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    marye
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    Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!

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  • Steve-O
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    Obama/Clinton???
    Who to vote for? I enjoyed the wealth of the Clinton years, could this be a repeat? I know absolutely nothing about Obama, except that he is younger. That could be a good thing. I know all about Bob, Phil, and Mickey's veiws, but do I want to support the California dream? I am really iffy on this issue. My primary is coming fast and I really need to make a decision, we shall see.
  • wolfsong
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    McCain is the only logical
    McCain is the only logical choice. as a registered independent i resent the fact that i feel the need to vote republican if only to vote against two not even remotely qualified people, either way the "party" decides. its scary to me that either are even up for nomination. Keep on rockin in the free world
  • Frankly
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    Oh,money supply..
    federal reserve,banks, inflation..i know a very interesting documentary called "Zeitgeist",theres a lot of information about all this stuff:-)(-:
  • 00
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    Libertarian party
    Bobbalee, I am actually a registered Libertarian and I registered for the party when I was in High school and always liked the idea that "nobody should tell me what to do while I am in my own home." But as I have many agreements with the Libertarian party I also have many disagreements such as no gun laws, no environmental laws, no social programs, little to no government. Maybe I am a bit out dated on these policies but this was the Libertarian point of view when I was following it closer. If I am wrong please correct me. I have been a fan of Milton Friedman (economics geek here) but I always had many questions about minimizing the role of government in a free market. This is sort of Bush’s policy on global warming. Let the market figure it out as it knows more that the government when it comes to such issues. I studied Friedman’s quantity theory of money and we can even say that Friedman is responsible for the connection between inflation and money supply and hence our current interest rate system that the Fed uses today. Federal Funds Rate etc. But I think you disagree with this right? Please tell me more about the Libertarian party as I have been out of touch with them for some time.
  • BobbaLee
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    Not much will change
    Sorry to burst everybodys bubble. The difffernce between OBama and McCain is about 15%,Dems and Repubs are two gangs that are constantly fighting over the turf called USA. I suggest you learn about the Libertarian party ot the libertarian philosophy. Ron Paul is a libertarian running as a republican in the primarys. I like Obamas attitude however his policies will not get through Congress. Clinton has the smarts to be president but is so politically slimey she inspires no one. McCain well it won't be Bush 3 however he will be tied to an old corrupt party. Look behind each parties stance: Dems will talk about education however what they mean is "as long as the NEA controls it." Repubs say school choice but what they really want is tax dollars going to religous schools. The same for defense, farm policy, Social Security etc. They use their power to reward their friends and punish their enemies until they cough up protection money. Both parties will do anything to stay in power. They start wars, find enemies everywhere and think nothing of stealing our rights to make sure they keep their system going. Our gov't owes between 10-15 trillion dollars in unfunded gov't pensions, subsidies, Social Security. Medicare. See the Fed lowering interest rates? (not for us) After the election they will rise sharply. Why? because our dollar is becoming weaker and weaker. It will not attract the people who buy our debt the people who own the debt will demand higher interest rates. Why do we still have troops in Europe and Japan? Why do we insist on surrounding Russia with NATO countries. Why? because our industrial military/welfare complex needs to have a large military to keep the economy humming. Dems will scream bloody murder when somebody wants to cut out the military base in their district. Repubs claim they want a smaller govt but have done nothing to shrink gov'r unless its to let corporations off the hook when they make a bad business deal. Both .parties use the fear of other peoples and countries to keep the military industrial complex going go into the ghetto every politican is running a welfare office-I used to insure an AIDS clinic in Miami-they never seemed to have the money to staff the clinic with doctors and medicine. But every board member got their $60,000 salary. and they were all connected pols. when my wife was a Masters degree candidate the welfare agency she worked at made up dozens of fake clients to get more grant money-she refused to sign off on it and was terminated. The owner was an elected official who plays the race card every election. Want to change the system? Read books by Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman and stop looking the other way. Free your self and your mind first. Oh and listen to the Good Ol Grateful Dead. And the road goes on forever.... BobbaLee
  • 00
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    Barack
    I was not sure who I would vote for this time around but then I read “audacity of Hope" and I made up my mind. Barack Obama is what I think of when I read parts of the constitution. He is the memory I have of reciting the pledge of allegiance back when I was in 1st grade. Really, he is a reminder of what I was always taught and believed. I also feel his foregin policy will be more intuned with reality as he as actually lived outside the US. Lets see what happens but Barack Obama is change.
  • Jodester
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    never trust a politician...
    If I vote for someone and they later do something really fucked up, as they always do, then does that mean I am partly responsible? And if I don't vote to keep out the most evil one, what then? Obama seems like a nice guy. Talks the talk, but can he walk the walk? We have no real way to know. He kinda back stabbed his minister but had little choice as to not do so would have been suicide, perhaps. I would tend to favor him although I'm sure he has a snowballs chance in hell of beating McCain. Hilary, where to start... I find her to be completely false and untrustworthy. Having said that, her and Bill back in the White House would basically be a rerun of Bills term without the Monica thing. That wouldn't be so bad. But she has no chance of beating McCain. McCain, since Bush cheated him last time around he seems to have been playing the game of play submissive to the big dog until in a position to take over with the big dogs help. Has this changed him, or is he still the same maverick under the hood? He's actually the most liberal Republican of this era. He's a true war hero in an age where the term is loosely thrown around, and has the most experience. I think he's a man of conviction even if I don't agree with all of his positions. I think he will bring the troops home in the right way if given the chance. I don't think he really wants the war to go on any longer than necessary but u never tell the enemy your plans so it's intelligent to demoralize the enemy by saying you'll stay 100 years if necessary. I think when all the hoo-haa dies down Americans will take him as the most steady, stable choice. Are you kind?
  • Lady Deadhead …
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    Deadheads Unite for Barack
    Yeah, I missed the Dead "re-union", being in Idaho. Location notwithstanding, some bloggers missed it too, (the point, that is...). It's all about change."The sun will shine in my back door someday". Maybe that day has come. Barack Obama is a decent man. Hillary & McCain; more of the same. Everyone, please,open your eyes... They are part of the political machinery that has been steamrolling over Americans, bargaining with lobbyists, and selling out to the "pro-life-war-mongering", constitution stomping, big brother, elitist right! Educate yourselves and do some research to find out the depth and breadth of lies that spew forth from Hillary's pie-hole. We don't need another liar in the house; male OR female. She has lied about her experience. She never had security clearance and sleeping with slick Willy doesn't count...Talk to Northern Ireland. She brought peace to them don't you know? All of Ireland is laughing about that...Macedonia? She claims to have opened their borders... funny, they were open before she even arrived and Bosnia...well you know how she ran from the plane under sniper fire...liar, liar, liar. The list is long...She didn't even pay the health care premiums for her OWN STAFF!!! Liar, liar, liar!!!! S-Chip for childrens' medical care? Check out her claims on that issue...Don't be fooled by the wolf in womens' clothing. Ship of fools...sail away from me...
  • Ami
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    scary times
    my husband's all for Obama, change, get a fresh start out of the washington bogged down with lobbyists,etc... but to be in a position to gain the nomination in the first place, you're already part of the 'old boy's network'. Hillary has connections, not experience. if she had experience it meant that she was privy to decision-making she wasn't allowed to be privy of. so Obama has a good enough record, keeps harping on the war vote, a vote like many that he refused to give a vote on, has dirty Chicago politics behind him- and all that against a war hero who is a hawk that wants to continue a non-sensical war because 'we' will show the world as leaders how it's done. I live in a very densely democratic area, eastern pennsylvania- and it'll give Obama the vote most likely, but the center of the state is rural, we call it Pennsyl-tucky, sometimes pennsyl-bama- and I have a feeling that like a lot of places everywhere, NRA card-carrying militia members and most southern men aren't giving Obama a vote. As much as many don't want more Clintonism, or a woman in the white House, they'd sooner vote for McCain to cancel out Obama. The vote swing this time is the young vote. I lost my first vote of Carter VS Reagan, but this time we need the USA to be concerned with world issues that don't revolve around where we get our oil. If McCain wins- then education is kaput! No child left behind isn't a possibility and is an utter travesty and affront to public education. $$$$ spent on waste- we will have no Social security at all, cost of living will push anyone out of the middle class, and the minority achievement and employment gaps will increase even more. Unemployment will be more epidemic than now, which is at an all time high.. I am scared because if I had to bet who will win, I think deep down that most Americans are going to go with McCain- I'll still go Democratic, but I think the young have to rock the vote and go to the polls in numbers! Now I have to decide if Hillary's politics are any better or worse than Obama's- so far tObama just appears to be more civil. get all your friends out to vote! get anyone you know registered republican to get it changed so they can vote in their state's primary... and then vote! We are our own worst enemies- remember, Bush got RE elected, people didn't get enough the first time going! Ami
  • thndrbill
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    Rolling The Dice
    McCain promises to be a continuation of the Bush years, which by almost any measure have been a disaster. I really expected more from him but I know better than to put much faith in politicians. Of the three I'll take Obama.
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Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!
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TrifectaYes I guess you would call me a small gov't libertarian as opposed to the anarchist libertarian wing. II am not against taxation however it would be quite low as compared to now, did you read David Friedmans book The Machinery of Freedom ? Its Miltons son Remember that polluters etc would not get a free ride-as an example there would be no gov't subsidy of the nuclear industry etc. you know what I want? !. A return to the gold standard impossible to have a big bloated war machine like we have now 2.An end to corporate welfare. 3. A true social Security trust fund earmarked strictly for that. 4. An end to our interventionist foreign policy. 5. an end to the victimless crime laws 6 A new 10 dollar bill with Jerrys pic on it ! And the road goes on forever.... BobbaLee
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your last message looks like you were talking dutch:-)(-:
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I keep vascilating between Obama and Hillary. they both have pros & cons and unfortunately, I think it won't matter because I think most of the US will vote McCain in regardless of his promise to stay in a war, despite the recession, outrageous joblessness rates, soon to be larger homelessness rates, etc... I want to believe that Obama is true and not another dirty politician from Chicago, big city politics often breed that old boy's networking, despite his saying he isn't part of that. To get where they are, any politician had to have friends that put them there, it isn't entirely on merit or altruism. I don't think the US is voting for anyone who isn't a white male- which is unfortunate, I think Hillary or barack would and could do the job well. Our primary is next week on the 22nd- supposedly this'll be the make it or break it state and we'll see. I'm still undecided between the two, they each do something publicized each day that pisses me off. I want Hillary and then she acts a bit rude or unsportsmanlike, then Barack does....my husband's with Barack all the way, I may too. He is a good speaker for sure Ami
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Ami - These are for you, enjoy! I feel much the same way you do about the Presidential race. Photobucket Something (recent) about this one made me LMFAO! Photobucket "All energy flows according to the whims of the Great Magnet. What a fool I was to defy him."
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Good luck with your vote, Ami. The Democratic Leaders of Michigan went against the rules and now my vote does not count. And the Dems wonder why people vote Republican. I have to laugh at the Democrats and their stupidity and elitist attitude. McCain probably will win because of the stupid remarks like Obama's bashing of small town America--being bitter, gun toters and religious fanatics. That's us all right, just call us the Taliban. I voted for and support Hillary, I know what I get with her. Obama for whatever reason, I just do not trust. He reminds me of Kerry and his elitist attitude. Neither party understands what the middle class and lower income families are facing--the cost of gas is staggering, but what kills me is the cost of groceries with three teenagers. Now my daughter is starting driver's training and I wonder where the money is going to come from. But once again, our "leaders" are truly clueless. One more thing, if the Dems don't get it together by the convention we could be witnessing the end of the Democratic party.
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...with Pennsyl-tucky in the middle. between the 2 sides, Philly & Pittsburgh, there's a lot of Alabama. big time hunters, NRA, skinheads, religious right wingers... and I feel like McCain will take the state in the end. I'm still in limbo as to who to go with but know it won't be McCain. I've never voted republican in my life. Funny, i was invited to 2 different forums for Hillary & Barack for tonight! I'm a past union president for my teacher's union and I guess I'm on the democratic list...so I am going to meet Obama. I chose his rally because I'm more skeptical of him. His comments don't bother me, I think it's understandable for any politician who's campaigning 15 hours a day to be examined under a microscope- god knows I couldn't be analyzed so well after 15 minutes! I just think he's a good speaker talking the talk, but then what? Ami
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Looking forward to your report from the trenches. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
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anyone who is not bought and paid for... ooops... those candidates were all ready marginalized. Obama is a fraud, Hillary is a snake, and McCain is angry. Personally the worse person out of the bunch is Obama, with the belief that he is anti war, when he wants to expand wars in central asia and replace the redeployed troops with private security forces. Shameful and dishonest.
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Made my vote count today. I went with experience, hope it's the right choice. I take a little bit of offense to the backwoods remark, but it'll be alright because I don't think McCain stands a snowball chance in hell of winning the Presidency. My humble opinion!!
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I got a bad case I can't shake off of meThe fevered walking round wondering how it ought to be You work in the system You see possibilities and your glistening Eyes show the hell you're gonna give 'em When they back off the mic for once and give it to a woman
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the PA primary gone and I voted for Hillary, my husband canceled me out and voted for Barack. It was back and forth with me for weeks. I got invited to a big to-do for Obama and went and left thinking that he is a great speaker, but didn't really have plans. Hillary spoke in plans of how she'd accomplish things VS Obama's saying we'll allocate the war money to cover this and that. I've been in politics myself and know that you can't keep allocating here and there- especially when the reserve is tapped. I also like Hillary's take on public education better, Barack is for merit pay/performance based pay in several cases, and that doesn't work and isn't fair to those in lower income districts or schools. My school houses all the spec. ed classes in the district and is the lower income school, so our test scores never hit those of the other schools in our district, let a lone the area. We'll see, I just hope my gut is wrong, but I still think McCain will win. Scary, but true. Ami

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http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/DeadheadsForObama Here are seven reasons Hillary's done. Pass 'em on. (1) Ohio Dem voters 65 and older: 14 percent. Pennsylvania: 27 percent. That's 27 percent! Pennsylvania is the second oldest state in the country. It does not look like America. In fact, viewed from this perspective, it's a miracle Obama held the margin to 10, which was the same as the Ohio margin. Putting that another way -- Obama's support grew substantially among all other groups, considering he weathered a doubling of old people without a scratch. (2) Hillary gained maybe a dozen delegates and roughly 210k votes. Not enough and not enough. Obama will still win the most pledged delegates, the most states and the most raw votes. Florida and Michigan don't count because that's what the rules were; Hillary's case that they should count is roughly as intellectually sound as an argument that she should be the nominee because her name comes first in alphabetical order. (3) Meanwhile, based on the Pennsylvania results, Obama will cruise past Hillary in North Carolina and beat her in Indiana. Sure, Indiana's as white and midwesty. But it's not nearly as old. And -- see above -- without a quarter of the vote having been old folks, Obama would have won Pennsylvania, which is the second oldest state in the country. (4) The pundits like drama before the vote and decisive outcomes after it. What I mean is that even if it's close, to hear the pundits tell it, one of the two candidates won 100 to 0. That happened last night for Hillary, just as it happened seven weeks ago for Hillary (after Ohio and Texas). Good for her, but it cuts both ways; when Obama wins Indiana and North Carolina on the same night May 6, the pundits will read the outcome as a 100 to 0 win for Obama, and they will write her campaign's obituary that night. (5) People are all nervous because of the Wright controversy and Bittergate. But most different kinds of voters came to *like Obama more* over these past seven weeks. The only ones who have been put off by Wright and Bittergate in large numbers are older voters -- and again, they don't matter on a national scale the way they do in Pennsylvania! (If you're wondering -- this, by the way, is how to reconcile Obama's 10-points-and-growing lead in the national polls with his 10-point loss last night. The difference is that more than a quarter of Pennsylvania is over 65, but not nearly as much of America is over 65.) (6) Hillary is broke, broke, broke. She can't continue past May 6. Really, Hillary? You raised $2.5 million last night? Really? Good for you. Now, if you do that for like four more nights in a row, you'll be OUT OF DEBT. This money thing is a reality of the race. I admire Hillary's supporters who are willing to work without pay, but she can't buy TV time or send mail to voters on credit. If Hillary had money, she could carry on regardless of her chances of winning. She doesn't, so she can't. (7) Most importantly -- because of #1 through #6 above -- everything is fine, we can all take a deep breath and we can STOP OURSELVES FROM GOING CRAZY NEGATIVE ON HILLARY LIKE HILLARY HAS ON US. I sense a lot of anger out there this morning. Simmer down, y'all. A little disappointment is okay, but this was a meaningless fourth quarter touchdown for Hillary. She can't win. No reason to lower ourselves or the campaign we're proud of. We are two weeks from wrapping up this victory. It would have been nice if it could have been sooner, but on May 6, it's still going to be awfully nice.
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I would love to hear Hillary --and the rest of them for that matter-- give me a good reason I should vote for them rather than simply tearing down the other candidate. Maybe I'm naive and deluded, but I think people are ready for something besides the fear-and-smear tactics the Bushies have used to their advantage these past way too many years.
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I'll be voting for Elmer Fudd if the Dems put him up. Can't take another 4 to 8 years of the Republicans..............
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i'm only 16, so i won't be able to vote by November anyway, but i always follow the campaigns. i have to say, i liked Barack for a long time, but now i feel that the longer this campaign lasts, the less i like either of them. i'm not really what you'd call in the fold of any mainstream american politics -- but i preferred Barack because he seemed more interested in having a positive effect on things than in power or in being a capital-P Politician. I was sad when Edwards dropped out -- he kept Hillary and Barack in check when they started bickering, and i liked his politics, i think, more than either of theirs. I didn't mind Hillary for a while -- she speaks intelligently and specifically about issues. and i hated how everything she said and did was looked at by the mainstream media in the context of her being female. but now it seems like everything she says is calculated to boost her ratings, or blowing some minor thing out of proportion to make Obama look bad. I've been disillusioned with American politics for a long time. this whole battle hasn't helped. i can no longer watch the news. everything CNN says just makes it worse. don't even get me started on the whole Jeremiah Wright thing. http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=167429&title=fest…
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OK, Barrak got the nomination.
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The Race Is On I feel tears welling up from down deep inside, Like my heart's got a big break And a stab of loneliness sharp and painful that I may never shake. You might think that I'm taking it hard since you broke me off with a call, You might wager that I'll hide in sorrow and I might lay right down and bawl. Now the race is on and here comes Obama up the back stretch, McCain a goin' to the inside, my tears are holding back, tryin' not to fall. My heart's our of the running, true love scratched for another's sake, The race is on and it looks like heartaches, and the winner loses all. One day I ventured in politics never once suspecting What the final result would be. Now I live in fear of waking up each morning, And finding that you're gonna be my president. There's an aching pain in my heart for the name of the one that I hated to face, Someone else came out to win Obama, andHillary came out in second place.
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cool Mom!! thankx. I wonder if Hillary, after saying 'Shame on you, Barak Obama, will be asked to be the vp??

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http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/DeadheadsForObama I think Hillary done burned that bridge! If she wasn't so nasty all the time like her "and the skys going to open up" speech, and just peddled her agenda instead of making personal attacks, she might have had a chance at VP. She really showcased her mood swings during the campaign; one minute civil, the next flying off the handle with inappropriate jabs. She can go from tears to laughing like a hyena in a matter of minutes. As a fan of the Clintons myself, I have to say that I lost a ton of respect for both Hillary and Bill this past year. There's many more responsible VP choices for Barack.
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Looks like Obama be the man. Can't take McSame as Bush.
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Now let's talk about some real issues...finally.Not only are the primaries over, the whole race is over, imo. Obama's the next No.1 and anyone that takes a few moments can easily see and understand the graffiti on the White House walls these daze and understand why oil is rocketing to new highs every week. The Greedheads are taking anything that isn't glued down and, at this point in Washington, D.C., it's looking like Saigon late April, 1975, to me. The class action lawyers are gearing up to crash the Presidential gates (and well they should, imo) and I suspect Big Oil is in their crosshairs, to pay for the effort. I just hope that they decide to take criminal actions as well, against Cheney and his cartel, before they make their way to Ken Lay's palace in Dubai. My idea is, after Obama takes the oath, to freeze all assets of these offshore behemoths (including the utility conglomerates, where they launder their ill gotten booty) until we can figure out how to proceed in a world without crude oil as the staple it has become, as the direct result of market rigging by these cry baby, 4th generation, industrialists. After that, we won't have to worry about terrorists spoon fed stereotypical hatred of the West, with OUR own money and get back to a relatively free society, we once enjoyed. What I wonder is who Obama will appoint as Attorney General because that's where the real action is going to take place, after the current plague disappears back into the wood work. Whoever gets that appointment better have balls the size of Texas (or the equivalent). The last guy capable of those actions was paid off in lead, just like his brother. My fear is we'll get another Pelosi along with so called "Universal Healthcare" instead (which would be great if it actually happens... without becoming ANOTHER government entitlement, "white elephant"). On the matter of the government running heath care, Jack Nicholson's character, Melvin Udall, said it best in the movie, "As Good As It Get's", "Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here."
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McSame is pro-life = anti abortion / anti pro-choice. I don't remember who is on the supreme court, or who thinks what over there, but sure as shootin, if McSame gets to appoint somebody,that Roe v. Wade (1973) might be changed. hopefully that issue will bring all of the Hillary folks over to Obama henceforth and post haste. I don't think Hillary will be chosen as Obama's VP, too much 'whitewater' under that burned bridge in my most humble of humbolt opinions. Choosing another woman as his running mate, I hope, will not be seen as a slap in Hillary's face or a snub against Hillary, but in the end, Obama's gotta pick somebody who can do the 'swing' with one or more key states to turn them blue. peace.
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there are bookies laying odds about who will be chosen as the running mates... McSame -- Romney Obama -- Nunn as far as Jimmy "The Fish" is concerned, Rommey and Nunn have the best chance of getting chosen as the vp. peace.
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You know, I'm reasonably cynical about politicians. I don't expect them to agree with me about everything, etc. But I am simply aghast to learn that after promising last year to join the filibuster against the FISA bill giving telecom companies immunity for their criminal behavior in helping the feds conduct warrantless wiretaps against their customers (for which our own Electronic Frontier Foundation is suing AT&T in court, among others), Barack is now saying that he'll vote for the current bill that lets the telcos off the hook instead of joining his filibustering colleagues. If we expect our soldiers to refuse unlawful orders, for which the penalty to them might be quite high, we should certainly expect the telcos to keep faith with their customers and demand the warrant the law and the constitution require. Indeed one of them, Qwest I believe, stood up to the feds and did just that. Kudos to Senator Feingold and the other spineful legislators prepared to filibuster this atrocity, and shame, shame, shame on Obama, who is showing himself to be yet another sleazeball willing to do and say anything to get power. I am reminded of all Bill Clinton's fine campaign promises to all the constituencies he sold out the minute he was in office. Don't ask, don't tell, anyone? (For that matter, shame on him for seizing the photo op and talking about how he supports the death penalty for child rapists in the face of the Supremes saying it's unconstitutional, too. Shades of effing Bill Clinton signing the death warrant for the Arkansas criminal who was so retarded he said he was saving the ice cream in his last meal for later.) I hate to see Barack degenerate into just another creepy opportunist, so I hope he straightens out. But I'm not all that hopeful, and wondering who I'll be writing in.
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NOW he says he'll call the DEA goons off the medical marijuana clinics in places where they're allowed by state law. What do you bet he finds some reason to renege on that one too?
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I'm thinking the same.
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16 years 7 months
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Political discussions can ruffle feathers so I tread lightly. I will probably write in Alice Cooper. He ran in 73'. Don't like Obama. Too liberal in his views--no experience--wants to "talk" with Iran . .etc...etc. After having a daughter born premature at 27 weeks (the last age I think allowed to be "partially aborted" supported by Obama) has changed my views on this forever. You know of course that Alice Cooper & Gene Simmons generally support Bush and McCain. Go search it on-line. I believe Gene's mom was in a German concentration camp, and she was freed by allied troops. That had an impact on his political views.
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I'd really like to write in JPB's name, for U.S. President, but I'm fairly confident he's smart enough to know he can do much more for our country in another capacity. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is one of the most underrated organizations that has ever existed and every person in this country benefits from the work those folks do every day. "Thank you" to all involved in the real war on terror. Financial greed is becoming the new Gestapo of our age, imo, no matter what it hides itself behind. To think that we have to fight this battle without folks like Jerry, HST, Kurt Vonnegut and others means, at some point, we all have to fill those vacant shoes and I don't see anyone in the status quo giving up their place in the buffet line for the honor of doing what's necessary, in those terms. Hopefully Obama is merely doing the political fence dance and he returns to the correct spirit to achieve the political changes needed and promised. If Obama delivers anything less than what he's advertised so far, he'll be judged worse than those responsible for the current climate of fear, anger and hatred. "You know what the trouble about real life is? There's no danger music."
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this forum is becoming very interesting and educative to this befuddled outsider. Thanks and please keep on keeping on :-)
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I learn this morning that there is considerable ire about this in the Obama camp and that there is a new group on the Obama site dedicated to the issue: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/SenatorObama-PleaseVoteAgainstFISA From what some posters have said, it's the fastest-growing group on the Obama site. fwiw and all. I've already posted MY screed there.
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Hope he is listening. We need candidates who listen and learn and are not afraid to rethink a (not thought through)position. Hope this fica goes against his every molecule of his being and he see's that he just needs to focus and see it.
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this is the first test of Obama's presidency and he's not doing so well. I hope he realizes his error before it's too late.
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17 years 5 months
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I see in the news that Bob Barr has chosen Wayne Alan Root to be his running mate: Wayne lives in Las Vegas and has a TV show on Saturday's during football season where he offers gambling advice and picks to consider for placing wagers.... I won't touch this underdog. http://www.bobbarr2008.com/splash/video/?s0618 "...the bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began..."
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let's just say I am not Vegas Girl. I would hope Obama develops a spine and gets a clue. I certainly prefer The Audacity of Hope to Same S--- Different Day, which is what he's showing himself to be at the moment.
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In connection of our topic... Well, the housing market crisis is a major issue in the upcoming election. Both candidates are attempting to address the issue and differentiate their positions from one another. I found this head-to-head video from Clash/Presidential Candidates on the Housing Market. How do they compare? ______ :- )
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"If Obama delivers anything less than what he's advertised so far, he'll be judged worse than those responsible for the current climate of fear, anger and hatred." correct...and its a given ...drag ....but real now what? Keep on rockin in the free world

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http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/DeadheadsForObama Virginia Governer Tim Kaine is a stylin' choice for Obama's VP. Sometimes you don't have to micro-scrutinize a man to understand who he is. When I first heard Obama speak in December 2006, I started Deadheads for Obama two months later. When I saw Tim Kaine humbly jammin' with several different bluegrass bands and fluently speaking Spanish on youtube I knew that he was the man. A year or so ago I sure did want to see my Governer, Joe Manchin of West Virginia get the nod; but after attending the Democratic State Convention in Charleston this summer as an electoral delegate I realized that good ol' Joe is still pining for Hillary. You know Joe served us up some good fried chicken, soup beans, and corn bread (no lie) during the convention but he's not the one for the job. He is a great friend and Governer. Another great Appalachian, Governer Tim Kaine of Virginia is as real as they come. Dude loves his music, Family, and state. He will bring the rural and Latino vote for the Dems this fall. My neighbors in Ohio and Pennsylvania might warm up to Barack with Tim in his corner.
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"... I knew right away she was not like other girls....other girls'..."Our governor in Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius, is an attractive choice as well. Barack's mom and grandparents are from Kansas! Rock Chalk Barack!!
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I had this strange thought over the weekend. You know how a few months back, Obama's pastor gave this flaming sermon on not God Bless America, God Damn America if it behaves in this and that way. This caused a huge stir and one of Obama's earliest ditchings of his friends for political expediency. Before he caved on warrantless wiretaps and offshore oil drilling and lord knows what else. It occurred to me that the pastor in question was following in the admirable and well-established footsteps of, say, the prophet Jeremiah. The prophet Elijah. And a whole lot of other revered Old Testament types who called their authority figures on their shit and warned of divine retribution. In short, there was a fine Bible-belting rebuttal to the pastor's detractors, and Obama missed a hellacious opportunity to use it.
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regarding Palin's past as Mayor. Here is a list of books that Sarah Palin tried to have banned from the Wasilla Public Library, according to the official minutes of the Library Board. When she was unsuccessful at having these books banned, and she tried to have the librarian fired. Interesting selection of authors/books. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner Blubber by Judy Blume Brave New World by Aldous Huxley Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Carrie by Stephen King Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Christine by Stephen King Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau Cujo by Stephen King Curses, Hexes, and Spells by Daniel Cohen Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Peck Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller Decameron by Boccaccio East of Eden by John Steinbeck Fallen Angels by Walter Myers Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) by John Cleland Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes Forever by Judy Blume Grendel by John Champlin Gardner Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Have to Go by Robert Munsch Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Impressions edited by Jack Booth In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak It's Okay if You Don't Love Me by Norma Klein James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman Little Red Riding Hood by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Lord of the Flies by William Golding Love is One of the Choices by Norma Klein Lysistrata by Aristophanes More Scary Stories in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier My House by Nikki Giovanni My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara Night Chills by Dean Koontz Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer One Day in The Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Ordinary People by Judith Guest Our Bodies, Ourselves by Boston Women's Health Collective Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones by Alvin Schwartz Scary Stories in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz Separate Peace by John Knowles Silas Marner by George Eliot Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain The Bastard by John Jakes The Catcher in the Rye b y J.D. Salinger The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier The Color Purple by Alice Walker The Devil's Alternative by Frederick Forsyth The Figure in the Shadows by John Bellairs The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Snyder The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks The Living Bible by William C. Bower The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare The New Teenage Body Book by Kathy McCoy and Charles Wibbelsman The Pigman by Paul Zindel The Seduction of Peter S. by Lawrence Sanders The Shining by Stephen King The Witches by Roald Dahl The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Snyder Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary by the Merriam-Webster Editorial Staff Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols by Edna Barth Palin mainstream? Not in this neck of the woods. And I live in one of the reddest states around.
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she didn't go after "eletric kool aid" or gonzo's stuff... looks like she pasted over the cookoo's nest
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there are certainly books on that list that I cannot stand at any price, but, yeesh! this probably deserves wider circulation.
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No really, wow. Banning books seems the polar opposite of free thought. Free thought leads to a free exchange of ideas, which leads to better relations between all people, which leads to peace and a better world. Banning books leads to ignorance and the ability to circumnavigate the planet from the south pole to the north pole by ship for the first time in human existance. peace,pk
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of all persuasions are very threatened by free thought. Not a left-right thing, a control-freak vs. freedom thing.
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Freedom scares the stars out of some people, from both sides absolutly.Pretty sad. Like not watering the plants in your garden and wondering why it doesn't produce you a beautiful meal.
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As I sit here, I realize that I learn things and grow on a constant basis hearing the thoughts and discussions of the many folks here. When I sit back and look at it. It is a real gift to our consiousness that we have this avenue. Just wanted to say that it's not taken for granted and is a source of the constant yearning to learn and grow. Thanks to all involved. peace,pk