Republican Socialist wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:13 AM:Four days ago, I made the point that, despite the rants and shouts by Ron and others (such as yesterday's letter from Herbert...) there is only one place in the whole United States where pure, unadulerated SOCIALISM is practiced: by REPUBLICANS IN ALASKA.
Ron and others throw the term around casually, as if they actually understand what it means, but they never tie it to actual socialism as described by Marx: public ownership of the means of production.
In Alaska, the state COLLECTIVEly owns the oil as a COMMUNAL resource, and contracts with oil companies to procure and process it. PURE SOCIALISM - not just name calling, but based on the economic concept of exactly what SOCIALISM actually is.
Then, there are no income and sales taxes, as the government is wholly funded by its commercial SOCIALIST operations, and even returns dividends (called "royalties") to its citizens.
Now that the Socialist, I mean Republican, governor of this SOCIALIST state has been nominated as Vice Presidential candidate, it becomes even more incumbent upon Ron and all those who have hurled the epithet "socialist" at Democrats, to denounce and renounce the Socialist in the number two spot of their own party's ticket.

To Bryan Mace wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:18 AM:By your reasoning, those at the end of life would no longer pose a problem either. My conscience won't let me accept euthanasia (sic) as a convenient way to deny responsibility. To quote Dr. Suess 'a person's a person - no matter how small' from 'Horton Hears a Who.'

jvc wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:32 AM:A free market economy? Where have you been? Ever heard of the Federal Reserve
that interject its will on the economy by raising the prime rate to cool
the economy against inflation or cuts rates to stimulate the economy!
A free market economy,indeed!

MADDY wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:01 AM:I too have been conducting a pole in our shop. We have two jars. One with Obama's picture and one with McCain. The McCain's are outselling 6 to one. I checked. All my customers are American.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:34 AM:For those who are in the North County area who want to comment on or at the CPUC hearing about the 760/442 area code split, Cox sent me this information -
"Carlsbad, September 4, 2008, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Carlsbad City Hall, Council Chambers
1200 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad

If special arrangements are needed for the public hearings, such as sign and foreign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC Public Advisor's Office at 1-866-849-8391 or 1-213-576-7055 or email: public.advisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov at least three days prior to the hearings. For those who cannot attend the hearings in person, comments will be accepted until September 2nd to: CPUC Public Advisor's Office, 320 West 4th St., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90013 or by email to public.advisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov."

Yes, folks, it's on THIS COMING THURSDAY!!

Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:48 AM:The letter from Jack Key inspires me to point out that "water police" are a hypocritical crock.
IF they, or any government agency for that matter, demand that we cut back -
I WILL DEMAND AND WE ALL SHOULD DEMAND that there be an IMMEDIATE STOP to the issuance of NEW water meters.
For so long as NEW water meters are being issued/installed, they have NO AUTHORITY to insist on cutbacks or to ration water.
Do you want to cut back so that NEW water meters can be issued and there can be even more ADDED use of water?
STOP THE HYPOCRISY!
DEMAND NO NEW WATER METERS! PERIOD!!
Regards, Alf.

No McCain wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:48 AM:McCain's VP pick is astounding and insulting. His reasons for picking Governor Palin are so transparent, and can only be perceived as a desperate move. And it clearly demonstrates that McCain thinks it is OK to use this woman as a prop for his political campaign.

And what is Governor Palin, who just gave birth to a preemie with downs-syndrome, thinking? As a parent of a preemie here, I can not imagine taking my son campaigning around the country. Just two weeks ago, she said she did not even know what the Vice President did! I have no doubt it is a very demanding job and will not leave much time for her special needs child. Family values?

US wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:58 AM:Great posts on the homosexual agenda. This is why the passing of Prop. 8 is so important. Homosexuals cannot, by natures design, procreate. Therefore, they will seek to recruit by force. Our children as young as kindergarten will be forced to believe that the sodomy of man is a good thing. That even though that act itself will not produce life, the love that they share is worth saving and protecting.

Why do you think their last resort is 'artificial' insemination?

Conch wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:02 AM:WOW That Sarah Palin is one hot babe! You have to hand it to McHefner, he sure knows how to surround himself with willing, albeit slightly, erm, mature eye-candy! He has my vote!

This Just In wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:05 AM:The news is reporting that Cindy McCain, speaking privately, is concerned about her replacement who is even younger than Obama. Go Johnny! Who says he's senile?

Lemme get this straight wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:06 AM:About 80% of our citizens say the country is on the wrong track and has been for quite a while. The economy is in terrible shape and it looks like a long time before it starts improving. Now here comes McCain, who voted with the wishes of Bush more than 90% of the time. And the polls say it's pretty close! That about half of us are ready to cast their vote to stay the course. This says much more about Americans than it does about McCain. If McCain wins, and the current policies continue, and the need for wars continue to send out dollars and kids off to their deaths, I will only wonder: what in the name of heaven did you think was going to happen when you voted for McCain? What'll you say? "But he was a POW"? Let's be clear: 80% say "wrong track"; 50% or so say "I'm going to vote for McCain". Check my math, but as I read it, one big chunk of people who say we're on the wrong course will be voting to stay on that course! They will, naturally, blame liberals for all that's wrong. We know better.

Paul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:12 AM:The right to marry �“�“ anyone

I agree with the letter writer (Aug. 27) who said:
Jack DeLessio shows that he hasn't read much history-otherwise, why would he make the same arguments that were made against interracial marriage-no jack, it's just one adult human marrying another...your letter is insulting
"We should be allowed to marry the person we love, and we don't need the government to decide who is acceptable." A man should be allowed to marry another man. Or 12 men. Or an underaged man. Or a man who's his father or son. Or a man who's already married. Or a nonhuman. Or a man who doesn't love him back and doesn't want to get married. Or a man who only exists in his mind. Or a dead man.

One last question about Sarah wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:44 AM:Now that the appointment of Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate has ended all talk about experience in this election, I do have one remaining question. In October, 2002, Obama gave a speech in Chicago. He talked at length about how important winning the war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan was to national security. He contrasted this in detail with Bush/McCain's desire to invade Iraq. Obama called Iraq the wrong war, a bogus war, a war against a terrible tyrant who was no longer a threat to anyone. He called the fight against Al Qaeda the right war, and too important for us to take our eyes off. So my question is: in October, 2002, what was Sarah Palin saying about these matters?

Absolutely. Yup yup wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:56 AM:Sarah Palin People Interview
August 30, 2008 09:02 AM

People magazine scored one of the first interviews with McCain and his vice president pick Sarah Palin. In the interview they discussed Palin's resume, being a mom, her child's down syndrome and her message to woman. People also asked her about her readiness to be president:

Do you feel ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

SARAH: Absolutely. Yup, yup. Especially with a good team around us.

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:58 AM:Lets hear it for mayor Sanders and San Diego. They are starving for cash, so to make sure they drive away as many visitors as possible, they close all the beaches to beer and wine, the just made it impossible for the Marriot to build a hotel, and instead he decided he favors gay marriage and makes the city a sanctuary city. No wonder San Diego is the laughing stock of the big cities in this nation- its being run by the gay and green racketeers

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:01 AM:>>>Obama is outselling McCain by far.>>> With his Marxist agenda, he better be a good salesman, before people realize what he really stands for. (May I hear the trumpets blare at his very name, please)

She Said wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:04 AM:Perhaps Mr. Robert Douglas needs to be reminded that the only reason that any doctor can even legally practice in this state is based upon being licensed by the state to do so and is bound by the laws of the state. Love, She Said

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:05 AM:Gee, I wonder how a straight woman, who is a hunter, fisherman, and skinner, who is a conservative, pro-life, hates corruption & whose husband works on an oil platform will play out with the Hollywood filth? LOL, the hate will be at monumental levels.

And remember wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:26 AM:Sarah Palin's selection as McCain's running mate pretty much guarantees, if there had been any doubt, that if they win the White House and any Supreme Court Justices leave the bench, their replacements will overturn Roe. I hope all the people who were devotees of Hillary keep this at the forefront of their minds as they consider whom to vote for in November.

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:36 AM:>>>The average voter cannot provide this service, so they end up getting represented only on issues not opposed by big business>>> Sir, is it too much to realize that businesses provide products, jobs, wages, benefits pensions etc to keep the economy running. The gay racketeers, teachers unions and greeners provide just as much political money to beat America down in the effort to keep improving. So, lets not cry about the big bad corporations

Conservative wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:37 AM:Sorry, I will not denounce a hottie like Sarah. Bark up someone elses tree.

sdraoul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:39 AM:Watching leftist Obama-ites run in circles screaming Sarah Palin, GOVERNOR Sarah Palin -- has no experience is funny. Watching Obama's campaign manager insult and slur the Governor then have Obama himself contradict his campaign manager is funny.

Watching male Democrats slobber and froth at the mouths that Joe Biden that tired old low-in-his-law school class will wipe the floor with Sarah in debate is both classless and mysoginistic.

These things were all said about her when she took on the oil companies in Alaska and raised their taxes. They were said about her when she announced for Governor against an incumbent from her own party. They were said about her when she beat the 12-year incumbent and then smashed a Democrat in November.

Now they are saying that giant killer Palin can't handle herself and that she's just a woman, how dare she claim Hillary votes? Why not?

McCain's nomination of her was proven correct when she stood in front of thousands in Dayton and laid the wood on those who think women are crying, whining babes.

McCain may fall short, but I doubt it. Is she qualified to be President? Ask President Clinton, he obviously doesn't think Obama is which is why he denigrated Obama when he was asked if he thought Obama was qualified. Didn't anyone notice that his fingers were crossed when he spoke on Wednesday night?

Clinton no more wants Obama to win than I do.

Sarah Palin will make Joe Biden look like what he is; an over-the-hill Irish politician who couldn't draw votes on his own for President and has never run anything.

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:42 AM:>>>which deplores a recent state Supreme Court ruling that a doctor may not refuse to artificially inseminate a homosexual woman >>>> The CA Supreme court is not operated by law, it is run by the personal agenda of the blackrobes, so anything that is pro-homosexual is an automatic yes to them

Thanks Maddy wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:44 AM:I wonder what MADDY's point is? That her customers are conservatives who have done just fine under Bush? That North San Diego County tends heavily Republican? Or maybe there's one vote in the Obama jar and six in the McCain jar. In other words, you could also say that McCain has a mere 5 votes more than Obama. Or that Maddy loves McCain and stuffs his jar? Who knows? But thanks anyway, Maddy. (BTW, it's "poll" not "pole", unless your shop is that kind of establishment)

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:58 AM:The letter from Bob Crowell has me wondering -
What's so bad about STRS (State Teachers Retirement System)?
Regards, Alf.

Ron wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:06 AM:There's just something about Daniel Lynch's letter today that tells me, Danny has drank too much of the Obama Kool-aid.
Ever notice that Liberals tend to believe that everything should just float along, no body should ever hurt, or lose their stuff, or that life should be just one big bowl of cherries?
This is the utopian ideal, this is how Liberals think.
That, if we could just put OUR people in place, those who truly believe in Big Government, then no body would hurt anymore, no body would lack anymore, that we would longer have economic swings, or war, and everyone in the entire world would see that WE are good people, and would love us.

The whining, as it were, is always on the Liberal side of the isle where they believe they have been denied. And this is importnat to know, they truly believe tht they should not be denied anything. Like children, their whole sense of well being is caught up in what they have, and the struggle to attain those things, they believe, should not exist. In them, it creates fear, low self-esteem, and reinforces the concept of "the world as it could be." They basically what to be shielded from life.. itself.
Inflation, foreclosures, stock market,
Gasoline high, are all parts of life.
But to a Liberal, it is not the world as it should be.
AS liberals, like over endlugent parent's do not want to say NO. They can not say NO, because then, they feel bad about themselves. They perpetuate their own cycle.
So, when a politican like McCain would vote against giving something away, like medical coverage for Viagra, they are thought of as mean, not caring, and cruel.

When the real fact of the matter is,
successful parent's understand that denying your child things builds charactor. The inner workings of the struggle to attain things helps to refine, educate, and then define the type of needed charactor they will carry for the rest of their lives.
The liberal approach short circuits the defining of charactor, and creates a world of spoiled brats, who think Daddy is stingy because he won't go to the ATM.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:13 AM:Well, "US" at 6:58AM,
are you paranoid or what?
You say "Therefore, they will seek to recruit by force. Our children as young as kindergarten will be forced to believe that the sodomy of man is a good thing.".
Are you serious? "by force"??

The hyperbole in the letter from Jack DeLessio is beyond irrational. Polygamy is illegal across all states, as is the the requirement to be of LEGAL age, an emancipated minor or parental permission.
Regards, Alf.

Greenergy wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:16 AM:Republican Socialist at 1:13 a.m. links socialism, Republicans and Big Oil all in one sound bite.
Careful, there!
Ron's head just exploded!

to US wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:20 AM:Let me repeat something that I posted a couple of days ago. There has now been two decades of research on the effects on adopted kids of having homosexual, as opposed to heterosexual, parents. So far, the results are clear: a child brought up in a gay home is no more likely to be homosexual than a child brought up in a straight home. If that's true, I wouldn't worry about kids being "recruited" from schools by learning that homosexuality exists. I don't know the source of your very irrational terror of homosexuality, but I would encourage you to explore it and work through it, rather than going on thinking it's an accurate portrayal of anything. Face it: sometimes we are wrong about things we were sure we were right about. Mature, healthy people see these times as an opportunity to grow. Others fill with fear and rage. Up to you.

Ron wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:23 AM:Hey.. ah..
"Republican Socialist" @1:13 AM...
I've been purposely not responding to your rant, for "Four days"...
because within your own rant, you destroy your own argument.
Let me, as I always do, help you with this, ok?

Now folks, when your trying to argue your point, make sure you know what your talking about.

The claim is made by Republican Socialist that Alaska has "unadulerated SOCIALISM", and is practiced by REPUBLICANS IN ALASKA.
In other words, both the oil and the oil company are state-owned.

Now, here's where heshe goes off the reservation, inside his/her own argument: "In Alaska, the state COLLECTIVEly owns the oil as a COMMUNAL resource, and contracts with oil companies to procure and process it. PURE SOCIALISM..."

That's right the State of Alaska contracts with privately owned & operated oil companies to drill for oil.
Thus defeating your own argument.
Now, if Alaska had the Alaskan State Oil Company, owned, financed, operated by the State of Alaska, then we would be talking pure socialism.
But, I will say this.
It is one thing for the State to define the terms of operation on the piece of land the State owns, via contract.
It is entirely a different thing when the State reaches into the inner-workings of any company, and demand they operate in such a way, to please the State. This, I say, is socialism by proxy, as practised by modern day Liberalism.
Or we could use the Maxine Waters approach: We will socialize you.. eh ah.. take over your business, if you do not operate the way privately that we demand you do, as public officials.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:25 AM:Well, "Paul" at 7:12AM,
the fever pitch and the wild statements you make are typical of those who want equal rights and equal protection under the law -
only for those who have the same religiously fanatical views as you.
Our Constitution made this country a democratic republic to protect us all
from people like you.
Regards, Alf.

Update for Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:29 AM:Sarah Palin is currently under investigation for Abuse of Power in her home state.

Ron wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:38 AM:Do you really want to know what is just striking about Jack Key's letter today?
How accurate he is.
For years, we have been told by the central planning socialists that occupy Sacramento, to send them our money, and they will solve this problem.
We have sent Sacramento our money, and now we still have to cut back.
Most of us, have cut back, voluntarily, via the cost of water going up. We chose to buy water saving appliances, did not water our lawns everyday, replaced our plants with drought tolerant, bought insta-water heaters,
etc., etc., etc.
And it has not worked, we are still going to be mandatorily required to use even less water.

This is the failure of the Central Planning model of Governance, as practised by the modern day Socialists within the Democrat Party. This Central Planning model first practised by FDR, has been an absolute failure at every level, Federal, State, County, and Local. All are broke. screaming for more money or your not patriotic, so we can throw that money down the black hole created by these flim-flam artists.

Hilarious wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:38 AM:You people who praise the pick of Palin for VP have got to be joking. As a woman I'm insulted by her positions, her dragging her infant to a loud rally and the fact that should be nursing while that 3 am phone call comes in? Plus on an even more serious note, she is not qualified to take over as president, ever. She has no foreign policy experience, no domestic policy experience, no terrorism IQ, no war IQ and her only claim to fame is that she is a mommy and a firebrand? Sorry. You folks are out of your minds. Women will be leaving the repub party in droves. I know I did!

Republican Socialist wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:45 AM:Blah, blah, blah, Ron at 9:23 a.m.
YOU are the one who calls everyone else a SOCIALIST, with no relation whatsoever to the actual economic theory on which SOCIALISM is based.
Now YOU want to play semantics, changing and redefining your own terms the way you want to SPIN it, because you are humiliated to have to confront the FACT that it is the Republican Oil Barons of Alaska who actually practice SOCIALISM.
State revenues from a commercial enterprsie, profits of which eliminate the need for either income or sales taxes, the only state in the Union with neither.
Public ownership of a communal resource.
Shared profits returned as "royalties" to the residents.
Ronnie boy, you can dish it out (with no substance) but you can't take it (based purely on actual substance).
Which is the part you didn't understand:
How the Alaskan oil royalty works, or how SOCIALISM works?
Or the corrupt relationship between Republicans and Big Oil?

Poor raoul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:48 AM:For less than two years, Sarah Palin had the Alaska National Guard budget on her desk, along with the budget of every other department in the state. Perhaps she appointed a couple of officers. This, to raoul, puts her head and shoulders above Obama in terms of military experience. Raoul, please, even you have to know how foolish this sounds. But if ace journalist raoul is feeling up to it, please research everything Ms Palin has said in public speeches about matters of national security and foreign affairs in the last 6 years. What were her feelings about the Iraq invasion? Did she feel that the invasion was implemented competently? What were her opinions about how well our forces were supplied? What's she said about our treament and care for veterans? Did she make any public comments about Donald Rumsfeld's handling of the Department of Defense? What was her analysis of the various budget votes on military spending and the Iraq war? Did she have anything to say about "timelines" or "horizons" of withdrawal of our kids from Iraq? What opinions has she offered the public about Gitmo? Abu Graib? The Geneva Conventions? Has she made public statements about habeas corpus for detainees? What hot spots in the world has she visited? Since, according to you, raoul, she is so much more experienced with military matters than Obama, surely she has had a lot to say about all these things. I'm really looking forward to your enlightening all of us on these important matters. We can see that you've been hot at work researching Ms Palin. Keep us posted, raoul. (I posted this on yesterday's space. Today I would add that it is not democrats who are screaming that Palin is inexperienced. It was republicans, most of all McCain, who have been screaming that Obama is not ready. Now we democrats are saying to you: there goes that idea. By choosing Palin, it's McCain that has, in one move, made a complete mockery of all his attacks on Obama in recent months. Just about everything he has criticized and challenged Obama on is now equally true, to say the least, about his choice of running mate. This isn't about Sarah, it's about McCain's judgment. Once again, he displays terrible judgment. But let me repeat: the poor judgment was NOT because of who Palin is, but becuase McCain made every remark he made against Obama meaningless. Now that, my friend, is dumb.)

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:50 AM:>>>Sarah Palin is currently under investigation for Abuse of Power in her home state.>>>> We like that. Anyone who cleans up corruption will be attacked by others.

By the way, how is the Jefferson investigation going?? You know, the guy with $90k of bribe money corruption in his refrigerator

Republican Socialist wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:52 AM:So, Ron at 9:23 a.m., help me out some more.
Help me understand how business works.
Let's say I "call myself" a private business.
I buy and sell and have customers.
But some of my products and services are beyond what I can actually produce myself, so I subcontract to other providers. So, since I did not do EVERYTHING myself, does that mean I am not really a business? Not really a commercial operation?
Similarly, the state of Alaska COLLECTIVELY owns a commercial oil enterprise.
It is so successful they don't need income or sales taxes.
So they subcontract some of the operations.
Does that really negate the reality of the commercial profit-making COLLECTIVE business?

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:54 AM:This Presidential Election is more than any single issue.
In no particular order -
The Economy.
The "war".
The potential selection of Supreme Court Justice(s).
Abortion.
Our credibility as a nation.
The repair of, or continued demolition of, our Constitution and Constitutional Rights.

All these things and more hang in the balance.

A vote for McGWB aka McCain and Palin is a vote for stacking the Supreme Court against Roe v Wade (abortion).
A vote for McGWB aka McCain and Palin is a vote for continued war, death and destruction.
A vote for McGWB aka McCain and Palin is a vote for our transitioning FROM recession TO depression and complete financial collapse.
A vote for McGWB aka McCain and Palin is a vote for the continued destruction of our Constitution and Constitutional Rights.
A vote for McGWB aka McCain and Palin is a vote for the loss of the last possible shard of credibility of the U.S.
A vote for McGWB aka McCain and Palin is a vote against everything that Amerca used to stand for, against ourselves.
Regards, Alf.

Jack_D wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:54 AM:SDraoul's post 8:39 was typical of the pro-Palin Republican party line. No mention of her inexperience or her right-wing views. The victim card is played—a poor,hard-working woman being oppressed by Democratic men. BOO-HOO!

But the irony was Raoul actually praised (really!) Palin for
taxing the oil companies! I thought was socialism! Ron's had at least 500 posts this month complaining about the Democrats' socialist tendencies. But now taxes on Big Oil are good—when a Republican supports the taxes! Shouldn't Republicans like SDRaoul be criticizing her for this? No,they've seen the light. Government regulation of big business is not evil, by God. (Except when the Democrats do it, of course).

Cold Cash wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:56 AM:So, tell me Chuck, is it against the law to store money in a freezer?
In a mattress?
When there is a substantital criminal case, such as at least an indictment or preferably a conviction, Democrats will demand the resignation and punishment of any person found guilty.
But until then, innocent until proven guilty.
Just how far are you conservatives going to go in erasing civil liberties?

Gotta Wonder wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:58 AM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:18 PM: I do know, Ace. I do not care what the airdales refer to Navy people. A boat in Navy parlence is actualy a submarine or a pt boat or a since the Vietnam War one of the swift boats. I also know that you are a sea going bell hop. A jet jokey co commands the flight and his division. He don't run the ship. If you knew anything about the Navy, you would know that the Capt runs the ship and the airdale co answers directly to him at sea. We both invented SAMS. It really doesn't matter. The NV used them quite effectively. That is why McCain was a POW. This is not a debate. It is a comedy show.

Karl wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:01 AM:Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

Oh Please wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:02 AM:sdraoul. Even in the fact of his own direct quote about the Supreme Court, sdraoul lies and then states end of disucssion. It is not a discussion and you are not the arbritator. Again, you stated originaly that the entire Surpreme Court was Democart, white and many were slave owners in the Dred Scot Decesion. It is right on this site in two of the blogs. Rather than admit, that you made an error, you back off to stating 6 justices instead of the entire Supreme Court. That don't change your origianal statement. Three of the members voted against the decesion. Two were Whigs and one was a Democrat. Therefore, the entire court was not Democrat, white and most were slave owners. You may decline to admit that your error since you are an egomaniac. But, the bottom line is that you were wrong and do not have the common courtesy to admit it.

Ron wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:05 AM:Is there no end to this idiocy?
As pointed out by Bob Crowell:
"You {the paper} gave a rose to teachers who have 53.5 percent of their students fail a test..."

This is a prime example of Liberal Institutionalism. For the last three decades, the Liberal wing of the Democrat party has run Sacramento. And they have determined how our public school system will run. The results are not good, but what are we told is "the cure" for all our ills? More Money.
Always.. more money.
Each year the education budget goes up, the scores do not reflect the increases. With the 4th best paid teachers in the entire country, we should be number 4, if the liberal model holds true. It does not.
We are ranked number 47, out of 50.
And you see this same model in everything they do. Take Social Security, for example. Over the last 70 years of it's existence, the tax rate on the program has been raised 19 different times. And the system is still going broke.
If the model holds true, more money equals better service, then why in these two examples does the model fail?

And what is really intriguing to watch, is how Liberals will run against programs they have set up. How can a liberal be allowed to say the public school syste is failing because we are not applying enough money to it. When the fact of the matter is, year after year, more money is applied, and they have been in charge of education?
This is THEIR system. It has not been conservative, nor Republicans running the public school system in California. For 30 plus years, the Liberals have been running, and running down this once great system.
THAT is THEIR LEGACY folks, and they nee to be held to account for THEIR FAILURES. Same too with Social Security, MediCare, and all the other programs they fail with. These are the true legacies of Liberals, and Liberalism, as practised by the modern day socialists inside the Democrat party.

Jack_D wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:05 AM:question for Bryan Mace: Why should "medical experts" (whom he never defines) make the determination as to when abortions should be legal? Shouldn't that be done by our legislators through the democratic process? It's government of the people, not government of the doctors.

Focal Point wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:05 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:05 AM:
I don't know, Chuck. But, I do know that she can take me backpacking any day.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:08 AM:Well, "Karl" at 10:01AM,
I know the feeling well.
At my Attitude Adjustment meeting this morning I got my 6 month token.
At one year I'll wear a suit and tie, the naked lady tie that my sister gave me a few decades ago, of course.
Regards, Alf.

Back in the USSR wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:10 AM:So I finally figured out what "USSR" stands for, vis a vis the cozy relationship between Big Oil, Alaska and the Republican Party:
Union of Subsidized Socialist Republicans!

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:12 AM:McCains VP nominee would never be good for Sacramento or San Diego. Just look at the negatives, She is heterosexual, owns guns and rifles, owns fishing poles (probably even a fishing boat), is pro-life and her husband works on oil rigs. I bet they wouldnt even let her fillout a card and speak at a City council meeting

Jack_D wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:14 AM:I agree with Jack DeLessio's letter. It was a brilliant use of the Reductio ad absurdum argument. The last line was hilarious: "Personally, I love John Adams, and I'd like to marry him. If only he'd stop spinning in his grave."

(Note: I am not the letter writer, it's just a coincidence we have the same first name and last initial).

Dunno wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:17 AM:I admit she is hot if you like chicks with glasses, but her voice is that same screech like my sister-in-law makes. Don't know if I can stand that for four years, I get enough at home.

Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:22 AM:>>>At my Attitude Adjustment meeting this morning I got my 6 month token>>

Hi, I'm Alf and I'm an Attitdue Adjustaholic

Ron wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:45 AM:Clearly, I have.. once again, struck a nerve with my socialist counterpart "Republican Socialist"
@9:45 AM & 9:52 AM. Clearly, speaking truth to power works for everyone, even a conservative. But, it is obvious that the time has come, again, to do some educating. So, I'm going to educate you now, so pay attention.

Perhaps you missed my series on "sliding scale socialism?"
Anyways...
Pure socialism is where the State, the Government, owns both the resource and the means of production. That is "pure socialism", as preached by the half-drunk, solvenly, indolent, original welfare queen who was Karl Marx.
You see, I like to start at the beginning of the movement, with it's founder, to secure in my own mind, how they would have practised, and their intent of this albatross that has been placed upon persons across the world.
But.. that's just me.
Now, to your question...

You are wrong about Socialism in Alaska, because in order for it to be "Pure" socialism, the State of Alaska must own both the resource & the means of production, i.e the drilling equipment/people to pull it from the ground. You are wrong, because the State, while owning the resource, the Oil, they do not own, nor do they operate the Oil company they may use to pull the oil from the ground.
They CONTRACT with oil companies, who then use their resources by CONTRACT, people & equipment to pull the resource. Further, they CONTRACT for a percentage of the proceeds, these are royalties.
As I understand it, Sarah Palin thought the Oil companies were not paying enough via their CONTRACTS in royalty payments, so she renegociated them, giving the State a higher percentage of the take, i.e. profits.
She then used those profits, much like a tax cut, in the form of a State rebate
back to the citizens.
This is far different than what the Obamaman is saying. In the Obamaman version, he would not renegociate a contract to share revenue/royalties.
He would tax directly American investors, like myself, instead of up'ing the share of revenues based on the increasing price of oil. It would be one thing to say, I dont like getting only 12%, and I now want 25%, as did Sarah Palin. Obama would take profits from individual Americans, after the fact, which would not punish Big Oil one bit.
It would, however, punish the 99% of individual American stock holders, who own Big Oil.
I hope this helps, and clears things up for you.
Signed, I am the Prophet.
P.S. Have a Nice Day.

hardtack wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:25 AM:If I read Bryan Mace correctly, his premise seems sound and worth pursuing toward law.
I assume Bryan Mace’s use of the word “sustainable” is referring to a fetus’ viability outside of the womb, where it can no longer be considered a parasitic entity living in the mother’s body. “Viability outside the womb” is not given here to mean “outside the womb” but, rather, a specific point of fetus development where it attains legal personhood with an individual right to life while still in the womb.
I see no parallel between Bryan Mace’s idea and end of life scenarios, as the post @ 2:18 AM does.

sdraoul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:26 AM:"Gotta Wonder" loses another round. Last time I socialized with Aircraft carrier commanders, I noticed that each of them wore pilot wings.

I attended a huge dinner on the Midway one night and sat with the former commander of the 6th Fleet, a “roomie” pilot of John McCain's in the Hanoi Hilton. Each of his staff officers wore pilot wings.

This is anecdotal, of course, but as a gravel cruncher (and fellow TV commentator with the former 6th Fleet Commander on and after 9/11 on local and national TV) my experience is that jet jockeyss are superior to boat drivers, the term they use.

As for not noting that the entire pro-Africans not being people Court decision was promulgated by 100 percent Democrats, I'm sorry that I said all nine voted that way. I apologize because only 100 percent of the deciders were Democrats.

The same holds true with the 100 percent of the Court that approved the incarceration by Democrat FDR of American citizens behind barbed wire in WWII.

The same also holds true for each and every Governor who blocked schoolhouse doors until Republican directed bayonets and Republican Earl Warren bravely rejected segregation.

The same holds true for Democrats JFK and LBJ who didn't lift a finger to desegregate schools while they were President.

It was Richard Nixon and the Republicans who desegregated schools in the South. It was the Republicans who swept into the White Hosue (with a commanding 40% of the vote) in 1860 on the 1858 statement that a "house divided one free and one slave could not stand."

It was Democrats who birthed the Ku Klux Klan and launched a domestic terrorism that would last up to and including the 1960s and 70s.

Now, "Gotta Wonder" laugh your head off and try to pick on these statements.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:28 AM:Well, "Chuck" at 10:22AM,
My name is Alf and I approve of the humor used by "Chuck" in his 10:22AM post!
Regards, Alf.

Ron wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:51 AM:But, lastly I would say to my socialist friend, "Republican Socialist" @1:13 AM.

I am sorry that you feel I use the term socialist as an epithet. Sir, I do not
hurled the epithets, I define, I am being descriptive.
But, you can not deny that actual "socialists" exist inside the
Democrat party. One such self avowed socialist is Bernie Sanders-D, Vermont. This is the title he claims, for himself. This is not something I have decided that he is, it's his own self-description, of his views, and how those view should affect how America should be run. And I would again remind you, it was not a Republican who said: We will socialize you.. eh ah.. take over your businesses." No, that was a self-proclaimed "Liberal" Maxine Waters, who voiced socialist ideals.
So much for labels. I think there are many, many more self-described liberals inside the democrat party, who really are socialists. When their votes concur with a self avowed socialist, even though they hide behind the label of liberal, let's at least be honest here.
The old saying: "If it quacks like a duck.."
In fact, I am surprised that you, yourself, would not first denounce, and then renounce the Socialists in your own party. But, I suspect that you secretly agree with them, in that, the State should properly own & then operate all our systems because you believe the basic tenet of socialism that man must be saved from himself.
And that can only be done, by the "smart people" who know how to run Government.
And that's a pretty high water line in superiorist thinking, because.. even God does not believe this. He allows free choice. Free choice to succeed, free choice to destroy yourself.
This confirms my own thinking that most liberals, socialists, etc.. are completely given over to the idea of saving mankind from itself, even if it's against their own will.
That's a pretty high opinion, of one's self.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:57 AM:Well, "Jack_D" at 10:05AM,
in one respect you are right.
You are right that "It's government of the people, not government of the doctors.".
Who saves your life in an opreating room, a doctor or a legislator?
If someone dies in a hospital, who declares that the person is dead, a legislator or a doctor?
When last I checked, no brain activity meant that someone was dead, who measures said brain activity, a legislator or a doctor?
Medical science has provided an OBJECTIVE criteria for death.
Legislation and legislators provide a SUBJECTIVE criteria for death.
Regards, Alf.

sdraoul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:58 AM:To those who criticized my comments on Governor Palin and how her nomination knocked Obama's Thursday night speech almost entirely out of the news, here are comments by liberal former Democratic Party strategist and current PBS commentator Mark Shields Friday night on Governor Palin's nomination by McCain --

"MARK SHIELDS: It changes the dynamic today. And it certainly pre-empted what had been an aura surrounding the Obama speech of last night and put the -- changed the storyline in a hurry."

I stand by my statements.

sdraoul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:02 PM:"Republican Socialsit" misspeaks, I think.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but oil on the continental shelf belongs to the states in whose boundaires oil lies belongg to the state involved. That is within the old three mile limit and perhaps to a twelve mile limit.

That being the case, each state can contract with private companies to pump that oil. Alaska's oil is all off shore even as the wells are on land.

Alaska does not own the oil comnpanies, thus it is not "socialist."

Imagine wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:24 PM:...if it were a blue state operating a for-profit commercial enterprise in lieu of charging income or sales taxes, how Ron would be screaming and hollering "SOCIALIST!" As it is, he (and Raoul) are reduced to pitiful, deperate attempts to explain why that which is plainly obvious ain't really what it seems.

...if it were a Democrat who had selected a completely inexperienced, unqualified VP nominee with ZERO foreign policy experience in a desperate move at political pandering and patronizing women. Raoul would be yelling, "Reverse discrimination" and "Affirmative Action" and, oh, the hoots and catcalls we would see, especially if it were a old, wrinkly white-haired guy with a penchant for dumping wives for younger beauty queens, picking as his running "mate" a much younger beauty queen.

Ron and Raoul are just spinmeisters. They know that what they are selling is snake oil, trying to explain why obvious but they are so patronizing and insulting that they think everyone else is stupid enough to fall for their pathetic sales pitches.

request for raoul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:29 PM:Instead of talking about "democrats" and "republicans" in history, please use the terms "liberals" and "conservatives" and see what happens. Now, you were saying about the Klan?

Republican Socialist wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:33 PM:Ooopsie dooopsie, Raoul at 12:02 p.m., you didn't read all the earlier comments, did you?
What the heck difference does it make if the state doesn't own the oil companies?
THEY ARE SUBCONTRACTORS?
Does use of a subcontractor negate the reality of operating a commercial enterprise?
Do you not understand ANYTHING about business?

well duh raoul wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:41 PM:Of course the Palin announcement grabbed the headline. This was the whole point of its timing. It was a huge surprise. It was shocking. It seemed crazy. It undercut all McCain's prior criticisms of Obama. So of course it grabbed the headlines. Does this mean it was a GOOD idea? Hardly. It was just a headline-grabbing idea. It worked. Now what?

Cluck wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:45 PM:i've had the pleasure of meeting Hillary Clinton. And I have had the pleasure of watching her leadership. And Governor, you are no Hillary Clinton.

Bill Too wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:51 PM:(Not to be confused with Bill One or just plain "Bill")

Musings of a nonconformist liberal

First of all I do not buy the labels of “Conservative” and “Liberal.” I prefer the labels of “Status Quo” and “Progressive” because these more accurately describe the actions of the political parties. The Status Quo “Conservatives” want to keep things like they are because they can control all of the lowly peasants that make them rich while the Progressive "Liberals" want to make things better for everyone. Also, the word “Socialist” is constantly being bantered around by the “Conservatives” to refer to anyone who wants to provide government assistance to those in need. Sounds a bit like Scrooge – “are there no workhouses?” No, Not anymore. Don’t get me wrong – I DO NOT advocate a general handout to ANYONE – they should meet requirements such as age, health, etc. Not all poor are that way because they chose to be. There are many factors that they may not have control over that made them that way. Interestingly enough, these “Conservatives” never mention that they fit into the definition of “Fascists” – A Government controlled by Big Business – a definition that has been around since at least WWII.

I believe we should take care of our own citizens first, and worry about the rest of the world later. Our tax money should be spent taking care of the health, and welfare (and I do NOT mean just handing out money) of our own people and providing for the upkeep of the Nation’s infrastructure. I believe our tax money should be used for providing services to the people of this country not just making the rich richer. Our current system has us contracting private services – many on “No Bid” contracts - with consequent higher prices and poorer results for things that were formerly paid for by our taxes, while our taxes - except for the very rich - have not gone down. I don't think that it is necessary to convert the whole world to our flawed system of commercialism. I believe the Constitution advocates electing a President of the United States - not of the World.

I believe I have the right to worship (or not) as I please, not as someone tells me I must. I do not believe that the Christian God, or any other God, should take precedence over our Constitution. If we examine the real figures provided by the Churches themselves, not the phony polls, there are as many people in this country who could be classed as Pagans by dictionary definition as there are Protestants.

I have no fear of guns. I was a weapons instructor in the US Army and also taught Law Enforcement personnel. We constantly hear the HORRORS of weapon misuse. This is not the fault of the firearm it is a lack of our current generations not learning personal responsibility. I learned how to handle and respect guns at an early age. I learned not to point a gun at anything that I did not want to kill – as in DEAD – and I better have a D..N good reason to do that. Is there any greater weapon misuse than the constant wars around the world? How can we expect anything different when we have “Laser Tag” and “Paint Ball” games all over the country. Gosh oh golly gee Barney Fife – I can shoot people all I want and they don’t die – even come back tomorrow to do it all over again. Real guns don’t work that way. Surprise! And crime DOES go down where criminals KNOW they might encounter someone who is armed and probably has more practice shooting than they do. The criminals generally go where they have the odds on their side.

I believe it is the duty of every person to learn to think for themselves. For this reason I do not think that political parties should be required. If you need to have someone to tell you how to vote without doing the research yourself it would probably be better for the country if you didn’t vote at all.

Alf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:07 PM:If McGWB and Palin, only a heartbeat away from the presidency, are elected, there will soon be no more Constitutional United States of America, only a theocracy.
Make no mistake about it,
What once was a shining beacon will have reverted to the same madness from which we revolted over two centuries ago.
Regards, Alf

Surfer wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:11 PM:Richard Baker, if you have spent a thousand hours in the ocean trying to ride and have not seen a plastic bad or some animal entangled you are either blind or lying.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:23 PM:sdraul: Amazing: First, Raoul wants to make a comparision or disinction between jet jokeis and staff officers in the USM. Then he just announcess that many of the staff officers were are are jet aircraft veterans or airdale qualified. The bottom line is that military service can be an asset to the President of the Unied States but it is not a requiste to be the President of the United States or the Commander in Chief. That is why the ultimate Commander in Chief is a civilan. Lastly, Raoul states that he sat at some USN dinner. I just want to know how long did it take before you said to one of those men,"wanna debate?"

Maddys Poll wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:33 PM:There are more jar heads for McCain in North County than for Obama. No mystery there. McCain will still lose by 2 lengths. It's in the cards.

Chris wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:56 PM:Its really to bad that doctors are having their individual rights taken away from them. I understand to a point why the lesbian couple was upset with their lack of treatment at that fertility clinic. But I also think that these particular doctors should be able to set their own standards and set their own policys in their workplace. Morality is different than being accused of discrimination and if these doctors felt these women didnt meet their policy and procedure standards, then they should find a doctor and practice that will accomidate them. Look, there are plenty of clinics that will do what they ask. If I were a plastic surgeon and the parents of a 16 year old girl wanted her to have breast enhancement, wouldnt that surgeon have a moral right not to do this. Of course. But would that plastic surgeon now be set up for age discrimination even though the parents oonsented to the procedure. Who knows. All I know is its getting crazy out there with everybodys rights being questioned. And by the way this was an elective procedure not emergent. HUGE difference.

Ms M wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:02 PM:Update for Chuck
[-] wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:29 AM:Sarah Palin is currently under investigation for Abuse of Power in her home state....McCain only met with her twice so it's unfortunate that he is not interne