Caro Hussein Cogitatus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:42 AM:I call Gerald Austin's attention to the first words of the First Amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

I direct your attention to the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli as well:

"Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion;"

This nation was explicitly not built around the belief in God. This nation was built around the belief in freedom.

And Gerald, if you don't believe in that freedom, you also have the right to leave.

To Gerald Austin wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:57 AM:Gerald: Our nation was not built on religious freedom, not on a belief in God. Go read our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The word God is intentionally not mentioned. The first Amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.

Go back to where I came from you say? How rude and un-American of you. Have you been to the statue of liberty, where it is engraved with: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Why do you seek to change our way of life?

To much gay is not a good thing wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:59 AM:OMG, great letter. I just heard about this Harvey Milk day thing. What is going on? Tolerance is one thing, but keep your sexual preference to yourself. Good golly, No amount of sex should be taught at school. And if Sally has 2 Daddies or 2 Mommies, can't we just like Sally for who she is or do we have to give her a special feel good girl pill.

Give me a break, society is giving the gay community to much credence when frankly nobody cares. Its when you cram it down other peoples throats is when they start to get angry!

OBAMACAN wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:12 AM:James Ciriello's letter uses few words to get it really, really wrong. He says Rev Wright uttered the phrase, "God damn America" "time after time." False! He used that expression in one sermon.
In fact, desperate right-wing slime researches had to comb through 20 years of Wright videos to find four statements that, when taken out of context, could be considered controversial, and then, still out of context, edited them all together into a quickie sound-bite that they repeated over and over or, in Ciriello's words, "time after time."
In fact, the expression about "God damn America" was about redemption and repentence, that God would damn America for her wrongs, BUT that God loved America enough to provide a path to redemption. He ended the sermon as a message of HOPE that America can and will adopt that path to redemption and reconciliation with God.
Ciriello further implies that Obama heard him say it and did not speak up. Wrong again! Despite early right-wing hate radio LIES that Obama was in the pews that day, the Obama people provided proof from his travel schedule that he was not even in the state that day.
And when he did hear it, later, he did denounce that expression as being inappropriately "over the top," even taking into consideration the context.

The right-wing slime machine has nothing positive of its own to run on, so they will lie, scam and distort and say anything to try to smear a decent, god-fearing candidate who terrifies them, but brings HOPE to the rest of this nation.

Apollo wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:19 AM:Re: Gerald Austin (letters)
Gerald does not understand the difference between majority decision making in a Constitutional republic and mob rule.
No, Gerald, if gazillions of Moslems all moved to the U.S. and took a vote and the MAJORITY decided that YOUR faith should be outlawed, you would be very happy that our Constitutional protections of minority rights limit freedom and democracy so as to protect minority rights against the tyranny of the majority.
There is a realm of public policy matters in which the majority (and in some cases, a super-majority) can make choices that affect the public as a whole.
Public policy is not allowed to encroach into purely personal choices.
Religion is one such private area.
You have the right to worship who, what or how you will.
You do not have the right to mandate that others follow in the observance of your religious rituals.

Foresight wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:30 AM:David Ditri's letter shows he doesn't get it any more than McCain. Yes, in 2005 McCain saw there was a problem with the financial markets. Yes, McCain knew we needed "reform" (CHANGE). The problem is that McCain lacks judgment. His "reform" meant more deregulation. More of what caused the problem.
McCain voted FOR the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (to deregulate the financial markets), authored by Phil Gramm, who was his chief economic advisor and who called the suffering middle-class Americans a "nation of whiners" when they criticized his policies that caused the current crisis. McCain has still not ruled out hiring Gramm as Treasury Secretary if elected. On "60 Minutes" just this Sunday, McCain said that he still supported Gramm's 1999 deregulatory bill, saying that it helped stimulate the economy, which actually began to go downhill after the law took effect.
In contrast, Obama, even as a freshman senator, did more than just talk, as McCain did. Obama actually introduced legislation to re-regulate the financial markets, but at that time the Republicans still had clear majorities, and they quickly killed his bill.

It is kind of like the war on terror. Everyone could see we had a problem. Seeing problems is not enough. There needs to be judgment in finding solutions. Obama spoke out against the war in Iraq and supported going after the terrorists in Afghanistan who actually attacked us.
McCain supported diverting the troops away from the real terrorists, toward a nation that was no threat to us.
McCain suffers from a dangerous lack of judgment.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:33 AM:George Will, fiscal ULTRA-CONSERVATIVE in his column today took on John McBush and virtually endorsed Barak Obama after McBush's performance at the start of last weeks economic crisis.

His column in some sense was patriotic in the fact that this conservative would look at the needs of his country over his ideology, something few conservatives are able to do. Will, is a day late and dollar short because the same column could have been written considering Sarah Palin and the ethics and beliefs she brings to the table.

Will said:

"Under the pressure of the financial crisis, one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie playing in a league too high."

"John McCain furiously, and apparently without even looking around at facts, said Chris Cox, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, should be decapitated. This childish reflex provoked the Wall Street Journal to editorialize that "McCain untethered" -- disconnected from knowledge and principle -- had made a "false and deeply unfair" attack on Cox that was "unpresidential" and demonstrated that McCain "doesn't understand what's happening on Wall Street."

"McCain's Manichaean worldview drove him to his signature legislative achievement, the McCain-Feingold law's restrictions on campaigning. Today, his campaign is creatively finding interstices in laws intended to restrict campaign giving and spending."

"Conservatives who insist that electing McCain is crucial usually start, and increasingly end, by saying he would make excellent judicial selections. But the more one sees of his impulsive, intensely personal reactions to people and events, the less confidence one has that he would select judges by calm reflection and clear principles, having neither patience nor aptitude for either."

"It is arguable that, because of his inexperience, Obama is not ready for the presidency. It is arguable that McCain, because of his boiling moralism and bottomless reservoir of certitudes, is not suited to the presidency. Unreadiness can be corrected, although perhaps at great cost, by experience."

Yes, its time to grow up Republicans. In the places where you open yourself up to real logical and reasonable thinking you have to be thinking...."oh my God, if McCain and Palin are the best we have to offer our party is dead." To vote change, you have to vote Obama. To vote more of the last 8 years, you know Republicans, the 8 years that you now want to change, vote Obama.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:36 AM:Two Thirds of Americans get it!! According to CNN, 2/3 of registered voters rightfully blame Republicans. Of that 1/3, more then 89% are Republicans. The real stunning result is that 92% of Independents blame Republicans. Thats a telling sign of unbiased truth.

Vista Granny wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:39 AM:Good Morning everyone! Be happy. Try to forget the mess in Washington and on Wall Street -- just for today.

Gerald Austin! No, majority does NOT rule in the U.S. - if what the majority wants is unconstituional - and what your proposing is. I happen to have ancestors on both sides of my family who came to this continent before there was a USA. They came here running from religion. Unfortunately, most of them established colonies based on their own religious beliefs - bringing the thing the fled from right here to our shores. Due to the pain, suffering and injustice, and devisiveness caused by their attitude and laws, the founding fathers wisely decided that religion was out of the government, period. You are free to pray any time and any where you wish, but not to force others to do so, or to disturb their peace.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:41 AM:OBAMACAN great points. Isn't it funny that day after day its the Democrats and Independents pointing out Conservative lies!! It never ends. All they have is what Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity repeat over and over and they are so lazy, so biased that they can't look outside the fundamentalist box.

A poster said yesterday that I, VOR, lump all Republicans into the same bunch as bigoted, discriminating, hatefilled and biased people. Until one of you stands up, like George Will did in his column today and tells the truth, that McBush/Palin is a terrible Presidential candidate team, I have no reason to believe that you are all basically the same. Love of ideology far outranks love of country. Thats telling it like it truely is.

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:52 AM:Well, "Yokozuna to Alf" at 5:03PM on the 22nd,
if it's the one at one corner of Tahquitz and Fern Valley Road across the street from the office, we used to stay in the cabin facing it, at another corner by their sign at the corner of Tahquitz and Fern Valley Road.
Anyway, Mrs. Alf and I will have to, as you pointed out, start a new tradition for where to stay.
Regards, Alf.

To Ron Larson wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:53 AM:I'm also against privatized Social Security. I became disabled quickly and had not planned on being disabled. Social Security (SS)Disability came in for me promptly. If I had privatized (SS),I would've penniless. I don't have luck with investing on my own and now with the stocks disappearing!! Go Obama.

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:57 AM:I was going to comment on the letter by Gerald Austin,
but others, notably a very cheery "Vista Granny" did so well that all I can do is wonder how Gerald Austin can believe the garbage that he attempts to feed us.
Regards, Alf.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:05 AM:Everyday I laugh at the evangelical right in our country. Let me first state that I am a church going evangelical, a Christian.

So I hear Christians attacking homosexuals as unclean and unworthy of God's kingdom for two scriptures that were written at a different time, in a different world. Lets for argument sake agree that everything written in the Bible is FACT. With that said, how is it some religious leaders don't read about feeding and caring for the poor?? A poll yesterday done by Gallup stated that 68% of Americans are FOR universal health care run by the government in some form BUT, only 53% of evangelicals are for that?? Why? Do they believe more in conservatism then the basic tenent of Christianity?

Evangelicals are the first to raise the American flag in church and celebrate war. Evangelicals are the first to seek out interference with the governments in America by pressuring finances and votes if politicans ignore them.

If evangelicals follow God's ultimate command to emulate our Savior, then to emulate him would be to follow the same lines of thinking. What was God's command: " My Kingdom is NOT of this world". Yet evangelicals run from that command. They run from the command to take care of the earth, as well as thou shalt not kill, forgive your enemy 7 time 77 times. They run from the greatest command of all to love and take care of the sick and poor.

But now we have James Dobson and Tony Perkins, two prominent leaders, not pastors, leading the charge representing their so called groups to allow the clergy to sponsor, endorse and talk down politicans running for election by changing the IRS law.

The division of church and state gets thinner and thinner as people like Gerald Austin above try to impose their beliefs on all of us. Conservatives do not believe that others have the right to impose laws upon them but would love to combine church with state changing the laws to support their basic majority in America.

Hopefully the Founding Fathers and their written words in the Constitution and Bill of Rights will stand forever.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:08 AM:Great point 7:53am!! Why do Republicans want to privatize Social Security? Because it brings more cash and profit to the corporations. And what is the bottom line to all corporations? Profit no matter how much it hurts America. Didn't we see that last week?

She Said wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:14 AM:Thanks Vista Granny for your post. Right, let's be happy today. It seems that the cons aren't awake yet (how symbolic). It was good to see Hillary on CNBC yesterday bringing some common sense to the issues.

sdraoul wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:29 AM:What a bunch of silly amateurs blog here!

Social Security privatization was never and will never be proposed by McCain or Bush. They advocate a voluntary program where only young workers can dedicate a portion of their own forced taxes into an account similar to a 401k. It is voluntary and would not be available to anyone born before 1950. Such a program of time would produce returns up to ten times wha Social security benefits are under the present formulas. No benefits would be touched to anyone born before 1950 for their entire lives.

To the man that wrote about SSI, he is wrong, he does not collect Social security. SSI is not Social Security it is a seperate program administered by Social Security but it is a welfare program not Social security.

“Gotta Wonder” states that I don’t know anything about Republicans and politics because the republicans denied me a nomination for a congressional seat. I never ran for Congress. I ran for the San Diego City Council in 1971, never ran for any thing else.

Then Apollo suggests I find out who is a congressman and volunteer in an office to find out how “legislators work.” Darren suggests I look up Darrell Issa’s office in Vista to volunteer at so I can learn how a legislator works.

Let’s see…My first paid political job was as Campaign Coordinator for California United States Senator Thomas H. Kuchel ( R ) in 1962. In 1965 I worked for Republican Assembly members in Sacramento writing speeches for them. In 1966 I worked for State Senator Lewis Sherman (R-Oakland). In 1998 I was the official statewide spokesman for No On Prop. 10 and served on the Steering Committee for the Petco Park citywide vote. In 2000 I served Darrell Issa as a paid consultant. Also in 2000 I served on the national Amigos De Bush and as an offical campaign surrogate for Bush. In 2003 I served as an official spokesman for the Recall Gray Davis Committee.

Now, I know an affirmative action baby when I see one. And, I don’t dispatage them for they are lucky to be allowed to climb out of their normal cesspool lives.

But Obama was not from a cesspool; he attended a sleek expensive private high school in Hawaii. He is, in fact, the quintessential middle class “black” who benefits from affirmative action while real inner city black youths get left behind. Colin Powell comes to mind but the difference is, he admits to being an affirmative action beneficiary.

Let me remind you all that Obama never attended a public college or university where his tests scores and class grades are available to the public. And, as we don’t know Obama’s LSAT score and his applicant ranking at Harvard Law, knowledgable people can, in the absence of that information, deduce that he was admitted as an affirmative action beneficiary. As to his grades, or his appointment as editor of the Law Review, we know nothing other than what we are told. There is no publishing record to be found of this brilliant editor, though Nick says he found one article. We can’t demand this information under a Freedom of Information law of any sort because Harvard is private.

All of you who believe may believe in Harvard (or Yale) professors and their truthfulness but I don’t. Look how Yale kept John Kerry’s low SAT scores from us and didn’t inform anyone publicly that Kerry almost flunked out of Yale.

As long as Obama supporters keep trying to beat us over the head with Obama’s brilliance and law school accomplishments we can challenge those background ingredients just as we have successfully challenged his experience as a “community organizer” who stapled flyers on telephone poles.

Now, can anyone tell us about the “Annenberg Project” Obama “managed and implemented” under the direction of William Ayers, terrorist and America hater?

To Gerald Austin wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:31 AM:Our founding fathers created a government based on separation of Church and State.

Founding fathers left the Church of England.

The Church of USA does not exist.

We have a CONSTITUTION.

The majority must protect the minority.

You seemingly lack respect and tolerance of others.

Shut down wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:33 AM:Gerald - looks like your comments don't exactly sit well with everyone else. Wanna backpedal on your "out there" comments?

Patriot wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:35 AM:A government big enough to give you anything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. Don't believe your government can provide massive bailouts and amnesties for people's bad choices and unlawful actions while providing everyone a strong defense, employment growth, retirement income, quality health care and education, energy independence, price stability, and fiscal responsibility, and without raising taxes on the middle class.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:37 AM:To much gay is not a good thing: Kinda like how Christians always try to shove their religion and heterosexual dominance down the throats of gay people.

Yokozuna wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:38 AM:To Alf: Evidently I may have got some wrong info relative to the cabin and the inn(if the inn was at FV and Tahquitz). The cabin is a couple of blocks up Dickenson where Fern Valley Road begins again to the left. It would not be my intention to intrude on your romantic trip but maybe we'll bump into each other. I'm easy to spot: 4'11" tall, 411 lbs, and I always wear lime green pants, purple shirt, bright yellow shoes, and gray hat. The hat is gray so I don't look too ostentatious.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:39 AM:VOR[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:08 AM: Hit on the head. Republicans are the party of greed and exploitation. We are seeing it first hand on wall street today and the past few days.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:43 AM:Wrong candidate chosen: Is Rev Wright a candidate? When was he chosen as a candidate? It is not Obama's church. He was merely a member of it. You are a tad late. Subject has been discussed so many times. The cows have come home.

sdraoul wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:45 AM:From the Wall Street Journal Op-Eds today on the Annenberg Project, William Ayers, Barack Obama and the $100 million Obama used to radicalizes chicago schools along "Stalinist" lines:

"The Obama campaign has cried foul when Bill Ayers comes up, claiming "guilt by association." Yet the issue here isn't guilt by association; it's guilt by participation. As CAC chairman, Mr. Obama was lending moral and financial support to Mr. Ayers and his radical circle. That is a story even if Mr. Ayers had never planted a single bomb 40 years ago."

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:46 AM:Majority still rules, right? That is why I just detest you conservative type ideologues. Your way or the highway. Sorry, mate. It is not that way in this Republic. We are a nation of laws under the Constitution. And just who determined that you are the majority anyway? And, who gives a tinker's pot in a storm about what
the Australians think or do? You are welcome to stay in your native land. But, if you want to jump on a kangaroo and hop right down to down under. Your choice.

Health Care Socialist wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:00 AM:Amazing! In the current Sept/Oct 2008 issue of the profession journal "Contingencies" of health insurance actuaries (the statistical geeks who calculate mortality, morbidity and rate structures), there is, incredibly, an article under the byline of John McCain which reflects his current thinking. (A simple Google search can easily find the original article online.)

McCain says that the real way to reform health care is to deregulate it, and cites the "success" of his efforts in working with Phil "nation of whiners" Gramm to deregulate the financial markets.
Obviously this must have actually been written more than a week or so ago, and I'm sure McCain would love a do-over, but that shows his core philosophy and how he wants to stick it to healtcare consumers the same as he did to middle-class customers of financial institutions.

Question: why is it that proposals to regulate health care to mandate universal access and non-discrimination based on physical condition, for sevices provided entirely by private providers and even private insurance carriers, is called "socialized medicine," but when the U.S. Government seizes the largest property/casualty insurance company (AIG), which insures (directly and through reinsurance) the financial system, it is considered capitalism?

Do these people understand the meaning of the word "socialism"?

DD Wiz wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:17 AM:The post from "Health Care Socialist" (9:00am) is absolutely correct.
Here is an exact quote from McCain's article, including full reference:
"Opening up the health insurance market to more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking, would provide more choices of innovative products less burdened by the worst excesses of state-based regulation." [emphasis added]
Citation: McCain, John S. Contingencies (journal of healthcare insurance actuaries) "Better Care at Lower Cost for Every American." September/October 2008, pp. 28-31.
The quote cited is from page 30.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Apollo wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:26 AM:Re: SDRaoul (8:29 and 8:45 a.m.)
Take a deep breath, Raoul.
I did not say you did not have experience working with legislators.
I said EITHER you had no such experience OR you were lying, since you horribly misrepresented the reality of the legislator and his role.
Gee, with all this experience you claim (which we have no way of verify), I guess you have answered clearly enough which side of the either/or divide you fall on.

Then, Raoul cites a Wall Street Journal OPINION piece trying to link a 1960's flame-throwing (literally) radical with Obama just because they lived in the same neighborhood, taught at the same university and the much-mellowed radical happened to hold a fundraising coffe klatch for Obama, and thousands of local supporters do every day.
Did Raoul say he has experience with legislators?
Does he really not understand how this works?
Oh, Raoul "forgets" to tell us that Obama was about 10 years old on a Hawaiian beach when rebellious Ayers was doing his nasty stuff.
Oh, and Raoul forgot to remind us that the Wall Street Journal has now been gobbled up by the lying, dishonest evil empire of Rupert Murdoch.
Their "facts" are now questionable enough.
Their opinions are utterly worthless.

But then again, see above, the question was between Raoul's experience and integrity and Raoul answered that clearly for us.

ToSDRAUL wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:36 AM:Yes, SSI is Welfare, but SS disability is Social Security. A person needs to be very savy about privatizing their Social Security taxes. Some people don't have the time, money or knowledge to make privatizing Social Security work for them. If you cash it out early, you're taxed heavily. I won't participate in it.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:44 AM:What a bunch of silly amateurs blog here!
sdraul: First, sdraoul was right about the time he ran for political office. I stand corrected. Secondly, I thought all bloggers on this blog were amateurs. Anybody getting paid out there for putting your two cents in on the NCT blog? Are you a professional blogger? What is the compensation?

To CHUCK wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:59 AM:Chuck 22 Sept 2008 writes:

QUOTE "People should be wary of those with a Muslim background who pop up out of nowhere, and then run for president." ENDQUOTE

People need to be very wary of you and others like you that lack respect diversity tolerance.

You purposely write a more than rude message. Your "wiring" needs to be updated to the 21st century.

You insult all Americans of every race, religion; including people from backgrounds Irish, Italian, Jewish, Polish, Asian, Hispanic, German, English, French, Scandinavia, etc.

Isonomy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:00 AM:To "Too much gay": Honoring a man who campaigned for the equal treatment of gays is not "parading sexual preference." When they teach about marriage in school, and when mommy gives daddy a kiss, is that parading sexuality? Gays are no more overtly sexual than a straight couple.

Ms M wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:00 AM:maybe the cons on this blog can help me out. Why is it McCain has not had a press conference in over 40 days? Why is it that Palin cannot have the press in on the meetings with the foreign leaders? Why has the press not been able to ask Palin questions? Something just isn't right about that. Americans need to hear from the candidates - if not how do they know who/what they are casting their vote for?

If the press is not allowed to be there for the Palin meetings with foreign leaders - the press is talking about a boycott - no access then no photo ops! The media seems to be doing their job this time around.

nate wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:11 AM:to sdraoul:

you are so blind. the same party that you have championed for, talks about you behind you back. If you are of Spanish decent it amazes me you claim Obama got to where he is due to affirmative action. Do you feel people did not say the same about you.I bet the farm they did. Especially back then. regardless if it was true or not. Then you challenge this man intelligence. It is clear he is more intelligent than your man Bush or McCain. You have been a pawn for the republican party to try and obtain votes. I would be upset if I was you too.

gracchus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:12 AM:sdraoul, i fail to understand your obsession with test scores and and the gpa of various personalities. they indicate academic performance and might give a clue concerning future job performance. having an academic degree from a prestigious university is but a first impression of a person. getting to know him reveals whether he learned anything while he studied.

besides academic degrees and honors, or the lack of them, don't really mean that a distinguished life will follow. george washington was a land surveyor by training and never attended a university. but woodrow wilson had a ph.d. and was president of princeton university and unnecessarily dragged the u.s.a. into the first world war. (see, sdraoul, i actually share your dislike for one democratic president.)

and possessing degrees from prestigious universities really don't indicate much about a person's honor or competence. doesn't salinas de gotari, who sits in comfortable exile in ireland, have a ph.d. from harvard? and doesn't zedillo, under whose administration mexico saw its economy deteriorate, have his ph.d. from yale?

and if anyone needed any proof that an academic degree from a prestigious university doesn't necessarily reflect good job performance, what better example could be found than george w. bush with his ba from yale and his mba from harvard?

i did not vote for obama in february, sdraoul, because he attended prestigious universities. i voted for him, and will vote for him in november, because of all the candidates he presented the best ideas for guiding the country over the next four years. he has a pleasing personality which will enable him to negotiate with the opposition in congress and heads of state whose interests might be different from our own. he has garnered the support of important thinkers in various socio-economic-political fields from whom he can seek counsel. and most important obama shows that he has intellectual curiosity and the discipline to focus on problems confronting the country.

as you know, sdraoul, john mccain admitted the other night that he graduated number 5 from the bottom at the u.s. naval academy. that ranking indicates academic performance, not just disciplinary demerits. but mccain's academic record at the naval academy has as much relevance to his ability to lead the country as doles fdr's dismal record at columbia law school which forced him to transfer to harvard law school. i just don't think that mccain has the best judgement to lead the country, especially when he selects as his running mate a woman whose political career is at best questionable.

rather than seeking lsat scores, behaving like envious graduate students who wonder which of them enjoys professorial favor, and worrying about class ranking at graduation, shouldn't we look at the candidates' ideas about where our country should go?

there goes raoul again wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:39 AM:Raoul reiterates his basic, core claim: that if a black man accomplishes things as Obama did at Harvard, the burden of proof is on that black man to prove to us all that every grads, every exam, every award, and every appointment was not given to him for his color. (Yet raoul will defend Bush's college and military careers and brag about him to us!) Outrageous! Party over country, every time.

Ms M wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:50 AM:Reports are out that the White House new about this financial disaster for weeks if not months.

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:56 AM:Well, "Yokozuna" at 8:38AM,
I'm a little more generic at 5'9"(used to be 6' until I smashed L2, L4 in a fall and T9 picking up the front of the lawn tractor), mostly gray hair, mostly gray beard, glasses, blue jeans and Hawaiian shirt.
It's funny, in a strange way, that my time overseas in the early 70s resulted in less damage than at work or home.
Go figure.
Mrs. Alf will be sampling the wines and I'll be sampling the snacks. We have the 2006 and 2007 glasses,so we gotta have a 2008 one.
Regards, Alf.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:09 AM:The more I hear from SDRAOUL the more you taste what a model conservative portrays. Racism and bigotry. Instead of discussing the issues of importance today, HE CAN'T. There isn't one conservative poster that can. All they can do, and I have mentioned this more times then not, is talk about ten to twenty years ago-Bill Clinton or racist views bringing in events and people that Obama has talked to in his life, years ago. All the views on this subject have been addressed but not to bigots. William Ayers? Wright? What a joke, of course we don't have to go into the background of a cheater now do we? If a man would cheat on his family, what do you think he would do if he could lie and cheat to his country. Oh...youre right, he is lying isn't he.

SDRAOUL wants to bring Obama's education into play.

Here, this one is for you SDRAOUL. Listen to Obama speak. Don't look at his race, for at least 5 minutes in your life and then listen to McBush stumble along. Now tell me who is educated and who is not. Thats all America really cares about. What someone learned 30 years ago is of far less importance then what a man knows and learns today.

Another example. McBush last week reacting to the Banking crisis and Obama reacting to the Banking crisis. As columnist George Will stated, McBush was unimpressive and unpresidential.

So SD, WOW you were paid as a consultant? Now we can tell why Republcians running the country the last few years have failed. Youre doing a heck of a job Raoulie....

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:15 AM:Well, "Vista Granny" at 7:39AM or almost any other time,
Mrs. Alf really does like what you have to say. She's a little unhappy that the Comments disappeared from the letters page because she doesn't usually look online.
Ain't no super-stock Dodge in your garage, is there?
Regards, Alf.

Far Left Philosophy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:15 AM:You keep going Gerald Austin, You know you are doing something right when you have all the regular bloggo, lefty liberals on you! They don't want to believe there is a "Piper" collecting payment at the end of the road for there choices. Yes Boys and Girls, Eat, Drink and be Gay, There is no One God, We are all gods, That's there left wing new age philosophy. OK leftys, I have assumed the position! Your turn.

Marlowe wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:32 AM:Well, now, I think this is pretty much unprecedented in our electoral history. From politico, QUOTE NEW YORK – Journalists, displeased with Sarah Palin’s efforts to restrict their access to her, are threatening not to cover her events surrounding the United Nations conference here unless they're allowed more access. The unfolding boycott is the latest development in a rocky relationship between Palin’s handlers and the press, in which the campaign has sought to tightly control her interactions with the media. The campaign had originally indicated that the print reporters following her campaign would be among the small group of journalists allowed to attend the so-called “pool sprays” before Palin’s meetings with dignitaries on the sidelines of the U.N. meetings. The sprays are basically glorified photo opportunities during which journalists can snap photos and film footage and – if they’re lucky – shout a question or two at Palin and her company before she adjourns for private meetings. [...] But the imbroglio began developing Tuesday morning when Palin’s handlers informed the small print press contingent covering her campaign that the print reporter designated to cover the events, Elizabeth Holmes of the Wall Street Journal, would not be allowed to cover the sprays. The campaign’s reasoning was that there were not going to be questions or statements at the sprays, so they were only appropriate for photographers and cameramen. ENDQUOTE Seriously, folks, when was the last time that shortly before a national election, the candidate for the office of the Vice Presidency was shielded from dealing with the press other than in photo-ops and carefully selected and scripted venues? Her "handlers" (what is she, a prizefighter? a starlet?) will not allow her to converse with the American people who are being asked whether she should be a heartbeat away from the White House. The "handlers" insist that all we get are photos. In other words, Sarah is photogenic but unable to answer questions. Are you kidding me? This is the most embarrassing and shameful candidate selections in history. This is America. Our leaders are not selected in back rooms by "handlers" but by the votes of the people, based on their knowledge of the candidates. And the ideologues will actually defend this! How unamerican can the GOP get?

So What Ms M wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:48 AM:Ms M
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:50 AM:Reports are out that the White House new about this financial disaster for weeks if not months.

So what Ms M, The rest of us have been talking about this for over three years now! No one on either side of the isle credits Bush, or his staff for much good anyway. And, kicking a dead horse does what for you?

Too bad so sad wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:52 AM:raoul, you are defending a sinking ship. When will you get it? Capitalism is over. The Republican Party is over. Your 15 minutes of fame are over. Won't miss you and your kind. Bye.

Isonomy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:59 AM:To Far Left Philosophy: So, you're saying that by simply honoring a man who was assassinated for daring to proclaim that gays should be treated as equal human beings, that so called "lefties" are trying to make children gay? And that somehow this involves God? This is a human rights issue, not a "left" or "right" issue.

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:04 PM:Well, "So What Ms M" at 11:48AM,
the FACT is that up until the situation forced him to do otherwise, GBW consistantly LIED to the American People!
Most people who had ANY life remaining between their ears knew we were in a recession, yet GWB spoke to the American People and said we were not.
More than once!
LIE!
Regards, Alf.

Ms M wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:05 PM:So What Ms M
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:48 AM:...obviouly the horse isn't dead yet - he's speaking loud and clear - GIVE me $7,000,000,000 of your hard earned money.

Reardon wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:20 PM:I can assure Far Left Philosophy that it is more than the “Far Left” that thinks Mr. Austin is full of it.

The Country was founded initially as a religious colony, but religious egalitarianism failed to the point of starvation and the fever that grew between Jamestown/Plymouth to nationhood some 150 years later was freedom, and that is what was codified via the Constitution.

All of the Jamestown/Plymouth group were indeed very religious, but the Founders of the Nation lived some five generations after the religious fever had waned and the freedom fever had flourished.

There is an evangelical wing in the Republican Party, an economic wing, and a libertarian wing. Each wing vies for leadership, and politicians try to check all three of the boxes so as to get workers, money and votes.

Evangelicals tend to attend a church that represents just their brand of Evangelicals, and further to lump all others, including other Evangelicals and all other Republicans as Devil Worshipers. Other brands of Republicans tend to look on Evangelicals as Tennessee Hollow Snake Handlers who follow the Young Earth Theory.

Be careful where you step in Mr. Austin’s church, and wear sturdy, high-top boots.

Tsk Tsk... wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:33 PM:Vista Granny, how awful for you to call someone stupid. What happened to, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say nothin at all?

Could it have been possibly, that so as to not lose his residence, he could have gotten rid of his cable and internet, two luxuries that he could live without, so as to keep providing for himself and his possible family? In this circumstance, it would be possible that he was not as in tune with the political situation as you are.

My grandparents always said something along these lines..."That person is just doin the best they can, bless their heart" and left it at that. And so should YOU.

TO Far Left Philosophy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:48 PM:You do not make any sense.

Who are (names, please) people that are "far left philosphy", what is it.

It is the 21st century and you need to be 're-wired' so you can respect and tolerate others.

Our diverse educated population helps make us strong.

There is no Church of America.

We live a full life because our Founding Fathers left the Church of England.

We live a full life because we have a Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Changes continue: Women voting, Black and White can marry, same Sex marriages, Blacks can sit in front of the bus, etc.

It is unfortunate if you are as ignorant as your statement.

Reardon wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:50 PM:If the word “Oversight” means anything at all, Chris Dodd and Barney Frank should resign along with a host of other Democrats and Republicans.

It appears that the government is trying to staunch the hemorrhage of confidence in the housing system by working on the wrong end of the problem. Only 5% of the homes are in economic crises, and those could be addressed more easily (and cheaply) by ending foreclosures for 90 days while each loan is individually restructured.

Some of the loans were obtained fraudulently, and those need to be penalized – not a hard thing to do since a set of signatures exists for every loan. Like sex between a teacher and a 17 year old student, a year in jail is not so much a jail sentence penalty as it is a continuing stigma carried through life – and the same sort of stigma needs to be attached to all who committed fraud to assure the public that they will carry their “A” tattooed on their forehead.

Some of those failures were the result of the fraudulent loans driving the market down to the point where a job transfer or an illness left the Owner upside down. It is unlikely we can do anything retrospective, but we can stop the bleeding now for those who will be the next wave, and the wave after that.

There is time to analyze and punish the political class who whistled by the graveyard for lo these many years, but those at the top should be forced out immediately just as a confidence builder.

Let’s start by the Chairmen of the House and Senate “Oversight” Committees, but that is like a bus full of lawyers going over the cliff, just a good start.

CANOBAMA wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:50 PM:VOR wrote at 8:05, "A poll yesterday done by Gallup stated that 68% of Americans are FOR universal health care run by the government in some form BUT, only 53% of evangelicals are for that?? Why? Do they believe more in conservatism then the basic tenent of Christianity?" The basic tenet of caring for the poor means that government needs to make sure health care is accessible and affordable to the poor. It does NOT mean that government needs to actually RUN the health care system. History has shown us that programs run by the government are typically plagued by inefficiency and waste, excessive paperwork, poor service, and fraud. Obama isn't any more or less of a Christian for wanting the government to run our health care, but he needs to convince the public how this time the government is going to succeed where it has traditionally failed. Waiting in line for a driver's license can inconvenience you, but waiting in line for an operation can kill you.

Ms M wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:56 PM:[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:29 AM:...Now, I know an affirmative action baby when I see one. And, I don’t dispatage them for they are lucky to be allowed to climb out of their normal cesspool lives....SDR you are one disgusting, racist, hateful (yes, Ms M used the "hate" word) individual. Are you saying that Black's live cesspool lives?

Question wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:04 PM:How is it they know they need 700 billion dollars when they don't have a plan yet?

I already know why they don't want legal review, duh.

But I wonder where they came up with that figure exactly?

Far Left Philosophy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:17 PM:Isonomy
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:59 AM:
Take me to task for what I said, But you do NOT get to put (your) words in my mouth, and then argue over something I did not say. Fair enough?

Vote for... wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:21 PM:Aww, shucks, I think I will just vote for all of you in here. Apparently, by the way you write, you have lived the perfect lives and have the answers to all of lifes issues. Also, apparently, if someone doesn't see eye to eye with you concerning your particular views, that person is obviously underpriviledged, under educated, and below you as far as your caste system goes.

And you wonder why we, the citizens of the U.S. of A., are in the state we are in. Oh sure, blame the President. It is so much easier to do that, than to take a little personal time to look at your own life, your own choices, and how you possibly could have done things differently to make this world a better place.

Remember this people. Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes bad decisions from time to time. And the beauty of it is, THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR MIND if the original choice was a mistake. It is called learning. Get off your high horses, like you are so much better than everyone else. Quite the personal attacks and debate the real issues at hand.

And again, EVERY POLITICION LIES!

Prez my ride wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:24 PM:Newsweek this week follows up the report about McCain's 8 homes (compared to Obama's one) with a check on their cars.
McCain has 13.
Obama has 1 - an American-made green Ford Escape Hybrid.

Karl wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:25 PM:VOR @ 7:41 AM:
Twas me yesterday that made the comment VOR. I am political fiscal conservative. Both tickets that are our choices in November suck IMHO. How's that for telling it like it truly is?

As with any group, club or organization there are good and bad. I will stand by my statement and shame on you for labeling an entire group with one huge brush. How can you possibly know that "Republicans are blinded by hate, prejudice and discrimination. Very, very sad lot of people". Most certainly some are as are some Democrats and some Independents.

Your statement is childish and flat out wrong.

My last... wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:25 PM:Was not pointed towards everyone. Those that shoe fits...Wear it!

Chuck wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:31 PM:>>You insult all Americans of every race, religion; including people from backgrounds Irish, Italian, Jewish, Polish, Asian, Hispanic, German, English, French, Scandinavia, etc.>>

I guess I'm an equal opportunity insulter. Which, by the way, is much better than you when you pat yourself on the back after you've talked to a black, and say to yourself "I'm not a racist"

Chuck wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:35 PM:>>Reports are out that the White House new about this financial disaster for weeks if not months.>>> The timing gave all the congressman and senators time to get out of the market, while everyone else got hosed. I think every trading account for every congressman and senator and their staffs should be subpoenaed to look for insider dumping

Karl wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:37 PM:Ms M @ 10:50 AM:

...and reports will soon be out that many legislators both Democrat and Republican were deeply involved in concealing the problems. I for one hope heads role very soon and I am not concerned which party those heads are attached to. Nice long prison sentences and forfiture of millions and millions would be a nice start.

So What Ms M to Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:55 PM:Alf
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:04 PM: Well Alf, I don't think you give the average Joe enough credit for what they have upstairs, I think most people had "some" idea of what was going on over the last few years with the Financial and Housing Markets, I think what is questionable was there judgment in taking on loans over there heads(when most knew it). I don't think as many people bought in to "the lie" as were just hoping this would not happen, In other words, a splash of denial mixed with a shot of wishful thinking. But more to my original point, I don't know anyone out there defending Bush, We already know his won't be the straightest Portrait hanging in the halls of the White House, He's a lame duck anyway, Let's move on. My opinion only.

Sorry folks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:11 PM:Chris can't be here today; he's busy writing speaches for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

jvc wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:26 PM:With the Wall Street bailouts, every
Conservative Reaganonmics theory is
dead!How does this state dare to have a three strikes conservative administration of justice of law when the criminals are at Wall Street?

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:35 PM:Well, "Tsk Tsk..." at 12:33PM,
if that person or those persons sincerely want -
continued war,
more war,
continued failed economic policies,
continued deconstruction of the Constitution,
continued loss of Constitutional Rights,
continued dumbing-down of this country,
a return to "back alley" abortions,
increased incidence of STDs due to lack of education,
blatant hypocrisy and dishonesty at the highest levels of government -
McGWB/Palin is the perfect ticket for them.
For the rest of us,
McGWB/Palin is the perfect example of what we should NOT have in the Executive Branch.
Regards, Alf.

Poor Vista Granny wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:42 PM:Poor Vista Granny, So misunderstood, so out of touch, Let's see now, If I vote for McCain, then I will stay poor and have to keep driving to the post office in my rusty old car, But if I vote for Obama, I will miraculously get rich and be able to by a bunch of old rusty cars. But where do I park them? What's an old man to do?

To Tsk Tsk wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:48 PM:Sorry, some people really are stupid. They can't help it,they were born that way. Since you didn't see the man or the car, or hear him talk -- Some times you just have to call it the way you see it.

Well Done Sorry folks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:48 PM:Sorry folks
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:11 PM:Chris can't be here today; he's busy writing speaches for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

GRAND SLAM Out of the park!!! Well Done.
You are my new write in for November.

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:52 PM:Well, "So What Ms M to Alf" at 1:55PM,
while you are right that GWB is a lame duck, until the new President is sworn in, GWB can still invoke NSPD 51, for one!
For two, McGWB wants to "stay the course" that GWB set.
For three, McGWB is a hot-head with severe medical problems in his recent past and is 72.
For four, Palin would be "a heartbeat away" from the Presidency. While she meets the minimum job requirements, she is worse than either GWB or McGWB, if that's possible, because she is a religious zealot who knows less than she thinks she does and has shown herself to be ethically bankrupt, morally questionable and not above abusing her powers as governor.
Regards, Alf.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:56 PM:Karl prove it! Tell me the even split between Liberal and Conservative media personages that use hate, prejudice and discrimination as their basic culture? How many have been suspended or fired from their jobs in say the last five years for comments they have made concerning race and sexual perference? Karl so my challenge to you is this....list them for us? They are the voice of conservatism. Tell us how pure your mouthpieces are?

Then lets compare Congressmen that have been indicted or convicted of felonies or ethics violations over the last five years by party? You ready? Make youre list and then come back and talk to me about it being even or even in the same universe.

Karl you'll lose. Don't waste your time because I just proved my point.

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:57 PM:Well, "Question" at 1:04PM,
I must answer your question with a question -
isn't $700 BILLION about the same as what this little folly of GWB in Iraq has cost SO FAR?
Maybe from now on, everything will be tagged at $700 BILLION, sort of like the 99 cent store.
Regards, Alf.

Chuck wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:59 PM:There is a way out of this real estate mess, but the envious, jealous liberals would never approve.
The IRS could remove the restrictions on deductions for rental real estate. The $25,000 max gets phased out as your income rises, where many dont get to deduct any of their losses at all. As a result, there is little incentive for high earners to invest in real estate. A bit of IRS social engineering could create a great demand for housing, and we all know (except for the public schoolers) what happens to prices when demand rises.

Answer wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:05 PM:Question at 1:04 p.m. asks how our fearless president came up with the 700 BILLION dollar figure when they don't even have a plan yet.

They do have a plan!
Scare everyone into giving them unlimited, unchecked power that cannot be reviewed by anyone, including the courts!

Hey, it worked so well after 9/11 and for scaring everyone into giving them unlimited blank checks for an unnecessary war to enrich oil cronies and defense contractors, why wouldn't you think they'd expect us to give them unlimited, unchecked authority to transfer almost a TRILLION dollars to be redistributed in "reverse socialism" from the middle class to their already rich cronies in big finance?

This is not incompetence, it is THEFT!

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:06 PM:To Canobama, youre wrong. Doing whatever it takes to help the poor is what all Christians should strive for, not what their conservative ideology tells them.

Right now tens of thousands of people living in America cannot get the care they need. Its sad and this Christian nation (isn't that the conservative argument) should be screaming for the country to spend money on the poor rather then WAR!! Where would our God want the efforts and funds spent. Lets guess. So in essence, Christians consider Bush to be their God, not Christ. Where are these same Christians at when it comes to caring for God's earth and God's creatures?? Again absent. You fight against it, even though you know nothing about climate change or animals disappearing from the earth, but support anything that Republicans say.

I just sit back and shake my head when you jump on the Palin bandwagon when she talks nothing about helping the poor and she is against saving the earth and its creatures. How ignorant a ideology you live in.

Far Left Philosophy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:09 PM:TO Far Left Philosophy
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:48 PM: Who are (names, please) people that are "far left philosphy", what is it.

Don't insult me with an absurd open ended question like that. Who are Libs? who are cons? (give me names) Give me a break. You call me ignorant, I call myself faithful to my beliefs, You want to change everything to better fit your view of how life should be, Sorry, not ALL change is good or right. I won't look for a new wife just because this one is not as young or hip as she was 40 years ago, And I won't change what I know to be right just because it makes you uneasy.

Welfare for the Rich wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:13 PM:Oh, there you have it!
Chuck at 2:59 p.m. has figured out how to solve the real estate mess!
Give more tax breaks to rich landlords to drive property values even further out of reach of first-time buyers.
Welfare for the rich.
Redistribution of wealth from the middle class to those who are already the richest elites!
How come I'm so surprised!

Olaf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:13 PM:I just love to hear the blame game in here. Has anyone heard of the Case- Steagall Act? Google it and see that many are to blame when we let commercial banks mingle with investment banks. The funny part is that just as many hated republicans (that ALF loves to point out) as democrates are to blame.

Lets start with Greenspan (#1 in my book) who slowly repeeled the act. How about Clinton? Yeap he helped. Lobbiest, the fed, prez Bush the 1st, Clintons sect of Treasury Robert Rubin, they all have a hand in this debacle and why won't the media talk about it? Because like you people in here it is easier to blame each other and finger point. So lets not talk about nothing in between the ears because most here are just pointing at someone else and saying "it's his fault".

Ms M wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:13 PM:Goldman to Raise $7.5 Billion

Goldman Sachs plans to raise $7.5 billion in fresh capital by
selling $5 billion in perpetual preferred shares to Berkshire
Hathaway.

Now that's how it should work - get yourself in a mess - get yourself out!

Focal Point wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:14 PM:REMINDER: 13 members of the Armed Forces died in combat yesterday in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just wanted to keep things real today.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:18 PM:Answer.....I applaud you...you summed it up in your post. Good job.

To "Far Left Philosophy" there is a major difference with liberals who want change and conservatives.

Liberals want change to bring better life to Americans.

Conservatives wont change anything and life will get worse for Americans and better for Wall Street, oh....they did that already? I told you so.

Isonomy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:21 PM:Far Left Philosophy: I thought you were responding to Angela Lee's letter, so I apologize about the thing regarding honoring Milk. So, in accordance with your wish of not "putting words in your mouth," I will use a quote by you. "Yes Boys and Girls, Eat, Drink and be Gay, There is no One God, We are all gods, That's there left wing new age philosophy."
So I ask you once again, who exactly is trying to make kids "eat, drink, and be gay," and who is forcing people to think that "There is no One God, we are all gods." Surely your objection can't be simply that there are some people who have the philosophy that there isn't a God, and that it's alright to be gay.

I AGREE bRIAN KORN wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:21 PM:but the liberals would rather save land for a bug than sell it to job and tax creating companies.

Jesus did say care for the poor wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:23 PM:He did not say create bloated welfare systems and bureaucracy. This is why I donate to my church. My church helps the poor more efficiently than government.

Faithful One wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:24 PM:Far Left Philosophy at 3:09 p.m. says, "I call myself faithful to my beliefs."
Hallelujah!
We're so proud of you.
That is truly wonderful!
More power to you!
But here is the kicker: no one is criticizing you for being faithful to your own beliefs.
No one is trying to infringe your right to believe what you want or worship how you want.
Buy you can damn well be sure that when you try to bully your way into others' lives and force your beliefs on those who don't share them, we are going to stand up to you and yell "STOP!"

Reardon wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:26 PM:To VOR: I am certain you can tell the difference between the teaching of Christ, which were an admonition that HIS FOLLOWERS "should" help the poor; and government which uses the force of arms to require that EVERYONE "must" help the poor.

God did say to protect the environment. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:27 PM:But, he also said man has dominion over the animals and plants. I applaud efforts to save energy and cut waste, but when we block off large areas of land to goverment and have environmentalists say what we can and can't do on our own property, this goes too far.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:37 PM:Sarah Palin in New York: Tightly under wraps, meets with two foreign leaders This is almost news worthy as Palin's long trip to Ireland. LOL.

VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:39 PM:I guess the handlers of McBush and Palin have been reading my posts or they see exactly what I see. McCain and Palin are embarrassements to the party, to themselves and to the American people. They have now been segregated and seperated from talking to the media. Its a first and even Fox News is complaining.

How terrible to have a candidate that can't speak to the nation. No make that a candidate and his hand picked no nothing.

Realist wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:45 PM:Excellent post, Vote for...@ 121pm. Allow me to add a few thoughts:
1]Both McCain and Obama have taken money from lobbyists
2]Both are ties to criminals
3]Both have NO experience when it comes to the economy
4]Both men will NOT solve the illegal immigration problem

In my humble opinion, things will tragically remain the same because the two party system in this country is broken. 3rd Parties don't have enough strength to tip the tide, and we'll only know that for sure when the votes are counted. Hopefully enough people will have had enough of business as usuall and vote for the person who is the most qualified!
-Realist

Reardon wrote on Sep 23, 2008 3:56 PM:The Center for Responsible Politics tracks donations to Congresscritters at Open Secrets ... -- by industry, by year, by Congresscritters. It also lists % given to Democrats and to Republicans in Congress.

If you look at the 2008 for the top 50 industries, you will see that the most money was donated by lawyers and Law Firms, $88+ million of which 78% went to Democrats and 22% to Republicans, and the top recipient was Barack Obama.

The second largest pool of money came from those who list their Occupation as “Retired.’ That amount was $79+ Million, 55% went to Democrats and 45% went to Republicans, and the top recipient was Barrack Obama.

The third largest industry to curry favor was the Securities and Investment Industry which donated $47+ million, 66% went to Democrats and 34% to Republicans, and the largest single recipient was Barrack Obama.

Etc., etc., etc. Read the industry, the money and the list. Real Estate went to Hillary (#4), and McCain (#7), and Susan Collins is on the list as is John Murtha.

Read the list for yourself. That website has tons of data. Follow the money.

Marlowe wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:10 PM:I hope that before Election Day, the campaign changes from being Obama versus Not-Obama to Obama versus McCain. I would like to see both candidates, and their running mates, up front, talking to Americans openly about what their principles, plans, and values are. I want them to stop talking trash about the other guy except as needed to make honest comparisons. I want them not to lie, and when they do lie, and are called on it, not to make it worse by insisting that it is not a lie or that we are being unfair to them by paying attention to what they say. That would be extremely refreshing. In my opinion, the Obama/Biden campaign has come much MUCH closer to what I want than the Mccain/Palin campaign, who, instead of running are laying low and letting the Limbaughs run Not-Obama against Obama. That, my friends, is what we used to call chicken-sxxt and from what I've seen so far, this is the GOP platform. My evidence on this space? Read Ron, Chuck, raoul, etc. Do you see even ONE promotion of a John McCain policy? How many direct and indirect attacks on Obama do you count? There it is, every day, as it spews from the McCain/Palin "handlers". Run Obama against Not-Obama, and keep McCain and Palin out of it.

gracchus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:12 PM:your statement at 12:50 p.m., reardon, arguing that the jamestown colony was religious is not right. the colony was establihsed with mercantile intentions, and though many of its residents, if not all, were undoubtedly christian believers, they went to virginia to make money. john smith's memoir clearly indicates that religion did not motivate the settlers who sought their fortune in jamestown.

although a good many of the british north american colonies were established as religious havens, not all of them were. the carolinas were land grants given to retainers of charles II. in exploiting the lands' resources the lords needed labor. much of the white immigrants were seeking relief from european religious persecution which the found in america. but the lords of these colonial outposts were more interested in profit than in offering religious toleration.

not all the british north american colonies were founded with the same goals. some wanted religious sanctuary; others wanted economic freedom.

to suggest that before the american war of independence all the british north american colonies embraced judeo-christian principles as their guide in government is not correct.

Marlowe wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:26 PM:The so-called Christian right consistently commits a very deep and terrible sin, IMHO. They insist that Jesus and God be put in the service of the conservatives' political wishes. They decide which verses from which Testament can be cynically used to back up their own desires and biases. They even invent aspects of Biblical teachings that are nowhere to be found, just to give weight to their own ideas. If their God and His Son exist, can you imagine the insult to them they commit each time they do this? Can you imagine one of them meeting God and Jesus one day? God: "Hey, I never said a word about abortion!" "Christian": "Shut up, old man. You work for ME! I don't like abortion and you agree with ME!" Jesus: "I said love your enemies, love your neighbor as yourself" "Christian": "Get lost, fella. We've got wars to carry out because we need the oil for our way of life. We need to execute criminals, like they did you, to get our revenge and feel good!" If I were them, and if I had the courage to be honest with myself, I'd pray that the atheists are right!

CSpan wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:50 PM:Paulson said something to the effect, that if there is a limit on executive pay and golden parachutes, that some banks may not participate.

BREAKING NEWS wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:53 PM:NBS has learned that the FBI has opened a criminal investigation into fraud perpetrated by executives at Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, AIG.

The Bush administration is pushing for a quick bailout with no legal oversight. Put two and two together...

WFO NOMO wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:54 PM:What we are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. There is a seismic shift in the world financial order. Soon the American nation will vote. It wont just be a landslide victory for the Democrats, it will be a Tsunami.

Country First wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:56 PM:I just finished watching Obama's press conference. In my country people running for president conduct press conferences outling plans and answering questions for the American people.

Maybe McCain should try putting "Country First" for a change?

McCain has put Sen. Gramm first, Palin first, Carly Fiorina first, Charles Keating first, Cindy Lou first, Fannie Mae first, Freddie Mac first, and his team of lobbyists first.

Yowsa wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:59 PM:One thing was crystal clear, McPOW's thinning hair was on fire all of last week, I don't know about the rest of you , but a freaked out old man throwing punches into the air trying to hit shadows doesn't do it for me.

Constitutional wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:05 PM:Ha. You mean they're just now noticing that the Constitution is at risk? What about the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, the former separation of church and state, the politicizing of the Justice Dept., the buying of Congress, and the fact that all of the media are owned by practically one person and therefore biased?

Oceanside Grandma wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:06 PM:Not only did Rocky chavez vote against the law to make lobbyist tell who they are working for, if I am not mistaken, he and the rest of KFC tried to overturn the whole thing. Thanks to the public whoshowed up and supported it they were not successful. This shows where they are. I really cannot understand why anyone would vote to change our mayor. Mayor Wood has been staeady and has been a good Mayor. I would n't be able to hold my head up if I voted for Rocky Chavez. All I have to remember is how that school of his was handled. Do we want him in charge of the city?

Is it time wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:10 PM:Yes, I have lost tens of thousands of dollars in my annuities, but no, I don't want to give this administration $700 billion for anything. This is a ruse to make sure that all of Bush's cronies get bailed out before he leaves office. They used fear tactics to pass the Patriot Act and dismantle the Constitution and they're using fear tactics now. When are we going to stop them? The country is already ruined. Is it time yet?

And by the way, there is no statute of limitations on impeachment. It can even be done after people leave office, as a means of restoring the Constitution and assuring the proper behavior of future presidents.

He Said to VOR wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:12 PM:Your 2:56 post: You'd better pray to your gods for better reading skills. Karl did not say there was a even split. He said @ 1:37 "reports will soon be out that many legislators both Democrat and Republican were deeply involved in concealing the problems"

To DDWiz wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:18 PM:I would blame the patients, the doctors, the lawyers, and the insurance companies for the present healtcare debacle. Any comment?

Karl wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:25 PM:VOR @ 2:56 PM:

[-] from here on out for you VOR. Have a nice life.

War Peace

Ron wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:31 PM:>>>Journalists{?}, displeased with Sarah Palin’s efforts to restrict their access to her>>>

That's alright! We need more time with Old Joe...

Where are ya Joe?
Stand up Joe!
Stand up for Chuck!!!!

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:39 PM:Vote for...[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:21 PM:My God. My countryman. I am responsible for the deluge on wall street. Please forgive me?

CANOBAMA wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:40 PM:VOR, you say a Christian nation should spend money on its poor. That is great, but still does not require the government to actually run the health care system, which was my point. The government should be able to provide means for the poor to access and afford health care without the government nationalizing the health care system.

Roo wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:45 PM:Far Left Philosophy: Don't get so upset. It will be over soon. I figure that you are at least 70. No worries, mate.

sdraoul wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:46 PM:As blacks are the largest group in poverty in the USA (about 30 percent) and as almost 70 percent of blacks are born to single mothers most of whom don't know who the father is, yes most blacks under 20 live "cesspool lives."

It is not the fault of the children, look at Obama. His white college educated mother used food stamps to feed the kid. It wasn't his fault his father bailed on the mother and left the college educated woman high and dry.

Poor VOR, Obama is the issue.

I stated publicly in 2004 that his speech at the Democratic convention was BS. I said that he was a mile wide and an inch deep. I was right. Only Kool-Aid drinkers think otherwise.

He has no experience of which to speak. His record in the Illinois State Senate is worse than Christine Kehoe's in the same job here.

Obama is the issue. So are his associations with terrorist William Ayers and the Annenberg Project that Obama screwed up to the tune of $100 million dollars and didn't do a thing for black Chicago school children.

As an analyst, VOR, you flunk.

1. Under GWB minority children are scoring higher in reading and mathematics than ever in history.

2. Under GWB minority appointments to the federal government are the highest in history.

3. Under GWB we have had fewer casualties per day, per week and per capita in the military than in any war ever conducted by the United States overseas.

4. Under GWB more people have been exempted from paying income taxes than ever under Democrats.

5. Under GWB personal after tax income is the highest ever.

6. Under GWB unemployment has been less in his 7+ years than in the previous Clinton administration.

7. Under GWB legal immigration is the highest in history.

8. Under GWB we have more people attending college than ever.

9. Under GWB we have fewer crimes committed per capita than in the past 40-50 years.

10. Under GWB we have higher productivity than in all of American history.

11. Under GWB we have more foreign trade and exports than ever in American history.

12. Under GWB and his tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 we have more revenue than ever into the federal treasury from people who ear more than $75,000 per.

13. Under GWB California and Texas have more Hispanics in college than ever and as they are the largest "minority" and still growing this is important for the future of the country.

14. Under GWB we had 52 months of uninterrupted economic growth for the first time in history through the last quarter (June 2008).

These are just off the top of my head, VOR.

OBSERVATION wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:46 PM:US lawmakers have expressed strong scepticism about a bail-out of the banking system, following a five-hour Senate hearing on the rescue plan."

OBSERVATION wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:50 PM:WASHINGTON: The FBI is investigating four major U.S. financial institutions whose collapse helped trigger a $700 billion bailout plan by the Bush administration, The Associated Press has learned.

Two law enforcement officials said Tuesday the FBI is looking at potential fraud by mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and insurer American International Group Inc. Additionally, a senior law enforcement official said Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. also is under investigation."

NO BANK BAILOUT wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:00 PM:Demand that the Bailout Legislation Be Rejected

We are witnessing a bankers' coup d’etat. In the name of saving the economy from a crisis created by their own greed and immense profits, the biggest bankers have taken a country and a people hostage.

“Give us your money and tear up what’s left of your Constitution or we will sink your economy,” is the message from Wall Street and the Bush Administration. “Give us the power and money we demand or you will be left jobless from a new economic depression."

Under the pretext of the banking crisis, the Bush Administration is changing the way this country operates. This is not simply taking trillions of dollars from the people and giving it to the richest bankers to do with as they see fit.

Congress is poised to vote to give the Executive Branch of government, and specifically the White House’s political appointees in the Treasury Department, the absolute right to take our money and give it to domestic and foreign banks and corporations without any oversight of elected officials, from the courts, or from the people.

The new legislation states: “Decisions by the Secretary [of the Treasury] pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.” The Legislation allows the Treasury Department to appoint the same bankers who created the crisis to administer and dictate the use of trillions of our tax dollars.

We will not stand by and let the Bush Administration formalize its vision of a “government of, by and for the richest bankers."

The new system institutionalizes theft on a grand scale. Lehman Brothers bankers will receive $2.5 billion in bonuses after their company went bankrupt last week, but the new dictatorial authority under the White House and Treasury Department has ruled out any relief for the millions of working families who are being foreclosed.

We live in a $15 trillion annual economy. Instead of taking our tax dollars and giving it to the already rich and powerful, these funds should be used provide to decent paying jobs, affordable housing, health care and a good education for our children. There is another way!

Now is the time to hear the voice of the people. A spineless Congress authorized Bush’s illegal war in Iraq and rubber-stamped the Patriot Act. Now they are being herded like sheep again to give the White House and Wall Street dictatorial control over the people’s money.

...[G]oogle VoteNoBailout to let our Congresspersons know how you feel. Thank you.

From Lincoln to Bush Party wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:19 PM:"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."

-- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864
(letter to Col. William F. Elkins)

Obama vs Not Obama wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:31 PM:The Not Obama party, aka the GOP, realizes it has no candidates that anyone respects or admires. Even the fun buzz of Ms Palin is, well, paling. So instead, the GOP gives us its candidate Not Obama. Not Obama has the advantage of not needing to have an opinion about any policy, any philosophy, any plans for the government. Not Obama is not bound by truth or decency. Not Obama doesn't worry about having experience in governing, a history of flipflopping, or much else. The Not Obama platform is simple: say and do anything to get people to hate or fear Obama. So Not Obama can say that Obama is a Muslim who would take the oath of office on the Koran. That he is a Black Nationalist or a Liberation Theologist. That he is a Marxist. That he spends his free time conspiring with gangsters and terrorists. That he is an affirmative action baby, capable of achieving nothing other than the freebies his color gets him. When Obama gives his wife a high five, Not Obama can say it's a terrorist salute. Not Obama can claim that Obama wants to raise the taxes on the middle class even though his platform is the exact opposite of this. Why? Because Not Obama has absolutely no accountability. Not Obama is THE Rove-style candidate, just like Not Kerry was. Not Obama represents the absolute worst in America. It's pure cowardice because it will not go toe to toe with its opponent. It hopes to win the White House by keeping McCain and Palin out of the public eye and instead playing a constant, loud set of messages to demonize Obama. This is not the founders' idea of democracy, folks. We've seen this kind of campaign in many third world countries. I don't know about you, but I want to punish the party that campaigns this way. I want to teach them with my vote and my voice that this strategy will not work any more. It's completely up to us.

Yet another big lie wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:40 PM:From the NY Times QUOTE WASHINGTON — One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the credit crisis paid $15,000 a month from the end of 2005 through last month to a firm owned by Senator John McCain’s campaign manager, according to two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement.

The disclosure undercuts a statement by Mr. McCain on Sunday night that the campaign manager, Rick Davis, had had no involvement with the company for the last several years.Mr. Davis’s firm received the payments from the company, Freddie Mac, until it was taken over by the government this month along with Fannie Mae, the other big mortgage lender whose deteriorating finances helped precipitate the cascading problems on Wall Street, the people said. ENDQUOTE This is why the GOP "handlers" will not let McCain make statements. He lies. Repeatedly. About stupid things. Then he gets caught and called on it. Repeatedly. Why would John McCain (and Sarah Palin) stand up there and lie to us over and over? Why won't they just tell the truth to us? Even after they've been caught and caught again, by the next day, they're up there lying about something new. We found out Bush was a liar AFTER he'd been in office. McCain and Palin are giving us lie after lie after lie BEFORE the election! You want to vote for two people who are proven serial liars? Why? You admire their judgment? Are you kidding? People! They are lying to us repeatedly. They have no respect for the truth or for you, the voter. If you are a Republican, isn't the best thing you can do for your country right now to either vote for Obama or sit this one out? Let Obama win. If he's lousy, you'll have four years to call him on every error and terrible decision, all the while finding a real candidate to take back the White House in 2012. All of us, blue and red, know by now that McCain/Palin cannot do the job and cannot be trusted. They give us more evidence for this each time either of them talks, or hides from talking, to us.

hardtack wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:46 PM:You partisans can rave on about Sarah Palin being the incarnation of Madam Lucretia Borgia – or Mother Teresa; it won’t influence my vote one way or the other. The only thing that will make me vote for John McCain, instead of writing in “Ron Paul,” is Barack Obama. And he’s just about done it.

Okay, Alf, the McBush foreign policy is pretty obsessive – but, personally, our economy scares me even worse. Does anyone understand what caused the financial “meltdown” that Wall St. Is experiencing?

Let me quote a non-partisan whose economic opinion I value, Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.:

The core issue is that there is nothing to restrain money creation. What caused this? It’s a simple question, and yet answers are all over the map, as you might expect. Here's mine in two words: Fiat Money.

The word "fiat" here means by order of the state, which is to say that it has no independent worth and is eventually worth nothing. The possibility of precisely that happening emerged in August 15, 1971. Since Nixon severed the last tie of the dollar to gold, the world's monetary system has not been restrained by anything physical. We've depended on the discretion of central bankers. We can't trust that, and this crisis shows precisely why.

Of course there are subsidiary factors: the lifting of restrictions on Freddie and Fannie; subsidized lending; the Fed's artificially low interest rates; the Community Reinvestment Act; financial "deregulation"; the war; Bush profligacy; debt. There is much more besides. But fighting each of these forces individually is like batting down flies at the garbage dump. The core issue is that there is nothing to restrain money creation.

The first time that people hear this, they find their minds rather boggled, and they want to know more. My whole experience in this area is that once people start digging around the area of monetary theory, they find that it is not as difficult a subject as it seems ...

Ah, yes! “Not as difficult a subject as it seems.” But, as Sinclair Lewis wrote: “It is difficult for someone to understand something when their livelihood depends on their not understanding it.” Congress’ livelihood (both sides of the isle) depends on the no-limit Credit Card and the blank check – they have depended upon it since the Federal Reserve was created in 1913.

Getting back to the presidential issue: When a candidate says they don’t know much about economics, I find that more reassuring that the one who confidently says they will tax and spend everyone into prosperity.

Like I haven’t heard that for the past 50 years.

To Far Left Philosophy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:29 PM:To Far Left Philosophy: I agree that your belief (in invisible Gods) is in fact a belief, and nothing more. Your comment "They don't want to believe there is a "Piper" collecting payment at the end of the road for there choices" is a ridiculous self-serving argument made frequently by religous nitwits. Being afraid (of a revengeful God) and making choices based solely on whether or not they will lead to eternal award (free pass to heaven) is in no way a badge of honor. In my opinion letting fear and greed be your master is an embarrassment, and you are correct, it is not something many "want to believ in." Those who don't give into superstitious fears and don't live their lives according to greed-based passes to eternal life are not the ones who deserve to be ridiculed. It is you who needs to defend yourself, not those you ridicule. And if you accept the fact that change is part of the world we live in (always has been and always will be) I suspect you'd find that your wife and those you ridicule are still as hip as they were 40 years ago.

Faithful One wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:45 PM:Resubmission of skipped blog

Far Left Philosophy at 3:09 p.m. says, "I call myself faithful to my beliefs."
Hallelujah!
We're so proud of you.
That is truly wonderful!
More power to you!
But here is the kicker: no one is criticizing you for being faithful to your own beliefs.
No one is trying to infringe your right to believe what you want or worship how you want.
Buy you can damn well be sure that when you try to bully your way into others' lives and force your beliefs on those who don't share them, we are going to stand up to you and yell "STOP!"

Focal Point wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:51 PM:Vote for...[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:21 PM: You are right. Everybody makes bad decisions once in awhile. Tell that to the families of nearly 4200 dead Americans killed in Iraq. Its just a mistake per Vote for.

Chris to MsM wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:01 PM:You left out a couple of zero's in talking about how much of our money the crimminals want. I just finished the speach for Ahnadinejad. Did any of you get to hear it. I see bush got a whole 10 seconds of polite applause at the U.N. They are sure glad to see him go.

where are comments wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:02 PM:No new ones in hours.

Alf wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:40 PM:Moderator - WHERE ARE YOU??
It is not 11:40PM and the last comment posted was for 3:37PM.
Regards, Alf.

mimi76 wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:58 AM:Palin's trip to Ireland and/or her meeting with various foreign heads of state are at least not the dog-and-pony show Obama put on when he went overseas. Please...he's running for president-not pledging for a fraternity. Futhermore, when asked about their meeting with Palin and her ability to hold her own, the foreign dignitaries inferred she passed with flying colors. The reality is-Obama has absolutely NO credibility or justification when speaking about Palin's 'lack' of readiness or experience; Obama is much more inexperienced when it comes to executive decisions, foreign affairs, energy exploration or running a business for that matter. Simply because he gives some good speeches from the telepromter, does not make him 'ready' for the Oval office.
Have all of you checked out his voting record in Congress? More like 'lack of voting record'. Out of over 200 items to vote on in 2008, he DIDN'T even BOTHER to vote! That is appauling for someone who claims to care and be involved in American lives and issues. Ponder that for awhile -he doesn't even bother to vote. (Take a message, I'll get back to you)
I for one don't want the leader of our country to be so dismissive of our nations needs and issues at hand.
Another concern is the FACT he had associations with the Undergroud Weatherman, the radical Rev Wright, and Obama himself previously stated his allegience is to Africa;'he doesn't wear a flag pin, place his hand on his heart during the Pledge of Allegience or National Anthem because he does not want to give other countries any sense of bias on his part and the anthem is too "warlike and aggressive" and does not want to project that to other nations'. HELLO...he's supposed to be American, with allegience to America! Show a little respect, Obama!
What does he deem as appropriate demeanor and conviction for an American presidential wannabe???
McCain was not my first choice, however I do absolutely believe he cares very much about our country. He has served in our military and knows what our armed forces personnel go through in reality and actuality-not what is propagandized in the media. He is respected by his peers for having true patriotism and genuine concern for America and American citizens.
At this time in American history, we would be placing our nation and citizens in very dangerous territory by electing someone with no real experience in the global arena, who has documented/admitted relations with terrorists (trying to pass it off as no big deal) and is blatantly apathetic with regard to respect for our country, flag and anthem; and 2/3 of the time he doesn't even bother to do his sworn duty and vote on our nations issues at hand.
Everyone has the right to change their mind or viewpoint as new and better information is obtained when dealing with our nations security and overall sovereinty, as many of our policital leaders have done in the past, regardless of race, religion or political party. However, being President of the USA is not condusive to on-the-job training as in Obama's case. Why have a third grader take the SAT's????

NSShirlock to Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:51 AM:Yes, isn't she exciting? I almost won a chance to see her in person. I declined. If I saw her across the street, I might take a look but so far I'm seriously underimpressed. At least we would be safe from moose attacks. LOL.

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:41 AM:Right on Olaf @ 3:13 PM:

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:46 AM:Realist @ 3:45 PM:

I'm casting my vote for Ron Paul. Real dramatic change is what he is offering. The sooner the two-headed monster is kicked to the curb the better all of us will be.

still confussed wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:58 AM:Why is it that Republicans so fervently believe that their party is the only party that could possibly fix all the horrible problems that have been caused by their party?

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:11 AM:CSpan
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:50 PM:

"Paulson said something to the effect, that if there is a limit on executive pay and golden parachutes, that some banks may not participate"

Good, we need them like a hole in the noggin'

Oh Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:26 AM:Poor Ron tries to say that Joe Biden is hiding as well. Another GOP lie. During the two weeks that strong Sarah was hiding from the press getting her lessons, Joe Biden gave over 50 (fifty) press conferences and interviews. Look it up, Ron. Please: stop lying about these candidates. Votes based on pure lies is the opposite of what the American voting system should be about. Surely even you are patriotic enough to understand and care about this. Aren't you?

He Said wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:50 AM:Thanks NO BANK BAILOUT @ 6:00 PM: Your wisdom is beyond that of both Bernanke and Paulson. Those personal bailouts you mention are being fought tooth and nail. As H. Clinton said, we need to get the package passed immediately and then refine it to keep the severance packages exempt from the funds. If nothing gets passed spend some money on a safe for your money and your Wharton School of Finance Doctorate Diploma

Marlowe God IS against abortion wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:14 AM:"Thou shall not murder" He also says "I knew you from when you were in your mother's womb"

Three D wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:59 AM:The comment at 3:27 p.m. about God and the environment cites the word "dominion."
The word "dominion" as used in the Bible means mastery or leadership - another definition often cited is "stewardship." The same word is used repeatedly in reference to husbands over wives (plural) and parents over children.
If you believe that the Bible grants authority to decimate and destroy the environment in the name of "dominion," do you also believe the same word grants husbands the right to abuse wives (plural) and parents to abuse children?
Do you understand the difference between "dominion" and "domination"?
Blessings,
3D

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:31 AM:Well, "Marlowe God IS against abortion" at 8:14AM,
back in the days of the Old Testament
miscarriages, still-borns and mothers who died in childbirth were common.
"Thou shall not kill" applies to live people by their definition, as in living and breathing, not by yours.
The liberties that you and others take as to which passage you choose at any given time is appalling.
Does "Thou shall not kill" apply to us now in Iraq?
In Afghanistan?
Surely "Thou shall not kill" must mean unless your life is in danger,
if so, the invasion and occupation of Iraq has been a sin big time for over 5 years.
Yet, good "Christian" or "religious" persons that GWB, McGWB and Palin are, they either order, advocate or assist in the process of KILLING ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS in Iraq when there was NO mortal danger from Iraq before we invaded it.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:37 AM:Well, "still confussed" at 6:58AM,
how does the are nuts, crazy, without sound mind, out of touch with reality and just plain (an anagram of Palin) insane sound?
OR
They have mastered the art of "doublethink".
Regards, Alf

Hilarious wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:44 PM:mimi76: Your rant smells like horse manure. When is the last time, 200,000 non Americans were seen and heard shouting Palin, Palin, Palin or for that matter McCain.

Local wrote on Sep 25, 2008 4:43 AM:What a great country! I'm currently reading about our beginnings. It's all there. All of it. Religion, economics, taxation. My early ancesters in Connecticut were setting the pace. Old news, new news. Greed vs. ethics. Our Constitution came before and after. We have a republic but CAN WE KEEP IT?

mimi76 wrote on Sep 25, 2008 10:22 PM:To Hilarious-
Who really cares that NON Americans have chanted for Obama. Big deal.

Please keep in mind, this is a presidential election, not a wannabe rock star contest!