.
They could have health insurance, they opt not to.
Everyone is this country if they are poor can have health care, they just are many times to lazy to go down to the local office and sign up for it.

As for me, I cover my own family. Even when my kid's couldn't cover themselves, or my grandson, I covered it. I'm doing my part, in taking care of my own family so they don't burden precious resources for those who truly need them.
But, somehow, in your mind, if little Juan or Juanita's parent's decide they need a new flat screen, instead of healthcare, I need to pay for that.
I don't think so.

Apollo wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:41 PM:Re: Ron (3:19 p.m.)
What are you trying to say, Ron?
When you have a "peer review" it is reviewed against a standard.
In the case of scientists, it is compliance with the rigors of scientific methodology.
Are you saying the NCT web comments editors are evaluating these blogs based on a standard? One that lets you and Chuck through but withholds or delays intelligent, thoughtful liberals who would beat you silly in any serious, open "marketplace of ideas" (I know how you hate markets with equality of access)?
So in other words, it is not a fair and open blog that everyone can join on an equal playing field?
In the case of science, it is not supposed to be. It is elite. Is the best of SCIENCE, not Big Oil funded propaganda, which is screened out on purpose.
Let's see, the standard here is Wiz and Reardon "NO" and Chuck and Ron "YES" - the standard seems to be screening out brains.

to Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:43 PM:I was not up on the details of the Louisiana case. I maintain my position, however. I am against killing unless it is in self- or other-defense. I can completely understand the desire to execute the perpetrator. I cannot understand how I can morally be in favor of going through with it. Every murderer has a "reason". Every one thinks the victim somehow "deserved to die". Why would I want to imitate him? If it's wrong for him to do his crime, then it's gotta be wrong for me to kill in return, even though it would gratify my desire. I want perpetrators imprisoned for life, no parole, with "tough" time as you suggested earlier. Clear? In addition, my bet would be that most of those who posted here to execute the perpetrator also did not know the age or circumstance of the Louisiana case. I posted the hypothetical date rape so that people might realize that not all cases of rapes of minors fit their sensationalist images of it. To show that real life is usually more complicated. Never mind.

ShawnP wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:46 PM:To What Say Ye and all of the other namby-pambys - child rapists, especially if it is their own child or step-child, should be publicly castrated or executed! You talk about their "human rights" when they have acted MOST sub-human.
Does no one realize anymore? When a person is convicted of a major felony and sentenced to prison (hard time), THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY RIGHTS. They gave up those rights when they CHOSE to commit their heinous act.
You can call me simple, conservative, vengeful, whatever --- I know that public castration/execution won't bring back the victim (like my two cousins), but no one here talks about the victim's rights, or the pain and suffering they went through.
If this gets posted, I'll be very surprised....

Reardon wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:49 PM:to To Focal Point: The term of art in the Constitution is "Cruel AND unusual" not "Cruel OR Unusual"

That is more then a distinction without a difference.

Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:52 PM:to Focal Point[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:18 PM: Go read your initial e mail paying attention to the address and the content. You are not concerned at all about the victum in it. You are using it just to beat up on the conservos. That is what I found reprehensible. I don't care about your declaration about your intent or your back ground post facto. Read your own first e mail without your myopic glasses. And, all bloggers pretty much say what they please so long as it does not irritate the editor.

Ron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:52 PM:You gotta understand the mind set...

Take a look at what "Apollo" @3:12 PM wrote: "One local station, owned by an extremely conservative parent company, Clear Channel, was taken off the air just in time for a critical presidential election."

Just in time for a critical election?

Please note: It's always.. Always a conspiracy. Big Radio, Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big, Big, Big....

Surfer wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:54 PM:Alf[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:36 PM: Oh Big Kahuna. I did not know you knew Maggie. Hang ten brah.

Duckndodge wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:07 PM:Hey Focal Point-less drivel, Was the name (end the post with an insult) esteban not working anymore for you, so you are getting more posts with Focal Point?

to Surfer wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:21 PM:3:45, Dude, I respect your path, but don't put all your shells in one Kahuna pail, You may be headed for a wipeout!

To Surfer Again wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:41 PM:From 4:21 I think, that was 3:54 not 3:45, Dyslexia dude, sorry.

to Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:42 PM:Can you show me where in my initial "yahoo" post I demonstrated a lack of concern for the victim? I see we have another person blogging who is in the full-bore "execute" mode. As the person says, this won't undo the deeds. But all s/he wants is to feel the pleasure of inflicting pain on someone who hurt him. I totally sympathize with that desire. But morality, and especially our system of law, is all about NOT just acting on what would feel good. That's what the perps do, after all. Sorry, but people accused of crimes and even people convicted of crimes DO have rights in the USA.

to ShawnP wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:52 PM:For you to say that no one cares about the victim's rights is absolutely and completely absurd. When anyone says they would like to see the perpetrator put away for life without chance of parole, it is, in effect, a death sentence. So, now, what ARE the rights of the victims? To live as well as possible, I'd say. To receive all the support and treatment that would help them recover, be that support via mental health, medical, or religious/spiritual "helpers". This is all the more important if we want the victims to not become victimizers later in life. I think your question about the victim's rights is extremely important, but I fear that you and others think the answer to this question about his/her rights only means his/her right to feel the pleasure of executing the perpetrator. You seem to think that this is the end of the story. But it's not even PART of the story. These kids need our support and help. Now let me ask you: when politicians talk about using tax money for medical, mental health, and similar services for children, especially for the poor, what do you say to them? If you're like Ron, for example, you say "not with MY money; those people should've bought health insurance instead of that flat screen" (and I won't even mention what the Rons -- and the insurance providers -- say about mental health care!). Well, there sit the children that you all say you "care" so much about, stewing in their suffering, their nightmares, their terror of ever having a normal romantic relationship, their feeling of being "used goods", their fears of someday becoming child molesters. Talk to me about their rights again, please.

to ShawnP PS wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:58 PM:One other point about the victims. I have seen this happen a great deal. Once the perp is executed (or put away, or whatever), the victim's family pretends that it's all over, now. Do they talk to their kids about the events? Rarely. It's too hard. They demand, in their behavior, that the victims be silent about their suffering. Why? To protect the family members from having to face that pain. To promote the delusion that it's over and done with. To soothe themselves into thinking that my kid doesn't need a therapist...therapists are for weak people. All this communicates to the victim that his/her intense feelings of shame about the incident(s) are accurate: just LOOK at how shameful this topic is to those closest to me! But of course none of this matters. All that matters is that the monster fried, and all's well.

and finally to Focal Point wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:01 PM:This is the "yahoos" person again. I am really disappointed in your posts today. You claim to be a person who admires reason, but absolutely will not budge on your stance that it's all about attacking conservatives and having the nerve to disagree with you primitive and (IMHO) immoral need to have revenge. Where is there evidence that YOU care about the victims? What, that you want the perp dead? How is that "care for the victims"? You want to know my opinion? It's that you owe me an apology. Peace.

Concerned One wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:01 PM:Yes Alf we are from the same Gen, no doubt. Pat Pulsen is exactly the type of candidate we should vote for this year. BTW Rex's position on the death penalty is: Death by lethal injection or life without parole...which ever is cheaper. Rex is looking for a running mate! Cheers, and Aloha, C-1.

Alf wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:08 PM:Well, "What say ye" at 2:44PM, I believe that you describe rape or statutory rape, not child (under the age of 14 in California) rape. Either way, a 24 y/o male raping a 17 y/o female should be sent to jail or prison, not executed. That's my opinion. Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:22 PM:Well, "ShawnP" at 3:46PM, it is your emotional opinion, not a fact of law, when you say "THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY RIGHTS. They gave up those rights when they CHOSE to commit their heinous act." Obviously you are highly emotional on the subject, with good cause, but victims have rights AND, perpetrators have rights before trial (Miranda warnings), during trial (statutory time between phases of prosecution) and after trial in jail or prison. We are a nation of laws, not revenge. My sympathies to your cousins and to you. You seriously do need to look at and understand the law. The same laws that give you rights also give rights to EVERYONE, including murderers, rapists, thieves and even GWB, whether we think they deserve them or not. Regards, Alf.

Rons conspiracies wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:36 PM:Wait. Is that RON accusing others of "always" claiming there's a conspiracy? RON? But I thought Ron, the world expert on peer reviewed journals, has insisted the "elite" scientists conspire to keep opposing data out of their journals. And isn't it Ron who is forever talking about all the global warming advocates worlwide who put together the IPCC out of political hacks to accomplish their agenda? And isn't it Ron who at every opportunity sees the liberals following the recipes of Saul Alinsky in their coordinated efforts to win the world for Marxism? Must've been a different Ron. LOL

FOCAL POINT wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:38 PM:FOCAL POINT POSTS: Seems that someone has engendered some heated discussions using my blog name in my short absence.
I do not find it amusing. Some of you,however, seem to have used it for entertainment. It was a long trip. Sleep is now required. Tomorrow, we shall ferret out this monster impersonator.

Bill Too wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:42 PM:(Not to be confused with Bill One) DD Wiz still can’t seem to understand what I am saying on the flat tax. I DO understand what the current thinking is, and that is the problem with the current system. What I did was to propose an entirely different concept on taxes. A base living deduction with NO DEDUCTIONS – NO EXEMPTIONS above that level for ANYTHING. How plain can I make it?

One of the biggest problems we have in this Country is that the original founders were accustomed to working on the honor system. A man’s word was his bond and he would give up everything he had rather than go back on his word. Today it takes a battery of lawyers to determine how they can misconstrue a particular word. Remember the controversy over what “is” meant? We should all read the Mexican Constitution of 1917 (Translated version available on line). It was based on the US Constitution except that they learned from our political problems and worded it in such a way that it is difficult for lawyers to twist the meaning. BTW – It would also have been a reason for the US to go to war with Mexico if we had not already been involved wit WWI. It FEDERALIZED (HORRORS) all Mexican resources and ousted all of the Foreign companies – including a number of US based companies. Any surprise that PEMEX can still sell petroleum products so much cheaper than our companies do up here?

Karl wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:53 PM:I'm just catching up from yesterday, that damn golf addiction is taking it's toll on the real meaningful things in life.

To"To Alf....
[-] wrote on Jun 24, 2008 9:58 PM:I say Alf for President!!!!!!"

I must respectfully disagree with you my friend. First of all Alf only has one name so how can we be sure he is not an "alien"? I think if he legally changed his name to "Alf Alf Bo Balf Banana bana bo balf" I might consider voting for him. I do however believe that if Ron Paul selected Alf Alf Bo Balf Banana bana bo balf for his running mate the US of A would vote this ticket in a landslide.

Peace

Surfer wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:56 PM:to Surfer[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:21 PM: And I have had a few wipe outs. One time on the North Shore.. well, that is another story.

OBSERVATION wrote on Jun 25, 2008 5:59 PM:Six dead in Kentucky factory shooting:

Karl wrote on Jun 25, 2008 6:02 PM:David Goodman,
I have no idea what your grievance is with Richard Rider or his with you, nor did I follow the link to find out. All I know from your letter is that you have a lot of class. Bravo.

Peace

el_patron wrote on Jun 25, 2008 6:26 PM:to ShawnP, at 3:46 ; I appreciate that you equate these attitudes ; " You can call me simple, conservative, vengeful, whatever --" Yeah! A convergence.

Also, I think you made up your statement about prisoners not having Rights. Of course they do. As long as this is the America our Founders established.

sdraoul wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:11 PM:To Apollo: Air America went bankrupt. It was bought out by Mark Green and appears in very limited areas. It paid for its time on Clear Channel (1360 am) and ran out of money because it simply couldn't sell enough time to cover expenses. Moreover, it paid Al Franken millions of dollars, wasted dollars because no one listened to him.

To Patriot: Ramos and Compean had no idea the Mexican they shot was a drug smuggler when they shot him, hitting him once out of 16 shots. It wasn't until he was long gone across the Rio Grande that the van he was driving was discovered to have marijuana in it.

In other words, he was not a drug smugglerr at all. The laod was in the van on the American side of the border. The Mexican did not bring it across, thus he was a drug runner, not a smuggler. There is no death penalty for drug runners who are unarmed.

Regarding Maureen Dowd wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:14 PM:I agree that the NCT should run her columns often. She's smart, funny, liberal, and (as far as I know) has never committed crimes. She is the opposite of Ollie North! Fair and balanced, right?

Karl wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:19 PM:John Abernethy,

As a card carrying member of the acrophobia Club of America I cannot let your letter slide.

Your belief that "I don't understand all the discussion over airlines charging for luggage, or the stupidity of such reasoning. The idea in any form is ludicrous, confusing, convoluted and impractical." strikes me as flat out the statement of an egomaniac who cares nothing of fellow plane mates.

Why should I as a normal fellow that follows the rules share the increased ticket prices with someone who:

1) Holds up the line at the xray machine trying to cram a bag or two or three that are obviously oversized?

2) Holds up the boarding and unboarding of all passengers because you have crammed multiple oversized bags in the overhead space, using the space alloted to the passenger in the seat directly below the stow space.

I have no sympathy for you my friend. I follow the rules, is this a new concept to you? "Follow the rules so that all involved will benefit as a group?"

I suppose that in your world your time is more important than mine?

Next time you fly, take a look around. All flyers deserve to be treated alike even if we are acrophobiacs.

And for the amusement of the yahoos wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:20 PM:Obama has come out disagreeing with the Supreme Court's decision on capital punishment for child rapists, saying this should be up to the states. Isn't life interesting? OK, keep score. I am a liberal who will certainly vote for Obama. I disagree with him completely about this matter. So it's clear that I am not an Obama worshipper. But I would bet the house that the usual yahoos here were CERTAIN that "liberal" Obama, the bleeding heart, the socialist, would 100% support the Court's decision. How many of the conservatives' ideas can go down in one fell swoop? LOL, over and over and over

Karl wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:29 PM:Bad news for yahoos
[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:01 AM

Are you serious or just yanking chains (more on that later)?

For the further amusement of yahoos wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:30 PM:I am a liberal, all the way. Yet I see clearly that things in Iraq are really improving! And I am really glad about this, even though I am surprised by it. The surge seems to have been helpful, and the Iraqi government is making political progress. Sure, we had to put 90,000 Sunnis on a salary, paying them to not shoot anyone, but what the heck, it seems to have been a good idea. Cool! So logically and morally, I would say that McCain and Bush should be hollering: the Iraqis are standing up and now we can stand down! Mission accomplished! But alas, democracy in Iraq was never the mission. The Iraqi army, now numbering 500,000, standing up was never the mission. Now, at the door of "victory", we learn what the Bush-McCain missions really were all along. First (mission accomplished): US oil companies got their no-bid contracts to have at those Iraqi oil fields. Second (not yet): Iraq is to permit the US to have 58 military bases in Iraq more or less permanently. Our military is to be permitted to carry out ANY mililtary operation it pleases on Iraq's sovereign soil, without as much as having to ask Iraqis OR their government permission. AND all our troops AND mercenaries are -- you guessed it! -- IMMUNE from Iraqi law! There's the mission, folks. Forget WMDs. Forget al Qaeda and 9-11. Forget "spreading democracy" and those purple thumbs. Forget the "central front in the war on terror". Forget "when the Iraqis stand up, we'll stand down". All, finally, admitted to be lies. Just at the moment when you'd think (if you were rational and moral) Bush/McCain would say that we can now withdraw with honor, they say the exact opposite. No matter what happens, surge successful or not, Iraqi politics progressing or not: we're staying forever and are above the law here. Can you say "Imperialism"? Iraq is, after all, Mr McCain's neighborhood. C'mon, try it: "Imperialism". There you go, just like us liberals said all along.

Karl wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:44 PM:Cluck
[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:32 AM

Excuse me Mr. Cluck, if you want this free thinker to give your opinions any creedence you will have to drop "Typical conservative double speak".
Comprende?

Alf Alf Bo balf Banana Bana Bo Balf for VP and Ron Paul for President. Now that would be a change.

Chuck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:53 PM:It seems Hussein wants full first amendment rights for the porn pusher friends in New York, San Francisco and Hollywood, but not for talk radio, because talk radio tells you about his porn friends running those operations

DD Wiz wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:48 PM:The post from "Bill Too" (5:42pm) yet again fails to address the central points:
1) Tax simplification and the tax rate structure are completely unrelated issues.
2) No matter how you slice it, or how "pure" your motives may be, the bottom line is that if you pass a "flat" tax, the richest few who have benefitted the most get a huge tax reduction, and the middle class, as usual, gets squeezed again. Why do you hate the middle class? Don't you understand we are the economic engine that has always driven economic prosperity?
3) If you allow a primary income layer to be exempt from taxes, it doesn't matter what you call it, you are just playing semantic games. Bottom line is that there are two tax brackets: one charged at 0% and one at the nominal "flat" rate. Please ask yourself why this is necessary. It is because the survival level of marginal utility is so obvious it can't be swept under the table, but it applies through all varying levels of marginal utility. If you acknowledge the principle, you have acknowledged the need for a progressive system. Stop playing games.

TCMC Pendleton Chain Gangs wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:54 PM:If TriCity Medical Center closes because they do not get the funding, where will the locals go for emergency treatment? Encinitas and Escondido is a bit far when one is having a heart attack.

Will the taxes they use for the bond really hurt your life style?

As for Camp Pendleton: Bomb away into the night with training. If one does not like the training, MOVE. It's the price you pay to live next to a Marine installation that has been in Oceanside since what, the 1940's.

Bring on the chain gangs and hard labor. Mayhaps there were such things again, there would be less people in prison.

TCMC RN wrote on Jun 26, 2008 1:00 AM:Support our mail in vote for the TCMC bond!! Vote YES, one day I may able to help save your life if you need me or any of the services we provide. God forbid one day when your heart has a "hitch in it's giddy up" I want our local hospital to be there for you. I and others want to be able to take care of you with the most up to date technologically sound equipment that is out there on the market. Not only that you and your family deserve the privacy that unfortunately with our predominately double rooms now we cannot give to you. Our nurses and support staff do the best with what they have to work with. We want better working conditions for both our patients and ourselves. I cannot tell you how many patients I have taken care of that have a whole new perspective after being an "actual" patient in the bed versus being a visitor and what it would mean to them to have their own private room that their family could stay with them in. Our hospital is open 365 days a year 24 hrs a day. If your own home were open those kind of hours you would need to upgrade and refurbish it also. I have worked under at least 3 long term CEO's and administrators. Those of you who have a problem with Art Gonzalez because he makes too much money need to move on and find something else to write in about. Compare his salary to others in our area. I am sure you will find his less. He and his current team of Administration has done more positive in this community than any other I have worked under. Don't get me wrong, this last year at our hospital has been challenging to say the very least. Having said that doesn't change my support or beliefs that we need to re-build. There are many times when I don't agree with some of the hard to take cut backs that are made, but does this change the way I feel about my community hospital as a whole. No. We save lives there each and everyday with an incredible team of both Drs., Nurses and support staff. One day when you need myself or one of my co-workers, I WILL be there for you. Will a brand new hospital make me a better nurse or make me more compassionate, of course not. Will a new hospital make you and I "feel" better about where we are being taken care of and where I spend many hours of my days. Of course it will. Let us unite together on this band wagon and make Tri-City one of the premier hospitals of North County. It is a small amount of money to pay when it comes down to your life. I will be there for you when you need me..... I hope you will be there for me in August when we need your mail in vote. Vote YES for the TCMC bond.

With the corrupt wrote on Jun 26, 2008 6:26 AM:government we the US has, that rivals mexicos, it is time to enact emergency measures where evryone will be required to show ID at any time to any law enforcement officer. We need to start immediately deporting all illegals and those who abuse our visa system. Police reports show that three men arrested in a Phoenix home invasion and homicide Monday may have been active members of the Mexican Army. While on the J.D. Hayworth show, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Mark Spencer said that the men involved were hired by drug cartels to perform home invasions and assassinations. The Monday morning incident at 8329 W. Cypress St. resulted in the death of the homeowner. Between 50 and 100 rounds were fired at the house. Spencer said a police officer told him that one of the men captured said they were completely prepared to ambush Phoenix police, but ran out of ammunition. He added that all were all dressed in military tactical gear and were armed with AR-15 assault rifles. Three other men involved in the invasion

Focal Point wrote on Jun 26, 2008 6:49 AM:el_patron[-] wrote on Jun 25, 2008 6:26 PM: That is correct. It has ceased to be the America that was created by the founding fathers.

Redneck wrote on Jun 26, 2008 3:05 PM:lets see if I get this straight, according to the law regarding hand guns if I want to cary a concealed loaded weapon I must first get a special permit. But if I choose to wear my loaded sidearm in a holster plainly in view, I don't need a permit. Now if you want to try and take my right away allowing me to protect me and my kin, then I guess we are going back to court.

Reardon wrote on Jun 26, 2008 3:20 PM:I can hardly wait to spend some time with the dissenting opinion on the Second Amendment.

If there was ever a case to be made against liberals, these four Supreme Court members are it!

The next president of the United States will probably appoint two new members. Whatever your liberal or conservative leanings, that should scare you to death!