LETTERS: NCT, August 14, 2008
By Readers of the North County Times | ∞
Doctors don't understand needs of autistic
According to experts, "self-injurious behaviors occur among low functioning autistic individuals, and include hand biting, head banging or scratching that causes physical damage." No kidding. Indeed, witnessing a child injure himself is a traumatic event. Most parents try anything to stop this madness. Yet even protective devices, such as skin shock, aren't the total cure. Indeed, we are talking behaviorally fragile persons where even tiny discomforts trigger brutal self-injury. Consequently, controlling behaviors is challenging. Malaise must be prevented, detected and treated.
Sadly, doctors don't understand autistic children with self-injurious behavior. All they do is push pills. And since parents can't order body scans or blood tests, we must advocate for tests. Often, tests are denied. Meanwhile, more than 500 studies have been published on the condition; and there are books, conferences, seminars and symposiums. Enough with the seminars. Forget the fundraisers. Cancel the golf games. Start helping.
The bottom line is, autistic children with self-injury are a chronic medical emergency. Writing and talking about it isn't helping people thrive. Thousands are suffering. It's time hospitals offer effective treatment clinics for this devastating disorder.
Kim Oakley
Valley Center
Everyone cares about children
Dan Shapiro (Aug.7) claims to be defending marriage when in fact he, with those who join in his view, are simply trying to deny marriage to a group of people whose sexual orientation does not accord with Mr. Shapiro's religious beliefs. He claims that those of his persuasion are concerned about children. In support of this, he cites the existence of "nonpartisan social science research," which shows that children raised without both a mom and a dad are more likely to "engage in self-destructive behavior." Is this the research that deals exclusively with single-parent homes, thus having nothing whatever to do with parenting by same-sex couples?
For anyone who cares to learn about the outcome of same-sex parenting, I recommend that they consult the book "Love Makes a Family," published in 1999 by the University of Massachusetts Press. There they will find brief stories of 43 same-sex families with children, told through excellent pictures and text. There is also an extensive bibliography dealing with the subject and with much collateral material.
I say to one and all: Open your mind. If you find this impossible, at least open your heart.
David Horwitz
Vista
Tax-hike plans swamp residents
I love this country and have been a law-abiding natural-born citizen for 63 years. I live in Vista and we just had a sales tax increase in our city. Now, the state wants to increase sales tax by 1 percent. Prop. A wants to unfairly tax me on my property tax, but does not tax non-property owners (vote no).
In addition, the fire people also want to increase my property taxes (tax on the parcel) but again unfairly. Lots of different sizes should be assessed according to size.
We will also be having a rise in water costs and very high sewer rate increases.
Pretty soon, we will have to move out of California. We are being taxed out at a time when the economy is rotten. Enough is enough.
I believe that most of this mess is due to the benefits that illegal aliens are receiving. No wonder city, state and national budgets are in debt.
Lorraine Sharron
Vista
Funnies, letters enlightened this Sunday
On Aug. 3, we were treated to the Sunday funnies and letters from Murel Fisk, Bettie Heldring and Junious Montgomery. "Doonesbury" was great. Murel, Bettie and Junious were better.
Ronald Reagan, in uniform selling war bonds, doesn't quite measure up to the same loyalty Wesley Clark's service showed. Tim Russert was a journalist. How this shows loyalty is beyond me. Tony Snow showed loyalty to the Republican Party, not the country.
Bettie was a riot. Even after this administration admitted Valerie Plame was a covert agent, outed by them, she claims to know better, because her son worked at Langley. Doesn't Bettie understand that the only successful attack on our soil accrued because of the Bush administration? Had they paid attention to the information given them, the attack could have been stopped.
Junious has always shown his disdain for Democrats, but now is bordering on the same political posturing that the late Jesse Helms showed. Junious, North Carolina is looking for a replacement. If I had a dime for every time any Murel, Bettie or Junious were right, I would be broke.
Thomas Cowan Jr.
Escondido
Bilbray abusing mailing privileges
I recently read an article about the practice called "franking." It refers to a privilege afforded (literally) our members of Congress, and allows them to spend taxpayer money to send mailings to their constituents. The total bill for these mass mailings last year was $20.3 million!
Congressman Brian Bilbray has taken advantage of this opportunity â“â“ not once or twice, but four times in the past couple of months. I consider this to be a tremendous abuse of taxpayer money, particularly at a time when budgets are thin and services are being cut. How many thousands of taxpayer dollars has Bilbray spent to promote himself? And where is the outrage from the members of our community?
Marilee McLean
Solana Beach
Desalination best option around
I am all for desalinating ocean water into drinking water. I'm sorry if those who feel that fish are higher up on the list than us humans, but we are desperately in need of another water source. So, until all the animal rights proponents understand the grave situation we are in, they won't relent and refuse to understand that California is drying up.
I challenge them to come up with a better way to get water to us.
Shari Land
Escondido
McCain's surge obsession
Actually, the Republicans have overemphasized the surge. If it were just the surge, the violence would be back up again, because the surge is over. There are some underlying factors. We have 100,000 Sunni militia on the American payroll â“â“ people who killed our boys are enjoying your taxes as payroll dollars, and Sadr has kept his army leashed for our departure. It's possible the surge was one aspect of it. But to say that the surge caused all these changes is, I think, simply very simplistic essentially.
The United States didn't wage war on Iraq for the officially stated reasons. It is time, then, to set aside the sterile discussions about "intelligence failures" and to consider a deeper reason for the conflict. This letter will argue that the war was primarily a "war for oil" in which large, multinational oil companies and their two host governments acted in secret concert to gain control of Iraq's fabulous oil reserves and to gain leverage over other national oil producers. The lies will begin to unravel after Bush/Cheney leave, but leaving oil companies behind will be an impossibility for Bush â“â“ thus more of our blood and treasure will spill, should McCain win.
Gloria Towers
Oceanside
We need a public economic sector
Here's a few reasons why it is good to have a Public Economic Sector: 1. Everybody can have access to essential resources, not only those who can afford such resources when sold by private providers. 2. With essential resources provided at little or no cost, and with PES employment available, people won't be forced to work in the private sector. 3. If essential resources were guaranteed, the general population would be in a better position to take risk in the private sector, because they will have a more secure foundation to build upon. We need to first establish and/or maintain a PES that includes essential resources such as water, health care, housing, agricultural land, mass transit, roads, waste management, police and fire departments, postal services, education, media and energy.
Next, we should open the doors of these PESs to voluntary resource contributions, both in labor and materials. Finally, we need a mechanism which lowers or raises taxes commensurate with increases or decreases in voluntary contributions towards the PES, thus ensuring that the necessary PESs will remain solvent while keeping our eyes on the prize of libertarianism.
Brian Williams
Oceanside
Hemet nearly lost hospital
Good for Linda Sheldone (Letters, August 7) for pointing out how the bond burden will be shouldered by property owners. Measure A probably should have been promoted through a sales tax or perhaps a hybrid tax (sales and property tax), as the need is probably real. Recently, Hemet and its surrounding area almost lost their community hospital to a ballot proposition that would sell their community hospital to a private partnership. Prior to the "sale" ballot measure, the hospital district promoted bond elections similar to Tri-City's, but those were defeated. Now, after getting bankruptcy court-appointed management, the Hemet Hospital is back in the black.
I would advise the Tri-City electorate and board to think wisely about how to keep Tri-City strong without overburdening property owners.
G. Lance Johannsen
Carlsbad
Have checkpoints at special events
Having read the article ("Escondido's checkpoints big business," Aug. 11) regarding the amount of money derived from impounding vehicles (airport parking is cheaper than storage in a tow yard) and the amount the tow companies must pay the city, I have the perfect solution to pay for the local police to patrol the Christmas parade and any other special events that take place during the year. Set up a checkpoint at the beginning of the parade or special event. As vehicles are impounded and towed, have the tow trucks enter in the parade and charge them an entry fee as they drive down the parade route. They can be decorated and listed as Escondido's own "Santa's helpers" while getting a lot of exposure for their company. I am surprised that all you council members did not think of this. (Smile, smile, smile.)
Bob Shuster
Escondido
Bond cost is modest
What makes our community such a great place to live and work? It's quality of life â“â“ a feeling of safety, excellent schools, nice weather, community amenities â“â“ and for many of us, access to quality health care. Today we have the opportunity to invest in our future by voting yes on Prop. A for Tri-City Hospital. We should step up and do it! The cost of this bond is modest â“â“ only $21.98 per $100,000 of assessed value, not market value. The cost of the bond is tax-deductible.
As the North County Times stated in a recent editorial, "It's a small price to pay" for quality medical facilities close to home. Be an informed voter. Study your ballot, read what we will get with this new bond, and please: Vote yes on Proposition A, Tri-City Hospital.
Ellen Stotmeister
Oceanside
Vote yes on Prop A
I would like to once again encourage any undecided Tri-City Hospital District residents to vote yes on Proposition A. One concern that seems to continue as a theme for those who do not support the bond is that the tax is not fairly distributed among property owners and renters. All property would be taxed; either the owner will pay the tax, or they may choose to pass that cost on to the renter in the form of a small rent increase.
Either way, each piece of property will share in the cost. Rental property will not receive a free ride on the backs of the district homeowners, as some in the vote-no camp seem to be fixated on. Renters also share in county property taxes through the rental fees they pay each month. They don't get a free ride now, much less if the bond passes.
Jim Greenlaw
Oceanside
American media purveys Chinese propaganda
As China begins an enormous public relations farce â“â“ the Olympics â“â“ a few comments on the American media's complicity with the Chinese seem in order. Thomas L. Friedman, Fareed Zakaria and other members of the journalistic elite seem to have become little more than shills for the Chinese government and a cancerous "free-trade" policy. Chinese fascism and the dismantling of our industrial base are both clearly inimical to the interests of average Americans.
Rank hypocrites, these writers have benefited greatly from America's First Amendment protections and overall affluence, but seem to hold freedom of expression and prosperity in low regard when extended to citizens of China or to the American middle class. One wonders if their beliefs will alter when China begins exporting cheap half-truths masquerading as journalism in addition to schlock manufacturing products.
These alleged reporters cravenly spew propaganda on behalf of one of the most monstrous regimes in world history, dishonoring the memory of the brave Chinese dissidents who stood in front of tanks in Tiananmen Square. History will show them to be little more than a disgraceful modern version of the German American Bund, their writing and philosophy owing more to Josef Goebbels than Thomas Jefferson.
Jeffrey Brownlee
Oceanside
What about McCain's affair?
I find it most curious to follow the press coverage of the extramarital affair that John Edwards had with a 42-year-old campaign worker. What I find curious is that John Edwards is no longer a candidate for the Democratic nomination, nor has he been on the national stage since withdrawing his candidacy. Even so, I find your paper covering this affair with no less than four articles, one of which rates front-page placement.
Does this mean that you will be covering John McCain's extramarital affair as well? Admittedly, it was 30 years ago when he left his first wife, who had recently been gravely injured in a car accident, to marry a rich heiress 18 years his junior less than one month after his divorce was finalized.
Regardless of how long ago that was, McCain is still the Republican presumptive nominee, whereas Edwards is, at most, a private citizen who once was a senator and who recently ran a failed presidential bid. I do not believe that private marital matters necessarily have a place in public discourse. However, if the press wishes to look into these matters, then does that mean they should look just as closely at current presidential candidates, like McCain? This state of affairs is indeed curious to me.
Randall Smith
San Marcos
Big Brother at the pier
I was out surfing on the north side of the pier the other day and I noticed another surfer catch a wave and, at the end of his ride, he must have been 50 feet from the pier. But then I heard yells coming from the pier, telling him to get away from the pier. I looked up and saw that two Oceanside police officers were the ones telling him to move away. The surfer was moving north away from the pier but failed to look up and acknowledge the officers. When he failed to do so, they told him to return to the beach and gave him a ticket.
I realized at that point how lucky we are to live in a city that we can afford to pay two officers to look out for our safety while out in the water and at the same time protect the rights of fishermen on the pier! Moral to the story: Better paddle faster, and when you hear the voice from above, better look up and smile â“â“ Big Brother is watching. Keep surfing!
Gordon Stone
Oceanside
Support preservation group
In an effort to intimidate and stifle those who don't agree with their decisions, Oceanside Councilmen Jack Feller and Jerry Kern come off sounding like a couple of schoolyard bullies ("Environmental group appeals beach resort," Aug. 8). Though the right to question and dissent is a fundamental one in our form of government, Councilman Feller thinks environmental activists in our city "should be driven out of town" for resorting to it. Councilman Kern made the reckless charge that this group that concerns themselves with such environmental matters as adequate beach parking space is trying to "hurt Oceanside" ... .
This volunteer group is owed a debt of gratitude for their dedication to protecting our beaches and parkland. They are the ones who exposed the flaws in the ill-advised Manchester project and were instrumental in stopping it from happening. This was while Feller and Kern were pushing nonstop for this project's approval while ridiculing those who opposed it. The City Council is eyeing our Goat Hill parkland property for possible development. Residents of Oceanside should be thankful that a group called Citizens for the Preservation of Parks and Beaches will be on hand, working to save this open space from being turned over to developers.
Harriett Bledsoe
Oceanside
Funds denied to firefighters
What did the San Diego County Board of Supervisors do with Proposition 172 funds? Approved by the California voters on Nov. 2, 1993, it created a permanent 1/2-cent sales tax for public safety purposes. It was intended to provide funding resources to qualifying public safety programs (for both law enforcement and fire protection). The immediate plan of Prop. 172 was to provide relief for locally funded public protection programs, since counties had been hit with the statewide property tax shift and would have been forced to make cuts in the absence of Prop. 172 revenues. The Board of Supervisors established the program allocation formula for San Diego County on Dec. 14, 1993, when the board approved a formula that allocated Prop. 172 revenue to the sheriff (72.4 percent), district attorney (20.4 percent), and probation department (7.2 percent).
The board has augmented these departments budgets utilizing 172 funds, as well as acted to reduce their net county costs. In San Diego County, as well as many other California counties, 0 percent went to augment fire protection. In California's 58 counties, only 18 counties have used any of the 172 funds to enhance fire protection, even though they portrayed funding for this in an effective media election campaign showing SoCal burning back in 1993.
Dennis Schwander
Oceanside
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SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:22 AM:Who checks the Fact Checker?
Last night OBAMACAN asked (9:09 PM) a fundamental question: : Who checks the "Fact Checker's" facts?
Fact Checker is checkered with an ancient fault, one recognized by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who even had a Latin phrase, Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?, a Latin phrase from the Roman poet Juvenal, variously translated as "Who watches the watchmen?", "Who watches the watchers?", "Who will guard the guards?", "Who shall watch the watchers themselves?", or "Who will safeguard the Truth?"
Fact Checker has given himself a title which has no authenticity, but which he seems to think makes him a truthist. So, who checks up on this presumptive fact checker? That same question was put to Socrates, "Who will guard the guardians?" or, "Who will protect us against the protectors?" Plato's answer to this is that they will guard themselves against themselves.
So, our own guardian Fact Checker is checked at every turn by his fellow bloggers, who call him out every time he gives a false fact, which he does repeatedly. We see this happen every day on this blog site.
And we can thank OBAMACAN for asking the same question Socrates and Juvenal asked.
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:24 AM:Bushdog yaps at Bear
It is so pathetic watching the agitated president of the United States circling around the Russian Bear, yapping and jumping like a little Bushdog, demanding that the bear retreat. So this is what Bush has done to the power of the most powerful nation on the earth.
We need a president who understand the mighty power found in holding respect and moral gravitas in the world community. Bush has squandered not only our military and diplomatic power, but worst of all, our moral authority.
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 4:01 AM:The news is reporting that evidence found in M.I.T. graduate Aafia Siddiqui's purse suggests she was plotting assassinations. What could we possibly expext from the practitioners of the religion of peace
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 4:39 AM:The TSA reports that Travelers who attempt to fly without ID end up on TSA watch list, Butm that is unless you have mideast sounding name, when CAIR will automatically file a profiling lawsuit. CAIR is visible and available at all major airports to make sure 20 old ladies get stripped searched before on mid-easterner has his carry-on inspected.
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:42 AM:The news is reporting that inflation jumps to 17-year high as consumer prices soar. And gee, wouldnt you know it, Hussein, Pelosi, Reid all say screw you to drilling in order to save jobs and remove inflation. In fact, they are even blocking all attempts to take a vote in Congress on oil drilling in order to hide from the American people the names of the liberals who would vote NO on it. Pelosi's rags about Bush's low approval rating, but its almost 4x what Pelosi's is, and Husseins is dropping like a rock
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:57 AM:>>>Doctors don't understand needs of autistic>>> Thats because they brand every 2 year old who pees in pants to be autistic, so they can drug them up and run expensive tests for the next 20 years. Doctors understand every need of the truly autistic, despite what you think.
Ms M wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:09 AM:soaring eagle
[-] wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:58 PM:I always find it funny that democrat ryhmes with"rat"....And even more appropriate the conservatives start with "con"!
Ron wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:10 AM:Cause that's what Lib's do, Lorraine Sharron. They raise your taxes.
I know.. I know... they always tell you, they are gonna raise the other guy's taxes, but in the end, it's a lie, the amount of taxation they really want to impose can nevr be covered by taxing just one small group.
Take for one example, the history of Social Security. That particular payroll tax started at just 1%.
But, if the you to go the Social Security website, you'll find that on an average of every 2.3 years, they again raised the tax rate.
Some 19 different times now the Democrats, Liberals, Progressives, or whatever else they are calling themselves today have raised the taxes coming directly out of your paycheck.
Social Security is again going broke. So, what's the plan this time? Raise the taxes a 20th time. That's what they do, it's part of their DNA.
The only difference this time is they want to lift the cap, and tax ALL income, every dollar of income. In short, they want ALL the money.
And this they claim will finally fix the program.
No, it won't. Because again, if you read the history of this program, the age was set so that many who paid into the plan woud never collect. And Currently, we have people who will pay their entire lives into the plan and will be means tested out of their benefits. It's a scam. A Ponzi Scheme.
Always has been.
But finally, giving more money to any Liberal will not solve a problem, it will expand the misery.
The Reason? Because every year the program has had a surplus, they have spent it instead of investing it.
You see, it's never been about you, your welfare, or your life after retirement. It's always been about another avenue of taxation, by lying to you about how they earmark it.
It might be earmarked for SS, but it cycles through into the General Fund for them to use anyway they want.
And it is just a shame that many have bought into the big lie, not saved, and are forced to survive on a measely $1,000 bucks a month. It is enslavement.
Which is the socialist goal of the modern day Democrat party.
To Nick wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:10 AM:I read your information about the Islam faith yesterday but I am curious as to your source?
I found an excellent article written by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, President of the Fiqh Council of North America, who responds to the question of violence in the Qur'an: "I want to assure you that we Muslims also do not hate non-Muslims, be they Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhist or followers of any religion or no religion. Our religion does not allow killing any innocent person regardless of his or her religion. The life of all human beings is sacrosanct according to the teachings of the Qurâan and the guidance of our blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and upon all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah). The Qurâan says about the prohibition of murder, (âŚTake not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.) (Al-An`am 6: 151) and Allah says in the Qurâan, (Nor take life, which Allah has made sacred, except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law)) (Al-Israaâ 17: 33).
According to the Qurâan, killing any person without a just cause is as big a sin as killing the whole humanity and saving the life of one person is as good deed as saving the whole humanity. (See Al-Maâidah 5: 32)
Then how come the Qurâan says, (kill them wherever you find themâŚ) as it is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 191 and Surah An-Nisaaâ 4: 89. The answer is simple and that is, you should read these verses in their textual and historical context. You should read the whole verse and it is better that you read few verses before and few after. It is important that we study the religious texts in their proper context. When these texts are not read in their proper textual and historical contexts they are manipulated and distorted.
It is true that some Muslims manipulate these verses for their own goals. But this is not only with Islamic texts, it is also true with the texts of other religions. I can quote dozens of verses from the Bible which seem very violent, if taken out from their historical context. These Biblical texts have been used by many violent Jewish and Christian groups. Crusaders used them against Muslims and Jews. Nazis used them against Jews. Recently Serbian Christians used them against Bosnian Muslims. Zionists are using them regularly against Palestinians."
I have only included a portion of this article and I encourge you to google it for yourself.
We must learn to live together on this planet without fear and hate. I wish you a blessed day.
Ms M wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:16 AM:bogie
[-] wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:13 PM:Why do Democrats feel the need to do word play on Republican candidates names(McSame, Mcbush etc.)? I don't see the Republicans doing a lot of that. I wonder why that is.
Bogie - where have you been? Not only do they play on the name of Barak Hussien Obama - they have called him every name in the book. Oh, you probably skip over the hateful writings (rantings) of Chuck, Ron, Nate and others - then I can understand how you missed it!
CHuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:32 AM:>>>It is so pathetic watching the agitated president of the United States circling around the Russian Bear,>>> One would have thought watching Russia beat up on Georgia would be pathetic, but then, we all know who the liberals side with in this dispute -- they side with whomever America doesn't side with. But, if a liberal were president, they'd all be spewing their hate of Russia
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:35 AM:>>>I always find it funny that democrat ryhmes with"rat>>>> I always find it funny that the symbol of the democratic party is the jackass. You couldnt get more appropriate
Check the Facts wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:42 AM:CHuck[-] wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:32 AM: Well when you kill 12 Russians and wound another 150 and then start bombing the civilian population, it makes the Bear angry. Pay back is pay back. Its also another lesson to the US to keep their politics, military advisers and equipment out of the Russian sphere of influence. Being liberal has nothing to do with it.
Focal Point wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:45 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:57 AM: You are getting as bad as Michael Savage.
No the medical world is just tapping the cause or causes of autism. I know a little about autism due to my brother. You obviously do not know anything on the subject.
soaring eagle wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:46 AM:Good one Ms M @ 7:09 AM:. I think we're onto something here. How about Libertarian or Independent?
Focal Point wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:46 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:42 AM: Bush is President and it is due to your free market. It has nothing to do with drilling for oil that would generate relief in 5 to 10 years.
bogie wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:58 AM:Dear Ms M,
I do recognize the word play of Chuck and Ron but don't recognize the Nate to which you refer. In my book these are but two conservatives doing it. I did say and you quoted me correctly "I don't see the Republicans doing a lot of that". I do not consider two (or even three given this Nate character) a lot compared to the democrats/liberals doing it. If you are talking about volume of posts I concur. Trouble is I was not addressing volume of posts but volume of posters.
Response?
OBSERVATION wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:02 AM:RUSSIA/GEORGIA:
"Mr. Saakashviliâs latest show of bravado came only a day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that she and a special State Department envoy had explicitly and repeatedly warned him not to take any military action against Georgian separatists that might provoke Russia, cautioning that the United States was not prepared to back him militarily if he did. He also appeared to exaggerate the Pentagonâs planned relief operation, making it seem larger and further developed than it was."
McBush doesnt get it wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:13 AM:He's trying to look all presidential and feed us and the world the line, "In the 21st century, one country cannot invade another..."
I guess he left out the part, "...unless, the invading country is the U.S."
So if you want 4 to 8 more years of expensive war, continue the GW legacy by voting McBush in November.
Focal Point wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:15 AM:DEMOCRATIC DONKEY:
"When Andrew Jackson ran for president in 1828, his opponents tried to label him a "jackass" for his populist views and his slogan, "Let the people rule." Jackson, however, picked up on their name calling and turned it to his own advantage by using the donkey on his campaign posters. During his presidency, the donkey was used to represent Jackson's stubbornness when he vetoed re-chartering the National Bank."
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:26 AM:>>>for oil that would generate relief in 5 to 10 years>>> Whose Kool-Aid are you drinking with that timetable?. China put in oil wells off Cuba within a year, and I'll never believe that a country who marched from Normandy to central Germany in less than a year, would need 10 years to jam a spigot in the ground
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:35 AM:>>>So if you want 4 to 8 more years of expensive war, continue the GW legacy by voting McBush in November>>> and if you want no job because your employer is taxed into oblivion, $8 gas like the Brits, and $7 Cheerios and Wheaties, vote for the Husseiniacs
Jack_D wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:36 AM:Gloria Towers breathlessly says: The United States didn't wage war on Iraq for the officially stated reasons." Like a typical unthinking leftist, she says the government went to war for the interests of the oil companies. This explanation is utter ahistorical nonsense. The oil companies were not lobbying for war in 2003. They had one wishâ for the U.S. government to remove the sanctions on Iraq.
Jack_D wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:41 AM:Chuck, in one of his many ...,posts says: "One would have thought watching Russia beat up on Georgia would be pathetic, but then, we all know who the liberals side with in this dispute -- they side with whomever America doesn't side with."
I have a few questions. What liberals are you referring to? How about some names? Are you capable of a thought that doesn't come from a Sean Hannity talking point?
To bogie wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:45 AM:The liberals far outweigh the conservatives on this blog. Try checking other blogs, particularly those with heavy conservative views, and you will plenty o' Osama Hussein references. Oh, and give a listen to Fox News as well. Here we only have Ron, Chuck, sdraoul, and Reardon who posts under numerous names in order to look like there is more support for the conservative viewpoint than there actually is. You're welcome.
To SALOON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:48 AM:Other than the report of John Edward meeting with his mistress twice this year alone, when the actual meetings were three (and Fact Checker found that error himself), what "facts" have been recently proven wrong?
Just from yesterday, Fact Checker showed from Human Rights Watch website, for example, that South Ossetia was part of Georgia and not part of Russia, while North Ossetia was actually part of Russia.
Was that wrong?
Yes, South Ossetia has several time âdeclared itâs independenceâ but as South Carolina learned, declaring your independence does not necessarily mean anything â or did you also disagree with Lincolnâs action?.
I might add that Obama is FAR more disapproving of the Russians' actions than some on this Blog, which puts them to the Left of Obama -- an almost impossible position.
Very true Mr. Smith wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:51 AM:The public should be aware of the selfishness of John McCain. His first wife was injured in a car accident and he left her. He just wanted to be 40. If John McCain can't even stick to his wife in for better or worse, his wife the very one who waited for him while he was a POW what does that say about the man who wants to be president. It is obvious that he has no respect for commitment. He lives by the motto when the going gets tough the tough get a younger rich wife. Yuck!! I agree the North County Times should tell the readers all about the Senator.
Nick wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:52 AM:Well "To Nick", I appreciate your pointing out the article and will try and read it today if I get the chance.
However, I must politely diagree with your quotes from the Quaran, because there are plenty of passages in The Quran that state and imply differently.
Quran 2:216
"Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that you hate a thing which is good for you and it may happen that you love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, you knew not."
Here Mohammed is completely removing all blame from himself, for having started the fighting. The most insidious and devilish implication of this verse is that Allah is completely justifying Mohammed's murder of the innocent Meccans. Over and above this Mohammed is conveniently implying that warfare is hateful to him, but he participated in it because it was ordained by Allah!
Quran 2:217
"They question you (O Mohammed) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great transgression but to turn men from the way of Allah and to disbelive in Him and the inviolable place of worship and to expel its people thence is a greater transgression, for persecution is worse than killing"
Here Allah is clearly saying that to kill or create warfare in the sacred month of Rejeb is a very grave offence, but to justify his own violation of Allah's rules, Mohammed comes up with the idea that since the people killed were unbelievers, it was perfectly okay! The reason given for the horrific murder of the innocent Meccans, is the fact that they did not believe in Mohammed's version of God.
There are lots and lots of verses in The Quran that contradict those that you have posted. Yes, I agree, everyone should read them in their foll context to really undestand that Islam IS NOT a religion of peace, but one that excuses hate, murder, rape and robbery of all non-believers(Kafirs).
Cheers, Nick.
Ron wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:58 AM:I don't think Gloria Towers got the memo, do you? LOL
"...McCain's surge obsession...?"
Well, duh! It's all anyone been talking about, and making Obama look stupid cause he's in denial. As are anyone of you who will not concede the Surge did it's work.
The obession, it would seem to me, are the mealy mouthed repsonses to how our troops weren't responsible for the outcome. But that it was Iran, or it was the Sunni's, or the Shia, or anything else... But NOT our Troops.
Anything, and everything.. but denying giving credit where credit is due. It's frankly, idiotic, and anti-american as far as I'm concerned. I look at this as just another stab into the heart's of those brave young men and women who have sacrificed greatly, this time with a turn of the knife.
Think of the Surge as a fertilizer, better yet, think of the Surge as the type of fertilizer that not only sprouts new grass, but also kills weeds.
The soul of men cry out for freedom, we simply helped to bring it out into the open.
Now, there will still be the nay-sayer's.. those certain people who live their lives in an alternate universe, but the vast majority of Iraqi's and Americans see the Surge for what it was. A second chance, for everyone.
Donkey hehe wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:00 AM:Chuck --
Love that description of the jacka's.
Some times, I just want to throw my vote for both on the same ballot.
Why?
The electoral college (EC) has the last say.
Going to read-up more on the EC.
Nice argument going on in letters section of the Californian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:01 AM:Check it out!
Ron wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:03 AM:It is communication privileges granted to ALL memeber of Congress, they each have a budget they work from, Marilee McLean. Perhaps you missed that portion of civics?
Yeah, right! "Bilbray abusing mailing privileges."
If Bilbray had sent her notification that she would shortly be receiving a check, this letter would have been written very differently. I assure you.
Nick wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:05 AM:And just one more thing "To Nick" in regards to Islam. Again from the author Syed Kamran Mirza:
"Another new question has generated by the Qurâanic Ayat quoted by most Apologists. That is, âLet there be no compulsion in religionâ (Quran-2: 256). This Ayat is used repeatedly by all apologists like a broken record to claim Islamâs tolerance to others, although, there are hundreds of Qurâanic Ayats and Sahih hadiths (which apologists hardly disclose) which prove otherwise. My humble questions here to all apologists are: What is the punishment of an apostate as per Islamic Sharia? Isnât the punishment of an apostate death by stoning? Why in Saudi Arabia are all other religious activities except Islam completely prohibited? Why very recently, did the Saudi Government close all Shiite Mosques in Saudi Arabia? Why did early propagators of Islam have to fight so many bloody battles both defensively and offensively?
Cheers, Nick.
Too late wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:06 AM:I already voted NO on A.
Fact Checker wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:12 AM:Since you can find anything you want to support anything you want to do in either the Bible or the Quran, neither book is factual and there are no "facts" in either book for Fact Checker to check.
However the discussions of the contents of these books should be on the Faith & Values Pages.
And THAT is a FACT!
Alf wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:15 AM:Well, "bogie" at 7:58AM,
McCain worked hard to earn the derisive McGWB by his insistance that he will follow in GWB's footsteps, follow the same insane path in Iraq, the same desire to have war on 3 fronts, Iraq, Afghanistan AND Iran.
I have a few conventions and
one is that I always refer to the office held by GWB as president, for just about anyone else who has or will hold the office as President, AND
I never use GWB's last neme.
They are the least that I can do when not on an all-out warpath.
Regards, Alf.
Focal Point wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:17 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:26 AM: First of all. We are not the same country that we were during World War II. It has nothing to do with it anyway. China is drilling near Cuba. Are our cites near Cuba? No. You are comparing apples to oranges.Sorry, they do not taste the same.
Even the oil men who talked to McCain stated 3 years tops. But, that is just salesmanship. It is not reality. I like grape.
To Nick wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:19 AM:Well, you have your interpretation of the Qur'an and the Qur'an scholar has his. We have to agree to respectfully disagree. :)
Lady wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:21 AM:Why is some "letters" get posted and some don't?? No,no,no on prop. A, I agree with the letter on here " We are getting taxed out of Calif." Someone had better think of the little people here!! NCT please print ALL letters thank you...
Ron wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:27 AM:"What about McCain's affair?"
You answered your own question, Randall Smith.
"Admittedly, it was 30 years ago..."
And John Edwards is the fresh face.
Plus, he did it under the noses of the Mainstream Press, except of course, for the National Equirer.
Which, I should add, has become part od my regularly reading now.
Also good story about Clay Aikens new baby!
DD Wiz wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:28 AM:The published letter from Marilee McLean echoes my sentiments exactly. I also live in Bilbray's district and have received repeat mailings that are clearly political propaganda pieces, not "official business." This carpetbagger is as corrupt as the crook he replaced.
The published letter from Shari Land fails to understand that environmental concerns are not an either/or choice between animals and humans. We live in the same environment, and if it is killing them off, it will kill us off, too, just like the canaries in mineshafts. I fully support desalination, wind and solar, but become annoyed and impatient with the greedy obstructionists who have to be dragged to these technologies kicking and screaming, and then insist on sabotaging them with improper siting proposals and inadequate environmental safeguards that could have been easily remedied.
The published letter from Randall Smith is excellent in reminding us of the point that "OBAMACAN" has been hammering the last few days, about holding Republicans such as McCain, who have been getting a free pass from the corporate-owned media, regarding his own history of marital infidelity and recent lies about it. It was particularly interesting to watch "sdraoul" in his posts yesterday, squirming and going through tortured mental gymnastics trying to spin the McCain adultery. His excuse? It's "yesterday's news." Huh? This from the one person who, more than any other, twists ancient history such as Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis and errors from Truman or FDR to hold against current Democratic candidates? Oh boy! Just imagine if the shoe were on the other foot, no one would be howling more loudly that hatchet-man "sdraoul."
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz
The Californian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:30 AM:Which argument are you referring to?
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:33 AM:>>>Going to read-up more on the EC.>>> Al Goreleone should have given that advice to his slick lawyers back in 2000. LOL. Global warming prevented those chad from being punched out
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:43 AM:>>>You are getting as bad as Michael Savage>>> I didn't know Savage has autism. I suspected his mouth had it, though. But, my neighbors boy got labelled with that name by some psycho-wacko and he is now branded at school, like he has leprosy. And I see very little thats different about this kid. But, it reminds me alot of Lance Armstrong, who is constantly spewing that not enough is being dome about cancer, when he rarely visits cancer research companies to even see what is going on in the name of cancer. The more Armstrong spews, the more gets donated to his foundation to pay his slary and expenses
Apollo wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:50 AM:Re: Gloria Towers (letter)
Way beyond "overemphaszing" the surge, Republicans again divert from the real issue. The "surge" is an utter failure. It was designed to allow the military cover of quieting action so that a politcal solution could be implemented in Iraq, yet no political rapprochement is even on the horizon. Failure!
And the consequence? While deaths are thankfully down in Iraq, which had nothing to do with the real war against the real terrorists, deaths and violence are way up in Afghanistan, and the Taliban - the Islamo-terrorist government that openly harbored the Al Qaeda terrorists who actually attacked us - is resurgent.
The surge is an utter failure!
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:18 AM:Georgia is a breakaway
... State, but unlike South Carolina, was able to breakaway free from the old Soviet Union. It seem the blogger (8:48 AM) has the two Georgiaâs mixed up, as he wrote about South Carolina and Georgia and the Confederate States of America.
The nation of Georgia is a breakaway state from the old Soviet Union, the same as South Ossetia. They both declared their independence the same year, 1989, but Georgia tried to lay claim to S. Ossetia, which the Ossetians overwhelmingly rejected.
The de facto independent republic governed by the secessionist government held a second independent referendum on Nov. 12, 2006, after its first referendum in 1992 was not recognized by the international community as valid. According to the Tskhinvali election authorities, the referendum turned out a majority for independence from Georgia where 99% of South Ossetian voters supported independence and the turnout for the vote was 95% and the referendum was monitored by a team of 34 international observers from Germany, Austria, Poland, Sweden and other countries at 78 polling stations.
It is very very clear the South Ossetians are not part of Georgia (or of South Carolina), and certainly do not belong to the United States of America -- nor the Confederate States of America. They have a right to their freedom and the invasion of Georgia was an act of war aggression. Every resident of South Ossetia holds a Russian passport.
Is this clear enough for you?
Focal Point wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:21 AM:Yes, South Ossetia has several time âdeclared itâs independenceâ but as South Carolina learned, declaring your independence does not necessarily mean anything â or did you also disagree with Lincolnâs action?. The outcome of the American civil war has nothing to do with the situation in Georgia. In fact, using your logic. Georgia would part of the Russian Federation. Our civil war was between the American states. The situation in Georgia is between South Ossetia is between that province and Georgia on a regional level and between Georgia and Russia on the states level.
South Ossetia is one in language, custom and culture with North Ossetia and wishes to be united with them under the protection of Russia. They declared so and fought for that outcome during the 1990's. Regardless, Russia just settled the issue.
Focal Point wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:25 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:43 AM: Savage does not have autism. He is the radio talk show host who made outragous statements about kids with autism.
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:27 AM:Russia occupies Georgia towns, defying U.S. demand to pull out. So what do the liberals do, they side with Russia. And for the last 6 years they have been bashing Bush for occupying Iraq. Its just prooof that if a liberal were president, the same idiots rooting for Russia now, would be on the side of the Georgians
To SALOON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:28 AM:Other than the report of John Edward meeting with his mistress twice this year alone, when the actual meetings were three (and Fact Checker found that error himself), what "facts" have been proven wrong?
Just from yesterday, Fact Checker showed from Human Rights Watch website, for example, that South Ossetia was part of Georgia and not part of Russia, while North Ossetia was actually part of Russia.
Was that wrong? Yes, South Ossetia has several time âdeclared itâs independenceâ but as South Carolina learned, declaring your independence does not necessarily mean anything â or did you disagree with Lincolnâs action?.
(Resubmitted)
To The Californian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:34 AM:Both evolution and big government to fix traffic
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:58 AM:Obamaâs running mate:
Rampant rumors abound: who will be the running mate of John McCain? Who will be the running mate of Sen. Obama?
Well, I have been mulling over this for months, and I know the perfect running mate for Obama -- a man who has the respect of America, of our military, of our patriots, of defenders of freedom and liberty, and a man who can step into the Oval Office today and lead this nation back to its destiny as a respected leader of the free world. It is Senator Sen. JIM WEBB.
Jim Webb, Senator (Jan. 23, 2007): "When I graduated from college, the average corporate CEO made 20 times what the average worker did. Today, it's nearly 400 times. In other words, it takes the average worker more than a year to make the money his or her boss makes in one day."
The question of who will be McCainâs running mate is more important in one respect, because McCain, due to his health and age, is much less likely to serve out his term; but is less important in the final analysis because McCain will not be elected to begin with.
Focal Point wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:59 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:43 AM: Do you have any facts,figures,reports,documentation or findings from the IRS regarding Lance Armstrong Foundation?
hardtack wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:14 AM:Personally, Brian Williamsâ idea of a parallel economy doesnât make much sense to me. It seems to me that we have too much public economic sector (PES) already â itâs called the military-industrial complex; the education industry; the criminal justice industry; the public health, welfare and safety industry; and a myriad of city, county, state and federal administrative bureaucracies that already employ nearly half our population.
If what Mr. Williams has in mind is yet another layer of bureaucracy, riding on the backs of taxpayers, then I say: âForget it.â If he is talking about a charitable non-profit, privately and voluntarily funded, then â as a libertarian â I say: âGo for it, and good luck to whatever the heck you are talking about.â
The Nanny State wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:20 AM:Now here's an interesting thing for you. I was speaking to a friend who is an American teaching at a British University. He is, of course, a liberal. Well, he was just disgusted with England's Nanny State. So much so that he is scheming to find a way out. Why in the world would a liberal professor feel this way about this? Simple: the government has a panel of experts in his field and this group creates the curriculum, what courses students will take for their degree and the required content areas of those courses. When my friend creates his syllabus each year, and each of his exams, he must submit them to his department to get approval. In other words, academic freedom as we in the US know it, is severely constrained in the UK. I found this fascinating, don't you? I wondered what conservatives here at home would make of this. Certainly they would enjoy the confirmation of the lousiness of anything a socialist-leaning State does. But then a second wave of reaction might hit them: isn't government (federal, state, or local) control of the curriculum, even in college, exactly what they would institute if they were in charge? For example, if it were here, perhaps the panels of experts in each field would be Bush appointees. You get my drift? I've been pondering this ever since I heard the story, mostly vacillating between feeling horrified and amused. You?
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:27 AM:The self-loathing ...
... of sdraoul, Fact Checker, Ron, Nick, Asteroid, Reardon and particularly Chuck has become systemic on this blog site. The neo-CONvicts have a compulsion to try to make Americans feel about themselves the same way they same way in which neo-CONS loath themselves.
Then there are the voices of hope, reason and fairness seen in Ms M, Alf, Focal Point, Chris, OBAMACAN, and especially DD wiz and Apollo.
I must add, if I could choose but one of them to place on the Supreme Court, because of his sense of fair play and gentlemanly conduct, it would be Alf.
What a great team of thinkers, humanists, researchers and wise historians. Some of their writings are so profound and scholarly, they should be collected into a NC TIMES compendium of North Countyâs best thinking.
Amusing hypocrisy wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:31 AM:Hey, did you all catch Glenn McCoy's cartoon in the NY Times today? McCoy is the (only) conservative cartoonist the Times runs daily. The cartoon is a lampooning of the main-stream media's lack of coverage of the Edwards extramarital affair, a riff on "what took them so long?". Don't you find this fascinating? Here's Mr. McCoy, a member of the mainstream media if there ever was one. Presumably, he was aware of the Enquirer's breaking the story oh so long ago. Did he do a cartoon on it back then? I searched but found no evidence for it. So McCoy is pretending to stand outside the MSM, critical of it for not covering a story that he himself, a member of the pinnacle of that media, chose not to cover. All the while, his fans, like those of Rush and all the other members of the mainstream media who make a wondrous living out of pretending to be outside it, I assume, cheer him on. PT Barnum nailed it. Don't you all worry sometimes that the American system of politics was devised at a time when we were the farthest thing from a world power? If the founders had known that our electory system would send up the most powerful, most potentially destructive position of leadership in world history, do you think they'd have done it this way? If so, they surely are not the great men of wisdom we have taken them to be.
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:41 AM:Yapping little bushdog and barking Bulldog âŚ
⌠are dancing frantically around the big black Russian Bear, who can take them both out with one swat. The Bear defends her lair, the dogs their egos.
So sad that the underdogs misjudged their strategy, weakness and interests. America has nothing to gain in this stupid little war, and everything to lose ⌠most of all our reputation, what is left of it.
Give us, Oâ Lord, a great and wise leader, who knows what battles are vital to Americaâs interests at home, and who knows how to use diplomacy and wise strategy for just causes.
QUOTE wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:47 AM:Tom Paine (1796): "The contrast of affluence and wretchedness, continually meeting and offending the eye, is like the dead and living bodies, chained together."
sdraoul wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:48 AM:Watch the Obamanuts crawl around int he sewer about McCainm's leaving his wife 30 years ago to marry another. Like that doesn't happen everywhere.
If McCain were a Roman Catholic there would be a problem but he is not, thus RC marriage limits don't apply to him.
Also hsi wife wasn't being KO's by cancer like Edwards/ wife. Moreover, McCain didn't run for President while lying to the press as he did in December whena sked about the affair.
Also, it is juvenile and insluts (this is not a misspelling) the practitioner to make up names to apply to Senator McCain a retired Naval officer (Captain with four stripes).
This while objecting to the the use of Obama's name is ridiculosu. His name is Husseinn and reflects his mother's dislike of the very country that nourished her, fed her with food stamps while she had a B.A. and MA and a Phd.
After her Mulsim man adventure,s he could have changed Brack's name but she didn't. Thus, if that name was OK with Obama's mother, it is OK for us to use it.
What it means in aRabic is immaterial, it is an arab name and that carries a weighty burden in thsi country since we fought the Barbary states int he early 1800's under Thomas Jefferson. Any Arab name carriea burden. Barack's mother didn't care so why should his supporters care today.
Barack Hussein Obama is his name and will amke a grand footnote to history.
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:50 AM:Georgia is a breakaway
... State, but unlike South Carolina, was able to breakaway free from the old Soviet Union. It seem the blogger (8:48 AM) has the two Georgiaâs mixed up, as he wrote about South Carolina and Georgia and the Confederate States of America.
The nation of Georgia is a breakaway state from the old Soviet Union, the same as South Ossetia. They both declared their independence the same year, 1989, but Georgia tried to lay claim to S. Ossetia, which the Ossetians overwhelmingly rejected.
The de facto independent republic governed by the secessionist government held a second independent referendum on Nov. 12, 2006, after its first referendum in 1992 was not recognized by the international community as valid. According to the Tskhinvali election authorities, the referendum turned out a majority for independence from Georgia where 99% of South Ossetian voters supported independence and the turnout for the vote was 95% and the referendum was monitored by a team of 34 international observers from Germany, Austria, Poland, Sweden and other countries at 78 polling stations.
It is very very clear the South Ossetians are not part of Georgia (or of South Carolina), and certainly do not belong to the United States of America. They have a right to their freedom and the invasion of Georgia was an act of war aggression. Every resident of South Ossetia holds a Russian passport.
Is this clear enough for you?
Submitted 10:15am / Re-submitted 11:51am
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:56 AM:Breaking news ...
From the LA Times:
Hillary Rodham Clinton's name will be placed into nomination at the Democratic National Convention later this month, ending months of speculation about how her candidacy -- and supporters -- would be represented there.
"I am convinced that honoring Sen. Clinton's historic campaign in this way will help us celebrate this defining moment in our history and bring the party together in a strong, united fashion," Barack Obama said in a statement issued jointly by their two press offices.
So-o-o-o Hillary wants catharsis. Obama has just administered her the emetic she asked for. I just hope she and her diehards donât throw up on the convention floor.
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 12:03 PM:Russian Bear withdraws ...
Breaking news from WAPO:
Russia appears to be withdrawing its forces from positions inside Georgia in initial compliance with a cease-fire agreement, and there is virtually no prospect that the United States will use military force in the conflict, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.
The Bear, determining there was no real threat, despite all the noisy yapping by Bush and McCain, has returned to her cave and sleeps with one eye open. The dogs will soon go away.
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 12:11 PM:The Bush economy
This just out by the WSJ:
U.S. inflation soared to a 17-year-high annual rate in July, a government report showed, led by gains in food, energy, airline fares and apparel.
The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell slightly as expected last week but remained at high levels consistent with a rapid erosion in labor markets.
Well, it looks that the damage Bush has done to the economy is going to drive its spearhead straight into the new Obama administration.
SOLON wrote on Aug 14, 2008 12:25 PM:More on Bush economy disaster:
This just out, also fromWSJ:
Property foreclosure filings for July rose 8% from June and 55% from a year earlier, as credit woes and tumbling home values continue to hit homeowners.
The combination of slow sales and bank repossessions has created a bloated inventory of bank-owned properties. The banks donât know what to do with all these houses they now own, and which are costing them $$$ every month they hold them. Empty homes are being vandalized and stripped of their plumbing and appliances.
Nevada, California and Florida posted the highest foreclosure rates. Nevada topped the list, with one in 106 households receiving a filing. The number of filings surged 97% from a year earlier. Bank repossessions rose nearly fivefold in Nevada, while default notices climbed 59% and auction notices increased 31%.
California hit hard
California, Florida and Nevada accounted for nine of the top 10 metropolitan areas. The Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla., area led the list, with one foreclosure filing for every 64 households. Merced, Calif., was No. 2, while Stockton and Modesto, Calif., were in a virtual tie for third. Las Vegas was fifth.
It is clear that history is about to repeat itself. Just as Jimmy Carter inherited the hyper inflation created by Nixon-Ford, so will President Obama inherit the economic disaster of George W. Bush. No doubt, Ron is salivating over this.
nate wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:10 PM:chuck never has any facts. he just wakes up hating "liberals". which in his world is anyone who thinks differently than him.
Ms M wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:14 PM:Hmmm....I think the Iraqi's are a little tired of their country being occupied:
In an interview with The Times of London, Iraq's Foreign Minister said that a new draft agreement with the United States would have troops out of the country in three years, with withdrawals beginning next summer.
In one of the most detailed insights yet into the content of the deal, Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, has also told The Times that the US military would be barred from unilaterally mounting attacks inside Iraq from next year.
In addition, the power of arrest for US soldiers would be curbed by the need to hand over any detainee to a new, US-Iraqi committee. Troops would require the green light from this joint command before conducting any operation.
To Reardon wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:15 PM:What does Lincoln have to do with South Ossetia? And if South Ossetia wishes to remain part of Russia instead of Georgia, what business is it of yours? Or the United States? Bush and McCain have been promising support to Georgia and Georgia got the wrong message, deciding to attack South Ossetia without provocation, thinking that the United States would back them with military power. I hold no special love for Putin but let's call a spade a spade. McCain blew it once again. He can chastise Putin all he wants, but he has nothing to back it up. Embarrassing. Not only that, but WHY is McCain speaking for the United States in this matter? He is only the presumptive nominee at this time; talk about presumptious. Guess you don't have to be a black man to be uppity.
DD Wiz wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:28 PM:The post from "hardtack" (11:14am) crticizes the proposal in the published letter from Brian Williams for a "Public Economic Sector."
For once I am in complete agreement with "hardtack." This sounds like a well-intentioned but half-baked idea. In order to consider it, I would have to see many more concrete details, with assurance of providing regulatory protection for consumers, workers and/or the shared environment and infrastructure, and not just additional unneeded layers of bureaucracy and/or economic complexity.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz
Chuck wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:31 PM:>>>Do you have any facts,figures,reports,documentation or findings from the IRS regarding Lance Armstrong Foundation?>>>
No, just a call to his foundation where I invited him to San Diego to give him a tour of a plant in Sorrento Mesa that is very close to a cancer therapy/cure that will revolutionize medicine in the world. (which, of cou