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Here we go a-ranting all week

Friday, October 23, 2009

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By NapaValleyRegister.com politicos

Today's Political Rant

November 23rd, 2009

Ranting through the end of November

November 7th, 2009

Let's give 'em something to rant about

November 1st, 2009

Kicking off November with new rants

October 26th, 2009

Rant to wrap up October

October 24th, 2009

A weekend to rant about

What politically-themed issue makes you want to scream?

Let everyone know your thoughts by venting here in NapaValleyRegister.com’s weekly Political Rant.

If you have a non-political rant, take that over to the weekly Random Thoughts blog.

Remember, comments have to follow the comment guidelines.

122 comment(s)

PlasticPinkFlamingo wrote on Oct 19, 2009 1:41 PM:

" Anita Dunn, communications director for the White House gave a speech to high school students telling them that Mao was her favorite philosopher. Mao of course was responsible for killing 40 to 70 million of his own countrymen simply to grab and stay in power. In fact Mao killed more people than Stalin, and Stalin killed more people than Hitler.

But it must be OK for the White House communications director to say that, since Mao was a communist and this administration is quite comfortable with socialists, communists, tax evaders etc.

In recent days, Bernanke and Geithner have both said we must reduce our deficit or face severe economic problems since the high deficit is unsustainable. Yet the Democrats are running amok demanding we accept a socialist takeover of our healthcare system which could add trillions to the deficit over the next decade. They aren't interested in doing the things that would make healthcare access easier, they want a takeover, plain and simple, and don't you dare pay any attention to the cost or we will demonize and discredit you. Congress gives us the shell game about the cost, taking money out of Medicare except that doesn't reduce the need, so who will end up paying it anyway?

It's not about healthcare folks, it's about CONTROL and POWER for the left, which they must have in order to finalize socialism (or worse) in the US.

I'll bet that's not what millions of independents had in mind when they voted for Obama because of the charismatic feelgood speeches he read from the teleprompter and their dislike for Bush. As it turns out, that's all Obama can do and maybe we should be glad for his lack of leadership. "

Hear Ye wrote on Oct 19, 2009 3:16 PM:

" Really PPF? You didn't get it?

She said two of her favorite political philosophers were Mao and Mother Teresa. Ever heard of the word juxtapose, sometime used for an element of humor?

Besides, their are far more examples of prominent conservatives that have shown interest in Mao than liberals.

It's just more of the usual spin to try to scare people into jumping on the conspiracy bandwagon. "

Raven wrote on Oct 19, 2009 4:59 PM:

" the usual diatribes must be losing there effect, hear ye - but it just dawned on me why the right makes such a big deal about Obama using teleprompters- he can use one and pronounce the words correctly when a recent occupant of the white house couldn't....so it is simple jealousy. (first prez to use one....seems to be the GOP...Eisenhower) "

kevin wrote on Oct 19, 2009 5:50 PM:

" It's incredible that the State run media is not reporting the Anita Dunn comments.

They fell all over themselves looking for any comment from the Tea Parties that could possibly be associated with Hitler. Hitler was a piker compared to Mao in the number of deaths he caused. For some one to say they admired him is completely offensive, for that person to be a high ranking official in the President's Administration is unacceptable... "

alucawanza wrote on Oct 19, 2009 6:01 PM:

" I am so amused by the criticism of Obama for using a teleprompter. I don't get it at all. He and his speechwriters write the speech, and he presents is professionally. What's the deal? You don't like someone who is proficient in public speaking and using technology?

PPF: Here are two other quotes, taken out of context, that might interest you:

"War is politics with blood; politics is war without blood," Gingrich said, citing Mao.

Karl Rove, another Fox News contributor, wrote in a December 2008 Wall Street Journal op-ed that President Bush "encouraged me to read a Mao biography."

What could be done with quotes like these??? Are Gingrich and Rove proponents of Mao, as well as Bush, who was pushing people to read about him??? Of course not. We're too bright to jump to that false conclusion. Too bad Beck isn't. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 19, 2009 6:12 PM:

" Mother Teresa, political philosopher!

HMG, she looks up to Mao. What is the defect that attracks liberals to the murderous Dictators?

She speaks of him as if he were a great man?????????

You guys on the left really crack me up. You guys are just so silly, but really whats the punchline? "

kevin wrote on Oct 19, 2009 7:53 PM:

" Freeport, please.

The punchline is...

OBAMA!!! "

Raven wrote on Oct 19, 2009 9:36 PM:

" the right has there fav lil dictators too freeport...remember pinochet..or marcos... "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 20, 2009 8:15 AM:

" Raven-

no relavence what so ever. Mother Teresa.

Mao killed 50-80 million Chinese. the parents of a friend in town family was murded by Mao.

And you defend that. Poor lost puppy. "

alucawanza wrote on Oct 20, 2009 11:18 AM:

" freeport
I read the posts very carefully. Where does Raven defend Mao or Mao's actions? "

Raven wrote on Oct 20, 2009 11:29 AM:

" freeport.....the only reason Mao was able to kill that many was he had more to starts with- as a percentage of the population see who was worse....and try telling the victims of Pinochet and Marcos that they are...not relevant

and as a philosopher, Mao has somethings to offer...even the US military studies his writings...are they to be considered Maoists? "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 20, 2009 11:31 AM:

" Examples from David Brock's The Republican Noise Machine (2004) of right wing use of Communist tactics in furthering their cause (acquisition of power):

Paul Weyrich, leader of the social conservative movement and co-founder of Heritage Foundation: "The New Right--and to an extent we're like Communists in this--feels victory is inevitable".... According to Brock, Irving Kristol, who helped spearhead the right wing's PR efforts in the 1970s, started out as a follower of Trotsky, and "brought to conservatism a belief in the paramount importance of disseminating ideology, rather than gathering votes, as the way to win political power...[and was] interested in ideas not for their own sake...but for the purpose of influencing public opinion through a 'war of ideas'." (p. 45)

"Kristol adapted to conservatism the Communist style of putting forth an endless series of journals, op-ed manifestos, position papers, public letters, and magazines--founding his own, The Public Interest, and helping to secure financing for another, The American Spectator ..." (p. 46)

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, "took his inspirations on strategy and tactics from Communist thinkers, including Antonio Gramsci...who wrote that Marxists would come to power by 'capturing the culture'."

Paul Weyrich and associates, in starting Heritage Foundation, wanted to match the organizational and media prowess of liberalism. But knowing nothing of liberalism, and having learned their craft either by imitating Communist tactics or by direct involvement in Communist sects, they built "the kind of machinery they thought they were up against but never were." (p. 70)

William F. Buckley, understanding that successful left-wing social and political movements had produced their own media, "staffed his magazine, National Review , with ex-Communists...." (p. 72)

Maybe, PPF, your worries are misplaced about something said in apparent irony about incongruent philosophies/actions. "

littlered56 wrote on Oct 20, 2009 1:21 PM:

" Della, Raven, once again you bring a breath of fresh air along with honest intelligent writting to us, you are so appreciated and respected. Thanks so much! "

pharper wrote on Oct 20, 2009 2:18 PM:

" How about Sese Seko to add to the list including Pinochet and Marcos? I wonder how the Congolese would think to hear that called irrelevant. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 20, 2009 4:27 PM:

" While you are at it pharper, why don't you ask the UN why the have not stopped the Muslims in Darfur from killing th Christians yet.

So Della quotes a liberal author and does even understand the quotes she quoted, hahahahahahah!

I guess the laugh here is the defense of the Dictators, Mao, and the radical left. The funny part is that the Conservatives had to learn it from the communists, the same place ACORN, Organize for America, Moveon.org, DNC, Barry, SEIU, and a whole host of others did.

I think Della is just upset because the Alinsky tactics she loves so well are now being used by the Tea Parties.

Using a Nun as a political philosopher next to Mao is unholy. "

glenroy wrote on Oct 20, 2009 5:15 PM:

" hear ye.... you've fooled yourself....she was, as we know from her subsequent comments defending her admiration....deadly serious....

Nothing of news here…virtually all of obama's czar's feel the same way...Mao is their idol... "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 20, 2009 5:41 PM:

" Excuses wearing thin for Obama, media pals
from the Chicago sun Times

You'd think it's October 2008, the final month in the Obama presidential candidacy, rather than October 2009, nine months into the Obama presidency. Yet the Obama White House is in full campaign mode -- maybe because it needs to mask the shortcomings of the Obama presidency.

Take, for example, all the talk of inheriting the worst economy since the 1930s crisis. That came in response to the news that the federal deficit hit $1.4 trillion.

Yet just a few months ago, the Obama camp was singing a little different tune. It was under criticism for the $787 billion stimulus package it bulldozed through Congress on grounds that massive spending was needed to keep the unemployment rate from breaching 8 percent. When joblessness hit 9.5 percent in June, Vice President Joe Biden said, "We misread how bad the economy was."

They inherited the worst economy since the Great Depression, or the economy turned out to be worse than they thought. Which is it? It can't be both -- unless your brain is completely addled by the Obama charisma. "

PlasticPinkFlamingo wrote on Oct 20, 2009 9:37 PM:

" raven says: "the only reason Mao was able to kill that many was he had more to starts with- as a percentage of the population"

Oh good, then if I become dictator for life in a country with a large population it will be OK for me to murder millions because it is a smaller percentage of the population? Wow what a concept. Now we know what the left has in mind for us if they should get total control, like they are trying to right now.

And I never said anything about pronouncing words raven. The use of the teleprompter in Obama's case is because he can't ad lib a speech that he hasn't rehearsed or can read from a teleprompter.

Hear Ye, Anita Dunn was not joking or making comparisons, I heard the tape and she clearly says her favorite philosopher is Mao. It is a strange choice for a White House communications director and stranger yet that the MSM totally ignores it. A comment from a conservative that Hitler is his favorite philosopher would have all of you screaming for blood.

And all of you: writing biographies or studying the actions of world political leaders is something I have always encouraged regardless of who they are. In fact I believe one of the left's major problems is that it refuses to learn from history. Learning from history is much much different than extolling the virtues of a mass murderer. C'mon, you all knew that, you're just twisting stuff up again. Try playing it straight for once. "

russ wrote on Oct 20, 2009 9:44 PM:

" One would think that even the ultra-liberal Democrats must be wondering what the heck is going on in the White House as Obama and the Democrat congress is leading the country, like lemings headed off the cliff, to disastrous deficits and massive unemployment. No hope in sight as we head into the Obama double dip.

George Bush lead us out of a massive recession and stock market crash after 9/11 to a recovery, record low unemployment and low interest rates.

Obama's record is accelerated unemployment, doubling the deficit and peeing money down the special interest stimulated rathole. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:11 PM:

" Freeport -- I know nothing about Alinsky. I guess I've avoided those tactics from the git-go.

But you can make all the wrong assumptions you want about me and my motivations or knowledge. "

Raven wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:15 PM:

" you only want the killing of Christians in Darfur stopped or everyone freeport?

and in all that economic growth russ, bush manged to double the national debt...running escalating deficits every year he was in office....so tell us again what a great job he did economically....(btw the market has reagined almost 53 percent of its value since jan 20, now at 10041)

"The use of the teleprompter in Obama's case is because he can't ad lib a speech that he hasn't rehearsed or can read from a teleprompter..."

your proof for this is?.....No, PPF the teleprompter thing ranks write up there with the birth certificate obsession the right has.....nothing of substance to either "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:47 PM:

" Obama's been in office 9 months, russ; Bush was president for 8 years.

But during Bush's 8 years, according to the US Census:

"...the median household income declined, poverty increased, childhood poverty increased even more, and the number of Americans without health insurance spiked."

"When Bush left office after 2008, the median income had fallen [from $52,500 at end of Clinton’s term] to $50,303. That's a decline of 4.2 per cent."

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/09/closing_the_book_on_the_bush_legacy.php#

So Obama has a few years to catch up with Bush's record, or reverse the trends started by Bush, whichever ultimately occurs. "

Hear Ye wrote on Oct 20, 2009 11:00 PM:

" Making up quotes, as we know from the presedential campaign, won't score you any points on here. Just ask a couple of the other usuals that are famous for it. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 21, 2009 7:28 AM:

" Obama is on track to double the national debt to $23,000,000,000,000.00.

He has alreaqdy more that trippled the national debt from 2008.

I guess that is worth a prize.

della - i do not have to guess, your words and defense of your beliefs speak volumes about your leftist ideology.

The guy with the dysfunctional group surrounding him...you guessed wrong. Not knowing your history will doom you to repeat it.

raven- since the muslims are killing the Christians in Darfur, yes i would like it to stop. The impotent UN just keeps talking about it and doers nothing. barry would not do anything.... "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 21, 2009 7:44 AM:

" CNN Poll: Half the country disagrees with Obama on issues

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/20/cnn-poll-half-the-country-disagrees-with-obama-on-issues/

the question is are the real numbers being reported or is this an Anita Dunn controlled media release hiding the real numbers. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 21, 2009 8:02 AM:

" Della-

thanks for the 2007 numbers. the 2008 statistics are below. Sorry.

Income

Race and Hispanic Origin (Race data refer to people reporting a single race only. Hispanics can be of any race.)

•Real median income (adjusted for inflation) for black and non-Hispanic white households rose between 2006 and 2007, representing the first measured real increase in annual household income for each group since 1999.

•Real median household income remained statistically unchanged for Asians and Hispanics.

•Among the race groups and Hispanics, black households had the lowest median income in 2007 ($33,916). This compares to the median of $54,920 for non-Hispanic white households. Asian households had the highest median income ($66,103). The median income for Hispanic households was $38,679.
Regions

•Between 2006 and 2007, real median household income rose in the Midwest ($50,277) and the South ($46,186), declined in the Northeast ($52,274) and remained statistically unchanged in the West ($54,138).

-U.S. Census

I guess you missed those. "

glenroy wrote on Oct 21, 2009 8:39 AM:

" Egad…the Christians of three Darfur regions were long ago either sold as slaves, became concubines or lost their heads at the hands of various Muslim hordes…

no it's called educating yourself....libs ought to try it. "

glenroy wrote on Oct 21, 2009 9:05 AM:

" Amused at comments obama using a teleprompter?

Libs ridiculed President Bush’s speech mannerisms… In conversational debate obama makes President Bush look like a slick professional motivation speaker…so now obama's advisors won't let him speak without a teleprompter. obama can’t even answer an unrehearsed question submitted prior to a press conference without grunts, uh, um, more grunts, uh..uhum……who knows if it’s an intelligence issue or brain damage due to his heavy addictions…

…..but what it all means is that everything obama does and says is staged, answers and questions are rehearsed and obama goes out and reads it just like archie bunker did….from q cards or teleprompter…

LOL della…the consensus ACORN was paid by us... how many hundreds of millions to take? How many thousands of phony registered Democrats? Snow White was register how many times as a Democrat? Mickey Mouse? The answer is hundreds of times in every city ACORN has an office…. Libs relying on phony liberal data is what caused this mess…the last consensus had me and my family down as uninsured health wise….which of course is where this bogus 30,000,000 uninsured originated….which keeps going up thanks to the Democrat Freddie ponzi scam.

The consensus is no more an measure of reality than a game of ‘pin the tail on the donkey’….. "

alucawanza wrote on Oct 21, 2009 10:58 AM:

" glenroy
Do you mean census?

I am still amused. Using a teleprompter just shows a polished, well-thought out speech. It's a non-issue.

BTW: Vote registration doesn't mean actually voting. But you know that.

Bogus 30,000,000? Because someone made a mistake on your census info? That's a big jump. The 2008 report was 43.5 million not 30. That number includes 10 million children.
Here's more info:
http://american.com/archive/2008/july-august-magazine-contents/what-do-we-know-about-the-uninsured

Interesting that in 2006 when Bush was Mr. President the figure was higher. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 21, 2009 12:42 PM:

" From Kevin: “…State run media…”

Media Timeline (from Brock’s The Republican Noise Machine): Initially, “media” consisted of subjective writings supporting a cause. With the advent of mass advertising and chain ownership (early 20th Century) newspapers became more moderate to attract more readers. An ethic of responsible journalism developed, partly due to middle-class push for rationality, which included professionalism and respect for truth. By mid-50s, objectivity was the norm. In 60s and 70s, partly due to:

--media’s willingness to cover Goldwater’s alliance with extremist views;

--Nixon/Agnew attacks on media;

--Louis Powell’s article stating free enterprise was under attack by media and laying out a plan for business to fight back;

--William Simon’s memoir targeting the consumer movement, environmentalists and minorities as attacking business, and suggesting conservatives “buy” the public debate;

--and a book written by Simon’s ghostwriter, Edith Efron—The News Twisters--which started the snowball accusation of “left-wing media bias” rolling;

the right-wing initiated a well-funded mass media movement, based in part on the premise that the Marxist approach to “capturing the culture” and opinion papers of an earlier era would move the public policy debate further to the right. So those to the right of “conservative”, having access to corporate wealth and new technology at their disposal, developed a machine using “language invented by conservative practitioners trained in the use of manipulative, often Orwellian, rhetoric” (Brock, p. 42) which continues to this day, and threatens the very fiber of responsible journalism.

What you consider “state run media” is just the residual of ethical journalism which, thankfully, is still detectible after decades of methodical tweaking and contamination with additives by the right-wing media processors.

Brock, by the way, is a repentant conservative. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 21, 2009 12:56 PM:

" Freeport --The Atlantic Monthly figures I quoted were from the US Census for 2008, published Sept. 2009, in which it shows that:
“Real median household income fell between 2007 and 2008, and the decline was widespread.” If you want to break it down by ethnicity, okay. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 21, 2009 2:19 PM:

" On closer look, the figures you show, FP, seem to be for 2007. It appears there was a rise in income for black and non-hispanic white households between 2006 and 2007, the first since Bush took office.

According to 2008 statistics, median income went back down overall, lower than it had been when Bush took office.

That's a decline of median income level over an 8-year term. Granted, the economic collapse that took place during Bush's administration contributed to that last year decline. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 21, 2009 7:59 PM:

" Della- go figure
September 2009
http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/acsbr08-2.pdf

Real median household income in the United States fell between the 2007 ACS and the 2008 ACS. Household income decreased 1.2 percent, from $52,673 to $52,029.3
The median household income estimates
in the 2008 ACS ranged from a median of $70,545 for Maryland to $37,790 for Mississippi.4
Real median household income rose between the 2007 ACS and the 2008 ACS in 5 states compared to 33 states that showed an increase between the 2006 ACS and the2007 ACS. For the states that experienced increases, two states were in the South, Louisiana and Texas; two were in the Northeast, New York and New Jersey; and one was in the Midwest, Kansas.

In 40 states and the District of Columbia, real median household income in the 2008 ACS was not statistically different from that in the 2007 ACS.
Median household incomes in 18 states and the District of Columbia were above the U.S. median, while 29 state medians were below it. Three states had median household incomes that were not statistically different from the U.S. median. "

russ wrote on Oct 21, 2009 10:50 PM:

" Obama dithers on personal politics while 70,000 US military sits on the ground in Afghanistan waiting for support from the commander-in-chief, while his commanding general asks for help.

Obama meets 2.5 hours with ultra-liberal media commentators, Olberman, Rachel Madow of MSNBC Maureen Dowd and others. Obama has less time with Gen. McChrystal than he has spent with Olberman. Obama priorities.

Obama has NO accomplishments in 9 months. None, zero, nada. Everything is getting worse and Obama fights Fox News, insurance and oil companies, capitalism, . Dumb. "

surfdogge69 wrote on Oct 21, 2009 10:57 PM:

" Hey, Ozzie Ozborne has used a teleprompter for years, Aerosmith used one during their Super Bowl Perfomance, John Lennon and other great statespersons of our generation have quoted many foreign philosiphers of contriversy. What's all the hyperbole about anyway???? "

Raven wrote on Oct 21, 2009 11:58 PM:

" He has alreaqdy more that trippled the national debt from 2008....

freeport.... the national debt has not tripled....as of July 22 of this year it was just shy of 12 trillion....on Sept 30 of 2008 it was just a bit more than 10 trillion..Sept 30 of 2001- 5.8 trillion (dept of the treasury)

and one thing I can agree with you on is stopping all the killing in Darfur....and that UN as well as the US has been rather impotent in their efforst "

russ wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:44 AM:

" How much stimulus money is going toward "green jobs"? What are the infrastructure projects that will come out of those programs?

Where and when will the windmill farms be built?

Where and when will the solar farms be built?

When and where will the transmission lines be built to move the power from desert to people?

Oil price is creeping up again in a depressed economy. What happens when the Obama economic growth kicks in? No more oil drilling, kill the coal industry, ignore natural gas.

And Pres Obama spends hours talking to extreme left-wing commentators and giving political speeches.

What is the Obama administration doing besides warring with Fox News? Stupid! "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:25 AM:

" FBI Releases 2008 Statistics on Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted
October 19, 2009

In 2008, 10,110 law enforcement agencies reported that 58,792 officers were assaulted while performing their duties. Of the officers assaulted in 2008, 26.1 percent were injured. The largest percentage of victim officers (32.0) were assaulted while responding to disturbance calls (family quarrels, bar fights, etc.). Assailants used personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) in 80.7 percent of the incidents, firearms in 3.8 percent of incidents, and knives or other cutting instruments were used in 1.6 percent of the incidents. Other types of weapons were used in 13.9 percent of assaults.

see more of the study at www.fbi.gov "

kevin wrote on Oct 22, 2009 10:33 AM:

" Some good news; a 20% drop in the number of American's that believe in man made global warming:

Poll: Americans' belief in global warming cools

By DINA CAPPIELLO

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who believe there is solid evidence that the Earth is warming because of pollution is at its lowest point in three years, according to a survey released Thursday.

The poll of 1,500 adults by the Pew Research Center for the People&the Press found that only 57 percent believe there is strong scientific evidence that the Earth has gotten warmer over the past few decades, and as a result, people are viewing the problem as less serious. That's down from 77 percent in 2006."

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/poll-americans-belief-in-169483.html "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:33 AM:

" "And Pres Obama spends hours talking to extreme left-wing commentators"

...only in the fantasmagorical, parallel universe the right has been trying to create in which extreme right is right, right is okay, moderate is left to extreme left, liberal is off the charts, and up is down and down is up.

We've been down so long it looks like up to me.

If the right were really worried about how we're going to get those green jobs going, they might have cooperated with the current admininstration on expediting it, rather than putting so much energy into targeting the expert, Van Jones, for systematic demolition. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:35 AM:

" "What is the Obama administration doing besides warring with Fox News? Stupid!"

If all you watch is Fox News, that's probably all you'll ever know. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:39 AM:

" "Assailants used personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) in 80.7 percent of the incidents, firearms in 3.8 percent of incidents, and knives or other cutting instruments were used in 1.6 percent of the incidents. Other types of weapons were used in 13.9 percent of assaults."

Seems like an interesting study, FP; I'll read it. I wonder which of those assaults ended up in fatalities or serious injury. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:43 AM:

" Only 57 %, huh? Well, the right's misinformation and industry-funded scientists are having some effect, but we still can't call that a silent majority. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 1:32 PM:

" Della-

I thought it was interesting that firearms were the second smallest percent of weapons used. I would have thought it was higher. "

post-it wrote on Oct 22, 2009 2:41 PM:

" freeport,

Maybe you thought it was higher because pro gun advocates tell you more people carry guns than actually do.

nearly 100% of the population is armed with "hands, fists, or feet". "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 22, 2009 3:14 PM:

" I dunno, FP, I think many people actually do think of consequences before they pull a gun on an officer. We can be thankful for that.

And like post-it says, we pretty much all have those other weapons at our disposal. "

russ wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:17 PM:

" della, check this out,
POLITICO - Michael Calderone: October 22, 2009

"Who joined Maddow, Olbermann at the White House?

But they weren't the only ones. TVNewser reports that they were other attendees beyond the MSNBC stars: Eugene Robinson, E.J. Dionne, Ron Brownstein, John Dickerson, Frank Rich, Jerry Seib, Maureen Dowd, Bob Herbert, Gloria Borger, and Gwen Ifill."

2.5 hour meeting Monday was supposed to be low keyed with all of these liberal commentators, the day after attacking Fox. I love it.

Hypocrisy! Not covered on MSNBC so many missed the story. "

russ wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:26 PM:

" della,

and what are Obama's accomplishments? Results? What has improved since January 21, 2009?

Saturday Night Live is going rogue on Obama. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 23, 2009 9:13 AM:

" Russ, partial truths are so misleading. First off, Obama, unlike Bush, has invited right and left representatives of the media to the White House. Bush had regular meetings with only the right side of the political spectrum -- he had to; you see he took part in the right-wing movement to make the media a partisan mouthpiece rather than a purveyor of facts. This is just another case of right-wing projection -- accuse Obama of doing what the right has been doing for decades.

I'll repeat: Obama has invited both sides to the white house.

To see my list of Obama's accomplishments, as well as more on the right-wing media attempt to skew the political dialogue, please see comments at:

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2009/10/18/news/local/doc4ada0fb13e968818175998.txt "

PlasticPinkFlamingo wrote on Oct 23, 2009 10:31 AM:

" Bush often invited Democrats for meetings - surely you remember the meeting where Biden tried to tell Bush his views of things? Opened his mouth and inserted his foot, as Biden so often entertains us. There were many times during his presidency that Bush had members of the opposition at meetings in the White House.

I'll repeat: Bush often invited both sides to the White House.

Obama accomplishments? The only ones I can find are the breaking of almost all his campaign promises.

Sadly, he is putting our forces at risk in Afghanistan by pretending to need time to study the conflict. That is simply smoke and mirrors to hide the fact that he doesn't want to upset his party while socialist healthcare is not law. He knows half his party will be infuriated when he makes the Afghanistan decision, so he is putting it off as long as he can. He has all the information he needs - as CinC he can call up every document in the Pentagon, he can get everything State Dept has, he has access to every bit of information there ever was on Afghanistan. He can make decisions in a split second on issues like stimulus and healthcare, but on an issue with extreme deadly consequences, he stops to play politics, exposing our troops to unnecessary danger. He famously said during the campaign that he could do more than one thing at a time, but on this issue he pretends he can't. It is shameful, dishonest and probably criminal.

We need an impeach Obama campaign, every other week someone can write a letter to NVR recommending it. Lefties hate it when their tactics are used against them. "

Hear Ye wrote on Oct 23, 2009 12:30 PM:

" The guys been in office for ~9 months and those desperate to find criticism attack that he hasn't accomplished his campaign promises in the first 9 months. LOl pathetic.

Besides, it takes a real Bush and Cheney fanboy to have the nerve to criticize Obama on Afganhistan when he's done more in his short time then those other two did in 7 years. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 23, 2009 12:37 PM:

" PPF, I recall posters here calling for Obama's impeachment before he was elected.

'Member the story about the boy who cried wolf?

Okay, not that anything anyone lists as Obama's accomplishments will convince you, Russ, or others on the Destroy Obama campaign trail, but in addition to my list at other site, there's this:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/subjects/politifacts-top-promises/

Remember, 9 months in.... "

littlered56 wrote on Oct 23, 2009 1:16 PM:

" It is interesting that Geo Bush 1 has come out an openly criticised the extream for calling Obama a socialist. He also expressed his disapproval of the hatred.
The more of this hatred that is propagated the more people are turned off and the Republican Party divides. People are growing tired of the hatred.
It is funny to think the NVR has enough clout to start impeechment movement. You might want to remember Bush lied and supported docuements that are false about weapons of mass distruction. There is no guarantee he can not also face impeechment.
You have some never criticizing what Obama does with our troups when Bush sent them into an fraudulent war with inferior armourment cauing many of their deaths and loss of limbs. Now that is and always will be shameful, dishonest and actually criminal. Remember it was our troups who brought it to our attention.
The more hatred one spews off about Obama the more you help the democrats. . . so please keep it up. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 23, 2009 3:31 PM:

" Funny,

I remember 8 months into Bush's Presidency and 9-11 happened. You all blamed him for the attack eveb though we were attacked 9 times under Clinton who bombed an aspirin factory to show our strength. Additionally, you yelped about him creating a new world order.

After reviewing the facts for the last nine months, Two Wars, devastating unemployment, financial collapse, trippling of the debt, Trillions proposed in new taxes, and the potential complete economic collapse of our country from Copehagen all Barry can do is attack FoxNews?

Not very Presidential. "

anticommie wrote on Oct 23, 2009 3:35 PM:

" Raven wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:15 PM:

" you only want the killing of Christians in Darfur stopped or everyone freeport?

and in all that economic growth russ, bush manged to double the national debt...running escalating deficits every year he was in office....so tell us again what a great job he did economically....(btw the market has reagined almost 53 percent of its value since jan 20, now at 10041)"

I find it interesting that you blame Bush for for creating "escalating deficits, but Obama and Congress have shattered the record with a 1.4 trillion deficit this year alone. Now they want to add even more to it with this healthcare debacle. Why will you complain when Bush did it, but excuse it when Obama does it? I complain when they all do it, and so should everyone. They are bankrupting this country with a big yellow smiley face attached to it.

And when you say that Moa is not as bad as another murderous dictator, that is just as troubling to me. To admire ANY dictator is unexcusable. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 23, 2009 3:41 PM:

" raven-

2008-$455,000,000,000.00 BILLION

2009- $1,420,000,000,000.00 TRILLION

He is raising the debt faster than any other President\Person in history. If health Care, Cap&Trade, and Copehagen pass it will excelerate even faster.

you can never borrow or buy your way out of debt.

hear ye- when he sends in 40,000 more troops, then he will have done something. In the meantime he has turned his back on our troops.

littlered56- do you know why we sent our military in with what they had. You may want to review the Clinton's Administration's Base closures and the 600,000 troops dismissed, and the funding cuts. Rummy was right you go to war with what you have. "

alucawanza wrote on Oct 23, 2009 3:50 PM:

" Here's your list Della: It deserves to be repeated:

Ensuring use of stem cell research for development of cures for debilitating and deadly disease;

Intervening in the automotive industry to assist General Motors and Chrysler during their reorganization;

Providing for insurance for 11 million children left out of the Children's Health Insurance Program;

Reversing the ban on federal funding to foreign establishments for family planning;

As part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, allocating 5 billion for Head Start and other child care initiatives and existing programs, 1.4 billion to strengthen the Department of Veteran Affairs, an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant supporting efforts to meet the goals of the The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement;

Instituting a tax credit to offset tuition costs, making it easier for more people to afford college;

Launching the “Cash for Clunkers” program with dual results – helping retain employees in the automotive industry and reducing the presence of highly-polluting vehicles on the roads;

Securing15 billion to help start and grow small businesses;

Promoting & signing:
•Weapons system acquisition & control act to reform the defense procurement and contracting system;

•Omnibus Public Lands Management Act, enhancing conservation and public land management;

•Lilly Ledbetter act ensuring parity in pay for women;

•Helping Families Save Their Homes Act and the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act into law to address problems that were catalysts for the economic crisis.

Restoring self-respect and relevance to the EPA. "

alucawanza wrote on Oct 23, 2009 3:56 PM:

" russ
Please...you're quoting Cheney with the "dithering" nonsense. Sour grapes for him...he's not in charge anymore... "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 23, 2009 4:01 PM:

" From PPF: "I'll repeat: Bush often invited both sides to the White House."

Yes, and he also invited only the right side at times.

From 2006:

Neal Boortz, nationally syndicated radio host, "wrote that he had been invited to "the West Wing of the White House" for a "30-minute meeting with the President in the Oval Office [which] turned into 90 minutes." Boortz added that the "other invitees were [conservative radio hosts] Sean Hannity, Mike Gallagher, Michael Medved and Laura Ingraham." As the weblog Think Progress noted, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in a September 17 posting on its website that conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh has been invited to the meeting but could not attend."

http://mediamatters.org/research/200609180005 "

a teacher wrote on Oct 23, 2009 4:32 PM:

" "After reviewing the facts for the last nine months, Two Wars, devastating unemployment, financial collapse, trippling of the debt"

The elephant is the symbol of the GOP. Elephants are reputed to have good memory, an elephant never forgets. All those things listed above happened on Mr. Bushes watch.

What a frat boy trick, make a huge mess and blame the guy next in line... "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 23, 2009 4:32 PM:

" Thanks for doing that, Alucawanza.

So the Obama White House rejects Fox's credibility. Two things: 1. What's the big deal, and 2. It's about time.

See link below for Media Matters’ list of organized attacks by GOP leaders – with the help of Fox News – against media outlets, based on unsubstantiated complaints of bias. “Boycotts and threatened boycotts of media outlets, efforts to revoke journalists' credentials or ban them from press planes, and even calls to have journalists prosecuted” were all part of the attacks.

http://mediamatters.org/research/200910210028 "

littlered56 wrote on Oct 23, 2009 6:47 PM:

" FP according to the testimony under oath of Condalisa rice to the U.S House she and Bush did NOT read Clintons national securitey report about BenlLoudin and the Alquiad. It was Bush's ideas to invade and go to war with out the proper military equiptment. This in and of it's self is irresponsible and stupid leadership. At lease Obama is getting intelligent advise and looking at the big picture. I dought very seriousley if Bush could have read the iltelligent reports and comprehended what he was reading. Usually reports like that use them big boy words.
It is unacceptable under any terms to have sat there and alowed hundreds of our military to be killed and injures for life because of infeariour armourment. It is a national disgrace and our country can do better. How any human being wants to make up lies about this is unconscionable and evil.
The deffination of one in denial is often the practice of denying the truth and placing blame on another. It is the true pattern of a psychotic behavour.
In the end of it this hatred and lies and denial really helps the democratic party so please do keep it up. "

russ wrote on Oct 23, 2009 7:28 PM:

" della,

Thanks for showing that Bush was fair and balanced.

Which of those Obama accomplishments was the most significant? Most of them looked like bills passed by the Democrat congress.

'Splain this one "federal funding to foreign establishments for family planning". Do you mean that Obama authorized paying for abortions in Africa? Is that good? "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 23, 2009 8:50 PM:

" Two quotes from an article I just came across by Dan Froomkin that is definitely worth a read:

“One of the startling shifts in the last decade has been how so many of the most important policy issues of our time have become matters not of honest political debate, but of competing realities (only one of which, mind you, is supported by facts.)”

“[The alternate reality dynamic] has rebooted -- and has come back stronger than ever -- with Fox's opinioneers and their only slightly more news-like enablers at the lead, creating a rich alternate universe full of foreign-born presidents, socialists and conspiracies to destroy the American way of life.

“Allowing that kind of conduct to be called ‘news’ does real news a tremendous disservice. And for those trying to restore a more reality-based political debate, calling Fox News out is a crucial step in counteracting or containing its noxious effect on the political climate.”

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/23/why-journalists-shouldnt_n_331748.html "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 23, 2009 11:41 PM:

" Thanks for asking, Russ.

In the poorest parts of Africa, high-quality family planning services are integral to lowering maternal and child mortality and reducing poverty.

“Over the past 40 years, the availability, use, and funding of family planning programs and services have increased worldwide. However, in many countries, family planning services are not meeting demand. This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa, where contraceptive use, though increasing, is low and already high levels of unmet need are rising. Unless more can be done now, the situation will worsen as growing populations place even greater demands on health systems….”

“Fewer and better-spaced pregnancies result in lower maternal mortality and improved health for both mothers and children. Smaller families mean a decreased dependency ratio, allowing increased investment in the health, education, and welfare of each household.”

http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/pop/techareas/repositioning/briefs/repo_subafr.pdf

The impact in Nairobi, Kenya of Bush’s ban on aid to family planning agencies that advocated or performed abortions was reported in 2003 in the Christian Science Monitor. When funding for family planning was withheld, the groups providing contraception, prenatal care, and general reproductive health services felt the effects.

“Abortion, except when a mother's life is at risk, is technically illegal in Kenya, as it is in almost every sub-Saharan African country, except for South Africa. But the World Health Organization estimates that 75 percent of abortions occur in developing countries, where the practice, though largely illegal, is widely available.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1105/p07s02-woaf.html

Denying aid for family planning made it more difficult for women to avoid an unwanted pregnancy; it didn’t prevent abortions. For those who want an abortion, suffering is avoided if they have the knowledge of where to obtain a safe and early abortion.

If you really want more ‘splained, go to

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/ProductsPubs/Africa/AfricaFP.htm "

russ wrote on Oct 24, 2009 12:13 AM:

" della,

Media Matters is a George Soros, special interest, left-wing blog. No source of factual information.

Huffington Post is a point of view left oriented site.

Neither offers a balanced opinion. I ignore them both.

Try Real Clear Politics and Drudge which link both ways. Even Politico is more balanced.

The left wing sites ignore major issues of the day if they critique Obama. Acorn, Van Jones, Mao admiring Obamam czars andmore. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 24, 2009 9:34 AM:

" So, Russ, you will discredit liberal and progressive publications and media monitors because of their "bias" (which in their case usually means a return to some ethical journalistic standards in regard to truth), yet you'll promote the right-leaning media (which was deliberately developed, using massive funding, to buy public opinion, and which used a communist prototype and methodology to purvey its anti-liberal, anti-environment, anti-media message).

Not much more I can say, since the truths I find on Huffington Post and the information I see in Media Matters pretty much reflect what I've already gleaned from watching the march of time, people and politics throughout my life. The right-wing media you subscribe to never rang true for me; it's incongruence with the reality I know has rendered it manipulative, incredible and duplicitous in my estimation. And there's enough real evidence and expert corroboration of my opinion to let me know my estimation isn't as off the wall as you'd like to make it out to be. "

anticommie wrote on Oct 24, 2009 10:10 AM:

" I love reading posts from the left, they are very entertaining!! It is like I'm living in the fictional world that Ayn Rand created in Atlas Shrugged!! They support the government when it has been the government that has caused the problems in the first place!! "

alucawanza wrote on Oct 24, 2009 11:11 AM:

" anticommie
The left never supported Bush....Did you? A mess for eight years...
Maybe you can enjoy Bush's new career. Sign up for his motivational speeches. Listen to his self-aggrandizing hints on how to be successful. Take notes and marvel at his insight. It'll be worth the price of admission. It'll be a "sell-out." Sigh... "

anticommie wrote on Oct 24, 2009 3:09 PM:

" alucawanza:

There were a couple things I liked about Bush, but overall he spent like a Democrat so I lost faith in him early on. I was new to politics when he came into office, so I didn't know any better when I voted for him, I was a Republican, so I voted for him. I know better now. Obama and Congress are just continuing sinking this country into bankruptcy through spending and growing the government. It is sickening to watch this country drool over a guy that plays dirty Chicago style politics, while claiming to taking the high ground. Your liberal politicians are just as much to blame for the collapse of this county that Bush is i.e. Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and so on.

A thing that liberals dont understand about REAL conservatives, we are angry at Bush and most of the Republicans for moving the party leftward. That is why we have and others are leaving the party. The Republicans adopted liberal ideals pushing their base out of the party. If the Republicans readopt their core conservative beliefs, and actually follow them, I'd think about becoming a Republican again. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 24, 2009 7:28 PM:

" So, anticommie, what -- who -- would you go back to as a prototype for an appropriate leader/president/party line?

What do you stand for, after all is said and done? What are the "core conservative beliefs," and who has represented them effectively as you see it?

Who are these REAL conservatives we keep hearing about, and where are they hiding?

And, pray, tell, how could anyone move the party further right without it falling off the cliff? "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 25, 2009 6:54 AM:

" della-

what does it matter to you. real conservatives run the stores you shop in, build your homes, some teach in schools, go to church on Sunday, have respect for their neighbors.

Real conservatives are not loud and overbaring. real conservatives do not celebrate pedophiles, seek to teach homosexuality in our schools. they want less government, lower taxes, safe neighborhoods, and better schools. Real conservatives believe in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Real conservatives do not believe in reasonable restrictions on their rights. Real conservatives want leadership from someone who believes in the greatness of America and does not need to apologize for us.

real conservatives do not call their fellow citizens names or make degrading comments about them. Real conservatives clean up after themselves. Real conservatives depend on no one and have a great work ethic. They pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and do not need a government handout.

Real conservative do not claim to be tolerant, but spew hate and intolerance. Real conservatives have the ability to debate without personal attacks.

Real conservatives have a better plan and more respect for America! "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 25, 2009 9:41 AM:

" Thanks for the talking points, freeport. I've heard those stereotypes before.

But, really, who are these people?

Certainly not the loudmouths who showed up at the health care forums.

That was a real question, by the way, freeport. Many of the so-called "real conservatives" in these comments "call their fellow citizens names or make degrading comments about them." Who decides who embodies all those talking points you list, those stereotypes of who constitutes a conservative? Do they then decide who are their fellow citizens and who aren't? Are they that powerful?

I'm not loud or overbearing; although I do, ever since I let go of being meek and retiring, speak my mind. I don't celebrate pedophiles; in fact I'm professionally required to report them when I find out about them. I don't seek to teach homosexuality in schools (although I respect the rights of homosexuals to be in schools, teach in schools and have other jobs and relationships). I want safe neighborhoods, affordable taxes and much, much better schools. I believe in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including the right to free speech (which may make me seem overbearing at times). I want leadership from someone who believes in the greatness of America and will do what is necessary to preserve that greatness. I rarely call my fellow citizens names (although it's my right to do so), and then not to their faces. I am capable of making disdainful comments when someone calls me names or tries to degrade my beliefs, however, and if disdainful equals degrading, then I guess that rules me out of being a conservative. But it doesn't make me any less a citizen.

It sounds like, in your definition, "real conservative" just means a member of some exclusive, nebulous club. "

areyoubitter wrote on Oct 25, 2009 11:14 AM:

" What makes me sick is the number of animals that are put down at our local shelter. Now they sped up the process of putting down pets due to lack of funds? I tried to be a "foster" and they would not let me,takes a year?
Help! "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 25, 2009 4:28 PM:

" della-

"It sounds like, in your definition, "real conservative" just means a member of some exclusive, nebulous club. "

it is, it is those Americans that have disdain for the misguided left. It those Americans who do not look to the government to solve their problems. it is those Americans that do not use talking points, refer to them or are mouth pieces for their party. It is those Americans that have passion for freedom and liberty, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It is those Americans who, with clear vision, can see what is being laid down before them and do not like it. It is those Americans who reject the Government takeover of private businesses by an inept bureaucracy. It is those Americans that reject secret meetings, bureaucratic implementation of control of the media and the attack on the First Amendment. It is those Americans that reject those that are willing to lay down their rights for government handouts.

From the narrow minded left comes intolerance, nanny mentality, the double standard, real hate, and contempt for the greatest country in the World.

These people, with the sound of contempt in her words, are what i believe as well as millions of other Americans. "

Raven wrote on Oct 25, 2009 5:29 PM:

" freeport...national debt is not the same and annual deficit.....and you said..several times....that Obama tripled that national debt..which he did not..

as for the 2009 deficit, there is the little thing called TARP - which Bush pushed for and added to the annual deficit to the tune of more than 350 billion, nearly doubling the deficit himself before Obama was even elected...so again by any standard, Obama has neither tripled the annual deficit nor the national debt?

"you blame Bush for for creating "escalating deficits, but Obama and Congress have shattered the record with a 1.4 trillion deficit this year alone. Now they want to add even more to it with this healthcare debacle.."

anti, did I blame bush?...I merely pointing out the facts regarding national debt, the ones so many of the right conveniently forget in the tirades...some of which you appear to have forgotten as well "

russ wrote on Oct 25, 2009 5:34 PM:

" della,

My point is that it seems that you get no balance and other viewpoints. I enjoy reading Huffington for another opinion, just like I get from Fox News liberal commentators.

It would be like me quoting Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh as my sources.

Your sources are equivalent to quoting Keith Olberman. "

russ wrote on Oct 25, 2009 5:37 PM:

" raven,

come on, I assume you know that the Democrat Congress passed TARP last October and that Obama is spending the TARP money.

Bush Derangement Syndrome is alive and well. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 25, 2009 6:05 PM:

" Well, now FP it's sounding like "real conservatives" are just some tired old rhetoric. Lights on nobody's home sort of stuff. You can find most of those values across the political spectrum. To deny that is to deny reality.

Russ, I have to apologize a little, because I'm sure I can find interesting articles in Drudge & Politico. But often what we hear from Fox and right-wing talk radio is right-leaning framing and distortion, not to mention a bunch of anti-government, anti-environment, anti-progressive, anti-academic, and especially anti-Obama ranting, and who needs that? Much of it is well-funded by industry interests, as per plan to win the public opinion war, so it lacks credibility as well. If there's a financial investment in the message, there's an ulterior motive that doesn't serve the principles I hold dear. I make an exception for advertising -- that's what it's for -- but not for journalism. "

russ wrote on Oct 25, 2009 11:59 PM:

" della,

News is news and opinion is opinion. There is a difference.

Your sources of news are not reporting important news stories. Your folks do not like to read those true news stories in the MSM.

Your sources like to demonize their opponents, that's the Democrat way. That's the Alinski method. "

anticommie wrote on Oct 26, 2009 9:10 AM:

" Della:

The closest person I can think that represented would have been Reagan, but when it came to spending, he still added to the debt. There has yet to be someone on the political scene that has the guts to be a true fiscal conservative, because like I said in another post, it takes a certain amount of work to be a conservative, where it is a lazy way out to be a liberal, you dont have to think too much.

Core conservative values are your average person beliefs with a major belief in small government, lower taxes, liberty, free market, that kinda thing instead of government ownership, high taxes, statism, and socialism that the left preaches these days. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 26, 2009 9:44 AM:

" russ-

ever notice how her first lines in a blog response tend to personalize the jab. And Della say she never read Alinsky.... "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 26, 2009 9:52 AM:

" russ,

With all due respect, "your folks" has no objective meaning; nor does "your sources".

What you seem to miss is the far Right, the reactionary Right (“real” conservatives?), has deliberately pushed "news" away from stories based on truth, toward opinion. This has affected the MSM (witness The Wall Street Journal and even The Washington Post, which both have moved toward rightward opinion in response. The Right Wing Media Moguls made it glaringly clear that their intention is to turn "news" into Right wing opinion. And they have largely succeeded, to the extent that the hapless public (including myself) didn't even see it coming until it was too late. In my own case, I believed truth would prevail, but I was wrong, because I forgot money is more powerful than truth, at least up to a point. I don't think we've reached the point of reckoning yet. When we do, "the truth will out."

When you say, "Your sources like to demonize their opponents, that's the Democrat way…,” you are merely, perhaps unwittingly, repeating what the Right wing media movement has oft declared its purpose. It adopted Marxist techniques to further its cause to buy public opinion. As Robert Bartley, editor of WSJ, wrote in 2003, "I think we're coming to the end of the era of 'objectivity' that has dominated journalism over this time. We need to define a new ethic that lends legitimacy to opinion...." (as quoted in Brock's The Republican Noise Machine, p. 121)

The problem is, there is then no news, only opinion and the resultant "he said, she said" dialogue, which is a non-dialogue.

If it's either "your sources" or mine, it's not news. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 26, 2009 10:01 AM:

" As for sources such Media Matters, Huffington Post and other liberal/progressive news and opinion outlets, they are a miniscule, often populist-funded, retort to the massive, deep-pockets conservative media processing machine. Their belated effort to level the playing field (with spoons and sandpaper mostly) has already started showing positive effects. The fact that they serve a progressive and humane purpose of bringing us back to the truth does not, by any stretch of the imagination, discredit them as significant sources of news stories. Unfortunately, they are forced by the inane framing of the conservative media to focus on the preoccupations of the right. In other words, because the right has been on the offensive for so long, they are still on the defensive. Defending truth against those who prefer manipulation. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 26, 2009 11:49 AM:

" From Freeport: "ever notice how her first lines in a blog response tend to personalize the jab. And Della say she never read Alinsky...."

...Whereas you save your jabs for the 2nd line, the next to the last line, and any line you can find in-between. Huh?

"it is, it is those Americans that have disdain for the misguided left."

"From the narrow minded left comes intolerance, nanny mentality, the double standard, real hate, and contempt for the greatest country in the World."

"Real conservative do not claim to be tolerant, but spew hate and intolerance. Real conservatives have the ability to debate without personal attacks."

Wouldn't want to rule yourself out, now, would you FP?

I haven't read Alinsky, know nothing about him. But if you know his techniques, I guess you're ahead of me. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 26, 2009 11:52 AM:

" Thank you anticommie; you came the closest to answering the question with truth rather than with invective. I still believe some of the qualities you named can be found across the spectrum, to varying degrees. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 26, 2009 3:34 PM:

" I love it. On the front page of the NVR website, a video describing how a store clerk fended off a robbery with a shotgun. "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 26, 2009 4:11 PM:

" "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
~Barack Hussein Obama, Audacity of Hope "

freeport56 wrote on Oct 26, 2009 4:31 PM:

" here is what people look like when their Rights have been taken away....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8mCfiJK9Ow "

Raven wrote on Oct 26, 2009 8:00 PM:

" and who requested the TARP money russ.... did that slip your mind?
Yes the Democrats passed it, in a show of what bipartisanship is...they could have let Bush swing in the wind and the country suffer, but they came across to a president of the other party, and let's face it, to many a political enemy, to do something they felt was in the best interest of the country...so what has the GOP done lately? "

Raven wrote on Oct 26, 2009 8:07 PM:

" and just want to point out there is no constitutional right to firearms in Great Britain so how can they have it taken away?

the bill of rights passed in 1689 granted a conditional right....to some people and with conditions...

"Freedom for Protestants to bear arms for their own defence, as suitable to their class and as allowed by law." "

russ wrote on Oct 27, 2009 8:19 AM:

" raven, come on,

Bush REQUESTED the TARP money? The Fed Chairman and Secretary of Treasury requested the funds, they said to stop a catastrophe. The only representatives in Congress who objected were a few Republicans.

Will raven and Obama ever accept responsibility for anything?

Remember the last great Democrat president Harry Truman, who said,

"The buck stops here" "

russ wrote on Oct 27, 2009 8:22 AM:

" della,

Why is Media Matters miniscule? Because only the left-wing loons read it.

Know why Fox News is so huge? So many normal folks watch it, for the fair and balanced news and opinion coverage. It's huge.

I see today tha CNN dropped to last place, behind Olberman & Co. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 27, 2009 1:20 PM:

" Ever notice, freeport, how his first lines tend to personalize the jab?

Since I read Media Matters, I must be a left-wing loon, I guess, huh russ?

I'll stoop to rephrasing two posts I wrote for other blog streams in response to your not-so-latent insult, russ:

It's no secret that sensationalism sells. And that includes unsubstantiated gossip, character assassination, and anything that stirs up a false sense of righteousness.

For many years now, conservatives have bent the dowsing stick of information toward the tarry pits of right-wing opinion. Now, finally, progressives have caught on to the public opinion game and are exerting whatever force they can muster, given limited funding, to bring news a little back toward the fresh water of journalistic objectivity. Hence Media Matters and FAIR, which work to return to us the freedom to read factual news as well as commentary, and to hear about it when the right-wing media is spinning out of control.

Unfortunately, we are only aware of that which attracts our attention, and what attracts the general public's attention most is the sort of sensationalism and seductive programming (political or otherwise) that has been strategically developed to pander to the lowest common denominator of public sensibilities.

And your definition of "normal" could very well be my definition of "limited". Take that to mean whatever you want. "

napathinker wrote on Oct 27, 2009 5:49 PM:

" areyoubitter. What "local" shelter are you talking about. I'm sure it's not the Napa Shelter. Napa's is one of THE MOST non killing shelter's in the whole state. They have taken Arnold's decree as it is meant, as a guideline to use as the common sense dictates. It was not a law issued, it was a recommendation to cost cutting. The Napa Shelter has declined to follow this "recommendation" from the Govenator's office. There is NO WAITING PERIOD for any animal. I have both fostered and adopted dogs cats and rabbits from the shelter. I have adopted rabbits that were there for over 2 years waiting for homes. These people care as much or more about animals that almost any rescue I know. If you've been waiting for a year, then they found some criteria about you that has "red flagged" you for some reason: bad fencing, no landlord approval to have pets, too many or very young children or other pets, or something. They have a very strict process to be sure the animals go to the best homes possible, minimizing returns. "

anticommie wrote on Oct 28, 2009 10:08 AM:

" dellasumbrella wrote on Oct 26, 2009 11:52 AM:

" Thank you anticommie; you came the closest to answering the question with truth rather than with invective. I still believe some of the qualities you named can be found across the spectrum, to varying degrees. "

I wish I could agree with you on this della, I really do. I wish I could find these qualities of small government, lower taxes, liberty, and free market, but unfortunetly for the country, those on the Left do not share these traits. I see the left in this country raising taxes, growing the government, controling everything in the free market they can. The left believes in governmental control over business and our lives; therefore, the left is taking away our liberties at lightening speed. The Republicans have helped with this (The patriot act). If the Left had their way, we would live like Venzuelans, and be forced by the government to limit our showers to three minutes!! The Left in Washington have a very hard time realizing that Americans CAN think for themselves, and actually remain independent on most issues of life. "

anticommie wrote on Oct 28, 2009 10:11 AM:

" russ wrote on Oct 25, 2009 11:59 PM:

" della,

News is news and opinion is opinion. There is a difference."

You are very correct Russ, and people like Glenn Beck always states that he is not a journalist, and wears it like a badge of honor. It is amazing though that it takes a person with no journalism degree do sometimes do the job journalists SHOULD be doing: Questioning EVERYTHING. The Left should take some time and actually listen to men like Beck and Mark Levine, maybe they would actually agree with a lot of what these men have to say.

Progressives:

Go to youtube and type in Glenn Beck interview with Katie Couric, and watch it, very good! "

napathinker wrote on Oct 28, 2009 1:19 PM:

" anticommie---Mark Levine? Are you kidding. This man has no respect for anyone's opinion but his own. All he does is scream, rant, and rave on his show. He cuts off callers that don't agree with him. He claims to want "intelligent" dialog yet interupts callers, calls them names, insults their intelligence, yet claims they do that to him. He has called President Obama a "Child/Man" and many other names they would kick this blog back for, on air. Calls the New York Times, the "Slimes", the Washington Post the "Compost". He is as far radical to the opposite side and preposterous as Howard Stern is to the left. How can anyone take him, or Hannity serious with their continued insults to anyone that doesn't believe in them. He has also compared Obama to Hitler and our US government "going the way of the Third Reich". While I agree there needs some accountability and explainations by our current government officials on many issues, there needs to be some respect, which is completely lacking in Levine. He makes Limbaugh look like a left leaning moderate. Levine and his ilk are as dangerous as the people they claim are ruining our country. Even as a "left leaning" moderate democrat, I would have voted for McCain if he had chosen just about anyone other than Palin. Obama and the current administration is the lesser of the evils. I hope and pray there are better choices for us in the next National Election, but if we listen to these talk show extremists that are as bad as those they don't like, we will be in even worse shape. Obama taking over from Bush is like Roosevelt taking over from Hoover. It will now in time be better than it was. "

Hear Ye wrote on Oct 28, 2009 1:43 PM:

" Good to see Freeport using out of context quotes again. All he's missing is a couple of completely made up ones he used to post. Glenroy would be proud! "

Raven wrote on Oct 28, 2009 9:49 PM:

" russ, since the both are his representatives, yes Bush requested the TARP and made numerous statements explaining why he felt it was needed. "

anticommie wrote on Oct 29, 2009 7:29 AM:

" napathinker:

Yes Levine DOES cut off people that he disagrees with when they deserve it, it is HIS show. His opinion is well founded on research towards other media outlets like NY Times and Washington Post, if you ever listened to WHY he states those opinions.

As far as the Hitler comments, have you ever listened to EXACTLY what he was talking about? Or did you just listen to soundbites? I remember him talking about the "Civilian Security Force" that Obama talked about during the election, and in history another person talked about this too: Hitler and his brown shirts. Hitler sold the idea as a civilian securty force. Though Obama is not insane like Hitler nor am I comparing Obama to him. I am implying that this security force is something that should trouble EVERYONE. His actions towards attacking the free press (i.e. Fox News) is also something that should worry all Americans. "

Raven wrote on Oct 29, 2009 11:42 AM:

" and where is this 'civilian security force', anti? "

napathinker wrote on Oct 29, 2009 2:00 PM:

" We have had a "civilian security force" for a long long time. It's called the National Guard. Although they are used for "other issues" which I think is wrong, but my opinion for another time, their main intention is to be just that, our National Security Force. So, anti, tell us who the "Hitler" like person is originated this Civilian Security Force that already exists. We on here already know, just want to know if you do.
I do realize that Levine, Hannity, and Limbaugh are ENTERTAINMENT radio personalities and their main focus and job is to get people to listen to them so radio stations can make more advertising dollars. However, with their screaming, yelling, and demeaning attitudes, it;s very hard to take them seriously, even if alot of what they say actually sometimes makes sense. And yes, I went on their websites and read/listened to their whole dialog. I do not take soundbites on principle because I realize they are edited for a reason. To compare our heads of government or mention them in any way in the same context as Hitler or any other type of histories monsters is totally UN AMERICAN and dangerous. If they would just calm down they may be more believable. Maybe some smoke or valium. Oh yeah I forgot, the hypocrite Limbaugh already got busted for illegal pain killers..didn't do him any good.. "

XMAN wrote on Oct 30, 2009 4:22 AM:

" Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global
epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact
with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection,
in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development
of secondary infections, some very simple steps can be practiced.

1. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. *H1N1 takes 2-3
days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and
show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a
way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual
that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple,
inexpensive, and powerful preventative method.

2. Blow the nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton buds
dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral
population.

3. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C If you
have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc
to boost absorption.

4. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking
warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.
They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where
they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm. "

anticommie wrote on Oct 30, 2009 7:08 AM:

" Napathinker:

National Guard Civilian? If you want to equate it to anything State National Guards are state run militias. So is the Army Reserves a civilian security force? They only report so often for duty. The National Guard is part of the Executive Branch of the state government, the Governor is the commander in chief.

I am curious to know who you think the Hitler-like person is. Enlighten me.

It is not Un-American to show the simularities of a Dictator to a President of that comparison is well grounded. But if a presidential advisor states that they admire Mao Tse-tung, that is fine with you. "

russ wrote on Oct 30, 2009 8:29 AM:

" raven,

The Fed Chairman does not report to the president, he is independent from politics. Bush appointed Bernanke and Obama re-appointed him. Paulson was a Democrat leaner appointed by Bush for his experience on Wall Street. That's where most all to the Treas Secs come from.

Tell me, when does Obama take charge? When does the buck stop with Obama? "

oneworld77 wrote on Oct 30, 2009 6:49 PM:

" freeport:

Stop drinking the kool-aid. Your maluable mind is only perpetuating more of the same- Fiscal unaccountability and military dominance.

Freedoms? Liberties? I was not given the ability to speak by my governemnt. I was instead given the ability to speak subjectivity and claim objectivity;

The truth will set you free- If you were a secret branch of the military who needed billions for R&D, wouldn't that statement scare you?

Where then, will the truth be found, if subjectivity is painted as objectivity?
Our military bankrupts us, our president allows a financial catastrophe on top of it, and we want to bicker about something for the people.

Newsflash:

The military is not here for the people.

The bailout was not for the people.

Succumbing to the distrations of the H1N1, fault for the bailout, ideaology, race, and fearmongering do exactly what they are meant to do. You are arguing here with us, instead of learning the truth and speaking it.

Help your neighbor. Speak the truth.

THINK FOR YOURSELF. The government is already trying to do it for you. "

Raven wrote on Oct 31, 2009 9:31 AM:

" the fed chairman is appointed by the pres russ...and has to be approved by the senate...so tell how non-political that makes him...making him and the treas sec the president's representatives, esp when they both appear befoe congress asking for support of a program back by the two of them and the president.

As for when is Obama responsible - Obama is responsible for anything he does after Jan 20th...quite simple actually... "

Raven wrote on Oct 31, 2009 9:48 AM:

" anticommie..there is a difference between the National Guard and the Reserves...the national guard traces its roots back the the colonial militias....the army reserves ..well here a bit from its mission statement...

The Army Reserve is a key element in The Army multi-component unit force, training with Active and National Guard units to ensure all three components work as a fully integrated team.

as for admiring Mao, some of mao writings are used as models by the US Military to train counter-insurgency and special ops forces....is that okay...

but to be sure, where is this civilian security force you are worried about? "

anticommie wrote on Oct 31, 2009 10:35 AM:

" Raven:

If you read my post I said that National Guard is state run Militia. Also, I DO know the difference between National Guard and Reserves. My brother is Reserve, you missed the point of my question.

What tactics are you referring too raven? And Anita Hill was talking about the Mao's Communist Revolution, and also stated that he is one of two political figures she turns to. What if she had said Stalin or Hitler, would you then be as upset as me? Mao is far worse than those two put together. "

Raven wrote on Oct 31, 2009 11:53 PM:

" Read Mao's writings and see...they are an excellent guide to running an insurgency and how to run a counter-insurgency...simple lil tips like the importance of having the support of the people....and striking only when you have overwhelming force and retreating when you face opposing forces, of choosing to fight on your terms and not the enemies terms.

Wasn't Anita Hill the woman who testified against Clarence Thomas?..we have been talking about Anita Dunhn.....and the statement she made was...
In 1947, when Mao Zedong was being challenged within his own party on his plan to basically take China over, Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalist Chinese held the cities, they had the army, they had the air force, they had everything on their side. And people said, "How can you win? How can you do this? How can you do this against all of the odds against you?" And Mao Zedong said, you know, "You fight your war, and I'll fight mine." And think about that for a second....

as well as a statement from Mother Theresa ....

And then Mother Teresa, who, upon receiving a letter from a fairly affluent young person who asked her whether she could come over and help with that orphanage in Calcutta, responded very simply: "Go find your own Calcutta." OK? Go find your own Calcutta. Fight your own path. Go find the thing that is unique to you, the challenge that is actually yours, not somebody else's challenge. ...

both were given as examples that people needed to find their own path and not rely upon the direction other people think is the path they should follow....not bad advice all in all...

and where is this civilian security force anti...? "

freeport56 wrote on Nov 1, 2009 7:38 AM:

" No matter how you spin Mao, he still is a mass murder, torturer, and an enslaver of people. Besides, he stole most of those thought from Sun Tzu.

Mother Teresa and Mao Tse tung could not be farther apart on the spectrum of life. I think it shows a twisted mind that is caught between Control and Compassion. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Nov 1, 2009 9:33 AM:

" ...A twisted mind, caught between control and compassion...

I have to say, freeport, that is very poetic.

And please, I'm not being facetious. I think it goes deep.

I also think raven very clearly laid out that golden thread that can sometimes run through us all, no matter what nefarious or blessed goals we might have. That golden thread is integrity -- in this case, finding your own path, creating your own challenge, fighting your own war. In a sense, it means thinking for yourself, guided by your own values. That's a noble muse; the objectives to which it's applied may not always be so noble. "

Raven wrote on Nov 1, 2009 10:01 AM:

" Couldn't be further apart but still managed to come up with similar ideas freeport..... it would appear good ideas have no boundaries....and that the right appears to be more concerned about where the idea comes from rather the the validity of the idea itself.

and no one here has denied that about Mao, freeport....

and you will have to go in more depth on the last statement..whose mind are you referring to? "

anticommie wrote on Nov 4, 2009 6:51 PM:

" Raven:

Your justification for Anita Hill and the fact that she stated that Mao was one of two political influences that she turns too is very troubling. Her quoting Mao is as bad as if I was to say that Hitler, though he killed six million innocent people, sure did a lot of good for the Germans, by his economic abilities to bring Germany out of hyperinflation to a world power. There is no reason for it. SHE IS A MARXIST. Do you support that? I think it was you that said communism and socialism are dead in America when I first started on these blogs. "

Raven wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:53 PM:

" again anti...it wasn't anita hill. "

anticommie wrote on Nov 5, 2009 7:14 AM:

" Anita Dunn, that is what I meant. But that is all you will respond? "

anticommie wrote on Nov 5, 2009 7:16 AM:

" Raven:

Thank God there hasn't been the security force Obama talked about put in place. "

Raven wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:01 AM:

" I have responded several times but I think della said it best so...

"... that golden thread that can sometimes run through us all, no matter what nefarious or blessed goals we might have. That golden thread is integrity -- in this case, finding your own path, creating your own challenge, fighting your own war. In a sense, it means thinking for yourself, guided by your own values. That's a noble muse; the objectives to which it's applied may not always be so noble."

ROFL, anti...and you see signs of that force where?...give us all a clue.. "

anticommie wrote on Nov 5, 2009 12:01 PM:

" Thanks raven for your answer. I see that you are not bothered by anyone turning to a mass murderer for political advice. I also like the attack on my intregrity. Very progressive of you to do so. Also you never really read my posts do you? I will not spell it out for you. If you re-read my last post you will find the answer you seek. "

Raven wrote on Nov 5, 2009 2:24 PM:

" and where did I attack your integrity?

as for re-reading your last post?....this is it..

"thank God there hasn't been the security force Obama talked about put in place. "...

so if it hasn't been put in place, there is nothing about it for you to worry about...."

as for the rest, anticommie, believe what you want I will take good advice or good ideas from anyone who offers it...keep striving for your ideological purity. (What is the saying, something about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face?) So be it...life goes one "

anticommie wrote on Nov 6, 2009 11:29 AM:

" So a president talking about wanting to create a civialian security force doesnt bring red flags up to you? I would rather bring it up before it materializes, because it is easier to stop at the early stage. What if Bush had spoken of a security force that Obama spoke of? would you have agreed with me then? "

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