Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

To wit to woo

Has everyone been read their Miranda Rights? This day in history 1966

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do

Okay I am officially pissed at the President. Cutting medicare is exactly the wrong way to go. Open it up to younger healthier people to buy in and that would spread the costs over a larger number of people. That would make it possible to lower the rates for seniors that pay $93 a month plus sliding copays depending on income currently.

The other side is that regular insurance companies often drop people as soon as they are eligible for Medicare so they don't have to cover the costs as people age. They aren't stupid. Is the President?

My Aunt is 79. She is battling lung cancer. She told my Mom how much her treament and recent hospital stay cost. Luckily, she has good insurance through my Uncle who worked for U of M. She did say to my Mom, "I feel sorry for all those people who don't have insurance and are turned away by the hospitals."

Corey,

I'm starting to realize just how lucky I am to be living in Washington. These coop non profit insurance plans are amazing. They are about as close to single payer as you can get and I have access to almost every hospital, testing facility and specialist in the state in addition to a primary care location and physician.

I actually had to go to the emergency room for something fairly minor but that needed to be seen a couple of months back. The emergency room was darn near empty, I was seen by a triage nurse within 15 minutes and moved upstairs on a gurney ... It was a long wait for a scanning machine for my foot, but all the baby about to be RNs and Interns were chatty and brought me a book until they could around to me.

It was a very busy hospital and staff, but everyone was very efficient. It's a shame most city hospitals aren't able to offer the same kind of care.

Oh and they have valet parking for your car. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235931

There is a residential street in Mountain Brook (AL) called "Whit's End." I always feel that's my address.

(^_~)

Rezdog where ever you are:

I guess I was right about Ahmadinejad "likely" winning in Iran. Where is Carter on the validity of the Iranian vote? Talk about fixes. No media today will talk about the "Obama Effect" working in Iran. We should all know that words go only so far in changing the strategy of adversaries. I can't say I am displeased because Moousavi is a classic bullshitter and was in power during the start up of Iran's nuclear weapon program and the rise of Quds.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2009/06/026565print.html

The Mullah's call the shots and only an idiot would suggest that an 85% turnout resulted in Ahmadinejad's victory. Obama has learned something however. The regime is totally corrupt, doesn't reflect the will of the people, inflation is 25%, billions are missing from the treasury, most do not support Hamas or Hizb'Allah nor are Jew haters. Ahmadinejad even evoked HItler in his attacks against Moussavi.

I expect Bibi's Sunday speech to take all of this into account as Iran remains Israel's greatest existential threat.

http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=1395

He might even show a bit more realism than the Left here in America

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/06/12-7

Keep your chin up Iran. The US re-elected Bush in 2004...

Jamie don't be pissed. Wait until the public plan includes illegals. Where do you think the money will come from? HIgher taxes will hit the Middle Class eventually. In the end as the public system battles the private system, quality will drop as we see CLEARLY in Mass under Duval. We have three choices for the Democratic plan: raise taxes past the rich, print more money or cut services. I do want change and reform, but some here who want a one party system, ignore the dangers of tyranny no matter how friendly the face.
We do need a safety net and the ability of single payers and small business to muster their numbers nto a strong negotiating block. The devil is in the detail and with one party calling the more lioberal shots, I rather doubt reaon will prevail at the end of the day. I do hope I am wrong...

Please don't seem so shocked.

Great Warren, compare Iran and Ahmadinejad/Mullahs to Bush. How intellectual of you.

Oh, And following that line Warren, Moussavi is to Ahmadinejad as Obama is to Bush? Oh that's really funny.

By the way, Debka is 2 for 2 on election predictions. The administration is 0 for 2. Maybe Rahm might want to hire some of Debka's analysts.....

As far as what happened in Lebanon and Iran:

http://michaeltotten.com/

http://www.ncr-iran.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

a series of articles from the group that uncovered Iran's nuclear weapon program which Moussavi AND Ahmadinejad have ALWAYS denied ever existed.

Like Debka, these people are often right.....

Obama is just doing what all politicians do. Breaking his promises. Moving to the center for the next election. While paying off some of the people that got him elected. Im sure glad that I have the VA. If Judy gets sick:? Nice two party system.

I wasn't going to post today. I could care less if the slut is a slut. Or the Bitch is a Bitch. I don't believe any of these things I just wrote. The thing that upsets me so much is the lack of responsibility by people like Letterman.

When I take a look at history. The thing that I see- is so much collusion with the News Media and the politcians. It sold us all of the bad wars that we have been in. WE enable them-so it's really our faults in the end.

The Media helped sell the ideas that made the Indians-the blacks-the Hispanics-all of the minorities: were inferior people for the Politicians. People like the owner of Fox has always been around to sell us a bill of goods. I think that they are the real power behind the Politicians

To me when we let Letterman off the hook. It is just enabling him or some other comic to do the same. I could care less about Palin or her family. They chose to do this. Tough shit now. That doesn't mean that as a Father I wouldn't be pissed at his KNOCKED UP comments. That is apart from my main bitch!

I have not done that last long post about the Media and Politics like promised. Cos I also said that I would quit posting afterwords.
Im going to get back to putting it together now. It won't show the media in a very good light. Nor the constitution. Nor any of the things that both partys hold dear to them.

It will show the deliberate Greed by the powerful. I will show how the people went along with them by defending the media-picking sides and knowing that they were being led by the nose.

But that they went along with it anyway because of the mentality of My team is the better one of the two. While the politicians ( both R's and D's ) just took turns laughing at the voters.

They know that with the help of the media-they are the real winners. That the media creates the suckers for them. I hate feeling like a sucker.
Jamie on more than one occasion has spoken about the network that allowed the greedy ceo's that are on corp boards give themselves such high salaries.
She is speaking out against them imo. speaking out against Letterman is my way of not capitulating. so that is what I mean when I say that I hope that Palin keeps this in the news for a long long time.
I could care less why she is doing it. It made my sick. They way that one of the powerful Senators of our country gave into Letterman. When J. M. was forced by Letterman to go groveling on his show during the elections. He looked like the pathetic old man that he is on that show.

I wonder when Western Media will admit NCR got it right. Will the BBC or the NYT question the 85% vote claim? Will Carter? Ahmadinejad will use this election to claim that the Iranian people are behind him. Obama should move to dispel this charade.

Instead, some Liberals throw up their hands and compare the election to the 2004 election of Bush. Even as a joke that is rather disgusting, don't you think?

Solar, kudos. Letterman is a boring oaf who is liong past his humor. He now wants us to believe he wasn't talking about a 14 year old. I have some real problems with Palin's brain, but the Letterman episode shows why Liberals are embarrassing themselves.

Colbert on the other hand was quite clever in Iraq. Stewart has tried to show some independence of late.
MSNBC treid to create an Obama Effect to explain world events instead of being rational in their connections as I tried to be when reviewing the positive tactics Obama used in Cairo.

The Left and Right suffer some serious dementia, but I would suggest Democrats still have an upper edge on rationality. The GOP can't even find their talking points with Rush serving as some kind of twisted default.

Still, we're doing better than Iran.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235940

Max,

What makes you think illegals and those without insurance aren't included now? Why do you think hospitals are "dumping" the mentally ill and alzheimer patients out on the street? Your taxes pay those costs and they pay them at a much, much higher rate than it would be if they were covered by insurance. People die on the floors of innter city hospitals waiting for "the best care in the world" because they don't have insurance. If nothing else, you pay to bury the body.

Max- Oh Oh. Im in trouble now when U start agreeing with me!

Was the Iran elections close? Did Aj steal them?. Just like Bush did the first and 2nd time? Is the world now a little better iformed about the Iranian people. That they don't want war:!!!!!

That they don't feel the same as Aj-ed . Nice looking people-nice looking cities-nice looking children. I hope that the pictures of them is something that makes going to way with them a little harder?

Jamie-

Im going to save this thread. I think that U make the most sense of this subject than anyone else. I did not save the one that was compared to Canada. This is a topic that some of my R friends talk about a lot.

Jamie, they are only included at the ER. It would be smething altogether different in putting 15,000,000 into the new public plan. And boy that won't fly.

Yes, the uninsured is a huge cost we must reduce. That was the reason for the public plan in the first place. Many hosptials are closing their ER to illegals and by the way, I favor amnesty. I do not however, favor the status quo which works out nicley for Liberals here in NYC.

Don't worry Solar we can agree sometimes....

To answer your questions:

N
Y
N and that is an absurd comparison not worthy of you
Y
Y but that has zero to do with Iran's threat to world
Y
Y

Again, you miss the cause of global concerns. It had little to do with the people though Ahmadinejad has millions of supporters. Isn't that scary to you? And his people ARE IN POWER CALLING THE SHOTS.

http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/06/newly-discovered-element-needs-a-clever-name/

Maybe some of them suggest Ahmadinejadium, or Qudium or Jihadium.

Obamium sounds nice....

"It is just enabling him or some other comic to do the same. I could care less about Palin or her family. They chose to do this. Tough shit now."

Right Solar!
Objecting to misogynist statements, whether they're about Palin or anyone else, isn't just about defending the person that they're directed at. It's about changing the way our society thinks about prejudice of any type, and not accepting it in humor or anywhere else. Because it 'does' affect our society and the way they treat each other.

But we should thankful that Palin is objecting and fighting back. Because in doing so, she is helping all other women too.

Now I'm gonna throw this in here and run like the wind. Don't want to ruin my day. I'm kind of sensitive ya know.

I can dish it out but can't alway take it. Chicken shit, I know.

I was just pondering while shopping. In my observation I have noticed that men are very protective of their brothers. Understandable. Women are also very protective of men.

On the other hand women are often more critical of other women than even men are. And if you are a women and try to stand up for other women, put on your armour baby. You are a feminazi. I have been even expecting my laptop to reach up and slap me and Maggie has even desserted me a couple of times. She's hot for the little boy dog down the road.

This is not as understandable to me but it does help me understand why women can’t command the same salaries that men do and why Hillary couldn’t break that glass ceiling. Just my observations.

max:

I just think a lot of the Iranians who voted for the opposition candidate are feeling a lot like people who voted for Kerry (who as also far from a great candidate).

And the differences are not lost on me, but both Bush and Mahmoud are hard-line nationalistic figures that are more prone to threats and use of force than they are to diplomacy. And they were both incumbents.

(And to tell ya the truth - your immediate dismissal of the comparison as unthinkable strikes me as unintellectual.)

Ct, some say women are so "catty" they often do not band together. Pelosi v Harman was a cat fight few wanted to get involved with. How many rushed to defend the former Miss California? Pelosi dissed Hillary. Power dissed Hillary. What woman defended Rice against nasty comments like Bush was boinking her?

On the other hand Ct, we wouldn't want women or men defending their gender over simply a question of gender bias.

Solar

There is a lot of talk between the Dems and Reps in Congress about these coop plans as an alternative to the "single payer and/or public option" that gives the Reps appoplexy. It puts the insurance companies in competition with each other, opens up the plans to low income. If the Feds are going to go that route, there will have to be a mandate of some sort on employers, but that can be worked out.

I was surprised that many of the doctors participating in these coops just receive a salary from whichever ones with whom they have a contract and get that plus the co pay. A lot less paper work. They run their offices and again, the majority of the work is done by RNs, PAs, and technicians with the doctor popping in at the end of the visit for about a ten minute review and chat.

All the medical test results are sent to both specialist and primary so that there isn't any competing drug problems and all the records of visits and procedure results are being duplicated on line.

It's not "free" in the sense of the government being the single payer, but Federal Medicare and State Medicaid are part of the sources of income and just flow automatically each month to the provider.

"Hillary couldn’t break that glass ceiling."

Carol, She couldn't break it, but she came damn close. Closer than anyone before her.

I've noticed that very thing you just talked about. About women.

max:

"The Mullah's call the shots and only an idiot would suggest that an 85% turnout resulted in Ahmadinejad's victory."

I'm not so sure....

"In the Iraqi elections of 2005, there was 71% voter turnout . . . ."

http://originalwavelength.blogspot.com/2008/11/does-voter-turnout-tell-anything-about.html

Also, that was another point I was trying to make with the comparison with the 2004 US election - we should not be so shocked the Iranians re-elected Mahmoud.

(Hell - even McCain/Palin got 46% of the vote in 2008....)

A Reminder to all.

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public next month.

All cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS
Even if the message is saved on your phone. You will be charged for the minutes to listen to it.

To prevent this call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222 .
It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.
It takes about 20 seconds.

Warren, don't take this the wrong wasy, but your comparison is infantile. Bush did not support global terror groups as a starter. Bush did not get into power anything like the way Ahmadinejad does. Hell, Liberals here defended his first election vicotry but accuse Scalia as a Non Constitutionalist. Might as well compare him to the Mullahs in your analogy.

The US does not face global sanctions nor did Bush do anything like Ahmadinejad in running the US. There is nothing intellectual about your acrobatics as Kerry and Bush were not selected by a religious elite. Nor did Bush act like Moussavi and watch as thousands of Pro West Iranians were rounded up and murdered under his watch. Your comparison is both an insult to Kerry and Bush. Both Moussavi and Ahmadinejad are on the record for acalling for Israel's destruction.

Try again with a bit more intelligence......

No insult intended.

Many hosptials are closing their ER to illegals

Max,

How do you know whether an unconcious person is illegal before spending thousands saving their life? Then there is the small matter that it is illegal to reject someone needing emergency, life saving care.

As the recent election shows, 2005 was a farce too. Still, few understood Ahmadinejad's mental problems then and he picked up some support because of his economic promises. He would have won no matter what as he was the pick of the Mullah's because the former Presdient agree to stop enrichment.

Still, Liberals touted 2005 as Democracy, which IT WAS NOT.

Spare me max.

And how bout you ask some people in the Middle East whether they think Bush supported global terror?

(How about someone who had their mother or brother killed as "collateral damage"?)

And yes I now this is a flawed, inflammatory comparison. And yes I know there are stark differences between the Bush and Mahmoud.

But I am asking you to look at the situation from someone else's perspective. And lord knows we hear enough of your perspective.

And Bush may not have been selected by the religious elite - but he sure as hell was elected by the Religious Right - who would not have voted for Kerry even if he was running against Ahmadinejad - (assuming Mamoud was pro-life, pro-guns and anti-Liberal.

And just because you do not intend to be insulting - does not mean that you aren't.

Jamie, we can always find certain exceptions, but hospitals are rerouting EMS and patients to other hospitals. Soon there will be far away clinics where illegals or those without insurance are sent as the government will limit what the hospitals can charge for such uninsured coverage NOT PAID.

I do not support preventing life saving care. Illegals do use the emergency room for treatment as do those who are uninsured. If Obama thinks all will have the Congressional Health Plan including illegals, he is dreaming. It will look like MASS's plan in terms of coverage. Then heads will roll. And another administration will reverse things. That is why Obama needs bipartisan support. He also needs an amnesty plan which now, he feels the polls don't support.

I hope he works out a compromise both parties can live with. The Kennedy plan will fuel an unncessary partisan fire. Yep, the GOP will eventually rise from their ashes as sure as the sun rises in the morning. National security and things like welfare and healthcare are too important to be left to partisan control no matter the mistakes of the GOP.

Maybe I should have said it that way in the first place. Maybe I had to work into it. but that's they way that I see it. I hate it that Cheney/ush did so much harm to us-yet still be allowed to be protected by some in the Media. I don't think for a minuete that they believe half of what they are saying. They say them cos it is backing up the team that they are on.

Carol-

No need to hide. You are one hundred and one percent on the $. I have seen my sisters do the same thing. They will defend the children with tooth - plus nail (Champ almost let go the and there-thats tough for me to do-but)

You better not even talk about thier husbands. But when it came down to them-to defend one another from an other women. Nada! Maggie doesn't need the boy friend. YOU do sniff-sniff.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235962

Solar --

Snopes says this cell phone biz ain't so. What gives?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp

Has Snopes ever had to do a mea culpa? Inquiring minds want to know.

Jamie-

"I was surprised that many of the doctors participating in these coops just receive a salary from whichever ones with whom they have a contract and get that plus the co pay. A lot less paper work. They run their offices and again, the majority of the work is done by RNs, PAs, and technicians with the doctor popping in at the end of the visit for about a ten minute review and chat."

Jamie-I bet a lot less paper work. Also the need for a lot less Atty's that specialize in these paper works-that makes it impossible to do the paper work.
That the paper work requires of you to fill out the paper work completely- Whew. Im out of paper with that paper work bs. hahaha

Does anyone know if there were any pictures of Mousavi windsurfing?

(That might help explain the results ; )

In California in cases where undocumented residents have been in medical programs and are now denied -the cost to provide them medical care increases because they end up in emergency rooms.

Bush, BOTH OF THEM, did about zip for the religious RIght no matter how they played them like Obama played the unreligious Left, so you spare me.

Maybe I should ask those civilians who lost family in areas that gave sanctuary to AQ or the Taliban. Maybe I should ask the families of those Hamas used as human shields. Are you saying innocents CANNOT be harmed in a struggle to defend our liberty or security? Meanwhile most Islamic scholars claim WMD can used against infidel citizens, even the clerics that represent the Muslim Brotherhood, Obama gave seats to in Cairo.

Clinton destroyed the Chinese Embassy in his war with Serbia. If you are saying you can find some people who support your comparison? Of course you can. Who can deny that? I thought we were being more intellectually sincere.

Bush is not Ahmadinejad, nor is the US anything like Iran, Syria, North Korea, China. Sudan, Somalia. Gaza or even Russia. The relativism and moral equivalency game is what I am objecting to on an intellectual level. That is not an insult, but a reasonable assertion, no matter how you take it.

I remember once how you argued about the plight of GAZANS and the horrible seige Israel put them under after Palestinians elected a terror group as leaders. This was the week Carter visited Syria. I tried to point out to you that HAMAS destroyed the electrical lines Israel was supplying to Gaza to AMPLIFY the plight OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE and then compared their situation to the Jews in Nazi camps.

Eqivalency will only get you so far. And I hope you caught the news some days back that Hamas fired a missile at Egypt. BY MSNBC's measure, was this the Obama Effect too? Balance man, balance.

You, my friend, said it just right. :)
Lunch!

.... that was for Solar, btw.

Ivy

Don't know. It only takes about 20 seconds-so I do it.

I don't mind paying for the time that I use. I really hate paying for the recordings. The incoming calls. etc:

I have been looking into the Boost Mobile. Looks pretty good. They are part of Nextel division. They have mobile to mobile radio that I love. A flat fee of 50.00 per month for unlimited calls. All incoming. free unlimited web.
All of it for 50.00 including tax. along with the Magic Jack that I have hooked up to my pc. it is the best plans that I see out there. The Magic Jack cost/s me 19.00 per year for country wide unlimited.
There is some little bone to pick with you however-you and Renee. I haven't been able to get that song "M A BIRD WATCHER " out of my mind for a cpl of wks. It comes and it goes. Tanks a lot pal.

Bushjr (aka Shrub) did a lot for the religious right including his first official act when taking office - to end funding for family planning clinics. He changed his position on gay marriage from 2000 to pander to the religious right.

There are plenty of other examples including the many staff members from Liberty University and the rightwing zealots in the Justice dept.

LUNCH-LUNCH. You have been laying int the weeds waiting for just the right time to spring that one my little friendly Sally. You are SSS on the weekends to me.

little friendly the ghost Sally that should have read.

You don't have to explain all that to me. I do think there is a huge difference between Bush and Ahmadinejad.

But if you ask those questions to many Muslims in the Middle East - I suspect that we still say that they see America as evil. And many would say Bush, Clinton and yes - Obama - are guilty of supporting terror against their people.

And I do think that every precaution should be taken to spare civilian casualties. And I think that America should do a much better job in that respect.

All this talk of American Exceptionalism is great for national politics - and I tend to think most people take pride in the country of their birth.

And I think your unflinching refusal to see any equivalence - at least in terms of perception - is a bit imbalanced.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235978

Solar --

I'm so sorry. See if this helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBfbQK4jwN0

>(*v*)< = a bird

Well it is a little hot outside right now also. Max that "catty" thing, boy do I know. And with a capital MEOW! Working for 37 years in a woman dominated profession was a real treat, kitty treat.

And nursing salaries didn't start moving up until more men got into the profession. It certainly wasn't because they did anything else to improve the profession. They often sat at the deck with their feet up on the counter getting the female nurses to do their work for them. They let people think they were Drs and people did.

Like most female dominated professions, it was felt that we didn't need much money, just enough to supplement the husband's income. And nurses/women shouldn't worry about money, they are in the profession for humanitarian reasons. Because we just love wiping other people's asses and carrying their shit around. Forgive me.

Solar, don't let Maggie hear you say she doesn't need a boyfriend. Actually she doesn't need one, she just wants one. She is a little dominatrix, however you spell it.

ACCCKKKKKK!! With a mom on Medicare A, Medicare D, and Medicaid, low income, this worries me, badly. And I come from a state w/2 GOP senators and a district w/a GOP rep, all of whom would rather see govt. health programs dismantled entirely; who will throw up roadblocks even if what the president & advisors come up with makes perfect sense (doesn't sound like it does though.)

Frankly, it makes me want to cry. The whole ugly mess.

So--I'm gonna do something good for my soul. Blog drinkin' songs. I can't indulge except musically, but it helps.:)

ok...
it's clouding up outside again and I came in to lurk here.... but I just can't let some of this go by....

Carol.... I hope you're playing devil's advocate and aren't trying to suggest that Bethy and I are critical of something Palin did just because we're women....
I'll let Bethy speak for herself..... but I would be just as critical of a man who I thought used his children for political gain....

NOT criticizing something you think someone did is wrong just because they are of the same gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, etc., etc. is reverse discrimination, IMO...

Chloe.... and of course.... when you were taking a ration of crap for being a little different when you first came on this blog... well.... have you conveniently forgotten the women who came to your defense....

Alright everyone lighten up... Didn't anyone think that windsurfing joke was funny??

And I just wanted to say again that I saw the Hangover last night and it was hysterical! Much better than I thought it was going to be.

I didn't suggest anything Renee. Just throwing my feelings out there and ducking.

Max- If Ahme hadn't won you would be in here saying how little confidence you had that he would. As I said twice, you had it covered either way. Good bet.

btw, I knew he was going to win, I just didn't tell you. lol

ct- I think you correct in your observation about how women are often more critical of other women. Just reading over the last couple threads, It's obvious to me that Monica L is the bold and imprudent slut, flashing her panties and causing all the trouble.

Carol...
I know.... I was just throwing my stuff out there too....
I'm having fun with this discussion.... and to be completely honest with you...
I actually do agree with you that women tend to be harder on other women at times....

and I have a female cat, Peanut, that thinks she's a dominatrix too.... even though she's a runt.... only about 1/2 the size of a normal full grown cat....

and my mac has underlined "dominatrix".... guess it's misspelled.... oh well..

Warren-

I agree with you. I even think that sometimes that Max used to make some sense-but when I sometimes go back to re-read some of his post's. They are mainly a camouflage for hitting Iran with the big one.

there is some merit to some of the things that he says-when they are wrapped in history. When it's taken away from history. All that Im getting out of it now-is that he has bought into the Netanyhoo believes?

Ivy

Im not going to change my mind about you. A nice gal all around. But Im going to add-with a little mean streak in ya some times: HA!

Thanks now for that song and video. Nowwwww lets see. Even though I liked the birds in that song. Im a gonna keep the mental picture of the birds that I get when I hear the other one.

The Im a girl watcher one. Oh great now that led me into Shake a Tail Feather-see what I mean.

About the one that U posted. Nice pics of those birds. But the song. I have to give it a 3- cos it's too hard to dance too.

I was introduced to a little concept in graduate school many moons ago called Queen Bee Syndrome. Put that in a google search.

It is a syndrome where women scratch and claw themselves to the top and then step on the fingers of any other women trying to climb up and join them. I think it does account for the reason women don't seem to want to stick up for or help other women.

I have encountered a lot of Queen Bees in my life. I never really wanted to be one. I liked just being wherever I was and doing my best in that place. I always hated management positions. When I was I wanted to lead by example instead of by authority and that just didn't work. I got taken advantage of.

I've kind of gotten ambivilent messages from you and Bethy, Renee, so I'm not sure where you stand. I'm just trying to understand.

Lighten up, Max. I laughed, warren- g1.

Yes Rez. I stood up for Bill in the Monica scandal. She knew what she was doing and I think she was commissioned to do it. Bill was the victim there, IMO. I fought with a lot of Docs down here taking up for Bill.

Carol....
you know what we need.....
we need our own rotary and elks type clubs.... minus the cigars of course....

and oh yeah.... no funny hats....

Carol,

I thought that was the Lobster Principle. . or in your case the Crawdad Principle. :-)

Carol....
Sheila used to misunderstand me too.... I love a good discussion and will participate in one from time to time.... I say my opinion.... but always respect your (and other's) right to their opinion..... I rarely get hot under the collar here.... hope this helps....

The windsurfing joke was good, too. You're on fire, warren!

See what happens when you crack wise around here? They run you out on a rail!

Crawdad will do Rez.

I'm not the feminazi ya'll may think. I often think that older men are the victims or some of these younger women who flaunt their stuff around. I've seen that too many times.

Even suffered a severe career crisis because a Dr. I worked for had a sleezy secretary who got him in a lot of trouble and the trouble naturally rubbed off on me since I worked for him. I even tried to warn him but noooo. He was much older, still had the drive but not the good sense to know what to do with it.

The Internet has become hazzardous to older lonely men. They are looking for love in all the wrong places and they pay with there lives. I can't understand why they don't realize that it isn't a 14 year old young thing wanting them, it is a ugly burly cop at the end of that mouse.

Carol...
I also like to look at all sides of an issue....
I usually do agree with the left.... but I think the right makes some valid points also.... I know this sometimes makes me look as if I'm contradicting myself...

I am a color person.... I don't see things in black and white....

jimmie crack corn and dark lord don't care.......

Great Warren, compare Iran and Ahmadinejad/Mullahs to Bush. How intellectual of you.

Yeah, the Mullahs haven't started any preemptive wars.

I may not like what Letterman said in this instance, but if we demand revenge every time someone says something we don't like we'll end up a tyranny anyway.

I used to watch old Laugh-In shows on satellite. At first it shocked me. We've become so PC that we have censored ourselves to a very limited number of subjects.

"I often think that older men are the victims or some of these younger women who flaunt their stuff around. I've seen that too many times."

You can say that again. Just yesterday this cute little thing----------never mind Im in enough trouble as it is. But if it was Sat. Night- I would tell you just what happened. Good thing I have self control!!

With our debates here Renee we are often trying to figure out just what we believe. If we can't hold our end of the arguement for long then we just aren't that committed to it.

I let you guys talk me into Obama and most of the time I'm glad you did. Of course I didn't give up on Hillary until way past her dropping out. And if Obama makes any big mistakes, it's all your fault. Got it? It's a win-win situation.

I'll do you one better, don... I thought both Letterman jokes were funny, and I don't even like Letterman. She DOES dress like a flight attendant- it's funny 'cause it's true!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235995

Carol,

I was in the same position other than being angry at him for being that stupid. Talk about men who keep their brains in their pants. M

I'm sure she got hurt, but her whole psychology presented as the fall in love too fast for love to last type, and she had a string of daddy types behind her and more than likely ahead. She's 35 now, private, and I hope a whole lot smarter.

This is a follow up written at the beginning of last year for anyone who wants to know what all the players are doing

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/relationships/article3185449.ece

You had better be careful Solar. Your not down here where I could make sure you get an extra snack or better prison mat. Those mats are not comfortable.

I can see why you call yourself dark lord, dark lord. Your real funny Brian. That's an insult if you don't know.

Flown in a while dark lord? That went out 20 years ago. Most of my flights are middle age flight attendants, male and female and very properly dressed.

Can't speak for some of the overseas flights like Singapore or Nippon which tend to cater to asian men.

I'll guarantee none of them can afford Palin's wardrobe. That and I like the flight attendants.

I thought the A-Rod was tasteless. Sarah is a big girl and should be used to it. A nation calling you slutty must be hard on an 18 year old girl, and completely unnecessary.

And Renee I don't consider this discussion a left or right issue, just a fairness issue. Somethings just can't be put on one side or the other even though I used the think it was the left that made much more sense. When the left got ahead we started picking up some bad habits. I guess we thought we were right?

For the Tweeters on Twitter an interesting historical something going on ... The Continental Congress is tweeting. Follow events as they happen

http://twitter.com/CCongress?utm_medium=email&utm_source=follow&utm_campaign=twitter20080331162631

Carol....
LOL!
hey.... I was a big Hillary supporter way back when also....
I like Obama as a person.... but am still holding out on my opinion as to what I think of him as a "leader"....

so far, he's talking a great game.... but when it comes to action.... sometimes it feels like he's still voting "present".... like Jamie.... I am disappointed in how he's handling healthcare reform so far....

and Jamie... I did see the last 20 minutes of Bill Maher last night.... it was good to see him being critical of Obama.... especially on the healthcare thing....

see.... I did too say something about Craig's topic....

It was talking about the 14 year old Dark. And the double standard by Democrats And women. I don't find Letterman very funny either.

What a Saturday for the Obama Effect.....

http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/rr/9000/7961881/Irans_Ahmadinejad_attacks_foreign_media_coverage

Meanwhile, the Obama administration is showing some pause after picking the wrong winner. Clinton is questioning the results. Willl the O-team call the result legitamate? Now America faces a religious regime that craps on Democracy AND continues with dangerous strategies teaming up with a NK gone wild. I posted a link last night about the assasination in Iraq of a Sunni leader by Shia extremists. Experts say this would not have happened without orders from Ahmadinejad. Perhaps how Ahmadinejad won is a reality check for Obama and his push to pressure Israel. Expect Bibi to try his massaging tomorrow.

More from Clinton:

http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/rr/9000/8043587/US_hopes_Iran_vote_shows_genuine_will_and_desire

NK declares it will make more bombs with the Plutonium it has and that any interdiction of materials to their partners in Iran will meet a nuclear response. What most in the media fail to report is that powerful nations are not willing to actually enforced the water-down UN resolution. We shall see, that like Gaza, the US cannot interdict NK materials because the “enforcement mechanism” has been omitted from resolution.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124482389939810301.html

How long we can remain in a free fall will be seen.

Many private colleges balk at GI Bill
By Tom Philpott, Special to Stars and Stripes
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=63286

Happy to say USF will eagerly accept the GI Bill, and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of our country's veterans.

My other schools haven't announced their policies. So, SPC, Kenyon, and Hiram, if you ever expect to see a penny of mine, do the right thing.

Great title for that story !

Oral history: The Monica Lewinsky scandal ten years on

." I did see the last 20 minutes of Bill Maher last night.... it was good to see him being critical of Obama.... especially on the healthcare thing.."

Maybe I will start watching him again. I do enjoy his show. The new rules are pee in your pants funny sometimes. But I quit watching him when he started to get that feeling up his legs like U know who.

Harborwoman sent me this. If you didn't get a copy and simply don't know what to do with yourself for the next several hours ... go here

People of Influence

As you move your cursor over the images, the people are identified (how many do you know without checking?). If you click on them, it goes to their Wiki page.

Let's try that with the link

http://cliptank.com/PeopleofInfluencePainting.htm

"Great title for that story !

Oral history: The Monica Lewinsky scandal ten years on"
Funny.!
Good one. Big Chief has good humor sometimes.

Solar....
I stopped watching Maher during the primaries too....
but after seeing his latest movie "Religulous".... I decided to give him another chance.... and I'm glad I have...

I don't always agree with him.... but I do respect how he has both sides on...
and I like the fact that he doesn't want his audience to boo the right and applaud the left.... even though they try to do it.... he always stops them...

yeah.... he's starting to tell jokes about Obama.... and when his audience doesn't laugh at them he says things like "oh come on people... I'm just a comedian... and even the Black Jesus needs to be criticized from time to time"....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235992

Carol, one of the great pleasures I had in the service was mentoring people on their way up. And, on the people I evaluated, I always considered their efforts on behalf of their people as a major factor in their overall ratings.

I thought the women I had in leadership positions were wonderful in helping bring along other women. I was proud of them and their accomplishments. They made us all look good.

Dang Sol Man,

"Big Chief", lol! No, that was writing tablet along in first grade,

Thanks Renee

That does it. Those are exactly the same reasons that I watched him. I liked his televised interviews also. Those were a serious part of the show that I liked. I have the Hbo package they have his reruns if I can get it.

Maybe its just me. But even tho some of his women guests knew that he had the potential to go off on a swearing streak just after his last new rules.

You can see the embarrassment. But they also had to laugh while trying to hide from the cameras. This told me more about them than what they said sometimes. Plus they knew it was funny. That was and added little funny too me.

Rez

Just my way of saying--HOW--hahaha

I used to get. Don't make a big totem pole out of little toothpick.

In sports. my favorite. Lets go scalp em Tonto. I kinda liked that one. fired my up!

...going to be a lot of empty seats on the Dark Lord Comedy Tour, I guess. Sorry, warren; I was going to ask you to open.

I strongly believe single-payer is the way to go in healthcare.

Oh Oh! What little reputation the Minute Men anti immigration group had for non violence just went down the tubes.

http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/06/minuteman-leader-arrested-for-double-homicide/

Leader arrested for double homicide and one of the victims was only eight.

Is this thing on?

(don't forget to tip your bartenders!!)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235986
"have you conveniently forgotten the women who came to your defense."

Never Renee. It was usually you, and I have never stopped feeling grateful.
When I made that statement, I wasn't talking about this blog (and most ESPECIALLY not you). I was talking about in my past, in real life.
I'm sorry if you thought I was. I hope we can disagree about something fairly minor, and not either of us take it personally. Otherwise, I'll just keep my mouth shut.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236029

Hey homes, No problema

Flatus

Single payer is my first choice with the non profit coops being a fairly close second. What those opposed to full health care coverage for everyone don't want to acknowledge is that this issue can take our economy down the tubes unless it is fixed now.

The current unemployment numbers are a joke. The job market is such that there are way more applicants than the number of jobs available and with the forced global draw down back to reality, this isn't going to change. Even making people "redundant" and paying them not to work or forcing the young to stay in school until enough retire to make room isn't enough to keep people employed. They are flat out unneeded.

We are going from "The poor are always with you" to "The poor outnumber you". Take your pick, give them medical care or watch people die. If you don't believe that, look at India. Just because the developed nations are still comparatively wealthy doesn't mean it will stay that way.

Posted by: jamie44.myopenid.com Author Profile Page | June 13, 2009 4:01 PM

If I didn't know any better, I'd think the tone of that post implies you're glad for those murders due to their political ramifications. Take it form me, you have to be careful with your diction.

Renee, I'm glad you said something, and should be more careful how I say things.

Ok, now that the weather's cooled down to a balmy 138 F in the shade, it's time to enjoy it! Pardon the interruption.

No I am not glad for those murders. Don't be silly. It's just that the Minute Men have been claiming all along that they aren't violent and that they are only "trying" to help enforce the laws. A lot of people opposed to illegal immigration believed and supported them.

These events just made that a lie.

Jamie,

The unfortunate reality is that Mr Obama believes his 'coalition of the willing' will dissolve if private insurers are shown the door.

I think he's wrong.

Given that, the measures he proposed are probably reasonable if one accepts his mindset.

Clearly, you and I don't.

"I thought the women I had in leadership positions were wonderful in helping bring along other women. I was proud of them and their accomplishments. They made us all look good."

I'll just bet Flatus that had a lot to do with you and the choices you made in who you selected to mentor.

It's a smart manager who realizes that when those below him/her do good things it just reflects well on the leadership. Many of the women who were my bosses were very threatened by the good things I did like I wanted to take their job. It was the farthest thing from my mind. I didn't want their headaches.

Chloe...
of course I knew that you didn't forget that Patsi and I defended you....
I like to tease and chide..... but sometimes I forget to use that stupid smiley face.....

and you and I (and anyone else) can disagree about anything at anytime....
I don't take it personally.... it's what makes life interesting....

and oh yeah.... :0) :0)

Flauts.... I agree about single payer.... but I heard another doctor on the Diane Rehm show this week that got arrested for trying to go to one of Baucus' meetings because he sent the senator a letter advocating for single payer having a seat at the table....

time to get off this machine now....

I would love portable health care something like a 401K vs. a pension plan, be that private or single payer. I would like to see a Medicare buy-in option and Medicare given more teeth to negotiate rates and prescription costs.

When I'm on a W-2 contract it's usually 4 - 6 months, with an indeterminant time in between where I can get screwed by Cobra or hope I'm healthy. Luckily I'm extraordinarily healthy. Seems like I just get over the time for preexisting conditions and the contract is over. I really should get my brain tumor checked some time.

"and you and I (and anyone else) can disagree about anything at anytime"

Thanks Renee. I wasn't going to talk anymore until I heard from you.

After I wrote about disagreeing on things, I realized that we're not really disagreeing on anything. I also agree with what you said. We're just focusing on one of the many different side of the same issue.

I really shouldn't have generalized about women like that though. And I should have left room for any kind of misinterpretations. It's really hard sometimes, to make yourself clear on a blog. But I always assumed that you understood how much respect I have for you. You've been almost an idol to me.

138 degrees F in the shade? Where are you dark lord? Oh... I know....

"How many rushed to defend the former Miss California?"

Max
I defended her when she made her anti-gay marriage remarks!I didn't agree with her but I agreed she had a every right to her opinion. I don't think I need to defend her now when from all I've heard she just didn't want to fulfill her contract.I listened to her on Larry King and my opinion is she wants to become the anti-gay marriage darling of the right.

should=shouldn't
shouldn't have left room...

don1one

Set up a Medical Savings Account for goodness sake. It's non taxable and you can pay your insurance premiums, co pays and drugs out of the account.

Cobra is a killer. Whoever dreamed up that piece of insanity needs their heads examined.

"138 degrees F in the shade? Where are you dark lord? Oh... I know...."

.... you really left yourself open on that one Champ. :)

"I have been looking into the Boost Mobile. Looks pretty good."

Solar, My daughter (SSSS side saddle sally the second) had Boost Mobile and loved it.

Salon Joan Walsh, "Why I Went on O'Reilly"

http://www.salon.com/opinion/walsh/

Interesting. The earth's magnetic poles have flipped 18,000 times in history and we're overdue for another one.

Add in the South American anomaly and 2012 could be really interesting. I'll have to get up my countdown clock

jamie, catch that thing about the brain tumor? Have any idea what insurance premiums for me would be as a single policy?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236056

Wasn't sure it the brain tumor was a reality or just a remark. Check into a policy with a really high deductible if you can put the amount of the deductible into the savings account.

Also, I don't know your income level, but if it is low enough check into a medicaid option. If things are dire enough, go for SS Disability. You are still allowed to earn in addition to SS and you are eligible for Medicare after two years I beilieve.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236053

Sunday tomorrow. It's that time for an apple for my hoss. A big hug and a kiss that goes to SSSSS (side saddle sally the third) Oh and a hug for the original Sally.

hey all, if you're interested, keep an eye on my You Tube page tonight -- I am speaking at a dinner where Bill Clinton is keynoting and will upload cell cam clips of anything noteworthy

http://www.youtube.com/craigcrawfordtv

Wow! That's neat Craig. I wouldn't mention that we spent the morning chatting about his love life.

Don't reply. Carols on the prowel again. She is threatening to put me behind bars. Im beginning to think that-that is how most of the inmates that she takes care off-wound up there.

There is more to her than she lets on. I think that she likes her men that wears stripes. I don't look good in stripes.

For those who need a link to Craig's You Tube Page

http://www.youtube.com/craigcrawfordtv

For those who don't know that the Mayan Calendar ends in 2012, December 21 to be exact, you might want to start packing

http://www.2012warning.com/ (The Crazy Version)

http://abcnews.go.com/international/Story?id=5301284&page=1 (The ABC equally crazy but nicely reported version)

Hah! Nice one Jamie. Give Bill my regards Craig. I still am a big fan of that crazy hound dog despite my soapbox performance of yesterday...

Solar, Thanks. You sent that hug at the perfect time.
I'll try to snap a picture of Cheyenne when I give her that apple tomorrow. Here's some pics, with different horses, that I found on line to give you a preview. http://tinyurl.com/ngxr79 / http://tinyurl.com/nle2qs / http://tinyurl.com/mqur9x / http://tinyurl.com/lm69bd / http://tinyurl.com/lkwgm3

If you like unusual art, here are images from Banksy's secret art show

http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#2MS1RK/www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1904391,00.html/

Heck Solar, I'm trying to keep you outta trouble son, not get you in it. Lately I'm doing enough to get me into trouble but every now and again I have to switch from silly Carol the bad ass Carol. I never know when I will need my fighting skills. I do work in a prison ya know and they don't give me any training there.

It's not actually the end of the Mayan, it's the end of their longest period of measurement. The Spaniards were afraid of their writings and burned most of them, but the general belief is that it's supposed to be a passage into a new era for people.

Frogs have fungus, global warming, asteroids aiming at us, and now the magnetic poles are flipping. All we need now is a super-volcano like Yellowstone erupting. Life is certainly full of surprises. I wonder if we were better off before we knew of all of these dangers.

But then again Solar keeping the joint full is job security.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236065

Warren
Your performance yesterday was fab!! I like your well thought out opinions even when I disagree,keep them coming..Hey its Saturday where's your bourbon and beer?If I could I would buy you a drink pronto! T

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236054

Oh boy Jamie, I don't know if I can stand to watch Joan on O'Reilly.I can't stand that tyrant..I read the piece and it sounds brutal for Joan.I did however enjoy Hillary when she went on,very good...Thanks

Thanks tony. Unfortunately today I am in the office and I will have to come back manana : (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDV1jsPlKD8&eurl=http%3A%2F

I went ahead and watched.Joan did good....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236075

Warren
Sorry...No hang over then.Its a good thing you got to see the movie..HA

Hey Tony-

Did you hear about the convict that escaped from prison? Well he busted into some guys house while he and his wife were making love.

He jumped on top of her and put a gun at throat. The husband went of to a corner chair. He said. "Honey I love you" do anything that he wants you to do. I love you.

The convict bent over the wife and whispered something to her. Than wen to the bathroom to wash up. While he was gone . The husband asked his wife what he whispered.

She said that he was gay and that he liked the way that you looked. Then she said. Do any thing he wants and Remember honey that I love you too!

Max- I was looking for an answer for U-here

Air Force Report Warns of Iranian Missile ‘Threat’ by 2015
Could Iran Really Make Such Dramatic Progress in Just Six Years?

A report from the Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center is alleging that the Iranian government’s “ambitious ballistic missile and space launch development programs” could allow them to have an ICBM capable of hitting the United States by 2015.
One of Iran's Shahaab-3 missiles

The allegation seems to be related to one made yesterday by Lieutenant General Patrick O’Reilly, who claimed Iran and North Korea have been working together to improve their ballistic missile capabilities.

Yet Lt. Gen. O’Reilly claimed of such sharing “we’ve seen it for years.” Yet the claims Iran is about to make an enormous leap forward in missile technology seems to break down under closer scrutiny.

In July of 2003, Iran unveiled the Shahaab-3, which at the time had about an 800 mile range. Six years later the Shahaab-3 remains the pride of the nation’s ballistic missile arsenal, and the range has been extended to roughly 1,200 miles. It seems unfathomable that the nation, which was only able to muster an increase of a few hundred miles in six years, will suddenly be able to increase its range by several thousand miles, which would be necessary for the missiles to hit the United States.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236078

Solar
Good one!" Do any thing he wants and Remember honey that I love you too!" Ha Ha surprise,surprise!!

Tony

Hard to tell gay jokes. took a chance.

Forgive me for saying it , but it was hot as an oven in Texas today.
But out merry troop marched forward. Vendor count was up by 30% ........ 18 to 25. Sales were up amount the whole crowd, our trafiic was flat , but we were up against a Clay & Wine Fest.

We have steam in the boiler.

GOP-Leaning Majority Seen Fading in U.S.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/articles/dan+balz/

Wouldn't it be nice if the Libertarians took over the GOP? One may not agree with them, but I would hope one would appreciate the counter-balance to the Democratic party they would provide in contrast to what we got now.

...rather than having TWO parties of big gov't.

No problem with Libertarians except that they tend to be very impractical, but at least they put forth ideas rather than dribbles of cruddy, knee jerk talking points..

Right. That's what I'm saying. Ok, off to the race-track.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236082

Hey Solar
You did good,no messing up the punch line from you....
OMG ,I can't believe I just heard a clip on C.Brown on CNN from Rush saying Obama didn't inherit a problem he created one!! Liar!!

I think the libertarian wing, mostly socially moderate and fiscally conservative, will start a third party. Social Conservatives are a one trick pony and are working their way into obscurity.

Go Rand Paul!

daily garth:

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

I guess Craig hasn't seen anything worth sending yet.

Sturgeone

I'm really enjoying Patsi's book even if I did fall asleep last night reading it.

the big O

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dael4sb42nI

Okay. I couldn't respond to anything last night because I was using my sister' computer. This is as long, I guess, as the notorious and "catty' post I sent yesterday, but at least I have reviewed it and edited it .
I would like to make it clear that I have notg defended Letterman, but I also don't think he got off scot free.
Don't forget your scroll button if I go over the line.

Warren, the only way you could offend me is by leaving here. If anything here stuck in my craw, I wouldn't be here - I don't come here for punishment and/or pain.
I can't imagine what made you think you had offended me - will you say? I think your posts are great and very reasoned and I enjoy them immensely.

Solar, I hope you will at least read this even if you don't respond. I am so so sorry you thought I called you a sexist, especially since I tried so hard to NOT label anybody anything. I think I said some of the remarks here about slugging Letterman were sexist - you weren't the onbly one who said it, and I wasn't criticizing it. I just don't think it accomplishes anything.

I also think we need to ponder the word sexist. Is it sexist to think that all women should defend all other women? What about men? I'm not going to defend anybody because of one's sex - sorry. I hold the same standards for all.

There is a lot of material for a discussion of sexism, and frankly, it is about as clear as the genealogy of the European royal families - arguments cross over each other and double-back on each other, and for that reason I don't want to get into the discussion.

I will simply say that treating people differently because of their sexes is sexist, in my opinion and can be a good thing or a bad thing. We are all sexist at one time or another.

So, Solar, I wasn't trying to insult you or single you out, but in fact, the opposite. I hope that eases any hard feelings I caused you, but I do think hitting a man who insults a woman is sexist unless the same treatment is meted out on behalf of a man.

Solar, you've written a lot about your life, and it is horrifying to me. I'm the first to admit I likely wouldn't have survived such treatment, although I didn't have a dream life. The violence in your life is horrible and I think you are incredibly brave, strong, fair, tough, gererous, and decent. Do you realize all the incidents you cited began with someone else first using violence toward you? I can't fault you at all for stiking back.

Hitting a man for insulting words is not the same thing,
in my opinion. I don't think I know or have ever known
a woman who wanted her husband or date to punch some guy who was obnoxious to her. I've seen a lot of women get their guys out of there before it got that bad.

I agree words can cause enormous damage, but the guy who murdered the filmaker for portraying Mohammed said also that he was protecting his god and his way of life.

I guess that makes you angry with me again, Solar, and I'm sorry. Maybe you'll feel up to responding to me again some day, but I'm sticking up for myself, and It's just my opinion. I'm sorry I hurt you because I think a lot of you.

One last gasp. Bristol Palin will be remembered, but for what? I think she will be remembered for getting pregnant with her boyfriend who then went on international tv to talk about their so-called sex life and to put her family down, whose mother was caught in a drug deal, and whose sister talked on that same tv about how she had always hated Palin.

All of that would have not been in the open if Sarah hadn't wanted to be veep. I agree I can't read her mind
but that's how I read her actions. If she had stuck with the line "Pretty pathertic, good old David Letterman" ,
which was perfect, it would have ended it, but she's keeping it going, for the edificaation of her base.

bethyboo, aka the bitch

So when I was drawing a parallel between the 2004 election and what happened in Iran - I was not trying to create a firestorm

(But I did nothing to discourage it - despite my windsuring joke.)

I was just thinking about my own experience in 2004. I had not really paid much attention to politics till that point. I was always interested in policy and international relations - but I could do without the politics.

2008 was the first time I was on the whole ride from the lead up, the primaries and the general. (good times : ) But in 2004 I really got involved and interested after the conventions.

Like most, I was deeply-concerned about Iraq. And got sick of travelling around and hearing people toubled and dissappointed in America's actions and Bush's approach to the world.

Obama's speech went a long way:

"The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an "awesome God" in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

In the end -- In the end -- In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope?"

And I was moved by Kerry's convention speech - even if I was not moved by him as a candidate. So I made sure my brother and his girlfriend voted for him. And we went to the polls and stood on-line together in FL. We saw more Kerry than Bush signs and we thought Kerry could take FL. (But of course we lived out near the beach - so it was not an accurate representation of the FL electorate.)

I thought it was gonna be the year when the youth vote made a difference. With the numbers from 2000 - I figured with a surge in young voters - the Dems could take it. I was told by my conservative friend that the youth vote won't make a difference.

Well you all know what happened in 2004. So all I am saying is that I understand what some of those Iranians are going through.

We should be circumspect in throwing out allegations of corruption. And should also remember that no one was really talking about this even as a significant possibility just months ago. Peaceful transitions of power are one of the hallmarks of democracy.

And as I heard someone say on Charlie Rose, whoever wins - it will be a great day in Iran.

(That was before the elections - and lets hope it does not become and great - and tragic - day.)

Aw bethy I just thought u were ignoring me. What u didn't say rather than anything u did.

(And you know me - always starved for attention ; )

But I am glad to hear it was only in my kooky head. (sometimes I am paranoid enough to be a member of the GOP.)

I am off to watch Taken!

Very nice bethy. If I hear you right, part of what you're saying is that violence isn't the right response. Though I think women over estimate the actual violence that actually occurs between men. We yell, we scream, we threaten, then maybe throw a punch but we're so thick headed it isn't really felt. Occasionally it goes overboard if there are weapons, but as a group we're more bluster than action.

I agree with you warren that there are comparisons, and that's in the efforts of both countries to work through democracy. While the leaders of Iran may not be so democratic, there's certainly a passion for it in the people. The people of Iran are not the evil group that some would like us to believe. Like anywhere, they're people with similar interests in life.

I know a lot about embedded computer systems and the voting equipment. I believe their was manipulation of the system, and rather than try drag it through the courts, Kerry and the Democrats decided to spend four years educating people on the dangers of electronic voting systems. A lot was explained, and by this last election there were a lot of people looking for oddities.

BTW, I was living in San Luis Obispo county which used the first voting systems and had more votes than people registered.

Bethy- Aka-the beautiful

I have told you before that U are one of a few that can pull my ear like a big sister. Sometimes we are not going to agree. I have friends that tell the truth to each other-even if it stings a little. Thats what you did. It stung a little. I got over it just as fast.

Now as far a hitting a man for insulting my daughter. might depend on the insult. Calling her a slut is a jaw breaking offense to me. A little lack of respect.
calls for a hard stern look. Big diff to me. Physical harm. Definitely a hospital stay. No sense talking about it. It is what it is.

Defending some one that you raise is very different than defending a god to me. No need to point out the difference there either. You already know that-that is not an adequate comparison to me.
we are talking about Immediate family. Not a convoluted belief in some made up father figure that looks over your shoulder every second of the day.

Yes words are extremely hurtful. Thats why I explained them the way that I did. Your were not .

About the incidents that I cited. Yes they have been done to me first. They have been violent-hurtful. Cruel. But don't go analyzing me over them.

I have explained them so you could understand where I was coming from. Not a need to understand them. I have done so already. Pleas go back and take a look at what I said when I have gone past these feeling about 25 plus years ago.

Part of the cleansing was to forgive the people that did those things. The biggest part was to understand my behavior after those things ac cured-then like I said. Looking in the mirror and confessing my sins to myself. and forgiving myself.

Bethy, It takes a blend of people to make the world run right. The mild. The strong. The adventurist etc. etc. The only ones that I see wrong are the extreme in each example. to be overly jealous- violent-petty-or anything is not a good thing imo. Being overly passive is not a very good thing. So you see there are times for turning the other cheek-there are time for slapping the hell out of one. Im giving out hugs tonight. want one?

Don, you are so absolutely right that men might talk about getting violent but maybe not carrying throught. I guess I was responded out of surprise because I didn't expect to hear those words from anyone, and there were also some from tv. The one thing you want to do when someone, esp a woman and a young one at that, is insulted is to not embarrass her. See, I'm being sexist here, too. We all do it. but if it's worth hitting someone for, it's worth keeping it kinda quiet.
Her parents are doing anything but.

So, I just don't like the idea of hitting man obnoxious guy to protect a woman's good name. I hate the words Letterman used a whole lot, but just don't care for the idea of wanting to hit a creep.

Don

I like your post about the Mayans. The one about the taxes also. The one about----GO Rand Paul ---also. Wouldn't that be something if we can grow a third party from the two that exist now?

Six billion people in the world and one billion of them are starving

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/12/AR2009061201545.html

I understand bethy. That pertains to males too. At that age you don't have the coping mechanisms that you learn later in life. That's why I worry so much about all the angry words coming out of people these days. Adults can get angry, go drink a bottle of wine and yell at the screen, and be over it. Kids not so much.

Thanks for sharing here Solar. It looks like i've missed a few things, but I'm really glad you've come to peace with yourself. There are a few things that I've done that pop up every once in a while I feel really bad about, then I remember that it was a different me and different them at the time. It's part of why I am who I am now, and I like me so that's good. I've had to live some pain to learn to be a little more patient with people now. I like who you are so I think you've traveled a similar path. Some people get bitter, some people learn and become larger.

While I think the ideals of the liberals to re-engineer society are grand ideals, I think we each have to walk through life with all of its pitfalls. Libertarians let you do that. It doesn't mean people won't help you along the way, you just can't think it's a deserved right. I hope whoever takes over for the mess called Republicans moves that direction.

Bethy

Last word on the subject of violence. Even when I was going to a lot of diff bars. I had a sense of proportion . I can remember more than a cpl of times that I was called out to fight.

After going out with the idea of defending myself. The person that I was fighting with. Could not fight worth a damn. What I did was to keep him from hitting me.

I didn't take advantage and hit just cos I could. Believe it or not . These times were about sports-or something like it. We went back in and laughed about it.

I wasn't. I never was a violent person. Just had to do what I had to do at times. Night

Don-

Thanks. I told U it would be a trip.

"I guess Craig hasn't seen anything worth sending yet. -- Posted by: jamie44.myopenid.com"

yeah, sorry for the false alarm, as it turned out the room we were in had no cell service and so i gave up on the whole idea. Clinton gave a heck of a speech on diversity, identity politics and mideast peace, quite thoughtful and nuanced. here's AP coverage of it.. http://tinyurl.com/mnuozt

Well this could get ugly: U.S. rejects victory claim by Ahmadinejad

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iZfgLuKrg3QBRltJ0qQMIzgIohdQD98Q476G0

It would be nice to see the whole transcript of that speech.

There's quite a bit coming out of Iran via twitter on post election results. Sounds quite tumultuous.
@JDArtist has been relaying, I think you'd like her jamie

Thanks Don. I've got her now.

All western journalists have been asked to leave. Government shutting down all communication. This was just tweeted:

watching IRINN, the host of morning show was wearing green shirt and suit(colors of #Mousavi campaign)

The revolution will not be televised.

Supposedly tweeting live from rooftop

http://twitter.com/Change_for_Iran

BBC is managing to cover. CNN nothing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcHT8-ps64w

Full BBC article and video

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8099115.stm

Since CNN MSNBC ABC CBS and NBC have forgotten what they do for a living, you can follow on tweeter

Who needs TV? Follow the #IranElection on here. Follow: @IranElection09 @tehranelection @tehranbureau more: http://bit.ly/U11Eh
less than 20 seconds ago from

No need to fear 2012, something to look forward to.

"A New Age interpretation of this transition posits that, during this time, the planet and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation rather than an armageddon, and that 2012 may mark the beginning of a newer sociopolitical age for the global community."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Doomsday_prediction

I have been feeling it coming. We have been preparing for it on this blog. Hey even the Hopi blue corn may have a part. And no need to pack your bags.

Where is everyone? Ya'll didn't get started without me did ya? Now I will really be pissed off if everyone gets beamed up and I am left here snipe hunting.

blago's back

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gk71Hb4U4qtoqKuZ4XzCua-VUDQAD98QD2E00

Did ya'll read that Frank Rick article? I told you I liked that Shep Smith on Fox. He seems to be one voice of reason on that network.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/opinion/14rich.html?_r=2

good sunday morning, ct

here's bbc update on iran

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8099218.stm

the guardian's take on iran

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/14/iran-election-clases-ahmadinejad

Do you think it would have made any difference to us who won?

This move to make digital all forms of mass and personal communications really bugs me; digital is so easy to block--pull one plug and that's it.

Oh, yeah, the people with the satellite phones will still get through, but at great personal peril. As soon as severed heads start appearing at the entrances to shopping malls, that part of our information flow will dry up.

It was so much more difficult to interdict analog communications. Just about anyone could setup a clandestine broadcasting operation accessible by everyone.

I still have a couple old-fashioned shortwave radios lying about--marvelous things for listening to revolutions as they occur.

Carol, do you need a license for snipes? What's the daily limit?

No license required because you ain't getting nottin Flatus.

I have a digital TV out here and was getting all the networks with an antenna before the big switch. My CBS has now disappeared. I have rescanned mulitple times and nada. It doesn't make sense since I had it before.

"Just about anyone could setup a clandestine broadcasting operation accessible by everyone."

flatus, won't rogue broadcasts still be available... maybe more limited geographically? it's just the pictures we'll miss. we still have ears and radio hams. some of us remember how to read and there will always be pamphleteers won't there? at least as long as there are true believers in things crazy.

Carol, they may be making equipment changes that require them to transmit at a reduced power until the changes are completed.

Flatus you forgot to remind me that today was Flag Day. I just heard and rushed my flag outside. I love to have a reason to fly it. I did last weekend for my party.

flatus, tho't about you and your family last night while watching clint eastwood's "gran torino" and how you and they may have felt about it.... have you seen it and how would you rate it?

it was very moving, intense and imo seemed to accurately capture the parlance of the streets.

Twitter was going nuts last night. What part of it was actually out of Iran and what was punkers having a good time, impossible to know.

>(*v*)<

ivy, love the bird. have you named it yet? maybe "avis trailus miximus"?

Here are several areas of our country that should be first to step up to the plate and welcome these individuals into THEIR communities: Vermont, Washington (west of the mountains), Oregon, Massachusetts, Upper West Side of NY, San Francisco, and Illinois.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jVlw_jsCaMXJt-ZjmuPqw8SipKVQD98PA9H85

al jazeera's coverage on iran riots

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/06/200961445310869719.html

Warren....
great post at 9:51 last night....

I am deeply saddened thinking about what is happening in Iran. When Rick and I were newlyweds, Rick worked in a library in a small college in Worcester, Massachusetts. The student body was largely made up of foreigners living in the country who got Pell grants. Lots of different ethnicities... but the largest segment was Iranian. We were young. The students were young. And we got to know and make friends with some of them. We became the closest with an Iranian man who worked part time at the library and his wife. I really learned to love the Iranian people.

I wish them well and am praying for them today.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236145

TIR
This is such a bullshit issue.If these folks aren't charged with a crime then they should be released.I don't see any difference between them and any other suspects being released....Add Central Florida to the list....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236145

Poor TIR Big bad guys in turbans scare you?

Good morning all
Well its another hot and steamy morning here.It rained a bunch last night so everything is green and wonderful.Ive got a busy day planned got to go to the gym and then a mile walk on the beach and I still have a bunch of anti-dillo rock to put in my landscaping beds..Having steak and potato for dinner Baz(my Australian friend) would say lovely right about now...Lovely..have a good one everyone.

Iran is interesting. In a way they're one of the most democratic peoples in the middle east, despite their government. The revolution in 1979 was about overthrowing a very corrupt Shah and getting rid of his secret police. The shah was great for US oil companies but not so much Persians.

The median age in the country is 27 and people want a different system, there just hasn't been the right organizing force.

I hope this is more the birth pains of a new system than a way of identifying and silencing the dissidents.

BTW, agree on Shep Carol. I've heard him tell the thicker talking heads that what they're saying is absolute BS. He's got the support of Rupert and the freedom to be a real wild card.

Huffpo live blogging from Iran

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/13/iran-demonstrations-viole_n_215189.html

Good morning. Worried about Iran. Sort of what I expected though.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236151

Don1one

Since the power really rests with Khomeni and no challenger has won an election since the revolution and Ahmadenijad is Khomeni's man, this election was a foregone conclusion - This time.

Given the youth of the vote that turned out, there are bound to be some adjustments or their pretense of being a Democratic country is going the way of the Wizard of Oz. If I'm a Dinner Jacket goes for a crackdown instead, it could get very ugly.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236144

"ivy, love the bird. have you named it yet? maybe "avis trailus miximus"?"

patd --

Thanks for making my first smile of the morning. I can't improve on the name...atm for short (pronounced like adam)?

>(*v*)<

>(*v*)(*v*)<

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236141
Sorry, Pat, haven't seen it. Is it an old movie (free)?

Now why did it do that?

>(*v*)(*v*)<

"Khamenei". Khomeini was the other guy.

I'm surprised the Iranian authority announced Ahmadinejad only got 62.5% of the vote, I would have figured they'd say 99%. In this country, they try to make 52% sound like a mandate...

There is something about our little bird that wipes out anything typed between the two birds. Interesting

>(*v*)<

Dark Lord

Knew who I meant, but my spelling didn't :-)

...and don't kid yourself. Ahmadinejad is a savvy politician. Like it or not, I think he may have more popular support than some would be willing to admit.

I was confused enough to look it up at one point myself, Jamie.

...meaning, that yes, the Dark Lord himself, is human. Not trying to mix it up. Lazy Sunday- just chillin' here.

It's the less than, greater than, symbols. There's a tag stripper that removes anything in between.

test. <

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236162

He is savvy and has enough good will from standing up to the US to be favored among surrounding nations, but if heavy crackdown comes that could change rapidly. One thing, Irani's are very proud of being "Persian". This has caused falling out with neighboring "Arabs" before, particularly Iraqis

It was so helpful of Bush to take out Iran's biggest problem in the neighborhood.

<>.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236165

Okay. Only one ATM per message. Flocks of birdies not allowed. :-)

>(*v*)<

One moron's opinion: I think "we" should just face facts and work with Ahmadinejad. Make me ambassador to Iran; I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.

Going to Emerald Downs today with Harborwoman. If anyone has any hunch bets, let me know.

http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/EMD061409USA-EQB.html

Ahmadinejad has picked up some regions that he shouldn't have, Juan Cole has a good analysis. It could be an accurate vote, but it smells funny. I worry more about the religious zealotry, but then again.

Funny comment in a previous thread about Jimmy Carter monitoring the elections.

I'll try to show the html codes that should let you play with atm. The blog seems to accept them.

For < use an ampersand, 'lt', and a semicolon.
For > use an ampersand, 'gt' and a semicolon.

&lt;
&gt;

Pat, just looked at the wiki on Gran Torino. We enjoy anything with Eastwood. We'll wait for it to come out on the free side of DirecTV.

There is very little connection between Koreans (Northeast Asia), and the Hmong and their Southeast Asian neighbors. They are different ethnically, linguistically, and appearance wise.

The plot sounds somewhat of a stetch--but, that's how movies are made.

Jamie --

You scared me! I've gotten some unexpected symbols from that birdie in the preview myself. lol

Are we sure Ahmahdenijad isn't crazy? Or crazy like a fox? This report just came in:

Ahmadynezad now calls himself "seyed" (bloodline of prophet mohammad) & wearing a green shawl on state TV! unbelievable!

Went to Krogers yesterday and bought a great big bunch of over-ripe bananas. A couple loaves of banana bread are in the oven now. I always add a little freshly ground nutmeg; really whets the appetite.

Sounds like a false prophet, Jamie. Maybe Salmon Rushdie can put a curse on him.

Dark Lord makes french toast out of banana bread- gets one going in the AM.

Yeah, dark lord, cause that worked so well in the past. Even Bush abandoned that policy after his first term. If you look at Bush's foreign policy his second term it was much more mainstream. Cheney was sidelined, Bolton was booted, and Rice was in State.

The sanctions have been destroying Iran's oil infrastructure. Unless inflation really drives the price of oil up they're going to have to face reality sooner or later and work with the rest of the world. This election was about domestic economics and people feeling the pinch.

Fortunately right now we have time.

New Yorker interview with Leon Panetta

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/22/090622fa_fact_mayer

Accuses Cheney of "gallows politics"

LOL, don, 'cuz Bush was oh-so-diplomatic. Can't imagine why being cast into the "Axis of Evil" didn't warm him up to us.

In honor of Flag Day --

Barbara Frietchie

Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,

The clustered spires of Frederick stand
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.

Round about them orchards sweep,
Apple and peach tree fruited deep,

Fair as the garden of the Lord
To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,

On that pleasant morn of the early fall
When Lee marched over the mountain-wall;

Over the mountains winding down,
Horse and foot, into Frederick town.

Forty flags with their silver stars,
Forty flags with their crimson bars,

Flapped in the morning wind: the sun
Of noon looked down, and saw not one.

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then,
Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

Bravest of all in Frederick town,
She took up the flag the men hauled down;

In her attic window the staff she set,
To show that one heart was loyal yet,

Up the street came the rebel tread,
Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.

Under his slouched hat left and right
He glanced; the old flag met his sight.

'Halt!' - the dust-brown ranks stood fast.
'Fire!' - out blazed the rifle-blast.

It shivered the window, pane and sash;
It rent the banner with seam and gash.

Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff
Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf.

She leaned far out on the window-sill,
And shook it forth with a royal will.

'Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country's flag,' she said.

A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,
Over the face of the leader came;

The nobler nature within him stirred
To life at that woman's deed and word;

'Who touches a hair of yon gray head
Dies like a dog! March on!' he said.

All day long through Frederick street
Sounded the tread of marching feet:

All day long that free flag tost
Over the heads of the rebel host.

Ever its torn folds rose and fell
On the loyal winds that loved it well;

And through the hill-gaps sunset light
Shone over it with a warm good-night.

Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er,
And the Rebel rides on his raids nor more.

Honor to her! and let a tear
Fall, for her sake, on Stonewalls' bier.

Over Barbara Frietchie's grave,
Flag of Freedom and Union, wave!

Peace and order and beauty draw
Round thy symbol of light and law;

And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below in Frederick town!

-- John Greenleaf Whittier

Jamie...
please tell Harborwoman I said Hi and that I wish she'd post more.... I've always enjoyed her posts.... and I hope both of you have a great time!

Flatus..... I can smell that bread from here.... smells goooooood...

Renee, made some Anadama bread a couple of weeks ago. It makes marvelous toast. Used the recipe from the old Rockport cookbook from the '50s.

Hopefully the Dark Lord didn't run off the likes of HW, Prof Marcia, and others. If so, they'll be happy to know I begin another hiatus tomorrow...

The really stupid thing is that Bush refused Iran's cooperation in fighting Al Queda after 9/11. Iran reached out to us and we slapped their hand down.

I don't know how many of you have lived in a country with a long history. In Turkey they used to joke about 'new' songs they'd teach me at night. Only 600 or 700 years old. Our flip-flopping on policy every 4 - 8 years drives them nuts and doesn't build trust. Too bad there are so many idiots in Congress, otherwise they could help to stabilize policy.

But, Don, the Statue of Liberty still stands as a magnet to all approaching her, and as a reminder of those of us born in her shadow.

reminder _to_

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236175

Flatus,

I buy them, peel and freeze. Great for making smoothies in the morning with yogurt and OJ or thawing for recipes.

The Buick Lacrosse actually looks like a nice car...

Yeah, I think Lady Liberty has gotten a bit tarnished. Those of us in her shadow used to stand up against things like torture, unreasonable search and seizure, manipulation of the press, habeas corpus.

I hear the Chinese are starting to take out insurance on sales to US companies to ensure purchase of goods after manufacture.

Thought for the day :
" No man's religion ever survives his morals. "

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236190

Don1 --

Which insurance companies are underwriting that?

Yeah, Don; copper will do that. I think she looks pretty good for [redacted].

1847 Bunson invents a gas burner. Lab teachers celebrate worldwide

Love Flag Day and the flag. Hate the required loyalty oath.

http://www.oldtimeislands.org/pledge/pledge.htm

"BTW, agree on Shep Carol. I've heard him tell the thicker talking heads that what they're saying is absolute BS. He's got the support of Rupert and the freedom to be a real wild card."

He's what drew me to Fox for a while. The best news guy around imo.... well, at least the one I most enjoyed listening to.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236184
Dark Lord didn't run off anyone.... Dark Lord is an important part of this blog. Where you going?

Craig, Thanks for that link to Bills speech. I wish I could have heard it. How was the dinner?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j6yb5wkNDqFfI3sYaqKWlByJcr2wD98Q6TQO1
"Clinton, who wasn't paid for his speech, spoke in a wide-ranging 35-minute address that focused on people's identity in an interdependent world. He said the U.S. can't rely on its military might in global relations. "It has to begin by people accepting the fact that they can be proud of who they are without despising who someone else is," he said."

Don't know ivy. I was listening to an NPR feature yesterday on US Companies defaulting on purchases. I guess it's gotten epidemic. Just caught the last half.

>(*v*) like this? (*v*)<

I'm going into the wild, a la Chris McCandless, chloe.

Actually I just watched that movie yesterday, and there seem to be two schools of thought on him: one holding that he is a hero that forged his own path in spite of an avaricious and superficial society, and the other that he was a tragically selfish sufferer of some undiagnosed mental illness. I subscribe to the latter. Well-made movie, though.

So if the birdies share a wing it doesn't wipe out what is typed between them?

Ivy, I just love your Adam birdie.

Renee,

I'll pass along your message. She has really been swamped of late now that her son is working and she is chauffeur.

You can just chalk this up to more 'Change". They will now know all your internet secrets, but that is OK now that Obama is in office. AP you must find this a very unsettling bit of news? What did you call it when it was done under the Bush administration? Fascism if my memory serves me right. Well now under Obama's administration looks like they will be ramping this up several notches.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31338666/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/

So much of the Chinese exports are made to order with a ship time of virtually overnight. I would think they should be able to do cash up-front transactions with the Chinese government guaranteeing delivery.

Juan Cole, oh he's good.........He was completely wrong about Iran and whinned about how Totten recieved best Middle East BLog. I repeat, he said Iraq was Lost and has consistently been wrong, but then he is the darling of the Left.

Flatus, why do you repeat myths? Please post for everyone what Iran offered the US. Just google. You can find exactly what Iran proposed. It was unacceptable then and it is unacceptable now. Myth is not a replacement for history. Soory to sound tough, but I have heard this so many times before. Iran's offer was completley bullshit. Plain and simple. It allowed them their nuclear programs.....all of them. And that was just the first item of demand.

Jamie, I don't think leaving saddam in place to terrorize Iran is sound policy. That would be like arming OBL to give the Soviets problems, yes?

Funny how LIberals deplored Reagan's help to Saddam, but now think Saddam was a great idea to block Iran. And we should allow the Taliban to torture and abuse women in Afghanistan because they don't like Iran? We should even let them get nukes in Pakistan because maybe they will nuke Iran.

Such geopolitical brilliance.

Democracy is a sham in Iran, but how many LIberals over at Huff and Kos defended the process that gave us Ahmadinejad in the first place? How many turn a blind eye to Quds and voted against the Kyle Bill?

And how many blasted Bush policy on NK? Many Republicans did not want NK off the terror list until they fessed up about their secret projects. Now NK reveals them. And how many other secret projects in Iran and Syria?

One thing is sure. Liberals are having many of their myths shaken. No mention of the Obama Effect this morning.

Democratic leadership would never have agreed to the Iranian offer in 2003. I expect Bibi to put recent events into perspective seeing that Obama's Cairo speech, though a wonderful PR rant, does not address Hamas' post speech behavior including firing a missile at Eygpt and an attempted coup in the West Bank. It did not address HIzb'Allah or Quds. In short, it did not discuss the factors that have moved to the front in achieving peace.

All we need now is for Carter to say the election in Iran was fair.

I have a good one for Obama: have a referendum in the West Bank and Gaza. One simple question, y or n. Does you accept the right of Israel to exist and a two state solution as offered Arafat by Clinton? Now that is simple. If the answer is no, then what "peace" can be negotiated now?

Suspect caught in cat murders. If he gets treatment now, maybe he won't become a serial killer

http://www.justnews.com/news/19747620/detail.html

Not if you use my special codes for their wings.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236171

The submission code strips out anything between greater than and less than symbols because that usually means a special message to the browser.

i would love to hear Bill's take on Obama and Hillary's foreign policy strategy.

Thanks for the Flag Day poem Ivy.

"Lazy Sunday- just chillin' here." Dark lord, what's chillin there, about 115 degrees F?

Max -

Have a cracker.

Max, buddy, I hate to get on your case- really I do, but:

You HAVE TO read the author each post to which you are replying more carefully. It was don1one who said "Iran reached out to us", not Flatus.

...enjoy your posts, not trying to start shit, just saying.

Chloe....
now that you've shown up.... I want to ask you to please not idolize me....
I'm a human being with all the warts and faults.... and please don't tell Flatus this.... sometimes I even fart.... I will accept your admiration though.... :0) :0)

dark-lord...
I read the book about McCandless... great book... I really need to rent that movie... and I subscribe to the latter also...
wherever you're going.... I wish you much luck and health.... godspeed....

ct,

[insert trite John Milton quote here]

Thanks, Renee. Don't worry; I want to live in the woods, not die in them.

Sorry for the overposting right now, it's getting ridiculous, but I'll be done soon.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236200

Jamie, Don1, Patd, et al., please borrow and adapt him anytime. He's a Free Bird.

Jamie, we had this young guy come to jail recently who had killed this old pityful dog in his neighborhood with a sword. Tortured him first. I don't think anyone ever had that much disgust for any of the people murderers we have. We all had to reach deep inside to cover up our dislike of him.

But they say that most people who kill innocent domestic animals are usually warming up for a bigger kill.

McCandless is a modern-day Kerouac to the early-twenty-something set, Renee, but the movie was just sad (I thought). From what I hear, Krakauer's book is somewhat more reverential.

Notice the similarity of their names. Interesting.

Chris McCandless sounds like an Interesting fellow Dark Lord.
But are you planning on following in his footsteps?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_McCandless

"I will accept your admiration though.... "

Good. :)

It's been done before Truth, but now people are watching more carefully.

At one time word got around that all emails that were going across the major backbone routers (at one time there were around 6 huge routers that connected the world) were being routed to the UK and back, so they'd count as incoming foreign correspondence and fall under the jurisprudence of the NSA. I worry more about the NSA than any other TLA in intelligence, they're extremely competent.

So far I'm not overjoyed by Obama's domestic policy. The state secrets act, DADT, Summers and Ruben's old crew, and now a new privacy issue. There are rumours that the datawarehousing project of everyone's privacy data was restarted and continues.

It's only been four months and I will bet the Republicans are still holding up a lot of nominations, but lobbyists seem to hold the same sway over Obama as they did over Bush.

"[insert trite John Milton quote here]"

Don't make me work or think today dark lord, it's Sunday.

"I want to live in the woods, not die in them."

Ok, I get it. An extended camping trip.
What is it you want Champ, meditation... figuring things out.
Or just to get away from the mad rush?

Nope, Chloe, as I said, I don't admire guys like Chris McCandless, I admire guys like Richard Proenneke. Google him.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236213

Carol --

You're welcome. I grew up learning Barbara Frietchie was a true story, but it's probably a myth.

Another related story is that "Winston Churchill recited the poem to FDR while driving through Frederick, Maryland. It is said that the President was embarrassed that Churchill knew more about this piece of American history than he did."

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Barbara_Frietchie

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236214

Carol, That post was hard for me even to read. I had to scan through very quickly and move on. Sick.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236214

ct

The reason animal killers (without any hunting reason) are so suspect is that you know they are already sociopaths. Their empathy quotient is zero or below and their self esteem is even lower requiring the murder of those without power. That is what sets them on the road to a serial kill

Normal murderers (if there is such a thing) will kill as adults out of anger, frustration, perceived need for defense, or alcohol induced violence. There is usually some element of remorse afterwards. Animal murderers are completely different and dangerous.

For comparison: McCandless lasted 3 miserable months in the Alaskan wilderness, Proenneke lived well there for 30 YEARS.

Renee, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings because it wasn't my intention. I do understand your feelings. All that stuff just hit a nerve. Probably my age group, coming from a smaller town and working in the professional world for so long. I have been the victim of a lot of sexism in my life.

My first experience was when I was working at this pharmacy while going to college. Hey I didn't realize there was discrimination out there. I was one of 4 college students working in the evenings and on weekends. 3 guys and 1 girl, me.

The person with the most senority got certain privileges, one was making the schedule. When I worked my way up to be the most senior one of my bosses was going to skip over me for the next guy in line. I raised one hell of a stink and since the other boss really liked me I won. I got a lot of flack from the guys from then on, they called me Ms. Senority.

That was my first taste of sexual discrimination, at least the first I remember. It got worse from then on.

What little is known about the real Barbara Fritchie is shown below. Her house still stands maintained by the Maryland Historical Society

http://www.mdoe.org/fritchiebarbara.html

Slight correction. The house is a rebuilt likeness of original house.

Nothing like starting the day off with yoga.

Time for a little lunch - than back to the office.

"Richard Louis "Dick" Proenneke (May 4, 1916–April 28, 2003) was a naturalist and survivalist who lived alone in the high mountains of Alaska at a place called Twin Lakes. Living in a log cabin he constructed by hand, Proenneke made valuable recordings of both meteorological and natural data."

Good, He lived a long life m'lord.
Living alone and away from everything and everyone can probably be quite a good experience. Just don't stay out there as long as Kaczynski did.

Ahh max - our on-the-ground reporter for Iran - coming to you live from his apt. in NYC where he has his finger on the pulse of the Iranian electorate....

Why are you working on Sunday Warren. Did you get behind spending time here this week?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236221

It is the skills set that make to most difference.

"Nothing like starting the day off with yoga.
Time for a little lunch - than back to the office."

You're on your healthy, weekday schedule, Warren. Just think how good you'll feel Monday, and then you'll be able to start all over. :)

And I am disappointed in having to miss out on the beer, bourbon and pizza version of Warren.

Ivy, I'm certain sure that Churchill's mother gave him a good education about America and American history.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236235

Come on Carol, You know both versions are fun to be around. :)

Well this is fun. #iremember is the top trending topic on Twitter. Kind of like what we sometimes do here multiplied by thousands. Memories are ranging from little tweets to granny tweets. Fun Read.

http://twitter.com/home#search?q=%23iremember

There were several videos made of Proenneke and I checked. You Tube has some

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss

"Just don't stay out there as long as Kaczynski did."

And don't submit any manifestos cause it would be a dead give away. Your charm and wit would ooze out . lol

Our Second Market
" There's Indians in that Tee Pee, I just know it. "

http://the-downtown-art-market.blogspot.com/

Can't be Flag Day w/out George M. Cohan--"you're a grand old flag/you're a high-flying flag--"

THINK it's George M. Cohan. Definitely not classic country.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236230

there is a pretty interesting movie I saw on PBS about this guy. He documented his life in Alaska.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236241

But please not in the cupboard.

And amidst all the shock that the "moderate" candidate lost in Iran - let's not forget the "hard line" candidate won in Israel.

Change happens - but it takes time. Hopefully, Iran's youth will remain engaged and Mahmoud will take a message from the vote and alter his stance - even if it is only a minor alteration.

Jamie, I should have added that last night Stinky and I made a strawberry-banana milkshake using a whole pound of ripe strawberries and two bananas and at least a pint of good vanilla ice cream. Really was good!

I'll try the banana freeze! (We just learned about freezing grapes last year:)

darklord...
Richard Prownneke sounds like a modern day Henry David Thoreau...
Rick and I are big fans of Thoreau and the Transcendentalists....

Carol.... you didn't hurt my feelings at all.... I just felt like getting into a discussion.... I've felt the sting of sexism too.... it exists everywhere.... but I do think we need to be careful with throwing around the word misogyny.... it can be render meaningless if used too much.... same as I feel about anon paranoid's use of the word Nazi.... but if you feel differently.... that's ok...

and I don't want to reopen the debate..... but I really dislike it when adults use their children for any type of gain..... on that one issue.... I stand by my remarks about Palin...

"Mahmoud will take a message from the vote and alter his stance - even if it is only a minor alteration."

That's true warren despite the cynicism of our man on the Arab street.

No - just got a big case starting tomorrow. Well maybe...

Actually, I would have found something else to distract me if it wasn't this site.

I miss him too ct!!

But I got a wedding next weekend - that I can make up for it...(although I don't think i will be on the computer)

I have been reintroduced to just how much little kids love tents. From the one's made out of 2 blankets and some chairs, to the best tent of all ...... the tee pee.

I was quoting a 7 year-old boy from yesterday.

"Rick and I are big fans of Thoreau and the Transcendentalists...."

I was (and am) too Renee, although its been a long while since I've read up on it.

"I was quoting a 7 year-old boy from yesterday."

That's good to know, there was no tp creeping last night. :-)

Hey all, please welcome ktartiste -- a new player and former lurker in our midst. We had some technical difficulties getting her set up, but she has been very patient and committed.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235985

Renee, until you mentioned it, it had been a while since I thought about Transcendentalism. Soooo long ago, I started reading everything I could on Emerson, which naturally led me to do the same on Thoreau.

To refresh my memory, I just went to Wikipedia, and what stood out most to me was "Nature is the outward sign of inward spirit, expressing the “radical correspondence of visible things and human thoughts,” as Emerson wrote in Nature (1836)." I do love focusing on nature, and think Champ may be on to a good thing, with his plans to go into 'the wild'.

Plan, Have you chosen Alaska?

It's black as night outdoors here as a line of thunder boomers is passing through.

Carol, does Maggie chew rawhides? That's my new storm-dog-trick, and it's working like a charm. At the first clap of thunder, I line them up and hand out the chews. They're all gnawing so loud, I doubt they can hear a bit of it.

Also, I always honor their "pecking order" in awarding treats and privileges. That way, I reduce the competition among them. They each "know their place" and, as long as I cooperate with it, everybody gets along fine.

plan=champ

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236256

The only one who doesn't participate in this program is the cat.

~^_^~ = cat? I dunno...

ktartiste,

I have no idea why I didn't see your post yesterday, but it's good to hear another voice here. Looking forward seeing you here more often. Welcome.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235985

kt --

Welcome to our lair. Sign-on names get truncated quickly, but never maliciously. It's a sign of love.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235985

Welcome ktartiste,

Sorry to greet and run, but I hear horses whinneying in the distance and must drive to find them. Have a good time with the trailmixers.

Craig, Did you notice that Ivy designed our mascot?

ktartiste -
Shiny side up, rubber side down.

Greetings, KT!

Renee, I am over it for now. I got it out of my system, said all that I needed to say. Pack it up for another day.

I like both Warrens also Chloe but the beer, bourbon and pizza Warren is the Warren who is off duty and has his hair down. It is the more relaxed Warren even if the beer, bourbon and pizza aren't part of it.

Off to fight bugs and weeds.

welcome to the blog KT....
glad to always see newcomers.... they keep this place fresh and lively....

Chloe....
Rick and I belong to the Thoreau Society.... they have a yearly meeting at the Unitarian church where Emerson preached in Concord, Mass. around the time of Thoreau's birthday (July 15).... but we aren't going this year.... we've chosen to go see a performance by Cirque du Soleil on the day of this year's meeting (July 11) instead....

Welcome Ktartiste. Don't be intimidated by this group. Just throw whatever you want in here and run behind the couch. It works for me.

Oh the beer and bourbon have a lot to do with it!!

I like Emerson...

Just for KT - The Daily Garth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiMKnW3GYG0

No Ivy, Maggie can't have those chew bones unless I am monitoring her. I'm afraid she may swallow one and get a bowel obstruction. She is a little over protected. You know I cook her all her food since the dog food scare and she never gets off her leash.

Sometime she pretends there is something wrong with her just to get a rise out of me. She's a real drama queen. Punishing me for being to over protective.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236270

Carol --

Have the same fear of swallowing and choking, and never gave chewbones for that reason. With the new puppy, I had to give her something to chew or she was going after rugs and chair legs (she still does that). Also, I was afraid they'd fight over the bones.

But I relented in desperation, and started giving the biggest bones I could find. They can barely lift them. They're forced to gnaw on the edges, and I monitor closely, removing them at the first sign of breakage. So far, it's all working.

The Dark Lord prefers an air of mystery about him. Is he going into the harsh Alaskan wilderness to struggle indefinitely in its unforgiving bosom alone, or is he going to hang out on a buddy's farm for a week and drink beer and shoot stuff? The world may never know...

If Roman Abramovich, a 41 year old Russian, can understands, implement and build upon the principles of capitalism, why wouldn't organizations like ACORN not use his methods and principles instead of those worn out Socialist ideas of a Saul Alinksy, as the rallying point for its members? Because their ideology rest with BIG GOVCO taking total control over your every movement. Good thing to know that capitalism is alive and well in the land of the hammer and sickle.

http://tinyurl.com/ndax9r

DL,

I watched this movie a while back about this young guy who sold everything and went to Alaska to live alone. It didn't turn out too well for him. He ended up in some abandoned bus and turned into an ice cube. Didn't look like fun to me. Can't remember the name of the movie.

I'd chose your buddy's farm, the gun and the beer.

Hey all, please welcome ktartiste -- a new player and former lurker in our midst. We had some technical difficulties getting her set up, but she has been very patient and committed.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235985

Thanks to Craig and all of you for making this red-mud knobite welcome--and I answer to KT, or, for preference, Fair, which is short for my blog name. I'm not politically savvy or educated enough to join the political discussions, but I love the gardening stuff and I do have a quirk: I can relate nearly any situation to a classic country song. Just bear with me while I'm learning the ropes, please.

(PS Craig, you're far too gracious. Admit it, I've been a bit of a nag.:))

Welcome to kt, though i haven't been around enough to be considered a regular.

I've never understood the lure of -60F weather and six months of darkness. My brother loved Alaska, but not until he moved from the Fairbanks area to near Anchorage.

Right now i'm trying to decide between Jacksonville and Orlando, FL. for my next adventure. Green year round and lots of sun for doing CBob kinds of things. Maybe I can find a place with a good breeze and a spring too.

I'm more the Euell Gibbons type, I'd like to raise my own food and live off grid, but have a town handy.

Rez, you know there are few Arabs in Iran, right?

"I'm not politically savvy or educated enough to join the political discussions,"

Hey Fair that never stopped me.

And Fair, if you have any questions about anything in life, just throw it in here and someone, will have the answer.... or they'll make it up.

It can be about how to get rid of wascally wabbits, or how to get rid of beavers, or where do we go when we die or........

TIR:

"Because their ideology rest with BIG GOVCO taking total control over your every movement."

Can please explain what the hell the GOP means with this foreboding - much repeated statement?

We have had plenty of presidents in my lifetime - and not once have I felt that the government is controlling my life.

And when you look at some of the Republican policies - like tougher sentences on crime, restrictions on abortion, banning gay marriage - it seems like they are the party that is controlling people's lives.

What are some actual policies from the Democrats that would support this statement?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236276

Don1 --

I say you was "regularized" at the git-go.

thank ya ivy. Ya'll made me feel right at home when I got here too.

BTW, Fareed had a pretty good show on Iran today. One of his guests was Nicholas Burns, ex-state dept type.

Steve Clemons of the The New America Foundation raves about him.

Might be worth catching on the second round.

Don- not sure what you're referring to but my comment to warren included a little sarcasm directed at max as I think his comment was also.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236248

What did they say don?

I got that one DVR'd for when I get home.

>(*v*)(*v*)<

jamie, i'll adopt your friendly version of two avi traili maximi snuggling together to depict a tmr hug for kt.

kt/fair, warm welcome to the tmr cage ax folles follies!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236279

Warren --

That phraseology hadn't struck me until your post. Reflecting on it, use of the extremist word "control" may be little more than right-wing fear mongering, but the notion that the government is increasingly "managing" our lives has a ring of truth even to me.

High Five to the Senate and House for passing new revolutionary rules on cigarettes and to President Obama who plans to sign the legislation!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236285

patd --

I want to suggest we call him "Max" unless that would be a problem for maxtrue?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-235939

Actually Warren, that squatter at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was only elected once - 2004. Weak democrat, fears or terrorist attacks and the goofy war. We all know how THAT's played out. In 2000 it was clear that in order to have Bush as President, any recount of Florida votes had to be stopped, and the Repugs in the state and U.S. Supreme Court knew exactly why they were doing what they did.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236288

Another option might be "Avie?"

ivy:

"but the notion that the government is increasingly "managing" our lives has a ring of truth even to me."

No doubt it has the ring of truth since it is the mantra of the GOP. But how is that actually happening. What has been managed in your own life by the government.

I don't think a public healthcare plan - for people that would otherwise not have health insurance cuts the mustard. To me that sounds like an opportunity since in the absence of government action - the person would just be uninsured...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236289

I agree with you, Tom. Just recalling it makes me angry. I can relate to the frustrated Iraqis who feel their democracy was stolen, and I would never have believed it possible in America. I'm just so grateful we survived it with our systems and values relatively intact.

Always glad to see you here.

flatus, re "gran torino" the reason you and your family came to mind had to do with the eastwood character being a korean war vet and some of his dialogue.
yes, the plot may be hokie but it does pack a wallop and jerk a few tears. the movies he's directed have always had something to say to me and usually more than some well-moral lesson.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236291

Warren --

I'm going to ponder your question while I'm cleaning the basement (I'm being summoned). I do recall making a very lengthy list of government legislation and regulations that were enacted during the 80's and 90's (so-called "unfunded mandates") for which it became my job to develop workplace rules and compliance. I'd love to find that list, if I kept it, it had about 80 items on it. I'm not sure if you would count those since they weren't "personal." But I'm thinking....

(^_~)

Rez,

I realized you were kidding. But it seemed funny. Kind of like the comment about Jimmy Carter monitoring Iran's elections. "That's true warren despite the cynicism of our man on the Arab street."

I caught half of it warren, I'm working today too. A couple of things that stood out was how the power is shifting in Iran, with the mullah's having less centralized power than they did 20 years ago. I think the executive and the military have accumulated more power, which was a surprise to me.

Also, 60% of the country is under 28 years old, so they don't remember the revolution. So their ideas aren't biased by that time.

I hadn't realized all of the Arab countries, like Egypt, had thrown out their Jewish population. Iran is one of the few in the area to still have a Jewish population.

I don't know if it's still true, but one of the most suppressed religious groups in Iran used to be the Bahá'í . They were treated much worse than any other religious group.

Seems to me that the socially conservative right wants to control our lives legislatively even more than the liberals. And now that Lindsey has thrown out the libertarians who knows where they're going.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236288

ivy, as long as max doesn't think we're giving him the bird. naming honors go to the mom... whatever your preference. however, naming him "adam" might be putting yourself in questionable competition with the big glue in the sky.

a little ^v^~ for your ^_^~~ to chase

oops, "well-moral lesson" = well-worn moral, aesop type lesson

"...that squatter at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was only elected once - 2004"

et, you are so right. and even that election smelled somewhat.

Don- Sorry, I guess I missed JC's comments. Mine was only a follow up to warren @ 11:47

I think this video from The Onion is appropriate given today's discussion:

http://baratunde.com/blog/archives/2008/02/the_onion_diebold_accidentally_leaks_results_of_08_election.html

Enjoy!

Great video warren. I think I've been hearing about the tri-lateral commission and its takeover since around the late 70s. I guess they slipped in without me knowing.

Are health care cooperatives the compromise on a health care alternative?

http://bit.ly/swGWw

talk about deferred gratification

"For nearly two years, the instruments have been locked away in the top of this cryostat to maintain their frigid state and protect them from contamination. Only now - a month into the mission - was it considered safe to open the lid......
Herschel is heading for an observation position some 1.5 million km from Earth. It is more than 90% of the way there."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8099105.stm

Warren....
that Onion video is waaaaay cool....

but what I'd really like to know is when is Jesus coming back to Earth in his spaceship.....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236275

KT, You're back! Good.
I'm not savvy about politics or anything else KT. When Patsi gets back, she's going to love your relating situations to country songs.... she's a country music expert. You're going to love her.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236264

Hi Carol
I know exactly what you mean, and agree.
But, in work mode or not, he can be pretty funny. And he is always insightful and introspective, which I enjoy.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236256 "At the first clap of thunder, I line them up and hand out the chews."

Great idea Ivy. I think you're smart to always honor that pecking order you were talking about, with 'all' animals. Horses are the worst, if you don't, and it can be dangerous if you're standing between them. Animals have strong sense of fairness in all ways, imo.

Carol, I've found some dogs do have problems with those chews, sometimes choking on them. Especially the smaller dogs. Nothing wrong with being careful and protective.... just showing our love for her.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236272

...not the sharing type, huh?
Too bad, just think of all the adventures you're depriving us of.
I guess, if we want to know how it would be, we'll just have to go out and do it ourselves (or see a movie). Hell, I guess we can always use our imagination. Still, it would be nice if you weren't so mysterious.

"just showing our love for her"

our=your
I still have that sticking key problem on my laptop....between that and my typos, it's driving me nuts.

Maxtrue : "Clinton destroyed the Chinese Embassy in his war with Serbia. If you are saying you can find some people who support your comparison? Of course you can. Who can deny that? I thought we were being more intellectually sincere."

nixon's bombing destroyed the Indian Embassy in Hanoi, and sank a French ship.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236291

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236294

Warren --

If you're still here...sorry for running out on you and your question, but when hubs is finally ready to do a project like basement-cleaning that I've been nudging him on for days, I can have no excuses for not moving on the dime.

Perhaps a better word choice for me other than "managing" would be "intruding" because indeed certain heretofore freedoms have been abrogated by government intervention. Travel and banking restrictions come to mind. The irony is what you pointed out ...it was the GOP administration instigating the intrusion. But then of course, as long as it's from them and not the Democrats, I'm "safe."

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236312

Nothing like parsing my own words, but some of the intrusions I'm thinking about may amount to little more than inconveniences...which may put it more back in the realm of "managing" as I earlier suggested. Even so-called inconveniences, when added up, begin to aggregate (aggravate?) to more than just a headache.

Oh that's great Warren. Are you comparing Bibi with Ahmadinejad? Are you suggesting Obama agrees with you?

" Israeli prime minister Binyamin for the first time spoke in favor of a Palestinian state alongside Israel in his speech at Bar Ilan University Sunday, June 14. But only on condition that the Palestinian state is demilitarized, does not control its air space, accepts effective security arrangements against arms smuggling, may not sign military treaties and finally recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

The White House said that president Obama welcomes Netanyahu's endorsement of a separate Palestinian state as an "important step forward.

Palestinian spokesman accused the Israeli prime minister of "sabotaging" the peace process. He said that no Palestinian in a thousand years would accept Israel as a Jewish state." Debka

It is really getting silly Warren. You compare our elections to Iran's, Bush with Ahmadinejad and now you compare the Israeli President to Ahmadinejad. I suppose you think this is intellectually sound? While Muslims have basically kicked out more than 3 million Jews from their MUSLIM countries, Palestinian representitives say "not in a thousand years" will they accept a Jewish State. Is that friggin clear enough Warren, or should I try Spanish?

Xrepblican-my point was that innocent people died when we protected Muslims from Serbian agression. Innocent people die in Afghanistan trying to stop the Taliban. The defense of liberty has costs in blood and treasure. Instead, Warren compared Bush to the worst of our adversaries. Even now, the majority of Iraqis thank the US for liberating them from Saddam. Is this not right?

Moussavi created the feared Islamic Intelligence group of Iran and also Hizb'allah. He sat there in power while tens of thousands of Iranians were rounded up and murdered. The history of the Islamic revolution has been far bloodier than the Shah's. Anyone dispuite this? And remember, this Moousavi is the person many Iranians compare to Obama which I think is rather insulting to our President. Most Liberal Blogs like Common Dreams reported an overwhelming support for Moussavi. Still, he lost in his own home town. Despite what Hillary said, this is more than an irregularity.

Iran is a totalitarian thoecracy ruled by a religious group of about 260 people with a private army called Quds. They are launching assasinations in Iraq to destabilize the country. Our DOD last week reported a spike in Iranian weapons going to the Taliban.

Dumbest comment of the weekend? Biden says the UN resolution on NK MUST BE ENFORCED. Did he tell Americans that the version passed has NO ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM? What, is this BIdenspeak?

And let's be fair. What Bibi said today was exactly the deal Clinton fashioned for Arafat. Still, some compare the Israeli President and the Israel political process to Iran and its leader. Now how pathetic is that reasoning? If the people in Iran are screaming at their government's tyranny, I rather doubt so many will fail to understand why allowing these tyrannts nuclear weapons is not in their interest or the world's. Given the vast oil wealth, it doesn't take much smarts to see why billions and billions are missing from their treasury. It is what pays for their nuclear program and terrorist proxies abroad. The Iranian people know this and will understand when Iran crosses the Red Line.

Last, the administration seems to think the trouble in Iran will make it easier for the US to pressure Iran. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fix was in for Ahmadinejad as I told Rezdog and soon the police in Iran will begin to crack down on opposition. We shall see what Obama and Hillary say about that. And we shall see what credibility the US has when NK sends another 30 tons of enriched uranium to Iran without interdiction.

I guess the clock has reached the first real red line despite the sincere and understandable gestures by Obama. He has a very tough job and I hope he understnads that weakness at this point will push the Saudis, the Iranians, the violent proxies, Israel and others to go for it on their own in the retreat of US resolve. At this rate, there will little oil flowing from the GULF a year from now. NOw might be a great time to grow a backbone for in 2010, oppositon will ask: Are we safer that we were? Is our economy in better shape?

You can call me Max, or Maxtrue, or perhaps my real name when I put it out there for you to see. MT is okay as I don't really give a crap as long as I understand when I am addressed. NeoCon doesn't work for me, but what can I say? I have seen Rushlite, Newtrue, Maxie, Maxie Pad and a whole host of insults. Isn't the internet a laugh?

Actually, MT might give you all the biggest laugh.......

but Max or Maxtrue is not as funny as Dark Lord.

I C U R M T.

Maxtrue,

The importance of welfare and national security will make it even less likely that the republican party will rise again. It is not so much that republicans showed themselves to be inadequate thinkers and sloppy managers. America forgives ninnies, for example, Jimmy Carter and leslie king dba gerry ford. The real difficulty faced by republicans is the utter failure of the party's core beliefs.

1. republican military theory : The core of republican doctrine is lift and and firepower, supposing that the two combined constitute ineluctable power, rather than supercomplex, superdelicate, superexpensive systems that are sometimes greater liabilities than assets. Shock and awe turned out to be a an illusion.

2. republican foreign policy theory : the 'Push them around until they love you' theory makes no more sense here, today, than it did in old George Raft and Edward G. Robinson movies.

3. republican economic theory : republican doctrine, deregulation, has proven to be a threat to business and a job killer. The core of republican economic doctrine is the old, discredited notion that humans are rational beings, and that their economic decisions are governed by self-interest. The discoveries of Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, beginning with their work for the IDF, have proven beyond any doubt that these two pillars of republican doctrine are erroneous. Oddly, republicans resist the findings of Kahneman and Tversky when it comes to economics, even though lunz and rove used the new information to great effect in the realm of political campaigning.

To be continued.

Interesting view point. Was just talking with a headquarters Air Force type friend. Asked him if they hated Iran. He said no, in fact Iran is a positive influence on Afghanistan. Not what I expected.

For the election, he said everyone predicted Ahmadinejad would win. He explained it to friends like this. "Those that can read will vote for Mousavi , those that can't will vote for Ahmadinejad".

Don1 -
Don't give-up on Alaska, you can open a lime farm there pretty soon.

As someone was pretty well sucked into the back-to-the-land herd in the early 70's. I find this talk of running off to the woods really amusing.

I recommend a good car battery & the $200.00 solar kit from Harbor Freight, so you can listen to KSTP out of Minn. on Saturday nights.

Make that a golf cart battery, they deep cycle better.

Mine are over flowing with electrons.

I have two deep cycle batteries for my motor home. And a generator. Just need to get rid of the gasoline engine.

I'd like to get some of the new panels though, there are a lot of changes in the old solar cell going on.

My grandparents on both sides homesteaded eastern Colorado. Living off the land and being self sufficient is a family trait.

I think you're right CBob. Compare the USDA hardiness zones (1990s) with the National Arbor Day ( just recently updated). There's a big difference.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236297

Patd --

Mouse-and-cat??? Sometimes it takes me a bit...

Max

Perhaps you should stop making broad generalizations made on partial evidence.

Just because some in Palestine said such things - does not mean that everyone thinks that way. Moreover, it doesn't mean that opinions can't be changed over time.

Also - just because Mahmoud and said some horrible things - that doesn't mean that broad comparisons can't be made to him.

Like I said, it is your "off limits" mindset that is unintellectual.

Saying both Bibi and Mahmoud are hard line candidates is true. And does not mean that I am equating any position Bibi has taken with Mahmoud's Holocaust denial.

Good evening folks. Harborwoman and I had a fun day. She said to tell everyone hello with a special hi for Renee. She has been swamped of late but will try to do a drop in now and then.

Welcome, KT - if you've been lurking for a while, you must be ready to jump in the deep end. Make your political comments, and you might find out you know more than you think. Also, one can get a lot of info re how to choose a new tv, even if you are slow to use it.

Well, I'm back at my place again for a few hours. I can't post on my sister's computer, even with my new openid. I don't get it.

Lot of interesting posts. My one comment is limited to the fact that I heard Achmadineajad (huh?) talking and he reminded me of the days when the Russians insisted their people were happy as clams and all elections were honest. This guy just said that Iran is the most stable country in the world. I think he's scary now - I suspect he might have a tighter hold on the country than we can imagine.

Just re-watched Heat of the Sun, an oldish bbc mystery series. Trevor Eve - omg.

""I wasn't. I never was a violent person. Just had to do what I had to do at times. "" Solar

I understand that, Solar, and think you must have done things well and wisely since you are still going strong.
I never thought you were violent or unfair. And yes, I would love a hug, as many as you'll give.

For what it's worth, I still have all my channels.

Maxtrue, continued,

The last 8 years demonstrated repeatedly that the fundamental tenets of republicanism are false :

1. The 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina failures demonstrated that concentration on star wars techno-junk does not improve our national security. On the contrary, the republicans' helpless bleating in face of the northKorean and Iranian nuclear nuclear programs makes a bitter joke of all the republican national security cant.

2. republican diplomatic theory relations not only strained our relations with the bad actors, but also with the good guys - e.g. Canada, Mexico, Britain, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, Georgia, Turkey, Bosnia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. In fact, the only country with whom relations improved AFTER the bush inauguration was Libya, proving that all the loudmouth bullying in the world cannot force people to love you. This truth that you can't bully people into loving you is SO elementary that most Americans were shocked to learn that republicans don't know about it.

3. The present republican depression demonstrated that deregulation does not create an environment in which businesses can thrive, rather it creates an jungle in which financial muggers lurk.

Their refusal to admit that even bankers with PhDs do not make decisions based on research and rational contemplations, leaves republicans divorced from the actual world, and intellectually adrift in an 18th Century fantasy.

If all 3 of these republican core beliefs are nonsense, then what reason is there to have a republican party at all ? It seems to me, the republican party serves some needs of an ethnic community and/or certain neighborhoods. In this it is rather like the Parti Quebecoise, but less useful. I do not find in republican doctrines a single viable seed. Because it is impotent and clueless, soon even the few narrow interests the party serves are likely to abandon it. Beyond all this, hardly anyone in the US now thinks republicans are dependable. However, by comparison, this very reasonable conclusion is the least of the party's problems.

so whassup?

For the late-nighters.

The 1935 Anna Karenina with Greta Garbo, Frederic March and Basil Rathbone is on TCM at 0600 Eastern.

it's nine o'clock

Where are your children?

Just watching Sibelius on Stephanopoulus. She's really doing the Dance of the Sugar Plum Faeries trying to justify the Prez' proposed healthcare plan.

Oops, Sebeleus.

Now, let's try it one more time. Sebelius.

Now we'll start working on Stephanopoulos.

No one is really making a coherent case for how this healthcare reform is going to work. That makes me nervous.

So do all these statements that a lot of it will be paid for by "savings."

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236273

AS usual TIR we can depend upon you to speak with authority regarding things of which you know nothing. You might take the time to look into what ACORN actually does rather than what FOX News lies about what they do.

Carol, I just caught an earlier post of yours, and am curious about what ambivalent messages you were getting from me.

I guess you were wondering about whether I thought Letterman's comments were sexist, or what. No, I didn't think they were sexist but in horrible taste and mean and stupid. I don't defend him but just don't see them as sexist. He referred to her in feminine terms because she is a female, just as he would call Cheney a dick because he is a man - as well as a dick.

So if that upsets you and makes you think I'm easy on sexism, all I can say is that I'm sorry, but I don't feel that it's so. I see many things as being sexist that others do. I'm really sorry for causing you un-ease, but I have to be honest.

It seems to me that something elses I said bothered you, but I can't remember and have to get going. So I hope I have calmed this down somewhat. I really hadn't expected the anger I felt in some of the posts.

Oh yes, you reminded me that I can't read her mind. I do know that but think we all here base a lot of our posts on what we think pols are thinking. I know full well I could be wrong about her, but I also think she hasn't done her daughter any good, looking at the results.

Well, I guess I've just made things worse, but have not intended to insult, accuse, offend anybody here, but just to defend myself for being honest. I'll try to stay away for a while so maybe my sins will lose some of their glare.

I like the coop idea as an alternate to HMOs.

We need to get rid of the laws that restrict businesses to HMOs, Nixon's old laws. Ron Paul has an interesting white paper on that, and how it could open up competition.

Ahmadinejad does not scare me as much as others, e.g. Kim in NK.

That is because Ahmadinejad at least seems to care about politics - in terms of both the Iranian people and how he is viewed by other world leaders.

In other words - there is at least a method to his madness. I saw him on This Week - and he did not sound completely fanatical:

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/story?id=7421719&page=1

And unfortunately, with Bush calling Iran part of the Axis of Evil - for the last 8 years, it was in Ahmadinejad's political interests to demonize the US and Israel.

Now I know the horrible things he has said. We should not forget about them - but we should also not make them the focus of each debate we have about what to do with Iran. (Taking that approach - they would just come back with the "Axis of Evil" or maybe HRC's words from the campaign - that the US would "obliterate Iran" it they attacked Israel.)

And no progress will be made. The debate should focus on the interests of each country - not the personalities or remarks from their leaders.

This election at least showed us that there is a huge moderate population in Iran. They do not want to see their country end up like North Korea. And it is not in the Iranian leader's interests to continue to ignore the people.

Hi Warren,

Did you see my previous comment? Looks like we actually need Iran's help, they're a major trading partner and positive influence with Afghanistan and very influential with the Shiites in Iraq.

I think more than anything Bush needed a bogeyman and Iran was handy.

Persians have very tight ties with the US, a lot of them moved here after the Revolution.

I'm not so worried about North Korea because they're nuts. I'm more worried because they've discovered there's a market for nuclear weapons and missiles. My opinion has been changing a lot based on that.

http://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org/conservation/panama.cfm

All because of a pregnancy test.

To my recollection (looking up from the trenches), HMO's in the 70s became the wrack and ruin of traditional health insurance. Before HMOs we had effective and efficient health plans with deductibles, co-pays and surgical/major medical that worked fine.

People needed to put away about $500 for a years'-worth of out-of-pocket expenses (dipped into only IF they got sick), plus the premium expenses, paid usually by payroll deduction. Rx's were covered under these plans subject to the coinsurance limits. Dental and vision were later add-ons. There were some exclusions, to be sure, but many got negotiated in along the way as time went on. They were pretty good deals for health care consumers.

Then came HMOs which clouded the issues, especially the costs, and introduced care-limiting controls and management. Then we got PPOs, and on and on.

I've been trying to keep my nose out of this one, but I guess it's a tidal wave on its way.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/06/obama-takes-on-medicare-cuts.html#comment-236347

Whoops! That button got away from me...hope nothing I'll need to take back. If I have to eat crow, can I make it a fish crow??

I better get some sleep. That basement cleaning wore me out more than I realized. But at least now I don't have to be afraid of my exercise equipment...spiders are gone now, and no snakes had crawled in...so tonight I only have the bed bugs to fight. (^_~)

Health Care from the viewpoint of Doctor Howard Dean
(for those who have forgotten that he really is a physician)

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003143318

Canadian journalist detained, beaten in Iran

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/globe-freelancer-detained-beaten/article1181792/