Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:53 AM:The letter from Monica Terrazas mis-states science.
Science says that it takes male sperm to fertilize a female ovum and implant itself on the wall of a uterus to make a fetus which, if carried to full term without incident, will usually result in a baby.
That is the process for human reproduction.
Science says nothing about the gender makeup of a marriage.
Regards, Alf.

To Charlie Harp wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:14 AM:Its percisely the "thin" resume we Obama supporters like about him. On the other hand, you have John McCain with decades of being just another one of "them" who has done little to change anything, despite his self-proclaimed title of "maverick".

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:38 AM:In her letter, Rachel Rott asks an excellent question -
"Do you really want to trust John McCain with the critical task of righting the ship that he helped capsize?"
Well, do you?
Regards, Alf.

Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:03 AM:Freshly back from her trip to the Barackopolis, in Denver.
Rachel Rott pretends to tell us how this fiscal mess began.
I wrote about this the otherday, but it's worth repeating, because it seems certain people are not serious about facts, nor truly cleaning-up the swamp, that is, Washington D.C.
This push for homeownership actually began in 1977 under Jimmy Carter, it was called Community Reinvestments. Low interest loans to try and bring back failing urnban areas, usually occupied by minorities. Good idea, good intentions, but it's always the details that "get you" later.
Throughout the 80's we heard "Enterprise Zones", same concept. It was an attempt to lower tax rates, fee's, etc., to attract investors to rebuild inside these failing urban areas.
Bring the 90's, and the Stalinist show trials by Democrats of mortage Exec's because of so-called: "Red-Lining" of mortages in minority areas.
Mortage companies had a dilemma. Do they resist the poltical & potential legal pressue being applied to them, or do they "invent" creative solutions?
Everyone knew whythey weren't laoning to low income people, no matter what their color was, but politically it was bad for business to be labeled racist by the Democrat's in Congress. Plus, Janet Reno was promising legal action is she found any such evidence.
In step's FDR II, Franklin Delano Raines. Raines speciality at Lazard was "securitizing mortages." Raines moves over to Fannie Mae, Fannie begins securitizing bad paper from mortage companies trying to escape the political, and possible legal persecution by Democrats, Problem solved. Fannie Mae will buy all this bad paper. Everyone's happy. Right?
Well, it's a cooking time bomb for the taxpayer. Everyone & their brother in the lending industry knows that IF Fannie Mae fails, the government will step in and save it. No risk, right?
So let's all sell some paper!!!!!!!!!
Raines, Mudd, Johnson, and Gorelick all got huge bonuses on this bad paper, and everyone knew it was bad paper.

And here's the important part, and something totally misdirected by Rachel Rott.
All of this, ALL of this happened before Glass-Steagall Act was repealed.
The current liberal talking point is that all of this IS because of the repeal of Glass-Steagall, by Sen. Phil Gramm in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, signed by Bill Clinton in Nov. of 1999.

Folks, Franklin Delano Raines had been switching between Fannie & OMB since 1991!!!
I'm telling you, HE is the eye of this hurricane. He brought over to Fannie this idea of securitizing mortages from Lazard, and Fannie Mae under his direction bought up these bad paper loans LONG BEFORE any regulations were repealed. And that's the big lie of the day.
No doubt, Gramm-Leach-Bliley piled on top of this stink ball, but the ball was already in motion! It all started many years ago, sped up in the 90's under Raines, piled up bad loan after bad loan, securitized, and bonuses paid on bad paper.
Good intentions, run amouck.

Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:19 AM:I agree, Ann Nunes. Some Liberals are a miserable bunch. Especially those who decry about the poor, yet do nothing personally to help them.

I love bringing up the fact that VP Dick Cheney annually gives away most of his income to charitable causes. Usually it's in the 70 percentile range.
And he is THE most hated man by the Left, and Liberals.

Then study Barack Millhouse NObama's charitable giving. After stating "We are our brother's keeper" the guy is cheap with his own money.
Not to mention his half-brother living on $12 bucks a year in Africa. Is not NObama is own half-brother's keeper?
Guess not?

Then you got Old Joe out there, old Joe O'Biden now, saying it's patriotic to give more for the "poor." Old Joe made $2 million bucks, and gave a paltry $3700.
Hey Old Joe! Practise what you preach!

And one more thing....

Stand Up for Chuck!!

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:27 AM:It's beginning to look alot like Christmas, everywhere you look!!!

Washington Post/ABC News Poll:
Obama 52%
McBush 43%

A whopping 9% difference!!

Same poll: 86% say that the Conservative/Republican Administration has taken the country in the wrong direction. Only 14% including Ron, Reardon and Sdraoul think America is just fine.

Ron's statement a few days ago were that Democrats were panicking because of the RNC convention bounce.

No panicked Ron, the American steamroller is coming and its rolling over conservatism. Lying and misleading the American people will be over. Less corruption, less indicted and convicted felons among our Congress and Administration.

The American people want truth!! Republicans continue to lie and stonewall. They won't appear under subpeonas. They disregard the law. America is tired of them. Democrats are proud of their candidate. Can Republicans say the same?

Pluto wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:00 AM:Rachel Rott's letters is right-on. And today's NCTimes reports on A-3 that McSame's campaign manager's lobbying firm got $15k/month from Freddie Mac until last month. (Lobbyists helped them avoid regulation.) On Sunday McCain denied the original NYTimes report, saying Rick Davis hadn't done any lobbying for Freddie Mac since 2006. If that's true, Freddie Mac has been paying for nothing but access and influence with McSame. This is exactly the kind of corruption that got us into this damned-if-we-do, damned-if-we-don't mess.

Miserable wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:05 AM:Ann Nunes has a point. Us patriotic liberals have been miserable since Bush & Co have been running our country into the ground in every possible way. Ann "would rather be a happy conservative". Ah, yes, ignorance IS bliss. Have a nice day!

Jesus did say care for the poor.. wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:11 AM: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.

God did say to protect the enviroonment wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:15 AM: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. He also says worship Him, not His creation.

Isonomy wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:37 AM:Gee Ann Nunes, I see you have liberals all figured out. Every single one out of the millions out there. And your letter did not sound hateful at all, no, it's the liberals who are hateful. I guess I could conclude from your letter that all conservatives are judgmental, yet as there are millions of conservatives, that would also be unfairly stereotyping.

OBAMACAN wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:07 AM:Charlie Harp's letter reflect the utter hatefulness and factual ignorance of the anti-Obama crowd.
Again, pure distoritions of his record, showing a complete lack of understanding to a strategic procedural mechanism unique to the Illinois legislature that Obama employed by voting "present" at the request of legislators in competitive districts, as the first step toward ultimate passage of legislation.
In contrast, Obama has not voted "present" in the U.S. Senate.
In fact, during his time there, he has a better record of voting and attendance than McCain.
And while McCain was talking about "reform" of Wall Street in 2005, suggesting even more deregulation such as Phil "nation of whiner" Gramm's 1999 deregulation bill (referenced in Rachel Rott's excellent letter), Obama did more than just talk. Even as a freshman senator, he actually introduced legislation to re-regulate the financial markets. Of course the Republicans, including McCain, who were still in charge of committees, quickly quashed real change from Obama.
Read George Will's column in today's paper.
He joins the ranks of thoughtful, intelligent conservatives who, despite fundamental philosophical and policy differences with Obama, recognize him to be far more mature and emotionally stable than "Queen of Hearts" McCain.
Of course, we're talking about conservatism here.
George Will should have called it the "Queen of Heartless."

Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:15 AM:Don't ya just love them lib's?
I mean.. here we got Bill Parks giving us all the what's and therefore's about
Wasilla, Alaska. Making fun of the place some Americans choose to call home.
I also see he had the time to insult the fine people of Julian, Bonsall, Valley Center, Fallbrook, and Barstow. Refering to them as "transportation node"'s,.. I mean.. Come on Bill!

But I'm telling ya folks, they all feel like this. These Leftists & Liberals can not help themselves, it just oozes out of every pore of their body. This smug superiorist thinking.. It just comes out, they can't help, holding back all this pent up rage and anger cause no one will acknowledge their greatness. Cause... THEY truly believe, with every fiber of their being, THEY are THE smart one's, THEY are THE one's who's intelligence they think you need to run your life, THEY are THE one's who really do believe, deep, deep, way down inside, that your just a tree branch away from being a family stick.

And that's why they can't stand Sarah Palin, cause that's what she represents to them. Hicksville.

Along that same line, you got Barack NObama talking to all teh social elite in San Francisco about all the bitter clingers back in Pennsylvania.

Bucky wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:44 AM:Chuck Lowery is no conservative in any form. He is a radical left wing tax and spend liberal. If you want more wasted spending and higher taxes vote for Lowery. It's that simple.

To Mobile Home Parks wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:04 AM:Candidates may come into your parks. It's guaranteed free political speech and is supported by Court rulings. Rather than complain about this exercise of free speech, perhaps you'd learn something about local issues and become more well informed. Don't throw away candidates' materials. They come to your parks because they care.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:06 AM:Alf[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:38 AM: No. In fact, should not the good Capt, "go down with the ship?"

NO BOMB ACAN wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:07 AM:Ron at 7:19 a.m. refers to the Democratic nominee as "NObama."
Hmmm. I like the sound of that.
After McCain insensitively thinking that the deaths of thousands of brave American soldiers is something to joke about and singing, "Bomb bomb bobm, bomb bomb Iran," I think it would be refreshing to have "NO BOMB-a" in the White House.

OBSERVATION wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:20 AM:PALIN AT THE UN:
"Palin came to New York City as the United Nations convened its annual General Assembly so she could acquire foreign policy knowledge and connections - and the pictures of her with foreign leaders - that she needs as GOP presidential candidate John McCain's running mate."

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:21 AM:VOR[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:27 AM: Yeah. I can hardly wait to see the numbers after the first debate.

Ignatius wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:27 AM:Hey VOR, @7:27 re: the poll you inserted...How does the following NC Times AP story about 18% persuadable voters fit in. I guess it means that those listed figures are good for today but not necessarily for the future, like election day?

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/09/24/ap/headlines/d93d4o3o0.txt

Ms M wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:28 AM:Has anyone seen the report that Bush wanted to extend the withdrawal from Iraq because of the election? It seems that it is more important to loose more lives, spend billions of dollars to help McCain. Incredible!

JLA wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:29 AM:Lets see. Hurricane Gustav cancels first night of RNC heads for where else Lousiana. Hurricane Ike hits Texas (Bush Country). Our economy is in the toilet. What else do we need? A baseball bat to the head?

sdraoul wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:32 AM:To: Some friends and colleagues

From: Raoul Lowery Contreras

Harvard law cost $75,000 during the three years Obama was in Harvard Law. The Chicago Sun Times reports that Obama borrowed $42,753 in student loans during that time (1988-1991). Where did the $32,247 balance come from?

Obama’s tax returns from 2000-2007 do not show any interest paid on student loans nor does his first statement of economic interests in the U.S. Senate show any student loans outstanding.

In April Michelle Obama stated that Barack has just finished paying off his student loans.

Questions: Where did the $32,247 come from? If Michelle Obama is correct and only recently has Barack paid off his student loans, why weren’t they listed on his tax returns from 2000 to 2007? If Michelle Obama is correct, why didn’t Obama list any student loans on his Senate statement of economic interests? How much did Obama borrow to attend Columbia University and when did he pay off those loans?

Is a television interview conducted in March of this year with black former Borough President Percy Sutton in New York accurate?

In that interview he says a Muslim activist named Mansour asked him to help raise money for Obama to attend law school and asked Sutton for a letter of recommendation to Harvard?

Three D wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:33 AM:Marlowe commenting at 8:14 a.m. this morning in yesterday's comments section makes several inaccurate statements:
1. "God IS against abortion." There is no evidence that any god from any organized religion is against abortion. Although abortion was known and practiced in all ancient civiliation, there is no statement in the Torah, Old Testament, New Testament, Koran (Qur'an), or Hindu or Buddhist scriptures that opposes abortion, though some adherents of all these texts individually oppose abortion while others allow choice.

2. "Thou shalt not murder." Though Marlowe fails to cite it, this is from Exodus 20:13, in the Ten Commandments, and other places. What Marlowe fails to note is that the Ten Commandments is kind of like an index to the Law of Moses. Each of these commandments is defined subsequently in extensive detail, with extremely detailed promulgations of rules. Murder is defined as the wanton, intentional and malicious killing of another human person. The Bible does not define anywhere that a pre-born blastocyst, zygote, embryo or fetus is a human person, and there is much basis to say that they are not. The Bible does note that not all KILLING is the same as MURDER. It exempts killing in battle, lawful executions and self-defense, which presumably would include the right of a woman to defend what TFB so aptly calls, the most private part of a woman's body. There is no definition of abortion as being within the scope of the prohibition against murder. Marlowe just made that up.

3. "I knew you from when you were in your mother's womb." Again, Marlowe fails to cite the reference. It is Jeremiah 1:5. This scripture has traditionally been used by Protestants to show god's foreknowledge of long future events, and by Mormons to claim a pre-natal existence. Only recently have very desperate anti-choice extremists interpreted this in the context of abortion. Look at the wording of this scripture, "Before I formed you in the womb." I t is talking about before birth, before viability and, before being formed means before conception! Is that referring to sperms and eggs? It has no relevance to abortion whatsoever; but if it shows reverence to POTENTIAL life, it actually applies as much to sperms and eggs as to embryos, since it is before conception.
Even if this were a reference to embryonic life (it isn't), no one denies the existence of embryonic life with the potential to become a human being - and, once again, it would have been a perfect opportunity to condemn abortion, but they didn't! In context, Jeremiah writes in chapter one specifically about his own calling as a prophet - that it was known by god before he was born or even conceived. He was appointed, chosen, selected, ordained - whatever. He is talking about the fact that God knew of his calling long before he existed as a real or potential human. Prior to Roe v. Wade, most Bible scholars interpreted this as a reference to God's foreknowledge of the future, and not until recently did the scripture ever enter into the abortion debates. And this reference to God's foreknowledge of the future also suggest that He should have been able to foresee the modern controversy about abortion and, if he had any such intent, issue a clear and unambiguous prohibition but he didn't!
Blessings,
3D

Three D wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:37 AM:The comment at 8:15.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

Apollo wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:40 AM:Submitted at 9:30 a.m. and skipped; resubmitted 10:40 a.m.

Re: Monica Terrazas (letter) and Alf (2:53 a.m.)
Alf gets it absolutely right. There is nothing in "science" that specifies the parameters for the definition of marriage, a wholly human construct. Humans defined marriage, have been redefining it for centuries and will continue to do so.
Like so many anti-science conservatives, Monica just makes stuff up and calls it science.
Actual social and psychological sciences say the opposite, that there is no loss of parenting advantage when the parents are a loving, stable same-sex couple (whose relationship would be enhanced by the legitimacy of marriage).
And the biological sciences, as Alf noted, only address the biology of reproduction. Marriage does not require parenting (many couples have no children), and parenting does not require sexual reporduction (adoption; insemination).

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:46 AM:Well, "Focal Point" at 10:06AM,
that's the way it's supposed to be,
but
"Modren" thinking by many Republicans precludes such honor and commitment.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:59 AM:Well, "Three D" at 10:33AM,
your response puts my response to shame.
Excellent!
Huzzah!
Regards, Alf.

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:13 AM:“Affordable Housing” simply means that housing someone cannot afford will be paid for by someone other than the new owner.

Basically, “Affordable Housing” is the old “third party payer” scheme we see so often from politicians who take your money and gift it to someone else.

On the local level, politicians use extortion (“we will approve your subdivision only if you let 10% of the people who can’t qualify get a REALLY low, below market deal”) but at the national level the politicians can extort the banks that they control.

Its extortion, either way. It distorts the market, either way.

And when the high-risk Buyers eventually tank financially, it brings down the entire market.

So, who has been in Washington for all this time: McCain, Obama, Biden, Cox, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, etc.

And who hasn’t? Sarah Palin.

I feel much like Bill Buckley when he wrote, “I am obliged to confess I should sooner be governed by the first 2,000 names in the Boston directory than in a society governed by the two thousand faculty members of Harvard university.”

Asteroid to VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:28 AM:ECONOMY: Escondido faces another fiscal obstacle: fewer people
Community activists point to anti-immigration policies.
Have you read this NC Times article today. Your opinion? Is Bill Flores correct, is Escondido racist and bigoted?

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:31 AM:To Marlowe and Alf, youre both right on the money.

Even God designed the female body to abort pregnancies that were not healthy, so that birth cannot take place when the fetus is not in a perfect condition to survive and develop.

If God wanted every pregnancy to survive no matter what, why would he put this human body function inside a women? The body itself naturally aborts.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:35 AM:MCBUSH LIES AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

...On Sunday, in an interview with CNBC and The New York Times, Mr. McCain responded to a question about Mr. Davis's role in the advocacy group through 2005 by saying that his campaign manager "has had nothing to do with it since, and I'll be glad to have his record examined by anybody who wants to look at it."

The real TRUTH:

One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the credit crisis paid $15,000 a month to a firm owned by Senator John McCain's campaign manager from the end of 2005 through last month.
Confirmed today through Freddie Mac today by both the WSJ and Newsweek.

Cannot trust this man on little things we cannot trust him on anything.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:38 AM:Roid I don't follow the politics of every community, especially those I don't live in.
Thus I am uninformed on whats happening and cannot comment.

God doesnt want us trashing the environment wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:41 AM:I agree there. What I believe the Bible meant by dominion is that people come first, not bugs or wildlife. We must not waste or destroy for sport, but we must not elevate bugs and wildlife above people.

Abortion is wrong wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:45 AM:Proof is shown in the vile and hate liberals spew when someone tries to save the life of an unborn human.

Alf Alf Alf To Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:45 AM:Gotta Wonder
[-] wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:00 PM: See the anti Alf is back with his sand box routine. Just gotta laugh at you. You sound ever sooooooooooo jealous. Just like a little baby.


This is my first chance to get back with you Gotta Wonder, I have a rather busy life. But I Gotta wonder myself Gotta Wonder, Are you telling me that I am the (only) one who really, actually, physically gets ill with Alfs doctrine for humanity? And No, don't bother asking, I don't have the time to define the Alf doctrine for you, but I don't need to, it's all there every day in his own words for all to see. If you can't see it, Congratulations, you have already become, "One with the Alf". Sorry, Sand box humor, Can't help myself. Well Gotta Wonder, Maybe we'll write again, Ya Gotta Wonder? Gotta get going, that's how life is for me right now.

Isonomy wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:54 AM:Ron
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:15 AM:
"But I'm telling ya folks, they [liberals] all feel like this."
Goodness, you know all liberals? That's quite an accomplishment, considering there are millions of them. I'm also amazed by your ability to read their minds, as you seem to be able to authoritatively state what they think. The truth is, neither liberals or conservatives only think a certain way, and neither side is immoral, mean, or bad. We just disagree on certain issues, heck that's why I thought people didn't like Palin, because of her stance on policies. Sure there are people out there who are stinkers, but can we please recognize that there is no use in generalizations?

To Nick wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:02 PM:If you truly believe everything that you have been posting, this government takeover must really be freaking you out. This is exactly how the NWO will finish us all off.

PS I would be interested to know what Dr. Paul is saying about how to solve this problem.

Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:02 PM:Hey.. eh.. "Pluto" @8:00 AM...
I got a question maybe you could help me with?

Which came first?

The buying of securitized mortages by Fannie Mae? Under the direction of Franklin Delano Raines?

Or the repeal of Glass-Steagall?

Hmmmmmmmmm?

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:06 PM:Award winner Reardon's resourceful reasoning is that we should trust someone who hasn't been in Washington before.

First of all, we don't elect Presidents hoping they'll die in office so the Vice President becomes President.

His reasoning goes like this. If youre not happy with your company, to make it more successful, you get your neighbor, the guy sucking down beers while he mows the lawn to be boss and then everything is right with the world.

Of course they won't know a thing about office politics and anyone that doesn't believe in this persons religious beliefs or argues with members of their family will be fired.

Then theres the matter of knowing how to negotiate with suppliers so you dont get ripped off and the customers, you cant lock yourself up in your office and say no phone calls.

Sound familiar? Sarah someone come to mind?

What award did they give you Reardon?

Pledge wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:11 PM:Can someone tell me where I can find a photo of Barack Obama holding his hand over his heart while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance?

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:23 PM:McCain runs from the debate he will lose. Lets put off the debate to focus on one thing. With 41 days left McCain wants to cancel the debate until after a recovery plan for Wall Street has been signed off.

What!!! This coming from the Concressman that has missed more votes on every other important issue while campaigning? More votes then even the ill Senator Kennedy? Obama has been there to vote on key issues but not McBush.

He can't prepare for the debate and watch the happenings in Washington at the same time?? Is Wall Street more important then votes on spending, health care, care for military families, military spending?

Or is McBush too old to keep up? Is he too old to do two things at once and do them well? What happens when he has to watch many things happening all at once like being President?

McBush is in hiding and he fears being exposed as the weak leader he is at a time when we need to know more.

He knows everytime he has opened his mouth lately it has killed him in the polls. He is a true loser. Grumpy Grandpa McBush.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:28 PM:By the way....when is our Republican candidate Grumpy Grandpa McBush going to release his medical records?? Four bouts of cancer, wearing thin and grumpy on the campaign trail. Not remembering what he said the day before, let alone today? Palin as his VP. I'd be thinking oh my God.....WHY HASN'T HE RELEASED HIS MEDICAL RECORDS?

Ms M wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:41 PM:Pledge
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:11 PM:...try Snopes...better than a photo two videos in living color.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:51 PM:What has changed since the weekend concering the financial crisis???

The only thing that's changed in the last 48 hours is the public polling. And George Will pulling his support for McBush.

Obama 52%
McCain 43%

At 830am this morning, doing something Presidential and bi-partisan Obama called McBush and asked if he would like to issue a JOINT statement concerning the crisis.

6 hours later McBush agreed to a Joint STATEMENT and also asked to suspend his campaign.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:06 PM:FLASH NEWS!

John McCain just announced he is backing out of the Friday evening debate in Oxford, Mississippi. This looks bad for McBush. Did he get cold feet? Does he fear being made a fool of by Senator Obama, who has a much better grasp of finance and economics?

Obama has tentatively said he is still in favor of debate and free speech on this bailout. 1:00PM

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:12 PM:To NICK:

Dr. Paul spoke this morning at the House hearings with Bernanke and Paulson. He was in his usual savant form. He is way ahead of Bernanke, Paulson and the Congress.

What what I find even more interesting is what Dr. Paul write five years ago. All his forecasts have come to pass in the last two weeks. Too bad Dr. Paul does not have a political party to support him. He and his wisdom make him persona non grata with the Republican crooks.

Global wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:14 PM:Warming is a FARCE!

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:18 PM:To: Pledge

I found two photos within one minutes of Senator Obama holding his hand over his heart while he stood straight and reverently saying the Pledge of Allegiance. (12:11 PM)

Obviously "Pledge" is computer illiterate.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:24 PM:To Monica Terrazas

I agree wholeheartedly with your letter. "Marriage between a man and a woman? Definitely yes."

Personally, I see nothing wrong with a man marrying a woman. I make no moral judgment on this practice. Marriage is a personal decision.

G One Thousand wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:32 PM:VOR
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:23 PM:"McCain runs from the debate..."

Well VOR, You are so "Old school" and out of date it's not funny, McCain still wants the debate, and it is still on, Try an stay current, and clear of clouds.

Ms M wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:36 PM:More on McCain wanting to suspend his campaign"

Why does John McCain suddenly want to suspend his presidential campaign and postpone Friday's debate? His campaign surrogates are saying it's a typical "maverick" move, that McCain is simply "putting country first." Let's look at the evidence:

1) As Ben Smith notes, McCain's move "is a mark, most of all, that he doesn't like the way this campaign is going. ... The only thing that's changed in the last 48 hours is the public polling."

2) The idea of uniting the campaigns to find a bipartisan solution to the Wall Street crisis wasn't even McCain's idea.....

3) John McCain has skipped more votes during this session than any member of the Senate except for Tim Johnson, who had major brain surgery. All of a sudden, McCain demands that the presidential race shut down so he can return to Washington?

4) A reminder: President Bush was able to debate John Kerry while he was president. For all of his sudden urgency, McCain acknowledged just yesterday that he had not even read the administration's three-page bailout proposal.

5) It's not clear at all that having McCain and Obama back in DC will actually help. "What does seem apparent, though, is that putting the two candidates in the negotiating room is far more likely to distract--and derail--negotiations than having them out on the hustings," Jonathan Cohn writes at the New Republic.

It's impossible to know why McCain chose this course, but it sure seems like more of a political stunt than a maverick moment.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:37 PM:SOLON
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:18 PM: SOLON, That speech you wrote for your Iranian bud almost put me to sleep.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:38 PM:Pledge[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:11 PM:
Sure can. You can have as much fun as I did by Googling it. Image finder can help you as well. Also, check under Fact Checker for the truth about this subject.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:43 PM:Dr. Ron Paul six years ago . .

... said the following about GSE's (the Govt. Sponosored Entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:

<"However, despite the long-term damage to the economy inflicted by the government’s interference in the housing market, the government’s policies of diverting capital to other uses creates a short-term boom in housing. Like all artificially-created bubbles, the boom in housing prices cannot last forever. When housing prices fall, homeowners will experience difficulty as their equity is wiped out. Furthermore, the holders of the mortgage debt will also have a loss. These losses will be greater than they would have otherwise been had government policy not actively encouraged over-investment in housing.

Perhaps the Federal Reserve can stave off the day of reckoning by purchasing GSE debt and pumping liquidity into the housing market, but this cannot hold off the inevitable drop in the housing market forever. In fact, postponing the necessary but painful market corrections will only deepen the inevitable fall. The more people invested in the market, the greater the effects across the economy when the bubble bursts.

No less an authority than Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has expressed concern that government subsidies provided to the GSEs make investors underestimate the risk of investing in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to act to remove taxpayer support from the housing GSEs before the bubble bursts and taxpayers are once again forced to bail out investors misled by foolish government interference in the market. I therefore hope my colleagues will stand up for American taxpayers and investors by cosponsoring the Free Housing Market Enhancement Act."
END OF QUOTE.

Ron Paul is too smart for his own good. A man too far ahead of his time can never become a leader because he is regarded as a KOOK.

TFB wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:44 PM:The blog from "Abortion is wrong" at 11:45 a.m. is puzzling.
I'm wondering if you could be so gracious as to cite an example of any instance in which liberals "spewed hate" toward any woman choosing carry her pregnancy to term and not to have an abortion.
On the contrary, it is liberals who have supported prenatal services, children's medical health insurance, education, and all manner of family services that have been consistently opposed by hateful, anti-family conservatives.

Three D wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:50 PM:Alf makes the comment at 10:59 a.m. that mine at 10:33 a.m. puts his "to shame."
Not at all, Alf.
We were making entirely different points.
As I saw it, yours was about the scientific and pragmatic realities and you made your point concisely and effectively, as usual.
My point was about the inconsistencies of the original comment that are incongruent with the stated religious source text the writer claimed to base it on, when no such basis actually exists.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:57 PM:Breaking news !

McCain is headed to Washington, saying he thinks the Friday presidential debate should be canceled.

Sen. Obama is speaking at this moment, saying he believes the debate is more important than ever because the American people need to know where the leadership is and what the positions are of the candidates. Obama also stated that he is in full contact with Washington leadership and promised to make himself available at any time that would be helpful, but he does not want to fly back to Washington just to inject politics in the delicate negotiations over the Wall St. crisis.

Stop the world I want to get off wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:07 PM:Just saw that McCain wants to postpone the debate because of the economic crisis. Why?? If he wants to be the leader of the United States, he should come out, campaign, face his challenger and explain how he would handle the economy. I think he's ducking for cover.

Roid to VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:07 PM:Thank you, good answer, not the one I expected. I thought you were chris's clone. I guess even I can be fooled once in awhile.

McCOWARD wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:09 PM:After weeks of chiding Obama for not accepting his rather juvenile suggestion of weekly joint town hall meetings, it turns out that, in his old age, the once-heroic maverick has run out of the guts he was known for in younger days.
Now, he is not only avoiding news conferences himself and protecting his poor, helpless little timid VP nominee from actual hard-hitting questions, but he is running scared from a face-to-face encounter in which the two nominees would ask each other direct questions.
McCoward has run out of guts.
He is terrified of having to face Obama on either foreign or economic policy, where the tragic catastrophes he helped create, will be subjected to serious scrutiny and hard-hitting questions.
What a sad end to such a pathetic little man.

He Said wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:15 PM:Our friend VOR needs to change his moniker to Supreme Being. It appears He knows everything about everything: economics, political strategies, the gestation process, mathematics, office politics, running a business, religion, etc. All of this expertise in so many subjects could not possibly have been accumulated during a mere mortal lifespan. Let us pray fervently to Him for continued guidance and revelation of His wisdom. In the name of VOR, Amen.

G One Thousand wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:19 PM:Well VOR, looks like you are right about the debates, and I was wrong as of 2:00pm, I am not toooo proud to admit whan I am wrong, Probably because it is not an everyday event, LOL. We'll see what happens by Friday?

VOR 1 And G One Thousand 0
for now.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:25 PM:Old man on a wire ...

...McCain is walking a tight wire. He announced he is suspending his campaign until the Wall Street crisis is settled. I guess he is going to retire, because this crisis is not going to be settled in McCain's lifetime.

McCain is facing withering fire from his own party, opposed to the Wall St. bailout. McCain suspects a bailout is critical, but just can't bring himself in alignment with Bush and his Wall St. cronies. He's in a tough spot.

Ms M wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:29 PM:Obama's response to McCain wanting to suspend/postpone the campaign:

Barack Obama rejected the proposal -- put forward by John McCain today -- that the two presidential candidates leave the campaign trail, delay Friday's debate, and return to Washington to work on a bailout package for the economy,

"Presidents are going to have to deal with more than one thing at a time," he said, "it is not necessary for us to think we can do only one thing and suspend everything else."

Expressing concern about infusing "Capitol Hill with presidential politics," Obama said it was his desire to see the debate go forward.

"With respect to the debates it is my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in roughly 40 days will be responsible for this mess," he said. "I think it is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once. I don't see why we can't be constructive in helping with this problem."

Oh my - isn't Barry presedential!!!

Aaron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:37 PM:So what is John McCain? He wants to suspend his campaign, and cancel the presidential debate on Friday? Is this too much for him?

McCain has not held a press conference in 39 days. And yesterday during Palin's silly little get together to Hamid Karzai, the press was allowed no access to Palin. This is not a Straight Talk Express. This is a Mid-night Secret Express.

John McCain has skipped more votes during this session than any member of the Senate except for Tim Johnson, who had major brain surgery. He has cast only one single vote in five months, since April 9. All of a sudden, McCain is demanding that the presidential race shut down so he can return to Washington?

Looks to me like McCain is not up to the rigors of the office.

Hey Bucky wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:39 PM:Guess you don't know the facts about Lowery. He is very fiscally conservative. That's what allows him to sucessfuly operate a business in town for 20 years and to own multiple properties here. Get real. The old tax/spend liberal mantra really doesn't work anymore coming from you right wingers.

She Said wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:40 PM:Generally the candidate that is behind wants the debate. The front runner has nothing to gain with a debate. Does McBush really think he's ahead?

Chris to Abortion is wrong wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:41 PM:I wonder how many babies were aborted when we masecreded their mothers in Iraq and Afganistan? I guess you anti-abortion people don't care about that.

Realist wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:54 PM:I do believe the abortion debate has been beaten to death on this blog. Everyone's got their own opinion and I doubt anyone's mind will change.
-Realist

sdraoul wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:54 PM:VOR is wrong again. Barack Obama has not released his health and medical records, period (maybe a handful of pages, maybe).

Mcain, on the other hand has released several thousand pages of medical records -- several thousand pages, children.

VOR is laughable.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:56 PM:He Said: So sorry. sdraoul already has that job.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:58 PM:Its VOTE OUT REPUBLCIANS (VOR) "he said", thanks for the compliment.

I think after all the disasters from greed, failure and corruption on the part of Republicans all conservatives will leave their ideology for the basics of change what is happening today.

12 straight years of a Republican Congress- 18 months of a one vote advantage Democratic Congress and 7-1/2 years of a Republican President, even McBush is running on change.

Change from Conservatism. Its put us in the condition we are in today.

Here comes the steamroller RON!

sdraoul wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:02 PM:AP: McCain appears cancer-free, healthy
71-year-old three-time cancer survivor in good shape, records indicate
The Associated Press
updated 1:22 p.m. PT, Fri., May. 23, 2008
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. - Three-time melanoma survivor John McCain appears cancer-free, has a strong heart and is in otherwise general good health, according to eight years of medical records reviewed by The Associated Press.

The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting remains at risk for developing new skin cancers, and gets a thorough check by a Mayo Clinic dermatologist every few months.

"I do not see any worrisome lesions," Dr. Suzanne Connolly concluded after McCain's most recent exam, on May 12.

The details of McCain's health are contained in 1,173 pages of medical documents spanning 2000 to 2008 that his campaign made available to the AP to make the case that he's healthy enough to serve as president, as well as to counter the notion that he's too old.

Alice wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:03 PM:Hey, McCain should send Sarah Stalin to stand in for him at the debates. After all she is ready and does not blink when asked. This would give us the chance to see how ready she really is.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:04 PM:Only a VERY dangerously sick man has several thousands of pages of medical records!!! Im laughing my head off.

Thats my point! McBush is dangerous!

4 bouts of cancer and now Palin is his VP??

Oh My Gosh! WMD's were a safer prospect then Palin being the new President.

Just look at the plumbing wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:06 PM:Man and woman were created to meet in the middle (so to speak). Can't say that for man and man or woman and woman, no matter how hard you spin it. The problem is that mother nature didn't take evil/abnormality into account when calculating how and when these gifts were to be used. Thusly, we have a culture that no longer recognizes it's own shortcomings in dealing with the shortfalls of the union between two (or more) people. So instead of attempting to remedy the underlying problem, we simply deem all actions appropriate and choose to try to eradicate the implications of such symptoms.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:07 PM:to G One Thousand, these are all just opinions, hopefully in the end we arent graded on our opinion, just the truth of what we believe. Im glad you stand up when wrong.

Too HOT wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:08 PM:Is he really "suspending" his campaign or "quitting" because the kitchen got to hot?

Concerned wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:13 PM:CRISIS: "McCain is politicizing one of the most serious financial crisis this country has faced in years. Is this truly the man we would want representing our country? The man who has backed these criminals (CEOs) for years by giving them tax breaks, incentives, and deregulation. People OPEN your eyes!"
Is Palin going with him to hold his hand?

Jefferson wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:14 PM:Oh, the War Hero and the Maverick ... running from a fight? Coward. It's fine for him when he is making up lies and manipulating and spinning ... but when it comes time to face the music, he tries to high-tail it back to Washington and hide ... a place he has hidden for the last 26 years, doing nothing but blowing smoke and making deals with lobbyists.

to Chris to Abortion is wrong wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:17 PM:What is it with some of you people and this "I know you are, but what am I?" mentality?

"I wonder how many babies were aborted when we masecreded their mothers in Iraq and Afganistan? I guess you anti-abortion people don't care about that."

While I would love to hear you try to explain the logic in the above comments, I already know you can't. At least pay attention to underlined misspellings next time before posting that nonsense.

Mark wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:18 PM:f this were really a bipartisan attempt by McCain rather than a stunt, he would have he and Obama postpone the debate together. Instead he pulled a dirty trick. Do we really want another president like that. No wonder he graduated in the bottom 5% of his class at the Naval Academy.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:22 PM:Alf Alf Alf To Gotta Wonder No Man/ you are one of the proud and the brave to castigate Alf just based upon your personal jealously. Enjoy your sand box.
All you do is whine. You take time to write your latest blog but you do not have time to address Alf or the subject matter correctly. All you do is whaaaaaaa! I know that the play ground can be busy. So, take care. Play nice.

sdraoul wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:34 PM:AP: McCain appears cancer-free, healthy
71-year-old three-time cancer survivor in good shape, records indicate
The Associated Press
updated 1:22 p.m. PT, Fri., May. 23, 2008
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. - Three-time melanoma survivor John McCain appears cancer-free, has a strong heart and is in otherwise general good health, according to eight years of medical records reviewed by The Associated Press.

The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting remains at risk for developing new skin cancers, and gets a thorough check by a Mayo Clinic dermatologist every few months.

"I do not see any worrisome lesions," Dr. Suzanne Connolly concluded after McCain's most recent exam, on May 12.

The details of McCain's health are contained in 1,173 pages of medical documents spanning 2000 to 2008 that his campaign made available to the AP to make the case that he's healthy enough to serve as president, as well as to counter the notion that he's too old. The Arizona senator will turn 72 in August and would be the oldest elected first-term president.

Bill Too wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:43 PM:(Not to be confused with Bill One – or just plain “Bill”)

I sometimes wonder when I log on to this blog whether I have inadvertently logged on to Faith & Values blog.

Let me state up front that I have been a student of History and Comparative Religions for over 60 years. I even had acquired a Doctorate of Divinity (Christian) at one time. I no longer consider myself a Christian and haven’t for over 50 years.

Some writers continually argue that Christianity is the preponderant religious belief in the United States. It is not and was not! It is and was merely the controlling one. There is a small but vocal segment of the “Christian” population that wants to make the rules for everyone in the USA – including other “Christians.”

The "Handbook of Denominations in the United States (11th edition)" published by Abbingdon Press (A Christian organization) clearly shows by means of the numbers - (sometimes vastly inflated GUESSES) supplied by the various Denominations themselves - that the total of ALL denominations which claim to be Christians - including Catholics, Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others which some claim are not "Christians" at all - amount to just over half of the 2000 census figures.

The largest single group are the Catholics (combined Roman and Orthodox Catholics) with 23.86%. All of the 260 or so Protestant sects and sub-sects combined (INCLUDING those many Protestants do not consider to be Christians) amount to only 30.40%. The non-Christian population includes almost as many as the entire Protestant total (about 30%) who can be considered Pagans by dictionary definition (Someone who does not adhere to Christianity, Judaism, or Islam). Christians cannot agree on anything - including what constitutes being a Christian.

These figures themselves are suspect – am I still listed on the rolls of the various Christian Denominations that I was once listed with while I was young? Do they take the names off the rolls when someone leaves the church for another denomination? I could be counted at least a half dozen times in those numbers – even though I haven’t considered myself a Christian for over 50 years.

Quotes from history are constantly made to justify that our Nation's founders were "Christians." It has been proven many times that many of our “Founding Fathers” were Deists – roughly equivalent to modern Unitarians. How can they possibly interpret "The God of Nature" or "Nature's God" as stated in the preamble to the Declaration of independence to mean "Christ”?

At the time of the Country's colonization the vast majority of the population had no say in any matter of Government. All Government officials in the colonies were REQUIRED to be male, land owning members of the founding Church of that colony. No one else had any say in anything. Most colonies (9 out of the 13 colonies) had their own Religious belief, excluding all others. They inflicted penalties ranging from fines to floggings to banishment to DEATH on anyone in their colony who did not adhere to THEIR interpretation of Religious belief. That is why the very first amendment to the Constitution was about making it illegal for the Government to establish any particular Religion as the official one.

Christianity was never the majority Religion, just the controlling one. Many people even today make the appearance of conformity for the sake of their own safety or livelihood. Divorces are still being granted and child custody is still being determined in some States on the basis of ancient superstition about what constitutes a “real” or “approved” Religion. There was a time when the Church controlled the lives (and deaths) of most of the Western world. It was called the Dark Ages. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed because they did not adhere to what the ruling church decreed – and this was in their own countries – not just in “Holy” wars. This is “Christian” love?

I appears that one of the problems that we have is that a small minority of “Christians” believe that we are in “the end times” – that the Rapture is coming. Why are they so greedy? – They won’t be able to take it with them.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:46 PM:Chris, come on now. Conservatives dont care about "Muslim" children. They are just the price of doing business. You know, they only care about American abortions.

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:50 PM:Bill Parks, while not a proponet for Wasilla, Alaska or Sarah Palin I find your letter completely disengenious. Following your logic one must be a Mayor/Governor of a large city/state or have served at the national pig trough for years to qualify for a national election.

I would personally prefer regular everyday Americans from all walks of life/races/jobs to decide what is best for us as a nation as opposed to the mainstream press and candidates (and yes that includes Barack and excludes John and Joe).

I would love for a national candidate to come from Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos etc. Wanna know why? Because these folks are closer to the real deal. Got it?

I will personally pay for a one way ticket for you to stump Wasilla and the state of Alaska explaining why these citizens are not competent enough to decide what is best for me and you right here in Escondido, California. Are you up to the task?

To all the MCainiacs wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:51 PM:It appears your candidate is a little ofwad of Barak Obama. Interesting that he wants to postpone the Presidential debate his excuse is he wants to concentrate on the economic crisis. Hummm I wonder did he just realize we are in an economic crisis? If by some freakish chance he is elected we can only expect more of this as he is the Siamese twin of Bush. We should demand that the debate go on as planned!!! Mclaim is just showing his true colors, yellow is one of them.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:55 PM:Alice[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:03 PM:
You are absolutly right. She would have to stand in for McCain for President. Come on Sarah.Come on and meet Barak.

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:55 PM:Go Bill Hasty, come all of you Ron Paul fans speak out. Thank you Bill.

sdraoul wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:56 PM:Bill Clinton never released his medical records, neither has Barack Obama. I wonder why.

VOR claimed McCain never has released his medial records but I proved he did. VOR is wrong again.

Why won't Obama release his medical records?

In his books he tells us he was heavily into cocaine. Is that the reason he won't release his medical records?

Adopted Son wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:58 PM:Just look at the plumbing[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:06 PM: Plumbing is not a requiste for marriage at all. I know handicapped people who can never copulate with each other. But, they love each other and married. The couple in question will celebrate 50 years of marriage. I, their, adopted son, congratulate them.

Amazing wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:59 PM:People on both sides of the fence in here put those exercise "spinning" classes to shame with how quickly and effeciently you "spin" whatever the media is shoveling into your minds through their reports to fit your agenda's.

Even more amazing is that both sides can conveniently spin the same article to which ever side they want to sit on.

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:04 PM:Black armbands for DD Wiz, Harry Reid and Greenergy today.

The 26 year-old offshore "Drilling Ban" will be automatically canceled, because Congress cannot muster the votes for its extension.

A victory for sanity.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:05 PM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:56 PM:
Why would he? Looks healthy to me. Is there something sinister about not releasing your medical records. Don't think so. But, you know what. Let's amend the Constitution to read that in order to qualify to run for President and Vice President, you have to take an induction physical?

Scripture wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:08 PM:Great job Three D, even Satan could qoute scripture and twist it to meet his evil needs.

And VOR@1131, so are you saying we (as a human race) are smarter or better than God to determine when a fetus should be aborted?

Of course, I expect the usual crowd to come back with, there is no God. I disagree with you, but then again, by most peoples standards on here, I apparently must be un-educated because I don't believe as they do.

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:08 PM:Look out @ Ann Nunes the lefties will try to rip you to shreds. Stick to your beliefs, no one person is right or wrong.

Peace one day for the left and the right and RON PAUL for President or his reasonable facsimile.

Aren't we all tired of the national bozo's telling us how to castigate our neighbor? My way or the highway? Check out this site for one day. The very people that should be uniting are dividing. Sad indeed, the motor mouth lemmings are running the asylum.

Maybe... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:15 PM:based on the thoughts that two people should be able to marry, no matter what their gender may be, just maybe, I will be able to get the law changed so that I could marry my gun.

I mean, I realize it is not a living breathing human being, but I have carried it for so many years. It has been extremely faithful to me. It has even saved my life a few times in the war zone. Shoot, maybe at some point in time, everyone will recognize that my love for my gun doesn't hurt anybody else and will even give me some tax credits for loving my gun.

But hey, if that scenario don't work for you, then why not my dog. It is a living thing. It clearly has compassion and feelings (and if you don't agree with that, try arguing with PETA). I love it and it loves me. Now don't fret, I am not going to try and have sexual relations with my dog, nor by what is being expressed here, should that even matter. So long as there is a love towards one another. And my dog's love can be registered. It is apparent in how it greets me at the door everytime I come home, tail wagging, hopping around at my feet until I stop to pet it. And then it will get up on 2 legs and give me a hug. Only time will tell...

By your arguments, it could happen. Only got to start a new organization and start pushing my way of thinking on other people.

Oh yeah... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:16 PM:And when I can marry my dog, I want the same tax benefits as two humans who get married. I mean, shoot we have been living together for several years now, it is only fair. Equal protection under the law right?

Richard wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:28 PM:What should be pointed out is that it doesn't matter whether Obama were smart or dumb. If smart, then he will be labeled 'too smart', so smart that he can cause the price of gas to go up [indeed GOP hacks have made such a claim]. But if dumb, then he is 'too dumb' and he passed Harvard Law from preferential treatment because of skin color and therefore cheated to get to his present position. It matters little what Obama has done or has not done. He will never have done enough to qualify for the White House and whatever he hasn't done is blown up to be the all important requirement for the GOP hacks, until that is indeed done (i.e. his visit to Iraq) and then it still isn't enough. Hacks do their hacking simply for hacking's sake. Truth doesn't ever actually matter. It's 'hate the opposite party candidate first' and country second.

oh yeah has a point wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:30 PM:As a dog lover, I would never get over it if any of my mutts came home wearing an engagement ring from Oh yeah...

to Oh yeah wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:30 PM:So what you're saying is that a homosexual has as much right to marry as a dog?

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:33 PM:Amazing @ 3:59 PM

Amazing indeed. I'd like to see a two or three day shutdown of this site just to laugh at the panic afterwards. Ha, Ha.

Marlowe wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:33 PM:I just learned about McCain wanting to postpone the debate. Astounding! Palin's handlers allow her picture to be taken but no questions. Now McCain steps up to new heights his efforts to dodge the real work of winning the vote directly, by talking to the people. The idea that the GOP wants only to run Not-Obama against Obama and leave McCain and Palin out of sight gains more plausibility. Please, Republicans, it is getting clearer to you and you know it. Help Obama win this one, and spend the next 4 years bashing him and finding a worthy opponent for 2012. That would be more in the interests of BOTH your party AND your nation than voting for McCain. Please.

Marlowe to Three D wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:47 PM:The post you refer to and correct is NOT from me, but from someone who is, I suppose, replying to a post of mine. I am a big fan of 3D's knowledge of things Biblical. He is one of only a few here who reliably give us straight information, even within the areas that he obviously has intense feelings about.

Down Boy wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:49 PM:Dogs don't have constitutional rights.

Three D wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:50 PM:Scripture at 4:08 p.m. basically calls me Satan and accuses me of quoting scripture and twisting it to me my "evil needs."
I guess this means he/she is not going to address the sincere points I cited regarding the scriptures he/she claims to believe in.
Funny thing, but if someone were to cite very specific scriptural verses and I had some question about their validity, or that they had been twisted, my goodness, by Satan himself, I would at least cite the specific error that caused me to suspect the demonic perversion.
But that's just me.

As to the assumption of those claiming there is no god, this is just another instance of jumping to conclusions and guessing wrong, something so common to conservatism.
That certainly does not represent my viewpoint.
Blessings,
3D

Another Uneducated One wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:55 PM:Scripture
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:08 PM: I'm with you 100%. It's sad, but that's the way it works here in the NCT bloggo hood, If you are not one of the gang, they will gather together and gun you down, or chase you out. There is no exchange of ideas here, It's all there way or no way for the daily bloggo bangers.

Chuck wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:56 PM:The news is reporting that Chinese astronauts brace for historic space walk mission. How much do want to bet that the screw drivers, wrenches and leaf blowers they use up there don't say "Made in China"

Chuck wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:58 PM:>>Science says nothing about the gender makeup of a marriage>>> Alf, science doesnt need to anymore. SB777 is all that matters now

DD Wiz wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:59 PM:The post from "Reardon" (4:04pm) notes that it would be appropriate to wear black arm bands (to represent black oil bandits) on the day when the ban on offshore drilling expires. Of course I agree.
But "Reardon" calls this "A victory for sanity." Usually, people do not propose black armbands for victories for sanity, but then "Reardon" has so little connection to sanity when it comes to issues of environment and energy that this bland statement as divorced from any substantive discussion of the issue as McCain's cowardly evasion of debate issues, is simply in character. Sad.
A real victory for sanity would be to apply the resources that could have gone into developing new drilling towards the kind of clean, renewable, alternative energy souces that we will need for the long term.
Yes, "Reardon," black arm bands are definitely called for.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

chuck wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:01 PM:>>>It's beginning to look alot like Christmas, everywhere you look!!!>>> and thats all Nobama is to you Husseiniacs-- all the free stuf that Santa brings.

snerd wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:01 PM:to raoul: McCain did not release his medical records. In fact he held on to them as closely as he could. He allowed several reporters three hours to review over 1100 pages with no photocopying allowed. Isn't it logical to assume that anyone with over 1100 pages of medical records is probably not in the best of health? Isn't it logical to assume that anyone who so ardently discourages reporters from reviewing his medical records probably has something he doesn't want the public to know? Now, if he had chosen anyone of several women Republicans who could've made a competent VP instead of a cosmetic model who believes the earth is 6000 years old, this wouldn't be such an issue. But he didn't. He went for what he thought was political expediency instead of competence, leaving us all to wonder what was in his medical records that might preclude him from serving out a full term and being replaced by a vacuous Jesus freak.

Chuck wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:06 PM:>>>To: Pledge: I found two photos within one minutes of Senator Obama holding his hand over his heart while he stood straight and reverently saying the Pledge of Allegiance>>>

Good for you, but character is defined by what you do when no one is looking (or the cameras are not on), and when no one is looking his hand is not on his heart, its picking his nose

GAY MAN wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:11 PM:I looked at his plumbing. [3:06pm]

I also looked at his character, his education, his sense of humor and his beautiful, loving spirit. That is why I married him. We are happy together. We support and love each oher.

Get over it. People should be able to marry the person they love.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:14 PM:Oh yea.... uses the same incredibly stupid logic they used back in 1970 concerning interracially marriage. We have the same prejudice irresponsible people talking. Mom and Dad raised then to be a fool and taught them to hate others.

VOR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:18 PM:To Scripture. God gave women a body and put certain mechanics in place. He gave her a head and a heart also to judge whats best for herself. Its called the right to choose or not to choose. So he gave her both options. I guess you want one of those options removed from her. We live in America. If you don't want an abortion....youre free not to get one. Don't force others to make youre same conclusion.

McCains health ... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:20 PM:It's not McCain's body. It's his brain.

Gotta Wonder Where Your Head Was wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:22 PM:Gotta Wonder
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:05 PM: So you are in favor of discrimination? You don't think someone in a wheelchair who could not pass your induction physical, can not be a good President or Vice President? Tell us that's what you are saying, but look out because the ACLU will be all over that before you have time to WONDER what happened. Anyway, my money is on "Old Mc" over you in a bar brawl any day.

GAY MAN wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:28 PM:Marry your dog?

Oh yeah… is a little perverse in his thinking, and really abnormal in his nature. (4:16pm)

A man can love his dog, of course, but marry one’s dog???? A bit bizarre. Then there is the matter of the law. It is legal for me to marry another human being, but not my dog. You are NUTS!

Doggie Treats wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:29 PM:Oh yeah at 4:16 p.m. makes the really juvenile attempt to equate dogs with people. "When dogs can marry then gays..." blah, blah, blah.
As Down Boy says at 4:49 p.m., gender is in the Constitution. Number, species, siblings, etc. are not.
Obviously, this is your admission that you can't talk about the issue of gay rights, you don't have a leg to stand on, so you're going to argue everything else.
Tell ya what, when dogs can sign contracts, buy a beer or all other forms of valid consent, then we talk about marrying fido.
In the meantime, you have effectively conceded the whole issue, so thank you for that.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:37 PM:McCain is suspended...

John McCain canceled a scheduled appearance on CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" mere hours before he was slated to tape tonight’s show (Wednesday) as part of the suspension of his campaign, MSNBC reported on air Wednesday afternoon.

Keith Olbermann will appear on Wednesday's "Late Show" in McCain's place.

When you run away, your opponent eats your lunch.

Alice wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:41 PM:McCain can't run the campaign because the economy is cratering? Fine, put in your second string quarterback, Sarah Palin. Where is she?"

"What are you going to do if you're elected and things get tough? Suspend being president? We've got a guy like that now!"

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:43 PM:Gosh, I don't know Scripture.

But I sure am glad I have Doctors around to help me when I am sick. I have had several friends who have been "called to God" but resuscitated.

I sure hope the Paramedics or Doctors don't look at you and say, "Who are we to determine -- it looks like God is taking him."

Perhaps you will get lucky and get a Doctor who is less devout.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:52 PM:Fascist protection act

The Paulson Bailout Act is only 3 pages long, making it extremely suspect. The Medicare Prescription Drug act pushed by Duke Cunningham had over 1,400 pages, and contained every possible minute situation. It was written by the pharmaceutical lobby to protect the pharmaceutical corporations.

But the Fascist protection act is only three (3), and contains NO -- absolutely NO protections for the taxpayers and savers.

But it does contain these 32 words to protect the Fascists:

"Decisions by the Secretary 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."

Scripture wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:52 PM:Scripture[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:08 PM: God can stop an abortion at will. Why doesn't He?

Focal Point wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:55 PM:Maybe...[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:15 PM: Hey, I am all for you marrying your dog. But I hear canines are pretty darn particular. You better ask him first. Bu the way, can pooch pass the blood test and fill our the marriage license. Better yet, can you fill it out and pass the blood test?

Oh Chuck wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:59 PM:You never fail to amuse. If you want to see who it is that opposes science and the teaching of science at every turn, go to your local fundamentalist church or read the words of either Sarah Palin or George W Bush.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:00 PM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:56 PM:
E Mail him at his website. You claim to be a journalist. Go to the source. We do not care about his grades or his medical records. We are starting to laugh again.

Three D Needs Glasses wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:07 PM:Three D
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:50 PM: I could have sworn Scripture at 4:08PM said, "even Satan could qoute scripture and twist it to meet his evil needs". NOT "basically calls me Satan and accuses me of quoting scripture and twisting it to me my "evil needs." as you said", No Three D, you were compaired to, not accused of being Satan. But Thank You for giving us a Snapshot of how your twisted logic works.

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:12 PM:As usual, the only exercise DD's mind gets is jumping to conclusions.

DD: Please read my Blog! It calls for a black armband FOR YOU!

Me? I'm giddy!

The armband is for you, Greenergy, and of course Harry Reid.

Reveille, DD!

GAY MAN wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:18 PM:Dogs may not have constitutional rights (4:49 PM), but they are covered by humane treatment laws. The ASPCA would prosecute "Oh yeah" (4:16 PM) if he inflicted cruel punishment upon his poor animal, such as forcing his dog to marry such an idiot as he.

Eye of the beholder Gay Dude wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:25 PM:GAY MAN
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:28 PM:Marry your dog?
Oh yeah… is a little perverse in his thinking, and really abnormal in his nature. (4:16pm)
A man can love his dog, of course, but marry one’s dog???? A bit bizarre. Then there is the matter of the law. It is legal for me to marry another human being, but not my dog. You are NUTS!


Dude, looks like "perverse in his thinking, and really abnormal in his nature" and "a bit bizarre" Is all in the eye of the beholder. Dude, I would say, "You are NUTS"!

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:26 PM:Knowledge of things Biblical

I join Marlowe (4:47 PM) in giving praise to Three D for his knowledge of the Scriptures, and hold him in high esteem for his understanding of the scriptures, both in a spiritual context and in a historical context. I have often wondered if he is a Jesuit scholar, but his range of knowledge and interest are too universal.

Richard wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:28 PM:It's quite interesting that Bush is insisting, vehemently, to bail out Wall Street. So, open up your pocketbooks citizens. We all suspected that the tax cuts being made permanent would backfire, because there are legitimate reasons to pay taxes, like funding military needs, the FDA, border security, and many government entities. The strange thing is Bush still insists on tax cuts so apparently this is so he can claim he never raised taxes and only cut them. As services and infrastructure are gutted, he instead wants us to write checks to Wall Street.
The difference between Obama asking for taxes from select groups, vs. Bush/McCain, is that Obama wants to help poor people and kids without health insurance. Bush/McCain wants to pay greedy people who think the market is a get-rich-quick scheme. When our checks clear, he'll be bragging about how he rescued our economy and avoided tax increases. What arrogance. And to think that he is chiefly at fault for the whole mess in my opinion, where 700 billion has been spent to unethically demand Iraq be some form of Democracy.
I don't want Iraq to fail, but to succeed in stabilizing. Our economic meltdown can't be fixed while Bush can't bear to leave Iraq without his own definition of completion which is always on the horizon, never here.

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:30 PM:Well, "Three D" at 1:50PM,
thank you.
I still believe that yours is a more thorough answer.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:37 PM:Well, "Chuck" at 4:58PM,
Thanks,
I needed that.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:39 PM:Well, "Scripture",
Didn't God also give man
something called
free will?
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM:Well, "SOLON" at 6:26PM,
does one necessarily preclude the other?
Regards, Alf.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM:"We discussed that we do agree, and I'd be glad to -- to join in a common press release or statement, but now is not the time for statements. Time is now to act," he added." Duh. Here McCain agrees to a joint statement but then states this is not the time for statements. McCain has befuddled thinking. Circuits are not firing correctly.

NUTS wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:45 PM:Perhaps Eye of the beholder should try nuts. Try ‘em. You’ll like ‘em.

jvc wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:46 PM:NO BAILOUT, USE 700 BILLION TO PUT AMERICA BACK TO WORK !

Three D wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:50 PM:Thanks to Solon for the kind words at 6:26 p.m.
While I do not know Solon personally, I hear from our mutual contact that it is to him I owe the gift of enhanced text.
Not that my personal background makes much difference as to the legitimacy of my points, but I do not come from a Jesuit background, though I have read some Jesuit writings.
I come from a fundamentalist evangelical background, through heavy activity in all the teen ministries, and attended some seminary, but as you can imagine I asked questions that were far too troublesome before realizing that this was just not a good fit.
Have subsequently read extensively on many religions, from their own literature, including Mormonism and the Book of Mormon, Islam and two verions of the Koran (Qur'an), and some of the Hindu and Buddhist scriptures.
There are real experts out there on all of these religions and scriptures, but I definitely do not consider myself at any real level of expertise in any of them.
Just enough to ask some thoughtful questions to those who believe what someone told them, no matter how little resemblance it has to what is actually in the book they claim to be the inerrant, infallible "Word of God."
Blessings,
3D

sdraoul wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:51 PM:First, McCain release your medical records! I prove he already did five months ago and then but he only let "some" reporters look at the records. And, all those pages, he msut be in danger of dying!

Make up your minds.

McCain suspends his campaign to go to D.C. to make the final deal work for bailout and Obama says no. The president calls and Obama runs to Washington because he knows McCain floored him when he went before the President called. It’s called blindsiding!!!

Now comes the deal which, like the "Gang of 14" made Supreme Court confirmations possible over the dead bodies of Harry Reid and his acolytes and McCain boldly leaves Obama in the dust again and again.

Country first!

jvc wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:16 PM:With China's graduate rate of 500,000
engineers versus our 70,000 per year,
use $ 700,000 billion to educate more engineers!

kbach wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:23 PM:This election season has exposed liberals as being hateful, vicious elitest, intolerant of differing views, incapable of meaningful discussion, and they are certainly not about to let the facts interfere with their opinion.

Apollo wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:47 PM:Re: Ann Nunes (letter) and KBach (7:23 p.m.)
I notice that these two are quick to label liberals as being hateful and intolerant (look up the psychological term "projection"), yet neither of them was able to cite a specific issue or instance on which this allegation was based.
So who is hateful and intolerant?

jvc wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:50 PM:George's speech: lies,lies and lies!

Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:55 PM:Us Conservatives, well...
Us REAL Conservatives tried to tell you all... "Richard" @6:28 PM.

GWB is no fiscal conservative, never has been. What was the first thing out of the box for Bush? Anyone remember?
That's Right! Big, Big Drug entitlement bennies for seniors on MediCare!!!!
And the only thing, the ONLY thing the Democrats complained about was..
IT WASN'T BIG ENOUGH!!!

He's a conservative, when he chooses to be. But, faced with Al Bore...
He WAS the lesser of two evils.
Same for us conservatives with McCain, who we like to call McPain, or McLame.
He's less liberal, shall we say than Barack Millhouse NObama. {not sure how mccain ranks, but we know NObama ranks #1, when an avowed socialist is ranked 4th}
"SOLON" @1:43 PM: Has the right idea, quoting Dr. Ron Paul six years ago...

$700,000,000,000.00 will do nothing.
EXCEPT... grow the size & the power of government.

Those of us who daily risk our own money know, that if we fail, we fail.
That's the capitalist system. No nets.
Despite what these clowns are telling all of us, this will not crush out markets completely. It will, however, reset and flush out all of bad behavior, allowing someone smarter, and better capitalized to buy up what's left hanging.
Those of us, all 97% of us, still making our mortage payments on time will be fine. Credit will certainly be tight for ahile. But, that's just fine by me.
Too many people subsidizing their standard of living by credit. Credit cards, home equity loans, etc.
Living far, Far beyond their means.
It's time fo the pain, and then the healing to begin.
Giving another $700 billion away will only continue the drop of the dollar.
Not to mention the interest we will pay on all that dough-ray-me.

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:57 PM:PETA is asking Ben & Jerry’s to substitute mother’s milk for cows milk.

Then there is a report from the Guardian on research claiming that there is a large middle-class of environmentalists who recycle, then jet off to two distant ski trips a year – net earth abusers, but with a clear environmental conscious.

(Quote)Stewart Barr, of Exeter University, who led the research, said: "Green living is largely something of a myth. There is this middle class environmentalism where being green is part of the desired image. But another part of the desired image is to fly off skiing twice a year. And the carbon savings they make by not driving their kids to school will be obliterated by the pollution from their flights."(Quote)

But then Bette Midler is giving up touring to “save the planet.”

Now if we can get Al Gore and Governor Arnold to do the same – so I remain Greener than Gore, and Arnold.

To Down Boy wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:59 PM:Unfortunately, I know a bunch of dogs that SHOULD have constitutional rights and their human counterparts without...uuggg

Apollo wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:02 PM:Re: Three D (6:50 p.m.)
3D is far too humble. He is absolutely brilliant, not just in how much he knows, but reading something knew and remembering something old and realizing they create interesting friction when contemplated simultaneously.
3D is too modest to mention in this blog that he has an extremely popular website and, just this summer, had published a fascinating book with all the amazing (and often humorous) oddities in the Bible that they don't teach you about in Sunday School.
I sure wish I'd had the book a long time ago.
I could have been the one asking my Sunday School teachers the "oh my god!" questions.

jvc wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:04 PM:Since the Republicans have lost the
presidential election, they should use campaign funds for bailouts!

Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:04 PM:And speaking of selling off bad debt...

Maybe it's time to consider selling off whatever government assets we have left?

How about cutting off and shutting down the Department of Education, for a start?
Then, since the government has completely proven beyond any shadow of any doubt, that they can not handle real estate transactions, we need to have HUD shut down.
Fannie & Freddie should be quatered, and sold off. Let's get our government totally out of the mortage market.
Yeah, they can write some more laws, from the outside, where nobody is getting special deals.. like Chris Dodd, or Kent Conrad, then expected to be totally objective when cutting regulations. Baloney!
I can think of a few more, in fact, quite a few more to axe.
If we can cut 1/3, we'd have another trillion dollars in our own pockets.

Richard wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:09 PM:And it was only a few days ago when someone posted that senator Obama is a lying sleaze and that he is bad in wanting to play Robin Hood, taking money from the rich to give to the poor. How quickly times have changed. It seems that Obama isn't so bad after all. The Bush/McCain camp are like the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, taking money from subjects to bail out Wall Street. It is possible that for once bush is nervous enough that he is inviting Obama to the White House to solicit ideas. Let's hope that's the reason, and not the one posted above which is to intentionally trap Obama to denigrate him. That would be putting anti Democrat thoughts first and country later.

Hate wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:10 PM:the sin....not the sinner. I am a Christian, and although I do not agree with homosexuality, I know some very nice kind homosexuals, much kinder than that of my heterosexual neighbors across the street. I do believe that God sees it as a sin, it's in there (Bible), you know it, all you have to do is look. If you don't have any care for the Bible, at all, then I guess you wouldn't look. That said, re: God doesn't like it....I think we, Christians, need to remember even if we believe God sees something as a sin, we don't have to condem the sinner, rather kindly and gently share God's word. You catch more flies with honey. I don't agree with gay marriage, unfortunately, it is happening. Perhaps, though, we can stop all the ridiculous repetativeness of this country being founded on whatever it is you believe, that goes to those who believe it was upon God (as do I) and those who continue to deny it. Rather, I would ask you look within your community and see who you can help, Church is a great place to start. We have a huge problem with homelessness here. Back in the day, many were institutionalized because they had mental problems, the wonderful ACLU fixed that and said....turn them out, so we did, so we have a huge problem. Let's help out our neighbors but don't forget about home. God saves and God bless. Deanna

SDRowdy wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:13 PM:I couldn't wait to hear how SDRaoul would spin the sudden free-fall of McCain's cut and run, and at 6:51 p.m., he doesn't disappoint.

One week ago, McCain was repeatedly saying the fundamentals of the economy, that he helped dismantle (with top economic advisor Phil "nation of whiners" Gramm), were "strong."
Tonight, it is such an urgent state of crisis that he has to suspend his campaign, cancel the debate because he is afraid to go head-to-head with Obama, and crawl into a dark, warm hiding place.
Sure, we need to focus on the economy.
But a President has to be able to do more than one thing at a time.
McCain has already proven that he can't run for president and serve in the senate at the same time; Obama has proved that he can.
McCain now proves that he can only juggle with one ball in the air, but that isn't how the presidency works.
Even George W. Bush, the most incompetent president in history, while evading a war on terror that he allowed to erupt and mired in a war in Iraq of his own making, was able to keep all of his debate appointments. Oh, and of course Sweet Princess Sarah will be too focused on her new international relations duties to be distracted by anything so mundane as debates, direct questions from media, or any other nod to the least bit of openness or transparency.
All, of course, while campaigning on a platform of "reform." My patootie!
McCain is too old, too out of touch, and too incapable of keeping the multi-issue balls in the air at the same time to be president.
And I love seeing Raoul and Ron spinning and spinning, round and round, getting dizzier by the second.

Hail Mary - incomplete!

Love Feast wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:24 PM:There is so much butt kissing going on tonight with the regs, It's no wonder none of them can see the forest through the tree(s).

Ron wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:25 PM:Just found this....

BREAKING: CR to Pass Senate Without Drilling Ban

A Senate source tells me that tomorrow the Senate will pass a continuing resolution without continuing the outer continental shelf drilling ban.

What is this? The Liberals are actually going to roll over and allow my gas prices to drop, without a fight? LOL

I told you this would happen! I knew they didn't have the stomach for the abuse Americans would place on them.
Hey.. maybe? They GOT the message while they were gone, on vacation? LOL

I can hear old Harry {Reid} now....

"We're gonna stay here and fight {to keep the gas prices as high as we can make em!}

Told ya, Prophet.

Congressional suckers ... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:25 PM:Wall Street put a gun to the head of the politicians and said, Give us the money--right now--or take the blame for whatever follows. The audacity of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's bailout proposal is reflected the Treasury's opaque, three-page summary of plan includes this chilling statement:

"Section 8. Review. Decisions by the Secretary 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."

In other words, no lawsuits allowed by aggrieved investors or American taxpayers. No complaints later from ignorant pols who didn't know what they voted for. Take it or leave it, suckers. This 3-page bill from Paulson is more dangerous than the 1,200 Homeland Security Bill. This bill, as submitted, would complete the Totalitarian State of America.

Fortunately, we have wise men like Barney Frank and Christopher Dodd. How fortunate that Dodd is not running as Vice President. He is where we need him most: protecting the last vestiges of our Constitution. Dodd will never permit the Wall Street bill as submitted.

ha ha raoul wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:26 PM:Country before party, eh raou? So McCain suddenly finds it in the nation's best interest for him to finally decide to actually go to DC and be ready to cast a vote after so many no-shows, and this is country-before-party? And he admitted that he didn't even read the stuff about the bailout? This is country before party? Raoul, Mr Military hero worshipper, can't you see that your guy is cutting and running? Are you going to tell us that you are going to defend a deserter? A coward? A man who ran from battle? Raoul: you? Wow, raoul, I'm glad I was never one of your platoon brothers in arms. You can't tell the difference between courage and cowardice! Lesson one: watch McCain and Palin in action. That would be cowardice.

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:33 PM:To Congressional suckers ...

Does the term "Congressional Oversight" mean ANYTHING at all to you?

Dodd and Frank hEADED the "Congressional Oversight" committees.

DID THEY DO ANY OVERSIGHT?

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:38 PM:No guarantees from bailout

The big boys on Wall Street are acting, as usual, in greedy self-interested. The bailout money might pull firms back from the brink --at least the leaders of the Wall Street Club-- but that does not guarantee the banks will resume normal lending, much less capital investing. The financial guys may well hunker down, scavenge the wreckage for cheap profits and wait for the real economy to get well. Likewise, global investors --China, Japan and other major creditors-- have been burned and may step back from pumping more capital in the wobbly house of US finance.

At least half the money should be injected directly into Main Street, local banks and small businesses. We have seen already that after the venal criminals on Wall Street take their cut, nothing trickles down. It seems the financial system is going into meltdown with the proposed bailout, so why not re-build our economy from the ground up.

McCain stated today that he is suspending his campaign until this crisis is settled. McCain is an old man, but he will never live to be as old as Methuselah.

grease spot wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:39 PM:We need barney frank and christopher dodd? wow, I must have slept through their oversite as did they.

I can't wait until there are no excuses for the liberals. The Presidency, the house, the senate and the legislative branch. They had better deliver after all these years of complaining.

oops that's right, they can go on blaming bush for many, many years to come. and believe me they will.

I tell you what, as a middle class citizen I had better see my tax cut or the "liar" line will come out big time. so many people on this site can cite websites but I have my tax returns to compare year to year.

jvc wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:41 PM:Jobs solution: have Rep. Duncan Hunter,
our war hawk and our defense contractor state's boy, increase money for weapons systems and wars, it worked for Reagan!

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:42 PM:To Congressional suckers ...

Mea Culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa...

Apologies.

I fell for the joke!

Arghhhh...need more sleep. Good One!

For the rest of us wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:48 PM:Now that the federal government is providing socialized medicine for Wall Street, how about some health care for millions of uninsured Americans?

Ms M wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:50 PM:grease spot
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:39 PM:...oops that's right, they can go on blaming bush for many, many years to come. and believe me they will....yes, just as the cons have blamed EVERYTHING on Clinton - see we libs have been taught well. Grease spot, America is at it's lowest point ever - just what has this administration taken responsibility for?

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:52 PM:Oh Yeah: Well, on second thought. I think you should be able to marry your dog. I will be happy to contribute to the cost of your honeymoon proivded that pictures will be available for the Atonal Enquirer.

Media ticked off at McCain wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:05 PM:McCain has not held a news conference for 34 days. This is the new Straight Talk Express. And the media can photograph the photogenic and sexy Sarah Palin, but they cannot explore her mind. No interviews.

And David Letterman is P.O. with McCain, too. He gave McCain a hot roasting because he scrubbed his appearance for taping of the Letterman show for tonight just one hour before the taping.

"This just doesn't smell right. This is not the way a tested hero behaves," Letterman ranted. "Somebody's putting something in his Metamucil."
He mocked McCain's "suspension" of his campaign, asking, "Are we suspending it because there's an economic crisis or because the poll numbers are sliding?"

Letterman said McCain phoned him to cancel because he was rushing back to Washington to deal with the economic crisis. But at the time of the taping, McCain was nearby doing an interview with CBS News' Katie Couric..

Well, I don’t usually stay up that late watching TV, but tonight I will watch Letterman.

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:06 PM:Alf: Your criticism of Warren Buffett must have been held by the e-editor.

Buffett just put 45 billion into Goldman Sacs Preferred – at 10% guaranteed, for 10 years!

That is a higher ROI than those filthy oil companies! (And, for doing zero exploring, drilling, pumping, refining, transporting or selling.)

It’s called Capitalism, and good old Democrat Warren is a Capitalist. (He, and Bill Gates, and fill-in-the-blank can do the bailout better than the government, and they would not pay the Wall Street idiots a dime!)

(Yea! Most libertarians prefer capitalism.)

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:12 PM:We should have trusted McCain

Regarding the greed-and-deceit-driven meltdown on Wall Street: Gee, isn't it too bad we didn't take John McCain’s offer to privatize Social Security?

Just think how happy we'd be today if only we'd let those trusted financial services companies and their "magic of the market" manage the nation's retirement funds for us. We should have trusted John McCain.

Marlowe wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:14 PM:We are at a new stage, are we not? This is no longer old fashioned politics. The economy is tanking. McCain and Palin, running for the White House, are hiding. Under these unique circumstances, the old claptrap of people like Ron and raoul become completely vapid. Why read the same old litany of "Obama knows Ayers!", "McCain was a war hero!" None of that has any currency any longer. This is the 21st Century. Bush and others have accomplished their government-wrecking, country-wrecking mission. We are in debt beyond the wildest fantasies of the Reaganites. Our military is occupied in places that have no meaning for national defense, and cannot be occupied in places that DO have such meaning. The GOP hides from the press and the people, and this is their campaign strategy. The man who voted to cause the problem is offered as the man who will solve the problem. Americans, we need to regroup. We need to say no to claptrap. The GOP has finally, even in this strange land, overdone it. Only the people hoping to move us towards the last days are believers in the GOP any more. Our very soul as a nation is on the line. The Rons are still spouting about Stalinism. Chuck babbles about "Hussein". Raoul thinks McCain is the eternal "hero". This is all completely irrelevant to what we are facing at this moment in our history. And I think that inch by inch, even the reasonable Republicans and conservatives are realizing it. Time to accept reality, throw in the towel for this round, pray, and move forward. No, a presidential election at this moment really is more than entertainment, more than a buzz, more than stupid false rumors. The consequences are real, folks. Let's be up to the challenge this time.

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:14 PM:To For the Rest of Us: Ahhhhh...perhaps you didn't hear Obama say that in view of the current economics, his plans would have to be "phased in."

That means: Sorry.

Remember the Second Law of Street Economics: "Nobody gets it if there ain't any."

Chris to to Chris Abortion is wrong wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:16 PM:I think what I said is self explanitory. My computer does not underline misspellings. In fact maybe I should misspell more words in order to bug you. What I said made perfect sense. Deal with it.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:17 PM:Jesus did say care for the poor. But, Jesus did say, "render unto Caesar what is Caesor's and render unto God what is God's."

Reardon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:17 PM:Sorry about the typing error. Buffett invested $5 Billion.

I misssed a shift -- did that once at Riverside International Raceway and it cost me an engine.

Respect for tradition wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:19 PM:I will not vote for Proposition 8, because this potpourri of liberalism would completely change what a traditional marriage is.

I propose a different law, wherein we define what a true traditional marriage is: one man+several women (global history), one man+one woman+one boy (Greek), or one man+one woman+one mistress (pre-modern European) = marriage.

This notion that a marriage is one man and one woman could only come from some crackpot with no concept of history and a desire to destroy everything this civilization is built upon.

But NO DOGS!

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:20 PM:Media ticked off at McCain It is really quite simple. McCain has become a megalomaniac. McCain believes in his deluded mind that only he and he only can save this country.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:22 PM:grease spot[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:39 PM: It probably will take at least four year of picking up Republican poop to get this country back on the right road.

Oh Please wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:23 PM:grease spot[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:39 PM: If you have your records, then you will note that you are no longer middle class.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:34 PM:Hilarious: Listen to the consrvative Republicans cry, whine, beat their chests in agony. They are already pointing fingers at Obama and blaming him for this economic debacle. Obama isn't even President yet. Well, everyone should be whining and be scared to death.
I think that the Bush administration is just too damned scared to tell the American people the truth. The big one is coming to town and it is coming soon.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:40 PM:Women will now rule the political roost
Women could have started ruling years ago if not for their disunity. If all the women in this country were united the candidates from both parties would be femal IMHA.

SOLON wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:36 PM:Defenestrate the Wall St. crooks

Should we bail them out? Should they be forced to jump out a Wall St. skyscraper without their golden parachute?

In 2007, Wall Street's five biggest firms -- Bear Stearns, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley -- paid a record $39 billion in bonuses to themselves. A bonus is for being such a productive employee.
That's $10 billion more than the $29 billion loan taxpayers are making to J.P. Morgan to save Bear Stearns.
Those 2007 bonuses were paid, even though the shareholders in those firms last year collectively lost about $74 billion in stock declines -- their worst year since 2002.
If split equally among the approximately 186,000 workers at the former Big Five Houses, that bonus money means an average of $201,500 per person -- more than four times the $48,201 median household income in the U.S. last year.

Well, we should not push them out the window, but we should take their golden parachutes from them, and then if they want to jump, it’s a free country.

Dear Betty Guerrero wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:33 AM:Perfectly said.

Why I had the exact discussion with someone close to me who just loves Palin (my mother-in-law). Yet on the other hand was blind to the realism on this subject.

So I put it in lamens terms, "what if I was rapped, - 30yr old, married, no babies yet- My mother-in-law said,.. well Palin can't take that choice away..I said like hell she couldn't, and try Palin would, why else would she so loudly preech it?

If Palin is VP, she would stand wholeheartedly behind groups to overturn such a rule, such a choice, a choice that makes it sanitary and lawful.

By that I would have to make the choice to be unlawful, possibly unsanitary. Or maybe face baring a first child from a Rappist.
While my husband sits in the waiting room....What the heck is wrong with people? This is so wrong on all parties involved, mentally and physically.

I also believe at leaving religion OUT of politics.

VOTE OBAMA!!!

YO BUCKY.... wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:38 AM:Are you posing as one of the KFC??

Lowery is a very conservative in finance. Why he has owned a very successful bakery, wholesale of breads.

He has also been able to lead a very successful campaign, with local contributions...TALK ABOUT CONSERVATIVE!!

Bucky you obviously show your short-sideness lies in your blog.

Chuck is conservative with citizens tax dollars, Why do you think he is running.

Us the citizens have pulled together and asked him to run, We want someone we can trust, and someone who will be transparent!!!

VOTE LOWERY, and to keep citizens concerns before Profit, VOTE SANCHEZ,

if you want to keep the fire-fighters, and police response times quick....VOTE WOODS!!

KEEP Religion OUT of Politics wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:44 AM:Doing this would ensure the true progress to lead a quality of life for all americans.

Religion is its own Politics, and as politics is all about....MONEY & POWER...

Only a few are about serving the citizens best interest.

Education for all k-univeristy, with national testing.

Healthcare for all, No more free insurance FRAUD companies..

Also a reform on Westernized medicine...

We need balance in healthcare, education..and we Need it yesterday.


Daycare for all,

He Said wrote on Sep 25, 2008 6:49 AM:Solon @ 11:36 PM. Just to keep things in the proper perspective... The bonuses paid out for most employees are paid in shares of stock. Where are their stocks now? Certainly in the tank! Those that worked for Bear Stearns and Lehman have relatively nothing now. Those that don't have five years service aren't vested and have absolutely nothing. I am not talking about corporate officers that have the golden parachutes. I referring to the other 50,000 plus employees who saw their retirement funds decimated.

STRAIGHT TALK wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:13 AM:Resubmission of skipped blog

Are you kidding me, Reardon at 9:14 p.m.?
You conservatives are always complaining about Democrats promising more than they can deliver.
So Obama comes out and says exactly what everyone knows, that no president can ever deliver everything he wants. He states what his policies and proposals will be, then has to work with legislators of both policies the actual realities he has inherited from the outgoing administration.
He articulates his vision, and promises to come as close as possible.
Obama very candidly, before the votes are cast, acknowledged that these are the realistic parameters he will have to work within.
He stated his vision.
He will get as much as he can.
He won't get everything.
A little real STRAIGHT TALK.
And you are complaining?
Let's face it, you negative, hateful bigots are going to whine and cry and scream no matter what Obama says. Doesn't promise enough? Promises too much.
But your guy, oh, he can lie and cheat and flip-flop all to unprecedented degrees, and he is a saint because he did not follow the proper evasive maneuvers, lost an expensive jet, and ended up getting tortured for five years, as if her were the only one.
Sour grapes, because the one-time maverick-turned gutter snipe, who tried to sell himself in Obama's straight-talkin' outsider role, turned out to be a cut-and-run cowardly snake-oil has-been, and his former "Straight Talk Express" derailed into the "No Talk Evasiveness."

Alf wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:26 AM:Well, "STRAIGHT TALK" at 8:13AM,
what "Reardon" delivers IS straight talk.
Some of it is not what you or I may want to hear, but to describe him as one of the "negative, hateful bigots" is both inaccurate and insulting.
Regards, Alf.

mimi76 wrote on Sep 25, 2008 10:15 PM:I respect McCain for delaying the debate. He did NOT state he doesn't want to participate in a debate.
Heaven forbid McCain should actually want to do the job he is being paid $160,000 a year for. Newsflash...Senators are paid to represent taxpayers on a daily basis for their entire term, not just when they feel like it.
Being a presidential candidate is not a job- not the job he was ELECTED to do and gets paid generously for. Obama needs to be reminded of that! This whole presidental nomination thing has gone straight to Obama's head and he behaves like he's 'too cool for the room'! Next time we see him on TV he'll be bobbing his head to the tune of night at the Roxbury.