Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Woo Hoo...

Craig...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bellwethers-toll-against-democ.html#comment-268368

Please see my comment from last thread.

Have a great day.

I don't know whether to go woo hoo or EWWWWWW!!!!

Guess EWWWWWWW!!!

Back to hovering over my blog about Froissart, Hawthorne and Poe. Nite all.

Good night all...

LBJ planted his butt down in a room that had three TVs and a Fresca dispenser. He'd get a big Fresca and watch all three network evening news shows at once, cranking the volume up on whichever network was running important stories.

Richard Nixon watched football intensely on TV.

I doubt FDR and HST watched much TV, don't know about Ike and JFK.

Bill Clinton watched Arkansas Razorback basketball.

I don't know what 41 and Jimmy and Jerry watched.

George Bush watched "24" and baseball games..I'll let him slide on this one.

Dex......how's that pork pie breaking in?

Froissart ?!? Wow.

I was impressed by his description of the knights and peasants during the uprising. The nobles were, apparently, big, brawny, and 'fair'. Whereas the peasants were small and swarthy (underfed ", malnourished as children ?, dirty ?, sunburned ?

dick2 slew their leader Wat Tyler, then said that he would be the peasants' leader. And, the suckers bought it.

Speaking of history, today is the 90th anniversary of the Volstaed Act (Volstead was a fellow Minnesotan who michele bachmann would call one of those non-pro-freedom republicans.) that prohibited the making, sale, or possession of alcoholic beverages for other than religious purposes.

gerry (leslie king) ford liked to watch wolverines football, in person when possible.

I don't know, but have a feeling that senile bush liked the pre-Tom Cruise Mission Impossible, Man in a Suitcase, Danger Man, & Dangerous Assignment, in reverse chronological order.

One of my all-time favorite segments was on a "Where Are They Now?" special on VH1 many years ago. They asked Robert Wilson (Bass player for the funk group *The Gap Band*) what he was doing these days. His response was "I watch cartoons."

Tonight on Hallmark channel. M.A.S.H. episode ahead of it's time. Originally aired in 1972--Frank wants injured soldier dishonorably discharged because he's gay. I can't believe this is still an issue 37 years later.

since mr. bob's awol, here's cartoon of the day. 'course it was published yesterday, but then it's hard to fill the shoes of an icon like cbob.

oliphant's "great weasel insurance co"
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/pat-oliphant

especially like the little guy at the bottom saying "you're covered until you make a claim"

the audacity of change

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/10/27/state_department_changes_tack_on_honduras

lessee now, how many of the listed are our bffs?

"Unsurprisingly, the bottom of the list remained largely unchanged from last year with Yemen, Chad, Pakistan, Benin, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran continuing to boast the world's worst gender gaps."

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/10/27/african_advances_in_gender_equality

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268398

Nah, Frank wanted him discharged because Frank was uncomfortable in his own sexuality.

With all the healthcare-related difficulties we're experiencing, I was expecting another horror story when I saw this headline in this morning's The State newspaper:

"Most S.C. transplants from nearby states"
http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/1002162.html

If the kid wants to increase his general knowledge and awareness, this is an excellent tool:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/

Time to get ready for the dentist. Is there an emoticon for open wide Mr Ohlfahrt?

Yes:

( O )

That didn't work right....maybe this will:

(........................O...........................)

well....
if someone sawed off Lieberman's head..... not only would I stand up and cheer... I'd want the guy who did it to be awarded a medal....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268407

Uh Patsi,
I don't believe that is the end the dentist works on.

Jack

mornin'

Flatus, I'd say have a good morning, but that would just be sarcastic.

I'm sure Dumya thought he was being clever asking the actor on 24 when he was going to come out of that coma. Actually, that was pretty clever.

ubns - I remember that episode of MASH - a very good one.

flatus, lucky for you, the WVers move to NC to replace the ones who transplant to your neckothewoods.

The man who needs to take Lieberman's head is Reid.
He won't and that is why he is such a weak leader.

Can you imagine anyone pulling a Lieberman on LBJ when he was senate leader?
LOL
What is the smallest room in the Senate office building?
That would be Lieberman's office when he walked in this morning. and all his office stuff that didn't fit in the broom closet would be in the dumpster.
LBJ wasn't strong on subtle

Jack

Good point, Jack. That's the end the doc I saw yesterday to set up a colonoscopy works on.

Renee, grrrrrr, congrats on the Celtics' win last night.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268403

Flatus,

Sub Head: If you can't come in person, Come in parts.

Uhh, Craig, what was that Bellweather post yesterday?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/10/28/corzine_takes_five_point_lead.html

Like I said - I don't think you can read as much into the NJ & VA governors' races as you suggested - particularly this early.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/world/asia/28stoning.html

These people are nuts.

Pogo

No nuttier than we are.

The world is afraid of standing up to the religious nuts, even here our politicians are afraid to say no.

Jack

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/opinion/28friedman.html?th&emc=th

"Don’t Build Up"

" The U.S. military has given its assessment. It said that stabilizing Afghanistan and removing it as a threat requires rebuilding that whole country. Unfortunately, that is a 20-year project at best, and we can’t afford it. So our political leadership needs to insist on a strategy that will get the most security for less money and less presence. We simply don’t have the surplus we had when we started the war on terrorism after 9/11 — and we desperately need nation-building at home. We have to be smarter. Let’s finish Iraq, because a decent outcome there really could positively impact the whole Arab-Muslim world, and limit our exposure elsewhere. Iraq matters.

Yes, shrinking down in Afghanistan will create new threats, but expanding there will, too. I’d rather deal with the new threats with a stronger America."

Tony

I read somewhere yesterday that Nato and Afghan forces out number the Taliban 12 to 1.
Either those taliban are some tough mean bastards or someone is not being too smart in our strategy over there.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268421

Wow Jack,amazing....

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-27/traitor-joe/?cid=hp:mainpromo2

"Traitor Joe"

"The ex-Democrat now says he’ll join the GOP in a health-care filibuster. Paul Begala on Lieberman’s latest and most shameless betrayal.

It's journalistic shorthand to note a politician's party identification and state after his or her name. For example: Jane Doe (D-NY). And so Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is identified as (I-CT). But the “I” does not stand for "Independent." It stands for "Insurance Industry."

Lieberman says he will join a Republican filibuster against President Obama's health-insurance reforms. You could see this coming from a mile away—actually from 15 years away."

jack,

I would say tough bastards first and not too smart in strategy second.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268419

No argument there, Jack. Religious extremism makes my skin crawl.

About that Nato-Afghan /Taliban figure, I wouldn't trust that figure one bit, but even if it is true to an extent, one critical difference is that the Taliban take over the governance of the areas they are in, soldiers just shoot at each other and occupy area. I read somewhere that the Taliban control 80% of Afghanistan. I don't trust that figure, either, but if there's even a little truth in the 12 to 1 ratio and in the 80% figure, there's a huge disconnect.

a poignant story of alzheimer's and a woven basket:

http://www.gabrielleselz.com/reflections.html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268418

pogo...

What's wrong with stoning people for adultery? After all its in the Bible isn't it?

Shouldn't Sanford, Ensign and other who commit adultery be stoned?

Just think how many marriages could or would be saved if we started stoning adulterers. Heck if the right wing nuts want to force the Bible down everyone's throats then lets make them live by it as well.

And that includes Democrats also.

tonyb39...

We can't win in Afghanistan plain and simple. If the British and the Russians couldn't do it how the hell do we think we can.

No one since I believe Genghis Khan won there so allowing our soldiers to continue to die in a war and nation building we can not succeed in is immoral.

Back to work now.

a-p - it's as crazy to do so under Judaeo-Christian rules as it is under Islamic ones (or under any other religious rules for that matter), and I'd really hate to see Bill Clinton stoned to death. 'course I suppose that kind of punishment might keep a few more members' members in their pants.

The way the "Public Option" is being described, it is turning into a bait and switch. It will save some money since States can use it to get people out of emergency rooms and into clinics, and it is charitable in that some people who have exhausted or been denied corporate insurance will be able to get it, but almost everyone else will be locked out of it. That means it won't be providing REAL competition to the for profit vampires.

The devil is really going to be in the details on this one.

I voted for Ned Lamont in 2006 because of Joe Lieberman's views on the Iraq War. But I can somewhat understand his reluctance to support the public option given that 61,000 people in Connecticut work directly for the insurance industry and countless others in ancillary businesses. It's interesting to watch our 2 Senators on this issue. Dodd's behind closed doors helping to write the legislation and he's the one up for re-election in 2010. Makes me wonder what kind of deal he's negotiating with the insurance industry. Maybe he should let Joe in on the plan--it might change Joe's mind.

If you are going to be profane, do it creatively:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hrSdq2uTxBMh-xWzQiqYv7bbe31AD9BJQTN01

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268432

ubns

The insurance companies would have billions handed to them on a silver platter while almost never having to pay anything out because of supplemental policies just as they have with Medicare. They just don't want go through the reorganization or give up their cash cow and outrageous executive compensation in exchange.

Jamie-

I agree-the devil really will be in the details on this one. So, next question-will the public have access to the details before the votes and will it matter if we do?

ubns - maybe, no.

Pogo, Jack,

Even if those #'s are correct (12-1) they are not enough.!!

Every time that some area (village) is cleared. There has to be a lot of soldiers left ( held back( to hold that village: This will have an effect on the # of soldiers that are fighting in the next area...and so forth......

What is interesting to me..is that, how do they know the # of insurgents in any area, and any time...since we are making new ones all of the time..they are replacing their dead much faster than we are imo.

We make many new insurgents everytime that we blow up some kid like me168 (we don't put names on the kids killed-they do) maime them for life, kill someones Sister, Mother, etc...No I think that a 12-1 ratio is not nearly enough...maybe not even 50 to one...and we will never get that...

Unless we hire all of the other terrorist of other countries, the mercenary;s that work for us now are not enough either..how many of them are they? How much do we pay them per month etc.....Where are these figures? If we had some reporting on these things...maybe we could get the public a lot more involved in not getting our kids killed in a country that will just go back to the way it was before we got t here.....

.If we really want to kill something..kill religion...that article that Jack linked is straight from the bible......the end to Religion, is the end to terrorism, and war. It is the excuse, the reason to get one country to attack another. we have the same fanatics here in our country...it is the reason they breath air...and to find the one true god...to enslave women...and we keep supporting all of this, with our $ and lives makes me sick....

In the 90's there were only about 8% (lot more than that imo) the were atheist, they say that there is about 16% . With computers, and the sciences working together more, and more..these # will increase rapidly...I believe that there is at least 25% ...that is a lot of people here in the States...but not voting as one..like another interest group...

Pogo, There is one thing that all of gods children, ( what's her name?)
have in common...they all have to eat...Lunch....and speaking about lunch,,,what the fk are all of the religion doing about all of gods children eat one every day....Is Oprah God??? This didn't start to be a rant, but......

And thus Anon the all knowing has declared our struggle in Afghanistan in vain. Ah, there is surely nothing new under the sun.

http://www.slate.com/id/2233719/

This is brilliant too.

On the news front I can only laugh at Reid. I don't know which is more messed up, his opt out details or his arrogance. This from the guy who declared Iraq is Lost.

I have a strong suspicion that Iran will throw a wrench tomorrow, more blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the public in Pakistan questioning the moderate government which is quite unliked. Is that what Obama, Biden and Richardson said would happen?

As far as the UN, they now are suggesting drone attacks are human rights violations and push a new relious defamation law designed to bloster Muslims.

I guess Hillary isn't too happy.

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced strong opposition Monday to proposed U.N. resolutions on "defamation of religions," saying that such policies would restrict free speech.
In opening remarks for the release of the State Department's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, Clinton said that while some claim so-called defamation of religions policies would help protect freedom of religion, she "strongly disagree[s]."

"The United States will always seek to counter negative stereotypes of individuals based on their religion and will stand against discrimination and persecution," Clinton stated. "But an individual's ability to practice his or her religion has no bearing on others' freedom of speech."

The protection of speech about religion and religious discourse is important in a world with many different faith beliefs, asserted the high-ranking U.S. diplomat.

Earlier this year, the U.N. Human Rights Council adopted an anti-defamation draft resolution that human rights groups warn would protect a religion rather than adherents of religions.

Leonard A. Leo, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, last week testified to Members of Congress that the only religion and religious adherents that are specifically mentioned in the "defamation" resolutions - this year's and past years - are Islam and Muslims.

"Aside from Islam, the resolutions do not specify which religions are deserving of protection, or explain how or by whom this would be determined," Leo stated...." Christian monitor

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268438

Solar makes some good points. Pakistan is asking us to close the border. We can't. We have to clear and hold Jake which clearly your comment didn't take into account. But then you were joking I guess.. It is now obvious that Obama did not apply lessons from Iraq to Afghanistan as just today the DOD is allowed to pay some Taliban to stop attacking. I love how the logic used by the Left to attack Bush strategy in Iraq (send more troops idiot) is reversed in Afghanistan. Again Solar is right. We have to do a better job at the border, protect Afghanis. set benchmarks for Kabul, win over the tribal leaders again etc. If we won't make that move, then get out and pay the price when radicals get back into power. This would spill over to Pakistan and Democrats will be tarred with taking us backwards and allowing troops to die in vain. Iraq must hold together and Afghanistan won't go away. It is after all, Obama's war he declared quite loudly in his effort to out hawk Hillary.

Another time bomb......Iran has been caught trying to supply weapons to Yemni terrorists. They are aiding the Taliban too which is killing US troops in Afghanistan. Democrats are ignoring the stratgic game here, using whatever logic they decide to use at the moment to justify tactics that are stuck in the mud.

Iran has also pushed Syria to supply more missiles to Hizb'Allah. We are at a very important juncture. Our adversaries sense weakness and I hope Obama shows some smarts and resolve soon.

I expect him to end the air borne laser today and tout the JSF which will surpass the Raptor in over runs in less than a few months. I do see a disorganized Party in control. I see pathetic leadership with Reid and Pelosi a joke. Obama wasted time attacking Fox and campaigning. Virginia is lost.

The only good news is that Kristol thinks the GOP should move to the Right. Bravo feathers-for-brains. Only the Republicans could take the Gallop Poll numbers of 40% conservatives to 20% liberals and suggest a pathway to defeat.

Well, The Democrats may be in the process of bettering that. Some mornings I am so glad to be independent.

As you say, solar, Carrumba!! (I'll be having the MX chicken soup today).

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/bush-and-bauer.html#comment-268435

The details of Reid's suggestions would show him to be a complete idiot NP. No wonder this is under wraps. He will not be re-elected no matter what he does.

Pelosi trying to switch names is also a joke. Only the Democrats would end this fight where they should have started. This was a profile in idiocy. I do support reform, so you can understand my anger.

Cover everyone

Lower costs

Anything short of that is complete bullshit. When whatever reform happens and it turns out badly, Democrats will roast. Why do this to themselves?

Tranparency was key. Vetted CBO numbers were key. Bipartisan compromise was key. 2010 is not going to go so well for Democrats. How could this be with such a pathetic Republican Party?

"Cover everyone

Lower costs"

We agree on that, Max, and on Reid's ineffectiveness. The two parties right now are acting like circular firing squads, which muddies the electoral picture for 2010. Craig's bellweathers look like they will split. Ask me next November and I'll tell you how the midterms will turn out. Until then, your guess is as good or bad as mine.

World Wide Military Expenditures
Country Military expenditures - dollar figure Budget Period
World $1100 billion 2004 est. [see Note 4]
Rest-of-World [all but USA] $500 billion 2004 est. [see Note 4]
United States $623 billion FY08 budget [see Note 6]
China $65.0 billion 2004 [see Note 1]
Russia $50.0 billion [see Note 5]
France $45.0 billion 2005
United Kingdom $42.8 billion 2005 est.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/index.html

This is the reason that we don't have U. H. and going broke.. Notice the U.K. they let us be the big dog...and enjoy all of the money that they used to spend on their military....suckers...we are.!!

Hey Max. Grenada is on this list...they don't spend one dime on defense...lets go bomb them again......we need to get out, and take all of our money with us....no money= peace....same goes for the Israli-Palestinian area...we don't need to keep giving billions to other countries while we go hungry........

NEW THREAD....