Ahh back to normal on the letters page wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:47 AM:Jerry Heiss: Thanks for getting us off the issue of politics and back to the racist hatred so many embrace here!

Karen Wos: I hate to break the news to you, but you asked, "I know I'm dating myself here, but when I graduated from high school some 30-ish years ago, we were still being taught in civics class that our country was a republic and that the majority ruled. Please correct me if I'm wrong."

Well, you're wrong. A republic has nothing to do with majority rule.

jvc wrote on Nov 4, 2008 3:22 AM:Who would ever have thought that the Republican party could have metamorphed into just an unruly mob whose goal is nothing more than to win! They are truly bankrupt on issues!We will not be Karl Roved again!

jvc wrote on Nov 4, 2008 3:55 AM:No, we are no longer a Republic of representative governance but a government of what the special interest
groups say we are!Health care and the military are too profitable for a Democracy of the well being of the people! Our economy is based on cures and killing!

Bush Wins wrote on Nov 4, 2008 4:56 AM:For the second time in eight years, Bush is now poised on the brink of, once again, defeating John McCain.
I'm sure that, after January 20, when they both have a lot more time on their hands, they'll become best buds.

to GOP Poster Child Mary wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:41 AM:Mary's post yesterday was a classic. She said that if Obama wins, she hopes he leads from as far left a position as he wants to so that the economy will tank and the liberals will get what they deserve. I nominate Mary for the Karl Rove award. She is truly the GOP poster child. She assumes all the nonsense she's been fed about Obama being "really" a radical leftist is true, even though she admits that he doesn't talk or act that way. Then, ideology over country every time, she hopes that he DOES go socialist on us and destroy the economy, just to prove how she was right. Now this, my friends, is a Karl Rove dream girl in action. Thanks, Mary. Maybe in 2012, Sarah will pick you as her running mate! You show us, loud and clear, the heart of the GOP base. And it's not called the "base" for nothing.

OBAMA MAMA wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:47 AM:If the editor of a newspaper, in what is arguably the Reddest of the Red States, had the guts to recognize McCain's notoriously poor judgement and endorse Obama for president, one would think that the spineless editor of the North County Times would have at least had sufficient strength of character and personal integrity to endorse NEITHER of two admittedly flawed candidates.
 
Clearly, the judgement NCT's Editor's is even more supect than that of it's pick for president. 

In case you missed it, yesterday Dick Cheney’s hometown newspaper, the Caster Star-Tribune in Casper, Wyoming, yesterday endorsed BARACK OBAMA. And you know already that Alaska’s largest newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News, also endorsed Obama, apparently unswayed by the expertise of Sarah Palin.

So what is it that the NCT does not understand about Dick Cheney, George W. Bush , John McCain and Sarah Palin?

Ron wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:08 AM:Marx also offers some good proposals...

Douglas Dunn?

Yeah, tell that... to his followers,
Stalin, Mao, Lenin.

and why do I have to keep repeating myself?
Or.. am I?

Greencinitan wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:23 AM:THANK YOU to the poll workers who got up early and are working to ensure that our democracy works. I was the first in line to vote at my precinct this morning and feel very proud of our ability to cast our ballots and choose our government. It wouldn't be possible without the civic volunteers who work at the polls. Thank you.

Oh Please wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:42 AM:FROM KARL ROVE:
"Karl Rove, the man widely credited with engineering President Bush's two successful White House bids, is predicting the Illinois senator will take the White House in an Electoral College landslide, winning 338 votes to John McCain's 200. That would be the largest Electoral College victory since 1996, when Bill Clinton defeated Bob Dole in a 379-159 rout." You betcha!

Wanda wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:53 AM:Ron, at 7:08 AM, quips: "Why do I have to keep repeating myself?"

Don't feel you need to do this on our account.

Hilarious wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:54 AM:I bet Susan is an undecided voter. She is worried about weather and fiddles about that rather than take our country seriously. Oh brother.

DD Wiz wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:57 AM:Ron Still Avoids and Evades
The post from "Ron" (7:08am) criticizes the letter from Douglas Dunn for stating that "Marx also offers some good proposals."
"Ron" follows that with the nefarous ellipsis [...] and fails to note what he cut out.
The letter clearly expressed objection to most of Marx's ideas, including the overall theory as a whole.
The letter did note that Marx had some good proposals and identified them:
1. Free universal public education
2. Abolishing child factory labor
3. Abolishing slavery

For the third time, "Ron," stop avoiding and evading and answer the question:
On which of these do you disagree with Marx?
Do you oppose slavery? Simple "yes" or "no" will be fine.
If so, does that make you a Marxis?
Again, simple "yes" or "no" will be fine.
Peace, prosperity and sunshine to all, DD Wiz

Baghdad Bob wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:05 AM:Oh Please is wrong!

Here at the prestigious Raoul Sinverguenza Institute, our polls are showing a landslide victory for that silly old influence peddler and Caribou Barbie.

That's the truth!

'Cause I say it is!

Extremist wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:07 AM:Ron at 7:08 a.m. is the perfect example of extremist all-or-nothing thinking.
No critical thought or depth of analysis.
Anything Marx said is bad. Period. Just because he said it.
According to Ron, would this even justify child slavery that Marx opposed?

Wanda wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:14 AM:Just another indication of how wacked out DD Wiz, at 7:57 AM, is, he asks Ron to answer his question (which is weird enough) but then adds: "Again, simple 'yes' or 'no' will be fine".

Any side bets?

Tony wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:22 AM:Deer Springs Fire Board
Vote for the Nicholson and Frey 'slate'

They are the most capable candidates.

Laurel Nicholson -- Current Board President. 2-year Board incumbent. Small
business owner.

Robert (Bob) Frey -- Appointed Board Member. Vice President Deer Springs Fire Safe Council. Program Manager, Deer Springs Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

TOP PRIORITIES
#1 Reduce overgrown areas in the District; these fuels feed a wildfire

#2 Prudently manage the District's finances

#3 Ensure Firefighting resources are top-notch

#4 Halt new development without adequate safety requirements

They have your safety at heart.

Do not be misled by the others. One is an appointee (never elected) and the other is NOT on the board - has merely attended some meetings.

Nicholson and Frey for the Fire Board.

Fred wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:25 AM:Hilarious, at 7:54 AM, is right! Susan is just changing the subject, hoping we'll forget the important issue of the expendature for Joe the Plumber's wardrobe.

de Sade wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:29 AM:The ultimate spin: Despite Barack Obama's last minute visit to his grandmother, he failed to secure her vote today.

yonnie wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:31 AM:I can only wonder what kind of music Ruth Larkin likes to listen to. She thinks that the generic, upbeat "elevator" music that they play in markets and malls is raucous and disturbing.

to OBAMA MAMA wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:33 AM:Why does the NCT endorse McCain? For that matter, why does the NCT endorse the propositions it does? Simple: they know who their customers are and care about circulation. That's all there is to it. And did you see the NCT totally wuss out on Prop 8? Again: it's all about circulation. (One might say the same of the NY Times, except I know of no evidence that shows the NY Times' readers are predominantly Democrats.)

Gotta be wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:35 AM:You're right, extremist. Ron thinks like a child. Something is either all good or all bad. Because Marx opposed child slavery, Ron no doubt is for it. LOL But seriously, Ron did not oppose everything Marx might have said. He was just reminding us (he thinks we didn't know this) that Marx also had bad ideas. LOL even harder.

NO on 8 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:36 AM:NO on 8

It is sad that you want to take away a Citizen's Civil Rights.

What are you afraid of?
Your life will remain the same.

The yes-8 campaign flyers are all lies.

Un-truths.

If you have a heart and a brain you will vote NO on 8.

8 = hate

NO on 8

Oh Ron wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:37 AM:You'd never know this, but Marx was a Republican. It's Ron-logic. You see, Marx opposed US slavery. So did Lincoln. Lincoln was a Republican. Therefore, so was Marx. One can extrapolate from this that Marx would support McCain/Palin today (and Palin's sharing the oil wealth in Alaska supports this notion), and oppose Obama. He'd probably insist that Obama was a dirty socialist. QED

JohnM wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:41 AM:Sigh.

Despite the mountains of financial data available to Rob Sulsh (as Exxon Mobil is the pargest public company on Earth), instead of vetting it himself to see why Exxon hit record profits, he takes the lazy way out and automatically assumes consumers are being taken advantage of. The audited, regulatation-controlled, vetted numbers are right there for him to see.

But I suppose it's always easier to scapegoat the straw man of evil corporate America than put in a little sweat equity to learn the truth

sdraoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:46 AM:DD and his alter ego Douglas Dunn continue to promote Karl Marx because of all the positions Marx took setting forth Communism, he got three right.

But, he was a little late on public education, for example. The United States of America set aside public property for schools when it approved the Northwest Ordinance before Marx was born.

Mexico and Great Britain outlawed slavery in the 1820s and those countries counted far more than anywhere Marx made proposals for.

Abolishing child factory labor didn't mean much when Marx proposed a new serfdom for all working people in being forced to work in a society that demanded that all people work for the people each according to an equal and common "wage."

Now, DD, tell us where and when Marxism has worked for any people much less whole countries. And, DD, please enumerate for us how many people were murdered to in efforts to force all people to live under Marxism. And then tell us how "green" Marxism was and is and how beautifully Marxist run companies function on solar power and clean non-polluted air and water.

When DD wraps up his adulation of three minor positions of Marx that where meaningless at the time perhaps he can outline for us how a Karl Marx inspired method of forcing unionization by signature and not a secret ballot works for the life and liberty of American working people.

Charles wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:46 AM:Rob Sulsh's letter was truely sad. Just another whiner who doesn't get it (probably one of the bottom 95%). The oil companies are simply getting good value for their money.

I urge you all to vote for John McCain.

Mrs. Keating and I have known John for years and have always trusted him to deliver good value for the money. John is the finest politician that monry can buy.

Four more years!

RDO wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:52 AM:The RDO neighborhood is prettier. College Ave needs a makeover.

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:52 AM:Wanda @ AM:

Vegas has it 20:1 that Ron will answer with a simple Yes or No. I put $20 on Ron as a long shot in hopes of making a nifty profit of 400 clams but I'm not holding my breath. Now on the other hand the line on DD Whiz is 400:1 on the same proposition bet. I'll sometimes bet a longshot but never a 400:1 longshot.

Ron wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:53 AM:I just find it odd...

"Wiz" Old Buddy @7:57 AM,

That you guy's will go completely out of your way to defend Marx.
And the only reason you'd do that, is because your a redistributionist, in other words: a Socialist.

Now, you could go back in history and find a Founder to defend, one who supported public education, abolishing child factory labor, and abolishing slavery.
They do exist, you know?

But then, they wouldn't subscribe to your redistributionist ideals, like Marx does. Now, would they?

MOst of us just find it disturbing that you lib's go out of your way to defend the likes of Marx, and never defend the Founders.
Don't you find that odd?

Greenergy wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:57 AM:John M at 8:41 a.m. notes how heavily regulated and controlled the oil CEO's are.
Yeah, sure.
Just like the banks and investment speculators.
Just like the no-bid defense contractors at Halliburton, Bechtel, ad nauseum.
Just look at who their White House crony friends are - you know - the ones enforcing all those regulations and controls.

The real reason prices dropped from almost $5.00 a gallon to below $3 is the same reason it dropped right before the elections in 2004 and 2006.
The oil barons were terrified of an angry pitch-fork mob going to the polls.

Darn right, John, I don't trust the corporate accountants at Exxon any more than Enron.

JohnM wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:07 AM:Sorry Greenergy, but even a basic understanding of economics tells us that the price of oil are controlled by global economic forces -- supply, demand, cost of transportation, expectations of future output, etc.

To think that oil companies can fly in the face of the international capital markets can set prices themselves is something worse than ludicrous; it's saddeningly naive.

To Ruth Larkin wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:08 AM:Albertsons on Melrose has an awesome soudtrack.

DD Wiz wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:10 AM:"sdraoul" and his Straw Man
The post from "sdraoul" (8:46am) proves my point perfectly.
He cannot argue with my actual point, so he changes the subject, builds a straw man and, surprise! He knocks it down easily.

In this forum and elsewhere I have repeatedly stated my opposition to the Marxist theory.
As "sdraoul" notes, and as I have repeatedly stated before, it has never ever been shown to work.
I'll take that as a compliment, "sdraoul" -- imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

But then "sdraoul" joins "Ron" in disregarding the rest of my points that he finds to be inconvenient truths, though truths they be.

I have also repeatedly noted that the kind of deregulated lassiex faire economic anarchy promoted by economic conservatives has never worked successfully either.
From the failures of the economic collapses that led to liberal Republican Teddy Roosevelt's reforms, to the collapse of Hoovernomics to the deficits, debts and economic collapse of Reaganomics and Keatingnomics to, now, the collapse of deregulatory Bushnomics and McCain/Grammnomics, this right-wing catastrophe has never worked!

"sdraoul" correctly notes that the three points of agreement I selected from Marx are minor. My point exactly. Like "Ron," he deceptive omits my statement that I oppose most of his points including his theory as a whole. This is misrepresentation to the point slander from "sdraoul."

In contrast, just as the extremes from the far right (deregulation) and far left (Marxism) have ALWAYS FAILED, the economics of liberal Democrats could not possibly be either one of those, because it is the policies of liberal Democrats (or liberal REGULATOR Republicans like Teddy Roosevent) that have always rescued us from the failures of the extremes. The legacy of liberal REGULATED private-sector economic market-based policies has always been the greatest periods of broad-based economic prosperity.
Peace, prosperity and sunshine to all, DD Wiz

No de Sade wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:11 AM:"de Sade
[-] wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:29 AM:
The ultimate spin: Despite Barack Obama's last minute visit to his grandmother, he failed to secure her vote today."

Not so. Hawaii has already agreed to count Obama's Grandmother's mailed in vote.

Lovely synergy.

Greenergy wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:19 AM:So tell me, John M at 9:07 a.m., where do campaign contributions and public relations expenses fit into your "supply, demand, cost of transportion, etc." Oh, maybe trying to adjust that "expectations of future output," or, maybe demand? Or future legislative regulation?
Just put the cost of temporary price rollbacks in there with either promotional expenses or campaign contributions - trying to influence future operating conditions.
And as to how successful these companies are in managing these market forces are, how is that Enron stock of yours doing lately? Lehman Brothers?

D-Day wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:22 AM:Democratic Day! Yippee! Sigh-o-nara republican rule.

Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:22 AM:Well, "Wanda" at 8:14AM,
"DD Wiz" wacked out?
Nope, I "done thin so".
Hope springs eternal in his heart.
I voted this AM.
I wrote in Ron Paul.
I voted NO on 8, as did Mrs. Alf.
Someone said that they were going to vote No on gay marriage by voting No on 8. I did not correct them.
Regards, Alf.

So long surfer dude wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:23 AM:Adios Bilbray.

No lines wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:24 AM:No waiting at my polling place today. Maybe the republicans stayed home.

Chuck wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:27 AM:>>>THANK YOU to the poll workers who got up early and are working to ensure that our democracy works. I was the first in line to vote at my precinct>>>

It's only liberals that think 7am is early. I generally have 2 hours work done by 7am

DD and raoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:30 AM:I'm a casual reader of this blogspace and even I knew how clearly DD has come down against communism/Marxism. I just don't get raoul. Is he just another Palinite, who jumps at any chance to call an opponent a Marxist, no matter how false or phony the pretense? Is that all there is to it? Just lie? The difference in the discussions here between the liberals and the yahoos is like night and day, and consistently so. From people like DD, we always get clear, backed-up facts, logic, and even opinion that is coherent. From the right, it's only lies, spins, half-truths, and name-calling. But don't take my liberal word for this. See for yourself. Pick a day, any day, and cut out the posts from the left and right, and line them up. Then count the insults on each side. Count the fabrications. Your honor, the prosecution rests. Maybe it's an ideology thing. Maybe it's a character thing (you know, integrity?). Maybe it's an IQ thing. Maybe it's a maturity thing. But tell you what: the difference between the two sides is overwhelming. You yahoos make me proud, every single day, to be a liberal. You prove to me, every single day, why I am one. And I can't help but think that if any "undecideds" read this space, and if they are reasonable people who are genuinely interested in the truth, I take great comfort knowing what wonderful recruiters you are for my side.

chuck wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:38 AM:>>TOP PRIORITIES
#1 Reduce overgrown areas in the District; these fuels feed a wildfire
#2 Prudently manage the District's finances
#3 Ensure Firefighting resources are top-notch
#4 Halt new development without adequate safety requirements>>

I wonder where stonewalling the military helicopters to maximize union overtime pay fits in his agenda??? How many home did that little trick cost during the last 2 fires?? 500??, 1000??

Gotta Wonder wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:41 AM:DD Wiz[-] wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:10 AM:
Is it possible that sdraoul attended the Karl Rove school of politics?

KSRW wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:47 AM:Quoting 'Ahh back to normal on the letters page': "A republic has nothing to do with majority rule."... I thought that BOTH terms (REPUBLIC and MAJORITY RULES) applied to our country; that's not correct either??

To Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:03 AM:"Someone said that they were going to vote No on gay marriage by voting No on 8. I did not correct them."

Good line. Thanks for the chuckle.

John M wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:06 AM:Greenergy,

Those who did their homework and examined the number of mortgage-backed derivatives on Lehman's balance sheet forecast the firm's fate (and even went public with it) long before it happened. As did those who put two and two together with Enron and saw that such a highly leveraged firm in a traditionally non leveraged industry couldn't possibly be making the cash turn it did in spite of its high cost of debt service -- eventually discovering the offshore accounts used for illegal currency movement.

My point? Those who educated themselves on how to vet financial statements and examine the economics of a business avoided (or even profited largely from) Lehman, the subprime collapse, etc. Who was left in their wake? The little guy, too lazy to do anything beyond shake his fist at corporate business models beyond his comprehension, as Lehman, Merrill, AIG, Countrywide (et al) wreaked havoc on his IRAs and 401ks.

You can either have a paranoid distrust of corporate America that's only deserved half the time, or you can educate yourself into understanding corporate America so that 1) you don't look like a crazy ranting fool, and 2) you can avoid (if not outright profit from) its mistakes.

I would urge you to do the latter.

Reardon wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:12 AM:Ruth Larkin needs to provide self-protection against bad music -- and bad music is pervasive.

I use an iPOD, and carry it everywhere -- but seldom whip it out except in places where the noise is overwhelming, or the wait is particularly boring.

Music in commercial establishments is designed to sooth the workers, not the customers. That is not the way it should be, but then the world seldom is. If you can’t change the environment, bring your own environment – and use noise-canceling earphones.

Protect yourself.

Apollo wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:12 AM:Re: Douglas Dunn (letter)
Re: Ron (7:08 & 8:53 a.m.)
Re: DDWiz (7:57 & 9:10 a.m.)
Re: Extremist (8:07 a.m.)
Re: SDRaoul (8:46 a.m.)

Wiz: the reason Ron and Raoul can't distinguish between liberalism and Marxism is because, as you and Extremist noted, they can only see the world in extremes. Black and white. All or nothing.
So if they oppose Marx, but also oppose liberalism, then in their myopic range of vision, liberal must be Marxist.

They are simply not capable of seeing or understanding that there could be something called the middle ground.
They are simply unable to grasp that, between the extremes of total government control and complete unregulated anarchy - both of which always fail - there could be the moderate middle of private-sector market economies working within the kind of regulatory protections envisioned by Adam Smith.

It is the moderate middle, the one invisible to extremists who can only see the world at its farthest fringes, in which prosperity and economic success flourish.

And Ron still refuses to come clean about whether or not he is a closet "Marxist" by agreeing with Marx on public education, abolishing child factory labor or abolishing slavery.
(And Raoul: I didn't see anything in the letter or blog you were responding to that said Marx was FIRST with his positions, only that those were his views. And come to think of it, Raoul, you didn't come clean about whether YOU agree with Marx on those issues, either.)

Sarge wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:22 AM:Sarge to Raoul: where's your predictions on today's election?
After all the predictions you've been making all year, I was sure that today, of all days, you would be eager to crow about your dramatic success in beating every other commentator.

Why the silence?

Too busy chasing red herrings, straw men and other boogie-men?

Sensory Overload wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:23 AM:"Market music makes shopper want to flee," so glad I am not the only one. Last week week, while shopping at Albertson's in the Quarry Creek shopping center, there was so much music, videos and other noise going on that I did speak to the someone about it. I was told that this wasn't the first complaint and my message would be relayed to the manager.

I felt like I was in an arcade and couldn't wait to get out. I am usually a Vons Shopper on Tamarack, ah peace and no jarring sensory overload.

If you want all this excitement, go to Dave and Busters, but settle down Albertson's.

hardtack wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:25 AM:I guess, it wouldn’t occur to Douglas Dunn that Steven Holman has merely joined elite economic company when he says "New Deal programs worsened the Great Depression.” If the clearly partisan Mr Dunn only reads that which confirms what he already believes, then he will naturally accuse Mr. Holman (or anyone else) of “wrongly [stating].”

Moreover, using unemployment figures to justify any regime (as Dunn does to justify FDR’s) is a classic model for getting a nation into serious economic trouble. Remember the late USSR? Great unemployment figures! Great “Work Projects!” What is it they say, figures lie and liars figure?

Dunn’s remarks about the Communist Manifesto are trite and argumentative, although he did get it right about constitutional amendments being constitutional.

Just as a point of interest: Can’t anyone mention “child labor” without also mentioning Charles Dickens? In Dickensian England, as in early 19th Century America, life was hard and it was common for pre-teens to work in factories or on farms. At the risk of appearing crass, Dickens working in a shoe factory at the age of 12 didn’t seem to do him any harm. Nor did working his pre-teen butt off on a farm seem to hurt, James Madison or Abraham Lincoln. My wife’s 12 year old grandson would like to be working in a garage, but until he’s legally of age he sits on his butt and watches TV. I’m not sure how that helps him.

Scotticus wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:50 AM:Rob Sulsh's letter regarding oil profits reminded me of our current gas prices. Anyone else notice that gas prices drop dramatically right around election time, then go right back up afterwards? Is this temporary reprieve a little gift from our friendly oil companies or is it their way of attempting to keep their oil friendly politicians in office?

Wanda wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:52 AM:Well, Karl, at 8:52 AM, you lost.

It took Ron, at 8:53 AM, 117 words to answer a yes or no question, which he didn't answer.

Sarrrge Protector wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:57 AM:Sarge
[-] wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:22 AM: He's probably out voting trying to save your sorry bacon.

sdraoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:58 AM:"Sarge" apparently doesn't read this page often.

If the censor prints this: Here's my prediction --If McCain wins Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, he wins. If he loses one of those three, he loses.

I have stated this theory several times on this page.

to Hardtack wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:02 AM:What a strange thing to argue: that child labor is not as bad as we think...didn't seem to hurt Dickens, Madison, Lincoln. To my mind, when people complain about child labor, it's shorthand for the exploitation of children. Many people who were exploited, though, also "did all right" later. Of course, many also died. Hardtack might want to read William Blake's poems about the London underclass, especially those about child laborers, whose death rates were enormous. Or maybe Hardtack is arguing that we should re-institute child labor, because it obviously does some people no harm. Weird.

Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:04 AM:Well, "Chuck" at 9:27AM,
at 3:27 in the "hay-em" this morning, I was up having a cigarettte and listening to the minimal traffic on I-5 while sitting on my front porch in Encinitas.
At 4:29AM I called my sister in Oakland and was going to be "the elbow in the ribs" to help her arise for the day at the usual time but she pressed the "snooze alarm" and I called her back at 5:44AM to finish the job.
Since her hubby (my brother-in-law) died in 2002, I have turned brotherly love and nagging into an art form.
Regards, Alf.

Roger wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:05 AM:Sarge, at 10:22 AM, see 8:05 AM post.

Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:06 AM:Well, "To Alf" at 10:03AM,
you are entirely welcome!
Regards, Alf.

chuck wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:10 AM:Its a good strategy. You go into the big urban areas, and promise people thousands of dollars of other peoples money each year, and a boatload of freebees just for voting for him. One of these days, buying votes will be illegal.

But DD and raoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:11 AM:You forgotthe one thing that it is, it's an ego thing. There is a quote that I forget in the opening of the show "House", something like 'people could build onuments to your ego' that seems most apropos, don't you think?

sdraoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:17 AM:DD is the quintessential whiner. His mention of Marx's minor points in a Manifesto designed to enslave all people is, in itself, meaningless.

His attack on me is also meaningless.

DD, who cares what Marx posited? Apparently only you.

As for free unbridled capitalism, that is beside the point.

DD's position that capitalism is not mentioned in the Constitution proves that he is ill equipped to argue his point. The Constitution is clear in its position about private property and "regulation of commerce."

I have no argument with intelligent regulation, so how can I be wrong and slanderous of poor DD?

Example, is it slanderous to point out the huge success of NAFTA and the millions of jobs it created in the 1990s and the tripling of exports and commerce with out next door neighbors that DD opposes?

I ask that he show us how Marx's Manifesto has been successful at any level and he accuses me of slander. He continues to posit that Marx was for public education. So what? The Soviet Union had public education for 70 years; how did the Soviet Union fare in the long run? Public education that is nothing but propaganda is useless. American public education used to produce the best students in the world despite a huge drop-out problem until, of course, teacher’s unions ascended to the power they have today. Public education today is little better than in the Soviet Union a generation ago.

Try this slander: DD is against school vouchers and I am for them.

Marx was against slavery when civilized nations had already outlawed it or curtailed it like in the U.S. (in the Constitution when it outlawed the importation of slaves as of 1820). So what?

Child labor? It still exists in countries where it is necessary for survival. Marx would have stopped child labor at the expense of millions of people not surviving. So what?

When child labor is necessary, it is necessary, Karl Marx notwithstanding.

Nonetheless, DD continues to extol these "virtues" when the United States and other civilized nations left Marx's issues in the historical dust well over a century ago.

DD, who cares?

What... wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:22 AM:I would like to know it this. If the person you voted against ends up winning the election, are you going to support him or bash him?

I mean think about this for a minute. Does it help our nation to whine about the outcome or to provide support to the leader of our great nation?

I am sure that tomorrow we will see a bunch of gloating from one side, whining about some form of cheating from the other, and then some of those in the middle will have a dark outlook and "hope" that things go badly.

This last group is the ones I don't really understand. Why would anyone want to wish something bad on our nation?

I for one, will do all I can to help our country become better, no matter which person is elected into office.

To hardtack wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:24 AM:hardtack says: " My wife’s 12 year old grandson would like to be working in a garage, but until he’s legally of age he sits on his butt and watches TV. I’m not sure how that helps him."

I fail to see how child labor would be helpful in your wife's grandson's case. Why does your wife's daughter not take responsibility for teaching her own son about responsibility by giving him chores to do? That's how we did it in the old non-child labor days and it worked pretty good in my house.

Ms M wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:24 AM:chuck
[-] wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:10 AM:...are you talking about campaign finance reform? The millions the corporations have paid over the years wasn't buying votes? Yes, I for one will be glad when we take the money out of elections. Maybe then our government will not be an extension of big business. OOPS! I think with the bailout of the fatcats our government is deep in big business.

oh raoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:25 AM:You talk about your prediction as if that was your one consistent one. Why be so humble? You've made dozens of predictions in the last months. About the Latino vote. The women's vote. The Catholic vote. As I recall, even your call about PA, OH, and FL today has changed from the other day, when you said McCain needed to win two of these. My goodness, aren't you full of ideas? LOL

Reardon wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:33 AM:Hardtack: "Child labor" is an interesting subject -- the question of whether something is "good" or "bad" depends on what preceded it.

In the case of pre-industrial England, what preceded child labor was starvation. Viewing chaining of children to factory machines is cruel BY TODAYS STANDARDS, but it was a Godsend to those who otherwise would have died of starvation.

Viewing historical events through contemporary eyes is always chancy.

Obviously, some children would be better off emotionally, financially, and in character if they worked, and obviously we make laws to cover everyone when we see abuses at the very far end.

Law is a broadsword, not a rapier.

Yadda Yadda- wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:37 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:27 AM:
You write to this blog for a living!

Its already started wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:52 AM:Take a look at the Fox News website...late yesterday, they published an article almost conceding the election, something uncharacteristic of Fox News.

Realizing its a done deal, today's news on the site is nothing but how voters are being intimidated, how the high voter turnout is skewing results, yes my friends, it is coming.

They will lose, but not graciously. Expect long protracted court battles, and don't be surprised if they steal another one.

If they do, the revolution is on!

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:59 AM:Gotta be @ 8:35 AM "Ron thinks like a child. Something is either all good or all bad".

Do you mean kind of like the liberals on this site that I have been chiding for stating "Conservatives are (fill in the bad name)?

sdraoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:02 PM:"oh raoul" slanders me because he can't read.

I previously stated that a Presidential candidate needs to win two of these three states to win the office:

Texas, California and Florida.

The person who wins two of these three states wins the office historically with few exceptions..

McCain will win Florida and Texas today but still may lose unless he carries Ohio and PA along with Texas and Florida.

"Oh Raoul" please take a reading comprehension course.

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:07 PM:Wanda
"[-] wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:52 AM:Well, Karl, at 8:52 AM, you lost.

It took Ron, at 8:53 AM, 117 words to answer a yes or no question, which he didn't answer".

It's not over yet. The proposition did not stipulate the first answer. Come on Ron, make a fellow conservative happy. Yes or No please.

But Its already started wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:13 PM:How about the robocalls that inform people that because of the heavy turnout, they should come in and vote on the sixth or later?
It began a week or more ago in an attempt to throw the election, any guesses which party is behind that skullduggery?

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:18 PM:Re: child labor

From the time my son was 14 until he moved out I employed him every summer in my construction business. As low man on the totem pole he had to do the mundane physical work and came home dirty and exhausted.

My strategy worked well. He had his own money from and early age and decided to go to college. He wanted nothing to do with the construction business. Even though the consturction industry has been very good to me and I am very proud of the many structures that I have built it is a very tough way to make a living.

Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:20 PM:Well, "Karl" at 12:07PM,
how about giving "Ron" a total of 3 chances.
That seems fair.
Regards, Alf.

Reardon wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:21 PM:Either Peggy Joseph is going to be very disappointed – or I am.

There is a great YouTube interview of her, somewhere that Ch. 6 is the NBC affiliate, in which she is all excited that when Obama wins she won’t have to buy her own gas or pay her mortgage.

Anyone for a political literacy test for voters?

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:25 PM:Greenergy and Double D's will be happy to know that even though I wake up very early (about Chuck and Alf time) I waited for a break in the weather so that I could drive my electric golf cart to the polls.

This is the first time in my 37 years of voting that I wrote in a candidate. Times are a changin'. Man it felt great to write in Ron Paul, extremely liberating!

chuck wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:28 PM:>>>#4 Halt new development without adequate safety requirements>>>

Now here's a moron that thinks a firetruck should determine if a housing complex gets built (after the city or county has taken $78,700 in permit money)

Looking Glass wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:37 PM:KARL - Trying to get Ron to say a one-word answer is trying to get me to stop eating fast food: It simply isn't going to happen! Though I wish you luck ;)

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:38 PM:Alf @ 12:20 PM:

As a conservative because I am a tightwad, I refuse to submit to "rules" after the fact. I want my 4 bills, come Ron help me out here. You can always back up your yes or no with a follow up post. I'll use the 4 bills to stimulate the economy even though my wife did a fine job on Sunday at the Carlsbad Village Faire. Does anyone else have a spouse that is on a first name basis with most the vendors that travel the street fair circuit? Don't get me wrong, the Mrs is a gem and I am reminded constantly by my folks and my sisters that I am one lucky dude. If the Mrs is happy (which is most of the time) then Karl is happy and vice versa.

Looking Glass wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:39 PM:I'm really curious when all the votes are tallied to see who all wrote in Ron Paul for U.S. President. Where would I find it, on the government's web site?

It doesnt work Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:44 PM:you said, "Well, 'Karl' at 12:07PM,
how about giving "Ron" a total of 3 chances.
That seems fair.

It doesn't work. And Ron, has no excuses, except he ducks issues he can't handle, and cherry picks those he thinks he can.

If you follow Ron's blatherings, you know he often picks up on posts from the day before, so I'm sure he didn't miss my questions, which I gave him 3 chances at.

The following was posted on 1:47pm 02 Nov, and 12:32 pm on 03 Nov, and yet again at 4:36pm on 03 Nov, never to be commented on by Ron.

Maybe the 4th time is a charm!

HEY RON:

I've noticed that when you usually get a physical appendage stepped on, you come back with at least a lame retort.

However, you have failed to answer me.

So, let's try this again, because I know how you feel it is your lot in life to educate us.

If you can't or chose not to respond, because the talking points don't fit the issues I've raised, we'll all understand.

So, here goes:

For months you have, to us who are not as bright as you, been "setting us straight".

Before election day, give me one more vision, as you see it.

If Obama, of "NObama" as you like to call him, is elected, by what date will the economy collapse, Islamic-facists take over America, Mothers Day be cancelled, and the sale of Apple Pie be made illegal?

Lady wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:48 PM:ABOUT "RDO' It took them 1 year (yes,1 year,I use college every day) to build the median on College Bld. WHAT a joke and ALOT of money... There IS no room to widen College HELLO, RDO only solution....

Ms M wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:02 PM:Reardon
[-] wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:21 PM:...Anyone for a political literacy test for voters?...geez - I wish we thought about that 8 yrs. ago.

Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:08 PM:Well, "Karl" at 12:38PM,
Mrs. Alf comes close in one respect -
when up in Idyllwild on about our 1st or 2nd anniversary, she walked into an expensive glass store (from which we have an interesting 3-tiered candle-holder) and uttered the infamous words, "But, dear, it's only money!".
She even had a T-shirt made with that phrase on the front just to taunt me or to let salespeople know the score.
Regards, Alf.

Heres raoul wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:10 PM:Raoul did tell us that winning two of TX, CA, FL yields the White House. But he has also said many other things. I pulled up 11/2 just as a random check. Here's raoul that day:
November 2, 10:29: "Two days before the election and White Catholics have returned to McCain. White women favor McCain.[...]If McCain carries Pennsylvania he wins"
November 2, 2:30: "All Catholics: Obama-38 percent, McCain 51 percent and 11 percent undecided. This movement shows that McCain bettered his catholic support by taking away Catholics from Obama. For the ill- and uniformed who post here, white Catholics have voted for the winning candidate for President since Dwight Eisenhower."
November 2, 6:03: "If McCain wins PA, he wins for he will undoubtedly win Ohio and Florida."
Raoul gives himself many opportunities to be right and wrong. He just denies the wrong ones. LOL I wish raoul would gather every post he's sent about the election, compile them, and publish them. He could title it, "All over the place: the political predictions of sdraoul".

the invitation remains Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:11 PM:Of course libs bash yahoos as well. But the challenge remains: make a pile of posts by libs and conservatives here and simply count the name-callings, the lies, the half-truths. Just count them based on actual facts. The results will be quite clear.

Alf wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:11 PM:Well, "Reardon" at 12:21PM,
What? Spoil all the fun??
Regards, Alf.

Wanda wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:21 PM:The 1:11 PM poster has a valid point, though if you counted in all of my posts which never make it to the board I might skew it the other way.

Reardon wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:30 PM:Alf: Just remember, her vote counts exactly as much as yours!

(That's why I favor a weighted vote, based on taxes paid. Those who have the most to lose should have the most weight -- and I dare say Peggy Joseph is one who receives, not pays, taxes, one of those 40% who vote money out of other’s pockets.)

Reardon wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:36 PM:Ms. M: I favor a Constitutional Amendment permitting "recall."

I am not certain that we could have recalled Bush -- but we could have focused him more clearly on the will of the people.

The way it is now, there is no recourse. Any president with a compliant Congress is a fast car with no brakes, as we are likely to experience.

To Reardon wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:41 PM:Its kinda like the fairness doctrine, huh?

When the conservatives were a minority, the fairness doctrine made sense; now that they are a majority, its a horrible idea.

And perhaps timing is everything.

With GW safely out of the reach of an ammendment, and the certainty of an Obama election, it looks good?

Just goes to show that military service, even making a military career, does not make one a good American!

hardtack wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:48 PM:Apparently, the fear I expressed in my 10:25 AM post was justified. The contributors @ 11:02 AM and 11:24 AM do think it crass to even gently suggest that we might want to rethink child labor law as it applies to the 21st Century. Only Reardon’s 11:33 AM contribution is relevant to my thinking : Child labor law is a “broadsword” whereas a scalpel might be what is needed in this century.

DD Wiz wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:49 PM:Understanding Basic Economics
The post from "hardtack" (10:25am) shows that he just doesn't get it. He just cannot grasp the simple concept that when more people are employed and earning money they buy things, create demand, and bubble up the economy. He clings to the old failed "trickle down" theory that has been repeatedly discredited. He can't even open his eyes, look around and SEE the economic devastation attempts to practice that have wrought. Well, the REAL AMERICANS of this great nation are about to spank the perpetrators of that economic fraud.

"sdraoul" still way off base
The post from "sdraoul" (11:17am) continues to drift further into utter meaninglessless.
He whines about comments on Marxism as being irrelevant and I agree. So why do the conservatives yell "Marxist" as their automatic, Pavlovian salivation every time liberals want public entities to address matters of public interest with public policy solutions?
If it is so irrevelant, why are the conservatives so fixated and obsessed about it? There is a Socialist Party and a Communist Party in the United States. Address your complaints about Marxism and Socialism to them, not to those to whom you admit your phony name-calling and Republican slime propaganda is misdirected.
As for child labor, neither Marxists nor Liberals oppose child labor per se, only the exploitative practices common to that Dickensian era. Under appropriate controls, work experience can be, and often is, both productive and educational. Again, "sdraoul" goes after the phony straw man of his own desperate invention.
As for vouchers, I am not inherently opposed, execpt when they would be set up in such a way as to undermine public education and public policy and the separation of church and state.
If vouchers are not used to fund religious schools, and require accountability in terms of compliance with educational codes and standards for educational compensation, however those who offer such proposals never include such provisions.
But again, now "sdraoul" is just changing the subject. Again. Ho hum.
Peace, prosperity and sunshine to all, DD Wiz

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:58 PM:Looking Glass @ 12:37 PM:

You can do it LG, give up the fast food. I kid about being an old fart, truth be known I turned 55 this year and love my age. I'm old enough to know better and young enough to do something about it. I gave up most fast food and caffeine about 5 years ago, when the Mrs was diagnosed with diabetes. I always pack fruit (who does not love apples, oranges, bannanas, kiwis etc and especially any melon) and veggies when I know I'll be looking for Alf's KJ about noon. I have not given up completely and absolutely love a Big Mac or a Whopper occasionally but when I must Subway is a good stop.

If I can do it, you can.

Peace

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:06 PM:Alf you are a gem when it comes to reminding me of the good old times. Your post at 1:08 PM "She even had a T-shirt made" reminded me of when my son could not get enough quarters to play video games no matter where we were.

I had a t-shirt made with caps and bold letters that said "No I Don't Have a Quarter" It also worked well in downtown San Diego.

Reardon wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:15 PM:Looks like Obama has more than just a few redistributionists on his side in Congress.

While some on this Blog like to pretend that it is just tax policy, the truth is a bit different:

There is a great YouTube of Jim Moran (D-VA) "this simplistic notion that people who have wealth are entitled to keep it and they have an antipathy towards the means of redistributing wealth.”

Mr. Obama et al, please meet Mr. Moran.

Mary wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:22 PM:No, I am a registered Independent, not a Republican, sorry. But thanks for the kudos of being a poster child, I feel honored. I used to be a registered Democrat but the current crowd is too liberal and apparently is leaning even more towards socialism. I am also an atheist but that probably doesn't make any difference. Anyway, what I said is going to happen whether I wish it or not. Obama is not what you think or hope but I guess you will just have to find out for yourself. Anyway, I voted for Obama so let's see if socialism works this time, it hasn't yet.

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:29 PM:the invitation remains Karl @ 1:11 PM,

I wish I had the time and patience. Oops I'm retired and I have the time but patience is another issue. Since you are offering the challenge you must have the data, please present it.

I love this blog for pure entertainment value and have actually learned a few things. Since I consider myself a "conservative" (fiscally) I realize that my view is slanted, do you? I will not take the time to complete your assignment, sorry. It is MHO that the libs/left on this site use one heck of a lot more name calling than the cons/right. If this is not the case prove it to me, I will accept tangible results and change my HO if facts prove me wrong, can you say that?

I have got to tell everyone on this site that I have a lot of respect for Ron, hardtack, (what happened to Nick?)SDraoul and especially Reardon. While they are trashed on a daily basis by the majority they keep replying as best they can and stand by their position.

Are RH(N)SDR and R right all the time in my view? Heck no. Are they right some times, heck yes (especially Reardon).

One telling tale on this blog and this is for you "the invitation remains Karl @ 1:11 PM" I do not believe that I have ever been blasted for my Independent (get rid of dems and reps alike) views by RH(N)SDR but I have been dressed down by a lib/left that thinks if I don't agree with their view I am the enemy.

What do you make of that?

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:34 PM:To Reardon @ 1:41 PM:

The "fairness doctrine" never has and never will make sense to this Independent Conservative.

Karl wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:38 PM:With winter upon us (OMG it might get down to 59 as a high) does anyone have a good crockpot soup recipe that is low on carbs and cholesterol?

Vote for Prop 8 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:41 PM:Defend marriage! Also please vote no on every bond because California is in debt already from bonds. Vote yes on Prop 4 to keep parents informed if their kid has an abortion. (There are exceptions i