Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

"Because as far as I can see Obama's the whitest black man around."

Rez and Brian were shocked at this statement, didn't know what it meant and seemed to have never heard it before. With all due respect, all I can say is neither of you must EVER hang with any black people. It means he has made an effort to downplay his race, especially when he became in a position of power within the so-called white establishment -- not an UncleTom charge...completely different.

black like me:

Here is the article I wanted you to see.

http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=529&Itemid=1

barack room ballads............

Good morning all.

A big deal was made about Michele Obama's proud to be an American comment. So let me say I fully agree with her.

I'm no longer proud to be an American and you want to know why?

Because we spy on our own people. We kidnap people and send them to foreign countries to be tortured even if there innocent. We invaded a sovereign country for its resources and destroyed its infrastructure.

We used WMD's against the Iraqi people, our allies and our own troops. We gave mercenaries the right to kill women and children including male civilians even though they did nothing to warrant it.

And there are many others too numerous to mention I'm sure. We have also spread hatred of Hispanics, Muslims and all others who's not pure lily White.

So yes, I not proud to be an American and it looks like I won't be for a very long time to come. They say you get the Government you deserve and if that's still true then prepare for a President McCain in the fall.

Now go ahead and bash me all you want.

God Bless.

Anon.....but Michelle said she IS now proud to be an american.......she's proud now after all the ills you listed?
something's not squaring up there......

Obama’s Pastor: “God Damn America”

"An ABC News review of dozens of Rev. Wright’s sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.

Rev. Wright, who declined to be interviewed by ABC News, is considered one of the country’s 10 most influential black pastors, according to members of the Obama campaign."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/03/13/obamas-pastor-god-damn-america/#more-1796

AP, she said she was proud for the first time in her adult life, a considerable span of time during which there was a lot of positive history for all Americans.

Nobody is proud of our country all the time--not those on the left, center, or right.

Peace

This may be appropriate for this blog.

Notice:

This blog does requires no physical fitness program.

Everyone gets enough exercise jumping to conclusions, flying off the handle, running down the boss, knifing friends in the back, dodging responsibility and pushing their luck.

Courtesy of one of my reporting people at work.

The Newsmax piece made it to the op-ed page of the Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120545277093135111.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

I love the title of AP's article about Governor-to-be Paterson:

"Paterson's ascension inspires disabled"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080314/ap_on_re_us/ny_governor

I think he offers hope for a lot of us, not just New Yorkers.

Craig..... my fellow hot tubber....
that is not good news about Florida....

hot tubbin' in sunny Florida is very nice.....

but for a real great experience...... try doing it in the mountains somewhere up north during winter when it's snowing..... it's invigorating!

although..... I do envy you all that sunshine and grass right now...... :0)

"Now go ahead and bash me all you want."

Spare me the theatrics, Anon.

RR, I wonder if he's at his parents' house. If so, I hope they have a long list of chores for him now that his ankle is better; no more freeloading!

"Everyone gets enough exercise jumping to conclusions, flying off the handle, running down the boss, knifing friends in the back, dodging responsibility and pushing their luck. "

ROFL, Bow!

sturgeone...

Yes she did. I believe she said for the first time and that was because she saw a chance to return America back to the great country we once were before Der Fuhrer Adolph Bush came into power with the rest of the Republican Fascist Nazi's.

A change from Racial and Gender Politics to a all inclusive Nation were everyone is equal.

God Bless.

anon & any other ingrates - Would you rather live in a more oppressive place like China or Cuba? Perhaps Somalia or Iran are more to your liking, no? Can you at least be grateful to live in a country where you can spew your ingratitude in public?

I am proud to be an American, although I'm not so proud of some of the choices that have been made. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

ps - Ta-ta Fluffy, welcome aboad David Gregory. (Is Tucker getting a new show somewhere else?)

Clinton Opens Her Home to Woo Unaligned Lawmakers

"Having mastered the art of town-hall meetings on the campaign trail, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is now holding them in a more comfortable setting: her living room.

On Wednesday night, the Democratic presidential candidate held a private reception for several dozen members of Congress at her house on Whitehaven Street in Kalorama.

But the real mission of the evening was to court lawmakers -- who are also superdelegates in the party's nominating process -- especially those from some of the biggest states.

Clinton replied that superdelegates exist for a reason and should use their own judgment about which candidate would be best in the general election."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/13/AR2008031303648.hl

tm

Keep those eardrums away from the jets.

blueINdallas...

I did not say that I wasn't proud to be an American. I said I was no longer proud to be an American. Because that's not what Americans are. Or should I say that's not what this country was built on.

The principles our country was based on are not what we are living under for a long, long time. That America died a long time ago and I definitely am not proud to be associated with that America. Maybe you are.

And if everyone believes its alright for our country to do all the above things I wrote than your no better then those committing those crimes.

You can be as proud as you want of being an American, however under what our country has become I am not.

God Bless.

"The principles our country was based on are not what we are living under for a long, long time. That America died a long time ago and I definitely am not proud to be associated with that America. Maybe you are. "

Well, anon.....have you actually done anything helpful? Or just spread conspiracy theories and bitch?

So now Mika is on air trying to suggest that the Rev. Wright's comments being public is Hillary's fault. Bull. Even MoJo says it's out now because he's close to having the nomination.

What I want to know, is why anon and others haven't mentioned the fact that from the pulpit this guy called Natalie Holloway a "slut"?

Where do I begin? We New Yorkers have spent all week using humor to try to recover from our Governor's lapses in judgment, and now on C-List, I read something that may infer that Craig Crawford has such low scruples that he'd share a hot tub with a Red Sox fan.

Or Renee, did I read too much into your 7:34AM post?

Heading for work. I'll check in later. I'm going to start looking for a loose, or visually impaired Sox fan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in some warm water this weekend.

Oh well, now MoJo says he guesses Hillary's campaign found these tapes. Puh-leeze. The campaign didn't need to drag these out.

sorry, but the story aint Hillary.......the story is the preacher man.......

Craig...in a hot tub...ohhhyeahhhh...now, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!

LOL @ Mika asking if BHO has to come out and speak against his pastor...

uh...yeah...I think he does...just like HRC had to do with GF.

I don't think a statement from his campaign is gonna do it for BHO.

Oh, great...now Chris Obamatthews is saying he understands where the rev is comin' from....oh Lord!!

Patsi...

It wouldn't matter to you anyway. You continue being proud of what we do, after all its your right under our destroyed Constitution.

God Bless.

I guess I'll be leaving also. That's right Patsi, I'm taking my ball and going home.

Love the hot tub edition. We love ours in the winter too -- especially on really cold nights and when it snows.

What on earth is MoJo wearing today? He's got my nomination for worst dresser on MSNBC.

Mika is particularly snarky today. How is it she defends the preacher man the day after she was dragging poor Geraldine through the coals?

EdVB..... ROFL!

Flatus... yes.... no more freeloading..... he can start by cleaning out the hot tub...

"A change from Racial and Gender Politics to a all inclusive Nation were everyone is equal."
Anon..... I'd love to know what country practices that..... I'd move there with you...
seriously.... the USA has never been that country.... human beings are what they are..... flawed and full of foibles.... including prejudices..... all of us...
the best you can do is to try to live your own life with as much integrity as possible.....
take good care of Ginger..... I just lost one of my babies..... it's hard....

Patsi..... blaming the Wright tapes on Clinton..... you expected something different from MSNBC?.... I stopped watching the channel except when Craig is on just before Xmas..... it was a present to myself....

People seem to be jumping off the BHO bandwagon, like rats off a sinking ship...

how can obama defend his membership of this church ? sermon sounds like verbal flag burning. where is warren and brian h this morning' obama will need some help on this one

Renee: did you just lose a pet or loved one? Very sorry to hear that. But welcome back.

I just lost one of my babies.....
--RRenee

Ohhhhhhh...I am so sorry to hear that.. 8(

Is that LardAssLiberal's hot tub?

Did I hear you mention Oprah on Morning Joe yesterday? Hurray!

Good morning Lush:

re your comment: " People seem to be jumping off the BHO bandwagon, like rats off a sinking ship..."

Are they saying that on MoJo? (Clueless there, because I never watch the program.)

What are you referring to? Thanks. (Gorgeous day here in No Virginia.)

Thanks.

IAgirlinDC -- ha, no that's mom'n'dad's tub. Lardass' tub is probably much larger, as you might imagine -- yeah i distinctly remember mentioning Oprah but it was 6:30am, don't remember what i said exactly, hope it was something nice -- Craig

Craig: gotta love your hot tub pundit commentary today.

Especially liked the loooong stop at mailbox interior. I think that might have been a first for video news, and it was oddly soothing.

Craig....that hot tub scene was hilarious....and they didn't treat you like Ed Rendell and put you on after the camel races!

"the day after she was dragging poor Geraldine through the coals? "

No kidding. You'd think Geraldine Farraro WAS David DUke, like that fool Olberman suggested.

re: Obama's Pastor

I can't imagine why anyone would go to a church for 20 years if they did not agree with the teachings.

This is just one clip, there are numerous others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ZJYfyCRXc

Flatus wrote: "I think he offers hope for a lot of us, not just New Yorkers."

I'm very excited about Patterson's ascension to the Governorship ... I've been doing some reading about him and he seems like someone who is well respected and has done a lot of good work. He also gets props from both sides of the aisle for being able to bring people together unlike Spitzer. I'm not a New Yorker but will watch with great interest.

Craig....something weird just happened to a post of mine. Without meaning to it appeared that earlier posts might have been included to the thing I responded to....I thought it was erased. but am afraid it might turn out to be one of those miles-long re-posts.

Mika has a relative working on the Obama campaign...she has been sent by the campaign to float this crap...she should be removed from MSNBC till this is all over because she's clearly just an Obamabot programmed to shill for the Obama campaign.

Gotta love this story:

Tehran's police chief out, exposed in brothel

by Mark Silva

New York's got nothing on Tehran.

The day after New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's announced resignation for involvement in a prostitution ring, comes word that the police chief in Tehran -- yes, Iran -- has resigned following his arrest, naked, in the company of six nude prostitutes in a brothel, overseas wires are reporting.

here's an even-handed Jan. 2007 Chicago Tribune article i found helpful in trying to understand the context of Obama's relationship with Wright: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,294740,print.story

Dear Craig:
I watch you often, mostly from MSNBC a.k.a. MSBHO [messiah Barack H. Obama network] Hardball, the now defunct Tucker, Countdown etc and always enjoy your segments that are far too short.

You are one of the few credible journalists I respect and perhaps the only one not in the tank for Sen. Obama's campaign.

What amazes me is the hatred for Senator Clinton that permeates through the media and many liberal democratic websites. Daily she gets castigated from both the left and right wing.

Yesterday the whole entire day on MSNBC was spent castigating Senator. Clinton in relation to silly trivial nonsense of a comment by former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro [whom I deeply respect and admire] for a comment she made that was speciously in a deliberate way portrayed as racist, which angered me and simply not true! The whole day was endless replays of Geraldine’s comment, and Hillary’s apology ad nauseum.

Today I would like to see how the media addresses the verbal messianic Black Separatist views of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright who, in one capacity or another has been associated with Senator Obama’s campaign. Many of his homilies have little to do with Senator Obama’s message of hope, unity and reaching out and being inclusive. Let’s face it; Rev. Wright plays an important role in the Senator’s life. Well over 20 years of his life has been devoted to this Church and Reverend. When we attend Sunday or Saturday services, we listen to our pastors and try to carry out what they preach in their homilies and employ it in our everyday lives. Now having prefaced that, what does it say when a Reverend preaches that HIV was sanctioned by government against African Americans, or that [paraphrasing] that America deserved 911 and calling upon God for the damnation of America. In addition, that Americans were horribly wicked for dropping nuclear bombs upon Japan, maybe the Reverend forgot about Pearl Harbor and the Bataan Death March?

The immediate days ahead will be interesting ones, so far at this posting Senator Obama has not repudiated the Rev. Wrights remarks other than a disclaimer by a campaign aide, I suppose they are weighing the situation. On the one hand, if he repudiates the Reverend, he risks possibly alienating the African American community and being labeled an “Uncle Tom” or if he remains non-committal and refuses to renounce and repudiate the Reverend publically will he lose support among whites that have supported him?

All I can say is that the days ahead will be very interesting. In any event, I do not think there will be a revote in Florida and honestly, I see no logical rational reason that the delegates cannot stay as is since both Hillary and Obama’s names were on the ballot. Michigan however is a different story and who knows how that will play out.

Anyway, Craig, you will have to get back at Mica, Joe, and Willy on “Morning Joe” having a little fun at your expense. Anyway, wink wink I like your video in the “hot tub”

Sincerely,
--Heather

--sorry I had mistakenly posted this comment in the wrong section earlier

Some New Factual Truth About Barack Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfU5MD-9wkw&feature=related

(Obama is unelectable. This video is nothing compared to what would be out in the GE.)

"I can't imagine why anyone would go to a church for 20 years if they did not agree with the teachings"

First you might want to educate yourself and not just go with a typical white middle class "oooooh scary blackman reaction" to some carefully edited news clips.

Did you even bother to look at the other related clips that youtube had about Obama's church? There are several interesting ones there.

Or you might just google "Obama , church" and find the church website.
When you look at the wide variety of ministries to church offers to the community maybe you would get an inkling of why a person with Obama's background would be comfortable in that church.

"by their fruits ye shall know them"

The Reverend Wright may have some beliefs and ideas that may make you uncomfortable but he has built a strong, inclusive, community based church

Jack

Welcome Heather - I for one hope you stick around - we need more like you 'round these parts.

That jovial Uncle...

On MoJo this morning Scarborough was critical of BO's response to Pastor, Rev. J. Wright's "God Damn America" and blaming 9/11 on US policy, while poor Mika's pained expression seemed terminal. BO said of his pastor he is like "everyone's outspoken uncle" reminding me of my own Thanksgiving meals whereby my KKK uncle reveled in his supremacist banter and delighted the children, in similar fashion on any given Sunday at Wright's church.

Milquetoast for BO

Renee,

Glad you enjoyed my spin on your hot tub comment.

I don't know about you, but life is so much better now that I can watch the rebroadcast of a Spring Training game at night, and avoid searching for a lesser evil on cable news.

I hope the Red Sox fans got to see our 59 year-old lead-off hitter strike out yesterday. It took almost 60 years, but Billy Crystal is George Steinbrenner's answer to Eddie Gaedel.

I didn't particularly like the stunt, but I heard Crystal being interviewed from the dugout during the game, and he turned me around a little. Now I'm on the side of-- it provided a little publicity and it did no harm.

welcome aboard Heather, and yes i let Willie use that video fully expecting to get razzed, it was fun

I can't imagine why anyone would go to a church for 20 years if they did not agree with the teachings

Jack -You are welcome to your opinion, I still stand by mine.

btw- my post stated there were several other clips to view.

Craig...loved the hot tub video.

I am glad to see you joined fellow dem Floridians who are in pretty hot water.

make room in your hot tub, Craig....Mika said Joe is on his way to Florida!!!

My male turtle is out of hibernation (as of yesterday afternoon)...I wonder if that means anything for the dems in Florida? Let's move this process along...June 10th will be here before you know it!

EdVB,

That strikeout was a much better sequel to City Slickers than the one with Jon Lovitz.

Plus... better it was Billy than Lindsay or Brit-Brit or Paris or Jessica (who has already shown her amazing capacity to win over sport fans).

Do you ever listen to Ken Levine's baseball broadcasts from LA? His blog's delightful and so is he.

Craig,

Love the hot tub.

Enjoyed your cam spelunking the mailbox.

But I'd have to say once again you came up yet another perfect (and perfectly subversive) visual metaphor for this entire campaign.

Putts. Well, the alternative Yiddish spelling with a Z.

As that is what there seem to be a bunch of everywhere I look or cock an ear.

RR
So sorry about your kitty

Craig
Love this and thanks to your producer for including the easy links

Wright
I could have done without the vulgar insults to President and Mrs. Clinton

And Mike et al are idiots the Rev Wright put out boxed set of his sermons Oh and Mika how's the Bloomberg campaign going?

Will there be boxed sets of video trail mix?

dog....
I lost one of my cats... Ami... she'd been sick from getting hyperthyroidism and had lost a lot of weight.... it affected her kidneys and she passed on right after we got back from vacation.... we sorely miss her....

Lush..... thank you....

EdVB.... missed Billy Crystal's at bat..... haven't started watching the spring training games yet..... I must correct that fact soon.....
and not watching cable news has been a godsend!..... we started watching American Idol this year and we actually are enjoying it....

whskyJack..... glad to see you back....
I love your level headed treating both sides fairly posts....

the silence from obama on the wright issue is deafening..........what judgement ????? tony rezko.....what judgement ??????? william ayers.....what judgement ???????i said from the beginning this guy is a is a con artist.....jst maybe people will wake up in time .....he will never win the GE.....i can see the swiftboaters and 527's from the GOP now .......dem party is in trouble if he is the candidate,,,,,,,sorry but thats reality.......im a dem but i think the party is too far left and it may sink us in the long run

Probably just my slow DSL connection, but watching this video is like watching one of those old Japanese movies with the English dubbed over, where the words don't even remotely match the lip movements. I still say Clinton and Obama should arm wrestle for those delegates.

Renee,

Deeply sorry about any suffering chez vous... among the two or four or more legged.

I am glad that Mr. Crawford has given the blog its best recent line of continuity: hot tubbing. You began it, he picked up the wet torch.

The surge has officially failed. Even Petreaus admits it

http://firedoglake.com/2008/03/14/petraeus-admits-the-surge-has-failed/#comments

RR

Sorrry about the loss of Ami. I am sure she was lucky to have you and your family through all of her nine lives.

kgc,

Interesting how he joins all who got behind Fallon -- and pushed -- and then announces this in order to get more troops, more time and more war in more places.

I think the man simply wants more pages in more future history books... and knows what is going to be written about him now won't be terrific... and that his only chance for iconization for future generations is to try, try, try again and again and again and again.

Gates showed his true nature once again ain't what was written about him. Wasn't the first time either.

Fallon had the only macro vision at the top -- the vision which seems to be the view of the chain of command from the bottom up until it reaches the sclerotic careerists.

To them everything is smaller than life -- not even a micro view but of one that simply accepts that what is before them doesn't really matter, ever ever ever.

the silence from obama on the wright issue is deafening.

im a dem but i think the party is too far left and it may sink us in the long run
Posted by: tz

sounds right....but almost a lone voice in the wind

"btw- my post stated there were several other clips to view."

But did you watch anything but the hatchet jobs?
the one from Fox, The Hannity hit job, and the really bad one from CBS that took a variety of single lines with no context.

Did you watch the church drill team?
The youth Choir. there are many clips from the youth ministry?
The world awareness day clip?
Did you go to the web site and see people explaining why they like their church?
Did you at least read the link Craig posted?

BTW thanks for the link Craig.

Another warm day, I've got a house to rehab or the wife is going to trade me in for something better
See you all later

Jack

"To them everything is smaller than life -- not even a micro view but of one that simply accepts that what is before them doesn't really matter, ever ever ever."

smaller than life -- priceless.

I will be eagerly awaiting McCain's comments

Thank You!
Craig & Wendy I appreciate both of your welcomes, and yes I plan to stick around I enjoy the site and the people that comment very much!

I was born and raised in NY but I do have a Florida connetion, my grandfather bought a vacant lot many years ago in Miami Beach when it was dirt cheap and built his own house there for the winter months and as a little girl we used to vist there and I loved going to the beach a few blocks away.
Grandpa has since passed away [lived to 107] but we still keep and maintain the house and I visit it occassionaly.

I guess you can draw a line across the middle of Florida southern half can be Pradise Lost the northern half, Paradise won. Craig probably knows by that I mean that for local politics south Florida is perhaps the most politically corrupt in the union.

Maybe one day south Florida can one day catch up with its nothern half and function in governmental sense as well as it's northern half minus the corruption. One can only hope lol

P.S. Whats with all this condo-mainia in South Florida $750,000 condos are popping up like mushrooms.

You can go to Downtown Miami and probably take a pulitzer prize winning photo of a poor homeless person sleeping on the cold unforgiving concrete sidewalk not more 25 yards away from a million dollar condo, its just heartbreaking [welcome to Bush & Cheney's America]

We can and should have a better America we need to always be vigilant and caring for our nation's must vulnerable and poorest. Sen Edwards was right we can no longer be Two Americas!

No President Bush it is not a sin to be poor, rather it is a sin to ignore the poor and the plight of the poor. Each individual has a responisibility to the poor as well as our government, local, state and federal anything less is inhumane.

Once again thank you Craig, Wendy and all for your kind welcome.

Sincerely,
Heather

Yes, I read the link Craig posted. I see nothing wrong with Obama believing in his church, and again I stand by my post.

I do not understand why my post is so offensive to you. The church is whatever it wants to be, and BHO has the right to his choice. If a person belong to a church for 20 years, I would think that person most likely agrees with the majority of teachings. That's all.

Obviously, this post is a problem for you.

Heather..welcome...you bring-up a good reminder about the poor...and where is Edwards these days?

The homeless problem is a continuation of the Reagan years when his programs released many with mental problems from the federal system into the streets...many Vietnam vets were also fed to the concrete at that time...it is a Republican legacy. I remember a comedian from last century doing a routine about hobos vs the homeless. He claimed that when he was young, he would dress-up on Halloween as a hobo and it was cool. It had more a romantic choice about being without a home and riding trains around the country. Today it is the shame of a government who ignores the mental health issues of its populace and the economic issues of its families in trouble.. Back to universal health care. The US sucks in how it ignores this most urgent need.

And the wealthiest segment of the US continued to grow during the Bush years.

The discussion about Obama's church is curious since only his church is being questioned and not all church's.

I am a non practicing Catholic. I decided long ago that I will never ask for penance from a Priest who is probably molesting children or skimming from the collection plate. I can understand why church's are pro life, yet they try to justify war or turn away from condemning the death penalty.

Northern Ireland has had conflict for generations amongst two groups praying to the same God. I would love if someone could explain what they are fighting about.

Muslims in the Middle East have been fighting for generation, taking breaks during the day, to pray to the same God. The main difference I see with the Sunni's and Shia is that they started fighting over who was the successor to Mohammed. So they were fighting over control of the church instead of advancing their God's word.

The ministers endorsing McCain seem extreme. This Pastor Wright seems extreme. Falwell, Robertson, Swaggert, Haggerd...all of them seem extreme to me.

Those who feel offended by Wright's words about "God Damn America" should realize they they are no different than what more "mainstream" pastors were saying in the aftermath of 9/11. Also remember that he is echoing the general world view of the United States.

If you read the news, our currency is proving to be so worthless that even families of illegals are trying to get funds turned to euros as soon as they get them. We have little prestige left on the world stage and it will only continue to get worse.

I can feel the Archie Bunker, "love it or leave it" argument coming. Just think what would happen if everyone that loved the US did leave...

Blonde wino,

I had just that conversation with my daughter about Reagan during the time of his funeral/apostropication. (Mind you, I've got the complete Korngold score for King's Row on my comp -- THAT role deserved an Oscar and a better career more than he deserved GE and the GE-OP.)

Where IS Edwards indeed?

Man, I would be so wiped after a week of campaigning. But how many years did JE put in?

And as someone who lives around treatment weeks... I understand EE and JE and their kids having their time apart from external life.

But... where is the soi-disant fighter?

I don't know how many people here use MSN messenger but if you do, go to this link and join their IM network. MSN will make a contribution to one of the listed charites everytime you send a message using that service.

There are so many good groups to chose from, I will vary on a daily basis. Today is am IM'ing for the Humane Society. Tomorrow it will be the Susan G. Komen Foundation....

http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/Default.aspx

9/11

When BHO decided to embrace Reagan, he lost my vote...and to all, thank God for the separation of church and state! : )

Top of the day peeps, I see some so called democrats are channeling repugs and acting like "patriotism police". Sad!

Brian...isn't BHO the champion of indies and repugs? I thought that was his claim to fame. What is a "so called" dem?"

He's the champion of people who hunger for change, regardless of their party affiliation. Blonde I know it's a stretch but try and think outside the box. Just try.

Morning Patsi,

I'm finishing some chores and some java this am, then i'll get back :)

I

Wino,

Say what you will about Reagan, but he believed in a strong dollar. He did way too many things that I will never agree with, but he was a strong leader who was capable of crossing over to work with Tip O'neil. Maybe it was a case of 2 irish guys being able to hash things out over a pint but I'm willing to bet that if Reagan were president these past 8 years, the clusterfuck level would be much lower...

Hell, he presided over the largest tax cut ever...then realized that he needed to raise taxes later and he did. I know Republicans forget the tax hikes, but he was at least willing to do what was necessary to try and fix things, unlike W.

Brian...BHO will never be my champ...chump, maybe.

And that change thing is getting pretty stale...like chump change.

Must go to work!

There is hunger.

There is appetite.

There is taste.

All have to be combined for a balanced dynamic, politically or socially or personally.

Hunger and hunger alone leads to pathologies on two legs.

We all know some of those, don't we?

Whether through history, personal experience...

Or postings on this blog.

Oh wow Blonde, pithy!

kgc,

I know the point you're trying to make, but misquoting Petreaus out of context is no more defensible than doing the same to Geraldine Ferraro.

Anyone, who goes to the link, gets your point, but in the interest of keeping our side squeaky-clean, and clarifying your comments for those who may not have followed through to the link, I needed to note that's not exactly what he said and probably not what he meant.

Bear...before I go, the almighty dollar isn't as important as peeps to me. And it was Reagan who brought us the savings and loan debacle of the 1980s...strong dollar??

I really have to work...sorry I can't stay.

"I can feel the Archie Bunker, "love it or leave it" argument coming."

I see those sorts of bumper stickers every so often already, Bear. Usually with a "W" patch on the vehicle....that segment of the population is bigger than we like to think.

I don't know what is worth...

A. The absolute anger that the faction within the blog have for people in the opposite camp, where emotion and childish ranting have replaced any real attempts at reasoned arguments.

B. The thought of everyone having this online conversation in one big hot tub with, with everyone going commando...I already had a stomach ache before this idea popped into my head...I am now going to sprint to the bathroom so I don't puke on my rug.

EdVB
no problem ..

n the interest of accuracy.
the Petreaus quote

"Iraqi leaders have failed to take advantage of a reduction in violence to make adequate progress toward resolving their political differences, Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said Thursday."

I report you decide if the surge has failed.
I still eagerly await McCain's response. It kind of blows a big hole in his war position.

Just for additional information
Tony Snow, discussing the purpose of the escalation, said it was to achieve the “important business of political reconciliation“:

Surge is not a term I’ve ever used. But the point is you’re trying to add strength to the forces in Iraq so that they’re going to be successful in taking out sectarian violence and also al Qaeda violence, so that you have the conditions under which people can pursue the important business of political reconciliation and economic development.

Here's the link for the Tony Snow quote

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070112-4.html

EdVB
You are absolutely right. It is too easy to take the cheap shot when with a little extra time, all the information makes a much better argument.

Nice to see the roses returning to your cheeks, Craig.

These videos are great, please keep on making them!

hmmmm - this is not going to look good in a general election - approved or not:

"The list included $1 million for a hospital where Mr. Obama’s wife works, money for several projects linked to campaign donors and support for more than 200 towns, civic institutions and universities in Illinois."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/us/politics/14campaign.html?_r=4&oref=slogin&ref=politics&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=login&oref=slogin

Patsi,

The funniest thing about bumper stickers...

I have seen about a dozen VW Beetles and all have W stickers on them...even 1 VW van...

I have seen in the last 2 days about 10 large pickups or SUV with NRA or hunting stickers and either Hillary or Obama for President...and these are being driven by good ol' boys too...

"Republicans yesterday forced Sen. Barack Obama to vote against what they labeled his own $1.4 trillion spending plan"

http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080314/NATION/382087024/1028/election

[snickers]

Republicans' "Obama spend-o-rama" amendment epitomized the day.

Sen. Wayne Allard, the Colorado Republican who is retiring after this year, offered the amendment, though as he explained on the floor to Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, "It wasn't my idea."

That came after Mr. Schumer, walking by his desk, was heard in the gallery telling Mr. Allard, "You're such a..." as his voice trailed off and became unintelligible to those in the galleries surrounding the Senate floor.

Mrs. Clinton, eager to make sure her opposition was recorded, voted twice — once from the desks and, in case the clerk didn't notice, she strode into the well of the Senate to be certain.

Near the end of the allotted time, Mr. Obama, who had been in an office just off the Senate floor conferring with a group of senators who back his presidential bid, strode to the floor with those supporters and all of them voted no.

The Illinois senator looked over the chamber and demanded to know who orchestrated the stunt. Spotting Mr. Allard, he yelled to him, "You working this hard?"

"Vote yes," Mr. Allard shot back — though even he didn't vote for the amendment himself, drawing a rebuke from Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Democrat: "Did you vote against your own amendment?"

"I have seen about a dozen VW Beetles and all have W stickers on them...even 1 VW van......"

Hilarious. (or maybe scary)....a few years back my daughter and I were at a Walgreens and followed a couple of women out the door who were....well, seriously inbred would be a kind description of the two. So as it turned out, they'd parked beside me. Their car quite literally was duct taped together, and had at least four Bush/Cheney and W stickers. Lock & Load NRA type stuff, etc.

I couldn't stop myself. As we were getting into our cars, I asked, "How's that Bush vote working out for ya?"

They didn't get it anyway, and my daughter wouldn't go shopping with me for a week.

PS -- what causes some posts to have frames around them?

thank you all for the condolences.....
I started to cry while reading them and my beautiful tortie, Phoenix (who is now the queen of felines in this household), jumped up on my lap and began licking my arm...... pets are so wonderful to have and share life with.....

9/11..... I'm so glad you've come back to grace this blog....

Heather.... welcome to the blog....
and yes.... we need John Edwards to remind us of the 2 Americas..... perhaps he'll resurface once the Dems have picked their nominee.... as I hope that Al Gore will too.... both their voices need to be part of the Democratic party....

Bear..... great post about religions....
I too left the Catholic church years ago..... the thought of kissing some bishop's ring to show my allegiance to the faith brought out my rebellious side big time.....

"Because as far as I can see Obama's the whitest black man around."

Patsi,

You mistake me being sad, with me being shocked. Pogo would say perplexed and that would probably be more correct , but remember I’m just average. :-)

It’s this whole identity politics road we’re traveling as a party

So are we back to the, is he black enough question again?

I believe the latest flurry of news flashes will certainly cure that, albeit, superficially.

I’m not black and you’re right I haven’t hung and I don’t hang with many black people, but I’m not dis-qualified from making a comment about it. I know what a token is and I understand the meaning of Uncle Tom. I don’t picture Barack in either of those roles.

“It means he has made an effort to downplay his race”

As I see it Obama is striving to become POTUS, which requires of him, among many things, the need to present himself as acceptable to all groups. He seems to have had the skills from early on to do a good job of it. As for his blackness, in the beginning he wasn’t Black enough and lately it would appear he’s become too black. I’m not sure what he’s to do now but be himself. Probably too late! That’s too bad in my book. I think I’m beginning to understand the audacity of hope better.

I’m for electing the best person for the job at this juncture in our history. Period . I hopped on the BO horse early, so it wasn’t a choice of lesser evils for me. I won’t bore you with all my rationale. Maybe it’s: “Just because”.
I’m sorry if that’s good enough.

Patsi, Gordo, et. al you must feel so proud to be in such "fine" company:

http://foxattacks.com/virus?utm_source=rgemail

Posted by: Brian Hussein In NYC | March 14, 2008 1:38 PM

"I'm rubber you're glue"

Have you signed up yet. You look like a first ballot winner.

"Because as far as I can see Obama's the whitest black man around."

I just heard David Patterson speak - and I think he "beats" Obama in this assinine contest.

(btw LL - I did not take your advice and am still hungover...).

Imagine if Wright Were Hillary’s Pastor …

"Imagine for a moment Hillary had for two decades embraced a minister and a church that preached racism or hatred for America...

Hillary Clinton not only would not be running for president, she wouldn’t be in the Senate, she probably would not be employable in public life anywhere. The question is after how many such speeches was Mr. Obama’s response to draw the man closer, to elevate him ?

Do you think CNN’s Anderson Cooper, as he did last night about Obama’s pastor, would have asked, “I mean, does it matter?”

Or that Gloria Borger would have replied, “I think, honestly, it depends on how much the Clinton [Obama] campaign decides to make of this..."?

The media are not reporting, clearly, that the Obamas give Wright’s church more than they give to any other charitable group.

The media are ignoring the now-obvious (to anyone with common sense) ties between Michelle’s negative statements about America and the views held by her pastor, who she’s listened to for decades.

She won’t even commit to supporting the Democratic nominee if it’s not her Barack? Astonishing. IMAGINE IF BILL OR CHELSEA CLINTON HAD SAID THIS.]

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/03/14/imagine-if-wright-were-hillarys-pastor/

afternoon all,

We are in a 10 minute break in a very boring deposition. I feel like I drove 2 hours to sit and watch mud slowly try to ooze uphill.

Anyway, I'm perplexed (lol, Rez) about why we are asking questions about the degree of Obama's blackness - as if there is some standard against which to measure such stuff. He's black for the purposes of this election although he's only genetically half black best we can tell. He may not be running as a black candidate, but he looks black, goes to a church with a zealot black separatist minister, and in many of the stump speeches he's given, he has sounded as much like the black tent evangelists I heard in my college days as they did, even IMHO adopting similar speech patterns and inflection. But folks, it don't matter. I want to know if he's smart enough to understand the issues he'll confront if elected, and wise enough to exercise the judgment I want to see exercised by our CEO, and progressive enough to push a legislative agenda that allows the US economy to thrive while the poor and middle class are allowed to benefit along with the fat cats, and I want to know that he'll get us out of that f*cking debacle in Iraq. Lilly white or black as the ace of spades - I couldn't care less.

Fact is, none of that makes any difference, at least not to me. I do think he needs to clarify his position about the separatist positions of his pastor - although I don't necessarily think he needs to "repudiate" the pastor, although I would feel much more comfortable about his judgment if he distanced himself from those views, and he may have done so - I haven't heard that, but if he has, bully for him.

I agree with Rez's last paragraph in his 1:19 post, only I'm on the other horse, and as Rez says "just because". But I'd like to see both sides discuss the issues - I think they have gotten lost in the press' rush to seize on sexy one liners and play gotcha with the candidates.

Rez....damn near every black I've known -- especially my son's friends -- use a form of this phrase in describing certain people, "He's the whitest black guy I've ever known."

I even heard one of my son's black coaches describe another black coach that way. It's not particularly unusual to hear it.

It's very different from Uncle Tomism, which is subservient. It's usually about successful blacks who identify more with whites.

Wow Patsi's son has black friends. I'm impressed.

Patsi,

I know exactly where you're coming from with that. We have little nicks in our community..Apple comes to mind. We don't have very good leadership either. Sometimes I think it's because we're overcritical and downright dumb, jealous, envious etc..i'm NOT saying that's your sentiments. I'll just blame it on the long primary cycle and general frustration with our party.

Today's Happy Thoughts are brought to us by the Good, Good People At Sanity Fair!

(And remember, kids -- the DSM-IV is NOT the Book of Looooove.)

The DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder are:

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy, as indicated by at least five of the following:

1. a grandiose sense of self-importance

2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

3. believes that he or she is "special" and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

4. requires excessive admiration

5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

7. lacks empathy and is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Brian, you are such an idiot.

Patsi why are you wasting your time here, you should be out telling the black voters who they should be voting for. I' m sure they'll appreciate your input.

9/11 I'm not sure it's such a good idea sharing such private information about yourself in such a public forum.

9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Posted by: 9/11 survivor (sort of

Sounds like BO's quixotic brilliance and inscrutable infallibility.

Milquetoast for BO

Patsi,

I don't recall if you were here for the days of the Narcifritz...

After around twenty of his poster boy posts, a singalong would appear:

"Ditzy Fritzy, full of sh**tzy, how does your garbage grow?
By leaps and bounds
In heaping mounds
And stinky memes piled in a row."

If anyone here would care to, Patsi has a few pages devoted to her accomplishments as a published writer over at Amazon.

Some people would respect that.

Others would feel provoked like that and look to diminish such a person to elevate themselves in their own pretty eyes.

9/11, I can think of 3 or 4 folks who have been talked about on this blog today to whom that definition applies - and you are not one of them.

pogo,

Well... I'm disappointed.

But I have my ambitions!!!!

One more post that shows your ignorance, Brian. I would be surprised and probably disappointed if blacks hadn't rallied around Obama. I only know a few who voted for Hillary in the primary here. And like me, the preacher thing about him was what put those two off. But they are enthusiastic about voting for him in a general.

Oh Lord, 9/11 -- don't send anybody to any of that crap! Running numbers on the waterfront is more respectable than trying to make a living writing.

9/11, would you mind sending me via e-mail a search term that would direct me to that info about Patsi at Amazon? I'd love to see it.

larry dot chafin at steptoe hyphen johnson dot com

9/11 - please ignore Patsi's plea not to send anyone to any of that crap.

Patsi, Gordo, et. al you must feel so proud to be in such "fine" company:

http://foxattacks.com/virus?utm_source=rgemail

Posted by: Brian Hussein In NYC

They probably would be very upset since they would be in your company.

from the link you posted
Of course, Obama isn't the only Democratic nominee that FOX and their ilk have gone after in this Presidential race. Chris Matthews, once a Roger Ailes hire, has been demonizing Hillary Clinton every chance he gets. Our friends at Media Matters have more on how Matthews is modeling himself after Bill O'Reilly. With your support we can and will continue the fight.

You are a contender.

Oh, well.

A friend of mine is performing in Europe with one of opera's great narcissists -- male -- who is engaged to an even more successful narcissist -- who is pregnant with his child (good luck to all).

And their battle for narcissistic supply and damage to others is funnier than either them could be onstage.

But man -- have they both destroyed people.

And they do not care.

In fact... they take unconcealed pride in the collateral damage of their hunger for endless narcissistic supply.

So the friend made a most telling remark about the male of the pair...

"From the number of lives he carelessly damages and destroys..

"He might as well be selling smack, crack and crystal meth."

9/11, oh, and sorry you didn't make the list. You fail miserably on Nos. 2 & 6, among others :-) Better luck next year.

My God people,

I am going to lock Patsi and Brian into a small closet so you can finally break down and play 7 minutes in heaven or so you can beat the crap out of one another...or just have a giggling slap fight...

Now back to the patriotism police blotter...

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-nbanthem0314,0,7299764.story

I'm going to respect Patsi's wishes.

But I started reading Patsi's books once she introduced herself as a person around here... back in those days when that was what people not only could do but loved to do.

I spent time as a creative director in another branch of the business where Patsi does her work.

So I'm a little familiar with the range of personalities her work addresses.

And I enjoyed every page of the three books I read.

And, yeah, I ordered them one at a time.

Bear, i guess we'd be safe to assume the 2 men weren't wearing flag pins?

Rats, 9/11 - Patsi, perhaps you'd do me the honor - We seem to see eye to eye on many issues, and I'd love to read your work. My e-mail address is above, and I'm way too lazy to search archives to find your real name.

pogo,

Like Boxer the horse...

"I... MUST... TRY... HARDER!"

Afternoon economic news. I guess the flat inflation report from the government today wasn't enough to ally traders' fears about the economy - the Dow is now down 290 pts today (2.39%) wiping out the "historic" gains of yesterday. It could rise some when the late session trading programs kick in, but this tells me that the market ain't buying the government's assessment of the numbers any more.

Yeah Patsi,

I will even buy a book because I am sure you will offer a personalize copy far quicker than Craig...

pogo,

But are they buying Duhya's statement today about his feeling "envious" of soldiers serving in Afghanistan...

Even characterizing what they are doing there as "IN SOME WAYS ROMANTIC"????

So which movie is playing in the soiled movie theeeyahter of Duhya's mind?

'Awrence of Arabia with Peter O'Toole?

The Shiek with Rudolph Valentino?

Charge of the Light Brigade (either version)?

Or -- my choice -- Gene Wilder in The World's Greatest Lover?

9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Posted by: 9/11 survivor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07BPFPy6tkE

We report. You decide.

Touche Nancy!

9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Posted by: 9/11 survivor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07BPFPy6tkE

We report. You decide.

Posted by: Nancy | March 14, 2008 2:43 PM

Touche Nancy!

Posted by: Brian Hussein In NYC | March 14, 2008 2:45 PM

Come sit next to me

*sits next to sybil*

I have black friends. And sometimes, when people see me dance, they think I am one of the blackest white guys they have ever seen.

I am not a good rapper though...such is life!

Warren I'm sure you cut a mean rug.

is that called masterbation?

Jack about to be sick

Brian
"sits next to sybil*

Posted by: Brian Hussein

We are going to watch a movie

Sybil
Sybil told the story of a woman (later revealed to be Mason) who was treated for multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) with up to 16 co-existing personalities.
Sybil
Sybil told the story of a woman (later revealed to be Mason) . The book was turned into a movie, starring Sally Field, in 1976. In July of 2006, the 30th anniversary edition of the movie was released in a 2 DVD set that included background information and interviews with the director, stars, and friends of the real Sybil, Shirley Mason. The movie was remade in 2007 with Jessica Lange as Dr. Wilbur.

sorry I was observing Brian and sybil and nancy

Jack

Can you believe the mayor of Pittsburgh is 28!!

I guess people in PA aren't so into the "experience" argument.

HRC better be prepared to check out if she loses PA.

Actually it was a made for TV movie, and I have a copy of it.

I can even do "the worm!!"

I do it at almost every wedding I go to. I have a strict policy - I will do it upon request from either the bride or the groom (and I ignore requests from the rest of my jackass friends).

Of course the interesting little piece of trivia about it is that Joanne Woodward won her Oscar for The Three Faces of Eve. I long ago posted here that someone needs to tell Hillary that The Three Faces of Eve is not about running prez.

For the uninformed...

The worm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io6zGgZILYc&feature=related

Do you get invited to a lot of weddings Warren?

Warren
You made some assumptions that are not fact based.

The Mayor of Pittsurgh has endorsed Clinon
and despite his age has a lot fo experience coming from a political family and first being elected at the age of 23.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Ravenstahl
He ran unopposed for the city council in the November 2003 general election.[5] Ravenstahl assumed his seat on council in January 2004, and in December 2005, was elected City Council President, a role he held until he became mayor. Ravenstahl, per provisions in the city's charter, ascended from the office of City Council President to Mayor on September 1, 2006 following the death of Mayor Bob O'Connor.

I did - but most of my friends are married now.

(i suppose there will be another run of weddings when they get divorced and then re-married - just kidding peeps - I hope it works out for all of them)

Patsi,

I'm actually curious and have no ulterior motive.:)

I was a looking at the BAR site and was trying to figure out just who it is they are supporting. I see they are suspicious of the DLC, so both dems are suspect there. I'm sure JM is out of the picture. So, what do they do? Is it just the agenda they're concerned about and who ever is willing to push it, gets the nod?

Seem to me that , BO, even as phony as they deem him, he would be expected to do better for blacks if he got the job.
I know you'll probably disagree, but I don't see Hill's as someone i would trust.

KGC:

Sounds like the guy was born into a family with a lot of political connections. I am always skeptical of such politicians.

And you are being a complete hypocrite if you think that 28 year-old is "experienced" enough to be mayor - but Obama is not "experienced" enough to be President.

Maybe we should change the law so that 21 year old Superdelegate can be VP. He has been into politics ever since he learned to ride a bike!!

Yeah look how good Bush's son turned out to be! But it makes sense that a "dynasty politician" would endorse Hillary.

Exactamundo Brian!

Pogo...
great to see you.... too bad about the boring meeting.....

9/11....
10. almost always involved with some form of addiction: ie, drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, etc.

Patsi.....
I just looked up your books on Amazon..... wow..... that's quite a list....
think I'll order a few myself....

RR:

I like #10.

Oh and Windy you really don't want to go Earmark Road, Hillary has been labeled the queen of earmarks by more than one group.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/clinton-can-boast-wealth-of-earmarks-2007-06-13.html

I guess now we know what she was doing during all that committee work she's so fond of bragging about. No wonder the generals love her, she spends money like a drunken sailor, but we already new that from her campaign spending habits. Don't we?

Warren
You just try to kick up dust when your own argument is found wanting. Not your first time around that track

Warren when Obama loses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD5sahXoj0U

Boom!! That's what you get if you want to play hardball Clintonites:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzRiNGJmNzA5NTcwZTEwYTI0MjE4OTM5ZDQ2Yzc0ODM

KGC:

Rehab is for quitters!!

Warren are you kicking up dust again? Keep it up and no pudding for you tonight!