Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

1st!

It was a mistake for President Obama to have responded to Limbaugh. It gave him the opportunity to become the spokesperson for the Republicans.

The Senate will probably confirm Daschle quickly and without many questions. Both sides of the aisle would rather not discuss Congressional tax cheats.

Daschle will not be dashed!

He is a good choice and has a stong drive for Healthcare and Understanding - Second only to Newt.

Now if he was going for a post that involved money or the treasureary - then he should be dumped

Wait - that sounds like it should have already happened

MORE Important today is to not get side tracked on the real issue of the Stimulus - I know now why the Dems keep calling it a Stimulus - As Nancy, Harry, Chris, Frank and all of the Dems are going to "get off' if this did get passed - They are getting stimulus by all of the socialistic / Liberal items that they are trying to sneak past the AMerican People

Here's a video for you morning pain and pleasure. Nice tune to start the day with too. 44 Presidents
http://www.flixxy.com/presidents-morphing.htm

have a feeling that the Reps aren't making a bigger stink because some of them have tax issues, too.

Sadly, I doubt that some of them want the economy to get better before the mid-terms in two years, thus, the nay-saying of the stimulus bill.

They're scared to death it will work. The longer people suffer, the better it is for the GOP. This is just par for the course with them; stay the course. They are clueless as to the suffering that is going on; it's just anecdotal to them. They want to gut it and then blame the Dems for passing a piece of garbage. Evil, evil GOP.

Of course including education in the bill will help stimulate the economy. Short-term, it keeps instructors and staff employed. Long-term, the more well-educated people are, the less likely they will burden social systems and the more likely that those folks may actually become job creators whether through entreuprenuership or invention.

On a shallower note: Waiting for the backlash from Prez Obama's response to Matt Lauer pre-Superbowl. Matt noted that Obama was not included in the cover photo of US with his family and that Jessica Simpson made the cover instead. In what he probably meant as the social comment it should have been (that a celeb made the cover instead), Obama said, "Apparently, she's in a weight battle." Well, of course it was US magazine, but I'll bet he gets some heat for simply referring to the theme of the story on her. The more important point is the Jessica Simpson has single-handly killed the return of the high-waisted jean, so thanks for that.

I think 3-D tech has gotten better, because those Sobe lizards made me jump.

Daschle is a tool, but he's a useful tool.

"The longer people suffer, the better it is for the GOP. This is just par for the course with them; stay the course. They are clueless as to the suffering that is going on; it's just anecdotal to them. They want to gut it and then blame the Dems for passing a piece of garbage. Evil, evil GOP."

Worth repeating, blue.

mornin'.

Kinda early for talking points isn't it Ping? Exactly what "liberal/Socialist" (god, you are so Reagan era)proposals do you think the dem leadership is trying to sneak past anyone? Coverage in such liberal rags as the WSJ has been extensive and even their articles have spoken favorably about the package and have noted that the tax relief would give immediate stimulus and the infrastructure spending would help growth in the long term.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123202946622485595.html

Please let me know what hasn't been reported so I'll know what these secret aspects of the package are so that Boner and Limpballs can be notified. :-)

tax relief doesn't create jobs. Customers create jobs. Tax relief got us into this mess and it ain't gonna get us out.

"tax relief doesn't create jobs. Customers create jobs. "

Once again, Dooty shoots and scores.

Thought for the day -
One doesn't bring an AK-47 to a peace conference.

I figured placing my apology on the last thread was the fitting place for it's location.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/toward-a-more-civil-discourse.html#comment-195712

well...there have not been 44 Presidents, just 44 administrations...22. Grover Cleveland
23. Benjamin Harrison
24. Grover Cleveland
Let the idiots who worship old blowhard Limbaugh parrot all his idea in their sycophantic babblings...how he got to be the know-all-be all for those people I won't understand, ever, any more than I'll ever understand how Bush got two terms after the Iraq mess in his first term.

MadMustard was here earlier... I B Dam !

Am I the only one who saw the irony in a psychiatric nurse being drawn in here ?

CBob: well, it ain't an AK47, but check this photo of U-No-Hoo (at a peace conference...maybe?)
http://www.tldm.org/news2/arafat7.jpg

LL -
This site will not only be taught in law school concerning freedom of speech, it'll end up in some kid's dissertation on the pathology of Ted's Tubes.

Dex -
It didn't work out very well for him either.

The Discovery Channel has a new series called Treasure Quest. Been running the past 3 weeks on Thursday nights. Something coming this week of interest :

Wreck of renowned British warship found in Channel

By MITCH STACY – 16 hours ago

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Deep-sea explorers who found $500 million in sunken treasure two years ago say they have discovered another prized shipwreck: A legendary British man-of-war that sank in the English Channel 264 years ago.

The wreckage of the HMS Victory, found below about 330 feet of water, may carry an even bigger jackpot. Research indicates the ship was carrying 4 tons of gold coins when it sank in storm, said Greg Stemm, co-founder of Odyssey Marine Exploration, ahead of a Monday news conference in London.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKo0b5m6jN_bAY1zRqMets8V8vIgD963033G0

This HMS Victory was the forerunner of Nelson's ship. Nelson's Victory still lives.

"Am I the only one who saw the irony in a psychiatric nurse being drawn in here ?"

ROFL -- And of course, there is Carol, who works with prisoners in Louisiana....

How much weight could one of those boats carry, anyway?

4 tons seems quite heavy on a little boat

CB - interesting article about salvage of long sunken ships. I had a buddy - lawyer, public sector, scuba diver - who invested in that guy who found a few ships and a shitload of gold in the keys - he did right well with that investment. So Spaon says it didn't abandon the ship? Interesting argument - wonder what efforts it made to find is since it sunk 264 years ago. Not much, I'd wager. Spain myay set a legal precedent over ownership of sunken ships that it won't like.

Sturg -
I saw last week's segment, and they were hinting at this.
She was a ship of the line carrying 100 guns. The gun in the picture is 12 feet long.

That was a gem, CBob, thanks. Also put my response on our "therapy thread." It's a new day, a new month, a new administration and spring is around the corner, let's move on.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/toward-a-more-civil-discourse.html#comment-195729

sturg - Nelson's Victory, which was inspired by the one they just found, has a 186' gundeck and is 227' overall - the one they found was 175' (probably overall). Nelson's displaces 3500 tons, and can carry 2142 tons, so 4 tons of gold - undoubedly placed low in the hold and used effectively as ballast - would be a drop in the proverbial bucket.

Here's a link to Nelson's ship info.

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

yeah, I guess that's not such a little boat.........

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195721

I agree, CBob. I think we'll make a fine group of lab rats for that curriculum.

Craig, since you are there, I have to say that the Typepad or key system is NOT working well. Once again I just posted something and it said "posting error" and threw my whole message away. It's ok if you can't do anything about it, or CQ, but it is starting to make me think... "why bother?"

I saw a crawling black snake yesterday on kiawah......he must think it's already spring.........

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195705

I hope Daschle doesnt' get confirmed. The man has made MILLIONS off the health care issue since leaving the Senate. I am starting to believe both parties are filled of MONEY JUNKIES and POIWER JUNKIES.

ET IS PISSED,

create your message in Word and copy and paste to the window and if anything happens, at least you will still have your message without having to retype it.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195710

If only there WERE liberal/socialist proposals. Maybe then the USA could get the economy rolling again with full employment, universal health care, and renewed infrastructure.

a reprise.......The word politics is derived from "poly" meaning "many" and "ticks" meaning "bloodsucking parasites."

---David Hardiman

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195737

Good point Horsedooty!

I know the Dems aren't saints, but I have ceased being surprised by the dirty tricks done by Repugs. Aren't they the party of "morality" and "traditional values"? And if they wanted a token black to stand up to Obama's leadership, couldn't they have found one that might share the values of most black families instead of falling for another "UNCLE TOM" token?

Dirty Trickster Steele Is New RNC Chair
posted by JOHN NICHOLS on 01/30/2009 @ 4:50pm

When Michael Steele ran for Maryland's open US Senate in 2006, his backers hired 300 mostly poor African Americans from Philadelphia -- most if not all of them unemployed, many of them homeless -- fed them donuts and then packed the crew onto Trailways buses for an Election Day trip that would make a bit of political history.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/403474

If Daschle can fix the rotting core of the health care system, hire him. I am bummed this morning...my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer last Friday...we are preparing for huge battle and that is just with the insurance company. We are sure this will bankrupt us and we have insurance.

sturg, LOL @ Hardiman's definition.

BTW, to put it in perspective, the largest of the Maine Windjammer fleet is a 132' 3 masted schooner named Victory Chimes - 43 feet dhorter than Victory. I can tell you from personal experience the VC is a pretty big boat - and the schooners were considerably smaller, foot for foot than fully rigged square rigger warships. And crowded, too. Victory has a ship's complement of about 850 (I assume that was when it was a ship of the line in full battle dress) That's a whole lot of people to cram into 175 feet of boat.

Hey, ET, you can also just highlight and copy before you post - sometimes I even remember to do that.

Damn, Blondie - that's awful news. My best to you both.

Oh my God, Blonde. That's terrible news. I am so sorry!I swear, this health care situation is killing people in the country. Literally killing them, as well as breaking them financially. What is the matter with the US that we've allowed this to happen?

"and spring is around the corner"

I Think that this fact should help get the economy going in a way,,,some --Construction Contractors will be able to get back to work --in a small way,,,Jan, and Feb are the worst months for buisnesses especially restaurants ,,,,they will fare much better in spring,,,and then the feel good of spring factor ,,will help also,,,,Obama needs to act fast,,,and get $ out there in a timely way in order to help himself??

That ground hog that predicts when spring arrives better have the right information,,,or else ,someone needs to have a heart to heart with him, and convince him,, or else?

Patd,,,,,have your own pirates buddies kidnapted you??--- If they did ,we need to get out the Navy--Sturg,,Flatus,,to the rescue.

Been going back and forth about Daschle ,,,but as Ping said ---he understands the Health care issue better than most,,,so I will hold my nose and say ,,,what the hell,,,go head>

Bravo EuroTom

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195736

Thanks, Pogo....if he had to get cancer, kidney is probably one of the easiest to deal with...and he has cancer in one kidney and the other is fine. The financial stress is awful....and I want to handle that while he deals with the his spirit and getting better.

And men, if you get blood in your urine, go immediately to the doctor. Do not wait...we waited a month as he was unable to be seen by a urologist until March....we finally opted for urgent care to highlight the problem. Things moved swiftly from that point.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195737

sorry you're having trouble, yo soy. CQ hired a tech service that specializes in Typepad to handle these issues, so i sent them a ticket on your problem

anytime anyone has typepad probs (or any others), send me a note clearly describing your issue and i can forward it to the appropriate tech dept. you can always find this address in the Contacts button at the top of the page -- cqtrailmix@verizon.net

Back in the late '70s, when my father was diagnosed with cancer, his comment to my mom was: "See, I told you it was smart to keep that little cancer policy."

They paid around $25 a month for an extra policy that covered anything connected with cancer...ANY costs. Do companies even sell thos things now? They also had an accident policy on me even after I got married. These policies didn't cost that much a month...

I love the "ET IS PISSED" sobriquet.

Calls to mind one of the greatest magazine profiles ever written: "Frank Sinatra Has A Cold," by Gay Talese.

ET....socialism might work and if there were a GST of 21% instead of income tax (which some of us just can't seem to pay) we could build that health care system instead of bankrupting sick people.

CQ hired a tecchie just for us?

Craig...does that mean our problems with Typepad are actually helping to stimulate the economy?

,,,now if we could only figure out a way to monetize our bickering.

Patsi...we were looking into cancer insurance when this happened...I can still get the insurance, but I think it is too late for my hubby.

Lard.......a penny for your thoughts?

Sturg...I'll throw in my 2 cents, too.

Now that Daschle is again a topic, let me ask another car & driver question. Some years back a woman I know in the music business had a brain tumor. She recovered from surgery, but was not allowed to drive for about a year. She was terrified that she'd lose her job -- and felt fine to go to work. But there was a driving issue. The biggest star on the label heard about the problem, and hired a car and driver for her for the whole time. He didn't say he'd done it of course, but we all knew who was paying that bill.

The question is: could the IRS have come after her for taxes?

Craig, I often can't read one or more letters of the Captcha code because it (they) blend in to the background - of course that could just be my ever weakening eyes. No, really, my only bitch is with their stupid captcha conventions. It''s not like they're the portal to the DoD computers or anything (are they?)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195724

Thanks for the P.S. I thought The Victory was still above the waves and collecting tourists

http://www.hms-victory.com/

jamie......thanks for the "three L lama"........lol..........took me awhile to get it.........

Craig,

it is ET having the problem not me. I just made a suggestion as to how to deal with the issue in the short run.

Blonde,
I am very sorry to hear about your husbands cancer. You and you husband will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I'll be happy to drop a dime on anyone who gets out of line.

Patsi, possibly - but that could also be considered a gift. Daischle's car was "lent" by his business partner who undoubtedly expensed it as a cost for the business, so it's hard to argue it wasn't part of his compensation. As to your friend, rest assured the IRS would consider it compensation.

Patsi,
I'll add my two cents. If the benefit was strictly for her then I would consider it a gift and not taxable. If however the person giving the gift also benefited in some tangible way then it would be taxable as income.

Thanks, Horsedooty...I am collecting the energy. I am fear the healthcare system more than the cancer.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195759

yep Pogo that captcha code is a toughie, but the problem is that spammers get more and more sophisticated about auto-reading those things. like i always say, i am against the death penalty EXCEPT FOR SPAMMERS

Yo Soy, i thought it was your issue, i see now. ET, send me an email describing what's happening and include the exact error message you are getting, i will turn it over to tech: cqtrailmix@verizon.net

Blonde W

Best to you and your husband

ET----I found out that when getting that error message,,,that if you go up to the left top edit button,,and click undo ,,,the message comes back,,,,then I would highlight it and copy,,,register again, and paste ,,,

As unemployment rises, Uncle Sam has jobs
finance-20090202-Feds.Padding.Payrolls

WASHINGTON — The economic downturn has forced private industry and state and local government to shed jobs, but one major employer in the country is hiring: The federal government.

While the nation's 11 million unemployed and the millions more who fear losing their jobs may feel Washington should streamline too, economists say a strong federal work force is key to economic recovery. Were President Barack Obama to put any of the nearly 2 million federal civil servants out in the street in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the consequences could be dire.

This will drive Rush L and Hannity nuts,,,,I would like smaller government ,,,but ----by taking down the IRS

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195742

Blonde,, Truly sorry to hear about your husband. I do hope all turns out well. It is criminal that this country does not have decent coverage for its citizens and I wish you well with the financial as well as the medical problems.

Oops, didn't see Pogo's response.

Pogo

Have you not been able to get the little blue key? There is no Captcha when you have it.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195725

...and they are the healthy ones :)

Sorry the link above is from Comcast.net news

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195736

ET---Welcome to the Indies,,,,in t he center of it all :-)

by the way to all, i know typepad and captcha can be aggravating at times but you would not believe the incredible volume of spam they prevent. i once figured out that if not for them. for every one of your comments you'd be seeing about 100 spams for everything from porn and viagra to car loans and bogus charities. i don't even open the spam filter anymore, it is one scary place.

and a reminder, another spam prevention tool we have to use -- 3 or more hyperlinks in a comment will put your comment on hold -- so break up your comments if you want to include more

"It was a mistake for President Obama to have responded to Limbaugh. It gave him the opportunity to become the spokesperson for the Republicans."

Well... maybe... but on the other hand... what a perfect spokesman.

Shine that spotlight brightly.

Jamie, I had it, but our (ineffective - weird) web filters won't let me go to the site to get it back - WordPress is considered a social networking site - who knew? - so I have to come here directly as an "anonymous" blogger and get to experience the joys of Captcha. It's not a biggee, and I was really mostly kidding, Craig. but ditto for your spammers comments.

Blonde -

Hard news, I won't wish you luck, or prayers. I wish you & your's, guts and grit. It's a better set of tools when dealing with insurance companies, prayer has never worked with insurance companies.

This may be of some small help :
Fundable -

http://www.fundable.com/

Thanks, Jamie.

prayer has never worked with insurance companies.

: ) Amen.

Craig -
Ask your tech guy about an edit button, one that lasts for 15 min.

"Here's a link to Nelson's ship info."

Pogo, going into the basement of St Paul's and coming across Nelson's tomb moved me more than I expected. It was probably because I 'knew' many of the ships and crews of that era through my fascination with the Horatio Hornblower series.

interesting site, c-bob. Again, thanks to all as all suggestions are workable.

off to work for me...

Blondewino
Best wishes to you and your husband. Although prayers don't work with insurance companies -there is some evidence they do work in other ways so mine are with you.

Daschle
The tax problem is an issue of course and gives goopers grist for their talking points. I think a bigger problem will be Daschle's close ties and financial relationships with the health care industry. The goopers don't care about that and probably think it is a good idea but it's jsut one more crack in the promse of ethical government.

BW,

I'm so sorry to hear the cancer news. And along with the health concerns, there's the financial implications.

Blonde, if you think it might help you deal with things, there are lots of cancer support groups with people who are and who have gone through similar situations. The breast cancer newsgroup certainly helped Stinky and me in dealing with her BC.

In any case, all of us here offer our empathetic support.

During the last three months of 2008, the largest banks that received taxpayer loans announced more than 100,000 layoffs. The number of foreign workers included among those laid off is unknown.

Foreigners are attractive hires because companies have found ways to pay them less than American workers.

This is nothing but GREED

http://www.comcast.net/

Patsi

Since your friend's benefactor was not her employer, she wouldn't have a tax obligation as it wasn't part of her compensation. There is some vague possibility that it might be considered a big enough "gift" that she might owe something there, but I doubt it exceeded the maximum allowable particularly since the person paying chose to remain anonymous.

The gift limit was 10k, it is now 12k

BlondeW...
so very sorry to read about your husband..... you're both in my prayers too....
and here's to hoping you give the insurance co. a good swift kick as needed...

I bet Daschle is confirmed..... he's a member of the good ol' boys club....

CBob.... so good to see you come back.... now if you can only convince MadM to stick around a bit too.....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195775

how great to see the one and only Mad Mustard -- welcome back pal

Mad does his bombin' on the run.........

I’m a scroller.
I’m a torcher.
I’m a kamikaze poster
I do my bombin’ on the run
WoooWooooo

---madmustard

Daschle doesn't have every member of the good old boys club

"It’s not clear how that explanation will play with Republicans, who spent Sunday raising questions about the Obama’s administration’s vetting process — or with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who’s been in a long-running feud with Daschle."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18271.html

"Craig -
Ask your tech guy about an edit button, one that lasts for 15 min. -- Posted by: Colorado Bob"

i have pushed hard for that CBob, but the worry is that it can really slow down the performance of a site, especially if several people are editing at the same time. which means pages would build slowly or not all for everyone else. same prob with allowing pic IDs for comments, which i'd like. but i have not given up on these things. there are lots of nifty bells, whistles, widgets and gadgets out there, but the more you add, the more they can slow us down at peak times

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195795

ha, another MM classic

for those who don't know, he has a great YouTube site (on our Blogroll left side):

http://www.youtube.com/MadMustard

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195759

Pogo - Another idea either for you or Craig. Most Capcha have an audible link you can press. Since I can't see it, I don't know if the one here is equipped with that feature. If it does, you won't have to peer dimly at those mishapen, grotesque, clustered together and impossible to read letters.

Winning strategy? GOP stakes its future on opposing Obama

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/61112.html

Blonde Wino -- I want to offer you a bit of hope. I have a friend who had kidney cancer three years ago. He had surgery to remove the kidney, was home recuperating for five weeks, didn't have to go through any chemo, and is perfectly fine and healthy now. Regular health insurance paid for his surgery.

Please try to stay focused on the positive, even though you are scared and worried right now. I am holding you and your hubby in my thoughts and prayers, for a full and speedy recovery, without compromising your financial stability. (((((BW))))))

jamie, really, I'm just kidding about Captcha - kinda. If I didn't have something to bitch about, I'd probably go nutz. But if the visual Captcha is no better than it is - and it isn't - I expect the verbal one would asound like a guy with a mouth full of marbles trying to recite teh Gettysburg address.

Solar, alternative energy being pushed in Texas Legislature
By BILL HANNA
For the last decade, when most people have thought of renewable energy in Texas, they have usually thought of wind.

But this year, solar and other forms of renewable energy are starting to get a place at the table at the Legislature.

Legislation including incentives and rebates could pave the way for individuals and businesses to afford solar panels and spur a boom similar to the one that started with wind a decade ago.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/1178243.html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195804

Pogo, I know what you mean about the complaining. When you run into one of the things, it is possible to unleash all sorts of pent up frustrations in one profane expletive cloud without doing any damage to your associates and friends.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195810

"(4) to meet other appropriate needs, ..."

===============================

"... appropriate needs ..."

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

CB----http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195805

Thats' what Im talkin about,,,,,,there are things that could be done right now,,not tomorrow,,right now to get $ in the hands of the people that will spend it,,,thanks for the link.

I have one job lined up now for next week,,,I convinced this rehab contractor to go with solar panells on the exterior wall,,,this will give him an edge over others that are in the rehab biz,,,,he liked that sales pitch,,,hope that he sells it fast,,,one or two of these and he will be a energy convert.

Hello... I urge you all to listen to Buffy Sainte-Marie's song "FALLEN ANGELS"

A song Buffy Sainte Marie wrote about General Secord who told the truth at the Iran/Contra Congressional hearings and took the fall for it...

She speaks the truth.. POWER JUNKIES ... MONEY JUNKIES. The "leaders" themselves are corrupt... LISTEN TO THIS SONG.. SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE!

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

And my favourite song on the album... Here is Buffy singing "The Big One's Get Away"

Truly a brilliant song. Did you know Buffy Sainte-Marie wrote all these songs and recorded them with a Mac computer? She's amazing

Some cool lyrics:

Love junkies wanna change the world:
it quickly stays the same
Money junkies hire all the smart ones
Power junkies run the game
One step at a time
Polarity Hill
If the bad guys don't get you Baby
then the good guys will
With angels on the take
and the gangsters in the yard
Hey don't the wars come easy
Hey don't the peace come hard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AjaVyyveig

BlondeW...that's a real heartbreaker, and I join the rest of our group here in sending my best wishes and prayers. Please remember us and keep us posted on how things go.

hey all, inspired by our group therapy thread yesterday, i finally got around to archiving that montage video right here on CQ. here is the direct link, or you can always find it on the Blogroll page (left sidebar of this page):

http://bit.ly/1RAfzY

and good news (i hope), we've renewed the effort to find the best tools to allow temporary comment editing and user pics. developing ...

Richard Berman is a rightwing pr guy who uses front groups to promote his agenda. CREW has decided to take him on

http://www.bermanexposed.org/

A lot of lazy, sloppy news organizations quote press releases from the front groups without acknowledging the real source or agenda.

All the best tools are on The Hill.

Patreaus showed off his skill at the S'bowl...coin-flipper.

If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.

Blonde--

I was sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis. My ex had the same thing happen--along with internal melanoma. He had the same treatment that DIva described. While still traumatic it was easier than what else he went through with the melanoma. Our insurance paid for it too. The cancer is usually encased in the kidney. They don't mind getting it out before it spreads outside the kidney wall. Cheaper for them.
Bastards. The only time they ever want to cooperate is when it serves them. I will be thinking of you.

"Because I think he's a MacArthur wannabe. "

There's absolutely nothing in his past that would support that.

"Dodd has acknowledged receiving mortgages in 2003 through a VIP program at Countrywide, which was sold to Bank of America Corp. earlier this year and has been the focus of allegations that it gave favorable loan terms to lawmakers. Dodd says he's moving the loans in part because he was wrongfully labeled a friend of Countrywide's former CEO..."

VIP program?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090202/ap_on_go_co/dodd_mortgages

Blonde - Sending good thoughts to you & your hubby.

Oil falls with no refinery strike

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Oil prices fell Monday with a strike by U.S. refinery workers averted for now and more bad economic news emerging.

Light, sweet crude for March delivery fell 89 cents to $40.79 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Friday, the contract rose 24 cents to settle at $41.68.

Labor negotiations continued Monday after some 24,000 refinery workers agreed to postpone a strike after their contract expired Saturday. The United Steelworkers agreed to a rolling 24-hour extension of talks.

A strike would affect 60 refineries. The biggest U.S. refiner, Valero Energy Corp., said it would shut down some facilities if workers walk out, as did European oil company BP PLC.

http://www.comcast.net/

Has it only been 3 years? It feels like more, in a good way, but more. Will CrawfordCon II ever happen? Craig, are you doing any sort of a mini-book tour this year?

CBob, since i am in my cyber overalls doing blog maintenance today, wasn't there an updated address for your blog, for the Blogroll? anyone else? i can update or add any urls while i'm at it

Thanks for the comments guys, I lurk in on my favorite romper room but can’t post often due to connectivity hurdles. Blackberry will allow me to read but typepad will not let me post. (for some unknown reason)

I’ve never really gone away… just can’t reach you from here.

Should have added:
Military persons voice allegiance of some sort too the Constitution, not The President.

So did Bush\Cheney and we all know how that worked out don't we.

He violated the Constitution and authorized War Crimes.

Just read your sad news, Blonde, and want to add my wishes for you and your hubby to the mix here. Just let a little of your scrappiness rub off on your husband for his battle with cancer, while you vanquish the insurance company, and good things are sure to follow. My best to you both!

The Constitution bears precious little on the conduct of foreign wars. The oath is to protect and defend the constitution from enemies foreign and domestic. It says noting of orders lawful or otherwise. (That's from the UCMJ I believe).The Constitution makes the president the Commander in Chief. The President has the power to remove Petraeus or any other officer from a position he deems them inappropriate for - especially by virtue of their failure to carry out his orders. Ask McArthur - he found out what Truman had the power to do if he pissed him off.

I stand corrected re: orders.

This was on one site:

"I (insert name), having been appointed a (insert rank) in the U.S. Army under the conditions indicated in this document, do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God."

as the Army Officer's oath.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/army/l/blofficeroath.htm

Any Army officers out there who can say which oath they took?

If anyone would like to buy "Jenny's Number", it is for sale on Ebay.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-odd/20090201/ODD.Jenny_s.Number/

Craig

If no one else posts it. CBob's other place is The Shinbone Star

http://the-shin-bone-star.blogspot.com/

He needs a new article because I love his writing and he hasn't done one for a month.

That's the oath of enlistment (for enlisted personnel) - which he may have taken upon entry into the armed forces, but every indication is that he was never an enlisted soldier. Upon becoming a commissioned officer following his graduation from West Point Petraeus would have taken the following oath:

""I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)

Here's more than you wanted to know about the oaths taken by enlisted personnel and officers.

http://www.history.army.mil/faq/oaths.htm

If anyone out there knows, do commissioned officers who entered service from a military academy take the Oath of Enlistment in addition to the Commissioned Officer's Oath?

AC

The Commander In Chief is called that because he is. The military of the US is subservient to the Civil authority. Failure to obey the President's orders can get you courtmartialed. It is what got MacArthur fired.

Excuse me, but you are speculating - and your speculation appears to be contrary to at least one source, linked below - which is why I asked of those who would know from experience.

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step08_swearing_in,,00.html

This is a fun site about the first day at West Point. To put it simply, on the first day before Sundown they are required to take the Oath of Enlistment

http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/armyarchive/September08/Documents/Steele.pdf

jamie,

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195849

isn't it 624-5789? Now if we only had the area code . . .

“Too Much Secrecy in this town”: Obama’s Transparency Pledge is for everything EXCEPT his Records

"... the American people have still been denied the complete birth certificate that would show where Barack Obama was delivered, who was the attending physician and who his natural parents were.

Or is it a cover-up? What else can explain the secrecy of Obama’s life?

... Obama has chosen to oppose all legal efforts to unseal his own records. And his supporters have chosen to ridicule and pillory those who have the audacity to demand the basic proof of constitutional eligibility to serve in the highest office in the land."

http://james4america.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/too-much-secrecy-in-this-town-obamas-transparency-pledge-is-for-everything-except-his-records/

That whole thing Craig did yesterday was bullshit. And my bullshit tolerance is stuck on zero lately (for some reason). Actually I've never had a high tolerance in that department.

Some of the things I've seen said repeatedly throughout my time here have been heart breaking, disgusting and rude. Craig never said a word about most of those things in the past, sighting freedom of speech. Now he's incensed because he read a phrase that he finally found offensive. (What happened to womens rights Craig? Name calling ok against them?) All those times you said there's free speech and there's nothing he can or will do about what's said, and then suddenly he completely involved himself. What happened to womens rights Craig? Where were you when insulting phrases were used here against others beside your buddy. CBobs post was mild compared to what I've seen here over time.

Now you're getting all sentimental about how great Trail mix is again. You're not being real with us Craig. You pick and choose. You defend some and ignore the horrible things said to others. You've got your own set of rules, but only apply them when you are personally offended.

I've felt we were moving in the right direction, but nothing ever really changes here. And that hurts. Because it confirms what I've thought all along. Which is it Craig? Freedom of speech or freedom of speech only if you find it offensive and over the line. Maybe you could give us a list of which words we can use and which ones we can't. Then the service can just censor out those words with a bleep when they come across the keyboard. Maybe you can tell us which people can say what they want and which ones aren't allowed to lose their temper. Give us the rules Craig. It'll be easier.

A while back i said that I don't think I can do this anymore. Well, this time I'm afraid it may be true.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195856

Pogo

The one that is for sale is in Weehawken, NJ

craig

Add my site I haven't done a post in a while but now that I'm feeling better I may get back to it. that and It is spring and it was mostly gardening.

http://showyourgarden.blogspot.com/

Thanks
Jack

Blue, Harborwoman ... Welcome. Missed you here. Please stay. Mad I'm sorry your Blackberry doesn't love us. Come back when you can.

Unfairness is what I find most disheartening. Injustice and betrayal. If we could do away with those to things, I'd hardly ever cry.

Blonde,
I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I remember a lot of months ago you wrote a beautiful post about how much you love him. I've never forgotten it. I feel sure you two are going to get through this ok and together.

Chloe

I feel the same way ,,but Im going to give it one more shot,,,,,you once said that if I left you would leave,,,,I was going to until you said that,,,,right now I just don't feel like giving some that satisfaction,,,,but if you leave then so am I.

You have been missed,,,,,I hope that all is ok with the new baby and the Mother is recuperating fine,,,and that you are getting some rest.

whskyjack added and colorado bob's url updated in the Blogroll

Solar, I remember that. And I meant it when I said it, and would have followed through and left if you did. I (almost) always mean what I say (using Patsi's saying) :)

I've missed you too. But shame on you for laying that on me, about leaving. Because I've just about decided to. But now, because of what you just said, I may have to reconsider. (?)
I hope you don't mean it.

Baby's doing well, cute and sweet as can be, but has digestive discomforts and gets fussy. So we don't get enough sleep. But no complaints. It'll all level out soon. And I love her so much. There's a total different feeling to being a grandparent. This time around you take the time to appreciate new life so much more.

The lay-off list

http://www.cnbc.com/id/28933157

Unbelievable....this is really bad. I feel for all those people who may be losing their incomes.....which in turn decreases spending, which in turn lessens demands....what a vicious cycle.

Something got to change fast!

chloe, i think i was clear in yesterday's post and comments throughout the day that i wanted to address the use of personal insults in general over a long period of time, not just one recent exchange (tho it was the example to lead with). i can't referee every spat that erupts, but this wasn't the first time i've made such an appeal (and surely won't be the last). sorry you feel the way you do. this has been a time for venting about the past, and yours is welcome. but i'm hoping we can all try to get over the past and move on to more respectful debate.

Chole

Well I had to act fast,,,am I ashamed,,,,no,,,if it worked,,,,and yes I mean it,,,,,that is why I have been collecting E-Mail addresses ,,,just and would like to have a few more,,,,I have come to really like some people here ,,,that way I can stay in touch if they wanted to also.....when do I get to see some pics?

Oh, I'm over it Craig. I'm not dwelling on the past, but it sure has taught me a lot of things. I learned about the politics here long ago, but I stayed. And I appreciate that you've provided a place to vent. But you took it to a new level this time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6FwEJwwYcQ

It's a beautiful day- U2

I find this song always cheers me up......and the sun is shinning for the first day in what feels like months.

Take this day, and enjoy it, all of it......because you will never have it again.

peace~

Craig

I sent an email with my blog link
but just in case

http://seasonalpantry.blogspot.com/

Ha Solar. The pics come when I get some time to spend on my computer. I just had a few minutes to duck in the last couple of days. But not much quality computer time yet. Soon.

Hope you're doing well. Say hi to Tony for me if he shows up later today. Didn't see Patd this morning either. Missed reading her posts.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195872

UB, Then there are always the numbers of the part of the Ice Berg you can't see before you hit it:

Those working two underpaid jobs to have the former income of one.

Those unemployed so long they have fallen off the rolls.

Those who have never worked who can not find jobs now (High School and College graduates) or stay at home spous who must now find work to support a family in place of someone laid off.

This is one big honking ice berg we are about to hit. Start shuffling the deck chairs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5le92UmPmU

jamie - I never had much of a memory for numbers :-)

btw, jamie - maybe . . .

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/05/the_west_point_.html

Blonde...

Sorry to hear about your husband. Will keep you both in my prayers. I hope everything turns out alright for him and you.

got it, KGC, you're on there now:

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/blogroll.html

Padt----hasn't been around for a while,,,hope that all is fine with her,,,,after all she is the lead off new person in the a m that I think gave things some nice rhythm,,,,and a humorous way to start the morning

UB...the one that I used to like was it's a dutiful morning,,,the old one,,,,who wrote it? I forgot.

Posted by: Craig Crawford Author Profile Page | February 2, 2009 2:51 PM

Thanks

dutiful=beautiful,,,

KGC, that vegetable scrap soup looks great -- and i love Gewurztraminer

Posted by: Craig Crawford Author Profile Page | February 2, 2009 2:53 PM

Thanks

adding the wine recommendations has been a lot of fun
well fun for me anyway

Pogo

Gave me a chance to post a Harry Chapin song that always makes me smile. If you can't change things, you might as well enjoy the music while it lasts.

Perhaps the most important of all presidential powers is command of the armed forces as commander-in-chief. The framers of the Constitution took care to limit the President's powers regarding the military in that he cannot declare war. This is the duty of Congress

Alexander Hamilton explains this in Federalist No. 69:

“ The President is to be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States. This would amount to nothing more than the supreme command and direction of the military and naval forces . While that [the power] of the British king extends to the DECLARING of war and to the RAISING and REGULATING of fleets and armies, all [of] which [...] would appertain to the legislature.[11]

jamie, of course we know how useful that limitation has become.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195888

Uhhhh...Starts with an H. Rhymes with the word CBob called you. Rolls off your tongue with such ease and, at one point, regularity around here that one would think it was your favorite word in the dictionary.

btw, jamie - I always liked Harry Chapin (and not only because his name is just 2 letters different from mine). He was a particularly sensitive person with a wry sense of humor who had the gift of being able to express his observations through music.

Pogo, I agree about Chapin. He could tear your heart out with a song about a newly born infant dying of starvation and then send you into gales of laughter over something like a truck driver meeting his end in the slush of 30,000 pounds of bananas.

My favorite is "A Better Place To Be". Somehow I always hoped the two at the end who were long past lonely found some form of love with each other.

The octuplet mom wins the baby boom lottery

Suleman retained the Killeen Furtney Group to represent her last Friday. The company, which normally handles corporate clients and crisis public relations, was referred to her by the hospital, said Killeen's partner, Mike Furtney. Its clients include the Union Pacific Railroad and the California State Parks Department.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/30/national/a214200S49.DTL&tsp=1

My favorite Harry Chapin song is "Cat's in the Cradle". I think of it often when I look at my little girl. I work alot of hours and I try to always be mindful. But sometimes it's hard.

:The octuplet mom wins the baby boom lottery"

KGC -- I suspect that book deal will result in a bunch of books sitting in a warehouse somewhere. Cannot imagine anyone buying it. God-a-mighty.

Someone at the NYTIMES must think like RR
Braised Rabbit, Easier on the Fat
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/dining/04appe.html?ref=dining

and perhaps a nice barbera to go with

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/for-now-gop-avoids-a-daschle-f.html#comment-195748

Blond wino, really sad to hear that about your husband's situation. And just as disheartening is the financial burden you are about to face. The health care system is corrupt. Health care should be affordable for all people and the fact that so many have health insurance and they are still left high and dry; it's just such a criminal thing. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS!

Here is an article from BBC.. and Belgian health care

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5033636.stm

Justin Webb was in the USA with his son, who had a medical emergency. Webb is a columnist and reporter for the BBC. He has health coverage and here is what he experienced at an American hospital

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7833290.stm

Not very encouraging, and this is why Hillary's ideas for universal health care were/are so important and why President Obama needs to stand up to the right wing and the super rich who don't care if the rest have adequate care as long as they themselves have it.

Much luck to you and your husband. My niece is going through her stuff with lymphoma and I am sure that will be a strain as well. I just don't think health care was intended to be this way!

Consider this my post for the month...

In light of your cyber brouhaha last week, you should post these as an abridged version as to what happened...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkp5wuuarOs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSnB9XCMRaI&feature=related

Patsi

No one ever went broke underestimating the Taste of The American Public HL Mencken

NEW THREAD

Oh bother...

Can't we all just move on? I love soap operas but this particular storyline has run its course. We should be glad that at least we've had a much overdue dialog in the past day over civility and so forth. Forgiveness is nurturing for the soul. And while I think too much sniping has gone on back and forth for a long time, I don't think Craig is responsible to be blog monitor. The guy is a professional pundit with a lot of commitments on his plate. It seems unfair to expect him to babysit us. And let's face it, we ALL can go over the line at times, and, sometimes we need to take a break, recharge our batteries and come back.

It is my belief that there is much more that unites us than divides us and maybe if we try to remember that, we'll have a better time. That said, some of us could have a bit more sensitivity towards others in the blog and frankly, make amends for past slights, personal digs, or hurtful insults.

To Solar and Chloe: if you feel the need to leave for a while, that's ok. I think many of us have felt the need to get away for a while (when I left I swore I'd never come back). Usually we find that we miss the blog and want to participate again and thus return. I hope this would be the same for both of you.

I think we do pretty good considering we are talking about politics, which in many circles can be explosive! But really horrible comments meant to demean or hurt other people in the blog has got to stop. We're all adults and I bet we can do it.

YES WE CAN !! ;-)

What Patsi, a book that goes something like - "I'm a single mom student with 6 kids and wanted another girl so I got fertility treatments and had 8 more kids - god I love IVF" doesn't have a strong appeal to you? What the hell is wrong with you? LOL

This applies only to CA but if it passes, it might go anywhere. It's breath-takingly brazen and hard to believe it could pass. I received it from really authentic people, but maybe I should check with snopes.

Subject: PLEASE PLEASE READ & CALL: 5 seconds of time!!!FW: No veterinary tax in California, please!

This will only take 5 seconds of your time, and is of paramount importance!
CA wants to legislate a 9% tax on all veterinary services, including meds. This is really reprehensible at a time when so much is being done to heighten awareness regarding caring for animals. Veterinarians, whose training and licensing is as rigorous as that of MDs will now have their care taxed as though they were dispensing canned goods. And the cost of surgeries, neutering, etc. is high—an additional 9% will discourage many from giving their pet care.

Please take a few seconds to do this.

This only takes 5 secs - you can punch the numbers one after the other. Say NO to taxes on our vet services!
916-445-2841: 1 5 1 2

Please call the governator's office and make it known that balancing the budget at the expense of our pets' health is not acceptable!!!
It only takes about 20 seconds because it's all automated.
Call 916-445-2841.
Press 1 for English.
Press 5 for the veterinary tax proposal.
It will ask you to press 1 if you're calling about the veterinary tax proposal, so press 1.
Then press 2 to oppose the tax

Please forward to others. Thanks.

You probably won't be surprised to hear that the line is busy!