McCain’s Speech: Annotated
Here are a few of my immediate reactions to John McCain’s boilerplate speech Wednesday night. I left out the annoying “USA! USA!” chants. We already know what country we’re talking about.
I’m grateful to the President for leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history, and keeping us safe from another attack many thought was inevitable…
You hated this guy beginning in 2000 when his team smeared you in South Carolina. And this just in: According to the new Bob Woodward book, you said, about Bushco: “Everything is f— spin.”
As always, I’m indebted to my wife, Cindy, and my seven children. The pleasures of family life can seem like a brief holiday from the crowded calendar of our nation’s business.
And the other mother of some of those children sacrificed for you, too.
…a word to Senator Obama and his supporters. We’ll go at it over the next two months. That’s the nature of these contests, and there are big differences between us. But you have my respect and admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, an association that means more to me than any other. We’re dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal and endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. No country ever had a greater cause than that. And I wouldn’t be an American worthy of the name if I didn’t honor Senator Obama and his supporters for their achievement.
That’s the John McCain I remember.
But let there be no doubt, my friends, we’re going to win this election. And after we’ve won, we’re going to reach out our hand to any willing patriot, make this government start working for you again, and get this country back on the road to prosperity and peace.
So, you’re admitting your party’s administration hasn’t done a very good job on peace and prosperity.
And I’ve found just the right partner to help me shake up Washington, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska… She’s the mother of five children…
C’mon, John, you know we’re not supposed to talk about her family.
She stands up for what’s right…
Like the bridge to nowhere and other earmarks?
And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming.
Because that’s all you’ll have left in your pocket when McCain continues Bush’s economic policies.
You know, I’ve been called a maverick; someone who marches to the beat of his own drum.
But that was long ago and far away.
I’ve fought to get million dollar checks out of our elections.
And I’ve taken them to help me get the nomination.
I’ve fought lobbyists who stole from Indian tribes.
And I’ve hired others to work on my campaign.
Thanks to the leadership of a brilliant general, David Petraeus, and the brave men and women he has the honor to command, that strategy succeeded.
Don’t forgrt that Anbar Awakening.
I fight to restore the pride and principles of our party.
Who took them? Please name names.
We believe in…the rule of law…
Even though we have this FISA deal, the Patriot Act, and a war going on that wasn’t declared.
We believe in a government that…works to make sure you have more choices to make for yourself.
Unless you’re a woman with reproductive organs.
I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them.
Careful now, he’ll raise them only on less than 2% of the population.
I will open new markets to our goods and services.
In fact I will be at supermarket openings if I lose.
My health care plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good health care insurance.
What are the details of that plan again?
Government assistance for unemployed workers was designed for the economy of the 1950s. That’s going to change on my watch.
Uh Oh! No unemployment insurance?
Education is the civil rights issue of this century.
Ever hear of gays?
My fellow Americans, when I’m President, we’re going to embark on the most ambitious national project in decades.
Who are you, FDR?
We are going to stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don’t like us very much.
Like Iraq?
We will drill new wells offshore, and we’ll drill them now.
Can’t you at least wait until you’re done with your speech?
Senator Obama thinks we can achieve energy independence without more drilling and without more nuclear power.
Not quite true. He knows oil companies are drilling, and have leases on land where they will be drilling, and he’s not going to stop them; and he’s fine with nuclear power if you can solve that pesky waste problem.
Russia’s leaders, rich with oil wealth and corrupt with power, have rejected democratic ideals and the obligations of a responsible power. They invaded a small, democratic neighbor…
whose lobbyist is your chief foreign policy advisor.
As President, I will work to establish good relations with Russia so we need not fear a return of the Cold War…
How about starting now by tamping down the rhetoric?
I’m running for President to keep the country I love safe, and prevent other families from risking their loved ones in war as my family has. I will draw on all my experience with the world and its leaders, and all the tools at our disposal – diplomatic, economic, military and the power of our ideals – to build the foundations for a stable and enduring peace.
That sounds really good.
We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network…
Can we start with getting live people to answer phones? I hate being in voice mail menu hell.
The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving these problems isn’t a cause, it’s a symptom.
Call off those nasty 527’s.
Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn’t think of them first, let’s use the best ideas from both sides. Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let’s try sharing it. We’re going to finally start getting things done for the people who are counting on us, and I won’t care who gets the credit.
Okay let’s start with universal health care, gay rights, and protecting a woman’s right to choose.
I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore. I was my country’s.
Best line of the speech. But I’d like to think you loved your country even before you were held captive. Does that mean Michelle Obama gets a pass?
If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry.
You can even start by becomming a community organizer.
I’m going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him…
Even atheists.
Fight with me. Fight with me.
I’m a lover not a fighter.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.
Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight.
C’mon you didn’t have to use that rhetorical trick to get a standing ovation now, did, you?
nice. i thought the entire rnc was very lame.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:08 am
I thought it was a pathetic speech…I had to turn the channel.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Alan,
What’s going on with the thousands of community organizers? Are they going to back up the Obama/Biden ticket?
September 5th, 2008 at 6:21 am
As with most liberals these days (I was one way back in college but I grew up), you and the rest of your creed use half truths out of context (tell the whole story about the bridge to nowhere, for example) to smear anybody who attempts to block your attempt to turn our country into a bunch of Marxist hate mongers. You all seem to be reading from the same script…parrots for the party line.
I wouldn’t expect people like you to think for themselves, but for Fox to actually give you credibility by allowing you to sit next to Hannity is beyond belief. Intelligent people don’t succumb to bandwagon propaganda. I was going to vote Libertarian until McCain picked Governor Palin as his running mate. Now, I think maybe there really IS some modicum of hope for all of us (if YOU people will stay out of the way).
September 5th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Alan, well said.
After the end of the speech, I still do not know how McSame is going to fix :
*Housing market
*energy crisis
*education
*poverty
*infrastructure
*health care
*politization of the Justice Department (Karl Rove)
*government secrecy (cheney,Rove, Libby,Bush)
*iraq war plan
*afganistan war plan
*Global Warming
*social security
*taxes
Perhaps one of this Republicans that read your comments like to explain to America how is he going to fix all of this and how is he paying for all of it. Note: earmarks are only $80b a year (we have a $91/2 trillion deficit).
I guess we did not hear much, if anything last night, is it because he does not have a plan at all?
September 5th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Lyell,
I like to do this as an exercise in how easy is to turn the words of right wingers against them. They never seem to get that people DO say the SAME things about them:
As with most CONSERVATIVES these days (I was one way back in GRADE SCHOOL but I grew up), you and the rest of your creed use half truths out of context (tell the whole story about the bridge to nowhere, for example) to smear anybody who attempts to block your attempt to turn our country into a bunch of FASCIST hate mongers. You all seem to be reading from the same script…parrots AND DITTOHEADS for the party line.
I wouldn’t expect people like you to think for themselves, but for THE NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST to actually give credibility to PEOPLE LIKE CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER AND WILLIAM KRISTOL by allowing THEM TO WRITE IN THE SAME PAPER AS EJ DIONNE AND PAUL KRUGMAN is beyond belief. Intelligent people don’t succumb to bandwagon propaganda. I was going to vote GREEN until McCain picked Governor Palin as his running mate. Now, I think maybe there really IS REASON TO DISPAIR FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY, IF REPUBLICANS WILL NOT ACT RESPONSIBLY AND SAY NO TO THIS DISASTEROUS AND RECKLESS CHOICE!
September 5th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Your are an idiot Old Lefty. At least Lyell is the author of his entry. NUMB SKULL.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:52 am
LZ: One might think to go to his website. duh.
Maybe Obama’s was able to fit all your answers in his acceptance speech but I suspect McCains would probably not make a good speech since no one would want to sit there for hours going through each of your items… though since Obama’s solution is “From Each According to His Ability, To Each According to His Need” I can understand why you might think McCain would have a solution of similiar size.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:00 am
“Intelligent people don’t succumb to bandwagon propaganda”
bwahahhaah.. I do believe he’s so stupid that he believes that.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:01 am
“What’s going on with the thousands of community organizers? Are they going to back up the Obama/Biden ticket?”
They’re being fitted for their uniforms before they move onto weapons training.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Alan you are sooo cleaver. I just do not have the time to do the exact same then to Obama’s Marxist policies!
September 5th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Conservatives have gotten to the point where the further away THEIR party gets from ANY core principles other than to shift power and treasure from the people to a multi national investor class, the more they sound like the delusional, permissive parents of a rotten kid who everyone else knows is a juvenile delinquent, but the parent surrounds themselves with equally delusional people, (like a grandparent, friend of another rotten kid), and convinces themselves that EVERYONE who tells them the truth falls into the ‘Blame My Little Pookie First Crowd’.
Before they know it, not only do they hate the school, the teachers, the coach, other parents AND their own family members who are trying to save the kid, but they take up with the only people who support their fantasy, but with whom they NEVER shared values with.
In other words, just the Downing Street memo, they make the ‘facts’ fit their wishful thinking.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:19 am
The backlash begins
Us Weekly Hit Hard by Canceling Subscribers After Palin Attack
Courtney Hazlett over at MSNBC’s “The Scoop” is reporting that thousands of “Us Weekly” subscribers have not only called the magazine to cancel their subscriptions — some reports say up to 10,000 cancellations have occurred — but have also contacted advertisers and expressed their outrage that they are advertising with the celebrity news magazine that would so blatantly try to destroy Governor Palin.
Hazlett is hearing that the editorial board of “Us Weekly” had thought they pegged it right that media pressure and attacks would see Palin pulled from the McCain ticket even before her debut speech. Because the media had so quickly swarmed to destroy her, they thought she was toast before she even had the chance to accept the nomination.
“When Us went to print Monday night, it looked like the ticket was falling apart,” says one magazine editor. “They went to print thinking Palin was dead in the water, and their mistake was thinking everyone who reads Us is a Democrat, when they’re not. Readers are loyal, but the base of a political party is more loyal. They don’t need to read the magazine when there’s so much press around it to know to be upset.”
September 5th, 2008 at 8:58 am
LZAMORA
This just in, the President does not make laws! if he did we would not need the House of Rep or Congress because he would be a DICTATOR!
2nd
Does our enemies distribute their plans for acting against the US? NOPE. So the President should elaborate on the tactics we will be using to defend ourselves? Wouldn’t that assist our enemies in developing strategies against our defenses.
3rd
You asked about taxes. Here are the FACTS about taxes under Clinton vs Bush.
Single making 30k Clinton tax 8400 Bush tax 4500
Single making 75k Clinton tax 23,250 Bush tax 18,750
Married making 60k Clinton 16,800 Bush 9,000
Married making 125k Clinton 23,250 Bush 18,750
I don’t believe Bush’s tax cuts look to bad when WE SEE THE TRUE NUMBERS.
You note 80b/yr in earmarks. Maybe this will concern you more.
22 b/yr spent on welfare for illegal aliens
2.5 b/yr spent on medicade for illegal aliens
90 b/yr on illegal aliens welfare and social services
200 b/yr in suppressed AMERICAN wages caused by illegal aliens
These same illegals WILL BE COVERED under OBAMA’s health care plan using our tax dollars.
Listen, I am neither Republican nor Democratin fact I voted for Clinton in both elections. But I AM TIRED of MY tax dollars being miss used. These illegals are BREAKING THE LAW and our Gov’t refuses to do anything about it. I guarantee if you robbed a bank your ass would be in prison but we can’t ship these illegals back?
Finally, BOTH parties are to blame. The Dems have had control for over 2 years now and we have nothing different then the prior 6? Bush has not Vetoed anything so why do we BLAME him? Both parties are more CONCERNED with gaining POWER then doing what they need to do for the American people.We The People should demand our legislatures work for the people of this country Not against us.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Alan,
I see still no apology – you indeed are classless.
Posted by Frank Broughton
……………………………………..
Alan didn’t say anything as classless as these guys….
Did THEY apologize?
Rush Limbaugh on the kidnapping of peace activists in Iraq: “I’m telling you, folks, there’s a part of me that likes this.” [The Rush Limbaugh Show,
Radio host Glenn Beck: "[Y]ou know it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims’ families? Took me about a year.” [Premiere Radio Networks' The Glenn Beck Program,
Beck: "Cindy Sheehan. That's a pretty big prostitute there, you know what I mean?"
Coulter on Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI): "They Shot the Wrong Lincoln."
Former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett: "[Y]ou could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down.” [Salem Radio Network's Bill Bennett's Morning in America,
David Horowitz on Cindy Sheehan: "It's very hard to have respect for a woman who exploits the death of her own son and doesn't respect her own son's life. ... She portrays him as an idiot." [MSNBC's Connected: Coast to Coast,
Rush Limbaugh: "Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society." [The Rush Limbaugh Show,
Republican pollster Frank Luntz on Nancy Pelosi's appearance: "I always use the line for Nancy Pelosi, 'You get one shot at a facelift. If it doesn't work the first time, let it go.'
.
Savage: "My fear is that if the Democrats win [in the November midterm elections], and I’m afraid that they might, you’re going to see America melt down faster that you could ever imagine. It will happen overnight, and it could lead to the breakup of the United States of America, the way the Soviet Union broke up.”
Fox News host Sean Hannity ,two months before the November midterm elections: “This is the moment to say that there are things in life worth fighting and dying for and one of ‘em is making sure [Rep.] Nancy Pelosi [D-CA] doesn’t become the [House] speaker.”
Rush Limbaugh, blaming America’s “obesity crisis” on “the left,” “liberal government,” and “food stamps”: “Because we are sympathetic, we are compassionate people, we have responded by letting our government literally feed these people to the point of obesity.
Nationally syndicated radio host Michael Savage: “That’s why the department store dummy named Wolf Blitzer, a Jew who was born in Israel, will do the astonishing act of being the type that would stick Jewish children into a gas chamber to stay alive another day.
Beck: “Blowing up Iran. I say we nuke the bastards. In fact, it doesn’t have to be Iran, it can be everywhere, anyplace that disagrees with me.”
Nationally syndicated radio host Neal Boortz on Rep. Cynthia McKinney’s (D-GA) hairstyle: “She looks like a ghetto slut. … It looks like an explosion in a Brillo pad
Coulter responding to Hardball host Chris Matthews’ question, “How do you know that [former President] Bill Clinton’s gay?”: “I don’t know if he’s gay. But [former Vice President] Al Gore — total fag.”
Rush Limbaugh calling Iraq war vet Paul Hackett a “staff puke,” claiming he went to Iraq “to pad [his] resume,” and attacked him as “a liberal hiding behind a military
uniform.”
Bill O’Reilly to San Francisco: “[I]f Al Qaeda comes in here and blows you up, we’re not going to do anything about it. … You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead.” [Westwood One's The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly,
Republican pollster Frank Luntz on Nancy Pelosi's appearance: "I always use the line for Nancy Pelosi, 'You get one shot at a facelift. If it doesn't work the first time, let it go.
Ann Coulter: Bill Clinton "was a very good rapist"; "I'm getting a little fed up with hearing about, oh, civilian casualties"; "I think we ought to nuke North Korea right now just to give the rest of the world a warning." [New York Observer,
,
Nationally syndicated radio host Neal Boortz on Rep. Cynthia McKinney's (D-GA) hairstyle: "She looks like a ghetto slut. ... It looks like an explosion in a Brillo pad factory.
Coulter responding to Hardball host Chris Matthews' question, "How do you know that [former President] Bill Clinton’s gay?”: “I don’t know if he’s gay. But [former Vice President] Al Gore — total fag.”
Former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett: “[Y]ou could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down.” [Salem Radio Network's Bill Bennett's Morning in America,
American Family Association president Tim Wildmon: Liberals "don't have the kind of family responsibilities most people have, and certainly not church responsibilities." [American Family Radio's Today's Issues,
Pat Buchanan: "Our guys" in Iraq "have got every right to have good news put into the media and get to the people of Iraq, even if it's got to be planted or bought." [MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews,
Neal Boortz, suggesting that a victim of Hurricane Katrina housed in an Atlanta hotel consider prostitution: "I dare say she could walk out of that hotel and walk 100 yards in either direction on Fulton Industrial Boulevard here in Atlanta and have a job. What's that? Well, no, no, no. ... Well, you know what? [laughing] Now that you mention it … [i]f that’s the only way she can take care of herself, it sure beats the hell out of sucking off the taxpayers.” [Cox Radio Syndication’s The Neal Boortz Show,
September 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
As an American (no, not some hyphenated-breed,)it saddens me that there is so much name calling and assumptions made on half-truths, on both sides. Both parties have let us down. The economy has gotten much worse under the leadership of the Dem party and the Republicans have spent too much. Although I don’t agree with everything Pres. Bush has done, I have to give him credit for serving during one of America’s most difficult eras. (Pres. Clinton does deserve some of the fault for 9/11) Anyway, I am willing to give the chance to lead American to someone who has had more experience and knowledge about Washington than someone who hasn’t had much of anything and one who had put his life on the line. Community organizing is important, but not a job where one is tested.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Alan said “I’m a lover not a fighter.”
Does that mean there is NOTHING about the American way of life that you would risk your life for, Alan? Instead you prefer to let men/women like John McCain do it.
Anyone with a brain can play your lit’ game, Alan.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
OldLefty, good point with the apologies we’re still waiting for from the divisive mouthpieces of the GOP.
Particularly, I’m still waiting for O’Reilly to apologize for Shawn Hornbeck (kidnapped, molested, and held since he was 8 years old): “The situation here for this kid looks to me to be a lot more fun than what he had under his old parents. He didn’t have to go to school. He could run around and do whatever he wanted,” etc….
September 5th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Anyway, watching McCain’s speech was actually slightly more comforting for me. I still doubt he’ll do much for the economy for all Americans, but I think he’s more reasonable and intelligent than Bush. I wish he’d chosen a more experienced, moderate, substantive VP candidate, but if we get stuck with him, and he remains healthy, there’s a possibility the country could improve. I’m open-minded.
However…I disagree with him on so many Neocon-pushed notions: School vouchers, abolition of legal & safe abortion, health insurance status quo, etc.
School vouchers, in particular.
My sister-in-law wants a tax credit because she home-schools her kid. That, of course, takes away from the Public School her kid would attend, reducing funding that educates the children of her community because my sister-in-law insists they teach religious doctrine to her child (sort of the “me, me, me” attitude others have assigned to liberals on here).
Our public schools still turn out intelligent and prepared young men and women, but schools can only do so much, especially with today’s parenting styles, both the helicopter kind and the apathetic kind.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Lizmora…Perhaps one of this Republicans that read your comments like to explain to America how is he going to fix all of this and how is he paying for all of it. Note: earmarks are only $80b a year (we have a $91/2 trillion deficit).
I guess we did not hear much, if anything last night, is it because he does not have a plan at all?
AND WE HAVE THESE DETAILS FROM OBAMA? NOT.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
“I’m grateful to the President for leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history, and keeping us safe from another attack many thought was inevitable.”
McCain unwittingly refers to FDR, and the attack on Pearl Harbor, which rendered every battleship in the US Pacific Fleet destroyed or inoperable, and which, at least for a time, appeared to be preparatory to an invasion of Hawaii and perhaps the US mainland.
Following the December 7 attack we mobilized the entire nation for war, including just about everyone from Boy Scouts collecting junk for recycling to elderly pensioners appointed to serve as air raid wardens. You could not buy a new car, or tires for a car, or a great many other things because many consumer items were rationed, including gasoline, if available at all, because industry turned to war production, as required by our government.
The September 11 attack, by comparison, appears to have done little to impair the nation’s ability to wage war or defend the homeland, and one might well argue that it revealed just how ill-prepared we really were.
In the years following the September 11 attack it appears that only people to have their lives affected in any way are those impacted directly by the attack, and US military personnel and their families.
Well, if you fly a lot you may have to wait around some.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
This is an hour-long examination of Obama’s plan for American from CNN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd-JeeNcTig
September 5th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
O’REILLY: I think you were desperately wrong on the surge, and I think you should admit it to the nation that now we have defeated the terrorists in Iraq, and the Al Qaeda came there after we invaded, as you know. We defeated them.
OBAMA: Right.
O’REILLY: If we didn’t, they would have used it as a staging ground. We’ve also inhibited Iran from controlling the southern part of Iraq by the surge, which you did not support. So why won’t you say, “I was right in the beginning. I was wrong about that”?
OBAMA: If you listen to what I’ve said, and I’ll repeat it right here on this show, I think that there’s no doubt that the violence is down. I believe that that is a testimony to the troops that were sent and General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated, by the way, including President Bush and the other supporters. It has gone very well, partly because of the Anbar situation and the Sunni awakening, partly because of the Shia military. Look…
O’REILLY: But if it were up to you, there wouldn’t have been a surge.
OBAMA: Look…
O’REILLY: No, no, no, no.
OBAMA: No, no, no…
O’REILLY: If it were up to you, there wouldn’t have been a surge.
OBAMA: No, no, no.
O’REILLY: You and Joe Biden, no surge.
So he admits he was WRONG without being WRONG. Great Job there Obama… Typical. DA
September 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Let’s admit it. Neither party or canidate is without faults. So I am throwing out a simple idea. Forget about the pretty words and/or emotional fanfare. If you want the government to control more of your life, having more control on the direction of your life, vote democrat. If you would like the possibility of less government control, with maybe more choice of direction of your life, vote republican.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
WOW! There is intelligent life in California.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
californian mom…
Well said and great wisdom. The deafening noise of false claims, repetitive talking points, and baseless rhetoric drowns out the simple facts and issues…there is a clear difference between the two parties and candidates. Just pick which one suits you best and stop the senseless name calling and building dislike of fellow Americans.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Your idea is too simplistic, California Mom. Both parties fully intend to be involved in our lives, make no mistake.
The question is, which party is more favorable to the majority of middle-class Americans? The Democrats.
Which party allows you to marry your chosen mate? The Democrats.
Which party gives you more reproductive freedoms and choices? Democrats again.
Democrats allow you to have a private conversation, vote in an election, and try to give a good return on your investment in the country’s tax base.
Let’s not be naive enough to think Republicans aren’t interested in sticking their greedy hands into our lives. It’s just not so.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Sarah,
Very well said – and you have actual examples to back up your comment, as opposed to California Mom’s comments.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Thanks, Um Cara. I find it interesting, the modern confusion between “fact” and “opinion.”
Perry’s got it right, though, too: “Just pick which one suits you best and stop the senseless name calling and building dislike of fellow Americans.”
Oy, if it were only that easy. I’m already getting sick of the primaries. Too many sound bytes!
September 5th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Yea, let’s get to the debates. The conventions were corny and boring, like always.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Sarah: It’s very apparent that you can’t tell between FACT & opinion. This ENTIRE passage qualifies only as OPINION…..
Your idea is too simplistic, California Mom. Both parties fully intend to be involved in our lives, make no mistake.
The question is, which party is more favorable to the majority of middle-class Americans? The Democrats.
Which party allows you to marry your chosen mate? The Democrats.
Which party gives you more reproductive freedoms and choices? Democrats again.
Democrats allow you to have a private conversation, vote in an election, and try to give a good return on your investment in the country’s tax base.
Let’s not be naive enough to think Republicans aren’t interested in sticking their greedy hands into our lives. It’s just not so.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
These RNC & DNC speeches are a lot of spin and glam. The real issues are barely addressed in these settings because nobody is gettig grilled on how exactly to do what they propose. The debates will cure this spin scene but for the time being I’d say what so many have said: McCain loves his country and its people but has the wrong vision for where to take it.
If you have researched both candidates (not just listening to Sean & Alan and other hosts) and came to different conclusion than I then I respect your decision. However, if you’re going to vote with your party ‘just because’ or if you have decided without weighing both sides then I have no respect for you at all. People voting from bias or to ‘go with the flow’ of your party are exactly what is wrong with America.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
That is a good opinion Eric. I happen to agree with you.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
on some points. I don’t agree with your McCain bash.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
McCain would rather lose an election than lose the War on Terror. The Surge worked. Obama said so.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
“McCain would rather lose an election than lose the War on Terror.”
……………………………….
There is NO evidence of that.
McCain has sold his soul to win.
There ios NO evidence that there IS a “War on Terror”
September 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Oh, Smee. You’ve proven my point brilliantly. Such a doll. Thanks.
Eric, I totally agree. Good post. And to be honest, I was one of those who never dreamed I’d vote Democrat (OK, well, by the time Dole ran against Clinton, I knew he wasn’t going to win, but I voted for Dole to appease my mom. Plus, I sorta liked Dole, even though Clinton was better all around).
About the same time Goldwater said to Dole, “Did you ever think we’d be considered liberal in our own party?”, I got sick of the way serial-cheater Gingrich et. al. destroyed the GOP, the Clinton administration (and on the flimsiest pretexts), and the country’s attitude in general, and I was ready to back Gore, Kerry, Jesse Jackson, ANYONE who wasn’t Republican.
When Bush was elected in 2000 as the president most Americans would want to have a beer with, I thought to myself, “Well, as long as we can get through these next 4 years without any international incidents, and if we can just coast off the last 8 years….”
And then 9/11 hit. And it just got worse, and worse. And worse.
Now I want to slap every Republican I know who’s apologized for backing Bush in ‘04. Because they just voted the party line, like it was a football game. They didn’t stop to think.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Dear Smee. You’re right. But I am sick of the name calling just because someone across the aisle doesn’t agree with you. I will vote Republican for many reasons, not because of emotion. You can vote democrat for the reasons you stated, although, I think they are all based on emotions generated by hate. If you would like to discuss why I think you are wrong, I will be glad to, calmly with respect.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Oh really Lefty…Obama said there was and you’re voting for him.
You don’t have a point Sarah…You just ramble.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I AGREE with your entire post Califonia mom. I will vote Repub because I have done my research and I don’t agree with the Democrats.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
O’REILLY: OK. Let’s start with national security. Do you believe we’re in the middle of a War on Terror?
OBAMA: Absolutely.
O’REILLY: Who’s the enemy?
OBAMA: Al Qaeda, the Taliban, a whole host of networks that are bent on attacking America, who have a distorted ideology, who have perverted the faith of Islam, and so we have to go after them.
Nah He didn’t say THAT.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
californian mom,
Just so you know. that’s EXACTLY what the Democrats say about Republicans.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
AFTER Lefty twists your words to fit his own…..
September 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Sarah…I voted for Bush in 2004 and am not apologizing for it. Biggest issue to me is national security…have you been attacked lately? I imagine you can still go the store, restaurant, etc. without fear of a terrorists blowing you up. At least give some credit for that…he’s made mistakes, sure. But on the big issue was the best choice.
Interesting…republicans are charged with drinking the kool-aid and towing the party line if they vote for more liberty, less government intrusion, lower taxes, etc.
I read so much here about the Dems being the party of the middle class and giving more freedoms. Baloney. Who has passed the most middle class tax breaks…Republicans.
Both parties have equal share of millionaire congressmen/senators. Most need to get out a find a real job. But when a true middle class person is nominated for the VP, all the libs can do is attack.
When the Republicans, not the Dems, nominate a black supreme court judge, again the Dems attack.
So, it appears that the Dems do want middle class champions and minority successes…but only if they are their people.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Lefty…There is NO evidence that there IS a “War on Terror”
Even you can’t be that naive or partisan!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
OH YES Perry HE CAN>
September 5th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hey Trace (had to turn the channel),
Evidently all the intelligent watchers did not. He had more people watching than your 143 days of experience Rock Star! Guess he was not to pathetic!
Check the polls! Closing in so I guess you will have to go to WORK (get a job)
Did you enjoy your reality show you no doubt turned the channel to?
September 5th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
There IS terror, but Bush/Cheney are not interested in fighting it.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
No Lefty….You can’t have it BOTH ways. This is not Burger King.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
What both ways?
What are you talking about?
September 5th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Marine Mom,
Do you really believe that people who disagree with you politically do not work/have jobs? What leads you to that opinion?
September 5th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Sarah,
SSHHHHHHHHHHHH! You are embarassing yourself.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Lefty…There IS terror, but Bush/Cheney are not interested in fighting it.
You scare me! For years you lefties have done nothing but castrate the guy for spending billions on the war and now you say, what, he’s pocketing the money? Are you safe in your own country, Lefty? Did you think 9-11 was an accident? Do you not fully comprehend that there are people who have it as their life goal to come over to our country and kill us…all of us…Dems and Repubs alike? If Bush has not been leading a fight against terrorism, why have we not had further attacks here on or soil? Perhaps they ran out of pilots who can fly but not land a plane? Run out of planes? Got a change in heart and now they like us?
Get a grip…we need two parties to keep each other sharp, but for God’s sake, don’t throw out your brain in the process.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
You are GREAT Lefty… When you hit a bump….Play dumb.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
“Sarah…I voted for Bush in 2004 and am not apologizing for it. Biggest issue to me is national security…have you been attacked lately?”
Only by Neocons, when I disagree with them. But I’m not taking it personally, they’ve been like that since 9/11.
“I imagine you can still go the store, restaurant, etc. without fear of a terrorists blowing you up. At least give some credit for that…he’s made mistakes, sure. But on the big issue was the best choice.”
You’re right, no terrorist is blowing me up. I just can’t really afford to do much shopping or driving lately, partly because we’ve engaged in a long, expensive war that our great-grandchildren will be paying for, and it’s not even directed at the terrorists! They met us in Iraq b/c of some jacked-up invasion designed to find WMDs.
We haven’t been bombed by any right-wing militias lately either, but they’re still in this country.
“Interesting…republicans are charged with drinking the kool-aid and towing the party line if they vote for more liberty, less government intrusion, lower taxes, etc.”
Because it hasn’t resulted in less intrusion, more liberty, and the lower taxes are helping to kill our economy.
“I read so much here about the Dems being the party of the middle class and giving more freedoms. Baloney. Who has passed the most middle class tax breaks…Republicans.”
Republicans who can’t afford to enact tax breaks (from which the rich have primarily benefitted, BTW). Bush Sr. had to change “no new taxes” because Reagan acted like Santa Claus, and trickle-down, voodoo economics didn’t work.
“Both parties have equal share of millionaire congressmen/senators. Most need to get out a find a real job. But when a true middle class person is nominated for the VP, all the libs can do is attack.”
It’s not about her “class,” Perry, although that’s a dead giveaway to me that you think in terms of class more than any liberal could hope to imagine — there’s a whole cast of Republican middle-class wannabes who ID themselves with the party of the rich.
I also don’t agree with you that all politicians need to find “real” jobs. That’s cynicism that’s probably warranted for many, but I think many of them try to do a good job for all of us citizens who act like OUR way (democrat OR republican) is the best way.
I’ll throw this bone– I do hope McCain follows through on the “reaching across the aisle” notion he spoke about last night. That’s really what the country needs most, not the nattering that we do on this site.
“When the Republicans, not the Dems, nominate a black supreme court judge, again the Dems attack.”
You mean, Clarence “Close the Window of Opportunity Behind Me” Thomas? The one who replaced Thurgood Marshall? The one racist Strom Thurmond even embraced? Gosh, he must have been one of the 8-10 black people I saw at the RNC over the past few days, maybe.
“So, it appears that the Dems do want middle class champions and minority successes…but only if they are their people.”
Republicans want middle class champions and minority successes, because they’ll pay them handsomely and elevate them to a point that they bite the hand that fed them.
Wonder how many WW2 GIs became Republican, after FDR supported their families, kept the homefront going, and then supported them with the GI Bill, Unemployment, and even now, Social Security?
September 5th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Perry,
Some of us do not believe the war in Iraq is part of the war on terror. And in fact, decaring a war on a tactic, terror, as opposed to specific enemies is not such a good idea to some of us. It certainly makes it difficult to define final victory conditions.
See Obama’s response to Oriely on who is our enemy for examples of who we should be going after, as opposed to going after a concept, ‘terror’.
And there are those of us who do not believe the war in Iraq is making the U.S. safer.
It does not mean we have ‘thrown out our brains’ it means we disagree.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Marine Mom, I know the truth hurts. Stop projecting your embarrassment on me.
Guess I “touched a nerve” with you, as one of your ilk put it recently. Ha!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Sarah…you are absolutely dangerous. There’s little point to re-addressing your very wrong points…so I won’t. Enjoy your freedom.
You denigrate “rich” people. Do you have a job that you did not create on your own? If so, then thank a “rich” person who had the vision and drive and took, and still retains, all the risks of building a business to the point that they could hire…you.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Sarah….You first have to make a VALID point to touch a nerve….Ha
September 5th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Is this what got your grandma-panties in a wad, Marine Mom? (from a different thread…)
_________________
Marine Mom– “Poverty, unwed mothers at an all time high, and over 70% high school drop out rate for your young black males.”
Uh, did you get that our economy was wrecked during Bush’s administration of “tax cuts,” Bush’s abstinence-only education funding backfired (ahem, Bristol Palin!), and Alaska’s drop-out rate is one of the highest in the country?
And you’re seriously advocating for the party responsible for all you abhor?
___________________
I can see why you want to silence me, you’ve been put in an uncomfortable position. Sorry to have made you uneasy with your blanket generalizations, backed up by absolutely no track record.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Um Cara…
This is a war on terrorists…located in many places but singularly intent on our destruction. Can you agree on that? It is not a traditional war with traditional lines of combat. Whether we should or should not have gone to Iraq (and 77 out of 100 senators voted yes we should…that means a great deal of Dems)…we are there, we are winning, we are turning it over to Iraquis, and we are getting our troops home…all good things.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Sara, Marine Mom
I remember that thread where Marine Mom says 70% of black youth drop out, what was the explanation for where that number came from? I forget which thread it was.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Cara: There were som many Democrats that signed off on that war. Just because you say there’s a war on Terror but I choose not to participate doesn’t mean you deny it’s existance.
The war on terror did flush out some of our enemies otherwise you wouldn’t be so worried about our reading them their rights or killing the “babies”.
Democrats were there in the beginning and they are there now. The only difference is that the democrats don’t want to take the credit for what they did too.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah…Is this what got your grandma-panties in a wad, Marine Mom?
See, it just blows my mind. When you libs get stymied with a discussion based upon facts, real facts, and not opinion or talking points, you always resort to name calling or personal attacks.
What I love about our country is that you have the absolute freedom to believe what you want and vote your way. It’s what freedom is about. But do it in a civil way. Agree to disagree, and at the end of the day we are all still Americans.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Perry,
I don’t agree that it should be labled as a ‘war’, nor do I believe in wars on poverty, drugs, homelessness, etc…
Wars should be between nations.
Let’s stop talking about a ‘war on terror’ and instead identify specific terrorist threats, using the military/CIA/etc… where appropriate.
And yes, let’s get out of Iraq and turn it over to the Iraquis A.S.A.P. Definitely agree that would be a good thing.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Smee,
Where did I say I was a Democrat? Where did I say anything about killing babies? Where did I deny there was something going on being called a war on terror?
What in the world are you talking about?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
YES Cara Obama says it’s a war.
O’REILLY: OK. Let’s start with national security. Do you believe we’re in the middle of a War on Terror?
OBAMA: Absolutely.
O’REILLY: Who’s the enemy?
OBAMA: Al Qaeda, the Taliban, a whole host of networks that are bent on attacking America, who have a distorted ideology, who have perverted the faith of Islam, and so we have to go after them.
Nah He didn’t say THAT.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
And re: Sarah Palin’s daughter…you libs are so darn self righteous. You have no problem with all of the promiscuity on TV or in the movies as it’s “real” and an expression of free speech. You’ve got no problem with Jamie Spears getting pregnant at her age. But let a Republican family have a challenge and you’re all over it like ugly on ape. Sarah Palin did not hold herself up and tell the world that her kids would never have problems. And my guess is that those who yell the loudest on this issue have the most junk in the closest in their personal lives.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Cara: WHERE did I say you were a Democrat???? I wish you would show me….
September 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
How inspiring to see, as Cheney/Bush prepare to cut and run from Iraq, that so many members of the “Coalition of the Willing” recognize the importance of Iraq and Iraqi oil and rush to send tens of thousands of troops to replace US troops.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Um Cara…
We are at war with the nation of Islamic Terrorists. I agree that the term war is over used in many cases. But this is a war, one that will be fought to the end…anything less will result in our destruction. They will NOT let up, negotiate, keep the peace. Their “end times” happen when we are no more, along with Israel. Their religion requires this of them…it is a war.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Dear Cara,
I don’t think all people who don’t agree with me do not have jobs or work but nice try on trying to put words in my mouth. Reread what I wrote more s l o w l y.
And Sarah,
It would take a lot more than your ridiculous views to unnerve me . . silly girl. I feel sorry for you. The only thing disturbing to me is boys like mine fight for you to have nothing better to do than the freedom to tear this counrty apart. I think you should be on the front line to shield our boys since you hate the freedom he fights for. You need to educate yourself on the truth. Nevermind, . . you wouldn’t understand.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Perry, you’re saying I’m stymied? You’re the one who wanted to leave the discussion and called me dangerous.
I noticed you couldn’t help posting more, though.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Smee,
True, you only implied (i.e. you were trying to invalidate my arguments by saying democrats did this and that…)
As for Obama calling it a war, good for him, I am not saying that people aren’t referring to this as a war, I am saying it isn’t such a brilliant idea to do so.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Marine mom…
My heartfelt thanks to your son who fights for my freedom and to you for the daily anxiousness you have about his safe return.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Sarah…Posting more to others…you and I are too far apart.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Perry,
My globe does not have a nation called ‘Islamic Terrorists’, what are it’s border countries?
What are the victory conditions for this war?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Well Cara I am impressed. When someone kicks your butt a little, you can ALMOST read. I didn’t even imply that you were a democrat BUT it is apparent that you agree with their stance quite a bit.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Cara:
That is why I said, and you should know, that this is not a traditional war. Enemies are everywhere, even here in the US. Victory is easy…destruction of those who would destroy us.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Perry, you’re wrong again. I can’t abide teen pregnancy. I’m sick of kids being conceived irresponsibly, and that goes for Palin’s kid, who IS an issue since she’s a walking testament to her mom’s failed abstinence-only education ideal.
I don’t cotton to the promiscuity on television, to the point where I think any parent who gives their kid cable or satellite TV, needs to be hotlined. Or, forced to watch MTV for a week, 24-7. THAT would open their eyes to today’s teen culture.
And speaking of civil, Marine Mom popped off to me first, did you notice? I was civil to her, until she became condescending and insulting.
How civil of you to call me “dangerous,” by the way.
I don’t advocate for lax gun control, and I don’t believe in using troops as meat decoys to enjoy our “freedom” over here.
Marine Mom, hope your kid comes back safe. Save your pity for the troops. If it were up to me, they wouldn’t be over there.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Perry,
My point is that in a WAR one should have victory conditions. There have always been and always will be ‘those who would destroy us’.
Your position is thus that we should remain in war forever? Or do you really believe that we can meet the conditions you have set out?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Sarah,
I definitely disagree that Palin’s kid is an issue. I know where you are coming from, but that kid is a real person, and it was not her choice for her mother to run for VP. I really plead for everyone to give her some space, she is in a tough spot and doesn’t deserve the attention.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Sarah…well, we do agree on a FEW things. See how easy that was?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
But hey to all the liberals for pro-choice and I know this will probably start a little war on line. I need to run, but I have one more question.
You are all upset about our soldiers who have lost their lives in a WAR but you will fight to keep killing the 30K unborn babies PER YEAR in our own country? (A heart starts to beat after 72 hours from conception so don’t tell me its not a human.) And all 30K babies are not pregnant crack prostitutes who can’t care for them or rape or incest cases. Actually, less than 2%. Partial birth abortion is delivery of the child and just before the head pops out the doc inderts a tube in the base of the skull (painful!). He then sucks out the brains so when the remaining part of the child (only the head) comes out he/she can be declared dead??? then they sell the body parts because they are more fully formed and therefore worth more money.
What is war really or even genecide? Killing innocent people you say???. . .umm . . .just wondering.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Sarah: I got news for you ABSTINENCE actually works when implemented. The key word there Sarah is implemented.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
With the Islamic Terrorists, yes at war to the end because that is what THEY desire…if Russia were to declare war on us, we would fight until the threat was over as well. IF it took 30 years so be it. What would be the alternative choice? Learn Russian?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Smee,
How do you ‘implement’ abstinence. Obviously, abstinence works when practiced, i.e. if one makes the choice to be abstinent, one will not become pregnant or impregnate another.
But how do you ‘implement’ abstinence? Chastity belts? Religious police?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
OK Cara: I’ll have a GO. I implement abstinence by not having sex with anyone but me, myself and I.
Fair enough?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Call it SOLO.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Marine mom…good points
It has always amazed me that libs in general see abortion as the holy grail, yet fight vigorously the death penalty. You can cloak it in terms of a “woman’s right”, but it is still the death of a living being. There is no problem to kill a baby who has done nothing while protecting the life of someone who has raped, tortured and murdered a young girl, for instance. Not looking for a fight, I just don’t see the rationale.
Except in cases of rape or incest, it would seem that the woman already had the freedom to make a choice with her body.
Abortion insures that 750,000 females each year do not have control over their bodies. Why? Because they’re killed. About ½ of the total babies aborted each year in the United States are female – killed before they are even born, not even able to enjoy the basic right to life.
We don’t have absolute control over our bodies. A man is not permitted to expose himself in public. In most areas of the country, women are not allowed to sell their bodies through prostitution. We’re also not permitted to take illegal drugs.
Too often, the “right to control my life,” becomes a right to hurt an oppress others. Whites used blacks to enhance their own quality of life, but did so at the expense of blacks. Men have often used women to live their lives as they wanted, but at the expense of women.
Less than 1% of all abortions are due to rape or incest. Furthermore, since conception doesn’t occur immediately after intercourse, pregnancy can be prevented in nearly all rape cases by medical treatments including the morning after pill (MAP).
So again, I just don’t see the rationale.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Perry,
They planned the war in the 90s.
Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11.
From PNAC, Rebuilding America’s Defenses: Strategies, Forces, and Resources For a New Century (2000),
Pp51
“Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event — like a new Pearl Harbor.”)
They just chose to pursue their pre-9/11 plan rather than go after the terrorists who were ACTUALLY behind 9/11.
From: Cnn
Audit: U.S. lost track of $9 billion in Iraq funds
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Nearly $9 billion of money spent on Iraqi reconstruction is unaccounted for because of inefficiencies and bad management, according to a watchdog report published Sunday.
An inspector general’s report said the U.S.-led administration that ran Iraq until June 2004 is unable to account for the funds.
Poof!!
Why would you expect another attack anyway.
It was 8 years between attacks, and experts like Peter Bergin said immediately after 9/11, a lot of al Qaeda guys got scared and left,
but my prediction IF there is another attack in a year or two and McCain is president, right wingers will say, “Thank God we have McCain in”….
If Obama is the president, they will say it is BECAUSE of him.
Remember:
“Naturally, the common people don’t want war: neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship…Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.”
Hermann Goering
Get a grip…we need two parties to keep each other sharp, but for God’s sake, don’t throw out your brain in the process.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Smee,
If that is what you mean, then sure, I bet very few people would disagree that those who choose abstinence should be able to do so. Anyone who disagrees with that is an enemy to freedom and quite probably a Democrat.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
That’s a BIG assumption on your part there Cara….
September 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Cara,
Fact= 70% of Black males quit high school. Go to larryelder.com. If you would reread what I wrote I told you about Larry Elder.
Fact= Congress and Senate run this country and the democrats have had control of both for the last two years. republicans had control during Clinton Administration!
Now. . .Little Miss Sarah. . .that explains the economic mess! ha
Perry, Thanks, my son is home and waiting on his buddies to return. I was anxious but I trusted his commnander and cheif. Not because he is always right but because he is honest and good.
Unlike Bill and JKF who could not stay faithful or tell the truth. It is sad the liberals consider Bill Clinton one of the greatest presidents of all time. He was only one of two presidents ever to be impeached. He committed perjury in a court of law and was found guilty. Oh wait, . . everybody had more money in their wallet. That’s right. . . thats what I want to teach my kids.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Good God….Lefty is entertaining himself again.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Perry,
So true. ithought it was less than 1% but I wanted to leave room for error.
It seems the people who chain themselves to a tree to save it will vote to kill an unborn child for convenience?? It is just rather puzzling, don’t you think. Maybe I am missing something????
At all cost we should be fully ashamed of our nation for partial birth abortions? It is unthinkable! The babies legs and arms are moving outside when the doc inserts the tube. Sorry people, but this is the truth. Can someone help me out on how we got to this point and call it a “womans right”.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Good God….Lefty is entertaining himself again.
Posted by Smee
………………………
Look it up for yourself.
Look up the policy papers, the audits and the 25 biggest war profiteers…Halliburton is #1
We didn’t become a great country by giving awesome power to a few people and then follow them blindly without question.
If they are lying to you would you know?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Hmm I will answer with a question. If Obama said there was a War on Terror and nobody came, Would you hear what was said in the first place?
September 5th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Re: choice/antichoice:
Get back to me when you care as much about kids who die from war, land mines (the results of OUR cluster bombs), mal nutrition, and the fact that we have a higher infant mortality rate than Cuba.
They find rocket fuel in breast milk in 18 states.
We “LOVE cheap crap from China and the Marianna Islands were they do FORCED abortions.
Pat Robertson supported Charles Taylor and his diamond mines and he cut off the hands of children.
Until you care at least AS much about these life issues, I think you do not care a wit about the unborn, but are nothing more than phony, sanctimonious, busybodies!
September 5th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Sorry, marine mom, but I am more concerned about your son life, someone who you’ve raised and who you’ve loved since birth, than a fetus. If someone were to ask me. “Given a choice, would you choose the life of an 18-year-old or the life of a fetus”? I would have to choose the 18-year-old.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Lefty…you are amusing and sure rush to general conclusions. And you do a GREAT job of confusing the issues. Good lib. Go back to my writing and address the specific issues. The issue is about our country and the flawless rationale given for abortion here. 1% of abortions for rape and incest…99% for birth control purposes.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Lefty: Here’s a wrenching fact: If the U.S. had an infant mortality rate as good as Cuba’s, we would save an additional 2,212 American babies a year.
Ok, good point. So, we could save another 2212 precious babies per year with with increased care. The CDC is working on what happened around 2002 to increase this fatality rate. But Lefty, the issue is still how can pro-choice people justify willingly killing another 1.5 million babies a year…you complain about the 221 but skirt over the bigger picture.
Confusing the issue.
And I, and many others, are very concerned about the death of any child anywhere in the world. I am consistent in that.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Again with SO much misery among the born…We could all be very, very busy worring about them before getting to the pre born.
Do you REALLY expect me to believe that men got pregnant, abortion wouldn’t be availible at the drive thru?
September 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Lefty…once again you skirt the facts presented. How do you justify the facts of the unborn? The pro-choice crowd found plenty of time to worry about the unborn in order to get the Supreme Court to approve abortion on demand 5-4. So now that it is law, we have no time for the unborn? Again, lack of logic and addressing the facts on your part.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
And Lefty…men can’t get pregnant, so nice try on confusing the real issue again. As your man Obama says…I can’t talk about hypotheticals.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Sorry, I didn’t finish my point.
…which is why i’m more concerned with our troops than with abortion.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Perry,
Nice try
Get back to me when you care about those who died horrific deaths in the war you love so much.
I mentioned other things, you chose to ignore…. “Good con”.
I’m NOT impressed with the conservatives empty rhetoric about the sanctity of life, when they seem to hate those who are already here so much.
We have enough to worry about without hypocritical busybodies worrying about controlling women’s bodies.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Lefty…I messed the good con…appreciated.
But once again, you deal only in generalities i.e.
1. Assuming I love war…that’s mean spirited, Lefty, and dead wrong.
2. When they seem to hate those already here…like who? Those who seek to kill us and destroy our way of life?
3. Hypocritical busybodies…again with the generic name calling. We do not seek to control a woman’s body…simply to save the life within.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Smee,
You mean there are people out there calling for forced sex, no abstinence allowed? Who is doing that?
Marine Mom,
I don’t have time to search through Larry Elder’s site (It’s Friday night, after all), nor read every post you ever made on him. I googled black male drop out rate and could not find any source as high as 70%.
At any rate, I still would submit it would be tough for Obama to make black kids stay in school and go to college, as you seem to think he has the power to do if he wanted to. Again, I would submit, if parents can’t always make their kids finish school and go to college, how is a politician supposed to do so.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I just want to leave people alone to make their OWN choices.
You are the one acting like liberals want to kill babies.
I stand by war is a MUCH, MUCH greater life issue, AND that that the war in Iraq was based on a lie for war profiteering.
I AM sorry if I assumed you care less about the carnage than you do.
Many, many people do not believe it is a life within.
An unborn fetus in Jewish law is not considered a person (Heb. nefesh, lit. “soul”) until it has been born. The fetus is regarded as a part of the mother’s body and not a separate being until it begins to egress from the womb during parturition (childbirth). In fact, until forty days after conception, the fertilized egg is considered as “mere fluid.” These facts form the basis for the Jewish legal view on abortion. Biblical, talmudic, and rabbinic support for these statements will now be presented.
Hindus also feel this way.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Lefty…we can agree that war is horrible, not to be sought, but inevitable. But again…you conclude the primary purpose for the war is profiteering. You can’t help but solve all issues with a huge generic, simplistic statement of “fact”. So be it.
I Don’t know Jewish law…but I do know that it is based upon the Old Testament, and in Psalms is is stated that God made you in your mother’s womb, counted the hairs on your head, and knew you even then. So are you now concluding that the Jewish Law allows for abortion? You’re getting onto thin ice on this one.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I base my opinion about the war on
#1 The PNAC
#2 Their own guy, Paul O’Neill
#3 The Downing Street Memo
#4 The Manning memo
#5 Director McLaughlin, according to Drumheller’s book “On the Brink,” published in 2006. When Curveball’s information was put into Bush’s Jan. 28, 2003, State of the Union address, McLaughlin and Tenet allowed it to pass into the speech. “From three Iraqi defectors,” Bush declared, “we know that Iraq, in the late 1990s, had several mobile biological weapons labs … Saddam Hussein has not disclosed these facilities. He’s given no evidence that he has destroyed them.” In fact, there was only one Iraqi source — Curveball — and there were no labs.
#6 A Charge to Keep: My Journey to the White House (Paperback)
by George W. Bush (Author), Mickey Herskowitz
(Author):
He was thinking about invading Iraq in 1999,” said author and journalist Mickey Herskowitz. “It was on his mind. He said to me: ‘One of the keys to being seen as a great leader is to be seen as a commander-in-chief.’ And he said, ‘My father had all this political capital built up when he drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait and he wasted it.’ He said, ‘If I have a chance to invade•.if I had that much capital, I’m not going to waste it. I’m going to get everything passed that I want to get passed and I’m going to have a successful presidency.” Herskowitz said that Bush expressed frustration at a lifetime as an underachiever in the shadow of an accomplished father. In aggressive military action, he saw the opportunity to emerge from his father’s shadow. The moment, Herskowitz said, came in the wake of the September 11 attacks. “Suddenly, he’s at 91 percent in the polls, and he’d barely crawled out of the bunker.”
September 5th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
OldLefty
Thanks for posting the list of the barbaric statements said by so many of the talk show hosts.
I am still waiting for Sean Hannity to upbraid Neal Boortz for espousing price gouging on a public airwave to Hurricane Charley victims. I remember the day Neal Boortz pushed the agenda on radio. He saw nothing wrong with the practice in this free enterprise society. That very afternoon Sean Hannity started his show speaking of how immoral, reprehensible and wrong it is for people to take advantage of someone who has just gone through a devastating hurricane.
Sean Hannity has rambled on and on and on about Obama’s associates. However, Sean has said many, many times that he and Boortz are friends. He has invited Obama to H & C many times to discuss Obama’s associates.
I believe that there is a time and place for everything. However, price gouging is never right. I certainly am not friends with people push a price gouging agenda whether it’s good weather or bad weather. I believe if Sean Hannity is gonna preach everyday about immorality, then he ought to start at in his own yard and with his friend Neal Boortz.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
oldlefty–you must be a male or if female, never been pregnant. To state that the unborn child is not a human until birth would be hard to believe once you have felt a child move while carrying it. The argument does come down to when you BELIEVE life begins. But just because one believes something does not make it fact. Obviously, I know a child is an individual at conception based on biological facts. Thus said, I have no problem with a woman doing whatever she wants with HER body, as long as it is her body, not the unborn child’s. It’s not her body that is tortured and murdered, but the child’s. I can understand the fear of an unwanted pregnancy, but can’t understand why it is so much easier to kill an unborn child but too hard to have it and give it up for adoption? Can someone answer that for me?
September 5th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
californian mom,
Do you care as much about the babies who die in the rubble of the bombing in Iraq?
How about the woman in China who desparately wanted a baby but was FORCED to have an abortion while our multimillionaire corporations make more profits on her cheap labor.
How about the little 13 year old who was raped by an abusive family member on viagra, who will take even MORE abuse if she starts to show.
The most loving mother I know is an Indian woman with kids.
She had an abortion before these kids were born because she and her husband had medical exams in the next two years.
To them there was no more struggle than one would have chosing which to save ( from the burning fertility building)…the baby in the stroller or the petri dishes.
Do you have a funeral for a miscarriage?
I can see stillborn.
Maybe if they cared as much about holding the fathers responsible,
And if only they cared as much about the post born.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Oldlefty, sadly, you don’t know me. I care just as much for the postborn as the preborn. Why do I have to pick one or the other? I agree, there are examples of pain and suffering, but I cannot accept that as an excuse for abortion. Life in all forms is valuable. Your lack of intolerance because I have a different view is apparent. With the tone of anger and hate in your answer, I can assume you are a very unhappy person. I truly am sorry.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
californian mom,
No one is saying that the misery of the world is an excuse for abortion….just thst there is MUCH more tolerance for it, that we wonder the sincerity.
I offer again the example of the cluster bombs the kill and maim children in Iraq and Afganistan for years.
Nobody seems to care about that or are calling their government to account for it.
Last time…are you AS concerned about the FORCED abortions in China, that is NEVER made as much of an issue.
You don’t know me either, and you are the one I see as intolerant because I and many women have a different view, so I guess I feel sorry for you, as well.
You say:
“Life in all forms is valuable”…
but OUR society offers no evidence that it believes that, especially when money is involved.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Lefty…
You sound like a nice enough person, who seems to have done research on issues to the point of being proof text for you…
However…
You NEVER addressed the facts on abortion I listed long ago…you never once said whether killing the unborn was right. Your only response is that there is suffering for the born so why worry about the unborn.
This seems to be proof that when faced with the hard facts of how abortion is being used by 99% of the cases, you simply can not justify it. So you go off on other “rationale” rabbit trails.
That’s why I love you libs…we can have endless discussions on the blogs because you simply can never answer a simple question about this issue.
Gotta run
September 5th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I’ll address it right now.
I don’t think of the fetus that can not live on it’s own as a person.
I realize that it is an emotional issue.
I bring up the ‘born’ because I see it as a matter of priorities : like endangering the baby, while trying to save the embryos in petri dishes.
The difference is that stark to me.
Another example of priorities , is Sarah Palin slashing funds to homes for pregnant teens. If life in the womb is SO important to her shouldn’t she want to diminish as much of the fear and distress for girls who are scared, alone and often wretched?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Oh, Perry,
I forgot, I DO appreciate the courtesy.
Gotta go,
Good night All.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
During the last election the Republicans with their 527 ads trashed a Vietnam veteran who did go into harms way as opposed to his opponent (the current President). Now they are using Vietnam once again to win by selling the compelling biography of Senator McCain. It seems that is all they can do because they have been in power for 6 of the last 8 years and this country is not better than it was in 2000.
There are rampant forclosures, a weak job market (600K plus jobs lost this year) and the government is about to bail out Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. I want you all to pass this along and hopefully wake up this nation. A compelling biography does not translate into sound policy and we need to get back to issues that will show that the Republicans are out of step with most of America when it comes to the economy and the war in Iraq.
Governor Palin spoke from prepared notes in Wisconsin where she mentioned that Senator McCain is the only candidate that actually fought for this country. Well, Senator Obama could not control when he was born but he did fight for the down trodden/common man as a community organizer; something the Governor seems to like making fun of. He has contribute to his community, state and now wants to contribute to this nation and if we can just get away from the Republicans wanting to re-live the Vietnam war we will see that he is the right man at the right time.
Trashing a Vietnam vet one election then praising another just because you agree with that person’s politics is cynical and we don’t need more cynicism and bad policy the next four years.
Respectully,
Robert V. Simpson
Westampton, NJ
September 6th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
“You can even start by becomming a community organizer.”
Note Alan. The operative word here is “START”. But that is Obama’s ONLY actual experience he has in his resume. Hardly qualifications for State Senator, let alone US Senator. Or governor (even of a tiny little place, like energy rich Alaska), or for that matter as mayor of a lousy little backwater like Wasilla.
CNN Alan. That really is your calling. Immediately at the end of McCains speech, they offered the following:
Quick Vote
Which is better experience for someone running for the White House?
Small-town mayor
Community organizer
No difference
I know your role on Fox is to defend Liberalism – and believe me their are some very worthy liberal causes. But defending Obama – a complete fraud – a con man (a very GOOD con man – but a con man nonetheless) is not one of them.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Alan: Here’s some worrying syatistics for you. Blacks (It is detestible that we classify people this way – black, white, Christian, Muslim, etc, etc) represent 10% +/- of the American population. Polls show they will vote 93% – 3% for the BLACK candidate – a 90% spread. Now black always vote 90% Democrat – but they voted the exact same in their own primaries – AGAINST a qualified, intelligent candidate with better minority rights credentials than anybody (including – especially including the likes of Jackson and Sharpton) since a truly great MAN (not just BLACK man), Martin Luther King. 15% of WHITE voters polled indicated that race was an issue in their election considerations – real numbers probably higher – 20%+. But only 8% of blacks admit to the same. In reality, higher – MUCH HIGHER – at least 75 – 80%. Racism is “alive and well” (an expression) worldwide. Try being Korean in Japan, Philipino in Rhijad, etc, etc, etc. It exists still in the white community. It is THRIVING in the black community. This vote is blatant racism. At 50-50 (42-42) polling – STATISTICALLY removing the black vote leaves a 56-44 vote amongst the majority of the population. If Obama wins on the back of this clearly racist vote, by a racist minority, it is in fact the equivalent to a “coup d’etat”. Democracy is rule by MAJORITY, not minority. So where are the black leaders on this issue. Or people like yourself – champions of the people. Why is this issue being swept under the table Alan. Imagine the screams of racism being hurled by thye Jacksons, and Sharpton, and Colmes (AND JUSTIFYABLY SO), If 93% of whites,or 93% of women, or 93% of Hispanics all voted AGAINST a black candidate. Well that would be RACISM. If that occurs, there will be NO black representation left anywhere, not even in unsofistcated little backwater towns like wasilla, Alaska, where people obviously hide their bitterness in religion and guns, and the men call the women “sweetie”.
This is a sertious issue. I am 60, a retired oilfield drilling consultant with 35 years of international (working and living) experience. I meet aLOT of people – intelligent people – doers not talkers, dream producers not promisers – and we converse. This issue is not unnoticed, just not openly discussed – yet. But is is simmering, and could explode. Their will be a backlash, if not brought out into the open for discussion and debate. Heated – probably. Nasty – very likely. But in this case, words will be better than action (violent backlash is not out of the question)
CNN posts the most biased, racist, feminist rubbish. But will not post my comments. (ps to DINERS, and CNN’ other advertisers – I believe CNN will find yourself running a non profit organization soon, or thgeir advertisers will)
September 6th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
“But that is Obama’s ONLY actual experience he has in his resume”
Actually that is not true. Obama has done other activities.. however he has chosen to keep them silent, for some strange reason.
Don’t you find it odd that a person running for office whose major liability is that he has no experience , would deliberately ommitt pertitant information?
The jobs he has ommitted:
Chairman of Chicago Allenberg Foundation , founded by William Ayers, radical Timothy McVeigh of the 70s
Boardmember – Woods Fund, along with William Ayers
Founder – Public Allies – Training camp for street radicals.
===========
Our little Marxist is trying to bamboozle the gullible and completely stupid American Left
September 6th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Again from where I am sitting you are doing some community organizing yourself. Actually, you almost took the exact same words out of my mouth – our little friend on this blog trying to bamboozle the gullible and completely confused visitor to this blog.
I may have been born at night but, not last night. You are a fraud, spreading all of this bs propoganda on this blog. Talk about trying to bamboozle!
September 6th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Anita: If you’re claiming that I’m passing along untruths, then by all means let me know what is false, so that I can retract it.
September 6th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Actually Allan, I’ve just re read your entire diatride. Only raise taxes on 2% of people. Barack “Robin Hood” Obama. But raising business and corporate taxes, and payroll taxes, and death duty. Na they don’t count. (sort of like you – can you count). I think we can count on you being misleading. Intellectually dishonest, and really( and sorry) but not very clever. You should try hanging out at CNN’s blogs. They welcome the intellectually challenged there. I think you could make friends.
Go put your question to the “messiah”. Show one concrete, CREDIBLE plan or proposal put forth that is not just a pie in the sky “promise of future wealth and salvation, of eternal piece and happiness and prosperity to all ” (except the top 2%).
September 6th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
It’s over Alan….you cannot get tickets for a McCain-Palen ralley right now…all my liberal neighbors love Sarah…they are flocking to her…..Obama will lose Pennsylvania….
September 7th, 2008 at 12:48 am
My, my, aren’t we just so smug and smart, Alan. How clever this little article. But I will point out one of your many mistakes – in your interview with Mike Huckabee, who had actual responsibilities when he was governor of Arkansas, you repeated the same error your ol’ buddy Keith O. did on MSNBC. Mr. Huckabee pointed out in his speech that Palin had received more votes as Mayor than Biden did for President in 2008. You hotly disagreed, and listed the number of votes Biden received in the primaries. But any intelligent person knows that in the primaries, Biden was not running for President – he was running to become the Democratic nominee for President. So you see, Huckabee was totally correct, and you were Wrong Again!
September 7th, 2008 at 7:22 am
” Biden was not running for President – he was running to become the Democratic nominee for President. So you see, Huckabee was totally correct, and you were Wrong Again!”
……………………..
Do we bother pointing out how desparate this is, or does it just speak for itself?
September 7th, 2008 at 7:39 am
“Sarah: I got news for you ABSTINENCE actually works when implemented. The key word there Sarah is implemented.”
Why bothering to tell ME, Smee? Tell it to Sarah Palin’s daughter. She’s the one who had it drilled into her head all these years. How come it didn’t work for her? Surely she, what was it? ‘Implemented’ it?
How does one institute abstinence when they’re being raped, molested, or incestually approached, I wonder?
September 8th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
rich people are using their tax cuts to buy gold toilets. trickle down economics.
palin wore a pat buchanan button.
September 8th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
so palin wants abstinence only education in the schools but not in her own home?
September 8th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
GOOD GOD Sarah….Get a Clue.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:09 am