Bill Too wrote on Aug 28, 2008 1:32 AM:(Not to be confused with Bill One or just plain “Bill)

Makes me wonder. After the political parties waste disgusting amounts of money on a seemingly never ending campaigns parading their “candidates” around for the primary elections and costing the States and the taxpayers money that could have been better used for maintaining our infrastructure - they tell US who the candidate is going to be – whether the voters agree or not. Why do we even bother to have primaries if our votes mean nothing? Obviously the political parties are running the show. Our votes (at least the primary elections) are a joke. All the more reason we should eliminate political parties – there is nothing in the Constitution that requires them. The party conventions are just a big party for the few insiders – at the taxpayers expense.

I still agree with Jim Hightower. His book “If the Gods had wanted us to vote they would have given us candidates” says it all. When are the PEOPLE going to have a say in the selection of the candidates? Never – as long as the parties are running the show.

We are only allowed to vote for the few preselected candidates – kind of like the Gallop polls that I have taken in the past. I have a life to live other than following every obscure politician in the country, so there are often a number of them that I have never heard of. When I research them on line I generally find that I would rather vote “none of the above.” Any politician that has the REAL answers to the problems has as much chance as a snowball in the hot place. Their candidacy all depends on how “party” they are.

jvc wrote on Aug 28, 2008 1:48 AM:This is a blog that is in response to
all the issues raised here and elsewhere
of the condemnation of our illegal workers:
We should make-up our minds, do we want
cheap labor or not?These people are here because WE give them jobs first and foremost!If we can spend ten billion a month in Iraq, we can spend several billion a year to pay these people to stay home by providing them jobs at home, jobs that could offere us goods and services to export here!
Where would we get the money to subsidize these jobs for them to stay home.......borrow from China or continue with deficit spending that is the common practice today! And, since it
is the common belief that these people
are costing us billions by being here,
then use that money to provide them jobs at home! I sure would rather live
at home with a job rather than to travel across the border in search of a job! What's your solution?

John wrote on Aug 28, 2008 1:59 AM:I am tired of Crew's weak attempts at prose but continuing puerile assaults. He brings out nothing of substance and the only result of his "letters" is to get a response. Wake up. Obama has a family also. What is it, is the question.

AllHailHussein wrote on Aug 28, 2008 6:03 AM:Yesterday, he entered Jerusalem (Denver) on the symbol of the Democratic party (a jackass), carrying palm reeds and waving his staff to the people. Not even the Beatles could make that many women faint. But tonite is different, the arena hall is good enough for Hillary, Joe and Bill, but not Hussein. Hussein needs the coliseum to fill his ego. He will arrive on his chariot, with his whip and his sword in hand and proceed to crucify the 80% of the American people who want to save their jobs and fight inflation with oil drilling and nuclear power, and keep $800 billion of petro-dollars here in this country instead of handing it over to 2-bit sheiks and dictators. And then, he'll change out of his royal robes and head to the Coliseum baths, only to witness ...

Ron wrote on Aug 28, 2008 6:07 AM:"gracchus" {Aug 27} @10:32 PM
>>>you claim that the u.s. debt is $54 trillion. how do your devise this figure?>>>>

I don't devise anything, the former comptroller general has declared this.

Go see: iousathemovie
Also, look into The Peter G. Peterson Foundation.

Ron wrote on Aug 28, 2008 6:14 AM:Darrell Beck is absolutely right.
"The scheme was hatched by International Panel of Climate Change {IPCC}, where continually the global warming true believers use thew IPCC talking points as scientific opinions,
when the IPCC is nothing more than a political body.

And speaking of Global-warming fanatics, and deception...

Did anyone get how many private jets & limo's it take Harry Reid to get to Denver? I'm betting he must have been so sick by the time he got there, he couldn't speak at the convention.

James wrote on Aug 28, 2008 6:47 AM:J Howard Crews seems to foget the we have two syndicate system in this country. The Dems are no better than the Republicans. Both are self serving fat cats who only wnat to enrich themselves at our expense. All any politician cares about is "the party" despite the grand speeches they wont do or support one single thing that does not benifit them in some way and to heck with the people as long as "the party" survives.

Ron wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:12 AM:Barack Obama's big speech on Thursday night will be delivered from an elaborate columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple.

Wow! I'm guessing Nancy Pelosi & Hillary Clinton called it right?

Pelsoi: God has given us Seantor Obama

Clinton: the sky will open, the light will come down, celestial choirs will be singing...

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:23 AM:Imagine that, the esteemed mayor of New Orleans has warned his people 3 1/2 days in advance of this hurricane. That certainly beats the 10 hours notice he held out for before. I guess the difference is the White House warned Nagin 36 hours in advance, and Nagin had to show Bush who was boss. He did a great job of that, didint he

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:27 AM:>>>you claim that the u.s. debt is $54 trillion.>>> $54 trillion, and the liberals want the same people who have bankrupted Medicare and Social Security to now run the medical delivery system in this nation??? And may the Red Sea part with the waving of his staff

DD Wiz wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:29 AM:The published letters from Darrell Beck and Frank Thurlow (predictably echoes with nothing new by "Ron" at 6:14am) repeat the same anti-science propaganda they have spewed before, trying to debunk serious science. Yet they never, ever explain how they became the "chosen ones" to receive the special insider knowledge that elevates them above those who have done the real science, as reported in legitimate peer-reviewed scientific and academic research journals.
Beck says climate science has nothing to do with science, yet if you do a Google Scholar search, where search results are constrained to qualified peer-reviewed publications, you can find over a thousand well-documented sources of original research confirming global warming and, so far, none that reject it.
And because of an aberrant La Nina condition -- a fluke -- we had several months that were cooler than usual, so naturally amateur anti-scientist Thurlow is going to set himself up above the real scientists and say that a one-time dip in weather temperatures is going to cause a long-term end to warming climate conditions. The anti-science victims of oil company propaganda still can't tell the difference between climate and weather. Yet the same scientific sources that reported the temporary dip for 2008 noted that it was a brief blip on the line graph and that we would bounce back right to the same point in the steady advance of the global mean temperature.

As we watch the Democratic convention, it is refreshing to see proponents of public policy that will be compatible with science, rather than run by the anti-science propagandists who profit mightily from keeping people in the dark. The anti-science extremists oppose science in public policy, in environmental policy, in biology, in the advancement of new cures through stem cells, yet these hypocrites think nothing of using medical or technological advances developed by this very same science. Well, except for John McCain -- while he has benefited from science for his many medical treatments, he does admit that he has to have his staffers get on the Internet for him (while we had a liberal poster yesterday who claimed to be in his 90s and, in this forum, by definition, on the Internet).
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:32 AM:The news is reporting that U.S. economy grows at fastest pace in a year, up 3.3 percent. I think if the morons who issued that report drove some of the frontage streets around the commercial are of Miramar road, they would have a much different view of GNP growth

Yokozuna wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:38 AM:Strict adherence to the following would cut down on the fun we all have here: "With reasonable men, I will reason; with humane men I will plead; but to tyrants I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost". -William Lloyd Garrison

Funny wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:44 AM:Chris Pulse is too funny. He forms an opinion not on first hand knowledge but on things he reads and hears. Without facts he tries to discredit the stories and photographs in the NCT showing progress and good from our soldiers. Does he really believe that all of our soldiers are deplorable. He offers no support for the credibility of his "sources." I find it amazing that he does not attempt to interview the Marines who have actually served in Iraq. Reminds me a bit of Obama who recently changed his tune on Iraq after visintg there firsthand. Hmmmm

OBAMACAN wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:48 AM:What a relief! I thought conservatives were actually going to be able to fabricate something that sort of sounds like it has substance to it, but even Ron at 7:12 a.m., the greatest fact fabricator of all, can't find anything else to run against than the stage Obama will give his speech from!
That's it, plus the usual name-calling thing?
As usual, the "messiah" complex from those that aren't even going to vote for him.
Do I detect more than a tad of "candidate envy" as you look at our youthful, energetic, forward-looking leader and compare him with your wrinkly, white-haired old flip-flopping geezer who can't figure out how to get onto the Internet, no matter which of his (lost count) houses he tries from?

Alf wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:51 AM:While I generally find J. Howard Crews a bit overboard, his turn of phrase -
"under rocks and under indictment" gave me a chortle.
Regards, Alf.

I betcha wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:53 AM:John: Are you Asteroid aka Mike America?

Hussein Speaks wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:00 AM:Tonite, you will learn as much about Hussein, as you have in the last two years. You will still know nothing about the man, other than he's a slicker talker than Slick Willy. All slickness, no substance - but the women will be fainting.

Businessman wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:04 AM:If this area code change happens it will cost me $21,344.14 to change every sign, card, form, database entry, advertisement (print, radio and TV) and customer notification.

Will the CPUC reimburse me for the cost of their decision?

Will the CPUC reimburse every business for their decision?

They are taking a cue from other government agencies, they are making an unfunded mandate.

Bi wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:06 AM:No on 8. Bisexuality is an orientation, not a lifestyle choice. If I love both a man and a woman I should have a right to marry both of them. It's unconstitutional to force me to marry just one of them.

Nice Try Bi wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:19 AM:Polygamy violates the law in all states.
In California and in Massachusetts marriage between two adult peole, the gender of either or both makes no difference, is legal.

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:34 AM:>>>If this area code change happens it will cost me $21,344.14 to change every sign, card, form, database entry, advertisement (print, radio and TV) and customer notification.>>> I don't know, but I do know your liberal employees will take great glee that their evil, capitalistic employer got hosed for the $21K and think that they won't be participating in the cost

She Said to Bi wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:35 AM:Your not so special. You'll just have to make a choice similar to others who fall in love with more that one person. Or be like a friend of mine....he always keeps a backup relationship just in case something goes wrong with his marriage (not realizing, of course, that the back up program has cost him two marriages already). :) Love, She Said

Ms M wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:41 AM:Hussein Speaks
[-] wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:00 AM:Tonite, you will learn as much about Hussein, as you have in the last two years. You will still know nothing about the man, other than he's a slicker talker than Slick Willy...um Slick Willy brought prosperity to our country - I'm glad that you seem to agree that the person for the job is Barak Hussein Obama LMAO! Yes I am so very gleeful!!!

Charlie wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:41 AM:Judy seems to have it wrong. On the proposed overnight parking ordinance she writes, "It is discrimination against larger families who use the curb in front of their own homes to park the cars of children and guests. It will be a hardship for families with college students or adult children still living at home." If Judy attended the council meetings or watched them on TV, she would know that Council Member Dick Daniels has gone on endlessly advocating just what she says she wants, residents to be able to park their and their guests cars at the curb in front of their own homes. Council members Abed, Waldron, and Gallo all have voiced support of that concept at the meetings. Judy should do her own research and not depend on political attacks by wannabe politicians with an agenda. If she did she would realize the proposed overnight parking ordinance is all about families and their guests being able to park in front of their own homes. She would realize the Chamber of Citizens and Mayor Pfeiler do not want an ordinance protecting homeowners. They want to maintain the status quo enabling residents of overcrowded units to continue to take over whole streets with their excess vehicles.

DD Wiz wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:44 AM:The published letter from J. Howard Crews presents an excellent parable. You don't marry a person, you marry a family. And individuals cannot escape the influence of the families they are born into -- blood is thicker than water, and all that -- unless they renounce and detach.
After the cruel, lying, Rovian (is there a difference between "lying" and "Rovian"?) swift-boatng McCain endured in the 2000 South Carolina primary, McCain contemplated renouncing and detaching from the stench of what once-honorable Repbulicanism had become. He voted against the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest few elites; he supported immigration reform; he worked with Democrat Russ Feingold on ethics reform; he supported environmental reforms -- he truly became a maverick. He even considered leaving the Republican party to run as the Vice Presidential choice of John Kerry. Then, his courage ran out. He realized his only chance to sate his presidential ambitions would be in the Republican party. He declined the overtures from Kerry, and hunkered down with the Republican "family."
He supported the Bush tax cuts for the rich (after he had voted against them). He backtracked on humane policies for immigrants (sorry, "sdraoul"). He betrayed his opposition to torture and voted to allow it. He abandoned his support for environmental reform and refused to vote at all on 20 pieces of environmental legislation. In fact, since his 2004 re-dedication to the "family," he has voted with Bush 95% of the time. He has truly become a "made" member of the Washington insider family.
Sad. But that is what happens. Crews is right on target, as usual.
Excellent parable from my friend J. Howard Crews!
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Apollo wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:55 AM:Re: Bi (8:06 a.m.)
Another perfect example of complete inability to understand the California Supreme Court's decision [In re Marriage Cases, (S147999) 5-15-08]. Discrimination based on gender violates multiple provisions of the California State Constitution. Discrimination based on number does not. Thus, REQUIRING a person to only select a marriage partner based on gender is unconstitutional; specifying the number of partners, apart from gender, is not.
In any case, kudos to Bi for his outspoken endorsement of polygamy, demonstrating a courageous stand in favor of true traditional "Bible-based" marriage which, as 3D has pointed out many times, is based on polygamy with underage females.
By the way, the Los Angeles Times reports this morning that the proposed ban on marriage rights (designed to overturn the decision) is currently trailing in the polls, 54% against to 40% supporting. Now, a lot can happen between now and election day, and polls can be wrong, but IF this trend holds up and Prop 8 is resoundingly defeated, will we continue to hear the same clamor from the right about the "will of the people"? Or is their support for popular opinion as selective as how they interpret the Bible?

Ding ding Dribble dribble wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:00 AM:The "you will learn nothing about Hussein" line is classic. There it is: the propaganda slogan is out, and nothing Obama does or says can change it. "We don't know anything about who this guy really is", ding ding, dribble dribble. Let me ask you: do we know who John McCain really is? Which of his innumerable and drastic changes of opinion, once he smelled the White House, is really his? I sure don't know. Is he a "liberal" like Chuck and Rush and Coulter say? Is he a neocon like his speeches indicate? Is he a man of faith? An atheist? We know he was a POW 30 years ago, but we don't know any more if even HE considers what was done to him "torture"...he signed off on Bush's definition, after all. We know he was near the bottom of his class at Annapolis, and that he got in due to family pull. We know he committed adultery. But all this is ancient history. Who is the John McCain who is running for President?

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:19 AM:>>>I'm glad that you seem to agree that the person for the job is Barak Hussein Obama LMAO! Yes I am so very gleeful>>

I wonder how long it will be before you faint tonite in total ecstasy, as you pretend you're hearing what Hussein stands for

Ron wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:19 AM:Considering the statement of Sen. John McCain by the "Wizzer" @8:44 AM. ..once-honorable Repbulicanism..
He voted against the Bush tax cuts...
..supported immigration reform...
..worked with Democrat Russ Feingold on ethics reform... environmental reforms..
thus ='s "maverick."

"Once-honorable Republicanism?"
In your opinion? Wiz?
To date, I don't believe I've ever heard you say one thing "honorable" about any Republican, unless.. they've crossed over to Leftist ideology, and then they are "moderates."

Now, did I not just cover this, the otherday? When McCain goes Left, he's a Maverick.
However, when he differ's, he's McSlime.
Typical Leftism, on display.

Today, I'm going to affir that the browbeaten, badly damaged former Democrat Joe Lieberman as a Maverick.
And they, the Liberal Democrats forced him out. See what I mean?

Idea wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:25 AM:TO THE LETTERS AND BLOG EDITOR:
Just as you have a "Faith and Values" Letter section, how about a "National Politics" section or a "Local Letters" section?
That way, we would be able to read discussions about local issues without having to scroll through the endless pro-anti dem-rep candidate letters.
Also, ALL the letters regarding homosexuals/marriage belong in the "Faith and Values" section because all the anti letter arguments are faith/Bible based and not constitutionally based.
Would be refreshing.

The Real McCain wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:35 AM:Ding Dribble at 9:00 a.m. asks what we know about McCain.
We know he failed his mission, got shot down, and was held as a POW for 5 years.
We don't now what kind of permanent mental instability or brainwashing occurred as a result of that trauma.
We know he came back to the loving wife who waited for him, and he betrayed her and dumped her for someone much, much younger and much, much richer.
We don't know the total of how many other women he cheated with (either against Carol or Cindy).
We know he was born into an elite family of admirals, went to elite, exclusive military academies, married into enormous wealth that neither he nor his wife ever did anything to "earn," and has never known the struggles of real working people.
HE doesn't know exactly how many houses he owns (or how to get on the Internet by himself).

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:35 AM:http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/east/carb/loop-avn.html

Here's a good shot at Gustav and Hanna from the Hurricane Centers site (non-commercial site)
Click on the TropFcstPts box along the top for the projected path and strength.

Why doesnt WhatsHisName leave the convention for a few hours and just wave his staff to make these go away?

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:38 AM:>>>Another perfect example of complete inability to understand the California Supreme Court's decision>>> I rathere look at it that the Supreme Court overturns the overwhelming will of the people time and time again because of their personal agenda

Proof Please wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:40 AM:To Ding Ding Dribble Dribble: Please provide any proof you have that John McCain got into Annapolis through "family pull."

I was at Annapolis during three years of McCain's tour there and had an Admiral's son as a roommate (who bilged out in his second year) and I knew only ONE Classmate who used any family pull -- the son of Adam Clayton Powell of New York. (Who bilged out in his first year.)

(I won one of my several nominations for appointments through competitive examinations as an enlisted man, and other nominations through Civil Service competitive examinations used by Congressmen, Senators and the Vice President. This is how almost ALL nominations for Academy appointments are made. The final appointments are made ONLY through a further entrance examination given by each Academy.)

If you have any proof of some short-circuiting of the process I would sure like to see it. Every one of the 4,000 members of the Brigade that I knew, comprising all four classes, went through the same rigerous processes.

hardtack wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:42 AM:I believe Darrell Beck has it right. Scientists came up with “global warming,” and politicians conveniently turned it into “anthropogenic global warming” for the reasons of taxation and bureaucratic control that Mr. Beck cites.

After many years of observing politics and politicians, drunk on power and unable to control their spending habit, I conclude that they can no more leave a tax opportunity alone than an alcoholic can leave a full bottle of whiskey sitting in the cupboard.

DD Wiz wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:43 AM:The post from "Ron" (9:19am) shows that, as usual, he doesn't get it. Doesn't even understand the post he is purportedly replying to.
He asks why I describe Republicans as having been "honorable" in the past when I continually oppose their policies. "Ron" simply cannot grasp the distinction between policy and personality. If you disagree with them, you have to slime them. Very much like Rove, the Swift-Boaters, or our own beloved "sdraoul."
Notice that the Democrats repeatedly honored McCain's service and many expressed their close bonds of personal respect and friendship. When they hit hard, it was not based on personal attacks, but policy differences. They did not stoop to the vicious, hateful level of modern Republicans.
I honor Republicans Abraham Lincoln and Tedd Roosevelt on both policy and pesonal character. I honor conservative icons Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley Jr and George Will on personal character, though I RESPECTFULLY disagree with him on many policies and issues of political philosophy. They are still honorable men. In contrast, "sdraoul" or "Ron" has never found a single honorable thing to say about one single liberal -- completely incapable of distinguishing between the policies, however much you may feel them to be misguided, and the individuals. I honor John McCain's military service, though I am saddened by his flip-flop subjugation to the modern Republican slime machine which has, I regret to say, cost me the previous respect I felt for him.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Backcountry wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:43 AM:Still waiting for scientific proof of man-made global warming. Are there any of those scientists out there who write for those peer reviewed sources who are willing to put their money where their mouths are? Sorry, man-made computer models won't be accepted as truth....too much chance of scientific fudging.

Ms M wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:54 AM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:19 AM:>>>
....I wonder how long it will be before you faint tonite in total ecstasy, as you pretend you're hearing what Hussein stands for....Chuck, I already know what Obama stands for. You see I took the time to research my candidate. But for me tonite is truly a celebraion of America moving forward. I will be seeing a Black man accept the nomination for president. And I will be crying (big time) tears of joy. You see, this is a very proud moment for this very proud Black women, who did not think this would happen in my lifetime - you can safely bet your last dollar that I WILL be crying - this is a moment that ALL Americans should be proud of regardless which party you belong to!

Alf wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:57 AM:Well, "Idea" at 9:25AM,
local politics is just that, local.
Should this paper/website have so many compartments for letters that it becomes unwieldy?
There is quite a reasonable mix of letters pertaining to local, state, national and international affairs, situations and problems.
Subdividing the letters more than what has already been done would be a useless waste of time, IMHO, especially because comments can also be made on most local news items on this website.
You have your preference and I have mine.
Regards, Alf.

Reardon wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:59 AM:Apparently, the Governor’s tax proposal to offset part of the State Budget Deficit, is to raise the State Sales Tax by 1% for three years, then reduce the sales tax by 1.25% BUT to apply that new lower sales tax over a much wider group of products and more importantly, services.

The plan is to apply the tax to haircuts and coiffures, legal fees, Doctors fees, landscaping, health club memberships – the list of “services” to which a sales tax will now be placed, is endless.

While it is not mentioned as part of the current plan, the State has put into place a mechanism to track the value of house sales, for a future tax on home sales.

So long as this State continues to spend on new programs, the need for more and newer taxes will continue. Politicians decry the extra money we must pay in gasoline, and medical care, while continuing to plan new bonds and new taxes – as if those new and higher costs for government do not come from the same strained wallets and purses.

Alf wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:05 AM:My suspicion, "Apollo" at 8:55AM,
is that the anti "gay" marriage "religious right" will accept the defeat of Prop. 8 as well as the KKK accepted equal civil rights for blacks or the "legalizing" of inter-racial marriage.
Regards, Alf.

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:09 AM:>>>HE doesn't know exactly how many houses he owns (or how to get on the Internet by himself).>>> I ahve several clients with multiple rentals who couldnt tell you how many they owned. Some are in trusts, some are in LLC's, some owned outright. And then their is hussein, who wont even have the common decency to give the full details on his home acquisition from a terrorist

chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:12 AM:>>>>then reduce the sales tax by 1.25%>>> I can just see the liberals voting that decrease in 3 years. They are just filthy liars. Hopefully it goes to a vote of all the people

Ding ding wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:18 AM:To Proof Please (hi, reardon): mea culpa, I have no proof. I was assuming that being an Admiral's son, like getting letters from Congressmen, was helpful to John's admission at Annapolis. His awful grades and apparent lack of either intelligence or motivation bolstered this assumption. But I admit, it's an assumption. I must say, BTW, that your having been at Annapolis certainly does not give you any special information about the middies. How do you know, with any precision, how this or that classmate "got in"? Because he told you he had no help? Did you have access to the admissions files of all your classmates? Maybe middies, too, make assumptions.

DD Wiz wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:20 AM:The posts from "hardtack" (9:42am) and "Backcountry" (9:43am) are more of the same claims by amateurs to know more than real scientists.
'hardtack" admits that he "believes" Darrell Beck is right. Belief is not enough, "hardtack." There is real science and real evidence.
"Backcountry" says he is "still waiting for scientific proof of man-made global warming." Of course he is still waiting, because he won't actually open his eyes and READ the evidence which is widely available. And as I have said many times, the evidence shows that climate change with warming global mean temperatures is due to a combination of natural and human-made causes. He challenges scientists to "put their money where their mouths are." They do that every time one of them turns down a lucrative offer to fudge data and conclusions for Big Oil propaganda though, sadly, too many do give in to such temptation, though their work is limited to popular press and not peer-reviewed publications.
Here are a few (from more than a thousand) of the specific examples of articles from peer-reviewed journals that confirm that human activity contributes to natural cycles in causing climate change (I trust the anti-science deniers will respond with equally valid peer-reviewed sources -- oops, not holding my breath):
1. Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 104, D-16: 19057-19070 (1999) "Global warming in the context of the Little Ice Age" by Melissa Free and Alan Robock. _
2. Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol 108, A-5: 10.1029/2002JA009753 (2003) "Can solar variability explain global warming since 1970?" _
3. The Holocene, Vol 3, No. 4, 367-376 DOI: 10.1177/095968369300300409 (1993) "'Little Ice Age' summer temperature variations: their nature and relevance to recent global warming trends" by Ramond S. Bradley,Department of Geology and Geography, University of Massachusetts. _
4. Journal Nature #360, 330-333 (Nov 1992) "Implications for global warming of intercycle solar irradiance variations" by Micael E. Schlesinger & Navin Ramankutty.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Alf wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:20 AM:Well, "Reardon" at 9:59AM,
the same thing can be said for ALL levels of government, not just the state.
While the Governor is attempting to do something radical, balance the budget (wow, what a concept), our federal government is making no such effort.
Part of the reason, IMHO, that there is still the pocket of people who worship war is that their pockets have not been picked to pay for the current war. Remember war bonds??
JUST AS
people are not having their pockets picked enough to pay for all our social programs fully.
I think that the word often used is deficit,
in my reality it is called red ink.
Regards, Alf.

Paul wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:24 AM:after spending a lot of time reading about the complexities of global climate change (even Bob Barr admits it is a fact, but wants 'market-based solutions' instead of government action, I realize I was wasting my time.

I should just listen to Dr. Darrell Beck of Ramona and Dr. Frank Thurlow of Vista, who tell me it's all a hoax (a hoax that fooled the Pentagon, apparently,as they list climate change as a threat to US security).

Dr. Thurlow in particular should read more, and disabuse himself of the notion that climate change will result in every day being warmer (he's wrong about the temperature thing though, the hottest years on record have all come in the last 20 or so).

Anyway, Dr. Beck hasn't changed his position on this in at least a decade, which indicates to me he probably isn't keeping up with the research...

The News is Reporting wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:30 AM:Yesterday the McCain Campaign reported that McCain had made his VP choice and would announce Friday. Today McCain says he has not made his choice yet. Yet McCain's campaign says he will announce his choice tonight in order to draw attention away from Obama's speech. McCain has not yet realized the price he will pay for selling his soul to the Repug Family.

If McCain chooses Lieberman as he wants to, then he may still have some maverick left in him.

If McCain chooses Romney then we will know that Rove won out.

My money is on Karl Rove.

Ron wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:33 AM:After listening to the John Kerry speech last night {against my better judgement}, I came away with one thought. The Democrats, as a party, have decided that lack of experience, is exactly the type of experience they are seeking this year. Apparently, the answer to Rick Warren's question: "That's above my pay grade",
sent tingles running down many a democratic leg.
As Kerry droned on about Barack Obama's patriotism. He threw out the images of Obama family members, like his typically white grandmother working on a bomber assembly line, or his grandfather who marched in Patton's army. Or even, his great uncle who had helped to liberate Buchenwald. Or was that Auschwitz? As if, Obama through osmosis garnered this patriotism.
It's kind of like getting his economic experience from organizing laid-off steelworkers who's job went overseas, or at least, that's what Dem. Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia said.
But, it has become obvious to any objective observer, that the troops will rally behind this pick, no matter how unqualified he is.
On top of that, they keep having to go back to "the well" on his Iraq War stance. Asked what was THE most singular difficult in your whole life?
Well, Iraq was. It was politically dangerous. Yes, politically dangerous.

Hillary Clinton called Barack Obama a risky choice, and cautioned about the tragic result of having a president who had no experience...
Yesterday, she changed her tune.
"Willing Suspension of Disbelief"??

Joe O'Biden said: "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is." Biden had denounced Obama's foreign policy judgment as "poor", and strongly argued: Americans are quickly realizing that Barack Obama is not ready to be president."
Last night, most qualified.

Even Bill Clinton flopped over.
About himself back in 1988, he said: "I really didn’t think I knew enough, and had served enough and done enough to run.” After being a Governor elected in 1978.
Last night...
“Senator Obama has over two decades of the experience America needs right now.”

I think Bill had it right the first time: “But since you raised the judgment issue, let’s go over this again. That is the central argument for his campaign. ‘It doesn’t matter that I started running for president less a year after I got to the Senate from the Illinois State Senate. I am a great speaker and a charismatic figure and I’m the only one who had the judgment to oppose this war from the beginning. Always, always, always.’” …

“This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen.”

Poppy wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:37 AM:High Five to Ms. M! I have been shedding tears of joy throughout the convention and tonight my children will be gathered around me to watch Barack Obama make history! I will remember to raise a glass to you, dear sister Ms M, and remember that you too, are happy tonight.

I am gleeful with you! Here's to the passing of the torch to the younger generation and the advancement of the United States into the 21st Century! WOOHOO!

No, I am not black. I am a mother. We are one.

Ron wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:39 AM:Still not getting this...
"Wizzer" @9:43 AM.

Your actually telling me, that you HONOR these men, for their principals? Even though you say, those same "principals" cause poverty, stealing from the middle-class, denying science, etc, etc, etc?

Is that like loving the sinner, yet hating their sin?
Of course, the righteous thing to do then, would be to repent from being a Republican? In yur opinion?

Ms M wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:39 AM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:09 AM:.....And then their is hussein, who wont even have the common decency to give the full details on his home acquisition from a terrorist....well Chuck the following is from Fact Check:

As for that claim about Rezko helping Obama buy his house, well, we've dealt with that one before. The gist of the story: In 2005, Barack and Michelle Obama found a house that they wanted to purchase. The property had been divided into two parcels, one containing a house and the other undeveloped land. The owner had listed the properties separately. After considerable haggling, the seller accepted the Obamas' third bid of $1.65 million for the parcel containing the house. Tony Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining lot for $625,000.

When the Obamas wanted to increase the size of their yard, they approached the Rezkos about purchasing a strip of the adjacent parcel. Obama told the Sun-Times that a 10-foot strip of the 60-foot lot appraised for $40,000. The Obamas nevertheless paid Rita $104,500 (or 1/6 of the total purchase price of her lot) for the strip. In 2007, Rita sold the remaining lot for $575,000 (or roughly a $54,500 profit on the overall property).

McCain's ad, however, is worded in a way that could leave a false impression. It says Rezko "helped him buy his million-dollar mansion" by "purchasing part of the property he couldn't afford." That's true, but only because the seller wanted to sell the two parcels as a unit and the Obamas couldn't afford both. Rezko did not make a gift of any property to the Obamas. Furthermore, the fact that his wife sold her lot for more than she paid for it contradicts any suggestion that the Rezkos overpaid for their part of the deal as a way of getting the seller to lower the price to the Obamas for their part.

Not what do you know that I don't know. Unless you can give me factual information that disputes Fact Check - maybe you can be adult enough to put his issue to rest!

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:48 AM:In todays news: "United to furlough 1,550 flight attendants as it reduces fleet"

This as Nobama and No'Biden say screw you to drilling and nuclear

Focal Point wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:58 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:09 AM: I thought that Ayers was the terrorist?

Paul wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:00 AM:Hussein Speaks
[-] wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:00 AM:
Tonite, you will learn as much about Hussein, as you have in the last two years. You will still know nothing about the man, other than he's a slicker talker than Slick Willy. All slickness, no substance - but the women will be fainting.

no substance?
as i scan your post for substance i realize you're a master of irony
i am unworthy!

Paul wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:04 AM:chuck, you are confusing your right wing talking points

obama (and please quit calling him hussein-it makes you appear childish-supposedly hangs out with ayers of the weather underground and got his house from rezko (an accused swindler-i'm surprised he's not in the Greedy Old Party)

correct me if i'm wrong but rezko isn't accused of being a terrorist-as i've posted here before, you're entitled to your own opinion, not your own facts (that's a shout out to my pal Ron as well)

Ron wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:07 AM:What is this with the McCain ain't a Maverick stuff?
Here's just a run down of how un-Maverick McCain is:

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, McCain & Joe Lieberman wrote the legislation that created the 9/11 Commission, while he and Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings co-sponsored the Aviation and Transportation Security Act that federalized airport security.

2002: McCain-Feingold.
2003: w/ Lieberman co-sponsored the Climate Stewardship Act.
2005: McCain Detainee Amendment.
2005: McCain led the "Gang of 14"
Worked with Ted Kennedy, The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007
His Committee exposed the Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal
In both 2005 and 2006, McCain was pushing for amendments to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

But, Hillary seals the deal:
"...'Sen. McCain has a lifetime of experience, I have a lifetime of experience, Sen. Obama has one speech in 2002'.
Sounds pretty definate.

sdraoul wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:17 AM:Kudos to the nomination of Barack Obama, America’s first non-white major party nominee for President..

100 years ago, the Democrats nominated a fiery William Jennings Bryan in Denver. He went on to lose. In fact he lost three times.

His oratory soared; his view of the workingman being screwed by the rich soared among many. Nonetheless, he lost.

Obama's candidacy is historical and to some earth shaking. To many others, however, it is lacking in substance. To those who say they "researched" his candidacy we must laugh.

Any man who would "oppose" a war that Congress voted to implement while he served in one of 50 state senates and had no exposure to the facts gathered by intelligence agencies throughout Europe, the Middle East and several American agencies, all we can say is "chutzpah" fueled by ignorance.

He is the Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin of the day. She voted against declaring war on Japan and Germany in 1941 and she had all the information available. She never won office again.

President Clinton stated that the Republicans charged him with being “too young and inexperienced” in 1992 and that sounded familiar --- didn’t it? But, history shows the Republicans were right. Americans were slaughtered in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia and East Africa. The forces Clinton unleashed wore FBI badges not M-16s carried by Marine Expeditionary forces.

Clinton made himself sound like a giant killer when, in fact, the only reason he won in 1992 was because Ross Perot was spending millions to derail the rightful winner, incumbent President Bush. Anyone who checks out the state-by-state vote of 1992 clearly sees that Clinton carried many states only because Perot drained off votes from Bush.

He proved he was not fit to be Commander-in-Chief and Obama has the same potential of being a disaster. It’s all there in his “record.”

Scotticus wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:18 AM:This will certainly be a landmark election. The Democrats and like minded independents will attempt to elect the first African American president. The Republicans, by continuing the failed policies of George W will likely vote in the last American president.

Paul wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:19 AM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:09 AM:
>>>HE doesn't know exactly how many houses he owns (or how to get on the Internet by himself).>>> I ahve several clients with multiple rentals who couldnt tell you how many they owned. Some are in trusts, some are in LLC's, some owned outright.

Chuck, you've made the case against mccain for us

mccain (like some of your clients) can't relate to the average american. how many americans own (hold title) to their homes? i guess about 5-10%

bush lies about this openly on the white house website (see below)

saying that 70% of americans own their homes is insulting when the banks own them
to prove the point, ask yourself how many of the 70% have had their homes taken back by the actual owners?

John Rockefeller once said that in a depression assets return to their rightful owners

this is the mission of the modern corporate state, led by the repubs, but aided and abetted by some dems


National Homeownership Month, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
White House News
Owning a home is an important part of the American dream. During National Homeownership Month, we raise awareness of homeownership and encourage more Americans to consider the benefits of owning their own home.

Nearly 70 percent of Americans enjoy the satisfaction of owning their own home, and my Administration continues to promote an ownership society where the promise of America reaches all our citizens

obama isnt the answer wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:21 AM:Keyes is.

gracchus wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:38 AM:ron, i followed your advice and read a little about the peter g. peterson foundation. i found the salient observation from david m. walker, a former comptroller general.

"With addiction to debt, near-zero national and personal savings rates, and rising costs for health care and unfunded promises for social security and medicare, america is burdened with $53 trillion in obligations--and today's young people and future generations will face collection notices."

i agree with mr. walker. he goes on to say that this is neither a democratic nor a republican problem, but an american problem. he observes that we must face it together and reach viable solutions.

let us be clear, ron. $53 trillion in obligations is not the same as the current $9.5 trillion u.s. debt. the question that peterson and walker pose is how we avoid that disaster--it is not inevitable.

i am proposing a major tax reform which will oblige the wealthy to pay more. i am proposing a tax polciy which will encourage the people of the united states to save more. i propose that the u.s. start paying down its debt,especially to foreign creditors. i propose that the u.s. i propose that instead of spending money on foreign adventures, the u.s.government spend it on education, reapir of roads, dams, and bridges, and on scientific research. i propose that we seriously look at how we continue funding social security and medicare.

i admit that my proposals will require tax increase for all in the united states; less for lower income workers and a lot from very wealthy people who enjoy a life of conspicuous consumption through tax loopholes.

so, ron, i'm asking you. what do you propose so that the current $9.5 trillion u.s. debt doesn't turn into the $53 trillion obligation about which david m. walker walker correctly warns us?

Chris to Funny wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:46 AM:Your criticizem of Chris Pulse's letter is typical of people who can only blow more smoke. So you can't educate yourself about anything unless you were there means that all the research by those who study things written by people that were there is a waste of time. So I guess that for me to acknowlege there was a George Washington is foolish on my part because I wasn't there to see and talk to him. Maybe my believe that there is a Iraq is wrong because I was never there. Maybe there never was a Hussein because even though I saw pictures of him they may have been fabricated. But as I expect you flag wavers cannot dispute anything but like Bill can only blow a lot of nensenical smoke. Now you talk about Obama changing his mind after going to Iraq. Obama just llke the reporters for the Times and other outlets go to Iraq and stay at the bases and whine and dine with the Generals. Do they go out on their own to the refugee camps and talk to the Iraqis. Do they go out on their own and talk to Iraqis and listen to the horror stories about how Iraq was trashed after our sanctions and war. No they just repeat the lies that the Generals tell them. But then maybe all those stories that do make it about the refugee camps can't be believed because I wasn't there so maybe they don't exist and maybe these Generals don't exist because I wasn't there. Where does Pulse say that all Military personel have committed crimes. Pulse said our troops which means that the overall trashing was the result of our invasion and what our military as an institution did was deplorable.

hardtack wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:06 PM:I can certainly see J. Howard’s point. I would be terribly disappointed if my grandchildren don’t marry a registered Independent.

Chris wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:09 PM:It's all over folks. After listening to Joe Biden I just decided there is no use voting. Maybe a McCain presedency wouldn't be any worse. Biden of course criticized Russia for what they did and then talked about helping the Georgians to rebuild. We are in a sea of debt and yet we are rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan and now Georgia. My position is that we should be hanging our heads in shame and not talking our usual trash about how great we are and talking about taking on more client states and doing everything we can to alienate Russia. The one comment I agreed upon was that we should use the power of our example and not the example of our power. But these politicians talk out of both sides of our mouth because they can't get away from their attitude that they are god and the U.S. can do anything that we want. It is time to eat crow and stop all of this bellicose chutzpah.

Bill wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:10 PM:Chris never checks his facts.

Im still waiting for him to tell me who the Palestinians are.

The answer to that question debunks 90% of his claims.

Hes also a squatter and a hypocritical occupier of native American land.

Everything Chris complains about with Israel, he is guilty of doing himself.

When are you moving Chris?

Liberal bucks wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:17 PM:Chuck has clients...? Do you think he politely smiles as he takes the greenbacks from those unsavory lib types? Oh wait, I forgot the << I have several clients >>>. Love that part in Chuck's messages...

Chuck wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:17