Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

God Help us all if that happens......If that isn't a great reason to Vote for complete Change, I don't know what is..

maybe this "war hero" business is not all it's cracked up to be.

Morning Sturg, Like ole times. ;0)

But I have to go to work. Have a nice morning!

Dear Craig, Everyone
Good Morning I did not plan on coming today because of false accusations leveled against me yesterday, I was deeply hurt but Craig you're great and well many friends here that I do love so I guess you need a thick skin and take the good with the bad even though its not true.

I'll reserve the right to be a supporter of Hillary and critical of Obama

Sincerely,
Heather :-))

ta ta and thankee kindly.....

Nice morning ahead........I'm boning up on Norm Chomsky........lol

you have to take the bitter with the badder.....

---Lum n' Abner

Heather, don't pay a bit of attention ot any charges leveled by Brian. He's nothing more than a wack job with a deep hatred of women.

From the news:

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, remains unwilling to endorse either of the two remaining Democratic contenders, but the health care advocate told ABC News she preferred Sen. Clinton's health plan to Sen. Obama's.

In an interview with "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts, airing Wednesday, Edwards - who recently began work as a senior fellow at the liberal think tank, the Center for American Progress - said she believed Clinton's health care plan was more inclusive than that of the Illinois senator.

"You need that universality in order to get the cost savings ... I just have more confidence in Sen. Clinton's policy than Sen. Obama's on this particular issue," she said.

As to how the contentious Democratic nomination will end, Edwards said she thought letting the race end at the convention was a good idea.

"I don't actually think it's a bad idea to have an open convention, where we actually got to hash out what the differences [between the candidates] were and how important they are," she said.

I'm gazing into my crystal radio set......and I see republicans pretending to support Hillary and I see republicans pretending to be democrats pretending to support Obama......geez, the woods is crawlin' with gop ops........and the up-front republicans are lyin' low......as GE owned msnbc pretends to be a news channel which pretends to support Obama.......it's all very confusing.......except for the fact that the last person the gop wants to be president is Hillary Clinton.......

the repubs pretending to be democrats are not the ones on this board who have consistently shown themselves to be democrats who support Obama.....that's straightforward and above board.....it's just the sneaky ones who look.......sneaky.......

"except for the fact that the last person the gop wants to be president is Hillary Clinton......."

Very true.

Oh, Craig, why the shock over 'preemptive' war. Every since the Monroe Doctrine was crafted, it's been our policy.

Didnt JFK essentially scrap the Monroe Doctrine?

I should have added, what about our great American hero, Ronald Reagan, and his attack against Libya. Was that preemptive? Or, was it just an old-fashioned, middle of the night, sneak attack.

From the Wiki on Monroe Doctrine:

U.S. President John F. Kennedy at an August 29, 1962 news conference:
“ The Monroe Doctrine means what it has meant since President Monroe and John Quincy Adams enunciated it, and that is that we would oppose a foreign power extending its power to the Western Hemisphere, and that is why we oppose what is happening in Cuba today. That is why we have cut off our trade. That is why we worked in the Organization of American States and in other ways to isolate the Communist menace in Cuba. That is why we will continue to give a good deal of our effort and attention to it."

Patsi, Mrs Edwards is so right about having participation in our universal healthcare program mandatory. That's the only way, short of a single payer system, that we can reverse the trend of runaway costs that are going to bankrupt our country.

To say nothing of getting timely, needed healthcare to every American who needs it.

Heather, don't let the rascals wear you down. Your analyses are always insightful and well developed. You're hitting a nerve. Keep it up!

And now, off to the dentist _again_.

Flatus......nullis illigitimati corborundum.........did you clean up that translation?

So...Obama has secured the postal workers endorsement? Is that sexist code? You know , is that another way of saying that Obama is securing the mail "Male" vote. And also , does this endorsement include former NBA great Karl "The Mailman" Malone? And what was that talk about there being room in the back of the Obama bus and there being room for Patsi under the bus? Brian , you support Obama. We all know that only Hillary and her supporters throw people under buses! Nice try! Oh and the Detroit Tigers finally won a game last night! Woo hoo!

I have a question for you political intellectuals on this blog. Do you believe that the MSM/talk radio is responsible for giving GWB the presidency in 2000/2004? Are they also responsible for helping to give us this war.?

Are they now helping to give Obama the Democratic nomination so they can later give McCain the presidency?

Yeah , Heather. Don't take it too serious. I mean , if I knew how many racists and bigots were hanging around here , I would have never joined this place! I mean , all I can offer is sarcasm. LOL!

ct
well......I'm a political ignoramus but the answer would seem to be "Yes, indubitably, beyond a shadow of a doubt".

Morning , Sturge!

Hiya Corey................good one, above, by the way.......

Thanks , Sturge. It's funny/ironic what is said here some days. But , most of us already know that.

Some more evidence of Obama campaign being two faced. The same people who complain about Hillary wanting to claim delegate votes are trying to steal super delegate votes in states where the SDs are going for Sen. Clinton.

In Washington they are putting forward a resolution at the county and state party conventions to bind the SDs to the caucus votes. This would mean that the office holders and party leaders who have backed HIllary would be forced to vote for Obama.

Needless to say they are not pushing this resolution in states where the SDs are supporting Obama in states where the voters went for Sen. Clinton

So much for hope, change, and turning the page.

good morning gang....

Heather..... that is precisely what Brian is trying to accomplish...... getting you... an obvious eloquent and intelligent Hillary supporter..... to leave this blog.....
don't pay attention to the bullies.... or the trolls....
BTW..... I took a look at your blog.... Sparky sure is a cutie!

Corey..... I'm so glad the Tigers finally won a game...... but did they have to do it against the Red Sox....... hmmmmmmm........ I think Renteria was getting payback...... not that I blame him....

ct.... isn't it amazing how some people just don't learn......

sturg..... I feel sneaky this morning...... oh wait a minute...... maybe it has something to do with the snow finally melting and I'm wearing sneakers today......... never mind.......

I think we're out of gas. How many days can they cancel hundreds of flights? I'm not buying the widespread scapegoating of airline mechanics.
Half the flights at double the price, so fewer employees needed & the airlines can keep their profits up. Sumpin' 'zup.

How much fuel have they spent hauling that silly, Olympic torch from place to place? Not just the energy for the transport of the torch, but for the carriers and the security? Maybe we can offset it by turning off our TVs during the games to save electricity. Boycott Beijing!

Reb Ren......ha ha .......hasnt snowed here in at least a decade........
far as sneaky is concerned, not talking about any of the muppets.......everyone knows that muppets are straight forward and above board......wocka wocka......

Cherish Sean Casey , Renee. He is the nicest guy in baseball.

Blue: you just hit the topic I wanted to discuss -- American cancelling hundreds of flights for the third day running.

What is up with that? Believe they're in discussions in pilots over some contentious issue. Is this a way of sticking it to their labor? Or the general public?

Very very odd.

Oil Prices:

Obama voted for the Bush Cheney energy bill, called a pinata of perks and the best energy bill corporations could buy.

Hillary Clinton voted against that bill.

I guess he was hoping to change prices at the pump in favor of corporations.

Thank you so much...

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Flatus, Corey Renee, all)))))))))))))))))))))))))
for all your support and encouragement, I'm getting misty-eyed here.....
In the words of Elton John Shame on you America! Stop being so misogynistic, lets get on with the show :-))

Hey Bill, Hill, and Chelsea looked great ! Chelsea has become quite the Swan, in looks demeanor and intelligence, where are all the disrespectful republicans which the media echoed that were bullying her in Bill's early years in the White House calling her all sorts of dreadful names lead by the the newt gingbats and Tom DeLay's?

Is it no wonder Bill and Hillary protected her from the media!

--Heather

"Heather..... that is precisely what Brian is trying to accomplish...... getting you... an obvious eloquent and intelligent Hillary supporter..... to leave this blog.....
don't pay attention to the bullies.... or the trolls...."

You're right, Renee. And not answering Brian doesn't do any good. I've tried that several times just because I realize I get as snarky as he does.....but it doesn't matter. He just goes on and on. We enjoy your thoughts, Heather.

And concerns about radicalism in the muslim world does not make one a bigot. I'm concerned about radicalism anywhere.

MoJoe in favor of nationalizing airlines.

Lost in the 50s again with TWA, Continental, and PanAm. Back to the future when the airlines actually provided safe, clean, efficient transportation.

Speaking of lying did anyone see the tape of Obama lying to America about the strong support he has? OMG!!!!! A whopper and I ain't talking Burger King!.

Good heavens! Here in NY and in FL as well there is 0 support for him all my Jewish girlfriends all big Hillary boosters, where is this great support among the rank and file Jewish-American community? Super-Tuesday exit polling Hillary cuffed and stuffed him getting well over 60% of the Jewish American vote!

Obama fist thing you need know when talking to the Jewish community is always wear a yarmulke or in Hebrew "kippa" yarai mʾElohim got that Obama. Hope your Harvard education included that? For one that is closely associated with anti-semetic people in personal life [Rezko, Wright , Ayres etc] and staff [Zbigniew Brzezinski] who does not have great credentials with the Jewish community for obvious reasons! Yet you stand before the crowd like Mr. Joe Cool lying with a straight face about Jewish support you have LOL! Spare me!

MoeJoe (moe being the operative word) supports something like water supports running downhill......

Heather...you know how I feel about it...you post terrific comments and you need to keep posting.

Don't let the name calling of one little evil troll drive you away.

Keep in mind that the rest of us, when we see personal attacks like that think negatively about the attacker--not the one being attacked. I say, scroll on by the crap and keep the conversation going.

And Hather...see...even the crappy polls have Hillary pulling away from Obama in PA again...

A new InsiderAdvantage poll in Pennsylvania gives Hillary Clinton a ten-point lead, up from a two-point lead last week:

Clinton 48% (+3)
Obama 38% (-5)

Not...the PA polls are moving BACK in favor of Hillary. Can't stop now.

Heather: I have met plenty of Jewish supporters of Obama. Intelligent souls, all.

"American cancelling hundreds of flights for the third day running.
What is up with that? Believe they're in discussions in pilots over some contentious issue. Is this a way of sticking it to their labor? Or the general public?"

This is one more sign of the trouble we are in as a country. Our infastructure is crumbling, the airlines are falling apart, the air traffic system (starting with Ronnie Raygun) is terrible -- and we are pouring money down the Iraq rat hole.

I'm not even one of the people who thinks we can just walk away tomorrow, either. I understand how damned tricky this is going to be. And I fear that whatever we do, we leave chaos. Absolute chaos. And we've created generations of America-hating muslims all over the world.

Meanwhile America's roads, airways, manufacturing -- you name it -- are in jeopardy. And in large part -- yes, ct -- we have the MSM, talk radio and the neocon scam to thank for the cheerleading that got us here.

Osama is laughing at how he "broke" the Soviets and now he's doing the same to us. With a little help from the Republicans.

No matter who is our next president, that individual faces a daunting task.

That should read "Now"...

Heather...sorry about the typo on your name...argh...complete accident.

Sturgeone

It was in a conversation with Erin about airline profitability and her being opposed to bailouts for airlines doomed to failure in an unregulated market. That it is one area where capitalism just doesn't work and why given half a chance to avoid an American airline company, people worldwide choose Air Anything.

There is a lot of "back to the future" going on what with rehabbing streetcars, trollies, trans, lightrail, subways etc. nationwide. All of those mass transit systems taken out of service to build "convenient" freeways.

Now if they would build a nationwide passenger rail system so we could get around as well as you can in Europe, maybe Americans wouldn't be so frustrated.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/mccains-preemptive-strike.html#comment-65228

ah but Flatus the Monroe Doctrine (and it's various interpretations) is based upon a REACTION to actual provocation, never on PRE-EMPTIVE strikes based only upon perceived threats. Dismissing Bush's emerging Pre-Emptive Doctrine as yet another stretch of Monroe understates the new ground it opens up for presidents to invade others without even pretending that our foes actually did anything to justify it.

Heather, as i've said many times before when things got nasty. Try to use the ignore button in your head when you see the screen names of bad actors on this stage. Reaction only encourages them.

Another interesting PA tidbit...

Strategic Vision poll has Hillary beating McCain by 3% in PA while Obama loses to McCain by 7%

Does anyone think that having to watch Obama lie on TV 4 or 5 times an hour might be back firing on him in PA? Just because you have the money to outspend your opponent 4-1 in a state doesn't mean that you should...especially when FactCheck and PolitiFact say you're lying in all your ads.

ROFL

(((((((((((((((Wendy Patsi ))))))))))))))
All of you are great you kindness and encouragement means the world to me!!!!!!! Wendy Everytime you email me it always adds joy to my day:-))

It's not a racist or bigot thing with me because if Harold Ford Jr were running I's work my behind off and sweat blood trying to get him elected president, to this day I am angry and hurt he lost a racist Senate campaign in Tennessee.
The real racism resides in the Republican Party not ours!
To this day they have been engaged in voter caging code for suppressing the African American vote. McCain says he will woo the African American vote ok we will see. Actions speak louder than words, I will give credit where credit is due He did show up and apologize for voting against making Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday a national holiday, its a start but he has a long way to go if he is going to be the leader of the Republican Party

It's just that I know a con artist when I see one and Obama fits the bill.

Just my point of view

Sincerely,
Heather

Yesterday on "The View," Whoopi Goldberg switched her endorsement from Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton. Whoopi cited Clinton's statement that she would end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. Whoopi previously believed that Obama had made that pledge first, but apparently she was mistaken.

Who do the people listen to more Whoopi or Oprah?

Hey Heather...since Harold and Hillary are both part of the DLC leadership team..what about Hillary/Harold 08?

;-) ... has a nice ring to it...wouldn't you say.

It is okay Wendy:

Not to worry! I never realized how popular a name "Heather" is until the internet LOL! now I can no longer use my own name registering for a site etc its always already taken LOL the internet has now reduced me to a number, well at least a name and a number lol

Sincerely,
Heather

vadaryl......which people?

"Reaction only encourages them."

I wish I could stop myself from replying to all snotty comments. But I just can't. It's like getting slapped and turning the other cheek. It's just not in me. Christ, I once punched a would-be mugger. I tend to react to attacks, physical or not. But I will try harder.

when is the next debate? I think CBS has this one.

Dear Wendy:

That is is like the Stradivarius of Presidential Candidates I Love it!!!!!!!!!!!

Woooooooooooohoooooooooooo Clinton - Ford

That sounds like a classic to me:-))

h5@Wendy:-))

Sincerely,
Heather

Asked on Wednesday if he would reject “the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war,” McCain said, “I don't think you could make a blanket statement about pre-emptive war, because obviously, it depends on the threat that the United States of America faces.”

Doesn't the GOP understand that we "signed" the UN Charter. Oh I forgot - they don't really pay attention to the Constitution - so why the hell should I expect them to pay attention to the Charter. Indeed, they seem to think playing by the rules is a sign of weakness.

"if Harold Ford Jr were running I's work my behind off and sweat blood trying to get him elected president, to this day I am angry and hurt he lost a racist Senate campaign in Tennessee."

SAME HERE! Heather -- how can I email you? I love to show you the COOLEST postcard mailer I did for Harold during the senate campaign here in TN -- and yes -- I was outraged at that smear campaign against him. He is a very good guy.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/mccains-preemptive-strike.html#comment-65230

"attack against Libya. Was that preemptive? Or, was it just an old-fashioned, middle of the night, sneak attack. -- Posted by: Flatus"

Reagan based that attack on the country's role in bombings of Berlin disco killing American servicemen. Might have been a thin stretch but at least it was based on something that actually happened, as opposed to a perceived threat

Anybody, I was not referring to a specific group, it may of come across like that. I think people trust Oprah more and would go with her opinion over Whoopi's.

Wendy:

I like the guy - but Harold Ford looks even younger than Obama. And trying to "replace" Obama with Ford would be a terrible move for Hillary if she somehow got the nomination.

(btw, I saw Howard Dean last night attacking McCain on Tavis Smiley. And you guys are right - that guy is a joke ; )

He went way over the top and appeared almost comical. The nominee should tell Dean to take a backseat (way back) for the fall.

Charges leveled against Heather? What the hell are you people talking about?

All you people threatening to vote for McSame must feel real good about his war mongering ways. Lets just hope he bombs the right country, he tends confuse groups.

" but Harold Ford looks even younger than Obama. "

Harold has more experience though.

Dear Patsi:

Just check my TypeKey profile or my website posts you will see links to my email :-))

Sincerely,
Heather

it will be interesting to see obama's dollar per vote
ratio in pa.'' he might need another 40 million
to continue his campaign after pa.
my old 67 chevy is getting better miles per gal than his
campaign

Oprahs ratings have taken a nose dive since she endorsed Sen. Obama which may carry some weight with Whoopie on The View.

If you're audience is principally women, you might want to think twice before being perceived as shafting one who is trying to become President.

"maybe this "war hero" business is not all it's cracked up to be."

I agree Sturg - it implies that America must be fighting a "war" so McCain can be a "hero."

Take a look at this poll. 13.3% still undecided with two weeks to go. Look at all the undecided columns. Very interesting.

http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/downloads/uploaded/38_InsiderAdvantage_Majority%20Opinion%20PA%20DEM%20Poll%20_(4-9-2008).pdf

Flatus:

"we would oppose a foreign power extending its power to the Western Hemisphere, and that is why we oppose what is happening in Cuba today."

First - to "oppose a foreign power" is not the same thing as a "use of force." And second, how was Saddam "extending Iraq's power to the Western Hemisphere."

Again - I am not saying we should pack up and go home. But there are serious questions about how Bush "started" the war in Iraq.

"In Congress, Ford had an ideologically varied voting record. He supported a ban on benefits for same-sex couples, as well as the Federal Marriage Amendment (which would ban same-sex marriage). He told Democrats they should be more supportive of the Iraq War and criticized Senate Democrats who attempted to filibuster the nomination of Samuel Alito. He was one of the few Democrats who voted for the Bankruptcy Bill, and he supported some restrictions on abortion, defining himself as a pro-life candidate, including supporting a ban on intact dilation and extraction (called by its opponents, partial-birth abortion). He supported the Republican effort to intercede in the Terri Schiavo case.[14]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Ford,_Jr.

Yes Patsi you supporting Ford makes perfect sense. He's certainly a big enough Tom for you to feel comfortable about voting for.

I am glad you are still here Heather.

I just looked at the April 3rd. poll the numbers were:
Clinton 45.3 Obama 42.4 Undecided was 12.3

Now it's Clinton 48.4 Obama 38.3 Undecided 13.3

The undecided went up. So this shows he's losing ground but the undecided did not affect the numbers. Interesting. So what's going on.

"'but Harold Ford looks even younger than Obama.'

Harold has more experience though."

Prove it Pastsi. Especially with respect to Foreign Policy.

(Oh I forgot - Ford passed the Wolfson CIC test - you got me . . . damn those Clintons are good ; )

Btw, is that test multiple choice?

Dear Warren:

Harold Ford Jr. May indeed be younger be he is a lot more experienced than Obama. He is a Centrist DLC Democrat, honest, a "true" Baptist Christian without the Rev. Wright baggage and did not join the Christian faith for "street cred" and to wooo the Oprah, Jessie Jackson Rev Al Crowd.

One of many things I love about Harold Ford Jr, is courage I just admired him when he defended Rep. John Murtha after Rep Jean Schmidt called Murtha a coward Harold Ford Jr. ran to the opposite side of the aisle and told her say it to Murtha's face and wound of being restrained by colleague Rep David Obey. Harold Ford is a guy you want on your side courageous and loyal. I cannot see Obama melodrama doing that.

Harold Ford Jr served on the House Budget Committee and the House Committee on Financial Services, and worked closely with the Dept. of Defense.

I'd take Harold Ford's resume any day of the week over Obama's

--Heather

Powell: Troops in Iraq must be reduced

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080410/ap_on_el_pr/powell_iraq

"Without taking sides in the race for the White House . . ."

Really? Sounds like he took a side to me. If Powell endorsed Obama - implicitly or explicitly - McCain's chances of getting in the White House would take a serious hit.

(I am off to walk the goose)

mornin' all -

Boil water alert here - slows things down and people go nuts - who really needs 8 cases of water so they can water their pets? I say when in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.

sturg - I think the only people vadaryl could have been referring to are people who watch both Oprah and The View. You know, people who have absofuckinglutely nothing to do with their time.

P.Ps> pardon my Manners Warren, I forgot to mention Thank you I appreciate your wanting to be here, much appreciated:-))

Sincerely,
Heather

Jeez Heather - he sounds like a bit of a misogynist and it seems like he was awfully rude to that lady.

Just kidding. But I am not kidding about the fact that saying that Ford has enough "experience" - and Obama does not - seems a bit self-serving to me....

My friends brother is awaiting deployment to Iraq, she asked him when he was going , he replied he did not know - - reason being, he said, " they could not get flights"

Seems peculiar that The U.S. can't even get the soldiers to Iraq that are supposed to be there already.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/mccains-preemptive-strike.html#comment-65287

Warren, Flatus -- thanks for your discussion. this is important stuff to me. it's one thing to define a zone of security interest beyond our borders (which is what the Monroe Doctrine and its corollaries were all about) and say we will react with force to anyone who actually harms those interests. But it is quite another to make it official U.S. policy to attack anyone we think MIGHT threaten our interests at home or abroad. This is such a profound departure from our longstanding policy, and the next president will be critical to whether it becomes our new policy forever. Would like to hear McCain and the Democrats more fully on this point come the general election.

vad, it's an apparent shift in Obama's support of 5% - 4 went to Clinton, 1 went became undecided. It could also be a result attributable to sampling. Many polls taken periodically show swings in the samples that probably don't really exist among the population of voters. The election is what lets you know which ones were right.

Good morning everyone...just popping in to say 'hi' real quick. Got back to sunny Fla from KC last night, where I watched from a chilly upper deck as my cold and soggy Royals beat the Yanks 5-2 for the home opener! Then followed it with a victory last night, which I watched in the comfort of my living room. I don't want to rub it in too much though -- cuz I know there are lots of Yanks fans here.

Brian -- Harold is indeed a conservative-leaning Democrat. Far more than I'd like. But he's no Uncle Tom (you are SO racist) and he damn sure isn't a Reagan-loving Republican-in-drag like you.

I am glad you are sticking around Heather.Hillary needs all the support she can get.Where is Katherine?

Ford would be a great running mate for Hillary.I trust him more than Obama because he doesn't have the baggag that Obama has with Wright ,Rezko and the wrong kind of muslim connection.

Ruth

Obama got a big bounce from the "Everyone's a racist but me and thee and I"m not sure about thee speech"
but like Romney's speech on religion, the effect did not last because it was mostly an affect of the media coverage.

What was Senator Rockefeller thinking attacking McCain's Vietnam service? If there ever was a third rail of politics attacking a POW certainly qualifies.

"One of many things I love about Harold Ford Jr, is courage I just admired him when he defended Rep. John Murtha after Rep Jean Schmidt called Murtha a coward Harold Ford Jr. ran to the opposite side of the aisle and told her say it to Murtha's face and wound of being restrained by colleague Rep David Obey. "

Heather -- I stood up and cheered when I saw that on TV. It was GREAT!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/mccains-preemptive-strike.html#comment-65302

ha, and Patsi rattles the cage

Hey patsi if you want to vote for an anti-choice, homophobe, who thinks the federal govt has a right to intrude into the private lives of people why don't you just sign up and join the GOP. They want Hillary to be the Dem. nom. you'll fit right in.

Warren:
Ford has more experience as far as subcommitteeship is concerned and woman or no...I am an Irish and when you are called a coward... them are 'fightin words pardner!
Rep Jean Schmidt is lucky it wasn't in the upper house or Zel Miller would have challenged her to a duel :-))
--Heather

oh lovely, another tiresome smackdown begins

Dear Craig:

Smackdown?

the Brian and Patsi show, Heather

well the sun is out and i've got yard work to do.

sorry
I'll be more reserved Craig

--Heather

politics aside,are the rest of you as concerned as I am about the Jeffs religious sect in TexasWhen they put Jeffs in Jail didn't they investigat that sect and free all those children then.And the people in the area weren't they a little wary of what was going on right in their midst.A clip on Gma showed a police officer chasing away a news person some time ago.The law was protecting the sect even then.Now they are complaining their civil rights are being violated.

Sometimes I think we go a little overboard protecting the criminal and not the victim.How can this still be going on in this country.Have we gotten so self absorbed that we ignore what is going on right in front of us.The women who have escaped from places like these should have been listened to and all of these sects should have been monitered.Religous rights be damned!

What has happened to common sense?
Ruth

What Craig, you getting tieed of this, too?

That would be "tired" of course.

CC...would you please stand on your roof, with a mirror and reflect some of that sunshine south to Woodbridge?? ...LOLOL!! The weather report is supposed to be sunny and 70's, but I am not seeing that here....brrrrrrrr. 8(

Heather, go for it. I just get weary of the personal, adhominem insults that, while occasionally entertaining, illuminate nothing. But guess that's partly what blogs are for. Today I'd just rather do some pruning outside than read more of the same.

Ruth - if you ever get an answer to that last question of your, please post it here so we will all know. ;-)

Ok everyone, you know... yesterday I responded on the specious racism charges made here yesterday and I wanted to say more. But it does no good to engage with people who get the biggest thrill from attacking others who don't buy their viewpoint from beginning to end. I had to again stop myself from posting, and Patsi, one comment I stopped myself from saying anything about was "throwing you UNDER the bus"...

I know how frustrating this is, but let's consider the source and let it go... Brian isn't going to change and it is clear he gets a thrill out of the verbal attacks, so let it be.... Move On Trailblazers !!! And let's, in Craig's words, not allow "another tiresome smackdown" to take hold in the discussion.

That's my view... take it or leave it.. :-)

yes, Pogo, tired of it but not tieed to it. Think it's my turn to boycott my own blog. Just kidding, sort of. Seriously tho, my plants are calling. Sending you some shine, Lush

I think Patsi should challenge Brian to a "duel"!!!

(wait a minute...that probably happened a long time ago. It just takes longer to finish when you use less than deadly force ; )

Somebody give those two some real weapons...

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement Ruth much appreciated <3

Sincerely Heather

P.S. I humbly ask anyone working for the DNC or on any Democratic campaign be it Hillary or Obama's please ask what you or they can do to ensure that voter caging does not happen in the 2008 presidential EVERY minority has the Constitutional right to vote, we as citizens have a responsibility to ensure their votes count as well as our own...Thank You:-))
--Heather

Warren are you the bookmaker on who would win the duel??

Can a blogmaster boycott his/her own blog???? :)

h

"ha, and Patsi rattles the cage"

Okay. Next time I'll just take the slap. :)

Hey Craig, Everyone:
Check out the new Geico commercial with the dancing Geico Caveman its a riot LOL

I'm searching youtube to see if I can find a vid of it
Its so funny:-))
Heather

sauce - it's a West Virginia thang. Jay Rockefeller is titanium clad and bullet proof in WV. He doesn't always think before he speaks - and making ridiculous statements about McCain that no one here (WV, that is) understands doesn't hurt him at all, so he probably figures those silly ass statements won't hurt Obama here, either. And if you think his statements about McCain not caring about ordinary folk because he bombed Vietnamese peasants whose names he didn't know was gobbledygook, take a week off and go hang around WalMart (take your pick - any of them in WV will do - with the possible exception of the eastern panhadle, which is too much like VA and MD to really be considered WV anyway) and you'll hear statements that make Rockefeller's sound like they would qualify for a Pulitzer Prize for Political Analysis.

heather

as far as brian goes remember

you can lead a horse to water but you know how a wet horse STINKS

I think Craig might be talking about the death match that was going on last night on the blog. Since no one else was around...and it seemed very personal between those two...I decided to go watch MSNBC instead...go figure.

Dear Pogo;
I think I forgot to thank you as well for your kindness and support I am deeply grateful! <3<3 :-))
thank you ((((((((((((((((Pogo)))))))))))))

Sincerely,
Heather

LOL!!!!!!!
((((((((((((((((tz)))))))))))))

--Heather

Wendy? Death match?

you can lead a horse to water but you know how a wet horse STINKS
--tz

now why did you have to write that??

________

LOL!!!!!!!
((((((((((((((((tz)))))))))))))
--Heather

why does tz's comment make you so happy?

SSMH

Can I start a fight? It's suddenly very quiet in here...

Heather:

I don't think either of these are right - but still kinda funny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1YRgaLtzM4&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX9wDXAZ0wQ

It'll be safe to come back now Craig.

I'm off to play TV Trivia in Facebook... cheerio !

By Charles Krauthammer

Sunday, Mar. 23 2008

The beauty of a speech is that you don't just give the answers; you provide
your own questions. "Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered
controversial while I sat in church? Yes." So said Barack Obama, in his
Philadelphia speech about his pastor, friend, mentor and spiritual adviser of
20 years, Jeremiah Wright.

An interesting, if belated, admission. But the more important question is:
Which controversial remarks:

— Wright's assertion from the pulpit that the U.S. government invented the HIV
virus "as a means of genocide against people of color"?

— Wright's claim that America was morally responsible for 9/11 — "chickens
coming home to roost" — because of, among other crimes, Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
(Obama says he missed churc h that day. Had he never heard about it?)

— What about the charge that the U.S. government (of Franklin Roosevelt, mind
you) knew about Pearl Harbor, but lied about it?

— Or that the government gives drugs to black people, presumably to enslave and
imprison them?

Obama condemns such statements as wrong and divisive, then frames the next
question: "There will no doubt be those for whom my statements of condemnation
are not enough. Why associate myself with Reverend Wright in the first place,
they may ask? Why not join another church?"

But that is not the question. The question is why didn't he leave that church?
Why didn't he leave — why doesn't he leave, even today — a pastor who thundered
not once but three times from the pulpit, and on a DVD the church proudly
sells, "God damn America"? Obama's 5,000-word speech, fawned over as a great
meditation on race, is little more than an elegantly crafted, brilliantly
s o phistic justification of that scandalous dereliction.

His defense rests on two central propositions: (a) moral equivalence and (b)
white guilt.

(a) Moral equivalence. Sure, says Obama, there's Wright, but at the other "end
of the spectrum" there's Geraldine Ferraro, opponents of affirmative action and
his own white grandmother, "who once confessed her fear of black men who passed
by her on the street and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or
ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe." But did she shout them in a crowded
theater to incite, enrage and poison others?

"I can no more disown [Wright] than I can my white grandmother." What exactly
was grandma's offense? Jesse Jackson himself once admitted to the fear he feels
from the footsteps of black men on the street. And Harry Truman was known to
use epithets for blacks and Jews in private, yet he is revered for
desegregating the armed forces and recognizing t h e first Jewish state since
Jesus' time. He never spread racial hatred. Neither did grandma.

Yet Obama compares her to Wright. Does he not see the moral difference between
the occasional private expression of the prejudices of one's time and the use
of a public stage to spread racial lies and race hatred?

(b) White guilt. Obama's purpose in the speech was to put Wright's outrages in
context. By context, Obama means history. And by history, he means the history
of white racism. Obama says, "We do not need to recite here the history of
racial injustice in this country" and then proceeds to do precisely that. And
what lies at the end of his recital of the long train of white racial assaults
from slavery to employment discrimination? Jeremiah Wright, of course.

This contextual analysis of Wright's venom, this extenuation of black hate
speech as a product of white racism, is not new. It's the Jesse Jackson
politics of racial gr ie vance expressed in Ivy League diction and Harvard Law
nuance. That's why the speech made so many liberal commentators swoon: It
bathed them in racial guilt while flattering their intellectual pretensions —
an unbeatable combination.

But Obama is supposed to be new. He flatters himself as a man of the future,
transcending the anger of the past as represented by his beloved pastor. Obama
then waxes rhapsodic about the hope brought by the new consciousness of the
young people in his campaign.

Then answer this, senator: If Wright is a man of the past, why would you expose
your children to his vitriolic divisiveness? This is a man who curses America
and who proclaimed moral satisfaction in the deaths of 3,000 innocents at a
time when their bodies were still being sought at Ground Zero. It is not just
the older congregants who stand and cheer and roar in wild approval of Wright's
rants, but young people as well. Why did you giv e $ 22,500 just two years ago to
a church run by a man of the past who infects the younger generation with
precisely the racial attitudes and animus you say you have come unto us to
transcend?

E-mail: letters@charleskrauthammer.com

copyright Washington Post Writers Group

sorry about last post didn't know how to put it in brackets.
Ruth

Here's more bad economic news - particularly if you think that balance of trade is an important economic factor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/business/worldbusiness/10cnd-trade.html?hp

Ruth, when you're looking at an article just highlight the address in the bar at the top of the webpage, right click, copy, bring it over here, right click, paste. That'll post the link instead of the article.

next on THE VIEW...Senator McCain 8)

its okay Ruth
I made that same mistake when I fist got here too
its all good :-))
It was more fun reading the post then watching Chris Matthews fawning all over Obama right now lol

--Heather

P. S. Warren thank you but it may be too new to be on youtube yet.... MSNBC is running it Geico also has another funny one with Mrs, Buttersworth Syrup Bottle Pretty clever those Geico ad-men

LARRY SINCLAIR UPDATE :

"Yesterday in Puerto Rico, a bombshell fell on Barack Obama’s hopes to at least win a small percentage of primary votes in said jurisdiction (he was only receiving 20% of support in the polls). This “bomb” goes by the name of Larry Sinclair and his allegations of homosexuality and cocaine use against Barack Hussein Obama, which happened to go ‘prime time’ yesterday throughout the Island.

...the show “La Comay”, the highest rated and most popular show on the island (for the past decade), dedicated an entire hour to the discussion of this story and to the interview of Larry Sinclair himself ...

Day by day, this story approaches critical mass, and we can slowly start getting ready to practice the diverse names that may begin to be utilized to describe it; GAY GATE, CRACK GATE, SINCLAIR GATE, GAY LIMO GATE, et al. Irrespective of the veracity or integrity of this story, it is nonetheless true that these allegations will eventually come to fruition among the press (maybe close to November), and it is now only left to the Mainstream Media and/or the Obama campaign to deflect it as best they can and see if they can survive it. Apparently, Donald Young and Larry Sinclair have just become household names in Puerto Rico, it will be only a matter of time until they become part of the American lingo as well."

http://savagepolitics.com/

Speaking of funny lets see if Bush gets though this press conference without bumbling words, I gave up on the lying part:-))

--Heather

Patsi:
You here sweetheart?

Sending you some shine, Lush
--Craig

Hey...thanks...it worked!!!! 8~)

Again with the Larry Sinclair bullshit, oh brother.

Heather,

He hit lying by saying military and civilian deaths "are down". I guess he hasn't read any reports recently.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7324106.stm

Dear Jamie:
Exactly! I noticed that whopper too

-Heather

"Straight Talk Express?"

We are NOT winning in Iraq but the MSM doesn't seem to realize that when McCain says that, he's lying. That would require them to do independent analysis, to THINK. And they are just stenographers.

Did I just hear him say "They attacked our homeland" there goes the needle on the polygraph!!!!

Now he is into the "facing a dangerout enemy" ... Al Qaida is warming up to attck the United States. Let's see: Before invasion - no anti U.S. terrorists in Iraq. Since invastion - Iraq over run with a multiplicity of terrorists.

Just watching him makes me start thinking, "will no one rid me of this troublesome priest."

In case some of thos black helicopters and MIB are around, that was a passing thought not a recommendation.

Heather, if I want sarcasm I can go home.

I get a kick out of Mrs. Alan Greenspan repeating what has already been said but hey the American people are idiots so let me lecture them on what Bush the younger had to say

duhhhhhhhh tank ooops mean thank you Mrs. Greenspan
oh brotherrrrrrrrrrrr

--Heather

jamie - he meant to say that since we are leaving OBL alone, THAT AQ bunch is warming up to strike the US. AQI is too busy fighting Shiites in Iraq.

Pogo:
How was I sarcastic to you? confused

Heather

btw, heather, :-)

Heather - not to me, about Bush not stumbling on his tongue during the presser (I was kidding).

I have a silly question

What created or what was the genesis of the Republican/ Bush/Neocons referring to the USA as "Homeland" I hate that term its repugnant and too naziesque

I wish they would stop using it

sheeeeeeeeeesh!

Heather

Dear Pogo
Silly me I misunderstood

--Heather

There is an article on Real clear politics about Obama opting out of public financing in general. Just a so so article. But one sentence seemed a real insight.

"Obama's worked hard on his squeaky-clean image, and the guy who looks cleanest is frequently the guy who falls hardest. Too, his is the veneer easiest to strip off, given the high expectations he's set."

Hey are any of you gals and guys going to the Hillary protest the Media and Voter disenfranchisement meeting in NYC tomorrow? 8 o'clock at Rockefeller
plaza. Oh brother that should bring the morning traffic
to a standstill..
Anything to get the Media loving Obama scenario to sit up and take notice that the public and especially Hillary supporters are tired of it.. Fair and balanced they have not been.

Hang in Heather! We who do not speak as eloquently and passionately as you do need you.. We have already lost several.. No more , please..

Julie

Craig....
I used to belong to 2 book clubs.... both at nearby libraries..... I didn't like spending 2/3s of my reading time reading books that someone else picked for me..... so I decided to pick one club over the other...... one club didn't have a moderator and has become chaotic..... too much personal talk and maybe 10 minutes of an hour discussion was used to talk about the book.....

the other club had the reference librarian as moderator..... it meant there were more rules..... but one could participate in what a book club is supposedly about..... discussing the book..... this is the club I've chosen to stick with.....

I understand your stance on free speech...... but it can sometimes lead to chaos....... being a moderator and showing a little leadership can make all the difference......

you did that this morning....... thank you....

Rene,

Anyone mentions book clubs, and I immediately think of "And Ladies of The Club"

http://www.amazon.com/Ladies-Club-Helen-Hooven-Santmyer/dp/0425174409

If you have never read it and like generational novels, it is about a 1000 pages of you absolutely must.
It was the work of a lifetime of Helen Santmyer published when she was quite elderly. Many think she was drawing on autobiographical relationships or composites.

Craig, Warren, et al.

First, on the Monroe Doctrine. It established a de facto American hemisphere with us being the arbiter of justice and the instrument of power. It can accurately be said that we didn't apply that power against the traditional European colonizers with the exception of Spain.

But, once we had established our dominance we used it liberally within our hemisphere whether it be against Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Chile, Panama, and whatever other states we may have inserted ourselves claiming that our interests were threatened.

Secondly, the scale of our attack on Iraq is the only significantly differentiating feature of that intervention from the others where our forces have created acts of war without us having been attacked first.

I cited our attack against Libya as an example. Our interventions in Latin America are others. Somalia is another, Some would say Bosnia is one more. And others will cite the covert operations we have staged in other parts of the world.

In other cases, countries acting as our proxies have done the deed for us. Consider how Israel attacked nuclear facilities in Iraq.

Are these preemptive strikes of the magnitude that Bush achieved? No. But, in many cases, I believe them to be acts of war that if the opposing side had the might and motivation to respond, they would have been justified in doing so under accepted practice.

And all the bilateral treaties we've established with countries bordering on our traditional adversaries gave us a legally sound right, indeed obligation, to preempt against the major adversary as soon as they set one foot inside our protectee's borders.

I just don't think we should be shocked by the word preemptive.

Dear Julie:
I'll be here always I just got a little heated with Nash and Brian NYC It really wasn't the name calling it was accusations of bigotry and racism that offended me. People that know me understand and know better but people that don't may come to the wrong conclusion. Sure I can joke and kid with the best of them but what they did was malicious and hateful Some Obama supporters have the misguided concept that if you do not support Obama you are racist its silly, I can be just as silly saying they are sexist not supporting Hillary

I will continue to speak up and support Hillary. I will also be objective and critical of Obama but in a fair intelligent manner because I believe in my hear that....

1. Hillary would be a better president and fight the republicans harder in getting policies through the legislature she is a fighter, Obama would pull a Roberto Duran and say no mas no mas and wave the white flag of surrender to the Republicans

2. I simply see Hillary as a stronger opponent to McCain in the general election with a higher percentage of winning

but thank you for your encouragement (((((((Julie<3)))))))))

Sincerely,
Heather

Heather,
To you, and to everyone that has made up their mind, it accomplishes nothing to be critical of the opposition candidate. You will sway no minds and it only serves to validate your decision, regardless of how that decision was made.
It is truly insightful to be objective and continually critical of your own candidate, and to honestly question the reasons about that candidate which caused you make that particular selection. Only then will know if you've made the right decision, or not.

Nancy:
If what you say is correct why are Hillary and Obama still campaigning, since according to you no minds will be swayed/

As for your second point I don't agree with Hillary on every single issue but on the majority of issues I do and if I would be critical of the candidate that in my mind I feel would make the best candidate explain what kind of logical sense would that make? Why would I undermine the candidate I support?

If I did anything It would be to edify Hillary in a positive light :-))
--Heather

Nancy, WADR, I disagree with your conclusion about criticism of an opposing candidate. While I have made up my mind and am supporting Hillary, I read and consider the critical pieces posted by Obama supporters about Clinton, whether I agree with them or not. And based upon the reactions of the posters here to articles posted about both candidates, I believe others do the same. I am of the opinion that the Obama supporters work harder to find critical articles about Clinton than would I, and vice versa. I believe that critical research about the candidates serves the vetting purpose quite nicely, whether it comes from my own digging or the digging