Joe The Plumber Is Now A War Correspondent
January 7th, 2009, 3:32 PM EST
As Dave Barry would say, “You can’t make this stuff up.” Not-Joe the non-licensed plumber is on his way to Israel as a war correspondent for a conservative website.
Wurzelbacher says he’ll spend 10 days covering the fighting and explaining why Israeli forces are mounting attacks against Hamas.
He tells WNWO-TV in Toledo that he wants “go over there and let their ‘Average Joes’ share their story.”
Joe said during the campaign that a vote for Obama was a vote for the death of Israel, and so I’m sure we’ll get some real good journalism here.
What’s that, Mr. Colmes? Someone’s shooting rockets at your house and the best the police are can do is ask them to stop it? Welcome to Israel…
January 7th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Wow…this is a low for you Alan.
What’s the purpose of you posting this? It’s obvious you don’t like “Joe” because he dared question the great Obama. But that has absolutely nothing to do with him going to Israel to get the average man’s take on what’s happening in their country.
If you’re so interested in the quality of reporting by “Joe”, why not pack a bag and go cover the conflict yourself?
Not a good move with this post, Alan. I’m a bit disappointed…
January 7th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Jared (I),
What’s so low about it?
I can see it’s not worth a mention, but what’s low about it?
And what did he “DARE” to question the great Obama?
January 7th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
redistribution of wealth is what he dared ask. you tell me when in the history of elections an average citizen has asked in his front lawn, a man who wants to be president a question about his policy and then the AVERAGE CITIZEN gets investigated???????
I heard the lady in ohio who abused her position to get dirt on joe lost her job.
Journalism from an average joe can’t be any worse than the other “journalistic” crap on the big 3.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
What’s daring about it? “Redistribution of wealth” was
the right wing mantra through out the whole election cycle. Big deal.
Streaking across the lawn would also have been daring, and would also have gotten him media attention.
Who cares?
January 7th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Where did our idiot run off to?
Sincerely,
Village
January 7th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
“who cares?” I dunno old. maybe you should ask the democrats who launched the investigation against the guy, or maybe even alan for posting it to his blog??
January 7th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
OLD LEFTY,
the phrase “Redistribution of Wealth” may have been coined by the Right Wing, but only after Obama enlightened us with his social plan. And it IS a big deal as I’ve worked very hard all of my life to get to the income level/social status that I’m at right now. I absolutely do not believe it’s the Gov’s right/responsibility to take my money and decide for themselves to whom it goes.
It was daring because the left-wing media gave Obama a pass on EVERYTHING, and this one, no-named guy, had the cajones to ask a real question…off script, no teleprompter, and no talking points…”spread the wealth” was the result.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Yawn,
Isn’t this guys 15 minutes up yet?
January 7th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
The biggest transfer of wealth in the history of our nation. Bush transfering money to the rich and foreign countries. As for the wanna be plummer,please go home.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
GO CARDS,
It’s not the biggest transfer of wealth in history…it’s basic economics. Transferring wealth implies getting something for nothing.
You don’t “transfer your wealth” every time you go to the store, do you (although it may feel like it, sometimes)? No, and it’s because you received something in return that has been valued at the same monetary amount you just gave.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
We get rid of one idiot at a time.Besides the new president elect taking office on January 21, 2009 an even more historic milestone will take place that same day in Aviation history.The fastest commercial jet liner in the history of aviation will be unvailed for the maiden flight and will carry George Bush of town.
nate jaeger
natejaeger.com
January 7th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Maybe he has a hidden talent. Maybe he will be good at this. We don’t know until he is given the chance. Boy you libs are sure quick jumping off the cliff before looking.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
biggest transfer of wealth in the history of our nation? where do you get your numbers?
Transfer of wealth is taking money from neighbor A who works, and giving it to neighbor B who does not.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
i think the trip overseas we should be talking about is the one Joe the vp Biden will be taking next week. After all the talk barack has done about ensuring the world KNOWS there is only one government so we remain a legitimate voice in the world, joe decides to take a trip.
But he ensures us he will only be going as himself. not as the vp
January 7th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
who cares?” I dunno old. maybe you should ask the democrats who launched the investigation against the guy, or maybe even alan for posting it to his blog??
Posted by blissfulconservative
……………………………………
Is that different that investigating Graeme Frost who
gave the Democratic response to the president’s Saturday radio address on Sept. 28, talking about the then-threatened veto of the $35 billion expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)?
January 7th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Old,
The difference I see in the two instances were that the graeme family were politically involved in pushing a bill, whereas joe the plumber was some guy off the street asking a question. I don’t know much about the graeme case.
I would also ask this question. In the case of joe the plumber there were allegations that a government employee abused her power to get joe’s private records, were the same allegations thrown about in the graeme case? Or was the investigation simply finding out that they had added onto their house, were sending their kids to private school, etc?
Public information is one thing, but when a government employee uses their position to snoop on records that are protected by privacy laws that is something entirely different.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Posted by Jared (I) – Texas
the phrase “Redistribution of Wealth” may have been coined by the Right Wing, but only after Obama enlightened us with his social plan. And it IS a big deal as I’ve worked very hard all of my life to get to the income level/social status that I’m at right now. I absolutely do not believe it’s the Gov’s right/responsibility to take my money and decide for themselves to whom it goes.
…………………………….
Then you should be angry when the Republicans, (and some Democrats) redistribute the wealth from the middle class to the millionaires and billionaires so they can move to China and the Marianna Is. and use sweatshop labor.
Or give give no bid corporate contracts at cost plus to private contractors who “lose” 9 billion in Iraq.
Or decide that YOU can compete for the lowest wage, but THEY cannot compete for the lowest price, by letting you shop for Rx in Canada?
January 7th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
So if Joe the Plumber becomes Joe the War Correspondent for a conservative Websight no one here goes to anyway, WHO CARES! This isn’t news, I’m just glad the guy has work and isn’t on unemployment.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I don’t think I would want to shop for RX in canada. They have cases now of fake drugs from china that are acutally making folks sick.
http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=1147676
and it isn’t the first time it has happened
January 7th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
The rich got richer and we took money to fight a war and agree with you OLDEFTY. Yes some dems are guilty,but under the GOP watch.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
blissfulconservative,
So you are OK with the government telling you where you shop and who can copete for your business?
We have drugs found in drinking water.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-10-drugs-tap-water_N.htm
Many of our generics are made in India and China.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
blissfulconservative,
We have drugs found in drinking water.
(GOOGLE USA, link won’t go through)
Many of OUR generics are made in India and China.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I’m sorry, I thought it didn’t go through.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Old,
We are more strict (FDA) than canada from what I have researched. yes we have drugs in drinking water, but that has nothing to do with buying BAD drugs in canada. I am talking cardiac meds, diabetic meds, etc. They are killing folks, or brining them to death’s door.
I am fine with paying a little more for a med knowing it is what it is supposed to be.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
We are more strict then Canada. I used to work for a medical device manufacturer and we were able so sell to Canada and Europe years before we were able to get our FDA approval.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Be thankfor we’re not in Iraq. Halliburton is poisoning ahd electrocuting the soldiers. So much for Cheney supporting the troops.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ2B3Nyz-6M&feature=email – 112k – Cached
January 7th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
OLD LEFTY,
Sometimes I have no idea where you’re coming from…transferring wealth from the middle class to millionaires and billionaires so they can move to China and the Marianas Is? What are you talking about??? Sweatshop labor? Examples, please!
Also, I’m not privy to how the government awards contracts, so I can’t comment on your saying the Gov handed out no-bid contracts for Iraq. Examples of this as well, please…
January 7th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
TDRO
who is that guy, who made the video and how do you know it isn’t a fake?
Youtube is not a credible source in and of itself. Do you know how many people make stuff up and post there?
January 7th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Blissful:
You don’t like that one? You want another source? Well, ask and you shall receive.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/09/america/NA-GEN-US-Iraq-Contaminated-Water.php
January 7th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I keep trying to post my sources, but the site won’t let me.
Anyway, this is from CNN:
WASHINGTON — Dozens of U.S. troops in Iraq fell sick at bases using “unmonitored and potentially unsafe” water supplied by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheney’s former company, the Pentagon’s internal watchdog says.
A report obtained by The Associated Press said soldiers experienced skin abscesses, cellulitis, skin infections, diarrhea and other illnesses after using discolored, smelly water for personal hygiene and laundry at five U.S. military sites in Iraq.
The Defense Department’s inspector general’s report, which could be released as early as Monday, found water quality problems between March 2004 and February 2006 at three sites run by contractor KBR Inc., and between January 2004 and December 2006 at two military-operated locations.
It was impossible to link the dirty water definitively to all the illnesses, according to the report. But it said KBR’s water quality “was not maintained in accordance with field water sanitary standards” and the military-run sites “were not performing all required quality control tests.”
January 7th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Jared (I) – Texas,
As for transfer of wealth:
First their tax breaks…
FROM congressional Quarterly:
Aug. 12, 2008
“Most corporations, including the vast majority of foreign companies doing business in the United States, pay no income taxes, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Tuesday.
During the eight-year period covered by the report, 72 percent of foreign-owned corporations went at least one year without owing taxes, and the same was true for 55 percent of domestic corporations. “
We know they move their headquarters to PO boxes offshore.
We all know about the sweatshops in China.
Re: the Mariana Islands
From CNN:
“As chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Frank Murkowski became furious at the abusive sweatshop conditions endured by workers, overwhelmingly immigrants, in the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, of which Saipan is the capital.
Moved by the sworn testimony of U.S. officials and human-rights advocates that the 91 percent of the workforce who were immigrants — from China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — were being paid barely half the U.S. minimum hourly wage and were forced to live behind barbed wire in squalid shacks minus plumbing, work 12 hours a day, often seven days a week, without any of the legal protections U.S. workers are guaranteed, Murkowski wrote a bill to extend the protection of U.S. labor and minimum-wage laws to the workers in the U.S. territory of the Northern Marianas.
Because they were produced in a territory of the United States, garments traveled tariff-free and quota-free to the profitable U.S. market and were entitled to display the coveted “Made in the USA” label.
DeLay fully approved of the working and living conditions. The Texan’s salute to the owners and Abramoff’s government clients was recorded by ABC-TV News: “You are a shining light for what is happening to the Republican Party, and you represent everything that is good about what we are trying to do in America and leading the world in the free-market system”
Later, DeLay would tell The Washington Post’s Juliet Eilperin that the low-wage, anti-union conditions of the Marianas constituted “a perfect petri dish of capitalism. It’s like my Galapagos Island.””
No bid cost plus contract below.(If you are interested)
January 7th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
We all know about the no bid contract.
A cost-plus contract, is a contract framed in such a way that when the contractor finishes the agreed-upon work, they receive compensation equal to their expenses plus a profit. It is different than a fixed price contract, in which the contractor is paid a negotiated amount regardless of incurred expenses.
•Requires additional oversight and administration to ensure that only permissible costs are paid and that the contractor is exercising adequate overall cost controls.
•Properly designing award or incentive fees also requires additional oversight and administration.
•There is little incentive to be efficient
Imagine a painter says, “pay me $20 to buy the paint”, then says, “I dropped the paint. I need 20 more.
A Pentagon audit of $8.2 billion in American taxpayer money spent by the United States Army on contractors in Iraq has found that almost none of the payments followed federal rules and that in some cases, contracts worth millions of dollars were paid for despite little or no record of what, if anything, was received.
The US flew nearly $12bn in shrink-wrapped $100 bills into Iraq, then distributed the cash with no proper control over who was receiving it and how it was being spent.
The staggering scale of the biggest transfer of cash in the history of the Federal Reserve has been graphically laid bare by a US congressional committee.
In the year after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 nearly 281 million notes, weighing 363 tons, were sent from New York to Baghdad for disbursement to Iraqi ministries and US contractors. Using C-130 planes, the deliveries took place once or twice a month with the biggest of $2,401,600,000 on June 22 2004, six days before the handover.
. According to MSN Money, Halliburton’s KBR, Inc. division bilked government agencies to the tune of $17.2 billion in Iraq, a whopping one-fifth of KBR’s total revenue for the 2006 fiscal year.
First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting is another example of the apparent cronyism that has gone into the process of awarding Iraq war contracts. It now seems that the company has succeeded on the strength of its ties to Bush Administration officials than its business merits. Rival companies have been extremely vocal in their displeasure at First Kuwaiti being awarded $500 million to build a US embassy in Baghdad.
“First Kuwaiti was not the lowest bidder”, complained Framco senior vice-president Gilles Kacha.
Perini (controlled by financier Richard Blum) is one of the more controversial companies to have scored big-time Iraq war money. That’s because Blum’s wife, Senator Dianne Feinstein, appears to have used her seat on the Military Construction Appropriations subcomittee to steer the $650 million environmental cleanup deal in his favor. This has lead to outrage and cries for conflict of interest investigations among those in the media, as well as Feinstein’s peers in Congress. Feinstein has also neglected to comment on this potential conflict of interest. This has lead to what Metroactive.com calls an “omission [that] has called her ethical standards into question.”
(Could this be why she is so upset about Leon Panetta?)
And these are just 3 of the top 25 war profiteers.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Old,
No bid contracts have been around and they are common in the government and the private sector. They are very convenient when you are in a hurry and do not want to go through the process of bids/etc.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
“No bid contracts have been around and they are common in the government and the private sector.”
That doesn’t doesn’t have anything to do with the billions that went missing, or the fact that those make the money are also those who have started the war, or that there is no accountability, or that “Rival companies have been extremely vocal in their displeasure at First Kuwaiti being awarded $500 million to build a US embassy in Baghdad.
“First Kuwaiti was not the lowest bidder”, complained Framco senior vice-president Gilles Kacha.”,
or that it’s a massive transfer of wealth.
It’s just that you approve of this tranfer of wealth
January 7th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Damn I wish I could work the no bid cost plus model into the quotes I do for the company I work for. Any mistakes I make in the bidding process result in a loss for my company and an uncomfortable meeting with me and management. Of course as most of the jobs I quote on go to the lowest bidder, no questions asked, the industry saying is “he who makes the biggest mistake gets the job”
January 7th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig!! Joe the Plum bob is still a putz!
January 7th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
“”but THEY cannot compete for the lowest price, by letting you shop for Rx in Canada?”"
Shhh, OL, please, we’ve got enough of you lot up here already!
;-)
And BILS, the drugs here are the same as what you pay for in the US, they are either EXACTLY the same, but cheaper, or EXACTLY the same chemical compounds. And many are manufactured in Asia. Where do you think many of yours are made? Disneyland?
This mis-statement by you:
“” (Canadian drugs) are killing folks, or brining (sic) them to death’s door.”"
Is so ludicrously hilarious that I’ve quoted you on another site, hope you don’t mind…
;-)
Keep ‘em coming!
January 7th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I am surprised Alan would ridicule a guy in the exact same position as he is – entering a new public arena with no apparent skills.
If “Joe the Plumber” wants to go to Israel as a reporter why should Alan care or find it necessary to demean him? I thought Libs were compassionate and caring of “the little guy”…
January 7th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
You are right Kregg. It’s just that it all seems a bit odd, doesn’t it?
I mean the guy doesn’t really seem like the sharpest crayola in the box, does he?
Most journalists are trained and educated professionals, on the right and left.
It seems like a stunt to attract more hits to the site.
If the GOP wants to send someone into a deadly war zone, why not Dick Morris for Pete’s sake!
January 7th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
[...] Joe The Plumber Is Now A War Correspondent at alan.com. [...]
January 7th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
OLD LEFTY,
It’s apparent you’ve spent a lot of sleepless nights on this one, so I’ll have to be careful of my responses:
I can’t comment on the legal loophole created by, probably a corrupt politician, allowing companies to be based on foreign soil…but I think it may be due to the fact the US has the fourth highest corporate tax rate in the world…funny how you forgot to mention that little nugget.
As far as the abuse of guest workers in the Mariana Is, it’s a proven fact the islands themselves lobbied to be excluded from the US Federal Minimum Wage Act, and the US immigration and Nationality Act. So, there is no legal ground the US can stand on in enforcing either wage or nationality complaints (I believe this is where Jack Abramoff comes into the picture).
As far as the housing issue: each person working in a clothing production shop has to pay for housing, just as you and I do. They have the option of renting a room in the contractor-provided dorms, but most decide to save some money and rent smaller, “shanty” homes.
So, the bottom line here is, until the US Congress finally passes a bill that forces the Mariana Is to increase their min wage to that of the CONUS, there is nothing the US can do about making the companies pay their workers min wage, or more. And let me give the congress their due, they’ve proposed something like 30 bills to this effect, but none have passed because of powerful lobbyists working on behalf of the Mariana Is leadership.
Now, on to the contract issue. You’ve mentioned that no-bid contracts were awarded for Iraq, and without proper oversight, billions lost. I think I remember hearing something of this a couple of years ago…but unless you can cite specific examples of how the money was “lost”, then I’m afraid I can’t debate this with you. You know, at some point, we’re all going to have to give the people who make the big decisions the benefit of the doubt…I can already see it happening with Obama and his cabinet selections.
And as far as awarding contracts to a company other than the lowest bidder…where does it say the Gov MUST give a contract to the lowest bidder? If a company with a crappy track record submits a bid, and it’s the lowest bid, I’ll absolutely not award a contract to them. Instead, I’ll give the contract to the bidder who can give me exactly what I’m looking for at a competitive price. Other contractors are bound to “complain” because they have been passed over…that’s the nature of business. Get over it.
The numbers you posted regarding the “transfer of wealth” to Iraq, I’ll admit, look pretty staggering, but once again, the left has always, and probably will always complain about the monies being spent for reconstruction. Since you didn’t provide examples of how the money was being spent, I’ll help you out (as of late 2006, as I couldn’t find a credible report from the MSM detailing progress made since then):
- Six new primary care facilities, with 66 more under construction; 11 hospitals renovated; more than 800 schools renovated or built; more than 300 police stations and facilities built and 248 border control forts built.
- Added 407,000 cubic meters per day of water treatment (compared to the big fat 0 being treated back in ‘03); a new sewage-treatment system for Basra (compared to raw sewage being dumped into the Tigris); work on Baghdad’s three sewage plants continues (because none of them worked in ‘03); oil production exceeds the 2002 level of 2 million barrels a day by 500,000.
- The Ministry of Electricity now sends power to Baghdad for four to eight hours a day, and 10 to 12 for the rest of the country (versus the negligible power output out of Baghdad during Sadam’s reign). Iraqis are now free to buy consumer items such as generators, which provide some homes with power around-the-clock.
- A US Army Corps of Engineers said all this was accomplished despite a concerted effort by terrorists to bomb construction sites and kill workers. The State Department was forced to increase spending on security, up to $5 billion of the $20 billion, or risk losing more projects to saboteurs.
- Continued decrease in violence throughout Iraq because of new security measures and newly trained Iraqi security forces, both of which, cost money.
All of these positive things happening, and not a word from the MSM. That’s right, the MSM is anti-war and anti-Bush, so giving him credit for something positive just doesn’t fit into their political agenda.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Frosty said: You are right Kregg. It’s just that it all seems a bit odd, doesn’t it? I mean the guy doesn’t really seem like the sharpest crayola in the box, does he?
K: I don’t know how sharp he is. Neither does anyone else until he opens his mouth and produces… On the other hand, we have years of experience with Mr. Colmes and his special brand of apolegia and, therefore, have a database from which to judge his lack of skills.
F: Most journalists are trained and educated professionals, on the right and left. It seems like a stunt to attract more hits to the site.
K: Many of the journalists on the national scene have violated Mark Twain’s first commandment – “its better to be quiet and have people think you a fool than to open it and remove all doubt…”. Training and education for journalists in this country seem to increasingly consist of political indoctrination and how to spin your point of view and call it “journalism”. And, who cares if the website is seeking more hits – I think thats a good idea on their part. We will see if they judged correctly when he starts to report…
F: If the GOP wants to send someone into a deadly war zone, why not Dick Morris for Pete’s sake!
K: I don’t think the GOP owns the site or made the decision to send “Joe the Plumber” anywhere. And, since we still believe in a modicum of free enterprise down here why disparage what we haven’t seen yet?
I repeat my original assertion that Alan has violated Mark Twain’s commandment – the proof is in this particular pudding…
January 8th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Everyone should just be glad that “Joe” has a job and will not being going on welfare for the THIRD time. As for Obama bringing this guy into the spotlight, “Joe” asked a question that was more scripted than an episode of The Hills. John McCain mentioned “Joe” something like 30 TIMES during the third debate and also said he was taking “Joe” to Washington with him…which was totally strange and disturbing. One of the finest moments of 2008 was watching “Joe’s” state go to Obama. Good luck in Israeal “Joe” no one will be watching but we will all be laughing.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Ike,
“Joe’s” question to Obama was legitimate and one that should have been asked regularly by the sycophantic press. It was Obama’s response that caught those listening by surprise. “Spreading the wealth around…” is a code phrase for taking money from those who earn it and giving it to whoever the taker wishes to. In other words, pure conceptual socialism.
That private citizen “Joe” was investigated, had his privacy invaded, and generally publicly trashed by Obama’s butt-kissers ought to scare the hell out of each and every one of us who utters a public word…
January 8th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Kregg~ I totally agree with you.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Frosty,
Before you say someone’s post is bunk, do a little research.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Kudos kregg. My feelings exactly. Sad day in american politics when regular citizens are demonized because of asking questions the MSM should have been asking all along.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
While my politics don’t match up with Joe’s I could never get behind the way he was treated. I thought the way the republicans were parading him around like a prop was just silly and the way some on the left demonized him was not cool to me either. He did ask a legitimate question. If he can turn his 15 minutes into a carrier more power to him. I won’t be paying attention to his reports but that is just me.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Place said: I thought the way the republicans were parading him around like a prop was just silly and the way some on the left demonized him was not cool to me either.
Place,
It was a sign of McCain’s general incompetence to make such a use of “Joe”. McCain, himself, endorses Obama’s principles of limiting private citizens use of their personal moneys – think Campaign Finance Reform among others – so had no personal right to make the statements “Joe” was making so he toted the guy around like a pet seal appearing to endorse what “Joe” said without really doing so. McCain is a moderate Democrat and has no place representing himself as a conservative…
January 8th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
A moderate democrat can be the same as a left leaning republican. I am sick of tired of all the stupid labels.
People tote and spout them in arguments like they are the red badge of courage.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Bliss said: A moderate democrat can be the same as a left leaning republican. I am sick of tired of all the stupid labels. People tote and spout them in arguments like they are the red badge of courage.
Bliss,
I agree – McCain is a perfect example. I kind of like the moniker RINO (Republican In Name Only) but such a moniker has no meaning if no one knows what “Republican stands for as is currently the situation. The basic political issue today is between liberalism and conservatism and while the Dems don’t have many conservatives left I’m beginning to believe the Repubs don’t have many conservatives left either. Unfortunately for both parties – as they seek to embrace liberalism – too many people in this country are predominantly conservative on the issues at hand but there is no one party they can join forces with against liberalism so we get wishy-washy stances from both parties that divide and conquer and keep conservatism from winning out. If you doubt this, please consider that in an election that would normally go to the Dems because of an unpopular president, war, etc… Obama squeaked by with a very narrow majority of the popular vote.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for the good news, Kregg. But if you want to find them, they hang out on liberal websites.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I belive most Americans are moderates of one flavor or another. I know I have voted both parties depending on the situation. Neither party seems to capture my viewpoints accross the board. I seem to fairly liberal on most social issues but fiscally I am much more of a mixed bag.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Joe the plumber is a loser and a user. He claimed to be a patriotic guy, then we find out he owed back taxes. He used McCain to get his few minutes of fame, then he said derogatory statements about him.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Oh yeah, you are unpatriotic if you owe back taxes. How many people owe back taxes in this environment? How many folks are going to need a little forgiveness from the IRS come tax time this year?
I guess your school of though comes from Joe Biden’s remark that paying higher taxes makes you patriotic.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
To those who are constantly moaning and groaning about Obama, socialism etc, etc. Remember this nightmare economy took place under Rep. watch, the last eight years. Where would we be if W had succeeded in his nightmare plan to privatize social security? Unfortuntly some folks have nothing but social security.Instead of demeaning Obama you should all hope that he does succeed.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Paying your taxes: It’s called personal responsibility. Can I ask you this: Joe the plumber claimed he was going to buy a plumbing business. Was he planing to not pay his taxes so he could buy a business instead? He looked healthy, had a job, so WHY did he owe back taxes?People have a responsibility to pay taxes. And yes I would say that if you choose to spend your money elsewhere instead of paying taxes that you owe, you are indeed being unpatriotic.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
How many folks are going to need a little forgiveness from the IRS come tax time this year?
The IRS forgives? Damn. And I just wrote them a big check.
I guess your school of though comes from Joe Biden’s remark that paying higher taxes makes you patriotic.
We all serve our country in various ways, but yea, paying taxes is fundamental service to your country, and patriotic. As Susan mentioned, if he was ready to buy a biz turning a profit in excess of 250k per year, surely he could have paid his taxes?
January 8th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
“Joe” was never planning on buying anything. If you actually watch the interaction between “Joe” and Obama it is obvious that “Joe’s” side of the conversation was so scripted, rehersed and deliberate. It made Jerry Springer look like reality. This guy is a fraud who does not pay taxes because he doesnt have a JOB. Well now he does. Congrats “Joe” welcome to world of the real working man who do pay taxes.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Firstly, SUSAN, your facts are incorrect…the Republicans had a majority in Congress for only 6 of the last 8 years…and what, exactly have the Dems done to assuage the current “nightmare” economy (besides passing the biggest bailout in american history to corrupt wall street big wigs?, and now contemplating passing a stimulus package that would give tax cuts to people who don’t pay taxes…oh, and did I mention it’s packed full of pork?). When are you going to hold Barney Frank and Chris Dodd’s feet the fire, the way you just did when demonized the entire Republican Party?
Secondly, what a weird argument to make on the back taxes issue, SUSAN. I can tell from your post you’ve been following the liberal MSM reports on “Joe” for a while now. Unfortunately, all he owes is $1200 on back INCOME taxes. Millions of households have owed money to the IRS when they file their income tax return…are they unpatriotic?
You are correct, everyone has the responsibility to pay taxes, but not paying taxes doesn’t make you unpatriotic…it just means your pocketbook is a bit light. Have you ever been late on a bill? Does that make you unpatriotic?
And watch out there…Personal responsibility is a conservative tenet… I wouldn’t want you to get confused about your social identity there…
January 8th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
IKE…again with the whole scripted thing.
So, let me get this straight…McCain’s team (I’m assuming you mean that “Joe” got his “script” from McCain camp), knew exactly what street Obama was going to walk down, and at what time, and had contacted “Joe” prior to Obama walking down “Joe’s” street, and gave him a question to ask. Wow, that seems a bit heavy on the logistical side for anyone to pull off, much less a poorly run campaign as McCain’s. You’re a kook.
Are you one of those “GW bombed the WTC”, and “GW created Hurricane Katrina” conspiracy theorists as well?
January 8th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Jared (I) – Texas,
“but I think it may be due to the fact the US has the fourth highest corporate tax rate in the world…funny how you forgot to mention that little nugget. ”
…………………………….
According to the GAO, THEY DON”T PAY THEM!
As for the Mariana Islands and the other sweatshops, the point is that our workers compete for the lowest wages.
This is the race to the bottom.
As for the contractors:
It’s not so much about no bid, low bid etc as it is about those who profit from the war get to decide when we go to war and dole out the contracts.
I refer you to the book by Two-Time Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Major General Smedley D. Butler – USMC Retired
WAR IS A RACKET
“WAR is a racket. It always has been.
It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious.
It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small “inside” group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.”
The other problem is accountability.(Remember, this started with Mr Wurzelbacher complaining about wealth going from top to bottom)
Check out: Bunny Greenhouse
By Neely Tucker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 19, 2005; C0
Bunny Greenhouse was once the perfect bureaucrat, an insider, the top procurement official at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Then the 61-year-old Greenhouse lost her $137,000-a-year post after questioning the plump contracts awarded to Halliburton in the run-up to the war in Iraq.
Or from the WaPo:
Many of those chosen by O’Beirne’s office to work for the Coalition Provisional Authority, which ran Iraq’s government from April 2003 to June 2004, lacked vital skills and experience. A 24-year-old who had never worked in finance — but had applied for a White House job — was sent to reopen Baghdad’s stock exchange. The daughter of a prominent neoconservative commentator and a recent graduate from an evangelical university for home-schooled children were tapped to manage Iraq’s $13 billion budget, even though they didn’t have a background in accounting.
I’m sorry, this was a hiest!
As for accomplishments IN Iraq…Didn’t we do that after WW11 using local workers without the war profiteering and bringing in foreign workers?
Decreased violence in Iraq because, ethnic cleansing is complete, millions of refugees left,and according to the Congressional Research Service: In 2006, we started paying Sunnis NOT to fight us.
Not to mention, after the 2006 elections, Bush fired Rumsfeld,(who pushed out Gen Shinseki who said we need more troops), and implemented Shinseki’s original plan, but called it “the surge”.
Lastly, as to the MSM being anti Bush and anti war:
#1) Judith Miller and the NYT printed EVERYTHING Scooter Libby told her. Then Cheney goes on Meet the Press and quotes the NYT,as if it were a corroborating source, while no one in the MSM points out that the source for the NYT was Cheney.
#2) Former Cheney communications director, Cathie Martin testified that;
“I suggested we put the vice president on ‘Meet the Press,’ which was a tactic we often used,” Martin testified. “It’s our best format.”
She wrote,
Option 1: “MTP-VP,” then listed the pros and cons of a vice presidential appearance on the Sunday show. Under “pro,” she wrote: “control message.”
#3)Sumner Redstone said in an interview with Time (10/4/04):
There has been comment upon my contribution to Democrats like Senator Kerry. Senator Kerry is a good man. I’ve known him for many years. But it happens that I vote for Viacom. Viacom is my life, and I do believe that a Republican administration is better for media companies than a Democratic one.
The media LOVES war, it sells.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Jared: No, I have never been late with a bill, nor have I ever owed the IRS any money. You can say what you want, but anyone who is shooting off his mouth about buying a business and still owes ANY back taxes is being self serving and not living up to his personal,and yes patriotic duty to pay his taxes. And I do not have time to watch liberal or conservative nonsense on tv. I’am far to busy working so I don’t end up like your hero, Joe the plumber.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Jared,
I never said McCain or his campaign made up the script “Joe” recited. I said it was scripted. I think “Joe” scripted it himself. I said John McCain blew “Joe” up as some hero when in fact this guy is actually a loser, and no poster child for personal responsibility. The interaction between “Joe” and Obama is obviously fake on the part of “joe” its no one but McCain’s fault it got exploited. I dont think “GW” conducted the 9/11 attacks, I know for a fact he had nothing to do with them, and that he did nothing to stop them from happening. Lets leave the GW for George Washington.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Jared: Furthermore, what does it matter whether he owed ONLY $1200.00, or $12,000.00? The issue is not in the amount, it is in the fact that he obviously was choosing not to pay. Could he not take out a loan to pay? After all he was going to take out a loan to buy his business, or was that just more BS?
January 8th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
SUSAN, “shooting off his mouth”? Nice.
Just so you know, this comes straight from the Court of Common Pleas in Ohio: “We do not notify people of tax liens when they are filed with the court. I am 99.9 percent positive that he wasn’t informed that he owed back taxes.”
What say you?
Ha, and now the guy is my hero? I could care less about “Joe” (which is more than I can say for the liberal media and the state official who dug into his personal records), and what he does with his time. I DO care about giving the guy the benefit of the doubt when it comes to this issue, unlike you and the MSM.
You didn’t answer my question: is everyone of the millions who owe taxes when they file their return unpatriotic?
Congratulations on paying your bills on time. I always applaud the fact that someone can assume the responsibility for paying their own bills without the federal government helping them out.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Jared,
“Joe” was on welfare TWICE. That is not personal responsibility.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Jared,
Unfortunately, all he owes is $1200 on back INCOME taxes. Millions of households have owed money to the IRS when they file their income tax return…are they unpatriotic?
He had a tax lien – it wasn’t just that he owed taxes when it was time to file. Maybe he had a good excuse not to pay his taxes (people certainly do fall on hard times) – but in his question to Obama he intimated that he was ready to buy a business turning a profit in excess of 250K per year, so surely he had 1200 bucks he could get to somewhere. At least in my experience it is hard to buy a business turning a profit that large for less than 1200 mangoes (2-5 times earnings would be a more likely price).
January 8th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Owing money when you file your taxes is totally different from have a tax lien filed. Again, why would anyone have to be notified that they owed taxes? If it is income tax, you can see it on your return. If it’s real estate taxes you either have the bill, or it’s added on to your mortgage. This is not rocket science!
January 8th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
OLD LEFTY,
Good points all; however, since the good General was speaking in hindsight, it’s safe to say that all wars had profiteers. Demonizing the Bush Admin and its supporters for this one is to conveniently forget the monies made in previous wars.
I agree whole-heartedly the lack of oversight caused a great number of issues in Iraq. You’ll get no argument from me on this front.
And isn’t it weird how you’re quick to point out the lack of experience when it comes to the people put in place to help the reconstruction in Iraq, but strangely silent about Obama, and his cabinet picks (Sanjay Gupta, Panetta)?
The media especially loves war when it can also shine a glaring light at the people in charge.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
IKE, my apologies for jumping to conclusions there. If “Joe” seemed to scripted, then that only means he had been thinking about that question for a while. For example, during the campaign, I was asked what one question I would ask either candidate if given the chance. I thought long and hard, and rehearsed what I would ask, how I would ask it, etc.
Being prepared could be misinterpreted as being scripted. I do see your point.
And my apologies again for the big leap I took with regards to your point.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
SUSAN, good points; however, I can’t honestly say if he knew or not, that’s not for me, or you, to say. I’d prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt instead of crucifying him.
Otherwise, leave the guy alone. The MSM has already made a pretty big mess of his private life (of which this applies). Let the guy go to Israel, and let’s see what happens.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
UM CARA,
If I were to contemplate buying a business, I definitely wouldn’t mix my personal and business finances. Perhaps he was going to get a business loan?
January 8th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
IKE, just saw the welfare post:
So the guy fell on hard times…maybe the plumbing business wasn’t doing all that well? And that makes the guy irresponsible?
by your argument, everyone on welfare is irresponsible?
January 8th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Jared (I) – Texas,
“And isn’t it weird how you’re quick to point out the lack of experience when it comes to the people put in place to help the reconstruction in Iraq, but strangely silent about Obama, and his cabinet picks (Sanjay Gupta, Panetta)?”
I get you, I’m not thrilled about Dr Gupta, but at least he is a doctor, those mentioned above had 0 experience in the field, in a place that is already hostile to us when there there were qualified Iraqis.
As for Panetta, I can see the point of someone who is clean and not engaged in cya, due to looking the other way on abuses and failures.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
touche on Gupta being a doctor at least…good one.
Also, Obama has said that he is going to keep the Dept Director and several others to counter-balance Panetta’s lack of intel experience.
Agree fresh blood offers different perspectives, but Hayden’s only been there for 4 years, and I haven’t heard a peep from anyone about how well/poorly he’s doing. What’s your take on him?
January 8th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
If I were to contemplate buying a business, I definitely wouldn’t mix my personal and business finances. Perhaps he was going to get a business loan?
I’ve never applied for a business loan w/ tax liens against me, but I guess a person could get one?
Anybody out there in liberaland world who doesn’t pay their taxes and has successfully received a business loan?
January 8th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Jared (I) – Texas,
Sorry, but I really don’t know eough to say ANYTHING about Hayden.
Can’t complain about Obama keeping Gates on though.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
” Joe the Plumber” is just milking his 15 minutes of fame. Problem is his clock is reading 14:56.
Oh so now he’s a journalist, right? And Britney Spears is a Harvard professor of quantum physics.
In case you guys have some spare brain cells not used to regurgitate Hannity and Limbaugh crap about how wonderful ” Joe the Plumber” is,maybe you should uses some objective THINKING about this. What qualifications does Joe HAVE in reporting? How about NONE. And yet he claims he wants to show the ” average Joe’s” side about this by going there? Really? Is he going to interview the Palestinians, perhaps, who are being killed by the HUNDREDS in this bombing and now military insurgence? He does know, doesn’t he that Israel is not letting foreign journnalists do any independent reporting.
I highly doubt ” Joe” actually gives a damn about the people being hurt in this. If he did, he’d be more useful using his ” fame” to gather aid for those affected in Gaza.
I’m not fooled. ” Joe” is in this for himself, not because he cares.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Jared: You’re the one who says you don’t like giving money to people who don’t work. But, now you admit that people can fall on hard times. Is it then ok to float then along? Gosh, you’re starting to sound like a “bleeding heart liberal.” See what can happen when you hang out on a liberal web site!
January 8th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Yeah Moe! You got it right! As I said in a much earlier post, Joe is a loser and a user. Why is this subject still being discussed? Because McCain and Palin were holding him up as an example of the adverage American citizen, NOT!
January 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
SUSAN, at what point did I say I was against giving help to those who genuinely need it? I did say that I always applaud those who are able to stand on their own two feet, but I did NOT say I’m against giving help to those who need it. Of course, there are still those who abuse the system and have made a living from government aid programs, but I don’t believe this is the case for “Joe”.
MOE,
Interesting insight. However, your obvious hatred for the man seems to have clouded your judgement on this one. It’s not your place to say he doesn’t have what it takes to objectively cover the war. As I said before, let the man go and try to do what he says he’s going to do. Once it’s all over, then we can debate how effective the guy was.
And since you brought up the idea of needing experience to do a job, what do you think about Panetta?
January 8th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
hahahahaha
Non-Joe the Not-plumber.
Funny.
And please, please, let his 15 min be up soon.
You know, there actually are a lot of more important things happening in our world…
January 8th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
“However, your obvious hatred for the man seems to have clouded your judgement on this one.”
Please! We read constantly, on this LIBERAL site, the rantings of right wingers who have complete disdain for Clinton and Carter and say some pretty vile things. Before you start accusing anybody else of being hateful, look at your own side.
January 8th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
and darn I can’t type today.
January 8th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
“My side?” What, exactly is “my side”? If you’ll look over all of my posts, you’ll find that I’ve been equally judgmental of both Dems and Repubs.
January 8th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Jared: Sorry I must have missed the “equally judgemental” stuff.
January 8th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I must have missed that “equally judgemental” stuff, too.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Ok, SUSAN, you may have missed it because I’ve argued against the points you’ve tried unsuccessfully to make.
Take a walk through some of my other posts and you’ll concur. Not that I have, at all, to prove myself to the either of you.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Jared,
I have found that even though some conservatives who visit this site do criticize their own party, you will find few and far between the democratic poster here who will do the same.
There are a few who do, but not many.
good luck with that one
January 8th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Blissful:
Go back and look at the Blagojevich post.
Jared:
If you don’t think you have anything to prove to us, why do you keep trying to prove things to us?
January 8th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Oh my god ~ Joe the Plumber a Middle Eastern War Correspondent! This may be humorous if it wasn’t so freaking pathetic! The latest news on Israel coming from a man who couldn’t even give a proper definition of the term Socialism. Is this some kind of “welfare to work” program or something?
January 8th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Socialism involves “fair’ distribution of wealth
This is from WIKI:
Socialism is not a discrete philosophy of fixed doctrine and program; its branches advocate a degree of social interventionism and economic rationalization, sometimes opposing each other. Another dividing feature of the socialist movement is the split on how a socialist economy should be established between the reformists and the revolutionaries. Some socialists advocate complete nationalization of the means of production, distribution, and exchange; while others advocate state control of capital within the framework of a market economy
WOW. NO, that doesn’t sound anything like the government buying banks, buying companies, giving “loans” to 3 big auto companies and then saying the government will offer a car czar to be in control of them following the rules, moving toward nationalized healthcare, and a trillion dollar bailout that involves cutting checks to folks whether they do or do not pay taxes.
NAHHH. doesn’t sound anything like socialism.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Kregg said: while the Dems don’t have many conservatives left I’m beginning to believe the Repubs don’t have many conservatives left either.
PF said: Thanks for the good news, Kregg. But if you want to find them, they hang out on liberal websites.
PF,
Just doing my duty. You libs will need someone to scream at for the next four years while your guy is in the whitehouse since most libs will not hold him as accountable as they do Bush. Therefore I will do my patriotic duty and give you guys something to scream at. Besides, I just come over here to see what Idiot Colmes has posted today… Everyone needs SOME humor… ;-)
January 8th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
RE: ‘Socialism involves “fair’ distribution of wealth’
Who determines what “fair” is? Wealth rightfully belongs to those who earn it. THAT is “fair”, isn’t it? If so, then forcefully taking wealth from the person who earned it to give it to someone who did NOT earn it is theft – or tax.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Testing My post does not seem to be going through. Why?????
January 8th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Let’s try this a different way
Jared,
Can’t speak for anybody else here but keep trying to prove things to us. Sometimes you may make my “liberal viewpoints stronger, sometimes you may change my mind. Either way part of the fun of posting here is being exposed to viewpoints that differ from my own.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
We already have distribution of wealth in this country. We all pay income taxes. Some of these tax dollars are redistributed to those who did not earn it, in human services programs to the elderly,physically, and mentally disabled. I don’t consider distributing some of my tax dollars to those less fortunate as theft. Therefore, we already have subtle elements of socialism woven into our democratic society. We have already had government intervention into the railroads. We already have social security, which can redistribute monies to the disabled, money they never earned.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Then call it what it is. SOCIALISM. And don’t call the question he asked “stupid” if it is what it is.
And it is. It is socialism
January 8th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Blissful: Have you gone off the edge? Didn’t see anyone calling anyone stupid. You don’t sound very blissful!Are you so upset because you suddendly realized that the boogeyman is already here?
January 8th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
There are already elements of socialism in our economy. Something that I found interesting this election cycle is that there was a lot of talk about socialism being the enemy of our democracy. Socialism is opposed to capitalism but it does not really have anything to do with democracy. Socialism and capitalism are both forms of economy where democracy is a form of Government. While this may be nit picking it seems that many people have socialism and communism confused.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Face it,this guy is a buffoon.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Hey Kregg:
I was just bustin’ on you. I hope you stick around… although most of the conservatives don’t for very long.
The subject is so beaten into the ground on this site but it still fascinates me… the loyalty that the conservatives have to George W Bush. In a perverse kind of way I sort of admire it.
I am evidently so thick that I still don’t get it. What exactly has Bush done for you to deserve such allegiance from you? You don’t want to even TRY something different for a term? If it’s socialism you are worried about, don’t you realize that, under this president, we’ve had the most socialized government that our nation has ever seen?
January 9th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Mark,congrats to you and your GATORS.
January 9th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Hey Steve:
Thanks for remembering me. Had a bunch of friends over for the big game and made my pulled pork (takes 2 days to do it right).
I’ll root Louisville for you in the NCAA tourney since my Gators won’t have a chance.
Mark
January 9th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I’ve always been willing to hear/digest/contemplate other opinions that differ from my own. Apparently, there are some on this website specifically, who don’t share the same views as you or I do PLACEFIELD.
January 9th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I’m so glad Joe didn’t try to cash in.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Who can blame him for cashing in. Is that not the American way? He will not have me as his audience but I do not fault him for taking full advantage of his new-found fame.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
anyone else is just Gator bait!!!!…. congrats my friend
January 9th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
PFKAM, I think it’s like loyalty to a sports team…win or lose there will always be die-hard fans.
In fact, I can picture some of Dubya’s now…rainbow wigs, no shirts, letters painted on body to spell “great job brownie” and one holding up the John 3:16 sign.
Or actually given W’s policies, more likely
Matthew 13:12
January 9th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Yes,
To paraphrase Matthew 13:12 the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I know I may not be paying attention to context but that does not seem to stop others.
Wait a minute. I think I have complained about this whole bible verse quoting thing myself in previous posts. All well guess I may have to cut someone else some slack in the future. Or just cut back on tasty adult beverages on a Friday night. Just having fun y’all.
January 9th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Jared– I don’t hate ” Joe the Plumber” I just think he’s an attention getter. Don’t put words in my mouth because you have a prejudice about me. As for it ” not being my place” to decide if Joe has what it takes to cover the war, guess what? I have a journalism degree. Joe DOESN’T I am FAR more qualified to cover the war as an ” average Jane” than HE does.
Got any more ASSumptions about ME Jared?
My point about ” Joe” not being qualified to cover the Israel-Gaza war/massacre is that he won’t be able to get INTO Gaza to cover the Palestinian side of this tragedy. In case you have overlooked it, Israel is discouraging foreign correspondents from going into Gaza to cover the devastations Israel is doing. Now gee, what is Israel trying to hide? Aren’t they supposedly trying to stop Hamas from firing rockets into Israel?
” Joe the Plumber” is no more qualified to report on the conflict than he is to be a gynecologist. If he had any stringer experience whatsoever, I would have said okay,let him try to dig up some human interest stories. His CLAIM is he wants the ” average Joe” perspective. How can he GET the ” average Joe” Palestinian perspective if he’s not allowed there? Or is going to do like that ” Naked Archeologist” guy and cover only certain things and ignore the rest?
January 10th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I’ve traveled all over the world and have been there 21 times in 53 years.They talked to me as a friend because I entertained them for free.They keep killing each other and it will never end anymore then the chance that the American Indian will get this country back.
natejaeger.com
January 19th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
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