Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Whoo Hoo! Nothing negative there.

LOL

So was the New York race really between a financial advisor and a trial lawyer. And the Financial advisor was running an ad that ask, who do you trust?
LOL

Jack

Sheesh, Doots, if you hadn't left the railroad and gone to art school, you would never have been a fully qualified, college trained, starving artist :)

I don't know if you have access to the RFD network on TV. Every Monday at like 5-pm they have an hour of train films. Totally whimsical. I record it every week.

Flatus,

I don't get RFD here on this cable system. I have seen enough trains in my life. No doubt there are some very nice railroad photos in very scenic locations but is it art? To me it is just calendar art. Sorry to be such a snob. :)

H. D.

Not thats not what I meant or what he meant either. Hid administration should do something to address the way that banks are hording $, and not lending it out...he did want the Job as President: He did say that he would get the banks to lend the small biz corps, when he bailed out the big banks...and his still does...he is giving big money to the citi group that just filed for bankruptcy ( or did before, and will again) while they were foreclosing on peoples homes...

The Republicans got us into this huge fkn problem that we are in...Obama said that he could fix it...he has only supported his corps buddies...I do understand that he had to shell out a lot of money to shore up the big banks...and other corps...but he also knew that the country was in a huge tail spin about jobs, and loss of revenue for the small corps to do any business with...he didn't care about us....no I don't want him to go to the bank a sign for a loan for me...or any other thing....just one fucking phone call to that pig Giethner, that was in wall st. fucking up the economy, along with that shit Greenspan( order the banks to lend to people that can get the economy going again)..yeah he is better than what McCain and Palin...so what?

Other than youre ridiculous( I know thats the way that it was intended) question...Im glad that Y had a positive report from you 're doctor..I have the same tests coming up this month on the 9th...I think that my BP won't be as good as yours...but not bad..should be about 120/65 or so...

Calendar art - LOL. Is that a contradiction in terms or what? Makes me think of Kitties, although my grandpadre was a Southern Railway clerk all his working life, and every calendar I can remember at his house was a SRR calendar, chock full of pretty pictures with trains in them.

damn solar you saw right thru me. Gotta try harder next time. But Solar remember it took the previous admin nearly 8 years to tear up the system and it might take longer than that to fix it.

Pogo, I always think of Elvis on black velvet or those dogs playing poker and smoking cigars.

Doots, art is funny stuff. In the dining room, I have a Bridal Veil Falls original signed by you-know-who. In the relaxing room, where I am now, I have a large unsigned photo of a flight of seven T-6 Texans. Guess which I spend more time looking at?

The RFD thing focuses largely on the mechanical aspects of the old railroads; things I was only marginally aware of when I was growing. I enjoy watching it.

If you guys want to loan me some blood pressure, I'll take it. Mine normally runs like 90/58.

Doots, those are classics. I just sent you a little ear candy if your e-mail addy is what it used to be. Lemme know what you think

I'm not sure negative ads failed. Corzine is so deeply unpopular it seems to be that the fact that he almost managed to win makes the negative ads successful.

"Exclusive: Did the U.S. government buy favorable coverage of Iraq’s Anbar Province?
U.S. taxpayer money that was supposed to be used for emergency purposes in Iraq was spent to buy a special advertising issue for an Anbar businessman in a British trade magazine, a U.S. government investigation has found."

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/

The NYTIMES has a roundup of what the election means
and I agree most with Glen Greenwald
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/what-did-the-election-mean/?hp

Flatus,

I have an Ansel Adams and two "Shell" photos from Edward Weston plus a bunch of photos by people you never heard of.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! Headed to dinner with my family. Pizza and Beer. Almost one day down as a 40 year-old!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/bad-timing-for-health-reform.html#comment-269381

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/23/crist-gay-adoption/

Hi Flatus,
Here's an example of Gov.Crist being anti-gay.I have also long thought him gay.I watched the movie Outrage and I was outraged.The Gov. over the course of his career has supported the ban on gay marriage and said no to gay adoptions...

Happy Birthday Corey

pizza and beer --I like pepperoni, mushrooms and sausage please and a nice porter.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269461

The great majority of pundits and experts have repeatedly said this election and the 2010 was/will be decided by Independents. If one thinks that the Left base was not energized and that fact will be the margin of victory or defeat in the future, I fear more defeat will come the Democratic way. Independents and centrists who have a good record coming out to vote are not happy. If appealing to the uber Left is what some think will advance the Dems, I fear they will be upset with future results.

Blue Dogs don't fear Moore, they consider instead who voted THEM into office. Obama needs to regain traction with moderates and Independents and exploit the GOP failing to do the same. Their witch hunt of moderates plays right into this tactic, but I see Liberal leadership falling into the trap. Pelosi and Reid will see the fire in 2010.

Last night portends of a double threat. If Healthcares fails, Obama loses, but if healthcare passes and is seen as bloated, cost raising and filled with special interest rewards, Obama loses too.

Obama had it right when he made his pivot to the middle. Do Democrats remeber that is how he got elected? He is America's president, not a spokesperson for Kos or Huffington. He has serious situations boiling in the world, a fallen US leadership role and economic maliase at home. The spending is already sloppy and reaching a limit. Don't interest payments of deficit counter the positive results? The last thng he needs to do is to give the rudderless Republicans ammo or talking points.

One reason I supported Hillary was that she sported the centrist line while inclined to break the healthcare impass, reform regulation, better our schools without alienating the middle or moderate conservative. Obama rejected the Clinton Referendum building his rise on promises over and over again. Now he is being measure by his past rhetoric with both bases on the right and left breathing down his back. Several ofus here predicted this before he was elected

Lessons? Lead from the middle and start the ball rolling. Eight years is a long time to add to reform and correct the loopholes. Obama assembled special interests and offered little detail. He has been largely telepromted promises and vague rhetoric. I do think him smart and personable. I am tried however of the campaign mode and the promises BS. The next election centers around results that independents and moderates can swallow. The idea Obama must follow through on what a minority base wants would be rejecting popular opinion. It is the people that vote, the people who seek jobs, the people who resist reditribution of resources regardless of merit.

There is nothing new here. This is all so predictable is is actually funny.. Cassandra however, isn't laughing.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/bad-timing-for-health-reform.html#comment-269429

"Speaking of closets, marco rubio is reeaaally pretty. Is he gay ?"

Ha X,
You had me rolling with this comment! Rubio is indeed HOT! I don't know though??? I have met my share of closets,some supporting the Bush conservative agenda and denying who they are at the same time....You so funny....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269464

God, if we only knew who was gay or not Tony, right? Sorry about the Maine outcome, but again -failed leadership.

Tony, if the Dems make more mistakes, over reach and screw up, conservatives will get back in power and our hopes will blow in the wind.

That was my point and still is. GM has pissed off Germany. With all the money Congress has given the automakers Ford leads and the rest flounder. I guess Obama must decide now which suit to don. One could easily say his flirtation with the Left has cost him. On the other hand, were he to feel the Left like Hillary did, he might buckle.

JFK learned. Maybe Obama will too, but then just look here to see what Liberals want him to do. That might be suicide at a very bad moment.

If Healthcares fails, Obama loses, but if healthcare passes and is seen as bloated, cost raising and filled with special interest rewards, Obama loses too.

Hi Max,
Obama lost the minute he didn't put forth Medicare for all..We the people lost...Hell, the President hasn't put forth anything regarding healthcare but words,pretty words...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269470

"God, if we only knew who was gay or not Tony, right? Sorry about the Maine outcome, but again -failed leadership."

Max,
I really only want to know if someones gay when they espouse anti-gay rhetoric and seek to pass anti-gay legislation..Its the whole point of the movie Outrage.Thanks,I'm sorry about Maine taking away marriage for gay people too..We seem to be a select group in this country that's its fine to discriminate against,hell were even told by the President to wait are turn...I've said it before,the old guard has to die out..In maybe 20 years gay marriage will be the law of the land..

"and said no to gay adoptions..."

Bastard. Christ can kiss my butt. Several of my dearest friends are gay couples who have adopted kids who would otherwise be languishing in foster care. These children are just jewels! And thank God my granddaughter finds nothing strange at having friends with two mommies!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269472

While some famous groupies have declared Obama one of the greatest writers (yep, this is so), he has written very little including Dreams of my Father. I think he wrote only one short essay managing the Harvard Review. Hillary on the other hand is a real wonk. Obama should have laid out a decent blueprint, but like most things, he has others do that. There is no command. Still, I won't throw him under the bus. The job sucks and most would have been crushed. Medicare is going broke and as 60 minutes reported, damaged by stunning fraud at more than 60 billion a year. He should have reformed Medicare first and them maybe your logic would have worked.

You know how I feel on the gay issue and yes, I don't care about orientation unless there is a wider context where that might be important. Some gays I fear act anti-gay to hide their secret. Sad but true. I even know one dude who faked gay to get closer to a certain crowd of women...lol. Gay marriage is unique in that it is the flip side of straight marriage. In the end, both should be protected under the term marriage to keep all other partnerships below the level of a "right". Of course, you know my logic here. The best way for this change would be for straights to "gift" marraige to gays and avoid the slippery slope of "rights". I am not sure straights are bright enough........and don't think mindsets don't get repeated in new generations.

http://www.slate.com/id/2218595/

"An Idea in Every Pot Can Marco Rubio's ideas—he has 100 of them!—help revive the Republican Party?"

Here you go Ping...I vote NO on Rubio,Crist too....

"Rubio shies away from social issues. There's an emphasis on family—parental notification for social networking sites (No. 66), building "Children's Zones" for at-risk kids (No. 69), creating a "family-friendly Hollywood" in Florida (No. 90)—but he doesn't touch gay marriage or abortion. "The reason it's not in the book is we didn't hear a lot about it at that moment," Rubio says. But, he tells me, he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. As for the federal marriage amendment, "I have mixed feelings about that."

Ah, Republicans are at war with themselves and the Democrats are also at war with themselves. Meanwhile the country floats in the toilet. This is just the mindset that promoted many to harken to Reagan's call. If Liberals aren't smart, it will happen again. Unless we abandon our institutional process, things come in baby steps. Why not have LOTS of baby steps and a new effort to make things happen from the middle?

Sometimes we need disaster to bring us together. I hope we can avoid that. The bickering is lowering our chances to stay on top.

"Medicare is going broke and as 60 minutes reported, damaged by stunning fraud at more than 60 billion a year. He should have reformed Medicare first and them maybe your logic would have worked."

Max,
Bringing all into Medicare would have solved at least the funding part of the problem.Like Jamie say's, right now Medicare only serves the neediest amongst us..Of course with any large Gov.program or private company,there's always fraud...Employ people to find the fraud and put a stop to it..The right wing always rights off everything as fraudulent that has the potential to help the little guy,while turning a blind eye to the fat cats who steel our treasury money for their own bonuses....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269477

Max,
I'm not against baby steps.I would have supported bringing into Medicare people between the ages of 55-65 initially...

"Ah, Republicans are at war with themselves and the Democrats are also at war with themselves. Meanwhile the country floats in the toilet."

No argument here, sad though..

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269474

Patsi,
I know and Florida is the worst offender with an outright ban on gay adoption...Conservatives and to be fair some Dems would rather the children remain parent-less than be corrupted by us evil gays...

The national party and the White House really blew the New York Mayor's race.

In the several days leading up to election day, press reports mentioned the tightening polls.

A little effort could have brought this victory home.

http://www.taylormarsh.com/2009/11/03/election-2009-and-obamas-plaintive-cry/

"Election 2009 and Obama’s Plaintive Cry"

"There’s no getting around it. One year after Barack Obama won an historic election he’s simply not delivered. Tavis Smiley said it well on “Morning Joe” yesterday when he used NY-23 as a model. Paraphrasing Smiley, he said Democrats need to do what Republicans would do if they had the majority: cram their agenda down our throats, just like conservatives are doing in upstate New York. Kumbaya doesn’t cut it. Neither does splitting the difference until you stand for nothing.

Case in point, today I woke up to a circa 2008 election ad from Obama touting Creigh Deeds. It’s a little late.

“We can do it again,” flashing across the screen, with Pres. Obama plaintively crying out, “I need every one of you to get fired up once again so that we can….”, as the rest of his request dissolves into political blather ending in the case that Creigh Deeds is the answer. No Democrat I’ve talked to believes that. Virginia has reverted back to red, where it’s most comfortable, because no one is seeing hope of change right now."

The Maine vote was very disappointing, but we must remember that if someone told you 20 years ago that almost 50% of voters in any state would approve gay marriage, most would have laughed out loud.

Time will take care of this problem as younger voters replace the older demographic.

It is unfortunate that so many Americans have to endure being treated as 2nd class citizens.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/bad-timing-for-health-reform.html#comment-269386

Jamie,
Are you unsequestered yet? You ended up foreman, didn't you? They should be so lucky. Justice will be served.

(^_~)

Since there was a guest host, I listened to part of the Randi Rhodes Show today and the host and callers were moaning about how Obama has let them down.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that he was not prepared to be President.

Yes, it better that we have a Democrat than a Republican, but it would have been so much better to have someone who was ready on day 1 to lead.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269476

Tony,
I listened to the NPR profile on Rubio. They were doing their best to boost him up, but on his own he sounded shallow and pandering to me.

My Florida-credentials have long expired, but as a one-time resident, I still feel a connection. Plus, who of us ain't got Florida relatives?

Ha,waiting for Craig on Countdown.Dan Savage gay man and author was on discussing Maine and Prop 1.Larry O'Donnell asked him where was the President and the Democratic National Committee on Maine: Dan said "AWOL, President Obama is a fierce advocate for gay rights the same way that I'm a ladies man"...Sadly for me and other gays very true..

Some positive things about Obama..i'm feeling a bit negative.

1. He is undoing some of the negative actions of Bush..with little fanfare

2. I think he is a sincere person who wants to do good..

3. He is not George W. Bush

4. He has put together a strong foreign policy team and has made moves to improve our standing in the world...

5. I like it that he speaks to the young about persoal responsibility and the importance of education...

Now I feel better..

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269487

Ivy
Ain't that the truth.Rubio to me is filled with a lot of hot air..I told Ping this morning, he was going to fix the Insurance and tax mess here,nothing so far...If he is able to successfully challenge Gov.Crist, it will be because he runs to the right..The wing nuts will surely embrace him,because they really consider Gov. Crist gay and moderate,imo...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269484

OD,good points and thank you.I feel better after reading your comment..

Hey Tony, just watching Yankees load the bases with one out. Guess who is up. A-Rod

More people right now would be like pouring water into a cup with a hundred holes. You suggest more money? I say tape the holes first and then your idea makes better sense. 1 and 2 on A ROd.

Well, A Rod strikes ut but that was a ball on replay. Down and outside.........

Matsui up. Bases loaded and two outs bottom of the third, but Pedro won't last much longer......

Damn, Matsui just missed a triple down the Right line........

Anyway, laying it all out at the start and dealing with this like an engineering problem would have been a good idea. It pains me to watch all those replays of Obama talking about transparency......

Matsui doubles...4 to 1 Yankees guys.

If I strangle another juror is there any way it can be considered justifiable homicide and would that mean a hung jury because we only had 11 sensable people left.?

In case you can't tell from the above I have to go back tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed we can talk her down off the ledge and I don't have to do it next week.

All stranglers should be chosen by lot.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269462

Dooty

Speaking of pretty pictures, what is the status on the photographs of the churches?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269496

Jamie --

You're bringing up some bad memories. Jury duty might have been the start of when I began to mistrust our system of justice. Watching too much "Law and Order" should be reason enough to disqualify jurors.

hi Jamie,
thanks for asking. The Texas Church Project has been put to bed. The guy who had the website as abandoned it. It was a good run but 4 or 5 people trying to get along for more than a year on a project where there is no boss is nearly impossible to maintain. In the interest of keeping us out of court charged with murder, we decided it best end.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269485

Ivy,

Another gentleman wanted the job and I was more than happy to let him have it. He's one of these ask the time see a watch built types, but that may be a good thing.

It did take on an interesting twist this afternoon when they gave us the case and I'll tell all later.

Dooty,

Are any of the individuals still looking to sell some of the photographs?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269502

Jamie --

Serving as a jury member on a trial is something every citizen should experience. But once is enough. lol

Ivy

I'm going to keep doing it until I get one that last for weeks and hits the newspapers. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269494

Max,
I guess you would agree with me then, that more troops in Afghanistan would be like pouring water in a cup with a hundred holes????

maxtrue @ 7:09 : "Sometimes we need disaster to bring us together."

We had several already. That's why Dems now have the House, Senate, and Oval Office.

Well X, those disasters were used to tar the Republicans. I'm talking about disasters where Americans come together. I think you get that.

7 to 3 NY like we thought X. And speaking of New York Tony.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/crabby_cabby_boots_same_sex_lovebirds_elzOqITxWd7Y7q2HLFiSFP

Afghanistan isn't quite like a cup with holes in it. Or should I say it is more like a vynl pool liner with a rip. If we walk away, the rip will widen and the water may just reach us here.

I guess the problem is that Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and the Middle East are all connected with major oil coming from the Gulf. The NYT had a good article some weeks ago. If we leave we'll be seen as running, if we stay we absorb costs that China and others should have to pay too. We have made some strides in promoting the reformation of Islam. If we turn and walk, the radicalism that will follow us will make 9/11 look like fireworks. On the other hand violence while we occupy is also bad for PR. The frustration is that every wants the King of the HIll to pay the costs. We must seek a way to get others to share in the resposbility of international justice which includes stopping the abuse and terror, radical militants bring to defenseless people.

As I said, the greatest danger of staying beside the loss of our men and women is that our competitors benefit from our effort while we pay the price. I would think that if we protect the urban areas and protect our troops we can sortie out on strike missions and focus first on urban security and reforming the Afghan government. Too bad Liberals didn't debate this topic when Obama was waxing Hawk. That includes Hillary too.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269505

Jamie --

They never pick the people who want to serve. Assumed to be a contradiction of terms, or conflict of interest or contra-something...lol

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269507

X,

And should Dems lose Congress, shall we call that a Democratic man-made disaster? Personally, I like to avoid disaster whenever possible.

You know I often comment on Democrats, but don't think I miss what the Republicans are doing. A smart Party would be exploiting the anger from the Middle. Instead they rally around Rush and Beck (Hey aren't those Rock Bands?). I am so sick of it.

Soon even you will be calling yourself XRepubicanDemocrat....haha or XRD

Jamie,

Over the years, I've actually given your Q some thought. You'll get 6 -8 years if the enemy was White, or 2-4 if the enemy was Black. Hmmm. Will this be your first murder ? You'll achieve more years if you have snuffed people before. It's sort of like a bonus they award to experienced perps.

Strangling is out, there's too much suffering involved for the other jurors. It entails lots of interviews by cops, with the same Qs asked over and over and over and....

However, if you can get a friend to smuggle itching powder to you, you may be able to get the creep tossed out for causing a disturbance. This way, at worst, you'll get a year or two, unless of course, you've been convicted of contempt in the past, in which case the experienced perps bonus will come into play.

If the hated juror is male, you might sit next to him, then jump up and shout, "Keep your hands off me, you beast!" and then sink into a dead faint for a couple of hours. When you 'come around' you can say that all you remember is the sensation of a hand under your bottom. Then weep.

Don't bother to thank me, I'm happy to be of service.

Sweetie demands that I ID this post as satire. Just in case the Prosecutor is snooping along the trail. She's afraid that the Previous Perp Bonus might be used against me. You see, I was once fined for cracking wise in a courtroom.

I can't afford to be convicted of Inciting to Mirth.

XR, you're so smart!

I suppose she could also corner the bailiff asking him if there's anything that she can do to keep that animal away from her. Have three other women make the same request.

This looks like another must-read book!

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/former-st-pete-beach-pot-smuggler-relives-his-past-in-self-published-memoir/1049087

Yessir, maxtrue, but as it is much more likely to happen, I am concerned with the possibility of Cosmic Carp invading our pristine airwaves in the next 12 months, and ruining the habitat for our native Space Trout.

One thing you will have noticed that differentiates the Dems of this era from the imbecile rapeblicans : Dems don't calling each other nasty names in public.

I've been hearing republicans calling schwartzeneggar, crist, and scozzafava all sorts of ugly names. pro-death, pro-kweire, anti-family. rINO, BIG GOVERNMENT. Just look at the pong ripping into that defenseless professional tanner and switch hitter, cheap charlie crist.

It's getting so bad that I'll probably be accused of being a republican just because I say nasty things about those closet case, racist, pro-rape, loud-mouth, no-action, Big Spending, war-losing, ballot-stuffing, klepto snoops, myself.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269513

Flatus --

I'm looking forward to the muzzle coming off Jamie so she can tell all. It's reassuring that even under the cover of anonymity, she respects her oath.

When I served on a jury, we were locked away from 9 am to 4 am the following morning. Sent word out to the judge we were deadlocked. He sent word back, "No such thing. Keep working." In the end, as a student of human nature, I found it a good study in the breakdown of human civility under duress.

If we pull out of Vietnam they will follow us home.

If we pull out of Afghanistan they will follow us home.

So which statement is true?

Yes, I am watching the ball game, and no, I don't like the outcome.

The get together in front of Independence Hall has been postponed until further notice. Sniff

The middle east sees us as occupiers and as long as they see us that way they will continue to resist.

They see us backing another Dictator like we have done for years in other countries as long as they follow our orders.

Once they stopped following our orders we did all we could to bring down their government.

Just like we did in Iraq when Saddam was our Dictator and we sold him WMD's to use against Iran and which he also ended up using on his own people.

Once he stopped listening to us and following our orders we invaded his country {Iraq}, overthrew him and executed him.

One day the world will turn away from us and see us for what we really are and have become. A bully who wants to dominate the world and tell everyone how they should live.

An Empire that is doomed if we don't change and we will take the rest of the world down with us when we fall.

Champ musta changed his rally undies. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-c.cgi#comment-269520

Flatus --

It is a "family myth" that my ancestors made the bricks that built Independence Hall.

The lords of baseball have restored balance to the
universe.....New York Yankess, 2009 World Champions, Number 27!!!!!

Ivy, it's no myth that collectively our ancestors built this country. So, with that, congrats to the Yankees and a goodnight to all!

And I am so very happy I forgot to proof read so I will
say it again proudly & correctly-----

The lords of baseball have restored balance to the universe....New York Yankees, 2009 World Champions, Number 27!!!!!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269525

Be they ever so humble, all contributions are ennobled.

What becomes of all the "champion" tee shirts that were already printed for the losers?

For Matsui and the Japanese people alone, I am happy for the win. We were honored to host Japanese guests just last week, and we know how much they love baseball and Matsui.

was in here last night, and did i spend a twenty dollar bill?

sturge, was that your twenty? sorry about that.

btw did you see the documentary last night on johnny mercer that clint eastwood produced for tcm? really did a good job. not the usual boring bio.

lest we forget...bout that time

Craig on "Imus in the Morning"
Thursday (11/5) 6:30 AM EST
Listen Live: WABC-AM (NYC)
(TV simulcast on FOXBusiness)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269511

XR

I've decided to be really sneaky. I'm bringing in danish and hoping for some sort of allergic reaction that will force a fast vote so she can find the nearest bathroom rapidly.

Good appearance Craig, LIked the way you rose above Imus's meanness and then went on to honor him, acknowledging Christi's appearance on Imus as a leg up and then to go one step further and attribute Clinton's leg up to his appearance on Imus as well . How many others would even remember? He seem to be thinking about the next question, not even sure it sunk in with him. You are a scholar and a gentleman.

DAMN! I just tuned over to Imus and missed Craig!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/04/gay-leaders-blame-obama-t_n_346354.html

"Gay Leaders Blame Obama, TV Ads For Loss In Maine"

"Gay activists were frustrated that Obama, who insists he staunchly supports their overall civil rights agenda, didn't speak out forcefully in defense of Maine's marriage law before Tuesday's referendum. The law was repealed in a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent.

"President Obama missed an opportunity to state his position against these discriminatory attacks with the clarity and moral imperative that would have helped in this close fight," said Evan Wolfson of the national advocacy group Freedom to Marry. "The anti-gay forces are throwing millions of dollars into various unsubtle ads aimed at scaring people, so subtle statements from the White House are not enough."

The White House, asked about the criticism, had no immediate comment."

Warnings from the Middle/EJ Dionne:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/04/AR2009110402868.html?nav=hcmoduletmv

http://www.taylormarsh.com/

"Values and Hypocrisy"

All that persecution Miss Prejean cried about. She should get an award for her performances.

You just can’t make this stuff up.

Carrie Prejean has a homemade sex tape. Well, of course she does. TMZ has the goods and some great pictures of Prejean. It begins:

Carrie Prejean demanded more than a million dollars during her settlement negotiations with Miss California USA Pageant officials — that is, until the lawyer for the Pageant showed Carrie an XXX home video of her handiwork. …

Negativity works if it is combined with fear-mongering, in which case, mulitiplying these two negatives makes a positive. (Do the math.) Big spending/piling debt onto your children is not a threat with enough imediacy.

Positive messages like "yes, we can," require something substantial behind them for some of us. Of all the times I asked, I never got an answer to "yes, we can what"?

In Obama's case, he was able to make some people feel good. Mike Huckabee has that high EQ. Despite his politics, I find him really likeable. Romney will be the next GOP nom and Huckabee will be the VP nom. I'm not sure if that ticket could be flipped to work.

Prez Obama now needs a big win, or two, to keep him viable in 2012. Empty platitudes only go so far. It's like crying wolf, only he was crying hope. I hope the Dems in Congress get off their duffs before they become the minority, again, and have every GOP agenda crammed down their throats.

"handiwork" eh?

Yankees!!! :) I guess all of the Red Sox stuff they tried to bury in the foundation to jinx the place did not work.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/11/05/the_gops_toxic_tea_party_99024.html

"The GOP's Toxic Tea Party"

"When Newt Gingrich warned Republicans that they were making a grave "mistake" by driving out moderates and enforcing the angry orthodoxy of the far right, the sober tone of his remarks was stunning.

This is a politician who is no stranger himself to the wilder shores of extremism, a populist and a purist who rose to great power against the GOP establishment, and a demagogue whose lexicon lacerated the "Democrat Party" as decadent, elitist, unpatriotic and immoral.

In his day, Gingrich channeled the same phobias and fury as the Tea Party activists whose growing influence in Republican ranks seems to have shaken him so badly. Why is Newt scared now?"

oogle your google info

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gVlTyXMqkc6rr-7oKRBfgxg-PY8wD9BPAQU01

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269541

Tony, the words "home video" really say it all.

Was she selling her home video? Was she passing it around to her friends? Did she put it on the Web? Or was it misused like so many other 'love tapes' over the years?

If it was misused, and the pageant is further invading her privacy, then nail them to the wall.

well... I missed both of Craig's appearances. Too much on my mind and I forgot about this morning. And last night I was at my book club. But I did manage to catch the second half of the Boston/Minnesota basketball game.... Celtics won in the last seconds by a basket. They are still undefeated.

Congrats to the Yankees on their World Series win!

Blue... you know that scarf.... there's Red Sox cooties embedded.... :0)

Capitol Hill = Dithering Heights

Tony....
I heard an analysis of the Republican Party on NPR last week. The panel consisting of 3 Republicans all agreed that the party was in trouble because of it's embrace of the ideological hard right.... and they put the blame for that squarely on Newt Gingrich.

mornin'

Congrats to the Yankees - my only beef - the cost of tickets at the new stadium. Great series, but I will miss Faltus' Independence Hall gathering. Oh well, maybe next year.

E.J. Dionne has a pretty interesting column on yesterdays elections in today's Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/04/AR2009110402868.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269551

I bet you never even left West By-God. Me, I was already north of Baltimore before I put on the brakes. But, you're right, maybe next year. :)

Dana Milbank on Michael Steele - firckin' hilarious

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/04/AR2009110403118.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

And for a bit of perspective from another observation post, David Broder

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/04/AR2009110402867.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

(Broder does need to brush up on his VA political history though - if there has been any rtrend in VA, it has been a treend to swing from one party to the next in groups of 2 or 3 over the past 40 years.)

LOL. No, Flatus, I didn't - I've seen the Yankees in this position before and while I like a party as well as the next guy - standing alone in the cold in Philly isn't my idea of one.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269552

Flatus --

How far north of Baltimore? As far as Cal Ripken Stadium? I know that geography pretty well.

(^_~)

The Republican health care alternative bill - doing little for almost no one over lang periods of time.

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/budget-monitor-questions-impact-of-gop-health-bill/

"House Republicans, including their leader, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, have said that they did not intend for their legislation to expand insurance coverage, because they viewed that goal as unaffordable. Instead, they said the bill was tailored narrowly to reduce costs.

"According to the report by nonpartisan budget office, the Republican bill would reduce future federal deficits by $68 billion over 10 years, compared to a reduction of $104 billion by the House Democrats’ legislation.

Curious view of "affordable".

Corzine lost because People wanted Revenge on Wall Street, which he was a part of!

The Party of Yes We Can vs. the Party of No and Fear! Democrats must again take up their chant, Yes We Can and lead by leading and accomplishing reforms -- like health care which is tied to the deficit and the bankrupting of businesses. Those timid Dems who refuse to take issue with the insurance companies will lose their seats in the coming elections. Those who stand firm for the people will be re-elected to fight on! It is interesting to note that the three Democrats who won houseseats in Tuesday's elections which had previously been held by Republicans in New York and California, all embraced the current health plan and a Public Option! Democratic congresspeople should not be led astray by the Party of No and Fear.... and remember and again Reiterate confidently everyday on the house floor -- "Yes We Can"!

GOP politicians and operatives continue to dishonestly and deceptively say that they cannot support a public option, they claim that they want to keep costs down for the American people! Really? They claim this all the while knowing that a public option/competition is the only way to really control cost and to bring about true reform thereby putting a definite Halt to the “out of control” medical costs and premiums crippling people and businesses today, making it harder and harder for average Americans and young people to realize and take advantage of the American Dream. One must ask themselves, If you happen to lose your job today or tomorrow during this time when we do not have health care reform for all, who will pay you or your family's health care bills, that is if you are lucky enough to be able to see a doctor without insurance? This American Dream, which has slowly been slipping away, is in the last throes of dying, if we do not forge a new path ahead on toward inclusion and cooperation for all. This dream of America will die to be replaced with just another third world country -- becoming another failed experiment and promise, only to go by the wayside.

There is a reason that GOP always say Gov’t is the problem. They know that when you have a party of men and women in power who do Nothing for Main Street but say no or complain, who stymie reform, then government is a problem! And so it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whenever GOP are in power or in control, the government has been a do nothing, problematic government for Average Americans and a big Boom and Bonus for the Rich and well connected. We must remember, this is Bush & the GOP’s recession. They had the power for 8 years and did nothing to uplift this country, only to rape it from Main Street, to add it to Wall Street. The GOP does not even like to raise the Minimum Wage! They care nothing if you are making it. People we must wake up now! Because look around, assess the United States’ situation that we are in and ask yourself over the last 10 years of GOP rule, what have they done for you lately? Or this country? Do you like what the United States has become? And ask yourself this, if we let them get power again, how much more further will this country be destroyed until the United States will no longer be. That is a very frightening thought!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269549

Great line Flatus

Yanks did it in six. I suspect that was X's call. Mine too. I'm glad Pedro found the Post's front page yesterday funny. Congrats. It will soften the blow of what our football teams have been doing.

Newt the reason the Republicans are movng hard left? That is funny. Tea Parties are not a hard right move as most of the country is concerned about the deficit and taxes. Just look at the exist polls in NJ. Rush is hard right. Newt is a conservative, but he is not demonizing Obama or screaming out about abortion or religon. There are far better targets than that. I suspect Newt is under fire because he is more articulate about where the Democrats have stumbled. Let's not have a campaign of personal attacks in response to Tuesday's loses. There were many rational reasons for that which most Independents can explain. We've got to stop printing more money, prove our plans lower costs and improve the quality of things. I'm not making a case for the GOP, just pointing out how Democrats tend to snatch defeat from victory and pretend rather than face undeniable fact. Sure, there is a mess to fix. Fix is the operative word here.....

And the Ap article this morning reflects more crap reporting. In light of he Goldtone Report which blames Israel for more crimes than Hamas who insitigated Cast Lead response, here is a gem fired through AP's echo chamber:

"Since the Israeli leadership and society are not ready for peace, they are using any pretext to shun peace obligations, and one is the issue of the Iranian shipment," said Ghassan Khatib, a spokesman for the West Bank-based Palestinian government. AP

You have got to be kidding me. Arab leadership and socoeity is ready for peace? Not only have Fatah and Hamas NOT changed their charters or rhetoric, they are ingaged in a civil war of sorts. Hamas used their recent "war" with Israel as a pretense for criminal murder of suspected Fatah supporters. They have fired missiles at times and have been caught importing cash and weapons while attempting to impose their idea of Sharia on Gazans. They have even embraced any help from AQ they can get and publically declared the desire to take every inch of the ISrael State. Hamas was even seen in Tehran helping thugs beat protestors.

So thumbs down for AP in their failure to report who pushed the Goldstnoe Report in the first place, their filter on events leading the Middle East to new violence and the promulgation of Palestinian peace efforts when they are factually lacking. Maybe New Pogo, you could pass this on to your friend at AP.

http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/11/04/obama-watched-documentary-last-night-nope-fox-botched-this-one/

Fox scoops every other network again. You can't make this stuff up - like Fox does.

Geithener: Yankees too Big to Fail
"The New York Times," 11/05/09.

Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner today announced a new policy designed to protect the New York Yankees from bankruptcy, should salary contracts exceed their capacity to generate ticket sales and television revenue. Geithner noted that next year's Yankee player salaries were projected to reach one trillion dollars, and, as a result, average ticket prices for a regular season game would have to be raised to at least $19,000 for a bleacher seat, just to break even. "We must insure that taxpayer dollars are available for a bailout fund, should one be needed," Geithner stated. "I am sure that everyone across the country will agree with me that the financial collapse of the Yankees is a catastrophe too horrible to contemplate."

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269557

I hope the Democrats come up with a beter rally cry than that B. Perhaps you could explain why Democrats screw up most times or why the one recent Democratic administration was spanked during the prmary by a candidate that compared Clinton to Nixon. Gallop sya there are 40% conservatives to 20% very Liberal. Indies don't buy into all f your partisan characterization which makes Democrats smell sweet when the smell of crap appears ubiquitous......

Tell us why Democrats like Franks and Dodd helped create the mess. Why Pelosi and Reid are in charge. The failure of America to move forward is because both Parties reject moving from the middle and spend most of their time locked in this sad dance. There were too many points to contest in your article B, as I am late for work....

Good cheers all...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269555

Up by Aberdeen Proving Ground, Ivy--that's the only place I know that might be north of Baltimore--went through guided missile training there in my past lifetime.

Fantasy parties are great!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269560

Bitter Nash? Or did you just lose money betting on the wrong horse again? Suprised you didn't blast Bloomberg or those "liberal" people in Maine.

Yanks played better and kudos to Matsui. And they pay Pedro far more than Andy....though CC gets the cake.

Ha, as if I have a friend at AP. I'm trying to remember the last time I even linked an AP article that didn't come second hand from the Post or the Times ....

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29120_Page2.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Story?id=8984551&page=3

NJ & VA exit polls - "The nation's still-struggling economy and dismal job outlook was the top concern on the minds of voters in both states. Eight-five percent of Virginians and 90 percent of Garden State voters said they were worried about the direction of the nation's economy." (Politico)

BUT THEN...

"About a third of New Jersey voters cited the economy as the top issue in their vote, followed by property taxes, selected by about a quarter. As noted, in contrast with the Virginia result, it was Corzine who won economy voters by a broad margin, 58-36 percent. But Christie won tax-focused voters, 67-25 percent." (ABC)

"Tea Parties are not a hard right move as most of the country is concerned about the deficit and taxes." Tell that to the Fund for Growth and the AEI. Funny, I don't see anything in these exit poll analyses about the deficit or taxes, other than state-level property taxes. I see concern about the economy and jobs.

"Gallop sya there are 40% conservatives to 20% very Liberal." Sophistry runs amok. The comparison should not be "conservative" to "very liberal" - it should be "very conservative to very liberal or conservative to liberal. They call that shading.

Nash..... welcome back!.... your sense of humor was sorely missed by me....
and obviously not understood by some.... oh well....

Nash, hyperbole notwithstanding - I did consider $900 a ticket a tad high when I tried to take LP to a game while we were in NYC.

But now I hear the siren call of the road. Damn.

with a 200 million payroll to a 110 million payroll the Yankees did exactly what should have be predicted. They won 4 to 2.

I don't suppose Geo S is willing to install a salary cap is he?

be = been

Negativity won in Maine.

The right wing religious zealots once again got the vote out to prevent gay marriage from becoming legal.

They did this by running HUNDREDS of negative TV ads for the last month. Apparently, if gays are allowed to marry, they will take over elementary schools and "convert" all the kids. (I did not know that.)

Activists up here are pretty steamed that Obama did not do ONE DAMN THING to help gays in Maine.

Hi: Max, Pogo, Renee. I've been lurking for a while, too busy at work to do any posting.

Pogo...
$900 a ticket!.... holy crap, Batman..... no wonder you see so many celebrities in the stands.... they're the only ones that can afford it....
well.... that and our resident millionaire EdVB..... :0)

Nash.... what do you mean Obama did not do one damn thing.... he voted "present".... didn't he....

probably more like negativity has taken a short holiday .......and probably very short........

Thought for the day :
" Everyone complains of his memory, no one of his judgment. "

Tuesday gives false hope to gooper losers

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/05/MN1E1AF72G.DTL

Carly announces her candidacy for the senate

memory is the first thing to go.......i forget what is the second.....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269565

Read the poll New Pogo. Are you suggesting there are more Uber Liberals than Uber Conservatives or Liberals to Conservatives? Add the tilt of Indies and by what logic do you think there is in saying "the country wants what the Obama base wants?" Hasn't that fallacy been the point I'm making? Wasn't that a prime insight of the Clinton campaign. Experiance and moderation to inexperiance and grand promises?

"WASHINGTON— Ignoring a Republican boycott, Senate Democrats and pushed a precedent-setting climate bill through a key committee Thursday.

Rep. Barbara Boxer, chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, had delayed the crucial vote for days because of a Republican protest over whether the cost of the legislation had been fully examined. But the California Democrat moved quickly to pass the bill, which for the first time would set mandatory limits on heat-trapping gases, without any of the seven GOP senators on the panel present. The measure cleared the panel on a 11-1 vote.

Boxer said the Republican demand for more analysis was "duplicative and waste of taxpayer dollars."

"Advancing the bill is a necessary step on the road to garnering the 60 votes we need," said Boxer, who introduced the bill along with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. in late September. "We are pleased that despite the Republican boycott, we have had the will to move this bill forward." AP

Didn't Boxer and Pelosi, Reid and the other Ubers learn anything Tuesday night? There should be a websire dedicated to independent analysis of the energy bill. Even now Liberals hold up gas extraction in Colarado on a site not designated a protected area. Again, the lack of a coherent and vetted plan by those who do not represent the majority will be Democratic undoing.

New Pogo, I want change and reform. This pathetic political nonsense will only produce Republican victories. You seem to ignore the painful fact that bipartisan steps are the only way to avoid making national issues partisan screw-ups that will get reversed later after much damage. Obama ran on clean coal and gas. He said he would drill. He said he would push clean technology. He said he was open to nuclear, but Iran is about the only place where supports new nuclear power plants. Energy, immigration seem to be more battles he will trip, stumble and produce unnecessary discord because he is being driven by a base that mrepresents less than 20% of America no matter how much he generalizes his goals to make it sound mainstream.

He could avoid that, but unlike Hillary and Bill, Obama doesn't sit down and formulate a coherent policy. He is just the salesperson, often marketing a plan of generalities, leaving the details and battles to others in the trenches. This leave strong conviction and passionate advocacy on the side. Just look back and watch Obama defend healthcare the night he picked a fight with Boston cops. This is getting rather old news, but I still hold out some hope.....

Think Obama see any stimulation in a manned space program? Rebuilding our grid and building a new energy transportation system? How's that carbon sequestration going?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/11/negativity-finally-loses.html#comment-269565

How many times has it been repeated here that "Liberals" far out number "Conservatives"? So a national policy should be to the liking of the Democratic base and lLue Dogs nearer the center should be threatened? That is far worse than Republicans angry at some of their own candidates holding mostly Democratic positions like the one in New York. It is the minority of uber Liberals who shout the loudest calling most conservatives "extreme right Republicans". And the Left leaning media hypes this up to the point that many Americans were suprised top read the poll you quoted above. If you take the 40% conservatives and add the moderate Indies, even the set of all Liberals represent less than half of the country as they attack some conservative Liberals in their own party and call themselves the vast majority.

Got to run...later.

I do blame Obama as the head of the Democratic Party for Tuesday's defeat (but I don't blame him as president.)

Obamaramas wanted to control the party and they have done nothing to build on the new voters they brought in and done nothing to keep them going. Where is the organization that elected him president. I thought "they" were going to keep it going. They should have kept Dr. Dean as the chairman and kept the 50 state strategy going. What is David Axelrod doing now besides getting his kids jobs and sitting on his fat ass in DC?

I also blame white men of a certain age who all supported Obama and now are doing nothing...just like before. You know who I am talking about my brother.

Hey Renee,

That resident millionaire just had to check his pockets to make sure he has enough cash to pay for the pizza he just ordered so our office can celebrate the Yankee's victory and our boss's election as Supervisor of the Town of Glenville, NY.

The boss is that arch-conservative I've mentioned, but we love him just the same. Meanwhile, I'm hoping our resident Red Sox fan won't get in trouble with her die-hard Sox fan husband for eating some of the pizza.

Drinks for everyone on me!

Renee,

Full disclosure, I did have great seats at Yankee Stadium for game six of the ALCS, but those were bought by my daughter's boyfriend, who planned on using them Saturday night. The rain out Saturday left him with two tickets he couldn't use because of work commitments, so he passed them on to my son and me.

We made a token payment based on our ability to pay, but it was well under the value of the seats. Had he known he was giving up seats next to Sir Charles, and perhaps in a better economy, he might have quit his job to attend the game.

I led a boycott this year among some Albany area friends in protest of the high prices at the new Yankee Stadium. However all of them have forgiven me for taking advantage of this "free" ticket opportunity.

Pogo,

Been pretty busy am today, and Im going for leeetle lunche, and then a walk to walk off the piece of cake that is calling me...with my new sweet tooth i need to learn how to bake sugarless treats for myself.

New thread above.....