Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Thanks to those who shared your pictures in this video. Hope I got everyone in (think I did). And thanks to everyone for keeping this such a lively little corner of the "internets."

Craig,

Thank you for your attention to all our friends at Trail Mix and for the memory of our friend C-Bob. The crew looks no less motley in photos than in print. The only surprise was that L.Lib looked much thinner than I would have expected. (I wonder which paw he types with.)

Morning Craig,

Thank you for giving us bloggers and furry friends faces. It makes it
more difficult for me to be grouchy to anyone now that I know there
are such intriguing looking people behind those words.

Such beautiful doggies and kitties, too! I think Baby (my big furry guy) is in love.

Oh, while I am disappointed that my photo did not "make the cut" (be the good Lord willin'...I'll try again, next year!!)....I am just so happy to see everyone else...the familiar faces from the last video and all the new faces, too!!

Great job! The choice of music is perfect.
Thanks for giving us a place to get on the internets.

“The wounds of sexism need to be the subject of a national discussion,” the chairman, Howard Dean, said in an interview. “Many of the most prominent people on TV behaved like middle schoolers” toward Mrs. Clinton. "

A little late Howard...wonder what the good doctor has to say about Howard's failure to speak up before this.

The rest of the article is much better...about the power the Clinton bloc holds.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/us/politics/07women.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

"Cynthia Ubaldo, 44, a Clinton supporter in Columbus, Ohio, just switched her registration from Democratic to independent and donated $10 to Mr. McCain. The endorsement on Saturday is a mandatory, empty gesture, Ms. Ubaldo said. "

Craig,

Your best work yet. Thanks.

“The wounds of sexism need to be the subject of a national discussion,” the chairman, Howard Dean, said in an interview. “Many of the most prominent people on TV behaved like middle schoolers” toward Mrs. Clinton. " Katherine Graham Cracker

Yes Katherine, I wonder where Dean was when all of this wounding was taking place. To come out saying this now fits right in. Now at least we know he noticed. But that makes it all the worse that he didn't say that when it would have mattered. Instead of using it in a lame attempt to bring us back into the fold.

What a neat video!! It's really nice being able to put faces to the names. (My pics must be with LushIsLinda's, but next year is another year!)

The song and video was lovely. I am sorry my photo was left out. I am sure I sent it... but oh well... still nice.

wish I could watch the video

Catherine,

Thank you for posting the link to Howard Deans' comments. He has thoroughly disgusted me during the primary. Not only did he not speak up about the misogyny bubbling like molten lava and handicapping Senator Clinton, his inept leadership was at least partially responsible for the debacle with Michigan and Florida. Dean was one of those continually implying Clinton should hurry up and drop out of the race. From the beginning, it was obvious he was starry-eyed about Obama.

Ruth, maybe Craig will some day post a link to some still pictures too. Why won't your computer view videos?

Craig

You did see that we got word that Colorado Bob is still among us? He is not on computer, but is still in the world.

Great job on the video. Everyone looks unbelievably handsome, wise, erudite, and compassionate. : ) Love the fern foto of David.

Luscious, Flatus, and E-Tom,

I tried sending a picture too. We may have all landed in a black hole somewhere. In my case, that's just as well.

I'm sorry not all of you Trail Mixers were included in the video.

Could it be Craig did not receive your photos? Maybe he can post LushisLinda,
EuroTom and Flatus in a sequel sometime soon among any others left off today.

Indeed, PM. Email purgatory is a mighty big place with many nooks and crannies.

,

they're probably hung up somewhere in one of those internets tubes........

I sent mine on May 27th... but really it's ok. I think the music and the video was lovely and it was great to see the faces of so many posters.

Pogo looks totally different than I expected...

Bear is cute, LOL

That's all for now.

oh yeah sturgeone I totally had a different image of you.. I thought you'd be short hair with some weird comedian face! :-) Really everyone looks good. It's so nice to put a face next to the poster.

In my case, that's just as well.
--EdVB

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!! I just laughed so hard, I threw my head back and cracked it on the back of the chair(ouch).

you're so funny!!

Great work Craig. Loved the music I do wish you could find the lost photos and maybe do a re-edit. That's a shame that some of our most beloved regulars aren't in there.
(Anyone think Craig is annoyed yet at hearing us gripe?)

In other news, here's a fascinating story in today's NYT about the relocation of Alexander Hamilton's historic "country home" in NYC. I never knew about that attraction -- would love to go visit it sometime. The link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/nyregion/07grange.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

sturgeone....

you need to change your name to Eric Clapton...seriously!!

Ruth,
while you're here, I just want to ask you if you've tried re-clicking craigs comments Link above his blog to reload the page. Not that there is anything wrong with the way you do it now, but I was just wondering if that, too, wouldn't reload it for you.

For anyone who would like to send Mr. Dean a message on his thoughtful and sympathetic remarks can write to him here

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contactissues

Mine may have burned up some of the tubes in the internets so there could be detours.

(Anyone think Craig is annoyed yet at hearing us gripe?)
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/our-anniversary-video.html#comment-98282

No.

Think it's what Flatus said: "Email purgatory is a mighty big place with many nooks and crannies."

Good, Jamie gave Dean a piece of her mind.

chloe,
I have dial up and mighty slow dial up at that.Our rural lines have not been updated for over 30 years.Aol has faster dial up but that isn't available out here in the sticks either.I'm only 5 miles from town but I might as well be 100.Love the country but it has ir's disadvantages.We have a natural gas line about a mile from us but can't get on it.We have to use the more expensive propane.I used to be able to watch live podcasts,but think they may have improved them so even thay are out of reach

Ruth

Just for the record, I'm actually in there three times ... Craig rather overdid it. : )

Lady from side with owl
Lady from front with wooden statue
Lady in pink shorts (30 years ago), but I have a good memory even if no one else does. : )

Interesting story in today's LATimes on where women go from here, in the post-Hillary world. An excerpt:

----
Did Clinton's roller-coaster ride from inevitable nominee to indebted also-ran shatter stereotypes that had long kept women from the height of American politics, or not? Did the insults that accompanied her run -- the shouts of "Iron my shirt," the Hillary Nutcracker, the mocking T-shirts -- lay bare a vein of sexism that many had considered long gone, or were they anomalies? What exactly did it all mean for the next woman?

Susie Wilson offered the lesson she learned: "Be strong. Don't let people put you down. You keep going. That's a good message for women."
----

Full story:
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-women7-2008jun07,0,554219.story

Sturge -- you do look like Clapton! The funny thing is, when I first saw the photo I thought you looked just like a friend of mine who is a record producer here. He was at the Grammys one year (with his singer wife) and someone said, "Hey, Eric! How's it going?"

But he's also been mistaken in Hollywood for Speilberg.....

My garden -- which I sent out for 9/11's love of gardens, also didn't make the cut....but that's okay.

Piece of Jamie's mind
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/our-anniversary-video.html#comment-98287

The way this election season has gone so far, I'm running out of pieces.

Chloe
I had tried that before and also refresh button on my pc.But after your suggestion I tried it again but this time I right clicked the arrow above and then clicked refresh and it worked.
thank you

Ruth

Doggone it Ruth! I'm going to miss those single-character posts. :)

Heading out for a day of hazy, hot, & humid umpiring. Go Big Brown.

Good luck all.

I have dial up and mighty slow dial up at that.Our rural lines have not been updated for over 30 years.Aol has faster dial up but that isn't available out here in the sticks either. painter

Ruth,
I agree with you. Coming from California, where a quarter acre was considered a large lot. Living in the country is glorious.

Since you used to be able to view videos, are you sure there isn't an update you can do for any changes that have occurred. Just a thought, you can probably get ATT DSL if you want to, It's gotten a lot cheaper and more readily available. We love ours. It's changed everything. You can check on line to see if it's available in your zip code, or just call. It's wireless or ethernet. Not all that long ago, dial up was all that was available where we are too But things are changing fast.

LL
Lol,I think the single characters are faster but then I'm not able to lurk

Ruth

aww, craig, my dog was so disappointed to miss her 15 secs of fame. it's her favorite photo/persona as the drunken cheerleader Effie Sue submitted for the 1999 version "girls gone wild" when the FSU 'noles won the championship.

chloe
There aren't any towers nearby for wireless.My son just moved in a mile down the road and he is getting Wild Blue and if he likes it then I will consider it.But like I said before I am on this thing more than I should be now.Can't imagine the time I would spend here with fast internet.The cost could be offseytby dropping my land line and aol and call wave.So it is not prohibitive.

Ruth

Jamie, between you and me, I think Dr Dean will find himself suitably hammered.

Chloe
We live on 1.6 acres in the middle of a corn field and it is so peaceful here.One neighbor is 1/4 mile and other is 1/2 mile.Close enough but also far enough

Ruth

"The way this election season has gone so far, I'm running out of pieces."

Jamie, you and me both.

chloe There aren't any towers nearby for wireless Ruth

Att doesn't use a tower. It uses your phone line and you only make it wireless if you want to, through a router they sell you.

Knew it would happen - an Obama "D" list.

http://rense.com/general82/count.htm

Lard -- Love seeing the new dog!

I just heard the best dog story on CNN.....a guy who lost his house, his mother, his car and his two dogs in a tornado two weeks ago got a call from the salvage yard where they'd towed his car. The salvage yard told him there was a dog who'd moved into the car and wouldn't leave....yep -- it was one of his!

BTW that pix landed on the cutting floor that time too.

she wonders if you'd be more interested in her rather risque shots of her and my randy cat Bucky who thinks he's a dog. no? and are posts like these why you're going to facebook? has CQ had enough of our not-so-deep profundity?

We live on 1.6 acres in the middle of a corn field and it is so peaceful here.One neighbor is 1/4 mile and other is 1/2 mile.Close enough but also far enough RuthPosted by: painter

Ruth,
It sounds heavenly.
As it is where I live, also. We have 5 acres, but our neighbors are closer by.

patd, I have a cat who thinks he's a dog too. And he's as big as one. Huge.

We live on 65 acres, about 20 miles outside of DC...it's to die for!!
*
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just kidding...LOLOLOL...we actually live in a town house...our yard is about as large as most peoples' kitchen table!!!

.we actually live in a town house...our yard is about as large as most peoples' kitchen table!!! Posted by: LushIsLinda

Been there, done that.

LiL

Many years ago in one of those architechtural magazines I saw a town house in DC where they had dug down to create another story that became an indoor/outdoor entertainment area.

It game them a great deal larger "kitchen table"

Been there, done that.
--chloe

awww, c'mon chloe, you make it seem like a bad thing...

I have a cat who thinks he's a dog too. And he's as big as one. Huge.

Posted by: chloe | June 7, 2008 9:26 AM

bucky, a third their size, actually lords it over my two dogs. thinks he's the alpha male here. delusions of grandeur.

OMG, Jamie...I would love to see that!!!

bucky, a third their size, actually lords it over my two dogs. thinks he's the alpha male here. delusions of grandeur.patd

LOL

awww, c'mon chloe, you make it seem like a bad thing...
Posted by: LushIsLinda

Sorry. Didn't mean to.

I certainly am not implying that we all want the same things.
Sorry.

LL
Although I love to visit Large cities,I don't think i could handle the fast pace.Sometimes tho a table sized yard would be welcome because of all the work..But that is only temporary insanity.I sorta enjoy the yard work.
My husband is nagging me now to get outside and replace the papers under the tomatoes because the strong winds from the last 3 days have played havoc with them.
Eventually,I'll get it done

chloe
telephone lines won't support high speed or wireless

Ruth

Craig,,,,,,,awe! Thank you for the shout out with all those pics....You are always someone I think highly of. Been since the last election. One 360 gone....how about another? lol

Sturg!!! You looking like Eric Clapton.....hmmm.....

Renee, So nice to see you after so long.

TIP!! You are beautiful and your sons are so handsome!!!

Corey, I almost forgot how handsome you are. Good to see you and gal pal Julia again.

Harbor, too bad they can't see your beauty, but that gorgeous pup will do!

To the rest, I look forward to becoming more aquainted in the future. Good looking bunch of people. So nice to see the faces. After experiencing the first video, I have found this treat from Criag puts a brighter light on us and makes a road to friendship.

my son wants to build a new house with most of it underground.It would be cheaper to cool and heat and he wouldn't have to worry about tornado warnings.Besides the taxes would be low because they only tas the structure above the ground.What they can't see they can't tax.LOL

Ruth

A McCain Mistake
"If Barack Obama is elected president, mutual friends say the best course for Hillary Clinton might be nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court rather than staying in the Senate."
http://www.creators.com/opinion/robert-novak.html

I managed to see first 28 sec.'s of video.If I was able to pause it it could download and I could check back in three hours and maybe it would be done.My son sent me a 45 sec. video that took about 45 minutes to download

Ruth

my son wants to build a new house with most of it underground
painter

It's a great idea. As long as he has the land and doesn't have any restrictions. Where we are you don't even have to have permits.

i always balance the clapton doppleganger thing by remembering years ago that i looked like lee harvey oswald.......perspective is a good thing......

LiL

This isn't what I saw since that involved digging down for a whole new story to the home, but it is the general idea. In this one they blended the kitchen and patio areas to make one livable space

http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/2008-05-01/row-house.aspx

telephone lines won't support high speed or wireless Ruth

i mis-spoke, ATT had to bring fiber optics out here.

Well Sturg, Forgot to say I have a crush on Clapton. ;0)

Craig,

Thank you for putting this forum together and allowing all of us to share it with you.

Enjoyed the video pics--nice to see some of those who comment here.

My dog, Hubbell the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, is at 2:48. For some reason my name didn't get on the photo but I thought maybe some terrier lovers would like to give him a shout out...

Ruth, I suppose the least expensive way of getting better speed would be buying a good external modem. Something like a USR. Then, you'll have to have a family member tweak it for you.

Chloe
He inherited over 100 acres from a farmer lady he has worked for the last 30 years,so has plenty of rooma dnwill build where the underground level will open on the edge of a hill

Ruth

Sheila, you're so fickle! :)

Ruth, remember after the war when lots of people out in the country lived in their basements with nothing but a staircase to let people know there was somebody down below?

Thanks Flatus.I will check that out.But I think if their is an easy answer some of my more technically advanced neighbors would have figured out how to do it .They are also looking into Wild Blue.

There aren't enough people living out here to make it feasable for the phone company to install better lines.

I have 2 German Shepherds both with 3 legs. One was badly abused and the other was a stray who was hit by a car. Posted by: mamaknows

I have a 3 legged cat. She was hit by a car 15 years ago. She's 16 now and going strong.

will build where the underground level will open on the edge of a hill Ruth Posted by: painter | June 7, 2008 10:07 AM

Wow! What an opportunity.

Flatus,
Don't think that happened in this part of the country.I do remember tho that no one locked their doors.Everyone had skeleton keys that were universal and opened everyone's door.We still have skeleton keys for a rental house we own,but also have slide locks for those doors.Main door has regular key.Life used to be so simple.
My mother told me when she drove the older kids to school she left the baby in the crib,until she came back.That was a ten mile trip.Today she would have been arrested.But, back then it was a common practice.

Ruth

Well he's naggin' again.so guess I better go before it gets too hot.Have to take him for dialysis in 90 minutes,so don't have too much time
See you all later
Ruth

Patsi...thanks for the Chopper props. I think his newfound Internet fame is going to his head today!

Sheila, you're so fickle! :)

Posted by: Flatus | June 7, 2008 10:08 AM

Flatus, I admit to a certain need for visual stimulation....where's YOUR picture? ;0)

........oooooooo......Jim McKay has died.

General Election Campaign Begins With New Playing Field
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/06/general_election_campaign_begi.html

One more non-political comment.

Britain's gas prices went to $8.50 this week. Protests on the 30 cent (convertion) tax hike still gives their plight some grounding on ours.

Its uncomfortable for sure. But wow....good thing they have excellent mass transportation and I think we should get on board and break out our mothball fleet.

"where's YOUR picture? ;0)"

Internet purgatory along with a few others. We're all headed down to Orlando to hang out in Craig's parents' hot tub sipping the beverage of our choice. Should work nicely on a HOT early summer day. :)

Greetings from the desert:

Thanks, Craig, for the video and for your stewardship of TrailMix, nee Crawfordslist. I appreciate your columns each day and look forward to what you have to say on the world of politics that few of us really know from the inside out like you do. Here's looking at you for another year of commentary!

I'm a Black, Male, Hillary supporter. Since Obama is the apparent Democratic nominee, it's time to talk about the magnitude of his challenge in the General Election versus the Primary.

In the overall Primary contest, less than 30% of the registered Democratic base voted. That's the problem! While less than 30% of the overall base voted, nearly 100% of Obama's new, natural and energized constituencies voted. Even if all of the people who supported Hillary switch their votes in the General Election, there's still over 70% of the base that didn't vote for either of them. Presuming that those in the base who didn't or couldn't vote are not part of Obama's or Hillary's supporters/constituencies, that would make that demographic White, Male & Female, Middle to lower income, Less than college-educated, etc. In short, McCain's demographic.

Where is Obama's room for growth? Where can he mine enough voters (a) to reach the popular vote levels necessary to challenge nationally in a Presidential General Election (b) in a electoral winner-take-all?

".....it is tempting to believe that Mrs Clinton’s wrath alone would be capable of launching missiles at distant targets..."

Obituaries of the Clinton almost-dynasty premature
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e095ffe6-33d1-11dd-869b-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

Ana Ivanovic wins the French Open! *Does happy dance*

Flatus,

I'm positive you are just as handsome as Sturg. ;0)

Speaking of Handsome, EPROF! SO distinguished

Great video...thank you, Craig and all contributors to this wonderful site.

"On Vacation"

In the overall Primary contest, less than 30% of the registered Democratic base voted. That's the problem! While less than 30% of the overall base voted, nearly 100% of Obama's new, natural and energized constituencies voted." Posted by: John Hogue | June 7, 2008 10:50 AM

John, that's a brilliant analysis. I haven't heard anyone else say that.

In memory of Jim McKay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWt_Dt4ces&feature=related

I watched Wide World Of Sports with my Dad almost every weekend. A Father daughter moment that I have cherished. Thanks Jim!

John, if you're still here, I hope you'll elaborate more.

The main point of what you said, as I see it, is that the primary was not a good representation of the general.

Sheila:

Thanks for the kind remarks about an old geezer. I hope you're doing well in WA, my old stomping grounds. I lived in Yakima for sixteen years and Pullman for two in the 70's and 80's. The Yakima Valley is now known for its wines as much as for its apples. Have you and Jamie had lunch yet? I understand Tacoma has really changed in the past ten years or so for the better. Haven't we all? Stop by my blog once and while and see what I'm seeing these days from politics to baseball.

Great video, Craig! As people have already said, it's nice to put some faces with the names.

I'm afraid there are many Obama supporters who could care less about logic. Posted by: Nick

Nick,
if they're serious, then it's time to start caring.

Has anyone noticed how 'obsessed' the media is with Hillary. There seems to be nothing else they can talk about.

Hey Eprof!

I will, I just didn't know you were back up! In fact, I will pass the renewal of your blog at Madmustard. He'll be happy.

"Its uncomfortable for sure. But wow....good thing they have excellent mass transportation and I think we should get on board and break out our mothball fleet"

Sheila, Where I stayed on Loch Long in one of a chain of house cluster, there was a single road going around the peninsula that connected to all the B & Bs and a village large enough for a super market and other basic services that had a rail connection to the larger towns and finally Glasgow.

Bus and rail service was so frequent, clean and convenient you would only need a car for long trips. It was wonderful.

The U.S. enslavement to the car and freeways is rediculous.

Nice video again , Craig!

Here's Gail Collin's editorial from today that, I think, speaks to many of the HRC supporters here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/opinion/07collins.html?em&ex=1212984000&en=898eaeb2ff19bce0&ei=5087

Sheila, the ladies I hang out with don't care whether I'm handsome or not. Ask Pogo, he can tell you for sure. :)

looks like I will have to t-vo Hillary's speech.leaving at 11 central and I believe that is when she is coming on.Don't want to miss it.It will be a winner for the networks.Will watch on fox unless it is on c-span.Does anyone know?
Ruth

Is she speaking at 2 PM here in the east?

Jamie
I wish they would start using the railroads again to transport goods.The money and gas we would save would make a tremendous savings on our roads and our dependence on oil.We could probably produce enough of our own oil we wouldn't have to appease the arab countries.Then they can eat their oil.

Ruth

Noon, from the email I got.

PoU

I herard it was 12 eastern.

P o U

I understood 12 East Coast. CNN and MSNB crud are already covering it.

CNN and MSNBC are already covering it though.

Ruth: I don't think so. I could be wrong, but I thought I saw some article earlier this morning that had it at 2 eastern. I'm sure someone on this board will be able to confirm the time for us.

I was a bit slow in posting, didn't see your responses. Thanks for the info!

Ah, Nick! You seem to be counting the votes cast for the Democratic primary candidates to all be registered Democrats. As a political news junkie like so many of us, I'm sure that you are aware of caususes versus primaries, cross-over voting patterns and state primary rules that allowed independent's to vote in Democratic primaries.

By your own informed reading and study, what percentage of the votes cast were not registered democrats: 20%? More? Less? If I recall accurately, no single primary ever reached as high as 50% of registered Dem voters, even where independents and cross-overs were allowed.

Ye Gods

Turned to MSNB Crud for a few minutes and Maddow KO and company are still ragging on Clinton about all the possible "bad" things she "might" say.

Over to CNN where at least there is some semblance of balanced coverage.

Happy 3rd Anniversay gang.....

Craig.... thanks for the video.....
I LOVE seeing everyone's photos..... and such cute pets!

oh..... and I think all the women are beautiful and all the men are handsome...

my first picture was taken at Mt Tremblant and the second one is at the family camp.... the handsome guy next to me is my hubby, Rick.....

I too have a cat that thinks she's a dog..... she's only 71/2 lbs....
her name is Paris..... but we call her Little Paris Pinknose for short....

well.... the weather people were correct..... we went from 50 degrees yesterday to 90 degrees today..... Rick put my screen tent up..... a good book and a tall glass of lemonade are calling..... c ya later....

I recommend all Clintonites steer clear of MSNBC for the speech coverage, especially if they had a big breakfast.

The US is so far behind the curve on mass transportation it's not even funny. Here in AZ, ADOT is widening I-10 from west of PHX and east of Tucson, about 160 miles, from four lanes to six and eight lanes plus talk about another loop around PHX on the south side. Do you think there is any talk about an inter-city line between PHX and Tucson? NO! There is rail line in place and passenger service between the two cities was curtailed about 10 years ago. Folks here are all upset about $4.00 a gallon gas that started yesterday but no one is willing to commit to rail service, just "lower the damn price."

Is Keith Olbermann's snide act on MSNBC the future of TV news?
By Howard Rosenberg, Special to The Times
June 7, 2008
Former Times Television Critic Howard Rosenberg, a Pulitzer Prize winner for criticism in 1985, will be writing occasional commentaries about news on television and the Internet.

It seems like a couple of centuries since His Holiness Pope Walter reigned as God's deputy on the airwaves. Even longer if you think about leave-'em-laughing funnyman Keith Olbermann.

The leer, the smug histrionics, the relentless needling, the shameless self-puffery, the accusatory rants excoriating Bushies and other Republicans as well as cable competitor Fox and its temperamental bully, Bill O'Reilly. And, of course, the comedy.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-comment7-2008jun07,0,6590521.story

RR
"oh..... and I think all the women are beautiful and all the men are handsome..."
It's because of the inner beauty that shines through

"And, all the children are above average." Where have we heard that tag line?

i've gotta run off to the grocery store, but i have no doubt that you guys will fill me in on the details of the speech when i get back. take care! i look forward to hearing your analysis.

KGC: I love your terrier! My terriers say Bow Wow!

They have the visual on Fox. A plain wooden lectern; like an old wooden coffin.

Flatus...you're so right. Spooky.

Posted by: eprof2 | June 7, 2008 11:28 AM

Rail between Northern Sonoma County and Marin is about the go on the ballot for the third time. Each time stopped by the wealthy NIMBYs in Marin.

There is no rational argument against. The rails are there and the stations are in place. I am waiting for an elected official with the guts to get up and say "You arguments are full of crap."

It takes 2/3'rd last time around it got more than enough in Sonoma and 57% in Marin. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Bus and rail service was so frequent, clean and convenient you would only need a car for long trips. It was wonderful.

The U.S. enslavement to the car and freeways is rediculous.

Posted by: Jamie | June 7, 2008 11:09 AM

The years I spent in Northern and Southern europe transporting myself from country to country or just to market, were some of the best.

We are going to be forced to do this and I for one am looking forward to it.

i flipped by msnbc.......fat russert
cnn.............donna brazille
fox.................neil cavuto

no, thanks................

Posted by: Ally | June 7, 2008 11:33 AM

Fin sends a big woof right back. He is a dog's dog.
He loves all dogs big and small. There is no dog park around here so I have to arrange playdates with the neighbors --we have quite a collection --his girlfriend is a golden named Daisy Mae

Oh goodie.

The video has been updated with some of the missing folk. Replay if you haven't seen them already.

boy the brain gets rusty when you don.t use it every day.Was trying to set up timer for Hillary's speech an forgot how.Duh.After a few trial and errors I figured it out.You have to hit guide then record..And I've done it many times before.Oh Well!!

Ruth

"Presuming that those in the base who didn't or couldn't vote are not part of Obama's or Hillary's supporters/constituencies, that would make that demographic White, Male & Female, Middle to lower income, Less than college-educated, etc. In short, McCain's demographic."-John H.

Where's there the data on this PRESUMPTION? Sounds like a bunch of spindrool* to me.

*coined by LaL

Nice video....3 years is a long time for any thing to actually last. Congratulations Craig and everyone who participates.

I really would like to thank everyone for their different opinions, that are interesting and many times eye opening. There is a wealth of experience represented on the Trail...more then any one person could ever experience in a life time.

It's a pleasure to "know" you all....thank you : )
peace~

Chef Sheila
Nice to see u posting
Enjoyed everyones photosand
What a very nice group of peaple here.

Thx Craig, Great job on the video montage. And Odie thanks you too.

Happy Anniversary Y'all!

KGC: No dog parks around here either. Hubbell and Katie have to keep each other company. We do get a lot of dog walkers past our house so they spend a lot of time barking at passerby (and napping, and chewing bully sticks and then napping some more.)

.....Have you ever noticed, that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thanks Tony,

Good to see you are becoming a normal poster too!

What a thrill it was to take the train to Chicago in the 50's.Saw patty page on stage then took the milk train home after spending the day shopping and eating with my mother and my aunt.It was so safe then.There was no fear getting off train in the loop which was always night because of the darkness.made many trips to riverview also by changing many buses from downtown.

Ruth

CNN has had the good sense to make Candy Crowley as the Senior person on site for the speech.

CNN has had the good sense to make Candy Crowley as the Senior person on site for the speech.Posted by: Jamie Author Profile Page | June 7, 2008 11:52 AM

Agree,
She's the best.

Tony,

Really like your photo. It's nice putting a picture with the person. Glad you have joined our little tribe.

The electoral winner-take-all is a killer. Posted by: John Hogue | June 7, 2008 12:02 PM

John,
that's why these straight national polls bother me. They don't mean much. You have to look at them on a state by state basis for them to be much help.

Jamie,
Are you still watching on CNN.

What is it with the people talking about how great Hillary is, how much character she has and how much the party needs her and her support. These are the very same people who've been trashing her for months. What gives. Did she suddenly change in their eyes. Or is it the obvious, that they just now figured out that they need her supporters. Oh wait, I think I already have the answer to that.

Chloe: If you don't want to hear any praise about HRC, just flick to MSNBC.

God, it is actually kind of amusing to watch Russert, Olbermann and Matthews await the speech today. They're like 3 little boys who have spent the past year torturing a neighborhood cat -- and now the cat is about to die and the little boys will have to find something new to do. They're so sad.

And like I said -- to me, it's amusing to see them reduced to this level. I really do hope there is some sort of comeuppance for the way they've dragged journalism down during this campaign. I can't decide which of the three was the worst -- probably either KO or Tweety in a tie, with Russert right on their tail.

Chloe: If you don't want to hear any praise about HRC, just flick to MSNBC. Posted by: Ally

LOL
Ally,
No thanks. I learned my lesson months ago.

LL: Tweety saying that she can't really speak to her own accomplishments is pretty obnoxious. They are all investing way too much in this speech. Just because Hillary circles the wagon today doesn't mean the Clintonites will fall in line. Time is the only salve.

I can't decide which of the three was the worst -- probably either KO or Tweety in a tie, with Russert right on their tail. LardassLiberal

Olbermann, definitely.

Ally,
She's the center of their Universe.

The first few lines of her speech:

"I apologize for delaying the start of my speech.

I've been on the telephone with Sen Obama seeking to verify my understanding of our conversation at Sen Feinstein's home on Thursday evening.

Unfortunately, what I thought was his wholehearted support of women's issues, and universal, fully-funded healthcare has failed to materialize.

This morning I arose fully prepared to support and endorse Sen Obama as the nominee of our party. This afternoon, I can no longer do so...."

Now, wouldn't that be something?

I not totally convinced we'll see a concession from Hill today. I'll be shocked myself if there's no hedging in her speech. It's not in their DNA (Clintons). I hope I'm wrong.

Gordo,
You know some people aren't interest in learning anything new. It would muddy up the waters too much.

Now, wouldn't that be something?
Posted by: Flatus Author Profile Page | June 7, 2008 12:27 PM

Oh, to expect the unexpected.

Flatus...if for no other reason that would be something because it would result in immediate fatal heart attacks for KO, Tweety and Tim the Buffalo.

Maybe she'll emerge in the same, black "dragon lady" cape she wore to testify at Starr's grand jury. Wouldn't that be a thrill?

if for no other reason that would be something because it would result in immediate fatal heart attacks for KO, Tweety and Tim the Buffalo. Posted by: LardassLiberal June 7, 2008 12:30 PM

LOL. My husband keeps looking over his shoulder and asking what I'm laughing at.

Chloe. Just don't mention my name. I don't need no trouble from hubby! :-)

Chloe. Just don't mention my name. I don't need no trouble from hubby! :-) Posted by: LardassLiberal

I already did. I told him what Lardass said, and he said Lardass?

dog's eye: I flick. You don't need to worry about my cable tv choices, unless you want to start paying my bill.

"C List has done so much wailing about sexism and misogyny and while some of it exists, it does not to the extent you complain."

Really?

Now that a would-be first female president is ending her quest for the White House, the race is more about women than ever before. . . . Even the Democratic National Committee chairman is avidly trying to make up for accusations that he allowed sexism in the race to pass unchallenged. “The wounds of sexism need to be the subject of a national discussion,” the chairman, Howard Dean, said in an interview. “Many of the most prominent people on TV behaved like middle schoolers” toward Mrs. Clinton."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/us/politics/07women.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

"That explains your ignorance and confusion!"

No it explains he still has some vestige of good taste left.

Hillary is our own personal Evita.

Ignorance = good taste

??????????????????

Which Obama supporters are totally into building bridges?

Which Obama supporters are totally into building bridges?

Posted by: Corey | June 7, 2008 12:58 PM

Me for one.....but this one takes time and must be built as carefully as the "Bridge Over the River Qui" ;0)

Seemingly impossible, but will happen with hard work on both sides. I am positive.

“She didn’t just narrowly miss the nomination, she started a popular movement.”

She's proving the article that said that this morning is right.

Positive Crowd response means positive campaign forward!

Yes, if he chooses Hillary as Vice President.

If he doesn't, then f*** Obama.

Most , but not all. That's why the hesitation.

""Bridge Over the River Qui"

Errrrr Sheila, The Bridge Over the River Kwai got blown up at the end. : )

We may want to pick another bridge.

But , some of the bridge builders here have shoddy workmanship.

The fact that she was genuine made it all that more painful for me to watch. But inspiring, just the same. What a role model. She doesn't just give a speech, she actually talks to you.

Big Talkleft fan that I am I watched the speech with them

'Reminds that Democrats have won only 3 of the last 10 elections. And that the man who won 2 of those elections is there today.

Stresses how important it is that a Democrat be in the White House. This is an excellent line of argument.

This is a great way of talking about Obama to Clinton supporters, imo. She lays out the issues vision and ties it to the phrase "and that's why we have to elect Barack Obama President."

Shifts to the historic nature of this race. Discusses the barriers and biases she faced in an understated way.

Let me say that I find this a wonderfully crafted speech. I think she is delivering it with force and logic. But with feeling and emotion. This is a great speech imo.

Let me tell you why I think it is a great speech. She talked about the issues she cared about. She acknowledged the great support she had. She explained in terms that were tied to her own campaign why Barack Obama deserved their support.

She discussed the historic nature of her race and celebrated what she has done.

Wonderful, wonderful speech."
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/6/7/123553/4534

So where could he possibly find a VP as good as that if she wants the job?

But , some of the bridge builders here have shoddy workmanship. Posted by: Corey

Corey, I've noticed that. Back handed compliments don't count for much.

Wow.
Amazing woman. Great leader. Fabulous speech.

This was a fine speech. She did what she needed to. Although, I wish there was more content about unifying that party, rather than another "it's all about me" speech, which is kind of what it turned into at the end.

I'm interested, what is it about what I said that prompted your bias observation?Posted by: John Hogue | June 7, 2008 1:16

John, don't ask.
In doing so, you're validating him. Skip over his posts.

Corey...

When I was a girl, I used the demonstrable hypocrisy of some at church to justify my not going and not participating. What I missed was that it's not the other people at the church that were important, but the concepts and my own relationship with God (as I perceive that entity).

I think that analogy applies in this election cycle, too. You can keep your eyes on those Obama supporters who anger you, or you can keep your eyes on the bigger picture of what's the best direction for our nation to move forward. Then vote according to how you answer that question.

You are certainly right that there are Obama supporters who make it very difficult NOT to stay in a state of high dudgeon over their latest crude assertions and insults. But...neither they nor their statements are what's important here.

Good post harborwoman.

I knew Hillary would deliver leadership -- and even though I had already made the leap to support Obama, this speech just makes me more comfortable in doing so. Who knows...I may actually even get excited about it in a month or two. I was amazed that she actually was able to lead that crowd into cheering for Obama.

Meanwhile, to the women on this blog who supported Hillary, I want to you to know that I'm not being blithe here. I realize that this day for you is associated with more deep, personal feelings than I could ever hope to replicate.

Nick...

Those of us who know and love her just call her dog! (Makes responding to her posts quicker and easier, too.)

Hey, Lard!

Chopper's one good lookin' pooch! How's he doing? And is there a second picture of you holding Chopper in that montage?

Hey Harbor...like I told Patsi earlier, Chopper's getting a big head with all this publicity and attention! He's doing great. He watched Hillary's speech with me pretty closely -- but then at the end he sort of lost focus and started batting a nugget of dry dogfood around on the floor, like it was a bug or something.

And yup...that's me and him in the photo near the end of the video.

Dog. Definitely good advice there.

According to Politico's Ben Smith, Matt Drudge was seen at the speech, hanging out with Clinton consultant Tracy Sefl.

Thanks for those compliments Dog and Harborwoman! You ladies are much nicer than Lardass!

Well...that's a star for you. If it's not all about them, they lose focus and start batting dry dogfood around....

Seriously, glad you and Chopper are turning out to be a heavenly match!

I'll stay on Vacation through the summer and just watch the developments. It was a wonderful speech.

jamie
Thanks You have been most welcoming and I so Admire yours and others Intell. and wit!!! I read your posts and get so much from them like the point you made about not voting in Nov. or considering chosing a third party choice because i have never not voted!!

It's kinda like one year when I playeed in a tennis tournament. I won my first match 6-0 6-0. A good friend then asked me to play in doubles the next day. Her reasoning was "You're going to lose your next match in single , anyway. So , if you play doubles, you'll get at least 2 matches in tomorrow." I was mad at what she said. It was as if she said, "You're just gonna get your ass kicked tomorrow , so play doubles too!" I did not play doubles. I almost didn't even show up for my singles match , because I was so mad. As for the election , I am an independent , not a Democrat. I don't agree with Obama's stances on certain things in this election. Yes , there are people here who make it even harder for me to warm up to Obama. But , in the end I will vote for who I think is best and not who people tell me I should vote for. In '96 , I didn't wanna vote for Dole , but people basically said to me, "How in the world could you vote for Clinton again?!" So , I voted for Perot. Which was basically throwing my vote anyway. I voted for Gore and Kerry , but both of them lost.

Nick...

Most folks just go with harbor or hw....

Okay , I'm out for the afternoon. Later everyone!

For appearances, that is what Hillary has to do now. Let's see if Team Clinton follows the script that was outlined in the article from a few days ago. Look at it this way: Is it better for the Repubs to use what they have on Obama in October that will ensures a McCain victory or for the Clinton campaign to use it before the convention so that a Dem wins the WH?

John Hogue
Your posts Very Good!!! Please keep them coming and dont worry about baises!! This place is full of them but thats ok.You are very factual and thats always good.

Not that anyone has asked, but the cute (subjective opinion!) little girl sitting on a porch in Mississippi is also me. I was cuter as a child, so sent Craig an ooooollllldddd picture. Also, there are almost no decent pictures of me as an adult in existence...sad, but true....

Jamie, btw, i didn't mean to suggest Colorado Bob has left this world in saying "dedicated to" -- now if it was "in memory of" that'd certainly be more ominous

Dog...send him a copy of that one peering over the top of the computer at KGC's place! I liked that photo -- and it's fairly anonymous.

Is it better for the Repubs to use what they have on Obama in October that will ensures a McCain victory or for the Clinton campaign to use it before the convention so that a Dem wins the WH? Posted by: GORDO

Gordo,
do you think Hillary has a copy of it too?

And, what article are you referring to?

Interesting article on Russias view of the current US economic mess

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20080607/NEWS-RUSSIA-FORUM-MEDVEDEV-DC/

Cool. Gawker just posted the trailer to "Gonzo" the new documentary on the life of Hunter S Thompson -- narrated by Johnny Depp.

Best line in the trailer: Pat Buchanan recalling how Thompson once described him as "a crazed Davy Crockett jumping around on the ramparts of Nixon's Alamo."

http://gawker.com/tag/trailer/?i=5014224&t=gonzo-the-life-and-work-of-dr-hunter-s-thompson

Craig: Can you add my name to the image that comes up of my dog? Thank you very much. The video is great and very big congratulations to you on your anniversary.

Wow
Just finished watching Hillary speach.Not ashamed to admit she brought tears to my eyes more than once.My hats off to the women here and everywhere it must be especially hard.I can't think of any political figure that has touched me so much even President Clinton who I so Admire!! Maybe its because all the women in my family are gone and my Mom especially Loved Hillary and hoped some day she would run for President.Sad for me my mom missed it by 2 years!! DAMN CANCER...........

Craig,

I sent an email to the only address I had for him plus a message on his blog site. If he still pays attention to either, he will know about today's post.

I don't know if anyone wants to call his friends at the gallery.

LL: Thanks for the link. The film looks like a lot of fun.

John Harris posted this great elegy on the Clinton's political arc just an hour or so ago on Politico. Very well done.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/10917.html

Anyone not watching CNN. They have a special coming up comparing 1968 to 2008 should be good.

Dog

Picture sent, But you should let Craig know that is is ok to use. Today is the Strawberry Festival fundraiser for out local 1watt radio station --we can paddle down if you can get here in time!

Fin keeps roaming around your room looking for your scrunchy come back soon!

Jamie...

That's how I learned that C'Bob is still very much alive and very busy with new projects that he's apparently really enjoying...such as working on wind power, gardening, etc. I had emailed the Gallery months ago, but never got a response, so I simply called them.

Craig, am curious of your use of the song celebrating one's "soul". Or is it to wish good vibes? Nick | June 7, 2008 2:00 PM

Nick, it seems like that's what we get to see of people here. There "essence".

I just woke up after a nap, it's 8 pm (some nap)... time to find the hillary speech. Oh and Tony you're also a good looking fellow.

And Sheila I love how professional you look in the kitchen and also the big smiles on your face... Actually really you are all awesome!

By the way, I just paid $4.29.9 for regular gas
and credit to dog who took the picture of me and Fin

Harbor..just went back and saw the photo. What a doll you were! (and I'm sure still are!)
You look like you just stepped out of a Carson McCullers novel. The very mental image of Mick from "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter".

For anyone who is interested in the political horse race is it goes forward, I recommend this site

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

While just a snapshot in time, it is quite informative. Up until Tuesday, it featured projections of how HRC would do vs McCain based on current polls. Also features Senate races, which I feel are even more important.

"Anima = Soul -- Posted by: Nick"

my microsoft translator says it means "spirit" in Italian -- any discussion?

here's the history on that song -- was walking in a plaza in Rome and heard that voice in the distance. tracked it down to a woman sitting in front of a fountain playing the guitar and singing this song, "Anima." a pile of her home made cd's in the guitar case, so i bought one. name on the cd is Betty Candelieri (looks like it was literally made on a home computer), no contact info, no record label, nothing. And i've never been able to find out anything else about her. But with a voice like that, who needs more

Thank you Rome!

Thanks Maggi

tony: I appreciate your comments about your reaction to Hillary's speech. I spent the first five minutes and the last five minutes crying as if I'd lost a personal friend. Didn't expect to react that way.
Having said that, however, I supported Hillary and had hopes for her victory, but she doesn't own my vote and can't direct me to support Sen Obama.
It is now for him to be gracious.

and by the way, i have no clue what the lyrics mean in english -- almost don't want to know

chloe ---------------------

The latest I've read about the MO video (???) is that it was probably uncovered by Guillani opposition research (but maybe Team Clinton put that out to cover their tracks). ABC is thought to have a copy of the bombshell video ( from their ABC affiliate in Chicago). Roger Stone believes a TV network has a copy.

That article was a "hit" piece on the Clinton campaign by a longtime Clinton hater - upset many here. It's about how Hillary will publically support Obama, but behind the scenes will work to get damaging info out on him. Better that this "stuff" comes out before Obama becomes the nominee.

This link is a good source for info (also NO Quarter):

http://hillbuzz.blogspot.com/

Yeah...for your sake, Craig, I hope it's not just the Italian re-mix of "Feelings." That would be kind of a letdown.

going to render the final version around 3p -- any further revisions?

Craig: The best poems and lyrics often can't be translated well into any other language, so you are probably better off without a translation .... I certainly wish my computer were better equipped to handle audio and video, as the whole thing sounds lovely ... but like me, the computer is a little old and cranky.

E Tom
Thank you
Sorry you picture didn't make it is nice to have a face with the poster. I really enjoy reading your posts because your feelings about this election have so been like my own.You especially have tryed to be so fair to Obama folks and thats always a plus in Political Discussion.

The best poems and lyrics often can't be translated well into any other language, so you are probably better off without a translation .... maggisd

Communicating is hard work. Luckily Craig is good at it.

GORDO: I don't know what your goal is, but Roger Stone is a notorious Republican oppo researcher and dirty trickster who long ago lost his standing even among Republicans. I would take any representation he made with a huge hunk of rock salt.

Hey Tony...EuroTom and many others here have blogs with their photos on them (and in EuroTom's case, he probably has clogs to go with his blogs since he's in Belgium.)

Just go to Craig's home page and scroll down on the left until you see "Blogroll". Click there to find folks with blogs.

chloe: That he is ... it has been my observation that, with a few exceptions, he seems also to have drawn to his site a group of people who are also pretty good communicators.

Let's see how Craig's Trail turns out, yes?

Trying to keep the eye on the ball at the moment

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\06\07\story_7-6-2008_pg7_28

It is funny that just a few months ago, Obama called Pakistan complete chaos and that Musharraf had capitulated to the militants. Has anyone bothered to notice the silence from Obama about Pakistan? Nothing he predicted is coming true and a girl's school was recently blown up along with more pathetic deals by the moderates with militants returning from jail back into the street.

Now Obama calls on Europe to send more troops to Afghanistan. He follows McCain on that obvious request.

We have seen Obama's first attempt at foreign policy ladies and gentlemen. A complete no show at the vital committee he chairs that oversees NATO in Europe, totally wrong predictions about Pakistan and their blanket rejection of Barak's plan to target OBL and the extremists who are now set free as the consequence of "talking" by the moderate regime in Pakistan are hurting us in Afghanistan, a situation long in need of more NATO troops. A complete Obama failure from start to finish he would rather blame on Bush and Musharraf, plain and simple. So he passes up talking about this mess...LOL

In the last month Obama has denied saying he would talk to Ahmedinejad, bullshitted AIPAC again while rejecting more sanctions that Europe wants on Iran. His protectionist BS will hurt the very third world countries that need more free trade. As usual, Obama hides in campaign rhetoric. His plan to raise capital gains tax as a strategy to increase alternative energy grants and lower deficit is silly. His recent no denial of the most recent Michelle rumor shows a poor learning curve.

Maybe Big Brown wins the triple crown, but hehas a better chance than Obama pleasing anyone should he get elected. AP recently offered a long list of items that either Obama cannot fix or should reverse should he be elected. Pakaistan and Indonesia are fast becoming Obama rejectors while Iran hails Obama as the new Gorby that will destroy the US from within.......LOL

Gee, I can't wait.

Craig: Any particular significance to the fact that you started your list on D-Day?

Maggi,
I was going to ask you what you thought of Hillary's speech, then caught your post-didn't see all of them. I felt about it pretty much the same as you.

it has been my observation that, with a few exceptions, he seems also to have drawn to his site a group of people who are also pretty good communicators. Posted by: maggisd

I've noticed that myself. I learn a lot here.

I am relatively new here and enjoyed the video very much. I didn't realize the community had been together so long and so I feel a bit like I barged right in. Sorry if I did.

Just so you'll know me a little: retired, 66, female, mother of two daughters, grandmother of seven, a southerner born and raised.

I feel a bit like I barged right in. Sorry if I did. lizbeth

me too.

Max: With regard to your observation about the need for more NATO troops in Afghanistan. As you ought to know, the other NATO countries state that they are stretched to the max (bearing in mind that many of them also act as UN peacekeeping troops) and have asked for more US troops -- which we, of course, cannot provide.
IMHO, the best solution in both Iraq and Afghanistan would be / will be a political reconciliation among the warring factions that will lead to these countries being able to police themselves.
Easier said than done, of course ... but these are two areas where I believe that unrelenting diplomatic efforts would be worthwhile.

maggisd
Like you I didn't expect to get so emotional but to me politicallyit is a repeat of the race between Bush and Gore.What I mean to say is the best most qualified canidate doesn't always win it seems to be about who the media pushes down are throats!!! Obama supporters reading this I am not saying Sen. Obamas policies are anything like Bush.Magg Like you just Because Hillary does as Party Demands does not determine who I vote for.Unless Sen. Obama gives me some reason to TRUST him and wipe away all the doubts I have about all the Bad Apples he associates with its a NO OBAMA Nov. for me.

Tony,
If Hillary were offered the VP slot, I guess we would know her answer to that trust issue? I trust Hillary.

Tony

You can see a picture of ET at his My Space blog if you want to know what he looks like.

http://www.myspace.com/eurotom

If you want to read it, he has to grant permission to access for both that one and the one on blogspot.

chloe: With regard to the speech and the campaign ... I am still in the midst of trying to figure out how the weighted delegate apportionment and the FL/MI debacle contributed to Hillary's "loss."
I make no excuses for the fact that her early campaign managers did not know enough to game the system (where was Harold Ickes when he was really needed?) but I am angry that the system could be gamed and don't want to see it happen again.
I consider it incredible that so many people can have felt that Hillary needed to so thoroughly back down when the actual situation (until August) is that neither of them has enough delegates to outright claim the nomination.

Lizbeth and Chloe -- Barged in! Are you kidding? Our door is always open to anyone who walks in. Of course, some then immediately run for their lives.

Chloe
Good Point!!! and I trust Hillary also and I guess if she where the V.P. that would settle the issue because she is not stupid or easily fooled.

... but these are two areas where I believe that unrelenting diplomatic efforts would be worthwhile. maggisd | 2:56 PM

Maggi,
Do you trust McCain to be able and willing to do that?

Great video, Craig. Excellent dedication too!

Julia, sorry, I had to include you in the trunk. Remember someone wanted to put poor Mrs. Crawford in there?

I wore my "Attack the Messenger, Vegas, Baby" tee today and felt so political.

We gotta do that again. In Dallas.

tt

she is not stupid or easily fooled.: tonyb39 | June 7, 2008 3:02

The farthest thing from it.

chloe: Not just that ... but we would know we had a cooler, calmer, more experienced head in the house. It is not generally known, I think, how influential Al Gore was in many of the decision that Pres Clinton made ... since Gore had long years of experience with Congress ... both his own and his father's. That, to me, is essential.
I am sorry to say that, among the many feelings I have about Sen Obama is that -- like George Bush -- his idea of compromise is that everyone should agree with him. Difficult as it is for idealists to accept, compromise is the only way to get anything done in this country.

Lizbeth, Chloe et al

We love it when some one drops down from lurker status and becomes part of the community.

The wave of Huffpo trolls was a little hard to take, but that type usually leaves this place fairly fast when they find out that most of the time, most of the folks are actually on speaking terms with each other. Carrying on a dialogue is not one of their greater talents.

So WELCOME and I'm sure the others will toss in a few greetings.

Of course, some then immediately run for their lives.

Posted by: Craig Crawford Author Profile Page | June 7, 2008 3:02 PM

LOL. Felt that before.

Chloe
Glad your here
Jamie Thanks for the link to ET blog.

In terms of the Hillary VP question: I think Obama's going to wait a while to let all the emotions and expectations surrounding his decision die down before he makes a choice. I would say beginning of July, at the earliest.

Gordo & Chloe, Here's a nice piece about Johnson and the tape biz:
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/126883.html

Maggi,

With regard to your last sentence, I believe most observers felt (after WI) that he would win a majority of the pledged delegates and further that the SDs would not under ordinary circumstances override that vote.

* whacks the horse twice more * :)

chloe: Well, bear in mind that I have good friends who know Sen McCain well. He is not good at speech making, but he has a strong record of compromise with Democrats in the Senate....and that is diplomacy in its own way.
I disagree with Sen McCain on about umpty-ump things ... but I don't agree with everything that Democrats want to do either ... but essentially, yes, I find him to be someone I feel I can trust.
Remember the other day I was talking about people with an American instinct, people with a group instinct, and people with an instinct as a citizen of the world. I see John McCain as a man with an American instinct.

Lard!

Thank you! What a compliment! I'm honored to be compared in any way to Mick! (However...trust me...much cuter as kid than an adult!)

Not just that ... but we would know we had a cooler, calmer, more experienced head in the house Maggi

Yes Maggi, I trust him too. (don't agree with everything though)

And he does bring the negotiating 'know how' and contacts that Gore added to the Clinton. And he also has a long record to examine.

maggisd ----------------------------

I'm aware of Roger Stone's history. Bob Beckel (DEM) also believes there is something to this story. If MO actually said these "jaw dropping" things, the American people have a right to know NOW - not in October. This is not "dirty tricks" - this is about Obama being honest. When asked about it, his answer was a non-denial denial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhI03pDryZw&feature=related

I feel almost insulted by the party, the way you feel when you have been taken for granted, when someone tells you what you will do as though you couldn't possibly think for yourself. I didn't think leaving the democratic party was enough. I switched to republican.

Maggi wrote:

He is not good at speech making.

That's an understatement. : )

Did you take a gander at Politico's big article about his public image yesterday? If not, check it out:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/10880.html

His only hope is that he excels in the town hall debates.

Rezdog: Point I'm making here is that, had there not been weighted delegate allocation, and when FL and MI are restored to their full delegate status (as Donna Brazile has said will happen), the difference between the two will be / would be fewer than 50 delegates, with neither having enough to cross the finish line without super delegates.
So, it is not a matter of anyone "stealing" the nomination but of two candidates who are essentially tied. Sen Obama and his supporters need to accept that just as Hillary supporters need to accept that 50 delegates is 50 delegates...
In other words, this wasn't a mandate, it wasn't a runaway victory ... it was a narrow win.

He is not good at speech making, but he has a strong record of compromise with Democrats in the Senate....and that is diplomacy in its own way. Maggi

Maggi, yes it is.

His speech deliver does leave much to be desired, but while campaigning, he'll do well in the town hall meetings and I think he is merciless in debates. He'll do fine.

PofU: Have you never seen Sen McCain in a Town Hall setting? He is excellent ... forthright, to the point, with a biting wit and, most of all, the ability to say ... "I don't know a lot about that issue. Tell me more." And then he listens.
As I said, I do not agree with all his positions (especially domestic positions), but I have an essential trust in his instincts to do the right thing.

chloe,

The biggest concern, I would imagine, is the he doesn't have any "senior moments" out on the trail. Arguably, he's already had a couple of those in regards to relationship between, Iran, Iraq, and Al Qaeda.

Also, somebody needs to teach the guy how to read a teleprompter. He makes Chris Matthews look like a pro!

Maggi, . . did you catch the part of my comment?

"With regard to your last sentence"-Rezdog

"I consider it incredible that so many people can have felt that Hillary needed to so thoroughly back down when the actual situation (until August) is that neither of them has enough delegates to outright claim the nomination."-Maggi

my comments had nothing to do with FL/MI or weighted del apport.

I feel almost insulted by the party, the way you feel when you have been taken for granted, when someone tells you what you will do as though you couldn't possibly think for yourself. I Posted by: lizbeth | June 7, 2008 3:13 PM

lizbeth,
You feel 'almost' insulted.
That's an understatement for me. I'd have to use much stronger words.

OK, the kitchen is closed on our 3d anniversary revised video. Rendering now, will still be another hour or so for the new one to be uploaded -- shooting for 4:30 posting

Lard,

"much cuter as kid than an adult!"

She's fibbing. She's a very attractive lady and has a great smile.

chloe: I think he will do better than many people now imagine. However, KO (whom I have learned literally to despise in the last few months) is already starting in on him, as is HuffPo.
I wish there were not such an urge to demonize the opposition in this country. But it has always been that way.

Maggie and Chloe, I think Sen McCain could be an excellent president _if_ he had a small cadre of absolutely trustworthy people who would have his back keeping him from doing dumb things like equivocating about the flag in SC.

At heart, he is an American's American--not a bellicose one, just a solid individual who will put his country before others while essentially minding our own business. I can't see him getting us involved in all the types of treaty arrangements that the Bush people have made with the former Soviet republics in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Is he perfect? Of course not; but, he's not the Devil incarnate either.

Great speech.

Rezdog: I re-read your post. Has he won a majority of the pledged delegates, or only a plurality, when all is said and done?
Second question -- what, in your opinion -- is the purpose of the so-called Super Delegates (at the DNC Rules and Bylaws site, they are called automatic delegates).

Is he perfect? Of course not; but, he's not the Devil incarnate either. Posted by: Flatus | June 7, 2008 3:22 PM

And maybe I should feel shamed, but at this point I find comfort in that.

Warren...too bad you and Lucy didn't make the video.

Great speech.Posted by: warren | June 7, 2008 3:24 PM

Without a doubt.

lizbeth
WELCOME I agree with you about the party thats why I left it a couple of weeks ago. Or as many say it really left me!!

I really feel uneasy about this embrace of McCain. After all this is the guy who voted against the torture bill, sold his soul at the republican national convention in order to ensconce himself in the party. He also met with many of the same "religious leaders" (read: crazy, crazy, crazy people) who he called "agents of intolerance" in 2000. He's utterly given up on the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform specifics of the later 90s. He has no real knowledge of how the economy works. His ignorance of foreign policy is profound - again, see his recent remarks about the relationship between Iraq, Al Qaeda, and Iran.

And he's old. Really old.

And I'm not being ageist. But McCain's age is something that should and will be open to debate. After all, if there's a limit on how old you have to be to take office, there should be a limit placed on how old you can be and still run for president.

I think many of you don't have a very clear-eyed perspective on the McCain of 2008.

chloe: I think he will do better than many people now imagine. However, KO (whom I have learned literally to despise in the last few months) is already starting in on him, as is HuffPo.

Yes, KO has taught us well-I too despise him.

But to those of us who love Hillary, we've learned our lesson well. Therefore, we will not be lookin for fair coverage on MSNBC, nor will we be reading Huffington Post.

Flatus: Excellent comments. Interesting that you should mention the SC flag thing...how many politicians do you know that would have the guts to admit their mistake and back down, as he did?

Once again, I want to say that I am not here as a cheerleader for Sen McCain. I am a Democrat. On the other hand, I did vote for Gerald Ford in 76 and have never regretted that vote. John McCain is too conservative for me on many issues -- but so are more than a few Democrats. And, thus far, my impression is that Sen Obama is way too "progressive" (isn't that the word of choice these days?) for me. So...as a middle of the roader I have to choose between two imperfect candidates. And I choose the one who didn't campaign by ruining the reputation of the only two-term Democratic President since FDR.

And Maggie, I don't see it so much as "an urge to demonize the opposition" as an urge to do anything to win.

PoU
You make good points!!! But I know alot of Dems down here in Florida who are giving McCain a look.I myself as Ind. now don't think i can vote for him but I feel the same about Sen. Obama even though I now they are Polar Opposites.Again Trust its all about Trust 4 me

chloe:

Well, no crap. Don't go to Huffingtong Post or watch "Countdown" if you're not a leftist. They are center-left. If you're a conservative, watch Fox, or read NewsBusters, or Drudge. It's that simple. Objectivity in this context is a myth, especially when news is for-profit, rather than subsidized. Pick whichever suits your fancy and watch/read it. Just because you don't like the fact that KO didn't support your candidate, he's still a very important voice in cable. He's the only one willing to move forward a center-left agenda. By and large, cable news is dominated by the right. I have a man-crush on Jim Lehrer, so I have to give a shout-out to PBS News Hour. That's where I get my nightly news.

Tony:

Try to give Obama a chance. How can you trust somebody like McCain who is so quick to abandon his higher principles.

Maggi,

After WI, he was on a path to win the majority of pledged dels barring something extraordinary. And SDs who vote their conscience, but not normally expected to override the pledged delegates.

That's why, you ponder, "I consider it incredible that so many people can have felt that Hillary needed to so thoroughly back down". To those in the know, (D NC rules, del math, etc) the contest was over.

Rezdog ------------------

Went to your link about the video. It's obviously just a knock-down piece. The author is misleading the reader. Will have to wait.

"And I choose the one who didn't campaign by ruining the reputation of the only two-term Democratic President since FDR."

The number one most unforgivable thing he 'tried' to do. All in the name of winning an election.

PofU: In reading your comments, I bear in mind where you are coming from and the fact that your candidate of choice was Dennis Kucinich. That is a choice I would never have made, so I think you and I start out with very different basic assumptions about what we want to see in a President.
As to the age thing ... I'm pretty old myself. In fact, Sen McCain (like Sen Biden and Sen Kerry and Sen Kennedy and MLK and RFK and many too numerous to mention both dead and alive) is in the same generation as I am. You might want to call us the Ozzie and Harriet Generation.
As to your other points -- you obviously did not follow the "torture bill" vote closely but have only read representations of it. As with many things, there were two versions...he supported the other version. The one that wouldn't hold the little guy under orders personally liable ... as for the embrace of the religious loonies ... he's a politician. He did what he needed to do to keep his political life alive ... they all do it. Even your candidate Kucinich suddenly became pro-Choice when he decided to run for President the first time.

PU,

I don't read posts that start with "No crap".

Kindly turn your attention elsewhere.

maggie
God I love the way you think!! It also bothers me so much that the Democratic Party threw Pres. Clinton away and Sen. Obama and his supporters led the way.Shameful this is why Dems. lose No Loyalty Rep.stick together!!! Go to cities across America they have Immortalized Reagan even Sen. Obama used Reagans legacy to trash Bill Clinton. SAD

Chloe:

Explain to me how he ruined the reputation of Bill? It seems to me Bill did just fine tarnishing how own legacy with those red-faced, finger-wagging, totally un-presidential tantrums on the road.

So just because Obama calls him out as a centrist, and critiques some of his failings, he deserves to be villainized by you? Clinton *wasn't* an ideas president like Reagan (simply mentioning his name makes me get the heebee-jeebies...yuck!). He was a "third way" politician who was friendly to big business to a fault. Look at what's going on with the increased energy costs. Remember that it was good old Captain Bill that let the Exxon-Mobil merger go through. Oh, and there was that whole thing about oral sex in the white house with an intern, and that little procedure known as impeachment. But we'll forget about that.

Maggie

"what, in your opinion -- is the purpose of the so-called Super Delegates"

(Anyone more familiar with all of the below, please toss in your two cents)

You are going to love this. To become a delegate, you have to be elected by others to be their representative for your candidate and this assignment of representation goes through three layers: Precinct, Congressional District, State.

It used to be that party officers and office holders had to run in these delegate elections for the available slots. This caused problems on two sides: Normal voters who felt they were excluded by the better known or VIPs who lost slots they felt they should have had.

The Democratic Party solution to this was to increase the number of delegates in each state and create "automatic delegates" for Party leaders and office holders with the understanding that these "automtic" people would vote their conscience rather than a specific candidate.

As you can see, the election didn't quite turn out this way. We will probably never know who voted their sense of what was right, who voted they way they were told, and who voted because they were threatened with some sort of power play

PofU: I watch a local TV outlet as well as BBC in America. As well as C-Span. I disagree with you that KO is center-left. His rhetoric is far left, but I am convinced that what he really is (like Matthews and Russert) is someone who has an overweening pride in his own opinion.

maggie, God I love the way you think!! I tonyb39

I second that.

Oh Gawd, be afraid, very afraid. Could happen.

"Bush Postpones 2008 Election"

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060814/gillers

tt

Maggi:

BBC is great. I wish I could get it here : (

I really think Keith Olbermann is anything BUT an important voice in cable. And he certainly isn't anything approaching an unbiased journalist or newscaster. He is a performer. He's pretty good at that. If you agree with what he's saying, you think he's great. If you don't, he can make you sick.

"Went to your link about the video. It's obviously just a knock-down piece. The author is misleading the reader. Will have to wait."

Oh,. . . and L Johnson, no quarter, et al , are top flight reporters and news organizations whom would not mislead anyone..

BTW, where's your old bud Larry Sinclair ?

* waiting with bated breath*

lizbeth:

Please read what I wrote above. I'm not arguing that Keith is unbiased. I'm not sure there exists a cable news personality that isn't beholden to some implicit or explicit agenda. What I'm saying is that he is extremely important for a group of people who have never had a voice on the 24 hour news stations. People who read Daily Kos, Huffingtonpost, etc., no matter how much you might despise them, deserve representation.

P o U

"Jim Lehrer, so I have to give a shout-out to PBS News Hour."

Thee and me both. Also, if you have access: BBC America has a great news show.

Jamie: Excellent analysis. I read the DNC Rules and Bylaws the other day (including all the cryptic information about the formula for weighting delegates in certain districts) and no mention is made in the rules about the SDs voting their conscience. But, in fact, as you state, it has been widely reported by those "in the know" that the SDs were created after 1972 to save the Party from another McGovern-type debacle. Or was it in 84 to save themselves from another Mondale debacle?
The over-ride option has never been used, but I still think it's a good fail-safe mechanism.
I recently read that Madame Pelosi had muscled a great many Congressional Dems (especially new arrivals or those in marginal seats who need Party support for financing) not to commit to Hillary early on when many might have done so. I do not know the truth of this...but I do know that she absolutely controls committee assignments, and it's not difficult to believe some muscling was going on.

An Update on the Michelle Obama Rant
June 7, 2008 at 2:08 PM

"Why does this “tape” of Michelle Obama matter? The folks who have it are working to elect John McCain. They are using it now to raise money for a 527 effort that will attack Barack Obama. I am told that they fully intend to keep this “off-the-market” until after the Democratic Convention. The Republicans involved with this believe that Barack Obama is a more beatable candidate than Hillary Clinton and see the tape as reinforcing an image of racial division that will hurt Obama."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/06/07/an-update-on-the-michelle-obama-rant/

There is no reason to make McCain out to be a bad guy. He is a great American and I admire many of the stances he has taken in the Senate. In particular, on Immigration - even though the radical (and rabid) right refused to allow that bill to pass.

(However, I am not as impressed as his position on the Environment. It does not take much political courage these days to come out in favor of the Environment).

And even though McCain is not George W. Bush - he DOES advocate many of the same policies as Bush - especially on the major issues such as Iraq, the economy and healthcare. The thing is that on the major issues - there is not a Bush Agenda - there is a Republican Agenda that Bush has been championing for the last 7 years.

And the merits of those positions will be debated - but that debate does not change the concrete results of the last seven years - which are undeniable.

And despite all of the clamour by the right wing media that Obama is a "scary liberal" - I anticipate that he will end up more in the center for anyone that cares to actually listen to his policy positions. Indeed, on major issues such as Iraq and healthcare - Obama does not espouse "far left" positions - and on those two issues in particular - he is more to the center than HRC - who as we all know - is unwilling to give an inch when it comes to policy.

Keeping people focused on the issues and Obama's vision for America is the key for the Democrats in the general.

(The GOP will use the politics of distraction, destruction and divisiveness in an attempt to cover up the flaws in their agenda. Although the Republicans are masters at coming up with catchy sound bytes to describe their policies - we can't forget to look at the actual results of those policies.)

I read Huffington Post, I watch Keith Olbermann, I watch MSNBC, CNN, FOX, all sides. But I never expect to get much except opinion. There are some who put on a show, mainly Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly.

Gordo,

Why do you post on this site? What motivates you? You're among democrats and independents here, yet you constantly take delight in wanting to hurt Obama and the Dems. Your posts, when they aren't annoying telegraphic, robotic messages with hyperlinks, are sad, shallow, and desperate.

And here is Lucy for anyone that has not seen her yet.

http://www.mycockerspaniel.com/past_contests/sep06.htm

(And to give credit where credit is due - my ex-girlfriend gets all the credit for rescuing her ; )

What I want to know is where is the outrage about the politics and endorsements coming from the pulpit and the tax exemption status? Where are the IRS investigators?

With regard to the speech ... I will be interested in the analysis of the opinion makers.
What I noted in particular were two things -- she continued to speak about universal health care. As we all know, Obama's plan is not universal at this time. (Actually, I don't think we'll get there for many years to come, but that's neither here nor there).
And, she lavished on her husband's Presidency the respect that no one else did.
I liked the third way. I liked the centrist methods. I liked the fact that Bill Clinton was able to pass through a hostile Congress some small but meaningful legislation that helped the ordinary person -- including me ... the Family and Medical Leave Act, the SCHIP program, Hope scholarships, a balanced budget and a beginning of paying down the debt. And I like that we were able to negotiate peace in Bosnia.
And, BTW, I don't give a good GD about him and the intern ... that's between him, his conscience, and Hillary.

PoU
K.O. he is a Liberal Dem. in my way of thinking he owed it to us as viewers to remain by all appearances Neutral in Hillary Vs Obama!! So no while ill say hes Brillant!!! I no longer Respect him or Trust a word out of his mouth!! No way does Fox in general represent me or my views but in this UnDemocratic Primary Fox has been the fairest between the Dems.Surprise Surprise.Oh and as to your post about giving Sen.Obama a Chance if he somehow bridges the trust issue with me and thats a big if I would VOTE for Him.Maybe Hillary V.P. that really says Trust to ME

Maggie

Petty Pelosi of the pretty is a posterior pain.

Tony: Fair enough. I hope he can earn your trust this campaign.

"....The GOP will use the politics of distraction, destruction and divisiveness....." Posted by: warren | June 7, 2008 3:56 PM

Warren,
I read your post attentively, but can you deny that the Obama campaign used "the politics of distraction, destruction and divisiveness:?

Petty Pelosi of the pretty is a posterior pain.Posted by: Jamie

Yay for the p words.

(However, I am not as impressed as his position on the Environment. It does not take much political courage these days to come out in favor of the Environment). -- Warren
Sen McCain has been an environmentalist for a very long time. His political hero is actually Teddy Roosevelt, the first environmentalist President.

You seem to believe that Sen Obama is someone with a history of compromise, in that you criticize Sen Clinton for not being willing to give an inch. However, there is no actual history of Sen Obama as being willing to compromise on legislation thus far.

Oops that should be "pretty pearls'

Messed up my alliteration.

Jamie: I love it! I tell you up front I'm going to use it -- with attribution, of course.

"...you criticize Sen Clinton for not being willing to give an inch." Maggisd

The only place I see that Hillary is not willing to give an inch is regarding Health care. And find that uncompromisable.

Warren, Lucy is a lucky dog, and you are a lucky man!

chloe: I agree with you. As I said, I think universal health care is still miles away, but as she states if we don't start with that goal we'll never get there. The idea that people don't have insurance ONLY because they can't afford it demonstrates a certain out of touch quality. I know many young people who could quite easily afford health insurance but choose not to afford it, as it would interfere with their ability to see all the latest movies, have their morning latte, shop at Nordie's etc.

maggs:

Look at the positions he is articulating. (And please do not buy into Hannity's and others caricature of those positions).

On Iraq:

He is advocating withdrawal within 16 months. HRC said troops start coming out within 60 days - no matter what the generals on the ground say. The GOP would have driven a truck through that position (if they weren't so busy singing her praises in order to futher divide the Democrats).

On Healthcare:

He is not in favor of government mandates that everyone have healthcare. I watched all of the GOP debates - and when it came to healthcare - all they did was rally against mandates. In my view - mandates would be a wedge issue (a la "amnesty") - that would have led to gridlock on making any progess on healthcare.

In my view, it will be easier to push Obama version of healthcare through Congress. And that will be a step in the right direction. If it turns out we need mandates down the road - then we can fight that fight another day after substantial progress has already been made. Progress that will lead to a substantial improvement to the situation of many Americans.

I keep coming back to JIM WEBB for VP pick:

He's so white, he's pink
Southern/Pro-Gun
Nam veteran/ Military background
Great attack dog

I am aware of the criticisms of him, but for purely electoral reasons, I think he is the right choice.

I know many young people who could quite easily afford health insurance but choose not to afford it, as it would interfere with their ability to see all the latest movies, have their morning latte, shop at Nordie's etc.: maggisd | June 7, 2008 4:15 PM

But Maggi, can you blame them with the outrageously high cost of health insurance as it is now. The point of universal health care is that it will bring the cost down to where most everyonte can afford it.

Weird and totally random question: If I want to bake three marinated chicken breasts in the oven, what should i set the temperature at, and how long should I keep them in?

And here are some examples of Obama working across party lines (despite what the GOP would have you think):

Senate:

-In 2005, he cosponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act" introduced by Republican John McCain of Arizona.

-Partnering with Republican Senators Richard Lugar of Indiana and then Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Obama successfully introduced two initiatives bearing his name. "Lugar–Obama" expanded the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons, including shoulder-fired missiles and anti-personnel mines. The "Coburn–Obama Transparency Act" authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine launched in December 2007 and run by the Office of Management and Budget."

-Obama joined Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism. A provision from the Obama–Hagel bill was passed by Congress in December 2007 as an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill.

State Legislature

-In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican Governor Ryan's payday loan regulations and predatory mortgage lending regulations aimed at averting home foreclosures.

In 2003, Obama sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama

Politics of Utopia------------------------

Obama is a con man - I don't trust him.

Utopia: "An imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal."

Imagination is what Obama feeds to the gullible masses.

champ: And he has a hideous record on women's issues. Just plain hideous. There are comments from his past that would have sunk him in Virginia had not George Allen had his macaca moment.

PoU

400 degree
20min does it in my convection oven

Jack

PofU: First pat them dry.
Oven s/b set at 350 -- the standard temperature for almost everything in the world.
If they're off the bone, start checking for doneness at about 25 minutes. If on the bone, you can probably go 35.
It will vary by size. You're looking for the juices to run clear ...

Thanks, everybody! Ready to put my jerk chicken in the oven!

chloe: I'm speaking of young adults with good incomes -- that is why Hillary always said a mandate was needed. Without the young and healthy participating in the risk pool, the cost of health insurance cannot be brought down. It's like any other insurance risk pool -- we pay for car insurance and never use it, but the risk is spread out so that the insurance companies can be required to cover everyone.

chloe:

I would ask you to recall how in debate after debate - the pundits cried out over and over again - when is Obama really going to start attacking Hillary.

He was called weak, bambi, etc. for not really laying into her.

(You should also note that the Obama campaign respectfully stayed away from Bill Clinton's impeachment troubles - even though the GOP was signaling early on that they would make this an issue in the general. Indeed one of the most repeated lines from the GOP debates was Romney commenting that "Do we really want Bill in the White House again - with nothing to do....")

Obama's main line of attack was on Hillary's vote for the Iraq war. And that is an issue that was completely valid to seize upon.

(And trust me - the GOP would have had a field day on that issue of HRC was the nominee. This is precisely the line of attack that McCain used to defeat Romney.)

PoU

Go with Maggis instructions
I always split mine so they are thinner

Jack

barack obama played golf while hillary gave her speech

I am a big fan of Webb. He was one of the most articulate Senators during the Petraeus hearings.

I think he would make a great Sec. of Defense. But he does not do as much for Obama on the "trust issue" as Hillary would as VP - in terms of getting elected.

Obama Dean Scream Redux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMF7tMLrIWA

Maggi-

the question becomes:

Will picking Webb alientate the base so much that they'd vote for a McCain/Romney ticket? If McCain picks a woman first, Obama picking a woman will look like pandering. If Obama picks a woman first, he'd alienate the Clinton wing of the party, and the right-wing will mobilize for armageddon itself against the black man/female ticket.

Webb would neutralize McCain's military credentials, swing right-leaning but disillusioned conservatives, and create the appearance of a big-tent Democratic party willing to compromise with conservatives. Webb would be easier to keep in line than Hagel, plus, he's a registered Democrat, regardless of his actual political philosophy.

I'm talking about winning the game, not necessarily who would be the best VP pick from a policy perspective.

Ok folks, here's to a good Trail Mix anniversary. I know I'm new, but since arriving, I've felt welcomed by nearly everyone here. I'm off to watch some X-Files and eat some jerk chicken. Take care, all!

warren: Not once at any point during his campaign did the presumed nominee of the Democratic Party ever refer in a positive way to the accomplishments of either LBJ or Bill Clinton.
Not only did he disparage Pres Clinton by comparing him with Nixon (something he had to know would really tick Bill off), but he allowed his campaign to circulate a scurrilous memo accusing the Clintons of racism and he never once publicly stood up for them on this issue, as he had for Joe Biden.
And when the time came to negotiate for the Michigan votes, his campaign insisted that they be awarded four delegates that should have gone to Hillary ... not that he needed them, not that they would have helped her in any substantive way, but because ... as Donna Brazile put it ... he had the votes to do it. In other words, he put her in her place.

Harborwoman is furrier than I thought. ;-)

tt

well damn, why didn't someone catch that i spelled Sheila incorrectly in the video??? just caught that, and gotta render again. Altho I love you dearly Sheila, given your spelling mishaps, maybe it's fitting. JUST KIDDING. It'll be a while longer for the new one now.

I like them sauteed in olive oil with onions and garlic. Boneless and skinless and sliced as Jack suggests if they are thick. I've taken to using one of those handy electronic thermometers for most meats--keeps me from cooking things longer than necessary.

Once went to a party where each couple was to bring their own homemade version of lasagna. They were all different and each was excellent. It was thirty years ago, down in Panama. I think we probably cranked out our own pasta for the dish.

Stinky and I used to grow all our own sprouts and make our own tofu. Always fun and interesting.

sturge reminds me of Eric Clapton.

tt

champ: I would say that -- if Sen Obama cannot bring himself to pick Hillary for VP (and I suspect that he just won't find himself able to do so) that he needs to select a known Hillary supporter and a centrist. As well as someone less bombastic and less likely to steal the spotlight. Also ... bear in mind that Sen Webb is 63 or so...certainly not old, but a Party should always want the VP to possibly be able to run for the "third term" ...

Sen Obama cannot pick any other woman, and I would think Axelrod would know that. My choice is Evan Bayh ... he has been Secretary of State, Governor, and Senator of Indiana, and has quite a solid organization downstate. He is a member of the DLC, sits on the Armed Services Committee (right next to Hillary, and above Sen Webb) and has a pleasant personality, although not so charismatic that he would rival Sen Obama.

Craig-

Take your time with that video. It won't be cool enough to go outside until midnight or so anyway.

Warren: Sorry that last post should have been addressed to Champ. Senior moment.

Champ: I forgot to add that Evan's father is Birch Bayh, a long-time friend of Teddy Kennedy.

maggs:

Give me a break. One of HRC's main themes of her campaign was a restoration to the Bill Clinton years.

For Obama to start touting the accomplishments of Bill Clinton would be to play right into to Hillary's hands.

And on the FL/MI issue the candidates - who were both doing their damnest to win - were playing the cards they were dealt. And if the circumstances changed - you can bet their positions would as well.

I am sure you have heard HRC's quote about the MI election not counting for anything - back before the primary race started.

We can go tit-for-tat on what happened during the campaign. And I could put together a laundry list of things that pissed me off - as an Obama supporter - about the Clinton campaign. But where would that get us...

Vote Democratic this year

regardless of

who in the hell's

on the ticket.

Hillary & Bill would be good as Supremes if there are openings.

tt

... I am still in the midst of trying to figure out how the weighted delegate apportionment and the FL/MI debacle contributed to Hillary's "loss."
Posted by: maggisd

Maggi,

I always enjoy your posts. This link provides a good disection of what went on and what rules were violated last Saturday:
http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/the-rbc-violation-of-dnc-sunshine-rules/

It was very hard listening to HRC today. The speech was not all about her as some have suggested -- she gave a brief history of what got us to this point and her devout supporters needed to hear that. She did what she had to do, too, and heartily endorsed BO. And even though I would follow her to the ends of the earth, this does not convince me to endorse or support him as well. John McCain looks just fine to me these days. I agree he needs a little help with his speech making and I know he's a man's man, but he needs a little makeover too-- teeth whitening, maybe some cute wire-rimmed glasses -- if he wants to compete with the younger BO in this image-conscious world.

Oh, and Craig -- cute video -- so nice to put faces with posts. I'm a newbie so didn't send my photo -- will next time.

warren: In fact, yes, I heard the entire Hillary Clinton remark on PBS about the Michigan vote. You should try and find it. I do not remember all of it, but remember thinking when I heard it that it had been almost completely mischaracterized.
I am not saying he should have been all full of let's return to the 90s...that would have been ridiculous. But, he could have avoided comparing Clinton to Nixon, he could have stopped talking about his belief that nothing had been accomplished in the last 25 years. And when he mentioned past Democratic Presidents, why mention Harry Truman but not mention LBJ?
And, finally, he could have been far more forthright and forceful in urging his surrogates and supporters to stop characterizing the Clintons as racists. (Course that put them in good company ... with his grandmother).

maggs:

Again - based on your posts - it seems you main issue is with the media. They ran with the bogus story that the Clintons were racists.

I think it was valid to say that Bill Clinton injected race - in a pure political effort - to dimish Obama's win in SC. A dumb move that backfired - but it was in no way racist.

So if you want to protest - throw your TV out the window.

And with respect to your vote - it is your right to vote for whoever and on whatever basis.

But I would suggest that you at least take a look at Obama. Because now you will be evaluating him as the Democratic nominee - instead of the arch rival to the candidate you whole-heartedly supported and believed in.

I sure as hell know that during the heat of the campaign - I had a jaded view towards Senator Clinton. And without the heat of the campaign fight - I can see her qualities much clearer now.

Catbalu: Thanks for the kind words and the url. I will eventually get to the bottom of this thing. I received a 2nd e-mail from Howie Dean today, calling for unity and asking for money. I replied by telling him to contact me again when the DNC decided to get rid of weighted delegate apportionment. I know it might have made a bigger mess, with no one able to claim victory, but it's just not right that some votes should be worth more than others.
As for her speech, I said earlier that I am a Hillary supporter, but she cannot direct my vote. I will vote as I choose and as my conscience instructs me. Since I live in a state where my vote is just about meaningless, I think a protest vote will suit me just fine, although I don't think I would be sad if Johnny Mac were to win.

Gordo, your accusations of Obama's "Marxist" tendencies are laughable. In fact, any centrist who worries that he's too left might consider that this whole "new way of politics" is a joke.

First, the man who analyzed every state and how
to get the nomination due to the Democrats
convouted system is a telecomminucations lawyer/lobbyist.

The people who first funded "O" include: corporate law and lobbying firms (Kirkland & Ellis and Skadden, Arps, Wall Street financial houses (Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase), and big Chicago interests (Henry Crown and Company, an investment firm that has stakes in industries ranging from telecommunications to defense).

Here comes another one just like the other ones.

Jamie: You always pick your words so wonderfully and carefully. And you are spot on.

Warren: The media picked it up and ran with it, but it was the Obama campaign that pushed it out among the people of SC....long before Bill Clinton had said anything at all. You are, I take it, aware of the talking points memo circulated by Sen Obama's press person in South Carolina, highlighting the so-called racist remarks that needed to be pushed in the beauty parlors and the barbershops?
When Tim Russert asked him about this, Sen Obama did another of his nonchalant dismissals...but he did not defend the Clinton campaign against the charges ... and he should have.

Oh, yeah -- and here's from the latest column from the San Francisco Chronicle's Mark Morford.

"Many spiritually advanced people I know identify Obama as a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned
being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment. These kinds of people actually help us evolve. They are philosophers and peacemakers of a very high order, and they speak not just to reason or emotion, but to the soul."

Hoo-boy...I'm waiting for the Rapture.

I agree Katherine Graham Cracker! Howard Dean - a little too late. I recognize pandering when I hear it. Truly, today, I felt like it was a funeral with Hillary's gathering for her speech. As I continue to badger the MSNBC and CNN pundits, nothing short of Hillary Clinton burning herself at the stake will be sufficient for those who in large part doomed her candidacy along with the tactical error of her not participating in the caucuses. Every word she uttered today will be measured on a richter scale that cannot possibly be enough. Hillary did what she had to do, but regardless of how it was taken, she and her husband will be blamed if this mediocre candidate loses. A little while ago on CNN David Gurgen, hoping to clear himself and others in the media of any blame said to the woman on their panel, "you don't think Hillary Clinton lost because she is a woman, right". Someone said, "No". But thankfully, the best answer came from the woman I saw only a few times during the primaries who was excellent in her analysis. She said, "If there had been the same things said on television news about Mr. Obama that were said about Hillary Clinton, they would have been fired!" Absolutely true. Sexism and a complete lack of respect simply doesn't seem to register with the MSNBCs and CNNs - I believe they are thinking of sexual harrassment or something that would amount to a crime. I am unmoved by Hillary seemingly beseeching her supporters to get behind BO. I still feel that her supporters must send a loud and clear message to the DNC, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Donna Brazil, SC Rep. James Clyburn and many others. This isn't about the four stages of grief for me. 'Unpardonable sins' were committed here. Basic "Rules of conduct, morality and ethics were violated beyond measure". If Hillary had been covered as a normal candidate and had lost fair and square, I would not feel like this - I never have before NOT supported the democratic nominee. The harshness of the Matthews-Olbermann-Russert-Michell, Blitzer, Brazil, Bernstein, Bennett, Bernard, that Rachael woman, Morris and many others whose editorial comments peppered their every statement that was always negative about Hillary and always positive or cutting BO slack. When they would start to feel they were too piled on with Hillary, they would switch to Bill Clinton as if that was not about Hillary and better or at least ok. Someone just told me they felt the same as I do, but when they were told that the next president would be able to appoint possibly more than one Supreme Court Judge, she feels she can't vote for McCain in protest. THAT is exactly what the other side has counted on - that women had no choice but to come aboard. No way, regardless of the judges, laws being repealed that I helped put into law. That is a risk I am more than willing to take - so for those who will continue that line of threats, forget it! My vote for McCain will be a vote AGAINST the DNC, the people mentioned above, the news media as well as the unqualified Barack Obama. After more than 30 years in political activist and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, I'm well aware of what I am doing, and I am full-speed ahead. If you feel as I do, go to:
www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pledge-to-vote-against-obama-in-the-general-election
and register. As much as I would love to think writing in Hillary's name in Nov would be protest enough, it is not. For Obama NOT to win, votes must go to McCain and not any of the other rift-raft like Bob Barber or (God forbid, Ralph Nader). Writing in our beloved candidate's name (at this point anyway) takes nothing away from BO, the DNC, etc. Voting for McCain will.

Patsi: Yes...just another politician. And a pretty shrewd one at that. This is the first time ever that he could not clear the field of opposition (other than Bobby Rush).

Almost time for the Belmont.

chloe:I would ask you to recall how in debate after debate - the pundits cried out over and over again - when is Obama really going to start attacking Hillary.http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/our-anniversary-video.html#comment-98680

Warren,
I just got back and saw your post. The debates are not what I was talking about. He was terrible in the debates and only did well with what he had memorized. He is not spontaneous. He always waited until the day after the debates to attack her on what was said at the debates the night before. My theory is that he was briefed by his speech writers on what to say and how to say it.

And, yes he did rub in that Iraq war constantly, even though he wasn't there to vote on it. But that is not all he did. He constantly tried to demean Bill's Presidency. And to not to mention the impeachment - everything to be said about that period of time has been said. But I don't doubt he would have used it if he thought it would have helped.

The whole racism story was also unnecessary. As was his constantly saying that Hillary would do anything to win. He was arrogant and demeaning. But that's just my opinion. And I could go on and on, but it just angers me more to think about it.

Whoa FranSC,

Paragraphs could be your friends, if you'd only let them.

Patsi, reminds me of something like Heaven's Gate. Did we miss the comet?

magg:

I am not sure if any of the following apply to you - but you might be sad if McCain won if...

-You have a relative serving additional tours in Iraq to achieve a "victory" that has not been actually defined in the entire time that this war has lasted. And McCain sure as hell has not articulated how Iraq is going to turn into the peaceful environment our soldiers now face in Germany and Japan.

(Especially since in WWI and WWII - we came in and finished wars - instead of starting a COSTLY war of choice on what turned out to be false evidence.)

-You are going to suffer because government programs will lose billions of dollars because McCain will not roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy.

-You are on your own when it comes to healthcare - because according to McCain and the GOP - the government should not be meddling in your personal life.

-You don't want to see judges appointed that will dictate what women should do with their bodies.

Oh, yeah -- and here's from the latest column from the San Francisco Chronicle's Mark Morford.

Patsi: To quote a famous, now very retro phrase ... gag me with a spoon. Is this man a satirist or is he really serious?

FranSC: I am with you. I am not about to be blackmailed about the Supreme Court. We Dems stand to pick up between 4 and 6 Senators this time around. And, if that isn't enough to forestall another Alito or Roberts then there's something wrong with the Senatorial Dems.

maggs/chloe:

If you want to blame the entire flare up over Bill Clinton's comments about SC on Obama's memo - then I agree we should stop talking about the issue.

I saw the video again recently. And his words would have been a story even if the Obama campaign said we should all shut up about it.

And you are holding Obama to an unrealistic standard. What politician tried to put water on a fire the competing campaign has started...

Did Hillary do that with the Rev. Wright story? The Muslim issue? Hell she brought up Ayers herself.

So like I said - we can go round and round. Or we can accept the fact that BOTH Hillary and Obama fought tooth and nail to win the nomination. And over the course of five months - it would be absolutely impossible for either to come out sneaky clean in the eyes of their opponents....

warren: I have said on more than one occasion that my vote is largely a protest vote. I live in a very red county in a very blue state.
But perhaps if the local party sees enough of us not contributing, not stuffing envelopes or making phone calls or going door to door ... all the dozens of little things that middle-aged and older women do in every Democratic campaign, maybe just maybe they'll get the message.

To Politics of Utopia... what's wrong with a little oral sex in the White House? I mean... people *SHOULD* be able to talk about sex...

-tongue in cheek joke...

Hillary did what she had to do, but regardless of how it was taken, she and her husband will be blamed if this mediocre candidate loses." Fran

Fran,
Take comfort in knowing that the media outlets that constantly badgered her have lost their credibility. So they can say whatever they want, and like minded people will still believe them, but others will not listen. Has Obama ever done anything wrong? How can he, when there's always an excuse waiting by one of his many protectors. He apparently needs a lot of protection and there seems to be no shortage.

I should make clear, I am not advocating Webb as VP, just that I believe he will chosen for that role. Playing the ol' "veepstakes", if you will.

Oh and the clincher for him? He has a son who has served/is currently serving(?) in Iraq. Nice contrast to the Bush administration draft-deferred chickenhawks we've had for a while.

And Obama's first stop as the presumptive nominee was VA.

$20 on Webb.

warren: What words do you mean -- re Bill Clinton? Because I think you may have the story garbled. I do not mean the Jesse Jackson remark, although Kendrick Meek, who was there, stated that the tape usually played has been truncated and that Pres Clinton was actually specifically asked about the loss of the black vote in SC.
Because the memo came long before those words -- which came after South Carolina. The memo began circulating in SC very early on.

To Hillary supporters, how many of you have changed your viewpoint and thus "classification" since the concession speech was made? I am now leaning towards voting Obama and I think Hillary made a strong case for why he must be elected.

Thoughts?

I saw the video again recently. And his words would have been a story even if the Obama campaign said we should all shut up about it. Warren

But of course, they didn't. As a matter of fact, they were care to make sure no one forgot. It was among their talking points sent the media for months. And they always made sure they hit it hardest right before an important election.

champ: You may be right. I just think it will be a mistake on several levels, not least of which is that Webb has a reputation as someone difficult to get along with in executive positions.

Thoughts? Posted by: EuroTom

Tom, I loved her speech. And she made a lot of sense. But my vote is owned by me. If he offers her VP AND she accepts, I will vote for him. Otherwise, NEVER. I don't trust him without her looking over her shoulder.

Tom: I agree with Chloe.
I am a Hillary supporter but she cannot direct my vote to someone with whom I am not comfortable. As someone who lives in Europe, you may take offense at this, but I consider Sen Obama to have a viewpoint that is too world-centric and to be too naively accepting of persons whose viewpoints, words, and actions I find very disturbing indeed.

"I don't trust him without her looking over her shoulder."

Posted by: chloe | June 7, 2008 5:31 PM

-towards Bill, for approval, I'm assuming?

Oh, I'm sorry, too good of an opportunity to pass up.

For Obama NOT to win, votes must go to McCain and not any of the other rift-raft like Bob Barber or (God forbid, Ralph Nader). Writing in our beloved candidate's name (at this point anyway) takes nothing away from BO, the DNC, etc. Voting for McCain will.Posted by: FranSC | June 7, 2008 5:08 PM

My feelings too.

Oh, I'm sorry, too good of an opportunity to pass up.
Posted by: champ

Come on champ. You knew what I meant.
LOL

Hi,

Haven't read the posts yet, looking forward to that later. Haven't seen Hillary's speech yet, waiting until I have the energy to cry.

I did see you video Craig. It is nice to see some of the faces of the people on this blog. It is nice to see that some of you are dogs. I really like dogs better than people. I get off to unconditional love and I think dogs are Gods gift to people. (spell dog backwards).

Thanks Craig for including me in the video. ct, my handle, but listed as Maggie, who is my dog. She is sitting next to me in my porta-bote. I haven't been on the blog long but I sure do enjoy it. Since I dumped most of the MSM, it is all I have. I have learned a lot.

Where can I find Hillary's entire speech online. I do have it taped at home but I am not heading that way. I am still hiding out at my camp.

I am still hoping Gordo is right because I don't want Hillary to be out of it.

Also does anyone think that Scott McClellon's book would be worth reading?

ct(Maggie)

Well - I think every vote matters.

I was not a huge fan of Kerry - but the policies he was articulating sure as heck made a lot more sense than those of the Republican party. And I pushed everyone I knew then to vote for Kerry and I will do the same to get people to vote for Obama.

(And I would have done the same thing if Hillary was the nominee.)

And if there is anything that this blog has taught me - it is that it is almost impossible to get people to change their minds. But we have 5 months - and I sure as hell I am not going to stop trying.

(But I have also learned berating people for taking a different point of view usually only results in them hardening their position.)

Thoughts? Posted by: EuroTom

ask me in august. a lot of slips, trips,bites and slights will be uttered between now and then.

no commitment, no money, no help until after the convention...if then

chloe: It all depends upon where one lives. My ex and his wife live in Ohio. She is a life-long Republican who crossed over to vote for Hillary. She is ex-Navy herself and will certainly vote for McCain. He states he has never voted for a Republican and doesn't know if he can...especially since he is a strong union man. Their votes will count. Mine really won't.

Ralph Nader RULES! Any of you Clintonistas who are infuriated by how Clinton was treated by the DNC and DRBC should be INCENSED by how Nader was treated by Democrats, the Debate Commission, the press... all because he had the balls to tell it like it was when nobody else would.

Unreasonable Man: Ralph Nader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS1c5Ei0eIg&feature=related

Ralph Nader is an American Hero.

Text of Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech Saturday at the National Building Museum

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080607/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_text_1

ET

"what's wrong with a little oral sex in the White House?"

And its not as if it were anything new for a president. It's just the Republicans (most of whom later got caught doing the same thing) wanted and issue and he gave them one.

Their votes will count. Mine really won't.
Posted by: maggisd Author Profile Page | June 7, 2008 5:43 PM

Maggi,
Will they at least keep track of the 'total' nation wide popular vote? If so, we'll still be sending some kind of a message to the DNC. It was their place to straighten out the media. Or at least try. They certainly wasted no time coming out and condemning racism, which they should have. But that wasn't the only offense going on out there, and they knew it.

Something I just posted on DailyKos

Much truth has been written in your diary and your anger over how Hillary has been treated is understandable and real.

However... it's time has come and passed... Barack Obama is the presumptive nominee and I believe Hillary made a rousing, passionate case for her supporters to vote for him. As a Hillary supporter, I share a lot of your anger, but turning to the Republicans and voting for McCain is NOT the answer.

I have been determined to write in Hillary as candidate for President in my ballot this November. However, after watching Hillary's beautiful speech today, I now lean toward voting FOR Barack Obama in the Fall.

I am for unity this Fall... yesterday I wasn't, this morning I wasn't, sometimes reading comments in the blogs makes me teeter on the edge against voting for him, but I am focussed now on Hillary's concession speech and, for the first time, I don't see Barack Obama, nor his supporters, as the enemy. We are all in this together.

I still love this video about how Hillary was treated by media commentators and the beautiful montage at the end with Meredith Brooks' song BITCH, followed by a comment by Maya Angelou... Hillary Clinton: Mad as Hell/Bitch

Even with the goal of unity, I think this is a great video for all of us to watch and enjoy, regardless of whom we have supported.

In growing solidarity!!

oops the link didn't work.. Jamie originally posted this and it is my favourite video currently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcdnlNZg2iM

warren: Let's face it -- unless one lives in a swing state, most of our few votes won't really matter. My county will go for McCain and it would have no matter what I did and my state will go for Obama, also no matter what I do.
Some of the more traditional swing states could be a problem for Sen Obama, but he hopes to pick up New Mexico and Colorado and Virginia. Since all three have very strong Democrats running for the Senate, he might just do so ... although John McCain's long-term friendship with Mo Udall and his courageous stand on immigration might work in his favor. Who knows?

"Ralph Nader is an American Hero."

If you like megalomaniacs willing to destroy a house to prove they were right about where to hammer a nail.

tiptoe...

Furrier, yes...but oh! so cute!...and sometimes obedient!

And you, my dear, are beautifully preserved for a woman of 104!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/our-anniversary-video.html#comment-98637

tt...

Thanks for posting this, though it's very frightening. I'm waiting for anon paranoid to see it!

Where can I find Hillary's entire speech online. I do have it taped at home but I am not heading that way. I am still hiding out at my camp. ct

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/us/politics/07text-clinton.html

tt/hw

That was a cute bit of 2006 satire. Let's hope Bush knows the difference particularly since Gonzales is now gone.

Craig...that's too funny that of all names to misspell, you botched Sheila's. But I bet she won't mind.

chloe: Indeed yes, the national popular vote will be known as will the popular vote from each state. The totals will be compared to how Kerry and Bush did, to how Gore and Bush did, etc.
Of course, it is likely that a diminution in the Democratic vote will be taken as racist by many ... but that is why I intend to keep e-mailing the DNC, and the various media talking heads to let them know why my vote is being cast the way it is.

ha, yeah i thought so too, lard. but she deserves better, so i fixed it. new version almost ready

"Ralph Nader is an American Hero."

If you like megalomaniacs willing to destroy a house to prove they were right about where to hammer a nail.
--Jamie

Once again, you have hit the nail right on the head. :-)

Jamie: I seem to recall that Nader said he would not run again if Edwards were the nominee because Edwards was such an anti-corporatist. I begin to suspect that his fondness for Edwards had more to do with him being a trial lawyer, since surely one would expect Nader to support Obama. And if not, why not?

Jamie...

Yes, I get that the article that tt posted is not reality...but it's precisely the possibility that anon has been warning us about for some time. May it never come true! The prospect is horrifying!

but that is why I intend to keep e-mailing the DNC, and the various media talking heads to let them know why my vote is being cast the way it is. maggisd | June 7, 2008 6:02 PM

Thanks mag, now I've gotta go.

Anyone interested in the Democratic Party as a whole should go here and see how the Senate race is shaping up ... even Mitch McConnell seems to be in trouble. He maybe better stop filibustering and go home to campaign.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Senate/Maps/Jun07-s.html

ET

What video are you referring to in your last post? Something on DailyKos?

ct

Post Parade has started.

2:24 the record to beat set by Secretariat

ct: This video: Hillary Clinton Mad as Hell/BITCH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcdnlNZg2iM

Bush wasn't re-elected. He was finally "Elected"... First time he was "selected" and Nader certainly did play spoiler in 2000 !!!

My word! How old is that kid who just sang 'New York, New York'??? Or perhaps that should read...how YOUNG is that kid!?!

Okay kids, revised version of our video with many additional faces now on your screen above. I am going to take a heat nap (it's 103 degrees!)

Note: If anyone happened to save the direct link or embed code on the original, it is now deleted -- the revised version above has new code for saving. Here is the new direct link for bookmarking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hQLI5nkHFI

it is 12:30 am here and I am exhausted. off to bed.. bye friends.

xoxoxoxo

Oh and Craig, thank you. I am proud to be included, and glad to see the other members added!

38 to one.........hmmm.....payday for somebody......

The child singing was nine years old.

Wow. God bless Desormeaux for protecting Big Brown. As much as I wanted to see a Triple Crown winner, I'm much happier to see that magnificent animal properly handled.

dog's -- I agree with you.

harborwoman: I just hope that it wasn't the hoof. Maybe just the heat and the fact that he hadn't been able to train?

Does anyone know where Da'Tara was bred or where he normally trains?

Yes...dog and maggi...I agree with both of you. Jamie and I have gone to the races locally a couple of times, but now I'm almost afraid to go again. I never want to see one of these wonderful animals injured or - worse - put down as a result of human entertainment.

harborwoman: I gave up going to the Del Mar Track years ago ... I figured that if I had objections to dog racing (and I do) then why was I comfortable with horse racing? Although I still watch on TV which is pretty hypocritical of me.

Here's some info on Da'Tara

From what Desormeaux said, he wasn't injured in any way, just ran out of steam... Most likely cause heat and lack of training plus getting bumped around some at the first turn. Also, he didn't get his usual steroid injection as they were weaning him off steroids. That might have affected his breathing this soon after stopping.

Thoroughbreds breeders in the US are stopping the use of steroids slowly. European horses are banned from their use.

Like many of you, I believe that Chris Matthews has little credibility as a journalist. Essentially, each of his shows over the last 16 months has been a rehash of the preceding show. He wasted hours speculating about the outcome of the primaries -- giving us opinionated comment and bias, to be sure -- and, like most other members of the media, he continued to give Mr. Bush a free pass, no matter how many treasonous acts Mr. Bush committed.

Just last week, for instance, he did not care to discuss the Senate's recent conclusion about the lies that led to the disastrous Iraq conflict. Instead, he launched a new lazy-man approach for the next few months, one in which he can ponder endlessly about who the vice presidential picks will be, spouting off rather than doing anything remotely journalistic, such as searching for and finding facts.

Too, we all saw how David Gregory and other such self-aggrandizing media types were offended by Scott McClellan's pronouncement that the media had served as enablers, which, of course, they had, by not exposing all of the outrageous transgressions of the current administration.

But I continue to respect Keith Olbermann for at least these reasons:

-- he was probably the first to demonstrate any sort of independence, regardless of corporate mandates; he did some long-overdue investigative reporting and told the truth about Mr. Bush.

-- he was one of the few to remind folks that the primary race was not simply a choice between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama; nearly all of the other talking heads were dismissive of Senator Edwards (if they mentioned him at all), doing all they could to push him out of the race, but Keith presented a more responsible, broader view, giving Senator Edwards the platform he had earned.

If the members of the media were the journalists they pretend to be, the public would have been educated, outraged by the current administration's antics. And the Democratic primary could have played out in a much different way.

Craig,

I sent in mine, but it came back .. waaaa ..

oh well, maybe next year?, if ya do it again? ...

!:^(
viv

In FL, Bush won by 537 votes.

"Some Democrats blamed third party candidate Ralph Nader for taking the election away from Gore. Nader received some 97,000 votes in Florida. According to the Washington Post, exit polls there showed that "47% of Nader voters would have gone for Gore if it had been a two-man race, and only 21% for Bush," which would have given Gore a margin of some 24,000 votes over Bush."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2000

(Plenty of evidence that the Repubs stole OH in 04. Are the Dems any better? Look what the DNC did to Hillary.)

Gotta go folks ... company on the way!

Craig, you really know how to work that program. You didn't just tack them on at the end.

Good work.

We think that C-Bob has left us, and it's very weird to go to his website and know he's not there and that this web site helped him live on for longer than he expected. What a tribute.

tt

Love the new-and-improved video...the more, the merrier. Happy Third and Congrats to Craig.

Sad the horse lost, but not as mournful as with loss of Eight Belles who gave her life.

tiptoe...

C'Bob is alive and well, getting outside, healthier than he's been in ages, and involved in loads of new interests...as told to me by one of the owners of an art gallery where C'Bob has shown some of his work (Tornado Gallery in Texas).

Oh, while I am disappointed that my photo did not "make the cut"...
--Posted by: LushIsLinda | June 7, 2008 7:35 AM

OK...I feel terribly guilty for being such a "whiny-girl" this morning!!

Craig...thank you so much for taking time to update the video(as if you aren't busy enough...).

Q. Who is the kindest, sweetest, most considerate man, on the planet???

A. Craig Crawford 8~)

Saw the new video.

LushIs = SuperBabe

Okay. I'm shutting up now.

LOL @ LaL...always makin' jokes!!!!

LaL...is that you, at the end of the video, holdin' the little puppy?

You know what is funny, on the video....I think it's the first pic of Julia and Craig...as the pic zooms in...the singer is singing a long note and the way Craig is smiling/laughing...it looks like he is singing the note!!!

There were some comments further upthread about the "looks" of folks in this community. So I just want to add my own: The women here are as beautiful as they are brainy. Craig should rename the site "Fantasy Island."

Meanwhile, I'm working on permits with the LDS church to get a little "Trailmix Polygamy Compound" going somewhere in rural Texas. (Okay, really just kidding on that last point.)

And REALLY shutting up now.

*Lardass ducks

LMHLAO @ Trailmix Polygamy Compound!!

LushIs...you and the other ladies will need to get Beehive hairdos, let your eyebrows grow together and start shopping for circa-1880 pioneer-woman fashions.

Otherwise, Texas authorities won't give us the permit.

About the pain:

I remember 2004 working for a great company where we had a wonderful political action group of at least 60 or so individuals that even went to movies and special rallies together. We had our group distribution list in Outlook. Shared links and news items. We shared this common bond that Kerry was so much better than Bush (and still feel that way today) and worked for him diligently. I met Kerry twice and Teresa once throughout this effort. Then when Kerry lost, for several days and probably for about two weeks or so, it was as though there had been a death after he lost. I felt so pained with such a sickness and heaviness in my heart. No anger. We had suffered some sudden deaths within this company of younger techies who should not have died so young, and here was this feeling all over again.

Of course, the election was the first part of November. It didn’t take long for that feeling to change to something even worse…many of the employees found out on the morning of 11/14/04 @ 11:00 a.m. (all at the same time in different offices) that we were all going to be out of a job, told we would have no computer connection nor telephone service and to pick up the most personal items and then be escorted to the door. That was the 3rd downsizing for me in nine years and for someone my age it was numbing.

I don’t mean to make your loss trivial, but I do have a saying that all in life is relative. My sister-in-law, who is my brother’s second wife, recently lost her 20 year-old son by her first marriage in a tragic motor cycle accident. Last night she received the accident report, which just brought it all back again. Today she and the rest of their family left for a well-deserved vacation to Florida for more healing. Everything is all relative in life and this too shall pass (if you allow it to).

I’ve heard talk about people voting for McCain instead of Obama since Clinton is out. If that is the case these people did not care a whit about the issues anyway; it was all about them because there are SO many differences in standing behind a McBush than the Democratic candidate. I’d rather they just not vote than vote out of anger but that is not my decision. After several more hundreds are killed in Iraq for four more years with McBush, go back and ask their families if they made the right decision with their vote.

I thought the photos for the video were just for “the originals”, which I’m naturally not, or I would have sent one. Yes, Clinton’s speech was very good.

Sturge - Absolutely the first words that popped into my mind at your picture was John Steinbeck. Anybody else see it?

KGC and everyone else who said it, I agree completely re Howard Dean's ridiculous recognition of the way Hillary was treated. I think the real proof of sexism is the fact that some people can't see it because they're so used to it - the human population has grown up with it and so don't get it.

Of course, sexism works both ways - guys have always been accepted as having to be warriors and bread-winners, which is also un-fair. The thing is that everyone seems to recognize it, whereas against women is acceptable to pretty much of all society.

Is that true about the question Bill was asked in SC was really aimed with the perspective of black elections? I sure wish that had come out.

The video was superlative - I had no pix of me and think the South Fork of the Stanislaus River was a better choice anyway - basically my favorite place on earth

LL

"Trailmix Polygamy Compound"

It has it's advantages. Someone can cook, someone can clean, someone takes care of the kids, a few go out to keep the shekles coming in and

You'll be too tired to be any trouble so I'll be out by the pool. : )

Jamie -- very funny.

It really is great, though, what seeing pix of each other can do for the community feeling here. Can you imagine if we all lived in the same town? What great times????

On the other hand, much of the beauty of the associations here is in the geographic diversity. What a cool freakin' place we're all part of!

Thanks again Craig.

The video was superlative - I had no pix of me and think the South Fork of the Stanislaus River was a better choice anyway - basically my favorite place on earth

Posted by: bethyboo | June 7, 2008 8:02 PM

I've kayaked there and it is truly beautiful.

LaL

Actually, I wouldn't mind knowing what kind of product those women use, in their hair, to make it stay so big...LOL!!

Hey Nick...Yah...that's me toward's the end, holding my little pal Chopper...who's staring straight into the camera.
I even put on my autographed "Attack The Messenger" T-Shirt for the occassion, but Chopper kind of blocked it out.

LiL

They never cut it. That's a lot of hair piled up there.

kinda strange to see maurice chevrolet and charles boyay in the same movie........and with leslie caron?

c'est magnifique..........

By the way: I'm officially jealous of Sturge now. He is too freakin' cool.

Sturge is my candidate for president

KGC -- You are my candidate for anything you decide to run for.

Fanny is a great movie. One of Maurice Chevalier's best. He really got to act instead of the usual light comedy, music hall type roles.

Jamie...but it's got to be some kind of product in front, coz the hair just goes straight up...it doesn't move at all!

What's really sad, is they had a little girl and her Mom on TV...the girl was only about 10-12 but she looked like she was 35, with that hair...

Lardass.......sorry......I will NOT do the beehive hairdo....

Hi, sturg!

Got Ruby Red and Dixiana Moon ordered. Will give those a read, then probably order more. Thanks for the recommendations!

Nick...if you must know, I was about to commit suicide at that very moment. But then Chopper jumped up into my lap, I started looking happy, and then all of a sudden the camera went off. So there.

It's all about context.

Sturge...you're a stud. You could build a beehive with your CHEST HAIR.

Rock on, Brother!!

Why thank you Lardass. Sturge and I could be a ticket

The Party Party is our organization.

Harbor.....fingers crossed that you will love them both....

Maggisd
Youhave great post today.Enjoyed all of them
Fransc.Also liked your long post.

And all those who feel like i do about a protest vote,I applaud you.I would never consider Mc cain if i didn't think he was a loyal American and a centrist.I don't think Obama would be a good president.

But for me voting for Obama would be condoning everything that was wrong about this primary.I think the democrat party ganged up on Hillary and it was not a fair fight.And the media piled on.And what I really resented was the talking heads who constantly were telling me and all hillary supporters that we would fall in line.Wrong!!!
They did more harm to Obama than Wright or MO

Ruth

Thank you Craig

Off for the evening. Everyone have a good time.

OMG...chest hair, beehives...LaL...hilarious!!!

I am proud to run after........uh, WITH.......... KGC........

Nick...I'm just teasing. I love all your stuff. And I'm not about to kill myself, no matter what. I'm bummed about Hillary not winning. I think she is actually the best presidential candidate I've ever had the privilege and opportunity to support. At worst, she's tied with Al Gore. But now I'm ready to move on and support Obama.

...Or...if KGC runs...I'll support her.

LushIs...wouldn't it be a funny gender-bender if dudes with lots of chest hair could make Beehive Boobs?

Not lookin' for a response. Just posing the question.

Euro Tom
Hey no your off to bed just had to tell you Hillarys speach today didn't change my mind at all.Hill did what she had to do as member of the Democratic Party.I no longer belong to the party and my vote is my own.Sen. Obama has to earn my vote if he wants it and i don't know that he does?I worked on the assembly line at G.M. for years and am A former Lunch Bucket Dem. if He speaks to me I will listen so far that Honor Goes to Hill.

Warren
You amaze me!!! I simply respect you even though I disagree will you so much about how Obama dissed the Clintons.You said having Hillary as V.P. would settle the Trust issue Boy you are so Right!!! Credit where Credit is due!!!

I've got to sign off soon. But I hope Pissed Off Patricia is still reading. Wouldn't it be delightful to have her back with this fun crew?

Later, gang. I love you all. (At least 95 percent of you.)

Nick....message received. And thanks.

tony......easy enough to say, eh wot?

Sturg
I know it is easy for him to say.I know he simply hates Hillary so ya it might just be a ploy to convince us some how to support Sen. Obama but for me its not an issue I think for myself as you do.I want to think the best in peaple which I know isn't always wise,,,,,,,,,

FranSC -- I LOVED your post, paragraphs or not -- have you been bugging my condo? You summed up exactly what I have been feeling.

It seems like they always figured they could beat us over the head with Roe if she lost and we would come running back to the fold. There was no big issue like that for BO's supporters -- it could have been something like, God forbid, a draft for his young followers or something else that would strike a nerve, but that never materialized. So, since we have nothing to get them to fall into line if HRC is the nominee, then let's give it to BO and club women over the head with Roe.

As has been stated by others, I'll take my chances and still vote McCain -- he is a decent man, a true patriot, and not a condescending misogynist like our presumptive nominee and his shills in the media.

Just one youtube tonight and I'm gone.
For all of you.
Willie Nelson - I'd Have To Be Crazy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gqkJr0FxQ0

Jack

Sickening:

I found another clip from Unreasonable Man: Ralph Nader

A must watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyvVQYf6XWk

Me, i used to think Candy Crowley was a serious and and open-minded reporter, and well-educated. I no longer have any respect for her because I listened to her excuse or gloss over any mis-step of Obama's which she is asked about.

In fact, I looked for her comments, and now I mute them. Shae was with Obama's campaign way too long. she is now infected with Obama-itis. A smile and a soft shrug of the shoulders when he says he never heard Wright talk like that, that's what you get from Candy
nowadays. Her calm demeanor and speech make her sound stable and legitimate, but she's not. Maybe she's interested in going to msnbc.

bethyboo, wasn't she embedded with the first shrub campaign? If she is who I remember, then I thought she was totally in the repug, or at least the Bush, camp.

There's only one journalist who is consistent in his objectivity--and he makes neat videos, too!

Using the threat of Roe... to scare me into voting for Obama just won't work. I don't think we will ever see the day where abortions are totally illegal again. I really don't think the big Repub dogs want that. It is just such a darn good carrot to dangle in front of the "religious" people. The Repubs used it and now the Dems will use it.

I used to be a passionate Democrat but after what I have seen in the last few months they aren't too much different from the Repubs. They can be just as sleazy.

Obama now has a chance to show his stuff but I am not as easily manipulated and brainwashed as many seem to be these days. These young college kids are the most vulnerable to it. That is scary and could be dangerous if Obama turns out to be some closet radical.

Here's Ralph Nader with his opinion on Obama, for the person who asked.

from Meet the Press:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz7EkulVyHo&feature=related

The video is outstanding, Craig.
The score is marvelous,perfect for the video.

Sturgee, when you apply as a Rolling Stone feature writer, stick with that look...it works for Matt Taibbi.

Big Brown just couldn't take the heat and the distance, didn't answer the call to GO...very disappointing...it seems now that with the way they breed horses into specialty groups, no one horse will soon win the Triple Crown.
38-1. My, my my !!! Never count Nick Zito out.

Veeps are like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get.
Bush 41 apparently wanted someone lightweight , like Quayle, that he could forget about.
Bush deferred all decision making to Cheney.
Most previous veeps attended to mundane duties, out of any decision making.
Of course almost all veeps are asked to join the fray to pull in a key swing state, not to share power.
I say it will be Clark, a friend says Webb, but really, I don't care who Obama picks.

Thanks harborwoan, you furry thing you. That's good new especially since everyone else has said the opposite.

He needs to return.

tt

and tony scores......lol

cat......"iron my shirts"?

uh huh......right.......if i'm not there within five minutes of the appointed time, you start without me......I'm sure you can manage......

maggisd, chloe, tonyb39, FranSC, lizbeth,

I'm with ya.

Even after Hillary's moving speech, I still am NOT leaning toward Obama.
I'm not even tilting toward Obama.

As a Democrat, I worked hard for Hillary and I respect Mrs. Clinton, but I also realize she was forced to check off a list of talking points in her speech, a speech directed by the new power elite controlling the Democratic party.

As the Democratic party has begun moving more to the left, I have begun moving more to the center-right. As a professor in a large state college and as a high school teacher before that, I have seen what far left liberals have done to the educational system in California and it isn't good. Uber-liberals control the ed system here.

I feel no shame in considering, for the first time in my life, voting for a
Republican. McCain is not Satan or Dracula as most Obama supporters would have us believe. My vote would not be a protest vote, but a vote cast because I am ashamed of the Democratic Party during of this primary. Some of my reasons are: the way Obama was stuffed down my throat by a completely biased mega-liberal media, the way the Clintons were demonized by Obama's surrogates, misogyny encouraged or tolerated, the completely inept way Dean handled the Florida and Michigan mess,Camp Obama using race baiting and turning the Clintons into racists, the DNC elders
constantly implying Hillary should drop out. To suggest that Obama had
nothing to do with the ugly tone of this primary is disingenuous and naive.

Anyway, sorry to butt in at the end of day, but, after reading a lot of the great posts, as well as some of the questionable ones, just now, I needed to vent. I did leave some more peppy comments earlier today. I love the new version of the video!

Prof marcia, voting for McCain is a vote for another 4 years of Bush and 100 years in Iraq and continued Constitutional violations.

McBush.

tt

tony: I'm entirely with you on the way the DNC handled the Michigan and Florida votes. On top of everything else, it was the last straw. There was / is nothing in the rules that allowed them to hijack (as Harold Ickes said) Hillary's delegates and give them to Obama. It was like the final taunt from the DNC and the Obama campaign ... no gracious rhetoric will ever make that come right.

Just peeking in....
Wonderful post Prof Marcia...I agree 100%...

I understand Hillary did what she had to do politically. We'll see if she ends up with what she wants in the end.

I will not vote Obama..... just not ever going to happen. The man is still the same man he was before he became the presumptive nominee. If I wasn't going to vote for him then, I see no legitimate reason to vote for him now.

Prof Marcia: Brava! You expressed my feelings so well. I believe that I am the person I always was, but that my political party has been captured by a bunch of Naderites.
Although Sen Obama presents himself as a compromiser and a moderate, the people with whom he surrounds himself belie that self characterization.

I very much fear that we are headed down the same path that have proven such a disaster for the Republicans ... only in the opposite direction. And, I see in Sen Obama a man who, like George Bush, thinks that compromise is when he can get people to agree with him.

The DNC is an embarrassment to itself. Maybe the new democrats like it this way....good for them if they do, it's their party now.

tiptoe: John McCain is not George Bush. He really isn't. Is he more conservative than most Democrats on many issues? Yes. But he is most assuredly not George Bush -- not even remotely. The only reason that his current legislative record shows such a high percentage of voting with the administration is that he has been campaigning so much that he has cast very few votes ... only those in which the parties have called their members back for a procedural vote. In case you have noticed, the Senate hasn't really done any actual legislation this year.
And, oh, by the way, current estimates are that the new Senate will have 58 Democrats. That, along with the several moderate Republicans should keep the Supreme Court safe.

I have noticed that the Obama supporters on any site you visit seem to stand out reference their attacks on other posters. Why is that?

Prof Marsha
Omg your Wonderful!!!
U B Great one we like
Magg Im so pissed especially about Michigan giving Obama the Uncommitted its the Stealing of votes and of Hills 4 del.SHOCKING I can't beleve in the DEMOCRATIC anymore!!!

Anyone here get the impression tonyb39 is a Nigerian Viagra salesman with an inheritance he needs help with collecting?

Anyone posting right now who is an Obama supporter, do you know who his economic policy advisor is? Not a challenge, a request for information.

Sen Obama is apparently in trouble with both Israelis and Arabs at present. At AIPAC he said that Jerusalem will always be undivided. That got furious reaction from Palestinian and Arab press, so he began to backpedal.
Story here
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/us/politics/07obama.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

champ: And what is that remark in aid of?

tony: The e-mail I received from Donna Brazile stated that the Obama campaign was actually being generous because they had the votes for a 50-50 split of the delegates, regardless of the actual vote. She also reminded me that it was a game.

profmarcia..........what's your book about?

Maggisd
Wow very telling!! I heard from some folks at the gym D.B. sent out E-mails and she refered to some Clinton supporters as Vile and unprincipled while herself always remaining uncommited not undecided.What a Joke

It's been storming here all night. I was waiting it out at my sister's house , but it kept on raining , so I came home. I probably shouldn't be on my computer , but I know my DirecTV will be out because of the weather. I won't have anything fun to do.

Prof Marcia -- Kudos on your thoughtful post! Thanks!

Champ
Rather than in engage me in Banter you hit bellow the belt with Bullshit comments.Rather cowardly of you!!!

corey......thank god you made it......welcome to the funhouse..............

With all due respect, I'd prefer exchanging 'banter' with someone who is literate.

You know, this comment window has it's own spell-check; it's pretty neat. You should try it.

maggisd
Boy your onto something.I would like to see this whole nominating system reworked and your idea seems Practical that said it just doesn't seem like we do big things in this country any more.It might just be because everything has to be politically correct and the powers that be don't want to make waves?Where do we start first?

yeah......that's funny you should reference spelling when you cant even spell "chump".

Yeah , I drove through about a foot of water in my sister's subdivision. The worst thing about it was that the local station interrupted the movie "National Treasure" for severe weather coverage updates. Now , I don't know if they found the treasure or not. Although , I told my sister that I found that movie to be a total ripoff of Scooby Doo. I mean , they spent the whole damn movie looking for clues! Besides , Scooby and the gang solved their mysteries in 30 minutes , not 2 hours!

champ: Why, you're just plain mean spirited aren't you?

As usual, I am signing on very late in the day and finally seeing the video, and catching up on all the posts.
Thanks for the video, Craig. I am honored to be included with the group. We have a great looking bunch of pets! (And we arent' too shabby ourselves)

Character is one issue that is important to me when I vote President. Issues and/or situations that have not been discussed always spring up. Often those "surprise" items are the most difficult to resolve and that is when the character of the person elected is put to the test.

Will that President do the right thing? Does he have what it takes to be a successful President? Will he even know what to do? Who can he call? Who does he know? Who does he trust?

Oh that just reminded me of that SNL skit....when Barack calls Hillary for help....

Champ
Your idea of banter Spell check OHHH Im impressed.Not all that worried about you run along and walk the dogs!!!

burrito: Exactly. We have not one single clue what will confront the next President. Whether the current crises will be deeper or on their way to being resolved. Whether some new crisis will have erupted. In the end, we have to go with whomever we feel will best stand up to the unknown and ... to quote old Rummy ... the unknowable.

Whoever made that comment about Tony, that really was below the belt. And I don't see any spell check on here.

Anyway, I just heard someone on CNN make the statement that what we are seeing today are the results of the divisions that started in '68. I am curious as to your reaction to that statement. I saw '68 in an entirely different way.

It's not really fair to attack people about their spelling on blogs,
even though I'm usually a stickler for correct spelling.
This blog medium doesn't allow, sometimes, for serious editing.
I've made errors in spelling just because I'm typing so fast and then inadvertently
hit submit.

Let's me less judgmental, shall we?

Hi Sturgeone,

Answer to your question:

My book is a nonfiction-memoir about my experiences teaching
at a state college in California. It's polemic and rather a scathing attack
on the system, I'm afraid.

Speaking of school...I received an invitation to my 20th year High School reunion in the mail today.

magg,prof Marsha Sturg liz all
Thanks all for a great night of Comments filled with wit and Knowledge.Off to bed Ha Ha Hope my spelling is Ok....................

sleep tight, tony.

Andrew Jackson fought many a duel to defend his wife's honor.

Corey: So it is said. And he also was responsible for the deaths of many and many native Americans.

He also hated the British with a passion.

andrew jackson.........trail of tears.

corey............but EVERYBODY hates the brits..........

It's just depressing that some of the people that actually care enough to pay attention aren't even friggin' literate. Sometimes, something needs to be said. You'll thank me someday, tony.

It's also astounding that many of you (who seem older than me) actually believe in the sham that we call American democracy. Some of the more fervent Clinton supporters have started to feel the tinge of disillusionment, only to turn and support an espouser of a failed military policy and a literal poster-boy for government corruption (remember the Keating 5? I do, and I was 7 years old), as if their vote even mattered. McCain's going down in Nov., no two ways about it. You saw deck-rigging for Obama once already, you'll see it again.

Some of you will still bash Ralph Nader when given the opportunity (who is more of an american than you or I ever will be, a man who dedicated his entire life to public service) and then with the next breath bemoan the treatment Hillary received from the DNC & the DRBC. Ponderous, man. Frickin' ponderous.

Obamaa's record on the Middle East is absurd. If you take his speeches to AIPAC over the last two years and then place them against other public speeches, the contradictions are startling. When you look at Obama's twenty year association and support of Pro-Hamas groups and listen to Obama claim he is Israel's greatest supporter, it is astounding. Surely, the media ignoring this joke is one example of their complete journalistic failure. Add that to the complete lie that Obama now claims he never said he would talk to Ahmadinejad and the events in Pakistan today refuting Obma's judgment, you have a joke of policy and basic honesty, but what Obama supporter cares?

Let those nuclear scientist with top secret clearance get laid off from US labs because we don't need any modernization. Maybe some other country can use them. Move our air force to drones over Raptors.

Like the Iranian Press declares, Obama will be the new US Gorby and destroy our strength from within. Now that's scary. The Russians are loving it as China becomes the biggest polluter and the price of oil rises. You hear the Chinese are teaching their people how to cheerlead in a civilized way with hand signals? And they pump oil off our coast as the Democrats have no energy policy save using less energy.

What spell check? I don't see one. In any case, spelling isn't necessary to see a sham from genuine character.

Want o end the electoral college try an Amendment. Of course had the Democrats simply used votes as a guide, poor Obama would be backing Hillary. I'm glad to hear dog's view on what is outmoded. Is there an article in the Constitution to address that?....LOL

The internet has made pundits of us all.

Sturge.....Eric Clapton is British. LOL!

corey......right.......and clapton's also a goober..........he just goes to show that goobers are universal.........

BTW , BowmanC looks like Kenny Chesney in that pic.

sturgeone: Golly gee ... I don't hate the Brits. If I were a rich millionaire (as my immigrant grandmother used to say), I'd move to England in a heartbeat ...

mr obama will attempt to use ms clinton anyway he can.........why wouldnt he?

sturgeone: Yes...I agree with that. I was just curious as to whether he would want former Pres Clinton to campaign for him. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

maggi.....perhaps i indulged myself with just a tad of hyper-bowl...........i trust you wont hold it agin' me.......

maggisd,

You bring up some good points. If the Clinton's are such racist, out-of-touch,
old-school, senior citizens, why would Obama want them out
campaigning for him? In an interview yesterday, Obama said how much he'd
love Bill Clinton traveling across states and campaigning for him. Yet,
Obama allowed and encouraged his surrogates to try to transform Bill Clinton
into a racist. It shows Obama to be a hypocrite and a dirty trickster.

I think there is one hell of a power play pissing contest going on behind the scenes and anyone who sells hillary or bill short is peeing on their own feet.....so to speak.......

prof marcia: I am sure you noted, as I did, that Sen Obama's speech in Montana contained a positive reference to President Clinton and the relative peace and prosperity of the 90s. Now, I have not heard all of Sen Obama's speeches, but I've heard a lot of them ... and, to my recollection that is the first positive word he's ever said about Pres Clinton or the 90s.
I'm still waiting for him to acknowledge that we once had a President named Lyndon Johnson who pushed through and signed the legislation without which Sen Obama could not have won this nomination.

and I am marie of romania

Some longtime Clinton haters (you've seen them on TV) are getting nervous.

sturgeone: OMG ... I almost spit my coffee all over the keyboard. Are you channeling my grandmother?

they will strew flowers and palm leaves on obama's path to eternal greatness into washington dc and all peoples will suddenly begin to get along peacefully.
Obama dude will spread light and sweetness throughout the world
Still....................better than some goober fighter pilot.

hell of a time to be drinking coffee, anyway.............

maggi......whatever else i may be accused of i would never under any circumstances channel your sweet gramma........

sturgeone: My grandmother was not sweet. She was many fine things, but not sweet. It's just that everytime I would start blathering on about all the things I was going to do in life that was her favorite response ... I had never heard anyone else ever use the phrase.

Time to go hit the recliner and find the remote.

maggi.........dorothy parker

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,
A medley of extemporanea;
And love is a thing that can never go wrong;
And I am Marie of Romania.
Dorothy Parker (1893 - 1967), Not So Deep as a Well (1937), "Comment"

Before I call it a night, I'd like to say I have almost no desire to see Hillary on the ticket as VP - couldn't bear seeing her play second fiddle to BO. No doubt she would make lemonade out of any lemons handed to her for work since BO would always be skeptical of her outshining him.

At the same time, I would hate for a BO presidency to get credit for her outstanding contributions. Mostly, I don't want any excuse to have to hold my nose and vote for him. I suspect I would feel compelled to do that if Hillary was on the ticket.

As far as my rationale for voting republican for the first time ever - this war will end regardless of who goes in as president - the public outcry will force it to end - just like Vietnam. It won't take an otherwise inexperienced candidate winning whose main theme is being against the war to do that.

McCain is trying to appeal to the base just like Hillary was trying to do by not appologizing for "that" vote. Remember, he is an independent at heart and the republicans don't much like him as a group. He and Bush hated each other as recently as 2000. However, when you want to stay involved in politics at that level, your only choice is to support the winner.

McCain himself has hinted at being a one-term president. Bottom line: my vote will not be FOR McCain. It will be AGAINST the DNC, the Media, and BO's inexperience.

FranSC,

I appreciate your post.

I posted a very similar narrative just before you did highlighting my reasons for seriously considering voting Republican for the first time in my life.

I was afraid everyone would flock to Obama after Hillary's touching speech today. Thanks for backing me up.

If you're gonna vote GOP, Go Ron Paul, Marcia.

McCain has been a staunch supporter of Bush . McCain did not approve of Rumsfeld, but that has nothing to do with Bush, that was Cheney and the neocons who dictated foreign policy in The Region. McCain is most definitely the candidate who is set to just continue the Bush policies , right down the line.

Obama's speech to AIPAC was so conservative, ...right wing, even, he even has some Zionists saying he is over the top.
Any perceived favoring of Hamas in regards to punishing Israel are fiction.
Obama stands tall with Israel on Jerusalem, and Jerusalem has been a negotiable point for decades...now Obama says the capital stays , undivided, the Israeli capital.
Yesterday's Times reported how this has stirred up the Arab world, in unison, against the US.
How is this "change"?
It's the same old bullshit...we will never be involved in true peace negotiations now.
I was so damn mad as i watched Obama speaking live to AIPAC ... I could feel the heat this was going to bring...and now Obama's people are trying to spin Obama's remarks back into control...is it already too late? What was he thinking?
I am still going to vote for Obama, but he has at least a five year record of being a hardliner against Iran...now he threatens that Iran will NOT have nukes...but on cable TV the Iranian heads say they need nukes to power their nation...so? You KNOW what! Obama would bomb Iran in a New York minute!

champ,

Ron Paul? I don't know that much about him. But, he doesn't excite me.
A vote for him, would be a vote for Obama. At this point, I really don't
feel I want Obama elected.

Even though I understand your point that the two party system has been corrupted, there really is no viable third party.

The DNC is now an embarrassment to me as a long time Democrat.

Here's a great introduction, Ron Paul speaking the truth at the GOP debates:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md-XtUbkzPo&feature=related

Tons of Ron Paul clips all over youtube, he's awesome.

Ha-Ha! This one's great:

Ron Paul giving Ben Bernanke an Economics Lesson (Bernanke can't refute him)

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

Obama scares me. Who knows what he truly believes. All I know is that
Darth Axelrod and other powerful people involved in Obama's campaign are
anything but peace and love. Obama has contradicted himself on any number
of issues. First he says Iran is not a threat, then within two days, Obama
claims Iran is a terrible treat to the U.S.

HARBORWOMAN, sorry I missed your earlier post. And I'm sure you're obedient, sometimes. ;-) I wear my skin for pix and have it tightened, a lot, and then there's air brushing and photoshop.....

Can we have some sort of C-Bob confirmation? Every time I look at my animated arlo bus that he made for me, I think of him.

tt

Do some of you guys communicate on other blogs at the same time you're communicating on this blog?
It's hard to follow what you're saying at times - there are pieces missing, and I don't mean from my brain particularly.

KGC - you are so right about rail service up to nprthern Sonoma county. The station is Santa Rosa is neat and was even used in one of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. I always felt a little stranded out on the eastern edge of Long Island, but nothing like being here. It's a beautiful town but a big trip and pollution to go places.

Sturgeone - I hope you didn't take my John Steinbeck comment as an insult. to me he was a man who knew his own mind.

Everyone knew going in to this thing that the Republicans were going to fight tooth and nail to keep the White House (and that they would play dirty) - because it is their only chance to stop the Democrats from pushing their agenda through due to their majority in Congress.

And let's not forget that agenda largely consists of ending the occupation in Iraq, universal health care, tax breaks for the middle class - while rolling back the Bush tax cuts on the upper class in order to cut the deficit and pay for things like improved education and social security.

I can confidently say that if Obama lost to Hillary - I would support her whole-heartedly because I believe that agenda represents the best way forward for this Country.

After 8 years of Bush ramming the Republican agenda at all costs and stopping any legislation that ran contray to it - it is very clear - given the stark results of those policies - that this Country needs to change direction.

And I believe that is worth fighting for - no matter who is President.

Democrats Unite!!

Craig,

Congrats on the anniversary and hello to all old friends....

lurking

Aging Hipster

Bethyboo.......not a bit of it.......loved ol' john steinbeck....

"Democrats Unite!!" said Warren.

Why, Warren? It's certainly not the party I signed on with. The reasons for going with them boil down to that it would be in my self-interest.

I often do the seemingly irrational. Along with five to ten-percent of other Americans. This same group of five to ten-percent are the people who make up the volunteers for lost causes, candidates for office, and those who you'd like at your side when things get rough.

A polarized party centered on Mr Obama will not survive the mid-term elections. Watch and see.

Oh, no one defines my self-interest for me; that privilege I reserve to myself.

I hate cutting grass on Sundays out of concern for the sensibilities of my neighbors, but I won't be able to do it Monday or Tuesday, so today it is. The thermometer is already up to 80, so I'm out the door.

Oh, MAX, you're right about the dumbness of Gates putting all our development eggs into the current war. We have to be gearing-up for the threat environment 10 to 15-years out.

Now, I'm gone.

Peace!

Sunday secrets...

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Mary Landrieu:
"I could not believe that the president of the United States, staged by Karl Rove himself, had come down to the city of New Orleans and basically put up a stage prop. It was like you had gone to a studio in California and filmed a movie. They put the props up and the minute we were gone they took them down. All the dump trucks were gone. All the Coast Guard people were gone. It was an empty spot with one little crane. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen in my life. At that moment I knew what was going on and I've been a changed woman ever since. It truly changed my life."

oops......link for above quote:

http://www.first-draft.com/2008/06/how-karl-rove-p.html

photography and the bullfight.......

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/techniques/death.shtml

Sturge -- did you happen to see the exact moment of Mary's "change" during Katrina? It was hilarious. She got to NO, stood around praising Bush and Brownie -- then some reporter said, "How can you say that when no one is being helped?" Actually, I think it might have been Anderson Cooper who yelled it at her.

The look on her face was priceless. She stopped being a politician and took a hard look at the reality.

I think the thing I most hated about George Bush was that he played politics, withholding Natl. Guard troops over a power play with the LA governor. Well, that and the fact that he obviously couldn't have cared less. Can you imagine if Bill Clinton had still been president? Like Lyndon Johnson, he'd have been down there with water bottles.

Politicallypissed,

I saw the revised 'anniversayr' video this morning, and I have to ask you.
Please tell me you didn’t kick that ball.

Hey Sturg and Patsi...morning to you.

Anybody ever check out what we Trailmixers all look like en Espanol? It's pretty funny -- and, if you can't speak Spanish, makes for a good dose of perspective. I just stumbled across this alternate universe by accident:

http://garlinggauge.com/pt/2008/05/10/dnc-rules-clinton-gets-half-florida-delegates/

Champ
Sorry I won't thankyou for trying to hold the literacy test on me.Some Snob highly eduacated Dems.have been using that against us lunch bucket types forever.So get over yourself and stop using spelling on Blogs to stamp out peaples opionions you don't agree with.
Thankyou though for your posts I have and continue to learn alot from you.

Lardo.....man, that's a hoot.........i mean: esta una hooto

Some Snob highly eduacated Dems.have been using that against us lunch bucket types forever.So get over yourself and stop using spelling on Blogs to stamp out peaples opionions you don't agree with. tonyb39

You go Tony.......well said.

Chloe
Thankyou...I enjoy you Chloe and look forward to your posts. The peaple here continue to make me think!!!Love this little place in the net world!!!
Craig thanks for providing it!!!!

I often do the seemingly irrational. Along with five to ten-percent of other Americans. This same group of five to ten-percent are the people who make up the volunteers for lost causes, Flatus
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/our-anniversary-video.html#comment-99011

Flatus,
Sign me up!

Love this little place in the net world!!!
Craig thanks for providing it!!!!
Posted by: tonyb39 Author Profile Page | June 8, 2008 10:13 AM

ditto.
I enjoy reading your posts too Great people..

Morning all!

Chloe, You are officially a charter member!

In my earlier 'discourse' I forgot one thing (at least) that I wanted to say. If a person is a politician running a campaign, then that person _must_ accept responsibility for each and every surrogate acting in the politician's name. That's accountability.

I suppose that's why most politicians, when they are gathered together, tend to agree that if you're not elected, you're not spit.

PoU
How was Chicken!!! Sounded so good I baked some for dinner Great............

Tony: Good morning. The chicken was quite tasty! Had a little bit of rice with some hot sauce - perfect!

I am watching Reliable Sources on CNN. They are all sitting around saying they have not been biased. And there seems to be nothing that can be done about this. Is there no oversight, push-back, or some way to make them stop? They are covering themselves and they have no insight whatsoever.

Now they are going to turn their snide little remarks on McCain. One guy said, "does McCain really want to get on a stage with Obama who is half his age and six inches taller?" Then they pulled out Bill Clinton to hit on a few times. I am convinced the Vanity Fair article was planned and planted at a particular time to put out negative information so Precious would have cover for not choosing her for vp. He will never choose her either. It is disgusting,

And they have the nerve to time after time minimize BO's "little bumps", as they seem to like to call them. Little bumps? Any one of these bumps would have been death to anybody else.

Ok, just wanted to pop in and see what was going on. After a scrumptious omelet, I'm off for a workout. Be back later in the afternoon.

lizbeth
Yes I know there still at it.I agree I think the Vanity Fair trash was planned.They want us to be very afraid if Hillary is V.P. that Pres.Clinton will give us a return of another Monica.They want there excuses not to chose her!! Remember what M.O. said about Hillary and her house?? Planned Yes

I am watching Reliable Sources on CNN lizbeth

lizbeth,
I tuned in too late to see Reliable sources, ,but Wolf Blitzer is on now, and I like him.

What you say is typical of the media. If they think they haven't been biased, why are they even talking about it? They seem completely void of any kind of insight whatsoever, and as for oversight, the management has an agenda. It has to come from the top, down, because everyone says pretty much the same thing.

You have to be really careful and selective about whatever you watch here lately.

tiptoe...

Here is the page with contact information for the Tornado Gallery. I spoke with Tony Greer. He's the one who told me all that C'Bob is into/up to these days. I have no reason to disbelieve him, so I'm operating on the premise that C'Bob is alive and well. You could call for confirmation, if you want to, and give us an update....

http://www.tornado-gallery.com/CONTACTS/index.htm

c-span has to be our best friend.

Reverend Mike saves a life!!!!

Go Reverend Mike

"North Carolina Lt. Gov. candidate Robert Pittenger when the state senator began choking. Huckabee reportedly noticed Pittenger having difficulty breathing and immediately began performing the Heimlich maneuver."

http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2008/06/07/huckabee-knows-how-to-save-a-life/

Go Reverend Mike
Go Reverend Mike
Go Reverend Mike

Wheeeee
Reverend Mike in 2012

Your socky baby is stuck in primary campaign mode.
Don't vote for any of em.
Voting makes you a part of the conspiracy.

Boycot
Boycot
Boycot

Wheeee

yeah.......voting just seems to encourage them.........

I have an addiction to the news or what I thought was the news. I have always tried to be informed as much as possible but I can't exactly say when it started, but it changed. They used to report, now it is obvious they make the stories themselves. And I can't figure out just how, but they are all connected. I can almost see somebody sitting around planning for, yes, the slime, to write the article in Vanity Fair and how they would have it come out at just the right time. It should be a crime because people have no way to know what is real, if anything, and what is made up. And then there are the people who don't watch or care about the news at all. Maybe they are actually better off.

McCain himself has hinted at being a one-term president. Bottom line: my vote will not be FOR McCain. It will be AGAINST the DNC, the Media, and BO's inexperience. Posted by: FranSC | June 8, 2008 1:22 AM

Fran,
I'm just now catching up on the posts. I always like reading yours and often agree with everything you say. Thanks.

And then there are the people who don't watch or care about the news at all. Maybe they are actually better off.: lizbeth | June 8, 2008 11:32

That's something to think about lizbeth.
At least they aren't brain washed by someone telling them what they should think and how they should feel.

Good Morning All.

Tony, You may have mentioned it but if so, I missed. Where are you located?

Corey, don't worry until it's almost time for your 50th HS reunion. I have to decide if I am going to attend in 2011 and I was one of the youngest one in the class.

I try to keep from throwing up when I see David Gergen, but I think I watched that same program. One person on there said that what we are seeing today is the result of the divisions that began in '68.

I never saw the 60's as causing divisions. And if Gergen thinks the country is swinging far to the left, he will see how mistaken he is come November. But I saw the sixties as an awakening, the time when the U. S. got serious about the wrongs that had been done. What has happened since then is the greatest efforts in the history of the country to make sure everybody has equal rights. Look how far we have come. And for somebody now in 2008 to act as though all that was just a dusting of the shoulder, well, it's just a kick in the teeth too hard to take.

What is happening today with BO running for president is happening because people both great and small have worked for it. Now we all get disrespected and you want to turn a page and kick us all to the curb. What insolence.

All Dems in the House and Senate would not be far Left - they would join with the Repubs to block the "Looney Left" legislation. After two years of overreaching, you know what will happen.

And I am already tired of McCain being called Grandpa Munster. He is old. So what? What happened to days when elders were respected and honored for what they had learned and endured?

Let me guess. You are an Obama supporter. No respect.

You know, I am leftist mostly, maybe a bit more centrist since moving to Europe, but anyway, I've always had respect for David Gergen. I like his calm analysis and I respect his work to help Bill Clinton in his first term. I think David is fair.

one explanation of why mccain gets no respect:

http://www.dickipedia.org/dick.php?title=John_McCain

Ha-ha! "An angry old man and a dick."

That is funny. But here's what we have here -- we have been presented with a choice, Barack Obama or John McCain. That wouldn't be my choice, but there it is. I prefer John McCain, and I don't know if he is, but even if he is a dick.

But mostly I am complaining about the way the media chooses who they will destroy and who they will elevate. They have already started demeaning McCain.

Like his father and grandfather, McCain enrolled in the United States Naval Academy. There, he earned over 100 demerits. His reaction was that it was "bullshit."

But it was in his off-base activities that McCain truly excelled. According to one classmate, "being on liberty with John McCain was like being in a train wreck." It is unclear what being with McCain during his presidency would be like for the nation. Unfortunately, America has no direct experience from which to draw with a president who was a temperamental son of a distinguished military man and who in college was a temperamental f***up who liked to party. What could possibly be so dangerous about that?

McCain graduated from the Naval Academy in 1958, ranked 894th out of 899. As historians have noted, there were five people in his class who were actually bigger f***ups than McCain, but none of them are running for president.

McCain, commissioned an ensign, spent two and a half years training as a naval aviator in Pensacola. There he earned a reputation as a party man, drove a Corvette, dated an exotic dancer named "Marie the Flame of Florida," and, as he would later say, "generally misused my good health and youth." But at least when it came to flying, he took his responsibilities seriously.

Just kidding. He didn't care about those either -- he was a below average flyer, and couldn't be bothered to read his aviation manuals. But, as many noted partying experts have asked, what good could possibly come of reading manuals? It's not like one might have a situation in which one's plane would quit while landing and crash into Corpus Christi Bay, or be flying too low in Spain and take out some power lines, or crash while en route to Philadelphia for an Army/Navy football game.

Sorry in advance for the length of this:

The DSCC sent me a letter asking me by BluestBlue on Sun Jun 08, 2008 at 11:13:51 AM EST

To Congratulate Obama and tell him what issues I care about in the upcoming campaign.
Make sure you go sign the DSCC petition and tell them what you think, what you value, and who you will vote for!

Here is what I sent:

You want my congratulations?

I can't congratulate someone who did not earn the victory. This is how Bush "won" the presidency, twice, with no Democratic leader standing up for the truth. You rolled over then, but I will not roll over for you.

If you want my vote, you'll need to earn it.

Obama and the DNC have a lot to apologize for and a big hole to dig themselves out of. I need to hear explicit apologies for the misogyny, for the smears, for the lies, for the obscene gestures by Obama(It is on tape, don't deny it along with your references to sexist rappers.), for the bitter talk by Michelle Obama(the interview is on tape, don't deny it. I guess I'll just have to "think about it" like Michelle).

Smearing my candidate and myself by calling us racists doesn't make me want to vote for you. Won't get money for the DNC. Doesn't keep me in your party. And let me be clear about this. The Democrats left me, I didn't leave the party.

I was a lifelong Democrat, but I am re-registering as an independent. You have been clear in your messaging that women are not valued. Women are not accomplished, women do not count. Don't blame Hillary, this is all on you. Obama, the DNC, Howard Dean, Donna Brazile.

Obama's behavior has been immature and similar to the frat-boy currently occupying the oval office. It is conduct unbecoming to someone aspiring to the presidency. I don't like it in Bush, I don't like it in Obama. I won't accept it and most certainly I won't vote for it.

Howard Dean has ignored the sexism and misogyny in the media and from his candidate. By the sin of omission he has personally embraced and furthered the misogyny. I wrote and called him repeatedly, asking him to stand up against it and all I got was silence. Donna Brazile has been a huge disappointment to me as has Claire McCaskill. Women may choose to support a male candidate, I've got no problem with that, but they do us all a disservices when they propagate lies and smears about a woman candidate, especially when she is a fellow Dem.

Dean's and McCaskill's comments now are late and lacking. Empty because it is long past the time when they could have helped the situation. Along with Obama's race baiting (remember he admitted he was responsible for the memo on a publicly televised debate) you have created the division you now fear. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Unity is a two-way street. You don't get to batter my worth day in and day out and then tell me I have to to give you my vote. That dog don't hunt. I have an education, a brain, and I have money. I am the creative class Obama thinks he owns. I support those that support me.

This is what crystallized my resolve.

"No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self." - Susan B. Anthony, 1872

Words of wisdom. Words of a woman who knew the score long ago. Words that still ring true today. Words to live by.

You are not entitled to my vote any longer, or my money. I will consider voting for a candidate that demonstrates they have the experience and accomplishments to get things done. Someone who cares about the issues I care about and proves to me he or she will work tirelessly to deliver the results to me.

Voting present does not show me Obama vigorously supports women's issues, I have no confidence in his votes or voice. Don't tell me McCain is pro-life. At least I know where he stands; I have no clue what Obama "hopes" for or what he will "change". I have seen no evidence he can change anything except increase the lack of civility in the campaign and malign other Democratic candidates.

The only "Change" I see is a "Democrat" stealing votes that he didn't earn. You stole 600,000 votes from Michigan Democrats that did not want you. The DNC gamed the primaries by refusing to do the right thing by Florida and Michigan (BTW, good luck with them in the General Election). You can scream that Obama has more delegates until you are blue in the face, if you counted all the votes, Hillary would have more delegates in addition to already having more actual votes. Your actions disenfranchised 18 MILLION Democratic voters. 18 MILLION. More than anyone else in the history of presidential primaries.

Your "rules" won't matter in the General Election. Only the electoral college map counts there and you obviously haven't looked at it. You didn't follow your "rules" anyway. Some of us actually read the rulebook. We know where you lied and what you did. We know that others received waivers for the same actions that Florida and Michigan took. We know it was within your control to do the right thing and incredibly short-sighted to do what you did. We understand fair reflection and how you ignored the rule requiring both Fair Reflection and PUBLIC meetings and decisions rather than back room antics. Either follow the rules or don't. But if you don't, please to try and take the moral high ground. Obama made a political decision to take his name off the Michigan ballot because he wouldn't win there. He isn't entitle to any votes. He also violated YOUR rules by holding a press event in Florida AND running ads on TV in Florida, by your RULES he is not entitled to ANY votes in Florida. Those chickens will come home to roost in the general.

I'm not unreasonable, but I'm not stupid. Don't lie to me and think I won't call bull shit on you.

So if you want me to consider you for my vote in any election (senate, house, presidential, school board, whatever):

Tell what is in it for me. After all, you are applying to work for me. I have a right to know what you will do in the job, why you think you can accomplish your stated goals, and how I know you will follow through on your promises.

Tell me how you are going to get me TRULY UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. Not the watered down proposal Obama has. Talk about selling out to the healthcare lobbyists! How will you cover every one and achieve cost savings by spreading the risk across all. I don't need more "wins" that feed the pharmaceutical industry with nonnegotiation clauses.

Tell me how I can trust that you will support issues that are important to women, I need facts and accomplishments not pretty words.

Tell me how you will turn the economy around, specifically. Tell what actions you will take to get new jobs.

Tell me how you will fix the educational system. Both K-12 and getting more people into college without horrendous loans. What about a plan for retraining laid off workers. Let's not just talk about college for HS students, lets talk about getting older people and current workers back to college or into college for the first time. How do we fund that? They will be in the work force for a long time, they need skills.

Tell me how you will insure my retirement. I've paid into Social Security and Medicare all my life. I want my benefits fully funded. Don't tell me you will cut them. If you do, give me my money back so I can retire when the time comes. Get me Health care so I don't have to worry about what happens to me then, or choose between eating catfood and buying medicine.

Tell me how you will nominate for the Supreme Court. How many women will you nominate or confirm? We are more than half the population! Will they be pro choice and pro constitution? How can I be sure you will follow through on your promises?

How will you restore the constitution? How will you hold the telcos responsible for their wiretapping? They knew it was illegal, voting for their immunity will not earn my vote, quite the opposite.

Tell me how you will support our veterans, past and present. How will you protect my parent's benefits EARNED in the Vietnam war? How will you provide for returning soldier's needs without taking away from my parents? The VA is already broken, as is the military, how exactly will you fix this?

Tell me about the role of women in your administration and in your appointments - will they approximate the percentage of women in the country? Or how about going with the percentage of women that USED to make up the Democratic party? That would help, but you really need to apologize without equivocating. You were wrong and you need to own up to it, then start working hard to make it right.

I don't know what I will do in the GE at this point. Hillary has been extremely gracious to Obama, but still they bash her and say she hasn't done enough. Of course she has tried not to damage him throughout the campaign, regardless of what he and his supporters have said. (BTW, deal with your whiney obnoxious supporters. They have lost you almost as many votes as you have driven away yourself).

I value Hillary's experience, persistence, courage, and tireless campaigning. I haven't seen those qualities in Obama. I have been working in Biotech and High Tech since I graduated from college. I look at this as a hiring decision. When I hire someone for a job, I look at what they have accomplished, not what they say they can do. I look at what they have actually done and the skills those accomplishments demonstrate. I don't see much from Obama. He may complain that Hillary doesn't respect his accomplishments, but he should be more worried about the fact that no one knows what they are. His supporters can't articulate them, he doesn't talk about them, and his resume is very thin.

Obama can point to his speech on Iraq all he wants, but it is just words. At this point I don't even know whose words they are, Deval Patrick's? Axelrod's? Some anonymous speechwriter? I didn't see any actions to back it up. He never stuck his neck out when it counted or when there was any risk. Seems like his goal is just winning and cashing in, not working for me. Prove to me I'm wrong. And apologize for your wrongs.

To the Senate Democratic Caucus. I'll be looking at how you have acted and voted also. Those who dissed Hillary and made sexist remarks or stood by and said nothing don't demonstrate what I need to see in a candidate.

My money and votes will go to those with a clear strong voice on the values that used to be central to the Democratic Party I joined long ago. My money and votes will go to those who strongly and openly support women: their issues, their advancement, and their opportunities.

Visible strong actions are what I'm looking for, pretty words won't get the job done and won't get you hired. I've been in the real world long enough to know what to look for. Pretty words, immature actions, and lack of accomplishments aren't a recipe for success. Prove I'm wrong and you could get my vote.

Take me and my 18 million friends for granted and you will lose miserably.

And you also better stop slamming Hillary. No one else has ever been hounded to drop out of the primary, certainly no one who had more popular votes than the other candidate. Kennedy, Edwards, Bradley... look at history.

Hillary has been more than fair. The 18 Million Hillary supporters will not go to Obama if he doesn't earn them. Stop saying this is Hillary's job. Obama needs to step up and take responsibility for his actions and EARN something. He won't game us like he did the system. He won't bully us like he did in the Caucuses. (and BTW, get rid of the caucuses. Not democratic. not fair. not just).

If Obama loses, he will only have himself to blame. His nomination is illegitimate now. He took what didn't belong to him because he was desperate to win at all costs. He wanted it badly and he got it badly. Stop digging the hole and take responsibility for it. Stop blaming Hillary and her supporters. Be an adult for a change. Maturity in a president would be a nice change.

I'm not bitter and I don't cling to guns and religion. I am intelligent and a do cling to my vote. It is my right. I don't owe you anything, you work for me. Support me and I will support you,

So get busy if you want my vote. You don't get it automatically. You don't get it for nothing. Tell me what is in it for me. Show me what you have done for me in the past and tell me how you will do what you say you will do for me. Prove to me I should believe you.

To summarize, let me give you the take home message again. Get a tattoo if you need to, but remember it if you want 18 Million votes.

"No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self." - Susan B. Anthony, 1872

I thought this was a great letter from the comment section of Talkleft.

I just read an article that said:

"Barack Obama isn't really one of us."

It went on to explain how he is some enlightened spiritual being, "a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being."

Well, please! I'd choose a dickhead over that every time.

I actually liked Grandpa Munster. Although , I liked Herman Munster better.

just to keep it fair...

http://www.dickipedia.org/dick.php?title=Barack_Obama

Swift kids for Barack Obama!!

laugh-out-loud hysterical!!

http://www.236.com/video/?bcpid=1272014315&bclid=1125909605&bctid=1283221585

I guess all the McCainiacs are coming out of the closet now that the nominees are set.

Swift Kids: Hillary's Cookies

ROTFLMHLAO!!

http://www.236.com/video/?bcpid=1272014315&bclid=1125909605&bctid=1283221585

Swift Kids for truth

There are way too many vids to post

http://www.236.com/video/?bcpid=1272014315&bclid=1125909605&bctid=1283221585

"Barack Obama began bringing about real change in Washington with his birth on August 4, 1961, a birthday he shares with big honking dicks Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Alberto Gonzalez."

"....I'm with ya......Even after Hillary's moving speech.......My vote would not be a protest vote, but a vote cast because I am ashamed of the Democratic Party during of this primary..." Posted by: prof marcia
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/our-anniversary-video.html#comment-98899

Professor,
Thank you for remembering all that's happened throughout this campaign. You said so many important things in your post and I felt so reassured reading them,

I'm so glad to see not everyone is prepared to just forgive and forget without making a statement. Some things have to be answered in a way that they send a message and an appeal that they will not happen again.

No kind of prejudice is acceptable in our society, and especially by our politicians and news media

Here are few suggestions for some good blogs for you McCain folks:

http://www.townhall.com/blog

http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/content.cgi?name=links

Ann's link is a page filled with tons of "patriot links"

It went on to explain how he is some enlightened spiritual being, "a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being."
Posted by: lizbeth Author Profile Page | June 8, 2008 12:29 PM

I still haven't figured out what the hell he's tuned in to.

I am sure CNN is doing it's all to say that he does not have a Jewish problem, that, of course, it is a myth. I am watching CSPAN right now but I'll bet Jonathan Alter is on.

i think she's actually not a died -in wool- Mccainer, but most of her friends are. He used to be too soft on our Mexican terrorists problem and abortionists. Not sure which way he's headed lately.

Your are right , Patsi. Many people where I live are very conservative. Many here are Pro-Life and believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman. Republicans dominate this area. Hell , it's only been within the last year or 2 that 2 towns near here started allowing the sale of alcohol within their city limits. You still can't buy alcohol in Holland on Sunday.

ppissed,

No problem with this Obama supporter!

Vote for Paul or Paulsen (if he's still alive and running,lol) if you don't like Obama.

Rezdog: In going over some of the posts from today, I ran across your post containing the phrase "Mexican terrorists" -- what are you talking about, please?

I got the impression it wasn't her thang, like mama. She did a good job, a real trooper as Del Griffith would say.

Later,. . been real! . . Out to take dogs on a run and do some chores.

Maggi,

It was sarcasm. Later

"the era of Ronald Reagan is finally coming to end. "

You mean Obama's favorite transformative president, the one he praised hoping for the California Republican vote?

And you and Rez might as well STFU calling people here murderers depending who they vote for. For one thing, you have no frigging idea what Obama really do about getting troops out. He may just vote "present."

More and more you boyz sound like Freepers. If you don't agree with us the terrorists win!!!!!

new] Looks like MyDD is now (none / 0) (#52)
by frankly0 on Sun Jun 08, 2008 at 11:45:24 AM EST

officially turning into an Obama propaganda site.
Just got this message from the administrators at MyDD:

Tone down the accusations of racism and playing the race card.
" if Obama and his supporters try to spread smears against McCain as they have done against Clinton -- accusing him falsely of racism, for example -- I will be all over those smears, doing everything in my power to expose them for what they are."

Censorship is in full swing at MyDD.

ok to call the Clinton's racists but not McCain....

Lynn C
FANtastic letter -- thanks so much for posting it!

seems like the MSM has just noticed that the 900 pound gorilla in the room is now wearing a dress.

"And you and Rez might as well STFU calling people here murderers"

Get real! Patsi

turned on NBC for MTP...some goddam tennis match was on.
I love TV sports, but I do not understand the appeal for anyone to watch people smashing a ball back and forth across a net.

They could have delayed it at least, to the afternoon.

I am sick of Webb being on every TV show. This Reagan Democrat who fought diligently to keep women in their place by pleading the case that women are so inferior they must be judged incompetent for combat---a party-jumper who made such a scene about Bill Clinton not going to Vietnam , and gloated publicly when Clinton took heat for the pardons...is this the kind of man we want as Obama's veep? He says Virginia can go for Obama...now VA is the battleground state du jour...it seems impossible, but maybe, if Obama campaigns smartly there and can sway groups of Tidewater-area veterans who are mostly McCainers...then maybe, but it seems SO unlikely VA can go blue....

Last night I saw a Google News topic header
about how Universal Health Care is Dead-O because it's Obama and McCain. There were a batch of stories in various newspapers about how, well, no UHC for Americans this go-around. One or two hinted at the irony that the most-liberal Dem types supported Obama but his health care plan wasn't really going to be much different from what is in place...
Pretty sad--there was an "OOPS" quality to this.

"Rez, I'm sure that will make their day."

Which ones Flatus, those on the bus or at the convention?

Damn my dogs are pissed now. lol

Flatus: Your analysis is spot on. While I have always felt that invading Iraq was morally wrong, it is impossible to know how things might have turned out if the standard contigency plans had been followed ... if there had been sufficient troops to safeguard the weapons caches, and halt the looting ... if the decision to disband the Iraqi military (after assuring them ahead of time that we would not do so) had not been taken ... and so many other things.
We actually wasted lives, time, and money by not adhering to the Powell doctrine.

Easy Dexter. That was the French Open. I am a tennis fan. Of course , the French Open Final was lopsided and they decided to show last year's Wimbledon Final after it to kill time. The real mystery as far as I'm concerned is why do people watch golf on tv and why do they have a Golf Channel?

Maggi,

shoulda , coulda, woulda, IF. . .

Dexter, I'm watching it right now on channel 10-3 off the air in Columbia (it was DVR'd--recorded at it's normal time).

I can't get the guide to go back to earlier in the day, but I bet the tennis was on channel 10-1. The wonders of digital TV.

If I had been watching over the satellite, I probably would have received only the tennis.

Corey: Oh, dear. I not only watch tennis, I also watch golf on TV. I can no longer actually play a round of golf but I still enjoy following it.
And by the way, I actually almost felt sorry for Federer today (well, not really...but almost).

Chloe Darlin'; 9:43.... I am a 62 year old female, I don't play soccer any more. The picture was emailed to me and I just thought it represented the way Hillary, and women in general have been treated during this primary campaign - behind the eight-ball and booted around. Politically pissed

PP, you do know I was kidding, right?

Maggi,

My comment was inre; your reply toFlatus, not about Clintons.

rez, they're pissed? yeh, by now those dogs have already peed on the floor.

John McCain did not support all of Bush's policies on the war. D'ya think we've all been living in a closet for the past six years? Posted by: maggisd Author Profile Page | June 8, 2008 2:28 PM

Maggi,
Don't forget.
When you hear Obamas supporters talk, they're just following Obamas lead. They repeat whatever he says.

Patsi,

You know I don't give a shit who you vote for, OK!

A JM win more assuredly means staying in Iraq longer than Obama. That's from both candidates comments. Obviously, no guarantees. And staying there longer most likely results in more soldiers deaths (not murders). So logically a vote for McCain might lead to more military casualties. imo, that should be a consideration in one's vote.

chloe: I swear that I think some people get all their news from You Tube and think that campaign sound bites represent the full story.

patd, just delayed their run that's all. But now i gone.

I've had really bad judgment for 20 years, please trust me for the next 4 years. maggisd

Hear ya.
But doesn't mean you have to listen to them.
You don't expect to change their mind, do you?

maggi, that was the wrong quote above my message. Was responding to your utube statement.

Rezdog: That's a sensible analysis. Personally, I do not necessarily agree with you ... I think both men will be guided by conditions on the ground, as well as the desires of the Iraqi government. IMHO the major difference between them at this point relates to how each of them might have handled the situation early on. I take Sen Obama at his word that he would not have voted for the AUMF ... had it been in my power, I would not have either.
But here's a serious question ... we knew in the fall of 2002 that George W Bush was inexperienced and worse ... but did we yet know that he wouldn't have known what the truth was if it walked up and smacked him in the face?

OMG...some of these are hysterical!! Check out the entry on Ann Coulter 8~D

The Dickpedia main page...

http://www.dickipedia.org/dick.php?title=Main_Page

Linda,
sure glad bo made it on the list.

OMG -- that site is too funny!

Hillary Clinton Redeems Herself
No delusional talk, no angle-playing, no veiled threats or bargaining positions... But it wasn’t a concessions speech, pure and simple. It was much more than that, much better than that. .... And it made me wonder whether, had she only taken this high road throughout the campaign, she might have prevailed."

http://www.progressive.org/mag_wx0600808

from the HRC entry on Dickipedia...

the Lewinsky Scandal

"...In critical retrospect, one can’t help but deduce that the entire predicament would have been avoided entirely had Hillary just acquiesced to gargling the presidential marbles every once in a while. "

ROTFLMHLAO!!!!

103.1 the temperature, not an FM station. Sure glad I cut the grass this morning.

Chloe: In the end, it wasn't about either candidate so much as it was about process. The much vaunted and feared Clinton political machine (a bit myth if you ask me) just didn't have as shrewd an operation as David Axelrod.
If the campaign hadn't dithered about where to play in the Iowa caucuses and then spent way too much money in an effort to catch up, if they had participated in the caucus states even minimally, if Mark Penn had known that the Democratic Party didn't have any winner take all states -- better yet if Mark Penn and Harold Ickes didn't hate each other ....
Woulda, coulda, shoulda ...

Flatus: 103?! Good grief! And it's only June ... where are you?

We haven't reached the 90s yet out here in Paradise. We will, of course...but we're not there yet.

In the end, it wasn't about either candidate so much as it was about process. Posted by: maggisd | June 8, 2008 3:32 PM

I know Maggi.

But it's always nice to read stories written by people who get it. And, actually, I do think she grew into being a much better candidate. In the beginning, I didn't like her nearly as much as I did by the end. As she grew, she grew on me.

I can't help but think she connected with herself more meaningfully, and in doing so, became a better person in the process. She'll be better at what ever she does in the future, no matter what it is. So, regarless, she'll be happier.

And she does have over 17 million fans.

chloe: I do agree that she grew into a much better candidate. Or, since many people who knew her said that she really was a warm and genuine person, perhaps she just grew more comfortable being herself.
Whatever it was, I never really expected to become such a fervent supporter...I was on her side, but she actually also won me over.

Maggi,

I just have to say, that it's impossible trying to argue reason with someone who is incapable of being reasonable. A conversation is one thing, even those who don't agree with you, or vice versa, is good. But you know which one's will NEVER hear what you're saying. Do you really want to reward someone who respects no one, with all that much attention. I realize you may see it differently. So feel free to ignore what I'm saying.

Now it's 104.2 (in Columbia, SC). That means the tomatoes and the squash are toast. So much for our summer garden.

Wow!! Lynnc

Exactly my sentiments.Couldn't have said it any better than that.
A lot of men do not understand how a lot of us women feel about the treatment of Hillary by the DNC and the media.There was absolutely no respect and the women supporting hillary felt it against themselves too.Some men I know say "she lost,so we vote for Obama."They just can't see it from our prospective.And it is impossible to explain to them.Many younger women don't feel the disillusionment as us older generation females.It's a different world out there today for most of them.But in reality they are not much better off than the women of our generation.Even many of today's women are treated with the same disrespect,but I'm not sure they even know it.
Progress has been made,but not enough.It hasn't been that long ago when women complained to law enforcement that they were being threatened by a husband or boyfriend and nothing was done until they were badly beaten or even murdered.It was the same old good old boys mentality that exists today in politics.

Ruth

This is from Clinton hater Dick Morris:

WHAT’S UP HILLARY’S SLEEVE?

"Why won’t Hillary just concede that she has lost and pull out of the race? Why does she persist in keeping her delegates in line for her and not releasing them to Obama? Why does she feign party unity while, in fact, undermining it?

There is no benign explanation fo