On Wednesday’s Radio Show…
September 17th, 2008, 6:00 PM EDT
• Immigration expert Edward Alden argues that we’ve tightened our national borders too much, basically cutting ourselves off from the rest of the world.
• Phil Munger, Alaskan activist and editor of the “Progressive Alaska” blog, sheds some light on Sarah Palin’s extreme beliefs, most notably on creationism.
• Sen. McCain, just yesterday flatly rejecting an AIG bailout, seems to think it’s not such a bad idea after all now that it’s going to happen.
I am amazed at the vitriolic things said about you. I really appreciate your bringing an opposing viewpoint to H&C and find your arguments well founded and thought provoking (even though I disagree with you). I appreciate you making me think. You would be even more thought provoking if Hannity did not interrupt you ALL the time while you are making your points.
September 17th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
They’re lying about Barack Obama’s position on sex education.
(K-12 means KINDEGARDEN dope. Change the bill if you dont like the K in there loser)
They’re lying about Sarah Palin saying “Thanks, but no thanks,” to the Bridge to Nowhere”.
(after seeing the pricetag and being fiscally responsible UNLIKE YOUR PARTY)
They’re lying about Sarah Palin renouncing earmarks. (YES SHE HAS- what planet are you living on? Shouldn’t you be talking to Biden, Dodd and Obama?)
They’re lying about how much energy Alaska produces.(what were they off by a 1/2 a kilowatt alan? you dork, so Al Gore only uses the amount of energy a month to supply 210 homes, not 211..)
They’re lying about whether Palin went to Iraq. (sure alan)
They’re lying about a trip to Ireland, which was just a refueling stop. (So what, i hope she had a beer and didnt stop off at trinity to pray that all white people like alan would leave the us of kka.)
Anything else you liberal idiots?
September 17th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
do you see how dumb you libbs sound?
September 17th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
We have indeed closed our borders too much. The U.S. has long benefited from legal immigration (not wanting to get into an argument over whether we also benefit from illegal immigration – it is a different subject).
Many of the best minds from around the world have long flocked to the U.S. to study. Often they stick around after they finish school and have contributed to the amazing innovations that the U.S. has led. Now it is increasingly difficult to come to the U.S. on a student visa, and thus people are going elsewhere, in droves. We are going to be hurt in the long run as a result.
I have heard many horror stories from Brazilian friends who want to come to the U.S. on a tourist visa. You would not believe the red tape. Or the insulting way our consulates treat them. People with good jobs, property, etc… in Brazil who are refused a tourist visa. People visiting the U.S. on a business visa who are refused the right to stay over the weekend to do some sightseeing if their meetings ends on a Friday.
It is crazy and self destructive.
September 17th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Commenter at CNN.com:
Republicans lowered my taxes, and will keep them low. But the value of my home has dropped 20%, my health insurance costs have doubled, gas costs $4 a gallon, and my investments are in the tank. Please, tax me.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Hey Alan I am 21 and A conservative. I just want to let you know I appreciate you staying true to your beliefs and having the respect and patience to be able to share a stage with someone so opposite to you. Even though I might not agree with your positions on issues it is nice to hear where the other side is coming from. You seem to be the only Left wing journalist/commentator that does not hide behind the “Independent” mask and pretend to be neutral. It is no secret where you are coming from with your views and it is hard to find journalist as honest as you. good luck!
September 17th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Open borders (free immigration) and free trade are a good deal for corporate business interests but less of a good deal for “people”.
Anything or anyone in the USA can be replaced with less expensive imports. As a bonus, the steady threat from cheaper, imported goods/labor will also serve to maintain downward pressure on surviving, domestic American expenses.
From Amazon: “… more stringent security can damage the U.S. economy by discouraging trade, tourism and an influx of bright minds and diligent workers.”
Alden is probably a big fan of Tom Friedman. People are only “workers”, diligent or otherwise, and our purpose here is only to service the economy.
The world isn’t “flat”, it’s still “round” just like it’s always been.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
stoopid conns
September 17th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
The Straight Talk Express is backpedaling…
McCain as of 48 hours ago was for deregulation. Now he is for regulating. Now I’ll hear some attack on Obama that isn’t true to make these little cons feel better about themselves.
I got a question for you right wing fools.
How is McCain going to help us?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I cannot believe some of the comments on this website. America do you realize that the world is watching you. If Obama doesn’t win this election your country will become a bigger joke than it is already. It is so clear to the rest of the world who should win. Are you too stupid to see through the pathetic picky, even propagandist arguments put forward by such human embarrassment’s as Bill ‘Goebbels’ O’ Reilly. Stop blindly following such backward ignorant ways of thinking and start to use your rationality!!!!!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
US Customs officers have always been surly. It’s part of the job description. They’re trying to shake you up as you pass by them. A little bit of pressure and those who are up to something are supposed to lose their cool and expose themselves. Surliness is part of their training.
If you think American customs officers are surly, introduce yourself to some of those overseas and see how “friendly” they are.
The no-fly-list? James Moore co-wrote “Bush’s Brain”. Moore was placed on the terrorist watch list. Teddy Kennedy was on the terrorist watch list. Nelson Mandela was on it.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Alaskian Daily News
Tangled web leads to Adak power shutdown
EMERGENCY: Fuel is there, but city can’t afford it; citizens advised to leave.
Check out the entire publication if you want a snap shot of where we are headed as small town america in a mccain-palin world.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Well,
I’d rather be cold than dead beacuse that’s what we’ll be when Barry freezes as the Iranian nukes hit the ground and he’s worried about activating the EMS so we don’t have another Katrina.
Wake up people….This guys dangerous to the future integrity of the USA.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:35 am
“Republicans lowered my taxes, and will keep them low. But the value of my home has dropped 20%, my health insurance costs have doubled, gas costs $4 a gallon, and my investments are in the tank. Please, tax me.
Posted by judybrowni
September 17th, 2008 at 9:04 pm”
You could thank the Democrats for the conditions of your real estate value , credit, and fuel costs.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:31 am
“It is no secret where you are coming from with your views and it is hard to find journalist as honest as you. good luck!
Posted by Carlos Arguello
September 17th, 2008 at 9:24 pm”
Too bad Alan has become the worst sort of character assasain and unrepentant liar.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:33 am
“America do you realize that the world is watching you.
Posted by Sarah Murphy
September 17th, 2008 at 10:42 pm”
So what. Like I care what the rest of the screwy world thinks.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:37 am
“Wake up people…”
That’s a pretty damn arrogant thing to say, and, thanks, but we’re already awake.
Maybe you should trying on your brain.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:37 am
“Maybe you should trying on your brain.”
And maybe I should try turning on a damn grammar checker! Grrrrrr…
September 18th, 2008 at 4:39 am
” who cares what the rest of screwy world thinks.” that’s probably the dumbest remake ever made! for a country so obsessed with oil and our creature comforts we better be concerned with the rest of the world, or are we stupid enough to think we can go on without the men in the flowing white robes? oh oops i forgot all that is solved because sp knows more about energy than anyone else in the country and can repeat the mantra, ” drill here drill now.” never mind that we won’t see that oil for thirty years!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:23 am
If anyone is a danger to the future integrity of the USA, CC, it would have to be a secessionist-leaning would-be VP.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:27 am
5% of the population, 25% of the petroleum usage. If you want to keep guzzling gas at your devil-may-care rate, it might be a good idea to worry about how the rest of the world views you.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Posted by susan march
September 18th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Tell me … which country’s words should I care about?
Russia’s? Communist China? Iran? Zim? Leitchenstein?
Tell me… and then tell me if the people in those nations take the risks we do to advance the cause of liberty in the world.
I’ll say it again… I don’t care what they think.
My family didn’t move to the USA because the place they left was so wonderful.
The rest of the world should care about what we think… because the moment we no longer act as the world’s policeman all hell will break loose.
All you Leftists are weak selfish cowards, you disgrace the heritage , legacy and responsibility that this nation has.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:09 am
we have made the choice which countries we have to care about, the ones that contain and can appease our never ending quest of oil. if you really believe that we shouldn’t care about our relationships with other countries, then just tell them all to go to hell and keep their oil and everything else we import.you imply that we can stand alone, ok then let’s stand alone.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I primarly watch Fox. I am Republican, woman, age 65, and retired. I want to hear both sides and try to believe Fox is fair to both canidates. But they will not let Colmes talk long enough without interruption to make his point. I thought last evening (Wednesday September 17), Carl Rove was completely out of line saying Colmes was embarrasing himself. (I have heard this statement before). If you want viewers like myself to continue watching Fox, then quit being so rude and let me truly hear both sides. To get both sides I have now decided to watch both CNN and Fox. I just want to get both sides and decide for myself. There is too many news comments out there that are so far from the truth, we need to be able to hear all sides.
September 18th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Susan
The United States gives MORE aid to MORE countries than anyone else in the world, regardless of their ability to “give” something to us. Your statement is untrue.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:50 pm