Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

"THAT is why we are the great shining city on the hill."

Uh, Warren -- Has Obama convinced you to be a Reaganite?

Great video, Craig. I'm glad to see so many folks in Virginia embracing the notion of a black president. Very encouraging!

Nice job Craig ... good production values as well.

James in Blacksburg hit the nail on the head - 20 years ago etc.
Bradly was 26 years ago. Wilder was 20 years ago.

The grave cures racism, simple fact is many of those that won't vote because of race are dead, or headed in that direction.

One thing I've noticed about the clips this season of people going into McCain's rallies are that they are old, fat, and white. Hardly a growth demographic.

More clues to your clip from Tenn. -

Drove by the Maryville courthouse today. Signs for everyone. Except McCain. Seriously, not a single sign.

If the McCain campaign is sucking wind in Blount County, home of U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, then pack it in, boys. I mean, this is the GOP stronghold where Democrats once had to advertise in a newspaper to recruit members.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Early voting continues across Tennessee after a beginning that brought out more than 18,000 in Shelby County and nearly as many in Davidson County.

Opening day crowds Wednesday nearly doubled Nashville's previous first-day voting record of about 8,000, set in 2004.

The Tennessean quoted Davidson County Election Administrator Ray Barrett saying 49,000 new voters registered in time to cast ballots.
In Memphis, The Commercial Appeal reported wait times of up to an hour to vote.

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/silence/archives/2008/10/tn_democrats_vo.shtml

Memphis -

Election Commissioners say the first day of early voting usually draws about three thousand voters. By 2:30 in the afternoon, more than three times that amount already casted their ballot.

http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=dc9f8dc2-0414-4652-a272-219ca019df8b

States » Absentee and Early Voting Laws

http://earlyvoting.net/states/abslaws.php

In Tennessee's northeast corner, 1,370 Washington County voters cast ballots Wednesday, 130 more than in 2004.

The Johnson City Press-Chronicle quoted county elections administrator Connie Sinks saying the initial numbers bolster her belief that the turnout for the entire election will set a new record.

http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/node/8397

That's some quality reporting there! My neighbors? I live a county in NW Ohio , bordering both MI and IN, which always has voted repugg 3 to 1 in all elections...sheriff, dogcatcher, or POTUS...always repugg.
I ride a bicycle all over tis small city almost every day. Obama / Biden signs outnumber the other people's signs about 3 to 1...a TOTAL reversal !
Here, were ready to see Bush climb that mother-effin' helicopter one last time!
And as Chris Rock says: "All you white folks , don't you expect no Black shit to get done on November 5...on that day, you gonna be carryin' your own bags!"

"Fox News accused me of fathering two African-American children in wedlock"

McCain Loses Hastily Convened Fourth Presidential Debate With Lifesize Cardboard Obama

http://dagblog.com/humor-satire/mccain-loses-hastily-convened-fourth-presidential-debate-lifesize-cardboard-obama

Craig -
another radio ad targeting Fla. , this is Bill Nelson on NASA.

http://obama.3cdn.net/efe284d304c5a1789e_25m6vacx0.mp3

The Obama campaign is very very good.

Joe the plumber's story isn't watertight

Wurzelbacher said he did not need a plumber's license to do residential work with Newell Heating & Plumbing, but David Golis, a Toledo building-inspections official, disputed that. "We were just discussing that we will send a letter to the owner of Newell reminding him" of the city's requirement that all who do plumbing work be licensed or in apprentice or journeyman programs, Golis said.

• Finally, Wurzelbacher admitted to reporters that the goal of buying the business was more aspirational than firm.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008277201_campjoe17.html

Joe will soon be in jail. Just to put people on notice.

To me, who Joe is and what he said isn't the story--it's the "spread the wealth" philosophy that requires some thought.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-seery/joe-the-plumber-meets-sam_b_135399.html

Joe the Plumber should meet Sam the Gas Station Owner......Huffington Post

"So I'm fed up with the Republicans. Tax cuts for the rich, the war--all that stuff. The middle class needs help. I'm finally convinced. I'm going for Obama. First time in my life, I tell you."

I asked him about paying higher taxes.

"I don't care about that. If I'm making money, I don't care. I'll pay my taxes. But I'm not going to make any money if the middle-class guy doesn't have money in his pocket to buy my gas or my food. I don't need the big tax cut right now. That's not going to bring the customers into my gas stations."

Joe versus Sam. You could line up economists spouting elegant theories for each side, but the basic arguments can probably be reduced to Joe's and Sam's respective positions on very gut levels. Joe's never made $250,000, but he feels that if he ever reaches that threshold, he shouldn't be "penalized" for his success. He seems to believe that cutting taxes for wealthy individuals somehow serves his current financial interests and his aspirations for the future. Sam's already lived those trickle-down and dream-up Republican talking points but now rejects them with hard-won conviction.

Were the two of them to meet and strike up a conversation, side by side on adjacent treadmills, I dare say that Sam would be giving Joe an earful, not the other way around.

Joe appears to be one of those typical Limbo/Hannity listener types who get one point down from their hero and then rush off to talk about it......then as soon as they are past the point which they managed to have memorized.....they show themselves up for the true picture......shovel leaners.

Brother Dave Gardiner used to have a story about 2 guys down in the ditch digging......one guy'd be leaning on his shovel, chewing tobacco and saying....."One of these days.....I'm going to OWN this company."
The other guy didnt talk much, cause he just absolutely LOVED to dig.........he lived for it, and wound up digging enough for the both of them.......he dug from morning to night, just digging his butt off........and the other guy would lean on his shovel and say, "One of these days Im going to OWN this company."
So then fastforward about ten years later: the guy who loved to dig has a mansion, a fleet of dump trucks, 150 back hoes, 500 employees, etc etc. and the other guy is still in the ditch leaning on his shovel and saying, "One of these days, I'm going to OWN this company." And on the weekends the guy who loved to dig would be out in the back yard of his mansion digging in the garden.

I think Joe the plumber probably leans on his shovel a bit.

I remember the sense of pride I felt went Brent Barry won the slam dunk contest awhile ago. It let me know that in this great country of ours white men could one day indeed jump and win the slam dunk contest.

But what if he had "Flubber" on his shoes?

Robin Williams! My nephew used to watch that movie over and over!

Are we ready for our Friday morning pep rally? I guess this is where W's cheerleading skills come into play.

WE'VE GOT SPIRIT, YES WE DO! WE'VE GOT SPIRIT, HOW 'BOUT YOU?

Ha.....i had in mind the Tommy Kirk, Fred McMurray version......"The Absent Minded Professor"......but same deal, same flubber.......lol

Craig..... a most excellent and interesting video!

Corey..... you crack me up!
sorry about your Dodgers.... the Red Sox were down 7-0 in the 7th inning and won the game 8-7 with a walk off single by JD Drew in the 9th...... I still think the Rays will take the series...... but my beloved RSox have given me much to cheer about this season.....

I saw a house in a neighboring town yesterday that had both an Obama and a McCain sign on the front lawn...... now there's someone who believes in equal opportunity!....

Oh yeah, some stories from my job this week. I worked at our "Center of Excellence" (insert your own joke here) 4 days this week. The guy I was working for there said that he and his wife were in the process of adopting two young children from Uganda. I worked at my new job last night. Making doors for the Jeep Liberty. Did not realize that we ship some of these doors to Venezuela and Egypt. Who knew that Hugo Chavez drove a Jeep???

SWING TO THE LEFT, SWING TO THE RIGHT, STAND UP, SIT DOWN, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

rr - Congrats to your Sox.

Craig - Very interesting vid today.

Wasn't "I screwed up," the line Hugh Grant used on Leno after he solicited the services of Divine Brown?

I've seen that as well, Renee. A few houses that had campaign signs of both candidates in their front yards. I thought for sure the Red Sox had lost last night when I left for work. Couldn't believe it when I heard the news. Thanks Renee, gotta have some humor here sometimes.

"saw a house in a neighboring town yesterday that had both an Obama and a McCain sign on the front lawn...... now there's someone who believes in equal opportunity!...."

Renee -- I saw one with one Obama and one Ron Paul yesterday.

I was just looking at the Oct 20th New Yorker. There, on page 82, was a cartoon that made me think, "That's gotta be Craig!"

Shrub on television again. Shrub must hate McCain.
Everytime lil boots appears on tv, McCain's percentage drops

I can't wait to see W..

Wonderful job on the video Craig.

My Dodgers fell apart so I am temporarily a Red Sox fan.

I still think there is a "reverse" Bradley effect about to happen that could knock the socks off the pollsters.

I'm rooting for whoever plays the Phillies. LOL!

"McCain said “Joe the plumber” faced “much higher taxes” under Obama’s tax plan and would pay a fine under Obama’s health care plan if he failed to provide coverage for his workers. But Ohio plumber Joe Wurzelbacher would pay higher taxes only if the business he says he wants to buy puts his income over $200,000 a year, and his small business would be exempt from Obama’s requirement to provide coverage for workers. "

But isn't exactly Joe's concerns when he asked Obama how his taxes would be affect under and Obama presidency? Joe was planning on purchasing a plumbing company where the revenues would be over $200K, or would like to grow the company's revenues over $200k. Most small business are Sub Chapter S Corps, or sole proprietorship, and the revenues are taxed the same as individual income. So Joe's business could be affected by paying higher taxes under the Obama tax plan. Punish success, punish those who risk their capital to build businesses so other can have employment. Really is ass-backwards.

"Not a surprise, but the Washington Post endorsed Obama for president today."

I'm just surprised they hadn't done it before.

A Black president? Looks like the people in SW VA are leaning that way, but that doesn't mean they would pull the lever for Obama. Now if it was a Colin Powell type, do you really think you would have heard all that hesitation in their answers.

The NYTimes looks at the possibly for the plumbers's tax bill.
Although the article makes many good points, the insults to the guy in Ohio are numerous. The NYTimes has completed it's drop into daily drivel. The once great paper is now just another piece of crap...with the few good reporters being buried in crap. The Times has some excellent financial reporters but none of their stuff was highlighted during the recent crisis. Gretchen Mortensen places the blame for the crisis squarely on the shoulders of Alan Greenspan but that reporting has not shown up in the Times --although she says it when she is on the speaking tour.

the Washington Post endorsed Obama for president today

Say it ain't so, not the Washington Post, next I guess someone will be posting the New York Times endorsing Obama.

Someone must have given Shrub "US Financial Crisis for Dummies"...that's what he sounds like this morning.

"The NYTimes has completed it's drop into daily drivel. The once great paper is now just another piece of crap...with the few good reporters being buried in crap. "

Very true....

Craig,

Lots of body language going on in that video clip which tells a completely different story. Didn't see many people smiling, most didn't look real happy talking to you.

Patsi

The loss of the NYTimes has completely ruined my Sunday.

Well this speaks for itself, and this is why there has to be a hell.

http://tinyurl.com/5rhhzy

Good morning! T. Boone Pickins just appeared on Imus. He is truly a great American. His army is nearly 1 1/2 million. Said that he was disappointed that this late in the election "neither of the candidates have an energy plan".

I was just looking at the Oct 20th New Yorker. There, on page 82, was a cartoon that made me think, "That's gotta be Craig!"
Posted by: Flatus Author Profile Page | October 17, 2008 8:04 AM

Good morning.

Flatus, I'm curious (as always). Was that cartoon you're talking about in this group? (if not, I guess I'd better take a look at the issue today when I shop) :)

Cartoons from the Issue
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2008/10/20/cartoons_20081013

Good Morning to all, and including the supporters of Mr Government

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122412908424239827.html

"I saw a house in a neighboring town yesterday that had both an Obama and a McCain sign on the front lawn...... now there's someone who believes in equal opportunity!...."

Renee,
Ha! Or a husband and wife that have a serious disagreement.

Yo Camp

I want to root for the philies--------buy I can'-----------It's that Chris Mathews effect--------he lives in phillie.

Pogo,
I am definitely not looking to get into any arguments with anyone today. (As a matter of fact, I desperately do not want to.) And I'm the first to admit the obvious, I don't have a great understanding of the economy. But the following two paragraphs quoted from the WSJ article you linked stood out to me, and I'm hoping you'll give me your opinion on what you think about them.

"But there won't be any wealth to spread if no one creates it.

These ideas reveal that Mr. Obama thinks economic growth derives mainly from growing the government. They merely redistribute money taxed or borrowed from the private sector to favored political constituencies. At least Bill Clinton sold his tax cut in 1993 as a way to reduce the deficit; Mr. Obama is proposing to take federal spending to heights not seen since the early 1980s. If this is his agenda to spur recovery, no wonder the stock market is tanking."

Anselm,
I think most everyone agrees that the BO tax plan wouldn't make it as it is now. As you've said it is completely contrary to job creation. I'm just amazed that all I hear from either candidate is tax cut and new spending. Has anyone even mentioned a say....10% cut across the board on Govt spending....of course not....that's what a business or family would do in times of a crisis

"It's that Chris Mathews effect--------he lives in phillie."

Tweety is only "from" Philly..now he is just another beltway blithering idiot.

You can safely root for the Phillies without doing a thing for the
maroon.

I just realized that was to ping pong. Now it makes more sense. Sorry ping/

Yo Champ-----want to correct,can't seem to do more than 1 thing at a time lately, but you get the picture.

Chloe

Thanks for the link to the cartoons.. I was wondering too
My guess goes for the author signing at the porno book store.

mornin' all, busy today, so you won't hear much from me. Anselm, your RW flat tax BS is disproved by the growth of the US economy in GDP terms. Since at least 1890, notwithstanding the differences in top marginal tax rates on income from aroudn 20% to over 90%, the US economy, expressed in terms of GDP, has grown relatively constantly (with the exception of 3 period - two were the depression and the recession of the 70s, and the third was a period of rapid expansion during WWII) since 1890, expanding overall by a factor of 43. Unless you contend that the great depression and the recession of the 70s were caused by a rise in marginal tax rates (and that argument would not be borne out by the relationship of tax rates to GDP) your argument is crap. Increased tax rates do not depress economic activity, and the additional 3% tax proposed by Obama for income of over $250k certainly is not enough to do what you suggest. Instead, people who earn that much are much more likely to work even harder to earn enough to make up the difference - I know that's what I would do.

OSH, I'm sure Pickens is disappointed - his speculation in the renewable energy field won't provide him the returns his pro formas suggested when oil was above $130/bbl and rising. He should have listened to Carville. He will have to be more patient on this venture than he was when he was wildcatting inTexas 50 years ago.

"These ideas reveal that Mr. Obama thinks economic growth derives mainly from growing the government."

Chloe -- Here's my take. The good news and the bad news are the same news: Barack Obama is just another pol. He's promising pie in the sky and he knows it. He is pandering now and hoping that his followers will make excuses for him later, when he delivers very little. As, of course, they will.

He's not going to damage business -- he is too far in the pocket of big business to cross them. It'll all be smoke and mirrors. However, if you believe that the first rule is "do no harm" -- I think he'll do less than McCain.

So if I were you, I'd breathe easy.

Pogo,Jax this was discussed on the last thread

Joe the plumber throws a wrench into tax debate

By CALVIN WOODWARD
Associated Press W

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Small business owners, the kind Joe the plumber hopes to become, will need an expert from another profession - a good accountant or perhaps someone with a crystal ball - to know whether Barack Obama's tax plans will help them or send money swirling down with the Drano.

Is John McCain right? Would someone owning a company that makes more than $250,000 a year pay higher income taxes under Obama, as McCain claimed in making Ohio plumber Joe Wurzelbacher the man of the moment in Wednesday night's presidential debate?

Much depends on how such a company is organized for tax purposes, and what its profits are. Wurzelbacher could well end up with a tax cut under Obama if the company he works for and wants to buy - now a two-person operation - continues to share earnings.

Patsi- you're probably right. neither one is talking about shrinking gov't but when the lower tax receipts really start to hit home it'll be difficult to add any new programs either.

Solar,
Maybe his new jobs plan is based on us having to hire more accountant and lawyer services....now that just might work...laughs

jax, that republican anti-tax meme based on job creation and growth in the economy is unfounded in fact. Use Dumya's administration as an example. Even in the face of Dumya's tax cuts, the percentage of the population employed has dropped from 64.4% when he took office to 62% in August.

http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet

That compares to an increase in that ratio of about 3% under Clinton, which btw was about the same as occurred under Reagan.

http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet

In short, the higher taxes = lower job creation and lower economic growth argument is based on a false relationship.

Yeah, I thought that might be the one too Katherine.

Remembering Those Other American Dreams
"Everyone — except for a few at the top — feels exposed, everyone feels their own vision of the American Dream imperiled, whether they believe in an agricultural, blue-collar or white-collar dream. That convergence could nudge Obama and the Democrats far enough to the populist left on taboo issues like trade and regulation that they end up showing they value more than just professional America — that they actually respect Will Hunting, even if he keeps laying brick.

Maybe then all those Reagan Democrats will finally come home."
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3967/remembering_those_other_american_dreams
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3967/remembering_those_other_american_dreams

Have a good day.

Pogo,
I can only tell you this. I own 3 businesses and I rely almost entirely on my own working capital as funding for growth. I've grown every year for 9 years. I grow as my working capital grows. If I have less I grow less. It's really not based on gov't doctrine. I know that this is boringly micro but it's true for me.

Jax

I don't have new equipment---very good ones that i can devalue, if you have new, and are making payment, i would stay in touch with creditors often, take the person that sold you the merchandise for coffee once in a while and show paper work of how the co, is doing,always, bad,bad, bad, but the key thing is to stay in touch with someone that understands,he will then in turn represent your side of the situation with the creditor?

Solar, and nevermind that Joe doesn't now make over $250k, has no current plans to buy the company, doesn't know how he could manage to do so even if he wanted to, and THE COMPANY DOESN"T MAKE $250K in any event. The repugs can't let little things like facts get in the way of a chance to make Obama's economic plan look bad - since they don't have one that appeals to the voters other than by trying to scare them with the spectre of higher taxes.

Solar,
I don't have anything new either. My newest tug boat is a 2005. I've almost paid it off. I do alot of auction buying for capital assets and refurb its the only way for me

jax, you and every other responsible business out there. I'd wager you've never said to yourself - well the next $10k I make above what I'm making now will be taxed at a higher rate, so I'm not going to bother.

"Ha! Or a husband and wife that have a serious disagreement."
Chloe..... I never considered that..... thanks for the insight......

god knows I'm no economist....... hell.... reading pogo's 9:40 made my eyes do strange things.... but I've been listening to and reading some stuff on this crisis..... and people I respect such as Kevin Phillips, Dean Baker, William Greider and a few others..... have all stated that in their opinion, the only way of out this mess is for the government to spend money in order to create jobs....
yes, they know it will greatly increase the deficit and all our great grand children will be paying for it.... but they say it needs to be done if our great grand children want a country with an economy that's healthy....

time to go listen to Diane Rhem...... for all you Andrew Sullivan fans..... he's on her first hour of domestic round table.....

jax, accountants and lawyers - or a good bookkeeper and $55 for TurboTax Premium Edition. You make the call. LOL

Pogo, you're right....but so much of what we do is based on our personal optimism and risk assessments. It's very depressing when you see money leaving the company that you know will be wasted...it's just another burden...and it's just not necessary...regardless of who you support...i defy you to show me anyone that thinks the new tax revenue will be well spent

Jax

I said something similar as what Patsi said this am, O, or M is going to be instructed by others they both don;'t have the knowledge to fix this mess.

About Joey Sturg has a keen eye, he is a shovel leaner, when i saw him he did not impress me as much of a doer, plumbers are very shy by trade also, don't know many that would just walk up to a national figure like O and start talking like that, they save that up for the tavern.

renee, LOL - it's just basic stuff - bottom line is that historically, tax rates do not predict growth in economic activity, income, or job creation.

It's been nice this morning...gotta run...trucks to load-out...

Jax---

There might be a time that you do not want to grow the buis,
every now and then it might be prudent to let the wife have it her way and save a little, i made a mistake and grew to fast awhile back, but it's all up for grabs now, whatever it takes will be our new guide line, thanks

jax, I don't disagree with anything you've said - but those are different arguments. I'm sure that the Rockefellers and Chases of the world thought the same thing, but they didn't stop investing and growing their businesses because their tax rates were rising. And as to government spending not being done well, the same can be said of the tax revenue collected under any administration.

some great posts this morning...watching faux news here and I had to fire off an email to the bozo Megan. Howard Wolfson is getting what he deserves by working for FOX...abused by Megan for stating that Joe the Plumber' first name is not Joe. Huckabee is having "Joe" on his show. Faux News is riding Joe the Plumber like an old hooker. Joe is an obvious phony.

Off to work...I hope my lousy, early vote makes it to the big time! Kick the bums out! Vote democratic.

Jax---Hey Jax, Jax where did he go?

KGC, looks like a repug, can't stay in a room full of D's huh,,just kidding Jax---about phillie---i was just tweaking champs nose a little, but what you said about cm ditto.

Barack Obama has expanded his lead over John McCain in Missouri to six percentage points.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds Obama with 52% of the vote while McCain is supported by 46%. Earlier this week, Obama was on top 50% to 47%

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/missouri/election_2008_missouri_presidential_election

Florida turns into toss up after financial meltdown.

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/10/17/D93S46D01_campaign_florida/index.html

The Times has moved VA from tossup to Obama and now puts his electoral college count at 277!

Friday 538 numbers

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

Oh my god - I hope SNL doesn't pass up the chance to have Brolin as W in a room with HRC, the 2 Sarahs, BO, JM ... this could be one of the funniest skits they ever did.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Palin-SNL.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Jamie my final count, 376/162

""spread the wealth""

ubns, that is just a knee jerk reaction to words that have been used in writings about communism. If you saw the actual interaction is was about making the tax system fairer, so that those who held the majority of the wealth paid the majority of the taxes for the country whose freedoms allowed them to become that wealthy.

As it stands now less than 10% of the people control more than 95% of the wealth but pay only 40% of the taxes while the costs for the rest are shoved down on the middle class, cities and counties etc. Our infra structure is crumbling, health care costs skyrocketing, and wages decreasing while cost of living climbs.

CEOs that used to make 40 times their lowest paid employee now make 400 times. Greed has virtually destroyed the economy and the only way to correct the mess is to cure the middle class that Republican policies have darn near killed.

Craig, I believe this was the best video yet assessing people's beliefs. When you first started this series I told you that you could easily be the next Charles Kuralt. Folks in the video seem to have an immediate bond of trust with you and became thoughtful and introspective beyond the typical "man on the street" stuff we see elsewhere. What the folks had to say was very heartwarming, especially the gentleman who said he wouldn't have answered the questions the same way twenty years ago. Now that's progress!

flatus and chloe, from oct 13 issue the cartoon on page 92 brought to mind our gracious host vis a vis his blog:
http://www.cartoonbank.com/product_details.asp?mscssid=V42HWENAV83F8H6L5BS9F8UKBUP0APT9&sitetype=1&did=4&sid=125689&pid=&advanced=1&keyword=undefined&artist=§ion=prints&caption=&artID=&topic=&pubDateFrom=10/13/2008&pubDateTo=10/13/2008&pubDateMon=&pubDateDay=&pubNY=2&color=0&title=undefined&whichpage=3&sortBy=popular

RCP moved FL from "leaning Obama" to "toss up". Obama 286, McCain 158, Toss Up 94.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/

FWIW, this is what I think the post election map will look like.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/?map=1

"When you first started this series I told you that you could easily be the next Charles Kuralt. Folks in the video seem to have an immediate bond of trust with you and became thoughtful and introspective beyond the typical "man on the street" stuff we see elsewhere."

eprof -- I think you've hit on a very good point. Craig does have the touch -- I wouldn't answer anything from most of the people asking questions "on the street."

Today's dread on blistersyeahbutchannel

Eraserheads

Intellectual bigots

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27238980/

Glad to hear it, Corey. It's been working so far.

Hell of a game, last night, Renee. Whatever happens, the Sox put on a good show. That Ortiz shot was classic.

the pm must have listened to pickens today on imus.

Gordon Brown launches attack on 'scandalous' Opec
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/oct/17/economy-gordonbrown
"The prime minister also reaffirmed his intention to stop Britain being dependent on the behaviour of what he considered to be a manipulative cartel.

He said: "We don't want to be dependent on unstable regimes or regimes that want to dictate the terms of the oil they are providing for reasons other than commercial reasons....
He added: "Our strategy is reducing our dependence on oil and by moving to a low-carbon economy, which means building nuclear power stations, we challenge the power of the cartels by our ability to diversify."
Brown's comments came a day after he called for retailers in Britain to make sure that cuts in the international price of oil were passed on to consumers."

time we have a President that represents one of the things that makes our Country great - Diversity.

THAT is why we are the great shining city on the hill.

You can't have true freedom - if all persons are not created equal.

Why don't you stop trying to tear Obama down - and appreciate the historic nature of this moment.

Posted by: warren Author Profile Page | October 16, 2008 11:53 PM

You must feel the presidency is so inconsequential that it could and should be used for motivational purposes rather that executive ones. The rationale that a candidate should be supported due to his or her skin-color is just as racist as the rationale that the same candidate shouldn't be supported for those same reasons. Vote for the most competent candidate, regardless of his or her ethnicity. That's being "color-blind".

Chloe, Patd

This is the one I had in mind:
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2008/10/20/cartoons_20081013?slide=12#showHeader

Oh no...

ModernTube: Barack Obama jumps on the Phillies bandwagon
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/ModernTube-Barack-Obama-jumps-on-the-Phillies-b?urn=mlb,114836

You dick!

Jamie,

TACOMA, WA – The Obama Campaign announced today that Sen. Joe Biden will hold a Change We Need Rally on Sunday, October 19th in Tacoma, Washington.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Cheney Stadium
Tacoma, WA

Doors Open: 12:00pm

Program Begins: 2:00pm

Obviously Obama (and Corey, apparently) doesn't understand the conventions of baseball allegiance. One is supposed to root for the team that beats one's favorite team, and if that team loses, one should root for the team that represents the league in which their favorite team plays. This is Baseball 101, people. Can America really afford a President who doesn't understand that?

Al Bundy endorses Obama!

Now that's the one that will put us over the top.

I've been waiting for that one.
The hell with Colin Powell.

http://washingtonbureau.typepad.com/election2008/2008/10/al-bundy-stumps.html

There is a reason they call it the "Bully Pulpit" Champ.

In Bry Bry's case --the chat bully pulpit

Ms Cracker,

"Little boots" ! ! ! Thought I'd die laughing.

He didn't elevate his horse to the rank of Senator, but our 'Little Boots' thinks the truculent mutterings of dick cheney are memos from God.

Champ....
it was worth staying up late just to see that ol' Big Papi magic one more time.....

and I agree with your 12:58...... I am voting for a man to become president....
he happens to be black.....

Al Bundy, whew, I thought it was Ted.

Some folks (me, f'rinstance) like Krugman. Some don't. Whether you do or don't, here's his piece from today's Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17krugman.html?em

No Pogo, Ted's gone to hell already.

Krugman sed; "It’s now virtually certain that the unemployment rate will go above 7 percent, and quite possibly above 8 percent, making this the worst recession in a quarter-century."

That don't sound very good. Hell! Joe better stop worrying about tax cuts and hope people have their jobs and enough money to keep his boss and him busy.

Obama isn't "black." He's a white guy with a black father.

X-rep
Little Boots
I wish I had thought of it but sadly no..others smarter and funnier came up with it first. But it does fit perfectly.
I think the first time I saw it was in 2007.

"The rationale that a candidate should be supported due to his or her skin-color is just as racist as the rationale that the same candidate shouldn't be supported for those same reasons."

thanks, champ

Jamie,

It is not often that I disagree with you, but I must. One cannot rescue and strengthen the middle class until one breaks and bridles the Croesus class. Plutocrats have ruled by virtue of their ability to control the public discourse through the ownership of, and the manipulation of, the 'news' media. This manipulation takes two forms :

1. Unregulated Infomercials
I refer to the talk and 'news' shows like o'reilly, rush, hannity, savage, etc. that are nothing more than advertisements for the Mammonistic republican party, Mammonistic republican candidates, and Mammonistic republican legislative initiatives, like invading Iraq, deregulating financial markets, and eliminating the GI Bill of Rights.

2. Paid Advertising
This is the first time since at least 1964 (possibly as far back as 1944) that Democrats have had more money to spend than republicans. Traditionally, republican execs send contribution envelopes around the offices of their subordinates, and those who don't cough up can expect to face discrimination in the future, sometimes subtle, often overt. I say this based on my personal experience. Admittedly, the offense happened in reagan's heyday, but I doubt that the Croesus class has adopted higher ethics since then.

Popular Mammonistic propaganda master, george will, promotes the lie that spending money is free speech. He contends that limiting the contributions members of the Croesus class can legally give campaigns prevents free speech. This year Mr. will has been remarkably silent on the topic, however, we can expect him to remount this hobby horse in the run-up to the next Congressional election. To understand Mr. will's argument, we should keep in mind that vandals view grafitti as free speech, kleptomaniacs view shoplifting as free speech, johns view prostitution and trafficking as free speech, wife-beaters view battering as freespeech, and klansmen view burning crosses as free speech. I put Mr. will and his bizarre idea in a class with these others.

Until America re-institutes the Broacast Fairness Doctrine, and adopts a fair and equitable public campaign finance law, our middle class will remain in danger from Mammonistic republicans.

Jamie,

Obama 380-51.4
McCain 158-46.2

Levi STubbs, lead singer of Four Tops, Dead at 72

http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20081017/Obit.Stubbs/?cvqh=itn_stubbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_1QwoFZWpc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9B1msRZyBQ

pogo,

Serial murderer ted bundy was a republican, and in '68 ran a Nelson Rochefeller office in Seattle. He was a paid dirty trickster in republican Gov Dan Evans' campaign, and caused a little kerfuffle when he was caught at it.

XR

Actually I think our disagreements are minor. On the Fairness doctrine, I would change the law about station ownership in markets rather than try to enforce a station by station "fairness law". One thing the Republicans got through was that an owner could have newspaper, radio and TV with little competition making it possible to blanket a market with one political position. That ownership law is what needs to be changed.

I also agree that only speech is speech, but we will have to take that one up with the Supreme Court. Money is not speech and corporations are not people.

We do need some inforced balance in commercials, but I haven't quite figured that one out in my own mind. The election season of primaries is way too long and it is insane that politicians have to start raising funds for the next election the day after they are elected. Perhaps some form of the British or Canadian system that sets a commercial window prior to an election for signs and air time combined with a series of "Super Tuesdays" that clumped states into five or six geographic groups.

On strengthening the middle class, the two components you need most are pre school through university (or trade school) free education, and universal health care.

I would like to see full employment of some kind that would infuse tax money into public service and infrastructure but again haven't fully thought that one out as yet.

Thx Jamie,

Ran across one of the best old "Snag" tune.lol

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

God and the devil were worried that some from heaven, and some people from hell would change sides, the bored ones from heaven would trade places with party tired ones in hell, god said let.s put up a fence, the devil said, you get the mtls and put it in, and i will pay you later, after god puts up the fence he asks, and demands that the devil pay him for half the fence, god told the devil that he would sue him, the devil said i don't know how all the lawyers are on my side of the fence--------i know it corny so sue me

Champ, I don't follow those sports rules. Although they are terrible this year, I like the Michigan Wolverines. My Mom can never understand why I root against Ohio St. , Michigan St. and Notre Dame in football. If you've ever been to a OSU message board and read what their fans write about Michigan, you'd understand why I root against OSU.Besides, if we were gonna go your logic, I would have to root for the AL champion, because the Detroit Tigers are in the AL and I should root for the AL champion.

Speaking of influences of the media types; while I can't stand McCain, it's real pitiful to watch him grovel on Letterman.

Corey,

I have to go with the National league because of the Dodgers, but I am rooting for the REd Sox until the American League is set, then I'm stuck with the Phillies drat their hide.

Jim Webb is hilarious. About McCain's choice of Sarah Palin, "I know what I was doing, but what was I thinking?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hU8iZ6sTFw

Was she wearing a little white tank top?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjdpSQD2bns

Could be. You know someone in the family had a shot gun.

Bear,

I have your numbers

Corey,

Did you want to stick with your "In your dreams" forecast?

Jamie, I'm the only person who has the "kahunas" to forecast that. Yeah, keep 'em! Besides, I think I stand with Craig on this election, although I'm not really an idealist.

xr, that shoudl surprise me?

Corey, but Michigan is coached by the evil Rich Rodriguez - who screwed over both WVU - LP's favorite - and Uof AL - my alma mater. I suspect the boosters are wondering what the hell they thought they were getting.

I'm just bullshittin', Corey. It's a silly game where grown men get paid to hit a ball with a stick and run around; I'm under no illusions. It's a welcome distraction form all the other bullshit going on over which I have just as little control.

I luvs me them lawyer jokes, solar.

bye, all. haveaniceweekend.

Pogo, my best friend works for the Michigan alumni association. He told me the reason the Rodriguez was hired was because the coach of Rutgers has the same agent as Rodriguez. Michigan wanted to hire the Rutgers coach, but he decided to stay at Rutgers. His agent then told Michigan that he was also the agent of Rodriguez and that Rodriguez might be able to be persuaded to come to Michigan. That's how it happened. Each time Michigan loses a game the alumni association is bombarded with angry e-mails.

On voting for Obama because he is black. If that is the ONLY reason, then it is a kind of reverse, if somewhat understandable, racism. At the same time I think it is a perfectly legitimate added factor that a voter might take into consideration.

The years Sydney Poitier won the Oscar as Best Actor for Lillies of the Field, I was pounding on the floor before the announcement saying his name because I really wanted him to win. Now I still love the movie, he did an amazing acting job, and I love him as an actor, but he was up against

Cleopatra (1963) - Rex Harrison (I)
Hud (1963) - Paul Newman (I)
This Sporting Life (1963) - Richard Harris (I)
Tom Jones (1963) - Albert Finney

Paul Newman and Albert Finney were equally deserving of the award as it was a really good year for actors, but I was really happy that it was Poitier both because of my admiration for his talent and as an added plus finally breaking the color barrier for one of the top four awards of picture/director/actor/actress.

There always has to be a "FIRST" when one of these barriers comes tumbling down. I wouldn't vote for someone totally unqualified just because they were black, but I might give added weight to someone I consider qualified for being black.

I know that Hillary was totally qualified for the job of President, but the fact that she would have been the FIRST woman did add to that favorability.

Just took Warren Buffets advise to heart. Buy when everyone is fearful and sell when they are giiddy. Been sittin in MMkt since last Nov Just plowed every retirement cent back in the market....wish me luck

Corey

Yest but does your Kahuna have cojones?

The Hawaiian version, Jamie.

jaxtrader

As long as the companies you chose have solid fundamentals, it makes sense to take advantage of bargain prices.

Jamie,
I'm too busy to watch things so I just throw it all in some quality mutuals and cross my fingers...laughs

Jax

all the luck in the world-----------but don't let any of your workers (do not fire them) now, if you can take a chance on the market, you better not let any worker go, if you do every time that you look in the mirror, you will see a shit.

"Serial murderer ted bundy was a republican,"

Maybe McCain can get the Green River Killer to counter balance Collin Powell's pending endorsement.

Jax

just sat down at my desk---that may have been a little strong but you were going to let go some workers,,,,,,now if you can gamble on the markets, you don't need to let anyone go?

Solar,
I wish i could use this money. it's all retirement funds so i won't see it for 20 at least. I've got every penny outside of that buried in the business. I'm not so worried about my regular employees right now but I've got about 40-45 owner operator truck drivers that lease on with me on 30 day out contracts and I'm scrambling to keep them busy. It's getting difficult.

Colorado senate candidate Bob Schaffer (R-CO), whining because he can't use crib sheets at a debate -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVYh_hFsYU4

double them up share the wkly hours--so that they can share a check, meet with them , see what , how they think about all,i bet that, they would want to help each other, if you make big bucks, put what you invested, plus a little back, but it;s none of my buis,,,,,,sorry

Solar,
I'll figure something out...always do. I've already noticed that my clients are paying me a little slower. That's where this gets difficult. The float will kill you. My drivers live week to week and I can't ask them to go longer. Cash is king....laughs

Damn,

Tweetyj ust had a Republican Congresswomen from MN, Bachman, who thinks the media needs to investigate other Congress members' anti-American activities.

These people have gone bonkers.

Biden in New Mexico today -

Peeling Palin's hide off :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3m6mJgFfqc

Is anyone in Michelee Bachmann's 6th district in Minnesota? That woman is as crazy as they come. Please tell me she will soon be booted out on her ear.

rez,
get used to it....it's congress ....and as soon as this election is over its going to be an endless stream of hearings and special prosectuors....I need a screen for my TV as I'll definitely be throwing things

jamie,
Is she the good looking one?

I think she is one of the few...good looking ones. let's not be so hasty on this kicking them out thing.....

Jax

Find out where your clients are at,,,,,,between 1 2 3 4 5 etc clients maybe you can rotate payouts if a few people stick it out together you can all survive, you can always let go of workers with a good concience after you tried, I think that there will be a lot more spending by the government ,a lot more to help us, if no one has any personal $ small corps don't have $, how are the fat greedy pigs (they are the ones with lipstick) corps going to keep their stock holders happy,,,,,with your new investment, in the market, and a co. to support i hope that you did not spread yourself too thin???????

Taqiyya ?

Solar,
We'll see. Alot of my clients are large corps....I really try not to work with the government....it's like a bad drug habit...it's addictive and real hard to kick....laughs

"All of Bachmann's biological children were homeschooled."

were the others, the non-biological, sent to public schools?

I was just watching Hardball and he had on Congresswomen Michele Bachman of Mn.

There is robocalls put out by the McCain\Palin campaign and the RNC suggesting the Senator Obama is Un American and and has a agenda harmful to our Country.

She also suggested that member of Congress {Democrats} are also or may in fact be Un American.

They are playing with fire and are attempting to incite violence against not only Senator Obama but other Democratic Members of Congress.

This is the same propaganda that Joseph Goebbels and the Nazi's used to denigrate and demonize Jews.

They will start a War right here in America and they don't give a damn if they do.

If you didn't see Hardball I suggest you catch it when they rerun it later in an hour or so.

Jax

I was so worried about you------the government is your client?

Kitman ?

I also called her office in Woodbury and accused her of trying to Incite the murder of Senator Obama. I told the lady who answered that she was using the same scare tactics as the Nazi's used against the Jews in Germany .

I also called her a Racist, Fascist Nazi and that they should all go to Hell.

Bachman is good looking in a Katie and the twins sort of make up on with a trowel sort of way.

She is also dumber than a post. She makes Palin look like an Einstein.

I also informed them that I called the Secret Service and reported her.

If your concerned that this could lead to a War here in America on our streets than you too should call the Secret Service and complain about how the RNC and the McCain\Palin campaign are dividing our Nation and pushing for another Civil War.

Or don't and pray nothing happens to any of the Democratic members of Congress or Senator Obama.

Because they very well could make America the next Iraq.

Kenyan insiders say Obama was part of takeover strategy

"The "protests" turned violent, and in January and February a brutal wave of Odinga-supporting, machete-wielding Luo mobs killed an estimated 1,000 members of the Kikuyu tribe, displaced over 350,000 Kenyans from their homes and destroyed some 800 Christian churches, all without a single mosque being damaged.

Obama's involvement amounted to a coordination with Odinga on the campaign, according to the sources."

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78132

GORDO...

When you Republicans start another civil War here on the streets of America I hope and pray to my Lord Jesus that your one of the first ones to meet all us Un American citizens.

Calm down, Paranoid -- You mean call that same Secret Service who said the whole "Kill him" story you were touting was bogus????? That they listened to the tapes and could find no instance where it was used -- closest they found was someone saying "tell him..."

Exactly WHO is trying to incite violence????

Most of what you bring up involves violence.

I already said who several times. Since you don't read my comments you must have missed it.

I'm not the only one who thinks this and several people on both sides of the aisle that I work with have told me the same thing.

They have heard and seen the same comments that I have.

But you go ahead and ignore what's out there and going on as you don't appear to care what happens to Our Country.

Gordo

If Obama could do all that with a three day trip and two emails, the sooner he is President the better. I mean this is the "able to leap tall buildings at a single bound" level of activity.

Perhaps he wasn't lying when naming Jor-El as his real father and Krypton as his home planet. Have you asked the Kryptonese for a copy of the COLB yet?

"Senator Barack Obama and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been in direct contact since Senator Obama's visit to Kenya in 2006.

Sen. Obama remained in active phone contact with Odinga, through the New Hampshire Democratic Party primary in January, continuing to support Odinga, turning a blind eye to the memorandum of understanding signed with Muslims and the post-election violence instigated as part of the ODM campaign strategy."

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78280

Gordo and AP talking.

Now there is a conversation for the ages.

Jack

Two articles on Bachman

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/16/debate_sixth_district/

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/15/6thdist/

No, I think A-Paranoid is accusing me of being the unAmerican one who hates her country.

I expect Paranoid will be calling the the Bitch of Buchenwald soon.

Taqiyya and kitman: Role of Deception in Islamic terrorism

http://www.islam-watch.org/Others/Taqiyya-Deception-Islam.htm

AP,

Good to have you posting again. I thought for sure that the Black Helicopters had swooped down on you and taken you to Gitmo.

Wednesday was blog action day
http://blogactionday.org/
People writing and talking and deciding to make a commitment to a real world action.

"So, despite the economic downturn, I have decided to make a small but determined effort in favor of those much less fortunate than me. Out goes the weekly treat of Hot Chocolate with extra marshmallows & whipped cream… in comes an extra weekly donation to charity. It may not be much, but it’s a start. If you think about it, by foregoing one tall latte, you could contribute $3 to someone in dire circumstances."

No Patsi...

I'm not calling you UnAmerican. I'm saying that your uncaring what happens to Our Country when the Republicans are attempting to further divide it with their Hate and Fear Campaign.

Do you think that Democrats in Congress are UnAmerican like what is being said by the Republicans and the McCain\Palin campaign.

Watch Hardball it's on now and listen for yourself. Then hear Buchanan and the other guest discus it.

Hello All...happy weekend...

Great vid, Craig. I do think America is ready. I was talking with a friend the other day who said something along the lines of (if he had a vote) he'd be lukewarm about both. I found myself saying "why not vote for grace, then. You have to admit, he's handled everything with grace." THIS is a guy who is unflappable, eloquent, inspiring. Take a chance. Vote for grace.

KGC.. always great to read your posts :)

" I'm saying that your uncaring what happens to Our Country when the Republicans are attempting to further divide it with their Hate and Fear Campaign."

A-Paranoid, I honestly don't know how to react to you. The entire time I've been reading your posts, all you seem to do is call people Nazis. Doesn't seem to matter what their politics are, either.

KGC

Good for you------we do need to be careful------today a friend and i were stopped at a red light, there was a women with a sign that read,,,,,homeless with 2 children please help, we were going to give them 1.00 for each total of 6.00 as she reached in to get the money, i looked around, no children, if homeless where are they? i asked her---she looked around and said, somewhere around here, i remembered, that there was a guy in our barrack that used to put on dirty clothes, and go begging, he made out pretty good, i did not give her anything.

It is interesting to see the comments back and forth here about the economy and the US. I work for a Canadian company here in the US. We are in bankruptcy and working to come out of it. Business is really slow, we have shut down one of our web presses one of our sheetfed presses, and cut back on hours for the remaining 2 web and 2 sheetfed printing presses.

The last two weeks have been really troubling as we have RIF'ed 15 people. The people that have had to make the choices who will stay or go are stressed because of this heartbreaking but necessary reduction in staffing.

Now what is better? Letting some people go and saving the company or keeping them until the company fails and everyone goes.

This has a real international flavor to it, will Canadian capital save this company or will Gov. Patrick come to the rescue? It is doubtful, we have to rely on our sales people getting the work coming in to our plant so we can keep everybody working.

And the most amazing story in all of this is one of our pressmen that came to the USA 10 years ago from Uruguay, has saved almost every penny he earned, just told us that he has bought a farm and is moving back to Uruguay next month.

Bowman

How about job sharing or are they better off collecting unemployment while job hunting?

Bowmanc,

maybe that was the plan all along. I don't know his story but I know several Latin American types that have saved all the money they make and are now back in Mexico or further south.

Hi Ty
And a Happy Belated Thanksgiving...

Solarcrete

Yeah there are always some who take advantage.
I'm going to spend my money this year for food banks and things like that for this area. Big need and a lot less coming in.

"And the most amazing story in all of this is one of our pressmen that came to the USA 10 years ago from Uruguay, has saved almost every penny he earned, just told us that he has bought a farm and is moving back to Uruguay next month."
bowmanc
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope it not too close to the Bush ranch.

Bomanc

Totally agree, work toward saving the co. is the desired end result,
im afraid that im the one that was a little upset with Jax, cries poor mouth, and then wants people to pray for his good fortune, before making the effort to help his employees survive, in my co, it is understood, one or more will have to gofor the good of all, but will try to survive until that time comes, i will make that hard choice when it comesthanks-

jamie,

Job sharing just does not work. We have specialized job skills that are not easily transferable. Plus we have already reassigned as many people as we can to keep our highest skilled people.

Right now, job hunting in central Massachusetts is worse than a joke. Our plant was one of the stalwarts in theLeominster/Fitchburg area. Unemployment is about 26 weeks. The best thing to do is get the economy going again so there are financial transactions where people make money.

I have to agree with the premise that raising taxes now will just drive a stake in the heart of the economy. Any i do not buy this tax cut for 95% of the people promise for one minute. it is a false promise that cannot and will not be done.

Torpedo,

It was his plan, it just took eight years longer than he expected. It sounds good to me 45 acre farm, 10 minutes from the ocean.

I thought Bush ranch was in Paraguay.

Bowman

Darn. Your right.

Bowman, I don't think there is any choice on the raise in taxes. This President is leaving behind a trillion dollar debt (not including the hidden debt of several trillion more). We have an ongoing war draining us at the rate of 2 billion a month. The financial system is in a massive down turn. Unemployment is up. We are in debt up to our eyeballs and if our loan sharks decide to switch from the dollar to the Euro, this country is down the tubes.

Sorry but, the money has to come from somewhere and the somewhere is all the guys who have gotten a sweet deal for the past couple of decades courtesy of the Republicans.

That money has to be pumped in from the bottom with hopes it will work its way up before the middle class of which your company is a stalwart support crashes and burns.

"Yeah there are always some who take advantage.
I'm going to spend my money this year for food banks"

Solar and KGC -- very interesting conversation. Two examples:

About six months ago I was approached by a woman in the Burger King lot, while I was in line for a breakfast sandwich. This woman also talked about a kid in a car somewhere and the need for gas. But she looked very sick. I sat there in line and thought about it . I finally handed her twenty bucks, and said: "Look, I know you are in trouble. But just stop lying. There's help out there, you know..."

Second situation: Two little kids came by my house when my sister was visiting. The girl (maybe about 8) was selling from a catalog that she said was raising money for her school. I said they could come inside, we sat down and my sister and I placed orders. Their father stood outside waiting. My sister and I both paud cash, and when the kids left, my sister sat a long time and finally said, "I think that whole thing was a con."

I said I had that feeling too, but I'd seen the kids in the neighborhood.

Turns out, it was a con. Those people lived in a rental down the street and were being evicted. They were gone the next week. The saddest thing is this.We'd have given them a lot more if they'd said they were in trouble.

This is breaking my heart for this country.

And no, I don't begrudge those kids that money. I hope their father spent it well.

Jamie,

Better to cut government spending and stop these wars. If the taxes are raised it will not be just the rich, as soon as they are tapped out, or have moved all into shelters, the tax collectors move downstream. So that will cut into all sorts of consumer spending, including books, which is what we print and bind.

I expect that I disagree with most people on this blog on the role of government. I want less of it, doesn't matter to me if it Bush big spending or a democrat. The more legislation that is passed the more likely that our rights that have been validated by the constitution will be encroached upon.

Bowmanc...

"The more legislation that is passed the more likely that our rights that have been validated by the constitution will be encroached upon."

It already has been.

I'm sorry but this is not the America I was born in.

Patsi

I hope that it was used for the kids,,,,,,but i just don't like the training that something like that teaches them, it gets to easy for them until they go overboard and hurt someone, or they get hurt by some nut that doesn't like taken for a sucker, but i like that your heart is in the right place.

Patsi,

Over many years I've taken in friends and relatives needing a place, taken meals, clothes, toys and funds to people I knew were having a rough time. These days I do tend to supporting women's shelters, homeless shelters for families, food kitchens etc. At least that way I know the money is going to do the most good for the greatest number.

Of course we are coming up on that time of year when you go and grab stars off trees at the mall and convince the grandson he can do without two or three gifts so that someone who might only get this one won't be disappointed.

"but i just don't like the training that something like that teaches them, it gets to easy for them until they go overboard and hurt someone, or they get hurt by some nut that doesn't like taken for a sucker,"

Solar -- That's exactly what my sister and I talked about -- my God -- what are these kids learning?

Patsi

That's a bunch of sad stories. But I'm with you, if I can give I do. The number of homeless and people on the edge is very high and growing.

The goopers are crazy --now they are trying to say the breakin at the ACORN offices in Boston was done to hide their records.
Why don't their heads explode?

Jamie -- I agree -- the best Christmas times my two kids and I ever had were the years when we gave each other one gift, and then went shopping for the women's shelter.

Patsi-----what they (kids) learn, are almost always by example, my son Tommy (now 34) when he was about 9-10 was with me when a bank teller over paid me by 100.00 dollars, he counted with the teller and knew that she overpaid us, i took the money and tommy aside and asked him what we should do with the extra cash,,,,,spend it for some neat stuff or give it back,told him that the teller would have to work for free cause the bank would take it out of her check, he said to give it back to her, i gave him the money to give back,,,,,,i can tell he felt good about it-----i never had trouble with his honesty.

"That's a bunch of sad stories. But I'm with you, if I can give I do."

Yes, KGC -- If I can I do....the trouble is I can't give what is needed.... And dammit -- this country should be looking out for people.

I don't mean people who just don't want to work...but people who have been kicked in the face.

Henny Youngman explains "ethics"

Say youre working the counter at yours and your partner's dry cleaning establishment......a lady comes in, and pays for her cleaning with a hundred dollar bill.....as she turns to leave, you notice that she actually left two $100 bills.......Now, here's where the ethics comes in.......Do you or do you NOT tell your partner?

Last weekend when I was in San Francisco, there were scores of down and out people panhandling on the streets. I gave some money to a few of them that seemed like they might use it for something worthwhile. I did not give any to the guy that was reeling back and forth, growling, moaning, screaming while clutching a bottle of Tequila.

That's a fantastic story, Solar.

Bowmanc

You made a west coast swing and didn't tell us left coasters?
I would've panhandled you for a drink....no moaning or growling!

We as parent should not put so much strain on kids growing up with very strick rules,,,,guide lines yes, but we put them in double-binds, and confuse them--------tommy why can't you be more like timmy--------tommy just be yourself, society does this a lot, and its hard to get away from?

Patsi

I have done a lot of thinking cause of my dad-------and once when he chained me to a pole in our apartment basement for a week, kids are my weak spot-----i will stop someone on the street if i see them abusing their kid,,,,,,i don't care

KJC'

I went to my brothers wedding in Berkeley. I must say my New Hampshire libertarian slant was no match for those Berkeley radicals.

One note about government spending. I loved the BART, once i figured out the transit map. It is so much better than driving. Mass transit in urban areas is fantastic. It was also Fleet Week, so I got to see the Blue Angels burning jet fuel like it was $3 per gallon.

Posted by: SolarCrete Author Profile Page | October 17, 2008 8:55 PM

My mother is sending you a big hug. She too fearlessly marched in if she saw a child being abused in anyway...and anywhere...by anyone. My brothers and I were sure someday someone was going to smack her but thankfully that never happened. Keep it up.

It looks like this blog stuff is therapeutic for me, and for a nice price, i have always been known as the quiet one in out crowd,,,,sorry to all for over posting as usual.

Solar -- Do I even need to say what I would have done to a man -- or woman -- chaining any kid to anything?

BART is great. The idiots in the North Bay should have hooked in when it was built. We are still struggling to get a commuter rail line.

Ah the mysterious east -- that's what I call the east bay --Oakland and Berkeley. I never go there. Although I know there are some great restaurants there.

KGC

got it....feels good-----tell her to let me go i can't breath--------

My brothers ex-girlfriend is dating Robert Reich. It has nothing to do with this topic, but it was something I learned last weekend. Neither were invited to his wedding. The former editor of the Washington Post was there among the guests.

Solar

She's done now...my mother in her declining years had osteoporosis and a colleague hugged her and broke two ribs!

Bowmanc

Where was the wedding?

Patsi please leave me out of your psychosis driven drivel.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160329

This is kind of neat...Santa Monica
"Library visitors will be allowed to check out any of the 14 people for up to 30 minutes. The hope is that library patrons will learn something about the culture and beliefs of other people, erasing stereotypes in the process."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/10/17/national/a123708D64.DTL&tsp=1

#

#

Solar -- Do I even need to say what I would have done to a man -- or woman -- chaining any kid to anything?

Wildwood Acres Resort
1055 Hunsaker Canyon Road

Lafayette, California

Smerconish did so by reading a couple paragraphs from his pending op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"I've decided," he said. "My conclusion comes after reading the candidates' memoirs and campaign platforms, attending both party conventions, interviewing both men multiple times, and watching all primary and general election debates.

"John McCain is an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I'm voting for a Democrat for president.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/17/conservative-talk-radio-h_n_135684.html

"That's exactly what my sister and I talked about -- my God -- what are these kids learning?"

Patsi, when I read that story about the 8 year olds selling you things out of the catalogue, I was thinking about the same thing you and Solar were talking about. But I was hoping the guy didn't tell the girls that you wouldn't actually get what you had ordered. Maybe he didn't involve them in the scam and they were just being honest.

Anyway, I've really enjoyed reading the comments tonight.

Tribune endorsement: Barack Obama for president

Many Americans say they're uneasy about Obama. He's pretty new to them.

We can provide some assurance. We have known Obama since he entered politics a dozen years ago. We have watched him, worked with him, argued with him as he rose from an effective state senator to an inspiring U.S. senator to the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions. He is ready.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-chicago-tribune-endorsement,0,1371034.story?page=1

And no they are not endorsing him because they are a Chicago paper. The Trib is a bed rock Republican publication and in both 52, and 56 didn't endorse Stevenson.

Mudcat on Rachel...do robocalls work?

Whatever patsi just please leave me out of your endless stream of self- engradisment, thank you and have a nice life.

Mudcat: Robocalls - "they're cheap" ... McCain = "insignificant" candidate...conducting a "whisper campaign"... will have to get positive...can't end on a negative note and expect to win...

patsi.....if you have any of that engradisment left over I could use a little on my hamburger........

Ivy just another way of saying just how erratic McCain is!

It's "aggrandizement", idiot. Did you make it past 8th grade?

champ......you got something against engradisment?

Hey sturg

What are you drinkin?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160350

"Erratic" just doesn't have the same alliterative ring as "flip flop."

Horsey on McCain "messaging" -

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=1844

flip flop is just too 2004, :)

Posted by: SolarCrete Author Profile Page | October 17, 2008 9:49 PM

Ha, Solar. I hate intolerant people.

Iced Tea.....(sigh)

sturg

sweetened? Me --crawling into the gin bottle.

Raleigh, N.C. — More than 100,000 people across North Carolina cast ballots Thursday on the first day of early voting, state officials said Friday.

The number shattered the previous record by about 40 percent, said Gary Bartlett, executive director of the State Board of Elections.

"We were expecting long lines from the beginning," Bartlett said. "I do not think it will thin out. I think it will increase, especially during the last week and a half. I believe that there will be continuous lines."

http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/3759120/

Yo Champ-----i did not address that to you-------you are pretty much a protector -----if and when you stop,,,,,in my clumsy way i will do it but i don't have to there are plenty of fair minded protectors here,

Nah Solar, I was laughing at the irony you identified with your post and continued the thought. All good.

KGC

Jim Beam, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, It goes great with the Healthy Choice fudge bars. I bought the white label instead of the more exspensive black. Feeling the need to get back to the basics.

Jack

Gin---did you say gin-------
don't touch that, get away from it slowly.........

on about the 3 -4 date i told my wife that i could not drink gin, it made me------well it was an aphrodisiac for me that sly girl ---went and brought the whole bottle,,,,,,the rest is history,,,,,,aw go ahead it friday night.

The current media narrative is that the right wing is angry .. (As if that is something new.)
But I am angry as well, and I've sent Obama $25 every time I see that old weasel from Arizona, and his hand puppet from Wasilla.

Jack

Bourbon and healthy choice fudge bars..hmmmm.
Gin ...Hendricks Gin had a limerick contest.. I like this one
although in line with everyone else since I'm poor --not drinking Hendricks tonight.

"How odd am i?

She clicked her tongue and shook her bum
and said how odd am I

I like chartreuse, I don’t chew gum
and I tell jokes to the sky

But still I fall in love, I dream at night
and I like a good time — wink, wink

Yet still, I’d rather be odd than right
which is why Hendrick’s is the gin that I drink. "

sweetened.......si.....big works tomorrow, no hangovers allowed.......

North Dakota -

County voter turnout could set a new record

The days have been hectic at the Stutsman County Courthouse. A record number of absentee ballots have been processed and mailed and about half have already been returned.

http://www.jamestownsun.com/articles/index.cfm?id=73932§ion=news

RFK Jr. was Larry King tonight . He related that McCain has 11 offices in Colorado. Obama has 44. Obama has a field office in Alamosa .
Early voting starts Monday in Colorado.

Early voting starts tomorrow in Nevada.

Hey Jack, You're In!

Redneck elitism is quaint, nationalistic

You've heard of limousine liberals and country club conservatives? Now meet America's new elite: rednecks.

Redneck elitism tells you you're better than Sen. Barack Obama because he comes from a city and you come from a rural town; he distinguished himself at Harvard Law School and you didn't go to college; he speaks in complete grammatical sentences and you use one-line zingers; he decides through rational analysis while you go by gut reaction.
If you live in the Midwest, the mountains or the prairies, you're better than people who live on the coasts. As a varsity athlete in public high school, you know more than a Ph.D. Because you never ventured out of state or visited another country, you're more patriotic than someone who can name five countries contiguous to Iraq, or define the difference between Sunni and Shi'a. You voted for George Bush just because "he was a guy you'd like to have a beer with." You'll vote for Gov. Sarah Palin because she kills bigger animals in the back woods than you've ever hunted. You could care less how much she knows about foreign policy.

Redneck elitism is quaint, nationalistic, and dangerous. Hitler's Brown Shirts burned books, beat up foreigners, and spawned fascism precisely because they were redneck elites.
Rednecks, please forgive me for being a wimp, but I will vote for a president who is smarter, better-educated, and more cosmopolitan than I'll ever be.

I'm electing the chief executive for a nation in crisis, not a drinking partner.

Fred LaMotte, Steilcoom
From my local news:
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/620781-p3.html

Adios you princes and princesses ...of the blogistan!

Engrandisement? Aren't we the English majors tonight! LOL!

engrandiZement

there's only one "n" in engradisment

Rez -- sorry but that so-called redneck post is the biggest bunch of crap I've read. Spare me the BS.

Here is what I've seen so far:

How DARE anyone run for office if they are a product of the public school system.

How DARE anyone run for office if they went to a state college instead of an IvyLeague.

How DARE anyone run for office if they had to work their way through school.

Quaint? Kiss my ass.

make that 2

Rez

Like this?

"I was in this game for the money. The low hanging fruit, i.e. idiots whose parents paid for prep school, Yale, and then the Harvard MBA, was there for the taking. These people who were (often) truly not worthy of the education they received (or supposedly received) rose to the top of companies such as AIG, Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers and all levels of our government. All of this behavior supporting the Aristocracy, only ended up making it easier for me to find people stupid enough to take the other side of my trades. God bless America.

That btw was
"Andrew Lahde, manager of a small California hedge fund, Lahde Capital, burst into the spotlight last year after his one-year-old fund returned 866% betting on the subprime collapse. Last month, he took his ball and went home. Tired of the stress, he closed the fund.

Today, Lahde passed along his "goodbye" letter (via FT Alphaville and Portfolio.com), a snarky "Up Yours" to those who do deserve it."

http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2008/10/andrew-lahde-go.html#more

Jack

Damn where's my OED.

But, not right next to each other, Sturge. I thought that's what you meant. BTW, what's up with Anon-P's posts? Each time I read them, I wanna lock all the doors, close the blinds and turn the lights off at home. Are things that bad in America? Is that what we have to look forward to? BTW, Obama says he will fight for the worker who gets his job sent overseas. What about the worker in Michigan who sees his job sent to another state in the U.S. not overseas. That's what I've been seeing happening. Plants being closed here and the work being sent to other plants in other states.

That's why I try to not use big words in my posts. Might sound like GWB or something.

Sorry guys, there's a lot of that thinking around here in my community.

What thinking?

Anti redneck thinking?

Jack

It's a class thing Rez. If you don't get it you are part of it.

Jack

Corey...

Here's the link with the videos. Also on a side note I forget where I saw it but a congressman said that is a meeting with GWB at the Peoples House he threatened them with Martial Law if they didn't pass his bail out plan.

Like I said I don't remember where I saw it but I did.

Here's the link with the video's if anyone cares to watch them.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/17/171212/66/782/633844

I know its the Daily Koz which I don't read but got the link from another site who did a post on this.

Jack,

I posted that opinion piece directed at you with a bit of tougue in cheek intended, because I see you as an unaffiliated person with a tinge of mid-western '"redneckness" that I grew up around. It wasn't meant to be diminutive. However, I didn't realize it would hit such a nerve as it seems it did with several others.

Actually I agree with many in my community and some of what this guy was getting at as far as voting for someone with some real smarts. Just the opposite of W.

Not sure of your class remark? whatever.

There was a interesting piece on 20/20 tonight. Talking about how people expect our president to be Superman. How disappointed they become when they find out he isn't. Anyway, I just don't have the fear of the civil war here in America. Of course, that probably means that I won't be ready for it if it happens.

Rez

You got the response because it is an idiotic piece and bigoted in its own right.

It seems to be one of those left wingnut intelligentsia cool things, that is driven into the ground by the little intellectual wannabes.
But then that is on the job description for Huffpo

Jack

Ballistic Obama Supporter Assaults Middle Aged Woman With Stick From Her McCain/Palin Sign

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/10/17/ballistic-obama-supporter-assaults-middle-aged-woman-with-stick-from-her-mccainpalin-sign/#more-5523

Rez

My last comments were directed at the writer of the comments not you.

As we all know you are a different kind of nut, beyond scientific classification. ;-0

Later, Got to get up early and do some more work. Damned cabinet people sent me the wrong cabinets. The young man that is helping me did such a great job of staining and sealing them.
I still have to walk out of the house finished by the first of the month. So no weekend off for me.

Jack

I have to agree with Rez. I lived in E. Tenn for 35 years, and one of the unofficial theme songs of the South is a stupid little tune called "What the World needs is a Few More Rednecks." It is definitly a class thing, But in the South, there aren't as many middle class as in the rest of the country. Rich folks who move down from the North and the majority less than lower middle class.

Central Florida 7th grader called racist for wearing Palin t-shirt

http://hillbuzz.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/racism-charge-of-the-day-are-you-as-tired-of-this-phony-baloney-as-we-are/

What da ya know, it is AGGRANDIZEMENT!

yeah, but...........

Whskyjack sed: "Rez, You got the response because it is an idiotic piece and bigoted in its own right."

Dang Sturg, You got pretty hackles! Lmao

Here ya go Gordon, members of the "Culture of Life " going to see John's sock puppet -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPg0VCg4AEQ

The Salt Lake Tribune, has endorsed Obama, Then, the Chicago Tribune, a newspaper that has not endorsed a Democrat for president since it was founded in 1847, followed suit.

Obama leads 58-16 in endorsements.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230

"The Salt Lake paper complained that "out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875479

Was all the comment about the Redneck Elite? I wasn't sure what the message was supposed to be.
Maybe I'm just tired.

Solar - you just keep posting. If you've always been quiet, you were thinking things over and that's what we are enjoying.

AnonP - Like you I loathe nazism/fascism - it is the philosophy of pure evil. However, it is not illegal to be a nazi or fascist in this country.

As far as a civil war or revolution in this country, don't expect it to be from the extreme right. Conservatives, nazi's, fascist's, and others on the extreme right love and admire property, and property is destroyed in a war as well as people. People who have never been allowed to own property might not be so impressed with property, but people with a lot of property aren't going to risk destroying it for a political war.

I'm not sure what you want done with the nazi's and fascist's, but if you drive them underground, then you will indeed breed terrorists.

That moron on Hardball tonight, Congresswoman Michelle Bachman (MN-06) manged to raise over $21,660 since her appearance for her opponent Elwyn Tinklenberg !

http://www.actblue.com/page/nonewmccarthy

Dear bethyboo -
Your post rests on the premise that :
"Conservatives, nazi's, fascist's, and others on the extreme right love and admire property, ......."

Some of them can't hold jobs because their crazy as a bed bug, and when they lose their food stamps they snap :

"Adkisson's letter, says Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, "was basically filled with frustration about his inability to find a job and his frustration at what he termed 'the liberal movement'." "That was a phrase that he mentioned several times, as well as his inability to find work. He somehow equated the two," Haslam says. "The letter is not rational."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-27-tennessee-shooting_n.htm

TV show: Shock talkers may have motivated church shooter

" Why did Adkisson hate "the liberal movement"? Police said that he told them "that all liberals should be killed ... because they were ... ruining the country, and that he felt that the Democrats had tied his country's hands in the war on terror and ... ruined every institution in America...." Police said that Adkisson had targeted the Unitarian Universalist Church "because of its liberal teachings." The church advocates social justice and tolerance, and it openly welcomes gay, lesbian, and transgendered members. According to police, Adkisson said that, "Because he could not get to the leaders of the liberal movement that he would target those that had voted them in to office."In the weeks following the tragedy, the congregation and its pastor, Reverend Chris Buice struggled with what they were learning about Adkisson. "

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/sep/13/tv-show-shock-talkers-may-have-motivated-church-sh/

Can anyone name me the last time someone on the left killed another American in this country as an act of terrorism ?

I mean the biggest terrorist attack in this country before 9/11 was Oklahoma City. And that was a right wing production all the way.

"GLENN BECK:"I'm thinking about killing Michael Moore and I'm wondering if I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it. No, I think I could. I think he could be looking me in the eye, you know, and I could just be choking the life out of him. Is this wrong?"

Beck just signed a $5 million contract with Fox News.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09122008/watch.html

A day earlier at a debate in St. Cloud with her Democratic opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, Bachmann spoke kindly of Obama.

"If the presidency would somehow go to Barack Obama, I would welcome him to the 6th District as well," Bachmann said after the debate. "As a matter of fact, I would put my hand on his shoulder and give him a kiss if he wanted to" - a reference to when Bachmann gained notoriety for grabbing President Bush's shoulder after his 2007 State of the Union address and holding on until he kissed her.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Why hasn't the right wing grasped the implications of the verb :
"google" ?

Thousands of dollars are pouring into Tinklenberg's Act Blue page :

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18660

"It's a class thing ...`. If you don't get it you are part of it."

Jack, What a meaningful and true statement. You blow me away when you say something like this, because someone could write a whole book and it wouldn't say as much as this one statement. It goes straight to the point and says it all. I learn so much from you.

"Actually I agree with many in my community and some of what this guy was getting at as far as voting for someone with some real smarts. "

Why does someone wanting to vote for someone with "real smarts" have to go into a conversation about everyone else you don't think is smart enough or worthy enough.

What makes you think those people you consider 'rednecks '(which I guess in your world you think is synonymous with dumb?) want a dumb person in office?

How about sticking with all the good things about your candidate and the people you think are right (and worthy under your value system) and stop categorizing everyone else as something beneath you.

Why is that necessary? The never ending bad mouthing is what creates all the prejudice against differences.

Give the rest of us a break once in a while. We can't all be part of your 'chosen few', and classism is very un-American.

rez......lol..........and here I'd thought you loved me for my mind..........

You choose your friends...... And your friends choose you (usually for one reason - you agree with them).

"Henny Youngman explains "ethics"

Say youre working the counter at yours and your partner's dry cleaning establishment......a lady comes in, and pays for her cleaning with a hundred dollar bill.....as she turns to leave, you notice that she actually left two $100 bills.......Now, here's where the ethics comes in.......Do you or do you NOT tell your partner?"

Sturge, since you're here......
I want to tell you how hard my hubby (Glen) and I laughed last night at your joke. Another short statement that says so much.

chloe.....I live in SC.....I agree with so very FEW of my friends........they're mostly republicans......

chloe......ha.....you should have heard Henny tell it.......

"I expect that I disagree with most people on this blog on the role of government. I want less of it........The more legislation that is passed the more likely that our rights that have been validated by the constitution will be encroached upon.
Posted by: Bowmanc"
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160312

Bow, There's at least one other person here that agrees with you. ")

I wish I could have Sturge. :)

"...classism is very un-American."

Chloe, you're going to have to support that statement. In other words, if that is your hypothesis, prove it through research; I really think you'll be facing an uphill task.

It's my thinking that virtually everything in the current campaign has revolved around class (race, wealth, geography, education, ethnicity, religion, etc.).

I really like your remarks about Rednecks. Lots of Yankees disparage Southerners thinking that because they may speak slowly, they think slowly. As they say down here, "Well, bless their hearts."

Sturge, I didn't see your other post. LOL
Ok, so you're the exception to the rule.
You're open minded and can deal with it. Good!
(But don't tell me there's NO liberals there - there's even plenty in Texas, believe it or not.)

"It's my thinking that virtually everything in the current campaign has revolved around class (race, wealth, geography, education, ethnicity, religion, etc.)."

Flatus, As usual, you're completely right (and reasonable) :)

But, I was thinking idealistically.
The election is more scientific.

G'mornin' all

Johnny Cash - I'm Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1__G1LRHY

Sturge
I've been that way all my life. What I've always found interesting is the number of points of agreement with people of totally different beliefs.

Jack

Sincerely hope no one is offended by this article. It's very factual and explanaory and worth the read.

The Oak Grown from Acorn
The radical group is front and center when it comes to voter fraud.

"In the name of making every vote count, efforts to expand the electorate have resulted in tallying votes that shouldn’t be considered and negating valid votes. Over a century’s worth of reforms designed to protect the concept of “one man, one vote” have been undermined in just a few decades. Fund points out that most states now allow voters to obtain absentee ballots without establishing a need (such as status as a student, soldier, or diplomat, or showing that one would be out of state on Election Day). One state, Oregon, has eliminated polling places entirely. The raison d’être of the secret ballot—to protect the public from having votes bought or coerced—is thus discarded."
http://www.city-journal.org/2008/bc1016df.html

Have a good day!
(saw W., wasn't bad, wasn't great. Definitely not flattering I'm glad to say)

Jack, before I leave, I have to tell you how good it's been to see you back. :)

Flatus

I suspect the "...classism is very un-American." is a hoped for ideal.

Lord knows it isn't the reality.

Jack

Mornin, all - Back now to the unreal world of Political blogging....

Interesting line of discussion.....

One Question -
Where is the discussion around local charitable activity? Beyond that now someone wants to take my gifting and have the Federal Government control !!

Hold on yall, i gota go stur my grits.....
Say good mornin to the picture of THE GENERAL

and my family comes from that thar farmer class of people - and we's in dont get mad at other people and spect the government to take em down

we's go out and get our butts to work to try and make it

"As they say down here, "Well, bless their hearts.""

LOL

Now there is a loaded phrase.

Jack

sum day i hope like heck to be rich like barak o'alamaba. he done good - i think - working hard and erning it... i think

Roger Miller, from "Big River"

Well, you dad-gum government
You sorry so 'n' so's
You got your damn hands in every pocket
Of my clothes

Well you dad-gum, dad-gum,
dad-gum government
Oh don't you know
Oh don't you love 'em sometimes

Well you dad-gum government
You better pay attention
You're sittin' up there like
a fool's convention
Well you dad-gum, dad-gum,
dad-gum government
Oh don't you know
Oh don't you love 'em sometimes

Well you soul selling no-good
Son-of-a-shoe-fittin' firestarters
I ought to tear your no good
[ Find more Lyrics at www.mp3lyrics.org/H5Ic ]
Perambulatory bone frame
And nail it to your government walls
All of you, you Bastards

You da-gum government
You sorry rackafratchits
You got yourself an itch a
And you want me to scratch it
Well you dad-gum, dad-gum,
dad-gum government
Of don't you know
Oh don't you love 'em sometime

Well you soul selling no-good
Son-of-a-shoe-fittin' firestarters
I ought to tear your no good
Perambulatory bone frame
And nail it to your government walls
All of you, you Bastards

Well, you dad-gum government
You sorry so 'n' so's
You got your damn hands in every pocket
Of my clothes
Well you dad-gum, dad-gum,
dad-gum government
Oh don't you know
Oh don't you love 'em sometimes

Chloe, Jack,

I agree that a classless society is our American goal. Then, reality smacks me across the head.

Every place we go, we are monitored in an effort to see what motivates us. People spend millions and millions of dollars seeking to differentiate us in every possible way.

Then, they look us straight in the eye and say, "I'm just like you."

Chloe

Your giving me a swelled head this morning.
I'm just relaxing this morning before I get to work.
Gonna be a busy month so I won't be around here much. but some mornings I can relax read and think.

Jack

sturg
bless your stinkin lil heart,,, that lyric is so right on like a frog on a lilly pad, dad gumit, then government peoples in washington take care of our money like water on a ducks back...

so they want more... and think they can do better...

makes me want to puke

Ping......in the play, that's Huck's pap's song to the gov'ment.........

Flatus,
My people always knew their places - and did not get angry - did not expect or want the governemt to be the cash controller, they got up and went to work - saw the incentives - some made themselves - some still trying - and sadly some expect the government to take care of them

sturg - i gotta go have a lots of fun paintin a fence today, oh my it is a blast and i aint sharing it with no one- no way. you could not make me give up my chores no way.

Break down the above fundamentals and you will understand what Middle Americans will in the long run always support.

this election is not a validation of socialism - and the Obama hidden agenda - as to many distractions and Obama has done a good job of CHANGE and slithering.

If elected - and if he and the congress do not deliver the election promise - he will be short in office.

Bachman Burner Overdrive

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18660

Ping while you were sleeping Elwyn Tinklenberg raised $ 100,000 in 12 hours, it's picking up speed.

Ping.....whoooooooooa.....back it up a frog's hair.....if'n yore paintin' that there fence, I want IN..........whar's my brush, Sidemeat?

"Then, they look us straight in the eye and say, "I'm just like you.""

LOL

Ain't it the truth

That reminds me of a song on an old Jerry Jeff Walker album. I found this youtube of the song by the song's writer, Keith Sykes. (Not very good quality)

I'm Not Strange,I'm just like You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb4XbdRaI7k

Jack

Anon - how you doing.... I think we are going to get some good weather - THINGS are now Starting to CHANGE...

sturg -- no way !! only if'n you pays me, then i think bout it...

I gotta head out and geta started so if you wana goin in come on now

Off to Morn'n chores and bike ride - and maybe a swim down my the river

restaurant owning lady i know in Charlotte NC who volunteers for obama, (said James Taylor is coming Sunday) says NC has over 600,000 newly registered voters and may well tip.....fingers crossed up that way.

"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up."

--Pastor Niemoller's favored version of the famous poem

All suited up and ready to make them chores and bike ride happen !!

I will check back to see responses to my question.

Why does Barack Obama want to penalize me? Why does he not trust me - a successful American - to do the right thing? Why does Barack Obama think the Federal Government will do a better job in redistribution and social economics - then a local community? And strong individuals that are working in the American Dream,

Why does Sen Obama feel the Federal Governement is the answer and his method is to take my cash? When we know it is a huge part of todays problem.

I'll check back later - off to take care of my entitlements and stewardship

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160423

Classism is NOT an American ideal. WINNING is the American ideal. Almost from birth all of the messages are that the individual deserves everything and America is the place to get it. That is the truly big lie and what keeps people buying lottery tickets ... with just a little bit of luck, everyone can get to the top and their opinion is just as valuable as that of the next person.

Now I agree that the privileged classes (i.e. inherited wealth, education) are often less bright than others lower down on the economic scale making them great targets for peole such as the above described hedge fund creator.

Still no one gets to the top without some combination of education, opportunity, mentors, luck, and daring. Those people are definitely not the same as some ill educated, trailer park denezin, flying a confederate flag while handling snakes in between hunting trips.

The "Red Necks" I respect are ones such as "Good Ol' Boys Like Me"

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

Dan Penn: memphis guy eatin' fried chicken......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrXszpu3r3Y

Sturg -- I am speaking up

"-- sorry but that so-called redneck post is the biggest bunch of crap I've read. Spare me the BS.

Here is what I've seen so far:

How DARE anyone run for office if they are a product of the public school system.

How DARE anyone run for office if they went to a state college instead of an Ivy League.

How DARE anyone run for office if they had to work their way through school."

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160376

Ping.......Hey......can ya keep it down over there, youre scarin' the chickens.............lol

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160424

Ping, you left before I could answer this. For the most part local charity except among very small groups died in the rush hour traffic of Women's Lib. Before anyone shoots me, I"m not saying Women's lib is a bad thing only that it changed out world and our economics.

When the only acceptable lifetime professions for women were teaching and nurshing, and women were expected to be stay at home moms if at all possible (the original purpose of welfare was to allow deserted and widowed women to stay home with their children).

Virtually everyone had some religious affiliation and belonged to some civic group i.e. Moose, Elk, Masons, Eastern Start, Rebeccas etc. There was not only a whole lot of free labor available seven days a week, but everyone was expected to contribute to it.

Middle class wages were first brought into line by sending the women to work rather than one man's salary supporting a household. Now even both adults working in a household aren't enough to maintain the same standard as their parents. On top of that, the schools and hospitals have all suffered from the lack of volunteers and need to pay staff for what those volunteers used to do.

What we have lost is a pool of free labor that was the backbone of the charitable activities in an area. These people now need to be paid and just supplemented by limited volunteers. If those things are worth doing, then who pays them? Government of some form that's who.

Biden was in Mesilla yesterday --

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news

This is the first year neither of the prez candidates have held a large rally in Las Cruces. Gore, Edwards, Kerry, Bush held large rallies in 2000 and 2004....southern New Mexico is not as politically important this year. Biden urged early voting. Today is the first Saturday of early voting ever offered in New Mexico.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160437

I bet Tinklenburg is begging anyone and everyone to interview his opponent. Just the idea of that brain dead woman in Congress for another term scares the hell out of anyone who actually cares about the country and makes them donate to his campaign.

ping....and you think the idea of the repug redistribution of wealth is better? We are top heavy like we were before the great depression and to me it is more a lesson in physics rather than politics. When one percent hold ninety percent of the money, why should they be protected? When they fall from fat greed, crushing the little people, who can do the clean-up? The government -- who is supposed to be supplying services and regulation from our collected and collective taxes. Redistribution of wealth? How come the little poor peeps had to loan the financiers a trillion dollars? It is time to even the playing field.

"Classism is NOT an American ideal. WINNING is the American ideal."
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160445

Jamie,

You can try to rationalize with your facts all you want, but prejudice is prejudice. It's pure and simple. You can't decide when it's acceptable and when it's not.

When people here use the term redneck, it is usually used in a demeaning way. As is repugs, gramps, Gidget, uneducated, ignorant, etc. To judge someone because of their differences, whether it be race, religion, class, gender, nationality, age, you name it, to do so in such a negative, superior way is prejudice. And all prejudice is exactly the same thing and all are just as wrong as the other. (and everyone's opinion is equally important). And to not realize this is hypocritical.

"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up." From Sturges post.
You can't change what it really is by any amount of 'facts' you post here. It's a value judgment. And it is going to be hard for you to condemn racism, unless you condemn all the other 'isms too. Otherwise, what you've got is a hypocrit.

For SoetorObama ?
------------------------------------

"horrifyingly uninformed voters…"

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/10/17/horrifyingly-uninformed-voters/

Yep....the pendulum has too swing pretty far left in order to correct the path...we have worn a rut in the right side of the house and it needs to be flushed out.

Repug talking points -- liberals, weath redistribution....ahhhh the sky is falling on the repugs and they will not go gentle into the night.

I am watching PaBu on MSNBC....haven't seen him this excited in a long time....repugs are losing. The more shrill PaBu becomes, the more this is evident.

From TD Blog
------------------

Barack-the-Snob Mocks Joe-the-Plumber

"This incident illustrates that Barack Obama is 1) a snob, 2) a poor listener, 3) unfamiliar with how sole proprietors grow into small business-people, 4) detached from typical American values, 5) unaware of how his tax proposal will affect the average Joe, and 6) inclined to smear citizens who question him."

http://texasdarlin.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/barack-the-snob-mocks-joe-the-plumber-an-update/

Chloe,

If someone actually is stupid, uneducated, prejudicial, illogical, uninformed, unwise, erratic etc. It is not prejudice to say it. Now I agree that calling them gramps and gidgit is prejudice but no more hateful that calling someone who wears glasses "four eyes". The fact is they wear glasses. The insult is the name calling.

Jamie

344 Obama
194 McCain

His name fits:

SNOBama

music to mud-sling by

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN0WPwFD9is&feature=related

and for the class/nationalistic among us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vh-wEXvdW8

chloe....you are one of my favorite posters. I think you are running into the free speech wall and continually banging your head on the wall. I know name calling is childish (my inner child can run rampant), but if you remember the childish adage --

sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me -- it might help.

I actually saw a video of a women in Ohio who thinks that if Obama is elected, blacks are going to run this country -- and she couldn't allow that! Although she did not name call, her deep fear seemed so ridiculous to me...she was more offensive than if she call Obama a name. If I call this women pitiful and ridiculous, am I name calling?

"The insult is the name calling."

EXACTLY Jamie. I agree.

Another -----double-bind

Nothing fails like successs-cause the self imposed task of our society and all its members is a contradiction to force things to happen, which are acceptable only when they happen without force,

this i think happens because man thinks that he/she in an independent agent -------of the world as a whole?????

chloe...I believe the insult is in the intent. I have heard children call names without even knowing what the name meant...they are mimicking.

I guess we have become too rigid to think all name calling is an insult...sometimes it is meant as compliment.

So much for nuance.

upidy. ?????????????????????
8th grade? Never went to school.

and another flanders and swann favorite, the gnu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqgPyqyh4X4&feature=related

Thanks Blonde. You are one of MY favorite posters.

"If I call this women pitiful and ridiculous, am I name calling?"

No! I didn't mean that (and I'm sure not putting myself on a pedestal, I'm always making judgments).

The whole actual conversation started with class ism. And I get excited and sometimes use extremes to make my point. I know we all have opinions, heaven knows I have more than my share. And I' m not any better in this respect than anyone else. But it gets to be a bit much and gets to me at times.

I like everyone here and am just trying to make a point. The things I say are the same things I'm constantly having to remind myself of too.

Jamie was right when we started farming,,,,,,became the ruining of our world----the bulldozer,that i can operate---can move a mountain in a short amount of time,,,,,,how long does it take for a single tree to grow, this should have been with my first post.

Chloe --

From Gordo

From TD Blog
------------------

Barack-the-Snob Mocks Joe-the-Plumber

I guess snobs are the militia of the class war. And I do believe McCain is one of the biggest snobs in the race. No matter what, the next prez will be snob.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160472

But the fact is not. A large percentage of the McCain/Palin supporters are as a matter of fact ill informed, uneducated, prejudicial, unwise, voting against their own best interest, and for a large percentage just plain stupid.

So, if people voted for someone who represented their own self interests more, they wouldn't be struggling? Suppose they DO vote their own self interests and the candidate they voted for lost? Gore and Kerry as examples.

National Anthem Canceled at Obama Event

"The Obama campaign canceled the National Anthem at Thursday’s event in Londonderry, NH. Canceled it for time to have more speakers."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/10/17/national-anthem-canceled-at-obama-event/

"I believe the insult is in the intent."

Well, there's never much doubt about what the intent is here.

Jamie, McCain-Palin supporters are uneducated? Is that what you meant? Or is that the perception of them?

"No matter what, the next prez will be snob."

Ha! Blonde.
You're right.
Now I'm starting to feel silly for get so excited about all of this in the first place.
Thanks. :)

Chloe...never apologize for getting excited or emotional...it is what makes you a wonderful human. When you no longer care, you might have cause for worry.

Obama mocks, then lies about Joe the Plumber

"The presidential candidate who mocked ordinary Americans for "clinging" to guns and religion is up to his old tricks again."

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/10/obama_mocks_then_lies_about_jo.html

"McCain-Palin supporters are uneducated? Is that what you meant? Or is that the perception of them?"

LOL Corey

"uppity" a la westmoreland:
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/westmoreland-calls-obama-uppity-2008-09-04.html

"uppity" a la gergen:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/03/gergen-mccain-is-using-co_n_116605.html

" To make a fuss and get worked up over nothing.

(He was upidy over something that didn't matter.) "

Now you guys are really cracking me up.

G man

I, too, mock Joe the Plumber. Geez...McCain has gone too far for deregulation. No license for plumbers? And no degree or test for teachers (military need only apply!)?

There is a reason we need licenses, permits, etc. or the greedy would gobble us up. Perhaps the present financial crisis would not be upon us if the bankers would be required to be licensed. Builders and realtors are licensed, but not the money lenders!

Corey,

They might still be struggling, but at least they wouldn't have a government making things worse.

Just wondering, Chloe. I would never classify McCain-Palin supporters as un-informed or uneducated etc....anymore than I would classify Obama supporters in the same way. I figure that everyone has a reason why they are supporting their chosen candidate. I don't really care why.

Yep, I am sure Joe the Plumber's next venue will be Judge Judy or The People's Court...being sued for shoddy work while not licensed!

RUTHLESS:Obama's Mop Up Man, ... , Scrubs Indonesia

"How far did Obama go to scrub Indonesia of his records? That depends. How many oppressed West Papauns were tossed into the trash heap of history?

Background on Obama's hatchet man."

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/obamas-mop-up-m.html

My comment late last night was about work and probably brought about the comment about people voting against their own self-interests. It's just that I work in the auto industry and I have seen corporations move jobs elsewhere. Yeah, 4 or 5 years ago they moved our visor production out of Holland and to Mexico. But, most jobs have simply moved from Michigan to other states in the U.S. In Adrian, my old hometown, Merrilat Industries just announced they are closing their factory in Adrian. Merrilat is owned my Masco now. Merrilat makes kitchen cabinets. Merrilat started in Adrian over 60 years ago and they will no longer be there. Production is going to their plants in other states. The same thing happened with Brazeway Inc. in Adrian. That's where my Dad worked. Awhile ago, I was told the manufacturing places in the south make less money than we do here. That was part of the reason for some of the moves.

The dog whisperer is on....must watch.

For my fav leader of the pack, here is a great video

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6FxSM88H-G4

I still think KO of BONBC looks a lot like Steve Allen!!!

"Joe" works for a licensed plumber.
He never said he was a plumber but hoped to buy the business. In Ohio, there is apprenticeship, journeyman and then licensing.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160485

I said a large percentage of them. She is a focal point for a lot of those with little schooling or whose schooling is more informed by religion and prejudice than science.

fact...thanks for the truth...pass it along to McCain....he is still using Joe the Plumber.

From TD Blog
------------------

Is Barack Obama an Indonesian Citizen?

1) What is the current status of Obama’s Indonesian citizenship? Was it ever repudiated? If so, when? Martin wrote that “Obama is (not was) Indonesian. [Keep in mind from Judah Benjamin's work that Kenyan citizenship, which Obama has now admitted acquiring at birth, automatically expired, but he would have had to formally renounce Indonesian citizenship by age 21.]

2) What was the nature of the records that were “acquired” by the US delegation, and how were they “suppressed?”

http://texasdarlin.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/obama-is-indonesian/

A musical interlude from blistersyeahbutchannel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU1FuozjiAg&feature=related

Who do you hate? To whom did you give the gift of hate?

There are a lot of McCain signs all over Holland and especially in Zeeland. There aren't nearly as many Obama signs. Yes, this area is very religious area. On Thursday, I drove through parts of the "inner-city" area of Holland. I saw many more Obama signs there. Many minorities live in this area and the neighborhoods look poorer. So could there be a class distinction between voters here?

NEW THREAD

Jamie - you always boil it down to the point...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/video-trail-mix-obamas-white-b.html#comment-160450

How about Americans are getting lazy, more about self then community, a cell phone in every pocket?

The choice is very clear this election - well if you can get past the noise and smoke and mirrors.

I went to middle and high school in Southwest Virginia, a small town called Richlands, and I graduated from Virginia Tech. So when I saw that Craig had posted this video about what SWVA I was curious.

Thing is, for most in the great Commonwealth of Virginia, SWVA begins in Roanoke and ends in the college towns of Blacksburg/Radford. For a rare few, like Jim Webb, SWVA actually ends where it really ends, at the Cumberland Gap, a few hundred miles away from Roanoke. And the sad thing is, as the recent Bobby May incedent in Buchanan County showed, race is a huge issue in the area.

The code phrase around here, when you mention politics or Obama is, "I don't trust him" among whites. And if you press them even further, they finally admit it's all about race. The sad thing is that a lot of these people actually believe the garbage the McCain/Palin camp is spilling about terrorist issues and the flag thing. It's just ridiculous.

I feel that Obama can win Virginia but I still do not trust the polls. I pray that things have changed in the Fighting 9th. I too remember when Wilder ran for governor and how the exit polling showed him with a bigger lead than he actually one with. One state that I feel this will be evident, if not in Virginia, will be Ohio.

I live in Bristol, the border town that is in Virginia and Tennessee. For the past 14 years I have lived on the Tennessee side but I work on the Virginia side.

When early voting opened on Wednesday, I took two hours off early and voted at the YWCA in Bristol. I saw mostly McCain signs and most of the older folk there were obvious McCain voters (with their buttons and stickers). The funny thing was, after I got my vote scanned in I said "Wow! That was awesome!" A guy working the polls said "You were the only person that excited to vote today! Of course, you are one of the youngest to vote today." It was kind of funny.

McCain will win Tennessee, I have no doubt about that. Harold Ford who I felt would have better served this state, was defeated two years ago by Mr Big Business, Bob Corker. Al Gore couldn't carry this state in 2000.

Unfortunately racism is alive in well in SWVA as well as Tennessee. But times are a changing and I hope and pray that this election will show our country is taking a step forward.

Oh, you may wonder, who did I vote for? I voted for Obama. I voted for Bush twice but I honestly felt both times it really wasn't much of a choice. Gore is an elitist and rarely resides in Tennessee and I was uncomfortable with Kerry so I voted for the devil I knew.

I almost forgot...one comment was made in the video that a man would like to see Obama come to the area and tell it to him straight. Well, Obama has been to area twice, first in Bristol after he got the nomination and about a month or so ago in Lebanon, Virginia.